VOL. 101 – ISSUE 9
THE TRUMPET WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
WLU’s Student News Source
West Liberty announces new changes to fall 2021 commencement ceremony - pg. 3
WLU Football falls to UNC Pembroke 27 -17 - pg. 13 @WLTrumpetOnline @thetrumpetwestliberty
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THE TRUMPET
NEWS
WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
COVER BY: WESTLIBERTY.EDU
CULTURE SPORTS Graphic By: Haley Blakemore
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
Photo Credits: Kaitlin Wallace
Clubs and Greek organizations collaborate for Domestic Violence Awareness Month - pg. 6
Introduction to Creative Arts Therapy Class takes a field trip to the MoJo House - pg. 9
West Liberty Volleyball sweeps Wesleyan on Senior Day pg. 15
THE TRUMPET
The Student Voice of the Hilltop
The Trumpet’s mission is to provide WLU students of all majors an opportunity to learn how to gather and present news information to the campus community, and to serve the campus community with fair and accurate reporting on matters of significance and interest.
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Annalise Murphy Online Editor Creed Kidney News Editor Brianna Hamon Culture Editor Intern Faith Hayes Opinion Editor Intern Kailey Carpino Sports Editor Intern Ross Salvatori Graphic Designer/Photographer Haley Blakemore Graphic Designer/Illustrator Samantha Snyder Sports Writer Maxwell Fledorczyk Staff Writer Micahel Antley Director Danielle Mehlman-Brightwell
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To submit a letter to the editor, please email anmurphy@westliberty.edu. Please list your name, address, phone number, and email address; if the piece is published, you will be contacted to confirm your identity.
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NEWS NOVEMBER 4, 2021
NEWS
News Editor: Brianna Hamon
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- bnhamon bnhamon@westliberty.edu @westliberty.edu
West Liberty announces new changes to fall 2021 Commencement Ceremony From five ceremonies last semester to just one this semester, West Liberty University (WLU) is able to hold another in-person commencement ceremony, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. in the ASRC. According to Maureen Zambito, director of media relations, there is expected to be 148 graduating students — 97 undergraduates and 51 graduate students. With a smaller graduating class this fall, the university is only holding one ceremony instead of the originally planned two ceremonies. This second ceremony, originally scheduled for Friday, Dec. 10 has been cancelled. The graduates will also be receiving their actual diplomas during the ceremony. Zambito says, “The use of actual diplomas
is a move suggested by President Evans and agreed on by the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Scott Cook… Real diplomas create a more meaningful graduation for our graduates as they celebrate their special day.”
In light of COVID-19 rates on campus, the restrictions have been lightened for the fall 2021 graduating class as compared to the spring ceremony. Each graduate is allowed to have six guests this semester as opposed to the two guest policy of last semester. However, masks and social distancing will remain mandatory this year for the audience and participants attending the ceremony. Although the ceremony has minor modifications, the process for graduation remains largely the same. Graduation applications were to be completed before June 25 to avoid the late fee of $110, and the final date for
Graphic of the Fall Commencement Ceremony Photo Credits: WLU Student Life Instagram
The inside entry of the ASRC building where the commencement ceremony takes place. Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports application submission acceptance was cap and gown in the bookstore after Sept 10. Nov. 18. The university asks future graduates to fill out an online form to The students meeting the state which graduation fair they will be academic requirements for gradua- attending or if they are attending neition are expected to take part in the ther, so the university can have the cap commencement exercises. If a student and gowns in the proper areas for the fails to compensate the university for students to pick up. any fines and fees accumulated over the course of their college career, like Thomas Curtin, a soon to be parking tickets or library fines, then the graduate of the fall 2021 class, had this university will not be able to release to say about the end of his college cathe final transcript or diploma to the reer closing in: “It’s a bittersweet feeling student. If these financial obligations but I am ready and prepared to start are taken care of, then the student will the next chapter of my life. With that receive their diploma at the ceremony being said, I must still remain focused or, for those unable to attend, they will as the hard part is not over yet.” receive it in the mail. Another future graduate, Lo Future graduates must also pay gan Starr, said the following about the a graduation fee to the business office end of his college career, “Truthfully, I which includes the cost of the cap and am very excited. I loved college and it gown ordered online through Herff was fun, but I am ready for the next Jones company. The cap and gown can chapter of my life to start. College has be picked up at one of the two grad- had its ups and downs for sure, but I uation fairs on Thursday, Nov. 18 from wouldn’t change it for anything.” 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the ASRC Boyle For more information, contact Room or Tuesday Nov. 16 from 4:30 Amy Balog at balogamy@westliberty. p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Highland Center. edu or call her phone at (304) 336If a student is unable to attend either 8127. of these, they are able to pick up their
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NOVEMBER 4, 2021
NEWS
Dr. Jeremy Larance joins Complete College of America Dr. Jeremy Larance, West Liberty University’s (WLU) assistant provost was named to Complete College America’s (CCA) Impatient Reformers. Larance was first introduced to CCA in 2015 when the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission asked WLU to be one of the first four-year institutions in the state to work with the organization to create composition courses. According to Larance, “[CCA] is a national nonprofit organization that works with colleges and statewide systems to improve college completion rates, especially among traditionally underrepresented populations.” One of the organization’s roles is to bring people together, such as policymakers and higher education experts, to make proving strategies or “game changers” easier. Larance furthered this statement saying without bringing these experts together, creating these proven strategies “might otherwise take years to improve and implement.”
