La Salle University - Explorer Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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direct result of Paton ' s ability to prevent his political beliefs from vitiating the quality of his art. In his fiction, Paton is always able to portray realistically the social and psychological consequences of the apartheia system through carefully constructed plot and character development, rather than through mere propagandist exposition. Commenting upon this difference between Paton and other political writers, Brother Patrick Ellis remarked that, It is rare indeed to find a politically motivated individual who manages to retain his artistic integrity while still being able to convey his political message. Using the Literature and Religion theme of the convocation as a basis, Mr. Paton discussed this ability of the highest art to effect positive change in the human community. He began by describing the dual nature of mankind as the capacity to perform the greatest deeds, or the worst. He sees these worst deeds, emanating from the animal part of man ' s nature, as being directly opposed to the potential for good acts which comes from the development of man ' s more spiritual faculites, language and reason. Only through the cultivation of these tools, he explained, can man form a more solid bond with his Creator. Mr. Paton emphasized the role of the artist in the formation of this bond by citing Sydney ' s idea that the poet is mankind ' s closest spiritual link to God. His mastery of the Word places a special moral obligation upon the writer to use his talents to make the rest of mankind aware of its Creator ' s wishes. This prophetic role of the poet was exemplified by a short excerpt from William Blake ' s poem, The Tyger. While observing the majestic beast, the poet asks, Did he who made the lamb make thee? Paton understands Blake to be sifting through the multiplicity of the natural world in order to comprehend clearly the intention of its Creator, and hence to perceive more precisely the role of man in that creation. This constant probing and redefining of the human condition must result, says Paton, in a more just and moral course for the race as a whole. The presence of this great man, eighty-three years old, who has witnessed the worst of violence and persecution during his lifetime, but who, nevertheless, has the courage to stand before the world and say, Yes, I do believe that there is hope for the future, surely served as an inspiration to those in the audience about to begin their own careers. His life ' s work places into proper perspective the real purpose of education: to enable the human race to make decisions intelligently and collectively that will improve the quality of life. And that, as Brother Emery Mollenhauer remarked in his closing address, is the whole purpose of education at a liberal arts university, and what the 1986 Honors Convocation was all about. McCloskey Marks 40th Anniversary By Mary Goldschmidt 1986 saw many changes among La Salle ' s administrators. The departments formerly supervised by the Vice President of Public Affairs Mr. John McCloskey are now headed by the Vice President of Development, Fred Foley. Foley has replaced former Vice President John McCloskey, while McCloskey now occupies the position of Director of Public Affairs. Also under Development are the directors of Alumni, Career Planning and Placement, Communications, ana the News Bureau. The Special Activities Office has been phased out. 1986 also marked Mr. McCloskey ' s fortieth year at La Salle, and on Sunday October twelfth, he was honored with the La Salle University President ' s Medal for outstanding and dedicated service to the school. A reception, held in the ballroom, was attended by Wilson Goode, Mayor of Philadelphia, Senator Joseph Rocks, and representatives from other area high schools and colleges. Other personnel changes include the appointment of Dr. Alice Hoersch, of the Geology department, as Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and Mr. Greg Bruce, formerly Director of the M.B.A. Program, as Associate Dean of the School of Business Administration. Upon the resignation of Dr. Joseph Brogan, Mr. John King has been named the new Director of Admissions in the Evening Division. Actors from the British Stage By Anne Undine For one week in October, the La Salle community enjoyed the talents and energy of five British actors who made up the Actors- in-Residence Program. Faculty coordinators Dr. Barbara Millard and Mr. Sidney MacLeod arranged to bring these representatives of the British stage to campus through an educational program developed by the Alliance for Creative Theatre, Education, and Research (ACTER). ACTER draws its members from companies such as the Royal Shakespeare, the National Theatre, and the BBC. Almost as soon as they prrived on campus, actors John Burgess, Vivien Heilbron, David Rintoul, Michael Thomas, and Philip Voss began a whirlwind agenda of workshops and class lectures. Michael Thomas met with members of La Salle ' s Gavel Society and offered tips on oral interpretation of poetic and

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Paton Receives Degree By Jack Scavicchio The construction site is located on what was formerly the faculty and student parking lot. Students now find alternative parking at Good Shepherd. administrative directors, and also hold group study rooms and stack space. In addition, it will house an audio-visual department with visual tapes, compact discs, micro-tilm, and microfiche. And to provide more reading space, there will be a Special Collections Room. The top floor will be situated under an eighty- foot skylight which will provide a pleasant atmosphere for studying and reading, which will be the primary function of the third floor. Jean W. Haley, La Salle ' s director of library services, said that the skylight is an example of La Salle ' s destined direction in the use of technological advances. The new library will be adaptable to any and all future technological advances, Ms. Haley said. There also will be an informal student lounge on the ground floor which will accomodate students with vending machines