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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
News
Leave it to Beaver ‘Beaver’ causes both laughter and offense in its usage L.E. Reese Staff Writer
ler5210@psu.edu
The name Beaver County may draw some chuckles, especially when people who aren’t from western Pennsylvania first hear it. But Penn State Beaver’s Beaverfest may be pushing the envelope with this year’s T-shirt design, taking full advantage of the naughty double entendre that the term Beaver conjures up. Sophomore Joe Kellogg and Dante Massey, a junior, collaborated on the design and print for the shirts, which includes the slogan, “More beaver than you can handle.” With that sassy catchphrase, who wouldn’t be enticed to get their hands on one of these gems? “I’m hoping it’s something the people who would find it funny will laugh at, and something the people who don’t find it funny don’t notice,” said Kellogg. Beaver may be a bit of a dated term, but it still holds the connotation for a particular southern lady part. The shirt may offend some, like Residence Life and Student Activities Coordinator Robin Schreck, who said, “Just as a female, I’m not going to wear it as I find it offensive, but it’s the students’ money and if that’s what they want, they can have it.” Residence Life Staff Assistant Jill Bender had similar sentiments, “I don’t think it’s appropriate and I wouldn’t wear it, but I’m not shocked by the students who like it.” However, when the design objective for the shirt is for something called Beaverfest, there really isn’t a PG way around it. “I think you could put the most family-friendly and appropriate saying imaginable on there, and people would still poke fun at the whole ‘Beaverfest’ name,” said Kellogg. “I was just making light of what was already there.” Sophomore Tyler Trieschock
Person in the Bistro
How do you feel about the Beaverfest shirt motto?
“I really don’t care.”
Kyle Peskowitz
sophomore
“It’s actually not even a big deal. We’re college students.”
Maria Robbins freshman
T-shirt design by Dante Massey
The T-shirt design for Beaverfest sports an innuendo in its message.
is a part of Beaverfest, which is a week long, end-of-school-year fair to blow off steam before finals, and not exactly what your inner 12-year-old boy was thinking. Trieschock wasn’t familiar with the reference and his eyes grew wide upon figuring it out. “Oh, no, I wasn’t aware of that, but I can see how that can be funny,” he said. “It’s on the same level as if you added ‘that’s what she said’ after everything,” said sophomore Alan Kosan. “I normally don’t think of it like that. It’s just not the first thing that comes to mind,” said Kosan. “It can be hilarious in certain cases like Beaverfest, but I don’t immediately go to that,” he said. Sophomore Kathy Daugherty went to Beaver Area High School and mentioned the school’s diving team, appropriately referred to as Beaver Diving. “Yes, things like that are made
fun of. People are aware that it can be funny sometimes,” Daugherty said. From Beaver Borough to Big Beaver Borough to New Beaver Borough (which technically is in Lawrence County and not Beaver County), folks from around here are pretty used to hearing the term Beaver and not often fazed by it. Outsiders, however, are often found chuckling. The quips about Beaver aren’t just limited to things in Beaver County, either. The former Beaver College, located outside of Philadelphia, was originally founded in the town of Beaver as a female seminary school before it relocated out east. The now co-ed institution recently voted to change the name of the college, after facing years of ridicule, to Arcadia University. So far, no one has proposed changing the name of Beaver campus to Penn State Arcadia.
“I liked it. I laughed really hard. I like it better than last year.” Ashley Birris
sophomore
“I feel it’s something that someone our age should get away with wearing.”
Adrijana Vukelic
sophomore
“I thought it was awesome,
“I think people just need to
definitely awesome. I’m all for
shut up. The shirt speaks for
sexual innuendos.”
itself, just too much ‘Beaver’
Tim Smith
sophomore
for them to handle. The truth hurts.”
Sergio Simmons
sophomore
April 2013 Penn State Beaver Roar
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News
Beaverfest sure to relieve your year-end stress Dan Trzcianka Managing Editor
dvt5050@psu.edu
With the end of the spring semester approaching, the annual week-long tradition known as Beaverfest pokes its head out for the Penn State Beaver community. Students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to participate in stress-relieving activities that take place in different locations around the campus. On the first day of Beaverfest, Monday, April 22, students have the chance to sing their favorite songs during karaoke in the Brodhead Bistro at 11:30 a.m. At noon on the same day and in the same location, participants will have the chance to show off their music knowledge during music trivia. They can head over to the Student Union Building auditorium
Courtesy of Robin Schreck
Students play volleyball in the evening during a previous Beaverfest.
at 5:30 p.m. for Beaver Idol, Penn State Beaver’s interpretation of American Idol. Aspiring musicians will have the opportunity to show off their musical talents to a panel of judges and other spectators. “We have about 10 to 15 [students] involved,” said Residence Life and Student Activities Coordinator Robin Schreck.
The panel of judges includes Director of Enrollment Daniel Pinchot, Professor of Communications John Chapin, Lecturer in Kinesiology Michelle Kurtyka and senior communications major Dan Trzcianka. At 9 p.m. that night behind Harmony Hall, a movie on the lawn will be shown. Unless you are comfortable with lying or sitting
on the grass, don’t forget a blanket. On Tuesday, April 23, from noon to 4 p.m., students will be treated to free massages provided by Massage on the Go/Campus Spa. At the same time, but over in the center of campus at “the Slab,” there will be an inflatable arena for laser tag. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bistro, a wood craft table will be set up for anyone to create some crafts. On Wednesday, April 24 at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., caricatures will be drawn in the Bistro. A mechanical bull and rodeo roper will be at the center of campus from noon to 4 p.m. An intramural hockey game will take place at 4 p.m. in the parking lot by Harmony Hall. At 8 p.m. behind Harmony Hall, both residents and commut-
ers are invited to a bonfire. A faculty, staff and students kickball game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the softball field. Bowling will take place at 8:30 p.m. that night at Monaca Turners, right across the street from campus. On the last day of Beaverfest, Friday, April 26, Penn State Beaver will host the Mister and Miss Penn State Beaver Pageant at 5:30 p.m. in the SUB auditorium. “There will be three categories for participants to take part in, but those are subject to change once we get everything finalized,” said Schreck. The categories as of now are formal wear, talent and Penn State pride. In the event that it rains during any of the outdoor events, the activities will be moved to the gym.
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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
News
Activists want universities Three charged to lift bans on carrying guns with fighting in Wellness Center Police Beat
Caitlin Vodenichar Senior Staff Writer
cav5119@psu.edu
After the massacre that left 33 dead at Virginia Tech in 2007, some Americans have suggested the bloodshed wouldn’t have been as high if a student or faculty member had stepped in with a gun of his or her own. And in the shadow of the recent school shootings in Newtown, Conn., and Houston, Texas, a few states are looking into, and passing, legislation that will allow students and faculty with proper certification to bring concealed-carry weapons on campus. A Huffpost/YouGov survey was conducted recently to help gain an understanding of where citizens stand on this topic and found they were evenly split — 43 percent for, 43 percent against and 14 percent unsure — but only a third actually believe campuses would be safer if more students and faculty carried guns. At Penn State, the weapons policy clearly states that “the possession, carrying and use of weapons, ammunition or explosives is prohibited on University-owned or controlled property.” Penn State Beaver Chancellor Gary Keefer says this is not going to change. “I think it’s very unlikely for anything to change. There has been no discussion that I am aware of,” he said. Students at Penn State Beaver don’t seem to have much of a problem with things as they are. “If students could carry guns, it would probably worry me because of the maturity level of some of the people on campus,” said senior Michelle Beckman. “We have the [campus] police. Why would students need guns?” But some students, like senior Dan Plakosh, would rather keep their safety in their own hands. Plakosh has had his concealed weapons permit for a few years, and he said if it came down to it, he would kill the shooter before he had a chance to kill him. Keefer said there are resources on campus that help keep everyone safe, so guns in the hands of students aren’t really necessary. He has been a part of tabletop exercises that allow school authorities to work through hypothetical situations in order to prepare for a real-life scenario. There is also a Behavioral Threat Management Team that identifies, evaluates and manages potential threats on campus, including persons of concern, to enhance preparedness and prevention. The campus offers a service called PSUTXT that allows the Penn State community to be notified immediately via text message when problems arise. There is an armed police officer on campus 365 days a year, regardless of holidays, so students and faculty are always guaranteed a quick response to any
Flickr Photo by edwick
Recent shootings stir up mixed feelings on whether students and faculty should be allowed to carry concealed weapons.
