February/March 2017
what’s in
Volume 56 Issue 1
SPORTS PREVIEW SPECIAL EDITION
THIS ISSUE
Coach Clark: The Face of Alvernia Football
Men’s Tennis Preview
Head Football Coach Ralph Clark at his introductory press conference on January 5th, 2017.
Photo courtesy of Jon King
By Justin Herforth Contributing Editor There is now a football coach that will lead Alvernia into battle as the 22nd sport on main campus. On January 5, 2017 Alvernia introduced Ralph Clark as the first head coach in program history. Throughout his life, Clark has immersed himself into the game of football. His 35-year football career now takes him to Alvernia to start our new
Men’s Volleyball: Can You Dig It? Field Hockey Takes It Overseas
Alvernia’s First Pep Band
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The Only Way Is Up For Men’s Lacrosse By Danny Flanagan Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of Alvernia University Athletics
Phillies Get Ready for Spring Training
program. Clark was attracted to Alvernia because of its mission. “I did research on the school and found that the beliefs that the University and I shared the same beliefs,” Clark said. “And then once I got on campus and met some students, faculty, and staff I knew that this was the place that I wanted to be. It was a done deal on my end. It felt like I was home.” Coach Clark has already
Justin Gibbs sets the ball to his teammate.
By Kristen Sipling Contributing Writer
were not even at Alvernia yet. They played as a club team and had a roster of whatever Alvernia students seemed It might be the beginning interested. of their program, but they Today’s team is captained are fighting to set a strong by graduate student Evan foundation for future years! Bulcavage. Bulcavage orgaWith nine first years, three nized practices and put the sophomores, two juniors, team together in the offseaone graduate student, four son to prepare for the Spring. coaches and two managers, these are the individuals that The volleyball team’s current practices started in the fall, currently make up the first ever men’s volleyball team for when the first year playtheir 2017 inaugural season. ers began living together in Veronica Hall. The team started their Coach Deb Schlosser is practices in last spring when the current first year students tasked with creating a culture
for her team. “The hardest thing is inventing things from scratch,” Schlosser said. “[But] I think they bonded really good and work well together. But there’s a certain quality to athletes that goes beyond being just friends. It’s like knowing when to goof around, knowing when to socialize, and knowing when it’s work time. It’s like learning what it’s like to be an athlete.” Schlosser previously assistant coached for Kean University’s men’s volleyball program and assistant
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The Crusader lacrosse team has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. Last season was disappointing with a 3-13 record, and the team hopes to get better this coming year. A new recruiting class has given the team hope for a better season this year. With the addition of two new coaches, fans should expect a more disciplined team from the previous year. The major problem that plagued the Crusaders was the lack of positivity and communication on the field. Being able to learn and grow from last year’s debacle will be crucial for the Crusaders capture their first ever winning season. Leading the offense this year will be attackman and new team captain Andrew Richie. Richie is looking to improve on his rookie season where he scored 17 goals and dished 16 assists. “I am anxious to break the school record of 6 wins,” Richie said. Being able to play, as a
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campus news
February/March 2017
t h e alver n ian Managing Editor Mady Johnston Layout Mady Johnston Brian Johnson Section Editors Paige Burkett Justin Herforth Brian Johnson Katerina Lawlor Colin MacCloskey Nick Sokolovich Ryan Weber Contributing Writers Andrew Dotter Rebecca Dunst Danny Flanagan Melanie Singh Kristen Sipling Jamere Wilcox Nick Youngkin Faculty Advisor Dr. Ryan Lange
The Alvernian is the official student newspaper of Alvernia University. To contact newspaper staff, the office telephone number is 610-796-8358.
Articles submitted for consideration into The Alvernian should be written in some semblance of AP style. Letters to the editor, requests for advertisements, and general comments and questions may be submitted to ryan.lange@alvernia.edu. The editors reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, accuracy, and length.
The views expressed in The Alvernian are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the student body, faculty, staff, administration, or sponsors.
© 2017 The Alvernian
Vol. 56 Issue 1
Flynn Files: February/March January and February find me travelling a good deal on university business, often to the nation’s capital where it is easy to be consumed by the swirling conflicts and controversies. So it has been a relief to observe some of the wonderful developments back on campus. And it is even better to return home, wind through Angelic Park, and then turn up the hill to the Vern. By the way, the construction in Angelica Park is winding down. The entry road, known as St. Bernardine Street, will re-open this spring, complete with new campus-style light poles running the entire length of the park. And the new headquarters of Berks Nature, will also be completed, offering opportunities for our students along with many others. So here are just a few of the news items that should make us all proud! HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Speaking of our nation’s capital, Alvernia students Ashley Beyer, Rebecca Dunst, ReJeana Goldsborough, Colton McLaughlin and Christopher Thomas took part in the 2017 Presidential Inauguration though our partnership with The Washington Center, coordinated by the O’Pake Institute. The program extended for two weeks leading up to the big event, with attention to a variety of national policy issues. More than 340 students from across the nation participated. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!: The new year began with great excitement. An overflow crowd and several news outlets were on-hand in the Campus Commons on January 5 to meet Alvernia’s first Head Football Coach. Coach Ralph Clark stood out from a pool of more than 300 applicants, with 19 years of experience at the NCAA Division I-FCS, Division II, and Division III levels and a stint as a high school head coach. His coaching stops include Saint Francis, Northeastern and Georgetown Universities. Coach Clark’s passion for Alvernia’s Franciscan mission and commitment to developing impressive student-athletes of character and accomplishment make him the right person to build our football program. With his home in Lancaster, Ralph already is familiar with high schools in Berks County as well as throughout the entire Mid-Atlantic
