SPRING 2022 MIDTERM EDITION
@WUYELLOWJACKET
FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • VOL. 99 NO. 02 • EST. 1924
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Spring break provides much needed rest for students. Break begins Saturday, Feb. 26.
State Representative Pam Snyder announces her retirment after serving 9 years in office.
Brooke Fuller and Matt Popeck reflect on their basketball careers at Waynesburg University.
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Celebrating Black History Month Criminal Justice House receives new equipment RILEY HOLSINGER For The Yellow Jacket
Abigail Phillips, The Yellow Jacket
Diversity and Belonging club hosts educational events ALEXANDRA MORAR Editorial Assistant
In honor of Black History Month, Waynesburg University’s Diversity and Belonging Student Advisory Board is embracing education on campus. The club said they strive to clear misconceptions and inform Waynesburg of struggles different groups face through a book club, movie nights, discussion groups and even sharing a meal. Some of their February events include a virtual “Corporate Diversity” presentation on Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. and “An Evening of Music” with Joy Ike Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. in the Benedum Glass Room. There is also a special book display in Eberly Library honoring Black History Month. Perspectives on Diversity Sarah Bell, the university’s career development specialist and study abroad coordinator, is the advisor
of the Board. Waynesburg’s Diversity and Belonging Initiative began over the summer of 2020, encouraging a diversity training session amongst faculty and staff. The Student Advisory Board was then developed in the fall. Since then, the Board has led diversity workshops, conducted a book club on Bryan Stevenson’s “Just Mercy,” hosted guest speakers and holds monthly meetings. They are even aiming to improve campus accessibility for disabled individuals. “Since we started the initiative on campus to really make it an intentional effort to have conversations about diversity and belonging,” Bell said. “[To] see, hear and understand, has been a theme for us as a group when we're thinking about what we want to plan, how we respond to things that come off or just what we're doing in general.” Bell explained that the club really pushes the idea of everyone having
an equal voice. She did admit that it is difficult at times to have a balance and ensure that every group is heard. However, she believes valuing all groups equally is key. Bell explained what diversity means to her. “[Diversity] is such a big umbrella term, that it really encompasses any underrepresented group,” Bell said. “It could be anything that makes someone unique.” She further her explanation by emphasizing the extent of diversity. Bell included the club’s mission to tackle issues regarding military students, students of color, LGBTQ+ students, international students and even non-traditional students. “I think that there are just a lot of components that go into it,” she said. “And I think that that can be really rewarding.” Admissions Counselor and Graduate Student Isaiah Skeete shared his view of diversity in an email interview.
“Diversity means a lot to me,” Skeete said. “Diversity to me means that you are accepting and understanding of others’ opinions. This allows you to grow as a person and be informed of different perspectives.” As an undergraduate student at Waynesburg, Skeete was involved in the Student Advisory Board his senior year, 2020-2021. He helped organize and lead the “Let’s Talk about Race” workshop, in which different kinds of racism were discussed. He explained how it was an open forum for students to ask questions about societal approaches to racism. Skeete also led an event for criminal justice majors to study injustice in the criminal justice system. Skeete described the CJ event as “an open forum to talk about different policing events that happened and hear other students’ perspectives regarding these events.”
The basement of the CSI Center recently received a new addition that provides students with a “very realistic” patrolling experience. The Department of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences was gifted with a Patrol Simulator 7 created by L3Harris. According to
different from anything we’ve done,” senior criminal justice student Matt Dougher said. “This is a whole new experience.” “Not only is it good for us to get the feel of getting in behind the wheel of a police car, but it also helps us to navigate through problems that might come up while you’re driving and different conditions that
“We’re one of the only higher ed institutions that are using these.” ADAM JACK
Chairperson for the Department of Criminal Justice
department Chairperson Adam Jack, this magnitude of patrolling simulator equipment is not rare to see at police academies, but it is rare for colleges and universities to possess. “They sell these all over the world,” Jack said. “They didn’t know if another school had one of these, but we’re one of the only higher ed institutions that are using these.” The entire system is geared to provide a “handson, experiential training for patrol officers, offering experience without risks to people or equipment.” At Way n e s b u rg , t h e equipment is doing just that by offering students an opportunity to get acclimated. DIVERSITY << A4 “It’s been great. It’s so
might arise,” Jack said. Some of the different scenarios students can encounter is: driving during different times of the day and weather conditions, utilizing different types of vehicles, dealing with real life scenarios and more. Unlike most simulations, this equipment provides a more realistic feel to patrolling. “Everything from the mobile digital terminal to the lights and sirens to the air conditioning works on it. It’s really like you’re sitting in a vehicle,” Jack said. “It moves as if you are driving. You have to put the seat belt on or else it would jar you out of the seat if you have an accident.” NEW << A4
Students Delight women’s ministry launches at WU combat growing loan debt LACHLAN LOUDON Copy Desk Chief
MICAH LEITH Region Editor
College students and graduates from around the country continue to struggle with student debt, with 43.4 million Americans dealing with some amount of debt, according to a 2022 report by educationdata.org. The total student debt in America is $1.75 trillion and is growing 6 times faster than the U.S. economy. According to Matthew Stokan, the director of financial aid at Waynesburg University, one problem is the disconnect between rising costs and static aid programs from the federal government. He says that Waynesburg is not immune to this issue. “We are lucky here at Waynesburg because the President makes a concerted effort to keep costs as low as possible, but the reality is they do go up some,” he said. DEBT << A4
Thanks to junior psychology major Tess Marlin, national women’s ministry, Delight, now has an official chapter at Waynesburg University. According to Delight Ministry’s website, Delight is a college women’s Christian group that meets weekly to dive into a curriculum provided by the organization. Now, the club has over 30 members and is becoming more involved in both the campus and local communities. “We also serve, interact with the university community and do what we can to connect the surrounding community with Jesus,” Marlin said. “I like to describe it as a group of women that get to do life together.” Marlin, the chapter’s team director, said she worked hard last semester to assemble a team t o g ra nt Way n e s b u rg University a recognized chapter. After back and forth correspondence with Delight headquarters and associate dean of students Pat Bristor, Delight was able to launch
Courtesy of Madison Madison McMonagle
Delight members meet every Wednesday night in Stover to particpate in worship and fellowship with one another. this spring. “I felt [Delig ht] was something that a lot of women on this campus could benefit from,” Marlin said. “Our main goal is to make connections with as many women as possible and to grow closer in our relationship with God. We are so glad that we already are reaching so many people and cannot wait to see what our chapter is capable of in the future.” This semester, the book of Genesis will be the topic of study. According to Marlin, Waynesburg’s
Delight chapter will be utilizing the Genesis curriculum book offered by the national ministry group. E a c h wee k , D e l i g ht meets to work through the curriculum book and participate in discussion. The meetings beg in with worship and announcements. Then, Bible study takes place with the Delight curriculum book. After that, they conclude with discussion, prayer and more worship. “As an organization, Delig ht really focuses on being more than a
Bible study,” said Sophie Kipe, senior early childhood education major. “I think all the Delight leaders would agree that our biggest hope is that Jesus will be more wellknown, well-loved and well-served by girls at Waynesburg.” Kipe, who also is a musician on the Upper Room team, is one of the worship leaders for Delight. Marlin said Kipe “is so passionate about this group and has been a complete blessing.” The mission statement of Delight reads, “to in-
vite college women into Christ-centered community that fosters vulnerability and transforms stories.” Together, these women have already formed a strong community and have been vocal on anticipating its growth. “We hope that we can just welcome as many people as possible this semester and get our footing so we can welcome even more women next semester,” Marlin said. Anyone interested in joining should contact Marlin.