Viking_Yearbook_78

42 An advocate for change, Howard Ben Tre has developed an entirely new process for glass. During his stay at PSU , Howard Ben Tre has learned the vital art of adapting your surroundings to fit your needs. An artist in the medium of glass, Howard has been instrumental in the success of the glass program currently offered through the Art Department. When Howard became interested in glass, he found the department had minimal equipment. Instead of working with the limited facilities available he and fellow student Jim Hurget took it upon themselves to build the shop up. Between the two of them they built two large furnaces with brick donated by Owens Illinois, a local firm dealing with glass. In order to acquire the brick, Howard sought out a representative of Owens and gave him a lesson in glass blowing. The representative was pleased and gave Howard the brick.