The Alvernian Volume 60 Issue 4

Messi to the Moon

Tony Mongeluzi Contributing Writer

It doesn’t matter if you call it soccer or football: This previous transfer window has been one for the ages. We’ve seen big moves like Harry Kane leaving the race for the Premier League all-time goalscoring record (for now) to win trophies at Bayern, or Jude Bellingham going to Real Madrid and being the player that will lead them into their next era after Benzema left for Saudi Arabia. But the transfer everyone is talking about the most is Lionel Messi.

Lionel Andrés Messi was born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina to an Italian and Spanish father and an Argentine mother. From a young age, Messi fell in love with the sport. This led to him joining his local club, Grandoli, at the age of four. This wouldn’t last long as Messi would join his boyhood club of Newell’s Old Boys. In six years there, he scored almost 500 goals, but as his career was on the up, there was a major roadblock.

At the age of ten, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. His father’s insurance only covered two years, so Old Boys agreed to contribute. However, Old Boys later went back on their promise. River Plate, a club from Buenos Aires, scouted Messi but also refused to pay for his treatment.

With not many options, the Messi family decided to try and arrange a trial for Messi with FC Barcelona as they had relatives in Catalonia. The board was hesitant to bring a foreign player in at such a young age, but in February 2001,

the family made the trip to Spain.

It didn’t start great for Messi as there was an issue with transfer, so he could only play in friendlies. Messi was already very reserved, and with his mother and sister moving back to Argentina, it got even harder for Messi. After a year at La Masia (Barcelona’s youth academy), Messi would start to play in all competitions and got integrated with the team. He didn’t just play, but he was amazing on the pitch. This would lead to him making his first team debut at the age of 16 years, four months when he would come on in the 75th minute in a friendly match against Porto. He would have to wait until he was 17 years, three months, and 22 days old to make his first official competition appearance for Barca.

From that moment, Messi would never look back. Messi would spend an illustrious 17 years at Barca. At Barca, he scored almost 497 goals, the most goals in a calendar year with 91 goals, was a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and

a four-time Champions League winner, amongst many more honors. During his time at Barca, Messi would create one of the most memorable rivalries with Cristiano Ronaldo, one that would forever have them compared to each other for the rest of their careers.

Because of Barca’s financial issues, Messi was forced to leave and would eventually sign with PSG. Messi spent two years at PSG, which is considered a

Now that we’re through all of that, we find ourselves in this past summer.

PSG had no intentions of bringing Messi back as the trio of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe just didn’t gel. This became Esporte Espetacular that aired on September 3 saying about Messi that, “He went to heaven with the Argentina team, won everything in recent years, and with Paris he lived hell, we lived through hell, both he and I.” We saw this throughout Messi’s tenure at PSG, but the bridge burned completely when, in the middle of the

season, Messi made an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. This led to PSG giving him a suspension, and it was clearer than ever that Messi would leave in the summer. Where would he go through?

The first scenario was that Messi would return to Barcelona. This would be a fairy tale ending to Messi’s legendary career. Unfortunately, Barcelona’s financial issues were still present, and the addition of Messi would mean players would have to take wage cuts. Messi still loves Barcelona and would not want to contribute to the club’s financial problems.

Now, the second scenario was that Messi would go to Saudi Arabia. Few people agreed with this option as Saudi Arabia has been spending excessive amounts of money to lure in the top league’s players. As a result of Saudi Arabia’s deep pockets, players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, and Neymar all now play in Saudi

Courtside, Freshens, and the Student Center

Alvernia Athletics

The Pink and Black Uniform Messi wears as an Iner Miami Player

Credit: Tony Mogeluzi International Students

SportS

the alvernian

Managing Editor/ Layout

Sarah Mies

Section Editors

Brianna Corbett

Sarah Mies

Grace Wanner

Contributing Writers

Taylor Bloom

Mariana Bridi

Aidan Bubbenmoyer

Brianna Corbett

Nadia Kurtz

Jin Yi Kusssmaul

hector Malave

Ryan McCormick

Sarah Mies

Tony Mongeluzi

Kyle Rudart

Peter Smith

Grace Wanner

Jacob Wells

Ava Werner

Shawn Williams

Faculty Adviser

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.

Continued from page 1

Arabia. They made a run for Messi as well, offering him a shocking offer of 3 years, €1.5 billion. Yet, Messi rejected Saudi and chose the final option, the USA. Nearly everyone thought this was the longest of long shots, but Messi has always shocked the world.

Messi’s contract is for three years, $50-$60 million per year, which includes salary, signing bonus and his equity in the team. That last part is exclusive to only Messi. He can exercise his stake in ownership of the Inter Miami once he retires.

Messi annually earned around $60 million a year just from his sponsors, and in the U.S., he is sure to add to that. In his contract for Inter

Miami, Messi earns individual revenue shares with Apple TV from the league’s broadcast and Adidas, which is the league’s apparel partners. Apple TV signed a 10-year partnership with MLS in 2022.

On August 10, in an earnings call, The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, expressed how pleased he was with their business. “For MLS, we couldn’t be happier with how the partnership is going,” Cook said. It’s a win-win for both sides. Adidas, on the other hand, is the jersey manufacturer for both Argentina and Inter Miami. For them to have Messi’s jersey rights under one roof is huge. According to Sportico, Inter Miami was valued at $585 million last year, but once its new stadium opens in 2025, it could be $1 billion.

Wherever Messi goes, people will watch. Messi has a gigantic Instagram following of 486 million people. Since Messi joined Inter Miami, their Instagram following has surged 800%. In perspective, it is now the fifth most followed team in the U.S. For a country dominated by the likes of basketball and American football, for a soccer team to be up there, that means a lot.

