March 2011 Vol. 5, No. 7
IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose
Student faith journeys enhanced by University offerings Waynesburg University students are afforded tremendous opportunities to enhance their relationship with Christ while discerning their call. A close-knit campus community allows students to lean on one another while seeking purpose and truth.
part to the growth in my Christian faith are the friendships that I’ve developed amongst the students, faculty and many others I have had a chance to meet along the way,” he said. “The work and love of God was clearly visible in every encounter with each individual.” As a result, Rosenbauer has embraced the opportunities to show God’s love to others. “It has given me hope and motivation to continue exposing people to the unimaginable and unconditional love that Christ Jesus showed us on the Cross,” he said. Rosenbauer said Waynesburg enhances its students’ faith journeys by offering
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mission trips, unique and insightful
her faith with her daily routine. Hoping
Christian conference held in Pittsburgh,
to grasp an opportunity to mature in
Pa., that offers more than 60,000
her faith, Rurak decided to transfer to
college students the opportunity to
wo years ago, Dorothy Rurak
speakers, uplifting chapel services, bible
was a student at a public, secular
studies and conferences.
university struggling to connect
Such conferences include Jubilee, a
Waynesburg University for the second semester of her sophomore year.
“talk, learn, think and dream about the a light for others. St. Francis of Assisi’s
that even when God’s plans seem different
public implications of their personal
Now a senior environmental science
quote, “Preach the Gospel always and if
than what I expected – it’s better that
transformation.” For the last two
major at Waynesburg, Rurak is reflecting
necessary use words,” is one that Rurak
way,” she said. “I now realize that when
years, Schubert and more than 40 other
on the growth that has taken place in her
says she tries to reflect on daily.
God has blessed you, you pass it on.”
Waynesburg University students were
life over the last two years. “When you grow in your faith you don’t
Like Rurak, Emily Schubert, a
Among Schubert’s many blessings are
afforded the opportunity to experience the
sophomore psychology major at
Jake Buss, a senior music ministry and
just transform one thing in your life,” she
Waynesburg University, embraces the
creative writing in faith double major
said. “Instead, you learn to grow in all
opportunities Waynesburg affords its
from Rochester, N.Y., and the time the
said. “The conference really makes you
aspects of your life. It’s an indescribable
students to be Christ’s hands and feet.
two have spent rehearsing together for
think about the ways you can use every
feeling to recognize that you know your
“I came to realize that it’s a blessing
Chapel Band.
minute of your life to live out your
place and that you belong.” Rurak credits Waynesburg’s focus
to be a student at Waynesburg because
“He is a great leader, and he makes
life-changing event. “The speakers are amazing,” Schubert
calling.”
it’s more like the real world. We are
sure we are getting the point of why we
In addition to its offerings, the
on faith, learning and serving for the
not always surrounded by people who
worship instead of us just going through
University as a whole, according to
numerous times she has felt God working
share our thoughts and beliefs,” she
the motions and music technicalities,”
Rosenbauer, also serves as an example by
in her life.
said. “Instead, you can make your own
Schubert said. “I just can’t imagine
practicing the goals of the Church.
experience through the opportunities
my life without the people I’ve met at
offered to grow in your faith.”
Waynesburg.”
“More important than being proud of the ways I’ve grown, I feel like hope is what I’m sharing with everyone else,” she
Mentored by Tom Ribar, Waynesburg
“Faculty members teach while setting great examples,” Rosenbauer said. “The
Kenny Rosenbauer, a junior exercise
exceptional thing about this institution
said. “I want people to realize that they
University chaplain, Schubert has
science major, has experienced the same
is the personal relationships that faculty
can grow and accomplish things because
challenged herself to dig deeper into why
growth as a result of the friendships
members are able to have with the
God will help them.”
she believes what she believes so that she
established during his time as a
students, unlike larger universities who
may be a blessing to others.
Waynesburg student.
do not have the one-on-one interactions
Above all, Rurak has learned that her actions cause her love for Christ to be
“My time at Waynesburg has shown me
“The greatest and most beneficial
like we do here at Waynesburg.”
