News Archive
Westminster College Breaks Application Record for Fifth Straight Year; Welcomes 420 New Students; Applications Up 17%; New Students Up 14%
Westminster College will welcome 420 new students Friday for the start of its 152nd academic year. Over 1,500 students, the most in Westminster history, applied for admission.
The 1,547 applications were a 17% increase over last year's record 1,327 applications. The 388 new freshmen and 32 transfer students represent a 14% increase over last year's incoming class. Westminster traditionally limits its incoming classes to 350 new students and 25 transfers, but a large graduating class allowed for a one-year expansion.
"Since we stress quality over quantity, it forced us to make some tough admissions decisions," said Westminster Dean of Admissions Doug Swartz. "We have implemented an early action program to help high achieving students secure a spot in future classes. We also have two special merit scholarships to allow Presbyterian pastors and Westminster alumni employed in the education field to nominate deserving students during the early action phase."
"We already have over 14,000 high school juniors inquiring about admission for fall 2005," Swartz added. "All of the available space in our residence halls is filled, so we expect admission into Westminster to be even more competitive next year."
The class of 2008 comes to Westminster with a solid academic background, and an average high school grade point average of 3.42 in core classes. The Westminster freshmen have an average SAT score of 1,082 ""80 points higher than the average score in Pennsylvania and 66 points higher than the national average.
"We strive to keep class sizes level each year, and becoming an impersonal mega-university is not part of the Westminster plan," according to President R. Thomas Williamson.
'We have a strategic plan that emphasizes controlled growth. We strive to become a better college, not a bigger college," Williamson said. "Westminster prides itself on recruiting bright, well-rounded students, and then exceeding their expectations while they are here. The unusual level of attention students receive at Westminster has led to our rankings as a national leader in graduation rate performance, while remaining one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. We are pleased to see that prospective students and their parents value the distinctive attributes Westminster has to offer.'
Total enrollment, including Graduate school and the Lifelong Learning Program, will likely approach 1,700 in the fall. An additional 300 to 400 area residents will take non-credit courses at Westminster throughout the year.
Contact Doug Swartz at (724) 946-7107 or swartzdl@westminster.edu for more information.
Professor and Six Westminster Students Attend Conference
Dr. David Goldberg, assistant professor of philosophy, and six Westminster College students recently attended the Midsouth Philosophy Conference at the University of Memphis.
While at the conference, Goldberg and Ashley Williams, a senior philosophy major, presented papers.
"My paper, Power and Monstrosity: An Analysis of Woman's Place in the World,' attempted to critique the genological progress of female oppression in Western society through the lens of Michel Foucault's concept of power," Williams said.
Goldberg's paper, "I Want My Beef, A Response to Singer," is about Peter Singer's work "Animal Liberation," which adopts the view of Jeremy Bentham that the criteria that should be used in determining who gets moral consideration is that of pain and suffering.
"Singer contends that when this criteria is used, we are led to a position in which our ingestion of animals is a morally represensible maltreatment of animals reflecting a species-centric position," Goldberg said. "My paper looks at the grounds for this postion and argues that both Bentham and Singer inadequately differentiate between pain and suffering, coalescing the later into the former."
The students who attended the conference are:
Williams is a daughter of Debra Cochran and Ronald Williams, Washington, and a graduate of Washington High School
Bradley Steines, a senior political science major, is a son of Gerald and Kathy Steines, Beaver Falls and a graduate of Blackhawk High School.
Bryan Bischof, a freshman physics major, is a son of Steve and Diana Salvatora Gibsonia, and Valley High School.
Kara Gerhart, a senior philosophy major, is a daughter of Michael and Linda Gerhart Donegal, and a graduate of Mount Pleasant Area High School.
Lyndsay Smith, a senior public relations major, is a daughter of Dwayne and Karen Smith, Export, and a graduate of Kiski Area High School.
Leah Zachewicz, a junior English major, is a daughter of Bruce Zachewicz Enon Valley, and a graduate of Blackhawk High School.
Goldberg, who has been with Westminster College since 2002, earned his undergraduate degree and master's from Pennsylvania State University and his Ph.D. from Duquesne University.
For more information, contact Goldberg at (724) 946-7153 or e-mail goldbedw@westminster.edu.
Harpist Makes Cover Story in "Harp Column"
Jody Guinn, harp instructor at Westminster College, appears as the cover story in the November/December issue of "Harp Column," one of the nation's two harp journals.
