SPECIAL COMMENCEMENT EDITION Thursday, April 26, 2012
51 W. College St. Waynesburg, PA
Vol. 88 No. 23
MICHELLE OBAMA
Secretary celebrates 50 years at WU
Nursing chair meets First Lady
By Sarah Bell
By Matt Giardina
Arts & Life Editor
Staff Writer
Before Stewart Hall was built, Johnson Commons existed or the Roberts Chapel was even a thought, Norma Harper worked at Waynesburg University. In fact, she would say that she worked for the University before WiteOut was invented – but she would also say she was 12-years-old when she started. Harper, secretary of Academic Affairs, is celebrating her fiftieth year at Waynesburg this year. “I can’t believe it has been 50 years,” Harper said. “It’s unreal – it is just unreal.” Since starting at the University, Harper has worked in numerous departments and buildings. Now, Harper works as both the secretary of Academic Affairs and as the secretary for the Provost. “We have a bidding process when it comes to new job openings,” Harper said. “I always got what I wanted because I’m the oldest.” When she started at Waynesburg,, Harper did not have a college background. During her first few years, she audited several classes, but never
injuries from February, when they stopped to assist a motorist and then had to jump from an I-79 overpass to avoid being hit by an oncoming tractor trailer. “Cami is home still but getting back to schooling,” said Jillian Fedoris, senior nursing
Dr. Nancy Mosser, professor of nursing and chair and director of the Department of Nursing at Waynesburg University, was one of only 20 nursing deans nationwide invited to attend a meeting April 11, with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The meeting announced an important responsibility given to nurses across the country eager to serve our veterans and military families as well as they have served their country. Led by the American Nurses Association, nursing organizations and schools have committed to educating nurses on how to care for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic other combat-related issues, in ways appropriate to each nurse’s practice setting. “Waynesburg University has been and continues to be committed to the care of our veterans and their families by educating our students with the most up-to-date information to ensure the highest quality care,” Mosser said. “Waynesburg’s Department of Nursing is devoted to educating students using best practices relat-
See SENIORS on A3
See CHAIR on A2
‘Faith overcomes’
Photos courtesy of Michelle Daino and Alison Busby
After a Feb. 20 incident where two senior nursing majors were seriously injured, several events have been scheduled to raise money to help the students. The most recent event was a walk that was held last Sunday.
By Alex Hinton Op/Ed Editor
The sound of applause filled the entire gymnasium as every person in the bleachers rose to their feet to show appreciation for Alissa Boyle at Sunday’s Honors Convocation. Boyle attended the See CELEBRATING on A3 ceremony held in the
Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse that honored students who earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the fall semester. When her name was called to receive her certificate of achievement, students, parents, family members and friends gave Boyle a standing ovation. “At the honors banquet, it was so moving
to see everyone support Alissa,” said Chelsea Troutman, senior nursing major. “It brought tears to my eyes. She and Cami have touched so many lives and they have more people praying for them than imaginable.” Boyle and fellow senior nursing major Cami Abernathy are currently recovering from serious
Photo courtesy of Facebook
Walk raises funds for nursing students injured in February accident
Summer trips make a difference to others By Rob Longo Editorial Assistant While many students are heading home for the summer to be with their families, a handful of Waynesburg University students will be traveling to different parts of the United States, and in some cases, the world, to serve others and take part in one of four mission trips the school has to offer. Students will be heading to Arizona, Mississippi, New Jersey and even Argentina. Dean of Students Dave Calvario will be leading the
trip to Urban Promise in Camden, N.J. Urban Promise is an organization that helps inner-city youth get the education they need and the activities to help them stay off the streets. “The Urban Promise is a great fit for our institution,” Calvario said. “Hopefully our work there can help train children to become the next generation of Christian leaders.” The city of Camden has been known to be a rough neighborhood as well as poverty-stricken. “Three of the last five mayors
have been charged with corruption,” said Calvario. “When I was growing up, my father always told me if I got lost on my way home from Philadelphia and I saw a sign pointing to Camden to go the opposite way.” However, Urban Promise is the one bright spot in Camden. Organizations from around the country have visited Urban Promise to learn how to run a successful organization. “Helping out with Urban PromSee MISSION on A3
SPORTS
COMMENCEMENT
REGION
The men’s tennis team placed fifth in the recent PAC Championships. See Page C1
Congressman Timothy Murphy will speak to the graduating seniors during the commencement ceremony on May 13. He was selected by a committee for this event. See Page AA1
Former Rep. Bill DeWeese was sentenced Tuesday to 30 to 60 months in prison.
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Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1-C4 Commencement . . . . . . . . . .AA1-AA8 Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BB1-BB8
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YELLOW JACKET
Page A2
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Campus
Education department hosts book fair New athletic director to start July 1; Bristor to assume role of assistant AD
By Molly Winters Staff Writer The Waynesburg University Education Department hosted its first Scholastic Book Fair from noon to 5 p.m. on April 19-20 in Alumni Hall and April 21 in 325 Miller Hall. The Book Fair featured newly released works, award-winning titles, children’s classics and current bestsellers for kindergarten through senior students. Dr. Francis Boyd, associate professor of Education, coordinated and planned the Book Fair along with other Education Department staff members. “Scholastic Book Fairs bring children, educators and families together to celebrate reading and learning,” said Boyd. The Book Fair was sponsored by the Waynesburg University Reading Clinic, and part of the proceeds went directly to the clinic to help purchase books. According to Boyd, the clinic provides children in grades K-4 with a fun, personalized literacy experi-
Chair meets First Lady Continued from A1 ed to caring for all patients, but our curriculum is strategically planned to address unique and challenging situations as well.” University President Timothy R. Thyreen is pleased with level of preparedness the students receive from the University’s nursing program. “Waynesburg University’s nursing program challenges students to be familiar with all facets of an increasingly complex health care system,” Thyreen said. “Our nursing faculty work hard to make certain that our graduates are prepared to offer superior care in an
By Dave Floyd
does, so we’re really excited that he’ll be taking on this role as athletEffective July 1, Larry ic director.” As far as athletic expeMarshall will be the new Director of Athletics at rience goes, along with his 24 years at WaynesWaynesburg University. This is not the first burg under Marisa, Martime that Marshall, who shall also spent time currently serves in a vari- coaching hoops in the high school ety or ranks. He roles in was head the Wayboys coach nesburg he’s an eduat Trinity communicator and he’s a for five ty, has years and been coach. He brings employed both years of experi- head girls coach at by the ence both in educaTrinity for institueight years. tion. Mar- tion and athletics, Accordshall was but also outstanding ing to Lee, an assisorganizational skills the change tant under at the top is legendary into this role. part of an men’s basDoug Lee organizaketball Executive vice president of tional coach Institutional Advancement realignment Rudy that the athMarisa for letic depart24 years at ment is currently underwhat was then Waynesgoing. burg College. Current Associate “Larry is an alum of the University, he’s an Dean of Students Pat educator and he’s a Bristor will also be rejoincoach,” said Doug Lee, ing the athletic departexecutive vice president ment. Bristor, who has of Institutional Advance- been Associate Director ment. “He brings years of of Athletics in the past, experience both in educa- will return to that same tion and athletics, but position once again. Brisalso outstanding organi- tor was also head coach zational skills into this of the volleyball team from 1995-99. role.” Lee said that this time Marshall is currently the Vice President of the of organizational realignWaynesburg Borough ment will allow the Council, Main Street school to sit back, look at Manager of Waynesburg the whole picture of Prosperous & Beautiful what the athletic director and Greene County Fair and assistant athletic Manager. He also serves director do and redesign as a Trustee for the Way- the roles of both posinesburg-Franklin Town- tions. Come July 1, current ship Volunteer Fire Co. Director of Athletics after 25 years as Chief. “He’s served the com- Rick Shepas will continmunity and is so well ue as head football coach, known in the region,” and current Associate Lee said. “He loves the Director of Athletics Benkowski area, he loves the people, Stephanie and he brings excellence will stay on as head volin everything that he leyball coach.
Senior Sports Editor
Photo by Gracias Shavers
The Waynesburg University education majors created and volunteered at a book fair last week. Part of the proceeds went directly to the clinic to help purchase books. ence in a supportive environment. In the fall, the clinic will expand to include grades 5-8. “Along with books, posters and some cutesy things will be available to purchase,” said Boyd. Education majors were not required to work the Book Fair; however, some students volunteered their time to the event. Chelsee Ritz, junior early education/special education major, dedicated herself to the Book Fair and took this as an opportunity to expand on her career for the future.
“I helped set up the event by transporting books in carts and boxes, as well as lining tables with spare books, pens and little notepads,” said Ritz. Not only did Ritz help others find the books they wanted, but she also got additional guidance for her future years as a teacher. “It allowed me to explore a large selection of great books to get an idea of the types of texts that are available for children. It also allowed me to purchase books for possible future use in my class-
room. By looking at the books I gained a greater knowledge of what books can be used to teach certain instructional topics,” said Ritz. Debra Clarke, Department of Education Chairperson, was not directly involved with the Book Fair, but she spoke on its behalf. “The Book Fair was presented as a service to the University and the Greene County community,” said Clarke. “The Education Department is dedicated to supporting literacy efforts throughout Greene County.”
array of situations.” Of those situations Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) impacts more than 300,000 veterans and since the year 2000, more than 44,000 of those troops have suffered at least a moderate-grade traumatic brain injury. Through her education here, sophomore nursing major, Bre Paul shows how the first step in superior care prepared, identifying PTSD in veterans. “Every patient experiences PTSD differently, however, there are three main types of symptoms: re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoiding reminders of the trauma and an increased anxiety and emotional arousal.” Veterans who do not seek care within the Veterans Affairs health system usually visit their
local hospital staffed by nurses and doctors in their communities. “Whether we’re in a hospital, a doctor’s office or a community health center, nurses are often the first people we see when we walk through the door. Because of their expertise, they are trusted to be the frontline of America’s health care system,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “That’s why Jill and I knew we could turn to America’s nurses and nursing students to help our veterans and military families get the world-class care that they’ve earned. It’s clear from today’s announcement that the nursing community is well on its way to serving our men and women in uniform and their families.” The meeting’s announcement is signifi-
cance for troops and their families. Nurses are trusted to provide care in nearly every community and every setting where health care is delivered. The education nursing students receive should help them better understand the needs of those who have served, to recognize the warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or suicide, and to know where to send them for help. ANA commits to reaching 3.1 million registered nurses in America by 2015 to raise awareness of PTSD and depression among veterans, military service members and their families. The ANA is coordinating a major campaign involving more than 150 nursing organizations that will reach millions of nurses on relevant health issues.
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Summer renovations planned for several buildings on campus By Steve Hullings Staff Writer The school year may be finishing up for most of the students and staff within the next week, but for the school itself, there is still a great deal of work to be done. The primary projects for the school over the summer have been set. These projects include renovating Buhl Hall, Hanna Hall and the Center for Research and Economic Development building, putting up a new building for the physical plant, creating additional classroom space and regular maintenance. In Buhl Hall, the plan is to renovate the ceilings and floors and paint the walls of the first, second and third floors. This will primarily be in the commons area of the building. Also, room 414 on the fourth floor will be expanded, taking out the closet space to create a full sized classroom just like there used to be in the past. “I’m excited about putting a facelift on Buhl,” said Roy Barnhart, senior vice president of finance and administration. “Right now you have more of a feel from the 1960s era, when it was built.” Barnhart said that he wants the renovation to make Buhl Hall feel warmer and more comfortable. In Hanna Hall, the plan is replace the old windows with new ones. This could bring about some challenges, though. According the Barnhart, they want to keep the same feel that Hanna Hall currently has.
Photo by Gracias Shavers
Buhl Hall is one of several buildings that will be renovated during the summer months. “I love that old building, and I’d like to see it upgraded for the sake of energy efficiency but still keep the look that it has now,” said Barnhart. “You can always put a window in a building, but it’s finding the right window to put in the building so that it doesn’t lose the architectural look that it already has.” The current residence of the physical plant has become too small for use, so Barnhart said that the
school wants to build a new place for them to reside and even grow into. He plans on putting up the new building on Franklin Street, where the school has bought a substantial amount of property in the area for expansion. New classroom space is also on the agenda for both renovation and expansion over the summer. In order to create more classroom space, the old wrestling room on the second floor of the gym is tentatively going to be made into classroom space. The Center for Research and Economic Development building looks to gain more classroom space as well. In addition to all of these projects, work will be done on the sidewalks, other areas will be painted, and parking lots will be refurbished. There are also plans being made to renovate the Paul R. Stewart Science Hall, but those plans may not be put into action until the school year begins in the fall. The architect is still working on plans for that project. The cost for all the renovation and expansion is in the estimate of about 600,000 to 700,000 dollars. This will be paid from a capitol improvements fund that is a surplus from the operating budget, meaning the school won’t have to borrow any money for it. “It’s one of our major concerns to be proactive in upgrading the campus as opportunity presents itself,” Barnhart said. “That way we’re not finding ourselves looking at a large backlog of work to be done. It just makes for a better looking campus.”
YELLOW JACKET
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Page A3
Campus
Symphonic band and WU choir performs concert
‘Make a joyful noise’
For first time, the Morgantown Community Orchestra will perform at the University next Saturday
By Ben Carpenter
By Molly Winters
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Last Saturday marked the end of an era at Waynesburg University. Susan Phillips, chair of the Department of Fine Arts, will be retiring at the end of the semester, after 38 faithful years at the institution. The Department of Fine Arts and the Music Program presented “Make a Joyful Noise,” a celebration of Phillips’ time at Waynesburg University. The choir performed first and was followed by the symphonic band. The band played “Spectrum,” a threemovement piece composed by Matt Jackford specifically for the occasion. It was an emotional night for all involved, but perhaps more so for Phillips. “I don’t think there’s been a day when I haven’t gotten up in the morning and been happy to come to work,” said Phillips. “I love art, and I’ve been blessed to have a job that has allowed me to focus on it for all of these years.” Phillips was pleased with the performance and the students involved. “I felt so honored,” she said. “It was a wonderful concert and evening as a whole.” It wasn’t just an emotional night for Phillips,
Mission trips inspire Continued from A1
ise is a partnership we can benefit from,” Calvario said. Another trip Waynesburg students will embark on is the trip to Tuba City, Ariz. Students will be led by Assistant Dean of Students Kelley Hardie. The students will be on a Native American Reservation in the heart of the Hopi and Navajo tribes. “Native Americans have some of the greatest social issue struggles,” Hardie said. “Many of them are in poverty because of the lack of jobs and face other
Seniors still recovering Continued from A1 major. “She will walk at graduation in May. She will finish in the summer.” According to Fedoris, Boyle is at home and is still working on her recovery in rehabilitation. “She [Boyle] is planning to come to gradua-
however. The concert was senior Jonah Gollihugh’s last at Waynesburg, and he says it just may have been one of the most challenging. “‘Spectrum’ was probably the hardest piece we’ve ever played during my time here,” Gollihugh said. “I thought that we did a great job though, and I feel that it was a great send-off for Professor Phillips.” The choir has 12 senior members, while the band will be graduating nine musicians in a few weeks. Gollihugh’s take is that, while it felt at times like a run of the mill concert, there was a moment of realization for he and the
other seniors. “It kind of hit us more after we were done playing, as opposed to during the performance,” said Gollihugh. “We were all pretty emotional afterwards, just knowing that it was the last time we’d play together as a band.” Dr. Ronda DePriest, director of the Music Program, was also very pleased with the concert, as well as the academic career of the 21 seniors. “It was such an emotional time,” said DePriest. “I was incredibly pleased with how the concert went. I’m just so proud of the seniors too. They are a really strong class, loaded with gifted
musicians and hard workers.” It took DePriest a few moments to search for words to describe how she feels about both the group of seniors and Phillips leaving after the semester. “All I can say is that they will all be sorely missed,” said DePriest. She elaborated on Phillips’ departure, saying that it will be a great personal loss to her as well. “It is so hard to come by someone who is a colleague, mentor and friend,” said DePriest. “Susan Phillips managed to be all three of those
On Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. the Morgantown Community Orchestra will perform at Waynesburg University for the first time in the Marsh Center. The MCO is the largest ensemble of the Community Music Program at West Virginia University in Morgantown. It has existed since the late 1970s, under different names and has always served the WVU and Morgantown community. This is the first time the orchestra is going “on tour” outside of the WVU premises. The concerts are usually held at the “Annette Falbo Theatre” in the Creative Arts Center. Alejandro Pinzon, as a lecturer of music, is the conductor and music director for the MCO. He also conducts the Piano/String Ensemble, which is soon to become Chamber Orchestra, and next semester he is going to start teaching “PR for the Arts,” a class is being created for Art Administration majors. Pinzon has invited three talented faculty members and three students from Waynesburg to play with the MCO on Saturday night. Dr. Ronda Depriest will play the horn; James Depriest will play the string bass with Pinzon as the conductor. The three students are Emily Schubert playing the violin, Jonah Gollihugh on the string bass, and Emily Roper on the bassoon. Emily Schubert, junior psychology major, has been playing the violin for 11 years. “It feels great to play with the MCO. It’s the first time I’ve played with that large of a group since my sophomore year of high school,” Schubert said. “It’s a really cool experience hearing myself be a part of the group. Alejandro’s also a fun conductor.” Gollihugh, senior double major in Biblical Ministries Studies: Children and Youth Ministries and Fine Arts: Music Ministry, also received an invitation to play with the MCO. He has been playing the string bass for three years and has played in the WVU Creative Arts Center band and in Duquesne University’s Double Bass Master Class. “I love playing with the MCO. The music is challenging in varying degrees; but still very playable, Ale-
See CONCERT on A6
See BAND on A6
social issues such as alcoholism and high suicide rates.” Waynesburg has traveled to Tuba City every year since 2007. “I really hope the students get a better understanding of the Navajo and Hopi culture through relationships,” said Hardie. “I also hope the students become ambassadors between our cultures.” The group of 14 students will begin the service on May 5 and will return back home May 12. As for the other mission trips, the trip to Jackson, Miss. will be led by University Chaplain Tom Ribar and the trip to Argentina will be led by Senior Admissions Counselor Jessica Sumpter.
Celebrating 50 years
was in admissions that I would tell little white lies. You know, the bookstore used to be in the basement [of Miller] and it was so dirty. When Harper people would ask me where it was I would tell them it was closed. I didn’t want people to go down and see that bookstore, and it has just been wonderful to see how it has changed.” Seeing the changes on campus was extremely rewarding for Harper. “I had the pleasure of seeing the new chapel being built,” she said. “People have been talking about it for a while, but I didn’t think it would happen – not in my lifetime. It is just wonderful to look
Photo by Mariah Beauregard
The Waynesburg University choir performs during their spring concert titled, “Make a Joyful Noise” last Saturday. Melanie Catana directed the choir.
tion in May,” Fedoris said. “She’s still in a wheelchair and trying her best to stay positive about her life outlook.” The girls have been known as heroes among students, faculty and staff at Waynesburg University as well as people in the community of Waynesburg ever since their act of kindness. “Keep them both in your prayers,” Fedoris said. Classmates of the
Continued from A1 intended to earn a degree. “I would just go to the classes for pure enjoyment,” she said. “My problem was, you had to take computer science and statistics. Someone suggested that I take them as an audit, then retake them. I did, and I was able to come through with an associates degree in business.” Harper’s favorite part of her job is dealing with the faculty and staff that she encounters daily. “I just enjoy people,” she said. “I always liked to tell the story when I
“The girls really appreciated everyone coming out for the walk. It was so amazing to all be there together supporting them.” Chelsea Troutman Senior nursing major
girls have held several fundraisers to help their families cover medical costs, and donations have been accepted through the Universi-
ty’s Cami and Alissa Fund. After the Honors Convocation on Sunday, there was a fundraising walk held in
out there and see how it is real.” Harper’s office, on the first floor of Miller Hall, overlooks Johnson Commons. She remembers a time when the view out of her window was nothing more than black pavement. “I just can’t believe that they did what they did here,” Harper said. “It’s been a pleasure watching it all.” All three of Harper’s daughter’s received a degree from the university as well. Dr. Robert Graham, Waynesburg University Provost, has worked closely with Harper since starting at the University. “It has been such a
delight working with Norma,” Graham said. “I enjoy working with her and she has such institutional knowledge and history. Her experience has been very beneficial.” Graham said that Harper’s understanding of university policies is very impressive. “She’s also well liked across campus and everyone has positive things to say about her,” Graham said. “It really is a privilege to work with her.” Harper has enjoyed the past 50 years at Waynesburg University and is appreciative of all of the friends that she has made since she started working here. “I just feel like after 50 years here it is just like a family,” Harper said.
Waynesburg for Abernathy and Boyle entitled “Faith Overcomes.” “The girls really appreciated everyone coming out for the walk,” Troutman said. “It was so amazing to all be there together supporting them.” Troutman and Fedoris would like to remind everyone that they can continue to donate to the Cami and Alissa Fund and that there are other upcom-
ing fundraisers for the girls. Bracelets are also still on sale for $2. According to Fedoris, the fundraisers coming up are a 5K Run at the University’s Southpointe location on May 19. The cost of entry is $20. There will also be a Nursing Benefit Ride on June 9. Anyone who would like to volunteer for the bike ride can contact Jillian Fedoris or Sara Salvegio.
Page A4
YELLOW JACKET
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Op/Ed
Spend time wisely Seniors will be missed but not forgotten Use summer as an opportunity to advance Hopefully, every single student that reads this will graduate from Waynesburg University a short time from now. Graduation is the goal of every student and is the threshold into the “real world.” But with the summer approaching, it is time for some students to take a break from all that hard work and relax under the summer sun. Ask any senior and they will tell you; graduation comes around much too quickly. Though summer is a time for recuperation and a chance to reconnect with friends and family, it should not be a getaway from a student’s pending career. With the speed of a college career, time is of the essence, and in the competitive American job market, experience is a top priority. So why settle for a lazy summer at home when internship opportunities and summer jobs are, in most cases, just a click away? When the time comes for your commencement, do you want to be that senior that wishes that you put more effort into your career? Do you want to be a student that lets time slip away? Yes, summer is a break, but between May 4 and Aug. 27, there will be plenty of time for students to continue their pursuits of degrees and knowledge while still resting from eight months of studying. Internships and summer jobs, no matter how involved, are great resume builders and provide that coveted experience that future employers want to see. At the very least, there are certain to be plenty of opportunities for service at local churches that will provide an even greater type of experience. So enjoy the summer break - but remember that time is too precious to waste.
