The Penn 02/20/2015

The Penn

IUP DOWNS SLIPPERY ROCK IN 86-77 VICTORY PAGE 12

TH EP ENN.OR G

IUP’S STUDENT VOICE | EST. 1926

NEWS | PAGE 3 WET INK | PAGE 10 SPORTS | PAGE 12

PHOTO FEATURE: Students network at career fair to gain leads on internships and jobs PAGE 4

Friday, February 20, 2015

Vol. 105 No.34

The Penn / INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

NEWS

WET INK

SPORTS

The Penn SPRING 2015

EDITORIAL STAFF

YEAR OF THE GOAT

‘SOLDIER’S HEART,’ A HEART-WRENCHING DRAMA, PREMIERES FRIDAY

PAGE 3

IUP TOPS THE ROCK BEHIND CHANCE’S 23 POINTS

PAGE 10

WEATHER FORECAST

PAGE 13

9 HI | 3 LO

TOMORROW

31 HI | 30 LO

THU

41 HI | -3 LO

CHECK OUT The Penn ONLINE FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

P twitter.com/ThePennIUP

thepenn.org

facebook.com/ThePennIUP

News Editor Kayla Cioffo Wet Ink Editor Rachel Clippinger Sports Editor Cody Benjamin

Photo & New Media Editor Katlynn Resides Graphic Designer Kristin May Lead News Writer Casey Kelly Lead Wet Ink Writer Andrew Milliken

FRI

14 HI | -5 LO

Managing Editor Pete Sirianni

Copy Editor Samantha Barnhart

C O U R T E S Y O F A C C U W E AT H E R . C O M

TODAY

Editor-in-Chief Molly VanWoert

MOST POPULAR IN THE LAST 24 HOURS

Lead Sports Writer Michael Kiwak

BUSINESS STAFF Earth to Echo 2014

After receiving a bizarre series of encrypted messages via texts to their cell phones, a group of kids embark on an adventure with an alien who needs their help.

The Last House on Cemetary Lane 2015

A screenwriter staying in an old manor house in West Wales discovers that it’s haunted by malevolent spirits.

Felony 2013

An accident that leaves a young teenager in a coma sets off a chain of events that brings an Australian police officer’s world crashing down around him.

The Overnighters 2014

This documentary portrait of desperation, charity, and hope follows the broken, desperate men of North Dakota as they chase their dreams and run from their demons in the oil fields.

The Fluffy Movie 2014

Comic Gabriel Iglesias delivers a manic performace at San Jose’s HP Pavilion featuring wild stories and even wilder impersonations.

Business Manager Bradley Deppen Secretaries Libby Girard Devyn Marenger Sabrina Simmers Jordan Snowden

ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Director Lara Zimmerman Advertising Staff Nick Distefano Meghan Donegan Ola Ope Karen Sadaka

PRODUCTION STAFF Production Manager Bridget Walker THE-PENN@IUP.EDU PENN-ADS@IUP.EDU PHONE: 724.357.1306 FAX: 724.357.0127

Cover photo by Zach Nellis

News

THE PENN

News Editor: Kayla Cioffo– K.M.Cioffo@iup.edu Lead News Writer: Casey Kelly – C.E.Kelly2@iup.edu

International student reminisces about holiday traditions at the start of the Chinese New Year

By STEPHANIE BACHMAN Staff Writer S.L.Bachman2@iup.edu

Thursday marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year Festival, the celebration also known as the Spring Festival, that rings in the New Year according to the lunar calendar.

Dan Wang (senior, accounting), a Chinese international student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, gave a presentation on the 15-day holiday and its importance to Chinese citizens at the International Lunch Hour Wednesday in Sutton Hall.

During her presentation, she talked about some of the customs of the festival and ways in which families celebrate.

“The reunion dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year is like a magnet that draws all the family members back home,” Wang said.

“Reunion dinner is less of a ceremony and more of a promise that the family will once again unite despite their work and studies outside.”

Wang went on to describe different features and common elements seen at the festival, such as the lion dance, red envelopes known as pocket money and Chinese knotting.

“Red envelopes are gifts presented at social and family gatherings during the Chinese New Year,” Wang said.

“The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits.”

Because it is such a family-oriented time of year, being away from home is difficult for some of the students; however, the Chinese New Year is just as significant to international students who are studying abroad and cannot make it home to be with their families, according to Chad Buckwalter, an intern in the Office of International Education who lived in China for five years.

Buckwalter was able to describe some of the difficulties he notices with the international students around campus and in the OIE. “In China, it is mainly a family-

focused festival,” he said.

“Here, it is a time for friends to get together because schedules cannot let them go home.”

Although it is difficult on these students to be away from home, they make the most of it and celebrate with each other.

One example of this is coming together and attending the Chinese New Year celebration that the OIE is co-sponsoring with other organizations Friday in the Hadley Union Building’s Ohio Room from 5-8 p.m.

Buckwalter was able to draw on his experiences to compare the Chinese New Year celebrations with American New Year’s celebrations.

“When we celebrate New Year, it is one day,” Buckwalter said. “Spring Festival is 15 days.

There are different foods each day, and it ends with the lantern festival.

“It is much larger and more family-oriented where our New Year’s is not necessarily family time. It is more about friend time.”

(TNS)

The year of the goat, sheep or ram.

Fire and Ice Festival brings all-day entertainment to downtown Indiana

By CASEY KELLY Lead News Writer C.E.Kelly2@iup.edu

Downtown Indiana will hold its first Fire & Ice Festival Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. at IRMC Park.

The community will be able to participate in a day filled with ice-carving exhibits, pancake breakfasts and a chili cook-off and also take advantage of retail specials in downtown Indiana stores, according to the event’s Facebook page.

The night-life portion of the event will feature ice carvings with LED lights. DiMartino Ice, a full-service ice company from Jeannette, will sculpt six ice exhibits live at IRMC Park.

“We’re looking to do a throne that is made out of ice, and the back of the throne is made into wings,” said Ernie DiMartino, president of the company,

News

“so when you sit on it, it looks like you have wings made out of ice coming out of your back.”

Another live sculpture DiMartino Ice will be creating at the event is a “snow couple,” which will consist of a snowman and snow woman.

“We’re going to have the faces of the snow couple cut out into a negative area, and that negative area will be just big enough to fit your own face into,” DiMartino said.

“It should make for a good photoop.”

In addition to the live sculptures, DiMartino Ice will provide 17 presculpted ice exhibits, which will be placed in front of various sponsoring businesses along Philadelphia Street.

The sculptures will be scattered across five to six blocks of Philly Street, according to DiMartino.

Among the 17 completed sculp-

tures are a hamburger, a snowflake, a castle, a shoe, the Eiffel Tower and a pine tree.

DiMartino Ice has been in business for 47 years and has 13 festivals scheduled for this winter alone.

The sculptors who will be attending the Fire & Ice Festival, along with Ernie DiMartino, are Jared McAlister, Joe DiMartino and Robert Higareda, who is originally from Indiana. They will be accompanied by their apprentices, Thomas Arone, Chris Kolar and Michael Seiler.

DiMartino’s advice for those who plan on coming out to the festival for an extended period of time is to dress in warm layers, hats, gloves and earmuffs.

“It’s going to be a cold one, and we have a lot of neat things going on,” he said. “Dress like you’re about to go skiing.”

February 20, 2015

FIRE & ICE FESTIVAL DOWNTOWN INDIANA 

Pancake breakfast



Ice sculpting



Chili cook-off



Shopping

3

4

February 20, 2015

News

POLICE BLOTTER

ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS

• Dylan James Tyme, 21, of Durango, Colo., was arrested for public drunkenness in the 500 block of Philadelphia Street Feb. 14 at 1:52 a.m., according to borough police. He was transported to Indiana Regional Medical Center, where he reportedly screamed profanities and kicked hospital equipment. He was then issued citations for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct, the report said.

• Borough police report they were investigating an unrelated case when they observed Joseph Hamby, 20, of Erie, creating a disturbance in the 700 block of Locust Street Feb. 15 at 1:37 a.m. Hampy was detained and found to have been drinking and carrying a fake ID. Hamby was cited with carrying false identification and underage drinking, according to borough police.

• Chloe Cook, 19, of Pittsburgh, was found to be highly intoxicated and vomiting in the third floor lobby of Suites on Maple East Feb. 14 at 1:48 a.m., according to university police. Cook was transported to IRMC for medical treatment and spent the night there. Cook was cited for public drunkenness and underage drinking, the report said.