MLS commissioner Don Garber backed this when he spoke to Bloomberg TV on July 13.  “Having him say Major League Soccer is his league of choice, not Saudi Arabia, not FC Barcelona, it adds just a level of excitement and credibility and just enormous enthusiasm behind our league,” Garber said.

Since his first game with Inter Miami, Messi has completely

torn the league up. In 11 appearances, Messi already has 11 goals and 5 assists. This is another thing that will bring fans in. Not only is Messi playing fantastic, but he seems to have a newfound joy.  Messi fans will watch Messi everywhere, especially if he is playing as good as he is. This is just the start of things to come and don’t be surprised if you begin to see more, and more people wearing their favorite MLS teams.

Editor’s Book of the Month

Get a jump start on spooky season with the current hottest thriller. Millie gets a job as a housemaid for a wealthy family and moves in with them. Yet, her room is locked away in the attic. She slowly realizes this family is anything but normal. This book will have you on the edge of your seat and jumping with every plot twist. Once you finish The Housemaid, pick up The Housemaid’s Secret for the next thrilling story in the life of Millie.

The House Maid 3 is coming summer 2024!

© 2023 The Alvernian

The Housemaid by Fredia McFadden

Women’s Golf Takes Tournament Win, Men’s Makes Strong Showing

Shawn Williams

Contributing Writer

The men’s and women’s golf teams are preparing for their upcoming spring season but also have some work to do during the fall. With only a few events for each program for the fall season, there are still some major events that they will be ready for when the time comes.

The men’s team recently completed their first tournament of the year in the California University of PA Vulcan Invitational. The tournament took place on September 3 and 4. As a team, they finished 8th place overall out of 16 teams competing in the event.

For solo finishes, they had Jack Lyman at T19th with scores of 76-75-74, Jackson Hoovler at T26th with scores of 77-78-72, Shawn Williams at T50 with scores of 81-75-76, Matthew Gagliardi at T80 with scores of 81-79-82, and Andrew Bauer at solo 89th with scores of 80-92-73.

Considering that the team was competing in a Division II event, their 8th place finish had some positive outlooks and overall confidence that is going to lead them into the rest of the Fall season.

Matthew Gagliardi was proud of his performance against tough competitors. “I feel like I had a pretty good day on Sunday since walking 36 holes back-to-back was very tiring,” Gagliardi said.

“But Monday, I definitely left some shots out there, especially on the greens. I am really proud of the team’s finish on Monday.”

“It is nice to know if I have an off day, the team has my back and can put up a low number,” Gagliardi said, “especially after 54 holes in the prior two rounds when everyone was definitely tired. We have a great group of guys, and I am excited for what this season has in store. We have the potential to be a really good team.”

The women’s team also played in their first

tournament of the year, which was also at the California University of PA Vulcan Invitational. The women’s team finished in an outstanding 1st place finish out of 10 teams.

For solo finishes, they had McKylie Boreman at third with scores of 79-77, Cassidy Miksich at T4th with scores of 81-76, Katie Lapinsky at solo 8th with scores of 76-82, Rylee Stenzel at T10th with scores of 79-82, and Grace Spielman at T32nd with scores of 85-89. Grace Spielman felt very proud of Alvernia’s performance at the tournament. “This weekend was one for the books!” Spielman said. “It was a lot of fun, first of all, to

2023 Fall Sports Outlook

Ryan McCormick Contributing Writer

The moment the whole campus has been waiting for is finally here, the 2023 fall season has begun for the Golden Wolves. Many teams like football, men’s soccer, and many other sports have started their season. The football team is looking for their first winning season in program history, while the men’s soccer is looking to be just as good as they were last year and make the MAC championship again this year.

The Golden Wolves did not get a football team until 2018 and have yet to achieve a winning season yet. Last year they got their first their first win in over two years and went 3-7, which is so far their best record in program history. Last year they also had a new freshman quarterback Colin Payne start for the team and sophomore wide receiver Jaayden Vanderburg had to say this about Colin “Colin came

into last year and put his name on the map, and me personally as being a part of his class and watching him grow as a player is phenomenal. Last year we travelled to Ohio to face Oberlin College where Colin led the team to a win and going into that game where we were expected to lose and we took that personally and Colin put his foot down and didn’t let up which led us to victory, it was really a great experience to be a part of”. So far this year Colin Payne has 3 touchdowns and 543 passing yards in their three games so far this

season. The Golden Wolves face off against Misericordia University Saturday September 23rd and look to get their first win of the season.

The moment the whole campus has been waiting for is finally here, the 2023 fall season has begun for the Golden Wolves. Many teams like football, men’s soccer, and many other sports have started their season. The football team is looking for their first winning season in program history, while the men’s soccer is looking to be just as good as they were last

play against some Division II schools and meet new players.”

Spielman also excelled on a personal level. “I had a lot of fun because I broke my collegiate record with an 85 this past weekend, so I am super happy about that,” Spielman said. “It was overall just an amazing experience for me and the team since we beat all the Division II schools to take home 1st. I am looking forward to playing more this fall season and then spring season, where hopefully we can bring home another MAC banner!”

The women’s team picked up to where they were at the end of last season, where they had a successful year

with many tournament wins. It is safe to say that the women are feeling confident and motivated this season to continue getting tournament wins and also to win the MAC conference title. While few people tend to pay attention to the Alvernia University golf program, they are quickly making a name for themselves that should stand out from other programs. Both the men’s and women’s golf teams have had an overall successful start to the season. These teams have had some great highlights in, which included the top 10 finish for the men and the win for the women. The entire program is fired up and ready to take on the rest of the fall season. For the men, they have six tournaments in the fall, which includes the NCAA Fall Preview in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the women, they have eight tournaments in the fall, which includes The Spartan Invitational in Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania.

year and make the MAC championship again this year.