An Impatient Reformer means Larance will have more opportunities to share the university’s success stories; additionally, he will have more access to individuals and resources that will help build up the university’s reputation of being a nationally recognized institution of higher education for student success.
“Understandably, the word “impatient” can have negative connotations like impulsive or reckless, but what it really means is that we are passionate and enthusiastic about the work we put into implementing proven student success initiatives,” said Larance. According to a press release written by WLU’s Director of Media Relations, Maureen Zambito, Larance is a part of a cohort of CCA Impatient Reformers to join an existing community of Content Experts. “We are pleased that Dr. Jeremy Larance from West Liberty University will work with us to advance our bold success strategies,” said CCA’s CEO, Yolanda Watson Spiva. CCA’s content experts are a select group of higher education practitioners, researchers and leaders. Each of these individuals have dedicated their careers to student success; in turn, CCA’s pillars of student suc-
cess strategies have been implemented in colleges and universities nationwide.
In the same press release by Zambito, Larance is quoted saying, “I am extremely proud of West Liberty University’s reputation of being a nationally recognized leader of student success, in some cases doubling the pass rates of our most atrisk students Larance’s professional headand continuing to close inequity Dr. Jeremy shot taken by Maureen Zambito, gaps that have unfairly hindered director of media relations at WLU. the potential of far too many stu- Photo Credits: WLU Media Relations dents.” one-on-one interview with Larance. Larance added CCA’s re- More information from Zambito’s sources to help build up the suc- press release can be found by folcess of others has been an inte- lowing this link. gral to the way he is able to help other schools and state systems.” Larance is originally from Arkansas and earned his undergraduate degree in English from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Later, he went to Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., where he earned his master’s in English Literature. His doctorate degree in English was earned at the University of Tulsa, located in Oklahoma. Larance has been teaching as an English professor at WLU since 2005. For more information regarding Larance’s welcome to CCA’s Impatient Reformers, please email him at jlarance@ westliberty.edu. This article was cultivated by Zambito’s original press release published on WLU’s News Source website with original information added through a
WLU English Professor
“I am extremely proud of WLU’s reputation of being a nationally recognized leader of student success...”
-Dr. Jeremy Larance
NEWS
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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West Liberty hosts Black and Gold Day in search of new students Contributing Writer: Kaitlynn Wheeler
On Saturday, Oct. 30, West Liberty University (WLU) conducted another successful Black and Gold Day event. Similar to past events, Black and Gold Day is where prospective students, along with their families, are informed about campus life and what they can expect if they choose to attend West Liberty in the future. Black and Gold Day is broken up into three sub-events. First, prospective students and their families attend the university overview presentation. Families gathered in Kelly Theatre located in the Fine Arts Building to hear a brief history about how West Liberty was established, as well as acquire information on its various departments and services. After the presentation, families are then split into multiple small groups to receive a campus tour led by student ambassadors. Student ambassadors partner with resident assistants who provide additional help.
During campus tours, families get to see the majority of the buildings and facilities on campus as well as get information about various clubs and organizations that were not addressed in the overview presentation. When tours reach the student union, ambassadors will point out the different meal options on campus. Besides dining in the Marketplace, West Liberty’s cafeteria, students have the option to purchase meals from restaurants such as Sandellas, Wow or the student convenience store Bear Necessities. Along with pointing out these different dining options, ambassadors will explain how meal plans work, as well as mention West Liberty’s flex dollars known as Sodexo dollars. Sodexo dollars are provided by Sodexo, West Liberty’s primary food carrier, which aids students in paying for their meals when they purchase an item that costs more than their meal swipe. Before a tour ends, families get to witness what a dorm room
The free t-shirt table for future students that attended Black and Gold Day. Photo Credits: Kaitlynn Wheeler looks like. Here, families learn about dents shared their exciting moments what a student can and cannot have as well. in a dorm room. Ambassadors also “I thought that the tour was speak on the different types of dorms really nice today. I’ve never been to and how students will be placed in eiWest Virginia before, I’m from Pennther a single or suite style room. sylvania. I thought the location was After each tour concludes, beautiful, my tour guides were really families attend the academic and cam- kind and informational. The size of pus life fair. This is the last event of the my group was good, we were in each day where all the academic and ad- building for a good amount of time. ministrative departments, along with Overall, it went really well,” said Lucy athletics, provide prospective students Valkanas. with pamphlets or flyers that give a “I really liked looking in the brief overview on the various majors and minors students can pursue. As science area with all the biology, a gift, prospective students receive a looking in the labs and seeing the diffree West Liberty t-shirt and are eli- ferent classrooms. I like how we can gible to win a 1,000 dollar scholarship see that there are small classrooms so that we can be more involved for attending. with teachers. I also liked looking at Michelle Filberto, who is the housing and seeing all the different Admissions Event Coordinator for options on where you can live,” said West Liberty, explained that she was Chloe Kenamond. highly pleased with how Black and Before families leave campus, Gold Day turned out. they receive a ticket that allows them “I’m extremely happy. We had a free meal in the Marketplace. over 41 families attend. Even though it The last two Black and Gold rained it was still a really great event. Day events for this semester will be We had a lot of positive comments held on Thursday, Nov. 11, and Friday, from families about their time on Dec. 3. campus.” Visit the WLU’s admission Filberto was not the only one website to get more information on to express her joy about Black and how to register. Gold Day. A couple prospective stu-
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NOVEMBER 4, 2021
NEWS
