Under the Arch

GUEST SPEAKER ON WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS KING'S LIFE, LEGACY

A former executive at the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change will be at Gannon University on Wednesday to deliver a guest lecture on the slain civil rights leader.

The lecture, by Jane E. Smith, Ph.D., is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Yehl Room of Gannon’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West Seventh Street.

Smith is currently executive director of the Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement at Spelman College, a private school in Atlanta for black women. The center was launched in October, 2003.

Said Smith upon her appointment to the position, made in August, “We want the center to be a place where the concept of civic engagement as the foundation of democracy is explored from the perspective of African American women and women of color, a convener of women from around the world to discuss leadership and civic engagement as a foundation for world peace.”

According to a news release issued by Spelman College, one of Smith’s first priorities as the center’s executive director has been meeting with the school’s students, faculty, staff, and alumnae in order to best shape the center’s future direction. She also is hoping to develop programs related to the center’s five key areas of emphasis: leadership development, economic empowerment, advocacy through the arts, dialogue across difference, and service learning and civic engagement.

Smith, a Spelman College alumna, began her professional career there in 1975 as an assistant professor of sociology and director of freshman studies.

She later served as assistant to Donald M. Stewart, at the time Spelman’s president, and was responsible for managing the school’s $7 million Advanced Institutional Development Grant.

She also served as assistant vice president for development at Atlanta University and held managing directorship positions at Inroads in both Atlanta and Detroit.

In 1991, Coretta Scott King asked Smith to serve as director of development at the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

From 1994-98, Smith reported to former president Jimmy Carter when she directed The Atlanta Project, a community development initiative of the Carter Center.

In 1998, Smith became president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women. She was later appointed, by then president Bill Clinton, to the National Women’s Business Council, and was appointed to the Beijing Plus Five Conference delegation by former secretary of state Madeleine Albright.

Smith also has served as CEO of Business and Professional Women/USA.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Spelman College, a master’s degree in sociology from Emory University, and a doctorate of education in social policy analysis from Harvard University. She has been awarded honorary doctorates by Spelman and by Texas College.

OUR EVENTS

Wednesday, November 17 – Martin Luther King guest lecture: Given by Jane Smith, executive director of the Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement at Spelman College in Atlanta. 7:30 p.m. in the Yehl Room.
Friday, November 19 – Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra: The concert will feature as soloist the Edinboro University Singers. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.
Friday, November 19 – Third annual Faculty Scholarship Recognition: Hosted by Dr. Garibaldi. Scheduled for 3 p.m. in the Boardroom of Old Main.
Saturday, November 20 – Financial Aid Workshop: This free workshop is designed to help parents and students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to provide an overview of the process. The workshop will begin at 10 a.m. in 1200 Palumbo.
Saturday, December 4 – Gannon Social Work Club Christmas Dinner: A record crowd is expected to attend. The dinner again will feature a Wellness Fair as well as a full dinner, clothing, and presents. For more information call ext. 7781 or 7263.
“Our Events” is intended to serve as a random sample of campus events. For a more complete listing, refer to Eventcal.

CURRENT BIRTHDAYS

Susan DePaul. David Cardot. Laura Brown. Michael Ferralli. Holly Jodon. Mary Beth Earll. Susan Chessario. Adrien Moseley. Matthew Scola. Jill Chelko. Ross Jones. David Groh. Chuanhou Yang. John Lyons. Geraldine Miller. Laurie Curlett. Mary Karg. Alan Swigonski. Andrew Martin. Carmen Toscano. Michael Walmsley. David Arnold. Michelle Zimmerman. Catherine Oakley. Sharon Thompson. Susan Black-Keim. Marilyn Konieczny. Parris Baker. Thomas Stolarski. Jennifer Pearson. Julie Iacobucci. Lauri Ongley. Valerie Bacik. Cheryl Guy. Linda Kish. Cynthia Fiske. Judith Quinlan. Sandra Trocki. Sheryl Tyzinski.

THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE

Monday, November 15 – Chautauqua at Gannon Lecture featuring Charles Cook. Tuesday, November 16 – Visit with Cathedral Preparatory School senior class; men’s basketball Gannon vs. Nyack College. Wednesday, November 17 – Downtown Improvement District Commercial Enhancement meeting; Martin Luther King Lecture by Dr. Jane Smith. Thursday, November 18 – Downtown Improvement District Association Board Meeting; alumni reception for Chicago area alumni. Friday, November 19 – Gannon University Committee on Trustees’ meeting; Faculty Scholarship Reception; Women’s Basketball GLIAC/GLVC Challenge (Nov. 19-20).

HEARD ON CAMPUS

Young Erie Professionals: the first Generation-E Annual Leadership Awards event will honor 10 leaders, ages 21-39, who dedicate their energy, talent, and time to improving the Erie region. This inaugural event is being coordinated by yep! (Young Erie Professionals), an affiliate of the Technology Council of Northwest PA, and will be held on April 28, 2005. Nominations for the leadership awards are being accepted through Dec. 1 at www.yeperie.org. Since yep! was established in 2002, it has focused on attracting, retaining, and supporting young talent in the local workforce. yep! provides members with opportunities to network professionally and actively participate in community events. If you know of someone at Gannon who is deserving of the award, consider nominating them. For more information, contact Amanda Burlingham, chair of the Generation-E Leadership Awards committee, at 814-864-3001, ext. 159.
Dissertation defenses: Elisa Seibert will defend her dissertation on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. in Palumbo room 2012. The title of her dissertation is “Clergy knowledge of basic counseling skills – helping and BIC pastors.” In addition, Brenda Alloway, a doctoral degree candidate in counseling psychology, will defend her dissertation on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. in Palumbo 3215. Her dissertation is titled, “Emotional Intelligence and Extrinsic Career Success: A Comparison of Gender and Management.” All are welcome to attend.