The DA 07-22-2015

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

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

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Wednesday July 22, 2015

Volume 127, Issue 146

www.THEDAONLINE.com

FallFest officially Sunday Aug. 16 by nicole curtin managing editor @nicolec_WVU

At the end of last school year Dr. Bill Schafer, West Virginia University vice president of student life, announced FallFest would be moved to an unspecified time. Traditionally FallFest has been held on the

Mountainlair Green at the end of the first day of school but incidents surrounding the show have made enough of an impact to change the date. FallFest will now be held on the Sunday evening before classes start as part of a welcome back weekend celebration. According to WVU To-

day it will be part of a street festival-like event with performers as usual. Because of the incidents involving drinking and party related activities, which resulted in the date being changed, the number of bands or singers has slowly declined over the past few years. It will not be announced

Monongalia County wins 2014 Summer Steps Challenge by john mark shaver staff writer @dailyathenaeum

Earlier this month, Monongalia County was recognized as the winner of the 2014 Summer Steps Walking Challenge, beating 29 other counties and earning an award and walkability study. The challenge, presented by the West Virginia University Extension Service Team and the West Virginia Association of Counties, encourages over 700 West Virginia citizens each year to get active. “We started this program four years ago because we knew that only about a third of West Virginia adults are active on a daily basis and actually meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity,” said Elaine Bowen, a state specialist with the WVU Extension Ser vice. “We wanted to find a way to encourage and motivate people to be active during the summer, which is when most people think of going out and doing these activities.” Participants register online and record their activity using the challenge’s online tracker. “It’s a way that people can track their own progress personally,” said Cassie Thomas, WVU Extension Services’ Communications and Marketing Manager. “As an individual, they can track their progress and say ‘I’ve walked X amount of miles in X amount of days’ and track their progress for themselves.” In addition to an official award, Monongalia County, which logged in over 2,400 hours in last year’s competition, was

given the opportunity of a walkability study done on one particular community. The County Commission chose the town of Osage for the study. “It’s a way to translate the walkability to the reality of ‘Do we have communities that can promote and sustain walkability?’” Bowen said. “The team went out, met with community stakeholders and citizens, learned for about the community itself, and collaboratively did this walkability study.” According to a press release, walkability studies have found that “towns and cities with better walkability report increased real estate values, tax revenues and civic engagement, as well as better air quality. They also report less crime and fewer pedestrian/cyclist injuries.” The 2015 Summer Steps Walking Challenge started on June 1 and will conclude on August 31. Those interested can sign up anytime under the county they’ll be representing. “I would encourage anybody to go ahead and register because they can help out their county to be the next winner,” Bowen said. “It’s also very contagious. When we have communities where people are out walking in public, then it helps other people who may not be as active say ‘Maybe I should walk instead of drive my car down the street’.” Bowen believes the walking challenge is a way for West Virginia to improve its reputation while simultaneously improving the health of individuals in the state. “Try to role model a healthy lifestyle because if we want West Virginia

see WALKING on PAGE 2

until the week before the show who is coming to perform at FallFest. Other aspects of the new Welcome Week celebration will include a big event at Milan Puskar Stadium for the incoming freshman class to learn about the traditions of WVU and get to know some of their classmates. They will also

participate in the regular Mountaineer Welcome on Sunday held at the Coliseum. Last year the University prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol on the Mountainlair Green during FallFest to reduce alcohol-related issues. There will still be the same kind of security and

law enforcement around the event and students are still allowed to bring one guest as of now, all students need their student ID with them to enter the event. There will be more information on performances announced as the concert gets closer. ncurtin@mail.wvu.edu

IT’S A GOLD RUSH!

submitted

Above is an image of O’Hara’s winning 2015 Gold Rush design.

O’Hara wins contest, releases design for shirt by jake jarvis staff writer @Dailyathenaeum

James O’Hara’s design for this year’s Gold Rush T-Shirt was recently released. He couldn’t be more excited to see thousands of Mountaineers wear the shirt. The first step to designing this year’s shirt was looking back to previous designs. He noticed many of the other tees used a western-style typeface. “I wanted something very bold and straight to the point,” O’Hara said. “I thought, ‘What could I do that hasn’t been done yet?’” O’Hara bought a Gold Rush T-Shirt annually. Now, he’s excited to see thousands of students across campus wearing his designs. The proceeds from selling the shirts will go toward the United Way, said Matt Elder, spokesman for the organization. Last year, approximately $1,500 was raised for the organization. Elder said at the height of T-Shirt sales in 2011, approximately $21,000 was raised. O’Hara, a rising senior graphic design student, was one of only two who submitted designs to the contest, according to Elder. This year marked the first time students could submit their designs for consideration.

