The C l \ C, .4~.. ., IN THIS ISSUE Confronting Dangerous Minds By: Doug Ferguson Looking Back: University Entertainment/Campus ute Editor College "I look just like Michelle Pfeiffer, don't I" was spoken in Alumni Auditorium on Monday night. Students, faculty, and area residents listened to Choosing your future LouAnn Johnson explain her remarkable life story which was the inspiration for the 1995 movie Dangerous Minds. The movie hit the American education system and was known to have opened people's eyes to what was really happening in our nation's schools. The plot centered on a fonner Marine soldier who wound up teaching inner city, high risk students and becoming their voice to the leaders of the world in the fight for educational equali­ ty. Johnson grew up outside Youngsville, PA leading a sheltered life. She left her small town and attended Indiana FUELing up University of Pennsylvania, dropping out after just one month. She then went on to join the Navy eventually receiving her Master of Education and Psychology. Spring Break with a After her naval ship docked, Johnson went to Marine Core Officer Candidate ~ Metallic(a) shine school learning how to dismantle a can­ Page non. weapons training and mortal com­ bat. Upon becoming a civilian. she decided what she wanted to do with the ~ .. rest of her life. "I am trained in hand to hand combat. weapons ... Hey. I'll go and teach high school" joked Johnson looking more like a grade school teacher than a fonner sol­ dier. There are a few facts about .. The week in: Dangerous Minds you should know. First of all. she was not paid for her story. "My LouAnne Johnson Posse Don't Do Homework." Second. the Baseball students did not continually disrespect The message of her lecture: The reside in different parts of the United Softball her on the first day. as portrayed in the Power of Choice is simple -- if children States. They have gone on to become film. In working with her students her choose to learn. they will work hard at it. stock brokers. dental hygienists. auto Men's Lacrosse only rule was that everyone was respect- If they choose to drop out. the door opens mechanics and naval petty officers. Women's Lacrosse ed as human beings While she believes Men's Tennis and not as black or the movie to be white, short or tall. HI am trained in hand to hand com- . r~cist, ~olitical and Page 1 etc. The real ' dlsgustmg. she "Emilio" did not b t Ii I'll d t h feels it was die as the movie a, weapons... ey, go an eac important in seeing showed. but was . h· h hi" that teachers got saved by a police 19 SC 00 the recognition and officer and went was glad it was into the Marine . LouAnne Johnson made. Enlightened Corps. Finally. she ~ thinking from a did not teach her resourceful. intelli- students karate because it would not have as well as closes. Johnson still keeps up gent woman who could rip your lips right been to her benefit. to date on her former students who now off of your face. "It's easy to identify people who can't count to ten. They're in front of you Quote t~~ Week ! in the supermarket express lane. " -- June Henderson f 1 I 1 • \ " .. ,-, ... -. ~ I • \ ~ • . • • , • • • • . '. .. , '. .. .. .. "... ~ . \ .. \ . • I" " " I " I ) ", I. ' .,' I I \."", I \ 'I ' " ',' •• ) ' '1, \. \\ ". ~~~ " ." .. · 4t"" "' '' ~ ~ " ~ \lo\~I ;~ ~l \ ' .. \\. \\\. · Lt,\\\\) ~ .,\"> \} ,,,\ ., ~ , .. ,. ~ \ .. , ,}O . •• I t ; " j',. ~ I ' ~ , . .... , ....... .. ... t. · ... , •• , • .I.I ' • , . • \ " " , .. i " .: " '" ." .. ,. " .. , " .. " " " " , .. '" ~ t \ .. .... ...... f • ••• t ~ • I , .. .. f • • ,....2 lIE DOlE April 7, 1998 Reflec1ions of a University College Senior industrial plant, I work in a field that is By: Doug WlIamson slowly moving towards dissolution. I Staff Writer could have continued on, possibly lasting What is University College? To a per­ to retirement, but also likely to spend that son outside of Widener, or even a day stu- time in mere existence. The opportunities dent, the offered by Widener'S' University College n arne changed that. With a new education, I am UNIVERSITY seems to be not relegated to a dead-end career, but a mis- COU.EGE have new roads to explore. nomer . How can it be a university and a college? U. C. students often have to juggle Is the college section a part of Widener three priorities, work, family and school. University, or a separate part? After While day students have a full load of spending four years attending University classes to attend, they are able to concen­ College and finishing up a Bachelor's trate their energies on that single endeav­ degree, perhaps I can shed some light on or. Evening and Weekend College stu­ the subject to those in the dark. dents must also face that burden of class­ During my time spent here at Widener, jlii!