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Mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend June 7 & 8.  This year’s highlight is the chance to meet our new president Francis Hendricks ’79.

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Best of luck to junior Tom Grisanti who will spend the summer taking a 70-day, 4,000 mile bike ride as part of the 4K For Cancer program.  The trip, to raise money for cancer research, extends from Baltimore, MD to Portland, OR.  

“I can’t think of a better way to push myself.”

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Fuzzy, then and now

Fuzzy Horton began working in the cafeteria at Mansfield State Teacher in 1948,  three years after the end of World War 2.  She celebrated her 65th year here last week with a special Margaret “Fuzzy” Horton Day coordinated by Director of Dining Services Drew Robinson.  The 86-year-old icon has no plans to retire.

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You can dance off calories and help the March of Dimes Saturday, June 8 from 9 a.m.-noon during the Zumba charity Event in the Kelchner Fitness Center.  $10 donation.  All proceeds go to the March of Dimes Heroes for Babies.

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Max is the son of Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft

Max Brooks, author of World War Z visited MU in November to talk about how to survive a zombie attack .  His bestselling book, World War Z, will be released next month as a major movie starring Brad Pitt.  Here’s what Max had to say about the movie’s relationship to the novel.

The Student Composer Society brought the student mall to life with a gig Thursday morning under warm, sunny skies.

And our videographer, Terry Day, recorded one of the numbers.

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The Respiratory Care program at Robert Packer Hospital has received the “Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award” from the Commission on Accreditation for Respoiratory Care (CoARC). Larry Vosburgh is the program director.

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MU Head Baseball Coach Harry Hillson has collected his 800th win for the Mountaineers.  During his 30+ years here, he’s led the team to five PSAC titles. He’s taken the Mountaineers to the NCAA Division II World Series three times and was the fastest coach in PSAC history to reach nearly every milestone among victories.  Now he’s looking to the future. 

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“I think it’s just important for all of us to give back to the community we live in,” said Dempsey.

The MU Soccer Team has been named the Tioga County YMCA Community Partner of the Yearin recognition of the team’s participation in and sponsorship of numerous activities with the YMCA.  Congratulations to Head coach Tim Dempsey and team.

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New Conversations episode.  David Stinebeck, Associate Provost and Dean of Arts & Sciences at MU talks about General George Henry Thomas, one of the most successful, respected and popular Union Generals of the Civil War.
Thomas, who never lost a battle,  is all but forgotten, but David is creating a renewed appreciation for this Virginia native with the novel  A Civil General, which he coauthored with his wife, Ellen.

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Nichole Lefelhoc, MU’s associate director of Career Development & Internships,  is quoted in the Huffington Post article, 9  tips to Stay Calm During an Interview  about job interview techniques.

“Be confident in your abilities,” advises Nichole.

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1968

Marylou Shaw, coach here for 32 years, and professor emeritus,  passed away last week in Hilton Head Island, SC  she developed and coached the women’s swim team, cheerleaders and did much community volunteer work.  She is survived by Henry “Hank” Shaw who was wrestling coach here for years, and children and grandchildren.

Rapid Realty is giving 15% raise to any employee who gets a tattoo of the company logo.  While it’s not going to happen here anytime soon, who would wear a tattoo of our logo, or better yet, our Mountaineer?

The Mountie thinks it is a good idea.

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Country star Kip Moore became a Mountie for the evening when he wore a Mansfield shirt during his whole show.

Photo by Carrie Dinger

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FAFSA has changed its application to recognize same sex parents.

