Page 7 The Gwynmercian
Gwynedd-Mercy College
GMC Students Irked By Strict Red Cross Donation Rules
By Jim Coyle
Earlier this semester, the American Red Cross returned to Gwynedd for another year of collecting donations from students. As a charitable organization, The Red Cross is dedicated to “alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors,” thus improving the lives of those in need. However, there are some here at Gwynedd who feel left out, due to donating stringent requirements. “I know they have to take precautions,” says junior Erin Corbe “But I’d still like give blood.” Corbe, who was turned down because of a recent tattoo, says that she feels neglected. However, she’s not alone. Migdalia Brito, who was denied unfit because of height and weight requirements, agrees with Corbe’s statements. “How can they reject free blood? I’d think that if they were in really desperate need of it, they’d take whatever
they can get. How can they be so picky?” According to the American Red Cross, the reason that so many students are rejected is due to a number of safety precautions set in place to protect not only the recipients of these transfusions, but the donors as well. In the case of tattoos, according to their website, “The American Red Cross request that donors wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities.” This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Others however are more understanding of the Red Cross’s need for precautions. “I think it’s important that they’re looking out for our safety,” says Ella Kibler, who was denied twice for having low iron counts. “There are a lot of organizations out there that are only worried about themselves; it’s nice to see an organization with such compassion.” For more info on eligibility requirements please visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibilityrequirements.
The Experience Of A Lifetime: Two Gwynedd-Mercy Students Headed To National Political Convention
By Bri Virginio
We’ve all heard the saying “there is always a first time for everything.” For GMC students Dan Freed and Deige Bencardino, a very exciting first time experience is coming their way this August as they travel to Tampa, Florida for the Republican National Convention. “This is something completely new to me and it’s honestly probably going to be a once in a lifetime experience, “said Freed. “I’m so blessed and honored to be going to the convention.” Not only will this two week convention give Freed and Bencardino a great opportunity to get a first-hand look at the political process, but it will also be something they can say they were personally picked to attend. Out of all the students at Gwynedd, these two were specially nominated and selected by faculty to attend this convention. These two students will be participating in this convention through the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. “This will be a new experience for me. I have no real political experience, but I think it should go well,” said Bencardino. This national political convention will give these two students a first-hand experience of the process of nominating and electing a party’s candidate to run for president of the United States. Freed and Bencardino will learn from experts and be on the convention floor during many of the events. The program offers students an experience to see the convention from behind the scenes through the combination of formal instruction, guest lectures, panels, tours, site visits, and fieldwork assignments. The students will witness democracy in action at both the grassroots and national levels. In the first week of this two-week course, the students will witness and participate in the excitement of the conventions preparations. The students will get the chance to volunteer for convention-related assignments and attend conventions receptions and rallies over the weekend. An introduction to the host city and the conventions facility will also be something the students get to enjoy. Also during their first week at the convention, the students will attend seminars on many topics, such as the history of political campaigns and conventions, the nomi-
nation process, convention planning and procedures, party organizations, campaign finance, and media coverage. “I’m most excited to see what the inner workings of the convention will be like,” said Bencardino. “I’m hoping I get the opportunity to discuss political philosophy with some of the politicians present.” The second week will be when the actual convention takes place. The daily event is continued with each previous days events being analyzed and the upcoming day’s events being anticipated and discussed. This week will focus mainly on the keynote address, party platform, party factions, selection of the presidential and vice presidential nominees, campaign issues and strategies, and other important races. “I’m obviously really excited to get to take part in the political process; I’ve always enjoyed politics and to actually be there for a major convention is thrilling,” said Freed. “I’m also looking forward to the little things: I’ve never flown before, I’ve never been on a big trip on my own before, and I’ve never been away from home for so long!” Any first-year, sophomore, or junior students were eligible to get chosen to participate in this event. After collecting all nominations by faculty, Dr. McGarry and Dr. Funk then interviewed each student. During the interviewing process, the students answered questions about their interest in attending the conventions, as well as how their attendance might be related to their current studies and their plans after graduation. Once the interviews were completed, Dr. McGarry and Dr. Funk selected which students they thought would benefit the most from the trip. “Honestly, I was super excited when Dr. Funk told me that I had been selected to attend the convention. I couldn’t stop jumping up and down and I was giggling like crazy. I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning,” said Freed. The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries. It provides selected students with a challenging opportunity to work and learn in Washington, D.C., for academic credit.
May 2012
IT Department’s Kershner Personifies Gwynedd-Mercy Values
By Kimberly Kratz
Mercy appears in a windowless room in St. Bernard’s, personified in Information Technology Systems Manager, Bill Kershner. IT might at first seem an unlikely place to find evidence of mercy, but when your email, Blackboard, and Self-Service are running smoothly, it’s the people who work in the IT Department that make it happen. That’s merciful, especially to the students, professors, administrators, and staff who rely on its function to communicate, to teach and to learn. Kershner’s day-to-day job as a server administrator means he’s responsible for systems, all of which are located in data centers around both main and the satellite campuses. Though his day may be spent upgrading or moving pieces of equipment, or determining why an email didn’t get from point A to point B, he said, “Mercy is all about people connecting to people, and so is technology.” Adding more he said, “I know that the purpose of it all—it underpins mercy.” Sure, there are days when the pace and pressures in IT are hectic. Like business conducted in any other place, it is not without politics. But on balance, Kershner says, “There’s a community here. The spirit of the place is important to me.” IT departments industry-wide have a saying, that when everything is functioning properly, and you don’t know the IT people are there, then they are doing their jobs well. Kershner points out that a well-functioning IT department is a lot like plant services, campus security, and housekeeping in that respect. Kershner’s days are often spent in sterile, monitor and wiring-filled spaces. “It’s a challenge to see mercy in that kind of environment, but it’s your own contributions to those systems that you know are allowing others to learn, to teach or to email.” One characteristic which defines Kershner is his relationship to other people, as Director of Campus Ministry Christine Eberle notes. “I am always deeply impressed at how open Bill is to each person he encounters. Sometimes I think he does not have a judgmental bone in his body. He is so authentically good himself; it’s as though he cannot imagine less goodness in another,” she said. Kershner considers that every connection made through the college’s computer systems may be critically important to the people who use them. It could be an acceptance notification, learning your grade, or emailing the final page of an important document to a professor or colleague that makes all the difference. He sees his work in technology as the physical piece in one respect, but also as a “conduit through which mercy flows.” Kershner pointed to evidence of mercy elsewhere at GMC, saying that if you are having a difficult time, there are people ready to walk with you in your struggles. One example he offered was a recent campus workshop, coordinated by the offices of Counseling Services and Campus Ministry, for students and staff who had experienced loss. That type of community-building event, he said, makes working at Gwynedd-Mercy better simply because you work around people who know you better. Formally speaking, Kershner is also a Mercy Associate, having completed a year-long discernment process, and “publically proclaimed” his mercy connection. He appreciates the ability to go to Mass several days a week over lunch, participate in service opportunities, or attend book groups. Smiling a bit, he said, “A lot of my lunch hour is where I experience mercy.” Of Kershner’s commitment to Gwynedd-Mercy College, “[He is] a stellar example of a lay person who is committed to sustaining the mercy charism,” said Eberle. “He continues to support the Mission and Values Committee in quiet ways, particularly around technology.” Opportunities to engage in Gwynedd-Mercy’s community and the beauty of its surroundings bolster Kershner’s work as he says, “People are attentive to you, and I think that’s something that the college culture creates.”