Sharon Mortensen has been named the interim director of the Penn State Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs (CERA). She will take her new position effective Aug. 1.

Mortensen had previously been the associate director of unions and student activities at Penn State. As director, Mortensen was responsible for a variety of activities including HUB Late Night, the daily monitoring and training of 467 registered student organizations, Joint Office Initiative to Network (JOIN), publishing the Policies and Rules for Student Organizations, and publishing the student organization directories and handbooks.

"I am pleased that Sharon has agreed to this important assignment, and feel confident in her administrative skills to lead and manage the CERA over the course of the next year, " said Vice President for Student Affairs Bill Asbury in a release from Penn State.

Mortensen came to Penn State in 1990 as assistant director of campus life. She will serve until either July 31, 2002 or until a permanent director has been named.

Mortensen is replacing Rev. Kenneth I. Clarke, who has left to become the director of Cornell United Religious Work.