Volume 30, No. 30
April 23, 1999
Contact: Mike Carpenter (570) 662-4848
mcarpent@mnsfld.edu
ABC NEWS VETERAN SAM DONALDSON SPEAKS AT MANSFIELD
White House Correspondent Sam Donaldson didn't make his Mansfield University deadline, but despite arriving an hour late for his Tuesday, April 20 visit, he took the place by storm. Donaldson began his visit with a press conference in North Hall's traditional reading room, an informal talk with honors students,a reception at the President's House, and dinner in North Dining Room. He concluded his appearance with his lively talk, "The View from Washington" in Decker Gymniasium.
Donaldson, an award-winning ABC News veteran and the network's White House correspondent, talked about his extensive Washington experience and told humerous stories of press conferences with Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. His commanding presence and familiar voice captivated audiences throughout the day.
The reporter fielded several questions about media coverage and why some stories seem to never go away. "The best ways to get reporters to stick with you are to either lie or not give a direct answer. The people in the press room knew that Bill Clinton was lying about his role in the Monica Lewinsky scandal from the first day. He couldn't give us a direct answer."
Donaldson also mentioned the importance of how a public figure is portrayed in the media. "If Abraham Lincoln would have had to run for president against Clinton in 1860 and we had television at that time, Clinton would have won easily. Lincoln had a high squeeky voice and some of the reporters of the day labeled him as 'ugly.' But image wasn't nearly as important then as it is now. The sizzle is often more important than the steak."
Donaldson talked about more serious issues, including the current situation in Kosovo. He believes the NATO involvement may escalate soon. "Clinton and his advisors thought Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic would cave in after three or four days of bombing. Since that hasn't happened, we will probably send in ground forces to try and save face and keep the NATO alliance together. The Germans had 900,000 troops stationed in Yugoslavia during World War II and couldn't wipe out the Yugoslav forces due to the mountainous terrain. Some of our miltary leaders think we need only 50,000 or 60,000 troops to end the war. That is nonsense."
At the conclusion of the talk in Decker, President Halstead presented Donaldson with a Mansfield University sweatshirt and coffee mug. Proceeds benefited the MU Scholarship Fund. Donaldson's visit was part of the 18-day celebration of President John Halstead's inauguration. Donaldson signed autographs before departing. Citizens & Northern Bank co-sponsored the event.
INTERGENERATIONAL DANCE BEATS THE DECADES
Congratulations to MU students on the Intergenerational Dance they sponsored last Saturday night in the North Dining Room. Senior Citizens from three area residences attended.
Students entertained and danced with seniors to music provided by our MU music students. Word is that the seniors spent Sunday talking about their great evening out and those who weren't able to attend were very envious.
Bruce Dart took formal "prom photos" of each participant to share with family and friends.
John Abplanalp, director of External Learning Experiences, attended the function.
"Our students deserve much credit for their hard work, planning skills, and the actual implementation of their plans," John says. "Each student there could have found a dozen places to be on a Saturday night but each was there because they cared and made a commitment to a community service program!
"This was one of those occasions when you drive away from campus filled with pride and proud to be associated with students like ours."
The dance was sponsored by Community-Service Learning, Senior Support Services, Phi Sigma Phi, Student Association of Nutrition & Dietetics, Sigma Alpha Iota and Creative Arts Therapy Sounding.
STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE SERVICE AWARD BANQUET HONORS STUDENTS
Barb Scolum was selected as the 1998-99 Outstanding Student Service Award Recipient at the 10th annual Student Affairs Outstanding Student Awards Banquet in North Dining Hall on April 19. Dr. J. Dennis Murray, psychology, was presented with the Student Activities Office "Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders Through Involvment Award," in appreciation of his assistance to its programs.
MU also had eight inductees into Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Campus nominating committees and editors of the annual directory have included the names of these students based on their academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in curricular activities and potential for continued success.
The celebration honors students for their achievements and also recognizes the time and effort put forth by the various advisors to the many student organizations on campus. President Halstead, Joseph Maresco, vice-president for student affairs, Dr. Robert Maris, biology, and Clarence Crisp, director of student activities presided over the ceremonies. The meal was served by ARAmark Dining Services and musical entertainment was provided by members of the MU Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Sarch.
MU STUDENTS TAKE THREE TOP PLACES AT BIOLOGY MEETING
Mansfield University students took three of the top awards at the annual meeting of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists (CPUB), April 17, at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. CPUB comprises biology faculty and students from the 14 State System of Higher Education universities.