• Derek John Oswald, 18, of Butler, was cited for underage drinking under a brief investigation in Wallwork Hall Feb. 15 at 1:42 a.m., according to university police.

Oswald is not an IUP student.

Students network at career fair to gain leads on internships and jobs

DRUG VIOLATIONS

• Carla V. Alba, 19, of Englewood, N.J., was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana after university police investigated a report of an odor of marijuana emitting from her room in Stephenson Hall Feb. 13 at 5:04 p.m., according to university police.

• Kacie Buchkoski, 19, of Lititz, was charged for possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after university police investigated the odor of marijuana coming from her room in Suites on Pratt Feb. 15 at 11:28 p.m., according to university police.

• Patrick Cavanaugh, 19, of Langhorne, was charged with possession of small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia in the 800 block of Wayne Avenue, according to borough police.

NOISE VIOLATION

• Erin Ketchum, 21, of Litiz, was cited for a borough noise violation at her residence in the 700 block of Locust Street Feb. 15 at 1:22 a.m. after police received a noise complaint, according to borough police.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

• Collin Griffith, 20, of Westminster, Md., and Lindsay Kirschner, 18, of Finksburg, Md., were observed by university police to be arguing loudly inside Suites on Pratt Feb. 16 at 2:01, causing public inconvenience, according to university police.

Griffith and Kirschner were both cited for disorderly conduct – noise, the report said. Griffith, not an IUP student, was escorted off IUP property.

• Two vehicles were reportedly damaged in the 600 and 700 blocks of Grant Street after eggs were thrown at the vehicles sometime between the evening of Feb. 13 and the morning of Feb. 14. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact borough police at 724-349-2121.

THEFT

• A Galaxy S5 was reportedly stolen from someone’s jacket outside the weight room of the Memorial Field house Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. The phone was valued at $600. Anyone with information regrading the incident is asked to contact university police at 724-357-2141.

(Photos by Brittany Persun and Zach Nellis/ The Penn) Many companies set up displays in hopes of finding potential interns or full time staff for their companies at the career fair Tuesday. (Top left) Junior criminology majors, Ryan States and Steve Zolocsik learned a little bit about futures as Montgomery County Police Officers. (Top right) Jeremy Boone, regional agency manager of Lincoln Heritage Insurance Company talked with student Jennifer Allison (junior, business management) about the different opportunities at his company. (Bottom left) Jeff Donovan (senior, operations management major) ended a successful conversation with a firm handshake.

The Penn is hiring!

Monroeville Mall officials meet with tenants on new youth policy

By LIZ NAVRATIL Pittsburgh Post-Gazette TNS

Executives at the Monroeville Mall were meeting with tenants this morning to discuss a new Youth Escort Policy put in place after a shooting there earlier this month.

Also expected to speak at the meeting was Monroeville police Chief Doug Cole.

Three people were injured in a shooting inside the Macy’s store at the mall Feb. 7.

Police have said Tarod Thornhill, 17, of Penn Hills, exchanged words with another man near the store’s Polo section and opened fire, striking the man and two others who walked between them with their child. The child was not injured.

Mall executives announced after the shooting that they planned to implement a new policy requiring teenagers to be accompanied by guardians who are at least 21 years old on weekend evenings. They said the policy would take effect late this month.

thepenn.org

the penn

For over 21 years;

HIRING

NEWS

WRITERS rsdlawoffice@verizon.net

CONTACT K.M.CIOFFO@IUP.EDU

February 20, 2015

News

5

Students, faculty and community members donate blood

By MARY ROMEO Staff Writer M.E.Romeo@iup.edu

Students, faculty and members of the Indiana community saved lives by donating blood at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Blood Drive Wednesday in the Hadley Union Building Ohio Room.

Despite the harsh, freezing weather conditions, Central Blood Bank, an agency based in Pittsburgh, came out to IUP’s campus from noon to 6 p.m.

Those who wanted to donate blood were encouraged to create appointments through the Central Blood Bank’s website; however, walk-ins were also accepted.

Standard qualifications for donating blood are that you must be at least 17-years old or 16 with a parental consent form and weigh at least 110 pounds, according to their website.

Prior to donating, an online health screening was to be filled out, and once completed, a nurse conducted standard protocol by taking the donor’s temperature, blood pressure and pulse.

There were approximately five nurses who conducted the blood drive,

along with three proctors and numerous student volunteers.

Some of the IUP organizations, fraternities and sororities that sponsored the blood drive were the American Medical Student Association, Alpha Sigma Alpha, American Red Cross Club and Phi Mu Delta.

Kendyl Walker (junior, English), a member of the Putt and Delaney staff, explained her involvement in the blood drive.

“We’ve been greeting people outside in the atrium to make them feel welcome and to just let them know that we’re having the blood drive in [the HUB Ohio Room],” Walker said.

The volunteers handed out chips and crackers along with water, soda and juice to ensure the donors were hydrated and fed.

“We’re just offering drinks and food, and making sure everyone is okay,” said Alix Himmelreich (junior, criminoloy), a member of Theta Phi Alpha.

The Blood Drive usually occurs every other month, and clubs that sponsor the event host tables in either the library or residential halls to encourage

Penn State AD donates $100,000 to renovations fund

By AUDREY SNYDER Pittsburgh Post-Gazette TNS

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour donated $100,000 to the Nittany Lion Club’s “Bridge to the Future Fund,” the university announced Wednesday.

The fund, which will be active through June 2016, will address facility improvements for the school’s basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, track and field and volleyball programs, as well as a renovation to the Morgan Academic Center.

Barbour’s gift will help with con-

CONTACT US!

struction costs for the new Morgan Academic Center, which is being built in the Greenberg Building on campus.

Barbour’s gift also comes with a naming opportunity in the new academic center.

“This project in particular speaks to our commitment to conditions for success in the athletic arena as well as our student-athletes’ academic pursuits,” Barbour said in a statement.

“I’m personally and professionally committed to this comprehensive excellence and want to do my part with the hope that others will join me in completing this important initiative.”

THE-PENN@IUP.EDU

students and faculty to sign up.

Many students who donated blood had positive feedback about the blood drive.

“I just thought it would be a cool way to give back to the community,” Joseph Moore (freshman, math education) said, “since the people in Indiana have been so nice to the students.”

Chelsea Territo (senior, psychology), said the drive was a new experience for her.

“This is my first time donating,” Territo said. “I’ve tried before in high school but was denied. I’ve always wanted to do it because it would be a good experience, plus I’m a part of one of the clubs that is a sponsor of the blood drive.”

The drive was also a new opportunity for Katie Pyle (sophomore psychology).

“I haven’t been able to give blood in the past because of surgeries,” Pyle said, “but I’ve gotten blood, so I think it’s a good reason to give blood.”

The goal of the Blood Drive was to save 3,000 lives. By 3 p.m., halfway through the drive, the total number of lives saved was 1,500.

XXXX/THE PENN

Previous ROTC Queen Judy McGee (left) crowns the new Queen Carol Neely (right) at the Indiana State Teachers College ROTC Ball in 1959.

6

February 20, 2015

News

Carnegie Mellon University sends erroneous emailed letters of acceptance Clubs, organizations hope to boost campus involvement through informational event

By MARY ROMEO Staff Writer M.E.Romeo2@iup.edu

The Winter Warm-Up, held in the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex Saturday from 1-4 p.m., will allow students to explore an assortment of clubs and organizations at Indiana University of Pennsylvania as well as businesses in Indiana.

This is the second year for the Winter Warm-Up, an event similar to IUP Day, which is held in the fall semester.

“The Winter Warm-Up is for people to find out what is out there and how to get involved,” said Kevin Foster, assistant director for Student Life/ Student Leadership and New Student Success.

Nearly 150 organizations and businesses will be at the event, and some will host tables for students to interact and learn about what is available for

them to get involved with, not only on the IUP campus, but also in the Indiana community.

“One of the purposes of it is to re-energize the IUP community,” said Steven Marks, graduate assistant for Student Life and Community Engagement, “as well as have them be aware of what the Indiana businesses have to offer the students.”

The event is very community-centered, as the IUP organizations and local businesses are coming together to help encourage student involvement.

“There may be some organizations where membership isn’t an option until next semester,” Foster said, “but in the meantime, they can meet people and get information to learn more about the groups.”