To dozens, he was a friend and colleague.
To hundreds, he was a teacher and mentor.
To millions, he was the voice of God.
Dr. Vernon Lapps passed away Sunday, April 28, the large, sonorous voice at rest after 81 years.
Verne was professor of Communication from 1968 to 2004, and was department chair for many of those years. He was a long-time member of the Mansfield University Foundation Board and served on probably dozens of committees during his career here.
Verne’s passion for much of his life was storytelling. In 1981, he launched the Northern Appalachian Storytelling Festival at Mansfield University. As with many such ventures, it struggled the first few years, but Verne and his wife, Marilyn, persisted, and it grew. He networked, met other artists and began bringing in the top storytellers from all genres and cultures.
Within 10 years it had a national reputation with audience members traveling in from across the country. The Festival ended shortly after Verne and Marilyn retired from it after a solid 20 year run. I was on the Storytelling board during those two decades. While Verne’s dedication to detail drove me crazy at meetings I soon realized that’s what it took to produce the nearly flawless festivals that brought Straughn Auditorium to life and changed people’s lives.
To those who knew him – students, colleagues and friends – Verne was “the voice.” He used his gift and he used it well. For decades he served as Herald at commencement and read the names of graduates as they walked the stage to get their diploma. His huge voice and exact enunciation made each graduate’s name the most important one in the world.
In 1997, Verne was instrumental in bringing to campus his college friend, James Earl Jones, for an evening presentation which filled Decker Gym. Earlier in the day my department hosted a press conference where reporters were as giddy as groupies.
As the two men talked at the microphone, I realized Verne’s voice was deeper and stronger than that of Darth Vader!
In 1998, Verne put his talents to the ultimate test when he recorded the New Testament for Kingdom Productions. In my mind, it was one of the best recordings of the New Testament ever done, and from then on we referred to him as “the voice of God.”
Over the years I did several podcast interviews with Verne, wanting to capture not only his knowledge and memories but also to preserve that unique set of pipes. Our subjects ranged from his college years with James Earl Jones to President Obama’s elocution skills, to his recording of the New Testament.
Hearing his stories about Jones sheds new light on a great actor and voice over artist. His analysis of the President’s oration powers gives us insights into Obama’s skill. Learning how he prepared for the daunting task of voicing everyone in the New Testament, from minor characters to Jesus and God is a look into Verne Lapps as the consummate artist.
Verne understood his gift and used it to wake up students, persuade colleagues, intimidate those who needed it and comfort friends. Like others, I was at first in awe of his voice. But that soon became secondary to the kind and gentle man who loved his wife, daughter, his profession and life in general.
Vernon Lapps was a good man in every sense. I was honored to be a friend and colleague.
And, like scores of others, I will miss him.

               ***

One of the greenest, friendliest events in town the ‘Mansfield Growers Market’ is back in full swing for the 2014 season. Note the vendors are inside St. James Church during April.  Like their Facebook page at Mansfield Growers Market.

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    A tip-of-the-mug to Yorkholo Brewing Company which won the Best Brewery and Best Beer at the Taming of the Brew Beer Festival in Bloomsburg.

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The second annual Earth Day at Mill Cove  is this Saturday at Mill Cove  just north of Mansfield.  There will be vendors and free activities for children through adults.

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Congratulations to the North Hall library staff who hosted a week’s worth of activities in North Hall for National Library Week.  The events, coordinated by Nichole Book and Amanda Sanko, ran the gamut from a game of hide and seek in North Hall to a search for the Spirits of North Hall Library.  It had to be one of the liveliest National Library Week celebrations in the whole country.

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Ghost Detectives  will spend the weekend in North Hall June 7–8, recording their adventures for their paranormal reality show. They are are now filming for their 4th season, which will begin airing in July. You can catch the show on in the “Prime Time” time slot on The CW, Saturday nights at 9:30 or in rerun form on FOX 56, Fridays at 1am.

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DC Comics has introduced a new LGBT friendly character:  Alysia Yeoh, the transgender roommate of Batgirl.This is a major breakthrough in the super hero world.  Well, almost.  I didn’t realize that in February, Batwoman proposed to her girlfriend, Captain Maggie Sawyer, in the first-ever lesbian marriage proposal in comic history.  These are, of course, some significant steps toward openness and acceptance in society.

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The Festival Chorus, under the direction of Peggy Dettwiler, will perform Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace at 8 p.m., Saturday, and 3 p.m., Sunday, in Steadman Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $5 for students and children. Buy them at music.mansfield.edu or call 570-662-4710. Tickets are also available at the door. MU students are free with ID.      

