Cougars Become Chefs for Competition ...P2
Brick Hause...P4
November 19, 2013 highlandernews.net
Botzman Inaugurated 13th President
By Arthur Dowell, Web Editor
Thomas Botzman, Ph.D., was met with celebration as he was formally inaugurated as the university’s 13th president Nov. 15. The frigid weather is here, but a 13 member committee arranged a heart-warming inauguration for President Thomas Botzman Ph.D. The committee has planned since April to ensure everything is right because members were out of practice: The last time the campus has seen the inauguration of a president was fifteen years ago. Executive Assistant to the President Carol Fahnestock is a member who handled logistics, which include parking and ensuring that the right people were in the right location - right on time. She said the organization was similar to that required for commencements. “The entire process was interesting and a lot of fun for me,” said Fahnestock. “I enjoyed contacting and talking to the other schools in the area and some of the Mercy institutions nationwide and seeing what they did for the process.” Director of Marketing Communications James Roberts, who has been a key part to the process since the beginning, worked with the marketing department to spread news about the festivities. He was behind the invitation process, reaching out to newspapers, making ads congratulating Botzman, and making sure there is a live stream of the ceremony on the school’s home website. “I’ve been fortunate to be involved with every aspect of the inauguration.” Though the members have been involved with major school events, none of them have helped plan an inauguration before. Both Fahnestock and Roberts speak highly of people who have
stepped up and helped make the entire week a success. “I want to personally thank the dozens of people who took time out of their busy schedules and worked so hard on the project,” he said. “I can’t wait to pause and reflect back at all the work everyone
fruits of the campus community. Campus Ministry also had the chance to show service work projects in alignment with the charisms of the Sisters of Mercy. Each of the colleges got to show something, too, with a presentation of scholarly work. Students
“Throw Down! With Bobby Flay.” Patalinghug held a free interactive presentation for all. All this was in preparation big day: the formal inauguration of President Botzman. Hundreds of people registered in advance to attend both the liturgy and
MARY BOVE/THE HIGHLANDER
Chairman of the Board of Trustees John Metz honors 13th university president Dr. Thomas Botzman at the inauguration ceremony Nov. 15 in the Lemmond Theater. did to make this event successful.” Botzman was announced the 13th president nearly a year ago. His position became official last July, and the campus community wanted to celebrate with a weeklong series of events Nov. 11-16. One event, which was held in continuation of the annual Dr. Midori Yamanouchi Lecture Series, featured former child soldier Ishmael Beah. Another event - a presidential cook-off - allowed students to begin sharing, and creating, the
and faculty from Arts and Sciences, Health Sciences, Professional Studies and Social Sciences presented their projects. The programs were designed to allow the campus community to come together and work as a unit. Botzman loves cooking, so when the committee became aware of this, members reached out to Father Leo Patalinghug who is the creator and host of Grace Before Meals, and - quite famously - the one who beat Bobby Flay on the competitive cooking show
ceremony, which took place in the Lemmond Theatre. “The ceremony was almost mirror to that of commencement,” said Fahnestock. “After talking with other schools, we said ‘why reinvent the wheel?’ It’s better to follow what’s already in place.” The committee did not stop there. The MU community participated in a day of service in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity, Mercy Services and the Catherine McAuley House. dowella@misericordia.edu
Nursing Dominates NCLEX Charts By Alison Counterman, Reporter
Recent nursing graduates have surpassed both state and national averages on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for the third year in a row. BSN graduates achieved a 98.08% pass rate for first time test-takers, beating the national average of 82.07% and Pennsylvania’s average of 85.31%. Grads also beat the averages at neighboring schools such as Wilkes University (72.58%), University of Scranton (86.96%) and Marywood University (89.47%). When students complete their four years, they are required to take the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain a license and become a registered nurse. The NCLEX-RN is a general, comprehensive multiple-choice exam taken electronically on the computer. The test can range from 65 to 265 questions. Nursing department chairperson Cynthia Mailloux said the exam becomes increasingly more complex each year. Mailloux said faculty change the curriculum to match what they national council and state board of nursing finds most important. The board basically provides a blueprint that tells what the primary focuses on the exam are going to be, Mailloux said. “Now what has increased the complexity is a lot of the test is prioritization and delegation,” she said. “The students not only have to know everything about these diseases but they have to know who they should see first and what medication they should give first.” The exam is designed to make
MU MARKETING DEPARTMENT
Nursing students Kelly Zirnheld and Yuri Pelepko-Filak practice their skills together on a sim man in Passan Hall. students solve problems and provide the best possible answer. “It’s the higher-level thinking questions, and there are alternative format questions which means (to) choose all that apply,” Mailloux said. “You get one wrong, you get it all wrong.” Since the NCLEX-RN exam is generalized, it reflects much of what students are exposed to throughout their four years of nursing education. “When students graduate from here, they have been exposed to every different type of nursing,” said Mailloux. “They see it all, so they’re generalists, so to say.” Although the graduates are excelling, Mailloux explains she does not want to solely compare scores with other schools.
“Let’s just celebrate our wonderfulness and not worry about whether or not somebody else didn’t do as well,” Mailloux said. Senior nursing major Doug Ranson said he feels confident about taking the NCLEX-RN exam based on the previous class. He said the faculty and facilities have prepared him, and the rest of his class, for the future. “We pretty much know all of the professors on a first name basis,” said Ranson. “We can contact them at any point, and they’re only there to help us and want us to succeed.” The plan is to pass on the first try, and Ranson believes he will be able to do just that. Mailloux suggests graduates take the exam within one to three months of graduation in order to
study and prepare, and Ranson believes that is practical. “Technically, with everything we’re learning we’re already preparing for the exam,” he said. “So I think within the three-month period, I’ll definitely be ready.” Although the NCLEX-RN is generalized, graduates can choose the facet of the field in which they would most like to work. “Right now I really enjoy working in the ER,” said Ranson. “That’s where I worked a lot over the summer back home. That’s definitely a place where if I can, I want to specialize in.” There are also options for graduates who wish to further their education. “We have a graduate program and we have a family nurse practitioner [Master’s program],” said Mailloux. “We’ve just developed our doctorate program, which will hopefully be implemented in the fall once the board approves it.” Ranson said he wants to return to the classroom someday, but for now he wants to obtain a work experience to set a foundation. Ranson had some worries at the beginning of nursing school. “Initially I was scared out of my mind because I heard it was the hardest thing anybody could ever do,” Ranson said. “They were telling the truth.” Ranson soon realized there was no need to panic because of the resources available to him. “The professors are always there to help you. They want you to succeed,” Ranson said. “They’ll go that extra mile for you.” countera@misericordia.edu
Viewfinder: Football
Exclusively on highlandernews.net
Check out photos of the football team’s last home game against Albright College Nov. 9 on Mangelsdorf Field.
Check weekly for photo galleries from Multimedia Editor Mary Bove.
Page 4
HOLA, BONJOUR TO NEW COURSES
By Ellen Hoffman, Editor-in-Chief
University officials added a new genre of courses into the spring 2014 schedule: introductory Spanish and French. President Thomas J. Botzman and other officials made the executive decision to add intro Spanish and French courses and an advanced Spanish class, coordinated by the English department. “Part of this is because of my belief that we as a university have a range of things that we need to do. One of them is to be able to talk to people in the world and to communicate with others and understand what they’re thinking about, and in our curriculum one of the gaps that I saw as I arrived is that we don’t currently teach foreign language to students,” Botzman said. In the past, students were able to take foreign language courses at King’s College or Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre through a consortial agreement between the universities. Botzman wanted to see what it would be like to offer these courses through the Dallas campus. “I’d prefer to have us teaching some of it on campus,” Botzman said. “There are some places that have done consortial approaches to teaching things like the classics, but I would hope there is enough interest in international language and culture to make some of that available on campus.” This is not a new project. According to Dr. Mari King, Vice President of Academic Affairs, university leaders noted the lack of foreign language courses in fall 2009. “Members of the Board of Trustees had recommended that language courses be incorporated at least as an option in the new core curriculum,” King said. “While this was not accomplished, I feel strongly that students should be given the opportunity for foreign language acquisition through the use of free electives.” Botzman said he has heard of students who would like to take language courses if they were available on campus. For now, the schedule is a trial run. “I would hope that if there is a lot of interest perhaps we could think about things that we would like to try out in more depth.” Botzman added that he would like to see is an increase in students who study abroad. “I’m also interested in seeing more study abroad opportunities happen,” Botzman said. “Part of that is the excitement, again, of learning new things and meeting new people. I’m really hopeful that that’s what we could do.” Officials say increased understanding of cultures and languages is also important career preparation. “Our long range goal is to enhance students’ career opportunities by preparing them to be linguistically and culturally equipped to communicate successfully both in the U.S. and abroad,” King said. “This is in line with our goal to increase semester-long study away experiences for students through affiliation agreements with institutions abroad and increased internship opportunities here.” King encourages all students to consider the new courses because she believes they offer students multiple benefits. “The ability to communicate in meaningful and appropriate ways in languages other than English and to gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures will be of value to our students.”
“Like” Us
That would also help the university roll out the welcome mat to new students. High school senior Suzanne Selman of Coopersburg, Pa. attended Communications Camp on campus over the summer and had a strong interest in applying to MU to further her education. A reason that held her back from applying was the lack of a foreign language offered on campus. Selman spent her elementary years learning everything in Spanish thanks to a program at her school district called Spanish immersion. Because she grew up learning in Spanish she didn’t want to give it up once she graduated high school. Her ideal situation was to double major in communications and Spanish but realized that wasn’t an option if she chose MU. “At first I thought I could go to Misericordia and get the Spanish portion at King’s [College] and dual enroll in two colleges,” she said. “Then I realized how hard that would be and how much money it would cost.” She was pleased after hearing about the addition of foreign language courses at MU. “I think it’s great that they are expanding and adding because that is something I look for in schools and I’m sure other people do as well.” Botzman hopes that bringing these courses to MU will open the eyes of current students. “I think it’s incredibly important for a student to learn about people who are different from themselves, and for us as a community, if we want to say that all are welcome we have to at least be able to welcome them in a kind and thoughtful way, and having some ability in a foreign language can do that,” Botzman said. King has had discussions with Kit Foley, Interim Vice President of Student Services and Maria Cabrera, Multicultural Student Outreach Coordinator, to determine which languages would be the best fit for the MU community. She said she has also worked with the college deans and faculty members to see if additional languages should be an option for specific majors. Dr. Rebecca Steinberger, English department chair, screened and hired the adjunct faculty to coordinate and teach the new subjects. The English department was selected to house the new courses because it previously controlled modern language courses. “We don’t have a foreign language department so I think they are playing host to it now, and I am grateful that they would be willing to do that,” Botzman said. The future of these courses is still to be determined, and students have the decision-making power: It depends upon student’s interest. Turning these introductory courses into a major or minor offering would be a “big, big discussion,” according to Botzman. For the spring semester, the new university president would “like to see us think about teaching languages to get the thinking process started to see what could work or what couldn’t work on our campus.” The foreign language courses are open to any student. They can be found on the master schedule under the English department selection. hoffmae3@misericordia.edu
“Follow” Us
Read Us
/highlandernews @highlandernews highlandernews.net
2
highlandernews.net
November 19, 2013
News
Cougar Community Cooks Up Competition By Alexandria Smith, Web Master
