FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2011
For further information contact Kevin P. Kodish at (800-932-0587, ext. 3020)
HARRISBURG – At least 15 busloads of students from Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities will descend on the Capitol Monday morning, as a rally to protest possible severe budget cuts to the institutions is being staged.
“United We Stand, Underfunded We Fail,” is the rally theme. The idea for the event was first launched by James Thren – a Shippensburg University student. APSCUF, the association representing the 6,000 faculty members and coaches at the 14 PASSHE universities, then provided organizational assistance for the event, which is part of an ongoing effort to prevent Governor Tom Corbett’s proposed 54 percent cut to the universities.
The event will feature many speakers – students, faculty members and legislators. Adding to the excitement of the event will be that members of the cross country and track programs at Lock Haven and Millersville universities will actually run a relay to the rally from their respective campuses.
Lock Haven’s team was the first to announce the run to the Capitol steps, and Lock Haven Coach Aaron Russell reports that approximately 80 runners from the two schools will be participating.
In addition to the team members, at least one faculty member and several alumni will be joining the Lock Haven group. The runners will be broken up into several relay groups, with each person covering 5-12 miles.
LHU has dubbed its effort, “the 100 to Stay Funded,” signifying the 100-mile journey from Lock Haven to Harrisburg. Following a campus rally, the LHU team will begin its run on campus Sunday night at 8:30 p.m., and run through the night to get to City Island Monday morning. After being greeted by PASSHE officials on City Island, the runners will finish the trek to the Capitol steps.
“The loss of state funds contained in Governor Corbett’s budget would have a crushing impact on thousands of Pennsylvania’s working class families,” State APSCUF President Steve Hicks said.
“There is a lot of excitement building for this event, and we stand united with our students in opposition to these crippling cuts. I encourage everyone to visit, call, or write the members of the General Assembly regarding this issue,” Hicks added.
SPEAKERS LIST (subject to change)
James Thren and Heather Preece, Shippensburg University students and co-hosts
Representative Dan Frankel, 23rd legislative district, part Allegheny Co.
Kevin Mahoney and Paul Quinn, Professors at Kutztown University
Representative Mike Hanna, 76th legislative district, Clinton & part Centre Co.
Nick Hilton, Student and Cross Country runner, Lock Haven
Senator Vincent Hughes, 7th senatorial district, part Philadelphia & Montgomery Co.
Matthew Girton, Professor at Lock Haven University
Representative Mario Scavello, 176th legislative district, part Monroe Co.
Louis Lopez & Andrew Blake, Students at Lock Haven University
Senator-elect Judy Schwank, 11th senatorial district, part Berks Co.
Ken Mash, Professor at East Stroudsburg University
Senator Jay Costa, 43rd senatorial district, part Allegheny Co.
Jamie Showers & Christina Helfrick, Graduate students at Shippensburg
Representative Tim Briggs, 149th legislative district, part Montgomery Co.
Shippensburg Undergrad University Student Group
Representative Duane Milne, 167th legislative district, part Chester Co.
Frank DeStefano, President, SCUPA
Representative David Millard, 109th legislative district, part Columbia Co.
Representative Mark Gillen, 128th legislative district, part Berks Co.
Steve Hicks, President, APSCUF
NOTE: 11:45 is the approximate time for Lock Haven Cross Country and Track and Field teams to arrive at the Capitol Steps. Senator Wozniak (35th legislative district, Cambria, part Centre, Clearfield, Clinton and part Somerset) will greet them at the podium.
For media: contact Kevin Kodish at
For rally information: contact Laura Saccente at
Student Contact: James Thren (Phone – 301-524-9850)