Not for the weak College is tough, but makes graduates stronger No one ever told you college is hard. You were told that college would be the best years of your life. While college may give some great memories or stories, college also brings some of the most difficult obstacles. What you were not told is that college is tough. Not just tough from an academic standpoint, but tough from a life stand point. In college, problems seem to intensify. Financially it’s not easy. Students have to pay for school—often times having to work multiple minimum wage summer jobs just to scrap up enough money to pay for the next year. Loans seem to add up, creating only more worry for the future. Relationships change as well. You begin to lose touch with friends you used to be close with back home. From some, the search for love begins – the search for a future husband or wife, which sometimes brings heartache and pain, leaving many broken hearted and lonely. However, for others, they find love like they have never experienced. The fear of the unknown haunts many. Students work hard for four years, but that does not guarantee a job upon graduation. For some, they will search for months looking for that first job, but for others they will be blessed with a job straight out of college. Through all the obstacles, college is guarantees one thing – it will make you stronger. You enter college as a kid, but through all the obstacles, you graduate as an adult – ready to face the world that stands before you.
My friends at the Yellow Jacket probably think this is a cheater column. You might too. Every year, when graduation rolls around, there is one underclassman that writes a column explaining how much they are going to miss the seniors. Or how much the seniors meant to them. Or how much the seniors changed their lives. I guess this year, I will be that underclassman – cheating or not. To be specific, the seniors in the Department of Communication had a
SARAH BELL Columnist
big effect on my life. Actually, the seniors this year meant more to me than a lot of people that will be here when I return in the fall. For starters, there are four of them. Only four. Not five. Not ten. Four. And I don’t plan to put them in any particular order either. I thought about it (because one of them is really into lists), but I don’t want to. This isn’t
Despite win, DeWeese still off to jail Confusion. Consternation. Incredulity. And more confusion. These are the emotions that I, like many people, cycled through when I found out that Bill DeWeese had won the Democratic Primary for Pennsylvania’s 50th district, even though he has been sentenced to 30 to 60 months in prison as a convicted felon.
MySpace, you know? Because I’m not putting them in order or counting down, I guess I should tell you who they are. Two of them are on the Yellow Jacket staff: Kaitlin Edwards and Dave Floyd. Two of them run WCTV: Kat Ghion and Casey Zell. We all pretty much share one tiny office, or maybe I should say we all live in one tiny office – whichever way you want to look at it is fine. Either way, the four of them have affected my life, so this column is dedicated to them.
KYLE EDWARDS Columnist
A Dauphin County judge sentenced the former longtime House Democratic leader, fined him $25,000 and ordered him to pay nearly $117,000 in restitution on Tuesday. The attorney general’s office had cited DeWeese’s campaign and his post-conviction assertions of innocence as “flagrant expressions of contempt” for the judicial system Monday in a sentencing memorandum that urged a long prison term for DeWeese. Sen-
Kaitlin Edwards I don’t know why, but I’m nervous. As the Executive Editor of the Yellow Jacket, Kaitlin has been my boss, mentor and coworker, but because of our positions on this staff, she is now one of my best friends. She is a terrible listener, extremely stubborn (red heads) and a little off the wall. That being said, I don’t think I could have made it through this year without her. Trust me, I have told See SENIORS on A5
ior Deputy Attorney General K. Kenneth Brown II went into more detail and played excerpts of a video that showed DeWeese telling reporters after he was convicted in February that he believed he would have been acquitted if the trial had been held in western Pennsylvania. DeWeese briefly addressed the court, saying he is “unyieldingly respectful” of the court. He also apologized to his family, friends and “all those who believe in me.” The former legislator ran unopposed in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary, which means that his constituents were given no choice but to vote for a felon. The state constiSee CHOOSE on A5
True heroes influence the lives of many Athlete, writer, fashion designer, cartoonist, politician, advocate, inventor and activist— these are just some of the many varying titles among list of The 2012 TIME 100 Most Influential People in the World. The public voted on these influential people, and each of the 100 on the list has a description under his or her name and title that tells us briefly what the person has accomplished in order to be considered significant. After reading these descriptions, I couldn’t
ALEX HINTON Columnist
understand why some of the people made the TIME 100 list. Sure, they overcame obstacles and achieved their lifetime goals of fame and fortune, which inspired other underdogs. But in the big scheme of things, how much does being a great athlete or designing a beautiful wedding gown change the world?
I’m not here to discredit the people on that list and say none of them deserves recognition, because that would be unfair and untrue. In fact, most of these very intelligent, compassionate, hardworking men and women have had truly meaningful accomplishments that impacted the lives of many. Those are the people I want to acknowledge— the ones who dedicate their lives to helping others instead of themselves. There is one person that immediately stuck
out to me as soon as I read her title: plaintiff. Samira Ibrahim of Egypt is a 25-year old woman who began to fight in 2011 against “virginity tests” that military men forced on her and 17 other women who were protesting military rape. In a culture where women have limited rights, she stood up for something that she knew was wrong and strongly wanted to change, and she faced harsh difficulties in the process. See HEROES on A5
YELLOW JACKET
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Page A5
Op/Ed
Seniors will be missed her this a million times already, but I really do not want her to graduate. Selfish? Maybe. Even though we have a master plan in place so that we will be friends for the rest of our lives, I am going to miss our secret Post-It note conversations, our 2 a.m. (or 3 a.m. or 4 a.m.) walks through campus and our weekly sleepovers. Yeah, Kate, I’m going to miss you a lot.
Casey Zell I remember walking into self defense and being so happy to see Casey’s familiar face. That class has to be considered the beginning of it all (because theater can’t count – as mentioned above). Casey is poised and organized, but also fun and crazy (good crazy, not bad crazy). For those of you that don’t know her, you really are missing out, trust me. She is one of the sweetest people in the entire world, a hard worker and she is great at making pancakes. Oh, and Casey, I could still take you.
Kat Ghion The first time I ever met Kat was in a theater class during my freshman year (Casey was there too, but we’ll get to that). We didn’t talk, even though we sat pretty close to each other, and if you had asked me then if we would become friends I probably would have said no. I’m so glad that the answer became yes (it might have been the Waynesburg Press runs, or bringing me breakfast – two ways to win me over). This year, Kat was the person that made me feel most welcome – even before I formed friendships with everyone else – and I love her for that. So Kat, coffee date soon?
Dave Floyd A lot of people might say that I included Dave Floyd in this column just because he’s Dave Floyd. If you’re one of those people, you’re kind of right. But I also included him because he is genuinely one of the best people that I have met since starting college. I think most of the people that know him (whether from soccer, or being a student ambassador, or the Yellow Jacket or saving kittens out of trees daily) would agree with me. He is one of the kindest people I know, and I am truly glad that I asked that first question (he knows what I mean). Hey, Dave Floyd? What’s my favorite color?
Continued from A4
Political advertisments and Big Bird too Once upon a time there was something called "educational television," which harnessed the technological marvel of a new medium to provide children and adults with edifying programming uncorrupted by advertising. Today, public radio and television continue to devote more attention to educational programs than commercial broadcasters do, but they also seek to entertain viewers of all ages with features – such as British sitcoms, quiz shows, animal adventures and rock 'n' roll retrospectives – that duplicate those on commercial stations. And the programming is punctuated by corporate "sponsorship statements" that are advertisements by another name. Given these changes, a federal appeals court decision last week allowing public stations to air
political and campaign advertisements is not that dramatic a development. Last week the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, by a 2-1 vote, struck down on First Amendment grounds a congressional ban on such advertising, while upholding a prohibition on ads by profitmaking companies. Under Supreme Court precedents, restrictions on free speech by federally licensed broadcasters must be "narrowly tailored to further a substantial governmental interest." In this case, the asserted interest was Congress' desire to preserve educational programming on public stations. In the court's main opinion, Judge Carlos T. Bea concluded that Congress had good reason to worry that the lure of revenue from ads for commercial products might
induce public broadcasters to replace educational programming with fare more likely to garner higher ratings. But Bea said there wasn't "substantial evidence in the record before Congress" to suggest that children's and other educational programming would be similarly endangered by a station's acceptance of political ads. (He ridiculed the notion that a station eager for political ads might air a cartoon in which Mitt Romney or Barack Obama fought crime alongside Superman or Batman.) One can accuse the court of not giving proper deference to Congress' desire to keep public broadcasting ad free. But even if this case had been resolved differently, the notion of public television as a safe harbor from
This Week in History... By Eric Bost Staff Writer April 26, 1865: John Wilkes Booth was captured and shot at Garrett's Farm near Port Royal, Va. as a fire consumed the shed he hid in. He was in hiding for multiple days after shooting and killing President Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C at Ford’s Theatre. Lincoln was shot in the back of the head and was pronounced dead a few hours later. In 1864, Booth began to
Heroes can change lives Continued from A4 She was the only woman to fight to sue those who had abused her. It wasn’t an easy solution. Although there was a court order back in December to prevent future virginity tests, the doctor who violated Ibrahim was pardoned last month. However, Ibrahim’s spirit was not broken. She continues to battle the
April 26, 1986:
conspire with others, most notably Dr. Samuel Mudd and John and Mary Surratt, in an effort to kidnap Lincoln. On March 17, 1865, the plot failed when Lincoln changed his plans and did not attend a hospital on the outskirts of Washington where the abduction was to take place. It was after that the plans changed to an assassination. After avoiding capture for several days, Booth was eventually found and shot. Booth was confirmed dead a few hours later.
When you hear “natural disaster,” the common thought is often when the Americans bombed Hiroshima during World War Two. In reality, the biggest and consequently most horrific natural disaster came in the form of a chemical explosion in Chernobyl. At 1:23 a.m. on April 26, the fourth reactor in Chernobyl experienced a sudden increase in the power level. This caused a steam explosion, and hydrogen escaped to the outside air, triggering a
case and is bringing it to international court, not just for her, but also for all of the women who have been wronged by the Egyptian military. “Egypt’s judiciary has let itself down, rather than me,” Ibrahim said in an interview with The Daily Beast. She has built up a strong following of supporters who are ready to help her win this battle and who realize the corruption of the judiciary system that pardoned the abuse. Actress Charlize Theron wrote the profile
on Ibrahim for the TIME 100 and said, “Samira [Ibrahim] represents the model of how to stand up to fear, and the impact she has made reaches far beyond Egypt.” Ibrahim was also recently honored as one of Newsweek’s 150 Women Who Shake the World. Since this is the final issue of the Yellow Jacket for the 2011-2012 school year, I will urge the students who are facing graduation to think not only of yourselves as you plan your future endeavors but of the people whose lives
advertising would be a quaint one. In his concurring opinion, Judge John T. Noonan Jr. wrote: "As a viewer of 'Jim Lehrer NewsHour' and its successor, I have seen announcements that to my mind are ads. For example, I have viewed Charles Schwab's message, 'Talk to Chuck' – it is not about Chuck's golf game." From "Talk to Chuck" to "Vote for Barack" isn't that big a leap. In both cases, one would hope that the proceeds from such advertising would be used to defray the cost of the educational programming that is still more common on public stations than on their commercial counterparts. ___
This editorial originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
Choose wisely Continued from A4
tution bars felons from serving in the Legislature, chemical explosion. This but that ban is not trigsecond explosion ripped gered until a sentence is the roof off of the reactor, imposed. Yeah. It’s all one exposing its radioactive big mess. Now, I could go on forever about how core. After multiple tries to DeWeese’s name should rid Chernobyl of its radia- have been stricken from tion, engineers finally the ballot or rant and rave poured 20,000 tons of con- about how the system is crete and lead onto the flawed and something like reactor to contain the this should never have radiation in December been able to happen. Better yet, I could com1986. The concrete shell plain about how the peostill remains to this day. Over 300,000 people ple of the 50th district were evacuated in an 18- have no one but themmile radius. There are offi- selves to blame, because cially 56 deaths that no one stepped up to resulted from the radia- oppose the long-time legislator. tion poisoning.“ Courtesy History.com But I won’t. In fact, I can’t, really. Because the truth is, despite the fact that Bill DeWeese is a convicted felon, despite the you want to impact. fact that he has been senWhile hard work tenced to a long prison towards fame and fortune might get you ahead in life, it’s those who never lose sight of the greater goals to help humanity and stand up for what’s right that are the true heroes—the ones who should be at the top of all of our lists of influential people. So seniors, good luck and best wishes in all of your future plans, and may you each make a difference in someone’s life wherever you may end up.
term, his Primary victory was just that. A victory. And it was completely legitimate. It may have been a little controversial because his name was still on the ballot while he was on the stand, but if there was any way that that could have been avoided, it would have been. So there’s no use complaining about it, because it’s already happened. He’s won the Primary, and nothing will change that now. Better to look to the future, if you ask me. So, to the people of Pennsylvania’s 50th district, I say this. Look to the future. Look to November. Because now DeWeese has someone running against him. If you don’t like what happened in Tuesday’s Primary, then do something about it. Vote for whoever the Democratic party decides to replace DeWeese with, or the Republican candidate for the 50th district. You can’t change the past, but you can choose your future.
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Campus
Chair of Fine Arts department retires after 38 years of service By Casey Zell
According to Krysta Stanko, art education major, Phillips has an unparalled level of commitment and devotion to her students and her work
and has given endless amounts of encouragement and support to students over the years. “If it weren’t for her, I honestly wouldn’t be
here,” said Stanko. “She is by far the professor on campus I go to for anything and [I can] talk to her about anything.” In honor of her career, the Waynesburg University Symphonic Band commissioned a three-movement piece, which premiered at the annual spring concert last Saturday. The work conveyed three different shades of color through the piece to commemorate Phillips and her love of all art forms. “As an art group we are collectively trying to celebrate these years of service to the University and service to the world of art,” said Dr. Ronda DePriest, assistant professor of instrumental music and the director of the music program. “She has been such an art advocate that I want to make sure that she is duly celebrated.” Composer Matthew Jackfert wrote the piece, titled “Spectrum.” Jackfert said his inspiration throughout writing the
Band set to play on Sat.
varying age groups and skill levels to play together. It fosters a lot of growth in our playing ability.” Roper, junior double major in Music Ministry and Biblical and Ministry Studies: Children and Youth Ministry will be playing the bassoon with the MCO. “Music is one of my
main passions. I believe that God has given us music to bring us closer to Him. Music affects us emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. “My plans for the future include getting my Master’s Degree and working for performing arts organizations using music and dance to posi-
Staff Writer Susan Phillips, chair of the Department of Fine Arts and professor of art, has inspired students, faculty and fellow artists on campus and within the arts community. Now, after 38 years of service to Waynesburg University, she is retiring to become a fulltime studio artist. “It hardly seems real,” said Phillips. “I mean, it is hard to believe that it has been 38 years.” Phillips has worked in higher education for 40 years, teaching at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for two years before coming to Waynesburg. Her goal throughout the past 40 years has been to instill a love of art and culture into all of her students. “A big part of my mission here the whole time was to help students to be the kind of people who would want art in their lives for their entire lives,” said Phillips. “Students come to me at all
Concert performed Continued from A3 things at once, and she excelled at each one.” “Our students were just awe-inspired by her,” said DePriest of Phillips.
Photo by Randy Laskody
Susan Phillips, chair of the Department of Fine Arts, makes her transition from Waynesburg after 38 years to become a fulltime studio artist. different levels of experience with art and it’s wonderful to see them make that journey and become people with cultural interests.”
“That is so incredibly rare.” Phillips expressed her gratitude about the time she was able to spend at Continued from A3 Waynesburg. “It has been a privilege to work with young peo- jandro Pinzon is one of the ple for so long and to best conductors I have had hopefully make a differ- the opportunity to play ence in their lives,” said with,” said Gollihugh. “The MCO allows Phillips.
work was Phillips and her dedication to the arts community. “She likes art that makes you think, so that is what I tried to do with this piece,” said Jackfert. “I made three different movements each has a different style and take on music so to kind of match her style. “ Phillips, who plans on becoming a fulltime studio artist after retiring, also has plans to travel to Italy and spend time with her family and young granddaughter. She said the thing she will miss most about teaching is the people and the students she has worked with. “I have been really fortunate to have worked with a lot of very good people over the years,” said Phillips. “I think of this studio as a community of artists, and that is one of the things that is so appealing about being in art school, whether as a teacher or a student - it’s all of us together.”
tively affect people,” said Roper. Pinzon is truly excited for this concert and hopes that the community feels the same way. “This is a good chance to explore other types of music, that reflect the heritage of other countries and cultures,” said Pinzon.
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Campus
The Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Across 1 Storage spot 5 10-Down’s request: Abbr. 10 State along the Sea of Cortez 14 Overhead projector? 15 Control __ 16 Sensory stimulant 17 Some Monopoly props. 18 Long look 19 Iris locale 20 *Hail 23 Club with very little loft 24 William of __, known for his “razor” maxim 27 Bouquet __ 28 *Tar 32 “You rang?” 34 Dos Passos trilogy 35 Some map nos. 36 [not my mistake] 39 *Tin 42 Lunch, say 43 Norsk Folkemuseum setting 45 Sashimi choice 46 Shelf-filling ref. work 48 *Poe 51 “The best is __ be”: Browning 55 Fractious 56 Had a slice of
humble pie 58 What you need to get the starred clues to fit their answers 62 Shell occupant 64 Handled 65 Pilate’s “Behold!” 66 Typesetting unit 67 Paper fan feature 68 Unité politique 69 Envelope abbr. 70 Sturdy fabric 71 Est. and Lat., once
Down 1 Seasoned salt? 2 Plaza de
la
Revolución locale 3 Hit that sends the game to extra innings, e.g. 4 Predetermined outcome 5 “__ Easy”: Buddy Holly classic 6 Like many aunts 7 Actor McGregor 8 Dorm hoops ball 9 Lineage display 10 Imposer of a drunk’s comeuppance 11 Champion 12 Break fluid? 13 First name in Fighting Irish history 21 Northeastern natives 22 Theater ticket word
25 Quarter 26 Computer game set on an island 29 Inventive cubist? 30 Pac-12’s Beavers 31 Seat of Texas’s McLennan County 33 Coal-rich region 36 Woefully out of shape 37 Ferry destination 38 Someone to
admire 40 Question of identity 41 Worked (up) 44 Empire partitioned by the Treaty of Lausanne 47 Official proclamations 49 Mitt Romney’s alma mater: Abbr. 50 Livestock mark-
er 52 Developers’ acquisitions 53 RV follower 54 Nocturnal newborns 57 CD alternative 59 Baker’s qtys. 60 Healthy 61 Decorative jug 62 Returns pro 63 Aflame
Last Issue’s Answers:
Crossword by MCT Campus
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
ggraduation raduation
Back Page
garb b
ffeerent Graduation ceremonies are filled with many diff traditions that haave been passed down from generation to generation of graduates. Some of the most visible of these traditions has to do with all of the graduation clothing. From caps to tassels to gowns, each element has its own unique histor y and stor y of how it has come to be what is today.
By Kaitlin Edwards Executive Editor
Cap Tassel
w what hat NOT NOT to wear
Gown
By Casey Zell Selff-Proclaimed Faashion Expert
Open Toed Shoes
All Black
Elaborate Hairstyles
Tennis Shoes
Jeans
Hawaiian Shirts
Design by Cori Schipani
Thursday, April 26, 2012
DeWeese sentenced to 30 to 60 months in prison DeWeese, Fischer top By Angela Wadding county primary contests; “I remain unyieldSmith to face Casey ingly respectful of this Staff Writer
On Tuesday afternoon, H. William DeWeese, 62, resigned his Pennsylvania legislative seat a few short hours before receiving a two and a half to five year sentence for crimes he committed while in office. A Dauphin County judge sentenced DeWeese, former House Speaker and legislator for 35 years, for direct-
court, the jury and its verdict.” H. William DeWeese Former State Rep., Pa. 50th District
ing employees to campaign for him on state time.
He will begin his sentence on May 14. Along with the prison
sentence, DeWeese was fined $25,000 and $117,000 in restitution. Bill Costopoulos, DeWeese’s attorney, said they will be appealing and hope the judge will grant DeWeese bail during the appeal process, in a statement on Tuesday. DeWeese still ran unopposed in the Pennsylvania primaries last Tuesday and won the Democratic nominaSee DEWEESE on B2
Keep holdin’ on
Photo by Stephanie Laing
(Above) The Buckin’ B Cattle Championship bull riding competition was held at the Greene County Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday. (Below) Taylor Klein poses with her pet bull that refuses to buck.
Annual Buckin’ B rodeo competition held at fairgrounds By Stephanie Laing Assignments Editor Moe was enraged— fence surrounded him on all sides. This bull wanted Gage Gay, 2011 Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association rookie of the year, off its back, and it in eight seconds, Moe would use all his pent up energy to unseat his unwelcomed rider. Gay, on the other hand, was ready. “It is a lot of anticipation of what the bull
is going to do, and your adrenaline gets running. It’s really nothing big, though. You get
nervous, but that’s about it,” said Gay during the 11th annual Buckin’ B Cattle
Championship Bull Riding Competition at See BULL on B2
By Stephanie Laing Assignments Editor Greene County residents voted in a most interesting 2012 Primary elections this past Tuesday, nominating the candidates for the general elections this November. In the not-so-surprising results, many candidates ran unopposed while the expected winners obtained the majority votes. Some Greene County residents, however, closely watched the primary elections for the 50th District House of Representatives, determining which candidates will represent all of Greene County and parts of Washington and Fayette Counties in the House of Representatives. Democrat H. William DeWeese ran unopposed and won in Greene County and the rest of District 50, but resigned from his legislative seat a few hours before receiving a sentence of 2.5 to 5 years in prison for crimes he committed while in office. He was sentenced on five of six felony counts of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest. DeWeese’s name will remain on the ballot, however, for the Nov. 6 general elections unless he withdraws from the race or is removed by the court. Both his resignation and sentence make him ineligible to serve the 50th District. If he wins in November, DeWeese would be unable to serve unless his conviction is overturned on appeal. Candidates George Toothman and Mark Fischer both sought the Republican nominations. Fischer won the race with 69 percent of the votes.
On Fischer’s campaign website, he claims to support reducing the size, scope and impact of government on District 50 residents’ lives and has significant experience working in the government at the local, state and federal level. “Integrity and transparency in government are essential among leaders if we are to help America and Pennsylvania prosper,” Fischer writes on his website. Fischer and his wife returned to the area several years ago because they loved the area so much and felt it was the perfect place to live, according to his website. They have invested in downtown real estate and even opened an antique mall directly beside the Greene County Courthouse. Across the state, Republican primary candidate Tom Smith will run against Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. in the general elections for United States senator. Republican David J. Freed and Democrat Kathleen G. Kane won the attorney general primary nominations. John Maher, receiving 82.1% of the votes in Greene County and 66.1% across the state, won the Republican primary for auditor general, with Democrat primary nominee Eugene A Depasquale running unopposed. Both party candidates for state treasurer ran unopposed, nearly promising the position to either Republican Diana Irey Vaughan or Democrat Robert M. McCord. Across the nation, Mitt Romney looks forward to November’s Presidential elections, winning against four other presidential primaries with 58% and all but ending the Republican nomination process.