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Tuesday’s warm, sunny weather caught folks by surprise, but it didn’t take them long to jump into spring.

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Facebook’s  new software design, Home, was recently announced, and with it, some thoughtful pauses as people consider the implications  of quiet invasion.  “Our phone, more than ever, now has an agenda,” says writer Bianca Bosker.

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A University of Rochester professor has created a controversy for posing a hypothetical question about rape on his personal blog.  Some want him censured.  Others want him fired.  His first misstep was the casualness of the hypothetical question.  The second was using the phrase “reap the bounty.”  His third was trying to answer the criticism.

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 Someone unearthed this 2008 video, “Totally Awesome North Hall, of students “racing” in North Hall.  I’m sure Sarah was in the stands cheering them on.  

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What is a “suspended coffee?”  Well, it’s something that warms the stomach and the heart.

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Poet Julia Kasdorf will visit Mansfield University for a poetry reading and book signing at Allen Hall, Room 104 on Thursday, April 4 at 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

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The Mansfield University Festival Chorus, under the direction of Peggy Dettwiler, will perform Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace on Saturday, April 13 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m. in Steadman Theatre.

The mass, which is based upon the 15th-century tune L’Homme Armé, was commissioned in England for the new millennium in the year 2000. It powerfully portrays the horrors of war through the use of graphic text and full orchestra with dynamic brass and percussion effects.

 ***

 Nichole Lefelhoc, associate director of Career Development & Internships, is quoted in the Forbes From Campus to Career blog.  The article is entitled,  14 Tips for Staying Calm During a Job Interview

Congratulations to Terry Day, assistant director of Public Relations, who received the Don Hale Award from CUPRAP: The Association of Communicators in Education.   The prestigious award is given annually to a member who has contributed significantly to the multi-state organization composed of higher education communications professionals.

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You Tube just hit the 1 billion mark. That’s 1 billion users per month.

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The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs have introduced a new feature for men only.  It’s a pee-controlled urinal gaming system in which you use your stream to shoot penguins. Iron Pigs General Manager Kurt Landes says the game is “truly hands free,” which seems to be a pretty big boast.  To add some semblance of social usefulness, men are reminded at the end to get their prostate checked.

Summary: Iron Pigs pee on penguins.

Author and journalist Ethlie Ann Vare will speak in North Manser Dining Hall Monday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.  The title of her presentation is “Mothers of Invention: From the Bra to the Bomb, Forgotten Women and their Unforgettable Ideas.”  Vare was a journalist on E! Channel and music critic for the Hollywood Reporter.  She has written and co-authored many books including Patently Female: From AZT to TV Dinners, Stories of Women Inventors and their Breakthrough Ideas.

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Jennifer L. Pozner, founder and executive director of Women in Media & News (WIMN), will speak here Tuesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Straughn Hall Auditorium.  WIMN is a media justice group that amplifies women’s presence and power through media analysis, education and advocacy.  Pozner is also managing editor of WIMN’s Voices, a popular group blog on women and the media. Her presentation is “Project Brainwash . . . Why Reality TV is Bad for Women” is part of Women’s History Month.  The lecture is free and open to the public.

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 The Kelchner Fitness Center’s rock climbing wall is featured on WETM’s “Move It Monday.”  Reporter Chris Hush took the challenge with the guidance of rock climbing supervisor Davis Swift.

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Novelist Carolyn Turgeon was on campus last week to talk with English and Women’s Studies students as well as the next generation of writers.  I talked with her on “Conversations”  about her books, “magic realism” and the writing life.

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Education is going through a lot of pain at all levels.  The Southern Tioga School District here is no exception.  Parents who have run out of patience with the “roller coaster” ride, announced they are forming their own charter school.

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Okay, so there is nothing socially redeeming in this link, but then, I never promised you social redemption.  It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how a MacDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese is photographed, in response to a consumer’s question: “Why does your food look different in the advertising than what’s in the store?”  It’s actually a fair and honest look at the hours that go into photographing a cheeseburger in a way that will hopefully make you crave one.

