Elizabeth Goreham tries to achieve ‘connections’

By BETH BAUMGARDNER
Collegian Staff Writer

Elizabeth Goreham's unique blend of compassion, experience and energy helps her juggle the responsibilities of being a borough council member, community activist, mentor to students and landlord.

Since she moved to State College nearly four years ago, Goreham has immersed herself in student concerns. She has lived within 100 feet of fraternities and has only asked them to keep the noise down once, she said.

"I feel a special connection to students," she said.

Anne Hettmansperger, Goreham's neighbor, agrees Goreham relates well to students.

"I think she has a wonderful zest for life," she said. "It makes her a great student advocate."

While Mayor Bill Welch agreed Goreham is interested in student opinions, he said it isn't fair to label her a student advocate.

"I would simply point out that Elizabeth Goreham isn't the only one laboring in that venture -- nor the first," he said.

Goreham, elected to State College Borough Council about a year ago, sees herself as an activist for students, neighborhoods and the environment.

"I'm probably not in the majority on borough council," she said. "I actively seek connections and I'm eager to hear people talk to us."

Since elected, Goreham has spoken at rallies and debates. She promised students she'd fight discriminatory ordinances and was the only candidate endorsed by Undergraduate Student Government.

"Elizabeth has always said that 75 percent of State College is students," Ed Dempsey, USG town senator, said. "She wants students to be more involved."

Goreham said student voters are the reason she has a seat on council. But, like Welch, Goreham is reluctant to call herself pro-student.

"I think it's unfortunate that there seems to be some push to either polarize borough council members as ‘for students and against neighborhoods' or ‘for neighborhoods and against students,' " she said.