Passionate advocate inspires students to embrace others
I
nspired by her father’s passion to
Day lecture, “Striving for Justice,”
simply labeling others, then we set
fight for the oppressed, Naomi Tutu
encouraged students to refrain from
ourselves up to being comfortable with
University’s b.f. maiz Lecture Series.
has become a passionate advocate
judging others based on first impressions.
that when those people are present,” Tutu
The b.f. maiz
for human rights. The daughter of
said. “It is important to let people know
Lecture was
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, recipient of
you know someone based on the way that
that we see them as human beings, people
created to honor
the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1984, who
they look,” Tutu said. “When you decide
of God, and it is important to treat people
the memory
is known for his work related to freedom
that you know someone based on race or
with respect so you can have the chance
of b.f. maiz,
and human rights in South Africa, Naomi
gender, you close off the opportunity of
to hear their stories.”
a prominent
has gracefully followed in her father’s
actually getting to know that person.”
footsteps.
“It is so easy to label and to decide that
Tutu’s lecture was part of the
spoken word poet
Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence and
and friend of the
emphasized the ways passing
the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-
University, who
Waynesburg University was blessed to
judgment leads to missed blessings and
Saharan Africa. In addition, Tutu leads
was passionate
welcome Naomi Tutu to campus in mid-
opportunities.
workshops dealing with issues such as
about the pursuit
race, racism and conflict.
of Biblical justice.
A much sought after speaker,
February. Appropriately, her Valentine’s
Through personal stories, Tutu
Tutu acts as a consultant to Spiritual
“As long as we are comfortable with
IMPACT NEWS & NOTES
Strong work ethic allows student to beat the odds of nearly 13, 24-hour days,
F
were Waynesburg University faculty
memorization, Piett said the majority
Waynesburg University junior
members in the math, computer science,
of the test calls for analytical skills and
Daniel Piett could be found submerged
business and tutoring departments. Piett
complex problem solving.
what it means to follow Jesus Christ
in topics related to the Probability
also credits his Mathematical Statistics
through a day of fun including activities
Theory in preparation for his upcoming
course for providing him with a solid
his ideal scenario includes attending
and games, uplifting worship and
Society of Actuaries test.
foundation to build upon as he prepared
graduate school in the field of business
for the test.
or applied mathematics. For now, Piett
• Waynesburg University will host Youth Day Saturday, March 19. The event will challenge youth to discover
educational workshops. More than
or 300 hours or the equivalent
As Piett hammered away at hundreds
Among his supporters and motivators
Looking to the future, Piett said
50 Waynesburg University students,
of practice problems spread among a
faculty and staff will aid in the day’s
variety of free online study guides, his
that course and the course helped me
exams as possible before he enters the
activities.
confidence level waivered as he thought
become a stronger analytical thinker,”
“real world” upon graduation.
about the likelihood of passing a test
he said.
• Waynesburg University will celebrate
with a 30 to 40 percent first attempt pass
the 161st anniversary of its charter by
rate.
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
“This had been one of the only
Tuesday, March 22. The celebration
academic experiences in which I had
will be held at the First Presbyterian
really been unsure if I would be able to
Church in Waynesburg. The day
pass,” he said.
includes a formal procession of faculty
As his preparation continued through
“The bulk of this test was covered in
Although the test requires some
Taught by Dr. James Bush, professor of mathematics at Waynesburg University, the course, according to Piett, was imperative to his success. Instead of breathing a sigh of relief and closing up the online study guides, Piett is preparing for the second test
and recognition of the students who
Christmas break, the small pass rate
in a series of five actuarial exams. The
have been chosen for the 2011 Who’s
percentage hung over Piett’s head like
tests, according to Piett, are difficult
Who Among Students in American
a large storm cloud. Recently though,
because the Society of Actuaries
Universities and Colleges directory.
his worry dissipated as his test results
and fellow test takers chose not to
The convocation will include a prayer
provided liberation and excitement.
discuss the information on the test. In
service and a performance by the
Piett was among the fortunate 30 to 40
addition, questions are pulled from an
University’s Lamplighter Concert
percent of test takers, large in part to his
exceptionally large pool of information.
Choir. The Rev. Dr. Stuart D. Broberg,
work ethic and determination.
senior pastor of The Church of the
“I dreaded the idea of having to prepare
“I feel the best way to study for the test is to learn the material in a course,
Covenant located in Washington, Pa.,
for it again,” Piett said. “I also knew
and then understand all the different
will address those in attendance.
there were a lot of people who thought
ways the test could throw a wrench in
I would pass it, and I didn’t want to let
the way you would normally solve a
them down.”
problem,” he said.