altercation that may occur. And, if needed, the Center Township police are only a few minutes away. “We look into and investigate everything brought to our attention by students, faculty and staff,” said Supervisor of Police Services Anthony Budris. “We take things seriously.” Sophomore John Lach said he might feel a little safer with armed security on campus, but Keefer feels confident that the police officers are capable of handling any issues. On any given Monday, Wednesday or Friday, there are about 800 students on campus, he said. One officer per 800 students is a lot better than the ratio of officers to community members outside of campus. “We are full-time police with full arrest powers and the same training as any other officer,” said Budris. “And we make it a point to be seen and involved while we’re out and about on our rounds.” While students and faculty are prohibited from carrying concealed weapons on campus, hunters are allowed to bring their rifles on the grounds as long as they take them directly to police services for storage. When they pick up their rifle for a hunting trip, they must immediately leave campus. “Very few students take advantage of [this], though,” said Keefer.
Police have charged two students and a student’s brother with disorderly conduct for fighting in the Wellness Center on March 15. According to campus police, senior Brooke Mulniex of Beaver Falls pushed junior Markes Royster-Bush of Pittsburgh. Royster-Bush then threw a drink on Mulniex. Mulniex’s brother, Brendt, who is not a student, also got involved and damaged a door when he was asked to leave. The police report did not say what caused the fight to break out. Police filed the charges April 9. The police report did not provide a damage estimate on the door.
Students found with alcohol
In two separate incidents, Penn State Police responded to Harmony Hall because of alcohol. A resident assistant found freshman Shanese Nelson of Pittsburgh in possession of an alcoholic beverage on March 22. The second incident occurred April 6 when policed received a complaint about a resident who was suspected of having alcohol. Police discovered that freshman Yousef Halal of Cairo, Egypt did have alcohol. Police have charged both Nelson and Helal with possession of an alcoholic or malt brewed beverage.
Money and drinks stolen
A female resident reported to campus police on March 26 that someone stole money from her Harmony Hall room on three
separate occasions. Police are still investigating. In an unrelated incident, an employee reported that two bottles of Vitamin water were stolen out of the faculty lounge refrigerator in the Ross Administration building on March 25.
Game room vandalized
On March 27, a campus employee reported to police that a Ping-Pong table in the Student Union Building game room was damaged. Police are still investigating.
Student tries to bite others
Police requested an ambulance on March 28 after an employee reported a resident student acting oddly in Harmony Hall. The student tried to bite others and may have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Police did not release the suspect’s name and no charges have been filed.
Student harassed
A female student reported to police that students were harassing her in the Brodhead Bistro on March 28. The student claimed that other students were spreading rumors about her. Police are still investigating.
Correction
In the March 2013 edition on the Roar, a headline in the Police Beat section saying “Students charged with theft” was incorrect. The two men involved in the alleged theft, Shane Karenbauer of Butler and Zachary Markovitch of Monaca, are not Penn State Beaver students.
April 2013 Penn State Beaver Roar
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News
Chancellor talks campus renovations Amanda Palombo Senior Staff Writer
amp5831@psu.edu
The smell of cheesecake filled the air, along with muffled questions and student curiosity about upcoming campus projects, as Chancellor Gary Keefer addressed students in the Harmony Hall lobby April 11. In an event billed as “Cheesecake with the Chancellor,” Keefer comes around twice a year to discuss campus concerns, preview upcoming projects and answer student questions. The immediate buzz among students came with questions about upcoming projects. Perhaps the most interesting idea for students, especially residents of Harmony Hall, is the renovation of the dorm’s bathrooms. According to Keefer and Jeremy Lindner, director of Housing and Food Services, the bathrooms will be completely renovated with new shower stalls, new tile floors, new countertops and even new paint on the walls. “We’re planning on starting right when the students move out for the summer,” said Lindner. “I think since I started here, that’s been the project I wanted to do. We finally have the funding to do
The ROAR/Paul Toma
Chancellor Gary Keefer talks with students during his semiannual “Cheesecake with the Chancellor.”
it.” Lindner said the only thing they’re waiting on to begin construction is a bid from companies to do the renovation. Students seemed relieved and thrilled as Keefer and Lindner continued to talk about some other
projects due to take place in Harmony Hall. “We’re also planning on putting two large ceiling fans in the lobby to help with circulation of hot air in winter, and especially cold air in the summer,” Lindner continued. “Windows will go in the study
rooms too, so it’ll bring a little more light in there when students study.” One project that will take a few years to finish is an all-purpose sports court behind Harmony Hall. The sports court will be made from all-weather tile-like flooring to enable students to play basketball, hockey, tennis and anything else they can think of. “We’re going to try and keep it away from the hall as much as possible so that it doesn’t create a whole lot of noise for the residents,” said Lindner. Other changes discussed were focused on other parts of the campus, including an expansion to the outside Bistro area that is supposed to occur over the summer. “Students love being outside when the weather is nice, but there’s so few seating [options] outside the Bistro, it doesn’t really help,” said Keefer. That project will be done in time for the fall semester. In addition, some structural changes and new computers will be put into the Student Activities Suite in the Student Union Building. “We want to open it up and give the students more room in the SAS. Plus the computers in there
aren’t exactly the best,” Keefer said. Other future projects will include a complete renovation of the Michael Baker Building. That project will likely not begin for another five years, but when it does, the building will be closed for a full year, Keefer said. “The inside will look very different and some things will be changed. It’s a major project,” said Keefer. “Students that will be at the campus six or seven years from now will be sitting in a practically new building with air conditioning and everything,” he continued. According to Lindner and Keefer, the student input is extremely important to them in making decisions and major changes across the campus. “I think it helps because they’re intrigued and want to help us,” said Lindner. “They really listen when we tell them we’re getting new things and projects, so they help us in return.” “I feel like somehow this always ends up being Cheesecake with Jeremy!” Lindner joked, since most of the students’ questions were about Harmony Hall. Keefer said the turnout of students was the best he’s ever seen. “This just raises the bar for them next year!”
Community service requirements are lifted Jessica Zurow Staff Writer
jlz5138@psu.edu
Students in Penn State Beaver sociology and philosophy classes no longer have to worry about a requirement of doing community service: They can concentrate more on studying and doing homework because the community service requirement has been lifted. The students might need the extra study time, since at least one faculty member thinks that grades might go down now that an easy way of earning class points has
been eliminated. Too many student complaints about the time spent on community service projects led to the change, said JoAnn Chirico, senior instructor in sociology. “They were not getting the full benefit of it because they resented it rather than seeing it as an opportunity to have a field experience,” Chirico said. Many students argued that required community service is an added stress and some students are not even be able to find the time. “I definitely feel that with the
work load college students have, it’s difficult to balance a community service requirement, especially since I live on my own, work full time and go to school full time,” said junior Maddison Miller. Chirico estimated that in most terms, students gave about $20,000 in economic value to the community through their volunteer labor, based on 100 students at 20 hours each. “Other advantages for the service learning are networking. Many students have gotten part-time or full-time jobs through their service
learning. It also gives students an opportunity to feel as though they can make a difference in the world and in the lives of others, which would have ripple effects,” Chirico said. Some students like the option of community service, so long as it’s not required. “Personally, I think it should be an option for extra credit because it’s a positive experience that would help the community. But not everyone has the time to do it,” said sophomore Josh Davis. Chirico noted that students
who didn’t want to do community service had other options to earn credit. “The service learning was always an option in the sociology classes. The other option was a research paper with an original analysis of data,” said Chirico. So what else does this mean for students? “I anticipate that student grades will be lower. The service component was a relatively easy way to earn a C. This balanced the tests and other assignments that were considerably harder,” Chirico said.
