The Slate: A Year in Review (5-11-21)

In this special edition:

The most impactful news stories, A3

SU holds in-person events, C1

Musicians return to Luhrs, D1

Who’s on the All-Slate Team, E1

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NEWS

May 11, 2021

2020-21: A Year in Review

The 2020-21 academic year was anything but normal for Shippensburg University. The COVID-19 coronavirus forced the community online during the spring 2020 semester. University officials announced in June the return to campus in the fall. When students arrived, they adapted to a variety of changes. Everyone needed to social distance and wear a mask.

These stories and photos are major events or memories from the 2020-21 year. The Slate staff selected their favorites, as well as the stories that impacted the campus.

Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate

Big Red reminded students to wear their masks.

Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate

Students returned to campus in August, beginning the 2020-21 academic year. Campus community members adhered to new social distancing guidelines.

SU sets sail into new semester

Noel Miller

Managing Editor

Shippensburg University is aiming to keep its students afloat amid a nationwide pandemic where students, faculty and staff must be able to adapt at a moment’s notice if they hope to stay on campus for the semester.

Even as students were sent home last spring, the inevitability of their return to campus hung in the air.

When the initial COVID-19 coronavirus response dust settled, SU officials were tasked with creating a plan to eventually reopen the campus.

SU Chief External Relations Officer Kim Garris said the road to reopening began in February. According to Garris, SU officials developed six committees composed of faculty, staff and students who met to work on various reopening-related issues.

SU also brought Chris Clarke on board to serve as executive director of operations.

Clarke has worked in higher education for several years and is experienced in crisis response, risk management and staff development.

Clarke said almost every aspect of the campus would in some way be changed or modified.

Reopening changes started with campus outdoor areas. Campus community members needed more space to meet, eat and work. SU’s solutions include large tents with folding tables and chairs.

Additional tables allow opportunities for spaced-seating outside of Kriner and the Ceddia Union Building (CUB). Some of the seats are marked off to create a 6-foot space between available seats.

A large part of the average college student’s experience is gathering to hangout, meet or study with friends around campus. Many inside areas from the CUB and the Erza Memorial Library, to the many lounges scattered across campus have seen similar changes to meet social-distance guidelines.

Clarke said crews moved a couple thousand pieces of furniture from these areas to decrease the number of occupants while also maximizing space for students.

A group of students assisted the moving crews in transforming campus, Clarke said.

In addition to physical changes, SU officials had to develop new procedures for the meeting areas, dining halls and

the bookstore to combat the challenges posed by the coronavirus.

Crews placed signs and stickers throughout campus and inside buildings to help direct the flow of traffic. In the CUB, crews divided the main walking area into two lanes to minimize contact when walking.

In the classroom, faculty members had to modify how they run their classrooms. Clarke said faculty members received online training over the summer, to prepare for in-person teaching and how to use the new technology that would be added to the classroom.

Technology has allowed many colleges and universities to offer a hybrid of in-person and online classes while giving students the choice to come to campus. However, these classes look very different from the in-person classes in which students and faculty are accustomed.

Classrooms must be able to keep students and faculty 6-feet apart, as well as have the technology for teachers to broadcast themselves and their lectures for students on Zoom. Some classrooms have a maximum occupancy as low as 14 or 15 students. So Clarke turned to unconventional classroom spaces for classes with a higher student capacity.

Some of the first preparations concerned the amount of technology and resources the campus would need to provide an environment compliant with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) regulations. SU was ahead of the curve with ordering these items, according to Clarke.

In many classrooms, panes of Plexiglas provide a barrier between students and professors. OWL meeting cameras are also a staple in classrooms. These cameras follow the professors as they move allowing for an enhanced experience for remote students attending class on Zoom.

In larger classrooms and converted rooms, such as the CUB multipurpose rooms, one of the key modifications is an alternating seating schedule. These are referred to as “blue green schedules.” During a “blue class” students are only permitted to sit in seats with a blue designation, which leaves green seats between them to keep a 6-foot distance.

This way students who are in “green classes” will be sitting in green seats, which are untouched by earlier classes.

Garris said these schedules were

changed several times to line up.

While the university has made many changes and plans to adapt to the challenges posed, students also have a responsibility for keeping campus open.

Garris said this led to the creation of the “Raider Respect Pledge.” The pledge is the code and behavior campus community members are expected to uphold during the 2020-21 academic year.

She said it is a way to positively reinforce the coronavirus rules and procedures such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

The pledge reads: “I understand, as a member of the Ship community during the 2020-2021 academic year, that I have an important role in keeping the community strong. I understand that the mitigation protocols I am being asked to follow are necessary to protect the health and well-being of others in my community and beyond. I agree to abide by all federal, state, PASSHE, local, and Shippensburg University mandates, policies, protocols, and procedures related to COVID-19, and I agree to participate in any required training.”

Anyone can take the “Raider Respect Pledge” via email or by going online to the SU website.

The pledge includes short training videos about the new standards and procedures to mitigate the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Those who take the pledge are expected to abide by coronavirus policies including using designated walkways, monitoring health and wearing a mask while encouraging others to wear masks as well.

The pledge initiative also includes social media and email engagement by sending out information and new slogans throughout the week.

Garris said one from the first week was “mask up or pack up.”

The first week of the fall 2020 semester has concluded and students, faculty and staff have had the chance to become familiar with a campus changed by the coronavirus.

Garris said she was impressed by the initiative students have taken to embrace the many new changes without complaint within the first week.

She said while campus regulations and procedures may change throughout the remainder of the semester, everyone has an important part to play in keeping campus open during the pandemic.

Originally appeared in the Aug. 25, 2020 edition

Class of 2024 launches voyage Noel Miller

Managing Editor

Members of the Shippensburg University class of 2024 had an unconventional but warm welcome to their first year in college.

Move in looked different this year as students, residence assistants and faculty had to adapt to COVID-19 coronavirus procedures. After arriving at the designated time students would go to their dorms lobby to check in. Lobbies had one door designated as an entrance and the other as an exit to minimize cross-traffic contact.

When students went to check-in with staff, officials would take their temperature and the temperature of anyone helping them move in.

Officials also gave students a welcome packet containing a face mask and hand sanitizer.

Carts were still available for students to use and staff would sanitize them after each use. For first year students, moving in was not the only back to school tradition that would be changed by COVID-19.

This year’s welcome week for first-year and transfer students featured many events held online over Zoom. The newest Raiders also participated in socially distanced outdoor gatherings.

Convocation traditionally marks the end of welcome week and the beginning of new students’ college careers and this year was no different – except the class of 2024 could not physically gather in the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center.

Instead students, faculty and administrators logged onto a Zoom for the annual ceremony.

SU officials including Laurie Carter, Provost Tom Ormond, Student Govern-

ment Association President Stephen Washington, Vice President of Enrollment Management Peter Gitau and professor Robin McCann addressed students Friday morning.

After a brief welcome, Washington remarked on the uniqueness of this school year and encouraged students to reach out for help with new obstacles presented by the new semester.

Following Washington’s remarks, Gitau spoke about the purpose of convocation to bring people together and connect the new class with the existing campus community.

Carter then welcomed the new students to the beginning of their college journey and addressed the many changes brought on by the coronavirus. Carter highlighted the university's continuing commitment to keeping student success a number one priority.

The keynote speaker, McCann, centered her speech around three things she thought all freshmen should know. First, students should reach out when they need help especially with all the extra challenges they face this year. Second, faculty are there to help and want students to reach out to them and third, college is the time for students to become who they want to be.

