Profile
Of The Past,

A Living
Legacy
Sesquicentennial Supplement

BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY
A

Legacy of Learning

Eda Bessie Edwards
Class of 1941

• 1 839-] 989

PROFILE OF THE PAST,

A LIVING LEGACY
Sesquicentennial Supplement

BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY
OF PENNSYLVANIA
1979-1988

A Legacy

of Learning •

1 839- 1

Eda Bessie Edwards
Class of 1941

989

Preface
Legacy is a history of Bloomsburg State
time-frame with the spring commencement of 1979. In
reviewing the nine years between the ending of that book and the beginning of the
Profile of the Past, a Living

College, which ended

its

school's Sesquicentennial celebration, the second part of the

appropriate. While retaining

its

title is

particularly

reputation for excellence and acknowledging

its

debt to the past, this institution, within the past decade, has passed through one of
the most active times of its 150-year history. There have been changes and

departures and arrivals; failures and successes. There have been needs
met and goals changed. More than two complete classes of students have passed
additions;

through these
college

on the

1979. During these past nine years, the "friendly
has become Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with

halls since

little

hill"

its

Mount Olympus and its feet firmly planted on College Hill.
The nine years from May 1979 through August 1988 have been an interesting and
head

in

the clouds of

productive time in the
these years.

life

of this institution.

These addenda attempt to chronicle

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Always in the preparation of historical papers there are many people who
through their advice and concern and through their kindness and expertise provide
help. This has been true for the writing of these ADDENDA, and I wish to express
my thanks to:
President Harry Ausprich, for making records available

and

for his

encouragement from the very beginning of the

project.

Marilyn Muehlhof for her graciousness and kindness and
,

her giving of time to help locate materials.

Mona Bartholomew, whose

thoughtfulness

made

note-taking

pleasant.

Helen Adler, always gracious in scheduling "work-time" and
generous in finding "work-space."

John Walker, whose
John Mulka, whose
and

his

patient interest encouraged these

"find" of the

generous offer of

their use

ADDENDA.

Kehr College Union Scrapbooks

saved hours of research.

Betty Pursel, gracious and thoughtful in the Student Development
Office.

James

Hollister,

BU's sports information expert, generous

with his knowledge and time.

Roger Fromm,

archivist with a

genuine

gift for

helping

others complete research.

Sheryl Bryson, without her expertise these

ADDENDA would not

have been produced.
C. Stuart Edwards, critic, listener, telephone expert, reader,
walking thesaurus, sometimes-shopper, now-and-then cook,

and always understanding husband. To him
thanks and love.

I

give

my very special

Chapter XIV (continued)

JAMES

H.

McCORMICK

Impact, Cohesion, and Collegiality

As Bloomsburg State College began its fall semester in September 1979, Dr.
James McCormick was president of the institution with his office in the southwest
comer of the first floor of Carver Hall. In his outer office was Miss Marilyn
Muehlhoff executive secretary, giving an
,

men and

air of the familiar to returning upperclass-

being a source of information for the newly arriving freshmen.

student newspaper, The Voice, in an item, "B.S.C. responds to needs,"
McCormick as saying that the difficult times of the 1970s were past and
1980s promised to be better. He added that B.S.C. was ready for it.

The
reported
that the

"Our college-wide planning effort," he said, "has changed the nature of the instituWhile a strong and historical commitment to teacher education remains
the diversity of curricular offerings has produced a student body in which more

—

tion.

than

70% of our students are

tion."

McCormick

pursuing degrees outside the

also pointed out that in

1979

field of

teacher educa-

the School of Business enrolled

one-third of the student body in a variety of business programs and had instituted a

program which would grant Master of Business Administration degrees. He noted
in law,
the increasing number of students enrolled in pre-professional curricula
medicine, and dentistry. In the new health mission, the first class of nurses had
received their bachelor degrees at the previous May commencement, and the
department had a newly approved Associate of Science degree in health services,
implemented August 1, 1979,^ and a new baccalaureate program in radiologic
technology in cooperation with Geisinger Medical Center, also implemented in
August, 1979.^ When the 1970s had begun, three out of four BSC students had
prepared for a career in education. By the end of the decade, seven out of ten
were preparing for careers outside that field.
In the fall of 1979, undergraduate students numbered 4,992 and graduate
students, 528. To that could be added 650 undergraduate non-degree students for

—

The basic fee for state residents for that first semeswas $475; for out-of-state residents, $890. The Activity Fee was $35 per
semester and each student was required to pay a Student Union Fee of $10. For
the part-time registrant, the basic fee was $39 per credit if you lived in Pennsylva-

a total enrollment of 6,170.^
ter

nia, or $71 per credit if you lived out of the state.'' While the Saga Food Service
enjoyed a certain amount of popularity on campus, returning students noted that
the cost of food had risen per semester from $228 for a 20-meal per week plan to
$251.s

Freshmen wondered what the Activity Fee was all about. Some felt seventy
was quite a bit of money to be frittered away by officials for activities
the college should provide. The Voice went into action, explaining who handled
the money and how it was spent. The activity fee represents the largest source of
income for the Community Govemment Association (CGA), and in the 1979-1980
school year this was expected to amount to approximately $329,000. Other
money came from sources such as faculty fees, football, basketball, and wrestling
admissions, rental of CGA vehicle, a commission on vending machines, and
admissions to some lectures, musical events, and some Bloomsburg Players
theatricals. In turn, much of the money was spent on the intercollegiate athletic
programs. Football received the most, followed by wrestling, men's basketball, and
other sports for both men and women. The remainder of the money provided for
student recreation, intramurals, support of concerts, and college and community
dollars a year

services.^
In reporting to the

Board of Trustees, the college

officials

noted that for the

fiscal year of 1979-1980 the Grants and Federal Relations office had received or
anticipated $641,899 in grants and had applications pending for $279,098 more.
These programs of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA),
II and IV, were handled through the office of Federal Grants, directed by
Eton Hunsinger and, after his retirement, by Peggy Bailey. Through this office the
work of the "Green Thumb" grants was developed, a funding program for parttime employment and training for older workers.^
In Pennsylvania, the employer of the largest number of Green Thumb workers
was BSC. With the enthusiastic response to this particular grants program, it is

Titles

in a documentary film competition.
produced by Pennsylvania Green Thumb under Bailey's direction was
titled "Rural America.- Coming of Age." It focused on the need for innovative
programs which help older people as they battle against isolation and the economic realities which older rural Americans must face. The film showed that the
Green Thumb program was designed to do this. Narrated by actor Lome Green,
the film, one of four thousand entered in the Intemational Film and Television
Festival in New York, was awarded a bronze medal.
Later, Bailey directed and produced another documentary in conjunction with
WVIA, concerning the adult reading program patterned on the "Each one teach
one" method of Dr. Frank Laubach, Class of 1901. For this second film the
narrator was Edwin Newman and this film, too, was highly acclaimed.
When the degree nursing program began, classroom space on campus was
being used to capacity. In order to provide for classroom instruction of the nursing
students, the old Boyer garage, located behind Science Hall across Lightstreet
Road, was renovated. This provided suitable space to meet the needs of the new
department. However, the program grew rapidly and within a short time the

easy to understand Bailey's interest

A

film

nursing

facility

was too

small.

With a human services building

far in

BSC's

future,

the administration negotiated with the Bloomsburg Hospital to rent 6,500 square
feet of space in a new building that was being erected on the hospital grounds. In
this

space were classrooms, clinical areas, faculty offices, and conference rooms for
Rent per year was set at $37,050; the facility was

the nursing department.

of 1980, and the lease ran for five years. By that time, the
would need the space for its own services. Final action by the
Board of Trustees took place on September 17, 1980, and on November 3, BSC

available in the

fall

hospital believed

it

occupied the leased space.^

Among

the activities which were planned to bring national and international

campus was a debate on the SALT II Treaty. Scheduled for Thursday, September 27, 1979, this was the third program on the subject of the SALT
Treaties and was sponsored by the History Department, the Kehr Union Program
Board, and the Professional Development Committee. The State Department was
affairs to

the

represented by Jeffrey Porro, and the thinking of Senator Lloyd Bentson of Texas
to the debate by David Sullivan, one of Bentson's legislative aides.
Both men agreed the SALT II Treaty would be a political football. Porro predicted
Sullivan believed it would be ratified but only after
it would pass the Senate intact.
many amendments had been attached to it.^° After the debate, the consensus on
campus was that the evening had not been especially informative.
The Kehr
It was not all work and no play on the campus for the students.
Union was a busy place. In mid-September the Coffee House Series began with a
concert by Richard Johnson. A capacity crowd gathered in the Presidents' Lounge
to hear Johnson and his variety of guitars. He played on a steel guitar, a twelvestring acoustic guitar, a six-string guitar, and one of the first electric guitars ever
made. On this electric guitar, one of the 1200 made in 1931 but one of only
three in existence today, he played many songs. His repertoire included songs
dealing events in his own life, songs about America, and a medley of religious

was brought

songs. ^^

Homecoming activities began October 4, a concert was prehouse in Haas Auditorium. It was a three-part affair. At 8 p.m. it
opened with McGuinn, Clark and Hillman (formerly known as the Byrds) who
created, they said, "a new sound" using rhythms and blues. Livingston Taylor was
the second scheduled part of the program, and the third phase of the evening was
by a group simply called The Cooper Brothers. This group boasted four lead
singers which, according to the brothers, gave their music a variety of sound
combinations. Tickets without an ID card were $7; with the card, $6.^^
Often community organizations use facilities on campus for their scheduled
events. In the fall of 1979, one such affair was of particular interest to women on
campus. Sponsored by the American Association of University Women, who sent
a special invitation to students, the discussion was called, "Women and Credit."
Featuring off -campus resource people, the speakers were Ruth Roat, United Penn
Bank, J. J. Doran, public relations officer of Sears, Philadelphia; Thomas James
Jr., law partner in Hummel, James and Mahalik, and Lois Miller '59, Bloomsburg
branch manager of the First Federal Savings and Loan.^^
Then

sented to a

as the
full

That

fall,

complaints heard on campus were the usual:

know what's going on."
"How come we can't have more than one fund-raiser?"
"Why can't our club get enough money to do the things we want
"Every time tum around I'm getting a ticket on my car."
"I

never

to do?"

I

really think the dorms are too strict."
"That Financial Affairs Office! Why, they're always messing me up."
why don't we ever have real ice cream?" ^''
"The food around here is rotten
But one complaint grew into a protest. A rumor had surfaced that the cost of
tuition at the 13 state-owned colleges and at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
would be increased by $50 for the next semester. To the students who were
"I

—

saving for a trip to Florida or the
intolerable, not only at

Bahamas

at spring break, the increase

Bloomsburg, but also across the

state.

was

Six student govern-

Commonwealth Association of Students (CAS), met
They said the boycott on October 24
that
the
proposed
demonstrate
increase was intolerable but would
not only would
Pennsylvania
students
were
now
paying about $950
the
point
out
that
also
ment

presidents, leaders in the

to formulate plans for a boycott of classes.

—

highest tuition in the nation at state-owned institutions. These student leaders said

empty classrooms would symbolize the students who could not afford to return
school and the teachers who would be retrenched. Someone went so far as to

the
to

suggest the proposed increase might be the factor which would herald the "immi-

nent collapse of the whole state college system." Several even dared ask:
will

"When

these increases stop?"

up the telephones of the Secretary of Education,
were received by that office protesting the $50
increase. At BSC, a huge photcopy of a $50 Monopoly bill was signed by over
2,100 students and sent to Harrisburg. Locally, students were asked to support
the boycott on a voluntary basis. The Voice even provided a tear-out petition so
those who wished to protest but still attend classes could sign it and send it to
Students, statewide, tied

Robert Scanlon, as over

800

calls

Harrisburg. ^^

A week before the day of the boycott, the Govemor of Pennsylvania, Dick
Thomburgh, visited the campus. When the question about the $50 increase in
tuition came up during his talks with students, the Govemor was quite candid. He
explained the need for

money throughout

the state.

not appropriate more for the schools. Nor was

it

He

said the legislature

feasible,

he

would

pointed out, to take

money for education from other budget items such as roads and welfare. When
the Govemor left, some students were less than satisfied.
Attempting to be humorous, some students sent Secretary Scanlon lollipops
The Voice, in an editorial entitled
"Maybe he likes lollipops," told the student body that lollipops would not bring
about a change of policy in Harrisburg but that the way to attack the problem of
the $50 increase in tuition was to ask parents, friends, and other students to
contact their senators and representatives about it.^^
October 24 arrived
a cloudy, cold, windy day. it was estimated that about
1,500 BSC students participated in the boycott. The administration cooperated

with a note saying, "We're not suckers!"

—

fully.

President

McCormick spoke with

the group gathered in the Andruss Library

and
(APSCUF), Dr. Julius Kroschewsky, fielded questions concerning the increase. Of course, television cameras and newspaper reporters were on
hand. The boycott, well planned and well carried out, failed to achieve its objeccourtyard, and the local president of the Association of Pennsylvania Colleges
University Faculties

tive.^'

Bloomsburg State College students have always been civic minded and have
attempted to serve their temporary home well. For many years they have scheduled a dance marathon to raise
nity.

As

money

the second semester of the

for a deserving organization in the

commu-

1979-1980 school year began, planning was

dance marathon, this year to benefit the local Mental
Health Society. In Centennial Gym the fifty hours of dancing to the music of local
of Bloomsburg.
bands was anchored by the campus station, WBSC, and by
During the full marathon itself, a mini-marathon of twelve hours was offered for the

underway

for the sixth annual

WHLM

Dance contests featured the Bump, the Disco, the Freak, Robot,
the weekend was over, a sum of $8,000 was raised. Twenty-five
and Rock.
completed
the twelve-hour mini-marathon, and the amazing count of 53
couples
couples finished the whole 50 hours. ^^
As further documentation of student concem and participation in the affairs
of the town of Bloomsburg, it is worth noting that twice each year the college
participates in a two-day blood drive in the Kehr Union. On March 26-27, 1980,
for example, the American Red Cross Blood Bank visited the campus and collected
565 pints of blood. The visit had been coordinated by the students with the help
of Paul Conard and Dr. John Mulka.^^
And then as the 1980 academic year was drawing to a close, students and
less enthusiastic.

