Mansfield University Blog

Gen. Hendricks

Trustee Chairman Meyer

It seems our counterparts across the pond are watching us.  In the article “Major coup as US institutions enlist four star leadership,” the British Times Higher Ed talked with generals who have become college presidents, including Brigadier General Francis Hendricks as well as with MU Trustee Chair Ralph Meyer.

As most of you know from the recent memo from Chairman Meyer,  the retirement process for General Hendricks is taking a bit longer than anticipated.  It is expected that he will assume his presidential duties here sometime this semester.

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Congratulations to Lindsey Sikorski, director of  The Marcellus Institute at MU, who was just named to Pennsylvania Business Central magazine’s  “Top 100 People of 2012.”

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If you think Mountie athletes aren’t hardy, check out this quick video, “The Mountie Way,”    And remember, “a true Mountie always finds a way to overcome any obstacle.”

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Author Jeff Selengo is writing a book on the future of higher education.  After more than a year of research, the author concludes that the college campus experience still matters.  Twenty years from now, he says,  the Hollywood vision of a college campus will still be alive and well.  Here’s why.

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Reality shows like Here Comes Honey Boo Boo make us  ” . . .a little coarser, a little less tolerant, a little less human,” says psychology prof  Denny Murray recently in The Patriot-News.  As always, read the op-ed, then the comments, which are the print equivalent of Jerry Springer show.

http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/01/op-ed_rural_stereotypes_in_reality_tv_serve_up_skewed_views.html

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Facebook gives you a sense of community or a running feeling of envy, depending on how you use it, according to a new study. 

Where do you fit?

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BIRTHPLACE OF NIGHT FOOTBALL ISSUES MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO THE NFL

For everyone who has criticized the National Football League or the City of New Orleans for the loss of electrical power during yesterday’s Super Bowl football game, Mansfield University has a message:

“Dear Commissioner Goodell:
“Despite the loss of power in the second half of yesterday’s game, Mansfield University in Mansfield, PA, the birthplace of night football, wishes to congratulate the National Football League for its bold experiment of playing an entire game under artificial light.
“We continue to believe in this technology which we pioneered on September 28, 1892 when we hosted the first-ever night football game against Wyoming Seminary at Smythe Park in Mansfield. The similarities between your game, Mr. Commissioner, and ours, are striking. We, too, were criticized. One physics professor has said that the illumination provided by our Thompson and Huston Dynamo in 1892 was the equivalent of four street lights.”
“The difference, however, is that you persevered. You stayed the course. You finished the game and, in the process did the nation a great service by allowing them to turn to PBS to watch the new episode of Downton Abbey while only missing a couple of  San Francisco touchdowns.
“To our shame, we did not persevere in 1892. The referee, a Luddite, declared it ‘inconvenient to continue’ at the end of the first half with the score knotted at 0-0 and we sent everyone home. You have learned from our mistake, and we congratulate you.
“We continue to believe in night football, Mr. Goodell, and as you endure the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, we have your back. We pioneers must stick together.”
Sincerely,
Steven McCloskey
Director of Athletic Operations
Mansfield University

Denny Murray, psychology, shares his thoughts about  Honey Boo Boo in the Pittsburgh Tribune.

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Students of Joe  Murphy’s saxophone students made an impromptu tour around campus and stopped by North Hall where News Director Terry Day shot this video clip. Thanks, Joe and students!

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As many of you remember, Jim Glimm was an English professor here for years before his death in august, 2000.  The Long Island native fell in love with the Northern Tier and after years of research and study published Flatlanders and Ridgerunners: Folk Tales from the Mountains of Pennsylvania. The book had been out of print for years until Kevin Coolidge of From My Shelf Books contacted the publisher and convinced them to pull it from the mothballs.  Flatlanders is again available from the University of Pittsburgh Press.  Of course, you’d be supporting ridge runners if you bought it from From My Shelf Books.

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History Prof Andrew Gaskievicz and his World War II history courses are mention in the Huffington Post article “Auschwitz Survivor: ‘No Forgiveness’”.  The article recounts Dina Jacobsen’s visit to the classes and her description of her three years as an Auschwitz prisoner.  Andy was a guest on Conversations recently.  His interview and clips  from Ms. Jacobsen’s visit will be posted on YouTube soon.  I’ll let you know when it’s available.

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Social Media Minute:  Flickr users add 3,125 new photos every minute.

