At Clarion U Whitney Houston set to take reins

In her higher education career embarking on a new chapter, Karen M. Whitney, vice chancellor for student life and dean of students at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), will become the next president of Clarion University Thursday. She succeeds Joseph P. Grunenwald, who served Clarion in various positions for more than 30 years including the last seven as president. A perticular meet and greet with Whitney was held Tuesday."Clarion University is a great campus," she said, adding that it's a small university with a big impact. Throughout her 30 years in higher education, Whitney said she has met Clarion graduates. She said the students speak of the quality of their experience at the university.
Whitney has been vice chancellor and dean of students at the 30,000 student IUPUI since 1999. Previously, she was associate vice president for student life at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She began her academic career as an instructor at the University of Houston in 1980.She earned both a bachelor's of art degree in psychology and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Houston and a doctoral degree in higher educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Several reasons attracted Whitney to the area and the position, but a main reason was the stance the university took on its commitment to benefit the entire community. She said the fact the university is dedicated to continuing is commitment is what made her want to try for the position. Even though her first official day isn't until July 19, Whitney said she wanted to come to the area and to the campus early to meet people."For the first 90 days, I'll be hitting the ground listening," Whitney said, adding that by getting to know the people around her, she hopes to advance the university. After the first 90 days, Whitney said she will issue her 500 day plan. "I've got a lot of ideas and I like to talk them through," she said, explaining that she knows she will get more than an ear full during her first 90 days. Since spending some tine at Clarion, Whitney said she has noticed strengths of the university - starting with its commitment to teaching. Also, Whitney added, she often hears people say, "I love Clarion.""It's personal and beyond anything I've seen," Whitney said.While she's excited to start her new adventure as president of Clarion, she can't help but to be nervous following Grunenwald."The guy is a legend," Whitney said, explaining that Grunenwald has played every position in the field. Before taking her new position, Whitney said she did research on Clarion. She said enrollment numbers for Clarion are growing and that could be attributed to thoughtful leadership."Clarion is a financially sound university, she said," Whitney said, adding "that doesn't happen by accident. It's a real quality indicator".

Whitney Houston at the MEN Arena, Manchester

Diva Whitney Houston received a warm and highly motional welcome at Manchester’s MEN Arena on Wednesday night.

Fans had waited over two months to see the Nothing But Love tour after it was postponed in April when the singer was reported to have a respiratory infection.

And what should have been the UK opener instead brings the curtain down tonight on a tour that has certainly had more downs than ups.

It was a surreal experience.

What until recently would surely have been a sell-out performance filled only the lower tiers of the massive arena. Concert-goers were clearly nervous after poor reviews and the support acts tried in vain to warm up the wary audience.

Then the star herself took the stage.

Looking a shadow of her former self, the 46-year-old, dressed all in black with a long trench style coat, began with two songs from her new album before reminding us of her 25 years in music.

At times there were glimpses of the mega-star who has been one of the most successful artists over the last three decades. Her voice retains a lovely tone and on occasions the enormous power that she is so famous for threatened to win through.

However the singer, who has battled drug addiction, was visibly distressed, clearly breathless and there was a palpable relief in the auditorium when she reached the end of the set without serious mishap.

No-one could claim that this was a good performance - songs were interrupted frequently for the singer to compose herself - but there was an undeniable appeal in her vulnerability and spirit.

She was more comfortable with the up-beat pop numbers and I enjoyed her renditions of I Wanna Dance With Somebody and How Will I Know?

But it was her signature I Will Always Love You that will be remembered...the fragile star stopped midway through and just when it seemed she would leave the song unfinished, she was lifted by the crowd to continue.

And, as she completed the classic, the reception was as warm as if it had been note-perfect.

Whitney Houston slammed after audience walks out

Looking sweaty and out of sorts, the singer was trashed by the country’s media, with one particularly harsh critic saying she ‘looked and sounded like a person who doesn’t have many years left to live’.

The 46-year-old also sparked gossip after her tight frock hugged around a suspicious belly bump. However, some ticket holders didn’t stick around long enough to notice amid claims that ‘many members’ of the audience walked out of the gig at the weekend.

Houston’s latest outing was slated by ‘all of the major media outlets’, said The Copenhagen Post. The poor show by the fallen star is the latest episode in a disastrous comeback which began on our shores last month, with many of her Nothing But Love shows dogged by illness and technical glitches.

Some British shows saw Houston abandon attempts to hit the high notes and move on to other songs, leaving fans demanding their money back.

Slammed after audience walks out to Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston has suffered her worst stage meltdown yet after Danish fans walked out on her in Copenhagen.

Looking sweaty and out of sorts, the singer was trashed by the country’s media, with one especially harsh critic saying she ‘looked and sounded like a person who doesn’t have many years left to live’.
The 46 year old also sparked gossip after her tight frock hugged around a suspicious belly bump. However, some ticket holders didn’t stick around long enough to notice amid claims that ‘many members’ of the audience walked out of the concert at the weekend.
Houston’s latest outing was slated by ‘all of the major media outlets’, said The Copenhagen Post. The poor concert by the fallen star is the latest episode in a disastrous comeback which began on our shores last month, with many of her Nothing But Love shows dogged by illness and technical glitches.
Some British concerts saw Houston abandon attempts to hit the high notes and move on to other songs, leaving fans demanding their money back.