Another member who was involved with coordinating the event is Graduate Assistant for Student Life and Campus Initiatives, Britany Galla-

gher, who helped with registering the groups and organizations.

Some of the businesses involved in the event are restaurants, such as Romeo’s Pizzeria and Tazé Ristorante, as well as different community partners.

Along with IUP clubs and organizations, the event will feature free food, giveaways, raffles, music from IUP-FM and a talent showcase with 10 to 15 student performances.

Additionally, Black Emphasis Committee and The Entertainment Network will be providing inflatables for students at the event.

“I know my fraternity will be there, and we’re looking forward to it,” said James Walter (sophomore, communications media), of Theta Chi. “It’s a good way to be a part of the IUP community,” he said.

There will also be a few guest appearances at the event, according to the IUP website.

By DAN MAJORS Pittsburgh Post-Gazette TNS

PITTSBURGH – Applicants to Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Science in Computer Science program are pursuing higher education.

This week, about 800 of them learned a tough lesson: You can’t believe everything you read.

It’s something they learned the hard way after they received emailed letters of acceptance that were mistakenly sent by CMU’s computer science department. The applicants received the congratulatory emails Monday morning touting the university and the city of Pittsburgh.

“You are one of the select few, less than 9 percent of the more than 1,200 applicants, that we are inviting,” it read. “We’re convinced this is the right place for you. Welcome to Carnegie Mellon!”

The “correction of prior email/revocation of offer of admission” notices went out about seven hours later.

“This was an error on our part,” wrote Frank Pfenning, president’s professor of computer science and department head, who also wrote the acceptance letter. “While we certainly appreciate your interest in our program, we regret that we are unable to offer you admission this year.”

The revocation email also included a request that recipients acknowledge receipt.

“This error was the result of serious mistakes in our process for generating acceptance letters,” CMU said in a news release. “Once the error was discovered, the university moved quickly to notify affected applicants.

“We understand the disappointment created by this mistake, and deeply apologize to the applicants for this miscommunication. We are currently reviewing our notification process to help ensure this does not happen in the future.”

The university declined to comment further. Ben Leibowitz of Stamford, Conn., was among the acceptedthen-rejected CMU applicants. After receiving the first email, he called relatives and went out to dinner with his parents to celebrate.

Then he got the second email.

“It was brutal. I didn’t get much sleep last night,” Leibowitz told The Associated Press. “Now I have to clean up the mess. I’m calling all my relatives, I’m going, ‘I’m sorry it’s not happening.’”

In U.S. News & World Report’s most recent ranking, Carnegie Mellon’s computer science graduate school was tied atop the list with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford and the University of California at Berkeley.

Coincidentally, MIT made a similar mistake a year ago when thousands of prospective students received emails about financial aid that included a welcome of admission. An MIT admissions counselor took responsibility and apologized for the mistake in a blog post.

But there has been no shortage of college acceptance mix-ups in the digital age.

In December, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore mistakenly sent nearly 300 undergraduate applicants welcome messages when they were actually rejected or deferred.

That same month it happened to about 2,500 students who had applied to New York’s Fordham University. A Fordham spokesman told The New York Times, “We are devastated by the error.”

Since 2008, erroneous emails of acceptance have emanated from the University of California at San Diego (sent to all 46,000 students who applied); Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; UCLA; UC Davis; the University of Delaware; Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management; St. Clair College in Canada and Cambridge University.

The disappointed applicants have little recourse, though news of the glitch has resulted in CMU taking some hits in the blogosphere. Sam Biddle, a writer at newsfeed.gawker.com, put up a blistering post – titled “OOPS” – in which he quoted an anonymous person whose friend received one of the erroneous emails.

“To allow 7 hours to pass before issuing a correction/retraction is an insane amount of time,” the contributor wrote to Biddle. “Within that time frame, my personal friend notified his/ her friends and family. He/she notified the professionals who wrote letters of recommendation. More importantly, ecstatic from the news, he/she notified her supervisor of his/her plans – to ensure the supervisor would have ample time to fill his/her spot.

“Furthermore, my friend’s direct supervisor was unaware of anyone on the team applying to graduate programs. And now my friend’s job is in jeopardy. Awesome.”

February 20, 2015

News

Fires at train derailment still burn as investigators look for answers

By CURTIS TATE

7

Firefighters help cat that escaped a burning house

McClatchy Washington Bureau TNS

MONTGOMERY, W.Va. – Small fires continued to burn for a third day at the site of the latest crude oil train derailment, more than 100 people remain locked out of their homes as investigators trying to determine the cause endured work in subzero temperatures.

Only one resident was treated for minor injuries after 29 cars of a 109car CSX train derailed Monday. Nineteen of those cars carrying crude oil from North Dakota’s Bakken shale region caught fire, with several exploding into massive fireballs.

A unified command post for the derailment was established Wednesday in this town of about 1,600, about 30 miles southeast of Charleston, the state capital. The post combines several federal agencies and their state counterparts involved in the accident cleanup and investigation.

“The top priorities for response personnel remain the safety of the community and responders, and mitigating the impact to the environment,” said Coast Guard Capt. Lee Boone, the federal on-scene coordinator.

As 1 to 3 inches of additional snow fell on top of several of the derailed tank cars, workers began re-railing and moving some of the ones still loaded with oil.

Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration got a closer look at the derailment site Wednesday morning and were able to review video footage from cameras on the train’s locomotives.

But 48 hours after the derailment, conditions were not safe enough for CSX to begin transferring the oil from the damaged tank cars to trucks.

“That is the first priority,” said Rob Doolittle, a CSX spokesman.

The evacuated residents remain in nearby hotels, and Doolittle said they will be able to return to their homes “as

(TNS) The wreckage of an oil train derailment in Mount Carbon, W.Va., still smolders 48 hours later. On Wednesday, federal investigators got a closer look at the derailment site, but it still wasn’t safe for a thorough examination of the damage.

soon as it’s safe.”

Water service was restored Wednesday morning to some area residents who had been without it since Monday.

Though no oil has been detected in the nearby Kanawha River, which supplies drinking water for the area, intake pumps were turned off as a precaution. Residents were still advised to boil their water.

About 500 feet of oil containment boom was deployed in the river as a precaution, according to officials. The derailment site is just downstream from the New River Gorge, a national park and popular recreation area.

Even as the scent of burning oil permeated the frigid air Wednesday, residents who evacuated Monday night were trying to get their lives back in order, stocking up on groceries and shoveling their snow-covered driveways.

Brandon Truman, 32, who lives in Boomer, across the river from the wreck site and had worked in the North Dakota oilfields, where the cargo originated, said he and others

Visit online

THE PENN .ORG

felt the explosions, then the heat from the fire.

“It shook the whole [river] bottom,” he said.

Environmental groups, meanwhile, sounded the alarm about the threat to public safety and the environment from fiery oil train derailments.

Only a day before the West Virginia incident, another oil train derailed and caught fire in northern Ontario.

Last April, a train carrying crude oil also from North Dakota’s Bakken shale region derailed in Lynchburg, Va., spilling 30,000 gallons. Some of the oil burned, but some also spilled into the James River, a water supply for many nearby towns.

Pat Calvert, a river conservationist whose office overlooks the site of April’s derailment, called for increased inspections of the rail lines used to move oil.

“This is an alarming reminder that our rivers and communities continue to be at risk every day without stronger safety requirements for Bakken crude oil transport,” he said.

(TNS) (Top) Firefighters battled a burning house in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday. (Bottom) Firefighter A.J. Johnson gives Prissy the cat some oxygen after the cat ran out of the burning house.

8

February 20, 2015

Dismissal of charge weighed in murder case in Indiana County

By PAUL PEIRCE

Tribune-Review, Greensburg TNS

A forensic pathologist testified Wednesday that an Indiana County gun shop owner could have died from any one of the four gunshots allegedly fired by Jack Edmundson Jr. of Saltsburg in 2013.

Indiana County President Judge William Martin listened to testimony from Dr. Daniel K. Brown, who performed an autopsy on 62-year-old Frank Petro, owner of Frank’s Gun & Taxidermy in Conemaugh Township, a day after the New Year’s Eve shooting.

“Any of the gunshot wounds could have been fatal if they were left untreated,” Brown testified under questioning from District Attorney Patrick Dougherty.

State police Trooper Robert Valyo alleges Edmundson, 44, grabbed a handgun from a gun shop display case and fatally shot Petro in an attempt to cover up a $146,000 raffle ticket extortion scheme.