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Finally,  at the suggestion of my communications manager, Christie Martin, I’m making a concerted effort to add photos.  The learning curve is steeper than I would like, but then who likes any learning curve?  So if we survive the Great Mayan Calendar Blackout, I’ll continue the quest to have more photos and videos on the page, as well as the links.

English Professor Dr. Bruce Barton  passed away at his home Nov. 27  today following lengthy illness.  Bruce had been a part of the Department of English and Modern Languages since 1993 and was married to his colleague Dr. Judith Sornberger.  In 2009 for National Poetry Month, I did a podcast interview with Bruce about Edgar Allen Poe and “The Raven.”

Donations in Professor Barton’s memory may be made to the Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries in Wellsboro.

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Dan Davis, who  served the university for 30 years in the print shop, passed away Nov. 20.  He retired in 1998 as director of Printing Services.  Dan loved fishing and was an avid runner, participating  in the Boston, New York, Chicago, Walt Disney World and the Wine Glass Marathons.

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Interim President Dr. Allan Golden was honored with a reception Wednesday and a special Resolution of Appreciation from the Council of Trustees for his 22 months of service to MU, first as interim vice president for finance, then as interim president.

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MU librarians Amanda Sanko and Nichole Book have created  Christmas trees packed with knowledge.  They assembled two trees out of volumes of The National Union Catalog, which are, appropriately, green.  “We’ve had a lot of comments about them from faculty and students, ” Amanda  said.  Nichole said they plan on creating the trees every year, perhaps sponsoring a decorating contest and other competitions.  Just goes to show that you should never judge a tree by its covers.

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Want to know about the Dark Side of Interpersonal Communications? Public Speaking?  Human Sexuality?  Winter online courses begin  winter online courses Dec. 18.  Here’s a full list of courses and registration information.

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And check out Terry’s Take for the latest weekly news.  Anyone know what floor he’s on?

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Social Media Minute: 571 new websites are created every 60 seconds.

Holiday Music Down Through the Ages is the theme of this year’s Holiday Choral Concert Friday, Nov. 30, Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Steadman Theatre.  Details?  Right here. And here for the video promo. 

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Have something you want to buy, sell or trade?  Check out  the new Facebook page MansfieldUniversityEndofSemesterUsedStuff .  The goal, Lilace Guignard says, is to reduce the waste from dorms of things that are perfectly good.  It’s also a way for students to save money on things.  They’ve set up a Facebook page you can post things you’d like to trade or sell and things you’d like to buy.

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Max Brooks gave a talk in Straughn Wednesday night on how to survive the zombie apocalypse.  During the day he visited James Lowry’sTelevision Production class to talk about writing and script writing.  Brooks is the author of The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z.

I also interviewed him for two half hour Conversations shows which will be posted on YouTube next week.

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This has been the year for big equipment on campus, from demolishing old residence halls to building new ones to major renovations on Grant Science Center.  Students are so used to construction that a huge crane manipulating a several hundred pound piece to the roof of Grant is just part of the campus scenery.

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We’ve been adding some cool things to our  MU Pinterest boards that will be interesting to parents, future students and alumni.  Poke around.  Follow us.  And give us suggestions about what other boards you’d like to see.   Contact Christie Martin at cjmartin@mansfield.edu or me.

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Here’s this week’s Terry’s Take

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When the North Hall Library staff gathers decorate the tree on the first floor, you know the holiday season is official.

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What sorts of things are censored things at colleges around the country?  More than you think.

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Social Media Minute.  YouTube users upload 48 hours of new video every minute.

Novelist and poet Bill Robertson ’79 is this December’s  commencement speaker.  Robertson is coauthor of the Bucktail series which revolve around the famous Pennsylvania Bucktails in the Civil War.  He has also published volumes of poetry and short stories.  He has been a guest several times on Conversations, produced by the MU PR Department and recently donated copies of his books as well as his papers and memorabilia to the MU Archives.

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Ten officials from various universities, an engineering school and the China Center for International Educational Exchange spent two days at MU to tour the campus and talk with faculty and staff about expansion of the 1+2+1 exchange program.  The delegation was headed by Xing Yongmin, president of Inner Mongolia University of Technology.  Here’s a video of one of the meetings.

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Comedian Judah Friedlander, “The World Champion,” will perform at Straughn Hall on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m.  Tickets for the general public are $10.  Free admission for MU students.