When

employees of the college planned a second two-day visit of the bloodmobile. The
success of the event was best stated by the executive director of the Red Cross
Bloodmobile in a letter to the editor of the local paper. She wrote: "Not only did
they contribute 649 pints of blood, they organized the entire visit and volunteered
at different jobs during the two days. Students would attend class, come donate
blood, attend another class, and then come back and work at the visit.
"During the past year, Bloomsburg State College held two separate visits and
collected a total of 1,199 pints of blood. Since one pint can be broken down into
components to save five lives, possibly six thousand lives have been helped through
the efforts of BSC."^^
Among the new ideas which had been generated on campus was a cooperative academic venture. Negotiations between Penn State University and BSC had
been completed and now students at the two institutions were able to obtain a B.A.
and a B.S. degree in a five-year program. The agreement provided that students
spend three years on the Bloomsburg campus studying the liberal arts and taking
pre-engineering courses. At the end of three years, entrance to Pennsylvania State
University with junior standing would be granted and completion there of two years
of courses in an engineering field would lead to graduation with both a liberal arts
degree and an engineering degree from Penn State. ^^
At a time when declining enrollments at colleges across the country were a

problem

for

many

schools,

Bloomsburg continued

to

draw four applications

for

The undergraduate population was made up of
students from 63 of the state's 67 counties. Many young men and women came
from out of state, especially from New Jersey, New York and Maryland.^^ From
every place in the freshman

class.

body at times. ^^
For several years under Richard Stanislaw as director, a group of BSC
musicians, the Madrigal Singers, performed at the college and throughout the area.
As the new school year opened in the fall of 1980 the Singers had just retumed
from a singing tour of Europe. Their first stop was in England where, with the City
12

to

16 foreign countries were represented

in the student

of Liverpool College of Higher Education as their hosts, they participated in six

concerts.

They performed in London and at the Intemational Eisteddfod at
Going on to Amsterdam, The Hague, Delft, and Brussels they

Llangollen, Wales.

gave concerts

in

each of these

cities.

Just for the fun of

it

they sang as they

and on sightseeing trips. Finally before
flying home the Singers ended their first European trip with a concert in Paris.
For perhaps a decade, each Christmas season had begun with the Madrigal
Singers dinner in the college dining room. This social event drew townspeople not
only from Bloomsburg, but also from neighboring communities. With music, food,
and dance, the singers developed a special theme. One Christmas the dinner was
gathered at bus stations,

in railroad cars,

"An Evening with Elizabeth," Elizabeth being Queen Elizabeth 1. To quote
Susan Brook of The Press-Enterprise, "They didn't eat, they feasted. They didn't
called

They didn't applaud, they pounded on the table." This
was scheduled for four nights and was a complete sell-out each
night. The costumes, dance, a capella singing, and the music of lute and flute
were all of the Hizabethan period, as was the meal. Among the foods the guests
enjoyed were spiced wassail, spinach-orange salad, fruited stuffed chicken, and
flaming plum pudding. From that far away time the printed program carried some
tips about table manners: "... no telling unseemly tales at the table; no soiling
the cloth with the knife; no resting the legs on the table." The usual way the
Madrigal Singers ended each Christmas dinner was to invite the guests to join them
in singing familiar Christmas carols. This year "Queen Elizabeth" joined in the
singing. She deliberately sang off-key! ^^
Outside the south doors of Kehr Union a small plaza contains several park
penches and two cast aluminum sculptures. Called "Two Elongated Forms" by
their creator, these were made by James Myford, a Pennsylvania artist. Myford's
work was chosen from fourteen models received by the school from artists across
the country. When students and faculty wished to memorialize a teacher and
colleague, Dr. Lee Aumiller, the idea for sculpture for that particular area was
suggested. Myford came to the campus to make the models, then cast them at a
commercial foundry in Pittsburgh. The figures are over ten feet high with the
drink, they quaffed.

particular dinner

forms

set in six foot

by

six foot

concrete bases.

Upon

completion of the sculp-

was named The Aumiller Plaza.^
As times changed and more and more women entered the work force, some
of them found the need to update their skills; they enrolled in classes at BSC.
Some needed more or a different kind of education to enter a new field; they
tures, the area

BSC. Along with other factors, the enrollment of these women brought
an increase in the college population. In tum, a larger support staff was necessary.
Of these added employees, many were women with small children at home. An
obvious need on campus was a day care center for children under school age. To
help fund a qualified director for such a project, the CGA donated over $7,000 in
two gifts; space was allocated in the basement recreation room of Ewell Hall and
four assistants were secured through the CETA program on campus and two
through the Green Thumb program. The center was available for use by faculty,
students, and staff. In the beginning a simple fee of five dollars was charged to
enrolled at

cover the necessary insurance, but as the services of the center increased in
demand and enrollment climbed, reasonable fees were charged. ^'^ The child care

campus is another example of Bloomsburg's college community being
meet the challenges and needs of the times.
The Husky Club is a "town and gown" organization in Bloomsburg interested
in supporting all varsity sports on the campus of BU. On May 2, 1982, at its
eighth annual banquet, the Husky Club established the Bloomsburg State College
Athletic Hall of Fame. Its purpose is to recognize outstanding athletes who have
honored the school by their accomplishments, either as undergraduate athletes or
as alumni. The initial six recipients of the honor were Danny Litwhiler, Bob
Tucker, Russell Houk, Floyd "Shorty" Hitchcock, William "Bill" Foster, and Robert
Redman.
The baseball field on campus is named for Danny Litwhiler, class of 1938.
After an outstanding collegiate career in baseball at Bloomsburg State College
center on
able to

under the tutelage of "Doc" Nelson, Litwhiler joined the Philadelphia Phillies.
There he set a National League record for playing in every game of a complete
season without committing an error. His glove is in the Baseball Hall of Fame in
Cooperstown, N.Y.
Litwhiler coached baseball at Florida State University and at the University of
Michigan until his retirement. He is a member of the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame, and he has served as president of the United
States Baseball Federation.
In his college career at

The

BSC Bob

two years

Tucker, class of 1968, set

many

records

on

Tucker played in the
Atlantic Coast League and then moved on to the National Football League where
he played first for the New York Giants and then for the Minnesota Vikings. After
ending his professional football career. Tucker entered the field of business.
the football

Russell

and

field.

Houk

first

after graduation.

— coach, educator, administrator — was a man known nation-

For 14 years he coached the
teams recorded 142 wins, 34 losses, and
four ties. Three times Houk's teams won the NAIA national championships. At
three different times Houk was named "Coach of the Year." Having served three
four-year terms as a member of the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Committee, he was
chairman of the committee from 1972 through 1976.
His honors include membership in the Citizen Savings Hall of Fame in Los Angeles, the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the NAIA HAll of Fame.
ally

sport at

internationally for his dedication to wrestling.

BSC, and during

that time his

Hoyd

"Shorty" Hitchcock, class of 1974, had a personal record of 87-7-2

BSC, and is remembered for winning the silver medal in the World University Games in Moscow. He has taught and coached at the high school level at
Shamokin High School and at Lake Lehman High School. He was assistant
wrestling coach at the University of North Carolina and at BSC. He is now head
while at

coach of wrestling
William

"Bill"

at Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

Foster coached basketball at Bloomsburg State College from

1960 to 1963. He continued his coaching career at Rutgers University and then
moved to the University of Utah. He brought along outstanding basketball teams
at the University of South Carolina and from there moved to Northwestern University to

continue his coaching.

The stadium at BU carries the name of Robert Redman. From 1947 until
1951 he had been head football coach at Bloomsburg State Teachers College. In
1948 and again in 1951 his football teams were undefeated. His record while at
Bloomsburg stood at 38 wins against four defeats, in 1948, 1949, and 1951
BSTC's football teams won the Pennsylvania Conference Championships. From
Bloomsburg, Redman moved to East Orange, N.J., and ended his educational
career in public school administration.^^
in 1982, each year the Husky Club has added
Fame.
In 1983, Charles "Chuck" Daly, class of 1952, and William "Bill" Garson,
class of 1963, were inducted. Daly, a former high school teacher and coach, also
coached basketball at the college level at Duke, Boston College, and University of
Pennsylvania. He has coached professional basketball and is best known for his
outstanding work as head coach of the Detroit Pistons.
Garson, after leaving behind a memorable college career in wrestling, entered
the business world and serves in the legislature in the state of Washington.
Richard "Dick" Lloyd, class of 1962, was an outstanding basketball player
while attending BSC, and after graduation coached in high school and college.
Leaving coaching, he became an administrator at the university level and presently
is director of annual giving in the development office at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. He continues his contacts with BU and has served several
terms as a member of the board of directors of the Alumni Association. He
became a member of the Hall of Fame in 1984.
At the Banquet of Champions in 1985, the Husky Club inducted Ronald
"Ron" Russo, class of 1970. Following graduation, Russo's special interest in
wrestling led him to the position of head coach of the sport at Columbia University.
He had a memorable career in wrestling at BSC.
Robert "Bob" Rohm, since graduation in 1960, has been successful as a high
school teacher and coach, and at times has assisted with coaching at his Alma
Mater. He became a Hall of Fame inductee in 1986.
A businessman and former outstanding college athlete, Robert "Bob" Herzig
was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Then the call went out for nomination of athletes from the 1930s and 1940s.
From the many names submitted, the Husky Club committee chose eight as 1988

Since that sports banquet

members

to

its

Hall of

8

—

seven men and one woman. They included:
Heanor Wray, teacher, coach, administrator, and friend;
Tom Donan, class of 1949, retired teacher and coach at Columbia High

inductees

School and at Solanco High School, Lancaster County;
Frank Colder, class of 1931, retired teacher and coach of basketball and
baseball, and principal of Bloomsburg Area Senior High School;

Hfed "Vid" Jones,

class of

1930,

retired teacher

and coach,

athletic official,

and assistant superintendent for elementary schools in the Central Columbia
School District, Bloomsburg;
Walter "Whitey" McCloskey, class of 1944, teacher, coach, and guidance
counselor at Danville High School, Danville, PA;
Jan Prosseda, class of 1966, teacher in the Harrisburg School District.
Posseda is the only person who can claim All-American status as both a collegiate
and masters runner;
John "Bloody" Sircovics, '39, high school teacher and coach at Berwick
High School; booster and organizer of Little League baseball in Berwick and
organizer of Midget Football.

and Francis "Doc"

Sell, class

of 1935, teacher, coach of track

and cross

country, businessman, real estate broker, and enthusiastic alumni board member.^^

On April 24, 1981, for the benefit of the American Red Cross, a great event
took place on Bloomsburg's Main Street. It was sponsored by the Lamda Alpha
Sorority

and the Colonial Stove Company. The "hot tub stuffing contest" got
at 10 a.m., and the goal was to pack at least 40 people into the tub

under way

—

the record being 39.

were enforced. The attire had to be swimsuits or T-shirts and gym
Each participant in the tub had to be submerged in the water above the
waist. An entry fee per sponsor had to be collected by the contestant before the
stuffing and no contestant could participate with less than five sponsors. Team
members had to sign a health release form, and each had to be registered one-half
hour before the stuffing began. Contestants had to bring their own towels.
Among the "no-no" rules were no oil, grease, or other lubricants; no alcohol or
drugs before or during the stuffing, and in case of a tie, there would be a tub-off.
(Sure enough, there was one!) Six teams broke the standing record of 39 established in the Washington, D.C. area. The Easy Squeezers and the Bloomsburg
Hospital Mash Unit tied with 44. Then in the tub-off, the teams tied again at 43.
The judges declared them both winners. ''"
On the lower campus, an area behind Carver Hall and between Scranton
Commons and Schuylkill Hall is criss-crossed underground by steam lines. Heat
from the pipes killed the grass, and regardless of the type of seed used to replant,
grass would not grow there. From the Lycoming Silica Sand Company near
Montoursville, the school secured huge gray boulders and "planted" them strategically over the bare earth. Between the rocks, the ground was covered with a
mulch of shredded bark. As summer school students arrived for classes in June of
1982, they found a new rock garden. Some rested on the rocks; some met
friends there, and almost everybody admired the new and unique garden. As time
Strict rules

shorts.

passed those responsible for the planting and care of the campus found perennials
and small shrubs which thrive in the warm ground. The bumed out grass plot has
become a beauty spot on campus.''^

Soon after McCormick became president at Bloomsburg, the administration
informed the board of trustees of the need for additional classroom space. The
trustees put the item in a request to Harrisburg, asking that an academic building
for Bloomsburg be included in the capital budget. Nothing was done about it in
Harrisburg. Across the state there were a number of college campuses on which
stood empty and unused buildings. Finally through persistent and well-developed
reasoning from the college administrators and the board of trustees, and through
the efforts of the local state representative,

the construction of a

new classroom

Ted Stuban, allocation was made
on campus.

for

building

At the meeting of the trustees on September 8, 1982, architects from
Burkavage Evans Associates of Clark Summit commented on the design for a new
human services building. They said final drawings could be completed by October
12 and be put out on bid by December.''^
To be situated on the area between the Bakeless Center for the Humanities
and Waller Administration Building, the new building would be the largest classroom facility on campus, providing just over 81,000 square feet of space. In it
would be laboratories, classrooms, conference rooms, and faculty offices. It would
house the nursing department, a learning resource center, a curriculum materials
center, an autotutorial and computer laboratory, and the campus health center.
Not counting greenhouses, this new structure would be the first public building
on campus to make use of solar heat. A one hundred foot by twenty foot solar
wall, based on the "hothouse concept," would be built into the front, or south, side.
Unlike the all-glass greenhouse, this building would have only one glass wall. The
opposite wall, when heated by the sun's rays, would be drawn from the enclosure
between the glass and the brick wall for circulation to other parts of the building.
Designed to be 130 feet by 240 feet, this three-story brick building had as its
local consultant Dr.

