January 2012 Impact

Jan. 2012 Vol. 6, No. 5

IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose

Four students selected to receive prestigious scholarship The Vira I. Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global Leadership has awarded four Waynesburg University women the opportunity to fulfill dreams of learning and serving abroad.

I

n 2012, four women will dedicate their summers to continuing Waynesburg University’s mission

of faith, serving and learning in faraway cultures: one as an intern, two as young teachers and all as students of new experiences and cultural differences.

Waynesburg University has been awarded four scholarships which will afford the women the opportunity to experience a journey unlike any other.

The scholarships offer the recipients a combined total of $24,000 in scholarship money.

Overseen by The Heinz Endowments and administered through the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for International Studies, the Vira I. Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global Leadership started as one $1,000 check given each fall to a junior woman at an area university. Today the Vira I. Heinz Foundation offers several $5,000 scholarships to women at 16 local and regional colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.

The four recipients of the 2012 Vira I. Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global Leadership include Jenna Griffith, Angele Hagy, T’Erika Perry and Hannah Szymanik. Through the scholarship, these women will travel and study overseas through three study abroad programs.

Griffith, a junior nursing major from Cambridge, Ohio, will spend her summer in San Ignacio, Belize. From June 2 to June 30, she will serve as an intern in the San Ignacio Hospital to further the nursing

skills she has acquired at Waynesburg

Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global

University.

Leadership means a jump start to her

“Although Belize has many natural beauties, the country still struggles

future.

“A long term goal of mine is to live

received her cotillion celebration.

“Vira I. Heinz is like a cotillion for me,” Perry said. “It is my opportunity to forge a bond as an adult with the women in my

against poverty, inequality and a lack

in Africa as a missionary, and this

family; this program is giving me a chance

of opportunity,” Griffith said. “This

scholarship allows me to begin that

to get an experience I thought I missed out

scholarship will enable me to serve

journey,” Szymanik said. “I am excited

on.”

and learn in a country where medical

to start showing love to underprivileged

assistance is needed and will help shape

children in a part of the world that has

submit an application, academic and

my life as a nurse.”

captured my heart.”

personal letters of reference and a proposal

Both Hagy, a sophomore early

Perry, a sophomore international studies

The four women were required to

for their intended plans. Applicants were

childhood and special education major

major from Baltimore, Md., will study in

also required to explain how the trip

from Pittsburgh, Pa., and Szymanik, a

Barcelona, Spain, May 29 to July 27. She

related to their academic areas of study

sophomore early childhood and special

will forever refer to this experience as a

and future plans.

education major from Mount Holly

cotillion of sorts due to an unfulfilled

Springs, Pa., will spend the summer in

family tradition.

Each recipient is required to attend two weekend retreats, one before traveling

Cape Coast, Ghana, through ProWorld, an

“In my family we have a tradition of

international study program. The women

holding a cotillion for the women in the

community engagement experience with

will volunteer as teaching assistants at an

family as they come of age,” Perry said.

an international focus after traveling.

elementary school for five weeks during

“During the senior year of high school,

These requirements encourage the women

the months of May and June.

the women are acknowledged as adults

to think deeply about their study abroad

and given the opportunity to travel to

experience and apply the world lessons to

surrounding states.”

life at Waynesburg University.

Through Seattle Central Community College, both Hagy and Szymanik will take courses in international education. For Szymanik, the Vira I.

and one upon return, as well as a

Because her mother passed away during her junior year of high school, Perry never

Campus supports Angel Tree’s Ministry

S

ince 1998, Dave Calvario, dean of

the University’s 14th consecutive

to letting the church solve some of the

through participating churches or

students and the director of the

partnership with the Angel Tree

problems in our society.”

Christian institutions. The University

Center for Service Leadership,

project to bring local children gifts for

What began as a small residence-

contributed and hand-delivered gifts to

has encouraged Waynesburg University

Christmas. The Angel Tree project

life program has expanded to include

more than ten families in the local area.

students, faculty and staff to consider

allows an incarcerated parent to request a

all students, faculty and staff at

a specific ministry during the holiday

specific gift for his or her child at home.