region. We know he will be a superb representative of the university, both on and beyond the campus. Many thanks to the fine search committee: Karen Cameron (faculty), Cam Coons (student), Karolina Dreher (university life), Laura Gingrich (athletics), Jenna Harper (student), Dan Hartzman (admissions), Polly Mathys (faculty), Tom Minick (advancement) and Tom Porrazzo (faculty). And congratulations to Athletic Director Bill Stiles and Vice President John McCloskey for their leadership throughout this process. COMMUNITY CAMARADERIE: More than 300 Alvernia students, faculty and staff returned a day early for the spring semester, in order to turn a day off into a day on, as they worked at 28 different community partner sites, for the 2017 MLK Day of Service. Sites included recreation centers and several Olivet Boys & Girls clubs, Berks Encore, Mary’s Shelter, Habitat for Humanity and City Hall. Our four annual universitywide “Days of Service,” coordinated by the Holleran Center have become a popular tradition at Alvernia. SERVICE AND CONTEMPLATION: More than 65 Alvernia students will be hard at work, regardless of the weather, at locations in inner city Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., as they volunteer through our popular Alternative Break program. OFF TO THE REAL WORLD: Announced last summer, our Real World Experience Award program immediately caught fire. Nearly 50 students are using awards of up to $2,000 to explore experiential learning opportunities around the globe, including 18 who are heading to Dingle, Ireland this spring and summer, joined by nursing professor Tracy Scheirer. Other award winners will be participating in distance internship and service opportunities, as well as studying this summer in China, the Dominican Republic, Italy and Spain. The expansion of our global study options, led by Dean Beth Roth, is exciting! DIFFICULT DIALOGUES . . . MADE EASIER: Two important sets of programs are unfolding this semester. A series of campus discussions, preliminarily titled, “E Pluribus Unum” (meaning ’out of many,
one’ — the motto on the Great Seal of the U.S.A.), will be scheduled alongside selected campus, regional and national events to help students, faculty and staff exchange viewpoints on important topics, both to discuss disagreements constructively and to seek shared perspectives. The first program centered on the Presidential Inauguration, and upcoming discussions will focus on interfaith responses to suffering and the challenges associated with the prevention of sexual violence. Alvernia has been awarded a “Bringing Theory to Practice” grant to support five campus dialogues that advance action items conceptualized in the university’s Inclusive Excellence Plan. The guiding question is: How do we provide opportunities for students, staff and faculty to practice and recognize inclusive engagement as essential to achieving higher education’s greater purposes of preparing individuals for lives of meaning and purpose? Look for invitations to events in March, April and May. DRAMATIC ENTRANCES: Alvernia Theatre is tackling a dramatic adaption of Sinclair Lewis’ 1930s book “It Can’t Happen Here” about the fictional rise of an American fascist state. Performances will be held April 20-22 and 26-28. And in partnership with the Berks Jazz Fest, returning to campus after a sold out performance last year is instrumentalist Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks will take the stage in Francis Hall Theater, March 15 (7:30 p.m.). AUTHOR! AUTHOR!: Bongrae Seok, associate professor of philosophy, published a new book (his fourth!) in January, titled “Moral Psychology of Confucian Shame.” It is part of a series on critical inquiries in comparative philosophy published by Rowan & Littlefield International. One of our other many faculty authors, biology professor Diane Kraft, will discuss her co-authored book “The A-Z Guide to Food As Medicine” as this spring’s Literary Festival presentation in the Francis Hall Atrium, April 20 (4 p.m.). MORE FACULTY EXCELLENCE: At a special executive session in late January, our Board of Trustees
approved the following tenure and promotions for an impressive group of our faculty colleagues — by far the largest group of successful tenure cases in my time at Alvernia: Dr. Travis Berger - Tenure Dr. Samuel Bradley – Tenure and Promotion to Associate Faculty Dr. Greg Chown – Tenure and Promotion to Associate Faculty Dr. Corey Harris – Tenure and Promotion to Associate Faculty Dr. Joseph Kremer – Promotion to Associate Faculty Dr. Ryan Lange – Tenure and Promotion to Associate Faculty Prof. Peter Rampson – Tenure and Promotion to Associate Faculty Dr. Erin Way – Tenure and Promotion to Associate Faculty The colleagues listed above all made compelling cases — as they must — for excellence in teaching. Each had a record of scholarly and creative achievement and of service (broadly defined) worthy of tenure. But as always the case, each candidate has distinguished her/himself with scholarly achievement and/or service well beyond the norm. And they made a compelling casefor their long-term value to Alvernia and their commitment to our mission and Franciscan core values. TANTALIZING TOPICS: More than a dozen lectures are taking place this semester, exploring important topics like the Holocaust, human rights and the Catholic Church, eviction, challenges facing student-veterans and interfaith understanding. Be sure to join us on March 27 (7:30 p.m.) to hear from artist, author, and Holocaust survivor Nelly Toll. Her compelling artwork will be on display March 20-April 19. The spring Francis Factor/Hesburgh Lecture, “Human Rights and the Catholic Church, from Saint Francis to Pope Francis,” will be held April 6 (7 p.m.) featuring Notre Dame’s Paolo Carozza. A MEMORABLE “SENIOR MOMENT”: I’m happy to report that, by popular request, MargaritaVern is moving to a Saturday this year (May 6) and being combined with a new Alvernia tradition. The weekend will kick off with an online Day of Giving event on May 5. So mark your calendars, seniors! Peace and All Good, Tom Flynn
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Vol. 56 Issue 1
Photo courtesy of Jon King
Coach Clark: The Face of Alvernia Football (Cont’d Page 1)
Head Football Coach, Ralph Clark with Alvernia President, Thomas Flynn (Left) and Athletic Director Bill Stiles (Right) at his introductory press conference on January 5, 2017.
made a tremendous impression on the staff around campus in his short time here. “Coach Clark is a high energy guy and a real go-getter. He is a relentless worker and that will bode well for recruiting,” Associate Athletic Director Jon King said. “He is
going to bring a lot of passion to the football program and the University. And he is the kind of guy that knows exactly what he is looking for and he sticks to his plan, and I respect that.” Before Clark became a football coach, he had a tremendous athletic career at
cohesive unit is something that the new team captain hopes to accomplish this season. “It is an honor to be trusted as a captain. It is something that I am willing to take on to help give the team a chance to win games,” Richie said. The talented attackman hopes to shock the fans sitting on the bleachers who have become accustomed to ugliness on the field. “I think that we are going to shock some people,” Ritchie said. “We are definitely a more energetic team that will keep fans in the stands.”
