Marywood University's Wood Word: November Issue by Lindsey Wotanis

THE WOOD WORD November 2011

Marywood University’s Official Student Newspaper Communication Arts Department

Marywood Madness

Photo Credit : Morgan Strasser

Students support athletics at annual pep rally, page 4 Visit us online at www.thewoodword.org Follow “The Wood Word at Marywood University” on Facebook!

2 News

New South Campus sign vandalized Elysabethe Brown News Editor

The new sign that marked Marywood’s new South Campus on the corner of Electric Street and North Washington Avenue was vandalized on Friday, September 30. Vandals removed several letters that once spelled out “Mary-

wood University” as well as the Marywood emblem. Now, nearly a month and a half later, all of the letters that once hung on the brick wall have been removed. Wendy Yankelitis, assistant vice president for buildings and grounds, indicated on November 2 that the remaining letters were taken off of the sign by

Photo Credit: Kat Kilcullen

Over the course of the past three months, Marywood’s new South Campus has been undergoing massive changes. Unfortunately, the new South Campus sign has been vandalized. The original sign that designated the area as

Marywood staff because they will be re-used in the new sign. “Currently we are working with our signage company and internal staff on a new design. Once the design is approved, it will take about four weeks for the sign to be built and installed,” said Yankelitis. While the vandal or vandals

were never caught, Mike Finegan, chief of campus safety, stated that a campus security officer is assigned to South Campus, Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to midnight. This is not the first instance of vandalism at Marywood this year. Between December 2010 and October 2011, there have

Photo Credit: Alison Trautmann

Marywood’s South Campus is pictured above on the left. The image above center is the sign as of Spetember 30, after the sign was vandalized. The letters “ryw,” “unive,” and the Marywood emblem were all taken. The image

been 14 cases of vandalism reported on campus. According to the campus safety webpage, there were 24 accounts of vandalism in 2010, 74 accounts in 2009, and 23 accounts in 2008. To learn more about these cases and other crimes reported, visit www.marywood.edu/campus-safety/log.

Photo Credit: Lisa Piccolo

above on the right is the current blank sign. The remaining letters were removed until a new sign can be designed and installed.

Marywood goes mobile with new smart phone website Kelly Rickert

Assistant News Editor

Marywood has gone mobile. The brand new Marywood mobile website launched on October 26. The Office of Web Development designed the site to be more easily accessible for smart phone users. Smart phone users who access the Marywood website from their phones are now automatically redirected to mobile. marywood.edu. The site features larger, easy-to-read links for the small screens on these devices. The links on the mobile site homepage include news and

events, admissions information, visitor information, directory searches, athletics information, and on-campus information, such as a daily dining menu, a campus map, and campus safety information. Sister Kathleen Burns, I.H.M., director of web development, Mark Pitely, lead web developer of the project, Amy Fedele, lead graphic designer of the project, Daniel Sputa, graduate assistant, and Todd Pousley, web content director for the Marketing and Communications Department developed

the site over the last six months. According to Pitely, the team went through several variants of the site before one was chosen. “The goal was to find a model that was service and task-oriented,” he said. During development, they even held a student focus group in order to find out what Marywood students wanted included on the mobile site. The general response from this group was that they wanted a link to the dining menu. So, the dining menu is one of the easiest links to find from the home page.

The team also wanted to make the site quick, efficient and easily accessible to anyone from any mobile device. Unlike other mobile websites, the Marywood mobile site does not require any downloads or apps in order to work, making it simple for people to access it. According to the PEW Internet American Life Project, 81% of colleges are not yet mobile and 15% do not even have plans to go mobile. This means that Marywood is on the relatively short list of colleges and universities working on mobile web development.

When creating the site, the web development team used a platform that will change as technology changes. “As technology moves forward, what we have selected will be able to move forward with it,” said Sr. Burns. Pitely said that, despite having finished the initial creation of the mobile site, they are not finished with the project. The team is looking for feedback from the Marywood community. Students, faculty and staff can leave comments via a feedback form available at mobile. marywood.edu/home/feedback.

News

Marywood celebrates International Education Week Sarah E. Cruz Staff Writer

Marywood marked International Education Week last week with many fun and educational events for the community. The goal of International Education Week, according to its website, is “to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.” The week, which is also cosponsored by the U.S. Departments of State and Education, began on Sunday, November 13, with the International Mass in the Marian Chapel. Mass included international students participating in the liturgy and traditional music from various countries.

On Monday, there was “A Night of Music” with students performing international music in the Fireplace Lounge. The week also included an International Fashion Show in collaboration with the Office of Diversity Efforts featuring traditional international garments modeled by students. There was a performance by the Irish Step Dancers as well. The highlight of the week was the International Dinner on Wednesday, November 16. The evening’s keynote speaker was Egyptian born business professor, Dr. Ahmed Gomaa. His topic, “One Internet, One World,” discussed the role of social media in Egypt’s recent revolution. The week also included a Cultural Exposition with students showcasing dress, jewelry, pictures, musical instruments, arti-

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facts, and food from their native countries. The week concluded with a showing of an international film in the Comerford Theater. David Crisci, associate director of international affairs, said that international students comprise about one percent of Marywood’s student population. The majority of these students come from countries in Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. One of the main purposes of International Education Week is to raise cultural awareness. “It is important for international and domestic students to get to know each other” and for students unable to study overseas “to understand and to get to know students from another country so they can get that study abroad experience at home,” added Crisci.

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Some of the challenges that international students face is the language barrier and the unfamiliar culture, along with some professors’ teaching styles. He noted that students are taught to be “much more independent in Europe.” Daniel Sputa, a second year financial information systems graduate student from the Czech Republic, said that while it was difficult at first being in new surroundings, he was supported by others on campus who understood his challenges. “My friends were from my country [...] We faced the same issues and problems [together]. It was much easier.” Sputa is also one of the organizers of International Education Week. He encouraged all students to reach out to the inter-

national students that they meet, while also being sensitive to the changes they are experiencing. “The international students come from different backgrounds, different ages, different levels of maturity. Give them space. Ask them how they are doing. Give them help if they ask. Invite them to events,” Sputa added. The Office of International Affairs has grown tremendously in recent years, especially in study abroad opportunities, according to Crisci. Next semester, approximately 20 students will be studying abroad and there will be a total of six spring break tours to Spain, Italy, China, France, England, and India. For more information on International Education Week, visit http://iew.state.gov/.