Clubs and Greek organizations collaborate for Domestic Violence Awareness Month array of treats.The supplies inside the kits include toothbrushes, feminine products, shampoo and body wash. In honor of domestic violence awareness month, West Liberty University (WLU) Greek life and clubs have gathered to provide education on the subject of domestic abuse to students through walks and tabling in the union during the month of October. The first event, an awareness walk hosted by sorority Lambda Psi Sigma, took place on Wednesday, Oct. 20. All students on campus walked four laps around the quad while stopping at tables of groups asked to collaborate. Between each lap, the participants were able to speak to members of Beta Rho Epsilon, the Criminal Justice Society, WLU student life representatives and Lambda Psi Sigma. Beta Rho Epsilon (BPE) participated in this event because of their connection and philanthropic work with the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Associate) of Wheeling. The YWCA devotes a large portion of their time and resources to ending domestic violence which BPE works to mimic in their educational events on campus. The YWCA
The CJ Society is looking to expand their hygiene kits and resources to other shelters in the Wheeling area because they believe in sharing their help to those in need, according to Gray. Other domestic violence awareness events include BPE’s Halloween treats and trivia table that took place on Thursday, Oct. 28 in the Student Union. Students stopped by the table and answered trivia questions for a chance to win Halloween themed prizes and candy. Manor provided some of the questions asked during the event and this included questions like “what types of behavior indicates a sign of relationship abuse” and From left: Amber Yoho, Brianna Hamon and Sarah Brannon sitting at the true or false questions such as “domestic Beta Rho Epsilon table for the YWCA. violence usually happens in married adult Photo Credits: Kaitlin Wallace couples”. If a student answered correctly, not only educates but provides domestic violence. We are super they could pick out a prize sitting at the direct help to victims by provid- passionate about it (domestic vi- table. ing them with opportunities that olence) as an organization and it’s allow them to get back on their important for us to come together Beta Rho Epsilon hosts many feet. and stand together for important events throughout the year devoted to topics like this.” domestic violence awareness and they According to Lindsay plan to host their annual Take Back the Manor, BPE’s philanthropy chair, The second table students Night walk in honor of this topic next seBPE provides facts, statistics and visited during their lap around the mester. This event will feature members resources of who to contact in quad was the Criminal Justice (CJ) of the YWCA and resembles the set up certain domestic violence situa- Society. The CJ Society was present of Lambda’s annual walk. tions as part of what they teach. during last year’s domestic violence walk hosted by Lambda and when For more information about this In response to why BPE asked why they decided to return, article and the domestic violence awarechose to collaborate with Lambda Austin Gray, a member of the CJ ness events that have occurred through Psi Sigma, Manor explained, “We Society stated, “We participate in the month of October, please contact decided to participate because this walk for a few reasons such Brianna Hamon at bnhamon@westliberwe love doing events related to as promoting awareness, inspiring ty.edu or visit Student Life on their Instafor positive change and making a gram and Twitter pages. difference in the community. Our organization believes in making a difference in the lives of those who have been negatively impacted by such events.”
Gray went on to explain that beyond the spreading of awareness, the CJ Society has also made hygiene kits for the women under the care program of the YWCA in the past and they plan to continue this by selling raffle tickets and using the proceeds to purchase supplies. Students who Beta Rho Epsilon’s table in the Student Union for their Halloween treats and purchase raffle tickets are put in Domestic Violence Awareness trivia event. a drawing for a Yeti cooler, two inPhoto Credits: Zoe Ebbert sulated Yeti cups, a speaker and an
The Criminal Justice Society raffle basket Photo Credits: Criminal Justice Society
CULTURE
CULTURE NOVEMBER 4, 2021
Culture Editor Intern: Faith Hayes
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- fbhayes@westliberty.edu
New Creative Arts Therapy Gallery in the Union features unique hand-made books The Creative Arts Therapy Gallery is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is located on the second floor of the Student Union room S27. The art is set up and taken down on Mondays to replace the old work with new work.The art in the photos provided were up until Oct. 31. New art will be available for both viewing and interaction until Nov. 7. The art is created by the Crafts I & II classes and these classes explore the art of book making and look at art movements like book making. “I was interested to see how students would integrate the tradition of bookmaking, contem-
porary art concepts, and push the boundaries of what is considered a ‘book’”, said Creative Arts Therapy Instructor, Terri Giller. Giller said “I was delighted to see how original and thoughtful these pieces were, despite [being] given the same instructions.” Juliana Haug, a creative arts therapy major, based her book on the idea of “open when” letters. Haug said, “I wanted to create a sculpture journal of ‘open when’ letters. To accomplish this vision, I made a total of 12 scrapbook pages that hold images and quotes based off of the letter. For example, my “open when it is Winter” page has a lot of blue tones, snowflakes, sparkles, etcetera.” Haug used binding techniques called the kettle stitch and whip with natural and synthetic materials. She explained, “The ‘future-toji’ form was introduced and commonly used when bookbinding. After placing each page on top of one another, they were sewn together... the stitches going through blank margins next to the loose edges. In this way, the sewn edges form the spine. This stringbound style is what I chose to finish my project. To add the element of sculpture, my journal is able to stand on its own, propped open to invite outside viewers to thumb through the pages.” Jacob Pierce, a studio art major, used his book to tell a personal story. Pierce said,“The project really opened up my eyes, because for the longest time, even while in college, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with my life, I just knew that I liked to create art. so
From left to right top shelves: Jewell Cox and Mykaela McLamar. Bottom shelf: AJ Butcher. Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore
From left to right: Caroline “Blake” Hull, Sydney Jeffreys-Layman, Sarah French and Elizabeth Eames. Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore I decided to tell a story with all the was specifically powerful.” pieces of work that have influenced me through my whole art journey.” Taylor Nelson, another Pierce discovered that through this creative arts therapy major, said, decision making process, pottery “The function of my book is just for people to kind of learn about making was a family business. the zodiac signs. I think the book Creed Kidney, The Trumpet’s could either live as an art object online editor and creative arts thera- as well as provide entertainment py major said, “My book doesn’t pri- to the audience. I got my inspimarily have a function, per se, other ration for this book through my than to simply be a book that is able love/fascination with everything to be filled by - something. This was zodiac/astrology-related. The my first experience with bookmak- book is sort of handmade, I aling, so I wanted to do something tered an old sketchbook I had. I that was as basic as possible but also ripped out some pages and paintgave me room for creative and inspi- ed some pages black, and I made rational freedom. I drew my inspira- the covers. I didn’t really have an tion primarily from old, hand-bound intended audience in mind, just books of medieval times, stuff that’s whoever enjoys astrology/learnfairly foundational and simple in con- ing more about their zodiac. I struction but still maintains a sense want the audience to flip through of elegance. I really enjoyed this pro- the pages and find their zodiac cess, and I hope to do more of it and maybe learn something they in the future. From making my own maybe didn’t know or weren’t paper to actually stitching my book aware of before.” together by hand, I love when an arFor more information, tistic project or experience gives you contact Giller at terri.giller@westa sense of intimacy with your craft; I think that’s inherent in all art, but this liberty.edu.
Featured Artists:
AJ Butcher Caroline “Blake” Hull Creed Kidney Elizabeth Eames Jacob Pierce Jewell Cox Juliana Haug
Megan Teagarden Mykaela McLamar Sarah French Sydney Jeffreys-Layman Sierra Stevens Taylor Nelson
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CULTURE
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
Toppers send a big thank you to foundation donors on Scholarship Day
Alessandra Pamepucci: Foundation Scholarship. Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore
The Scholarship Day Table, featuring Kyle Lutz, the Administrative Assistant of the WLU Foundation. Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore
Left to right: Hannah Burgess (Presidential Scholarship) and Sydney Schumacher (Elbin Scholarship). Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore
Alessandra Pamepucci’s scholarship letter. Photo Credit: Haley Blakemore
Bryanna Vickers: Nicodemus Scholarship. Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore
Left to right: Nate Phillips (Zake and Amedro Scholarship) and Wisdom Jenkins (Mrs. Gongaware’s Scholarship). Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore
CULTURE
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
Introduction to Creative Arts Therapy Class takes a field trip to the MoJo House
On Tuesday, Oct. 26, students in Professor Terri Giller’s Introduction to Creative Arts Therapy class took a trip to Wheeling, W.Va.’s MoJo House to learn about how the facility is involved in the arts at a community level. MoJo being a sort of moniker for the center entitled the Mother Jones Center for Resilient Community, “uses arts and creativity to Graphic by: Haley Blakemore empower youth and adults to become agents of change in Wheelnineteenth century, going on to be ing, [W.Va.],” as stated in their Inscited by a United States attorney tagram biography (@themojocrc). as “the most dangerous woman in America,” her biography states on Speaking to the students the website for the National Womprimarily on how they, the MoJo en’s History Museum. center, use art to address adverse childhood experiences within the Still, none of this fiery pasgreater Ohio Valley, the overall sion has been lost to time for the goal for the initiative is change for greater MoJo Center initiative. The the community that surrounds location in Wheeling strides toward them at any given time. a goal to empower the people, As a part of a larger collective youth and adults alike, of the Ohio founded under labor union orValley to become their own agents ganizer and social activist, Mary of change through the healing proHarris Jones, the Mother Jones cess the Center aims to provide. As group, seeks to fight for economstated on their facebook page, the ic, social, and corporate justice MoJo Center looks to heal commuthrough powerful societal calls to nities stricken by trauma through action. Harris, the self-proclaimed five main components: creativi“hell-raiser,” is arguably the most ty, education, compassionate play, famous female labor activist of the and meaningful relationships. From the wonderful response the Center has seen thus far, to the programs here on the Hilltop reaching out to learn and grow from the practices they have outlined, the Mother Jones Center for Resilient Community looks to only continue to grow from here. Graphic by: Haley Blakemore
PAGE 9
West Liberty starts a friendship family program for the holidays
With the holiday’s among us, West Liberty University (WLU) has started a friendship family program for international students. Becoming a friendship family means that a local family builds a relationship with an international student through phone calls, visits and activities. Each family can decide their own level of involvement with the international student and set their own schedule. Families can also choose how many times they meet with an international student. When students leave for Thanksgiving and Christmas break, many international students have nowhere to go. Some cannot return home due to travel expenses and available flights while others have no family in the United States to stay with. WLU created friendship families because it allows families to invite international students to celebrate the holidays with them. Many international students experience U.S. traditions while in college but they miss out on the chance of experiencing American holidays, but friendship families can help introduce international students to new holidays and different aspects of culture that the student would otherwise not get to experience. Ryan Glanville, coordinator of international programs and recruiting, explained that becoming a friendship family to an in-
iernational student is an exciting and rewarding experience because you make a difference in a student’s life by introducing them to American holidays and customs. Glanville continued by explaining the benefits of befriending an international student by saying that you also gain the chance of learning about the students’ home and their culture. Glanville encourages anyone who is interested in learning about different cultures to become a friendship family or at least get in touch with some of the international students at WLU. To become a Friendship Family or to learn more about the program, visit the Rollie Williams International Center by contacting Ryan Glanville at ryan.glanville@westliberty.edu or calling him at (304) 336-8382. With Thanksgiving break soon to come in the next following weeks, it is best to contact soon so the international students can begin making plans.