Valyo alleges Edmundson planned the attack and tried to cover up the murder by setting Petro’s shop on fire and calling 911, telling dispatchers that he had shot Petro in self-defense.

Martin held a brief hearing Wednesday in response to a motion filed by Edmundson’s court-appointed attorneys, Mike Marshall and Gary Knaresboro, to have the first-degree murder charge dismissed before the trial later this year.

Dougherty has said he will seek the death penalty if Edmundson is convicted of first-degree murder.

Marshall and Knaresboro contend Petro’s murder doesn’t have enough aggravating circumstances to qualify as a death penalty case. However, state police and Dougherty believe the attack on Petro was premeditated.

The autopsy for Coroner Jerry Overman’s office was performed at UPMC Altoona Hospital in Blair County, said Brown, who now works for the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s office.

During his testimony, Brown described each of Petro’s gunshot wounds from a handgun that has been described in court documents only as small caliber. Brown said a shot that struck Petro under the chin was fired within 2 to 4 feet of the victim, and a

wound to his neck was “a contact shot.”

“A contact shot means there is evidence the muzzle was in contact with the victim’s skin when it was fired,” Brown said under questioning from Dougherty.

Brown said another shot struck Petro’s upper chest, and the fourth struck his abdomen. Both were fired from a greater distance, he said.

The abdomen wound would have killed Petro in a “few minutes” because it injured his diaphragm, which assists in breathing, and struck his liver, causing a major blood loss, Brown noted.

Brown said he viewed a security videotape police confiscated from Petro’s shop that showed the attack.

After watching the tape, Brown said, he believes the first two shots caused the wounds to the chest and abdomen, and the two shots at close range were fired as Petro lay on the floor, already severely injured.

During the hearing, Valyo confirmed the veracity of the security tape, which was presented on a disc to Martin. Martin indicated he will view the tape in private before making his ruling. Martin told Edmundson’s attorneys they could submit a written argument on the matter by March 27.

Martin granted a continuance requested by Edmundson’s attorneys to delay the trial beyond March 23. The attorneys indicated they need additional time to prepare a defense. Martin said the trial likely would be moved to November or December.

Edmundson appeared in court wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, his arms and legs shackled.

He softly replied, “yes,” when Martin asked whether he agreed with his attorneys request to delay his trial, and whether his rights had been explained to him during a Jan. 22 meeting in the jail with Knaresboro.

Last month, state police charged Edmundson with plotting an escape from the county jail, where he has been held without bond since his arrest after the murder.

A former detective for the Lancaster County Drug Task Force, Edmundson served one year in prison for his conviction in the theft of $7,500 in platinum coins from a drug dealer and two telephone calling cards from another.

He was paroled in 2001, according to online court records.

News

Obama: It’s ‘ugly lie’ that US is at war with Islam

By LESLEY CLARK

McClatchy Washington Bureau TNS

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Thursday called for a global effort to curb terrorist groups, urging a roomful of world leaders to tackle the poverty and political strife that he said have become “magnets for violent extremism.”

Speaking to leaders from more than 60 countries on the last day of a threeday White House meeting on countering violent extremism, Obama pointed to political and economic grievances as potent recruitment tools for terrorists.

“When people are oppressed and human rights are denied, particularly along sectarian lines or ethnic lines, when dissent is silenced, it feeds violent extremism,” Obama said. “It creates an environment that is ripe for terrorists to exploit.”

Obama’s remarks came as he faces criticism for his administration’s reluctance to categorize as “Islamic extremism” the threat posed by terrorists such

as the Islamic State group. Obama defended the decision for a second day, saying, “The notion that the West is at war with Islam is an ugly lie.”

He accused the terrorists of harboring “warped ideologies” and attempting to use Islam to justify violence.

“These terrorists are desperate for legitimacy. And all of us have a responsibility to refute the notion that groups like ISIL somehow represent Islam, because that is a falsehood that embraces the terrorist narrative,” Obama said, using the government’s preferred acronym for the Islamic State group, which is also known as ISIS. The terrorist groups are targeting propaganda to Muslim youth, he said, and he called on Muslim communities, scholars and clerics to “push back.”

“Not just on twisted interpretations of Islam,” he added, “but also on the lie that we are somehow engaged in a clash of civilizations; that America and the West are somehow at war with Islam or seek to suppress Muslims.”

Republicans were quick to criticize his latest remarks.

(TNS) Americans weigh in on how Obama is handling ISIS.

“The notion that radical Islam isn’t at war with the West is an ugly lie,” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said on Twitter.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, accused Obama of being an “apologist for radical Islamic terrorists” in a Fox News appearance Wednesday.

But Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., who accused Cruz of “scoring cheap partisan political points,” said Obama’s critics are missing the point.

“ISIS is trying to characterize the United States and our allies as being at war with Islam, and ISIS is trying to characterize themselves as being the legitimate heirs of the Prophet Muhammad,” Coons said on CNN. “What our president is saying is we’re not at war with Islam, we’re at war with people who have perverted Islam and who are claiming to be Islamic extremist, Islamic jihadists, in order to advance their own legitimacy,” Coons said.

Obama in his remarks called for renewed attention to economic empowerment, noting that impoverished communities feed “instability and disorder and make those communities ripe for extremist recruitment. And we have seen that across the Middle East, and we’ve seen it across North Africa.”

He said the U.S., as a result of the summit, planned new commitments to help young people, including in Muslim communities, find work in science and technology. And he called for expanding opportunity and education for women and girls.

“Nations will not truly succeed without the contributions of their women,” Obama said in remarks at the State Department.

He called on governments to do more to counter terrorist propaganda and said the United States was joining with the United Arab Emirates to create a new digital communications hub and work with religious, civil society and community leaders to counter terrorist propaganda.

“We need to do more to help lift up voices of tolerance and peace, especially online,” he said.

Obama also urged countries to embrace elections, freedom of religion and diversity.

“We have to ensure that our diverse societies truly welcome and respect people of all faiths and backgrounds, and leaders set the tone on this issue,” he said.

“Groups like al Qaeda and ISIL peddle the lie that some of our countries are hostile to Muslims. Meanwhile, we’ve also seen, most recently in Europe, a rise in excusable acts of anti-Semitism, or in some cases, antiMuslim sentiment or anti-immigrant sentiment.”

Opinion

Penn EDITORIAL

Hotcakes and hot topics

“This is my year.”

Cartoon by Kristin May

Answer SCSU’s challenges with innovation, big ideas

By ST. CLOUD TIMES

TSN

The following editorial appeared in the St. Cloud Times on Monday, Feb. 16.

St. Cloud State University faces some big challenges. Top of the list: years of declining enrollment and a $9.5 million general fund budget deficit for 2015.

More importantly, the university is in the midst of a new reality.

The same new reality faced by all of higher education.

“We have not gone back to the world before the recession. We’re in a new world,” President Earl H. Potter III said in a recent interview with the Times.

Financial pressures have forced students and their parents to develop new strategies.

More students may live at home instead of living in on-campus dorms.

Online courses are growing in popularity, requiring less time in classrooms.

Some high school students are taking more advanced placement courses and finishing college in less time.

Opinion

More students may take their basics at community colleges, where tuition may be less expensive.

Some colleges and universities are offering “bundled tuition costs,” allowing student to pay a flat fee and take more credits for the same cost.

This new world requires bold thinking. It requires a vision for what St. Cloud State will be for the next 10 years and beyond.

It requires bold initiatives. It requires all stakeholders to come to the table in good faith.

They need to find solutions that may cause pain, but the pain has to be shared. The highest priority must be to provide the highest quality education.

What better place to spawn innovation than a major university?

Put the collective brainpower to work on these challenges.

During the height of the Great Recession, in 2008, one of the community members on the Times Editorial Board said a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.

That advice could easily be applied to the situation at St. Cloud State.

It is time for innovation. It is time to

take some risks.

It is time for big change.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Chancellor Steven Rosenstone has tried to make dramatic changes with his “Charting the Future” proposal.

However, with a series of missteps in rolling out the program, the effort was bogged down in harsh words between the chancellor, faculty leaders and some students on many of the MnSCU campuses.

Some of that antagonism has spilled out at St. Cloud State.

This isn’t the time to have a conflict of personalities. It is time to work together.

The university’s challenges are affected by many things: uncertain funding from the Legislature, reduced state aid for athletics, pressure from some local officials to explain the enrollment decline and budget gap.

It is time to work together to chart a course consistent with success in changing times.