News Briefs THANKSGIVING ADOPT-A-FAMILY Many Marywood University students, clubs, and groups are helping families by filling a food basket to give to a family in need for their Thanksgiving meal. To register to adopt a family visit Campus Ministry’s website www.marywood.edu/campmin. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA - On Sunday, November 20, there will be a breakfast with Santa, for Marywood alumni, in the Latour Conference Room in the Nazareth Student Center. Santa will meet young boys and girls and there will even be a breakfast buffet for those who attend. A photographer will take pictures of the children with Santa and those pictures can be ordered through the photographer. People attending may also bring their own cameras. Adult tickets are $20.00,

student tickets are $10.00 and children three years and under may attend for free.Tickets are limited to six per person. UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE CATALOGS AS E-BOOKS Marywood now offers both the undergraduate and graduate catalogs, as well as The Student Handbook in the format of e-books for Kindle, Nook, Ibooks, and traditional HTML and PDF formats. THE TOURNEES FESTIVAL-Thanks to support from the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the French Ministry of Culture (CNC) new French films will be shown on campus free of charge. The Illusionist will be shown November 18, at 7:00 p.m. in Media 160. A discussion will follow the viewing.

4 News

Students support athletics at Marywood Madness Steve Mushal Correspondent

Alison Trautmann Editor-in-Chief

Students gathered in the gym on October 20 for Marywood Madness, an event that celebrated Marywood athletics as well as announced the Homecoming Court. Seniors, Cory Chase and Kelly Hench were chosen as King and Queen while Addie Long and Matt Maldonato walked away with the titles of Princess and Prince. The Duke and Dutchess were Mike Romano and Brielle Mayle and Deanna Cavallaro and Alexander Fallek were the Lord and Lady. Performances by the Step Team, Dance Team, and cheerleaders provided entertainment for the students as well as appearances by Sister Anne Munley,

I.H.M. and Father Brian Van Fossen, campus chaplain. Ryan Jones, a junior communication arts student, served as the master of ceremonies and ensured that the event moved along smoothly. Father Brian and Jones introduced the individual athletic teams and they filed into the gym to be recognized. After the recognition of the athletes, they presented the 2011 Homecoming Court. As the candidates exited the court, the cheerleaders ran on to perform a cheer and a dance number, both of which were met with thunderous applause. Claire Hanrahan, president of the Marywood Pep Band, said, “There was a strong show of school spirit among all the students in attendance. It was an exciting thing to go to and be a part of.” The Pep Band played at the event in between performances.

Photo Credit: Morgan Strasser

The student body gathered in the Mellow Center on October 20 for Marywood Madness. This annual event is a chance for the student body to come and support the sports teams, cheerleading, dance, and step teams. The mentioned teams performed, giving a chance for the Marywood community to see all of their hard work. This event also included an introduction of the Homecoming Court for 2011. Pictured above the Marywood step team, dance team, and cheerleaders perform.

New jobs database provides world of job opportunity Kelly Rickert

Assistant News Editor

Going Global, an online database that provides more than 16 million job and internship listings worldwide, is now available free to Marywood students, faculty and administration through the Career Services office. According to Dr. Carole Gustitus, director of Career Services, the site allows for national and international job searches and provides valuable information for anyone looking to travel, study or work abroad.

“One of the things I like about it is it includes visa permit regulations and cultural advice. […] I think the cultural advice is really critical,” said Gustitus. The advice offered on Going Global includes communication styles, tips for “behaving like a local,” office protocol, business management and negotiation, and more for each country listed. The Going Global website offers country-specific employment resources for people seeking jobs or internships. These resources are researched by in-country experts and up-

dated yearly. The resources offered include job search resources, work permit/visa regulations, country-specific resume guidelines and examples, interview and cultural advice, employment outlook and industry trends, and professional and social networking groups. Marywood’s students have had access to this tool for nearly a year, but recently, faculty and administration have been granted access to this resource as well. Besides opportunities abroad, the database also includes 44 USA city guides and six Cana-

dian city guides for job opportunities. Also included are more than 450,000 corporate profiles, which are updated quarterly. This allows students to access employment and internship listings by cities within the U.S. and Canada, as well as opportunities in other countries. Although she has not yet utilized the database, sophomore psychology student, Mary Melissa Greene said that she thinks Going Global is a good resource for students. “It sounds to me like it [Going Global] opens up lots of opportunities for students

to work in other parts of the country and world,” she said. Students can access the Going Global resource for free through the Student Information System on the Marywood website and the Career Services link www.marywood.edu/career. Faculty and administration can access it through the MaryU website using their ID numbers. Once online, students or faculty can create personal accounts on the Going Global site to help personalize their search and to network with social and professional groups.

Opinion

Mission possible:

Coordinated efforts could enhance service

Photo Credit: Ann O’Brien

Riki Schwalb, Leandra Morris, Lauren Olsen, Elizabeth MacNeal, all Maxis-Gillet Scholarship recipients and Service Leaders, pose with water collected to help flood relief victims. This collection is just one of the several ongoing service efforts in which members of the Marywood community are engaged. By The Wood Word Editorial Board Need has never been greater in our communities, especially as we approach the holiday season amid a depressed economy. True to its mission of ser-

vice, Marywood University continually answers the call of those in need of help in these difficult times. As a result, a sometimes overwhelming number of fundraisers and charitable events are constantly in motion each semester, presenting challenges for those who wish to participate.

Financially, contributing to all of the efforts has the potential to put a strain on students, faculty and staff. Logistically, the number of events also has the potential to become a challenge when trying to coordinate work and school schedules around the many volunteer opportunities.