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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CULTURE
WLU students create pumpkin art before the Halloween weekend Contributing Writer: Kaitlynn Wheeler West Liberty proved that a pumpkin can be used as a canvas. On Wednesday, Oct. 27, West Liberty’s Center for Arts and Education held a pumpkin painting event on campus. During this event, students could make paintings on pumpkins using various materials provided by the Arts and Education Center. Director Lou Karas, along with her graduate assistants, conducted the event. Karas mentioned this is the first time she collaborated with Kate Billings, director of student activities, to make this event a suc- A group of pumpkins sitting outside. Photo Credits: Kelcie Cottis cess. “We have been working with Kate Billings and the Student Activities office to offer activities for our students with us being back on campus. I think it is important for us to do some things that are fun, and as a community we weren’t able to do anything for Halloween last year, so we thought it would be nice to do something like this.”
Photo Credits: Bryce Childers
Photo Credits: Leigha Patrick
Students Grace Henley and Savannah Moorehead explained that they do a lot of activities together. Both carved pumpkins together prior to this event. Pumpkin painting was just another activity for them to bond over.
“I love Halloween. Any time that West Liberty does something Halloweeny, I immediately want to Karas also stated that Bill- come,” said Henley. ings purchased all the pumpkins students could use. There were “This is just another fun thing to get roughly over 20 pumpkins. Consid- out of the dorm and get away from ering the supply was limited, Karas gave pumpkins on a first come first serve basis. Also, the pumpkin sizes were relatively small, none of them were too heavy or too big to carry.
Photo Credits: Leigha Patrick studying for a little bit and do something fun with friends,” said Moorehead. The overall turnout for pumpkin painting was a success. Karas was pleased with the results. By the end of the event only a few pumpkins were left over. The students that attended created unique and fun designs on their pumpkins. Now these students have something to put outside their rooms to show that they are in the halloween spirit.
Some of the art materials students could use ranged from paint, paint brushes and sharpie markers. They could also use toothpicks, crayons, paper, glue and tape. Whatever a student needed, Karas provided it. Many of the students’ paintings were Halloween centric. For example, two pumpkins had ghosts painted on them. One pumpkin was rainbow colored with a big ghost painted in the center, while the other had multiple small ghosts painted around it. Photo Credits: Bryce Childers
OPINION NOVEMBER 4, 2021
OPINION
Opinion Editor Intern: Kailey Carpino
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- kcaprino@westliberty.edu
Does Daylight Savings Time Matter? Pumpkin spice and creepy, spooky skeletons have departed and peppermint hot chocolate and snowflakes are making their way into our daily lives. With these season changes also come time changes. On Sunday, Nov. 7, Daylight Savings Time ends, which means it’s time to turn back the clocks. At 2:00 in the morning on Sunday you will have to turn your clocks back one hour. The good news is that you will gain an hour of sleep Sunday night. However, many people find this tradition annoying. Historically, the purpose of Daylight Savings Time was to
encourage people to make better use of daylight. The first time change took place during World War I, and it was meant to help people use less power for lighting to save fuel for the war effort. Daylight Savings Time can still help us save electricity in today’s world, but are the effects really worth it? Changing the clocks back even one hour can make it harder to wake up and fall asleep on a set schedule.This can lead to fewer hours of sleep overall, and that sleep deprivation can pose safety risks, including a higher likelihood of motor vehicle accidents on days following the time shift. “I always find it difficult to go to sleep and wake up on time after the time changes. It can be frustrating adjusting to the time
Clock in Main Hall Photo Credits: Kailey Carpino change. Sometimes it takes me a week or two to fully get used to it,” said WLU student Kamaria Robinson.
Graphic By: Haley Blakemore
However, bright morning light and the reduced evening light also make falling asleep easier. This means that it is easier for people to fall asleep when it’s dark outside and wake up when it’s light. Without Daylight Savings Time, people may have to go to sleep when it’s still light outside or wake up when it’s still dark out. According to Michigan Health, “light is the most powerful regulator of our internal clock, also known as our circadian rhythm, and some people may not even adjust to the time change after several months. When the clocks
on the wall shift forward our exposure to morning sunlight in the morning is reduced, which makes it harder to wake up, and our exposure to evening light increases, which makes it harder to fall asleep.” So whether Daylight Savings Time exists or not, our sleep schedules could still be affected. Overall, Daylight Savings Time does more harm than good since people have to take time to adjust to the time change. Getting enough sleep is very important and can determine our moods and productivity. We should not change our sleep schedule to accommodate changing seasons.
