Mansfield University Blog

To see how a book inspired a movement, go to tonight’s presentation, “Animal, Vegetable, Mansfield” in Straughn at 7 p.m.   Local organic growers will talk about how the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle inspired them to create the successful Mansfield Growers Market held every Friday downtown.  Sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Institute.

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The Mansfield Growers Market also has a Facebook page.  Visit it and and join the ranks of fans.

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Terry Day captured some of the excitement of convocation with Mansfield Mountie Band’s performance of the fight song outside Straughn on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

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Dr. Mike Chester, physics, was the featured speaker at convocation.  Here’s the podcast of his address, in which he talks about his family’s years of organic farming.

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Work has progressed to the north side of North Hall’s roof.  Crews are installing  rows of slate tiles and ice guards.  They are now working right above the president’s office.

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Check out this video interview with Drew Robinson, manager of Sodexo on how the company completely changed the look, feel and food in Manser while contributing to the university’s green goals.  Great combination of sustenance and sustainability.

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I’ll be interviewing Mike Capuzzo, author of  the bestseller The Murder Room Friday.  It will air on Blue Ridge next weekend and be posted on YouTube.  Mike, a Pulitzer Prize nominee for his book Close To Shore, is publisher of Mountain Home Magazine.

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Here’s NPR’s story on the top five health issues on campus today.  As usual, the comments are as interesting as the story, which earned, from readers, a barely passing grade.

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Hey, Zombies Vs Humans or any other undead geek, seen the trailers for Walking Dead? What do you think? Winner or dead man walking?

While the past few months have been speeding by, a lot of MU folks have appeared in the national news, from Provost Peter Keller’s appearance in the Chronicle to advice from alum Mozart Guerrier on how to be a better student.  Here are highlights from articles in nationally distributed publications about MU and its people over the past 10 months.

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The Mansfield Grower’s Market has added a lively, green touch to downtown Mansfield with food, produce, education and entertainment.  A group of these growers and doers will discuss the seeds and fruits of the market during the panel discussion “Animal, Vegetable, Mansfield: living, eating and reading local,” Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. in Straughn.

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Physics prof Mike Chester, a vendor at the Grower’s Market, will share some insights about physics and farming during his address at Convocation Friday at noon in Straughn.  Let’s hope he doesn’t combine his knowledge of nano technology and farming.  We could wind up with the world’s smallest snow peas.

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“Young American-Muslims need to focus on comments by leaders like Mayor Bloomberg, whose stand on the issue exemplifies the very best in American leadership: educating people and standing up for the values of our Constitution, rather than playing on fear and ignorance.”  Excerpt from Mansfield Alumnus and former FBI Agent Ali Soufan’s thoughts  on the mosque controversy on forbes.com Thanks to John Maslar,  CT who shared the link on Facebook.

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Allen Hall is leveled and is nearly ready for its reincarnation as a parking lot.  When Allen Hall was built in 1926,  Calvin Coolidge was president.  Federal spending was $2.93 billion and unemployment was 1.8%.  The St. Louis Cardinals beats the Yankees 4-3 in the World Series and area historian Chester Bailey was 12 years old.

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Here’s this year’s “Mindset for the Class of 2014” from Beloit College which has produced the list annually since 1998.  While there are 75 items, it only takes a few to make you feel really old.

A significant piece of MU history was saved this summer when our buildings and grounds crew removed the concrete insignias on Allen Hall which is scheduled for demolition Monday, August 16.

The history: the building was constructed in 1926 as the Mansfield Junior High School and  the campus was Mansfield Normal School.  A year later, we became Mansfield State Teachers College.   The building was converted to college classrooms in 1960 and named after Fordyce Allen.  A big thanks to Ben Jones, director of Facilities Management for saving the insignias and to Dean Miller and John Pollock who  painstakingly  chipped the artifacts from the walls.

One of the insignias will go on display on the first floor of North Hall.  The other may find a home near the new Allen Hall.

