Gannon University - Lance Yearbook (Erie, PA)

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University Festival 1978 William Shakespeare 22

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College Or University? At a series of faculty meetings with the ad- ministration, faculty and administration alike brought forth their fears and prospects about U-status. - initially the faculty resented the way the change had been presented and planned. The first discussions and recommendations for U-status had taken place during the sum- mer when most faculty were not around. A major change in their way of life had not in- cluded their input. - some said the changes that would come with U-status had not been evaluated. They said that the application was being made be- fore everyone was certain of its impact, just to meet the spring application deadline. - others worried that, despite assurances it wouldn't, Gannon would become too big and no longer appeal to the same type of stu- dents. - Structural changes frightened many peo- ple. The first structural change mentioned was that each division would become a col- lege. Liberal arts and health care sciences would also become colleges. Many worried about the affect of separateness on admis- sion and academic policy. - Others questioned what would happen to a liberal arts program if business, humanities and sciences had separate liberal arts cur- riculum. Through the controversy a new policy evolved. Gannon began to rethink university status — began to see that in structure and size, Gannon already was a university. If it changed its name to university it could do so rightfully. Application for university status was made on this premise. Gannon — as it was — deserved to be a university. It didn't need to change to rightfully bear the name and it equalled other institutions which already did. This premise did not exclude the potential for change for the college entrusted its long-range planning com- mittee with planning areas to improve Gannon. The element of planning gave everyone the sense that improvements or changes would be made in time, and with input. The premise that Gannon already was university material appar- ently was an accurate one, because when the nine-man evaluating team visited Gannon, their response was favorable — and they re- commended that Gannon College should be renamed Gannon University. Perhaps the class of '79 will be remembered as an historic one — the last to graduate from Gannon College. (At this writing date, the State Dept.of Edu- cation's decision had not been made.) Patti Malik Schultz 21

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University Festival 1979 Thomas More Gannon's University Festivals were occa- sions for members and friends of the Gannon community to join in contemplating the life and works of a p erson whose qualities and ac- complishements invited our admiration and emulation. The Shakespeare Festival, Gannon's first in the fall, was a celebration of the poetry and drama of a man who demonstrated better than any other writer the capacity of our English language to instill both wonder and under- standing. It was the hope of the Festival Committee that whoever attends the Festival does so in search of wisdom and happiness, to open the windows of the mind, not just to dwell upon a myriad of facts, bone up on culture or keep up with the Joneses. Through the theatre, film, music and dance, Shakespeare's art and wit was recreated for the enjoyment of all. Shakespeare is generally regarded as being the greatest dramatist in the English language, perhaps the greatest writer in the English lan- guage, perhaps the most important spokes- man who has yet appeared to represent the human race. In February, the eminent humanist and scholar, St. Thomas More, was honored. As an intimate of Erasmus and his circle, More moved among the highest levels of the intel- lectual leaders of Europe. He is an important influence on the shaping of the modern English language. In his spiritual life he holds that supreme credential of authenticity - his mar- tyrdom. He taught us how to live in the worlds of intellect and action and how to stand alone when confronted by moral choices. These two festivals have now become the beginning of a new tradition at Gannon - the University Festival. 23