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NOVEMBER 4, 2021
Is College Worth the Cost? Contributing Writer: Alanna Lynch
In today’s society, a large emphasis is placed on the importance of college and why it is crucial to attend. The school system instills this message from a young age, but why is college so important, and if it is, then why is it financially unachievable for so many? It is projected that about 10.4% of American adults are currently enrolled in college according to College Enrollment Statistics [2021]: Total + by Demographic. Now it would be assumed that because the importance of a degree is stressed so much, that it is the key element in securing a job; however, this is not the case. A lot of people who get a college degree still struggle to get a job, and they are able to get a job, it is common for it not to be in their desired field. “I have been graduated from college for a couple years now, and even with my good grades, I have been unable to find work. It’s very stressful,” said Noah Teaf, a physician’s assistant graduate from West Liberty University. In addition to the struggles of finding a job is the cost of tuition. According to How Much Does College Cost?, the academ-
Graphic By: Haley Blakemore
ic year in the United States includes the average price of tuition and fees at $37,650 at private colleges, $10,560 at public colleges (in-state residents) $27,020 at public colleges (out-of-state residents). Most of the population does not have that much money lying around to spend on an education, so the alternative is taking out loans. This means that students can have mountains of debt before they and after they graduate. For a new college graduate who is struggling to find a job in their field, paying student loans can be very stressful. The only option is to take any job in order to gain some income. Current student at Robert Morris University, Kyrie Nestle said, “It is a lot to keep track of, and it’s such an inconvenience. Everytime a loan is mentioned my heart sinks just thinking about the debt I will need to repay.” At the end of the day, most people who get college degrees still struggle to get the career they want. It leaves many in crippling debt and pinching pennies in order to make ends meet. So if this is an understood norm in the United States, what truly makes college so important?
OPINION
Which Classes are the Most Difficult? Contributing Writer: Isaac Basinger
As the midterms have passed here at West Liberty University and finals are just a month away, it can bring up the question of what classes are the hardest. Since students are finishing up registering for classes, many students worry about how difficult their classes will be for next semester. Class difficulty can be described in a couple of ways, the first being the workload of the class. A couple of others could be the difficulty of the material, lack of interest in the subject or all those reasons put together. West Liberty University has the same universal way of ranking the difficulty of classes. That being classes are either 100, 200, 300 and 400 level classes. The lower-level classes, 100 level, are easier compared to the upper-level classes, 200 level. This works so on and so forth. Bryan Courts, a senior business major and student-athlete, said, “I think my hardest class has to be
Poster found in Hughes Hall Photo Credits: Haley Blakemore
my 300 and 400 hundred level major classes. This is because the material we learn in those classes can be difficult to understand. Lower levels can also be hard, but they are hard due to the amount of work that has to be done.” Bailey Nixon, a junior pre-dentistry major said that “All of my classes are hard, but my “gen eds” (general education) in particular are hard. I feel like this is because I am taking those classes because I have to, not because I want to. I would rather take classes that I am interested in.” Ian Phillips, a senior broadcasting major said “My hardest classes I have this semester has to be the upper-level major classes. They just require a lot of work that take[s] time to do.” Some of the students here at West Liberty have mixed reviews on what classes are the hardest. Regardless, college can be difficult for people in many ways. With that being said, good luck to everyone for the rest of the semester.
SPORTS
SPORTS NOVEMBER 4, 2021
Sports Editor Intern: Ross Salvatori
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- resalvatori@westliberty.edu
WLU Football falls to UNC Pembroke 27-17
Pembroke kept the scoring going.They tack on an Alex Alvarado 33-yard field goal from the left hash to extend their lead to 24-17.
Contributing Writer: Isaac Basinger
The West Liberty football team (4-4) took on the Braves of UNC Pembroke (5-2) this past Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.
West Liberty got the ball back with a chance to tie with under five minutes remaining, but the Hilltoppers went three and out. The Braves were almost able to run the clock out, but they were able to get a clutch 33-yard field goal by Alvarado to put the game on ice.
The Hilltoppers were looking to bounce back after an overtime loss to Route 88 rival Wheeling University last game. The Hilltoppers were also looking to get back to above .500 on the season as well. UNC Pembroke traveled up to the campus of West Liberty and was able to pick up the victory 27-17 “That’s a very talented football team,” West Liberty coach Roger Waialae said: “I thought we played pretty well defensively. We had good pressure on their quarterback most of the day. We got to him a few times, but he got away a couple of times and hurt us making big plays over the top off the scramble.” The cold and rainy West Family Stadium saw the offenses get off to a slow start. Both teams traded punts on the first couple of drives. The Braves were able to strike first late in the first quarter. The reigning Mountain East Conference defensive player of the week gets the job done on offense. Devin Jones was able to haul in a pass from red-shirt junior quarterback Josh Jones and run into the endzone capping off the 57yard score. After the extra point was good, the Braves led 7-0. That would be the score at the end of the first quarter. Pembroke had a couple of field goal chances to extend their lead, but they were no good. The Hilltoppers were finally able to get on the board. Following a fourth-
The final score of this game was UNC Pembroke 27 and West Liberty 17. The Hilltoppers will be back in action this Saturday at home for senior day against West Virginia State at 2 p.m.
