tEhc <4)ttMatt lUf ^ Friday, February 5,1981/ Siena College, Albany, New York Volume XXII, No. 6 Fr. Benjamin Kuhn Succombs to Heart Attack By PAULA CACOSSA Staff Writer well behaved. Over the years, Father Ben Fifty two years ago, Father Ben Kuhn saw the student body change as a whole. came to Loudonville. to be one of the He often remarked that today's students are Founding Fathers of Siena College. Last more serious about their studies and very year, Father Ben slipped in the Friary where ernest compared to years back. This he upon he broke his leg. This caused him to thought was caused by the high tuition, the Harry Belafonte addresses Siena students, January 19, in the ARC. move to the Friar's Provincial Infirmary in necessity of a good education and how much (Photo courtesy of Public Relations)Warwick , New York. On Sunday evening, more competitive life is today. January 31, Father Ben passed away after (Continued on page 3) Belafonte Stresseshavin g a heart attack two weeks before. Youm's Role * in Future He pointed out that it is partly his By MICHAEL CLEMENS generation's fault and partly die fault of the Staff writer education system. "Have we truly sought to Entertainer Harry Belafonte, a close illuminate—to give a greater understanding associate of Martin Luther King, Jr., stated to each other?" he asked. "Have we endowed that there is a need for change now just as schools with the real feeling of what it was there was a need in King's time in his address like?" Both were answered negatively. in the ARC the day after observance of King's birthday. However, he feared that He went on to say, "I did not experience today's youth "do not fully understand why the shackles on my hands and ankles but we celebrate the man's birth." I learned of slavery through education." He Father Ben Kuhn, 82, died January 31, after devoting SO years of service to Siena. felt that it is a major fault of American Belafonte, a leading civil rights activist, (Photo courtesy of Public Relations) spoke in honor of King as the initial speaker society and the educational system to not in Siena's Martin Luther King and Coretta teach the younger generation what the civil On September 30, 1905, John Francis Scott King lecture series on race and rights movement was actually about. Kuhn, the youngest often children, was born nonviolent social change. to a poor family in Olean, New York. Who "We are still in trouble," said Belafonte. "Today," he said, "when we celebrate would have known that this son, thought to "There is still a great need." He called for ' Martin Luther King's birthday, we are be retarded by his grammar school teachers College leaders among the youth of today to celebrating it differently," because we don't and left back in school would be one of the undertake the battle for civil rights. "Among fully understand what it is all about. With founding fathers at Siena College. you sit the voice of the future and the the advent of the news media and its ever A graduate of the class of 1928 at St responsibility of today," Belafonte told die increasing probing, Belafonte stated, King Bonaventure University, Father Ben received Receives audience. has taken on a different tone, which is degrees in Math, Chemistry and Philosophy. However, Belafonte pointed out that there unfortunate. Father Ben joined the Franciscan Order after is a problem with today's youth. He recently graduation and was ordained in 1932. This spoke with his son about the civil rights To stress the fact he added that it is not particular Friar who values the power of a $1 Million movement and came to the conclusion that only King that is different He said, "If I good education returned to teach at St. the current generation doesn't know enough came to Earth from Mars, I would be hard Bonaventure. In 1937, Father Ben was asked about it. They understand that it exists but pressed to understand the celebration of to go to an old manor house built in 1840 they don't understand the fundamentals Lincoln's birthday. Instead of hearing about in Loudonville, N.Y. His mission was to work Donation behind it and what actually went on. the emancipation of the slaves, I would hear with nine other pioneers to build a liberal "Everything that was done was in an effort about sales. I would go shopping," arts college to encourage young men to enter to make the world a better place for those the priesthood. Father Ben taught nearly By J. GILD AY that came after us," Belafonte said. In doing He pointed out that American society has every subject from History to Economics, News Editor so, however, civil rights supporters saw to lost the actual meaning of these events. from Hebrew Poetry to Astronomy. A Siena alumnus and