For indeed, the times they are a changin’.

February 20, 2015

President Barack Obama touched on a number of topics during Feb. 5’s National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event in Washington, D.C. But perhaps the hottest debate to emerge from Obama’s comments surrounded the 44th president’s comparison of Islamic extremism to the Middle Age Crusades by the Roman Catholic Church.

At the heart of Obama’s comparison was a warning not to distort faith “for the sake of promoting violence,” according to CNN. With tensions justifiably high as a result of the violent overseas actions of ISIS, Obama did his best to provide another perspective for those demanding a faithfueled intervention.

His comparison – one seemingly made in an attempt to embrace humility – was met with harsh remarks from various opponents, namely former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore.

Gilmore called Obama’s comments “the most offensive I’ve ever heard a president make in my lifetime.”

Erick Erickson, of RedState.com, all but backed Gilmore’s opposition of Obama, too, saying that the president “is not a Christian in any meaningful way.”

Whether or not you support Obama on a political level, it’s hard to justify the response that emerged from his comparison.

That’s not to say his comparative comments were lacking controversy, because they are monumental in the sense that they plead for Christians to put themselves on the same level as, well, people of other faiths who are engaged in what America sees as a blatant wrongdoing.

And most would probably agree that, regardless of the extent to which America intervenes, the problems with ISIS are inevitable roadblocks to any semblance of peace with the Islamic community and/or within the countries ISIS has been involved.

But to outright question Obama’s own faith or suggest he is any less of a Christian than those who support an all-out strike on ISIS is a bit much.

No matter which side you find yourself on, both in a political and religious sense, it hardly seems fair to act as the judge of another person’s faith.

Even if that person is the president.

Editorial Policy The Penn editorial opinion is determined by the Editorial Board, with the editor-in-chief having final responsibility. Opinions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily that of The Penn, the university, the Student Cooperative Association or the student body. The Penn is completely independent of the university.

Letter Policy The Penn encourages its readers to comment on issues and events affecting the Indiana University of Pennsylvania community through letters to the editor.

Letters must be typed in a sans serif, 12-point font, double-spaced and no more than 350 words long.

Letters may not be signed by more than five people, and letters credited to only an organization will not be printed.

All writers must provide their signature, university affiliation, address and phone number for verification of the letter.

The Penn will not honor requests to withhold names from letters.

The Penn reserves the right to limit the number of letters published

from any one person, from any one organization or about a particular issue.

The Penn reserves the right to edit or reject any letters submitted.

Submitted materials become the property of The Penn and cannot be returned.

Deadlines for letters are Sunday and Wednesday at noon for publication in the next issue.

Letters can be sent or personally delivered to: Editor-in-Chief, HUB Room 235 319 Pratt Drive, Indiana, PA 15701 Or emailed to: the-penn@iup.edu Letters not meeting the above requirements will not be published.

9

Wet Ink

THE PENN

Wet Ink Editor: Rachel Clippinger – R.M.Clippinger@iup.edu Lead Wet Ink Writer: Andrew Milliken – A.P.Milliken@iup.edu

‘Soldier’s Heart,’ a heart-wrenching drama, premieres Friday

By ANDREW MILLIKEN Lead Wet Ink Writer A.P.Miliken@iup.edu

(Nick Dampman/ The Penn) Poet John Hoppenthaler read his most recent work, “Domestic Garden,” in Arthur F. Nicholson Library, Leonard Hall.

Acclaimed poet read to IUP students Monday

By CASEY KELLY Lead News Writer C.E.Kelly2@iup.edu

Renowned poet John Hoppenthaler read from his newest book, “Domestic Garden,” at 4:30 p.m. Monday in Leonard Hall’s Nicholson Library to an audience of 16.

Dr. Patrick Bizzarro (faculty, English), introduced the poet as a close friend of his, and quite possibly the “busiest poet in the country.”

He said that this was Hoppenthaler’s second time reading at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Hoppenthaler read a total of 14 poems including “Eminent Domain” and “Best Friends.”

Hoppenthaler described his style as “eclectic,” somewhat because he does not restrict himself to one style of writing.

“I try not to have a style, per se,” Hoppenthaler said. “I largely write persona poems, but not exclusively, so some of the poems are ‘true.’

“But even the ‘true’ poems are sometimes partially fabricated from my

10

imagination because I’m making art. It’s not the same thing as reality.”

He also said that a majority of his inspiration for poems come from his surroundings on a day-to-day basis.

“I really draw most of my inspiration from things that go on around me in the world in which I live,” he said.

“Things that kind of stick in my craw, or things from my memory.”

Following the reading, Hoppenthaler answered three audience questions regarding his thoughts on poetry as a whole, his success in the field and his advice for professors who teach poetry.

One of his biggest pieces of advice for professors who teach poetry, and for students being “forced” to read poetry, is to read the literature of a living poet.

When people think about poetry, they typically think of famous, deceased poets such as Emily Dickinson, William Shakespeare, Robert Frost or Edgar Allan Poe. Hoppenthaler said that by reading work from a living, contemporary poet, students can relate closer to the poem because it is written

in a language they can understand.

“It doesn’t have to have the word ‘doth’ in it to be a poem,” he said.

Hoppenthaler’s previous books of poetry are “Lives of Water” (2003) and “Anticipate the Coming Reservoir” (2008) which were published by Carnegie Mellon University Press along with “Domestic Garden.”

Hoppenthaler holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Brockport and a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

As an associate professor at East Carolina University, he has taught classes in creative writing, American literature and contemporary and modern poetry, according to the university’s website.

If you are interested in reading Hoppenthaler’s work, his books can be purchased on Amazon.com, at Barnes & Nobles or through Carnegie Mellon University.

However, he prefers his books to be purchased at smaller stores to support local business if possible.

February 20, 2015

Sexual assault and post-traumatic stress disorder plague a soldier returning from Iraq in Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s production of “Soldier’s Heart,” a gut-wrenching drama by award-winning playwright Tammy Ryan.

When Casey Johnson deploys to Iraq, she is unaware that she will return to her home in western Pennsylvania, forever changed by what befalls her overseas.

Not only does Johnson believe that she is directly responsible for a number of deaths, American and Iraqi: She is also the victim of a sexual assault during her tour of duty.

The old phrase borrowed from the title of Thomas Wolfe’s novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” is explored in “Soldier’s Heart,” as Johnson experiences severe disillusionment and struggles with her inner demons as the play progresses.

The play is advertised as containing violent imagery and scenes of a sexual nature. This is not a work for the faint of heart to see or to act.

Katie Leonard (sophomore, theater), who portrays the tortured veteran through her times at home and abroad, said she felt intimidated by the demanding role.

“My character never leaves stage and is constantly fighting,” Leonard said.

The problem of sexual assault in the military, covered in the documentary “The Invisible War,” is prevalent in the armed forces to the point of being pervasive.

The numbers reported from the Pen-

CONTACT US!

tagon border on ludicrous, according to an article by Helene Cooper in the New York Times published May 1, 2014.

“In 2012, a confidential Pentagon survey estimated that 26,000 men and women were sexually assaulted. Of those, 3,374 cases were reported,” Cooper wrote.

Leonard, whose only experience in other IUP productions was the role of Brenda in last spring’s “The Pajama Game,” watched “The Invisible War” and did other research to get inside the head of Casey Johnson and gain perspective on the real-life nature of the events in “Soldier’s Heart.”

“This is what happens to a lot of people, both men and women,” Leonard said. “I’m trying to take it in a very respectful way.”

This play touches on the sensitive subjects of PTSD, sexual assault, military conflict and the reintegration of damaged veterans into normal, daily life.

It is certainly impressive to see IUP theater majors taking on such weighty, dramatic material with iron constitutions.

“Soldier’s Heart” also stars Ken Singleton (senior, theater), Matt Smith (senior, theater) and Chelsea Kikel (senior, theater), and is directed by IUP faculty April Daras (theater).

The show premiered in Waller Hall’s Main Space Theater Thursday and will run Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. and again Wednesday through Feb. 28 at 8 p.m.

Tickets for “Soldier’s Heart” are $15 regular admission, $12 discount for seniors and groups of 15 or more and $10 with an I-Card and may be purchased at the door.

THE-PENN@IUP.EDU

Wet Ink

February 20, 2015

Wet Ink

FIFT Y SHADES OF GREY BOOK & MOVIE REVIEW

By MASON FULMORE Contributing Writer M.T.Fulmore@iup.edu

The highly anticipated movie “Fifty Shades of Grey,” based on the book by E.L. James, made millions at the box office this Valentine’s Day weekend.

