La Vie Collegienne Vol. 87 Issue 4

LA VIE COLLEGIENNE LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1924 VOLUME 87, NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 7, 2019

Completion of pedestrian bridge delayed again Megan Finlan ’21 STAFF WRITER The completion of the pedestrian bridge connecting the north and south sides of campus has been delayed again.

The footbridge will not be completed by its Nov. 8 deadline because of issues sourcing and fabricating the grade steel needed to complete the north and south ramp girder sections. The bridge, which was originally intended to be completed by the start of the fall semester, was slotted to be accessible mid-October and fully completed by early November.

Due to varying issues in its construction, accessibility to the bridge was delayed to mid-November, but with the latest material setback, the completion has been pushed back with no new completion date announced.

“We are working diligently to source the grade of steel required for

Photo by: Megan Finlan ABOVE: The pedestrian bridge continues to be under construction.

the ramp girder sections and to identify a fabrication shop that has the equipment to cut the 40-foot-long section to the specifications developed by the engineer,” Shawn Curtin, vice president of finance and admin-

istration, said. “As soon as I have a commitment on when the girders can be delivered to the job site, a definitive schedule for completion will be developed and communicated.”

Another roadblock the construc-

tion process has faced over recent months has been scheduling issues with required personnel. Crew members are unable to work over the railroad tracks without having a Norfolk Southern representative on site.

The bridge crosses over two active Norfolk Southern rail lines, and the corporation has specific guidelines that must be followed. According to Curtin, this means that without a representative available, the construction team must adjust their schedule accordingly.

“The project remains challenging with all the coordination required among Norfolk Southern, the architect, the engineer, the construction manager and all of the subcontractors performing work on the bridge,” Curtin said.

Students are required to use the sidewalk along State Route 934 to Bridge construction delayed Continued on Page 2

Breen Center changes; keynote speaker coming Spencer Paterick ’21 ASSISTANT EDITOR AUTUMN LIGHT ’20 STAFF WRITER The Breen Center for Graduate Success has officially become a part of the Division of Academic Affairs.

President Lewis E. Thayne announced the merging of departments in October. The change is meant to promote the goals of both

departments, including retention, academic success, internship experiences, study abroad opportunities, academic advising, curriculum planning and career-readiness.

As a part of this change, Dr. Kimberlee Josephson has been named associate dean of the Breen Center for Graduate Success, while also retaining her title of associate professor of business administration. Josephson has played a key role in advocating

and conceptualizing for the Breen Center.

“I don’t foresee any major challenges for the Breen Center since the existing staff is excellent and our current programs are running smoothly,” Josephson said. “We are hoping to expand the Breen Center in terms of offerings and in terms of our connections, which will likely create some challenges, but we’re ready for it and the possibilities are

endless.”

The ultimate goal of this endeavor is to expand the services that are offered by the college. Students should be aware that the combining of departments is meant to enhance the on-campus experience, while also allowing LVC to offer more opportunities for professional and academic Breen Center changes Continued on Page 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF LA VIE

ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PAGE 2

SPECK’S CONFERENCE PAGE 3

COFFEE WITH CONNOR PAGE 3

FOOTBALL RECAP PAGE 4

2

November 7, 2019

NEWS

La Vie Collegienne

Gaining knowledge in prison Huntre Keip ’20 EDITOR IN CHIEF Internships grant students invaluable lessons to enhance their futures, but one internship landed an LVC student in prison.

Nathaniel Clugston, a senior religion and history double major, served as a prison chaplain intern at the Moose Lake and Willow River Correctional Facilities in Minnesota. On a one to five security scale, the facilities were rated at a level three.

“I found the internship after an intensive online search for chaplain internships,” Clugston said. “There are very few that are open to undergraduates, so to have found one, I knew it would be a unique experience where I would also be challenged to grow a lot.”

Clugston’s responsibilities included assisting the chaplain by answering inmate requests for spiritual resources, assisting religious volunteers with their services and programs and providing pastoral counseling to inmates.

“This internship definitely gave me a huge insight into what a chaplain does in his day-to-day job,” Clugston said. “I think the experience that I gained there will help me prepare for many of the unique situations and challenges that chaplains encounter.”

During his time as chaplain intern, Clugston was exposed to plenty of experiences, but there are a couple moments that continually stick with him.