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Ah, we despair that no one reads, especially young people.  MU student Briana Brayer shatters the stereotypes.  The sophomore started BAM Book Reviews when she was a high school senior and continues it.  The site was recently named to the Online PhD program’s “Top 50 Book Blogs.”  And author Stefne Miller was so impressed with Briana’s review of her book Salvaged, she’s going to use a section of it as a blurb on the book’s sequel.

Thanks to Bia Bernum who brought Briana to my attention.

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Marlie Manning is featured in the Trailheads Blog.  She doing an internship at Drake Well Museum this summer.  Thanks to Karen Guenther for sending us the info.

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Terry Day and I did a quick video tour of some of  the changes taking place on and around campus.  We’re going to try to do more of these during the year to keep you informed.

There have been so many questions about all the construction on campus and downtown that I thought I’d compile the latest information for you.

There have been changes, delays, unexpected interruptions,  but Allen Hall will be open for business when the students return at the end of August.  Ben Jones, director of facilities management, gave Kevin Abrams, executive director, Northern Tier Regional Planing & Development Commission and me a sneak preview tour recently.  It’s a beautiful facility.  In the next couple weeks when things are tidied up, I’ll do a video tour and share it with you.

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The original Allen Hall will come down in mid-August, making way for a parking lot.  Construction of the old building began in 1926 when we were still Mansfield Normal School.  Junior high students called it the “Hillside Penitentiary.”  Historian Joyce Tice has assembled a history and photos of Allen Hall.   We also have history of the building and the man after whom it was named here.

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Our facilities folks are turning the band practice field into a parking lot to replace parking lost with the construction of the new residence halls behind Beecher.  Construction on the privatized housing hopefully will start in August with a planned finish date of December 2011.  The Mansfield Auxiliary Corp, in cooperation with MU, is heading the  project and seeking  approximately $40 million to make it happen.  For details and artist renderings, click here.

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Following the dots, the marching band will practice on the football practice field and VanNorman field this year.  A new band practice field will be developed at the picnic area near the water tower and will be ready next summer.

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The university has bought the property that until recently held the borough hall.  The building was razed in July.  The university also bought what most people refer to as the old Wilston Funeral Home.  The house dates back to the 1840’s and through the centuries served as a home, a hospital and funeral home.

The properties will be leased by the Mansfield Downtown Development Corp. whose members are now developing plans for a movie theatre-cultural complex which will be located where the borough hall stood.   There are no firm plans for the house.  A variety of options are being discussed.  I’ll share more news when I get it.

For a video version, taken on location at the sites, click here.

In one of the most open secrets of recent times, Lori Ranck, Kathy Rumsey and other friends of Budget Planning Director Joyce Nichols chipped in to make Joyce’s retirement party really special.  They secretly flew Joyce’s daughter, Jenn and grandson Tayden in from Denver.  While it looks like PR department members were attacking Joyce, Lori captured her at the exact moment she saw Jenn and Tayden enter the room. Okay, so I believe the ad: “priceless.”

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Marvin Roberts, application developer in Campus Technology, also said farewell last week.  And he did it with flair.  After years of being the target of colleague Willie Tuttle’s practical jokes, Marv administered his own parting shot.  Willie congratulated Marv and conceded he probably had it coming.

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Police Chief Christine Shegan alerts us that several vehicles have been stolen this month in Mansfield Borough and the surrounding area.  In fact, they’ve been stolen from private residences so make sure you remove your ignition keys and lock your vehicles all the time.  Yes, the times they are a-changing.  Mayberry’s gone.

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The old borough building came down July 19.  The two- story section on the left was once part of the Mansfield Opera House that burned in 1913.  The land, now owned by the university, will be leased by the Mansfield Downtown Development Corporation, which plans to construct a building housing a movie theatre and rooms for other community and university activities.

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Rumors of Sheetz coming to Mansfield appear to be true, contingent on a couple approvals.  the Altoona-based family operation has a fascinating history.

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Can’t get enough Marcellus Shale info?  Here’s the latest “industry backed” study that shows the gas pocket could generate up to a billion dollars in taxes and create 100,000 jobs in PA and Virginia.