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The MU Concert Wind Ensemble, directed by Adam Brennan, will perform in concert Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m in Steadman.  It’s free and open to the public. Donations of canned goods and paper products for area food pantries will be accepted.

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Mark Polonia had way too much fun producing this trailer for Max Brooks, the zombie expert who will be giving a presentation Wed.Nov. at 8 p.m. in Straughn.  Brooks’ critically acclaimed novel World War Z is now a major motion picture starring Brad Pitt.

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Here’s the latest Terry’s Take, featuring dress rehearsal of  Aaron Copland’s  The Tender Land which is being performed this weekend in Straughn.

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Our students produced a video for local singer and author Brooklyn James.  Congratulations on a great spot.  Take a look.

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Michele Schlegel shared a collection of posters students in her typography class produced before the election.  Even after the election, these hold their own as works of art.

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One of the big winners in the election was Nate Silver who accurately predicted the election results in all 50 states.  Score a huge one for math and science!

Brigadier General Francis Hendricks will begin duties as Mansfield University president January 1.  He is a 1979 graduate of then Mansfield State College.  As commander and chief executive officer of the Army and Air Force Exchange, Hendricks was in charge of the 42nd largest retailer in the U.S.  with $10 billion in annual revenue. He has extensive experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, resource management and policy development.

“Gen. Hendricks has an extraordinary array of experiences that caused him to stand out among all of the candidates for the Mansfield presidency,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh. “As an alumnus, he has a deep commitment to the university and will, I am certain, be a valuable addition to PASSHE’s outstanding cadre of presidents.”

Here’s the full article.

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The Mansfield Opera Theatre will present Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land on Friday, November 9 and Saturday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 11 at 2:30 p.m. in Straughn Hall. All performances are free and open to the public.

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Max Brooks, author of World War Z, will give a presentation Wednesday, Nov. 14 in Straughn.  Brooks, who was a writer for Saturday Night Live, is one of the country’s leading experts on zombies and how to survive a zombie attack.  He is the son of entertainment icon Mel Brooks and actress

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John Ulrich, English, is featured in the article “Why Zombies Rule” in the Huffington Post.  John, who studies pop culture and teaches a course in Monster Literature, explains the origins, popularity and various types of zombies.

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A reminder that the MU yearbook, Carantowan, 1918-1990, is available digitally in the library, along with a lot of other university documents and local history.

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The Rolling Stone conducted a poll for the Top 10 Rolling Stone songs.  Check it out and see if you’re favorite is on the list.  I’m sticking with “Satisfaction,” though “Paint It Black” runs a close second.

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Finally, was the “mouse who bought the Empire” the biggest sellout of all time or an infinitely savvy business deal?

“Every day they would come in and just choose people and take them to the gas chamber. I lived by the minute.”
Dina Jacobsen spoke in a soft but distinctive voice. At times it would rise with the intensity of her feelings. The tiny 90-year-old woman made it clear that seven decades has not softened the horror and suffering of three years as an Auschwitz prisoner where 1.1 million people died.
She spoke to an audience of history students and visitors at Andrew Gaskievicz’s World War II History course . She recounted how the German soldiers raided her family’s Poland farm and took her parents and six siblings. “I never saw them again,” she said. “I know they were killed.” Two weeks later she was captured and sent to Auswitch.
She was 16-years-old.
She described having to get up at 3 a.m. every day and stand in line for “a little piece of bread and coffee that was really dishwater.” She spoke of having to pick up rocks and put them in another place, then pick them up and put them back, day after day.
Students asked questions.
Did you ever give up hope?
“I never had hope. How could you have hope when at any minute they would take someone away to their death? And the next time it could be you.”
Did you make friends in the camp?
She shook her head. “You didn’t make friends because at any minute they might be killed, or die of sickness. You didn’t want to know anyone.”
She told of a woman who escaped the camp. “But someone turned her in. They brought her back, and made us gather to watch. They stripped her naked and hanged her.”
She told of a young mother who would not turn her baby over to a guard, and so went to the gas chamber with her child in her arms.
Did you ever ask God why this (the holocaust ) had to happen?
“I asked God. He didn’t answer. So I stopped asking.” She leaned forward in her chair. “You ask your God why this had to happen and see if He answers.. . . .” She sat back and stared defiantly at the stunned audience members.
Have you forgiven your captors?
“No. How can I forgive them? Could you forgive them if they killed your family?”
If you could meet one of your captors today, would you speak to him?
“Yes, I would,” she answered. “I would say ‘you are a son-of-a-bitch!’” She paused. “And then I would kill him.”
Could something like the Nazi movement could happen again?
She nodded slowly and gravely. “Yes. I am very afraid it could happen again.”
“I want to talk about this so people know. You need to know. You don’t see me cry. I won’t do that. But I go home and I cry. Every night I have nightmares.” She paused to let it sink it. “Then I find something to laugh about,” she said. “Because if you don’t laugh, you die.”
As the presentation ended, an acquaintance made a request. Without a word, Ms. Jacobsen pulled up her sleeve, held out her arm and displayed her identification tattoo as students silently filed past, many moved to tears.

