Council Convenes for FallNew Mascot, Increased Admissions, Homecomingand On-Campus Events Amongst Topics Discussed

The Council meets in the Innovation Center again on Oct. 27. Photo Credit / Mitch Williams The Council meets in the Innovation Center again on Oct. 27. Photo Credit / Mitch Williams
The Council meets in the Innovation Center again on Oct. 27. Photo Credit / Mitch Williams
The Council meets in the Innovation Center again on Oct. 27.
Photo Credit / Mitch Williams

Peggy Diaco
Contributing Writer

The Board of Trustees held their first meeting last Thursday in the Innovation Center.

Rachel DiStefano and Paul D’Imperio, members the Homecoming Committee, opened the meeting to present plans for Homecoming to the Board of Trustees.

This year’s theme is the carnival and is entitled “The Greatest Homecoming on Earth 2016.”

Homecoming will take place the weekend of Oct. 10, 2016 through Oct. 16, 2016.

The committee has many fun events planned including The East Stroudsburg Warriors football team kick-off against Kutztown.

In her report, ESU’s president, Dr. Marcia Welsh stated that the first week of school went smoothly with many volunteers on campus to welcome back students.

Dr. Welsh reported that 900 first-year students participated in the Warrior Walk in August.

In regard to the possible faculty strike Dr. Welsh said, “These are challenging financial times” and she is “extremely disappointed with the faculty’s decision to strike.”

Dr. Welsh’s report stated that the new logo and mascot will roll out in January and that there are many new improvements to campus, including a new residence hall that is expected to open in the fall of 2017, allowing renovations to a few of the older structures.

Our former mascot, Burgy, retired at the onset of the semester.

The President stated that she enjoyed accompanying 48 volunteers to 481 households in the community door to door to speak with ESU’s neighbors.

Dr. Welsh said she is hopeful that the litter problem can be fixed and she also addressed the speeding on area streets to residents.

She said that it was “Fascinating going door to door to speak with the neighbors.”

Continuing with her report, the Community Service Fair that took place on Sept. 15 was a success and she is happy with the fundraiser that will benefit the homeless.

She brought in socks to explain that the specially designed socks are on sale and can be purchased for $18.00 for two pair.

One pair to keep and the other will go to a homeless person in need.

Trustee L. Patrick Ross reported that Ken Long presented the 2016-17 budget to them and that all questions were answered satisfactorily.

The budget was approved.

Trustee Edward Abraham stated that enrollment increased and that “this is the largest enrollment (at ESU) in five years.”

He congratulated Jeff Jones and David Bousquet for a job well done.

He also said he is happy with the retention report and he congratulated Provost Bruno and her team for their hard work in keeping students at ESU.

Mr. Abraham also congratulated the Chair of the Board of Trustees, L. Patrick Ross for his 20 years of service as a Board member.

Mr. Ross will be given an award at the Alumni banquet to honor his years of service.

President Welsh remarked that One Book, One Campus selection this year of “The Circle” by David Eggers was the “most successful engagement in years.”

The meeting was adjourned and the next one will be held on Oct. 27 in the Innovation Center.

Email Peggy at:
pdiaco@esu.edu