The Crusaders also have returning senior Kyle Farrell in the midfield. Farrell has been with the team all four years, but was named team captain for the 2017 season. Farrell hopes that he can be the leader the team needs to win games. “I think a lot of times in the past we haven’t had a lot of leadership,” Farrell said. “Through my overall knowledge of the offense and defense, I can bring quality leadership to this team.” A key to Farrell’s strategy is the conditioning of his teammates “This team is a lot more athletic than previous
Robert Morris College. Clark finished his career with 1,362 yards and 12 touchdowns as the team’s running back. After his senior season, he was named an Unsung Hero All-American by The College Football Chronicle for his tremendous work ethic and leadership on and off the
field. Clark was even given an opportunity to try out for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following his playing career, Clark found his way into coaching. James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia. After two seasons at Vienna and a season at St. John’s College High School in Washington D.C., he transitioned to college football as a linebacker and secondary coach at Georgetown. Clark got his first opportunity as a defensive coordinator at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology from 2006 to 2008, where he led a defense that was ranked second in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference against the run at 91 yards per game in 2006 and allowed just 14 points per game. His most recent position was the defensive coordinator at Seton Hall. Clark’s biggest goal as a collegiate football coach is to set a standard for both on and off the field for his studentathletes to put them on a path
to be successful in life after football. Clark believes success in life is all about preparation. Coach Clark is currently in the process of recruiting potential student athletes as well as interviewing coaches for his staff. He has had an extensive workload since his hiring. Clark is trying to assemble the best possible recruits for student-athletes and coaching staff. “The search process is going really well so far,” Clark said. “I have met a lot of good candidates. I want to make sure we hire the right people for the staff, not the quick hire. I want to hire people that would be a good fit for me and the program we are starting. I want to make sure we put this team in a position to compete and succeed.”
Photo courtesy of Andrew Ritchie
The Only Way is Up For Men’s Lacrosse (Cont’d Page 1)
Photo courtesy of Andrew Ritchie
Team picture at the end of the alumni game.
Andrew Richie dodging to score vs. Gwyneed Mercy.
years,” Farrell said. “As a team we have great knowledge of the game which allows us to better communicate on the field.” Still, the specter of a losing season hangs heavily on Farrell’s shoulders. Rather than focusing on the past, Farrell intends to look to the future. “I plan on taking it one day at a time. I think that people get too caught up in the amount of losses that we have. My job is to bring the team together which will help us win more games on the field.” As head coach of the Crusader lacrosse team, it will be
Ryan Sheaffer’s job to make the crucial decisions that will determine the team’s success. “We as a team need to play consistently for 60 minutes and finish close games,” Sheaffer said. Being able to keep this team positive through the ups and downs of a long season lies in the hands of the Crusaders head coach. “I’m more focused this year on keeping this team in a positive mindset,” Sheaffer said. “We are trying to focus on the little things that will help this team win ball games.”
For the Crusaders to change their losing ways, the team will need to come together on both sides of the ball. Luckily, they now have the leadership in place to get the team moving in the right direction. On February 22 at 4 p.m., be prepared to fill the hill as the men’s lacrosse team takes the field against Neumann University!
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Men’s Tennis Looking to Start Strong The Alvernia men’s tennis team, picked to finish 6th in the MAC Commonwealth conference, is looking to get back into the playoffs this spring after missing out on a playoff berth last year for the first time in eight years. The team is led by a core group of senior captains who look to set the pace throughout their conference schedule. Luke Hangen, number one player on the team, looks to continue his success from last season when he was picked as a first team allconference player. With an overall record of 15-2 since joining the Crusaders, Hangen hopes to continue his success in his final season. “We have a very strong team this year, very balanced,” Hangen said. “Other teams in our conference seem to be top heavy, while we are solid 1 through 6,”
Number five player and senior captain, Antonio Gaetani, looks to anchor the lineup and continue his success. Gaetani posted an overall record of 4-1 in the fall semester and went to the semifinals of the MAC individual tournament. “With such strong players at the top of our lineup with Luke and Colin, it gives our team a big advantage to have a senior so far down in the lineup,” Gaetani said. “Being able to play freshman and sophomores for the most part gives our team a huge advantage,” The Crusaders are led by former Alvernia graduate and first year head coach, Larry Zerbe. Coach Zerbe brings years of experience to an already veteran Crusader lineup. Coach Zerbe has coached at the Division 1 and 2 and now Division 3. Most recently he has been the leader of COR Tennis throughout Berks County, which will surely give
the Crusaders an advantage when recruiting players in the years to come. The Crusaders look to build on a strong out of conference preseason that they played in the fall. Finishing their preseason with a 3-2 record and notching wins over Misericordia University and Susquehanna University, winning both matches 5 to 4. The Crusaders know those type of close matches should be expected this spring. Three of the five matches in their preseason were decided by a close margin, and the Crusaders know all too well that doubles matches will be the key to winning those close matches. “Coming out of the gate strong and aggressive is the key in these short matches, getting two of three points or sometimes all three doubles points can make or break your whole season,” Zerbe said. “This year’s team is experienced and skilled, a danger-
ous combination in the world of tennis,” Zerbe said. “The core group of seniors have faced numerous obstacles together and are ready for anything.” “When you mix those guys with talented young players like Reid Hoff and Todd Unger, this team can accomplish special things this year,”
Zerbe said. The Crusaders will look to start their season off strong on March 3 at home against Lycoming.
Photo courtesy of Alvernia University Athletics
By Colin MacCloskey Contributing Editor
Luke Hangen on the Mifflin Community Tennis Courts.
Field Hockey Takes the Field Overseas Photo courtesy of Alvernia University
The Alvernia field hockey team standing together before a game.