down stop, the Hilltoppers were in prime scoring position. Unable to punch it into the endzone, West Liberty settled with a 20-yard Owen Rozanc field goal. The score being 7-3 in favor of the Braves. The Braves were able to respond quickly. The two play 72yard drive ended on a 50-yard touchdown strike from Josh Jones to Trey Dixon. The extra point was good and the lead for Pembroke was extended to 14-3. Towards the end of the first half, The Braves were driving again. This until a fumble by the Braves is picked by Devon McNutt and he is able to rumble into the endzone finishing over the 53-yard scope and score. The Rozanc extra point was good and the Hilltoppers reduced the deficit to 14-10. This would be the score at the end of the first half. The second half started like the first half, but this time with no rain. This was until the Hilltoppers
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports forced another fumble putting them in good field position again. The three-play 41-yard drive was capped off with an Isaiah Robinson 20-yard touchdown grab from Jamie Diven. The Rozanc extra point was right down the middle, and West Liberty took the lead 17-14. This touchdown was the only offensive touchdown of the day for the Hilltoppers.
For a football preview of next week’s game, please see page 16 of this publication. An article written by Ross Salvatori, sports editor intern, discusses the Hilltoppers game against West Virginia State University on Nov. 6 starting at 2 p.m.
Now in the fourth quarter, West Liberty was able to force another turnover, and it put them on the doorstep again. This time though the Brave defense stood up strong and stopped Diven on fourth down to force the turnover on downs. The Braves took advantage of the turnover. Pembroke uses an eight play 93-yard drive to take the lead. They scored on a one-yard Joseph Early touchdown run.The extra point was good, and the score was now 21-17 in favor of UNC Pembroke.
Graphic By: Haley Blakemore
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NOVEMBER 4, 2021
SPORTS
West Liberty Men’s Basketball ranked #14 in the NABC coaches poll omore guard Zach Rasile. West Liberty has the depth to bring home another MEC Championship, but they also bring in a plethora of freshmen. These freshmen include: forward Aiden Satterfield, guard Austin Webb, guard Luke Powell, and guard Dante Spadafora.
During the offseason, the West Liberty University (WLU) men’s basketball team has enjoyed their Elite Eight NCAA Division II Tournament appearance during the shortened 2020-21 season, and certainly are looking forward to building upon that success for the upcoming 2021-22 season. The new season is just weeks away. Last year’s tournament run was the deepest postseason appearance the West Liberty has earned since the 2015-16 season, in which they were defeated by a single point in the Final Four by Lincoln Memorial University. After the preseason coaches poll was announced, the Hilltopper family was notified that their team had earned a top 15 ranking spot, sitting at 14th overall in the country for Division II. During last year’s season, the Hilltoppers were at their strongest when the trio of Dalton Bolon, Patrick Robinson, and Will Yoakum were on the floor together, but will now have a much different look moving forward. With the transfer of Dalton Bolon to a Division I program, College of Charleston, the Hilltoppers will now be primar-
First Game Friday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. ASRC
ily led by the duo of Robinson and Yoakum. Robinson and Yoakum will certainly have no issue bringing the veteran leadership for this Hilltoppers team, as the duo have already experienced tremendous amounts of success throughout the entirety of their careers. For Yoakum, even though he suffered an unfortunate setback due to injury last year, he has multiple accolades to his name, including a MEC Freshman of the Year award and back-to-back First Team All-MEC awards. For Robinson, he also has earned back-to-back First Team All-MEC awards, including a 20.4 point per game and 54% shooting percentage on the floor stat line. The Hilltoppers also have several newcomers to dawn the black and gold this season, and certainly ones in which look to make significant impacts to the team this season. First, transfers Viktor Kovacevic, Christian Montague, and Garrett Denbow look to provide major aid to the team. Kovacevic, a 6’8 transfer from Quincy (Ill.), averaged 15.3 points per game all while hauling in 5.7 rebounds per game last year. Montague, a transfer from Walsh, was a two time All-GMAC guard during his time
The Hilltoppers are led by veteran Head Coach Ben Howlett, who, through his first four years, has earned a 99-18 record and four straight MEC championships. He’s also earned four straight NCAA Tournament berths, including a Sweet-16 and Elite-8 tournament run. This year, Howlett and the Hilltoppers look to earn yet another Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports NCAA Tournament berth, with an ample amount of talent to do so. with the Cavaliers, and led his team West Liberty opens their in assists in back-to-back seasons. Fi- season on November 12 against nally, Debow, a transfer from MEC Winston-Salem State University in rival Charleston, sat out last season the Atlantic Region Crossover, and due to injury, but shot 44% behind East Stroudsburg University the day the arc as a true freshman. after. Mountain East Conference The black and gold will also play begins early for the Hilltopsee support from familiar faces such pers, as they battle Alderson Broadas junior guard Malik Mckinney, who dus University Nov. 20. Overall, hit the game winning shot to elim- the West Liberty schedule features inate Glenville State College in the twenty-eight matchups, including MEC tournament last year, soph- twenty-two matchups in conference omore guard Bryce Butler, sopho- play. more forward Elijah Watson, senior For more information on the forward Marlon Moore Jr., sopho- upcoming men’s basketball team, more guard Ben Sarson, and soph- visit hilltoppersports.com.
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
SPORTS
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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West Liberty Volleyball sweeps Wesleyan on Senior Day the veteran leadership both Clayton and Daub have brought to the team during their careers. However, although it is their last season together, the duo has led West Liberty to a respectable season thus far.
