A new interdisciplinary Center for Law and Society at Susquehanna University will provide a major additional learning and experiential resource for students, faculty, visiting lecturers and members of the community starting in the fall of 2000.

The family of Sigfried and Janet Weis and the Degenstein Foundation of Sunbury have established the center which will be named for Arlin M. Adams H'85, a prominent jurist and long-time friend of Susquehanna University. His distinguished career includes 17 years on the bench of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and years of involvement in professional, charitable and educational organizations.

He currently serves as counsel at Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis, one of Philadelphia's largest law firms. Judge Adams was a visiting Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Susquehanna University in 1981 and in 1985, received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Susquehanna.

"The university is honored to attach Judge Adams' name to this center in recognition of his lifetime of achievement and service," said university President L. Jay Lemons. "The Adams Center for Law and Society will strengthen the intellectual dialogue at Susquehanna by raising issues where there are rich intersections between and across our academic disciplines and important societal questions.

The center will strengthen the university's legal studies, pre-law and interdisciplinary program offerings for students. A core component of the center will be a lectureship designed to attract prominent leaders and scholars to speak on topics such as ethics, technology, privacy issues, taxation, constitutional law, and death and dying. Other events on these and similar topics will be offered for the university and regional community.

The center will support opportunities for Susquehanna students through internship programs, field experiences, and independent study research projects in social and criminal justice.

Urey Memorial Scholarship Competition

Two outstanding constitutional law students argued a right-to-privacy case before a panel of former students of the late Professor of Political Science Gene Urey in the second annual Urey Memorial Scholarship Competition in April. Garrett Bissell ’01, an environmental science major who will enter law school at Lewis and Clark University this fall, earned first prize. Second prize honors went to Amy Purcell ’02, a political science major from Shamokin, Pa. Assistant Professor of Political Science Michele DeMary and John Muncer ’81 organized this year’s event. Participating were, left to right, front row: Melissa Urey, Lorella Puglielli ’82 Struzzi, Amy Purcell’ 02, Dorothy Urey, Margaret Urey, and Charlie DeBrunner ’74; back row: John Klemeyer ’70, Craig Urey ’86, Sandy Rocks ’75, Garrett Bissell ’01, and Bill Lewis ’68.

It also will be a catalyst to develop and expand relationships with law schools, medical centers, businesses, courts and social service agencies, while providing students with both experimental and educational exposure to the theory and practice of law.

"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. "The interdisciplinary nature of the center will make it an excellent resource for faculty, students, visiting lecturers and members of the community who wish to meet, exchange ideas, and take advantage of expanded learning opportunities."

Faculty from the political science, communications, accounting, philosophy, and sociology and anthropology departments are developing programs and activities for the Arlin M. Adams Center for Law and Society. The center will be operating with the opening of the next academic year. The inaugural lecture is anticipated during the fall semester.

Enrollment Sets New Record for Seventh Straight Year

Marking the University's largest enrollment for the seventh year in a row, Susquehanna will open the 2001-2002 academic year with about 1,800 full-time students. The record-breaking incoming class is drawn from the University's largest applicant pool in history. About 570 new first-year students and about 29 transfers, will arrive to kick off Susquehanna's 144th academic year with opening convocation on August 23.

The new class is once again well-qualified academically and includes about 25 students who were valedictorians or salutatorians of their high school classes. Close to 90 percent of the new class represented the top two-fifths of their high school classes.

Kirkland, Cohen Assume New Roles

Sara G. Kirkland was named to fill a new University position as executive vice president for administration and planning and Ronald A. Cohen was named vice president for university relations in an administrative restructuring following the May board of directors meeting.

In announcing the board's action, President L. Jay Lemons said, "Through this restructuring, the board recognizes the valuable contributions Sara and Ron have made to the university over many years. I'm very pleased that they have agreed to these new roles."

Kirkland, who was acting president of the university from July 2000 until February 2001, will oversee operations of support areas of the university, including finance and administrative units, enrollment and financial aid services, and development and university relations.

She also will have responsibilities for assisting the president in guiding and leading important institution-wide efforts such as strategic planning.

Kirkland served as vice president for university relations since 1985. Prior to joining Susquehanna, she was director of development at Bucknell University. A 1970 graduate of Duke University, Kirkland also holds a master's degree from the University of Hawaii.

As vice president for university relations, Cohen will be responsible for securing gifts and grants, enhancing the university's reputation and visibility, and sustaining supportive relations with its alumni and friends.

He joined Susquehanna in 1991 as director of development and was made associate vice president for development in 1997. Prior to joining Susquehanna, Cohen was senior development officer at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

He is a 1982 graduate of Syracuse University.

Reunion Plaza Dedication

President Jay Lemons and Stephen Shilling '80 unveil the University's new Reunion Brick Plaza dedicated to Shilling during Alumni weekend 2001. More than 1,000 alumni, parents and friends purchased individually engraved bricks to support the Susquehanna 2000: The Next Challenge capital campaign which raised more than $58.5 million, including $14 million for sports and fitness enhancements. The plaza connects the new SU field house to Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium.

SU Names New Director Of Career Services

Michael Rheiner has joined the University's Center for of Career Services of Susquehanna University as director.

He comes to Susquehanna most recently from Elon College in North Carolina, where he was interim associate director in the Career Center, and Volvo Commercial Finance, also in North Carolina, where he was a university relations and training specialist.

In 1995, Rheiner joined Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as a career advisor and in 1998, he served as associate director of the Career Development Center at the University of Albany in New York.

Rheiner earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming in 1992 and a master's degree in student development and administration from Appalachian State University in 1995.

Award Recognizes SU-SUMCD Community Partnership

The University's strong support of the on-campus Susquehanna Children's Center has helped earn Snyder Union Mifflin Child Development (SUMCD) recognition as one of ten national merit finalists in the Mutual of America's 2000 Community Partnership Award.

Mutual of American recognized the University as a major partner in the center at a recent awards ceremony. Susquehanna provided land for the center's construction in 1992 and continues to provide volunteer assistance through work-study students, student volunteers and field work placements, and early childhood education student teachers.

The center combines Head Start services for low-income families, child care for working parents and early intervention for children with disabilities all under one roof.

Associate Professor of Psychology Thomas Martin, a board member who championed the center, and University Vice President for Finance and Treasurer Don Aungst were also honored individually with National Community Service commendations.

Student Joins Board of Directors

Stefanie G. Cole '03 of Centerport, N.Y., is the newest student member of the Susquehanna University board of directors. She joined the board in May as a representative of the Student Government Association.

Planning a corporate communications major with a minor in business, she is active in numerous campus organizations including the Orientation Planning Committee, as a mentor in the SELF freshman leadership program, and the Participating in the Lives of America's Youth (PLAY) Project House. She is also a student advisor and has just completed a term as vice president of the Student Activities Committee.

She recently returned from a 15-day trip to China with Susquehanna students and faculty and plans to participate in the Sigmund Weis School of Business London Program next fall.