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Warning. If you haven’t already heard, Facebook now publishes your phone number and the numbers of all your friends.  To fix this, go to the top right of your screen and click Account.  Go to Edit Friends.  Go to the left side of your screen and click phone book.

Or go to Privacy settings - Phone - Customize - Only Me.

The legend of Sarah, the Ghost of North Hall, lives on in a new short story (perhaps the first ever) by Samantha Lienhard, daughter of mathematics and computer information science professor Clarence Lienhard. This is an exclusive first look for MU Blog readers.  An interview with Samantha, a student at MU, will appear in the August issue of The Mansfieldian.    Here’s “White Lady.”

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Celebrating the anniversary of the Newtown Hill Battle in August 1779, MU Professor Emeritus and local historian Ron Remy has assembled a display in the North Hall entrance at Mansfield University.

Included are several artifacts from the Revolutionary War, including a sword, a bayonet, a leather “possible bag,” as well as a British lock and musket balls that Remy found on the battlefield site in Lowman, NY.  There are also reproductions of a musket as well as a uniform coat, hat and paintings.

The Newtown Hill battle, led by General John Sullivan and General James Clinton in August 1779, was part of the famed “Sullivan’s March.”

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Tam Soderberg was an important part of MU and to international students, many of whom  point to her as one of the major influences on their lives.  Efforts are underway to build The Tamara Soderberg Endowed Scholarship Fund.  Part of the fund raising efforts include a “Continuing Her Legacy: Tamara Soderberg” event Thursday, August 26, 5:30 p.m., Lambs Creek Restaurant.  Suggested donation is $50/couple, $30 single.  For information, contact the MU Foundation at 570-662-4852 or click here.

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Construction has started on Lowes on Business Rt. 15 just south of the borough.  It’s scheduled to open at the end of the year.

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What was Hitler thinking when he came up with the idea for the Volkswagon?  How did the name Coca-Cola evolve?  Was the Yahoo name really borne of a lack of self-esteem?  Here’s the history behind the names of  16 giant companies.

Peter Keller, provost, is featured — along with his photo — in the latest edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education. The article deals with the advantages/disadvantages of colleges sitting smack on top of  Marcellus Shale and the irony of Mansfield University’s unique situation. . . .  Read it quickly though.  For non-members the online version disappears after this week.

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Greek Organizations and MU got a boost with this short article in Student Affairs Today crediting President Loeschke for the increased activity in Greek life on campus.

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Challenges, improvements and reasons to celebrate was the theme of MU President Maravene Loeschke’s address to the Class of 1960 during this year’s Alumni Weekend.  Here’s the podcast.

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Two members of the Department of Environmental Protection gave a presentation last week on the campus’s water quality.  Here’s the video.

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A crew is working on west roof of North Hall, replacing nine rows of slate tiles and installing ice guards.  Here’s what the construction looks like from the ground.  And here’s what it looks like from my office window.

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Sherri Beam walked off the stage in 1971 holding her degree in Spanish, little dreaming that she would one day be working as a marketing and outreach specialist for NASA. She’s also earned some of the industry’s highest awards. Oh, and she teaches conversational Spanish in her spare time.

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The 12th annual Joel Stevens Tournament will kick off this Friday.  All money raised benefits the Joel Stevens Foundation.

Congratulations to the MU School of Information and Library Technologies which has just been awarded a $1 million grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLF).  The program will partner with the Chicago Public School System and the New York City Department of Education.  This is actually the fifth award MU has received from the IMLF, underscoring the success and the uniqueness of the MU graduate online program.  More details here.

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Two women walked into my office during Alumni Weekend, apologizing for entering unannounced.  I said they were welcome to come in.  “This was my room!” One lady said with a sweep of her arm.  “My bed was over here, and we had our own sink, which was right there.”  So where I’m sitting right now typing these words, this nostalgic alum  brushed her teeth every morning 50 years ago.

Definitely a Rod Serling moment.

