(June/July/August 2009, Select Stories)
Article by Marion Callahan discusses the benefits of attending community
college prior to enrolling in more selective institutions. Because
enrollment at community colleges has risen, many public and private colleges
are increasing their efforts to recruit community college graduates.
Callahan lists DeSales as one of the most popular choices for Northampton
Community College graduates, along with East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Temple,
Cedar Crest and Moravian.
Article by Amy Longsdorf (with photos) on front page of The Morning Call’s
entertainment section features Alexie Gilmore’s journey from DeSales student
to actress in “World’s Greatest Dad.” Gilmore shares that she originally
wanted to attend New York University for theatre, but decided on DeSales
(then Allentown College) due to financial reasons. “[DeSales] wound up
being the best place for me, really, in hindsight,” Gilmore stated. Gilmore
was able to showcase her improvisation talent alongside Robin Williams in
“World’s Greatest Dad.” Writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait stated, “She had
so many funny ad-libs that made it into the movie and you can see Robin kind
of lose it at some of the stuff she says.”
Note: Also covered by WFMZ-TV, Ch. 69 News, on August 18, 2009. Segment
features two DeSales graduates: Dee Roscioli, who joined the cast of
“Wicked” on Broadway, and Alexie Gilmore, who stars opposite Robin Williams
in “The World’s Greatest Dad.”
Article by theater reviewer Myra Yellin Outwater highlights the success of
summer theater productions at DeSales University and Muhlenberg College,
despite the slumping economy. According to Patrick Mulcahy, producing
artistic director of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, this summer’s
productions brought in a record breaking total attendance of 33,000. Mulchay
stated, “It seems people really do need the arts.” “1776” sold 20 percent
more tickets then expected, while “Antony and Cleopatra” beat expectations
by 1,000 tickets. “Cinderella” broke the attendance record for children’s
shows. Mulchay gives credit for the success to production sponsors as well
as a shifted focus on the value of local theater productions, such as free
parking and limited traveling.
Article highlights several Lehigh Valley schools featured on this year’s
“America’s Best Colleges” list by U.S. News and World Report. DeSales ranked
59 on the list of best northern schools where one can pursue a master’s
degree. Lehigh Valley schools also included were Lehigh University, which
ranked 35 on list of Best National Universities, and Lafayette, which was
35 on Best Liberal Art Colleges. In addition, Muhlenberg was 68 and Moravian
was 122 on the liberal arts colleges list. The rankings are based on
numerous factors including SAT scores, peer reputation, selectivity, and
alumni giving.
Dr. Jennifer L. Moore, assistant professor of criminal justice and law and
society, discussed the legal ramifications of the indictment of former New
York Giant wide-receiver Plaxico Burress. The 15-minute interview was
conducted by two DeSales graduates, Joe Giglio and Mike Krenek, who have
their own show.
Article by Gary R. Blockus features DeSales’ involvement in the World Series
of Bicycling Keirin Cup held at Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown. The
DeSales Sport and Exercise Science Program, which provides exercise
performance analysis for some of the competing cyclists, was the night’s
presenting sponsor. According to Fr. Doug Burns, OSFS, founder and director
of the DeSales Sport and Exercise Program, students have greatly benefitted
from the opportunity to work with many talented cyclists.
Article by Gary Blockus highlights the participation of cyclists in
performance analysis testing provided by the DeSales Sport and Exercise
Science Program. The program, run by Father Doug Burns, attracts cyclists of
all levels wanting to take advantage of the modern fitness and training
testing. World-class rider from Emmaus, Kim Geist, graduated from the
program in May. The program is offered to athletes that regularly train at a
maximum level and are referred to the program with qualified coaches.
Testing includes the measurement of aerobic capacity, anaerobic threshold,
body composition, maximal anaerobic testing, long ride analysis and lactate
profile analysis.
Review (with photo) by Steve Siegel praises the PSF production of “Antony
and Cleopatra” and its two principals who have “undeniable chemistry”
onstage. According to Seigel, Greg Wood (Antony) and Lauren Lovett
(Cleopatra) “both look and act the part of two great lovers.” Wood shows
both pride and vulnerability, while every move Lovett makes “is pure
theater,” according to Siegel.
Also:
The review by Myra Yellin Outwater (with photo) calls PSF’s production of
“Midsummer Night’s Dream” one of the best she has seen and says it is great
family fun. She credits director Jim Helsinger’s “inventive and clever
staging” and says he has “a flair for both elegant and ribald comedy.”
Review (with photos) by Howard Shapiro, theater critic for the Inquirer,
commends director Patrick Mulcahy’s production of “Antony and Cleopatra” at
the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Shapiro cites the complex nature of
“Anthony and Cleopatra” and how praiseworthy it is to direct it. Mulcahy
revealed that while he was a student at Syracuse University, he was told by
a theater professor that “Antony and Cleopatra” is unproducible. According
to Mulcahy, that made him want to do it. To edit down the play, Mulcahy
reordered scenes and deleted one third of the play’s lines. He called it “a
great test of a design team and a director to try to solve the problems.”
Two stand-alone photographs from the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s
successful production of “Cinderella” featured local children meeting cast
members in the lobby of Labuda after a performance. The photos included
Cinderella, played by Katie Wexler (DeSales student), and two “mice” as they
signed autographs for the children.
Front-page article by Beth W. Orenstein addresses President Obama’s
proposition for a Consumer Financial Product Safety Commission to regulate
financial products, such as mortgages and credit cards. Comments were
provided by Tahereh A. Hojjat, associate professor of business at DeSales,
and Christopher Cocozza, chairperson of the DeSales Business Department.
According to Hojjat, part of the present economic recession could be
attributed to a lack of consumer protection. Hojjat supports Obama’s
proposal and stated the new agency “could make it more difficult for lenders
to push exotic mortgages to consumers the way they were before.” Cocozza
agrees with Hojjat and stated that creating an agency whose main objective
is consumer credit products could help remedy the economic crisis; however a
new agency could have a downside. “The more pieces to the oversight puzzle
you create, the more likely agencies don’t communicate well and more falls
through the cracks,” Cocozza said.
Cover story (with photos) by Steve Siegel in Go Guide features the
adaptation of “Gilgamesh” performed by the Circle of Stones Ritual Theatre
Ensemble at Allentown Symphony Hall. The adaptation of “Gilgamesh”
parallels the personal transformation of a king to the current community
transformation of Allentown. According to Siegel, the storytelling involved
many classic devices. Steven Dennis, associate professor of performing and
fine arts at DeSales, directed “Gilgamesh” and described the play as “an
epic action adventure.” Also, Wayne Turney played Utnapishtim, the
Mesopotamian Noah, and DeSales theater instructor Kris Yoder played the role
of the wild man Enkidu.
Press Release: DeSales in the News: June/July/August 2009 | Posted on: 6/1/2009
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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