• Directed by Edward L. Powers, the
has plans to pass as many of the actuarial
Waynesburg University Players will present the spring musical “State Fair,” Wednesday, March 30 through Saturday, April 2. Shows will take place at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Admission is free and reservations are suggested. Contact Powers at 724-852-3226 for more information. • Seventy-seven students will spend their spring break on service mission trips with the University. Ten students will serve Haitian refugees in a health clinic in Nassau, Bahamas, while 26 students travel to Cabarrus County, N.C., to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge. Nine students will take advantage of an environmental stewardship trip to Quio, Ecuador, where reforestation projects in the Mindo-Nabillo Protected Forest will be the focus. Twelve students will travel to Belize City, Belize, to work with the Unity Presbyterian Church and Primary School located in the Collet area of the city. Twenty students will work with the Pittsburgh Project to provide free home repairs for those who may not be able to complete the tasks without assistance. • Thayer Hall, home to approximately 120 male students, was crowned the winner the University’s Water Challenge. Led by the EcoStewards Club, Waynesburg University students worked together through the fall semester to decrease water consumption by 1.5 million gallons. The challenge, a healthy competition between the residence halls, was created to increase environmental awareness among students.
Department lifted by scholarly achievements
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he Department of English and Foreign Language at Waynesburg University continues to strengthen its program, as faculty members remain steadfast on a common vision. “The shared vision encourages students to find the place where their passions meet the ‘hunger of the world’ (Parker Palmer),” said Joonna Trapp, associate professor of English and Chair of the Department of English and Foreign Language. “We nurture our students into selfhood and help them to see that it’s not about a career or a job, but instead, a vocation.” Trapp said the faculty members collectively aim to encourage and strengthen the department’s students, assisting them as they move forward with new found knowledge and self-confidence, so that they might better serve the world around them. “We are person oriented, and that allows us to be committed to each student,” she said. While the students remain the department’s priority, it is apparent that each faculty member also realizes the importance of utilizing and finessing their individual God-given talents. The strength of the department lies within the faculty’s motivation for continued scholarly achievements including published books, poetry, creative nonfiction and journal articles, among other genres. Stefanie Wielkopolan, lecturer in English at Waynesburg University, recently published a book of poems titled “Border Theory.” “By staying connected with poetry, it energizes my excitement and commitment to teaching,” she said. “It keeps me dedicated to helping my students learn how to express themselves.” Other faculty members have added to the growing list of department achievements. Martin Cockroft, assistant professor of creative writing, will publish two poems in an upcoming issue of Prairie Schooner, a well-respected and well-known journal. Julio Quintero, assistant professor of Spanish, was recently notified that his book, El Poeta en la Novela Hispanoamericana, will be published by Editorial Universidad de Antioquia. Bob Randolph, lecturer in English, will soon publish his poem “Harbor Café” in the publication Marco Polo. Trapp also adds to the extensive list with recent publication of Volume 16 of The Journal for the Assembly on Expanded Perspectives on Learning (JAEPL) of which she is co-editor. This scholarly journal publishes out-of-the-box thinking about teaching and learning, including spiritual aspects of teaching. For many of the faculty members, the achievements are not a first, nor will it be their last.
Wrestlers crowned PAC champions On Feb. 11, the Waynesburg wrestling team cruised to the 2011 PAC team title. Waynesburg ended the night with 146 team points, which shattered its total from last year (105.5), when they were also crowned champions. Thiel followed with 107 points, while W&J, which was wrestling without an entrant at 125 or 133 pounds because of injury, totaled 45.5 points. Sophomore Alex Crown (125 lb.), senior Nick Garber (141 lb.), freshman Luke Lohr (149 lb.), junior Garrett Johnston (157 lb.), junior Jared Roberts (174 lb.) and sophomore Cody Catalina (184 lb.) all won individual titles on the night. Roberts was honored as the PAC Most Outstanding Wrestler, while head coach Ron Headlee was named PAC Coach of the Year.
Cross country teams honored for academic achievement Both the Waynesburg University men’s and women’s cross country teams were recently honored for their excellence in the class room by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Yellow Jacket men and women both earned 2010 Division III All-Academic Cross Country status, which requires a squad to boast a cumulative team GPA of 3.10 or better and have compiled a score (finished at least five runners) at their respective NCAA regional championship. As a team, the Jacket men averaged a 3.30 team GPA, while the women averaged a 3.38 team GPA.