Saturday was a very special senior day for the West Liberty University (WLU) women’s volleyball team, as both Madison Clayton and MacKenzie Daub were honored for their incredible contributions to the program. To make the day even better, West Liberty was successfully able to sweep West Virginia Wesyleyan three sets to zero in the process. The Hilltoppers are now riding a three game winning streak. Both Clayton and Daub have had tremendous careers with the black and gold during their service, with many accolades to show for it. Beginning with Clayton, the graduate student captain has had perhaps the most significant tenure with West Liberty to date. During her time at Philo High School, Clayton was named to the Ohio Division II All-District selection team three times, along with a All-Muskingum Valley League selection three times as
well. To cap all this off, Clayton was named the MVL Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. When she arrived on the Hilltop, the impact she brought as a 6’5 middle blocker was immediate. After time soon passed, Clayton can look back on three All-MEC selections, including back-to-back All-MEC First Team selections. Furthermore, Clayton has been named to the All-MEC Academic Team, and has shown that she is just as good academically as she is athletically. Statistically, Clayton is a force to be reckoned with. Last year, the middle blocker ranked second in the MEC and fourteenth nationally with a .393 hitting percentage, and ranked fourth in the Mountain East Conference with 39 total blocks. This, paired with a team best 117 kills, including a career high of nineteen kills versus Notre Dame, shows everybody how fierce of a competitor Clayton truly is.
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
Currently, Clayton is near completion with her masters degree in Education at West Liberty, and will remain with the black and gold after the season as the new
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports Graduate Assistant coach alongside Coach Riley Schenk. During her time at Crestview High School, Daub was an integral part of her teams success, as she was named a All-Ohio Division III middle blocker twice. Furthermore, Daub earned a District One Player of the Year Award, as she logged 362 kills and 70 blocks during her senior year. Overall, Daub broke a school record with over 1,000 career kills.
Overall, West Liberty holds a 17-11 record for the 2021 season, which has included a 8-4 record in MEC play. Some of these wins against conference opponents include powerhouses West Virginia State University and Davis and Elkins College. To finish the season the Hilltoppers have matchups against Alderson Broaddus University, Frostburg State University, Fairmont State University and Wheeling University remaining. The team currently sits at a tie for second place with Fairmont State University in the MEC North Division, trailing only Wheeling University at the top. In the MEC South Division, the top three spots are West Virginia State University, Davis and Elkins College, and the University of Charleston. For more information about the volleyball team visit hilltoppersports.com.
Stepping into a black and gold uniform, Daub has been just as dominant and has been a significant piece of West Liberty’s success. In her first three seasons, the middle blocker has played in upwards of 35 matches, which has included 74 kills, 36 blocks, and 19 digs in the process. Daub has set career highs in digs with 12 against Slippery Rock, and blocks with 6 against Urbana and Millersville. In the process, the Zoo Science major has capped off her incredible career with a MEC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll.
Schenk will certainly miss
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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SPORTS
West Liberty version West Virginia State Preview picked up two sacks.
The West Liberty football team (4-5) is switching gears after faltering to UNC Pembroke (6-3) late in the fourth quarter. For the second straight week, the Hilltoppers coughed up a fourth quarter lead. The Hilltoppers had some highlights from the game that will give them something to build upon for their Senior Day and home season finale on Saturday, Nov. 6 starting at 2 p.m against West Virginia State. West Liberty junior David Gilcreast was one of the bright spots from Saturday’s game. He wreaked havoc on the defensive side of the ball all game. Gilcreast had 9 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. For his effort on Saturday, he was named The Trumpet Hilltopper Athlete of the Week. Not far behind Gilcreast was two sport athlete and sophomore Maceo Christmas. He had a game high 11 tackles with 4.5 resulting in a loss, and he also
The Hilltoppers will look to follow the leadership and on field play that Christmas and Gilcreast have shown. The Hilltoppers opponent for next week will be West Virginia State University (5-4). They will be coming into Saturday’s game with a two-game winning streak and their last loss coming at the hands of UNC Pembroke Braves. The final score of the UNC Pembroke and West Virginia State game was 14-13 Braves.
in third closely behind Charleston and Notre Dame with 16.9 points allowed per game. The Hilltopper defense is ranked sixth in the MEC with 22.3 points per game allowed.
This game will surely make for some entertainment as the Hilltoppers will look to get their seniors one last home victo-
ry while the Yellow Jackets look to play the role of spoiler.
Make sure to show up and support the Hilltoppers as they will take their home field one last time this year on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. For more information visit hilltoppersports.com.
The Hilltop’s Athlete of the Week
David Gilcreast
The Yellow Jackets of West Virginia State have both had a decent year where they sit above average in most statistical categories. They are ranked fifth in the Mountain East Conference in passing yards at 1,985 yards. They are fourth in the MEC in rushing yards per game at 166.8. They however are below the Hilltoppers in offensive points per game. The Yellow Jackets sit in seventh with 19.8 points per game while the Hilltoppers sit in sixth with 21.8. The Hilltoppers sit in ninth for passing yards with 203.8 per game. On the ground the Hilltoppers rank eighth with 94.4 rushing yards per game. The Yellow Jackets defense is impressive and has kept them in every game they’ve played. They sit
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
Football - Defensive Line Year: Junior Hometown: Akron, Ohio About Gilcreast: Gilcreast was dynamic against UNC Pembroke. He amassed 9 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports
