Spanier addresses changes

It's no longer about the future -- it's about the present.

University President Graham Spanier's monthly radio show, "To the Best of My Knowledge," is planned for 7 p.m. today. It was originally intended to address the University's future in technology, said Stephen MacCarthy, executive director of University relations.

But instead, he said, the WPSU-FM show will be about the bustle of activities last week at the University -- the mergers with The Dickinson School of Law and Geisinger Health System, as well as the reorganization of the Commonwealth Educational System. The show is hosted by Patty Satalia.

"It will be an opportunity for people to ask questions about all three of the big events this past week," MacCarthy said.

However, many specific questions about the mergers and the reorganization cannot be answered as fully as some may wish, said Christy Rambeau, University news bureau manager.

Rambeau hopes many people call during the hour allotted for the program.

"It makes a livelier program," she said. "Of course, (Spanier) can only take so many calls during that hour."

Callers in State College can tune in to the station at 90.1, 91.5 or 106.7 FM.

This is the first one-hour radio show this semester for Spanier after the show began last September.

Since that time, MacCarthy said a broad range of people -- from students to faculty to community residents -- have phoned to discuss various issues with the University president.

The show developed after Spanier expressed an interest in doing a radio show, similar to the show he did during his term at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, MacCarthy said.

WPSU then agreed the show was a good idea. "So, they moved it forward," MacCarthy said.

Since September, the issues of the show have ranged from the shooting on the HUB lawn to alcohol. MacCarthy said those involved with making each show get together and discuss potential topics for the next show.

Those topics are subject to change -- such as this month.

People wanting to contact Spanier during his radio show tonight can call 1-800-543-8242.

Spanier was not available for comment.