By Paige Burkett Contributing Editor Alvernia’s field hockey team became the talk of the campus last semester with an amazing season that included seventeen wins and the 200th career win for coach Laura Gingrich. Gingrich has led the Crusaders to two conference titles, two ECAC Mid-Atlantic Region titles, three NCAA appearances and 12 straight seasons of NFHCA Team Academic Awards. There was no better way to finish off one of the best seasons that Alvernia’s field hockey team has ever had than with a trip to Bermuda.
The team goes on trips like this every four years, and this is the third time they have travelled abroad. These trips offer the amazing opportunity to play against international teams and explore the beautiful, tropical islands of Bermuda. The team spent six days and five nights at the Grotto Bay Resort. “It was really nice, it was right on the water, and we all had awesome rooms. It was a lot of fun,” Andrea Wysocki, junior, said about the resort. During the duration of their stay, they were able to go on many adventures including visiting the Bermudian National Aquarium
and Zoo, touring the underground/water caves and the Naval Dockyards, exploring the trails and coves at Horseshoe Bay, and relaxing on the beautiful beaches. “My favorite thing was when we went to Horseshoe Beach, that was the beach that has pink sand and it was really cool because it had a lot of caves and cliffs to explore,” Wysocki said. Between these adventures, the team also spent time together playing the sport they love and building team bonds. Team bonding is an essential part of training for any team because it helps to promote positive commu-
nication, helps teammates develop their leadership skills, and brings the team together to play as one. And what better way to do some team bonding than with some amazing adventures on a tropical island? “It’s good to hang out with people that you play with off the field because sometimes everyone gets caught up in being on the field and having it only be sports all the time, but it’s good to be able to hang out and fun with your teammates too,” Wysocki said about the improved team dynamics on the trip. What makes the trip even better is the fact that the team was able to play against two international teams. The first game was against Bermudian Federation Team, which ended in a 4-1 victory for the Crusaders. The second game was against the Bermudian National Team, who proved to be an equal opponent, and the game ended with a 1-1 tie. Both games were played at the Bermudian National Sports Center, which offers a state of the art field. “It was really neat because they were friendly girls and they did have a different style of playing but we were still a
really even match, it almost felt like we were playing someone in our conference,” Wysocki said. Clearly the field hockey team had an amazing time on their well-deserved trip. So watch out sunny Bermuda beaches, the AU field hockey team will be back in four years!
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Photo courtesy of Alvernia University Athletics
Men’s Volleyball: Can You Dig It? (Cont’d Page 1) “Second, establish a culture. And the culture of the team is to don’t ever stop. And third, I want them to progress as players individually and as a team.” The coaches and the team are holding themselves to a high standard of what they expect from each other this season. “The nine freshmen are
here because they all had the same excitement about founding the program as I did,” Schlosser said. “They could have played anywhere and I could have coached anywhere, but we all chose to build something from the ground up.” Their next home games are on March 3, March 14 and March 24.
coached for the women’s program at Moravian College. She also coached the varsity boys team at Emmaus High School, and during her time there, her team won eight Lehigh Valley Conference Division crowns, 2 LVC championships, three District II Class AAA titles and Schlosser was named the District XI Boys Coach of the Year in both 2010 and 2012. With her past coaching experience, there are high
hopes for a successful program to be established. The team will play a full schedule this year, with 33 matches in 22 days over the course of the season. They will see some tough opponents like Eastern Mennonite, Stevenson, Juniata and Marymount. While the team could have picked a less competitive conference to start, Coach Schlosser decided to play the team in the CVC conference to
expose them to a high level of competition early on in their volleyball careers. Even with a challenging season ahead, there are three goals that Coach Schlosser aims to accomplish for the season. “First, is to establish a sense of relentlessness that will push ourselves 100%. That includes play on the court, but it also includes commitment to each other,” Schlosser said.
By Nick Youngkin Contributing Writer
Intramural basketball kicked off in mid-January and is currently being played a couple times a week. While basketball is competitive, there is also a comedic value because many students play just to have fun and some have very little basketball experience. One such person who is a prominent figure in intramural sports is Kevin Walsh. “I play intramural sports to stay active and have good competition with my friends. It’s a good way for people who used to play sports to get back into it,” Walsh said. In addition to playing on various intramural teams, Walsh is looking to achieve legendary status in Alvernia intramural history. When asked about his intramural career, Walsh said, “My career is going okay. Several ‘runner-up’ awards the past 3 years but no championships yet.” Of course, every career comes to an end someday. When Walsh hangs up the sneakers and gets set for graduation next year at Alvernia, he hopes his name is remembered among intramural greats. “My goal is to get a ring before I retire,” Walsh said.
With one more year to accomplish this goal, Walsh hopes to achieve success while having fun. “I look awful out there but it’s a good time,” Walsh said. This is the epitome of intramurals; People of all skill levels coming together and playing sports to have fun. The first intramural sport to be played earlier this year was flag football. Currently, we do not have a football team, so flag football was a popular intramural sport among students who competed in football in high school. Flag football started in September and ran through October. The league consisted of a men’s only division and a co-ed division. Teams had to assign a captain and were allowed a maximum of ten players, as the games were six-on-six. Both divisions were well-represented as there was a total of 16 teams competing. Once flag football ended in mid-October, intramurals continued with the volleyball season. Volleyball was a huge hit among Alvernia students, as there was a total of twentysix teams competing in the co-ed league. As a participant in the volleyball intramurals, I can say
Photo courtesy of Alvernia University Athletics
Spencer Matthews dives to dig the ball.
Myles Thomas hits the ball through the block.
Alvernia University has many extracurricular activities that cater to different students. From clubs and organizations to community service opportunities, there is always something to do here at Alvernia. For the sports lovers, Alvernia offers intramurals, which give students a chance to get exercise and have fun. Along with exercise and fun, intramurals are competitive. For the students who could not continue their sport at the collegiate level, intramurals offer them a chance to still play the game they love.
