The Spectrum

Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Contributed Photo

"Peter who?"

That is the response received from most students when asked about their opinions on the new Ambassador Peter Terpeluk Jr. being named to Sacred Heart's Board of Trustees.

Terpeluk has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg for three-and-a-half years, worked in the Reagan Administration and both Bush Administrations. As the Luxembourg Ambassador he oversaw the construction of a new embassy.

According to the SHU website, Terpeluk "reinstated the role for U.S. Marines at the embassy and implemented the most modern security system for a U.S. embassy in Europe."

Terpeluk is also known for his influential position in creating transatlantic growth for Luxembourg. This growth brought large companies, such as Amazon, AOL, and Apple Corporate Headquarters to Luxembourg.

With his help, Luxembourg became the American center for technology in Europe. Terpeluk has a very long and impressive resume and now his skills will be put to use at Sacred Heart.

"Bringing someone to Sacred Heart with Terpeluk's knowledge and stature is a great move for SHU," said Jonathon Bernstein, sophomore, Selden, N.Y. "The Board of Trustees makes important decisions and it sounds like Terpeluk could be crucial in this process."

In a recent Sacred Heart press release, it states that Terpeluk is currently serving on the National Constitution Center Board in Philadelphia. From his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from LaSalle College to his a master's degree in Public Administratoin from Rider College, will students even notice his presence on the Board of Trustees?

"I don't know a great deal about Terpeluk and I'm sure the majority of students don't either," said Peter Donohue, junior, Melville, N.Y.

Others, like Bernstein, believe that students like Donohue, do not know a lot about the Board of Trustees because they are not educated on their positions and who the members are.

"Many of my friends here have no clue about the Board of Trustees," said Bernstein. "Maybe because students do not see the members running around campus on a daily basis or because they really have no clue about their responsibilities."

And some students think that many are ill informed about the betterment of SHU. "Students are not informed whatsoever about what goes on through administration," said Bridget Steckis, junior, Wading River, N.Y. "It is like the administration is this weird vortex where none of the things that go on concern me or students in general. I am never made aware of where my money is going. I feel like it is SHU's administrative duty to let people know what students are paying for and up until now they haven't done so."

Brett Jones, junior, Staten Island, N.Y. agrees.

"If Terpeluk is able to make changes students will notice him and maybe remember who he is," said Jones.

"To be honest I don't know enough about him [Terpeluk] to accurately express his relevance and importance to my life."

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