Fun Day unites campus, community with games, crafts and snacks By Anastasia Barr Staff Writer Waynesburg University’s Council for Exceptional Children organization gathered Saturday, April 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a day of snacks, crafts and games for the children in the community. Shannon Bartley, a junior early childhood education, special education major and president of CEC at Waynesburg University, planned the event. CEC received a $1,000 Waynesburg
University Regional Community Impact Grant for the group’s Fun Day. In an effort to unite the campus and community, the event allowed University organizations and athletic teams to host a craft or a game for children in attendance. “We are excited for this day because it will build a sense of community between Waynesburg University students, community families and community children with special
Photo by Gracious Shavers
See CEC on B3
The Council for Exceptional Children held ‘Fun Day,” an event that offered games and other activities to children of the Waynesburg area on Saturday. The event was an attempt to unite the Waynesburg campus and community.
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Region
Bull riding event held Continued from B1 the Greene County Fairgrounds last Friday and Saturday. Gay was more prepared than he implied. He has ridden his whole life, starting out with sheep and smaller bulls, and moving on to become the number one competitor in last weekend’s bull riding competition. “I don’t get scared, but some people do,” said Gay. “I’ve been doing it so long that it just doesn’t get to me anymore, I guess.” With 30 other bull riders and multiple bullfighters, the adrenaline—even fear—was running high. The riders, coming from places as far as Ludiwici, Ga. or Danville, Ala., were competing to qualify for the SEBRA’s national finals. “I love watching the people ride, but it is kind of scary,” said 15year-old Elyssa Huner from Carmichaels, Pa. “I always think they’re going to get run over at first, but they don’t.” Huner, who came with her five other family members, made the night a family event. “We know some people in [the competition], and we thought it would just be exciting,” said Huner. When not watching the bull riders, a variety of stands and vendors were available for guests’ entertainment. One of the stands, belonging to 16-yearold Taylor Klein from Washington, Pa., featured a pet Brahman bull, originally a bucking bull that wouldn’t buck. “We are letting people take pictures with a
DeWeese sentenced Continued from B1 tion, carrying him to the general elections in November. If DeWeese does not withdraw from the general election his name will still appear on the ballot against Republican candidate Mark Fischer. He received thousands of votes for a position he cannot serve. Pennsylvania state law writes that even if convicted, a convicted felon can run on the state’s ballot but cannot physically serve in legislature. DeWeese suddenly finds himself in this exact situation. “I keep asking the state what will happen, and I have not gotten any information back. I know he [DeWeese] can stay on the ballot but he cannot serve,” said Tina Kiger, Director of the
“I don’t get scared, but some people do. I’ve been doing it for so long that it just doesn’t get to me anymore, I guess.” Gage Gay Bull Rider, SEBRA
pet bull,” said Klein. With a decorative background, Klein and her mother let people sit on their pet, took pictures and printed them out. Producer and Buckin’ B Cattle Company’s owner Matt DeJohn started the event after retiring himself from bull riding and moving on to raise cattle on his Lippencott farm in Greene County. Hot Rod’s House of BBQ, Greene County Tourism, Direct Results, Waynesburg Yamaha and Waynesburg Chrysler Jeep Dodge also helped sponsor the event. “It is just so nice seeing everyone have a fun and have a good time. It is exhilarating,” said Klein. “I mean, who doesn’t want to see people ride bulls?” And the audience saw just that. Cowboys flew, others held on, but all— even the bulls—gave the rides everything they had. The gate flew open, and Moe bucked widely to unseat Gay, but the experienced cowboy had other ideas. His zebra-striped chaps flew and his arm left waved, but he was never unseated in the ride that brought him up in the standings for SEBRA’s national finals.
Greene County election office. While in court. DeWeese spoke remorsefully for his actions. “I remain unyieldingly respectful of this court, the jury and its verdict,” he said. “I want to apologize to my beloved family, friends and to all those who believed in me.” DeWeese’s girlfriend, who stood by him throughout the court’s proceedings, left the courtroom during the Senior Deputy Attorney’s presentation, saying it was “ridiculous.” DeWeese headed home to Waynesburg on Tuesday night while primary votes were counted. He entered Rohanna’s Restaurant, the place where he held almost all of his post election parties, unannounced, and was greeted by supporters and former volunteers. DeWeese was not available for a comment at time of press.
Photo by Chad Green
The 24th annual Hammer-In festival was held on Saturday at the W.A. Young and Sons foundry and Machine shop in Rices Landing. A record-breaking 200 people packed the small building and the streets outside.
Hammer-In Fest celebrates 24 years, new roof By Kyle Edwards Region Editor The sound of hammers striking anvils could be heard throughout Rices Landing, Pa. as crowds packed the streets at the 24th annual Hammer-In festival. Held each year by the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, the festival opens the doors of the W.A. Young and Sons Foundry and Machine Shop in Rices Landing to the public. According to Sherris Moreira, director of Marketing for Rivers of Steel, the festival brings together blacksmith and machine enthusiasts alike, and this year, the festival had a record-breaking 200 people in attendance. Moreira explained that the festival is held each year as a way to raise awareness about this historic site. “The event is a way of opening up the historic site to visitors in order to help continue the site’s preservation,” she said. “When
you have visitors come to the site, it generates interest, following and possibly volunteers. So we just open up this site to keep the site relevant to the community at large.” According to a press release from Rivers of Steel, the festival ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a brief welcome ceremony held by the event coordinators acknowledging the completion of phase one of the historic restoration of the Machine Shop which began in 2011. This phase, which included a roof replacement and other structural and safety upgrades, was paid in part with a Save America’s Treasures grant, as well as support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, according to the release. Moreira said that throughout the event, two blacksmithing groups worked the forge and displayed their wares. “Each year, the Appalachian Blacksmith’s Association from Morgantown, W.Va. and the Pitts-
burgh Area ArtistsBlacksmiths Association come to the festival,” Moreira said. “Each group does continuous blacksmithing demonstrations throughout the event.” Around 1 p.m., an auction was held with the wares that the blacksmiths either made during the festival or brought with them and all the proceeds went toward the preservation fund for the foundry. Also during the event, George “Bly” Blystone, the foundry’s caretaker, gave tours of the foundry to those in attendance. Normally when he gives a tour, Blystone said that it is like walking into a sleeping building... at least until he turns the machines on toward the end of the tour. “As soon as I start those belts, the whole thing just comes alive,” Blystone said. “It’s quite exciting for people to see and realize that these machines still run and do the job
that they were intended to do more than 100 years ago.” During the HammerIn festival, however, Blystone said that it is a completely different atmosphere. “The place is just packed, and of course the blacksmiths are all working, which makes for a much better display. It’s just a whole different atmosphere. The one-way street outside is full of people and the building itself is packed,” he said. “The blacksmiths are all friends with each other and are all enjoying themselves, which in turn gets everyone else excited. It’s really a wonderful thing to have the festival.” According to Blystone, the foundry was built in 1900 by the Young family. “The older of the Youngs was a pattern maker. As they built this machine shop, they also built a pattern shop above it,” he said. “Eventually they See HAMMER-IN on B4
Photo by Amanda Rice
A respite at last Gas prices nationwide have been on the rise over the past few months, reaching as high as five dollars per gallon in some parts of the country. In Greene County, the highest price was four dollars per gallon. Only recently have they begun to lower, giving some Waynesburg residents hope that a future with cheap gas may be possible.
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22nd annual Ramp Festival focuses on music, food and family fun By Sarah Bell Arts & Life Editor Each year, people from all over the country flock to Greene County, Pa. to attend the annual Ramp Festival. New York, Kentucky, Indiana – the list of attendees is extensive, said Connie Ammons, a coordinator of the Mason-Dixon Ramp Festival. The 22nd annual Ramp Festival will kick-off at 10 a.m. on April 28 and will last through April 29. The event takes place at Mason-Dixon Park in Mt. Morris, Pa. For those who do not know, ramp is a type of onion that only grows in a few locations across the United States; ramps offer a number of health benefits as well. According to masondixonpark.net, the flavor of the ramp is similar to garlic, but earthier, and many people plant their own ramps and harvest them in the spring. “The centerpiece of the ramp festival is food, and plenty of it. There are twelve food vendors, including the inestimable Walter
Danna, who will also demonstrate the art of cooking with ramps,” the website said. At the ramp festival, people can sample ramp wine, ramp butter, ramp burgers, fried potatoes and ramps and a variety of other ramp inspired foods. “The Ramp Festival is a celebration where most foods are cooked with ramps,” Ammons said. “The festival is so successful because it is a fun festival and newcomers want to now what everyone is talking about when they eat ramps.” In addition to live musical performances throughout the weekend and local crafters, the Ramp Festival will host numerous exhibits, including Greene County’s Lippencott Alpacas and a display of antique steam engines. “People enjoy the novelty of the festival and it is one festival that is early in the spring,” Ammons said. “People travel from different states because ramps do not grow in every state and can be scarce in certain areas.” The festival hosts about 300 people per day,
File Photo
This year’s Ramp Festival will be held on Saturday, April 28. A variety of different foods are created and sold at the festival using the vegetable, including the crowd-pleasing fried ramp. Ammons said. “I enjoy all parts of the festival if the weather is nice,” she said. “Music is a
big crowd pleaser, and, of course, the food too.” This year, veterans and active-duty servicemen will
also be able to receive free Mason-Dixon hotdogs piled See RAMP on B4
Presbyterians gather at convocation in Pittsburgh By Eric Bost Staff Writer For over 200 years, the Presbyterian Church General Assembly has been holding its Convocation to make rulings on matters regarding the church. Later this summer, beginning June 30, the week long string of events will be hosted in downtown Pittsburgh. Members of presbyteries from all over the country will be coming in to Pittsburgh later this summer for the bi-annual Convocation. During the week, over 6,000 people
“We want to make people’s experiences here in Western Pennsylvania a wonderful one.” Beth Merry Lecturer of Communication Waynesburg University
including members and their families will be making their first trips to Western Pennsylvania. Beth Merry, lecturer of communication at Waynesburg University, has the responsibility of assisting the thousands of people that will make their way to Pittsburgh. “I’m in charge of the hotel and David L.
Lawrence Convention Center welcoming committee,” said Merry. “My committee’s job is to make sure that we let everyone know what a wonderful city Pittsburgh is and how great Western Pennsylvania is. We want to make people’s experience here in Western Pennsylvania a wonderful one.”
Merry said that they also have to help not only the delegates, but their families as well. “With the delegates come hundreds of other people. Delegates might bring their families,” said Merry. “At each hotel, my committee will have a welcome table set up and people can come to the table and the families will say, ‘Okay, he’s going to be in meetings all week. What should we do in Pittsburgh?’ We can tell them about the multiple places to visit in Pittsburgh, like the museums, the
Photo by Gracious Shavers
Fun Day offered children of the Waynesburg community a day to enjoy games, crafts, face painting and more.
CEC unites community Continued from B1
See CHRISTIANS on B4 needs,” Bartley said. Junior education major Stephanie Ball said that she enjoyed seeing the campus and community come together. “Fun day was a great opportunity for children in the community to get together and participate in activities that they would not normally do in a school setting,” said Ball “The clubs and organizations on campus did a great job putting together such a great day for these kids. During the event children did various activities, like making friendship bracelets, crafts, making slime, learning cheers from the Waynesburg University cheerleading squad and enjoying music from the University’s radio station, 99.5 The Hive. Each child had a student from the University walk around and participated in making the crafts, and some of the student volunteers even
joined in the fun by getting their faces painted as well. Alexander Okinski, junior exercise science major and volunteer from the Jackets football team at Fun Day, enjoyed the day with the kids and his teammates that also volunteered. “I had an absolute blast with the kids at fun day. I would do fun day every Saturday if it was offered. I think I might have actually had more fun than the kids did. I don’t know how possible that is though because I saw so many smiling faces running around everywhere,” said Okinski. “Also some of my teammates from the football team came out as well to volunteer, playing all the games and going to all the different stations with the kids and that was a great way to spend real quality family time together. I really didn’t want the day to end and I don’t think the kids did either.” The CEC plans to-do more events with children in the community with the help of student volunteers and the University’s support.
YELLOW JACKET
Page B4
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Region
Waynesburg officials, residents fed up with Marcellus Shale trucks By Sandor Mecs Staff Writer With the growth of the gas drilling industry in Southwestern Pennsylvania heralded as a sort of renaissance, what proponents have publicized as an economic revolution has also swept up small communities at a faster pace than some would like. Apart from the continuous frenzy of environmentalist attacks on the fracking procedure, residents in small towns such as Waynesburg have complained about the more immediate concern of company truckers. Melody Longstreth, executive director of the Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce, said that tons of mirrors have been shaved off the doors of cars and pickup trucks parallel parked along the street by industry truckers. As head of the club for local small businesses, she said that the
Christians gather in Pitt. Continued from B3 cool restaurants or the zoo.” Multiple delegates from all around the country will be showing up for the week long event. There will be youth delegates, mostly college students; there will be seminary students that will be delegates as well as the elders and pastors from across the country. All of them will partake in voting on items concerning the church. The Convocation resolves controversies in the church, is responsible for matters of common concern for the whole church and serves as a symbol of unity for the church. According to the General Assembly’s website, “The combined insights of all those on assembly committees become the recom-
problem has reached such proportions that the Christian bookstore across from the post office has already erected concrete barricades outside their store to keep trucks from turning right onto the curb. “That intersection by the post office makes the truckers turn such a hard curve that they would come up onto the curb and destroy the sewage line there,” she said. “It’s a brick street, made for horse and buggies. It’s not made for the weight of these trucks.” According to Longstreth, it is not only the residents’ livelihoods that stand to be marred by the trucking, but their traditions as well. “I’ve been here since 1986, and I’ve always worked on the Christmas Parade,” Longstreth said. “We got word through one of the borough council meetings
mendations to the whole assembly. If they are approved, they guide the church in the years to come.” While the Convocation is being held inside the Convention Center, other things will be going on with the Convocation that volunteers can help with. “I have been urging students, faulty, anyone, to volunteer,” said Merry. “I am looking for students to man the Windham Hotel. They are going to have all of the youth delegates at that hotel. Delegates and their families don’t want to go downstairs and see an old lady and ask ‘Where should we go to eat?’ They need to know what the young people want to do and I figured only young people are going to be the best at helping with that.” To volunteer to assist with the event, sign up by going to the Committee on Local Arrangements’ website.
that Chief [Hawfield] wanted us to move it because during the Veterans’ Day Parade traffic was a nightmare within the detour. Huge public outcry: ‘Well we don’t care where those drillers….’ and, ‘We aren’t changing our traditions for those drillers.’ Michele and I started making phone calls to these companies saying ‘Hey, on Saturday at 2 p.m., you’re not going to be able to make it through town.” However, Longstreth said that the traffic has been due mainly to
pipeline construction, and that once that project is finished, relations between residents and drilling companies should be less troubled. “I think eventually we will coexist. I think when what’s happening now dies down, and we go into the collection phase [referring to the upcoming state impact tax], things will be much better,” Longstreth said. Until then, the high flow of truckers through the area will still risk not only property, but potentially lives as well.
Mayor Blair Zimmerman said that truckers have acted haphazardly in the past when working together. “If they’re caravanning and they’re going to a certain site, if there’s three trucks and one of them goes through a red light or a yellow, the others will go through a red light. They don’t stop,” he said. Zimmerman also said that he has appealed to higher authorities to rein in the truckers. “We had a meeting with PennDot, in front of all the companies,
and some of the problems we raised were the damages; we’ve lost a lot of signs, trucks hitting the sidewalk causing damage. You can walk around town and see all of the sidewalks we’ve lost.” According to Zimmerman, in spite of all this his gut feeling was that they came to show that they cared and feel good, but it was only Public Relations. “No one’s approached me since that meeting and said ‘Hey, can we sit down and talk?’ Chesapeake just gave a grant for $10,000 to the playground, but again, I want stuff fixed first and then they can do that stuff,” he said. “I know they want to do some positive community stuff, but I want them to fix the stuff first that the taxpayers don’t have to get first. That’s why I want to get a game plan. We initiated, they came around, but it seemed like it fell on deaf ears.”
Ramp Fest to be held Continued from B3 high with chili, sauerkraut, coleslaw, onions and ramps. Throughout the weekend, admission and parking is free to guests. Attendees also have the opportunity to sign up at the Mason-Dixon Park booth for a chance to win door prizes and enter in a raffle for a handmade powder horn and a hunting knife. Although the festival is officially from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
File Photo
Crowds flocked to the vendors at last year’s Ramp Festival. This year’s festival promises more food, fun, music and much more at Mason-Dixon park in Mt. Morris. each day, participants are invited to arrive an hour early for a Sunday church service. For
more information, directions or a full list of ramp foods available, email Ammons at
keeperoftheland@aol.c om or visit w w w. m a s o n d i x o n park.net.
Hammer-In fest held Continued from B2 would add more structures and put their own foundry in. They made parts for river boats, coal mines and just about anything that anyone would need. They actually had a hardware store above the foundry where people could purchase parts that they needed.” The Young family stayed in business until around 1965, Blystone said. “The Greene County Historical Society, through Farley Toothman and Bob Campbell, discovered the place and purchased the building and all the artifacts. It belonged to the historical society until three years ago, when Rivers of Steel purchased it,” Blystone said. “This organization is able to write grants and get money for the building, and
Photo by Chad Green
The Appalachian Blacksmith’s Association from Morgantown, W.Va., and the Pittsburgh Area Artists-Blacksmiths Association gave demonstrations at the event. they actually just put a new roof on the structure. They’ve definitely saved it.” Moreira believes that the people who attended the Hammer-In not only had a fun time, but learned something as well.
“I think that what they [the festival-goers] take away is just a sense of the county’s history and the region’s history,” she said. “Also, seeing the blacksmith’s demonstrations, they just get a sense of how things
used to be – how back then not everything was made super-quickly. It took time. I think that everyone involved and everyone who attended was able to get a sense of connection to their heritage and their history.”
The golf teams were back in action this past week. Read more on C3
Thursday, April 26, 2012 FINALE SERIES: PART 3
Track & field preps for PAC Championships
A sports journalist and his story
Women win PAC quad meet in last regular season test
Dave Floyd
By Cam Posney Staff Writer Following a quick turn around after the Westminster Invitational, the Yellow Jacket tracksters made great progress in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference quad meet held last Wednesday at
Bethany College. Waynesburg, Bethany, Washington & Jefferson and Geneva all competed at the PAC South Quad Meet. Head coach Jason Falvo used the meet to gauge the teams’ progress instead of going for the win, and huge progress was made. The women won their third straight PAC quad meet win, and the men took third, while making huge progress. “We were very specific in our events; we were
using them to get better for [the PAC Championships] next week,” said Falvo. “We made huge progress, and our girls actually took a W.” The Jacket women have a trio of monumental events ahead. First and foremost, they could become the first Waynesburg team to win the PAC Championship. Falvo believes that this is the best overall team in See TRACK on C2
Photo by Dave Miller, ADM Photography
Senior Krystal Baker competes in a field event in Waynesburg’s recent meet at Westminster.
Senior Sports Editor
PAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
No lists this time. Just one big body of text, completing my threepart finale series and reflecting on the past four years of covering athletics both at Waynesburg and elsewhere. And what a four years it’s been. I knew I’d gain a ton of valuable experience as a member of the Department of Communication here. Heck, that’s why I decided on Waynesburg University in the first place. However, I never thought I’d have as many unforgettable experiences as I did. And this commentary is only about those that deal with sports. (See page ?? for all my other WU experiences.) In my time here, I’ve worked Pitt football and Steelers games for ESPN and Fox. I’ve written about everything from bull riding to women’s football in the Yellow Jacket. I’ve announced everything from women’s soccer to wrestling on WCYJ-FM. And I’ve even called a D-I basketball game featuring Saint Francis (Pa.) and Duquesne. Here’s maybe my two favorites, though… - Last March, along with fellow senior Jon Ledyard, I had the privilege of calling the 2011 Presidents’ Athletic Conference men’s basketball title game between Bethany and host Thiel. Beeghly Gymnasium was packed; the media guide said it could hold less than a thousand, but there were 1,300-plus in attendance. Talk about being able to let the crowd take over a broadcast. The game went down to the wire, and having the opportunity to call it was one of the more exciting experiences of my collegiate career. - Late last April, I was walking to dinner when I received a phone call from men’s tennis player Jon Anderson. He asked me what I was doing the next weekend and then proceeded to explain that the team wanted me to join them for the remaining
Softball wins one Men’s tennis places fifth against Bethany Four Jackets earn fourth-place finishes By Aaron Thompson By Rob Longo Editorial Assistant This past weekend, the Waynesburg men’s tennis team traveled to the Penn Briar Athletic Club in Erie, Pa., to compete in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships. The Yellow Jackets exceeded preseason expectations by finishing fifth. At the beginning of the season, Waynesburg was projected to finish sixth in the conference. Grove City won its 22nd straight team title by claiming eight out of the nine flights, including all three doubles brackets. Grove City freshman Peter Riley earned PAC Player of the Year honors after winning the number-one singles bracket in straight sets. Riley was also one-half of Grove City’s victorious first doubles pair. Wolverines head coach Joe Walters secured PAC Coach of the Year honors, as well, in his final season at the helm. Junior Jon Anderson, seniors Jason Logan and Pete Mally and freshman Phillip Littlejohn were the standouts for the Jackets. Anderson claimed fourth place at third singles and also helped take fourth place at second doubles alongside Mally. Logan also claimed a fourthplace finish at fifth singles and was able to take fourth place at third doubles, as well, with the help of Littlejohn.
“There were times where we played well and times we didn’t meet expectations,” said freshman Colin Phillips, who played first doubles. Phillips continued to talk about the future of the Jacket tennis team. “With Pete and Jason graduating, two singles and doubles positions will need to be filled,” Phillips said. “However, we have four strong freshmen right now, and we have Jon and Joe [Kromer] as the upperclassmen next year.” One of those upperclassmen, Anderson, also spoke about the PAC tournament and what to expect for next year. “It was kind of a disappointing finish to the season,” Anderson said. “However, the conference was tough, and we did what we could. “We have a solid group of young players that should help out down the road,” he added. “We had a lot of fun playing this year, and that’s always more important than winning.” In addition to having fun, Phillips is also setting the bar high next year. He said, “If we play up to our potential, I could see serious growth in the Waynesburg University tennis program.”