Furthermore, faculty, staff and students are often bombarded with email messages about these various opportunities, leading to information overload as well as apathy. According to Ann O’Brien, assistant director for servicelearning and community service, the office of Campus Ministry works to diversify the various charitable opportunities. “Every fundraiser Campus Ministry runs has a different goal and we have always met our goal,” said O’Brien. In addition to the charitable efforts of campus ministry, several other departments, clubs, athletic teams and outside agencies such as the United Way and Meals on Wheels also tug at the community’s time and pursestrings. Currently there are at least 14 volunteer opportunities available to members of the Marywood community. Certainly, efforts to aid our community are worthwhile, noteworthy and should be continued. There is no easy solution to lessen the stewardship components of time, talent and treasure. However, the opportunities could be communicated to the community in a more effective and efficient manner. Marywood can remedy this issue by collaborating efforts between clubs, organizations, and events in order to ease the burden on the cam-

pus community. This would also aid in achieving similar goals through shared resources. Fundraisers may be better arranged and organized by using social networking sites such as Facebook or newsletters strictly dedicated to fundraising. The community’s efforts can be condensed in a dedicated email, which lists the opportunities on campus in order to reduce multiple emails; this would also reduce the number of ignored emails. Marywood encourages us to provide services to the community, but we need to act more as a community to better provide these services to those in need.

We want your opinion! Submit your letter to the editor at outlook.woodword@ gmail.com

Opinion

You don’t have to celebrate war to celebrate warriors November 11, 2011: A Veterans Day reflection Dr. Lloyd Lyter

Special Correspondent

Vincent Mecca, opinion coeditor, asked me to write a piece for The Wood Word, saying he heard I was “big into veteran affairs.” I thought, “well that’s easy enough,” but, as the due date got closer, (it’s due today and I’m sitting in Starbucks in Atlanta) I found myself realizing that all of the thoughts I had been having over the past few weeks just kept rushing in. I’m a Vietnam era Air Force veteran. No, I didn’t serve in Vietnam; I served in New Mexico and the Republic of Korea. To be perfectly honest, I tried

valiantly, but unsuccessfully, not to serve in the military. I was an undergraduate student then and tried to stretch a four-year degree into a five-year time frame. My draft board frowned on the idea and sent me a notice that they somehow felt they could not win the war without me. Convinced I didn’t want to carry a rifle through the jungles of Vietnam, not knowing who the enemy was, I enlisted in the Air Force. After basic training, I was assigned as a Personal Affairs Specialist at Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico. The major duty of the office was to make casualty notifications to family members of Air Force

personnel listed as killed, captured, or missing in Vietnam, then work with the families to settle estates or to provide ongoing supportive services until the missing member was repatriated, if captured, or listed as killed or captured if missing. That was a very sobering and maturing set of responsibilities. I spent two and one half years there. I then spent thirteen months in Korea. I was discharged as I returned to the United States, and returned to college to finish my degree. Sometime later, as the war ended and the prisoners returned home, I spent several tearful days sitting in front of

Gadget Guru: Siri hits market Apple’s voice-assist is not worth early upgrade Vincent Mecca Opfnion Co-Editor

“What are you wearing?” you ask. “Aluminosilicate glass and stainless steel. Nice, huh?” This is just one of the many silly question and answers that Siri, Apple’s voice assistant for the new Apple iPhone 4S will give you. On October 4, Apple released its newest iPhone: iPhone 4S. Apple boasted its improved 8-megapixel camera, dualcore processor, and the enhanced voice-assist program named Siri, to act as a personal assistant wherever you are. What differentiates Siri from other voice-command options on other phones, is “her” unique answers to certain questions, and her very clear interpretations of what you ask her.

Apart from answering questions, Siri can recognize what you say and base her response accordingly. For example, when simply asking, “Will it freeze?” Siri responds with something like “The low temperature will be 27 degrees.” Likewise, a question like “Where can I buy video games?” will prompt Siri to check your location, then provide you with a list of stores nearby that sell what you are looking for, and if available, she will list how far away the store is, and also how it is rated. So is Siri practical? Yes and no. While driving, you can use a command to have her send a text to someone, but no matter what, you are not guaranteed to have her interpretations of your speech be flawlessly accurate. For the lazy person, Siri might

be a lifesaver, but for most of us, Siri is second to just typing the question into Google ourselves or finding out the weather with a simple tap of the weather app. It seems as though Siri is a step in the right direction to handsfree driving, because in the car is where Siri seems to have the most practical day-to-day use. If you currently own an older iPhone and want to upgrade to the 4S just to have Siri, I would suggest going to the store a few times or playing with your friends’ iPhones to see if the phone’s new features add utility to your day-to-day life. If you aren’t due for an upgrade, then by no means do I think shelling out more than $600 is worth Siri. All in all, she’s a fun program to have on your phone, but she’s not the end-all voice assistant.

the TV watching previous prisoners get off planes and reading long lists of their names, hoping to see names of men whose families I had worked with. One particular man’s name stuck with me across those years. Never seeing his name on those lists, I assumed he was killed. Some years later I had occasion to visit “The Wall” in Washington, D.C. I hesitantly searched the list of casualties for his name. Fortunately, it wasn’t there; I could only assume he came home. I’m unsure why that one name held such significance for me. I guess it was a symbol for me of all of those who served there. Vietnam was an unpopular war

and many of those who served there, risking, and in some cases giving, their all returned home to angry, sometimes hostile receptions. Today we are involved in two conflicts, Afghanistan and Iraq, that are also unpopular with many. Fortunately, those who serve today are being welcomed home warmly. As I said, I’m in Atlanta right now. As I travel, I take great pride in the acknowledgment I see people give to those in uniform in airports. Today’s returnees, both male and female, served proudly, as did those of my era who served in Vietnam. It appears society is now able to separate the warriors from the war.