Spatulas, skillets and spoons were some of the culinary instruments used in a tasty inaugural event: Staff and students competed in the annual Ultimate Campus Chef Competition Nov. 12. The competition – which is sponsored by Metz Culinary management – has been compared to the “spirited cook-offs featured on the Food and Bravo networks,” according to the university’s website. This is often because of the competition’s intense and demanding nature, which required that the three, four-person teams create three separate dishes – with the secret ingredient of candy corn – to be sampled and judged on a series of criteria. According to the competition rules, the criteria was based on a cumulative score within the areas of taste, presentation, originality and dish name. This year, the Ultimate Campus Chef Competition featured one faculty team and two student teams - “Poupon (You),”“The Munchies” and “Cooking Monsters.” This was the first time the competition had a faculty team, according to Director of Student Activities Darcy Brodmerkel. “We don’t normally have it [the competition] at this time of the year. We usually hold it during the spring semester, but this year, as part of Dr. Botzman’s inauguration celebration, we decided to hold it because we were aware that he enjoys cooking. So we put it in and allowed him to come up with his own team and then we found two additional teams – we advertised – and two additional teams came forward,” said Brodmerkel. Brodmerkel, who served as the event’s MC and honorary taste tester, worked the crowd and sampled food alongside Interim Dean of College of Health Sciences Dr. Glen Tellis, Dean of College of Professional Studies & Social Sciences Dr. Fred Croop, and Dean of College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Russ Pottle. “Seeing the variety of ap-
proaches to the food and seeing the creativity that was involved with assembling the dishes [was my favorite part],” said Pottle “My favorite approach to the appetizer was the salad that was brought forward by The Munchies. ‘The Munchies’ salad was really a nice, bright taste. I thought the vinaigrette was excellent – apple cider vinaigrette, little bit of sugar, little bit of olive oil, and it really brightened up the greens and fruit that was in it.” “Cooking Monsters” team member Andrew Casanova especially enjoyed two aspects – which revolved around friendly interactions and cooking. “I’m not a very competitive person,” he said. “I appreciate competition in its own respect, but I simply enjoyed cooking with good friends. We each brought something different to the table, no pun intended, with our own specialty.” Casanova encourages other students to sign up for a cooking activity in the future. “If you go into the competition with the sole intention of winning, then you might not appreciate cooking for the art it is. Go in with the mentality of seeing others’ enjoyment from the food you prepare, and just have fun.” That was what Botzman also liked best. “It was a lot of fun and it was good to get everyone out and cooking,” said Botzman “It’s nice to have the students really be included in it. I think sometimes they don’t get to be part of all these kinds of things. I’m just glad that students got to participate and be a part of it.” The Munchies finished in third place, Poupon (You), in second, and Cooking Monsters finished first. Each team received a monetary gift that was split among members. smitha10@misericordia.edu
MARY BOVE/THE HIGHLANDER
Clockwise from top, Dr. Glen Tellis rates one of the meals he was served during the Ultimate Chef Competition on Nov. 12. Sophomore Corey Honabach drizzles chocolate on candy corn during the dessert round of the competition. Sophomore Sierra Hairston whips up dessert for her team. Hairston was part of the winning team, Cooking Monsters. Dr. Thomas Botzman serves his dish to students in the cafeteria.
Beah Believes in Life After War By Courtney Garloff, Print Editor
At the age of 13 Ishmael Beah went from living as a normal boy growing up in Sierra Leone to a child solider. On Nov. 11 he shared his story. The university welcomed The New York Times best-selling author and civil rights advocate to tell his story and talk about his book “A Long Way Gone” as part of Dr. Thomas Boztman’s inauguration. The event in the Lemmond Theater was the third in the Dr. Midori Yamanouchi lecture series. “This series bring events to the public eye that are reflective of academics and students,” said Assistant Director of Cultural and Special Events Marie Stolarick. Beah spoke about growing up in Sierra Leone and how the oral traditions he heard as a kid led to his passion for writing. “If you couldn’t retell the story, you would be known as the child who didn’t listen,” said Beah. Beah had a normal life in Sierra Leone, he went to school, played soccer and listened to American hip hop music. Then one day while he was returning home with his older brother and some friends from a neighboring town, his life changed - he was swept into a war. Beah told a story of a women who was running from the fighting with a baby strapped to her back. Once she stopped, she discovered her daughter had been
shot and, tragically, it was her child’s death that spared her life. “I can never forget the pain on this woman’s face,” said Beah “If this could happen to a baby girl,
ing. Five minutes before they arrived, the village was destroyed and burned to the ground killing everyone. The group had stopped to helped someone carry bananas
MARY BOVE/THE HIGHLANDER
Above, New York Times Bestselling author Ishmael Beah talks about his first novel “Radiance of Tomorrow” available in 2014. then no one was safe from this war.” From that day, Ishmael ran from the war with his brother and friends. Eventually he was separated from his brother. “My life was reduced to trying to survive the next minute,” said Beah. Beah explained that he and the group he was traveling with neared the village where they knew their families were stay-
and narrowly missed the attack. Their hope of finding their families gone, the group found refuge with a branch of the Sierra Leone military where they were trained to become soldiers. “It was kill or be killed for him to survive,” said Stolarick. After almost three years of fighting the rebel forces, Beah was released from the army thanks to UNICEF. He was sent to Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone,
Assistant Professor of English Matt Nickel sauteed mushrooms for his dish on Botzman’s team during the cooking challenge.
