KU Magazine Spring 2004
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KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE SPRING 2004 A Center of Excellence KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA IS A MEMBER OF THE STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION. CHANCELLOR, STATE SYSTEM Judy G. Hample KU SENIOR CAROLINE BROWN WRITES IN THIS ISSUE OF THE TOWER ABOUT STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION Jeremy Heft’s life and work among the Sawtooth wolves in Idaho. BOARD OF GOVERNORS It is amazing to think that just 10 years ago, Heft was walking around the Kutztown Charles A. Gomulka, Chair; Celestino University campus drinking water from a fountain and using electric lighting to study Pennoni, Vice Chair; R. Benjamin Wiley, Vice Chair; Matthew E. Baker; Jeffrey W. late into the evening. One has to wonder if, during his days at KU, he ever dreamed he Coy; Paul S. Dlugolecki; Regina Donato ’04; would be living without electricity and running water and doing such an important job as Daniel P. Elby; David P. Holveck; Vincent nurturing the survival of a species. J. Hughes; Marie A. Conley Lammando; Kim E. Lyttle; Christine J. Toretti Olson; Jeremy is one of hundreds of examples of what academic excellence means at KU. Vickie L. Phillips; Ed Rendell, Governor; Last year, the Kutztown campus developed a three-pronged vision statement to James J. Rhoades; David M. Sanko; Ronald L. Strickler, Jr.; John K. Thornburgh; outline our direction for the next five years. At the top of that vision is a renewed commitment to academic excellence. COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES Guido Pichini ’74, Chair The pursuit of academic excellence is nothing new here. This university has long Ramona Turpin ’73, Vice Chair offered impressive academic programs, hired faculty with exceptional credentials and Roger J. Schmidt, Secretary graduated students with a solid foundation of knowledge. Jennifer Clarke ’04 Joe Deklinski Learning and teaching must be at the center of all we do. Including academic excel- Ronald H. Frey lence as part of our vision statement is a testament to how seriously we consider this task. Judy G. Hample, Ex-Officio Dianne M. Lutz One of the most basic, but truly challenging efforts being undertaken is a complete Richard L. Orwig, Esq. revision of our general education James W. Schwoyer requirements. I say very often that Kim Snyder John Wabby Kutztown students need to be prepared not for their first jobs, but PRESIDENT to our readers F. Javier Cevallos have the knowledge that will help KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION them succeed all the way through to their last jobs. Solidifying INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS these basic education requirements to more accurately reflect the Raymond Melcher Jr. ’73, President Robert Rupel, Vice President, Investment knowledge needs of all students is a big step in that direction. Lawrence Stuardi ’79, Vice President, Meanwhile our deans and faculty members are continually Board Advancement Russell Hinnershitz Jr. ’65, Vice President, developing exciting ways to engage students in learning. I am most Budget and Finance impressed with how many members of our faculty take specific Lawrence Delp, President, Resources Development interest in students’ academic success, and the creativity that is ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS used throughout the Academic Affairs Division to attract and retain Sara Galosi ’90 & ’92, President high ability students, while also maintaining our access mission and Sandra Holod ’67, Immediate Past President searching diligently for those promising stars who haven’t yet had Lenore Kohl ’65 & ’67, Vice President James Bleiler ’96, Treasurer the opportunity to shine. Carole Wells ’91, Recording Secretary Helping students realize that learning never stops is key to what we are trying to VICE PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY achieve. Exposing students to information from all angles and points of view helps ADVANCEMENT them learn today and develops lifelong learning habits for tomorrow. Observing their William J. Sutton professors actively engaged in learning and research is also inspiring in this process. We DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS are fortunate to have faculty members traveling the world and committing their time Philip R. Breeze here on campus to improving themselves, broadening their minds, publishing their DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS Glenn Godshall ’75 & ’90 work, and sharing what they’ve learned with students. We hope, that as alumni of Kutztown University, that you too are engaged in the life- TOWER EDITOR/MANAGER MEDIA RELATIONS long learning process. We invite you to come back to the campus, visit our excellent Ritta M. Basu library, enroll in a class for special interests or career opportunities, or simply spend a TOWER ASSISTANT EDITOR/ few moments reconnecting with our students and professors. There is an opportunity for DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS everyone to learn at KU. Camille DeMarco ’81 & ’01 DESIGN F. Javier Cevallos Kerry Hoyes ’03, Janel Smith ’96 Lorish Marketing Group President CONTRIBUTORS Caroline M. Brown ’04, Margaret Devlin, Josh Leiboff, Anne