Raymond Babineau,

professor and educational

facilities

consultant at BSC.''^

On March

31, 1983, ground-breaking ceremonies took place. Despite the

cold and wind, a crowd of interested people from the area and from Harrisburg

gathered under a large tent at the site to start the building program. At hand to
speak were Walter Barran, secretary of General Services for the Commonwealth;

Budd Dwyer, state treasurer, representing Govemor Thomburgh; and RepreTed Stuban. John Walker, executive director of institutional advancement, presided, and others from the college who made remarks were Dr. Julius
Kroschewsky, president of APSCUF at BSC; Paul Stockier, president of CGA;
R.

sentative

Dr. Larry Jones, vice president for academic affairs

and Dr. Robert

Parrish, vice

president for administration.'''*

As a complete surprise to the recipient of the honor, it was announced that
day by the trustees that the new building would be called the James H. McCormick

Human Services Center.
When the board had met

to

name

this building,

10

it

had also made decisions

on campus."^ The fonner laundry building which had
department was named the Walter A. Simon
Art Center. Originally, Simon came to Bloomsburg to help integrate minority
students into the college community. He came with the reputation of being an
accomplished artist and teacher of art history. A veteran of World War II, Simon
worked for the U.S. Information Agency following the war. He was stationed at
the American embassy in Cairo, Egypt; in Kabul, Afghanistan, and in Columbo,
Ceylon. He had exhibitions of his paintings at the Wittenbom Gallery, New York
about naming other

been made

City;

at the

Museum

Women's

of

BU

in

College, University of North Carolina; at the Virginia

Richmond;

of Art in

Gallery, Peradeniva.

campus

facilities

into quarters for the art

at Cairo,

A one-man

Haas

Gallery.

show

He

left

U.A.R. and

at the University of

of Simon's paintings

BSC

to

become

Distinguished Professor of Art History at Virginia

the Charles

Union

Ceylon Art

was held on the

University,

W.

Florence

Richmond,

Virginia.''^

At the same meeting at which the board agreed to the naming of the
McCormick and Simon buildings, they designated the area of the athletic complex
on the upper campus as Mount Olympus. The name carried much Bloomsburg
history with it. The original athletic field was situated where Science Hall is
located. When construction of the building took a large amount of the playing
field, a new athletic field was made north of the Grove in the area much of which is
now occupied by Columbia Hall. This field would have been in use from 1905 or
1906 until 1938 or 1939.
At the time the second athletic field was constructed, the school was officially
known as The Bloomsburg Literary Institute and State Normal School. It was a
privately owned preparatory or classical school at which the Normal courses
provided by the state were also taught. Being a classical school, the faculty and
students were very much aware of the places of ancient history and mythology; so
it is not surprising that when one of the professors suggested naming the new field

Mount Olympus,

was Professor Dennis
Greek Mount
Olympus was the site of ancient festivals of contests in athletics and music.
By 1938-39, when construction on Centennial gymnasium was about finished, for convenience, a new and larger athletic field was made at the top of the
hill.
Even after the Bloomsburg Country Club was bought for expansion of the
college campus. New Mount Olympus continued to be the site of all home football
games. When Haas Center for the Arts, and Bakeless Center for the Humanities,
and Waller Administration were built, some were constructed right on Mount
Olympus. Without an athletic field, the college was forced to rent the town's
athletic field on Seventh Street for several years. Finally in 1973 the athletic
complex on the old country club property was dedicated and people began speaking of the area as the upper campus. However, time and time again as Harvey
Andruss, president emeritus, would talk to former students and friends he would
voice the opinion that this new site should be named. He suggested using the
name Mount Olympus again. At the meeting of the trustees on March 16, 1983,
the board went on record as saying, "The upper campus athletic complex Ishalll be

who

suggested

the student body agreed. (Legend says

it.)

The reason

given for the choice

11

was

it

that the

designated and

named Mount Olympus.""^

Also at that meeting of the trustees, action was taken on the subject of
awarding honorary degrees. A year previously, an ad hoc committee had been

appointed by the chairman of the board to develop a process by which honorary
degrees should be given at BSC. Extensive study and discussion by the committee
led to a written policy which the president recommended for adoption.
in part, this recommendation said the honorary degree should recognize
outstanding achievements and contributions to the institution, to the
wealth, to society, or to a particular academic discipline.

It

stated,

Common-

"An honorary

degree is an academic award which reflects the mission of Bloomsburg State
College in the area of intellectual pursuits, culture and the arts, or public sevice.
Such degrees should be awarded only to those men and women whose life and
work exemplify the concepts of excellence, service, and integrity ".'*'
A new interdisciplinary joumal called Carver was bom on campus in the

Alumni Association and the Academic
poetry, and art by members
of the college community, faculty, alumni, students, and distinguished guests. After
many informal discussions around the campus, McCormick appointed a committee
chaired by Dr. Gerald Strauss (who would become editor of the joumal). The first
issue carried a memoir of H. Keffer Hartline, class of 1920 and Nobel Laureate;
an account of a stagecoach trip through New Mexico in 1880, written by Jerome
T. Ailman, class of 1871 and provided to the joumal by Archivist Roger Fromm.
Included in the first Carver was the initial part of an article written by Dr. Cecil
Seronsy and published posthumously. From the art department were works by
Kari Beamer, Barbara Strohman, and Kenneth T. Wilson.''^
Early in 1980 it was evident that Carver Tower was in need of repair. When
a firm from Hummelstown, G and W, Inc., began work on the tower, their estimate of the cost was $39,800, just about double the cost of the entire structure
when built in 1867. A crack had developed in a mortise which joined a supporting
truss and a beam at the base of the tower. The actual correction of the cracked
mortise was not the expensive part of the work. It was the shoring up of the tower
in order that the replacement of the mortise could be made that was costly. From
the foundation in the basement through the first and second floors to the tower,
steel supports had to be installed before work on the cracked mortise could begin.
Once the replacement had been made, removcil of the steel support was yet
another time consuming and costly job.''^
With the tower strong once more, attention tumed to the new Alumni Room
which had been established in the northwest comer of the first floor of the building.
Through the efforts of John Walker, a reception room had been developed to
house the memorabilia of the Alumni Association and to give returning alumni a
place to greet friends. With paint, panels, new electrical work, plus carpeting and
period furnishings, once more the alumni had a room of which they could be
spring of

1983 and was

Affairs Office.

subsidized by the

Plans were to publish

articles, fiction,

proud. ^

The original Alumni Room was on the first floor of the north wing of old
Waller Hall, just about opposite the bank of student mailboxes. Since that wing of
12

was razed when Scranton Commons was built, there was no place for the
and keepsakes of the Alumni Association. With the dedication of the new
room in Carver Hall at the annual meeting of the association on June 19, 1982, the
gifts and artifacts are once more displayed in the Alumni Room or stored in the
old Waller
articles

college archives in Bakeless Center for the Humanities. ^^
In May of 1983, a state law was enacted setting up the State System of Higher
Education (SSHE) which would encompass the 13 state colleges and the Indiana

By law these institutions would no longer be colleges but
and the name changes would be effected July 1, 1983. With the
enacting of this piece of legislation a change in administration took place at
University of Pennsylvania.
universities,

Bloomsburg.^^

The board of governors (the body formed to administer the new state system)
had chosen James H. McCormick as acting chancellor. On June 21, 1983, the
university's board of trustees met at 3:30 p.m. in the Presidents' Lounge of Kehr
Union. They were there to act upon the question of administrative leave for
McCormick from July 1, 1983, until June 30, 1984. Desiring to cooperate with
the board of governors, the trustees adopted a resolution granting the leave to
McCormick so he could serve as interim chancellor of SSHE. The resolution
mentioned also the trustees' respect for McCormick's "sound judgement, wisdom,
industry, and personal integrity." Then, as the final order of business for this
"called" meeting, the trustees accepted McCormick's recommendation to name Dr.
Larry Jones, provost and vice president for academic affairs, to be acting president
of Bloomsburg University.^^

FOOTNOTES: Chapter

14, continued:

McCormick

4.

Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). August, 1979.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). June 26, 1979.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). September 12,
1979.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). June 6, 1979.

5.

Ibid.

1.

2.
3.

Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). September 14, 1979.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). June 26, 1979.
8. Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC).
November 17, 1981.
9. Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). September 12,
1979.
10. Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). September 20,
1979.
11. Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). September 14,
1979.
12. Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). September 19,
1979.
6.

7.

13.

Ibid.

13

14.

15.
16.

17.
18.
19.

20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.

32.
33.

34.
35.
36.
37.
38.

39.
40.

41.
42.
43.
44.

45.

Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). September 28,
1979.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). October 22, 1979.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). October 15, 1979.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). October 21, 1979.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). Febmary 6, 1980.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). March 28, 1980.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. Press-En terprise, (Bloomsburg, PA).
October 5, 1980.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). March 24, 1980.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees) March 19,
1980.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. Press-Enterprise, (Bloomsburg, PA)
March 20, 1980.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). February 15, 1980.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). March 7, 1980.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). March 6, 1980.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees) December 12,
1979.
Alumni Quarterli;. Vol. 80, No. 2, Spring, 1980.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. Press-Enterprise, (Bloomsburg, PA).
March 6, 1980.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). June 26, 1979,
Alumni Quarterli;. Vol. 80, No. 2, Spring 1980.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). February 18, 1981
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). June 26, 1979
Kehr College Union Scrapbok, Press-Enterprise, (Bloomsburg, PA).
June 18, 1980.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 82, No. 1, Winter, 1982.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. Press-Enterprise, (Bloomsburg, PA).
August 8, 1980.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees).
December 10, 1980.
Alumni Quarterli;. Vol. 82, No. 2, Spring, 1982.
Hollister, James, Director of Sports Information, (BU). Conversation,
September, 1988.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). April, 1981.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BSC). June 24, 1982.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). September 8,
1982.
Alumni Quarterly;. Vol. 82, No. 3, October, 1982. p. 1.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 83, No. 2, April, 1983. p. 1.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). March 16,
1983.

Agenda

p.

27.

14

46. Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 83, No. 4, December, 1983. p. 27.
47. Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). March 16,
1983. p. 37.

Alumni
Alumni
50. Alumni
51. Alumni

48.
49.

52.

Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly

Vol. 83, No. 2, April, 1983. p. 7.
Vol. 82, No. 1, Winter, 1982.
Vol. 81, No. 1, Winter, 1981.
Vol. 83, No. 3, October, 1982.

Ibid.

53. Kehr College Union Scrapbook.

The

Voice, (BSC)

June 27, 1983.
June 21, 1983.

54. Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees)
pp.

3287

-

8.

15

Chapter

XV

LARRY W. JONES
..Vigor

and

dedication...

Since August 22, 1981, Larry W. Jones had been provost and vice president
academic affairs at Bloomsburg. His educational background included a B.S. in
mathematics and an M.S. degree in administration from North Dakota State
University. He eamed an Ed.D. from the University of Oregon, and his postdoctoral credits were as the Mott Foundation Fellow, Westem Michigan University,
Grantsmanship Training at The Grantsmanship Center, mid-career development
as the Bush Leadership Fellow, Bush Leadership Fellow Program; academic
administration as an American Council on Education Fellow in academic administration, Oregon State University, and Jones studied educational management at
the Institute for Educational Management, Harvard University.
His experience before coming to Bloomsburg included the postions of
academic vice president and dean of the faculties, Eastem Montana College;
acting dean of education and regional services; director of evening sessions;
for

director of continuing education;
University.

Jones had interrupted

director of

as loan officer for the First National
of business

and

community

services at

Moorhead

his career in education to serve for several years

Bank

he had taught mathematics

of

Oregon. Prior to

this

at the high school level in

work

in the field

Eugene, Oregon

Los Angeles, Calif omia.^
July 1, 1983, when Jones assumed the postion of acting president, he
became the first administrative head of Bloomsburg University and the fifteenth
such official in the institution's history. On July 1, 1983, the school's name was
changed for the sixth time when, by decree from the chancellor and the board of
govemors, the institution became Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
That moming, July 1, as the Admissions Office opened its doors, it found
Jennifer Louise Horn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Horn of Boyertown, waiting
to apply for admission to the freshman class in 1984. Just sixteen and a junior in
high school, Jennifer was familiar with the Bloomsburg campus. She had visited it
often with her grandfather, Francis "Doc" Sell, class of 1935. At her high school
in Boyertown Jennifer was a member of the tennis team and statistician for the
in

On

16

track team.

She was

after graduation

elected to the National

from high school, she

Honor

vA/ished to

Society in her junior year, and

enter Bloomsburg University to

Accompanied by her grandfather, who had
encouraged her to attend Bloomsburg, Jennifer presented her credentials in person
and thus became Bloomsburg University's first applicant for admission.
enroll in a business curriculum.

In May of 1988 at the spring commencement, Jennifer Louise Hom
cum laude from Bloomsburg University.)
As a summer school attraction in July 1983, in Kehr Union, there was an

(Note:

graduated

evening

billed

as "Fiddlin' Fun."

reels, Irish jigs,

bluegrass and

It

was a night

of Appalachian

modem jazz — all performed on

hoedowns, Scottish
the fiddle by Marie

Rhines. She had played the violin with major symphony orchestras throughout the
United States while researching American fiddle music. In Boston she had started
a weekly radio program called "The Folk Heritage" developed to broaden the
country's appreciation of folk music and fiddle music in particular.

She was

well

received.^
In early September plans were made for a convocation celebrating the
change from Bloomsburg State College to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
On Sunday aftemoon, September 4, 1983, friends, students, parents of students,
alumni, robed faculty, and faculty emeriti gathered at Centennial Gymnasium and
processed to the auditorium in the Haas Center for the Arts. The bell in Carver
Tower rang 144 times, once for each year of the institution's existence. Among
the alumni taking part were Boyd Buckingham '43; Eda Bessie Edwards '41;
Jeanne Noll Zimmerman '42; Howard Fenstemaker '12; Raymond Edwards '23;
and Frank Yartz '69. Representing the first class to be graduated since the change
to university status was Angela Moyer; representing the future was Jennifer Hom.
Special guests seated on the stage were James McCormick, interim chancellor,
SSHE, and Harold Delaney, executive vice president of the American Association
of State Colleges and Universities. Robert Buehner, chairman of the council of
trustees, read a message from Govemor Dick Thomburgh. Presiding at the

convocation was Larry Jones, acting president.''