The Wood Word thewoodword.org thewoodword@m.marywood.edu Alison Trautmann Editor-in-Chief

Molly Boylan Assistant Community Editor

Sara Tompkins Advertising Manager

Shane Ostroski Sports Co-Editor

Elysabethe Brown News Editor

Dave Scarnato Sports Co-Editor

Kelly Rickert Assistant News Editor

Jeremy Barket Design Editor

Joseph Petro Opinion Co-Editor

Megan McGraw Online/Multimedia Editor

Vincent Mecca Opinion Co-Editor

Morgan Strasser Photography Editor

Katie Owens A&E Editor

Janice Richardson Copy Editor

Meghan O’Hara Assistant A&E Editor

Dr. Lindsey L. Wotanis Ann L. Williams Faculty Advisers

Lisa Piccolo Community Editor

Dr. Douglas Lawrence Communication Arts Chair

Community

Study abroad opens world to students Caroline Casey Correspondent

London, England; Florence, Italy; Granada, Spain. Imagine living in one of these places for an entire semester. More than 120 Marywood students are considering it, judging by the turnout at the recent Study Abroad Fair hosted by the Office for International Affairs. Representatives from four different programs met with students to share information about their programs. The Study Abroad Fair also provided information on 12 direct enrollment, exchange, and sister schools. Students who studied abroad in the past attended the fair to speak with any interested students and share their experiences. The most popular places Marywood students have traveled to in the past

November

include England, Spain, Italy, Australia, and Ireland. Along with the semester-long programs, Marywood faculty also lead trips to different countries during winter and spring breaks, as well as in the summer. This March, there are 6 spring break trips being led by faculty. David Crisci, associate director for international affairs, talked about how studying abroad is an “eye-opening experience” for students: “most students say they have gained so much intellect and experience from studying abroad, their favorite part is definitely the culture experience.” To qualify to study abroad at Marywood, students must have at least a 2.5 grade point average. Additionally, in order to be eligible to study abroad for an entire semester, students must be at least in the second semester of

their sophomore year. However, for the faculty-led trips all students are eligible. Nicole Claase, a senior art administration major, studied abroad in Florence, Italy and had what she described as an “unforgettable experience.” While abroad, she had the opportunity to travel to the Netherlands. Claase said that the best part of the experience was being immersed in the culture, being exposed to beautiful Italian art, and attempting the Italian language. “It was a little scary at first being culture shocked and getting used to the time difference, but once I got over that it was amazing,” said Claase, who highly recommended studying abroad. For more information on studying abroad, contact Dave Crisci at dacrisci@marywood.edu.

Marywood students Sabrina Yoniak, Jessica Gigliotti and Autumn Galka listen to Karen Fetsko, left, a former study abroad student spoke about her experience at the Study Abroad Fair in October.

Campus Ministry Service Calendar

Thanksgiving Adopt–A-Family 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Campus Ministry

Purple Light Network Event: Vigil for Pancreatic Cancer

21 Volunteers In Action (VIA) Meeting, Fireplace Lounge, 9 p.m.

December 5

Photo Credit: Kat Kilcullen

Volunteers In Action (VIA) Meeting, Fireplace Lounge, 9 p.m.

Ongoing Events

• Flood Relief: Please contact Ann O’Brien at aobrien@maryu.marywood.edu • Meals on Wheels Monday-Friday one hour required. Two shifts available 9:45 a.m. in Green Ridge and 11:00 a.m. in Dunmore. • St. Joseph’s Mother Infant Program, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Volunteers may come and go as they wish. • Interfaith Friends has opened a flood relief distribution site to sort supplies for flood victims in Tunkhannock, Monday and Wednesday 12:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 12:30 p.m.- 4 p.m. Please contact Alberta Gozikmiski for more information: gozikoa@yahoo.com.

My Favorite thing about Thanksgiving is...

Adopt-a-Fa Thanksgiving t Lisa Piccolo

Community Editor

Photo Credit: Lisa Piccolo

“Sleeping in, not doing homework, watching the Macy’s day parade with my brother, helping my mom cook and seeing all my family.” Heather Romanow 2013 Speech Pathology

Photo Credit: Lisa Piccolo

“Going home and seeing family.” Jessica Tullo 2012 Art Therapy

Photo Credit: Lisa Piccolo

“Coming Together, spending time with my family and working together to make a dinner and afterwords we always go out to a movie as a family.”

Most college students are looking forward to heading home for Thanksgiving break, when they’ll spend time with their families and, most likely, feast on a delicious meal of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Campus Ministry’s annual Adopta-Family food drive reminds us that close to 2,000 families in NEPA are unsure that they will be able to have that same feast we all look forward to enjoying each November.

The Thanksgiving Adopt-aFamily program is run through the United Neighborhood Centers, who receive requests for food baskets from about 1,800 families, Sr. John Michele Southwick, IHM, assistant director of Campus Ministry, said. “[Thanksgiving Adopt-a-Family] is important because it raises awareness ... that there are people out there who need food,” Sr. John said. For those who wish to help,Campus Ministry needs volunteers who can both pack food baskets and deliver baskets on November 19. “I think there’s a great value for students to go out and deliver the baskets because they actually meet

Dana Thomson 2012 Physician Assistant

Send photos of your dorm room Christmas decorations to community.woo

amily brings to those in need the people who are in need, which gives them a whole different perspective of poverty, so they learn from the experience as well as feeling good about themselves,” Sr. John said. For those who cannot help stuff and deliver baskets, there is the option of sponsoring a basket through a $45 donation. Leandra Morris, a senior arts administration major and Maxis-Gillet scholar, has now been on both sides of the equation--volunteering last year and now helping to organize the program this year. Morris is encouraging students and clubs to sponsor baskets.

“We’re hoping for a lot of sponsors this year. I’ve actually received calls from two or three that are sponsoring three baskets each, which is great,” Morris said. For those who aren’t able to sponsor a basket, Morris recommended going to volunteer on the day of delivery. “It’s just an amazing thing because you also see how much your community needs you, and it’s not like you have to travel millions of miles to help someone out,” Morris said. To volunteer to help stuff or deliver baskets on November 19, contact Campus Ministry at campusministry@marywood.edu.