Assistant Sports Editor The Waynesburg softball team traveled to Bethany Sunday afternoon for a rare Sunday Presidents’ Athletic Conference doubleheader. Waynesburg (5-9, 16-16) and Bethany (5-9, 8-23) split the two games, as the Yellow Jackets routed the Bison 8-0 in game one before Bethany shut out Waynesburg in game two 2-0. Both teams’ hopes of a PAC playoff berth remain slim after the doubleheader split, as both teams sit at 5-9 in the conference heading into the final week. Missing the tournament certainly has to be a little disappointing to both teams, as Bethany was picked as the preseason favorite to win the conferSee SOFTBALL on C3
Baseball splits with PS-Altoona By Jon Ledyard Staff Writer
Photo by Kimber Blair
Gearing up for the stretch run to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Tournament, the Yellow Jackets baseball team recently split a nonconference doubleheader against Penn State Altoona. Waynesburg took the first game, 13-5, before dropping game two, 7-6.
The Jackets used nine hits, six walks and four Altoona errors to post those 13 runs in the first game, including a five-run first inning that gave Waynesburg an advantage it would not relinquish. “One through nine in the batting order I think we really believe in each other,” said shortstop Kyle Sasala. “We have See WU on C3
Lacrosse team snaps skid with one-goal victory Shepas sets new record with four assists in game By Kyle Oland Editorial Assistant
After a tough stretch of games that resulted in a seven-game losing streak, the Waynesburg lacrosse team finally snapped out of its funk, defeating Division II West Virginia Wesleyan 14-13 last Thursday at John F. Wiley Stadium. With their second win of the year, the Yellow Jackets matched a program high for victories in See REFLECTIONS on C4 a season.
Photo by Kimber Blair
Sophomore Maddie Pierienger (3) tries to control a loose ball in the Yellow Jackets’ skid-snapping win against West Virginia Wesleyan last Thursday at Wiley Stadium. The game was tight from start to finish with neither team taking more than a two-goal lead until
Wesleyan scored six of seven goals during a 12and-a-half-minute stretch that turned a 5-3 Jacket
lead into a 9-6 advantage for the visiting team. At the 2:16 mark of the first half, sophomore
Toria Shepherd scored an unassisted goal to trim the Wesleyan lead to 9-7 at halftime. The Jacket defense tightened in the second half, as Waynesburg scored the first three goals of the half to take a 10-9 lead. Shepherd, senior Maria Shepas and junior Mandy Ormsby recorded the trio of scores before the Bobcats responded with a goal to tie the game at 10-10 with 13:51 remaining in the game. Over the next nine minutes, the scoring would go back and forth as both teams traded See LACROSSE on C2
YELLOW JACKET
Page C2
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Sports MEN’S
AND
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Griffiths wraps up first spring season Men sweep spring games; women win one of two By Nick Farrell Editorial Assistant The Waynesburg men’s and women’s soccer teams wrapped up their respective spring seasons during the past two weekends. The men concluded the spring season with a couple of wins on April 14, while the women split two games on April 21. Head coach Carl Griffiths said that he had a few goals for both sides going into his first spring as the leader of the Yellow Jackets. “The real goals of the spring were to sharpen the
Track preps for PACs Continued from C1
the history of the program at Waynesburg. “I feel this is the best group of athletes we’ve had here,” said Falvo. “And the best thing is we are young.” And he is exactly right; they are very young. Across the board, the team only has two seniors. Krystal Baker, who competes in the triple jump, high jump and pole vault events, and Maria Shepas, who competes in 1,500-meter event, the
“The real goals of the spring were to sharpen players’ technical abilities, to see where they’re at and to see what strengths and weaknesses we’re dealing with.” Carl Griffiths Head men’s and women’s soccer coach
players’ technical abilities, to see where they’re at and to see what strengths and weaknesses we’re dealing with,” said Griffiths. “Also, I wanted to help the players get an idea of what I’m looking for as far as creating a style of play here from a tactical perspective.” According to Griffiths, this new style of play will include a much faster
pace of soccer, as well as better ball movement, one-on-one defense and an intense offensive attack as a unit. Griffiths also used the spring to gain an understanding of the player personnel on both squads. This understanding will allow the teams to prepare for the fall season and will allow Griffiths to begin recruiting new talent that
4x4 relay team and the 800-meter race, are the only seniors. Falvo will look to them for leadership over the next three grueling events. “Maria and Krystal have been strongholds for this program,” said Falvo. “We look to them to perform well and lead well in this long stretch ahead of us.” The PAC Championships will be held this Friday and Saturday, and Waynesburg feels very strongly about its chances to take a title back home. Falvo feels that both the men and women squads are in the top three in the PAC currently.
“We are looking to bring back a title after this weekend,” said Falvo. “I feel great about our chances. Our athletes are peaking at the right time, and I am very proud of them.” After the PAC Championships, the team will look forward to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships, which will be held May 17 and 18. The ECACs will be very big for the Jackets, as they have accomplished their goal of 18 athletes qualifying in their events. After the ECAC Championships, a few of the Jacket tracksters will look forward to the National
will fill voids left by graduates and transfers. “As I recruit, I’m trying to make sure that I’m looking for players who are equally as good or better, so [the spring] has given me a better idea of where I should be there,” Griffiths said. Both teams have suffered some critical losses this offseason. The women lost key, including the likes of striker Courtney Ebersole, midfielder Terrin Crist and goalkeeper Katrina Kelly. “The women have some major leadership that has stepped away. As we lose that leadership, I am looking to see which ladies are ready to step up and fill the leadership See JACKETS on C4
Championships which will be held May 24, 25 and 26. National champion hopefuls sophomore Megan Sowers in the javelin event, junior Megan Donovan in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, junior Kurt Bonnet in the discus event, and freshman Byrum Louco in the 400 hurdles should be representing the Jackets. And Falvo is very happy about this. “Nationals are a huge deal, and we are very proud of our athletes,” said Falvo. “Our goal before the season was five athletes to nationals. We currently have four, and that number can only increase.”
Photo by Kimber Blair
Freshman defender Bre Tyler tries to split two players in the Jackets’ 14-13 win over West Virginia Wesleyan.
Lacrosse snaps skid Continued from C1 goals. With the score tied at 13-13 and just less than four minutes to play, Shepherd scored on a free position shot to put the Jackets ahead 14-13. Waynesburg was able to hold onto the ball for the last seconds of the game to run out the clock. Head coach Tom Zacoi credited his defense and the trio of Burry, freshman Bre Tyler and sophomore Morgan Desmond for shutting down the West Virginia Wesleyan offense in the second half. “Thursday’s nail biter was as close to a total team win as we’ve ever played,” said Zacoi. “With that being said, it was a tail of two halves. During the first half, too many players tried to carry the team on their back, and it didn’t work. After a heartto-heart talk at halftime, the girls came out and played like a team; they took control of the game
and won.” In the game, Shepas led all players with eight total points, including a program-record four assists. Shepherd led all goal scorers with six tallies, while Burry made 13 saves. Subsequently, the victory was short lived as Zacoi’s team was back in action just two days later against Division II Urbana. Despite playing down two players the entire game, the Blue Knights did not seem fazed. They built a 5-1 halftime lead and 12-3 advantage with less than seven minutes remaining in the game en route to a 13-7 win. “When the girls saw Urbana only had 10 players, I fear all of us, [myself] included, thought it was going to be an easy [game],” he said. “The team came out undisciplined and flat during the first half.” The Jackets concluded their season yesterday at home against Thiel. A win would mark the first three-win season in program history. Results, however, were not available at press time.
YELLOW JACKET
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Page C3
Sports
Athlete of the Week
Men’s golf team returns to action PAC Championships canceled for both men and women
Multi-sport athlete excels for lacrosse and track & field
By Lucas Diethorn Editorial Assistant
By Aaron Thompson
Shepas
Assistant Sports Editor Four-year athletic standout Maria Shepas has made countless contributions in multiple sports during her time at Waynesburg. That success continued this past week as Shepas turned in an impressive performance for the Jacket lacrosse team to earn our final Yellow Jacket Athlete of the Week award of the 2011-12 sports season. Shepas, who ranks as the school’s all-time leading scorer, tallied six goals and six assists for a total of 12 points this past week as the Jacket lacrosse team went 1-1. Shepas combined with sophomore Toria Shepherd to lead the Jackets offensive attack in the team’s 14-13 victory against West Virginia Wesleyan this past Thursday. Shepas netted four goals and four assists. The four assists set a team record for most assists in a single game during the five-year history of the program. Shepas, a former all-PAC performer for the track and field team, made contributions for that squad as well over the past week. She was part of both the 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams that took home first place at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference South Quad Meet last Wednesday.
The Waynesburg men’s golf team returned to action this past Friday and Sunday, following 24 days of rest. On Friday, they played in the Saint Vincent College Invitational, held at Arnold Palmer’s Latrobe Country Club. It was an individual tournament only. Junior Colin Wilson wasted no time getting back into the swing of things, as he finished tied for ninth place with an even 18-hole score of 80. “It felt good just to swing a golf club again for the first time in almost a month. It’s always enjoyable playing competitive golf against other good golfers,” Wilson said. “We also lucked out in that the
File Photo
Junior Colin Wilson led the men’s golf team at both Saint Vincent and Thiel this past week. weather at Saint Vincent was awesome.” Wilson shot a strong 38 on the front nine, followed by a 42 on the back. His score was good enough for seventh out of all Division III golfers and tied him for second amongst the Presidents’ Athletic Conference golfers at the tournament. Mercyhurst’s Jake Pilarski took the medalist honors with a score of 77.
Softball wins one of two
On Sunday, the team played in the Thiel Invitational but finished 11th out of the 11 teams in attendance. Wilson led the team again, placing 13th out of the 55 golfers who participated. La Roche swept the top four spots individually and also took the team victory with a four-man score of 310. Madison Presto also returned to action last
WU splits twinbill
Saturday, representing the Waynesburg women’s golf team at the Saint Vincent Invitational in Latrobe, Pa. Presto finished tied for 10th out of the 24 golfers in the tournament. She finished with an 18-hole score of 96, 49 on the front and 47 on the back. Her score was good enough for third out of all Division III golfers at the event. Seton Hill took home the top team and individual honors, as the Griffins turned in a team score of 332 and Ashley Ward grabbed medalist honors with a 77. Even though both teams were excited to get back to golfing, the season was cut short due to the inclement weather. The PAC Championships were scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, but bad weather forced them to be canceled. Wilson was very disapSee PAC on C4
Continued from C1
Continued from C1
ence, and the Jackets were expected to finish in the top four, as well. Jackets head coach Lou Giachetti preached that he wants the team to remain focused on the final week. “I told them [Monday] night at practice that no softball team here at Waynesburg has ever won 20 games [in a season],” Giachetti said. “It is important to win out and try to get to 20 wins overall and nine in the PAC.” In game one Sunday, the Jackets raced out to a quick 6-0 start after the first two innings. Freshman third baseman Ashley Clark sparked a big three-run first inning when she had a two-run single through the right side to score freshman first baseman Haley Payne and sophomore designated player Madison Presto. The Jackets added three more runs in the second inning, getting a hit from freshman catcher Jess Gavin and an RBI single from Shannon Falleroni, before a big tworun double to left field by Payne. Waynesburg added solo runs in the fourth and fifth innings. A Presto sac fly that scored shortstop Rachael Moon stretched the lead to 7-0 after four innings.
top of their order. Sasala brought home junior Adam Horning with a base hit up the middle before freshman Joseph Smith reached on a fielder’s choice to score senior Mike Neckerman from third. However, Altoona bounced back in dramatic fashion, plating three runs in the bottom of the seventh for the walk-off 7-6 victory. “We have to be more consistent and not just good in two of the three aspects of the game,” said Humiston. “More often than not, if you are shy in two areas out of the three major ones—hitting, pitching and fielding— then you are not going to win many games. If you look at teams like W&J, they don’t make many mistakes, and they capitalize on your mistakes, and that’s why they are so successful every year.” Waynesburg is now 1914 overall and 8-9 in conference play, putting them just out of playoff position as of early this week. “All games are the same to me, so I was still upset when we lost even though it was nonconference,” said Sasala. “But everyone on this team knows what we have to do and is inspired and ready to go.” Waynesburg returned to action Wednesday at Grove City. Results were unavailable at press time. The Jackets face Geneva this weekend for another PAC series.
very pleased with the results of the spring season. “All in all, I think this spring was a very successful experience,” he said. “I feel like I have a really good gauge on the players we have, I feel like they have a good understanding of the things I’m demanding of them and I think that the scrimmages, as a culmination of the spring, showed us that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Jackets wrap up spring Continued from C2 void,” said Griffiths. “As far as the ability of our players, I feel that we are very, very capable.” The men have lost even more this offseason, as team leaders like Dave Floyd and Erick Burke will graduate in May. On top of this, some of Way-
The Jackets offense did a good job manufacturing a run in the fifth inning. After outfielder Jenna Dorazio drew a walk, Gavin sacrificed her to second base. Then with two outs, sophomore left fielder Jasmine Blackwell drove in Dorazio with an RBI single. After all was said and done the Jackets scored at least one run in four of the five innings as they coasted to a five-inning 8-0 victory. Blackwell, Falleroni, Payne and Clark all finished with two hits apiece to pace the Jackets offense. Sophomore Carrie Maier silenced the Bethany bats, limiting the Bison to two hits in five innings for the completegame, shutout victory. The eight runs marked the highest output by the Jackets offense in PAC play, and Giachetti credited the team’s approach. “In game one we start-
ed swinging at the first pitch and were successful,” he said. “In game two we were still there, but we just couldn’t get that key hit.” In game two, the Bison scored two runs in the top of the third and that was it for the scoring. Waynesburg was only able to muster five hits, two of which came from Dorazio. The Jackets put two runners in scoring position with one out on the board in both the second and fifth innings, but couldn’t push a run across home plate. Maier dropped game two in the circle. She pitched another complete game, allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out one to move her record to 10-8 on the season. Despite the slim hopes of making the playoffs, Giachetti still sees positives from the season and doesn’t think that the preseason expectations for
his young squad were too high. “I think the coaches based it on the fact that we had some key players back,” Giachetti said. “I thought we had talent. Maybe in some of those one-run games, youth played a part.” Giachetti knows that no matter how the last week finishes up that there is plenty of room to improve next season. “We need to be more consistent at the mound,” he said. “I think we need to hit the ball more and be more assertive at the plate.” Waynesburg was scheduled to face Chatham at home Wednesday for a PAC doubleheader on senior day. Results, however, were unavailable at press time. The Jackets wrap up the regular season Saturday when they travel to rival W&J for another conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
confidence and know that we can go out and get it done at the plate.” The Lions battled back from the early 5-0 deficit to tie the Jackets heading into the fifth inning. But Waynesburg came roaring back, scoring the game’s final eight runs over the final three innings to bury the Lions. Senior Nick Berdine, whose three-run shot to left field in the sixth inning all but sealed the game for Waynesburg, led the charge. It was the left fielder’s fifth home run of the year, all of which have come in the Jackets last eight games. “He still has some ugly at-bats, but he’s seeing the ball extremely well right now,” said head coach Mike Humiston. “What I like about Nick is that even after he’s hit a home run, he still has that mindset that it isn’t all about him, but it’s about the team and moving guys over with hits and stuff like that.” Sophomore hurler Zach Kreke picked up the win for Waynesburg, giving up 11 hits and four earned runs while fanning two in the complete game effort. The second game was a back-and-forth affair in which Waynesburg broke open a 4-4 game in the top of the seventh with some timely hitting from the
nesburg’s other offensive talent will not be returning due to transfers. “I think as far as the talent goes, every so often you have talented players that move on, but because of their attitude, the talent and attitude sometimes even out to being just a mediocre player,” Griffiths said. “So, I think in that way our team camaraderie and team unity will be stronger. “As far as the players that are graduating, I can
already see some new leaders emerging within our junior and senior classes and even some sophomores who will be stepping up in some big ways. I’m excited to see that.” According to Griffiths, during the spring, the men had stronger numbers than the women, due in part to injuries. That forced Griffiths to work different aspects of the game with each team. The men were success-
ful in both of their fixtures on April 14, defeating Penn State Beaver, 4-1, and Division II Salem International, 3-1. “Because we were able to approach those games organized and with a specific style of play, we really controlled those games as a team,” Griffiths said. With the injuryplagued roster, the women experienced mixed results in two contests this past Saturday. The Jackets lost the first
match to Point Park, 1-0, but bounced back to defeat Division II Ohio Valley, 2-0. Griffiths credited the poor showing against Point Park to the more technical approach in practice, causing a lack of flow in games. “I can see that once we got our own organizational pieces together, we came together very quickly,” said Griffiths, referring to the victory in the second game Saturday. Overall, Griffiths was
Photo by Andrew Buda
Sophomore outfielder Jenna Dorazio takes a pitch in a game earlier this season. Dorazio is part of a young nucleus that will return for the 2013 season.
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Sports
COMMENTARY
Just ‘one of the guys’ Kathryn Ghion Guest Columnist
“Kat, let’s face it; girls have no place in sports broadcasting.” Great words to hear during your first week of college, right? Little did I know that the guys who told me that would soon become my best friends. I’ve been blessed and cursed for my four years here at Waynesburg University to be one of the only female students in the sports broadcasting program within the Department of Communication. It was a blessing because I made four of the best guy friends a girl could possibly ask for. It was a curse for the same reason. Those four guys—Dave Floyd, Dave Franczak, Jon Ledyard and Aaron “Bam” Thompson—and myself grew up together during our years here at Waynesburg. While our relationship may seem like the perfect example of big brother and little sister love, it’s not. I’ve never had four guys who make fun of me, ridicule me, make me cry or make me angry as much as they do. And that’s saying something because
my boyfriends never made me that angry. I’ve also never had anyone that challenges me as much as they do. They are the perfect example of what a sports broadcasting major should be, and without them, I wouldn’t be anywhere close to the announcer I am today. I look up to them. Announcing any sport with them was the hardest assignment I could receive. I knew that I had to be twice as prepared as they were or else I’d get made fun of. Every time I did an interview or report from the sidelines, I always wanted to make them proud and never wanted to say anything that they could pick on me for later. This really made me step up my game. It’s been a privilege to finish my halftime interview and send it “back to you guys”. But through all the teasing, crying, anger and laughs, they’ve truly accepted me as “one of the guys.” Never will I ever find another group of people who I work this well with, and I’m sorry to see it all come to an end. To Floyd, Franny, Jon and Bam, I owe the biggest thank you. Without you, I never would have made it through sports broadcasting. You taught me so much about having pride, passion and enthusiasm for my work, and I’ll never forget it.
Reflections on four years Continued from C1 week and a half of the season and play in the PAC Championships. Turns out, they only had six guys on the roster, and their sixth guy had just gotten hurt. Without him, they couldn’t field a full team for the conference tournament. They had heard I could hold my own in racquetball, and head coach Ron Christman knew me because I had covered the team for the Yellow Jacket. I said I’d never played competitively before, but why not? I went from beat writer to player in a matter of
PAC tourney canceled Continued from C3 pointed after coming off of 24 days of rest to have the tournament canceled. “I’m upset that they canceled the PAC Championships. I didn’t want
moments. At the next weekend’s PAC Championships, I finished second at sixth singles and third at third doubles, scoring the most points for Waynesburg. What a wild 10 days that was, and I can’t thank the other players and Coach Christman enough for making it all to happen. (OK, I know that was a mini-list, but I just couldn’t help myself.) So that’s the abbreviated compendium of my past four years as a sports journalist. But I didn’t just rattle all that off so that you had a better idea of my resume. What is it that gave me all of these memories? One word: sports. As someone who plays them, writes about them,
announces them and talks probably too much about them, I can’t imagine my life without athletics. And I’m sure many of you feel the exact same way. Not much else in this world has the type of impact on people that sports do. It’s a whole other column in itself. In fact, I could probably make a list about it. However, I’m out of time. No more weeks left. No more columns left to write. This is my last week as a member of the Yellow Jacket staff, and in conclusion I just want to thank everyone who’s helped me out along the way and everyone who’s read and supported this award-winning newspaper. What a four years it’s been.
the season to be over just when I was starting to get into a rhythm,” he said. “My goal this season was to repeat as First-Team All-PAC, and now I don’t even have the opportunity. It’s a shame they couldn’t reschedule somehow.” Because of the cancellation this spring, the league used the scores from the PAC Fall Golf Invite to
determine the conference champions on both the men’s and women’s sides. Presto was the highest Jacket finisher, as she placed fourth and won All-PAC First Team honors. Washington and Jefferson took home the team title on the men’s side, while Westminster won the women’s team title.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Congressman to give speech during commencement By Kaitlin Edwards Executive Editor Congressman Timothy Murphy will speak to the graduating seniors during the commencement ceremony on May 13. “Congressman Murphy is really a great representative to speak for the commencement ceremony,” said Waynesburg University President Murphy Timothy Thyreen. “He knows not only the area, but the campus as well. He really has a broad range of knowledge, and the students will benefit by listening to him.” Many factors were a part of the process to chose Murphy as the speaker. “I am honored to be given an opportunity to peak to students,” said Murphy. “The University has a strong mission and strong academics, so I am honored to be considered for this event. I really am thrilled to speak to students.” According to Murphy’s website, he earned a bacheSee MURPHY on AA3
Local reverend to give baccalaureate address to students
Photos courtesy of University Relations
Last year, 702 students graduated from the University. The ceremony took place in the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse due to inclement weather. This year’s baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies will take place beginning at 11 a.m. on May 13.
By Stephanie Laing
not only consistent with the University’s mission, according to Thyreen, but Rev. Dr. Stuart D. it will help him relate Broberg may be with the college the designated pasgraduates. tor of The Church “The students of the Convenant are college graduin Washington, ates. The students Pa., but his plethoare adults—young ra of experience adults—but they and education is are adults,” said Broberg what prompted Thyreen. Waynesburg University’s “[Broberg’s] faith is very Board of Trustees to ask important to him. Learnhim to speak as the Bac- ing and academics are calaureate speaker on very important to him. May 13. He leads one of the “He’s a person that has biggest Presbyterian guided many—probably churches in Southwestern hundreds—of people in Pennsylvania, and obvihis life, and he is a very ously, there is youth in serious academic,” said that church.” Waynesburg University Fashioning his life after President Timothy R. St. Augustine’s “Work as Thyreen. Broberg’s experience is See REVEREND on AA4
Assignments Editor
‘We’re very proud of them’
Graduation services to be held on May 13 By Nick Farrell and Lucas Diethorn Yellow Jacket Staff
The graduating students of the class of 2012 will end their college careers at Waynesburg University at the annual baccalaureate service and commencement ceremony on May 13. Students are asked to robe at promptly 10 a.m. in the Marsh Center, with the procession line beginning at 10:50 a.m. under the direction of Dr. James
Bush, assistant faculty marshal. The baccalaureate service is at 11 a.m. and will take place for the first time in the Roberts Chapel, dedicated in the fall of 2011. Commencement will follow at 2:30 p.m. outside of Miller Hall. The rain site for commencement is the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse, and if a change in venue is made, a notice will be immediately posted on the University website. The University advises that all graduating students must arrive on time to each venue and event. Kelley Hardie, assistant dean of Student Services,
said that she hopes that this day will be a time of both reflection and celebration for graduating students and their families. “Personally, I would love to see that students have a better understanding and appreciation of our mission of faith, learning and serving,” said Hardie. “I really hope, as faculty and staff, we have instilled this mission within them, or at least planted the seed of what it means to be a servant leader.” Hardie believes that everything students experience in their time at Waynesburg can be very influential on their profes-
sional careers and family life. All of that experience, in the classroom or in relationships, culminates at the May 13 graduation festivities. “Students have worked very hard to accomplish that diploma and they should be recognized for not only what they have done academically, but what they have done socially and spiritually here at Waynesburg University,” Hardie said. “We’re very proud of them, their families and friends are very proud of them, and we just want to honor them on that special day for all of their accomplishments.”