Photo courtesy of Alvernia Merit Pages
Intramurals: Sports for the Competitor & Average Joe
Students compete in flag football.
that it was very fun, but also extremely competitive. Not only was the league competitive, but students always seemed to be watching their friends play from the top of the bleachers. When the league ended in October, the “Old Timers” were named the champions. They finished the season with 12 wins and zero losses and were awarded some nice Alvernia gear for winning. Players on the winning team included Evan Bulcavage, Mike Brutto, Anthony Dadson, Marquis Marshall, Jenn Toledo and Teresa Zavala. In conclusion, intramurals
are a great way for students to get involved here at Alvernia. They give students a way to stay active, have fun, and compete against their peers in a variety of sports. Along with playing, students can sign up to be referees, which is an easy and fun way to make some money. If you are interested in playing an intramural sport, be sure to login to IM Leagues and create your own team. If your favorite sport is not listed or you have an idea for a less mainstream sport, you can always voice your opinion to the leaders of intramurals here at Alvernia.
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Vol. 56 Issue 1
Philadelphia Phillies Get Ready for Spring Training With spring training coming up, the youngest Phillies look to take their place in the team’s storied history. Maikel Franco, third baseman for the Phillies has confidence and motivation for this upcoming season. “I think my potential is high this year,” Franco said. “I’ve been conditioning; I’ve been doing work outs and hitting the gym.” Franco ended the 2016 season with 25 home runs and cultivated his batting stance. When it comes to batting, Franco hopes to continue evolving throughout the 2017 season. “I’m working on everything, and I’m trying to have a better number then last year so I can show what I’ve got.” Franco’s teammate Aaron Nola feels just as confident even after some setbacks last season. Before Nola was drafted by
the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2014, Nola had an opportunity to play for the Toronto Blue Jays. He turned them down right out of high school, and chose to attend Louisiana State instead. “I just wasn’t ready,” Nola said. Today, Nola is pitching in the Major Leagues with the Phillies, he made his Major League debut in 2015. This year he will be making a comeback from an elbow injury last season. “I’ve learned my body a little more this off season from being hurt,” Nola said. “But right now, I’m back on track.” Nola attended rehab back in October to prepare for the upcoming season. “My arm feels great, rehab went really well, I just feel really confident. “We’re all definitely looking forward to spring training.” Like Franco and Nola, Tommy Joseph, first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies,
is fully prepared for training. Joseph was drafted in May of 2016. While he’s the newest member with the Phillies compared to Franco and Nola, he’s been playing baseball for quite some time. Throughout his career, Joseph suffered from several concussions and even a wrist injury at one point but still managed to keep playing. “The toughest part is dealing with injury,” Joseph said. “You have to persevere through all of that.” Joseph being able to overcome these obstacles numerous times would be impossible with being around his friends and family. “They’re my biggest inspiration,” Joseph said. “Just to see the joy I get to bring them when I have the opportunity to play this game.” Joseph has prepped hard for the coming season. “I’ve been doing a lot of weight lifting, and mental preparation,” Joseph said. Overall, with the boys back
“Alvernia always had a great basketball program and it’d be great to have music with it.” Seidel is hopeful that the pep band will make a lasting impact, though the band’s work does not come without challenges. Seidel said that since there aren’t commercial breaks as there are in Division 1 basketball games, such as Penn State or Pitt to entertain the crowd, the students always need to stay on their toes by always paying attention to what is going on in the game. If the players need to be more lively, the band would play something to pump
them up. If the players did something great, the band would play celebratory music. Students wanted a pep band, but starting new music programs at Alvernia is not easy since there is a significantly smaller amount of people present than that of bands in larger schools. Seidel took a poll of the students to see how many were interested in starting a pep band. With a near unanimous response in favor of it, he talked it over with the Alvernia board and was allowed to start it . Alvernia student and clarinet player of the pep band, Sam Dieffenbach came across charismatic and joyful saying he wants to, “Blow the flu right out of the basketball players.” Dieffenbach hopes his playing will put smiles on people’s faces and give the band some extra attention. The band rehearses their music on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but the pep band was only confirmed two weeks before the first performance. The band’s current plans are to play short bursts of familiar pump up tunes such as “Eye of the Tiger” and “Sweet Georgia Brown”
in town it looks like spring training and this upcoming season is full of confidence and determination.
The Phillies will begin their regular season Monday April 3 against the Reds.
Photo courtesy of Melanie Singh
By Melanie Singh Contributing Writer
Tommy Joseph being interviewed by college students at the media avail.
The Crusaders will have musical accompaniment at some of their games starting this year. The Alvernia Pep Band played at home games on February 4 and 8. Their goal is entertain the audience and spur the Crusaders to victory. The band at Alvernia has always been small. For years it has struggled to get enough members, but the upcoming years have looked promising. “It’d be nice to get enough students to play to energize the crowd,” Jim Seidel, the Alvernia band director, said.
The band doing what they do best, playing and goofing around.
Photo courtey of Nick Sokolovich
By Nick Sokolovich Contributing Editor
Photo courtey of Jim Seidel
Alvernia University’s First Pep Band
Jim Seidel conducting the band for an upcoming perfomance.
among others. Since the band is very small, making a few trumpet, saxophones, flutes, clarinets, and drummers sound like a 50 piece marching band will be challenging. For more information about getting involved with the pep band, email any member of the band or Jim Seidel at James.Seidel@ alvernia.edu for more details.