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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
News
Beckman wins Walker Award; others honored From Staff Reports
Penn State Beaver awarded senior Michelle Beckman with its highest student honor, the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, at its annual awards banquet held April 17. The award, named in honor of the late Penn State President Eric Walker and his wife, Josephine, recognizes one student at each campus each year for outstanding character, scholarship, leadership and citizenship. Beckman is a business major and is active in numerous organizations on campus. She has been a Student Government Association representative for three years, secretary of the Business Club, a member of the Blue and White Society and serves as a Lion Ambassador. She’s volunteered with THON for three years and has been a member of
the Student Activity Fee and Bistro committees. In addition, sophomore Carly McKinnis was named the Outstanding Student of the Year. McKinnis is a science major, is vice president of the Catholic Newman Club, serves as secretary of SGA and is a member of the editorial board of Panorama. In addition to Beckman and McKinnis, numerous other students, faculty and staff were honored. Recipients of student academic awards were: Seniors Rachel Choflet, psychology; Michael Deitrick, Information Sciences and Technology design and development; Jennifer Durbin, corporate communications; Kyung Min Kim, philosophy; Brittany Kincaid, business; Kyle Ludwig, IST; Brittany Main, Criminal Justice; Kristina Mangie, psychology;
D. Scott O’Hara, Administration of Justice; Nancy Paoletti, communications. Juniors Armans Bimatovs, IST integration; Lukas Kozak, biology. Sophomores Brad Benkart, computer science engineering; Jeremy Canonge, mechanical engineering; Amber Cochran, English; Theresa Domitrovich, childhood and early adolescent development; Danielle Dunshee, chemical engineering and Chemistry; Lisa Fudurich, mathematics; Michelle Korzen, business management and marketing; Ashlee Palm, bioengineering; Conrad Paul, electrical engineering; Miranda Wack, biology. The President’s Freshman Award was presented to Amy Arnold, Lindsay Bangor, Gerald Rooney and Tyler Tracy. College Honors Program Certificates were awarded to Kim, Paoletti and senior Catherine
Sittig. Campus Honors Certificates went to sophomores Cesar Ceniceros, Cochran, Andrew Frantz, Kevin Hupe, John Lind, Palm, Conrad Paul, Matthew Paul, and Trey and Tyler Trieschock; juniors Shelby Hogan and Joseph Monsour; and seniors Dietrick, Steven Dusicko, Alisha Hilfinger, Ludwig, Tyler Madden, Main, and Illana Muhlach. Student Life Awards were given to sophomores Erica DeLuca, Jeqa Powe, and Dora Tweneboah and seniors Shaneeka Evans, Muhlach and Jacob Szemansi. Durbin received the Adult Achievement Award. Seven faculty and staff members were honored for teaching, advising or service. Advisory Board Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award: Karen Barr, senior instructor in business. Advisory Board Adjunct Faculty
Excellence in Teaching Award: Nick Salpietra, lecturer in mathematics. Advisory Board Faculty Excellence in Research Award: Talha Harcar, associate professor of marketing. Advisory Board Faculty Excellence in Service Award: Jim Hendrickson, instructor in engineering. Advisory Board Staff Excellence Award: Amy Gartley, associate director of student affairs. Advisory Board Staff Service Award: Jay Means, lab preparation technician. Student Government Association Outstanding Organization Adviser: Barbara Jean “BJ” Bertges, assistant athletic director and head volleyball coach. SGA Outstanding Academic Adviser: Chris Wu, professor of mathematics.
Students get more mileage from project
Submitted photo
Brittany Main receives her award from Michael Arter of Penn State Altoona, chairman of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Justice Educators awards committee.
Students win honors from professional groups
Two Penn State Beaver students have received high honors in their respective academic disciplines. Kyung Min Kim, a senior psychology major, was asked to present his paper “Problems of Market Values Placed in the U.S. Education” at the 2013 State University of New York (SUNY) Oneonta Undergraduate Philosophy Conference Brittany Main, a senior majoring in
administration of justice, is the winner of the 2013 Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Justice Educators Undergraduate (PACJE) Scholarship Award. She received the scholarship and present her paper at the PACJE Conference April 5 and 6 at Penn State Schuylkill. Main was selected as the winner from a wide pool of undergraduates across the state.
Penn State Beaver is getting plenty of mileage out its replica of Henry Ford’s first combustion engine. On April 5 students from the campus demonstrated the engine and presented their continuing research into it at a meeting of the Western Pennsylvania ANSYS Users Group in Southpointe, Pa. The engine was built in 2012 by sophomore engineering students as a class project for Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics taught by Jim Hendrickson, instructor in engineering. Penn State Beaver students this
spring have expanded the research of their predecessors by performing finite element analysis on the engine to estimate the forces and stresses developed in some of the principle components of the engine, Henrickson said.
That research, as well as a demonstration of the working engine, was one of four presentations by campus students to the ANSYS group, which is composed of users of the industry-leading software. ANSYS performs finite element analysis to help predict how products will operate in the real world.
The ANSYS group typically invites senior engineering students to present their projects at its spring meeting. This year marked the second in a row that sophomores from the campus have been asked to participate. Beaver’s four teams gave nearly half of the presentations of the day. The engine was awarded three blue ribbons when it was displayed at 2012 Maker Faire Detroit at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.
Panorama awards prizes for work in the arts From Staff Reports
Panorama, Penn State Beaver’s free journal of the arts, has announced this year’s Editor’s Choice Award winners. In the poetry category, sophomore Joseph Kellogg, Division of Undergraduate Studies from Youngville, Pa., took first place,
while freshman psychology major Kylie Diegmiller of Rochester placed second. Junior Nick Bruce, an Information Sciences and Technology major from Darlington Township, took first place in the short story category, followed by freshman Matthew Downing, a science major from Elgin, Ill.
In visual art, first place went to freshman Emmalei J. McKee, an engineering major from Cranberry Township. Sophomore Ashley Marie Birris, Division of Undergraduate Studies, of Aliquippa, took second place. Panorama is a free publication comprised of student work that is available across campus.
April 2013 Penn State Beaver Roar
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News
Students shine at research fair Mary Carew Staff Writer mmc5325@psu.edu
A mandatory class assignment for engineering instructor James Hendrickson’s thermodynamics class led sophomore Jeremy Canonge and his four-member group to take first place in the math, science and technology category of Penn State Beaver’s Research Fair April 3. The team — Canonge and sophomores Donald Bradfield, Ben Barcaskey and Lisa Fudurich — won with their oral presentation, “Design, Fabrication, Testing and Analysis of a Stirling Engine.” “It felt good to win, but it felt better to know that the fair was a resume booster for my future employers,” said Canonge. Canonge and his group were among 33 well-dressed and poised Penn State Beaver students who showcased their work for a panel of judges and the campus. The event was one to be reckoned with as the Student Union Building’s room 16 quickly filled up with eager participants and curious audience members. In the SUB lobby, 13 participants were presenting their posters to inquisitive students and faculty
Candace Emanuel talks about her research on leadership to Carlo Piceno at the research fair.
members passing by. Eight students won prizes and kudos as the winners of the 12th Annual Penn State Beaver Research Fair. The fair’s winners earned monetary prizes. But their real gain was not the money: It was the experience itself and the opportunities that promise to follow. “The research fair is an excellent opportunity to gain professional experience and prepare you for graduate school,” said Irene Wolf,
senior instructor of philosophy. The fair featured two categories of entries: poster and oral presentations. The participants competed in various disciplines, but the purpose of this fair was not merely to win. Instead, participants found the fair to be satisfying to their intellectual curiosity. “Some of them do it as a part of a class project, but a lot do it for self-reward, and you will be surprised the amount of time that goes
THE ROAR/ Paul Toma
into it,” said Clare Conry-Murray, assistant professor of psychology and chairperson of this year’s fair. There were several first place winners this year. Seniors Jennifer Durbin and Brandon Perino, both majors in communications, took first place in social science with their poster presentation “Agenda Setting and Conservative Values in Social Media” mentored by John Chapin, professor of communications.
