The DA 04-20-2012

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”

da

Friday April 20, 2012

Volume 125, Issue 141

www.THEDAONLINE.com

TIME TO

SHINE Read more about Saturday’s Gold-Blue Game on Page 8

Matt Sunday/The Daily Athenaeum

Event recognizes civic engagement By bryan bumgardner staff writer

Six West Virginia University students, faculty and community leaders were awarded for their excellence in civic engagement Thursday. The WVU Center for Civic Engagement awarded Excellence in Civic Engagement awards to individuals who represent the CCE’s dedication to community service and civic outreach.

“The relationship between WVU and the greater Morgantown area is one that exemplifies partnerships,” said Kristi WoodTurner, program director for the CCE. Wood-Turner said the awards motivate others to create partnerships between the University and the community. “Without the University, the community would lack academic talent and skill. However, our University would not

be the same without our outlet for experiential learning, community service opportunity and expert supervision that can’t be replicated,” she said. “This symbiotic relationship is one that gives us the best opportunities for success.” Student Excellence award recipient and WVU student Taylor Martin has completed more than 550 volunteer hours with different organizations, including the Rape and Domestic Vi-

olence Information Center and the Center for Organ Research and Education. Martin said community service is something that comes naturally. “I just feel like it’s my job to better the community,” she said. She said she was especially moved by her experiences at the RDVIC. “There were moments where I realized this job isn’t just for fun,” she said. “I’m not just helping the community – I’m saving

Greeks participate in Airbands competition by joann snoderly correspondent

West Virginia University’s sororities and their fraternity partners competed against one another in an Airbands competition Thursday as part of spring Greek Week. This year’s theme was TV shows, and participants chose their favorite shows to influence their choreography and costumes, including “Jersey Shore”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “SportsCenter.” The sororities presented their cheer and dance routines to a large crowd gathered on the Mountainlair Green. Alpha Omicron Pi won the Airbands competition for its third consecutive year. Playing off of its “SportsCenter” theme, the performers dressed in black and white jerseys and performed their routine to a medley of songs that included “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “We Will Rock You.” Rachel Bruner, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi who participated in the winning routine

and served as the coach, said the choreography was collaboratively created by members of the team. Sigma Kappa and Alpha Phi claimed second and third place, respectively. Sigma Alpha’s routine featured dancers wearing all black under purple and pink tutus, reminiscent of the TLC show “Toddlers and Tiaras,” the theme of their routine. They performed to songs ranging from Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” to Fergie’s “Glamorous.” Alpha Phi adopted a “Grey’s Anatomy” theme by dressing as nurses while performing to songs like “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus and “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. Kate Wilkinson, vice president of technology for the WVU Panhellenic Council, said the competition is an opportunity for sororities and fraternities to compete with one another in a friendly environment. “Airbands is more of the one competitive event for the Greek community to enjoy,”

Patrick Gorrell/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

The men of Fiji and Phi Psi join forces in Greek Week’s Airbands competition Thursday afternoon on the Mountainlair Green. she said. Maria Miller, a junior English education student and member of Sigma Kappa sorority, said while she thought Sigma Kappa “should definitely win,” she was impressed

by all the routines. “I thought it was really creative this year,” she said. “I know that the girls work really hard, and it shows.”

see airbands on PAGE 2

Amizade to offer Brazil trip for business credit by erin fitzwilliams editor-in-chief

Imagine spending the summer in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. It could be the reality for several West Virginia University students this summer, who will join a service-learning trip with Amizade. Amizade Global ServiceLearning is a nonprofit organization that has been connecting communities with people around the world for 18 years, said to Trey Goff, WVU servicelearning coordinator.

”You actually see what life is like as a local Brazilian in Brazil, rather than any college student at a city campus anywhere around the world,” Goff said. “I think it’s a more personable view on the world around you rather than just studying abroad and seeing it from a third party. “You’re actually talking to people, interacting with the local community and it’s a pretty cool organization.” This summer, students will travel to Santarem, Brazil, which has a population of about 300,000, and the primary

language is Portuguese. Paula Fitzgerald, a professor in WVU’s marketing department, will be teaching the courses in Brazil this summer for students earning credit. Fitzgerald says this trip will offer credits for marketing and international studies courses. In Brazil, the students will market a social campaign decided upon by the class, which could include health, sexual health, HIV prevention or nutrition promotion. Fitzgerald said that for some communities in Brazil, campaigns have made a difference

in the lifestyles of the natives in impoverished areas. “Taking malnutrition from 39 percent to 2 percent is a huge impact in human welfare,” she said. “We’re making an impact on people’s lives.” Nathan Darity, Amizade’s Brazil site director, said service trips are designed around each location’s specific needs. “There’s something about spending time learning the culture of where you want to end up and building relationships where you want to end up. It’s

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WVU’s College of Creative Arts hosts New Music Concert. A&E PAGE 9

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see amizade on PAGE 2

ON THE INSIDE WVU true freshman inside receiver Jordan Thompson is making the most of his first spring on campus. SPORTS PAGE 7

someone’s life.” Award recipient Rita Colistra is an assistant professor in the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism. Colistra integrates community service and civic engagement into her public relations courses. She said she believes this is beneficial for the students and the community. “Students are putting the skills they learn in the classroom to work,” she said. Her students have assisted

in awareness campaigns for the CCE, Habitat for Humanity and West Virginia Buy Local Initiative. “They’re doing real PR pieces, so they’re building relationships with clients while giving back to the community,” she said. She said service learning experience offered through her courses has a profound effect on students.

see event on PAGE 2

SGA VP-elect cited for duty upon striking an unattended vehicle Student Government Association Vice Presidentelect Jarred Zuccari was cited April 12 by West Virginia State Police for duty upon striking an unattended vehicle, The Dominion Post reported Thursday. The on-duty trooper, Corporal Goodnight, said he recalled issuing a citation to Zuccari but required time to review the report for clarification. Efforts to seek clarification from the state police could not be made by press time. “I was involved in a situ-

ation on private property where my vehicle came into contact with a parked vehicle. I immediately notified the people in the area about what had just occurred,” Zuccari said in a statement. “I have been in contact with the owner and arrangements have been made to fix what little damage did occur. No alcohol or drugs of any kind were involved in the matter, and it will be fully resolved shortly.” —lan

Lecture discusses farmland protection efforts by jessica lear staff writer

Lavonne Paden, executive director of the West Virginia Agricultural Land Protection Authority, spoke to students and faculty Thursday about the role of farmland protection in West Virginia. The lecture, which was titled “West Virginia Farmland Protection: A Decade of Progress,” was sponsored by the WVU Plant and Soil Sciences Club and focused on the development and maintenance of farmland protection funding in West Virginia. “Every state has been losing agricultural land,” said Kathryn Payne, president of the Plant and Soil Sciences

Club and a senior soil science student. “It is important to preserve farmland to enhance the national economy and food security, protect the environment and wildlife and protect the quality of life by building strong communities.” Payne said she believes farmland protection is especially important because nearly 17 percent of Americans are employed by the agricultural industry, which produces about 1 trillion dollars of the national economy. Some of the most productive agricultural land in West Virginia is being developed in the eastern panhandle due to its proximity to the

see farmland on PAGE 2

HITTING THE ROAD The WVU women’s soccer team will be kicking it into high gear this weekend as it takes on Pittsburgh and Ohio State. SPORTS PAGE 8


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