October 24, 2013 | VOl. 91 NO. 7 | waynesburg.edu
student produced since 1924
LaCount honored as professor emeritus Local plant closure leaves families with lingering concerns By Eric Bost
Managing Editor
Waynesburg University recently granted a retired professor the honor of being named professor emeritus. Dr. Robert LaCount retired this past year after teaching chemistry at the university since 1965. Although he retired as a fulltime professor, he still chose to come back and teach in a part-time position and continue his research. “I made that decision
very close to the Waynesburg. beginning of the “It was dursemester,” said ing the last board LaCount. “I just meeting in Septhought that that tember that I was with the research named professor I was trying to do, emeritus,” said I couldn’t stay up L a C o u nt . “My into the middle of schedule for this the night.” semester wasn’t After he retired, worked out until LaCount the university just a week before called him to ask if he would school started.” like to be considered for the LaCount said that being title of professor emeritus, given the prestigious title has which would allow him to its benefits. conduct new research at “The primary [advantage
of this title] is to be able to continue to do some research work and to be active in chemistry,” said LaCount. Dr. Elaine Bauldaff, chair of the chemistry department, said it comes as no surprise that LaCount received the prestigious title. “He [LaCount] knows everything about everything,” said Bauldaff. “Everything from current, up to date research and breakthroughs to small, insignificant things, See LaCount on A4
p r e vi e w
Esteemed scholars will present different views Speakers will offer two sides of U.S. politics By Shelby Tabrosky For the Yellow Jacket
With the crisis of the government shutdown, the opportunity for a liberal and a conservative to gnash their teeth about polarizing political topics could challenge students’ political interpretations. On Oct. 24 and Nov. 7, scholars Dr. Charles Kesler and Dr. Theda Skocpol will battle their views about the Obama Administration, present their arguments in terms of their empirical analysis and theoretical approaches and challenge the determination of Waynesburg University students. “Any student wondering to themselves, ‘what does the Obama Administration and his policies actually mean for the future of America,’ is going to find some answer through these speakers,” said Dan Czajkowski, Stover Scholar and senior criminal
Photos Courtesy University Relations, Martha Stewart
justice administration and political science major. The two scholars will provide a background of their views in Alumni Hall. Some situations will arise such as Obama’s liberal at-
titude, the Tea Party Republicans and most importantly, the government shutdown. “The two scholars will look at the present through different lenses,” said Dr. Larry Stratton, director of Stover
Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership and assistant professor of ethics and constitutional law. “Waynesburg University See Lecture on A3
Employees left uninformed until last week By Samantha Peer
For the Yellow Jacket
No one enjoys being left in the dark. That which we don’t know is potentially our biggest fear. For the employees of the Hatfield’s Ferry Power Plant in Greene County, not knowing the exact date of their furlough left many workers restless. FirstEnergy Corp. condemned both the Hatfield’s Ferry Power Plant and the Mitchell Power Plant in Washington County several months ago due to fiscal issues concerning prices for electricity and more rigorous regulations set in motion by the Environmental Protection Agency. According to a group called PJM Interconnection, the closure of these two coal-fired power plants did not effect the amount of power produced. A hearing was held at Waynesburg University earlier this year where legislators met with leaders of PJM and FirstEnergy to discuss the plant closings. Up until Friday, Oct. 18, the employees at the Hatfield’s Ferry Power Plant were unaware of when their final day of work would take place. Jim Premoshis, president of the Hatfield’s Ferry Local of the Utility Workers Union of America, expressed the exacerbation that he and his coworkers experienced prior to the official furlough that only recently occurred. “We had been out of the
loop since July 9th,” said Premoshis. “It’s been very aggravating.” This uncertainty prevented employees from moving forward. “A lot of people have job opportunities elsewhere and with an indefinite furlough date, it’s been hard for them to make a commitment,” said Premoshis. These issues at the nowcondemned power station have affected many local families, including the family of one Waynesburg University student. Sophomore public relations major Megan Bayles and her family experienced this frustration firsthand. “They are only telling workers what they absolutely need to know at that moment,” said Megan Bayles. Megan Bayles’ father, Robert Bayles, has been employed at the Hatfield’s Ferry Power Plant for 35 years, and his family is all too familiar with the ambiguity Premoshis has voiced. “My mom and I are always asking my dad what is going on,” said Megan Bayles. “His response is always, ‘I don’t know, they won’t tell me anything.’” The Bayles family was equally frustrated with the obscurity that Premoshis described. “How are they [the employees] supposed to plan to move forward if they aren’t telling them anything?” said Megan Bayles. Megan Bayles explained that she is shocked by the sudden closing. “I don’t think anybody ever saw it coming,” said Megan Bayles. See Plant on A3
Diversity event showcases student views of different cultures By Molly Winters Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, students and faculty gathered in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center for the sixth annual International Cultural and Diversity Day. The purpose of this day is to celebrate culture and understand diversity. Presentations were introduced by Dr. Sut Sakchutchawarn, associate professor of Business Administration and director of International Studies, and were delivered by Waynesburg students who traveled internationally in the recent past. This event was announced to students and faculty in the humanities, education, social science, international studies and business departments, and they expressed their interest to participate.
Allyson Wernert, Yellow Jacket
Ryan Smith, junior international culture major, discusses Taiwan at the International Cultures and Diversity Day. Smith and other Waynesburg students visited Taiwan during a summer mission trip. The students that shared their experiences dove into a culture much different than their own and they learned not only about a new place,
but about themselves as individuals. “Because of globalization and the world getting smaller, it is important to have the
ability to adapt the difference between people, culture and the world,” said Sakchutchawarn. Ten students presented
about their trip abroad: Ryan Smith, junior international culture major; Colin Nelson, junior international culture major; Victoria Keslar, junior
human services major; Amelia Graves, freshman international business major; David Nicholl, an exchange student from Northern Ireland; Elizabeth Hollis, a senior middle level education major; Jacklyn Collius, senior history major; Byul Han, freshman exploring major; Stella Park, freshman exploring major and Stacey Weaver, senior creative writing major. According to Smith, a common thread that all 10 speakers shared was culture shock. “We were out of place and a lot of people stared at us,” said Smith. “Most Americans don’t venture that far into Taiwan.” Keslar traveled to Cambodia for four weeks to do children’s ministry and medical mission work. See Cultures on A3
Inside
Local building condemned
Madness at Marisa ON TAP
WU's Line makes fall debut
Campus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1–A4 Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1, B4 Editorial/Op-ed. . . . . . . . B2 News Digest. . . . . . . . . . B3 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C1–C4 Arts & Life. . . . . . . . . . . . D1–D2 Entertainment . . . . . . . . D3–D4
The Allison Building, known for its histroic value in the creation of Rain Day, will be torn down in the near future. The site will be converted into a parking lot.
Basketball teams holding open practice Friday afternoon to kickoff 2013-14 season.
Students performed and helped raise money for Alpha Psi Omega Oct. 16.
Copyright © 2013 Waynesburg University 51 W. College St. Waynesburg, Pa. 15370
See B4
See C3
See D1