Student and faculty prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Vikki Hartt Staff Writer

To most of us, Thanksgiving means a time for giving, family and food. It is a time to reflect upon all we are grateful for, the friends and family that surround us and, of course, the great food. No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, at your house, at a friend’s or at your grandmother’s, they all have one thing in common; the sense of togetherness and love of family and friends. When asked what Thanksgiving meant to junior speech language pathology student Erika Oberg, she said, “Thanksgiving is a simple concept where everyone gets together to share,

not like other holidays, which revolve around giving and taking.” Oberg, who is also half Swedish, celebrates at her grandmother’s house, where she enjoys seeing her family and eating the fresh cranberry sauce her grandparents make from fresh picked cranberries from Cape Cod. Another interesting Thanksgiving celebration can be found at the Huertes household. Asia Huertes, a junior architecture major at Marywood, talked about her family traditions and some unusual food she eats on the holiday. Huertes, self-described as half Puerto Rican and half African American, celebrates the holiday two ways. First, she

has a Thanksgiving lunch at her abuelita’s (grandmother’s) house. Then she has close family and friends over to her house to celebrate with penir (pork), bastilles (ground up pumpkin), and some more traditional foods such as turkey and mashed potatoes. Sister Rose Kelly, assistant professor of religious studies, also values time for family and prayer. Sister Rose lives in the St. Joseph’s Convent in Carbondale. She is unable to see her immediate family for the holiday, but she considers her friends and community to be her family as they gather around for a delicious dinner and social experience. She also admitted she loves taking the time to rest and said she may even watch a movie from Netflix. Dr. John DePoe, assistant professor of philosophy, said his greatest challenge this Thanksgiving will be traveling to Texas with a new baby to visit his wife’s relatives. He is excited for good food, family, and of course his favorite, college football. Students and faculty among the Marywood Campus have different traditions, rituals, and plans for Thanksgiving. They all have one value in common: gathering and giving thanks for what they love the most. “Thanksgiving is a day that focuses on gratitude of God, family, and friends,” Sister Rose said.

Graphic Credit: Jeremy Barket

odword@gmail.com. The most festive will appear in the December issue!

What was your first reaction when you learned you were awarded the scholarship?: I felt honored when I learned I was the scholarship recipient. I was so grateful for the award.

Student Spotlight

William Gordon Year: Graduate Student Hometown: Harrisburg, PA Studying: Communication Arts Photo Credit: Robert Hannon

Community

Sister John says... Join the protest Sr. John Michele Southwick, I.H.M. Special Contributor to The Wood Word

What if soldiers from your own country came into your town, took members of your family, and you never saw or heard from them again? Would you want to do something about it? Now is your chance. This happened in Central and South America. According to the School of the Americas Watch (SOAW) website, soldiers were trained right here in the United States of America, in the School of the Americas, now called the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in Fort Benning, GA. The School of the Americas (SOA) has left trails of blood, death and suffering in every country where its graduates have returned home. The school started in Panama in 1946,

but was expelled from Panama in 1984. The President of Panama called it “the school of Assassins.” It was then moved to Fort Benning, GA. Since then, the SOAW says 194,664,000 soldiers have been trained in counterinsurgency, torture, interrogation tactics, and psychological warfare. Hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans have been violated and attacked because of the graduates of this school. In 1990, Maryknoll priest Fr. Roy Bourgeois started the SOAW to advocate for the closure of this school. In 2001 the government changed the name of the school in hopes that people’s perception would change. But little in the curriculum changed. Politicians have come close to voting to close the school, but it has yet to happen. Protests continue, and rightly so. If those injured were members of your family, wouldn’t you want them to? You can do something about it. Check out www.soaw.org for more information.

Q: We heard at The Wood Word that you run marathons. Why did you decide to run marathons? A: My grandfather ran in marathons. I was named after him and I try to follow in his footsteps, literally and figuratively. Q: What was the last marathon you ran in? A: The Steamtown Marathon. I did the Philadelphia Marathon in 2010.

Q: How long did it take you to prepare for the race? A: I trained from May until October. Q: What did your training entail? A: My training varied between a few different workouts. First, I lifted in the gym two times a week. Second, I did a lot of running. I varied my running workouts for distance, time, and speed. Third, I did a lot of cross-training (swimming, biking, elliptical, etc.). Cross-training is very important because it works on cardio and full-body endurance. Q: Where did you place in the Steamtown Marathon? A: My time was 3:03:26. I placed 52nd overall and 4th in my age group. It qualified me for the Boston Marathon in 2013.

THEOLOGYONTAP

Q: How did those two marathons differ from each other? A: The furthest I had ever run was 12.56 miles (a marathon is 26.2). The terrain of the two marathons were much different. Philly only had one big hill and besides that was a relatively flat course. The Steamtown Marathon, however, was practically all up- and downhill. Approximately the first 14 miles was all downhill at different angles, and the last 12 miles varied going up and down.

Weekly speaker series for young adults

LOVE AND RESPONSIBILITY Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love Megan Murphy, Speaker, Parent, NFP Instructor

November 15 s 7 p.m.

Café Classico 1416 Mulberry St., Scranton, PA $5 cover at the door includes dinner

to share in faith, community and food!

SPIRITUAL FITNESS Time for the Mind, Body, and Spirit Tammy Amosson, Founder of Spiritual Fitness Ministry

November 22 s 7 p.m.

More Info Contact Steve Wallo 570-586-1741 s walloinc@aol.com www.facebook.com/sistersofihm

A&E Thanksgiving a good time to catch latest flicks Things to do. Nathan Miller Correspondent

As the semester winds down, the last bit of solace before finals, Thanksgiving break, draws near. Whether you go home or stay at school, take advantage of the special Wednesday night release date and what could be the last opportunity to head out to the movie theater before the studying takes hold. For Your Imagination “Hugo” Based off the 2008 Caldecott winning Children’s book The Invention of Hugo Cabert and directed by one of the greats, Martin Scorsese, Hugo is not your average 3D movie. It is a tribute to film history set in

Paris in the 1930’s. A young boy stumbles upon a key that leads to wonders he has never seen and meeting one of the most influential people of that era. This film is sure to be a hit with Scorsese behind the camera and an all-star cast including Jude Law, Christopher Lee, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Cohen, and Johnny Depp. Date Night “My Week With Marilyn” The film is based on the memoirs of Colin Clark about the filming of “The Prince and the Showgirl.” Michelle Williams sets herself up for another Oscar nomination for a stunning performance as Marilyn Monroe in this splendid journey that shows us the darker side of her life. We get

to meet Marilyn through the eyes of Colin as his dreams of working in the film industry come true, though he never knew it would be a crazy roller coaster ride with one of the greatest American actresses. A Fresh New Film “The Artist” Here is a movie like no other. Where most films now are so saturated in CGI and visual effects, “The Artist” is taking it back to the beginning. Yes, “The Artist” is a black and white, silent film about the rise of talking films (talkies) and the rough road ahead for silent film movie actors, especially George Valentin, the main star who watches his career start to crumble with the outbreak of talking pictures.