study break February/March 2017
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Media Suite ServicesEquipment Rentals Computer Lab Printing Services Studio Spaces Tutorials
LocationBernardine Hall - Room 009 Contact InformationPhone- 610-790-2955 Email- mediasuite@alvernia.edu
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Vol. 56 Issue 1
Photo courtesy of Jodi Radosh
Alvernia Hosting Short Video Competition
Short Video Competition logo
By Andrew Dotter Contributing Writer The first annual Short Video Competition will be held on April 21 at 7 p.m. The Short Video Competition is open to any Berks County high school or college student. The goal of the competition is to both display student
talent and promote the city of Reading. All entries are to be no less than two and a half minutes and no more than 20 minutes (including credits) and students enrolled in any Berks County high school or college are eligible for submitting videos. Film submission cat-
egories are: Music Videos, Commercials, Public Service Announcements, Silent Videos, Book Trailers, Narratives of Comedy, Drama, Horror, Action or Musicals. There is also a special category entitled “Why Reading is a Positive Place to Live, Work, or Play,” which is open to all Berks County Residents 13 years or older, with parental consent needed for individuals under 18. The awards that will be given include “Best Film Showcasing Reading as a Positive Place” for the Special Category and awards for “Best High School Student Video,” and “Best College Student Video” will be presented in each category. First place winners across all categories will receive a movie-themed gift basket and a certificate of achievement during the Red Carpet Premiere night. “We are very excited about organizing the short video competition to showcase the talents of Berks County high
school and college students as well as local filmmakers,” Dr. Jodi Radosh, associate professor of communication, said. Dr. Radosh is one of the event organizers. “Our submission category of ‘Why Reading is a Great Place to Live, Work, and Play’ was created in order to help instill a sense of pride in our community.” This inaugural event is being planned by Dr. Radosh and her Event Planning course. The class has been hard at work finalizing details, securing judges and vendors, visiting local high schools and college campuses for student participants, and designing the Red Carpet Gala for the premiere night. “I think that the event planning class is a great way to get students involved with helping to organize activities on campus and to also get some real world experience in what it takes to organize an event,” ReJeana Goldsborough, senior, said. “A lot of us are already
learning that it takes a group effort and a lot of cooperation and organization to get an event off the ground and then also ensure an event is successful. So it’s great to be taking a class that teaches us the effort that goes into organizing something like the video competition.” As part of the partnership with the O’ Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Public Service, Dr. Radosh worked with Graduate Assistant Tania Hollos over the summer to set the wheels of this event in motion and to get it prepped for the Event Planning class to take over. Some of the behind the scenes work included investigating other competitions for reference, finding a suitable submission platform for entries and working with a graphic designer to create a unique event logo. Community involvement was key to ensuring a successful event. “We wanted a way to get out into the world why Reading is a positive
and “Advanced Orthopedic Injuries” in the College of Professional Programs to “Back to Nature” and “Horror Stories” in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Special Topics courses provide a unique opportunity to present current, cutting edge and on trend topics, often in more unique creative ways,” Dr. Ryan Lange, associate professor of communication, said. Special Topics classes can be built into a course track, serve as an elective or fulfill any number of university requirements depending on its emphasis. These are courses that will even give the students taking instruction a different perspective on study, especially if they are taking electives outside their major. Exploring a special topics course can allow students to take a different approach to how they cover topics in question during these courses by working for other professors that they may not be able to work with on a regular basis. These instructor’s expectations could even elevate the ability and skills to present knowledge that they have attained during instruction.
“I think Special Topics courses are valuable because they allow faculty to share their unique research and expertise with students, which is difficult to do in introductory and survey courses,” Dr. Mark Kaufman said. Dr. Kaufman is an assistant professor of English. “They are also where potential regular offerings are tested and developed. Without innovation, the curriculum as a whole runs the risk of growing outdated and stale.” There is great value in special topics courses. The course load of the average college student these days can be a challenge to master, but exploring offbeat courses can often be worth it. Special topics courses may also provide unique service opportunities. Dr. Jodi Radosh highlights some of the opportunities available. “Often Special Topics courses are also servicelearning connected,” she said. “These courses allow students to receive hands-on experience with a community partner or nonprofit organization and at the same time help the agency obtain assistance with their needs.” Special topics courses are
offered through a variety of departments and with instructors of different backgrounds of teaching. The courses are developed by these instructors as a response to a current issue, technique of teaching, or even just as a subject matter of interest to broaden the horizons of the student population. “They provide opportunities for diversity within a major, allowing students to expand their knowledge in areas of distinct interest,” Dr. Karen Cameron, associate professor of Occupational Therapy, said. Over the next two segments of this in depth look at Special Topics courses, we will look at the professors that teach some of these offerings and the classes they have come up with, as well as student feedback on what they have taken away from these courses.
There are special topic courses in any discipline, from criminal justice to communication to art.
By Brian Johnson Contributing Editor An important part of developing a vibrant undergraduate curriculum are special topics courses. A Special Topics course can be loosely described as a course that can enhance or broaden a student’s academic track through a broader
Photo courtesy of Brian Johnson
The Special Values in Special Topics Courses
scope of an academic department. “Special Topics courses are an opportunity to address current events in real time,” Dr. Tom Bierowski, associate professor of English, said. Special topics courses add depth and breadth to an academic program. Some previous special topics courses include “People with Autism”
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place to live, work and play in hopes that it would create community revitalization, development and projects,” Graduate Assistant Tania Hollos said. A meeting with local community leaders and collaboration with the Reading Film Fest for possible ideas also aided in getting the public involved with the event. For more information, visit the Short Video Competition webpage in the QR Code and be sure to follow all the Competition’s Twitter account @ AUshortVid for continuous updates about this event!
By Katerina Lawlor Contributing Editor Are you seeking a journey that allows you to expand your horizons and become more involved within the Alvernia community? Do you want to earn all your mandatory service hours in one trip? Alternative Breaks give students the chance to serve while experiencing an unforgettable trip. “It takes you out of your bubble and allows you to see the reality of other people’s lives,” Cristina Urena said. Thanks to Campus Ministry, Alvernia is able to help students find Alternative Break opportunities across the country and even around the world. “The Dominican Republic trip focused on education and visiting the sick,” Urena said. Alyssa Kiefer had a heartwarming experience when she traveled to the Dominican Republic in a community called Los Tres Brazos.
“The people were the most impactful,” Kiefer said. “They were welcoming and happy. They called us their family and wanted us to stay. There was a strong sense of community that was wonderful. Everyone would always say hello to you in the passing whether they knew you or not.” On Sundays and Mondays Kiefer enjoyed touring the colonial part of the area and explored the beautiful beaches. During the rest of the week Kiefer and her fellow companions taught English to kindergarten through fifth grade during the school day at approximately 7:30 to 3 p.m., then taught English to adults 3:30 to 5 p.m. Besides the academic teachings, Kiefer also enjoyed baking with the people of Dominican Republic and teaching them how to cook chocolate chip cookies. The people were surprised by how much sugar they put
Photo courtesy of Alyssa Keifer
A Journey Worth Remembering
Earn hours, make friends, and have fun on Alternative Breaks.