In the humanities category, students Kimberly Villella and Dan Trzcianka, both seniors, placed first with their poster presentation “Presentation of Self in the Modern Age,” also mentored by Chapin. The content of their poster was relating a 1959 call presentation of self-theory by Ervin Goffman to 2013 and modern day Facebook. “I was surprised that they called my name, but it was really exciting to win,” said Villella. Third-year participant Kyung Min Kim, a senior, said he finds the fair to be challenging and rewarding at the same time. “I have found the fair to be intellectually stimulating and it has helped me grow personally,” he said. Kim, a psychology major, has been invited to present his paper, “Problems of Market Values Placed in the U.S. Education,” at the 2013 State University of New York (SUNY) Oneonta Undergraduate Philosophy Conference to be held April 11 to 13. Ruthie Santiago, a senior psychology major, was named the overall winner for her poster presentation, “The Effects of Music Ability on Cognition.”
Class teaches women self-defense maneuvers Monica M. Pitcher Senior Staff Writer
mmp5317@psu.edu
It’s pitch black on campus and you’re walking to your car alone. As you’re reaching for your keys, someone snatches you from behind, and all that runs through your mind is panic, fear and not knowing what to do. The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) class offered on campus once a semester can help women know what to do in similar situations. According to RAD’s mission statement, the purpose of this
defense system is “to develop and enhance the options of self-defense, so they may become viable considerations to the woman who is attacked.” Officer Anthony Budris was the previous instructor for RAD, but now another officer, Patrick Smith, has taken over. “Officer Smith has just been trained, so it will be helpful that there are two of us,” said Budris. The class is offered in the evening but the times vary each semester. This semester, the class lasted four days from 8 to 10 p.m. During those four days, students
learn the basics of RAD within the manual that is distributed on the first day. When they complete the course, the instructor signs the manuals, and that signature admits students to other RAD classes offered off campus for free. On the second and third day, students are taught the moves featured within the manual. Those moves include ground fighting, spotting vulnerable locations, offensive and defensive postures, defensive tactics and using the hand as a weapon. “I’ve learned a tremendous
amount in the RAD self-defense class,” said sophomore Nicole Norman. “The self-defense moves were easy to learn and would play an essential part in an actual attack.” On the fourth and final day, a RAD simulation is conducted. Depending on the number of participants, scenarios are played out between the instructor and the students —but with only one student at a time. “We want to have that element of surprise,” said Smith. Each scenario is recorded and, after everyone has had a chance, the videos are played back so stu-
dents can see what they did right and wrong. At the end of the class, each student who has participated receives a certificate of completion. “Overall, I really enjoyed teaching the students,” said Smith. “They really picked up on the movements.” Students who participated found RAD valuable. “I really liked RAD, and if given the opportunity, I would definitely take it again,” said junior Valerie Stannard. RAD classes taught on campus are only open to Penn State Beaver female students.
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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
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Fracking risks raise big questions Lindsay Bangor Staff Writer
lmb5793@psu.edu
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, there are 22 active natural gas wells in Beaver County, mostly in rural areas. Given the wealth of gas available from the Marcellus shale and the lucrative deals that landowners are getting from companies like Range Resources, more wells are expected to pop up in rural and not-so-rural areas all over the tri-state region. But as the wells increase, so does concern about the effect those wells are having on public health. Natural gas is extracted from shale through hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as “fracking,” a process where millions of gallons of fluid are sent deep underground to break up oil and gas formations. Unlike other industrial processes, fracking is exempt from many of the safeguards provided by the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. The fluids used often contain toxins, as does the wastewater fracking produces. In January, thousands of gallons of wastewater were illegally dumped into a storm sewer in Youngstown, Ohio, that feeds into the Beaver River. The Beaver River, which empties into the Ohio River by Rochester, is the source of drinking water for customers of the Beaver Falls Municipal Authority. This is one of many recent examples that fracking opponents point to when illustrating the dangers the process poses. While Marcellus shale has the potential to bring many good-paying jobs and billions in economic development to the region, some are worried about the cost of that development to the environment and people’s health. “Water quality, air quality and the ecosystem are all at risk when dealing with fracking,” said Matthew Grunstra, assistant professor
A Marcellus shale rig and gas well is located in a corn field in Scott Township, Lawrence County.
of environmental science. “All easily can be disturbed in the process of bringing the shale up from deep under the earth’s surface.” Gas companies are supposed to implement cement casings that will hold the fracking fluids, and they promise that the air quality is under control. But communications instructor Terrie Baumgardner is concerned. “There are too few regulations on the industry, which is a scary thing to think about. There are multiple things that go under the radar in the industry and go unnoticed by the public.” Not only could the public be drinking carcinogens and toxins from fracking liquids, but air quality is also at risk. “The air quality component has not really been dealt with yet,” said
Grunstra. “Individually the fracking machines can pass (environmental tests), but collectively they pose a major threat.” Environmental groups are beginning to challenge the “authority” that has become the industry. They are fighting for water and air quality regulations, but they are also concerned with the ecosystem. “Fracking can spread invasive species from their constant transport of materials back and forth,” said Grunstra. “This can truly be devastating to the environment.” Freshman Santino Graziani, who presented a speech on why fracking is a major environmental concern, explained why he thinks fracking can hold major implications the public is unaware of. “Fresh water contamination is the most serious threat to our
well-being,” said Graziani. “But as I learned more and more about the air and environment issues as well, the more I disagreed with our approach to fracking.” Some say New York’s conservative approach is the answer. Instead of diving directly in, New Yorkers are waiting for studies that prove fracking is safe before they start any form of the drilling process. “The truth of the matter is, the public is simply not being educated about the implications to not only the environment, but also to our well-being,” said Baumgardner. “The short-term gain is so appealing, we are failing to recognize the long-term consequences.” So what can be done to help make fracking safer? “Fracking is a decent energy source. With the correct regula-
Flickr Photo by wcn247
tions and design it can be reasonably safe,” said Grunstra. Both Baumgardner and Grunstra agree that with more rules and regulations, enforcement of those regulations in the form of periodic and frequent inspections and the proper disposal of the wastewater, fracking can be a lucrative business. “Although fracking will most likely only provide 20 to 30 years of energy, it is still a beneficial business,” said Grunstra. Baumgardner agreed, but with reservations. “I believe fracking can be a good thing only if the public is properly educated and adequate regulations are put into place and followed. “The question is, can that happen fast enough to avoid irreversible harm to public health?”