The story is told that one morning while the director of grounds and buildDonald McCulloch, was reading his newspaper he noted that a footbridge in
Williamsport had been dismantled and sold at auction. The construction company
which had bought the bridge wished to resell it. For some time the university had
been concemed for the safety of students crossing Lightstreet Road. Since Lightstreet Road had become a connecting link between 1-80 and U.S. Route 11, traffic
past the back of the campus had increased greatly. McCulloch took the newspaper
ings,

to Dr. Robert Parrish, vice president for administration.

Parrish pursued the idea

and the footbridge became a reality, connecting the hospital parking lot with the
main campus near the back of Old Science Hall.
At least eight years before the footbridge was bought and installed, Eton
Hunsinger, then a college administrator, had advocated this very thing. At that
time the cost was prohibitive
$400,000. When Parrish and McCulloch presented a workable price of $120,000, CGA gave $41,000 and the other $79,000
was written into the general operating budget. Finished, the bridge stands 18 feet

—

17

6 inches above the road. It is 92 feet in length, is roofed, has sidewalls, switchback
ramps, and is lighted at night.^
An article in The Alumni Quarterly; began by saying, "Two significant firsts
occurred during the winter commencement exercises on December 18, [19831:
presentation of the first medallion and the first honorary doctorate." Marco and
Louise Mitrani received the medallion. For years, they had been supportive with
their gifts and time to organizations in the community, and they had been particularly generous to Bloomsburg University. Their medallion, cast in pewter is a
replica of the bronze medallion which the president of Bloomsburg University
wears during academic convocations. The circular medallion symbolizes the
bringing together of people who are interested in the mission of BU. It is sculpted
and signed by the artist, Richard E. Bonham.
The first honorary degree was given to Howard Fowler Fenstemaker
beloved teacher, linguist, musician, and renaissance man of the Bloomsburg
Alumni Association. Bom in Berwick on October 19, 1893, he graduated from
the Berwick High School; attended the Bloomsburg Literary Institute and State
Normal School, class of 1912; and eamed his B.A. from the University of Michigan, graduating magna cum laude and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. His
graduate work was completed at NYU. In World War he served as a language
censor in Paris and then after his discharge from the army moved to Highland
Park, Michigan, where he taught French and Spanish in the high school. In 1926
he joined the BSTC faculty, teaching languages, English, and during World War II
any subjects he was asked to teach. He organized the first band and for many
years was its director. When the college reorganized, he became the first chairman
of the Foreign Language Department. He was editor of The Alumni Quarterli;
from 1926 until 1971. After the death of his first wife, the former Ruth Nuss,
Fenstemaker married Mary Edwards of Bloomsburg. He is the father of a son,
Howard Jr., who lives in Illinois, and of a daughter, Dr. Mary Lou John, also a
retired chairman of the foreign language department of BU.^
A committee of faculty and alumni was appointed by the Alumni Association
to review and suggest changes in the old Alma Mater. It had been written in 1911
to be sung to the tune of "Annie Lyle," had had changes made in its words in
1926, and had been sung at all college functions until 1970. That year, a student,
Donald Messiner, wrote a new song, presented it to the school, and with the
blessings of the administration, it was adopted as the new official Alma Mater. It

—

I

was a good song, but was used so infrequently that it never became familiar. When
Bloomsburg became a university an effort was made by alumni and officials at the
school to retum the old

Alma Mater,

revised, to its place of honor.
found only minimal changes necessary. In the
Words were
first stanza, the third line read, "Stands our college dear to students."
changed so that the line says, "Stands our school SQ dear to students." The
second and third stanzas were not changed, remaining as they have been since
Professor Dennis wrote them. The chorus, however, was more of a challenge. At

When

the committee met,

the beginning of the second

committee reworded that

line,

line to

it

"Bloomsburg College up on College
read "Alma Mater up on College

18

Hill,"

Hill."

the

The

reasoning was that the street sign at East and East Second says College Hill, and it
would be perfectly all right to continue its usage in the Alma Mater. ' So it was in
the fall of 1983, the old Alma Mater returned to the campus.
As the council of trustees met on March 26, 1984, their business session
contained a moment of silence in observance of the death of Harvey A. Andruss,
president emeritus. On February 9, just ten days before his 82nd birthday, he had
passed away. He had served the college as president for 30 years, from 1939 until
his retirement in 1969. His was the longest tenure of any president or principal in
the history of the institution.^
It

was

at this

March meeting

that action

received by the chairman of the council.

was taken on correspondence

A letter had come to Buehner from

James H. McCormick which said in part, "... This letter will serve as official notice
to you and the Bloomsburg Council of Trustees that on the basis of a unanimous
vote from the board of govemors of the State System of Higher Education, have
I

agreed to accept the reassignment within the system as chancellor. This reassignment will create a vacancy in the presidency of Bloomsburg University effective
July 1, 1984. ..." McCormick's resignation was accepted with regrets.

The
.

action

that Dr. Larry

July 1,

was followed by a motion presented and unaminously

W.

carried,

".

.

Jones, acting president of Bloomsburg University for the period

1983 through June 30, 1984, be named interim president of Bloomsburg
1, 1984 through December 31, 1984, or until the

Univeristy for the period of July

conclusion of the presidential search process." Within three weeks a presidential

made up of representatives from all the
^ The following constituencies were
represented on the committee: from the council of trustees, Robert W. Buehner,
Jr., chairman, Ramona H. Alley, LaRoy Davis, and Stanley Rakowsky; from
management. Dr. Howard Macauley; from faculty. Dr. James Cole, Dr. Andrew
Karpinski, Dr. Roy D. Pointer; from the student body, Christopher J. Hardinger;
search committee had been appointed,

constituencies of the University community.

from the non-instructional staff, Rosemary T. McGrady; from the administration,
Bemard Vinovrski; and from the Alumni Association, Dr. C. Stuart Edwards. ^°

The fall of 1984 saw the completion of the McCormick Human Services
Center and its dedication. The ceremony was scheduled for the last week-end of
October. That weekend the weather tumed windy and cool, but it would have
taken more than a little chilly weather to dampen the spirits of the people who had
gathered to dedicate the new building. Lunch was served in the building's multipurpose room, visitors toured the facility, and then a crowd gathered under a large
tent on the lawn in front of the building to hear dedicatory speeches. Dr. and Mrs.
McCormick were in attendance, and Dr. McCormick reviewed the process through
which the center grew from need to concept to finished practical building."
For about eight years Bloomsburg had been considering a statue of its
mascot
a husky. Scott Righter '84, in his senior year gave impetus to the
project and made possible the securing of the sculpture. To quote from an item in
The Voice at that time, "A statue of a husky will soon prowl on Carver lawn as a
constant symbol of school pride and spirit. ..." The $15,000 statue was funded
by the CGA and various alumni classes.

—

19

Designed and sculpted by Richard E. Bonham, the husky was cast in bronze
and measures 50.5 inches in length, 23.5 inches in width, and 51.5 inches in
height. His left foot is raised as though stepping forward. ^^ Of the statue its sculptor
said, "Staring at an adversary or into the future, the male husky is dynamically
poised for action with the lines and contours expressing his regal bearing and
serious intent."

"Lacking

in

the statue

is

predatory viciousness. This husky

for either offense or defense, not for death

make an

apt symbol of the University,

its

and

destruction.

teams,

its

students,

As

is

and

its

and ready
he would

alert

such,

graduates.

"^^

This permanent husky stands not only as a symbol of the university but also as
a work of art

commemoration

of the live husky mascots which have been part of
October 9, 1933, in assembly in the auditorium in
Carver Hall, the students chose the husky to be BSTC's mascot. The first, a part of
Professor Keller's sled team was named Roongo (contraction for Maroon and Gold).
After his death there were Roongo II and Roongo III. In 1969, the Delta Omega
Chi fratemity bought a husky for a school mascot and named her Nikki. Nikki
disappeared. When the McCormicks moved to Buckalew Place in 1973, the CGA
presented David (aged 7) and Doug (aged 4) with a husky to be at home with the
McCormick family but to be used as a college mascot. The boys named him
"Husky," and "Husky" promptly ate rat poison. Within a year, the class of 1974
had given David and Douglas another husky pup. Again, the boys named him
"Husky." This one grew to his full, beautiful potential, and paced the sidelines at all
the home football games. After several years of receiving much attention from
everyone, "Husky" challenged the traffic on Lightstreet Road and lost! In 1979,
Joe Hari of Horsham gave a half-grown husky to the Sigma Iota Omega fratemity.
The dog was named "Max."^'' Often he was present on the campus or in the town
as Bloomsburg's mascot. Periodically, on the streets or at games, students can be
seen with their husky pets, and always passers-by are reminded that Bloomsburg
University has as its mascot the magnificient husky, symbol of pride and glory. On
the southwest comer of Carver Hall lawn, a majestic bronze husky says the same
life

in

on campus

in the past.

On

thing.

On Homecoming Day, October 27, 1984, this statue was unveiled. It had
been placed in the general vicinity of the old pine tree
a tree believed to have
been planted by the students on the day of the "grading frolic" of the spring of
1867. In 1982 the old pine had been struck by lightning and experts had been
called in by the Alumni Association to care for the hole ripped in the heart of the
tree by the storm. Within a year, however, it became evident the tree was damaged
beyond man's skill to save it, and for safety's sake, the tree was removed. ^^
In a report to the council of trustees, Jones gave a clear picture of the state of
the school at this time. He noted applications for admission were up six percent
with 4,577 applicants applying for 1,050 places in the freshman class. He pointed
out that Bloomsburg's rate of retention was up 7.5 percent over the previous year.
BU's rate was 70.2 percent, as compared to the nation-wide rate of 31.5 percent.
He added that the Middle States Association review had been excellent and that the
nursing program had received a maximum eight-year accreditation.^^

—

20

A special meeting of the council of trustees was called for February 24,
1985,

in the

coffee-house of the Kehr Union.

The purpose

of the meeting

receive the report of the presidential search committee. This committee

was

to

had been

and select three candidates
and present their decision to the council. In tum, the council would send the recommendations of the
committee to the chancellor and the board of govemors of the
SSHE.^^ After all this time and with all this anticipation, still the council had
nothing to announce.
In the spring of 1985 the CGA helped fund a picnic area on campus with a
contribution of $10,000. The picnic area is between Montour Hall and the
footbridge
to older alumni, it is in the Grove and encompasses the pergola.
Twenty picnic tables were put there, and eight lights were installed. Four drain
basins were built into the hillside and curbing was run around the area. With the
planting of flowering shrubs and small trees, about an acre of campus had been
instructed to receive applications, intennew applicants,
for the position, arrange the

names

in alphabetical order,

—

turned into a picnic/study spot.^^

Another change on campus in spring 1985 was a new scoreboard in Nelson
House. Difficulty in securing parts for the old one, plus the complaint that
not everyone in the gym could see it, prompted the athletic administration to
request a new scoreboard. The new four-sided one hangs in the middle of the
gymnasium and can be seen from every seat in the room. It is a sophisticated
micro-computer controlled board and was donated to the university by Coca-Cola,
Pepsi-Cola, Perdue Farms, Inc., and United Penn Bank. This gift came about
through the efforts of the office of development, Anthony laniero, director. ^^
Then at its regular meeting on March 20, 1985, the council of trustees
reported that the day before, March 19, at a meeting of the board of govemors,
Dr. Harry Ausprich had been selected to be the president of Bloomsburg University
of Pennsylvania. Ausprich's tenure would begin July 15, 1985. Until that time,
Jones would continue to serve as interim president. ^°
The spring of 1985 was an important time for the Alumni Association. On
Friday, April 5, Doug Hippenstiel, director of alumni affairs, learned from Anthony laniero, director of development, that the home of the late Dorothy John
Dillon, class of 1924, had been placed on the market by her estate. After consulting with laniero and with John Walker, vice president for institutional advancement, and Dr. Robert Parrish, vice president for administration, Hippenstiel
contacted the board of directors of the Alumni Association that same day, and the
board met in special session on Saturday moming, April 6. Among the directors
were several businessmen who dealt in real estate. After deliberation and inspection of the property, the board voted to make an offer on the house. The offer
was submitted on April 8 and accepted by the Dillon family on April 9. The
agreement was signed on April 1 1
Having an alumni house is not a new idea for the Bloomsburg Alumni
Asoociation. At the tum of the century, during the Welsh administration, the
Alumni Association had had an architect draw working plans for an Alumni Hall to
be constructed of brick on the campus at the edge of the Grove. Nor is the idea of
Field

21

such a facility peculiar to the Bloomsburg organization. Within the State System of
Higher Education, six other Alumni Associations had alumni houses at that time.
The Dorothy John Dillon property faces Lightstreet Road and is separated
from the main campus by a single, privately owned lot. The remainder of the
nearly four acres of land behind the house adjoins the southeast end of the

cam-

pus.

The $1 10,000 needed to pay for the facility was raised within a year of its
purchase through a special committee chaired by Peggy Bums, class of 1967.
Honorary co-chairmen of the campaign were classmates of Dorothy Dillon: Editha
Ent Adams and Edward F. Schuyler, both lifelong residents of Bloomsburg. ^^
Offices of the Alumni Association were moved from their cramped quarters
in Carver Hall after the entire inside of the house had been renovated. Social
events of the association have been enjoyed there, and faculty and student organizations have used the facility, too.
Before classes ended in May of 1985, a group of fifteen students were
chosen to serve in a new capacity at BU. They were named the Husky Ambassadors. Sponsored by the Alumni Association and headquartered at the Alumni
House, their duties include greeting visitors, conducting campus tours, visiting
Alumni Chapters, and otherwise representing the student body on special occasions. Husky Ambassadors are selected after careful study of their detailed applications and their academic records. Interviews are conducted to ascertain their poise,
communication skills and appropriate appearance. Since the school year of 1985-

1986, this has been one of the
Bloomsburg University. ^^

When

busiest

and most

helpful

groups of students

the council of trustees met in regular session with Jones sitting as

interim president for the last time, they unanimously approved a resolution

voted to have

it

"spread upon the minutes."

