Widener University - Pioneer Yearbook (Chester, PA)

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viz Q rssss. gg A... A Dr. Annette Kapelski Learning Center A scientific approach to build society 24 r Dr. Angus Neaves, the Dean of Arts and Sciences, views this center as in- strumental in giving the Widener stu- dent a good foundation for educationg not only in the four years in which stu- dents are enrolled in college, but for the rest of their lives. He feels that students should not view the arts and science re- quirements as unnecessary, but rather as a tool and a broadening experience which enables them to communicate more effectively in their careers. Originally from Scotland, Dean Neaves studied at St. Andrews Univer- sity receiving both his undergraduate Dr. Angus Neaves and graduate degrees at this institution. He came to the U.S.A. in 1957 and was teaching during the evening at Wllanova and other area colleges while working during the day. In 1969 he came to Widener. He also works as a research scientist at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. According to Dr. Neaves there will be an expansion in the area of computer sciences eventually leading to a com- puter science major. The communica- tions curriculum will also be expanded, however there are no present plans to offer this subject as a major. Dr. Robert S. Gioggia

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-55' fa iw Z Angus Neaves is the Dean of the Cen- ter of Arts and Sciences. Dean Neaves has charge of two major disciplines which have created the new technological society, yet preserved man's care of his surroundings. Neaves realizes the conflict of interest in his cross academian department. Although there would seem to be a con- flict, Dean Neaves has harmoniously worked the best of both worlds into all phases of the Arts and Sciences curriculum. 5 Widener College offers a four-year cooperative education program in both engineering and business. A student in- volved in the program spends his time in class, to eam enough credits to graduate in his major, but also has two work sessions totalling one full year of employment. As a result of this curriculum, the student has gained valuable experience in the job market as well as in the classroom. The Director of Cooperative Educa- tion at Widener is Mr. Frank LaVerghetta. He has been at Widener for six years. He originally served as a liaison between administration and in- dustry for co-op, research and develop- ment, and senior projects, and has held his present position for one year. Mr. LaVerghetta received his B.S. in electrical engineering, and a Masters in Business Administration from Drexell University. He spent seventeen years in industry, working with design and development of computers. He is still in- volved with computers, being a member of the Computer Activities Committee here at Widener. Mr. LaVerghetta views the co-op program as a strong one, especially in the engineering field. A program is judged by its success. More people will become involved at all levels: student, industy and faculty, if they feel the program is a viable one. The Engineering Co-op program is in its seventh year at Widener. Approx- imately two-thirds of the engineering students here are attracted by the co-op program, but due to academic standing and other personal reasons generally about 5096 complete the four-year dis- cipline. In the field of business, only about 10-1596 of business students took part in the co-op program this year, but Mr. LaVerghetta noted that this figure is a significant improvement over last year. The Widener program is unique in some respects because the student, by attending summer school, is able to graduate with his class in the normal four-year period. Different people enroll in the program for different reasons. Some are interested in a specific area, and want to gain experience. For others, interest is coupled with financial need. A co-op student can usually earn enough to finance one year or more of his education. A wide spectrum of employers are in- volved with the Widener co-op program. Approximately fifty employers hire Widener engineering co-op students, and twenty-five different firms hire business co-op students. These em- ployers are gaining just as much as the students in some ways, because they are virtually guaranteed a continual supply of eager young employees. The co-op program, limited to two fields at the present, could eventually expand to include students in other ma- jors. I would like to see a science co-op program, especially in chemistry or biology, said Mr. LaVerghetta, i'Perhaps also in computer science. At the mo- ment, the problem is to get enrollment up in these areas, and later concem our- selves with implementing a co-op system. The major objective of the present system, as Mr. LaVerghetta sees it, is to get 10096 placement for co-op students in the firms of their choice. Some stu- dents are disappointed by their place- ments, and simply don't get placements during their first job rotation. This can mean the program gets a bad reputa- tion, which is not advantageous to the system. Faculty support is crucial to the operation of the co-op program. 'iThe faculty play a significant role in the co- op program, they can help serve as go- betweens for industrial employers, and they can stir interest among the stu- dents. The future of the program is safe, judging by present standards. 'We have a tremendous performance record, by and large, commented Mr. LaVerghetta. He does however, worry about the state of the economy. If em- ployees are among the first to go , this can make sustaining the program dif- ficult. ln general though most students get a job with a firm in their specific area of interest. Many are re-hired after graduation by the same company with which they did their internship. Mr. I..aVerghetta sees the overall ad- vantages of co-op program as providing an opportunity to see where a person can fit into the job world, as well as help- ing finance one's education. As for dis- advantages, i'The co-op program isn't for everyone, it just doesn't meet everyone's needs. For those who get in- volved . . . there really aren't any disad- vantagesl Dr. Janette L. Packer Dr. Janette Packer is the Dean of the Center of Nursing. Although a registered nurse, Dean Packer holds her doctorate in Education allowing her to make the proper integration of the educational philosophy with the clinical orientation of nursing.

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X William Wallace Fairweather Jr .-F l l 2 r 1 l l if i li Q 9 E a 1- 1 i Dr. Allen A. Smith Dr. Mary A. Clausen a W1 4-W Qi Dr. William RF. Dr, H Dr. Richard T. St. John Dr. Julian C. Skaggs 25