“This year’s design looks really, really good I think,” Elder said. “Not as much is going on likes ones in the past. Hopefully people like how this one looks more.” O’Hara was a graphic design intern for the football team last year and was encouraged by the Department of Athletics to submit a design. He previously designed T-Shirts for “The Pride of West Virginia,” the Mountaineer Marching Band. The choice to come to Morgantown was easy. Before his parents moved to upstate New York, he and his siblings went to school in the Beckley area. “However short you are in West Virginia,” O’Hara said, “it never really leaves you. Morgantown, for me, is the college town when I think about college. Every other campus I’ve visited didn’t feel like how I felt when I came to Morgantown.” He didn’t just follow his siblings to Morgantown, he followed them to their extra-cirricular activities. His siblings were also a part of “The Pride.” “We basically all followed into the same thing,” he said. The Gold Rush game will take place Sept. 26 where West Virginia will face Maryland. The T-Shirts will sell for $10. For more information on the tees or the game, visit http://unitedway.wvu.edu/goldrush. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

Marti Shamberger elected Mayor of Morgantown by ally litten staff writer @dailyathenaeum

In a 4 to 2 vote, Marti Shamberger was elected Mayor of Morgantown earlier this summer, allowing her to take office this July, when she will start initiating her big plans for the community. After serving as Deputy Mayor for two years and sitting on multiple committees, Shamberger is ready to improve the city, starting with the City Council. “One of my big goals is communication and to work together as a team,” Shamberger said.

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INSIDE News: 1, 2 Opinion: 4 A&E: 3, 5 Sports: 7, 8, 10 Campus Calendar: 6 Puzzles: 6 Classifieds: 9

“We have a lot of exciting development around town, especially around the airport. I would also like to promote the downtown area.” Beautification is next on Shamberger’s list. With a budget and limited resources, she hopes local community members will help clean up the city and surrounding areas. Working with George Capel, West Virginia University Student Body President, Shamberger is calling for students to be involved in this process as well. “I think we need to look at our gateways into

BIANCHI MAKES DEBUT

Classical guitarist performs at the MAC A&E PAGE 3

town and those kind of areas and also downtown,” Shamberger said. “I think sometimes when you live somewhere for so long, you become numb to things around you. I think we should have more pride in city and how it looks. We have a budget and we only have limited resources to keep things up. Part of being a citizen is taking part in your community.” Despite the recent debate about having a nonvoting WVU representative on City Council, Shamberger sees this as an opportunity to include students in the process. “Well, we had asked stu-

dents to bring more information to us,” Shamberger said. “I think everyone has the opportunity to run for City Council.” Shamberger received little opposition during her election, but some council members disagree with her being elected as mayor. However, new Deputy Mayor Bill Kawecki thinks Shamberger will do Morgantown some good. Not only does Shamberger have experience, but she also can utilize past mayor Jennifer Selin as a resource to help the transition. “I have known her for a long time,” Kawecki said. “She is very organized.

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TAKING A STEP BACK Republican senators kill LGBT anti-bullying bill OPINION PAGE 4

The transition between her and Jenny is going really smoothly.” Kawecki has served on the Planning Commission as well as the Historic Landmark Committee. He is hoping to do all he can as Deputy Mayor to make the improvements Morgantown needs. “I am looking forward to do what is next to move the city forward,” Kawecki said. “I am looking forward to the idea of doing what I can to make this a better place to live.” Kawecki and Shamberger are ready to dive into new projects and exciting new opportu-

nities, such as the upc o m i n g Mo r ga nt ow n Marathon. “It has been wonderful. I have received congratulations from all kinds of people and all kinds of encouragement from previous mayors and people all over town,” Shamberger said. “It is fun to welcome people to our city.” Shamberger’s vision of a more beautiful Morgantown will be coming true July 31 at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new development at the Morgantown Municipal Airport. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

BRAND NEW WEAPONS WVU hopes revamped receivers can produce SPORTS PAGE 7


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