The

resolution said:

Whereas, Larry W. Jones served first as acting president
and then as interim president of Bloomsburg University from
July 1, 1983 to July 15, 1985; and
Whereas, Dr. Jones demonstrated a strong commitment to
the educational progress and services at Bloomsburg
University; and
Whereas, Dr. Jones has exhibited an uncommon vigor and
dedication to carrying out his responsibilities; and
Whereas, Dr. Jones has provided leadership and stability
for the University during this period.

of

at

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the council of trustees
Bloomsburg University hereby extends their appreciation

for his services to the university, their gratitude for his

leadership,

and

their best wishes.^^

22

and

FOOTNOTES
1.

Chapter 15

Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of

Trustees).

June 10, 1981.

6.

Agenda pp. 33-35.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 83, No. 3. July, 1983. p. 7.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook, The Voice, (BU). July 9, 1983.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook, Press-Enterprise, (Bloomsburg, PA).
September 9, 1983.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook, The Voice, (BU). September 21, 1984.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 83, No. 4. December, 1983. p. 1.

7.

Ibid.

2.
3.

4.

5.

p. 9.

Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). March 28, 1984.
p. 3328.
9. Ibid. p. 3329.
10. Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). June 13, 1984.
8.

Agenda

p. 2.

Kehr College Union Scrapbook, The Voice, (BU). October 31, 1984.
12. Kehr College Union Scrapbook, The Voice, (BU). September 24,
1984.
11.

13.

Alumni Quarterly.

Vol. 84, No. 1.

1984.

14.

Kehr College Union Scrapbook, The Voice, (BU). November

15.

Alumni Quarterly.

Vol. 2, No. 1.

5,

1979.

Spring, 1982.

16. Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees).

February 24,

1985. pp. 3401-3402.

pp.4300.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook, The Voice, (BU). March 4, 1985.
19. Kehr College Union Scrapbook, The Voice, (BU). March 29, 1985.
20. Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). March 20,
1985.
21. Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 85, No. 2. May, 1985. p. 1.
17. Ibid,
18.

Ibid. pp. 18-19.
23. Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). June 12, 1985.

22.

p.

3418.

23

Chapter XVI

HARRY AUSPRICH
Communication, Community, The Arts

When Dr. Harry Ausprich was appointed to the position of president of
Bloomsburg University, he became the sixteenth person to fill that post. At the
time of his selection, he was serving as dean of the College of Fine and Professional Arts at Kent State University in Ohio, a postion he had held since 1978.
Prior to that he was dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the State
University of New York at Buffalo. From 1970 to 1973, he served as dean of the
College of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of Northern Iowa.
A graduate of New York State University at Buffalo, Ausprich eamed his
B.S. in the fields of communication and education. From the University of Wisconsin he received his M.S. in theater and broadcasting. His Ph.D. was eamed at
Michigan State University in communications and theater.
While at Kent State, Ausprich was appointed to the Ohio Humanities
Council and served as a member of the Fine Arts Commission. He was a consultant and lecturer for faculty development in the Pennsylvania System of State
Colleges. Among the joumals in which Ausprich had published articles were
Placers Magazine, New York State Art Teachers Magazme, Southern Speech
Journal, Quarter!]; Journal of Communications, and Speech Teacher.^
Dr. and Mrs. Ausprich are the parents of two daughters, Sarah and Emily.
On September 18, 1985, the council of trustees met for the first time with
Ausprich as president. After expressing the family's pleasure at being in
Bloomsburg, Ausprich laid before the council his goals for the coming year. He
noted that to develop rapport with students, faculty, and staff, he had instituted
open office hours each Monday. In discussing priorities he spoke of careful and
balanced budgets, timely submission of reports, and strategies for fund-raising. He
expressed his desire to work closely through Academic Affairs in evaluating academic programs. Aims such as professional development for faculty and staff,
development of cultural areas, and a review of faculty govemance were on his
agenda for this first year or so. His hope was to further the interests of
Bloomsburg University through his visits in Harrisburg, visits with alumni chapters,

and meetings with the individual members of the council of trustees.^
At the same meeting a discussion item on the agenda for was the proposed
24

naming

of the

of the class of

1974
as a

until his

campus maintenance building for Boyd F. Buckingham. A member
1943, Buckingham had been vice president for administration from
retirement in December 1981. He had joined the faculty in 1953

member of

He had served as director of public
and associate vice president for development
His service as director of development and extemal rela-

the speech department.

relations, director of development,

and external relations.
tions was during the time of the great expansion of the physical plant of the
institution.

In the community, Buckingham is a past president and member of the
Bloomsburg Area Industrial Development Association; a member of the
Bloomsburg Chamber of Commerce; past chairman and member of the
Bloomsburg Planning Commission; a member of the Columbia County Housing
Authority, and past president of the Bloomsburg Chapter of the American Red

Cross.

Buckingham, a 33 percent Mason, served as commander-in-chief of Caldwell
was recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the Bloomsburg
University Alumni Association; is an elder and trustee of the First Presbyterian
Church, Bloomsburg, and a member of the advisory board of the First Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Bloomsburg.
He is married to the former Joanna Fice, class of 1943, and they are the
parents of a daughter, Gail, and a son, Boyd Jr.
It was brought to the attention of the council of trustees that directional and
street signs were about to be placed on the campus and that five of the streets were
without names. The council decided an ad hoc committee should be appointed to
consider and recommend names for these streets. The committee consisted of one
trustee, Lucy Szabo; one faculty member, George Tumer; and one alumna, Eda
Consistory;

Bessie Edwards.

When

the committee met,

it

decided to

recommend naming

the streets for

had honored the school.
alumni who, through their success in their chosen
were
as follows:
The committee's suggestions, adopted by the council,
of
1906. Osuna came
1.
Osuna Drive, named for Juan Jose Osuna, class
from his home in
School
to the Bloomsburg Literary Institute and State Normal
fields,

He was one among

the large contingency of Spanish-speaking
students who came to the campus after the Spanish-American War. Often while
Osuna was in the United States, he spent his summers with the Welsh family at

Puerto Rico.

retum to Puerto Rico, he became
a distinguished educator. While dean of the School of Education at the University
of Puerto Rico, he became known intemationally for his educational policies.
Always, however, Osuna's memories carried him back to the Bloomsburg-Orangeville area, and he asked that upon his death his body be returned to his "beloved
hills of Pennsylvania." He is buried in the Orangeville Cemetary.
2. Schuyler Drive, named for Mary Freas Schuyler, a native of Bloomsburg,
and a graduate of BSTC in 1933. She was the only alumna to die in the Anned
Services in World War II. After her graduation from Bloomsburg she became an
their

summer home near

oustanding teacher

in

Orangeville.

Upon

his

the William Case School of Morristown, Pennsylvania. In

25

January 1943, Schuyler enlisted in the WAAC which later became part of the
United States Army. Stationed in England, she worked in the Army Postal Service.
She died at age 32, on November 25, 1944, in Litchfield, England.
3. Laubach Drive is named for Dr. Frank C. Laubach. Laubach was from
Benton, Pennsylvania, who graduated from the Bloomsburg Literary Institute and
State Normal School in 1901. He became a missionary to the Philippines and
while searching for an educational system applicable to the needs of the underprivileged there, he developed a method which for more than half a century has been
used to teach billions of people to read. He called his method, "Each One, Teach

One."
Dr.

Laubach

travelled

all

over the globe developing alphabets and preparing
until his time, had never been put in a

reading materials in languages which,
written form.

a

much

He became

a publisher of these materials, a writer of world renown,
teller, and the only Bloomsburg

sought-after speaker, a spell-binding story

University graduate to have his likeness

From

his

Alma Mater, Laubach

on a United

States postage stamp.

received an honorary Doctor of

Humane

on August 16, 1985, and from his Alumni Associa1961, the Distinguished Service Award.

Letters degree posthumously
tion

he had received,
4.

Swisher

in

Circle,

Jerseytown, a village

named

for Charles Clinton Swisher.

just outside of

A native of

Bloomsburg, Swisher attended the Bloomsburg

on the comer of
it had moved
to the hill. He furthered his education at Yale, Columbia Law School, and Comell
University. He attended the universities of Paris, Berlin, and Heidelberg.
After several years as an attomey in New York City, he became a land
developer in Calif omia, specializing in production of cocoa and coffee. His work
with these crops led to travel all over the world to study methods of cultivation. His
writings about the two crops led to a friendship with President Diaz of Mexico.
However, when Swisher wrote about the conflict of church and state in Mexico,
the govemment there banned him from the country.
From 1896 until 1927 he was a professor at George Washington University
where he was founder and chairman of the history department. His specialty was
medieval history. It is said he was an excellent and dynamic teacher who always
wore a moming coat to meet his classes. Among Swisher's hobbies were mountain climbing and travel in Europe. He made twenty-six Atlantic crossings. He
numbered among his friends Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Queen
Victoria, Browning and Tennyson.
Welsh Circle is named for Judson P. Welsh. It is appropriate that the
5.
road circling the athletic complex should be named for him as he was president of
the institution and was instrumental in having built the first gymnasium on campus.
Bom in the stone farmhouse beside Green Creek, just outside Orangeville, Welsh
graduated from the Bloomsburg Literary Institute and State Normal School in
1876 and continued his study for advanced degrees at Lafayette. Before retuming
to his Alma Mater as principal he had been an administrator at West Chester
Normal. He was the author of the most widely used English textbook of his day,
Literary Institute

when

its

West Third and Jefferson

classes

Streets.

met

He

in

the old

Academy

Building

also attended the Institute after

26

Practical English

Grammar.

Hected to the position of principal of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute and
State Normal School in 1890, he served in that capacity for 16 years. During his
administration many changes took place in the area of student life, in the curric-

and during his tenure there were many changes in the physical plant which are
Long Porch, the balcony in Carver Auditoremembered by alumni even today
rium, the old gym (to many. The Husky Lounge), the new tower on Carver, and
"Old Science Hall." The Welsh family was the first principal's (president's) family
to reside in Buckalew Place, moving into the home in 1904.''
The football season of 1985 was another great one for the Bloomsburg
Huskies. This was the first season after a 34-year respite that a Bloomsburg
football team won the Pennsylvania Conference Championship. The deciding
game was played November 23 against Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and
Bloomsburg won by a score of 31-9. For the first time, a Bloomsburg football
team received an invitation to the NCAA District II playoffs. In the first game with
Hampton, Virginia, the Huskies won 38-28. Then for the second game of the
playoffs, the team traveled to the campus of North Alabama where Bloomsburg

ula,

lost

—

34-0.

However, the team posted an enviable record of 12 wins and one defeat.
They won the Lambert-Meadowlands Cup which is given each year to the top
Division II team in the East. In the nation, among Division II schools, Bloomsburg
was ranked third. In just four years since his arrival on campus in 1981, Coach
George Landis had changed the Bloomsburg football team's record from 0-10 to
12-1, and had given the school national recognition.^

was Frank Sheptock. At North
Again it was an
Alabama Sheptock played the last game
of
tackles, 14 of
with
record
23
a
outstanding performance. He ended the day
the school
Holding
the
game.
them unassisted, and he had one interception in
tackles,
with
184
94 of them
record for tackles, Sheptock ended his senior season
broken
up seven
had
four
fumbles,
had
recovered
unassisted. During the year, he
sacks.
quarterback
interceptions
and
two
passes, was credited wi^ three
In the recent past, the university had been fortunate in receiving monetary
gifts for scholarships. Sometimes money was added to the general scholarship
fund, sometimes new scholarships were set up in particular areas or for particular
purposes. One such scholarship. The Mildred Eaton Levitt Alumni Scholarship,
was established by Meyer and Mildred Eaton Levitt of Malveme, New York. Mrs.

The

first

player that Landis had recruited

of his college career.

BSTC in the class of 1942,
was a graduate of New York University and Brooklyn Law School.
Mrs. Levitt had taught in the schools of Long Island before retiring. Their scholarship was earmarked to aid worthy students enrolled in the business curricula.^
A scholarship program honoring Paul Reichart, class of 1932, was established by the Columbia Insurance Company which he had founded and for which
he had served as president for many years. Given annually for eight years, this
scholarship furnished full tuition for students from the Bloomsburg area who
Levitt,

known

and Mr.

to her friends as Mickey, graduated from

Levitt

wished to attend the

university.

The

grant also provided partial tuition scholarships

27

each student recipient's campus career if they
maintained a certain grade point average.®
Another scholarship, given several years in memory of Miss Hizabeth
for the following three years of

Hubler, awarded grants to residents of Schuylkill County. In 1988 this scholarship
was changed to a $50 U.S. Savings Bond awarded to the highest ranking senior in
elementary/early childhood education. Hubler, class of 1931, was a teacher and
supervisor in the Northern Schuylkill School District, and for over 34 years had
served her Alma Mater as a director of the Alumni Association.^
In memory of Dr. Norman Hilgar, family, friends and alumni set up a
scholarship after his death to aid deserving students majoring in business.

had been on the

faculty for over

30

years.

Hilgar

^°

Dr. Louise Seronsy provided for a scholarship in

memory

of her husband,

Dr. Cecil Seronsy, internationally recognized scholar in Renaissance literature
first

chairman of the English department

at

BU. The

yearly grant

is

awarded

and
to a

^^
student enrolled in a program leading to a B.A. degree in English.
In memory of Ann Jarrett, class of 1932, Miss Harriet Jarrett established a

scholarship in the School of Education for elementary/early childhood majors. Her
sister, Ann, had been a teacher in the elementary schools of Taylor, Pennsylvania,
for

45

years.