and coin- operated lockers. Ms. Haley sees the new library as a great addition to the La Salle campus and welcomes the adeauate space for students. With the new library, students will have access to more volumes, longer hours, additional departments, and a lounge. It will be many things wrapped into one. The date for moving the collection from Lawrence ana Wister to the new library will be announced at a later date by Ms. Haley. The Lawrence Library will be converted to administrative offices, and the Wister Annex will be a combined bookstore, textstore, and computer lounge. Brother President Ellis announced in the late spring of 1986 that the donor will underwrite the full $11 million cost of the project. The University has been afforded a magnanimous gift and has not been forced to increase tuition. The costs for converting the book collection from Dewey to Library of Congress cataloging (currently underway) and for conversion from manual to a fully automated library operation are being borne outsiae the project budget. The La Salle community anxiously awaits the new addition to the campus. It was a fine Sunday afternoon in October as the La Salle community gathered for the 1986 Honors Convocation. The purpose of this annual event is to recognize the achievements of those students who have attainea Dean ' s List status during the previous academic year. South African writer and political activist Alan Paton was chosen for special distinction at this year ' s convocation, receiving the honorary aegree Doctor of Humane Letters, in recognition of his outstanding work for the improvement of the human condition over the past six decades. After the students ' names were read by the deans of their respective schools, all attention turned to the guest of honor, who actually began his career as a physics teacher in 1925. Mr. Paton, however, soon left this profession to pursue other interests, and first gained international attention in the mid 1930 ' s for his efforts to reform the South African penal system. Then, with his first novel, Cry, the Beloved Country (1948), he embarked upon a literary career which wouia see him explore the underlying causes and effects of the apartheid system in South Africa. As Paton ' s reputation grew, so did his active involvement in the internal political turmoil of his native land. A firm belief in the eguality of all men caused him to join the multi-racial Liberal Party, eventually becoming its National President in 1958. He bravely endured government harassment, which included the revocation of his passport for ten years and constant surveillance by the secret police, while continuing to speak vehemently for the peaceful reformation of government policies toward the native black population. As introductory speaker Mr. Claude Koch pointed out, Paton ' s literary reputation in the west was probably his only protection against more drastic reprisals by the South African government. This literary reputation is a Brother President Patrick Ellis and Professor Claude Koch congratulate Alan Paton. Koch sponsored Paton for his honorary degree.

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iSeutue tl?£ §ptrtt of Ultam §l?akesp£are dramatic works. Members of the Masque were priviledged to receive the insights of David Rintoul, John Burgess, and Michael Thomas on the value of improvisation and voice techniques. In addition, members of Lambda lota Tau, the English Honor Society, sponsored an informal, open discussion with Michael Thomas who answered a myriad of questions ranging from acting for television to the proposed reconstruction of the Globe Theatre. The actors also spoke in several English classes, sharing their experiences from the contemporary British stage. Vivien Heilbron and David Rintoul delighted students studying Shakespeare ' s plays this semester, as they explained how five actors work their way through the text of a play to decide how it should be interpreted on stage. They believe that Shakespeare ' s plays are meant for actors to interpret, and that each performance is a unique play. Of course, the actual performances of these gifted actors were the focus of the week ' s activities. As a part of the Concert and Lecture Series, Michael Thomas presented a series of selections from the works of British poet Dylan Thomas. Michael Thomas ' infectious enthusiasm for the poet ' s work spread to the audience who especially enjoyed Dylan Thomas ' numerous apologies and excuses for procrastination expressed in his letters. On Wednesday and Friday evenings, the actors presented sold-out performances of William Shakespeare ' s Hamlet. This impressive show was done without costume or scenery and only a few essential props; but the most fascinating aspect of the performance was the way in which over thirty roles were undertaken by only five actors. The audience followed the action of the play easily with the help of cues in the play, and the laudable characterizations by the actors. The sharing of Featured in an exhibition in the Art Museum were pictures of the most famous Hamlets, and a Poor Yorick skull prop. Vivien Heilbron and David Rintoul roles, in fact, added to the richness of two incredible performances. The shows were highlighted by David Rintoul ' s Hamlet and Vivien Heilbron ' s mad Ophelia. Few will forget Philip Voss ' s frightening ghost of Hamlet ' s father or John Burgess ' s stunning Polonius, as well as his role as the amusing gravedigger. Michael Thomas gave a moving performance as the emotional Laertes, and succeeded spectacularly as both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The actors ' last show was on Saturday with An Evening with Noel Coward. They enacted short excerpts from such popular Coward plays as Private Lives and Design for Living, as well as some of his songs and poems. Following a week of serious drama and literary discussion, actors and audience alike found the performance enjoyable and fun. The actors ' stay at La Salle was a rare and exciting opportunity for anyone who was fortunate enough to attend a show or class. What also made the week special was the generosity and enthusiasm of the actors who gave so much of themselves at every opportunity.