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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
Viewpoint
Staying safe a matter of staying aware and alert Managing Editor Dan Trzcianka
dvt5050@psu.edu
Editor emeritus Brandon Perino bjp5053@psu.edu
Copy Editors Caitlin Vodenichar cav5119@psu.edu
Amanda Palombo amp5831@psu.edu
Photo editor Corey Wright
cjw5372@psu.edu
Business Manager Steven Dusicsko sjd5181@psu.edu
EDITORIAL Editor
Personal safety is an issue for everyone, but sometimes it seems women are more vulnerable than men. While self-defense classes aren’t always an option, there are myriad ways a woman can reduce the chance of becoming a victim. If you’re a woman, be aware of your surroundings. Suppose you are leaving one of the classroom buildings after a late class and it’s dark outside. Pay attention to the area. Are there strangers lurking about? Someone who shouldn’t be there? Walk with a friend if possible, have your phone ready to use or call campus police for an escort. If self-defense classes are an
option, take them. Penn State Beaver recently offered the Rape Aggression Defense or R.A.D. course that teaches some selfdefense tactics for women. Keep yourself safe at home. Home invasions happen all too frequently. Don’t open the door for anyone you don’t know or are uncertain of who the person is. There are ways of verifying identity without opening the door. Lock your car doors and keep the windows rolled up while you’re driving to help protect yourself from a carjacking. When traveling, it’s always best to have a companion with you. However, if you must travel
alone, make sure you do so safely. Stay at reputable hotels with good security, if possible, and, as at home, don’t open the door for people you don’t know. More and more people use the Internet for social networking. Make sure you are safe while surfing the web. When using social networks such as Facebook or Twitter, make sure you use the highest security settings possible. Don’t friend people you don’t know or whom you have never met. Be very careful about meeting online friends in person. If you do decide to meet an online friend, do so with another person and in a public place.
Nancy Paoletti
nlp5099@psu.edu
Page Designers Jennifer Durbin jad500@psu.edu
Dante Massey
dwm5299@psu.edu
Paul Toma
pat5133@psu.edu
senior staff writers Ben Keeler
bak5266@psu.edu
Monica Pitcher
mmp5317@psu.edu
Advisers Terrie Baumgardner tbm2@psu.edu
Cathy Benscoter cub15@psu.edu
Daniel Pinchot djp114@psu.edu
Congratulations, graduates. Get a job.
You’ve done it. You have finished college and you’re ready to move on to the next stage in your life — taking responsibility. There’s a lot to do: Now that you have graduated, you have to plan for the future. First things first, get a job. While it isn’t easy, there are a lot of resources available to you to help you get the job you struggled through school for. Make sure your resume is current and says what you want it to say. Get connected with people who may know who would be hiring. Invest some time in creating a website that will act as a portfolio of all your achievements. Whatever you do, don’t think you are going to find that perfect job the first time you get hired. Of
course it could happen, but it’s likely that your first position will just be the stepping stone you need to the future. After you find that job, or even before, you need to decide where you’re going to live. Are you going to stay with mom and dad for a while or strike out on your own with an apartment? Either way, you’re going to need to understand about taking responsibility for your financial needs. Groceries, rent, utilities and insurance are going to be major concerns for the rest of your life. Many students will also need to figure out how to pay off student loans. Don’t let this obligation get away from you. It may take a while, but you’ll need to get these loans paid off sooner rather than later.
Speaking of credit, be very careful not to don’t get too far in debt because of credit cards or car loans. Make sure you take on only what you can handle. Even with a job, it can be easy to get in over your head with credit card debt if you are not vigilant about your spending and savings. Once you get a job, get a checking and a savings account. Make sure you put a little something away each payday and don’t touch the funds for a while. Even if you are making a very good salary, you want to build your savings for the future. Finally, consider graduate school. It might be worth your while to continue your education to open more doors to the career of your choice.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Roar is published several times each semester. Letters to the Editor are encouraged and can be emailed to: roar-editor@ psu.edu by the 20th day of each month. Please include your full name, address, email address and cell phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published.
FREE ADS FOR CLUBS Because The Roar receives funding from the Student Activity Fee, free advertising space is offered to any universityrecognized organization or club to promote upcoming events. The space is limited to one advertisement, one-eighth of a page in size, per organization or club per month. To reserve space, email The Roar business manager at: roar-business@ psu.edu by the 20th of each month.
April 2013 Penn State Beaver Roar
11
Features
Above, students exit the New York Subway in Times Square. For some stdents, it was the first time visiting New York City, including the life-sized childhood characters who happily pose for photos in exchange for money. Times Square is where many great attractions are found.
Live from New York The ROAR/Dante Massey
Top, Jimmy Bing, Paul Toma, Dante Massey and Corey Wright walk through the city on their way to Katz, an authentic Italian deli in Lower Manhattan. Above, tulips make for a scenic photograph outside of Rockefeller Center and The Lego Store. Right, students pose with James Bond at Madame Tussand’s Wax Museum.
On April 13, Penn State Beaver students traveled to New York City for a day trip to view attractions. About 50 students made the eight-hour trip to New York City where they spent the next 12 hours. When the students arrived at 9 a.m., they were dropped off at Macy’s. Though students were only in the city for 12 hours, they got to see many great sites. Students were given the opportunity to do whatever they wanted and to go see whatever sites they wanted. Some students took advantage of seeing famous attractions such as the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial and the Statue of Liberty. Others chose to go shopping. The students departed New York at about 9 p.m.
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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
News
Extend drop/add, student leaders propose Taylor Braxton Staff Writer
tmb5242@psu.edu
The Council of Commonwealth Student Government, which represents the concerns and interests of students attending all Penn State campuses, recently passed legislation to extend the drop/add period from 8 days to 13 days without penalty. While students at Penn State Beaver are overjoyed with the proposal, some staff members are not sharing in the excitement. The new extension would end on the Saturday of the second week of classes, instead of on the typical Wednesday that ends the current eight-day drop period. Under this legislation, professors are required to have a syllabus available as a hard-copy or on ANGEL the first day of class so that incoming students have an idea of what’s in
store. The legislation will go to the Penn State Faculty Senate to be discussed in the Undergraduate Education committee. If passed, it will go to the full senate for a vote. The Faculty Senate has no timeline established for when a decision might be rendered on CCSG’s recommended change. According to CCSG representatives, if the drop period is extended, students will have more time to get a feel for the professor and the way he or she teaches. Penn State Beaver Student Government President JeQa Powe, a CCSG member, voted for this legislation. “The later the drop/add, the more time we have to decide if the class is right for us,” said Powe. Powe said it could be one of those policies that could be abused, like students trying out different
classes or dropping a class on the very last day, but it could also be extremely helpful and should be available to everybody. When sophomore Joshua M. Nussbaum heard the news, he became excited and started clapping. “Freaking awesome!” said Nussbaum. “It takes more than eight days to see if you want to drop a class.” Nussbaum said the new drop period will not affect the way he schedules his classes. “At the end of the day, I still have an academic plan that I need to follow,” said Nussbaum. Nussbaum said the first eight days is not a lot of time to have a test. He has been in classes where, if it would not have penalized him, he would have dropped the class. “We are paying a lot of money to be here. We deserve to be with
a professor that we can connect with,” said Nussbaum. While Nussbaum is overjoyed, Senior Ileana Muhlach is indifferent. “I guess it would be different if I wasn’t a senior about to graduate, but I really just don’t care about it,” she said. Muhlach said that it is a good idea, but it is happening too late for her. Freshman Amanda Donatelli is on Nussbaum’s side of excitement. Donatelli said the change is a great idea for those students who have a class once a week, because more time with a professor could give them a better idea of whether the class is the right fit. She also said that even with an extended drop/add period, she will still choose her classes wisely but have an open mind about them. Advising Coordinator Gretchen Samchuck said she feels the change
could cause some problems with students’ financial aid. “If students are focusing on dropping a class and forgetting that they still have to add one, then they might lose their financial aid if they do not have enough credits,” said Samchuck. Student Aid and Veterans Coordinator Gail Gray said she feels the same way. “Drop/add is the only time students can drop with few consequences,” said Gray. Gray went on to say that the additional days in drop/add would also put students further behind. A student might drop a class they are afraid they may fail and add a class they will still be unsuccessful in because they have already missed so much. If the legislation is passed, the drop/add extension will go into effect next year.