Waynesburg University. According to

receive a word of scripture to encourage

season.

Angel Tree volunteers purchase, wrap

Calvario, campus organizations and

and uplift them through the holiday

and deliver the gifts on behalf of the

houses typically sponsor a child as

season. On every angel-shaped gift tag,

incarcerated parent.

well as various academic or business

Angel Tree wishes a Merry Christmas and

departments.

lists Luke 2: 8-14, “This gift is sent to you

With more than 2.3 million Americans behind bars, benevolence and a passion for service can truly impact the lives of

“Angel Tree is a wonderful ministry

children with incarcerated parents during

because it allows us to use our resources

the holiday season.

to show God’s love,” Calvario said.

collected and distributed approximately

“Sometimes I think we need to get back

400,000 gifts to children last Christmas

This past December, Calvario organized

On a national level, Angel Tree

In addition to the wrapped gift, children

to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,” as a message of inspiration.

IMPACT NEWS & NOTES

Bonner Scholars host drive to support campus program Bonner Scholar and elementary special education major, the need was obvious.

• Waynesburg University will host

Observing how empty the shelves

its annual DeVito Lecture Series

Dr. Fran Boyd, associate professor of education and director of the Reading Clinic, appreciates the additional books

featuring Makoto Fujimura Tuesday,

were in the Reading Clinic, Danley

Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. Fujimura’s lecture

proposed that for their project, the senior

“Generative Thinking – Towards

Bonner Scholars should raise money

tutorial skills, but we also teach them to

Culture

and purchase books to contribute to the

learn to love it,” Boyd said. “In a world

Care

cause. Her classmates were quick to

of distractions, we want them to pick up

Values”

agree, due to the impact of the donation.

a book.”

will be held in Alumni Hall.

Admission is free

M

“I was astonished by the response

and the continued support of her dream.

“At the clinic, we give the children

Each book is marked with a label

aya Angelou once said that

that I received for this project,” Danley

indicating that it belongs to the Reading

“Any book that helps a child

said. “So many of the senior Bonners

Clinic, but an additional insert was

form a habit of reading,

understood the need and took action.”

included to honor the students that

to make reading one of his deep and

For several weekends in October and

worked diligently to provide for the

and the public is invited to attend.

continuing needs, is good for him.”

November 2011, the senior Bonner

community. A thank you to the senior

In addition to his evening lecture,

Without encouragement to read, some

Scholars collected monetary donations

Bonner class is visible to all who read the

Fujimura will serve as the University’s

children may grow up never knowing

from patrons at Walmart and Giant

donated books.

chapel speaker at 11 a.m. in Roberts

the joy of becoming lost in a good

Eagle. As they were collecting the gifts,

Chapel the same day.

book. To foster this growth, the senior

they were able to tell the community

of education, thanked the students

Waynesburg University Bonner Scholars

members about the need for a literacy

profusely for their generous support.

• The Music Program’s first Collegium

recently donated 400 contemporary

program and the need for the books.

Musicum will take place Friday, Feb. 3

children’s books to the Reading Clinic,

at 4 p.m. in the Marsh Center inside

an annual spring event hosted by the

$1,000 was raised. With this money, the

wonderful gift and legacy,” Clarke said.

Roberts Chapel. Arts administration

Department of Education for local

group scattered to different libraries and

“Long after they leave Waynesburg

(music) majors, music ministry majors

children.

book stores in the area to purchase a

University, children in this community

variety of books. They attempted to find

will be reading the books that they have

and music minors will present a variety

To complete the project required by

Through their efforts, more than

Debra Clarke, chair of the department

“Their generous donation of many, many new books for the clinic is a

of soul-

each Bonner Scholar class, students

multiple copies to give to children who

donated. The gifts will help others learn

lifting

must identify a need in the community

participate in the clinic. In total, 400

to teach and will help others learn to

melodies

by impacting and educating the

books were added to the Reading Clinic

love to read.”

for

members. For Leeann Danley, a senior

library.

audience members.