Of the 15 undergraduate awards given (first through third place in five categories), MU students won three. Each winner received a certificate at a banquet following the presentations. First-place winners also received a $50 prize.
Kristine M. Playfoot of Mansfield, PA won first place in the cell/molecular category for her paper, "Comparison of bath and injection treatments of bovine serum albumin as a molecular mark for stock identification of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)."
Amy J. Wanner of Nelson, PA took second place in the ecology/botany group for "Diagnostic tests for the presence of the Lyme Disease spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) in blood serum from the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)."
Samantha L. Cunningham of Cherry Flats, PA placed third in the ecology/botany category for her presentation, "The use of mini-biocells for the bioremediation of petroleum under laboratory conditions as monitored weekly over an 8-week period."
Four MU students also earned places in the top five of their respective categories.
Jennifer L. Lucrezi of Stroudsburg, PA placed fourth in the ecology/botany category for her paper, "Population dynamics of micro-Crustacea in freshwater habitats in northern Pennsylvania."
Samantha Cunningham and Amy Wanner also tied for fourth in the ecology/zoology/botany poster division. Cunningham displayed "The use of mini-biocells for the bioremediation of petroleum under laboratory conditions as monitored daily over a one-week period," while Wanner exhibited "Ecological distributions of arthropod parasites of Odocoileus virginianus (the white-tailed deer) and Peromyscus leucopus (the white-footed mouse) from northern Pennsylvania."
Karin R. Russell of Lawrenceville, PA took fifth place in the ecology/zoology/botany poster division for her display, "Pet therapy as an alternative treatment for hypertension."
In addition, Martha Yoerg of Mansfield, PA was recognized as the outstanding biology student from Mansfield University.
Ralph C. Goff, associate professor of biology, serves as Mansfield's CPUB director. MU biology professor Robert C. Maris completed two two-year terms as the organization's president.
Friday, April 23, 6 p.m., North Manser. Five-Star Dining and the Mansfield University Orchestra will present a student soloist concert and dinner. The menu for the dinner includes: Classical, Russian, Italian, French and American style dishes. Students with a meal plan will be charged $5.55 plus a meal equivalency for the dinner and concert; commuter students, faculty and staff will be charged $13.85 each and non-university guests are $15.95 each. Tickets for the concert only are $5 for adults and $3 for children. Call x4326 for more information or to register. Interested parties can also sign up with the cashier in South Court or the checker at the entrance to the main dining hall.
During the week of April 26, discards from Mansfield's North Hall Library journal and periodical collections will be available at the atrium. Ask for assistance at the information desk on 2 South.
If you have an interest in a childcare facility on campus, the surveys collecting that information are available in the human resources office in Alumni Hall or in the Women's Center in Pinecrest. These surveys should be returned to Vice President William Yost (528 North Hall) by the end of April.
Theresa Whitt, education and special education, conducted a three-hour workshop titled "Teaching Relationship Skills a Proactive Approach to Avoiding School Violence," April 14-17. The workshop was conducted for the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) at the national conference in Charlotte, NC. Theresa's proposal to conduct the workshop was among the highest ratings given by the CCBD in their review of proposals in the categories of behavioral disorders and strategies for promoting socially appropriate behavior. Theresa offers an indepth study of school violence through the Continuing Education Center and the next class is scheduled for May 21-23 and June 5-7.
Kelvin Morgan, facilities - grounds, recently received a "thank you" from the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania for his work as a coach in Tioga County.
A team from Mansfield raised $2,500 for the recent Multiple Sclerosis Walk held in Corning, NY on April 18. Team members from MU included: John Atkins, Brian Barden, Liv Mitcheltree, Rachel Green, Julie McIntyre and Jackie Wisniewski, all from the admissions office. Some individuals completed the 10-mile walk while others walked half the distance.
The Mansfield University softball teams dropped both games of a doubleheader to Shippensburg University Tuesday, but a new school record was set. Junior pitcher Kelly Morris struck out two batters in the first game to give her 220 career strikeouts. Mansfield closes out the 1999 season at East Stroudsburg Saturday and by hosting Kutztown Sunday at 1 p.m.
The baseball team has had its schedule restructured due to several rainouts this week. The 28th-ranked Mounties host Shippensburg University Saturday and Kutztown University Sunday in a pair of key PSAC East doubleheaders. Kutztown, Shippensburg and Mansfield have the three best records in the seven-team eastern division.
THE BOTTOM LINE
"There is a point where the educational goals of the university have to give way to the First Amendment rights of the student," The lawyer for a group challenging mandatory student fees at public colleges, in the April 9 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education.