CABRINI
INSIDE
CO~LEGE Features
News
■
Sega hockey league p.5
■
LOQUITUR
education book
Sports ■
Is child sex
'perfectly normal?' p.4
Men's Soccer
p.·12
VOL.XLIIl, NO.10
FRIDAY,NOVEMBER 8, 1996
RADNOR PA 19087
Willis presented with Cabrini Day award in World War I suffered injuries which caused blindness. staff writer This was the first time that the A single shoe lace and an opJXlr- concept of the seeing-eye dog had tunity are what started Cabrini come about. Spirit winner, Tun Wtllis, on the A majority of the soldiers who road to achieving his goals. fought in World War II were athThe award presentation is the letes. The injuries that they suffered highlight of Cabrini Day and is often left them in wheelchairs or given to a person who promotes completely blind. Their coaches, however, still human dignity through the betterment of people's lives. wanted them to be competitive. This brought about the idea of Willis began to lose his eye-sight at age seven to Coat's Disease. His the Paralympic Games. This would eyes hemorrhaged and the doctors give handicapped athletes an had no idea what had set it off. By avenue in which to compete. age 10, total blindness had set in. The Paralympics gave Willis the This, however, did not decrease OpJX)rtunity to compete ·in his the expectations that his parents hometown of Atlanta this past sumplaced on him. mer and he did not disappoint, win"I was expected to do the same ning a gold medal. Willis was also things that my twin brother and my the spokesperson for the 1996 older sister did," Wallis said. ''I had games. to do chores at home, schoolwork With all that he •has accomand get into trouble just like the plished, Willis realizes the imporother kids did" tance of giving back. He feels that Entering his freshman year in everyone who is successful owes high school, Willis wanted to get something to society. involved in athletics. He chose to ''Everyone has received somejoin the cross country team in order thing from somebody, so it's irnJX)rto earn a varsity letter.Years later, jt tant to give back," Willis said. is obvious that he has earned much Speaking at schools about havmore than just that. ing goals and the negatives of drug With the help of a shoe lace and use is just one of the many ways in a sighted-person, Willis has been which he gives to society. able to compete in a number of Willis will also donate the $1,000 that goes along with the events. His list of accomplishments is Spirit award to the U.S. Association almost as big as his heart. He is the of Blind Athletes. current holder of 12 USA national This organization is devoted to records for the blind in such events helping blind people get involveq as the 10,000 meters, 4x-400relay at the grass-roots level. and the mile. ''If you made it this far, there is He runs a mile in 4:20 and runs no reason you can't finish," Willis at least 100 miles a week while in said. "A college degree doesn't always open doors, but not having training. The importance of asking for a college degree often shuts them." help is what allowed Willis to The road of achievement is still become a better runner. He stressed ongoing for Willis. His next goal is this lesson because no matter how to earn a law degree and to practice hard you try, you cannot do every- law. thing alone. • Just like a true boy scout, Willis . Looking back through history, is always prepared. The Willis outlined bow changes Paralympics in Sydney, Australia brought about by war have actually are already clearly marked on his long term calendar. Would you helped the d_\sabled. Many of the soldiers who fought expect anything less?
by Kevin Scott
photo by Stacey Caiazzo
Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter greets Mother Ursula Infante, college foundress, during his visit to Cabrini on Friday. Nov. 1.
Specter contributes to Cabrini's technological progression by Paul Monte new$ editor
In a landmark visit to Cabrini, Pennsylvania senator Arlen Specter announced a successful provision, parhof the Fiscal Year '97 Omnibus Appropriati~ns Bill, which will provide $2 million to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education. According .to College President Dr. Antoinette Iadarola, Cabrini is receiving $500,000 from this package. These funds will- assist eight small Pennsylvania colleges to share library information through computer networks and offer more courses through distance learning. "The educator senator," as Iadarola termed· Specter, also assisted 43 other colleges and universities across the state with the bill, by providing $2 million to the Pennsylvania Educational Telecommunications Exchange Network. This inves~etlt of funds will implement a resourcessharing video conference network across the state to enhance student and teacher capabilities in accessing data. In September 1995, Specter held a hearing on Goals 2000 to address the concerns raised by several states regarding the requirements of legislation which were perceived as an intrusion of the federal government into state and local education tesponsibilities. As.a result of the hearing, the Senator introduced
legislation to amend the Goals 2000: Education America Act. strengthening state and local control over the program and restoring balance between state, local and federal resJXlnsibilitiesfor education reform. His amendment was ultimately enacted into law as part of the Fiscal Year 1996 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Specter supported changes in the Higher Education Act that expand the size of loans and grants and increase the number of students receiving them. As chainnan of the Labor, Health and Human Setvices, and Education Subcommittee, he increased the maximum Pell Grant from the $2,300 level to the present maximum of $2,700 which is being used by over 3.8 million college students. In a 20 minute address in front of more than 150 peopie in the mansion, Specter referred to ed!lcation as "our key to the future." In addition to urging students to make the most of their opJX)rtunities,Specter said that there is room at the top for students to succeed and that they must be skillful to achieve this success. Specter also said that he believes adequately balancing the budget and providing funds for education are compatible. "I'm convinced...if we use a scalpel and not an axe, we can keep necessary funds," Specter said. Specter also answered questions on topics including the '96 election, education and soft money. In regards to education, Specter said that he does not support efforts to eliminate the Department of Education. When asked about soft election money, Specter responded, "It is an absolute scandal and disgrace."
photo by Stacey Caiazzo
Blind runner Tim Willis, along with senior Andrea Kelliher and College President Dr. Antionette Iadarola, prepares to address the Spirit Day crowd.