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Under the Arch June 7, 2004 Volume 5, Number 36
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GANNON TO HONOR DISTINGUISHED PENNSYLVANIANS Gannon University on June 8 will present its Distinguished Pennsylvanian Award to Train lead vocalist Pat Monahan, U.S. Rep. Phil English, and civic leader Ruth Burton. Monahan, English, and Burton will be honored at Gannon’s 24th annual Distinguished Pennsylvanian Dinner, to be held in the Yehl Room of Gannon’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West Seventh Street. The dinner program will begin at 6:45 p.m. Gannon annually presents its Distinguished Pennsylvanian Award to individuals who exemplify the university’s mission of preparing students for leadership roles in their careers and community life. Individuals are recognized for their support of and contributions to the arts, business, education, religion, or social programs at the local, regional, or state level.
More about this year’s award recipients Patrick T. Monahan As lead singer of the Grammy Award-winning band Train, Monahan has fulfilled a longstanding aspiration to be a musician. He is an Erie native, is the youngest of seven children, and is a graduate of McDowell High School. Since being co-founded by Monahan in California in 1994, Train has given performances around the world. The band has recorded three hit albums: their self-titled debut album, Train (1999), Drops of Jupiter (2001), and My Private Nation (2003). In 2002, Train won a Grammy for the single Drops of Jupiter, from the album of the same name. Despite gaining international fame and celebrity, Train’s success was not achieved overnight: in 1996, the band went to New York City to play a showcase date for Columbia Records but the company turned them down. By the fall of 1998, the Fox Television series “Party Of Five” began to feature Train’s first single, Free. Then in August, a second single, Meet Virginia, led Train to a four-week stay at #1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. On My Private Nation, Monahan and the band’s other members, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood, break down stereotypes while exploring human vulnerability.
U.S. Rep Phil English Phil English, 47, is a Republican and lifelong resident of Erie. English graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in political science. In 2002, the congressman was elected to his fifth term for Pennsylvania’s newly-created 3rd District, which includes Erie County and parts of Armstrong, Butler, Crawford, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties. Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, English was chief of staff for then-Pennsylvania State Senator Melissa Hart. He was also minority executive director of the State Senate Finance Committee, executive director of the State Senate Transportation Committee, and research director of the State Senate Labor and Industry Committee. In 1985, English served as controller for the City of Erie. During his first congressional term, English became the first freshman Republican in almost 30 years to be appointed to the Ways and Means Committee. English is also the only member of the Pennsylvania delegation to serve on the Ways and Means Committee, which handles legislation affecting taxes, trade, health, Medicare, Social Security, and welfare. His many awards include the 2004 Leo R. McDonough Distinguished Public Official Small Business Advocate Award; the Hero of the Taxpayer Award from the Americans for Tax Reform for the 104th, 105th, 106th and 107th Congresses; Champion of Small Business, from the Small Business Survival Center; Super Friend of Seniors, by the 60 Plus Association; and the Legislative Excellence Award, from the National Manufacturers Association, 105th, 106th, 107th Congresses.
Ruth H. Burton Since 1982, Burton has worked as a certified bereavement counselor, at Burton Funeral Homes in Erie, occasionally helping victims of domestic violence cope with the loss of a family member. Burton also has served as a career counselor at Gannon University and as an adjunct faculty member (in humanities) at Gannon and the former Villa Maria College. Burton places a high priority on volunteer work. She has been affiliated with SafeNet since 1987, serving in the capacities of board member, fundraiser, and volunteer grief counselor. In addition, Burton currently serves as an advisory board member for the Center for Organizational Research and Evaluation (CORE) and as chairman for the Pennsylvania Council on Aging; she was appointed by former governors Richard Thornburgh and Robert Casey). Her past community service includes serving as a board member for the Ophelia Project; as a trustee and elder for First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant; as a board member and workshop coordinator for Hospice of Metropolitan Erie; as vice president of the Junior League of Erie, and as a member of the task force for Erie Promise. Burton received a master’s in counseling from Gannon University and completed post-graduate training (in Gestalt Methods) at the Gestalt Institute in Cleveland. In 2002, SafeNet presented to Burton the Susan Hirt Hagen Award, given annually by SafeNet to honor a volunteer.
OUR EVENTS
CURRENT BIRTHDAYS Sister Lucille DeStefano. Matt Andrews. Barb Flanders. John Jeffrey III. Ken Kennett. Karen Lumia. Steven Ropski. Julie Groenendaal. Mark Jordano. Bridget Rager. Richard Wisniewski. Thomas Ostrowski. Donald MacKellar. Laura Frost. Francis Pelczar. Dolores Sarafinski. Charles Meacci. Lisa Quinn. Gregory Andraso. Justin Tech. Nancy Holcomb. Michael Beiter. Pamela Reynolds. Eileen Jolls. David Tobin. Julie Srnka. Michele Mason. Edward Helenski. Vince Vargo. Kathleen DeSante. Jerry Petty.
THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE Tuesday, June 8 – Distinguished Pennsylvanian Dinner. Wednesday, June 9 – United Way Campaign Cabinet Orientation. Thursday, June 10 – Downtown Improvement District Association Board Meeting; President’s Staff Retreat. Friday, June 11 – Gannon Summer Family Picnic; YMCA Black Achievers in Business and Industry Awards Banquet. Saturday, June 12 – First annual Dinner, Erie Conference on African American Affairs. Monday, June 14 – Guest speaker, Strong Vincent High School Commencement. Tuesday, June 15 – Cathedral Preparatory School Advisory Board Meeting; Wolves Club Dinner. Thursday, June 17 – Meeting with Boston trustees and alumni. Friday, June 18 – Civic Coordinating Committee (C-Cubed) meeting. Sunday, June 20 – Welcome Remarks for Summer Orientation Session I.
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