The Golden Wolves did not get a football team until 2018 and have yet to achieve a winning season yet. Last year they got their first their first win in over two years and went 3-7, which is so far their best record in program history. Last year they also had a new freshman quarterback Colin Payne start for the team and sophomore wide receiver Jaayden Vanderburg had to say this about Colin “Colin came into last year and put his

name on the map, and me personally as being a part of his class and watching him grow as a player is phenomenal. Last year we travelled to Ohio to face Oberlin College where Colin led the team to a win and going into that game where we were expected to lose and we took that personally and Colin put his foot down and didn’t let up which led us to victory, it was really a great experience to be a part of”. So far this year Colin Payne has 3 touchdowns and 543 passing yards in their three games so far this season. The Golden Wolves face off against Misericordia University Saturday September 23rd and look to get their first win of the season.

Alvernia’s Women’s Golf Team Credot: Thomas O’Connell

The Men’s Soccer Team Hard at Work Practicing Under the Lights

Credit: Sherrin Smith

A Day in the Life of an International Student

Mariana Trevisol Bridi Contributing Writer

No matter where a student is from, they want to see the world. Studying abroad is an increasingly popular option to help young people broaden their horizons, especially after the difficulties of the early pandemic. Of course, there´s the challenges and all the different experiences that international students can face while living in another country, but that is what´s most interesting, as the search for knowledge in an international academic environment not only enriches education, but also offers a glimpse of what life might be like living and studying in another country.

Traveling forces people to enrich their knowledge and perspectives and leave their comfort zones. Adapting to a new people, culture, and language can be tough for students. However, there is no experience quite like studying in a new country, even if only for a semester. From classes and cultural interactions to the challenges and joys of living far from home, an international experience becomes unique in the lives of those who are willing to live it all.

Starting in Fall 2020, Alvernia has averaged at 100 international students per academic year. Nursing has seen the largest enrollment of international students, and Saudi Arabian students are the largest national group on campus. This

semester, counting visiting study abroad students, students on religious visas, and a few other special visa categories, Alvernia has 101 international students.

Dr. John Hepler, director of multilingual success at Alvernia, says that a growing number of students are coming from Latin America, with the largest group coming from Peru and Ecuador. He also ads that Alvernia counts with a few Brazilian students, averaging 2 to 3 per year on one-semester and one-year study abroad programs. “We, as a university, and most importantly as a Franciscan community, believe the diversification of campus is a positive development for all students, faculty, and staff, for intellectual as well professional experiences.” Dr. Hepler says.

The presence of international students at community college has a significant impact on everyone involved, both in academic and

cultural dimensions. The interaction between local and international students, whether in classroom or outside, brings with it a diversity of perspectives, offering not just a single worldview, but several. Not to mention that all of this becomes an opportunity for individuals of diverse backgrounds to share their thoughts, cultures and learn from each other.

David Smyth is a transfer international student from Ireland, majoring Business. For him, an international experience, and the fact of being able to exchange cultures and knowledge with other international and local students is very enriching in all aspects. “For me it’s all about the experience of studying in a new place, it’s very valuable to your own personal development.” David says. He shares room with another international student from Peru and the apartment with other two American students. He comments that

the accommodation here and at his university in Ireland are different, but that he enjoys the experience of sharing a room and apartment with people from distinct cultures than his. “Living with new people, learning their ways, it takes a adjust. It´s something new but they are nice, and I settled well.” David finishes. International experience also brings with it the process of cultural adjustment, which plays a significant role in student´s adaptation. It is common, in the first few months, to face a cultural shock due to immersion in a new culture, with a new language, new values and in an environment completely different from what is usual. The adjustment period can often be difficult, slow, and challenging, but as time passes, this immersion also offers opportunities for personal enrichment and growth and to form new connections.

Humberto Salgueiro, transfer student from Brazil majoring theater, plays with the analogy that studying abroad is like a roller coaster, it has its difficulties but, in the end, it is all worth it. “In the first few weeks everything is very new and cool, then you get used to it, but you start to miss your family, your culture. The experience itself of living and studying in another country is very enriching, but you must come with an open mind and ready to embrace it all.” Humberto says.

The academic part of life as an international student

Mission Moment

Never Exhausts The Mind”

is a challenging journey. As you are in a different environment and in a different culture, you wake up with new opportunities for learning and personal growth from the first day to the last. For Abigail Rojas, first-year international student from Peru majoring digital media marketing, the most challenging part of the international experience is studying in another language. “Sometimes you need to translate the words, and, in that process, you can miss some information.” Abigail says. She also adds that despite the difficulty, the fact that she is studying and learning in a new language helps her to pay more attention and be more focused in class. “For me especially, in my mother language I have some problems to pay attention to the class, so the fact that I´m learning in a new language makes me focus more.” Abigail finishes.

An international experience is a mixture of many feelings, opportunities, and emotions, but it is also an incredibly challenging journey that has the power to change lives. It not only broadens horizons but also gives the chance for unique personal and cultural growth. With its growing population of international students, Alvernia fulfills this role of reflecting and embracing this spirit of diversity and enrichment very well.

International Students Studying in the Library

Credit: Mariana Trevisol Bridi

“Learning

Leonardo da Vinci

Cooking Up a Storm at Courtside Cafe

Peter Smith

Contributing Writer

A new era of student dining has arrived. Though the student center is still the primary site for student meals, extra made-to-order locations like Courtside are on the rise. Could this cause a massive shift in standards and preferences?