“I attended a baptism ceremony that prison chaplain facilitated and provided pastoral counseling in the segregation unit which has very enhanced security measures,” he said.

“Also, my favorite story is meeting an inmate who was incarcerated for the past 17 years, earned his GED, a bachelor’s degree and plans on attending seminary while pursuing a master’s degree when he is released in three years.”

Clugston is speaking about his experience in the Frock Conference Room in the Bishop Library on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at noon.

Bridge construction delayed (continued from pg. 1) travel to and from the north and south sides of campus. As the project is delayed closer to November and December, weather conditions may prove to be unideal for students walking along the alternate route.

“It’s really disappointing,” Kayla Heiserman, a senior English major, said. “Many students have commitments off campus, and having to walk along a main road to get to our vehicles takes more of our time and energy as well as puts our safety at risk. It’s just upsetting.”

While the completion date of the bridge is still up in the air, Curtin said that the bridge will not be granted a temporary inspection approval to al-

low students to access the bridge prior to its full completion. The bridge will require an inspection by an engineering firm representing Annville Township before it can be used.

“The campus community understands the importance of the project and has been patient and understanding,” Brent Oberholzer, director of public safety, said. “The temporary inconvenience will soon be forgotten and the finished project will enhance both travel and the aesthetics of LVC.” The dedication ceremony for the bridge has also been postponed. The new dedication will take place in the spring with no specific date set at this time.

LVC’s actuarial science program among best in country Justin Shuler ’20 STAFF WRITER The actuarial science program is designed to prepare students for careers as actuaries, and LVC’s program has become one of the best in the country.

The program trains students to become business professionals and prepares them for actuarial exams which allows them to progress through the actuarial credential process. There is an emphasis on communication, critical reading and writing. There is also an under- Photo by: Sean Droms standing that all students come from ABOVE: Students work together in the math department. different backgrounds, so the proing because of exams and content can graduate in four years,” Dr. Patfessors have designed incremental changes by the Society of Actuaries rick Brewer, professor of mathematsteps to build students into the best (SOA) and the Casualty Actuary So- ics and director of actuarial science, possible versions of themselves.

“Our students have a sense of being ciety. Also, the professors have in- said. “Most math programs have each competent in a business setting,” Dr. cluded more technical work in their student studying something differSean Droms, professor of mathemat- classes as they have realized that ent, but in our program, we have a ics, said. “Our students learn how to the real-world workplace is becom- sense of comradery and students can teach themselves, learn how to com- ing much more technological. The see that they are not alone. There is a municate well, learn how to teach a small school setting provides a great sense of purpose among the students general audience and learn how to atmosphere for the students and the and the professors.”

The emphasis of communication communicate hard topics or tasks to program to be successful. With small people who may or may not be able class sizes, there can be a high touch and individual relationships would not be possible at a larger school. Stuto understand the topics or tasks at program.

“We make sure our students are dents work outside of the professors’ first glance.”

The curriculum is always chang- reaching their goals and that they offices and have access to the pro-

fessors to ask questions. The professors are very flexible with their availability to students, and they are able to make the curriculum flexible to make sure each individual is reaching his or her personal goals.

“There is a shared mentality among the faculty that the students are learning skills rather than content,” Droms said. “All of the professors are on the same page about the objectives. The faculty measures its own success by the success of the students.”

All of these aspects combined together have formed a very successful program as nearly 100 percent of the students receive job offers. No school has a higher pass rate for actuarial exams, and it is the only program in the eastern half of the country that covers the SOA syllabus. Also, the math department has one of the highest retention rates within LVC. Every year, the school hosts an actuarial career fair where more than half of the recruiters are alumni so they know what to look for in the students. Overall, this is a well-rounded program that produces graduates that are able to take a difficult realworld problem, read into it, find a solution and then explain it to others.

November 7, 2019

NEWS

La Vie Collegienne

3

Speck to attend national conference Claire Fitzgibbons ’19 STAFF WRITER An LVC senior is heading to a national conference.

Rachael Speck, a senior English major, will head to the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association conference from Nov. 14 to 17, to present her findings on the intersection between recent iterations of expanded cinema and public displays of poetry.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to present my research at a con-

ference of this size,” Speck said. “It’s a little intimidating because the two other people on my panel are professors, but I’m really happy to get a chance to inform people about my topic on a national level.”