^^

Another scholarship has a heart-warming story behind it. The first two
Rochester Awards had been given in the spring of 1986 by Rochester
himself. An ex-football player for BU, Vemon Rochester had shown great promise
on the field as a freshman. He had been selected to the All-Pennsylvania Conference Eastem Second team after his first season of play. As a sophomore he
became a member of the Eastem Collegiate Athletic Conference Honor Roll for
gaining 201 total offensive yards in one game. Shortly after, Rochester received a
spinal injury on the football field which confines him to a wheel-chair.
Retuming to BU after rehabilitation he was an inspiration not only to the
football team but also to other students, faculty, and townspeople. He co-hosted
the local Easter Seal Telethon broadcast from the university studios; he regularly
attended the football games and conducted interviews on the radio at half-time; and
in the classroom he maintained a "B" average in his studies in communication.
For his great effort, a "Vemon Rochester Most Courageous Athlete Award" was
^^
established by friends and family.
Then as the calendar year of 1985 was ending the university leamed of
another gift. Fred G. Smith, who had lived in Shenandoah and had never gradu-

Vemon

will in the amount of $3
income from which is to provide scholarships for students who wish to
attend BU from schools in Ashland, Mount Carmel, Shenandoah, and Mount
Carmel Township. The fund, known as "The Fred G. Smith Golden Rule Trust
Fund," is administered by the Union National Bank of Mount Carmel. The annual
income is expected to be about $300,000 initially, with provisions for the principal
to grow to about $5 million.
When Smith talked with officials at the bank conceming establishing the
trust, he had no particular university in mind. Bank officer John J. Drucis had a

ated from high school, established a trust fund in his
million, the

28

son attending

BU

at the time

and

said the family

was pleased with the

institution;

be a good school. Smith named BU beneficiary of the trust.
Smith died July 17, 1985, at the age of 80. He had been owner and
manager of Nesbitt Cut Rate Drug Stores in Shenandoah and Tamaqua. A veteran
of World War II, Smith had been decorated for duty in the liberation of Paris. It is
said, also, that he is credited with creating the first G. I. soda parlors in France.
Previously he had given to education by funding the Pottsville Day Care Center.^'*
that they believed

it

to

the second semester of the 1985-1986 school year began, The Voice
an account of a meeting of the Town-Gown Committee. This committee is
made up of representatives from the town and of students and university officials.
The goal of this committee is to develop a good relationship between the two
communities in Bloomsburg. At the meeting, the usual complaints were heard
students "parking in residents' spots and loud
from the citizens of the town

As

carried

—

parties."

The Voice then said, in part, "We do have to realize that although we attend
Bloomsburg University we are still citizens of the town of Bloomsburg while we are
here. We cannot abuse our rights as citizens and then expect to be exempt from
the consequences by using the university as a shield." The newspaper urged more
^^
students to attend the town-gown meetings.
At one time in the early 1970s there had been established on campus an
instrument for dealing with needs not met by state financial support. It was called
the Bloomsburg State College Foundation. Within a short time, this foundation
ceased to function.

The

goals for the university as articulated by Ausprich called for a reactiva-

By January 1, 1986, a new board of directors had been
and officers chosen. The first chairman was Richard Benefield, vice
president and managing director of Hotel Magee. Vice chairman of the foundation
was Kathleen Hock, secretary-treasurer of G.M. Hock Construction Company.
Other directors were John Doran, chairman of BU council of trustees and senior
buyer for the Williamsport GTE plant; J. Jan Girton, senior vice president and
chief administrative officer of Columbia County Farmers National Bank; Jane
Gitler, administrator of Columbia-Montour Home Health Services, Inc.; Herbert
Hasson, president and chief executive officer of Milco Industries, Inc.; Richard
Laux, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of United Penn Bank; C.
Stuart Edwards, dean emeritus of the university's College of Professional Studies;
William Lank, retired senior vice president and director of United Penn Bank;
James Lauffer, president of APSCUF at BU; John L. McDowell, III, president of
McDowell Oil Service, Inc.; Carl J. Nurick, area vice president of AT&T Information Systems; Louise Mitrani, local philanthropist and community leader; Joseph
Nespoli, former member of BU council of trustees and owner of Nespoli's Jewelers
in Berwick. Ex-officio members are President Harry Ausprich, and Anthony
laniero, director of development. David Hill, BU's comptroller of student activities
tion of the foundation.

selected

funds serves as treasurer.

^'^

During the spring of 1986, the Alumni Association

29

initiated the

Alumni

Fellows Program. The purpose was to bring back to the campus outstanding
alumni to share their experience with students, faculty, and staff.
The first Alumni Fellow to return to BU was Dr. Donald F. Maietta, class of
1950. After graduation from BSTC he completed work at the University of

M.A. and a Ph.D. His interest was in special education in
speech pathology, in this field he is widely known for his teaching,
researching, and writing. Maietta has to his credits more than thirty publications
and papers. He taught at Bloomsburg State College from 1955 to 1965 and then
joined the faculty of Boston University. In connection with Boston University's
Overseas Graduate Program, he has traveled and taught extensively at universities
in Stuttgart, Munich, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Naples, and Nuremberg. He has
served as consultant to several publishing companies and to several Boston-area
Pittsburgh for both an

the

field of

school

districts.

Maietta

^^

is

married to the former Heanor McClintock, a

BU

alumna, and they

are the parents of two sons, Chris and Eric.

The second Alumni Fellow to be invited back to the campus was Robert D.
Moyer, class of 1963. Moyer is owner, senior board member and vice president of
the Shawnee Group Companies, a twenty company conglomerate based in real
estate sales and development and with interest in travel and in health care. It is
primarily responsible for Shawnee Village, the largest Time-share and real estate
development property in the country. Also, Moyer is president and chief operating
officer of Shawnee Mountain, the third largest ski area in Pennsylvania. From
1964 through 1976, he was senior manager with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and
Company, an accounting firm. Moyer earned his MBA in 1964 from Bucknell and
For several years he has served on the advisory
is a certified public accountant.
board of the College of Business at BU.
Moyer is married to the former Jeannette Hilscher, and they are the parents
of three children. ^^

The third Alumni Fellow in residence was Dr. Charles Scarantino, class of
1964. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.D. He is professor and chairman of the
department of radiation oncology at East Carolina University at Greenville, North
Carolina.

Scarantino received his master's degree

in

biology and his Ph.D. in

New York;

cell

he earned his M.D.
from Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winstem-Salem,
North Carolina. He has been assistant professor of oncology at the University of
Rochester Cancer Center and associate professor of radiation oncology at Bowman Gray School of Medicine.
He and his wife, the former Mary Colarusso, class of '66, are the parents of
two children. 2°
Su2zin Mazur has been the fourth Alumni Fellow. Mazur, a graduate in the
class of 1969, is a joumalist and documentary television producer; her credits
include professional modeling. Her work as a joumalist has taken her all over the
world. Her special interest in solar energy has led her to spend time in Greece,
Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, where her research led to articles in Forbes, Solar Age,
physiology from St. John's University

in

Jamaica,

30

Popular Mechanics, and Gentlemen's Quarterli;.
Mazur has been press coordinator for special events for Friends of Mario
Cuomo, and for State Coalitions Against Domestic Violence. In 1982 she was
listed in Young Wonian of America. She has served as a member of the
Women's Foreign Policy Council, helping to coordinate public relations in an effort
to bring women into a greater policy making role.^^
A ceremony at which Dr. Harry Ausprich was officially inaugurated as the
sixteenth president of Bloomsburg University took place on April 5, 1986. The
gala weekend began Friday, April 4, with the internationally famous Fitzwilliam
String Quartet in concert in Mitrani Hall of the Haas Center for the Arts. Ausprich
had joined the BU community July 15, when he had taken over the duties of the
president, but the ceremonial convocation did not take place until the next April.
At that time, James H. McCormick, chancellor, was present to perform the
investiture, and James Larson, representing the board of govemors, SSHE,
inducted the new president. The guest speaker for the convocation was Allan
Ostar, executive director of the American Association of State Colleges and
Universities, Washington, D.C.
After having received the mace and the medallion, Ausprich adressed the
assemblage. ^^ He spoke briefly of the early history of the school and noted that it
had grown to an institution of 6,300 students in over 100 different programs of
study. The campus had grown from about four acres of land with a single building
to 33 buildings on 173 acres. A goal he noted was to build on the splendid
foundation of the past by expanding, in particular, programs in the arts and
sciences. He spoke of the need for a university to teach values that support and
nourish the human spirit. He said, "Above all, there is an all-pervasive spirit that
characterizes what we are and what we are doing. All of us are caught up in one
of the greatest endeavors to which men and women aspire
to seek and find and

teach what

is

true

— and to cherish the beauty of

it all

—

—

to have, to portray, to

give."^^

Ausprich
support to

is

make

quoted as having said that public universities need private

the difference between an adequate institution and a great one.

1986, he noted more gifts
had been received recently, some in the form of needed equipment. The Berwick
Forge and Fabricating Company contributed $5,000 to the General Scholarship
Fund. AT&T gave $225,000 in new computer equipment for research by the
College of Business. It was the second year in which Shared Medical Systems
contributed $7,000 in computer equipment. IBM and Tandy Corporation gave
equipment worth $5,000, and Polaroid presented a $2,000 video printer. Air
Products and Chemical Co. pledged a gift to help renovate the computer center.
Husky Club donors gave nearly $80,000; the McDowell Oil Company provided
$3,000 for athletic scholarships; alumni contributed nearly a quarter of a million
^'^
dollars, and cash gifts from other sources totalled $40, 000.
In academic fields on campus, a new department in the College of Arts and
Sciences was created. After three or four years of preparation, plans had been
implemented for a department of mass communication. Journalism courses from
in reporting to the council of trustees in the spring of

31

the English department were merged with courses in the department of communiMajor sequences in the new department include joumalism, telecommunication.
^^
cation (radio and television), film, public relations, and advertising.

Buckalew Place.

Home

of seven
have been
constructed between 1850 and 1860 by Senator Charles R. Buckalew, it will be
nominated for a place on the Pennsylvania Inventory and the National Register of
Historic Places. When renovations were undertaken, it was found much of the
original German-style wood siding needed to be replaced. The new siding is a
reproduction of the original and was secured to preserve the architectural integrity

Exterior renovation restored the beauty of

BU presidents,

of the building.

the house

is

the oldest building

on campus. Believed

to

2^

At its October 1986 meeting, the board of directors of the Alumni Associaapproved an agreement for the alumni annual fund drive to be coordinated
and administered by the office of development in conjunction with the Bloomsburg
University Foundation. This agreement was to be effective beginning January 1,
1987. The agreement guaranteed the Alumni Association an annual budget with
a percentage increase assured each year to provide for traditional alumni programs
and for new services. ^^ Relieved of fund-raising responsibilities, the director of
alumni affairs will have more time to meet the needs of the association, initiate new
programs, edit The Alumni Quarterly, and, in general, direct the growing organition

zation.
fall of 1987 and named its
Alumni
House in honor of
Fenstemaker
home on Lightstreet Road the Howard
Within
Association.^^
his
Alumni
his unstinting loyalty and service to BU and to

The Alumni

Association took a further step in the
F.

the house, the living/reception
Hinkel, a beloved teacher

room was named

in the

the Clayton H. Hinkel

College of Business,

is

a graduate of

Room;

BU

in the

Fenstemaker Alumni House was named
class of 1940. The
Eda
Bessie
Edwards,
both
of the class of 1941. Dr. Edwards is
and
for C. Stuart
Studies.
College
of
Professional
of
the
dean emeritus
medallion
given
university
was
by BU to Richard "Dick" BeneThe second
vice
president of Hotel Magee.
field, who until his retirement was manager and
served
as the first chairman of
The self-styled Hotel Magee's "Jolly Fat Man" had
served the university in
the
years
had
the reactivated BU Foundation and through
in his service as a
exemplified
is
many, many capacities. His interest in education
Higher
Education.
member of the board of govemors of the State System of
In the community he has been chairman of the United Way, president of the
Bloomsburg Rotary Club, district governor of Rotary, and in Bloomsburg, the
Rotarian of the Year Award carries his name. In 1986, the Bloomsburg Chamber
of Commece honored him as "Citizen of the Year."
Professionally, he has served several terms as president of the Pennsylvania
Hotel and Motor Inn Association; has received numerous awards from within the
hospitality industry and has been made a member of the Hospitality Hall of Fame.
On numerous occasions he has been honored for his distinguished service by his
Alma Mater, Penn State, and by the Penn State Alumni Association.
In response to receiving the University Medallion, Benefield said, "I think you
library/dining

room

of

32

have to pay your civic rent. If you are put here and you get to live in a free country
and a good community, you owe something more than your taxes. "^^
In April, 1987, a resolution was sent to the chancellor and board of governors of the SSHE from the Alumni Association. It was an offer to give the property known as the Howard F. Fenstemaker House to the state to be part of the
Bloomsburg University campus. It was noted that the property was free of debt,
had been refurbished inside, and had had exterior repairs made. Some of the
other terms of the proposed agreement were that the house would retain its
identity; that while university functions would be held in the facility, alumni activities should have priority. Any improvements were to be discussed with the alumni
board and coordinated with them. The transfer would involve only the structure
and other real property; furniture and equipment would remain property of the
association. The Alumni Room would continue to be in Carver Hall, and could be
scheduled for use by organizations of the university through the Office of Institutional Advancement. Upkeep and utilities for Fenstemaker House would be
assumed by the university. Any development of the property would meet the
needs of both BU and the Alumni Association. Finally, secretarial services, duplicating/printing, telephone, postage, mailing, and computer services would be
provided by the university. The resolution which had been approved by the council
of trustees was accepted by the board of governors, making Fenstemaker Alumni
House an official and permanent part of the campus of Bloomsburg University.^"

On

became provost and vice president for
on an interim basis by Dr. Daniel
Pantalo for the school year 1986-1987. Allamong came to Bloomsburg from Ball
State University in Muncie, Indiana, where she served as acting dean of the College
of Science and Humanities. Prior to that, at Ball State she was associate dean of
the same college and a professor of biology. She earlier was an instructor of
biology at West Virginia University and a biology teacher in the Morgantown (West
academic

July 1, 1987, Dr. Betty Allamong
affairs,

a position which had been

filled

High School.
Allamong is the author of numerous articles and several books on topics in
biology education and molecular biology.^^ She eamed her B.S. in biology education and home economics, her M.A. in biology education and her Ph.D. in cellular
and molecular biology
all from West Virginia University.^^
Allamong and her husband, also a biologist, reside in Bloomsburg.
As early as 1979, students and the student life staff held discussions concerning alcohol on campus and underage drinking off-campus. These discussions
led to a new party policy set by the college. This policy reflected the thinking of
students, administrators, Bloomsburg Police, and the Liquor Control Board. It
advised that there would be a crackdown on consumption of alcohol off-campus, in
dormitories, and at football games. Dr. Jerrold Griffis, vice president for student
life, had noted the concem of the faculty and the administration for the reputation
of the school and the welfare of students. He indicated that arrests would be made
if alcohol were found in the dormitories and that legal action would be taken for

Virginia)

—

underage drinking or

selling liquor

without a license. ^^

33

A couple of years later,
alcohol question

came up

at the beginning of the spring semester in

for discussion again.

before the coordinating committee on college

Evidently a plan
life

1981, the
had been brought

and to the student

life staff.