The story follows a clean-cut, handsome, rich man named Christian Grey and apprehensive English student Anastasia Steele.

The two meet after Anastasia (Ana) interviews Christian for her university’s newspaper.

Christian grows fond of Anastasia and begins the process of trying to pursue her. Despite the stern and sophisticated lifestyle Christian leads, he holds a secret behind closed doors.

Before the two enter into a relationship, Christian requires Ana to sign a binding contract to solidify the terms of the partnership.

In the beginning of the movie, the storyline progressed very quickly.

“I feel like it was rushed and the story behind it was unclear,” Jackie Torres (sophomore, criminology) said.

For many movie goers who have not read the book, one had to pay close attention to keep up with the story.

It is understandable that numerous cuts had to be made from the book in order to make the story into a two-hour motion picture.

One significant aspect that the film left out was the in-depth descriptions of intamacy between Christian and Ana. “The sex scenes were very intense, but they started one second and ended the next,” Torres said.

There was an intense buildup to these sexual experiences that left viewers on the edge of their seats, but that was ultimately

short-lived.

Parallel to Christian’s persona, the setting of the movie was drab and cleancut.

“The scenery was very plain, but everything was clean-cut.” Mareshet Johnson (sophomore, art) said.

There was uniformity in the way Christian set his life – all of his belongings were balanced and evenly laid out.

The driving force that allowed the plot to progress was the “sexual contract” between the two main characters. Christian initially insists that Ana needs to sign the contract so he could have a relationship based on his terms.

“Mr. Grey was stern and controlling,” Johnson said. “It was kind of scary, but it’s understandable because of his background.”

Naturally, Anastasia resists, which makes Christian hunger for domination even further.

The inconsistency between the two characters allowed for some comedic relief.

“Ana was funny,” Johnson said. “She seemed pretty down to earth.”

The contrast in personalities helped to balance each other, so the characters melded together.

Despite the main characters working well together, the cat–and–mouse antics got played out quickly.

The middle of the film ended up being very repetitive.

The “Fifty Shades of Grey” series is broken into three books.

The movies are going to mirror this by coming out with three films.

“I didn’t think it was going to end that way,” Johnson said. “It’s like a ‘to be continued…’ type thing.”

“Fifty Shades” may not be a movie to add to the DVD collection, but it certainly did its job bringing in fan girls and lovebirds.

11

IUP Chinese Language Program celebrates Chinese New Year Friday

By ANDREW MILLIKEN Lead Wet Ink Writer A.P.Milliken@iup.edu

The IUP Chinese Language Program is organizing a Chinese New Year celebration to be held Friday.

The event, with assistance from the Chinese Students Association and the Wallwork Global Awareness LivingLearning Community, will take place from 5-8 p.m. in the Hadley Union Building Ohio Room.

Chinese New Year, also referred to as “Lunar New Year” because of its global recognition, is celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar rather than the turn of the new year observed in western culture, Jan. 1.

The festivities will begin with traditional games, activities and information about study abroad programs in China, followed by community and student performances and culminating with a professional dance team’s performance of the famous Chi-

nese lion dance.

Afterward, food from local Chinese restaurants will be available.

The Chinese calendar marks 2015 as the year of the goat, one in a 12-year cycle of animal zodiacs.

The Chinese New Year has a rich mythology surrounding its inception. Legend has it that at the first of each year, a beast known as the Nian would emerge from its hiding place to attack villagers, especially children.

To combat the Nian’s evildoings, the villagers dressed in red, threw firecrackers and created an all-around chaotic environment in an attempt to frighten the Nian away.

The people were successful, and their rabble-rousing at the beginning of each new year gradually became a tradition, though the Nian never did make another appearance.

Thus, the traditional celebrations present at Chinese New Year were born.

Chinese New Year is a publicly observed holiday in many countries across

Altoona Curve auditions community to find national anthem singer

BEFRIEND

The Penn

ON FACEBOOK! facebook.com/ThePennIUP

the globe, including the U.S., Canada, Indonesia, the Philippines and several other countries around the world.

Taking place over 15 days, the Chinese New Year is lengthy as far as holiday celebrations go, with specific festivities for each day.

For example, the first day is dedicated to family elders and visiting the most senior members of extended families, and the fifteenth day is the date of the famous Lantern Festival in which people release lanterns symbolizing the release of their old selves and embracing the new.

This event is free and open to members of the Indiana community, but donations will be accepted. Doors to the HUB Ohio Room open at 5 p.m.

Come celebrate a holiday that is, according to legend, thousands of years older than the very country in which we are celebrating.

The Chinese New Year is steeped in myth and legend, and its mystique is not something to be missed.

(Photos by Cal Cary/ The Penn) Above: In lieu of singing the national anthem, local Brad Holuta played the cello at the Altoona Curve baseball team national anthem tryouts at the Indiana Mall Saturday.

Right: Local Fawntanna Plyler sang her heart out at the Altoona Curve baseball team national anthem tryouts. If selected, Plyler will sing the “Star Spangled Banner” at select Curve home games for the upcoming season.

Sports

THE PENN

Sports Editor: Cody Benjamin – C.J.Benjamin@iup.edu Lead Sports Writer: Michael Kiwak – M.T.Kiwak@iup.edu

IUP downs Slippery Rock in 86-77 victory

By MICHAEL GOSNELL Staff Writer M.J.Gosnell@iup.edu

The 2014-15 regular season is quickly drawing to a close for Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s women’s basketball team, so wins are of the highest importance.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania kept pace with Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West division leader California University of Pennsylvania with an 86-77 win over Slippery Rock University, the Crimson Hawks’ fourth straight victory in the rivalry.

The Crimson Hawks were fueled by forward Ashley Stoner (senior, English) and guard Lindsay Stamp (senior, criminology). Each put up more than 20 points in the win.

IUP started the night with hot hands, especially from beyond the arc.

The Crimson Hawks went 5-of-9 from long range, with three 3-pointers coming from Stamp after a media timeout.

Stamp battled the flu earlier in the week and missed practice on Monday but had a strong practice on Tuesday in preparation for Slippery Rock.

“I feel like my body was worn down,” Stamp said.

“But taking it easy Sunday and Monday and coming back strong on Tuesday really helped my momentum for [Wednesday],” Stamp said.

The team found success offensively, lighting up Slippery Rock as the minutes ticked away.

Defensively, IUP relied on a 2-3 zone coverage to stop The Rock’s offensive attack.

It wasn’t without a price.

Guard Amy Fairman (senior, sports management) went down with an apparent ankle injury early in the first half and did not return.

Enter Zhane Brooks (junior, chemistry pre-pharmacy).

Brooks solidified the defense in the first half and provided offense from the paint to complement Stoner.

The forward from Erie said the team has to be ready for those situations.

“We have great depth on this team,”

12

Brooks said, “and any moment, someone can get called on to step up. This is a big part of our team, and that we all can just come in and be ready to play at any moment.”

Head coach Tom McConnell said the addition of Brooks on the floor was a game changer.

“She really did a good job for limiting Chambers’ touches,” McConnell said. “She impacts the game in so many ways, and tonight she did it with her defense.”

Slippery Rock kept themselves within striking distance as the half ended.

D’Asia Chambers reached double-digit scoring, pacing the Rock with 11 points.

Stamp tallied 17 points, which led all Crimson Hawks.

The second half was a different basketball game.

The Rock penetrated the 2-3 zone and found success at cutting the basket, draining some open-jump shots.

Driven by Chambers and Taylor Siggers, the Rock fought its way to a 62-62 tie with eight minutes left to play.

Slippery Rock didn’t gain a lead on IUP because Stoner quelled the Rock’s momentum with back-to-back layups.

When Slippery Rock came back to tie the game, Stoner said, the team needed to refocus.

“We don’t let people crash through our defense, get boards or beat us down the floor,” Stoner said. “The biggest part of their run is that we got outside of ourselves, and we weren’t playing our game.

We had to tell ourselves to regroup.”

By going inside the paint for offense, IUP held off The Rock’s attack and pulled away from Slippery Rock.

“Give Slippery Rock a lot of credit,” McConnell said. “They did a great job of isolating Chambers and Siggers.”

“I give our guys a lot of credit,” he said. “They didn’t blink. We went inside to Ashley, and she came up with some big baskets.”