As of last weekend you can no longer “Nibble with Gibbles.”   Gibble’s Foods, based in Chambersburg, PA  shut down.

Another potato chip bites the dust.

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Megan Butler and Sam Driscoll set up a display during Visit Day to unveil the new Community Health Education program that will begin this fall.  We’ll have a longer, more formal announcement soon.

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 Haider Hamza, an Iraqi journalist, scholar, and activist will speak on Thursday, March 14, 7:30 p.m. in Mansfield University’s North Manser Dining Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public.

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Nobody but Spiderman would like this Oreo which is making the Urban Legend rounds.  I wonder if Oreo folks are spinning a rebuttal?

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Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp has announced that it’s designed a 10-inch tablet called Amplify specifically for school children.  According to teleread.com  “For $299, students will receive training and customer care along with the tablet; a two-year subscription to Amplify’s educational content clocks in at an additional $99 per year.”  If you get one, kids, hang on tight because this tablet might be weighted heavily to the right. 

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Farewell to Coles Drugstore which closed on Feb. 27 after 112 years of business.  Pharmacist Robert Strong, who has owned Coles since 1968, said it was “one of the hardest decisions of my life,” but that he felt it was time to do some things that he and his wife Bernadette have been wanting to do.  Thousands of MU alumni remember the Main Street corner drugstore that serviced them with everything from prescriptions to cards and art supplies.

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Novelist Carolyn Turgeon will present “New Takes on Old Tales” on Thursday, March 7, 4:30 p.m. in Allen Hall, Room 104. Turgeon is the author of several works, including Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story, Mermaid and The Next Full Moon, which are all based on classic fairy tales. Her most recent work, The Fairest of Them All, is about Rapunzel growing up to be Snow White’s stepmother.  The 4:30 talk is free and open to the public.

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Student Life Team Chris Bridges, Andee Dunham and Ruth Hermansen have an article in the February issue of College Planning & Management.  In “The Road to Student Success,”  the team members explain how they use the software program Map Works to personalize how they help struggling students to help insure individual student success at Mansfield.

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 And on the other end of the education spectrum, here’s an interview with a one year-old.  Heartwarming and hilarious.

Kevin Miller ’11 is the subject of  the cover story, “Slugger for Staffing” in this month’s issue of Staffing Success: the American Staffing Association magazine.  The National Staffing Employee of the Year is given to an individual who best exemplifies the staffing industry’s five key messages — jobs, flexibility, bridge, choice and training.

During his MU years, the business administration major was a member of the Mountie baseball team, starting all 140 games during three seasons with a career batting average of .373.  his 183 career hits included 30 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs.

As an MU bonus,  the cover photo was taken by Adam Murtland ’12.

As part of MU’s celebration of Black History Month, the American Spiritual Ensemble will perform in Steadman Theatre, Monday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. For information on the Ensemble and ticket prices visit our news page.

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MOOC into the future.  MOOC’s (massive open online course) have been very much on the minds of those in higher education.  Here’s one college president’s take on it as he enrolls in a course and ponders whether To MOOC or Not To MOOC

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If MOOC’s aren’t enough, it seems that the iPad is also changing the way educational content is being delivered.  “Making the iPad the Center of the Academic Experience” looks at the ways faculty are using the iPad in and out of the classroom.  the Brown Mackie College System with 28 campuses, is moving to equip 17,000 students and 1,700 faculty members with iPad.  It is also transitioning to e-textbooks.

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Why stop with the above?  Why not venture forth into a time –around 2018 — when our computers will use their five senses to communicate with us in a most human way?  When they develop that sixth sense,  your input will not be needed . . . .

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My recent article, “A Tip for Applebee’s” received a surprising number of passionate but thoughtful responses from readers, especially about the plight of low-paid waitresses who depend on tips.

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I’m a day late for Valentine’s Day, but then, love is everyday, right?  Anthony Dario ’12 hosted this episode of the MUTV Club’s “Burning Question” in which he asks students to define love.