Guinn and her colleague, Nancy Lendrim, form the Salzedo Harp Duo. They have accompanied for stars such as Clay Aikens, The Three Tenors, Ray Charles, Barry Manilow, Josh Groban, and the Moody Blues. They also perform at various events including, weddings, funerals, operas, churches, and ballets.
This duo has known each other for over 20 years.
"I first met Nancy the first summer I went to Camden, Maine, to study at the Salzedo Harp School, and we were instant friends," Guinn said. "Nancy and I spent several summers there and remained friends."
What makes this duo different is not only the instrument they play, but the music they choose to play. After studying with Alice Chalifoux, who was mentored by Salzedo, Guinn and Lendrim felt dedicated to carrying on the tradition of Carlos Salzedo's music.
"Few people know that Salzedo not only wrote original harp duo scores, but also transcribed other composers' music, especially piano duets," Guinn said. "That doesn't mean that we only play Salzedo music, but more that we want to carry on his legacy and method of playing.
"Our story would not be complete without mentioning our friend Alice, who is now 98 years old. She is well known in the harp community, and even appeared on the "Johnny Carson Show." She changed my life. Alice is kind to everyone. She is famous for her wit and equally famous for her stellar teaching. She is also my good friend and was my maid of honor at age 81. She ran the school until 2002. It was a very sad end of an era when she retired&a well deserved retirement, but still sad."
The Salzedo Duo recently recorded the music of Salzedo on the CD, "Short Stories."
"After hearing Salzedo's music, there were people who begged us to make a CD, so they could enjoy his music anytime," Guinn said.
In 2002, the Duo was invited to perform at the 8th World Harp Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. They expanded their works to include other 20th century French composers, as well as a number of contemporary compositions.
In addition to the cover story in "Harp Column," the duo drew a rave review from the Cleveland Plain Dealer's music critic, Donald Rosenberg, in the July 10, 2004 edition. Their CD received a five harp (out of five) rating from "Harp Column" writer Darin Kelly in the March/April 2005 edition. Kelly wrote that "the Salzedo Harp duo comes through with a winning disc of the composer's works."
They also retain active rosters of private students, passing on the Salzedo tradition to a new generation. Currently Guinn and Lendrim continue to perform together in harp ensembles and orchestras where they both hold principal harp positions with Ohio orchestras.
"It's not easy transporting a harp because they are heavy and awkward to move. I have a Lyon & Healy Style 23 concert grand harp, which I have to cover, then load them onto a dolly and maneuver them outside," Guinn said. "I have a station wagon that I use to haul this harp to concerts. Sometimes I have to move my harp three to ten times a day; lifting it into the car to transport; lifting it back out; rolling it into an auditorium; lifting it into an orchestra pit; just to repeat the transport when the concert is done."
The duo has a hectic schedule and talk about whether or not they need a manager.
"I'm enjoying the duo so much," Guinn said. "The spotlight is just on the two of us, and it's so much fun to share it with Nancy."
Contact Guinn at JGuinn4277@aol.com for more information.
Westminster College Professor Earns Doctorate
Dr. James Cherney recently earned his doctorate degree from Indiana University and a promotion from Westminster College.
Westminster College Announces Women's Choir Concert
The Westminster College Women's Choir will present its spring concert Friday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Wallace Memorial Chapel.
Tibetan Buddhist Monks Visit Westminster College
Westminster College recently hosted a group of visiting Tibetan Buddhist Monks.
Organ Recital Scheduled at Westminster College
Dutch organist Paul Tegels will perform a recital Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in Orr Auditorium.
The evening's program includes works by C.P.E. Bach, Cesar Franck, Johannes Brahms, and others.
Students Compete in Mathematical Contest in Modeling
Four teams of students represented Westminster College in the international Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM), held at Westminster Feb. 8-12.
Westminster College Hosts High School Programming Contest
Westminster College hosted 10 teams from five area high schools at this year's High School Programming Contest Oct. 9. The event was hosted by Westminster's Mathematics and Computer Science Department in conjunction with the Admissions Office.
Westminster College Receives $1.2 Million to Endow Scholarships for Chemistry Students
Westminster College recently received a $1.2 million bequest from the estate of Dorothy M. Robins to establish endowed scholarships for chemistry students.
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