McCann noted how this group of new students is unique in the fact that they are starting this journey among a pandemic and social unrest throughout the country.

Following McCann’s speech, Washington led the students attending though the new student pledge.

Originally appeared in the Aug. 18, 2020 edition

NEWS

May 11, 2021

Community struggles after use of racial slur on campus

Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate

Lucas Everidge, left, and Shippensburg University Police Chief Michael Lee sit with signs outside the Dauphin Humanities Center on Aug. 24, 2020. Demonstrators gathered 6-feet apart in response to the use of a racial slur in a SU residence hall. The demonstration was organized by students and faculty. Administration members, including President Laurie Carter, attended the event.

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Calls for change Like many communities across the nation, Shippensburg University found itself navigating through calls for equity and equality for all.

Soon after students arrived on campus for the fall 2020 semester, there was a “credible report of a race-based incident” in one of the residence halls, according to SU Chief Diversity Officer Stephanie Jirard.

Campus community members came together to support one another and to continue the conversation for change.

Students and faculty organized a demonstration on the Academic Quad (left), A.C.T. organized a rally to raise awareness and create a place of solidarity and students created “Diversity Week,” at week-long celebration of the community’s cultures and opportunity for education.

The campus community continued its efforts into the spring 2021 semester.

A.C.T. rallies community

Noel Miller

Managing Editor

Students, faculty, administrators and staff gathered Aug. 27 at the Hockey Rink and Rec Fields for the “A.C.T. Call to Solidarity Rally.”

The Ask. Communicate.

Teach Tolerance. Committee has an annual rally every September, however, the focus of this one was in response to the racial slur incident in Seavers Hall.

A.C.T. Committee members organized the rally to unite all people who believe that racial injustice should not be tolerated at Shippensburg University. Attendees stood in solidarity to bring people from all parts of the university together.

Dark clouds filled the sky-

line behind the stage and thunder distantly rumbled , as Ramses Ovalles, an A.C.T. member, began the event.

He welcomed the crowd and explained how important it is that the community come together to say that SU will not tolerate racism. Several other members of the A.C.T. committee stood in front of the stage wearing shirts and masks that read “Just Act.” SU President Laurie Carter spoke and began by thanking A.C.T. for organizing the rally.

“Meaningful change will come on our campus by acts of leadership at all levels,” Carter said.

Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate Originally appeared in the Sept. 1, 2020 edition

Members of A.C.T. organized a rally following the use of a racial slur on campus. Campus community members filled the Hockey Rink in support. Attendees took turns speaking and sharing their own stories.

Diversity Week educates campus community

Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate

Lance Hines-Butts (above) worked with Lucas Everidge and other SU community members to create and implement “Diversity Week.”

Noel Miller

Managing Editor

The vision of a single student has become an entire week set aside each semester to celebrate the many cul-

tures and aspects of diversity on the Shippensburg University campus.

As a sophomore, Lance Hines-Butts wanted to see the SU campus community and the Shippensburg

community come together to celebrate their diversity.

While the very first Diversity Week was held during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Hines-Butts and Lucas Everidge worked with the SU administration, students, faculty and staff to make it happen.

Each day covered a different aspect of diversity and had expert speakers from on and off campus leading the lectures and events. Students were also included in many of the panels to share their experience with the different types of diversity on campus.

The first day, Oct. 12, celebrated gender and sexuality, Oct. 13 focused on racial diversity and Oct. 14 was about ability diversity. Oct. 15 was centered on political and religious diversity and Oct. 16 celebrated ethnic diversity.

Saturday concluded Diversity Week as “Diversity Celebration Day,” which had several food trucks with different cultural foods. Officials also included cultural music and the histories of the available foods. The event expressed unity with the breaking of bread, officials said.

Hines-Butts and Everidge led this event to close out the week.

“I am grateful, I am very grateful and blessed,” HinesButts said after planning and executing the inaugural week. “It was hard work put in, blood sweat and tears.”

Everidge said he was proud of the university and

the campus. The attendees’ genuine curiosity and arriving with open minds was beautiful to see, Everidge said.

In addition to lectures and panels, several events were also held during the week including “A Quilt to Cover Us All,” presented by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) and the Ask. Communicate. Teach Tolerance. committee (ACT).

Officials unveiled the quilt Friday.

Hines-Butts said he enjoyed every day of Diversity Week but one of his favorites

was the very first day. Starting off the week was exciting for Hines-Butts and important to Diversity Week.

“The first day of history, the first day that started it and it will go on forever,” he said.

While the initial vision for Diversity Week was to unite the campus and Shippensburg community, its debut was localized to solely the campus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Diversity Week will have more people joining the event in the future which “will result in a more diverse

Diversity Week,” Everidge said.

Hines-Butts hopes to get the Shippensburg community involved in the spring through recognition although they cannot come onto campus next semester.

For more information about Diversity Week and to see some of the recorded events and panels visit ship. edu/about/diversity/diversity_week/.

Originally appeared in the Oct. 20, 2020 edition

Heather Ross/The Slate

A.C.T. unveiled its “Quilt to Cover Us All,” during Diversity Week. Community members created their own individual fabric tiles to bond together.

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NEWS

May 11, 2021

Biden clinches win in election

ShipVotes empowers students to vote

Noel Miller/The Slate

Noel Miller/The Slate

Spontaneous celebrations erupted in Washington, D.C., Nov. 7, when multiple news outlets projected Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election. People marched, showing their support for Biden.

Eyoel Delessa, a ShipVotes faculty lead, an adjunct professor and reference, outreach and instruction librarian helped organize transportation to the local voting location in Shippensburg on Nov. 3, 2020.

ShipVotes, a nonpartisan coalition at Shippensburg University, educates students about the importance of their vote and how to register to vote for upcoming elections.

Consolidation not in SU’s future R3 Testing Center boosts Hannah Pollock, Noel Miller Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor

In a virtual meeting at Shippensburg University March 8, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Chancellor Daniel Greenstein said there are no plans to consolidate SU with another campus.

“There are no plans to consolidate Ship,” Greenstein said.

He repeated the statement and noted that there is an interim president search process outlined in Board of Governors and university policy. Greenstein said there will be more information available after the April PASSHE Board of Governors meeting.

“The next several years are as challenging everywhere in higher education. It isn’t clear, the trajectory for any university or college coming out of this pandemic,” Greenstein said. “There’s a lot of unknowns…”

Greenstein said he believes that the pan-

demic has accelerated changes that had already begun.

In early May, the PASSHE Board of Governors voted to move forward in the process of “integration” for six of the system’s 14 universities.

The northeast group includes Mansfield, Lock Haven and Bloomsburg. The western group includes Clarion, California and Edinboro.

Faculty across the State System are sharing their concerns over potential job loss following the release of a University of Massachusetts-Amherst study. The study projected that more than 800 people could lose their jobs by 2023.

According to the study the job cuts from the integrations are “amounting to 14% of overall PASSHE employment,” and compared to the magnitude of the cuts to the largest private-sector plant closing and mass layoffs of the previous decade in the state.

test availability, campus life Noel Miller

Managing Editor

Going to the Raider Rapid Results Testing Center to get tested for COVID-19 coronavirus is slowly becoming part of their weekly routine for Shippensburg University students, faculty and staff.

The R3 Center has performed 3,500 tests within the last two weeks according to a COVID-19 update email sent out to students from Christopher Clarke, the executive director of operations. Hours of operation were changed to Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clarke said in the email. The center expanded how many tests it could perform in an hour from 48 to 60 according to Javita Thompson, director of

the first-year experience and community engagement and the only faculty worker at the R3 Center.

The change from having just nasal swab tests at the Etter Health Center to introducing R3 testing was made to get more tests done and have more efficient tests available, Clarke said.

“You move toward the Cadillac of testing, where what we’re using is light years ahead of what we were using in August,” Clarke said.

Within 24 hours, tests results will be available on the shippensburgportal.pointnclick.com. This “passport” will be needed to access the ShipRec, residence halls and to participate in student programs according to Clarke.

By having mandated testing for, there will be changes in

some restrictions regarding residence halls and programming, Clarke said.

The R3 Testing Center is busiest on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thompson said, many sports teams come on those days and the ROTC on Thursdays. Students make up the majority of individuals getting tested at the center and students also make up the majority of workers at the center.

All workers are equipped with masks and gloves. In addition to protective equipment, the center is cleaned between shifts, Thompson said. To keep participants feeling clean and secure, Thompson said wet wipes and hand sanitizer are available to those giving samples.

Originally appeared in the March 9, 2021 edition

R3 Center update Officials would later suspend the R3 Testing Program following a decision from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The university reopened the center on April 22 with new testing partner AMI Healthcare Hannah Pollock/The Slate

PASSHE Chancellor Daniel Greenstein held a town hall conversation with Shippensburg University community members during his virtual spring visit.

SU says ‘Goodbye’ to one president, ‘Hello’ to another

A.C.T. organizes vigil

Photos courtesy of Shippensburg University

SU’s 17th President Laurie Carter announced her departure from the university on March 4, 2021. Carter will assume the same role at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Board of Governors appointed current Mansfield University President Charles Patterson to serve as SU’s interim president in April.

Heather Ross/The Slate

Freshman Skylar Walder spoke during A.C.T.’s vigil remembering the victims of the shootings that killed six Asian women in Atlanta, Georgia. Ask. Communicate. Teach Tolerance. (A.C.T.) assembled a vigil March 22 in remembrance of the victims of the shootings.

Students and faculty joined together to grieve with the Asian community and to begin finding solutions to the ever-growing racism in the United States.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

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Opinion

The Slate Speaks While apart, we must remember Maintaining our efforts against we are all in this together pandemic In the hard times of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, we must be hopeful and pragmatic.

Though it is hard to remain positive, what you do and how you act can impact the world around you for the better.

Despite the division our society faces daily, we must remember what united us, rather than what divides us.

Much like the cast of High School Musical said back in 2006, “ We’re all in this together.” Whether it appears that way or not, it is true.

Doing things like using your voice to evoke optimal words of courage to others has the power to change another person’s perspective.

Even if things seem way out of your control, try to focus on the things that you can control. Things involving yourself like your attitude and actions.

While many aspects of

today’s world can be overwhelming and may seem impossible to fix, we as individuals must take it upon ourselves to “do our part” and make positive changes where we can. We must support each other.

It is much easier to spread positivity in the world to create a chain effect than it is to put up a defeatist attitude.

Little changes in our local communities can help create long-term effects in the grand scheme of things.

However, every ounce of hope comes with the process of patience.

Things may not be like what we are used to, like going to the grocery store without having fear of forgetting your mask at home or having the option to try clothes on in the store’s dressing room.

However, things will ultimately resume to normal in due time.

In the meantime, try fo-

cusing on the things you have gained rather than the things you have lost in the past few months.

Chloe Kim, an Olympic Snowboarder reminds us how to stay hopeful yet patient in a TIME magazine article featuring prominent figures in our culture.

“When we are faced with difficult and scary times, it’s important to try and figure out what this moment is teaching us. All of my best life lessons have come through difficult times,” Kim said.

A pandemic is certainly not what society wanted or needed, but it is the challenge we currently face. We must stand together against the problems we face and help one another.

Be kind to one another.

These challenging times will pass.

Originally appeared in the Sept. 8, 2020 edition

The unsigned staff editorial, “The Slate Speaks,” represents the views and opinions of The Slate as an organization.

Participating editors help shape the staff editorial.

We as a society share some collective aftermaths of the pandemic. Whether it is the continued social distancing, virtual learning, vaccinations or reduced business hours, we all feel some of the same burdens and inconveniences.

But the individual effects can be vastly different. We all deal with stress in different ways. After more than a year of coping with our societal changes, some are feeling the frustrations of pandemic fatigue and burnout.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines pandemic fatigue as an expected and natural response to a prolonged public health crisis that calls for the implementation of invasive measures with an impact on everyone’s daily lives.

Some of us may show our responses through frustration, burnout, tiredness, disinterest, anger or sadness.

We have adapted to a plethora of changes in the past year. Our campus is physically and emotionally not the same SU as it was before March 2020.

Some professors are exhausted with teaching courses online. Some students find themselves uninterested and unmotivated when outside of the classroom. There is a disconnect — a loss of personal attachment to our education.

The Rocket, Slippery Rock University’s student newspaper, reported that Shippensburg University’s COVID-19 coronavirus cases rank second highest in the Pennsylvania

State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

Bloomsburg and Edinboro universities remained close in case numbers.

The warmer weather and relaxed government and health guidance can allow us to temporarily rationalize tossing away one’s mask and trying to return to our old lives.

Whether the perceived increase in cases are due to increased testing availability, student behavior or more students on-campus at in-person classes, we must maintain our efforts to finish the semester strong.

We must not let all of the sacrifices made so far succumb to our itch to take the mask off and disregard any measures.

When a health provider prescribes a patient antibiotics, they tell the patient that they must finish the entire 14-day bottle.

The patient says, “I will,” in the doctor’s office. But when the patient gets home they may not follow through.

Some patients stop taking the antibiotics when they “feel better,” before the bottle is empty. This can create antibiotic-resistant bacteria — and in the long-run, more problems for the patient.

Finishing the prescribed antibiotics is important to complete battling the infection.

The same is true in the pandemic. We cannot think we have “taken enough of the antibiotics” and go back to our old ways. We must follow through and completely solve the crisis we face.

Originally appeared in the April 13, 2021 edition

Congratulations to our seniors!

Thank you so much for your hard work, contributions and dedication to The Slate. We wish you the best of luck in the professional world and cannot wait to see what you accomplish.

Morgan Barr Asst. Ship Life Editor

Christian Eby Sports Editor

Blake Garlock Staff Writer

Hannah Pollock Editor-in-Chief

Julianna Vaughan Staff Writer

Chaela Williams Asst. Ship Life Editor

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Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Ship Life Market brings unique businesses to Ship Morgan Barr

Asst. Ship Life Editor

Hannah Pollock/The Slate

Social distancing signs adorned Shippensburg University lecture halls, meeting spaces and classrooms to remind campus community members to spread out when in-person and on-campus.

SU community deals with transition to online, hybrid classes

Julianna Vaughan Staff Writer

Unlike many universities across the country that closed their doors to in-person classes until 2021, Shippensburg University took the chance to invite students back while implementing strict guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Instead of strictly operating in-person or remotely, SU gave students the freedom to choose their preferred academic setting, with many classes rotating in-person and Zoom sessions. While many students and faculty are grateful for the opportunity to return to campus, a question remains: How has the transitional experience changed for everyone?

The general consensus of both students and faculty alike is surprise at the rapid improvement of technology to adapt to the campus’ changing needs. With such rapid changes comes new challenges, but for SU English professor Thomas Crochunis, the biggest challenge has not been the technology.