This

plan asked that alcohol be allowed on campus for students over 21 years of age.

Immediately the expected question was aired, "How do you keep underaged
drinkers from particip)ating?" and the obvious answer was "no acceptance" of the
plan.34

On

campus, the alcohol problem was never a big concern; each year,
perhaps several individuals would try to beat the system and met the consequences.
However, as social fratemities and sororities were established off-campus throughout the town, underage drinking at large parties was a problem. By the fall of
1987, not only were the university administrators worried, but also the local
authorities, the state police, and the Liquor Control Board were concemed. The
problem of student consumption of alcohol in college communities all across the
state had become a flagrant disruption of community life and a breech of established law. To many students at BU, partying was a college custom and alcohol
was a part of the party. Some of those who never participated were not sympathetic to the thinking of the partygoers.

On campus, one fall day in 1987 word was passed that a certain fraternity
would host a party that night. Somehow, the word was passed, also, to the town
police and to the Liquor Control Board. Evidently the usual procedure of the
authorities is to alert news agencies of pending raids in order that the raids may be
documented, and if news-worthy, presented to the public. Prior to this particular
raid a television station in Wilkes-Barre was informed. At the station worked a
recent graduate of BU. Still on campus was the young man's girlfriend. As any
concemed young man would, he called his friend on campus and told her to stay
away from the party that night. In some mysterious way, word of the pending raid
spread quickly, and that night when the police struck at that certain fratemity
house they could find no party. In fact, so the story goes, every fratemity brother
was at his desk deep in study!
Several weeks later, November 19, 1987, when the local and state police
and agents of the Liquor Control Board struck again at a fratemity house on
Lightstreet Road, arrests were made for underage drinking and selling alcoholic
beverages without a license. Hearing that a raid was in progress, a crowd of
students from the nearby campus gathered. Hooting and jibes, even the throwing
of rocks brought more police and firemen to the scene; fire hoses were tumed on,
and in anger the students marched through the main street of the town, disturbing
the peace of the entire community in the middle of the night. Several policemen
and firemen were injured and about 150 arrests were made. Throughout and
beyond the state, the incident was reported and received much attention.
In a detailed statement issued by the university, the feelings and thinking of
campus officials were made clear to the public. In part it said:
BU continues to be very concemed about the problem of
alcohol abuse and specifically about underage drinking and
attendant behavior of our students during incidents

34

on

November 19 and 20. We have an alcohol policy that
on campus and provides sanctions for

prohibits alcohol

and groups who serve alcohol to underage
persons or charge admission to off-campus parties where
individuals

alcohol

served.

is

We also have had an ongoing educational program on
alcohol abuse for a

number

of years.

student at Bloomsburg University

There should not be a
has any doubt that

who

underage drinking and selling alcohol is against the law.
raid by the State Liqour Control Board and the state police

The

should not
that

BU

come

as a surprise.

Neither should

it

a surprise

l)e

students are expected to obey the law and behave

responsibly.

Regarding the incident of November 19, the university
believes that students found guilty of charges against

should be dealt with in the

The

same manner

them

as any other citizen.

who

does not seek special consideration for students
break the law.

The

charter of the fratemity

A

university

headline in

—

The Voice

was suspended.^
1988 said, "Cheers a

of February 1,

success,"

and

the article that followed the headline chronicled another successful evening at

"Cheers, Bloomsburg University's non-alcoholic nightspot." More than a hundred
people had gathered for music and dancing. This was not something new. The
sisters of

Phi Delta and Phi Sigma Zi had worked on this type of student entertain-

They reported increased participation. ^^
Before 1981 the board of trustees had discussed the need for more housing
on campus and had asked for new dormitories for the increased enrollment. The
ment

for nearly a year.

board sent annual requests for new

number

living

who were

space to Harrisburg. Yearly they pointed

rooms made to house two. They
good affordable housing in the
town. Then in 1981, the trustees became more specific and started talking about
constructing dormitories on the upper campus near the athletic complex. In 1983,
the board asked that $5,341,400 be placed in the capital budget specifically for

out the

pointed out the

of students

difficulty

tripled in

students had in finding

dormitory construction at Bloomsburg. ''°

Once more

in 1985, after the annual inspection of the property, the council
becoming a university, the body became the Council of Trustees
rather than the Board of Trustees) hinted that the university was willing to use
other financial means, such as floating bonds, to secure the funds, all or part, for
construction of new dormitories. (This was made possible as part of the new
autonomy granted the institutions within the SSHE.)
At the meeting of the council of trustees on April 16, 1986, the council is
recorded as saying, "In response to a question from Mr. Rakowsky regarding the
status of the Mount Olympus residence hall, Dr. Parrish
indicated concept
approval has been given and the State System of Higher Education is gathering
projects for inclusion in a large bond issue".

of trustees (after

.

''^

35

.

.

Parrish could report that a sum of 5.8 million dollars was
and that contracts had been awarded for the building of a
townhouse residence complex between Nelson Field House and the private properties on Country Club Drive. Three hundred eighty-four students will be housed in
the six townhouses. Each townhouse will contain sixteen apartments. General
contractor is G.W. Smith Contracting, inc. of Beaver, Pennsylvania. The mechanical contract was awarded to McClure Company, Inc. of Harrisburg, and the
electrical contract to Howard Organization, Inc. of Bloomsburg.''^ Occupation is
expected by the fall of 1989.
The year 1988 brought a special and significant award to The Voice. BU's
newspaper was entered in the top section of the competition of the American
"^^
Scholastic Press Association and was ranked first.
Among research projects on campus a new training system was developed
for industry and educational institutions. Dr. Harold Bailey developed an interactive system using computers and video technology which is an efficient and cost

By February 1988,

available for construction

effective

method

Bailey's

of instruction.

first

program was made

for the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville,

Pennsylvania, and was so successful that other programs were developed for
Geisinger. These include training for nurses who will work in the intensive care
unit and instruction programs for paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
These materials are developed in the university's graduate program of instructional

technology by using instructional technology as a vehicle to supply training modules for different purposes.

asked Bailey develop a program for the
employees on-site, thus saving time and expense.
Another consumer of the product was the Harrison School District of
Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Apple Corporation became interested and came to the campus of BU to
Textron,

company

Inc., also of Danville,

to train

interview nine students involved in this research. BU is the only campus visited by
Apple conceming this development. The only other institutions working in this
field at that time were the University of San Diego and the University of Georgia.'*'^
For the past seven or eight years, one of the highlights of the fall season has
been the play of the women's field hockey team. As the 1987 season began it was
expected that Coach Jan Hutchinson would be doing a rebuilding job, for at the
previous May commencement the BU field hockey team had graduated eight of its
starting players. However, from the beginning of the 1987 season the young team
won its games, even beating ranked teams. By late September they had become
the top-rated team in the NCAA Division III. They recorded 24 wins with one
defeat, setting a school record for wins in one season. Honors received by individual members named to the All-PA Conference team were seniors Cindy Daech and
Maureen Duffy, junior Cindy Hurst, sophomores Sharon Reilly and Daneen
Farro, and freshman April Kolar.''^
In recognition for winning the PAC title three times in the last five years and
for winning the NCAA Division III four times in the last seven years, the team was
entertained at a dinner and honored with a citation from the council of trustees.

36

The

resolution noted that besides bringing national recognition to the school, "the

team demonstrated outstanding sportmanship and high ideals and members
exemplified model behavior as student athletes." The national championships
were won in 1981, 1983, 1984, and 1987.'*6
The wrestling team had another fine season. They finished fifth in the
NCAA Division Wrestling Championships at the University of Maryland in March
of 1987. This was the highest that BU's wrestlers had ever finished in Division I.
The outcome led to national press coverage as well as mention in Sports
Illustrated.'^'^ A citation was presented by the council of trustees to the coach,
Roger Sanders, and to the team, thanking them for the honor they brought to the
I

university.

citation was prepared by the council of trustees and presented to
members of the wrestling team. This was nothing new for Richard
Bonomo. He had received a citation the previous year when he had taken

Another

two

individual

"Ricky"

NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship in Iowa City for the
second consecutive year. During the 1985-1986 season he had won the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship crown for the third time and in 1986, the
Eastem Wrestling League championship for the second time. He had been chosen
Wrestler of the Year by the league and by the PAC.''^
But the citation of April 4, 1987, was different. This resolution included
the 118-pound

Ricky's twin brother,

Anthony Bonomo,

better

only their contributions through wrestling,

it

known

as Rocky. Instead of noting

recogized the twins for excellence in

phases of campus life. In part it said, "Whereas, Anthony "Rocky" Bonomo
and Richard "Ricky" Bonomo have distinguished themselves in the sport of wrestling throughout their undergraduate years at Bloomsburg University by being
consistently ranked nationally," and then went on to note particularly their achievall

ing "All-American status at the recent

the citation honored the

Bonomo

NCAA

Division

I

championships." Further,

twins for being role models in "both their athletic

and humanitarian endeavors." They were said to show maturity, kindness, likeability; they set high goals and had high ideals; and both were known for their selfdiscipline. In recognition of these characteristics the Bonomo brothers were
proclaimed "goodwill ambassadors of the university."''^
By the beginning of the 1987-1988 winter season. Coach Joe Bressi had
developed a women's basketball team that set a school record of 21 wins in a
season, 1 1 of them consecutively, and as the end of the season unfolded the team
found itself facing Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the semi-finals of the PAC
championships. Though they lost to Indiana, they had already won the Eastem
Division title. ^ This season brought to mind the outstanding player of 1985, Jean
Millen, who by February 3 of that year had scored 1,000 points, and by the end of
the season had 1,113 count points to her credit. ^^
The soccer team played a tough 18-game season and had a record of 8-9-1.
Three of the squad gained recognition by placing on the conference all-star team.
They were Jerry Crick and Dave Deck, mid-fielders, and Alfred McKenzie, back.^^
The women's tennis team recorded its 12th winning fall season and gave
Coach Michael "Doc" Herbert his 100th coaching victory. The squad placed third

37

PAC championships and

in the

in

the regular season

won

seven of

its

twelve

matches.^

women, BU's team, coached by Tom Martucci, placed
PAC. The team lost to Indiana and Edinboro, losing second place in
championships to Edinboro by one point.
Pete Adrian's football team finished its 1987 season with a record of eight
In cross country for

third in the

the

^''

wins and three defeats, winning

DeDea
well in

which

he
passing and touchdowns.
set school records but

is

selected by the

six of its final

seven games. Not only did Jay

set Pennsylvania

Conference career records as

He was a member

of the All-Conference

team

PAC coaches. ^^

BU has had seventeen winning basketball
1980-81,
the
men's team won the PAC Championship
seasons consecutively.
NCAA
tournament.
The
following year, 1981-82, the team lost
in
the
and was
the conference final but again qualified for play in the NCAA toumament. Although losing the conference championship in 1982-83, the BU men's basketball
team went to the quarter-finals of the national toumament and lost to the eventual
national champions.^
In tennis, the men's team also established an enviable record of 17 winning
seasons. During these seventeen consecutive winning seasons, men's tennis was
coached by Burt Reese who has been named Coach of the Year many times in the
PAC, and in 1987 was named National Coach of the Year.^^
Over the past 10 years, the swimming teams of the university have been
successful, both men's and women's. One year at the NCAA Division II swimming
and diving championships at Orlando, Rorida, Joan Woytowicz won three national
titles
in the 200, 300, and 1,650 yard free-style. In 1979, the women's swim
team recorded a perfect season of 10-0 under the direction of Coach Mary GardUnder Coach Charles Chronister
In

—

ner. ^^

spring 1988, the Softball team won six PAC Championeach of those years had won 30 or more games. In 1986, the team's
record stood at 42-5 for the season. For nine consecutive years since 1980 BU's
Softball team went to the national toumament. Coach Jan Hutchinson has been
named Conference Coach of the Year and has been honored by the Husky Club.^^
Within the time-frame of these addenda there have been two changes in
director of athletics. The first change came about with the appointment of Roger

From 1982 through

ships

and

in

Sanders to the post. Then after five years of directing and scheduling all intercollegiate sports on campus and coaching the winning wrestling teams, Sanders resigned his administrative duties to devote more time to the coaching of wrestling.
Mary Gardner, successful coach of both men's and women's swimming teams, was
unanimously selected to fill the position of director of athletics.^
Dr. Harry Ausprich was one of three university presidents from the SSHE
who went to China in November 1987 to establish an exchange program between
a group of nine teachers colleges in Taiwan and the three Pennsylvania institutions,

Bloomsburg University, Millersville University, and Shippensburg University. The
agreement had been in preparation for nearly two years. It established a consortium in which the nine Taiwanese schools will offer six scholarships to the three

38

Pennsylvania schools and the American institutions will grant three scholarships to
students from Taiwan. Bloomsburg's offerings will be in the field of special educa-

an area in which very little study has been done in this part of Asia. The
agreement encourages the exchange of journals, periodicals, catalogs, and the like
through the libraries of the participating schools. The agreement also encourages
tion,

^^
the sharing of research.