Don’t throw this newspaper away! Recycle The Roar and all of the other paper you don’t need any more. Put office paper, magazines, catalogs and newspapers in one of the paper recycling bins on campus or in the Paper Retriever bin in the lower parking lot near the gym.
HELP MAKE PENN STATE BEAVER GREENER
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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
Features
Networking key to success B.Keeler
Senior Staff Writer bak5266@psu.edu
Finding a job that pays well or is enjoyable can be difficult in these trying economic times. According to recent Penn State Beaver graduates, networking is an important way of finding and getting a job, especially with professional networking sites like LinkedIn. In fact, many graduates attribute their success in finding their position yo good networking. Joe Scherer, a 2011 graduate in Business Management and Marketing, works as a business account administrator for Advantage Sales and Marketing (ASM). He said that although his position does not utilize his degree, it will help if he wants to move up the corporate ladder, as a college degree is required. Scherer got his job through networking with Carrie WalkerTeapole, a 2009 Penn State Beaver graduate in business who works for ASM as a recruiter. Scherer said he reached out to Walker-Teapole and she helped him find a job. Walker-Teapole is herself also an example of how networking can get you a job. A month prior to her graduation, a friend mentioned a position at ASM. “It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know as well,” said Larissa Ciuca, student personal and career counselor. You may be the perfect candidate with a stellar resume, but if you do not know anyone, getting a job will be very difficult, she said. “Networking gives you a leg up for development and it allows you to create business contacts,” Ciuca said. Penn State has one of the largest alumni networks in the world, with more than 500,000 living alumni worldwide. To tap that vast resource, students should join the various groups on LinkedIn and Lionlink as well as contact their local alumni chapters.
Courtesy of Robert Joswaik
Alum Robert Joswaik meets presidential candidate Ron Paul while working for Defense Media Activity.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Hain
Alumna Elizabeth Hain works with other PSU grads at Target Corp.
“Penn Staters are willing to help other Penn Staters,” said Stephanie Demaro, Penn State’s regional job and internship developer. All students have a Nittany Lion Career Network (NLCN) profile. All you have to do is update it and upload a resume. Much like Monster and CareerBuilder, NLCN will allow employers to find and recruit you. NLCN allows employers to search for Penn State students by using your qualifications and pulling them into a resume book. A resume book is simply all the resumes posted on the NLCN that fit an employer’s criteria — for example, all business majors with sales experience. “I actually did use PSUs career services to acquire my first job out of college. Larissa posted one on her Facebook page and I immediately sent my resume. It was a very easy process and a nice resource to have,” said Scherer.
The career services’ job posting board has been a wonderful experience for some, but for others the search has produced fewer fruitful results. Robert Joswaik, a 2004 graduate in telecommunications, works as a product manager for Defense Media Activity. Joswaik said he tried the Lionlink network but it never led him to a job due to the poor western Pennsylvania job market. He joined the Air Force, where he was a broadcaster. Defense Media Activity offered him his current position when the military discharged him in 2010. Taylor Rzeczkowski, a 2009 Business graduate, works for Catamaran as a proposal production coordinator. Rzeczkowski found the board helpful, but felt that it was no different from Monster or CareerBuilder. “I even reached out to a coun-
selor and asked why career placement was not done at Penn State like other colleges. I was told, ‘the Penn State name speaks for itself,’” Rzeczkowski said. Demaro says employers seek Penn State graduates because the students are well rounded, which prepares them for professional success. Cuica added that since most majors have a capstone experience, Penn State graduates often have experience applying their education to the real world. The Penn State name has opened doors for many, including Elizabeth Hain, a 2012 corporate communications graduate. Hain works for Target Corporation as a senior team leader. “I work with a lot of Penn State grads and can relate well with the Penn State pride,” Hain said. Volunteering can also help prepare students for the working world. Ted Froats, a 2011 corporate communications graduate, said his volunteer work both helped and hindered his job search. “The hardest thing for me was that I wasn’t the average 21-year-
old graduate. I was 28, married and had eight years of experience in the military and volunteer communication fields, so corporations didn’t know what to do with me,” Froats said. “They did not value the communication skills I learned in the military.” However, Froats recommends that everyone volunteer once they know what they want to do with their degrees. Volunteering, he said, gives you experience within the field and helps you add to your portfolio. It also demonstrates to employers that you care about something other than money. “Getting involved is not just about putting things on your resume to help land you a job. It’s also very much about learning who you are, what you like or dislike and what motivates you,” Joswaik said. “The experience is life experience and can shape not only your career but your future as well.” “Volunteering will provide you with valid experience that shows you can give back to the community either locally or globally,” Ciuca said.
April 2013 Penn State Beaver Roar
15
Features
Events fail to draw commuters
Commuters say they feel less included when campus events are scheduled in the evening Alnycea Blackwell Senior Staff Writer
aab5314@psu.edu
Freshman Kira Vanderlippe sits in the back of the library with her laptop and notebooks. “I don’t feel less involved,” she said, taking a moment and looking up from her work. “But it’s mostly the kids that live on campus that will be there. That’s what happens when you have an event at 8 p.m.” Vanderlippe, one of the commuter students at Penn State Beaver, said she feels that circumstances and the scheduling of campus events can lead to commuters feeling less included in the campus community.
And she’s not alone. Due to conditions and the planning of campus activities, students living off campus say they do feel less involved. “I just don’t have time,” freshman Megan Powers said. Although Powers only lives in Beaver Falls, when she’s attending classes, she’s on campus all day. So when she gets the chance to leave, Powers says she is not coming back. “When I’m gone, I’m gone,” she said. “The events are typically late,” Vanderlippe said. Commuters say events that happen around 6 to 8 p.m. are inconvenient.
“Most people don’t want to drive all the way back. You have people that live an hour away or more,” Vanderlippe said. This leads Vanderlippe to think commuters are not thought of that much when campus activities are being planned. Freshman Amanda Donatelli, a member of the Campus Activity Team, said this is not true. “We do think of commuters. Being that most of the campus is commuters, we try to include them,” Donatelli said. But even if the effort is there, why do most commuters feel left out? “Commuters are the hard-
I SPY BEAVER
STYLE T. rex Carl from “The Walking Dead” The Iron Man Arc Reactor 5 zombies Lebron James
est population (to get) at events,” Robin Schreck, student activities and residence life coordinator, said. “We try to think of programs that interest commuters.” Donatelli agreed, saying that it depends on the commuters’ interests whether they like the events or not. But commuters say the promoting and advertising have a lot to do with it. “Because you don’t hear about it (or) it’s too short of a notice, you don’t have time to plan for it,” freshman Carissa Noce said. Though campus events are advertised through fliers, television monitors and the stall stories, com-
muters say that isn’t enough. “Sometimes, I read the stall stories,” Powers said. “But the TV monitor takes too long to change.” Commuters say the TV monitor takes too long to loop back, and their patience runs out, making them miss any upcoming events they may have found interesting. Though all these reasons are what keep the commuters away, at the end of the day if they really wanted to come, they would be there. “If they want to get involved with events, they can. Just because they are a commuter doesn’t mean they are limited,” junior Blair Sheffield, a commuter, said.
We’re a little tired this time of year, and we figure you are, too. So join us for some fun and friendly competition. Look for the hidden photos throughout this edition. When you find all of them, let us know on our campus Facebook page (facebook.com/psubeaver) and email your list of exact locations to br-marketing@psu.edu. Like us, and we’ll give you hints. Everyone with the correct answers will be entered in a drawing on April 25 for one of five Penn State Beaver long-sleeved T-shirts.