The team will go on its final road trip of the regular season Saturday with a visit to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown but could do so without Fairman.

Marita Mathe (senior, safety science) is welcomed to the court by her teammates.

(Photos by Nick Dampman/ The Penn)

Marita Mathe, right, prepares to pass the ball in the Crimson Hawks’ win over Slippery Rock Wednesday.

February 20, 2015

Sports

February 20, 2015

Sports

13

IUP tops The Rock behind Chance’s 23 points Slippery Rock, still searching for its first win in the KCAC, drops 25th straight game in Indiana

By VAUGHN DALZELL Staff Writer V.S.Dalzell@iup.edu

The Crimson Hawks ended a twogame losing streak, improved to 21-5 and moved to third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West with a 69-61 win over rival Slippery Rock University Wednesday.

Devante Chance (senior, communications media) scored 23 points on 8-for-18 shooting, including 4-for10 from beyond the arc, and dished out eight assists in another complete 40-minute game.

“It felt great tonight to end our twogame losing streak,” Chance said. “We have been in some close games, so it feels great to be able to pull this game through.”

With Chance’s seventh assist, he now needs just seven more to pass Ashton Smith for the most in IUP history.

Brandon Norfleet (junior, communi-

cations media) had 20 points on a hot 8-for-13 performance after battling a wrist and ankle injury the past couple games.

“My ankle feels great,” Norfleet said, “better than what it felt when we played Edinboro, and my wrist is improving. It felt good tonight.”

At halftime, IUP led 32-22, as Slippery Rock shot a woeful 8-for-29.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Crimson Hawks shot 52 percent at halftime with Norfleet leading the way with 12 points.

Forward Devon Cottrell (junior, communications media) threw a block party with five swats and also added 11 rebounds.

Chance had a lot to say about Cottrell’s efforts.

“He set the tone for us tonight,” Chance said. “His play was inspiring for the rest of us and ultimately helped us get out and get a lead in the game.”

In the second half, IUP came out shooting on an early 11-4 run.

Slippery Rock ended up outscoring IUP 39-26 over the final 16:40 of the game behind Antonio Butler’s big second half.

Butler had himself a night, scoring 23 points to bring The Rock back from a 21-point deficit in the second half.

Jeremy Jeffers (redshirt-senior, communications media) added 9 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes.

“It felt good to win this rivalry game,” Chance said. “The key was our attitude and the way Devon came out and played for us. We are all so proud of the way he played tonight.”

Slippery Rock went on a pair of runs late to get the deficit down to single digits, but IUP pulled away with a 3-pointer and buried The Rock.

IUP will travel to take on the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 12-12 (9-11 in PSAC) Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Devon Cottrell (junior, communications media) leaps for IUP. (Dan Kirby/ The Penn)

Penguins may have unearthed a franchise cornerstone

By JAKE ENDERS Staff Writer J.G.Enders@iup.edu

The Pittsburgh Penguins definitely have an MVP this year, but it’s doubtful many casual observers would peg him as being such at first glance.

Defenseman Kris Letang is enjoying a wonderful season on the Penguins’ blue line, and right now they need every brilliant play he can provide.

It’s unfitting to call this a career year for Letang because he will undoubtedly enjoy many more high-caliber campaigns if he continues to perform at the level he has this season.

The 27-year-old blue-liner trails only Mark Giordano among NHL defensemen in scoring, and Giordano has needed 57 games to earn his 47 points, while Letang has played only 51 games to score 45 points.

But that only scratches the surface of

the kind of dominant year Letang has turned in.

Playing in all situations, the Quebecois averages 25:24 of ice time per game, the Penguin’s leader by a large margin.

Despite all that usage, his plus-minus of +7 is superb.

Only four players in the entire league have a higher ratio than Letang, His excellence in the defensive zone cannot be overstated, and he is an anchor on Pittsburgh’s fourth-ranked penalty-killing unit.

And all this from a man who has endured multiple injuries over the course of his career and, scariest of all, a stroke suffered in January 2014. His most successful previous two years were both hindered by different injuries.

This season, he has been largely healthy, and finally put together all the tools that the Penguins saw when they selected him in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

In terms of offensive production, he has also picked a crucial time to heat up, with 19 points in his last 15 games.

The Penguins have uncharacteristically struggled to put pucks in the net in 2014-15. In the previous eight seasons, Pittsburgh has finished among the topsix scoring teams seven times.

This year, they are ranked 12th. Sidney Crosby once again leads the league in points per game, but his offensive outbursts have been maddeningly inconsistent.

In Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to Washington at home, Crosby was invisible.

Ditto for Sunday’s 2-1 shootout loss in Chicago.

The Capitals are a team the Penguins could easily face in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs two months from now, and on Tuesday, in a critical game for both teams, Washington’s star players showed up while Crosby and fellow superstar Evgeni Malkin all but called

in sick.

Both players have shown flashes this year, but neither has yet gained the consistency required once spring rolls around.

With Letang performing at the level of a true franchise defenseman – something the Penguins have lacked in recent years – it’s high time for his fellow stars to pick up the slack.

14

February 20, 2015 APARTMENTS

Why pay more? Thomas Hall the only off campus housing on Pratt Drive is now taking applications for single, furnished studio apartments for Fall 2015 Spring 2016. Includes all utilities, Wi-Fi/TV. Call 724-349-2007. www. thomasrentals.com Tired of high rents? WETZEL. MANAGEBUILDING.COM OR 724349-5312.

2-3-4 bedroom apartments 477 Philadelphia Street. $2100-2400/ semester. Includes utilities and parking.

724-422-4852 .

Two bedroom apts. Furnished, all appliances, A/C. Upscale. 2015-16.

724-388-5687.

Furnished one bedroom. $2100 per semester. Located near Martins. 724-4639290. colonialmanorindianapa.com.

Apartments and Houses 2015-16 call or text 724-840-2083.

Available Fall and Spring 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Off street parking $1950 everything included. Call after 5. 412-289-0934 or 724-354-4629.

Extra Nice! Furnished apartments for 1 or 2 people for Fall 15 Spring 16.

Parking and utilities included. 724-3884033.

Summer 2015! Extra nice! Furnished apartment for 1,2,3,or 4 people. Utilities included. 724-388-4033.

Fall 15 Spring 16 3,4, or 5 students $1500-$1700 per semester. Parking, W/D and garbage included . Call after 5pm 724-840-3370.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 672-674 Washington St. 3 bedroom, 1 bath duplex. Rent starts @ $2385/per student/per semester plus gas, electric, water, cable, internet, phone, parking.

724-349-1924 x 399.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 463 Nixon Ave. 2-3 bedroom apartments. Rent starts @ $2340/per student/per semester plus electric, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-349-1924 x 399.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 208-210 Papermill Ave. 2 bedroom, 1 bath duplex.

Rent starts @ $2340/per student/per semester plus gas, electric, water, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-3491924 x 399.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 733A Locust St. 4 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. Rent starts @ $2543/per student/per semes-

ter plus electric, water, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-349-1924 x 399.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 704-708 Locust St. 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment.

Rent starts @ $2543/per student/per semester plus electric, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-349-1924 x 399.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 800 Wayne Ave. 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment.

Rent starts @ $2543/per student/per semester plus electric, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-349-1924 x 399.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 916-918 School St. 2 bedroom, 2 bath duplex.

Rent starts @ $2475/per student/per semester plus gas, electric, water, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-3491924 x 399.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 228 S Seventh St. 5 bedroom, 1 bath apartment.

Rent starts @ $2250/per student/per semester plus gas, electric, water, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-3491924 x 399.

1 bedroom, $2000/per semester. 2 bedroom, $1800/per semester. Parking included. Fall ‘15/Spring ‘16. 412309-0379.

2015/16 Wedgefield Apartments.

2 Bedroom $2225/person/semester.

3 Bedroom $2325/person/semester.

Tenants pay electric, cable, internet. iupapartments.com, 724-3885481.

Summer 2015. General Grant. 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. $950. Tenant pays electric, cable, internet. iupapartments.com. 724-388-5481.

2015-2016. Uptown furnished 2, 3, & 4 bedroom apartments. Most utilities included starting at $1695 per semester.

724-840-5661.

3 Bedroom Apartment ALL utilities included. Free Wi-Fi. New kitchen.

Facebook: BGBrothersRentals Only $2300 per semester. 724-953-9477 call/text.