This movie sets itself up for greatness, but, the big question is, will anyone see it? Great For A Laugh “The Muppets” The Muppets, Mila Kunis, Neil Patrick Harris, Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Zach Galifianakis; do I need to say more? Finally coming out of hiding since their last film in 2005, the Muppets are ready to hit the big screen again in this much anticipated film that has a cast list longer than the Great Wall. There will be no shortage of laughs here as our favorite childhood puppets come to life again to please the entire family. Let’s just hope there is no shortage of Statler and Waldorf.

DJ of the Month

Bringing you closer to VMFM’s student jockeys

Burt Sempier

Year and Major? Junior Communication Arts Major, concentration in digital media and broadcasting. What is your show about? I follow the station format by playing alternative music. During talk breaks, I discuss sports because I am striving to enter the sports broadcasting part of the industry.

What are some of the bands you play on your show? I have been a DJ on 91.7 VMFM since the first semester of my freshman year. When is it? Fridays, 12 - 3 p.m. Find out when the rest of the DJs are on-air at www.thewoodword.org

Places to go. People to see. November

13 - Percussion Ensemble Concert @ 4 p.m., Room 104, SLC - Jazz Dancing @ 4-10 p.m., Latour Room, Nazareth Hall 17 - Film Festival “White Material” @ 7 p.m., Room 160, Media Center 18 - Film Festival “The Illusionist” @ 7 p.m.,Room 160, Media Center - Second Senior Capstone Production @ 8 p.m., Black- Box, SLC 22 - WWE Smackdown @ 7 p.m., Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza 28 - Jazz Band Concert @ 8 p.m., Main Stage, SLC

December

2 - Chamber Singers Concert @ 7:30 p.m., Chapel 3 - J u n i o r Wi n d B a n d Celebration @ 7 p.m.,Main Stage, SLC 5 - Guitar Concert @ 7 p.m., Fire Place Lounge, Nazareth Hall - String Project Concert @ 6:30 p.m., Main Stage, SLC

A&E

Scranton music scene alive and well Tatim Brace Correspondent

The Scranton area music scene is alive and well, with many venues that play host to shows and concerts of all different genres. No matter your preference— metal, hardcore, acoustic, alternative, folk, dubstep, punk and ska, just to name a few--there is most likely a show for you. The strong music scene in the area gives young people something to do and shows in the area are usually an inexpensive form of entertainment, with many tickets being less than $15. These days, the music scene around the city has turned into more than just local music, there are also countless opportunities to see well-established bands and artists on tour from all ends of the country. One of the most popular venues recently has been Eleanor Rigby’s in Jermyn. It changed ownership five years ago, and was able

to start bringing in bigger names without losing it’s local flavor. This month they had a show headlined by Acacia Strain, a band from Massachusetts. The Vintage Theatre on Penn Avenue in Scranton is another popular local venue. They have much smaller and intimate shows that appeal to the more acoustic loving fan. Vintage offers not only music but also, films, theater, and art exhibits. The Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain usually hosts the biggest names in town. This past season they had acts including Toby Keith and Lil’ Wayne. Each summer, the Vans Warped Tour also happens here. Marywood University sophomore Sierra Bradley, who frequents area shows, said, “I feel that without (the Scranton area music scene), local kids would have so much less to do. A lot of these bands are genuinely great and deserve recognition.”

Photo Credit: Tatim Brace

A large crowd turns out at Eleanor Rigby’s for a metal show featuring bands Terror and Acacia Strain . These shows also give locals the chance to support their friends who are in the bands. Because of social networking sites like Facebook, it’s easier than ever to keep up-to-

date with venues in the area and know in advance who will be playing and when. This gives people the opportunity to see some of their favorite bands, with-

out the expense and hassle of driving to see concerts in big cities like Philadelphia or New York. There’s no need when we have great music right here.

Live broadcasts spread joy of theater to international audiences Alison Trautmann Editor-in-Chief

The Metropolitan Opera kicked off its sixth season of live opera broadcasts with a “Live in HD” broadcast of “Anna Bolena” last month. The production was seen in more than 1,600 theaters across 54 countries, according to the Met’s website. According to a press release from the Met, this production is the premier for “Anna Bolena” at the Met. It is also the first time the Met’s productions will be seen in countries such as Russia, Israel and China.

This new method of experiencing live theatre makes it easier for a wider number of people to experience fine productions. Theaters such as Shakespeare’s Globe and the National Theatre in London both have live transmission programs that help expand the experience of their productions to different audiences that might not be able to travel easily to the theatre. Far from being a simple broadcast with a camera pointed at the stage, the Met broadcasts include behind-the-scenes interviews with cast members and enable the audience to see behind

the curtain during intermission. A ticket to the recent Met broadcast of “Don Giovanni” in a movie theater cost approximately $15 for students and $25 for adults. Yet, even at nearly double what movie-goers would currently pay for a ticket to see the latest flick, these live transmissions are more than worth the price. The cheapest tickets at the Met in New York City go for between $30 and $50, not including travel expenses. Seeing the opera in a live broadcast also gives patrons the ability to have the best seat in the house for a cheaper price with camera angles that allow audiences to

see detailed costumes, as well as magnificent scenery. Being able to experience live productions in a movie theater will certainly revolutionize how people view stage theaters and will enable more people to see unique productions. Met productions to experience on the silver screen: “Satyagraha” (Nov. 19) – Better known for composing the soundtracks to The Illusionist and The Hours, Philip Glass’s opera, “Satyagraha” is based on Gandhi’s life story. Far from a traditional biography, the story is told through meditations on different periods of Gandhi’s

life and incorporates a movement ensemble that uses different materials such as newspaper in order to create set pieces. “Götterdämmerung” (Feb. 11) – Think you’re up for a marathon? Was The Lord of the Rings not long enough for you? Try “Götterdämmerung,” the last in Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Dramatic arias, and a rousing score by Wagner make this opera a “must see.” “Faust” (Dec. 10) – Trading your soul with the devil for youth and a beautiful woman sound fun? Then catch this new production of Faust. Includes damnation and all that jazz for no extra cost.