Week gives seniors time to reflect 2012 senior class By Kyle Oland Editorial Assistant When looking back at his time at Waynesburg University, Dave Rykala, a senior sports management major, smiled thinking about all the memories he has made. During his senior year, he lived with five of his best friends: Aaron Thompson, Dave Floyd, Jon Ledyard, James Allenby and Dave Franzcak in an off-campus house. Rykala said that he has
“We want to enjoy one last week together because the whole house probably won’t get back together.” Dave Rykala Senior sports management major
made so many memories with those five guys during his senior year. Rykala recalled Thompson yelling [“Legggo baby”] at 2 a.m. out the windows every night.
Or every time a sports game was on, there would always be arguments and fights over the games. “Our house was never quiet – that was for sure,” Rykala said. “There was
always so much energy and enthusiasm in the house.” With their time together quickly coming to an end, Rykala said the group has a number of activities planned for dead week, the week in between the end of the semester and their graduation on May 13. “We have some stuff planned [for dead week],” Rykala said. “We want to enjoy one last week together because the See WEEK on AA2
donates gift to mission trip fund By Amanda Wishner Online Content Coordinator Waynesburg University’s senior class had the opportunity to give back to their alma mater on Wednesday, April 25. Following a mandatory meeting at 3 p.m. in the Goodwin Performing Arts
Center, members of the senior gift committee presented President Timothy Thyreen with a collective check from their class, followed by a brief reception in Johnson Commons. This year, the money See SENIORS on AA5
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Thursday, April 26, 2011
Commencement
Grad school becoming popular option for graduating seniors By Sandor Mecs Staff Writer The basic choice concerning life after undergraduate schooling has always been whether to continue on to a graduate institution, or to seek immediate employment. The consensus among the mainstream media seems to be that the American economy is recovering, it has not produced a consistent analysis of whether the job outlook is improving. Some have mentioned the permeation of a tactic whereby students will attend graduate school, not only to enhance their skills, but also to attempt to ride
Photo by Jessica Sarnoskie
Senior business major Eric Gray takes notes during one the grad classes he has been taking over the past year. Grad school is becoming a popular alternative to finding a job immediately after college. out grim times. According to Maddie Snyder, an admissions
counselor at Waynesburg, the typical mindset of students at the
University has been to enter the workforce immediately.
Job outlook positive for future graduates By Kyle Edwards Region Editor Graduation is close at hand, and soon, the graduating seniors will move on to the next step in their lives: the work force. Marie Coffman, director of Career Services and Placement said that the current job market is ripe for the picking, as long as you are driven enough. “It is a full time job looking for a job, some students don’t realize that going into it. You have to do a lot of research. You have to apply to a lot of jobs,” she said. “The jobs are out there – I really think the job outlook is good right now. Our board
here in the office is covered – we get several job offers in a day – and we post them on our online board as well, so honestly, I think this is a good time to graduate. I don’t think too many of them will struggle, as long as they are willing to take those entry-level jobs.” In the Career Services office, Coffman and her staff offer students a wide variety of services, including help with creating a resume and cover letter, practicing for job interviews, help with grad school essays and many more. “For seniors in particular, we do have resumes here to show them what it should look like – we have some templates and
things. They still need to But Coffman said that make it their own, but graduates hoping to we’ll work with them remain in the Pittsburgh one-on-one,” Coffman area should not despair. said. “We help under“There are a lot of graduates find intern- things happening in this ships as well. We also do area, as long as they’re mock interviews to help willing to start at the them get an idea of what entry-level position and that process is like.” work their way up,” Coffman said that, Coffman said. “That’s while the Washington the way to do it. You’ve D.C. area is always look- got to get your foot in the ing for jobs, there isn’t door before you can start one area that is showing making those megamore job openings than bucks. Sometimes it others. takes a reality check to “The major cities are realize that, but the jobs where the students are here.” should really look first. Coffman explained Students from this area I that any job offer that is usually encourage to sent to her office is postlook outside of this area, ed on the corkboard in at least for a few years,” the Career Services she said. “They can See NETWORKING on AA4 always move back.”
“I think more students immediately look towards finding work,
Week gives opportunity Continued from AA1 whole house probably won’t get back together.” According to Rykala, he and his friends are looking to do a lot of golfing, go paintballing and maybe make a road trip to Baltimore to watch the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers. Rykala said that all the guys in the house are big sports fans, and that many of them want to watch a baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and see the Rangers Josh Hamilton play. The group of friends also know people in Eastern Pennsylvania, so they may stop and stay with
but I know of a number who had a situation similar to the one I was in,” Snyder said. “They were looking for work near home in Southwestern Pa., or face issues finding a job that related to their career. So I think a lot of students use going back to school as a good go-to if they can’t find a job or have a part time job that they can balance it out with.” In terms of the concern that the additional debt that would be racked up by attending graduate school, Snyder said that she personally thinks it is a smart deciSee GRAD on AA4
them during their road trip. Being able to relax over dead week will definitely be a rejuvenating time for Rykala and his friends who have had a long year. “This whole year has been a roller coaster of a year,” he said. “There have been some valleys and some high points – but more high points for sure.” Through all the six friends have experienced during their time at Waynesburg, the week before graduation will surely create more memories for Rykala and his friends. “It’s the last hoorah for us all,” he said. “Just hanging out with the boys – it’s a fitting end to the end of college. No jobs, no tests, no places to be – we can just kick back and do whatever we want.”
Senior Week Schedule
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Thursday, April 26, 2011
Page AA3
Commencement
Senior receives prestigious service award Funding changes By Alex Hinton
examined for fall
Op/Ed Editor For many students at Waynesburg University, service is a very familiar part of life. Every student is required to do some type of service before he or she graduates, whether it is a mission trip or 30 hours of volunteer work. Certain students go above and beyond the simple amount of required service work and dedicate a great deal of their time, energy and effort to help those in need. Leeann Danley, senior elementary and special education major, is one of several students that has dedicated much of her life to serving others. “I’m a Bonner Scholar, so I’ve had a long term commitment to the Waynesburg Senior Center and St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen,” Danley said. “I’ve gone on the Guatemala mission trip three times.” Danley was recently awarded the Harry E. Gardner Service Award. The University selects one student and one organization each year to be recognized for exemplifying the spirit of service. Colleges Against Cancer was the organizational recipient of the Gardner Service Award. CAC plans many events throughout the school year to help raise awareness and funds for cancer and plays a big role in the annual Mini-Relay For Life. Along with the Senior Center and St. Ann’s,
Murphy to give speech Continued from AA1 lor’s degree from Wheeling Jesuit University, a master’s degree from Cleveland State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating from college, he served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1997-2002. “We’ve had senators, congressmen and other politicians before come to speak, but very few were as closely linked with the University as [Murphy]
By Sara Faiad Staff Writer
Photo by Gracias Shavers
Senior elementary and special education major Leeann Danley recently received the Harry E. Gardner Service Award. She is currently a Bonner Scholar. Danley has also served with several other organizations including Bowlby Library, Laughlin Memorial Chapel and World Vision. “[Serving is] what we’re called to do in the Gospel, and the University’s commitment to service and the needs in Greene County showed me how important it is to get out of your own little world and serve the needs of others,” Danley said. Aside from Danley, several other students were nominated for the Gardner Service Award, including Andrew Dennis, senior business management major, Kaitlyn Karan, senior nursing major, Jessica Malingowski, senior forensic
is,” said Thyreen. “Now that he now represents this campus for the state, he is very important to all of us at the University.” Speakers for commencement are nominated to speak by the nominating committee on the University Board of trustees. Speakers are selected on a variety of considerations including their impact within the community. Murphy has been involved in many different areas other than politics throughout the past several years. “He has not just been a representative, but also a private career in health-
accounting major, Sarah Markwardt, senior biblical ministries and international studies major and Mary Sallach, junior athletic training major. Winners were announced during the chapel service on April 10. “There were many other people in front of the chapel who also deserved the award,” Danley said. “I’m thankful to the committee for selecting me.” Serving people in other parts of the world has influenced Danley’s life. “I’ve been able to travel and develop a worldview by going on mission trips,” she said. “I’m from a rural and homogeneous small town. It gave me a chance
to see how people in the rest of the world live.” Danley credits others for her recognition at the chapel service. “I definitely didn’t get there myself. So many other people helped and supported me,” Danley said. Although she graduates next month, Danley’s strong commitment to service will continue. “I’m planning to leave at the end of June to serve 10 months in Guatemala, in the same town where I served on the mission trips,” she said. “I plan to teach English to young women who want to be international secretaries and to care for the children at the center.”
“More important than the speech is what they have done with their life, because we hope that our graduates will see someone who has made a difference with their life.” Timothy R. Thyreen Waynesburg University President
care and has been involved in many different other pursuits,” said Thyreen. “He just has a broad range of knowledge.” Murphy has worked as psychologist and within the health field. He is a member of the
House Energy and Commerce Committee and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Environment and Economy. He also sits on two additional subcommittees including Health and Oversight and Investigations.
As the 2011-2012 school year draws to an end, Waynesburg University’s financial aid staff members examine the fund fluctuations for next semester. The Director of Financial Aid, Matthew Stokan explains the financial processes. “Throughout the year, the university processed approximately $35 million. Of that $35 million about one-third is the institution’s money,” Stokan said. “ One-third of all funds are Waynesburg University’s own money.” While combating an increase in government cuts, Waynesburg University’s 2011-2012 fund still increased by about one million dollars. “With state grants decreasing and educational costs rising, Waynesburg University administration takes assertive actions to make costs as low as possible,” said Stokan. In turn, the university increased independent aid in order to compensate for government decreases. As a private university, Waynesburg manages to keep tuition prices at a minimum. According to the Waynesburg Financial Aid homepage, “Waynesburg University strives to make higher education affordable for all students.” “During the 2011-2012 academic year, more than 85 percent of the students attending the University received some form of financial aid assistance,” said Stokan. “We wish to make Waynesburg University affordable,” said Robin King, senior vice president of enrollment and marketing. “Next year tuition costs will rise to about $28,000, but the University is using it’s own institutional dollars to increase student aid,” said Stokan. “We must see funds as big picture. There’s one pot, so to speak.” “All of the institution’s funds combine into one huge account,” King said, confirming the “pots” existence. “One fund produces the money needed to create and support grants and scholarships.” As seniors graduate and leave Waynesburg University, underclassman wonder what becomes of senior grants and scholarships. “Senior money goes back into the pot,” said King. Thus, the answer for all pondering underclassman, senior funds return to the “pot,” and returning students receive the financial benefits.
“He was chosen to speak not only by the fact that he has a leadership position, but how he uses his leadership position to advance humankind,” said Thyreen. “He has a great knowledge of healthcare and really cares about people, he has really been a leader in the field.” The congressman also works with soldiers who suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as other groups. “Christianity is an important part of my life and has been my moral compass for many years,” said Murphy. “It’s a great advantage for students to have this opportunity for an education like this even though they might not realize it now.” The mission of the University played a key role in Murphy speaking at this event.
“His Christian religion is very important to him, and he lives it out in the way he serves human kind,” said Thyreen. “This is very important to mission of the University, and his active involvement was also a deciding factor.” Currently, Murphy lives in Upper St. Clair with his family. Murphy has not revealed what he will be speaking about during the ceremony as of presstime. “More important than their speech is what they have done with their life, because we hope that our graduates will see someone who has made a difference with their life,” said Thyreen. “We wanted to have a commencement speaker that has done just that. We think Congressman Murphy will show just that. I think he will be an excellent speaker.”
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Thursday, April 26, 2011
Commencement
The impact of social media
Reverend to give address
Facebook plays key role in job interviews By Eric Bost Staff Writer Facebook is one of the most popular Internet sites today. People can upload photographs to their wall and update their status as many times as they want per day. It is so popular that it seems like everybody has one. For graduating college seniors looking to begin their new career, Facebook is becoming more and more of their worst nightmare, instead of just a website. Like usual, those looking for employment right out of college eventually have the chance to sit down for a face-to-face interview with a few managers from the company. They are asked questions that typically give the future employer the best-possible look into the character of the person they are looking to hire. Nowadays, companies are adding a few more questions in their repertoire in order to find more about your charac-
ter. One word: Facebook. More and more companies are starting to ask for Facebook passwords in job interviews. It is actually becoming more of a trend according to Marie Coffman, director of the Career Center at Waynesburg University. “I think it’s going to become more popular, but I think students are becoming wise to it so they know ahead of time,” said Coffman. In a study done by CareerBuilder.com in 2009, nearly two in five companies or 37 percent use social networking sites like Facebook to research job candidates. According to the study, 65 percent of the companies that used these methods of interviewing said that they used it to see if the candidate presented themselves professionally. Companies also looked to find out other things about the interviewee, including reasons to not hire the candidate. “Employers spend so much money in reten-
Continued from AA1
tion costs. It costs a lot of money to advertise for a job. It costs a lot to train a new employee coming in, you have to pay Human Resources people for all of that so they want to hire a good person with good morals and values,” said Coffman. “They are trying to watch for potential problems. Your Facebook tells a lot about you: what extracurricular activities are you into, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Is it fair? I don’t know because they are putting it out there onto the Internet.” No matter the reasons, Coffman said that companies risk the
chance of crossing the moral and virtue line that they want their future employees want to have. “Personally, I think that asking for their Facebook information is going too far, unless it is dealing with someone working with children,” said Coffman. “If you are working for these big companies like Consol, maybe they are trying to protect their name, so they have to be careful who they are associating their name with.” Whether they cross a line or not, it seems that the companies that are using people’s Facebook See SOCIAL on AA5
though everything depends upon you; pray as though everything depends upon God,” Broberg speaks extensively about issues like stewardship, planned giving, endowment building, capital campaigns, church revitalization and growth, worship and preaching and spiritual renewal. “He is very consistent with Waynesburg University’s mission,” said Thyreen. “He has been a very successful pastor. Not only is he a gifted pastor, he is a theologian and an academician.” In his past, Broberg served as an assistant to the President of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and pastorates in Birmingham, Mich; Hickory, Pa.; Des Moines, Iowa and Alexandra, Va. In addition, he served interim pastorates at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Pittsburgh and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair,
Networking is important Continued from AA2 office, as well as their online board. “It is collegecentral.com/Waynesburg. Any job we get in this office, we post on there. Along with that, we also work with the Liberal Arts Recruiting Association, so any jobs that they get into their schools as well are posted on there,” she said. “It’s kind of neat that we can share that with them. Schools like Thiel [College]– schools that have like-minded missions with Waynesburg:
Grad school proves worth Continued from AA2 sion. “Of course there is the future debt, and student loans from undergraduate will start kicking in at that time too. But I think you can always get more education, and if you have the opportunity to go further and advance it, I think that’s something you should do,” she said. “Getting a master’s degree, learning to go and present in front of your peers, that can all help you towards reaching a higher position within your career.” When it comes to the statistics, Marie Coffman, director of Career Services and Placement at Waynesburg University said that in the past
Photo by Jessica Sarnoskie
Waynesburg University offers many graduate-level classes for students. Graduate school is becoming a popular option for students in the current economy, as well as those who want to continue their education. they’re small, they’re liberal arts – we share with them. They’re not just local jobs, either. The board
itself is national, so we have job offers coming in from all across the country.” Coffman’s biggest
piece of advice to the soon-to-be graduates is networking. “Networking is huge. If you know someone
years, the figure of students going to grad school has been 10 percent. “Last year it went up to about 16 percent. My guesstimate is this year we’re probably going to somewhere up over 20 percent,” said Coffman. “I think that the reason is twofold. I think that students are worried about the economy and thinking that a masters’ degree will put them a step ahead, which is true. And I think some of it is some students are unsure where to go with their bachelor’s degree. That’s really the wrong reason to go ahead and pay all that money to get a master’s degree.” According to Coffman, the jobs outlook from her perspective isn’t as bad as the media has made it out to be. “We have a lot of entry level jobs coming
through this office. Students need to be willing to relocate. They need to be willing to work those entry level jobs, get their foot in the door, and work their way up,” she said. Coffman said that in conclusion, trying to wait out bad economic times by going to graduate school is definitely irresponsible. “If they’re still unsure
on which way they should go, they should definitely work for a couple years, try to figure that out first,” Coffman said. “Then they can think about grad school. Then there’s always the option that an employer will help subsidize grad school, which is a great benefit, and there are employers out there that will do that.”
who works at a certain company, call them up and ask if you can shadow them for a day,” she said. “That’s big. Just get
Pa. He attended Dickinson College and the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pa., Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J. and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. And now, as this year’s Baccalaureate speaker, Broberg was elected to the University’s Board of Trustees and will receive an honorary doctorate from the University. “He was thrilled when the University asked,” said Thyreen. “He said it is an honor. When he heard that he would also get an honorary doctorate, he was moved by that.” As a lifelong Presbyterian, born and raised in Washington County and ordained by the Washington Presbytery 25 years ago, Broberg exemplifies the kind of person the University hopes its college graduates will model their lives and careers after, according to Thyreen. “Clearly this person through his life has demonstrated how his faith has enabled him to do great things with his life,” said Thyreen. “If graduates see that as a model, that would be nice.”
your name out there. Those face-to-face encounters are the best way to do it.” Aside from that, Coffman offers one last piece of wisdom to seniors. “Before they gradutate, if they have not got their resume fine-tuned, they at least need to come in and have us look at that. I can meet with them one-on-one and we can go over some job searching tools; things like that,” Coffman said. “Some of them I’ve seen at least three or four times, and that’s good. They need to be a go-getter. You need to be motivated to go out and find the jobs, no one is going to do it for you. So go out there and start getting your name out there.”
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Thursday, April 26, 2011
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Commencement
Nationally, graduates could face average of $25,000 in debt
Photo by Beth Merry
The seniors decided to donate their class gift to the Waynesburg University mission trip fund to help students financially with future mission trips. Evan Kephart attended a mission trip to Africa last summer and was able to work with children.
By Angela Wadding Staff Writer As graduation quickly approaches, one thing is sure to be on students’ minds. Debt. This is also on the mind of President Obama, who has taken an interest in college-age voters. In a weekly radio address, President Obama focused on making higher education accessible to Americans and also making it affordable. “We should be doing everything we can to put higher education within reach for every American,” he said in the radio address. This is very important, in fact Obama said, “It’s never been so important. But here is the thing: it has also never been so expensive.” Obama went on to say that students with loans graduate college with an average of $25,000 in debt, which is more than most people owe on their credit cards. Obama plans to visit colleges throughout the country this week discussing ways to make college more affordable for students. President Obama stated that if Congress does not react to this problem soon, then by July 1 interest rates would double on some student loans and almost 7.5 million students will suffer. But what does this mean for Waynesburg University graduates? This will not affect graduating seniors or current college students. However, it will affect incoming freshmen. After July 1 all new loans issued will double, making the interest 6.8 percent. Roy Barnhart, Vice President for Business and Finance, offered this advice to seniors: “One of the most important things students can learn is how to manage their debt and to figure how much debt they can tolerate in their budget.” Barnhart said one of the worst things students can do is to ignore the debt. It is best to start making payments as soon as possible to establish a budget. “Our students are very good at paying back their loans,” said Melissa Crouse, associate director of financial aid. “We don’t have a huge issue with default to this point our students have always been pretty good with taking care of their debt.” Less than four percent of Waynesburg University students default on their loans, meaning they do not pay them back. Crouse also offered advice to graduating students and current students. “I think it is important for students to know how much they are borrowing each year,” she said. “I think sometimes students are shocked when they graduate and they see how much they have borrowed in four years. Keep the amount in perspective and don’t borrow more than you need.” In the mean time, the White House is planning a social media campaign with Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. They are encouraging students to use the hash tag #DontDoubleMyRate in hopes of persuading Congress to take a second look at increasing the interest rates.
Seniors donate Continued from AA1 will once again go toward the University’s mission trip fund. The practice of donating a senior gift is an enduring tradition at the University. According to Courtney Dennis, assistant director of Alumni Relations, the cost of tuition covers only 75 percent of what it costs to educate an individual student, and the remaining 25 percent comes from gifts from alumni and friends. “It’s a good way of getting outgoing seniors to become a part of the alumni community,” she said. “The Office of Alumni Relations strives to find ways keep our students involved and continue to foster a relation-
Social media affects jobs Continued from AA4
accounts seem smarter than those that haven’t caught on to the latest trend.
ship with them after they graduate.” Dennis oversees this process, along with alumni representative and recent Waynesburg University graduate Victoria Kamicker. However, the senior gift committee plays a large role in deciding on selecting the senior gift and collecting the money that will be donated to the mission trip fund this year. Members of this year’s committee include Sean Hunt, Chelsea Knepp, Matthew Miller, Miranda Nash, Eric Platt, Jessica Sarnoski, secretary Kaitlyn Karan, treasurer Chris Stewart and president Jamie Rempel. Each year the president’s office gives the committee a list of suggestions, and the committee decides whether or not to make the decision themselves or extend the voting to the entire senior class.
“This year [the senior gift committee] voted amongst themselves,” Dennis said. “They felt confident speaking for their class with the decision to donate to the mission trip fund.” The money for the senior gift comes from a variety of donations, including the seniors themselves. As in years past, the graduating class was invited to attend a Grad Fair at the University bookstore on March 23 to kick off the 2012 Commencement season. In addition to picking up their caps and gowns, the seniors could make monetary donations toward the senior gift. Students who donated at least $20 received a Waynesburg University Alumni T-shirt in exchange for their contribution. All donators received a University decal.
Letters and emails were also sent to the parents of graduating seniors earlier in the semester and gave them the chance to give back to the University in honor of their graduate. Anyone interested in contributing to the senior gift was able to donate through the University’s online alumni community, Waynesburg United. Julie Putman, a senior psychology major, is glad that the senior gift money will assist the mission trip fund. Putman attended several mission trips throughout her time at Waynesburg University and most recently traveled to Guatemala for the second time in January. “I think giving the senior gift to the mission trip fund is a great idea,” she said. “The gift will benefit future classes and also provide more opportunities for students.”
In the study conducted by CareerBuilder.com, at least 22 percent of the companies that used Facebook accounts found out that the candidate either lied about their qualifications, made discriminatory comments about race, gender, religion, etc., bad-mouthed
their previous employer, had poor communication skills, had information involving drug use or drinking or had provocative photos or info posted on their wall. No matter how controversial the act may be, companies have found a new solution to weed out
hopeful college graduates looking for a job postgraduation. Facebook and other social media sites went from a college student’s ways of mass communication to their potential downfall when they take their first steps into the real world.
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Page AA6
Thursday, April 26, 2011
Commencement
A word from our seniors... College should be The most important college experience a worthwhile time Here is everything you need to know about me in 30 seconds or less: I am sarcastic, stubborn, bossy, power-hungry, probably tired, relentless, unsympathetic, tough, often confused and a redhead that happens to be more than a little cynical. Even more in-depth is what a couple of my close friends think about me (and despite what you have previously read, I do have a few friends): Apparently I am feisty, ubiquitous, smart, considerate, bizarre and awkward (and these were the nice things they said). But when I think of myself, nothing more prominently comes to mind at the moment other than the fact that I am about to graduate. I am about to leave everything that I have grown to love over the past four years behind and move onto to bigger and better things (at least I hope). Graduation. First thought – alright! I don’t have to write any more papers. Yes! Second thought – oh no! What am I going to do for the rest of my life? I can’t do this! I don’t want to graduate! To be honest, it all depends on my mood at the time whether I go with my first thought or second thought (did I mention that I can be a little indecisive sometimes?). I have been writing columns for the Yellow Jacket for the past few years and I not going to lie, I have had some pretty fine moments (did I mention that I can be a little egotistical?). Columns about Harry Potter, columns about black Friday shoppers, columns
KAITLIN EDWARDS Columnist
about my sisters, family, friends, light bulbs, bomb threats, my struggles, my thoughts and how I have changed. All of them have led me to this moment. This very moment. Executive Editor of the spectacular Yellow Jacket newspaper. Every experience, every title, every opportunity, has helped me become who I am today. But these experiences are at an end. The fabulous Sarah Bell will soon be Executive Editor. And I no longer will get to spend hours upon hours in the office with my fellow seniors the wonderful Dave Floyd, Aaron Thompson, and Stephanie Laing, Michelle Naymic, Amanda Rice and Dave Franczak. But that’s ok. Everything works out in the end. Here’s the mandatory advice that is required in every senior goodbye column that was every written. And believe me, if it wasn’t tradition, there would be no advice in this column. My advice – be like Harry Potter. Yes, you read that last line correct (I might have a slight obsession even after several years). If you have read the Harry Potter series, yes, Harry Potter can be a little moody, a little sarcastic, but he is also courageous, adventurous, works hard and doesn’t back down when faced with a challenge. That’s we should all See ENJOY on AA7
Man, did it take me a while to decide what I wanted to write for this. I spent the better part of 15 minutes staring at a blank screen, muttering under my breath about my friend and Executive Editor Kaitlin Edwards. She made me write this column even after realizing I was already doing a farewell commentary in the Sports section about my past four years as a sports journalist. I know. My life’s so difficult, right? Then it hit me. It doesn’t matter that I
DAVID FLOYD
Columnist
already wrote about what does take up most of my time and energy. What I should be writing about is what should take up most of my time and energy. So that’s what I’m going to do. When I decided on Waynesburg University during the spring of my senior year in high school, as I said in my sports col-
The critical lessons my life has taught me Late nights in the Yellow Jacket office. Laughing so hard that my abs hurt the next day. Winning a push up competition against guys—they let me win. Sheetz runs. Thinking that nursing majors have it easy compared to me, but then realizing that I am delusional at 3 a.m. Late nights. These are some of the things
umn, it was because of the strength of the Department of Communication. Whether or not Waynesburg was a Christian institution had little bearing on my decision. I wanted a small school, where I could play soccer and pursue a journalism degree in a strong academic program. Now, don’t get me wrong; my experience with the Department of Communication has been absolutely exceptional, and you can read all about that in my sports column (see page C1). However,
STEPH LAING Columnist
that I remember, and they all are a product of my career at Waynesburg University. This is my last column—my senior column—and instead of being witty, motivational or even challenging, I am writing what is expected. All the nostalgia of the past three years is falling onto these pages, and I don’t know how to handle this. I am sure that the only ones who will read this are those I
what has really changed my life has been the emphasis that the University puts on integrating faith and serving into its learning. I came to Waynesburg in the fall of 2008 as a lukewarm Christian who didn’t understand what it meant to have a deep and intimate relationship with our Creator. But after four years of careful instruction and intentional exposure to life-changing experiences, I believe I have begun to truly grasp See FAITH on AA7
mention, but nonetheless, you deserve to be named. Sarah Bell, I wish you the best of luck next year as the executive editor for the Yellow Jacket. I have always admired and respected you, and I have no doubt that you will handle the responsibility with poise and dedication. Kaitlin Edwards, you always complimented me when I needed it most. Thank you. You will never know or understand how much that meant. Kyle Oland, I have cherished our growing friendship in the past few months. You inspire and challenge me, and I don’t See HUMILITY on AA7
Find your passion, and stick with it Graduation is just a few weeks away. Reality has set in for not only myself but also my fellow graduating classmates. I, like all students approaching graduation, knew this day would come. Lots of people will say they can’t imagine how fast the past four years went or even how quickly their senior year passed. With the year winding down, this last column has been something that
AARON THOMPSON Guest Columnist
has been on my mind for about the past month. We all want to avoid using the standard clichés or cheesy sayings when it comes to discussing graduation. But, for once, I say embrace the clichés. This column gives me one last chance to write
for a paper the Yellow Jacket. The Jacket is something that I have put my entire heart and soul into for the past four years. Naturally, I want to do it the right way. Instead of just reflecting on my time, what I want to do is serve up advice for our readers. Whether you are a fellow graduate, a soon to be senior or an underclassman, read carefully from this point forward. My fellow Department of Communication col-
leagues and I like to do a lot of kidding around up on the fourth floor but I have tried to instill upon them three things. Pride. Passion. Enthusiasm. They all work hand in hand. The main I want to talk about is passion. First of all, you have to have passion. Be passionate about your life, your family, your friends and your dreams. See MAKE on AA7
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Thursday, April 26, 2011
Page AA7
Commencement
Enjoy time at college Continued from AA6 strive for. Something great. Go for it. My thank yous go to everyone who has helped, impacted, encouraged, laughed with me, smiled, flirted, joked, spent time with me, did crazy things and helped to create those moments I will never forget. You know who you are. Four years ago I was shy, timid and not really someone who should be a leader. But that’s not the case now. I am not the same person I was four years ago, and all of you are to blame for it. Now, I didn’t say this was a bad thing, but that’s for all of you to judge. In fact, life would be a lot different (and probably worse) without your influence. Working for the Yellow Jacket has robbed me of sleep, free time, meals, campus events and many other things.
Make most of college Continued from AA6 I always try to encourage everyone to be passionate because it makes life a lot more worthwhile, plus everyone loves to work with people that have passion. I am here to tell you that when I decided to transfer to Waynesburg during my freshman year, there was a time not too long ago that my passion was lacking. However, I found not only a field of study but also a home in the Department of Communication. That became my passion. It doesn’t always happen overnight. Passion can come in many different forms and, believe me; it can always get stronger. I would encourage anyone to get involved in as many organizations and activities as they can, and to make the most of your time here at Waynesburg. While it is important to have fun, it also is very important to make the most of your education. After all, you only get to do this thing once. From my personal experience I would not change a thing about my time here. The journey is always more important that the destination, mainly because the destination changes during your journey. Let whatever happens…happen. I have always been passionate about sports. I grew up playing sports, watching sports, reading about sports and discussing sports. Covering Jacket athletics has truly been a blessing for me. I have got to cover a lot of athletes, coaches and administrators from a lot of different backgrounds. I have covered thrilling
I’m the person who doesn’t have a tan because I’ve spent an overwhelming amount of time indoors working on the newspaper (being a redhead doesn’t help much either, but we can ignore that fact). And the gym – well let’s just say that the gym is the most foreign place to me on campus. But honestly, I wouldn’t have done anything differently. Even though I lost some things, I gained a lot more. Thank you for the opportunity. Now you all know me. You know my writing, what my friends think about me, my hopes, my dreams, and the fact that I don’t tan and that I am definitely not in shape. This was my college experience, but you know, college is what you make of it. My faith was an integral part of my time at Waynesburg, and this had the greatest impact on me overall. So, make your time here worthwhile. Find your niche and blossom. Find those people who change your life. You won’t regret it.
victories, bitter defeats, buzzer beaters, blowouts and the list goes on and on. My main beat assignments had me covering football in the fall, women’s basketball in the winter and softball in the spring but I’m pretty sure I have written something about each of the 18 sports teams at some point. I want to give a big thanks to the following coaches for their help and support of covering their teams: Rick Shepas, football, Sam Jones women’s basketball and Lou Giachetti, softball. Even though I have done a plethora of things here at Waynesburg, the Yellow Jacket will always be the one that sticks with me most. It is the activity I have worked with the longest and our group really is like a family. Another thanks goes out to my fellow seniors on staff, Executive Editor Kaitlin Edwards, Senior Sports Editor Dave Floyd and Assignments Editor Stephanie Laing. Learning and growing with those three was truly rewarding for me. It is the little things that I will miss most. Like being up here late on Tuesday nights with the staff as we press on towards somewhere around 2 a.m., the weekly tradition of bringing cookies that my mom bakes to share with the rest of the staff or the time I once wrote five articles in one week. I guess sometimes your passion can make you do some pretty crazy things. So as the time is ticking away, now less than three weeks until graduation, I want to close by asking – are you chasing your passion, living and breathing it everyday? Because soon, your time at Waynesburg will be as short as mine is now. Make the most of it starting today.
Photo by Alex Hinton
Senior Yellow Jacket staff (from left) Dave Floyd, Kaitlin Edwards, Stephanie Laing and Aaron Thompson reflect on their time at Waynesburg and how they were impacted by the people around them.
Faith is best experience Continued from A6 what all that entails. I now seek to not just put God first on certain days, but to make Him the center of everything I do, everyday. I would be remiss not to thank all those who helped me get to the point I’m at today, which—let me clarify—is still someone who has a long way to go. There was Resident
Humility is valuable Continued from AA6 think I tell you this enough. Always keep your focus on God, and remember to shoot me a text every once in a while. This also goes for the entire Jacket staff. I want to see the places you are going, hear about the adventures you are having and even laugh over all of our old memories. Wow, I feel like I am giving a “see you in the next life” speech. In actuality, I will probably see you tomorrow. There is one person in this article who I will not name, howev-
Director Zac Northen, Chaplain Tom Ribar and a recently departed VP they call “Skip.” There was also a core group of my peers, who I felt comfortable approaching about any subject. And the list could go on and on, so I apologize for anyone I left out. Plus, how could I forget the eye-opening experience I had on a service trip to Belize City, Belize, to work with kids in a Presbyterian school, build them a playground and paint their building. Not
only was it a blast, but it was also one of those unforgettable trips that changes your perspective on the world around you. With that excursion to Belize, another mission trip to North Carolina and the constant focus on service at Waynesburg, I’ve also realized that service is not just something you do at church or in a third world country. It’s a lifestyle. And that’s just another lesson I can attribute to this University, whether it was expected upon my arrival back in 2008 or
not. Like I said, the opportunity to develop my faith was not the main reason I came to Waynesburg University, but it became the most important one. So, in the end, I’ve changed my tune. Instead of muttering under my breath, I now want to say, thank you, Kaitlin! Thank you for making me write this column and helping me realize what the most important part of my college experience truly was. Hopefully my words can help others realize the same.
er, but she is most vital to everything I have become. This woman has shown me the meaning of everything I hold dear. She lives across the hall from me, has worked with me and even challenged me. After writing one of my columns, this woman wrote to me and questioned my own character. Do my actions line up with what I write? She proceeded to point out a circumstance when I allowed a completely unmerited ego to break her down. Needless to say, I was stunned. I didn’t even realize that I had done this to her, but for her to remember—I cut her so deeply. We met over dinner, I
apologized and we parted ways. Little did she realize that she taught me the most valuable lessons applicable to the rest of my life. I can’t do her justice. I can’t accurately tell how much she really impacted my life, but please know that she did. Courage: the ability to do something that frightens one. Sincerity: free from pretense or deceit. Discernment: the
ability to judge well. Humility: a modest or low view of one’s own importance. Combining all of these memories and experiences—even the lessons I learned—I realize that my education at Waynesburg has taught me more than how to get a job. I am now a more solid, strong and independent woman because of it, and I would do nothing differently.
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Thursday, April 26, 2011
Seniors Senior ior r s Honor Honored H r e ed A Att the Forty-third Forty-thir y d Annual Annual Academic Academic Awards Awa w rds Ceremony Ceremony D Department epartment o off B Biology, iology, E Environmental nvironmental S Science, cience, and and Athletic Training A th t letic T raining
Department D epartment o off E Education ducation
Athletic Training, Biologgyy
Leeann E. Danley
Jenna L. Stoltzfus f Environmental Science
La ra M. Laur M Beskitt Exercise Science
Casey L. . Patter a rson s
Elementar y Education with Special Education
Art Education
Krysta y M. Stanko Sarrah ah R. Rizzi Secondar y Education
Marine Biologgyy
Lindsay R. Tri riola iola
Mary Beth B Rocco
Department off E English Foreign Languages D epartment o nglish aand nd F oreign L anguages
Department D epartment of of Business Business Administration Administration
English
Accounting
Na atalie J. Geor eorg ge
Kelsey L. Brro ownlee
Department off F Fine Arts D epartment o ine A rts
Business Management
Art
Lukas T T. . Baker Forensic Accounting
Cecilia M. Cowger Arts Administration
Jessica M. Malingowski
Alexander M. Goo od dwin
Sports Management
Music Ministr y
Wes esley l W. Best B t
h Z. Gollihugh ll h Jonah
Department off C Chemistry Forensic D epartment o hemistr y aand nd F orensic SScience cience Department Education D epartment of of General General E ducati t on Forensic Science
Patrick a K K. Crra awfor f rd
International Studies
Jenna E. Pounds o
Department off C Communication D epartment o ommunication Department off H Humanities D epartment o umanities Overall
Da av vid
J. Floyd
Journalism
Kaitlin R. R Edwar Ed rds d Sports Broadcasting
Kathryn M. Ghion Electronic Media
Casey L. . Z Ze ell Interactive Design
Kristen M. Sneller
Biblical and Ministr y Studies
Sarrah a A. Markwar warrdt d Histor y
Kamerro on G. Scha f Schaefer Psychologgyy
Christopher R. Stewart St
Department off M Mathematics, Computer Science D epartment o athemaatics, C omputer S cience and and Physics P hysi y cs Compu p ter Forensics
Jonathon N. Mas asterrs
Department off C Criminal D epartment o riminal Justice Justice aand nd SSocial ocial Sciences Sciences
Computer Science, Mathematics
Criminal Justice Administration
Kaitlyn R. R Smith
Brrandon a Myerrs Social Sciences
Courtney B. Parker a Jenna E. . Pounds o
Mathematics
riola Lindsay R. Tri iola
Department off N Nursing D epartment o ursing Nursing
Katlin M. Geor eorg g ge
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Chemistry majors lead organizations By Steve Hullings Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Jenna Pounds
Jenna Pounds, senior international studies and sociology major, studied in Uganda for a semester. In addition, she has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and travled on a mission trip to Belize.
Travels teach pair valuable lessons By Rob Longo Editorial Assistant International studies is a unique major in the way it incorporates business classes along with humanities classes. And just like their majors, seniors Christina Wick and Jenna Pounds are quite unique in their own ways. Wick is an international studies major with a business option while minoring in economics. Wick, a native of Karns City, Pa. began traveling around the world at age 16. She learned quickly how important it is to interact with other cultures. “I went to Romania with my church when I was 16,” said Wick. “Since then, I have traveled to Mexico, Germany and Guatemala.” With all of the trips to Latin America, Wick has
Two senior Waynesburg University chemistry students, Janelle Jones and Ben Crawshaw, are expected to stand out and make a great impact wherever they go after graduation this May. “They both have been very active in the department, in their studies and in the things we try to do around campus,” said John Williams, assistant professor of chemistry and forensic science. Crawshaw and Jones are both leaders of organizations within their field of study at Waynesburg
Staff Writer
Christina Wick (right) traveled to Romania, Mexico, Germany and Guatemala while at Waynesburg University. She fluently speaks spanish as a result of the trips. learned to become fluent in Spanish. “Not every person is fluent in Spanish,” said Sut Sakchutchawan, associate professor of business administration and director of international stud-
ies. “That is a very valuable tool.” Because she spoke spanish, Wick landed an internship at Caoba Farms, an organic farm in Antigua, Guatemala. Going into college,
Wick was undecided on a major. According to Wick, her mother influenced her, and she eventually decided on business. “I’m really interested See TRAVEL on BB3
See LEADERS on BB4
December grads leave mark in class By Eric Bost
Photo courtesy of Christina Wick
University. Crawshaw is the president of Waynesburg’s American Chemistry Society chapter and Jones is the president for the regional Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh student affiliate chapter. Jones is also a member of ACS and Gamma Sigma Epsilon, the Chemistry Honor Society. Jones has seemed to be destined for chemistry since a young age. “I have always been good at math and science, and I went with it,” Jones said. “In high school I took a
Although Lindsay Triola and Kaitlyn Smith are still part of the senior class at Waynesburg University, neither of them will be walking at the graduation ceremony in a few weeks. These two students did so well academically that they graduated a semester early, walking with the December graduation class. Triola said that it was because of her intelligence that she chose to study at Waynesburg in the first place. “I went to high school in Carmichaels and competed on the academic league,” said Triola. “At that time, the competi-
tions took place on the Waynesburg campus. I loved the campus. I thought the parks were beautiful and I liked the size of the school.” Carmichaels High School is also where Triola chose her major that she would study on Waynesburg’s campus. “I majored in secondary math education. I’ve always loved mathematics,” said Triola. “I love the harmony of the subject. I like that it is black and white, right or wrong, and I love the way all of the numbers work together for a common purpose.” Triola has lived in the Carmichaels area all of See DEC. on BB4
Gollihugh demonstrates passion for music while at WU By Ben Carpenter Staff Writer Jonah Gollihugh started playing the electric bass guitar at age 12. Prior to his sophomore year at Waynesburg University, playing was nothing more than a hobby for him. Then, during the summer between his freshman and sophomore year someone stole his bass guitar. That changed everything. Well, sort of. Gollihugh came to Waynesburg from Tehachapi, Calif., intending to play football and study either psychology or criminal justice. After he got injured during training camp, the first half of his plan fell apart. The second half changed when he realized that God did not want him interpreting
people’s dreams and asking, “How does that make you feel?” or chasing down bad guys. That is when he changed his undecided major to a music ministry and youth ministry double major. “I grew up in a Christian atmosphere, but I’ve really grown into my faith here at Waynesburg,” said Gollihugh. “I also really discovered my passion for music. I’ve done my best to integrate those two things during my time here.” After his bass guitar was stolen, Gollihugh had a decision to make about what instrument he would pursue. He approached Jim DePriest, who works in Information Technology, but is heavily involved in the Department of Fine Arts,
Photo courtesy of Jonah Gollihugh
Jonah Gollihugh (right) learned to play the upright bass after coming to WU. It is his favorite to play. and asked him to teach
Gollihugh the upright
bass. It has been Gollihugh’s niche ever since. “I’ve played both the electric and the upright bass here at Waynesburg,” said Gollihugh. “I’ve really enjoyed playing both, but the upright is especially fun.” Gollihugh, whose parents divorced when he was ten years old, has always been a self-motivated person. “I guess I’ve always been self-driven,” said Gollihugh. “I just find something that I like to do and I go after it. I do my best to get it done. I was always pushed to go to college, even when I sometimes didn’t want to - I am very thankful for that.” Others have taken notice of this attitude and philosophy that Golli-
hugh employs. Dr. Ronda DePriest, director of the Music Program, has gotten to know Gollihugh over his four years at Waynesburg and is especially fond of him both personally and academically. “Jonah is such a smart kid,” DePriest said. “He is surely a leader in this department and I am very proud of him.” DePriest pointed to two main examples of how Gollihugh has stood out among his peers. “Jonah has been invaluable to this department,” said DePriest. “He was vital in the push to create music ministry as its own major here at Waynesburg University. He definitely spearheaded that campaign.” See MUSICIAN on BB4
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Spotlight
Environmental science majors share passion for nature By Nate Regotti Staff Writer Two Waynesburg University environmental science students share a passion for nature but have very different plans for after graduation. Seniors Laura Beskitt and Alyssa Laird both have loved the outdoor surroundings since a very young age. Beskitt grew up just north of Greensburg in a rural area in the Kiski Area School District. While at Kiski, Beskitt participated in Pa.’s Envirothon, a statewide high school program that emphasizes the importance of environmental sensitivity while stressing a need to achieve a social, ecologic and economic balance in life.
Beskitt’s high school biology professor encouraged her to get involved in Envirothon in high school. “He thought that it would be a good fit for my interests and talents,” Beskitt said. However, Beskitt wasn’t positive that she would stay an environmental biology major here at Waynesburg. “I have a lot of interests, but over the years its just kind of grown on me,” Beskitt said. Throughout her years in college, Beskitt has collected algae samples and dug out invasive species and a variety of other activities that most students don’t get to do. In just a few weeks, Beskitt will start her career at Pine Springs
Camp, a Christian summer camp, where she already has experience as a camp counselor. Beskitt will take the position of Nature and Arts Coordinator for the camp. “We study environmental science in order to study God’s creation and learn how to care for it,” Beskitt said. Beskitt is the recycling coordinator on campus. She is responsible for taking care of all the recycling bins in each building throughout the University. Beskitt is also a member of the EcoStewards here on campus, where she was secretary but had to step down from the position when she studied abroad in New Zealand last semester for four months.
In New Zealand, Beskitt and 19 other students from around the globe studied God’s creation in the community and in the ecology. “God’s the reason I do what I do,” Beskitt said. Beskitt is looking into environmental non-profit organizations and environmental education. “Not in a classroom setting,” she said. “Maybe in God’s creation, I suppose, outside.” Beskitt, Laird and other Waynesburg students traveled to Ecuador on a mission trip. “That was one event that sparked my interest in environmental education,” Beskitt said. The students worked with children from an orphanSee PAIR on BB4
Photo by Amanda Rice
Seniors Laura Beskitt and Alyssa Laird plan to utilize their love of the outdoors during their careers.
