07-12-02
LIBRARY, ACADEMIC BUILDING
TO BE NAMED FOR JOHN LILLEY, IRV KOCHEL
Students at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will soon be taking classes in the Irvin Kochel Center and using the resources of the John M. Lilley Library, thanks to a naming decision approved by the Penn State Trustees on Friday, July 12. The two buildings, which are attached, were funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and dedicated in May 1994.
The buildings will be named officially on Thursday, September 26, at the time of the 2002 Glenhill Appreciation Dinner. Penn State President Dr. Graham Spanier will be on hand to honor Kochel and Lilley.
"It is a great honor to have this academic building at the college carry my name," said Kochel, who served as administrative head of the college for twenty-seven years. "Having worked most of my life to establish a quality higher educational institution in Erie, it is most satisfying to see Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, reach maturity."
Irvin H. Kochel served Penn State Erie from 1954 to 1980. His leadership brought the college from a two-year "center" to a four-year, degree-granting institution. During his tenure he strengthened the faculty and expanded the initial program offerings to create baccalaureate degrees. He raised the funds to build the college's first residence halls, the Otto Behrend Science Building, and the Reed Union Building. Kochel and his wife created the Ethel and Irvin H. Kochel Scholarship for International Study, the Irvin Kochel Leadership Scholarship, and the Irvin H. Kochel Lion Ambassador Fund
"Having my name placed on Penn State Erie's library is an unexpected but deeply appreciated honor for Gerrie, our children, and me," said Lilley, who served the college as provost and dean for twenty-one years. "I value my many Penn State colleagues and friends and thank the trustees for their years of support and now for this wonderful recognition of my Penn State work."
Dr. John M. Lilley served Penn State Erie from 1980 until 2001. Under his leadership, college enrollment more than doubled as did the number of faculty. Lilley raised approximately $65 million for college endowments and physical facilities, and he helped to secure funding for Knowledge Park at Penn State Erie and for a $30 million Research and Economic Development Center. He created a nationally prominent manufacturing outreach program and thirteen research centers for regional economic development.
"Under John's guidance the college became a leader in regional economic development, and he created an impressive legacy of community partnerships, new academic programs, and an expanded campus," said Jack Burke, interim provost and dean.
The Academic Building is home to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, headed by Interim Director Dr. Archie Loss. Fifty faculty offices and eight technology-enhanced classrooms line spacious corridors on two levels. The building is home to majors in communications and media studies, English, general arts and sciences, history, political science, and psychology. Here students can develop critical-thinking skills, master a foreign language, explore their cultural heritage, and learn from a highly accomplished faculty that includes scholars with international research reputations and extensive professional experience.
The Behrend College Library is headed by Dr. Richard Hart. Its three floors house a 110,000-volume collection and include a mix of study carrels, casual seating, and group study tables for more than 700 students. The library has individual and group study rooms and a sixty-seat computer lab, the busiest on campus.
In addition to a growing book collection, the library maintains current subscriptions to more than 900 journals, newspapers, and other serial titles. In addition, through the University Libraries LIAS system, access is provided to a wide array of electronic databases that includes more than 10,000 electronic journal subscriptions.
The University's Learning Resource Center, which offers peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, video and print resources, and workshops, is located in the Library. The center is home to the Schreyer Scholars and Honors programs and the International Study program.
The ten-person library staff, with help from twenty student assistants, keeps the library open for 93 hours each week during the academic year, with additional hours added at the end of each semester.
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Contact:
Loretta Brandon
(814) 898-6063 (O)
(814) 864-9922 (H)
e-mail: lzb6@psu.edu