It is keeping students engaged.

In a normal semester, a professor can gauge a student’s understanding or cu-

riosity of a subject based on body language or eye contact.

Now, with students separated, at a social distance in masks or on Zoom, gauging of understanding has become quite difficult.

“I can’t see where there are clues that students are deepening their thinking and conversation with each other, so it’s hard to know what to build on,” Crochunis said.

SU English professor, Erica Galioto, is optimistic about this new blended environment.

“There are daily challenges, of course, but I want to deliver the highest quality teaching and learning at all times and most students have joined me in this endeavor,” Galioto said.

Galioto has incorporated a lot of technology into her courses through virtual presentations, breakout rooms and live Google Docs. When she is grading students’ work, she uses an Apple Pencil to leave “handwritten” comments on her students’ papers.

“I am teaching how I always teach,” Galioto said.

“And the students who want to be present in their learning are engaged and participatory.”

Despite the hiccups in technology, Galioto is report-

ing successful classes across the board and is “energized by student work this semester and am excited to continue this trajectory.”

On the student side, some have also found a few difficulties in navigating the transition. Kaitlyn Johnson, a senior English major, believes some things are more difficult this semester than they were during the remote portion of the spring semester.

“Some professors are requiring too much from their students despite the pandemic,” Johnson said. “And in many cases, the OWL systems have not been very accurate in class. It can be difficult to hear what the students are saying in the classroom while attending virtually.”

While the OWL system is an incredible piece of technology, it has been difficult for students to follow along in class discussions when it fails to pick up softer voices in the classroom. However, Johnson and other students agree that it has been very helpful to have this technology when choosing to learn virtually.

Despite a few hiccups, SU is doing what no one thought possible: The university is still open in Week six of the semester with synchronous

File photo/The Slate

OWL cameras were a staple in every classroom during the 2020-21 year. in-person, virtual courses and an increased retention and enrollment rate.

After such an uncertain ending to the spring semester, students remain hopeful for a complete and successful semester.

Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling with the transition, help is available. Do not hesitate to reach out to a professor, a learning support specialist, or the Counseling Center.

Originally appeared in the Sept. 22, 2020 edition

First Fridays is not the only event in Shippensburg striving to bring Shippensburg’s collegiate community and the town together.

The Ship Market encourages students and community members alike to support local businesses by attending the market each Thursday.

The Ship Market hosts a variety of businesses ranging from food trucks to distilleries and artisan jewelry makers. Vendors come from all over Central Pennsylvania and have many unique products to offer.

Duck Donuts of Mechanicsburg offers pre-ordering of their custom-made donuts each week, while Uncle Eddie’s BBQ brings their well-known mac ‘n’ cheese bowls topped with a choice of brisket, pulled pork or chicken. Lotus Bowls frequents the market, bringing acai bowls, smoothies and other healthy options to Shippensburg.

In addition to food, Maxie’s Brew House of Shippensburg offers createyour-own six packs of their specialty brews.

Hook and Flask Still Works offers a taste of Carlisle with their craft spirits.

Biser Farms and several other local farms provide locally grown produce for attendees to purchase.

The market provides a weekly ritual for many students and community members alike.

“My roommates and I discovered Ship Market a few weeks ago, when we saw a taco truck we like was coming to Shippensburg and have been coming ever since,” senior Jessa Corwell said. “It’s a great way to get out and experience the local community and support small businesses.”

The market is outdoors, and while masking is not required at the park, it is encouraged and many vendors wear masks throughout the evening while serving their customers. Seating arrangements at the park are spread out and include picnic tables and benches.

Some attendees choose to bring their own lawn chairs and watch the different sporting events that may be taking place within the different fields at the park.

The market is located at the Southampton Township (Cumberland County) Park on Airport Road and is open from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursdays from May until the end of October. To find a list of vendors each week, follow Ship Market’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ TheShipMarket.

Originally appeared in the Oct. 13, 2020 edition

Morgan Barr/The Slate

There are a variety of food vendors at the market including Lotus Bowls, which makes acai bowls.

Royalty makes history at Homecoming

Hannah Pollock/The Slate

Shippensburg University celebrated its non-traditional Homecoming with socially distanced activities across campus Nov. 14, 2020. Students received a variety of giveaways including gift cards, sweatshirts and water bottles.

Officials also crowned Eliza Resetar (left) and Quamia Wells (right) as Homecoming Royalty outside of Gilbert Hall and Old Main. This was the first time in university history where two women were crowned homecoming royalty in the same year.

SHIP LIFE

May 11, 2021

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Ship alumnus marries a stranger from TikTok Morgan Barr

Asst. Ship Life Editor

When many people think about marriage, they think of marrying the love of their life, someone they’ve known forever — or at least that they feel like they’ve known forever.

But not Gunnar Michels. The Shippensburg and Theta Xi alumnus recently went viral on TikTok for his search to find a stranger willing to marry him in Las Vegas on Valentine’s Day. But where did the idea to marry a stranger come from?

“So I made a video before that one, where I got a tattoo with a stranger. And this is my first tattoo. And I kind of wanted to do it with someone random. And I wanted to do it again. But I wanted to up the scale. So that’s where I came up with the kind of ridiculous idea of getting married to someone,” Michels said.

Michels’ search for a wife quickly blew up but even with over 1,000 girls interested in marrying him, one girl stood out the most.

Danielle Ellinad posted a video application that received more than 7 million views, and included showing off her ambulance, which she converted and lives in.

“Before I looked at her profile, I saw that she did van life. I’ve kind of been dreaming about living out of a van for a really long time.

So that was obviously like a massive turn on.

And then she posted the video saying that we can take her ambulance and I’m like, I gotta talk to her. So after we FaceTimed, it was like, it had to be her,” Michels said.

After deciding to marry Ellinad, Michels traveled to Pittsburgh to propose and meet her family.

The proposal was the first time the pair had met, aside from FaceTiming every day. After Ellinad accepted his proposal, the two went out for dinner after which Michels met her family.

“Her mom is absolutely phenomenal. And her dad is a lot like my dad. He doesn’t like to talk as much, but they were very accepting,”

Photo courtesy of Gunnar Michels

Shippensburg University alumnus Gunnar Michels married a stranger, Danielle Ellinad, who he met on TikTok. Michels and Ellinad drove to Las Vegas, Nevada, in Ellinad’s refurbished ambulance to get married on Valentine’s Day 2021.

Michels said.

Soon after that, the pair headed off on an almost week-long road trip across the country to Las Vegas.

Along the way, they stopped in Nashville, Tennessee, and even made a pit stop to see the Grand Canyon, where Michels met his best man the day before the wedding.

The wedding was held at the Fabulous Las

Vegas sign, and afterward they enjoyed a nice dinner compliments of MGM Grand Hotel.

The pair also hit the casino to celebrate, and of course filmed and uploaded content of their whole experience for their followers.

When asked about his relationship with Danielle moving forward Michels said: “We’re navigating our relationship now, obviously the intention was to get divorced.

That was the condition that I made for everyone when I sent out the feelers. So I think we still intend on doing that. But that doesn’t mean that’s the end of us, you know what I mean? And our relationship together, whether that be romantic or platonic, I think that there’s definitely a future for us.”

Originally appeared in the March 2, 2021 edition

Campus snapshots Students took advantage of an impromptu “Raider Rest Day” due to an on-campus power outage on March 11.

