friday, march 25, 1988 Appalachia:
cabrini-college,radnor, pa 19087
Taking to the. mountains by Anne Faby The sun fmally gets high enough above the mountains to cast some light on the small West Virginia coal mining town between 10 o'clock and two. Almost heaven. People begin trickling into the Keystone senior center when shadows of the sun's arrival first begin to streak the town. They've come to sit around the tables and chat until noon when lunch is served. "Good Morning," Betty Drake, director of the .Highland Educational Project, calls from her office. "Fine, thanks. How are you," one regular visitor replies, anticipating her response. Betty gets up from behind her desk, stands next to the crib in her office and peeks her head out. "I said, 'Good Morning,' not 'How are you."' They both laugh. Another day at the center has begun. Bobby comes in through the back door. He is different. He shys away from speaking to any of the six visitors from Cabrini who are spending spring break working for the Project. Later, he tells his story. As he lights a cigarette, the black coal ·dust resting in the cracks of his hands silently begin. He had 22 years in the mines. He and
years ago, as he and the 180 other men were assembling for the ride down into the black chamber, they were informed that that day would be their last. The company was selling out. Bobby went on unemployment, then welfare":"Besides being a miner, there's not much work in McDowell County. And the mines aren't hiring. He'd been a miner since he was 16. Mining was all he knew. Mining was all 400 men had known when another company, Easton Coal, laid them off in 1980. That same mine, now owned by another company, operates with40men. Theypay
them lower wages, with fewer benefits. It's better than being unemployed. West Virginia has the highest number ofhigh school dropouts inthec;ountry; the lowest number of high school graduates going to college. It is among the highest in the nation for alcoholism, wife abuse, child abuse, incest and illiteracy. In McDowell County, nearly 37 percent of the population is illiterate. Bobby's son helps support the family now. He is lucky to have a job. He lives in McDowell, the poorest county in the poorest state in the country. Since Bobby more APPALACHIA
vol. xxxiv, no. 17
Residentlife:
Prucha •
resigns by Beth Ann Bittner Sandy Prucha, director of resident life, put her last day of work in on Friday, March 18, 1987. Prucha, who joined the resident life staff in the summer of 1987, handed in her original resignation at the beginning of the spring semester. According to Jim F'rtz.simmons, dean of students, the resignation handed in with the understanding that, if an employment opportunity became available, an early leave would be expected. Over spring break, Prucha handed in her two-weeks notice. Why Prucha left is not exactly clear. When questioned, Prucha wished not to comment on the situation. According to John Doyle, assistant director, resident life, Prucha returned to her previous place of employment in Northeast Philadelphia. "I believe the reason Sandy resigned was that she wanted to get into the counseling field," Fituimmons said.
was
hisfamilyweredoingalright. Hiswifehad had one heart operation, but his medical coverage paid for most of it. Then one Thursday, two-and-a-half
Campus ministry spent spring break in Appalachia.
(photo by Karen Papay)
C~mpaigningto raise funds by RebeccaRebalsky Cabrini administration, with approval by the board of trustees, has launched a three-year campaign to raise $7 to $10 million. Funds raised during the campaign will help pay for operating costs of the college, building construction and scholarships. Another goal of the campaign is to increase Cabrini's endowment fund, according to William Battles, vice president for institutional advancement. The $3.5 million endowment originated as a loan from the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. "We have not added to that specific endowment," Battles said. The endowment money is invested and earnings are used to defray operating · expenses of the college. These earnings account for about 8 percent of the college's total income, Battles said. Cabrini's largest sources o(income are tuition and room and board. Together, they contributed 84.3 percent of total reve-
inside: perspectives.. 2 news. ...... 3-4 features. ... 5-6 sports. ..... 7-8
nues for the 1987-88fiscal year, according to Jay Loucks, chief financial officer. Sister Eileen Currie, M.S.C., president, and other administrators say these figures mean that the college is "tuitiondriven." This situation can be disadvantageous for the college because, "You're always wondering about competition and concerned with the marketplace," Edward Christ, chairman, business administration, and faculty member of the budget · committee, said. Christ said Cabrini's dependence on tuition and room and board for revenues is partly due to the fact that the college is . only 30 years old. Older institutions have larger endowments, and the earnings on these endowments contribute greater revenues, Dr. Joseph Romano, vice president for academic affairs, explained. A comprehensive campaign is one solution to the tuition-driven problem, according to. the March 1987edition of the Master Plan. The plan says, "There is a
pressing urgency to increase funding and lessen the college's dependency on tuition revenues." According to Battles and Currie, Jan. 1 marked the beginning of the campaign's "quiet year." "During the quiet year, we work with board members and other close friends to raise 40 to 50 percent of the total pot," Battles said. Based on the amount raised during the first year, the college will be able to predict a fmal goal for the entire campaign. Board member Dean Roach, owner of St. David's Inn, has been named chairperson of the campaign, according to Battles. Roach was formerly chairperson of Catholic University's $100 million campaign. The college launched the campaign after a feasibility study "proved that Cabrini is at the point in its existence where we can successfully conduct a comprehensive campaign," Battles said. "We have the uniqueness of purpose that is saleable to potential gift donors."
Person of the week: Sue Dinsmore (page 6)
Sandy Prucha (photo by Dr. Carter Cralglei "A lot of things were difficult for her (Prucha), but I believe the main reason for her not returning next year is that she wanted to get back into counseling,'~ Doyle said. According to Doyle, it was a tough year for Prucha because of the 'rough spots' in Prucha's training. "It was a new atmosphere for her with a lot of new faces," Doyle said. "I don't think she was prepared for the two-faced living style (living and working in the same atmosphere)." Currently, Doyle is going through an interview process that will determine whether or not be will be filling the director of resident life position permanently or temporarily.
Superthon photos (page 5)