DeadMau5 Nittany Lion Minion from “Despicable Me” WALL-E Loch Ness Monster
Superman Penguins Logo Shrek
Sponsored by Penn State Beaver Admissions
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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
Features
Goldberg retires from library Michael Brayack Staff Writer
mib5566@psu.edu
After working since he was 16-years old and spending 23 years as the head librarian of Penn State Beaver, Marty Goldberg plans to retire. “You can’t work forever,” said Goldberg. He said he always planned to retire around this time in his life, and it’s worked out well. He still has his health and can enjoy his retirement. That’s not to say that he won’t miss his job. He said he enjoys helping people find the materials they may need
Marty Goldberg
with their research. “I’m going to miss everyone who works here. The faculty, the staff
and especially the library staff,” said Goldberg. “And believe it or not, I’ll miss the students too because I’ve found 99.9% of the students here are good kids.” Goldberg said he will also miss the university because he feels it is an honor for a librarian to work at Penn State. “I feel fortunate because not only do I like what I’m doing, but I’m working for one of the best academic libraries in the country,” he said. The library staff has mixed feelings about Goldberg’s retirement. “He’s a great boss,” Beth Theobald, the reference librarian, said. “I’m sad that he’s leaving, but at
Means retires after 30 years Michael Brayack Staff Writer
mib5566@psu.edu
A long-time, yet unsung campus member is retiring this year. Jay Means, a lab preparation technician, is leaving after more than 30 years at Penn State. Means said he likes his job and will miss his friends and acquaintances at Penn State, but he has been considering retirement over the last year. “I’ve been content, but it’s time to move on,” Means said. Means oversees the chemistry and biology labs on the Beaver campus. Though he has a lengthy list of responsibilities, he said the largest part of his job is to ensure that the labs are ready for both students and faculty. “I think the faculty members are nervous about Jay leaving because he is so instrumental in them doing a good job in the lab,” said Donna Kuga, the director of academic affairs and Means’ supervisor. Claudia Tanaskovic, a chemistry instructor, said Means helps her with whatever she needs and takes
The ROAR/Dante Massey
Jay Means, a lab prep technician, is retiring after more than 30 years at Penn State Beaver. Means oversaw the biology and chemistry labs.
care of any problems that arise. “He does it perfectly. He set the standards really high for (whoever will take over for him).” Michael Hay, another chemistry professor, said, “Jay is wonderful. He’s very faithful and very reliable. We will miss him.” After retiring, Means said he plans to travel to see his two children and to vacation in Hawaii.
In addition, he said he always has home projects to occupy himself, and if that’s not enough, Tanaskovic said that he offered to keep helping if the faculty needed him. Means is officially done on Sept. 20. Kuga said the university is beginning to search for his replacement and hopes to have someone before that time.
the same time I’m excited for him.” Lisa Harris, an information resources and services support specialist, said she felt the same way. “He has a good focus on what we need to do for students. He’s very interested in being student focused.” Harris said that the library has improved in Goldberg’s time. She said he keeps up with new technology and that “he’s been at the forefront of bringing in new things” for the library. In regards to new ideas and technology, Goldberg said, “I’ve learned that first of all you have to be a risk taker, and the university encourages that. (The university is)
a leader in academic libraries, particularly with technology.” With his newfound free time, Goldberg plans on traveling to places like Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon, as well as Hong Kong and Beijing. He also wants to work on his photography and reading – “It’s part of the profession,” he said – and wants to be able to do more volunteer work with the Literacy Council, where he would work with illiterate adults. The search for a new head librarian will be conducted by the University Libraries, but the process has not yet started. Goldberg is set to retire in June.
April 2013 Penn State Beaver Roar
17
Features
Twitter turns 7, in 140 words or less Cameron Boggs Staff Writer
cgb5148@psu.edu
On March 22, the world celebrated Twitter’s seventh birthday. As most people know, Twitter is the marriage between a text message and a loud speaker, allowing users to broadcast their deepest thoughts or most ridiculous observations to the rest of the world in 140 characters or less. “Tweet,” the term for making a post on the Twitter social networking site, has become a new term in the lexicon of most Americans. Twitter was started in March of 2006 by Jack Dorsey and officially launched to the public in July of the same year. As of 2012, 500 million people had created accounts. Celebrities from Justin Bieber to Kim Kardashian, and even President Barack Obama, use it. In fact, Obama became the first president to tweet. Businesses have also started using Twitter to promote their products — engaging regular customers as their marketing teams for little or no cost.
ROAR Illustration by Dan Trzcianka
The illustration above is an example of how an average Twitter user’s profile appears.
For example, if you go through Wendy’s drive-thru, you’ll see a sign promoting the fast-food chain’s new chicken sandwich. Read the sign and you’ll learn that you could win $1,000 if you take a picture of it and tweet it.
To some students and faculty at Penn State Beaver, Twitter has become as big of a social media monster as Facebook, or at least as Facebook used to be. In some respects, Facebook may be on the downward slide while
Twitter still has potential. Reference Librarian Beth Theobald said she likes to use Twitter. “I like it because I like to read people’s tweets to see what’s going on,” she said. “It’s a good way to communicate
with your peers,” said freshman Jocelyn Warfield. Senior Ross Gerard likes where Twitter is going. “It’s more integrated and there are more applications that meet your needs,” he said. There are also some who dislike Twitter. Freshman Jessica Bearer is one of them. “It’s for people who gloat. Facebook is better,” she said. Admissions Counselor Rachel Zughaib thinks Twitter doesn’t have the appeal. “We basically use Facebook more. Lots of people use it. Facebook is better and it has updates while Twitter has limits,” she said. As for the future of Twitter, students say it’s going to become obsolete. “It’s getting older and fewer people will be using it,” sophomore Tyler Trieschock said. “Someone will think of a better invention.” Freshman A.J. Birocco agreed. He said he believes that the network will die off. Raven Blair, a junior, hopes that Twitter is here to stay for the long haul because she uses it as an alternative to Facebook.
Forget 140 words, how about a picture in just 10 seconds? Cameron Boggs Staff Writer
cgb5148@psu.edu
Facebook and Twitter, move over! There’s a new video/picture messaging application called Snapchat that’s hit the market. Snapchat allows users to take a photo and send it to someone else, in much the same way as sending a photo via text message, or broadcasting via Twitter. What makes Snapchat unique is that the viewer has about 10 seconds to view the picture or video before it disappears. Snapchat promotes itself as a way of sharing moments with friends; you can snap a silly photo, add a caption if you want, and
ROAR Illustration by Dan Trzcianka
The photo above is an example of how Snapchat enables you to add captions to an image and send it.
send it to your friends, who will laugh and then watch the image disappear.
“The image might be a little grainy, and you may not look your best, but that’s the point. It’s about
the moment, a connection between friends, and not just a pretty picture,” the Snapchat website says.
Snapchat was created by four students from the University of Stanford and officially launched in September 2011. Freshman Brittany Dowling has used it, but doesn’t like it. “It’s weird and you don’t know who’s sending what,” she said. Freshman Ryan Zagorski disagrees. “It’s not bad and it’s fun.” This new social media tool has not been without its detractors, though, with some people suspecting that its real purpose is for “sexting,” or sharing sexual images with others. Sophomore Joe Kellogg said he equates Snapchat with sex. “When I think of (Snapchat), I think of boobies,” he said.