A&E

Keeping It Real with K atie and Kelly

I am a senior in college and am having a big issue with senioritis. Every time I go to do some work, I get distracted and don’t seem to get it done. What would you suggest I do about this situation? Sincerly, Senioritis Sufferer Join the club. Getting motivated to do your school work is one of the most difficult things about university study, no matter what year you’re in.The best advice we have to give is that you set a schedule and stick to it. You have to be stronger than your compulsion to check Facebook. It’s especially hard when you need the Internet to do your work,

we know. There are endlessly more interesting things to be looking up than the evolution of protista or the Louisiana Purchase. It is all about setting yourself on a course and not deviating from it. Perhaps you can set up mini-goals along with your schedule of assignments. For example, plan to get X number of pages done on a paper before you take a break to text your friends or shop online. If you break each project down to reasonable tasks, it will seem much easier to finish. Most importantly, make sure that you stick to your plan and actually finish the work you need to. You have to keep in mind that the sooner you’re done

with your assignments, the sooner you can do whatever you’d like. Think about it this way: This is the last year that you’re ever going to have the joy of doing your homework. Soon, you’re going to be out there in the “real” world and they probably won’t stand for procrastination. I need to have a part time job during the semester to support myself but I also have a full load of classes. Sometimes I feel as though I work too much and don’t study enough, but no one is paying me to study. How do I find balance between the two? Sincerly, Wondering Worker

sudoku

The question here is, do you pay $27,000 to work at your part time job? It may seem easy now to go to work instead of doing your school assignments. But, this is an issue you have to look at by thinking ahead. In the long run, what is going to pay off more, having had money to go out with your friends or having had good enough grades to graduate and get the career you want? It isn’t bad to have a job and go to school. (Who can afford not to these days?) You just need to find a balance between the number of hours you can devote to your job and to your school work. When

you have work study, you can’t work anymore that 10 hours a week. Maybe that’s an appropriate amount. To us, it depends more on how much you think is enough. Maybe that’s 10. Maybe it’s 25. Maybe it will change each semester. Ultimately, you have to do what you feel is right. As sweet as money is, it isn’t worth failing for.

Send your questions to:

ask.woodword@ gmail.com

iS GOD

CALLING ME? THIS MONTH’S TOPIC: PRAYER

for a Women's Women, 19 to 25, are invited to join us ded for women Discernment Group. This group is inten life. just beginning to question this call in her

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Sports

Women’s cross-country wins second straight title Robin Trojanowicz Correspondent

The women’s cross-country team claimed the Colonial States Athletic Conference Championship title for a second year in a row. Held on the snowy Saturday of October 29 at Keystone College in La Plume, the Pacers, coached by Kevin Borrelli and John Evangelista, managed to run away with the title despite having to battle the elements. “The challenging weather conditions motivated me to run faster, therefore helping shave some minutes off my finishing time,” said senior co-captain, Shelby Naughton.

The Pacers had an impressive finish, sporting ten runners in the top twenty. Winning the title for a second straight season has Naughton ecstatic. “It feels amazing; it gives you an extra boost of energy knowing that you are on the top. I am so proud of my team and all of our accomplishments,” said Naughton. Sophomores Diana D’Achille and Elizabeth Schwab placed second and third with times of 21:01.0 for D’Achille and 21:03.4 for Schwab. Junior Stephanie Bender crossed the finish line at 21:20.3, coming in fourth. Junior Co-Captain Kelsey Dunn was the next Pacer to clock in, coming in sixth at 21:41.3, closely followed by Katie Sylvester, at 21:43.3.

Each earned First-Team All Conference Honors for their performances at the hilly course. Schwab also received the CSAC Sportsmanship Award. Naughton finished eleventh at 22:32.9, receiving All-Conference Second Team honors, along with eighth place finisher, Samantha LaForgia at 21:51.7. The runners were not the only ones to be awarded; Head Coach, Kevin Borrelli was named CSAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. Lauren Rustad, senior cocaptain, who came in with a time of 24:09.0, described just how dominant the team has been in the last decade. “In the last nine years, we won the title seven times; it just goes to show how strong of a program

Photo Credit: MU Pacers Website

Women’s cross country celebrates their CSACC victory. we really are,” Rustad said. Cross Country Coaches AsThe Pacers, who are cur- sociation, will move on to the rently ranked seventh in the next competition, NCAA ReMideast Region in a poll by gionals, at DeSales University the U.S. Track & Field and on November 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Marywood swim teams dive in for a championship run Dave Scarnato Sports Co-Editor

The Marywood swimming and dive program is coming off their inaugural campaign. Last year, the program did well for itself for the first time. But this year, the Pacers are ready to prove that they are contenders. The Pacers now have a home pool, as well as a new conference. The program will belong to the Landmark Conference, swimming against schools like The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Drew University, Goucher College, Juniata College, The University of

Scranton, Susquehanna University, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The Pacers will also play host to the Landmark Conference finals in February to welcome their fellow conference opponents. With the new Aquatics Center finally up and running, the Pacers now have a true home pool, omitting the travel to the local pools for practice. Senior major Diana Young said that this will make the team compete better. “Finally we have a place that we can call home,” Young said. “The inconvenience of traveling is now gone, so we don’t have

to waste extra time taking vans to pools. We can also get more work done on our own time, helping us work on individual as well as team goals. It has definitely been easier, and the facility is beautiful.” The women’s swim and dive team looks to improve from last year ’s inaugural season, where they finished 5-9. Young is confident that the women’s program will be just fine in 2011-12. “I think we have what it takes to do well this year,” she said. “Everyone prepared well in the off season, and it shows in practice. The freshman class has showed that they have what it takes

to help us win this year.” The freshman class includes Catherine Anlas, Katherine Ciszek, Emma Fritzinger, Molly Hitesman, Olivia Hower, Kristen Vitale, and Heather Wimmer. The men’s swim and dive team also hopes to improve on their 4-8 record from last year. This season, the Pacers brought in freshmen Andy Blevins, Alex Martino, Anthony Pisano, Justin Verran, and James Weber to begin their student athlete careers. Sophomore Biotechnology student Mike Legath said he believes that this year will be special for Marywood swimming and diving. “We want to go out there

this year and show the school and conference that we mean business,” said Legath. “Last year, as a first-year team, we won many races we were expected to lose. So far this year, we came out strong and are showing all the teams that we are a force to be reckoned with.” Greg Brown enters his second year at the helm of both programs. Conference play opens up for the men’s team on December 3, while the women’s team already competed in conference play against Juniata College, a 117-87 loss. Both teams will travel to Virginia in November, participating in the Randolph Macon Tournament.