Photos by Hannah Pollock Photo courtesy of Gemstone Hippie Co./Cassy Cohen

Senior Cassy Cohen sells her crystal jewelry at a small business in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

#GirlBoss: SU women find success with personal businesses Chaela Williams

Asst. Ship Life Editor

Juggling academics and being a CEO of a small business would be too much to handle for many students, but Shippensburg University alumnae Leah Mottershead and senior Cassy Cohen manage to defeat the odds as they work on getting their degrees while owning a company.

Mottershead owns two companies, Grad Caps by Le and Unleashed LLC. She started Grad Caps by Le in high school as a hobby, doing about seven caps for friends at the time. She continued to decorate and design graduation caps free of charge until her sophomore year at SU when a friend offered to pay $50 for her work.

News spread about Mottershead’s handmade graduation caps and students quickly direct messaged (DM’ed) her for her rates.

“Somebody else saw the grad cap I did and he was like ‘I need you to make me one’ since his previous cap did not look great. So I charged $30 and I redid his cap,” Mottershead said. “So then I just started doing it every semester and that’s kind of how it took off.”

Motterhead went from doing two caps a semester to

27, making a profit of $50 per cap. The majority of the earnings goes toward buying craft supplies in bulk at Michaels.

When she was not making 40 orders of graduation caps, Mottershead focused on her studies and extracurriculars.

Mottershead graduated last December with a degree in human resources management, was the president of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) and was a member of the Latino Culture Club.

On top of that, she studied to be a certified lash technician in order to start her second company, Unleashed LLC. “I always wanted to do lashes, I started [to] get into lashes about two and a half years ago,” Mottershead said.

“I have had over a hundred clients in the past year.”

Mottershead finds the majority of her lash clients based in her hometown of Abington, Pennsylvania. At Shippensburg, Mottershead works out of her student apartment.

“I see [my clients] every two to three weeks. They never skip a beat and there are some people that just want lashes done for a party or a [special] occasion,” Mottershead said.

Cohen found her passion for photography in

high school but only got her first camera when she was a freshman at SU. Since then, Cohen’s photography company Cassandra Jade Photography has taken off.

“I have taken a couple [photos] of people’s birthdays and Kappa Beta Gamma’s graduation photoshoot,” Cohen said. “Now I work with a company, it’s called Dreamer’s Hollow and [they] hired me as their photographer.”

Cohen is majoring in psychology with a criminal justice minor. Originally, she wanted to be a behavioral scientist but decided to change her career path to professional photography.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Americans are starting new businesses at the fastest rate in more than a decade, taking advantage of the quarantine.

During the COVID-19 coronavirus quarantine, Cohen created her second business Gemstone Hippie Co. A homemade crystal jewelry company inspired from Cohen’s interest in the healing properties in crystals.

“So honestly it just started as a hobby. I wanted some cool crystal necklaces over quarantine. So I was like, all right, I am going to make them for myself,” Cohen said.

“Then I went to work every day and I would always wear my crystal [necklaces] and my coworkers said, ‘those are cool, can I have one?’ I was like, yeah and I started to make [more] and then all of a sudden I had orders.”

The crystal necklaces include rose quartz, carnelian and jade. The necklaces cost $10 and can be customized by the customer’s crystal of choice.

Cohen officially launched Gemstone Hippie Co.’s website: gemstonehippieco.com during the winter break.

Before then, she had taken product orders via Instagram direct message (DM).

“I have shipped a few thousand [items] to people across [the nation],” Cohen said.

Cohen has halted some production of Gemstone Hippie Co. in order to maintain her grades. But she will soon be able to refocus on selling and packing more items.

Even with the pressures of academia and financial issues due to the pandemic, Mottershead and Cohen continue to push forward with their businesses, establishing a strong work ethic and determination.

Originally appeared in the Feb. 23, 2021 edition

D1

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

A&E

Band seniors cope with unconventional final season Ryan Cleary A&E Editor

As a member of the Shippensburg University Red Raider Marching Band (SUMB), I spend my Saturday afternoons in the stands and on the field musically supporting and entertaining the players and fans at Seth Grove Stadium.

However, the stands will remain empty this fall. No games, no halftime shows or alma mater played.

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic caused Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) officials to suspend all athletic events and championships through the fall semester.

This decision was unwanted but expected.

It follows those of other conferences like the Patriot and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Officials said they hope to reschedule the season for the spring 2021 semester but it will not be the same as a traditional season A major part of the Saturday college football experience is the marching band. It is more than a group of people who gather once a week to put on a performance. The SUMB’s main philosophy is being one big family.

Band members perform because they are passionate about music. Shippensburg is the only PSAC college that does not offer a music major.

Despite the postponement of the season, The SUMB is planning to continue to gather and play music.

As a sophomore, I still have two seasons left to perform in the drumline with the band.

While I was disappointed, I will eventually have the opportunity to take the field at halftime.

However, this year’s seniors do not have that luxury. Many SUMB seniors were devastated when they heard the news. These are perspectives from five seniors: Matthew Zemba, band president and front ensemble member, said he was disappointed when he heard the news.

“I’ve been a part of this organization for three Matthew Zemba years now. It was hard to hear that things would not be the same as in previous years,” he said.

Zemba explained the number of people who come to games at Seth Grove Stadium at SU is because of the school spirit and pride shown every weekend.

Photo courtesy of SUMB

While the SUMB did not perform at any football games this past year, it continued to practice and play music.

Zemba mentioned that section leaders would need to take responsibility for their section members when cleaning their instruments after every rehearsal.

Zemba said that everyone is anxious to go back no matter how much they want to show it.

Allysen Wesner, vice president of bands and a saxophone section member, said that leadership’s main goal is to try and hold the traditions established for the last three years but also find new ways to stay safe and comfortable during band rehearsal.

Wesley Hoffner, who plays in the low brass section, said that the decision to postpone the season was a smart one.

He noted how professional sports leagues can Allesyn Wesner have all their players remain in a “bubble” to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. This cannot be replicated at the collegiate level, since students must attend academic classes throughout the week before traveling to another university for a game or competition.

The coronavirus is often spread through the air by breath particles. This type of transmission presents an issue for a band that includes breath-powered wind instruments.

Concerts return to Luhrs

Hoffner mentioned how brass players generate spit from their instruments and have to have options to safely dispose of the bodily fluid. He said each instrumentalist could have Wesley Hoffner a personal bucket that the player places their instrument as close as possible to the bucket to limit the spread.

Another idea includes bell covers for the brass. Hoffner suggests to make a move now to purchase bell covers since they are in high demand for bands all over the world.

Hoffner said he feels returning to campus will not go as well as anticipated but he is looking forward to seeing his friends and band members.

Color guard member Savannah Elder said that despite the frustrations of wearing a mask or shield, she thinks members will abide by the rule.

“My hope is we can all come Savannah Elder together and be

respectful enough of one another’s health to enjoy what we’re able to do together as a family,” Elder said.

Elder is worried that some students will not be careful once Leah Fuoco they are back on campus. However, she is not concerned with members of the SUMB, since they see each other numerous times in a week.

Drumline member Leah Fuoco said that she is not worried too much. She said when it comes to academics, the university will be smart with class sizes. Fuoco said she is concerned about how some buildings are going to operate, especially the Ceddia Union Building (CUB).

Arts and Entertainment Editor Ryan Cleary is a member of the Shippensburg University Red Raider Marching Band.