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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
Sports
Big games ahead for Beaver baseball Kane Suehr Staff Writer
kms5977@psu.edu
With the playoffs approaching and a 4-3 conference record, a set of doubleheaders against conference opponents Penn State York and Penn State Mont Alto placed the Penn State Beaver baseball team’s destiny in its own hands. Unfortunately, the team merely treaded water. Beaver split its games with York on April 12, losing the first game 2-1 and answering with a 10-3 thrashing victory. In game one, junior Tyler Schuster pitched a complete game, striking out nine batters. However, the solid pitching performance was spoiled as York won the game on a walk of a single. In game two, the bats came alive with senior Markus Allen hitting three doubles and driving in three RBIs. Seniors Corey Wagner and Jim Musgrave also elevated their games, each contributing two hits and two RBIs. Things were looking great for the team on April 14, winning the first game against Mont Alto 7-1; but the team fell in the second game 4-3. Senior Vince Beatty was on the mound for the complete first game, striking out four batters and giving up just five runs. After a 1-1 tie through the third inning, Beaver scored two runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and two in the seventh to take a commanding lead. In the second game, Beaver jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, but Mont Alto countered with two runs each in the fifth and sixth. Beaver scored a run in the sixth but it wasn’t enough. Wagner, on the mound for six innings, struck out three and gave up six hits. Those results place even more importance on the upcoming three Penn State University Athletic Conference double headers, when Beaver takes on Greater Allegheny April 18 on the road, followed by Worthington Scranton April 20
ROAR Photos / Paul Toma
Above: Senior Greg Napierski stands ready while at bat for Beaver. Far left: Senior pitcher Ryan Hudacsek pitches against Penn State Fayette. Left: Senior Markus Allen rounds the bases after hitting a home run.
and Hazelton April 21, both at home. Penn State Beaver is battling to get into the PSUAC playoffs, which start April 25. Only the top four teams get in, and Beaver is currently on the outside looking in at sixth place. Penn College (11-1) leads the
conference, followed by Greater Allegheny (10-2) in second, York (8-4) in third and Brandywine (6-4) fourth. Mont Alto (8-6) is in fifth place. In order for Beaver to climb into one of those four slots, the team needs to string together some more conference wins in a hurry.
Coach Jack Hilfinger said he recognizes the importance of the upcoming games, but says he has “the utmost confidence in not only his seniors’ abilities on the field, but also their ability to guide younger players through the stretch.” Wagner and Allen are attempt-
ing to leave the university as conference champions, as they both were as freshmen. Wagner said he is not worried. “We’ve been in this position before and our offense is producing well this year. Scoring runs has not been an issue.” Allen also expressed his confidence in the mature, upperclassmen-heavy team. “Step one is get into the playoffs. But once you get in, I’m not worried about any other team,” Allen said. “It boils down to who is playing the best baseball at that time.”
April 2013 Penn State Beaver Roar
19
Sports
Lady Lions struggle, playoffs loom From Staff Report
A three-game losing streak has left the Penn State Beaver Lady Lions softball team with a 9-15 record overall, 4-6 in the conference, and struggling to make the Penn State University Athletic Conference playoffs. The Lady Lions lost a doubleheader to Penn State Mont Alto April 15 8-3 and 3-0. The day before they split a doubleheader with Penn State Schuylkill, winning the first game 9-6 and losing the second 2-1. Beaver, tied for fifth in the PSUAC, has just three more conference doubleheaders left in the season, and a lot of ground to make up. Penn State Mont Alto leads the conference with a 7-1 record, followed closely by New Kensington (8-2), Schuylkill (6-2) and Hazelton (6-4). The top four teams make the playoffs, which begin May 6. The Lady Lions had a rousing
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Junior Lauren Pier readies herself for the pitch during the April 4 game against Thiel College.
win in the first game against Penn State Schuylkill, including 14 hits. But the team faltered in the second game, bringing in just three hits. In the first loss the following day, Beaver had eight hits including four doubles, but it wasn’t
enough to overtake Mont Alto. In the second game, Beaver managed only one hit, failing to bring in a single run. Senior Korey Freyermuth was on the mound for all four games. Coach Andy Kirschner said he
feels that there’s more work that needs to be done. “We have been playing very inconsistent. We look really good at times, and really bad at times.” Kirschner is not giving up on his team. “I am very confident we will
make a run this week, and possibly squeak into the playoffs.” Sophomore Rachel Borrell said part of the team’s problem is a lack of experience. “We’re struggling because of our offense. We all aren’t on the same page,” Borrell said. “We need to come together as a team and we all need to step up and play our best.“ Borrell likened the Lady Lions to the Pittsburgh Pirates. “We’re kind of like the Pirates. We’ll have a couple of good innings and then one terrible inning, and it ruins the rest of the game.” Freshman Rachael Charlier said injuries are plaguing the team. She broke her nose April 7 against Penn College, junior Amanda Palombo broke a finger April 15 against Mont Alto, Borrell has multiple injuries and Freyermuth, the lone pitcher, is fighting through multiple injuries, Charlier said.
Fightin’ Beavs fall in game one of playoffs Pasquale Coppola Staff Writer
pcc129@psu.edu
The Penn State Beaver Fightin’ Beavs hockey team finished the season strong with an 8-6 record, losing in the first round of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Roller Hockey League playoffs. The team finished its regular season of 14 games ranked at No. 4 in the league. Unfortunately, the Fightin’ Beavs lost in the first round of playoffs April 4 to No. 3-ranked Duquesne University 7-4. Although that concludes the season this year, the Fightin’ Beavs are anxiously preparing for their first games next year. A blow to the inline hockey team next year is three of the top players are either graduating or moving on to University Park.
Senior Jacob Szemanski, the captain and No. 4 for points in the league will graduate this year. In addition, senior Anthony Mignanelli is graduating and sophomore Brady Sipe, No. 6 for points in the league, will be moving to University Park campus. It came as a surprise to some of the team members regarding their performance in the regular season. “We did a lot better than we thought we would do,” said Szemanski. “We lost key players from last year.” Luckily, the team picked up freshmen Jimmy Bing and Mike Harrington who helped the team significantly. “We do a good job, considering we are only drawing from such a small pool of students,” Szemanski said.
ROAR Photos / Paul Toma
Sophomore Brady Sipe celebrates with freshman teammate Jimmy Bing after scoring a goal in the Beavs’ first playoff game.
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Penn State Beaver Roar
April 2013
Features
Robin Schreck to move back home Caitlyn Arroyo-Meyers Staff Writer
cra5137@psu.edu
Sitting in the Student Activities Suite with students is not how most Penn State staff members spend their Friday nights. But for Robin Schreck, this is a typical start to her weekend. Afterwards, she spends all night patrolling Harmony Hall or holding events for the residents. One job after another. After four years, Shreck, a residence life and student activities coordinator, will now be moving on. All residence life coordinators at Penn State are on four-year contracts. After the four years are up, they either move to another position in the university or find a new job. Schreck has decided to apply to places that are closer to her fam-
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Student Activities Coordinator Robin Schreck sets at her desk.
ily in Ohio. “I missed my flat land and my corn fields,” said Schreck. “Once I drive into Ohio, I feel like the sky opens up and the sun comes out.”
Schreck hopes that with a new job coming and new opportunities, she’ll be able to plant some roots and settle down. “It’s hard to plant any roots
when in four years, you have to go and find a new job,” said Schreck. “I’m excited to try and go somewhere new. I think you get in a rut and to be able to go somewhere else where there are new opportunities is kind of exciting.” In Schreck’s time at Penn State Beaver she has brought new opportunities to the students. She has planned Alternative Spring Break and has organized the Campus Activities Team, in addition to many other successful events. Student Affairs staffers whom she works with say they are sad to see her go. “It’s always sad when someone is gone,” said Amy Gartley, associate director of student affairs and Schreck’s supervisor. Gartley praised Schreck for all the programs and ideas she brought
to the table. “She allowed us to get our feet wet and see if different things worked for us.” John Parker Goolsby, Schreck’s fellow residence life coordinator, said he is disappointed that Schreck has to leave, but he is excited to meet a new person and start a new year. “No matter where she goes, I’m going to use her as a networking tool,” said Goolsby. He explained that networking is an important part of being a resident life coordinator, and he is always looking for more connections. The process for finding a new residence life coordinator has been in the works since January of this year. A new person is expected to be in place in June or July at the earliest.