Convicted white-collar criminals discuss the downfalls of ignoring business ethics with students in Legal Environment and Business and Social Responsibility classes.

Students in legal studies, pre-law, and interdisciplinary programs will gain new opportunities for exposure to the theory and practice of law through the new Arlin M. Adams Center for Law and Society at Susquehanna University.

The center takes an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to examine contemporary issues in areas such as human freedoms and civil rights, social responsibility, technology and privacy, and constitutional interpretation through a public lecture series, student development programs, and community outreach projects.

The family of Sigfried and Janet Weis and The Degenstein Foundation of Sunbury, Pa., with support from the Annenberg Foundation, established the center in 2001 in honor of prominent jurist Arlin M. Adams who spent 17 years on the bench of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

"Susquehanna's emphasis on undergraduate liberal arts education and pre-professional studies places it in a strong position to contribute to the understanding of law and its impact on institutions and people," said Vice President for Academic Affairs Warren Funk.

Adams Center programs span all three Susquehanna schools - the School of Arts, Humanities and Communications, the School of Natural and Social Sciences, and the Sigmund Weis School of Business. They include initiatives from the departments of political science, communications, accounting, philosophy, modern languages, and sociology and anthropology.

A core component of the center is an annual lecture featuring prominent leaders and scholars speaking on topics such as ethics, technology, privacy issues, taxation, constitutional law, and death and dying.

Student development initiatives supported by the center include internships and field experiences with Snyder and Union county court systems as well as networking, professional seminars, independent study, research projects, and enhanced library resources.

Community outreach efforts include collaborative projects with North Penn Legal Services, a regional provider of legal representation, advice, referrals, and educational materials to low-income residents.

Center activities also complement special initiatives at the University including lectures on business ethics by convicted white-collar criminals, a Susquehanna program recently featured in both The New York Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

For more information about the Adams Center, log on to www.susqu.edu/lawandsociety.

The extreme environment posed by a long-standing underground mine fire fueled the topic for a recent weekend-long "sleeping bag" seminar hosted by the Susquehanna University Honors Program.

Students and faculty from colleges and universities affiliated with the Northeast region of the National Council of Honors Colleges joined in the April 12-14 event, Ghost Town Burning: Scientific, Social, and Legal Issues Surrounding the Mine Fire in Centralia, Pa.

Activities included a trip to the mine fire site, a documentary filmmaking workshop, guest speakers on government affairs and science, and an interactive panel discussion with Pennsylvania State Rep. Robert E. Belfanti and former Centralia residents.

The entire seminar was taped for inclusion in a future edition of "Windsor Park Stories," a public television series produced by WVIA-TV in northeast Pennsylvania.

Branden Pfefferkorn, a senior biology major at Susquehanna who served as student coordinator of the seminar, said the powerful line-up of speakers gave seminar attendees a compelling summary of the mine fire and its ramifications. "Centralia has a certain novelty to it that makes it a very appealing topic," he said. "I think those who came for the seminar found their curiosity piqued and want to learn even more."

Associate Professor of Biology and Honors Program Director Margaret Peeler described the seminar as an outstanding learning opportunity. "In many ways, this sleeping bag seminar reflects the hallmark of the honors program approach to learning. It is interdisciplinary in its focus and allows curious and motivated students to explore in depth an area of scientific and social importance in a setting outside the normal classroom," Peeler said.

A new minor in anthropology is enhancing the University's commitment to diversity by providing a "way for students at SU to study culture from a social science perspective," says Shari Jacobson, assistant professor of anthropology.

Offered through the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in the School of Natural and Social Sciences, the minor includes required courses in Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Research Methods in the Social Sciences, and History of Anthropological Theory.

Students must also complete eight semester hours of an anthropology theory course, such as Magic, Witchcraft and Religion; National, Transnational and Diasporic Communities; or Cultures of Science and Technology, plus an area studies course, such as Latin American Culture or Caribbean Culture and Society.

The anthropology minor is expected to complement a variety of majors.

"Students pursuing careers in business will undoubtedly find themselves as members of a diverse workforce," Jacobson said. "Knowing how to collaborate and compete with people from a variety of backgrounds is already an essential skill. Students interested in careers in education can virtually be guaranteed of working in multinational and multicultural classrooms. A background in understanding cultural difference is essential in these circumstances. Students entering the health profession will find the same challenges."

SU President Jay Lemons personally presented a diploma to graduating senior Ryan Franks in Lincoln, Neb., after a schedule conflict caused Franks to miss Susquehanna commencement ceremonies while competing with the SU Crusader golf team at NCAA championships in Lincoln. The University shipped a cap and gown to Franks so he could accept his degree in appropriate regalia.

Susquehanna University has signed an agreement with Shanghai University in China to work toward the development of exchanges and programs between the two institutions.

Possible areas of cooperation to be explored include exchanges of faculty and students, joint planning of curriculum, and faculty visits for lectures, conferences and symposia.

This summer Assistant Professor of Communications David Kaszuba will spend five and one-half weeks in Shanghai teaching two courses in communications research and methods and the history of American media.

Associate Professor of History George Wei, who organized study tours for Susquehanna students and faculty in China the past two summers, familiarized Susquehanna faculty and administrators with several Chinese universities prior to their decision to make an agreement with Shanghai University.

"Many things can come out of this opportunity," Wei said. "We will be able to recruit Chinese students to our school, increasing diversity. Our faculty will be able to teach and do research abroad, promoting diversity of the faculty. Many internship opportunities may also arise."

These are the very basics of all there is to observe at each institution. You may also wish to inquire about specific campus activities and organizations, the health center, tutorial services and campus security. As you walk around and get answers to your questions, look beyond the manicured lawns and white columns to ask yourself: Does this feel like a place that can offer me the four years I've always thought I would spend in college?

Free, hands-on workshops for high school seniors and their parents.

• Science-In-Action - Friday, Oct. 4: Conduct experiments with faculty and students in chemistry, biochemistry, ecology, environmental science and geology, physics, genetics, animal behavior, mathematics and computer science, developmental biology, environmental chemistry or physiology.
• Liberal Arts-In-Action Day - Monday, Oct. 7: Workshops with faculty and students on elementary education, economics, modern languages, history, philosophy, public relations, music, pre-law, TV/radio broadcasting, international diplomacy, psychology, and sociology/women's studies.
• Business-In-Action - Friday, Oct. 18: A look at how students interested in accounting, business, economics, finance, information systems, marketing or management can prepare for the rapidly changing business environment.
• Writing-In-Action - Friday, Oct. 25: Workshops with published writers on fiction, poetry, journalism, children's literature, theatre production, ethics and writing, creative non-fiction, memoirs, college writing and women and writing.

Workshop schedules will be finalized later on this summer. Sessions run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and include campus tours, lunch, and career information. For more information, please contact: