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THE NEWS Making More RooM In Peoria By Aaron Wilson The Making RooM project at Robert Morris University is going strong and addressing the needs of the communities the university represents. At the Peoria campus this spring quarter, two events were launched by staff and students to assist local food banks in addressing hunger problems in the community. Organized by the Peoria-RMU Film Club along with the assistance of instructor and advisor Jane WendorffCraps, an online silent auction for various items as well as a bowling event were held to raise funds and awareness for food shortage. What started in 2010 as a campaign throughout the entire university continued successfully through 4 quarters of I-Center projects at several sites as well as some other projects held periodically since the initiative’s inception in 2010. Both of the most recent events were successful in fulfilling the original mission to raise awareness and provide monetary assistance to area food banks. The silent auction alone raised more than $500 over the course of one week. The bowling event was also a success with students gathering for a good time to promote a worthy cause. Film Club Secretary Ivana Martinez spoke of the success of the bowling event, noting how participants from the silent auction expressed how much “they really loved their [gift] baskets.” Film Club Vice President Dalton Sackett stated, “The charitable event was fun filled with bowling from students, faculty, and families. Everyone had a great time, and it’s nice to see those who support others in need. The event was successful and we are hoping to bring even more success to the Food Bank at our next event. Plus I won COOKIES!” Both events achieved their goals of raising awareness toward hunger by having some fun. RMU will continue to stand guard over this issue, especially as we approach the
warmer months of the year where hunger wreaks havoc on families everywhere. Almost 500,000 children in Illinois and one in six Cook county kids go hungry around this time. When the Making RooM project was launched, the Board of Trustees of Robert Morris approved matching funds of up to $10,000 for the program, which would include both student and staff participation. There have been amazing results to date with thousands of dollars given to RMU area food banks.
Pictured from left are: Ivy Martinez, Dalton Sackett, Dominic Powell, Nicole Hartseil, Jake Emmons, Jose Perez, and Jane WendorffCraps.
The charitable gifts so far have gone well in reaching the public sectors most in need. Cash donations, rather than goods, are better suited toward the tailored needs of those who benefit from proceeds. A breakdown of how funds are distributed show of a bigger picture: $1 donated provides 7 meals, so giving $1.50 every two weeks feeds one person breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a week. Donations of $6.00 every two weeks feeds one person breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a month. Of course, these are hard times for everyone in some way, but even worse for some who have to decide whether to pay for housing, utilities, or food for the family. The thought of giving a little bit to add to so many bites to eat is truly rewarding. The food depositories served by these
efforts have appreciated the monetary gifts, volunteer efforts, and awareness the RMU promotions provide. Many at RMU will continue to give of themselves so that others are able to enjoy a more balanced load of important resources. Everyone benefits when entire neighborhoods are supported toward stability. For example,
the Peoria Area food bank serves 8 counties in central Illinois, a testament to the fact that the energy of all who contribute is felt for miles around as one food bank can serve over 100 communities’ pantries, shelters, rehabilitation centers, senior housing, youth centers, and low income day care centers. v
Robert Morris University’s Leadership
Provost Mablene Krueger
By Blake Whitmore Robert Morris University has been around since 1913 and it does not run itself, but do RMU students know who does run the show? At most universities, students do not get to know the President, Provost, or Deans of their institution. Students probably see administrators as the “bad guys” that makes the rules, wear the suits, and makes the dough, but in actuality they are everyday people, too. In the coming issues of the Eagle, we will profile RMU’s leaders. Starting off the introductions is Provost Mablene Krueger. The Provost is the Chief Academic Officer for the University. Krueger’s job at the university works mainly with long range planning, such as new programs and budgets, as well as student success. Krueger started off getting her Associate’s degree in Secretarial Studies from Robert Morris. She continued on in her education at the University of Illinois at Springfield, earning her M.B.A. Though Krueger is a driving force behind the CMT classes at RMU, ironically she never set up a 5-year plan for herself when she was in school.
She took things as they came and knew one thing: “Whatever I did I wanted to be the best.” Krueger continued, “If you would have told me when I was 20 that I would be where I am now I would not have believed you.” She said she got to where she is now thanks to the pushing from others around her including professors and coworkers. “When you see talent you stretch people,” Krueger explained about her years of being pushed. Outside of RMU Krueger is a mother to a freshman in college, so with the young out of the nest Krueger enjoys reading. “I know it sounds boring, but I really love to read,” Krueger says. She loves the film Gone with the Wind, although it is not her favorite book. Her favorite book is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Krueger said that if she were any type of food she would be “a really good dessert, because it is sweet, everybody likes it, and it is a little bit dangerous.” Her piece of knowledge to students, “Whenever asked to do anything, at work or school, do it. Always volunteer, because you never know where it will take you.” v
Mablene Krueger
Experiential Learning At It's Best By Heather D. Alexander At the beginning of the RMU Spring Quarter, I had the pleasure of meeting three enthusiastic students in my English 325 course with English Professor Mick McMahon: Maria Gallardo, Sage McDonald, and Gerry Medina. Mr. McMahon told the class to form groups and name ourselves accordingly since we would be working together the remainder of the quarter writing simulated business letters and proposals for non-profit organizations. By the end of week one we established a name for our simulated Community Writing Organization (CWO), Agents For Change (AFC). “I never thought about writing for non-profit organizations and this experience has made me look at my neighborhood a little differently because I actually consider the amount of work people put into making sure a community is safe and inviting to others,” said AFC member Sage McDonald. Even though we are students we have developed a sincere connection with the organizations we chose to represent. Our mission could be simplified with three letters, RPD. In order to effectively help these organizations we had to Receive the issue at hand and develop an understanding for what it was the organization was trying to establish. Next we Produced a plan that addressed each issue individually and the impact it had on the community. After the plan was developed we Delivered a solution to the dilemma and began moving forward with the writing process. By week seven, we addressed issues within communities in addition to making sure certain organizations were recognized for their service commitments. Developing a business letter or proposal that addresses serious issues for a group of people can be very challenging. They have to show an equal amount of ethos, pathos, and logos. The best way to establish this balance is to think of it as a triangle, with the community being the core. Pathos is the most important of the three and is established to show the audience that we are not only passionate about our work, but also the missions of the service organizations and the impact they have on the community. “People within movements for social change, those directly affected by the issues, make the decisions related to the
campaign or movement; minimize hierarchy within their organization to maximize shared power and equity of voice; and utilize direct action as an effective means to compel decision-makers to implement decisions made by the community,” as stated by an article in Non Profit Quarterly. In order to establish pathos sometimes you must step out of your comfort zone and talk to other people to find out how they feel about some of the topics that are being addressed. Visions are also another element to consider when writing for non-profit organizations. When writing letters, papers, or proposals that you are passionate about and that have several steps that must be taken, you have to visualize your plan coming to life. “I really enjoy working with my classmates on these papers and most of our ideas I could see happening in the future,” said AFC member Maria Gallardo. Seeing the way the plan is grounded allows you to live in the moment before it is even created and you want your audience to have that same feel. Create a tangible vision that sponsors can put themselves in and be surrounded with each element. The course is designed to teach students the importance of civic engagement, especially while we are young and still trying to become credible to perspective employers. Even though RMU curriculum is designed to get students engaged with others and offers programs in which we get involved with other communities, students have to have the willpower to want to continue such work after receiving their degree. Civic engagement teaches us not to be self-centered and brings issues to our attention that go on outside of our daily lives. Something that is most shocking is the way you look at your individual community and see things that need to be changed or could use some improvement once so much time has been consumed developing letters for other non-profit organizations. v
Hair Hits the Floor in the Student Center By Myranda Cate On Thursday, April 11, Robert Morris University students, faculty, coaches, and family members joined the Men’s and Women’s Volleyball programs in support of a St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraising event in the Chicago Student Center. For months, the Men’s Volleyball program, with help from the Woman’s program, has been organizing this event in hopes to raise awareness and funds for life-saving childhood cancer research, which includes volunteers having their heads shaved in support of children fighting cancer. What started as an idea grew into a statement that will make lasting memories for those who participated for years to come. Over half of the Men’s team signed up in advance to have their heads shaved, including Men’s Volleyball Coach Lauren Joyce Hensel. As the afternoon went on, their bravery inspired more men and woman to have their heads shaved. Up first was Gordy Gurson representing the Men’s Soccer team. “It’s for a good cause, and I wanted to be an inspiration for others,” said Gordy. Next to Gurson were men’s Volleyball Steven Weaver, and Dean Zummo with his long locks. Later on, many people started to join in as the Men’s team was finishing up. Woman’s Volleyball Rebecca Lourwood, Holli Dougan, and Coach Melissa Joyce were all moved as they saw their hair fall from their heads. Seeing this pushed other woman of Robert Morris to shave their heads as well. Professors also turned out in support of the event, including English Professor Mick McMahon who showed some skin when he
decided to shave his head clean. As part of the event, the volleyball program hosted the family of Erin Potts, including her mother, Mary, and older sister, Sarah. Erin was an 18-year-old volleyball player at Lyons Township High School who died in 2009 of Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. In loving memory of young Erin, Mary and Sarah were so pleased with the outcome of the event. “It is fantastic that people are still remembering Erin after all of these years. It’s great to see that people are willing to fundraise and wear shirts in support of her and other children like her,” said Sarah.
“From such sadness and grief come so many good things. The goodness in people comes out and it goes to show the lengths people would go for a cause,” said Mary. Coach Lauren added, “It’s been great to see how many people have signed up the day of and took part in this event. I know it means a lot to the Potts family. As a woman it’s definitely difficult because our hair is so important to us but I definitely grew as a person doing this.” Anyone who would like to contribute can still do so by visiting the website:www.stbaldricks.org/login/participate/9612/2013/ v