PASSION FOR PROSE
By Brittany Hayes, Reporter
for recovery. “I had an eight month recovery. Then I went to live with my uncle. He was the only family I had left,” said Beah. As he tried to reorient himself to a life without violence, Ishmael won the chance to travel to New York City to speak at a United Nations conference. There he met his future adoptive mother. After the conference, he returned to Sierra Leone, but after a few months, he fled the war-torn country. “When you are running from war, the only thing you are lucky to have is your life,” said Beah. Beah then got in contact with the woman he had met at the conference and went to live with her in New York. Now a college graduate and a best-selling author, he travels the world helping to raise awareness about child soldiers and to help negotiate their release. “I have to do it because I survived it. I can’t forget I learned to live with it,” said Beah. Ishmael then explained his reasons for writing the book and took questions from the audience. “My book is a small part of a much bigger story,” said Beah. To end the lecture Ishmael urged students to be thankful for their education, and reminded them that many people do not have the opportunities that they have. garloffc@misericordia.edu
The English department honored MU’s new president, Dr. Thomas Botzman, Nov. 13 with a presentation of original poetry. President Botzman enjoyed the diversity of the work. “My favorite part was how each person brought their own poems that they wrote. It shows how creative they could be and a whole range of emotions. I never thought I would hear poetry that ranged from polypropylene all the way to Jell-O, to heart surgery to life in the Bayou. That’s what’s great about being a part of this university,” he said. Professor Thomas Simko read four original poems, including “We who envy the Tin Man,” inspired by one of Simko’s friends who had suffered from heart disease. The poem addresses a man who tried to mend a boat but despite his best efforts, he could only do so much. “Tin Man” paralleled Simko’s wishes to help his friend, but there is only so much he could do. He also read love poems, “Cardiomyoplasty” and “Cigarette Flakes.” Professor Sarah Hando presented the original work, “28”, which was a complete piece about how her age has her stuck between the stages of liberation, being 21 and a brand, and being a mature 30. Professor Bryan Dewey recited poems that he had worked on years prior. He presented “Protest,” about arbitrary rules and the
truth that we govern ourselves. Likewise, “Freedom” was about how people prevent themselves from being free. Department Chair Rebecca Steinberger advised students to always carry a notebook in case inspiration strikes. Junior Alex Smith also took the floor to present three of her original poems. “Waterlogged” was the first which depicted her life a year ago. Smith also presented “Inlets and Outlets” about how humanity must make its own positivity. Smith said she often turns to writing as a way to express her emotions. “A lot of times what I would write would be my coping mechanism.” One of the most emotional presentations came from Dr. Amanda Caleb with her presentation of “Emotional Release.” The piece was inspired by health problems her newborn son endured. Caleb was brought to tears during the presentation and received an overwhelming round of applause for her honest writing. Professor Richard Hancuff performed several pieces, the first was “Increments,” about a wooden area behind his house that has since been ripped down to build a housing development. His second piece, “Perspective,” was about the future and its possibilities. He said the two poems go together. hayesb@misericordia.edu
INTEGRITY
STAFF Ellen Hoffman - Editor-in-Chief Courtney Garloff - Print Editor Arthur Dowell - Web Editor Mary Bove - Multimedia Editor Alexandria Smith - Web Master Tori Dziedziak - Content Manager Alexa Cholewa - Business Manager Gabriella Lengyel - Social Media Manager Melissa Sgroi - Advisor
CONTACT US
CONTRIBUTORS Callen Clark Alison Counterman Daniella Devivo Rob Evans Jimmy Fisher
Misericordia University 301 Lake Street Dallas, PA 18612
Donya Forst Brittany Hayes Allen Sabatino Casey Saylor Nick Vitale
The Highlander works to produce up-to-date, clear, accurate reporting. If any information is inaccurate or not covered thoroughly, corrections and information will appear in this area. Opinions and views expressed in The Highlander in no way reflect those of Misericordia University or the Sisters of Mercy. The Highlander Staff welcomes students, faculty and reader response. The Highlander reserves the right to edit submissions for grammatical errors and length. All submissions must be signed. Letters to the Editor and/or materials for publication may be submitted by any reader. Items can be sent via e-mail.
CORRECTIONS
The Highlander is a free, biweekly publication produced in conjunction with MU Communications Department. In an article published in the previous issue of The Highlander Any full-time student is encouraged to join the staff. We errors were found in a story about the philosophy department. are a member of the American Scholastic Press AssociaThe department’s radio show, Diotima’s Round Table, is run tion, Associated Collegiate Press and the Pennsylvania through the department, not a philosophy club. SAGE stands Newspaper Association. for “Society of Anime and Gaming Entertainment.”
570-674-6400 570-674-6737
hoffmae3@misericordia.edu dowella@misericordia.edu garloffc@misericordia.edu msgroi@misericorida.edu highland@misericordia.edu
Arts & Entertainment
highlandernews.net
Tutoring Offered Online By Daniella Devivo, Reporter
Students don’t have to go far to rial repeated,” said Ousoulijoglou. ernment test, and she’s confident tutor available for that class at receive tutoring: They only need The good thing about Smartit helped her to receive a good that time, the student can turn to to sit at their computers. hinking is that it is completely grade because tutors are trained Smarthinking to get the help they While traditional face-to-face tu- free and students don’t have to help students retain informaneed. toring is available in the Student to wait for the Student Success tion easily. “If it is 3:00 in the morning, a Success Center on the botstudent can just sign on for tom floor of Alumnae Hall, academic support around students can sign in and take their schedule,” said Riley. part in online tutoring with The online tutor also has Smarthinking. a tool called Whiteboard, Smarthinking is a convewhich allows students to nience option for students submit their assignments. with hectic workloads or job The tutor can write on the responsibilities because it’s submissions, so the tutoring available to students 24/7. session also presents inforBruce Riley, Tutorial Coormation visually, which helps dinator, encourages students address different learning to get help any way they styles. can, and he said tutoring “With Whiteboard the tucenter services are a way for tor can upload charts, graphs students to get ahead in their and images and this can studies. make the session more in“Smarthinking is available teractive with the student,” for every student, full-time or said Riley. part-time. As long as you’re a Smarthinking is an outside student here at Misericordia service to which the univeryou can access it,” said Riley. sity subscribes. Riley said signing up is easy. According to Riley, many DANIELLA DEVIVO/THE HIGHLANDER Sign into the E-MU portal, students have signed up for hover the cursor over the Stu- Tutorial Coordinator Bruce Riley checks out the online tutoring site on E-MU’s Smarthinking and it has redent Services tab, and then website in his office in Alumnae Hall. ceived a lot of positive feedselect Smarthinking from the back. It will even help with dropbox. Center to open or for a tutoring Riley said students can even lower-order writing concerns. Emily Ousoulijoglou, a firstsession to begin. receive tutoring on Smartthinking “They will be able to help you out year social work major, said she is “This program has a lot of beneven if the Center does not have with grammar, sentence structure pleased with tutoring services. efits for students in long-term and a live tutor to offer. For example, and things of that nature.” “Overall, it is a great resource to short-term,” said Riley. if a student is looking for an acdevivod@misericordia.edu have if you have any questions or Ousoulijoglou said she received counting tutor and the Student if you just need the course matetutoring before an important govSuccess Center does not have a