Parker, Rhodes to pursue law career Forensic science By Lucas Diethorn Staff Writer With the end of the semester right around the corner, many of the seniors at Waynesburg University are saying their final goodbyes. Courtney Parkers and Travis Rhodes are two such seniors. Parker and Rhodes are criminal justice and social science majors.
Rhodes is from Connellsville High School in Connellsville, Pa. He has an older sister who was a 2008 graduate of the Waynesburg University nursing program. He was also a member of the University’s soccer team for all four years. “I majored in pre-law [at Waynesburg] and next year I am going to be attending either Val-
paraiso University School of Law or the University of South Carolina School of Law,” Rhodes said. “I would like to work in contract law and possibly become a sports agent.” His favorite memories from his time at Waynesburg were his trip to the Pittsburgh project for community service and the time spent with his
Trio takes lead in ‘outstanding’ class By Nick Farrell Editorial Assistant At the Baccalaureate Service and Commencement Ceremony on May 13, the Waynesburg University Department of Communication will say farewell to a graduating class that chairman Richard Krause called outstanding and accomplished. Among those graduates, three seniors electronic media major Casey Zell, sports broadcasting major Kathryn Ghion and interactive design major Kristen Sneller - stand out because of their excellent work and extensive resumes. “When students come here, we talk a little bit about what’s possible and how to get involved,” said Krause. “Whether or not you’re going to take advantage of it really is the question, and these students have taken advantage of it.” Zell, who is a member of the communication honor society Lambda Pi Eta and has achieved an honorable grade point average throughout her four years while studying communication and political science, her major and minor fields of study. When she came to Waynesburg University, she had her sights set on pursuing a career in TV news. “I’ve always had an interest in politics, and it was kind of a perfect option for me when I was looking for a minor
students set to take on different paths
friends will be the most memorable. Rhodes will graduate with a grade point average of 3.66. As a member of a military family, Parker was raised in many different towns. By Samantha Fitzharris “I was born and spent Staff Writer a large part of my life in On May 13, the class of Fayetteville, North Carolina, but my family has 2012 will graduate from resided in Columbus, Waynesburg University. Forensic science students See STUDENTS on BB6 such as Patrick Crawford and Kimberly Patnaude will graduate with the same major but, they are taking completely different paths in life. Crawford began his academic career at Anderson University in Indiana, majoring in physics, computer science and math. His sophomore year he chose to change his major, but after looking into other options, nothing at Anderson University seemed like a good fit. Wanting to stay at a smaller school, he looked to Waynesburg University, where the forensic science program really appealed to him. “The program seemed to basically be huge puzzles that you need to use science to solve. You have to piece an event together Photo by Abby Wernert based on the scientific evidence,” Crawford said. Seniors Kathryn Ghion, Casey Zell and Kristen Sneller have excelled in classes and “Basically, the application extracurricular activities during the last four years. of the science was more because I was interested othy and Kathleen, as well ment of Communication. intriguing to me than “The faculty has been NASA, in politics and at the time as her siblings for their or physics I was really interested in support of her pursuit of a absolutely amazing and so research or becoming a pursuing a career in TV degree in communication. supportive,” said Zell. high school physics or news,” said Zell. “I According to Zell, her “Bill Molzon has been math teacher,” Crawford thought that since a lot of mother has been the most such a staple to my educa- said. TV news is government influential member of her tion, and he has made my Also the opportunity to and politics, the minor family in terms of shaping time at Waynesburg. He play on the Waynesburg her professional mentali- taught me everything I University was a perfect fit for me.” basketball know and always team really seemed to Zell was once passion- ty. “My mom has always answered any question I influence Crawford’s deciate about news and journalism, but after doing pushed me to be as profes- had.” sion. Krause echoed Zell’s more work with commer- sional as possible and to “Those two things cials and documentaries, work hard and have comments by saying that ultimately led me to she became interested in goals,” said Zell. “She’s a the relationship between choose Waynesburg.” very professional person the faculty and students is Crawford said creative TV media. “After graduation, I and takes her career very a key component to the For the past few years, would love to get a job seriously, so observing her success of his department. Crawford has influenced “Fundamentally, it [the by certain situations and working for a production and seeing how she carcompany either in Pitts- ries herself and how she’s relationship] is important circumstances. “My three burgh or anywhere mak- worked to advance her to me, and I would hope years at Waynesburg did ing commercials, docu- career has really been a it’s important to all facul- not exactly go as I had ty because I think that’s hoped or planned,” Crawmentaries, corporate big influence on me.” Along with her family, what makes Waynesburg, ford said. Basketball videos or anything like said offered some unique chalZell has been highly Waynesburg,” that,” Zell said. Zell, a resident of Apol- appreciative of the rela- Krause. “To me the best lenges and frustrations. lo, Pa. and an alumna of tionships she has devel- part of teaching here has My time here has really Kiski Area High School, oped with the students been character building, thanked her parents, Tim- and faculty of the DepartSee HARD on BB6 and has taught me how to
have faith in God during this test and to trust Him even when you don’t know what He’s doing.” The forensic science department is known to be a challenging one, full of do-it-yourself labs and active listening lectures. Crawford was shaped by these challenges and taught to really think outside the box. “One of my teachers had a couple go-to answers that we all learned to expect if we asked him a question. Among these were: ‘I don’t know, you tell me’ and ‘look it up’. We were forced to think for ourselves and figure things out,” Crawford said. “While that was all very frustrating at the time, it helped build a style of independent learning that I will take with me wherever I end up working.” Transferring to the Waynesburg University became a period of selfdiscovery for Crawford. This is what ultimately led to his embrace of ministry through music, even though he was primarily focused on a career in the sciences. The unique accomplishments and challenges Crawford faced are what helped him strengthen his character and faith in substantial ways. He plans to move back to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where he will be putting his scientific endeavors on hold to pursue a music ministry career, with the support of his family who is also involved in music ministry. He also wished to move away at some point to gain some experience to better help his dream become a reality. “I am really just trying to be open to whatever path God reveals that He wants me to take,” Crawford said. Although Crawford is See SENIORS on BB3
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Small classes attract students; pair makes most of experiences By Anthony MacIntyre Staff Writer For Amy Morgan and Michelle Naymick, a small school and classes were important. This way the teachers could have more time with them oneon-one. This was one of the reasons the two students came to Waynesburg University. Morgan, a secondary education and biology major mentioned Assistant Professor of Biology, Environmental Science and Athletic Training Marietta Wright as one of the professors that helped her during her time at Waynesburg University. “She challenged me” and “helped keep me sane,” said Morgan. Morgan, who has taken part in numerous activities with the school ranging from International Justice Mission, treasurer, to being a chair for the Students Activities Board. Also Morgan was a Bon-
Seniors plan for future Continued from BB2 taking a non-academic path, his classmate Kimberly Patnaude is staying on her forensic science course. In the fall of 2008, Patnaude left her home near Richmond, Va. for Waynesburg University already knowing what she wanted to do with her life. As a younger student she always loved science and knew that she wanted to make a career out of her interest as a science teacher, but with the influence of her high school teacher and the guidance of her advisor of four years, Patnaude knew that she wanted to peruse a career in forensic science and toxicology. The forensic science field melds together the legal aspects of criminal justice and science. Aspects such as DNA and drug analysis are what the forensics department discovers to present in court and hopefully serve justice. “We use science to solve crimes. We are not biased; we just use what we know to uncover the facts,” Patnaude said. A teacher back at home really influenced her career choice because he was a head toxicologist. Patnaude’s teacher set protocol to teach the students early on and this helped her a great deal when the time came to take college classes. When choosing schools Patnaude’s parents gave her a maximum six-hour drive time. Waynesburg University was right on the cusp of the six-hour limit, and she also heard a lot of good things about the department as a
ner Scholar for one year. “[Professor Wright] made me love Biology from liking it,” said Morgan. This was when she knew she was in the correct major. After graduation, Morgan plans to get married and move to Ontario, Canada; however she is going to have to wait about a year for her paperwork to come through. During this time, Morgan plans to work with Young Life. Michelle Naymick, a biology major, plans to attend pharmacy school at Lake Erie Wiege of Osteopathy Medicine in Erie this coming fall. Naymick, who had started as an interactive design major switched because she felt as though she wanted more. “I was not happy with the classes and the work” said Naymick “I lost passion”. See STUDENTS on BB5
whole. She visited the campus prior to attending, and she felt comfortable here. The thought of going to West Virginia University or another bigger school and not being valued definitely helped her choose Waynesburg University. “I liked how personable all the teachers were, and how everyone knows you and you are not a number,” Patnaude said, “I don’t want a teacher who doesn’t care about my learning.” A requirement for the Law and Evidence class is that the students have to participate in a mock trial. Some are lawyers others the scientists and they must present evidence and support a case with that evidence. “The thought that wow, one day I will most likely be testifying in court. And my testimony can effect whether or not someone goes to jail became very real during the trial.” Patnaude said, “Sometimes you can spend a day to a week in court and not actually in the lab or in the field, so you really have to know that this is what you want to do as a career path.” For the future Patnaude has relied on her advisor Mr. Cipoletti’s recommendations for graduate schools, so she will be attending George Washington University in Washington D.C. She has family that lives around the area and will be trying to establish an internship for a student program at the school. “It’s been a lot of work and will continue to be a lot of work,” Patnaude said. “I am used to sitting in the CRED building for 15 hours researching, but it pays off because when I am done it feels great. Also my job will help protect a lot of people and that is worth it to me.”
Photo courtesy of Jenna Pounds
Jenna Pounds hopes to one day work overseas in Africa for a non-profit organization. For the more immediate future, her plans are to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in international development.
Travel helps students Continued from BB1 in how people interact along with business,” Wick said. “I learned during my internship that if you can connect with people from anywhere in the world, business is much easier because you already have a connection with the people you are working with.” Honor is important to Wick. “It’s a testament about how the constant drive to put more work in can really pay off,” said Wick. “I was always working towards another goal, whether it was to make the dean’s list or to earn my degree. Hard work is engrained into the Wick family.” One event that tested Wick’s work ethic while she was growing up was a very special day she had with her father once a year. “We would have this thing every year we called 100 dozen cookie day,” Wick said. “My dad and I would wake up at 7 a.m. and bake 100 dozen cookies; 13 different kinds. We would usually be done around midnight and we would give the cookies to my neighbors, friends and
church. It was quite accomplishment and taught me how to work as a team.” Today, Wick still continues to work hard whenever she is not in class. She currently works at Community Bank in Waynesburg as a teller. “I urge every business major to work in a bank,” said Wick. “It allows you to see how all of the transactions work and helps you how everything works together.” When Wick is not working or in class, she likes being outdoors, hiking, gardening or even does yoga. According to Wick, these activities help her manage stress. If she is not busy enough now, Wick will be in the upcoming months. She plans to get married to her fiancé Kyle and move to Boston where her brother Justin lives, and plans to search for a job. President Theodore Roosevelt was once quoted by saying, “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Pounds is prime example of this quote. Soft spoken and carrying a book about charity work in Africa, Pounds not only majored in international studies with a culture option, but will earn a sociology major in two weeks as well. It is also mentionable that
Pounds has a grade point average of 3.99. Pounds attended Kiski area high school and ran cross country and track in addition to participating in the school’s choir. Just like Wick, Pounds was unsure of a major upon arrival to Waynesburg. “Even though I was unsure of what I wanted to major in, I really liked that Waynesburg was a small Christian school,” Pounds said. “It was exactly what I was looking for.” Pounds eventually settled with international studies and sociology during her second semester of her sophomore year. “Jenna is very smart and at the same time very humble,” said Sakchutchawan. “She is always at the top of the class every test.” Similar to Wick, Pounds have traveled to other parts of the world. “My freshman year of college I traveled to Belize,” said Pounds. “I also participated in Habitat for Humanity my sophomore and junior years, and I have been to Uganda as well.” Pounds visited Uganda as part of a study abroad program in the fall of 2010. While she was there, Pounds was amazed by the amount of poverty that surrounded her. “My semester in Ugan-
da was the best semester of college,” said Pounds. “However, we were limited to activities we were allowed to do. When I went there in person I realized how extreme the poverty was. It was sad sitting there and knowing there was nothing I could do about it.” With that being said, Pounds hopes to one day work overseas in Africa for a non-profit organization. In the mean-time, Pounds plans on attending graduate school in the fall to pursue a masters in international development and will be working with Mission Year in September, which is an urban service program. “Family is extremely important to me and is a huge part of my life,” Pounds said. “I grew up living on a farm with my extended family.” Pounds also explained how one of her fondest memories was going to her grandma’s house after school with her cousins; where they would work on homework and eat cookies together. After they were done, they would all get together and play a card game called Dutch Blitz. With both of these students already traveling halfway around the world and the talents they possess, the possibilities are endless.
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Business majors stand out, motivate By Rob Longo Editorial Assistant At every university throughout the country, each department has a few students that stand out from the rest of the crowd. However, it is even more unique when three students have more in common than just being standouts in the Business Department. Brendan Scioscia, Wes Best and Terrin Crist not only excel in the classroom; they also are very active in a variety of sports teams on campus. Scioscia is the starting catcher on the Yellow Jacket baseball team. A marketing major who attended Pine Richland High School, Scioscia is also very active off the baseball diamond as well. “Brendan is a good student and is highly motivated,” said Gordon McClung, the business administration department chair. “He’s very active and likes to take on challenges in addition to being very professional.” When asked about his work ethic, Scioscia could not agree more. “I have a lot of confidence in my abilities,” Scioscia said. “I look forward to taking on challenges.” One challenged Scioscia faced was choosing a major. “Coming into to college, I had no idea what I wanted to major in,” said Scioscia. “I didn’t settle on marketing until halfway through my sophomore
Musician reflects Continued from BB1 According to DePriest, Gollihugh was influential on the department. “We are still building the music ministry degree, and right now we don’t require a senior project in the curriculum,” said DePriest. “Jonah took it upon himself after talking to graduate schools to put together a senior project and has done an absolutely incredible job with it thus far.” Gollihugh decided to transpose some music by Trans-Siberian Orchestra to play at Waynesburg with a group of students and faculty. “He organized the entire thing,” said DePriest. “He’s doing all of the work, all of the promoting, the whole deal. It’s really very impressive.” One word that kept popping up in DePriest’s vocabulary while describing Gollihugh is “drive.” “He really has a lot of drive,” said DePriest. “He is a real leader in this department.” DePriest is certain that Gollihugh’s efforts will not go to waste. “He has given so much energy to building things
year. After taking a few marketing classes I realized that’s what I really wanted to major in.” For the past few summers, Scioscia has interned in the sports marketing field and will continue to do so this summer. Scioscia has also volunteered for the United States Golf Association for the past two years; helping out with the U.S. Open and will continue to help out again this year. “My dream job is to hopefully work one day in the sports industry with marketing, more specifically with golf,” said Scioscia. Just like Scioscia, Crist is competitive on and off the field. “She is very feisty,” McClung said. “She is highly motivated and is very diligent.” Crist is a native of Mountoursville, Pa. and is an accounting major with a minor in business management. Crist was an active member of the soccer team here at Waynesburg. “Some of my fondest memories have to deal with soccer,” said Crist. “I started playing when I was very little; about five or six years old. Everything was centered around playing soccer with my sister.” Crist’s sister is two years younger than her and currently plays soccer at Lebanon Valley College, where she is majoring in physical therapy. See ATHLETES on BB5
here,” DePriest said. “My hope is that younger students take notice and learn from him. I’m really excited to see how his legacy plays out here at Waynesburg.” As is often the case with graduating seniors, Gollihugh is not totally certain what path he will be choosing after the ceremonies are finished on May 13, but he does have a pretty good idea. “I’m looking really seriously into going to graduate school for acoustical engineering,” said Gollihugh. “I’ve been looking in Chicago and Michigan, as well as some other places.” Gollihugh says that he would not change a thing about his time at Waynesburg. “I’ve enjoyed my time here so much, and I’ve been so blessed,” he said. “I am who I am because of the choices I’ve made, and I am incredibly happy.” It is hard to argue against the fact that it looks as though the choice regarding his change in major was the right one. “I love God and I love music, so I’d say that it’s been the right call for me,” Gollihugh said. “I really love how the two have built off of one another and made each other grow.”
Pair learns life lessons Continued from BB2 age and took them into a clouded rainforest. “The kids there just appreciated so much more than kids would here,” said Laird. Also in Ecuador, the students toured a dump where workers did not wear hazardous material suits. “It was striking to all of us to see how differently things are run,” said Laird. Laird, a small town girl from Scottdale, Pa. graduated from Southmoreland High School knowing she wanted to work outside. “Just being outside and getting into everything just sparks your passion, ” Laird, a co-president of the EcoStewards club said. “Environmental Science
Leaders leave mark Continued from BB1 chemistry class and then ended up taking every one that they had possible.” Not only did Jones decided to be a chemistry major because she was good at math and science and chemistry is something that she loves. “I enjoy chemistry very much,” Jones said. “I honestly do love chemistry.” Similar to Jones, Crawshaw decided to be a chemistry major due to his experiences in high school. “I was always better at math and science, and I had some really good high school chemistry teachers,” said Crawshaw. Crawshaw said that his fervor for chemistry has grown since coming to Waynesburg University. “I’ve always liked sci-
Dec. grads recognized Continued from BB1 her life, from when she was little up to now, working as a substitute teacher at her high school alma mater. “My high school was always looking for subs, even when I was enrolled there, so being placed on the sub list was not difficult,” said Triola. “The difficult part will be finding full time employment, which I have not accomplished yet. I want to help high school students appreciate and excel in mathematics.” Triola said that she was thrilled that she was able to graduate a semester early because of her job. “It allowed me to get my foot in the door,” she said. Triola said she misses a lot at the University. “I do miss the students and professors. Being such a small school and small department we become
Photo by Amanda Rice
Laird, senior environmental biology major, received her bachelor’s degree in three years. She hopes to work outdoors after graduating, rather than in a lab. was my way to be outside and protect the outdoors.” Laird chose Waynesburg for its locality. The University is just about one hour from her home, and less than 30 minutes from her family’s hunting camp in Greene County. “There’s a lot of oppor-
tunities in this area,” Laird said. “I will definitely try to stay in this general area.” Laird has also considered getting a Ph.D. She received her bachelor’s degree in just three years. “I just try to push myself to do my best,”
she said. Eventually, Laird would like to work in the environmental field, particularly in the outdoors. “I like doing the research,” she said. “But being cooped up in a lab for so long is hard and tiring. I want to be outside.”
ence and thought that it was interesting,” Crawshaw said. “I would say I had an interest for it in high school and developed a passion for it in college.” Although Jones and Crawshaw share many similarities of involvement and growth within their field of study, their plans after graduation differ. Jones wants to be a biochemist and make medical improvements with pharmaceuticals, not only healthcare wise, but also to the whole world. Her plans immediately after graduation are to get into Mylan Pharmaceuticals, the world’s third largest pharmaceutical company, which is located in Morgantown, W.Va. “My dream in life would be to just make a difference, to actually accomplish my biggest goals and help all the community,” said Jones. Crawshaw plans on applying to graduate
school at Vanderbilt University in order to get a Ph.D. and someday teach chemistry at the college level. “I’d love to make a breakthrough in the scientific field and to be known in my field,” said Crawshaw. Both Crawshaw and Jones have already begun moving forward toward their goals with research projects and internships. Crawshaw completed a research project in engineering, creating a model of a fuel bed that is used for creating alternative fuel. Jones has completed two separate internships. One was at Kent State University where she worked on a cure for cancer. The other was at the University of Toledo where she studied the bubonic plague and macular degeneration. Crawshaw loves teaching people, saying that he is an educator. He really enjoys when people begin
to understand things. “When I can sit down with someone, walk them through something, and then see them do it on their own, it’s really rewarding,” Crawshaw said. Crawshaw also describes himself as a worker, meaning that he is not afraid to work any job.Jones is both very motivated and personable. Jones and Crawshaw’s leadership goes above and beyond in their department. Jones is also a leadership scholar and is involved in various activities and projects within that organization. Crawshaw has been involved with theater and stared in several school performances, his favorite of which was “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” “They have great potential at this point,” said Williams. “It’s a shame that we’ll have to see them go. They will be missed, but we are happy for them.”
“The professors were always there for us if we needed anything, and the students always worked together.” Lindsay Triola Waynesburg alumna
like a family,” said Triola. “The professors were always there for us if we needed anything, and the students always worked together to keep each other on track. I loved my classes, and would have loved to remain a student forever if I could have made it a career instead of having to pay for it.” Smith almost didn’t choose to attend Waynesburg over three years ago. “It was between Carlow and Waynesburg and I almost chose Carlow,” said Smith. “What changed for me was Waynesburg’s small community. Everything was within walking distance and the doors were always open. Everyone, especially the girls, was extremely helpful.”
She almost didn’t choose computer science and math as her majors. “I was originally looking for a university that was known for their education department,” said Smith. “My dad actually talked me into the majors I had. I eventually came around to wanting computer science as major too.” Like Triola, Smith was excited to graduate early, but for a different reason; she had a job lined up with CONSOL Energy, but Smith wanted to take a small break after college so she could prepare for her marriage to her fiancé, Andrew Harmon. “We always knew the date we were going to get married,” said Smith. “We chose August
because we wanted to graduate and both get and maintain a job for at least eight months. At times, planning for it can be just as stressful as studying in college, but I think it’s definitely more stressful studying for finals than anything else because you find yourself working 20 hours a day while also pursuing 18 credits a semester.” Now having a full-time job at CONSOL Energy as a Database Administrator in the Environmental Department, Smith is excited about her career, but she misses the people she met at Waynesburg. “I’m sad that I didn’t get to live on campus my last semester of college. It’s a different feeling having to commute since I lived on campus for the first three years of college,” said Smith. “I miss my friends and my professors; I loved everybody. I really don’t get to see them too often now that I’m gone. The people you meet at college are the people you know for the rest of your life.”