Speck will present at the conference alongside Dr. Holly Wendt, assistant professor of English and director of creative writing, who will read from their novel Holystone as part of the panel Constructing and Embodying Identity in Creative Writing.

Wendt is happy to see an LVC student taking part in this national conference.

“I’m ecstatic about Rachael’s work being accepted,” Wendt said. “The research she’s been doing is fascinating, and it’s great to see that work be recognized. Also, more broadly, it’s a delight to see the amazing things that LVC students do in their academic lives. Submitting work to a conference or a literary or scholarly journal takes a bit of courage - rejection is always a possibility, and rejection is a part of the journey to success - so it’s especially satisfying to see that courage pay off.”

Speck also feels that conferences like these are great opportunities

for LVC students to explore areas of study not taught in classes.

“I think students should look into these kind of opportunities,” Wendt said. “Conferences can give good experience presenting in front of others, and they are a great way to connect with others doing interesting work in similar fields.”

Given that this is the third conference Speck will be presenting at, it is likely that she will continue to connect with those studying poetry and cinema in the future.

FCA steps up to help children in need Tyler Perhac ’20 STAFF WRITER For the fourth year, LVC’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) helped put together shoeboxes of toys, hygiene items and school supplies for children around the world for Operation Christmas Child (OCC).

10 members of FCA met at Ono United Methodist Church to make a difference on Sunday, Oct. 20.

“We went for two and a half hours on Sunday night to help unpack the shoe boxes and organize them,” TJ Holdredge, FCA co-leader, said. “Then we got the hygiene packs together. Our

role was to prepare everything so that members of the church could come in and focus on packing the boxes to be sent out.”

Later in November, the shoeboxes will be gathered from collection centers such as churches. With the help of FCA, more kids will be reached with gifts.

“Thousands of boxes will be filled just at [Onos United Methodist Church],” Holdredge said. “Thousands of kids will receive gifts and the incredible message of salvation through Jesus Christ.”

Operation Christmas Child aims to provide shoeboxes full of supplies

to children outside of the U.S. and to Native American reservations in the U.S. who have been affected by poverty, natural disaster, disease and war. The organization is run by Samaritan’s Purse, whose purpose is to provide physical and spiritual aid around the world.

The Fellowship was connected to the project through LVC men’s soccer head coach Charlie Grimes, who is involved with the church. Of everything FCA is involved with each year, OCC is one of the most important and special events to them.

“It shows the heart of students to not only impact this campus, but the

community around us, and essentially the entire world,” Holdredge said.

Aside from Operation Christmas Child, FCA meets every Sunday on campus. The group discusses balancing sports, faith and academics, as well as help students through difficult situations.

“Our goal is for Christian athletes to have a safe place to share their thoughts and questions and be supported by other who are going through the same things.” Holdredge said.

“Coffee with Connor;” weekly videos draw viewers Justin Hall ’22 STAFF WRITER A weekly video series on Instagram allows LVC students to keep tabs on athletic news around campus.

The show is called “Coffee with Connor” and is hosted by Connor Matsinger, a sophomore business major and defenseman on the men’s ice hockey (MIH) team. Matsinger humorously delivers updates on athletics and other school news. “Coffee Photo by: Justin Hall with Connor” provides a great opportunity for viewers to stay updated on ABOVE: Matsinger poses in his new studio in Clyde A. Lynch Memorial Hall. their favorite sports teams, while also produced series that mainly dis- give the series a more professional getting a glimpse at how athletes incussed hockey news has evolved into look. teract behind the scenes. quite a production. New to the series Each episode carries a different “I hope viewers can watch it and get this year is a musical introduction theme based on the guests. Themes information about different teams based off the hit television series so far this year include: captains, and events at the school,” Matsinger “Full House,” a new green-screen stu- rookies, goalies and dual-sport athsaid. “I want to have it come across in dio and a team of dedicated editors letes. Guests usually start by answera more convenient and comical way.” who provide images and graphics to ing a few questions about their sport What started as a simple iPhone-

or academic life before they get a chance to answer some more lighthearted questions. It’s a great way for viewers to see the athletes’ personalities outside the lines.