SPOTLIGHT Business Flies ON SERVICE to New Heights
By Casey Saylor, Reporter
Service, one of the four charisms of Mercy, was presented in large amounts during week-long inauguration events to honor new president Dr. Thomas Botzman. Service began with preparing the Catherine McAuley House for painting on Nov. 13, and then faculty, staff and students alike donated their time at three various sites during the Nov. 16 day of service. They applied a fresh coat of paint to the Catherine McAuley House, helped with construction for Habitat for Humanity, and worked with children at Mercy Services. Botzman spent an hour serving shoulder-to-shoulder with faculty, staff and students at each site. Botzman said he was thrilled to work at Mercy Services where he spent time reading aloud to children. “I’m a softy for little kids,” he said. Director of Campus Ministry Christine Somers was pleased to see the amount of interest in the day of service. She said many faculty and staff members volunteered ahead of time, while students signed up for the work all the way up to the service date. “Catherine McAuley was all about service,” said Somers. “That’s just who we are as an institution. [The day of service] will give Dr. Botzman a chance to see some of the service work we’ve been doing for years.” Student service long ago surpassed the borders of Plymouth and Wilkes-Barre. Videos, photos and personal experiences on display at the Nov. 13 service presentations highlighted the experiences of teams who traveled to Jamaica in January 2011 and Guyana in June 2013. Graduate PT major Sean Vitale and senior education major Kirsten Fisher donated their time at the table to share their inspiring accounts with other students. “To me it was just amazing and life changing. It is important to tell others about this opportunity. It is good for the person and for
By Cal Clark, Reporter
the others they help,” Fisher said. As they fondly shared pictures and memories, packets of information rested nearby for those interested in attending future trips. “The experience is eye-opening, and it’s important to know that students have this opportunity to see the world in a totally different way,” said Vitale. “This isn’t the Jamaica of the resorts; this is real.” Botzman stressed the lifeaffirming value of giving - and the personal and global awareness service activities provide to students. “Campus life is quite different from the real world,” said Botzman. “There may be need on campus, but you don’t have people doubting when they will receive their next meal. They will get dinner every night.” Vitale said he identifies with Botzman’s philosophy. “Service is one of the most important parts of a Misericordia education because it really puts education into action and the good fortune you have had to be able to get here into perspective,” he says. Many members of the campus community said they feel it’s only natural for service to be a part of the inauguration celebration. “It’s a wonderful thing to see a week celebrating us, but also everyone else.” said Botzman. “Because it’s not just about us, all are welcome.” As President, Botzman hopes that he will always be invited to serve alongside students, upholding and strengthening the charism of service “in support of our students, our university, and our local and international communities.” Vitale said he looks forward to see the impact Botzman will have on campus. “Dr. Botzman is bringing great energy and ideas to Misericordia. I’m excited to see what he has planned for the University that has been so good to me.” saylorc@misericordia.edu
CASEY SAYLOR/THE HIGHLANDER
Senior Christinia Tucci, graduate student Sean Vitale, senior Kirsten Fisher and sophomore Kayleigh Morein present a poster about their trips to Jamaica and Guyana.
Biology major Mike Pheasant said Ring Neck Lanyards, a company the family runs out of their East Stroudsburg home, is a golden business opportunity and a sought after product for fly fishermen. “In December my dad ended up making each kid [in my family] a lanyard, a leather lanyard. It was easily just as good if not better than the lanyards we saw out west. My two younger brothers, who are just as important as I am in this whole thing, and I looked at each other and you could tell we basically had the same thought. We can make these. We can make these and they can be something that people will want,” he said.
“When I went out there, I considered getting a [lanyard], but it was just too expensive at that time. I knew I wanted a leather one. I just passed it up. I just so happened to be going through a fly shop and I didn’t pull the trigger on it,” said Pheasant. That led to Pheasant’s father creating the first family made lanyards as Christmas gifts, which ultimately led to the creation of Ring Neck Lanyards. Pheasant and his family couldn’t recognize anyone catering to the East Coast fly fishermen’s needs. Recognizing the niche, their own company took flight. Pheasant recognizes that his family’s company could not have
November 19, 2013 3
CAPS CORNER
If you missed the TEST YOUR MOOD screening please consider taking advantage of The CAPS Center on-line screening tool. To access the free, confidential and anonymous online screening for depression, eating disorders, generalized anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder follow the steps below. Step 1: Log onto e-MU Step 2: Go to student services tab Step 3: Click on the CAPS link Step 4: Click ‘Online Screening’ link (CAPS page on the left) Step 5: Click ‘Take Anonymous Screening’ After the assessment, you are welcome to contact The CAPS Center at 570-674-6408 to schedule an appointment or to get a referral. Thank you! Interpersonal Therapy Group: This is for students who want to have better relationships of any kind. To figure out how to stop doing the things that are unhelpful and do more of what is helpful in building strong and meaningful relationships. And to feel better about themselves. Peaceful Mind Group: If you are someone who seems to worry about many things (or everything) or if you tend to feel a great deal of stress and anxiety, this group may be for you. Through a blend of discussion and experience of various relaxation and stress management strategies, students will learn how to quiet their minds and shut off the worry. The Women’s Body Acceptance Group: This group will engage in structured exercises to enhance participants own body acceptance and to dispel leading myths about body image. NOTE: This is not a group for those struggling with eating disorders. Those students who struggle with this issue are welcome to contact Dr. Cindy for individual sessions. All groups will start in October and take six to eight members. If you are interested or for more information about the CAPS Center of the student groups please contact Dr. Cindy March or Courtney Burgess-Michak. The CAPS Center is located in the basement of Alumnae Hall.
