Thursday, September 20, 2012
YELLOW JACKET
Page A3
Campus
Ben Humiston remembered as ‘somebody we all looked up to’ By Alex Hinton Op/Ed, Assignments Editor Baseball coach and Director of Public Safety Mike Humiston said that when his son Ben came to Waynesburg University, he thought maybe he could major in “just being a social individual.” However, he quickly became interested in the Department of Communication. Benjamin Humiston, a university alumnus, died on July 31 at the age of 33. After graduating from Waynesburg Central High School in 1997, he earned his BA in Communication in 2003 from the university, which was then known as Waynesburg College. Ben Humiston led his life as an example to others in the Waynesburg University, according to those close to him. “[Ben] was well received by students, faculty, staff and administration,” said Mike Humiston. “From a father’s standpoint, that means a lot.” Mike Humiston said that his son was very involved in the Department of Communication
Students undeterred Continued from Page A1 market will be back up by the time I’m ready to look
Photo courtesy of Mike Humiston
Ben Humiston, Waynesburg alumnus and son of Director of Public Safety Mike Humiston, died on July 31 at the age of 33 due to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. during his time at the university. He wrote for the Yellow Jacket, had his own radio show and was the public address announcer for volleyball and women’s basketball. “Ben was somebody who got the maximum amount possible out of his time at Waynesburg,” Mike Humiston said. “He was homecoming king one year, he was the lip sync champion for two years—he was all in. He wanted to do what everybody else did and get involved in everything, in
spite of being in a wheelchair.” Though he faced the challenges of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy daily, Ben Humiston remained positive. “He was a young man who got absolutely everything out of life that he could. It’s easy for people to sit around and be sorry for themselves,” Mike Humiston said. “Adversity is a part of life. Adversity develops who you are and who you are going to be.” Ben Humiston was a
member of the Student Activities Board and helped plan events for the student body. Humiston also worked under the leadership of Richard Krause, chair of the Department of Communication. “[Ben] will be remembered by many of us as a personable, engaging face of Waynesburg athletics,” Krause said. Krause and Mike Humiston both noted that Ben Humiston was very passionate about sports, especially Waynesburg
for a job.” Unemployment rates also differ from degree as well. According to data from Georgetown University’s website, unemployment rates for people that earn degrees in majors such as
architecture and arts are higher than other majors like health and education. One other factor that varies on unemployment rates is location. In the area surrounding Pennsylvania, New York is the only state that has a
higher unemployment rate. Thier rate peaks at just over nine percent. At the same time, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate is just shy of eight percent, which is lower than the national
University athletics, the Oakland Raiders and the Duke Blue Devils. “[Ben] and I would talk sports. I would tease him because he was a big ACC fan, and I was a big East fan. I always followed Pitt basketball,” Krause said. “We would have those conversations from time to time about our favorite teams. I couldn’t convert him to the Pittsburgh market, as much as I tried. He had his teams.” Krause said that Ben Humiston was a dependable and diligent student, who made a lasting impression on many. “He was an absolute delight to work with,” Krause said. “Ben had to overcome some obstacles that most of us have never had to experience, and yet, even with those obstacles, he was able to do well in his classes. He was definitely somebody we all looked up to.” Humiston’s memorial service was held at the university’s Goodwin Performing Arts Center. “People don’t realize the impact they have on others until their funeral comes up. So many people were there…the uni-
versity is at the top of the list,” Mike Humiston said. “Everyone I know of at the university was at his funeral service at the GPAC.” Mike Humiston noted that Ben had his own service all planned, from the music to the photos. “I know parents are supposed to be proud of their children,” Mike Humiston said. “I don’t know if there’s a family that could be more proud of a son and brother than we’ve been.” Mike Humiston said that his son loved everything about Waynesburg University. “It’s not considered work if you love going every day,” he said. “Ben was that guy. He loved college. It was a big, big part of his life.” The community of Waynesburg will continue to remember Ben Humiston and his impact on so many lives. “His passing is a great loss for this community, because he was so well known and well liked by so many different communities within the university at large,” Krause said.
average. Both Ohio and West Virginia’s unemployment rates are at just over seven percent. In Greene County, the unemployment rate has slightly dropped in a year. In 2011, 7.7 percent of people in Greene County were unemployed. This year, that number has dropped to 7.5 percent. Director of career services and placement Marie Coffman has a few tips to help students at Waynesburg University to have an advantage in the job market. “Most employers are looking for transferrable skills, such as strong communication skills,” said Coffman.
According to Coffman, of the Waynesburg University students that graduated in May, 75 percent have been employed or are currently employed. Of the graduating seniors, 60 percent are currently employed in their field of study. “It all comes down to being proactive,” Coffman said. “Students just have to be prepared.” Coffman also thought a famous Vance Havner quote would be the best way to sum up how to break into a tough job market. She quoted Havner by saying, “It is not enough to stare up the steps-we must step up the stairs.”
Changes made to gym
who may now obtain quick and easy entry to the center without the use of an ID card. This feature complements another helpful addition, which is the office of the new fitness center director, Randy Pettit, who is also the strength and conditioning coach. Since his office is now located on the third floor of the center itself, he can now efficiently access his office without the hassle of using an identification card to get into the building. Overall, the changes in the fitness center are meant to continue the center’s purpose of providing a place that makes it easy for students, faculty, and staff to live healthy, active lifestyles and develop their athletic ability. A student worker is available on the second floor of the fitness center during its open hours to answer any questions students may have.
Continued from Page A1 as a part of the changes, and are now available for use. In addition to these features, new hygienic conveniences such as antibacterial hand wipe dispensers have been added in various areas of the fitness center. These items have been made readily available to help keep the exercise equipment clean and reduce the spread of disease. The degree of security that has been added to the center may seem overzealous to some students, as a few of the entrances to the building are now protected by biometric fingerprint scanners. In reality, these measures are actually a convenience to faculty and staff,