Originally appeared in the Aug. 18, 2020 edition

SHAPE Gallery reopens

Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate

The Shippensburg Arts Programming & Education (SHAPE) Gallery reopened at the end of September following a months-long closure due to the pandemic.

Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate

Various ensembles of student musicians performed in-person at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center for the first time in almost a year.

The performers and audience wore masks, social distanced when possible during the April and May concert dates.

Read more on theslateonline.com

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

E1

Sports 2021 All-Slate Team Raider of the Year

Freshman of the Year

Hannah Marsteller Sophomore Softball

Leah Graybill Freshman Track and Field

Baseball Player of the Year

Softball Player of the Year

Ben Werkheiser Junior

Hannah Marsteller Sophomore

Lacrosse Player of the Year

Tennis Player of the Year

Hannah Seifried Sophomore

Skylar Walder Freshman

Women’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Men’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Leah Graybill Freshman

Pat Maloney Sophomore

Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year

Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year

Chayce Macknair Sophomore

Kyra Gerber Junior

Men’s Swimmer of the Year

Women’s Swimmer of the Year

Andrew Hale Junior

Michaela Hersh Freshman

Honorable mentions

Baseball Kyle Lysy, graduate student; Justin Darden, sophomore; Kiernan Higgins, red-shirt sophomore; JuJu Cason, grad student; Chase Zurawski, junior; Gabe Stotler, freshman Tennis Jenna Sluymer, junior Merel Hoekstra, freshman

Softball Courtney Coy, junior; Toni Jones, freshman; Lacey Hunter, sophomore; Morgan DeFeo, sophomore; Maelynn Leber, freshman; Emma Flattery, freshman

Cross Country Drew Dailey, sophomore; Alexander Ermold, sophomore; Aiden Gonder, freshman; Hayden Hunt, freshman Isabelle Gulgert, sophomore; Bella Marchini, senior; Belle Weikert, freshman; Leah Moffitt, freshman

Track and Field Drew Dailey, freshman; Eric Kirk, freshman; Charles Bowman Jr., grad student; Josh Herbster, sophomore; Cam Strohe, grad student; Mo Whittle, freshman; Chayce Macknair, freshman Lieke Black, freshman; Zarria Williams, senior; Kate Matrisciano, junior; Madisen Kling, sophomore; Caroline Mastria, freshman; Isabelle Gulgert, freshman; Maddie Sieg, freshman

Lacrosse Gabby Savarino, sophomore; Alana Cardaci, junior; Bailey Krahl, freshman

Swimming Matt Bochanski, junior; JC Greenwood, red-shirt freshman; Michael Salvatori, freshman; Vin Salvatore, junior; Trevor Woolwine, junior Madison Breiner, junior; Marissa Bittner, freshman; Mari Reott, senior; Sammy Taylor, freshman; Alyssa Tomb, freshman

SPORTS

E2

May 11, 2021

‘Everything happens for a reason’

Marchini's improbable comeback from injury, memorable finish at PSAC Championships Christian Eby Sports Editor

In summer 2019, after rigorous training in Colorado for the upcoming season, Shippensburg University senior Isabella Marchini returned to the Shippensburg area for a counselor position in the local high school cross-country summer camp.

On her last run during the summer camp, Marchini felt her leg seize up. She immediately realized something was wrong.

“I had been racking up mileage,” Marchini said. “And on my last run; it was a long run. About 10 miles. I just stopped after the 10 miles and that’s when it just hit me. It just happened.”

That happening Marchini described was an injury to her iliotibial band (IT band). The IT band is a long piece of connective tissue that runs along the outside of the leg from the hip to the knee and shinbone. It is most used to rotate, extend and abduct the hip.

In Marchini’s case, the injury was just the beginning to a long road of visits to the doctor, rehabilitation and multiple rounds of tests and scans. In fact, the entire process stretched seven months (July 2019 to February 2020), forcing her to forgo her junior cross-country and indoor track-and-field season.

Marchini said her journey consisted of five steps: physical therapy, MRIs, X-rays, a cortisone shot in her knee and an arthrogram (an MRI where dye is injected into a joint).

Through all that, the end result yielded no diagnosis.

After the lengths of testing, Marchini eventually had surgery on her leg, with the official diagnosis being IT band syndrome. Marchini said a band of foreign tissue was found wrapped around her patella (kneecap) in addition to other structures. Thankfully, after the surgery was performed, her pain went away.

Marchini placed 34th in last Saturday’s Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships, just four spots outside of All-PSAC Second Team honors, her recovery from the grueling injury coming full circle.

But even after the seemingly never-ending nightmare, Marchini said the previous seven months took a toll on her. Not just physically, but mentally. And she did it with the nagging pressure of coursework, making trips home for testing, all while assuring she was still there for her teammates in some capacity.

It was the ultimate test. It broke her heart knowing she could not compete with her teammates and friends. Marchini wanted to be a leader, but she felt she could not.

She said it was the darkest moment of her life. It was a time when she did not want to be around anyone.

Photo courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info

Bella Marchini (front) runs at SU’s 2019 outdoor track-and-field invite. In 2019, she placed fifth at the PSAC Championships in the 5,000-meters (5K).

“I was trying so hard to be emotionally there for my teammates because we were such a young team,” Marchini said. “I was the oldest one. We had about two seniors that were part of the track team that ran cross country, but other than that, I was the most experienced. I was supposed to be the leader.”

“I could not lead them physically. I could not run with them. I couldn’t travel with them. And so, being away from my teammates, I felt super isolated. I was pretty much putting on an act in front of everyone that I was doing OK. I was pretty much a disaster,” Marchini said.

The climb back Marchini refused to give up.

In total, she was unable to run for 10 months. However, through consistent physical therapy, a positive attitude and believing in herself, Marchini saw the light at the end of the tunnel by defying the odds and returning for her senior season.

For most SU cross-country runners, it had been over a year since they had taken the course in a competitive collegiate meet.

But for Marchini, the highly anticipated wait was significantly longer — 840 days to be exact.

Last fall, the Raiders saw their fall season stripped due to the seemingly ceaseless and unforgiving coronavirus pandemic. However, once the raging storm of COVID-19 ever so slowly began to settle, the PSAC announced a championship cross-country schedule would be held this spring. And it did take place, with

the PSAC Championships wrapping up the truncated season March 20.

For Marchini, who had seen a plethora of success at the PSAC Championships in past years — a 2018 All-PSAC First Team nod, followed by a 2018 All-Atlantic Region First Team performance — this year’s championships served as a rollercoaster full of emotions. It was her first cross-country appearance in nearly two and half years, with her last being the 2018 NCAA Championships. It was also likely the last in her lifetime.

“I was honestly just trying to take in every moment,” Marchini said. “It’s kind of weird.

You don’t really experience something new a whole lot, really things just don’t end. And I have been running cross-country since I was 10 or 11 years old, and this was the last cross-country race I’ll ever run. So, I was really trying to take in that day.”

Marchini, who placed 34th last Saturday, said although the impressive finish felt rewarding, it was the improbable comeback and months upon months of training, rehabbing and growth of mental toughness that got her back to this point. It is what hit home the most.

While the 2020 cross-country season ended just about as fast as it arrived — Marchini did not compete in the two cross-country regular season meets due to foot tendinitis — Marchini has another six-week campaign ahead of her: Outdoor track-and-field. She said she is more excited than ever.

“I get so motivated for track. It’s just so

fun. Way more fun than cross-country, honestly,” Marchini said with a laugh. “It can be just as painful, sometimes more painful than cross-country. But there’s just something about the track, I want to do it every single day.”