STUDENT ON THE STREET The holiday season is almost here. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching we asked students in Banks Student Life Center what they were thankful for. If you have a question you would like us to ask, email the newspaper editorial staff at Highland@misericordia.edu.
CAL CLARK/THE HIGHLANDER
Above, a sample lanyard from Ring Neck Lanyards. To a fly fisherman a lanyard is like a utility belt that one would wear around the neck. Various essential fly fishing tools, such as snips that resemble toenail clippers and a tippet for end of a fly fisherman’s fly line, can be attached. Pheasant said that although there isn’t much of a market for his lanyards on the East Coast, they seem to be ideal for sportsmen in western states. “It’s almost a culture out there, these lanyards. Guides wear them, they’re beaded, they’re ornamental, leather, bone, beads - people put a lot of money into these things. It’s kind of like a fashion statement for a fly fisherman out west,” he said. Pheasant said that he’s not new to the world of fly fishing. He and his family took regular trips to various locations in the western United States, places ideal for fly fishing. He would spend days fly fishing on these excursions. It wasn’t until the Pheasant family’s most recent fly fishing vacation that Pheasant decided he was going to join his fellow fly fishermen in owning a lanyard. There was just one thing that ultimately kept Pheasant from making the move.
become a reality had it not been for the support of his parents. “My dad really thought this could be a really good learning experience for the kids, which is basically all it started out as, and it continues to be just a learning experience. Let’s see if there’s a demand for this, see if we can supply,” said Pheasant. Pheasant said that the beginning stages were trial and error. His family would start with a raw product to be tested, and from there they would recognize the faults and work them out for the next prototype. He said the first month of Ring Neck Lanyards was like a constant brain storming session, throwing ideas back and forth and seeing which ones worked. The family members looked for suppliers as they field tested their product for quality. Pheasant said that by the end of January, his family had a product they felt confident in sharing with the world. The next step, he said, was the paperwork. “We made sure that the patent was made public for the lanyard design, which it then was. Then we formed a four-way partnership LLC within our family. We had a
Continued on page 5
“I am thankful for Pumpkin Spice Coffee,”said speech language pathology major Colleen Deignan.
“I am thankful for everything I have in life,” said sophomore GNLS major Tim Martin.
“I am thankful for my family and friends,” said first year speech language pathology major Alexis Stoffel.
“I am thankful for Alabama Football ,” said first year occupational therapy major Jessica Gardiner.
“I am thankful for my close group of friends at Misericordia University,” said first year undeclared Samantha Piwowarski.
“I am thankful for my awesome roommate Sam Piwiwarski,” said first year physical therapy major Rachel McCormick .
4
highlandernews.net
Sports
Keep Calm, Lead On By Nick Vitale Reporter
Captains say leadership is all team whether we are winning eight players to start all 25 games about trust. or losing or off the court. You in the season. She was a second Matt Greene, junior guard just have to have high energy, team All-Freedom selection as a for the men’s basketball team, be enthusiastic and always have defender and she helped anchor has been captain for two years. positive vibes,” said Greene. “You a Cougar defense that posted 15 He won the leadership post by have to get these kids’ confidence shutouts and a 0.59 goals against receiving the most votes from his up, even when they are down. average. teammates.. You have to level with them. You This season Ruffler led her team “I think it was to an 18-2-1 just that my record. She teammates rethen proally trust me. At ceeded to lead the end of every her team to season, we take the Freedom a vote on who Conference we want as a Championcaptain,” said ship where Greene. “Every the Cougars player gets two played against votes, and I had the King’s the majority of College Monthe votes the archs. Miseripast two years. cordia went They are reon to win 3-1 ally comfortable and now will around me, and proceed to the MU ATHLETICS/THE HIGHLANDER that makes it NCAA tournaNicolette Ruffler Matt Greene better when we ment. are on the court.” Ruffler was Green’s leadership abilities show cannot be soft with these kids, voted to be captain just as Greene when he calls plays. because they are adults. They need was: by a team vote. “My coach trusts me enough to take it not as criticism but as “It’s almost like a democracy,” that with my knowledge and my coaching.” said Ruffler. “Our team votes for I.Q. of the game he trusts me with Greene also works to inspire and who they want to be captain. I calling the plays at the right time motivate his players. actually like it that way because and the right point in the game,” “Before every practice, I take I would not want someone being said Greene. my team and we go right to a captain that the team did not But he said leading an entire the banner where we have one respect that much. That’s one team every game does not present championship that we got in my of the reasons why I like being additional pressure. sophomore year,” said Greene. “I captain, because my team chose “I would not say that it adds always tell them it is time to put me to be it.” more pressure because I have another one up there. I try to be Ruffler does not let the pressure been doing this since I was in inspirational so that we are more of leadership get to her. high school,” said Greene. “I trust competitive in practice and that is “I’m pretty good with pressure, myself, too, so I feel comfortable just contagious. You are what you but I think [being captain] does with my judgment. Therefore, I do repeatedly. Even in the huddles add a little bit more because since like being liable for all these guys and on the court, I am telling I represent the team I feel like because I trust myself.” them to pick it up, and I tell them I am responsible for them as a It is no surprise that Greene what they are doing wrong and whole,” she said. “There’s pressure trusts himself. He was the first what they should be doing and sometimes, but I have my team team All-Freedom selection last that we have to get this win.” behind me. I am never put under year. Greene started 25 out of the He still treats his teammates like any circumstances like that, and 26 games played in a season, and brothers. everything is always smooth sailhe was just one out of three play“We are one big family. I would ing between us as teammates.” ers to see action in all 26 games. take my shirt off of my back for Ruffler believes her team has Greene was ranked second in any of those guys,” said Greene. perfect chemistry, and she thinks the Freedom Conference for as“Team chemistry is so important that is the reason the team wins. sists, and he hit 70 three-pointers because off the court if you are “The thing about my team is making him the best three-point really close to each other it is that everyone is so close and the shooter in the conference. Not contagious, and then that goes team chemistry is so good that only is Greene an exceptional colon to the court and you are more on the field we are just as close as lege player, he was also a phenomcomfortable when you are around we are off the field,” said Ruffler. enal player in high school. Greene each other.” “Everybody on the team is best was a captain of the basketball Nicolette Ruffler, senior center friends with somebody else on the team for his sophomore, junior back for the women’s soccer team, team, so every player is friends and senior years at Whitehall High served as captain for the first time with each other. As a captain, I try School. this season. In high school, she to make sure I set a good example Greene does his best to try to was a captain during her sophooff the field as I do on the field coach his teammates when he sees more, junior and senior years and because I know that people will them struggling. she also won a team MVP award. still be looking up to me.” “I am constantly coaching our In 2012, she was only one of vitalen@misericordia.edu
November 19, 2013
Viewfinder: Cougars Fall to Lions in Last Home Game
Top, crossing the goal line, sophomore Jeff Puckett slides into the end zone while the official signals for a touchdown during the last home game of the season against Albright College. Middle, Puckett fights off the Albright defense. Bottom, returning a kick, first year Chris Kirkland runs toward the sideline while his teammates block. The team lost the game at Mangelsdorf Field 42-19.