It’s official.  The gallery in Allen Hall is now the Loomis Gallery, in honor of  retired faculty member Tom Loomis who taught jewelery making  and  for 31 years before retiring in 2001.  Tom inspired hundreds of artists and teachers over the decades.  A reception, dedication and ribbon cutting were held Friday,  Oct. 12.

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State Farm recently gave a $50,000 grant to MU to advance technology and teaching capabilities in the Computer Information Science Department.

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Lou-Willa Dupree was named Homecoming Queen and and Joshua Pollitt was named King last weekend during Homecoming Weekend.  Here’s a recap of events.

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Nobody is quite as celebrated on campus this time of year as Sarah, the ghost of North Hall. In her spirit, the library is sponsoring a Ghosts of North Hall Library Photography” contest. Photographers are asked to submit photos of North Hall Library that capture its supernatural side. Visit the North Hall Library Facebook page for guidelines.

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Denny Murray is quoted in an Associated Press story on the second annual Redneck Games of Arkansas last weekend.  The question is whether competition in lawnmower racing and toilet seat tossing celebrates heritage or reinforces stereotypes.  Denny, who once taught a class in a dog suit, has this to say.

And while we’re on the subject, Denny, what’s your take on Honey Boo Boo?

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Max Brooks, author of the The Zombie Survival Guide and other books about the coming zombie apocalypse, will speak in Straughn Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.  Brooks, the son of Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft, was a writer for Saturday Night Live and has done acting and voice over work during this career.  His book, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, will be made into a film through Brad Pitt’s production company.   his visit is sponsored by the Dept. of English & Modern Languages and MAC.

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The Student PA State Education Association will sponsor a scholastic Book Fair October 25-Nov. 1 in Retan.  It will include books for all ages, posters and erasers.  Stop by for some great gift ideas.,

The 21st annual Fabulous 1890s Weekend was a success with a large parade, including an antique Mansfield fire truck, new acts such as Phydeaux’s Flying Fleas/Wahoo Medicine Show, and of course the re-enactment of the world’s first night football game played on Sept. 28, 1892.

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The next big thing is Homecoming, Oct. 12-14.  The Mounties will face Post University at 1 p.m. on Van Norman.  Here’s a full list of activities. Hopefully, the weather will be as nice as it was for 1890s.

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My guest on the most recent Conversations is Dr. Allan Golden, interim president of MU.  Lot of good information here.  Everyone interested in MU’s progress, both physically and academically, should watch it.

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The Spirit and Pride of PA Mountie Marching Band continues to impress with this video that was  submitted to the Best College Band Contest on HLN Morning News-Morning Express.  The band sounds better than ever and we wish them luck!

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If you’ve ever been involved in large events, you know it takes scores of people to pull it off.  One of the groups we depend on is the quiet, hard-working MU Buildings and Grounds crew who take tables, chairs and benches down to Smythe Park.  They erect the alumni tent and are, as much as possible, on call.  A big thanks to Bob Bertsche, Carolyn Ives, Lynette Whipple, Matt Moore, BJ Teeter, Al Seymour, Curt Machmer, Jim Roupp, and Ron Perry.  Overseeing  was manager of campus services Ryan Wood who coordinated the moves, then later volunteered to sell buttons at the gates and walked in the parade.  Thanks everyone.

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The North Hall Library banned One Woman’s Vengeance this week which drew protests across campus and from around the country.  The move took a lot of guts but the director and three librarians made their point.  Some people even called them heroes.  Here’s my version of the story.

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“Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it.”  Mark Twain