“My favorite part is interacting with the interviewees,” Matsinger said. “I love getting positive feedback around campus that people enjoy watching the show.”

Moving forward, Matsinger intends to keep the series going throughout his time at LVC and hopes to see the show continue to evolve.

“I want to see it grow in viewers obviously, but more than that, I want it to be something everyone on campus uses to get information about what’s going on with their favorite team or club,” Matsinger said.

For students interested in tuning in to “Coffee with Connor,” check out the LVC MIH page on Instagram.

4

November 7, 2019

NEWS

La Vie Collegienne

Dutchmen down but not out

Photo by: LVC Athletic Communications ABOVE: LVCXC scored major wins on Nov. 2. Keri Jones won the individual championship, and Julia Brewer earned MAC Rookie of the Year honors. The women finished second overall with the men placing fourth.

Photo by: LVC Athletic Communications ABOVE: The Dutchmen are currently tied for fifth in the MAC.

KEEGAN CORWELL ’21 STAFF WRITER After a devastating loss to Stevenson University Saturday, it seemed as if all hope was lost for the Dutchmen.

The contest ended in a 42-13 loss, which pushed the Dutchmen to a 3-3 record in the MAC. The game seemed to close out all postseason play options for the squad. However, after a long look over the remaining games in the conference, there is still hope

for a playoff run.

“We made a lot of mental mistakes,” Hunter Wilson, senior running back, said. “We have to come out and give it everything we have these last two weeks and finish this season with some big wins.”

The team looks to take down Lycoming College on Saturday, Nov. 9, on senior day. The Dutchmen will then travel to Reading on Nov. 16, to take on Albright in the team’s final game of the regular season.

Incoming hockey class Cole Hepler ’20 STAFF WRITER The LVC men’s ice hockey team has added ten new freshmen looking to make an early impact..

MIH has recruited ten new players from across the country as well as Czech Republic native, Ziki Mroz. Each of the newcomers played important roles for their previous teams and displayed character that caught coach Don Parsons’ attention during the recruitment process. From their first steps on campus, the freshmen have been waiting for their opportunity to prove their skills on the ice.

“I am really happy to be here at LVC because of the great academics and hockey program,” Ziki Mroz, freshman defenseman, said. “Regarding hockey, I am more than happy with our team’s work ethic and skill. I think we have a great group as the season begins.”

The recruiting process is a yearround task where coaches and staff travel across the eastern coast watching players and evaluating their talents. The Eastern Hockey League and United States Premier Hockey League have developed nine out of ten recruits. The east coast has grown in terms of player development and advancing those players into collegiate programs similar to LVC. “I’m really excited about the season, and I believe this group has the potential to do something special,” Brad Viola, freshman forward, said.

“We have a really good group of not only players, but also great people and I am excited to see what the future holds.”

Expectations are high for the Dutchmen this season. The team sits at 1-1 going into an away game vs. Wilkes University on Friday, Nov. 8.

Breen Center changes (continued from pg. 1) growth.

“These changes should have a positive impact since the Breen Center wants the best for LVC students – student success is our success,” Josephson said. “I believe the Breen Center will be better than ever.”

Dr. Josephson, Dr. Monica Cowart, the Breen Center staff and Greg Krikorian are working together to ensure that this transition is a seamless as possible so that it does not hinder any student’s experience.

“I strongly encourage students to reach out and connect with us – help us help you,” Josephson said.

Guest speaker coming In order to provide more professional-related opportunities for the student community, the Breen Center will host a keynote speaker every fall.

For this year’s speaker, the Breen Center invited the renowned Lindsey Pollak to present on her book,

“Getting from College to Career: Your Essential Guide to Succeeding in the Real World.” Pollak works as a writer and speaker who helps others discover their potential in the workplace.

Her book is easy to follow and provides tips and methods for careerbuilding that students can follow before or after they graduate.

“The way she wrote her book really helps to keep students engaged,” Megan Finlan, a junior English major, said. “It’s not just full of lists and bullet points. Pollak uses her own personal experience to give each tip purpose, and she writes in a way that speaks to students.”

Pollak will give her Keynote presentation to students on Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. in the Frederic K. Miller Chapel.

Questions regarding the guest speaker or any of the recent changes can be directed to Josephson at josephso@lvc.edu.