Similar to her feats in cross-country, Marchini thrives on the outdoor circuit in track-and-field. Seeing most of her success in the 1,500-meters and 5K — with a concentration in the 5K this year, she said — Marchini’s accolades beat to the drum of personal bests, a 2018 sixth-place finish in the 1,500-meters and a fifth-place tally in 2019 in the 5K. “I honestly feel great and I am really, really excited to end my career on a good note,” she said.

Looking back Despite all the hardships, Marchini said she will never forget how she got here. If anything, she said she is thankful for those unrelenting seven to 10 months.

She also credits the support team she had around her. Specifically, SU cross-country head coach Steve Spence.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better coach.

[Coach] Spence is the most knowledgeable human being I have ever met,” she said. “Him being my coach is one of the reasons being at Ship has been so good. And I love my teammates and Spence is that added bonus.”

Marchini is set to graduate from SU in May with an exercise science degree and said she has fond memories to take with her from her tenure in a Raiders’ uniform. Everything from unforgettable moments on the track and cross-country course, to traveling from meet to meet or even things as simple as preseasons.

One of her most memorable moments was traveling to nationals her freshman year.

“My favorite memory was during my freshman year. I didn’t run at nationals, but I was able to travel with the team to nationals in Indiana,” Marchini said. “I personally love travel days. Not a lot of people do, but that was probably one of the most fun things I’ve ever done because I got to go and watch everyone but not have the stress of actually running at nationals.”

And after everything she endured, she now lives by the mantra, “Everything happens for a reason.”

“Everything happens for a reason,” she said. “I was not supposed to run my junior year of cross-country for whatever reason, but it’s like that happened, so that I can be here now. It sounds so cheesy, but everything does happen for a reason, and I was not meant to run in my junior year. Maybe something detrimental would have happened, and in a sense this injury saved me.”

Originally appeared in the March 30, 2021 edition

Gamble continues to impact Baltimore community Christian Eby Sports Editor

Former Shippensburg University football star, Joel Gamble made his mark in SU football history, but no memorable catch or touchdown could ever amount to the work he has done off the football field.

Gamble, a 2004 SU graduate, enjoyed a two-year career in the NFL — spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans. Before his NFL tenure, Gamble suited up for the D.C. Armor of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) and played with the Tennessee Valley Vipers, Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings of arenafootball2 (af2).

Following his football career, Gamble found his true calling — helping others. In 2014, Gamble created The Joel Gamble Foundation, which mentors and helps the inner-city youth of Baltimore, Maryland, and provides them with resources for an easier and more direct path to success in their futures.

This year has presented challenges that the foundation never faced before.

However, one thing never changed — the desire to lend

a hand and continue to make a lasting impact on the community.

Every spring and summer, The Joel Gamble Foundation hosts its annual flag football league, wellness program and football camp. With the ongoing pandemic, these events could not take place in-person and changed to a virtual setting. It was a difficult transition, but new opportunities and experiences arose from the unusual scenario.

One of those unique experiences was the creation of the NFL Skills and Drills program. The program allowed young athletes to talk with NFL players and coaches virtually. The sessions took place every Saturday for eight weeks and even included drills and workouts for kids to participate in from their homes.

“It was really cool to allow kids to meet some of these guys that they may look up to and really get to pick their brains,” Gamble said.

Gamble’s devotion to the community continued past the game of football. With the COVID-19 coronavirus affecting so many in Baltimore, Maryland, Gamble noticed many students did not have the proper technology at home to learn virtually — even internet for that matter.

The foundation provided 70 tablets and 37 Chromebooks to kids in Baltimore over the past few months.

“When everything went virtual there were a lot of kids who couldn’t keep up with the learning and that’s not fair,” Gamble said. “So, it was a blessing that we were able to bridge that gap as far as technology is concerned with education.”

Gamble said he missed the face-to-face interactions with the kids that he had in years past. The online conversations did not have the same effect. He could not build the tight-knit relationships he was used to.

“The hardest part about all of this was not having that in-person interaction with the kids,” he said. “It’s hard to build that relationship online and not being able to have the kids outside and give them that social interaction they need. That’s the

negative that comes with virtual programming.”

In addition to his foundation, Gamble found another way to bring positivity to light amid the pandemic.

Along with fellow NFL alumnus Tavon Mason, the duo pieced together a new comic series called, “The Justice Duo.” “The Justice Duo” is unlike any other comic book series you have seen before.

Gamble said the idea for the comic book series stemmed from a multitude of items. Gamble and Mason are both children’s book authors and have supported one another in their endeavors to better the Baltimore community. With the comic book series, they wanted to show people that despite all the bad news they may hear or see transpire in Baltimore, there is still a lot of good in today’s world.

“Being from Baltimore, I can say there is not a lot of positive news that comes out of Baltimore,” Gamble said. “We wanted to show that there are some positive Black men in Baltimore that are doing some great things and that we can come together and work together to do something positive.”

Looking back, Gamble recalls growing up as a huge Batman fan. “The Justice

Duo” consists of one major component that is missing from the Batman and the Superman comic book worlds — diversity.

“The Justice Duo” provides representation of all different cultures and that is what Gamble is most proud of when he speaks of the series.

“Being in education, I see that there’s not a lot of representation of different cultures in books and so we re-

ally wanted to provide that,” he said. “You look and see how big Black Panther was and how kids were able to see a Black superhero. And growing up with Batman, Superman and Ironman, those were all great, but they were missing representation. So, for us to bring that representation to life is huge.”

Originally appeared in the Oct. 27, 2020 edition

Photos courtesy of Joel Gamble

The Joel Gamble Foundation provided tablets and chromebooks to kids in Baltimore, Maryland, to help with virtual learning during the pandemic.

SPORTS

May 11, 2021

E3

Coast to coast LoBianco first player from California in baseball program

Photo courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info Jackson LoBianco of Irvine, California, is the first player in program history from the state.

Christian Eby Sports Editor

If you had asked Shippensburg University infielder Jackson LoBianco to point out Shippensburg on a map prior to his search of playing baseball at the collegiate level, he would not have had the faintest of clues.

Why would he? LoBianco, an Irvine, California, native did not even ponder the idea of playing collegiate ball on the East Coast. Let alone in a small town of roughly 5,000 people.

Sure, it was not something he would turn down if the right opportunity came along. He has always been one to accept change. But now, in the most astonishing of circumstances, LoBianco finds himself anchoring the shortstop position for the Raiders’ baseball program.

In a time when the recruiting landscape continues to change, especially with the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic last March, recruiting coordinators are not having to travel to see athletes in person as often. While that portion of

the process is still important, in a case like LoBianco’s, venturing to the other side of the country was not exactly an option.

However, through the online scouting organization, Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) — where future collegiate athletes can upload game film — LoBianco connected with SU. Shippensburg baseball recruiting coordinator Sean Williamson was in search of filling the hole at shortstop from the 2020 class.

Williamson said LoBianco checked all the boxes.

“Jackson had done a good job of having a good collection of videos on his NCSA page and YouTube, where I could get a good feel for the type of player he was,” Williamson said. “He had also gone to a few showcase events where certain metrics were taken (60-yard dash, arm velocity, exit velocity), so we were able to add that to our evaluation.”

“At the end of the day, from his videos and speaking with coaches out his way, we could see a really athletic kid with great footwork, a strong arm and a solid swing.”