Starting this semester, the physical education center’s Courtside Café has expanded its meal options significantly. In previous years, a meal exchange could only be redeemed for a small handful of items. The rest required bonus dollars or some other form of payment. Now, most of the menu is available as meal options! Students can pick a side and a beverage, then order their main entrée at checkout. The new options are making Courtside a new hotspot not just for athletes but also for anyone looking to socialize and grab a bite to eat.

For some students, Courtside is even the preferred option for meals. The Alvernian

previously published a piece on students’ negative experiences with the student center and the Aladdin Campus Dining services. The article shared stories of undercooked chicken and food poisoning. The cafeteria’s food is good some days, though this happens mostly when student tours are held.

Over the last few semesters, many students have flocked to Freshens for their meals. However, the growing variety of options and easy access on the main campus may make Courtside the new location of choice.

With so many students visiting the gym for Courtside food, one would expect the head cooks to have their work cut out for them. However, this may not be the case.

“We’ve always been busy because everyone likes the fried food,” says dining services member Tina Sandridge. “Quesadillas would be the most [ordered].”

Sandridge has years of experience working at Freshens and Courtside.

Her time working the line at both locations has seen a change in order management. She says things are “getting better” with the relatively newer system of order numbers rather than yelling out an order. The improved organization has resulted in faster preparation and more compliments from students. Even with quesadillas and cheesesteaks being the most popular items, there are plenty of overlooked foods to try! Sandridge most recommends the cauliflower and the pork potstickers.

Freshens For The Win

Jacob Wells

Contributing

Writer

Freshens, the healthy Chipotle-like option located in the PLEX, is increasingly getting more popular among students, faculty, and staff. Their food is known to be consistent in quality with their rice bowls, salads, artisan melts, and fresh smoothies. While the school’s very own cafeteria and abundance of options to choose from each day, it is not as nearly beloved. Quality issues may be the main distinction between the two food service options.

“Since I’m an athlete, there needs to be chicken, not breaded,” James Pester, a sophomore with a Business Management major, said. “With a rice option, and vegetables. It has been up there most days. Sometimes putting chicken nuggets out there is not good for everybody. I think you can make a healthy meal for at least four days a week.”

Since Freshens is within the campus PLEX, it is run by Aladdin, like Starbucks

within CollegeTowne. What is interesting is that the rules that are conducted compared to Freshens and the cafeteria, Freshens is a smaller restaurant that has less strict rules, but are more orderly to keep everything organized, which keeps certain foods from cross-contamination. The school’s cafeteria seems to be stricter with how raw food is handled, such as steak and chicken meat, as well as vegetables and fruit.

Freshens offers the same things every day, so its workers can become

very good at making a few things. The Student Center cafeteria has a wide and regularly changing selection of options, which makes mastering each one more difficult. On Monday, the lunch option could be chicken breasts, broccoli, and fries. However, there could be turkey, tacos, and asparagus on Tuesday.

“The menus change every day to keep the students happy,” Sabrina Garwood, Aladdin staff, said. “That is why we have three cafeterias. We have Courtside, the Student

early morning classes and provide continuous service as opposed to hour gaps in between meal shifts. However, even with these improvements, the center still lags behind Courtside in students’ minds.

Unfortunately, not all meal plans are applicable for the meal exchange program. The 75 block plans do not offer meal exchanges. All other plans allow a different number of exchanges per week, ranging from three to five. This limit has prompted students to use their bonus dollars or visit the student center for meals instead.

The Aladdin services have tried to raise awareness of its more vegetarian-friendly and multicultural food options. The student center location has also expanded its hours to accommodate

It is very likely that the Courtside Café will draw a larger crowd as the semester progresses. The popularity of Courtside and Freshens may even prompt some significant change in what students want out of their meal plans. Students are more willing to pay for nutritious rice bowls as opposed to an undercooked chicken sandwich.

Until that day, students will continue to use their meal swipes wisely on food they know they will enjoy. Meal plan exchanges are available at the Courtside Café from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays.

Center, and the Clare’s Cupboard.”

What makes the most difference for students in how they spend their meal swipes? Quality is a major driver of where students put their scarce meal dollars.

“I feel like Freshens is more consistent with good food,” John Mayors, a sophomore, said. “Like, sometimes the cafeteria has really good food, sometimes it has kinda not-so-great food. At Freshens, if you order the same bowl every time, it is gonna be pretty much the same. Since it is

more consistent, you know what you are gonna get.”

“I would say it is a healthier option,” Jeremy Deal, a sophomore, said. “Like, they have more good things for you for what they put in the bowls. Deal then turned to a colleague, Julia DeRosa, who followed up.

“Yeah, you know what you’re getting,” DeRosa, a sophomore, said. “You can see that it is fresh fruits”

As has been regularly recorded in the pages of The Alvernian, students have complained about the Student Center cafeteria for many years about the quality of food served there. Even with the number of times they have either written up criticism about their food or staff on their feedback board with little sticky notes, or eve verbally spoken out about the state of the cafeteria with their friends, nothing seems to be done about it. Freshens shows that food options on campus can be very good if time and care is put into producing it.

Sign in Courtside Showcasing New Meal Options

Credit: Peter Smith

Two Student Enjoying a Freshens Smoothie

Credit: Jacob Wells

Student Center Unveils Makeover

Brianna Corbett

Contributing Editer

The Alvernia Student Center has made many changes to improve facilities to benefit students, faculty, and staff in the past few years. Even though the students can eat at the PEC or Freshens, the Student Center truly feels like home to many residential students. Among this year’s changes is the new pizza oven. Students have positively received the new pizza oven. The staff at the student center are making more pizzas each day to meet rising demand. “Since adding the new pizza oven and fresh dough, we have seen a massive increase in pizzas consumed. It is flattering, and we as a staff are happy

that the students here are enjoying the time and effort we put in,” Haydn Stutchbury said.

A section of the Student Center has also renovated into a game room. The game room is in the dining hall at the Student Center. Through the big windows, there is a pool table, a ping pong table, and three different arcade games to choose from. Students can access the game room any time, any day of the week, if it does not affect their studies.

“The game room brings people together and lets them have a fun time,”

Jonathan Rudman said.

“When I start to play, I feel like I’m a kid again and get a wave of nostalgia.”

Evening hours have also altered to accommodate

students with long evening schedules. Here is what the program looks like. All the comfort stations will be open Monday through Thursday until they close around 8:15 p.m. All the comfort stations will open regularly on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but close at 7:30 p.m.

“There is a new system

at the center, where the cafeteria will stay open even though the kitchen is closed so students can still get something to eat,” Haydn Stutchbury said. He is one of the workers at the Student Center who would be making the pizzas from time to time or creating new ones that he would think students would

want to try.

First-year students should know a packed breakfast will be at 8 a.m. before the brunch service begins.

If any student would want to know what is severing for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, they could go to https://alvernia.campusdining.com/dining-location/ student-center-dining-hall/ where they could look at the menu and see what food they would like to eat, find ingredients they should avoid due to allergies, or spread the word to other students about the menu.

Opinion: Kestrel Cafe Renovations

Aidan Bubbenmoyer

Contributing Writer

Companies strive for simplicity, even though a vocal minority dislikes it. Alvernia is no different, as they try to gather intrigue from a broad spectrum of students. However, one renovation they have made to a commuter hotspot, Kestrel Café, might be a change that pushes the simplicity idea a touch too far.

The white floors, which look prone to spills, the gray furniture, and the general bleak look of the place make Kestrel Café look more akin to a hospital cafeteria. I spoke with fellow student and co-worker Makenna Haas about these renovations that I have hesitations over. However, while I assumed she and I would share the same opinion, her responses surprised me. She had this to say upon asking her view of the in-progress renovations. “I kinda like it; it’s more neutral, it’s more up-to-date,” McKenna said. I then posed the question of the gray furniture currently at Kestrel Café, ready to be unpacked and laid out. When asked whether she preferred the old wood tables and colored furniture over the new ones, MaKenna said, “I liked the wood- no, I like how it’s all gonna be gray.”

This certainly surprised me. I assumed the student body’s decision would have been unanimous, but I have been entirely proven wrong. Lastly, I asked Haas if she would spend more time at Kestrel Café after the renovations. “Yeah, because I feel the chairs would be comfier,” Haas said.

Feeling that just one opinion wasn’t enough, I worked on finding another student’s opinion. I asked another co-worker, Vivianna Heath, about the new renovations. I asked her the same line of questions I asked MaKenna. Her answers were vastly different from Haas’s, but for different reasons. When

I asked Vivianna about her general opinion of the renovations, she said, “I don’t like it. They could put the money towards other stuff.” When I asked her what we could put it towards, she said, “The tutoring section in Bernadine Hall, or maybe dorms because housing is a problem. Or maybe donate it to Claire’s Cupboard.” I then asked whether Vivianna preferred the old furniture over the new furniture in the Café. “I like the old furniture; it feels more homey,” Heath said. Some students come to rest before their next classes, and it seems Vivianna shares my thoughts that a place of rest needs to look comfy and feel it. I then asked whether

Heath would spend more time at Kestrel Café after the renovations. She responded, “Nah, I’m going home.” When I questioned her further about what she meant, she said, “Yeah, I’d rather go home during my breaks.” From these two interviews, students are either fond of the changes, like MaKenna Hass, or think the changes detract from the experience, like Vivianna Heath and me.

I spoke with another fellow student, Olivia White, to cap off my findings. I asked the same set of questions I did with the last two students I spoke with, and the answers I was given matched what I thought regarding the new look of Kestrel. When I asked Olivia about the new look, she said, “It looks like a psych ward. It needs more color, and I don’t want to go there. It’s dull and depressing.” This backs up my initial thoughts of the overall image of the place: a rather dull-looking space that isn’t conducive to a healthy learning environment. Olivia and I seemed to be on a similar wavelength when I asked about their opinion of the new furniture as opposed to the old furniture. “I saw pictures of it, and I like the furniture, but I want more color.” Olivia said, which I agree with. The idea of the furniture taking on a more

playful and unique design with the curves and the more comfortable-looking furniture is a great start, but having some color wouldn’t be a terrible idea; perhaps playing with the school’s colors could provide a bit of a higher opinion of Kestrel Café’s makeover. When I asked Olivia if she would spend her time at Kestrel after the renovations were finished, all she had to say was, “I don’t know, honestly. I haven’t, so probably not.”

The renovations of many places on campus are incomplete for all intents and purposes, so to judge Kestrel’s makeover at this point is unwise. However, I still question whether these decisions are the right step. According to my findings, I have decided to wait patiently and see if this renovation is for the better, despite the student body thinking that these renovations are either pointless, or is a great first step, but could have been executed better.

Haydn Stutchbury Making a Pizza in the Student Center

Credit: Brianna Corbett

New Furnature in Kestrel Cafe

Credit: Alvernia Univesity on Instagram

You’re Graduating! But Then What?

Sarah Mies

Managing Editor

Seniors: It’s almost time. They always tell you the years will fly by, but you never believe it until it happens to you. In the next couple months, Alvernia will host so many fun and exciting events leading up to graduation. While there is much to look forward to, looking into the future can be frightening.

Graduating can be a scary thought, especially if you don’t know what’s coming next. It’s never too early to start your search for a career. Being prepared and starting the job search as soon as possible can make leaving this place behind a little bit easier.

The most important thing when you are looking for employment is to learn how to properly market yourself. This can be done by building your resume and LinkedIn profile. Alvernia’s Career Development center offers

coaching and information to help you create the best possible resume and LinkedIn that you can. The most important thing is to be honest and be yourself. Showcase the truth about what makes you special and the skills you have that make you stand out. The formatting for your resume should be professional and clean. For inspiration on this you can look online or contact Career Development. Your resume should include Your name, contact information, job experience, scholarly experience, skills, and awards.

Your LinkedIn should be an all-inclusive in-depth outline of your professional life. Use a professional headshot for your profile picture and something that accurately shows your personality for the background photo. Your biography should be a quick snapshot of your academic/ professional journey, but don’t be shy to add a personal detail or two in there. Add all the information from your

resume to your experience and skills sections.

Now that you have the perfect resume and LinkedIn profile, let the job search begin! When it comes to finding a career you love, do your homework. Look for positions that match your goals and major. Dr. Jess Hamlet, recent PhD grad and Assistant Professor of English is no stranger to the job application process. “Make sure you research the position you’re applying for!”

Dr. Hamlet said, “Spend an extra 30 minutes to tailor

your application to each job and you’re likely to see better results.” Once you find a role you want to apply for, start by learning more about the company, and tailor your resume to emphasize your skills that best suit what the employer is looking for. For example, if the main part of the job is working directly with clients, highlight your interpersonal skills, and provide some examples of how you’ve used those skills in previous roles. If the job is focused on digital design, highlight your Adobe

Fall Into Autumn On a Budget

Contributing Editor

As the leaves start to fall and the treetops transition to a magnificent ombre of green and orange, everyone can feel that autumn is just around the corner. What some students who are new to the area might not know is that Reading is a great place to be for the fall season. Berks County is teeming with farmer’s markets, pumpkin patches, sunflower fields, and much more.

In addition to the robust agricultural scene in the Reading area, Berks County also has several beautiful nature trails that are perfect for taking a hike through central Pennsylvania’s fantastic foliage. As a student at Alvernia, you may be looking for more costconscious options when it comes to off-campus excursions. Thankfully, having fun in the fall doesn’t need to be costly! Here’s a list of the top budgetfriendly fall activities to do in the Reading/Berks County area:

Pumpkin Palooza at the GoggleWorks: Pumpkin Palooza takes place on October 8, 2023, from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at the GoggleWorks. Admission to this event is free and features hundreds of glassblown pumpkins for sale and an array of fall-themed activities. You will have the opportunity to try glassblowing your own pumpkin as well as cider tasting, food trucks, live music, gourd slingshots, s’mores, and more! For students 21 and over, beer and wine will also be available for purchase.

Pumpkin Palooza is an event you don’t want to miss!

Duncan’s Corn Maze:

Duncan’s is much more than a Corn Maze. Located in Robesonia about 12 miles from campus, the farm features a 2-acre pick-yourown pumpkin patch, an open campfire for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, gourd slingshots, and more in addition to their skillfully designed maze. Admission is only $10 per person and $9 per person in groups of 15 or more! Their season started on September 1 and runs until November 6. Be aware that Duncan’s is only open on the weekends: Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 9 p.m. No worries if you get lost in the maze; they’ll stay open until you

background and any courses you have taken, along with work examples that you can show to demonstrate your abilities.

It is important to remember that the search may not always be easy. Dr. Hamlet said, “When I finished my PhD, there were only four jobs in my field in the entire country. Four. I applied for everything that I was even remotely qualified for.” She set aside one day a week to only work on job applications and interview prep. The search was difficult, but all her work paid off. “I submitted 70 applications, received 20 interviews, and was a finalist for four jobs,” Dr. Hamlet said, “In the end, I was able to pick from three job offers, which is how I ended up at Alvernia!”

If you are struggling, there are people to help you! Reach out to the Career Center, your professors, your advisors, your peers who recently graduated, and any mentors you have. Good Luck!

find your way out. Oley Valley Community Fair: The Oley Valley Fair comes from the recommendation of Berks County lifelong resident Barbara Swaggart.

“The fair is a community staple and has been an annual occurrence since the 40s,” Swaggart said. “Thousands of people from Berks County and all-over Central Pennsylvania come to Oley.” The fair is oldfashioned and has a small Farmtown energy hosting events such as swine and dairy judging, hay bale throwing, and tractorpulling contests. The fair spans the entire weekend of September 21 through 23 at the Oley Valley fairgrounds. Admission is free, and parking is only $5! Along with the unique events, Oley Vally Fair is famous for its Pennsylvania Dutch food vendors, especially its burgers and fries. Be sure not to miss the various musical performers, including The Fabulous Grease Band and DJ Nugget!

Be sure not to miss these fall festivities and to have a fun and safe autumn season!

Seniors Getting Ready to Take on the World

Credit: BJoshua Hoehne via Unsplash

Grace Wanner

Affordable Food at Duncan’s Corn Maze

Credit: Grace Wanner

Student’s Thoughts on the Common Read

Nadia Kurtz Contributing Writer

A piece of everyone’s first-semester schedule is dedicated to a class known as SEARCH Seminar. This course has been designed to aid first-year students in a smooth transition to college and educate them about valuable resources and habits. A broader objective of the course is to help new students think deeply about world topics, specifically through discussion of a common read. While SEARCH Seminar may vary from professor to professor, the common read remains the same.

This year’s book, titled 1,001 Voices on Climate Change by editor, traveler, and author Devi Lockwood, focuses on the impacts of climate change seen by multiple cultures and communities worldwide. So far, students have positive feedback to offer on this book.

“I think the book is really interesting,” Rachel Leaman, a first-year student in SEARCH Seminar, said. “I always knew climate change affects third world countries more than the United States, and it is sad that they have to see the worst effects when they aren’t causing most of the climate change.”