Have You Got Service (Hours)?
Photo courtesy of Brian Johnson
Come visit the Holleran Center in Bernardine Hall Room 102 for more information or to sign up for future service events.
By Jamere Wilcox Contributing Writer The Holleran Center at Alvernia University has plenty of service hours available. Service hours are very important to seniors because graduation is approaching. The university is very strict about fulfilling the graduation requirements, so it is important that all seniors meet with their academic advisor to be
sure the recommended 40 hours of service were met. “The community service requirement was set up so that students can really act out the core value of service,” Jessica Umbenhauer, the Assistant Director of the Holleran Center, said. “Instead of just recognizing that doing service is a good thing.” Service hours are often forgotten until it’s time to
graduate and people realize they’re missing their service hours. Alvernia offers a large variety of community engagement opportunities. There are Franciscan Fridays, service trips, and several other activities that the Holleran Center has to offer. “I got my hours in no time,” Jaliza Cruz, senior communication major, said. “There are so many chances for people to get
into the cookies, but were delighted to eat them. Kiefer also spent her time visiting and praying for the sick. “It was a heartwarming experience visiting the sick, they were kind and welcoming with open arms. We heard about their conditions and also prayed for them to get better,” she said. Alternative Breaks are costly endeavors. Students who want to go on these service trips need to help raise money to be able to go.
Students are put into a group of about four to six students and are gathered to formulate a way to raise money. Past fundraisers have included… In Kiefer‘s case, she focused on bringing happiness to the people and spreading God’s love. “It exposes us to a new way of life and helps us to be God’s hands and feet.” For more information on Alternative Breaks, contact Cristina Urena at Cristina. urena@alvernia.edu or call 610.796.5512.
their 40 hours. You just have to do it and get it done.” Cruz completed her hours by doing a collection of Holleran Center activities. Alvernia’s five core values are Service, Humility, Peacemaking, Contemplation, and Collegiality. Through these core values, Alvernia has created a peaceful and productive environment to help ensure a higher quality life. Alvernia makes it a priority to support the City of Reading, home of the University. The university has done a lot of great things for its students, so now it is the students turn to represent Alvernia by helping the community. There are several organizations within the city that work closely with the Holleran Center. There are plenty of major related service opportunities as well. “Students have the opportunity to use their service hours to help them in what they are studying here,” Umbenhauer said. Alvernia has provided everyone a peaceful environment, now let’s pass some of our blessing to our local community. Completing service hours should be considered an honor. Helping others is
a major key to developing character. “To be honest, it was a lot easier going to do service with my friends around,” Cruz said. “The Holleran Center does a bunch of group activities so you can always go with your friends,” The Holleran Center is located on the first floor of Bernadine Hall in room 102. There are flyers and signs about the Holleran Center that can be located on the bulletin boards throughout campus. There are many resources on the Holleran Center website. Also, the Holleran Center provides meals, transportation and a free T-shirt to the students that participate in Franciscan Fridays. The next Franciscan Friday will be on March 24. There is also the Earth Day of Service coming up in April.
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Juan Palacios’ Unending Journey Photo courtesy of Jarrod Weida
Juan Palacios’ life has been a journey of tests and triumphs.
By Ryan Weber Contributing Editor It has been a difficult journey for Juan Palacios, but hard work and dedication has led him to the successful life he leads today. Palacios is a junior at Alvernia. Palacios grew up
in Ecuador, a country straddling the equator on South America’s west coast. There, Palacios was raised by his mother. It was not until the age of twenty when he came to the United States to live with his father. “I have a strong bond with my mother and leaving her
behind in Ecuador was probably the most difficult thing I had to do.” Palacios said. Palacios still keeps in touch with his mother as much as possible. Skype is his preferred choice of communication. It allows him to see his mother, as if they were in the same room. Eventually, Palacios would like to move his mother to the U.S. as well to live with him. Palacios came to the States knowing very little English but believed that America was the land of opportunity. His first job was as a dishwasher at a restaurant called the Hitching Post. He admits he learned much of his English while he worked here. “For my first couple of days, people kept coming up and talking to me assuming I spoke English. So I just nodded my head a lot until I knew enough of the English language to have conversations with people.” Palacios said. However, it was not long
before he got a better opportunity working at Arby’s. Through hard work and diligence, Palacios worked his way up to general manager. While working his way up at Arby’s, Palacios earned his associate’s degree from Reading Area Community College (RACC). Since getting his associate’s degree, Palacios has been working on his bachelor’s degree at Alvernia in communication as a parttime student. He is able to go to school now because his schedule is stable enough to schedule classes. “It is a lot to keep up with. Having a full-time job and trying to do classes on top of that isn’t easy,” Palacios said. Once Palacios made it to general manager, his work schedule demanded him much more than it used to. Before his promotion, Palacios had a lot of time on his hands, meaning he could concentrate on college. Palacios even starred in one
of Alvernia’s theatre productions Water by the Spoonful, a Pulitzer Prize winning drama about an Iraq war veteran set in Philadelphia. Palacios played the main character Eliot, an Iraq war veteran suffering from a terrible leg injury and the ghosts of his past. Palacios dreams of one day working for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). “Since I was a little kid I have always been a fan of professional wrestling. I would love to be involved in the creative process behind the scenes or involved with broadcasting in WWE.” Palacios is fluent in both English and Spanish, so working on the broadcast team would be a major asset to WWE in the near future. If all goes according to plan, with his work schedule the way it is, Palacios will be set to graduate come next spring in 2018.