MARY BOVE//THE HIGHLANDER
Hause Sprints Away From Sophomore Slump By Rob Evans, Reporter
Sophomore cross country standout Mikael Hause is making big strides. Literally. Hause earned second team All-MAC honors following a 15th place finish at the MAC Championships at DeSales University Nov. 2. Hause has burst onto the scene as one of the team’s top runners in only his second season with the squad. According to Hause, being named All-MAC was an honor and his teammates deserve some recognition as well. “It feels good,” Hause said. “It was tough. We ran at DeSales. It was a tough course, and there was a lot of good competition so it was nice to make it in and our team did really well.” Head coach Chris Wadas does not believe there has been a par-
ticular secret to Hause’s success this year. Instead, Wadas pointed to Hause’s experience. “Last year he came in from high school, and we had him doing a certain amount of mileage and it was a work in progress. I explained to him how he may have some stepping problems as far as adjusting to what we were doing,” Wadas said. “[Last year] he ran okay but at the end of the season, he had some issues of being it such a long season.” That certainly was not the case this season. In addition to his second team All-MAC honors, Hause ran the 7th fastest time in school history to lead the men’s cross country team to an 11th-place finish at the Gettysburg Invitational in October. When Hause received the news
of his record-setting day shortly after the race, he wasn’t exactly surprised by his historic feat - he believed he could have done a bit better. “I knew that course was fast, and I wanted to run a fast time,” Hause said. “I thought I was going to run a little faster, but I was still happy with that time (26:40).” A “sophomore slump” was not in the cards for Hause. He attributes his strong work ethic during the summer for his sophomore campaign. “I did a lot more mileage this summer as compared to last summer. It really helped later in the season because last year I wasn’t used to doing so many miles, so I kind of died at the end,” he said. Adjusting to the college courses has paid dividends for Hause.
With two years remaining left in his collegiate career, Wadas believes there is a chance Hause may go down as one of the best he has ever coached. “There’s a possibility, definitely,” Wadas said of his rising star. “That means him coming in next year and doing something a little bit more or working just as hard and seeing what happens. Obviously, if he keeps on doing what he’s doing and the pace that he’s doing it, at some point it’s going to get a little harder to keep cutting times, but as he changes things and adjusts to it accordingly, there’s no reason why he can’t be near the top.” Wadas had one word to describe Hause: focused. “He’s a very focused individual. I can tell he wants to be good just by looking at him. He doesn’t say
much. He’s always very positive and never negative. I think he knows what he wants to do, and he’s starting to realize how he has to go about that,” Wadas said. With the success and experience Hause has acquired throughout his collegiate career thus far, he believes his role has become more than just a runner – he is becoming a leader. “As you go to different places you learn from experience. It’s nice because last year I had no idea - I would just follow other guys. I had no idea how to race because it’s different than high school. Now that I kind of know (what to expect) it’s easier to help the other guys. We kind of have freshmen pacing off me now.” Hause has goals for the team’s success in the MACs.
“Team-wise, we want to place higher than we did this year, probably 3rd or 4th. Individually, I want to probably place top five in school history, at least.” Wadas believes Hause has what it takes to accomplish those goals. “Every kid that has come in here that’s really done well their freshman year is kind of a transition year for them, and then their sophomore year, they really hit it off,” Wadas said. “Now, going into the future, they have to keep with that transition and that kind of attitude because that’s going to snowball, but you know it’s when people decide that when they rest on laurels, they’re kind of like, ‘Well, it won’t be that hard to get in shape anymore now, and I don’t see him as that type of person.” evansr4@misericordia.edu
Far left, sophomore Mikael Hause runs during the Cougar Classic where he finished in 4th place. The cross country team only has two home meets during the season. Left, Hause sprints to the finish line, during the MAC conference championship meet at Paul Short. DeSales University hosted the meet. Hause finished 15th overall during the meet. Hause’s cross country achievements during the 2013 season: second-team all MAC, 4th place in the Cougar Classic, 6th all time in the men’s 8K, top male cross country performance. ALLEN SABATINO FOR THE HIGHLANDER
highlandernews.net
Sports
Women’s Soccer Kicking it into Postseason By Jimmy Fisher, Reporter
The women’s soccer team isn’t ham in the Freedom Conference One game stood out among the wanted out of our team, and the season and making it to the Final finished yet – they’re taking their Championship semifinals on Nov. rest: a rematch with the defendresult really didn’t matter a whole Four in Texas. season into the middle of Novem5 on Mangelsdorf Field. ing National Champions, Messiah lot, but I think the result was the Ruffler said players were not fober, a feat every team hopes to The MU women’s soccer team College. Messiah defeated the realistic result.” cused on being the center of attenaccomplish. outscored opponents 27-0 in Cougars twice last season – once Senior Alyssa Mocion, a center tion. They wanted to keep their The women completed yet anconference play. during the regular season and midfielder, echoed her coach’s eyes on the prize of a National other strong Championregular ship. season by “[The Nafinishing with tional Chaman overall pionship record of 18title was] not 2-1, the exact necessarily same record a target, but the team for us, for finished with our team,” at the end of said Ruffler. the historic “Knowing 2012 season that we had in which they gotten there advanced last year to the Final and made Four of the it to the National Final Four, Championthis year ship in Diviour whole sion III. concept was This marks being number the third year one, being in a row that the National the team Champions.” has gone Heading undefeated into the post in Freedom season, the MU ATHLETICS FOR THE