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Markwardt’s world travels shape collegiate experience By Rusty Fleming Staff Writer When asked what she did over the past few summers, Sarah Markwardt looked up with a big smile and said “I go to Kiserian, Kenya to help at a girls home.” This shows what type of person she is a kind person who doesn’t mind striking up a convocation with whoever crosses her path and also loves to give back in any way she can. During her time here at Waynesburg, Markwardt feels that the people who have most impacted her life are professors Julio Quintero and Noah Haiduc-Dale. She then went on to state that the thing she likes most about the University is that she can make learning her own. “I believe that learning is more important than just getting A’s,” said Markwardt. She was able to accomplish this by getting assistance from professors, and adding new types of classes such as, Latin American Politics and Hebrew. While here at Waynesburg Markwardt was a member of the women’s soccer team for four years, where she also
Photo courtesy of Sarah Markwardt
Sarah Markwardt has become an avid traveler since starting college. She has traveled to Costa Rica, Kenya and Bolivia and completed both local mission trips and an international trip to Guatemala. served as the team captain. Three out of the four years Markwardt was involved in the Drama Department where she has been a member of theatre performances. As for working, Markwardt currently is employed at the Counseling Center on campus. Outside of the Waynesburg
community, Markwardt has become an avid traveler. Costa Rica, Kenya, and Bolivia are just a few of the many places she has visited. Markwardt is currently a Bonner Scholar, which gives her the opportunity to volunteer in the Waynesburg community as well as communities all across
Senior remembers years, friendships
Students reflect
By Arianna Grondin
This however was a huge turning point for Naymick. She recalled a Chemistry 121, a class designed for people in science majors, that she took while she was still a communications major. The class was taught by Department Chairperson and Assistant Professor Chemistry and Forensic Science Dr. Evonne Baldauff. “[This class] opened my eyes to science,” said Naymick. Because of this, Naymick refers to Baldauff as one of the most influential people here at Waynesburg University. Looking back on their years at Waynesburg University Morgan and Naymick recalled their favorite moments, each with a face of deep
Staff Writer Karen Chamberlain has known she wanted to major in Athletic Training since she was in high school. Chamberlain lives in New Jersey, which is seven hours away from Waynesburg. For three years she has been a cocaptain for Relay for Life. She has been an officer on the Athletic Training Student Association for two years, first as secretary and then as vice-president. She has been on the missions committee and went on a missions trip to Puerto Rico. Chamberlain said she attempted to run crosscountry for two years in high school. It was here that Chamberlain saw the aspect of Athletic Training when she developed shin splints. Chamberlain said of herself, “I can’t be on the field just on the sidelines to help.” Chamberlain says it’s about, “helping athletes get back to playing their game and getting back to the sport they love.” AT majors work more than 80 hours a month. “My favorite memory of Caren is really her attitude during this last football season as I was her supervising ACI,” Patrick Violette MS, ATC, Head Athletic Trainer at Waynesburg University said of Chamberlain. “She was always upbeat and smiled; even when she was tired or things weren’t going her way.” Chamberlain said she took the most valuable information from her Clinical Evaluations class. “I got to cast people, so that was kind of fun. I walked around with a pink cast for a day, and those chainsaw things
can’t cut you,” said Chamberlain. Some of Chamberlain’s favorite memories at Waynesburg are from freshman year. “Having that sense of I’m on a college campus with all my friends, I don’t have to drive across town to see them, they’re all right here,” Chamberlain said. Chamberlain talked about the memory of nerf gun wars in the dorms. “We ambushed whoever was coming up the stairs.” Chamberlain said she is “trying not to think about graduation.” As far as graduate school she plans to go to East Strausburg University. She hopes to be an athletic assistant or help teach athletic training classes. After graduate school, Chamberlain would like to travel the world, and work in athletic training either in a high school or onto a college. For current Athletic Training majors, Chamberlain said, “You get out of this program what you put into it, if you don’t put as much time and effort into it, you’re not gonna get as much out of it.” “On the field someone collapses and you’re the only one who knows CPR, you can’t look around and say ‘can you take this I’m having a bad day.’ In that moment it’s just you,” said Chamberlain. “There’s never really a day off in athletic training, but we know it going in. Sometimes people don’t, but when they find out, the people who truly love athletic training are gonna stick with it and do really well,” said Chamberlain. “She is good enough to do whatever she wants to do in athletic training,” said Chamberlain. “She has the passion, ability, and intangibles to be great.”
the world. She then goes on to state, “I don’t need the money from Bonner to get me to help out.” Markwardt has served on mission trips in domestic locations like Philadelphia and on an international trip to Guatemala. She has also volunteered her time at Habitat for Humanity.
As the daughter of Tom and Stacey Markwardt and sister to brothers Kyle and Brice, Markwardt has impacted Waynesburg University and many people around the world. Markwardt is originally from Ohiopyle, Pa. where she attended Uniontown Area Senior High School and then left to attend Waynesburg, where she is currently a double major in International and Biblical Studies. Markwardt has spent her summers in unique ways. Her summers consist of spending time abroad volunteering in Kiserian, Kenya at a girls home. There, she assists young women who are dealing with HIV and AIDS. After graduation, Markwardt plans to work for, the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience. According to its website, PULSE is an organization committed to cultivating a community of young servant leaders to transform Pittsburgh. This organization mentors a new generation of urban leaders who understand and appreciate the importance of the city for the world’s future.
thought and smiles as each memory went through their head. Morgan recalled her best moment at Waynesburg University as joining
the Bonner Scholarship program. This was important to her because of the numerous lessons that it taught her.
“It helped me incorporate service,” said Morgan. Naymick remembered back to sophomore year during cross country season when she broke her toe a week before regionals. She ran the race, but after the race her boyfriend had to give her a piggy back ride a half mile back to the team bus. A common theme was faith taking a role in both Morgan’s and Naymick’s school work. Both have relied on their faith multiple times to get them through tough times. Morgan offered advice to current and upcoming students. “Stay involved, ask questions and have desire to find something deeper than just a building full of classrooms,” said Morgan, stressing the importance of hard work and dedication, two things that got Morgan and Naymick where they are now.
classes over the summer. Family is a very important part of Crist’s life. “Waynesburg is about four and a half hours from my home,” Crist said. “My parents would come to every game. I’m really blessed to have them.” Crist would also like to thank her parents for all that they have done. “I would like to say thanks to my parents for all their support both on and off the soccer field and for always being there for me,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.” Out of these three students, Best may have the most unique tie to sports. This past year, the sports management major with minors in marketing and communications was a student coach for the Waynesburg University men’s basketball team. Hailing from Petersburg, Ohio, Best attended East Palestine High
School where he played baseball and basketball. However, going into to college, Best was unsure about what career path he wanted to pursue. “I narrowed it down to sports management and nursing, and I eventually went with sports management,” said Best. Best said that based on his childhood, the decision was somewhat easy. “I grew up with a sports background,” Best said. “I would be the kid that would always stay up late to catch the end of a game. March Madness was also one of my favorite times of the year. I would sit and watch every game religiously with clipboards, notes the whole nine yards.” One of Best’s traditions that he still does today is attend the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinements in Canton, Ohio. After graduation, Best plans on attending gradu-
ate school to earn a master’s degree in either communications or business management. “I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” said Best. “It’s bittersweet to move one, but I am excited about my future.” McClung believes Best will have a good future. “He has always been an active and hard worker,” said McClung. “He puts forth the effort and will become very successful. He has a very bright future.” Just like many others, Best would also like to thank his family. “My family has always believed in me,” Best said. “They helped shaped me into who I am today.” Whether their second home was found on the baseball diamond, the soccer pitch or the basketball court, all of these seniors are sure to continue their success in the business world.
Continued from BB3
Athletes say farewell Continued from BB3 Crist also credits soccer to helping make the transition to college a lot easier. “I was able to make some great friends through soccer,” Crist said. “It also helped coming in as a freshman and not knowing anyone. I instantly had 25 friends by being on the team.” Crist is currently working on earning her master’s degree in business administration through Waynesburg’s five-year program and recently accepted a job at Parente Beard, an accounting company that performs audits. Crist will begin working one day a week in the fall. In the meantime, Crist is plans to take graduate
Photo courtesy of Michelle Naymick
Last summer, Naymick traveled to Paris, France with her family for a week-long vacation.
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Spotlight
High school injury inspires Stolzfus Pair of students to pursue career in athletic training embodies nurses’ servant hearts By Arianna Grondin Staff writer
Jenna Stoltzfus has been an athletic training major at Waynesburg University for the past four years. Stoltzfus lives in Chester County, Pa., located 45 minutes south of Philadelphia. Stoltzfus was involved in athletic training activities and volleyball during her freshman and sophomore years. Stolzfus saids she has a classic athletic training story. “I got hurt in high school and I had a positive experience with an athletic trainer,” she said. Stoltzfuz knew she wanted to go into athletic training before her freshman year in college. She chose athletic training because, “it is the best major you can choose to prepare yourself for physical therapy because you learn so many things you’ll learn in physical therapy school.” Stoltzfus says one of her favorite classes with-
Students say goodbye Continued from BB2 Georgia for the past three and a half years, Parker said. “I attended three separate high schools but graduated from South View High, located in Hope Mills, North Carolina.” Parker said that she had a desire to be a political science major because she plans to serve in a government
Hard work pays off Continued from BB2 been basically the friendships.” When Ghion came to Waynesburg University, she was the only female sports broadcasting students in her class; however, that fact has not withheld her from making friendships similar to the ones Krause alluded to. “The best thing that’s happened to me during my four years was meeting all my friends. I met some friends here that I know are going to be friends after I graduate, like [Zell] and [Edwards],” said Ghion. “I don’t think that I could get through a day without them because they literally keep me together. And I don’t think I’d be the same without the boys: Dave Floyd, [Aaron] ‘Bam’ Thompson, Jon Ledyard and even Dave Franczak. We grew up together, and those guys became my big brothers.” Ghion has been blessed with many opportunities. As the general manager of WCTV, Ghion has gained
By Mandy Ormsby Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Jenna Stoltzfus
After having a positive experience with a trainer in high school, Stolzfus decided to pursue athletic training. She plans to study physical therapy after graduation. in her major was Healthcare Ethics. “I would have been in another life, a political
science or philosophy major, but there wasn’t a career that I could see myself in.”
Within her major, Stoltzfus said that Thera-
capacity in the future and the subject matter nicely compliments her activities in Army ROTC at West Virginia University. She also has plans to pursue a prosecutorial law career after graduation. Two days prior to graduation Parker will commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, Ordinance Branch. Following graduation, her first duty station will be Ft. Bragg, N. C. Parker has accumulated a grade
point average of 3.77 in her career at Waynesburg University. Dr. Richard Waddel, head of the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences, said that he will miss the two graduating seniors. “I will miss Courtney and Travis because they are great students and wonderful people,” Waddel said. “I feel like I am losing a son and daughter, and my classes will seem like they have a couple of holes in them when I call role in the fall and
they are not here.” Waddel will also miss the casual time that she was able to spend with both Rhodes and Parker during their time at Waynesburg University. “I will miss our advising sessions and the many times I have just talked with them in the hallways,” Waddel said. “I wish both of them Fair Winds and Following Seas [an old naval blessing from an old salt] and eagerly look forward to seeing the great things they will do in the future.”
a plethora of hands-on experience beneficial to her TV career as well. She admits that she had no real experience with television before coming to Waynesburg University. “That’s what’s great about the program; you can start with nothing and work up to where I am now. I’ve learned so much from Bill [Molzon] and Lanny [Frattare]. The professors here have helped me develop all of my announcing skills and all of my reporting skills,” Ghion said. Those skills that Ghion developed through her work with WCTV helped her land an internship with a radio station last summer. “From a career standpoint, the most important thing that happened to me was doing my internship with 93.7 The Fan. That experience was so much more than I ever hoped it would be,” said Ghion. “I got a renewed love for what I was doing and I really realized this is what I want to do, this is what I love. A day there never felt like work to me.” Ghion traced her love of sports back to her younger days with her father, Jeff, an avid Pitts-
burgh Panthers fan. “I always joke with my dad that I’m the son he doesn’t have,” Ghion said. “We always used to watch sports, so he’s really the one that got me into what I’m doing now and without his support I don’t think I’d be able to do any of it.” Ghion admitted that her mother, Lorraine, influenced her as well. “My parents are literally everything. They’ve done everything for me since I was little,” said Ghion. “I wouldn’t be able to go to school without them.” Unlike Zell and Ghion, Sneller hasn’t focused her time in the television studio. Rather, the Mac Lab in Buhl Hall has become her most frequented campus hotspot as an interactive design major. “At first, when I came to Waynesburg University, my major wasn’t interactive design, it was advertising,” Sneller said. Sneller joked that she dropped the advertising major after taking an accounting class, saying that accounting “wasn’t her thing.” But, after experiencing a few design classes, she realized she has a knack for interactive
design, a major that has been gratifying to her. “I liked working for University Relations because it helped me apply the skills I learned in the classroom and actually apply it to a real life situation where I work with clients,” said Sneller. “It’s really rewarding when they print anywhere from 50 to 20,000 copies of your work.” Sneller chose Waynesburg because she is a fan of the small classes, the community atmosphere and the emphasis on faith and service. Sneller plans to stay local and work in a small, community setting as she has been hired by Direct Results in Waynesburg. At Waynesburg University, Sneller learned the importance of networking, something that allowed her to land a job with Direct Results. “If people know that you’re a good designer and they’ve seen your work, they may refer you to another person. That’s how you gain credibility,” said Sneller. Though graduation is inevitable each year, Krause knows that watching these three women and the rest of the senior class depart will be hard
See INJURY on BB7
Senior nursing students Julie Adamson and Clayton Reiber know what it takes to be Waynesburg University nursing students. In just a few weeks, they will graduate as part of the class of 2012 and will have lived through the experiences of every nursing student in the University. Both Adamson and Reiber have been chosen by their department to represent this year’s senior nursing students for Waynesburg University. Nursing has truly captivated the Adamson who said it is hard to have hobbies or anything extra going on in her life because of her schoolwork. “One of the things I would like to do when I graduate is start to read for pleasure,” said Adamson. Despite her seriousness towards school, Adamson refers to herself as a goof ball as she laughed and shared the fact that she was supposed to be a boy, and her grandmother made her a blue bear. When she was born a girl on Sept. 5, 1990, her grandmother put a little pink bow on the bear. “It was my favorite toy growing up and I still have it today,” said Adamson. As graduation approaches, she is looking forward to starting the rest of her life. She
to swallow. “Commencement will be a difficult day,” Krause said. “We will celebrate their accomplishments and the fact they they’ve graduated from college, which is certainly a goal they’ve had for a long time. But, it will also be a day of mixed emotions because we’ve been able to work day to day for four years, and suddenly they
plans to go back to school in a year for her master’s degree because one day she would like to come back and teach at Waynesburg University. Adamson talked a great deal about the friendships she has made here at the University. “We are like a family here because we are together all the time and I am going to be the saddest about leaving because of that,” said Adamson. “I am very excited about graduating but sad because I am leaving everyone I have been so close with.” Adamson said that during her time here she worked hard and was dedicated to her studies and classes, but not without some trials in her path. “The hardest class I have ever had to take here was Leadership of Learning,” Adamson said. “One piece of advice I have carried throughout this journey was given to me by a previous graduate from the nursing program: ‘Keep your head up high and do not get discouraged’.” As a commuter and one of five children, Adamson has a lot of support from her family and friends and she is very happy with how her life has turned out. “My boyfriend of five years, David, has been my biggest inspiration. He encourages me a lot,” said Adamson. See NURSES on BB7
will wake up on May 13 and that day to day relationship will be over.” Krause always gives his pupils one final homework assignment. “I tell all the seniors this: they always have one last homework assignment, and that’s to remain in touch with the department and with the University and remain a part of this community,” said Krause.
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Page BB7
Spotlight
Writing inspires students to pursue degree, get involved By Anastasia Barr Staff Writer The English department is not shy when it comes to praising their students. Two seniors are being honored for their hard work and dedication over the past four years. Natalie George, creative writing and art double major lives in Export, Pa., where she attended Kiski Area High School. “According to my old journals, I’ve known that I wanted to be a writer since the first grade; in one of those fill-in-theblank journals, it stated: ‘When I grow up, I want to be – blank –’ and every year, I wrote some odd variation of professions: scientist, teacher, painter, etc., but every year, next to my changing vocations, I had written ‘poet,’” said George. During her time at the university, George received numerous awards and was heavily involved on campus. George has been active in the music program throughout her years at Waynesburg. Besides her musical
Nurses plan to serve Continued from BB6 As summer approaches, Adamson plans on working after taking her state boards, which is the nursing test that will determine if she will become a certified nurse. Reiber has the same summer plans. He wants to pass the state boards and get a job in an intensive care unit or an emergency department. Born on April 13, 1990, Reiber has always wanted to be in the medical field. “When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a doctor. Then I realized I wanted to help people at a more personal level,” said Reiber. As a junior in high school, Reiber’s scoutmaster, Scott Smith, acted as a mentor for him. “Scouting taught me to be a man, have manners, and live responsibly and be prepared and he told me, ‘Why don’t you look into nursing,’ so I did and I like it because of the care aspect of the field and instead of looking at thirty patients in a day, I could care for five, and be at their bedside,” said Reiber. As well as being a hard working student, Reiber is involved in sports such as Waynesburg’s club volleyball team ice hockey for South Point Club team. He enjoys hunting and his most prized possession is his hunting rifle. From Hopewell, Pa., Reiber is very close to his family and friends. “My younger sibling is my best friend and my actual best friend, Marine Josh Petrella, is like my brother, so we
interest George is the current president of Student Senate and Executive Editor of Muse & Stone. “I am extremely grateful for that time working with the other staff and our advisor, Martin Cockroft. The issues that we have been publishing are true accomplishments,” said George. George said her favorite part of working with Muse & Stone is the excitement of putting out a new issue. “I love those last few weeks of putting together all the final touches, finally seeing what it’s going to look like,” said George. “Best of all is when our staff gets the magazine in our hands for the first time, and we can see and smell the new-book scent because it is a part of us and we have made it.” Alyssa Lang is a double major in International Studies and Professional Writing. She lives in Apollo, Pennsylvania and, like George, is also a Kiski Area High School graduate. After being a creative non-fiction writer for
are really close,” Reiber said. One of his favorite memories with his family was going to Disney world and going to the Magic Kingdom and plans to go back there again after graduating from Waynesburg. During his four years here, Reiber claims he learned to think, not just memorize, and act in a way that makes sense for his future. “Do everything you can and study as hard as you can and leave everything else up to God,” said Reiber, who credits this philosophy to his Great Uncle George. “My great uncle fought in WWII and the things he did were amazing,” said Reiber. “He has so much courage and he told me to fear nothing because God is going to hold you in His hands.” Reiber has learned to apply his great uncle’s lesson to his life for the past four years at Waynesburg, and will apply it to his future plans. “In ten years I see myself becoming a nurse practitioner and doing missions in South Africa where I can help people and make a difference,” said Reiber. Reiber is excited to graduate this year but he also says he will miss his friends from the volleyball team and his classmates and the faculty. He will miss the comfort of campus, he said. “I am excited to be done. I worked really hard for four years and I feel that I am ready,” said Reiber. Both Reiber and Adamson have worked diligently the past four years, and set an example for the underclassmen in the nursing program at Waynesburg University.
Photo by Mariah Beauregard
Senior English majors Natalie George and Alyssa Laing are set to go in different directions after graduation. George’s emphasis was creative writing, while Laing’s focus was international studies and professional writing. years, Lang decided to become a professional writing major during the spring semester of her junior year. “After multiple major changes, I finally decided on writing, mainly because throughout all of my college years, that is one thing that I have always loved doing—not just creative writing, but
also grant writing,” said Lang. Lang uses her grant writing skills as an employee of Waynesburg University in the University Relations department. Besides studying in Waynesburg, Lang was awarded the Vira Heinz Scholarship in the summer of 2010. Lang got to
spend a month and a half in Novgorod, Russia studying the language, art and history. She lived with a Russian host family that did not speak any English. “The language barrier was the biggest challenge, but the experience also taught me a lot about myself,” Lang said. “I would return to Russia in
a heartbeat, and it was one of the reasons why I decided to continue my studies in International Development.” She leads numerous Bible studies on campus and for residents and just finished a Bible Study on the book of Ruth at Greene Community Church on High Street in Waynesburg.
Injury inspires job
gram admirably.” Violette would also like Stoltzfus to know that she should not lose touch with her athletic training roots as she enters the world of physical therapists. “I’m excited to see her grow as a physical therapist and am proud of how she wants to help others,” he said. Some of Stoltzfus’ favorite memories are from playing volleyball at the university. “It was definitely a valuable experience, traveling and interacting with the seniors,” she said. Stoltzfus said that her athletic training class started out with 24 students, by preseason her sophomore year it was down to eight, and by the end of her junior year only six students were
left. Stolzfus reflected on her Athletic Training memories. “The six of us are like family. Some of my favorite memories are of us fighting, not serious, just picking on each other, because we are so much like family. There are things that happened freshman and sophomore year that we still joke about,” she said. “I definitely have good memories and built friendships that I not worried about maintaining, because they’ll be maintained naturally.” Stoltzfus will attend Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., for physical therapy training. Stoltzfus said she had a lightbulb moment in her Biblical Ministries Studies course when she had to write a paper on Matthew
25:31-46 which talks about serving the “least of these.” “I don’t feel like athletes are the least of these, and I can see myself working with the older generation or in pediatrics with children with mental disabilities,” she said. Stoltzfus is busy this summer getting ready for her boards, and getting married in June. Stoltzfus plans on taking a hiatus after all of the excitement to prepare for the next two and a half years of learning and challenging herself further. Stoltzfus said she feels prepared and she is not nervous, but expects challenges after graduation. “I’m ready to leave and definitely move onto the next part of my life, back to my side of the state,” she said.
Continued from BB6 peutic Modalities has been her favorite class. Stoltzfus said it was interesting to, “find out how the body heals and responds to injury, and how modalities can manipulate the body and the healing process.” Stoltzfus explains that modalities are any nonexercise interventions that attempt to rehabilitate the injury. Stoltzfus also appreciates the professors outside of her major, including Dr. Evonne Baldauff and Dr. Hamilton. “One of the things about Athletic Training is you have people who are great as mentors and people to bounce off of,” Stoltzfus said. Stoltzfus’ favorite clinical experience was working with the local high school in Carmichaels. “It was the most rewarding; it’s just really different in a high school than college, they’re still kids, whereas when you get to college there’s more responsibility,” she said. “You learn how to interact with athletes at that level.” My favorite memory of Jenna is how she handled herself being one of the first students to work with our new physicians,” Patrick Violette (MS, ATC), head athletic trainer at Waynesburg University, said. “This was a really big deal, as we needed to start things off on the right foot with the doctors, and Jenna was in charge of organizing everything for their on-site injury clinics. She was so organized and professional, she represented herself and the Athletic Training Pro-
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Congratulations Graduates
Welcome to the Alumni Family
From all your friends in the Waynesburg University Alumni Office, best wishes to you in all your future endeavors.
ALUMNI AL LU L UM UM MN N Join our online community at www.waynesburgunited.com.