4 bedroom apartment. Fall’15/Spring ‘16 547 Water Street includes off-street

parking fully furnished and utilities $2600 per student per semester 724388-0382.

5 bedroom for rent Fall ‘15/ Spring ‘16. 547 Water Street includes off-street parking furnished, basement access and utilities $2700 per student per semester 724-388-0382.

NEXT to HUB 733 School St. FIVE bedroom, Heat and Water included $2475/semester. OakGroveRealty. net 724-471-1234.

WHAT are you waiting for? The LeftOvers? Find your apartment NOW @ OakGroveRealty.net 2015-2016 Brunzies’ Apartments. TWO LEFT!! For 3 or 4 tenants each. Two full baths/parking/garbage/new units.

MANY PERKS!!! 724-354-2340 before 9:00 PM. WWW.PREITERENTALS.COM. FALL ‘15/SPRING ‘16. TWO AND THREE BEDROOM FURNISHED LAUNDRY PARKING INTERNET $1500 AND $1695 724-388-3388.

Are you tired of freezing while walking to class or waiting for the bus? Stay with us. Thomas Hall. We’re right across from IUP’s Eberly Business College www.ThomasRentals.com 724-3492007.

3 Bedroom Furnished Apartment.

2015-2016 Furnished 3 bedroom apt.

Most utilities included $1695.00 per semester. Summer available if needed.

724-840-7190 or visit us at www. iuprental.com 1 Bedroom Apartment. Available Fall 2015/Spring 2016. Furnished. All Utilities and Parking Included. www. iupoffcampusapartments.com 724-4549860.

Don’t be part of our waiting list again this year. Now is the time to sign for Fall 2015-Spring 2016. www.ThomasRentals.com 724-349-2007.

For rent. Student rental, spring/summer/ fall. Large furnished bedroom. Block from IUP. All utilities included. Call 724349-7437.

IUP Eberly Business College Students!

We’re your best housing choice. Just 100 feet to class! www.ThomasRentals. com 724-349-2007.

3 bedroom apartment, recently remolded, included utilities, $1675, 724-464-9363.

Large 3 bedroom and large 2 bedroom apartment available for Fall Semester,

Classifieds 2014 and Spring Semester, 2015. $1,400 per person per semester, plus utilities, Philadelphia Street, close to campus. Call for an appointment (724)349-7680.

reasonably priced, close to campus, free parking, furnished some utilities included. F2015/S2016 morgantiiuprentals.com 724-388-1277; 412-289-8822.

WWW.PREITERENTALS.COM. FALL ‘15/SPRING ‘16. TWO BEDROOM FURNISHED LAUNDRY PARKING $750 PER MONTH 724-388-3388.

Great houses! Hardwood and marble! Close! 2-3 bedrooms. 20152016. 724-388-6535.

5 bedroom apartment newly renovated.

Available for 2015/2016. Located on Locust Street behind Wallwork Hall. Rent includes upstreet parking for all tenants.

Please contact Diane at 814-243-0192 for an appointment .

3 bedroom apartment newly renovated available for 2015/2016. Located on Church Street behind the Hub. Large bedrooms and off street parking. Water included in the rent. Please contact Diane at 814-243-0192.

3 bedroom apartments available for 2015/2016. Conveniently located on Locust Street behind Wallwork Hall.

Includes off street parking for all tenants and some furnishing. Please contact Diane at 814-243-0192 for an appointment .

Furnished Apartment. Available Fall 2015-Spring 2016. Close to campus Parking and utilities included. Call 814-629-7334. Email tammyrice618@ gmail.com.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 716-718 Wayne Ave. 3 bedroom, 1 bath duplex.

Rent starts @ $2340/per student/ per semester, plus gas, electric, water, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724349-1924 x 399.

HOUSES 4-bedroom house. 1228 Oakland Ave. 2015/ 2016. $1100. Includes parking, some utilities. 703-3077288.

Fall 2015/Spring 2016. Large 3 bedroom student rental above office, offstreet parking included, two blocks from campus. Email jake@ jakedavisinsurance.com or call 724388-9428.

Five Bedroom, Two Bath. $1900 plus utilities. 461 Philadelphia Street.

Parking included. 724-422-4852.

Townhouse for two next to campus 724-388-0352. treehouseiup.com Three four and five bedroom housing,

3,4, & 5 bedroom house.

Extra large bedrooms with private bathrooms. Free parking and laundry onsite. Low rent. close to campus, newly remodeled. 724-465-7602. www.housingiup.com 2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 465 Nixon Ave. 2 bedroom, 1 bath house. Rent starts @ $2340/per student/per semester plus electric, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-349-1924 x 399.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 915 School St. 3 bedroom, 1 bath house. Rent starts @ $2565/per student/per semester plus gas, electric, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-3491924 x 399.

2015-2016 Fall/Spring. 954-956 Philadelphia St. 5 bedroom, 1 bath house. Rent starts @ $2003/per student/per semester plus gas, electric, water, cable, internet, phone, parking. 724-349-1924 x 399.

5 bedroom. Washer/dryer, large sun room, covered patio, private yard, off-street parking included. $1800/ per semester. Fall ‘15/Spring ‘16.

412-309-0379.

FIVE bedroom TWO bath HOUSE near Family Video. Heat, water and parking included. $2800/semester.

OakGroveRealty.net 724-4711234 CAMPBELL STUDENT HOUSING. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!! 3-4-5 BEDROOM HOUSES: 2015-2016.

CLOSE TO CAMPUS, INCLUDES ALL UTILITIES, COMPLETELY FURNISHED, WASHER/DRYER, PARKING, EXCELLENT LOCATIONS REASONABLE RENT. 724-539-8012

ROOMMATES Roommate needed for 3 bedroom apartment. $1800. Fall ‘15/Spring ‘16. 2 semester lease. 724-8407190. iuprental.com

February 20, 2015

Sports NOTES, PREDICTIONS AND OPINIONS ON THE WORLD OF SPORTS

By MICHAEL KIWAK Lead Sports Writer M.T.Kiwak@iup.edu

“Did he, or didn’t he?”

“He said, she said.”

These are phrases that commonly pertain to former Florida State University quarterback and possible No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston.

Why? Because Winston allegedly raped FSU student Erica Kinsman in December 2012, and since the news broke in 2013, there has been a flurry of accusations, denials, investigations and criticism.

This is a complicated and sensitive subject matter, and I’m going to try my best to handle it tastefully, so let me begin by making something crystal clear.

All of it needs to stop.

Local prosecutor William N. Meggs decided not to charge Winston in the incident, citing lack of evidence, according to The New York Times.

The university held a hearing to determine if Winston had violated school policy, and the answer was no.

Despite what some people might believe, this is a closed case. Now, does that mean Winston is vindicated?

Absolutely not. There’s a lot more to this than that.

One reason why this issue continues to linger is that Winston is already a polarizing figure that has a great deal of exposure. In other words, he’s an easy target.

Winston has a track record of inappropriate behavior, ranging from yelling obscenities in public to shoplifting crab legs from a local grocery store.

Combined with this persisting rape allegation, it is easy for many to label Winston as a “thug” or a “criminal.”

I’m here to tell you those labels are ridiculous.

They would imply that Winston has been convicted of a crime at some point in his life, which he technically has not.

As for the shoplifting incident, Winston was issued a citation and completed community service to clear himself of any implication.

Is Winston a criminal? No. Has he acted out of character? Yes, although you would never think there’s a difference between the two based on how people ridicule him.

For the people who already take shots at Winston for his immature behavior, this rape allegation is just another bullet to load in the chamber of their gun of criticism.

This is where the polarization comes in.

Winston is an incredibly talented player on the football field. He’s been a hot topic in pro-sports headlines, too, with the NFL draft quickly approaching.

He’s also an emotional and fiery leader who isn’t afraid to air his voice.

That’s an easy thing for people to hate.

So, put all those ingredients together and you have the biggest cocktail of hate since New York Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez lied about steroid use.

People drink it up and it causes, much like actual alcohol, rage-filled tirades about how Winston is a terrible human being.

These people are mistaken.

I can understand why they hate him.

However, without knowing Winston at all, without having a comprehensive understanding of who he is, it is unfair to make those claims.

There are multiple accounts of his peers praising his personality and attitude. While those obviously might be biased, they must have some degree of merit.

The truth is we have all made mistakes in our lives at one point or another, some more than others, of course.

I’m an advocate of second chances, and I’m willing to give Winston another shot to prove he can be a mature adult.





15