Volume 30, No. 1
August 21, 1998
Scott A. Miller
Contact: Scott A. Miller 662-4844
NEWS
Halstead addresses faculty and staff for first time
Calling MU "an absolute gem," President John Halstead welcomed more than 300 faculty and staff members yesterday at a breakfast to kick off University Days.
Halstead shared impressions from his first several weeks on campus, which included meetings with trustees, political leaders like U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and State Sen. Roger Madigan, business and industry leaders, alumni, students and a black bear (though, that impromptu "meeting" was more of a sighting out his kitchen window).
"Looking around with a fresh perspective and a new set of eyes, I've found that this place is a gem, an absolute gem," Halstead said. "Please don't ever take this institution for granted; it is something special."
Though he's been active since starting, he reiterated the sentiment of his Aug. 14 letter to employees: "I am very much in the listening and learning mode." He encouraged employees to complete the questionnaire included in that letter, saying "it's your chance to ‘play president' and tell me what needs to be addressed. I want to know your issues and your priorities."
Noting that planning will be a hallmark of his administration, Halstead gave an outline of a university strategic action plan. Key points include:
*A commitment to a culture that values teaching and learning;
* Achieving optimal enrollment goals and enhancing the academic quality of students;
* Expanding external support and university-wide marketing efforts.
"We will need your input and critique during the fall semester," Halstead said. "There will be plenty of opportunities for involvement through the Senate and various councils to make it our plan."
Halstead also introduced his wife, Kathy, and thanked the campus for the warm welcome given to his family, which includes their daughter, Christine, and dog "Baxter."
Convocation to celebrate start of academic year
The university will celebrate the opening of the academic year with convocation Monday, Aug. 24, at 2 p.m. in Straughn Hall.
After opening remarks by President John Halstead, Margaret Launius, psychology, will provide the convocation address, "Thrivin' & Survivin'."
Launius has been a faculty member since 1989, coming to MU from Southern California where she had completed a full-time post-doctoral position at an outpatient center treating sex offenders.
She teaches courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level and serves the university in a variety of capacities including as advisor for the Psi Chi Honor Society and as a member of the President's Commission on the Status of Women. She also serves the community on the Tioga County Women's Coalition Board of Directors, as a consultant with a number of mental health organizations, and as a private practitioner.
She earned her bachelor's degree at California State Polytechnic, master's degree at California State Fullerton and Ph.D. at Louisiana State.
The Pride of Pennsylvania Mountie Marching Band will provide musical selections under the direction of Adam Brennan, music.
Faculty will gather in Manser Hall's North Dining Room at 1:30 p.m. and process to Straughn at approximately 1:45 a.m.
Festival Chorus readies for fall season
The Mansfield University Festival Chorus seeks faculty, staff, and students for another year of performances to celebrate autumn, the holidays and spring under the direction of Peggy Dettwiler, music.
The first concert is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m., and will feature the Festival Chorus and Concert Choir in a display of styles from chant to oratorio to country to the spiritual. The concert will close this concert with a rousing rendition of "Old Time Religion," which includes audience participation!
The annual holiday concert, one of the university's most popular events, carried the theme, "Holiday Music down through the Ages," and will feature the return of the hilarious "Musicological Journey." All five choirs will participate with organ and instrumental accompaniment in performances on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 at 7:30 pm.
In the spring semester, the Festival Chorus will perform Haydn's "Creation" with orchestra.
Rehearsals in preparation for the concerts are Tuesdays, beginning Aug. 25, from 7-9 p.m. In addition, members are welcome to participate with the Concert Choir on selections for men's and women's choruses. These rehearsals are Thursdays at 7 p.m. for women and at 8 p.m. for men.
Attendance at Thursday rehearsals (except for two dress rehearsals) is not mandatory for Festival Chorus members.
For more information call Dettwiler at 4721.
Have an Updater announcement? Send it to Scott A. Miller
An essay by Ellen Blais, English, titled "Consider the Snake" appears in the Spring 1998 (Vol 61 Number 1) of "Snowy Egret," described as the "oldest independent U.S. journal of nature writing."
Hobart King, geography and geology, presented "Teaching plate tectonics using easy-to-draw illustrations" at the National Science Teachers Association national meeting in Las Vegas in April. Five MU students -- Amy Allen, Steve Calabro, Nicole Jackson, Christine Martino, and Alanna Patterson -- also attended the meeting, which annually draws approximately 20,000 science teachers from around the world. Calabro, Jackson, Martino, and Patterson presented the workshop "Gold Rush," a content presentation and simulation game that can be adapted for students in third grade through introductory college courses.
Larry Nesbit, director of information resource services, has been appointed by Gov. Tom Ridge to a four-year term on the Governor's Advisory Council. The committee recommends policy decisions to the Commonwealth Library. It may be the first appointment to the committee for any State System of Higher Education librarian.
An article by Richard Hamwi, art, entitled "Integrating Aethetic Values in the Teaching of Art" appears in the Spring 1998 "Values Newsletter." The article is available on the Web at http://vesta.bloomu.edu/~values.
Steve McCloskey, sports information director, has been elected president of the board of directors for the Eastern College Athletic Association Sports Information Directors Association.
This page is maintained by Scott A. Miller.