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Alumni Weekend got a glowing review in Amanda Griffiths’ blog.  Amanda’s husband, Christopher ‘86, received this year’s Outstanding Young alumni Award.  Congrats to all the MU students and staff who earned Amanda’s praise.

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The Mansfield Farmer’s Market continues to grow (yes, pun intended) and improve each week.  MU students Andrew Hahn and Houston Baker provided music last week.  I picked up some bison hot dogs and was reminded what organic and unadulterated meat tastes like.

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Fifteen campers and motor homes found a welcome layover at Smythe Park as the Tin Can Caravan made its way across several states.  Mayor Tom Wierbowski welcomed the campers and dished out a ham supper.  The star attraction was the 1936 Aerocar pulled by a 1938 International tow car restored by owners Ken and Lana Hindley.

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For a glimpse of who we are and what our online culture is, check out the top 10 online brands.  While there are no big surprises here as far as companies, check out the numbers of people who visit the sites and the amount of time we spend on them.  Then remember that a few of these sites didn’t even exist five years ago.

Ken Sarch, professor of music, has just been offered a contract from Masters Music Publications to publish his Music for Chaplin’s Film “The Rink.”  The music, along with a practice and performance DVD of Charlie Chaplin’s silent film will be released this year.  Sarch wrote the score and his string orchestra premiered it in October 2009.  It’s also been performed around PA as well as in Panama by the Panama National Youth Orchestra which Sarch conducted last January.  Here are the details of the unique project, as well as a Conversations video interview with Sarch and a running commentary on the film clip.

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Steve Crawford ‘81 and Governor Ed Rendell’s chief of staff, has been named to the MU Council of Trustees.  Crawford has a wide variety of experience in PA governmental affairs.

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After a few delays over the last couple years, looks like Lowe’s is here.    Plans call for 94,000 feet of retail space plus a garden center. It should be open by winter and be good for up to 120 jobs.

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More than 150 motorcyclists participated in the Wounded Warrior Dice Run recently to support service people wounded in service to their country.  The event is new and not many people know about it.  Here’s more detailed information.

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Cheryl Walters has provided music and even music lessons at the Mansfield Grower’s Market which takes place in downtown Mansfield every Friday.  For an update on weekly specials, check their Facebook page.  I’m hearing that Nicole Dickerson is doing free five minute massages.  nice way to end the week!

This interview with Anders Henricksson  on his new book College in A Nutskull: A Crash(ed) Course in Higher Education will make you cringe and maybe laugh. The comments are just as funny.  One example of a student malapropism: “The Eight amendment bans cool and unusual punishment.”

With great weather and lots of  units, the Memorial Day activities were a success.  Here are photos,  along with shots of the 10th annual Bob Bridgman memorial 5K Run which drew 102 participants.  Race results are here.  Photos are compliments of Christie Martin who also made a stop in Covington for this ceremonial shot with Jackie Riepple.

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Though the temperatures have been resting in the 80’s and 90’s, Carolynn Ives and crew have been busy planting everything from lilies to hostas around campus.  “I love it,” Carolynn said, smiling through the sweat.   “Everyone of these plants is like a baby to me.  I love planting them and watching them grow through the summer.”

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The history of North Hall is now posted on our MU History site.  Many thanks to Jamie Curtis ‘10 who spent dozens of hours interviewing key players in the North Hall success story as well as our on-campus experts.  This is the most detailed and accurate history of our signature building that’s been done to date.  Included is a gallery of never-before-seen pictures of the renovation process.  We’ll be adding more photos and links in the future.

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Get hooked on this article in the Sun Gazette on the bass fishing club at MU.

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I’ve had several requests for air times of Conversations which runs on Channel 13 on the weekends.  Here’s the schedule.

Saturday at 8:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.      Sunday  at 10 a.m. 2:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The shows are also available on the MU YouTube Channel

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Make sure you visit the Mansfield Grower’s market on Fridays, 3-6:30 p.m on the St. James Episcopal lawn.  So far I’ve tried  honey, apple bread, fresh spinach, oatmeal bread and the best sharp cheddar cheese this side of the moon.  Keep up with news and photos on their Facebook page.