Multiple students have had the same thoughts. Lockwood delved into this issue quite often throughout her book, finding it saddening that climate change is occurring in countries least able to adapt to it and least responsible for causing the problem in the first place. Lockwood writes, “Critically, those who contributed least to the problem of global climate change bear disproportionate burdens of its impacts. These people are also the least equipped financially to deal with the fallout” (Lockwood, 2022, p. 24). For example, Tuvaluans have dealt with salty wells due to a rising sea level, though they are a

group who barely advance this change. They then suffer consequences firsthand with a dramatic decrease to freshwater access. Other students pointed out that the book applies to the world as it is today.

“Climate change is relevant, as much of it is talked about on social media,” Mia Furillo, another first-year student in SEARCH Seminar, said. “I like the book because it is relevant to what we are experiencing.”

Four Voices on Climate Change

Ava Werner

Contributing Writer

Climate change is a growing issue that affects everyone. However, it affects certain populations much more noticeably than others. This year, the first-year student common read, 1,001 Voices on Climate Change by Devi Lockwood, is meant to help the students learn more about the issue and its effects that we might not know yet. The book focuses on the stories of climate change and water sustainability issues from those directly affected worldwide. Devi Lockwood makes a point of talking about the effects climate change has on real people and real communities. She traveled around the world to talk to those most affected by this and tell their stories through her writing.

In previous years, the common read has touched on issues like racism, poverty, and the growing dependency on technology. Dr. Victoria Williams, professor of political science, said this common read differs from others Alvernia has had in the past. “We have, sometimes, in the past, done common reads on what I would consider to be social issues of some sort… This is

the first time we’ve tackled environmental sustainability as a topic. But I think, in general, we have tried to pick things that are sort of current in America that are important for students to think about and can be approached from a multidisciplinary angle.”

Dr. Janae Sholtz, professor of philosophy, said the common read this year makes the issue of climate change more personal for the reader. “The power of storytelling is so important because it personalizes the issue… What appealed to me about this book, and this as opposed to the other years, is that personal touch.”

Dr. Josh Hayes, professor of environmental philosophy, said this common read makes the reader see the issue of climate change through the eyes of others and to be mindful of who we are. “[Lockwood] really emphasizes the value of deep listening. So, I think that’s one of the reasons why the book was chosen. It compels us to take a step back and to be mindful of who we are and where we are.” said Dr. Hayes.

Students searching for colleges to attend are now looking at what a college or university is doing regarding sustainability. “Sustainability

is at the top of people’s minds more so than it has been in the past, so we’re finding that as students are looking at colleges that this is something they’re looking for... That played a basis into why [this] book was chosen.” said Dr. Alicia Sprow, professor of leadership.

Climate change has come to affect us in ways that we may not even realize in our community despite it being a genuine and pressing issue.

Dr. Williams believes the common read should help reinforce the importance of taking action against climate change for Alvernia students. “There are some climate activists who are young who have really sort of invigorated the youth movement, including Greta Thunberg as a prominent example. But, there are still also circles of resistance to it, and those voices, unfortunately, are also still loud… All the evidence around suggests it should be more pressing,” said Dr. Williams.

The hope of having the first-year students read 1,001 Voices of Climate Change is that they take the issues of climate change and water sustainability seriously while taking some action in their lives. “I always think raising awareness is the first point

SEARCH Seminar students have said that being exposed to information such as this while reading this book helps reveal the global impact of climate change. Lockwood’s book helped these students see how climate change touches countries they had never thought about before and caused them to reflect on things one could do to limit the adverse effects seen clearly in these places. All interviewed students have stated that they would not have picked this book up were it not for SEARCH Seminar, though they are incredibly grateful for it and what it has taught and the class for exposing it to them.

In SEARCH Seminar, the group discussions about climate change caused them to see the story from a distinct perspective and see details they did not pick out before.

Overall, students’ thoughts on this common read were positive, as it allowed them to be open to the world of climate change in places rather than just their own country.

of understanding where the problems are and then thinking about how we can come up with solutions. I think that as a Franciscan university, we have a responsibility to think about it that way and care for the environment,” said Dr. Williams

Dr. Sholtz hopes her students will come away with a better understanding of and care for the issues at hand. “I was surprised when I started to introduce this book to hear that some of my students hadn’t had these conversations in school experience at all, which I think shows how far we’ve skewed from addressing anything that has the slightest bit of controversy, and that’s sad because we should be able to talk about major issues that impact our entire environment,” said Dr. Sholtz.

Dr. Hayes feels that this book is the starting point for his students to be able to deal with and address these profound and existential challenges that will continue to affect humanity. “Devi Lockwood speaks to a generation of students who, I think, share those same concerns... It all begins with changing one’s mindset and hopefully inspires them to begin to change their lives in terms of engaging in actions that can positively

promote change.”

Dr. Sprow asked her SEARCH class how much of an impact climate change has on their lives. Many said that it did not have much, if any, impact on them directly. However, when she asked how they felt it would impact their children in the future, many said it would affect them significantly and much more directly. “It is starting to get them to think about how they may not see the immediate impact now, but they’re understanding that it is here and there are going to impacts in the near future that they just haven’t seen yet... I think it’s going to help them take action now by starting to talk about it this way,” said Dr. Sprow.

Through 1,001 Voices on Climate Change by Devi Lockwood, the professors hope that students will be able to begin to understand the real effects climate change has on real people. The storytelling element makes it more personal and tangible for students. Hopefully, this reading will prompt Alvernia students to start making active changes and think about climate change as a pressing issue.

The Cover of the Common Read Credit: Nadia Kurtz

Writers and Actors on Strike, Hollywood can Take a Hike

Kyle Rudart

Contributing Writer

The Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists cinema if these major studio executives do not pay their hard- working members that make the magic happen.

The ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike started at the end of May. Hollywood executives claim that the strike has so far cost 3 billion dollars due to production of so many projects being halted.

At issue in the strike is compensation in a rapidly changing media environment. With changes in how programs are distributed, writers are no longer compensated at

the level that they were in earlier decades. In particular, residuals (which is the money earned by writers and actors when a work is reused) of shows/movies on streaming services are not as robust as they were for traditional network or cable programs.

Some shows take off on streaming after their normal production runs have ended. Shows like The Office and Community had big booms on platforms like Netflix, but the writers did not benefit from their popularity in the same way they would have if the shows had been traditionally syndicated.

The unions are also concerned about the role of large language models (LLMs) in producing creative content. ChatGPT claims to be able to write original stories, but anyone who has used it

or other LLMs knows that they cannot create utterly new ideas. AI-based writing is nonetheless an interest of media executives looking to save money.

Hector Malave, the event coordinator of the Wolfpack Media Club, had comments regarding the use of AI and lack of originality in content ideas. “Everything is kind of repetitive, and they need to come up with new ideas. As ChatGPT isn’t helping things.”

Large media corporations have had some challenging years since the peak of the pandemic. While some movies and shows have had breakout success, what most people think about these days are the number of highprofile duds. Films like “The Flash” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” are on track to be some of the

Movies Coming Soon!

Hector Malave

Contributing Writer

As the summer season wraps up, film enthusiasts are gearing up for an exciting lineup of upcoming movies set to hit theaters in the coming months. From highly anticipated sequels to original creations, the silver screen promises to dazzle audiences with a diverse cinematic experience.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Genre: Action/Adventure

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: November 17, 2023

The Hunger Games are back. We return to the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem during the 10th Hunger Games and follow the young Coriolanus Snow as he mentors a tribute from District 12, a girl named Lucy Gray Baird. The movie explores themes of power, survival, and the consequences of one’s choices in a harsh and unforgiving world. It will provide the audience a deeper understanding of the complex character of President Snow and the events that shaped him into the ruthless leader he would eventually become.

The Exorcist Believer

Genre: Horror

Rated: R -16

Release Date: October 6, 2023

Directed by David Gordon Green and produced by Jason Blum. Prepare to be gripped by fear and immersed in a world where the line between the natural and the supernatural blurs. Since the death of his wife 12 years ago Victor Fielding has raised their daughter Angela on his own.But when Angela and her friend Katherine disappear in the woods,only to return three days later with no memory of what happened. “Exorcist Believer” is set to terrify and captivate audiences when it hits theaters on October 6. Don’t miss this bone-chilling tale of belief, terror, and the battle for a young girl’s soul.

Wonka

Rated: PG

Genre: Fantasy/Comedy

Release Date: December 15, 2023

See Timothee Chalamet giving life to the famous chocolatier Willy Wonka. In this movie we get to see how Willy Wonka dreams and ideas came to life. Even though there’s not a lot of information on the actual plot of the movie.The trailer indicates that this movie directed by Paul King will be a prequel to the past Willy Wonka Films.

Five Nights at Freddy’s

Genre: Horror

Rated PG-13

Release Date: October 27, 2023

The “Five Nights at Freddy’s” movie is an upcoming film adaptation based on the popular video game franchise created by Scott Cawthon. The game series is known for its unique blend of horror and suspense, set within the eerie confines of a haunted animatronicfilled pizzeria. With heartpounding suspense, jump scares, and a creeping sense of dread, “Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Haunting of Freddy’s Fright” promises to deliver a bone-chilling cinematic experience that will captivate both fans of the game series and horror enthusiasts alike.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

Genre: Concert

Release Date: October 13,2023

If you missed Taylor

biggest box office busts of all time. According to The Direct, “The Flash” had a budget from $200 million-$250 million even before the marketing so all the advertisements you watched and other promotions. So, for a movie to “break even” pretty much make its money back for the production, it needs to earn 2.5 times more than the budget. “The Flash” only grossed $269 million worldwide, not domestically, the entire world. This was supposed to be Warner Bros.’ big summer blockbuster and it flopped, and this is just one of many movies. Studios and executives would use streaming services during the pandemic to upload their content since big theatrical releases were not an option due to COVID-19. But the decline is showing

in the streaming numbers as according to Bloomberg. com when looking at Netflix, Disney+, & Paramount+ it went from 105 million new subscribers in 2020 to 61.9 million in 2022 and growth in the streaming market seems to have finally plateaued.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said the actors and writers were not being ‘realistic’ with their expectations.

The ongoing strike has delayed several big projects that were slated to be released late this year and early next year making original projects scarce within the next year.

Swift’s Eras Tour, you can have the concert experience on the big screen! The Eras Tour is Taylor Swift sixth ongoing concert. Experience this journey through all her musical eras. Immerse yourself in this once-in-a-lifetime concert film experience with a breathtaking, cinematic view of the history-making tour

The Marvels

Genre: Action/Adventure

Rated: PG:13

Release Date: November 10, 2023

The Marvels is the next project in Marvel cinematic Universe. Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her memories from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme. Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. In such a destabilized universe her

powers entangled with two other superheroes. Leading them to unite and form the Marvels.

Poor Things

Genre: Sci Fi/Romance

Rated: R

Release Date: December 8,2023

This movie, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone, brings an exciting story to the silver screen when Bella Baxter is brought back to life thanks to unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter. Hungry to know how the world is after her death. Bella will go on a crazy adventure across the continents to set herself free from the prejudices of her time and stand her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.

Reading Imax

Credit: Hector Malave