M. Ryan ’04, Editor’s Note: The Spring 2004 edition of the Tower is devoted to the first facet of CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kutztown University’s three-point vision statement, which calls for KU to be the region’s Ritta M. Basu, Brad Drey, Jeffrey Fazio, William Mowder, Matthew J. Sroka, center for academic excellence, cultural enrichment, and public engagement. Future Jeff Unger, Hub Willson issues will focus on the other facets of the vision. Address comments and questions to: Tower Editor Ritta M. Basu University Relations Office Kutztown University Kutztown University of Pennsylvania will serve the Commonwealth as a dynamic, technologically advanced, collaborative, learning-centered public university. Kutztown University will be accessible to Pennsylvanians and others, sensitive to the need for diverse backgrounds in its Kutztown, PA 19530 faculty, staff, students and community, accountable to its many constituencies, and actively engaged in the continuous improvement of its e-mail address: [email protected] programs and services. Above all, Kutztown University will prepare graduates to succeed in a global economy, to contribute to the economic and social well being of the state and nation, to assume active roles in their communities, and to lead productive and meaningful lives. 2 SPRING 2004 Tower cover contentsVolume 6 Number 1 Spring 2004 Old Main and a portion of the Graduate Center are shown from 4 the north end of the Alumni Plaza early on Homecoming 4 Academic Excellence morning. Photo by Hub Willson Kutztown University is more modern and high-tech than ever and a revitalized pursuit of excellence in education provides a fresh perspective on the focus of our mission. 8 Q&A with the Dean of Libraries Margaret Devlin talks about the role of Rohrbach Library in contributing to the academic success of the campus community. 10 Marching to the Beat of a 13 Common Drum In competitive situations, musicians are often valued by their individual experience, skill, and talent. However, KU’s Music Department takes a very different approach – they work together for the benefit of the students, staff, and university – emphasizing unity as their goal. 13 Scientific Pursuits Alumni shed light on how the science faculty has excelled in preparing students for careers in the professional world and share how KU’s renewed commitment to the sciences will provide students with more opportunities to learn. 18 Making College a Reality KU is making the difference in the lives of dozens of young people who might never have thought they could succeed academically or attend college. 24 Homecoming 2003 10 26 Class Notes 32 Hindsight Tower SPRING 2004 3 PHOTOS BY HUB WILLSON BY HUB PHOTOS THE REGION’S CENTER FOR ACADEMIC kutztown EXCELLENCE university BY ANNE M. RYAN ’04 IN THE WORDS OF ANDY WARHOL,“THEY SAY THAT TIME CHANGES culture or outreach. President F. Javier Cevallos said, “Academic excellence must THINGS, BUT YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO CHANGE THEM YOURSELF.” be the foundation, strength, and core of our vision, not only for the betterment of “Change is something that happens the university, but for the region as well.” every day at KU,” Kutztown University As KU emerges as a leader in the Provost Linda Rinker said. “Change is region, it has been named by The like a winding journey. We are working Princeton Review as one of the Best diligently toward it for maximum perfor- Mid-Atlantic Colleges. With committed mance and service.” faculty members, technological In the past few years, KU has advancements, academic exchanges transformed from a campus of traditional that extend throughout the community dormitories, standard classrooms, and and abroad, efforts toward increasing a quaint fountain on the DMZ into accreditation levels, retention programs, residence halls resembling suburban and the pursuit of a comprehensive townhomes, classrooms equipped with education for all students, KU is modern technology, and an outdoor becoming more widely recognized for plaza charmed by a cascading fountain. its academic achievements. Students are riding shuttle buses and a “We are about the best, and to achieve four-story contemporary science center the best, the university needs to think, drive stands out across campus. The purpose and talk academic excellence,” Rinker said. of creating a modern environment is not “Students are paying for quality and we just to be trendy and chic, but rather to decided that it was time to raise the bar.” promote an atmosphere that is conducive Raising the bar means a complete to the university’s foremost goal — revision of KU’s basic curriculum academic excellence. requirements. There has not been a Several revisions have been made to major overhaul of the general education KU’s academic vision that will redefine curriculum for 10 years, and the Middle the university as a leader in higher States accreditation team has recom- education in the region. “Kutztown strives mended revising the current general to improve the region, whether through education program. 4 SPRING 2004 Tower Tower SPRING 2004 5 “IT DOESN’T MATTER IF Cevallos emphasized the need to and changes that can be made to provide construct a new general education students with a thorough liberal arts A STUDENT DOESN’T curriculum that applies equally across education.