his wife have it that today's youth may never have to go Individuals have become so relaxed is their Once this Friar fought change at Siena, donated to the college one million dollars, to war again and have figuratively "dropped lives that they forget that it is still their by voting against the building of dormitories, the largest individual gift in its history, a curtain which prohibits the youth from responsibility to imbue the young with die later saw it as a change for the best and according to Vice President for Development really understanding what civil rights was knowledge mat they already possess. contributed to the growth of the college. Douglas Brown. about" Father Ben witnessed many changes around J. Patrick Barrett, a member of the class Belafonte's son told him that he can't In today's fast paced world, Belafonte said, campus. One change which he remarked as of 1959, and his wife, Christine, made the expect this generation to have the same "Not enough is said about Christ. Are we one of the best was the allowing of females contribution late last year. Mr. Barrett is a passion as he did because social conditions actually living out what he said? How do to matriculate at Siena. The women were trustee of Siena and has served as chairman are different. In today's world, with increas­ we measure up?" King was a man of Christ a good influence. "Being naturaly pious, the and chief executive officer of Avis Corpo­ ing equality in both society and the job and of responsibility, Belafonte stated, and girls would go to the chapel where the boys ration. The Barretts reside in Syracuse, New market, it is very easy for the youth of today in that way he was similar to Christ by trying would follow" said Father Ben. He also found York. to rest upon the laurels ofthe past, Belafonte to deal with his responsibility and do the that the language and dressing of students The Barretts' donation assisted in die said. However, he added, "That is something best for his people. improved. He complimented girls behavior "Siena Journey," a current fund-raising we can't allow to happen." (Continued on page 11) at Siena by saying that they are studious and campaign designed to raise 5 million dollars. Page 2 THE INDIAN February 5,1987 ANNOUNCEMENTS.. .ANNOUNCEMENTS.. .ANNOUNCEMENTS ATTENTION GRADUATING SENIORS: —Justice —Foreign Policy A LIST OF PROSPECTIVE MAY 1988 Attention all juniors and seniors at Siena! If you are interested in a stimulating off- —Journalism —Economic Policy GRADUATES WILL BE POSTED ON Depending on the program selected, THE BULLETIN BOARD LOCATED campus educational experience, you now have the opportunity to participate in the students accepted in the program will receive OUTSIDE THE BUSINESS AFFAIRS 15 or 16 credits toward graduation. A OFFICE. IT IS REQUESTED THAT ALL Washington Semester Program offered by Siena College in a cooperative arrangement prerequisite for non-political science majors PROSPECTIVE MAY GRADUATES who are interested in either the American VERIFY THEIR NAME, DEGREE AND with American University. The Program includes regular courses, special seminars Government, Foreign Policy or Justice HONORS. THE HONORS LISTED ARE academic tracks is to have completed the TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO with prominent governmental officials, a research tutorial and an internship oppor­ Introduction to American Government CHANGE. DISCREPANCIES SHOULD course. Political Science majors are eligible BE REPORTED TO THE REGISTRAR'S tunity. The student can select an internship assignment to a congressional office or when they have completed their major core OFFICE AS WELL AS OMISSIONS AND requirement sequence. All interested stu­ DELETIONS FROM THE LIST. committee, executive branch agency, interest group association, Justice Department office, dents should contact Professor Leon Halpert, research think-tank group or one ofthe mass Department of Political Science, Siena Hall All candidates for May 1988 graduation Room 418 (phone-x2395) for more infor must file a degree application so that a media bureaus. Fall offerings include programs in: mation and application forms. The applica diploma can be ordered. The deadline was tion deadline for the Spring Term is March January 25, 1988. If you have not done this, —American National Government 25,1988.- please stop by the Registrar's Office Spring Student Senate Election Regulations For 1988-89 Term STUDENT SENATE SPRING ELECTIONS 4. Only those students who may vote for the position you are running for may sign Schedule of events: your petition. (All students may vote for the CFC Representatives.) March 2, 1988, Wednesday (12:40-1:30)...Petitions are due in the Student Senate Office.