went on, the feeling of the event took a darker turn. Some of the attendees around us screamed awful, racist things at President Obama when he appeared on the screen. Their disdain continued as other government representatives appeared on stage, mostly with booing. The crowd was much more interested in seeing the incoming President, Donald Trump. Chants of “Let him speak,” and “Trump!” were common throughout the entire ceremony. A particularly disliked figure among the people around us was Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. Among the cleanest of the heckles were, “Give him the hook!” and “Why is this ***** still talking?” “It was disheartening to see so many of Trump’s supporters treating his inauguration like a rally,” Goldsborough said. “It was rude and immature to shout over Schumer, who was talking about patriotism and a fallen soldier.” This was Chris Thomas’s second inauguration. Thomas attended Barack Obama’s 2012 inauguration. “Being able to compare the two inaugurations was a very
unique experience,” Thomas said. “The ceremony was relatively the same, except in the most recent prayer was emphasized more, and had less music. In 2012, there was more of a celebration than just the ceremony.” The environment around us felt increasingly unsafe, so we also left as soon as President Trump stopped speaking and there was only one more benediction left. The following day gave us an opportunity to take part in a more affirmative event. On January 21, over one million men and women worldwide joined to march in solidarity and support of one another and social justice issues. Unlike the inauguration, there was never a moment we felt unsafe. Despite the size of the event, everyone was cooperative and diplomatic. We heard speakers like Anthony Kapel “Van” Jones of CNN and actress Scarlett Johansson. “It was incredible to see all the creativity and time put into all the signs,” Goldsborough said. “Millions of women and their allies made sure that the world knew they existed, and it was powerful to be immersed in.” “[The Women’s March] was incredible, It speaks volumes
when the protests proceeding the inauguration are more well attended and welcoming than the inauguration itself.” Ashley Beyer, who stayed in Washington to complete a semester with the Washington Center, was glad to be able to see democracy in action. “It was an incredible experience to not only see the peaceful transfer of power but also be a part of a peaceful protest the next day with hundreds of thousands of people. I have never gotten to see our democracy so up close and concrete before,” Beyer said. Thomas agreed. “Being a man at the women’s march was equally a unique experience. The stories that I heard from individuals, there will stick with me for the rest of my life. I’m glad I was able to go to both events this year.” Both events proved that regardless of political preference, we need to have our voices heard. If there is a cause you care about, be sure to let your officials know. History is happening all around us; it was incredible to be in the center of it for two weeks.
Inauguration And Women’s March: A Student’s Account By Rebecca Dunst Contributing Writer
Alvernia students standing in front of the Pennsylvania pillar of the World War II memorial. Left to Right: Colton McLaughlin, ReJeana Goldsborough, Chris Thomas, Ashley Beyer, Rebecca Dunst.
Photo courtesy of ReJeana Goldsborough
“Who did you vote for?” That was the most common question I heard at the Washington Center’s Inauguration Seminar. ReJeana Goldsborough, Colton McLaughlin, Ashley Beyer, Christopher Thomas and I were selected as participants last year. We spent two weeks at their facility in NoMa, DC. While we were there, we
heard speakers like Michael Eric Dyson and Julia Anzari, visited sites like the Australian Embassy, and most notably attended both the Presidential Inauguration and the Women’s March on Washington. The morning of the inauguration, the aura surrounding our area of the stands was moderately calm; A southern couple to the right of us joked around and laughed with a Korean couple who were on vacation. However, as the day
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Discovering 50+ Years of History in the Alvernia Archives By Mady Johnston Managing Editor
very boring, such as old course catalogs and staff records. However, these records come in handy when Alumni and the Registrar’s office request proof of previous course offerings or transcripts. Other records include old Alvernia merchandise, ceremonial memorabilia, and archival recordings. Archives related to the Bernardine Franciscan sisters are housed in the McGlinn Center. Most archives are in boxes and binders. Still, they are just as interesting. Such records include original writings from John Updike,
Sr. Roberta and Dr. Mitchell reviewing archived photographs of Francis Hall to show the history of the campus upon entrance to the The Welcome Center.
Photo courtesy of Mady Johnston
A day may come when Alvernia University closes its doors. But if it does, there will still be proof of its existence, significance, and history in the Alvernia University archives. The archives house over 50 years of Alvernia’s documented history and are key to the Alvernia legacy. However, the archives are not well known by students. Dr. Eugene Mitchell has spent the last five years collecting and organizing over 50 years of Alvernia history
as the University Archivist. “The president asked me what I’d like to do, as I phased into retirement,” Dr. Mitchell said. “I said I’d like to start the archives [of Alvernia College,] because we didn’t have one at the time.” After spending 20 years as the Franco Library director and retiring in 2011, he was rehired by President Flynn in 2013 to organize material collections of John Updike and late Senator Mike O’Pake. Dr. Mitchell also oversees archival operations and the preservation of Alvernia records. Some records may seem
pictures of Alvernia’s campus through the decades, old course catalogs, and publications, like Zephyrus and old Alvernia yearbooks. With so much historic memorabilia, curious students may want to go in and see it for themselves. However, a large misconception about the archives is that it acts like a library. Students cannot simply come in, browse, and unbox available documents. There are certain guidelines and provisions involved to view the archives. “We ask that people contact us ahead of time and let us know what they are looking for,” Dr. Mitchell said. “Then, I can pull relevant materials from the shelves and have [the documents] ready for them.” Despite the archives short existence, Dr. Mitchell has been collecting university records since he was the library director. “When we started the archives, we basically took over a janitor’s closet,” Dr. Mitchell said. “That then expanded to a larger closet, which overflowed into my office. And I said that we have to have more room.” Eventually, Alvernia moved the archives over to a large warehouse space at the Facili-
ties Offices on Morgantown Road. However, this comes with a price. While the warehouse provides relatively stable conditions to store the archives in, issues like fire hazards and water damage have been called into question. “The building was never built for this purpose,” Dr. Mitchell said. Ideally, a separate facility with a customized fire suppression system would ease fears of accidental damage. “Archives typically have a chemical-based system, rather than a waterbased system which would cause more damage to the documents.” Students may not be immediately excited to learn about Alvernia’s records, but they are key in connecting the Alvernia legacy with the Reading community. “It’s the real history of [Alvernia University],” Dr. Mitchell said. “It’s history that would otherwise be lost without the archives.” With the archives, Alvernia University will never just be a story in a book or a place that once was. History will know that Alvernia was here.
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