The concert showcases the knowledge, skills and techniques that music students have learned at Waynesburg University. Students will conduct a question and answer session after each presentation. Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

• An opening reception will be held Monday, Feb. 6 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for the art exhibition of Cecilia Cowger.

Cowger, a senior at Waynesburg University, will display a number of pieces created over her four years in the Art Program at Waynesburg. The exhibit will feature ceramics, charcoal and pencil drawings, paintings and photography pieces. Various works will be available for purchase. The exhibit will be held in the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery through Friday, Feb. 24. Admission is free and the public is

Students sacrifice break to serve community Every semester, students live out Waynesburg University’s mission of faith, learning and serving, whether they travel to serve in a Third World country or at home in Pennsylvania.

Some students even choose to spend time that could be spent with friends at home to serve over fall or winter breaks. In December 2011, 10 Waynesburg University students served in Greene County, Pa. through the University’s annual Greene County Immersion mission service trip.

Before the trip, the students were educated in four major social issues that currently affect those living in Greene County: poverty, homelessness, hunger and education.

During the trip, the students assisted several local organizations including the Corner Cupboard Food Bank, the Salvation Army, St. Ann’s Good Neighbors Dinner and Produce to People.

Each day began with breakfast and devotions in the Prayer Chapel on the campus of Waynesburg University. From there, the students served at a different organization each day and late into the evening.

Kelley Hardie, assistant director of Student Activities at Waynesburg University and leader of the Greene County Immersion trip, says it was rewarding to experience serving her neighbors in Greene County.

“It was great to see how much hard work, effort and energy each person contributed in making amazing things possible,” said Hardie. “By ringing bells at Wal-Mart and Giant Eagle, we were able to raise over $1600 for the Salvation Army in four hours.”

Moore and Hunt named All-American

A

fter wrapping up stellar athletic careers at Waynesburg University, defensive tackle Darryl Moore,

Jr. and cornerback Sean Hunt were both recognized as two of the top players in all of Division III. Moore was lauded by D3football.com as a third-team selection on its annual All-America Team. He was also selected a 2011 preseason All-American by Beyond Sports Network and was eligible for the D3football.com team after earning firstteam laurels on the website’s All South Region Squad.

The Boardman, Ohio, native was tabbed with the national honor following another outstanding season in which he racked up 60 total tackles, 36 of which were solo stops, nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

He also broke up a pass, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

Hunt was listed as a third-team Division III All-American at defensive back by D3Proday.com. The Coraopolis

cordially invited to attend.

native picked up the award after leading

• Who’s Your Neighbor Week will

straight year. His five pickoffs also tied him

take place Sunday, Feb. 12 through

for second place in the Presidents’ Athletic

Friday, Feb. 17, and will focus on

Conference (PAC) and helped earn him a

empowering the powerless through

second-straight first-team All-PAC nod and

the theme “Where is the Love?” Anne

a second-straight third-team showing on

Banister, a 2009 Waynesburg University

D3football.com’s All South Region Team.

alumna, will serve as the Who’s Your

Waynesburg in interceptions for the second-

Hunt ended his Waynesburg career with

Neighbor Week speaker. Banister will

16 total interceptions, which tied him for

present “Three Sisters: Empowering

the program record. After dealing with

the Women of Nepal” Wednesday, Feb.

some early-season injury problems, Hunt

15 at 7 p.m. Her lecture will take place

rebounded with all five of his senior-season

in Buhl Hall’s McCance Auditorium.

interceptions over the final four games of

Admission is free and the public is

the year, including two picks each against

cordially invited to attend.

Saint Vincent and against Widener in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.