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New Name, New Center, New Major

A building on campus has a new name; there is a new center on campus and a new major for students.

A rendering of the Francine G. McNairy Library and Learning Forum building.

A building on the Millersville University campus has a new name; there is a new center on campus and a new major for students. The Council of Trustees (COT), at their regular meeting on December 19, approved the renaming of the Millersville University library. The building will be renamed the “Francine G. McNairy Library and Learning Forum” after President McNairy, who will be retiring in January 2013.

In addition, the Diana and Marsha Breast Cancer Awareness Center was officially named. The center is a place where students, faculty and staff can go to get information and ask questions about breast health. The center is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Dennis Denenberg’s sister, Diana Lin Durand, and Marsha L. Frerichs, wife of Dr. Rich Frerichs. Both Denenberg and Frerichs are retired from the University. The new center is located in the Millersville University Health Services building.

At the meeting, the council approved a new undergraduate bachelor of arts in multidisciplinary studies (MDST) major. The MDST major’s proposed curriculum, which is a direct response to changing social and marketplace realities, draws on existing departmental curricula and the University’s strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. Students in this major will be able to accomplish broad intellectual inquiry and meaningful integration of knowledge in a degree that reflects their individual interests and skills.

At the COT meeting, Frerichs was awarded the Millersville University President’s Medallion. One of the highest honors Millersville University presents, the President’s Medallion, honors and acknowledges contributions to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the commitment to the values of higher education.

And, the COT approved emeritus status for the following professors at Millersville University: Dr. Mark A. Iannone, professor of chemistry for 18 years, Dr. Susan P. Luek, professor of psychology for 40 years, Dr. Alice M. Meckley, professor of elementary and early childhood education for 30 years and Dr. Adele S. Ruszak, assistant professor of wellness and sport sciences, who retired after 36 years of service.

4 replies on “New Name, New Center, New Major”

I think the major is a great idea for those who want to explore intellectually. I don’t know why the above comments are being so negative. Not everyone goes to college to further their career, a lot of people like to challenge themselves and explore their interests. The MDST degree will be a great opportunity for a lot of people.

So.. it is a major for kids who can’t decide on a major? That’s what it sounds like. I agree with David. That’s a lot of jargon that says nothing. I feel like the major was added as an out for the students who are undecided and spend all 4 years changing majors. It seems like it was simply set up to improve graduation rates.

Wow. I am truly amazed.

“Students in this major will be able to accomplish broad intellectual inquiry and meaningful integration of knowledge in a degree that reflects their individual interests and skills.”

I can’t recall the last time that I saw such a minute amount of information conveyed with such inflated language. That was well done, if the purpose of this sentence was to obfuscate the fact that we will soon have another worthless major for people who can’t focus on a real content area.

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