In fall 2019, LoBianco took a flight out to visit SU and shortly thereafter, picked up the phone and told the coaches, SU is where he wanted to call home for the next four years.

But LoBianco’s journey to SU became even more patented.

With his commitment to the Raiders, LoBianco carved his name in the Shippensburg history books before even stepping foot on the di-

amond — he is the first member of the SU baseball program from California. LoBianco’s entry into university history catalogs all the way back to 1874 when the baseball program was founded, with an official NCAA record eventually counting in 1927 when SU became a fouryear degree-granting institution.

For LoBianco, while he said he is attending SU for the unique experience and the family atmosphere the university provides. When he thinks in the bigger picture, it is pretty crazy to know he stamped his family name in school history.

“I think when I really sit down and reflect on it, it’s absolutely surreal and crazy to think that that’s really true,” LoBianco said. “It’s not really a huge deal at the end of the day because we’re all just one team, one family. But upon reflection, it’s definitely a shock, and something I feel I’ve been lucky to do and that I’m very appreciative of.”

As imagined, LoBianco’s transition to SU comes with its adaptations. LoBianco said the East Coast culture and even things like the Pennsylvania wildlife are some things he is not used to seeing.

However, he is soaking in every aspect.

“The amount of animal life here; I know that sounds strange but open space farms, the small-town thing, is completely different,” LoBianco said with a laugh. “I’m used to the house on every block, things like that.

“I always say the culture on the

East Coast is a lot more decompressing and that it was different, and I just felt like I would be able to grow as a person more, being away from home,” he added. “Having my own unique story and really branching out and trying something different — I had a feeling that it’d be a lot slower paced and calm, and I think I was right about that.”

Despite the more mellow pace, LoBianco has his sights set on some lofty goals in his freshman campaign: Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Freshman of the Year, and as a team goal, national champions. He credits himself as one to always shoot for the highest feats. It is why he puts in the constant work and dedication.

As of Saturday, LoBianco holds a .091 batting average and totaled three walks.

But in the end, LoBianco said the opportunity to play collegiate baseball is a blessing in itself. And being part of the Raider baseball crew, makes the entire experience that much sweeter. He knows as long as his teammates are at his side, he is in good shape.

“I think we go to the field every day for each other. To try and make something special happen,” LoBianco said. “To be remembered.

And that really gives us that extra gear. When we’re down and we’re just grinding through it, we just look around and see each other and that’s what pushes us forward.”

Originally appeared in the March 23, 2021 edition

Sports Editor says Marsteller looks to continue mashing ‘Goodbye’ Isaiah Snead

Asst. Sports Editor

Christian Eby Sports Editor

Well, we made it.

As I type this at 8:30 a.m. on a gloomy Friday morning, there will never be enough words to describe what my time at The Slate has meant to me.

In no way when I arrived at Shippensburg University in fall 2017 as a clueless freshman, did I ever imagine I would find myself in this position. I had it all planned out. Business major, management concentration, loads of internships, but sports editor at The Slate — no, that was not in the cards.

But I can now happily look back at that “in-over-myhead” 18-year-old (and still am in over my head honestly) and say, “You did good. You found what you were searching for. An identity. Something to call your own.”

I joined The Slate staff in January 2020 as a staff writer. In May, I was promoted to assistant sports editor.

In December, sports editor.

My Slate career took place during a worldwide pandemic (all but two months).

It was a year full of uncertainties and unknowns for SU sports (let alone the entire world). Fall and winter seasons suspended, later canceled. The question

of spring sports returning loomed. There was always the concern, “How are we going to get content for the sports section?”

The fall and winter editions were filled with feature stories. And I mean FILLED. We spoke with multiple student-athletes on their seasons being canceled, how they were continuing to prepare, what the next steps were.

We ran stories on alumni. There was Neely Spence Gracey’s preparation for the Olympics, Joel Gamble’s new comic book series, “The Justice Duo,” Jeff Nixon’s coaching experience during the 2020 NFL season and so many more. In the spring, we have covered every sport through thick and thin.

Yes, there are some things I wish I could have accomplished or that I wish I could have covered, but I do not leave The Slate with any regrets. As an organization, we overcame adversity and I could not be prouder for what we accomplished.

There are so many people I want to thank but the one person that I owe it all to is Dr. Michael Drager. His wisdom, knowledge of the business and willingness to always help is something for which I will forever be grateful. Also, thank you to Isaiah and Jack for their hard work and dedication to the section and to my fellow Slaters for all the memories along the way.

I will forever miss being a part of The Slate but I will always remember where I started my journalism career, even if I do end up back in the business world years down the road.

Shippensburg University’s softball team holds a record of 19-13 a little more than halfway through the season, but they wouldn’t be there without the bat of junior standout Hannah Marsteller.

Marsteller is currently batting .479 with 45 hits, 17 home runs and a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) leading 53 RBIS. Marsteller also has a PSAC leading slugging percentage of 1.128% and started the 2021 season with an 18-game hitting streak.

Hitting might be coming easy at this point for Marsteller because she’s had a bat in her hand for 16 years now. “I started playing softball when I was five years old because I was inspired by my older sister to play. I aspired to follow in her footsteps as well as create my own path in the sport,” Marsteller said.

Originally born in North Carolina, Marsteller now resides in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Her father serves in the military so Marsteller says she is used to moving around.

However, she is not used to not being able to play softball when she wants but those are the exact problems Marsteller faced this offseason while trying to train.

“Due to the pandemic, training facilities and access to equipment was extremely limited. There was a point

where I was unable to workout or play for almost three months. Knowing that the pandemic was preventing me from playing a sport I felt so passionately for was emotionally draining,” she said.

Before the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19 coronavirus the SU softball team had a 10-4 record and Marsteller was batting .404 with 19 RBIs and two home runs. She felt that the team did not get a chance to prove themselves last season.

“We had worked so hard in the offseason and we were ready to compete and show our PSAC competitors who Ship softball was,” Marsteller said. “After the season was over and we were all sent home all meetings were virtual which created the struggle of creating new relationships and maintaining old ones.”

Slowly but surely things started to open back up and Marsteller was eager to get back outside and train for the next season.

“Once things started to open back up, I didn’t take one opportunity for granted. I lifted almost five times a week and was taking every opportunity to swing my bat or find someone to throw with,” Marsteller said. “I feel stronger, faster and healthier due to everything that took place and I have noticed it in my performance on the field.”

Others have quickly tak-

en notice of Marsteller’s on field performance as well, especially after she set the Shippensburg school season record for home runs against Kutztown University.

“Breaking the home run record for my school has always been a career goal of mine. When I achieved it I was ultimately shocked, it was never something I expected to happen so soon,” Marsteller said. “I am very happy to hold this record and represent Shippensburg softball.”

With four more doubleheaders to go in the season Marsteller and her team are laser focused on securing a spot in the PSAC tournament.

“Our priority is winning our final eight conference games. We have peaked at the perfect time as a team

and our final few games are crucial to obtaining a spot in the PSAC tournament,” she said.

Marsteller also said that she hopes to increase her current batting average and continue to get stronger and faster in her strength and conditioning training. She wants to do all this while becoming a team leader and set a positive example for her teammates.

The end goal of a PSAC championship remains the same however, and Marsteller believes her team can do it.

“My team is full of resilience and competitive edge and we are ready for any challenge thrown our way,” she said.

Originally appeared in the April 20, 2021 edition

Hannah Pollock/The Slate

Marsteller had a record-breaking season.

GO RAIDERS!