$i£iJ- _.. ·· __·_- - Ad mLiFJIS es, but with the additional responsibility my experiences with University College Date of bringing home a paycheck. One advan­ have been many and varied. From my first class in the summer of 1994, with the tage that has been enjoyed in my case was accompanying nervousness and butter­ an excellent support system, both at home flies, to my final classes now with the and here at school. One other advantage same nervousness and butterflies. of being an adult student is having Hmmm. Shouldn't there be some sort of already encountered the world, the chal­ learning curve? Seriously, the U. C. lenges of school may seem less formida­ endeavors have been an enormous learn­ ble as time goes on. ing experience. As graduation, and validation near, I WIdener UnIv.llty The problems facing the non-tradition­ find myself looking back with a wistful Box 1171 ' al E~ening and Weekend College student eye. The challenges of school, now met, ~ PA·:'11013 are daunting. In most cases, adults are • • (810) 4884421 starting back to college after a long will be missed. The many friendships absence from any schooling. Their rea­ made will be fondly remembered. the Dome is published by the students of Widener University for the college sons for attending are myriad. Many Finally, the accomplishment of what community on Fridays during the academic year; except during final e~i­ nations and immediately following vacations. Opinions expressed herein do times, it is a quest to improve their skills seemed an insurmountable task several in order to attain a better position in their not necessarily coincide with those of 1he administration. tt is Dome policy years ago. I almost envy those adult stu­ 1hat unsigned letters to 1he editor will not be accepted. Letters must allow job. Others attend to learn new skills in dents just entering the University College for the publication of the sumbitters full name. Mail subscription price is $15 order to seek a new or better job. Still per year. Postage paid by Olester; PA 19013. .. lifestyle, for they are going on a journey others attend to broaden their horizons that was immensely enjoyed by me. Next The Dome reserves the right not to publish all materials received and no let­ and their base of knowledge. ters to the editor will be printed unless they are signed and contain a phone My situation falls into the second cat­ week: Reflections From an Incoming number. egory. Currently employed at a local Freshman. Editor in OIief: R. Douglas Winnie Assistant Editor I News Editor: Ka1hleen Gallagher EARTH Answers to Campus Life Editor I Entertainment Editor. Doogle Ferguson King Crossword Sports Editor: Rick Evans Op-Ed Editor I Distribution Manager: An1hony Leone Advertising Manger: Nicole Gerace Business Manager: Steve Kaminski Staff Writers & Assistants: Ian Progin, Krip Rodi~ Laura Kan~ Lori Townsend, OIris Reznak, Rodney Hameroff, Jin Vogt, Theresa Carducci, Doug Williamson, Rockel Brown Copy Editor: Jessica Niewodowski Administrative Advisor: Steve Kaminski Technical Advisor: Tom Feeney The Dome does not endorse any advertiser or accept responsibility for claims or actions made by the advertisers. ' ~~_..-.r.:'.a;.~ """ - ,,,,,,.,, .. ..Aprl7, ,. 1IE DOlE .,....3 The Widener 1,998 Choices Dane Calendar for You your chances of finding a job. We always welcomes indi­ Friday, April 3 By: Kathy Gallagher viduals that are interested Metro-Battle of The D.J.'s 9 News Editor The fair is also a good place for under­ p.m-1 a.m. Free admission classmen. Experience is the currency of in writing, photography, What do Elwyn Institute, Channel 10, with Widener I D job hunting, now and in the future. layout, or newspaper man­ Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Sat.urday, April 4 agement. Students interest­ QVC all have in common? They are just Attending Choices '98 is an opportunity ed in participating with Accepted Students Day 11 a few of the companies that will be pre­ to market yourself to employers who are The Dome are .encouraged a.m. to 4 p.m. Check cafeteria sent at Choices '98. The University aware that you don't have real world to called The Dome offices for altered brunch hours Center on April 8, 1998, from 10 a.m. to experience yet. By gaining experience at x4421. I p.m. will be the place to be if you are Movie-Starship Troopers, 8 from one of these companies you are looking for a summer, full-time, part-time p.m. Alumni Auditorium, opening doors for your post-graduation Professors that are interest­ job or an internship. Admission is $1 life. If you read the "Job Outlook" arti­ ed in utilizing The Dome's This career day features employers cle, you know that companies are hiring facilities or meeting with Sunday, April 5 who will be looking for Humanities, editorial staff members Movie-Starship Troopers, 8 Social Science, Social Work, and more grads, but they still prize experience regarding possible academ­ p.m.