From May 16-18,

five

educators from Qinghai Province of the People's

Republic of China visited BU's campus. This was part of an 1 1-day trip these
people were making to institutions in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The

had come from the USA-China Consortium of which
Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, and California Universities of the SSHE are a part.
Qinghai had been visited by officials from these universities in 1987.^^
Then on July 11, 1988, sixteen students from Taiwan arrived in Bloomsburg
for four weeks of course work in business administration. This study at BU had
been contracted through an agreement between the Chinese Cultural University
and the local institution. The eight men and eight women were middle managers
in the business world of China who showed potential in their field. They were
sponsored by their employers. Each graduated from a college or university and
was fluent in English, both speaking and writing the language.
In turn, between the fall and spring semesters Bloomsburg University will
send two professors to Taiwan to teach two four-week courses. Upon completion
of these studies, the students may apply to BU for admission into the M.B.A.
program, if they are accepted they will spend two summers in Bloomsburg and
complete two more four-week sessions in Taiwan. To fulfill the final requirements
for the M.B.A., each must then complete two independent studies.^^
For sixteen semesters, Professor Peter Venuto has conducted informal polls
about those things on campus students like and dislike most. As of May, 1988,
parking off-campus and no reserve parking spots by the health center led the list of
complaints with 94 percent. Next, 85 percent wanted more time for reading for
finals or finals spread over a longer period. Eighty-one percent wanted pay phones
in every building. That same percentage of students complained of having trouble
invitation for this visit

wanted in their junior and senior years. Sixty-three
percent wanted a temporary business office set up in Kehr Union during registration. Sixty-three percent complained that the information phones were always
busy, and 55 percent said there were too many TBA listings in the class schedules.
However, 80 percent of the students completing the questionnaire liked the
university store and thought the campus buildings were accessible. About 78
percent liked the "small classes with a personal touch," and of the students polled,
76 percent said the school is "small enough ... to allow a person to be an individgetting the courses they

ual."64

As

1987-1988 college-year, the administramembers and 39 part-time members. Of
209 have earned doctorates. Of the 39 part-time faculty, five

of the second semester of the

tion reported a faculty of

the full-time faculty,

348

full-time

is an increase of eight percent over the
Of the 214 professors holding doctorates, 168 are men and 46 are

have earned terminal degrees. This
years.

39

last

ten

women

65

was made public that the university had been given
and Alice Hartman Magee at 700 West Main Street.
The gift from the Magee family, Mr. and Mrs. James Magee amd Mr. and Mrs.
Myles Katerman, was accepted by the board of governors and made part of the
campus.
Designed by architect Paul Dentremont of Philadelphia, the Magee Center,
as it has been named, provides 8,320 square feet of space and contains an expansive courtyard and patio, black marble fireplace, and a 1,600 square foot indoor
swimming pool which is no longer used, in 1947, soon after the Magee family
moved into the home, it was featured in Life magazine.^
Then with the purchase of a property at 720 East Second Street, across
from the Centennial Gymnasium, the university added more space for academic
and administrative purposes. Of particular interest to alumni is the fact that the
house was built in the late 1920s by Professor Samuel Wilson and his wife Catherine, and they made it a gracious home all their years in Bloomsburg. Wilson was
an excellent teacher of English at BU for about 35 years.^^
At the summer commencement on August 18, 1988, Louise Mitrani recieved a special honor from Bloomsburg University by being awarded the Doctor of
Humane Letters degree. Over many years, a relationship developed between the
Mitrani family and the school which has aided the institution many times in its
quest for excellence. In 1984, Marco and Louise Mitrani gave $500,000 which
set up a scholars program. Each year the income from this fund, about $50,000,
enables the university to award scholarships to students who have proved their
abilities or have shown great potential. With these merit grants the students are
able to finance their schooling while concentrating on their courses of study.^^
Prior to this gift of half a million dollars, Mr. and Mrs. Mitrani recognized the
improvement in the acoustics of the large auditorium in the Haas Center
for
need
Through the gift of over $90,000 they made possible changes and
Arts.
for the

As

the

the

home

summer began,

of the late

Harry

it

L.

adjustments which improved the sound quality of the auditorium, in recognition of
this gift, on November 10, 1985, preceding the concert of the Community-

2,000

University Orchestra, the

seat auditorium

was dedicated

as the

Marco and

Louise Mitrani Hall.^^

A

$75,000

the Arts Endowment Foundation was also, and through
and the community benefited from other generous gifts and

gift to

the years the university

support of the arts by the Mitranis.

On

October

5,

1987, Marco Mitrani

at a gathering of friends

dent Ausprich announced

that in

placing in the library a collection

perfomiing

Then
Mitrani

in the spring of

had provided

same

In the lobby outside Mitrani Hall,
Presi-

Marcos Mitrani the university was
of 100 books to strengthen the study of the

memory

of

arts.^o

bringing the total

the

died.

— including recipients of Mitrani Scholarships —

for

1988, Louise Mitrani announced that

another

endowment

gift

of

$500,000

for these scholarships to

time, Louise Mitrani gave to the Arts

40

in his will

for the scholars

one

Mr.

program,

million dollars.''^

At

Endowment Foundation another

$75,000. In doing so, she said, "For many years my husband and I enjoyed the
performances of the talented professionals who appeared on stage at the
hope this gift will be used by the Community Arts Council to
university.
"^^
continue the Celebrity Artists Series for the enjoyment of the entire region.
For half a century this family has been cin active part of the community. Mr.
Mitrani came to America from Adrianapolis, Turkey in 1920. Louise came to
America from Sophia, Bulgaria in 1921.
Mr. Mitrani was one of the founders, president, and chairman of the board
of Milco Industries, Inc., which has plants in Bloomsburg, Berwick, Benton, and
fine

.

.

I

He served the community as a member of the board of directors of the
Bloomsburg Hospital and was a past president and board member of the Rotary
Club. He received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America for

Millville.

his outstanding

work with

that organization. '^^

had been involved in the activities of
Penn Woods Council and had
the Girl Scouts.
Statuette
for
her
the
Girl
Scout
accomplishments.
She gave the original
received
Girl
for
the
Penn
Woods
Scout
Camp
which
was
named Camp Louise
200 acres
in her honor. She is a charter member of the Family Counseling and Mental
Health Association and for 14 years served on the board. The Mitranis have made
For twenty-five years, Louise Mitrani

She had served as

many

other philanthropic contributions: leaderships for the United Jewish Appeal;

gifts to

major
living

president of the

the Bloomsburg's Hospital's coronary care and intensive care units; and

the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitrani are the parents of a son
in England.
gifts to

living in

Rorida and a daughter

When on the evening of August 18, Louise Mitrani rose to accept the
honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, she thanked the university for
honoring her and then said, "I have had the privilege of living in this blessed land
for 67 years." She added that she understands why people dream of coming to
Amercia to live. Then, she said, "We know, of course, that dream and reality are
life is not earthly paradise anywhere, and it is not meant to
two different things
be. Half of the beauty of it is in the struggle, the effort of accomplishment, the

—

discovery of the potentiality which lay quiescent in each of us, waiting to to discov-

ered and developed."

She noted

that great civilizations

had been "bom,

perished from the globe." She believed this
of moral

and

ethical codes.

flourished,

came about because

and then
breakdown

of the

After speaking of the teachings of the three great

—

—

she wonJudaism, Christianity, and Islam
such inhumanity as the holocaust could have happ)ened. She
believes the instrument for building a better world can be found in education. She
told the graduates that "Ignorance is the curse of society." Then, she challenged
them by saying, "... I would like to say that the future of our land lies in your
religions of the last

dered aloud

hands.

3,500 years

how

You have

world of your

the opportunity, the youth, and the education to fashion the

ideals."'^"

When, on August 20, 1988, the Press-Enterprise headlined "BU bags
bragging rights," local readers read on in wonder. Many in the community thought
41

was good, but bragging rights?
book, How to Get an Ivi; League Education at a State Universit]^, had
been put on the shelves of bookstores. The author, Martin Nemko, had made

the institution

A

just

universities. From these he had sehe had cataloged questionnaires, read publications, and conducted
interviews. From Pennsylvania, four made the list. Of Bloomsburg, Nemko says it
has the reputation of being a "party school" but continues by saying, "BU has
grown into a solid comprehensive university with the unusual combination of firm
discipline and academic standards at a public school price. ..." Then the author
continues by saying that BU is "one of the colleges where teaching counts more
than research in hiring and promoting faculty; where an outstanding honors
program is available for high achieving students; and where students can find small

a study of 570 four-year state colleges and
lected

155

after

classes."''^

In

1989, Bloomsburg celebrates

said in ending these addenda, as

Legac}^, that alumni, patrons

it

and

was

its

Once

150th birthday.

again,

it

said in ending Profile of the Past,

friends of

can be

A

Living

Bloomsburg University can look with

pride to the past and with confidence to the future.

Chapter 16

—

Footnotes

Alumni

2.

Quarterly). Vol. 85, No. 1, March, 1985.
Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). September 18, 1985.
p. 3425.

1.

3.

Ibid.

Exhibit "B".

4.

Ibid.

p.

5.

Alumni

3428.

8.

Vol. 85, No. 4, January, 1986. p. 9.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BU). December
Alumni Quarterly;. Vol. 83, No. 2, April, 1983. p. 1.
Alumni Quarterly;. Vol. 82, No. 1, Winter, 1982. p. 1.

9.

Alumni Quarterly.

6.
7.

10.
11.

Ibid.

Quarterly;.

1985.

p. 25.

p. 26.

Alumni Quarterly.

12.

Ibid.

13.

Alumni Quarterly.
Alumni Quarterly.

14.

Vol. 83, No. 3, July, 1983.

9,

Vol. 83, No. 4,

December, 1983.

Vol. 86, No. 2, July, 1986.

p. 1.

p. 9.

Vol. 85, No. 4, January, 1986.

p. 3.

Kehr College Union Scrapbook, The Voice, (BU). January 30, 1986.
16. Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). April 6, 1986.
15.

Exhibit "B."

Alumni
18. Alumni
19. Alumni
20. Alumni
17.

Quarterly. Vol. 85, No. 5, April, 1986.
Quarterly. Vol. 86, No. 1, July, 1986.
Quarterly. Vol. 86, No. 3, December, 1986.
Quarterly. Vol. 87, No. 2, Fall, 1987. p. 4.

42

21.

Ibid.

p. 25.

22. Kehr College Union Scrapbook.

The Voice,

23.

Alumni Quarterly.

24.

Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of

(BU). April 7,

Vol. 85, No. 5, April, 1986.

pp.

Trustees).

1,

1986.

10-11.

April 16, 1986.

Exhibit "B."

26.

Alumni Quarterly;.
Alumni Quarterly.

27.

Ibid.

p. 1.

28.

Ibid.

p. 8.

29.

Ibid.

p. 3.

25.

Vol. 86, No. 2, July,

Vol. 86, No. 3,

1986. p. 7.
December, 1986.

p. 18.

30. Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). April 7, 1987.
Agenda, pp. 11-13.
31.

Alumni Quarterly.

32.

Bloomsburg

Vol. 87, No. 2,

Fall,

1987.

p. 7.

University, Minutes (Council of Trustees).

June 10, 1987.

Exhibit "A."

Alumni Quarterly.

52.

Vol. 80, No. 1, December, 1979. p. 2.
Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BU). February 13, 1981.
The Voice, (BU). November 5, 1987. p. 1.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 88, No. 1, Spring, 1988. p. 1.
The Voice, (BU). February 1, 1988.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). December 9, 1981.
p. 3145.
Bloomsburg State College, Minutes (Board of Trustees). March 16, 1983.
p. 3251.
Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). September 18, 1985.
p. 3427.
Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). April 16, 1986.
p. 3463.
The Communique, (BU). February 24, 1988. p. 3.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 88, No. 2, Summer, 1988.
The Voice, (BU). March 3, 1988.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 88, No. 1, Spring, 1988. p. 9.
The Communique, (BU). Febmary, 17, 1988. p. 4.
Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). April 7, 1986.
p. 3516.
Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). June 11, 1986.
Agenda, p. 4.
Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). April 7, 1987.
Agenda, pp. 2-3.
The Voice, (BU). March 3, 1988.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 86, No. 5, April, 1986. p. 39.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 88, No. 1, Spring, 1988. p. 9.

53.

Ibid.

54.

Ibid.

55.

Ibid.

33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.

40.
41.
42.
43.

44.
45.
46.

47.
48.
49.
50.
51.

43

James, Sports Informaton Director, (BU). Conversation,
September, 1988.

56.

Hollister,

57.

Ibid.

58.

The Communique,

59. Hollister, op.

(BU). August 10, 1988.

p. 2.

cit.

60.

Ibid.

61.

66.

Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 88, No. 1, Spring, 1988. p. 2.
The Communique, (BU). May 25, 1988. p. 4.
The Communique, (BU). July 27, 1988.
The Communique, (BU). May, 11, 1988. pp. 1-2.
The Voice, (BU). February 29, 1988. p. 3.
Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 88, No. 2, Summer, 1988. p. 10.

67.

Ibid.

62.
63.

64.
65.

p. 6.

Kehr College Union Scrapbook. The Voice, (BU). March 29, 1985.
69. Bloomsburg University, Minutes (Council of Trustees). June 12, 1985.
Exhibit "A."
Agenda, p. 5.
Spring,
1988.
Alumni
Quarterly.
Vol.
No.
70.
88,
1,
71. Alumni Quarterly. Vol. 88, No. 2, Summer, 1988.
72. The Communique, (BU). July 13, 1988. p. 4.
73. The Communique, {B\J). October 31, 1988. pp. 1-2.
75. Press-Enterprise, (Bloomsburg, PA). August 20, 1988. pp. 1, 12.
68.

44