HIGHLANDER Conference obstacles The team celebrates their 3-1 victory over King’s College in the Freedom Conference finals at home on Nov. 9. play. only get bigger The team won the Freedom Senior centerback Nicolette again when they eliminated MU in statement and said it was satisfyand Mocion knows that through Conference title in a victory over Ruffler has been with the team the Final Four round. ing to show that the MU team everything, good or bad, the team King’s College Nov. 9, an accomsince her freshman year. She saw Stauffer said the defending has improved since the two teams will remain strong. plishment that pleased the entire firsthand the transitions from champions coming to town was a last meeting in the Final Four last “Always remember to work hard team but especially head coach her first season when the team true test for his players, and that season. for your teammates no matter Mark Stauffer. was fighting, to then making it to even though the game ended in “It was definitely satisfying,” what happened this season,” said Stauffer said the team breaks the playoffs, to last season when a zero tie there was much to be said Mocion. “Obviously you want Mocion. “There is a lot of pressure down the season into three the women were two wins away happy about. to win, but I think that coming on us, I feel, so just not ever giving phases. The first phase is schedulfrom calling themselves National “I thought it was a good match into that game after losing to up is what you have to do.” ing the toughest non-conference Champions. both ways,” said Stauffer. “They them in the Final Four and tying fisherj3@misericordia.edu slates in the nation and the secRuffler said it has been quite the had their chance; we had our them and also proving to them ond slate involves the conference ride and that an early team exit chance. I think a draw was the that we could beat them was not Editor’s note: At press time the match-ups. from last year’s tournament was result that was deserved. I’m not only good for our confidence and men’s and women’s soccer teams “I think if we continue to take both heartbreaking and gratifying. sure either team did enough to de- showing everyone else that we were scheduled to compete in the it one game at a time we’re good “Obviously it was devastating, serve a win that day. It was pretty could beat them, [but it was also first round of the NCAA Tournalike that. We don’t look into the but at the same time it was everyeven keel. [I’m] disappointed, yes, important] showing them that we ment. The women were set to face off future – our next match is our thing we’d been through was kind but I know whether we win, lose have improved so much as a team on Mangesldorf Field against Drew next match. When you do it like of satisfying also,” Ruffler said. or draw, that match in September and we could beat them if we see University while the men take on that it’s easy,” Stauffer said. “Even just making it that far was really has no bearing on what hap- them again.” Montclair State University. Follow Stauffer said phase three is the an achievement. We were like the pens in November and December. At the start of the playoffs it was their journeys through the National postseason where the team is underdogs, the little school that I was more performance-driven interesting to see if the women’s Tournament through the MU Athletheaded after its dominate season could - so satisfying, yet devastatthan result-driven in that match, team members had a target on ics page and social media handles. and a 5-0 victory over FDU-Floring at the same time.” and I got the performance I their backs from their success last
November 19, 2013 5
BUSINESS, CONTINUED
Continued from page 3
logo company make a logo for us, which we really liked so we got it copywritten,” said Pheasant. He said these things took time and plenty of money, which stimulated the push to start selling the first run of lanyards. The Pheasants started showing their product to the public and to local fly shops, starting with the one in their hometown of East Stroudsburg. Pheasant said that the initial reaction to the lanyards was very positive. He says the public was impressed with the craftsmanship, and people were moved to make the purchase because of the fair price. That was where the company stood at the beginning of the 2013 summer season, which Pheasant said is when the sale of fly fishing gear starts to die down. His family is now preparing for the next fishing season, but he says the original vision hasn’t changed. “Where we’re at now is basically this idea, basically family lessons and family ideas. It’s what we can do and what we can learn - if we can learn supply and demand and how to budget money, create a product and feed off of consumer feedback,” said Pheasant. Pheasant said the company brought his family closer. He recognizes the challenges that Ring Neck faces, with him living away from home during the college semesters, but he doesn’t let that dampen his optimism. “The way we look at it right now is that we really have nothing to lose,” Pheasant said. “I mean, it started out as an experiment. It started out as a lesson in business. We’re doing something we love, and at the very least we’ve had a whole lot of fun at the end of the day.” clarkc4@misericordia.edu
6 highlandernews.net
November 19, 2013
“Home is wherever you are . . . Erwine is wherever you go.”
Health Care Services
• RN and LPN nursing care • Intravenous Therapy • Health Care Tele-Monitoring • Respiratory Services • Post Mastectomy Care • Physical Therapy • Certified Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Medical Social Worker • Nutritional Services • Diabetes Education • Wound Care/Lymphedema Therapist
Hospice Care Services
• RN and LPN Nursing Care • Physical Therapy • Dietician and Nutrition Consulting • Pharmacist Services • Medical Social Worker • Chaplain Counseling • Bereavement Counseling
Private Duty Care Services • RN / LPN Nursing Care • Nursing Aide Services • Giving or Assisting with Bathing • Shampooing & Hair Preparation • Light Housekeeping • Food Shopping & Meal Preparation • Making the Bed & Changing Bed Linens • Mobility - Walking, Wheelchair & Walker • Laundering Clothes and Bed Linens • Medication Pickup
Mary Erwine RN, MSN, President
Resct Compaion Dignity™
Erwine Health Care Services
Services Available In Home, Hospital, Assisted Living Facilities and Long Term Nursing Facilities.
Call: 570-288-1013 Click: ErwineHealthCare.com
| 270 Pierce Street, Suite 101 | Kingston, PA 18704