Sports

Gone but not forgotten

Holy Cross dedicates season to fallen teammate Dave Scarnato Sports Co-Editor

Outgoing, personable, charismatic. These were some words that the Holy Cross High School Boy’s Soccer team used to describe Jamie Kotula, a student who passed away last January in an automobile accident on his way to school. The tragedy shook-up the entire school community. Jamie, according to captains Gary Cristiano, Bryan Cogliser, Aaron Matis, and Anthony Mordente, was the heart, life, and soul of the school. “Jamie was friends with everyone,” said Aaron Matis. “In high school, there are cliques and groups. With Jamie, there weren’t any. He was the one to bring everyone together.” Kotula was heavily involved in the Holy Cross community, serving in various clubs, while participating in three-sports, track, swimming, and soccer. The boys said that every event at

Holy Cross was fun once they saw Jamie’s red hair from a distance. His untimely death may have torn a hole through the hearts of the students of Holy Cross, but now, the school is closer than ever. On the morning of this tragedy nearly one year ago, Matis and Cristiano were brought together, sharing a moment that turned the close acquaintances into brothers. “I was in the hallway when I found out about Jamie,” Matis said. “I had to tell someone about what happened and Gary was in the hallway. Ever since, we have been so close.” While Kotula was alive, he was a three-sport athlete for the Crusaders. However, his heart was on the pitch with his teammates. “Jamie always talked about soccer,” said Bryan Cogliser. “Even though he played other sports, his favorite was definitely soccer.” “Once school was over, Jamie was in soccer mode, constantly talking about it,” Matis said. “He was probably one of the hardest workers on

“Once school was over, Jamie was in soccer mode, constantly talking about it,” Matis said. “He was probably one of the hardest workers on the team. Even though he isn’t here in person, we have him here in spirit to help us out.”

Photo Credit: Dave Scarnato

The Holy Cross captains stand at Jamie Kotula’s memorial site at Holy Cross high school. Picture from left to right are Anthony Mordente, Gary Cristiano, Aaron Matis, and Bryan Cogliser. the team. Even though he isn’t here in person, we have him here in spirit to help us out.” The captains stated that Jamie would have started this season. When the team began training in the summer, they had one goal: win it all for Jamie. “He knew that this upcoming season was going to be something special,” said Anthony Mordente. “It was almost fitting to dedicate the season to him.” The Crusaders kept their promise, sporting a 12-0 undefeated record going into the playoffs. It was championship or bust, all in the memory of their fallen

friend and teammate. Before each game, the team would break their pregame, halftime, and post-game huddle with the cry: “Jamie!” The Crusaders flew through the District playoffs, defeating opponents. On November 3rd, they faced their biggest opponent, the Eagles of Mountain View. Unfortunately, the Eagles soared over the Crusaders 6-3. However, the Crusaders did not fail. Instead of winning the gold, they took home the silver, along with a second straight berth to the state playoffs, still fulfilling their goals of winning for Jamie. Although Jamie is gone,

he is not forgotten. The captains took The Wood Word on a walk to a memorial site on the side of the school, built in Jamie’s memory. The memorial has freshly planted flowers with two stones carved into a “JK,” Jamie’s initials. To these young men, this place of tranquility and relaxation reminds them that Jamie is still here with them, driving them to victory this season. Although they came one game shy of fulfilling their season goal, the team played every game with Jamie’s heart and soul, proving that he is still there in spirit.

Sports

TEN QUESTIONS WITH AN ATHLETE

Becca Schoenberg: Women’s Tennis Rookie Erica Nealon Staff Writer Q: What is your major? A: Psychology Q: What year are you? A: Freshman Q: Where are you from? A: Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Q: How long have you been playing tennis? A: I’ve played on and off since I was young. I was on the high school team but didn’t play my senior year because the soccer season was moved to the fall, which was also tennis season. Q: When did you decide that you wanted to continue playing tennis into college? A: I knew that I wanted to be involved in sports in college; it was just a matter of which one I wanted to pursue at Marywood. I ended up choosing tennis because I knew that I could work hard all summer to get better, and tennis is a sport that I can play for a long time, even when I’m older. Q: How do you prepare for an upcoming match? A: Tennis is an extremely mental game. A person’s mindset plays a huge role in their performance. Before a match, I just try to eat well and get sleep, like Coach tells us, and I prepare mentally. Q: Do you prefer singles or doubles and why? A: I prefer singles because my net game is hardly impressive.

I’m not confident with my volleys. I also like the idea of not having to depend on another person. Q: Do you have a favorite professional tennis player? A: I don’t have a favorite tennis player. I think tennis is boring to watch, even though there’s a lot that can be learned just by watching tennis. Q: Now that the tennis season is over, what will you do with your new free time? A: Now that the season’s over, I’ll have a lot more free time. I’ll have more time to spend with friends, work out, study, play other sports, read, and do the things I want to do. Q: What kind of music do you like to listen to? A: My favorite artists are Regina Spektor, Modest Mouse, the Black Keys, Bon Iver, Sigur Ros, LCD Soundsystem, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and lots more. I listen to a lot of indie music but I also love rap and techno. Q: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? A: I’d like to go to Colorado. I’ve heard it’s beautiful there. Q: Where do you see yourself after graduation? A: Hopefully after I get my undergraduate degree, I’ll get accepted into grad school to pursue my doctorate degree in psychology.

Photo Credit: Morgan Strasser