217 15 4134 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/e1c68b287d5eeb080c5c284586cd9449.pdf 3fbb81ca7a3b979c3d4e4e07effd7756 PDF Text Text WILKES VS. DEL. & HUNTER UNIVERSITY CORNERS PAGE 12 PAGE 20 JANUARY 27, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tondrick, Malkemes contribute to holes in staff BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Managing Editor Between late December and early January two members of the Wilkes University staff announced plans for departure. Mike Malkemes, director of Campus Support Services and 19-year Wilkes employee, finished his tenure at the university January 16 and left for an unspecified position in industry. And on February 6, Christine Tondrick will leave her position as associate director of Marketing Communications at Wilkes University for the position of communications director for the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) in Camp Hill. A 1998 alumna of Wilkes, Tondrick has been employed by the university since May 2001. With a wedding date set for September, Tondrick had been actively looking for employment opportunities in and around Harrisburg, where her fiancee lives. "The [new] job will be very focused on one particular industry. At Wilkes, we have multiple audiences of prospective students, current students, parents, internal, employees, the board, alumni ... We have multiple audiences that we serve and service. At PHA, our audience is focused on members and our homecare providers and health professionals," she said. See STAFF page 4 Volume 61 Issue 11 New permits, weather leads to parking lot woes BY AMY FUSCO Beacon News Editor As the second semester began, so too did the struggles with parking permits and spaces. Last Thursday, public safety officers began ticketing students who are parking illegally--either without parking passes or in areas not designated for student parking. According to students and school officials, it is typical to encounter confusion and frustration during the first weeks of each semester. Gerald Rebo, manager of Public Safety, explained The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick that Wilkes wants students The ticket on the car above signals the start of the season of which public saftey officials remind comto have time to pick up their muters of the rules of the parking lot. Parking enforcement began last Thursday. permits. They do not start "It's courtesy-wise that we do that [wait are three rounds to go through, it does take ticketing because they have not had time to pick their permits up, which is a process to ticket]; that way students have a chance time. The first round involves students apto get their permits," said Rebo. Since there that consists of three rounds. See PARKINGpage 3 Nursing program improves scores, avoids probation BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Op-Ed Editor For almost a year, anxious nursing faculty and students awaited National Counsel Licensing Examination (NCLEX) test results to see if the nursing program's accreditation would avoid the worst-case scenario of probation. According to the National Council of State Board of Nursing, the national pass rate for all students who took the NCLEX was 85.5 percent for the 2006-07 testing period. In ON THE WEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu INDEX News ............... 1-5 Opinion...........6-8 that same period, Wilkes recorded an average pass rate of 59. 7 percent, just under the minimum requirement. If a university or college does not achieve the national minimum pass rate, its program runs the risk of probationary status. With below average exam results, members of the Wilkes University nursing community discussed what would happen if Wilkes's accreditation was suspended. However, the Wilkes nursing program made significant gains and avoided any problems this year. For the 2007-08 testing Lifestyles....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 period, Wilkes posted a 73 percent pass rate on the NCLEX exams. "It's still lower than our previous years," Mary Ann Merrigan, chair of the nursing department acknowledged, but she noted that the university is still working hard to maintain a healthy and prosperous program. According to Merrigan, the NCLEX exam is a " ... national examination administered by the state board." The computerized test is limited to five hours and can range anywhere between 75 and 265 questions. w See NURSING page 5 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member . �NEWS JANUARY 27, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu cathryn. frear@wilkes.edu jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com 2 SUB kitchen receives facelift, expansion and updates BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor Changes to the way students unload their trays in the cafeteria of the Henry's Student Center has left some students feeling shortchanged. The changes are part of a renovation to the cafeteria's dish room, says Paul Kaspriskie Jr., director of capital projects for Wilkes Uni- Due to the increasing number of students who are purchasing meal plans and utilizing the cafeteria, the dish room is being expanded, said Kaspriskie. He added that tile was replaced on the walls, a new dishwasher was installed and a new conveyer system is being put in within the next few months. He explained that currently, there is only one smaller cut out in the wall for the cafeteria's patrons the amount of the people that we serve there during the day," said Kaspriskie. Although the renovation is only a temporary inconvenience to the patrons, some students have trouble reaching over the space to place the trays on the conveyer. Maggie Wesolowski, a sophomore business administration major, has had trouble placing her tray on the conveyer system. She said, "It's hard for me to reach over to put my tray on the rack." · Mah amed Jalloh, undeclared freshmant, does not believe the renovations were necessary. "I feel we could have spent the money on something else. You know, _ _ _...., if it's not The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick b r o k e , Students line up to place their trays on the conveyer. Students need to lean over to reeach don't fix it. Other updates of the kitchen include new stoves, ovens and tiles on the wall. it," he said. Mike versity. to place their trays, but there will Molnar, general manager of CamAccording to Kaspriskie, the be an additional cut out once the pus Dining, says the renovations school has been thinking about new conveyer system is installed. and upgrades to the space are necrenovating the dish room and re"We expanded the dishroom essary. placing machines for the past year because there just wasn't enough "We outgrew it a little bit. So the and a half. room in there for the help and new system will handle the addi- * BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas A student reaches across the platform to put his tray in the rack. The new conveyer system will be flat unlike the current system. tional volume," he said. Molnar added that the equipment in the dish room has not been updated since the Henry Student Center opened in 1999. John Pesta, currently interim manager of support services , said the dish room is being completed in phases due to the fact that the conveyer system had to be custom made. The first phase is to replace the dated equipment, re-tile the area, and expand the room. The second phase will include installing the new conveyer system. The new installation will be more of a flat system as opposed to the current system we have now which is a referred to as a carousel system. Molnar said the total cost of the project is about $250,000. The price includes replacements in the kitchen, stoves, ovens, dishwasher, tiling and the new conveyer system. Pesta said the money for the project comes from the University Capital Projects funds. He added that all of the projects were bid on by different companies and Wilkes took the lowest prices on the projects. Editorial Staff 2008-09 Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Bethany Yamrick Asst. Photo Editor �NEWS 27, 2009 PARKING JANUARY from FRONT PAGE plying for a parking peIIOit and being selected by Commuter Council and Residence Life in order to go to the next round. Kevin Hettrich, Wilkes junior and president of Commuter Council, further explained the application process. He said that on the parking application, there are a few questions with regard to how far away the student lives from campus. "If you are in walking distance to campus, which is one of the questions of the application, you don't get a parking spot," Hettrich said. "We usually favor the people who are further away. It goes on a poii1t system." After the first round, students on the waiting list will move up if people do not pick up their permits. Hettrich also admitted that some people, including himself, thought that public safety officials started parking enforcement the week before, which was part of the mixup. He sympathizes with the students who are not able to park in the parking lots, but Hettrich said that the process has worked similarly in the past. Lastly, he explained that students' accounts are not charged for parking until they pick up their passes. Amanda Woodle, P3 student, has been applying for a parking pass similarly in previous years since she was a first year student, close to five consecutive years. "I always seem to have problems when trying to apply for the commuter parking pass," Woodle commented. "I live right near campus, within walking distance, so I never seem to qualify for the first round of parking passes." An issue she consistently deals with is living so close to campus, meaning she did not meet the qualifications of the first round of parking passes. Woodie's main concern is obtaining a pass because she needs to be able to drive to pharmacy sites off campus up to three times a week for class. "I am told that I can't have a parking pass because I live so close. They don't seem to understand that it is a requirement for my classes that I have a car available to drive to sites off campus," said Woodle. "I was eventually able to get a parking pass during second round selections, but by that time I had already received a parking ticket." Along with parking issues due to people parking in the wrong lots, some parking lot conditions have reduced the amount of spaces. In the past few weeks, temperatures have been extremely low causing snow and 3 ice to remain around the parking lot. Rebo explained that people are not ticketed for parking over the line unless it is an extreme issue. According to Rebo, Public Safety will not accept the excuse that a student could not find anywhere else to park, in reference to parking on campus without a parking pass or lack of space due to weather conditions. He suggested the use of the parking garage because there are always parking spaces open. Before the semester began, there was an email sent out to students describing the parking enforcement policy. "A $25 ticket will be given if you don't have the proper permit for the proper lot," stated Rebo. Additionally, if anyone is parked in the fire lane or in a handicapped spot, the car will be ticketed and towed. Furthermore, people cannot park alongside Passan Hall in the alley in case of emergencies requiring fire trucks and, specifically, ambulances, as Health Services is now located on the first floor of Passan Hall. "The first two weeks, we give them [students, faculty and stafl] the benefit of parking on campus," Rebo said. Parking enforcement will be consistent with ticketing from now on. Finally, he stated that not everyone can be satisfied within the first two BAL 900 RUTTER AVE. nt 2ND )FLOOR, fO"'l'Y-FOR1"', PA 1~708 570-332-5705 . $100 SEMESTER CLASS PASS UNLIMITED CLASSES FOR ALL STUDENTS AND FACULTY on il- MUST PRESENT STUDENT OR FACULTY ID OFFER EXPIRES 2/15/09 e www.balanceyogastudio.net ba la n ceJ!ogastu d io. net �~~ JANUARY - --- 27, 2009 -- -- - -- . - 4 NEWS "I'm happy for Christine. This is a really wonderful opportunity and in today's job from FRONT PAGE market, it says a lot about the quality of the individual to find and get this kind ofjob. It "Also, one of the more challenging things allows her to get on with a major portion of about my job will be learning and working for her life," said Jack Chielli, executive directhe state government, working in legislative af- tor of Marketing Communications. "Over fairs and working very closely with PHA's lob- the years she has done a fantastic job .. . She byists to advocate for homecare providers ... to has earned the compliments and respect of - ................,......,.""""'""""""""=....,.........,..,....._.,.,,,.,,,..,..__________, the entire campus community." "I met Christine when I tried out to be the mascot. She was the one who really spring boarded the entire mascot program, and she has been sort of the rnklascot advisor for Dave [Lewis], Jason [Woloski] and me," said Emilee Strobeck, junior elementary education major. "It was obvious how passionate she was toward making it a successful program, and her leadership skills and professionalism she displayed with us were surely among the best. --.,,,,,,..,~. ~~r"""', ,,--.,..._-J It will be hard to replace her," Strobeck added MickelBoth STAFF make campus events, such as the Outstanding Leaders' Forum and the Kirby Lecture, successful. "I' 11 miss the people [at Wilkes] ... People have been so overwhelming supportive and I'm just so touched by everybody's kind words and well wishes," said Tondrick. On December 23, Tom Messinger, executive director of Campus Support Services, announced Malkemes's choice to leave the university. According to Messinger's release, Malkemes was leaving Wilkes for "a new opportunity in a private industry" on January 16. As manager of CSS, Malkemes was responsible for campus safety, mail room, insurances, vehicle fleet, access control and support services, said Messinger. Prior to his departure, Malkemes had been an employee of the university for 19 years. "He has done a wonderful job here at Wilkes. He was well-respected and liked and really did a good job," said Petra Carver, vice president for finance operations. Having only begun his career at Wilkes in late September, Messinger did not work with Malkemes long before he informed him of his resignation on December 15. "He appeared to be a very capable and well organized individual," said Messinger. FUTURISTIC INNOVATIVE GRAPHICS son and Chielli ~ - - - - - - - stressed that Tondrick's personality and commitment to Wilkes can not be The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki replaced, though Christine Tondrick, associate director of marketing communica- her position will tions will be leaving for a career opportunity PHA in Camp Hill. be filled. • Chielli does not help draft legislation that will help benefit our expect to hire outside of the university audience," she added. to fill Tondrick's position. Instead, other Throughout her years at Wilkes, Tondrick members of the Marketing Communicahas worked closely with many members of the tions team will take on her responsibilities. President's Cabinet, faculty, staff and students. "Do I think there are other individuals Melanie Mickelson, director of Admissions, out in our community that can learn to grow described Tondrick as "class, with a capital on the job like Christine has? Yeah, I do," C." said Chielli. "I hope that we get a good ap"1 have always admired her class. I don't plicant pool; this is a critical position." think that that's something everybody naturally According to Chielli, Tondrick acted as has, and if you don't have it, it isn't something the chief spokesperson for Wilkes Univeryou can learn," said Mickelson. Mickelson sity. Her responsibilities as associate direccredits Tondrick with aiding the develop- tor of the department included, but are not ment of the relationship between Wilkes and limited to, writing press releases, writing 160over90, a branding agency based in Phila- for the president and administration offidelphia. The campaign has earned the univer- cials and working closely with the graphic sity national recognition recently. design and advancement departments to Neither Carver nor Messinger could comment on Malkemes 's future employment opportunities. "[H]e indicated this new position provided some future potential that he could not pass up," said Messinger. "He was not willing to share that information with me ... " said Carver. "The way he communicated with me was that after 19 years he had a career advancement opportunity .. . that was very exciting to him, and I would never hinder that kind of initiative." According to Carver, John Pesta will act as interim manager ofCSS until they decide how they will permanently fill Malkemes 's position. Paul Kapriskie will fill Pesta's empty position in capital projects as Pesta takes on new responsibilities. "[Malkemes] leaves a big hole for us. Fortunately, in the past, John Pesta has handled these areas. He has a similar background here and he should be able to seamlessly fill in. Though it is very painful, we should not experience a lack or loss in service," said Carver. Malkemes was contacted but chose not to comment on the details of his departure. SCRIIN p,1,.1,rrlNfJ IMBROZDIRY PRDMOflONAL ffi l.DCATED lH WUXES-BARBE ACJIOSS PROM BDLY RDIEEMEB DAI DOMINO'S; ARD CDUA DVDAG!! ~~-, s. !-i.I, CR.. .PR1r1• ""' �27, 2009 NURSING NEWS JANUARY from FRONT PAGE ll y 11 ie ;al n1s. 1as .lar ble ery ack LOSe de- Students don't receive a score, but rather a "pass" or "fail". It is taken yearly and to maintain accreditation, Pennsylvania requires each college/university to achieve a minimum pass rate of 60 percent. Merrigan explained that state board monitors the university's program to ensure improvement. She also added that even if the accreditation were suspended, Wilkes would still be fully approved by the State Board of Nursing. In other words, accreditation is an option rather than a requirement. The state board of Pennsylvania allows nursing students to practice with a permit for up to one year after graduation. Merrigan said, "If students don't take the examination within the first few months of graduation," they are less likely to pass. "We had five students who waited over eleven months ... and they were all not successful." But the pressure of the test does weigh heavily on nursing students as they work toward that culminating event in their education. Jeanne Wood, a sophomore nursing major said, "I was worried that Wilkes was going to lose its accrediation because many employers look for that. Even though it's more than two years away, I'm still pretty :::~~sbecauseeveryoneseemstosayit's Records show that from 2003-2005 Wilkes posed pass scores of 77.80%, 84.00%, and 70.00% respectively. Merrigan explained that the nursing program " ... grew rapidly" in 2006 and that resources could not keep up. "We more than doubled our enrollment in the past five years, and our faculty did not." According to Wilkes's 2007-08 Fact Book, the number of full-time undergraduate nursing students has jumped from 89 in fall 2003 to 282 in fall 2007, a trend that is consistent with national growth in the nursing education area. According to Merrigan, in order to compensate, Wilkes hired five new full-time instructors and has also introduced a slew of review programs. In addition, the nursing program has raised admission requirements. Applicants must now stand within the top 50 percent of their class, achieve a minimum math score of 450 on the SATs, present two letters of recommendation, write an entrance essay and conduct an interview. This March the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education will conduct a full overview of Wilkes's nursing program to decide if it will be approved for another ten year accreditation. SG Notes: January 21, 2009 BYAMYFUSCO Beacon News Editor 16,. Lar:ge Pizza 12•' Pan Pizza Cold ~ !!21 Meatball WI Cheese Tuna&Cb.m e Cheese Steak: Ham&Chee.se Cbi~ken Parmigill Club Sub Turkey&. Cheese Cm. Bacon.&: Cheese Sa.usage Roast Beef & Cheese Grilled Cmcbn Chicken Cheese Steak 13ufl"4!o Ohi~ken C.S Events -Jail & Bail- January 22 - PA Student Government February 7 -Winter Weekend February 20-21 -VIP Day March 21, 12:30pm New Business Acceptance ofPositions -new SG members accepted their positions Lacrosse Club Fund Request (Week 2 of2) -motion passed to fund $2,685.00 for the club Paint Ball Club Recognition (Week 2 of2) -motion passed for club status * * At 7:30 p.m. , a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference room on the second floor of the RSC. Fried Mushrooms Fried Ravioli (6} Mozzarella Stieb (S) Mini Tac.os (12) Mini Potato l?mwes (1:2) J~lapen<> Po~ (6) French Frie, 'MlhJ..&Jm s~ Cheese Fries OniooRmp Chicken Nuggets (8) :JD Eat Norlh.mpt.tm St Bread Stieb 8.25--51661 82S-W7 Hnn Deli Melt Old Business -Vagina Monologues Donation - Rock Wall Certification Club Reports The following clubs presented updates on their events. - Programming Board -MSC PIZZA•WW .US• IALADI- Our Original Fried Sicilian Regular Cut 12 Cut Tray While CUt 10 CUt Tray B.roooo1i Cu.t 10 Cut Tm)' SG Major Initiative -SG members brainstormed ideas for ways to enhance the Wilkes campus through the Student Government buffer fund. - Student Concerns Treasurer's Report - General: $11,324.74 - Special Projects: $3,864.06 - Spirit: $4,000.00 - Leadership: $8,652.56 - Start-Up: $2,400.00 ~r· Ronn~ .f.,k ! 12»Medium Pizza Mtm • llum 11A.H-11PM Fri~ Sat 11 AM-12:30AM Sun l2PMpl1PM AMO lo,& Discount for Studeau* Tossed wl Croutons Tossed w/ Tuna Pasffi w/ Ol»ei-e Crispy Chicken Chicken. Caesm- Antipasto Caesar ChefSalad Gneck Chicken Caesar CheeseSteak Grilled Cbjcke.n Veggie Turk~y Club Cris.PY Cbiekm California Cheese Ste.Ilk Tuna •DINI JMGtll' Delivery ~pedals :2 Urie Pi~ S l7.95 2 Small Pizzas $13.9S All Major Credit Cards Accepted FREE DELIVERY O ALL WILKES DORMS 5 Delivery Speclab Mix & M,ateh Vlmgs & 8uhs 3 fur$lSJ>S �------- - - ---- -~-- - - - - • Opinion CONTACT INFORMATION: · gino.troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com An open letter to President Oba01a on education BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Dear President Obama, Congratulations on becoming the 44th President of the United States of America. Over the past three years you have overcome so many obstacles and broken countless barriers. You have inspired us as well as enchanted the nation and most of the world with your promises of change, but now it is time to deliver. Understandably, yours will not be an easy job. The global economy is in terrible shape, we are fighting two wars, and most of the world distrusts us. You obviously have a rather lengthy to-do list. But we want to make sure that you don't forget about some of the other important issues facing the nation like the cost of higher education. In November of 2007, you said, "We need to put a college education within reach of every American." Over the past five years the average cost of a college education has grown nearly 40 percent Because of the rising costs, two million people will have been denied college education during the first decade of the new millennium. Throughout your campaign you discussed what you would do to address the cost of higher education. Your tax credit plan, which will insure that the first $4,000 of an individual's education is paid for, is a good start. We especially like the idea that students must complete community service to be eligible for the credit. The plan reminds us of a similar one proposed by President Clinton during his administration. However, given the cost of a college education at private and public four-year institutions, this $4,000 puts only a small dent in the challenge young people and parents must meet to « earn a bachelor's degree. And most would agree that today's bachelor's degree is the equivalent of a high school diploma of the 1950s and 1960s-a must for sustainable employment. Thus, we urge you to assemble the most creative minds out there to design yet more opportunties to defray--or even eliminate altogether--the overall cost of tuititon with national or international servi~:u have also Trends in rising education costs 1rtB]~ ~ $42,323 The average cost of acollege education has gorown nearlv 40% in the past 5 vears. $44),275 $38-,227 $36,179 $J4,IJl mentioned that you will eliminate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FASFA. Michael Frantz, our Vice President for Enrollment Services, explained that your plan is not eliminating the process for analyzing student need, just simplifying the it. This is definitely a good change, because for some, the process is aboput as clear as the Tax Code (which means as clear as mud). In addition, special consideration must be made for those families who have been hardest hit by the current economic crisis. If the federal government could subsidize special programs for free or low-cost retraining for those who have lost their jobs, colleges can partner in that effort. Locally, we applaud Luzerne County Community College for taking the lead in offering free classes to community members and see it as the sort of model colleges across the nation should consider. But colleges 2008 2009 20l0 2011 2012 This chart shows a national increase in tuition at 6% annually according to College Board projections. can't afford to take such measures indefinitely. We ask that your administration harness the creativity we think is there and devise a means by which such solutions can be found. On that note, please try to ensure the survival of community colleges. Community colleges play a key role in providing affordable and adequate education to individuals who may not have been able to pursue higher education if the institutions were not available. The most important thing that you could do for us is to ensure that student loans will be available when we need them. Headlines are popping up all across the country about the uncertain future of student loans. Frankly, we are scared. Many of us cannot afford college on our own and depend on banks and financiers to fund the remaining cost. While we hate the idea of debt, not attending college because we can't get the loans does not seem like a viable alternative. We know that these issues may seem trivial right now, but we are depending on you. The future of this country rests in the hands of our schools and the future leaders they are shaping. But because of this financial crisis, that future feels at best murky, and at worst non-existent. We ask you once again to give us hope and the change we need in the area of higher education. Sincerely, The Beacon Editorial Staff President Obama intends to simPlifV the application processfor financial aid. If legislation is properlvwritten, student loans will become more accessible -10 individuals pursuing higher education. 6 �JANUARY 27, 2009 OPINION 7 The Angry Rant: Celebrating cultural absurdities BY TIM SEIGFRIED.. Beacon Wilkes Alumus It's a new year, and that means it's also awards season, and 'The Angry Rant' is no exception. Over the last year, I've compiled some of the most rage-inducing cultural...uh, events ... and compressed them into an easy-to-read collection of fury and acerbity. Let's get to it. The Most Absurd News Story of the Year ... The "pregnant man." Okay, let's get a few things straight: men can't have babies. Can we all agree on that? So why did the major news organizations in the country decide to call a female - who had some "refinements" - a man? In reality, she possessed no organs or genes that would label her as such. Unless scientists have successfully found out how to manipulate the human genome (which means my Metal Gear Solid fantasy could be a reality - awesome), she still is a female. Just because you call yourself a male, cut off your cans, and pump yourself full of enough testosterone to look like Mick Foley, guess what - you're still a chick. Oh, and also, you are able to bear a child. That's one thing that men haven't figured out, at least without having hilarious results (see also: Junior). You're not a pregnant man, you're a female who is doing something that many other females in the history of the world has done: bear a child. You're not special. Also, did anyone else catch his her interview with Oprah? At one point, she said that she was concerned that their neighbor would find out that she was pregnant, and you know, they wanted to have privacy in this moment of joy with her and her wife. I'll give you all a moment to bang your head on the table. Really? You go on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and you're worried that your neighbor might find out? This fetus has had more exposure than Madonna's skeletor-arms. So there is a pretty good chance that your neighbor has already caught wind of your story. And if he hasn't, then I'm sure that the ten news vans parked in your front yard may have him just a tad suspicious. Listen, I don't see how this woman is legally a male. It doesn't make any sense, because she retains the genetic structure of a female, and unless she was born with both sets of equipment (she wasn't), she is still a woman. But ifwe are allowed to call ourselves whatever we want, then I wish to be called Odin - I'll ride around on Sleipnir, my eight-legged horse, welcoming the proud dead into Valhalla until I am slain during Ragnarok. (My props to the three people who got my Norse mythology joke. Which is the best kind of mythology, by the way. That's right, Greeks, you and your "gods" that look like rejects from the Abercombie and Fitch catalog can take a hike. Seriously, have you seen what Zeus looks like? Nice wax job on your chest, Nancy.) Back to the rant. Best movie series that was given an unecessary sequel that was the cinematic equivalent to an abortion ... Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull! First off, the lndi- Jones s er i e s has produced some of the best adventure movies of all-time. The first three ranged from "good" to "perhaps the greatest film about a fedora-clad archaeologist and his octogenarian father." But the latest installment was an abomination. It was like a mother giving birth to three children who turned out to be Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and George Washington, and then giving birth to a fourth child nearly two decades later, only that kid turns out to be Dane Cook. Anyhow, the gift that Miley received from Tyra Banks, model-turned-actress-turnedtalkshow host-turned-windbag? A picture of a 16-year-old Tyra Banks. That's right, because nothing says "your special day isn't about you" more than a picture of an aging model who is more bat-ESS crazy than the old man who keeps jars of his own feces in his basement so the aliens can clone him when the mothership returns. Remember when Tyra Banks was considered to be a talented actress who had one of the most critically acclaimed talk shows on television? Me either. All I can remember is the time that she was photographed in her bathing suit and the media frenzy that followed. For those who aren't aware, Tyra was photographed on vacation on in a bathing suit that was less than flattering. Perhaps it was a bad angle, but whatever it was, Tyra, who is at the vanguard of promoting a healthy self-esteem among the females, decided that the only way to combat this was to wear the suit on her show to prove that she is a healthy woman who was victimized by the paparazzi. The result: Tyra was right, it was a bad angle. She would go on to say that women are hurt by comments like that, and that self-esteem is a fragile and frail creature, like a kitten made of glass. Except that, during her explanation, she basically said: "As you can see, I'm not fat. But if I was, that would be okay because I'm happy with myself. But I'm not that, just to let you all know. Me, Tyra Banks, international supermodel, isn't fat. But guess what, it would be okay if I was. But I'm not. Just to be clear." Nothing like promoting a healthy image and self-esteem for women who aren't supermodels, so as long as it's not you, right Tyra? Hey! Remember me, I'm somehow still popular ... Paris Hilton! Really? She has her television show? What? It's about people who want to be her friend? Well, are they dudes who just want to nail her? WHAT? They're girls who actually crave her friendship? Oh, I see, so those girls are pulling an elaborate prank on MTV and the rest of society, right? No? They're serious? Wait, did any of those girls vote? Oh, they didn't even know who Obama was? Well, thank God for that, I guess. Which leads me to this: This country needs to establish a license for people to vote. Ifwe can't consistently meet 60% for turnout, then we do the next best thing and eliminate all those who are too uneducated to vote. Of course, that rules out a good portion of the American population, but is anyone else with me when I say that it's a problem that the voting system for the NFL Probowl is more organized than the current system we have in place for electing the leader of the free world? The unecessary sampling of two good songs by an artist who is less talented than the guy who is pumping your gas ... Kid Rock! Kid, seriously? Did you really need to sample "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Werewolves of London" for your song "All Summer Long?" You single-handedly ruined two songs, .md the ears of anyone who has good taste in music, when you could have done the same by just remixing "Bawitdaba." But really, how bad is music getting? Katy Perry is somehow popular, Britney Spears is on her third comeback and for whatever reason, Rob Thomas is still producing hits. Nothing makes sense anymore! This is some of the worst music to be released, ever, including the "stone rock" era. (That's where cavemen would pound out tunes with rocks and sticks. Oops, cromagnon puns not doing it for you? Fair enough.) The truth is that the youth of today (including many who are reading this) have no idea about classic music. I don't mean Beethoven or Mozart. I mean classic music like Led Zeppelin or the Beatles. Because I'm going to scream ifl have this conversation again: "Man, this song by Sean Kingston is great! I love the composition!" "You know that he just sampled Led Zeppelin, right?" "Who?" But seriously, children, can you switch off the bad music, if only for a moment, and embrace the beautiful composition that is known as "Stairway to Heaven." Or "Hey Jude." Get to know names like Plant, Paige, Hendrix, Morrison, Lennon and McCartney. Forget Britney and Fergie. It's going to hurt at first, because your ears have been conditioned to such poor music that it won't fully recognize brilliance. But I promise you, you will not regret it. This is your job, readers. Go out and pick up a copy of Led Zeppelin IV, and just listen to it. You will not be disappointed. In fact, I guarantee that it will change your life. If everyone could listen to Led Zeppelin, then there would be no war, there would be no recession, there would be no hatred. There would only be love ... and the sweet sounds of Robert Plant. Welcome back, Wilkes. �JANUARY 27, 2009 OPINION 8 Charges dropped on 9/11 conspirator BY GINO TROIANI Beacon OP-ED EDITOR Imagine a prison where prisoners are subjected to prolonged isolation, sleep deprivation, forced nudity, physical threats, degrading treatment, prolonged exposure to cold, and 18 to 20 hour interrogations that span over 48 days. Prisoners are completely cut off from the outside world and all basic civil liberties are non-existent. No, this is not a story cooked up by Stephen Glass. Nor is it a rehash of Abu Ghraib. This is a cruel reality for many detainees being held at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp located in Cuba. The existence of Guantanamo has severely blemished the United States' image within the international community, and has sent a message that completely contradicts its own laws protecting civil liberties. On August 4 2001, Mohammed al Qahtani, a Saudi national, was denied access to the United States by a suspicious immigration inspector at an Orlando airport. According to U.S. officials, Qahtani planned to become the "20th hijacker" in the attacks on September 11 , 2001. In 2002, Qahtani was captured in Afghanistan and transported to the Guantanamo detention facility where he began interrogation. Qahtani had been facing counts of conspiracy, terrorism and murder in violation of the laws of war. His interrogation began in November 2002 and ranged over a fifty day span. Qahtani was then held in isolation until April 2003. Currently, there are approximately 245 prisoners being held in the Gitmo detention camps alongside Qahtani. That is 245 to many. According to Susan Crawford, a retired judge that runs the military tribunals at Guantanamo, the interrogation methods used on Qahtani were life threatening and qualified as torture. In an interview published by The Washington Post on January 14, Crawford said, "The techniques they used were all authorized, but the manner in which they applied them was overly aggressive and too persistent. ... You think of torture, you think of some horrendous physical act done to an individual. This was not any one particular act; this was just a combination of things that had a medical impact on him, that hurt his health. It was abusive and uncalled for." The Washington Post also reported that because the interroga- tion process used on Qahtani was so intense, he was hospitalized twice because of a condition called bradycardia, which happens when the heart falls below 60 beats per minute. Bradycardia can lead to heart failure and death. According to a report by Amnesty International, a human rights organization, Qahtani was also forced to wear women's clothes, tied by a leash and ordered to perform animal tricks. Because Crawford defined the treatment Qahtani sustained as "torture," she found herself unable to prosecute and has dropped all charges. However, Qahtani still remains a prisoner at Guantanamo. Despite outrage from critics, former president Bush and vice president Cheney have continued to deny any allegations of torture being used for interrogation purposes at Guantanamo. In a recent interview with Larry King, Bush proudly commented, "We don't torture ... I am very comfortable with what we did, and know it was necessary to protect the country." President Barack Obama signed an executive order last week to shut down the detention camps and has promised, "Guantanamo will be closed no later than one year from now." In addition, he has also ordered the closure of all secret CIA prisons overseas. This is where it gets sticky. If Guantanimo is shut down, what is to become of its remaining 245 prisoners? On January 24, the New York Times reported that 50 to 100 detainees may face federal trial. There have been talks of moving dozens of detainees into federal maximum security prisons; however, it seems as if lawmakers are shying away from the possibility of accepting them into their own states. Some lawmakers have argued that If these individuals are placed into the U.S. prisons, the risk of possible terroristic attacks on U.S. soil greatly increases. Obama administration officials are currently reviewing inmate files to determine where they should go. Although some detainees have been deemed not dangerous, no countries will take them. If these individuals disliked the U.S. before imprisonment, just imagine how they feel now. All possibilities are imperfect, however, GITMO needs to be shut down immediately. On the morning of November 25, 2008, Rice township resident Susan Kaminski suffered for nearly an hour before receiving medic~ attention after she had slipped on a pile of wet leaves and shattered her leg. Between the time it took for someone to find her and an emergency unit to respond, she developed hypothermia from the harsh conditions. The Mountain Top Area Community Ambulance Association, which is made up entirely of volunteers, was the crew originally called to the scene of Kaminski's fall. The association is made up of approximately 30 volunteers covering four towns, which, according to the 2000 census, is a total of 12,218 residents. The problem is that the Mountaintop Area Community Ambulance Association has only a limited number of volunteers who are expected to respond to every emergency in a 54 mile radius. This makes it difficult to provide adequate and timely service. Hanover's crew already covers the area for calls requiring advanced life support, but with a new deal in place, the crew will be dispatched for basic life support calls as well - something a first responder crew with enough volunteers should be capable of. Thus the nagging problem: vol- unteers. It is becoming more difficult for emergency medical services to recruit and retain unpaid volunteers because of the amount of training and time commitment. This problem is prevalent throughout the field of emergency medical services in general. According to firehouse. com, during the span of 1974 to 2005, the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania plummeted nearly 230,000 people, from 300,000 to 72,000 volunteers. The drastic decline can be chalked up to many different possibilities, but probably the most pressing issue is that many peo- Next Week's question: Do you feel President Obama will implement change to the current higher education process in a effective and timely mannor? • Yes •No • Undecided Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published. online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! Local EMS units face problein: Volunteers BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon ast. Op-Ed Editor Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific and does not claim to reflect the attitudes of students on campus. pie do not have time and feel as though there is little incentive. In previous generations, it was not only considered an honor, but a duty to volunteer for the EMS. Today, that is not the case. The EMS certification process takes approximately 180 hours and is usually offered through local hospitals or emergency response units. Graduates of approved EMT-Basic training programs must pass a written and practical examination administered by the State certifying agency or the NREMT. Local ambulance companies like the ones in the small towns surrounding Wilkes-Barre need our help. Young and old alike have a responsibility to make a stand and give back to both their communities and fellow man. Make a difference, volunteer. It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Concact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �Inauguration 2009 PAGES 10-11 CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com After stepping onto the stage of the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center at the age of 17, Corinna SowersAdler didn't yet realize the influence it would have on her life. Now, nearly 15 years later, Sowers-Adler is gearing up to say her final goodbyes to the theater where she started as an undergraduate and left as performer, director and professor. A 1999 graduate of Wilkes University with a theater major and musical theater emphasis, Sowers-Adler, 31, will leave the university this semester after 10 years teaching theater in the Wilkes Conservatory, a division of the department of visual and performing arts. Along with running a vocal studio each semester, SowersAdler also served as an adjunct professor through the department of visual and performing arts. "Corinna bonded with many students over the years, and has left a unique, indelible mark on the community," said Shelley Pearce, director of the Conservatory. "In many ways, she is truly irreplaceable." Starting in February, Sowers-Adler will take on the role of Director of the Foundation Series at the Young Actor's Training Center (YATC), a professionally-focused acting studio for children and teenagers in New York City. She will also work with the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts. As Director of the Foun- dation Series for YATC, Sowers-Adler will it was going to be my life. It changed and be in charge of developing, marketing, and evolved as I got older and different opportuteaching a program for 10 to 13-year-olds nities presented themselves, but that initial that will include acting, theatre, perfor- knowing has always been there." Over the years, theater has taken Sowmance art vocabulary and vocal lessons. The goal of the Foundations Series at YATC ers-Adler all over the country, where she is to prepare students for the Masters Series, performed in regional, dinner and touring a program tailored to professionally-work- companies. While teaching at Wilkes and performing, she also served for five years ing students. According to J.P. Matthews, the Founding as the children's theater director for the Artistic Director of YATC, Pocono and Bucks County playhouses. Sowers-Adler seemed an ideal candidate for the poJuggling roles as performer, direcsition because of her work tor and teacher can mentoring young actors be difficult. While here at Wilkes. Sowers-Adler loves "Most importantly, she brings a real passion to the mentoring children and teens, she has development of kids," he learned it is necessaid. "She is about instilling sary to devote time the belief in kids that they to perfecting her are unique. It's more about own skills as well. support and their own de"It's tough. I work velopment, and that's what hard to carve outtime . turned us on to her." for my own instruAdditionally, Matthews points to Sowers-Adler's ment and my own role in the development of creative growth," the Conservatory program Corinna Sowers-Adler directed she said. "It's not alat Wilkes as evidence of her nearly 100 individual perfor- ways easy because I talents working with young mances while at Wilkes. love mentoring and directing, and it's people. As director of theater for the Conserva- easytoforgetthatlneedtohonemyownskills." However, Sowers-Adler believes a strong tory, Sowers-Adler was responsible for expanding the theater program from one class mentoring relationship is vital to breaking with five children to six courses each semes- into the world of theater. She describes the ter, ranging from children to adults. Pearce industry as "very competitive," and imparts credits Sowers-Adler with the expansion of to her students the same advice she received the program in less than a decade from a when studying theater. "Until you come to terms with the fact handful of students to over a hundred each that any rejection you may receive is not year. Like the children she taught at the Con- personal, it can be a tough road," she said. servatory, Sowers-Adler joined the field of "You need to realize there is no other person theater at an early age. After performing like you in the world. Therefore, there is no in a talent show at the age of nine, Sow- competition. There is only you making your ers-Adler was bitten by the acting bug. She instrument better." Sal Infantino, a junior telecommunicaperformed with professional theater and opera companies during her high school and tions major with a theater minor, says Sowers-Adler helped him grow as a performer college years. "I just always loved to sing," she said. "I by teaching him to step outside his comfort can't remember a time when I didn't think zone. Infantino, who worked with Sowers- £.iwii"••• Adler since he was a middle-school student in the Conservatory program, often had to learn lines and stage directions on the spot. "She was always so concerned with making classes fun that I often forgot how embarrassed or nervous I felt," he said. "By the time I actually hit the stage and nerves set in, T was so practiced with such a close-knit group of people that I overcame a lot of fears." Infantino believes that Sowers-Adler's departure will leave a hole for the Conservatory kids, and that "the Darte Center will never be the same." Leaving the Darte Center was indeed an emotional experience for Sowers-Adler, who walked off the Darte stage for the last time on January 11, after directing the final show of the Conservatory's production of "Children of Eden." She described the final days leading up to the show as filled with "lots of tears and hugs." After spending much of her professional career at Wilkes, leaving it will be a trying experience. "There was a moment about two days before our final show together when I was alone in the theater and I just sat down and cried like a baby," she said. "It kind of just hit me at that moment how much that place has meant to me. You just don't forget something that has made you grow as much as this place has helped me grow." �10 LIFESTYLES JANUARY 27, 2009 Wilkes students react to Presidential Inauguration 2009 BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Lifestyles Editor Almost two million people packed into the National Mall and along the presidential parade route in Washington, D.C., to see Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. But for those who couldn't make the trip, Wilkes University offered other alternatives. On January 20, Student Development hosted coverage of the inauguration in the Henry Student Center by providing a place for students, faculty and staff to gather and watch the ceremony on television. Student Development provided free hot chocolate and food for students to snack on while they watched the coverage. But televisions all over campus were trained to the coverage. Next door to the first floor lounge in the Henry Student Center, community members crowded around the flat screen television on the wall, and just one floor up in the Grand Ballroom, those attending the internship meeting watched the coverage projected onto the big screen. And the scene was repeated all across campus. Rae Ellen Zekas, a graduate assistant of Student Development, estimates around 150 students turned out to watch the coverage over the course of the day in the student center's first floor lounge. According to Zekas, the idea for the event stemmed from a desire to provide students with a venue where they could get together and witness a historical event. "This was part of history, and it was nice to offer students a festive community environment in a group setting," she said. Zekas described the atmosphere as generally calm while the students listened attentively to the speeches. However, during the swearing-in, they became more emotional. "It was pretty quiet for the most part, but right after Obama took the oath, the students started cheering because they were excited," she said. Joshua Siejak, a junior political science major, watched the inauguration in the Rifkin Cafe, and observed the same burst of excitement during the oath. "In Rifkin, everyone just started clapping," he said. "It was teachers, students, and faculty alike." However, students watching the swearing-in noticed it did not go as smoothly as planned. During the oath of office, there was a verbal flub, when Chief Justice John Roberts recited the oath out of sequence. For freshman accounting major Matthew Ruch, who describes himself as "not having much political interest," the garbled oath provided an even more memorable addition to an already-historical event. "I thought it was funny how the Chief Justice messed up the oath," he said. Freshman nursing major Christina Kuriakose also counts the verbal faux pas as a memorable moment; however, she paid close attention to the speeches as well. Kuriakose, who keeps up-to-date on political happenings, thought Obama's speech was slightly lacking. "It was good, but it was a little bland," she said. "He could have spiced it up a bit." As a political science major, Siejak looked to the inauguration as a crucial point in bringing in a new face to deal with old problems. He is especially interested in seeing how Obama will act during his first 100 days. However, while Siejak speculated on the future, some parts of what he witnessed during the inauguration will stick with him as pieces of history. "For me, it was seeing the scope of the people, all the ex-presidents and people of government there," he said. "Everyone seemed to get along for an hour." BY Th~ neare tre Students gather in the SUB to watch coverage of the residential niauguration. Martin Luther King Day _ _ Januar,y 19 2009 • of The Beacon/Jacki Lukas Just one day before the inauguration of America's first black president, Wilkes University hosted several events to commemorate Martin Luther Day on January 19. Students, faculty, and staff turned out to march from the Student Center to Public Square. Later, community leaders and presidents of local colleges spoke at the Kirby Center in remembrance of Dr. King's legacy. Martin Luther King Day concluded with a multimedia event which included songs and a slideshow. w m �JANUARY 27, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 Presidential Inauguration: A Personal Account In below-freezing temperatures and an eight mile walk in the middle of the night, I was determinded to join hisory. BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor The world turned its ey~ and ears to the nearest televisions, radios, and computers, to watch the 44th President of the United States take the oath of office last week. People crowded around whatever medium they had access to with their friends, fa~; ily, and co-workers to listen to the solemn oath that marked a pivotal turning point in-ideally to a time of optimism and change. While many watched from televisions and computers, several million got to experience firsthand the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. I was one of the lucky millions in attendance. After months of annoying my local Congressman for a ticket, and a few weeks of preparatory planning for food, transportation, hand warmers, etc., I was ready to trek to Washington to see what I believed would be deemed one of the most historic moments of our time. I logged my experiences from Monday, January 19, 2009 through Tuesday, Januazy The U.S. Capitol became the focal point for millions of people who crowded the National Mall. 20, 2009. The following excerpts provide snapshots of my journey. Monday, January 19, 2009 After a four hour car ride, I arrived in Arlington, VA at my sister's house. I immediately put my things down and headed for the metro to ride the 14 stops to Capitol South, where lplanned to get off the metro in front of my Congressman's office to pick up rQY ticket. Monday was the only day ticket holders could pick up their tickets, and stepping off the metro, I realized we all had the same idea at the same time. I did not anticipate standing in line for hours just to get the ticket to Inauguration, but that's what happened. Taking a cue from the girl behind me, I phoned my Congressman's office and asked them if they were too busy to run the ticket out to me. Lines of people wrapped around House Office buildings, three and four times over. Tuesday, January 20, 2009 3 a.m. Wake up call! 4 a.m. After eating some breakfast and putting on four layers on the bottom and six layers on the top, we hobbled out of the house to begin the seven mile walk to Washington, D.C. My sister, Laura, her friend, Allison, and 1 walked through Arlington to .Georgetown and wandered our way into the District. Laura and Allison had planned a route for us to walk. The city had advised anyone who lived within eight miles of the District to walk because of the number of streets that were shut down or would otherwise be packed with traffic. 5:30 a.m. As we entered Georgetown, we began seeing more and more people leaving their homes (and some bars) to walk toward the Inauguration. Bars that applied for specific licensing were able to open at 4 a.m. on Tuesday and stay open until 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning. 7:30 a.m. We arrived at the security checkpoint for the parade grandstands (this is where Laura and Allison would be sitting for the remainder of the day). At this point in the morning, as the sun just started to creep over the horizon of the Capitol, people already filled the streets, many chanting and yelling. Clumped together in groups, swarms of patriotic people filed through toward the National Mall. The security checkpoint for the parade grandstands is where I had to part with Laura and Allison. I had to find my own security checkpoint for my particular ticketed area. 8:30 a.m. After almost an hour of being apart of human traffic jams on the streets of Washington, I :6nally found the line for my security checkpoint. Unfortunately, the end Members of Congress, as well as former Presidents and members of State, crowd the steps of the U.S. Capitol to witness Barack Obama and Joseph Bi den be sworn in.• of the line was a bit harder to track down. Thousands upon thousand$ of people filed one after the other in the line. Making my way to the back of security checkpoint line took several minutes--and almost two miles. The line wrapped around several blocks, around several street comers. This began my two hour wait to get through security to get to the section in which I was ticketed to stand (because everyone had to stand, unless you were a former President. .. or Oprah). 10:30 a.m. The line eventually did move and I hustled to the security checkpoint. After being patted down by a well-intentioned policewoman, I wandered around the Mall towards a spot where I thought I could see the Capitol clearly. 11:00 a.m. I sandwiched myself between a middle-aged couple and two collegeaged girls. Talking was minimal, probably to keep the warm air inside themselves. Most people in my vantage point huddled together to stay warm and snapped pictures. Listening to the sounds of the choir that offered the prelude, eyes were intent and kept forward. 11:15 a.m. The chanting started. Invoked somewhere in the middle of the crowd and waving towards the outside, chants of"Yes we can!'' echoed throughout the masses of people. 11:30 a.m. Aretha Franklin. Her voice was loud, but not as loud as her bow head dress . 11 :45 a.m. After the procession of members of Congress and former Presidents, Vice President Joe Biden was sworn in. The crowd cheered and clapped for our new Vice President. 11:50 a.m. Yo-Yo Ma performed with an ensemble of other classical artists. 12:00 p.m. Chief Justice John Roberts was introduced to administer the oath of office to Barack Obama. At the mention of Obama's name or a glimpse of him on one of the many jumbo-trans that surrounded the Mall, the crowds erupted with cheers. As he stepped forward to take his oath, the crowd fell silent. When Chief Justice Roberts said "Congratulations," the crowd applauded, screamed, yelled, cheered and many cried. 1\vo women in front of me hugged. 12:05 p.m. Newly-sworn in President Obama stood to give bis address to the millions in front of him and the billions watching around the world. The crowd of people, despite its size, fell oddly silent as he began to speak. I turned around at one point to take a picture and noticed that not one person was yelling or screaming. Each per~ son I could see from where I stood looked straight ahead and watched in awe at our new president. 12:40 p.m. People began funneling towards either the parade route down Pennsylvania Avenue or toward the opposite side of the Mall to find their routes home. I shuffled with thousands of others who were just as tired, cold, and sore as I was up miles of avenues and streets. As I manuevered my way toward the meeting spot Laura and I had agreed upon, I passed stands of food, tables of souvenirs and people dancing and singing in the street. The celebration has definitely begun. 5 p.m. I head back toward Arlington, with thousands of others trying to leave the city. The feeling of happiness and change has stayed with those present at Inauguration 2009 as their aching feet and tired eyes work towards their respective homes. Even though the crowds stretched into the millions and temperatures stayed well below freezing, the frustration of traveling through all those people subsided as those in attendance claimed their spots on the National Mall. Having the opportunity to witness such an event will always be with me. �J page 13 A&K JANUARY 27, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa. benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 Theater complex changes hands and adds Blue Chip Gourmet BY YO HANNA DE LOS SANTOS M. Asst. A&E Editor To ensure better chances of success m the revitalization of downtown, the WilkesBarre Chamber of Commerce announced in December that they would transfer 75 % of its stake of the former project "University Comers" to Carlsberg Management Company, a Los Angeles based real estate firm. Carlsberg Management Company is responsible for bringing new businesses into the complex where Movies 14 is located. "University Comers is the new name for the Chamber of Commerce development that has been in existence for several years," said Bill Geary Jr., President of Carlsberg Management Company. "University Comers is a new name for the movie theater, the movie theater includes the 14 screen movie theater plus 13 stores that are surrounding the movie theater. Blue Chips cookies is one of the stores," said Bill Fraser, Treasurer. Blue Chip Gourmet was the first tenant to be announced after Dennis Bonvie, exhockey player for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, signed a lease agreement. The location of Northampton and Main Complex creates a very central place for this new project that consists of shops and restaurants. Considering that Wilkes University and King's College surround the complex, it represents a great opportunity to market and to advertise aiming at students. "There are several levels that University Comers is going after. Of course, Wilkes University and King's College absolutely we are going to market. But keep in mind we have over 14,000 office workers downtown that we are going to market; the local residents are also going to be marketed. There are just so many individuals that we are going to make aware not only in WilkesBarre but outside of WilkesBarre," said Fraser. Fraser added, "This is the place to be - University Comers, and of course the revitalization of the entire downtown." This new project will not only bring life and lights to downtown but it will also be a new opportunity for those students who are searching for jobs off-campus. When asked if students will be able to apply for jobs, Pamela The Beacon/ Alyssa Benner Rudd, Marketing Director said, Pedestrians unknowingly pass by the future site of Blue Chip Gourmet. Blue Chip Gourmet is "Absolutely! If the retailers and tentatively expected to open in March of this year. restaurants open, there will be multitude of jobs available [on many] See BLUEpage 14 Movie Review: Notorious earns yawns, fails expectations BY KENNY BROWN Beacon Staff Member Who knew what to expect when Hollywood decided it was time to produce a biographical film about one of the most famous rappers of all time? Some worried that it would be a shoddy B-list flick that did nothing more than mock the artist's life and history. And then there were the hopefuls--the ones who waited and believed Hollywood could get it right and catch the true persona of the musical prodigy so many knew and loved. Notorious, is the long-awaited biographical film by George Tillman, Jr. about the life and death of rapper Christopher Wallace, better known as the Notorious B.I.G. Sadly, despite hopes for a complex story that shed light on a cultural phenomenon, all that came of some excitement was an average Joe gangster movie with nothing more than some mediocre acting and a slightly interesting story. We mostly all know the story. It was the early nineties and a rap war was waging between the East and West coast. A handful of popular artists stood on one side, and more on the other. Stuck in the middle of this was the Notorious B.I.G. along with others like Tupac and Lil Kirn. They led lives of extravagence--performing, spending money, and participating, at least according to rumor, on the fringe of gang wars. In the end, the worst happened and B.I.G. was shot and killed one night by rival rappers. When transformed to film and put on the big screen the story is pretty much the same. However this big screen gangster street movie lacks excitement, thrill, or true intere,st in the plot unless you're an avid fan of B.I.G. It's not a film for the masses. Playing the main role as Christopher Wallace aka B.I.G is newcomer Jamal Woolard. His acting is okay, his resemblance to the artist is striking, but his performance is well, to be completely honest, forgetful. There does not seem to be anything special or superb. Do not get me wrong, his performance was not terrible. It is just that given the hype and the hope, an average, common performance is disappointing. Woolard 's performance felt like anything we could catch on Friday night TV. When we look to the storyline and script there do not seem to be any striking moments of nostalgia. The writing was elementary - lacking depth. You really only have to get in up to your knees to follow the story. The writers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker do not seem to know how to really throw you into the middle of it all. They just seem to coast along with the wrfting style of high school seniors. Now, to the camera work. I usually tend not to point these things out, but there were some very seedy cuts and angles See NOTORIOUS page 14 t] e �JANUARY 27, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SES Club to show short docuIDentary BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor The current buzz word is "change." The new administration has pli!Jmised copious amounts of change in America but how do these supposed changes affect Wilkes students? For those involved in Students for Environmental Sustainability, the changes in the nation's energy plan are being closely watched. Sarah Decesaris, president of SES said, "I think there have been a lot of promises made about the direction of environmental policies by the new administration, and we will eagerly evaluate those moves. Our main objective for Wilkes is to change our values toward the environment and I would like to see more support in our environmental and sustainability clubs." In efforts to create discussion within the Wilkes community about environmental sustainability, SES is showing a film entitled, "The Story of Stuff." The film, sponsored by the Funders Workgroup for Sustainable Production and Consumption, is twenty minutes in length. It will be shown on January 29 in Stark Learning Center Room 435 at 12:00 noon. The movie goes through the stages of how "stuff' is made. The film depicts the extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal processes of making "stuff' and then relates it to the social impact. "Hopefully others will offer their opinions in the discussion afterward and maybe even learn something new. The point is not to agree or disagree with the film, but to just think about it, "said Decesaris. Dr. Marleen Troy, associate professor of Environmental Engineering and Chair of the Department of Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences also serves as advisor to the SES Club. Troy, along with Decesaris, worked with the Environmental Working Group consisting of Wilkes faculty, students and staff. The group composed a report of the anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions for fiscal years 2006-2008. The report states that, "This inventory serves as a benchmark for future reduction strategies as Wilkes University moves towards its long-term sustainability goals." Further plans for SES involve showing films once every month during club hours and holding a sustainability salvage in April. According to Decesaris, "It is a collection and redistribution of items often tossed away at the end of the academic year which could be reused by other students. Binders, box fans, storage bins, lamps, toasters- you know the kind of think your new apartment might have so you discard your old one." Decesaris said, "Our main objective for Wilkes is to change our values toward the environment and I would like to see more support in our environmental and sustainability clubs." On a more national level, Troy said, "I am optimistic about the new administration and feel that the timing is right for the implementation for several environmental initiatives - particularly in regards to energy efficiency and sustainability. I hope to see many of these programs become routine and accepted." According to the Barack Obama official website their goal is to, "Build more liveable and sustainable communities." The comprehensive energy plan captures the essence of what the SES club is trying to accomplish at Wilkes. However, none of the objectives can be met without student and staff cooperation. Troy states, "Increased awareness of their actions (day-to-day activities); participating in the programs we have on campus; requesting and having a voice to ensure that these programs become implemented and are part of any future planning that is done will be helpful." * Cll!fE TRI/ II Pll/t/ER 1/11~ Ctllcfcf IIT !f/JLLI/IJ~II LOCATED INSIDE DANKO'S GYM 3 NORTH RIVER STREET, PLAINS CLASS SCHEDULE: Fridays 8:30-9:45 am Monday evenings 6:00-7:15 pm Student rate $8/class Tiu /"1,~t JleKI 1/ 1111611.t ul 3/''~;t.,,./it,... /t/ut llN ,,.. "'"'"tt°KJ P"'? Sophomore Harry Reese practices environmental awareness in the Stark Lobby by recycling. A short film will be shown by the SES club to raise awareness about where "stuff' comes from on January 29 in Stark 435 at 12:00. For more info call Molly at 239-0022. ou do not need to be a member of the gym to attend. �JANUARY 27, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 UNIVERSITY from PAGE 12 NOTORIOUS from PAGE 13 different levels." Johnny Espinoza, freshman and business major, said, "I'm more used to the city so it will make me feel more at home and I'm pretty sure people around here wouldn't mind walking through a few more stores around here instead of just heading to the bookstore." "Right now we are talking to national, regionals, and local prospects ... Carlsberg Management and Colliers work together in Bill Geary's entertainment complexes in the Florida Area. We have a lot of contacts, we are contacting those individuals because we know there is enough synergy and enough opportunity to attract quality tenants that will do very well down there," explained Fraser. At the moment, they cannot disclose the identities of said contacts, but assured restaurants and retailers are qualified. "They will have the opportunity to enjoy their redevelopment district with additional festivals and activities from the redevelopment of University Comers," said Rudd. "The stores as they open will create college programs at the complex and customer programs for locals," she added. "The Chamber started the redevelopment," added Rudd. The Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce shares the other 25% of the project. When more businesses join the complex there will be more places to choose from which could attract even more students to the area. University Comers represents one of the first steps for a better year in the area because it will serve as incentive to come to the downtown area. being used. It wasn't prevalent but every once in a while simple 5, for being so terribly average it's annoying. if you looked closely viewers could catch a glimpse of how quickly some shots tended to cut out, as if the • • film editors were not really paying • • • •, . attention. _,,;J!_ The list of shortcomings goes on and on. Some were hop- ; ing for great- • ness. Then • there were some who were worried about garbage. But in the end neither was correct. You will not be seeing any Oscar nods for Notorious. And it isn't low enough to earn itself a Razzie. MovMovies 14 ies come and go, and one of them Downtown is is Notorious. It will be forgotten in a few showing Notorious and months and no one will be saying in ten years, "Hey, will soon be showcasing many of the movremember that movie." So in short here is my rating. On ies coming out in time for the Oscar's. a one to ten scale this time around Notorious is earning a . • Barnes & Noble Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South l\tlain Street, "\Vilkes-Btu•1-e, PA 18701 ~ 570.2.08.4700 ~ '\\1 ilkes. bneollege.eo111 Live "Free" Music Every Wednesday Night and most Friday's 2.5% discount on anything you purchase from the cafe during the performances! • Open Mic Night for Poetry & Aco11stic Music Tuesday, January 27th from 7:00pm - 8:30pm • Live music w ith Kei th Z. Wednesday, January 28th at 6::3opm • Live Music with ''Dealer in Wares'' Friday, .January 30 th live at 7:30pm • Sat11rd ay morning story time at 11:00am This ,veek: all about "Far111 Anin1als" durin sto tilne. �JANUARY 27, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 ' Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING Beacon Correspondent I ;z :3 4 ~ 7 a 1U 14 16 17 13 20 22 11 1::Z '13 $2 19 H 44 H ~ -45 53 60 6-3 ee ACROSS Abbr. for celebrity 1 Home of Adam and Eve 6 10 Past tense of "slay" 14 An excuse 15 Short note used as a reminder Religious man in the white hat 16 17 Meaningless subject 19 Belongs to us 20 The 4th state of Matter 21 Noah's large wooden boat 22 Violent Uprising 23 25 26 30 32 35 39 40 41 43 44 46 47 50 53 54 55 60 61 63 64 65 66 67 68 Dense black wood Synonym of Objects Talks in Pee Wee's playhouse Take up plan or idea Of which Fast eye movement People enlisted in US Air Force Ship used for catching whales Louis XIV Epic novel by James Joyce Fate of untended flowers Large scholarly book Wheeled wagon Pocono Down's big attraction Opposite of good Relaxing water treatment Result of heating a pan Underwater respiration organ Small compartment for letters Erase the last change done Popular figure Hopeless person Scottish monster To be inclined to behave a cer tain way Secreted from sweat glands DOWN 1 Live in a tent outside 2 6th month of the Jewish year 3 Largest city of Peru 4 Refluxes of the tide 5 Rainforest and desert Large bird 6 7 To ask for Site for stem cells 8 _and cranny 9 10 Televised info about sports 11 Former Family Feud Host 12 Answer is Eprom 13 In ownership ofKanye 18 Straight punch 24 Big, clumsy person 25 Mouse from The Simp sons 26 What Phelps did at the Olympics 27 Home of Cedar Point 28 Popular green houseplant 29 Two armored mammals 31 Part of a ratchet 33 34 36 37 38 42 43 45 47 48 49 51 52 54 56 57 58 59 62 Weird and Spooky On one occasion Likewise To consider Goidelic language of Ireland Home for terminally ill July 7th, 1947 citing Large pitcher used for drink Past participle of begin Sheep-like Make something seem better Vietnamese Diplomat Music albums consist of Camel activity Word in 10 Command ments Smaller than a lake Old term for margarine Territory Abbr. Opposite of beginning �CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu JANUARY 27, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 1 I 16 Men's basketball uses second half surge in win Colonels overcome rough first half to defeat Misericordia_5_9_-5_3_ _ __ BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The Wilkes University men's basketball team needed a strong performance to defeat visiting Freedom Conference opponent Misericordia University on January 14. The Colonels trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half behind poor shooting (928, 32.1 % FG) and looked to be in trouble entering the half, despite having closed the gap to five. They would not disappoint their fans in attendance, however, as they eventually pulled ahead for the 59-53 victory, improving their record to 9-4 (5-1 in league play) in the process. Misericordia (8-8, 2-5) hit seven of its first thirteen shots, jumping out to a quick 14-5 lead in the opening 12 minutes of play. The lead would extend itself to 21-9, largely as a result of the Cougars' ability to score points off of turnovers (seven to Wilkes' three) and penetrate (14 points scored in the paint against Wilkes' eight). Despite their troubles, The Colonels were able to heat up and close to within 31-26 going into the half behind a couple of big defensive stands. "I felt that our offense was somewhat stagnant in the first half our game with Misericordia," said head coach Jerry Rickrode. "We seemed to have little north to south movement, with few punctures to the basket." The Colonels came out gunning in the second half, shooting 57% from the floor as Misericordia suddenly went cold (24% FG). ~e Cougars' missed their first eight shots of the second half, allowing Wilkes to pull back within a point; they would eventually take their first lead of the game after junior guard/forward Tom Kresge made a layup to make the score 35-33. Misericordia would tie the score four more times, but was finally put away by a 10-4 Colonel run in the game's last four minutes. Senior forward Steven Kline led Wilkes by scoring 15 points and pulling down nine rebounds, while Kresge contributed with 13 points and eight rebounds. "We moved the ball much more insideout in the second half and were able to get high percentage shots," said Rickrode in his assessment of what allowed the Colonels to make their second-half comeback. "We really pulled it together as a team," added sophomore guard Kyle Ruby. "Coach cord to 9-7, 5-4. The short losing skid is part of what has been an up and down season for the men's basketball team, a trend Rickrode is looking to stop. "I would assess our performance as somewhat inconsistent at this point," said Rickrode. "We have ridden a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with some big road wins and bad home losses. I hope to have us more on an even keel mentally down the stretch with Basketball Recap from over Winter Break: F 33 po ils th( blc a1 FI OU 12/20/2008- W 97-73 @ PSU-Hazleton Five different players scored in double figures, helping Wilkes rout PSU-Hazleton. Tom Kresge scored 20 points for the Colonels, who hit 13 three-pointers in the game in one of their best offensive performances of the season. w 1/3/2009- L 71-69 Elizabethtown so Sophomore guard Chris Derojas hit six three-pointers and led the Colonels with 27 points, but it wasn't enough to stop visiting Elizabethtown from eking out a close win. Kline was the only other Wilkes player to score in double figures, contributing 19 points and eight boards. 1/4/2009- W 89-86 Ramapo Ramapo jumped to a quick 14-5 lead in the first half of the game, but the Colonels recovered to take the lead for good entering halftime. Derojas scored 27 points for the second straight game, earning himself a spot on the Wilkes-Barre Challenge alltournament team. Freshman guard Michael Donatoni drives towards the arc against Misericordia on his way to scoring two of his six points. The Colonels defeated the Cougars 59-53. let us know that we didn't play well in the first half, and so we came out prepared to play harder in the second. Our intensity on defense really allowed us to come back and take the win," he concluded. After their win against Misericordia, the Colonels lost three straight games against Alvernia (75-66), DeSales (65-30), and Eastern (60-58), dropping their current re- more consistent overall effort. If our intensity is there night in and night out, that's all you can really ask for." The Colonels will need to bring their intensity tomorrow night when they play rival King's College at the Marts Center at 8P.M. 1/7/2009- W 58-49 @Manhattanville Kresge scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to help the Colonels defeat Manhattanville in Purchase, New York. Wilkes shot 42.5% for the game and outrebounded Manhattanville 38-26 for the conference win. See Basketball on Page 17 a C �JANUARY 27, 2009 17 SPORTS BASKETBALL from PAGE 16 1/10/2009- L 86-80 FDU-Florham FDU-Florham's Ryan McPherson scored 33 points behind the strength of five threepointers and 8-12 shooting to lead the Devils past Wilkes. Kline scored 27 points for the Colonels, with seven rebounds, three blocks, and three steals. The Colonels held a lead until the very end of the game, when FDU-Florham went on an 8-0 run to close out the game and seal the win. 1/12/2009- W 91-81 (OT)@ Delaware Valley Delaware Valley scored 30 points off of Wilkes University turnovers, but was unable to beat the hot-shooting Colonels. The men's basketball team shot 60.4% for the game and out-rebounded Delaware Valley 47-24. Kresge and Kline both had doubledoubles for the Colonels, and James Jones scored 35 points for the Aggies. Senior forward John Defeo and the Colonels took on visiting DeSales University on January 19. The Colonels were defeated 65-30 in what has been their worst defeat of the season to date. Lady Colonel's basketball winter break recap BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Op-Ed Editor 12/13/08 Wilkes 80, Keystone College 57 Wilkes' defense was a force in the win against Keystone. Sam Lynam lit up the Giants, going 8-13 with 22 points. The lady colonels improved their record to 5-3 with the win. 1/3/09 DeSales 69, Wilkes 39 DeSales downed the Lady Colonels, confining them to just 39 points. LeighAnn Burke ofDeSales was a force with 17 points and 4 rebounds. 1/5/09 Wilkes 65, Immaculata 46 Sam Lynam once again led the Colonels with 17 points and 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Mackensey O'Hara and Allison Hom also helped, scoring 9 points each. 1/7/09 Manhattanville 78, Wilkes 76 In a close match between Wilkes and Manhattanville, Wilkes suffered their third freedom conference loss. Five of Manhattanville's players scored ten or more points, and racked up a total of nine steals. WWW.CHANGEABLE SKIES.COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT: Bill Henry william.henryOO@comcast.net 215-768--4619 AVAILABLE APARTMENTS READY TO LEASE JUNE 2009: 1/10/09 Wilkes 67, FDU-Florham 52 Wilkes exhausted the Devils in the second half, scoring 36 points, 16 of which were on free throws. Allison Hom performed at a high level, dropping 20 points with 6 assists, and 3 steals. 1/12/09 Wilkes 74, Delaware Valley College 57 With a 44.1 % field goal average on the game, Wilkes rolled over Delaware Valley with ease. Erin Schneider lit up the court with a total of 23 points and shooting 5-5 on three pointers. PEARCE MANOR 84 WEST ROSS STREET 200 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET JOAN HENRY HALL �JANUARY 27, 2009 18 SPORTS St RINKSIDE REPORT Lovejoy Illakes illlpact after going undrafted BY MIKE CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer In the 2003 National Hockey League entry draft, there wasn't a single team interested in selecting Ben Lovejoy, a young defenseman who had just wrapped up his freshman season at Boston College. Six years later, it's hard to believe that there wouldn't be a club interested in having him in their organization. Lovejoy, who leads all Penguins defensemen with 7 goals and 24 points in 44 games this season, is midway through his second year of professional hockey and was one of three Penguins selected to play in the 2009 American Hockey League All-Star Game. Veteran forwards Jeff Taffe and Chris Minard also represented Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the annual affair, held in Worcester, Mass. on Monday. But Lovejoy's story reads a little different than those of his all-star colleagues. Minard and Taffe are established offensive threats at the AHL level, whereas Lovejoy is developing into one of the premier two-way defensemen in the league. After a disappointing freshman season at Boston College, Lovejoy transferred to Dartmouth, an Ivy League institution located in his home state of New Hampshire. It was there that Lovejoy started to develop into the rock-solid defenseman that he is today. "I went to a place where I was more comfortable, close to home," Lovejoy said. "I sat out a year, really remembered how much I loved hockey and how much I missed it while I wasn't playing. That was a big thing. You know, you kind of take hockey for granted sometimes. Sitting out really re-ener- See HOCKEY on PAGE 19 • After going undrafted, Ben Lovejoy has been able to make an impact on the Penguin's defense and has been tapped for the 2009 AHL All-Star game. De>r1c1t~ Plc:1srr,-c:1 Tc:,d-c:1y_ Ea ~■ !r ■■ a■ 11 ■ p t. » IVl«• ■ wth Interstate· Blood Be. Plasma Inc_ 665 Carey Ave Wilkes-Barre .. Pa Call (570) 823-411 9 ! . • �JANUARY 27, 2009 SPORTS 19 Athlete Spotlight: Shaun Farnhain BYANTHONYDORUNDA . Shaun Farnham, senior criminology ma- Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor jor, and co-captain of the Wilkes University wrestling team from Baldwinsville, New York is this week's Beacon Athlete of the Week.. On the season, Farnham has led the Colonels to a 12-5-1 overall record while recording a 23-2 record of his own in the 125 weight class. As oflast week, Farnham was ranked second in the conference at 125, the highest ranking of any Wilkes wrestler. It's apparent that Farnham is no stranger to success. He won the state title match as a junior in high school and then came back and earned a second place finish as a senior. At the end of his senior campaign, he was ranked 15th in the country at the 112 weight class. As much success as he's experienced individually, it would be easy to soak up the limelight and take all the credit, but Farnham dedicates all of his success on the mat to his teammates, contending they are the reason he has been so successful over his career. "I credit all my success to the team and for them pushing me, especially Josh Pauling," said Farnham. "He pushes me everyday and makes me a much better wrestler." But his teammates do not think it's them. They see the work and preparation Farnham p u t s into ev- The Beacon/Steve Felter said sophomore Jake Weinrich. "In practice, he will pick people up that are falling behind, a n d h e al- ery s 1 nways g 1 e is the practice Senior Shaun Farnhaiµ prepares for the whistle while on hardest and match, top against No.4 Chris Sheetz of Delaware Valley. worker. Just and recognize watching him the determination give it his all mohe has to win every sintivates us to want to do gle match. better and work harder. He is not "Shaun's greatest attribute is his leader- only a vocal leader, but one that leads by ship; he pushes everyone to work harder, example. He motivates his teammates on whether it be at practice or during a match," and off the mat and is always pushing each wrestler to push harder." Coming into his senior season, Farnham kept his goals simple: "Win the metros and qualify for nationals." Obviously, he wanted to be an all-American and a national champion, but nationals were the important goal. Last season, after winning an astounding 35 matches throughout the course of the season, Farnham lost the most important one: a 3-2 decision to York's Kyle Flickinger to earn the alternate spot in nationals. That match set the tone for what Farnham set out to accomplish this year. "Just missing the tournament made me push so much harder this year," said Farnham. " I had my work cut out for me f nd it gave me even more motivation to get to the national tournament." Farnham can add another goal to shoot for, the prestigious I 00 win plateau. As of this writing, Farnham is only 13 wins away and counting. At this pace, he would have to get into the national tournament to have a shot at that remarkable feat. "I have got to get to the national tournament before I can even think about I 00 wins," said Farnham. "It would be pretty nice though." RINKSIDE REPORT From HOCKEY on PAGE 18 Lovejoy's second wind translated into a significant increase in point production. After recording just six assists in 22 games at Boston College, he tallied 11 goals and 43 assists in 96 career games for the Big Green. During his junior year of eligibility, Lovejoy led all Big Green defensemen in scoring and helped Dartmouth win its first ever Eastern College Athletic Conference regular-season title. According to Lovejoy, that led to a lucrative contract offer from the Montreal Canadiens. Just three years removed from not being drafted by any NHL team, he had an opportunity to join what is arguably the most storied organization in the NHL as a 22-year-old. He said no. "I was offered a pretty good deal and decided that hockey hadn' t worked out quite so well earlier, why rush it? If I'm good enough to make it, I will after my senior year," Lovejoy said. "I wanted to graduate." Lovejoy signed an AHL contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after his senior year at Dartmouth and registered 20 points in 72 regular season games as a rookie. That led to an NHL contract offer from Pittsburgh, which Lovejoy inked prior to the 20082009 campaign. woo i1K ons Wrestling L 38-3 Delaware Valley W 30-15@ Hunter Midway through his second year of professional hockey, he already surpassed his offensive totals from his rookie season, but there is one statistic that is truly remarkable - his plus-25 rating is the highest total in the AHL. In hockey, a player is given a plus-one rating for each time they are on the ice when their team scores an even strength goal. Likewise, they are given a minus-one rating when the opponents score an even strength goal against them. Lovejoy, along with defensive partrler Joey Mormina, have been assigned the daunting task of neutralizing the opponent's most potent offensive lines. "They've been our match-up pair all year long," said Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma. "Ben Lovejoy's plus-minus is outstanding, considering the job that he gets assigned every night." If Lovejoy keeps it up, he'll not only shatter the previous Penguins record for plusminus in a single season - Alain Nasreddine's plus-24 rating during the 2005-2006 season, but he'll also be competing against some of the NHL's most dangerous lines on a full-time basis. "Everyone's goal is to get (to the NHL)," Lovejoy said. "But right now I still have some things to learn and still have goals to get to down here." <0<0>x:..<0>~ 1HJ 1r,,& Men's Basketball L 65-30 DeSales L 60-58 @ Eastern Women's Basketball L 64-54@ Lycoming W 54-49 @ Eastern �JANUARY 27, 2009 20 SPORTS Colonel wrestlers bounce back after tough loss E Fall to No. 3 Delaware Valley, defeat Hunter BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor After suffering a home loss Friday, January 23 to No. 3 Delaware Valley College, the No. 19 Colonel wrestling team came back to defeat Hunter College just a day later. On Friday evening in the Marts Gymnasium the Colonel wrestlers were only able to defeat one Delaware Valley wrestler, as sophomore James Histed won a 2-0 decision over Robert Hickerman at 157 pounds. Several other Wilkes wrestlers came close to winning their bouts; however, the Aggies would take the convincing 38-3 win. "I think we may actually gain a little confidence from [Friday]. We certainly could have won at 125, 133, 149, 197 and 285 last night, and add in the match Histed won at 157 and we win 6 out of the 10 matches contested against the third ranked team in the country. I think we just need to take the next big step and we are right there. I think the guys know we are close," Head Coach Jon Laudenslager said. The Colonels traveled to Hunter College in New York for a dual meet the next day. Despite a loss at home the night before, the Wilkes wrestlers won six out of nine matches to take the 30-15 win over the Hawks. The Colonels opened the match with four straight wins. Senior Shaun Farnham started the winning for the Colonels. Farnham, who has only lost two matches on the season, won a 9-2 decision over Hunter's Eric Velez at 125 pounds. Senior Josh Pauling, freshman Anthony Dattolo, and senior Erik Smith would post the next three wins before Histed, the only winner Friday evening, lost by pin with 30 seconds left in the 157 pound weight class. The Hawks would also take the next bout as Billy Calvacca defeated freshman Richard Sparks by an 8-4 decision. Junior Frank Heffernan received a forfeit at 174 pounds before junior Chris Smith was pinned by Joey Scott in the second period. Junior Andrew Feldman would finish the match strong for the Colonels, earning his first pin of the season a minute into the bout at heavyweight. The Colonel wrestling team has performed steadily this season, currently ranked No.19 in the country with a 12-5-1 record. Of the season thus far, Laudenslager explained, "Well, we have really wrestled well throughout the season, so I think just being consistent each week has provided many highlights. I think the thing that really vaulted us up the National Rankings was the tournament win at Messiah son, the Colonels have six more dual meets before the Metropolitan Conference Championship on March 22. Laudenslager explained the need to continue working hard in hopes of making it to the national tournament. F1 '' tha fe pa no The Beacon/Steve Felter Senior Josh Pauling tries to gain control against the Aggie's Brandon Clemmer on Friday. Pauling lost the match by a close 3-0 decision. The Beacon/Steve Felter In the 141 pound weight class, junior Donny Clark battles Delaware Valley's Eric McCann on Friday January 23 at the Martz Gym. McCann went on to defeat Clark 14-4 and the No. 3 Aggies went on to win the match 38-3. Go to the House of Nutrition in Luzerne for an informational session called DetoxifY.ing your Body and Weight Loss at 6:00 .m. Call 570-714436 for more info. g Attend the Wilkes vs. King's basketball games at the Martz Gym. The women tip off at 6:00p.m. and the men at 8 :00 p.m. Attend the Reducing Stress, Managi~g Ener.9y and Improving Perrormance Seminar at 9:00 a.m. in UCOM 231. back in December." The Colonel roster features 13 freshmen wrestlers including Sparks, Dattolo, and Daniel Brown, who all wrestled over the past weekend for the team. Laudenslager explained the importance on the new talent in the room. "Freshman are always going to be a big part of the team in one way or another. It just so happens that we have three freshmen in the line-up every week. We also have many other freshmen that are getting better and also pushing some of the upperclassmen to reach their goals this year, so the all are making an impact," he said. As for the remainder of the sea- Listen to Jason Anderson, Strand of Oaks and These Elks Forever at Cafe Metropolis at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $7. "The rest of this season we need to maintain our focus and make a big push to get as many guys to the NCAA tournament. J think we need to get in a little better shape and also clean up our technique in some areas, so we can bring home a conference title. We certainly need to continue to improve each day for that to happen though," Laudenslager said. The Colonel wrestling team will take on The College ofNew Jersey on Tuesday January 27 at the Marts Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. before traveling to Gettysburg College to take on Gettysburg and Kutztown on Saturday, January 31. Head to Barnes and Noble for milk and cookies at 11 :00 a.m. for storytelling hour. de 20 la C d s b � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 January 29th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 January 29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/cf96830b5be278be51a0d844738c7d90.pdf 81a490aa833d47457baebe32e8b81361 PDF Text Text BIOFUELS NEW SPORTS WE;BSITE! PAGE 19 PAGES . FEBRUARY 3, 2009 SZILI'S ART PAGE 13 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW "Great citizen of Wilkes community" passes away BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Editor-in-Chief NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Managing Editor On Saturday, January 31, members of the Wilkes community were shocked to learn that Dr. Matthew J. Zukoski, associate professor of math and computer science, had passed away unexpectedly. At press time, no cause of death was known. According to Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President for Student Affairs, "In the more than 20 years that I've known Matt, he always treated his students, his colleagues, his friends and Wilkes with the utmost respect. We were blessed to have his positive spirit and generous nature among us. His contributions to Wilkes are something to be emulated. We will miss him deeply." The news of Zukoski 's passing took the community by surprise. Jason Wagner, a Wilkes University student majoring in mathematics and computer science, worked closely with Zukoski. "The general feeling myself and everybody I've talked to today is just shock. I last See ZUKOSKI page 3 Since the Center for Global Education and Diversity opened its doors last fall, a full-time staff member has left the institution, budgets have been squeezed and several programs have begun to take shape. According to Wilkes University's undergraduate bulletin, the Center, located in the Max Roth Center, was created to "better prepare students for success in a multicultural world." Services the Center provides are geared toward not only American stu- Issue 12 Bed bugs continue to plague residents BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Editor-in-Chief Editors note: Because this story focuses on a health issue, The Beacon has opted not to identify the student residents who faced the recent bed bug infestation and its resulting problems out of respect for their privacy. Photo Courtesy of John Mishanski Dr. Matt Zukoski talks to former advisee John Mishanski in Mountain View, Calif. while attending the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco in 2007. Zukoski died unexpectedly this weekend. Center's first eight months marked with ups and downs BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Managing Editor Volume 61 dents wanting to study abroad, but also international students who want to study, or have already begun their courses, at Wilkes. In addition, the Center is designed to be the social center and geographic home for programs related to domestic diversity issues. Budget constraints and staff changes have limited immediate, comprehensive programmatic changes, however. In an effort to bring more international students to Wilkes, Dr. Godlove Fonjweng, director of the Center and Study Abroad advisor, traveled to Asia last fall and spoke with students ON THE WEB www.wilk:esbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilk:es.edu INDEX News ............... 1-5 Opinion...........6-8 in China, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan and Indonesia. Unfortunately, due to a tight budget for the Center and financial hardships across the nation, Fonjweng may not be able to revisit students who may have been interested in studying at Wilkes in the near future. "People want this to work, but you can't expect positive results the first time. You need to go three consecutive times in the same area ... " said Fonjweng. See CENTER page 4 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports.......... 16~20 Wilkes University residents living in University Towers have reported a case of bed bugs. The report makes this the third bed bug outbreak at Wilkes University this academic year. The Wilkes University residents impacted by the infestation said that they had been dealing with the problem since last semester. Brenda Stanley, director of residence life at Wilkes University, confirmed the case of bed bugs and said the university was first made aware of the problem toward the end oflast semester. "It was presented to us at the tail end of the fall semester. .. we were first alerted that individuals in an apartment had concern. It wasn't an issue that bed bugs were running rampant, but just that there was something suspicious about what they found in their space and had asked that we address it," she said. One resident in the affected apartment experienced an allergic reaction to the insect venom that caused large, welt-like bite marks. Stanley said Terminex was brought in to w See BED BUGS page 3 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member .· . �N E WS FEBRUARY 3, 2009 CONTACTINFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com 2 Catholic schools' struggles Inay iinpact local teacher prep BY AMY FUSCO Beacon News Editor sylvania has eight dioceses, six of A recent protest outside of St. which had unions, now down to Peter's Cathedral on Wyoming five. They functioned with little or Avenue recognized the one year no problems. anniversary of Bishop Joseph Pashinski explained that the Martino's refusal to recognize the Pennsylvania State Labor RelaScranton Diocese Association of tions Law of 193 7 recognizes Catholic Teachers' call for a teach- that Americans have the right to ers' union. With this weekend's unionize and to challenge unjust announcements of plans to close treatment legally. In the past, peohalf of the area's Catholic parishes ple teaching in Catholic schools and talk of more cuts in local Cath- were nuns and priests, who did olic schools, there are questions as not wish for higher salaries. Pashto how the Diocesan money woes inski noted that today 95-98% of and resistance to unionization may Catholic school teachers are now impact local colleges preparing lay teachers. new teachers. Theresa Monaco, Wilkes InterAccording to The Times-Tribune, faith Director, has been employed a Scranton publication, Michael by the Diocese of Scranton since Milz, the union president and a March 2008 . She explained that former teacher at Holy Redeemer the Catholic schools in the area High School, is heading the fight want to unionize and the Bishop for unionization. Those who advo- feels that such a move would close cate for unionization are primar- the schools for lack of resources. ily lay teachers, those who are not Because of this refusal to recogof religious background. nize a teachers' union, Monaco Lay teachers formed the Scran- acknowledged, many Catholics ton Diocese Association of Catho- in the area see his action as being lic Teachers (SDACT), which has against the church's teaching of been in existence since 1981. On social justice. the SDACT website, the ScranMonaco has seen both sides of ton Diocesan School Policy #417 the story. When she worked in a notes that "Catholic social teach- Catholic school in New York, she i~ strongly supports the rights was in administration so was not of lay teachers to organize and part of the teachers union. During to bargain collectively ... " The her tenure there, Monaco said she policy guarantees the right to form saw never-ending battles between unions. the union and the Archdiocese. State Representative Eddie D. The contract they worked on in Pashinski, (D-Luzerne County), New York included stipulations explained that the Diocese of on classroom size and the number Scranton had a union for 30 years. of student teachers allowed. That It became a problem when the new contract limited the number of Bishop, Rev. Joseph Martino, opt- student teachers to one every two ed not to recognize the union after years per classroom. Monaco does the Diocese reorganization. Penn- not know if it would be the same BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu if the Scranton Diocese unionized, Pashinski combut the tensions that currently ex- mented in reist suggest a possible impact on ferring to what local education majors observing will happen for student teachin the Catholic schools. "I think it's a shame that an issue ing and observsuch as this would possibly cause ing at Catholic problems for student teachers," schools. said Erin Wimer, junior educa"One of the tion major. "As future educators, things that peowe simply want to be in front of ple don't seem a classroom, and a situation where to get when it the amount of available class- comes to Cathrooms dwindles makes that goal olic education is that you can't difficult," she added. Robert Gardner, assistant pro- raise the teachfessor of education at Wilkes, ers ' salaries believes that the church has the without raising tuition," right to make decisions on how the it is organized and how it decides stated Monaco. to use its assets. However, he ex- "They go handplained that historically the church in-hand." Catholic has been very supportive of the rights of workers. It is part of the schools are church's ethos and mission to im- already strug- ' prove the conditions for working gling financially so increases person. "It seems to me [that] to disal- in tuition could The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick low unionization in their schools decrease enroll- Members of St. Nicholas's parish in W-B leave is kind of contradictory to the ment. church Sunday morning. St. Nick's Catholic Church positions they seem to hold in "I'm not say- was not on the list of closures the Diocese released. the universal themes that they es- ing that the pouse," said Gardner. teachers shouldn't make more; Wyoming Valley when one of the Although Wilkes places most they should make more than base- previous Fathers fought for the student teachers in public schools, ball players do," Monaco com- coal miners union. Pashinski beGardner thinks a teachers' union mented. "Nobody goes into teach- lieves the Diocese is hypocritical would have an impact and that it ing to make money ... The thing is because it will not fight for its own is a positive thing to maintain re- [the teachers] are not looking at teachers. "Right now, as individuals, [the lationships with both public and the larger picture; they are looking teachers] have no power and right private schools. It will give the at their salary." "The Catholic church has always now they are scared to death," Pastudents the option of choosing taught fairness and justice to the shinski stated. where they want to teach. He added, if the teachers are to "Frankly, if they unionize, it common man and always fought would organize them [the Dio- for equal rights for the common unionize, they will have a vehicle for and organization to speak up to cese] better and provide a better man," said Pashinski. mechanism of communication," Pashinski recalled a time in the the Diocese of Scranton. Editorial Staff 2008-09 Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Anthony Dorunda Asst. Opinion Editor �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 BEDBUGS from FRONT PAGE investigate the report. "We brought in our pest control contractor. .. who we have used for a previous bed bug incident. . . and they came in and were inconclusive in their findings in terms of what the occupants presented and based upon what they actually found," she said. To alleviate any concerns school officials asked the pest control person to spray the area with the pesticide, which according to Stanley is eco-friendly. Stanley also said that the school continued to treat the area over winter break and into the beginning to the spring semester. However, the residents continued to report bites and visual confirmation of the insects. After repeated treatments by the pest control company failed, the residents contacted the City of Wilkes-Barre. An official from the city toured the apartment and told the residents to contact the school again and he would type a report for their records. One of the residents said, "I'm okay with the outcome. The school did what it can, and ZUKOSKI from FRONT PAGE saw him as he was leaving late Thursday afternoon to go home, and then just hours later, he's gone. He always seemed so healthy and active, as we all hear the news, we think of him being the last person this could happen to," said Wagner. He added, "Over the past three and a half years at Wilkes, Matt has played many roles to me as a student. He has been my instructor, I've worked with him on several projects, we've hosted several contests together, and he was to be my internship coordinator this semester. It's probably not going to sink in fully until Monday when he's not there." Zukoski first came to Wilkes as an undergraduate majoring in electrical engineering. He graduated in 1986 and went on to complete his masters in computer science from Virginia Tech in 1990 and his doctorate in computer engineering from Lehigh University in 2007. Dr. Reynold Verret, Provost for Wilkes University, said that Zukoski 's passing leaves a big hole at the University, and he was "one of the great citizens of the Wilkes community." John Mishanski, a 2007 Wilkes graduate and one of Zukoski 's advisees, reflected on his many memories of his advisor. "Dr. Zukoski was one of the happiest, kindest, and most thoughtful people I have ever known. He brought a smile everywhere he went, in any situation, and under 3 now my roommates and I have to compromise with the option we have chosen, which means four of us in a three bedroom apt. It was either that, or we split up." The resident added that the school provided money for laundry and will provide new furniture for their new apartment. Stanley added that the school and the pest control contractor was able to isolate the infestation to the single apartment. She said, "We actually tested the four rooms adjacent to the apartment space, above and below, to ensure there wasn't a deeper issue. That was both reassuring for the residents and for us to know that we had truly isolated it to its one location." One of the residents acknowledged who fear a Th e Beacon /A nd rew seaman . that . students . possible mfestat10n to act on the suspicion immediately. Although bed bugs are small, they can still be seen with the human eye without the use of a mi"I would say that they need to croscope. These bed bugs were discovered recently in an apartment in the Towers. take care of it right away. Search the bed, save any bug they find and brainstorm the possibilities of where and how they could have possibly gotten bed bugs," the student said. Stanley reiterated the advice and recom- mended that students who suspect they may have bed bugs should contact residence life immediately. any amount of stress. There's no short way to summarize what a great man he was," said Mishanski. Wagner added, "Above all he's done for me academically, he was a friend - a sentiment I'm sure the entire Wilkes community shares. I think he'll best be remembered for his outlook on life, and how he spread it to everybody he was around. He was always just fun to be around, and there hasn't been a single moment where I saw him without a giant grin on his face." Mishanski also notes that no matter how busy Zukoski was, he always put others ahead of himself. "Mr. Zukoski had an unwavering ability to put others ahead of himself no matter how busy he was. Go to his office on a random weeknight, and you'd find him helping a student with a math class that he didn't teach, or helping a local non-profit setup a website .. .I'm not sure he experienced real spare time for years," said Mishanski. For those in the Wilkes community who did not know Zukoski personally, he was the man zipping by on his bicycle. "Drive into Wilkes on a random weekday morning and you'd have likely seen Dr. Zukoski riding his bicycle along River Street toward the Stark Leaming Center - peddling feverishly of course, stylishly late for class," said Mishanski. According to his website, Zukoski had many interests: image processing, computer vision, robotics, web development, and gaming. Mishanski also noted that he re- membered spending many hours watching episodes of Seinfeld with Zukoski. At the time of publication the time and dates for funeral arrangements were unknown. Verret said that the school will also be doing something to remember Zukoski; however, nothing has been finalized. For updated information on the passing of Dr. Zukoski check back at www.wilkesbeacon.com The Beacon/Andrew Seaman On Sunday, February 1, a photocopied article from a local paper was posted on Dr. Zukoski's door notifying people of his passing. The article said Zukoski passed away unexpectedly and arrangements were yet to be announced. �f EBRUARY 3, 2009 CENTER from FRONT PAGE But proposals for funding future recruiting trips for the university can still be presented, said Dr. Maria Suarez, executive director of the Center and special assistant to the president for diversity and community affairs. "We're really trying to work with our budget and it's not easy ... There are some expenses that come with a big trip like that and our budget is tight," Suarez added. According to Suarez, a number of planned events were cut to make up for the unexpected expenses the Center has faced. "We were very ambitious with the calendar and had added lots of little things. We're revising, [figuring out] how to put things back together," she added. While additional recruitment trips may be put on hold as the Center manages its budget issues and the country continues to deal with its own financial woes, Fonjweng is making efforts to spread the word about Wilkes's study abroad programs to locals. For example, he has spoken at Coughlin High School about the opportunities that Wilkes provides for students who may want to spend extended periods of time learning in other countries. "Study abroad has not been a main focus NEWS for the university. Very few people know about study abroad. The economic situation of the students who attend Wilkes does not allow them to have a lot of disposable cash that they can just add to their academic budget and pay for study abroad," said Fonjweng. "It's a very challenging thing to talk to people who have not really thought about it and convince them it's a good idea. After that, they need to figure out where to get the cash. It's a major challenge, but we are moving in the right direction." But the other side and purpose to the Center is its dedication to the advancement of domestic diversity issues. Last summer, Brandon Ice was hired as the first point of contact in the domestic diversity area as well as advisor to the Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC). His title was assistant director of diversity initiatives at the Center. He abruptly left the university in December, and officials have chosen not to comment on the specific reasons for his separation. "His departure had nothing to do with his work here," said Suarez. "I was shocked when I was notified about [Ice's departure]. I feel the university made a huge mistake when they decided to let Brandon go. The Center will not be the same without him, but I don't think the WWW.CHANGEABLE SKIES.COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT: Bill Henry wilHam.henryOO@comcast.net 215-768-4619 AVAILABLE APARTMENTS READY TO LEASE JUNE 2009: PEARCE MANOR 84 WEST ROSS STREET 200 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET JOAN HENRY HALL "' 4 Center will be greatly affected by it," said Joshua Pellew, freshman work study for the Center. A national search is underway to fill Ice's vacant position. According to Suarez, the price of advertising in journals, such as The Chronicle for Higher Education, will be paid by the Center. The Center has also compiled a list of accomplishments since its opening last fall. For example, participation and attendance at events sponsored by the Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC) has been high. "We've had really great events, but what is really wonderful about those events is that there has been great The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick participation not only Joshua Pellew, work study for the Center, may help in by the populations that the organization of upcoming events, such as the Chinese we target, which are the New Year Celebration and Poetry for the People. international and minority students, but the The results of the accreditation review community at large. That coming together conducted by the Commission of Engof different people has been wonderful and lish Language Program will be released something different from the previous year," in April. said Suarez. She cited the MSC talent show "Assessment is what's going to guide last semester as one of the most successful future initiatives that we take on," said events the MSC has held. Suarez. "We are monitoring academic In addition, the results of a faculty and progress on a regular basis with individstaff survey were recently released. One of uals ... We are looking at each of them the questions asked if the respondents agree and if they are doing okay. If we feel with the emphasis the university has placed that there is a need for support, we offer on multicultural issues. it by direct contact." "Over 90 percent of the faculty and staff In addition to upcoming events, the answered that they agree or strongly agree enter's staff members are also working with the emphasis the university is putting on two new initiatives to aid underrepon diversity issues. When you talk about resented students with their college edulabor of love, I think that's something that cations. demonstrates that this is something that the According to Suarez, "A pre-proposal campus itself sees as a need," said Georgia aimed at providing resources for transCostalas, assistant director of the Center. fer students in biology was submitted to "One of these goals is making the Intensive the National Science Foundation by Dr. English Program (IEP) one of the best in the Will Terzaghi." country ... In order to do this, I wanted us to Suarez and other members of the Cengo through accreditation. We just recently ter's staff have suggested strategies that went through that process and received their will increase the number of transfer stureport back from them. We met 50 of the 52 dents at Wilkes. The Center is currently standards they require for accreditation," waiting for word on the proposal's fundsaid Kimberly Niezgoda, assistant director mg. for the IEP. A memoranCU,1111 of understanding is The IEP was formally known as the Eng- also in progress. The Center has teamed lish as a Second Language Program. This up with the Commonwealth Medical semester, 31 students are enrolled in the pro- School in Scranton and LCCC to form gram from countries including Poland, Saudi a Pipeline Program for underprivileged Arabia, China, Turkey and Korea. students in the area. �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 5 NEWS SG seeks input for how to spend $100K of surplus funds BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor :k n ,,_ :d le 1d ic i- Student Government (~G) has accumulated funds over the years from student activity fees. This year, there is approximately $105,000 in the Buffer Fund set aside to better the campus for all students, not just one particular club or group. How the money will be used will be decided by a committee of students involved in SG. Discussions have included ideas for new flat screen televisions in the SUB, a new gym on campus or new communication boards, similar to the flat screen television that the Sidhu Business School has in Breiseth Hall, but SG is open to all suggestions. "Student Government wants to donate something tangible, something that can be utilized throughout the years," said Elizabeth Roveda, assistant director of Resident Life and an advisor to SG. The student activity fund, a fund paid by all students, goes to SG. Every year, certain clubs and organizations that have events going on are allowed to request additional funding; however, the money that SG has to spend on clubs is not always completely used. At the end of the year the money is put into a fund that is allowed to build up for couple of years. "At the end of the year, if all the money is not used up, it gets transferred back into what we call the 'Buffer Fund.' So ultimately, we want to make sure that all student activities fees are going back to students in some way," said Philip Ruthkosky, associate dean of Student Development and an advisor to SG. In past years, SG has donated "large-scale items that you really don't purchase on a whim," said Roveda. "In the 2005-2006 school year, we used our resources to bring the rock wall and ropes course to Wilkes, which was an opportunity to develop personal and professional leadership experience. We have expanded that program to invite local high schools in the area. There are teachers that have utilized that course for classes," said David Sborz, senior class president. Roveda says it is the organization's goal to put the money to good use. "They want to utilize the money for the students instead of having it just sit there. Especially because it is student activity fees," said Roveda. The next step in the process is to form a comittee to come up with different ideas for how the money will be spent, and the people who will ultimatley decide which purchase they make. "We're at that stage right now just coming up with ideas," said Carl Santana, President of Student Government. The committee meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, at 6 p.m. in the Student Development Office in the Student Center, Thursday, February 5, at 5:45 p.m. in the Student Development Office and Monday, February 9, at 3 p.m. in the Student Government Office. David Sborz and Carl Santana-..................................___.......,.......,....._......._.-._......_......,.........__ ____. encourage students to come forth The Beacon Archives/ Nick Zmijewski with any ideas they have that could A student climbs on the rock wall SG donated in make the school better for all stu- the 2005-2006 school year using the Buffer Fund. dents, not just specific clubs or organizations. Students with ideas can go They can also call SG or go to SG meetings to the SG website or stop by the SG office. every Wednesday night. Ba111.1es & Noble Wilkes-Kh1g's Booksto1·e 7South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre , PA 18 701 ~ 57 0.208.4700 ~ '\•v ilkes.bncollege .com Live "Free" l\!f11sic Ever~"\\7 ecl11esclay Nigl1t a11cl 111ost Friclay's 25% discou11t 011 a11ytlri11g yot1 p11rcl1ase fi.·0111 tl1e cafe d11ri11g tl1e peTfor111a11ce ! 11 el ~r 1e Lg This Wednesday we have Steve Rosas live at 6:30pm )- l- al sto Friday Night Live Mt1sic \\ith ''Three Intaginary Boys'' at 7:30pm Ir. n- at u- ly d- • "Black History 1VI011tl1" vvill be ot1r readi11gs tl1is ,veek for our vveekly Saturday 1nor11i11g story ti111e at 11:ooa111 • i\11tl10.- Sig11i11g: Molly Roe at1tl1or of ' Call J.1Ie Katen Sah1rday at 12:00 -2:oop111 • PJ Pa1·ty Story Ti111e tl1is Mo11day for your little 011es, every seco11d Mo11day of each 1no11tl1 fro111 6: 3O-7:3op1n �-- -- - ----- - - - . - Bio fuels impacting food supply Pa e8 CONTACT INFORMATION: gino. troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Foreign language offerings insufficient for global ed. BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Throughout its history, Wilkes has offered classes in a slew of foreign languages such as Russian, German, Spanish, French, and the occasional Japanese and Chinese courses, but in the past few years, that number has drastically declined. According to the Wilkes 07'-08' Fact Book, in 2007, the University posted an enrollment of 5,114 graduate and undergraduate students. At the same time, the only foreign language offerings included French and Spanish. The elimination of other foreign courses has left us scratching our heads wondering what exactly happened. Dr. Paola Bianco, Associate Professor of Spanish in the Humanities Division, explained that when she graduated from Wilkes, the university had a " ... department of Foreign languages," which included, "Spanish, French, Russian and German. There were several professors tenured full-time, plus adjuncts. As soon as the language requirement dropped from two semesters to one semester and students were able to choose between either Spanish or philosophy, [to meet general education requiremefts] the language enrollment dropped significantly. The fact that students must choose between one semester of either philosophy or Spanish is hurting both disciplines." According to Dr. C. Reynold Verret, Wilkes University Provost, in order to compensate for the declining language offerings on campus, "A foreign language institute at Wilkes existed as a collaboration with our sister institutions, King's and Misericordia." However, that institute ended last year, mainly due to low enrollment. The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas currentlv, Wilkes onlvoners Spanish and French. Dr. Paola Bianco, Associate Professor of Spanish teaches one of the few foreign language classes offered at Wilkes. The coalition program was a step in the right direction, but still far from perfect. The reality is that the process of studying a foreign language at another institution can be problematic for many students, especially for those without vehicles. Despite recent enrollment numbers, The Beacon Editorial Board maintains that there is a need to reintroduce more foreign language class offerings as part of the curriculum. "With the importance that we place in the growing globalization in every country ... and the growing number of people in our multicultural society, it is a pity that instead of reinforcing the languages program, it has been reduced to only one language, Spanish," said Bianco. When asked if there were any plans to re-introduce a variety of foreign languages, Verret confirmed that Wilkes is currently re-evaluating its general curriculum, but any drastic changes are unlikely. Andrew Sobiesiak, sophomore computer information systems major offered, "I could see a lot of people signing up for classes ... it would be good for the school." Dr. Thomas Baldino, Interim Dean of College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences confirmed that if Wilkes were to expand its foreign languages offerings there would be a rigorous hiring process that would be both time consuming and costly. We should all be concerned about the dearth of foreign language opportunities at Wilkes. In spite of widespread recognition of the importance of global education and an awareness of cultures beyond our own, Wilkes students are deprived of their chance to explore diverse cultures through formal language instruction. While Spanish is indeed important, it makes sense to consciously pursue additional opportunities that will aid 21st century professionals in internationalizing their fields such as Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, German and Russian. Is it possible that the apparent lack of interest is a direct result of the lack of opportunity? If the university made a strong statement about the importance of foreign language as part of its commitment to preparing students to meet the needs of a multicultural world by increasing the value of such courses in its general education requirements, might we see a natural increase in enthusiasm as well? We propose that students be required at least one year of a foreign language of their choice. The knowledge of another language can be extremely beneficial not in only the workplace, but also in everyday life, and may also lead to even greater employment opportunities. Wilkes dropped its "collaboration" with King's and Misericordia last vear. There is aneed to introduce a broader foreign language offering. . 6 �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 OPINION 7 The An.gry Rant: A nation of ''babies'' BY TIM SEIGFRIED Wilkes Alumnus "No one gives it to you. You have to take it." -The Departed On January 13, a high school basketball game took place between The Covenant School and Dallas Academy, a game that The Covenant School would end up winning by a score of 100-0. There is far more to this story than just the score, as the Dallas Academy is a school that specializes in educating children with "diagnosed learning differences," such as attention deficit disorder or dyslexia. In the days following the game, the national media got wind of the story, resulting in a firestorm of controversy regarding the ethics of high school sports and the rules of fair play. The Covenant School has since fired its basketball coach who was accused of running up the score to reach the 100 point mark, as well as allegedly using a full court press defense throughout the game, despite having a 59-0 lead after the first half. While I agree in principal that The Covenant School was wrong, I also feel that the controversy is doing more harm than good for the psyche of all involved. In professional sports, there is such a thing as sportsmanship. A team will (most likely) avoid running up a score out of respect for the game and the opponent. In baseball, if a team has a 13-0 lead in the 8th inning, batters aren't going to be swinging away on a 3-0 count, nor will runners be stealing bases. However, they aren't going to purposefully make errors or take bad swings, either. They will play the game, but not at a level to embarrass their opponents any further. The same thing happens in pro football and basketball, when a team won't continue to score at will, but they also won't hand the ball to their opponent and say, "Here, go ahead and make yourselves feel better." If they would continue to score, or if they gave the opposing team mercy points, it shows a lack of gamesmanship, and no one looks good. There was definitely a need for that in the aforementioned high school basketball game. The Covenant School had the game won after the first half. They could have (and should have) taken their foot off the gas. Play defense, but don't steal and don't press. Take shots, but don't score right away, and don't shoot threes. In other words, give a good effort, but don't go all out. Of course, that didn't happen, and now The Covenant School is apologizing for winning the game, and the school is now seeking to forfeit the game, even though the Dallas Academy hasn't won a game in over three years. And here we are, yet again, getting beaten into submission about how children need to be nurtured and cared for and how we need to tell them that they can be whatever they want and that life is nothing but roses and clouds and chocolate fountains! Pfft. The idea of "You can be whatever you want" is fine for a seven-yr-ar-old who wants to be a pirate. But when that same kid is 16years-old and failing high school, a dose of reality needs to set in, and fast. Because at that point, mommy and daddy can't coddle them anymore and they need to get off their tails and start to earn their life. Of course, it's not like the kid will fail, because teachers can't give out bad grades without being threatened with a lawsuit from the parents, even though the kid knew there was a test and knew what to study. But perhaps more importantly, the kid knew his parents would come to his aid and bail him out, even though they've never taught him the value of a hard days work, instead taking the BS psychology route and just handing him everything. No wonder Clint Eastwood called it "The Pussy Generation." And guess what? When Dirty Harry talks, field for the Philadelphia Phillies, I would. you listen. But the truth is that I'm not good enough. But seriously, everyone, can we please (Also, I'm a natural second baseman, so I'd put a stop to this? The younger generations be out of position anyway.) need to learn that they can't (and won't) alThe end result is that America is beways win, and that the only way that they coming a land for people who want to be can grow is to learn from that. spoon fed everything, and we continue to Back to the basketball game: if the los- let it happen. It is occurring in our schools ing team played the entire game and never already; where is it going to end? People gave up, then it learned something. Despite are being punished because they are good the bleak outcome, the players were going at something because it is at the expense of to keep trying because that is the only way someone else. they will get better, which builds character. There are two types of people i• this You can't always win, but the effort is as im- world: those who can, and those who can't. portant. However, if that team were handed If you are one of the few who can, then go points by the opposition, or perhaps they ahead and do it. But if you can't, you need throw the game, then they don't learn from to try harder until you can. Bottom line: it because it wasn't earned. It was out of pity There has to be a loser so there can be a that they won the game, and nothing else. winner. And one day, that pity is going to manifest And if you're not a winner, the only thing itself in every kid in this country whose par- holding you back is yourself. ents didn't force them to work for their rewards, and that will only lead to a very dangerous sense of entitlement. And that's the issue, folks. We are raising a nation of babies, a nation of whiners and quitters, instead of the next generation of leaders. Kids lt/6.. want everything, and more often than not, their equally stupid parents give it to them. There is a sweeping notion among the bleeding heart PC'ers in this country that evP14it eryone is the same, and that everyone should be given an equal chance. That sounds ~tt good in principal, but at a certain point, everyone is not €.11!i11~ equal, which is why everyone can't go to college, why everyone can't be a millionaire, and why everyone can't be presiCartoon by: Pat Zeigler dent. Look, if I could play left +\i"'j'f~1: No o.tt ~." ll ~ .J..bt ~vtl by t~~ H" 1 ju~f evt, torc,l_ lJo.,'t ~.+- wtl). y~\,(J: f5 Sensitivity to diversity lacking in 'Rant' This letter to the editor is written in response to Tim Seigfried 'Angry Rant' column of 1/24/09 and therefore addresses the columnist directly. Dear Mr. Seigfried: To answer the first question you posed in your article referring to the "pregnant man" story, "Why did the major news organizations in the country decide to call a femalewho had some "refinements"-a man? Answer: Because Thomas Beatie is a male, period. Yes, he has the reproductive organs ofa female and is able to bear a child but he is one of the many people who identify as transgender. Do you need a minute s to look it up? The media is doing what the media does best, making a spectacle out of something that is different instead of properly educating the public. And your rant is not helping. Research. That is what's missing here. I understand it's an opinion piece and it's your spot to rant and rave about what ticks you off, but this topic is something I argue you know very little about. Do me a favor and read "Becoming A Visible Man" by Jamison Green or "Both Sides Now" by Dhillon Khosla, or pick up a Sociology 101 book and tum to the chapter about gender and sex. Your article offended me almost immediately. As a member of the trans gender community who has yet to completely transition, your language is very discriminating especially your constant use of the pronoun "she" when referring to Thomas. Your relations to video games and fantansy characters is insulting. You're trying to be funny, I get it, but it doesn't work here. However, a few minutes after reading this I realized something that helped me understand. You do not know what you are talking about. You have no idea the amount of strength and courage it takes someone to do something so brave, like changing their sex in order to live a fulfilled life. Transitioning is something that is met with discrimination, confusion and the possibility of losing friends, family, and adequate health care. What you failed to mention in your rant is that Thomas Beatie always wanted to have a child and his wife could not, which is why he decided to go through with the pregnancy. And for you to ridicule this man and argue whether or not he is legally male is completely out of ignorance. Your article should have been titled "IgnoRANT" that week. Best, Meg Krisanda, Wilkes 2008 alum. �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 OPINION 8 Biofuels pose threat to world food supply BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Opled Editor Recently biofuels have elbowed their way onto the energy scene, and for many, have posed as a strong alternative to fossil fuels ; however, there is a dark shadow lurking behind the ideology of a strong biofuel economy. According to Dr. Gregory Peters, assistant professor of chemistry, biofuels include anything that can be used to create energy which comes from biological systems such as crops. Some of these materials include com, soybeans, switch grass and sugar cane. Due to rising energy costs, the United States, European Union and Brazil have been active leaders in exploring alternative energy sources such as biofuels. As a result, instead of harvesting crops for food production, many farmers are taking the higher bids and selling products to biofuel producers, which creates an unbalanced system of supply and demand. Although this may seem harmless, experts say that the growth ofbiofuels has created a ripple effect on other food crop markets. The International Grain Council reported that the demand for cereal in the U.S. has risen 32% in the last year. According to The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), many countries are experiencing difficulty in providing food for their people. One of the hardest hit regions includes Sub-Saharan Africa, where 21 of 36 countries are in a food security crisis. That region imports 45% of its wheat and 84% of its rice. In recent months, the World Bank Group, which provides finance and advice to countries for the purposes of economic development and eliminating poverty, has distributed approximately $497 million to over 30 countries to help ease the food crisis. Some of which include, Afghanistan ($8 million), Bangladesh ($ 130 million), Benin ($9 million), Burundi ($10 million), Central African Republic ($7 million), Djibouti ($5 million), Ethiopia ($275 million) Increasing fuel prices, droughts, floods, and changing diets can also contribute to the problem; however, experts argue that the production of biofuels has exacerbated an already devastating situation. Why the U.S. has con- In recent years, Biofuels have driven tinued to promote biofu- food prices sky high. els as an alternative fuel According to an article pubsource? Peters said, "It sends a positive message to people that lished on November 16, 2007 by we have the potential for reduc- Time magazine, one-quarter of the ing or eliminating our reliance on U.S.'s corn harvest was diverted foreign oil," but in truth, biofuels to biofuel production in 2007. as a whole are not significantly efShould we continue to experifective. ment with biofuels? Yes. If scienRecently, the U.S. made claims tists can enhance the performance that plant derived fuels have con- ofbiofuels, or balance the system, tributed to less than 3% to rising there is a possibility that they may food prices; however, a report re- serve as an alternative fuel source leased by the World Bank in April in the future. But until then, there claimed that biofuels have forced is no reason for the U.S. and othglobal food costs up by 75%. "I er countries to be diverting mass would imagine that the truth is amounts of their grain production somewhere in between," said Pe- to serve as biofuels. ters. Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific and does not claim to reflect the attitudes of students on campus. The Beacon asked: Do you feel President Obama will implement change to the current higher education process in a effective and timely mannor? • Yes - 50% • No - 50% • Undecided - 0% Next Week's question: Do you feel that Wilkes should offer more foreign language courses? •Yes •No • Undecided Go,,ern01ent lies declassified: Gulf of Tonkin BYANTHONYDORUNDA Beacon Asst. Opled Editor For many reasons ranging from economic instability to security challenges, U.S. citizens need to lo~ to their government with confidence perhaps more than ever before. Truth goes a long way toward building confidence. In 1964, a major bond of trust was broken by the US government, and did not surface again until decades later in late 2005. On August 2, 1964, naval forces of the United States and North Vietnam skirmished in the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Just two days later, the USS Maddox reported yet further engagement with North Vietnamese torpedo boats. Upon the news of the second clash, it took a mere three days for Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which stated that President Lyndon B. Johnson, could give aid to any Asian country whose government was in harms way of a communist in- vas10n. Recently, the National Security Agency, declassified over 140 formerly top secret documents on the August 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident. Included in these documents were histories, chronologies, signals intelligence reports, and oral history interviews that drove home the point that has long been suspected, but never proven that there was no second attack on US ships. Dr. Diane Wenger, associate professor of history at Wilkes acknowledged that this resolution gave President Johnson " ... a free hand to escalate the war." In essence, it gave him the justification he needed to convince skeptical Americans that more involvement was needed in Vietnam. Why, though, did the truth take more than 40 years to surface? Wenger offers a simple answer: The U.S. did not want its image to be blemished. "The National Security Agency naturally wanted to portray the United States in the best light; to continue the justification for the nation defending itself against the attacks," said Wenger. "As a reporter for The New York Times has suggested, releasing the news might have caused unwelcome comparisons with the war in Iraq and the misleading information about weapons of mass destruction that led Americans to support that war." The declassification of the documents has left many Americans with the nagging question, "What else are we not being told?" In 2004, a poll conducted by both The New York Times and CBS reported that 28% of Americans felt the government was lying or covering up specific details regarding September 11. An untruthful and misleading government creates an uneasy feeling for citizens. With the power to decide what truths to release and what to cover up, it is hard not to ask how often the people do not get all the necessary information. Wenger said, "This was not the first time that U.S. government officials made a decision that later proved questionable. I was skeptical of attempts to link the invasion oflraq to 9/11 attacks and the war on terrorism." Wenger is also skeptical about the government's policies of detaining suspects without due process as well as the use of torture and notes that aspects of the Patriot Act wrongly deprived citizens of their guaranteed rights. Any lies, distortions or withholding of important information diminishes any credibility government officials hope to have among citizens. President Obama's new administration would be wise to avoid hiding behind the curtain of half-truths, given public outrage over the Gulf of Tonkin realities. The U.S. is a democracy, a government "For the people, by the people, and of the people." If what our founding fathers wrote centuries ago is true, then there should be no secrets, no misleading ideas, and no distortion of fact from reality. Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �Free clinic opens in Wilkes-Barre PAGE 11 . CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu FEBRUARY , 2009 wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com 9 Wilkes alu01na pursues passion for rescuing ani01als BY MELANIE THOMAS Beacon Correspondent According to The Animal Network, seven puppies and kittens are born for each human life that comes into this world. That totals an estimated 52 million dogs and 57 million cats living with United States' families . However, as many as 12 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year, and millions more abandoned in rural and urban areas. But thanks to people like Marge Bart, co-founder, owner and animal caretaker of Blue Chip Farm (BCF) Animal Refuge Facility in the Back Mountain, some of these animals have discovered a second chance at life. Bart, who received her master's in business administration from Wilkes in 1979, is a native of Wilkes-Barre. Despite her urban upbringing, she grew up fond of nature. "I was a city girl with a dream of owning my own farm one day," said Bart. For a number of years, she worked as a production superintendent at Certainteed in Mountaintop, before she became disabled with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a disease of the nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord. Ten years ago, she started work to create Blue Chip Farm. BCF is nestled on 35 acres of rolling farmland at 974 Lockville Road in Dallas. It began to take shape when Bart and Tanya Stankus, who are neighbors and close friends, combined their passion and love of animals. "Marge really makes a difference for the animals. She understands animals well, and this intrigued me to join her in her efforts to rescue animals," said Stankus. "Marge is close to Ceasar, the pet whisperer. She bonds to an animal within five minutes of knowing them." While Bart's own health neither defines her nor seems to slow her down as she works to achieve her vision for BCF, it is possible that in Bart the animals see someone who understands their plights uniquely. "I've always had animals and noticed that there was a need for someone to take care of special needs pets," Bart acknowledged. "The unconditional love given to me by these animals is enough to keep this animal shelter up and running." Because of Bart's MS, she has to take care of the animals in the early part of her day. "I become tired as the day goes on, so I need to get all the physical work done earlier," Bart explained. "A safe haven in what could be a cruel world," is BCF's mission statement, which communicates the organization's commitment to treating animals humanely despite their backgrounds or circumstances. "The Blue Chip Farms seek to provide a sanctuary where older, stray, abandoned, sick and abused animals can wait to be adopted or simply live out their lives in safety and peace," said Bart. BCF offers a home to animals that can no longer be People who ride their horses at Blue Chip Farm help Marg Bart with the chores that need to be done on a daily basis. The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Marge Bart emphasizes responsible pet care and searches for adoption options for the 15 dogs, 20 cats, and two potbelly pigs currently residing at Blue Chip Farm. cared for by their owners and also a second chance at adoption. Bart tells a story about an abandoned chocolate lab to illustrate the circumstances that could bring an animal to the farm. "A little over [a month ago] around 8:30 p.m. a man in a pickup truck pulled up on the side of the road in front of the farm. He then pushed a dog out and left the dog standing there all alone. We have no information about this animal. There is no name, no tags, we don't know if it had all of its shots," she said. "The only thing we do know as of now is that she just had puppies." So, Bart's rescue mission steps in once more, and with luck, the dog may find a loving, permanent home. Bart stressed that a kitten is only a kitten for a short while, and adult animals can be a great solution for a pet companion. The farm is run strictly through fundraisers and donations given by pet owners and people who drop off their animals. Right now, the animal refuge facility is taking care of 15 dogs, 20 cats, and two potbelly pigs. The farm is also run with the help of vol- unteers. For example, people who do their horseback riding on the farm contribute to the work that needs to be done on a daily basis. "We need volunteers all the time to help us with various things, like sitting in the cat house and just being with them," said Stankus. "They don't get a lot of human contact and need to be socialized with." BCF is a multifaceted nonprofit organization. Since Bart doesn't believe in euthanasia, BCF provides the public with education on ways to fight the overpopulation issue. Workers have spoken at schools and other public venues on an array of topics including responsible pet care and the need to spay and neuter pets. Another goal of BCF is to get these animals adopted. Lastly and most importantly, Bart and Stankus provide a safe place for these victims of circumstance. In the future, Bart hopes to expand Blue Chip Farms. She has planned a staffed animal hospital which will provide low-cost spay and neutering services, an animal boarding facility, a dog park and a horse exercise facility. �10 LIFESTYLES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 ~L!E~~A~!! ts s nan!!, fe!!l?il are~?n,f ,!!~~~IDQJ~,~~o!r~~!!!!!1Jt, .,I ro Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor Wilkes has been invaded by 'space people.' They wear distinctive white hooded, air-tight suits, and can be seen only on the early mornings right before winter break is over, and two Saturdays after the spring semester has commenced. They cluster together for five days total, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the Stark Leaming Center and Breiseth Hall. The 'space people' are actually students in the environmental engineering course ENV 298: HAZWOPER. HAZWOPER stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Regulations, and is a technical elective but required of all environmental engineering majors who want to work with hazardous waste materials. The course, while spanning less than a week and spread out over the course of four weeks, helps students understand hazardous materials and spills, how to clean up the spills, and the proper PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) to wear, according to John Luff, a student in the ENV 298 class. The class contains 25 students, 24 males the sessions from I have the proper 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to training to work on begin certification a hazardous site. to handle hazardous We also got a cool waste. The course is certificate with our populatedbystudents name on it," said from several differJoe Falko, a junior ent majors, including environmental enenvironmental, elecgineering major. trical, and mechaniThe course is sucal engineering. pervised by RichHAZWOPER was ,,,, ard Hofman, the created by the OccuSenior Safety and pational Safety and Health ConsulHealth Administratant, as well as an tion (OSHA) and authorized OSHA requires that each ininstructor for High dividual have at least Safety Consulting 40 hours of training Services. He has prior to certification. been handling the "The reason I chose safety for the ENV to take it is it gets me 298 class for sevone step closer to eral years. Hofman working at a hazardStudents sift through hazardous also oversees safety ous waste site. After materials for the ENV 298 HAZoperations for stuI completed this class WOPER course. dents at Penn State UniI need to get 24 hrs of versity. ardous waste materials since 1990, and believes, "having the certification makes individual more marketable." While the course is said to be a valuable training tool for the job market, there is one aspect of the training sessions that is bit more amusing. All students enrolled in ENV 298 use the last day of their course to apply what they have learned by wearing a Level B suit. According to Hofman, that means the students are "fully encapsulated in an airtight suit and use an oxygen tank and mask to set up breathing." Some students are given controlled breathing apparatuses. The apparatuses use oxygen cylinders as the air source and can be compared to scuba gear for divers. "You can get very warm in these suits which is why a lot ofus wore shorts and t-shirts underneath them even when we went outside," said Falko. The students spend their last Sunday out on the greenway, doing calisthenics to raise their heart rate to get a feel for how to work under stressful environments. COME CHECK OUT OUR FULL MENU: PIZZA, WINGS, SffiOMBOLIS, HOAGIES, SALADS, & MORE! DAllY llJNCH AND EVENING MENIJ FEATIJRES - KITCHEN OPENS 11AM DAil¥, OPEN LAH WEEKENDS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY TIJESDAY & THIJRSDAY SATlJRDAY SIJNDAY HAPP\' HOUR 5-7 HAPP\' HOUR 8-10 1/2 PRICE MIXED DRINKS $8 32 OZ MIXED DRINK PITCHERS ALL DA\' TIL MIDNIGHT: ALL DAV TIL MIDNIGHT: $2 BOTTLE FEATURE $3 BUDUGHT $3 IMPORTS $3 WINES $10 DOMESTIC TAP TOWERS PITCHERS $3 BAR PIES $3 BAR PIES $3 BAR PIES PUA.SE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. BODANO'S Will NOT SERVE ALCOHOL TO INDIVIDIJALS VNDER THE AGE OF 21. 53 PUBLIC SQUARE PHONE:829-6444 N OI a e C C ti u e RODANO'S $2 DOMESTICS B B FAX: 270-4293 �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 Volunteers in Medicine clinic offers care to uninsured BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Lifestyles Editor . A few years ago, the property on 190 North Pennsylvania Avenue was just another old, abandoned warehouse. Now, it is filled with all the makings of a doctor's office--exam rooms, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and even a waiting room filled with toys to keep young children amused. In just over two years, that building has tranformed into a fully functioning medical clinic that serves the poor of Luzerne County. During the summer of 2008, the Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) clinic opened its doors to provide primary and preventive care to the uninsured in the area, especially to the working poor. "Before we opened, there were feasibility studies that showed 35,000 people in Luzerne County do not have medical insurance," said Kelly Ranieli, the executive director of VIM. "They have nowhere to go for basic care, let alone for serious situations." There are over 70 free clinics in the United States affiliated with VIM, a non-profit organization that utilizes retired and volunteer health care professionals to serve the medical needs of the uninsured. According to volunteersinmedicine,org, over 89 million Americans had no health insurance for 2006 to 2007. Nearly 80 percent of those uninsured were from working families. The only criterion for treatment at VIM in Wilkes-Barre is that the patient must not be eligible for any kind of insurance. Usually, this rules out children under 18, who can be covered under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and people over the age of 65, who can be covered by Medicare. This leaves a gap of uninsured between the ages of 18 and 65 who are not offered insurance by their employment. "Sometimes there are people who work two part-time jobs and don't have insurance, or there are people who work fulltime jobs," said Dr. Marie Roke-Thomas, Wilkes University assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and member of the board of VIM. "A lot of people who work full-time jobs for minimum wage do not always have an insurance option." VIM in Wilkes-Barre is staffed by a rotation of around 10 physicians from the area who etch out time from their own private practices to volunteer at the clinic. It also includes a registered nurse practitioner, 10 nurses, and nearly 20 reception and clerical workers. Student volunteers are also an important part of VIM's mission. Nursing students from College Misericordia rotate through the clinic, where they learn how to room patients and observe the actual examinations. Pharmacy students from Wilkes University spend one day a week at VIM, filling and distributing medications. Dr. Kimberly Ference, the faculty advisor of the pharmacy students while they work at VIM, believes the clinic offers them experience that only augments their studies. "It provides them with some patient interaction and allows them to see a different aspect of pharmacy practice in a physician's office," she said. "Seeing patients gives them a hands-on experience while reinforcing what is taught in the classroom." Andrew Garofoli, a P2 pharmacy student, spent four days at VIM last fall and will now spend one day a week there this semester. He says his time there gave better understanding of prescribing medication, as well as giving him experience interacting with patients and other healthcare professionals. "My favorite part of working there so far has been gaining hands-on knowledge of different patient illnesses and understanding how those illnesses are treated," he said. VIM offers primary health care services, Christa Baker, a student in the nurse practitioner program at Misericordia University, examines a patient at Volunteers in Medicine. Pharmacy students from Wilkes also rotate through the clinic, and nursing students will start later this semester. as well as obstetric and gynecological care, and a full pharmacy. Patients also receive free services from institutions like Vision Imaging, where they can receive mammograms, x-rays, CAT scans, and MRis. Through Geisinger Health System, all of the patients at VIM have been covered for lab work. The clinic also has relationships with specialists from the area who donate their surgical skills or areas of expertise if further treatment is necessary. "Our ultimate goal is to try to detect those severe cases when they are treatable," said Ranieli. "We have a network of specialty physicians in the area who have been extremely kind to the clinic, and have covered most of the expenses, so our patients can see specialists at no cost." The goal of VIM is preventive care, but sometimes doctors will notice a condition that has already progressed to the point where immediate treatment is needed. RokeThomas points to lack of medical insurance as one of the reasons for late diagnoses. "We've seen here somebody will come in with a problem they have had for two or three years that will turn out to be a cancer that needs to be treated immediately," she said. "If they had insurance, they might have gone before, but they just don't want to go because they can't afford paying for it. They're very proud." Without this free access to healthcare, Roke-Thomas believes the whole community would suffer. "They just wouldn't get health care. A lot of common things like colds and infections, if left untreated, could become pneumonias or something more serious," she said. "The mission of this facility is that health care is something everyone should be entitled to, and we provide that." �Get a first hand account of Luna-The new bar/lounge on Main Street PAGE 14 A&£ f EBRUARY 3, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa. benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@willces.edu matthew.goags@wilkes.edu -wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com - - - - - - - 12 New Works course pushes at creative boundaries BY MATTHEW GOG AS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Imagine the unconventional for a moment. Imagine a class in which you singlehandedly decide your grade by doing whatever you want. Imagine that you could take this class at Wilkes University. Imagine this class is a reality because it actually is. For the first time at Wilkes the theater department is offering a course that involves improvisation, acting and movement, but the students get to choose how they want to contribute and through what mediums they wish to express themselves. Taught by Naomi Baker, assistant professor of the Visual and Performing Arts, New Works is based upon a theater improvisation technique called Viewpoints. Viewpoints incorporates both acting and dance movement. It was originally <level- oped by two American theater directors named Anne Bogart and Tina Landau. Bogart currently teaches the course New Works at Columbia University. There are also a small group of theater and performing arts departments around the United States that teach the course. "I took a New Works class in graduate school and the professor made us do a play that was pretty much her own work. That isn't what I wanted for this class. I want to explode the students' imaginations by doing self designed projects," said Baker. Baker decided that she wanted to teach New Works this semester so she went to the department chair and asked to teach the course. "Naomi is a good fit for the course because she is an acting and movement teacher, it just comes naturally," said Joseph Dawson, department chair for the Vi- The Beacon/ Lauren Biernacki LEFT: Students and instructor Naomi Baker, far right, express themselves through an acting excercise called Viewpoints in the New Works course. RIGHT: Naomi Baker, top of stairs, prepares her New Works class for their end of the semester play by peforming an out of class exercise. sual and Performing Arts at Wilkes. Baker decided she wanted to put her own spin on the course by incorporating a unique theme. Each of the students gets to participate in their own way, but they have to work with the theme of power. The most recent activities they completed were to make visual representations of how they define power and they have also conducted interviews around campus in which they asked others to define power in their own words. "I want the students to think globally within the city of Wilkes-Barre. I want them to have a global perspective of what power is, so I made up questions before the course began for the students to redefine and ask in their own way," said Baker. "I really love the class because it is something different. It is experimental and it is up to us, the class, to decide the direction and outcome. It is very exciting to me because I want people to experience all types of theater and get a true great appreciation for it," said Junior Theater major, Jessica Lech. The students in the class consists of both theater and performing arts majors and non-theater majors, which is what Baker aimed for with the course. "I wanted to attract students from other disciplines to show them that you do not have to be a theatre major to have fun with the course," said Baker. At the end of the semester, the New Works class will put on an unconventional play to bring to life all of the work they The Beacon/ Lauren Biernacki have done with the course. Senior Communications Studies major Anthony DeMarco, is looking forward to the end product and is excited to show people what he has gained from the course. "The class is creative to say the least. We do some pretty far out things. I hope people show up and see what we did," said DeMarco. �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Student's art career sparked through coIDinunity effort BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor Scott Szili, senior entrepreneurship major, is putting his creative energy into the hands of the Wilkes-Barre arts the community. Inspired by music as well as his need to create art, Szili creates acrylic portraits and is especially fond of painting eccentric icons such as Albert Einstein, Lil Wayne, and Jim Morrison. "Those are the type of personalities that attract me," Szili said. His professional painting career began 14 months ago, and since that time he has been featured in three local exhibits. An exhibit at Barnes and Noble July 18, 2008, marked his debut in the public art arena. Another exhibit at Arts YOUniverse followed from September to October of2008 and currently Szili has an exhibit at the Kirby Center. "Wilkes-Barre is a very artistic community," Szili said. His current exhibit at the Kirby Center was booked with the help of Kimberly Hughes, the Wyoming Valley Art League Gallery Director. According to WVAL.org: The League is an organization that promotes fellowship among all artists, art leagues, and galleries; provides an artistic outlet for local talent; sponsors programs of both local and out-of-town artists and fosters an interest in art within the local and surrounding communities. "I think Wilkes-Barre has great potential where the arts are concerned. There are so many organizations, venues and educational outlets the support can only grow from here," Hughes said. Although for some the art world may not seem tangible others believe it is a driving force in the WilkesBarre community and is becoming more available through community organizations. "I would have to say Scott Szili is the first one who has contacted me. If there are other Wilkes University students interested I would be more than happy to assist them as well," Hughes said. Jahrnitza Perez, Integrated Media major and art minor said, "It's comforting to know that if someone wants to pursue an art career and make it their life that there are people you can meet and places you can go to get your name out there." As the warm weather peaks its head around the bend Szili might be found painting and gaining perspective out on the campus greenway. "There is good exposure on the greenway," Szili said. �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 Hot Spot Review: Luna BY YO HANNA DE LOS SANTOS MARIA Beacon Asst A&E Editor In downtown Wilkes-Barre, Luna, at 41 S. Main Street next to Boscov's, is the new hot spot to go - a place to be with friends within walking distance to campus, while also creating feeling of a far away, exotic destination. Luna is inspired by different places from all over the world. New York City, Miami, and parts of Europe contribute to the eclectic decor. As customers open the door to the Chill or Terrace, as the owners call it, they will feel a sense of relaxation that is just not typical of a local bar/lounge. The aesthetic interior design offers a clean, chic feel with contrasting white and black sofas to the right and left respectively. The furnishings say, "Go ahead. Relax. Sit down and enjoy yourself." Candlelight decor adds a romantic, Mediterranean touch to Luna's terrace. The rest of the space is completed with a piano and a bar along with portraits of Audrey Hepburn and mirrors in the wall. As I was sitting there enjoying my tapas and drinks I wondered, "Why Audrey Hepburn?" The answer came almost immediately. Hepburn epitomized class and a time when elegance was celebrated, which is the feel that Luna aims to cultivate. Artists like Frank Sinatra playing on th sound system, only add to that ambience--finally, good music to enjoy dinner and drinks to! Lighting is the other important characteristic of the bar and lounge to which I give two thumbs up. Blue and purple lights create a cool, night-lit sort of visual experience which sets the tone of the place. Now, let's talk about food and service. After choosing our place to sit, (we chose to sit on the modem white sofas to the right) the waitress approached us and asked if we already knew what we wanted to order. To which we responded that we needed to have a look at the menu. After she handed the menu to us, we realized that there wa& really uoi:llwg iu the rnenu so we had to wait for her to come back and tell her. With that little problem out of the way, as we looked into the menu we discovered that the prices were not cheap; however, they weren't ridiculously high, either. I was impressed by an introduction to the Tapas, the drinks, and the philosophy of the lO's on the menu. What most impressed me was the philosophy of the 10, and on every section of the menu there were either 10 tapas or 10 drinks. Tapas means 'small dishes' and is traditionally associated with Spanish cuisine. At Luna, they were well priced. The highest price was $10 for drinks or tapas. Vinos (Wines) and Sparkling were of course of a higher price. Luna offers a great variety of quality drinks not offered by other places in downtown or in the area. As the night went on, I ordered hummus chips and Cuban wedges as tapas which were simply delicious and at the same time I felt transported to another place. However, service was not so good. For eleven patrons in Luna there was only one person taking care of everyone. The staff should be better trained if perfection is their motto. I could not leave the place without a chocolate gelato in order to live the real Mediterranean experience so I ordered it. To my surprise I got a strawberry gelato which did not make me very happy. Even with service lacking, I believe with time this will improve since this is a new bar/lounge. However, the feeling of comfort along with the overall ambience, music and environment were out of this world, or at least Wilkes-Barre. Bottom Right: The Beacon/ Gino Troiani Top Left: The BeaconNohanna De Los Santos Maria D e>ri c:ttE3 Plc:1sr r 1c:1 Te>dc:ty_ 2 Ea ■ r ■■ ■■ P . tc» ii ■ 1\11•• ■ -f!th Inter-state Blood~ P 1asma line. 665 Carey Ave Wi lk.es-Ba.rre. Pa Call (570) 823-4119 1 . ! < < < < < < < < �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING AND CHRISTOPHER KUDRAK Beacon Correspondents 2 3 B 4 11 7 12 t3 17 2'(I 43 47 s I ' t 62 e.s •• ro 68 January 27 Crossword Answers 1 2 C E "L 14 A L 17 M u M ,. 13 w E B 0 6 u E R s 0 T 53 E V a, G . L H 0 63 L E u N D 0 N E R N E s u D 0 A ACROSS Abbr. for authoritarian ruler Ty Webb's actor in 5 Caddyshack 10 Protected by a goalie 14 Reflected sound 15 Benefits 16 Doing nothing 17 To bow in respect 18 Shield of Zeus 19 Expensive metal Occurring between 20 planets 23 Synonym for tractor trailer 24 Teeter-Totter Dirt held together by 25 grass Spinning machine tool 27 31 Be quiet, please. 34 Rola means hello Paths or routes 39 41 Assembly place in an cient Greece 42 To care for 43 To put in alphabetical order 46 Resolution abbr. Act of fastening a ship 47 with cables Ingestion of materia I 48 for nutrients Withstand the benefits Popular brand names Served in restaurants More than one radius Ocean, sound, and light waves 65 To dazzle with light 66 Large container made of wood 67 Volcano in Sicily 68 To have split with an axe Responses from a "Yes69 man" 70 Male gypsies or two of this bread DOWN 1 Place to buy fresh meat 2 Desktop inhabitants A slide 3 4 Poles paying homage to ancestors 5 Fate of lips in current weather Kitchen" , show on 6 FOX 7 Underwater plant What invertebrates lack 8 "S's" spelt out 9 10 One Billion Watts 11 Scent 12 Friend Light source for LCD TVs 13 50 55 58 62 63 64 21 22 26 28 29 30 31 32 . 33 35 36 37 38 40 44 45 49 51 52 53 54 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 A violent mob "Clap" in Indian classical music Faded clothing or appearance Synonym for tournament brack et There is no place like this Results or outcomes What people did in pools this summer Popular Sci-Fi Xbox game Prefix; less than normal Length of time one has existed Sarcastic catchphrase in 90's Lanka To pass time in relaxation Concealed Large plastic surgeon society To make worthy of Short movie trailer Friend of Thomas the Tank En gine Chicago airport Drinks recently banned in schools Most powerful people Peaceful harmony Popular cylinder-shaped noodle Snake oil, for example Gooey substance Fate of one who drinks poison Seven areas of water Looking into Salmonella out break �F ] Preview pg. 19 CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu E FEBRUARY 3, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Men's basketball defeats King's for second time Colonels use hot hand in second half to win season series BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor & LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor The Colonels may have lost three straight entering last Thursday's game against King's, but those who were worried about Wilkes's chances had their fears put to rest quickly. The Colonels turned in one of their best performances of the season in a crowded Marts Gymnasium, defeating the Monarchs for the second time this season. The win helped Wilkes improve to 6-4 in the Freedom Conference, keeping them in the upper half of the crowded standings. The Colonels shot a mere 39 percent from the floor in the first half, but still managed to enter halftime with a 33-31 lead. Sophomore guard Chris DeRojas hit five three pointers in the opening 11 minutes of the game, hitting three in a row at one point to send the crowd into a frenzy. He would end the game with 19 total points. "Chris Derojas started off hot and they [had to reposition their defensive alignments to stop him], so we needed other guys to step up for us later to stay competitive," said Head Coach Jerry Rickrode. Wilkes began to pull away with 6:37 remaining before the half, taking a 24-15 lead off junior guard/forward Tom Kresge's layup. King's then went on a run to tie the game at 26, receiving six points from both Kevin Conroy and Mike Wagner to keep the Monarchs in the game. Wilkes came out with a renewed intensity in the second half, shooting 60 percent and establishing a stranglehold on the game. Kresge and senior forward Steve Kline game's only double-double. Kevin Conroy of King's scored a game high 27 points on 10-17 shooting and also grabbed six boards, while Kyle Stackhouse added 20 points and four rebounds. "I don't even want to really evaluate [this m wi A an te he Sophomore Chris DeRojas was a great boon for the Colonels in the first half, hitting five three-pointers in the game's first 11 minutes. Junior Tom Kresge pulls up for a three-point shot over King's Nick Reisig. Kresge would finish with 20 points, helping the Colonels along to their win. combined for 28 of the Colonels' 47 points, helping them pull ahead by ten or more points five different times. Wilkes led 7158 with roughly three minutes remaining, but allowed King's to close to within 78-72 with 30 seconds remaining. The Monarchs were unable to complete their comeback, however, as Wilkes made 9-11 free throws down the stretch to ice the game. DeRojas and freshman Michael Donatoni were integral in stopping King's from being in any type of position where they could have tied, as each player hit four free throws each after being fouled. Kresge finished the game with 20 points on 8-12 shooting and also added seven rebounds, while Kline contributed 16 points and ten rebounds for the game], I just want to move on to the next one," said Rickrode afterwards. "It's nice to get the win against your rival down the street, but we know that you've got to move on now and stay focused on winning consistently down the stretch." The win gave Wilkes a 10-7 record on the season, while King's dropped to 8-10 (1-9 in Freedom Conference play). The men's basketball team's next home game is against Manhattanville at 8 P.M. on February 8. �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 17 SPORTS Late co01eback, penalty allows Wilkes tie vs. TCNJ No. 19 TCNJ's coach costs team a point for arguing BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Those who attended the home match between No. 19 Wilkes University and No. 18 TCNJ on Tuesday, January 27, witnessed an intense, back and forth match that ultimately came down to the fi.pal bout and a controversial call made by the referee. Wilkes got out of the gate quickly, receiving a 4-0 lead behind senior Shaun Famham's (125) 15-2 major decision win over Dan Franke. Wilkes eventually saw its lead increase to 10-0 thanks to decision wins from fellow senior Josh Pauling (133 , 6-0) and freshman Anthony Dattolo (141 , 8-1). Despite their strong start, the Colonels were unable to keep up the momentum. The Lions stormed back with five straight wins, including a pin by No. 6 Justin Bonatitis at the 165 pound level. The wins helped TCNJ take an 18-10 lead with just Wilkes ' juniors Zach Pizarro (197) and Andrew Feldman (285) left to wrestle. Pizarro recorded a 94 decision win over TCNJ's Ed Broderick in his bout, helping to pull the Colonels to within five points. Feldman and TCNJ's Adam Koziol walked onto the mat next, and what followed was certainly out of the ordinary. Following the first round of their bout, Koziol received a warning from the referee for stalling. He received another call of stalling moments later, earning Feldman a point and incensing TCNJ's coach, David Icenhower. Icenhower received a warning from the referee for leaving his team's bench area during the middle of the bout after another call of stalling. Moments later he had his team penalized one point for ap- parently stepping onto the mat to protest the referee's calls toward Koziol. The penalty dropped the score to 17-13, meaning Feldman had a chance to give Wilkes a victory with a pin. Although he was unable to do so, his major decision win over Koziol (157) earned Wilkes an additional four points, tying the match at 17-17 in the end. "To be honest, I didn't even notice [the penalty on Icenhower] right away," said Head Coach Jon Laudenslager after the match. "I was more focused on trying to get [Andrew] information and some suggestions on how to get a possible pin for the win at that point. [Icenhower] did approach the scorer 's table and received a warning and then I was told he later came onto the mat, but I was more focused on the bout," he added. "Certainly the score says we tied, but in reality we really lost 18-17," said Laudenslager. "We missed a couple of bonus points that could have swung the match our way, but it was a great dual meet overall." "I thought the guys who wrestled today showed a lot of heart," said sophomore Jake Weinrich (285). "Even when TCNJ made their run, you could see the guys cheering on their teammates from the bench and really getting into it." The tie helped to ease the sting ofTCNJ's 36-7 win over Wilkes earlier in the season at the Budd Whitehill Duals tournament, although in fairness it was a match in which the Colonels used only two starters. Wilkes' next match is at home against Elizabethtown at 7 P.M. on Friday, February 6. Freshman Anthony Dattolo won his match for the Colonels at 141; Wilkes needed every point it could get against No. 19 TCNJ, but it took a gift point from TCNJ's coach to get them the tie. FUTURISTIC INNOVATIVE GRAPHICS i '[QUR• · 'COU#fN 5 CR. .£.:nr p R'l"' ,,,,". SCRIIN PRINTING IMBROIOll<Y pROM(JflONAL trli UlCATED IN WD..KES--B!RBE ACROSS FBIJM HDL Y RmEEMEB MEIJI DOMDlO"S AND CORDA BEVEBAG 57 . 923 . 9272 IWWW . 4T SHI TS COM Coach Jon Laudenslager (kneeling) and the team look on during the match . • Y UH HOME FOR WINTER WEEKEND! �FEBRUARY 3, 2009 -y~ 18 SPORTS RINKSIDE REPORT Fighting raises questions in AHL BY MIKE CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer The untimely death of a Canadian ice hockey player last month has raised questions as to whether or not fighting has a place in the game. Don Sanderson, a 21-year-old defenseman, lost his helmet during an altercation and his unprotected head struck the ice surface during a December senior league game in Ontario. Sanderson was in a coma for nearly three weeks before finally succumbing to his injuries on January 2. Sanderson's death has already prompted the creation of a new rule in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the top junior leagues in the world. "If a player should remove his helmet or undo his chinstrap prior to or during an altercation, such player shall receive a game misconduct in addition to any other penalties assessed and an automatic one-game suspension," the new OHL rule states. If a player's helmet becomes accidentally dislodged during the altercation, officials are required to intervene immediately. Any potential change to American Hockey League rules regarding fighting will come after National Hockey League general managers discuss the issue at a meeting in March. "We're going to see what they do and follow their lead," AHL President David Andrews told the media during his annual State of the League during All-Star festivities on January 26. Many are calling for an outright ban on fighting in the sport, which has many players up in arms over the potential removal of what has become an established tradition. "I think it's stupid," said WilkesBarre/Scranton Penguins enforcer Aaron Boogaard, who has 15 fighting majors this season. "Fighting's been a part of hockey since it started... People die from boxing, they're not going to cancel boxing. They're not going to stop that." Boogaard is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's resident policeman. He takes it upon himself to make sure that other players don't take liberties with the skilled players on the team who might not be able to hold their own in a fight. "It's the hardest job out there but someone has to do it, and if they don't then other teams are going to take liberties and just run around," Boogaard said. "It's just com,mon sense to keep it in, or else hockey is going to turn into something that a lot of people aren't going to enjoy anymore." Andrews doesn't think that removing fighting from the sport with have such an adverse affect. "Can you play without it? Obviously. There is no way you can say fighting has to be part of hockey," ./ Photo Courtes of Chris R-utsch Andrews said during his address to the media. "There are all sorts The recent death of a player has raised quesof great hockey games that don't tions as to whether fights, like this one between have fights in them." Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Paul Bissonnette and Brandon Sugden of the Hartford Wolf Pack, belong in the game of hockey. BAL 90.0 RUTTER AVE. 2ND FLOOR, FORTY-FORT, PA 18708 570-332-5705 -·-----~-__............______ $100 SEMESTER CLASS PASS UNLIMITED CLASSES FOR ALL STUDENTS AND FACULTY MUST PRESENT STUDENT OR FACULTY ID OFFER EXPIRES 2/15/09 . 0 w ww. balanceyogastudio.net Ema il : info@balanceyogastudi o. net �FEBRUARY SPORTS 3, 2009 19 Lacrosse club optiIDistic about '09 season BYANTHONYDORU~DA Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor After struggling last spring, the 2009 version of the club lacrosse team just wants to take the field, and this team could have the makings of something special. The Colonels return a bevy of talent, especially in the midfield where all four of their seniors play, including John Edler and Justin Friedel whom McCaffrey says are "two of the best face-off midfielders in the Eastern PA division." The team returns six starters to a unit that went 2-5 last year. Their record, however, can be misleading. The Colonels play schools that triple or quadruple its size, but remain more than just competitive. "We play in one of the toughest divisions of the National College Lacrosse League, the country's largest club lacrosse league," says McCaffrey. "Three teams from our division made the national playoffs last year and we played a fourth qualifier out of our division. Millersville lost by one goal in the final four to the University of Cincinnati." Included in those returnees are seniors Friedel, Edler, and Phil Cimilluca. Sean O'Neill and captain/president Nick Dipaolo round out the juniors while Pete Vecchione and Will Botterman enter their sophomore seasons after making a big splash during their freshman seasons. Some players who saw significant playing time and made major contributions include sophomores Tyler Howe Ryan and Austin Stearns. Between them is nearly 15 years of starting experience, which should help ease the growing pains of such a young team. "Our four seniors are all leaders in their own way and we will look to them to step up in every aspect this spring," said McCaffrey. "Our young players have shown incredible maturity in their development and we expect them to also lead throughout the season." In the past few years, one lingering problem has been the Colonels inability to find the back of the net. This year, McCaffrey doesn't see this as a dilemma. "Our senior midfielders as well as juniors in the same position combined with quality returnees and freshman at the attack position should alleviate this issue." Instead of trying to be on the offensive this year, the Colonels need someone to man their own goal as graduation took the biggest hit on the Colonels net minder. McCaffrey liked what he saw last fall, and sees a team bonding better than in the past. "It will be a tough road to make the playoffs this season but it remains one of our team goals," offered McCaffrey. This particular group of players has meshed better than any we've had previously here; they are a tight knit group." The team is excited to get on the field and show how much they have improved over the course of the season. Botterman, a sophomore pharmacy major, has big expectations for the team this season. "We have improved a lot from last year," says Botterman. "I think we can at least reverse our record from last year and make a run in the playoffs." #We'll see how much the team has progressed on February 8 when they open up against Broome Community College in Binghamton, New York. Athletic departIDent introduces new website BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Op-Ed Editor This year, the Wilkes sports page has received a complete face lift which has made it competitive with other schools for the first time in years. The need for an updated sports page was a lurking problem within the athletics department and the creation process began in July oflast year. Teaming up with Internet Consultant Services (ICS), Phil Wingert (associate director of Athletics), Sara Myers (head coach of field hockey), Adelene Malatesta (athletic director), Craig Thomas (assistant director of Marketing Communications), and Andrew Sekula (graduate assistant of Athletics), began drawing the blue prints for what would be the new and improved page, www.GoWilkesU.com. The page offers information for the University's, 16 varsity sports and combines interactive technology with traditional sports coverage. According to Jack Chielli, executive director of Marketing Communications, production took roughly 2 months and totaled $5,400. In addition, there will be an annual maintenance cost of $4,300. The design for the new page was derived from a template which was originally used by William Patterson University. Once the groundwork was finished, the group of directors began the decision process as to what applications the site would host. Craig Merriman, Sports Information Director, said some of those features include live stats (which are required by the conference), player bios and links for both the fitness center and University. The site has also drastically updated its graphics and staff directory. Wilkes is in the process of including an individual login where student athletes would possess the ability to view their workouts and schedules posted by coaches. Mer- The new Wilkes University Athletics website was launched over the Holiday break and riman hopes to introduce this feature be- can be accessed by visiting gowilkesu.com. fore the end of the spring semester. Chielli explained, "It gives a lot more out of date ... Other schools almost laughed Merriman explained that the effort to information to student athletes and their switch to ICS was somewhat of a "trickle at how bad it was." Sekula also spent a sigparents ... it's a very large step in the right down effect" and that around eighty percent nificant amount of time transferring large direction." of the schools in our division are ICS cus- amounts of data to the new site. tomers. "Were pleased with it, it's a great recruitSekula added, "Our old site was just so ing tool for us," said Malatesta. 'W' 11 ii ◄JI:< •B)S <O<C>JC...<C>N 18) 11 Men's Basketball Wrestling W King's 80-72 L Del Val 81-75 TTCNJ 17-17 ◄s Women's Basketball W King's 65-61 (2 OT) L Del Val 75-60 �c - - - , ~ - -- FEBRUARY -- 3, 2009 - ----. -- 20 SPORTS Lady Colonels defeat rival King's in double OT Breaks long losing streak to in cross town rival BY LEEANN SEARFOSS said head coach Rachel Hartung Emmerthal. While King's took an The crowd at the Marts Gymearly lead, and led most nasium on Thursday, January 29 of the first half, the Lady went from sparse to jam-packed Colonels made sure to as the Wilkes Lady Colonels took gap was not too big. on the King's Lady Monarchs in a With only a few minutes face-paced, aggressive match up. left in the first half, the Postponed from January 28 due Lady Colonels turned on to inclement weather, the Lady the gas and came back with intense runs to tie up the score right before halftime. Sophomore guard Allison Horn sank a three pointer Number 25 Samantha Simcox prepares for a foul shot in last Thursday right before night's match up again King's College. the buzzer to give the tonight. She is one of those play- 60. The Monarchs began panickLady Colonels a ers that is under-sized, but she will ing and fouling, giving the Lady three-point edge be ripping down rebounds." Colonels foul shot opportunities. over the Monarchs Senior Chelsey Gosse made a Both Ely and Simcox took advanlay-up between two King's de- tage of the foul opportunities and going into the half. The extremely fenders with 26 seconds left in went 1-1 and 2-0 respectively. physical second regulation to tie the game at 52. The made foul shots pushed the half had periods Wilkes then battled back from a Lady Colonel's lead to 65-61. As of aggression, seven-point deficit with 2:45 to the seconds counted down on the evidenced by the play, using a 9-2 run the rest of clock, the crowd rose to its feet double foul called the way to force overtime. Gosse and cheered furiously. The Wilon both Wilkes and finished with seven points and a kes win would snap a multi-year King's at the same game-high 12 rebounds. losing streak against King's. time. Sophomore guard Brittany Ely "We are a very young team, but Freshman Sahelped the Lady Colonels push these girls put so much heart into mantha Simcox through the first overtime with her it and never gave up," stated Harkept the team neckthree pointer with 1:21 to go. The tung Emmerthal. and-neck with the first overtime finished in a tie at The win evens the Lady Colonels Freedom Conference record Monarchs with 59-59. her career-high 28 As the second overtime com- at 5-5 and are now 10-8 overpoints and nine remenced, the crowd began to grow all. They will be back in action bounds. and grow, and the intensity height- Wednesday, February 4, when Hartung Emmer- ened as Wilkes took the lead 60- they visit DeSales at 6:00p.m. thal reflected on 59 with three minutes left in the and again on Saturday, February Number 25 Brittany Ely dribbles past a King's defender on Thursday January Simcox's play after second overtime. 7, at FDU-Florham at 1:00p.m. 29 en route to the Lady Colonels 65-62 double overtime win over their cross- the game, "Simcox With 38 seconds left, Wilkes town rival. did a very nice job kept its lead with a score of 61Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor Monarchs traveled all of five blocks to uphold the tradition of the rivalry between Wilkes and King's. "It's always a rivalry. It's always a big game, no matter what sport it is, and to have us be able to work so hard to come back from losing down there, and now being able to beat them at our gym [is a thrill]," s BY Bet:. 0 Ed a$'. for thal eco ini: WOI fun in r me, A pro twt: kes "fu sen syl· edt edt tor, ass ply COl I anc ( B'\: Be( 1 zer Ci~ ma cer a " Attend the Ski Club meeting at 11:30 a.m. Contact AmY, Bradley for location (x 4624). Enjoy a cu~ of coffee at 3:00 p.m.the Multicultural Coffee Hour at the Savitz Multicultural Lounge Always waiting til the last minute? Go to the Procrastination WorkshoP. from 12:00 _p.m. to 1:00 PJ'.11. at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Go watch the Vagina Monologues in the Ballroom on the second floor of the Student Union Building at 7:00 p.m. Painting the Beauliful: American ~mpre~sionist. Paintings ,s oP,enmg on Monday, Feb. 2 at 12 PM at the Sordoni Art Gallery. chi the mu de! Co � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 February 3rd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 February 3 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/b9446417beb87c2be6bd7c748776814a.pdf cac08ca944e3aec5c1a1e721ed91e070 PDF Text Text SUPERBOWL . ADS SKI CLUB PAGE 17 PAGE9 WUPB CONCERT PAGE 17 FEBRUARY 10, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 61 Issue 13 SIM program loses some funds in state budget Recyclemanta BY AMY FUSCO . hits Wilkes Beacon News Editor On February 4, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell delivered a speech that proposed a $29 billion Pennsylvania state budget plan for year 2009-10. Rendell acknowledged that, given the current national and state economic forecasts, his plan required cuts in programs, budgets, tax increases and jobs would be lost. With the decrease in state funding, programs such as Wilkes Science in Motion (SIM), among others, will be immediately impacted. According to the SIM website, the program is a "science partnership between area secondary schools and Wilkes University,which began in 2000. It is "funded by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Mobile educators, including Pete Stchur, chemistry educator,, and Len Ruotolo, biology educator,, travel across ten area counties to either assist high school teachers with labs or supply them with equipment the high schools could not otherwise afford." Dr. Teresa Wignot, associate professor and chemistry chair, is the SIM program BY MELANIE THOMAS Beacon Correspondent Courtesy of Marketing Communications Science in Motion conducts lab experiments for young students across ten area counties, which allows schools to utilize equipment they otherwise could not afford. director. She explained that Dr. Don Mitchell, chemistry professor at Juniata College, started the program more than 15 years ago. SIM initially had National Science Foundation (NSF) funding for the program. It was through Mitchell, who brought it to state legislation, that the SIM program became a statewide initiative. See SIM PROGRAM page 3 Courthouse upheaval won't alter law school plans BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor The recent discovery of corruption in Luzerne County involving two judges, Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan, has left many citizens with feelings of distrust concering our local legal system. Following a "guilty" plea by both former judges, and charges pending for others connected with the kickback scheme, residents and community leaders alike have questioned how deep the corruption may run in the Luzerne County Courthouse as well as the future of law education and practice in the area. Despite current events, Wilkes continues its exploration into the viability of a new law school. "I would like to think ... that the presence of a law school in Northeast Pennsylvania could contribute to the ongoing commitment of the legal profession to uphold its high standards of ethics and professionalism in an effort to minimize misconduct," said Loren D. Prescott, dean of the Wilkes Law School Planning Initiative. The judges, Mark Ciavarella and Michael ON THE WEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu INDEX News.; ............ J-5 Conahan, allegedly accepted more than $2.6 million in kickbacks for rulings that sent juveniles to a detention center. Ciavarella and Conahan's federal court date is scheduled for February 12, which could result in 87 months in prison for each of the judges. "When we see cases of corruption, it's just a small minority of individuals that are involved with that kind of thing. The fact that we are policing the situation is a good thing," said Dr. Anthony L. Liuzzo, profes- See LAW SCHOOL page 3 In conjunction with a nationwide competition, Wilkes University is participating in Recyclemania, an environmentally friendly competition that promotes lowering waste generated on campuses across the country by reducing, reusing and recycling. According to Recyclemania 's website, the goals of the program are "to increase recycling on campuses, to bring awareness to our schools waste management and recycling programs, to expand economic opportunities, to address environmental issues in a positive way, and to influence other campuses to join recyclemania." Organizers hope is to instill lifelong recycling habits in students. In February 2001, Fred Newman of Ohio University and Stacy Edmonds Wheeler of Miami University decided something needed to be done to increase recycling on their respective campuses. So the two challenged each other to a competition in recycling and Miami University won. Since then, participation has doubled every year and now there over 201 schools participate in the annual event. The competition runs for ten weeks and is judged by the cumulative recycled weight that is submitted weekly, with the most weight accumulated as the winner. According to Bob Swetts, manager of capital assets, "We have been trying to get Recyclemania up and running for three years now, but this year we're making a real w· See RECYCLE page 5 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member · . -__ - �NEWS FEBRUARY 10, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Rememberi~J,L~~!t~!~,u?~H.,½!>ski and movin 2 1 BYANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Editor-in-Chief Dr. Ronald Pryor, visiting assistant professor for math and computer science, has reached for his phone numerous times to call his friend , only to realize that he is not there to answer. "I used to call him on the phone about five to six times a day," says Pryor. "I find myself reaching for the phone and there's just not going to be anyone there." On Saturday, January 31 , Dr. Matthew J. Zukoski, associate professor of math and computer science, passed away unexpectedly. His death left the Wilkes community with memories of the past and questions about the future . Pryor first met his friend Zukoski not as a colleague, but as a student at Hanover High School. "He was always the kind of guy who didn't care if he got an 86 ... but he always made sure, and I noticed this as his seventh grade teacher, that he never let anything go by unless he knew what he did wrong - he didn't like anything unanswered," said Pryor. In the wake of Zukoski's death, there remain many unanswered questions for Wilkes. His death halieft a hole in the faculty and on the committees he served. Dr. Reynold Verret, Wilkes University provost, said, "To their credit, the faculty as effective as they are, especially in math and computer science, are grappling with what they need. In fact, some of them have taken his courses over, so there has been an immediate response to make sure that the teaching needs are met both in tion." Pryor added that a lot of Zukoski 's friends have stepped in as the teachers for his courses. Dr. John Koch, a professor in the math and computer science department, will be taking over one of his classes. He explained that there are some challenges in picking up a course mid-semester, especially when the students have just been dealt an emotional blow. "It was good that most of the students that are in the class I am taking over I' ve had before. So they know how I teach, and they know who I am. Basically, it is kind of a different perspective. So, I know it was a jolt and shock to them just to change a teacher," said Koch. Like Pryor, Koch first met Zukoski as a student. Koch recalled that Zukoski came to Wilkes in the summer of 1982 to take a programming course. Over the years, the two formed a close bond and eventually were placed in offices adjacent to one another. Koch offered a eulogy at last week's faculty meeting. He focused on Zukoski 's quirky qualities, or as he called it, "the dark side of Matt." Koch told his colleagues about Zukoski's journey to his Ph.D. "If it ever ' took a village' to get something accomplished, this was it. For about a decade, Barbara Belluci held the prize in the pool to guess when he would get his degree. Her guess was 'the 12th of never.' But in the end, he got it in September of 2007, narrowly making the cutoff for consideration for tenure, which he received in 2008." All joking aside, Zukoski 's delays in finishing the dissertation were widelv acknowledized as the direct BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu of, and complete focus on, teaching at Wilkes. Countless stories have been shared in the days after his death. Jason Wagner, a senior math and computer science double major, said many students have been sharing their memories of their teacher and mentor. "They really didn't know what to do. Some of them skipped his The Beacon/ Heather Chulick ~lass on Tuesday, Members of the Wilkes community look on during a memorial service held on JUS t because th ey Tuesday, February 3, for Matthew Zukoski, who passed away last Saturday. didn't feel nght going there, and didn't know how they would be Tim Gilmour, said, "Matt Zukoski takes place in an old folks home able to handle it. Others went and was one of those wonderful , bril- where ... this one guy remembers. talked about him a little bit and liant, unassuming people whose and asks everyone if they rememkind of went early," said Wagner. purpose in life is to serve others, ber playing kick the can ... and he Pryor added that one of the have some fun along the way, and said, 'I think if we play kick the trademarks of Zukoski was how make the world a better place. And can that would really reinvigorate he would schedule four differ- he did- for his students, his col- us and make us young.' And there ent things at once, but he said his leagues, his friends, and his fam- was one scoffer. .. well one night he took all the other people outstudents would almost always get ily." priority. One sentiment shared by his side and started playing kick the "When the announcements of students, colleagues, and friend is can .. . the other guy sees them out his arrangements first went up, I the fact that Zukoski was always there and he runs to get the adthought, 'Oh, that's odd -It is at young at heart. Pryor said that he ministrator, and they both run out a church for the viewing, not a would always talk to Zukoski on to the porch and all they see is a funeral home.' But when I got to the phone at night while watch- bunch oflittle kids running around the church that night, the line was ing television - usually during playing kick the can," said Pryor. out the door. Once you got inside, The Twilight Zone. And for him, He added, "Well, [Zukoski]. .. it went all the way around the Zukoski will always be the person came up here and got all of us church," said Wagner. who kept him and the rest of the playing kick the can, and that is Verret said the school will offer math and computer science de- basically what I thought was the unusual thing about Matt - he kept some sort of formal memorial ser- partment young. vice, but it is still being planned. "What reminded me of him was you young." Wilkes University President, Dr. the episode 'Kick the Can.' It Editorial Staff 2008-09 Meet the staff... Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Jacqueline Lukas Asst. News Editor �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 SIM PROGRAM from FRONT PAGE The 2009-10 budget cut $13,000 from the SIM funding, leaving the program with less money for repairing equipment that has been utilized throughout the year. When the program began in 2000~ the initial funding was $200,000. During the past seven years, it has diminished to approximately $162,000 for each annual IO-month cycle. Given the state budget plan, Wignot understood the inevitable cuts in funding due to the economic condition. "I obviously hope we maintain our current funding. I have a feeling we will get reduced. I just pray that we keep some funding," Wignot said. "I would hate to see the elimination of the program. A complete cut would be devastating to our local schools that use us." Jeanette Papiercavich, the SIM program coordinator, explained that in 2003, Rendell cut the whole program until SIM received the Innovation Award from the National Council of State Governments. The program was also not operating from September 2002 to January 2003 because the university would not bridge the salaries for staff of the program. "We rely on our vehicles and gas to get around and that's a major cost for us," said NEWS Papiercavich. Faculty and participants travel across counties including Wayne, Bradford and Schuylkill County, among other surrounding counties. "Typically, we will have a little bit at the end of the year and that's used to purchase equipment and replace stuff that is on its way out," she added. The state funding allows the SIM program to purchase necessities, such as hightech science equipment, vehicles for travel, laptops, consumable supplies, bugs, animal cadavers for dissection, chemicals and maintenance and repair of the equipment. Wignot explained that when the program has more money, they hire student workers to help prepare the labs for the workshops at the schools. Although there are not student workers this semester, there is one student volunteer working on her senior project with the chemistry mobile educator. Amanda Karaffa, chemistry major with a secondary education minor, is currently student teaching and has byen working with SIM since August 2008, assisting in research and preparation. She believes the program is important because it provides schools with instruments and chemicals they cannot afford. "I think it is a shame that the funding is being cut," said Karaffa. "It gives students an opportunity to use instruments and perform experiments that they otherwise would not be able to," she added. She noted that edu- 3 Courtesy of Marketing Communications Governor Rendell's state budget plan cut $13,000 from the SIM program's annual funding of approximately $162,000 leaving less spending on repairs of equipment. cation is so important and taking away some of the funding and opportunity from students is not fair to them. She explained that the program helps many different schools and school districts around the area. "Schools receive a lot of funding from the state to provide for their students and without that money, schools may not be able to provide [students with] what they have now or even to pay their teachers," stated Karaffa. "That will then cause larger class sizes and less individual help for struggling students. Education is not something that should be sacrificed, but it may have to be." Along with cuts in program funding in the LAW SCHOOL from FRONT PAGE thing," said Dr. Anthony L. Liuzzo, professor of business and economics and director of the MBA program at Wilkes. The public perception is that the whole legal profession is corrupt, but it's really just a small percentage, according to Liuzzo. "Ciavarella and Conahan are the exception to the rule. I think there are hundreds, if not thousands, of good, ethical lawyers in the area that would be very happy to help in the Wilkes law school initiative and be good mentors to our students," said Dr. Kyle Kreider, assistant professor of political science and the pre-law advisor. People have told Prescott that they believe the presence of a law school in Northeast Pennsylvania can help the legal profession follow its ethical and professional guidelines. "Now is probably as important a time as ever for the new law school .... The legal community is probably cleaned up more now than it's ever been in the past. So this is actually a good time to enter the field," said Liuzzo. The law school initiative began in 2004 and its goal is to serve not only the WilkesBarre community, but also the entire Northeast Pennsylvania Region. The law school The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick The Luzerne County Courthouse has been a hot bed of controversy as of late. The presence of a NEPA law school may remind these professionals of their roots and keep them grounded and ethically sound, according to Dean Prescott and Dr. Liuzzo. initiative is currently in the final stages of the process. The next step would be to produce a written report to the Board of Trustees and the full-time faculty at Wilkes. It must be approved by the Board and the faculty. The decision-making process should occur in the spring or summer of 2009 ac- cording to Prescott. "My vision of the law school's mission is to serve all of Northeast Pennsylvania, not just the major population areas," said Prescott. Prescott has traveled to many different counties in Northeast Pennsylvania, talking proposed state budget, Rendell discussed other important plans for Pennsylvania. "I heard that he was proposing to close the Scranton School of the Deaf and I heard that he wants to try to eliminate 400 of thj. 500 and some school districts," said Papiercavich, "I just think that's insane." "We've taken our 8% cut for this year and we are surviving it without much pain," Wignot said. "Due to the economic situation of the country, I understand the state has to be fiscally responsible and as long as we have some money from the state to function, we will try to provide the best service that we can to the teachers," she added. to other judges and lawyers about the law school. Many practicing lawyers and federal and state judges from the multiple counties in Northeast Pennsylvania are on the Advisory Board for the law school initiative. The counties are well represented on the board and are enthusiastic about the possibility of having a law school in our area. The curriculum for the school would follow the American Bar Association (ABA) standards. Courses in ethics will also be taught at the law school to point students in the right direction. There will be an advanced ethics course dealing with moral dilemmas encountered by lawyers. These dilemmas would be issues that lawyers may struggle with during their careers. When students graduate, they should be well versed in all of the different fields of law, according to Prescott. In addition to the students studying law, the Wilkes law school initiative would also offer courses for lawyers and judges, allowing them to enter into a law school environment that may remind them of their initial training. "Those are things I think, naturally, people might lose sight of in the day to day of practicing law. Lawyers and judges are really busy doing their work and they don't have a lot of time to sit back and reflect on their role in a great profession," said Prescott. �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 NEWS 4 Student nurses COillillute for best pediatric experience BY CATHRYN FREAR Beacon Asst. News Editor According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the Wyoming Valley has Pennsylvania's most concentrated elderly population. Tln fact, the residents are not only the oldest in PA, but the area boasts the second oldest population in the entire country. So, considering the area's demographics it's no wonder that nursing students who need to study pediatrics must travel outside the Wyoming Valley to get the experience. The Wilkes nursing department recently made the decision to look outside the Valley for sophomores to do their pediatric clinical training. Though they now have to make the drive to Danville to the Janet Weiss Children's Hospital, the students get a broader training there. Dr. Bernard Graham, Dean of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and Nursing, said that "There just are more cases there. Instead of seeing maybe two cases [in a semester], they get to see a lot more with a lot more variety. There are a lot more special cases." Dr. Mary Ann Men-igan, chair of the nursing department, explained, "When there are really bi cases the 're sent to Weiss so it made sense to send our students there to follow the big cases." According to Graham, nursing majors at Wilkes have pediatrics and OB, each for a half semester period, during the spring semester of their sophomore year. However, last summer, students in the accelerated nursing program were the first to make the move to Danville. "Our pediatrics clinical is in the spring .. . but we have an accelerated program for students who already have their bachelor's in something else and they had their pediatrics experience is in the summer and they reported back having had an excellent experience," stated Men-igan. Sophomore nursing major Lindsey Baldwin said, "I definitely think it is worth the drive because we are getting a really good experience. We are there for 12 hours [on Fridays], so the hour drive there and back isn't too bad. We get to see kids with a va1iety of illnesses with things ranging from uncontrolled diabetes to cancer." The fact that Janet Weiss Children's Hospital is specific to kids provides for a wide an-ay of prediatric experiences no matter where the student is in the buildin . WWW.CHANGEABLE SKIES.COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT: Bill Henry william.henryOO@comcast.net 215-768-4619 AVAILABLE APARTMENTS READY TO LEASE JUNE 2009: PEARCE MANOR 84 WEST ROSS STREET 200 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET JOAN HENRY HALL --- The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick Alyssa Sieden and Mareella Naguib, are two of the many nursing students who travel to Danville for their clinical experience. Men-igan said, "They're rotating through an intensive care unit there ... There's an oncology floor, a medical floor, a surgical floor. .. they're seeing and caring for children from infants to adolescents with some very interesting medical and surgical problems." The value and variety is also already being felt by students. According to Baldwin, "We are assigned a patient, but are allowed to help our fellow clinical students with their patients or even go play with other patients. Last week I got to play with the cutest little 8-year-old boy who had Down Syndrome. If we stayed in Wilkes-Ban-e to do this clinical rotation, we would probably only see common things, like the flu or things of that nature. Since PEDS is the area I want to go into when I graduate, I think this is an amazing experience for me." SG Notes: February 4, 2009 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor Treasurer's Report All College: $2,711.69 General: $11,324.74 Special Projects: $3,864.06 Spirit: $1,000.00 Leadership: $8,652.59 Conferences: $19,530.09 Start-Up: $2,100.00 Spring Fling theme: "Dinner at Tiffany's" Member of the month: Megan Dickinson Old Business Lacrosse Club Paintball Club SG Major Initiative Events First Farewell, February 5, 7 p.m. SUB Ballroom Vagina Monologues, February 6 and 7, 7:00 p.m. SUB Ballroom PA Student Government, February 7 Winter Weekend, February 20 and 21 VIP Day, March 21, 1-2:30 Club Reports The following clubs presented updates on their events. - Programming Board -MSC -Equestrian Club -Fencing Club p.m New Business Acceptance ofpositions D,: Matthew Zukoski scholarship donation: motion passed to allocate $500 Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick s Day Parade (Sunday, March 15, 2009 2 p.m.) Winter Weekend update High Ropes training list . * At 7:30 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference room on the second floor of the HSC. �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 5 RECYCLE from FRONT PAGE push." Swetts 's office recorded that a total of 621 tons of waste was produced here on campus last year with 30.73% of that waste being recycled. Swetts noted, "I'm hc,ping to see an increase in recycling awareness ... More things can be recycled than most are aware of." Students will also be able to access progress by logging onto the Wilkes website. They will be able to track goals, the do's and don'ts ofrecycling, campus results, and much more. Elizabeth Roveda, assistant director of residence life, said, "There is a green push and it is growing each year... We are trying to motivate faculty, staff and students by publicizing [through] the website, Wilkes Today, and posters." "We are a few weeks into Recyclemania so we cannot say for sure how well students are getting involved. The office of residence life has received many program planners from the RAs focusing on sustainability," she added. "Right now, dorms are participating in 'Flyer Free February.' This is being done to decrease the amount of paper that is being produced. Instead of using a flyer to advertise a pizza party, they are recycling pizza boxes," said Roveda. The competition will be judged by one bag per student. Each week waste management will collect recycling from dorms and will tally them to collect the data that will be registered on • · The Beacon/Bethany Yam rick recyclemania's website. .. _ . Eric Swetts uses the double-sided printer in Stark Learning Center. Students can save money on GreenPrint by At the end of the ten week competition, a winner will be utilizing these printers that can be found in computer labs the library and classrooms. declared and that dorm will win an ice cream or pizza party. ' Fried Mushrooms Fried Ravioli (6) Round Pies 12"'Medium Pizz.a - -'* ··- @>< Mozzarella Sticks (5) Mini Ta.oc>S ( 12) 16" Large Pizza 12 , Pan .Pizza Pr&ZA " WW Our Original ried ~icili~ Regular Cut 12 Cut Tray l0CutTray White Cut Broccoli Cut SIJ8•1AlAIMwww..Januni.spizza..com lOCutTray 'Wifku.,&m Store llJ Efft·Norl:Mmphm St &U-S166 J 82S-SOJ7 _., Hot Co!d Deli Melt Italian Meatball wl Ch~se 1\ma & Cheese Cheese Steak Ham& Cheese Chic-ken P,annigia Club Su'b Turkey&. Cheese Cm. Bacon &. Cheese Sausa.;ge Rout Beef & Cheese Grilled Chicken Chicken Cheese Steak Buffill,0 Cnicken C,S >>; ❖ ffn.,,. Mam - 1:hun H Ml · H PM Fri b Sat 11 AM -11:30.AM Sun I2PM~11 PM Fre Wi"".R AN.D Vi Ida -1. Patkk\Q AND tQ Delivyy Sped.a.ls 2 Large Piuas $17 .95 2 Small Pizzas $13.95 - Mini Potato Pancakes (12) JaJaptmo Poppers (6) French Fri~ Cheese Fries Onion Rings Chicken Nuggds (8) Bread Sticks Tooscd w/ Croot«>ns Tossed w/ Tona Pasta w/ Cheese Crispy Chicken Chicken Caesar Chicken Caesar Grilled Chicken Crispy Chicken California Cheese Steak Antipasto Ca~sar Ch,ef Sal.ad G.Rek Cheese Steak Veggi-e Tu:rkeyCiu'b Tona U!OtlX All Major (redit Cards Accepted FREE DELIVERY TO ALL WILKES DORMS Delivery Speclah Mix &: Match Wings & Su.b!l 3 fur $15.9'5 �Superbowl Monday: A hational holiday Page8 CONTACT INFORMATION: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Home Rule: a chance to spread the power around BY THE BEACON Editorial Board A unanimous decision by the Luzerne County Commissioners has agreed to attach a home rule referendum to the county-wide municipal primary ballot on May 19, 2009. Home rule shifts local responsibility from the state legislature to the local community with a charter similar to a local constitution. Currently, seven counties in Pennsylvania operate with home rule. They are Allegheny, Clinton, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lehigh, and Northampton. If the referendum is passed, a study commission composed of eleven elected members will analyze the form of government of the municipality to compare it with other available forms under the laws of the Commonwealth. They would then determine whether or not, in its judgment, the government could be strengthened. Currently, Luzerne County is headed by three County Commissioners, Stephen A. Urban (R), Maryanne C. Petrilla (D), and Gregory A. Skrepenak (D). Thus far, Urban is offering full support for home rule, although he did not favor the last propsed charter. On the opposite end of th(Wspectrum is Screpenak, who believes that home rule would split the county and place mass amounts of power into the hands of one county executive. Screpenak also oppsed the last charterin 2003. According to Dr. Thomas Baldino, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, "A commission form fuses legislative and executive function .... the commissioners make the ordinances, pass ordinances, and they carry them out." This is not the first time that home rule has been considered in Home rulewill be voted on in the municipal primarv onMav 19. The Beacon/Gino Troiani Luzerne County residents will vote to decide if a home rule study commission will form in the May 19 election. Luzerne County. Most recently, in 200 l , a study commission was formed, but voters shot the idea down in 2003 with a 54 to 46 percent margin. Baldino served on the previous commission. "It's hard to get people to vote for change," he said. When the previous study commission wrote its recommendations in 200 l , members decided on a nine member council, which had six individuals representing districts, and three members at-large. The three at-large seats would be handed to the former county commissioners until their terms expired. At that point, anyone could run for those seats. Each council member would have an equal say, and the nine members would elect a president of council. With the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) soft- ware, the charter was also able to put population, municipality, and school district data into a program which divided the county into various districts. Although a study commission has yet to be formed, The Beacon supports the idea of implementing a home rule system of local government. The current system gives no semblance of a representative government in which authority lies within the hands of the people. In addition, under the current system, the minority commissioner is not accorded enough power to influence decisions. The current corruption charges erupting from the Luzerne County Courthouse, as well as the suspicion that those problems are merely the tip of an iceberg big enough to sink another Titanic (except that our modem ship is called "Luzerne County"), indicate that power is dangerous when so closely concentrated in the hands of a few. "If a new study commission is formed, and it makes any kind of changes that make sense to me, I probably will support it ...Almost anything would be superior to what we have now," said Baldino. A home rule system will not only add more voices to the decision making process, but will strategically spread the power amongst more people. Vote yes for home rule in Luzerne County on May 19 in the municipal primary. Thecurrent svstem places to much power in the hands of the Commissioners. · The Beacon supports astudV commission for home rule. . 6 �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 OPINION - .,,. - - 7 - The Angry Rant: For the Love of Huinanity BY TIM SEIGFRIED Wilkes Alumnus . Just when it seemed that our culture couldn't go any further into the intellectual gutter, VH-1 throws us a curveball and produces yet another "celebrity" dating show. This time around, the lucky (if you call being hounded by 14 crazies, lucky) man is Ray J. Who? Exactly. For the uninformed (and I assume that is everyone), Ray J is a rapper *cue laughter* who is best known for being in a sex tape with socialite and celebrity imposter extraordinaire Kim Kardashian, and for being the brother of former mediocre pop star, Brandy. That's right, the guy who is most famous for having sex with someone who is only famous for having a gigantic a** . The show, which is aptly named "For the Love of Ray J," documents the journey of one man and his attempt to find love in a world where love appears to elude all of us. But seriously, he just tries to nail every one of these broads because they want to be on television. Is that the best title they could think of? "For the Love of Ray J?" That's all you got? I can do better than that, so I will proceed to suggest more appropriate names based on Academy Award winning movies: The Skank:father, Citizen Skank, Casa-Skanka, the Skank-Parted, No Country For Old Skanks, Lord of the Skanks: The Return of the Clap, Skankheart, Nailing Miss Skanky, The Skank Hunter, From Skank to Skankternity, and finally, My Fair Skank. Wow, that was fun. But how awesome would "Skankheart" be? Effing awesome, that's how much. Let's get serious and ask ourselves, "Why are we giving this guy his own show?" Is it not enough that we had to suffer through Flava Flav and Bret Michaels? The talent is getting worse and worse as these musicians get their own shows. Whose next, William Hung? (Oh dear God, the suits at VH-1 didn't hear that, did they?) But more importantly, who are these girls that want to be on the show? Do any of them even know who he is? Do any of them care? No. They want to be on television, because they want their 15 minutes of sexually transmitted disease riddled fame; that's why. If we were to send Ray-J (actually, I'm going to call him by his real name, William) to the moon tomorrow, and he was never seen again, would anyone say "Hey, what happened to Ray J?" Of course not! Why? Because nobody cares about someone who isn't best known for their chosen profession. William is best known for his gallivanting with the caboose of Kim Kardashain, and NOT his music. If you are not known for your actual profession (in this case, talent-less musician), then you 're not deserving of a reality show. Alex Rodriguez is known for being one of the greatest baseball players of all time, not for dating Madonna. See the difference? Anyhow, if the show wasn't bad enough (trust me, it is), the website is even worse. It describes William as an " ... acclaimed singer. .. " Josh Groban is an acclaimed singer. Beyonce is an acclaimed singer. He is not. ... songwriter... The lyrics for "Sexy Can I" aren't exactly sion show where fame whores throw themsetting the world on fire. selves at him. Sexy, can I hit it from the front? Can I Me = Arguably more famous than Wilhit it from the back? Know you like it like liam. tha,Then we take it to the bed, then we take So where is my television show? it to the floor/Then we chill for a second, I'm serious about this. Nicole Richie, then we're back for some more Paris Hilton and Brody Jenner get their own Wow, I was misinformed. He is ac- shows, why can't I? What have they done claimed. to deserve it? Except being born into favorBut just for kicks, let me take a stab at able circumstances, they've done nothing. this. I deserve my own show, tool Come on, Let's hit up the club, sipping on the bub, it can be called "Rant of Love!" Or better moving all night, feeling so right. Lookin ' yet, why not just call it "Hey Fame Whores: fly in my ride, girl by my side, make them Embarrass Yourself!" other ladies cry, do it to you all night. The reality is that there are people who Those lyrics took me 50 seconds to write, would want to be in that show, that is LITERALLY. And they are just as good, sad. and if I didn't tell you that I wrote them, But really, we totally need to make you wouldn't know the difference. "Skankheart." ... actor. .. His biggest claim to fame was starring alongside Shaquille Sometimes I wish O'Neal in Steel. In 1997. I had an evil twin. ... ultimate ladies man ... George Clooney is the ultimate The kind where ladies man; that's not even an w;;,p~j( "!e(l,,l,'6. the only differargument. His track record isn't even that spectacular. Besides ence is an Kardashian, (who doesn't even awesome curly count) who has he dated? Whitney Houston? Is anyone impressed by mustache. that? Congratulations, you allegnothing else it'd edly dated Whitney Houston in 2007, which is more than a decade just be cool for past her prime. Let's face it, that's someone in my like bragging about getting a pair of Reebok Pumps last Christmas. family to have Ok, let's recap: William = Not facial hair. Famous. For the Love of Ray J = Televi'%.i-ljS' arw If YOIJre"\aE5 Re: Rant confusing sex with gender Dear Beacon Editorial Board, I'm writing in response to "The Angry Rant" by Tim Seigfried in the January 27 issue of The Beacon. Usually I enjoy the opinion pieces and find them very funny. However, I was disappointed and offended at Siegfried's treatment of transgendered people in this editorial. I am not necessarily defending Thomas Beatie, since I think he should have been publicized more accurately as a transgendered pregnant male. However, Seigfried's rant went beyond criticism of Beatie and turned to an attack against all transgendered and transsexual people. He basically argued that transgendered people are frauds who are fooling themselves and others, and that Beatie was a woman no matter how much surgery he had. Here Seigfried is confusing sex, the bio- logical nature of a person's anatomy, with gender, the cultural attitudes and meanings that define what it means to be a man or woman. Transgendered people are those whose gender does not match with their biological sex. Studies have shown that the brain structure of transgendered people look more like the opposite sex than their own sex. He likely began to feel that way when he was very young, and they are intense feelings of something not being right with one's body. Most psychologists agree that transgenderism is not something that needs to be "cured," but that surgery and hormones are the best way to help them feel more comfortable with their own bodies. Seigfried may just be uninformed on this matter, and probably doesn't know any transgendered people personally. I certainly hope he was not intentionally being preju- diced and close-minded. After all, someone who isn't transgendered couldn't possibly understand what it is like to feel that one's one body is wrong. Another aspect of the rant that offends me was that Seigfried argued that we don't have the right to name our own identity. No one knows ourselves better than we do, and our subjective reality cannot be understood by anyone else better than it can by us. Beatie believes that he is a man, no matter what he was biologically born as. No one else has the right to say that he is not "really" a man. Gender is socially constructed, and refusal to see it for what it is undermines the vast spectrum that is human gender expression and sexuality. We don't all fit into a neat little binary. I usually enjoy The Beacon's articles very much, but I was extremely disappointed in its alienation of a whole group of people. Transgenderism is still extremely misunderstood in mainstream culture, and J would hope that The Beacon would be more progressive in the future. Perpetuating hurtful and discriminatory attitudes will only cause further social problems. Transgendered people face enough challenges: they don't need to be attacked by their school paper in an environment that is supposed to be welcoming and accepting of diversity. Wilkes has an LGBT Alliance club on campus that can provide a place for transgendered students to feel accepted and understood. Thank you, Bethany Guarilia Pre-pharmacy major Class of 2014 �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 OPINION 8 W-B Twp.: pay up or face a dry spring for more than six months, or more than $100, will face water shutoff by the Pennsylvania American A unanimous decision by the Water Company. The annual sewWilkes-Barre council on February er fee stands at $84. 2 declared that township residents I would like to pose the queswho do not pay their sewer fees tion: how did the council let this will have their water turned off. get so far out of hand? One hunDespite threats, over the last ten dred thirty thousand dollars over years, approximately 100 resi- a ten year period is a significant dents and businesses have racked amount of money and time. up over $130,000 in delinquent The new ordinance states resibills and fines , the highest total- dents have 30 days to pay their ing around $4,000, according to sewer bills or the township will the Township's business admin- simply tum off their water. istrator. The apparent reasons for When asked if there are any non payment are varied and there health codes that deal with the terseems to be no formal or orga- mination of water service, Susan nized protest behind the lack of Turcmanovich, a spokesperson for payments. Pennsylvania American Water Co. The passage of the shutoff ordi- said, " If we have an agreement nance means that anyone owing with the municipality... we can BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Opinion Editor shut their water off." This is true, but there are some rules that can intervene. According to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Act 201 of 2004 states that water service cannot be shut off if someone living in the home is ce1iified as seriously ill by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner. Also, heat-related water service cannot be terminated during the winter months without PUC approval. If individuals possess the ability to maintain their households, they can surely afford an annual sewer fee of $84, which broken down adds up to $7 a month. Surprisingly, many residents have been resisting the ordinance. For residents who cannot pay their debt in full, the council has passed a "hardship exception," which opens the option to a payment plan. The money collected will be put towards a more than $4 million loan that was taken out about fifteen years ago, on which the Township has been unable to maintain steady payments. Many have fallen on hard times. The unemployment rate has jumped over seven percent this year, and continues to grow; however, many of these bills are long overdue. I am dumbfounded at how stubborn a large majority of these people have been when it comes to paying their bills. The council has taken a step in the right direction, and needs to continue to press these individuals for the money that is owed. Add a national holiday: Super Bowl Monday BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor The Pittsburgh public school sys- · tern put all area schools on a two hour delay schedule for the Monday following the Super Bowl, similar to what many schools in Indianapolis did after the Colts' Super Bowl victoryin 2007. What an absolutely brilliant idea. So it got me thinking, the Monday following the Super Bowl should really gain holiday status. Thttruth is,Americans spend the day recovering from Super Bowl Sunday, whether it be because our tummies are over nourished, our kidneys are filled with liquids of all kinds (to put "hangover" lightly) or our hearts are overcome with grief and misery because our hallowed Cardinals lost, and probably will have to wait another 61 years to get there. But I digress. What I am saying is that the Monday after the Super Bowl is already a cultural holiday--why not make it official? I can guarantee that we could all count on one hand the number of people we knew who did not watch the Super Bowl, and it would really take some monumental brain power. Heck, as I was writing this, Microsoft Word capitalized the "Super Bowl." Doesn't that say anything about what a cultural phenomenon the game has become? Let's look at the statistics, though, because they really do tell all. To begin: 151.6 million. That's how many people watched the Super Bowl. To put it into perspective, according to the most recent census in 2000, the United States is inhabited by 305,763 ,782 people. In other words, about half of the entire countty was tuned into the spectacle also known as "The Big Game." Here 's another good number: Two. That two represents the nation 's second largest day of food consumption, behind only Thanksgiving, according to consumemews.com. Now how can Americans digest after consuming mega amounts of saucy wings, greasy meat-lovers pizza, and double meat subs chowed down like they were going out of style? One more quick number: 1.5 million. That's how many adults called into work sick this past Monday. And allow me to speculate: 2,200. That's the number of Wilkes students who want to have this day off. Ok, so that last one is just my own survey that I conducted in my head, but I'm sure it's pretty damed accurate. Seriously though, I cannot think of any currently recognized holiday that brings together people of different races, creeds, orientations or genders as universally as the Super Bowl. We set our differences aside to relish in the pure joy we get from watching oversized behemoths squash each other to a pulp, and forget about everything else in the world for at least those four hours (or 12 if you count all the pregame buildup). It's a festival , a gala that everyone gets excited for, even if they don't understand. How much are students worth to professors if they aren't paying attention or don't show up anyway? I know college kids don't usually go to bed early, but it would save everyone some time and struggle if this day were granted holiday status. Don't think I am the only one advocating this, though. Bob Cook, contributor for NBC sports, underscores my feelings. "It's not very different from Thanksgiving as a football-centric holiday, except that you can eat chicken wings instead of turkey, and you're assured you will never have to sit through a Detroit Lions game," said Cook. "And most people get a four-day weekend for Thanksgiving." So some say students, faculty and staff alike already have enough days off. And I would concur if not for one little day that most get off (although Wilkes does not, a lot of schools do): Columbus Day. Most city, county, state and federal government offices are closed around the country on Columbus Day. That is ridiculous. I won't go into detail, but to learn more about the true hero Columbus was, I suggest the book Lies My Teacher Told Me. See the side of Columbus we never knew about when we painted pictures of the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria in our first grade art class; then get back to me. "So many people do not make it to class because they are too tired and don't want to do much of anything," offered sophomore history major Tony Ferrese. "I would much rather stay home and get some extra sleep and relax a little." We should follow in the Pittsburgh public school system's footsteps, except take it a bit further. We should just ax the day right off the school calendar. I assure you there won't be any complaining coming out of student's mouths. Carpe Diem. Viva la chicken wings! Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon coducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overal attitudes of students on campus. The Beacon asked: Do you feel that Wilkes should offer more foreign language courses? • Yes -100% • No - 0% • Undecided - 0% Next Week's question: Should Luzerne County implement home rule? • Yes •No • Undecided Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Concact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �Short-term studyl abroad tours PAGE 11 ,1 ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com g Super Bowl ads Inore costly, less Ineinorable than usual of economics. Despite the current recession, companies put time and a large amount of money into getting their ads to viewers--all 94 million Last Thursday, a sports writer for The of them. Philadelphia Inquirer asked, "Is it just me With such a large viewing audience or, as the years go on, are the Super Bowl comes a large budget for production. Comads getting worse as the game gets better?" mercials push the envelope in terms of comFor some, the Super Bowl game itself edy and satire, as well as try to keep Super may take a back seat to barrage of new Bowl advertising traditions alive, like the advertisements released during the com- infamous Budweiser Clydesdales and Dalmercial breaks. In fact, many people can matian dogs. However, several questions be heard chatting days in advance about the arise about the amount of money advertisads themselves rather than the game. ers spend on Super Bowl commercials evThis year's Super Bowl ads were at their e1y year. For example, what is the budget? most expensive of all time, according to adAs broken down by adage.com, several age.com. companies, including Anheuser-Busch, Advertisers from Anheuser-Busch to Walt Coca-Cola Co., and Toyota Motor Sales Disney Pictures/Pixar bought up the 30- USA, bought up more than one 30-second second and 60-second commercial spots for time slot to secure advertising space. How$3 million per 30 seconds. The $3 million ever, one company, PepsiCo., secured five mark has never been the starting price for a to six minutes of airtime, a minute of which commercial at the Super Bowl, though indi- will go to its Frito-Lay division. The large vidual slots have sold for that much before, block of airtime is part of the company's a Wall Street Journal report said. And NBC "largest reinvention of its brands ever unsold all of them. dertaken," according to company execu"Companies are still profitable despite the tives. recession. However, this recession seems With such challenging economic times, to be the most severe since 1982," stated Dr. some question why advertisers are still Robert Seeley, Wilkes University professor willing to pay $3 million for 30-seconds of airtime. Seeley noted that there is one simple reason why companies undertake any expense. "They want to sell a product. They believe the ads will generate a greater amount of revenue," said Seeley. Companies are spending millions of dollars to advertise to millions of viewers, but experts question whether the ads actually lead to largSeniors gathered in the Henry Student Center Ballroom oo Feb- er sales. Dr. Jane ruary 5 for their First Farewell, which celebrated 100 days until Elmes-Crahall , graduation. Students enjoyed corupUmentary hors d'oeu:vres Wilkes University professor of comand drinks with classmates and specfal guests. BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor Senior First Farewell 2009 Photo courtesy of ABCNEWS.com CareerBuilder.com released one of the most popular ads this Super Bowl. Its 60-second ad, which ranked number three on YouTube's most popular list, featured a repetitive list of reasons for when it is time to find a new job. One reason, pictured above, is when "you daydream about punching small animals." munications, points out that while some ads may be memorable, they often lack product recognition. Elmes-Crahall, who teaches courses on practical aspects of everyday communication, assigns her students the task ofreviewing Super Bowl ads for content and memory longevity. "When I asked my class which were their favorites, they could rattle them off no problem, but many had trouble remembering the product being advertised, which is the main point of buying such an expensive slot," said Elmes-Crahall. According to Elmes-Crahall, effective ads included the General Electric advertisement, which portrayed a metallic scarecrow in a metallic Land of Oz dancing around and singing "If I Only Had a Brain", as well as the remake of the "Mean Joe Green" CocaCola advertisement from the 1970s. Despite being more effective, Elmes-Crahall points out that "most of [her] students could not connect the song the scarecrow was singing with the purpose of the advertisement, which was to find more efficient ways to buy electricity." "Also, if you didn't know Coke was trying to remake the 'Mean Joe Green' ad from the ' 70s, you were not going to get it. And that ad was considered to be one of the best ads ever run. And this year's was still very funny," stated Elmes-Crahall. According to MSNBC.com, the Super Bowl Measuring Social Report outlined the top 10 and bottom 10 most effective advs. Teleflora "tops the list of winners due to the brand's association with Valentine 's Day" and Audi and Toyota came in last, because "in a down economy, buying automobiles is not a high priority for most Americans", according to the report. Related to Elmes-Crahall's theory, some Wilkes students were asked at random what Super Bowl ads were their favorites and why. Of those polled, only fwo could remember the actual product and said they would purchase it because of the commercial. "I loved that one with the crystal ball. I can't remember the product, but it was really funny!" said Michael McAloon, junior engineering major. �10 LIFESTYLES FEBRUARY 10, 2009 Marijuana debate focus of group vying for club status BY MELANIE THOMAS Beacon Correspondent The debate regarding the legalization of marijuana has always been heated, and now that controversy is coming to Wilkes University. On Wedne.sday, Student Government (SG) will meet to discuss whether or not it will approve the Cannabis Defense Movement, an organization whose intention is to promote the fair representation and knowledge of the cannabis plant and its benefits on campus. "To put it simply, it is to inform and to oppose what we find to be an unjust legislation," said Kenneth Brown, a freshman individualized studies major and the Cannabis Defense Movement's representative at Wilkes University. "But in more words, we are an awareness group on the other side of the story. We want the Wilkes community to know the truths about the Cannabis plant, its uses, and its beneficial social, medical, economical, and recreational factors ." In order to obtain club status, all organizations need to follow a procedure established by SG. According to Jeffrey Bauman, stu- dent government treasurer, the first step in the process of obtaining recognized club status is to make a notice of intent around campus and hold an organizational meeting. Next, an advisor or professional staff needs to be selected. The third guideline is to establish a club constitution. Lastly, the club's representative must contact SG for the voting process to begin. While the Cannabis Defense Movement has already gained campus-wide attention, it is still entitled to all the advantages other clubs enjoy, if approved. These advantages include participation in Club Day, the right to request funds from SG, guidance and support from student development advisors, and the ability to use Henry Student Center facilities upon the approval of the student development office. "There is an initial $300 one-time recognition fund that is given to any club that is approved," said Bauman. Brown said several participants already have ideas about what to do with the startup funds . "It is still up to decision. There are ideas, but that will be something left up to club vote," said Brown. According to Brown, the movement is looking for members who are devoted, interested, creative and not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. "[The club goals are to] reverse the current legislation on marijuana and its illegality," said Brown. "We believe the current legislation is The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick unconstitutional, hurtful, and a large Wilkes students Sasha McDonald and Ashley Ford study the infringement of Cannabis Defense Movement's club poster in the SUB. On rights." Wednesday, Student Government will decide its status. Dr. Michael Garr, If the Cannabis Defense Movement is professor of sociology and anthropology, was selected by organizers to serve as fac- not granted club status on Wednesday, Brown warns that organizers will be back ulty advisor. "I feel any student who wants to start a next week. "Victory is rarely a one shot deal," he club open to all students should have a facsaid. ulty advisor," said Garr. s me well al cl Ho mos not by 11 m nati 250 in a sch T de ros der em ish stu lea BAL co yo fro sm 900 RUTTER AVE. 2ND FL.O OR, FORTY-FORT, PA 18708 570-332-5705 $100 SEMESTER CLASS PASS UNLIMITED CLASSES FOR ALL STUDENTS AND FACULTY MUST PRESENT STUDENT OR FACULTY ID OFFER EXPIRES 2/15/09 . 1/ ½ www. b a I an cey og astu di o. net Fe Email: info@balanceyogastudio.net �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 11 LIFESTYLES Short-terD1 study tours proD1ote global awareness BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Lifestyles Editor Throughout their college careers, students plod through textbooks, piece together papers and commit a vast arrar of facts to memory. Over four years, students become well-schooled in all the aspects of traditional classroom learning. However, many students have found their most important learning experiences come not from their campus classes, but instead by making the whole world their classroom. In a world that has opened dramatically thanks to free trade, the Internet, and improved travel options, study abroad experiences for college students have continued to grow in popularity. A report published in November 2008 by the Institute of International Education (IIE) found that nearly 250,000 American students chose to study in a foreign country during the 2006-2007 school year. The percent of students who earned academic credit for courses completed abroad rose 150 percent from 1996-1997, when under 100,000 students chose such an option. "With study abroad, you are really, totally emerged," said Dr. Paola Bianco, a Spanish professor who previously served as the study abroad coordinator at Wilkes. "You learn about everyday life, things in other countries which are different than ours. And you can mingle with other students, students from Japan, Latin America, all over. It's a small world, and the benefits are endless." Over the years, the face of study abroad programs for American students has also changed. Once confined primarily to Europe, study abroad options have popped up throughout the globe. According to the IIE report, the number of American students studying in China, Argentina, South Africa, Ecuador and India has each increased by more than 20 percent from the previous year. Along with the destination, the duration for study abroad has shifted as well. Now, less than five percent of all students who study abroad do so for a full academic year. The majority of students, 55 percent, choose short-term options, like summer or intercession programs spanning from two to eight weeks. At Wilkes, short-term study abroad programs, or study tours, are gaining favor with students. Dr. James Merryman, an anthropology professor, has led ten study tours during his time at Wilkes. Most of his trips feature places outside of standard tourist destinations in Europe, and have included Mexico, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and China. Over spring break, he will lead a tour that explores Mayan ruins in Mexico. In the summer, he will host a two-week excursion to China and Tibet via the Sky Train. Merryman believes short-term options like those allow students the opportunity to see different places and cultures, which they may not have otherwise. In particular, students in engineering, pharmacy or professional studies may have difficulty going away for a semester or year because of their strict course sequences and practicum. "For a lot of our students, studying abroad for that long is just out of the question because of their academic program," he said. "For me, the short term does not replace the long term, but it gives the students a taste and an exposure." Kristen O'Brien, a junior nursing major, chose the week-long Mexican study tour during spring break because it would not disrupt her nursing sequence. "I have a very busy schedule for school and work, which means I would not have time to study abroad for longer than one she said. the practical Photo courtesy of Jim Merryman• Dr. Jim Merryman took students to visit a gorilla family in Rwanda on a previous study tour. This summer, he will host a two-week trip to China and Tibet. choice for me." For other students, a week or two-week study tour gives them a quick, intense, immersion into another culture. Adam Rifkin, a senior psychology major, has traveled on four of Merryman's study tours. He says the short-term excursions mesh well with his desire to continually try different experiences. "The idea of staying in one place for a full semester is tough for me. Even when I'm home, I'm constantly traveling," he said. "I can't stay in one place too long, so these trips are perfect for me. I get to immerse myself in a new place for a week or two and then go back to my life and do whatever other traveling I would like to do." In addition to Merryman's cultural study tours, other courses at Wilkes also offer travel components abroad. Dr. Wagiha Taylor hosts the International Business business students insight into business practices in Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. Over spring break, history and communications students will travel to Istanbul, Turkey, with the East Meets West class. However, despite the benefits of a shortterm program, they still cannot totally encompass the experience of living abroad for an extended time. "The drawback of a short program is that it is not a long program," said Merryman. "It's perhaps a little superficial, but the idea is to give students as much exposure in a brief amount of time, with the intent that they will catch the bug and want to come back and do it on their own." �Coraline 3-D Review A&E~ FEBRUARY 10, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa .benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu matthew.goags@wilkes.edu - - - - - - - 12 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com • • Sordoni's new exhibition: Ainerican iin ress1on1slll BY YOHANNA DE LOS SANTOS M. Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Painting the Beautiful: American Impressionist Paintings from the Michener Art Museum Collection is the new exhibition at the Sordoni Art Gallery. The current show offers a wide range of impressionist paintings from local artists, and oil and canvas is the primary medium for the works. The new exhibition at the Sordoni Art Gallery will run through March and will be open to the public from 12:00 to 4:30 p.m. every day. "ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, is touring this exhibition, a selection from the world's most extensive collection of Pennsylvania Impressionism," Brittany Kramer De Balko, assistant director of the Sordoni Art Gallery said. De Balko is responsible for bringing the exhibit to Wilkes. Most of the paintings feature Pennsylvania landscape from Bucks County. Junior English major, Megan Wenzel, who has worked for several years as a gallery attendant said, "It's basically impression- ism and pretty much is set in Bucks County and is all landscape from the area. It's very beautiful." "It [the gallery] gives students the opportunity to see the history and the way the area is. They might not have the opportunity to see what the area is about and to see it in that form is just pretty neat," Wenzel added. The opening reception for the show was held at the gallery last Friday as was open to the public. Trucksville resident, Alison Kole, who attended the opening reception noted that the show was, "Very tastefully done. Wilkes-Barre is fortunate to have this exhibition." The local draw of impressionist art is a factor in the Sordoni art gallery. "I think it's a great opportunity for students at Wilkes to come and see art like this, especially since there is an actual art gallery on campus. Not many people get to have that opportunity and it's something to be appreciated," said Wenzel. Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour attends the opening of the Painting the Beautiful: American Impressionism. Members of the Wilkes University community came to enjoy the paintings as well as local residents. Got Art? other local options BY YO HANNA DE LOS SANTOS M. Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Local residents examine artwork created by impressionist artists mainly from Bucks County in the Sordoni Art Gallery. There are also other galleries in the area that offer high quality art work. Main Street Galleries is a fine art gallery that sells limited edition work, lithographs, engravings, original work, paintings in canvas, and mix media collages. Sally Casey gallery director at Main Street Galleries said, "We are 40 years old this year. We did start out on South Main Street before the flood in 1972 and then when they reopened they had two locations one in South Main and one in Kingston comers. About 25 years the previous owners consolidated those two locations to this much larger area. We have about 4000 sq feet now. We are a fine art gallery and expert custom framing." Main Street Galleries offers a relaxed casual atmosphere. "Everybody is welcome, you don't need to think that you have to come in and buy something. I would encourage people to come and see what we actually have because people are usually surprised at what we have here in Kingston, Pennsylvania. There is a lot of work here," said Casey. The paintings that are displayed in the gallery come from artists from around the globe. Local artists Vyacheslav Shevchenko, Diana Beckerman, and David Green are also featured in the gallery. �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Lennon to pen Mailer's life 13 W.U.P.B. brings Hinder BY MATTHEW GOG AS Beacon Asst A&E Editor the the Pulitzer Prize. His most recent work was On God: An Uncommon Conversation, which How could anyone ever truly know another he co-authored with Lennon. person so in-depth to tell their life story? Is it Lennon was formally appointed to write the possible to articulate the subject's hopes and biography months before Mailer died of acute dreams to a level that readers will believe and kidney failure in November of 2007. The two appreciate? For the biog~apher, these are the were good friends and had worked closely totough questions, but also the ones that drive the gether several times over the past 30 years. writer. Dr. Michael "I wrote to him in 1971 Lennon, Emeritus when I was writing my Ph.D. thesis on him at the Vice President for Academic Affairs Univ. of Rhode Island. Then in 1972, during the and Professor of English, hopes that presidential election, he he can answer those came to speak in Illinois where I was teaching and other questions about Ameria course on him at the can writer Norman University of Illinois at Springfield. My class Mailer in roughly and I went to see him 300,000 words. speak and then I went to Lennon is widely known as the couna bar with him and talked until 1 a.m.," said Lentry's foremost aunon of the beginnings of thority on Mailer, the decades-long friendand was enlisted to ship. write the first authorized biography The most imof the distinguished portant thing Lennon Pulitzer Prize winremembers about Mailer was that he was "a loyal ning author in Photo Courtesy/ Michael Lennon December 2006 Norman Mailer (Right) and Michael Lennon friend, who was impetuby Mailer himself (Left) take a quick photo break while on a re- ous, brilliant and funny. He liked to debate and got after the original laxing vacation. angry if you missed." author of the biLennon served as the ography, Robert F. Lucid, suddenly died. At the time, Lennon Acting President, Acting Dean of Graduate Studwas Lucid's understudy and was editing Mail- ies, Vice President for Academic Affairs and er's letters for publication. Lennon has also ed- Dean of the Faculty, Chair of the Humanities ited several of Mailer's books. Division and English He began writing the biography in the sum- Professor, Acting Dimer of 2008 after collecting interviews that he rector of the Creative Program, conducted with Mailer's family and friends as Writing and is the current well as literary associates. Under Lennon's contract with publishing Emeritus Vice Presicompany Simon and Schuster, he expects the dent for Academic biography to be published in mid-2012, and in Affairs and Dean of it hopes to "tell the full, unvarnished truth about the Faculty. In addithe personal and literary life--and the inner life- tion to his impressive career at Wilkes, -of one of the 20th century's great writers." Lennon said, "[Mailer] confronted complex Lennon served as a and difficult issues with great style and energy United States Naval and was able to shift forms and rhetoric for ev- Officer, was a docuery new occasion. He was a connoisseur of nar- mentary filmmaker, rative forms, from the short story to the essay and literary critic. He and sports report to the novel and the biogra- is married with three phy. There is a great urgency to his style; it is a sons, and has two forcing style, full of brio and bristles and more grandsons. He currently lives in Westhumor than people expect." In his professional life, Mailer wrote over 40 port, Massachusetts books, made four films, and won several major where he spends the literary awards. His most famous works were majority of his day Armies of the Night (1968) and The Execu- there writing Norman tioner's Song(l979), both of which won him Mailer's biography. BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Editor-In-Chief Wilkes University's Programming Board will present the rock group Hinder at the Kingston Arm01y on March 20 at 8 p.m. Hinder is probably best known for the song "Lips on an Angel," which was released on their album Extreme Behavior. Hinder joins the ranks of other musical group that Wilkes has brought in the past, such as: Breaking Benjamin and Jack's Mannequin. Students will be able to start purchasing tickets during the presale at the Henry Student Center on February 16 with their student identification card for $15 a ticket. There is a limit of two tickets per student. General ticket sales will begin on February 23 for $18. Starting February 23, tickets can also be purchased online at http://www.wilkesuniversity.tickets.musictoday.com. Friday March 20th: Kingston Armory Doors Open 7pm, Show Starts 8pm Wilkes Students: $15 (l.lmlt 2 per IDJ Available Feb 17th at HSC Desk eneral Public:: $18 Available Feb 23 a .wllk•$•nlv•rslty,.tlckets.muslt:today.c:c,m �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 - ARTS ·& ENTERTAINMENT 14 Movie Review: Coraline in 3-D Director Henry Selick brings his trademark style over from The Nightmare Before Christmas to make this dark fairytale come to life. The BY ANDREW SEAMEN Beacon Editor-In-Chief Every few years there is a movie that helps define a generation. For my generation, The Nightmare Before Christmas is one that lives on inside us. For the upcoming generation the recently released Coraline, by the same director, has the potential to become just as important. Coraline is based on the book of the same name by Neil Gaiman. The story centers on the classic plot of a child yearning for a much happier and carefree life. Coraline Jones (voice by Dakota Fanning), a young girl from Michigan, moves away from her friends to a pew apartment with her family. There she finds quirky neighbors and a world of wonder. Coraline 's mother and father (voices by Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman), are busy working on a gardening catalogue and never seem to have time for Coraline. As she explores her new home and area, she meets a young boy by the name of Wybie (voice of Robert Bailey,Jr.). Wybie gives Coraline a doll that looks amazingly like her. Upon the discovery of a door, Coraline finds a new world with her "other mother," and "other father." They seem loving, caring and attentive - but as Coraline soon discovers, things are not always as they appear. While the narrative of Coraline's adventure is compelling, the movie is an artistic masterpiece. sty! e allows for some of the darker parts of the story to scare the audience without taking them too far. Shot in stop-motion animation, everything seen on screen was made by hand. And considering the amazing scenes, everyone must appreciate the work that was put into this movie. Over 250 people worked on the Coraline character alone. The movie is currently the longest stopmotion film ever created. Another winning aspect of this movie is the fact that it is shot in REAL3D. I am typically hesi· tant to be a part of the 3-D experience, since it usually leaves me with a headache and a queasy stomach; however, this movie is a winner. Coraline is the first movie to be shot in 3-D, but if others can replicate the quality of this movie, it won't be the last. Unfortunately, the marketing for this movie was not what I would call big budget. I think Coraline s success will rely heavily upon word of mouth and viral marketing campaigns. Even with the lackluster promotions, Coraline seems like one of those movies that will resonate for years to come. I don't think that it will become a cult movie, like The Nightmare Before Christmas, but it has potential. For this critic, Coraline has found the perfect mixture of elements to create a classic tale. Even though the movie is rated PG, adults should not miss this experience. Out of ten stars, I would give Coraline an eight. ,.....,..----------------------------------------------~ Barnes & Noble Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7South 1\1:ain Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ \Vilkes.bncollege.con1 Live "Free" Music Eve1·yWednesday Night a11d most Friday's 25% discount on anything you purchase from the cafe during the performance! This Wednesday we have Paul Martin live at 6:30pm Friday Night live music with Cathy Donnelly at 7:30pm • Conte andjoin usfor a ''Valentines Day'' story time. We v\rill be reading Valentines stories during our weekly story time, and join us afterwards for a special craft. Saturday morning at 11:oorun �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING Beacon Sta.ff I 2 l 1 4 ~ 9 11 10 1-4 16 17 20 12 13 21 24 26 '27 28 M :2:7 40 l-3. February 3 Crossword Answers 2 1 D I 1, E C 17 L 0 3 u 65 D 118 A A X 7 4 E 8 A s E L p E G I C 1.3 12 D A L L E A D N E R A N A E s E E s y ACROSS 1 Sound to get attention Capital of Pas-de-Calais 5 10 October birthstone 14 Low female voice 15 A clue or tip 16 Opposite of went 17 Injuries or aches 19 Abominable snowman 20 Finished in a draw 21 First assassinated president 24 To entice 25 Popular clothing store 26 Media's reception to Obama Flat Mexican "bread" 29 34 Only known planet with life Turn into gold by touch 35 36 Wrong number of electrons Challenging social norms 37 38 Make sounds for film 39 Narrow strip in Venetian blind "A Walk on the Wild Side" 40 41 Sensitive wounds 42 Sold at a deli 43 More than sneaky 45 To be "dandy" 46 Noble, white, bold-faced 47 48 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 Curved lines Phrase for "hopeless quest" Bloody, juicy steak To confirm/deny atten dance Greek slave's fables An outward mass of rock To the leeward side it's a box of chocolates Princess Mia actress Ex of Cher Not on time DOWN I Father 2 Thick slice of stone 3 Function of wooden spoon 4 interrelation oft tones Lime, prime, dime, time 6 Currency of Cambodia 7 8 One that is opposed Winged, flat fish 9 10 Several 8-armed cepha lopods 11 Bucket 12 Declaration of affirma tion . 13 18 22 23 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35 38 39 41 42 44 45 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Low voltage light To demand silence I 00 square meters 2nd longest running musical Byproduct of eating oranges Poisonous indoor gas To debate One who puts down tile Complex lyric poems Pale shade of purple Synonymous with unwilling Fidgety, restless What an addict wants Fattened goose or duck liver Sold by the seashore Car on an icy road Holy city in Islam To assert without proof Prior to Destination of Harry and Lloyd "Look out!" Neighbor of Iraq Norwegian capital Used for cooking Over 8% of Earth's surface Baby's bottom Fencing sword TV company with dog mascots �--- - - n's Basketball pg. 17 men 's Basketball pg . 19 ~ ~----=-----=--- . -- - - - -- - - - - - - CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu FEBRUARY 10, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Wilkes ski club looks to increase student involventent BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor For five years Wilkes University has offered a little known Ski and Snowboard Club on campus. Although not many activities have taken place over the course of the five years, recently the club has become more organized and begun to organize ski trips for tinterested community members. Assistant professor of chemistry, Amy Bradley is the faculty coordinator for the club, and believes the recent success of the ski and snowboard club is due to a shift in leadership. The current president is Clinton Fought. The ski and snowboard club takes one major trip a season. For the major trips, Wilkes combines with King's College's Ski Club because approximately 40 students are needed to make the trip financially viable. Last season, the group went to Sugar Loaf Mountain in Maine. The major trip for this season took place in Killington, Vermont in early January. Freshman Jenna Sarget went on the ski trip to Killington this year. "Everyone was there [Killington] for the same thing. We all went to ski and have a d time with a large group of people," said. ley explained, although she did not the trip this season, the group at- tended college week at Killington, which featured various activities and bands for a discounted week for college students at the mountain. Sargent said the activities for the college students made the experience more enjoyable than just going to a local mountain and skiing for the day. The ski and snowboard club met on Tuesday, February 3, to organize events for the remainder of the season. The club will begin posting sign-up sheets on the website for Friday night skiing at the local Sno Mountain. The group is also planning day trips over spring break to a few mountains which are a little furthet from campus• .Among the possible Mountain, Blue Mountain and Camelback Mountain. One thing Bradley would like to see become more organized is having the more experienced skiers and snowboarders in the group help the beginners. Even if the experts only offer an hour of their time, the free lesson for the new skiers and boarders would be beneficial According to Bradley, one of the problems the club has encountered is students not following through when signing up for events. In many cases, for group deals, at least 15 people are needed and if not everyone signing up attends, the group could lose their discount. "' Photos Courtesy of Clinton Fought Ski and Snowboard Club President Clinton Fought defies gravity as he heads down the mountain on the January ski trip to Killington, Vermont. Fought again in the air, practicing tricks while skiing with Wilkes Ski and Snowboard Club over winter break. �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 17 SPORTS Colonels get Inuch needed win at FDU-Florhain CRAIG MERRIMAN Sports Information Director Tom Kresge became the"'second player in as many games to reach the 1000-point milestone with his 16-point performance, helping lead the Colonels to a 63-61 muchneeded win over FDU-Florham. Kresge finished with 12 rebounds on the day, one away from his career high and has now scored I 002 points in a Colonel uniform during his three-plus years with the team. The Colonels survived a late 5-0 run in the final I :02 of the game to secure the victory, improving to U-9 overall and 7-6 in Freedom Conference play. Chris DeRojas, who put in 16 points as well, hit a jumper with just over a minute to play to give the Colonels a 63-56 advantage, but Ryan McPherson, who finished with 28 points, hit one of his five three-point baskets on the day with 53 seconds to go to bring the Devils within four. He would make the game even more interesting after making a layup with six seconds to go, but steal by Steve Kline at the buzzer sealed the win for Wilkes. FDU-Florham was a two-man wrecking crew as McPherson and Ricky Fetske combined for 43 of the team's 61 points. The Colonels countered with 17 offensive rebounds that contributed to 18 second chance points. Wilkes dominated the glass with 43 total rebounds, while FDU had just 31. The Devils led for most of the first half, including a 12-point advantage with 8:43 to go before the half when McPherson drained a three-pointer, giving FDU a 30-18 edge. A 17-4 run to end the half gave the Colonels a 35-34 lead at the break, surviving six three's by FDU in the opening stanza. The two teams exchanged buckets in the second half, with the Colonels losing the lead just once in the second half. A pair of free throws by Fetske gave the Devils a 36-35 lead 18:22 to go, but Steve Kline gave the Colonels the lead for good with a layup at the 17:50 mark. A 9-0 run with 6:31 to play gave the Colonels a nine point advantage, their largest of the game, when Kendall Hinze hit the front end of a pair of free throws. Wilkes hit just four field goals in the final six minutes of action, but hit four free throws to help seal the victory. The Colonels will be back in action Wednesday when they take on Manhattanville in the Marts Center at 8 p.m. Wilkes Tom Kresge: 16 points 12 rebounds Remaining Men's Basketball Schedule Steve Kline: 12 points 11 rebounds F'eb. 11 Manhattanville p.m. Feb. 14 Alvernia p.m. Chris DeRojas: 16 points 2 rebounds p.m. FDU Ryan McPherson: 28 points 6rebounds Ricky Fetske: 15 points 7 rebounds lsai Reyes: 3 points 10 rebounds fled c. t,dlf ~(UJ [NJ [Q)~V CLEAN AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT One Stop Cleans It All ~00 uUlillC3o [1[Ir (ill [Q) @(!Jlli 08(!J~Efilv OO)lli @(!Jg Only $1 .29 /lb does it all: Wash, dry, fluff, and fold. Pick-up and delivery services available • • • • Professional Dry Cleaning Modern Coin Operated Laundromat New Large Capacity Washers Clean, Bright and Safe Facility 25 West Side Mall, Edwardsville, PA 1 8704 (Same shopping center as Price Chopper) 714-1740 Credit Cards Accepted �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 18 SPORTS RINKSIDE REPORT B f -) NHL experience pushes Penguins to i01prove BY MIKE CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer Entering Sunday's game, the WilkesBarre/Scranton Penguins ranked 2nd in the American Hockey League's East Division with 65 points. While their 31-16-1-2 record is impressive in itself, there is an additional way to measure an AHL team's success. Can a team's prospects step up to the plate and make the jump to the National Hockey League? For the Penguins, the answer is yes. A total of 14 players have skated for both Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and the Pittsburgh Penguins this season. Seven of those 14, including rookie center Dustin Jeffrey, got their first NHL experience during the 20082009 campaign. "By giving so many players down here an opportunity to show what they can do and have a shot there, it gives us all a little bit bigger fire to play a little bit better, to work a little bit harder over the summer," Jeffrey said. "It shows us what we need to (do to) stick up there full time." During Jeffrey's 14-game stint in the NHL earlier this season, he got a pretty good look at what players had to do in order to secure a permanent roster spot in the majors. "You have to make your decisions a lot quicker," Jeffrey added. "When to put pucks in, when to shoot pucks on net, when to get pucks out of the zone." While he was in the NHL, Jeffrey averaged 10:47 of ice time per game. Pittsburgh assigned him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the NHL's All-Star break. In the AHL, Jeffrey and his Penguins team mates will have the opportunity to play more minutes and work on their game in the hopes of ultimately getting back to the NHL. "It's part of the maturation process, it's part of growing as a player," said WilkesBarre/Scranton he'.ld coach Dan Bylsma. "You need to sense what that level is, you need to see what that level is ... and you need to make those adjustments. It's tough to do it in the NHL all the time." "A lot of these guys that get called up would admit that it's a great experience, but they're not ready yet," said Penguins goaltender John Curry, who was called up to Pittsburgh in November after Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury suffered an injury. "To have the knowledge of what you need to do to step your game up, for me at least, that was priceless." Although Curry only played in three games during the three weeks Dustin Jeffrey is one of seven Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penhe spent with Pittsburgh, guins players to make their NHL debut this season. his NHL experience has clearly impacted his performance in the GAA to 2.49 in the process. AHL. "I feel a lot more comfortable," Curry Before joining Pittsburgh, the second-year said. "The game's slowing down a bit. I'm pro was 3-4 with a 3.44 goals against aver- trying to do less in the net, to stay more effiage in the AHL. Since being re-assigned cient, stay square to the puck, and not waste to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in December, he energy and take myself out of position." holds a 15-3 record, lowering his season B B ,,,,c,111 a C F 5 C L e s s s De>ric:1tE! Ea:■ r ■■ s 5 II ■ p IVl•» ■ wth Interstate Blood 8.. Plasma Inc_ 665 Carey .A ve Wilkes-Barre .. Pa Call (570) 823-4119 . ! �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 19 SPORTS Athlete Spotlight: Salllantha Silllcox BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Opinion Editor Meet Samantha Simcox, the 5'7 freshman guard from Reading, PA, and a large part of the Lady Colonels' success this season. Simcox has posted 34 steals, 40 assists, leads the team with 167 total rebounds, and has been averaging 9 points per game. Currently the Lady Colonels are ( 10-11 ), and (5-8) in conference play, a huge improvement from their (2-23) performance last season. "I think that this year we have good leadership ... Everyone on the team wants to be there and wants to win .... We just want to be able to show up and show them what we can do," said Simcox ln high school, Simcox was a dual sport athlete, playing both field hockey and basketball, but made the decision to stick with basketball so that she could focus on school. "I miss field hockey, but I think it was a good choice just playing one sport," . she acknowledged. According to Simcox, the trans1t10n from high school to college basketball was definitely a big change. In addition to a higher level of competition, Simcox said, "College basketball is definitely a lot faster...With the shot clock you only have thirty seconds to get your shot off." To prepare for the season, Simcox regularly hit the gym, and played basketball in a local women's summer league. She also said that her teammates are firing on all cylinders. "At practice everyone goes hard ... we're just really committed to the team this season." Despite her status as a relative newcomer as a first year student, Simcox had no problem fitting in, "Our team is very close. We all get along, and all of us are friends." "She's a good role model because she always works hard, gives 100 percent, and puts forth a good attitude," said teammate Mari Gabriel. When asked her goals for the season, Simcox said that she would like to make the playoffs, and finish the season at least 500. "I think we should win a couple of games in the playoffs, but I think it's a major step for our program to be in playoffs this year." "I think next year well be even stronger," said Simcox. The freshman said that she will continue to play Wilkes basketball until she graduates, and plans to retire to an adult league. The Beacon/Courtesy of Marketing Communications Trio lifts FDU-Florhalll over Lady Colonels Courtesy of Craig Merriman Sports Information Director Emily Cerankowski, Shealyn Taggart and Courtney Young combined for 40 of FDUFlorham 's 50 points to lead the Devils to a 50-42 win over Wilkes University. The two teams are now tied in Freedom Conference action with 5-8 marks as the Lady Colonels defeated the Devils 67-52 earlier this year. Cenankowski led the way with 15 points, while Taggart and Young contributed with 14 and 11 respectively. Only five players scored for FDU, while Wilkes had a more balanced attack with seven players putting in points with Lindsey Gosse leading the way for the secondstraight game with 11. FDU-Florham used a 12-3 run late in the second half to lead by as many as 14 with 5:32 to go then exchanged buckets with Wilkes the rest of the way. The Devils' late run was similar to their scoring surge late in the first half as a 10-0 run gave FDU a 25-15 lead with 2:49 to go in the break. The Lady Colonels were able to recover with five-straight points to pull within five (2520) at the half. The Devils shot 41 percent for the game, including 44 percent in the second half. While Gosse was the only player to score in double-figures for Wilkes, Samantha Simcox and Khadija Bates both added eight. The Lady Colonels will be back in action Wednesday when they host Manhattanville at 6 p.m. in the Marts Center. Remaining Women's Basketball Schedule Feb. 11 Manhattanville 6:00 p.m. Feb. 14 Alvernia 1:00 p.m. Feb. 17 @ Misericordia 6:00 p.m. Feb. 21 Lebanon Valley 7:00 p.m. W' U II iH 18)8 <O<C>L<C>N 18) 11 ◄s Men's Basketball L@ DeSales 50-65 W @ FDU-Florham 63-61 Wrestling W Elizabethtown 31-9 L@ Ithaca 10-29 Women's Basketball L @ DeSales 3 9-86 L@ FDU-Florham 42-50 �FEBRUARY 10, 2009 20 SPORTS Wilkes wrestling teaID rolls Elizabethtown, 31-9 Eight wrestlers win bouts at team s last home match BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The No. 20 Wilkes University wrestling team put on a display during what was their final home match of the season, defeating Elizabethtown 31-9. The Metropolitan Conference victory improved the Colonels' record to 16-5-2 on the season. Senior Josh Pauling (133) kicked off the match for the Colonels with a 12-3 major decision win over sophomore Martin Harnish, winning the final home bout of his career in convincing fashion. Erik Smith (149) won his 99th career bout by major de- cision (11-3), in what would also be his final home match. Freshman Anthony Dattalo (141 ), winner of six straight bouts entering the Colonels ' match against Elizabethtown, helped extend Wilkes ' lead after winning his bout via pin. The Colonels led 14-6 after their first four bouts, establishing a lead that they would never relinquish. Sophomore James Histed defeated Brian Frantz 11-2 soon after to earn a major decision victory at the 157 pound level. Freshman Richard Sparks and junior Frank Heffernan followed his bout with decision wins of their own to help give Wilkes a commanding 24-6 lead. Freshman William "Buddy" Gouger and junior Zach Pizarro helped finish off the Blue Jays by winning their last two matches 4-3 and 10-1, respectively. Their wins would give Wilkes the 31-9 victory. "This match was important [for us to win] because it was a lot of guy's last time wrestling at home," said sophomore Jake Weinrich (285). "To get the conference win at the same time was just an added bonus," he concluded. "I really didn't treat it differently than any other match, to be honest," said Pauling. "For those of us who knew it'd be our last time wrestling at Marts, it was a little excit- ing, a little nostalgic, but overall we tried to just maintain our normal attitudes before going in." The loss dropped the Elizabethtown Blue J_a ys' record to 5-11 overall, with a 2-5 mark in the Metropolitan Conference. The Colonels were unable to carry over the momentum of their big win to the next night, when they lost their next match to No. 7 Ithaca 29-10 at Ithaca, New York. Their final home match of the season will be against rival King's College on February 13, at 7 P.M. E B h tc 0 s 0 ii b 0 0 l Wilkes senior Josh Pauling (right) recorded a major decision victory over Martin Harnish of Elizabethtown, earning the Colonels four points. Come watch Sexual Jeopardy tonight at the SUB Ballroom at 8 P.M. Check out "Arise and Ruin" and "This or the Apocalypse" at the Energy Night Club @ 5:30 P.M. $10,00 Enjoy a cup of coffee with University President Gilmour at Weckesser Hall at 8:30 A.M. Attend Wilkes vs. King's Wrestling @ 7 P.M. Have a happy Valentine's Day! � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 February 10th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 February 10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/4fb667210ce54ca36893c2df652faa63.pdf dec3b1b12dd3811364944f2996868342 PDF Text Text WRESTLING PAGE20 OSCAR'S DARK HORSES PAGE 13 MICHAEL PHELPS PAGE7 e k FEBRUARY 17, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 61 Issue 14 Wilkes-Barre businesses preserve in recession Alumni Assoc. offers healtjl · • insurance BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor Economic difficulties across the nation have challenged law and policy makers to take a much closer look a~ the needs of "Main Street," a term that has become synonymous with private, small business owners. While reports of chain store closings abound, some downtown Wilkes-Barre businesses are continuing to do well in spite of the doom and gloom on Wall Street. Circles on the Square, a popular deli located on Public Square for the last 24 years, has actually seen an increase in sales over the past few months. "Consistency and quality is what keeps us in business," said Phil Rudy, owner of Circles. Circles offers high-quality, take-out only menu items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The business also specializes in quirky gifts such as refrigerator magnets, postcards and postcard books, Japanese incense and wooden wind chimes, as well as WilkesBarre t-shirts. But unlike many businesses seeking to boost sales through vigorous ad campaigns, Circles relies on loyal customers to spread the word. "It is strictly word-ofmouth," said Rudy. In addition, Circles uses less expensive technology to highlight daily specials, according to Rudy. Its website has received as many as 4,000 hits, and Circles's daily specials are also faxed to over 200 local businesses in the area. Over the years, Rudy has built an enduring and loyal customer base that draws heavily on the downtown workforce. "Come again," said Rudy to a customer. "I will, indeed," said the The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki customer. . . Circles has been located on the square since 1985. ConsisRudy beheves that m part tency and quality keeps customers coming back in spite because everyone has been of economic hard times. taking measures to cut back on unnecessary expenses and limiting luxu- more affordable delis, such as his business, ries, cutting out particularly expensive res- have actually seen an increase in sales. taurants has been one method. As a result, See BUSINESSES page 3 courage young people from low-income families to consider and prepare for college. Wilkes University runs a long-standing Upward Bound program through University College. But according to the plan Obama is expected to sign, there are several elements expressly designed to impact how and how much a student pays to attend college. One important addition is the American Opportunity Tax Credit. The website states that For some seniors, the day after graduation will be a cold plunge into the real world, when they find themselves booted off their parents' health insurance plans into the growing pool of the uninsured. In order to fight the rising tide of uninsured recent graduates, the Wilkes University Alumni Association has partnered with Meyer and Associates to offer alumni a comprehensive short-term medical insurance plan. This program, which launched in January, can provide graduates with six months of medical coverage for just over $500 with a $500 deductible. " As you graduate, you're often on your parents' insurance, or Wilkes health insurance, and that expires when you graduate," said Mirko Widenhom, the director of Alumni Relations. "You' re not going to necessarily find a job immediately, or go to grad school immediately, so we wanted a program that's inexpensive and provides good coverage." Young adults are lacking medical coverage at a higher rate than any other age group. According to the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2008, 28 percent of all people ages 18 to 24 are uninsured. For college graduates, the number jumps even higher. A 2008 report by the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation See PLAN page 4 See ALUMNI page 2 Recovery plan to impact federal financial aid BYAMYFUSCO Beacon News Editor Friday the 13th has long been a superstitious date associated with bad luck. But Congress worked to reverse the stigma of that date with its 1,073-page $787 billion economic stimulus plan designed to reverse the bad fortune Americans have faced with the current economy. After President Obama signs the plan, changes across the nation are anticipated to begin in short order, and some Wilkes stu- dents will notice a change in their financial aid details. According to www.whitehouse.gov, the recovery plan includes specific changes to education funding at both the K-12 and higher education levels. For K-12, steps such as reforming the No Child Left Behind Act and addressing the dropout crisis figure prominently. The recovery plan also includes supporting college outreach programs and college credit initiatives. A few outreach programs include GEAR UP, TRIO and Upward Bound, all of which en- ON THE WEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu INDEX News................ 1-5 Opinion...........6-8 BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Lifestyles Editor Lifestyles.......9-U A&E. ........... 12-15 Sports ......•...16-20 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member w . �- - - NEWS FEBRUARY ALUMNI from FRONT PAGE that focuses on health policy, found that 34 percent of graduates spend at least part of the year following graduation uninsured. Depending on their plan, students covered under their parents' health insurance may find themselves booted off the day of graduation, the day following graduation, or the last day of the month in which they graduate. Students under Wilkes' health insurance will be covered until August. The plan offered by Meyer and Associates seeks to provide shortterm health insurance to fill the gap before graduates find jobs with their own health coverage. Prices for the policies depend upon length, premiums, and deductibles, as well as the zip code which the students claim as their address. A policy for a 22-year-old with a Wilkes-Barre zip code would cost just over $500 for six months with a $500 deductible. With this plan, students would pay a premium of less than $ 100 each month, and would pay their $500 deductible out-of-pocket before their insurance kicked in. If graduates choose a higher deductible of $2,500, the cost of the plan would drop to a little over $3~ for six months. "Most people go for the $500 deductible," said Ann Meyer Abdi, a vice president at Meyer and Associates. "Most people just aren't comfortable looking at a $2,500 deductible even if it could save them a few hundred dollars up front." When searching for plans, stu- 17, 2009 - - -- - - - ---- - - CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com 2 dents should do research .----,on the cost of a plan for their location after graduation compared to the rate using their Wilkes-Barre address. If they are moving to a major metropolitan area, it may be cheaper to buy their plan before they leave Wilkes-Barre. For example, the same plan that will cost WilkesBarre residents $500 over six months will cost those with a Philadelphia zip code $600. Additionally, some states such as New Jersey prohibit the sale of short-term medical insurance, so students would have to buy the plan while still in Wilkes-Barre if they want The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki short-term coverage. Wilkes University has partnered with Meyer and Associates to offer a comprehensive short-term health insurance Students can purchase plan for Wilkes alumni. Mirko Widenhorn, director of alumni, right, and Michelle Diskin, associate director of their plans up to 45 days alumni, left, discuss the policy. in advance to when they treated, like asthma, migraines, or ber one reason college graduates of bankruptcy is actually medical need it to be effective. diabetes. It also will not include should purchase health insurance is bills, and that's why people need "It's totally portable," said Abdi. pregnancy or childbirth services, to protect against something cata- health insurance." "Even if you think you are going routine checkups, dental work, or strophic. She gives the example of For more information, students to move, you can purchase cover- cosmetic surgery. a ski accident which resulted in a can log on to www.meyerandasage to begin while you still live in John Botch, a senior business knee injury that required $40,000 soc.com/ma/wilkes. Wilkes. Then, even if you move to major who is president of the worth of arthroscopic surgery. New Jersey, that policy would still Money Matters financial club, Graduates who take the risk of cover you because you purchased plans on looking into short-term foregoing health insurance may it and coverage began when you health insurance, especially if he be setting themselves up for finanIn February 10 issue of The were in Pennsylvania." finds it difficult to find a job in the cial, as well as medical, hardship Beacon, the wrong photograph The health insurance plan in- scarce job market. down the line. eludes services of any licensed "Most people are outside more "Mostpeoplewe'retalkingabout accompanied the Rinkside Rephysician or surgeon, prescription during the summer doing activi- would not have to take a second port. The photograph portrayed drugs, lab work, room and board ties like grilling or playing sports, mortgage on their house to pay player Ben Lovejoy. The picture at hospitals, and inpatient and out- and all that opportunity carries a $1,000 medical bill, but when should have been of Dustin Jefpatient services. extra risk or more opportunity to you start talking about $40,000 frey. We apologize for any confuThe plan will not include any injure yourself," he said. "Some- knee injuries or more than that sion this may have caused. services for preexisting conditions, times a trip to the doctor can cost a for something really serious, then -ANDREW SEAMAN which are lingering conditions for few hundred dollars easily." people can be in dire straights," EDITOR-IN-CHIEF which the student was previously According to Abdi, the num- said Abdi. "The number one cause BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Correction Editorial Staff 2008-09 Meet the staff... Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Matthew Gogas Assistant A&E Editor �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 BUSINESSES from FRONT PAGE Other businesses that have managed to survive the economic firestorm have done so because there is simply nething else out there that offers what they do. They fall into the category of "niche" stores, and downtown Wilkes-Barre offers a few. "It really is a 'niche' store," said Ryan Chamitski, in sales at Top of the Slope. Top of the Slope, located on South Main Street just one block from Public Square, sells gear for all sorts of outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, backpacking and camping. The items and merchandise that the store sells are unique because there is not another shop like it in downtown Wilkes-Barre. This year, Top of the Slope managers opted to buy less merchandise to sell; therefore, it has been harder to tell if the economy has affected sales dramatically. "It [the winter sales] started off quick, [because] the cold weather affects the business," said Charnitski. College students also support Top of the Slope and the climbing gym next door, which have the same owner. Over the past few years, Charnitski has noticed a more price-conscious customer NEWS coming into the shop. "We have a very strong customer base... We also like to see younger kids getting involved because then they are lifelong customers," said Chamitski. Chamitski says that being located in downtown Wilkes-Barre probably hasn't helped them, but the business has maintained well in the same location for 37 years. The store has been here since '72," he said. Top of the Slope and Wilkes-Barre Rocks also use word-of-mouth ad- 3 The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki vertising to attract Circles on the Square is busiest between lla.m. and 2p.m. Owner Phil Rudy said he has seen an increase in customers. Top of sales in 2008. Customers can buy things like windchimes, and Japanese incense as well as take-out food. the Slope doesn't advertise in the Clipper Magazine, which College students have also supported this use any television or radio ads, but does has coupons in it for businesses around the store. King's has a Commencement Ball ev, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7 area. ery year and Place I usually gets students Lccc Program addresses eConoml.C needs of students BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) recently approved a one-time 12-credit tuition waiver for students who have lost their jobs in the past 12 months due to the economic downturn. The program is called the Employment Retraining Opportunities Program. - The program's mission is to offer higher education opportunity to Luzerne County students who have lost their jobs to make them more employable in a changing marketplace. - The tuition waiver is equal to $1,200 and covers the cost of the classes. Students are responsible for paying for application fees and book costs. - Because the program is specific to students living in Luzerne County, those who live outside the county lines will be responsible to pay $1,200 to participate. - The courses from which students can choose will be from the Approved Programs section on the Career Link State Training Provider List. - The program will offer advanced skill training in fields such as health care, skilled trades and technology, and will be administered through the Workforce and Community Development Division. For more information about when classes begin, call the Workforce and Community Development Division at 1-800-377-LCCC ext. 407. Located down the street from Top of the Slope is Place I, a high-quality dress shop which specializes mostly in mother-of-the bride and prom dresses. Place I has two stores located in downtown Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. The Wilkes-Barre store has been doing better than the store in Scranton. "It [the economy] has affected the sportswear business more than the special occasion business. There's still going to be weddings. Mothers are still going to buy a dress. I think they are a little more price conscious now. The big event in high school is the prom. They're still going to go to prom," said Michaelene Coffee from Place I. Coffee says that she sees women who have previously bought her dresses have found new ways to cut this luxury like re-purposing or swapping dresses. However, regular customers who have the same event every year will buy a new dress for the event. "If it's a regular customer who comes in every year for something for the Heart Ball, they go to the event every year, it's the same people and they are not going to go in the same dress. And they are going to buy something. They may be a little more price conscious, though," she said. Place l's advertising is mostly on television because customers have a visual tie to the dresses after they see them. "It's easier for people to see something from King's coming into the store to buy a dress. Despite the economic downturn, Place I is still getting new, fashionable merchandise which has kept them in business and made them able to run two stores in different locations of Northeast Pennsylvania. Another local business that college students, as well as other schools in the area, support is Futuristic Innovative Graphics Incorporated. Futuristic offers services such as screen printing and embroidery which can be placed on t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and shorts. "We have been steady ... there has been no difference in our sales," said Mark Kaufman from Futuristic. Schools which have many different clubs and organizations provide a consistent need for t-shirt designs. The business is split, "Schools about 60% and businesses about 40%," said Kaufman. Students from Wilkes to Bloomsburg University to Delaware Valley College patronize Futuristic for many events. Wilkes depends on Futuristic to create t-shirts Winter Weekend, an annual event that involves team t-shirts. The t-shirt business can, however, be expendable during an economic downturn. "People can cut out anything... even food," said Kaufman. �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 PLAN from FRONT PAGE NEWS 4 Where does that $787 billion go? the "universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students." How the tax credit will directly impact current and future Wilkes students and their families, however, is still murky. Michael Frantz, vice president for enrollment services, acknowledged that the plan will not impact everyone in the same way and could be very good for some Wilkes students and not bad for others. Using the website www.insidehighered. com, Frantz explained that the compromise bill, which effects Pell grants, allocated more money than the Senate and House bills did originally. The Pell grant allocation was in- that happens, obviously the students win," creased by $1 7. l billion. Frantz clarified that said Frantz. "We certainly believe that education is a colleges do not yet know per student dollars, but it could increase the grant around $500 or major catalyst of the economy. The more change the scale to make money available to educated our society is, the stronger, I certainly believe, our economy will become," more students. Frantz added. He contends that investing According to Frantz, 35 percent of Wilkes money into higher education is an investstudents are Pell grant eligible. In addition to ment into the long term economic strength Pell grants, the recovery plan also provides of the country. $200 million for additional work study funds, Dr. Robert Seeley, associate professor of primarily focused on community service. economics, acknowledged that he does not "A percentage of our work study funds goes know all of the details of the current verto students who work in community service sion of the economic stimulus plan, but he jobs," stated Frantz, "It could potentially credid know some aspects of it. He explained ate more work study positions." Though this that it plans to increase Pell grants, which change was in the Senate bill, the compromise will have a direct impact on some college bill does not have any increase in Perkins loans students. These federal grants will have a or subsidized Stafford loans. larger impact on lower income students, "Bottom line, there is more money going but overall, the federal government is towards student financial assistance. Anytime Billion (Q[ ,,,,,jll ' arid F,am· Education and Job Training for States .. t t The Beacon/Andrew Seaman much less involved in education than the states are. "I would predict that what would happen is that Wilkes and other institutions will look at that [the Pell grant increase] and students' needs from us are less than before, so reduce financial aid that is given from the institution," stated Seeley. It is understandable that institutions would not give the same amount of money if the money comes from somewhere else. "The economic stimulus package is a combination of extra spending and tax cuts, which is going to create a much larger budget deficit than anything we've ever experience," Seeley said. This means that the government spends more than it takes in from taxes leading to borrowing money and adding to the national debt. Critics of the recovery plan's details argue that it places greater burden on future generations for paying back the debt and borrowing. Along with debt, the budget deficit will cause interest rates to rise higher than they otherwise would be which means less private sector investments because it would be more expensive due to the high interest rates. With the reduction in private investments, including less spending on machinery, which makes workers more productive, there could be less economic growth. "Budget deficits can be very useful in stimulating the economy in the short run, which is what we' re looking for," Seeley commented, although it is positive in the short run, there are some long term effects. He believes it slows down the nation's economic growth in _,._...,.,,_..-,_,_,~■ the long term even if the standard ofliving rises right away. Seeley explained that it is a battle of what is more important; fighting the recession and helping people right now versus the legitimate concerns about what this will do long-teID1. He acknowledged that both sides of the argument have merit. "If you 're 20 years old, this could really contribute to you having a distinctly lower standard of living at the age of 50 than what you could have had if we didn't have this big deficit," said Seeley. Furthermore, he added, "The question is once the stimulus package presumably helps get out of this recession, will we have the courage then to go back and cut the spending and raise the taxes and get rid of the deficit when there's no longer a recession?" He does not think the voters grasp the damages that these deficits do long term. John Brady, junior pre-med major, believes the plan was a step in the right direction because the government has acknowledged the problems in the financial system and that there is a recession going on. "[Students] have to realize that the job market is shrinking out there and people with more experience have been laid off and they will be competing with them for jobs," Brady explained. "The plan is trying to reboot the economy so that when we graduate, they'll have jobs waiting for us," he added. " In the short term, his plan will work because [Congress is] spending money on infrastructure and stuff like that, but the question is, is it going to work in the long run?" stated Brady. "The goal is to have the economy working without the government paying for everything." �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 NEWS SG Notes: February 11, 2009 WINTER WEEKEND 2009 GODS & GOD ESSES I ,,_;~ BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor Treasurer's Report - General: $11,324.74 - Special Projects: $3,864.06 - Spirit: $4,000.00 - Leadership: $8,652.56 - Start-Up: $2,100.00 ~~ tl r-) Friday February 20 Team 1 A.dephagia I / l..____ Photo Scavenger Hunt (First Floor Lounge SUB) 5 p.m.-8 p.m. J/ ------ Saturday February 21 Field Games (Grassy area beside Fortinsky) 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Volleyball/ Dodgeball Tournaments (UCOM) 5 p.m.-? ~1] r \ 1 fo-j 'featn ~--- 7 5 ToamZeus tion to allocate $550 was not passed. - Student Concerns Old Business - Acceptance of Positions - Matthew Zukoski Scholarship Fund - St. Patrick's Day Parade Update - Winter Weekend Update - High Ropes Training Course Club Reports The following clubs presented updates on their events. - Programming Board -MSC - Pre-Professional - Education Club - History Club - Choral Club Events -Winter Weekend,~ebruary 20 & 21 - VIP Day, March 21 , 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. -Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick's Day, March 15, -VIP Day March 21 , 12:30pm New Business - Choral Club Fund Request- $2,073.00 for a concert on March 22 at St. Matthew's Church in Scranton (Week One of two) - BA 343 Fund Request- request for $2,000.00 for 3-day seminar in Dayton, Ohio for five students (Week 1 of 1); mo- * At 7:30 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference room on the second floor of the HSC. RODANO'S COME CHECK OUT OUR FULL MENU: PIZZA, WINGS, STROMROLIS, HOAGIES, SALADS, & MORE! DAILY llJNCH AND EVENING MENIJ FEATIJRES - KUCHEN OPENS 11AM DAit¥, OPEN LATE WEEKENDS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY TIJESDAY & THIJRSDA¥ SATIJRDA¥ SIJNDAY HAPP\' HOUR 5-7 HAPP\' HOUR 8-10 1/2 PRICE MIXED DRINKS $8 32 OZ MIXED DRINK PITCHERS ALL DA\' TIL MIDNIGHT: ALL DA\' TIL MIDNIGHT: $2 BOTTLE FEATURE $10 DOMESTIC TAP TOWERS $3 BUDUGHT PITCHERS $3 BAR PIES $3 BAR PIES $2 DOMESTICS $3 IMPORTS $3 WINES $3 BAR PIES PUASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. ROOANo·s WIU NOT SERVE AlCOIIOl TO INOIJ/IOl/AlS l/NOER mE AGE OF 21. 53 PUBLIC SQUARE PHONE:829-6444 FAX: 270-4293 - ------- -- ·. , - ~ �KBR: Unfinished business Page 8 FE T CONTACT INFORMATION: gino. troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu BY~ Wilk wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com melt t-shi for J snm it is half in 1\ witt It'i Opinion pages aiin to spark conversation that community. The great thing about the opinion pages is that the other memThe French philosopher Voltaire bers of the community do not was quoted in a letter, "I disap- have to sit back and swallow an prove of what you say, but I will idea with which they do not agree. defend to the death your right to Over the past three weeks we have say it." seen the beginnings of a real disIn the January 27 issue of The cussion take place on our pages Beacon, we ran what has become, about the transgender community. a rather controversial opinion ar- And the discussion made us think ticle, "The about the issue more than we have Angry Rant: before. CelebratWe agree that the media does ing cultural need to change in the ways absurdities." In it, Beacon columnist Tim Seigfried focused briefly on Thomas Beatie, also known by the wider media as "the Pregnant Man," and offered his trademark satiric take on American culture, this time focused on the . transgender community. that While the staff it repof The Beacon does not share in Mr. resents Seigfried's opinion, the transgender community to be we do not apolomore sympathetic gize for running his column. to the process of transition that reThrough our classes at Wilkes we have quires great courage of those who go learned that we need to prothrough it. tect all thoughts, popular and unpopular. They are all a The fact is that transgender part of the robust marketplace of issues are widely misunderstood, ideas that will propel this nation and not just by the media. In every forward. day conversation, we have a hard The Beacon s opinion pages are time discerning fact from fallacy meant to provide a podium to the when it comes to many issues permembers of the Wilkes commu- taining to gender and identity. So, nity in that robust marketplace. yes journalists do struggle with As an alum of the university and how to report accurately, fairly, long-time member of the staff, Mr. and appropriately. There are a lot Seigfried is a valued member of of challenges we face as members BY THE BEACON Editorial Board ? • of the press when we try to take on issues we don't fully understand. For example, when do we stop using the pronoun "he" and start using "she," or vice versa? The Associated Press Stylebook, the ultimate guide for journalists, briefly touches on the subject of "transgender" noting, "Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics of 34 - year old Thomas Beattie (center) the op- was the first man to successfuly have a posite sex baby. or present is human gender expression and themselves in a way sexuality. We don't all fit into a that does not corre- neat little binary." spond with their sex At The Beacon we have disat birth." cussed the fact that sexuality is Then, when you look another aspect of diversity that up the term "Transsexual" the the world, and Wilkes, seems to book just refers the reader back to overlook. We should address that "Transgender." in our classrooms and through "The Angry Rant" is all about the student media. satirizing cultural phenomena. It As a society, how do we overis the only column of its kind at come the hurdles that remain? The Beacon, and we value the By starting conversation and acfreedom it affords us to laugh at knowledging that we all come at ourselves. But when is it socially such conversation from different and politically OK for satirists to vantage points. use humor and lampoon real isThe Beacon aims to serve its sues we all face? There is really community by encouraging conno agreed upon timeline we can versation and ensuring a free apply. Steven Colbert, because society where all ideas, popular of who he is, might be able to get and unpopular, are heard. Honaway with it faster than college estly, we did not know that we journalists, but how do we encour- were starting this particular conage the next generation of Steven versation when we printed "The Colberts if we say that certain is- Rant," but we think that The sues are simply off limits because Beacon and the Wilkes commuthey are too sensitive? We don't nity is better for it and the conyet have an answer for that. versation it started. Yes, overall, the media needs to reevaluate how it treats sexuality, because as one reader put it, "Gender is socially constructed, and refusal to see it for what it is undermines the vast spectrum that 6 AJ Opinion pages area podium for members of the Wilkes communitv to eqress opinions. The media needs to re-evaluate how it treats sexualitv as it is not completelv understood. The issue of sexualitv as another aspect of diversitv is a topic that should be addressed in the-classrooms and media. ter 1 colo the B arel' for; roa, Ym son: ice mi gr No Bl B p p b �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 OPINION 7 The Angry Rant: Ice Holes BY TIM SEIGFRIED Wilkes Alumnus It's the middle of February, but the snow is melting and people are wearing shorts and t-shirts, the sort of outfits usually reserved for June and July. But even as the piles of snow slowly morph into puddles of water, it is still winter for the next month and a half which means only one thing: we live in NEPA, and we are going to have to deal with it again ... and again. And when that final, inevitable, late winter storm arrives, it's going to be another colossal mess on the highways that turns the asphalt into ice. But the poor winter driving conditions aren't the only thing to be on the lookout for; there are countless other hazards on the roads that could very easily ruin your day. This is, by far, my biggest pet peeve. You've all seen these people, and I'm sure some of you are among the nirnrods that I'm talking about. After a heavy snowfall, these geniuses only bother to barely clean off the windshield, which is fine, except that there is a hardened shell of snow atop the roof of the car. And guess what? Once the car starts to get warm, that heat is going to travel upwards, and after about 20 minutes, that snow and ice is going to melt. And once ice starts to melt, it doesn't blow off into a million crystals that fall harmlessly to the ground like so much confetti at a parade. No, it breaks off into huge chunks, and when it catches the wind, it jettisons from the car tell you a secret-that ice is actually gunlike a parachute made of ice and pain. At ning for you. Every night, that ice hangs that point, the snow, which 12 hours earlier out with its other ice buddies, exchanging was beautiful and majestic, is now a projec- stories about the cars sent careening into tile that is very capable of launching itself the ditches earlier that day. You and your SUV are like the white whale - the ones through the windshield of my freaking car. Do you want to know something? My for which they want to cause an accident. morning commute is bad enough; I don't You're like the hot girl at the party to whom enjoy making peace with God because some every single frat guy is going to give his stu-tard didn't take five minutes to clean off best line with the hope that he can brag to his car. And I mean literally, it would have his friends the next morning. And you don't taken five minutes, not like five minutes normally fall prey to the drunken advances when your friend says, "I'll be there in five of some guy named "Jake," but eventually, minutes," and it's actually closer to 25 min- you cave. And the next morning, the ice utes. No, this will actually take five minutes, tells all his buddies that he sent the guy provided that you have an ice scraper. And in the SUV into an embankment. His if you don't have an ice scraper and you live trophy? Your hubris. in Pennsylvania, then you're an idiot, and Finally, there are the guys who are acyou probably shouldn't be issued a driver's tually dispatched to help us in our time license, because that would be like giving a of knee-deep snow and blocked drivegun to a six-year-old, and telling them that ways: the snowplow drivers. it dispenses candy and bubblegum. They do a lot of good in the winter You only hinder yourself and you put oth- months. After all, who else is going to ers at risk. I'm not kidding when I say that get up at 3AM to clear the roads? Not people have died because of this. While me. But that isn't the issue here. The those people are by far the worst on the problem is that while they are busy road, these next guys aren't much better. clearing the roads of snow and ice, they You know the ones: jerks driving SUVs are also distributing salt and gravel on with four-wheel drive, so they think they every square inch of asphalt. are able to do whatever it is that they want, That may sound like a good idea, but that salt is going to cause a bigger pain regardless of the road conditions. "Listen," they say, "I've got 50 pounds than it's worth, because that stuff sticks of sand in the back of my car, and I'm not around forever, and you'll be cleaning going anywhere. I can pass going 60. That it off until May. And does anyone know ice isn't going to stop me!" Wrong. Let me what salt does to a paint job? You may as well just dump acid on your car. Listen, snow plow drivers: why don't you use a little common sense and take it easy with the salt and the gravel? Think of the roads like a delicious hamburger and the gravel and salt as ketchup. You only need to put down as much as you need to add flavor, and that's it. Or would the gravel be pepper, and the salt be salt? This is a confusing food metaphor. Whatever I mean, stop making things harder than they need to be, idiots. Driving is a privilege, not a right. The Beacon/Pat Zeigler Michael Phelps need not wear a scarlet letter forever BYANTHONYDORUNDA Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor d I The drama surrounding swimming's golden boy Michael Phelps and the bong photo that surfaced in a British tabloid is overblown. First, let's get one fact straight: I'm not an advocate of marijuana. In all honesty, I hate the stuff. I think it ruins lives, leads to worse drugs down the line, and I don't feel it does any good for society whatsoever. Nevertheless, I don't pretend that it's not all around (especially in Wilkes-Barre, which I swear resembles the streets of Los Angeles with the recent drug busts). But honestly, this kid (and I say kid because he is only 23, the age of many college students) has been ripped apart by the media for one silly little photo that surfaced three months after the event took place. In spite of the fact that Phelps never disputed the photo's accuracy, and issued a public apology, acknowledging "regrettable behavior" and "bad judgment," USA Swimming suspended Phelps for three months and the Kellogg Co. has cut ties with him. Yes, it is clear he did inhale, but unlike other professional athletes who have engaged in questionable behavior, Phelps took responsibility and handled the situation maturely. He never flaunted his actions. Prolonged press attention will only lead to further public vilification, and for what purpose? To bring the once-heralded athlete back down to our level? A case in point: The Milwaukee Admirals, an AHL hockey team, will host a "Don't Be Like Mike" night on February 19. In short, all DARE graduates, people with the name Mike, Phelps, Mary Jane, Cheech, Chong, Weed, or anyone who has won an Olympic gold medal gets into the game for $2. On top of that, if the Admirals score in any period at the 4:20 minute mark, some lucky fan gets season tickets to all games next season. That's a joke, right? I wish I could say it was. It's an uncalled for low blow and an immature move by that organization. If it weren't bad enough, now a South Carolina sheriff is arresting kids who were at the party, looking to construct a case against Phelps. It's not like the guy went Chris Brown on his girlfriend or something. He was at a college party, a place we've all been, and decided to have a little fun, which most of us can say we have done at some point in our lives. Did he go too far? Absolutely. But the public scrutiny that has resulted from this single incident has been excessive, given the offense. The Phelps case suggests that is stems from a officer looking for fifteen minutes of fame, much like the Duke Lacrosse case. Phelps was acting like a kid. Yes, he should wise up and realize he is a colossal figure in the sports world, an icon that children and adults alike look up to. But Phelps is still human, and for this mistake he's definitely paid the price and then some. Phelps didn't lie about the situation, he didn't try and defend himself, and he didn't go after the person who took the picture. He took it like a man, even saying that he deserved the punishment. A-Rod, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens should take note. This kid is manning up to his mistakes. He's isn't hiding behind it like a coward and taking shots elsewhere. He could have easily said that it was not weed and even that it wasn't him, and he would have been believed. He told the truth, which in this day in age is like trying to nail jello to a tree. Police have defended themselves notning that they are treating Phelps just as they would anyone else in this situation. Really? If police pursued everyone with the same sort of enthusiasm for suspicion of pot use, when would they have time to catch murderers and rapists? As for the media, if I were to go on Facebook and print out all the pictures I have seen of people doing the exact same thing, and send them to any local newspaper or television station would they run them? No. Michael Phelps doesn't deserve the abuse he is taking for this photo. He made a mistake. Let him learn from it and move on. Given the offense and his response, he does not deserve to wear a scarlet letter on his chest for the rest of his career. �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 OPINION Aillericans should be outraged at KBR BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Opinion Editor Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) is the nation's top Iraq war contractor, providing duties such as water treatment, construction, food services, laundry and much more for troops stationed in the Middle East. KBR currently employs roughly 50,000 people worldwide, with more than 21,000 working in Iraq alone. The company's history dates back over 100 years, originally established in 190 I by Morris W. Kellogg. Formally a pipe fabrication business, the company made major strides during the World War II era, obtaining governmental contracts to build war ships, and the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station near Corpus Christi Texas. In 1962, Halliburton, a massive oilfield services company bought KBR, and in April 2007, more than four decades later, Halliburton formally separated from KBR, restoring it as a stand alone company. As the war in Iraq began, KBR became the United States's largest war contractor, landing multi-billion dollar agreements, and expanding its empire. Despite record profits, KBR has failed to execute agreements in a professional manner and has risked the lives of thousands in the process. The following examines the last nine years of KBR's history and lri°'{hlights some key events that should enrage Americans. 2000 Former vice president Richard Bruce Cheney resigns as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for Halliburton after a five year commitment. 2003 The Association of Military Surgeons reported that 9.1 percent of soldiers returning from Iraq/Afghanistan in 2003 suffered from digestive system problems. Another 6.4 percent had nervous systern disorders. 6.1 % suffered urological problems; and another 8.3 percent suffered from unknown illnesses. 2004 The New York Times reported on June 17, 2008, that Charles M. Smith, former senior civilian overseeing the multibillion-dolJar contract with KBR was forced from his job in 2004 after blocking $1 billion in questionable charges that "lacked credible data" from KBR, and warning the company that the military would find out. After his removal, the contract was pursued. 2005 Ben Carter, a KBR water expert at Camp Ar Ramadi in Ramadi, Iraq, reported contaminated, nonchlorinated water in March 2005. He said that KBR failed to use its own water purification equipment, allowing contaminated water directly from the Euphrates River, which contained contaminates such as human waste and garbage to be used for general purposes. Shortly after, Carter resigned after KBR apparently kept him from notifying the military. 2006 At Camp Q-West, KBR again delivered chlorinated wastewater for showers and latrines, failing to notify military medical officials. A report released in 2006 by the inspector general said, "KBR did not monitor or record the quality of water at point-of-use containers before April 2006, even though the ... contract required the company to do so." Ben Carter and Ken May (former employees), testified at a Congressional hearing in January 2006 that KBR used contaminated water from the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Carter testified that he found the water polluted with sewage and that KBR did not chlorinate it. 2008 Joshua Eller, who worked as a civilian computer-aided drafting technician with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, filed a lawsuit against KBR and Halliburton for providing everyone at Iraq's Joint Base Balad with unsafe food, water and exposing them to hazardous fumes. Eller claimed that KBR shipped ice in mortuary trucks that " ...still had traces of body fluids and putrefied remains in them when they were loaded with ice," and later served the ice to U.S. troops. The lawsuit also claimed that KBR disposed of medical wastes by disposing them in open air burn pits. Military Times has received more than 100 letters from troops KBR usues massive burn pits to dispose of waste. saying they were sickened by fumes from the McCain (R-Ariz) sent a letter to burn pits, which burned plastics, the Department ofDefense Inspecpetroleum products, rubber, din- tor General on Dec. 12 requesting an investigation based on claims ing-facility waste and batteries. On March 10, 2008, the Asso- by former Army civilian Charles ciated Press reported that dozens M. Smith who worked out of Rock of U.S. soldiers in Iraq fell sick Island Arsenal in Illinois. Smith said that in August 2004, because of unmonitored and potentially unsafe water supplies. KBR charged the government The individuals exposed report- approximately $200 million in edly experienced side effects such unjustifiable costs pertaining to as, skin abscesses and infections, dining facilities. Smith was later cellulitis, diarrhea and a variety of removed from his position. In an interview with the New illnesses after using questionable water for personal hygiene and York Times, the executive direclaundry at five U.S. military sites tor of the Army Contracting Command said the military was not in Iraq. Later in September, Albert willing to withhold money from "Jack" Stanley, a former chairman KBR because it feared the compaof KBR, admitted to participating ny would reduce its level of supin a decade long scheme to pay port for the troops in Iraq The reports are endless, and $182 million worth of bribes to land contracts to build a $6 billion continue to accumulate as the gas liquefaction plant on Nigeria's war in the Middle East continues. When will it stop? At what point Bonny Island. Stanley served as KBR's se- will the military put its foot down nior representative on Madeira, a and prosecute KBR for the unjust Portugal-based consortium called and despicable service it has proTSKJ, which was awarded four vided? KBR has been single handedly contracts for work on that comrobbing money from taxpayers' plex. for years, and for what? Even if 2009 Army Times reported on Feb 5, the organization executed its conthat Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D- tracts the right way, it would still Ore), Bill Delahunt (D-Mass), Tim be earning a more than generous Bishop (D-NY), Maurice Hinchey profit. I am ashamed to learn that (D-NY), Keith Ellison (D-Minn), the government has continued to Sander Levin (D-Mich), and Ally- conduct business with this comson Schwartz (D-Pa), joined a list pany, and has no intentions of oflegislators concerned about ser- stopping, despite the information vice members who say burn pits in that has been widely reported by Iraq and Afghanistan have made different sources. The American people should them sick. A report showed that military personal were exposed to challenge their representatives to burning petroleum products, plas- carefully examine KBR's contracts and services. Those of us tics, and batteries. On January 9, CBS reported that who proudly claim to support our Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich) military should do just that and deand ranking Republican Sen. John mand accountability from KBR. 8 Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon coducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overal attitudes of students on campus. The Beacon asked: Do you feel that Wilkes should implement home rule? •Yes -75% • No -20% • Undecided - 5% Next Week's question: Has the media been insensetive towards issues dealing with sexuality? •Yes •No • Undecided Visit www. wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �Week in the life of an AFROTC cadet PAGE 11 . li ostyllos FEBRUARY 17, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com 9 Phar01acy student learns life lessons after brain surgery BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Managing Editor While skiing in early January with Wilkes students in Killington, Vt., p I pharmacy student Erica Hoot lost control of her snowboard and hit her head when she fell on one of the courses. "It was kind of powdery so I was getting stuck, and I just fell and hit my head ... My heels got caught too far in and I just wiped out. . . It was a stupid fall. . . I was fine after that and I went boarding two days after that," said Hoot. An athlete in high school, Hoot felt that she knew what it was like to have a concussion and figured that was why she was experiencing headaches after the fall. Over the next week and a half, Hoot's headache returned and progressively grew worse. "I could not stay awake ... I normally stay up pretty late, I was going to bed around ten," said Hoot. "I looked, like, sick." Jessica Lopatto, a p 1 pharmacy student and one of Hoot's closest friends, noticed the difference in Hoot. "[She] was going to class less and less as time went on ... We were all really worried ... She just wasn't herself at all, miserable. She just didn't look right. .. All she wanted was pain medication," said Lopatto. Even Hoot's professors noticed a difference in her behavior. "I can remember seeing her increasingly more distressed and I knew some things were going on," said Dr. Mary McManus, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences. When Hoot told the nurse at Wilkes's Health Services that she had hit her head on the ski trip, she was told to go to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for a CAT scan. They also made her an appointment with a local neurologist. "I was really afraid at first. My first trip to the hospital, I was hysterical because I've never been to the hospital before for anything serious ... " said Hoot. "I was freakin' out. I was just hoping everything would be okay and the doctor came in and was like 'You have a blood clot in your head.' And I just started bawling." According to the medical assessment, Hoot's head injury in the skiing accident hole's only like the size caused a blood vessel to break, and a col- of a pencil. And... by lection of blood had formed on the surface pushing in water, they of her brain. The CT scan revealed that the pretty much let [the subdural hematoma, or blood clot, was lo- clot] drain out of my cated on the left side of her head, over the head," said Hoot. She added, "If I part of her brain that is responsible for conwould've just let it trolling many key functions. Her headaches grew worse as the clot break up on its own, it grew, taking in more fluid and creating would've gotten bigger and I could've started pressure over the area. "I was really lucky, actually. Because of to have problems." Approximately three how big it was and where it was, I had the potential of having function problems. Be- hours later, the procecause I'm right handed and it was on the left dure was over and Hoot side of my brain, I could have lost function- woke up in the intening of writing and · motor skills and stuff. sive care unit. "I was fine after surI could've had problems with speech and gery, eating normally stuff, too," explained Hoot. A neurologist then told Hoot that she and stuff. . . They were would need surgery to remove the clot, but amazed at how fast I he wanted to wait to see if the clot would was recovering, after break up on its own. He told her to stop tak- three hours I was sitting ing pain killers, like Ibuprofen, to monitor up in bed eating graham crackers," said Hoot. the intensity of the pain. Photo courtesy of Erica Hoot Within 24 hours, she That night, Hoot went home to HughesErica Hoot, who underwent brain surgery on January 26, ville, hoping that she would not have to was released. returned to classes after just two weeks of recovery time. According to Hoot, have the surgery. On Saturday, she worked Following a skiing accident, Hoot experienced excruciating an eight hour shift at CVS Pharmacy and recovery from her surheadaches before a CAT scan revealed a blood clot located gery should have taken felt little pain. "[But] Sunday morning, I couldn't even up to three weeks, but over the part of her brain responsible for key functions. see straight. I just came downstairs and she was ready to go back to Wilkes by the pated. And she came back and started getcurled up on the couch and my parents end of the first week. At a post-operation ting perfect scores." Catching up with school work will be took me to the emergency room because appointment, her doctor told her she could I couldn't even open my eyes because my return to school the next week and though challenging, but Hoot feels that she has she had previously been instructed not to enough time left in the semester to make up head hurt so bad," said Hoot. After two hours in the emergency room at drive for up to three months, he gave her anything she has missed. "I think one of her strengths was her abilGeneral, another CAT scan was performed permission to get behind the wheel again. Though Hoot received the green light for ity to communicate as well as she did with and surgery was scheduled for the following morning. Hoot texted her closest friends to many of her activities at this point, contact everybody, which is why [doctors] picked let them know what was happening while sports in addition to snowboarding remain it up," said McManus. "I think for someoff-limits for up to six months. one [her] age, the thought of something like her parents updated relatives frequently. On Saturday, February 7, Hoot made her that is just so far from your radar screen and "When I found out that [she] was going to be out for weeks, I was like, bawling. I was official return at the Pharmacy Ball and I think she was just exceptional with hanlike 'Erica's not going to be able to catch on Monday, she began classes again. She dling it and communicating with people, up and she's going to fall behind!' Our ma- jumped right in and took an anatomy quiz letting people know things were wrong ... I think it saved her life." jor is ... intense and if you're not going to that same day. "She didn't want to miss anything... Hoot recognizes this and claims that it is school, it's hard," said Lopatto. At 6:45 a.m. on January 26, surgery to When she came back, I was shocked. She one of the lessons learned through the exevacuate the subdural hematoma clot be- came back and she walked into my office perience. - you know when you see someone and you "If you feel like there's something wrong, gan. "Basically what they did - they didn't don't expect to see them? I was like 'Wait go to the doctor," said Hoot. " ... And now have to shave any hair or anything - they a minute, you're not supposed to be here!"' I'm going to wear a helmet, [but] I'll never cut a one-inch slit in my scalp, pulled back said McManus. "I think she recuperated give up snowboarding." the skin and drilled a hole in my skull. The significantly faster than anyone had antici- �10 LIFESTYLES FEBRUARY 17, 2009 Enthusiasts light up for International Pipe Smoking Day BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor There are designated days for everything you can imagine. April 25 marks World Pengiun Day, and Clean Air Day in Canada comes around every June 6. However, one day in the calendar has been recently reserved for pipe smokers around the world. On February 20, pipe smokers around the globe will "raise their pipes together to foster friendship, benevolence, and tranquility across all borders," according to the United Pipe Clubs of America. This February, International Pipe Smoking Day will be celebrated for the second time. The Comite International des Pipe Clubs or CIPC, which is the umbrella club for many of the national pipe smoking clubs such as the United Pipe Clubs of America, is very excited to celebrate the day. According to CIPC's official website pipeclubs.com, "We envision a worldwide communion of pipe-smokers that is bound together by a shared love for pipe-smoking, mutual respect, and goodwill" on February 20, 2009. One Wilkes professor who shares these sentiments is Dr. Michael Garr, professor of sociology and anthropology. In addition to his day job, Garr is a pipe/cigar enthusiast. Garr's love for pipe smoking began over 12 years ago on a whim. Now he owns over 80 pipes and holds the role of President of the Pocono Inner Mountain Pipe Enclave. In that role, Garr tries to tum people onto pipe smoking whenever he gets the opportunity. On Tuesday nights at El Humidor, located 525 Scott Street in Wilkes-Barre, meetings for the Pocono Inner Mountain Pipe Enclave are held. There are currently 13 members of the club. "For most, the major topic of conversation are guns and Family Guy ... there's a few people who are very serious about their pipes and the rest are just there for really good camaraderie," Garr said. Smoking a pipe can take anywhere from an hour to three hours. And time is of the essence in pipe smoking competitions. The competitor gets five minutes to rub out three grams of tobacco and load it into the pipe. Then one minute is allotted to light the pipe with two matches. After it is lit, the competitor kicks back and sees how long he or she can smoke it. Garr took first place in the 2008 Northeast Regional Slow Smoke competition. He also competed in the CIPC's smoking contest in Germany. Adam Zwolinski, a senior environmental science major, works at El Humidor and is also a member of the Pocono Inner Mountain Pipe The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick Enclave. The Pocono Inner Mountain Pipe Enclave meets Tuesday nights "It's very relax- at El Humidor. There are 13 members of the club who come ing because it's together to enjoy the camaraderie and smoke pipes, which can such a long pro- take from one to three hours. cess," said Zwolinski. draw to it is still the same. Relaxation and This long process dates back to the 17th camaraderie are what come out of pipe century when tobacco plants were used by smoking for many. At 9 p.m. on Friday, February 20, pipe Native Americans and then brought over to Europe to be sold. Since then, pipe smok- smokers are being asked to share in a worlding has been refined and renewed, but the wide bowl. B a 1-i.1es & N o ble W ilkes-KiI1g's B ooksto1·e 7South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 = 570.208.4700 ~wilkes.bncollege.com Live "Free" l\lltisic Eve1•y ,i\7ed11esday Niglit a11d 111ost Friday's 2 5% discoU11t 011 a11ytlri1ig yot1 ptu·cl1ase fi·on1 tl1e cafe during tl1e perfor111a11ce! F1·iday Night Art Walk with A11n S1nith at 5:00pm Al.111 is tl1e c1~eator of HLife Stories Ren1e1nber''. Sl1e \'\7 ill be doil1g a presentatio11 of"preservu1g perso11al l1istories: yo11rs a11d tl1ose of yot1r loved 011es'' . Come andjoin us for a special visitfrom 'Tacky the Penguin:,:, during story time. We will be readi11g Tacky' s stories dt.u'i11g our \'\7eekly sto1y til11e, a11djoi11 t1s afterwards for a special visit fi·o1n Tacky lli.rnself. Satt1rday 111oi-11il1g at 11: oom11 • New Age Book Clt1b , 111eets every last JVI011day of eacl1111011tl1 at 6 : 3op111 tl1is Mo11day' s book of tl1e 111011tl1 vvill be "Tl1e Moses Code" �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 AFRO TC students balance college life, lllilitary training BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor A college student's schedule can be hectic: get up, go to class (sometimes), eat, study, socialize, go to sleep, and wake to repeat the cycle each weekday. Now imagine adding mandatory physical exercise, extra classes, and artillery training. Wilkes University participates in . the ROTC program run through King's College, but Wilkes has its own Air Force ROTC (AFROTC), Detachment 752, on campus. According to its official website, Detachment 752 "recruits, educates, and commissions officer candidates from any of our 13 colleges and universities in Northeast Pennsylvania." There are approximately 46 cadets in the Wilkes chapter of the AFROTC program. In addition to the 30 students from Wilkes, cadets in Detachment 752 come from 13 regional colleges, universities, and community colleges, including Bloomsburg University, East Stroudsburg University, King's College, Misericordia University, Marywood University, and Luzerne County Community College. Cadets of the AFROTC gram are required to have one hour of class (three hours for juniors and seniors), two hours of lab, and two hours of physical training per week at minimum. "That's a common misconception. Yes, that is what we' re required to do and is the baseline. However, that doesn't take into account all of the Honor Guard, recruiting and community service events we do. Plus, we still have to take time to prepare our uniform every week and take part in other flight activities and any specific jobs we may be assigned," said Jared Dewire, a senior engineering major and AFR OTC cadet. Junior history major Michael Gargano has classes almost every day of the week. He bounces from class to class, trying to earn the 120 credits necessary to fulfill his history degree. Along with the classes for his history major, however, Gargano also spends his "free" time bouncing back and forth from meetings with officers, physical training sessions, and ROTC training labs. "If there is one thing I am learning, it's time management. It [AFROTC] takes up a lot of time, but the officers are really good about making sure no one has too much on their plate," said Gargano. As a junior, Gargano, alongside his AFROTC classmates, is a POC (Professional Officer Course) cadet. POCs are responsible for training the freshmen and sophomores, or GMC (General Military Course) cadets, according to the official site for Detachment 752. A typical Monday for Gargono, and many of the other 46 cadets apart of Detachment 752, sees him going to the detachment building to speak with one of the officers about a project he is _currently working on. "We are creating a mock-deployment exercise. We will be working in Indiantown Gap, an Army National Guard training center. We will be spending a few days down there learning some deployment skills, small unit tactics, self-aid, and buddy care, obstacle course, and leadership challenges, to name a few," said Gargano. Tuesdays, while filled with classes for many AFROTC students, are when Gargano usually attends his one of the two physical training sessions of the week each AFROTC cadet must attend. "While physical training times depends on the school you are at, we usually start out with stretching, then running for thirty minutes or so ... basic calesthetics," said Gargano. Wednesdays are Gargano's "slower" days, in which he focuses on school work and AFROTC work to prepare for Thursdays, which are his most hectic days. Thursdays for AFR OTC cadets consists of hours upon hours of leadership lab. Leadership lab is the AFROTC training, consisting of everything from team-building to artillery training. On top of leadership lab, ca- dets then must do another hour to hour and a half of physical training. AFROTC Thursdays typically begin around 1:30 p.m. and last until 9:30 p.m .. "Fridays are usually for me, and for most people, a recovery day from Thursdays. We need time to come back down from all the training," said Gargano. While most college students have the ability to put their work off over a day or two of the wi.ekend, AFROTC students are not that fortunate. Weekends for AFROTC students consist of even more training, approximately three hours any given day, as well as community service events and ROTC fairs for local colleges that hold college fairs and open houses. Students in the Wilkes' chapter of the Air Force ROTC, Detachment 752, balance physical training, at left, with community involvement, like taking part in the parade above. �Al & E ~~ PAGE 14 ~ FEBRUARY CONTACTINFORMATION: alyssa.benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu matthew.goags@wilkes.edu I \ ~ 17, 2009 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 Teen's vision for arts expansion leads to Vintage Theater BYYOHANNADE LOS SANTOS M. Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Seventeen-year old Connor O'Brien stands in the doorway of the Vintage Theater in Scranton, looking more like a teenager hoping to while away a couple of hours to avoid homework, rather than what he really is: the theater's owner and the mastermind behind its development. The Vintage Theater's goal is to resurrect theater's classics for new audiences. O'Brien is its co-founder and executive director and belies the stereotype of teens who are only attracted to the very newest, edgiest movies and videogames. But when O'Brien speaks about his pet project, he seems far older than his 17 years. "Last spring the concept came to me. It's based off the revival theaters which are very popular in bigger metropolitan areas, and these were more directly the influence of the Boston revival theaters. My mother lived in Boston for several years," said O'Brien. O'Brien's mother, Barbara, is Vintage Theater's co-founder and its current artistic director. The O'Briens' first vision for the theater was as a place where they could simply show vintage films at affordable rates. "Then it [Vintage Theater] grew into where we would do other related cultural arts and events like bands, improvs, and live theater. It wasn't until about June [2008] that it took solid ground," said O'Brien. At that time, O'Brien and his mother chose a name, had organized fundraisers, and began planning for a schedule. And all of the planning paid off, when the Vintage Theater's grand opening took place January 16-18. O'Brien describes his family as very creative, and arts-oriented. "My sister Maggie, who is also our board director, is a professional actress. She has done work in the local area," said O'Brien. His brother has also been a public speaker for speech and debate. Mother and Artistic Director, Barbara O'Brien said, "What I truly feel is unique about the theater is its blend of profession- alism, with personal comfort. It combines the best of both worlds." Vintage Theater is a non-profit organization. "We have had about four classic films, which included last weekend's The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) ... We have had about almost a dozen bands already. We have a lot of other stuff coming up; we've [even] had improv shows," said O'Brien. Dylan Loughney, member of the band "Satellite" which has performed at the vintage, said, "Me and my band think though that the theater was awesome! We can't wait to perform again." Abby Kem from Steamtown Improv said, "I've performed in a lot of places before, but the relaxed atmosphere of the Vintage definitely makes it one of the best!" However, the Vintage Theater is not only about films and bands. Organizers are about everything related to the arts. " ... We've had a photographer come in and hang his work which is still hanging currently," said O'Brien. "Next weekend we have the Carey Grant, Audrey Hepburn thriller Charade. Very classic and a very nice movie," said O'Brien. The small, intimate theater seats about 50, so it offers patrons a unique, personal experience. "What's really important is having a good team with you ... the biggest part is that you have to absolutely plan ahead," he said. Prices are set just right for college students. "Evening shows are $5, matinees are $3 ... $7 dollars if it's a really special event," said O'Brien. The Vintage Theater is located in downtown Scranton at 222 Wyoming Ave. CD Review: N.A.S.A. 'Spirit of Apollo' out of this world BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor Sure, compilation CDs are a great way to make money. Throw a bunch of people on a record that appeal to the masses and what do you have? Instant cash. We are currently on NOW 1,000, I believe, and still going strong. However, what do you get when you mix Kool Keith and Tom Waits? There is no punch line. You get brilliance. Or how about Karen-O doing her thing with ODB? Again, nothing short of genius. The difference between the never-ending NOWs and N.A.S.A, "The Spirit of Apollo," an album out on ANTI-records, is the two creative masterminds behind the album, Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon and their urge to bring people together via good beats and meaningful lyrics. Backed by Brazilian funk beats, N.A.S.A., which is an acronym for North America/ South America, has succeeded in creating a mix/compilation that doesn't sound forced. It's as if everyone just happened to stumble into each other at the supermarket and promptly decided to cut a record. I mentioned that the album is a compilation of artists, but N.A.S.A. is the shining star of all compilations. The Cool Kids, Santogold, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Lykke Li, Ghostface Killah and M.I.A. amongst others make an appearance on the album. Everyone contributes in their perfect niche, working independently to create a whole sound that transcends categories. Track twelve, "There's A Party", features the one-and-only George Clinton and Chali 2na. i:ne CD liner notes Clinton as, ''vocals, conscious altering, and prune juice." With an opening that resembles See N.A.S.A page 14 �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 The Dark Knight and his Dark Horses at the Oscars BY KENNY BROWN Beacon Staff Writer • The time has come once again for the big wigs at the Academy to make their choices on who they believe deserves the top honors in film. This Sunday, February 22, we will watch the red carpet roll out, the flashy dresses light up the stage, and maybe, if we're lucky Sean Penn, will beat someone up. But I do know one thing that will not be happening. Neither The Dark Knight, the highest grossing film of the year, nor Defiance, one of Daniel Craig's best movies, will win the Academy for Best Motion Picture of the Year. Yes, Oscar night provides yet another opportunity for the Academy's judges to snub some of the best work out there. This year topping the list of the snubbed are none other than The Dark Knight, Defiance, and Seven Pounds. First let us begin with the obvious, The Dark Knight, Warner Bros. summer extravaganza. After becoming the highest grossing movie of the year, many Academy followers believed there would be a few more nominations than just Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor. The buzz was that Christopher Nolan would get a nod for Best Director, Christian Bale for Best Male Actor, and possibly even a bid for Best Film. But alas, January came and went, and took the Oscar nominations with it. Left crying in the comer was Batman and Christopher Nolan with the Joker cackling and grinning his way to the Red Carpet. Some were shocked. Some were happy. And some were left all alone to think about what they had done in Gotham City. the Academy went on a binge to rid itself of those pesky extra Seven Pounds. These were not the only snubs this year. There were a few more such as Bill Maher's documentary Religulous, which should have been up for Documentary Feature. Then there was the nice snub thrown Kate Winslet's way for her role in Revolutionary Road, for which she won a Golden Globe. And then came the musical punch in the mouth when Bruce Springsteen's title song for The Wrestler was body slammed. And last we have the short-sighted pass on the ever-popular Swedish horror flick Let the Right One In. Even if it's a great horror movie, the Academy is too go~ for screams and scares. Well the time has passed for tears and tissues. The nominees are in and have been for some time. The winners will be announced this weekend. I guess the Dark Knight will be riding his Dark Horse far, far away into the sunlight, while the Joker wins posthumously, God bless him. Not only was it shocking when Academy judges left The Dark Knight in the dark, but also when they abandoned Daniel Craig's newest movie, Defiance. The story is about two men and a boy who fought against the Nazi forces in World War II and tried to help as many Jewish victims as they could to safety. In spite of the great storyline, it received not one single nod. And this was when many believed Craig to be a contender for Best Actor, and the film itself to be in the running for Best Film. It seems after Valkyrie the Academy decided to steer clear of any Nazi flicks this season. Finally, comes the slightly surprising snub of Seven Pounds, a thinker drama starring Will Smith and Rosario Dawson. I watched it online (legally of course) and even went to see it in theaters again. Both times I was surprised at how well done it really was. It seemed to me that Rosario Dawson was worthy of a Best Supporting Actr(l.ss nomination and maybe even a far shot nod for Best Film, or even Best Screenplay. But when push came to shove FUTURISTIC INNOVATIVE GRAPHICS ~ofJ:Sh coat: ,:. .N SCr-•• , pRz,rrSR. SCRIIN PR1Nr1NG IMBROZfJIRY pROM(lflONM zt; lOClTECI IR WILKES-BARBE A.CROSS FBCJM HDL r BKJJEENEB MIAS DOMINO'S I.ND CURIA IEY!BA.G!! Greg Heindel, freshman Pharmacy major, takes pride in hanging the newest addition of the Dark Knight movie to his varying poster collection. S70 . Ba3.9272 IWWW . 4 -SHIBTS . CDM •voue HOME FOB WINTER WEEKEND! �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 N.A.S.A from PAGE 12 light-hearted doo-wop with sporadic claps that make me feel like I'm hanging out with friends, the goal of"There's A Party" is obviously to have everyone up and shaking. And it does just that. I couldn't imagine attempting to sit still with any of the tracks blasting on the stereo (my roommates reinforced my thoughts). The album artwork is also splendidly thought out. I am in love with picking apart an album, looking at the lyrics, the thank-you's, and most importantly the designs. I was not disappointed in N.A.S.A.'s artwork and neither was Vice magazine. Listeners who take time to examine the four leaflets wouldn't believe they are for the same album. It's nice to see a CD that caters to all aspects of art-the visual and musical. I encourage anyone who likes Brazilian beats or any of the artists featured on the album to go out and buy it to support this type of collaborative effort. We are all one world/each and everyone ofus.- "There's A Party" Friends and organizers of the concert for Art Redmond, which took place Sunday Feb. 15, was held at the River Street Jazz Cafe. The concert featured the bands Cabinet, The Woody Brown Project, Mike Miz and JMMD. All proceeds from the concert benefitted the Miguel Leon orphanage in Ecuador where Redmond volunteered in his spring semester of 2007. Redmond was very well-loved within the Wilkes community. For more information on the concert go to www.wilkesbeacon.com F EBR �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING Beacon Staff 1 3 10 4 11 11 13 14 li' 20 i:i4 67 Across February 3 Crossword Answers , D t• E 7 2 I s p C E L 0 E G 17 L 8 A 12 A D L 13 L E 1 5 9 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 25 26 32 35 36 37 39 42 43 44 es D A 68 A X E A D R A T T N A E S E Y E S 45 50 51 54 Uttered by mouth Kibbles 'n Often becomes broken Bubbly beverage Object of worship Sleep disorder Country north of Thailand Steak Sauce Elector Annie was one Save for later Rear part of a ship the Terrible" of Russia Two couples eating dinner Time period Roman god of war Thought City in western New York Keep from sight Reveal secret matters Female horse Hot tub Identification digits Like some signs Optimal Where boats are built and repaired 58 60 61 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 Powerful businessper son First five books of the HebrewScriptures Supernatural force Therefore Friend Second stage of psycho sexual development Cease Stitch again Ambulatory appendages Logical Down 1 Capital of Norway 2 Lion sounds Take into one's family 3 4 Struck with a whip 5 Twice a year Bachelor's last words 6 7 Organs at the back of the throat 8 Arm covering 9 Cuba Capital 10 Literary genre 11 Opposed 12 Mouthpiece of a wind in strument 13 21 23 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 38 39 40 43 41 46 47 48 49 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 62 Weight of a vehicle without cargo Agreeable odor Small amount Male friend, Slangly Convulsive twitch March 15th Spring Tide Festive occasion Recedes Regulation governing conduct From a distance Mulder's employer Web device Where electrons may be found Ordinary and dull Impoverished In a careless way Tract of open ground Common type Break for school kids Main artery Enter a computer Heavenly body Residence of a person or family Colored portion of the eye Boy servant Slangy rejection Annoy by persistent complaints �Fl CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu FEBRUARY 17, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Wilkes Colonels defeat Manhattan ville, Alvernia BYANTHONYDORUNDA Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor One game after Wilkes had its second player in as many games topple the 1,000 point mark, the Colonels needed every single point from each to get past the feisty Valiants from Manahttanville. The Colonels came out on top 54-49, after a furious 8-0 run in the final 2:4 7 of the game to take home the victory and stay in the thick of the Freedom Conference race. Fourteen of the Colonels 54 points came from the free throw line, despite shooting a Shaq-like 58% from the line. Numbers did not matter this game however, as Manhattanville shot a mere four times from the charity stripe. The Colonels' leading scorers, Steve Kline and Tom Kresge, led the team in scoring with 13 points apiece. Kresge also pulled down a team leading eight rebounds while Kline went 6-9 from the free throw line. Both Kline and Kresge recently reached the 1,000 point plateau for their careers at Wilkes. The Colonels played from behind with 9:23 to go in the first half until Kline hit a pair of free throws with 1:04 to play. "Against Manhattanville in the second half nothing was going well for us at all and we couldn't really get closer than ten points," said sophomore guard Kyle Ruby. "Everything changed when [Kline] dove on the floor after the ball and we ended up getting a layup out of the play. Everyone started playing harder from that point on just because Steve made a very good hustle pla.;' The Colonels then laced it up for the final installment of "Marts Madness" this past Saturday versus Alvemia. Wilkes rolled to a 77-63 victory over the Crusaders, behind the sweet stroke of sophomore Chris DeRojas. DeRojas led the team and set a brand new career high with 37 points on 11 of 18 shooting from the field, including a scorching 7-11 shooting from three-point range. Twenty of DeRojas's 37 came in the last five minutes of the first half, with the Colonels amidst a 37-6 run which took them from being down six with nearly ten minutes to play, to a very comfortable 46-26 lead at the break. Tom Kresge chipped in with 22 points on 9 of 15 shooting. Steve Kline, who suited up for his final home game in the blue and gold, finished with 11 points, a team-high six rebounds and dished out five assists. The 14 point victory avenged a nine point loss to Alvernia suffered earlier in the season. The Colonels have rolled off three in a row and now sit at 13-9 overall, including a respectable 9-6 record in the Freedom Conference. They take the court again on Tuesday, when Wilkes makes the quick trip to Dallas to face Misericordia, whom the Colonels upended 59-53 in mid January. "The team is finally feeling confident as a whole and everyone is playing for each other," said Ruby. "If we are peaking, like we all believe we are, we are peaking at the right time going into the postseason." On rua1 Col, tea1 ver· for gall Thi nel to sta ga1 Kl Ct bo Se b~ Si b~ 01 L tll u 01 p tl h 11 I I (Above) Number 24 Steve Kline watches the ball bounce around the rim as Tom Kresage (33) stands poised for a possible rebound. (At left) Chris Gulla (3) dribbles past a defender en route to Wilkes' 54-49 win over Manhattanville. �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 17 · SPORTS On Saturday February 14 the Lady Colonels basketball team took on Alvernia University for their final home game of the season. The Lady Colonels were unable to overcome a slow start and lost the game 71-54. Seniors Khadija Bates and Chelsea Gosse were both recognized for Senior Night. Number 25 Samantha Simcox shoots the ball during the game on Saturday. The Lady Colonels will take on Misericordia University in Dallas on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. before finishing the regular season at home against Lebanon Valley on Friday February 20 at 7:00 p.m. Steve Kline and John DeFeo were recognized as seniors of the Colonels' basketball team on Saturday, February 14, as the team took on Alvernia College in the Marts. Sophomore Chris DeRojas had a career day posting 37 total points in a game Wilkes won 77-63. Number 4 freshman Michael Donatoni looks for a pass during the game. The Colonels will close out the regular season this week when they visit Misericordia on Tuesday, February 17, and then Lebanon Valley on Saturday February 21. 6 f!¢1f a!/ ~(UJ [NJ [Q) ~v WWW.CHANGEABLE SKIES.COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT: william.henryOO@comcast.net CLEAN AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT One Stop Cleans It All ~00 ul]fii\~ [1(1] rn. [}XD tr0rn~ 08l!Jm~ 00)~ l1Drng Only $1 .29 /lb does it all: Wash, dry, fluff, and fold. em Henry ,_ 215-768-4619 AVAILABLE APARTMENTS READY TO LEASE JUNE 2009: PEARCE MANOR 84 WEST ROSS STREET Pick-up and delivery services available • • • • Professional Dry Cleaning Modern Coin Operated Laundromat New Large Capacity Washers Clean, Bright and Safe Facility 25 West Side Mall, Edwardsville, PA 1 8704 (Same shopping center as Price Chopper) 714-1740 Credit Cords Accepted 200 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET JOAN HENRY HALL �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 18 SPORTS s RINKSIDE REPORT Penguins trying to avoid hairy situation BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer When the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins practice on the day before a game, the team usually concludes with a game of Juice Boy. The rules are fairly simple. Every player at practice, as well as head coach Dan Bylsma and assistant coach Todd Reirden, take turns taking breakaways. If the shooter scores, they're eliminated. The last player without a goal is the Juice Boy, who makes sure his teammates are properly hydrated by delivering beverages around the locker room after practice. Ordinarily, Juice Boy is a fun way for the team to practice one-on-one attempts and showcase some stick handling abilities that they might not get an opportunity to try during an actual game. "It's a good way to show the goalie something new and maybe try to get a good laugh out of the teammates," said Penguins defenseman Danny Richmond. But once a month, the Penguins raise the stakes. Juice Boy becomes Mustache Boy, and the loser of that game has to grow a mustache for a month. "It's adds a little tension, adds a little fun. You get the jeers from the crowd," Bylsma said. "Guys are picking horses at the end ... They're making horse sounds and jockey sounds and whipping the horse. Inevitably it ends up being one person. There's lots of good hearted fun that's going on." Sure, players can joke around with their teammates once they're off the hook. But nobody wants to be the last man standing in the game. Especially if it means they have to go without shaving for a month. "You don't want to lose Juice Boy," said defenseman Ben Lovejoy. "But the consequences of losing Juice Boy are nowhere near that of losing Mustache Boy." "It's a pretty funny game once you're out of the game," said Richmond. "Guys get pretty stressed out, but it's pretty funny to see the reaction of the guys when they're in the last three." The incumbent Mustache Boy is winger Tim Wallace, who hasn't shaved his upper lip in about three weeks. According to Bylsma, players have the option to shave their mustache if they are willing to pay a $500 fine. That money goes into the players' fine fund, which is used to organize events like Super Bowl parties. "Every time I look in the mirror, it's a little different," Wallace said. "But we're winning, so it's fun." With _the Penguins _now 54 con/Michael Ci noli games mto the season, Just about everyone on the team has had an Penguins winger Tim Wallace has been growing his opportunity to be Juice Boy, in- facial hair since he lost a game of Mustache Boy in eluding goaltenders John Curry late January. and Adam Berkhoel. The goalAfter looking at Wallace's recent facial ies lose the game if they are beaten on four hair growth, however, gathering refreshconsecutive shots in the opening round. ments for the entire locker room is a task "It's not a goalie tailored game, because that members of the Penguins are perfectly the better you do, the longer you have to content with doing from time to time. go," said Curry. "Whereas the better the "Getting juice is pretty easy, compared players do, they get out early, and the game to walking around with that thing on your gets over." face," Love·o said. Sc•'-'«: I - Li'-'< :.s Ec11r, ■■ =• ■■ p IVle> ■■ Interstate Blood & Plasma Inc_ 665 Carey Ave Wilkes-Barre .. Pa Call (570) 823-4119 Fe II - BY Bet Vi to bi ketb ruar vict, to 1 whi ove TI lea< slw goa Wi1 thr1 �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 SPORTS 19 Sloppy play dooIDs Lady Colonels' basketball BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor . Visiting Manhattanville College proved to be too much for the Lady Colonels' basketball team to handle last Wednesday, February 11 , handing Wilkes a 71-57 loss. The victory helped improve the Valiants' record to 13-9 (9-4 in the Freedom Conference), while dropping Wilkes' record to 10-12 overall (5-9 in conference). The Lady Colonels jumped out to a quick lead thanks to a Manhattanville shooting slump that saw them make their first field goal with 15:07 remaining in the first half. Wilkes and Manhattanville traded baskets throughout the first half before the Colonels took a six point lead with eight minutes remaining in the half on a layup by Chelsey Gosse. The lead, which would prove to be their largest of the game, would not last long unfortunately. The two teams tied at 25 points apiece on a basket from freshman guard Samantha Simcox before the Valiants scored the last three points of the half, taking a 28-25 lead into halftime. The story of the game could be found in the second half, when Manhattanville scored 21 points off of Wilkes' turnovers. The Valiants came out of the break using a very aggressive full-court press style of defense that forced Wilkes' women's basketball team into 16 turnovers. The Valiants also scored eight fast-break points in the second half. "We learned that we have to do a better job transitioning back on defense since they're a team that loves to run," said sophomore forward Mari Gabriel. "The loss really came down to them beating us up and down the court; in the future we just need to play better defense in general, especially in transition." Manhattanville took a 47-38 lead with I 0:38 left, and never looked back. They would score 43 second-half points in the game, and score 32 points off Wilkes' turnovers. The loss was the second Wilkes suffered at the hands of Manhattanville this season, although the first was a very competitive game that saw the Valiants win 78- 76 in overtime. "Manhattanville is a very fast, fundamentally sound, athletic team," said Gabriel. "They're tough because they use those three things to their advantage and are constantly running on defense and offense." Chelsey Gosse led Wilkes' in scoring with ten points, while Simcox and freshman center Lindsey Gosse contributed nine apiece. Lauren Grenier led Manhattanville with 15 points. The women's basketball team's next game is tonight at 6 P.M. at Misericordia. Khadija Bates (34) tries to get a pass to Brittany Ely (22) near Manhattanville's baseline. The Lady Colonels' gave up 32 points off of turnovers in the game. 'W' 11 0 ◄lR iff)S <O<C>JC..<C>~ •HJ n◄s Women's Basketball L Manhattan ville 57 -71 L Alvernia 54-71 Wrestling W @ King's 29-9 Men's Basketball W Manhattanville 59-54 W Alvernia 77-63 �FEBRUARY 17, 2009 20 SPORTS Wilkes defeats King's in final match of season, 29-9 BY RYAN HOLMES Beacon Correspondent Senior Erik Smith received his 100th win on Friday night in impressive fashion by pinning King's junior Frankie Davis with 1:01 left in the second period. The rest of the Colonels followed his lead in a 29-9 victory over the King's College Monarchs. Smith said that coming into the season he was unsure of his record, but once he figured out that he could accomplish this, feat he set his sites on the milestone win. "Getting the 100th win was definitely in the back of my mind as I stepped onto the mat, but I didn't expect to pin. Just a win that's all I wanted", Smith said. Seniors Shaun Farnham and Josh Pauling got the ball rolling with 6-2 and 6-3 victories at 125 and 133 over King's freshman Mike Tabasco and Anthony Dietrick. The three seniors finished their dual meet season with all wins, but the realization of it being their last dual meet in a Wilkes singlet has yet to set in. "I haven't really thought about it", Farnham commented. "I still feel like I have so much to prove with the Metropolitan Championships coming up that's what is on my mind now; getting ready for the Metros." Pauling confirmed the fact that it hasn't really hit him yet either that he had just wrestled his last dual meet. However, he is proud of what he and his other teammates have accomplished. "I'm definitely going to miss everything though. After four years I'm proud of what I've accomplished", Pauling remarked. The rest of the Wilkes wrestling team followed the examples of their senior captains and stacked up some impressive wins in their route to victory. Sophomore James Histed added to the victory collection with a 0:49 second pin of Chris Poleto at 157. After putting the Colonels up with an 18-3 lead, Richard Sparks came threw with a nail biting 4-3 victory over Jerry Robbins. King's would then record two victories at 174 and 184 which made the score 219 with two more matches left in the dual meet. Without hesitation Matt Pizarro walked in the center circle and only needed 3:17 to record an 18-2 technical fall over Lewis Snover. With the heavyweight match left, Coach Laudenslager opted to put sophomore Chris Smith up against the 20-6 junior heavyweight Chris Rash. Coming out of the first period Smith trailed the very talented Rash 1-0. However, Smith would then put on an impressive second and third period by scor- ing six unanswered points to obtain a 6-1 victory to finish off the Monarchs. After the match Coach Laudenslager commented on his memorable seniors by saying that he is proud of what they have accomplished in the years he has coached them. "They are all very hard to replace that's just shy of 300 wins that are leaving the line-up, but they have 10 more days to get focused and accomplish their goals of being champions", Laudenslager said. "But they will all be missed." The Wilkes Colonels finished their regular season with an overall record of 17-6-2. They now look forward to the Metropolitan Championships on Sunday, February 22 at York where they all feel as if they have much more to prove. FEBRUAll Eco BY ANDR: Beacon Edi The econ pact Wilke University expect a $ fiscal year, the 2009Petra Ca said that tt including number of "Weha" not essent it's not es period of_ vice pres1 their depa is not ab "We also expenses hold thos are hopin much as been ask1 up to 11~ Re Wilkes performed impressively in their match against the King's Monarchs, which will serve as a good tune up before the Metropolitan Championships. Senior Erik Smith works for points in route to his 100th win for the Colonels. Please attend the memorial service for Dr. Matthew Zukoski at 11:45 a.m. in the ballroom of the Henry Student Center Visit the Painting the Beautiful art exhibition at the Sordoni Art Gallery at 12:00 p.m. Go see "Eat, Drink and Be Larry" at Wachovia Arena at 7:30 p.m. Visit the website for prices. Wilkes' 2009 Winter Weekend begins! This year's theme Gods and Goddesses! The Wilkes University Department of Visual and Performing Arts presents Le Revue Fairytale, a musical of fairytails for grown ups at 8:00 p.m. BYGIN Beacon, Goven a plan tc ally to l pay for revenue poker m vate clu Ifapp below~ the 14 i � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 February 17th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 February 17 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/107a8de5f251588f9c053687a8b27edb.pdf a4aea95e6f3165d496c6a9aa07cee77b PDF Text Text 20 l>EANUT BUTTER PAGES n a 6-l The er com, saying accomj them. :tt's j ust line-up, focused ; chamey w ill FEBRUARY r regu- 17-6-2. :ropoli1ary 22 y have 24, 2009 CHEERLEADING PAGE 16 POETRY IN TRANSIT PAGE 13 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Editor-In-Chief BY AMY FUSCO Beacon News Editor The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick With a $2.5 million deficit for the 2009 fiscal year, the large-scale renovations for the Stark Learning Center to become the SHE building are slowly moving. Carver said that the hiring freeze impacts non-essential positions and does not apply to teaching positions. Dr. Tim Gilmour, president of Wilkes University, said that Wilkes administrators have not planned to lay off any existing employees, but the future is still 11ncertain. See ECONOMY page 3 Rendell to iinpleinent electronic gainbling sity sual lrts aif ai- ; at Issue 15 Econoiny causes hiring freeze and deficit County's teen suicide rates rise The economy continues to adversely impact Wilkes University into the new year. University officials acknowledge that they expect a $2.5 million deficit for the 2009 fiscal year, which means a leaner budget for the 2009 -- 20 l 0 academic year. Petra Carver, vice president for finance, said that the deficit is due to several factors; including a decrease in enrollment and the number of students housing on campus. "We have curtailed any expenses that are not essential. We have put off hiring where it's not essential or [we can] hold off for a period of time, and we have asked every vice president and the provost to go into their departments and curtail anything that is not absolutely necessary." She added, "We also will look at some of the capital expenses that have not been committed to hold those back. Those were the steps we are hoping that we can curtail that deficit as much as possible." Budget managers have been asked to cut current operating costs by upto 11%. rik Volume 61 BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Op-Ed Editor Governor Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) has devised a plan to help generate $550 million annually to help over 175,000 college students pay for tuition. His idea is to generate revenue through the leagalization of video poker machines in restaurants, bars and private clubs. If approved, students whose families earn below $100,000 a year and attend one of the 14 state universities or community col- leges would be eligible for up to $7,600 for tuition, books, fees and room and board. Video poker machines have already been legalized in nine other states, most recently in Ohio. "In the plan, everyone pays something, but what they can afford," State Education Secretary Gerald H. Zahorchak said at a news conference on February 3. "We will eliminate the gap between what families can afford to pay and what they are forced to pay, often by borrowing tens of thousands of dollars." ON THE WEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes. edu INDEX News............... 1-5 Opinion...........6-8 It took lawmakers about 18 months into Rendell's first term to legalize slot machine gambling for school property-tax cuts. The proposal has many tavern and club owners excited because it presents an opportunity to re-ignite an industry that has been hindered by recent indoor smoking bans and tough drunk driving laws. "If the casinos have it, why can't we?" said Urby Urbanas, co-owner of Bart and Urby's Downtown Bar Bistro in Wilkes-Barre. "It See RENDELL page 5 Lifestyles....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 According a recent Citizens ' Voice article "County's teen suicide rate raises ala1ms," suicide rates among teenagers in Luzerne County are among the highest in Pennsylvania. While statistics on the county's 2008 suicides are still incomplete, school officials have plans to raise awareness and increase prevention. College students are in the age group where suicide attempts are of particular concern. Mark Allen, dean of student affairs, believes suicide is a very serious issue that is not easily talked about. At Wilkes for over 20 years, Allen has dealt with numerous cases of depression and suicide attempts within the student population. "It's something that we probably could do more in terms of sharing information about particular behaviors to look at," stated Allen, "Even at that note, in some cases, successful suicides can occur without any of the real common warning signs." For privacy reasons, Allen was unable to attach any hard number to suicide attempts on campus. Student affairs officials have specific protocol to follow when the warning signs of suicide among students become apparent. If a student is suspected of harboring suicidal thoughts, counseling is a must. Susan Biskup, campus counselor, believes w· See SUICIDE page 2 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member . . . �NEWS FEBRUARY SUICIDE from FRONT PAGE it is highly important to give more attention to the young people in the community in terms of the increase of depression and suicidal attempts. "We need to do more work on prevention which would include education, preferably continuing education of parents, teachers, clergy, physicians, etc.," Biskup said. "We can speculate about variables that may affect a high of suicidality such as demographics, economics, sociopolitical equality and/or family structures," she added. She explained that students who are at higher risk are those who face problems that are out of their control such as divorce, alcoholism, and domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse . Due to the suicide attempt numbers in Luzerne County, the county has become a pilot for an adolescent suicide prevention program. According to the Citizen's Voice, the state Depaitment of Public Welfare announced that a $1 .5 million federal grant was awarded to Pennsylvania, $500,000 per year for three years. With the grant money, laptop kiosks will be purchased and placed in doctors ' offices. Seven primary care practitioners will ask all patients in the age range of 1424 ~ars o.ld to take a voluntary questionnaire on the laptops. It is an 83 question survey that can determine if a person is at high risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts based on the answers they give. The primary goal of this program is to help the young people quickly if necessary. "I believe this could be a very 24, 2009 According to Citizen s Voice, a recent study by the state Department ofHealth uncovered several suicide and self-injury trends of Luzerne County residents, ages 14 to 24, including: CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu j acqueline. lukas@wi lkes .edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com 2 pennsylvania. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH • • - Non-fatal self-injury rates are lower than the state average, but "completed" suicide rates are significantly higher. - Adolescents' choice of hanging/firearm death (considered "highly lethal means") is twice the state average. - The county leads the state in suicide deaths of males ages 20 to 24- mainly because they tend to choose highly lethal means. - Since 2002, more than $240,000 was spent in Luzerne County hospitals and emergency rooms to treat self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Ultimately, all died from the injuries. - The county leads Pennsylvania in most expensive hospitalizations for adolescent self-inJury cases. - Within the next months, MHMR will use about $71,000 of the initial grant money to begin a primary care-centered suicide prevention program. helpful tool as long as it is handled in a confidential manner," said Biskup, "Many teens are going to their primary doctor for mental health symptoms and one in five teens who commit suicide have been to their doctor the day before." If it were up to her, every doctor's office would have a licensed mental health professional BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu located on site for referrals and crisis intervention. "This would remove the possibility that teens, and others, would receive prescriptions for mental health issues without following through with counseling for their issues," Biskup explained, "When we prescribe without counseling, it is like putting a bandaid on a wound without treating the infection." Allen explained that if a Resident Assistant notices a resident who is depressed, it would come to the attention of student affairs. RA's or any other Wilkes community member can contact the office for advice and student affairs would contact the counseling center located in the first floor of Passan Hall. " If a parent, family member, friend or anyone involved in the teen ' s Ii fe notices that the teen is depressed or withdrawn, it is very important to pay careful attention to behaviors while keeping the lines of communication as open as possible," Biskup said. Editorial Staff 2008-09 Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Mike Cignoli Staff Writer �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 ECONOMY from FRONT PAGE of er, he IS :ry on he as We have not, in any of our plans to this date, included any idea oflayoffs. If everything stays the way it is, and enrollments, while they might go down slightly, stay in the same range, I think we can weather," said Gilmour. But Carver addecrthat the school must be prepared to layoff staff if the situation becomes worse. "Well we have to be prepared, of course. We hope that ifwe take all the measures we can take that we won't have to go to that step. Is there any guarantee? No, because we just don't know under the current economic circumstances what that will mean for fall enrollment," said Carver. She added, "And should that happen, then we will have to take appropriate measures, but so far we are able to manage without that. We will do whatever we can to avoid that, but I can't guarantee that we won't get there .. .It really depends on how our fall revenue comes in, because our next big step is fall of '09." Wilkes administrators hope to woo prospective students during this recession by keeping its tuition increase lower than most other regional schools - at 3.5 percent. "We really try to manage with as little an increase as we can, because we know how tough it is on students," said Carver. Carver noted that the smaller increase makes next year's budget much harder to plan for, but she said she is obligated to have a balanced budget when she presents to the Board of Trustees. Luckily, for Wilkes, graduate program enrollment performed better than expected meaning there was a surplus of $1 million to cover the shortfall in expected undergraduate enrollment. This money allowed Wilkes to close a gap in next year's budget. Carver also explained that the balanced budget means no pay raises for faculty and staff - including cost of living. Several othr projects will be impacted by the leaner budget as well. Gilmour said that plans for the Science, Health and Engineering building are looking more like a large scale renovation, irlstead of a renovation, demolition and addition due to a slow down of the capital campaign. Carver added, "[The capital campaign is] not really on hold. We are out fundraising, but we try to be conscious of our donors' financial situations." Both Gilmour and Carver said the school cannot push off the renovation for much longer, as Stark Learning Center faces numerous problems because of age and outdated science facilities. Gilmour added that the Wilkes community should not let fear of an economic di- NEWS 3 saster stop them from being productive and creative. "People are afraid. And fear is probably the least productive reaction that you can have. Even I, as president , have some fears of this thing coming, but that's not the reaction that gets you to productive and creative action," said Gilmour. "What we really need everyone to do is to understand we may have to change the underlying funding structure of this institution, but we won't do that irl a way that... we sacrifice our progress to our mission ... " Carver explained the current deficit as something the school can manage, "There is a difference between budget statements and cash, because not all transactions on the budget statement are cash transactions. So there is a difference there." She added, "If However, Wilkes does have a "plan B." Both Carver and Gilmour explained that there are backup plans in place in case the economy grows worse or fall enrollment is less than expected. This is the first of a two-part series on the budget crunch at Wilkes University. In The Beacon s next issue we will examine campus reactions to the economic savings strategies. To read the letter President Gilmour sent to faculty and staff, please visit: The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick Due to the economic deficit, Wilkes has been forced to make tuition increases and also, a hiring freeze. The University has to make due with as little as possible during the economic difficulties. Projects like the SHE building will be affected because of a general decline of the capital campaign. we have deficits, what it does, it will affect cash. At some point in time we would run out of cash if our deficits would continue to grow and get bigger. Since this year, we had several surplus years in previous years, this year we hope we can maintain it to a manageable level. Cash-wise we will be ok. It will affect our balance sheet. .. if we have a deficit it will take away from the net worth and make us worth less. www.wilkesbeacon.com �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 4 NEWS Noon leaving Wilkes to assuine position at TCMC BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor After four years at Wilkes as the university's controller, Ann Noon announced last week that she will resign to begin a new chapter in her career with the Scranton-based Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC.) Noon will finish the spring semester as controller at Wilkes, and take on the same role for TCMC, the region's new medical college which is slated to open later this year with its first class of approximately 60 medical students. Noon desc1ibed the job at TCMC as an opportunity to develop and work with different people that could expand on her higher education. At Wilkes, Noon's duties include financial reporting for the university such as payroll, purchasing, general financial reporting and grants. As the controller at TCMC, the job duties will be slightly different but the functionality of the position will be basically the same. "I will absolutely miss Wilkes University. I love what I do. I've never had a problem getting up and driving to work in the morning," said Noon. Others will miss Noon around the office, as well. The director of the procurement office, Justin Kraynack, worked closely with Noon for about three years. "She is great. .. probably one of the most professional controllers I've worked for. She has a great sense of humor but is also extremely professional," said Kraynack. "We will really miss her. She has been a great mentor to me." Noon lives in Moscow so her daily commute to work will be cut when she begins at TCMC, but that is not the reason that she took the job. "This is a unique opportunity that doesn't come along very often. This is a new organization that is a large employer but an economic benefit [to the region] as well," said Noon. TCMC is a non-profit organization and it is also projected to create The Beacon/ Lauren Biernacki about 1,000 new jobs, and add about After three years at Wilkes University, Ann Noon will leave her job as the controller at the $70 million to the local economy end of the semester to take a similar position at The Commonwealth Medical College. once opened. The college is independent and not affili- Pennsylvania based on a study done in As far as Noon knows, the college has ated with any other colleges in the area. The 2006 showing that the need for a medihired about 100 new employees in the past mission of the school is to increase the num- cal school in the area was apparent. year to 18 months. ber of physicians working in Northeastern SG Notes February 18, 2009 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor reasurer's Report -All College: $17,711.75 - General: $10,324.74 - Special Projects: $3,864.06 - Spirit: $4,000.00 - Leadership: $8,652.56 - Connferences: 19,530.09 - Sta~p: $2,100.00 tub Reports The following clubs resented updates on heir events. - Programming Board -MSC ew Business - BA 343 Donation Request (Week 1 of 1) motion was passed to allocate $1,397.00 - Choral Club Fund Request (Week 2 of 2) motion was passed to allocate $2,073.00 to e Choral Club for a performance on March 2, 2009 at 3p.m at St. Matthew's Church in cranton - Zebra Communication Fund Request Week 1 of 1) $535 was allocated to Zebra ommunications for the Wyoming Valley hildren 's Association basketball tournament nd to have a team from SG in the touma- ment - Adventures in Science Fund Request (Week 1 of 1) A motion was passed to allocate $2,000 to Adventures in Science which benefits children from area schools - Ultimate Frisbee Fund Request (Week 1 of 2) asking for $1,480 for tournaments - Chemistry Club Fund Request (Week 1 of 2) Chemistry Club is asking for $2,000 for an airfare to Salt Lake City, Utah - Cannabis Defense Movement Club Recognition (Week 1 of2) - Winter Weekend Budget Approval (Week 1 of 1) $2,400 allocated Events RA Appreciation Week February 2327, 2009 IRHC Mardis Gras Celebration Tuesday February 24 7-9p.m. first floor lounge *At 8:30 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. fast f~Plf ~(UJ [NJ [Q)[&V CLEAN AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT One Stop Cleans It All ~oo rn~a 11[3u rn ITXD LttOOJm [}8(!J[I]0Tiv IIDm u0rng Only $1 .29/lb does it all: Wash, dry, fluff, and fold. Pick-up and delivery services available • • • • Professional Dry Cleaning Modern Coin Operated laundromat New Large Capacity Washers Clean, Bright and Safe Facility 25 West Side Mall, Edwardsville, PA 1 8704 (Same shopping center as Price Chopper) 714-1740 Credit Cards Accepted I ] f ~ a tl 0 0 �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 RENDELL from FRONT PAGE would just be nice to see them spread it out a little more." Urbanas also added that if the legislation passed, he would consider obtaining a few machines. Under the proposal, the state Department ofRevenue would regulate ,the industry. The Rendell administration has estimated that approximately $550 million could be raised annually for tuition assistance. This estimate is based on the state's assumption that around 8,800 establishments would seek licenses, with an average of four machines per establishment. Pennsylvania State Police officials estimate there are roughly 17,000 video-poker machines currently operating illegally. In 2008, state police seized 537 illegal machines. If approved, establishments would have to purchase machines that comply with state standards, and would be linked to a central computer system, much like the slot machines already used in Pennsylvania casinos. Despite possible gain, many politicians have openly voiced their concerns. Paul Clymer (R., Bucks) said, "That is not good public policy... in fact it's awful that we NEWS would even consider doing this ... The video poker machines are the most addictive of all gambling instruments." He added that hundreds of thousands of dollars have been invested in designing programs to hook the player. Clymer also criticized gambling as an " ... unstable form of money," due to rising competition between states. "When you go into this whole issue of gambling, you better know what direction you are going to go, and what the unintended consequences are." The plan has also left many of the state's newly formed casinos with a feeling of unease. Robert Soper President and C.E.O of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs voiced his own concerns. "When you introduce more supply into a market, it's going to impact the industry. I certainly think the purpose and the goal is worthy, paying for tuition and improving our secondary education system. However] it doesn't make much sense to raise money in that manner. .. My question would be, if you're going to raise money through gaming, why wouldn't you do it in an environment that is highly regulated?" The electronic gambling machine bill is expected to be voted on in the near future. 5 Coming to WilkesBeacon.com Pick the winners ... ... be a winner. The ne,v and itnpi-oved WWW .. wi kes.edu. �012f.!1i.<:!ofl CONTACT INFORMATION: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com An open letter to Bishop Martino BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Your Excellency, The Wilkes community has always been blessed when it comes to religious freedom. Our campus is comprised of Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Protestants, agnostics, and other religious and philosophical perspectives represented by our diverse body of students, faculty and staff. So this letter comes to you not from a student group at an institution exclusively supported by the Catholic church, but rather an independent perspective. It's our hope that our voice may add another dimension to the conversation and another perspective for you to consider. Over the past several months we have seen many news reports, read your pastoral letters and discussed your actions. First, please understand that our goal with this lefkr is not to criticize your ideology. You espouse long-held traditional Catholic doctrine, and one with which a specific element within the faith agree . After all, that is what religious freedom is all about. However, as students at a private, independent institution, we see it is our responsibility to protest your methods, particularly when they alienate members of our community. We first started to pay attention to your actions when you said that some politicians may be refused communion if they support a woman's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. We recognize that abortion goes against the teachings of the Catholic church, but so do many things that your parishioners do, and refusing them communion is, in many ways, akin to closing your doors to those seeking a relationship with God and the Church. Following your line of argument, your priests should refuse · com- and devoted to the teachings of the approach could work because it munion to anyone who strayed Catholic Church, then you need takes responsibility off of your fro m the path. Surely there are not fear them falling prey to any- office, cuts cost, saves a few enough rumors swirling around thing the church deems immoral churches, and does not encouryour churches to provide the cel- or unholy. Again, your obj ection age your flock to look elsewhere ebrant with enough fodder to deny and threats are designed to isolate for spiritual homes. However, communion many people: the sin- rather than unify. Gone are the this would require you to relingle mother, the homosexual, the days in our culture where pater- quish some power to the people of the Catholic Church and divorcee, someone who terlet's face it, you don't have minated a pregnancy in their the best track record when youth - just to name a few. it comes to that. Recently, your representaYou have been fighting tives reported to the media the formation of a Catholic that you would close St. teacher's union for years Peter's Cathedral if Scranand the only thing that ton's annual St. Patrick's boils down to is the fac t Day Parade were to feature that you refuse to tum over any pro-choice politicians, the slightest bit of power and the parade's organizers acquiesced. The Beacon/Gino Troiani to your parishioners. Be The reason listed in the let- St. Mary's located on South Washington St. warned: a dictatorial and ter was to simply avoid con- Wilkes-Barre may face possible consolidation absolute central governtroversy; however, we do not in the future. ment will only lead to disaster in the end. Eventuunderstand why you would ally you will not be able punish your parishioners for someone else's actions. Techni- nalistic threats can actually work, to control every aspect of the cally, elected officia ls represent especially with youth. Ameri ca's church and things will start to all of the people, but this doesn't youth wants to openly discuss and slip through the cracks. We don't tell you this because mean that local Catholics neces- values diverse perspectives. Stem sarily supported them in the vot- warnings will likely drive the fu- we want you to fail. In fact, the ing booths. Nevertheless, they ture leadership of your church opposite is true. We want you to thrive. The Scranton Diocese has fire our government officials and away from it. the ultimatum you put forward efAnd then there is the closure of always been an important part fectively drives a wedge between the dozens of churches around the of our community, and to see it community members. St. Patrick's area. In this case you take off your evaporate would be disheartenDay is a holy day and a day to cel- Miter and put on your accounting ing, to say the least. Such and ebrate in the Catholic Church. Do visor. As you know, the numbers erasure would change the local you really want to be the person don't look good. The annual ap- culture fundamentally. True conversation happens to tum away hundreds of people at peal is down and so is attendance. the door? We believe that both are only go- when both listening and talking Another recent controversy in- ing to continue to drop thanks are balanced. We urge a frank volved Misericordia University to a growing sense of alienation conversation with your parishwhen its officials invited Keith among local Catholics, and espe- ioners. Go to church, sit in the back and just talk to them, walk Boykin to speak at the school. cially among young Catholics. Boykin is an acclaimed speaker You can't honestly believe that among them, and listen to their who is also gay and addresses a by shutting down all of these concerns. This is a trying time variety of diversity issues. Your churches you are actually going to for the entire world and your objection is that homosexuality help the diocese. There must have people need their faith, they need is inconsistent with the teachings been another option on the table. a leader - not a pastoral letter or of the church and therefore it was Perhaps you can tum total finan- a recorded message. Sincerely, unseemly for Misericordia to en- cial control over to the leadership The editorial staff of The Beatertain such a person on campus. at every church and tell them that Why would you concern yourself within a year and a half, if their fi- con. with this? If the students who at- nancial situation does not improve, tend the speaker are truly faithful they will be forced to close. This Martino's actions have caused Catholics to rallv against him. Losing the Catholic Church would change the local culture fundamentallv. Martino should . recognize a separation between church and state. 6 �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 OPINION 7 The Angry Rant: Cash, Credit or Baby? BY TIM SEIGFRIED Wilkes Alumnus A few weeks ago, Nadya Suleman, an unemployed, single mother of six, gave birth to octuplets after receiving in vitro fertilization treatments. Since we've heard this all before, I'll get right to the details: three of her other six kids are disabled, there is no father, and Suleman set up a website so that people could donate money to help her pay for her brood, despite the fact that she is receiving food stamps and other monies for her first six. Even more recently, it was reported that a 13-year-old boy from the UK fathered a child with a 15-year-old girl. As it turns out, two other teenage boys have also come forward, claiming that they are the father. Even more disturbing is the recent report that the family of the mother may have chosen the 13-year-old as the patsy father to cash in on the media deals that are sure to roll their way. So, we have a mother who shouldn't have had any kids giving birth to eight more through the use of shady medical practices, and a 15-yearold girl who appears to be prostituting herself to a payday. I think we can all agree to say that they both had this coming. These kids should be taken away from the respective mothers immediately. Why? Because the "parents" in both cases are nothing but opportunists. The octo-mom hired a publicist to handle media inquiries, and reportedly wanted $1.2 million dollars to appear on Oprah. For what? You gave birth. Big deal. Can I get paid for dropping a deuce? No. Then why should you get paid for giving birth, in this case an act of sheer stupidity? The "parents" in both of these cases have pea-sized brains and are using their children for profit, and guess what, you stupid media types are letting them. And when little Johnny and Suzie tum 14, they can have kids too, because they are going to get loads of money for doing nothing of value to the society or to their own life. I don't understand the desire to throw money at these people for having kids. That only perpetuates the notion that babies = $$$$$$, except that all those babies are going to be neglected because mommy is too busy getting a facial because she has to appear on The Today Show and talk about how lucky she is. And what about the British 15-year-old? She is being rewarded for bad behavior, essentially. Apparently, she nailed this 13year-old, and now other kids are coming forward to say that they, too, may be the father. It sounds like this girl wanted to get knocked up, and then blame it all on her little patsy 13-year old "lover," so that they could reap the benefits of a culture that actually rewards this sort of behavior. George Washington would be spinning in his grave right now ifhe wasn't too busying partying with Ghandi and Mussolini. (Wrap your mind around that one.) We need to slap these people (metaphorically speaking, of course), and if we, as a culture, continue to throw money at these idiots, then this is going to keep happening, and the cycle is going to perpetuate itself again and again and again. Seriously, what is stopping a teenager from making such choices? They see that there is money to be made, so why not? Except that they are stupid, and they don't understand the concept of "media saturation." So it's just one more child that the parents don't care for because they are selfish people. And really, what is our obsession with babies that don't belong to us? "Ugggh Brangelina had another baby! Oh my God! What? That's crazy!" Here's a thought: Care about your own baby. That way, when they don't tum out to be a drug bag or a criminal, we can take solace in the fact that it just takes a little bit of effort to raise a kid. Also, children are not accessories or conversation pieces. Good for you, you adopted a kid! Awesome. Why don't you take that energy that you are wasting telling us that and go play catch with them. Or help them with their homework. Or, here's a thought, just tell them that you love them. I know I rail about this a ton, but it needs to be said because it keeps on happening. In 20 years, when we are overrun with stupid people, I'm going to point the finger at every one of you parents who are more concerned with your Blackberry than your kid's piano recital. Guess what? I'm well adjusted, I'm content, and most importantly, I'm not a complete eff up! Why? Because my parents cared. They cared about me and my siblings. And I'll care about my kids, and they will care about theirs, and so on. The point is, we are living in a society now where everyone wants to get paid, not for excelling, but for being astoundingly mediocre. The octo-mom is going to get paid for having more kids, and now, this 15-year old is getting media attention for being nothing more than a petty expletive (rhyme!). There is no motivation to do the tight and smart thing anymore. "We want to pay $2 million for your story!" You know what the rest of us, sane people want? We want to pay $2 million to have all you idiots sterilized. America, England, and whoever else wants to pay these people - Don't, please don't. Childbirth is a beautiful thing, and it should be treated with respect and reverence, because there is nothing like cradling in your arms the child that you and your loved one created for no other re-5on than love. Not love of money, or love of fame, but love, which is something that is escaping us anymore. It's all about money, and it's all about our 15 minutes. Well, here 's your 15 minutes, idiots. Congratulations, you have both proven to be liars and thieves. And those little bundles of joy? Don't be surprised when they end up in jail or worse because their parents were too stupid. But that's just me. (c:ct-: lvr":~ 2/ Joes t>f'" .I\ doors. ~.,. ~ ~ tv,~ .. /L- ,1.ew wor- 11. u"' ~ r./-vv1" 1-1~ / [}~~ '\. WO/\ f,'[(tl fJ t>~ k-t.-r~ ~~ ve r-s,u~s. ol --;:;~ l Fe l.· ps:.e A- Vt e- H£ 'l r~ The Beacon/Pat Zeigler �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 OPINION 8 How to spot a fake: Know your llloney BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Opinion Editor BLURRING Bills are specifica lly designed so that computers will have trouble photocopying them. If done, the intricate details will appear smudged or blurred. It is most easy to spot this error within the president's face . Beacon Poll Results I'm sure at one point during our lives; most ofus have dreamed what it would be like to print up some cold hard cash. Extra dough for gas, clothes, or even a new car. The scam of counterfeiting dates back as long as currency has existed, and despite technological advances, has reinvented itself while showing no signs of slowing down. To protect you, and preserve the purchas ing power of the American dollar, I am going to examine a few key security features which have created headaches for counterfeiters around the world. The Beacon a~'ked: COLOR SHIFTING INK FEEL/COLORED STRANDS Currency paper is composed of 25 percent linen and 75 percent cotton, which gives a distinct feel. You should also notice that the ink is raised, so that it pops out. Red and blue synthetic fibers of various lengths are distributed evenly throughout the paper. SECURITY STRIP Look for an embedded plastic security strip. All bills post 1990 (except $1 , and $2) will have one. You can see it easily ifheld up to a light. The strips are placed in different places on each bill. This feature was added to the $50 and $100 bills in 1996, the $20 bill in 1998, and the $10 in 1999; $5 and lower bills do not have it. Head on, the ink will appear a metallic or gold, but when tilted to the right or left, will change to a dark green. Peanut butter scandal causes sticky llless BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor Peanut Corporation of America has officially become the last place I go to stop my hunger pangs. The company, based in Virginia, has been blamed for the sa lmonella outbreak that has caused the largest peanut butter recall in history. The ~ tbreak has been blamed for at least eight deaths as well as 575 illnesses in 43 different states. FDA official Michael Rogers was quoted in an article on cnn. com acknowledging that the products were shipped after tests revealed that traces of salmonella were entrenched inside. "In some instances, peanut products were shipped by (the company) prior to having assurance that the products were negative for salmonella," said Rogers. Peanuts go through two sets of tests before they are thrown onto the trucks to be shipped out. In this case, the first test came back indicating traces of the disease in the peanuts. This is a fair warning sign to throw the peanuts out. But no . Instead, in a sly move by the company, peanuts were shipped out before the second test The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overal attitudes of students on campus. could run its course. The salmonella issue is certainly bad enough. But, it gets worse. Much worse. Their plant in Georgia has been cited for the use of harmful insecticides around the open air food s. It has also been under investigation fo r repo1ts of roaches, mold, and rodent feces. To make matters worse, their in Texas has also been under fire for its conditions. The plant, which has remained uninspected and uninsured for four years, has also reportedly been discovered to house dead rats, rodent excrement, and bird feathers in the working area. Come again? Dead rodents! And animal poop? Now I'm not saying that every factory is a pristine, marble tiled, spotless architectural beauty, but the alleged health and working conditions violations by Peanut Corp. of American just cross the line. Yes, a ce1tain amount of "external factors" are allowed in all foods. but this i~ just too much. Imagme going to make that wonderful peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and in your tasty scoop of peanut butter you find a scrumptious rat tail. Probably full of protein and fiber! That's despicable, and so is this company. How in the world can a national peanut butter plant that ships its product nationwide, knowingly send out food laced with salmonella to fellow Americans? How can it duck required inspections and force workers to work in the sorts of conditions that have reportedly been uncovered at the Georgia and Texas plants? Americans, be outraged. This company is knowingly putting Americans lives at risk to make a quick buck. It's hard to look at this situation and give the company another chance. Why? Because it's already had a second chance. That's right. The latest bombshell wasn't the first rodeo the corporation had with the FDA. Back in 2001, FDA inspectors found that products were potentially exposed to insecticides, one of several violations uncovered during the last visit federal officials made before the cmTent food-poisoning scare, according to a repo1t obtained by The Associated Press. Seriously? This happened be- fore? And they got away with it? Perhaps there 's a little justice in last week's report that the corporation filed for federal bankruptcy, but even that doesn't begin to address the fact that the greed-inspired actions of a few caused death and widespread fear across the nation. Those who participated in the shipment of the tainted products should be charged with murder in the third degree. Yes, I'm sure they did not mean to cause death to anyone, but the fact of the matter is that's exactly what they did. They shipped out the peanuts, knowing well the potential ramifications. In this case, American trust was violated and people died. The perpetrators should go to jail. You don't get three strikes in this business. In the area of health and welfare, it's a one and done deal, which is exactly why this company should be imploded. There is not one way to look at this situation and find a light at the end of the tunnel. unless that light is from a freight train about to barrel you over. Harsh'! I know. Deserved? No doubt about it. Has the media been insensitive towards issues dealing with sexuality? • Yes -33% • No - 67% • Undecided - 0% Next Week's question: Do you agee with Bishop Martino's recent decisions? •Yes •No • Undecided Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Maj or, Yea,; and Opinion.' The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �Rock Climbing PAGE 11 li ostyOos FEBRUARY 24, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu leeann. searfoss@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com g Public safety, admissions anticipate Winter Weekend revels BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon L(festyles Editor For Wilkes students, Winter Weekend is traditionally a three-day blur of themed team games, innuendo-laced t-shirts, scavenger hunts, and concerts. And when the school-sponsored events wind down for the night, that's when the parties start. But for staff at Wilkes University, Winter Weekend isn't all fun and games. Throughout the weekend, different departments take various precautions to keep the campus running smoothly. Winter Weekend is a Wilkes tradition, an annual event that works off a different theme each year and provides stressed students with a whimsical way to blow off the steam of their hectic schedules. But like any event of this kind, Winter Weekend isn't immune to getting out of hand. In order to guard against dangerous escalation, Public Safety officials schedule more officers on duty for the weekend. The admissions department also changes its schedule to accommodate Winter Weekend. While Winter Weekend brings the potential for a sharp rise in legal offenses, especially underage drinking citations, Public Safety Manager Jerry Rebo says that is not always the case. According to Public Safety officer Philip Miller, there were no major offenses this year, but reports were not yet available at time of publication. "There were some of this year's Winter Weekend was "Gods and Goddesses," and students on each team dressed accordingly. he Beacon/Bethany Yamrick events that occurred, but nothing outside a normal Wilkes weekend," said Miller. As of Sunday, February 22, the WilkesBarre Police Department only had one press release of an arrest related to Winter Weekend. On Februa1y 20, a 19-year-old male student who does not attend Wilkes was arrested and charged with underage drinking and public drunkenness after police responded to a complaint that he was unconscious in a stranger's apartment. The number of student offenses varies each year. According to Rebo, last year's Winter Weekend "wasn't too bad," and student offenses were only "x amount over a normal weekend." However, for Winter Weekend two years ago, Rebo says the incidences were much higher. Rebo reports that one to two additional Public Safety officers were scheduled each night this past weekend. Mainly, these officers were scheduled to patrol the scheduled events in the gym or the Henry Student Center Grand Ballroom, in addition to campus-wide patrol. "It's a different duty kind ofnight because of the large amount of students around campus," said Rebo. After the official events end for the night, the unofficial Winter Weekend parties begin in full swing. According to Rebo, the rowdiest parties usually occur in off campus apartments, where Public Safety officers could find up to 40 students in one apartment. Along with noisy house parties, Winter Weekend revelers in the past have also caused public disturbances as well. "It was a combination of everything," said Rebo. "You have a large group out in the middle of the street, and they cause traffic violations, the neighbors can't sleep, that kind of thing-also disorderly conduct, public drunkenness." Rebo believes that students can still enjoy Winter Weekend by treading responsibly, and avoiding situations that could put themselves and others in legal trouble or physical danger. "There's no reason for students not to have a party, but they need to do it responsibly," he said. "If you're old enough to drink, you can have a small amount of people at your apartment, not 50, 60 people where the The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick During the official school-sponsored Winter Weekend events, students formed teams and competed in a variety of games. Public Safety remains on alert the entire weekend for the after-hours parties that pop up when the scheduled events die down. neighbors are calling on you and so forth." However, during Winter Weekend, parties often do get out of hand, and the noticeable results of those bashes aren't always pretty the next morning. For that reason, the admissions department scales back its campus tour schedules for prospective students. Since most of their tour guides are also involved in Winter Weekend, it would also be difficult to staff enough for the normal load. On a typical Saturday, the department usually coordinates campus tours for eight to 16 families, in addition to tours for sports recruits or performing arts students. This past Saturday, the admissions office scheduled no general tours, but hosted a small number of football recruits and perfo1ming arts auditions. "Winter Weekend tends to be very celebratory," said Melanie Mickelson, the director of admissions. "Even with how responsive our maintenance folks are, there still is a lot of unpredictability regarding what kind of mess there may be in a given dorm, and I don't feel very comfortable with that." Prospective student tours always show Evans Hall and Chesapeake Delaware, but some students may ask to see others as well. Even if the dorms are clean, the walk around campus may lead to some unsavory sights in off-campus housing following a night of heavy Winter Weekend partying. "Given the nature of our campus, you could be just as close to an apartment as a dorm. So if folks walk around our campus, you never quite know exactly what they might see," said Mickelson. " ... Inevitably, questions will come up if there are significant amount of empty cases piled in front of an apartment building that clearly is a college apartment building." According to Mickelson, parents will often ask the question "Is this kind of thing normal?" While partying questions are raised in tours all of the time, Mickelson believes that the sights of remnants from Winter Weekend parties the night before could skew the perception of Wilkes. Winter Weekend is not a weekly occurrence, and its events and paiiies are not indicative of the typical Wilkes' experience. However, if prospective students visited the campus only during Winter Weekend, they could come out with an entirely different opinion of the school. "I just don't want our campus to be misrepresented ... " said Mickelson. "And I am mostly concerned about that with parents, because I don't think we are a party school. But we all know what goes on at Winter Weekend, and I don't want them to see something that misrepresents what the average atmosphere's like." �10 LIFESTYLES FEBRUARY 24, 2009 Web site provides options for off-campus housing BY RUTH WHISPELL Beacon Corre5pondent Having trouble finding an apartment off campus? Your problems just got easier with the help of a new off campus student housing Web site. The site, www.wilkesoffcampus.com, was the brainchild of Justin Balint, President of the Off Campus Student Council for the 2008- 2009 academic year. Eventually, he hopes to expand the site to include more features such as a newsletter, as well an upto-date listing of apartments with persons to contact if students are interested. "I've always felt the Off Campus Council should have been providing students with necessary contacts to find off campus housing; they're supposed to. I've been talking to landlords and seeing where there are available apartments for students around the Wilkes campus area," said Balint. Balint worked to get everything in order and create the Web site with the help of Associate Dean of Students Barbara King. There won't be many listings this school year because it's so far into the spring semester, but Balint plans to build the content over time. "Because the off-campus community is such a large part of the university, I really want to keep communication open with the local landlords that provide affordable offcampus housing for students," said Balint. Additionally, Balint hopes that students will be able to post their own ads on the site. He points out that there are many ads around campus on various bulletin boards looking for roommates. He hopes the site can eventually serve that function as well. He also plans that landlords will be able to take advantage of the site. " .. .It'd be great to eventually be able to have the landlords update their own apartments and hold accounts on the site. This year the site will be small, but I'm hoping next year to expand the site with more landlords," Balint says. Elizabeth Roveda, assistant director of Residence Life, said that a site like this can help the off-campus housing process. She said the residence life office used to hand out sheets of paper with listings of apartments, but the site helps the campus's initiative to "go green." "I think it's a great idea. It gives students a tool to use instead of searching for information on a bulletin board," said Roudea. Junior communications major Allison Ducker is a student who currently lives on campus in University Towers. "I think it's a great idea for transfer students and new incoming students looking to get out on their own," she said. Students looking for off-campus apartment options for next Ducker also said semester will be able to utilize the new housing web site. she's looking for an apartment with parking nearby. support any of these local businesses or "Right now, when I go grocery shopping landlords, and the site is meant to be a I have to put money in the meters in front student resource provider and made by off of University Towers, and then go up ten campus students. The university has no floors and unpack everything, only to go ties to any service being provided. back out to my car and park it in the lot The site was launched February 18 and across from the Martz building. I don't like should be in working order by Sunday, walking the three blocks when it's dark February 22. Students interested in learnout, so I really try not to move my car at ing more about off-campus housing and all," said Ducker. apartments should e-mail Justin Balint at Wilkes University does not endorse or Justin.Balint@wilkes.edu. Ba1-i1es & Noble Wilkes-Kh1g's Booksto1·e 7South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570. 208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com Live "Free" M11sic Eve1·y \\7ecl11esday Nigl1t a11d 111ost Friday's 25<:Yo disco1111t 011 ai1ytl1iI1g you purcl1ase fro111 tl1e cafe d1u·iI1g tl1e pe 1·fo 11nai1ces ! • Ope11 l\llic Nigl1t fo1· Poet1•y & Acot1stic 1\1111s ic Tuesday, Febn1ary 24 th fro1117:oop1n - 8 : 3op1n • Live 1Vlt1sic witl1 ('Sparrowsong" Friday, Febrt1aiy 2~h live at 7:3op111 • Sat11rday 111or11i11g story ti111e at Tl1is ,veek all abol1t 11:ooa111 .. "Exti11ct & E11da11ge1·ed A11i111als" d11riI1g sto1y tn11e . • Healtl1 & Fit11ess Book Clt1b every first l\lI011day of eacl1111011tl1@ 6 :3op111 .Tlns Mo11day's Book oftl1e 111011tl1 is "TI1e Best Llfe Dief' A BY Be Fl mg ti01 \1 So ta(j M" "s at sp he gYj m ha s er ha p ro w �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 A first-time climber's experience with Wilkes-Barre Rocks BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Op-Ed Editor . For locals who are tired of winter and aching for a little activity, there may be a solution in downtown Wilkes-BaITe. Wilkes-Barre Rocks, located at I 02-104 South Main Street, in Wilkes-Barre, was established by extreme sports veteran, Mike Miscavage in 2001. Miscavage said he, "started selling rock gear thirty years ago," at Top of the Slope, a specialty extreme sports shop his father established, and that he" ... just wanted to open a rock climbing gym." My friend and I entered the building, and made our way up the long windy staircase. I have to admit I was a little nervous and unsure what to expect. I had never been rock climbing, and was a little worried about how I would handle the heights. It cost me $13 for shoes and an entrance pass. However, for those who want to top rope, there is a certification requirement, which can be obtained after a $20 certifi- cation. Wilkes-Ba1Te Rocks offers two types of climbing: top roping, where a climber is strapped into a harness and can climb as high as he or she wishes; and bouldering, which is like a free climb without safety equipment. Suited up in special climbing shoes, which had a rough grip, and fit so snugly my toes curled, my friend and I approached the climbing area and gazed at the tall room full of imitation rocks. The walls were about thirty feet high, and the floor was made of a blue spongy matlike material. I also noticed that there were multicolored strips of tape which marked the route of various courses, and that there were a few coves and crevices where The Beacon/Gino Troiani the wall extended outward Wilkes-Barre Rocks, an indoor rock-climbing facility on South Main Street, offers an interesting and at an cheap way for students to keep in shape. A day rock climbing costs $13 for shoes and a pass. angle to resemble cave-like struc- but after a few tries, it became fairly easy. I it was a good feeling. tures. felt like I was 11 years old again climbing "It takes about a month to get over the We started at the right trees in my backyard. hump ... just as if you were working out at a side of the gym, and It wasn't long before I realized that I was gym," said Miscavage. slowly climbed our way having an amazing time. The actual climbKenny Stucker, a sophomore at Wilkes, around. At first, keeping ing was a lot easier than I thought it would often goes rock climbing as a form of exmy balance and solving be, and my slight fear of heights had com- ercise. the problem of what grip pletely disappeared. "I like it because it's a challenge ... I startI was going to use next Around the gym, I noticed a yellow safety ed a year ago because I had a friend that was somewhat difficult, line painted on the wall roughly eight feet went and loved it ... It's just a fun way to be high, which marked the, "do not cross line," active," said Stucker. for anyone bouldering. Experiencing Wilkes-Ba1Te Rocks is a Wilkes-Barre rocks ofFrom climbing, both of my hands were a definite must. If you're looking for a unique fers a variety of courses little tom up, and weakened from continuworkout, it is a great alternative to hitting depending on experience level. The walls are ously supporting my body weight. My toes the gym, and a lot more fun. I will definitely hurt especially because they were confined be back soon. around 30 feet high. to the narrow tips of the climbing shoes, but �SCREENING OF LO.US.A A&K COMING TO WILKES TODAY! FEBRUARY 24, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa.benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu ----------------- 12 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com Poetry in Transit seeks original work, poe01s in Spanish BY YOHANNA DE LOS SANTOS M. Assistant A&E Editor Anyone who has lived in Luzerne County through a season of winter can likely identify with Emily Dickinson's sentiments: There's a certain slant of light, On winter afternoons That oppresses, like the weight Of cathedral tunes Heavenly hurt, it gives us ; We can find no scar, But internal difference, Where the meanings, are pie of area grants. It will be grant funded instead of local business funded. But the most exciting part about Poetry in Transit 2009 is that there is going to be English and Spanish poems in the buses." While the first year used famous poetry from artists such as Dickinson and Robert Frost, the project has sought to expand to include local artists' work. The call to participate in the program has gone out to students at LCCC, King's College, and Wilkes University. Also, staff and faculty are more than welcome to submit their artwork, Anthony noted. The Hispanic community has also been informed through the Spanish radio show at the University of Scranton. "What we are doing is asking students in ESL classes, Hispanic outreach programs as well as students who live in the college campus to offer poems ... We will collect them and send the best ones to Poetry in Transit," said Anne Massey, Associate Professor of Spanish at King's College. "In the past we've only done a very limited invitation because it was a very small program, but is getting larger every year, so ... the board is going to look at all the poems ... This year is going to be more official," said Anthony. In the past two years, it was only Anthony looking at the poems. In 2008, 18 poems were illustrated and displayed on various buses; this year Anthony expects to have 38, some of them in both Spanish and English. "We are requesting, because of the theme, that the poems be in Spanish and English combined, or have a definite theme that is Latino or Hispanic related. That is kind of our request for our contest," said Massey. Sophomore accounting major, Lorelay Corona said, "I believe that it is a good idea to also have Spanish poems because that is a way of showing pieces of the Hispanic culture to the community." While local colleges have been encouraged to participate, there is no sense of overt competition associated with the call. " .. .I'm more about connections for this project," said Anthony. "Anne Massey's class at King's College is going to provide Spanish language poetry and also the call for poems has gone out to everyone," said Anthony. For future years the program may incorporate other languages. However, "Spanish makes the most sense now because we have many Spanish speakers around. I ride the number six bus all the time from Luzerne. I see people in there who speak Spanish or are bilingual," said Anthony. The deadline to submit the work is April 15, 2009. Everyone is more than welcome to submit their poems. "We are looking for "There's a Certain Slant ofLight"Excerpt from Emily Dickinson's But before a couple of years ago, it was unlikely public transit riders would have a poem like this in front of them to reference and discuss on the commute to work. Since 2007, the Poetry in Transit project has encouraged just such conversations Photo Courtsey Mark Golaszewski on city buses. In lieu of garish advertisePoetry in Transit Board Members from ments, the Luzerne County Transit AuLCCC, King's, Paper Kite Press, and thority has opted to post bits of poetry and Wilkes gather to celebrate the success of accompanying graphic art as a means of the program in its second year. both encouraging literary appreciation and inspiring community conversation. This year Poetry in Transit's founder and poems that are not directly political, not rewiordinator, Dr. Mischelle Anthony, Willigious, and non-violent... Original work," kes University Associate Professor of Engsaid Anthony. lish, has added a new feature to the already popular civic effort. The program will incorporate the Spanish language into its poetry so that Spanish-speaking community members can feel included in the wider "conversation." Anthony said, "This year is our third year of the program. Every year it's been funded through local agencies. The first time it was funded exclusively through Wilkes University and also Lamar Advertising. They give us the advertising space for free." The second year the program was completely funded by Luzerne County Transportation Au- The poetry that is accepted by the Poetry in Transit program is then illustrated, much like the one above, and put onto banners which are thority (LCTA). However, Anthony placed inside of the Luzerne County buses. The poems displayed will hopefully spark the interest of bus riders in the art of poetry. said, "This year we are applying to a cou- Rejection Rejection is a difficult pill to swallow. Accept this haiku. BY.-l Beac Th Uni, musi cal mod lives !ems the Pe pla)l �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Theater Review: Le Revue Fairytale BY ASHLEY FILIPEK Beacon Correspondent . This weekend wrapped up the Wilkes University theater department's spring musical Le Revue Fairytale. The musical turns classical fairy tale characters into modem day theatre performers, whose lives are dominated by relationship problems. The performances at Wilkes marked the play's world premiere. Perhaps what distinguished the quirky play best was the director's attention to costume detail that helped traditional fairytale characters morph into modem-day, adult versions of themselves. For example, Rapunzel (Casey Lynch) of course donned a traditional long braid falling all the way down her back, but her black lipstick, pink and orange highlights, and high tops gave Rapunzel an edge as she belted out Duffy's "Mercy." The Prince (Daniel Pascoe), in accord with the cliche versions of the character, kept a sword at his hip at all times, but he also wore jeans and a tank top, ala James Dean. His rendition of "Hey Bulldog," helped transform the Prince into a heartthrob rocker. Cinderella (Jennifer Smeraldo) danced around in her "glass" pumps, and Snow White (Greta Kleckner) tightened a blue corset around her waist. Pinnochio (Casey Thomas) wore a fedora and a long wooden nose. The Wolf (Tim King) stomped around in Timberlands, as he danced with the character who seemed to intimidate all; Malificent (Ashley Firestein), clad in her all black costume. Little Red (Tara Contrera) under the Wolf's close watch, looked adorable and innocent in her red hoodie, pig tails and striped stretch pants. Throw in the "Three Little Pigs" (Louis Gestral, John Layton, and Pat Nardone) and the "Three Blue Fairies" (Brie Friedman, Alyssa Glueck and Danielle Banas) and the audience was treated to a crazy, but cohesive ensemble. Stage Director (Andrew Margallis) attempted to control the Malificent (Ashley Firestein) uses her seductive lure to tame the Big Bad Wolf played by Tim King. The cast comes together when the Prince (Daniel Pascoe) and Little Red Riding Hood (Tara Contrera) dance and sing their way into the audience's hearts. chaos, while his writer (Jess Lech) tried to finish up the screenplay in the midst of all the madness. Interestingly, the stage wasn't home to just the actors, but the audience as well. I was seated in the front row (right next to a Blue Fairy) and the actors danced just inches in front of me. The play took modem day music and incorporated the lyrics into the play 's plotline. Some of the innovative numbers were Vampire Weekend's "Oxford Coma", "Grace" by U2 and "What I Can Do For You" by Sheryl Crow. Each character sorted through his or her own problems (with the help of song ... of course) and by the end of the play, they found themselves happily connected with the ones they loved. I truly enjoyed the play. It purposefully incorporated the audience and the acting and costuming were excellent. There was a great deal that modem audiences could appreciate, especially in terms of the musical score, so it's likely that this world premiere will see more stage time around the country. I congratulate the theater department on a great choice that utilized the talents of the student cast well. �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 1.0.U.S.A. doculllentary to be screened Tuesday in DDD BY MATTHEW GOG AS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Among the serious problems currently facing the United States, the failing economy is perhaps the most threatening. Americans face job loss, fallout from spending more than they are making, ill-advised home mortgages defaulting, and a rollercoaster stock market's record losses nearly every week as the recession continues. To highlight and analyze the nation's economic problems, Wilkes University will host the area's only screening of acclaimed documentary filmmaker Patrick Creadon's T.O.U.S.A. One Nation. Under Stress. In Debt. The screening will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, in the Dorthy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts. Following the film, audience members will be encouraged to stay and discuss the economic challenges with a panel of university faculty members including Dr. Thomas Baldino, professor of political science and Interim Dean of Humanities; Dr. Robert Seeley, associate professor of economics; and Dr. Jane Elmes-Crahall, professor of communication studies and expert in political rhetoric. The film identifies a growing national debt and illustrates the impact that it has on the country as a whole with the documentation of the Fiscal Wake-Up Tour along with interviews from experts on government spending. The Fiscal Wake-Up Tour features the director of the Concord Coalition, a political advocacy group aimed at eliminating deficit spending, Robert Bixby. It also features David Walker, former US Comptroller General whose job is the regulation of government spending. In the film, the two travel the country advising communities of the threat they face with the increasing national debt. Patrick Creadon, director of the Sundance Film Festival winner Wordplay, co-wrote and directed the film by following the tour across the United States. Baldino, one of the panelists, is looking forward to the film. "Patrick Creadon has a reputation for making entertaining, but balanced documentaries, as opposed to Micheal Moore who makes entertaining documentaries, but not necessarily balanced ones." He also added,"The film is going to ask some really tough questions. The most important one being, can we continue to mortgage our future to pay for our current lifestyle?" In an interview with the Huffington Post, Creadon stated that he found the film challenging to make. "Making this film was difficult on every level. I'm not complaining, mind you. I consider making 1.O.U.S.A. one of the best experiences of my life. But simply trying to get our heads around this topic -- the sheer enormity of it all -- was daunting and stressful and scary." The independently produced film was purchased by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation in July 2008 after it screened at the Sundance Film Festival. The foundation aims to bolster awareness of key economic challenges that America faces as well as trying to bring about action towards them. Seeley, also a panelist, is looking forward to the film from an economist's and teacher's standpoint. "I think that this film will bring the issue of our national debt to the attention of our young people, especially students. They are the ones that are in serious trouble. They are going to face these problems long after I am gone. I just hope more than six or seven students show up." S_cl"~I LIV'E3S D c:> r, c:1.tE:! p I c.31 SIT""lc.31 Ea:11 r ■ w ■■ p t- a ■ IVlc» ■■ th·! Interstate Blood Be. Plasma Inc . . 665 Carey Ave Wilkes-Barre., Pa Ca 11 (570) 823-41 1 9 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING Beacon Staff 11 12 13 ffl 19 ts 4i!i 48 !:,-0 .E.1 ~ ~ E.:. c1i:2 ~!: ~ Across February 17 Crossword Answers I 6 II 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 24 26 27 33 34 35 36 38 39 40 41 43 44 48 49 50 Envelope payment Washing about Three blood types Two Killer Whales Price of an item HolJer of human 's ashes Chemical compound, "NO" Lentils and spice sauce Neither good or bad Every; all Having three arms Jedi Master Clay target used for shooting For two or more functions "Take on Me" Produce in larynx Mor3els left after a meal Delicious BJught out by Amer. Airlines Alt. spelling for "styes" To place or position on First symptoms of sickness Native American from Utah Psychedelic fungi Former NY governor What Lil Wayne excels at Gold medals awarded for these 52 54 58 59 62 63 64 65 66 67 Alien's choice of transporta tion Old Norse poems Read-Only Memory Detailed plans for journeys Basque separatist organization To fill with joy Simmer food in water Hard to achieve in Winter Council of a church To place into the sky Down I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 23 Jeb and George to George Sr. Three musical performers 5th in New Testament Brownish-red Pound per square inch U.S. cosmetics seller Covered with wax Famous, quick boxer Popular newspaper puzzle One who "heeds" Plays performed here Spoiled, pampered child Exclusively Largest city of Egypt Bus station 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 37 39 42 45 46 47 50 51 52 53 55 56 57 60 61 A group of quail Annoying pool act West African country Lived in East Germany To represent dramatically What mowers are used on Nullifies in printed manner Spanish slang for "homey" Nucleus and electrons Proceeds with difficulty Greek covered walkway Make a mistake Metropolitan areas For the greatest part Unit of gene activity Found on a guitar neck Ninth letter of Greek alphabet Place inside of Illustrious act Spanish for "days" Floor of a ship Covered with ash Lead singer of"Jethro Tull" Xanax-taking, car-driving pet �Wrestlers at the Metro Championship pg. 17 CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa. lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu FEBRUARY 24, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Wilkes cheerleaders offer spirit, athleticis01 to ga01es BY MELANIE THOMAS Beacon Staff Writer Many have questioned whether cheerle? ing is really a sport and have tric,1 t ~ . ,. ,m; this since the first pep club was c. blished at Princeton University in the 18~ http ://www.geocities .com/ a ic mz i n e/ cheerleading_history.htm, "Accord1. _J legend, at a Princeton football game, Thomas Peebler gathered six men to lead a yell on the sidelines in front of the student body. In 1884, Peebler reportedly took the yell to the University of Minnesota campus and on November 2, 1898, a cheerleader named Johnny Campbell got so excited that he jumped out in front of the crowd. The University of Minnesota is also credited with the first school "fight song." The web site also said that, "Women became active in cheerleading in the 1920s. The University of Minnesota cheerleaders began to incorporate gymnastics and tumling into their cheers and the first flash-card cheering section was directed by Lindley Bothwell at Oregon State University. In the 1930s, universities and high schools alike began performing porn-porn routines and using paper porns, still the most widely recognized cheerleading prop." Melissa Jones senior biology major com' .... nts, "Cheerleading is most definitely a ~port. We practice very hard for what we do. People go to football or basketball games and see our pyramids or half time routine and think that it looks easy but it takes so much." Jones emphasized, "Each movement is set to specific counts and it sometimes takes hours to perfect even one eight count. During practice, we run, stunt, perfect cheers and dance, and work on abs and am1s with pushups and crunches." Jones added, "Stunting in itself should be a sport. It is very difficult and requires all girls on the bottom to be quite strong. Many college and high school teams have male cheerleaders so they are able to do even more difficult stunts than if they had an only all girl squad, but we do it all by ourselves with no men! If you think of competing as a performanu~, we are athletes that train for our perform ces just like any other athlete trains for ti ·,- ., Th , 15 girls that make up the Wilkes Chee •ng team and they have an arrangement of talents including dance, stunting, and gymnastics. Tanya Feiertag senior sociology major and Wilkes University cheerleader thinks that, "Cheerleading ~ . ,1.~ be considered a sport on campus because it requires a great amount of physical and athletic ability. The routines and stunts th~t we perform require a trem1.:11dous amount of y•-- ·16 th and phy'" c endurance. P pie do not take 111. 0 consideration how much an athlete cheerleaders really The Wilkes cheerleaders support a teammate during a basketball game this season, showing the trust cheerleading requires. are. It takes a lot of dedication to the squad, time, proper techniques, and strength. Feiertag explains that, "We practice twice a week usually one week night and a Sunday night practice. Practices are usually on average 2-3 hours long. The reason for this is because academics come first." "We have off season practices to keep in shape and maintain the skills from the past season. These off season practices are also open to girls who are interested in the Wilkes University cheerleading program," she said. Wilkes cheerleaders have opportunities to compete like any other sport. but, at this time they have decided not to, due to the commitment it requires from all the gi rls. They are also required to do community sen ·ice throughout the semc ter. Feiertag recalls, "Jn the pu~, w• have helped with St. Jude's, and other organizati r ns. " "Cheerleading is fun and it keeps you in shape. I like the sense of accomplishment when we complete difficult dances or new stunts." said Feiertag. Jones acknowledged that, "Al in all, we are a close knit g" ,f girls who love what we tl) . We are all committed and dedicated to making our team the best it can be and that makes me proud to be a part of such a wonderful gro1 p of girls. Cheerleading ha~ ueen a wonderful experience for me over the past four yep rs and I'm truly going to rnss the girls, coaches, and happiness that was brought into my life." ci Be 20 M fir• fo m we er le te n Showing school spirit, a cheerleader is lifted during a cheer at a basketball game this season. p h �FEBRUARY 17 SPORTS 24, 2009 Wilkes Wrestling - Metropolitan Conference Championship (update as of press time) 125 pounds - Shaun Farnham ranked nationally at 10th, is in the finals against Elizabethtown's Tyler Erdman. Farnham pinned his first two opponents of the day. 133 pounds - Josh Pauling is in the finals against York's Kyle Flickinger. Pauling won his first match of the tournament by an 11-7 decision and then won a 6-4 decison in the semis. 184 pounds - Buddy Gouger ls in the finals against Scott Kelley from TCNJ. Gouger won his first two matches by decision. 149 pounds - Erik Smith is in the finals against Tyler Branham from The College of New Jersey. Smith won his first two matches by decision, 3-0 and 6-2. Visit gowilkesu.com for complete results of the Metro Conference Championship. 141 pounds - Anthony Dattolo is in the finals against Greg Martino of New York University. Dattolo Pinned his first opponent of the day in 1 :30 before winning 15-3 in the semifinals. 197 pounds - Zach Pizzaro is in the finals against TCNJ's Ed Broderick. After having a bye, Pizzaro won his first match of the day by decision. 285 pounds - Andrew Feldman is in the finals match against Deron Sharp from Elizabethtown. Feldman pinned his first to opponents of the day in the first period. Baseball opens 2009 season WWW.CHANGEABLE SKIES.COM Team goes 1-2 in series at St.Marys Student Housing for the 21st Century BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor The Colonels baseball team began their 2009 season on February 21 against St. Mary's in Maryland. The team split its first two games, winning the first 2-1 before dropping a 3-0 decision. Sunday's matchup was won by St.Mary's, 8-3. Starting pitcher Tom Buckler performed well in the season opener, pitching four scoreless innings. Ryan Fetterman threw the final three innings of the first game and gave up just one run. The Colonels combined for six hits in the game with right fielder Al Clocker leading the way with two hits and Andrew Garofoli, Randy Dengler, Matt Ruch and Eric Wetzel all posting one a piece. Clocker and Mike McAndrew posted runs for Wilkes. In their second game, the Colonels did not fare as well. Tom Plessel and Ruch posted the only hits for Wilkes, who were held scoreless in the second game. St.. Mary's two runs were scored off of errors by the Colonels. On Sunday, February 22, the Colonels suffered their second loss of the season and final game in Maryland. St.Mary's handed Wilkes an 8-3 loss. Garofoli lead the way with two hits and Trevin Jaggars, Geoff Miller, Dengler, and Wetzel all posted one hit a piece. Jaggars, a first baseman for the Colonels, believes the three game series in Maryland showed the team where they stand early in the season. "We came out strong [on Saturday]. The pitching and defense were good. The batting could have used improvement," Jaggars said. The Colonels will take on Neumann on March 1 before heading out on their Spring Break trip to South Carolina from March 38. Of the upcoming trip Jaggars said, "We are a young and strong team. We will be prepared for South Carolina." CONTACT; BHI Henry wfHiam~benryOO@comcast.net 216-768-4819 AVAILABLE APARTMENTS READY TO LEASE JUNE 2009: PEARCE MANOR 84 WEST ROSS STREET 200 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET JOAN HENRY HALL �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 18 SPORTS H Penguins happy to have Goligoski back BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer The Pittsburgh Penguins' blueline took a major hit before the start of the season when defensemen Ryan Whitney and Sergei Gonchar were lost to long term injuries. But in the world of professional sports, injuries often create opportunities for other players to step up and showcase their abilities. Such was the case for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Alex Goligoski. After a successful rookie season, which concluded with setting an American Hockey League record for points in a single playoff year by a defenseman, Goligoski started the season in the National Hockey League. He appeared in 44 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring six goals and posting a total of 20 points. But after Whitney returned from his injury, Goligoski found himself the victim of a numbers game. He was often a healthy scratch, or playing wing on the fourth line. When Gonchar was set to return to Pittsburgh's line-up earlier this month, the club lti!,:iffltl:■ lit#Kd would have had eight healthy defensemen. "I was getting pretty comfortable up there, with the speed of the game and everything like that," Goligoski said. "The last few weeks there were tough, playing forward, or not playing. So it was just go to practice, try to work hard every night, and see what happens." What wound up happening wasn't the ideal situation. NHL teams are limited to 23-man rosters. Because of Goligoski's contract, he didn't have to clear waivers in order to be sent down to the AHL. That essentially made Goligoski the odd man out, and he was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on February 7. While being demoted to the AHL despite being the highest scoring rookie defenseman in the NHL might be a disappointment to most, Goligoski didn't appear to be phased. "You just have to have the right attitude," he said. "I know these guys are playing well. It's fun to come to a winning team and be a part of this now." Pm&A•WIW Ra•IALADI, Ou.r Orl&im!! Fried Sicilian Regular Cut 12 Cut Tray White CUt 10 CUt Tray Broccoli Cut 10 Cut imy www.pn~.com WiD.R~&m: Sftw 10EatNorlM'¥MSL Cold lt.afum Tuna & Chmc Hot Deli Melt McalbaJI wf Cheese Ham & Cheese Cheese Steak Club Sub Chicken Parmi;Jii Turkey & Cheese Cm. Bacon & Cheese R1lm Beef & Cheese Sausage Grilled Clucbn Chic.ken Cheese Steak Buftldo Chicken C.S ~V~!7.S(!!~!5 T1 int 17Un 1 wa OVI lea Cb M1 wi n/Michael Cignoli Even though he hasn't played an NHL game since February 3, Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton's Alex Goligoski remains the NHL's highest scoring rookie defenseman. puck movement - He doesn't belong here. There's only so much I can say before they get mad at me from up top. So I think I'll leave it at that." !> ;;1:Wt.1fUJMlril;J., n; ;;11 Fried Ml,Wm)O:O'IS Round Pies 12...MediumPizm 16" Larae Pizza l2t'PanPizza 2 LaQe Piuas $17 .95 2 sm.an ·Pi.zzu $13.95 Cour Crai~ Goligoski arrived halfway through Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's franchise record-tying nine game win streak. The Penguins had won four consecutive games before Goligoski's season debut, and won five more before finally dropping a 4-1 decision to the Hamilton Bulldogs on Saturday. So far, the defenseman affectionately known as "Goose" has a goal and three assists in six games this season. He's been paired with Deryk Engelland, who he skated with during the majority oflast season. Goligoski has also reclaimed a spot quarterbacking Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's power play, much like he did during the team's run to the Calder Cup Finals last Spring. "It's a huge addition for our power play and for our (defensive) corps," goaltender John Curry said. "He's a great player. He did well up there, probably deserves to be up there. Whether it's temporary or not, he'll be here and he'll help the team." As center Jeff Taffe explained, Goligoski 's contributions to the team are immense. "We could talk for hours if you want to talk about that," said Taffe. "His vision, his it lt1~l!I 'lS-5166 I 825--503'1 SOJR'S MM • llum JlAM• ll.PM M '1 S11t 11 AM• U.:30AM . Sa l:ZPM•ll.PM ....,~ All Major Credit Cards Accepted FREE DEUV:ERYTO ALL WILKES DORMS FEE F'ricd.R.a'Yioli (6) Mozzarella Stieb (S) Mim Taoos (12) ftfini Potato Pancakes (12) Jalapeno Poppers (6) Fr-tmeh Fries Cheese Fries OnionRmp Chicken Nuggets {8) Bread Stieb Tossed w/ croutom Tossed w/ Tuna Pasta w/ 01.eese Antipasto Cusar Crispy Chickm ChichnCaemr Greek Ch.efSalad Chic.ken. Caesar Cheese Steak OriU~ Chicken CrispyCbictm Vegi~ TurbyClub Tuna. Ca.life)~ ~ e ~ . Delive!"l Sp!£!als M.ix & Match Wing1 & Sa~ 3 for $15.9'5 81 WI fo in C<: o1 d1 d1 ti fi b a �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 SPORTS 19 Hot-shooting lifts Lebanon Valley over Colonels Courtesy of Sports Information Director, Craig Merriman ,. se- ere. hey I'll Tom Kresge tied a career-high with 28 points, 17 of which came in the second half but it wasn't enough as Lebanon Valley used a 17-8 run late in the second half to take a 76-70 win over Wilkes University. The Colonels were without leading scorer Chris DeRojas, who was out due to illness, finished the regular season with a 14-10 overall mark as well as 10-6 Freedom Conference record. Their league record gives them a berth into the Freedom Conference Championship as the No. 4 seed and will host Delaware Valley on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Marts Center. The winner of that matchup will travel to Center Valley to take on No. 1 seed DeSales. Wilkes split with the Aggies earlier in the season, winning 9181 in overtime on the road, while Delaware Valley took an 81-75 win in the Marts Center. The Dutchmen shot nearly 52 percent from the field and had four players score in double-figures. The Colonels dominated the inside, scoring 48 of their points in the paint, hitting 46.3 percent from the field for the game. Anthony Gabriel was the only other Wilkes player to score in double-figures with 11. Kresge was dominate under the basket as he recorded the game's only doubledouble with 12 rebounds. Despite using their inside presence, the Colonels only went to the line 10 times, making six, while Lebanon Valley hit l 3-of-24 from the charity stripe. The Colonels led by as many as six several times in the first half but could never pull away from Lebanon Valley. Gabriel hit a jumper with 1: 13 to go in the first half to give Wilkes a 31-25 advantage, but the Dutchmen closed out the half on a 5-0 run to go into the locker down one (31-30). Both teams exchanged points in the second half. With 9:01 to go, Steve Kline who finished with nine points, tied the game at 50 with a layup, but Lebanon Valley would go on a 16-6 run to lead by 10 (66-56) with 4:44 to go. The Colonels never recovered as the Dutchmen led by as many as 12 on two different occasions. The Colonels will be competing in the Freedom Conference Championships for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons. Last year they fell to DeSales 69-53 in the first round. (At Right) The Colonels took on Misericordia on Tuesday February 17 prior to their final game against Lebanon Valley. The team defeated the Cougars 62-57 while visiting Misercordia. The Colonels saw four players score double digits with Tom Kresge contributed for 18 points, Chris DeRojas for 14 and Paul Huch and Anthony Gabriel both contributed for 12. A Wilkes players goes up for a shot during the game against the Cougars. The win at Misericordia was the fourth straight victory for the Colonels before losing the Lebanon Valley in their final game of the season. 'W' 11 0 in< •B)S <O<C>JC...<C>N Men's Basketball W 62-57@ Misericordia L 76-70 @ Lebanon Valley 18)JC ◄S Women's Basketball W 49-43 @ Misericordia �FEBRUARY 24, 2009 20 SPORTS Wo01en's basketball tops Misericordia in overti01e Overcomes poor shooting, turnovers in OT win The Beaeo.n/Oaniel Kautz BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The Lady Colonels' basketball team traveled to Misericordia and defeated their conference rival 49-43 in overtime last Tuesday, February 17. The hard-fought win snapped Wilkes ' five game losing skid heading into the contest, improving their record to 11-13 overall ( 6-10 in the conference). The loss dropped Misericordia to 12-12 overall on the season, with a 7-8 conference mark. Wilkes led 14-7 with ten minutes remaining in the first half in what would be its largest lead of the game; Misericordia tied things up at 14 apiece with a quick run shorily afterwards. The two teams exchanged baskets the rest of the way until the Cougars closed out the half with a 7-0 run to take a 24-1 7 lead. Both teams had trouble shooting in the first half, with Wilkes narrowly edging Misericordia 33.3 percent to 30.8 percent in field goal percentage. The Lady Colonels jumped out of the gate in the second half with a 13-2 run, taking a 30-26 lead with roughly fifteen minutes remaining in the game. "We were just really focused and wanted to win the game because it was a conference game," said senior forward/guard Chelsey Gosse. "Our goal after halftime was to come out and go really hard and take the lead back." The two teams would go scoreless for a seven minute stretch following Wilkes' comeback until Misericordia's Lacey Dej;raw hit a free throw. Wilkes took a 37-33 lead with less than three minutes remaining before the Cougars' Jesse Robinson converted a fast break layup to tie things up at 37 apiece. Wilkes shot poorly in the second half (35 percent) but converted several blocks and steals into points to keep up with Misercordia, who recorded a staggering 14 steals in a game in which Wilkes committed 28 turnovers. The Lady Colonels outscored Misericordia 12-6 in overtime despite making only two shots from the field, hitting eight free throws en route to the win. Freshman guard Samantha Simcox and Gosse led Wilkes in scoring with 16 and 14 points, respectively, while freshmen center Lindsey Gosse led the team with 15 rebounds. Jesse Robinson and Lacey DeGraw both scored 14 points for the Cougars. "We were confident; every time we've gone into overtime we've wanted to grab the win and come out on top," said Gosse. "We knew before we stepped out onto the court for overtime that we wanted to take this one." Wilkes University's women's basketball team lost their regular season game to Lebanon Valley last Friday, 71-51. The Lady Colonels ended their season with a record of 1114, their highest win total in several seasons. M BY Bea A, plo)l foli and high At Hea oth still hav the Lindsey Gosse (52) and Khadija Bates (34) try for a rebound in their overtime win against Misericordia. IRHC Mardi Gras Celebration from 7 -9 P.M. in the first floor lounge at the SUB. Attend "Personal Development & Leadership for Managers", a lecture/seminar class at 9 A.M. at UCOM 231. Soulja Boy at the Scranton Cultural Center at 8 P.M. Enjoy the beginning of your Spring Break, and be safe! Attend AidaattheF.M. Kirby Center at 7:30 P.M. Tickets range from $25-57.50. BY Bea Pa ami ver A Wil abl the , Pe pre con we � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 February 24th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 February 24 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/44cafb8f094e6263790e977ab2b52429.pdf 915a343a45997951e40448f623b954bf PDF Text Text Softball page 17 Rihanna Page 7 Credit card debt page 9 MARCH 17, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 61 Issue 16 Economic outlook changes SHE building plans Student survey addresses cafeteria BY AMY FUSCO Beacon News Editor As the economic recession sends unemployment rates higher and retirement portfolios take a nosedive, plans for growth and change at the country's institutions of higher education are also facing adjustment. At Wilkes, the plans for the new Science, Health Sciences, and Engineering Building, otherwise known as the "SHE" building, are till unde1way; however, economic realities ave forced planners to re-see the scope of e proposed and long-awaited addition to e campus. Michael Wood, vice president for adancement, explained that the SHE building roject fundraising has been impacted by e economy, which has potential to cause me changes in the actual building plans. "Right now, we are interviewing potential chitects to look at the SHE building projt. The economic impact has us looking at hat we will be able to afford to do in the ng run," Wood said. "We are looking at variety of options that would allow us to ge improvements over a period of time," BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor The Beacon/Heather Chulik Currently, architects are submitting their proposals for the new SHE Building. Wilkes will then choose the proposal that fits Wilkes' needs and is most cost efficient. he added. paign. The recession's impact on philanGiven the weak market, and no immediate thropic projects throughout the country has change on the horizon, donors have been not yet been assessed; however, the reality less forthcoming in the entire capital cam- See SHE BUILDING a e 3 iscal year belt tightening continues y ANDREW SEAMAN acon Editor-in-Chief Part 2 in a series of two articles that exine the recessions impact at Wilkes Unirsity. After several weeks of belt tightening, ilkes University administrators have been le to partially close a budget deficit for e current fiscal year. Petra Carver, Wilkes University's vice sident for finance, acknowledged, "We ntinuously work on closing the gap, but still have about a half million dollar def- icit for this current fiscal year." The deficit and the national recession have forced university officials to create a variety of fiscal scenarios in which different plans for budget cuts and salary freezes are featured for the coming fiscal year. Because Wilkes is highly tuition-driven, projections are based on varying estimates for full-time enrolled (FTE) students (undergraduate and graduate) for 2009-10 and beyond. The different scenarios will involve shaving percentages from operating budgets for nearly ON THE WEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes. edu all operations on campus, as well as salary freezes, and slow-down of hiring. This spring has already seen a moratorium on unnecessary travel expenses in an effort to preserve funds to cover operating costs. David Sborz, Student Government senior class president, said SG is also being careful with how it spends its buffer fund, which is worth over $100,000. "We understand the obligation during this time in the economy that we are not going to spend money to spend it. We are in the See DEFICIT page 2 INDEX ~ews............... 1-5 Opinion......... ,..6-8 Lifestyl~s,.•.•.•.~9-J t A&E ......•..•..12-15 Sports.......... 16-20 ._. In a survey administered by The Beacon this week, 100 students were surveyed and 95 said they value quality over quantity when it comes to food, an issue that Sodexho, Wilkes University's food service provider, faces daily. "We value quality, but at the same time it kind of segues into satisfaction in terms of value and perception ... Did I get a fair return for my money?" said Michael Molnar, general manager of dining services. The food service survey included topics such as picking an economical meal plan, rating the service, rating the quality of the food, the price increases at Rifkin Cafe, and the importance of quality surpassing quantity or vice versa. Of the students surveyed, about half thought that the meals were good, but many students had some suggestions for Sodexho. Names were omitted from the surveys; thus, student responders could only be identified by year in school. Of the observations, a few of the issues were general ones. "Sometimes the pizza sucks," wrote a junior. "There are a few good meals, but they are few and far between," wrote a sophomore. But more substantive issues were also addressed, such as the issue of consistency. Some responses indicated that the quality of the food in the cafeteria varies. "It's good, but it's also very hit or miss," opined a freshman. For some students, the way the food is WI See CAFETERIA page 4 Established 1936 PANewspaper Association Member · . . . ·. �Boost \n . e n c program page3 NEWS S C \ MARCH 17, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu j acqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com 2 an ongoing basis to let the community to know where we are. Then we will from FRONT PAGE have to resolve this together. If there is pain, we have process of coming up with conventional projects that can improve students' to spread it across the needs on campus," said Sborz. university. Really, He added that SG is looking to the future and realizes it is also directly im- all of us are in pacted by the recession. this situation Sborz said, "We will also most likely keep a significant portion of the money together and in the account in case enrollment is down, and student governrnent over the we all need next two years needs money to cover its costs . .. We will be meeting as a group to work on this week, and I hope to have some ideas of what the money will be going to resolving it," by the end of next week." said Carver. Dr. Arthur Kibbe, Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Nesbitt College of Kibbe added Pharmacy and Nursing and Faculty Affairs Council Chair, said the faculty is that his concern also feeling some impact. goes beyond the facul "Part of the issue with economic news is to not give out the wrong answer ty, "This is a tuition driven VP of Finance and Support Operations fast. There are concerns, of course, [about] what impact the deficit.. .will have institution .. .my biggest concern on the educational programs ... And it's not clear to every - is for the students and their ability to get body, including me, exactly where we are. loans and their ability to continue their education. But I don't think it is clear to anybody," That's really if the federal governrnent does what it says it was going to do, which is to make said Kibbe. loans for student loans easier." He added, "Young faculty alCarver added that the tuition increase for next year still stands at 3.5%, which would ways gets scared more than make Wilkes University's tuition increase one of the lowest in northeastern Pennsylold faculty. And they get vania. However, she did say that the Wilkes's Board of Trustees could ask for that scared sometimes about number to change, but she does not anticipate it. things that they shouldn' t Wilkes University will also be keeping its financial aid at past levels, so students get scared [about]. For should not see a reduction in the amount of institutional aide that they receive. instance, there is abShe added, for employees, there will solutely no reason for be no layoffs this year. "Layany of my faculty to offs are really going to be ever be worried, bethe measure of last cause no one can teach resort. We will try what they teach and they whatever we can teach unique courses." to preserve em"If I was looking at an ployment and English professor and they keep the core Faculty Chair and Pharmaceutical academic teach 20 classes in English mission Sciences Department Chair composition and all of a sudden in place so that we they are only teaching 17 - they might don' t touch those real worry, because they see this constriction. But elements that are most critiif you look at the way we handle that as an institution, most of cal to us." that constriction would eat into adjuncts . You wouldn 't get rid of a full-time ; For Wilkes, the freshman you would just use less adjuncts. Adjuncts can probably see the handwriting on class of 2013 holds the key the wall - less sections mean less money," Kibbe explained. to what will happen at WilCarver said that she has also heard the faculty 's concern over the deficit and kes University next year. A says communication is key. larger class means more monSenior Class President "They are concerned, as we all are, and we just have to communicate on ey and a smaller class means less money. DEFICIT "They are concerned, as we all are, and we just have to communicate on an ongoing basis to let the community to know where we are. Then we will have to resolve this together. If there is pain, we have to spread it across the university. Really, all of us are in this situation together and we all need to work on resolving it."-- Petra Carver "Part of the issue with economic news is to not give out the wrong answer fast. There are concerns, of course, [about] what impact the deficit ... will have on the educational rograms ... And it's not clear to everybody, including me, exactly where we are. But I don't think it is clear to anybody." -- Dr. Arthur Kibbe .# "We understand the obligation during this time in the economy that we are not going to spend money to spend it. We are in the process of coming up with conventional projects that can improve students' needs on campus." Wo Ti IS 0 arc , pro] fi Be \1 m re el -- David Sborz B EACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wiikes.edu Editorial Staff 2008-09 Meet the staff... Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz m· h to Lee Ann Searfoss Assistant Lifestyles Editor �MARCH 17, 2009 SHE BUILDING from FRONT PAGE is that in a time of economic crisis, most are far more reticent to give freely-even to pet projects or organizations-when they are unsure of what the future may hold. As such, plans to raise money for the SHE building--the cornerstone ot'\he capital campaign--have been slowed, according to r uld ylthat nts Wood. "We obviously would like to get donor support for it. They are having a hard time making long term commitments," Wood commented. He explained that this impacts how quickly the plans will proceed. "We have no way of knowing when the market is going to allow donors to be able to provide the bulk of the funding for the SHE project improvements and so we have to be flexible in how we approach the plans," said Wood. Tom Messinger, head of capital projects, is one of the lead people working with the architects. He explained that a request for proposal was released, which invited design firms to submit proposals for the project. "It's a great project and obviously many people are interested in the project," said Messinger. "My feeling is there should be great participation by a number of people," he added. Once the architect selection process is complete, firms chosen by the committee will be asked to present their proposal in order for Wilkes to choose the most cost efficient, suitable design. Since the process is currently happening, the timeline of the NEWS project depends on what the architect's proposal includes. Wood explained that the architects know the constraints that the school has in terms of financial concerns. Dr. Kenneth Klemow, professor of biology, has helped lead the planning committee. He is a liaison between faculty and the administrators involved in the project and brings information to the faculty. The planning committee has been in existence for approximately two and a half years. It was reconstituted a year and a half ago when Dr. Reynold Verret became the new Provost. The committee reviews the proposals and provides input to Petra Carver, vice president of finance, Verret, and Messinger. On Thursday, March 12, the committee met and narrowed the list of sixteen design companies to six. This week, committee members will make the next cut to the three or four companies that will be invited for on-campus presentations. "We have until the end of next week to go through the proposals and do our own rankings with our own criteria," said Klemow. "We will meet to go through and see how each of us felt about the various proposals. We will collaborate on a single list ofrankings to give to the administration." "I think we will probably have to phase the improvements over a longer period of time than we originally thought," Wood said, "We don't know when the market will improve, but we do know that Stark needs improvement. If there are things we can do in the short term, we can provide them to 3 The Beacon/Amy Fusco Tom Messinger, head of capital projects, is a leader in the SHE building project. Last Thursday, the planning committee selected six out of sixteen design firms to be ft#ther shortlisted to three or four companies. fit into the bigger idea of how we want to student inYolvement, but the process is still proceed with a broader facility." in its early stages. "When it first started, we thought it would "We want a building that we can be really be partly renovation and partly construe- proud of, that when new students come on tion. Due to the economic conditions, it board, the students feel as though they are looks like it is going to be mostly renova- in a first class facility," Klemow stated, "We tion," Klemow said. "Personally, I hold out want this for the students, for them to like hope that the economy will be improving being here." over the next eighteen months or so," he In addition to satisfying the students, he added. He also believes that creative fund- also explained that Wilkes wants a buildraising by administrators and faculty will ing that will be useful for both teaching and help fund the project. research purposes. Furthermore, the buildAlong with Klemow, other faculty mem- ing should be a green footprint that can be bers and two deans are a part of the commit- used as a classroom to show sustainability tee. He believes it would be good to have efforts. Wilkes receives financial boost to environmental science program BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Op-Ed Editor lth ' r Wilkes University's Institute for Environmental Science and Sustainability is set to receive a shared grant of $1.2 million for electronic mapping systems which will be used to capture, analyze and present data for agricultural purposes. • Dean. of the College of Science and Engineering, Dr. Dale Bruns explained that Wilkes is part of The National Consortium for Rural Geospatial Innovations in America, which is national network, comprised of eight schools all over the United States. The group's goal is to implement advanced geospatial information technologies into surrounding communities. The grant will be split amongst all eight schools to improve and further their technology. In 1993, Wilkes first introduced electronic mapping technology to the project with the help of a similar grant, and has continued to build upon the program. IThe university joined the NCRGI in 1999 after receiving a national award from Vice President Al Gore. The technology upgrade enables Wilkes to study areas such as alternative energy, environmental planning, environmental management, mining impacts, natural gas operations, homeland security in rural areas, global warming, changes in weather, and much more. ' Bruns a!so explained that the upgrades act as a support for other programs at Wilkes that deal with satellite imagery, and global positioning systems. Wilkes has been able to provide Luzerne County with valuable information pertaining to emergency management. Over the last ten years, Wilkes has been able to produce numerous studies, some of which include, geographical information systems watershed concepts for local communities, storm water management concepts for local communities, using satellite imagery to maintain GIS/landbases, and assessments on satellite accuracy. Courtesy ofhttp://www.ruralgis.org/ "It allows us to stay current, to stay state of the art and upgrade our software and applications ... we try to make that available to students as they look at their courses," said Bruns. Sophomore environmental engineering major Cody Youshock was pleased about the grant, "As an environmental engineering major, I think it's awesome to be able to work hands on with something I'll be able to use in my future." Wilkes plans to begin the upgrade at the beginning of next year. �MARCH 17, 2009 CAFETERIA from FRONT PAGE "The meat is dry. Some stuff is always dry," offered a junior. "No single section is ever guaranteed good, and they often don't cook things properly like tofu or pasta, for example," said another jumor. All freshmen students who live on campus are required to get a meal plan. Freshmen students living on campus are qualified to rate the food because they are the students who are mostly eating cafeteria food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Students also expressed that there is a need for more variety in the meals. A few students expressed that the food is always the same and they need to "switch it up." Although it varies every day, for students who eat on campus often, it gets boring. One freshman said that the food is okay, but he/she would hate the food if he/she lived on campus and had to eat it all the time. "We continue to have a different variety; different deli sandwiches, the salad bar, and try to make sure that we have a vegetarian option. If we are running chicken on classics then we try not to run chicken on international," said Molnar. Some students say that the quality of the food was better last year or the year before. Sudexo has specific food specifications that it has not changed. The quality of the food in the cafeteria has not at all been sacrificed because of the economy said Molnar. Sudexo does not try to take the cheap way out. "We don't buy this specific ham because its $0.20 cheaper than the other kind," said Molnar. The economy has affected students' food purchasing habits as well. Sixty-one stu. . The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas dent~ said that th ey Students who dine in the cafeteria had varied opinions about the food and service. Most said that the considered how many staff is friendly, but also said that the food is hit or miss. times they ate at the cafeteria last year in order to choose a more ited. That's probably because there's just less staff is stingy with the food. They won't let you take any food out even when it's economical meal plan. students on campus this year," said Molnar. "We've seen an increase in block [meal The price increases at Rifkin have not in- going to waste anyway," said a senior. plans]. We've seen a decrease in the unlim- spired much of a shift in use. Students are "They are friendly and courteous for still consistently eating at Rifkin Cafe, ac- the most part," wrote another senior. cording to Molnar. "Often times the employees are rude "It appears that students do not have as and apathetic or ignorant when presentmuch spendable income as they've had in the ed with questions about the food," said past, so they are much more prudent in their a junior student. The service employees in the cafetechoices. But I would say that Rifkin sales are about the same as last year," said Molnar. ria undergo a yearly evaluation usually In regards to the service of the cafeteria in the beginning of each year. Sodexho workers, students had a lot to say. Many tries to focus on overall improvements students said things along the lines of most and tries to get more 1 on 1 time with the employees to encourage self-esteem. workers are nice, but some can be mean. 6' "The lunch ladies are angels, but the other "It's a time for an exchange and working on people's self esteem. Making them feel better but also having them feel that if there is a problem, they are part of the solution. That doesn't mean that works for everybody, but for some people it does work," said Molnar. Overall, many students were happy with the food in the cafeteria, but others had a few suggestions that maybe Sudexo would take into consideration within the next semester. For students with concerns, they can talk with any student government representative dealing with the food committee. FUTURISTIC INNOVATIVE GRAPHICS coU# t scttit . pRtttr r,,,r.• Y. o .···· U.. R .·.·.· 9•. :SCRIIN PRINTING IMBROlDIP.Y pROM(JfZOIIM 1Ti . LOCATED IN WUKES-DA'Rfti ACROSS FID.N HDlY REIEEMEB t BAB DOMDlll'S AND CODA BEYD&G!I S:70*823.9272 /WWW .4T-SHIRTS.CDM ya·ue HOME FOB WINTER WEEKEND! "' ad um �MARCH 17, 2009 NEWS 5 SG Notes March 11, 2009 t s r BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor Treasurer's Report -All College: $15,923.25 - General: $8,324.74 - Special Projects: $3,079.06 - Spirit: $4,000.00 - Leadership: $8,652.59 - Connferences: $11 ,080.09 - Start-Up: $2,100.00 Club Reports The following clubs presented updates on their events. - Programming Board -MSC -Money Matters New Business -Christian Fellowship Club Fund Request (Week 2 of2) A motion was passed to allocate $300 for Winter Worship Night -Thomas Bigler Journalism Conference Donation Request (Week 1 of 1) A motion The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas was passed to allocate $675 tot-shirts The festive St. Patrick's Day signs at University Corners on Northhampton and Main -Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick s Day Parade advertise the parade and announce the opening of the new high-priced condomini Budget (Week 1 of J) $500 allocated for Wilkes Universi to artici ate urns. The arade will run ast the Universi Corners and onto the s uare. -Portable AED (Week 1 of 1) A motion was passed to allocate $1 ,445.00 for one portable AED Old Business Petra Carver Wilkes University Frisbee Club Fund Request Wilkes University Chemistry Club Fund Request Arnold Air Society Donation Request Events WUPB presents Spring Concert featuring Hinder on March 20 MSC presents Spring Fashion • Show on March 21 , 2009 VIP Day from 1:00 p.m.-2:30p.m. on March 21 , 2009 *At 8:30 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. S C I"'----! I L i '-'--«--! :::; - e t'd ely 0 ts he k,m. lso lS the hat for aid ere afugexo Tc:,c.:l .c :1y_ , E r■ ■ pt+. IVle> ■■ th ! �Connecticut School of Broadcasting stiffs seniors Page 8 I r _OJZA!n.i<i-n_ CONTACT INFORMATION: gino. troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com B n 6 A Rendell's budget leaves out School for deaf BY THE BEACON Editorial Board with State Secretary of Education, Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, and were asked to trim $3 million off of their "The most sacred of the duties budget. In an effort to comply, the of a government is to do equal school managed to successfully and impartial justice to all its citi- cut the costs, but the SSSD was zens." Thomas Jefferson, 1816. left stunned when it learned that it Last February, Governor Ed- was not included in the state budward G. Rendell announced that get this year. Pennsylvania was facing a $2.3 The devastating news has left billion financial deficit and that many wondering where the stubudget cuts in statewide spending dents would go if SSSD is closed. had to be made. According to the Pennsylvania In order to compensate, the Department of Education, there Governor unveiled a $28.3 billion are numerous private schools spespending plan for 2009-10 that cializing in special needs, such as introduced a plethora of spend- hearing disorders, licensed by the ing changes to ease the state debt. State Board of Private Academic The plan called for an increase in Schools throughout Pennsyleducation funding coupled with a vania. However, many of them consolidation of the state's educa- are extremely expensive, some tion system. However when the costing more than $30,000 annufinal blueprints were presented, ally, an option that many families the Scranton State School of the would not be able to afford. Deaf found itself on the short end The Western Pennsylvania of the stick. School for the Deaf is a tuition free With 129 years of history, the institution that operates similarly Scranton State School of the Deaf to the SSSD. It provides education operates as the only state-owned to over 250 deaf and hard-of-hearand operated school for the deaf ing children and serves more than and a part of the Pennsylvania 100 school districts. The problem Department of Education. The is that the institution is located on school became property of the the other side of the state, in the # Commonwealth in 1913, where suburbs of Pittsburgh. it assumed full control in 1916. In an effort to generate According SSSD's web page, it awareness and support, stucurrently employs over 75 faculty dents and supporters of the and staff members, and serves 107 school have held numerstudents ages three to .21 . More ous rallys, while passing than half of SSSD's students par- out petetitions. . Most take in the dormitory residence recently, students program, which enables students made the trek to Harto stay at the school Monday risburg to protest the through Friday, and return home plan and persuade on the weekends. lawmakers to save For decades, the school has suc- the school. ceeded in educating generations Recently, the State of students who may not have Advisory Council received the same opportunities for the Deaf and if they were enrolled in the main Hard of Hearing stream schooling system. voted to support the In 2008-09, the SSSD was ex- school's continued pecting to receive a budget of operation, agreeing $8.2 million; however, in Septem- that the loss of the ber, officials from the school met school would be devastating for deaf students. Also, a slew of representatives from surrounding districts have stepped up, expressing their concerns and vowing to do everything in their power to salvage the historic school, some of which include, Rep. Kevin Murphy, DLackawanna, and Senators Lisa Baker (R-20), and Robert J. Mellow (D-22). The Beacon feels that Governor Rendell 's proposal to cut costs by eliminating the Scranton State School of the Deaf 1s ill-ad- gi th hi B t hti ju vised. The state of Pennsylvania cannot tum its back on these students while they are at a critical point in their lives. Surely the state can derive $5 million from a collection of other projects to help maintain the school. For more information on how to support the SSSD, visit www. sssdsos.org al le B s a d The Beacon supports all efforts to salvage the Scranton State School of the Deaf. 06 so Su a fo fa~ th er Ill cal The SSSD is a valuable component to the Pennsylvania State education system. Gov. Rendell should not deprive the SSSD students of an equal and fair education. . exri op tin non are the in wit! not re tice lute pra F IS I �MARCH I 17, 2009 OPINION 7 The Angry Rant: Rihanna BY TIM SEIGFRIED Wilkes Alumnus Some people are stupid. Some are dumb. And others are foolish and imbecilic. But there isn't a word in the English language to describe the intelligence (or lack thereof) of Robyn Fenty, also known as Rihanna, who has apparently allowed Chris Brown to come back into her life, despite the fact that she is still in the shadow of the heinous act of hate that Brown committed just a few weeks ago. For those who aren't aware, Chris Brown allegedly assaulted her. Of course, I say "allegedly" because I don't want to get sued. But in this instance, saying he allegedly assaulted her is like saying that if you throw a rock in the air, it will allegedly come down. She was brutally beaten by a man who obviously doesn't feel good about himself, so he resorts to beating a woman. And why? Supposedly, Rihanna checked his phone and discovered an ex-girlfriend was asking for some lovin' . But that doesn't matter, the fact is that he beat her without cause, and then he said he was going to kill her. And of course, there are some supporters of Chris Brown who feel that he is being unfairly judged. To those supporters (I call them stu-tards), I invite you to take a look at the un-doctored, very real picture of Rihanna's face that was taken less than one day after the assault. If I had to guess, I'd say she was jumped in an alley by a group of thugs and beaten. But no, that was the work of one coward, one degenerate, one person who has everything in the world: fame, money, the love of millions of fans. But guess what - money and fame don 't buy class, brosef. But, all's well that ends well, as they say, because Rihanna, in a moment of genius that would make Einstein feel ashamed, and has apparently taken him back into her life. Yes, you read that right. After being spotted together, several news agencies and tabloids are reporting that the two are back together. Well, that's just fan-freaking-tastic, isn't it? Listen, Rihanna, I know you ' ve been through a lot in the last month, and you're probably confused and an emotional wreck, but did your brain swell to the point that you've forgotten what this monster did to you? Whatever the case may be, there is no reason that that guy should ever get another chance to lay a hand on your beautiful body. Never. Not tomorrow, not next year, not after counseling - N-E-V-E-R. But, what else do you expect? The stupid apple doesn't fall too far from the idio-tree, it seems, as Rihanna 's father has stated that he supports his daughter completely, even if it means going back to Chris Brown. First off, pops, why don't you keep your mouth shut and don' t talk to the press. I know that your daughter is famous , but why are you discussing your family with anyone besides other members of your family? Secondly, you support her? What? I know she is your daughter, and it is your job to love her unconditionally - and I dig that - but you cannot support her in this regard. The only words that should be coming out of your mouth are "He is dead to me, and he repeatedly touch that hot stove, knowing is dead to my daughter, and ifl ever see him full well the outcome, you' re going to keep again, he is going to get his." Thafs it. He getting burned until you wise up and realize repeatedly beat your daughter and choked that you shouldn't be touching the hot stove her and threatened to kill her. And you sup- anymore. port that? Whatever you say, chief. But at a certain point, you're so numb But back to Rihanna. You think this man to the pain because of the callous that has loves you? He was probably cheating on seared over your nerves, so you can't even you, and if that wasn't bad enough, He tell that the stove is hot anymore. nearly killed you. Sure, he loves you. Oh, if And that's your own fault. you have a second, there is a wealthy king in Nigeria who really needs your help. But if that's the path she chooses, so be it. But don't say I didn't warn you. If you show me a woman who stayed with a spouse that beat her, then I'll show 0 w you a woman who is beaten again. Statistics 0 ::J have shown that spousal 4abuse has a better than lJ 40% chance of happen~ N ing again within three CD cc· years. ro -, I' m not trying to be /j( funny, or flippant, because this is a very seri1 ous issue, and Rihanna is a very high-profile celebrity. What does this say for all her teenaged fans? That it's okay to 0 k/~ll\ be beaten by someone because it happened to Rihanna and she didn't take a stand? Here's the deal: If you touch a hot stove, you get burned, right? If you {ver~ +1r1-1e 1 30 pc,.r-i-y Sovt1-i r&-1/y Coo l I Dv.J.- -}t, s t bet$ t J,;J 1,.,1+L. vii e av11 at c.ourie I' 111 f e.t I/ J Sr--iro~ .. ~,v1 k "~ j 1 ~;j~ ~ v1 ext- sc,_ J 1 +~e JCtr YCJUre\,(]: ES RE: Bishop Martino Dear Editor: tl D I As a former editor of the Opinions/Editorial section of The Beacon, I would like to express my extreme disgust with the recent open letter to Bishop Joseph Francis Martino. I will admit, as I am neither a Catholic nor a resident of the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area, I was unfamiliar with the ultimatums the Church had made regarding politicians in the St. Patrick's Day parade and the withholding of Communion. Though I do not agree with the methods of the Bishop, I remain stunned that challenging these practices was not only argumentative but absolutely bigoted against established religious practices. For better or worse, Bishop Martino, who is in a position of power relative to the Cath- olic hierarchy, has declared an absolute and uncompromising stance against that which he considers to be a threat against the central doctrine of the Church. (This is also largely supported by The Vatican, as only a week or two ago the Pope chided House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her pro-choice stance.) In the open letter by The Beacon, the Bishop is accused of paternalistic threats and was taunted with the dwindling numbers of parishioners, but how can a newspaper claim any authority over what a religion should teach or believe? The letter went so far as to ask him to consider the financial situation when deciding what Church policies to pursue. Should greed be a better motive? In addition, you implore him to consider the isolating stance his position is promoting. It is clear that you have either not re- searched or simply dismissed Biblical references from where Christian teachings are derived. He is not developing these beliefs from nowhere; if he were, then I would admit your argument had some merit. As an example, Deuteronomy 7:3-4 instructs Jews not intermarry with Gentiles as it would cause them to stray from the faith into sin. Christianity, in many ways, is about separating oneself from engaging with those who may lead them away from faith. Certainly, there are somewhat contradictory passages instructing Christians to spread their faith, but not to the detriment of their own beliefs. It is completely absurd to assert secular social policy against religious teachings. Furthermore, to write this piece as an Ed Board, therefore a consensus of the newspa- per staff, you effectively have declared that practicing a religion which is contradicting your personal feelings is simply wrong. Shame on you for your utter intolerance. As a representative of the voice of the University, how dare you be so cavalier as to dismiss anyone's beliefs as archaic or flawed . No religion can be contested without some aspect of their beliefs being called to question. Can you build an argument against a belief, and intangible perception or reality? The answer is no. If anyone is wrong here, it is The Beacon staff for its prejudice and n::.~·r:w-mindedness. You have succeeded only in disgracing yourselves as journalists and as a voice of the University. Kristyn Ostman Class of 2007 �MARCH 17, 2009 OPINION 8 CSB ruins seniors' chances of graduation ing you to file for bankruptcy. Students are obviously going to be upset with you, CSB , even though you've only known each What if you got a text message other for a four-month period. But less than a week before the cereif you were frank with the stumony saying that your school had dents, they would have respected not only cancelled classes for the your straightforwardness. day, but for good? Instead, you have a confused Not only do you not get to walk mob of students gathered outside at graduation, but you don't even your Connecticut campusget your diploma. The tens of thousands of dollars you've in- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - es wondering why their school, with which they vested in room and board over Look, if you're going to tell someone that it's over, thought they had a great the years are gone, vanished into at least have the decency to tell them face-to-face. relationship over the past thin air. While this story sounds like - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - couple of weeks, skipped town without explanation. something that might air on an Prolonging the situation only episode of the Twilight Zone, it's before ultimately enrolling at Wil- $12,000 for a 16-week course. a haunting reality for students at kes. I now know that I made the That's a pretty serious commit- made it that much worse. Let's ment. There were obviously go- use a hypothetical example here. the Connecticut School of Broad- right decision. Whereas I once considered CSB ing to be tears and disappointment If you're dating somebody and casting. you know that you want to end the After a 45-year run, the school one of the top broadcasting schools if you broke it off. And while sending a text mes- relationship in its early stages, you suspended operations without in the country, I now realize that sage to students cell phone might don't wait until three days before warning on March 4, closing the they were a bunch of tools. Look, if you're going to tell be the most convenient way for you the wedding to do it. doors and turning out the lights at The state of Connecticut has a all of its 26 locations across the someone that it's over, at least to announce that it's over between nation. The school's faculty was have the decency to tell them face- you, it is also the most bush league $3.5 million dollar Student Protold that they had 60 minutes to to-face. Sending a text message is option. The students are going to tection fund that will be utilized by far the worst way to break off respect you a lot more if you are to either reimburse CSB students vacate the campus. Students who showed up for a relationship with someone, be it honest and direct with them when for the cost of tuition or pay comnight classes at the school found a lover or, in this case, a student you announce the news. Tell them parable schools to help students a note taped to the doors that read, wanting to secure a career in the that you're going through some complete their degrees. so I guess difficult financial times right now, there is a happy ending to this sto"We regret to inform you that CSB field of broadcasting. And if that weren't bad enough, with your bank accounts being ry after all. has shut down all operations until further notice. If you are a current there's the note on the door. A seized by your major lender, fore- BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer student. . . someone at CSB Corporate will be in contact with you in the next coming days and/or weeks. " If I may interject, one of the CSB campuses is located about 40 minutes away from my hometown in Connecticut. When I was doing my college search, I considered CSB and several other schools, note. Seriously? That's like, the second worst way to break up with somebody! It's slightly ahead of smoke signals, cave drawings and macaroni art. By closing the school, you are breaking the hearts and crushing the dreams of thousands of students who have always been there for you. They've given you Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that T7ie Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. The Beacon a~'ked: ~o you agree with Bishop Martino's recent decisions? • Yes -33% •No- 67% • Undecided - 0% Next Week's question: Should the Scranton State School of the Deaf be included in the 2008-2009 budget? Dear Editor, On Tuesday, February 10, I par# icipated in Sex Jeopardy, a trivia game that deals with various topics of sex. The purpose of the game is to educate students on sexual behaviors and risks. Participants are asked questions pertaining to birth control, anatomy and function as well as other genres that the facilitator creates. This year's facilitator was Ann Holmes. I was rather surprised by the amount of questions that students could not answer. Questions pertaining to birth control seemed all too easy for the student body but when it came to STDs, the students seemed to be at a loss w ith the exception of a few. As a college student, I would think the need to know about these viruses and diseases would be of significant importance in people 's lives, particularly young people, like us, since Chlamydia and Genital Herpes seems to plague 18-24 year olds the most. Yet, many did not even know what Chlamydia was. Now some may say "why do I need to know about an infection that will never reach me?" The reason that it most certainly could reach y O U and/ or someone you know. Last semester for World Aids Day, the Center for Global Education and Diversity held a panel discussion on HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, not many students attended. For those panelists, this concerned them because they knew that this virus is one of the most devious infections out there as the symptoms for this virus may not be apparent for months, even years. A c cordingtotheCDC's HIV/ AIDS Population Fact Sheet for the United States, 1.3 - 1.4 million people are infected with HIV and only 1 out of 3 people are aware of it. They could be infecting others. Every year an estimated 56,300 are infected with HIV. I believe this virus, as well as all STis, are important to learn about. All too often I hear of stories from Wilkes students engaging in risky sexual behavior with their prima- ry concern being pregnancy. But what about contracting a sexually transmitted infection? Not every infection is curable, and for those that are, it is still quite an ordeal to be presented with. Please educate yourselves on the reality ofSTis. I am in no way telling you to become abstinent or to fear engaging in sexual activity but I am asking that you consider your health, your partner's health and your future. I would like to conclude this letter with a special thank you to Wilkes Health Services for giving us a wake up with Sex Jeopardy. Valerie J. Martinez Senior communication studies and political science s a •Yes •No • Undecided n 0 Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com C 0 ti p ii N Speak Up! It's Your Right! YOUR;\QIS RE: Sex Education f The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd . @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and 0 ti d d C t t~ Opinion! CI The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. "J fl s~ c~ �Women in Leadership Panel PAGE 10 CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu MARCH 17, 2 09 wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com g Credit ~ard debt adds to stress of econoiny, student loans BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Managing Editor ' • While unemployment rates continue to rise, seniors at Wilkes University are finding that the day to begin paying back thousands of dollars of student loans is fast approaching. The stress of securing a job in today's economy to pay off those loans is hard enough - the last thing a student needs is to add managing credit card debt to his or her struggles. According to Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc. (CCCS), 78 percent of college students have a credit card. Thirtytwo percent of those students have four or more credit cards and nine percent have accumulated over $7,000 in debt. The average college student, however, has three credit cards and is $2,748 in debt. People under the age of 25 make up approximately nine percent of all bankruptcies, says CCCS. "One of the cons [of having a credit card] is the inexperience of the college student ... Many college students start off at 18-yearsold and are away from home for the first time. There's a lot of peer pressure on students ... They go ahead and go wild. They don't think about the consequences of their actions when they're charging things on their credit card," said Dr. Anthony Liuzzo, professor of business and economics. In a past issue of The Chronicle for Higher Education, Liuzzo published a list of common mistakes credit card holders make that may result in high amounts of debt. Of these are paying only the minimum payment, buying unnecessary items and using credit cards for the "perks," such flyer miles and store discounts. is a proven fact that, in general, these enticements are not worth the resulting heartache of overextending yourself," he wrote. Liuzzo also suggested having no more than two or three major cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) and avoiding specific store cards at all costs. "You want cards that are going to be able to be used everywhere. The more cards you have, the more you're tempted to overextend yourself. .. You should always say no to those [store] offers. Each one of those will have a small balance, but when you average them together, you might be overextended," he said. Generally, people in debt tend to use their credit card to buy things that they do not need or will not be worth as much as they were at purchase. "The asset should match the term of the liability," said Liuzzo. "Try to buy items that will gain in value like education, clothing, furniture, etc. A major thing that will lose value like a meal or gas loses value fast," said Johnathan Botch, senior business administration major and president of Money Matters! , a personal financial based club on campus. In late February, Money Matters! teamed up with SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) to host a credit card seminar for Wilkes students. "We want to try to make that figure [of debt] smaller, so the earlier that we can make students aware of the little things that they can do not to get into that much credit card debt the better. The credit card seminar really teaches everything about credit cards from the credit card offers that you give in the mail, to the fees that are charged to 'your account, to reading credit scores, to even the difference of paying more than the minimum payment on a credit card, and where to go to really get a free credit The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki report," said Botch. While there may be many cons to holding a credit card or two, there are also some positive aspects of having the plastic in your wallet. "There could be emergency situations where anyone could run into issues where a car breaks down or there's a health problem. They could get caught without money, maybe they lost their cash or something. They could also be traveling. .. It teaches you fiscal responsibility, which is an important part of becoming an adult, managing your finances in a responsible manner," said Liuzzo. Creating a good credit score is also a benefit of holding a credit card. A credit score is used to determine loans in the future, including mortgages. It is also used to calculate the interest on The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki those loans and the down paySophomore Alicia Prebish pays with a credit card ment needed for a house or car. at Rifkin Cafe. According to Consolidated Credit According to studies perCounseling Services, Inc., the average college stuformed by the American Coundent has more than $2,700 in credit card debt. cil on Education and the U.S. PIRG, 25 percent of college "Within the therapeutic relationship, I am students pay for some of their tuition with able to support students by acknowledgcredit cards. ing that the average college student gradu"College is a very good investment ... It's ates with $20,000 in debt (it helps to know clear that college gives you more security, that they are not alone), increasing money gets you a higher paying job. It's okay to awareness (balancing a checkbook, budgetborrow long-term for college because the ing, credit and debit), increasing awareness education will pay dividends for a long pe- that they [students] are in control of firiod of time," said Liuzzo. nances ... [and] encouraging students to live He added, "Credit cards can be used for within their means as much as possible," a short period of time, but ultimately the said Biskup. "This is a life skill that many student should be watchful of other forms adults have not learned. I believe it is the of student loans and other ways of get- key to financial success." ting dollars to pay for their tuition. They Biskup also teaches students relaxation shouldn't keep a high credit card balance ... techniques that they can do when they feel you should be able to pay it off in a month, stressed. Time management, getting a full and if not in a month, then a very short pe- night's sleep, eating well and exercising riod of time." regularly also reduce stress. As the cost of tuition rises along with "In short term, students can [also] choose unemployment rates in Luzerne County, unhealthy ways of dealing with stress such Susan Biskup, campus counselor, has been as substance abuse, disordered eating, exspeaking to students who have expressed cessive shopping and internet use to menconcern about their financial stresses, in- tion a few. These behaviors actually create cluding credit card debt. more stress for students," said Biskup. �10 LIFESTYLES MARCH 17, 2009 Fe01ale professionals offer advice fro01 business world BY MELANIE THOMAS Beacon Staff Writer Throughout the last several decades, women have been working to shatter the glass ceiling that previously held them backin the work world. On March 10, a women's panel gathered to discuss women in leadership. The panel consisted of women from Wilkes and the local community. Guest panel members included Lori Nocito, executive director of Leadership WilkesBarre; Kyla Campbell, anchor and reporter ofWBRE and WYOU; Bridget Giunta, administrative coordinator of the city of Wilkes-Barre; Dr. Jennifer Edmonds, Wilkes University assistant professor of business; and Barbara King, Wilkes University associate dean of student affairs. The workshop offered students an opportunity to ask questions and network with panelists. Panelists dispensed personal advice, and offered their encouragement to students about the future. Campbell shared personal anecdotes about difficulties she faced in the workplace. "You will run into negative people," she lationships, but also the need to preserve said. "My husband was the one that pointed one's individual self. "You can't define yourself by your reout that I'm not a victim and I should do what I'm good 1 at ion at. I finally ships ... " stopped being she said. "A afraid of her supportive [my boss] and partner is so realized my important strength." that also The panelwe should ists then asked maintain the the audience friendships who they surwe have rounded themoutside of selves with. work." They went on In today's to explain that economy, people can of- The audience at the discussion questioned experts about job loss is a fer two sepa- job loss, goals, and niches in life. Both men and women fear among rate tracks attended the discussion. many stufor behavior: dents. A complementary and enhancement, or nega- question posed to the panel asked the reative and diminish until there's nothing left. sons why many people get fired, and what The panelists warned that they can eventu- they can do to avoid it. ally end up losing themselves beyond rec"Eighty percent of people who are fired ognition. are fired for a bad attitude ... " said CampKing talked about the importance of re- bell. "People notice a person with a good attitude." Additionally, students asked about how to find their niche in a world of endless options. "Don't assume you know what you want to do," Giunta said. "Internships and work experience is so important. " Likewise, Campbell advised students to keep their options open. "Try different things," she said. "Take advantage of people who offer their help. Don't let windows of opportunity go." King advised cultivating a strong work ethic in the field of interest. "Work hard and put the time in," said King. "Never feel that you're at the top of the peak, because you never will be. There is always learning to do." For some students who attended, the personal experiences helped them sort things out about the impending work world. The discussion provided sound advice for graduates, regardless of their sex. "It was a great leadership discussion," said Steve Felter, a senior history major. "I think that even though this was intended for an audience of women ... anyone could benefit from what the panelists had to say." On April 2, 2009 The ne,v and in1proved www. wilkes.edu. �MARCH 17, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 Roommate pairing process raises privacy, security questions BY RUTH WHISPELL Beacon Staff Writer s e s . . Students expect to keep an eye on their belongings when they go out in public or travel to a new place, but what about when they're just relaxing in their dorm? For some students paired with unfamiliar roommates, extra vigilance with belongings has become necessary. "Theft is the second highest crime rate among college students. The first, which is no secret, is alcohol misdemeanors," said Gerald Rebo, Public Safety Manager. Rebo said the last theft reported on Wilkes University's campus was a missing twenty dollar bill last month in the University Towers. According to book, The Jean Clery Disclosure, Campus Security Policy, and Campus Crime Statistics, which can be found on the desk of the Public Safety Office, in the fall of 2007 the University enrolled 2,192 undergraduate students, 1,168 graduate students, 274 first professional students and had 431 full time employees. The offense rate for thefts equaled a total of 0.81 %, or 31 thefts. This included 11 on-campus thefts, 17 in residential facilities, two in or on a non-campus building or property, and one on public property. The offense rate is calculated by taking the number crimes and dividing by the gross number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students and employees. "When a theft, or any other indecent act is reported, we investigate, and talk to the people involved. Most times Residence Life gets involved with reports of theft within dorms," said Rebo. Matthew Vital , a first year Resident Assistant in Slocum Hall said, "In the beginning of the year the guys on the first floor left their game system in the lounge and a resident 'held it for safe keeping' but, he went on to say, that was later situated." Vital said other than that simple incident no theft has occurred for his term as a RA in Slocum Hall. Daniel Rae, also a first-year RA in Roth Hall said, "I've had a few minor confrontations between residents, but nothing too monumental; just differences over sleeping schedules and such." So, how do students build trust with a roommate, or even know how safe the college campus really is? As stated in The Jean Clery Disclosure, Campus Security Policy, and Campus Crime Statistics Acts, students new to campus are assigned to rooms by Residence Life. Each new student must complete an information form with the housing contract. Residence Life then attempts to satisfy as many requests as possible for a specific room or building. However, because of requests and additional factors, none of the requests are guaranteed. Each student is assigned a room key that unlocks only his or her room. All residence hall windows are lockable from the inside, and windows located on the first floors of halls are equipped with heavy duty security screens. Amber Kozo, a first year Resident Assistant from Evans Halls fourth floors said confrontations between roommates range in severity and length of hostility. "A lot of times the confrontation is a blow up because the tension has been building for some time, but occasionally the roommates find other people to switch rooms and deal with the swaps on their own. Many times, however, the parties asked to switch don't want to move, but sometimes it just works out, which is always nice," said Kozo. David Sborz, a third year RA in University Towers said, "I've noticed when students come to college, this is really their first op- portunity to share a room with another peer. This can create conflicts at times, but they're usually small issues that are worked out rather quickly." "Even though we had met previously, at freshmen orientation, I don't think that you can completely trust someone ... right off the bat," said Christina Inteso, a 19-year old freshman residing in Evans Hall. KatherineMunchel, a Resident Assistant in Catlin Hall, which 1s an all female, first-year experience, mansion style residence hall said, "I have been lucky and haven't had many, if any, incidents within my hall. The mansion The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick atmosphere allows residents to become Freshman Sara Cosgrove sits in a Wilkes University dorm. very close, almost According to Gerald Rebo, theft is the second most common 'family like.' I've only crime among college students. Last year, 31 thefts were reexperienced minor ported on or around the Wilkes campus. misunderstandings." "I've had two girls request new roommates since the beginning room. They range in things such as numof the fall semester," said Nadine Shickora, ber of guests allowed per semester, number a Resident Assistant in Doane Hall, "I've of nights required to notify roommates of tried to settle the girl's' conflicts through guests, cleanliness of the room, study habtheir roommate contracts, but when it was its, and items that can be shared among the issues that couldn't be solved I had them roommates. After the contract is filled out, all roommates sign it and it is referred to submit a roommate change form." Roommate contracts are set up to be for solving issues between the roommates, completed by all parties occupying the explained Shickora. �John Zaffis shares his experience with ghosts in the Henry Student Center PAGE 13 A&E MARCH 17, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa.benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com Students weigh in on spring concert choice if the general concensus is positive, the band remains on the list for further consideration. After that however, the process Each year Programming Board, a gets more difficult. The board then uses an student-run entertainment planning oragent to get the specifics on prospectives' ganization, searches for a big name in tour dates, availability, and cost. The the music industry to come and play agent that the Programming Board uses is for Wilkes University. Prior to spring Concert Ideas. break, organizers revealed that the 2009 Bruce Krell, concert chair for Programconcert will feature the band Hinder, ming Board, said, "The concert chair enwhose 2005 album Extreme Behavior ables a student,as part of the Programming went multi-platinum. Board of Wilkes University to represent But this year's choice has left some the student body, to bring a large main wondering, "Why Hinder?" stage concert to the University itself." The intial steps toward choosing a In order to uphold the interest of the stuband for the year begin with the ProThe Beacon/Lauren Biernacki rd gramming Boa members. Me_mbers The countdown for Hinder tickets is on. Although some question Hinder as the choice of See Hinder page 14 throw out names of bands they like, and band students have been lining up to purchase tickets. BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor MSC fashion show to offer Caribbean flare BYYOHANNA DE LOS SANTOS M. Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Wilkes University's annual multicultural fashion show will breathe a little tropical warmth into the slowly thawing nort~ast next weekend. The event will feature a theme of warm weather, pin.a coladas, and, probably some salsa music. If you are guessing that the Caribbean is the featured region of this year's show, you ' re right. Since the fashion show began, a different region of the world has been featured each year. The region is chosen by the Wilkes University Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC), which is comprised of students who hail from or have roots in a variety of cultures around the world and whose mission it is to educate and celebrate diversity at Wilkes. A ASHION SHOW R "This year we added a Caribbean piece. Usually, the multicultural fashion show is a regular fashion show with the element of culture where we usually do Asian, African, Indian, Malaysian, and different other cultures," said MSC President, junior accounting major, Tracy Garcia, who is also coordinator of the fashion show. The annual fashion extravaganza, while perhaps not at the level of Paris fashion week, still takes a lot · of time and effort. Therefore, MSC members have been designated or have volunteered to perform different tasks in order to help bring the show to the catwalk. Garcia works closely with sophomore, marketing major, Matthew Vital. "My job entails helping with the behind the scenes aspects of it all and just making sure everybody is lined up. I make sure all the models have things correct .. . make sure all, the models have their clothes," said Vital, model coordinator. Later, the staff will make sure that the show will be tight. Therefore, coordinators will rehearse at least five times before the performance and make sure that all the models are walking correctly, and that all the clothes are appropriate. Having the right garments ready for the day of the show is probably the most important part of a successful fashion show, "For the most part, the stores in the area don't donate for our fashion show, so most of the clothes comes from the students that . See Fashion page 14 �MARCH 17, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 John Zaffis: The Godfather of Ghost Hunting BY MATTHEW GOGAS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Whether or not you believe in ghosts or spirits, hauntings, or demonic possession, the subject does make for good entertainment. People are always interested in hearing ghost stories or sharing their own ghost experiences. John Zaffis, the self-proclaimed "Godfather of Ghost Hunting" makes a living off of sharing his stories, and he recently spoke in the Henry Student Center Grand Ballroom on Thursday, March 12. Zaffis shared stories about haunted houses, demonic possessions he has witnessed, and haunted artifacts that he has acquired over the years. He also cleared up hoaxes, myths, and common misconceptions about ghosts. The most important of which is that some believe ghosts can kill people. In his presentation, he used pictures to point out where investigators have made mistakes with documentation such as camera straps caught in pictures and overdeveloped film and then compared them with pictures of what he deemed to be true ghost documentation. He also shared a story about a haunted house in Connecticut in which he experienced a ghost sighting of a figure walking down the steps to the basement in the family's home. The film The Haunting in Connecticut that is set to release later this month in theaters is based upon the events surrounding the house and the familAfter his presentation, he took questions from students in the audience who asked him about his experiences hunting ghosts and then took the students on a tour through Weckesser Hall to discover any paranormal activity on as rumors because there is no physical evidence. So we bring in these investigators that can supply some kind of evidence whether you believe it or not, but it does make the stories more interesting," said junior integrative media major and president of the Wilkes University Programming Board, Erin Sweet. Zaffis, now 52, has been hunting ghosts for 36 years. He started his paranormal career at the age of 16 when he saw the ghost of his grandfather sitting at the edge of his bed. A few days later his grandmother, who lived in the same house, passed away. Zaffis felt that his grandfather came to help his grandmother pass on and he has been studying the paranormal ever since. Though a mechanical engineer by profession, in his ghost hunting, he has managed to write an autobiography and has been in a number of documentaries, as well as appeared on episodes of Unsolved The Beacon/ Ashley Ford Mysteries, and Ghost Hunters. Wilkes University is just one of many Students interested in Demonology and college campuses that Zaffis has already ghosthunting look to gain knowledge from visited this year. As the popularity of world renowned John Zaffis. ghost hunting television programs generand possibly communicate with whatever spirits may populate the campus's historic building. Zaffis and a handful of students crowded into the basement of Weckesser Hall with a K2 meter, which is a commonly used ghost hunting device that Zaffis brought with him. "I think it's pretty cool because we have mansions on campus that students feel are haunted or rumored to be, but they just go ates amongst young people, Zaffis receives calls to come and present. He tours college campuses across the country telling students about various things that he has seen as a paranormal investigator. "I lecture continuously about ghosts at campuses across the United States," said Zaffis. 'My busiest months are always September, October, and November on tour and the turnouts are always phenomenal." Cody Null, sophomore pharmacy major and Programming Board entertainment chair, booked Zaffis because of the popularity of ghost hunter events on campus. Programming Board booked the cast of the television show Ghost Hunters and psychic/medium Chip Coffey last year with similarly successful turnouts. #- • "All the ghost shows go over well here. We have had Jason and Grant from "Ghost Hunters," and Chip Coffey too. [Zaffis] came very well recommended," said Null. "It was interesting talking with him before the show because he name dropped all the people on those shows." T Minus 3 Days and Counting ... Hinder will blast off live at the Kingston Armory this Friday! Do not wait another moment to buy ,your ticket. Purchase your ticket TODAY at the ·Student Center Info Desk or at: http://www.wilkesuniversity. tickets.musictoday.com Wilkes $15, Public $18 The Beacon/ Ashley Ford John Zaffis answered a students' question about ghosts in the Henry Student Center Ballroom on Thursday March, 12. Zaffis is a 36-year veteran in paranormal investigation. Doors open 7pm Show starts 8pm �MARCH ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 17, 2009 HINDER from PAGE 12 dent body, a survey was sent out to the entire undergraduate population. The bands on the survey consisted of Dropkick Murphy's, Blues Traveller, Lit, Red, Chevell, Seether, and SHEdaisy, and Hinder. Of that number, roughly 1,000 responded, according to Krell. The student body spoke and Hinder won with thirty two percent of the votes. "The process then from there is to take the first band that works and if they can fit the criteria, if everything for scheduling with them works and for us, then we go with it. If not we would go with second best, third best, etc.," Krell said. The budget for the Programming Board is larger than last year and could therefore afford Hinder. The band is set to perform at the Kingston Armory on March 20. According to Erin Sweet, Programming Board President, "We have done shows there since 2001, so they are very familiar with us and the way we run things." This week approximately 170 tickets were sold to Wilkes community members. On February 23 ticket sales will open to the general public. Sweet said, "The tickets are $15 for students so that's a great deal , I will definitely be going." Nicole Beavers, junior pharmacy major, said, "I'm a Hinder fan, I was actually going to go to their previous concert over the summer but they cancelled. But this is a really good deal." But not all are ethusiastic about the choice. Michael John Gentle, junior integrative media major said, "Hinder who? I honestly think I've heard one of their songs on the radio before and never thought twice about them." FASHION from PAGE 12 volunteer to be in the show and then there are some faculty [members] that have traveled and have acquired different multicultural pieces that we are able to use for the show," said Garcia. "There are some students that are from different countries. They also have their native wear that they model," added Garcia. Casual, ready-to wear, sports, and business attire will all be modeled. The show works under a budget; however, there is no designated budget at this time. Annually, the show is promoted throughout campus by word of mouth, "This year we posted flyers. We sent out e-mail invitations. We did a different marketing scheme ... we have about 45 models signed up," said Garcia. The number of models includes some faculty and staff. "First of all is a fun event. . .the different cultures, what they may use .. . is very educational in a very simple way," said Garcia. The hosts for this show will be Wilkes University students, Darnell Corbin and AJ Wallace, and will be held March 21 in the Marts Gymnasium from 7- 9p.m. Free refreshments will be served. 14 Want a copy of The Beacon delivered right to your email inbox? Sign-up@ www.WilkesBeacon.com Ba1,1es & Noble Wilkes-Kh1g's Booksto1·e 7South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com Live "Free" l\llt1sic Every ,·\7ed11esday Nigl1t a11cl 111ost F1·iday's 25% discotu1t 011 a11ytlri11g you ptn·cl1ase fro111 tl1e cafe duril1g the perforn1a11ce. This v\l ednesday we ha,re liv-e m t1sic v\ri.th Aaron McCurdy live at 6:30pm Tlrird Friday Art V\T alk witl1 Jack Harris, A vvildlife pl1otograpl1er a11d at1tl1or. Friday 11igl1t at 5: oop1n t111til 8: oop111 • Tl1e11joi11 t1s for a11 a1,1tl1or sigi1i11g 011 Sah1rday fro111 12 :00-2: oop111 of Jack Har1·is' book, ''Beyo11d llfy Wildest Drea111s" • Co111e a11cljoi11 tis a11d celebrate Dr. Seuss's Birtltday. v\'e vvill be readi11g Dr. Seuss stories duri11g ot1r vveekly story ti111e . . Sah1rday 111or11i11g at 11 : ooa111 2 % off of all clearance iteins 1111til March otl1 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING Beacon Staff 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 11 9 12 13 '11" 20 64 Across February 24 Crossword Answers 1 s 2 A M w R C A A 14 0 7 4 3 T 17 i 9 A s L u 12 B T N 56 R 0 62 E Q R N A L E 5 T L A T 0 A C H A y N 0 N s K y es T 13 5 10 13 15 16 17 19 20 21 23 24 31 32 33 35 36 37 38 39 41 42 48 49 52 58 59 61 62 Movable item in performance Slow moving stream Between shoulder and wrist Past participle of eat Decorate with ornaments Gunk, blob Easy target, vulnerable victim Large Australian bird Without scent Snake noises Home of hockey puck 25th anniversary of marriage Atomic number 50 Hodgepodges Exclaimed when satisfied Pointer finger Homer's catchphrase Small piece of rock Hawaiian wreath Move around smoothly '/ietnam War Abbr. Liked by your peers Share a finished torrent-file Chinese bears Informal name for astronaut Expert home for warm months July 23 to August '22 Arm joint 63 64 65 66 Upward stroke in conducting Himalayan bovine Male deer (plural) Affirmation in legislative body Down I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 JO II 12 14 18 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Mexican currency Toxic household insect spray Simpson's bus driver Tube-nosed seabird Under eyes when not rested Combines Not me Time travelling DHARMA station Not nice Eras Largest city ofltaly "Squeek squeek!" Nothing or zero Post of circular staircase Glide over snow To ship again Synonymous for tendon Hipster's genre of music Popular guitar amp Unwilling to bend Multiple shavings of sheep 29 30 31 34 37 40 43 44 45 46 47 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 60 Who is above the law? Testicle or ovary Sesame plant Fold back and sew Abbr. for basic unit of time Vacuum flask inventor "Tum on, tune in, drop out" Contracts landlords give out Outcome Widely accepted hypoth esis How to use stickers Length times width Cranny Air pollution Benches in church Cuban dance Meditate in silence Most populated continent Monster of Scocland Masters in busine3s ad min. l· �At lete Spotlight page 19 CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu MARCH 17, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Lady Colonels lacrosse iIDproves to 3-0 on the season Take out Sage in home opener Courtesy of Craig Merriman, Sports Information Director The Wilkes University lacrosse team improved to a school-best 3-0 with a 21-1 win over first-year program Sage. The win marks the first time the program has also won three-straight games and set a season-high for goals in a game. The Lady Colonels dominated offensively tallying 35 shots, all but five of which were on goal. All but two players other than the goalkeepers scored at least one goal, while five different players had at least two scores on the day. Brittney Hodnik scored a season-high four goals, while Melissa Polchinksi added four as well. She has now scored four or more goals in all three games this season. Not only did Wilkes control the tempo offensively, it also had more ground balls (31-22) and draw controls (20-4). The Gators, playing their first game in school history, had six shots on goal, including a score by Brianna Thompson, who accounted for three shots on goal, four ground balls and a caused turnover. Hodnik put the Lady Colonels on the board first with an unassisted goal at the 25:12 mark before Melissa Polchinksi scored the game-winner less than two minutes later off an assist from Hodnik, her first of four on the day. • The Lady Colonels would eventually lead 14-0 at the half and 18-0 The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick before Sage would score its first goal. Wilkes scored its final three goals, two on free position shots with under two minutes to play, taking advan- Number 16 Analicia Jost catches the ball during the home opener against Sage on Thursday March 12. The Lady Colonels will take on FDU-Florham on Saturday March 21 at 1:00 p.m. at home. tage of a two-player advantage during that span. Baseball has superb spring break in South Carolina BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Wilkes University's baseball team recently participated in the Ripken Experience to1illament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, over Spring Break. The Colonels posted a 4-2 record throughout the week long tournament and flexed their muscles in the four victories, scoring in double digits each game and twice eclipsing the 20run mark. "The main thing we took away from our two southern trips is that in typical Wilkes tradition, this team is going to play 'oldfashioned- hard-nosed-baseball.' And if we do, we can win," said head coach Joseph Folek. "Our defense will be solid but we'll need to pitch and hit better as a team for it to be a successful season. It's no secret that we graduated one of our better classes last year, so I think everyone is interested to see how we respond as a team." Wilkes defeated Wesley College 13-10 on March 3, before taking on Manchester on March 5. The Colonels scored three runs in the first inning of the game to take a quick lead, but allowed Manchester to score four in the third inning. Manchester would add two more in the fourth inning, adding to a lead that the Colonels would not overtake. Senior catcher/outfielder Andrew Garofoli went 3-5 for Wilkes with two doubles and two RBI, but the Colonels eventually lost 9-5. Garofoli would eventually take Freedom Conference Player of the Week honors for his performance during the event. Wilkes split a double-header against SUNY Plattsburgh the next day, winning the first game by the score of 25-14 before losing the next I 0-5. A day later they played Lehman, whom they dominated 21-4. Senior second baseman Geoff Miller went 3-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, one of six Colonels to have multiple hits in the game. Wilkes's pitchers struck out 11 Lehman batters and gave up just four easy runs following an offensive 15-run explosion in the game's first four innings. Sophomore starter Al Clocker received the win after throwing five scoreless innings while giving up just two hits and striking out four. The Colonels had 19 hits in all, with four for extra bases. "We started off the week with a win, which gave us momentum for the remainder of the trip," said junior starting pitcher Tom Buckler (3-0). "All of the teams there were decent competition. SUNY Plattsburgh was a great team; our bats were just really hot in the first game and they got the best ofus in the second game." The Colonels won their final game of the Ripken Experience 12-4 over PSU-Berks, wrapping up a very successful week in South Carolina. "The trip was great overall," said Buckler. "There were six players per room, and it made us all closer, which is always a good thing while playing on a team together." "I expect this team to win a lot of games and compete for a playoff spot," said Folek. "Once [you reach the playoffs], it's a new season and all you can hope to do is take off and peak at that time. It'll be a team approach with seniors right through the freshman expected to pitch in and help us win," he concluded. The Colonels' next game is at home today against Marywood at 4 p.m. Baseball Results for 2009 Season 2/21 St.Mary's W 2-1, L 0-3 2/22 St. Mary's L 3-8 3/4 Wesley W 13-10 3/5 Manchester L 5-9 3/6 Plattsburgh W 25-14, L 5-10 3/7 Lehman W 21-4 3/8 PSU-Berks W 12-4 �MARCH 17, 2009 17 SPORTS Softball goes 1-3 at Beach Blast Tourna01ent Two tournament losses come in tough fashion BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The Wilkes University women's softball team participated in the Beach Blast tournament over the course of two days during spring break. The women went 1-3 during the tournament, which was held in Virginia Beach, Virginia. But J:he losing record does a poor job of illustrating the team's overall performance, as two of the losses were very close in score. The Lady Colonels dropped their first game of the season 12-3 to Lynchburg Col·1ege on March 7. Senior catcher Erin Plank's two-run homerun and freshman outfielder Amanda Holston's RBI double accounted for Wilkes' offense, which was unable to match Lynchburg's output. Wilkes would lose its second game 3-1 to Frostburg State. Sophomore starting pitcher Lindsay Behrenshausen started for the Lady Colonels and pitched effectively, allowing just two hits in four innings of scoreless work. She also struck out seven in the no-decision. "I was really excited to get out there for my first game of the season," said Behrenshausen. "I just wanted to start the game strong and help the team out as best as I could in order to get the win." Sophomore Cori Saltzer drove in Wilkes's lone run of the game in the loss. The next day saw Wilkes pick up its first win of the season in a 6-3 decision over the University of Virginia-Wise. Senior starting pitcher Kaitlyn Kormanik pitched a complete game for the Lady Colonels, striking out five and walking none. She allowed three runs, two of which were earned. The offense had ten hits, with sophomore first baseman Kristy Ordile going 2-4 with three RBI. They lost their next game to Christopher Newport in close fashion, ending up on the wrong end of a call at home plate. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning and the score tied at one apiece, Behrenshausen received a comebacker to the mound which she fired just shy of catching the runner crossing home. The run would haunt Wilkes, which went on to lose 2-1 . "When I saw the ball rolling back to me I was thrilled," said Behrenshausen. "In that type of situation that's exactly what you're looking for. With my luck though we were just inches from getting [the runner on third] out." Senior third baseman MeLisa Bracone hit a solo homerun for the Lady Colonels in the game. Senior second baseman Kathy Dalton shared her thoughts on her expectations for the team this season. "I have really high expectations for us as a whole, since we have nine seniors and eight starters returning. We're looking forward to ride our experience to a Freedom Conference championship since we were picked to finish sixth in the conference prior to the start of the season, something that we took as a slap in the face." Wilkes's next home game is on Thursday, March 19, against Lycoming College at 3 P.M. Upcoming Home Schedule Lycoming College- 3/19, 3 P.M. DeSales University- • 3/21, 1 P.M. Delaware Valley College- 3/22, 1 P.M. WWW.CHANG.EABLESKIES.COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT: Bill Henry william.henryOO@comcast.net 215-768-4619. WELCOME BACK! STILL NEED AN APARTMENT FOR NEXT YEAR ??? THIS IS WHAT IS LEFT FOR THE 09-10 SEASON: 84 WEST ROSS STREET----2 BED ROOM APTS FREE PARKING & UTILITIES INCLUDED JOAN HENRY HALL---- ONE 4 BED ROOM APT LEFT, UTILITIES INCLUDED CT NOW BEFORE YOU LOSE YOUR TAN AN YOU START STUDYING AGAIN! The Colonel baseball team took on Muhlenberg College on Friday, March 13, at Ralston Fields. Marywood University will visit the Colonels on Tuesday, March 17, at 4:00 p.m. and Keuka College will come on Saturday March 21 at 12:00 p.m. �MARCH 17, 2009 18 SPORTS RINKSIDE REPORT S~ · New defenseIDan bolsters Penguins' line-up BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer Although he's only been a member of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for less than two weeks, Andy Wozniewski has already exceeded the expectations of interim head coach Todd Reirden. When Wozniewski was acquired from the St. Louis Blues organization in a trade deadline deal on March 4, Reirden initially compared the defenseman to himself during his playing days. But as Reirden watched Wozniewski play his first couple of games in a Penguins uniform, he realized that might not be the most accurate comparison. "I definitely made a mistake when I compared him to myself, because he's a way better skater than I was," Reirden said. When it comes to Wozniewski's abilities, skating is just the tip of the iceberg. "The Wizard of Woz" is a veteran of 77 National Hockey League games, posting two goals and ten assists over parts of four seasons with Toronto and St. Louis. In 56 games with the Peoria Rivermen this season, Wozniewski recorded one goal and 16 helpers. "He shoots it well, his feet are very good, better that I anticipated," Reirden said. "He's a bigger body, he can play physically, he can play on your second power play, he can kill penalties. I think he's a guy that can eat up a lot of minutes." In exchange for Wozniewski, Pittsburgh shipped defenseman Danny Richmond to St. Louis. As luck would have it, Richmond happened to be the only player on WilkesBarre/Scranton 's roster that Wozniewski had any sort of connection with. "We're actually from the same exact area," Wozniewski said. "Same town, same high school, same agent. It was kind of weird because he was the only guy I kind of knew and then we switched spots." Aside from having to learn the names and faces of his new teammates, Wozniewski had to learn Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's system. But that didn' t seem to faze the former University of Wisconsin Badger, who went through a similar process when he signed with St. Louis at the beginning of the season. Prior to that, Wozniewski had spent his entire professional career in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. "It was a lot more different than I thought, just getting to know a whole new system and all new guys, everything like that," Wozniewski said. "You don't realize it, but it plays a little part. You've just got to get used to it." Just as he was getting Peoria's system down pat, he learned that he had been traded to Pittsburgh at the Rivermen's morning skate. He then drove 13 hours over the course of two days to get to Wilkes-Barre, arriving the day before the Penguins visited the Syracuse Crunch. "That's the way the game goes and that's the business," he said. Wozniewski was held off the score sheet in his first week with the Penguins, but Reirden has been using the defenseman prominently. The coach believes it's only a matter of time before the goose egg hatches. "His best hockey for the Penguins here "U :::; 0 0 () 0 C ;::l. CD CJ) '< 8. A° CD CJ) CJJ .., al Ill cii () iil:;J 0 :;J "U CD :;J (0 C - ~ ~ s· The St. Louis Blues traded defense~ man Andy Wozniewski to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Danny Richmond in a trade deadline deal on March 4. is ahead of him," Reirden said. "You saw some good things from him this weekend, love having him, and we've got a lot of good things coming from him down the road." ODANO'S l'ISIT VS ON MARCH 17TH FOR A SPECIAi_ ST. PATRICK'S DAY CElEBRATION WITH DJ OOHWEE & HAPPY HOVR 9-11 COME CHECK OUT OUR FULL MENU: PIZZA, WINGS, STROMBOUS, HOAGIES, SALADS, & MORE! DAILi' LIJNCH AND &ENING MENIJ FEATIJRES • KITCHEN OPENS 1 {AM DAILi', OPEN LATE WEEKENDS MONDAI', WEDNESDAI', FRIDAi' WESDAI' & TIIIJRSDAI' SATlJRDAI' SIJNDAY HAPPV HOUR 5-7 · HAPPV HOUR 8-10 ALL DAV ALL DAV TIL MIDNIGHT: TIL MIDNIGHT: $2 BOTTLE FEATURE $10 DOMESTIC TAP TOWERS $3 BUDLl6HT PITCHERS $3 BAR PIES $3 BAR PIES 1/2 PRICE MIXED DRINKS $2 DOMESTICS $3 IMPORTS $3 WINES $8 32 OZ MIXED DRINK PITCHERS $3 BAR PIES .... PLEASE DRINI( RESPONSIBL¥;· RODANO'S WIU NOT SfllJIE ALCOHOL 10 INDIVIDIJALS IJNDER THE AGE OF 21. ,, 53 PUBLIC SQUARE PHONE:829-6444 FAX: 270-4293 �MARCH 17, 2009 19 SPORTS Athlete Spotlight: Andy Garofoli BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Edit<!IAndy Garofoli's baseball career began long before he came to Wilkes; however in his senior and final year of competition for the Colonels, Garofoli has started out with a bang. The .Wilkes baseball team Aheaded to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the Ripken Experience over spring break. In the six games between March 4-8, Garofoli helped lead the team to 4-2 record. On the season, the Colonels are 5-4. Garofoli, who grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania (Bishop Guilfoye High School), has posted an impressive .519 batting average this season. His skill has contributed for four doubles, three home runs and 12 RBIs on just 27 at bats. In addition, Garofoli has only struck out four times and currently has a slugging percentage of 1.00 and an onbase percentage of .649. Back for his fourth season with the Colonels, Garofoli believes he has grown as a player during his college career. "Since I have gotten to Wilkes my game has improved in the aspects of hitting and fielding. I broke my hand summer ofmy senior year [of high school], and last year I finally regained full potential of my hitting and throwing abilities," Garofoli said. WRESTLING FromPAGE20 "As far as Frank, he never lost confidence in himself and continued to challenge himself to get better. He wrestled an extremely competitive January and went through a stretch were he was like 6-10, but he never stopped believing in himself. The key for him out in Iowa was he made his competitors wrestle his match and he capitalized on his strengths." For Heffernan, one of the best parts of nationals was being able to experience it with four teammates. "It meant so much, it made the trip so much more enjoyable being out there with such good friends. It also made preparation for the tournament a lot better because there were so many of us to work out with one another and push each other," Heffernan explained. At 125 pounds, Farnham's first match at the national tournament was against the No. Playing baseball for approximately 15 years, Garofoli lettered all four years in high school. He was quite successful on the field during high school, being named to the All-conference team his Junior and se- nior years. Garofoli is also busy off the field, majoring in Pharmacy and playing a part in Rho Chi Society, a pharmacy honors organization. One of only four seniors playing for the Colonels this Photo Courtesy of Andy Garofoli 1 seed Jake Oster ofElmurst College. Famham would fall to Oster in a close 6-2 decision. In the consolation bracket, Farnham was eliminated from the tournament after losing to Dan Bloom of Wesleyan. Pauling, at 133 pounds, also lost his first match of the national tournament, falling to the No. 8 seed Nichalos Northern of Cornell 6-4. In his second match, Pauling would fall to Tony Lawler of Heidelberg 9-3 to eliminate himself from the tournament. Smith was the next Colonel to take the mat at the national competition. Seeded No. 8 in the tournament, Smith fell to Kevin Sutherland of Rhode Island 7-2 in his first match. Smith would win again in the consolation bracket, defeating Tyler Branham of TCNJ before falling to Blaine Woszczak of Ithaca to end his hopes of All-American status. Pizarro was the fourth Wilkes wrestler to fall in his first match of the day. At 197 pounds, he lost a 4-2 decision to Joseph Silverman of MIT; however, he would keep season, Garofoli, a catcher and outfielder, was named team captain this season. For his performance in the early season, Garfoli was named Freedom Conference Player of the Week on March I 0. Fellow senior Eric Wetzel explained that Garofoli understands his role as a leader for a young team which includes 13 freshmen. "Andy is our team leader on and off the field and always gives 110% whether he is playing or is already out of the game watching the player that replaced him," Wetzel said. Garofoli sees his captain role as an analytical one adding, "At practice, as a captain you have to constantly beJ ooking for ways to help the team get better, whether it be the smallest detail or the most obvious detail of the teams game that needs worked on. Also, you have to push the team, and encourage the guy beside you to do better than you. Challenging my teammates has helped them, as well as myself, to become better ball players and a better team." Garofoli added, "I see myself as someone to look up to on the team, and as a team leader along with the other two captains. I want to be a model for the rest of the younger guys on the team so they can see what it takes to win in our conference and baseball in general." Andy Garofoli stands on base during a recent baseball game. Garofoli is one of the captains of this year's team and looks to lead the team to a conference championship. himself in the tournament after defeating the No. 1 seed Alec Bonander of Luther College (Iowa) in the consolation bracket. Pizarro would go on to lose to Eric Vincent of Merchant Marine, ending his junior season. Despite only one.-All-American, the 2009 season was one of success for the Wilkes Colonels wrestlers. "The team had the goal of winning the Metros from day one and I think as the season progressed they really found that through their hard work and commitment that they put themselves in position to win the Metros. We also had a very experienced team and had some outstanding freshmen performances throughout the season," Laudenslager said. Heffernan added, "The team was so strong because we had such good unity and chemistry. We all got along with each other and had the same goals since day one. This made pushing each other throughout the year bearable." As for the loss of three seniors, Laudenslager expressed nothing but praise. "The seniors have set high expectations for Wilkes wrestling in the future. They will never be forgotten in our program and have laid the future for Wilkes wrestling. They created a special team this year and after winning the first conference title since 197 5 they all should be proud of what they accomplished. They certainly gave us a championship performance this year." �MARCH 17, 2009 20 SPORTS Wrestlers close out season in iinpressive fashion Win Metro Conference championship sending.five to nationals BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor The Wilkes University wrestling team finished out its 2009 season strong, winning the Metropolitan Conference Championship at York College on Sunday, February 22 and sending five wrestlers, including all three seniors to the NCAA Division III tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Three wrestlers claimed individual championships. Seniors Josh Pauling, Erik Smith and junior Zach Pizarro won at their respective weight classes and earned bids to the national tournament. Senior Shaun Farnham and junior Frank Heffernan both received at-large bids to the national tourna- ment after placing second and third, respectively in their weight classes. Overall, the team won the Metropolitan Conference Championship. The Colonels combined for 98 team points, barely edging out The College of New Jersey with 86.5 points. Head Coach Jon Laudenslager was also awarded Metro Conference Coach of the Year. Following the Metro tournament, the five wrestlers heading to nationals had a little under two weeks to prepare for the tournament start on March 6. For Farnham, Pauling, and Smith it would be their final time suiting up as a Colonel. "I could not be happier to take all three of the seniors to the National tournament to- gether. They have combined for nearly 300 college wins and certainly all have helped us become the team we are today. Each year they have helped our team continually improve and reach new heights. I'm really proud of all they have accomplished as individuals and as a team," Laudenslager said of the seniors. Heffernan was the only Colonel wrestler to achieve All-American status at the national tournament. At 174 pounds, Heffernan defeated the No. 4 seed David Priest of Ithaca in his first bout of the day. He would fall to the No. 5 seed, Kyle Kehrill of Cornell, in his next match, 8-6 in overtime. In the consolation bracket, Heffernan won a 20 decision over Ryan Dormann of Stevens Institute of Technology, securing All-American status. He would fall again, sending himself into the seventh place match. In his final bout of the season, Heffernan would defeat Brian Thomason of York 4-2 to end the tournament in seventh. This was Heffernan's second time suiting up for the national tournament, something Laudenslager believes is very beneficial to any wrestler. "I think anytime it's your second time out at the National tournament you are a little more relaxed," Laudenslager said. See WRESTLING on page 19 B1 Be 1 in~ Joe It'i th~ un sti di~ en, ha· 'n< !or ) 1m m2 hi1 thi gic ne Ur Sc HE pn E£ l Junior Frank Heffernan was the only Wilkes wrestler to achieve All-American status at the NCAA Division III National Tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 6-7. Heffernan finished seventh at the tournament and with an overall season record of25-13. He is seen here wrestling an opponent at the Marts Gym during the 2008-2009 season. m A.s, j hit la~ th, co ye ~ Check out Dr. Cue Billards, American's Top Pool Player and Trick Shot Champion from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the SUB Game Room. rei Check out the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins game against Philadelphia at 7:05 p.m. at Wachovia Arena. Sign up for the Colonel CharityChallengeonApril 19. Visit gowilkesu.com for more information. Hinder comes to the Kingston Armory sponsored by Programming Board. Concert starts at 8:00 p.m. The F.M. Kirby Center will host ~tephen Lynch at 8:00 p.m. Tickets start at $22.50. de Cc � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 March 17th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 March 17 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/be4eaf567a79f5ca897a0c49207750a3.pdf ca18530b2811a36ace030a8c8247871f PDF Text Text FINANCIAL SECTOR TANKS PAGE 6 BASEBALL PAGE 20 . STEVE HOFSTETTER PAGE 12 MARCH 24, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 61 Issue 17 Wilkes freezes hiring on 'non-essential' positions SG reps at • odds over AED BYAMYFUSCO Beacon News Editor The nation's recession is not only squeezing pocketbooks and causing the Dow to look like a maniacal amusement park ride. It's also sent unemployment rates through the roof, and like many other colleges and universities, Wilkes has been forced to institute a limited hiring freeze for the immediate future. Specifically, at least until the end of the spring semester, Wilkes officials have put a moratorium on all hiring for 'non-essential' positions. It is unclear how long the freeze will last. According a recent article "More schools impose hiring freezes" in USNews.com, many colleges and universities instituted hiring freezes near the end of 2008 due to the current economic conditions. Some regional instititons in that list included Cornell University, Brown University, Temple University, and University of Maryland. The Beacon/ Amy Fusco Schools such as Ithaca College, Lock Despite a university-wide hiring freeze, some searches continue. Public safety is currentHaven University, and others suspended ly two people short for positions that are considered 'essential' for university operation. previously advertised searches for faculty positions due to the economic downturn. See HIRING page 3 A former Wilkes University student found himself in an altercation involving a knife last week, but the police department says that there's no evidence that a crime was committed. Early Saturday morning on March 14, 19year-old Stephen Bierlya, a Wilkes-Barre resident and former Wilkes University student who is currently enrolled at Luzerne County Community College, was involved in an unanticipated attack that left him with a bloody wound on his neck. Bierlya had to be taken to the hospital to receive medical attention. According to a Wilkes-Barre Police Department press release, an unknown individual entered Bierlya 's apartment and assaulted him with a knife. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. early Saturday morning at Bieryla's 372 South Franklin Street residence just one block from campus. Numerous attempts to contact Bieryla ON THE WEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu INDEX News ............... 1-5 Opinion...........6'~ 8 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor · were unsuccessful. Junior communications major Andrew Wolak dropped Bieryla off at his home a half hour before the incident occurred and was stunned when he first heard the news of the attack. "I could not believe that this happened," said Wolak. "I was completely shocked. I immediately went and called him to make sure everything was ok and he told me what had happened." Student Government representatives purchased a portable AED (Automated External Defibrillator) machine for about $1,500 on March 11; however, the choice to do so was not without some controversy at the SG meeting. SG president Carl Santana introduced the idea of purchasing a portable AED in the weekly SG meeting, and it was approved and purchased at that meeting. However, the speed with which the proposal went through raised eyebrows among some representatives. "It was just introduced so quickly. There was such a quick discussion and a quick vote. I don't even think it was a two-week process," said David Sborz, SG senior class president. Sborz expressed that the AED was bought in haste, without much thought on the part of student government members. Wilkes currently has nine stationary AEDs on campus, but the SG purchase was for a portable machine to be used during off-campus events. An AED can save the life of a person who has gone into sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and is usually effective within the first 3 to 5 minutes of the attack. "The AED is used in case someone goes into cardiac arrest through physical activity or anything ... like a heart attack. Using that machine, you can bring the person's heart See BIERLYA page 5 See AED page 3 Former student victim of off campus attack BYANTHONYDORUNDA Assistant Beacon Op/Ed Editor purchase Lifestyles ..•....9-11 A&E. ...........12-15 Sports .•. ,,...... 16~2.0 Established 1936 PAN ewspaper Association Member w . · · . . • ·• �NEWS MARCH 24, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com 2 Political expert offers insights into race and politics UPenn s Dr. Rogers Smith lecture sponsored by honor society s grant BY AMY FUSCO Beacon News Editor Dr. Rogers Smith, University of Pennsylvania's Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Political Science, offered his unique take last Thursday on Barack Obama's historic rise to the presidency as nation's first African American in that role. Smith's lecture "Barack Obama and the Future of American Racial Politics" was made possible thanks to a grant awarded to the political science honor society, Sigma Pi. It was the seventh consecutive year in which the Wilkes student group was awarded the grant. Smith teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, where he researches topics such as public law, American political thought and political theory. With his expertise in race relations, Wilkes organizers believed his lecture would be both relevant and timely given that Barack Obama is still working on his first hundred days in the Oval Office. Dr. Thomas Baldino, political science professor and interim dean for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, was instrumental in bringing Smith to campus. He had followed Smith's career and knew he had important expertise in the area of race and politics. "He [Smith] is a very thoughtful individual. His concerns involve a broad, sweeping coverage of citizenship and voting rights," Baldino commented. He explained that Smith's lecture would make historical references to try to place into context what it means to have an African American president. Aside from learning about race relations, Baldino hoped that having students listen to a professional, top-notch political scientist and discuss how he has acquired and analyzed his data, would help The Beacon/Amy Fusco Currently, Smith is co-authoring a book with Dr. Desmond King, Oxford, focusing on race relations and American development. BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu the political science majors learn about the skills needed for the field. Baldino founded the Wilkes charter of Sigma Pi in 1992 and has written a proposal each year for the grant, which is a national competition for funding of activities, such as lectures and discussion programs. "Frankly, I wasn't sure how competitive it would be, so I thought I'd just give it a shot," said Baldino. "I got one and then decided to keep doing it until they sar, no _and they haven't said t.L.........LlW....w:~ The Beacon/Amy Fusco n? yet. This year th e grant pro- Six political science students were recently inducted into the Sigma Pi vided funds for the speaker and chapter of the national honor society Sigma Pi Alpha. also a lunch for the newly inducted Sigma Pi students. There were cuses on issues with civil rights as nation on issues of race, so I six students inducted this year, and civil liberties of America. He hope it stimulates some thinking including Katie Nealon, Adam has a professional interest in the about that," he added. Szumski, Lauren Benhamou, Sar- country having its first African "I think it was great that we had ah Decesaris, Joshua Siejak, and American president, in which he the opportunity to have somebody Jeremy LaPorte, all political sci- researches how this was possible talk about Barrack Obama and ence maJors. and its significance. Smith is cur- race relations," said Joshua Sie"We went out to lunch at Cafe rently co-authoring a book with jak, junior political science major, Toscana with [Smith] after the Dr. Desmond King, professor of "It's a very important issue and lecture," Siejak said, "It was nice American government at Univer- I'm glad Pi Sigma Alpha was able to be able to sit at a professional sity of Oxford, about racial orders to fund it." He felt that the lecture lunch with him." Siejak explained and development of the American was very informative and that the there were very stringent require- state. speaker knew the subject material ments GPA-wise to be selected for "I hope [the students will] get very well. Sigma Pi and it was also advisor some insight into the rather un"I thought it was very interesting selection. usual role of race that played in to see the spread of race relations Baldino explained that the so- the election," said Smith. He ex- from the time that slavery ended ciety releases the grant recipients plained the election was unusual up until modem day," Siejak addeach summer. Last year, thirty or because the candidates did not talk ed. "It raised a lot of questions in forty out of approximately I 00 much about race although Obama my own head for further research." chapters received grants for their was the first African American He thought Smith was very neuactivities. candidate. He went into depth tral in explaining the issues with Smith has lectured widely with this topic during the lecture. race relations, unlike many biased across the country. He explained "It [the lecture] is also to inspire news sources. that as a political scientist, he fo- reflection on where we are going Editorial Staff 2008-09 Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz LizVoda Design Staff �MARCH 24, 2009 AED from FRONT PAGE I g d y itd back into rhythm so that they don't die," said Carl Santana, SG president. Clubs that involve physical activity always have a greater risk of someone being injured, which is why the AED could be beneficial. .., The idea of the portable AED was brought to Santana's attention when a fellow lacrosse team member's cousin died on the field due to a body check to the chest causing his heart to stop. Had there been an AED there, he may have survived. Because of that incident, the Wilkes lacrosse team has a portable AED machine. "I just thought that every other student should have that same opportunity to have one [an AED] available at events," said Santana. Any student, in any club can use the AED machine, as long as they go through the training. Clubs can also benefit from the portable AED. Someone in the club must be trained to use the machine. The clubs that involve physical activity, such as the Frisbee club and the equestrian club, pose a higher risk at any event they go to off campus for SCA. The training for the AED is not extensive and the machine has directions and visual pictures on it as well. "It's actually made for a lay person. You don't have to be a medical person to use it. It's very simple. It talks you through every step," said Diane O'Brien, director of health services. The portable AED machine will be stored in Passan Hall in Health Services. This location was chosen because the building is secure at night, but that's not the only rea- NEWS 3 son that it's a good location to store the AED. Prior to the purchase of the portable AED, Health Services did not have one in their building. "That's why I was kind of happy that he [Santana] chose to store it here because we are a secure building and it would be nice to have one here," said O'Brien. The training will be free through the insurance that Wilkes has. The details of the training are not fully worked out. Currently, the details of who will administer the training, where the training will be held or how long the training will be are undetermined. It is also unknown how the actual process of loaning the AED out will run. "The details of this aren't even worked out. I think that's something we passed by rather quickly in our discussion," said Sborz. Sborz worries that the students will not take the time out of their schedules to take the training. The portable AED, worth about $1,500, runs the risk of sitting in Passan Hall without any potential use. Santana said that the machine was $1,500, and if it is used once then it is well worth the money spent. "Money shouldn't be an issue when it comes to buying an AED," said Santana. He also said that SG has the money and it should have been purchased a long time ago. Sborz brought up the difference between SG spending money on a health resource for students and the university providing health resources to students. "If this is a major, major concern for students, then I think that the university should have taken some type of role in this. I think it's unfortunate that we're paying student activity fees to make up for things that the university should be supporting," said Sborz. There were also concerns brought up in the meeting by fellow student government members dealing with insurance questions. Sborz expressed that students might not feel comfortable using this AED machine on other students. "Another part of it that complicates things: are students going to want to take the risk? If something happens, are students going to want to take the risk of using this device [on another student]?" said Sborz. Santana would like to see another portable AED on campus within the next year in case of a conflict of offcampus events. The nine stationary AEDs on campus are located in the buildings and locations that students most frequently inhabit, such as the Martz Gym, the SUB, Ralston Field, and Evans Hall. Since those machines have been installed in the buildings, Wilkes has never encountered a situation where the AEDs needed to be used. "But, you know, if you use it once, it's going to be the best thing in the world," said The Beacon/ Jacqueline Lukas O'Brien. Stationary AEDs are located in nine buildings on campus. Some SG members were opposed to the purchase of a portable AED because they are already on campus. plained that an essential position is something the university cannot do without. For example, some teaching positions will need to be replaced if a professor leaves or a course needs to be taught. Gerald Rebo, public safety manager, acknowledged the need for two more public safety officers due to previous departures. Because public safety is required to staff 24-hours per day, officer positions are considered essential to the right management of the overall well-being of the campus. Right now, the office is engaged in the interview process for the officer positions. There are 13 full-time staff members and one parttime. "Wilkes is not going to compromise security and the safety of its students," Rebo stated. Carver explained that the president's cabinet will look at the emollment and revenue numbers for next year, and will then deter- mine what cutbacks or freezes may be necessary for the coming year. "We have to be very conscious about the [positions] we replace and the ones we don't replace," explained Carver. "The ones that aren't immediately replaced means that people need to become more creative and ... more efficient to ensure that the university continues to do what it needs to do in providing excellent education to students," she added. Dr. Reynold Verret, provost, explained that the hiring freeze is not routine. It only occurs during difficult economic times. "I think the impact is not immediately detrimental," said Verret, "I think it does cause us to slow some plans." Verret added that if a hiring freeze is instituted for a longer period of time, there would be different effects. "It's not a complete hiring freeze," Verret stated, "There are some positions we HIRING from FRONT PAGE Even Ivy League schools are facing major g ns ed ldm h." euith "ed economic challenges. Petra Carver, vice president for finance and support operations, is the university's budget manager and has overseen all changes and cutbacks, as well as the hiring freeze. "When we discovered that we had a significant deficit for 2009, we needed to look at options, what we could do to minimize that deficit as much as possible," explained Carver. "One step in that direction is to freeze non-essential hiring." The president's cabinet determines which positions are considered 'essential' and therefore exempt from the freeze. "J think we have plenty of experience to really know what is essential and what is not," commented Carver, "I don't think it's difficult to make that distinction." She ex- allowed to search for." For example, the search to hire a director of engineering is still underway. Additionally, there is a search for a new biophysicist, which is strongly needed. He believes there are positions linked to crucial needs, that add to determining which positions to fill. A variety of discussions with department chairs aids in the decision. "If we could honestly say that we could wait [to fill a position], we would wait," said Verret. The uncertainty of the economy makes the duration of the partial hiring freeze unclear. Verret has seen some positive economic signs in the previous week and assured that if things keep getting better, the freeze will be over. He acknowledged that there are so many "what-ifs" right now. "My concern is not what we know, but what we don't know," said Verret. �MARCH 24, 2009 NEWS 4 Media leaders caution against panic over newspapers' demise BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor kes-BaITe area according to Scott Wasser, managing editor of The Times Leader. The Rocky Mountain News. The Seattle "It's just a good newspaper market. I Post Intelligencer. The Chicago Tribune. The don't necessarily see the competition Los Angeles Times. The Philadelphia Inquirer. going away, unless something traumatic The list of newspaper closings and those filing happened," said Wasser. for bankruptcy seems to be growing daily. Wasser noted that many people are givShocking reports of century-old newspaing the internet more credit than it depers closing their doors have prompted media serves. The newspaper existed before the analysts to ask whether the recent changes are internet and it has survived on only the signalling the death knell of an industry. print version for a very long time in spite Some newspapers, like the Seattle Post Inof earlier changes such as the advent of telligencer, have opted to stop the economic television news. bleeding by eliminating the print version of "There 's nothing on the internet that the publication in favor of an exclusively ondoes what a newspaper does ... The Times line presence. As a result, the Pl staff was reLeader online, for example, would not duced from over 100 to a mere 20 people. exist if it wasn't for The Times Leader However, the move to an exclusively online newsroom," said Wasser. publication is not yet the norm in the field. AcHowever, as more tehcnologically savcording to Mark Fitzgerald, editor-at-large of vy consumers engage in Twittering, postthe Editor and Publisher (E&P), newspapers ing on Facebook, and blogging, some in America are doing relatively well. E&P is analysts argue that news and information America's oldest journal that covers the newsgathering has become a far more personpaper industry. alized industry, something mainstream "Even some of the big papers in the most media cannot readily adapt to and that troubled chains are still churning out profit business models can't compete with. margins in the high teens. That's three or four Although the Seattle Post-Inteltimes the margins of Exxon Mobil," Fitzgerligencer cut its staff dramatically, ald wrote in an article on March 18 for E&P. other journalists see these tough Newspapers are doing well here in the Wiltimes in a different light. "There will be a need for journalists, no matter what," said Byron Pitts, senior national coITespondent, contributing co1Tespondent to 60 Minutes on CBS, in a conference for College Media Advisors (CMA) in New York City March 15-17. Pitts argued that the print industry will undoubtedly continue to move more toward the digital and broadcast platforms because of technological advancements, but consumers are not likely to abandon reading for information. Charles Gibson, anchor of ABC World News, also spoke at the New York conference and agreed with Pitts about the importance of the field and that people will always need and want information in order to make decisions. However, Gibson acknowledged some concern about the The Beacon/ Jacqueline Lukas future of the industry because Some newspapers, like the Seatlle-Post Intelligencer, cut their staff dramatically to go from a "the economics of our busiprint version to an online version of their newspa- ness is shifting beneath our per. Although many journalists lost their jobs, By- feet." Gibson emphasized the ron Pitts, of 60 Minutes said that there will always importance of reading the be a need for journalists in our society. newspaper and urged young people to subscribe. He also actively encouraged young people to enthusiastically enter the field. "I can't think of a more exciting j ob than to be on the national news and do what reporters do," said Gibson. The future of the newspaper business does not woITy Wasser. He knows that the business, especially in the Wilkes-BaITe area, is secure because it is such a good newspaper market. "There is no more convenient or effective way of delivering the news than a daily newspaper," said Wasser. The Beacon/ Jacqueline Lukas Charles Gibson, anchor of ABC World News, recently addressed young journalists at the CMA conference in New York. He encouraged them to continue studying despite the decision of some newspapers to eliminate the print version of their publication. S,CRIIN PR1NT1N9 IMIROZDIRY p,a,(J(ZONM trl LOCATED IR WILKES-DA.JIB! .A.CRDSS PBDM Hm.Y UDUMEB DAl:DOMmrrS AND anull IEV!RiG!! s:7D ~B23 .9272 IHWW .4T - SHIB TS *COM YOUR HOME F'DR WINTER WEEKEND! �MARCH 24, 2009 NEWS the doors," said Gorton. "We try to make sure everything is closed and we are trying to be more aware." from FRONT PAGE As for the incident last Saturday, Public Senior engineering student Joe Gorton, Safety Manager Gerald Rebo declined comand a neighbor, said that Bieryla sought ment citing the fact the Bieryla was no lonhelp immediately following the incident. ger a Wilkes student. According to Gorton, someone had broAlthough the incident occurred off-camken into Bieryla's home and attacked him pus, Tom Messinger, executive director of when he came to inspect the noise. Campus Support Services, doesn't want "He came over here with blood on his students to be hesitant about calling public neck," stated Gorton. "He told me someone safety when they're in trouble. was banging on the "If something door and broke into happens within the the house. When he immediate area, went to see what · ·• <.J<,,Q and it is an immewas going on, the diate threat, you man attacked him can by all means with a knife." .....'"""".............-..........-.........................-_......_...............-a call public safety," Gorton said that said Messinger. forced entries have been a recurring theme "They will respond." along his street. Only two weeks before the According to Wilkes-Barre Police Chief latest incident, Bieryla's house was bro- Gerald Dessoye, this was an unfounded ken into and groceries were stolen. It was case. In essence, the case at hand has been around the same time that Gorton's house, investigated and determined to be non-crimwhich is next door, was also broken into. inal. There was no evidence that a crime or Items belonging-to Gorton and his room- policy violation had occurred, meaning no mates also went missing. further investigation is needed. The recent thefts and break-ins have made Bieryla was released from Wilkes-Barre Gorton more aware of his surroundings. General Hospital that same morning with "I double check to make sure I've locked cuts on his neck. BIERLYA . If> 5 SG Notes March 18, 2009 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor 'Ireasurer's Report All College: $14,440.25 Conference: $11,080.09 General: $6,879.24 SpecialProjects: $3,079.06 Spirit: $4,000.00 Leadership: $8,652.59 Start-Up: $2,100.00 Club Reports The following clubs presented updates on their events. Programming Board, MSC SIFE, Renaissance Club, Math/CS New Business Running Club Donation Request (Week 1 of 1) $625 for the Annual Relay for Heat passed Society for Advancement Management Fund Request (Week 1 of 1) $1,750 was allocated to the SAM Conference Wilkes University Speech Team Fund Request (Week 1 of 2) Wilkes U Speech Team is asking for $1,173 for a National Debate Member of the Month: Shadae Gates fo February for WB St. Patrick's Day Parade Presidential Nominations Old Business Christian Fellowship Club Fund Request Thomas Bigler Journalism Confer ence Donation Request WB St. Patrick sDay Budget Portable AED Purchase Events WUPB Hinder on March 20 MSC presents Spring Fash ion Show and After Pa starting at 7 p.m. on March 21 2009 in the Ballroom • VIP Day from 1 p.m. - 2:30p m. on March 21, 2009 ICA Bollywood Extravaganza at p.m. on March 22, 2009 in the Ballroom *At 8:15 p.m., a motion was made to ad joum the SG meeting. The motion was ap proved. SG Meetings are open to all students They are held every Wednesday in the Mill er Conference Room on the second floor o HSC. P 'lc:1srr 1c1 Tc:,dc1y_ Ea ■ r ■■ 2 a■ p -· IVlc• ■ -th ! Interstate Blood & 665 t«• Plasma Inc_ c~:.Y t~~o'ro1~e~-,~~re. Pa �aid internships 8 0 12A!n,f;gn CONTACT INFORMATION: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Financial sector moral leaders cannot be found BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Years of greed-dominated management coupled with tremendous expansion and growth have left the financial sector in the greatest swan dive since the Great Depression. The rise oflow interest rates and cheap credit helped fuel big gains in the housing market and other business industries. This created a trend in which banks became more comfortable with risky loans. They began lending more money to more people with questionable or non-existent credit who had little hope of repaying the debts. Much of the banking industry began to fuse risky loans ('sub prime mortgages') into mortgagebacked bonds (IOUs). Bankers then began to turn these bonds into highly rated securities. The bonds were sold to banks, insurers and pension funds around the world, thus, escalating the situation into a global catastrophe. Many things could happen if a top CEO from a major lending company, such as AIG or Merrill Lynch, were to announce that their COiljlany could go under at any minute. Stock prices would plummet, lenders would call in their debts, banks and customers would freeze the company out, agencies would downgrade it, and before you know it, the once mighty and powerful CEO would find himself with a whole lot of explaining to do. Although hard to swallow, honesty is the best policy to adhere to. However, during the months leading up to the financial crisis, executives foolishly painted a sunny picture complete with duct tape and glue to disguise the true state of their companies. The problem is that while this might help push a company through rocky times, the executive who shades the truth is committing civil fraud, and if the company crashes, he faces the possibility of prison. The banks found themselves m a slump, and in order to rebuild their capital and profits, needed to increase lending costs. In direct correlation, rates have skyrocketed for mortgages, personal Io ans , overdrafts and credit cards, and borrowers have been hit the hardest. Nevertheless, as the economy continues to falter, rising bad debt will take its toll , forcing lenders to keep increasing their rates. The whole situation has had a devastating effect on both the international and U.S. economies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the national unemployment rate climbed to 8.1 percent in February 2009, leaving millions in financial shambles without opportunity to even pull themselves out. As a result, the house of cards has tumbled and many have lost homes, investments, vehicles, and retirement funds. So who should receive the blame and how should they pay? After a $700 billion Trouble Asset Relief Program introduced by the U.S. Treasury Department, CNN reported that Merrill Lynch dished out more than $3.6 bi!- lion in bonuses before a takeover by Bank of America on January 1, 2009. And the final straw for many taxpayers happened last week when it was widely reported that the troubled AIG, which had received over $170 billion of government bailout money, would pay out $165 million of that in "retention bonuses" to some of its top executives. The Washington Post reported that Joe Cassano, the financial products manager whose complex investments led to AIG's near collapse, is earning $1 million per month in consulting fees from the ailing financial giant. These are just a few examples of the corruption and stupidity that much of the financial sector has exhibited. But it doesn't stop there. Finally, who could forget former Chairman of the NASDAQ Stock Exchange, Mr. Bernard Madoff and his crafty ponzi scheme that surfaced late last year. Regulators said Madoff himself estimated that $50 billion in personal and institutional wealth from around the world was gone. The money went to fund his lavish lifestyle, with a New York apartment; a beachfront mansion in the Hamptons on Long Island; a small villa overlooking Cap d' Antibes on the French Riviera; a Mayfair office in London; yachts in New York, Florida and the Mediterranean. Madoff pleaded guilty last December, and the 70-year old now faces a maximum 150-year sentence. Now, investigators are tallying up Madoff's assets, valued at well over $800 million, so they can be liquidated and re-allocated to the thousands of victims who entrusted his firm with their money. Investigators are still trying to determine how many people were victimized and how much money was stolen. But even if all of his assets are liquidated, they only add up to a fraction of what he stole out of the pockets of his loyal customers. Personal advancement, selfishness and greed have served as the moral foundation on which the American financial sector has conducted itself for decades. Effectively, what business "leaders" have taught American youth is that to get ahead, it is perfectly acceptable to lie, cheat, and steal. While the average Americans' bad financial choices (purchasing homes they can't afford, maxing out credit cards, etc.) also serve as poor role modeling, it is the moguls like Madoff, and other poster children for bad business ethics like Bear Stearns' Jimmy Cayne, Merrill Lynch's Stan O'Neal, and Lehman's Dick Fuld who embody the most self-serving behavior, and consequently the most damaging to the rest of us. Although not all of the blame for a slumping economy should be put on the financial sector, it is still at the root of it all. Americans have a right to demand proper punishment. We advocate jail sentences, and not at Hilton-like detention centers. The moguls like Madoff should not only serve time, but do so right alongside the bank robbers who did it the old fashioned way-with guns. Irresponsible decisions by banking CEOs reflect selfbishness and greed. Millions of people have lost entire life savings as a result of the worsening economy. Those who led in unethical choices should face jail time. . 6 �MARCH 24, 2009 OPI N ION 7 The Angry Rant: Financial Frenzy BY TIM SEIGFRIED .., Wilkes Alumnus Someone once said that children are the future. Aside from that being a completely obvious and superfluous statement, it is a remarkably true one. But while the brass at the top is busy bailing out businesses whose management was so piss-poor that they ran themselves into the ground, those who have spent their hard earned money trying to do the right thing were getting the middle finger in return. At the very top of that list is Timothy Geithner, the US Secretary of the Treasury. Sure, this guy looks harmless enough, like a periodontist or something, but Mr. Geithner was heavily involved in the cluster-eff bailout for AIG. That is, when he wasn't too busy not paying his taxes. Between Geithner and the rest ofus sits a rogue's gallery of shady businessmen and women who are in charge of our money. They are at the blackjack table with trillions of dollars in taxpayer money, and keep hitting on 18 with a 6 showing for the dealer. Even though we are screaming "STAY, STAY!" it makes no difference. They control the purse strings, while John Everyman is left to wonder if he is going to have a job tomorrow. While our money is gambled away, the brass at the top still have enough chutzpah to bailout corporations and businesses that did a fine job of running themselves right into the ground thanks to poor business models and products, and billion-dollar bonuses. And at the bottom of the long list of those waiting to get any sort of help from the government are folks like you and me - students. Or former students. We all have to pay back an exorbitant amount of money for an overpriced education, plus interest. Ten years ago, all I ever heard from everyone was, "College is the only way you will ever make something of yourself!" And I believed them. After all, a degree from an institute of higher learning would increase my chances of getting an actual job and making decent money one day. That much is true. If Person A has a degree, he or she is more likely to get a job than Person B, especially if that job requires some sort of learning and/or experience. Except that the job market is the worst it's been in two decades. Unemployment is through the roof, and college educated citizens are having to settle for jobs that are well below their education level in order to put food on the table. While I understand it's part of a process, it doesn't have to be. Damn near all students have to pay back some form of debt that they used to cover their education. So even when they do get those high paying jobs, they are spending most of that money paying back the creditors that made that job a reality. And the rest of their paycheck? Well, the part that isn't swallowed by taxes is probably being squirreled away for a house or for car payments. Food? Heat? Who needs 'em? Do you have any idea how long it takes to pay off a student loan without assistance from mom and dad? Let's just say you'll be writing checks for a good decade or so until you're free and clear. And even then, there is (hopefully) a mortgage to pay off. Which brings me to my point: Why doesn't the government open up its pocketbook and bail out the college students who are up to their ears in debt? Bailing out big corporations doesn't help out the economy; that money isn't really being spent on anything. We learned that trickle-down economics didn't work in the 80s, why would it work now? It's time for something that I call "Eff-you Economics." It works like this: Give the money to those who actually need it (college graduates, responsible home owners). They are going to spend it. And when money is going into the economy from the hands of the consumers, it starts spinning again. When money goes to the people at the top to keep themselves afloat, no money gets back into the economy vis-a-vis the consumers. Yeah, that's right. A college graduate with a degree in journalism has a better idea of how to fix the economy than all the egg-head financial analysts in Washington. But really, folks, what about the American dream? Is this it? Is this what I'm relegated to? Did we all push our chips into the table, only to have the pit boss take them away before we even played a hand? It's bad enough that we need to pay to keep the banks and insurance giants afloat, but we can't even rub a few dimes together to pay for these student loans that was a priority? But do you know what the real priority is? Storming the gates of this massive corrupt bureaucracy with pitchforks and fire, Frankenstein-style. THEN maybe they will listen to us. High school basketball team loses gaine, wins respect BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor Madision would be charged with a technical foul. In accordance with high school rules, the opponents were allowed to take two free I realize that not all high school basket- throws. ball players can be as phenomenal as LeBThe score of the game wasn't important, ron James was during his senior year at St. and neither is the name of the player. What Vincent/St. Mary, but the story of one Illi- is important is that the opponent sent a playnois team truly tops anything that James has er to the charity stripe and had him intendone during his high school or professional tionally miss the two free throws that had career. been awarded to them. After a player from Milwaukee-Madison No, that was not a misprint: a coach had a lost his mother to a five-year battle with player miss two freebies in a tight contest. cervical cancer, the player showed up in In a world where a high school girl's team the second quarter of their home game, recently defeated a school for children with versus the visitors from DeKalb, Illinois, disabilities by a score of 100-0, when was a mere two and a half hours away, to sup- the last time anyone has heard of a team port his team. But he didn't want to wave turning aside two free points? a foam finger on the sidelines. He wanted Kudos to the coach and the players of that to get in the game. The problem was that team. It takes a real check of one's own ego his coach didn't list the player on the pre- to make such a decision under those cirgame roster, which meant that Milwaukee cumstances. I know it was early in the game, which made the decision a lot easier, but I got the feeling that this coach would have done the same thing down by one late in the game. For people thinking, "Oh, this wasn't that big of a deal," put yourself in this situation. It would be perfectly understandable if the decision were made to take the shots as usual. It's part of the game and no one should get special privileges. But the coach is also a parent, I am guessing, and he understood the situation. When all is said and done, this coach and these players are going to be remembered much more for the decision they made in that one game than for the final score and whether or not they won or lost. Life is not all about winning and losing. It's about doing the right thing no matter the end result. I wish some professional athletes read this story and saw the cour- -- c '/ age and maturity that these high school athletes showed. The team displayed qualities that many (not all) professional athletes do not possess. I guarantee that Kobe Bryant would not miss free throws on purpose no matter the cause, because it would hurt his average, which would hurt his chances for MVP, which would decrease his sponsors, and in the end lower his overall numbers and decrease the amount of zero's on his paychecks. The coach and players of that team should be commended for what took place on that court. And in case you were wondering, that team that missed the two free throws lost the game. But who's counting anyway? �MARCH 24, 2009 OPINION Unpaid internships perpetuate inequality BY CHRISTA SGOBBA • Beacon Lifestyles Editor full-time for free, and when other costs such as health insurance, accommodations, and transportation are factored in, that number dwindles. Let's look at the cost of one of these internships. In February, ED2010.com posted a listing for a full-time editorial intern at Marie Claire in New York Cityfor the summer. This is an unpaid internship which must be taken for college credit. At Wilkes, each credit costs around $700, so a three-credit intern- When the May 16 commencement rolls around, I hope to have landed my very own "real-life" journalism job, complete with long hours, strict deadlines, and the possibility of getting my byline out to thousands of readers. And if I'm really lucky, I may even get paid for it. With the nation's unemployment rate increasing to 8.1 percent in February, jobs are at a premium. Traditionally entry-level jobs are now being scooped up by more seasoned workers, leaving new graduates scrambling for any position they can find. In order to avoid going head-to-head with this competition, many graduates are looking toward summer internships as their first out-of-school job. Perhaps the greatest appeal to these internships is the possibility of a permanent job offer after their completion, an inarThe 8 guable boon in today's eacon/Gino Tr . . . ·~m strugglmg economy. Accordmg to a 2007 survey conducted by the ship would cost National Association of Colleges $2,100. Then there's and Employers, employers offered the whole business of a full-time job to nearly two out of moving to New York City. every three interns. According to myapartmentmap. However, there is one pesky com, the average studio apartment catch to the seemingly easy an- in the city costs $2,334 a month, swer of a post-graduate internship: bringing your total housing exyou're likely to be spending your penses for the summer to $7,002. summer working for free, with Three months of unlimited subn~ a health benefit in sight. way use costs $243, and food for Students in the field of com- the summer would add another munications are at a particular $1,000. disadvantage regarding the pheSo not counting incidentals, you nomenon oftli.:: unpaid internship. would be paying $10,345 to work According to an article published full-time for free as a magazine in Slate magazine in 2006, the ma- editorial intern. jority of internships in journalism No matter how ridiculous it may and politics are unpaid. And when seem to pay the cost of a brand the average paid intern at a bache- new Hyundai Accent just so you lor's degree level brings in $15.99 could toil away at 40-hour weeks, an hour, as shown by the 2007 the fact remains that these inNACE survey, journalism interns ternships are important stepping are at a definite disadvantage. stones for anyone interested in But I believe graduates who a career in media. Media outlets don't come from a privileged that offered unpaid summer inbackground are at the biggest dis- ternships for 2009 consist of The advantage. Only a small number Baltimore Sun, Newsday, Esquire, of graduates can afford to work Good Housekeeping, Harper's seem stuck on only one aspect of diversity. Previously, there have been minority internships offered at The Chicago Sun-Times, The Seattle Times, and the Philadelphia Daily News, as well as with the Kaiser Foundation for Urban Health Reporting. That's a step in the right direction, but it's forgetting that diversity exists beyond what's reflected by skin color. The danger of these internships is the perpetuation of a class bias at our most well-known and sought after media organizations. It's no surprise that media organizations like to hire what they know. If an intern spent the whole summer producing quality work for an employer, he or she is going to have an obvious edge over unknown graduates applying for that same job. And if these organizations are offering only unpaid internships, the majority of the work familiar to these media moguls will be that completed by interns from a privileged background. That's what will comprise their staff. So what's there to be done about over this? The obvious answer is for $100,000 a media organizations to offer a livyear, which is ing wage to their interns. But in only 20 percent of today's struggling economy, espet h e entire college popula- cially in regard to journalism, that tion. Students chosen for these could be financially difficult for competitive internships may be them, even if they saw the need to the best out of the applicant pool, do so. Some schools are trying to even but it's unlikely they are the best of best, since a majority of the po- the playing field by allowing all tentials don't even apply because of their students to apply for any internship they wanted, regardof financial infeasibility. Because of this, media organiza- less of financial need. The College tions that offer unpaid internships of William and Mary, Wellesley are hurting their own upper hand College, and Brandeis University, by ignoring a pool of potential among others, offer stipends for applicants that could only enrich unpaid internships. Right now, Wilkes University their organization. Newspapers, magazines, and television stations only offers stipends to students have a diverse audience out there, who intern at non-profit or federal and staffing their outlets with jour- agencies. Regardless of what steps are nalists who aren't representative of the whole picture can leave im- taken, the playing field must be leveled for journalism internships. portant needs unmet. Some media organizations who The media's job is to represent the understand the importance of a needs of the people, but that can't diverse staff are making efforts be done if the journalists make up to bring in staff members with only a small part of that populadifferent backgrounds, but they tion. Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and MTV Networks, which include MTV, VHl, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and Spike TV. And since employers are hiring two out of every three interns, I believe those graduates whose families can afford to back these expenses have started their careers with an unfair advantage. So who's working these unpaid internships? According to a 2004 USA Today article, 60 percent of these interns come from families who make 8 Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. The Beacon asked: Should the Scranton State School of the Deaf be included in the 2008-2009 budget? • Yes - 44% • No -22% • Undecided - 33% Next Week-s question: Should the financial CEOs be jailed for their role in the eco nomic downturn? • Yes •No • Undecided Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu MARCH 24, 2 09 wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com g Podcasts offer Wilkes students alternate learning option BY RUTH WHISPELL Beacon Staff Writer Most Wilkes students are completely unaware that Wilkes University is a participant in iTunes U, a new approach to teaching gaining widespread popularity. The iTunes U approach takes lectures to a whole new level by allowing a teacher to record their lecture, add pictures and visuals, and upload the lecture onto iTunes. Then students can download the lecture on their computers and watch it over and over again, while pausing, rewinding, and fast forwarding. The student can also download the lecture to an iPod, thus making learning something he or she can do anywhere. But only a handful of Wilkes professors actually take advantage of this technological learning tool. In fact, this semester only one teacher, Dr. Kenneth Klemow, professor of biology, is using podcasts as a teaching supplement. In the past Dr. Karen Beth Bohan, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, has used podcast, but on the Wilkes University iTunes page it shows the last time she has updated her podcasts was May of 2008. Klemow, who has taught biology at Wilkes for 27 years said, "The way my Bio 122, Principles of Modem Biology, class is structured, there are four hours of lecture each week and a three hour lab. The material covered in lecture the students study further in lab either under a microscope, through a dissection, or through diagrams. To help my students really learn the material they must learn through the lecture then learn more in the weekly lab." Klemow went on to explain that he 's been teaching Principles of Modem Biology smce 1983 and one of the things he's noticed is The Beacon/Bethany Yamrick between snow days, compressed schedules, test and quizzes, his class falls behind in lectures relative to labs. "Once I saw we had this podcast technology available I learned how to use it so students can listen to a lecture at their convenience," he said. Jon Kadjeski, a freshman English major, who was unaware that Wilkes offered podcasts through iTunes U said, "I think podcasts would be helpful in math and science courses because you could go back over an explanation as many times as you'd like to." However, he added he doesn't think there would be much of a difference between sitting in class and listening to a lecture versus watching the lecture on an iPod or computer, other than the convenience. "J have flirted with the idea, but as I am now primarily dealing with administrative duties J have found very little time to explore the use of podcasts in teaching," said Dr. Vee Ming Lew, an associate professor and chair of the department of math and computer science. According to Newscientist.com, Dani McKinney, a psychologist at the State University of New York in Fredonia, conducted a study in which she presented 64 students with a single lecture on visual perception from an introductory psychology course. Half of the students attended the class in person and received a printout of the slides from the lecture. The other half downloaded a podcast that included audio from the same lecture synchronized with video of the slides. These students also received a printed handout of the material. The students were told they would be tested on the material in a week. McKinney discovered students who downloaded the podcast averaged a C (71 out of 100) on the test - substantially better than those who attended the lecture, who on averaged only a D (62). Students who listened to the podcast one or more times and took notes had an average score of 77. Although in McKinney's study motivation may have been an issue: the highest scorer in each group received a $15 iTunes gift card and the test did not count as a grade. Klemow said, "I don't know if my students are scoring better, but they're not scoring any worse. Generally grades are the same, but to me that's a good thing. " Klemow said he works hard at trying to make his podcasts as enjoyable and informational as possible. "An eight minute podcast could take eight hours for me to complete from start to finish,; between writing the script and searching online for pictures to use as visual examples then putting it all together using a program called Garage Band," said Klemow. Because he puts so much effort into the podcasts, Klemow says it's important to him that his students learn from them and like them. "The last couple years I've surveyed my class and discovered they think downloading the podcasts is easy and they like The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki the narrations and imDr. Dan McCune, professor of pharmacy, works on setting ages. Two-thirds to threeup a podcast. Podcasts allow students to download a lecfourths of my students ture on their iPods and listen to it on their own time. really like them, but the remammg really hate them; I'd rather a smaller percent really have the trail guide and load it onto their hate them," said Klemow. iPod to use the podcast trail guide instead One thing Klemow did to try to help his of the normal paper ones provided at most students enjoy the podcasts more was mak- parks," said Klemow. ing study guides for the podcasts to guide Rachel Curtis, a student of Klemow, did them through the lectures and help them most of the work at Kirby Park. She took take notes. From what he understands, most a lead two summers ago and presented a of his students like the study guides, and poster on their Podcast Trail Guides at a he's hoping to convert those who really hate national meeting. Since then Klemow has the podcasts into liking them. been in contact with parks from San FranIn two of his other classes, Plant Diversity cisco and San Diego who also want to take and Ecology, Klemow assigns students to part in podcast trail guides. Klemow hopes make their own podcasts, not only teaching to eventually tum his trail guide idea into a them the required courses, but also a small National Network. lesson in computer technology. Klemow is always looking for ways to Right now he has three initiatives going make his podcast better. He eventually on where he and some of his students are wants to work with students from the comcreating podcast trail guides. They have munications department to help produce trail guides online at the Wilkes University better podcasts. He tells his students if they iTunes site for Kirby Park, Nuangola Bog, have any ideas or find any errors within the and Nescopeck State Park. "When some- podcast to let him know. one wants to go on a trail they can see ifwe �10 LIFESTYLES MARCH 24, 2009 Changing the face of mental illness, one presentation at a time BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Assistant Lifestyles Editor In American culture, the "hero" is often the individual who defies odds by overcoming adversity. In the best cases, the process such people go through teaches others. For professionals living with mental illness, defying the odds is an everyday occurence. One organization has taken it upon itself to educate about mental illness and redraw the faces that are typically seen belonging to these disorders. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has made its mission to "advocate at all levels to ensure that all persons affected by mental illness receive the services that they need and deserve, in a timely fashion," according to NAMI's official website. NAMI's support, education, and advocacy aims to promote awareness of all types of mental illnesses, as well as give those living with mental illness a chance to speak their minds and educate others. On Tuesday, March 24, NAMI will cosponsor a lecture with Psi Chi, Wilkes Uni- vesity's psychology honor society, showcasing two professionals living with mental illness and who want to educate and share their story. The first presenter, Julius Zuckerwar, is a student at Luzerne County Community College. Before enrolling at LCCC, Zuckerwar was enlisted in the Army and is now an Army veteran. "Julius has Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous memberships and is five years clean," said Jessica Woolfolk, student coordinator for the Psi Chi event. Zuckerwar is also a community volunteer and advocate for NAMI. Along with Zuckerwar, Glenda Race, Wilkes alum and the coordinator of the presentation, will serve as the second speaker. Race is a teacher and a writer who has used her writing abilities to spread knowledge of her particular mental illness. "I have the bipolar form of schizoaffective disorder and have self-published a chapbook of poetry and personal narratives titled Awareness, Acceptance, and Photo Courtesy of http://images.lulu.com/ Appreciation ," contenl/1490775 said Race. Race's book (pictured above) details According to her personal struggles and advocacy for NAMI's website, those living with mental illness. schizoaffective disorder "involves both psychotic symptoms and conspicuous, long-enduring, severe symptoms of mood disorder. The cluster of symptoms experienced by persons with schizoaffective disorder can resemble-at various times in its course." NAMI allows individuals, both living with and not living with mental illness, to inform themselves on such disorders, as well as take action. "NAMI has supported me in my quest and recovery of my particular mental illness. It has also educated me about mental illness and empowered me through the help of close friends and family," said Race. All interested students, staff, faculty, and community members are welcome to listen to two personal accounts of living with mental illness and becoming successful professionals. The presentation will be held in SLC 166 on Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m. For more information on NAMI or mental illness, please visit www.NAMI.org. . �MARCH 24, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 Resu01ania! hits Wilkes ca01pus with tips and tricks people can't read it. It doesn't tell when you're graduating, so an organization won't know what year you're in. The tabs are so Thirty seconds can make or break the first crazy ... " impression. The look and readability of your resume is When you're introducing yourself to a po- important, but your qualifications and how tential employer at a job fair, in only thirty you express them is just as equally imporseconds, the employer runs down the silent tant. checklist of requirements to see if you look "The hardest thing for people is to take qualified. Are you dressed prothose little phrases and fessionally? Do you have a good Employment Fair 2009 handshake? Do you come off as a describe professional, friendly person? Bewhat you do When: Tuesday, March 24 fore that employer decides to conand make sider you for the job, you pull out them sound 1:00-4:00 p.m. concise and that last, all-important marketing Where: Wachovia Arena tool.. .your resume. powerful ," Bring: Copies of resumes A resume is the only thing that BosackWear: Professional dress ensures an employer's first imKosek said. pression is a lasting one, which is "They alwhy having a good resume is so ways seem important for students applying to be the for their first professional job or internship. kinds of things we edit the most. Explain "Employers get upwards of one hundred your accomplishments and don't assume resumes for each job they post, so competi- people know what something that's an entition for the few jobs out there is fierce . If ty to Wilkes or Wilkes-Barre is. In addition you don't have a quality resume, you won't to highlighting your skills and experiences, even be considered for a position," said Lisa also worry about the presentation and spellMulvey, Career Development Coordinator ing." of Career Services. Using those action words that indicate the According to Mulvey, employers are at- skills you've built on and enhanced. Detracted to resumes that are well-organized scribe your experiences fully and state you and neatly put together on a one-page Mi- objectives clearly by telling the employer crosoft Word Document. in your resume what you want and when "If you have all your experiences on one you want it. Employers want to see resumes page, I think that makes a much more pow- from students who are consistent in particierful impact than someone spreading it out pating in activities that build their skills. O\'er two pages unless you were really so "We know recruiters that \\ ill save a reactive," said Carol Bosack-Kosek, Director sume of a student they met at a job fair as a of Career Services. "Don't tell Bill Gates sophomore," Bosack-Kosek said. "They'll this, but his Microsoft template is crazy. save it and when they see them as a senior The font for your address is so small that they look at whether their GPA went up BY LAUREN SALEM .. Beacon Staff Writer or down and how many proj ects they worked on, because they figure if they're motivated at Wilkes, they'll be motivated in the workforce." Some students have trouble filling the page with relevant expenences and activities, because they didn't get involved enough in undergraduate school. Career development specialists note that simply going to college and getting a degree is not enough to impress a prospective employer in the 21st century. According to the 2008 survey conducted by Col- The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki legeGrad·com, th e Victor Trentacost looks on as his resume is checked over at Cathird most imporreer Services. Career counselors offer advice on how to optimize tant criterion is their resumes. They should be neat, well-organized, and should experience, specifcontain accurate descriptions of qualifications. ically what a student would gamer from an internship. ences as a freshman. In addition, one or two extracmTicular Career Services has a program called activities like being on an athletic team, a College Central where students can staii a club, or imolved in community service is resume and upload it so only Career Scrpreferable. v ices can sec it and give students individual A resume is not something students want feedback. College Central is located on the to create a day before the job fair, so it is web at www.collegcccntral.com/wilkesu. best to start recording activities and cxpcri- �Watchmen llE\TIEW A&£ MARCH 24, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa.benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 An interview with coinedian Steve Hofstetter BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor After talking to the voicemail of Steve Hofstetter for three days, we started leaving messages that simply said, "Ok it's Steve, your tum" or "I hope we can actually talk at some point; call me back when you get a chance." Finally, after Steve weathered an ice storm in Iowa, he safely made it back to New York where we discussed his future live album, Steve Hofstetter s Day Off, and his many accomplishments on a good, old fashioned land line. Steve Hofstetter has achieved many accomplishments throughout his career; his most notable being on Craig Ferguson's "Late Late Show." Hofstetter has also appeared on ESPN's "Quite Frankly," Showtime's "White Boyz in the Hood," and VHl 's "Countdown." His ability to make people laugh has led him to have one of the top two most trafficked websites of an American standup act on the market, behind Danecook.com. The Beacon: So, Steve, what kind of child were you? SH: I was actually really quiet as a very young child. It took me awhile before I actually started speaking. I don't mean first words but before I started speaking with any regularity. My parents have told me I was incredibly quiet and that I haven't shut up since. The Beacon: So you've made up for lost time? 4,H: Pretty much. I was a troublemaker in the sense of causing trouble that didn't have any consequences. Ya know, I liked to stir things up. I loved attention, that's part of what I think any stand up comic does. You have to create attention in order to do what we do. The Beacon: How do you see your ability to stir things up playing into your stand up acts? SH: Well that is what I do. I'm a counter culture comedian so counter culture is stirring things up. Add those two together and that's what I do for a living. The Beacon: Could you elaborate a bit on what the term counter culture comedian means? SH: Umm, I don't like consensus. I don't think it's healthy when everybody shares an opinion because they are told to. The main problem with the old administration is the sense of them saying if you don't do exactly what we say when we say it, you' re not patriotic, and I completely disagree. I think the very essence of what we are supposed to do in this country and what we're supposed to value as Americans is questioning. So my comedy is very much about questioning what's around you, trying to find a different approach, etc. etc. The Beacon : I gathered quite a bit of that from your new album coming out (Steve Hofstetter s Day Ojj) l was wondering is that a Ferris Bueller reference? SH: Yes. There are two reasons why I referenced Ferris Bueller. One is because I wasn't doing any material because it was all off the cuff and all ad-libbed it was in a sense my day off. It was a time where I wasn't preparing the written show like I so often do. And then the other reason was because when I was a kid whenever I would stay home from school we didn't have cable and we had very few movies that we had taped off the VCR. One of them was Ferris Bueller s Day Off and that was pretty much the only good one so I watched it every time I was home sick and it always made me feel better. It was just something I did as a kid and I absolutely loved it so the idea of making a reference to it was like well, maybe you guys will enjoy this album. All the tracks are also titled references to . Ferris. I like to have themes for all my albums. The Beacon: What of your albums last album was Dark Side of the Room which was a take on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and all the track names were Pink Floyd songs. It's stuff like that I like to have a little something extra. Comedy albums are so different than music albums. A lot of people who put out comedy albums are like here's my concert and I'm done. I like to give something a little bit more, a little bit extra. The Beacon: I totally agree. So, what's the most monumental thing you've done in your career? SH: Umm, it's got to be being on Craig Ferguson. It's funny the way this industry works. I think I got more out of people knowing I was on it as opposed to people actually seeing me on it. There is a term in improv, "Yes, and" which is whenever someone gives a suggestion you say "Yes, and" then you build on it. It's funny because the industry is sort of like that. They see that someone's successful and they say oh if he can do that then he can do this. The Beacon: Do you plan on making a stop in Wilkes-Barre? SH: I have not played Wilkes before but I've played Scranton. I've been through Wilkes-Barre a number of times. I was very very sick once and your Wegman's pretty much saved my life. If a college wants to book me they can go to my website, send an e-mail or talk to my agent. They can go through me and I'll get them to the right people or they can go directly to the right people. I try to do as many shows as J can. The Beacon: Do you think you'll ever grow out of stand-up? SH: No ya' know J am a stand-up comedian. While other stuff might be- See STEVE page 13 �MARCH 24, 2009 STEVEfrompage 12 come bigger I will always still do standup. It's something I love. That would be like saying to me do yoti think I'll stop being a baseball fan? The Beacon: Hmm, well piggybacking off that what are you looking forward to in your career? SH: More of the same! Granted the next big step I'm talking with a couple big networks about TV or possibly movies. There's always moving forward that way, bigger venues. You know what I'm really looking forward to? The Beacon: What's that? SH: The day where I can decide what part of the country I play in what time of year so I never have to drive through an ice storm again. The Beacon: Oh, that'll be the day. Anything else you are very excited about? SH: I'm excited about the new album and I'm especially excited because it is something different. I mean when you put out an album you've been working on for a few years the people who are big fans have already seen most of those jokes because they've come to see you live so this ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT a way where the only people who have ever seen those jokes are the 200 hundred people who are there for the taping so I'm very excited for that. The Beacon: That would be great, haha, well how did you get into comedy? SH: Well when I was thirteen there was a girl I had a crush on in an improv group and she invited me to join and then she quit two weeks later but I was already hooked. The Beacon: So you did it all for a girl and looked what happened. SH: Haha well she later became atrocious in looks and personality so it really worked out. The Beacon: Haha good for you, not for her. Once you knew you were into standup did you look up to and gravitate towards any other comedians? SH: Well I only really started studying comedy once I became a comic. But I definitely have listened to just about everything since then. My all time favorite is Bill Hicks. Actually you know what, when I was in college someone sat me down and played Eddie Izzard's "Dressed to Kill." I was very skeptical because he was like he's very funny and he's a transvestite and that was all he said. I thought he was hilarious and started following him and then Movie Review: Watchinen cal that Snyder could pull off the task of turning such a wonderful piece of art, into a gorgeous, and breathtaking blockbuster The hype was huge. The trailers even hit. It seemed from the trailers that this bigger. And Dr. Manhattan, the was shaping biggest yet. It must have been up to be a huge March 6, 2009, the date many cult hit. Then came fans had been waiting for, the day opening night Watchmen was released. and ... Watchmen, a movie based on Success it the only graphic novel that made was! Not only it onto TIME's "Top 100 Novels did Snyder pull List," follows the exploits of reoff a gorgeous maining former vigilante-heroes, city backdrop the Watchmen. After the death that reminded of comrade The Comedian, Rorviewers of a schach takes up the task of figurcartoon style ing out who killed him and why. It Gotham, but seems a simple task in the beginhe found a way ning; however, the story explodes to bring to life to reveal more characters, more something so story lines, and more sub-plots big that many than you can shake a stick at. To believed it could not be some it was an apocalyptic altered Photo Courtesy/Screenrant.com 1980s, to others, an adventure that done. could only be crafted by the mind of faAside from the obvious great directing, mous graphic novelist, Alan Moore (V For Watchmen delivered a wonderful cast. Vendetta). The Comedian was played by Jeffrey Watchmen had been in the works for a Dean Morgan (Greys Anatomy and PS. I good 20 years before this final cast was Love You), Dr. Manhattan was played by collected and Zack Snyder (300) was Billy Crudup (Big Fish), Patrick Wilson given the honor to direct. Although he met (Little Children) was Nite Owl II, Jackie with acclaim with 300, many were skeptiEarle Haley (Little Children) was the ever BY KENNY BROWN Beacon Staff Writer 13 I saw the comedy central special for Mitch Hedburg and immediately I was hooked on him. So those were accidents. The Beacon: It seems a lot of turns in your life have been accidents. SH: Yeah, I believe they are but I think that's true for everybody. The way we get anywhere is the revolving door theory. The Beacon: Definitely, I know a lot of students are thinking nothing's going to be thrown their way once they get out of school and don't know what they are going to do. Any advice for them? SH: Well what happened was I was supposed to be a writer. I was not supposed to be a comic. And I graduated in a terrible job market also. I graduated with the dot. com bubble bursting, and I couldn't find a job and that gave me the opportunity to pursue a dream instead. I mean yeah, it's good to have a job, but there's something to be said for doing what you love and the money will follow. I've always believed in pursuing your dream unless your dream is stupid. Dreams are very important to have but so is a healthy dose of reality. The Beacon: Oh definitely. How often do you get a dose of reality? SH: I'm fortunate to have stumbled into I'm something I'm good at but I've also realized everyone has bad shows and I've always believed you don't learn anything from a good show. I mean it's fun, but you don't learn anything. When you have a bad show, it's your responsibility to find out what went wrong. I mean there are a million things that can happen up there and ) 0u have to slowly learn how to prevent all of them. The Beacon : Are there any specific things that'll throw you off every time? SH: Oh anything can throw you off. I mean a loud noise can throw you off. A light flickering can throw you off. Anything that breaks the moment of spontaneity can throw you off. Sometimes you can be killing to a thousand people and one person will be up front with their arms cross~ and that'll throw you off. The trick is to build an emotional callous. You have to realize that you are up there to say something and whether or not the crowd is with you you can't control that. For my new album it was completely unplanned and it just worked that night and it just happened to be a year after I recorded my first album in the exact same club. popular Rorschach, and finally Malin Akermann (27 Dresses) was the comic nerd's dream girl, Silk Spectre II. With such a large main cast, not all of them even named here, the acting was one of the most important successes of the film. Characters were sometimes funny, breathtaking, and even emotionally moving. Akermann's portrayal of Silk Spectre II was convincingly conflicted and complex. Billy Crudup may forever be known as Dr. Manhattan. In addition, the movie offers some of the best computer graphic work in a long time. From the scenic panorama of Mars, to the bright blue towering Dr. Manhattan, every shot seemed as real as the last. Never did I find myself sitting there questioning the reality ofit. Everything was so pristine, even in the roughness of it all, that it seemed as if I had been thrown into the middle of the parallel 1980's myself, and was along for the ride. Some may question the length of the film at two hours and forty-five minutes. Others may suggest that maybe the gore level was a bit excessive. Re- member how I said there had been mobsters blown up for no apparent reason? I wasn't lying. But in the end Watchmen pulled off what many believed could not be done. It achieved the description of a single word. A word that when used in its cinematic form, is a rarity. Watchmen came out on top, and fully deserves the title of: Epic. �MARCH 24, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 Highlights fro01 MSC's Annual S ring Fashion Show Darnell Corbin (bottom right) hosted Multicultural Student Coalition Annual Spring Fashion show on · Saturday, March 21. The event was a way to unite students within the Wilkes community by having student models as well as highlighting certain specific cultural fashions. The Beacon/ Gino Troiani Ba1-i.1es & Noble Wilkes-KiI1g's Booksto1·e 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570. 208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com Live "Free" 1Vlt1sic Eve1·y ,ved11esda} Nigl1t a11d 111ost F1·ida~T's 7 25% discount on anything yo u purchase fro1n the cafe during the perfor1nances! • Li,1e M11sic '\\1ith Keith z. v\7ednesday, March 25th live at 6:30pm • Live Music 'Witlt ''Dealer in Wares'' FridayT, March 27th live at 6:30pm • Satt11•day 111or11i11g sto1·y ti111e at 11:ooa111 Tl1is vveek. all abol1t " D1•t1111s a 11d 1Vlt1s ic" duri11g story ti111e. \f\le will l1ave a special guest de111011strati11g a ti.ru111 circle after story ti111e . . • Ne,v Age Book Clttb every last IvI011day of eacl1111011tl1@ 6:3op111 .Tl1is Ivlo11day's Book of tl1e 111011tl1 is ''Tl1e l\1011k V\Tl10 Sold His Ferrarip �MARCH 24, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING Beacon Staff March 17 Crossword Answers . 1 p E 2 R A 3 1 6 A y 8 0 T 17 s I 50 L 0 M u s p 61 0 E L B A 0 s E E s A s Across 1 Group 18 of period table 6 Given as charity 10 Used to find oil under the sea 14 To remove the cap 15 Decayed vegetation matter 16 To alter; change 17 To bring out of sleep 18 Paragraph 19 Function of clock 20 Major of confused fresh man Italy's largest city 22 23 Used to harden pottery 24 Same mo!. formula diff. structure 26 Divisions of prison Enemy in war 30 31 Controversial International insurance and finan cial services organization 32 Plant found in lotion Civil wrong or injury 33 "Headstrong" 35 Bass found in ocean 39 41 Variant of usable 43 Risk; danger 44 4,046.85642 meters squared 46 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 First word in a friendly let ter Resin-like sap found on twigs Marching insect Volcano in Sicily Church with field of activity Czar alt. spelling Past tense of alight Practice of an unskilled per son "Can't read my poker face" Dance by one person Devil Ray To give off A purposeful instrument One who bites Line to attach anchor Cliff To vote to accept Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Person with great wisdom In short time Soviet Union missile Freedom from problems Small spot Spotted horse Apprentice 47 49 50 51 54 56 57 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 25 26 27 28 29 34 36 37 38 40 42 45 48 51 52 53 55 58 59 60 61 62 Female horse Plural for stadium Moving backward "Horse around" or "All thumbs" Toddler's "want phrase" To tum a car Jock's activity at a gym Exact plot on ground Mistaken for a bee To the leeward side Sound of a lion To sap the energy away from Where to use Metrocard To insist in achievement Method of action 10 to the 12th power Interjection to express sorrow Bristles on an organism List of items on sale Not engaging in sex Beeper Famous battle in Texas Stiff Style of Latin song Emotional state Sudden assault To the inside of How to walk Gas station store �Rinkside Report Page 18 CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa. lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu MARCH 24, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Colonel Charity Challenge gives back to co0101unity BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor Each year, the athletic department gives members of the Wilkes University community a chance to give back by participating in the Colonel Charity Challenge. The Charity Challenge will take place on Sunday April 19. The Charity Challenge raises money each year to benefit two foundations, the Children's Miracle Network and the Bo Tkach Memorial Fund, according to Keith Klahold, the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Wilkes. The Children's Miracle Network is chosen because of its potential to help multiple children. The foundation uses money raised to by equipment and other necessary things, which are used to treat multiple children, Klahold said. The Bo Tkach Memorial Fund is more directly connected to the university. Bo Tkach was a graduate of Wilkes University. He played football while here and graduated Magma Cum Laude in May 2007 with a degree in business and marketing. Tkach battled depression and Obcessive Complusive Disorder throughout his life and in July 2007 ended his life, according to the foundation website. The Charity Challenge brings students together for a day of nine events, which challenge each team to work together both physically and mentally. The teams are made up of five people each and can be all male, female or coed. In the past, the Charity Challenge has only been open to Wilkes students; however this year the challenge has been opened to members of the community as well, according to Klahold. Klahold explained this year events were changed to encourage more teamwork. Some of the events include a team truck push, an obstacle course and a six-legged race. Junior Kim Baldino, a field hockey player here at Wilkes, thinks the events this year will make the Charity Challenge more fun because the teams will need to work togeth- Participants in a previous year's challenge work for as many sit-ups as possible. This year the emphasis in on teamwork. er. Baldino has participated in the challenge every year since coming to Wilkes. "It's really fun. You get to have fun with your teammates and the other teams participating," Baldino said. In the past, the Charity Challenge has raised as much as $3000 and according the Klahold, the goal is always to raise more. The cost is $ I 5 per person ($75 for a team) for the event. Registrations should be handed in by April 3 if individuals would like a Charity Challenge t-shirt. After April 3 entry forms will be accepted; however the participant will not receive a shit. For more information on how you can become involved in Photo eodrtesy df' K1e1th Klahold the 2009 Colonel A team from a previous Colonel Charity Challenge participate in the team truck pull at Ralston Field. Charity Challenge This year's challenge has added new activities to encourage teamwork; however the truck pull will visit gowilkesu.com. still go on. e and . om 4. 5. 8os etball"" Course . ug-o -Wo.r Conto.ct Keith Klahold . kl · ot u �MARCH 24, 2009 SPORTS 17 Softball goes 3-1 against Lyco01ing, DeSales BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The Lady Colonels had a solid week, winning three out of their :ftiur games against visiting Lycoming and DeSales. They managed to snap a three game losing streak in the process, just in time for a slate of Freedom Conference opponents over the next couple of weeks. Sophomore starter Lindsay Behrenshausen pitched six dominant innings for the Lady Colonels in their first game against Lycoming, allowing only four hits while striking out five. Her performance was integral to the win, as the Wilkes offense was unable to score until the bottom of the fourth inning when they plated four runs. Senior catcher Erin Planks hit a tworun homerun in the fifth inning and had a productive day overall, driving in three rnns while also scoring one. Behrenshausen picked up her first win of the season with the 6-0 team victory. "I thought it was important for our team's confidence to get off to a strong start," said Behrenshausen. "I was really pumped before I got out there and wanted to just help my teammates as best I could. It felt great getting my first win too, as kind of a momentum builder going into the game against DeSales." Wilkes won its next game against Lycoming in convincing fashion, winning by the score of 11-3 in a mercy-rnle shortened game. Senior second baseman Kathy Dalton went 2-3 in the game with three RBI and two runs scored, helping contribute to what was an extremely impressive offensive show. Senior starting pitcher Maureen Pelot picked up the win for the Lady Colonels, giving up two earned runs in five innings of work while striking out six. "It felt pretty good to come home and get off to a good start in the regular season," said Dalton. "DeSales was a good benchmark for us in terms of seeing how we'd fare in the conference this season, and I thought we responded well." Behrenshausen had another impressive performance in Wilkes' first game against DeSales, giving up just four hits in seven innings. The Lady Colonels would score in the fourth and fifth innings en route to winning the first game 3-0. They would lose the second game 7-1 after committing three errors, which helped DeSales claim two unearned runs. DeSales pitcher Katie Morrissey was dominant against Wilkes, striking out nine over seven innings while allowing just six women to reach base. The Lady Colonels next game is tomorrow at Scranton at 3 P.M. The Lady Colonels were impressive in their two games against Lycoming, allowing just two runs in 13 innings. WWW.CHANGEABLESKIES.COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT: BHI Henry william.h;enryOO@comcast.net 21.5-768-4:619 ~!::-: "~ :,,:::,,. WELCOME BACK/ STILL NEED AN APARTMENT FOR NEXT YEAR ??? THIS IS WHAT IS LEFT FOR THE 09-10 SEASON: 84 WEST ROSS STREET----2 BED ROOM APTS FREE PARKING & UTILITIES INCLUDED JOAN HENRY HALL---- ONE 4 BED ROOM APT LEFT, UTILITIES INCLUDED ~CT NOW BEFORE YOU LOSE YOUR TAN AND YOU START STUDYING AGAIN! �MARCH 24, 2009 18 SPORTS S RINKSIDE REPORT _ 0G Satan's presence shocks, helps Penguins in wins BY MICAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer A lot can happen over the course of an American Hockey League season, but last week, something took place that even Nostradamus himself couldn't have predicted. Miroslav Satan suited up for the WilkesBarre/Scranton Penguins. A fonner National Hockey League AllStar, Satan was assigned to the minors for salary cap reasons earlier in the month. He , has over 1,000 games of NHL experience, which is more than double than the rest of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton roster has combined. "I definitely did not envision that," Penguins' interim head coach Todd Reirden said of Satan's arrival. "It's a pleasure to have him and it's a joy for our guys to be able to work with a guy that has a playing resume that he does." "He's awesome, any time you can add a veteran player with that much skill and that much experience it's awesome," said Chris Minard, Satan's linemate. "It's fun out there with him." In his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton debut last Monday, Satan made an immediate impact. He scored a goal and added three assists in a 7-2 win at Albany. Two days later, he played his first home game, tallying an assist and scoring a shootout goal in a victory over Philadelphia. And he's just getting started. Satan hasn't played in the AHL since April of 1995, when he skated for the now-defunct Cape Breton Oilers. He then played 13 seasons in the NHL, and admitted afThe to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton system and playing with his new teammates. "I still have to see many more teams to kind of get the feeling, what it's about playing in this league ... It's a new situation for me. It's going to be like this for a while," Satan said. But according to Reirden, the numbers that Satan has put up in his short time in Northeast Pennsylvania are only a part of his contribution to the Penguins. "He does so many things that don't show up on the score sheet," Reirden said. "It's not Beacon/Michael Cignoli just points for ter Wednesday's Former NHL All-Star Miroslav Satan had five Miro. It's little game that he was points in his first two games as a Wilkes-Barre/ plays, it's plays still adjuS ting Scranton Penguin last week - Round !Pies ll""MediumPi:u.a 16" Luge Pina 12 •J Pan Pizza ...,. ...... sua. I.Al.AINI: Our Or:ig;imd Fried Sicilian ~ Cut 12 Cut Tr.ay White au 10 cut Tray Broccoli Cut 10 CutTmy www..fm'IIZdspma.eom Hot ltafum 'funa & Cheese Deli Melt Mlm1btil wl Ch~ Ham&Cheese Cheese Steak Chicken.Pmmigia Tmkey & Cheese out Beef& Cheese Can. Bacon & Cheese Cheese Fries BreadStiQQ Mn-11ucn lJAM~IlPM FriqSat 11AM~ .U:30AM Sun .l lPMwIJ.PM Tossed w/ Croutons 'Tossed w/ Tuna Puta wl Ol~$e Crispy Chick,e,n Chicbn Caesar Antipasto Caesar ChefSalad ~ I Chicken Cae:sa.r Grilled Chicken Crispy Chicken California Cheese Steak Grilled Chicken Cmcbn Cheese Steak Buf&lo Ohicken C.S 2 Lar:gt Piz:w $17 .95 2 Snmll Pizzas $13.9S Mim Tacos (12) Mini Potato Pancakf:s (1:2) 1 • ~ Poppet'$ (6) French Fries ~.&mSton Sausage Delivery Sped.ah Mo2.Z8fella Stiw (5) l6 BMt- Norllui~ St .~ Club SUb fried Mushrooms Fried Ravioli (6) Onion Rings Chicken Nuggets (8) ,.as-.s166 I n.s-5631 Cold along the wall, it's areas of the ice that he opens up for other players." His presence also adds to Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton's talent pool and gives the team more depth at the wing position, something that Minard says is invaluable. "We have four lines that we can roll. (16goal scorer) Luca Caputi on our fourth line, let's say, that probably doesn't happen on any other team," Minard said. "That's just the depth of our hockey team and that's going to help us in the long run." It's unclear exactly how long Satan will play for the AHL Penguins. One possibility is that he will stick with the team for the remainder of the regular season, then rejoin Pittsburgh for the playoffs when NHL teams are not required to be salary cap compliant. But even if he is only with the Penguins for the rest of the regular season, the team stands to benefit from his presence. "You want to put your best line-up out there every night, he makes our team that much better," Minard said. "He's going to help us win hockey games, that's for sure." Cheese Steak Vegi-e TmbyCloo nma *PQHM""'6 AU Major Credit Cards Accepted FREE DELIVERY TO All WILKES DORMS Deliver, SJ!!!~dt Mix & Matcll Winp & subs 3 for $15.95 �MARCH 24, 2009 19 SPORTS Athlete Spotlight: Melissa Polchinski ., BY ANTHONY DORlJ,NDA Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor Lacrosse midfielder Melissa Polchinski is an important reason for the Wilkes team's outstanding 4-2 start for the season, and is this week's Beacon Athlete spotlight. Polchinski, an Integrative Media major, is off to a scorching start this season. In only her second year donning the blue and . gold, she has netted an astounding 26 goals, which already exceeds her total from last season. And she's done it in just six games. "I feel more comfortable with my teammates this year," says Polchinski. "Freshman year was a big adjustment year. I was so used to playing with my old teammates from high school and it was hard playing with a whole new team. I have finally adjusted, which I think has helped with my success this year." The adjustment has paid off big time as Polchinski has been the key cog in an explosive attack that has rocketed the Colonels off to a 4-2 start, far and away their best start in school history. The Colonels are scoring goals at a blistering rate, registering 104 points and holding their opponents to a measly 53 goals. Polchinski has scored at least four goals in five of the first six games, including a season and career high seven in the 17-6 drubbing of Immaculata. "The captainship this year has a big part to do with our start," says Polchinski. "They kept us together and inspired us all to have a strong start to the season. After the first win everyone was really proud, which motivated us to win the next." It's not just Polchinski ' s abi Iit y t 0 ting us know little things that we could change to improve our skills, a n d she find t h e takes back of critithe net that cisms from makes her others and puts special; it's the The BeaconiBetrtan)'Yamrick them to use." un-teachable asset of Polchinski provides making everyone around her leadership by the way she plays and a better player. Fellow sophomore Brittany Hodnik, who leads the team in points acts on and off the field, but plays the role with 38 and the entire conference with 6.60 of team prankster, too. "She exhibits the 'have-fun-but-workpoints per game, believes Polchinski 's presence as a leader is invaluable to the team's hard ' persona that I think the team really needs," says Hodnik. "She's an intense success. "She's really emerging as a leader on the player and it rubs off on the rest ofus but at team," says Hodnik. "She's constantly let- the same time she is the team joker, always messing around but still getting things done when she needs to." On the field, however, the joke's on whoever is trying to defend Polchinski and the Lady Colonels. They have struck first in every single game thus far, wasting very little time putting teams away. Case in point: Thursday's victory over Medaille. A mere 15 seconds passed after the opening face-off when Polchinski netted the opening goal, and the team never looked back, cruising to a 22-5 beat down. As of print time, Polchinski is second in the league in goals per game, scoring over four goals per contest. She is 41llso tops in the league in game winning goals, with three. As a team, the Lady Colonels are second in the MAC in goals per game, scoring a sweltering 25.20 goals per game while only giving up 7.20 goals per game, which leads the MAC. But Polchinski doesn't care about how many goals she scores, she has one goal in mind, the MAC championship. "We are a really young team but I feel that we have already gelled," she says. Everyone is on the same page with wanting a successful season. Winning the MAC is what I really want to accomplish." If this torrid pace by both Polchinski and the Lady Colonels continues, the MAC preseason cellar dwellers (according to._ coaches from around the league), might be punching their ticket to the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship come the middle of May. Lady Colonels late rally co01es up short Craig Merriman, Sports Information Director The Wilkes University women's lacrosse team could not overcome a slow start at Ralston Field on Saturday afternoon and fell to conference foe FDU-Florham 17-13. With the loss the Lady Colonels see their record move to 4-2 on the year and 0-2 in the MAC, while FDU improves to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the league. FDU jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead less than three minutes into the game and would extend that margin to 8-2 with just under 13 minutes remaining in the opening half. Wilkes would answer with three of the game 's next four goals to cut the margin to 9-5 at the half. The Devils turned up their intensity to start the second half, extending their advantage to 15-6 with 18 minutes remaining in the game. However, Wilkes would not fold and seemed to begin to score at will. Analicia Jost buried a shot off of a feed from Melissa Polchinski with 16:35 remaining, but was quickly answered by a free-position goal by Erin Reilly ofFDU to keep the margin at nine. Wilkes then rattled off six straight goals over the next 11 minutes, cutting the lead to 16-13 with just under five minutes remaining in the contest. However, Breana Kilpatrick was able to score a man-down goal to push the lead back to four, and seal the victory. Seven different players found the scoring column for the Lady Colonels, led by Brittney Hodnik's five scores. Jost added three tallies, while Polchinski had a stellar day setting up her teammates with five assists as well as one goal of her own. Lindsey Parent connected for five scores and two assists, Reilly had four scores and one assist, Amanda Wayne had three goals, while Kilpatrick and Kristen Schuster had two goals and one assist apiece. Cassie Cronin kept Wilkes in the game all day by registering a school-record 24 saves between the pipes in the losing effort. Christine Dunn received the win after making two saves in the first half, while Kelly Butler also registered two saves playing the goal position for FDU in the second stanza. Number 2 Rachel Cannuli carries the ball during the game against FDU-Florham at Ralston Field on Saturday March 21. Despite a late rally, the Lady Colonels came up short �MARCH 24, 2009 20 SPORTS Baseball sweeps weekend double-header with Keuka BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Wilkes _University's baseball team swept its double-header against visiting Keuka last Saturday in convincing fashion, taking the first game 7-2 before finishing them off 9-0 in the second. The Colonels pounded out 21 hits over the two games, scoring early and often to apply pressure en route to sweeping the weekend series. The Colonels 1.have now won eight in a row and have not lost since March 6. The Keuka Storm scored quickly in the first game, taking a 2-0 lead off a homerun by Ted Black. The two runs would be the only ones charged to Wilkes senior starter Justin Huff, who gave the Colonels six strong innings by allowing only three hits and a walk. The two runs would be the last Keuka would score that weekend, as the Colonels ' pitching shut them down the rest of the way. Wilkes responded in the bottom of the inning with three runs off four doubles and some alert base running on passed balls. The Colonels would score again in the bottom of the second, as freshman infielder Matt Ruch doubled in senior outfielder Eric Wetzel, who had reached on a single. Sophomore infielder Shane Keister picked up two RBI in the bottom of the third after singling home Al Clocker and Joel Watson. Keister took second on the throw home and would later score on a single by Wetzel. The three-run inning would be all the insurance Wilkes would need against Keuka as they took the first game 7-2. "Our hitting was solid the past few games," said junior Tom Buckler. "We're putting up double digit numbers and it is really helping out our pitching. We can just go out there and pitch and not have to worry about giving up one or two runs." The second game was more of the same, as Wilkes scored three runs in the first three innings before piling on late. Freshman pitcher Ryan Fetterman pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only six base runners while striking out nine for the Colonels. Ruch turned in a performance that was equally impressive, going 3-4 at the plate with two homeruns and five RBI, four of which came in his sixth inning inside-the-park grand slam. Juniors Randy Dengler and Trevin Jaggars also had good days offensively, going 2-4 and 3-3 while combining for three RBI and two runs scored. "I think were fine tuned in almost every aspect [right now] ," said Buckler. "Our pitchers are getting people out and our offense is scoring double digit runs every time out there. With that it's really hard to lose." Wetzel agreed. "I think right now we're playing to the best of our ability, our pitchers are throwing really well and we're scoring eight or nine runs a game. Right now we're just going really good." The wins improved the baseball's team record to 11-4 on the season. The Colonels' next game is today against Freedom Conference opponent Misericordia at 3:30 PM. MA BY1 Bea£ Th (TC Cou ly a bet-. crea rep1 deg T Me to 1 in 1 unc par the rat: ) joi to rm sp1 It B Junior outfielder John Florance (25) and the Colonels put on a clinic against Keuka, pitching and hitting extremely well in the sweep. B aJ I 0 Professional Employment Fair at the Wachovia Arena from 1:00-4:30 PM. Special showing of "Milk" at the F.M. Kirby Center at 1 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets are #3.50 with a valid student ID. Student vs. Faculty basketball game at Martz @ 7 PM to benefit St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen. Lewis Black at the Kirby Center at 8 PM, tickets start at $41.50. Enjoy the spring weather outdoors! Take a walk into Kingston and check out Rita's and Kirby Park. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 March 24th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 March 24 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/9e5318736ed8112a75c221dbb732103d.pdf 82333e43bfc9ad08165084762cf3a5c4 PDF Text Text I LOVE YOU, MAN PAGE 12 MARCH 31, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 61 Issue 18 TCMC partners with Wilkes, LCCC in pipeline Wilkes hosts CEO of Pepperjam • for Kirby lecture BYAMYFUSCO Beacon News Editor The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC), Wilkes University, and Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) jointly announced last week a new partnership between the three institutions designed to create a "pipeline" for historically underrepresented students to achieve medical degrees. The program, known as the "Pipeline to Medical Colleges Initiative" was created . to help develop careers and opportunities in the sciences and medicine programs for underrepresented groups in the region. The partnership is a first of its kind, and is also the first public and private college collaboration in the region. According to the statement released jointly by the institutions, "'The Pipeline to Medical Colleges Initiative' will target rural, disadvantaged, women, minority, and first generation students in Luzerne County, specifically in Wilkes-Barre and Hazelton. It has been designed to engage the nation's BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor The Beacon/Amy Fusco Local community members, along with Wilkes faculty and staff attended the press event on the new TCMC program. The pipeline between the three colleges is the first public and private institutional collaboration of its kind in the region and the nation. community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and medical schools to identify and support students from these target markets, who are likely to practice in those regions and who show an early interest in the field." See TCMC page 2 Search for Chief Information Officer continues BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Managing Editor Last August, Wilkes University officials announced that they would be hiring a Chief Information Officer (CIO). According to the announcement posted on WilkesToday, "After considerable study and discussion, the administration believes it is best that the person directing our information technology initiatives be a Wilkes employee rather than an employee of our IT partner SunGard." SunGard employee Mike Salem held the position of CIO until his departure at the end of December. Tom Weeks, who is also employed by SunGard, is currently acting as CIO until the search is complete. Since January, one national search to fill the position failed and a second is wrapping up. According to Petra Carver, vice president for Finance and Support Services, the first search finished in late January. "We had a search that failed because we ON THE WEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu had identified a finalist who chose not to come to Wilkes," said Carver. As the university announced hiring freezes in early February, the second search for a new CIO began. Though budgets have been cut across many departments and programs to make up for recent financial woes, Carver said the position is "very crucial" for Wilkes and therefore filling the position is not something that should be put off. Kristopher B. Jones, CEO of Pepperjam, a full-service internet marketing agency in Wilkes-Barre, will serve as the keynote for the annual Kirby Lecture Tuesday, April 7. His focus for the lecture will be on free enterprise and entrepreneurship and will take place in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center at 7:30 p.m. Jones launched Pepperjam because of his interest in the internet in 1999. He saw the internet as a budding form of technology, took that thought and ran with it. Currently, Pepperjam has about 60 clients including E-Bay, DKNY, AMC, Cartoon Network, igourmet.com and Pro-active Solution. "That initial thought I had was that the internet was going to revolutionize the way that people shopped, the way that people gather information, and where people communicate and interact. I guess I was onto something eight years ago," said Jones. In the lecture focusing on free enterprise and entrepreneurship, Jones will basically cover three topics. Jones will share his story about his local roots and how he got his business started. He will also talk about the internet, social media, like Facebook and Twitter and new types of communication that can help students start their own business or advance them in any field. "I'm going to talk to students about the opportunities that exist for them... post See PEPPERJAMpage 3 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �NEWS MARCH TCMC 31, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com meetings with a number of deans and faculty members. "I think this is a great opportunity... [for] our institution [to] have an impact in our region, and our aim is to have a national impact with a new model for collaboration among higher education institutions," Suarez added. Suarez oversees the Center for Global Education and Diversity, designed to create outreach programs for students in order to better prepare them for success in a multicultural world, according to the Wilkes Bulletin. Suarez believes that the partnership with TCMC is one mechanism to help the Center reach its goals, such as making links between and across organizations. Additionally, Suarez hopes the pipeline will encourage more students of diversity to study the sci- 2 ences because right now there is a low level of diversity in science from FRONT PAGE classrooms. The program will offer partici"We hope that not only do we pating students special support contribute to the community in services, such as tutoring or menLuzerne County in terms of entoring relationships, from the comabling students to aspire to their munity college experience through careers and go to college ... but to medical school. Stu1ents' progmore selfishly, we want to see ress will be closely monitored by some of those students coming to college officials associated with Wilkes," Suarez stated. the program. Dr. Michael Steele, biology Dr. Maria Suarez, Wilkes Uniprofessor and chair of the Colversity special assistant to presilege of Science and Engineerdent for multicultural and commuing, believes the partnership with nity affairs, has been involved in TCMC is an extraordinary idea. the planning process of this pilot "I'm particularly excited beproject along with TCMC's Ida cause it allows us to build on the Castro, MA, JD. vice president of HHMI Webs program, which tar- ...___---' Social Justice and Diversity. for gets underrepresented groups, esThe Beacon/Amy Fusco TCMC. pecially African Americans and . . . "ddl h ,, .d Speakers at the press event mcluded Dr. Tim Gilmour, Robert L atmos "We have begun to get the facm m1 e sc oo1s sa1 . . . . 'Th . . Id' D' Alessandn, president of TCMC, Ida Castro, Ronald WIiliams, VP S tee le. ulty to really embrace what we are e pipe1me wou con. • hr h h . .. of Collegeboard, and Tom Leary, president of LCCC. doing," said Suarez regarding her tmue t oug t e 1mtia1 stages -======-----------------------, of college right on into world's first Earth orbiting satel- further explained two years ago, medical school. lite to launch, went up into the air, during former President Bush's Steele also explained Americans were disappointed that State of the Union Address, Bush that the project builds on the Russians were further along stated that a crisis within the sciseveral initiatives that the in the technology and science ence field exists. science departments have process. This led to encouraging "We need students who are comalready developed. young Americans to consider the fortable in science and technolo"1 think it's a great op- sciences and it increased science gy," Verret added. He believes the portunity for Wilkes, but enrichment in schools, which re- pipeline is very important for Wilit also shows tremendous sulted in the "generation of scien- kes and it will bring really good leadership in the north- tists." students into the life sciences. It eastern Pennsylvania," Ever since the "Spumik enrich- will also help develop the region stated Steele. ment" in the 1960s, the drive for through graduates remaining in Dr. Reynold Verret, pro- science in the United States has the area to further their careers. Many career opportunities exist vost, explained that it is been declining. Verret explained important to bring aware- that there is even a lack of interest in the region, such as in the pubness and engage students in chemistry and biology in gradu- lic health, law, and environmental fields. Major companies, such in the science field earlier ate schools. in their life. Scientists de"I think it's not only a workforce as Fairchild Semiconductor and velop a liking for science issue for the United States, but Proctor & Gamble bring opportuin their young years, simi- also [concerns] national security nities, as well as the pharmaceutiThe Beacon/Amy Fusco lar to musicians develop- issues," said Verret. Scientists deal cal companies within the area. The pipeline project has been created in response to a request from the Col- ing interest in music. with weather and storms, which "We are breaking ground here lege Board asking institutions in Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Maryland to Verret also explained can affect national security when and it's really exciting to be a part . of it," Suarez said. schools. pooplo .a t high mk. Vcrret ]JimAoCdOwN~'•' 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Edit:::~roS::;;2; 0~~;; Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Meet the staff... . Andrew Seaman Editor-in-Chief �MARCH 31, 2009 CHIEF from FRONT PAGE "I don't have numbers mt cost [of conducting the search]. The search committee is staffed by Wilkes employees, so there is no cost per se, the only other cost component is travel for applicants coming from out of town," said Carver. "It should be understood that recruitment of a CIO who is a Wilkes employee is essentially a cost-neutral proposition. Through our contract, the Information Technology (IT) service provider has hired a CIO to serve Wilkes. We now are recouping those costs to hire our own CIO, who will manage and oversee IT services to the community," said Dr. Reynold C. Verret, provost. "From our deliberations with the university IT committee, it is clear that a CIO reporting directly to university is essential to resolve the problems that arise between the community and our IT service provider," he said. The CIO will provide leadership and oversee the work of Wilkes's IT department, which is comprise9 of 20 SunGard employees. According to Carver, other responsibilities of the CIO will be strategic planning, tech support, administrative tech support, leading all technical systems cur- PEPPERJAM from FRONT PAGE :1 d graduation, to provide some of their experience and expertise within these areas to help companies succeed," said Jones. Jones al~o plans to cover the economy and what it means to graduating seniors and business people, as his last point. At 32, Jones is regarded as an example of how success can happen for young, energetic entrepreneurs, and was chosen to speak for the lecture because of his unique vision. "The reality is that entrepreneurs are what move us forward. There's a big difference between people who start a McDonald's and somebody like Kris Jones, who discovers entirely new ways to run a business and shares that expertise with others," said Dr. 3 NEWS rently in place, and supporting the academic and learning initiatives of the university. "I feel that it is smart to keep leadership at home; however, I think it is also important that we maintain the trust and support of the SunGard staff. I think this will make the whole process more effective," said Kristen Pechulis, sophomore English major. According to Carver, the ideal candidate would have "really good leadership skills, good communication skills, and the ability to work across all university constituents ... really a visionary, outof-the-box thinker." The candidate should also be up-to-date on technology. Though Carver was not willing to release th~names of the second search's finalists, she did confirm that the finalists will be invited to campus in early April. She also The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki chose not to comment on whether any current Wilkes employees Pictured here from left are Peter Martin, Maria Mattioli, Karen Williams and Joe Wilk who are were in the applicant pool or have members of the Wilkes IT staff employed by SunGard. One search in January was unsuccessful. been chosen as finalists. Carver A second search is currently in progress. CIO candidates will visit campus in April. predicts that the new CIO will begin work at Wilkes this summer. Jeff Alves, professor and director of the Allen P. Kirby Center for free enterprise and entrepreneurship. Jones became involved with internet marketing because he wanted to advertise and market gourmet foods, like his grandmother's jam. Through this opportunity, he realized there was a much larger idea forming in his head. He saw that he could actually help other companies market their businesses and make profit from that. Pepperjam has been growing ever since. Alves also said that people like Kris Jones provide 95% of the new jobs because Pepperjam is innovative. The innovation in new companies is very important for the economy, said Alves. Pepperjam employs about 100 people locally and has had about 15 interns from Wilkes University. "Kris is probably the most out front in terms of cutting edge practices ... What started off as just something to do with his grandmother's recipe ... he's developed into an international expert," said Alves. Jones said that he has learned to hire people who complement him. For example, Jones would hire someone who is an expert in finance if he wasn't particularly skilled· in that area. Students have been living with the internet since they were very young, said Jones. He encourages students to embrace the internet and use the new tools that are available to them. Students have the power to start businesses because of the available new technology if they embrace it. "Students are in very, very powerful positions to provide expertise and understanding and an appreciation of the internet to people much, much older than them," said Jones. But Jones added a note of caution: no matter how solid or innovative an idea for a business is, there will always be roadblocks and obstacles. Jones urges all would-be entrepreneurs to remember that "not everyone thinks the same way" as you do. So what's next for Pepperjam as a company? Jones continues to be surprised by the power of the brand that he and his team have created. The agency would like to launch new technologies and expand services. The Allen P. Kirby Center for free enterprise and entrepreneurship is a two part organization. It is a community service organization of which the Wilkes' campus is a part, but it also develops the academic programs at Wilkes, like the majors and minors for entrepreneurship. I- i- ·e rt Wilkes has hosted a number of speakers for the Allen P. Kirby Lecture Series. Over the years, they have had entrepreneurs, busi~ ness people, and government officials. Some of these people like Kris Jones and Tom Scott created businesses which are now flourishing online. Andy McKelvey, CEO of Monster.com 2001 George Pataki, Govenor of New York 2005 Kris Jones, CEO of Pepperjam 2007 .John Stossel, ABC's 20/20 Tom Scott, co-founder of Nantucket Nectars Photos courtesy of Marketing Communications �MARCH 31, 2009 NEWS 4 Act 101 to request funding at legislative breakfast BY AMY FUSC? Beacon News Editor With recent budget cuts in Pennsylvania, educational programs across the state have been fighting for more funds in order to keep afloat. ln fact, while the pie may not be shrinking, per se, more are clamoring for a piece of it. On Friday, April 3, a breakfast will take place at Marywood University involving local state representatives, and Act 101 leaders will take advantage of the forum to advocate for the importance of the program in an effort to obtain necessary funding to keep it going. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Act 101 "provides support services for undergraduate students whose cultural, economic and educational disadvantages might impede their ability to pursue higher education opportunities successfully." It also explained that the program includes tutoring, counseling, curricular innovation, and cultural enrichment activities. At Wilkes, Act 101 is one of the cornerstones of University College. "These services are more important today than when they were first introduced in 1971. At that time, as part of the civil rights movement, equal educational opportunity was seen as important from an ethical perspective," University's Act 101 program. Act 101 bestated Tom Thomas, executive director of gan in 1971 , when K. Leroy lrvis, then the University College and director of Act 101. Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Rep"In 2009, it is an economic issue as we can ·resentatives, wanted to reform the higher no longer afford to waste such an enormous education in the Commonwealth, and as a amount of talent," he added. result, created the Pennsylvania Higher EduThomas is also the President of the Act cation Equal Opportunity Act of 1971. 101 Penn"My hope is for sylvania Asall eligible students sociation for in Pennsylvania to Educational have access to the Opportunity services they need (APAEO). to achieve their colHe exlege degree," said plained that Riley. the breakfast ......,......,....,... Lewis has been in is an opporthe program since he tunity for local legislators to hear directly came to Wilkes as an undeclared freshman. from students about the impact that Act He was chosen to speak at the breakfast be101 services have had on helping them to cause he has had continued interest in it and achieve educational goals. has even volunteered for several programs "At a time when we need more college during his sophomore and junior years. graduates, the state of Pennsylvania is "Every year they ask an Act 101 member showing decreased interest," said Thomas. [to speak], who was in it as a freshman and Karen Riley, assistant director and coun- in some way, shape, or form, continued interselor of Act 101, and David Lewis, junior est in Act 101," said Lewis. Lewis will be communication studies/English major, will speaking for approximately five minutes on attend the breakfast to represent Wilkes proposals and reasons for keeping funding in Act 101 programs at colleges. Lewis's ultimate goal is to keep funding for the program. He strongly believes the program helps a large amount of students, and aids in retention, especially among first-year students. He also explained that he wanted to do this for future freshmen to ensure they have a chance to be guided in college. "Ifl didn't have Act 101, I would have dropped out freshman year," Lewis stated. "It's meant for freshmen, but they keep track of you throughout college," he added. Lewis said he appreciates the resources through the Act 101 program that have helped him throughout his college career at Wilkes. He believes the staff is highly skilled in guidance and also offers students a different perspective on the college experience. Thomas hopes that after the breakfast, Act 101 will gain renewed commitment from the state legislators to help increase the number of students who complete a college degree. Ba1-i1es & Noble Wilkes-Kh1g's Booksto1·e 7 South Main Street , Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570. 208.4700 - wilkes .bncollege.com Li,re "F1·ee'' l\ft1sie Eve1·yWed11esclay Nigl1t a11d 111ost Friday's 25% discount on anything you purchase from the cafe during the performances! • Live M11sic wltlt Jon Casey Friday, April 1 st live at 6 :00pm • Live M11sic '1\i.th ''Three I1Ttaginary Boys'' F1·iday, April 3 rd live at 7:30pm • Sattn·day 11101-i1h1g sto1·y ti111e at 11:ooa111 This week all abo11t ''Easte1-'' d11ring sto1y time. • A•1tl101· Sigi1h1g witl1 B1·ia1.1 Pavlak autho1· of ''Witch Hunt in tlte MTestern World''. Saturda)', April 4 th f1·om 12:00-2:00 m . �MARCH 31, 2009 NEWS Wilkes commencement speaker ~£ ~!~ Mar~J!l~~J~!?. 0 eacon Asst. News Editor Courtesy of Marketing Communications John Brooks Slaughter, the first African American director of the National Science Foundation, has been selected as Wilkes University's 62nd annual spring commencement speaker on Saturday, May 16, 2009. 5 Treasurer's Report: All College: $15,259.50 Conferences: $8,655.09 General: $6,879.24 Leadership: $8,652.59 Special Projects: $2,454.06 Spirit: $4,000.00 Start-Up: $2,100.00 New Business: Craig Thomas (website review) Student government reps reviewed the new website Wilkes University speech and debate team fund request (Week 2 of 2) $1,173 allocated to a conference for the WU speech team Equestrian Club fund request (Week 1 of 2) asking $5,000 to put on a show next semester IEEE constitutional changes (Week 1 of 2) three changes are being made to the IEEE constitution Relay 4 Life Donation Request (Week 1 Casino Night Budget (Week 1 of 1) $11,016.99 for the Casino Night budget Presidential Nominees (Week 2 of 2) Old Business: Running Club donation request Society for Advancement of Management fund request Member of the MonthShadae Gates Events: Presidential debates March31 Texas Hold 'Em Tourny April2 Presidential meet & greet April2 Presidential elections beginning at 1 p.m., April 2 until 5 p.m., April 7 Casino Night on April 3 OCC Block Party April 18 Spring Fling April 24 Relay 4 Life April 25-26 *At 8:15 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the * woo-hoo! '' THE NEW ANO IMPROVED www. wil kes.e u 0 April 2, 2009 �DIL!!!.i9sn~ CONTACT INFORMATION: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com 6 SG has $100,000 surplus:Where should it go? BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Wilkes University's Student Government (SG) reported that a surplus of over $100,000 has accumulated from student activity fees. SG's responsibility is to find the right uses for student money; therefore, its representatives are evaluating where that $1 00K can do the best good. According to SG President, senior Carl Santana, the organization was asked by student development to look into possible ways to spend the money appropriately. "We're not looking to spend it; we're looking to see if there is a need to spend it," added Santana. In response, SG set up a committee composed of 12-15 members to explore possible ways to use the money. Traditionally, SG has donated funds to support additions such as the rock wall in the UCOM, or a fleet of vehicles accessible to students and faculty for various trips. These has been smart moves in the past: students love tangible things, especially if there's a chance they can individually benefit from them. However, thanks to the recession touching everyone across the nation in some way, Wilkes officiai have acknowledged serious budget concerns and necessary cutbacks. Thus, we contend that SG should spread the wealth and contribute to various needs around the university that may not be so tangible. According to Santana, SG has been accepting formal proposals for the use of the money. This is a step in the right direction because it will provide in-depth insight as to what needs to be addressed around the university and it shows that SG is open to a variety of student perspectives. The Beacon would like to make a few suggestions for projects wor- out of date furniture, and grimy apointing news that after much thy of SG's surplus fund invest- ceiling tiles will not be winning planning and anticipation, the ment. The following are ideas de- any decor awards from Good $35 million SHE building, which signed to ultimately help improve Housekeeping in the near future. was to include major renovations the quality of the university in this Dean of the Library John Stachacz to the Stark Leaming Center was said he is hopeful for major reno- not in the budget. After much time of financial challenge. Executive Director of University vations in the near future; howev- consideration, we at The Beacon College Thomas J. Thomas said, er, such a project will run the uni- feel that Stark is a major part of Wilkes University's state funded versity millions. Perhaps a $1 00K Wilkes University. Most students, if not all, participate ACT 101 program in classes held in the received a total of building on a daily $107,000 for the basis, and view it as a 2008-09 academic crucial component to year. However, the learning process. with Governor Ed If SG were to donate Rendell's statesome revenue to the wide budget cuts university to support and the current renovations, it would economic state, greatly influence the it is possible that learning process and the program will also perhaps encournot be as fortunate age donors to see in years to come. that the students care ACT 101 is a vital enough to invest in component of the what we see as a valuuniversity because able project. it provides indiWe encourage SG vidual and group The Beacon/Gino Troiani to explore all options tutoring, intensive Fenner Hall located on Franklin Street could serve as a as to where the monacademic advisguest house for individuals visiting the university. ey can do the best ing and assistance good. Instead of a rock wall or with the transition to college. The donation from students would program works miracles, often send other outside donors a mes- more vans, SG has the opportuniwith very little. We suspect that an sage that the students are willing ty to give the students something infusion of revenue into ACT 101 invest in this worthwhile proj- that will help them further their would go a long way in investing ect. It is clear that every dollar education. This may mean that we in Wilkes students' futures. counts, and if SG was to support don't walk away with something When Wilkes University offi- the cause, students would be able tangible we can point to. We can't cials invite guests or speakers to to enjoy upgraded facilities in a necessarily show our parents or visiting friends what we spent that campus, individual departments more timely fashion. are left to foot the hotel bill. If the In the past, Wilkes offered art as valuable $1 00K surplus on if we University were to renovate and an accredited major. Since then, take this approach. But we ought convert a building on campus, into the department has diminished to to feel good about investing in a guest house, over time it would a slew of under funded electives. Wilkes when the university needs ultimately pay for itself, saving Often, students are not able to it the most. This recession's hethe university substantial money enroll in specific courses because roes will be those who lend a helpthat could be used in important there are limited resources. The ing hand to those who have lost the and tangible ways. Beacon feels that art is an impor- most. We urge SG to become one The Farley Library was erected tant part of a liberal education, of this recession's heroes and inin 1966, and aside from flood and that the department is much vest in those intangibles that make clean-up in 1972, the aesthetics deserving of funding. Some new Wilkes such a unique place. really haven't been attacked com- pottery wheels and supplies would prehensively since. We can all fit nicely within the budget. agree that the lime green carpets, Wilkes recently dropped the dis- ~ ~ The Beacon would like to see SG invest its surplus back into the university. I Wilkes has acknowledged that budget cuts will be necessary in the near There are many programs/causes around Wilkes that could use financial support. �MARCH 31, 2009 OPINION 7 The Angry Rant: Beauty Pageants BY TIM SEIGFRIED Wilkes Alumnus "' Remember the outrage? Remember the resolve in the collective consciousness of America? It's been 13 years since the murder of JonBenet Ramsey, the pint-sized pageant queen who was found in the basement of her parents' home in Colorado. In the aftermath of her death, it was revealed that JonBenet was heavily involved in beauty pageants, at the behest of her mother, who was a former pageant queen herself. While the elements surrounding her death were grotesque and disturbing, the focus of the nation slowly shifted from the murder investigation to the fall out that occurred as more and more was discovered about the youth pageant circuit that she (and by extension, her parents) engaged in. Although she was only six at the time of her death, she was a veteran by pageant standards, having rarely been seen without a tiara or a gown. As the nation became more engrossed in JonBenet's story, an outrage began to simmer from middle America. The moral conundrum begged the question "should children be subjected to this lifestyle?" As more and more stories of tiny princesses strutting their stuff on stage emerged in the media, the nation gradually became sickened by the idea that children were being subjected to these pageants. Is pageantry appropriate for a child? Should we subject our children, specifically our daughters, to the grind of the pageant circuit? Do they, at ages 6 or7, really need to be exposed to the sort of materialistic and shallow nature of the world of beauty contests? For models and beauty queens, success is often short lived, as there is literally a never ending supply of replacements that can be marched out onto the cat walk. The world is a harsh enough place as it is. Do we really need to put children through the rigor of constantly being judged by those with artificially enhanced bodies and no intellect? JonBenet, and so many little girls like her, are subjected to the meat market world of little princesses, moving in and out of the dance in perfect time, as their parents act as metronomes. In the years since JonBenet's death, public resolve against pageantry has slowly faded, and it is now nothing more than a dot on the horizon - a grain of sand in the distance. Pageants still go on, and the mothers and fathers, who see dollar bills in place of their children's eyes, ignore the tiny voice ofreason in favor of unfulfilled fantasies that they can live vicariously through their children. We need look no farther than the show "Toddlers and Tiaras," to see how far we've come. It follows showbiz moms and dads as they take little Suzy on the pageant circuit. But instead of "Little Miss Sunshine" family antics, viewers come face to face with parents that make Joan Crawford seem like June Cleaver. Within 30 seconds of the first episode, viewers are hit with disturbing information: over 300,000 children participate in this $5 billion a year industry. As that information is flashed on the screen, we are treated to audio from parents talking about how much money they can win, while they smile about can do is look back on their childhood and how much fake eyelashes, tans and makeup wonder "Why?" But no one is going to listhey apply to their children, while one par- ten, and no one is going to care. All because ent remarks: "It's just like turning them into some parents were more concerned with live baby dolls," with so much blissful un- their own validation than the welfare of awareness. their own child. While The Leaming Channel (TLC) atAnd to those parents: You should be tempts to legitimize the parents' perspec- ashamed of yourselves. You are monsters tives, they only succeed in making them out who aren't better than any child abuser. to be monsters that are born out of greed Take a good look in the mirror and ask what and fame. is right for your child? The fake lashes, the veneers and the primpBut you already know the answer. ing borders on abuse. Not physical abuse, but mental abuse. These children learn at an early age that physical ap- , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --• peal and attractiveness are all that matter. And lJ one day, these children, these babies, are going to $ ~itVl tl; , grow up. And when 4(€.. the tans fade and the veneers crack, 11.111 all they have left is Ori. their frail self-esteem because no one cares about them ~t'i . anymore. And all they ~e \yt,et Ca.f's. 'Pn ey o.,~ y•~ i.f-- t-ttnJ yw reo. y eoo f 4nJ 11.1/ ftie. o( d,,;r, j &t1-it#ii'~ h,,ds re,I( 1 1Ai1!~u. 1e. Seer1-i J, your Ylo./- you Jus f really /0:1-y. V~i!k 1.. National debt needs viable solution BY MELANIE THOMAS Beacon Correspondent America, let's be serious. It's not the war in Iraq, party discrepancies, or ideology that is our biggest threat. In recent months the economy has been the sharpest pain that the United States has been enduring. It's hard to fathom that in order for us to balance our national budget we would need $53 trillion. The documentary 1.O.U.S.A, recently screened on campus, outlined what is contributing to this economic mess. Certainly, there seems to be no easy solution to eliminate the debt. Annually, the national budget increases by two to three trillion dollars. The U.S. govemment continues to borrow money from various countries that it will never be able to pay back in order to cover expenses. But the reality is clear: ultimately the countries we owe debt to may one day have a ruling voice in U.S. policy. Within less than ten years, an unequal balance between individuals receiving social security and those paying into it will begin. We won't be able to take care of the people who took care ofus. According to 1.O.U.S.A, "In 2008, the United States spent $610 billion on Social Security benefits, $330 billion on Medicare, and $204 billion on Medicaid." A step in the right direction for solving the budget deficit would be to tighten up guidelines for those who qualify for Social Security. I believe that Social Security requirements need to be reviewed and revised. Only people with legitimate health concems and issues should qualify for benefits. If we could reform Social Security suecessfully, our deficit could be reduced by up to $7 trillion. Another major factor pertaining to the nation's debt is our inability to save. Many individuals simply do not live within their own means and saving money has become a practice of the past. Everyone wants to live comfortably and the leaders in this country have a tendency to make us believe that this is realistic. What they fail to tell us is the truth. We shouldn't be lied to anymore. Fiscal irresponsibility shouldn't be allowed. The country also needs to change its trading habits. This country has a tendency to consume or import more than it produces or exports. Living with excess is not only bad for the economy but causing an even bigger environmental problem. Everything that affects the economy can be connected to other serious problems that we face. It's way past time for our country reign things in and not be •foolish. One president is not the solution for this disaster. We need so much more reform. We literally went from a balanced budget with President Clinton to an $8. 7 trillion deficit. As Americans we need to make sure that we are voting for those truly interested in the betterment of this nation and not let those who have been dishonest in the past get their hands on spending our dollars or lie to us about the severity of the problem. Even if we ended the war in Iraq, earmarks and pork barrel spending were eliminated, and Bush tax cuts were allowed to expire, we would still not be able to solve the national debt. The mess that America has created will not be solved easily. We must travel a long path filled with bumps and obstacles in order to maintain our status. If our national debt is not addressed in the near future, we will fail as a nation. �MARCH 31, 2009 OPINION Why March Madness is driving Ine ... mad nomenon that is March Madness: I love April is nearly upon us, and that March Madmeans one thing: the hell-ride that ness. I love is March Madness is almost offi- how it brings cially over. .. well the actual mad- people together. ness portion of it filled with upsets, I love how kids blowouts, nail-biters, and Stephen lay their hearts .Curry magic. Oh, never mind. on the line for Davidson made the NIT (Not In- their respective vited to the Tournament tourna- schools, and ment) so we don' t even have that how fans can to look forward to. take some time I'm not going to lie. The most an- to relax and enticipated match up in the Dorunda joy some good household (or I should say quar- old exciting colter-house apartment) was definite- lege basketball. ly Wisconsin-Florida State. Why? What I don't Well obviously because Wilkes's like are those own Bo Ryan {who is one of the god-awful best coaches in basketball, might I brackets. add) was on the bench for WisconNow, the sin. Yep, that's right, how many of brackets themyou knew that? Well I'm going to selves are not · The Beacon ino ro1ani make a bold prediction inherently bad Sophmore Andrew Sobiesiak, an avid basketball fan has picked North Carolina to that says less than or evil. Heck 5% of this camthey're awe- win the tournament this year. pus knew that litlars, and hope that they might school. They' re the guys who dursome. It's a tle ff (fun fact). ing dodgeball wound up and fired blast to fill out a "head" bracket His Badgers and a "heart" bracket for get lucky enough to take home missiles at the kids standing in the were knocked back just trying to stay out of the kicks, justto see how the pot. out in the secIf not, then at least it was fun to way. They're ·the ones constantly well you did. It's exond round, checking espn.com or cbssports. citing and makes participate. though, you watch But some overly competitive com to see if they've moved up so the even more co-workers will actually waste from 106,864 place yet, and are fun was intently to see $50 bones to hand in 10 brackets, pumped up when the move up a o v er just how close almost guaranteeing them a shot those few meaningless spots in the early. to win everything. standings. The overly-competiyou are. Now It's almost as annoying as Todd tive, made-mad-by-March-MadBut, as with we're any "game," McShay and Mel Kiper, the sup- ness co-worker with 10 brackets down to there is al- posed "experts" constantly updat- is also the person who can only th# nittyways that one ing their mock drafts. By the time have a conversation about basketgr it ty: person the draft rolls around they have ball and the standings, and they all the supm the already had ten of their own mock start off a little bit like this: "Well, posed crowd--you drafts, ripping the element of sur- in one of my brackets ... " begins "best-ofevery interaction. know who prise right from our hearts. thebest." These people take fun right out It's all fairly aggravating and you are--who The only · must win of the entire idea of bracket chal- distracting. fun left Why not just have fun with it at all costs. lenges. How entertaining is it to was deWhich means watch your one lonely bracket and give everybody a fair shot? stroyed that he or she take a hit when Wake Forest gets The brackets are just for fun; when has to fill out a knocked out in the first round they're not life and death. L o u - It's March Madness Baby! Of course, I can stand here and billion brackets with while six out of John Doe's ten i s v i 11e the goal of hitting on just brackets are still alive? Who cares claim it's not life or death. But pulverized about his other four that were I do still have that dream ... After that right combination. Arizona in the Sweet Sixteen. And then there are those illegal kicked to the curb after Clemson North Carolina defeats Louisville Eventually we will crown North company bracket pools. There are lost to Michigan. and I am standing as the winner, Carolina yet again as the best (re- some, like me, who fill out their It's not the least bit entertaining, with all of the the multiple brackgardless of Ty Lawson's toe). bracket with a little bit of what at all. Instead of having fun in the ets players' money in my pocket. Let's get this straight before I they think is going to happen and a workplace, these win-at-all-costs It's all just madness, after all. aH1 beaten senseless with a bat little bit of what they want to hap- co-workers or friends act like those for somehow not likin!! the nhe- nen. hand it in with their five dol- !!Vm class all-stars back in hi!!h BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor ~ 8 eacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. The Beacon asked: Should the financial CEOs be jailed for their role in the eco nomic downturn? • Yes - 75% •No-0% • Undecided - 25% Next Week~ question: Do you feel that SG should do- . nate money back to Wilkes? •Yes •No • Undecided Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu Spring fever Page 11 MARCH 31, 2 09 wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com g Student-run consign01ent shop shows business reality BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Lifestyles Editor Like most freshmen, one group of students in Integrated Management Experience II spends a lot of time surfing the Internet. But unlike many of their peers, these students are not checking their Facebook or Myspace accounts. Instead, they're using the Internet to run their own business. As part of Integrated Management I and II, Victor Trentacost, Courtney Matus, Kyle Rountree, Matt Ruch, and Sasha McDonald chose to create an online consignment shop that sells pre-owned electronics and other products. During these two courses, the students were required to research, plan, and operate their own business. Mostly comprised of freshmen, the courses give business students a hands-on understanding of the business world in their first year of study. "It's a good opportunity for students to get their feet wet immediately and get a taste of what business is about," said Dr. Gary Gordon, the professor of Integrated Management Experience. In the fall semester, business students take Integrated Management Experience I, where they are split up into teams for their year-long project. First, they brainstorm types . of business ventures that appeal to them. Then, they conduct preliminary research and begin developing a plan. By the time Integrated Management Experience II rolls around in the spring, the students are ready to run their own business. "It will teach them planning, forward ' thinking, and managing a business," said Gordon. "It's a good learning experience. They learn what works and what doesn't. During the first portion of the class, the students tossed around an idea of running an auction, so they could make money by selling other people's products. However, Ruch says acquiring that merchandise would have been a financial impossibility for his team. "It branched off from there when we thought of how hard it would be to turn profit when we would be buying the merchandise off of people," said Ruch, a freshman business and accounting major. "That's when we decided to do it online. That way, we wouldn't have to actually take any products from people until they were individually sold." Once the group, referred to as "Team What's Our Name" on their Web site, decided on their business plan, they needed merchandise from customers to sell. Business major Trentacost said they initially sent out flyers to the campus community to recruit customers, but he admits getting a customer and merchandise base was the most difficult part. Group member McDonald agreed, and added that as a service-based business, Team What's Our Name depends on customer participation. "The hardest part is organizing and gathering all the products," she said. "This is because we don't actually have inventory since our business is a service--we're selling products for customers." Another problem was confusion over where the profits would go. Customers of consignment shops usually receive the majority of the money their items sold for, but the shop itself usually gets a cut. According to Ruch, the owner of the item receives 80 percent of the profit, and the remainmg 20 percent goes back to the group. However, students were unsure what the group would do with that money. "It hinders us because a lot of people don't understand why we are doing Freshman Joshua Henrie looks at the site for the online this or where the money consignment shop in Stark. The site offers electronics, goes," said Ruch. textbooks and other merchandise. While the group receives a portion of the profits, the individuals do For McDonald, Team What's Our Name not get to keep the money. Instead, the will be a success if ends with a productive profits funnel back directly into the Sidhu standing and meets their brea}'-even point. School of Business, which initially helped However, as the overseer of the projects front the business. in Integrated Management Experience II, According to Trentacost, Team What's Gordon believes that success of these busiOur Name has listed around 20 products nesses doesn't depend only on the financial since the site was launched. The items outcome. include snow boarding equipment, video "I think a successful one is where students game accessories, textbooks, and knick- come out with a greater understanding of knacks. So far, they have sold more than how to create and operate a business," he half their products, and Ruch lists their said. "It doesn't necessarily need to be fiprofit as nearly $150. nancially successful, but if they learned "Even though it doesn't sound like a lot, why their business wasn't successful, and we have only had a two-month time span what they would do different next time, it for running this business," said Ruch. will be a good learning experience." He points out that the group made about Students can visit the shop at http://sites. one sale a week, which is an accomplish- google.com/site/twonconsignmentstore/ ment considering all the other responsibili- Home or can contact any of the group memties the group members have . bers. �10 LIFESTYLES MARCH 31, 2009 The coolest ''F'' word presented at Women's Conference DY tl,i;ANN iUDOS8 # ~ ~.Yt !ifestyl~i E~ f@ e Km~ il§§i§t!lnt lffl)ffi§ m: of .,,,.,.. th@m@ @fth@ OOIU'fflllB@, ilttthmpolo~, Kin~ lm§ ll§@!i MI Th@ di§ell§§ioo ill b@uilftflffl§§iq e~mi§@ in Wtlfflffl 1§ §tlldi@§ aD!i th@Mtllfl!m1n'tllf@ eootmvffl)I tllitt lm§ lwf iHt §t in Vilfl@ll ttl}l= §}Jffl@ bl!ilt@ft tl@biltl!§ oot oolf .tb=- ie~ €OO€ffll~ wooi@n ilffl il eoo t Ml €t tbi t..1111111111~~ -.-,__, in tb@ fi@ld ofWom@D 3§ tlldi@§ hut thmu~om iieildMlia il§ @ II,1 Fiv@ pmfu§§Of§ and ffiYf §tllii@nt§ mh@ild th@ tb@fflei ~~l @ illUI l}fill@I €il§§ll§§i@11 f For AHth@ey alld all @f MI ingli§h tdil§ = @§ fuf tb@ §@m@§tllfi g l ii . . th@ el}Bfflf@fi§@ t} = fuf§ Ulm@ Yfilijll@ h@n@fi , - ~-- -ffif~~. !i= iH~ Wfhi§ooru@f@fi§@ i 00§ il ~ilt O}J}JtfflY= tutl@n m §OO = @il§@ tMif f@§@ilffih ilHd Im@ l@~@i ilf@il @H~~@fiH~ ilft6 Yf§iq/' il t8 ~;;;;.a,;f tn iw@= Photo courtesy of Theresa Kintz etlll@~@ tlld.ffl ffi ill= .tten Bf tb This symbol, which is used for the program ttiml th@if Hf t ileil= tilfi ni= at Genetti's, is a famous Mother Goddess 6@ffli€ OOfimf@Hel!, 1j · ll statue which was found at the Catalhoyuk €tlll@~e §filfi@llt§ site in Turkey. 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I can't wait till my classes are o er! -only to have a classmate mfurm her of the rain coming in the afternoon. tanton • ociation of the weatherand sunlight-with productivity is unusual But how students respond to · can be varied according to circumce. With spring warmer weather approach. northeastern Penmylvania, more peofound sitting outside on benches or in the grass enjoying the r s coming wanntb. allergies. but for Affec · re Di.- retail manager said. "Usually the warmer weather doesn't decrease our meal attendances throughout the day but I believe that is because of meal block plans. We do, however, have more catering for student groups who have picnics on the greenway, and metimes the faculty will have a BBQ, which is mething you wouldn't normally do in th winter months. Freshman elementary education major Diana Cu<hvorth feels the temptation to skip cl when the warm, sunny days of spring arrive. "'I would like to skip class. but don't because I don't have an ing else to do, o I ma: well just go. But le the classrooms ·th no windows., or teachers cl e the blinds, beca can't even glance ou ide at the nice da:y "" ·d Cudwo Kemmere · "d her falloff dun . th . • on ""ri="' 1 a mood chaµge with the b ology at Wilkes. "d sometnne:S ob-m attendat.lt:e at , ue. Spring fe · le cause them to sn.d) es results in lower grades. ring weather will be most apd here," said Chapman. , an 18-year-old :freshman er weather makes you �lvf curlorvJ ~ W~AU<ml ~e:,,~nfvom,, ~rte,\,{} boolv A&E MARCH 31, 2009 . CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa. benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com ------- 12 'Pride and Prejudice' to breathe life in Austen classic BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor 'Pride and Prejudice' has been a staple of American literature since its publication in 1813. Since then play adaptations have sprung up all over bringing the infamous characters to life. Wilkes University's theater department will offer its own interpretation of Austen's classic on stage from April 2-5 in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. This particular adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice' is by Jon Jory and was chosen by Naomi Baker, director of the play. "I found five adaptations of 'Pride and Prejudice' total. . .I read the Jon Jory adaptation and read some reviews and some of the things they said was that the script was dry and that it had taken the romance and life out of it. Then I started re-reading the Jon Jory one and realized I didn't really see that at all," Baker said. Jory's adaptation is done in a narrative style. At certain points the actors turn to the audience and address it directly. "I like the style. It's not realistic .. .it's clear from the beginning that they're telling the story of 'Pride and Prejudice,' Baker said. However, for some of the actors this has proved difficult. Bill McGovern, senior theater major who plays the role of Mr. Bennet said, "The British dialects have proven to be a bit difficult but I'm ex-. cited, really excited for this play." Because the story of 'Pride and Prejudice' is so well-known, it is important that the costumes and sets are reminiscent of the early 19th century. Jennifer Smeraldo, a senior theater major playing Lady Catherine De Bourgh said, "I do think that because it is well known that some audience members will come with certain expectations. The play takes place in many houses and gardens and such, so they will have to use their imagination, but I hope they will enjoy the show, even if it's not as cinematic as film can portray." Kate McGurk, freshman elementary education said, "I haven't read 'Pride and Prejudice' before, but I think that's why it's nice to have plays made. You can get a feel for the book but get it in an hour rather than take weeks to read it. I also think the theater department does a good job at putting on plays, so I'm looking forward . to it." Above: Balls and dancing are a big part of the play because that is the only time young people in the 19th century are able to be together unchaperoned. Left: The actors get a feel for the minimalist stage they will be performing on April 2 through the 5. I Love You, Man ... no really, I love this IDovie BY KENNY BROWN Be~ on Staff Writer Bromance. Man-dates. Brotherly Love, (without Philadelphia). What do we have here? We have yet another movie from the troupe of actors that have brought us such memorable weekend romps as Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Superbad. My friends, the film we are discussing is none other than I Love You, Man. I Love You, Man follows the quick and crazy trail of Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) on his journey to find a best man, and best friend before his soon to be wedding. Being a bit of a "nancy," Peter had never really had many male friends but more so aquaintances. With a push from his soonto-be wife, and his own growing need for male companionship, Peter starts to look into the realm of man dating, a new heterosexual craze where men can meet other men, for friendship. After running every man dry, and having a hilarious one-sided make-out with Reno 911 's Thomas Lennon and still not finding a friend, Klaven runs into Sydney Fife, played by Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall). It seems it is man love at first sight. Crazy moments ensue. Lou Ferrigno is selling his home through Klaven and a fight breaks out between "The Hulk" and Fife. When Klaven and Fife become inseparable, Klaven's fiancee becomes a bit flustered. To put it in a nutshell I Love You, Man is a great new comedy with a twist that many love to see, a little bit of heterosexual man love. The jokes aren't overdone. The actors are wonderful. And the storyline is surprisingly original. Last but not least, you get to see Jason Segel battle Lou Ferrigno, and hey, who doesn't want ·to see that? So before you go see The Haunting in Connecticut, Monsters v. Aliens, or god forbid 12 Rounds make sure to see I Love You, Man. You won't regret it. You may even be saying by the end of the movie, to the pudgy guy eating the popcorn on your left, I love you, man! I LOVE YOU, ·MAN �MARCH 31, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Corbin mixes it up as versatile new DJ BY YOHANNA DE LOS SANTOS M. Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Sophomore communication studies major, Darnell Corbin, is well known around campus thanks to the numerous e-mail blasts and Facebook messages he sends to advertise entertainment options on campus as well as in the greater Wilkes-Barre community. But it's more than his e-mail blasts and Facebook blurbs that have folks buzzing. Corbin is the latest to push his way into a crowded local DJ field, and by all accounts, he stands out in the crowd. As a freshman, Corbin wanted to get involved in the 90.7 WCLHWilkes University radio. However, his tight schedule as a full-time student, his work on campus, and football practice prevented him from getting as actively involved in radio as he would have liked. "I wanted to get adjusted, but I always had that love for music ... since I was younger," said Corbin. It wasn't until his sophomore year that he began to train and learn the ins and outs of what it took to host a radio show. He ap- prenticed under then-Hip-Hop/R&B Music Director, Carlton Holmes. "From there it's history," said Corbin. But what does it take to get started in an already crowded media field? Amanda Greene, radio host and producer of the Jeff Walker Show on 98.5 KRZ believes that it's a mix of guts and experience. Greene obtained her Bachelor's degree in mass communication with a minor in broadcasting from Five Towns College, a small private school in Long Island. During her years at Five Towns College she became involved in the college radio station where she got the idea of what the radio business is all about. "I interned on a morning show at 106.1 BLI ... we competed with Zl00 in New York City and I kind of did assistant producing. Then, the assistant producer got fired, and I took as much responsibility as I could because I just wanted to soak up as much experience as I could. I did promotions, I would search for content, I would edit the website, and I would do as much as they wanted me to do just to get WWW.CHANGEABLE SKIES. COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT;, Bill Henry wlHiam.hehry00@comcJistr,et -~215:768-4619 ~------------·--~""'"""'."""".mv <>". 'l!'is-,,,~----·".""- "' the experience. I ended up becoming the executive producer of the show by the time I graduated college," said Greene. At the end of the day Corbin said that, like Greene, he wants to become a radio host and produce his own show. Therefore, he took the initiative to advertise different events across platforms, "I'm just trying to build my resume, and be as well rounded as possible ... So I just figured if I made my own show, produced my own show.. .l would make my resume look good while I apply for internships," confessed Corbin. Without a doubt, best way to get the foot on the door after graduation is by having previous experience on a real market. "You have to intern. Being on air is not for everyone ... you have to figure out your passion," said Greene. Corbin's official on-air name is DJ D NELLZ, an abbreviation of his name and what his friends from New Jersey have called him ever since he was little. Another name is "Mr. I go in", which he uses just for fun on his radio show that airs Thursday nights from 7-10 p.m. As a student he uses all possible resources he can reach in order to attract people, "I advertise for anything that involves parties, [or the MSC] fashion show. As far as the radio station, we are just trying to get as many listeners as possible. It is not only for my show, but for all the other hip hop DJs, and all the other DJs at WCLH," said Corbin. .41--m---.Jlil1...,,___............-...-...........,.......- -.... AVAILABLE APARTMENTS READY TO LEASE JUNE 2009: PEARCE MANOR 84 WEST ROSS STREET 200 SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET JOAN HENRY HALL Corbin believes that what sets him apart from other DJs is that he not only thinks about what makes him move, or what he. likes, but he thinks about what listeners want to hear, "I think about the people first, before I think about what I want to listen to." "I'm an inthe-club ~e of DJ. Before I go to any event, I get a playlist, like a little rough draft, of what I want to play throughout the night. But at times things may change .. . but I have an outline. Sometimes I go from house club to reggae and then R&B. It may switch but I always go with at least a plan," said Corbin. Corbin has recently been featured in four events, including two in which he was the DJ for the night at the Woodlands' Club Evolution. On his first event, February 26 he remembers, "It was a great time. I was real surprised. At first I was, you know, 'my first time.' It ended up being a big crowd, and it was a ·good time," said Corbin. To be able to perform at Club Evolution he is not required to bring a specific number or people as long as he does his job, Corbin clarified. Going to the Woodlands to see DJ D NELLZ in action " ... Was a different scene, because I go to the Mines a lot because is a lot closer. But since someone from our school is DJing there, I [had] motivation to go all the way up to the Woodlands, and I liked the music," said freshman Adrienne Dorcent, nursing major. Dorcent also believes that is even better to see people frpm diverse backgrounds when going to his parties. �MARCH 31, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 Wilkes Alu01 speaks at Barnes and Noble about novel BY MATTHEW GOG AS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Every so often at Wilkes University, students are granted the pleasure of meeting an alumnus that has had great success in the real world. Marlon James, author and graduate student of the creative writing Master's program at Wilkes, read from his newest novel titled The Book of Night Women, which was published in February of this year. The public reading took place at Barnes and Noble Superstore on Main Street in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, March 29 at2P.M. Friends, colleagues, Wilkes faculty members, and customers of Barnes and Noble watched and listened as Marlon James read select passages from his novel. The book centers around the lives of Jamaican slave women, one in particular named Lilith, living in a slave estate in the early 1800's where they secretly rise up from their captors and form their own government. "What I found most appealing was how he not only transports you in time, to the time that this novel takes place, but he also gives you real characters. As a native of the Caribbean, it was a rich retelling of history. I am proud of the connection between Wilkes and this gem that he has created," said Wilkes University Provost C. Reynold Verret, who attended the event. Marlon James, now a visiting English professor at Ma- calester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, came to Wilkes University for the creative writing program in 2005 and was in the first group of students in the program. James is also a Wilkes faculty member in the graduate creative writing program. When he came to the graduate program, he had Marlon James captures audiences at Barnes and Noble as he reads excerpts from his new book, The Book of Night Women already published his first novel, John Crow's Devil, which was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Commonwealth Writers Prize and was a New York Times Editors' Choice. When he was asked why he came to the creative writing program even though he was already an established author he said, "Because writers need community. Being around writers and scholars was really rewarding. It was the first place, I think, that I could see a life as a writer. It was the kind of world I was looking for." As a native of Jamaica, he started writing the book as his master thesis in the creative writing program. When he felt that he wrote his story into a comer, he took one of the character's memoirs and made that into his book. Patricia Florio, a current student of the program, was inspired by James and attended the book reading to hear him speak. "Marlon gives me hope that as a student in this program, I can achieve what he has achieved and I know I am on the right track," said Florio. Friend and colleague, Dr. Jim Warner, now assistant director of the creative writing program at Wilkes, was also amongst the first students in the program. He was extremely proud to have Marlon speak about his new book. "When you are building a writing community, it is always important to celebrate successes, especially when you have had the pleasure to watch someone's career start and develop. Marlon exemplifies the passion and commitment to writing and the writing life. We are proud to have Marlon give back to our writing community by doing a signing for his fantastic new novel The Book of Night Women--a book which began as his Master's thesis--at our bookstore and give a lecture here on campus," said Warner. 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KING Beacon Staff 1 2 3 52 53 4 7 5 t 9 11 12 13 17 20 32 39 43 51 66 63 86 OS March 2 4 Crossword Answers 1 H G u 2 A s 4 E l'I C 0 u s 11 R 3 I 0 5e A G E as R M E M E L 6a ee T A M 0 I A N T A I T E R D 0 p T Across 1 Firm and fresh food 6 Fiber from psychoactive drug Sorcerer 10 Spiritual marijuana user 14 High-ranking sheik 15 16 Nerve fiber 17 Home Improvement actor 18 Not final or absolute 19 Color variety 20 Spying neighbor 22 Walking tool 23 Gray, aquatic bird 24 Squared block building stone 26 Ackbar's exclamation "I have" contraction 30 31 To cut a shrub Two related measurements 32 33 Slave Old executioner 's tool 35 Proper arrangement 39 41 Easily read Child's demanding phrase 43 44 To switch places 46 Christmas carol 47 Malted barley beer 49 Possessive object Many stuffed bears 50 - .. ' .- . ,. 51 54 56 57 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Un-, re-, or non-, for ex ample Violent uprising Protagonist of "King Lear" Excessively modest Car or van, for example Yugoslavian pres. From 53-80 Fuzzy Mogwai in "Grem lins" Egyptian God of fertility 6th hurricane of 2004 Used ina bow Depression on surface Popular police show Many male deer Rubbish or junk Sound of troubled lungs Store shopping walkway Manner of walking Emotion during finals week What bars cause in mom mg One that emits Fermented soybean for soup 9 10 11 12 13 21 25 26 27 28 29 34 36 37 38 40 42 45 48 51 52 53 55 58 59 60 61 62 _ _ Rage Winning score in tennis Towards the central axis Slang for "going to" To come upon stage Sound is ... Bird call Math or triangles Wife of a rajah Basic unit of matter Soil below freezing point Formation in Boulder, CO Double reed woodwind Popular winter activity Snakelike marine animals Seller of sliced meats Muscle soother and laxative Spy on a phone call Foreign origin Cloth or design of kilt To use once more Make dinner at home to save Ancient Rome garments Research on living tissue Bad rumors or gossip Hebrew priest of 5th cent. B.C. Air pollution Pulls, tugs, drags �1 CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ MARCH 31, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Baseball defeats Misericordia 6-4, wins 11th straight BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor To say that Wilkes University's baseball team is on a roll right now would be an understatement; their 6-4 victory against rival Misericordia last Friday extended their winning streak to eleven straight games. The Colonels (14-4, 2-0) are peaking at a pivotal time in the regular season, as six of their next eight games are against Freedom Conference opponents. "Our confidence is very high; the only thing is that we must control our confidence and stay level-headed," said junior pitcher/ outfielder Tom Buckler. "The teams we face in the next couple weeks are very good and we need to be at our best for all of them [... ]We need to play each and every inning as if it were our last." "I'd rate our confidence as a team at about an eight right now," added senior Eric Wetzel. "Misericordia could have easily beaten us the two times we played this week, but we were able to pull out the win both times fortunately." Wilkes had already defeated Misericordia 3-1 earlier in the week on Tuesday, March 24, and their win over the Cougars on Friday would serve to be just as close. The Colonels led by the comfortable score of 6-0 after seven innings, but allowed Misericorida back in the game in the eighth when they exploded for four runs. They were able to hold on, however, picking up the win and establishing themselves as a potential power in the Freedom Conference this season. The Colonels' pitching helped set the tone for Wilkes; they received a strong starting performance from freshman Ryan Fetterman (W: 3-1) and impressive relief work from Mike Brennan and Sean Flecknoe who combined to throw two scoreless innings to close out the game. Fetterman went seven innings, giving up three runs (two earned) while striking out two, while Flecknoe recorded his second save of the season. Junior John Florance provided the offense for Wilkes, going 3-4 with three RBI and two runs scored on the day. His three-run homerun in the bottom of the fifth helped extend Geoff Miller (9) slides into home during the fourth inning on a failed pickoff attempt by Misericordia as Eric Wetzel (2) looks on. the Colonels' lead to 5-0, giving them a bit of breathing room for when Misericordia staged its eventual comeback. The two teams would remain scoreless after three innings before Wilkes broke through for two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Florance led off the inning with a double and would later score after senior Geoff Miller reached on a throwing error by Misericordia's pitcher, Steve Peet. Miller reached second base on the play and See BASEBALL on PAGE 17 �MARCH 31, 2009 17 SPORTS Lady Colonels split double header with Scranton Courtesy of Craig Merriman, Sports Information Director Kristy Ordile and MeLisa Bracone each tallied four hits in the first game to lead the Wilkes to a 9-1 win in the first game over Scranton. The Royals would score a run in the bottom of the 10th inning in the second game to win 7-6 as the two teams split a double header. In the first game, Ordile and Bracone accounted for eight of the team's 13 hits, while Sarah Miller picked up her first home run of the season to snap the Lady Colonels three-game losing skid. Ordile had three singles and a triple, while Bracone scored and drove in a run. The Lady Colonels jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first four innings before Scranton got on the board with its lone run in the bottom of the fifth. Wilkes would tack on two more runs in the top of the ninth to all but put away the Royals. Wilkes got on the board first in the top of the second inning on two hits, includ- ing Miller's two-run blast to center field, game, an RBI single to center to score scoring Cori Salter, who reached on a walk. Saltzer, after Kerry Finnerty scored from The two runs would be all starter Lindsay third on an error. In the second game, Wilkes jumped out to Behrenshausen would need, as she picked up her third win of the season after throw- a 5-0 lead after five innings, but the Royals ing five innings, giving up one run off four came back to tie the game in their final two at-bats. Both teams would score a run in the hits. The Lady Colonels busted out for four eighth before Scranton would win the game runs in the next frame thanks to three- on a walk-off single. Alyssa Ciesla grounded out to second, straight hits by Gina Stefanelli, Bracone and Keelia Mailander. Mailander's hit but was enough to score Stefanelli, who led would drive in Stefanelli before Bracone off the inning with a single. In the fifth inwould cross home plate on a Scranton error. ning, Sarah Elliot and Amanda Holston hit Saltzer's single to left plated Mailander to back-to-back one-out singles before Kathy Dalton doubled down the right line to score give the Lady Colonels a 6-0 advantage. The top of the fourth saw Ordile triple Elliot. Stefanelli would follow suit with a down the left field line and would later · double to right center scoring both Holston and Dalton. She would go 3-for-5 in the score on a Bracone single to left. Scranton would pick up three of their five game with two runs batted in and two runs hits in the bottom of the fifth, scoring it's scored. only run, but left the bases loaded as BehScranton erupted for six hits in the sixth renshausen pitched a groundout to end the inning, two of which were for extra bases, including a leadoff home run. A two-out threat. Ordile picked up her fourth hit of the rally in the seventh that saw the Royals cap- italize on a Wilkes error as well as back-toback hits. Three of their 13 hits would come in the seventh inning. The Lady Colonels would break the tie when Erin Plank, who reached on an error, would come around to score on a base hit by Ordile. Scranton committed two errors in the inning, but Wilkes was unable to capitalize as it left the bases loaded. Wilkes would have a defensive let down in the bottom of the eighth with two errors that resulted in a game-tying run. The pitching combination of Maureen Pllot and Kaitlyn Kormanik combined to give up just four earned runs in the loss. In the bottom of the l 0th inning, the Royals would get a base hit, scoring the runner from second base. Once the game went into extra innings, the international tie-break rule was in effect where a runner is placed on second base to start the inning. will be used in that capacity." And should Captain Connor need to deliver that motivational speech to his team down the road, he doesn't have to look that far for inspiration. "I'm going to have a tutorial with Gover there in the back room," James said with a chuckle Wednesday. "He's going to give me some tips." RINKSIDE REPORT RINKSIDE from PAGE 20 As they had done with James for the majority of the season, defenseman Deryk Engelland and center Jeff Taffe wore the alternate captaincies on their jerseys during Wednesday's game. But James's promotion distinguishes the winger from his fellow veterans in that he will be the go-to guy as the Penguins continue their playoff push. "I think to have one final voice in the room, one guy going to the referee in those situations, and one leader amongst a bunch of leaders which we have on our team is important to have," Reirden said. "Connor BASEBALL from PAGE 16 would later advance to third on a groundout by sophomore Shane Keister, before eventually scoring on a passed ball at third on an attempted pickoff. Florance's homerun would put them up 5-0 the next inning, and it appeared they would need to simply play on cruise control to get the win. An additional run in the bottom of the sixth added to the impression. Things changed quickly in the top of the eighth, however. Fetterman allowed a leadoff walk to Misericordia's Cody Hack, before Mike Murphy doubled down the left field line. After an error and sacrifice fly, the Colonels' lead was cut to 6-2. It would shrink to 6-4 a couple of batters later follo.wiag a Misericorida triple and«roundout. Wilkes was able 'to end the threat soon after. "I am very happy with our freshman this year," said Buckler. "Ryan Fetterman is outstanding on the mound for us. He won his first conference game Friday and he looks very sharp. Sean Flecknoe came into both conference games for us and picked up two saves in very tight games. Matt Ruch is solid in the box now and playing really well as well. Everyone has just been giving really positive contributions." The baseball team's next game is tomorrow against Manhattanville in Purchase, New York, at 3:30 P.M. Number 25 John Florance bats during the Friday March 27 game ag&int Misericordia at Ralston Fields. The Colonels won the game 6-4 and are undefeated in their last 11 games. �MARCH 31, 2009 SPORTS 18 RINKSIDE REPORT Three join Penguins, more expected in coming week~ BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. Pittsburgh's fourth round selection in the 2008 National Hockey League draft, Moon scored 32 goals and added 40 assists in 62 OHL games this season. Bortuzzo, a 20-year-old defenseman, was Pittsburgh's third-round pick in the 2007 NHL draft. The blueliner appeared in 23 games with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers this season, registering one goal, 16 assists, and 49 penalty minutes. Caffaro, 25, appeared in ·135 games for Union College during his NCAA career. The defenseman registered 23 goals, 56 assists, and 227 penalty minutes while at Union, and led all Union defenseman with 22 points this season. According to Reirden, the Penguins plan to bring in "pretty much everyone who is eligible that we feel has a future in the organization." In order to be signed, a player must have completed his junior or collegiate season. In other words, the sooner a As the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins continue their push to the playoffs, the team's roster is expected to continue expanding. The club has already signed three players to amateur try-out (ATO) agreements. The Penguins added two Pittsburgh draft picks in Nathan Moon and Robert Bortuzzo last Monday before signing undrafted defenseman Lane Caffaro on Saturday. "It gives them a little bit of a sneak preview of what they have to look forward to," said Penguins' interim head coach Todd Reirden. "Whether it's next year's rookie camp, or next year 's training camp, this prepares them a little bit more for what's expected out of them ... It also lets them know that while they've had successful junior careers, it's definitely a step up to play in the American Hockey League." Moon, a 19-year-old center, joins Wilkes-Barre/Scranton from the Kingston player's team gets bounced from the playoffs; the sooner he can be signed to an ATO agreement. While not everyone who is brought into Wilkes-Barre on an ATO will have the opportunity to get into a game with the Penguins, the players still get the experience of practicing with the team and getting a firsthand view of what the demands of professional hockey are. "It's great to be around these guys, seeing the pro practices, how intense they are compared to juniors, and what you have to get up here and the level you have to be to get this spot," Moon said. "It seems like a first class organization. They're spoken very highly of by everyone I've talked to. The facility is great, the guys are good, and I'm just happy to be here," Bortuzzo added. CURRENT PENGUINS STANDINGS 1. X- HERSHEY BEARS 101 POINTS 2. BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS 96 POINTS 3. WILKES-BARRE SCRANTON PENGUINS 94 POINTS 4. BINGHAMTON SENATORS 86 POINTS 5. PHILADELPHIA PHANTOMS 80 POINTS 6. ALBANY RlVER RATS 69 POINTS 7. NORFOLKADMIRALS 66 POINTS X = SECURED PLAYOFF SPOT S C I '-'«------! I L i '11"---«-:: !:> - P I c:1. s rr E r1r111 le>dc::1y_ I c:1 a■ p t IVI <> 1r111 t h lntEJrstatE3 Blood &t. Plasma lnc_ .. 665 Carey ~ve VVi lkes-Barre .. Pa · 1 Call (570) 823-4119 -■ �MARCH 31, 2009 SPORTS 19 Colonels tennis remains undefeated Defeats FDU-Florham BY RYAN HOLMEi Beacon Correspondent Blazing fast serves, straight sets, and dominant attitudes propelled the Wilkes men's tennis team to its fifth straight victory of the season against FDU-Florham. The Colonels swept at both doubles and singles, and the loss to Wilkes made the fifth straight on the season for FDU. Lone senior Ky le Ungvarsky and his doubles partner Chris Cozzillio started off the day for Wilkes with a 9-7 win over Adam Geiger and Joe Li at the No. l spot. Shortly after Jeremy Nolt and Evan Katz dominated Nik Sharma and Kevin Ly 8-0 at the No. 2 spot to put the Colonels up 2-0. Wes McCollum and his partner John Rohrbach quickly disposed of Wes Hamett and Andrew Scamporino with an 8-2 victory to sweep the Devils in all three doubles matches. The early season success has built the confidence within the team and has elevated the men to play at the top of their game. However, by all accounts, the Colonels success has not encouraged over confidence. Even in warm up, it's easy to see that the Wilkes athletes take everything seriously once they step onto the court. "It's easy to keep a level head and stay grounded," said freshman Evan Katz. "The success hasn't gotten to us just yet. We all realize our talents, but we keep each other in line." _ Katz battled the very talented Joe Li in his singles match, overtaking Li in straight sets with a 6-4, 6-2 victory. Jeremy Nolt posted the same scores against FDU - Florham's Adam Geiger at the No. l spot. Kyle Ungvarsky and Wes McCollum put up perfect 6-0, 6-0 straight set victories in their singles matches to send Wes Hamett and Kevin Ly to the benches at the No. 3 and No.5 spots . . Sophomore Jon Rohrbach sent Andrew Scamporino packing in convincing fashion at the No. 6 spot with a 6-0, 6-2 victory. Last, but certainly not least, Chris Cozzillio overcame a "pre-game injury" and made his dominance known by beating Nik Sharma with a 6-1, 6-1 victory. Cozzillio's amazingly fast serves proved to be too much for his opponent who could hardly muster a return. "We are a very close team and I think the success will continue if we keep playing and battling for each win we get this season," Katz stated. The 5-0 Colonels travel to St. Davids, Pa. to take on the Eastern University Eagles on Saturday March 28 at 1pm. They return home Sunday March 29 to take on Elizabethtown University at 1pm. A Colonels tennis player hits the ball during the home match against FDU-Florham. The team has won both their spring matches this season, first defeating Neumann 8-1 on March 14 and the FDUFlorham on Wednesday March 25. Lacrosse pic1's up first confere nee win of the year Lady Colonels defeat cross town rival Kings Story Courtesy of Craig Merriman, Sports Information Direstor The Wilkes University women's lacrosse team picked up its first MAC win of the year by defeating cross-town rival King's College 19-8 on Wednesday afternoon, snapping the Lady Colonels two game losing streak. With the win, Wilkes now improves to 5-3 on the season and 1-2 in the conference, while the Lady Monarchs see their record drop to 0-6 on the year and 0-4 in the MAC. The opening half was one filled with runs with the Lady Colonels taking an early 3-0 lead thanks to two goals by Melissa Polchinski and one tally by Brittney Hodnik. King's would quickly answer by getting back-toback goals by Candice Russ and Alicia Cox to cut the margin to 3-2 with 22:12 remaining, before Wi!fes would score five straight to make the count 8-2 with just under 16 minutes left in the op~ning stanza. King's answered the Wilkes run with four straight goals of its own to cut the lead to just two at 8-6 with 3:38 to go in the opening stanza, before the Lady Colonels gave themselves a cushion with three more scores before the break to take an 11-6 advantage at the intermission. The second half saw Wilkes step up its defense, surrendering just two goals over the final 30 minutes. The Lady Colonels also kept their strong offense barrage going, finding the net nine more times, headlined by three goals apiece from Polchinski and Hodnik to post the final 19-8 margin. Polchinski led all scorers, posting seven more goals and one assist on the afternoon. Hodnik was right behind her with six scores and one helper, Kat Edwards added three goals, while Analicia Jost, Jordan Brown, and Amanda Tilley found the back of the net once each for the Lady Colonels. Allie Zukuft started and made five saves in goal, while Cassie Cronin played the second half and made three stops. Cox and Russ scored two goals each to pace the Lady Monarchs, while Sierra Coleman, Kari Leach, Christina Glenn, and Taylor Tyne had one score apiece. Chrissy Keenan made 15 saves between the pipes for King's. Lacrosse Leading Scorers Brittney Hodnik - 59 Melissa Polchinski .. 54 Kat Edwards - 28 Amelia Farnham - 26 Amanda Tiltey - 26 Jordan Brown - 19 Analicia Jost - 15 Rachel Greenlaw - 7 Stephanie Harkins - 6 �MARCH 31 2009 20 SPORTS Ja01es named 15th captain in Penguins' history BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer With his team clinging to a 3-2 lead at the second intermission of last Wednesday's game, Connor James pondered if there was anything he should be doing in the locker room to turn things around. Hours earlier, James was named captain of the WilkesBarre/Scranton Penguins, a team that saw a three-goal lead vanish in a matter of minutes against the Grand Rapids Griffins. "I was thinking, 'Is this what I'm · supposed to do now, give a big win-one-for-the-Gipper speech?'" James said after Wednesday's game. "But everyone was calm in here, we knew what we had to do. Guys realized that we couldn't do what we did in the second period." James scrapped the speech idea, and the Penguins pulled it together in the third period to earn a 5-3 victory, which eased the captain after his first day wearing the "C" on his jersey. "It was a little nerve-racking. I haven't done it since midget. But we've got a great bunch of leaders on this team," James said. "Everyone does a great job. Not really anything changed, except for the sweater." Previously, James had served as one of the three alternate captains for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He took over the captaincy from Dave Gove, who has been sidelined due to injury since November. Interim head coach Todd Reirden said that naming James captain does not necessarily rule Gove out for the year. "At this point, I really wanted to have a captain going through these final nine games and then going into the playoffs," Reirden said. "If Dave Gove comes back, he'll be able to have his captaincy back. It's certainly not any slight to him." Once Reirden decided that a new captain was necessary, James was the obvious choice. The winger is in his third season with the Penguins' organization and has established American Hockey League career highs with 29 assists and 46 points. "He's the engine that drives our bus in terms of work ethic and passion for the game and desire to get better," the coach said. "He's been here for three years, putting time into this organization. Certainly a guy that was a logical choice." James 's teammates supported the decision. "It's great. He's been around three, years now. Obviously everyone gets along with everybody in the room and when he talks, everyone listens," said winger Chris Minard. "It's great for 0 ~ h n lt s ti n b Photo Courtesy of Chirs Rutsch Connor James traded in the "A" on his jersey for a "C" last Wednesday when he was named captain of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. See RINKSIDE on PAGE 17 b h e ti ti h n h - 4 ~ E 99-00: Tyler Wright, Steve Leach, John Slaney 00-01: Slaney, Sven Butenschon 01-02: Jason MacDonald 02-03: Tom Kostopoulos 03-04: Kostopoulous, Patrick Boileau, Kris Beech 04-05: Alain Nasreddine, Rob Scuderi 05-06: Nasreddine . 06-07: Nasreddine, Micki DuPont 07-08: Nathan Smith, Dennis Bonvie 08-09: Dave Gove, Connor James B & B p h b p rr � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 March 31st Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 March 31 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/cc7be062be1671db49ff139f61399771.pdf cf787f62e0601ac4d80e70a3e8a1145d PDF Text Text Lacrosse Page 20 APRIL 7, 2009 Feres Doctrine Page 8 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Campus mourns slain nursing student :::,t~~E~1;:,st alleged killer, claim domestic violence led to shooting Beacon Editor-in-Chief On Sunday, March 29, several local news organizations reported the murder of a thirty-one year old woman in her Wilkes-Barre home. But it wouldn't be until the next morning that Wilkes community members learned that the victim was one of their own - Kewaii Rogers Buckner - a junior nursing student anp mother of three. Police claim that Rogers-Buckner was the victim of domestic violence. Police arrested Rogers Buckner's husband, Donnell Buckner, for the murder. f\ccording to reports, Buckner used a back door to sneak into Roger Buckner's home and after a short argument shot Rogers Buckner in the head in front of their three young children, leaving her to die on their living room couch. Buckner fled the scene and remained at large until 6 p.m. the next day. Police arrested him after a woman noticed his vehicle near an abandoned building in south See SHOOTING page 4 Issue 19 Students laud new website as improvement JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas Police are trained in conflict management to appropriately respond to situations that are called in. Domestic violence is cited as the reason for last weeks murder of a Wilkes student. Police are more reactionary than preventers as explained by Chief of Police Gerard Dessoye. Student's murder, local violence raises questions BYAMYFUSCO Beacon News Editor & JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor Last week, junior nursing student, Kewaii Rogers-Buckner was shot to death in her Wilkes-Barre home in front of her three children. Rogers-Buckner had taken out a protection from abuse order (PFA) against her husband, Donnell Buckner, just days before she was shot last Sunday, March 29. Police have arrested and charged him with murder. Volume 61 In addition, two recent incidents at King's College, one involving a student being assualted and stabbed, another reporting an alleged gunshot in his direction, have underscored personal safety issues for local students. For the past two weeks, the local newspapers have reported local homicides, assaults and stabbings, and community members are nervous about what they perceive to be a disturbing uptick in violence. But is there a way to diffuse the violence before it occurs? With proper training, ONTHEWEB www.wilk:esbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu INDEX News ............... 1-.5 ()pinion...... ,.... 6--8 law enforcements and resource centers are taught several steps that can be taken in order to ensure the safety of people in situations that could lead to violence, including one-time disputes and ongoing domestic abuse. Gerard Dessoye, Wilkes-Barre Police Chief, explained that the recent cases of homicide were not linked to each other. "One was a tragic case of, what is becoming so common place, domestic violence," See VIOLENCE page 3 Lifestyles .......9-11 A&E. ........... 12-15 Sports..........16-20 Last week, the newly revised Wilkes University website launched, and did so generally to campus applause. "The [previous version of the] website was up for about three and a half years, maybe four years ... It was getting a little stale. We felt it was necessary to refresh the look," said Jack Chielli, executive director . of Marketing Communications. Before the launch, Craig Thomas, associate director of web services, was able to show the website to different groups and received some good feedback. "It [the website re-design] has been a long time coming. A lot of people want to see the website change. It's been a lot of work," said Thomas. Thomas's crew included Chielli; the marketing communications team; the web redesign committee; SunGard officials; Chris Barrows, electronic communications coordinator and Tom Larrabee, a work-study student. The crew was very excited for the launch because changes reflect a new focus and purpose for the website. "The main goal for any website having to do with universities would be communications, communicating to the outside world. We brought on the portal a little over a year ago, so that is going to be used as ow· in- w See WEBSITE page 2 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member ·• ·• .. · �ONE+ONE MBA: INDIA PROGRAM PAGE4 WEBSITE from FRONT PAGE -temal communications tool. Our Wilkes.edu is going to be used for external to communicate to the parents, media and potential students. We also want to use it as a recruitment vehicle," said Thomas. New features added to the new website include more video, links to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube, new calendars and improvements to the locator. Each individual college now has its own page which is one of the main tabs on the new site. The site also has tabs at the top which stay on every page in order to increase navigability, which was a big issue for Thomas and his team. "The navigation wasn't intuitive, meaning things weren't where they are supposed to be," said Thomas. Thomas used the example of being in a car and turning on the blinker. A person lifts up their left hand to turn on the blinker because it's there. But if the car is designed so the blinker is on the dashboard, that doesn't mean the blinker isn't working. It just means that you're not used to it. The new site was designed to be more navigable a~ the search engine is powered by Google, as well. Some current students agreed that the website was more navigable. The new website was easier to navigate because of the top of the screen. It was also easier to read because of the simple black and white. There was better organization whereas with the old website NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com 2 you can get lost easily," said Marissa Farrell, a junior Spanish major. Farrell agreed that the site is more appealing for prospective students. When she was checking out the Wilkes website before making her decision to attend Wilkes, it was easy to "get lost and not know where to go." Another student also said that the new design was different and confusing at first. "It is nicer looking, but I didn't know where everything was and it took a little getting used to ... but [it's] an improvement overall," said Al Clocker, a sophomore accounting major. A focus group was held on VIP day on March 21 to see what The Beacon/ Lauren Biernacki students Days before the launch, Craig Thomas, left, and Chris Barrows, right, work hard on putting the final touches on the incoming th0u~ht about the new website. The website redesign was about a year in the making and cost about $13,000. The website redesign commitwebsite. tee brainstormed in the preliminary meetings and many of those ideas were brought into the new website. "Because of the hectic schedule of that day we didn't really get as much of people might be sick of seeing brought up in the preliminary job," said Chielli. input as we wanted, but we still those pictures, the prospective meetings. At the bottom of the website, got some input. The feedback was students never saw them before," Quest 4 was chosen as the com- there is a link for Website Feedpretty good ... It was actually re- said Thomas. pany to do the basic template back. The team is encouraging ally good," said Thomas. The idea of a new website start- design. SunGard brought the students, faculty and staff to comThe photos that were on the old ed a little over a year ago. A web templates to life and then the mar- ment with their honest feedback. website were brought over to the re-design committee of about 15 keting communications team put "The biggest thing we are trying new site, but Thomas acknowl- people from faculty, staff and oth- the final touches on the website. to do is please the majority, withedged that those photos are out of er stakeholders was formed. Issues The cost oftlie website re-design out losing focus that it is a marketdate. There will be a photo shoot like the new social networking, was about $13,000. ing tool to bring in students," said in April to refresh the Wilkes visu- colors, legibility, visual appeal, "Websites can be extremely ex- Thomas. als. website navigation and individual pensive ... Websites can cost about "Don't forget that although a lot school pages were ideas that were $100,000 plus, depending on the BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2008-09 Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Meet the staff... Melanie Thomas Correspondent �7, 2009 VIOLENCE APRIL NEWS 3 always says is, ' Why didn' t you just leave?' from FRONT PAGE or ' Why didn't she get out?' - One in four women (25%) has experienced domestic Dessoye stated. "The other one was a reor ' Didn't she violence in her lifetime. sult of a previous confrontation between the know better?' two individuals," he added. It's not about Police involvement generally 'reactionthat. It's not - Between 600,000 and 6 million women are victims of ary' about the vicDessoye explained that every police offidomestic violence each year, and between 100,000 and tim ... You can't cer has a basic amount of training in conflict control what 6 million men, depending on the type of survey used to resolution. It is not just one block of trainanother person ing, but it comes up in various aspects of the obtain the data. does," said Trigeneral police training. ano. "Every one of those [training] sections Often the - Nearly three out of four (74%) of Americans personwill have a thread of some version of conabuser tries to flict management specific to that particular ally know someone who is or has been a victim of doisolate a victim .genre they' re studying," said Dessoye. The from family mestic violence. training segments could involve situations and friends said involving minorities, people with disabiliTriano. She also ties, domestic violence and more. - On average, more than three women and one man are added that abus"Unfortunately, we don't do a lot of true ers don't want murdered by their intimate partners in this country evt prevention. We are more reactionary in dotheir victims to mestic violence," Dessoye said. "It's this ery day. have jobs or finature that we don't really know about donancial resourcmestic violence until we are called to it by es, which would - The health-related costs of intimate partner violence complaint," he added. He explained that law give them a way enforcements have some agencies, probably exceed $5.8 billion each year. Of that amount, nearly to get out of the still in existence today, that have officers situation. $4.1 billion are for direct medical and mental health trained specifically to deal with cases such Most domesas domestic violence. care services, and nearly $1.8 billion are for the indirect tic violence hoService centers focus on personalizing micides happen costs of lost productivity or wages. safety planning when a woman The Domestic Violence Service Center has left or is has a number of services such as its 24-hour attempting to Courtesy of Domestic Violence Resource Center hotline which victims can call for safety leave because L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' planning, directions to an emergency shel- the abuser is aware of any patterns or the propensity for "I'm more worried about my car than myter, individual counseling, support group feeling a loss of control and power, said violence in the relationships had with other self," said Cassandra Scarantino, a senior counseling, advocacy and assistance with Triano. The abuser becomes more danger- people, such as a significant other, relatives, business major. PFAs, education training and professional ous and the victim becomes more at risk to etc. Civilians should not worry about manBrittany Maloney, sophomore biology training. be put in a situation. aging it as much as avoiding it. major, has lived near the Wilkes-Barre area The center also has a relationship with the · Gerald Reho, manager of public safety, her whole life and feels like the crimes lateService centers, like the one for domestic police officers. violence and the Victims Resource Center explained that public safety officers, like ly have been blown out of proportion. "Part of the law is if they [police officers] are confidential and offer 24-hour help via police officers, go through training. "It just so happened that a couple things are called to a home where there's a domes- telephone call. "We send them to a two day school down happened all in one week or recently," said tic violence incident, they have to provide If there is a probable cause for arrest, po- at LCCC and it is taught by the former Maloney. the victim with our information," said Paula lice officers will do so. If there is no cause, Chief of Wilkes-Barre, Will Barrett, and it Another student had opinions not only on Triano, executive director of the domestic they would advise the victim to file a PFA. has how to diffiise situations, such as do- the crime but also the economy's effect on violence service center. On the informal side, law enforcement me stics," said Reho. the crime rates. The center receives referral forms from would advise that one of the parties leave Rebo advises students to contact public "I just feel that the crime rate in Wilkesthe police after an incident is taken care of for the evening or the night in order to sepa- safety, RAs, or student affairs if they are in Barre is definitely increasing, comparing it with information about if the victim wants rate and calm down. situations that could lead to violence. They to before because I've lived here my whole to be contacted, a phone number and time "In 90 % of the [domestic violence] cases, will direct students to counselors, outreach life. The economy also has a lot to do with to call. by the next day, everybody 's back to nor- programs, and the Victims Resource Center, it because people are out of jobs and they "When they call the hotline, the biggest ma!," commented Dessoye. and such for more guidance. are trying to find quick money," said Jesthing that we always ask them is, 'Are you Distance, awareness of surroundings key "You have to watch your surroundings sica Shaw, a commuting sophomore nurssafe?"' said Triano. Dessoye advises that if civilians are hav- and where you go," Rebo stated. He sug- ing student. The most important thing for people to do ing situations that could potentially lead to gests students to go out with a group and "Something students have to take into if they face a domestic violence situation is violence, they should have the intention to never Walk alone · If a n·de 1·s needed, there cons1·derat1·on and have to do for themselves to personalize safety planning, which is part get distance between themselves and the is always safe ride, where a taxi will pick is safety," Rebo commented. "You have to of the options counseling that the center possible adversary. students up. protect yourself and don't think it will never has available to its clients. No two victims "Distance is always your friend in that Students on campus know about the ho- happen to you," he added. or circumstances will be the same. Triano type of situation," said Dessoye, "One of the micides that have been happening, but they says that things that work for some will not key things is to be aware of your surround- also know that these were mostly all homiwork for others. ings and the way people interact with you." cides with previous relationships attached "One of the big things that everybody . He also explained that ·it is important to be to them. National Domestic Violence Statistics . { �APRIL 07, 2009 NEWS 4 One+One MBA: India lends new reach to Wilkes education BYAMYFUSCO Beacon News Editor The reach of a Wilkes education just got a little longer. Recently, the Wilkes MBA program expanded with a new One+One MBA India program. Students from Punjabi University in India can now earn a Wilkes University degree by taking classes at their university for a year and then coming to Wilkes-Barre to study for one year. The program decreases costs for Indian students, while allowing American students to interact with these international students in the classroom. According to administrators, the program broadens the diversity at Wilkes and contributes to an important educational tool on campus. The One+One MBA: India program is a partnership between Wilkes and the Punjabi School of Management Studies, which is located in Patiala, India. In fall 2008, 34 firstyear Indian Wilkes students began studying on Punjabi University's campus. After one year, they will move to the Wilkes campus for their year of residency in United States. Dr. Anthony Liuzzo, the MBA director and professor in the Sidhu School of Business, says he first heard the idea of this program from Jay Sidhu, who comes from the region of Punjabi University. Sidhu received his MBA SHOOTING from FRONT PAGE Wilkes-Barre. On Monday, nursing students could be seen watching local newscasts and checking local newspapers for updates regarding their friend 's murder. Sitting around a computer in Brieseth Hall, three nursing majors, Florena Wolfe, Lori Skurkis, and Erin Bufford, read information ref arding the protection from abuse order Rogers Buckner filed just days before the murder. "Two of the girls were supposed to pick her up [for clinical] , and they called her at 9:20 p.m. and I guess they talked to her, but after that, they called back she didn't answer. And [the murder] happened at 10:20 p.m.," said Bufford, a junior. Susan Darby, an assistant professor in the nursing department, worked closely with Rogers-Buckner. "She was very determined to become a nurse. She worked as a respiratory therapist full-time. Plus she had three children. They are all very young and she was going to school full-time. She was extremely determined and she desperately wanted to become a nurse," said Darby. She added, "She had confided in me that she had lived in domestic violence, and I asked her if she was safe. She told me she was safe. One degree at Wilkes and is currently chair of program was created. "My role is to make sure that every student the University's Board of Trustees. Before the One+One MBA: India pro- that graduates with a Wilkes MBA is gradugram began, there were courses taught dur- ating from a high quality program," stated Liuzzo, "And that their learning skills and ing spring break for MBA students. "In 2007, we brought several Indian stu- the content of the courses are necessary to dents from Punjabi University who are get- flourish in a business and organizational enting their MBA," _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ vironment." said Liuzzo. The "I would hope that some of "I would hope that some of department testour students will take advaned a class, which our students will take advan- tage of the fact that there are was one of Li- tage of the fact that there are MBA courses being offered uzzo 's courses. MBA courses being offered several thousand miles away There were several thousand miles away and that they can go over about ten Indian there for a semester," Liuzzo students and and that they can go over there said. eight Wilkes stu- for a semester," Liuzzo said. In addition to studying dents. They were l abroad, the MBA students in the same class have learning opportunities for ten days, had lunch together, worked in about diversity and globalization by having groups together and were very interactive. Indian students in their class. Overall, Liuzzo felt the spring break pro"I hope the faculty will share joint research gram was a big success. initiatives with other faculty members of "We sort of broke the ice with Punjabi Punjabi," said Liuzzo. Furthermore, he hopes University. We got to know them, know that faculty members from both schools get their faculty and their students," Liuzzo to know each other professionally and develcommented. "We started to understand op skills from each other. From this, Wilkes what their students liked and what they faculty will learn about diversity issues. needed," he added. After developing the Dr. Jennifer Edmonds, assistant professor spring course, the One+OneMBA: India in the Sidhu School Business & Leadership, coordinates the offerings of her course equivalents at Punjabi University. In other words, she exchanges syllabi and ideas with faculty at the university in India. "This program, in addition to allowing Wilkes University to continue to build its international presence, gives Wilkes faculty the opportunity to interact with and potentially travel to Punjabi University," said Edmonds. "I had never been overseas before, and without this particular opportunity, it may not have happened for some time," she added. She has enjoyed travelling to India twice and has gained faculty colleagues and friends. Currently, only Punjabi University students have a 'choice' in their participation. They emoll as Wilkes University students studying in Patiala for three semesters and then have the opportunity to come to live and study at Wilkes University for two semesters. "I hope we learn how to do this perfectly, so that we'll be able to do it with other institutions in other countries," Liuzzo stated. They have already begun interacting with institutions in China and Columbia. time she did leave her husband ... but she went back. Again, I asked her if she was safe, and she did tell me she was safe." As of press time, funeral arrangements were not known, but there was word of a candlelight vigil that will be held on Wilkes University's Fenner Quadrangle (Greenway) on April 21 at 8 p.m. The vigil will follow a rally on Public Square for crime prevention. and tile raDy on Public are for crime revention stay tuned to ilkesBeacon.com The Beacon/ Andrew Seaman Kewaii Rogers-Buckner lived here with her family on 134 Lehigh St. in WilkesBarre. She was murdered by her husband on March 29 due to domestic violence. �APRIL 7, 2009 NEWS 5 SG Notes March 18, 2009 BY MELANIE THOMAS Beacon Correspondent Treasurer's Report All College: $3,759.50 Conference: $7,482.09 General: $3,879.24 Leadership: $8,652.59 Special Projects: $2,454.06 Spirit: $4,000.00 Start-up: $2,100.00 The Beacon/ Jacqueline Lukas Children at Hoops and Scoops, a Zebra Communications event, get their faces painted and enjoy the day on Sunday. Zebra put on a basketball tournament and an Easter e hunt to raise mone for the W omin Valle Children's Association. New Business Equestrian Club Fund Request (Week 2 of2) the fund request was passed for $2,500.00. IEEE Constitutional Changes (Week 2 of2) IEEE's constitutional changes was passed. ASME Fund Request (Week 1 of 2) ASME requested funds in the amount of $1,500.00 to assist with the cost of their annual car show. Member of the Month, March : June Lor, for her hard work and dedication Student Government also began to nominate Wilkes faculty and staff for the up- 2 Events Texas Hold'Em Tournament April 2nd Presidential Meet & Greet April 2nd Presidential Elections April 2nd 1p.m. - 7th 5p.m. Casino Night April 3rd • OCC Block party April 18th rain date April 19th Spring Fling April 24th Relay for Life April 25th-26th *At 8:15 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. Te>dc:1y_ Dc::,r1c:1te3 Ea: ■ r ■■ coming award. Old Business Updates Craig Thomas (Website Review) Wilkes University Speech Team Fund Request Relay for Life Donation Request Casino Night Budget Presidential Nominations ■■ p t •• IVl«• ■ -th ! �The Opinion CONTACT INFORMATION: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com 6 Help lead in fight against the spread of STDs BY THE BEACON Editorial Board A burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements are all common symptoms of some of the sexually transmitted diseases floating around Luzerne County. This week, The Beacon would like to stress the importance of pro-active STD prevention. No one in this county can afford to deny that STDs are a problem here, and local colleges can play a vital role in minimizing STDs by encouraging education and frank discussion, as well as by making condoms widely available. A study conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that at the end of 2007, around 1.1 million people were living with HIV/aids in the United States. The CDC also estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year, and in 2006, 1,030,911 chlamydia infections were reported from 50 states and the District of Columbia. # Nationwide, at least 45 million people ages 12 and older, or one out of five adolescents and adults, have had genital HSV infection, according to the CDC. Often, many cases go unreported and unattended and can lead to serious, painful and life threatening complications. Since 2000, gonorrhea and chlamydia rates have been on a constant rise in Luzerne County, and if individuals do not educate themselves with the important information pertaining to STD symptoms, rates and prevention methods, these rates will continue to climb. The following information was compiled from statistics recorded by the Pennsylvania Department of Chlamydla Rates Among Females, 2006 Health. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) In 1999 a total of 246 cases of 3500 ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ chlamydia were reported in Luzerne County. In 3000 2862.7 2797 just six years that number almost C 0 doubled, reaching 2soo 448 in 2005. In :i addition, ten years Q. ago, there were 35 l o 2000 reported cases of CJ gonorrhea, howC?. c:, ever in 2005, that 0 ,.;,. 1500 number grew to 96. We suspect l that those numbers are actually 1000 significantly higher now for several reasons. 500 According _ to the CDC's web page, chlamydia is known as a "si10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35 -39 40-44 45+ lent" disease beAge Group cause about three quarters of inhuman papillomavirus (HPV) and their sexual history. If we all start fected women and doing it, there will be nothing to about half of infected men have no chlamydia. The statistics paint a gloomy be embarrassed about. symptoms. If symptoms do occur, Planned Parenthood is federally they usually appear within 1 to 3 correlation of what is to become weeks after exposure. Symptoms of Luzerne County if people do funded, making many services in women may include abnormal not step up and make a positive free to the public. This, along vaginal discharge or a burning change. And we believe that lo- with its guarantee of anonymsensation when urinating. Signs cal college students can lead the ity to its patients, is particularly useful to college students. Urine or symptoms in men might have charge. We ask all individuals to pl_ease pregnancy testing, pregnancy opa discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinat- partake in STD screening on a tions counseling, STD screening ing. In men, burning and itching regular basis. Always wear a without symptoms, HIV testing, around the opening of the penis is protective layer. . Condoms are emergency contraceptives, safer regarded as the best form of pro- sex education and counseling, and more common. tection against STDs available to birth control education and counA CDC study released in March, sexually active people. Women seling are all services offered by 2008, estimated that one in four should require male partners to Planned Parenthood. (26 percent) young women beFor more information on STD tween the ages of 14 and 19 in the wear one, and men shouldn't wait United States or 3.2 million teen- to be asked. This is as much about statistics and getting tested, you age girls is infected with at least self-protection as it is about pro- can visit the Pennsylvania Deone of the most common sexually tecting a partner. And don't be partment of Health web page, or transmitted diseases. The two most afraid to ask partners if there is contact Planned Parenthood of prevalent diseases recorded were something you should know about NEPA. I . STD rates have been on a constant rise since 2000. R Local colleges can take the lead In advocating and practicing safe sex. Do not hesitate to ask a partner if there is anything that you should know about their sexual history. �APRIL 7, 2009 OPINION 7 The angry rant: the unedited version BY TIM SEIGFRIED Wilkes Alumnus In last week's ran "Beauty Pageants," some of you may have noticed in the third paragraph the following sentence: "The moral conundrum begged the question should children be subjected to this lifestyle?" Seems fine, right? Great, let's move on. What I actually wrote and submitted to the editors was this: "As the nation became more engrossed in JonBenet's story, an outrage cropped up from middle America, a moral conundrum that was "should children be subjected to this lifestyle?"" As you can see, it was basically the same thing. There was a moral issue at hand, and the country was collectively questioning itself. That was the premise of my argument. Right now, you might be thinking: Why is this D-bag bringing this up? Is it really that big a deal that they changed a few words in his stupid rant? Is he that full of himself that he thinks his words are beyond reproach? Is it possible that this guy is a bigger tool than I thought? To answer the last three questions: Yes, yes and double-yes. But the issue at hand isn't that my words were changed. I've got no problem with an editor fixing stuff up if there is a grammatical or spelling error - that's completely okay with this guy. My problem lies within the usage of the phrase " ... begged the question." You see, I have an issue with that because it wasn't used properly. In fact, it was used about as incorrectly as possible. Begging the question refers to a logical fallacy that deals with circular reasoning, or when the answer to a question refers back to the question in order to prove itself. For example, saying that "God exists because it says it in the Bible, and the Bible was written by God" would be begging the question. You would never follow up it begs the question or it begged the question with an actual question, such as in the example from last week's rant. In that regards, the phrase "begged the question" can be considered to be ironic. Or not, because the word ironic is ironically rarely ever used to describe an ironic situation. It's like when someone says For all intensive purposes. What? Intensive purposes? That doesn't even make sense, but yet, I hear it all the efling time. It's for all intents and purposes. You see how much more sense that makes? Or when someone plays a complement to someone, while they remark how their shoes compliment their shirt. Wrong, wrong, wrongwrongWRONG. The point is, these sort of verbal miscues are as common as other misconceptions, like people saying that Rick Blaine said "Play it again, Sam" in Casablanca, or that the priest in The Little Mermaid didn't have a boner. (He totally did!) Which brings us to the meat and gravy covered potatoes of this week's rant: The English language! Look, a lot of you folks who are reading this right now are probably in college and will thusly be looking for employment when you leave this institute of higher education. As such, some of these employers will require some basic knowledge of the English language, so it's best that you know what you're saying and writing so you don't look like a complete a-hole. Our language is not that difficult. Sure, spelling can be problematic at times, but that's why they invented the auto-spell checker. Of course, I maintain that it only hurts our ability to spell. (Which is why I disabled my spell checker. If you don't know you're spelling a word wrong, then you can't learn how to spell it correctly.) The most commonly abused words are of the "their" and "there" and "they're" type. Words that sound the same, sort of look the same, but mean different things altogether. And as someone who appreciates words, it pains me to read this: "We were all their, and then Suzy came in and took there shoes!" It's an innocent mistake, but our society is regressing in terms of literacy and intelligence, so this is only a trend that will get worse before it miraculously gets better. Irregardless, that doesn't mean that we still shouldn't strive to make an effort to come across as educated people, ~ ith a never ending thirst for knowledge and betterment of ourselves. So before you start begging questions or complementing your girlfriend, step back for a moment and think about what you're saying. It can be the difference between sounding like some sort of poorly educated ignoramus and someone who actually knows what they are talking about. The perils of parking on S. Franklin: tips and tricks BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor Last week as I ventured to my car after a long day working on The Beacon. Even from a distance I could see the shattered window. When I got closer I discovered that a bag I had left on my front seat filled with my personal items was missing. In the bag were items totaling around $400. 00. Many students on campus are commuters so there are a few stories and tips that I would like to offer to avoid the anger and shock that goes with losing valuable items the way I did. So here are some stories ... A couple attending a football game parked their car and went to the game. When they came back, they discovered their car had been vandalized and the thieves had taken their GPS, some money and the garage door opener. When the couple returned to their house, they realized that everything that was worth anything had been taken and their house had been ransacked. The thieves used the GPS system to navigate to their house and since they knew how long the football game was going to be, they even had time to get a truck to empty the contents of the house. Tip #1: 'Home' in your GPS should be one city block away from your actual home. Or you could choose a public place like a library or nearby business that is close to your home. Putting in your actual address is clearly dangerous if the GPS falls into the wrong hands. Let's get real. We all know how to get back to our houses. Also, a woman had her purse stolen with her cell phone, all of her money, credit and bank cards in it. The thieves used her phone to text the contact "Hubby" to ask about a PIN number for the bank. After her husband replied to the text message, the wife called from a pay phone to tell him about her stolen purse and phone. Then they realized what happened. They rushed down to the bank, but all of their money had already been withdrawn. Tip #2: Do not identify personal relationships in your cell phone contacts list. Also, when you're talking personal and sensitive issues, you should confirm the message by calling back. Even meeting times with friends and family via text messages can be dangerous. If a friend or family member asks you to meet them via text, you should The Beacon/Gino iroiani Always remember to lock your doors and set your alarm when leaving your car. call to make sure that the text message was sent by them. You just can't be too careful these days. I'm sure everyone on campus has heard about the local homicides, stabbings and fights within the past week. Five people died, the most recent last week on March 29 when a Wilkes nursing student was shot as a result of domestic violence. While each case was unique and not necessarily something that the general public needs to fear, being cautious and paying attention to personal safety issues on the street is simply a smart move in Wilkes-Barre and across the country right now. �APRIL 7, 2009 OPINION 8 Feres Doctrine denies equal treatIDent BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Asst. Opinion Editor Carmelo Rodriguez died in January 2008. The name might not ring a bell immediately, if at all, but what happened to this 29-yearold former U.S. Marine is a story that must be heard. Rodriguez was not killed by a bullet or a bomb, nor from any injury endured during the time he spent serving our country. Instead, Rodriguez lost his life due to melanoma, one of the most severe types of skin cancer. Many people suffer from melanoma. The difference in Rodriguez's case was that it went undiagnosed. The marine's death has inspired some to take a closer look at the rights, or lack thereof, that military servicemen have under a document known as the Feres Doctrine, and the proposed bill that is being presented to combat it. Upon entering the United States Marines in 1997, Rodriguez's doctor noted an odd-looking mole during this physical. The doctor jotted it down as "melanoma on the right buttocks." But instead of informing Rodriguez of the finding, he kept it in the documents- documents that Rodriguez never saw. These documents passed through the hands of several doctors when he was deployed to Iraq. Just over a year ago, CBS na- tional correspondent Byron Pitts ran a story for 60 minutes about Rodriguez and his family. Rodriguez, who was once a very handsome and physically fit young man, had become emaciated, down to less than 80 pounds, and was bedridden by stage four melanoma. A mere eight minutes after Pitts 's initial meeting with the former marine, Rodriguez died, with his seven-year old son clenching his hand. He died of the disease that he was never told about until it was too late. Melanoma is one of the most severe, but entirely treatable, forms of skin cancer. When I saw this gut-wrenching interview, chills shot down my spine and the hairs on my arms shot up like bolts of lightning. How can this possibly happen, especially to a person who put his life on the line every single day for our "great country?" Ok, so his doctors messed up. Sue them. In anyone else's case, this is what would happen. There is a reason we have such legal recourse in America. When professionals don't do their jobs and cost victims their jobs or even their lives, as was the case for Rodriguez, there is a way to hold those professionals responsible for their actions: lawsuits. At the very least, Rodriguez's seven-year old son should have a chance at college with the money from a successful lawsuit, especially since his father can't save that money for him now. But therein lies the problem. According to the Feres Doctrine, a 1950 Supreme Court ruling, service members are excluded from collecting damages for personal injuries in the performance of their duties. The policy limits the use of the Federal Tort Claims Act, which essentially allows a citizen to sue the United States in Federal Court for compensation from those responsible for their injuries. Therefore, according to the Feres Doctrine, the government is not liable under the Federal Tort Claims Act for injuries sustained while on active duty. Are you freaking kidding me? How is it plausible for the brave men and women who protect our country to not have the same rights as a normal U.S. citizen? It just does not make any sense. These people lay their lives on the line each and every day; at the very least they should have the exact same rights as every one of us. I understand the basis of the doctrine. If all lawsuits were allowed, the government would likely be sued left and right for service members' injuries during wartime duties. But for medical malpractice? For doctors intentionally not telling someone they have a dead- :r (r?&-4 y +,Ad '5;4 Y1--t e~ >1 you Sort1e o-1e. w ,'+-n a b12 -Ce-<PJ- ctrov'1. d. 'h04j,es. ..f.o · ~_.,,_,., 11:if ltavt +l, ,·s . .. b..- 4:, ! ; s I- J\.,, s.-1- • • · evt:r je+- J./<X'-j <;;:ere,1 S/4ff,ej 1e? b ,/// 1-t.. vr +-. Cartoon by: Pat Ziegler ly illness for God knows what reason? That is absolutely ridiculous. As a country, we strive for better care of our servicemen and veterans. And this is what we give them? The inability to collect damages that were caused by someone else? How exactly are we caring for our courageous men and women who risk their lives by disallowing them to sue the government for medical malpractice or negligence? I speak to everyone who has a heart and common sense when I say that something needs to be done about the Feres Doctrine, because it is morally wrong. There is a difference between the law, what is justice, and what is plain old right. And this doctrine, on many levels, is just not right. The movement is already in motion, thanks to New York representative Maurice Hinchey. On March 24, Hinchey introduced a proposed bill know as H.R. 1478, the "Carmelo Rodriguez Military Medical Accountability Act of 2009." According to the Library of Congress, the act is set out to "amend chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, to allow members of the Armed Forces to sue the United States for damages for certain injuries caused by improper medical care, and for other purposes." So far the bill has only been held in subcommittee meetings. If the government really does want what is best for the military, then why not start by giving servicemen and women better medical care and the same rights that civilians have when it comes to legal protection? I'm not here to say that service members should have more, only the same. They should be able to do anything that you and I can do. The story of Carmelo Rodriguez is only one of many mishaps in the protection of our service men and women, but let his story be the inspiration for better care for our service members. And it's up to us, we have a responsibility to do something about this because if we don't, it is just us much our fault as it is the government's. Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. The Beacon asked: Do you feel that SG should donate money back to Wilkes? •Yes -40% •No-60% • Undecided - 0% Next Week's quesdon: Is enough being done to minmize STD rates in W-B? • Yes •No • Undecided Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �8 rlts fa 1cted CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu toes rail APRIL 7, 200 wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com 9 Diversity training molds culturally competent nurses rl: I do? n: n- t! elude cultural beliefs and practices related to aging, beliefs about organ donation, and genetic counseling for at-risk cultures. Senior nursing major Veronica Marzonie By the year 2042, Americans now classified as the minority are projected to become and her clinical group chose the topic "Chithe majority, as the population growth of nese Folk Medicine." Their poster will look Hispanics, African Americans, and other into acupuncture, meditation, and herbal ethnic backgrounds is likely to outpace that remedies. "The poster will include information of white Americans. To better serve this change in population, about how each practice is done, what it's many fields are trying to adapt their prac- used for, and how it can properly be used in tices to meet the needs of the people. The conjunction with modem North American nursing field in particular is beginning to nursing care," she said. Dr. Gloria Kersey-Matusiak, a registered make cultural learning and diversity awareness an integral part of job training. nurse and professor of nursing at Holy Fam"It's about helping the students learn to ily University in Philadelphia, will serve as care for the different cultures. If they have the keynote speaker. She will speak on how different family values, things like that, that to provide competent nursing care in our would impact the care the nurse needs to multicultural society. Kersey-Matusiak uses a model pioneered provide," said Lori Drozdis, the director of the nursing department at Wilkes. "So by by Dr. Josepha Campinha-Bacote, which learning these different things, we're mak- assists nurses in caring for individuals with diverse backgrounds, not only in regards to ing a better nurse for the future." Recognizing the importance of training race or ethnicity. She uses the example of a nurse treatnurses in this regard, the nursing department decided to make cultural awareness ing an incarcerated patient. The nurse may and diversity training the focal point of its know the reason why the patient is incarcerEducational and Professional Development ated, and the clash of values may result in Fair. The fair, which will be held at the difficulties providing the best care. "Nurses have to care for patients from Marts Center on April 16, will emphasize the importance of providing quality care to all walks of life," Kersey-Matusiak said. culturally diverse communities. "Sometimes it makes it hard, because a lot Sophomore through senior nursing stu- of times nurses may think, 'Well, I don't · dents will present posters they created that like what he did, so I'm not comfortable deal with aspects of diversity. Topics in- taking care of him."' Kersey-Matusiak stresses that nurses cannot allow their own values and beliefs to dictate how they treat a patient. "This model helps you tap into your own biases, and your own prejudices, at any level, so you could move on from there and develop strategies to work through that," she said. If nurses are not aware of culture differences, there are many problems that Nursing student Amber Kaminski practices taking the blood can result in givpressure of fellow student Veronica Marzonie. ing certain groups of BY CHRISTA SGOBBA Beacon Lifestyles Editor The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Nursing students Veronica Marzonie and Robert Griffith practice hands-on techniques in their classes. In addition to technical experience, nursing students also learn about diverse practices so they can become culturally competent. people the care they need. Differences arise learning Spanish all her life, since it is sporegarding beliefs in immunizations, birth ken by many people in her area. practices, and access to health care. "The nurse should try to at least learn some For example, Kersey-Matusiak points to words and phrases, and become aware of the case of migrant workers, many of whom resources that provide support," she said. do farm work in Pennsylvania. Not only do At Wilkes, learning a foreign language many have a language barrier, but they also is encouraged, but it is not a formal comrepresent different health risks. ponent of the nursing courses. However, "If the nurse is not aware of the fact that Drozdis emphasizes that diversity training they have different health issues because of is incorporated into the classes to train cultheir exposure to pesticides, then the patient turally sensitive nurses. will be the one to suffer if the nurse is not According to Marzonie, some aspect of culturally competent," she said. cultural awareness was taught in classes However, Kersey-Matusiak acknowledg- among every level. es the language barrier is the most common - ''Classes often discuss cultural scenarios block preventing smooth health care. She that occur in health care situations," she argues that nurses must understand their re- said. "We learn about how individuals in sponsibility to seek out a translator to make different cultures tend to communicate, and sure their patients understand what is hap- how they approach health care. We also pening. learn about different religious practices and "Sometimes when people are sick, espe- how spirituality impacts nursing care." cially very sick, even when they have skills Despite the cultural headway seen in the to communicate in a foreign language like new generation of nurse training, KerseyEnglish, they may not be able to use it be- Matusiak says she still meets with some recause they aren't in the state of mind to al- sistance by more established nurses. Howlow them to access those skills," she said. ever, she believes that they must understand One of the best ways to becoming a cul- in just ten years, the world already will be a turally competent nurse is learning a second very different place. language. "As we move forward, we all need to be Kersey-Matusiak encourages young nurs- culturally competent, no matter who we es to learn the language of the people they are," she said. will be treating. For example, she has been �10 LIFESTYLES APRIL 7, 2009 Student indiffere nee impedes ''Going Green'' 01ove01ent Pauling, expressed similar feelings. "No, I would not attend the lecture," Pauling said. "It's not one of my main concerns Like many campuses across the nation, and there are more important things to do. Wilkes has sought to embrace a variety of Besides, I already think Wilkes is doing a "going green" initiatives to help preserve good job with making the campus more natural resources and decrease the commu- green by cutting back on certain things." nity's carbon footprint. Though faculty and However, not all students feel that Wilstaff are actively making strides to help the kes is effectively participating in the "Gocampus become more eco-friendly, is the ing Green" movement. Sophomore educastudent population equally as concerned tion major Allison Slatinsky expressed her about these pressing issues? concerns with certain methods the campus Last week, the Sovereign Center of- is taking in an effort to protect the environfered students an opportunity to become ment. informed on current environmental issues "Although I think 'Going Green' is good, and the future of the environment. Joanne I think the University is going about it in Thomas, coordinator for the Sovereign the wrong way. They are taking away things Center, confirmed that the Environmental that we actually use such as the takeout cups Stability Lecture was cancelled due to lack in the cafeteria and limiting the amount of of interest. printing we can do on school computers," Dr. Marleen Troy, associate professor of Slatinsky said. environmental engineering, believes it is While Slatinsky also expressed she would crucial for young adults to begin taking an not be interested in listening to a lecture reinterest in this matter. garding the environment, she did have the "College students are the future. They suggestion for the University to place more will be challenged to deal with the impacts recycling containers around campus to aid (water issues, air quality issues, climate is- the efforts of the movement. sues, energy issues, waste disposal issues) Troy feels Wilkes has made a good start in that are the result of our current actions," the wake of the "Going Green" movement, said Troy. but student involvement is essential to makIn spite of this, apathy toward the topic ing these changes a success. appears common among the student body. "Wilkes has made progress in increasing "I might contemplate going to a lecture environmental awareness on campus and by about the environment, but I would definite- 'walking the walk' of actually implemently not actually go," said Steven Thomas, a ing changes that will be beneficial to reduce senior mechanical engineering major. "It Wilkes' environmental footprint," Troy definitely is not one of my top priorities, or commented. "Becoming educated about the even rank in the top ten." choices [students] make regarding the purSophomore accounting major, Brandon chases they make, the energy they use, and BY LINDSAY BEHRENSHAUSEN Beacom Correspondent The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki Wilkes students eating at the Henry Student Center cafeteria use the new napkin-efficient napkin. The dispensers release one napkin at at time to cut down on waste. the disposal of the wastes that they generate is very important. It is a good start. Habits and opinions will not change overnight." Students can find that the movement of "Going Green" stretches beyond the confines of the Wilkes campus, and extends into the future. Although this international movement may be in its beginning stages, the results of the movement will have a lasting impact and affect students for many years to come. Sarah Elliot, senior business administration major, said she would be interested in hearing a lecture about environmental stability. "I'm interested in buying a house and I want to know the most energy efficient ways to go about that. I want to know about efficient appliances and ways to insulate the house without hurting the environment," said Elliot. If the attitude of protecting the environment is contagious, there is good news for the future of"Going Green." "I am optimistic that [the Green Movement] will continue as the benefits of these efforts become apparent," said Troy. "The choices that we make regarding how we go about our daily activities may seem trivial, but cumulatively they can have long term environmental impacts." �APRIL 7, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 Acade01ic, athletic recruiting welco01es potential students BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor Schools and athletic programs go about different ways in recruiting students, but the intended goal is the same: make potential students into permanent students. The National Collegiate Athletic Association details each way coaches from a Division I, Division II, or Division ill school can recruit a potential athlete for their program. According to NCAA.org, there are periods of contact, dead, evaluation, and quiet. The process takes communication, forethought, and persistence. Academic recruiting shares the same qualities. When an admissions office either contacts a student or is contacted by a student to set-up a meeting, the potential student is given an academic advisor. From visits with an academic "coach," the prospective student is given a tour of the campus by a student ambassador, the pivotal peer link between current and potential student. According to Amy Patton, associate director for admissions, "Wilkes ambassadors (who are current Wilkes students) play a pivotal role in helping prospective students feel that Wilkes University might be their new 'home'." Patton laid out the sequence of events followed by all student ambassadors at Wilkes. First, a Wilkes ambassador gives a tour of the campus to the prospective student and his or her family. "The conversation which occurs between prospective student and current Wilkes student can shed light on whether Wilkes may be a good fit for the prospective student," said Patton. "Ambassadors answer questions about student life, clubs on campus, sports, intramurals, residence halls, what to do in Wilkes-Barre on the weekends." The second step is trying to make the connection between current student and possible future student. "Since a Wilkes ambassador can clearly remember what it's like to be doing a college search, the ambassador can provide much guidance and encouragement to students who are trying to navigate the college search process themselves," stated Patton. Michele Zaino, assistant director of admissions, believes that "one way our students WWW.CHANGEABLE SKIES.COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT: Bill Henry william.henryOO@comcast.net 215-768-4619 STILL NEED AN APARTMENT FOR NEXT YEAR??? THIS IS WHATS LEFT FOR THE 09-10 SEASON: 84 WEST ROSS STREET 2 BEDROOM APTS FREE PARKING & ALL UT/LITES INCLUDED JOAN HENRY HALL ONE 4 PRIVATE BEDROOM LEFT ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki Nicole Croyden, student ambassador, gives a tour to prospective Wilkes students. Ambassadors give tours of campus, as well as talks about life as a college student. make potential students feel comfortable is when the tour is done the ambassadors have business cards to hand out. This allows the potential students to contact their tour guide with any questions, they might have." Ambassadors and potential students are all given identifications for HelloWilkes, an interactive blog. "Students blog about a variety of topics," Patton said. "Again, by chatting online, Wilkes ambassadors not only answer questions but also help accepted students feel "Colonel" long before they step foot on campus in fall semester." If a possible connection is made between potential student and the school, student ambassadors are called upon to keep potential students overnight to give prospects a real feel for the campus and campus life. Ambassadors are encouraged to engage potential students in the active surroundings of college. But just what are the "active surroundings" of Wilkes? College life can be more about just going to class and studying. So, what are ambassadors encouraged to do with their prospects? According to Patton, students are asked to have their potential students shadow them for an entire day, eat with them, and include them in activities like going to the movies or bowling. While academic recruiting is a chance for potential students to try to acclimate into college life, another important type of recruiting is athletic recruiting. Athletic recruiting focuses on making potential student athletes feel as if they are part of not just the Wilkes University team, but a Wilkes athletic team, as well. Each sport makes its own decisions regarding when to hold recruiting visits, but many sports share similar guidelines. Coaches for both women's soccer and football try to match recruits with current students who share commonalities. "We try to put them with someone they have something in common with, like major or hometown," said Frank Sheptock, head football coach. Athletic recruits, just like academic recruits, are exposed to a typical day for Wilkes students so they can get a better glimpse into the world of Wilkes. "We just try to expose them to what a typical day may be, going to class, hanging out with the team, eating meals in the cafeteria, etc.," said John Sumoski, head women's soccer coach. If initial recruiting visits are successful, potential Wilkes athletes can request an overnight visit to really gain a fresh perspective of Wilkes and campus life. The protocol of when to hold visits and what do differs from team to team. "We do our overnight visits during the week. I don't want my players bringing recruits to parties. I think it puts a lot of people at risk and it's not the first association we want a potential player to make with Wilkes," said Sumoski. Some coaches also encourage their athletes to take overnight recruits to campus events, if applicable. "We understand about social engagement and fitting in, but we would hope that the partying and all that is not a deciding factor. We encourage the young men to take recruits to a neat event on campus, like another athletic event," said Sheptock. Whether a prospective student is brought onto campus for academic or athletic reasons, they are brought for one reason: to become a part of the Wilkes team. �Nicholas Taylor's lean•Michel Basquiat: Intimate Portrait A&R APRIL 7, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa.benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu - - - - - - - 12 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com Osterhout Library celebrates National Poetry Month BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor The Osterhout public library, located on South Franklin Street, is hosting a series of events to celebrate National Poetry Month as well as National Public Library Week which begins on April 12 and goes through April 19. Launched in 1996, National Poetry Month offers an opportunity for " ... publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country [to] band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture," according to Poetry.org. Wilkes students in Dr. Mischele Anthony's English 203 class (creative writing) were required to attend three poetry readings and read their own work at two during the semester. The timing ofNational Poetry Month coincided very well with the class. Justin Jones, sophomore English major, is enrolled in the class and couldn't let the opportunity to read at the Osterhout on Tuesday evenings during the month of April pass him by. Jones said, "I'm a card-carrying m~ber of the Osterhout library and I love the atmosphere in that place, so I wanted to read my poetry there." Elaine Stefanko, coordinator of information services at the Osterhout, is excited for the many events taking place during the busy month of April. "With the economy like it is, use of library goes up and I tion department at the Ostherhout, said, "It's different because when you go out to Barnes and Noble nobody mixes, everyone sits alone, whereas here everybody that comes to these meetings all know each other by name and the people that work here by name, too; it's a nice sense of community." Often times students are shown the Wilkes campus and tend to stay in that vicinity, but the Osterhout Library does give memberships to anyone interested and also may have some books that the Farley Library does not carry. "I've only been a member of Osterhout for about two months now, but I look forward to participating in any and all activities they provide that will further my experience in the vast world of literacy," Jones said. Licia Witt, Junior Biology major, said, "I have been at Wilkes for three years and really had no idea about an off campus library. Now that I'm aware of the many programs going on i will definitely have to check them out." The Beacon/Gino Troiani National Poetry Month and National Library week, which begins April 12, celebrations are taking place at the Osterhout which is also going through outside renovations. think that we are not always good at getting the word out. ..however, many of the workshops we're having are really fun and interesting." Some of the activities taking place are: Board Games for Grownups; Download This! an Audio book training session; a discussion with Mark G. Dziak on his book Battle of Wyoming: For Liberty and Life; a session to learn the history, theories, and equipment of New York Pennsylvania Paranormal Society; a philosophy discussion forum called Socrates Cafe; and an ESL program for Spanish speakers. Mandy Styles, a clerk in the circula- Akron/Fa01ily ''Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free'' CD Review BY MATTHEW GOGAS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Music, like most other things in life, is a relative concept. Everything and anything sounds good to someone. What may be considered good music to one may not to another. A person might find the sound of tongue clicking to be good music, while another may enjoy the music of banging on a trash can in rhythm. Music education happens when a listener is introduced to a sound that alters his or her definition of 'good music.' With that in mind, a band comes along but once every so often that breaks down and merges the genres of music successfully. For seven years, a generally unknown band from New York has consistently redefined its sound while maintaining a signature style and still making music that "sounds good." The music of Akron/Family can be described as folk, psychedelic, progressive, and experimental all at the same time. Akron/Family's knack for incorporating unconventional instruments into their music is what has made the group generally undefinable into just one musical genre. From wind chimes to glockenspiel to harmonized a capella vocals, Akron/Family is the lauch pad for three talented musicians who alternate roles within the group frequently as they all play multiple instruments. In their career, Akron/Family has produced four studio albums, a split album, and a tour CD while touring extensively during that period. Akron/Family's latest album, "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free," set to release on May 5, 2009, is yet again another successful transition for the band into a new sound. This is the first Akron/Family album that has put its foundation into the electric guitar. It is fair to say that this is the closest the group will ever come to conventional, mainstream music because their sound is forever changing, but who knows? To date, each Akron/Family album has boasted a theme and "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free" is no different. However, they . See AKRON page 14 �APRIL 7, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Taylor!s lens captures artist's life in Sordoni exhibit BY YO HANNA DE LOS SANTOS M. Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Photographer, Nicholas Taylor exposes aspects of the life of friend and artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in the new Sordoni Art Gallery exhibition, Jean-Michele Basquiat: An Intimate Portrait. The show's opening reception took place at the Sordoni, Saturday, April 4. The Sordoni Art Gallery borrowed Taylor's work from the Castellani Art Museum at Niagara University. "The exhibition is organized and traveled by the Castellani Art Museum at Niagara University," said Brittany Kramer, Assistant Director of the Sordoni Art Gallery. The exhibition was scheduled to be at the Sordoni Art Gallery with at least two years of anticipation. "This exhibition is all photographs. The photographs are by Nicholas Taylor of the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, they are all black and white. They were all taken in I believe' 79 when Basquiat was only 19years old," said Brittany Kramer. Michael J. Beam, curator of exhibitions at the Castellani Art Museum, noted that Taylor's work captures" ... a nineteen year old Jean-Michel Basquiat, unspoiled by the art star celebrity that was to reveal itself in just a few short years ." Scranton resident and local artist, James Penedos, stopped to examine each photograph, trying to find the real meaning behind them, and hoping to understand the person in each picture. "For me, it is not so much who he is [Basquiat] , but what the photographer did portraying whomever individual it is," said Penedos. Though Taylor was an artist, he was not a professional photographer, but all pictures were taken, according to Kramer, " ... in a single role film and on the same weekend. The photographer had text panels which relate stories [with the pictures] throughout his life." Although not a self-defined photographer, Taylor was able to create consistency through the pictures and highlight those characteristics that would best illsutrate Basquiat 's emotions and individuality. Jean-Michel Basquiat was born in Brooklyn and was a graffiti artist who later took his work to canvas. Basquiat's work has been described as 'raw and full of electrifying and vivid colors.' His art sought to express his Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage. One of the characteristics that set him apart from other artists, was his lack of fear when it came to making mistakes. "Basquiat struggled for fame, fortune, and, most importantly, inclusion into the very closed society that was the self-serving art world of the early l 980's," said Beam. Junior English major, Megan Wenzel said, "I definitely think that it reflects the friendship of the two artists and it gives a little background of Jean-Michel, it also reflects the era that they both live in New York City during the 1980's. Very interesting." "I think that it is important for Wilkes students to come and view any of the art exhibits, it gives them a chance to get a little bit of culture and a little bit of insight of other people's perspective. Especially because it's shot...pretty much when a lot ofus were born," added Wenzel. "I'm just hoping that this exhibition brings in a lot of people in general because of Basquiat ... He is a little more current. [His work] sells for ridiculously huge amounts of money today still, so I'm hoping just that name brings people in together," said Kramer. The Sordoni Art Gallery is open daily from 12 to 4:30 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki Above: Samantha Simcox, Freshman elementary education major spent part of her day Wednesday analyzing and getting a better glimpse into the life of JeanMichel Basquiat through the lens of his friend Nicholas Taylor. Left: Santino Ardo, Sophomore Business Administration major, shows a friend one of his favorite pictures of the exhibit which runs until May 16. �7, 2009 AKRON APRIL from PAGE 12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT with doing since their first album. The !~st two tracks on the album do an excellent job of ending on a high note as well. "Sun Will Shine" is a fast took a different approach to this album with that as well. Previous albums have had themes such as life, spirituality, love, space, and time. Instead of looking inward this time, band members branched out and made an album encompassing all of those themes as well as the economic mood of the country. The first track, "Everyone is Guilty," sets the tone of the album perfectly. Loud and rhythmic, with lyrics like, "when you cannot sleep/ you cannot breathe/and cannot even see," it immediately harnesses listeners' attention for the rest of the album. "River" follows "Everyone is Guilty" and continues the same heavy and loud feel as the first track, but without the angry tone in the lyrics. This song is more about love interest than anything else. These first two tracks do an excellent job Photo Courtesy/mbvmusic.com of building momentum for the rest of the album because this is a prob- The Akron/Family's new album, entitled "Set Em' Wild, Set Em' Free" lem that Akron/Family has struggled touches on America's tumultuous economic status as well as offering hope for the future. 14 paced spiritual ride filled with hope for the future. The song eventually fades into trumpets and violins playing the New Year's anthem to set up the final track on the album. "Last Year," brief, yet moving, ends the album with the lyrics "Last year was such a hard year for a long time. This year's going to be ours." J won't offer the pros of an album without acknowledging some cons, so the few downsides on "Set 'Em Wild, Set ' Em Free" are that Akron/Family tends to take an exceedingly long time to make a point with a song, which is something that they have always done with their music. Tracks like "MBF" and "Gravelly Mountains of the Moon" seem to drone on endlessly into distorted guitar riffs. Even if you are a die hard Akron/Family fan, it gets tiresome. All in all, the album has some great music with important things to say. "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free" has a bit of everything. Guitar jams, moving lyrics, and flawless harmony all contribute to it's success. This album definitely ranks as one of Akron/Family's best efforts. It is worthy of anyone's collection. Grade B+ Barnes & Noble Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South l\tlain Street, '1Vilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com Live "Free" Music EveryWed11esday Night a11d most Friday's 25% discount on anything you purchase from the cafe during the performance! This Wednesday we have Paul Martin live at 6:30pm Friday Night live music with Joe Tellie at 7:30pm • Come and join 11s for a visit from "Maisy" that adorable mouse during Saturday morning story time at 11:00am. • PJ Party Story Time Monday night from 6:30-7:3opm. Bring yo11r little ones in their PJ's for stories before bed. AN ADDITIONAL 50% OFF AI,I, CLEARANCE ITEMS UNTIL THE END OF APRIL! �APRIL 7, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING Beacon Staff t r6 1+ 15 1T 10 83 ~ B6 UT OS D'S TO 1 5 9 14 15 I 2 C 14 R l R A 3 A L L 17 16 17 18 19 20 "s X A 0 N N T N E 23 24 25 32 35 36 37 66 L E A A u T I s I D E Ill 88 e9 ~ - 39 41 z M 0 R A 0 w T A G s to 7 62 Across March 31 Crossword Answers 8 42 45 48 First word in friendly let ter To box or wrangle A split in the lip or chin Capital of Norway Lowest pitched brass in strument Conversation starter Previously owned car "So it be" Indian black tea Outer portion of cere brum To illegally take away Jedi Master and trainer Ray Charles and Milt Jackson SI unit of electrical impedance Worn on Cowboy's heel Small peephole To make flow consistent ly Chronic anxiety Supernatural power in na ture Untie the lashing of Slang for cigarettes Neither 49 52 53 57 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 Egotistical A set period of time Morphine or Codeine Idiom; trustworthy arrange ment What castor oil induces Lifted and carried away Manure Derivative of ammonia Popular "stuffed" cookie Actually existing When procrastinators do work Sebaceous cyst A plant "egg" 11 12 31 32 33 34 38 40 43 44 Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 13 21 22 26 27 28 29 30 Sweet or pleasant County in England Attention after coffee Cowboy arenas To set into motion Mountain lion Murdered by Cain Reptomammal ofDathomir Donation to help ill or poor For fear that In addition to person im plied Plant of genus Linum 46 47 50 51 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 tt t2 Everyone's friend on Myspace Frat Brothers Double-reed woodwind To pull a heavy bag upstairs Small leaf at base of plant To fold back and SOW Enthusiastic vigor "Biggest little city in the world" Celebrity or the Sun Comic strip penguin To make more acute To ponder excessively about UK's air force To cease to live Ornamental staff In this place Famous Harvey's Lake pizza September Abbr. Constricted hallway Tubes with cathode and anode To entertain Stressed out; irritable Sharpened Prolonged unconsciousness To leave out of a paper Evergreen tree Birthday suit How to get through a door Actor in "Batman Forever" ~ �CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu APRIL 7, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Softball splits with conference foe Misericordia Lady Colonels will stay focused throughout the season BYANTHONYDORUNDA Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor It may have been a gloomy, overcast day on Saturday, but the bats were fully alive at the Ralston Complex for a Freedom Conference doubleheader between Wilkes and Misericordia. It took awhile in the first game, but the bats finally came alive when the Lady Colonels needed them most in game one. With the Lady Colonels down 3-0 in the fifth inning, Senior Kathy Dalton rocked a double down .the left field line to drive in two runs to cut Misericordia's lead to 3-2. In that same inning, junior Gina Stefanelli put Wilkes on top for good with a three run bomb to wrestle the momentum Wilkes's way with a 5-4 score. "Our pitcher held strong in the first game, holding them to only four runs," said junior shortstop Gina Stefanelli, who went 2-3 at the plate with three RBI in game one. "Our bats came alive toward the end of the game to pull us over the top." Misericordia would not willingly go back to Dallas without a win, however, mounting a slight comeback in the final inning, picking up two hits and a run. But sophomore Lindsay Behrenshausen would hold off the feisty Cougars to pick up her fourth win of the season. In game two, Misericordia stole most of the thunder with their bats, beating the lady Colonels in decisive fashion, 9-3. The Cougars blasted out fifteen hits in the game, and exploded for six runs in the third inning, proving too big of a margin for Wilkes to come back. MeLisa Bracone, who went two for two in the game with two RBI, did her best to get the Lady Colonels back into it with a two run homerun in the fourth inning, driving in Stefanelli, who had gotten on base after being plunked by a pitch to lead off the inning. Wilkes made things a little more interesting in the bottom of the seventh also. The Lady Colonels banged four hits and loaded the bases, but were only able to convert a single run, leaving the bases full of runners. "We had one bad defensive inning where mental errors caused unearned runs," said senior Sarah Miller. "If we could eliminate our mental errors on the field, teams would have a tough time beating our lineup." Wilkes is now 8-12 overall and 2-4 in the Freedom Conference, but the women remain focused on improving in the offensive category as the season progresses. "Our focus for the rest of the season will be eliminating mistakes on the field and scoring runs when we have runners at second and third," said Miller. "Misericordia is a good team, splitting with them will make us work that much harder in the games to come." The women were back at it on Sunday in another Freedom Conference Doubleheader at FDU-Florham, but no scores or results were available before press time. The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki The Lady Colonels faced Misericordia on Saturday, winning the first game. Sophomore Lindsay Behrenshausen held the Cougars to four runs for the win. �APRIL 7, 2009 17 SPORTS Wilkes unable to sweep doubleheader vs. Scranton BY CRAIG MERRIMAN Sports Information Director Kristy Ordile and MeLisa Bracone each tallied four hits in the first game to lead the Wilkes to a 9-1 win in the first game over Scranton. The Royals would score a run in the bottom of the 10th inning in the second game to win 7-6 as the two teams split a double header. In the first game, Ordile and Bracone accounted for eight of the team's 13 hits, while Sarah Miller picked up her first home run of the season to snap the Lady Colonels three-game losing skid. Ordile had three singles and a triple, while Bracone scored and drove in a run. The Lady Colonels jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first four innings before Scranton got on the board with its lone run in the bottom of the fifth. Wilkes would tack on two more runs in the top of the ninth to all but put away the Royals. Wilkes got on the board first in the top of the second inning on two hits, including Miller's two-run blast to center field, scoring Cori Salter, who reached on a walk. The two runs would be all starter Lindsay Behrenshausen would need, as she picked up her third win of the season after throwing five innings, giving up one run off four hits. The Lady Colonels busted out for four runs in the next frame thanks to threestraight hits by Gina Stefanelli, Bracone and Keelia Mailander. Mailander's hit would drive in Stefanelli before Bracone would cross home plate on a Scranton error. Saltzer's single to left plated Mailander to give the Lady Colonels a 6-0 advantage. The top of the fourth saw Ordile triple down the left field line and would later score on a Bracone single to left. Scranton would pick up three of their five hits in the bottom of the fifth, scoring it's only run, but left the bases loaded as Behrenshausen pitched a groundout to end the threat. Ordile picked up her fourth hit of the game, an RBI single to center to score Saltzer, after Kerry Finnerty scored from third on an error. In the second game, Wilkes jumped out to a 5-0 lead after five innings, but the Royals came back to tie the game in their final two at-bats. Both teams would score a run in the eighth before Scranton would win the game on a walk-off single. Alyssa Ciesla grounded out to second, but was enough to score Stefanelli, who led off the inning with a single. In the fifth inning, Sarah Elliot and Amanda Holston hit back-to-back one-out singles before Kathy Dalton doubled down the right line to score Elliot. Stefanelli would follow suit with a double to right center scoring both Holston and Dalton. She would go 3-for-5 in the game with two runs batted in and two runs scored. Scranton erupted for six hits in the sixth inning, two of which were for extra bases, including a leadoff home run. A two-out rally in the seventh that saw the Royals capitalize on a Wilkes error as well as back-toback hits. Three of their 13 hits would come in the seventh inning. The Lady Colonels would break the tie when Erin Plank, who reached on an error, would come around to score on a base hit by Ordile. Scranton committed two errors in the inning, but Wilkes was unable to cap- Athlete Spotlight: Kathy Dalton BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor Despite a season of strong wins and tough losses, the 8-11 Lady Colonel softball team has used the consistency of senior second baseman Kathy Dalton. Dalton, a Communication Studies major and English minor, is the "embodiment of a team leader" according to head coach Frank Matthews. Dalton has been playing softball for nearly seventeen years, starting at five . , .. <.. . years old with recreational ball. During her career at St. Rose High School in Neptune, New Jersey, although the team never won the conference or went far in the state championship, Dalton was still a standout. In her junior year, she went 19-21 in the middle of the season with a .739 batting average, leading the Shore Conference. Dalton played with her best friends, which made her success even more fun. "My best friends on the team started making bets on when my streak would end. It was unbelievable," Dalton said. In addition to playing softball at Wilkes, Dalton is also the Student Government senior class treasurer, an e-mentor and orientation leader for incoming first year students, and the student representative on the Student Services Committee. This season with the Lady Colonels, Dalton has played and started in all 18 games. She currently has a .246 batting average with 11 runs and five RBI. Aside from being a key player for the team, Dalton is a team leader •tilJ•· /1 I .~~~~~ti~! ::~:ott:t:Sho leads by example. She plays very hard and practices very hard. When she sees something she does not like, she will approach that person and let them know that this is not the way to do things on our team, keeping it confidential, and not yelling or lecturing the player involved," Matthews said. "In addition she is an organizer, setting up team gatherings to help the team get to know each other better off the field." Since she was five, Dalton's father has been the most influential person in her softball career. "Every time I step onto the field at the start of a game, I look over at where he is standing and smile to myself. If it wasn't for my dad, I wouldn't be where I am today. I am eternally grateful to him for the countless hours he has spent watching me play softball and the money he has invested into my career. He is my # 1 fan," Dalton said. With graduation fas t approaching, Dalton has already finalized her plans for the future. "This coming fall, I am attending Millersville University to pursue my Masters in sports management. My career goal is to ultimately become an Athletic Director at a college or university," Dalton explained. italize as it left the bases loaded. Wilkes would have a defensive let down in the bottom of the eighth with two errors that resulted in a game-tying run. The pitching combination of Maureen Pelot and Kaitlyn Kormanik combined to give up just four earned runs in the loss. In the bottom of the 10th inning, the Royals would get a base hit, scoring the runner from second base. Once the game went into extra innings, the international tie-break rule was in effect where a runn~ is placed on second base to start the inning. �APRIL 7, 2009 18 SPORTS RINKSIDE REPORT Bf ~gj Hanson Bros. steal the show at Penguins' alumni BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer Signed by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to skate in the team's first annual Alumni Game, it didn't take long for Steve Carlson, Jeff Carlson, and Dave Hanson to make an impact. The trio, real-life hockey players who portrayed the famous Hanson brothers in the 1977 film "Slap Shot", punched out the referee on the opening face-off, knocked down the opposing goaltender, and shot the puck into an empty net. That goal didn't count, but their unconventional penalty shot did. With the Penguins' alumni team trailing the Hershey Bears alumni squad in the second half of Saturday afternoon's game at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza, the Hanson brothers skated in on Hershey goaltender Frederic Cassivi. While Steve controlled the puck, Dave and Jeff picked up the net and carried it away from the unsuspecting Cassivi, allowing Steve to score an easy goal. "It's something we're experts at," Dave Hanson said in character. "We practice a lot back in Bare Butt, Minnesota, where we live. Mom has us out in the barn all the time with the cows and the pigs and chickens. It was nice to bring it here and introduce it to Wilkes-Barre." Under normal American Hockey League rules, the goal would have been disallowed, but the Alumni Game wasn't an ordinary game. It was a chance for fans to see the former Penguins don the black and gold for one more game; and for the players to see their old teammates once again. "It's a lot of fun, it's really for the fans. For us to come back and see all the guys again is awesome, but it's for the fans to see us come back and enjoy it," said defenseman John Slaney, who scored 42 goals and 110 points in his 89 games as a Penguin. "That's the whole thing about it, you've got to have a good time and good laughs and that's what we're doing." "My face is sore, I've been laughing the whole time," said Penguins' alumnus Steve Parsons. "I couldn't have had a better time." Other participants for the Penguins were defensemen J.P. Tessier, Chris Kelleher, Stephen Dixon, Steve Webb, Jim Leger, Casey Harris, Dennis Bonvie, Greg Crozier and goaltender David Weninger. Bonvie and Parsons were traded between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Hershey during the game, since they skated for both teams during their playing career. "We're all in this together, and I think it played into the fans and it played into what we're all trying to do," Parsons said of his trade to Hershey and subsequent return to the Penguins. "You just want to excite everybody, they needed a couple bodies and it just worked. I'm not going to put up a fuss, I'm just happy to be here." Parsons is no stranger to exciting the fans, as he once engaged in a bare-chested brawl with Syracuse's Brad Wingfield during a March 2002 game dubbed as the St. Patrick's Day Massacre. But the gritty defenseman admitted that he himself was excited to play on the same line as the Hanson Brothers. "That was so cool," Parsons exclaimed. Steve Carlson scored for the Penguins' alumni team on Saturday afternoon. "I've never met them before. That's the first time I got to meet them ... to play with them and be in the room with them, and just be art of it that's su er." I RoundPie5 ll'"'Medium ~ 16" Large Pizza ll~' Pm Pizza PmlA•WW .._.. SAi · ··.. , · Fried Sicilian lltgularCut Whi•CUt BmcooliCut 120:rtTray www.jan~ lOCUtTra:y 10CutTmy Fried :Mushrooms Fried Ravioli (6) Mozzarella Stieb (5) Mini Taoos (12) Mini P'otato Paneabis (12) Jalapeno p ~ (6) Frcnclt Fi'D$ Cheese Fries Oni,onRinis ~~&.mSwr,: :JO~N~St. ChickenNuggm (8) Bread Stieb U.S--51.661 825~5037 Bf!!! Hot Cold !U-.1 ~-·D.illlllII To ed w/ Croutons .Mlffl wliu:n JlA.MwJ,lPM Deli Melt Meatball w/ Cheese 'l\ma & Chcac Cheese Steak Ham & (heme Chiclceo Patmigia. Club Sub Turkey & Cheese Can. Bacon & Cheese Sa.usage Roast Beef & Ch.eese Grilled Chicbn Chiclcen Cheese Steak Buffalo Chicken C. S Fri.S,Sat 11A.M~ .U:30AM Sun 12 PM- JJ .PM Tossed w/ Tuna P~wiCheese Crispy Cbiekm Antipasto Cesar Cbef81lad ~k Chi.chm. Caesar Erree;'Wtel AYO n:g Chicken Caesar Grilled Chicken Crispy Chicken California Cheese Steak Cheese:Steak Veggie Turkey Club Tuna •OINit~ONY Delivery Spedals 2 Large Pi?ll.U S l 7.95 2 Small Pizzas $13.95 All Major Credit Cards Accepted FREE DELIVERY TO ALL WILKES DORMS Dellv~i:I Sped.m Mix & Ma.tell Wingi & S·ubs 3 for $15,95 �APRIL SPORTS 7, 2009 19 Baseball .tealll loses to Manhattanville, 9-7 Snaps eleven-game winning streak BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The baseball team's eleven-game winning streak was ended by Manhattanville on Wednesday, April 1, as the Colonels lost by the score of9-7. Wilkes out-hit Manhattanville 15-12, but was unable to overcome the Valiants' five-run fifth inning to extend their winning ways. The loss dropped Wilkes' record to 14-5 overall, with a 2-1 mark in Freedom Conference play. The first three innings of the game saw both teams scoreless, without much in the way of action. Manhattanville was finally able to break through in the bottom of the fourth, plating two runners to take the lead. The Valiants doubled and tripled in the inning but were only able to score after a wild pitch and an error. The Colonels responded in the top of the fifth with three runs of their own on five hits and a Manhattanville error. John Florance, Eric Wetzel, and Shane Keister all scored in the inning for Wilkes, with Matt Ruch providing a big two-RBI single to keep the game close. They had a chance to extend their lead but an inningending double play stranded two runners on base. Manhattanville wasted no time in answering in the bottom of the inning. Jason Monforte led things off with a walk before being sacrificed to second by Joe Gallace. Chris Nardozzi was then inserted to pinchhit and ended up producing for the Valiants, singling off Wilkes' Tom Buckler to tie the game at three apiece. They would explode in the next inning, stringing together five hits and taking advantage of another Wilkes error to score five runs. The two teams went scoreless in the seventh inning before Wilkes attempted a comeback in the eighth. Geoff Miller doubled to start the inning and later came around to score on a wild pitch, making the score 8-4. Wetzel's sacrifice fly to center field plated Jeremy Watson closed the gap to 8-5, and Keister would eventually score on a throwing eITor by Manhattanville's Gallace after initially reaching base via a walk. If the Colonels' three run inning fazed Manhattanville at all, they did a good job of hiding it. The Valiants scored their ninth and final run in the bottom of the eighth after tallying three hits. Wilkes's Randy Dengler scored in the top of the ninth inning after Al Clocker reached on a fielder's choice, but the Valiants were able to close out the game and pick up the 9-7 victory. Tom Buckler lost his first game of the season for the Colonels, allowing eight runs (seven earned) in five and two thirds innings of work. He struck out four while only giving up two walks. Matt Ruch went 2-5 with two RBI to continue his impressive freshman season for Wilkes. John Kain (W: 1-1) pitched well for the Valiants, striking out seven over seven innings while allowing just three earned runs. Monforte and Nick Parente each had two RBI f<J Manhattanville in the win. Since their game against the Valiants, Wilkes has defeated Baptist Bible to improve their record to 15-5. Their game against DeSales was played on Sunday after publishing time. ----------------..-------------:.-:.......-..-:.--------... W'----11 -------:.~0 .H 00& <O<C>X..<C>N 1H>JC .& Mark Siebel delivering a pitch for the Wilkes University Colonels. The Colonels lost to Manhattanville 9-7 last Wednesday, snapping their eleven-game winning streak. Softball Women s Lacrosse Baseball W 5-4, L 9-3 vs. Misericordia W 22-11 vs. Alvernia W 7-1 vs. Baptist Bible • �APRIL 7, 2009 20 SPORTS Lacrosse picks up first conference win of the season BY CRAIG MERRIMAN Sports Information Director The Wilkes University women's lacrosse team picked up its first MAC win of the year by defeating cross-town rival King's College 19-8 on Wednesday afternoon, snapping the Lady Colonels two game losing streak. With the win, Wilkes now improves to 5-3 on the season and 1-2 in the conference, while the Lady Monarchs see their record drop to 0-6 on the year and 0-4 in the MAC. The opening half was one filled with runs with the Lady Colonels taking an early 3-0 lead thanks to two goals by Melissa Polchinski and one tally by Brittney Hodnik. King's would quickly answer by getting back-toback goals by Candice Russ and Alicia Cox to cut the margin to 3-2 with 22:12 remaining, before Wilkes would score five straight to make the count 8-2 with just under 16 minutes left in the opening stanza. King's answered the Wilkes run with four straight goals of its own to cut the lead to just two at 8-6 with 3:38 to go in the opening stanza, before the Lady Colonels gave themselves a cushion with three more scores before the break to take an 11-6 advantage at the intermission. The second half saw Wilkes step up its defense, surrendering just two goals over the final 30 minutes. The Lady Colonels also kept their strong offense barrage going, finding the net nine more times, headlined by three goals apiece from Polchinski and Hodnik to post the final 19-8 margin. Polchinski led all scorers, posting seven more goals and one assist on the afternoon. Hodnik was right behind her with six scores and one helper, Kat Edwards added three goals, while Analicia Jost, Jordan Brown, and Amanda Tilley found the back of the net once each for the Lady Colonels. Allie Zukuft started and made five saves in goal, while Cassie Cronin played the second half and made three stops. Cox and Russ scored two goals each to pace the Lady Monarchs, while Sierra Coleman, Kari Leach, Christina Glenn, and Taylor Tyne had one score apiece. Chrissy Keenan made 15 saves between the pipes for King's. Wilkes will return to action on Saturday when the team travels to Glenside to take on Arcadia at 1 p.m. The Beacon/Lauren Biemacl<i Junior Amanda Tilley tries to interrupt a shot during the Lady Colonels 19-8 victory last Wednesday. Hear a lecture by Kristopher B. Jones, the President/CEO of Pepperjam at 7:30-9:30 at the Darte Center. Live music with Paul Martin at the Barnes & Noble bookst ore from 6:30-8:30 PM. Check out the River Street Jazz Cafe's "Where It's @" Hip Hop and R&B show at 8 P.M. Check out artist Nicholas Taylor's "Intimate Portrait" gallery at the Sordoni Art Gallery. Check out the Woody Brown Project at the River Street Jazz Cafe at 9 PM. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 April 7th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 April 7 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/f96ae1632d7a745764ac3c2522d7721b.pdf 274ccb28869ab7613b912f81f47e77e1 PDF Text Text Tri-State Rail System Pages SPORTS SPOTLIGHT PAGES 16-17 The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW APRIL 28, 2009 Volume 61 Issue 20 VRC rally, memorial for Rogers-Buckner held HIV panel to AMY FUSCO Beacon News Editor "2-4-6-8, no more date rape!" On Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m., this chant could be heard down the streets of WilkesBarre during a Victims Rights Rally held by the local Victims Resource Center (VRC). Wilkes University students, other area colleges and local community members participated in a walk from campus to the VRC. In addition to the rally, a memorial was held for the recently deceased Kewaii RogersBuckner, a sophomore nursing student at Wilkes University who was murdered in her home, an alleged victim of domestic violence. Valerie Martinez, senior communication studies major, led the chant while many people marched behind her. The Victims Rights Rally for crime prevention occurs every April in honor of the National Victims Rights Rally. This year was its 25-year celebration. As the crowd marched down River Street, up Market Street and eventually to South Franklin Street, cars honked to show sup- ''bust 01ytfts'' with stories BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor &AMY FUSCO Beacon News Editor Bogert, assistant director of Institutional Research, a percentage of Wilkes students stop identifying with a religion altogether between the time they begin classes at Wilkes and graduation. Surveys are distributed at freshman orientation and then again before graduation to gather this information. In 2004, 8.4% of incoming freshman selected "None" when asked what their This Thursday, April 30, Wilkes University will host a panel discussion to promote HIV awareness at 6 p.m. in the Miller Conference room. The panel titled, "Awareness. Action. Education: Living with HIV," will feature six panelists. Three are members of the HIV community and the remaining three panelists work within the HIV community. In addition to the panel, there will be a free HIV screening in the Hiscox room which will be conducted by the Wyoming Valley AIDS Council. "Last semester, I worked on my capstone, which was on HIV disclosure because I have friends within the HIV population," said Valerie Martinez, a senior communication studies major, who coordinated the event. HIV medical professionals on the panel include Megan Margavage, coordinator for case management of Wyoming Valley AIDS Council; Michelle Crackett, nurse for the Department of Health of Pennsylvania; and Sheree Nelson, representative from a pharmaceutical company, Abbott Laboratories. In addition, the panel will include three HIV positive community members. Andy, founder of Luzerne County We Care, and Bryan and Maria, also HIV positive community members. The last names of the HIV positive panelists are not given to maintain See FAITH page 3 See HIV PANEL page 2 The Beacon/Amy Fusco Approximately 100 people marched through the streets of Wilkes-Barre during the annual Victims Rights Rally held by the local Victims Resource Center (VRC). port for the rally. By the time participants arrived at the VRC, there were approximately 100 people gathered. Students from Miscercordia University and Luzerne County Community College were there, along with the King's College football team. See MEMORIAL page 4 College experience tests students' faith Whether secular or faith-based, university life impacts religious practice BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Managing Editor & ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Editor-in-Chief As a practicing Muslim, Silvia Silvi is expected to pray five specific times each day and fast during certain times of the year. However, since beginning college at Wilkes University in 2006, Silvi has admitted to skipping prayers due to classes and other school-related obligations. As a result, she feels as though her faith has weakened. "We have specific prayer times, and most of that happens while I'm in classes. So, I can't pray as much as I used to," said Silvi, a Pl pharmacy student. Since Wilkes University is the only private, secular four year institution in the area, a wide variety of faiths are practiced on campus. According to statistics provided by Brian $~ _~._ ~~.!~k!:'!!.com beaconarchives.wilkes.edu INDEX News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6--8 Lifestyles....... 9-11 A&E .........•.. .12-15 Sports .......... 16.;20 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member w · _· . �NEWS APRIL HIV PANEL from FRONT PAGE some level of privacy. All panelists will have about IO to 15 minutes to speak and then there will be an open question and answer session. Margavage, said she plans to talk about what the Wyoming Valley AIDS Council can provide, how people can get the free testing offered by the center, and answer any questions that students have. Crackett will educate about STDs, HIV and pregnancy. These are topics that should concern students because, according to · the Department of Health, many people opt to be tested only for HIV and not other STDs, which is problematic particularly for any youth-populated community. Nelson will offer insights into the different medications for HIV positive people. She will also offer an "HIV 10 I" quiz, said Margavage. The HIV positive community members, Andy, Bryan and Maria, will offer their stories as to how they contracted the disease. Andy is the founder of We Care which is a support organization for the HIV community. Bryan and Maria are open HIV community members and have done panels prior to this one. The Wyoming Valley AIDS Council assists clients by using a method called case management. After someone tests positive for HIV, the center helps them get on the right track with medicine and visits to the doctor. The council also helps clients with their finances because the medicine can be very expensive. If clients are eli- 28, 2009 gible for prescription drug plans, like the Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program, the council can help clients work with plans like SPBP and also get funding from the government. "One of the drugs that I did some research on ... it cost somebody almost $30,000 a year, just for the drug alone. It cost about $1,500 a month for each prescription for a 30-day supply of the medicine," said Margavage. Margavage wants to point out to college students that HIV and AIDS doesn't target people. It is random and it can happen to anyone. People need to get educated on the subject of HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. "The most important thing is that you just have to get tested. Or just be aware that you could be at risk," said Margavage. CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu j acqueline. lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com One student, Carolyn Holecek, a sophomore nursing major is going to the HIV panel because she thinks students should know more about HIV and AIDS. Holecek was educated about HIV and AIDS in a sexual education class in high school, but would like to see more sexual education throughout high school and college. She also likes the idea of a panel discussion. "I thought it was an interesting way to present the information. Obviously, anyone can do their own research but having a panel discussion, you are able to have question and answer sessions. Also, you are able to relate a face to a story. . . It makes the story more tangible than just reading statistics and viewing the person as a number," said Holecek. The Wyoming Valley AIDS Council works with about 100 cli- 2 ents at any given time. Margavage also supervises another case manager at the AIDS Council, Matt Semanision. Martinez wants more students to have knowledge about HIV and AIDS. "I'll be really please if people become more informed," said Martinez. Throughout her work, Margavage has seen a big stigma on AIDS in this area. "I still hear people saying, 'It's a gay man's disease.' This is going back twenty years ago already. Now it's coming back out that I'm hearing these phrases," said Margavage. Martinez hopes that the panel discussion will be a "mythbuster" and she hopes it will decrease the stigma that comes with the issue. Rove's national experience highlights talk BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor On Wednesday April 15, Karl Rove, a chief strategist for the George W. Bush administration spoke in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Rove helped Bush get elected governor and president, twice. ~e is still sought after as a political consultant, obviously for Republicans," said Dr. Thomas Baldino, professor of politcal science. Some students were impressed with Rove's stop at Wilkes University. Rove said he likes to get the word out by speaking to college Republicans. "I didn't think somebody as important or prestigious as Karl Rove would speak at Wilkes University," said Lauren Benhamou, a political science major. When Amanda Parfitt, another political science major, heard that Rove was coming to Wilkes, she was surprised by the news. Adam Szumski, a political science major, said that he was happy to be able to see Rove in person but was upset that he went into the anatomy of campaigns which, to Szumski, is essentially marketing techniques . Szumski noted he would have been more pleased with a discussion about his role in the White House but was pleased overall. In his address to students, one of Rove 's main points was about The Beacon/ Jacqueline Lukas See ROVE page 5 Rove touched on many topics during his speech including what makes a good election and how important voting is. BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Correction In April 7 issue of 'fl1e Beacon, Kewaii Rogers-Buckner was identified as a junior. She was a sophomore. Also in the April 7 issue, Lori Drozdis was named as the di- rector of the nursing department. Lori Drozdis is the director of experiential learning in the nursing department. Mary Ann Merrigan is the chair of the nursing department. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. -ANDREW SEAMAN EDITORdN-CHIEF Meet the staff... Editorial Staff 2008-09 "' Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Managing Editor �28, 2009 FAITH NEWS APRIL a different religion and are deeply committed to it. from FRONT..PAGE Shearn says that this may be due to the current religious preference was. Before influence that parents have over their chilgraduation in 2008, the same students dren's religious practices in their earlier were surveyed again and this time 14.3% years. Once in college or away from home, selected "None" as their answer. These students tend to find a faith or religion that numbers show an increase in approximatethey feel is better for them. Because it is ly 6% of students who no longer felt that something they chose, they may be more they identified with a particular faith. passionate about their beliefs and practices. ln addition, the number of students who Both Silvi and freshman Kim Feliciano had initially answered that they preferred say their families influenced the faiths they Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, identify with. Baptist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian faiths "My mom and I are very close. So she also decreased. can just kind of see how unhappy it makes In 2007, The Washington Times reported me that I find it so much harder to make it that 59% of students who graduate from to mass [since starting school] and to recollege with a bachelor's degree or higher ally keep up with faith the way J used to. admit to attending religious services less of- So, my mother can see how hard it is for ten than they did before beginning school. me. She was a huge encouragement for me "I think while breaking people up into to change to a school where that would be groups can create cliques-where the easier for me," said Feliciano Muslim students stay over here, and the According to Monaco, there are many Catholic students stay over here, and the reasons why a student's faith may be quesChristian students stay over here - I think tioned, weakened, or altogether forgotten Wilkes, who for many years didn't permit during their college years. The most promifaith-based groups, did it for that very rea- nent being the stress of school work and deson. They wanted them coming together to crease in free time to dedicate to practicing have those conversations to understand and their religion. support each other. But I think by having "I would say that my faith has kind of the various groups, they can learn and grow, weakened a little, because of all the conand become more educated in their own flicts . I've been trying to get it back on faith-based tradition as well," said Theresa track," said Silvi. Monaco, Interfaith Coordinator at Wilkes Erin Wimer, a junior English secondary University. education major says her relationship with According to Robert Shearn, associate God grew stronger after coming to college. campus minister at King's College in WilShe said, "Coming to college made my kes-Barre, students often disaffiliate them- relationship with God much stronger. I've selves with organized religions when they been in so many situations where He is the begin college; however, of those that leave only person I have to rely on. On campus faith behind while at school, many return to we have a Christian Fellowship Club where .,.........,....,..., __,...,,....,..,,_.,...,,...,.._,...... ......,_,,._,,_..........,.... I met a lot of other Christians with whom 1:,-......""""l"""'.'.""~--'n-r""''r"'"'&...r.....,;a."""tMn~~5';;~m"'-'!'---I I can talk to about any e our current re ~.;;;;,,,.;;.;;.;.;;.;.;;;..;..;;..;;;.,;;;s:;;.;.;;;;;;..:;.;..;;;;.;;;;;..;;,;;;;.;;.;;._,..;;;,.;;;~-1-...,;.~4~,;;;.i1~-'4 struggles I am encounaptist 4.4% tering. The club has uddld$t C>.4% 0 also been a place where .2.0% astern Orthodox % I experienced spiritual pi~pal 2.0.% 1.2 growth through wor. du 0.4% 0.4% 0.0% ship, fellowship, and slainic 0.0% OJ>% 0.0% scripture." 1.6% 2.4% O.S% ewtsh Students may also (Ul% 0.0% (J.0% DS{Motmon) find that their beliefs ntheraa 6.8% 4..4% 2.4% don 't match others on ethodist 9.6% 8.4% 1.2% campus and fitting in byterian 2.0% O,lWO' 1.2% with a group of friends naker 0.4% 0.4% 0,0°/o is difficult. Many omau Catholic 9.0% 4.3.8¾ -5;2% times, students may eve.nth Day Adventist 0.0% 0.0% 0,0% feel as though they nited Church of Christ 2.0% 2.4% 0.4% may have to sacrifice 9.2% 12.0% 2.8% her Christian their religious beliefs ther Religion 2.0% 3.2% 1.2% to have a social life. 8.4°/o 14.3% 5.9% "While most of the Courtesy of the Higher Education Research lnsititue campus would prob264 Freshman took the CIRP, Cooperative Institutional Re- ably profess themsearch Program, in 2004 and then the same students took the selves to be Christian CSS, College Senior Survey, in 2008. in some denomina- ........... _ ______ ~- - - 3 The Beacon/ Teresa Monaco The Feast on Faith is held by the Interfaith Office. A representative council of students from different religions talk about some stipulations that they may have previously had about other religions. It is open dialogue between faiths. tion, whether that be Catholic or Protestant, the majority of them don't take it very seriously. So when someone does come along, who takes their faith seriously, there is kind of a, 'I'm a Christian -you can do that stuff' the dismissing of the sense that they want to take it more seriously," said Monaco. In some cases, the availability of school support may not be evident or strong enough for students to feel comfortable expressing their faith on campus. "I feel that Theresa does a great job as campus [interfaith coordinator] but I don't think the university as a whole really supports us. I say that because there are many things that we want to do, but sometimes the question is, 'how much can we get away with before the school pulls the plug?' Not in a bad way, but the school wants to not have to deal with it, and that's what makes me feel that [faith] is not an important issue," said Feliciano, who is leaving Wilkes at the end of this semester to attend an institute with a chapel and larger, more active Newman Club on campus. Newman Club is a national Catholic campus ministry gro As a college affiliated with the Catholic religion, King's College also finds difficulty accommodating students of other religions. Approximately 75% of King's students are Catholic; therefore, many attend the masses and devotional practices that are held on campus. Not all students find it harder to practice their religion at Wilkes. "The nice thing about being in Wilkes is that I can easlily practice my religion at any one of the many nearby synagogues. Campus Interfaith has been a great asset because J am able to meet with others to talk about religion," says Rachel Rubinstein, a sophomore entrepreneurship major who identifies with Judaism. Shearn and others attempt to reach out to students of other religions- and even those of agnostic beliefs- through programs such . as Prospective on Scripture, which is similar to Wilkes 's Feast on Faith, and service projects. While King's is a Catholic institution and Wilkes is secular, both institutions agree that in order to show all students that they support their religions or faiths, they have to provide a neutral prayer room. "I really think that it is incumbent upon the campuses to make provisions for this to happen ... To offer a space where students can go and pray five times a day if their faith requires. We don't have such a space here on King's campus. We do have a chapel, but it's a decidedly Christian chapel. I think it would be good for us to put something in place that's kind of a neutral place where students from other faith traditions can go and pray or worship in ways that are appropriate for them," said Shearn. "The idea of having a sacred space on campus is something that universities across the country have put in place. Usually, it is set up to be a universal space. So it is something that any faith tradition can use," said Monaco. According to Dr. Maria Suarez, director of the Center for Global Education and Diversity at Wilkes, one room in Chase Hall has been designated prayer room for Muslim students, but she has found that most students have continued using a room located in the basement of the Farley Library, which had been used as a prayer space in the past. "We have not been contacted about any specific issues, and because the Interfaith Coordinator is housed in Student Affairs, we offer our collaboration - we talk - but there hasn't been anything very specific where they've requested our collaboration. So I don't know of any specific issues students are having," said Suarez. Suarez added that she would like to hear from students if they feel the Center can help them. �28, 2009 MEMORIAL APRIL from FRONT PAGE 4 NEWS which she noted takes about two months to organize. "We had a lot of student participation," said Boone. "We really couldn't have done it without the help from our student coordinators," she added. They also received tremendous support from people at the YRC. Furthermore, Boone felt the event was a nice way to showcase where the YRC is located and it was nice to have the survivors speak who have received helped from YRC. "I think not only does crime affect everyone, but people don't have to be victims. They can be survivors," Boone commented, "There are resources and counselors available, not only on campus but at the Victims Resource Center that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." Next year, she hopes that even more people join them in the rally. Pat Rushton, YRC outreach & education manager, was present at both events. This semester, he instructed a men's group course on Wilkes campus. It is a five course program that teaches men about sexual violence. Rushton worked with Dr. Mischelle Anthony, assistant professor of English and Boone to coordinate the program for eight or nine Wilkes male students. "The five-week program educates men about what we can do as men to try to stop sexual violence on this campus and influence [positive] behaviors," Rushton said. "It is to empower men to start impacting change, change in attitudes and of course, During the event, several speakers presented at the podium, including survivors of violence. Some of the survivors were victims of sexual abuse, arson, gun violence, and rape. Within the crowd of people, several students carried a sign in Roger-Buckner's honor. After the walk, the memorial for Kewaii Rogers-Buckner began at 7:30 p.m. Several professors, co-workers, ftiends and students spoke about the much missed student who was the mother of three. People who walked in the march were required to buy a t-shirt, which contributed to the YRC and a portion of it will be given to Rogers-Buckner's children. Veronica Marzonie, senior nursing student and a student coordinator of the event explained, "The memorial was a chance for those who knew her to say farewell and to hopefully gain some semblance of closure." Rogers-Buckner worked full-time as a respiratory therapist at Mount Pocono Medical Center while she attended school full-time and raised her children. She arrived in WilkesBarre following her displacement during Hurricane Katrina. Although she was very busy, many people spoke about her smile and her positive attitude. "I think that for those of us in nursing, the best thing we can do to honor Kewaii is to finish our degrees, something she wanted so much, and to live and work each day being the best nurses that we possibly can," said Marzonie. "If we provide compassionate care and advocate for those in need, like we are at this event, we will honor her memory and hopefully she will see and it will bring her peace," she added. "We can't change the past but we can affect the future, this walk and memorial is one w~," Marzonie added. According to attendees, the event provided strength and unity, as well as an opportunity to do something about a situation nobody had control over. Erin Bufford, sophomore nursing student, was in charge of a portion of the memorial. "I think it went well really well," Bufford stated, "Considering the rain situation held up for us, it was a good turnout." She explained that they are going to continue selling the tshitts to raise money to send to -.......-................ The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki Roger-Buckner's children. Megan Boone, community Several speakers, including students, friends and professervice coordinator, also helped sors, honored Rogers-Buckner at the memorial. T-shirts coordinate the rally event, are being sold to raise money for her three children. The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki Wilkes community members attended the memorial in honor of Kewaii RogersBuckner, who was victim to alleged domestic violence. behaviors," he added. Students participated in role plays, scenarios and watched educational videos. The program ran from February to March this year. They are hoping to continue the program next spring semester. In the fall, Rushton will be instructing King's College students. ---------------------------------, WWW.CHANGEABLE SKIES.COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT: Bill Henry william.henryOO@comcast.net 215-768-4619 STILL NEED AN APARTMENT FOR NEXT YEAR??? HIS IS WHATS LEFT FOR THE 09-10 SEASON: 84 WEST ROSS STREET 2 BEDROOM APTS FREE PARKING & ALL UT/LITES INCLUDED JOAN HENRY HALL ONE 4 PRIVATE BEDROOM LEFT ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED �APRIL 28, 2009 ROVE fromPAGE2 elections. He offered nine ideas for what comprises successful,.to run a successful campaign ... are applicable to any party: Democrat, Republican, Socialist, Communist, Liberterian ... you name it. You can use those points," said Baldino. "What he said that day about elections was pretty spot-on. Everything he said you can pretty much see from what plays out during an election. He's a very intelligent man and I think that's obvious by the fact that he got George Bush to win twice in a row," said Benhamou. Rove also noted how important voting is. He talked about how certain tactics during campaigns can make or break an election. "He made a very important point that Obama used a lot of things [tactics.] He was just a man that everyone loved, pretty much. He was really suave in the way he spoke and he was really in-tune with certain constituencies like teenagers and younger voters. John McCain just didn't do enough to reach out to those voters," said Parfitt. Rove pointed out that the three things that differentiated the parties and ultimately led NEWS to the election of President Obama were a natural desire for a Democratic candidate, Obama's plan for change and money. In Baldino's eyes, the lecture was straightforward and easily digestible. Rove did not "dumb it down" for college students. Baldino also thought that during the formal part of Rove's presentation, he was only mildly partisan. During his question and answer period, he became increasingly partial towards the Republican party. Rove was a professional Republican operator. Now Rove helps acts as a fundraiser for the Republican party and also does commentary for FOX news. Szumski added that it is easy for people to despise or hate the Karl Rove they see on FOX news for the 30 seconds that they see him. Parfitt and Benhamou agreed that it is important for students to go to understand the . sides of each party. "If a college student doesn't understand the contemporary American politics and wants to know, 'What do Republicans stand for?' 'What do Democrats stand for?' they need to go to events like this. Because what you heard from Rove during the question period is what Republicans believe," said Baldino. 5 SG Notes April 22, 2009 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS · Beacon Asst. News Editor Treasurer's Report All College: $170.14 Conference: $4,982.09 Leadership: $4,497.29 Start-Up: $2,100.00 Spirit: $4,000.00 , General: $3,788.76 Special Projects: $954.06 Club Reports Programming Board MSC New Business -Sociology/Criminology Constitutional Revisions (Week I of 2) Approved -Senior Class Donation Request (Week 1 of I) $2,500 allocated for Senior Week -Terzaghi Lab Donation Request (Week 1 of I) Pushed to next meeting -IRHC Constitutional Revisions (Week 2 of 2) Revisions approved -SIFE Fund Request (Week 2 of2) $1,500 to cover a conference in Philadelphia -SIFE Constitutional Revisions (Week 2 o 2 Revisions a roved -SG Constitutional Revisions (Week 2 of 2) Revisions approved -Exec. Board Nominations (Week I of 2) SG Budget (Week I of 2) questions pro- posed for next week -Acceptance: President, Nick Koch Old Business ASME Fund Request Spring Fling Budget Advancement Committee Proposals Faculty & Staff Awards: Dr. Matthew Zukoski (math and computer science--posthumous award), Margie Sromovsky, Student Development office manager Events Spring Fling, Dinner at Tiffanf's April 24 ___ Relay for Life, April 25-26 Study Break Party, April 30 *At 8: 15 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor ofHSC. RODANO'S COME CHECK OUT OUR FULL MENU:. PIZZA, WINGS, STROMBOLIS, HOAGIES, SAIAOS, & MORE! DAllY llJNCH AND EI/ENIN6 IIENtJ FEAJfJRES • KITCHEN OPENS 1 f.AII DAil¥, OPEN lATE WEEltENDS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY THURSDAY & SATURDAY HAPPY HOUR 5-7 HAPPY HOUR 10-12 $1 OFF 4LL DRINKS $1 .50 WELL MIXERS & DOMESTIC DRAFTS $6 32 OZ MIXER PITCHERS ENTERTAINMENT PLEASE DBlN« BESl'ONSIBLI'. BODANO'S WIU NOT SERVE ALCOHOL TO INDMDIJALS IJNDER TIIE AGE OF 21. 53 PUBLIC SQUARE PHONE:829-6444 FAX: 270-4293 �CONTACT INFORMATION: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu Lawmakers push for TriState Rail Authority Page8 wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com 6 The Beacon wishes Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz good luck BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Our editorial boards are always about a significant issue in the world or on campus, and this week is no different. For almost a decade, T71e Beacon has been lead by Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz, who is known to students and faculty alike as Andrea. She has been the one constant element of this paper. Andrea will be leaving Wilkes to follow her family west, and take a position at another university in Pittsburgh. She leaves behind an amazing legacy and incredibly huge shoes to fill. Every year, The Beacon is reborn with new students, but Andrea has always been there to give us her guidance and point us in the right direction. We would be remiss ifwe failed to acknowledge the major contributions she has made to T71e Beacon over the past decade. Andrea came to Wilkes University in the late 1990s with her family from Iowa. She often jokes that she left a beautiful scenic Midwestern town, where the pelicans would fly against the sunset, to South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre, where her daughter found a syringe in their front yard. Since that time, the area has improved and she ha.s become an institution throughout the Wyoming Valley. She first worked alongside Mr. Tom Bigler, a local media legend. She Courtesy Marketing Communications began teaching courses at Wilkes with Bigler Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz has served as the advisor of The Beacon for almost a decade. She when his sight began to deteriorate. Eventuwill be leaving after this semester to become a professor at a university in Pittsburgh. ally, 1he took over his courses when he retired. munication studies department newsletter, An- tion herself in The Beacon, but her contribuAndrea was then told that she would be takdrea talked about how much she will miss her tions to Wilkes and The Beacon are hard to ing over The Beacon as advisor a year later. ignore. students at Wilkes University. Since that time, Andrea has taken The BeaThe entire staff of The Beacon would like to "They are far and away the most wonderful con from a newspaper struggling to survive students I have ever worked with. I have loved thank Andrea, and wish her and her family the to a nationally recognized, award winning my students at Wilkes. They are often this great best ofluck in their future endeavors. You will newspaper. mix of raw talent and naivete, and they come always have a place here at Wilkes, Andrea. During her time at Wilkes, Andrea has also in like that. You get to watch them morph over served as a tireless advocate for the First four years into these fabulous people who are Amendment on campus. She took her mass going to go off and do important things, and communication law class's final project and it is a privilege to be a small part of that over turned it into one of the most successful First the four years. That's the hardest thing to leave. Amendment Weeks in the country. I don't know if it is magic that happens here, However, Andrea is probably best known but I think it's unusual to. be able to develop the for her report with her students. She has altypes ofrelationships that we do here at Wilkes. ways been known as a person that can find l don't know if that happens anywhere else. In the best in everyone, and is always willing fact, I am pretty sure that it doesn't. That's hard to help. to leave," she said. In an interview with The Medium, the comAndrea has always made it a point to not men- Best of Luck! The Beacon staff wishes Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz the best of luck! Andrea does not know that we are writing this editorial. She will be angry about it... it was worth it. . �APRIL 28, 2009 OPINION 7 The angry rant: The final rant BY TIM SEIGFRIED Wilkes Alumnus ,t; After spending the better part of the last three years of my life at Wilkes, I've come to the conclusion that college is nothing more than a gigantic cluster-eff that is designed to take your money and waste your time. Granted, it does give you the tools you need to be successful down the road, and I don't want to take anything away from the fine professors at Wilkes (that's not sarcasm, by the way), but the college experience could be made to be so much easier. And really, what is college except a micro-chasm of life? People waste your time and your money while giving you the run around in some sort of bureaucratic nightmare. A stack of paperwork that never gets filed, bills that never stop, and a promotion that never comes. We all just end up reaching out for the carrot that we are never going to catch . .. And that's why it is up to us - up to us - to make something of ourselves. No one is going to reach down and give you your life, despite what "The Hills" would have you believe. Let's face it, our generation isn't known for its get up and go-ism. We aren't known for our drive or ingenuity. We aren't the greatest generation. We're the laziest generation. We were raised on high-speed internet and 200 channels of HD entertainment. We don't know of DOS based computers or black and white televisions. All we know is that we want everything yesterday, and bigger and louder than ever. We are laughed at. We are mocked. Youtube and MySpace have turned us into jokes. Rant about something. Anything. Write your local congressman about why you're pissed off. Throw your own tea party. Run for a cause. Run for office. Do something that will make you stick out above the white noise. Nobody will find Waldo when Wa ldo looks like everyone else. STAND OUT. There are a lot of problems with this city, this county, this state, this country, and this world, and in a decade or so, we are going to be the ones that are in charge. That's a scary thought, considering that most of the guys I know in high school barely have enough brain cells left to load their bong. How will our generation be remembered? As a bunch of lazy kids who were handed everything? Or are we going to be recognized as being better than the generations that came before? That's for you to decide. Alright, everyone. This is it. Over two years, 40-some articles, and too many edited words, this is the final installation of "The Angry Rant." The time has come for yours truly to hang 'em up and begin my life as a young professional.(HA!) I've had a blast writing these week in and week out, and I hope you had a blast (or at least, some mild amusement) in reading my complaints about anything and everything. To think, this whole thing started when I was watching "The View," which might just you can find me on the internets, where be the most productive thing that has ever I' ll be complaining to a world wide aucome of that show. dience. Check out www.TheAngryRant. There are a ton of people I need to thank, com for more rants, musings, criticisms, staiiing first and foremost with Dr. Andrea witticisms, and other such nonsense. And Frantz, who offered me a position on The I'll also be contributing over at www.TheBeacon. Although I have no doubt that she Fightins.com, so be sure to check that out did it out of pity in an act of charity, she is as well. the reason that I got to see the word "doucheOnce more, this has been a ton of fun bag" printed in a college newspaper. To all for me, and I can only hope that it was fun the editors, staff members, contributors, I for you. Thank you, thank you, and thank thank you as well. But most importantly, I you agam. thank the people (all eight of you) who took five I'! minutes out of their day to read D~ eyc.it-eMell-fl.,Jhvthis silly little column. Without you, as cliche o.flt'rt-i~I as this sounds, I wouldn't have a &;'t>.Mf reason to do this. I thank you for your comments, your criticisms, 1<; and your threats. I did this to make A ovi-you laugh, make you think, and to make you angry. 1 And for those that are still interested in following me on my exploits, f, y !eve ~ jlMr(lly b,s, ~ OIi -r I l tee wre'>+h11~. ror vresf/;4j (;. ~ l1'ke le, SM~ll fvff J everyd&.,y l,,wy b life exc,'/tM~ feve/. lsv~ wresf/;~ o. ~e"r . oh. basi'c.. 1T's GO TIM~ f Parking tickets put dantper on end of the sentester BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Asst. Op/Ed Editor Now that the semester is literally on its last footing, all the headaches that go along with the 15 grueling weeks of playing the life of a scholar are officially almost gone. Oh, wait a minute, not all the headaches. There's one other headache to get through before we can go home: paying all those parking tickets amassed throughout the semester. I've been smooth sailing through the semester, ducking and evading the parking police with the efficiency and cunning of a fox . That was, of course, until last week. It was like hell week; I was hit with not only one parking ticket, but two, on the same day! One from the city of Wilkes-Barre, and one from the school. Understandably all the blame falls on me for being ignorant to the rules, which is fine. I deserved those tickets. But you know what really ruffles my feathers? The fact that a ticket from the city of Wilkes-Barre is only $10 if paid within three days of the writeup. Ifit's from Wilkes University? $25. Where exactly did the school get the idea for the parking tickets to cost $25? You know what that is? That's almost ten large sized Gelati's from Rita's that I cannot indulge in because I'm $25 in the hole. Seriously though, we're already giving this school $37,000 plus of our hard earned parents' money. Why do we have to give them more? I understand charging those who don't have parking passes (like me), and are lazy (also like me), but that's not the issue. The issue is why does it have to be so much? Honestly, if someone (like myself) is working at minimum wage and can only work a few hours a week on top of school, that $25 is like half a paycheck! We're paying Wilkes University iiber amounts of dough to attend and get a decent education; cut us some slack in the hefty fines from a parking ticket. Here's the issue: there's not enough parking to account for the students and faculty on campus. We have the lot over in Ralston and we have the SUB parking lot. Those are the two big daddies on campus, as well as the parking garage, the little tiny parking lots behind Towers and the UCOM, and around the Marts. But there are over 2,000 students that attend this fine institution, most of whom have cars. Now total all those up. Can the lots I just named total 2,000 spaces? Heck no. Not even close actually. Not to mention that many of the faculty get here earlier than students and often stay later, taking up crucial parking spots all day long. Yes, there are places on the street that students can park. Well you know what that means? I'll tell you what that means, it means that we have to dish out our quarters and dimes every single day to the parking meters, just another expenditure that makes college even more expensive. Can't there be a place in that $37,000 tuition somewhere for parking? Now let's get this straight. I sincerely can say that I love Wilkes University; I really can. I love the small school atmosphere the close knit family-like feeling I get when I walk around campus. I know every need of every person cannot be met; it's impossible. But is it too much to ask to lower the fine just a little bit? Isn't $25 a bit of overkill? If the city of Wilkes-Barre only charges $10, why can't we? I like what my high school did: pay five dollars to park in the parking lot for the whole year. But one little kicker, we got that money back at the end of the year! Then it worked out for everybody! Everyone who had a car got to park, and it wasn't leaving our wallets with dust inside. Cut us some slack, please? Lower the prices, follow the city's lead and charge $10 a pop. �APRIL 28, 2009 OPINION 8 U.S. reps push for tri-state rail system BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Opinion Editor Late last February, four U.S. Congressmen drafted a letter addressed to Governor Rendell in hopes of gaining support for a commuter railway system that would connect the tri-state area. In the letter, Reps. Paul Kanjorski and Chris Carney, and Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey pleaded their case, urging Rendell to form a Tri - State Authority between Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York to oversee the management of the proposed project to provide rail services between Northeastern Pennsylvania and New York City. They said the, " .. .proposed rail will serve as a tremendous economic development initiative by allowing consumers in New York and New Jersey to visit attractions in Northeastern Pennsylvania," adding that the 100-mile system across New Jersey would also make the Poconos and Pennsylvania casinos more accessible, something I feel is a great idea. New Jersey Transit says it has invested $40 million in the Lacka- wanna Cut-off Project, in an effort to re-establish a 28-mile stretch that runs between Port Morris, N.J., and the Delaware Water Gap which once served as a route for commuter trains, but was dismantled when the property was sold years ago. Otherwise, rail lines between Scranton and New York are mostly in place. The 60-mile stretch from Scranton to the Pennsylvania border already holds one line that hosts freight trains, but it will have to be upgraded with more ties to accommodate higher speeds - 40 mph for freight and 60 mph for passenger trains. The Congressional delegation expressed their concern that the current sponsor of the project, NJ transit, has made minor progress and has not sufficiently promoted the interests of Pennsylvania. According to a spokesperson for Kanjorski, the reason that minimal progress has been made is because the NJ Transit runs the show, and they have little interest in Pennsylvania. A prime reason why the reps want to create a tri-state authority to ensure every member has an equal say. Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The ;l poll was unscientific, and does ; not claim to reflect the overall CD attitudes of students on ti) 8::::, campus. Despite a need for a new method to govem the project, z c;· Governor 0 co Rendell "Tl has ex~ pressed mixed emotions. Rendell spokesperson The last time a passenger train traveled from Scranton Chuck to New York City was in the 1970's. Ardo said, ever, I am worried that even if "The governor is luke warm towards the the project is poperly funded, the formation of a commission, he way in which business is being believes that very little gets done conducted might interfere with through that process," adding that production. We need a tri-state auhe Rendell believes there would thority. be more conversation than accomCurrently, the fate of the railway is still uncertain. If lawmakers plishment. Despite the governor 's initial are able to secure funding, resireaction, Ardo said that Rendell dents could see a commuter syswould be working with the Com- tem emerge in the next few years, monwealth and New Jersey to ob- which would open up a world of tain money from the infrastructure travel, convenience, and possibly give NEPA's local economy the fund to finance the project. I admire Rendell's efforts, how- spark that it has been missing. Letter from the editor: Message to the readers ANDREW SEAMAN Editor-In-Chief Dear Reader, So many people have written letters to the editor this year, but there has not been a letter to the readers. This is it. I sit at my desk looking tC>#<irds my final issue of The Beacon as Editor-in-chief, and must say that I will miss it. The Beacon is an interesting machine at Wilkes University. The paper has been part of this university's landscape since 1936. The publication has grown by leaps and bounds since those first years when it was a literary newsletter. It has been an honor and thrill to be a part of this paper's incredible histoty. Flipping through our archives, The Beacon has always been part of this community - covering local, national, and international news. From the time the Smothers Brothers played at Wilkes Univer- sity, to the time Lady Bird Johnson dedicated the Stark Leaming Center, through the 2008 presidential election - The Beacon has been there. Just the other day 1 was at a dinner for my high school's National Honor Society when a man pulled me aside. He said that he was happy to hear The Beacon was going strong, because he was the sports editor nearly 20 years ago, which is just one examp le of The Beacon's far reaching network and impact. Understandably, not all of our readers like The Beacon because they believe their club or organization may not be getting the coverage it deserves. Some may think the paper has a political bias, and others just don't like the paper. We are not stupid - we hear the criticism from students, faculty, staff, and administration. My response to those critics is this: like anything on this cam- pus, The Beacon is a learning tool. Our goal is to help strengthened our staff's abilities - just like any other organization on campus. We would rather the critics tell us what is wrong with our work so we can better ourselves. Another point that should be made is that things are not always sunny at Wilkes, and not everyone has a smile on their face. A newspaper's job is not to seek the sunny and happy, but to report everything of value to the community -- yes, even the bad stuff. People forget that there are problems on campus and the only way that things are improved is if someone sheds light on the issue. And many times things that are perceived as news are merely gossip or cannot he reported accurately. It is always our goal to provide our readers with the best information that we can. For me and the other students on The Beacon staff, our office is our laboratory. Some- times the mixtures we make are award winning, and sometimes it just makes a mess. But one of the great things about Wilkes University is the fact that its journalism students are given the most important tool necessa1y to practice our craft - The First Amendment. Dr. Tim Gilmour, President of Wi lkes University, has continued a great tradition at Wilkes, which is to not interfere with our journalism learning process. He does not censor our paper, or put it through prior review. Because of this I must give him the biggest thank you. He truly understands what the educational process is all about. My hope is that the Wilkes community continues to be an active voice in the paper, and that the community is not afraid to share its opinion. It is only through conversation that we will grow. Best, Andrew Seaman, Editor-inchief. The Beacon asked: Is enough being done to rninmize STD rates in W-B? • Yes - 14% •No- 57% • Undecided - 29% Next Week's question: Should Wilkes lower the cost of parking tickets? • Yes •No • Undecided Visit www. wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Yea,; and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu Jeeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu Job hunt PAGE 11 APRIL 28, 20 9 wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com SOC 198 students spearhead clean up for Earth Day BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor It is the "green generation." Well, at least according to organizers of Earth Day 2009. April 22 inspired both discussion and action on environmental issues among the newest generation to "Go Green" and take an active interest in bettering the Earth. Members of the Wilkes community took it upon themselves to be a part of this new generation. One unique Wilkes class sought to actively connect students with real issues--many of them environmental--facing the local community. Through the Sociology 198 course, and general interest in environmental issues, students got involved in the very first Earth Day clean up for three local parks and a two mile stretch of land surrounding campus. After a school trip to Philadelphia to clean up a park in North Philadelphia, Danielle Kem, Americorps Vista and Service Leaming Advisor was approached by students on the trip who asked, "Why don't we do something like this in Wilkes-Bane?" "Great question. It inspired me to get things moving and see if we could host a park clean up for our city," said Kem. After Kem was offered the opportunity to teach a course with Dean of Students Mark Allen, the pair took on the Sociology 198 course and added their own community service spin. "I teach SOC 198 (Service and Leadership) which is a service learning course exploring the role of leadership in addressing social issues," said Allen. For the course, students were required to be involved in either the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) planning and trip or the Earth Day campus and community clean up. "The rest of the class collaborated on a project to help clean parks and neighborhoods in Wilkes-Bane. Doing this as part of the Earth Day clean up made sense," said Allen. Last week's Earth Day clean up incorporated several aspects of the nationwide Earth Day activities. "The cleanup [focused on] Charles Street Park, Francis Slocum Park and two blocks around campus," said Kem. Students in the SOC 198 course, as well as community members, coordinated a clean up that integrated the already processed Earth Day clean up planned by the city. " [We] were able to make contact with the city, and we spoke with the assistant to the Mayor who informed us about an Earth Day clean up in April, so we decided to have the park cleanup on that day. We are very excited to host a project like this and also partner with the city," stated Kem. The students who did not attend the ASB trip formed a board to organize the event. Students in SOC 198 gathered together to help clean up local parks in Wilkes Barr as part of Earth Day. To continue their service learning, the students also created ~ children's book about environmental issues which they will read to young students There are seven students on the board from Service and Leadership, and all seven had a ve1y important hand in planning the event. While the focus of the SOC 198 course aimed to connect Wilkes students with local community issues, there was an academic requirement that integrated the community even more. According to Allen's syllabus, students were also required to create a children's book related to the issue. "They are required to read their book elementary school students in the Wilk1 Bane School District. The academic ex cise is to demonstrate the use of narrati as powerful tool to promote learning. Af the books are read, most are donated to t schools' libraries for children to enjoy," E plained Allen. �l LIFESTYLES APRIL 28, 2009 JBBS offers student volunteers outlet for sharing . MELANIE THOMAS i con Correspondent LEEANN SEA.RFOSS ,istant Lifestyles Editor [he Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) gram has been a part of the Wilkes com1ity service program for over four years. h its past success and student involve1t the BBBS program has been an ideal erience for students seeking to do comnity service. ccording to Wilkes Community Service )fdinator Megan Boone, "[The organiton] has great volunteer interest among fonts ." 1any students from Wilkes have volun:ed through the BBBS program. For exple, Jessica McHanon has been involved :.:ommunity service since her freshman r. 1cHanon, a junior English education marefers to her time with BBBS as "really . and [she] learned a lot." McHanon voleered for BBBS in fall 2008. McHanon, like many students connected with BBBS, was partnered with community service through her fresh- ,.* man orientation. "I got involved through community service and orientation. My orientation session was with BBBS. I actually was the leader of the group," said McHanon. Boone explained, "This program gives students the opportunity to connect with children while away at school. It is also good for students to gain teaching experience for their field of The Wilkes-Barre branch of Big Brothers interest." Big Sisters is located at 33 East Northampton Street, and looks for student volunteers. The WilkesBarre BBBS program pairs a "Big" (shorthand for a volunteer of either sex) with a little brother or sister of the same sex. The Big then sets aside a time when the two will meet every week. The big brother or sister has an array of activities to choose from to spend with their Little, with the consent of the Little's parent or guardian. The Big will meet with their little at a local com- munity school district. Parameters for what the two can do are not strict. Usually some of the activities they do with their little are going to local parks, fishing, bowling, baseball games, but can also spend time with their Little just doing homework and hanging out. For many students it's the connection with the Little that makes this community service program so important to the college student. In return the Big offers a positive role model and someone other than a Little's parents for them to talk to. Boone said, "Many times a little just needs someone to set limits because their parent is hardly around due to employment issues or other complications. These kids don't have strict parental supervision. Many of them come from single parent families that have to work long hours or may even be disadvantaged in other ways." McHanon advises any student interested in BBBS to work "to find that person they mesh well with. If you can find that, it is a really, really great experience." Photo The Beacon/Lau ren Biernacki HOUSE FOR RENT CALL : 570-233-3852 Great loc ation wit h a second floo r balcony, golde n ha r dwood fl oors and a third floor with wall to wall berber carpet . La rge eat-in kitchen . Complete ly renovated to i nc lu de all new doub le insulated windows with low "E " t i nt. Bedrooms 5 2000 SQ. Feet Washer/ DrYer PetS room fQr everYone included conditional Baths 1.5 Additional StOrage mace FUil basement Available for rent Distance from campus ImmediatelY tBLOCK Amenities: • Walking dis t ance to the University, 1 block • Available for 1 year lease • Easy on street parking . �APRIL 28, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 May graduates gear up for an uncertain job world BY RUTH WHISPELL Beacon Staff Writer . It comes as no surprise that seniors gradua1 ,' ng this spring are going to have trouble fi -,ding a job in their chosen career field. The National Association of Colleges and 3mployers (NACE), an organization that tracks hirii;ig data, reported that firms expect \o hire 22 percent fewer graduates from this year's college classes than they did from last year's. Other agencies are reporting equally dismal hiring estimates. Carol Bosack, the director of Career Services at Wilkes, believes there are a few things students can do to make themselves more attractive on the job market. "Students will need to make sure that they have an excellent resume, cover letter and interviewing skills in order to compete," she said. "It is critical to network with professionals in your field, and to have experience, especially as a volunteer or intern 1which employers can discuss with you on interviews." Candidates may have to think about relocating or taking a position which is not exactly what they envisioned, because it offers a·n opportunity to build a reputation with an employer. Although it may be dif- ficult to deal with rejection, applying to a large number of organizations, even though you may not hear back from many of them will increase your chances of obtaining an interview. Students should do a mock interview with a career education professional or expert in their field before they go on real interviews. Interviews are often behaviorally based, and Bosack reports that recruiters warn that the interviewers may ask students very thought provoking questions for which they have not prepared. "Some jobs are more available than others. Indeed, some sectors are actually expanding, increasing employment. Expanding sectors include federal government service, some tech industries, and health care. The areas with the fewest jobs include finance , construction, agriculture, and retail sales," says Robert Jordan, an economics professor at Wilkes. Steve Felter, a 22-year-old history major who plans to move south toward Florida or South Carolina after graduation, is working on locating jobs in his field. "I'm starting to send out my file and resume now," he said. "I like the beach scene and I am a big fan of surfing. Also I do not like cold weather or especially snow. I am not certified to teach in the public sector and so I am seeking jobs in the south due to the vast amount of private schools where certification is not mandatory." Bosack says, "We sent letters in March to all junior and senior year students, inviting them to visit with us and to enroll in our CAR 198 Life Career Planning course, which deals with professional development and the professional employment/graduate education endeavor. There are two sections offered for the fall 2009 semester. The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki Senior history major C.J. Noll works on crafting his resume for the upcoming job hunt following graduation in May. Students who have resume questions can contact Career Services for tips and a resume review. We have offered seminars on job searches in the recession, which I wish more students had attended." Cassandra Scarantino, a 22-year-old business administration major with a concentration in marketing plans to spend the summer taking MBA classes. She doesn't have a job lined up yet. "I still have two years before graduating with my MBA, and by then the economy should be better, plus I'll have enough educational background not to worry as much as I would without my MBA or even my bachelor's degree," she said. "On the other hand, if the economy is still bad after two year of schooling, I' 11 just go for my PhD." According to Jordan, not having a job lined up is not unusual in this economy. "First, given the tight labor market, firms are being more selective: grades and experience, including internships, matter more than in the past. This trend will continue well into the recovery. Underclassmen and juniors should start preparing for this now," said Jordan. Even with the struggle in today's economy, Jordan stresses that students should follow the traditional advice offered to graduates for years. "Research should always be your first step. Students should gather information about employers who have granted them interviews," he Senior sociology and psychology major said. "Knowing Tanya Feiertag searches for a professional as much as posoutfit for a career in law. sible about the company's past performance and future plans can allow a student to differentiate himself from others with similar qualifications." However, Jordan points out that students should take advantage of the services provided at Wilkes to help them adjust to the real world. "Take advantage of the services provided by the Career Services office, especially mock interviews and resume reviews," he said. "Understand that they might not get the exact job that they want. Further, they may not be able to find a position in the major/field. It may be best to take something for now to gain experience and continue searching for the 'perfect' job later down the road." Students can meet with Career Services to discuss tips about the job process, and can start mock interview practice by using its web-based service, Interview Stream, at www. wilkesuniversity.interviewstream. com. They can also send in their resumes to its resume/job posting site, www.collegecentral.com/wilkesu. Bosak noted that Career Services officials will be staffing "Resume Express" tables in the Student Center on April 28-29, where they will give out resume guides and offer quick critiques. �Spring Dance Recital a hit! A &E APRIL 28, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa.benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu - - --------------- 12 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com Concert for a Cause inspires generosity through music BY MATTHEW GOGAS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor It is sometimes surprising how one person can inspire many others to give tirelessly. Karen Greenberg Revit had this gift. Sadly, it was her death in 1998 that inspired her last gift to the community-the chance to help those who suffer from leukemia and countless others in need. What began as a benefit concert in her name in 1999, "Concert for Karen" has since become one of the largest charity events in NEPA benefiting a variety of charity organizations throughout the years such as the Child Development Council of NEPA and Luzerne County Head Start. On April 22, 2009, "Concert for a Cause 7: A Concert for Karen" celebrated it's tenth anniversary by again recognizing Revit as one of the many people who have suffered and lost the fight with leukemia. The Woodlands Inn and Resort in Plains Township set four stages as thirty seven musicals acts and a massive crowd came out to show support for the United Way Leukemia Fund. "This is a big deal for us ... going back to our roots and having this year's concert in Karen's name. This year is our tenth Anniversary. It has been exactly ten years today since we had the concert for Karen. It's a kind of a reflective night, but it's also ex citing because we're going to raise money for the United Way Leukemia Fund," said Weekender music columnist and Newspapers In Education Manager at The Times Leader, Alan Stout. Stout and Revit were once friends and colleagues at the magazine Sound Check. Stout helped start "Concert for Karen" and has played a major part in the organization of every "Concert for a Cause" since. In addition, The Weekender has been one of the major sponsors of the event. "It's great to see so many people here, especially at times like this when we're are always trying to make more money than last year," 0 said Weekender staff writer Nikki Mascali. "If we could match what we made last year, this year's concert would be a great success." Since "Concert for Karen" on April 22, 1999, the event has raised nearly $165,000 for charity organizations. Last year's concert raised approximately $16,000. Proceeds from admission, t-shirts, a rock auction, and an upcoming CD from the event will all be donated to charity. Because of the success of "Concert for a Cause," Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton officially proclaimed Wednesday, April 22 "Concert for a Cause Day" to acknowledge its many supporters. "I must say that the communication between the Woodlands and these bands is rocking the valley. It's a great cause and for Karen, too, because she died at such a young age," said Sandy Casterline. Casterline and Revit went to school together when they were younger. Casterline remembers Karen fondly. "She was a smart girl. It's an honor to be here for her," she said. Among the bands that played, many of the musicians have played every concert since it's inception. Wilkes University alumnus and lead guitarist of the band, The Underground Saints, Pat Flynn, has played at every concert. "I always play for the cause and Alan always picks great causes. He 's the Bob Geldof [organizer of Live Aid] of NEPA. I also come for the comradeship of the musicians. You don't get to see this many musicians all at once, especially because you play all year round," said Flynn. Along with The Underground Saints, many other local musicians played the charity concert such as 401b. Head, The Swims, Bret Alexander formerly of The Badlees, and Revit's niece, Nicole Erin Carey. r Scranton natives, "The Sw!ms" play "Concert for a Cause 7: A Concert for Karen" on April 22, 2009 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort in Plains Township. "The Sw!ms~ were one of 37 musical acts including "40Ib. Head," "The Silent Treatment,"and "Lemongelli" that performed at the event to benefit the United Way Leukemia Fund. �APRIL 28, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Movie Review: II y a longte01ps que j'tai01e . BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor 2 ,re of ~rt ity 1d, tas 1an ob 'A. the my 1se 1ts, the [be l'he irin ms" I need first to begin by declaring my love for French films. There's a certainje ne sais quoi about them. French director Phillipe Claudel's fly a longtemps queje t 'aime or I've Loved You So Long is no exception. Slow moving yet intriguing storylines, stunning camera angles, and passionate characters are all intricately combined. I saw the film at the F.M. Kirby Center on a "date night" with a friend and the classic beauty of the Kirby and respectful audience only heightened my viewing experience. Kristen Scott Thomas plays Juliette, a woman who spent fifteen years in prison for killing her 6-year old son but only now is getting out and living with her sister Lea, played by Elsa Zylberstein. Lea is a woman full of life living with her two daughters and husband but must now in- corporate her long-lost and exiled sister into the life she has created for herself. In addition to Juliette and Lea, who are the main characters, there is a strong supporting cast including Lea's husband Luc, played by Serge Hazanivicius, his live-in father whom they call Papy played by Jean-Claude Arnaud, and then there's Michel, the love-interest and companion to Juliette played by Laurent Grevill. The subtle progression of the film allows the audience to watch the characters unfold before their eyes. For example, Juliette begins the film weathered and beaten by her years in prison but as time and life move on she becomes more upbeat and the bags under her eyes even begin to disappear. The film is distinct from other films because the whole plot rests on the question of why she killed her six year old son? Juliette is portrayed as a cold and calculating woman in the first half of the film. She even faces the threatof losing her job if she doesn't warm up to her co-workers; however, such warmth, particularly on demand, is simply not in her nature. The changes she undergoes throughout the story are so subtle; however, up until the end of the film, it is not noticeable that she has come to terms with herself and her crime. Because you never know why Juliette is so quiet and reclusive, I immediately jumped to the conclusion that she had some type of post-traumatic stress disorder that made her commit the crime. Realistically, this is what made the film so good. Another excellent point of the film was that the story took the audience through a series of scenarios to build a foundation for why she killed her son, which was revealed in the last 20 minutes of the film. I don't want to be a spoiler, but one question that still lingers in my mind is why didn't she defend herself in court? Nonetheless, the film was less plot driven than it wasn driven by the characters. Scenes from 2009's The annual Block Party was held this past Saturday, April 25 on the Greenway. The excellent weather brought a huge crowd to the highly anticipated event. Students were able to enjoy free Rita's Italian Ice, Dippin Dots Ice Cream, and Domino's Pizza. Junior Integrative Media major, Michael John Gentle attended the Block Party, and said, "It was a really good time, you can tell how much effort was put into it this year." Photos Courtesy/Bethany Yamrick 13 Kristen Scott Thomas is a native English speaker but it is said that her roles in French films are much more poignant. I think her French is excellent and I also fe ~ 1 that because it is not her first language it allows for her face to do more of the acting rather than thinking about body movements or hand gestures. This was dd initely an Oscar-worthy performance by Thomas. Elsa Zylberstein is also close to perfection as Juliette's caring sister. As the movie unfolds you find that Juliette and Lea's parents brainwashed themselves and Lea to believe that Juliette never existed which only thickens the plot. All in all, II y a longtemps que je t 'aime is a film for those who love the art of film making. I cannot rave enough about the acting and Phillipe Claude! 's directing skills shine through the camera work and intense emotion behind every scene. Grade: A+ �APRIL ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 28, 2009 · 14 ttl6ttbl6ttT~ f'ROM Ttte ~P'RIN6 ®'(IN Ce ReQT'(lb Kristin M. Degnan choreographed the number entitled "Bella's Lullabye." The cast included Dan Pascoe, Kelly Ferrell, Caroline Jones, and Susan Corletta. In addition to teaching at Wilkes, Degnan is also the artictic director of Degnan Ballet Center and Ballet Northeast. The final number entiled "Primal Future" was choreographed by Lynne Mariani. Mariani played the role of Bomballerina in the European Company of CATS. The music for "Primal Future" was written by Clint Mansel and consisted of 34 student dancers. This number titled "Us" was choreographed by senior theater major Dan Pascoe. The music is by Regina Spektor and the dancers are Louis Gerstle and Mary Siejak. Photos Courtesy/Alyssa Benner Ba1-i1es & Noble Wilkes-Kh1g's Booksto1·e 7South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~wilkes.bncollege.com Live "F1•ee'' 1VI11sic Eve1•y Wed11esday Nigl1t a11d 111ost F1•iday's 25% disco1u1t 011 anything you purcl1ase fron1 tl1e cafe during the pe1·foi-ma11ce ! Ope11 Mic Nigl1t fo1· Poet1•y &Aeo11stie l\1l11sic Tuesday, April 28th from 7:oopn1 - 8 :3op111 F1iday Night live music with ''Three Intaginary Boys'' at 7:30pm • Celebrate the 40 th Birthday of Eric Carle's "The Very Hungi:y Caterpillar" d11ring 011r Saturday sto1-y time. • Health & Fitness Book Club meets the first l\tlonday of each month, "What to Eat" is this month's book. �28, 2009 APRIL ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING Beacon Staff l. 1 . L 3 4 5 14 15 17 18 ~ April 7 Crossword Answers 1 0 14 0 2 E s J. A L E. L L 0 17 u s 20 C E. R ~ A 1111 I L A T ff E M E D u N G s s E E E D Across Being clothed 1 5 Use of Zippo lighter 10 To cast a ballot 14 High fidelity 15 German pistol 16 Length times width 17 Used to paddle a boat 18 Finally legal to buy alco hol 19 Internet-derived nerd Ian guage 20 One-third or two-fifths 23 Hawaiian wreath 24 A little bit; small amount 25 Deliberately false story 28 To not show up i.1 class 30 A very close man friend More than one abacus 33 34 Energy for car 35 To cover up 36 Company outing game 39 Opeu to both sexes 40 7th letter of Greek alpha bet 41 To make thicker 42 Hours Abbr. 43 Beloved 44 Male companions ofDio 45 46 47 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 nysus In favor of; not against Creative expression Found in Sci-fi movies Food served in Thai Thai To make proud Christmas Limb used for flight To be stingy or frugal Ctrl+Z in Microsoft Word Prophetic significance This present day An annoying person Down 1 To mince; cut up 2 One who doesn't tell the truth 3 Popular 70 's hairstyle 4 Lacking a home Consisting of flowers 5 6 Act of sailing closer to the wind 7 Japanese gelatin SI unit for 1,000,000 8 9 Capable of an upright posi tion 10 Legit or just 11 Popular chocolate cookie 12 13 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 35 37 38 43 44 45 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Slang for adolescent What to do in a buffet Spooky or ghostly To strike lightly Father and son activity Detest utterly Latin for nostrils Not found in diet soda Necessity of drinking party New England's QB Competitive car driver What a door does Goat cheese Punishment of acting up in H.S. The most leery Member of Snow White's crew Informal for "Doctor" Function of seatbelt To make believe Wedged piece of material Cat's sunny nap area Highest male voice To strike to the ground Italian volcano Edible ice cream holder 25th president and Mr. Nugent Job opening or position Number of weeks left in school �Penguins in the Playoffs page 18 CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu APRIL 28, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Fall Senior Athlete Spotlight: Alyssa Koncelik BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor Four years ago the Lady Colonels field hockey team welcomed Alyssa Koncelik from East Islip, NY. Despite missing three games on the season due to injury, Koncelik was the team's leading scorer; however her achievements off the field also make her a standout on campus. Koncelik contributed for 14 goals and four assists this season with the Lady Colonels. She was also named Freedom Conference Player of the Week on September 26, 2008. Six of Koncelik's goals last season were game winners for a team that went 18-4 on the season. Aside from her success on the field, Koncelik is a double major in communication studies and integrative media. She has also been the director of Wilkes World, the weekly news magazine show produced by Wilkes students in the Shelburne Telecommunications Center, and this year was the co-president of Studio 20, which creates still and motion graphics for clients in the integrative media lab. "I had to learn time management very quickly. Being active on campus kept me structured. Almost everyday I had a set schedule," Koncelik said of how she was able to maintain a balance between athletics, academics and extra-curricular activities. In her freshman year, Koncelik also played on the Lady Colonel's lacrosse team and this spring has taken on the role as assistant coach of Dallas High School's women's club lacrosse team. In addition, Koncelik has completed three internships while at Wilkes. In the fall of her junior year she interned with WBRE before joining the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins for the spring. Finally, Koncelik scored her last internship with the United States Olympic Committee and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado last summer to help produce athlete spotlights, among other projects. "My time in Colorado was very valuable. I was able to make vidPhoto Courtesy of Alyssa Koncelik eos and graphics which were seen across the nation as tht 2008 Summer Olympics approached," Koncelik said. Upon graduation, Koncelik will be return• ing the Long Island in hopes of securing , job in motion graphics. Standout Senior Fall Athletes Football - Josh George Women's Soccer - Jessica Berkey Volleyball - Kathy Harrington Cross Country - Tom Larrabee Winter Senior Athlete Spotlight: Josh Pauling BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor Going against his mother's wishes, senior Colonel wrestler Josh Pauling took the mat for ~e first time in 7th grade. Eventually, the Wilkes wrestling team and its fans were grateful he ignored his mother's advice so many years before. Pauling wrestled throughout high school at Hughesville Junior Senior High School and in his senior year there, became a member of the 100 wins club, and qualified for the Pennsylvania state tournament. The Colonels welcomed Pauling to the team in the 2005-2006 season and he has been a constant contributor for the past four years. Wrestling at primarily 133 pounds, Pauling boasted a 30-8 record in his final season on the mat. He also won the Metropolitan Conference Championship, which earned him a bid into the Division III na- tional tournament. Head coach Jon Laudenslager said Pauling's conference final match was one of the most memorable. "The conference finals will probably be the match I remember most. It was the third time he beat the defending champion on the year and everything was at stake with an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament," Laudenslager said. Along with wrestling, Pauling has also participated in various community service activities. On May 16, Pauling will walk across the stage and receive his Bachelors of Science degree in nursing, which was his primary reason for coming to Wilkes. "The nursing program is very demanding and requires a lot of time to become successful. I told my mother and my coach that academics come first. I came to school to receive an education. I placed greater em- phasis on my academics but it doesn't mean I didn't care for wrestling. Both required time, sweat, blood, and effort. I have had to miss practices for clinical and class but I always madethem up ... in my spare time either by See WINTER on page 17 The Beacon/Steve Felter �APRIL 28, 2009 17 SPORTS Spring Senior Athlete Spotlight: Kyle Ungvarsky BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor .. Four years ago, the Colonel men's tennis team welcomed Kyle Ungvarsky from Horseheads Senior High School. In addition to his success on the court, Ungvarsky has been an active member of the Wilkes campus since he arrived in 2005. Ungvarsky began playing tennis in sixth grade and was the# 1 singles in high school. He also competed in the state tournament for four straight years, three with his doubles partner and in his senior season as a singles player. Photo Courtesy of Kyle Ungvarsky From WINTER myself or with teammates," Pauling said. Laudenslager believes Pauling reflects one quality which made him so successful both on and off the mat at Wilkes. "I think the word 'commitment' would be best to describe Josh. Both on the mat and in the classroom Josh has always done the right things to prepare to be successful," Laudenslager said. Pauling plans to pass his nursing boards and become a nurse following graduation. He chose nursing for a few reasons. "I wanted to help people, I enjoyed the sciences in high school, and the problem solving is appealing,' Pauling said. Th P rnlrm P l UtrPdlin o tP ,m1 mill ~llrPh, One of his most memorable moments on the court happened his freshman year. "At college my career highlights have been freshman year winning the Elizabethtown Tournament (Flight A, which consisted of the first & second singles player of each team in the tournament). This was special because that same day my brother, sister, and father were all running the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C., and since the finals of the tournament conflicted with watching them run the marathon I knew I had to win the tournament, and I fortunately did," Ungvarsky said. Head coach Chris Leicht has been impressed with Ungvarsky from day one. "Kyle has been a leader since hearrived on campus. He leads by example, and always listens to all of the other players," Leicht said. "Kyle has become the 'face' of Wilkes men's tennis. I will miss his personality, and enthusiastic attitude!" Aside from the hectic schedule that comes with playing a sport in college, Ungvarsky has also been active on campus. For the past three years he has been a Resident Assistant as well as an e-mentor and orientation leader for incoming first year students. He has also been a tutor for physics, calculus and chemistry, and this year took on the role as a teaching assistant for freshmen chemistry labs. As if athletics and extracurricular activities do not consume enough time, Ungvarsky is a biochemistry major here at Wilkes. "I chose it because I want to become a doctor, and I didn't want to be a typical biology major," Ungvarsky said. Upon graduation on May 16, Ungvarsky plans to work for a pharmaceutical company for a year before applying to medical schools. Sacrifices do come from being so active; however, Ungvarsky was used to being busy because he has always been active. "In high school I did a lot of extracurricular activities, so doing the same thing in college wasn't that big of an adjustment. I guess having good time management and not getting car sick are keys, because a lot of studying is done on vans & buses due to a Jot of away matches," Ungvarsky said. Leicht agrees in time management has been key for Ungvarsky. "Kyle is a very hard-worker, and a dedicated member of the tennis team. He is excellent at managing his time, which allows him to be involved in so many activities," Leicht said. Standout Senior Spring Athletes Baseball - Geoff Miller Softball - Kathy Dalton Golf - Jamie Montville Women's Tennis - Alison McDonald @ RAMADA' 20 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 Phone:570-824-7100 Safe & Affordable Student Housing Close to College Campuses Includes Utilities & Parking miss Pauling next season. Laudenslager explained, "I think the thing the team will miss most is he is a person with a lot of character. He is a stand up guy who you know you can trust and count on to always give you his best and a helping hand if you ever need it." Choose From: Efficiencies 1 Bedroom/1 Bath Units 2 Bedroom/2 Bath Units (All Include Kitchens) Standout Senior Winter Athletes Men's Basketball Housing Available for 1 or 2 Semesters The Ramada also offers Extended Stay Hotel Rooms -John DeFeo Women's Basketball - Chelsey Gosse Call for Pricing and Detailsl �APRIL 28, 2009 18 SPORTS RINKSIDE REPORT Penguins Inarch on to East Division Finals BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer With 51.4 seconds remaining in the third period of Friday night's game, Jeff Taffe saw a loose puck come gliding toward him at the right face-off circle. And when the Bridgeport Sound Tigers turned the puck over deep in their own zone with less than a minute to play in regulation, Taffe knew what he had to do. He skated towards the puck and unloaded a slap shot that flew past Bridgeport goaltender Peter Mannino, giving the WilkesBarre/Scranton Penguins a 4-2 victory and eliminating the Sound Tigers from the Calder Cup Playoffs. "I really had no idea it went in for a few seconds, but it was huge" Taffe said. "It's a great feeling . We lose this game, you never know what might happen." The Penguins received power play goals from Chris Minard and Dustin Jeffrey, as well as an even strength marker from JeanMichel Daoust, but led by just a single goal after two periods of play. And after collapsing in the third period to the Sound Tigers the last time the two teams met at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza, the Penguins were determined to not make the same mistakes. "Even though they carried the play at the end of the game, today we were composed, under control, and did our job," said Penguins coach Todd Reirden. "We were in the lead, we worked hard to get to the lead, and I thought that was our best game - by far - in the third period with a lead." With the victory, the Penguins advanced to the East Division Finals. They will take on the top-seeded archrival Hershey Bears, who swept the Philadelphia Phantoms in their playoff matchup, in a best-of-seven series that begins on Saturday in Chocolatetown. "It'll be a real, real challenge for us," said Reirden. "They've got an outstanding team, a ton of depth. We'll definitely have our hands full there with a team that's definitely the most talented in the league." Although the Penguins enjoyed success against the Bears during the regular season, winning seven of the ten meetings between l)e> :r ,c:1te! E,111 the two clubs, the team doesn't necessarily expect that to translate into the playoffs. ''It's a whole other season. Obviously, we can take confidence from that and we can draw on some of their tendencies that we've picked up through the year, but it's a seven game series now," Jeffrey said. "With exhibition and regular season, I think we've probably played them probably 15 times. I think that kind of goes by the wayside and it's a race to four now." With the not so easy task of upsetting 60goal scorer and American Hockey League MVP Alexandre Giroux's Hershey squad ahead of his team, Reirden sa id that the week-long layoff before the second round begins will provide the Penguins with some much needed rest and relaxation. "It was definitely a grinder series, from the looks of it a little bit more difficult than the one Hershey went through," the coach said. "This will give us some time to recharge our batteries and get healthy, some guys were banged up and playing through it. This gives a chance to go into Saturday as healthy as we can be." Pl c:1s rr,c:1 r ■ 11 ■■ p t-- 2009 East Division Finals Sat. 5/2 Sun. 5/3 Wed . 5/ 6 Fri. 5/8 *Sat. 5/9 *Sun. 5/10 *Tues. 5/12 WBS@ Hershey WBS @ Hershey Hershe y@ WBS Hershey @ WBS Hershey@ WBS WBS @ Hershey WBS @ Hershey 7:00 5:00 7:05 7:05 7:05 5:00 7:00 The Penguins play their home games a via Areno at Casey Plaza. Her mes will take *If necessa . lVl•• ■ wth ! Interstate Blood Bl. Plasma Inc_ .. 665 Carey Ave Wilkes-Barre. Pa Call (570) 023-4119 PM PM PM PM PM PM PM �APRIL 28, 2009 SPORTS 19 Lacrosse drops final two; reaches new heights BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor j ter team than us," said Sophomore Brittney Hodnik. "I think there were a lot of us who A season that saw the Wilkes University just had bad games at a really unfortunate women's lacrosse team reach unprecedent- time, and the offense wasn't producing and ed heights has come to an end. The Lady the defense started to break down. It was Colonels fell to conference foes Lycoming just unfortunate that those two things hapand Widener last week, barely missing out pened simultaneously." The first milestone was reached, howevon the playoffs and ending a record-breaking season. But the season was not without er, when Hodnik, who led the Wilkes team with four goals and an assist, reached the some milestones. The Lady Colonels slim playoff chances 100 point plateau, becoming only the secwere hanging in the balance when they met ond women's lacrosse player in the univerLycoming at Ralston Field last Wednesday sity's history to achieve such a feat. Melissa Polchinski added two goals and for crucial MAC conference tilt. The opening few minutes looked as two assists for the Lady Colonels on the day, though the MAC battle was going to be just while sophomore Kat Edwards chipped in that, a full fledged whoever-has-the-ball- with two goals of her own. On Saturday, the Lady Colonels laced it last-wins battle. That was until the other team in blue and yellow caught fire and up for one final go hosting Widener on Pink Day, showing the team's support for breast never looked back. With the score tied 1-1, Lycoming ripped cancer awareness. But the Pride stole momentum from the off an 8-1 run over the rest of the first half until the Colonels scored two goals before get-go, netting the first goal of the game the halftime whistle blew to cut the lead to only 53 seconds in. Wilkes would get on the board quickly thereafter as Kat Edwards net9-4. ted her first goal of the game. But that would The second halflooked much like the first half with Lycoming scoring early and often. be the closest the Lady Colonels would get Any hopes of a comeback were dashed al- as the Pride rallied off six consecutive goals most instantly by the Warriors, who went on to take a commanding 7-1 lead, and entered a playoff-crushing 10-2 run to open the sec- halftime with an 11-4 edge. The second half would see the Pride add ond half to take a commanding 19-6 lead. A lead they would never relinquish, edging insurance goals in a hurry, cementing the victory with six of the first seven goals to the Lady Colonels by a final of 22-8. "I'm not really sure what happened be- start the second half to stretch their lead cause they [Lycoming] really weren't a bet- to an insurmountable 17-5 advantage. The Lady Colonels would chip in two more goals, but fell to the MAC rival 19-7. But it would be the second straight game a Wilkes lacrosse player would go over the century mark in points, with Melissa Polchinski registering her 100th point of the season on a goal halfway through the first half. She became just the third Wilkes womens lacrosse player to gamer such a feat only a game after teammate Brittney Hodnik accomplished the same. Polchinski led the way for the Colonels with four goals on the day while Hodnik chipped in with one goal and three assists. Wilkes ended its season with a 9-8 overall record with a 4-7 record in conference play, both of which are new highs for the relatively new team. And on a team that has no seniors and is chock full of freshman and sophomores, these new records may take up space in the record books for one short season. "I was thinking about how crazy it is to potentially have every girl returning next season," said That's unheard of! I think that as a team we learned that you have to work hard through the entire season, so hopefully we'll build on this season and do even better next year." Number 3 Kat Edwards runs with the ball during the game against Lycoming on Wednesday April 22. The Lady Colonels tennis team hosted the Freedom Conference Finals on Sunday April 26. Senior Kristin Wilt is seen here in competition on Sunday during a doubles match. Check gowilkesu.com for complete results. The Beacon/Bethan Yamrick Senior pitcher Tom Buckler became the winningest Wilkes pitcher on April 24 against Alvernia. Buckler broke a 31 year old record when he pitched the winning game for his ninth win of the season. Bucker is seen here batting during the game on Friday April 24 against Alvernia. �APRIL 28, 2009 20 SPORTS Baseball loses two games to Delaware Valley BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The Wilkes University baseball team's playoff destiny became a bit murkier following their two losses to Delaware Valley on Saturday, April 25. A win would have secured a No. 1 seed in the upcoming Freedom conference playoffs in Boyertown, Pa, but the losses dropped the Colonels into a tie with rivals Manhattanville and FDU-Florham. Each of the three teams has five conference losses, but Manhattanville and FDU-Florham have games remaining on their schedule. Despite Saturday's results, Wilkes's record is still a sterling 26-9, with an 11-5 mark in conference play. "We've lost three in a row now but there's no reason we can't come together as a team and regain the focus we've played with much of the season," said senior Andrew Garofoli. "lfwe can just do that there's nobody in the conference we can't beat." "In a way I feel it's good to get a loss before playoffs so that we realize we're not unbeatable," said junior Tom Buckler. "It brought us back to reality, in a way." The first game of the doubleheader saw the Colonels take a 1-0 lead in the second inning off a Shane Keister RBI single to left field. Joel Watson, who had led off with a walk, came around to score and put Wilkes on the board. Delaware Valley responded in the bottom of the third with two runs of their own behind the power of three hits, two of them being back-to-back triples from junior Mike Isgro and senior Kevin Weingart. Wilkes's Geoff Miller and Al Clocker led off the top of the fourth with singles, with Miller advancing to third base on Clocker's hit. John Florance would reach on a fielder's choice immediately after, plating Miller and tying the game at two apiece. The Aggies would limit the damage to a single run, however. Delaware Valley would go on to take a 52 lead over the next two innings. Weingart would walk in the fifth inning and later score on an RBI, and the Aggies tripled again in the sixth to drive in an unearned run before scoring again on a sacrifice fly. The two teams held each other scoreless in the seventh inning before Wilkes scored two more runs in the eighth inning. Mike McAndrew led off the inning with a walk before being brought in by Andrew Garofoli 's triple. Garofoli would score soon after Senior second baseman Geoff Miller (9) and the Colonels have lost three games in a row leading up to the playoffs. Attend "Sweet Revenge" at 12 P.M. on the Greenway and pie your prof essors in the face! Last Day of CLASSES!H Come to Rodano's to benefit the Nursing Student Organiation. Must be 21 or older to attend. Happy Hour is from 10-12 P.M. following Watson's groundout to Delaware Valley's shortstop. The Colonels' comeback attempt was thwarted in the bottom of the eighth, when they allowed Delaware Valley two runs on an Isgro double. Wilkes ended up losing 7-4, although their pitching allowed only three unearned runs in the contest. Freshman starter Ryan Fetterman was not dominating but did a good job of keeping the Colonels in the game, allowing three earned runs over seven innings. The second game was not as close. Delaware Valley led 12-4 after three innings, with four coming on a grand slam by Dan Hrubos in the third. He would finish the game with three hits, four runs, and four RBI. The Aggies would win 18-6, completing the sweep of the doubleheader. Garofoli provided Wilkes its one real bright spot, hitting a two-run shot in the third inning that served as his eighth of the season, tied for the team lead with Randy Dengler. "I felt as if we didn't really come to play [against Delaware Valley]," said Garofoli. "We had already secured a playoff spot before the games, and Delaware Valley came to play since we were the end of their schedule." The Colonels' last regular season game is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at home against Scranton at 4 p.m. Wilkes will try and close out what has thus far been a fantastic season, one that was not entirely expected following the departure of a strong senior class last year. Special mention goes to starting pitcher Buckler, who broke a 31year-old school record for wins in a season after winning his ninth against Alvernia. "It feels good have to set a record at Wilkes," said Buckler. "I had no idea I was close to breaking it, but I'm glad to have broken a record at a collegiate level. "I'm happier having helped the team win nine games though [... ] Hopefully we can go and get a bunch more this weekend before nationals." First day of Finals Enjoy the sunny Spring weathe.r and bring your books to the greenway and study in the sun. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 April 28th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 April 28 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/e127eb7570390768874def539aeee03a.pdf 695edb741f990ad11ad0057beb20dba5 PDF Text Text COLLEGE DAYS: 2009 Downtown Collegetown PartY on the Square Dean Barbara King Lifestyles I Page 9 A&E I PAGE12 The I SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 1 University institutes H1N1 policy on campus ‘Selectively-held’ positions now open BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor The H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the swine flu, returned to national consciousness this month as students all across the country headed back to school. In an effort to prevent the spead of the virus, Wilkes University has instituted its own policy regarding pandemic influenza. If a student has flu-like symptoms, he or she is strongly urged to leave the campus and return home. Students who believe they are experiencing flu-like symptoms should notify Diane O’Brien, director of Health and Wellness Services, so that they can be tested for the H1N1 virus. Students returning to campus after flu-like symptoms are also asked to contact Health and Wellness Services. Professors will also be notified on the status of the student’s health via communication with Health and Wellness Services. If a student cannot make arrangements to go home, the university has reserved Ross See H1N1 page 2 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Beacon/Tom Reilly Hand sanitizers will be installed around campus on September 16 to encourage hand washing. Lisa Zelinski, a Wilkes graduate student, uses one of the newlyinstalled hand sanitizers in the Health and Wellness Service Center. Health and Wellness Services is on the first floor of Passan Hall. Students can go to Health and Wellness Services to get tested for H1N1. Wilkes should recieve the vaccine for the H1N1 virus in midOctober. many years. Last school year, University College asked the ASC to formally consider making this alteration. “On the committee, we’ve identified the fact that [midterm] grades are often posted at the very end of the seventh week. Students aren’t necessarily getting their midterm grades, or at least they aren’t accessing them, until earlier into the eighth week. There is a very short turn around time for students who are doing poorly in their midterm grade reports to make a thoughtful and critically informed academic decision about continuing or not in a given course…” Hamill said. He added, “A three day window isn’t sufficient for a student to make that decision.” After speaking with representatives from University College and Financial Aid, the ASC presented the topic to the entire faculty this past May. Faculty members voted in favor of the extension. “Lengthening the withdraw period from Students gain additional two weeks to drop classes BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Editor-in-Chief Last spring, faculty members at Wilkes University voted in favor of extending the period of time in which students are able to drop classes for academic reasons. This fall, students have ten rather than eight weeks to withdraw from courses. According to Dr. Thomas Hamill, chair of the Academic Standards Committee (ASC), this topic has been one of discussion for ONTHEWEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu INDEX News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 See DROP CLASS page 3 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 Last year’s hiring freeze on all non-essential staff positions has been lifted as a result of the University’s current financial stability. Petra Carver, vice president of finance, explained that once the President’s cabinet became aware of the budget situation last year, the University selectively held back on filling certain non-essential positions. This was decided on a case-by-case basis. There was no freeze, however, on hiring for faculty positions. “Last year, we selectively held some positions open, but all will be filled this year,” said President Tim Gilmour. At present, thirteen positions are open and will not close until the positions are filled. Of these positions, two are faculty and eleven are staff. “It’s hard for me to say that a hiring freeze was lifted, because in my mind, we always used the same process to evaluate whether or not to fill a position. If it was deemed by the hiring manager and ultimately through the President’s Cabinet that it was necessary to back fill that position, we did,” said Joseph Housenick, director of human resources. Carver also stated that it is easy to become confused with the terms because there are many ways to explain the hiring freeze on See POSITIONS page 5 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · .· ·· · Association Member . . ·. ·· �Update on NEWS building NEWS I PAGE 4 H1N1 from FRONT PAGE Hall for any student that has flulike symptoms. Students will be provided with food and drink, as well as medical and public safety’s attention. Students that have the H1N1 virus will be discouraged from going to public places on campus. “The H1N1 flu is most prevalent in the Midwest and Southeast, but I don’t think there’s any doubt that it’s heading in our direction,” said Paul Adams, vice president of Student Affairs. Wilkes University has not seen any cases of the H1N1 virus. As of Friday, September 11, there are 41 confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Luzerne County. In Pennsylvania, there have been 2,128 confirmed cases, 50 probable cases and 10 deaths due to the H1N1 virus according to the PA Department of Health’s running tally. According to recommendations from the Federal Government, should the University experience a 20% rate of absenteeism as a result of the the virus, a preemptive shut-down of the University will be considered, said Adams. “The flu is just so much different than a cold,” said Diane O’Brien. In order to decrease the chances of getting the H1N1 virus, students should be very cautious about sharing drinks or cigarettes, and students also should wash their hands frequently. H1N1 is spread through droplets that cause the flu to go from one person to another explained O’Brien. Hand sanitizers will be placed around campus on September 16. O’Brien said that college-aged people, as well as those with chronic illnesses and children, are the groups that are most at risk for the H1N1 virus. The H1N1 vaccine is being distributed from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The PA Department of Health governs when the vaccine arrives and how much of the vaccine is delivered to Wilkes University. The vaccine, which is administered in a two- The Beacon/Tom Reilly An example of H1N1 literature being provided for students. BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 shot series spread three weeks apart, is expected to arrive mid-tolate October. The PA Department of Health has not made mention of the cost of the vaccine. O’Brien assumed that the vaccine will be free to students, staff, and faculty. The vaccine for the H1N1 virus is strongly recommended by Adams and O’Brien. “I think getting the vaccine is very important because the population that mostly inhabits this campus is about 18 to 24 years old and that’s been designated as one of the groups more vulnerable for the H1N1 virus,” said Adams. Christina Decker, senior nursing major, said she believes the city of Wilkes-Barre also has a great plan of action. “Well, I am [definitely] a bit nervous about the swine flu. But I know the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department is also working with Wilkes in the event that this thing turns ugly,” she said. “The Wilkes-Barre City Health Department is going to have local nursing programs, such as Wilkes, Luzerne County Community College, Misericordia, etc., to come and help out, too.” Long term effects of H1N1 are specific to the person. “The virus typically runs its course, without complication, just like the seasonal flu, but there have been deaths and some really significant problems with organ damage from the H1N1 virus,” said O’Brien. In addition to educating students on how to deal with flu-like symptoms, mailings were sent home to parents with information on H1N1 on September 9 and 10. The seasonal flu vaccine costs $15 and is now available at the Health and Wellness Service Center. 2 Student Government Notes 09-09-09 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor Treasurer’s Report All College: $24,000 Conferences: $10,900 General: $11,000 Leadership: $3,000 Spirit: $2,750 Start-Up: $1,500 Total: $52,050 Club Reports Programming Board: Demetri Martin ticket sales are going as planned. Movie tickets on sale for $3 at the HSC information desk. New Business New hire introductions – Jamie Miller: Activities Assistant of Student Development, Mansfield University Graduate. IRHC Fund Request (Week 2 of 2): Requested $396 for a Movie License for a “Movie on the Greenway” on September 24 at 9 p.m. IRHC is expecting about 500 students to attend. There was a motion to deny IRHC the $396. Motion passed 18-2-0. Student Government Office Door Lock: The lock on the SG office was not sufficient, according to members. Student government discussed two options: (1) get a lock and key system replaced for free or (2) get on the Wilkes University’s card-swipe system for $2,000. Student Government opted for the card-swipe system for $2,000. Motion passed 16-60. Events Open House: September 12 Downtown Collegetown Party on the Square: September 16 Hand Sanitizers: Installed around campus on September 16 Club Day: moved to September 17 *At 7:00 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. Editorial Staff 2008-09 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Daniel Kautz Managing Editor �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 NEWS University of Scranton enacts armed police force BY RUTH WHISPELL Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor It is well known to those working at the Wilkes University Public Safety Office that the public safety officers (PSO) at the University of Scranton may soon be part of a full-fledged, armed police department. According to The Times-Tribune.com, crime at the university has been escalating, but there are few, if any, restricted trends in the crimes on and around the University of Scranton’s campus. As for Wilkes University becoming a fully armed police department, Gerald Rebo, the manager of public safety at Wilkes said, “No, we will not be getting an armed police force here at Wilkes. The University of Scranton has a lot more problems and crime than we do. Plus, our campus is two blocks away from the Wilkes-Barre police station.” While some may believe that the close support of the Wilkes-Barre police is enough to make them feel safe on campus, other students admit that they would feel safer if they knew the PSOs on campus were armed. “Armed public safety officers might not be a bad idea. I get scared when I’m walking at night and usually only see like one public safety officer. I’m thinking about getting pepper spray,” says Maura Bemosky, a sophomore nursing major. Bemosky added that she likes the fact that if she’s walking home at night she can call public safety and request an escort back to her car. Michele Sabol-Jones and Holly Stull, both PSO at Wilkes, agree that carrying weapons would be a good idea. Stull says she sees a lot of crazy activity working in the Wilkes-Barre area. According to The Lethal Weapons Training Academy Website, PA Act 235 is certification mandatory for all privately employed persons who utilize any type of a lethal weapon in the performance of their work. Although opinions across campus may vary on the topic, Wilkes will not be following in the University of Scranton’s footsteps anytime soon. Wilkes PSOs will remain unarmed. DROP CLASS from FRONT PAGE if they can get themselves back on track. Maybe they can try harder on the next test and get a better grade.” Junior psychology major Pete Polyak agreed. While Polyak noted that he’s never waited the entire eight weeks to drop a course, he understands that the extra time now available to make that decision can be beneficial. Despite the extension to the drop policy, the financial return schedule still remains the same. Students can receive partial refunds for dropped credits up to the seventh week of the semester. If a student drops a course during the eighth week or later, they will not receive a refund. “Students must be thoughtful of their financial situation when making their decision to withdraw from a course,” Hamill said. More information about withdrawing from courses can be found in the 2009-10 handbook. eight to ten weeks gives students an opportunity for more evaluative feedback. Often times a student may have been making a decision to withdraw after only one test grade. The additional two weeks gives students the potential for greater breadth in terms of evaluative material. It also allows students more of an opportunity to gain important feedback from their advisors before making a final decision,” said Mark Allen, dean of students. In addition to speaking with advisors, Hamill added that students also have more time to speak to instructors and family members who may influence the decision. “The more time, the better,” said Stephanie Durk, senior criminology major. “In two weeks, a student may be able to figure out Check out “A day in the life of Wilkes’ Public Saftey Officers” in Lifestyles, page 11. News Briefs 3 STUDY ABROAD INFO SESSION TODAY – The Center for Global Education and Diversity will hold a Study Abroad Information Session Tuesday in the Henry Student Center from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The information session will be hosted by the Global Student Experience or GSE and Global Links Learn Abroad. For more information regarding these programs, visit their websites or contact Dr. Godlove Fonjweng at 408-2065 or via e-mail. Second year LCCC students will also utilize the machine. AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & FIGI TRIP SLATED – Next summer, Dr. James Merryman, professor of anthropology, will take students on a 22-day expedition to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji from July 1-22, 2010. Students can expect to learn about the cultures and traditions of these three destinations. Wilkes students have the option to take the class for credit. “I typically take my students to places they wouldn’t necessarily go on their own,” said Merryman. The rates for this trip are $7,495 for single occupancy, $5,995 per person for double occupancy, and $5,945 per person for triple occupancy. Students who are interested signing up for the trip can either attend the information session on Monday, September 21 at 7 p.m. in the Miller Conference Room in the Henry Student Center or contact Merryman via email or at (570)-408-4043. FREE MORTGAGE SEMINAR ON 9/22 – A free Mortgage Seminar will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. in the Henry Student Center. The seminar is sponsored by Wilkes University Money Matters Club and the Choice One Community Credit Union. Topics will include shopping for a house, evaluating mortgage options, first-time home buyer and home buyer assistance programs, stimulus tax grant for home buyers and foreclosure issues. Presenters in the seminar include John Giordano, Director of Mortgage Bank and Development, First Heritage Financial LLC, Natile Nilon, Housing Commissioner, Commission of Economic Opportunity (CEO) and Carol Phillips, Manager, Housing Development Corporation. Register by September 18 at www.wilkes.edu/eventregistration or by calling 408-3489. TUSCANY TRIP SCHEDULED – During the 2010 spring break, students, faculty and staff from Wilkes University and King’s College will travel to Tuscany. The group will be staying in the Tuscan hill town of Siena. On the agenda are guided tours of several Italian cities and landmarks, including the Milan Cathedral, as well as wine tasting and sightseeing in Rome. The trip will be educational, with experienced local guides who will discuss the history and culture of the region. This trip cannot be taken for academic credit. For further information, contact Dr. Louise Berard at louise.berard@wilkes.edu or 408-4835. WILKES PURCHASES SPECTROMETER WITH GRANT-- The National Science Foundation awarded a $200,000 grant to Wilkes University for the purchase of a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer. Dr. Amy Bradley, Chemistry Department, collaborated with Luzerne County Community College to draft the grant proposal. The spectrometer cost $270,000; Wilkes invested $70,000 to make up the difference. This new equipment will be utilized in all chemistry courses at Wilkes to enhance the curriculum. PEER TUTORING NOW AVAILABLE – Peer Tutoring Services began on Tuesday, September 8. All peer services are free of charge and take place in Conyngham Hall 113. Please make an appointment at http:// tutortrac.wilkes.edu. Any questions, please contact Mr. Alberto Prado, at alberto.prado@wilkes.edu. KIRBY LECTURE – Lawrence Reed, President of the Foundation for Economic Education will be speaking in the Kirby Lecture series on October 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. The topic of his speech will be “Character, Liberty and Free Society” which focuses on values that underlay a healthy society and economy, according to Dr. Jeffery Alves, professor and director of the Allen P. Kirby Center for free enterprise and entrepreneurship. Other points will include honesty, respect, the ‘golden rule’ and integrity. “Somehow, as we fight to get ahead we violate our own values,” said Alves about the speech topics. CAPARELLA TO SPEAK AT WILKES – Kitty Caparella, reporter for Philadelphia Daily News, will speak on September 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Henry Student Center ballroom. Caparella has been in the journalism business for thirty-seven years and has watched the newspaper industry evolve. Most recently, Caparella has covered the Philadelphia area, writing on topics including the mob, the mafia, public corruption, terrorists, radical Muslim groups, drug trafficking and white supremacy. Caparella said she has even been on a few “hit lists.” See BRIEFS page 5 �NEWS SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 4 Architects progress on design-phase of SHE Building An update on future campus development BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor Architects were recently approved for the new Science, Health Sciences and Engineering Building, also known as the “SHE” Building. Petra Carver, vice president for finance, said that the SHE building is in the design-phase, which is very important. “We have completed the search for the design firm and we have hired an architect. The name [of the company] is Saylor Gregg [Architects],” said Carver. Saylor Gregg Architects designed buildings at many different universities including Cornell, Duke, Lehigh, Pennsylvania State and Princeton. The firm has also received various national, state, and local awards including a Progressive Architecture design citation and Pennsylvania Society of Architect’s Silver Medal. Saylor Gregg is already working on the design. The university can begin construction on the SHE building after design is complete, but only after there is significant funding received from possible sponsors. There is currently no timeline for this project without funding. The Stark Learning Center, which needs improvement, will be renovated into the SHE building. “In order to take [this project] any further, we will have to ascertain funding first, which we don’t have at this point,” said Carver. The design phase is important because it will further the funding process. “[The design phase] will allow us to wrap up our fundraising efforts because we’ll have actual pictures to show to potential donors. It’s very significant,” said Carver. The SHE building will be “green,” or environmentally friendly, and a long-awaited addition to the Wilkes University campus. Saylor Gregg Architects is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, which is a non-profit organization working towards more green buildings. Long-term benefits of green buildings include lower operating costs, the conservation of natural resources, and minimizing strain on local infrastructure, according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s website, usbgc.org. Last semester, Michael Wood, vice president for advancement, explained that the fundraising aspect of the project has been impacted by the economy, which could slow the building plans. The planning committee for the SHE building has been in existence for about three years. The committee was reconstructed two years ago when Dr. Reynold Verret became the new Provost. The committee reviews the proposals and provides input to Carver, Verret and Thomas Messinger, the head of capital projects. Saylorgregg.com has a list of projects that are currently in design and under construction. Check out these websites relating to the SHE building: Saylorgregg.com to see the projects they’ve created and completed in the past usbgc.org to see what a consistutes a green building B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street~ \lJUkes-Barre~ PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ "\.Vi.lkes.bncollege.com Use your Flex Dollars here at your official Starbucks location! Need a Pumpkin Spice Latte? A creamy blend of pumpkin and spices combined "\.Vi.th Starbucks espresso~ steamed milk~ and topped "\.Vi th whipped cream. Co me on in and get "\.\Ormed up for the season. VEGAN Cookies now offered in your cafe! Created by Alternative Baking Company~ INC. Come in and check out our great selection and take some home for the weekend. Makes for a great midnight treat! Starbucks Tumbler Special: Buy our Starbucks tumbler for only $9.95 and your first fill up of chose is on us. �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 NEWS POSITIONS New faces in Student Development, Residence Life BY APRIL BIELINSKI Beacon Correspondent & JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor As students returned to residence halls and student organizations this fall, they may have seen some new faces heading up Student Development and Residence Life. Over the summer, some of the staff at Wilkes University shifted positions and departments. Gabrielle Lamb recently accepted a position as Coordinator in the Marketing Communications department. Lamb worked in Student Development, but said her new position offers her more opportunity for growth. One of her job duties is coordinating the marketing efforts of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. “I had a great experience in Student Development and although I won’t be working with students on a daily basis, I am very pleased to remain in the Wilkes family,” said Lamb. Margy Sromovski, formerly the Office Assistant in Student Development, is now replaced by Jamie Miller, a recent Mansfield graduate. Sromovski is currently the Office Assistant to the Experiential Director in Pharmacy Practice. Some members of Student Government will miss Sromovski around the office, including junior business administration and accounting major Katie Munchel. Munchel said that she was sad to see Sromovski leave, but that her current position is a more suitable one that will allow her time for herself. Munchel added that Miller is more than qualified, and she is confident that he will excel in his new role here at Wilkes. “I miss Margy a lot. She did a great job. However, Jamie is doing well; he just needs to become adjusted,” added junior biology and international studies major June Lor. In Residence Life, Elizabeth Roveda was promoted from Assistant Director to Director. Roveda, ‘05, MBA, ‘07, worked as a graduate assistant for Residence Life in the 2005-2006 academic year and was an RA during her tenure as an undergraduate at Wilkes. With all of this experience under her belt, Roveda said she was more than ready to dive into this new position. Roveda added that as Director she has great opportunities not only to take what she has learned working with other directors and make it her own, but also to collaborate with the new staff of Resident Assistants whose strengths are invaluable. Roveda said it is important for her not always to see herself as the leader, but as a member of a team working towards the same goal: providing a safe and friendly environment for all students. BRIEFS from PAGE 3 Caparella will speak on a number of topics including social media its affect the newspaper business as well how the newspaper business has changed. “There is a fascination with new media… People still need to learn how to be journalists…They need to learn how to dig up information, if you want to be a real journalist,” said Caparella. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) organized this event. Caparella’s speech is part of a four-part series held at other local colleges. Other speeches in this lecture include Ju-Don Marshall Roberts, exective editor and senior vice president of Beliefnet.com, will speak at the University of Scranton on October 22 and Howard Owens, publisher of TheBatavian.com, will speak at Bloomsburg University on November 19. 5 members of the campus community, Gilmour praised all members of the campus community for holding costs down last fiscal year. He added, “It goes without saying that the willingness of everyone to accept this year’s salary freeze is greatly appreciated.” In addition to the salary freeze, Housenick added, “I know people are very, very focused on spending the university’s money in a very, very smart way; making sure that we’re not wasteful.” from FRONT PAGE all non-essential positions. But at present, the University is committed to filling all empty positions. “While spending on equipment, capital, and operating costs was scaled back in the last fiscal year to avoid a budget deficit, we finished the year with a $17,000 surplus because of the support of all University units in holding expenses down. This year, enrollments are healthy and we expect to operate on a balanced budget with little strain. The fiscal strength of the university continues to be excellent,” said Gilmour. Carver agrees that the financial stability of the university is changing for the better. “It’s still early in the year, but we know that undergraduate enrollment is on track. We are still waiting for some results on the graduate side, but so far everything is pretty much stable and on track. We are under normal operation procedures The Beacon/April Bielinski again,” said Carver. In a letter addressed to the Liz Roveda with Student Government representatives. :s12900 4 ' l: -! -~- - - Soost Motoro. Clllltel, 65 $ !'li).lmu;i . 1!11 rmilR d llQ'tmn.Md ~lk, · rt 'WRb lllild Wi!l!ii,;i"'1llh;i :a £MO s549e SAV · \5 11 44;;:!li '0-£014-1 00 ··- smoJa- .BG,5 !ll!S!B Flil~ln Drive 25-1i 70.00. A'I.JVLO ~ lh, .,1 r i;ead 5'1!l w lili'I M li.rmph Dm!l!I :JJ-2137 i:iliK.al li., Eoj Wit:.' ' Im.I l1JfUA a,}j The Beacon/Tom Reilly Gabrielle Lamb moved from Student Development to the Coordinator of Marketing Communications. 1/j)'(lm 11g1Val Pit . 40 \lfyomlli(I Mall Banre -6--0287 �Opinion SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu sara.cosgrove@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Kulick: Desperate and pleading for help BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Staff Writer With ties to the infamous “kids for cash,” scandal that swept Luzerne County last spring, a once powerful local businessman, now scared, is pleading for a reduced sentence. Robert Kulick, a prominent businessman from Bear Creek Township, is facing 46 to 57 months in prison based on federal sentencing guidelines, according to a pre-sentence memorandum filed by Kulick’s attorney, Michael Schwartz. The reason? Kulick has been tied to corruption in and around Luzerne County for years, which paints a long dark history of dirty dealing and mafia ties; however, the straw that broke this camel’s back was the one most would least expect. In 2006, a consented-to search of Kulick’s Bear Creek Township home turned up four handguns and two rifles. This is a problem because in 1988, Kulick served time in prison for income tax evasion. According to the Gun Control Act of 1968, (G.C.A.) convicted felons are barred of their right to possess/own firearms. Upon the findings, Schwartz released a statement saying that the guns found during the 2006 search belonged to Kulick’s wife, Michelle. However, the weapons were located where Kulick had access to them, putting him in violation of the G.C.A. As a result, Kulick pleaded guilty to a felon in possession of firearms, earning him a possibility of 46 to 57 months in prison. This is where it gets interesting. In 2006, The Citizens’ Voice, lost a $3.5 million lawsuit against local businessman Thomas Joseph in a defamation case. The judge assigned to the non-jury trial was Mark A. Ciavarella, who, with his partner-in-crime, Michael T. Conahan, has been the main focus of an F.B.I investigation probe for their “kids for cash” scheme which landed them over $2 million in kickbacks. Acting as a good Samaritan in an effort to save his own behind, Kulick gave a sworn declaration to attorneys last February alleging that he, reputed mobb boss William D’Elia and Conahan met regularly to discuss pending court cases for nearly eight years. Kulick said Conahan aided him on his request to give a “fair shake” to plaintiffs Kulick supported in cases handled by Conahan and other unnamed judges. In addition, Kulick alleged that D’Elia claimed to have met with Conahan and discussed the newspaper’s defamation case. According to Kulick, Conahan assured D’Elia he had spoken to Ciavarella and that there would be a “positive outcome,” for D’Elia’s acquaintance, Thomas A. Joseph. Kulick was free on bail, and is scheduled to appear in court at the federal courthouse in Scranton today, September 15, at 11 a.m. Because of Kulick’s role in The Citizens’ Voice’s defamation case and the fact that he helped to pin more evidence on the corrupt judges, he along with The Citizens’ Voice’s lawyer, W. Thomas McGough, are advocating for a reduced sentence in Kulick’s upcoming trial. 6 For some reason that I cannot fathom, McGough put his own name on the line and wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge James Munley (the judge in Kulick’s case) on Kulick’s behalf stressing the extraordinary, voluntary and substantial assistance that Kulick provided in his client’s case. So let’s clear things up. Kulick is a longtime convicted felon who openly admitted to having outstanding relationships with both suspected Mafiosi and corrupt judges, and now, for providing a snippet of information regarding a recent court case, he wants a break? I don’t think so. This is one of the most despicable cries for help from an old man afraid of doing time in the slammer towards the end of his life. If Kulick gets so much as one day off of his recommended minimum 46 month sentence, it will be a disgrace to both the United States judicial system and the people of Luzerne County. Wilkes Labyrinth goes from “green” to overgrown The Wilkes Labyrinth is now a centerpiece of the campus greenway. Paid for by donations from William Richard Miller, class of 1981, the stone walkway serves as a recreational retreat modeled after one found in the Chartres Cathedral in Paris, France. The labyrinith was built as a symbol of the university’s attempt to “go green.” Part of that attempt included stopping the use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides on campus. As a result of this, the labyrinth has unfortunately become overgrown by weeds, detracting from the appearance of the campus for those unaware. The Beacon/Thomas Reilly �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 OPINION 7 Media’s memorializing changes perception of dead celebs BY SARA COSGROVE Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that some of Hollywood’s finest have been dropping like flies. And the media is all over it. First we had Ed McMahon. Then Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Usually, bad things happen in threes, but the deaths kept coming. Shortly after Jackson went Billy Mays, and most recently, Senator Ted Kennedy. You might wonder whether the consecutive deaths of these icons is all just a huge coincidence, or the Hollywood stars alinging. But the better question is: are these celebrities truly iconic? Did we have the same perception of these celebrities in life as we do in death? And why does the media so often attack these celebrities in life, only to praise them in death? Let’s take Michael Jackson, for example. Sure, he is the “King of Pop,” but before his death, that fact was lost on many and often dramatically overshadowed in the media by the accusations of child molestation and ridcule for his ever-changing skin color and appearance. As for what I know about Michael Jackson, it is his hit song “Thriller” followed by all of the controversy that overshadowed his prosperous career. This image that I have of Michael--and I am sure this image is shared by others in my generation- was all created by the media. But now after his death, all I hear about on TV and in the news is what a wonderful father he was and how iconic he was to the music industry. These two contrasting images I now hold, one of a loving father and the other of a alleged child molester, are difficult to digest. Senator Ted Kennedy’s recent death provides another example to demonstrate how the media changes perception on celebrities after death. When Senator Kennedy was added to the list of dying iconic celebrities, he too was put on a pedestal for all of his accomplishments, including being a great political mind and for being the longest living Kennedy brother. Because of his longevity, he was able to have the prosperous career out of which his brothers were cheated. The media went on to mention how he pushed for health care reform and supported education and rights for the oppressed. Again, the media mostly showcased the positive aspects of his political career. However, they often left out or barely mentioned the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, who was a Wilkes-Barre native and a member of Kennedy’s campain staff in the late 1960s. The two were leaving a campaign party held on Chappaquiddick Island. The car Kennedy was driving went off a bridge into deep water below. Kennedy, who managed to escape from the vehicle, left Kopechne inside, where she later drowned. Kennedy also failed to report the incident or call for help until it was too late. If he had called for help, Kopechne may have lived. As a result of this incident, Kennedy lost all hopes of becoming President. But there has been hardly any mention of Chaappaquiddick during the coverage of Kennedy’s death. Instead, Kennedy has been praised and remembered as a hero. And, in many ways, he was. But he was also human, and made a serious mistake. The media cannot change the story now that he has passed. The big question at hand here is why dothe media only focus on the good just because these celebrities have died? I know it is respectful and necessary to point out the positives of a person’s life, but that does not mean you can change what they have done in the past. Is there any logic or good reason for this insane bipolar media coverage? When a celebrity dies, we as the public need to know about it because they were a celebrity and in some way or another a part of our lives. But the countless hours of TV time devoted to coverage of these deaths is over the top. In their attempts to memorialize, they are, in fact, changing the public’s memory of the lives these celebrities lived. The media should not try to change the public’s view of these celebrities simply because they have passed on. For those of us young enough not to remember their transgressions, the media is doing us a disservice by leaving out part of the story. Memorialize, yes. But don’t try to change our minds or leave out important parts of these celebrities’ stories. The Observatory:Reality is more important than reality television Why do we love it so much when it pertains to nothing? BY MATTHEW GOGAS Beacon Op-Ed Editor So, there is something that catches my attention every time I am standing in line at Wal-Mart waiting to pay for whatever various odds and ends I am buying at the time. I know all of you can relate to this situation. Out of sheer boredom and impatience, I look at my surroundings- the people paying for their things in other lines, the cashiers, any cute girls, and of course, the tabloids. They are right there, as always, next to the candy bars and multiple flavors of gum. What do I see? It is yet another cover story about Jon and Kate Plus 8. For those of you who are unfamiliar (how could you be?), Jon and Kate Plus 8 is a ridiculously stupid reality television show that airs on TLC. Not that I was terribly interested, but the cover story and the show itself arouses discussion. First of all, we all know that reality television is an illusion. It is just as scripted as our favorite primetime sitcoms. These reality television writers (yes, they have writers) set up a series of situations that they put the “characters” in just to see how they react and then they film it. MTV’s The Real World has been doing this since its inception. Professional wrestling does it, too. (Go rent “The Wrestler” if you don’t believe me.) If you truly think that a bunch of guys in tights with white trash hairdos are really storming around an arena looking for people to beat up, you are Anyway, the tabloid headline read something like: “Jon and Kate trying to work out their differences.... blah, blah, blah.” Not that I care about this couple’s highly publicized, failed marriage and their scrappy kids, but like I said, it got me interested. I stopped and thought to myself, “Why do people get so involved in this crap?” Every- “10.6 million viewers tuned in to the episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8...10.6 million too many, in my opinion.” incredibly oblivious. Also, if you think that you are watching the everyday encounters of young, cultured people just like you, you are sadly mistaken. Your best friend is not living in a house with seven strangers, one of whom must fit the role of being gay or a minority or both. He is sitting alone at home looking at naked pictures of Angelina Jolie. However, I am almost sure that none of you think reality television is real. where you look you see the tabloid headlines. Every time you put E! Entertainment on the television you see a story about it. Some reality television star is mixed up in some kind of controversy. It may be a sex tape, a drug scandal, drama between people on the show, etc. And people obviously watch these reality shows because they are still on the air. According to tvguide.com, 10.6 million viewers tuned in to the episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 where the two announced plans to separate. That is, quite frankly, too many people tuning in (10.6 million too many, in my opinion). Is this really what we have been reduced to? While all of you were sitting on the couch watching that episode, I was at the store buying food so I would not die of starvation and while I was there, I glanced at one of the tabloids that you probably bought earlier that day to catch up on all the reality television star gossip you love so much. In all honesty, I feel as though reality television is making viewers stupid and turning them all into drama queens. They bring all this drama with them to their job and they fight with their family to glamorize their lives, too. Please heed this advice people: there are so many other important things in the world that require more attention, like jobs, family, friends, or school. Pay more attention to these things. Television is always going to be there at the end of the day. Some of these other things may not be. �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 OPINION Federal and State Budget Cuts Impacting College Students BY THE BEACON Editorial Board With the phrase “everyone has to tighten their belts these days” spreading like wildfire in the United States, the average college student has definitely felt the belt constriction. The economic recession that we are currently faced with has many students asking themselves whether or not they can afford to keep attending college, while the number of students enrolling in college each year is increasing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment in four-year colleges is expected to increase 12% while enrollment in two-year colleges is expected to increase 13% through 2018. So what does this mean for college students? Well, prospectively there will be more college students on campuses and less federal aid to help pay their tuition. The United States Government recognizes the need for higher education in this country, but plans to increase funding for college education will not take effect until next year. The 2010 budget summary plans to increase the maximum award for the Pell Grant program to $5,550 and guarantees that the amount will increase by one percent each year with inflation. The budget summary also proposes a $2.5 billion investment in Federal-State-local partnership to improve college success and completion as part of the College Access and Completion Fund. In essence, the United States is working diligently to help make college more affordable for students in the near future, but right now we are all suffering. Students are taking out more private loans and creating more credit card debt than ever before. According to College Board, between 20072008 lenders provided nearly $17 billion is private loans, which is a 592% increase from a decade earlier and the average credit card debt for an undergraduate student is $3,173, which is the highest it has ever been according to a study conducted by Sallie Mae. These numbers keep increasing as well. Students are creating more debt for themselves because of this economic recession and the job market looks grim for seniors graduating this year. However, lack of federal aid is not our biggest problem here. Counterproductively, funding cuts for higher education are taking place with proposed state budgets each year; some states are even cutting education funding mid-year or even quarterly. According to The Washington Post, Virginia and Maryland were the latest to cut higher education funding. Over the next year, Virginia will cut their higher education funding by 20-30 percent and Maryland will cut their funding by 10 percent--$30 million last month alone--not to mention the fact that states are increasing tuition at an alarming rate. California, Florida, New York, and many other states have reportedly increased their tuition by 15 percent or more this year, according to the American Council on Education. If there is at least one positive aspect of the 10 week budget stand-off in our own state, it is that we are not rushing into a budget plan without thinking through how best to spend tax-payers’ money. Governor Ed Rendell has publicly stated that the budget must meet his conditions of increased funding for education and healthcare or he will not sign off on it. After more than two months, it appears as though legislators have finally come to a tentative agreement on the 2010 state budget. Whether Rendell will allow it to pass is still up in the air. The proposed $27.94 billion budget will increase funding for education by $300 million. This funding is allocated in state universities, the State System of Higher Education, and PHEAA. What does this mean for Wilkes students? Almost nothing. This increase in education funding is geared more towards students that attend public universities and community colleges. While the increase in PHEAA grant money is helpful for Pennsylvania resident students, it is still not as helpful as it would be if WIlkes University was a publlic institution and not a private one. So, Governor Rendell sees a need for higher education in Pennsylvania, but only if you attend a public institution? That makes no sense. The state and federal government should be putting more money into education--both public and private--now more than ever. For many students, attending college next year is still a big question mark, even for some of us at The Beacon. College students need to graduate because obviously college graduates are the future of the job market. Who will fill jobs in the future if not us? The Beacon urges you to write to your state legislators asking them to hold off signing the state budget until a better plan for education has been made that we can all agree on. Governor Ed Rendell needs to ensure that this money will go towards education. Our voices need to be heard because after all, we are the ones that have to pay for it. Wilkes-Barre needs more DUI checkpoints BY DAVID LEWIS Beacon Correspondent Wilkes-Barre’s public square comes alive on Friday and Saturday evenings as people hop in and out of local bars, exercising their right to party. But the reality behind all of this fun is that 2,007 Pennsylvanians died in car accidents involving intoxicated drivers in the year 2008 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Because of the abundance of nightlife activities in and around Public Square, there is an increased risk for drunk driving, especially on weekends. According to pennlive. com, there were 16,156 D.U.I arrests in the state of Pennsylvania last year alone. And yet, there are few D.U.I checkpoints in and around the city on any given weekend. The city’s checkpoints need to occur more often. Having D.U.I. checkpoints within a half mile radius in any of the four directions of Public Square in Wilkes-Barre would serve as a deterrent from driving under the influence. Drunk driving checkpoints are usually set up near and around every popular holiday. Checkpoints shouldn’t only happen during holidays, though. Anytime the bars are hopping on a downtown Wilkes-Barre weekend, there should be sobriety checkpoints performed within its vicinity. On September 5, two days before Labor Day, The Times Leader reported that a man damaged three separate vehicles while driving his truck and fled from a fender bender on the corner of South Main and West South Streets in front of the UCOM building. Luckily, no persons were fatally injured in the D.U.I. hit and run. Next time, however, the parties involved may not be so lucky. I expect that anyone who would like to experience Wilkes-Barre’s nightlife and live to tell about it would be in support of additional checkpoints. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control calculated that D.U.I./Sobriety checkpoints reduce the possibility of an alcohol related crash by 20 percent. Instead of just having them as a reality check for every holiday, D.U.I. checkpoints should be set up every weekend here in Wilkes-Barre. 8 Beacon Poll Do you plan on attending Party on the Square? • Yes, it sounds like fun •No, it does not interest me •I have other things to do •I’m still not sure Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Please Submit Letters to the Editor The Beacon is looking to expand the letters to editor section. Please submit any letters to: WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �Safety around campus PAGE 11 li ostylJos SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com 9 College Days: Barbara King Recalls a Flood, a Final, and a Feister BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Lifestyles Editor Editor’s note: This is the first article in a series connecting the members of the Wilkes University community to one another through shared experiences of college life. It’s September 1972. Agnes has torn through the area and ravaged the entire first floor of most of Wilkes’ buildings. Every floor is concrete, because the carpet has been ruined and stripped from the classrooms, administrative buildings, and offices. The freshman class of ’72 trickled into classes, grabbing boards and folding chairs instead of desks. A young, semi-eager Barbara King comes to campus with the idea that floating through high school can lead to floating through college. After almost six years of dreaming of attending Muhlenburg College, King made the personal decision to attend Wilkes after some financial guilt. “Once I calculated how much it would cost for me to go to Muhlenburg versus Wilkes, I realized I would be saving over $1,000. Our family was not well-off by any means, but my father and mother did okay for themselves. I still felt guilty for spending more for living on campus at Muhlenburg than living at home and going to Wilkes. It took me almost thirty years to tell my parents the reason I switched my decision from Muhlenburg to Wilkes. When they found out, they were flabbergasted!” ' ' said King, dean of Student Affairs at Wilkes University. King’s transition into the Wilkes environment is one to which many students can relate. As a high school student, King described herself as someone who put the book on the kitchen table at night and did not need to pick it back up until she was going out the door the next morning. “I did well in high school with little effort. The same was not true in college, as I would find out,” recalled King. Looking back at her college experience, to do that, she did not know. “There was a boy involved, and the plan was that he was going to go to school and I was going to work. Let me tell you, plans change,” stated King. King’s unique perspective of Wilkes then and Wilkes now has given her the opportunity to reflect on both the physical changes and social changes at Wilkes in the last 37 years. From the then-non-existent greenway to the addition and deletion of buildings, King notes that many buildings on campus “I did well in high school with little effort. The same was not true in college...” -Barbara King which spanned from September 1972 until May 1980, King reflects with retrospection and a face that lights up at the memories of spending downtime in the residence halls with her friends. King began at Wilkes University as an English major. Within her first two years at Wilkes, she had changed from English to sociology, and then delcared a psychology major. When returning to school in 1978, King finally became a business major. According to King, as long as one held a degree there was a job waiting for them. After two years in school, King left to “make [her] fortune.” How she was going changed and shifted throughout the years. “The Marts gym was one large room, one large playing floor. There were times when the basketball team would practice in the middle of the floor while the wrestling team practiced near the sidelines,” reflected King, who was a Wilkes cheerleader. While the physical plant of Wilkes has changed over the course of time, according to King, the attitudes of students in general have changed over the past several decades. The more relaxed style and attitude as a whole was not a familiar feeling to King or her peers in the early to mid 70’s. “To this day, I would not refer to any of the professors by their first name. It was always ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.’ or ‘Mrs.,’” stated King. King even reflected on the difference in partying styles of the 1980 graduating class to today’s college students. “When Wilkes won the national wrestling championship in the early 70s, not only did the kids live it up, but our parents and even the president of the university at the time came!” reflected King, with a slight grin. While many physical changes have occurred at Wilkes over the past several decades, many parts of Wilkes have remained the same. King notes that the faculty and staff of Wilkes University, while everchanging, have always held a caliber that far exceeds many other schools. “I tell kids ‘you may be going to Wilkes and not Harvard, but you are getting one hell of an education,’” said King. King’s personal Wilkes education has given her the tools to remain a part of the Wilkes family for almost forty years. Beginning with Admissions and moving all the way up to Associate Dean of Student Affairs, King has taken away more than just formulas or writing styles from Wilkes-she has gained a family. “Dean Adams, my supervisor and good friend, has always told me that being a part of Wilkes is a lifestyle, not a job,” said King. King’s reflection on her time at Wilkes continues each day on the second floor of Passan Hall. In her own words, King remembers a bad decision: English 152. Dr. Feister. At the time it was World Literature fl Everyone had to take it. Now you need to know that attendance policies were a little 'iffy,' to say the least, back then. You are coming right offthe 60 s. .. things are a bitfreer. I took English 152 with a friend of mine. We had it on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This friend and I took every Tuesday and went to Hottles for lunch. We, therefore, would never show up for the course on Tuesdays. I carried a 3. 0 in the course at the time. At the end ofthe semester it came time for finals. I still had my 3. 0, even though I'd only been there half the class. I got the flu for finals. I was really, really sick. I had to take make- up finals. I called Dr. Feister and I said, 1 have the flu, and Im really sick: He told me to call him when I was BY RUTH WHISPELL take the make-up final. About a week later, I went into Bedford Hall (where Dr. Feisters office was at the time), and took better to Beacon Staff Writer the make-up final. Now, as we all know, make-up finals are different than the regular final that everyone else takes. Dr. Feister says to me, 'Well Miss King, ifyou can pass the test, I'll give you the B that you've earned so Jar.' It was one question. Let's'' test ifI wrote a doctoral dissertation. When everybody else is running away say probably have passed that junior EricI Wetzel is one couldn't of the from a fire,just few people brave enough to run toward it. Photo courtesy of Eric Wetzel �LIFESTYLES 10 SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 Greenway to get makeover with Club Day activity BY CHRISTOPHER HOPKINS Beacon Correspondent LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Lifestyles Editor The greenway, a central point on campus, has been home to afternoon study sessions, games of touch football and frisbee, and the occasional rest between classes. The greenway acts as a transport for students, staff, and faculty, carrying them from one classroom building to another. Students rarely spend extended periods of time gallivanting on the greenway. All that will change for at least two hours on Thursday, September 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. when the greenway will be transformed into a loud, boisterous, fun environment. Postponed from Thursday, September 10 because of forecasted rain, Club Day, held annually at the start of each new school year, is a time set aside for all the clubs and organizations in and around campus to solicit themselves to the students of Wilkes. New Wilkes students and all members of the Wilkes community will have the opportunity to scour the greenway from table to table. Phil Ruthkosky, the associate dean of Student Development, explained that when Club Day first started, there were maybe twenty to thirty tables set up on the greenway. “Now it has evolved greatly. We’re expecting around ninety tables this year, plus food and music going on,” said Ruthkosky. The grass will be flooded by a sea of brightly colored posters, signs, banners, and the occasional treats for passersby. Wilkes clubs aren’t the only ones to get their voice out during this event. Ruthkosky added that the Wilkes Alumni office and the school bookstore will have a table set up for students to better acclimate themselves with organizations around campus, as well. Katie White, the corresponding secretary for student government, made clear that Club Day is more than just tables and information. “This year, the alumni will be providing t-shirts for the students,” White said. “Also, there is going to be food available. Everyone will be able to have lunch on the greenway.” Music will also be playing throughout the day, played by DJ Rockin’ Rich, who has worked other Wilkes events including last year’s Block Party. Ruthkosky went on to explain how Club Day attracts the entirety of Wilkes’ campus. “It’s an opportunity for existing clubs to attract new members, but also to showcase all of their accomplishments,” he explained. According to White, there are four to six new clubs to be showcased this year that were not at Club Day before. Most clubs from previous years continue to participate in order to draw gain new members. As students walk through campus on Thursday, they may not recognize the greenway. In fact, it may not look very green at all. The Beacon/ Mike Cignoli Students sit on the greenway to study, but on Thursday, September 17, the greenway will be covered with tables, food, and music. ,.##ST. . .OT . . ELIVE. . V" 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre SPECIALS WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH Large Pie $7.95 Chicken Wing Pie $10.95 (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 MIX&MATCH Any 3 Subs or Wings I I 825-5166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Dining Room I 2 Tickets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95 WE CATER lARGE GROUP EVENTS PHASE CAll BEFORE YOUR NEXT MEETING! Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-11 pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-12am Sun. 12pm-11pm We're more than just great pizza ... see our entire menu at www.januzzispizza.com �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 A day in the life of Wilkes’s Public Safety Officers BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Every day we see Wilkes University’s Public Safety Officers (PSO) riding their bikes around campus. They give tickets for illegal parking and they help people when asked, but there is much more to a PSOs job than sticking a ticket under a windshield wiper. According to Gerald Rebo, who has been the manager of Public Safety at Wilkes for seven years, there are 13 Public Safety officers on staff. Twelve of them are full-time, one is part-time, and there are at least two officers on patrol at any time, day or night. A typical day for PSOs involves arriving on campus at 6:45 a.m., said Michele SabolJones, and getting their radio, keys, helmet, and bicycle ready for the day. He/she then checks the Coordinated Events Calendar for any events that may be occurring on campus that day. Next, the officer would check the log for crimes around campus; these could be crimes either involving a student, a citizen, or a place in Wilkes-Barre that they may need to watch out for throughout the day. Around 7:15 a.m. they sign out a pad of parking tickets and begin their patrol of campus. Throughout the day, PSOs may answer a number of calls for various things. If there is a sick student on campus, the officer may arrive on the scene before anyone else and, depending on the situation, they may either call Campus Health Services or, if need be, an ambulance. When an incident occurs on campus, PSOs must fill out an incident report; sometimes Wilkes-Barre police may be involved, and in that case they also receive an incident report from them. If an officer finds lost property whether it is a book, computer, Ipod, or money, which gets counted, it gets signed into a log and then locked into a safe. PSO Michele Sabol-Jones, who has been with the Wilkes Public Safety Office for five years and works day shift said, “Dur- lic Safety Office and recorded, said Rebo. PSOs also scan the campus for people who look as if they don’t belong such as people who may be attempting to get into dorms or other campus buildings. In the event that officers finds a suspicious person, they then ask for ID. The two buildings on campus open to the general public are the Farley Li- The Beacon/LeeAnn Searfoss Patrolling on bicycles is just one part of the daily routine of a Wilkes Public safety Officer. They also respond to calls from students, staff, and faculty. ing the days, we hit everything, especially parking lots. Nights are more dorm patrol and floor checks.” Every day officers are required to perform floor checks on every building, whether occupied or unoccupied. Whenever a check is made it must be called in to the Pub- Center for Global Education and Diversity Mix- brary and the cafeteria. Around 11 a.m., according to Sabol-Jones, a vehicle is sent to Ralston field to check on the field and the field house. During the evening a vehicle checks both areas again at 7 p.m. and usually two or three times through- Who..;;-~~ out the night and early morning. The PSOs also check the city log for students involved with the police; the involvement can be as small as a fender bender to a more serious crime, such as assault. PSOs also escort students who need them, for things such as having multiple bags of luggage or walking back to their apartments late at night. Officers also frequently assist faculty and staff, offering their services for events such as rides to the airport. Sometimes, Rebo admitted, the requests for escorts are a bit strange. “You wouldn’t believe the people who call and request an escort because they don’t want to walk from the UCOM to a dorm, for example Evans, because it’s raining,” he said. When the sun sets, PSOs are not done for the day. Many officers continue to patrol campus and provide escorts to students who aren’t comfortable walking to their dorms or cars after dark. An officer will walk or drive a student wherever he or she needs to go. Many officers do more than just patrol and write tickets all day; however. PSOs Phil Miller and Jo Anne Zawatski, for example, have given talks on campus about safety and ways to be safe. This occurs at least once each semester. Although PSOs have many responsibilities throughout the day and night, exciting events rarely occur on campus. For some, “a typical day’s routine is giving out tickets,” claims PSO Holly Stull, who has been with Wilkes for almost three years. Free stufl?t __. Beacon Weeldy Baffle! celO BACK...~!KHOQL srocI«.1P $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Spo:=~.-e::!.By: The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Katie Barnes, Junior Psychology Major, Joe Laforney, Junior Accounting Major at Bloomsburg University, and Dean Mark Allen enjoyed the festivities at the Center for Global Education and Diversity mixer held in the Max Roth building. N ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Phone: Em$lli _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �~ ~.~,.______J Americas CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu xiaoqiao.zhang@wilkes.edu Driv •In Review - PAGE 13 SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 Sixth Annual Party on the Square This Wednesday 1,500 college students from area schools expected to pack Public Square It’s the time of year again when students have settled back into the college life and are ready to party— on the square, that is. The downtown Collegetown Party on the Square will take place this Wednesday, September 16, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. The square will once again be flooded with students from five local colleges: King’s College, Luzerne County Community College, Misericordia University, Penn State WilkesBarre and Wilkes University. Students can expect a variety of food, games, activities and a chance to network with roughly 70 businesses from the Greater Wilkes-Barre area. Activities include the second annual Collegetown Cup Competition, which offers challenges against other schools through a series of cortests. The event includes a Domino’s Pizza pizzaeating contest, pre-event banner designer contest, and prizes for the school that has the most students attending. There will also be a mechanical bull riding contest. There will also be fun booths featuring Nintendo Wii , raffles, photos, and more, as well as live music. Elevation, a band from Atlanta, Georgia, will be headlining. Bridget Giunta, the Administrator Coordinator for the City of Wilkes-Barre and 2005 Wilkes University graduate, has been a part of the project ever since its inception back in 2003. A series of meetings between local community leaders and college students came together to determine a way to make downtown Wilkes-Barre a better environment for college students. It wasn’t until September 2004 that the first Party on the Square was held, bringing in about 50 attendees. Now, five years later, they expect 1,500 students to attend. “The event provides a valuable opportunity for businesses to promote themselves to the college demographic, network with future professionals and show support of Luzerne County’s vibrant college community,” said Giunta. Party on the Square is a work in progress from the beginning of late spring until the Beacon Archives / Jenna Stephens BY BRIE FRIEDMAN Beacon A&E Editor A Party on the Square attendee is seen here riding the popular mechanical bull in last years event. This was one of the many contests in last year’s first annual Collegetown Cup, which had 1,400 attendees. actual day of the event. Giunta and her team always take into consideration what worked from previous years and what they could do to improve for future years. Party on the Square is also a great internship opportunity. Giunta said her interns are great sources for ideas when it comes to student expectations for the event. “We have outstanding relationships with our college partners, and Party on the Square gives everyone an opportunity to come together to celebrate this accomplishment,” said Wilkes-Barre mayor Tom Leighton, a big supporter of the event. The event is something Leighton looks forward to because it allows both businesses and students to network. It also serves as a way to showcase improvements that have taken place in the downtown. Students won’t leave empty handed, as there will be plenty of opportunities to win raffle prizes, purchase food or take business cards. Each student will receive a free Student Discount Card, which offers over 25 deals that will last through to the end of May 2010. For any college student looking to save some cash, the discount card is convenient to have handy in a wallet or purse. This year’s theme will be in coordination with the Diamond City Partnership’s “My Downtown Wilkes-Barre,” which will feature students from each of the five schools and will put those selected students on ads and posters. Giunta said she would love to hear feedback from students on what they could do better, or differently, for next year. They are always looking for ways to grow and expand. The event will be held rain or shine. All the students need to bring is their student ID, their willingness to have fun, and an empty stomach. If you have ideas for next year’s Party on the Square that you are dying to share, contact the City of Wilkes-Barre and ask for Bridget Giunta. �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Review: Sonic hops into local fast-food competition Restaurant provides new dining option for students from local colleges BY: KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor Just in time for the new school year, Wilkes-Barre answered the call for more latenight, fast food options for local college students. Sonic, America’s Drive-In, is the latest off-campus option for good food on the go. I recently visited the new Sonic to see if it was worth the drive off-campus. Sonic is located near the Wyoming Valley Mall right behind the Pine Mall area. There are roughly 20 spots where people can park their cars, order and eat outside. This fast-food restaurant also has tables with umbrellas where patrons can eat on the patio as well as a convenient drive-thru for those who are really on the go. A downside is that this fast-food restaurant offers no indoor seating for customers; you either eat in the car or outside on the patio. When I pulled up to Sonic, the lot was busy with about seven or eight cars occupying the parking space order boards. There were also five or six cars using the drive-thru. Sonic has one of the very few 24/7 drive-thrus in the area which is perfect for those of us pulling an all-nighter and in need of some nourishment. I parked next to the order board and was immediately overwhelmed by the large, brightly colored menus that displayed the items and prices. It was a little intimidating, but I had plenty of time to decide what to order, since Sonic has an “order” button to press when you’re ready. The menu has a variety of foods from burgers to fish to chicken. There are at least seven varieties of limeades, shakes, Coca Cola products, juices, and water. Sonic really has something for everyone. I ordered a Sonic Burger--which was larger than one I could have gotten from McDonalds or Burger King--tater tots, and a large soda all for a little over $5. The food arrived within five minutes, which I felt was record timing. My burger—topped with ketchup, mayo, pickles and onions—was delicious. The tater tots were not the least bit greasy. This meal was better than most offered by Sonic’s fast-food competitors. My “hop”—the server who delivered my food—was a college-aged woman who didn’t seem too enthused about her job, but wasn’t terribly rude either. I was highly amused by the two male “hops” who were skating around with a condiment tray from car to car. They were both skating really fast, doing tricks and singing to the music playing over the speakers. It seemed as though they were really into their job, which made the atmosphere of Sonic more fun and inviting. But, overall I expected to see more employees on skates entertaining the customers. It was clear that Sonic caters to their customers’ needs and strives for perfection. There were no errors with my order whatsoever; I was even asked if I needed extra napkins! It was great to have a fast-food restaurant actually care about the customer. Overall, Sonic is a good place to go to when you want a different variety of food that tastes good for cheap. And, it’s ready in mere minutes. Now that’s what I call fast-food! Rating: 4.7 out of 5 The Beacon/Thomas Reilly A “hop” at Sonic takes the orders of college students eager to try out something new. Wilkes-Barre’s Sonic is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com for a video of my trip to Sonic. A&E POLL What do YOU think of Sonic? *Sonic is awesome! Best fast-food around. *It's okay. Nothing to write home about. *Yuck! 'Nough said. Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. Vote on line at www.wilkesbeacon.com www.4t-shirts.com �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 Wilkes faculty member publishes memoir Beacon you! The Beacon is looking for any student who would like to create crossword puzzles, cryptoquotes, word seeks, sudokus, mad libs, or any other type of original puzzle you can come up with. The Beacon/ Thomas Reilly Kaylie Jones, Wilkes University faculty member in the Creative Writing department read from her new book, a memoir titled Lies My Mother Never Told Me, on September 13 at Barnes and Nobles. She is daughter of well-kown novelist, James Jones. TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Beacon Correspondent Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! This week’s clues: Y = O, G= T Practicum COM credits can be earned through publishing on puzzle per week. Contact A&E editor Brie Friedman at brie.friedman@wilkes.edu if you are interested in helping us out! NO HAIVIPTO · STRE TDELl ocated inside the \rivIC ZE B KYRYMVR RYJVJ XZJ KYYR ZG’J JBEV GY JBL GXBG Non-1\·Iembers \Velcom i\I.or1 thru ThUi's 11:00 :a.m to .5:00 pm GXV KYRYMVR QYQQVU! F .da_ s l 1:00 :im to 4:00 pm l lJD/o dis«rlln.: ·/ Sm.dent ID Fa:ee W.Fi A ~hle Check next week’s issue of The Beacon for the answer! Co!'ru-rtg •$ f :ill ~<bl- i _d '~g Ho~ �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 15 What's New at Movies 14... Sorority Row R - 1 hr.40 min./2:1 0 - 4:30 - 7:15 - 9:30 Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself PG-13 - 1 hr. 53 min. /2:20 - 4:50 - 7:30 - 10:15 Whiteout R - 1 hr. 41 min./2:30 - 4:50 - 7:05 - 9:45 9 PG-13 - 1 hr. 19 min./2:35 - 5:25 - 7:40 - 9:55 Don't forget to purchase your $3 movie tickets at the Henry Student Center on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday!! Quantites are limited! Courtesy of Patrick Zeigler What’s Happening This Weekend BY: KRISTEN KARPINSKI & BRIE FRIEDMAN Thursday, September 17, 2009 *** Don’t forget to check out Club Day 11-1 on the Greenway! *** * Detournement & Torchbearer @ Café Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre- Cost: $8 -- Starts at 8PM * Charles Havira and Donovan Roberts @ The Bog, Scranton - Cost: $3 -- Starts at 10PM * Battle of the Bands Concert Series (10 Bands Compete!) @ Jenkins Twp. Hose Company, Pittston- All ages; smoke and alcohol free. Cost: $10 -- Starts at 3PM All Weekend Long * “The Glass Menagerie” @ JJ Ferrara Center, Hazleton - Cost: $24 (Dinner/Show) or $12 (Show only)Thurs., Fri., Sat. - Starts at 7PM Sun. – Starts at 3PM * “Rent” @ Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre - Fri. and Sat. - Starts at 8PM Sun. – Starts at 3PM Sunday, September 20, 2009 * Bell Tower Jam featuring Joseph Arthur, George Wesley, Cabinet, Ronnie Williams, Fired From Rifles and Plus 3 @ Arts Youniverse - Starts at 12PM (All proceeds benefit The Holly Petro Fund) *“Insomniac Salad: A Kitchen Table Collaboration” @ Old Brick Theatre, Scranton - Cost: $10 – Starts at 4PM Wednesday, September 16, 2009 *Party on the Square – Rain or Shine! – featuring live entertainment by BeatTeks, Faded Fortune, and Elevation – Mechanical Bull Riding & the Domino’s Pizza Eating Contest!! 5:00PM – 9:00PM Friday, September 18, 2009 *A New Shade of This w/ Stillglow @ Club JAM, Pittston- Cost: $5 -- Starts at 9PM * The Life to Come, Patterns, Abraxas @ Café Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre - Cost: $7 -- Starts at 8PM Saturday, September 19, 2009 * Author Signing with Jay Luke @ Barnes and Noble- 12:00PM – 2:00PM *Faithful Aggression @ Club JAM, Pittston - Cost: $5 -- Starts at 9PM Monday, September 21, 2009 * Alice Cooper @ Scranton Cultural Center - Cost: $35-$50 – Starts at 8PM Tuesday, September 22, 2009 *Open Mic Night for Acoustic Music and Poetry @ Barnes and Noble- 6:30PM – 8:30PM *Dave Matthews Band @ Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain - Cost: $39.50-$70 -- Starts at 7PM Coming up next week… * Demetri Martin @ Wilkes University – Sept. 25th $15 for students, 2 tickets per ID *Up and Coming Comedy @ Scranton Cultural Center – Sept. 26th $11.75 * Wang Chung @ Hardware Bar – Sept. 27th NO COVER! *Bloomsburg Fair Concert Series: Josh Turner, Miranda Lambert, David Cook, Trace Adkins, Freestyle Motocross, Sugarland, Seether, Tractor and Truck Pull - …and more! Don’t Forget....! * Bowling – Stanton Lanes, 2 games/rental - $0 (with ID). 1 pass per week. Pick up pass at Student Center Info Desk. * Ice-Skating, The Ice Box - $0 (with ID). 1 pass per week. Pick up pass at Student Center Info Desk. * Restaurant Gift Card Drawings: $25.00 value One drawing per week: Enter name at Student Center info desk * Students can show their ID at the door to see any performance offered at the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre for free. The first performance is the Broadway Musical “Rent”, which will be shown on Sept, 18, 19, 20, 25 and 27th. �IRON OMAN-'i THE ASHLEY DEEMIE STORY CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu PAGE 18 SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Women’s Tennis wants fourth consecutive conference crown Aces Bybel, Zhang, and Knight back, joined by talented freshmen class “Last year was incredible,” said Junior Michelle Knight. “But we all want to make it past the first round in nationals.” When Wilkes University tennis head Gone from the court are two of their most coach Christopher Leicht took over a strug- vital weapons from the past few years in gling women’s program seven years ago, he four time all conference and three-year capwanted to turn the team into a champion- tains Kristin Wilt and Ali McDonald. But ship contender year in and year out, and do their presence is still felt as they are back as so quickly. graduate assistant coaches. Three straight Freedom Conference titles “They’re not easy to replace, both on and and NCAA national playoff appearances off the court,” said Leicht. “They did a lot later, Wilkes is still the team others circle for the program, but we have good upperon their schedules. Only now it’s not for classman that have taken leadership roles the easy win at homecoming; it’s the game and taken the freshmen under their wings.” opponents get their chance to take out the So are the ladies rebuilding? Or are they conference powerhouse. reloading for another run at the champion“It’s been exciting. We’ve had a lot of ship? good girls who have worked very hard, “Definitely reloading,” Knight said, who so its been nice to see the success come is a returning second team all-conference with that and to go from the worst to first,” pick. “We look amazing. It’s the best team Leicht said. “We surprised people by win- I’ve ever played on.” ning our first title, now we have the target Knight, who posted a 13-1 mark in singles on our backs, so it’s a little bit harder be- play and a remarkable 15-0 record in doucause everyone is aiming to take you down, bles, has good reason for her confidence. but we enjoy being the hunted.” She will be joined by two of the best indiThe hunted is an understatement. viduals in the conference in Senior XiaoqOver the last four years, the Lady Colo- iao Zhang and last years Freedom Confernels have been the toast of the Freedom ence MVP, Junior Victoria Bybel. Conference, amassing an unprecedented 65 Bybel, who was also named MVP of the wins with only eight losses on their way to Freedom Conference Tournament, returns to three straight conference titles and countless her number one spot after a season in which players garnering all-conference honors. she led the Colonels with a 13-2 record in singles play and a perfect 13-0 mark in doubles. And before the opponents get a chance for a breather, Zhang will pick up right where Bybel left – Michelle Knight off. Zhang, who is also a former conference MVP as well as three-time firstLast season, the lady Colonels cruised team all-conference selection, returns afthrough the regular season and Freedom ter another phenomenal season where she Conference tournament reaching a perfect sported a pristine 12-0 singles record to go 17-0 and collecting coach Leicht’s fourth along with a 10-4 doubles record. consecutive Freedom Conference Coach of “Both are excellent players,” Leicht said. the Year honor. “They’ve proven they can win and be the The stellar regular season and torrid run best in the conference.” through the tournament earned them a #5 Add to that sophomores Rebekah Shanaseed in the NCAA Division-III Champion- man, who went 8-0 in singles play and 15ships, but the Colonels bowed out in the first 0 with Knight in doubles action, Courtney round to Ithaca College, ending their season Malast and Anna Mitchell, as well as what with a school record-tying 18 wins. Leicht calls his “best recruiting class ever BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Sports Editor “We look amazing. It’s the best team I’ve ever played on.” The Beacon Archives / Jenna Stephens Sophomore Rebekah Shanaman awaits the return of teammate junior Michelle Knight’s serve. The pair teamed up last year to go a perfect 15-0 in doubles action. Both return in hopes of leading Wilkes to a fourth consecutive Freedom Conference title. by far in overall talent and depth,” and there is no question that this team is undoubtedly the favorites to run away with the conference yet again. “We’ll have freshman that start from day one,” said Leicht. “All the freshman will be competing for spots. How quickly they adapt to the college game will be key for how our team performs this year.” “The strongest competition isn’t even against other teams in our conference,” says Knight. “Some of the best competition all year is between us and our teammates.” To ensure that the lady Colonels continue to be challenged, Leicht has scheduled a grueling out of conference slate, which includes tournaments with the likes of Division-I programs such as Bucknell, Lafayette, and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, as well as a trip to the US Open courts in Flushing Meadows, New York for a tilt with New York University. The lady Colonels will also participate in the annual bout with Division-II Bloomsburg as well as many regionally ranked Division-III schools, and this team will be proving its worth week in and week out. “We can’t take our previous success for granted because there is always room for improvement, but coach (Leicht) shows so much confidence in us and does a great job of scheduling matches that challenge us,” said Bybel. All the Colonels have to do is get over that the first round hump in the NCAA playoffs that has been the Achilles heel for them the past few years. “We have to go farther at the NCAA Tournament,” stressed Bybel. “We’ve gotten to that point the last few years and lost in the first round, taking that next step and winning an NCAA match will be amazing.” The road to the NCAA’s begins Saturday as Manhattanville comes to town. Will 2009-1010 end with Wilkes hoisting the Freedom Conference Championship trophy for a mind-boggling fourth consecutive year? “That stuff will take care of itself,” said Leicht. “Everyone has the expectation that we have the ability to win the championship, but there’s a lot that can happen between now and then, well just play hard and take it match by match.” �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Joe Brennan, Men’s soccer midfielder Coutesy of Marketing Communications BY DAN KAUTZ Beacon Managing Editor Meet Joe Brennan, a left midfielder on the men’s soccer team from Oakdale, Connecticut. A freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, Brennan got a taste of success in his first college game after scoring the game-winning goal against Marywood University in a 1-0 overtime victory on September 1, 2009. “It took a couple of seconds to hit me [after I scored],” said Brennan, who connected for the goal after receiving a cross from senior Troy Gibson. “After that it was just a pure adrenaline rush; I just remember running down the field with my teammates and having a ‘that just happened’ moment. It felt great.” The goal gave the Colonels the win and a 1-0 start to their season, as well as the confidence that they can not only keep their poise in close games, but come through in the clutch of late-game situations. Since their game against Marywood they have gone 1-3. The Colonels have a tough sched- QUICK HITS VOLLEYBALL SERVING OPPONENTS The Lady Colonels have started this season on fire, winning nine of their first ten contests. It is the team’s best start in school history. In the midst of this great beginning, Wilkes won both the Scranton Invitational and the Kings College Tournament. The women take the court again tomorrow at 7 p.m. to take on FDU-Florham. CATCHING UP WITH CROSS COUNTRY The men’s team took fourth at the Kings College NEPA Classic while both the women and the men took 5th place in the Lebanon Valley Invitational. Michelle Wakely has led the women, taking 14th place in the NEPA Classic, and 7th place overall in the Lebanon Valley Invitational with times of 16:16 and 21:10, respectively. For the men, Bob Park has taken the top spot in both events, including the fastest 8K time since the rebirth of the Wilkes cross country program with a time of 30:02 at Lebanon Valley. ule this year, which will serve as a measuring stick for how they stack up against the best of the best. Included in that schedule is a tilt with Muhlenberg, to whom they have lost to twice in the last three seasons. “There’s a big jump in the technical skill REED ON A ROLL FOR WOMEN At press time, the women’s soccer team was off to a 2-2 start. They defeated Marywood and UW-Oshkish, while their two losses have come at the hands of Scranton and Arcadia. Senior Julissa Reed has been red-hot this season, leading the team in both goals (three) and assists (two). The Lady Colonels return to action today, hosting Lebanon Valley at 4 p.m. When these two teams met last year, they played to a 1-1 draw in overtime. MEN’S SOCCER BACK TO .500 The Colonels boasted a 2-2 record at press time Sunday. The men were victorious in their first two contests of the year, taking out Marywood and Gwynedd Mercy. Unfortunately for Wilkes, they dropped their next two contests against Neumann and Muhlenberg. The Colonels next match-up comes tomorrow when they travel to Dickinson to take on the unbeaten Red Devils. WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? Each week, The Beacon asks students how they feel about important issues in the world of sports. This week, we asked how they felt about Eagles quarterback Michael Vick being reinstated into the NFL after serving time in prison. You can view their responses online. for more information check out .. . I wilkesbeacon.com IE:lJ that the players have at this level,” said Brennan. “In high school there was always the issue of players not finishing plays, whereas here you can’t mess up [without getting scored on].” In an effort to rise to the competition, LEFT - Brennan (right) and his teammates celebrate his game winning goal versus Marywood. Brennan has made it a goal of his to hit the weight room to add muscle and increase his endurance. “I’m the smallest guy out there on the field,” said Brennan with a chuckle. “I definitely need to step it up in there.” Despite their somewhat slow start, Brennan is confident in the team that posted an 11-8-3 record last season and has many experienced upper-classmen returning. “We seem to have eleven fit soccer players out there [on the field during games] at all times,” said Brennan. “We don’t have that one guy who’s out there just to be out there; everyone is working hard and it shows in our effort.” They will have an opportunity to show off their hard work tomorrow, September 16, as they take on Lebanon Valley (ranked second in the preseason Commonwealth Conference poll) in what promises to be a tough road test for the Colonels. • Calle■■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 :L eague Information tember l l'itb ' iou b IN,w]) ~ . ' ednesd 19 -,.,,~·· ~ ·t ch lh . eSea lll e. Starmrtorn Lanes: BatUe ,o f the Sexes 41.70 S'ta nton St. ·w-1 k,es Bane,. PA. 18702 (570) 82:4~416 181 or v··sit www.yo I rbow imgplace.co.m �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 9/5 vs. Muhlenberg 14-12 W 9/12 vs. Montclair State 37-10 W MEN’S SOCCER 9/1 vs. Marywood 1-0 W (OT) 9/4 @ Gwynedd Mercy 2-0 W 9/6 vs. Neumann 2-1 L 9/10 vs. Muhlenberg 4-0 L WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/5 vs. UW-Oshkosh 2-0 W 9/6 vs. Arcadia 2-1 L 9/9 vs. Scranton 4-2 L VOLLEYBALL 9/2 vs. Lycoming 3-1 W 9/4 vs. Misericordia 3-2 W 9/4 vs. Marywood 3-1 W 9/5 vs. Mount St. Mary’s (NY) 3-0 W 9/5 vs. King’s 3-1 W 9/8 @ Alvernia 3-0 W 9/11 vs. SUNY-IT 3-1 W 9/12 vs. Keystone 3-0 W 9/12 vs. Scranton 3-2 L 9/12 vs. Marywood 3-2 W FIELD HOCKEY 9/1 vs. Scranton 5-2 W 9/5 @ Moravian 4-1 W 9/9 vs. Cabrini 6-2 W 9/12 @ Gwynedd Mercy 3-2 W Deemie is Iron Woman, places fifth in age group Senior completes 140.6 mile triathlon in under 12 hours BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Ashley Deemie, a senior business administration and accounting major, said that she signed up for the Louisville Ironman triathlon for the experience. Even she had no idea just what an experience she was in for. During an Ironman competition, participants have 17 hours to swim 2.4 miles, change clothes, pedal a bicycle for 112 miles, change clothes again, and then run a 26.2 mile marathon. There are no breaks between the legs, and time spent changing clothes counts toward an athlete’s final time. Deemie, who just started competing in triathlons last year, finished the race and blew her competition away in the process. She placed fifth amongst women between the ages of 18 and 24, clocking out with a time of 11 hours, 45 minutes, and 24 seconds. The Apalachin, NY, native was presented with a commemorative plaque for her fifthplace finish. That award came in addition to a medal, hat and t-shirt that each of the finishers received. But Deemie didn’t realize that she had placed until she received a text message from one of her friends at the competition. “She told me I was getting an award,” Deemie recalled. “I texted her, ‘I am?’ I MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9/1 vs. Misericordia 50-15 L 9/4 King’s College Classic 4th Place 9/12 Leb. Valley Invitational 5th Place WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9/1 vs. Misericordia 48-17 L 9/4 King’s College Classic 6th Place 9/12 Leb. Valley Invitational 5th Place twil:l:er, @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports 18 Courtesy of Ashley Deemie Ashley Deemie placed fifth in her age group during the Louisville Ironman triathlon, held on August 31. Deemie is seen here during the marathon leg of the competition, which also included swimming and cycling. didn’t even check the results; I never even imagined that I would get fifth.” Deemie, whose interest in triathlons was sparked by watching friends compete in an Ironman held last summer in Lake Placid, NY, competed in two half-Ironmans over the summer in preparation for the Louisville competition. When she learned what her times were in those competitions, Deemie set a goal time that she wanted to beat during the full-length, 140.6-mile Ironman. “I was shooting for 12 hours. I thought that was a pretty good goal time for me,” she said. “My marathon time was a lot better than I expected. I came out and I ran really, really well; I felt great. I think that’s what brought my time down under 12 hours.” Apart from a practice run earlier in the week, Deemie had never seen the course that she would be competing on prior to the race. But she wasn’t worried about the course; her primary concern was the potential for scorching temperatures. “Last year in Louisville the temperature was well over 90 degrees. For this year, my main concern was the temperature,” Deemie said. “I’m not used to training in the heat like that, but the heat was perfect – high 70s, low 80s all day – so it was perfect weather.” While Deemie and the other combatants experienced good weather on race day, they also enjoyed some pleasant scenery during the marathon. The course wound past the University of Louisville campus, its 42,000-seat Division-I football stadium, and Churchill Downs, home of the world famous Kentucky Derby. With her fifth-place finish under her belt, Deemie returned to Wilkes and immediately resumed her many campus activities. She serves as president of Money Matters Personal Finance Club, treasurer of Students In Free Enterprise and is an E-Mentor and Resident Assistant. The race date coincided with Wilkes University’s Welcome Weekend, during which E-Mentors like Deemie meet with first-year students and help them transition from high school to college. Sharon Castano, who oversees the E-Mentoring program, said she didn’t have to think twice about excusing Deemie from the weekend’s activities. Castano added that completing the race speaks volumes about Deemie’s character. “Ashley is a competitor,” Castano said. “She competes with herself daily in all aspects of her life, always challenging herself to perform better than she did previously, whether it be academically or when it comes to athletics.” Courtesy of Ashley Deemie Ashley DeemieCourtesy poses with her Deemie medal, of Ashley which she received for finishing the triathlon. Deemie clocked out with a time of 11 hours, 45 minutes, and 24 seconds. HER TIMES BY EVENT: SWIM: 1 : 2 2 : 21 BIKE: RUN : 6 : 05 : 42 4 : 08 : 30 TOTAL*: 11: 45: 24 *Includes times for transition periods As busy as Deemie might get during the school year, she will never forget the experience that she had preparing for and participating in the Ironman. ‘If I could put it in a couple words, I’d have to say it was the journey of a lifetime, between starting training and the ending product,” said Deemie. “The day goes by really fast.” �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 SPORTS Keegan leads the way for Lady Colonels in 6-2 triumph BY RACHEL CANNULI Beacon Correspondent The Wilkes University field hockey team dominated Cabrini College on Wednesday, September 9, scoring five goals in the first half en-route to a 6-2 victory. Jen Keegan scored twice for the Lady Colonels, who improved their record to 3-0 on the season with the win. Gina Elmy, Jenna DiSabatino, Amanda Tilley and Lindsey Raleigh also recorded goals for Wilkes. The majority of the goals were scored within the first 20 minutes of the game, and Wilkes held a 5-1 lead at half time. The five strikes were more than enough to seal the victory, as goalkeeper Lindsey Davenport made eight stops between the pipes to earn the win. Head Coach Sara Myers was thrilled with her team’s successful start to the contest. “We had a very strong first half; the first 15 minutes of the game was the best I have ever seen Wilkes play,” Myers said. “We just need to work on keeping the momentum and maintaining the same level of intensity for the entire 70 minutes.” The six goals scored by Wilkes were the most that the team has scored in a single game this season. Myers added that DiSabatino and Keegan played exceptionally well in Wednesday’s victory. “Jenna Disabatino had an outstanding game; she created a lot of scoring opportunities and Jen Keegan also stood out offen- sively,” the coach said. “Keegan has really stepped up as a leader on our offensive line and she has been a mainstay in our scoring in the last three games.” Keegan, a senior business administration major, leads the Lady Colonels with seven goals this season, adding a tally in Wilkes’s 3-2 victory over Gwynedd Mercy on Saturday that improved the team’s record to 40. Keegan has taken just 11 total shots this campaign, making her shooting percentage an astronomical 63.6%. All told, seven other players scored at least once for the Lady Colonels this year. Keegan is happy that the scoring is coming from many different players. “The offense has had a great past few games,” Keegan said. “It’s always nice to see diversity among goal scorers. We just need to keep the momentum of these wins and carry it into the rest of the season.” Myers added that the team’s depth has played a big role in her team’s early season success. “We have 19 players on our team who are game ready, any one of them can step on the field at any time and there is not a change on our level of play,” the coach said. “I am very happy with this group and I am excited to see what they can accomplish this year.” Wilkes will play their next home game on Thursday, September 17, when they entertain non-conference rival Keystone College at 4 p.m. Wilkes also hosts Marywood on Saturday, September 19, at noon. From PAGE 20 The Beacon / Kerri Frail The Colonels’ “Big Three” is comprised of Darnell Corbin (left), Corey Gilroy (center) and Kevin Gerhart (right). Here, Corbin and Gilroy block for Gerhart during his interception return in the season opener vs. Muhlenberg. Wilkes won 14-12. the big plays proved to be the deciding factor for Wilkes. Corbin intercepted Fischer on their very next possession. The fourth quarter was dominated by the Colonels both offensively and defensively. Zach Tivald reached the end zone from two yards out to give the Colonels a commanding 37-3 lead. The Red Hawks would put up a late touchdown with 7:47 left to play to make the score 37-10, which is where it would stay. The Colonels will be able to relax for a week as they currently have a bye. Their next chapter comes in two weeks when they travel to Newport News, Virginia, to take on the Captains from Christopher Newport University. The Colonels will be looking to avenge a 21-20 defeat from last year. $5.,9 9 ALL YOU CAN EAT i Sa.Ja,d , pasta., pizza, a11d desert! Tony Di's PIZZABUFJfrr The Beacon / Allison Roth Members of the Wilkes University field hockey team line up to watch Amanda Tilley take a penalty shot during Wednesday’s game against Cabrini College. Tilley scored on the play, making her one of four Lady Colonels to tally in the matinee contest. 19 P: 570.825.2060 F: 570.825.2061 2 95 South Majn Stree·t Wil '. es-Barre, PA 1870 I OP SA'. .. ·• ·.·.. · · 1· I AY AND 3:30 AM! We Deliver �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 SPORTS 20 Colonels leave Mules, Red Hawks in dust, open year 2-0 Picked to finish sixth in conference, Colonels are proving the critics wrong BY RYAN HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It was the leadership of “The Big Three” and a total team effort that got the Wilkes football team off to a 2-0 start this season. Defensive backs senior Cory Gilroy, and juniors Darnell Corbin and Kevin Gerhart, the three most experienced defensive players, dubbed themselves “The Big Three.” Not lacking any confidence, the trio also hailed themselves as the “best defensive players in the MAC [Middle Atlantic Conference],” setting the tone for the defense. In their home opener against Muhlenberg on September 3, the Colonels used some key plays by some big time-players to come out victorious, giving them their first nonconference victory since 2006. A late touchdown reception by Gennaro Zangardi and the playmaking ability of the Colonels fueled the victory. Gilroy, leader of “The Big Three,” came up huge, blocking the Mules’ 21-yard field goal attempt before half time. “The blocked field goal really seemed to spark the team and get us motivated again,” Gilroy said. The motivation was apparent as the second half proved to be all Wilkes. Senior quarterback Rob Johnson led them down the field and finished the drive himself on a 37-yard scamper for the Colonels’ first score of the day, cutting the Mules’ lead to three. Corbin and Gerhard, the other two members of “The Big Three,” followed Gilroy’s lead and came up with big plays of their own in the second half, but not before Gilroy intercepted Muhlenberg quarterback Justin Kreamer’s pass at the start of the fourth quarter. After a few unsuccessful drives by both teams, Kevin Gerhart, who was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week after his dominant showing, came up with a momentum-changing interception, returning it 28 yards to set up first-and-10 from the Mules 15-yard line. After three plays, Johnson found Zangardi in the back corner of the end zone with 5:38 left in the game to take the lead for the first time in the afternoon. Just as the Mules looked as though they may recapture the lead, Corbin intercepted Kreamer on their own 8-yard line, Kreamer’s third pick of the day. After three straight runs to wear down the clock, Colonels punter Nick Genuardi took an intentional safety with five seconds left on the clock to make the score 14-12 in favor of Wilkes. 37 Points scored by Wilkes in the victory over Montclair State. Between 2007 and 2008, the Colonels scored a combined 13 points in losses to Montclair State. 30 Games since the Colonels have beaten a ranked opponent. Montclair was the #18 team in DivisionIII prior to losing to Wilkes. Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Sophomore wide receiver Aireil Adams sprints past Montclair State’s Chad Faulcone on his way to the end zone in Saturday’s 37-10 victory. Adams finished with three catches for 105 yards, including this 78-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter. After multiple laterals on the ensuing kickoff, the Mules fumbled away one last shot which was recovered by the Colonels as time ran out, cementing the late game comeback win for Wilkes. The Colonels took on the Red Hawks from Montclair State in their second home game of the season last Saturday. The respected Red Hawks came into Ralston Field ranked 18th in the nation, but that did not intimidate the Colonels at all. “We definitely wanted to keep this rolling and get win number two against Montclair,” Corbin said before the game. Both teams started out slowly, but the Colonels drew first blood when Chris Horn connected on a 20-yard field goal try to put the Colonels up by a score of 3-0 with 6:54 left in the first quarter. The defensive struggle continued until Wilkes’ Sean O’Neill recovered a Scott Kubrak fumble, and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown, extending their lead to nine. “It was just reading and reacting to the play. [Greg] Nielsen made the tackle and there was no one else around so I picked it up and ran it in,” recalled O’Neill. The extra point attempt was blocked and the scored stayed at 9-0. After a few scoreless possessions, Johnson and his offense regained momentum and used a long pass to Jordan D’Emilio to set themselves up first and goal. Harry Reese then bullied his way into the end zone from two yards out. The Red Hawks finally got onto the board shortly before the half with a 31-yard-field goal making the score 16-3 as the teams exited for halftime. It didn’t take much time for Wilkes to continue its string of big plays. On their first possession of the second half, Johnson completed a 78-yard touchdown pass to Aireil Adams, who left his defender in the dust while giving the Colonels a 23-3 edge. “I came into this game fired up because their defense didn’t give us any respect, and I really wanted to make a big play,” Adams said. The big plays kept coming when Gilroy intercepted Fischer’s pass and returned it 88 yards for the touchdown. The turnovers and SEE FOOTBALL on PAGE 19 5 Number of interceptions the Colonels have so far this season. They had 12 picks during their ten game schedule in the 2008 season. 0 Number of wins against non-conference opponents during the past two years. They have two this season. Zero is also the number of turnovers the Colonels committed. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 September 15th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 September 15 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/ae9ccf99ec8755f3d8154907516e906a.pdf 2e9e94cc6ce442db6838eaba572e4bf7 PDF Text Text LIFESTYLES PROFILE Seargent Jason Homza PAGE9 SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 2 McClintock Library construction slated to begin in October mansion sold BY DANIEL KAUTZ Managing Editor Others off market BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief On Monday, September 21, Wilkes University officially handed the keys of McClintock Hall over to the building’s new owner. The closing of the historic mansion was originally scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, but was moved to Monday to accommodate a scheduling conflict. According to Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities, McClintock Hall was placed on the market in March 2009. “In the 2005 master plan, there were areas that were designated outside of our area of interest… There were things designated to return to the community, such as McClintock Hall,” said Messinger. He also noted that the acquirement and renovations of University Towers has made many older residence halls obsolete. Barre Hall and the Lakeside Apartments, located on South River Street, were also added to the real estate market when McClintock was listed. Interest was shown in Doane Hall, but it was never officially listed. These buildings are all empty residence halls. According to The Wilkes University Historical Atlas, McClintock Hall was acquired by the university in 1950. The building, which was used as a residence hall for over half a century, was donated to the university by Gilbert McClintock, a former chair of Wilkes’s Board of Trustees. It is one of the oldest buildings the university owned, See McCLINTOCK page 5 The Beacon/ Tom Reilly The renovations to the lower level of the Farley Library will create new group study areas that students can better utilize for their collaborative projects. Beginning in the middle of October, Wilkes University will begin construction on a large-scale renovation project in the lower level of the Farley Library. The construction is slated for completion sometime during spring semester and will help improve both the ascetics and functionality of the downstairs, said the Dean of the Library, John Stachacz. “We’re going to create a ‘Learning Commons’,” said Stachacz. “It will be a completely refurbished lower level. It’s going to make a much nicer learning space for students and hopefully bring some of the noise from the first floor down here so it’s better distributed.” The current plans include moving the Writing Center from Breiseth Hall to the lower level of the library. Four large group study rooms are to be built; these will be closed areas with projection screens and computer terminals where students work- See LIBRARY page 2 Law School vision approved by trustees Advisory committee finalizing business plan, location options BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor The Board of Trustees approved, in principle, the vision of the Wilkes University Law School on June 9, with the stipulation that the business plan later would be confirmed. The business plan--consisting of the cost of attendance, estimation of related expenses, enrollment for the first semester and the construction or renovation of building site-- ONTHEWEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu INDEX News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 has yet to be finalized. The cost of operation for the law school has two major components: the operational costs that are associated with hiring and paying the faculty and staff, and the capital costs or the cost of the a building or buildings that will house the school. “The way law schools use space is pretty specialized, so not every office building would be suitable for a law school project. It has to be educationally oriented to certain kinds of classrooms and space for the law Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 library… So we’re in the middle of that part of the project, right now,” said Dean Loren Prescott, dean of the Law School Initiative. The options for the building are still unknown because the advisory board for the Law School is still deciding whether they are going to construct a new building or renovate an existing building close to campus and the downtown, explained Prescott. It is important that the law school be situ- See LAW SCHOOL page 4 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · .· .· · Association Member . . ·. · �NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 2 LIBRARY from FRONT PAGE ing on projects can meet to limit distractions. There will also be smaller, semi-private study areas introduced to the level lower that will be surrounded by fivefoot walls that will help create a sense of separation from others downstairs. Stachacz said these study areas will feature not only computers but “restaurant-style booths” for student comfort. The downstairs bathrooms will also be completely renovated in accordance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Brand new lights and carpeting will installed, along with a new ceiling. The official planning for this project began last year, according to Thomas Messinger, the executive director of facilities. “It has been a goal of ours to add additional [private areas] in the lower level to facilitate group study,” said Messinger. “We feel that by adding additional computer stations and places for students to meet that we’re moving towards that goal.” Stachacz said the construction will not have a large impact on students who attend classes in the lower level of the library. “We will have to re-route student traffic across the main floor of the library and down the back stairwell because [part of the lower level] will be closed off. It □ ~ g, '-0 I,.. □ □ .) liiiiiiiiiilliiiiiiiiilliiiiiiiiillliiiiiiiiio @ - . ~ ~ l'\.i!lj " , -l!- J l,lr• l ' -d BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu 12'._ II ~FIIIT won’t disrupt any classes being held down there, however.” The construction costs for the project are being funded by the Wilkes Capital Program; Messinger stated that the projected total is roughly $400,000. The technology being installed (the computers, projectors, etc.) are being funded by a $25,000 donation from Student Government, as well as a $75,000 grant that the school received from the Alden Trust. All told, the renovations will cost roughly half a million dollars. The construction on the lower level is just part of the first phase of a plan that projects the entire library will be renovated over the next several years. “We decided on taking a floor- by-floor approach in order to provide the least possible disruption to students and operations,” Messinger said. “Phase II looks toward renovating the first floor, probably over the summer.” “We’re looking at refurbishing this entire facility, not just the lower level,” said Stachacz. “We will replace all the carpeting over the next couple of years; the light fixtures, the ceilings [. . .] We will make this a brighter, friendlier place to study and work with groups. We are also looking to change the entire front entrance way and adding an ADA approved ramp so that students with disabilities can enter through the front door rather than the side of the building.” “I think the library needs substantial change and I think this is a step in the right direction,” said Trevor Hirsh, a junior entrepreneurship major. “I feel the basement needs to have some technology added down there and that work study areas definitely needed addressing.” Brittney Hodnik, a junior criminology major, agreed. “I like [that they’re renovating the lower level]. I’m never downstairs because there are no printers and it’s just outdated for my purposes. I’m interested to see what they’re able to accomplish.” (Below) A blueprint of what the basement of the library will look like after the renovations. • Blue Print Courtesy of Marketing Communications/ David Sheydwasser Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Meet the Staff Anthony Dorunda SPORTS EDITOR �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 NEWS 3 Financial Aid searches for fourth director in two years Editor’s Note: This story ran last from the university changing the structure week in the online edition of The of the job, not from any poor performance Beacon. on Pam’s part.” BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief Last Friday, September 18, marked Pamela Hoffman’s last day as Wilkes University’s financial aid director. Hoffman was the third person in approximately two years to leave the position. Leo J. Danylak began his work as financial aid specialist in November 2006, but left the university in August 2007 when unspecified allegations were presented to Wilkes’s administration. Approximately one year later, in July 2008, Donna Cerza vacated the same position. In late September 2008, Hoffman took over as director. “The university decided that they wanted a financial aid director that was based on campus,” said Hoffman, who worked from her home in Lancaster four days a week. “We really felt that we would better serve our campus, our students and staff and faculty, by having someone who is physically present on campus… At no point in time was Pam asked to leave; we discussed her taking the job under the new terms of the position, but it was just not something she was interested in doing,” said Melanie Mickelson, vice president of enrollment services. Added Mickelson, “This decision came The university is running a local search for a new, traditional financial aid director who will work directly on campus. If the search does not result in an experienced candidate, the position will be advertised nationally, said Mickelson. “The turnover in this position in recent years is a matter of concern to all of us,” said Dr. Tim Gilmour, president of Wilkes. “While the search for Pam Hoffman’s replacement will be completed as quickly as possible, [Mickelson] and Janine Becker, the executive director of the Student Services Center, will be reviewing the current financial aid organization with an eye to strengthening it and reducing the turnover rate.” In hopes of making the position more appealing and less tedious, the director will head a team of Wilkes employees who will be specifically trained to work with financial aid, said Mickelson. “We are utilizing our internal system much more fully, allowing improved documentation on student records, for example. This provides better service and makes working on an account somewhat quicker,” said Becker. The processing schedule has also been altered so employees in the department can begin processing information about FAFSA Courtesy of The Beacon Archives Pam Hoffman is the third director to leave in two years. She began in September of 2008 and left on September 18, 2009. The search has begun for a new director. and loans earlier in the year. Students are also encouraged to view their accounts online “to reduce traffic, making staff more efficient overall,” added Becker. “I would like the next person in this role to settle into this role for the long term,” said Mickelson. “I want so badly to have the right person in this role.” Until the position is officially filled, Ron Laszewski from a consulting firm called Financial Aid Services will serve as de facto director. Hoffman is uncertain whether she will seek employment in financial aid. “The staff at Student Services is an incredible group of people… I feel like I am a better person having worked with them,” said Hoffman. Student Government Notes 09-16-09 BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Treasurer’s Report All College: $24,000 Conference: $10,900 General: $8,900 Leadership: $3,000 Spirit: $1,000 Start-Up: $15,000 Special Projects: $2,750 Totals: $52,050 Club Reports: Programming Board: They need help with Demetri Martin set up from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Students volunteering to help with load in, set up, take down, and box office on Friday, Sept. 25, can see the show for free. New Business: Outdoor Adventure Coordinator Introduction – Gabe Lamberti, the new Outdoor Coordinator, is trying to increase number of students attending the recreational center. He also hopes to increase outdoor trips, and to further develop leadership opportunities. Justin Kraynack and Mike Molnar, Food Service Reps - Food Services UPDATES ON RIFKIN: has a new menu with popular foods but it is still limited due to lack of hoods and grills. There is also increased snack lines and no more espresso due to the fact that the espresso machine broke; it was very expensive to replace and it wasn’t very popular. There are still hot beverages in Einstein. UPDATES ON CAFETERIA: Opened new station, “Red Hot Chef.” Cafeteria is also promoting “The Balanced Way”, which has been a useful nutritional guideline for students using volumetrics. Food services are also increasing their food selections. The new conveyor belt is very successful; it is cleaner, and has less jams. Also, considering putting hand sanitizers near the conveyor belt for students and faculty. A new grill was purchased for veggie burgers only. Homecoming Budget: A motion was passed 23-0-0 to grant the Homecoming $18,400 for entertainment, food and drink, party favors, security, flowers, sashes and cars. more allowance for printing OCC hopes to do “Wing Wars” in the near future. Old Business Updates: SG Locks: Card swipe was ordered and cost $2,100 Open House Student Panel Events Homecoming 10/2: The theme is “The Return of the Colonel.” Tickets go on sale for $9 on Tuesday the 22nd to Tuesday the 29th from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pep-rally tentatively to be at Riverside Park which gives community a chance to get involved. Committees SLAM - Green Printing successful. Certain majors, such as Nursing, claim that they use a lot of paper for slide notes—more discussion to follow for allowing certain majors *At 8:00 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. for more information check out ... w_i_l_k_e_s_b_e_a_c_o_n_.c_o_m ____.! @:•21 ._I �4 NEWS SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 ICLWB: Crafting Wilkes-Barre’s Future Leaders BY RACHEL LEGGIERI Correspondent While getting an education, the one thing on college students’ minds is usually how they can apply the skills they’re learning into the real world. Intercollegiate Leadership Wilkes-Barre (ICLWB), a program sponsored by area businesses, teaches college students the skills needed to become leaders not only in the workplace, but in every aspect of their lives. “We teach students how to market themselves as leaders,” Kim Koehl, program director, explained. “It’s about using leadership skills in different aspects of your life; whether it’s family or college, we teach them how to handle all situations as a leader.” The Intercollegiate chapter of Leadership Wilkes-Barre is one out of the five chapters offered by Leadership Wilkes-Barre. Leadership Wilkes-Barre offers a junior LWB program for high school students, intercollegiate LWB for college students, Leadership core program, executive LWB program and a masters LWB program. College students can apply or may be recommended by their academic advisors and chosen by a designated advisory council comprised of staff from each school. LAW SCHOOL from FRONT PAGE ated nearby the court system as well as local lawyers’ offices because those are the things that the law students will want to be close to, Prescott added. Michael Richwalder, senior business administration major said that in his search for law schools, he has seen buildings and libraries dedicated just for the law school and hopes that Wilkes University can do that. Prescott said the situation is complicated because there is still so much work to be done. In addition to finalizing the business plan and settling on a suitable location for the school, the application to the Pennsylvania Department of Education still needs to be sent, and the state of the economy is affecting fundraising efforts. “The people who are in a position to make major gifts are just less inclined to and, sometimes, less able to in an economic downturn,” said Prescott. The economy is not only affecting fundraising efforts, but also the number of prospective law students. “There have been reports in the major papers in the big cities about younger lawyers being laid off and law firms not hiring as much as they have been hiring in the past. I believe that is going to turn around with the change in the economy, but we don’t know how long that’s going to take,” explained Prescott. Wilkes University is one of six schools involved locally in ICLWB. Keystone College, King’s College, Luzerne County Community College, Misericordia University and Penn-State Wilkes-Barre also participate in the program. This year’s Wilkes representatives are sophomore nursing major Adrienne Dorcent, pre-pharmacy major Erin Hanley, junior communication studies major Jacqueline Lukas, sophomore business major, Cortny Sasserson, and junior communication studies major Melanie Thomas. “It feels nice to be part of such a selective program because I know that all the people who are involved deserve it and want to be there,” said Sasserson. “We are all on this year-long journey to network, hone our leadership skills and have a good time along the way.” Rae Ellen Zekas, ICLWB advisor and graduate assistant in the Student Development office, explained that the students are carefully picked and are required to have certain leadership skills already intact. “At Wilkes, we look for students who show leadership through their activities on campus and in the community,” Zekas said. Dr. Kyle Kreider, assistant professor of political science and pre-law adviser, also said that he has been getting either one email or phone call per week from a student or member of the community interested in the law school. “This is also very positive development for the region, for all of Northeast Pennsylvania, [and is] certainly positive for Luzerne County and for Wilkes-Barre. The introduction of a professional school program like this into a community can have some really significant, positive impact,” said Prescott. Kreider will be organizing a mock class in the middle of the semester. “[Students] will get a feel or a taste for what law school is like. So they might like it, they might not, but it might help them make a decision as to whether or not they want to go to law school,” said Kreider. Currently, there is no timeline for the construction or renovation of the building because funding and the decision on the building need to be confirmed. Prescott is hoping that the law school will be open in fall 2011. Susan E. Schwab, advisory board chair, was unavailable for comment. “We also want dedicated students who will commit themselves to the program and its time requirements.” Once chosen for the program, students are required to attend meetings once a month at the various colleges involved, which focus a full day on learning from ICLWB. The program lasts six months, and is fit to adhere to the busy schedule of a college student. “One of the best things about this program is the opportunity for members to meet other students from different schools,” said Lori Nocito, Executive Director of Leadership Wilkes-Barre. “Normally with other programs you only meet people from your own campus, so the students really love that broad range of communication.” “It’s a very unique program in that perspective,” Koehl added. “[The students] get to interact with the students from other campuses and understand the philosophy of the different schools and also the commonalities.” ICLWB also gives students an opportunity to really get their name out there and get involved in the community. “Students leave the program with an en- hanced awareness of their leadership potential and style,” said Zekas. “It’s a great way for students to network with their peers and local professionals, while finding out what this area has to offer. “ Nocito explained that although ICLWB provides the skills, it’s up to the students to “take the jump into the community.” “It’s like when you’re going swimming… you know how to swim and you’re at the end of the diving board,” Nocito explained. “We take our members to that diving board and give them the knowledge they need, but we leave it up to them to jump in and swim.” Koehl also said that the students’ reactions to the program are always positive. “You always come out learning vital things about yourself, as well as the community,” agreed Nocito. “That’s what I feel makes it so successful.” Anyone interested in ICLWB should visit www.leadershipwilkes-barre.org. �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 dating back to the 1840s. Approximately one month after McClintock, Barre and Lakeside Apartments were put on the market through Lewith & Freeman Real Estate, interest was shown in McClintock. At one point, there were multiple offers for McClintock, but conditions of the sale deterred all but one buyer. Approximately five months passed before both Wilkes and the buyer were ready to close on the property. “The buyer had conditions in his agreement that had to be met before the sale could actually go through. It took several months for those things to actually happen and the closing could occur,” said Messinger. “In this particular case, there were zoning issues that had to be resolved.” PennDOT also had to issue approval for the sale. McClintock was listed for $250,000, but sold for less. Messinger would not disclose the sale price to The Beacon. Petra Carver, vice president of finance and support operations, said “the proceeds from the sale will be set aside until the master plan in completed. Once the plan is done, we will determine how to best utilize the funds for campus development purposes according to the master plan. Before the Master Planning Committee meets to discuss the upcoming plan, they must choose a firm to assist them in the process. Throughout the month of October, three firms will visit Wilkes’s campus and hold open forums in which they will discuss their ideas for the upcoming plans. Those firms are Sasaki, EwingCole, and Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates. Once a firm is chosen, the Master Planning Committee will begin their discussions. Sophomore English and communications double major David Cook was chosen to sit on the committee as a student representative. “I would like to see the university use the historical buildings so long as there is a need for them, or a predicted need in the near future, assuming of course, there is room in the budget...” said Cook. In August, Barre and Lakeside were taken off the market. “The properties [were] removed from the market, because we are scheduled to revisit the master plan and we wanted to ensure that sale of the properties was still valid,” said John Pesta, director of Capital Projects. 5 The Beacon/Tom Reilly McCLINTOCK from FRONT PAGE NEWS The Beacon/ Tom Reilly McClintock, part of the Wilkes University campus for 59 years, was recently sold. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com Use your Flex Dollars here at your local bookstore location! Lanyards are back! We have your Wilkes thick and shoestring lanyards are back in stock. Come in today. Come in and check out our great winter selection of sweatshirts just in time for football season! Warm up with a Pumpkin Spice Latte? A creamy blend of pumpkin and spices combined with Starbucks espresso, steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream. �THE OBSERVATORY PAGEJ 6 • • Opinion The lock and key system was invented by the ancient Egyptians about 4,000 years ago. It’s a plain and simple system, but it works—and it’s cheap by comparison to today’s new systems like card swipes, for example. At the September 9 Student Government (SG) meeting, representatives discussed the card swipe system that locks the SG office on the first floor of the Henry Student Center. The card swipe system that they have been using for close to two years is broken and needs replacing. SG faced two options: replace the card swipe system at a cost of $2,000 (paid for with money from Wilkes University students’ activity fees) or install an old-fashioned lock and key system (with actual keys), which would be paid for by the Facilities Department at little to no cost to students. After some discussion, one of the members, Katie Munchel of SG made a motion to purchase the $2,000 card swipe system. The general board voted in favor of the motion, 16-6-0. During the meeting, members of SG backed up their decision, arguing that with a traditional lock and key system, it is difficult to keep track of keys. Often times, students who graduate or no longer participate in SG keep their keys rather than return them to Public Safety, creating a potential security breach. SG argued that big ticket items for events like Casino Night and the Spring Fling are often stored in the office; a card swipe system would provide better security for items they keep in the office. Recently, The Beacon faced a similar situation. Too many former Beacon staffers had keys to the newsroom in Conyngham Hall, where thousands of dollars of equipment, like computers, printers and digital cameras are housed. But, one phone call to Mr. John Pesta, director of capital projects, a few weeks ago was all it took to have new locks installed on all of the office doors and new keys issued to current Beacon staffers—at no cost to The Beacon. We wonder, wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 SG spends $2,000 for card swipe system: latest example of wasteful government spending BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu sara.cosgrove@wilkes.edu One “Concerned Student” commented on had The Beacon petitioned SG for $2,000 to pay for a card swipe system, if our request wilkesbeacon.com, saying, “IRHC is rejected money to fund an event for EVERYwould have been granted. Likewise,the shelburne Telecommuni- ONE on campus and instead, our money is cations Center, Wilkes’ television studio, unwisely spent to purchase a lock and key houses extremely expensive equipment in system that only benefits Student Governtheir facility in the basement of the Stark ment...pathetic.” Of course, SG needs a new lock and key Learning Center—all protected by an old fashioned lock and key system. No card system. It is important that every building swipe system required here, either. All it and office on campus is secure. But there takes is responsible leaders who will care- was no need for a $2,000 card-swipe system fully monitor access to the keys. The contents of one office or facility alone are not a justification for a $2,000 card swipe system. The level of trust of the people who have access to the room is what really matters. If SG can’t trust their own members—current and former—how can the student body trust them? SG says that they will serve the students in Article II, Section I of their Constitution: “The purpose of the Wilkes University Student Government is to represent the entire student body…” They are entrusted to decide how to spend thousands of dollars The Beacon/Tom Reilly every year with money furnished by each student’s Current lock system to be replaced located outside the SG Activity Fee. They should office on the first floor of the sub. be spending the money in ways that benefit all students, not just a se- when an old-school lock and key system could have been installed at no cost. SG lect few—and in this case, themselves. At the same meeting on September 9, should take more seriously their responSG denied funding for Inter-Residence Hall sibility for allocating students’ fees. And, Council’s (IRHC) fund request for a $376. likewise, more students should get involved The money would have paid for a movie in the process, by joining SG, attending license for the September 24 Movies on meetings and voicing their concerns. To voice your opinion, write us at wilthe Greenway event, which would benefit all students on campus. The request was kesbeacon.oped@gmail.com or vote in our denied—and rightfully so—because IRHC online poll at www.wilkesbeacon.com. already had $8,000 in their budget. But, it is decisions like these that leave a bad taste in students’ mouths. Beacon Poll Do you think that Student Government spends too much money? •Yes, they do not spend money where it is needed •No, they spend the right amount of money •No, they are not spending enough money Last Week’s Poll Results 53% • Yes, it sounds like fun 41% •No, it does not interest me 6% •I have other things to do •I’m still not sure Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd@ Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 OPINION /:~ Wilson’s outburst suggests some traditions meant to be broken BY DAVID LEWIS Beacon Correspondent On September 9, 2009, South Carolinian Representative Joe Wilson created controversy with his outburst at the Congressional meeting. President Obama, who was addressing congress on issues of health care, was interrupted as he discussed how his plan would take into account for illegal immigrants. As he spoke the words “the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally,” Representative Wilson responded immediately with the proclamation, “you lie!” The outburst is a clear sign that either applauding or not applauding (sometimes booing) does not satisfy the needs of the American citizens or governing officials to voice their opinions. Traditions such as the lecture style of aminer has since explained the reason for the outburst. According to The Examiner, under Obama’s proposal known officially as “H.R. 3200,” the bill does not require health care officials to check for citizenship before providing care. The debate over which health care system is going to be implemented by the successor of former President George W. Bush has been going on since the 2008-2009 nomination race. Because neither side is willing to talk through the the issue, the headlines we’ve seen for the past year and a half usually talk about how the Democrats and GOP’s view of health care differ instead of how this crisis is being solved. Given the current state of affairs in our own country--the bailouts, the credit-crisis, and of course, health care, and our handling of the Iraq war--the level of anxiety among American citizens and officials is height- “...Democrats and Republicans waste too much time muckraking and kitchen sinking while people are in need of a better health care system.” congressional meetings have little to no validity anymore. When it comes to issues such as health care, Democrats and Republicans waste too much time muckraking and kitchen sinking while people are in need of a better health care system. If the President must address Congress on issues, then instituting a interactional-lecture format would be much more productive for the law makers of this country and ultimately also for American citizens. In an interactional-lecture format, ideas are proposed and the audience is either receptive or against the proposition. Instead of having representatives on both sides respond to each other’s accusations in breaking news press conferences, conversing with each other in an organized manner on live television would produce faster results than what the citizens of America are seeing right now. Joe Wilson’s interjection of frustration was due to a legitimate piece of knowledge he had. While he did not clarify this by yelling “you lie,” The Washington Ex- ened and made apparent through Wilson’s out of line outburst. Wilson’s actions, when looked at against this country’s historical backdrop, are not that far out of bounds. According to the U.S. Senate’s official website (senate.gov), during a meeting of governing officials on February 22, 1902, a junior senator, also from South Carolina, named John McLaurin stormed the Congressional meeting chamber and accused a Democrat of lying. Representative Wilson’s actions did not result in a punch in the face--the response McLaurin received for his outburst. However, this senator of the past provoked a change in Rule XIX: “No senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator.” McLaurin’s actions influenced change in Congressional meetings and inspired a new rule. Perhaps Wilson’s actions, too, will inspire a change. Perhaps our leaders will begin engaging in real dialogue once again. 7 • . . The ,, Obse.rvat:o.ry ~:. , --• -·· - .i~. '. / / "#,·· ·:o• ,~ '* !2, ~ ~ ~ . ~ ,. -·f:!!.-I ~fl .¥ :.· ,- : :,, ., . . ,_, ~ : ; • J . •_ : ~ -~Y~..$'.X' ;1....._.W P~·,.-_ ~ ·y m ,.;. :---2",:~ --p,s,,r - ~ ~P?':' ~~·1~~~~p , ; -'/ -1/- ~. /~ ,., - ,, _ Young women and SUVs an unnecessary combination BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor A common scenario plays out for me each and everyday when I am walking down the street. I am on my way to my destination and I happen to notice an attractive young lady slipping on her big bug-eyed sunglasses and hopping into her cute little SUV. She may pull out her cellphone and start gabbing away or she blasts the volume on her radio and pulls away singing and swaying her head to the music. That happens at least twice a week and whenever I see something so unecessary in large numbers, I feel I must comment about it. So, the grand question to my whole argument here is: why do these young ladies have these SUVs and do they really need them? My guess is that they think they need the “sport utility options” that they are afforded with their SUVs and no, I do not think they really need them. I can almost positively say that the majority of these types of SUV owners are not doing any kind of off-roading or trips that require big trunk space, so why buy them? The majority of SUVs cost in excess of $20,000 and according to the Department of Transportation, the average fuel economy for an SUV is a measley 18 mpg. So not only are you paying more upfront for the vehicle itself, but over time you are pouring more money into it just to drive it. This makes no sense to me. Even if you go camping or something like that once a year and the options you have with your SUV come in handy, does that really waarrant owning one for seven or eight years? You would not buy a jet ski if you went jet sking once a year would you? I think not. I am not going to keep pointing figures at the drivers of these things because let’s not forget who actually pays for them: mommy and daddy. So, they are more to blame than anyone else. I understand where they are coming from though. Parents assume that SUVs are safer than mid-sized cars and in most cases they are right. They just want to protect their children from reckless drivers and themselves. According to a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2005, the fatality rate for an SUV is 47 per million drivers compared to 86 per million drivers for cars, so you are most likely safer in an SUV. Though these statistics still hold up in 2009, there are other factors to consider here. In an study conducted by the same organization in this year, only 4 out of 16 SUV models received a positive roof test rating, and roof strength plays a major role in SUV safety because they are prone to rolling in a crash. So not only are they expensive and have lower fuel economy, but the majority of SUVs are becoming more unsafe every year. These are all things for you to think about the next time you go car shopping parents and young ladies. The Beacon/Tom Reilly �8 OPINION SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Escalation in Afghanistan not even close to resembling Vietnam BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor In case you have been living under a rock for the past few months, you might be interested to know that Afghanistan held their second presidential elections since Taliban removal of power in 2002 on August 20, 2009. What does this mean? Well, to the average Beacon reader it means almost nothing unless you follow foreign politics or you are deeply concerned about the United States’ increasing presence in Afghanistan, but these are things you should be talking about because your opinion matters in the grand scheme of things. The election itself, wrought with fraud and intimidation both before and after it took place, has stirred up major controversy in the global community and led to an increase in insurgent violence in Afghanistan. Candidates were refused the right to campaign or were threatened in Afghani provinces by both the Taliban and other militant groups. Illegal voter cards were bought and sold. The U.S. has been accused of influencing the election, which has created even more attacks on U.S. Troops in Afghani- stan. The insurgent attacks have continued to leave hundreds dead or wounded every day since election. As the need for more U.S. troops grows to deal with the situation, nearly every major news publication in the United States is speculating that the escalation in Afghanistan could lead to a war with similar sures, and many other pressing issues that require immediate and continued attention. President Obama has publicly stated that there are issues here in the United States that require more attention than war in Afghanistan and/or Pakistan. The only reason we are still fighting in the Middle East is to help their governments secure better control “You never step into the same river twice. And so Afghanistan is not Vietnam.” - President Obama characteristics to that of the Vietnam War. Newsweek, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many other publications are all agreeing that Afghanistan could be the next Vietnam, but I disagree for many reasons. We are in the midst of an economic meltdown, a health care crisis, home foreclo- over these terrorist groups. More importantly to the argument, the United States does not have the same military presence that President Lyndon B. Johnson had in Vietnam. The largest number of troops that the United States had in Vietnam was close to 500,000 compared to Obama’s planned increase to a maximum of 68,000 in Afghanistan. These numbers are not even close to being of the same magni tude. I am sorry, but Afghanistan is no Vietnam. President Obama has publicly stated that very same thing in an interview with The New York Times and CNBC last week. When he was asked if he was worried about repeating Lyndon B. Johnson’s fate, President Obama said: “You have to learn lessons from history. On the other hand, each historical moment is different. You never step into the same river twice. And so Afghanistan is not Vietnam,” said President Obama. I trust his opinion and so should you. These are fragile times in the United States and our government is right to focus on issues here at home. Look at the situation like this: you can sit around all day worrying and complaining about the U.S Government and their fruitless wars in the Middle East, which will never give you any sort of satisfaction other than thinking you are telling people things they do not already know. Or, you can rest easy knowing that your current elected officials will make decisions based upon your best interests (not starting a major war and repeat the mistakes of their predecessors). I know I will rest easy. Polachek Gartley would restore county’s rep from bench BY JEFFERY NIEMIEC Correspondent We’ve heard these headlines before. “The most egregious abuse of power in the history of the American legal system” (ABC’s 20/20, March 27, 2009). “A system wrought with inefficiencies, political agendas and personal allegiances” (The Times Leader, March 29, 2009). “The most corrupt county in the country” (Ripoff Report, June 23, 2009). Needless to say, not much shocks us here in Luzerne County any more. Something that may actually surprise residents about this area, however, would be real attempts to clean up our dismal public reputation. Is it even possible? Could politics in this area ever again be viewed in a favorable light? If one judicial candidate has any say in the matter, the answer to that question is a resounding yes. On Thursday, Wilkes University hosted that candidate. She strolled around Club Day, talking to students and getting their perspective on the current political climate. Her name is Tina Polachek Gartley and she’s interested in what you have to say. Far from the standard politicians we normally get to choose between, Tina has unique insight and always remembers who she’s serving: the people. In her eighteenth year of practicing law, she specializes in sexual assault and domestic violence cases and has been an active voice in the fight to end violence against women. Proudly serving on a tri-county Sexual Assault Task Force, Polachek Gartley lends her expertise where she can and volunteers to speak at law enforcement classes. Polachek Gartley entered this race without political connections or an agenda; she decided to run for the Court of Common Pleas because of the circumstances that face Luzerne County. She may be new to the political scene, but she is no stranger to the courtroom and even worked as an Assistant District Attorney. If like me, you aren’t used to politicians being concerned with what you have to say. She is concernedTina Polachek Gartley is the new voice for Luzerne County, and if November 3 turns out the way she hopes, she will be serving the residents of Luzerne County in the very near future. Get out and vote. The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Polachek Gartley (right) and Wilkes University’s Sharon Castano Coordinator of Student Deveopment (left) attend club day, while Gartley mingles with Wilkes students by talking to them and getting their perspectives on the current political climate here in Luzerne County. �li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 9 Homza recalls basic training, moving up in ranks, three roadside bombs RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor marksman with both a rifle and a pistol. “It’s rare to go up five ranks in just four years, and I was a Sergeant before I got out,” said Homza. After leaving the school of infantry in North Carolina, Homza was stationed in Georgia for two years with a security force unit, and then con- The area of Iraq in which Homza was stationed was Haditha and two other towns, which were referred to as the “Triangle of Death.” “From the time we got there to the time In their senior year of high school, most we left, we pretty much took it from [lookstudents are busy applying to different ing] like the wild west to really a controlled colleges and universities, crossing their area. The kids were going back to school fingers and hoping for acceptance to that and people were walking the one special school that would make their streets, not afraid to dreams come true. In June 2003, Jason Courtesy of Ja son Homza leave their houses; Homza’s dreams for his future rested not we made a big difin the hands of a college ference over there,” acceptance letter, omza of Jason H Courtesy said Homza. but in the United According to States Marine Homza, the base in Corps. Iraq was a group of Homza, now a old buildings in the sophomore earth middle of Haditha, and environmenwhich they took tal science major at over, fortified, and Wilkes, decided to called home for seven join the Marines in months. The soldiers 2003 because of his also spent a lot of time family--his brother away from the base, in was a Marine--and the the town. They would 9/11 attacks. His famstay in a house in the ily was extremely suptown and take turns portive of his decision. guarding the house and After graduating high sleeping at night. school from Wyoming Homza experienced Valley West, Homza, a three roadside bomb attacks during his sevKingston native, began en months in Iraq. boot camp at Parris Is“Thank God I’m in one piece,” Homza land, South Carolina. After finishing with said. boot camp, he received a meritorious proHe was in the Marines for a total of four motion from Private to First Class. years, and his contract ended in SeptemAfter boot camp Homza continued onto ber of 2007. He then enrolled at Wilkes for the school of Infantry in North Carolina spring 2008. and left there with another meritorious He is currently a sophomore at Wilkes. promotion from First Class to Lance CorHomza is an earth and environmental sciporal. The role of a Marine who is Private, ence major working on a secondary educaFirst Class, or Lance Corporal is to train Courtesy of Jason Homza tion minor. After graduating from Wilkes, in their Military Occupational Specialty Homza hopes to get a job teaching high (MOS), study leadership, and take on assignments. Homza’s MOS was an Infantry Top Left: Homza patrolling the streets in Iraq. Top Right: Homza checking the IDs of school science. “I always enjoyed science in school; it Assault Man. Corporals’ and Sergeants’ some of the men to make sure their names aren’t on the Marines’ watch list. Bottom: was my favorite subject. So when I decided main job is to lead junior Marines to en- Homza on in full uniform, taking a rest while on duty in Iraq. that I wanted to pursue a teaching career, sure missions are accomplished. Noncomtinued onto Hawaii for a few months. After choosing science was a no brainer,” said missioned Officers (NCO’s) are the first the next rank early, Homza explained. “If you’re basically at the top of what leaving Hawaii, Homza was deployed to Homza. line of leadership contingent in the Marine you’re doing you get promoted before you Iraq for seven months on a combat tour. Corps. “You’ll hear a lot of people do a year or a To move up a rank, Homza had to earn should; it was already less than a year, and I for more information check out... points based on different categories like had gone through three ranks,” said Homza. year and a half, and it’s a non-combat tour,” Iwilkesbeacon.com I shooting ability, fitness test scores, knowl- He has received a badge for being an expert said Homza. edge, staying at the rank a soldier is in for a defined minimum period of time, among other requirements. Homza was in the highest bracket of fitness scores. A Marine can also be promoted meritoriously, which means being promoted before reaching the minimum time at the rank. It is a promotion based on merit, where Marines excel at one rank and are moved up to m:lJ �LIFESTYLES 10 Student of the Week: Megan Dickinson BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Megan Dickinson is Wilkes University’s junior class president. Dickinson, a 20year-old nursing major, wasn’t involved in much during her senior year of high school, so when she came to Wilkes, she was bound and determined to join some type of extracurricular activity. Along with being the president of the junior class, Dickinson is president of the Nursing Student Organization (NSO) and a student ambassador. She also tutors nursing students and is on the Committee for Curriculum. “Coming in my freshmen year, I met so many people who were older than me and were on Student Government that kept telling me ‘get involved and do what you can to stay busy, it keeps you on task,’” said Dickinson. Because of Dickinson’s involvement in the Wilkes community, she is The Beacon’s Student of the Week. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Club Dav attracts old and new clubs Dickinson: When I graduate I’ll have my Bachelors of Science and Nursing and then I wanted to spend two years in Hawaii, live out there and travel out there. The Beacon: Describe yourself in Photo courtesy of Megan Dickinson three words. Dickinson: Determined, Stubborn and Enthusiastic The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know that…” Dickinson: I feel like a lot of people see me as this person who does nursing and does Student Government, and does well in classes but...I still get overwhelmed just like any nursing student does and I ask for help. I have no problem coming to a tutor, even though I am a tutor; some people don’t see that about other people. The Beacon/Tom Reilly for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com Students stand at a table for Wilkes’ radio station, WCLH, at Club Day on Thursday, September 17. WCLH is just one of the many clubs that showcased themselves at Club Day. Club Day was held in Marts Gymnasium and featured information tables, music, and food for students, staff, and faculty. 53 PIJhUC 5 qlJare 829-6q.q.q Do\fNto\fN Cot.Le3e _speetaLS ALeoHOL SPEeIALS PO~ 21+ UIE 1.0. 511Nd3! MoNd3! Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Pr•ce Appetizers ½ Pr•ce Paz.za r11eSda~ DJ OOHWee Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Pr•ce Appetizers COL.Le3e N•3Ht No caver YI I CoU.e3e ID THIJl'Sda~ ~attlrda~ Live Entertainment Live Entertainment Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts $l5L1ces dlJl'IN3 Napp~ Notll' $l 5L1ceS llpM-laM COMe cHecK O(Jt \YHat·s Ne'I' aNd E]<ctt•NS at R0 daN°'S CaLL to bOOK otrr pr•\fate fOOM For 3N~ ct ass e\f eNtS Or Soeiat. 3atHef 1N8 �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 College Days: Merryman goes from Beatle-maniac to Swahili speaker Editors note: This article is a continuation of a series that serves to connect the members of the Wilkes University community to one another through shared experiences of college life. Twenty-five years worth of correspondence sits in Dr. James L. Merryman’s home. These letters are from his mother, who wrote to him every week while he lived in Kenya. Africa was a far cry from Merryman’s roots in the small, small town of Shickley, Nebraska where his life was planned out before it ever really started. “I grew up in Shickley. It was a town of 400. A whopping 400,” recalls Merryman. This “big, little town,” as the sign in front of the community building proclaims, carried James Merryman through its straight and narrow roads until his graduation from high school in 1962. Merryman’s graduating class, which was comprised of a mere 19 students, was “one of the big ones.” While many of his friends traveled to the University of Nebraska, a young and complacent Merryman took his path to Nebraska Wesleyan University. “Some of my friends went off to the University of Nebraska, which had about 20,000 students and got chewed up and spat out,” said Merryman. “I went to the smaller school. But even going to the smaller school was a dramatic, dramatic change.” Merryman’s college career was wedged between what he refers to as “the bookends” of a cultural time period. With the 60’s in full swing, Merryman entered the college atmosphere just a few short months after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the March on Washington. This is the first bookend. “It was an exciting time. Coming from that part of Nebraska, we didn’t have a lot of ethnic minorities. So, having this consciousness and awareness of what was going on outside, it was so dramatically different,” remembered Merryman. With a little help from Bob Dylan, Merryman believes this period set the stage for “times [that were] a changin.” The cultural shift happening around Merryman and his fellow classmates kept “changin’” when two months into the first semester, President John Kennedy was shot. “Oh my gosh! Talk about being knocked off your feet and obliterated. There was nothing like that in my lifetime. I hadn’t seen World War II or the Depression or anything immediate and dramatic. It was a very heavy time,” stated Merryman. This “era of sadness,” as Merryman described it, shrouded his initial college experience. The heaviness of the times was offset, however, with one very important, positive thing: The Beatles. “In February of ’64, The Beatles appeared on ‘Ed Sullivan’. These were my benchmarks. I became this Beatlemaniac. You wouldn’t know it now, but I had this crew cut…I had that Beatle haircut,” said Merryman with a chuckle. or ‘my parents expect me to…’” Merryman quickly found himself in the racial minority while at Lane College, a primarily black school, at a time when persecution was still alive and well. He did not hesitate, however, to stand beside his fellow Jackson classmates, singing “We Shall Overcome” and joining the NAACP. “We still automatically went to the balcony at the movie theater. It was no prob- Photo courtesy of James Merryman Dr. Merryman sits in a Kenyan jungle with a gorilla during one of his stints in the Peace Corps. Merryman became interested in anthropology while traveling and working with the Peace Corps. The freshmen class of ’63 was brought back into reality with the rising of civil rights, protests, and the onslaught of Vietnam. Through the tangle of his first two years at college, Merryman began to take “notice of the courage and bravery of others” who used their college experience to further not just their education, but themselves as people. “I was still in this naive and provincial stage. I was astounded at those who made decisions because they wanted to and not because their parents said it was okay,” said Merryman. Merryman made one of those decisions himself by his sophomore year. He applied to be part of an exchange between Nebraska Wesleyan University and Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. “The two presidents of each college had gone to school together and gotten together at a reunion, where they came up with this idea for an exchange,” stated Merryman. “This was very significant, because it was one of the first things I did of my own choosing, as opposed to ‘I think I should…’ lem me going with them, but they could not sit downstairs. It was the same with certain restaurants,” recalled Merryman. His time at Lane College gave Merryman a firsthand education and experience on the “ cultural happenings of the time. His taste for other perspectives and goal of gaining a better cultural awareness only grew stronger the day the Peace Corps recruiter came to Lane College. Knowing he wanted more than just a “slice of the American pie,” Merryman took it upon himself to spend quality time with the Peace Corps recruiter. Merryman took the exam and applied for the Peace Corps and within months, he was invited to join and work in Kenya. “Coming from that little farm boy, the forces of history were carrying me along for this ride,” said Merryman. Trekking to Kenya and helping impoverished countries create systems of regulation would not come for Merryman until after he graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He needed to finish school before he could travel around the world to gain an even larger cultural education. The Peace Corps became Merryman’s second bookend, closing the gap on his undergraduate college career. He would then travel to Kenya and back to the United States to enroll in the Master’s program in anthropology at Binghamton University. Without his cultural and personal education while in school and while traveling the world, Merryman may never have made it out of that “little big town” of Shickley, Nebraska. “I always thought I would get those education credits and teach high school in a tiny little town no more than an hour from my family. That was my script,” said Merryman. Using the bookends of his life for structural support, Merryman rewrote his script and filled his entire bookshelf with his personal college story. In his own words, Merryman gets senioritis: The summer before my senior year, I had all this language training before leaving for Kenya. I had all this training in Swahili, and I came back to my school for third year French. Not paying attention, the professor is talking to me in French, and I am responding in Swahili. He is saying ‘Have you ever had French before in your life?’ and I said ‘Well, yeah I just have to think about it a little.’ Afterwards, the professor decided to give me a stack of French plays to read and then give me a ‘critique en francais’ to see if I could stay in the class. I thought, ‘I’m a senior. I have to graduate!’ I went back to my room and pulled from whatever classes I could to create a minor in philosophy. I was a senior; I had to graduate! “ BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor �CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu “Movies on the Greenway”-p. 13 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Demetri Martin scheduled to crack up Wilkes Sept. 25 BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Beacon Archives / Jenna Stephens This Friday, September 25, students will be entertained with the comical and artistic stylings of Demetri Martin in Wilkes University’s Marts Gym. Martin, a former New York University law school student, has been climbing the comedy ladder. Now seriously pursuing a comedy career, he’s come out with a stand-up CD/DVD release titled “These Are Jokes,” and has since been featured on various TV shows, such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Martin was also a staff writer for the show, Late Night with Conan O’ Brien and in 2007 he came out with his own one-hour special on Comedy Central titled, “Demetri Martin. Person.” Martin is currently starring in Ang Lee’s latest film, Taking Woodstock, which is in theaters now. Most people know him from his new TV show, Important Things with Demetri Martin, on Comedy Central. The show first premiered earlier this year in February and has been a hit ever since. This show allows Martin to explore many of life’s most amusing topics and elaborate on them in his own way. “Each episode focuses on a single topic through the prism of Demetri’s unique point of view, whether it’s apples or the afterlife,” said the official website for the show, http:// www.comedycentral.com/shows/important_things/index.jhtml. Erin Sweet, president of the Programming Board, said that deciding to book Martin was easy. Last year, students were mentioning his name and requesting him. And, as the event nears, student ticket sales are up, and students all over campus have been talking about it with anticipation. As of right now, about 425 tickets have been sold so far. Sweet predicts sales to rise dramatically a day or two before the event. They are expecting 1,000-1,500 tickets to be sold altogether. Student Government allocates $175,000 to the Programming Board,, which is then is split in half for the fall and spring semesters. In other words, they have $87,500 to please the student body per semester. Since it had been three years for a comedian of Martin’s scale, Martin was affordable. Lewis Black was the last big-time comedian that was presented at Wilkes. Voted one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly, Martin is a highly anticipated performer. Tickets are still available at the Henry Student Center information desk and will also be sold at the door the night of the show. Student tickets are $15 each, with a maximum of two tickets per ID. Tickets for the general public are $25 each. The doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 8:00 p.m. “It’s the first event that I actually want to go to. It’s the best event that they’ve hosted since I’ve been here,” said junior Matthew Duffy, 20, a history and secondary education major. Martin could not be reached for comment on this event. Photo courtesy of Jahmitza Perez Mandy Petrosky , a senior integrated media major, takes a break from schoolwork to enjoy comedic relief from Demetri Martin by watching his clips online and is anticipating his performance this Friday. Last week's winner of $50 Barnes&:Noble giftcard: Rachel Nardone sn't like I.Tee Stuffii y-Givea: ·ay1 . . . ... .....11...... Enter for a Chance to Win... BOWLING FOR 8 pizza, soda, and shoe rental included (Value $79.50) Sponsored by: NOl Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall by Friday at noon.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Tom Reilly MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 13 Greenway provides big screen fun this Thursday BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor The greenway will be more than just a field for frisbee, a game of catch or football this Thursday, September 24. Inter-Residence Hall Council (IRHC) and the Commuter Council (CC) are hosting “Movies on the Greenway” at 9 p.m., showcasing the movie “Transformers.” Movie snacks will be available to create a more theater-like environment. Since popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy will be offered to students, no one has to worry about hauling treats. “Movies on the Greenway” has been in the works for a while now, but putting together an event like this isn’t as simple as everyone might think. A “blanket license” is required in order to present movies to a large group. When a consumer purchases a movie, copyrights allow that consumer to watch it with their immediate family members. It is illegal to showcase a DVD film to a large group--an unknown fact to many people. The Federal Copyright Act, Title 17 of the U.S. Code, oversees motion pictures and how they are used or potentially abused. According to Movie Licensing USA, “Neither the rental nor the purchase of a movie carries with it the right to show the movie publicly outside the home, unless the site where the movie is used is properly licensed for public exhibition. Ownership of the movie and the right to use it publicly are two separate issues. The copyright holder retains exclusive public performance rights.” Christina D’Ippolito, president of IRHC, said that this is one of the club’s bigger events for the fall. It is a trial run to see how many students will attend. If it is an impressive turnout, there is potential to purchase the necessary blanket license for future showings. But D’Ippolito said they will decide about future licenses--which are costly to obtain-- after they evaluate Thurdsay evening’s turnout. D’Ippolito did not wish to comment on the cost of the blanket license. IRHC was, however, able to purchase a one-time only movie license for Thursday evening, which cost $396. THE COLONEL SEARCH BY MICHELE FLANNERY Business Manager C 0 L I p 0 N M A 0 T L A E E K D A C y s I F F-1! !IJ B B T F 0 A G V F 0 R R D C V R H F 0 0 I( L 0 s y lrl fi,,I 0 0 A A G IO J e IFI L. 0 A p 0 V y I V s F C T V J s 1H 5 J I R. y 0 C I<; JI s V D V GI I< 0 B IF M 0 JI V C I NI D A J s V s G 0 F R A IF Ii< w IU l'f,,I s .A D L N F A s A G V C w w IL s D t< E 0 Ml V s T II A D V A N s H A L B 1/3 0 0 0 B ,JI V G A H F 0 s l!J A s V K R C A E M E C P' 0 M Ft 0 'y Ii'( ·G R IM V N E K B G 0 G A s s I.. z 0 R: p. D 1i K E A B Q A V K F IFI V ID u A J C s K I WORD$; CO l!..ONEL EVAN S HALL K IRBY su . I ·O IF SSO , , ARLEY V\!E/Cl<l SSER S IIF IE HOM COMING IDOR:M IJ N !DIPLOMA F,:IR,G'R AOUATF.: H “I think it’s a great idea because it’s a smart combination of students, entertainment, and enjoying the Greenway together in an unconventional way,” said senior Adam Szumski, 21, political science major. If students want “Movies on the Greenway” to be a recurring event, they’ll need to show their support for it by turning out Thursday night. If the event is a success, future licences may be purchased for similar outdoor or indoor events in the coming months. If you plan to attend the premiere of “Movies on the Greenway,” bring a blanket, along with a group of friends, and enjoy Shia LaBeouf and co-star Megan Fox on the big screen. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions, the movie will be moved into Breiseth 107. The Beacon/Tom Reilly This Thursday, the Greenway will be used for the big screen. Do you think “Movies on the Greenway,” is a great idea? Let us know what you think by commenting on our site. for more information check out ... ._Iw_i_lk_e_s_b_e_a_c_o_n_._c_o_m _ _ __.l m:zJ �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Square met city’s Artist Spotlight: Dealer in Wares Rocking Wilkes-Barre one show at a time expectations BY: KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor Dealer in Wares is a musical group of two local young adults--Sarah Yzkanin and Noa Spott--who enjoy rocking out and impressing crowds that come to see them play. Yzkanin is a human development and family studies student at Penn State University, Worthington Scranton campus and Spott is a Scranton High School senior. Yzkanin, 19, agreed to sit down for a Q&A session earlier this week to tell The Beacon a little more about Dealer in Wares. The Beacon: How did you become Dealer in Wares? Did you know each other before or was it by pure luck? Yzkanin: I founded Dealer in Wares in February of 2007. Noa and I met through a mutual friend. He had been involved in different musical projects that didn’t develop into anything and he happened to be looking for a band when I was looking for a bassist. We got together and hit it off so well that he was offered a position in the band in January of 2009. As things continued to develop, Noa moved into a partnership role with me and became a co-writer and our lead guitarist. We use various back up musicians for our live performances. The Beacon/Tom Reilly About 1,500 students attended Party on the Square this past Wed., a new record for the City. Wilkes students had the most attendance with 713 colonels, “the most students from one campus in the history of the event,” said Bridget Giunta. The Beacon: How would you describe the genre of music that you perform? Yzkanin: Our music is rock, plain and simple. The Beacon: What’s the craziest experience you have ever encountered while performing? Yzkanin: We won a spot performing at the Dewey Beach Music Conference in the summer of 2008. We were scheduled to play on the deck of the Rusty Rudder. Rain was predicted so they covered the area with tents and tarps. A true tropical storm developed with high speed winds and gushes of rain and we were literally playing within feet of the bay. I was petrified that I was going to get electrocuted and die [laughing]. That, or the time we were covering “The Jack” by AC/DC and two girls pulled up a chair and started doing a pretty intense lap dance a few feet in front of me. I had to keep my eyes closed so I didn’t laugh. The Beacon: Who are some of your favorite musicians? Yzkanin: I grew up listening to classic rock. My favorite bands include Free and Bad Company. I also have a huge grunge influence and other favorites include Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Mudhoney and Soundgarden. Noa has a heavy rock influence including Godsmack, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam. The Beacon: Where can our readers see you perform or find out more information about Dealer in Wares? Yzkanin: We are currently cutting way back on our performances because we’re hard at work in the studio on our debut album. The performances were affecting my voice so we needed to focus on recording. You can check out some of our progress at www.dealerinwares. com. Once this album is completed we hope to be back to a full performance schedule. TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Correspondent Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! INGCHZ MJNKM CH N MJNKMUL-JRUH QNH OU SJHU NLLNT JW WJJS CMUIK, QJHKCSULCHZ NFF WJJSK MJNKMUL-JRUH MJNKMK OUQJIU PKCHZ NH MBNM N MJNKMUS! This week’s clues: N=A, U=E Check next week’s issue of The Beacon for the answer! Answer from last week: IF A COLONEL LOSES ITS COOL, IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT THE COLONEL POPPED! Courtesy of Sarah Yzkanin Dealer in Wares performs a show during the summer. Keep an eye out for this breakout group and check their website for the latest news on their debut album set, to be completed in the fall of 2009. You can check out live performances of these talented young musicians on YouTube. Just search Dealer in Wares and enjoy! �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Horror and Humor on “Sorority Row” BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor If you think “Sorority Row” is another typical slasher movie, you’re half right. This movie tries to find the middle ground between terror and gore. Although the movie never seems to fully achieve the middle ground, it’s definitely an entertaining movie with just enough of both to appease both the gore and corny slasher-seeking movie-goers. This movie seems to be another twist on the plot of “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” with the serial killer out to get the college kids. The movie begins with Megan (Audrina Partridge), the victim of a prank which has taken a turn for the worst. Her cheating ex-boyfriend, Garrett (Matt O’Leary), believes that he gave her too many drugs in her drink which caused Megan to appear lifeless. Garrett joins Megan’s sorority sisters on a trip to a secluded location to dispose of her body. However, none of the girls ever think to mention to Garrett that Megan isn’t actually dead and that he’s secretly part of a practical joke to get revenge. To bring on the gore, Garrett impales Megan with a tire iron, killing her. The outspoken “queen” of the bunch, Jessica (Leah Pipes), convinces everyone to throw Megan’s body down a mineshaft and continue on with their lives as if nothing had ever happened. Time passes after Megan’s death. The girls’ college graduation approaches and they still act as though nothing happened before, as if Megan never truly existed, when they’re all together. In reality, it’s eating them alive. Ellie (Rumer Willis) cries in almost every scene that follows, torn over the plan of action to dispose of the body. Claire (Jamie Chung) acts as Jessica’s right-hand woman, but still has very unsettling thoughts about what happened. Cassidy (Briana Evigan) never fully approved of their plans for Megan’s body and holds these regrets inside. Chugs (Margo Harshman) is constantly drinking and taking prescription drugs to alleviate the pain of what they did to her. Soon after their graduation, the killer is unleashed wearing the usual dark cloak, carrying his weapon of choice-this time it’s a tire iron. Pretty creepy, eh? The killing begins, random girls fall victim to the murderer one by one, each death gorier than the previous one. Like most of the recently released slasher movies of the past couple years, this flick has the 4 Bs: boys, booze, blood and boobs. So if this is right up your alley, you should check out the movie. Although, I must admit this movie is slightly different than the rest. Instead of trying to create a box office hit with excessive gore, humor is included to create a much welcomed twist to the usual horror plot and gives the characters depth. The film is actually quite funny when characters add their unique personalities to the plot. Chugs adds much sarcasm to the overall gruesome acts in the movie and Jessica has one-liners that keep the plot on a constant flow. It’s hard to believe, but in this movie, you’ll pick favorite characters and you’ll actually feel sad and upset when they’re killed off. There are several characters who are killed and hold no special purpose. However, you care about the entire group more so than the random deaths that take place throughout the movie. That’s a major difference from all other horror flicks I’ve seen in the past. The movie progresses with death after death, but lacks a convincing plot scheme. There reaches a point in the movie where all you really care about are the deaths and the main characters; the plot becomes somewhat of a blur. If you want to see this movie, leave your desire to understand it at home and just enjoy the film for its real purpose: to scare you and make your stomach churn. Rating: 4 out of 5 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What’s Happening Around Wilkes-Barre • BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Friday, September 25, 2009 Monday, September 28, 2009 • Assistant A&E Editor - Demetri Martin @ Wilkes University - David Cook @ The Bloomsburg Fair • Cost: $15 for students (2 tickets per ID) $25 for GA • Cost: $44 (track) or $39 (grandstand) / 7:30 p.m. • Wednesday, September 23, 2009 • Doors open at 7 p.m. - Show starts at 8 p.m. • - Dave Matthews Band @ Toyota Pavilion (Montage Mtn.) - Nepal Underground/Spirit Juice/Poison IV/Gunk Thirst @ Café Tuesday, September 29, 2009 Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre • Cost: $39.50 - $70 – Starts at 7 p.m. - Trace Adkins @ The Bloomsburg Fair • - Polish • Cost: $6 – Starts at 8 p.m. Room presents Alex Storozynski, Pulitzer Prize • Cost: $44 (track) or $39 (grandstand) / 7:30 p.m. • winning journalist and President of the Kosciuszcko Founda- - Phoenix/Drop Veil/Len Spinelli @ Club JAM, Pittston • Cost: $5 – Starts at 9 p.m. in New York City, talking about his new book and doing • tion Coming up next week… - Cabinet/Waterband @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains a book signing - “The Love of the Nightingale” @ Wilkes University • • 6:30-8 p.m. in the Farley Library / Free admission • Cost: $8 – Starts at 8 p.m. • Cost: free to students, faculty and staff • Thursday, September 24, 2009 • $7 students and seniors; $15 general admission September 26, 2009 • Oct. 1-3 – 8 p.m. & Oct. 4 – 2 p.m. • - George Wesley Small Ax Orchestra @ River Street Jazz Saturday, - Josh Turner @ The Bloomsburg Fair - “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare @ King’s College • Cost: $36 (track) & $31 (grandstand) • Café, Plains Theatre • FREE – Starts at 10 p.m. • Starts at 7:30 p.m. • - IRHC’s Movie on the Greenway - Transformers / 9 p.m. - The Silent • Cost: $7 (students/seniors) $5 (GA) Treatment/A Golden Era/This A.M. Static/Amora • Starts at 7:30 p.m. • - Official Back to School Party feat. D Nellz & Tri-State Bliss @ Café Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre Evolution at The Woodlands • Cost: $7 – Starts at 8 p.m. • Family •@18Club or older - Cost: $5 with college ID / 10 p.m. - Ethereal Collapse @ Club JAM, Pittston • • Cost: $5 – Starts at 9 p.m The Woody Brown Project @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains • All Weekend Long • Cost: $8 – Starts at 10 p.m. Don’t Forget... Theatre of Wilkes-Barre • - “Rent”• Fri.@ Little - Up and Coming Comedy @ Scranton Cultural Center *Bowling at Stanton Lanes: 2 games/rental - $0 (with & Sat. - 8 p.m.; Sun. – 3 p.m. • Cost: $11.75 – Starts at 8 p.m. ID) 1 pass per week - Pick up pass at Student Center • • Cost: $18 - Free for students with ID Info Desk - Trails of Terror Halloween Walk @ Wyoming Avenue, • Exeter *Restaurant Gift Card Drawings: $25 value - One enSunday, September 27, 2009 (Sept. 25-Oct. 31) try per week: Enter name at Student Center Info Desk - Miranda Lambert @ The Bloomsburg Fair • - Cost: $5 – Dusk until 11 p.m. • Cost: $36 (track) or $31 (grandstand) / 7:30 p.m. • The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Beacon/Tom Reilly • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • �CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com EDITOR FACE OFF PAGE 18 SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 16 Men’s and Women’s soccer drop tough matchups Teams find themselves under the .500 mark early on BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor WOMEN After creeping back over the .500 mark with a late game-winning goal versus Moravian, the Lady Colonels fell back under after two tough losses last week to Lebanon Valley and Centenary, respectively. Looking to feed of the momentum created the game before, the Lady Colonels’ hosted the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen at Ralston Field for their second home game of the season. But with a chance to improve their record to 4-2, the Lady Colonels were shut out 3-0, the first time they have failed to score a goal all year. Twenty minutes into the contest, Ely Kirkoff notched the first goal of the game with a perfectly aimed direct kick that just sailed by Goalie Brooke Keister. Just before the break, Lebanon Valley would find the back of the net once again. This time it was Stevi Laird who would put the Dutchmen up 2-0. The Colonels came out of the break with fire, but were unable to find the back of the net. In the 87th minute of the game, Dutchmen forward Courtney Catania sealed the deal with her first goal of the game, putting the Dutchmen up for good by a score of 30. Although Wilkes had the same amount of shots on the day with 15, Lebanon Valley made them count with six of theirs coming on goal. “We weren’t playing our game and working towards what we’ve been trying to accomplish in our practices,” said Megan Clementson, a sophomore elementary education major. “Two out of the three goals Lebanon Valley scored were on direct kicks; the game was a lot closer than the score.” After a three day hiatus, the Lady Colonels laced it up again on Saturday to take on the Centenary College Cyclones at Ralston Field. The last time these two teams met was all the way back in 2006, when the Colonels pulled out a 2-0 victory on the same field. The Cyclones played a little role reversal in Saturday’s contest, coming out on top by a score of 2-1. The first half saw a great defensive showing from both teams, as they were only able to muster a combined six shots. With neither team able to find the back of the net, the two teams entered the break deadlocked. The second half was a little different, as the teams combined for 17 shots and three goals. The Cyclones Brittany Overland connected with Sam Vanni twice in the second half, the second putting Centenary up by a score of 2-0. The Colonels would manage to get on the board in the second half when a crossing pass sent in front of the Cyclone goal was inadvertently tipped it into the net by a Cyclones player to make the score 21. “We did some good things in the game,” said junior forward Taryn Hallowell. “But it’s fortunate we have a while before conference games begin because we have a ways to go to get where we want to be.” With the loss, the Lady Colonels fell to 3-4 on the season, but will look to rebound Friday when NYU makes the trek to Edwardsville. The last time these two teams met, NYU pulled out a tough 1-0 win, out shooting the Colonels 22-2. The Beacon/Allison Roth The Lady Colonels lost twice last week, falling to 3-4 on the season. Here, sophomore defender Krista Zawistowski attempts to beat Lebanon Valley’s Meggy McLean. MEN Courtesy of Marketing Communications Wilkes goalkeeper Kaleb Smith attempts to block a shot here. Goals have been hard to come by for the Colonels lately, as they have scored only one the past four games. It’s been a tough start to the season for the men’s soccer team. After jumping out to 2-0 to start the season, the team came into Wednesday’s match up with 18th ranked Dickinson on a three game skid, scoring only one goal over that span. The Colonels were looking to turn their season around, and a win against the 18th ranked team in the country would jolt in their system. Unfortunately, Dickinson’s Thomas Parkinson ended those dreams quickly, as he scored the first goal of the game just six minutes into the game. Thomas would score again at the 63rd minute mark, and was followed by Andreas Israel in the 76th minute to give the Red Devils a 3-0 shutout, Wilkes 3rd scoreless outing in a row. The Colonels were able to manage just four shots on the day compared to Dickinson’s 23. Dickinson improved to 5-0 with the win as Wilkes record dropped to 2-5. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Corey Gilroy, defensive playmaker BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Meet Corey Gilroy, a 6’1” 185 pound cornerback from Dunmore, Pennsylvania majoring in Elementary Education. The former Dunmore Buck transferred to Wilkes from Fordham University in 2006. Since then he has made quite an impact on the Wilkes University football team. Gilroy has played in 33 games since becoming a Colonel. In that time. he has rounded up 52 unassisted tackles, 38 assisted tackles, eight interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns, and a blocked field goal. Upon discussing his senior season, Gilroy stated that he wanted to end his football career on a good note, culminating with another conference championship. “The interceptions and all the stats are forgotten when the season is over, but to be able to get another championship ring would be a great way to end my career,” said Gilroy. Coming off consecutive seasons where wins were hard to come by for the team, Gilroy believes that this season will continue to be different. He stressed the fact that this year’s team has a certain closeness that he felt when he first become a Colonel in 2006, which happens to be the last year the Colonels took home a conference championship, and feels that is the deciding factor when it comes to their success. So far this season Gilroy has helped the Colonels improve to 2-0 with his playmaking ability. He has started this season off in Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Gilroy is tied for the team lead with two interceptions, returning one 88 yards for a touchdown last week Gilroy also came up with a momentum-shifting field goal block in week one, helping Wilkes notch their first victory of the season over Muhlenburg. spectacular fashion by blocking a momentum changing field goal and intercepting both Muhlenberg and Montclair State’s quarterbacks, stifling both teams’ trips into the redzone. Versus Montclair State he returned the interception 88-yards for a touchdown giving the Colonels a commanding 30-3 lead . “I was just trying to make a play, they [Montclair State] were driving on us and another score for them would have put them back in the game. I felt that if they came my way I had to make a play,” Gil- roy said about his 88-yard interception return for a touchdown. The interception gave the Colonels a 27point lead against a team that they scored a combined 13 points against in the past two meetings. No matter what team they are playing, Gilroy always expects to make the big plays in every game. “Whether it’s making a tackle or getting an interception, I want to do something positive to help this team win,” said Gilroy. He credits himself as being a more ex- QUICK HITS WAKELEY WONDERFUL FOR WILKES The men’s and women’s cross country teams participated in the Misericordia Invitational on Saturday, September 19. The men’s team placed eighth out of the eleven teams participating, while the women came in seventh place. Michelle Wakeley set the pace for all Wilkes Univeristy runners, placing 21st overall at the meet. FIELD HOCKEY FIRED UP The Wilkes field hockey team, ranked 18th in the nation, improved to 6-0 with their 4-0 victory over Marywood University this past Saturday. The Lady Colonels used a pair of goals by the DiSabatino twins, Cassie and Jenna, as well as goals from Jennifer Keegan and Chelsea Minx to send the Pacers back to Marywood. The Lady Colonels return to their home turf today to face Susquehanna at 4p.m. CHAMPIONS COME TO TOWN The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins played an intrasquad scrimmage at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza on Thursday, with the Black team defeating the Gold team 3-2. Superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin skated in the game, but defenseman Alex Goligoski stole the show. Goligoski, a former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin, scored all three goals for the Black team, earning first star honors. Luca Caputi and Mike Rupp scored for the Gold team. The Penguins brought the Stanley Cup to the Arena with them on Thursday, and fans had the opportunity to take pictures with the trophy from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Various artifacts from Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame were also at the Wachovia Arena that day, including three other trophies won by the Penguins. For pictures from the Black & Gold game, visit www.wilkesbeacon.com. emplary leader rather than someone who screams and yells to get the team “pumped up” and ready to play. He goes on the field, tries to make plays, and hopes the rest of the team will feed off him. Even with the early season success against two teams the Colonels have not beaten since 1965 (Muhlenberg) and 1996 (Montclair State), Gilroy remains humbled. However, he is confident that another MAC (Middle Atlantic Conference) championship is in the works this season. “Absolutely,” exclaimed Gilroy. “We have a lot of good teams in this conference and we’re going to be challenged every game, but I think if we stay hungry and play with a chip on our shoulder that we’ll be in position to win the conference come November.” The Colonels next test comes this Saturday when they travel to Newport News, Virginia to take on Christopher Newport, who enter the game 1-1. This will be the final non-conference test for the Colonels, who will be looking to avenge a 21-20 loss on a last second field goal. “Christopher Newport is a very good and experienced team,” said Gilroy. “We are going to be challenged on both sides of the ball and I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond and play coming out of the bye week. If we can leave Virginia with a win and be 3-0 heading into conference play, it will give us the utmost confidence in our abilities to win the MAC.” ~ -~- 'T O · STREET D Ell 1 ocated inside the )i\lIC . N on-~·Iembers W lcomed · for1 th.tu TuutS l 1:00 a.m to .5:00 pm F ·ca. s 11:00 :hn 1~.'o di~OOUnl The Beacon / Alison Kasper Hockey’s most prized possession visited Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, as the Pittsburgh Penguins brought the Stanley Cup to the Wachovia Arena for the Black & Gold Game. ·/ to 4:00 pm Sm.&:at ID F1ee WiFi A ~ bl.e Coming ·s f ;ill ~ ·2 _d •Ng H.o~ �SPORTS 18 SCOREBOARD MEN’S SOCCER Penguins poised for to hoist Stanley Cup for second year in a row 9/13 vs. Lebanon Valley 0-1 L 9/16 vs. Dickinson 0-3 L WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/15 vs. Lebanon Valley 0-3 L 9/19 vs. Centenary 0-2 L VOLLEYBALL 9/16 vs FDU-Florham 1-3 L 9/19 vs. McDaniel 1-3 L 9/19 vs. Muhlenberg 2-3 L FIELD HOCKEY 9/17 vs. Keystone 5-2 W 9/19 vs. Marywood 4-0 W WOMEN’S TENNIS 9/19 vs. Manhattanville 9-0 W MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9/19 Misericordia Invitational 8th Place WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9/19 Misericordia Invitational 7th Place PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 9/17 Scrimmage @ Wachovia Arena Black Team (Sidney Crosby) 3 Gold Team (Evgeni Malkin) 2 WBS PENGUINS 9/19 @ Binghamton Senators 4-2 L SWB YANKEES 9/15 @ Durham 4-1 L 9/16 @ Durham 4-1 L 9/17 vs. Durham 3-2 L (12 Innings) Durham wins Governor’s Cup, 3-0 twil:l:er, @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA It’s showdown time. This week we have a very enticing topic that hits home with all Pennsylvania sports fans: who has the best shot as hoisting their respective sports championship trophy for the second straight year? As you can see, Mr. Holmes took the easy route and went the way of the Steel Curtain. That’s like saying Tiger Woods is going to win another Masters Tournament. I think I could take Ben Roethlisberger’s place and the Steelers would still take home the Lombardi Trophy. The real team poised to repeat? Those NHLers down in Pittsburgh. And it’s because of these three words: Crosby and Malkin. Any discussion about whom is the best player in the NHL always involves these two players. Sure, you could argue for Alexander Ovechkin or any other numerous great players. But the fact of the matter is that al- though he may score more goals than anyone on this planet, he just doesn’t make any of his teammates better. If you want to be the best of the best, you have to be able to improve your team, and he just doesn’t do it for me. And last time I checked, scoring the most goals in the league gets you a lot of awards, but not the most important – the Stanley Cup. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, however, not only make everyone around them better, but also make one another untouchable. How are teams to stop the Penguins with Crosby and Malkin on the ice at the same time? Two out of the past three years one of these two has taken home the Art Ross Trophy (the award given to the player who leads the NHL in points during the regular season.) The talent these two have can make opponents look like the District Five peewee team (the pre-Gordon Bombay Mighty Ducks). It’s just not fair. Not to mention that the Pen’s roster is almost identical to the team that hoisted the cup last spring. Crosby and Malkin enjoy a supporting cast with the likes of Jordan Staal, Bill Guerin, Chris Kunitz and Ruslan Fedetenko; while wily vets Sergei Gonchar and Brooks Orpik and future superstar Kris Letang will anchor the blueline. Jordan Staal is often an afterthought, but during last season’s Stanley Cup run, Staal, the second-overall pick from the 2006 entry draft, elevated his play and became one of the team’s most important players. He was constantly matched up against the opposing teams’ top forwards and shut them down game in and game out. With Staal, the Penguins have the three best offensive weapons of any team in the league. Add to that Marc-Andre Fleury, one of the most talked about young goalies in the league. and this team is salivating to be the first team since those Red Wings of 1998 to hold up Lord Stanley’s Cup for the second consecutive year. In all honesty, we may be witnessing the start of a dynasty. We should all just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. (Oh, and order your season tickets to the Console Energy Center, which opens next year, because great teams like this only come around once every few decades.) Steelers set for a seventh Super Bowl fa) RYANI Asst. Sports Editor \IIJ~--~HO~lM~ES Game on Mr. Dorunda! Before you start talking make sure you can back up your words. I get that Crosby and Malkin are pretty dominant on the ice, but if this was poker my full house would definitely beat your pair. Although the Steelers have lost some key players such as Linebacker Larry Foote, Defensive Back Bryant McFadden, and Wide Receiver Nate Washington, they still have the best chance to repeat as champions. To do so they will have to prove that they are still the grueling NFL team that other teams hate to play. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a dominant team for the past few years collecting two of the last four NFL championships, but I believe that this season will bring about a whole new wave of dominance. Returning 20 out of 22 starters along with the players that became part of the team in the off season should help bring the Vince Lombardi trophy back to Pennsylvania once again. The Steelers will have to get past some of the best competition early on in the season to silence the critics such as the people who say they don’t have what it takes to repeat last year’s performance. “Big Ben” Roethlisberger will once again be leading the team to victory this season. Since 2005, Roethlisberger has started in every game the Steelers have played in. His leadership is just one of the many reasons the team has been successful since he was drafted in 2004. Assisting Big Ben in the attack of NFL defenses is Running Back Willie Parker and Wide Receivers Hines Ward (2006 Super Bowl MVP) and Santonio Holmes (2009 Super Bowl MVP). This version of the “fab four” have been frustrating defenses for years and there are no signs pointing to them letting up anytime soon. Just when you think the frustration has WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? stopped, the defense, led by 5’10 207 pound all-pro Strong Safety Troy Polamalu, takes the field. The University of Southern California graduate has been a quarterback’s worst nightmare for the past few seasons. Currently, Polamalu is out for three to six weeks due to injury, but remember he was named All-pro in 2005 and 2008 as well as being selected to the past five Pro Bowls, so expect him to come back even stronger than he was before. Lets not forget that last second touchdown from Big Ben to Holmes (no relation) in last years Super Bowl. The Steelers play until the clock has all zeros. They are finishers and that’s what it takes to be a champion; finishing every play as if it were your last. Finding a way to win and winning in close games is what they do. They already got a ring for the other hand, so what’s one more. Bottom line is that five impact players are better than two. Sorry Mr. Dorunda. So put away your Penguins jersey and get out your “Terrible Towel.” for more informatio n c h eck out .. . Iwilkesbeacon.com ICE We asked our readers the same question that we debated and posted their responses in a video on The Beacon’s website. Log on to see which Pennsylvania team your classmates think will repeat its championship. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 19 Postseason Preview: The battle for the Cy Young Award As season winds down, Cy Young races heat up BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor & DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor AMERICAN lEAGUE With the baseball season winding down and teams still making that final playoff push, there are still major awards questions that need to be answered, most notably the American League (AL) Cy Young. Because of space limitations, I narrowed my short list to two players: the Mariners’ Felix Hernandez, and the Royals’ Zack Greinke. My dark horse in the race is Felix Hernandez. “King Felix” has quietly put together a dominant season, albeit a quiet one. Playing for the Mariners, a west coast team that is only on at 10 o’clock on the east coast, he doesn’t get much pub. Put him in the Yankees rotation with the season he has put together this year, and we may not be having much of a discussion about who would win the award. Let the numbers speak for themselves: Hernandez ranks fourth in the league with 16 wins and is second in the American League with a stellar 2.52 ERA, trailing only Greinke. Hernandez has allowed just one or zero runs in a whopping 16 starts this season, and leads the majors with a .608 OPS (Opponents On-base Plus Slugging Percentage). Hernandez also leads all American League starters with 25 quality starts and has the lowest opponent’s batting average (.228). He is also the only pitcher to rank in the top five in the AL in each of the three pitching “Triple Crown” categories (wins, ERA, and K’s). If King Felix can win his last few games (against the Blue Jays and the A’s) this could be the 23-year-old’s award for the keeping. But as much of a fight as King Felix has put up, no one player deserves the award more than Zack Greinke. For starters, Greinke plays for the Royals, who give him as much run support as my tee-ball team would have given him. (Although my tee-ball team was nasty, if there was a tee-ball world series, I assure you we would have participated.) Quick, name me another player for the Royals… and no, George Brett retired in 1993, he does not still play. It’s a fact, though. This season, Greinke has gone at least six innings and given up two earned runs or less and finished with either a loss or a no-decision a staggering nine times. He has left the game with a lead on four occasions in which the bullpen blew those opportunities. Simply put, Greinke could realistically be sitting atop the AL with a record of 23-5. Think there would be any argument as to who should win the award if that was the case?No. This is why there should be no argument now. All of the other contenders for the award get to play the Royals, something Greinke doesn’t have the pleasure of doing. If Greinke got to play his own team, imagine the numbers he could put up. Greinke has been nearly unhittable all year long. He leads all of baseball with a 2.14 ERA, which would be below two had you taken out his month of June. In his 15 starts in which the Royals have won, he has a 1.05 ERA. He also ranks second in the AL in strikeouts with 224, second in complete games with six, leads the majors with three complete game shutouts, and is second to only King Felix in quality starts, with 24. He’s also had four starts where he has allowed zero runs and had eight or more strikeouts, and he struck out 15 batters versus the Cleveland Indians--a feat only he and Tim Lincecum have done over the past two years. That, my friends, is a Cy Young winner. And why Zack Greinke will be the 2009 AL Cy Young award winner. And really, it isn’t even a contest. spect is meant to Johnson or Vazquez, who have pitched tremendously well for decidedly mediocre teams, or the tandem from St. Louis, who have combined to give the Cardinals a rather intimidating postseason presence. Haren has been tragically forgotten about in talks concerning the race, most likely because he’s had the misfortune of being on a cellar-dweller the entire season. If you’re a die-hard baseball fan, look up his numbers- they’re somewhat staggering. And almost as good as Lincecum’s. But it is Lincecum who meets the criteria of what almost everyone looks for in either a Cy Young or MVP candidate: a player who puts up remarkable statistics and is on a team in contention for the postseason. Is it sad that the Diamondbacks’ predicament in the standings will most likely have an adverse effect on Haren’s chances at winning the award? Of course. Had he actually performed better than Lincecum this season, there would be a real cry of outrage. However, it is hard to build a case against Lincecum. Consider: his 2.30 ERA is not just the best in the National League, but is second best in the game behind Zack Greinke (who might just be the best pitcher alive as of this moment). He leads the league in strikeouts by 28 and is third in WHIP- by .09 points behind Haren. And although he and Haren are nearly neck-and-neck in innings pitched (207.1 to 209.1 as of this writing), Lincecum has given up 14 less homeruns. Advocates of Haren can point to his 6.25:1 K:BB ratio and claim true dominance, but Lincecum’s 4:1 ratio is nothing to sneeze at either (and his .5 edge in ERA make him the clear candidate in my eyes). Factor in his impact on San Francisco’s wild card push this season, and you have the pitcher who will probably walk away with the Cy Young come season’s end. NATIONAl lEAGUE While the Senior Circuit boasts a tighter race than the American League this season in terms of Cy Young competitors, I find it hard to believe that people are having a difficult time in deciding who’s deserving of the hardware. There were many pitchers who had fantastic seasons this year in the NL, several of whom played on wretched teams: Josh Johnson (15-4, 3.01 ERA, 1.12 WHIP), Javier Vasquez (13-9, 3.01, 1.05), Chris Carpenter (16-4, 2.45, 1.00), Adam Wainwright (18-8, 2.59, 1.21), Johan Santana (13-9, 3.13, 1.21 pre-injury), and Dan Haren (14-8, 2.79, 0.95), to name a few. The most deserving pitcher is not amongst that group, however; indeed, Tim Lincecum is in a class by himself. The defending Cy Young winner, deemed “The Freak” by Sports Illustrated for his ability to get incredible results out of his 5’ 11”, 160 lb. frame, has had a truly remarkable season for the Giants. No disre- Gifts * Glass Art * T- shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ••• 15I 0~ ,o OFF ..,_,_.,,.... r:1 . with this coupon Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 SPORTS 20 Wilkes volleyball bedeviled in loss to FDU-Florham During tremendous start, Lady Colonels’ biggest enemy is themselves BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor Right now, there’s only one team that can beat the Lady Colonels volleyball squad. It’s a group of 11 girls that the Wilkes team knows well. The Lady Colonels are off to one of their best starts in school history, winning of their first 11 games and taking home the titles at the King’s College and Scranton tournaments. The team’s victory in the King’s College tournament marked the first time that the host team did not win the event. By comparison, the team won 12 games in each of the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The Lady Colonels’ only two losses during their sensational start came at the hands of Scranton on September 12 and FDUFlorham on Wednesday night at the Marts Center. Both of the Lady Colonels’ defeats were in games that they could have very easily won. During Wednesday’s match, they held a commanding lead in the opening game of the best-of-five contest, but ultimately lost to the Devils 26-24. “We definitely did beat ourselves that time. We were up by five points. I don’t know how it happened,” said junior libero Allie Kelleher. After dropping the opening game, the Lady Colonels had to play from behind. It’s something that they’ve grown accustomed to, but couldn’t turn the momentum in their favor against FDU-Florham. Wilkes dropped two of the final three games, ultimately losing the match 3-1. “A lot of times we start off from behind. I don’t know why we do it,” Kelleher said. “We usually prevail through it and just continue to work harder…we definitely should have had that win tonight. I don’t know what we did that first game, I really don’t.” Kelleher explained that the team’s loss to Scranton, a 3-2 defeat, had a similar storyline. “One of the games we lost 26-24. We’re right there with all the teams, it just seems to be that we can’t put some of these games away,” she said. “That’s one of things we’re going to focus on in practice.” Wednesday’s game marked the beginning of conference play for the Lady Colonels. EXCLUSIVE Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won’t find in the print edition. 8 Consecutive wins the Lady Colonels volleyball team posted to open the 2009 season. Last year, the team won just 12 of their 32 games. 2 The Beacon / Tom Reilly Members of the Wilkes Univeristy women’s volleyball team huddle during a time out in the fourth game of their match versus FDU-Florham on Wednesday at the Marts Center. The Lady Colonels lost the game 25-17 and the match 3-1, which dropped their conference record to 0-1 on the year. Wilkes visits Manhattanville tonight. As they inch closer to what they hope will be their second consecutive playoff appearance, they know that wins aren’t going to come any easier. “Conference games are obviously a little bit more intense, a lot more emotion,” said first-year head coach Lisa Rizzo. “At practice we try and focus on staying level headed and knowing how important a conference match-up is, but also just playing our game and focusing on the people we have on our side of the court.” The Lady Colonels did not experience a significant turnover in their roster during the offseason, losing only one of last year’s starters. But even though the majority of the team is back, they aren’t the same players they were during last season. “Last year they got a taste of the playoffs – what it’s like to win and what it’s like to make the playoffs. They just brought that this year and they’re ready to go from the start,” Rizzo said. “We’ve been working really, really hard in practice. We’ve been buckling down and it’s really paying off,” Kelleher said. “Everything we do is for the game, and we push through practices to make sure we get better as a team.” The Lady Colonels have plenty of motivation to work hard, as preseason polls picked them to finish fifth in the Freedom Conference. Kelleher explained that the team was insulted by the seeding, especially because they were placed behind King’s College. “We don’t like that at all,” Kelleher said. “We want to finish top three.” However, the only way the Lady Colonels will be able to achieve that goal is to win their conference games. So far, Wilkes hasn’t won any, but they will have a chance to change that when they visit Manhattanville tonight, September 22. “Our conference games are huge to us. [Wednesday’s] loss was not good at all,” Kelleher said. “It definitely puts a fire under our butts.” for more information check out ... mm l_w_1_·1_k_e_sb_e_a_c_o_n_.c_o_m _ _ _l Players named to the all-tournament team for their play during the King’s College tournament. Allie Kelleher and Marissa Harrison took home the honors for Wilkes. 1 Starter from last year’s volleyball team that did not return this season. Pharmacy major Katherine Harrington finished her NCAA eligibility, but everyone else is back. 0 Times the host team did not win the King’s College tournament, prior to the Lady Colonels winning the championship this year. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 September 22nd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 September 22 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/f7a47941ec60073fd5f2f10b5b311709.pdf f737fe4457e91918cff3e414a9627196 PDF Text Text fl & ii. l\TJ'I1 II El)lfii.Ill) llIEIII.. LD HOCKEY' STER AC THE DiSABATINO TWINS ~ Peace Corp College Rec uiter I.Il~ES'l'YI.ES I 1111.GE IO The I SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 3 Drinking seminar sends message in original way State budget outlook positive and pending BY DANIEL KAUTZ Managing Editor On Tuesday, September 22, Mike Green presented a seminar entitled “4 Stages of Drinking” in the Marts Gymnasium. A former player for the Philadelphia Eagles and a recovered alcoholic himself, Green will be sober for 32 years this December. He has spent over two decades traveling around the country to educate youths about alcohol since he became a counselor at West Chester University. To date, his message has reached over 1,000 schools in 49 states. “I haven’t hit Alaska yet,” said a laughing Green. Green surprised the many students in attendance with his personable and joking manner. His stated goal was not to falsely denounce alcohol as an evil, but to instead coach students to make smart decisions when they are out with friends. “It’s no different than giving a spot to a friend in the gym,” said Green, referencing the practice of helping others who are struggling to lift heavy weight. “If you do that for friends in the gym, why wouldn’t you do See DRINKING page 5 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Mike Green warned students of the dangers of drinking habits in a different and unconventional way. Here, students are preparing to participate in a “chugging contest,” accompanied by cheers from their friends. Green illustrates how students can get caught up in the moment and forget about their limits. Sale of Pepperjam may open doors for students BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Pepperjam, a full-service internet marketing company on Main Street Wilkes-Barre, announced its sale to GSI Commerce Inc., an e-commerce and multichannel solution provider, on September 1. According to Sharon Castano, cooperative education and internship coordinator at Wilkes University, several Wilkes students have found internship opportunities and even employment at Pepperjam over the years. Kris Jones, Pepperjam’s co-founder and president, said the sale will not impact internship opportunities at the company. Instead, the sale may help interns network within the GSI community. “I think that the announcement presents INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 even addition opportunities to Wilkes University students. Not only at Pepperjam, but maybe…at GSI’s locations around the world,” said Jones. He added, “They have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, San Jose, and internationally with offices in Barcelona, Spain; and the United Kingdom.” Kelly Henry, director of corporate mar See PEPPERJAM page 4 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 As the 2010 Pennsylvania State Budget comes to a close, the outlook seems promising for students and student loans. An agreement was reached on Friday, September 18, and the final figures should be released sometime this week . The passing of the proposed $28 billion budget will end the longest budget conflict in the nation. “Hopefully, we will have an official word shortly on the state grant. As of right now, no one knows what stands where, exactly,” said Melanie Mickelson, vice president for enrollment services. Mickelson continued to reinforce that things are in good shape right now and all the grants are looking good for students. She stated that the “initial buzz is very positive.” Mickelson explained that the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is a component of the legislature which can fluctuate due to what the State Budget allots PHEAA each year. On, September 20, Governor Edward Rendell told The Times Leader that, if passed by legislators, the budget would increase funding for education by $300 million, as opposed to many other states. While waiting for the budget to pass, many students have not paid part of their tuition--the part expected from PHEAA grants. President Tim Gilmour explained that the University has not asked students See BUDGET page 2 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �MEET VICKI MAYK: associate director of public relations PAGE5 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 2 SLLC project proposal under review in October BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer Wilkes University pledged to lower its carbon footprint in the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in May 2007 to demonstrate its concern about global warming. One such proposed way to achieve this goal is the Sustainable Learning-Living Community (SLLC), which will be an on-campus student residence hall that will offer students the chance to live in an eco-friendly environment. If the proposal is accepted in October, the SLLC will open for the fall of 2010. The residence hall will accomodate twelve to sixteen students who will agree to actively participate in living a “green,” eco-friendly lifestyle. “We want people to dream big about how to reduce their waste on the planet,” said Dr. Ellen Flint, director of undergraduate education. According to Sarah DeCesaris, senior political science and inter- BUDGET from FRONT PAGE to pay the PHEAA grant portion of their tuition, which effectively takes this problem off of the table until the State acts. “Basically, Wilkes University has been fronting the money for students,” said Mickelson. After the State Budget passes, students will be seeing the effects of that in their accounts. Students may receive more or less grant money, depending on how the fi- national studies double major and SLLC project manager, students who get accepted into this project will commit themselves and serve as role models for others. “I think it’s a great opportunity for students to practice what they preach or to learn something new, said DeCesaris. “Essentially, students involved in the SLLC will guide student-run sustainability initiatives at Wilkes.” Ross Hall is being considered for the potential location of the SLLC. This carbon-neutral facility will rely on student innovation and projects that are completed by students who live in the hall. The SLLC will participate in in practicing “green” methods, including planting a garden where the community can grow some, if not all, of their produce as well as recycling or cutting down on its solid waste. In addition to practicing these methods, the facility will be eqiupped with Energy Star appliances and energy efficient fixtures. There are also plans for a solar water heater, which is being created by Jarett Wolfe and William Heard, senior electrical engineering majors, and Ryan Hewitt and Nicholas Whitenight, senior mechanical engineering majors. “The guidelines in which the students live by will be set up by the community,” said Flint. “This is a community developed for students by students.” DeCesaris played a key role in developing the proposal for the SLLC. “The SLLC proposal is based on an eco-village model: a nonprofit educational organization that provides an alternative model for suburban and urban living for a healthy, socially rich lifestyle while minimizing ecological impacts,” DeCesaris said. DeCesaris’s proposal will be brought before the environmental work group to decide whether the project will continue sometime in October. The work group is comprised of Wilkes University’s staff If approved by the work group in October, Ross Hall will become an eco-friendly dorm community on campus. step for Wilkes in moving towards members. Some students across campus a more aware and green campus.” The proposal must be accepted already support the idea. Jefferson Bohan, a sophomore pharma- before there can be any further cy major and a resident assistant progress with Wilkes University’s in Evans Hall, said, “This is a big SLLC project. nalization of the budget works. Gilmour said, “There is little solid information available, but rumors suggest that PHEAA grants for [Wilkes’s] students will be close to previously proposed levels in the Governor’s Budget.” Mickelson explained that students do not realize how the legislators in Harrisburg can actually affect them. “Many students think that [the state budget] is just something that just happens… It’s like: Mom puts milk in the fridge so it’s always going to be there. And we don’t know or care how much it costs,” said Mickelson. “[The budget] definitely affects me,” said Rachel Sluhocki, freshman pharmaceutical sciences major. “I had to buy my books on credit.” Many students have yet to purchase textbooks because of stalled State grant money. Eligibility for the state grant is listed on PHEAA’s website and not all students qualify due to certain criteria. Some of the eligibility factors include being a graduate of an approved high school or having a GED, meeting criteria for finan- cial need, attending a PHEAA approved school, and being enrolled for at least six credits as an undergraduate. Wilkes University has not put out any press releases to students and parents regarding the budget, but plans to after the budget is finalized by the legislation. There has been no official word on exact figures; therefore, Wilkes does not want to issue any premature press release. “Overall, the proposed compromise budget should have only marginal effects on the University’s BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis financial situation, while there are some other state programs from which the University receives funding that may be adversely affected,” said President Gilmour. While Wilkes and other universities receive grant money, the proposed State spending plan will also include new taxes on concerts and plays as well as tacking on another 25 cents to packs of cigarettes. At casinos, table games will be allowed with the finalization of the budget. Meet the Staff Ryan Holmes Assistant Sports Editor �NEWS SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 3 Wilkes News Briefs BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor WILKES U PRESENTS FOOD, INC. SCREENING - On Friday, October 2, 2009, Wilkes University will host a screening of Food Inc. at 7:00 p.m. in the Stark Learning Center, Room 101. Food, Inc. was directed by Robert Kenner and attempts to expose harmful practices in the nation’s food supply system. The film also shows the effect of these practices on our society, environment and economy. The film is sponsored by Wilkes University’s College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; The Sidhu School of Business and Leadership; College of Science and Engineering; Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing; First Year Foundations and Students for Environmental Sustainability. Admissions are free and open to all University members. SPRING BREAK TO MEXICO 2010 – Dr. James Merryman will host a spring break trip to Cancun, Mexico from March 7 through March 14. The trip costs $1,345 and a $200 deposit is due by October 1. Interested students should drop off the deposit check, made out to Trans World Travel, in Breiseth Hall, room 327 to Dr. Merryman or a secretary. Students should write their name in the “memo” section of the check as it appears on their passport followed by their passport number. The trip can be taken for three elective credits. The trip includes airfare, stay in a luxury hotel on the beach with two pools, and unlimited food and beverage. There will be a full day excursion to Chitzen-Itza to explore Mayan culture. Students may engage in other activities such as snorkeling in marine parks, forest eco-tours, zip-lines and deep sea fishing. For more information contact James Merryman at 408-4043 or james.merryman@ wilkes.edu. To view the hotel: barcelotucancun.com. JUNIOR CLASS POWDERPUFF GAME – The junior class will host a powderpuff game in which the girls play football and the boys are cheerleaders. Students can sign up during club hours in the Henry Student Center on the first floor. Applications are due by October 6 at 5:00 p.m. Participating teams can ask any staff member to be the coach. Classes will be battling against each other. Most spirited cheerleader wins a Visa gift card. To sign up or for more information, please email megan.dickinson@ wilkes.edu. HEALTH SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENT – The Health and Wellness Center does not have any more seasonal flu shots available. STUDENT DEVELOPMENT STAFF UPDATES - Jamie Miller, activities assistant, began the week of September 7; his office is located behind the information desk on the first floor of HSC. Caitlin Czeh is student development’s new campus interfaith coordinator. Gabriel Lamberti, who was hired to build an outdoor education program and also coordinating events with the rock wall and ropes courses, also started the week of September 7; his office is located in the student lounge in HSC. Melissa Howells has accepted the position of coordinator of student development and will start around the second week of October. HOMECOMING – Wilkes University will host the annual Homecoming celebration beginning on October 9. The festivities STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Treasurer’s Report: All College: $5,600 Conferences: $ 10,900 General: $8,900 Leadership: $3,000 Spirit: $1,000 Special Projects: $2,750 Start-Up: $ 1,500 Total: $33,650 Club Reports: Programming Board reported that Demetri Martin will be held this Friday, September 25. New Business: - Homecoming sign up sheet was passed around for volunteers to help with the setup. - Alumni Association: Homecoming Donation Request (Week 1 of 1) Requested $700 for the parade and tent festival. The Alumni Association estimates that about 70 students will show up to the event therefore, $10 per student. The money will be used for food, drink and set up.) Ben Bie- del motioned to allocate $700 to the Alumni Association. June Lor seconds the motion. Motion passed 21-0-0. - Martial Arts Group: Club Recognition (Week 1 of 2) Members of the Wilkes community would like to start a club with a martial arts interest. Dr. Schicatano will be the adviser. There was a table at club day and 47 students signed up; 5 students have expressed interest since club day. If granted permission to become a club, they will not be competing against other schools. There will be more student discussion next week. - Biology Club: Donation Request (Week 1 of 1) Two students, Derek Nye and Konstantina Papas, requested $902.67 to attend a biology conference in Hollywood, Florida. The students would be representing Wilkes University and would also be the only undergraduate program at the conference. Nye and Papas have been studying with Dr. Linda Gutierrez in the research topic of inflammatory bowel disease in mice as it relates to humans. They have requested a $1,000 grant, but it has not been processed yet. If the grant goes through, the students will not need the money from Student Government but are requesting it now because they need to book their spot at the conference. will begin with the Annual George Ralston Homecoming Golf Tournament at Irem Temple with a shotgun start at noon. On Saturday, Oct 10, the annual homecoming parade will be held at 10:30 a.m. beginning near the University Center on Main. At 1:00 p.m., the Colonels go head-to-head with the Dutchmen from Lebanon Valley followed by a tent festival on the greenway. For a full list of events and activities during the Homecoming weekend, check out www. wilkes.edu or www.community.wilkes.edu. 8th ANNUAL WALK TOWARDS AWARENESS - On October 20 at 12:00 p.m., the Health and Wellness Service Center will host the 8th Annual Walk Towards Awareness from the greenway to Kirby Park. Students must register for the one mile walk by October 13 to the Health and Wellness Service Center by calling 4084730. Any student who participates in the walk will recieve a free longsleeve tee-shirt. The rain date will be October 22. FALL RECESS – Fall Recess Begins at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14. Classes will resume Monday, October 19. 09-16-09 Greg Castelli made the motion to allocate $902.67 to the Biology Club. Jill Kalayria seconds the motion. Motion passed 18-3-0. - Saudi Interest Students Group: Club Recognition (Week 1 of 2) Currently, this group has over 50 students members of whom are mostly Saudi. This group is open to all students. This club will introduce new Saudi students to the area. There will be more student discussion next week. Old Business: Homecoming Donation Events: Homecoming 10/10 Club Reports: SG Mentors: Gabe Lamberti has dates picked out for SG members to be trained on the rock wall; either October 3 or October 10 Construction on the Library is scheduled for October 15. *At 7:30 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. for more information check out ... ~I @:•JI ~Iw_il_k_e_s_b_e_a_c_o_n_.c_o_m __ �NEWS 4 PEPPERJAM from FRONT PAGE keting for GSI Commerce Solutions Inc., said, “I would have to look into that a little further to find out specifically if that is something we offer, but I think that is something that we definitely set the ground work here for so that we can definitely approach our human research department about.” As for Pepperjam’s other operations, Jones said that it is business as usual. “There have not been any major changes to the structure…We’ve kept our name as sort of a recognition of an independent entity of GSI,” said Jones. So why sell the company he co-founded in 1999? Jones said, “The truth is, we’ve known GSI Commerce for years. They just so happen to be the largest and most respected company in the e-commerce space, as it relates to providing marketing services and technology to some of the world’s leading e-commerce retailers. So we’ve seen them, and in some cases developed friendships. As CEO of Pepperjam – the former Pepperjam – I always saw this as a strategic opportunity to take Pepperjam and our affiliate marketing technology of Pepper- jam network to the next level.” Michael G. Rubin, chairman, president and CEO of GSI, said in a press release about the purchase, “The acquisition of Pepperjam is a strategic extension of our marketing services business that we believe will enhance growth opportunities for both GSI and our clients.” He added, “Affiliate marketing is a powerful interactive marketing tool. Last year, our affiliate marketing channel generated more than $100 million in sales for our clients. By owning our own affiliate network, we believe we can more rapidly drive innovation and service enhancements to our clients while also expanding our marketing services offering to a broader universe of prospective clients. We expect the affiliate business to represent an important opportunity over time.” According to Jones, the company still sees Wilkes as a partner as they head into this new endeavor. “I think that Pepperjam continues to see Wilkes University as a strategic partner for both internships and employment opportunities for Wilkes students and alumni,” says Jones. SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Luzerne County Courthouse rededication ceremony The Beacon/ Allison Roth Frank Pasquini, general chairperson of the Centennial Rededication cermony, gave opening remarks on Friday, Sept 25. The rededication ceremony is celebrating the Luzerne County Courthouse’s 100 years with a reception and gala on Friday night. Judges and members of the planning committee stand behind Pasquini. **Check out the Entertainment just down the road, just for you at your B & N Bookstore** Open Mic Night for Acoustic Music & Poetry! Tonight! Tuesday, Septentber 29 th front 6:30-8:30pnt Come out and show off your talents the last Tuesday of each month. Our best event of each month! Don't miss out! Three Imaginary Boys! Live Friday Night '!t 6:30pm Get 25% off your order in the cafe with your student ID and hang out with some good friends. �SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 NEWS 5 Mayk joins Wilkes as associate director of public relations BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief This fall semester is Vicki Mayk’s first with Wilkes University’s Marketing Communications department. Before joining Wilkes, Mayk--who replaces former associate director Christine Tondrick--served as a journalist, a yearbook editor, and a public/ media relations director. In February 2008, Tondrick departed from the position to get married and take a new job with the Pennsylvania Homecare Association. Tondrick’s leave prompted a search to fill her position. Before joining the Wilkes community, Mayk was the director of Communications and Community Relations at The Morning Call, located in Allentown, Pa. Prior to working at the newspaper, she worked at Muhlenberg College and later Kutztown University in their media relations departments for a combined 13 years. “I wanted to return to higher ed,” said Mayk, who was hired by Wilkes in late DRINKING from FRONT PAGE it when your friend needs help at a party?” He incorporated many anecdotes in his lecture; some were outrageous and funny, while others were decidedly tragic. As he constantly repeated, all it takes is one bad mistake on a given night to bring about dramatic consequences in a person’s life. The head coach of the Wilkes University women’s soccer team, John Sumoski, felt it was important for his team to receive Green’s message. “It’s important to bring in speakers who will benefit our student athletes as well as the campus community. I feel that if you have the potential to save a kid’s life, then an opportunity like this is worth every penny,” said Sumoski. “[Green’s] been doing this for a long time and gets through to a crowd very well,” continued Sumoski. “I liked that his message wasn’t just ‘don’t drink,’ because at the majority of colleges that’s simply not realistic. Teaching them to be responsible for themselves and their friends was much more effective in my mind.” One activity Green used to illustrate how students can get “caught up in the moment” while out drinking was a chugging contest. Four students were called forth from the audience and placed in front of four white cups on a table, to the accompaniment of cheers April. “I thought about my career and what I liked the best and I really liked higher ed the best. I really like the environment. There’s never any lack of stories to promote, and I enjoy working with the faculty and students a lot.” Mayk added, “One of the things that drew me to Wilkes was the job itself because it involved doing the things I wanted to do again in my career and what I think I really excel at so I can make a contribution. I like this kind of an institute, [one] that focuses on undergraduate education.” After applying for the position, Mayk was granted a chance to interview with the search committee and put together a sample media plan for a specific story idea. “Vicki’s media plan for the assignment we gave her was really excellent,” said Jack Chielli, director of Marketing Communications. “It was a combination of her interview skills, the media plan she prepared, and the way she fit in with the group in terms of personality that made her the person I wanted for the job.” from their friends. At Green’s command, they were asked to chug the contents. When the students finished and the noise had subsided, Green pointed out that not one person had stopped to ask what the students would be consuming from the cups before partaking in the activity. That the cups had merely contained Diet Pepsi was irrelevant; it was a sobering moment that helped drive home his previous points about responsibility and awareness. Taryn Hallowell, a junior entrepreneurship and elementary education double-major, as well as a member of the women’s soccer team, was a participant in the contest. “I actually asked the others to wait before we started,” said Hallowell. “But after everyone else started doing it, I just went along with it. I thought it was a great example and overall, an entertaining seminar.” “I’ve had many rewarding experiences since I began doing this,” said Green. “I would have to say that my most rewarding experience was when I was at a certain high school several years ago, however. A student rose from amongst a crowd of 500 and yelled at several others who were being rowdy, telling them that his mother had died in an alcohol-related car accident and that they should respect what I was saying. It shut everyone up and really helped me get my point through. It was a very touching moment.” As associate director, Mayk’s responsibilities include aiding and improving internal communications within the university. She also writes press releases and works closely with both the graphic design and advancements departments to promote and plan campus events. Having enjoyed working on alumni magazines in the past for Muhlenberg and Kutztown, Mayk was excited to take on the responsibilities of editing and writing for the Wilkes University Alumni Magazine. “Working with the magazine has been really fun,” said Mayk. “As a newcomer to the university […] it gets me interfacing and meeting people in the university… it’s allowing me to meet a lot of faculty and a lot of students. There’s always something different going on; that’s what I like about it.” In the future, Mayk wants to find new ways to use the web and new media for Wilkes’s public relations efforts. For example, Mayk has recently worked to form an online news room where local, regional, and even national reporters can go if they are looking for story ideas concerning Wilkes’s students and faculty members. “I think she’s been outstanding. Over the summer, she took the time to get to know the campus…” said Chielli. “She’s doing a lot of things that we’ve always wanted to do here with media, like trying to come up with media training for faculty who want to be interviewed. She’s been very proactive in getting out into the community and promoting Wilkes.” “I’ve really enjoyed working with Vicki,” added Rachel Strayer, graduate assistant to Marketing Communications. “She’s been really helpful, very kind, and is really helping me to improve my writing. She’s really honest, but at the same time is kind and encouraging.” Mayk noted that her door is always open and she is always willing to speak to anyone who may have an interesting idea that can be promoted or featured in the magazine. �'I1IIE OIISEll\TA'I101lY PAGE7 CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu The O.b.serva t:o·r y .. , ~. ~~~ ··•. ~ , • · 6 Opinion wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Wilkes should mandate physical education course boosts your energy, exercise promotes better BY THE BEACON sleep, exercise can put the spark back into Editorial Board your sex life, and exercise can be fun, too, says Mayo. These apply to all age groups, but can be especially benefitcial to college The days of dodge ball in elementary students who suffer from lack of energy and school have long since passed for college sleep. students. Colleges and universities across The administration at Wilkes may arthe United States are dropping their required gue that students have sports that provide gym classes because they do not see a need physical exercise. While Wilkes may have to require students to take physical educaa number of recreational sports available, tion. In fact, most students vote against it not all students choose to play sports. Some because they do not see a need for it, either. students focus all of their attention on their As a result, the need for mandated physical classes and studies, while education is now greater The Beacon/Melanie Thomas others really do not see a than ever. need for physical exercise. There are more obese There is a great need for college students in the it, however. Mandating United States than ever a single-credit physical before. College students education course that reare now more vulnerable quires students to exercise to heart disease, diabetes, or weight lift for, at they and high blood pressure very least, an hour a week because of their eating would create a more athabits and lack of physitentive student body with cal exercise. According more confidence. Exercise to a study conducted by has the potential to help the University of New students’ grades in the long Hampshire, out of 800 run. So in turn, mandatory students surveyed, neareducation would promote ly half of the men were academic education at overweight or obese Wilkes. while 30 percent of the In all likelihood, Wilkes women surveyed were does not consider a physioverweight or obese. As cal education course a the number of colleges great enough need for the and universities continue budget, especially with to drop their required plans for the SHE building physical education program, the results of this This is a glimpse of the exercise room in the basement of the Marts Gym on underway and with renovatwo-year-old study are Sunday, September 27. This facility receives light use from students who tions on campus, but this is a relatively inexpensive enonly increasing. are not involved in sports. deavor. Wilkes already has Wilkes University has taken some efforts to create healthy diet op- semester that offers credits would be both in the facilities to create a physical education tions for students, but have only extended Wilkes’s best interest and the students’. Not course, the Marts Gym and the UCOMM its reach so far. In Wilkes’s goal to become only would it help the student body become in-door track. These facilities are hardly a green campus, they are implementing healthier, but facilities that are hardly used ever used by those in the student body who are not on a sports team. programs across campus that will help the now would see more traffic. The Beacon urges you to get your voice According to the Mayo Clinic, an organistudents, faculty and staff to reduce the university’s carbon footprint. As reported zation that dedicates itself to the diagnosis out there and push for a physical education this week (see page 2), the new Sustainable and treatment of complex illnesses, there course. Speak to the administration, for they Learning-Living Community (SLLC) will are seven basic benefits of regular physi- value our opinions when making decisions. allow students to practice “green” living by cal activity. Exercise improves your mood, It is in your best interests and, who knows, eating healthier, saving energy, and using exercise combats chronic diseases, exercise it might be fun. helps you manage your weight,exercise environmentally-friendly products. Likewise, the food service on campus has also increased their menu to include more healthy options for students. They are also providing nutritional information online for convenience. So if you are trying to promote healthier lifestyles for students on campus, why not complete the circle by making physical exercise mandatory? The Beacon feels that Wilkes University should mandate a physical education program. It is the next step towards a healthier campus community. A physical education course that students are required to take each Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 45 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think Student Government spends too much money? • Yes, they do not spend money where it is needed- 80% • No, they spend the right amount of money- 4% • No, they are not spending enough money - 16% Next Week’s Question: Do you think that Wilkes should mandate a physical education course ? • • Yes, students need the exercise No, they can exercise on their own Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �OPINION SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 7 Another example of “biased, hate-mongering journalism” BY ANDREW SEAMAN Checking the comments on The Beacon’s website is a habit of mine. My morning and evening ritual has always been to read what people are talking about, and it always amazes me how cowardly people are to hide their identities behind false names: Common Sense, Hello Reality, former SG member, etc. The hot topic last week was The Beacon’s editorial board regarding student government’s purchase of a $2,000 swipe card lock system for their office door. This opinion article is not meant to explain or defend The Beacon’s editorial board – it was accurate and got to the point. However, I completely agree with it. My first two years at Wilkes were spent covering SG and I honestly do not know how I got through it. The people changed from year to year, but the problems and thought processes remained the same. One problem is that SG believes the funds they allocate are theirs alone. I remember one instance when a group came to SG looking for funds to purchase shirts for a charity event. The question was never whether the group was going to get the money, but whether or not they should mandate the SG logo be placed on the back of the shirts. Members argued that SG provided the money and should get the publicity. But really, it is our money. Rather than an SG logo, they should be requiring that every Wilkes student’s name be put on the shirt. Another problem is that the thought process is not always complete. As one commenter on The Beacon’s website – “Common Sense” – claimed, the $2,000 swipe card investment was the smart fiscal move. “Sense” says, “…to create a key for 50 members every year (at about $25 per key cost, over several years, including the extra keys when ones are lost)” would not be fiscally responsible. First, find a new locksmith if you are getting charged $25 a key. John Pesta, director of capital projects at Wilkes, told me, “The cost to purchase a key is $1.95, a lockset is $118.60 and core is approximately $50.00.” He added, “The cost for the key…falls under the Facilities operating budget.” For SG’s investment in the new $2,000 swipe card lock system, the school could have installed a new lock and key system for approximately $170, purchased 50 new keys and a core every year for the next 12 years, and still had money left over. I am sure the lock system would have to be replaced within a dozen years as the technology changes, the Henry Student Center is remodeled, and constant use takes its toll. SG could then use the student activity money for programs, activities, donations and other worthy causes instead of spending it on a swipe card system. Second, SG should make their members pay a fine if their key is lost. The fine should help cut down on lost keys and help alleviate any security concerns. Personally, I would have preferred my student activity fee to go to the movie on the Fenner Quadrangle or even a local charity. SG members need to think of the people outside of their meeting room when making decisions, putting motions on the table and casting votes. I am not saying that all SG members are dolts; however, every organization has them. Most of the students in SG are smart and caring people who are really trying to leave a better university for the students to come. They just need to be a little bit more open, deflate their egos, and not think that people are always out to get them. So that is my opinion with no false names or pretenses – just me. As a member of the Board of Trustees, I receive The Beacon on a weekly basis. Thank you for highlighting the condition of the Labyrinth. I have followed up with President Gilmour. We are working on a green solution that will clean up the appearance you reported in the September 15th Republicans and Democrats, please shut up BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor Political news is never complete without a statement by the news anchor about how our Republican and Democratic leaders cannot come to an agreement about some sort of policy or law. Each party has their own specific idea about how the United States should be governed and neither chooses to acknowledge that sometimes the opposing party could be right. This is why the term “polar opposites” always applies to politics. Both of the major political parties are at opposites ends, sometimes extreme opposite ends. There is no middle ground for the two to reach, neither one of them can agree, they cannot even agree to disagree when it comes to major issues facing the United States. Democrats support President Obama’s health care plan, Republicans oppose his health care plan. Democrats say this health care plan will create more affordable health care for Americans. Republicans say this health care system is a big step towards socialism. Democrats do not support the war in Iraq, Republicans do support the war in Iraq blah, blah, blah.... I am so sick of hearing and seeing this crap on the news. Is all of the arguing necessary? Why do we simple Americans need to know our leaders cannot agree? Knowing that our leaders cannot agree does not put anyone’s mind at ease. Our own state took two months to pass a state budget because our Republican and Democratic state legislators could not come to an agreement on how to spend the state’s money this coming year. Here is an idea on how to spend Pennsylvania’s money: schools, roads, and poor people. Our government is run like a dysfunctional family. Our father is a Republican and our mother is a Democrat and we are the young children. We sit fearfully by, gripping our favorite stuffed animal, not knowing what to do while our parents argue with each other in the kitchen about who is right and who is wrong and forget all about us. My advice to you, dear readers, is do not fall into this pattern of thinking. I do not care if you are a Republican or Democrat. You are free thinking people first. Believe whatever you want. Believe that the country should be run a certain way. Just do not believe that you have to think that way. Do not pretend that you are always right and keep an open mind to other opinions or you will end up arguing about politics for the rest of your stressful life. Letters to the Editor Policy The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: YOUR R Dear Editor, The Obse~v-a. t::o~y issue. I donated the Labyrinth last year for students, professors and alumni to have a beautiful outdoor space to meditate, think, study and enjoy. I hope you can report in the future that the Wilkes community is enjoying and using the labyrinth. 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion Please keep letters to 300 words. The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. Bill Miller ‘81 �OPINION 8 SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Refusing to let go of unhealthy vices: costly and unnecesary /Melan ie Tho mas Also the stimulating effects of a cigarette go a long way when dealing with the stresses of a day. Stimulating the mind and body can be done though various methods depending on an individual’s interest in levels of amusement. But now one must ask if there are obvious risks to smoking cigarettes and rumors of cigarette prices sky-rocketing within the next year due to a rise in taxation, will the number of packs sold each year decline? The average cost of a 9 oz. cup of coffee plus the average cost of one pack of cigarettes varies from state to state. But for conspiracy’s-sake let us agree that if you added the number of coffees and packs of cigarettes sold to consumers in America annually the result ends up being that 50 billion dollars a year are contributed to consumers wasting money on two monopolized things that could be easily replaced by healthier choices. Is it safe to say that we buy into huge coffee cigarette corporations monopolization of American consumers? Apparently we do over 30 billion times a year. eacon Whether you are retired, in the middle of a thirty-year career, or an eager college student ready to face the world, chances are that you have had to make a few financial sacrifices over the past year or so. Despite these economic set-backs on both high and low ends, there are certain products that seem to go hand in hand with any American lifestyle; for examlpe, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes. Count the number of cups of coffee you see while walking into work in the morning, the amount of cigarettes you see smoked in one day. Now try not to ask yourself why there are so many cups of coffee in the morning, cigarettes throughout the day. It seems almost as though a large number of people working in America need coffee and/or cigarettes to get through each day. This is hardly a call to conspiracy, but merely a call to recognize the facts. Let us first examine the coffee conspiracy; there are over 150 million daily drinkers of coffee according e-importz.com. According to CNNmoney, the “coffee market is estimated to be worth $11 billion a year.” There is no denying the fact that there are over 150 million cups of coffee consumed each day. However, one must ponder the question, if we know there are equivalent, cheaper, and healthier alternatives to consuming coffee every day, why not consume those instead? Haily McKay of The Stylus wrote on September 16, 2009 that “coffee only acts as a stimulant while an apple’s sugar and fiber will provide long-lasting energy.” Also, the price of an apple is approximately one fifth of the cost of a 9 oz. cup of coffee, and is more beneficial for you in the long run. We cannot forget to rule out the benefits of a jolting glass of ice-water in the morning, which, according to associatedcontent. com, will result in having a more energetic day because “when we are fully hydrated, we have more energy.” Now, if we know these researchable points to be true and the number of coffees consumed per day is still over 150 million, why can’t these consumers just break away? The answer lies in dependability and convenience. Coffee can be purchased at any point throughout the day and it will keep you awake making eating an apple or downing a glass of ice water almost seem like a chore this day and age. A similar analysis can be done with cigarettes. Feast your mind upon this: according to NewYorkTimes article published in 2002, “Americans buy about 22 billion packs of cigarettes annually.” We know that there are alternatives to smoking. But just like the situation with coffee, American lifestyles revolve around dependability and convenience. Cigarettes are notoriously known for their addictive nature due to their having ingredients designed specifically for the reason. The B BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor Emergency call boxes could offer more than just a blue light special The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Wilkes University’s Student Handbook states that “there are emergency call boxes located at the entrance of the house-style residence halls, and at various locations around campus.” But in the event of an emergency the possibility of the person’s survival then becomes a matter of how fast help can respond to the emergency. In the event that help is unable to rescue the person in a a reasonable amount of time, implementing an auditory siren would help to at least alert the immediate public to the situation. Once the Emergency Call Box has been activated, a blue light is emitted to visually alert the public of the urgent issue. An alerting call is also made from the box to Public Safety. The flashing blue light is not as proficient at deterring crime as a loud siren would be, and as such they should be added. �CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu Q & A with Edward Riehl Page 10 li ostyllos ___ wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 9 Student-parents struggle to balance education and family BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Adrienne Shellenberger throws the diaper bag, weighed down by snacks and bottles, over her left shoulder. She then throws the backpack, weighed down with textbooks, over her right shoulder. She heads out of the house. It’s 7:00 a.m. While most college students’ days do not begin that early, Shellenberger is a different kind of student. She is not just a student; she is also a mother. The balancing act Shellenberger and many other student-parents on Wilkes’s campus and campuses around the country face is uniquely difficult. “I transferred to Wilkes last year from Luzerne County Community College. When I was transferring to Wilkes, I called and asked about daycare and they just told me the YMCA had one. I called the Y and was told there was at least a year and a half wait list,” stated Shellenberger. The financial crunch students across the board feel from the rise of college tuition is compounded for student-parents who must take into account daycare costs, as well. Shellenberger, a senior communication studies major, thinks a daycare on campus might ease her struggle of trying to keep up that balancing act between being a student cially after spending the entire summer with and being a mother to her 22 month old son, him and having to go back to the routine of school work. Hayden. The ability for students who have chilShellenberger’s schedule, like many student-parents, is prepared around their chil- dren to not only see them more frequently throughout dren’s schedthe day, but ule’s and when also create they are able to an extension see them. of the educa“Ever since I started school, I tion program to allow stuhave only ever dents handstaken Monday, on childcare We d n e s d a y, experience, is and Friday classes so I can the focus of the Hildebsee Hayden randt Learnthe rest of the The Beacon/Tom Reilly ing Centers week. In fact, partnerships on Fridays I King’s College’s Early Learning Center partnered with local only have one with Hildebrandt Learning Centers to expand their area colleges class, which education curriculum. and childcare is frustrating, centers. because I am King’s College has recently added a paying for a whole day of daycare for less branch of the Hildebrandt Learning Center than one hour,” said Shellenberger. Shellenberger said that she wishes she onto their education department. could spend more time with Hayden, espe“We really strive for expertise and putting Student of the Week:G~ BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor When picturing a typical college student, one would normally imagine a twentysomething toting around a backpack filled to the brim with books. But Gerry DuBoice, who admits to saying hello to 65, is no typical college student. DuBoice is currently a junior at Wilkes University, and she is auditing classes. According to the Student Handbook, auditing courses is a practice designed so that students can expand their educational opportunities beyond the borders of courses that are requirements for graduation. DuBoice is expected to do the same work as a typical student, but she won’t receive the credit at the end of the course. “I was taking quite a few classes, mostly in the business major, but then I decided there were things I had to do and places I wanted to go and see, so I put my money toward those things,” said DuBoice. Last year DuBoice traveled to Egypt with the Wilkes Alumni, and has also been on a number of Dr. Merryman’s trips, including a 1998 trip to Kenya. Outside of the university, DuBoice is also quite active. She has achieved the rank of second lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol by taking classes at the Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport, in Wyoming. She is also a member of The Kingston Citizen’s Advisory Board, The Red Hat Society, The Wyoming Valley Gourmet Club, The Pennsylvania Jazz Society, Treasure of the Friends of the Hoyt Library Board, and has been in The Vagina Monologues for three years at Wilkes and for five years at Little Theater in Wilkes-Barre. DuBoice was also employed by Wilkes in the School of Science and Engineering for several years, but her first bout at Wilkes as the children first. It’s not just a partnership with King’s, it’s a partnership with the city,” said Mary Baker, Director of the Early Learning Center. Baker and a team of childcare professionals create an intense learning environment where students in King’s College’s education program can learn real life skills. King’s College has the ability to offer students within the education department practicum credit and internships through the daycare facility, according to Baker. Dr. Michael Garzella, Associate Dean of Education, explained that it is the goal of Wilkes’s education department to gain the diversity training students will face when they are out in real world situations. “What King’s has is a good concept and a good idea, but we want something that we can grow,” said Garzella. Wilkes’s idea is to establish a similar partnership like King’s College has with the Hildebrandt Learning Center but with a local school district. “We want our students to get that diversity training,” stated Garzella. ~Eo:.a - - a student began in 1969 when she took four semesters of accounting while working, in order to get ahead in the office where she worked. “The only way you get ahead is by learning. I would take my kids and go to my lake house and I’d sit on the dock and do my accounting homework while they were swimming,” DuBoice said. “In one way, I liked college better my first time around because it (does she mean Wilkes here? if so, insert in brackets like this: [Wilkes]) was smaller, and everybody really got to know everyone; but I really love the new technology, and Wilkes is small enough so the teachers get to know you personally,” said DuBoice. DuBoice’s initiative to become a lifelong learner and her adventure for life has made her The Beacon’s Student of the Week. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? DuBoice: I would like to be a successful real estate agent, that is really my goal and I’m hoping Spanish will help me with that. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words… DuBoice: Enthusiastic, optimistic, and I love life and have a lot to give. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know that…” DuBoice: I sat down for an interview. for more information check out... Iwilke sbeacon.com lriZ:ZI �LIFESTYLES 10 SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Q&A with Edward Riehl, on the road Peace Corps college recruiter BY APRIL BIELINSKI Correspondent Edward Riehl’s experience with the Peace Corps came later in life. Riehl, now a college recruiter, joined Wilkes University students on campus September 24th to speak of his successful experience with the Peace Corps. The Beacon: How did you originally find yourself entering the Peace Corps? Riehl: I was turning 61 when I entered the Peace Corps so my motivation extends back to the days of John Kennedy. I was attracted by the opportunity to “stretch” myself while doing something meaningful to help less advantaged people and maybe make the world a little bit nicer. My situation (grad school then family) didn’t allow me to join the Peace Corps, though. So, over the years, I built a career (first as a college teacher, then a lawyer in a law firm, and finally as an attorney in a corporation) and tended to family responsibilities. Finally, when I realized that my family was grown and gone and that I really had no reason to work any longer, I decided to quit and joined the Peace Corps. It was the best decision I ever made. The Beacon: How long have you been involved with this organization? Riehl: I applied to the Peace Corps in late 2005 and began volunteer service in 2006. A few months after I returned from my volunteer service, I applied for and was hired as a recruiter. The Beacon: What kind of service have you done, and where did it take place? Riehl: I served as a university English teacher in the northeast section of Ukraine. The universitys specialization was “public administration” and so many of the grad students and part-time evening students worked for the government -- some dating from the period when the government was the former Soviet Union. Teaching English conversation and discussing topics such as freedom of the press, free elections, and even the student-teacher roles in higher education made for some lively classes. The Beacon: Do you feel as though the budget is sufficient enough to meet the means of the Peace Corps? President Obama stated in his campaign trail that there would be a new bold Peace Corps, also stating, that the budget would be doubled. As of now, there has only been a 10% increase. Riehl: I believe the budget needs to be increased. I am biased, of course, not because I work for Peace Corps, but because I have seen what it does both for people in a developing country and for the Americans who serve as Volunteers. The Beacon: What inspires you to continue working with the Peace Corps? Riehl: I love the Peace Corps and I want to tell as many people--especially students --why Peace Corps is a great opportunity for them. The Beacon: What advice do you have for students interested in joining? Name the benefits of doing so. Riehl: Keep learning about Peace Corps; build up your skills; be active - lead full lives; and get some good volunteer experience. You will learn a language, learn how to live in another culture, test your ability to use the skills you have acquired in school or elsewhere, experience a real sense of having done something meaningful. You learn humility and build self-confidence at the same time. And when you come home, we give you a little money, $6000 a year of non-competitive eligibility for a federal government job, and the opportunity for fellowships at over 50 colleges. It is the opportunity of a lifetime. Image Courtesy http://thegnukid.wordpress. com/2009/07/07/proud-pop-moment/ for more information check out... Iwilkesheacon.com ,.##ST.. . .o,r ..ELIVE. .Y" 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre SPECIALS WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH Large Pie $ 7.95 Chicken Wi n g Pi e $ 10.95 (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $ 13.95 2 Large Pizzas $ 16.95 MIX&MATCH Any 3 Subs or Wings ' I 825-5166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Dining Room I 2 Tickets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95 WE CATER l ARGE GROUP EVENTS PHASE CAll BEFORE YOUR NUT MEETING! Hours: Mon .-Thurs. 11am-11 pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-12am Sun. 12pm-11pm We're more than just great pizza ... see our entire menu at www.januzzispizza.com �SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 College Days: Elmes-Crahall, The Gadfly of Bloomsburg U. BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Jane Elmes-Crahall sits on the edge of a stage waiting for a debate competition to begin. Her long, straight brown hair is kept back by her thick, round black-rimmed glasses. Her future husband, Brinley, captures Jane’s eagerness and excitement through his camera lens. Elmes-Crahall is in a typical position: preparing to speak her mind. Elmes-Crahall’s self-confidence and ability to speak in public is credited to her time spent in college, specifically the time she spent on the speech and debate team. “Debate was the biggest thing in college to give me self-confidence,” stated ElmesCrahall. Elmes-Crahall’s undergraduate college career began in the fall of 1968 at Bloomsburg University. Majoring in Political Science, Elmes-Crahall thought she was on the fast track to law school. “About a year or two before I started [at Bloomsburg] they offered Liberal Arts degrees. Before then all they did was produce education majors,” said Elmes-Crahall. Coming from a small town in Berwick, Pennsylvania, Elmes-Crahall came into the college setting with a small cultural education. But she was willing to learn. “I think socially I met more people from [while at school], not from far away geographically, but attitude-wise. Socially, it was meeting the people from different backgrounds. Not that I wasn’t gregarious; I had Photo courtesy of Dr. Elmes-Crahall Jane Elmes-Crahall, March 24, 1971. lots of friends, but it was more people,” stated Elmes-Crahall. Elmes-Crahall’s social education began the minute she stepped on campus. Being plucked from the farmland she was used to in Berwick, Elmes-Crahall immersed herself in the college atmosphere. In fact, according to her, she “majored in extracurriculars.” “I remember spending much more time on what I loved, which happened to be the social and co-curricular. The social part was a lot of fun!” recalled Elmes-Crahall. As her social education began to grow and expand with each passing year at Bloomsburg, Elmes-Crahall’s confidence and open mind grew, as well. After joining the debate team, Elmes-Crahall spent countless hours traveling and debating against some of the brightest minds in the country at that time. “That was an experience. You’re meeting people from Ivy League schools and huge universities, and after a certain period of time, you learn that, intellectually ... you are just as smart, if not smarter than those people. That may have been one of the biggest lessons for me,” said Elmes-Crahall. Through her practice with the speech and debate team and the college setting, ElmesCrahall stretched her independence muscles. Her growth as an individual thinker was expanded even more through her involvement with Bloomsburg’s underground student newspaper, The Gadfly. “Borrowed from the Greeks, the gadfly is that little annoying bug that gets in your ear, and you have to keep ‘shoo-ing’ it away from your ear, because it keeps buzzing,” stated Elmes-Crahall. Elmes-Crahall wrote about equal rights for men and women, as well as protecting women from abusive situations. At that point, situations like abuse were not dis- cussed openly. “A friend of mine in college was beaten by an ex-fiancee. Getting her well and getting her to go tell someone about it kind of radicalized me about it,” remembered Elmes-Crahall with a serious tone. The Gadfly became an outlet for ElmesCrahall and her peers who were also pains in the sides of the Bloomsburg administration for their expressed frustration with the decisions the university was making. According to Elmes-Crahall, the late 60’s and early 70’s were a really interesting time to hear all different kinds of political views and to be able to write about it and talk about it. “You know I’m biased, but I think the writing in the underground paper was better than the writing in the official university paper. The university paper reported on student government, the sororities, fraternities and sports. I was not part of much of that,” said Elmes-Crahall. In response to the constant urging from students like Elmes-Crahall, Bloomsburg finally created a separate branch of intercollegiate governance called the StudentFaculty Senate. “Bloomsburg was experimenting with a lot of different ways of governance to appease the loudmouth students like me. I was among a group of students who would constantly be asking for more freedom--for student views to be considered because of what Bloomsburg was doing...and how they were doing things,” remembers Elmes-Crahall. This organization that originally held 30 faculty members and 12 students was one of the primary legislative bodies on campus while Elmes-Crahall attended Bloomsburg. Being part of the inaugural class of the Student-Faculty Senate, Elmes-Crahall was well aware of the fact that she was a first for this type of legislative body. Elmes-Crahall was appointed to the position of secretary and was very careful of what she said and did, because she knew people would be waiting for her to fail. “The late 60’s brought a lot of firsts for women. I knew I was setting an example for ‘first time’ women. You’re very conscious [when] you’re a first,” said ElmesCrahall. Elmes-Crahall’s position as secretary for the Student-Faculty Senate was a first for both herself and the University. Because of her heightened responsibility, a fellow Student-Faculty Senate member, a professor, approached her after receiving the position, and asked her why she thought she was assigned to secretary. “He asked me ‘Jane, do you think they gave that position to shut you up because you’re a woman or because you’re a student?’ It had never occurred to me that giving someone this position was the perfect way to keep them quiet, because they would always be writing,” remembered ElmesCrahall. The experiences Elmes-Crahall put herself in while attending Bloomsburg University began to shape her as a person. They began to shape her thought process and how she carried herself. Elmes-Crahall may not have been aware of it, but she walked away from her undergraduate college years with more than just her degree. She walked away with a new self-image that she continues to carry with her to this day. Elmes-Crahall no longer debates on stages as part of the Bloomsburg University team; however, she gets up in front of her communication classes each day and challenges her students to think as openly and freely as she found out she could during her time in college. I only stayed in the dorms once while in college. It was the late summer between my freshman and sophomore year. 1969. A friend of mine who stayed down the hall came into my room one day and asked if I wanted to go to a music festival in upstate New York. I didn’t have plans, so I said ‘yes’. I know people who had tickets and did not even end up getting there. We just drove straight up from Bloomsburg, got there on Thursday. We stayed until Sunday. When the rains came we slept in the car. We slept outside in the sleeping bags. Even when it was raining we slept outside in the sleeping bags. And by Saturday no one cared where they were going to the bathroom. �CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu Osterhout College Game Night- p. 14 12 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Wilkes theatre presents “For Love of the Nightingale” A preview of the first production of the fall semester BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor This Friday, October 1, is opening night for the Wilkes Theatre department’s first fall play, “For Love of the Nightingale,” written by Timberlake Wertenbaker and directed by Naomi Hatsfelt Baker, one of the three Wilkes theatre directors. As the name might imply, it sounds like any other lovey-dovey romance. However, this ancient Greek myth actually contains a whirlwind of emotions that are only ignited by love. There is much more to the story than just romantic sweet nothings. It is full of hope, deceit, power, love, violence, and universal messages that say more than what meets the eye. After observing a run-through rehearsal of the play, I can safely say it will hold your attention as the story unfolds with never-ending action. Tereus is one of the main characters who is played by Lou Gerstle, a senior theatre major. Tereus is the King of Thrace and is power-hungry with a hidden agenda. His wife, Procne, played by Katrina Zbenger, another senior Theatre major, begins to miss and need her beloved younger sister, Philomele, played by Casey Lynch, a senior musical theatre major. Prior to Procne and Tereus’ marriage, Procne and Philomele make a lifelong promise to always be there for one another. When Procne can no longer fight the need for her sister, she sends her Tereus to Athens to summon her. The journey involves many months of travelling across the sea. It is then that the story reveals its waves of irony. Baker chose this show for a few reasons. She developed a deep connection with the relevant messages that “Nightingale” sends to the audience and knew it would challenge her students. “I like the show a lot. It’s the first time I’ve had a significantly-sized part and taking on the responsibility to learn lines, going from scene to scene, it’s been a big push. It’s helped me infinitely, especially as an actor,” said Gerstle. “Nightingale” proves to be a style that Wilkes hasn’t done in awhile. Being that there are more women than men who do theatre, most plays and musicals offer a majority of roles for men. This show, however, is dominated by women’s roles. In years past, turnout for theatre productions has been minimal at best. Baker believes that the peformances have a lot to offer the student body. She believes that content from the performances can and should be used as discussion for classes in disciplines like women’s studies, philosophy, and others. “The more I read it, the more layers I discover,” said Baker. “The thing about it is... this play seems like it is about one thing on the surface, but it goes so much deeper than that. Timberlake Wertenbaker is a brilliant playwright. Also, I feel like this play will inspire lots of thought and conversation. Everyone deserves to have their voice heard, and when they are not given that opportunity, bad things happen.” The rest of the cast includes Casey Gow as Niobe and John Layton as the Captain. The Female Chorus includes Cassandra Colwell, Alyssa Glueck, Jessica Lech, Amy Morgenthew and Geneva Turner. The Male Chorus includes Luke Brady, Anthony DiMarco, Bill McGovern, Casey Thomas, and Kevin Hettrich. Come show your support for your classmates. Show times are October 1, 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are free with student IDs. Fun and food at the 155th Annual Bloomsburg Fair BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor The Bloomsburg Fair is now under full swing with crowds pouring in to eat their favorite deep-fried foods and enjoy the funfilled atmosphere. For 155 years, the Bloomsburg Fair has brought excitement, food, and entertainment to the people of Bloomsburg and surrounding areas. Whether it is a deep-fried Oreo or a blooming onion, crowds flock to the Bloomsburg Fair to feast on some food items which are not around quite often. Stephanie Branas, a junior history major, explains why she enjoys the fair, “I’m going to the fair because it’s something to do that’s not so far away and they have fried cheese which is probably the most awesome and unhealthy thing ever.” Jeff Turner, superintendent of ticket collectors, has been working for the fair each year, making sure ticket sales and gate admissions are running smoothly. Turner recalled that last year’s fair attendance was a little over 410,000 people. “We expect fair attendance to be up this year. Other fairs have done well this year and it seems people are staying closer to home rather than taking big trips. Yes, ticket prices increased from $4.00 to $5.00 this year, but this was the first increase in gate admission price for several years. The gate admissions will probably not be increased next year. It’s not in the plan,” stated Turner. Featuring new acts for the grandstand stage, the entertainment has reached its highest peak in years. This year, acts such as Sugarland, Seether, Trace Adkins, and David Cook will perform at the grandstand stage. See FAIR page 14 Photo Courtesy of Curt Salonik Production photo from the show, “For Love of the Nightingale,” of Procne, Tereus, and Philomele. From left: Katrina Zbenger, Lou Gerstle, and Casey Lynch. What did YOU get out of the show? Let us know! for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com Im �SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 - Ar1aisi Spoilli9hi: A Golden Era BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor If you’re looking for a band that has a refreshing and happy sound, A Golden Era (AGE) will have you feeling optimistic and enthusiastic, almost as if you were a kid again. This indie/pop/rock band is from Lehigh Valley, Pa., and has officially been a band since 2006. Though AGE realizes how competitive the music industry is, they will continue to rock on until it becomes finacilly impossible. Because they have nothing to lose, they savor every moment on stage or when they’re just jamming together at band practice, pounding out light-hearted lyrics that are inspired by their own personal experiences and expectations. The band consists of four members: Dustin Beck, 24, on vocals/guitar; his brother Dale Beck, 25, on guitar/vocals; Kara Edelheiser, 23, on bass/ vocals; and William Shupp, 22, on drums. The Beacon: Is there a story behind the name A Golden Era? AGE: We feel it sounds refreshing. It was either that or “A Apple.” You figure it out. The Beacon: Do you all have jobs and/or go to school? If so, what do you do/what is your major? AGE: Dale and Dustin work full time as estimators for Eastern States Paving. Kara is currently teaching 7th and 8th grade general music and choir at Bangor Middle School. And I, William, am attending community college full-time at LCCC for Business Management. The Beacon: Oh wow, so you do have a life outside of the band. Do you party like rockstars? AGE: We’re a pretty immature group of people. We’re more likely to get our kicks from fart jokes than pounding down some drinks. We haven’t spent a prolonged amount of time together as a group like a band would on tour, so this remains to be seen. The Beacon: That’s refreshing to hear. Who are three bands you would kill to perform with? AGE: We’d prefer to just ask nicely than kill anyone, but given the opportunity we’d love to share the stage with Jimmy Eat World, Taking Back Sunday, and Hot Rod Circuit (on a reunion show, of course). The Beacon: Okay. I see that you perform a lot in Wilkes-Barre at Café Metropolis. Any favorite place you like to go when you visit the area? Favorite bars? AGE: Almost every time we’ve played at Metro we’ve gone across the street to Januzzi’s Pizza. We’ve also made the occasional trip to Barnes and Noble. Otherwise we hang out back and throw a football. Many injuries have occurred to the band members from throwing footballs. of small venues we’ve encountered. The Beacon: Have you ever opened up for anyone big? AGE: Our biggest show we’ve played was opening for All Time Low at Café Metropolis. Kids really didn’t know who we were, but they were going crazy all the same. We were also fortunate enough to play the Ernie Ball stage in Camden, NJ, on the 2007 Vans Warped Tour. The Beacon: When you’re not doing your music, what do you do in your free time? AGE: Dustin: I like to play various sports and watch movies and TV. Dale: I work with Will in our home studio cleverly named, “Dale, Will Record You Studios.” Kara: I skiboard, knit, and create chaos with friends. Will: I procrastinate and spend money, watch/play football, and expand an evergrowing music collection. The Beacon: Anything else you want fans to know? AGE: Dustin: I want our fans to know about stars, but I don’t know enough about stars to teach them. Dale: I think our fans already know too much. Kara: I’m giving out free hugs to the top bidder! Will: I’m single and looking. Check out A Golden Era on their Myspace and Facebook pages. This band visits the Wyoming Valley quite often, so be on the lookout now before they make it big. You won't regret it. The Beacon: Ouch. Where’s your favorite place to perform? AGE: Café Metro. We’ve developed a good friendship with everyone at the venue. No matter if we play in front of five people or several hundred, they’ve always treated us well. This is more than I can say for a lot Photo Courtesy of A Golden Era Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. Kara Edelheiser, Dustin Beck, Dale Beck, and William Shupp of A Golden Era. www.4t-shirts.com 7 2 -9272 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 FAIR from PAGE 12 says she comes to the fair for the “social event of hanging out with friends. The good food, games, and things to buy are just a plus.” Better acts have been a result of the expansion of the Each year, farmers and animal owners come to the fair to grandstand stage. Last year, the fair association leased a show off their prized cows, chickens, horses and even dogs larger stage for a three year period to amplify the perfor- to the fair-goers, mainly young children that are fascinated mances and accommodate for much bigger acts. with animals. Carey Howell, superintendent of Grandstand, explained, Todd Lehman, President of the Bloomsburg Fair Board, “The biggest change [with the addition of the new stage] verbalized his enthusiasm over the fair’s newest attrachas been in the quality of the sound. With the higher stage, tions. we are able to “fly” the sound from a higher elevation and “The things that are new this year are the Dockdogs commake it more directional.” petition and the Guitar Hero When asked how ticket competition to be held in the sales were going this year, Millennium Park area on the Howell said, “Sugarland is east end of the fairgrounds. “I’m going to the fair because it’s something to There will also be an Elabout 80 tickets away from selling out. Trace Adkins is do that’s not so far away and they have fried cheese ephant Encounter show on our second best seller fol- which is probably the most awesome and unhealthy the west end of the grounds. lowed by Seether. The sale thing ever.” In the livestock department - Stephanie Branas, junior history major there will be a scavenger hunt of tickets is affected mostly by the performers we have for the kids and a horse drawn engaged. The bigger stage “Cinderella” type carriage gives us the opportunity to that will be hitched up daily as hire better acts.” well,” mentioned Lehman. The fair also offers free entertainment to those who do Lehman was also highly optimistic about this year’s fair not mind sitting down to take a load off of their feet and and the satisfaction of his guests. Lehman added, “What watch several acts that are eager to entertain. Ryan Pelton, I always hope for, for every fair week, is good weather! an Elvis impersonator, has been a popular act at the fair When the weather is nice, people will come and enjoy the and several other notable venues, like Knoebels Amuse- fair.” ment Resort. He, as well as others like the Mudflaps and The Bloomsburg Fair is scheduled to continue throughthe Mahoney Brothers, will all take the stage at no cost to out the week, ending on Saturday, October 3rd. Gates will the audience. open at 7:00 a.m. and remain open until after the grandBesides the food and entertainment, there is a lot more stand concerts are finished. Don’t forget to go and check behind-the-scenes work that makes the Bloomsburg Fair an out the Bloomsburg Fair for yourself. It’s an event you do overwhelming success. The Bloomsburg Fair is a combina- not want to miss! tion of over 200 employees and volunteers who work hard to help the guests have a good time. Kristin McDermott, a senior Entrepreneurship major, SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Osterhout targets college students BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor The Osterhout Free Library, located on 71 South Franklin St., will have more than an educational purpose this Monday, October 5. Osterhout is hosting a Wii Beatles Rockband game night, sponsored by GAMESTOP, from 5:30p. m. to 7:30p.m. specifically for college students to enjoy the library. It is also being held to help raise awareness that there are other resources in the community that students can utilize, aside from the ones on campus. Elaine Stefanko, Coordinator of Information Services at Osterhout, thinks college game night is essential to bringing students to the library, especially new students in the area who aren’t familiar with the resources in the surrounding community. During the day, there are approximately 100 people who come in to usealone—sometimes, there is even a line. Stefanko, however, hopes to bring in a larger student influx. The library’s mission is to win over more of the younger generation. “We are trying to reach kids again. It seems like we get young children and adults, but we are missing out on the teenagers and college students,” said Stefanko. This is not the first time Osterhout has hosted a game night. They had intergenerational video game night for children and adults earlier in the year, and were successful. This Monday will be the first game night targeting college students. See OSTERHOUT page 15 TUI DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer o · ro · 1 STREETD Ll ocated inside the · IC Non- · ·Iembers W lcom Jlor1. thru Tums l 1:00 a.tn to .5~00 p F ·eta. s 11:00 F..:ee WaFi JQ LYZM Y JBDXC CQ PDCBJ JBMX DJ JYZMA QXM NQP DJ JQ CQ VPQXC This week’s clues: Q=O Check next week’s issue of The Beacon for the answer! Answer from last week: MAKING TOAST IN A TOASTER OVEN CAN BE DONE USING AN ARRAY OF FOOD ITEMS, CONSIDERING ALL FOODS THAT A TOASTER-OVEN TOASTS BECOME TOASTED! Comi _d DN DJ JYZMA JVQ to 4:00 p 1~1., disooun ·/ Sm.dent ID ~ Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! gHo.w, �SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Review: DMB rocks Montage with crowd-pleasing performance BY BRANDON PRENTICE Correspondent Dave Matthews Band (DMB) has been a staple in popular music for countless years. Their live shows are an intoxicating mix of great music and lighting and attract a wide array of fans. This past Wednesday night, September 23, DMB played a show in the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain. Listeners from near and far, whether first time show-goers or seasoned veterans, gathered for their very own Dave Matthews experience and all that it had to offer. The atmosphere was electric inside the venue as the anxious crowd awaited Dave Matthews and the rest of the band to hit the stage. After what seemed like forever, Matthews and his crew finally walked out onto the stage and the crowd exploded. “The Proudest Monkey,” “Satellite,” and “Don’t Drink the Water”--three classic songs that any true DMB fan would be familiar with--kicked off the set, followed up by “Funny the Way it is” and “Seven” off of their newly released album Big Whiskey and the Groogux King. The middle of the set list included a combination of both classic DMB songs and songs from the new album. Some notables included “Dancing Nancies,” “Cornbread,” and “Why I Am.” Matthews then stepped forward and got intimate with his fans. With a single spotlight and his acoustic guitar, he played arguably his most famous and beloved song “Crash Into Me,” as the crowd sang along. From that point on, the band blew the crowd away with feel-good songs to end the set, two of which included Robert Randolph, an extremely talented sit-down slide guitarist who pumped up the show before DMB rocked the house. Finally, after the band finished their last song and cleared the stage, the crowd called them back for their encore. Dave awed everyone with yet another intimate song, “Baby Blue” before the band collectively exploded, capturing the crowd one last time with their rendition of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.” This was my first DMB show, and I could not have asked d for a better experience. It had a little bit of everything. My only criticism of the show had nothing to do with the music itself but rather the food and beverage vendors stationed at the venue. On more than one occasion, the vendors failed to fulfill the wishes of the customers. From power problems to simply running out of supplies, they were not up to the usual standards fans are accustomed to at Montage Mountain. Rating: 4 out of 5 Definitely check out DMB. It’s well-worth the ticket prices!! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What’s Happening Around Wilkes-Barre • BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI - Love of the Nightingale @ Wilkes University • Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m. Sun. 2 p.m. • Assistant A&E Editor • Cost: Free to Wilkes students, faculty, staff • Tuesday, 29,2009 2009 • $7 students and seniors; $15 GA Tuesday, d September September b 29, TraceAdkins Adkins @ @ Bloomsburg Bloomsburg Fair Fair • --Trace •~Starts All Weekend Long Starts7:30 7:30p.m. p.m. / Cost: $44 (track) $39 • (grandstand) • Cost: $44 (track) $39 (grandstand) - Avenue Q @ Scranton Cultural Center - -Drink • Oct. 2nd-4th – TIMES VARY / Cost: $32-52 DrinkUp UpButtercup/The Buttercup/TheMoneynotes Moneynotes @ The • Bog, @ The Bog, Scranton Scranton • ~• Starts Starts 99 p.m. p.m. // Cost: Cost: $3 $3 Friday, October 2, 2009 - Seether @ Bloomsburg Fair • Wednesday, September 30, 2009 • Starts 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2009 • - -Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare • Cost: $34 (track) $29 (grandstand) Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare @ @ King’s College Theatre - Donna Jean Godchaux Band • King’s College Theatre Starts 7:30 7:30 p.m. p.m. // Cost: Cost: $7 $7 students/seniors; students/seniors; @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains • $5 GA~•• Starts $5 GA – Sept. 30th, Oct. 1-2, Oct. 5-6 • Starts 10 p.m. / Cost: $18 – Sept. 30th, Oct. 1-2, Oct. 5-6 • Thursday, October 1, 2009 Saturday, October 3, 2009 October 1, 2009 • Thursday, -- Sugarland - Mother Nature’s Sons Sugarland @ @ Bloomsburg Bloomsburg Fair Fair @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains • ••~Starts Starts7:30 7:30p.m. p.m. / Cost: $48 (track) $43 Cost: $48 (track) $43 (grandstand) • Starts at 10 p.m. / Cost: $5 (grandstand) • - -TheTheMovement, The Brightlife, Take Cover &A - “Raising the Roof” @ Park & Lock East Movement/The Brightlife/Take Cover/A A Classic Farewell @ Café Metropolis Parking Garage, Wilkes-Barre • Classic Farewell @ Café Metropolis • Starts 7 p.m. / Cost: $7 • 5-7:30 p.m. / Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door ~ Starts 7 p.m. / Cost: $7 • - -Emmitt-Nershi Band & Assembly ofofDust • Will benefit Osterhout Libraries Emmitt-Nershi Band/Assembly Dust @ @ River Jazz Café, • River StreetStreet Jazz Café, PlainsPlains Starts 10 10 p.m. p.m. // Cost: Cost: $18 $18 Monday, October 5, 2009 ~• Starts • -- The Pullman Porter @ Actors’ - WWE Monday Night Raw @ Wachovia Arena The Pullman Porter @ Actors Circle at ProviCircle at Providence Playhouse • Starts 8:15 p.m. / Cost: $15-65 • dence Playhouse • 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. / FREE! • The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Beacon/Tom Reilly 15 OSTERHOUT from PAGE 14 If they get an impressive turnout, it will become a regular event. Though the library is free and offers games, not all students will leave campus to attend the event. While many students agree that game night at Osterhout is a great idea, they note that they can have fun with their own Wiis and Xbox 360s. “It sounds fun getting to know other people, but then again being so busy with school and playing my own game systems at home with my own friends is just easier” said senior Amanda Touch, communication studies major and business minor. Stefanko insists that it is a win-win situation if students come out for the event. Students are urged to become more familiar with free outside resources, as long as people return their borrowed items on time. Otherwise, late fees apply. Though it is a library, Osterhout goes above and beyond when it comes to getting the community involved. Every Monday, there is Board Game Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., a Mystery Book Discussion that takes place once a month, and also an Isocrates Café session that meets the second Thursday of every month to discuss the ideals of Isocrates. There are many other events that Osterhout organizes, including occasional film festivals. Osterhout offers a challenge to college students to go beyond campus and make new friends within the community, simultaneously having a good time. All students need to bring with them is their driver’s license and student ID if they want to register for a free library card. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Coming NextWeek.. • "Battle of the Classes" Powderpuff Flag Football @ UCOM • • Girls: Seniors face-off juniors; sophomores • face-off freshmen • Boys: Dress as cheerleaders - best dressed • wins Visa check card • Seniors wear blue, juniors in yellow, • sophomores in white, and freshmen in red • The battle goes down on • Wednesday, Oct. 7th from 7-9 p.m. • • Sign up by Oct. 6th at 5 p.m megan.dickinson@wilkes.edu • • • Don’t Forget... • * Bowling at Stanton Lanes: 2 games/rental - $0 (with ID) 1 pass per week - Pick up pass at Student Center • Info Desk • * Restaurant Gift Card Drawings: $25 value - One entry per week: Enter name at Student Center Info Desk • • �WHO IS THE ATLANTIC'S BEST TEAM? CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu SEE PAGE 19 16 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Defense crunches Captains, football improves to 3-0 Led by Lombreglia, Colonels come alive in second half to pick up big win BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Senior Tim Lombreglia came up big on Saturday when the Wilkes football team traveled to Newport News, Va., to take on the Captains from Christopher Newport. Lombreglia stacked up 10 tackles (five assisted, five unassisted), two and a half sacks and an interception to aid in the Colonels’ victory. “We knew we needed this game to prove to ourselves that we could go on the road against a great football team in a hostile environment and play as a team to get this big win,” Lombreglia said. They definitely made a statement with this win, not just to themselves but to the doubters throughout the league. “The win was huge, not to prove to the MAC, but it proved to us as a team that together we can go anywhere and beat anybody,” Kevin Gerhart commented after the game. Rob Johnson and his offensive arsenal of wide receivers and running backs helped the Colonels take over the game. Even though Johnson made mistakes early on, he could still count on his main receiver of the day, Jordan D’Emilio (nine receptions, 100 yards) to help him lead the way to victory. Not to mention Zach Tivald and Harry Reese, who provided ample support as they manned the backfield. Johnson completed 18 of his 37 passes for 207 yards and never let the fact that he had two of his passes intercepted in the first half bother him. “I had to forget about it,” Johnson said. “I told them [the offense] at halftime to stay together and that we have to fight until there is nothing left, and everybody looked at each other and agreed that we were not going to lose.” The Colonels went into halftime trailing 10-7 on the power of another Corey Gilroy “pick six” in the second quarter. This is the second game in a row that Gilroy has come up with an interception, and returned it for a touchdown. Led by Gilroy’s touchdowns, the defense has already topped their amount scores from last year. Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Tim Lombreglia (23) and Sean O’Neill (32) celebrate a play during the Colonels’ week two victory over Montclair State. On Saturday, Lombreglia had an interception, ten tackles, and two and a half sacks to lead Wilkes to a 24-17 victory over Christopher Newport. The win pushed the Colonels’ record to 3-0 on the season. But after halftime, the rest of the game was dictated by how well the Colonels’ defense played and if they could contain Christopher Newport’s high powered offense. The ongoing theme of the season has been the playmaking ability of Wilkes’s defense, which held the Captains to a total of 73 yards rushing. A total team effort erupted in the second half as the Colonels out scored the Captains 17 to 7. The slew of points began on the Colonels’ first drive of the third quarter when Chris Horn connected on a 23-yard field goal to tie the score at 10-a-piece. An interception on the Captains’ next drive by Lombreglia gave the Colonels the ball back. He credited Sean O’Neill who “made a great play to allow [him] to get the interception.” It wasn’t long after the interception that Johnson led the Colonels down the field once again and connected with Gennaro Zangardi for a 6-yard touchdown strike to put them in the lead for the first time on the day. From there, they did not look back. The rest of the third quarter ended up scoreless, however, the fourth quarter breathed new life into Wilkes. They marched down the field to the 1-yard line once more, allowing Reese to finish off the drive making the score 24-10. Wilkes’s defense let up in the fourth quarter allowing Christopher Newport to score on a 19-yard rush from Antonio Epps. But they quickly regrouped. The next time the defense took the field they used a sack by Chris Swinarski resulting in a 12-yard loss to hold the Captains for the rest of the game. “I was just trying to make a play and help get the win,” Swinarski said. The game came to a close before Christopher Newport could reach the end zone leaving the Colonels on top by a score of 24-17. Let’s see if they can make it four in a row and maintain their dominance. Next week Wilkes heads to Reading, Pa for their MAC opener to take on the Albright Lions in hopes of avenging a 17-10 loss from last year. Last week's winner of Free Bowling for 8 at Stanton Lanes: Tom Hogan sn't like Free Stuff?! . . .... .~-Y GiVi ·mr Enter for a Chance to Win... 10 YOGA CLASSES (Value $100) Sponsored by: BA L Located in Forty-Fort. Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall by Friday at noon.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ay! �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Kate McGurk, volleyball team leader BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor Meet Kate McGurk, an elementary education major from Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and the right-side hitter for the Wilkes University volleyball team. A sophomore on this year’s squad (10-8 overall, 1-1 in conference), McGurk played a pivotal role in the Lady Colonels’ tournament win in Scranton two weeks ago. For her contribution to the team’s 3-1 tournament record and her overall performance, she was named to the all-tournament team. McGurk first began playing volleyball eight years ago when she was in seventh grade. “I like the atmosphere that surrounds the game,” said McGurk. “I love being able to play off the rallying nature of the game; facing the ups and downs. Coming back from a large deficit is always really exciting, just like trying to stop a team that’s making a charge.” McGurk and this year’s squad lost only one starter from last season yet were picked to finish fifth in the Freedom Conference before the start of the year. The Lady Colonels responded by starting the season 9-1, ending any talk from their doubters. They have since struggled, but McGurk remains upbeat on the team’s chances at a conference title. Said McGurk, “I think from the beginning we came on really strong and that we have the potential to be the best team in the league. It’s simply a matter of coming together and finishing strong using what we’ve been learning in practice.” She pointed to the team’s September 12 game against Marywood in the Scranton tournament as evidence of the team’s skill. Playing in their third game of the day, the Lady Colonels survived an exhausting five game match and eventually won, 3-2. “We came out strong and knew that if we had any chance of winning we had to go all out,” said McGurk. “I think we really showed our coach that we had a high potential as a team.” She added that the team’s experience and time with one another has helped them pull through some difficult contests during the season. “I think overall being able to play with each other more, having more time together than we did last year, has helped us out tremendously. We’re playing more as a team this year instead of individually; we know that we can be great as long we stay together,” concluded McGurk. Junior outside hitter Marissa Harrison has been impressed with the role McGurk has played on the team this season. “I definitely think her verbal energy has helped out in many of our games,” said Harrison. “She has a great ability to get us pumped up and increase our energy as a team; she really brings us together.” “She’s definitely the most vocal teammate on our squad, always trying to motivate us and maintain our focus,” said junior outside/middle hitter Meaghan Williams. “I’ve never had a teammate like that before.” McGurk and the rest of the volleyball team will be back in action tomorrow night at King’s College at 7 p.m. Courtesy of Marketing Communications Sophomore Kate McGurk has had a stellar sophomore campaign while leading the Colonels to a 10-8 record, just two wins shy of the their total from last season. $5.,9 9 ALL YOU CAN EAT 1 Salad., pasta., pizza, a11d desert! 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VILKEJ-BAltltE, PA F: 570.825.2061 The Beacon / Alison Kasper *illi*ilr REI DR INK WITH I IUDENT LD~*illi** I We Deliver I �SPORTS 18 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 9/26 @ Christopher Newport 24-17 W MEN’S SOCCER 9/20 vs. Elizabethtown 5-1 L 9/24 vs. Baptist Bible 4-1 W WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/25 vs. New York University 1-0 W VOLLEYBALL 9/22 @ Manhattanville 3-1 W 9/25 vs. Susquehanna 3-0 L 9/25 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson 3-0 L 9/26 vs. Franklin and Marshall 3-0 L 9/26 vs. St. Mary’s (Maryland) 3-1 L FIELD HOCKEY 9/22 vs. Susquehanna 7-0 W 9/26 @ Eastern 3-1 L WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 10/3 @ Albright MEN’S SOCCER 9/30 vs. Susquehanna 10/3 vs. FDU Florham Who is today’s most dominant athlete? Money Mayweather...‘nough said! I ,__)-~Ho~r~~t11 Asst. Sports Editor “When you’re facing Floyd Mayweather, you’re facing the best, period.” -Floyd Mayweather Jr. “Ding – Ding,” round 2! Once again this is no contest. Albert does do some things with the bat, but there is nothing like the dominatingly fast hands of my man “Pretty boy” Floyd aka “Money” Mayweather. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not only the best pound for pound fighter/boxer of this era; he is also the most dominant athlete. Since October 11, 1996, when he knocked out Roberto Apodaca in the second round of his first professional fight, Pretty Boy Floyd has been making heads roll. On the way to his perfect 40-0 record (25 wins by KO), he has stacked up victories over Arturo Gatti (R.I.P) for the WBC Light Welterweight Title, Zab Judah for the IBF Welterweight Title, and Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC Jr. Middleweight Title. VOLLEYBALL 9/30 @ King’s WOMEN’S TENNIS 9/29 vs. Eastern 10/3 @ FDU Florham CROSS COUNTRY 10/3 Belmont Classic, Philadelphia twil:l:er, @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports If you got mesmerized by all his dominance, that’s three titles against three of the most notable fighters in the business at three different weight classes. Say it with me. Wow. Coming from a Hall of Fame Boxing family, I know a great fighter when I see one and Mayweather is a great fighter. When Floyd first came onto the boxing scene in ‘96, boxing was out-shining almost all other sports and still out-shines baseball. Before leaving the ring for about two years, he retained the WBC Welterweight Title by knocking out Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton. He returned to the ring exactly 10 days agotoday, to snack on one more fighter who thought he could throw hands with the legend. Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez was given a chance to see if he was worthy and like the 39 fighters before him he came out battered and bruised. As for you Mr. Dorunda, if I were in the line up with Albert it would definitely help him out. (Come check out my homerun plaques. I’m a slugger.) But let’s think about this for a second. Mayweather has won three titles himself versus one title won by the St. Louis Cardinals. Last time I checked, the team goes into the record books for championship, not an individual, I could be wrong, but don’t count on it because it never happens. If Mayweather is having an off day in the ring, which also never happens, who is going to help him? Um, no one. But if Pujols is having an off day, he can rely on eight other guys to back him up. But here’s one last tip. Go to youtube. com, type in “Floyd Mayweather Jr.,” and make sure you do like T.O says and “get your popcorn ready.” “Now class, before you leave I would like you to answer this question,” said Mr. Holmes. “Who dominates like Mr. Money Mayweather? Yes, Anthony. Do you know the answer?” “Yes, I do,” Anthony said with a tear in his eye. “No one, no one dominates like Mr. Money Mayweather.” “That’s correct Anthony,” Mr. Holmes said, “have a good day and don’t forget what you learned today. I don’t want to have to school you again. Class dismissed.” Hey, Hey, Hey! It’s that Albert! WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/30 @ Susquehanna 10/3 vs. FDU Florham SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA Albert Pujols, who was just honored as Sporting News’ MLB Athlete of the Decade, is the greatest athlete on the planet right now. No questions asked. I already feel the blaze of fire burning my hind end from fans of Tiger Woods, Usain Bolt, LeBron James, and Roger Federer. But before I get lynched, let me plead my case. It’s hard to argue for a single player in a team sport because it’s hard to dominate without the help of those around you; but Albert Pujols does just that, with a supporting cast minus two pitchers and Matt Holliday, who is mediocre at best. Without Pujols, the Cardinals are not a World Series contender year in and year out. It’s that simple. Mr. Holmes could hit in front of him, and Mr. Cignoli could hit behind him, and he would still find a way to beat you by himself. When asked who the best player in baseball is, it’s unanimous for Albert Pujols. In boxing, some choose Mayweather, but some choose Manny Pacquiao. You cannot be the most dominant athlete in the world if you’re not the best in your sport. Not to mention, Mayweather has failed to fight elite fighters such as Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley. But let his body of work do the talking. He has 1,707 hits, 1,067 runs, 366 Homeruns, 1106 RBIs, .334 career Batting Average, .427 career On-Base Percentage, .629 Slugging percentage, and two, soon to be three, MVP Awards. Bert Blyleven, a contributor for NBCsports.com, compared Pujols with some notable Hall-of Famers at this point in their careers. On the list are Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, and Hank Aaron, among others. According to the chart, Pujols is second only to Babe Ruth in homeruns, sixth in RBI’s and sixth in batting average. Dominant? I think so. And he’s only 29. But besides the superior numbers, Pujols changes the complexion of the game by stepping into the box. He’s the only player in baseball whom pitchers do not know how to get out. They try to limit his damage, not get him out. As Zack Greinke put it, “Every hitter is human, except Pujols.” “The Machine,” as he is called, doesn’t just do one thing great and is average at others. He does everything at a level that’s unprecedented. The worst season Pujols has ever had was when he hit “only” .327 with 32 Homeruns and 102 RBIs. By comparison, Alex Rodriguez, who sometimes is mumbled within five breaths of Pujols, has a career average that just peeks over .300, but has a slugging percentage nearly 50 points lower than Pujols, an on-base percentage almost 40 points lower. In 12 of the past 16 seaons, he has struck out more than 100 times per season. Pujols has never struck out 100 times. He never makes a mistake on the bases and plays near-flawless defense and has done it every single year, for nine years in a row. Pujols is also the only major leaguer ever to begin a career with nine straight seasons with 30-plus homeruns, 100-plus RBIs, and a .300-plus average. In a poll on ESPN.com, current and former major league players were asked what pitcher-hitter matchup they would like to see most. While the pitchers varied, the hitter never changed. Everyone went with Albert Pujols. He’s so dominant, it’s boring. Chuck Norris stops what he’s doing to watch Albert Pujols hit. Enough said. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 19 ANALYZING THE NHL'S ATLANTIC DIVISION Four of the five teams in hockey’s toughest grouping have playoff potential BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor Although hockey is a sport played on ice, National Hockey League general managers don’t have the luxury of a summer vacation. They’re hard at work during the hottest months of the year, signing free agents to contracts, dealing players to other teams in trades, and drafting prospects to make their teams better down the road. Hockey fans will finally have the chance to see the fruits of their team’s labors this Thursday, October 1, when the NHL drops the puck on the 2009-10 season. The Pittsburgh Penguins, last season’s Stanley Cup champions, begin their title defense one day after that when they host the New York Rangers. The Pittsburgh/New York contest marks the official start of Atlantic Division play. The NHL is broken into two conferences, with 15 teams skating in each. The conferences are then evenly divided into three divisions. Teams with the highest point total in their division are guaranteed a top-three seed in the NHL playoffs, with the other five seeds going to the teams with the highest overall point totals. The Atlantic Division title is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested races in the NHL this season, with four of the five teams likely to make it to the playoffs. Here’s how the five teams are shaping up for the quest for the Stanley Cup. NEW YORK ISLANDERS The Islanders will continue to struggle this season, after missing the playoffs for the tenth time in the last 15 years during the 2008-2009 season. Even if franchise goalie Rick DiPietro, who missed all but five games last year with an injury, was in the line-up, it is doubtful that the Islanders would have come anywhere close to a playoff spot. The team didn’t have a 20-goal scorer, and defenseman Mark Streit led the team with 56 points. The good news is that the Islanders awful performance last season allowed them to draft John Tavares, a former 70goal scorer for his junior hockey team, with the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Tavares is pegged as the savior of the franchise, but he lacks a supporting cast. Although the Islanders also addressed their goaltending issues this summer, signing veterans Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron to contracts, it will be a few seasons before they amount to a be legitimate threat in the postseason picture. NEW JERSEY DEVILS Though they won the Atlantic Division last year the New Jersey Devils will struggle to enjoy the same success this year. They lost 20-goal scorer Brian Gionta to the Montreal Canadiens and hard-nosed fore-checker John Madden to the Chicago Blackhawks. Head coach Brent Sutter essentially quit the team and accepted a job with the Calgary Flames. Rod Pelley, a minor league call-up, has the daunting task of replacing Madden. Zach Parise, who became the first New Jersey player to score 45 goals in a season since 1991 last year, will be called upon even more with Gionta’s departure. However, the Devils have never won games by scoring a ton of goals. With bona fide future hall-of-famer Martin Brodeur between the pipes, they don’t have to. With the departures in the organization this summer, and the team opting to promote from within, rather than signing any big-name free agents, new head coach Jacques Lemaire has his work cut out for him, but the Devils always seem to find a way to win big. Case in point, they racked up 106 points last year with Brodeur on the sidelines for three months with an injury. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS The Philadelphia Flyers made the biggest splash in the division this summer, acquiring perennial all-star Chris Pronger from Anaheim in exchange for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and draft picks. Pronger joins a Philadelphia squad that will get the bulk of its scoring from its top two lines, anchored by Simon Gagne, Mike Richards, Daniel Briere, and Jeff Carter. The addition of gritty forward Ian Laperriere is a perfect compliment to Arron Asham, Daniel Carcillo, Riley Cote, and the other rough and tumble customers that the Flyers have on their bottom two lines. Not only will the Flyers beat teams on the scoreboard, they’ll also beat them senseless. Goaltending is the biggest issue plaguing Philly, as the team lost Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki to free agency. Philadelphia brought in former Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery and journeyman Brian Boucher to replace those two, but the jury is still out on whether or not that was a good move. The Flyers will make the playoffs, but they will live and die by how well Emery decides to play in the postseason. NEW YORK RANGERS The Rangers had the highest turnover rate of any team in the division this offseason, losing eight of their 20 regulars to free agency or trade. However, the Rangers used the salary cap space they got from trading underperforming center Scott Gomez for Chris Higgins to sign oft-injured forward Marian Gaborik. When Gaborik is healthy, he is one of the most dynamic players in the game, and the Rangers will rely on him to kick-start an offense that was the secondworst in the NHL last year with 238 goals scored. With more than one rookie defenseman likely to feature prominently on this season’s Blueshirt Blueline, including top collegiate prospect Matt Gilroy, the Rangers will rely on superstar goalie Henrik Lundqvist more than they ever have before. Lundqvist was the reason that the Rangers won as many games as they did last season, and as he goes this year, so will the team. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS There isn’t much to say about the squad that won the Stanley Cup last season, the trophy speaks for itself. The Penguins did lose three of their cup winning defensemen – Philippe Boucher, Hal Gill, and Rob Scuderi – but replacement blueliner Alex Goligoski spent a considerable amount of last season in the NHL and veteran Jay McKee was brought in through free agency. The Penguins also boast the two best players in the division, generational talents Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The dynamic duo has posted 701 points in a combined 532 NHL games, and are sure to make the Penguins a force to reckon with for years to come. Crosby and Malkin have already led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup finals in back-to-back seasons, and there is no reason to think that they won’t be there for a third consecutive year in June. 2009-10 ATLANTIC DIVISION PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER 1. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2. NEW YORK RANGERS 3. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 4. NEW JERSEY DEVILS 5. NEW YORK ISLANDERS Key Additions: Defenseman Jay McKee will help fill the void left by three departing defenseman. Mike Rupp is a dependable fourth line center. Key Subtractions: Petr Sykora is gone to Minnesota, but the Penguins have the depth to replace him. Outlook: They’ll run away with the division en route to a third straight Stanley Cup finals. Key Additions: Marian Gaborik is set to be Broadway’s biggest star. Rookie blueliner Matt Gilroy will see a lot of ice time. Key Subtractions: Underproductive center Scott Gomez was traded to Montreal. Defenseman Derek Morris signed with Boston. Scorer Markus Naslund retired. Outlook: If Gaborik and Lundqvist aren’t healthy, it’ll be a long season in Gotham. Key Additions: Goalie Ray Emery is back in the USA. The scary good Chris Pronger will anchor the Philly defense. The fiesty Ian Laperriere joins a rough & tumble team. Key Subtractions: RW Mike Knuble is gone to Washington, and winger Joffrey Lupul was traded to Anaheim for Pronger. Outlook: The team’s postseason success depends on Emery’s play. Key Additions: Not many, except for the acquisition of third-liner Rob Niedermayer. Key Subtractions: Sniper Brian Gionta will be tough to replace. Grinder John Madden (no relation to the football guru) is an even bigger loss for the Devils. Not to mention exhead coach Brent Sutter. Outlook: They will (just barely) make the playoffs thanks to stellar play by Brodeur. Key Additions: John Tavares will be good, but he won’t score 70 goals like he did in junior hockey. Martin Biron and Dwayne Roloson adress the team’s goalie issues. Key Subtractions: No one of importance, but then again, they didn’t have anyone of importance to lose in the first place. Outlook: The Islanders will be lucky to finish higher than dead last in the conference. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 20 Sister act helps propel Colonels to 7-1 start DiSabatino twins have instant impact for Lady Colonels 35 BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor There was a point in freshmen Jenna and Cassie DiSabatino’s lives when field hockey was not a part of their future. “We wanted to quit in eighth grade,” said Cassie, who is the older of the two by a few minutes. “But coach [Elvetta Gemski] told us to keep at it; she said we were very good players and we had the abilities, we just had to keep going.” The good news for both high school coach Elvetta Gemski and the field hockey team here at Wilkes is that they decided to give field hockey a second chance. As seniors at nearby Crestwood High School, both were honored with first-team all-state recognition along with numerous other conference and state accolades. And now in their first year donning the blue and gold, they are a key reason why the field hockey team hasn’t missed a beat from their record-setting 2008 season. “Both Jenna and Cassie have made an immediate impact on the program,” said head coach Sara Myers. “They have both brought a new intensity level to the team and have made those who play around them more aggressive and confident. When you are a strong player you bring out the best in your teammates. They play harder and more aggressive than most of our opponents.” The sisters, who were originally committed to Division-II Bloomsburg University until problems evolved through their guidance office, are known for their physical brand of field hockey. It is physical enough for opposing players and fans to call their style of play “dirty.” “We get the nastiest comments from other coaches and players on the field,” said Cassie. “We take the criticism and it makes us work even harder.” The hard work on the field is showing in their statistics. Jenna is currently ranked second on the team in scoring, and her older sister Cassie is right behind her in third. “We’re supposed to be physical and aggressive players,” said Jenna. “We’re not going to be wimps; we’re not going to let others push us around. Our job is to get to the ball and score. We’re not going to let anyone beat us to it.” Last season the Lady Colonels finished with a school record 18 wins and cracked Goals scored by the team thus far this season. The Lady Colonels are outscoring their opponents by a 35-12 margin. 18 th Ranking of the Lady Colonels last week in Division-III field hockey. It’s the highest that the Wilkes squad has ever been ranked. The Beacon / Melissa Polchinski Freshman attacker Jenna DiSabatino (9) scored twice against Susquehanna on September 22. Her sister Cassie (not pictured) recorded a goal and an assist in the game. the top 25 for the first time in school history. But after losing five key seniors, Myers needed younger players like Cassie and Jenna to step up right away in order to pick up where last year’s team left off. “After last season I thought that the 2008 team was the most talented team I would ever get to work with,” said Meyers. “That was true until I saw this year’s team play. We have 18 players who are all talented, hardworking and dedicated to making this year a success. It is rare to have a team where you can put any player into the game and feel comfortable and confident.” Myers says that the success seen thus far this season can be credited to leadership of the upperclassmen and the work ethic of the entire team. She also stresses that the team does not have to count on two or three people to get the job done; every player on the field is responsible for moving the team toward success. “The seniors were my first recruiting class and they know how hard they have worked in the past four years to get where we are,” said Myers. They know we have to work extremely hard every day, and practice and play every day like we were in the championship game.” So far, the results have been tremendous. Behind the playmaking ability of senior WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? Jennifer Keegan, who leads the team in goals with 10, the physical play of the DiSabatino sisters, and the superb play between the pipes from sophomore net minder Lindsey Davenport, who is allowing just 1.35 goals per game, the Lady Colonels have roared out to a 7-1 start, garnering another #18 ranking and plenty of national recognition. In that start, they have outscored their opponents by a score of 35-12, with a school record seven goals versus Susquehanna last Tuesday. “We work so hard, and play like a family,” said Cassie Disabatino. “We trust each other on the field and we put a lot of heart into every game. This start is awesome.” “We have that never-give-up attitude, which has been the key to our start this year,” stated Myers. “We have the most skilled team I have ever worked with but more importantly we have great team chemistry and an unselfish attitude. The team is hardworking and extremely dedicated to accomplishing our goal.” That goal? “We want to win the MAC, definitely,” echoed both Jenna and Cassie. With the way they’re playing right now, that may only be the beginning of what’s to come for this team down the road. Our editors debated who the most dominant athlete in sports today is on Page 18. We asked Wilkes students the same question, and you can view their responses in a video on The Beacon’s website. for more information check out. .. Iwilkesbeacon.com 7 Goals the Lady Colonels field hockey team scored against Susquehanna on September 22. That is the most goals scored in a single game in program history. 1.35 Sophomore goaltender Lindsey Davenport’s goals against average during the team’s 7-1 start. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 September 29th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 September 29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/54824975304cbc8f463bf1d7906c571f.pdf b547ab81a26e9968dd240781096bc3c3 PDF Text Text 8oaeo1t (;i110-a-way 'J1tsidoff Germy surfaces, HINI concerns SPORTS I PAGE 16 ffDEFE TED FOOTBALL SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF YEAR The I OCOTBER 6, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 4 Sestak talks jobs, unemployment with students Campus free of swine flu so far BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor & BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Joe Sestak, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, addressed Wilkes students about unemployment statistics and the outlook for the job market last Friday. Sestak, from southeastern Pennsylvania, also released his new proposals for creating jobs. Sestak, vice chairman of the House small business committee, announced new legislation to spur economic growth and a competitive workforce. Sestak stressed the importance of small business. Seventy percent of all jobs are within small businesses explained Sestak. According to a Quinnipac University poll released on October 1, Senator Arlen Specter remains far ahead of his challenger, Sestak, by 44 – 25 percent. In the 2010 Senate race are candidates Republican Pat Toomey, Democrat Arlen Specter and Democrat Joe Sestak. Specter changed parties earlier this year. Also, according to the Quinnipac poll, Sestak runs almost as well as Specter does against Toomey, shadowing Toomey at only 38 – 35 percent. Therefore, according to the poll, if Toomey wins over Specter, Sestak The Beacon/ Brie Friedman After Congressman Joe Sestak’s address to the Wilkes community on Friday, he was available for questions from students, faculty and staff. Sestak talked about unemployment rates and the job outlook and market in the upcoming year. may have a chance to win the 2010 Senate race. Congressman Sestak also spoke about his health care plan and stressed the public option. He tied in small businesses and health care, saying that he wants to reform health care for small businesses because they contribute to many jobs in the market. Sestak, a former three-star admiral in the U.S. navy, is the highest former military officer ever elected to either branch of Congress. Wilkes to partner with LCCC to ease transfers BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief & CATHRYN FREAR Correspondent Wilkes University is working to create a task force that will collaborate with Luzerne County Community College to make the process of transferring credits from LCCC to Wilkes easier. According to Wilkes University provost Dr. Reynold Verret, the state of Pennsylvania is ranked within the lower quartile of baccalaureate completion rates. This may be due to students who stop attending college once they have earned their associates degrees. Students may find that many of the courses they have taken will not transfer to INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 their institution of interest, and may choose to stop pursing a higher education. “Northeast Pennsylvania is one of the lowest regions within a low state already,” said Verret. “So, we have some work to do and that requires collaborations between See TRANSFERS page 3 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Wilkes University has managed to stay H1N1 free--so far. The virus, more commonly referred to as swine flu, has been infecting many areas of the country. As of Friday, October 2, there have been 47 confirmed cases in Luzerne County and 2,679 cases in all of Pennsylvania according to the Pennsylvania Health Department’s website. On Wednesday, September 30, Gail Holby, coordinator of health and wellness promotion, stated that Wilkes University was free of H1N1 and seasonal flu. By Friday, October 2, however, that changed. One student had flu-like symptoms and was tested for the seasonal flu. The positive test was sent out of the Wilkes community for further testing of H1N1. “There is no confirmed swine flu here on campus,” said Holby. “Absolutely, no confirmed case.” If the test comes back positive for the H1N1 virus, Health and Wellness Services plans to treat the student and advise him or her to leave campus and return home. There are many different strands of the flu, explained Holby. There are also many different tests that must be done before a person can be confirmed with the H1N1 virus. Students are strongly encouraged to keep washing their hands and practicing good hygiene. In order to decrease the chances of getting the H1N1 virus, students should be See FLU page 4 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �Wilkes ranks 59th in IJS News' Best coneees paee4 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com OCTOBER 6, 2009 2 State Budget may result in loss of Act 101 program BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Though the proposed state budget, if passed, will increase funding for education, it may not be equipped to fund some current educational programs at Wilkes University. Governor Edward Rendell told The Times Leader on September 20 that, if passed by legislators, the budget would increase funding for education by $300 million, but accoring to Thomas Thomas, executive director of University College, higher education institutions may not see much of that money. “He’s talking primarily about [kindergarten through 12] education,” said Thomas in regards to Rendell’s comment to The Times Leader. President Tim Gilmour said that Wilkes University receives money from some state programs, but others are likely to be “adversely affected.” Act 101 and Science in Motion are two programs that will most likely be affected. Thomas, who also serves as president of the Act 101 Pennsylvania Association for Educational Opportunity, has been tracking the budget process through Act 101 advocates in Harrisburg. The Act 101 program provides academic and specific advising support for students who are firstgeneration college students that rely on financial aid programs to be able to afford a college education, explained Thomas. He explained that research has made it clear that many students can be successful in college with specialized assistance to provide support. “The early indications, without us having any confirmation, are not good,” said Thomas. At Wilkes, Act 101 serves 115 students through tutoring and advising. The number of students that benefit from Act 101 is directly based on the size of the college or university. “As of today, October 1, no one knows how the allotment is broken out by line item,” said Thomas. “The early indications are not good. They would lead me to believe, at this point… that [Act 101] is not going to be funded at all, that the program is going to be eliminated.” Originally, the Governor’s office proposed a cut from $9.3 million to $8 million for Act 101. While the Governor’s office was initially supportive, there is a new generation of legislators in place who do not feel the same commitment to equal educational opportunity, explained Thomas. If the State Budget cuts the Act 101 program, Wilkes University has another plan for students who benefit from this program. “We believe we’ve made a commitment to these students,” said Thomas. “We feel dedicated to maintain the same level of services to students. We are going to explore every opportunity.” Thomas explained that Wilkes University is not looking to cut this type of program. Wilkes could fund its own equal opportunity program through the university’s budget. “No one is encouraging us, let’s put it that way,” said Thomas. “Even though these [buget negotiations] are done secretly, you still get words of encouragement. So we are preparing for the worst.” The Act 101 program came into existence as a result of the Higher Education Equal Opportunity Act of 1971. Thomas explained that the program began at Wilkes University in 1976 to assist Pennsylvania residents, “whose economic, educational and cultural backgrounds might limit their success in achieving their goals in higher education.” Theresa Wignot, program director of Science in Motion, could not be reached for comment. “Yellow Ribbon” makes education accessible for veterans BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Correspondent The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued a GI Bill for Post-9/11 veterans to gain benefits for their education. Veterans of 9/11 can receive their college tuition and other expenses paid for, providing they have met the criteria to receive these benefits. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 and is available to 75 eligible veterans on a first-come, first-served basis. Wilkes University currently has 50-60 veterans enrolled, but not all are post 9/11 veterans. According to Camille Daniels, service associate of Student Services, there are currently 18 post-9/11 veterans taking advantage of the Yellow Ribbon program benefits. The benefits of the program include full tuition in which the VA and Wilkes University work together to pay for the full tuition, depending on the number of credits the veteran is taking. The GI Bill will pay the per-credit cost, and if that does not meet the full tuition fee, Wilkes University will pay the difference. “This is the best benefits pro- BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu gram since World War II,” said Henry Steuben, director of parttime programs in the Admissions Department. Steuben explained that if the cost of tuition exceeds that of the highest state public institution, the school can participate by supplementing the difference by fifty percent. Any other scholarships or state grants can be awarded and will not be detracted for the GI Bill benefits. Anything extra will first be used to off-set a possible tuition difference. The remainder of the funding will be put toward housing needs. Like any other scholarship, in order to maintain these benefits the veteran must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average. Veterans can receive a $1,000 stipend for books and a housing allowance of $990 per month which can be used for either dormitory or off-campus housing. In order for veterans to qualify for all of the Yellow Ribbon Program benefits, they must have completed a total number of 36 months of active duty service after September 10, 2001. The active duty service does not have to be performed continuously; it can be divided as long as it adds up to 36 months in total. If these criteria are not met, partial benefits will Editorial Staff 2009-10 still be given. “The Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits are good for 15 years from the date of discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 continuous days,” said Jim Dougherty, Veterans Service Representative. Dougherty said that benefits will be awarded for a maximum of 48 months. For more information on the Veterans Yellow Ribbon Program, students can visit www.wilkes. edu/yellowribbon or a full explanation can be found at www.gibill. va.gov. Veterans can also visit Henry Steuben in Chase Hall to inquire further about the program. Meet the Staff Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Dave Lewis Assistant Op/Ed Editor �NEWS OCTOBER 6, 2009 WILKES NEWS BRIEFS BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor 8th ANNUAL WALK TOWARDS AWARENESS - On October 20 at 12:00 p.m., the Health and Wellness Service Center will host the 8th Annual Walk Towards Awareness from the greenway to Kirby Park. Students must register for the one mile walk by October 13 with the Health and Wellness Service Center by calling 408-4730. Any student who participates in the walk will receive a free long sleeve teeshirt. The rain date is October 22. FALL RECESS – Fall Recess Begins at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14. Classes will resume Monday, October 19. ZEBRA COMMUNICATIONS /SALVATION ARMY FOOD DRIVE – Zebra Communications will be holding the “Go Can Crazy” food drive to help the local Salvation Army. Non-perishable food, including food in cans and boxes, may be dropped off on the first floor of the Henry Student Center between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6 and Thursday October 8. Non-perishables will also be collected during Homecoming Weekend at the football game on Saturday, October 10. Monetary donations will also be accepted to benefit the local Salvation Army. TRANSFERS from FRONT PAGE four-year institutions and two-year institutions.” Dr. Dana C. Clark, vice president of Academic Affairs and provost of LCCC said that chief academic officers meet several times each year to talk about ways that four and two-year institutions can collaborate with one another to help local students continue their education. “We have partnered in several grants with Wilkes where our students and the Wilkes students are working together on projects, […] so that’s how it started,” said Clark. The task force is already getting the program underway. Clark said, “Several of our department chairmen are going to be meeting within the next month with the department chairmen at Wilkes and we’re going to be looking at several of the departments’ curriculum because, for some, it would be easier than others.” Often times, those who transfer from community colleges into four-year colleges 3 Students travel to Madrid HOMECOMING PARADE/ REGISTER YOUR CLUB – The Office of Alumni Relations are registering groups and clubs who would like to be in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, October 10. Your club or group can decorate a car, truck, create a float or walk in the parade with a banner. Participating groups must arrive at 9:45 a.m. on the corner of South Main Street and West South Street. The parade continues from the arrival point to Public Square. The club with the best entry wins $100. For questions or more information, call Alumni Relations at 408-7787. To register your club, visit http:// community.wilkes.edu/HomecomingParade09. FREE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING – Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology in conjunction with Wilkes Campus Counseling Services will sponsor a free and confidential mental health screening for members of the campus community today, Tuesday, October 6. The screening will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. in the Henry Student Center. The event offers screenings for mood and anxiety problems and will take approximately 15 minutes. Literature will also be available. for more information check out... Iwilkesheacon.com and universities have to attend school for an extra year because they take classes at community colleges that don’t transfer. “Our curriculum sometimes makes it very difficult for students to transfer and finish without having to spend an extra year, year and a half,” said Verret. He noted that Wilkes accepts roughly 120 to 130 transfer students each year. The program is slated to be similar to AcademyOne. This is a software program designed to let students know how many credits will transfer to different schools throughout the nation. According to the software’s official website, AcademyOne. com, participation in the program makes it easier for prospective students to “learn what courses and how many credits will transfer” to the school into which they are looking. Verret said he would like the program to be set up so that professors at Wilkes would partner with a professor from LCCC in the same discipline or major. The two professors would work on the curriculum together Photo Courtesy of Dr. Paola Bianco Pictured above are students in front of the Palacio Real in Madrid. Students traveled to both Madrid and Paris on the trip through Forspro Study Abroad Programs. Students from any major were able to take the trip for three, six or nine credits. The trip was from July 4-31 and students stayed in a single occupancy dorm and were free to come and go as they pleased. For more informatiton, contact Dr. Paola Bianco at paola.bianco@wilkes.edu or 408-4519. to make the whole process easier. Stephanie Durk, a senior criminology major, transferred to Wilkes after spending two years at LCCC. She thinks that this idea is a positive one for students who are looking to eventually transfer to a four-year university. “If they know exactly what they want to do, then it would be beneficial to have a program like this in place,” said Durk. When sophomore Kati Dunn and junior Rich Cosgrove began taking classes at LCCC, two and three years ago respectively, their initial plan were to eventually transfer their credits to Wilkes to continue their studies and gain their bachelor’s degrees. Dunn and Cosgrove reached out to Wilkes from the start of their college career. They did so independently and on their own time. “I went through Amy Patton, [associate director of Admissions at Wilkes]. She gave me all of my courses,” said Dunn, a political science major. “Amy gave us [Kati and I] lists,” said Cosgrove, an elementary education and earth and environmental services double major. “We knew exactly what we had to take. It was all planned out.” While Dunn did not have a problem transferring her credits, Cosgrove noted that only one of the education courses he completed at LCCC did not transfer. Both agree that many students currently studying at LCCC with plans to transfer to Wilkes may not realize that they can work with the Admissions department. The proposed partnership between Wilkes and LCCC will eliminate any confusion or lack of knowledge in this area. According to Verret, professors of all majors have already been asked to put a list of courses together that will be presented to LCCC. They hope to introduce the curriculum to students at LCCC next fall. If all goes well, Verret hopes to form partnerships with Lackawanna Community College and Northampton Community College in the future. �4 NEWS OCTOBER 6, 2009 US News ranks Wilkes below other local schools BY SALVATORE INFANTINO Correspondent Over the summer, US News and World Report released its annual ranking of American colleges and universities from across the country. Wilkes University made the list by tying three ways for 59th place in the Northern Master’s division. Although, Wilkes reportedly jumped up several spots since last year’s ranking, it still fell behind its three local competitors: University of Scranton, Misericordia University, and King’s College. Amy Patton, associate director of Admissions, does not think a negative ranking deters enrollment at Wilkes. “If Wilkes was ranked number one, I’m sure we’d get more calls from parents,” said Patton. US News breaks American colleges into four groups: Liberal Arts Colleges, Baccalaureate Colleges, National Universities, and Master’s Universities. Wilkes falls into the Master’s Universities category which is defined on US News’s webpage as a school that “provide[s] a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s level programs… rankings are of the entire school focusing on the undergraduate program. No master’s programs are ranked.” It also further subdivides the country into North, South, East and West, with Wilkes falling into the North section. King’s College, Misericordia University, Wilkes University and University of Scranton were all in the Master’s Universities, North section category. University of Scranton was ranked for a tie in seventh place. King’s College was tied three ways for the thirty-eighth rank. Misericordia was ranked for a six way tie for the fourty-fifth rank. After the schools are divided, they are ranked according to peer assessment, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance, and alumni giving rate. Overall, Patton said there are more factors that should be considered when choosing a college that the US News ranking and other ranking systems neglect. “There are a lot of great things that are happening at a lot of universities--Wilkes included--that aren’t captured by the survey. Mentoring would be one of them,” said Patton. Patton also noted some positives going on at Wilkes that sets the university apart from not only local competitors, but also national ones. Wilkes is moving forward on plans to open a Law School, and also recently received the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Grant. Lauran McDonald, a freshman biology major, agreed. “I don’t really care about the ranking,” she said. “I still love Wilkes. I wanted to stay close to home, and I wanted a program I knew I could trust. Wilkes was the perfect fit.” Mike Fasulka, senior psychology major, is prepping to apply for graduate schools in physical therapy. “As long as I demonstrate good academics and complete the application packages, the name of which institution my undergrad degree came from shouldn’t matter,” Fasulka said. But, Fasulka said he is not worried about pending acceptance to graduate school because the skills Wilkes provided him are ample enough to move on to higher education. R SWINE FLU from FRONT PAGE very cautious about sharing drinks or cigarettes. H1N1 is spread through droplets that cause the flu to go from one person to another explained Diane O’Brien, director of health and wellness services. Hand sanitizers have been placed around campus to help prevent the spread of H1N1 virus. “Students love them,” said Holby. “I see [students] using them all the time.” Any student with flu-like symptoms is strongly urged to leave the campus and return home. Also, students should notify Diane O’Brien, director of Health and Wellness Services, so that they can be tested for the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu. After returning to campus, students should also contact Health and Wellness Services, as they will notify professors on the status of the student’s health. The H1N1 vaccine is being distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and should arrive at Wilkes University during mid-to-late October. O’Brien assumes that the vaccine will be free to students, staff, and faculty. Al ress Pro f essi o a lly. For Re ume Help cont c Sh ro C t ·no · t s aron.casta o@ · es.ed or by c I i g (5 70) 08 2 ' 1 �NEWS OCTOBER 6, 2009 5 Government Lawrence Reed to delivery Kirby Lecture student Elettion Results BY CATHRYN FREAR Correspondent On Thursday, October 8, the Allen P. Kirby Center Lecture Series will be hosting a lecture by Lawrence Reed, president of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE). The speech will take place in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center at 7:30 p.m. The FEE is a foundation that sends speakers to colleges and high schools to give speeches and provide workshops to educate today’s youth. According to their website, the mission of the FEE is to “offer the most consistent case for the ‘first principles’ of freedom: the sanctity of private property, individual liberty, the rule of law, the free market, and the moral superiority of individual choice and responsibility over coercion.” Like the other speeches in the series, Reed will be talking economics. However, Reed’s speech will steer somewhat away from the norm. Rather than just facts and figures, he will be talking more about “Character, Liberty, and Free Society,” as the title of the speech states. According to Reed, the speech will elaborate on an essay he wrote. The essay bares the same title and was published in the FEE journal in July 2008. He said, “My talk […] will be an extension of that essay with a lot of examples that I didn’t have time or room in that essay to talk about; with some application to current issues.” Reed will be concentrating on his belief that ethics play a fairly large role in how an elected official regulates a society. Reed stated, “Liberty and character are interconnected. You can’t have one without the other.” In relating this issue to our area’s recent judicial corruption, he said, “I think you have a very strong manifestation of a national problem and it’s not all that uncommon, frankly.” Dr. Jeffery Alves, a business professor and advisor of Society in Free Enterprise, has been responsible for bringing in the lecturers that have spoken at the Darte Center in past years. Initially, Alves was unsure as to whether to bring Reed in to speak, fearing that a lack of notoriety would keep people away. Ultimately, he decided it was worth THE MUSIC BOX REPERTORY COMPANY PRESENTS: DnDnDil6 &1J(J) T:11 OCT1111■ n, 14, 'IO & r:to 1r .ffffllffn n• 1 - Nnn I IIIIWOffenR -, ,1, I) r·:11 oaaamn,1,, 10111@1:1,, · .! I llfDIT&. ·•w-ni••owony. fl- lllllMNX ,,,uue twODnllllli n ·rne, -........ cro . m . 1M w CjAL!l TODAY TO MA!KE''YOUR· RESElRVATIO NS-I COME DRESSIED I · YOUR FAVOR rrE ROCKY HO - RO -' COSIU . E!l the risk. “He does not have the name recognition that a lot of our other speakers have had. You always worry about turnout when you have what is a major lecture. You want to have at least 250 to 300 people coming into the Darte and we want to make sure that the people we bring have a message.” Ashley Deemie, a senior accounting and business major, said that she has been going to these lectures since she was a freshman. “The main reason I want to go see Lawrence Reed is just because of the new outlook, especially how the economy is now,” added Deemie. Deemie also said that Reed’s real-world business experience is something that is drawing her to this particular lecture. “I think having a new voice come in that is really experienced [will allow students] to gain some insight and knowledge on where we are now. You get a different outlook than what you get in the classroom.” For more information on Reed and the FEE, visit http://fee.org/. The annual Kirby lecture is free and open to the public. Freshmen Election Results President - Caevaun DuBarry Vice President - Meribeth Derkach Secretary - Nicholas Wierman (write-in) Treasurer - John Sweeney Representatives -Cassandra Glenn, Nisarg Joshi Sophomore Election Results Treasurer - Justine Adams (write-in) Junior Election Results Representatives - Katelyn Aldinger, Sean LaFleur Senior Election Results Representatives - Paran Mukhija (writein), Konstantina Papathomas (write-in), Charles Siarkowski (write-in) All positions will be accepted or declined by next week. for more information check out ... Iwilkesbeacon.corn �Towers' Fire Alarms Paue1 6 Opinion Hand sanitizers are not enough to prevent pandemic In response to the looming Swine Flu pandemic, Wilkes University amped up its illness prevention tactics by adding fancy sensor-activated sanitation stations around campus. As useful as these new sanitation stations may prove to be, they are not enough. There are no other areas on our campus in which decay and germ infestation are more visible than computer keyboards. With almost the entire campus presently operating on white iMac keyboards, one can clearly see which keys have been overly contaminated because of the discoloration of the once pristine-looking surfaces. Wilkes’s Health Services department has recently updated its “FAQ- Pandemic Influenza Policy” to accommodate for the H1N1 (Swine Flu) threat. Health Services website will bring readers up to date on just about everything they need to know about what to do in the event of catching the dreaded Swine Flu. wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com OCTOBER 6, 2009 H1N1 policy is a step in the right direction BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu But nowhere in this prevention plan is a schedule for regular sanitation of germy surfaces included. Keyboards, door knobs, stair railings, elevator buttons, and desk surfaces should all be regularly sanitized, especially now with the threat of a deadly flu pandemic hovering over the campus. Yes, the hand sanitizers are a step in the right direction, but the trouble with this effort is that we cannot guarantee every student will use the sanitation station before he or she touches a doorknob, types on a computer keyboard, or shakes hands with another person. The only way to guarantee clean, touchable surface at all times would be to require each student to disinfect his or her keyboard or desk surface after each use with something like a Clorox disinfectant wipe. While the probability of this being implemented and carried out is slim, the least the University can do is commit some members of the facilities staff to sanitizing the most often touched surfaces on campus on a nightly basis. Health Services has done a great job call- ing attention to the fact that Wilkes University is prepared in the event of an H1N1 pandemic. If an outbreak were to happen, we can at least have the peace of mind to know Wilkes University is prepared. But while we all are busy running rampant on a day-to-day basis through doors with knobs and typing out papers with no regards for the person who just coughed up a lung on his hands, influenza is lurking around every corner. Students need to be more cautious, by coughing or sneezing into their bent elbow, and generally having respect for the person who will sit at their computer in the next class. And, if you’re that sick, stay in bed. Likewise, facilities can do more to ensure that surfaces are disinfected regularly. Before the health status of an entire campus gets to that point, let us all make a more conscious effort toward an H1N1-free year. The best thing the University could to is to include upon Health Services’ FAQ sheet a motion for regular-scheduled sanitization of touchable surfaces. Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 21 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think that Wilkes should mandate a physical education course? • Yes, students need exercise 52% • No, they can exercise on their own 48% Next Week’s Question: Have you used the new hand sanitizers placed around campus? • • Yes No Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. The Beacon/Tom Reilly A close-up view of an iMac keyboard on the first floor of Wilkes University’s Farley Library reveals obvious signs of deterioation as well as germ build-up. Our keyboards are not desantized between users which presents a serious health hazard. Dr. Gerba of Woman’s Day estimates that “there are about 200 times more bacteria on a keyboard than a toilet seat.” Wilkes’s hand sanitizing stations can only do so much against the user-to-user daily germ build-up. �OCTOBER 6, 2009 OPINION Frequent fire alarms in Towers a danger to residents BY CATHRYN FREAR Correspondent again and people take him seriously and freak out because wolves are scary. Eventually, they stop listening, though. Then, of course, there’s a real wolf. Fires, too, are scary, but these fire alarms are already being ignored by many UT residents. In certain instances, this negates the fact that we have fire alarms at all. Eventually, people are going to stop leaving and someone is going to get hurt. Not only are students affected by this issue, but there are also senior citizens who still reside in the Towers from the days before the building was owned by Wilkes. Some of these folks need the use of canes to get around. It’s not easy for them to walk up and down the stairs during these emergencies, when elevator use is prohibited. Frankly, the lights and sounds are enough to put even young college students into a momentary panic attack, let alone those who may have heart issues. The point is, this is a major issue and none of the powers that be are doing anything about it. Sure, the fire department comes for free along with an ambulance bonus, but seriously, no one wants to stand outside for ten to 30 minutes for a non-emergency purpose. We are all busy and the weather is getting colder. If you think this seems inconvenient, just imagine what the situation will be like when that fateful day comes that the sprinklers are set off. Something needs to be done, and soon, to get this serious issue resolved before someone gets hurt. In high school, we all went through the tornado drills, fire drills, etc. and we accepted them. They were preparation for real emergencies. In the 50s, they had bomb drills in preparation for The Big One. That was a little sillier, but it was still accepted and taken seriously. Besides, all of us kids got out of class, and who doesn’t want that? But when you grow up, you get tired of the drill—or in this case, the “real thing.” No one understands this fatigue better than the residents of University Towers, who have experienced 14, count ‘em, 14 fire alarms since classes began this fall, according to Jerry Rebo, manager of public safety. Over the summer, a new fire alarm system was installed in University Towers. The new system, unlike the old system, is extremely sensitive, going off over burnt bacon and steam from hot showers. The alarms happen at all hours of the day or night, and, as the alarm says when someone sets it off, they are most certainly not drills. The problem? Residents of the Towers are no longer taking these alarms seriously. Public Safety expects that students will just get used to the new detectors and adapt. Only time will tell whether this is the case. With 14 fire alarms going off this semester alone, it appears that students need a bit more time to adapt to the new up-to-code smoke detectors that have been watching their every move. We have had so many that … Oh, wait. I’ve lost my train of thought. The fire alarm has just gone off again in the Towers, where I am a resident. It’s Friday, October 2, as I’m writing this. I’m not kidding. Now if you will excuse me, a disembodied voice is telling me I have to leave the building … Back at my desk after 25 minutes because of the evacuation, I can pick up where I left off. Oh, yeah. We have had so many alarms that more than anything else, these have been compared to that The Beacon/Allison Roth old folk tale “The boy who cried wolf.” The Students stand outside an evacuated University Towers on boy says there’s a wolf Sunday, October 4, 2009 after the 14th fire drill since fall classes began. 7 The Obse~v-a. t;;c,~y :-6 ~ ;·h •"•' ~-•-~ < •~ . c ~ . ~ -, I -~ -- ~~ ~~~~ T " :--·· ~ : ,~,i f-I ~ - .....-. - ,. -·-~ : ~ /;.,:~~~~~~--./- ; ,, ; . / / .:,,,,,, NEVER OWN A FERRET Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS People want them. Ferrets are apparently in demand. More and more pet stores sell ferrets these days and of course, they are so cute and so cuddly. The way that they scamper about the floor and hide under furniture is just so darn precious. They make the cutest sounds and who can forget those little faces ... oh, the faces. Let’s not forget that other thing about ferrets: they literally stink. Ferrets give off a distinct odor that can sting the nostrils. Believe me, I know from experience. I lived with a ferret and his owner for more than a year. It is an odor that you really cannot get out of your house. According to Dr. Erika Matulich, a veterinarian and ferret enthusiast from Florida, the distinct odor that ferrets give off comes from musk glands in the their faces and bodies. Matulich also stated that the strongest contributor to the odor is hormonal activity. So, if you want to reduce the odor, your best bet is to have your ferret spayed or neutered. Most cat or dog owners prefer to get their pets spayed or neutered, so it is pretty commonplace for a ferret owner to do so as well, though it does cost money. This does not, however, eliminate the odor, it simply reduces it. If these people going out and adopting ferrets are not turned off by the odor, what can turn them off to owning one? Maybe they are not completely informed about the downsides when they go to the pet store or someone they know passes one off to them. That is my best guess. In any case, do not own a ferret, especially if you do not know all the facts about them. Two states, California and Hawaii, have laws that make owning a ferret illegal. New York City, Washington D.C., and a few other cities also make it illegal to own a ferret. I agree wholeheartedly with the decision these governments made. It should be illegal to own a ferret. Ferrets are wild animals and should not be domesticated. While once the same could be said about cats and dogs (they too were once considered wild animals), they can be trained to be domestic animals. Ferrets cannot always be trained, not to mention they have very sharp teeth and tend to bite when they are younger. Ready for a big surprise? If you own a ferret, be prepared to possibly spend up to $1,000 in surgeries and medical expenses at any point during the ferret’s lifetime because they are prone to developing adrenal disease. Adrenal disease is an affliction in which the adrenal glands stop producing hormones necessary to life. According to a study published by Dr. Kemmerer Cottrell in 2005, adrenal disease is “one of the most common problems of the domestic ferret.” Cottrell also stated the available options are either surgery or melatonin implants. Lupron, an estrogen blocker that is used for the treatment of breast cancer in women, is also effective in treating adrenal disease in ferrets. However, the cost would be $50 a month for the rest of the ferret’s life. I could give you a thousand other reasons not to own a ferret, but these are the only ones that really matter. They are expense, cannot always be trained, and they really do stink. So, the next time you see a ferret with his cute, cuddly little face and you think about buying him from the pet store, think again because he is nothing but trouble. The Beacon/Tom Reilly �OPINION 8 OCTOBER 6, 2009 Finding a date on Facebook is not the best way to go Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS Do you remember a time when dating involved nothing more than the intimate interactions between one person and another? Chances are that if you are between the ages of 18 and 25, you have not experienced the blissful, black and white Hollywood depictions of long walks on the beach, or running to the front porch in the rain for a good-night kiss, or having a magical evening on a roof-top that nobody else in the world has access to or knows about. Granted those examples of dates are not within the average Joe’s means or budget, but we cannot discredit those couples who are brave enough to weather the challenges that our new millennium places on trying to find love. Dating in a technologically savvy era involves much more than just meeting that special someone at a designated time and place for a good time. Advances in cellular phone texting/calling plans, social networking websites, and even websites designed to find you a husband or wife, have made stalking somewhat normalized. Now, a lover can keep track of his or her significant other’s whereabouts throughout the day with a simple checkup on his or her “status.” Our generation has access to several types of networking websites such as Facebook. com or eharmony.com whose loan purpose is to accent our individualities to make us look more appealing to outside viewers. As cool or appealing as one may seem on a website, chances are that he or she has not put as much time into developing his or her own sense of self--in “real” life. It is no secret that societal trends in our country lean toward instant gratification— getting the most information in the fastest way possible. However, having your individuality on display through words on a screen at all times defeats the purpose of having to date, court, or even hang-out with a person for an extended period of time. If the extent of deciding whether to date someone involves logging onto a social networking site, then the purpose of interacting through intimate face-to-face tactics is defeated. Once one knows what he or she needs to know about whether the “target” is attractive or distasteful, the whole purpose of dating becomes unnecessary. Although Facebook is geared towards social networking, there are applications and features which make the internet-sensation a solid ground for judging another person without getting to know him or her through face-to-face contact. Let us say, for example, you see a goodlooking young woman who you think you might want to date. Instead of approaching her and starting a conversation, you choose to look up her profile on Facebook and check her “status.” First of all, a “relationship status” on Facebook is tremendously flawed. One can easily be listfted as “single” but still have a Letters to the Editor Policy _____ ____ ...__ .......... _. , , , The Beacon/Tom Reilly Nicole Leshnow, sophomore nursing major, takes a study break to see what her friends are up to on Facebook in the Farley Library. significant other. A single person could be unmarried, but dating. People may also list themselves as “in a relationship” or “married” to ward off unwanted pursuers, even if that is not his or her true status. Once you’ve checked out the status, the next logical move on Facebook is to check out her photos. This is a disgusting way to tell if a person is right for you, considering that the pictures of the person may be from just one incident and does not mean that he or she always parties to the point where they run a naked mile. Facebook can also deter an aspiring lover from pursuing a person based upon the comments upon his or her wall. Just because someone left a dirty comment on your love interest’s wall, does not mean he or she is a player. In essence, using Facebook, or any other social networking site-- especially dating sites designed to find you a husband or wife-creates more problems than it’s worth. The next time you are thinking about phone texting, AIM-ing (AOL Instant Messaging), or using social networking websites, avoid the hassle and strike up a conversation. Just say, “Hello. I’m (your name here).” Last week's winner of 10 Yoga Classes at BALANCE YOGA Victoria Rendina The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: Who :Doesn't Like Free Stuff?! The Beacon·· ee y·Giveaway! Enter for a Chance to Win... Dinnerfor4 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached (pizza buffet and drinks included) Sponsored by: 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion • Tony Di's PIZZA BUFFET Located on South Main Street Please keep letters to 300 words. The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall by Friday at noon.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu li ostyllos '------wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com OCTOBER 6, 2009 9 Global Partners help students adjust to college, culture BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Imagine living somewhere where the entire culture is foreign. For the 160 International students enrolled at Wilkes University, that is their everyday life. Fortunately in September 2008, Wilkes inaugurated the Center for Global Education and Diversity. “We help international students who don’t have the English skills they need to study at the university,” said Kimberly Niezgoda, assistant director of the IEP since 2006. “We teach the international students reading, writing, listening, speaking--all the things they’re going to need to know to get a passing score on the TOEFL Exam,” said Niezgoda. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language Exam; international students take this exam around the world to prove that they have the academic skills they need to succeed in an American, British, or Australian University. “We have services for all International students and we also have services for diverse students, or students of diverse backgrounds,” added Georgia Costalas, managing director for the Center for Global Education and Diversity. “We work with students who are considered underrepresented minorities, or who are minorities for - other reasons.” ter of the IEP. The Global Center for Education and Di“They really want to get to know Ameriversity, according to its brochure, provides cans and college life and because of the services for students whose race, sexuality, IEP schedule. They don’t get to do Club Day or meet gender, age, and Americans in culture is diftheir classes ferent from the because our majority popuschedule is so lation. different,” said The Center reNiezgoda. cently applied a Mohammed program called Aloumin is a Global Partner, 1 9 - y e a r- o l d where internafrom Saudi tional students Arabia and can meet with has reached American students who volThe Beacon/Melanie Thomas level four of the IEP. “It’s unteer their time Cindy McCoy mans the desk of the Global Diversity helped me a to hang out. building. The program connects international stulot with readAccording to dents to American students. ing, vocabuNiezgoda, the students who enter into the IEP can come in lary, listening, and speaking skills,” said at five levels, Beginner, speaking little or no Aloumin. “The Global Partners is a chance after English, Low Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate, and Advanced, speaking clear classes for them to hang out with an Ameriand concise English. Some of them speak can. They play pool in the Student Center, little to no English when they get here. or go see a movie, even cook together,” said Those students who come to the university Niezgoda. Through this program, international stuand have more experience speaking English may only need to participate in one semes- dents wanting to improve their English get to experience American culture and make friends at the same time. Because of the IEP schedule, they don’t have an opportunity to make friends with American students. The Center for Global Education and Diversity offers coffee hours on Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. in the Savitz Multicultural Lounge on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. “We have people who come every week. Sometimes we have about ten people, but other times we’ve had up to 35 people attend coffee hour. Sometimes we’ll have a presentation where one student may speak about a particular situation or event from their country,” said Costlalas. The center also features Global Family, where a family invites an international student to their home for an American holiday, such as Thanksgiving. “I have met a few people in coffee hour, but outside of school, no. I want to join American life and I want to learn about American culture. Also I would like to share Arabic culture and food with Americans,” said Aloumin. Anyone interested in becoming a Global Partner should contact Kimberly Niezgoda via email at kimberly.niezgoda@wilkes. edu. Student of the week: 9~~ P~? BY ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER Correspondent Wilkes University may have The Beacon, The Inkwell, and Wilkes World, but senior Jahmitza Perez didn’t think we had enough campus media, so she’s adding a “POW.” Perez, an integrative media major, is working on creating POWzine. It started as a class project when she was a junior. “My strengths lie in 2-D design so I thought a magazine would be appropriate,” said Perez. With the thought that integrative media students should have their own piece of literature to contribute to Wilkes and the advice of her advisor, Eric Ruggerio, Perez decided to turn the project into a full product. Perez has set up a non-profit business with a bank and is currently working on the first issue of POWzine to present to Wilkes to be approved for funding. Ruggerio, Perez’s advisor, encouraged her to produce a new piece of media for the Wilkes campus. With that extra push, she turned the draft into a full-blown project. Perez has set up a non-profit business with a bank and is currently working on the first issue of POWzine to present to Wilkes to be approved for funding. Perez wants her magazine to appeal to all college students, “the young adult, the I’mnot-married-just-yet public,” she said. “I got tired of reading lame Cosmo articles,” said Perez. POWzine will be “full of ‘the student,’ our hang-ups, our art, our makeup, but most importantly, it’s ours.” Perez doesn’t take all the credit for POWzine. Her friends Amanda Petrosky and Ryan Bracey are helping out, along with Nicole DePolo who is supervising and editing. “It’s a team effort and I cannot wait to share the magazine with Wilkes this semester,” said Perez. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words… Perez: Determined, curly-haired, optimistic. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know…” Perez: That I actually hate orange juice. Photo courtesy of Jah- The Beacon: mitz Perez Where do you see yourself in ten years? Perez: I see myself creating, designing, branching out to the public so I can share pieces of my work. �LIFESTYLES 10 OCTOBER 6, 2009 Trolleys, Pints and Ghosts for Homecoming 2009 BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor As Wilkes University moves into the month of October, the staff at the Office of Alumni Relations feels not only the sudden chill in the air, but a certain pride about Homecoming Weekend. “We try to have events for every type of alumni, so the people who may not want to come back just for the social will come back for the educational factor,” said Mirko Widenhorn, director of Alumni Relations. There will be open classes all day, allowing alumni the opportunity to sit in on a class they once took during their time at Wilkes. Widenhorn and Sandra Carroll, the executive director of Alumni Relations, sent emails out to all faculty and staff asking if they would be willing to open their class for alumni. “We had a good response. It’s a good cross section, everything from first-year foundation courses to psychology and even communications,” said Carroll. Other events of interest on Friday include the Trolley Tour of Campus and downtown Wilkes-Barre. Tourists. It will be hosted by Tony Brooks, the executive director of the Luzerne County Historical Society. The tour will cover part of downtown’s historical buildings, and also some buildings around campus. Later that day, returning alumni can have a beer with their favorite professors. Pint’s with Professor’s will kick off in Weckesser Hall at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will also be available and all students who are 21 or older will be permitted to attend the event, but must provide ID at the door. After drinks, what better way to close out the evening than searching for ghosts in some of the old mansions on campus? The Historical “Haunted Wilkes” walking tour will depart from the John Wilkes statue at 6 p.m. Wilkes University buildings on the tour include Kirby Hall, Sturdevant Hall, Weckesser Hall, and Roth Hall. Rest up, because Saturday packs quite a punch, with events starting at 8:30 a.m. and going through dinnertime. Saturday highlights include the 2009 Homecoming 5K Ragin’ Road Race, which is sponsored by the Wilkes Running Club. The race starts at the Alumni House on South River Street and goes across the Market street Bridge, through Kirby Park and ends at the tailgate tent. Students can participate in the race for free and can sign up by contacting the Alumni Office. If you’d rather watch than run, cop a squat along South Main Street for the Homecoming parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Just a few of the groups featured in the parade include SIFE [Students in Free Enterprise], ROTC, The Beacon, Class of ‘04, Class of ’69, and of course the Wilkes University Colonel. After the game, head back to campus for a tent festival on the greenway from 4-6 p.m, where there will be special reunions for Alternative Spring Break, The Beacon, communication studies, Doane, Gore, and Weckesser Alumni, psychology alumni, the class of ‘69 and the class of ‘84. “Students are invited, as the tent festival is being sponsored by Student Government. There will be alcohol, but students will not be allowed to drink because it is funded by Student Government,” said Widehorn. To wrap up homecoming weekend, the campus belltower will ring in remembrance of all alumni and Wilkes community members who have passed away since last year’s homecoming on Sunday, October 11th at 9:45 a.m. Also on Sunday at 11:45 a.m. in the Henry Student Center ballroom, six alumni will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The Beacon/Allison Roth The John Wilkes Statue is the starting point for homecoming weekend activities like the Historial “Haunted Wilkes” walking tour. 53 PtJbuc_square 829-6111111 D 'A'Nto'A'N COLLe3e _specaaLS ALeoHOL SPEeIALS F02 21.+ Ui& I.D. .SllN~ MONdi! Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Pr•ce Appetizers ½ Pr•ce PIZ.za r11eSda! DJ OOH\fee Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Prace Appetizers COl..l.ege N13Ht N° co,,,er 'II I COi.Lese ID rK1Jr5da! .Sattlr@ live Entertainment Live Entertainment Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts $15Lrces dlJl'INS ~P! HotJr $15LiceS 11pM-1at1 COJUle cHecK °tJt YiHat·s Ne\Y aNcl E><ett1N3 at R0 daN°'S Call to bOOK <>tJr pr•vate rooM ror clN~ CL3SS e\feNtS or soe1a. 5atHer1N3 Roc:laNO'S LtJNCH 5pec1atS ofTerec:1 7 c:la~S a WeeK F0 r $5.95 �LIFESTYLES OCTOBER 6, 2009 11 College Days Associate provost’s Facebook connects him to college friends BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor “Bing!” The computer revs up. Dr. Vernon Harper, Wilkes University’s new associate provost, sits down behind his large wooden desk and places his hands over the keyboard. Into the URL bar he types “www.facebook.com.” Harper, like millions, uses Facebook, the Internet social networking site, to connect and stay connected with his family and friends. “I have 164 Facebook friends. Ten to 15 are from grade school; three or four are from Penn State Hazleton; five or six are from Penn State University Park. And I need them,” admits Harper. Harper thrives on the connections made during his undergraduate years to sustain his view of Penn State, where he completed his undergraduate degree in communications. “As you get older, your past becomes brighter. I need them sustain my view of Penn State and what happened. It was a wonderful time. If I didn’t have those peo- ple to relive those experiences I don’t know what kind of person I would be, and I would not want to know,” said Harper. Harper spent two of his four undergraduate years at Penn State Hazleton and the last two years at Penn State University Park. “Back then you had to go. When I transitioned from Hazleton with a small, small campus of around 3,000 students to University Park with 40,000 students, that was a rough adjustment,” said Harper. Despite a rough adjustment, Harper spent his undergraduate years learning the many lessons students inevitably learn about themselves. Harper admits to not always being the studious and driven person he is today. “I was a slacker,” stated Harper. “I guess I was a good student, but I never exercised my potential as a student.” As he approaches age 40, Harper’s connection to his undergraduate years is still vivid. While he remembers his time at both Penn State Hazleton and University Park well, he notices the changes within himself. “A major change for me from past to today is I have charted a course for my life and I derive a great amount of satisfaction in ex- ecuting it,” stated Harper. As Harper’s personal education excelled through not only his undergraduate years, but his masters’ degree and doctorate as well, he gained a greater sense of self and a drive that kept him thriving in his personal endeavors. Harper’s drive came to him in his late 20s. “I learned that I needed to pay more attention, be more detail-oriented. I learned about relationships. I learned about careers. It put me position to learn about myself as a working person. I really appreciated that,” reflected Harper. Moving from Pennsylvania to California for work, and back to the east coast to work in Virginia, Harper’s many positions have enlightened him and instilled him with a determination to push him both personally and academically. “I’m stealing someone’s thought, but there is where you are and where you’d like to be. In between the two is a tension. If you can feel that tension, it can pull you through your life. However, you need that point. You need to know where you want to be,” suggested Harper. After graduating from Penn State, Harper took a job as a headhunter, working to find other professionals jobs. Despite losing this job early in his professional career, Harper thrust himself back into academia. According to Harper, he was running from the real world by going back to school; however, his running turned into the push he needed to become not just a well-rounded student, but a well-rounded professional. “I felt like I didn’t have enough firepower to give myself security in life. I had to go back and get more firepower,” he said. Education was his firepower. Harper’s personal and academic education was defined through his many roads. “Enjoy your time as an undergraduate. Be cognitive and know that it leads to a time when you really need to work hard,” concluded Harper. Harper’s hard work has propelled him through many positions in the professional world. But he has never forgotten those connections he made while in college. Just check his Facebook and see. In his own words, Harper storms Beaver Stadium: “ It was 1991, and in 1990 George Tech had won the national championship in football. We played George Tech in the first game of the season in Atlanta. We won that game. So, we beat the defending national champions in the first game of the season. A spontaneous group offans formed on the corner of, I think, College Avenue and Beaver. My dorm was a couple ofsteps away. It was ten people, then it was twenty people, then it was a thousand people, then two thousand people. Everyone ran down and joined this mob. Someone had the vision ofgoing up to the stadium [Beaver Stadium]. Some rowdy people broke in. I ran around the stadium and through the tunnel where the team comes from. I ran and stood on the fifty yard line. It was one of the best moments in my entire life. “ Photo courtesy of Dr. Vernon Harper Dr. Vernon Harper recently became Wilkes’s first associate provost. �What’s Happening Around Wilkes p 15 CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 OCTOBER 6, 2009 Review: Fundraiser “raises roof” for Osterhout Library BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Atop the East Parking Garage Corner located on Washington and Market Streets in the Downtown, the city of Wilkes-Barre provided citizens with food and entertainment under the stars to benefit the Osterhout Free Library on Franklin Street. The event, “Raising the Rooftop Fundraiser,” took place this past Saturday evening, Oct. 3, from 5 - 7 p.m. The event had an exuberant atmosphere with a decent crowd of people. The majority of guests were enjoying the many Hors d’ oeuvres that were courtesy of eleven local restaurants, such as pizza from Rodanos, sandwiches from T.G.I. Fridays, and mouth-watering wings from Gonda’s Hoagies, Wings, and Spirits. I couldn’t help but notice the generosity of the local breweries either. It was appropriately themed “Oktoberfest.” Breaker Brewing Company and Northeast Eagle Distributors provided courtesy beer, wine, water, and their ultimate fall featured cocktail that made me weak in the knees: “The Tuaca Apple Pie.” This cocktail gave the cool, sunny evening a fall-season taste, made up of fresh apple cider and Italian liqueur topped off with whipped cream— enough said. Live music also echoed off of the buildings in the Square and punctuated the evening with easy rock. This live entertainment was provided by The Traveling WilkesBarreans, featuring Bret and Ron of the Badlees, Pauly of Panacea, and Dustin of See FUNDRAISER page 14 The Beacon/Tom Beacon/Tom Reilly Reilly The Locals seen enjoying the fundraiser festivities on top of the Park and Lock East Parking Garage on the corner of Washington and Market Streets. - - - Artist Spotlight: ®r. ~haron ~owar - - BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor Too often, the art department is overlooked at Wilkes University. This month, The Beacon will spotlight students and faculty of the visual arts department for the Wilkes community to create a stronger appreciation for their majors and backgrounds. This week The Beacon will spotlight a woman of sensational talent and compassion for the study of art who teaches classes in painting, printmaking, design, and life drawing each semester. Sharon Bowar, associate professor of art, teaches at Wilkes with the hope of sparking interest in and appreciation of art in her students each semester. The Beacon: When did you first learn of your talent and interest in art? Bowar: I knew I wanted to become an artist by age fifteen. At that time, I was not aware of how much hard work it required, but I knew I had found what I loved and had a strong desire to learn, grow and succeed as an artist. For many years, I explored and experimented with a vast array of art forms and then focused my knowledge and skills in the art of painting. The Beacon: What makes painting such an important part of your life? Bowar: The regular practice of painting is the most consistent part of my life. I enter my studio very early each day. Some days include many hours of painting while others, usually teaching days, may have only a brief hour or two. Of course I like to travel and take holidays, but I’m always returning to the act of painting for the anchor it provides in an oft-unpredictable world. This consistency of creativity provides me with a sense of well being and inner composure. The Beacon: I know you had said you had an art business. Can you explain more about it? Bowar: In brief, my business involves travel, research, correspondence, production of art, documentation, marketing, presentations, exhibitions, identifying markets, maintaining a studio with supplies and equipment, billing and paying taxes. I have two galleries that showcase my work and I maintain a web-portfolio that has been viewed around the world, www.sharonbowar.com. I participate in juried, invitational and solo exhibitions. I regularly donate works of art for charitable auctions See BOWAR page 13 BELOW: Dr. Sharon Bowar, associate professor of art at Wilkes University, has participated in several exhibitions, showcasing her paintings in cities such as Philadelphia and Albuquerque. Courtesy of Wilkes.edu Courtesy of Wilkes.edu ABOVE: Pictured is an oil painting created by Dr. Bowar in 2005 named Studio Chair. �OCTOBER 6, 2009 BOWAR from PAGE 12 and fundraisers. My next large solo exhibition is scheduled for June 2010 in Philadelphia. It takes me about two or three years to create new work for a solo exhibition. The Beacon: What pieces make you feel most accomplished as an artist and why? Bowar: Many of my smallest and seemingly insignificant works mean the most to me. I love the quick “demonstrations” I spontaneously create in my classes because they speak of my joy of teaching art. Otherwise, it’s not the large and bombastic that I cherish most, it’s certain small paintings that help me recall the work—the evolution—the growth and struggle of becoming an artist. In works like my first etching done at age 19, or a small landscape painting done outdoors in Italy or Mexico, or those special greeting cards I made for my father over the years. The Beacon: Will any of your work be featured at the Faculty Exhibition at the Sordoni? Bowar: Yes, I will exhibit four new oil paintings. The Beacon: Where do you gain inspira- ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT tion for your paintings? Bowar: I’m inspired by nature, poetry, atmosphere, color, daily and seasonal rhythms, and people. 13 _________Rome Studio Chair_________ The Beacon: What technique do you use? Bowar: I’m a fairly traditional painter, except sometimes I sketch and compose on the computer. Then I draw, develop a tonal under-painting, apply color washes, build layers of full-bodied oil paint, apply transparent glazes and end with a layer of varnish to protect the work. The Beacon: Where do you complete your paintings? Bowar: I paint in a private studio in north Wilkes-Barre. My studio has consistent northern light, high ceilings, a cozy fireplace, and two loving cats. As Dr. Bowar mentioned, you can visit her website, www.sharonbowar.com, to view more of her works online, learn more about her educational background, and read reviews about her work. Don’t forget to check out her oil paintings which will be displayed at the Faculty Art Exhibition starting on October 19 at the Sordoni Art Gallery. Photo Courtesy of Cultural Council of Luzerne County This oil painting was completed on canvas by Sharon Bowar. See more oil paintings done by Dr. Bowar and other Wilkes University faculty at the Faculty Art Exhibition on October 19 in the Sordoni Art Gallery or by visiting www.cclcarts.org. B & K Wilkes-Kine's Bookstore 7 South -I.a Sbeet, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 - 670.208.4700 - wJkes-bneolJeae..eom Use your Flex Dollars here at your official Starbucks location! �14 Powder Puff Game Battle of the classes BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor There’s something about seeing guys dress up as cheerleaders and classes battling against each other in flag football that oozes school spirit. The junior class has decided to have a fall semester event that would serve that exact purpose—to raise school spirit and just have fun. This Wednesday, Oct. 7, a battle of the classes event will take place in the UCOM building. The Powder Puff game will be divided among the classes: juniors in yellow against the seniors in blue, and freshman in red against the sophomores in white. The winning team will be awarded with Wilkes Powder Puff Champion T-shirts. If there are any guys out there who could use some cash, all you have to do is dress up as a cheerleader and prove your school spirit. The most convincing male cheerleader and best female football player will both be awarded with a $20 Visa Giftcard—sounds like fun already. Megan Dickinson, president of the junior class, is hoping to get enough students to participate. If it has a great turnout, they will definitely make it an annual event. The idea was inspired by Katie Munchel, secretary of the junior class. “This is a very low cost event and hopefully turns out to be a great night without having the school put out so much money,” said Dickinson. Everyone is invited to this event. Referees and coaches are welcome to help out with the game. In order to participate, students must sign up in the Student Union Building outside of the Student Government office during club hours. Students should make sure to sign up by Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. The game starts at 7 p.m. Even if students don’t want to participate, it is worth watching the classes battle it out or seeing the guys dress up as cheerleaders. The point is to just have fun. 0 . . STREETDELl ocated inside the · IC 1 Non- ··,fembers W lcom ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FUNDRAISER from PAGE 12 Lemongelli. People 21 years and older were allowed into the event. The admission fee was $20 at the door, but only $15 if purchased in advance. Once paid, guests were able to indulge in the many varieties of food and all of the fun drinks from the local restaurants and alcohol distributors. Christopher Kelly, director of development at the Osterhout Free Library, hoped to bring in about 700 guests. Kelly’s job entails raising money for the library via grants, foundations, corporate and personal donations, and special fundraiser events such as this one. The goal was to raise about $8,000 for Osterhout. Kelly said the idea was inspired by similar rooftop party fundraisers in Scranton, which brought in about 700-1,700 attendees. Though it may not have seen quite as many attendees as previous Scranton parties, the night still looked like a success, and Osterhout definitely benefited from this fundraiser. OCTOBER 6, 2009 T■ 'TOON! BY TOM REILLY Photo Editor The Beacon/Tom Reilly The band “The Traveling Wilkes-Barreans” performing during the “Raise the Roof Fundraiser.” TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! PJ UQGNCH PH NWQ LXEQGNH “JEQHW-UXMQE,” NWQG KPSS HUPNW’H XEQG’N NWQ SQVXS VIXEZPXGH CJ NWQ JEQHW Jlor1. thru Tums l 1:00 a.tn to .5~00 p LEPGYQ! F ·eta. s 11:O0 :un to 4:00 pin This week’s clues: Q=E & N=T 1~ 1., discount ·/ Sm.dent ID F.t~ WaFi A Comi~ ~ _d ■ubble ·sf _ , . g H,o.w, Check next week’s issue of The Beacon for the answer! Answer from last week: IF IT TAKES TWO TO MAKE A THING GO RIGHT THEN IT TAKES ONE FOR IT TO GO WRONG. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 6, 2009 15 Movie Review: The Informant is timely tale of corporate whistle-blowing BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor Editor’s Note: This review contains spoilers. Sitting through The Informant was one of the more unique experiences I’ve ever had at the movies. I went in with high expectations as a fan of both Matt Damon and director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s 11-13, Traffic), and walked out… pleased? Confused? Maybe the right word is tickled. The movie follows the real-life story of Mark Whitacre (Damon), a high-ranking executive at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in Decatur, Il. One of the world’s largest producers of ethanol, ADM is said in the movie to be the world’s 46th most lucrative corporation according to Fortune magazine. Mark’s not happy. It’s difficult to believe, considering he earns a $350,000 salary and is loved and adored by his loyal wife Ginger (Melanie Lynskey). Mark’s problem is that he knows too much-- as one of the top players at ADM, he learns of the company’s international price-fixing arrangements that have been bilking consumers out of billions of dollars around the world. He decides to clear his conscious to an FBI detective named Brian Shepard (Scott Bakula), and it is from there that the movie takes off. Whitacre begins wearing a wire and gathering evidence for the mounting FBI investigation, using his small-town charm and sensibilities to stay a step ahead of suspicion. His colleagues see him as quaint and unassuming; they don’t even catch on when his recorder starts malfunctioning during a business meeting, setting up one of the movie’s funniest scenes. It’s only after he finally indicts the leadership of ADM and is crowned a hero by the FBI and public that the movie delivers its hilarious curveball: Whitacre’s been making millions himself through a series of embezzlement scams and kickbacks. As the audience tries to keep up with Soderbergh’s pacing, veil after veil of deception is peeled away until we’re left completely unsure of who or what to believe. Following the many details of The Informant is important, but it’s the actors who are crucial to its success. Damon plays Whitacre with impeccable timing and a focus that is extremely understated. Having to play clueless requires more guile than most audience members probably appreciate. Bakula is also integral as Shepard; as time progresses, you begin to sympathize with the bewildered detective as he realizes that he’s involved in the schemes of a wildly pathological liar. Calling the movie “a success” is an assertion that gives me pause. I can’t deny that it’s good, but I was left with an odd feeling at its conclusion. Perhaps it’s the pacing, which can at times get bogged down in a crush of details. Maybe it’s because of the fact that it’s more of a “mockumentary” than a true comedy, which is what the majority of its trailers had me believing before I saw it. In any case, it’s certain to frustrate many of those who attend it expecting a simple comedy. Should you go and see it? I would be disappointed if I stopped you- I believe it’s a movie that you should draw your own conclusions about. Fans of Damon will love the subtle touches he brings to Whitacre, and those who love Soderbergh won’t be disappointed with his directive stylings. Rating: 3 / 5 The Beacon/Tom Reilly • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What’s Happening Around Wilkes-Barre • BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Coming next week… - Ol’ Cabbage @ Club JAM, Pittston -Cost: $5, Starts at 9 p.m. • Assistant A&E Editor -Wilkes University: - NEPA Philharmonic – John Williams at the Movies October 7, 2009 • Wednesday, Faculty Art Exhibition starting on Oct. 19th @ FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre “Battle of the Classes” @ UCOM at the Sordoni Art Gallery • -Powderpuff -Cost: $20.50-$57.50, Starts at 8 p.m. football against classes -The Bog, Scranton: - Live Music with Eamonn Garaghty @ Barnes • -Starts at 7 p.m. – Check out the fun! Bog Swing Band on Oct. 14th, 9:30 p.m. - $3 and Noble Slug Club @ Barnes and Noble Cabinet on Oct. 15th, 10 p.m. - $5 • -Book -6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Club for Harry Potter – all ages invited -Café Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre: • -6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Life on Repeat, Floral Terrace, The Spin Room on Saturday, October 10, 2009 Oct. 15th, 7 p.m. - $7 • Thursday, October 8, 2009 - Weatherbox, All Get Out, Kite Party, The Greek -Club JAM, Pittston: • - Live Irish Session @ The Bog, Scranton Favorites @ Café Metropolis X-Terra on Oct. 16th, 9 p.m. - $5 -Cost: $8, Starts at 8 p.m. -Cost: FREE, Starts at 9 p.m. Jesse Fink, The Bluegrass, Boyz on Oct. 17th, 9 p.m. - $5 • - Loom, Exotic Animal Petting Zoo, Machine - Black River, Edge Three, Imaginary Boys @ Club -Mellow Theater, Scranton: • Arms, Faceplant Harvey @ Café Metropolis JAM, Pittston Artic Shaw Orchestra on Oct. 17th, 8 p.m. – -Cost: $5, Starts at 8 p.m. check site for prices • -Cost: $7, Starts at 7 p.m. -Scranton Cultural Center: • All Weekend Long Sunday, October 11, 2009 3rd Annual Evening of Jazz on Oct. 18th, 5:30 p.m. - $50 - Former Ghosts, These Elk Forever, Agnes @ -The Phoenix Performing Arts Center, Duryea: @ Lakeville Community Hall • - Cliffhanger Night of the Living Dead on Oct. 16th-17th, 8 p.m. - $12 -Cost: $12, Starts at 7:30 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sun.) Café Metropolis • - Betwixt -Cost: $8, Starts at 7 p.m. Two Mountains @ Little Theatre of • Wilkes-Barre - Whose Live Anyway? starring Ryan Stiles and cast of Don’t Forget... * Bowling at Stanton Lanes: 2 games/rental - $0 (with -Cost: $8, Starts 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) Whose Line Is It Anyway? @ FM Kirby Center, • ID) 1 pass per week - Pick up pass at Student Center Wilkes-Barre • Friday, October 9, 2009 Info Desk -Cost: $26.50-$46.50, Starts at 7:30 p.m. The Asylum Street Spankers @ Arts YOUniverse, • Wilkes-Barre * Restaurant Gift Card Drawings: $25 value - One entry Monday, October 12, 2009 • -Cost: $15, $12 for members, Starts at 8 p.m. per week: Enter name at Student Center Info Desk -Backseat Goodbye & Goot @ Café Metropolis -Cost: $8, Starts at 7 p.m. • The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Beacon/Tom Reilly • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • �CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu WHO'S THE BEST COACH? On PAGE 18 Our Editors 16 Face Off wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com OCTOBER 6, 2009 THE QUEENS OF KING'S Volleyball sweeps season series with Lady Monarchs BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor There’s no question that Wilkes University’s biggest athletic rival is King’s College. Lisa Rizzo, a four-year veteran of the Lady Monarchs volleyball team who now coaches the Wilkes University squad, will be the first to testify that there’s a mutual dislike between the two Wilkes-Barre schools. “I would definitely say it is an even rivalry,” Rizzo said. “Everyone’s pumped up. Everyone wants to win. Both teams are out for blood.” While there wasn’t any bloodshed at King’s during Wednesday night’s volleyball match, the Lady Colonels did erase a fourgame losing streak with a 3-1 victory over their cross-town rivals. It was Wilkes’s 11th win of the season, and their biggest one to date. “We needed this win really bad,” said junior libero Allie Kelleher. “We had a losing streak and we played a lot of tough teams, but we knew that King’s was going to be tough for us. The fact that we beat them just makes us work even harder now.” The Lady Colonels’ four-game skid was part of a dismal stretch that saw them lose eight of their previous ten matches. The Lady Monarchs were much more fortunate in their recent results, entering Wednesday with a 9-2 record in their last 11 games. Kelleher said that the Lady Colonels didn’t take that into consideration. The team was focused on proving that they should have been ranked higher than King’s in the preseason polls. “They were seeded fourth, and we were seeded fifth, so beating them helped us,” Kelleher added. “We knew we were better than them.” Wilkes took the opening game of the bestof-five match, 25-20. King’s answered back with a 25-23 victory in game two, and was in danger of winning the third game as well. The Lady Monarchs led 22-21, but the Lady Colonels responded with four consecutive points to take the game. Sophomore middle hitter Emily DeBuck took over at the end of game three, earning points on three straight serves to steal The Beacon / Melissa Polchinski Wilkes thrown to the Lions in MAC opener BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Sophomore middle hitter Emily DeBuck gets ready to spike the ball during Wednesday’s match at King’s College. The Lady Colonels beat the Lady Monarchs 3-1. a victory and give Wilkes a 2-1 advantage heading into the fourth game. “I get excited when I’m back there,” DeBuck said of her serving. “I try and pick the team up and get them excited.” DeBuck’s serves started a momentum swing that carried over Emily DeBuck into game 4. After goCourtesy Marketing Comm. ing through eight lead changes in the third set, the Lady Colonels opened the fourth game with a 5-0 run and never looked back. They posted the biggest win margin of the day in the decisive contest, winning 25-16. “In the last of the third and the beginning of the fourth set, I think we found a more consistent pace,” Rizzo said. “We controlled the tempo of the game a little bit more.” The Lady Colonels return to action tonight, October 6, when conference foe DeSales visits the Marts Center at 7 p.m. Including tonight’s match-up, Wilkes has seven contests remaining in the regular season, with five of those being home games. The team is hoping to feed off of the energy of the crowd and conclude the season with another stretch of wins. “I know we have a lot of tough games, so hopefully the fans will help us get that energy we need and be excited during the games,” Kelleher said. “We play very well when we’re excited.” REMAINING SCHEDULE 10/6 10/14 10/17 10/17 10/20 10/22 10/28 DeSales Delaware Valley Albright Marywood Eastern Scranton Misericordia 7 PM 7 PM 10 AM 12 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM Home Games in Bold The Wilkes football team took on the Albright Lions in a battle of the unbeaten to kick off their MAC season on Saturday. Before the game, defensive back Darnell Corbin said that the team was confident and poised for victory again. “I feel that we are ready for whatever Albright has to throw at us,” Corbin said. “We just came off a big win in Virginia and I think we are ready to keep the win streak going.” But Albright had other plans for the Colonels as they entered the Lions’ den in Reading, Pa. Albright immediately attacked the Wilkes defense in the first quarter. On their opening drive, the Lions used nine plays chewing up 72-yards in the process to record the first score of the afternoon. The extra point was no good and the score stayed at 6-0. A defensive battle followed after the score until Wilkes took the lead on a Zack Tivald 16-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Albright regained the lead six minutes later when quarterback Tanner Kelly completed a 22-yard pass to wide receiver Nate Romig for his second touchdown reception of the day. The Lions added a 28yard field goal just before the half to make the score 15-7. The Colonels went into half time trailing Albright by eight. This was the third time that Wilkes has gone into the half trailing the opposing team, but so far this season the second half proved to be all about Wilkes football. However, this time would be different. “I guess we keyed too much on one thing this week and they [Albright] came at us with something totally different,” commented defensive end Sean O’Neill after the game. The Colonels first possession of the second half resulted in a loss of 12 yards forcing them to punt to Albright. SEE FOOTBALL, Page 19 �SPORTS OCTOBER 6, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Melanie Nolt; freshman phenom BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Served up in this week’s athlete spotlight is tennis ace Melanie Nolt. The Accounting major from Manheim, Pennsylvania, has wasted no time showcasing her talent on the courts, as she has taken over as the Lady Colonel’s number one singles player as only a mere freshman. In her first collegiate match versus Manhattanville, Nolt made her presence felt on the court immediately, pairing up with fellow freshman Katie Lynn to embarrass Scarlette Rodriguez and Danielle Waldron 8-0 in the first doubles match of the day. Then, in her singles match, Nolt made quick work of Rodriguez once again, this time with a dominating 6-0, 6-2 straight set victory. Although this fabulous freshman made it look almost effortless on the court, she’ll be the first to tell you that it was anything but that. “The first match I was so nervous,” said Nolt. “I didn’t want to be the only person to lose. So many people came to watch, including my grandparents and my parents, and I wanted to show them that I actually improved from high school. I came off the court crying, and they told me I actually got better.” They were tears of joy for Nolt, who’s been playing tennis since seventh grade but spent the entire sum- Courtesy of Marketing Communications mer rehabbing an injured shoul- Freshman Melanie Nolt has dazzled so far this season after taking der. She was diag- over as the teams number one singles player. nosed with limited shoulder rotation, an injury that restricts the The injury all but ruined her senior year, overall movement in her shoulder, hamper- and shelved her from tennis until about two ing both her serve and her overhead shot. weeks before this pre-season started. “I can’t come all the way around on my serve because my shoulder gets too sore and I’m done after two or three matches,” said Nolt. “But it makes me better because I work on placement instead of power. It makes me a better, smarter player. The injury didn’t seem to have any affect on Nolt in the ITA Regional Tournament in Virginia. She would get a chance right away to prove her worth, as her first opponent was Johns Hopkins’ Anita Bhamidipati, the number six seed in the entire tournament. After a fierce back and forth battle that saw Nolt jump out to a quick lead, only to have Bhamidpati fight back, Nolt came out victorious, downing Bhamidpati in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. “I was kind of out of breath and walked off the court in a daze,” chuckled Nolt. “I was up and then she came back, and I thought, “I worked so hard and didn’t want to play a third set.’ I told myself I was not serving again and I finished it out.” See NOLT page 19 $5.,9 9 ALL YOU CAN EAT 1 Salad., pasta., pizza, a11d desert! Tony Di's PIZZA BU.FFrr QUICK HITS Gifts * Glass Art * T- shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ••• 0~ OFF 15 ,o _,__""" I ~. P: 570.825.2060 295 Sou h Ma.-n Strce Wilkes-Bairre, PA 1870 l Ol1'.E ', LA E F with this coupon 570.270.4252 '~ I •• DAY 1 111 3:3 Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 PINE ~ALL, 69 S KIDDER J'f. VILKEJ-BAltltE, PA F: 570.825.2061 The Beacon / Alison Kasper *illi*ilr REI DR INK WITH I IUDENT LD~*illi** I We Deliver I �SPORTS 18 OCTOBER 6, 2009 SCOREBOARD MEN’S SOCCER 9/30 vs. Susquehanna 2-1 W 10/3 vs. FDU-Florham 1-0 W WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/30 @ Susquehanna 0-0 T (2 OT) 10/3 vs. FDU-Florham 2-2 T (2 OT) Who is the best coach in sports today? You can’t spell “Koach” without a “K” Sports Editor FIELD HOCKEY 10/1 vs. Alvernia 4-1 W 9/26 @ Eastern 3-1 L WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 10/10 vs. Lebanon Valley MEN’S SOCCER 10/7 @ Rowan 10/10 @ Manhattanville WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/7 @ Kean 10/10 @ Manhattanville VOLLEYBALL 10/6 vs. DeSales WOMEN’S TENNIS 10/7 @ Misericordia 10/10 vs. DeSales 10/11 vs. Susquehanna CROSS COUNTRY 10/10 DeSales Invitational MEN’S TENNIS 10/11 vs. Susquehanna FIELD HOCKEY 10/5 @ William Paterson 10/7 @ Ithaca 10/10 vs. DeSales twil:~ r , @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports ANTHONY DORUNDA The best coach, huh? Keep reading, ‘cause this is a good one! Mr. Holmes has gone the NBA route with Phil Jackson. In all honesty I’m not sure how I am supposed to argue against Jackson. I mean there is a reason for him being aptly titled the “Zen-Master.” But he’s also had the luxury of having players widely considered the best in the game at the time (MJ in Chicago, Kobe and Shaq in L.A.). Put it this way – with Shaq at center and Kobe at point guard, I could have played power forward, Mr. Holmes could have suited up at small forward, and Cignoli could have run the point and the Lakers still would have won three straight. And with those titles, he’s only won Coach of the Year once? Hmmmm… That’s why I’m going into the college ranks for this one. My chap? Well he has not only been the NCAA basketball Coach of the Year 12 times in eight different seasons, but he was named Coach of the Decade for the 1990s by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and was the second recipient of the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award. That man, ahem, legend, is none other than Mike Krzyzewski. Listen, I hate Duke with a passion. I mean, I am a hardcore Heels fan; I bleed tar heel blue and want to throw a Tyson-like haymaker at every single one of the Cameron Crazies. On the same hand, I also appreciate greatness when I see it and Coach K is the epitome of greatness. On top of that, he is a class act, something that’s hard to come by these days. See, Coach K doesn’t coach at a school where players major in basketball; he’s coaching legitimate rocket scientists and dudes majoring in molecular genetics that just so happen to be able to play a little ball, too. There are lofty education standards at Duke, and Coach K keeps those standards, graduating an astounding 98% of his players. That’s a feat in itself. Ahh, wait, but you want some numbers. Yes, yes, I have a few. Coach K has won a mind-bending 833 games and counting, making him the win- ningest active coach and the sixth winningest all time, not to mention he’s won an NCAA-record 71 NCAA Tournament games, an NCAA-record ten 30-win seasons, 11 ACC regular-season championships (nine more than any active coach), 11 ACC Tournament titles (eight more than any active coach), 10 Final Fours (third most in history), and of course, three National titles. It gets boring to say NCAA-record so many times, doesn’t it? Here’s another: the 291 wins his Blue Devils have racked up this decade is more that any other team in any other decade in NCAA basketball history. Oh, and he also recently won an Olympic Gold Medal with team USA. Before anyone says he should have won with a team like that, remember, that team couldn’t take gold just a few years earlier. Coach K has also received another prestigious honor in 2001 as he was named “American’s Best Coach” – all coaches, any sport, any level of play – by Time magazine and CNN. Not to mention Krzyzewski was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001. Not to bad of a resume, huh? Sorry Ms. Jackson, Whoooo, I’m Votin’ for Phil (i),___ Asst. Sports Editor ____.._.._.HO=r~~'-1 Class is back in session and today’s topic is greatness. Let’s start with Phil D. Jackson who is definitely the best coach of all time. When it comes to coaching, Jackson has the “Midas Touch.” Every team he coaches turns into gold. Since 1989, when Mr. Dorunda was just a twinkle in his father’s eye, Jackson became the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. From there he took them from regular status to king status. His first year as the head coach didn’t result in a championship, but his Bulls posted a 10-6 playoff record that season. There has not been one team that Jackson has coached that did not make the playoffs. True dominance is what he represents and you can guarantee that his teams do too. It took him one year to adjust to the NBA before he conquered it. The 1990-91 season resulted in absolute greatness when the Chicago Bulls posted a record of 6121 and won their first NBA Championship ever under Jackson’s leadership. The next season, championship; the season after that, championship. Can someone please tell me who is better than this man? Before you say something Mr. Dorunda, I can already tell you that you are wrong – it’s not Coach K. In the nine seasons as the Bulls head coach, Jackson appeared in every single playoff, winning the NBA title six out of nine times. Now, I know what most of you, including Mr. Dorunda, are saying, “Phil was nothing without [Michael] Jordan and [Scottie] Pippen.” But without a great coach to push the team, they wouldn’t be champions. So give Jackson some praise for being able to motivate some of the greatest players of all time. OK, now where was I? Oh yeah, Phil Jackson is the man, plain and simple. After taking the Bulls to greatness, he moved on to a whole new project; the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1999, he joined the Lakers franchise after taking a year off from coaching. That same year the Lakers were champs. With the Lakers, Phil has won four NBA Championships and two Western Conference Championships. So, if you take the six championships he won with the Bulls and the four he won with the Lakers, how many does that make? Say it with me...10. That’s 10 rings, if he wins again they might just give him a crown and proclaim him “King of Greatness.” Since 1989, until now, he has collected 1,041 wins, won the Coach of the Year award in 1995-96 and was added to the list of Top Ten Coaches in NBA History in 1996-97. Gatorade needs to come out with a new drink called “Pure Greatness” named after Phil Jackson. So let’s review. 1,041 wins, 10 Championships, produced three NBA MVP’s (Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal), named Coach of the Year (95-96), and is one of the top 10 coaches in NBA history. Hope you learned your lesson Mr. Dorunda. Get on my level or get out of my class. Class dismissed. �OCTOBER 6, 2009 NOLT from Page 17 Later on in that same tournament, Nolt would advance to the sweet 16 when she upended Cassie Bowman, 6-4, 6-1. She would fall the next day to ninth-seeded Blair Brezski in a fierce battle that went three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, but showed why she moved up into the number one spot so quickly. The success Nolt has had as a freshman is not the first time she has started out her career with a bang. In her freshman season at Manheim Central High School, Nolt won her league title, beating current teammate Victoria Bybel in the championship match. She also led the team to a league title, becoming the first women’s tennis team at Manheim Central to do so since her mother led her team to a league title many years before. But not only is Nolt a fantastic player, teammates say she is an even better team- QUICK HITS SPORTS mate. “Even though the girls just got on the team a few weeks ago, they have already become part of our big family,” said senior Xiaoqiao Zhang. “Melanie is very supportive to each one of her teammates, and she fits very easy into our tennis team; but you know, she is an amazing tennis player!” “It’s a privilege playing with Melanie,” stated Junior Michelle Knight. “She’s a morale booster and a hard worker and is a dedicated teammate, as the rest of us are. We all support each other and we are all happy for her.” Adding this diaper dandy to an already star-studded cast makes this a scary team for any conference foe. That 22-game conference winning streak may not come to an end anytime soon, and a fourth straight conference championship is in their sights. Nolt and the Lady Colonels hit the courts again Wednesday when they make the quick trip to Dallas to take on conference foe Misericordia. FOOTBALL from Page 16 Albright increased their lead, driving 81yards in eight plays to record another score. Corbin returned the ensuing kickoff 21yards to set up the offense on Wilkes’s own 31-yard line. After six plays, the Colonels had only driven 27-yards and were forced to punt once again on fourth and ten. On the twelfth play of Albright’s next possession, running back Josan Holmes took it in from a yard out for the touchdown. The short kickoff was recovered by the Lions on the Wilkes 30-yard line. Albright quickly turned the opportunity into points. Kelly completed a 30-yard pass to Sean Caldwell Jr. for the touchdown. The third quarter came to an end still in favor of Albright, 36-7. The Colonels began to show some life late in the game when Johnson connected with Shawn Gregson from 8-yards out. The Lions posted one more score to slow the Colo- 19 nels’ late charge. With a 43-14 score, quarterback Marc Persing started calling the signals for Wilkes. Persing completed a 26-yard pass to wide receiver Adam Fraley just before running back TJ Bergmann took it in from 9-yards out on his only carry for the final score of the game. The clock ran out with the final score 43-21 giving the Colonels their first loss of the season. “We aren’t going to point fingers and blame anyone for this loss,” defensive tackle Chris Swinarski said. “We win as a team and we lose as a team. From here on out we just have to get better.” The Colonels look to bounce back on Saturday on Homecoming weekend when they host Lebanon Valley College, whom they lost to 28-21 in last years contest, at 1 p.m. W SOCCER GETS THE BALL ROLLING PENGUINS CRUNCH SYRACUSE The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins kicked off the 2009-10 American Hockey League season with a 4-2 victory against the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday night. Newcomers Wyatt Smith and Chris Conner recorded three-point evenings for the Penguins. Smith scored two goals and added an assist, while Conner potted a goal late in the third period to compliment his two helpers. Rookie Keven Veilleux also scored for the Penguins. John Curry made 26 saves for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, allowing only a power play goal by Pascal Pelletier and a rebound tally by Alexandre Picard. FIELD HOCKEY BACK ON TRACK At press time, the Wilkes Field Hockey team bounced back from their 3-1 loss to Eastern last Saturday by beating Alvernia 4-1 on Thursday. After a scoreless first half, the Lady Colonels opened the floodgates. Their top scorer Jennifer Keegan broke the 0-0 tie shortly after the second half started. Amanda Peters deflected a Chelsea Minix shot in the seventh minute, which was followed up by two Jenna DiSabatino goals. It wasn’t until the end of the game that the Crusaders found the back of the net making the score 4-1 in favor of Wilkes. The Lady Colonels take on Ithica tomorrow in New York at 4 p.m. DANCING WITH THE DEVILS The Wilkes women’s soccer team kicked off their conference season on Saturday when they hosted the Devils from FDUFlorham. The Lady Colonels took a 2-1 lead into half time off goals from Jenna Sargent and Katy Fissel. The Devils tied up the game in the 60th minute of the second half which lasted the rest of the regulation and both overtimes. This marks the second tie in a row for the Lady Colonels who will travel to Union, NJ, on Wednesday October 7, to take on Kean in their next contest at 7:30 p.m. WAKELY HAS CLASSIC FINISH The men’s and women’s Cross Country team participated in the Belmont Classic on Saturday. Out of the 11 schools that participated, the Wilkes men finished in fifth place overall with 142 points while the women finished in sixth place with 155 points. Robert Carp led the men finishing in 22nd place with a time of 30:25.53, while Michelle Wakely led both the men and women with her third place finishing time of 20:58.65. The team will compete once again on October 10, when they participate in the DeSales Invitational. The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? Junior defenseman Tom Joyce and the men’s soccer team snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Baptist Bible last month. That victory was the start of good things for the Colonels, who picked up a 2-1 victory over Susquehanna on September 30 and a 1-0 shutout of FDU-Florham on Saturday. The Colonels, now 5-5 this season, will put their win streak on the line when they visit Rowan at 7 p.m on Wednesday. On Page 18, our editors debated who holds the title of best coach in sports. We took a camera around the Wilkes campus to find out what students thought about the same question. You can see what your classmates had to say by logging on to The Beacon’s website. SEE MORE MEN'S & WOMEN'S for more information check out... SOCCER PICTURES ONLINEI Iwilkesbeacon.corn ICim �SPORTS OCTOBER 6, 2009 20 Men’s Tennis serves East Stroudsburg, 7-2 Team hopes the win is first step towards third straight NCAA playoff berth BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor After bowing out in the first round of the NCAA playoffs last year, Wilkes University’s Men’s Tennis team set a goal for themselves. “The last couple of years, we’ve been happy to get to the NCAA’s,” said Chris Cozzillio, the team’s number five singles player. “This year, we want more. We want to do some damage there.” With the way the team is shaping up this season, that’s certainly a possibility. The Colonels team that finished 16-1 during the regular season last year lost only one starter this summer, Kyle Ungvarsky. The team replaced him with two highly talented freshmen, Cesar Leon and Clarke Freeman. “You cannot replace Kyle Ungvarsky on or off the court,” said Cozzillio, Ungvarsky’s former doubles partner. “But these freshmen are handling it well.” For Leon, “well” is an understatement. A nationally ranked player in high school, Leon has secured the team’s number one position. He competes against the top-ranked player on the opposing team. “I expect him to be one of the best players in the conference, even as a freshman,” said head coach Chris Leicht. And off the court? “He’s a great kid,” said Evan Katz, who holds the number six position for Wilkes. “He’s funny. I love having him around, and he’s also a really great tennis player.” Leon and the Colonels kicked off their quest for a third straight conference championship on Thursday, when they defeated Division-II East Stroudsburg University 7-2. “It is always nice to start off the season in winning fashion,” Leicht said. “Especially against a Division-II opponent.” The Colonels raced out to a 2-1 advantage after doubles play, with the teams of Leon/ Freeman and Katz/Wes McCollum posting victories in their matches. Cozzillio and Jeremy Nolt lost their doubles match in a tiebreaker. “This is the first year Jeremy and I have played together,” Cozzillio said. “ He’s a great player, big serve, and I didn’t exactly hold up my end. We could have played better.” Nolt and Cozzillio rebounded from their loss and won their respective singles matches, joining McCollum, Leon, and Katz in the singles win column. Freeman suffered the Colonels’ lone loss in singles play. Men’s tennis returns to action on Sunday, October 11, when they host Susquehanna. Courtesy of Marketing Communications 88 Overall single matches that the Men’s Colonels Tennis team won last season. 2 Wilkes’s Men’s Tennis team defeated Division-II East Stroudsburg 7-2 on Thursday. They’ll then venture to Bucknell University to compete in a tournament that features multiple Division-I schools. For the Colonels, the Bucknell Tournament is primarily an opportunity to better themselves by competing against a talent level that they’re not used to playing against. “We got our butts whooped last year when we played there,” said Cozzillio. “But I think our team’s a little bit stronger. I think we’ll have pretty decent results there.” Following the tournament, the Colonels won’t play a competitive match until February, when they compete in the Drew Invitational. The bulk of their games take place in late March and early April. By that point, the team will have had plenty of practice in order to be ready for a tough Freedom Conference schedule. Last season, the Colonels were able to steamroll through conference play, finishing with a 7-1 record in eight conference games. Of their seven victories, three were 9-0 shutouts, and the Colonels didn’t win any conference game by less than a 7-2 margin. The only team that was able to defeat the Colonels last season was Manhattanville, and they did it by a convincing 8-1 margin. However, the Colonels bounced back to squeek out a 5-3 victory against the Valiants in the Freedom Conference playoffs. This year, the Colonels expect Manhattanville to continue to present the biggest challenge on their conference schedule. “Manhattanville is the team to beat,” Cozzillio said. “They always produce top players… they’re going to be tough. They always are.” However, tennis games aren’t played on paper. Cozzillio noted that there’s a certain degree of unpredictability when it comes to determining who can give the Colonels a run for their money. “You never know,” he said. “Kids can step up, recruits are coming in. Everybody can give you a scare.” Even so, the Colonels aren’t scared. They’re out to win. “We’re trying to prove to everyone that we should be nationally ranked,” Katz said. “We’re good enough to play with any team in the nation.” MEN'S TENNIS PLAYING ROSTER All Photos Courtesy of Marketing Communications CESAR JEREMY LEON NOLT FRESHMAN WOODHAVEN, NY SOPHOMORE BLOOMSBURG, PA WES CLARKE CHRIS McCOLLUM FREEMAN COZZILLIO JUNIOR HARRISBURG, PA FRESHMAN YORK, PA JUNIOR HARRISBURG, PA EVAN KATZ SOPHOMORE ELLICOTT CITY, MD Freshman in the top line-up for Wilkes this season. They are Cesar Leon and Clarke Freeman. 0 Number of seniors in the line-up this season for the Colonels. Last year the Colonels were led by senior Kyle Unvarsky. 1 Total number of losses that the Men’s team had last year. Manhattanville beat the Colonels 8-1 during the regular season, but the Colonels avenged the loss in the playoffs, 5-3. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 October 6th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 October 6 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/c0a9c32543d9f8b399ddc1524960ac4a.pdf 43c0524ef0279c75b9ee22e47d27a78a PDF Text Text A&E I PAGE12 Check out Q & A with Ryan Stiles 8oaeo1t (;i110-a-way 'J1tsidoff 1Jorm ~om 1{eciyes Lifesty[es / 'P.Jl(j'E 9 The I OCOTBER 13, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 5 University Onorato announced candidacy for Governor confirms first case of H1N1 BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Wilkes University confirmed its first case of H1N1 virus, or swine flu, on Thursday. Mark Allen, dean of Student Affairs, said, “In order to insure the privacy of the individual involved I do not wish to address specific, identifying questions. The student was seen and tested for the H1N1 virus at University Health and Wellness Services.” Allen added that health services has the capability to test for the H1N1 virus, but it takes time to identify the virus. “Preliminary tests are able to identify whether or not a student has a flu virus,” said Allen. “A more specific diagnosis of H1N1 requires additional testing and time. Students who test positive to the preliminary test and present swine flu-like symptoms are asked to self-isolate by returning home until the symptoms have cleared.” He added that several Wilkes students have been tested for the virus. Diane O’Brien, director of Health and Wellness Services, said none of the other tested students’ results came back positive. She added that Wilkes is on the Federal Government’s list to receive and distribute the H1N1 vaccine, but there was no set date for delivery or the start of distribution. Allen said he urges students to take preventative measures to keep everyone healthy. See H1N1 page 5 The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas Dan Onorato stopped by Wilkes University during his recent public campaign to officially announce his running for the position of Governor of Pennsylvania. Onorato is shown meeting with students, faculty and public officials about his candicacy. See ONORATO page 3 Pre-med students to present research at conference BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief After approximately a year and a half of conducting research alongside Dr. Linda Gutierrez, junior pre-med majors Derek Nye and Konstantina Papathomas will travel to Hollywood, Florida, to present their findings at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Clinical and Research Conference in December. This year’s topic is Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor & GILLYAN GOWARTY Correspondent Dan Onorato came to Wilkes University on Wednesday, October 7 to officially announce his candidacy for governor of Pennsylvania. Due to the weather, Onorato moved his announcement from the River Commons to the lounge in the Henry Student Center. Approximately 45 people attended. Onorato, 48, is the chief executive of Allegheny County, the second largest county in the state with 1.2 million people. “When I came into office, the City of Pittsburgh was filing for bankruptcy,” said Onorato. “Today, [Pittsburgh] is now a model for the country and the world to follow.” During his six years as the chief executive of Allegheny County, Onorato downsized his staff by 540 people, cut property taxes in his first year, and saw unemployment rates drop 2.2 percent lower than the national average. I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 During the spring semester of Nye and Papathomas’s freshman year, they each chose to assist Gutierrez, assistant professor of biology, in her ongoing research into colorectal carcinogenesis, or the transition from normal cells to cancerous cells located in the colon. “[Tina and I] have been working with IBD in mice,” said Nye. “Ultimately the end point to this is to find a cure... We are looking to see how IBD affects the colon Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 and colorectal cancer and what drugs we can administer, and what therapies we can administer, to alleviate the disease.” Before the team can come close to finding a cure, however, they must first identify factors that help fight the disease and along with those that make the disease worse. To do this, mice that lack Thrombospondin 1, an anti-angiogenic protein, are used in the See PRE-MED page 3 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �SG CASINO NIGHT CHIPS PAGE 4 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 2 Giunta ‘05 joins Alumni Relations staff as associate director BY RACHEL LEGGIERI Correspondent Bridget Guinta ‘05 recently accepted a position as the associate director of Alumni Relations, one that allows her to do what she loves—stay active in the Wilkes community and be a big help to Wilkes’s alumni and students. Before deciding to return to Wilkes, Guinta worked in the Mayor’s office in the City of Wilkes-Barre for four years as an administrative coordinator--a position that resulted from an internship experience during her tenure as an undergraduate communication studies major at Wilkes. There she handled things such as public relations and media coordination. “I enjoyed what I did at the city, but I always kept my eye open for new types of challenges,” she said. When Guinta heard about the opening at Wilkes, she instantly knew it was the type of “new chal- lenge” she was looking for. “I’ve been involved with the Alumni Association since I was a student and I continued to connect with them after graduation,” she said. Mirko Widenhorn, director of Alumni Relations, said that Guinta has a perspective that could be beneficial to the Alumni office. “Being a Wilkes alumna, Bridget can bring a different perspective to our office,” he said. “She brings a strong constituent-focused orientation, which is a key element in working with some of our 30,000 alumni.” A big part of Guinta’s position involves communication between the students and Wilkes alumni. “Primarily, I serve as a connection between recent graduates and current students,” she said. “I’m concerned about getting the current students involved, which will hopefully make them an active part of the alumni community when they graduate.” Guinta added, “A lot of people who have graduated and gone out into different fields are always willing to come back and share their experiences with the students. I feel that’s very beneficial because it’s nice to hear it from someone who has actually lived it.” Another major part of Guinta’s position is planning many of the events around campus, one being Homecoming. “Planning events is something I’ve always loved to do,” she explained. “It’s another part of the job that makes it that much more enjoyable.” Guinta said that the work done by Alumni Services is something that is very important to the Wilkes community in helping graduates get more from their diploma than just an education. “It’s important to get the word out to students who have graduat- The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Giunta’s (right) first event at Wilkes was organizing the Homecoming Parade, working with students to line-up participants. ed from Wilkes who may not have visited back very often,” she said. “There are so many great things going on here that they might not be aware of, so it’s always nice to re-introduce people to campus who may not have been here in a while.” Guinta said she immediately felt comfortable in her environment, and explained it wasn’t hard for her to find a few familiar faces around the workplace. “It has been a pleasure to have Bridget on our team,” added Widenhorn. “She has made an immediate impact in our office through her dedication to Wilkes and our alumni. In her first week, she has already become a key member of our staff.” Pre-law society to host mock law school lecture in October BY CATHRYN FREAR Staff Writer The Wilkes Pre-Law Society will be hosting a mock law school lecture on Thursday October 29 at 11 a.m. in Breiseth room 107 for any students interested in pursuing a career in law. Dr. Robert Mensel, a professor at St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, is presenting the lecture, as well as helping prepare materials for the attendees. According to Loren Prescott, dean of the law school planning initiative, “[Mensel] is in the process now of preparing a one-hour course for all of the students who participate.” Prior to this year’s mock law class, Dr. Kyle Kreider, advisor to the pre-law society and political science professor, used to take his pre-law advisees to a nearby law school every year, where they would sit in on a live class. This year, instead of taking students away from campus, the law school experience will come to them. The event will be a realistic law classroom setting and will demonstrate the differences between BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu undergraduate and law school classes. “They will engage in more of a dialogue between the professor and other students, just like a law school,” said Prescott. “It will be less like a lecture and more of a discussion.” Kreider hopes it will help those on the fence make the choice as to whether they want to actually enroll in law school. “Law school is expensive. A lot of students don’t know whether they want to attend, so if they get a small piece of what law school is like, maybe it will help them in the decision making process,” Kreider said. Participants will be given material to study ahead of time so that they know what topics they wil discuss when it comes time for the lecture. “Since I was about 12, I wanted to be a lawyer,” said Tara Kennedy, a junior political science major and secretary of Wilkes’s pre-law society. “I want to attend the event because I feel it will be a great opportunity to get a first-hand experience of what it will be like in law school.” Any students who would like to attend are welcome, even those not enrolled at Wilkes. At the moment, King’s College students are expected to be in attendance. Four other surrounding schools have also been invited to participate. “Initially [Kreider’s] idea was to put on a program for Wilkes students,” said Prescott. “Because this is an unusual program […] I suggested we reach out to the other neighboring schools to see if their pre-law societies might have an interest.” Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Jacqueline Lukas News Editor �OCTOBER 13, 2009 PRE-MED from FRONT PAGE study. “We have a specific strain of mice that relates closely to humans in this aspect of the disease,” said Nye. “We are administering a specific, natural protein to the mice to find out if it improves the disease at all.” According to Gutierrez, the experiment is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Under the NIH’s guidelines, the use of mice in the experiment is acceptable as long as certain standards regarding the care of the animals are followed. For example, there are limitations to how long the mice are allowed to be uncomfortable due to the results of the experiment. “Without animal studies, [humans] would not be as healthy as we are right now,” said Gutierrez. According to Nye, the study is not yet complete but the team has turned up some “interesting results that show a trend.” While the experiment allows Gutierrez to continue her research in her field of study, undergraduate participation in the process allows Nye and Papathomas to develop laboratory skills that many students their age across the country do not acquire until graduate school. “We make a lot of microscope slides of tissues,” explained Papathomas. “That’s part of histology. A lot of people in the science world don’t know how to do that, and I learned how to do that when I was a sophomore in my undergrad career.” She added, “You learn a lot of techniques, and you also learn how to not know what you’re going to get out of your results… ONORATO from FRONT PAGE He said that all of these accomplishments were achieved by challenging his own staff and changing the status quo. Onorato’s goal is to make the state a good, business-friendly setting. He also wants to focus on the environment with smart, sustainable growth. Onorato said he wants to have good jobs and a clean environment. Onorato also explained his plan for education. “First of all, education is going to be one of the top four priorities of what I’m going to focus on as governor,” said Onorato. “It’s going to be a broad range of issues but there are three key areas: early childhood… community colleges… and finally, four-year colleges and universities.” Onorato believes that early childhood education is important because he wants to get children into the learning phase earlier. “It’s better for [children], it’s better for the NEWS 3 When you do research independently, you don’t have someone watching over you and you don’t know what’s going to happen, for example, to the mice. We don’t know when we look under the microscope if the cancer is going to be reduced or if it’s going to appear.” Another thing juniors in college do not often get to experience is the chance to display the results of their own research at a professional conference. Through the representation of Nye, Papathomas, and Gutierrez, Wilkes will be the only undergraduate institution participating in the conference in Hollywood, Florida. “It’s an amazing meeting because they could actually see doctors who were dedicated to basic research and clinical research,” said Gutierrez. “They can also see how the findings of basic research are used to improve the lives of patients.” Gutierrez also emphasized the importance of interacting with professionals in the medical field, including pharmaceutical companies. “It is both a clinical and research track conference, meaning there will be clinicians, doctors, professionals, as well as academics and professors, approaching the disease from both sides,” said Nye. “It’ll be a great networking opportunity for us. Not only for myself and Tina, but for the Wilkes community, as well.” Papathomas agreed and added, “Because we’re both planning on being physicians in the future, we think that it’s a great opportunity for us to be able to see both the lab work involved in treating these types of diseases and cancers as well as the interaction between the physician and the patient. You get the benefit of both worlds by going to this conference.” Nye, Papathomas, and Gutierrez will travel to Florida in early December to present the results of their research. Upon returning to the northeast, they plan to wrap up their experiment and continue to work together to write a paper on their findings. The ultimate goal is to publish the paper in a peer-review journal. An abstract about their experiment will appear in an upcoming issue of The Journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. taxpayers,” he said. Community colleges are also important to Onorato’s campaign. He said that it’s important to recognize that not all people need a four-year degree or may want technical training. Onorato has re-vamped the community colleges in his area and would like to see it done state-wide. Onorato wil make four-year colleges and universities a priority because, he said, a student’s financial situation should never be the reason that they do not attend college. He would like to make it financially affordable for students, and would like to see students come out of the experience without a lifetime’s worth of debt. “I’m going to stay focused on a goal that [college] has to remain affordable,” said Onorato. Onorato wants to retain young people in Pennsylvania by creating jobs. He said that currently, Pittsburgh is retaining young people better than Boston because jobs are being created. Although Onorato did not address issues concerning the state budget in his official announcement, he does have a plan for what he would do if placed in the situation. “As governor, the pledge that I can make is that if I’m in a situation where the legislature does not pass a bill and was not signed on time, July 1, the first day of the new year, I will take the position that there is no budget, nobody gets paid including the governor, including the legislature, and including any other agency,” said Onorato. “This keeps the pressure on and makes everyone stay in Harrisburg.” Onorato’s experience in Pittsburgh is vital to his campaign for governor of Pennsylvania. Onorato said he had cut jobs with “duplicated government” which means that the people were doing the same jobs within Allegehny County’s government system. This job cut made the system more efficient and less expensive. There were also five 911 centers in Allegheny County that Onorato cut down to one, saving the county $5 mil- lion on a yearly basis. “You know, you judge people by their performance,” said Clayton Karambelas, Wilkes University alumni board of trustees member. “It sounds like he did a wonderful job in Pittsburgh and I hope we can get someone like that [as governor].” Mayor Thomas M. Leighton had similar views on Onorato’s track record. “I think Dan has a fantastic record,” said Mayor Thomas M. Leighton. “His problems in Allegheny County are similar [to those] in the City of Wilkes-Barre. He is a true leader in the state of Pennsylvania.” Going into the race, Onorato feels confident. “I’ve been in a lot of tough races in my life,” said Onorato. “I look at races as a competitive competition. I know what I have to do to put together a good campaign. I look forward to meeting the people of Pennsylvania and I’m going to be campaigning hard.” The Beacon/ Kerri Frail Derek Nye and Konstantina Papathomas have been working on their inflammatory bowel disease research with Dr. Gutierrez since the spring of their freshman year. �4 NEWS OCTOBER 13, 2009 SG purchased new chips for Casino Night atmosphere BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor On September 30, Student Government reported that new clay poker chips were purchased for their upcoming bi-annual Casino Night. On average, about 350-400 students attend Casino Night. Benjamin Beidel, treasurer of student government, said he purchased 25,000 chips for $4,593.23 plus shipping and handling. He purchased the chips from inkhead.com, which recently made it to #560 of Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies. The Student Government logo was placed on the clay chips because Beidel and Nicholas Koch, president of student government, both agreed that if the Wilkes University logo was on the chips, it would have become more of a collector’s item. Beidel added that he wants to make the night feel like more of a casino atmosphere to add excitement about the event. The money for the chips was allocated from last year’s buffer fund. David Sborz, former vice president of stu- dent government, created a committee to decide what should be done with the buffer fund. The committee was made up of students from different majors and years, which would, in turn, bring different ideas to the table, explained Koch. The plastic chips that Student Government was using for previous Casino Nights were purchased before Koch and Beidel attended Wilkes University. “The problem with the generic plastic chips is that students keep bringing their own, which isn’t fair to students [who don’t],” said Beidel. Beidel explained that Student Government used to have one box of chips, and currently, they have two boxes. This means that the chips kept accumulating over the years from students continuously bringing their own chips, in the hope of winning the expensive prizes. “I haven’t finalized all the prizes yet, but usually we have around $10,000 worth,” said Beidel. “I haven’t purchased all the prizes yet, but I’m hoping to change up the prizes a little bit. I’m also going to make sure everyone has enough food and drinks.” The money for Casino Night prizes are paid through an allocation of this year’s budget, explained Beidel. The budget is voted on by the board. Koch explained that making the event professional is important. “We want to give every student the same opportunity to win the prizes; these new chips will help us do that,” Koch said. Beidel agreed, “We want to even the playing field in terms of prizes, because in the past, people may have taken advantage of the chips.” In addition to creating a fairer playing field, Koch, Beidel and Greg Castelli, vice president of Student Government, agreed that renting Casino Night items was becoming costly and purchasing the chips was a capital investment. “It was costing [Student Government] about $2,400 to rent tables and chips before everything was purchased. The rented [items] were not good quality,” said Castelli. Student Government has purchased numerous items for Casino nights including 16 blackjack tables, a roulette wheel and now, the clay poker chips. Table covers, used only for storage, will be purchased because they are important to the protection of the tables, also purchased by Student Government explained Koch. The money for the table covers was also allocated by last year’s buffer fund. Any money not spent from the purchase of the poker chips and table covers will be placed back into the buffer fund for this year. “The chips are not only used at Casino Night, but also during orientation and Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments,” said Beidel. Clubs funded by Student Government can use anything that SG has purchased, like the Casino Night items. This semester, Casino Night will be held on November 21. Look for SG Notes online at www.wilkesbeacon.com HURSDAY OCT 22nd ·_ eet Employ·e~s 11A ·_ enry Student Cen :30P · r Ballroom Dress Professio · ally For Re -ume Help contact Sha on Castano at s a ron ..cas a no@ . ·i kes.. ed u o ~y ca Ii ng {S 70). 408-2950 �NEWS OCTOBER 13, 2009 Wilkes to host fourth annual internship fair BY APRIL BIELINSKI Correspondent Wilkes University’s Career Services Department will host the fourth annual Internship Fair on Wednesday, October 22. The fair, which is sponsored by Cooperative Education and Internships, will take place in the Henry Student Center’s lobby on the first floor. This event will run from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Students interested in interning during the spring or summer of this upcoming year are encouraged to attend. Appointments are available to students who wish to create their resumé with Sharon Castano, coordinator for Student Development. The purose of this event is to help students learn to “sell” themselves to a potential employer. “The opportunity for face-to-face interaction with prospective employers offers students the ability to see how they will work with different companies, and be able to find out what type of work interests them,” Castano said. The companies or businesses attending the fair are strictly interested in Wilkes Uni- versity students, which is an advantage for attendees. Since the fair began in 2006, the number of propsective employers in attendance has grown. Last year the University had 45 prospective employers attend. The majority of businesses came back because they had a positive experience at last year’s fair, said Castano. At this year’s fair, Castano hopes to have more employers attend. Ashley Deemie, senior accounting and business administration majors, experienced how beneficial attending the internship can truly be. “The Internship Fair is a great avenue for those students who are looking to obtain an internship in their field of interest and also network with various companies,” said Deemie. She was able to land a full-time internship position at Target for the Summer of 2009. After completing her internship, Deemie was offered a full-time postion after graduation in May 2010. “It is comforting knowing that as I finish up my senior year at Wilkes, I will walk into a job already having invaluable firsthand knowledge and experience through my in- ternship,” said Deemie. Employers coming to this year’s fair include Target, Luzerne County DNA Office, Intermetro Industries, WVIA TV, FOX 56, Cross Valley Federal Credit Union, Gabriele Shetler, Institute for Human Services, American Red Cross, Mohegan Sun, Sanofi Pasteur, First Quality, Osterhout Library, Luzerne County Treasurer’s Office, WB-S Pioneers, and Northwestern Mutual. The Internship Fair can also be a great opportunity to meet and network for future full-time positions. Whitney Roper, junior communication studies and political science double major, plans on attending the Internship Fair for the first time this year. “The internship fair is an excellent way for people to find out what types of opportunities exist for them while attending college,” said Roper. Students attending the fair are encouraged to be prepared and plan in advance. A current resumé is recommended that has been approved by the Cooperative Education office, an advisor, or Career Services. Proper attire and good etiquette are encouraged. 5 H1N1 from FRONT PAGE “We have provided hand sanitizers throughout campus and will be adding more upon their arrival from the company,” he said. “Judging from the necessity to refill several units, the campus community seems to be using them. Basic prevention methods are the first line of defense in the absence of the vaccine.” Allen also echoed the school’s release regarding the virus, saying the school expects more confirmed cases of the virus as it becomes more prevalent in Northeast Pennsylvania. “Judging from the growing number of cases in the area it seems to be inevitable that the H1N1 virus will have a greater presence on campus,” he said. “We will be monitoring the situation closely and take the appropriate measures to keep the University community well informed.” for more information check out ... 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Doi1't fo1·get • ornanrents for the tree! �THE OBSERVATORY Pages 6 Opinion wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 A call for no homework over break Fall recess should be time for rest and relaxation, not more stress ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis) and can contribute to insomnia and degenerative neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease.” Nothing can compare to the feeling of Why would professors want to potentially breaking away from the scheduled routine cause physical and mental harm to their stufor an extra two day hiatus. dents by overloading them with work, esWithout the periods designated as “repecially during designated recess periods? cess” on Wilkes University’s annual calenIt seems unlikely that professors are not dar, each semester would turn into a sprint aware of these effects when they give aswhere the possibility of mental burnouts and signments over breaks. breakdowns would increase by a twofold. Most importantly, breaks are meant to be Each semester (at any university) is but one just that, a break. We cannot fully rest oursection of a marathon; one ingredient to the selves and prepare to accomplish the tasks entire recipe; one battle that are assigned to us within a four-five year without the energy to war. do so. Stress, again, But even if we stay plays a key role faithful in our class here. If students are schedules and homestressed, especially work/studies habits, about getting assignchances are that our ments done, they will required tasks to fultend to have an overfill will build-up to a all lack of energy. point where keeping In turn, they will the regiment is next to become unmotivated impossible. to do the work asCampus recesses are signed to them or to built into the calendar even complete an aswhere these build-up signment at all. Bepoints seem to be most coming overwhelmed likely to occur: “Labor by assignments to the Day recess” after the point that is causes first week’s reacquaintphysical and mental ing is done, “Fall reharm is counter-process” in preparation for ductive to the whole midterm exams, and idea of attending col“Thanksgiving recess” The Beacon/Tom Reilly lege. for semester concluThe Beacon feels Students study in the Greenway as they prepare for midterm exams in an effort to sion. that the Wilkes Unihave a stress free fall break. Although Wilkes University faculty, and versity is caring enough to allot its students Stress itself can have a variety of physical college faculty in general, should take these a few scattered days that are specifically and mental effects on students as well. The factors into account when they decide to designated for “break-time,” these brief American Institute of Stress states that there give their students assignments over breaks. blocks of bliss end up being a time to play are numerous emotional and physical disor- It will not impede or disrupt the learning catch-up or complete an “assignment over ders that have been linked to stress. Some process to cut students some slack and break.” of these disorders include “depression, anx- lighten the work load a little during class While we have a good idea of what stu- iety, heart attacks, stroke, hypertension, and recesses. This way students can return with dents have to do in order to survive the se- immune system disturbances that increase fresh, rested minds and ready to work. Permester on a day-to-day basis, having extra susceptibility to infections.” haps the faculty should take a long needed assignments piled on us over a recess peIn addition stress can have direct effects break, as well. We could all definitely use riod offers students nothing but continued on the skin (rashes, hives, atopic dermatitis,) one. stress and anxiety about getting them done. the gastrointestinal system (GERD, peptic BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu This stress can seriously affect a student’s academic performance, which ideally is the complete opposite effect that professors wish upon their students at Wilkes or any other college. According to a 2004 study conducted by The National College Health Assessment, a non-profit research group, 32.4 percent of the 47,202 nationwide undergraduates surveyed viewed stress as the “number one impediment to academic performance -- more so than the common cold, depression, death of a family member, sexual assault or eating disorders.” Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 13 responses. The Beacon asked: Have you used the new hand sanitizers placed around campus? • Yes 77% • No 23% Next Week’s Question: Do you think that Wilkes professors give too many assignments over break? • • Yes, they give too many No, they are fair or reasonable Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �OCTOBER 13, 2009 OPINION 7 Sexism remains an issue on campus News Editor JACQUELINE LUKAS It’s 2009. The world has come a long way--especially for women. But, for as far as we have come, it is astonishing just how far there still is to go. Sexism still exists, and examples of it can be seen right here in our own Wilkes community. For example, last Wednesday, October 7, the junior class sponsored a powder puff football game. The concept of the game is girls play football and guys dress up as cheerleaders. My problem is not with the fact that the junior class was hosting a game of this nature; my problem is that the male students, dressed as cheerleaders, were given an incentive to come to the game. According to an announcment released September 25 on Wilkes Today, male cheerleaders had the chance to win a $100 Visa gift card for the best costume. My question is: why don’t the women football players get any sort of prize? Being the news hound that I am, I went right to the source to get the answer. Megan Dickinson, president of the junior class, said that the juniors agreed not to give Speaking of examples, did you ever hear of those “CEO and office ho” college parties? At these parties, guys will dress up in suits, or something of that nature, and girls will dress in slutty business outfits. Guys are all covered up and they are the “CEOs,” but girls must expose themselves and put on skimpy outfits only to be called an “office ho.” And it’s not even the outfits; that’s not even the worst part. It’s the fact that a man is automatically a “CEO” and a woman must be the “office ho.” According to these supposedly “fun” parties, woman could never be CEO of a company. That’s totally ridiculous in this day and age. The real quesetion becomes, why do women participate in this sort of thing? Stand up for yourselves ladies, and don’t go to the party; by doing so you’re just giving in to sexist culture. Another example I heard about on campus earlier this year was the “Girls: dress like you just had a one night stand; Guys: dress like you’re the man” party. Just imagine, for one second, walking into the party looking like you just had a one night stand. It’s so pathetic and I don’t understand how women could ever be so disrespectful to themselves and their bodies. We are college women; we should be giv- It almost seems like we are going backwards and giving men bigger egos than they already have. a Visa gift card to the women because they didn’t want them to dress “too provocatively.” “We didn’t want girls going all out,” said Dickinson. “We just really didn’t want girls dressing inappropriately.” Surprisingly, on October 4 (after my conversation with Dickinson) the rules had suddenly changed. Now, a $20 prize would be awarded to both the best male cheerleader and the best female football player. Well, in my opinion, the junior class could have been creative and thought of some other ways to acknowledge the female players with prizes for “the most energetic football player” or “the player with the most touchdowns” right from the start. Why didn’t any of these ideas pop into the heads of the junior class? They just automatically assumed that girls were going to dress slutty if there was money involved? That’s a pretty big-and ridiculous--assumption to make. I’m not buying it. This powder-puff game is just another example of sexism, plain and simple. ing respect to ourselves and other women, standing up for ourselves and our independence. We should not be dressing like we just came from a one night stand. Allowing these negative and disrepectful images of women to be perpetuated on this campus and throughout the country are what lead to discrimination and abuse--both verbal and physical--against women everywhere. If we dress and act like we have no self worth, we can’t hope to be treated with respect. Women have come a long way in this country. Ladies, there was a point in time when we could not vote. Today, our voices are equal and they mean something. We need to stop giving in to these ridiculous theme parties and innocent powderpuff games created with a sexist nature. It almost seems like we are going backwards and giving men bigger egos than they already have. The issue of sexism in American culture is so much deeper than I can even go into with this simple editorial piece. Ladies, respect yourselves. If you don’t, no one else will, either. Keep drama out of the workplace Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS For far too many times in my relatively short life have I seen what people commonly refer to as “workplace drama” or “workplace melodrama.” Althea DeBrule, a human resources executive that has made a career speaking about career development and management strategies at management conferences and leadership retreats across the country states that melodrama occurs when a “minor concern or conflict is embroidered and overstated in such a way that it becomes larger-thanlife and blown way out of proportion to the original issue.” This is the clearest text book definition of workplace drama. Now, there are those who, when they see drama unfolding at work, decide to make the grand proclamation, “I’m not here to get involved in any drama, I’m just here to do my job and go home.” In my experience it is those people who tend to create the most workplace drama. It is always the culprits that want to look innocent and look like they genuinely care about doing their jobs and going home, but they are sneaky. All it takes is a comment here or there from one of these people to create a conflict and then the drama train leaves the station and makes a couple of stops to pick up passengers as it navigates it’s way through the workplace. Do not let these sneaky people fool you. All I can say, dear readers, is that starting workplace drama or getting involved in it ultimately gets you nowhere and just creates a stressful, hostile work environment for one person or everyone, which I am sure most of you already know. It also lowers productivity. If everyone at your job is standing around complaining, the work is not getting done. It is just that simple. But why do we all do it? I still have not figured out the answer to that question. If someone were to make the point to me that getting involved in drama at work made the job all that much more interesting, I would understand the surface of that argument, but upon looking at it in the most general context, I must to ask: why criticize or degrade your fellow employees? They are the ones who help you do your job if only indirectly by doing their job and sharing the workload. Should you not respect them for that at least, even if you do not like them? My answer is yes. I hope all of you would agree. The first piece of advice I have for you if you ever see some workplace drama unfolding is do not get involved. Your curiosity will be your downfall. The second you hear your co-workers spectating and say “hey, what’s going on?,” is the point at which you become involved, even if you are just a spectator. My second piece of advice is do not react to anything that is said to you or about someone else. If you react in any way that appears to be dramatic, you have joined the drama. And third, your best bet is just to not say anything. Your co-workers might see this as the more mature route to take and follow suit. If you follow this advice you will have a less stressful work environment and maybe, just maybe, you will go home from work in a good mood. The Beacon/Tom Reilly �OPINION 8 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Work-Study: Can college students ever do both successfully? Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS Between going to classes, fulfilling course requirements, and trying to cram for exams, it can be difficult to set aside time to sit down and enjoy something as simple as your favorite meal as a full-time student. When a student adds a 25-hour off-campus work week into his or her itinerary, the balancing act which ensues becomes a difficult force to reckon with. To say that a student should not hold a job at all while enrolled as a full-time student would be asking for something that is impossible to achieve. Students need money to pay for schooling and living expenses. However, not having a job could mean better academic results in the long run. According to Upromise Inc., the largest private organization dedicated to providing funds for college students, “40 percent [of students] report that work limits their class schedule; 36 percent report it reduces their class choices; 30 percent report it limits the number of classes they take; and 26 percent report it limits access to the library.” Unfortunately, being a full-time student without holding some sort of a job is not an attainable reality for more than 50 percent of the full-time student population of America. Since 1984, “the fraction of college students aged 16 to 24 who also work full- or part-time has increased from 49 to 57 percent,” writes Jonathan M. Orszag of The Beacon/Tom Reilly Students work at the help desk in the Henry Student Center. This is just one of many jobs students take on campus as a source of income while going to school. Upromise Inc. The majority of the 57 percent of students working and also taking on a 12 credit or higher schedule fall under lower and middle class income brackets. According to David K. Randall of Forbes, President Obama released two proposals on October 7 that seek to lessen the financial burden on lower and middle class people seeking higher education by making 529 different college savings plans more accessible to these people. Randall’s report states that in President Obama’s financing proposal for colleges “a family contributes after-tax dollars into a fund and doesn’t have to pay taxes on investment gains if the money is used for qualified education expenses like college tuition or room and board.” His current proposal would be beneficial, but the President should use a portion of those tax-dollars toward creating career oriented jobs that are specifically designed to work around a full-time student’s schedule. As righteous as the President’s proposal is, students will still have to find ways to pay for what is not covered in their plans, such as vehicle expenses to get to and from school. If students must devote all of his time and energy toward their future, they might as well get a part-time job that relates to the field they are pursuing. While there are many jobs available that can teach valuable lessons and responsibilities to all who are willing to learn, students can turn to their college or university if they are searching for a job that will reward them with “realworld” experience in their field of concentration. However, these jobs may lack the flexible schedules that students need. Jobs that have some form of career-development track/ feature to them, usually lack the available hours for full-time students to make a decent amount of cash. Students are then faced with the choice of either waiting tables and making money, or working fewer hours a week and gaining specific skills that will benefit them in their area of study The bottom line is that we have to do whatever is within our means to get the bills paid. In the long run, however, it would serve us full-time undergraduate students well to have decent paying, part-time, career concentrated job experiences while still being full time students. Hopefully President Obama’s proposals could include something about having flexible pre-career job hour programs specifically for full-time college students who need a steady income. Last week's winner of Dinner for 4 at TONY DI'S Letters to the Editor Policy The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: Who Doesn't like Free Stuff?! The Beaco ee y Giveaway! Enter for a Chance to Win... Dinner and a Movie for 4 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached Sponsored by: 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion • Please keep letters to 300 words. The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Located on Northampton Street Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk in the Student Union by Tuesday, October 20, by noon.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 9 Dorm recipes and other enticing treats BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Nobody really wants to eat the same meals and snacks over and over again. Sometimes change is for the better. We’ve gathered some interesting recipes to expand your dorm dining palate. All of these recipes can be made right from the comfort of your dorm or apartment kitchen. These recipes-all favorite selections of your fellow classmates--are guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds while widening your cultural knowledge of cooking. The Beacon will feature new dorm room recipes each month. If you’d like to share one of your favorites, email it to lifestyles at wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com :From tlie kitclien of: Debra 'Brena .J\1.artinez Debra Brena Martinez is a 26-year-old Brazilian who is part of the Intensive English Program here at Wilkes. Martinez shared a favorite candy recipe--Brigaderio. “Brigaderio is the most traditional candy in Brazil. You can find it at birthday parties, and it is the Brazilian version of a Birthday cake,” said Martinez. Directions: 1. First put the butter in the pan, turn the heat on low and wait until the butter melts. Brigaderio Recipe (A traditional 2. Next add the condensed milk into the pan. Brazilian candy) 3. Add the dark cocoa and mix continuously until it begins Ingredients: to boil. If the color of the mixture seems to light, add two 1 Can of condensed milk more spoonfuls of dark cocoa. Don’t stop stirring because the 5 tbsp. unsweetened dark cocoa mixture will burn. 1 tsp. butter 4. When consistency thickens, turn off the heat and let mix1 small container of chocolate ture cool. sprinkles 5. When the mixture has cooled down, apply a small amount Some decorative Candy Wrap- of butter on your hands and roll a teaspoon of the mixture into pers a small ball. Repeat this step until all of the mixture has been rolled into small balls. The Beacon/ Melanie Thomas 6. Pour the chocolate sprinkles into a bowl and roll the balls Debra Brena Martinez one at a time until they are all coated thoroughly with sprinremembering Brazilian kles. Birthday Party Candy 7. Place each ball in a decorative candy paper and enjoy! :From tfie kitchen of: Xfiadijafi ..'A.[rasfied Khadijah Alrashed is a 25-year-old from Saudi Arabia, who is currently living with her husband and son in Kingston. Alrashed is on level 4 of the Intensive English Program, and says she learned to cook Authority Fattouch in a cooking class in school in Saudi Arabia and also from her mother; it is a traditional dinner in Saudi Arabia. Authority Fattouch Ingredients: Note - The ingredients in this recipe are based on the judgment of the cook. Tomatoes Directions: Green Peppers 1. First cut the bread into 1 inch Lettuce and deep fry in squares Parsley oil until golden brown. vegetable Green Onions oil on napkins or paper the Drain Dry Mint aside. put and towels Lemon Juice together chopped mix bowl, a In 2. Pita Bread vegetables. Sumac 3. Add the olive oil, salt, black pepSalt sumac, and lemon juice. per, Olive Oil Serve mixed together with the 4. Vegetable Oil fried pita squares. :from tfie kitcfien of: Samantfia 3funter Samantha Hunter is an 18-year-old freshman English major. She has been making lemon squares for her family and friends to enjoy for a few years now. Lemon Squares Ingredients: lemon cake mix 1/3 cup of brown sugar 1/3 cup of oil 1/3 cup of water half bag of chocolate chips The Beacon/ Melanie Thomas Khadijah Alrashed pictured with Authority Fattouch, an authentic Saudi Arabian dish The Beacon/ Melanie Thomas Lemon squares made by freshman Samantha Hunter Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. In a bowl, combine the cake mix and oil. 3. Stir until smooth, and then add the sugar and water. 4. Once again, stir until smooth and then add the chocolate chips. 5. Pour batter into backing pan then place in preheated oven at 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes. �LIFESTYLES 10 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Students of the Week: Katie White & Brian Switay BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Homecoming weekend is a time for tradition. It is a weekend of old friends, older professors, and the annual activities that bring Wilkes graduates flocking back to campus each fall. Homecoming traditions carry over from year to year. One tradition that keeps enduring is the nominating and choosing of homecoming king and queen. Choosing from the senior class, individuals are narrowed down to those fateful six, three men and three women, and eventually narrowed down to the king and queen. The 2009 homecoming king, Brian Switay, and homecoming queen, Katie White, were chosen by their classmates because of their active involvement in Wilkes and their ability to connect with others. For their deep Wilkes pride, they are The Beacon’s students of the week. Switay is a senior communications major with a business minor, and White is a senior biology and secondary education double major. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? White: Ten years from now I see myself teaching in a rural school district with a family. Switay: I see myself working in Hollywood in the movie industry, but I just got an internship with the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey, so maybe I’ll have a nice government job. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. White: Passionate, honest, kind. Switay: Outgoing, friendly, caring. The Beacon: Finish this sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” White:...that I considered being a music major before I applied to colleges. Switay: …how much my family and friends actually mean to me. --.!IC~. WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 MIX&MATCH Any 3 Subs or Wings Homecoming king, Brian Switay, and homecoming queen, Katie White, pose for pictures after President Gilmour annouced them winners of Wilkes’s 2009 homecoming court. HOT . . EL■-..E. .'V' 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre SPECIALS Large Pie $7.95 Chicken Wing Pie $10.95 The Beacon/Kerri Frail ! I 825-5166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Dining Room I 2 Tickets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95 WE CATER lARGE GROUP EVENTS PlEASE CAll BEFORE YOUR NEXT MEETING! Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-11 pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-12am Sun. 12pm-11pm We're more than just great pizza ... see our entire menu at www.januzzispizza.com �OCTOBER 13, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 College Days Susan Hritzak comes full circle at Wilkes BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Susan Hritzak walks through the front doors of the Registrar’s office. She puts down her bag and takes off her coat. She sits behind her desk and sifts through the mountain of papers overflowing onto the carpet. It’s 1977. Susan Hritzak walks through the front doors of the Registrar’s office. She puts down her bag and takes off her coat. She sits behind her desk and sifts through the mountain of papers overflowing onto the carpet. It’s 2009. Hritzak, Registrar for Student Services and a Wilkes grad from the class of 1981, has kept her ties to Wilkes both figuratively and literally. “When it was my time to come to Wilkes in ’77, it was kind of set up for me to have a work study job at Wilkes. I graduated from high school on a Thursday and the following Monday I began with the Registar’s office,” remembers Hritzak. Having the upper hand on her future fellow classmates, Hritzak took the position and filed papers and stuffed envelopes while simultaneously learning her way around Wilkes’s campus. “It was really nice, because before everyone else got there I could know which classroom was where or whose office was where,” says Hritzak. Hritzak was a local commuter student and the youngest of three siblings who attended Wilkes. Following in her big brothers’ footsteps, Hritzak thought that if Wilkes was good for her brothers, then it was good for her. “Basically, I chose to come to Wilkes for one of two reasons. My dad died when I was a junior in high school; I was 16. It was one of those things where when I was choos- ing where to go to school I said ‘Should I go away?’ ‘Should I stay locally?’” reflects Hritzak. Deciding to stay closer to home, Hritzak jumped into the Wilkes lifestyles immediately. Her older brother had already had a position with the Registrar’s office on campus. As he graduated from Wilkes in the spring, Hritzak began that following fall and embraced the Wilkes family immediately. “My brother put in a good word with his supervisor about his little sis coming to school, and I kept that job all four years while I was at Wilkes. It actually turned into an internship my senior year,” says Hritzak. Hritzak worked for four tireless years as a business major. She also returned to Wilkes to obtain her MBA in 1988. Beyond the projects and papers and presentations, Hritzak took time, like most students at that time, to relax and enjoy the spoils Wilkes set up for the students around campus. Whether she was cheering at a football or basketball game or attending the latest dance or Wilkes-sponsored party, Hritzak and her fellow classmates of the class of ’81 used the extracurricular activities to connect to one another. “It comes down to supporting your school, school spirit, and getting that feeling of camaraderie,” states Hritzak. Hritzak has the unique perspective of seeing less student involvement over time at Wilkes-sponsored events and even sporting events. “I think why they’re not here for many extracurricular activities is because of, oh, maybe the economy. Students need to work to earn the money. It’s very expensive to go to Wilkes. It’s a great school, but very expensive. They are working to keep up with tuition,” says Hritzak. Hritzak notices the lower levels of students involvements around campus, coming to campus, coming to parties, coming to athletic events. “Early on I know a lot of students would go to the basketball games or the football games. As time went on, I know many students had never even been to Ralston Field until graduation. That’s where the ceremony used to be. I am like, ‘What are you talking about! There are football games and there are soccer games. Why aren’t you over there?’” comments Hritzak. Hritzak remembers the annual Halloween party and Valentine’s Day dance held each year in the Marts Gymnasium. “You were allowed to walk into that Halloween party with either a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine or a fifth of something. Times have definitely changed,” says Hritzak. The changes Hritzak and her fellow Wilkes graduates who still work for Wilkes-affectionately self-referred to as “The Old Guard”--notice run through many aspects of her post-Wilkes career. Hritzak even notices the physical difference in dress of students. “It’s that maturity level. You [current Wilkes students] dress a little different, the way you go to class, or at least you should. We never wore sweat pants to class,” remembers Hritzak. There were some articles of clothing Hritzak and her friends at Wilkes were not without. She remembers running between the Guard Center (previously Parrish Hall on the corner of Market and River Streets), where her business classes were held towards campus in her Sergio Valente jeans and Candies flip flops. “When I was in school, I had a business course in Parrish Hall, which was in the Guard Center down on the corner of Market Street and River Street at one o’clock. Then I would have a two o’clock English lit course in Kirby Hall. And we would trek it in our Candies flip flops, and we would make it in ten minutes,” recalls Hritzak. Hritzak’s time at Wilkes was filled with aggressive workloads and frustrating classes. Despite this similar pressure many students encounter, Hritzak took it upon herself to connect with her professors. For several reasons, Hritzak believes taking time to get to know one’s professor is beneficial. “I thought the professors were marvelous,” says Hritzak. “I really got the exposure to the world from them. I may not have had the opportunity to travel like students do, but I would talk to my professors and use their life experiences and their knowledge to escape to those places.” Hritzak recalls one professor in particular who exposed her to New York City without ever stepping out of the classroom. “I had a business professor who was a buyer for a major department store in New York City, so he would come to class and teach us about ‘the big city’ as well as business,” she says. But, even though some things around Wilkes have changed, one thing has always remained the same. “It’s a mutual respect between faculty and staff; that has not changed after all these years,” says Hritzak. Being a member of “The Old Guard,” Hritzak takes it upon herself to continue the feeling of family that resonated with her when she began at Wilkes over thirty years ago. Susan Hritzak continues to walk through the front doors of the Registrar’s office. She continues to put down her bag and take off her coat. She will sit behind the desk of overflowing papers and continue to remain an integral part of the Wilkes family. �Faculty Art Exhibition p. 14 12 CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 One on One with Ryan Stiles “Whose Live Anyway” set to perform at the F.M. Kirby Center Oct. 15 BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor When you think of “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” which cast member from the Emmy-nominated television show comes to mind? Some would say Drew Carey. Others might say the talented Wayne Brady or Colin Mocherie. And, of course, the one and only Ryan Stiles. Stiles, known for his hilarity and expertise in improv, is headed our way to perform at the F.M. Kirby Center located on the Square. He will be performing in the group, “Whose Live Anyway,” a touring version of the hit TV show “Whose Line Is it, Anyway?” The rest of the cast includes Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Chip Esten. I was able to get a hold of Stiles and conduct a brief phone interview. Here’s how it went: The Beacon: Okay, so the first origquestion I have for you is: How long have you been doing comedy? Stiles: (Laughs) I’ve pretty much been doing it all of my life. I quit high school to pursue it, so I guess it’s been about 30 years or so. The Beacon: Wow. Where does your sense of humor come from? Stiles: Hmm. I’m the youngest of five brothers and my dad is a pretty funny guy. It just all trickled down to me I guess. The Beacon: Since you quit school for comedy, what did you do from there? I mean, you must have had some crappy jobs. Stiles: Oh yeah. I moved out when I was 17 but that was the “norm.” All of my brothers were moved out by then too. My first few jobs were working at bars or strip clubs—my parents weren’t too pleased. The Beacon: So how was it that you got to be where you are now? Stiles: I stuck with stand-up for about ten years. Then I moved on to Second City Improv Theatre for a few years of training. Steve Carrell, Tina Fey, anyone basically from Saturday Night Live- that’s where they trained. Then I moved to Los Angeles but I hate it there. You know I have this lake house now with my wife and three kids up in Washington and it’s just great. See STILES page 15 Photo Courtesy of Richard Elwood Ryan Stiles, one of cast members from the popular improv TV show, “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” will be in the downtown Wilkes-Barre at The Kirby Center ready to make the crowds belly laugh. Students get 50% discount with proof of student ID. Review: WWE’S Monday Night Raw invades the W-B BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Asst. Sports Editor Before I begin my review of World Wrestling Entertainment’s Monday Night Raw, which visited the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza on October 5, please allow me to clarify two things. No, I am not a die-hard fan. And yes, I know that wrestling is fake. But when I had an extra $17.50 in my wallet and nothing better to do on a Monday night, I figured that I could get a couple cheap laughs out of watching grown men and women smash each other in the head with steel folding chairs. Before the October 5 show, I had been to one previous WWE event. It was more than ten years ago. The company was still known as the World Wrestling Federation, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was filming The Mummy Returns, and the building in which I saw the act no longer stands. Imagine what it would be like to watch an episode of a television show, pay absolutely no attention to the program’s storyline for over a decade, and then sit down again to watch another episode of the show. That’s exactly how I felt watching Raw. I recognized three of the wrestlers, and the rest of the names, faces, and gimmicks were completely new to me. But even though I had nobody in particular to cheer for from my perch in Section 212, I still found the show enjoyable. But was it worth the price of a ticket? Absolutely. Being a part of a WWE crowd is an experience that I recommend everyone should have during their lives. The crowd consists of a very diverse mix of people who are all there to see what is essentially a live-action theatre performance. During Monday’s show, I spotted an elderly couple, a teenage girl singing Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the U.S.A.,” approximately 200 men wearing Ben Roethlisberger jerseys, and was constantly reminded by the six-year old child sitting next to me which wrestlers he thought were performing subpar. And that was before Raw even started. Raw airs live on the USA Network from 9-11 p.m. on Mondays, but crowds at the arenas are treated to a couple of tune-up tussles prior to the broadcast. The show at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza actually kicked off at 8:15 p.m. When it finally came time for Raw, fans were treated to a ridiculous display of pyrotechnics that, surprisingly, didn’t set anything on fire. Then, those 200 individuals wearing Big Ben jerseys got their money’s worth. Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl- champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, happened to be this week’s guest host. He emerged from underneath the massive video projection screen to issue his first decree of the evening. Though he was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos, he quickly endeared himself to the male population by ordering the female wrestlers to compete in a Diva Bowl. Essentially, the 14 scantily-clad, attractive women just beat the crap out of each other. The winners? The audience. By being the guest host, Roethlisberger was essentially given a “do whatever I want to and get away with it badge,” like the guy from Sector 7 in Transformers. He forced the unwilling pair of the Big Show - who I am pretty sure is half-Paul Bunyan – and his partner Chris Jericho See RAW page 13 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 13, 2009 TThe Beacon/Michael Cignoli 13 The Beacon/Michael Cignoli FROM PAGE 12 to fight the two members of D-Generation X in a tag team match. When Jericho was about to lose the bout and tried to run away, Roethlisberger sent actual members of Pittsburgh’s offensive line onto the stage to stop the cowardly Jericho from leaving. I’ve never seen someone so afraid of Pittsburgh’s offensive line. Great acting, Chris! But in all seriousness, the emergence of the offensive line was a conveniently timed plot twist that gave the sold-out crowd a laugh. The fans were clearly against Jericho’s team, and when Jericho returned to the ring, he was promptly beat down by D-Generation X. When D-Generation X won, Roethlisberger and his offensive line joined them - - - - - - - - - in the ring, and the group ended the show by making obscene gestures to the camera while fireworks exploded behind them. It’s an ending that only the WWE can pull off, but not one that will be repeated. No two WWE shows are the same, so the next time Raw visits Northeast Pennsylvania, I recommend purchasing a ticket. The pyrotechnics at the beginning of the show are worth the price of admission alone. I give the event a B. It would have been rated higher, but the fact that a former contestant on MTV’s The Real World named “The Miz” is now one of the WWE Champions brings my rating down a full letter grade. Not even a small person dressed as a leprechaun can redeem the WWE for that. And yes, the show did have such a character. His name was Hornswaggle. - - - - - - - - During the October 5 episode of WWE’s Monday Night Raw, held at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township, guest host Ben Roethlisberger held a Diva Bowl. Here, one group of Divas, clad in Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys, awaits the arrival of their opponents. The Steelers group, led by WWE Divas Champion Mickie James, won the match. Roethlisberger and other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers helped guide fan favorites D-Generation X to a victory in the night’s main event. - TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Asst. Opinion Editor Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! XS EBW OKOGQUCEN SXJQE WAOD WCO EQOC ZQUCZON WS EQUE GOUCHE UKKODJXZ DOUZEXWC UDO GOUCHE ZUHNXCJ UC NKXV EW GWCO. Your ·trusted s,ource for· · screen printing,. emb1roidery, and prom1otional items . This week’s clues: W=O, N=S Answer from last week: IF MENTOS IS THE “FRESH-MAKER,” THEN WILL SMITH’S PARENTS AREN’T THE LEGAL GUARDIANS OF THE FRESH PRINCE! - - - - - - - - _I ·www,.4t--·sh irts. com1 1 570-,8 23-9272 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Faculty artists showcased at Faculty Art Exhibition 2009 Sordoni spotlights past and present faculty artists BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor With the arrival of fall, faculty, staff, and students at Wilkes enjoy the changing colors of the leaves and the overall atmosphere that moves into the university. For some, this cooler air and color-filled season means football and hockey are finally here. For others, the anticipation of using the changing seasons in nature as inspiration for a new piece of art is overflowing. Beverly Glennon, an adjunct faculty member of the Visual and Performing Arts department, expressed how nature offers her inspiration, “I find that observing simple things around me, especially in nature, the brightness of color or reflection of light on an object, shadows and highlights on someone’s face or a peaceful landscape scene are the areas I find most interesting and motivational in my work.” On October 19, Wilkes will continue the long-standing tradition of the Faculty Art Exhibition in the Sordoni Art Gallery curated by Brittany Kramer DeBalko, interim di- rector of the Sordoni Art Gallery. This year, the exhibition will feature nine artists from the present and past Wilkes Community: Jean Adams, Sharon Bowar, Nicole DePolo, Richard Fuller, Beverly Glennon, Bruce Lanning, Darlene Miller-Lanning, Herbert Simon, and Mary Lou Steinberg. Interested to see what this exhibition has to offer, Steve Englesbe, junior business administration major, explained, “I’m pretty excited to go to the art exhibition. I was told about it by my ART 101 professor, Sharon Bowar. She is going to have some of her work on display and I’m quite excited to see it.” The Faculty Art Exhibition offers an opportunity for the faculty to showcase pieces of art that they have worked hard to complete. It is also an event where the faculty artists hope to inspire students to be creative and improve their artistic abilities. Some students may not feel confident in painting, but pottery is also an option to express creativity. Jean Adams, instructor of Wilkes’s pottery TR'TOON! BY TOM REILLY Photo Editor classes, voiced her enthusiasm for the exhibition, “It is my hope that a lot of people will walk through [the Sordoni] and see [the Exhibition]. I know my classes will be down to see it. I would also hope that most of the other art faculty would take people through and I’m sure they will and, of course, we always want the community to see it.” At this year’s Faculty Art Exhibition, guests can see various works of art done by the faculty such as oil paintings, acrylic paintings, collages, stoneware, mixed media (a combination of visual arts such as paint, ink, and collage), digital mixed media, welded aluminum designs, and “selections of a series about animal-shaped lawn ornaments” created by Bruce Lanning, ad- junct professor of art. Lanning also added, “I hope many students, faculty, and administration attend and ask the artists questions.” According to Lanning, being inquisitive may help to build a student’s awareness about art and overall appreciation of it as well. There will be a formal reception on October 25 from 3:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at the Sordoni Art Gallery where guests of the exhibition can meet with the showcased artists. The exhibition will run until December 13, allowing plenty of time for guests to come and enjoy the artwork of the Wilkes Art Department. The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Sordoni Art Gallery will be the location for this year’s exhibition. The gallery will be open 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 13, 2009 P{ay Review: BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Is it all fair in love? Jessica Lech, a senior theatre major, explored the topic in her senior theatre capstone titled, “All is Fair in Love,” adapted and directed by herself. The cast included other theatre majors John Layton and William McGovern. The show was performed Friday, Oct. 9 for two performances only. The capstone itself allows for creativity. Theatre arts majors are finally given the freedom and guidance to put out whatever ".:A[{ is :fair in Love" caystone show they want, so long as it is reasonable and do-able. Some students are geared towards putting on shows that are the most fun. Other students are inspired by the message a show sends out. Or, simply, all of the above. As implied by the title, the play dissects the many aspects of love. The play included scenes that were from well-known productions such as excerpts from Good Will Hunting, The Notebook, and Pride and Prejudice. The show may have been more ideal for the hopeless romantics out there who could • • What's Happening • • Around Wilkes • • • BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI The Marshmallow Staircase @ Vin- • tage Theater, Assistant A&E Editor • • Scranton $5 – 8 p.m. • Wednesday, October 14, 2009 -Third Friday Art Walk with Mark • Rooney @ Barnes and Noble – 5-8 • -Bog Swing Band @ The Bog, •Scranton p.m. • - $3 – 9:30 p.m. • Saturday, October 17, 2009 by Sarah Kane @ Pa•per-“Blasted” • -The New Familiars w/ Special Kite Press Studio, Kingston – 7 •p.m. Guests @ The Bog, Scranton - $5 • – 10:30 p.m. • • -Jesse Fink & more @ Club JAM, HAPPY FALL BREAK! Oct. 15–18 • • Pittston - $5 - 9 p.m. • Thursday, October 15, 2009 -The Breakfast, JMMD @ River • Street Jazz Café - $8 – 10 p.m. -Dentdelion @ Arts YOUniverse • - $15 –8 p.m. • • -Cabinet @ The Bog, Scranton • Sunday, October 18, 2009 -Third Annual Evening of Jazz • p.m. • -Life- $5on–10Repeat, @ Scranton Cultural Center - $50 Floral Terrace, •The Spin Room @ Café Metropolis – 5:30 p.m. • – 7 p.m. •- $7-Whose • Monday, October 19, 2009 Live Anyway? Starring •Ryan Stiles and the Cast of Whose -New Found Glory @ Chameleon • Club, Allentown - $17 - 6 p.m. Is It Anyway @ FM Kirby Cen•Line • ter -$14 students with ID, $26.50•$46.50 GA – 7:30 p.m. • • -Jimkata @ River Street Jazz • *** •Café, Plains • • – FREE – 10 p.m. • For next week’s calendar check • • Friday, October 16, 2009 out our website! • -X-Terra @ Club JAM, Pittston • $5 – 9 p.m. • -RYAT @ River Street Jazz Café, • •Plains • for more information check out... – 10 p.m. • • -The- $5Sw!ms, Iwilkesbeacon.com The Owl Stations, ltwli • • • • The Beacon/Tom Reilly 15 appreciate the topics of the mushy content. The scenes were divided into categories. The first set of scenes was “Family Love.” The second was “Dysfunctional Love.” The third was “New Love,” and the last set was titled “Epic Love.” The first set of scenes started off with a serious tone. Hear My Voice was a scene about a daughter trying to gain back her father’s love after the death of her mother. The show flowed right into a scene from All My Sons and right into a scene from the classic movie Steel Magnolias, where the mother expresses her sadness over the death of her daughter. As the set of scenes continued on, it began to grow lighter, then almost crescendo and decrescendo again with a lot of emotion and tensions rising. As the show depicted a dysfunctional relationship between two gay men from Angels in America, it moved into the following scenes of sappy lovers falling in love. Overall, the capstone was enjoyable through all the twists and turns, and the many different situations love inspires and causes. It truly was a “rollercoaster of love.” STILES from PAGE 12 fantastic. Have you ever performed in this area? Stiles: No. I hate flying actually so I don’t venture out east all that much, except if we’re driving. The Beacon: So, in the next decade or so, do you still see yourself doing comedy? Stiles: Yeah, hopefully I’ll still be alive and well. I’ve been doing this all my life. What else would I do? (laughs) The Beacon: True, true. So, one last thing; I’m pretty petite and you’re pretty tall. What are your thoughts about us having our own sitcom together? Stiles: (laughs) We should be the scale that everyone should be in between. Don’t forget to have a good laugh this Thursday, October 15 at 7:30p.m at The Kirby Center on the Square for the comical performance of “Whose Live Anyway?” The Kirby Center is giving students a special student discount of 50% off-- all students pay $14 with proof of their student ID. Discount tickets are only available at The Kirby Center’s Box Office. The Beacon: Mmmm, lake house. Stiles: Yeah, I mean, LA is just a state of mind but it was great because of the people I worked with down there. And now I built my own theatre in Washington called The Upfront Theatre, which specializes in improv as well. The Beacon: Sounds fantastic. Okay, this is a toughie. When was the moment you fell in love with Colin Mocherie? I mean, the connection is obvious between you two. Stiles: (Laughs) I’d have to say I fall in love with him more every day. We actually grew up together in Vancouver. I haven’t seen him in a few years but we still keep in touch. The Beacon: The dynamic between the cast of “Whose Line” is really what makes the show enjoyable, aside from the talent. Are all of you still close since the show stopped three years ago? Stiles: Oh yeah, I mean it’s difficult because we’re spread out with our own families, but they’re all great guys and we pick up right where we leave off. Most of them live in LA and I I’m all the way up here in Washington but we make it work. The Beacon: Sweet. Currently, you’re touring with “Whose Live Anyway,” which is derived from the TV show “Whose Line.” How does that differ? Stiles: It’s actually so much beton-Th,•I em rs omed ter on stage because TV is very limiting and you can’t fit every· Ion thru urs 11:00 a:m to 5:00 pm thing into the time crunch. There were so many games we couldn’t do. Here on the stage we can be 11:00 a to 4:00 pm. laidback, have more freedom and really enjoy the audience. 1O'!/o di$00tl.1ll ·/ Stu.dent ID The Beacon: It’s exciting you F.a:ce WiFi ~blc will be here in Wilkes-Barre performing. I saw a show that Colin Co. ·ng :5, ill Mocherie and Brad Sherwood did about two years ago at the Suruhlr d -~ff.our, F.M. Kirby Center as well. It was 'T O OR. STREETD Ll Located inside the )'1\-IC \Ve1 N ·i:1a_, . �Field Hockey wins two of three games PAGE 19 16 CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 Colonels fall in homecoming game Men’s goal is Lebanon Valley spoils festivities with a 21-18 victory BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Happy Homecoming was wishful thinking when Wilkes hosted Lebanon Valley College on Saturday at Ralston Field. Alumni from past years gathered to watch the Colonels fight until the last seconds ran off the clock. The first few possessions for each team came out unsuccessful until the Dutchmen’s Alex Gilchrist intercepted Rob Johnson pass on Wilkes’s 10-yard line returning 2-yards to the eight. Charlie Parker took it in from a yard out four plays later giving Lebanon Valley the lead. With the Dutchmen out front 7-0, Johnson attempted to lead Wilkes to a successful drive. But all attempts to cut the lead on their next possession were halted and once again they could not reach the end zone. After punts by each team, the Colonels finally got onto the board when Chris Horn completed a 28-yard field goal. However, Dutchmen quarterback Caleb Fick rushed 9-yards for the touchdown to increase the Lebanon Valley lead to cap off seven play, 56-yard drive making the score 14-3. Before the half, Johnson found Gennaro Zangardi in the end zone for a 26-yard completion with 1:01 left in the half. The last possessions of the half for each team amassed zero points and the Colonels trailed at halftime once again. The annual Homecoming festivities continued at halftime when Brian Switay and Katie White were crowned king and queen. That looked to be the highlight of the day for Wilkes. After halftime, Wilkes heated up when another field goal by Horn from 31-yards out cut the Lebanon Valley lead to two points. But the rushing attack of the Dutchmen’s Ben Guiles continued. The Colonels looked to find an answer for Guiles, but all prayers would not be answered as he rushed for a total of 45-yards on their next possession, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run. The defense took the field after another drive that resulted in no points for the Colonels. That’s when Chris Swinarski to finally get one on road BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor The Beacon/Kerri Frail Junior wide receiver Jordan D’Emilio dodges a tackle from a Lebanon Valley defender during Saturday’s homecoming game at Ralston Field. D’Emilio had two receptions for 51 yards, but the Dutchmen handed the Colonels a 21-18 loss. and Shane Heberling stepped up and made the biggest play of the game on Lebanon Valley’s next possession. As the Dutchmen threatened to cross the goal line again, Heberling laid a crushing hit on Parker, forcing him to fumble on the two. Swinarski picked up the fumble, returning it 97-yards for the touchdown. “They were about to score again and we really couldn’t have that happen,” said Heberling. “I had a wide open hit and luckily it knocked the ball loose. After the game a very tired Swinarski commented by saying “Heb [erling] made the nice hit and I just scooped and scored. We couldn’t let them score again because that would have taken us out of the game completely; we needed a big play and we got it.” With the score at 21-18 and the rushing attack of the Dutchmen still a threat, the Colonels began to play more like the team from previous weeks. The defense stopped Lebanon Valley on every possession from their on out in hopes of taking the lead. But, the Wilkes offense was unable to capitalize on the new life of the defense. A 38-yard completion to Zangardi pushed the Colonels closer to the end zone, but an unsuccessful trick play by Wilkes turned things sour again. After a short rush by Harry Reese and another incomplete pass to Zangardi, Wilkes was forced to punt resulting in a touchback. Lebanon Valley controlled the rest of the game with their running attack in the fourth quarter however, zero points were scored leaving the score at 21-18 adding another loss to the Colonels record. But after time ran out, things paused while Coach Sheptock deliberated a bad decision by the referees. Before things could escalate, both teams were separated. Next week Wilkes travels to Doylestown to attempt to spoil Delaware Valley’s two game win streak and pick up their first MAC conference win. When it comes to men’s soccer, Wilkes University vs. Misericordia isn’t just another conference game. It’s literally a fight to the finish. The Colonels and the Cougars met twice last season, with both games being decided in either overtime or penalty kicks. Wilkes came up short in both matches, despite having leads late in the second half of each game. Wilkes held a 3-0 lead in the regular season match against Misericordia last season, only to see the Cougars claw their way back. The Colonels conceded three goals in the second half and eventually lost 4-3 in double overtime. When the two teams met in the conference championship game, the Colonels held a 10 lead with eight seconds left in regulation. Misericordia tied the game and went on to win 5-4 in a penalty shootout. That loss left a sour taste in the Colonels’ mouths, and they’ll finally get their shot at redemption tonight. They visit Misericordia at 7 p.m. in a game that the Colonels need to win. “Everybody wants to win that game after that loss,” said junior midfielder Sean Stitt. “We should have won. We all know that we played well. We know what mistakes we made and we know what we can do this year. We need to win it because it’s a conference game and we need to get a playoff berth in the conference.” In their most recent result, Manhattanville defeated the Colonels 3-0 on Saturday afternoon in New York. That loss dropped Wilkes’s conference record to 1-1 with five matches remaining in the regular season. “The results of the final five matches are important in our push to get into the playoffs,” said head coach Philip Wingert. “Four or five conference wins should qualify the team into the playoffs.” See SOCCER, Page 19 �SPORTS OCTOBER 13, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Michelle Wakeley, cross country champ BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent Crossing the finish line into this weeks’ Athlete Spotlight is sophomore cross country runner Michelle Wakeley. This dedicated student athlete from Endicott, N.Y. is no stranger to finishing in first place for Wilkes. In the last four cross country competitions alone, Wakeley has led the Wilkes Ladies’ Cross Country team in individual statistics. “It feels really great,” said Wakeley, who only ran track and field before coming to Wilkes last year. “After a long summer of training, it’s nice to see a little reward for all that effort.” The pavement isn’t the only place Wakeley has been running marathons. Not only is Wakeley a pre-med Biology major in the BS/MD program with SUNY Upstate Medical School, but she also holds a quadruple minor in Math, Psychology, Chemistry and History. Having such a large work load in the classroom as well as practice, Michelle admits to missing out on some things. “I’m usually gone either in class, at practice, or working in the library from 8:30 in the morning until at least midnight. It’s tough but I think it’s really worth it. It’s a lot of late nights, and missing out on some of the social things I see other people doing, and that’s tough, but in the end it’s what I like to do.” She also plays clarinet for the school’s civics band. Despite the hefty workload, nothing has deterred Wakeley from leading her team all season. She finished fourth (16:47), seventh (21:10:08), and fourteenth (16:16) place overall in the team’s first three competitions this season. Last week, at the Belmont Classic, Wakeley came in third place overall, finishing just under 21 minutes. “Coming in third was great; it was the first time I’ve placed that high in a race,” said a humble Wakeley. “No matter what place anyone on the team comes in though, we usually have the loudest cheering section behind us when we walk up to get our award and that’s probably the best part.” Wakeley is happy with the team, which was just resurrected last year. “Honestly, the most exciting part is probably just having a full team that’s always around. We’ve done so many things together already this season and that’s something that we just couldn’t quite get last year just starting out,” she said. “This year the team has been so much tighter, and more involved it’s been great.” While she feels the team continues to improve; Wakeley also sees improvement for herself during the remainder of the season. “I’d really like to see a bit of a drop in my times, hopefully low 20’s or 19’s for a 5k, and to improve compared to last season’s 6k.” Wakeley looks to better herself at the upcoming DeSales and East Stroudsburg University Invitationals in October. And when it comes to getting away from her abundant studies, cross country is the perfect option to Wakeley. “It’s a great stress reliever,” she said. Courtesy of Marketing Communications Sophomore Michelle Wakeley has been the brightest star on the Wilkes Cross Country team this year. $5.,9 9 ALL YOU CAN EAT 1 Salad., pasta., pizza, a11d desert! Tony Di's PIZZA BU.FFrr QUICK HITS Gifts * Glass Art * T- shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ••• 0~ OFF 15 ,o _,__""" I ~. P: 570.825.2060 295 Sou h Ma.-n Strce Wilkes-Bairre, PA 1870 l Ol1'.E ', LA E F with this coupon 570.270.4252 '~ I •• DAY 1 111 3:3 Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 PINE ~ALL, 69 S KIDDER J'f. VILKEJ-BAltltE, PA F: 570.825.2061 The Beacon / Alison Kasper *illi*ilr REI DR INK WITH I IUDENT LD~*illi** I We Deliver I �SPORTS 18 OCTOBER 13, 2009 SCOREBOARD WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/7 @ Kean 0-3 L 10/10 @ Manhattanville 1-3 L WOMENS TENNIS 10/7 @ Misericordia 9-0 W 10/10 vs. DeSales 9-0 W 10/11 vs. Susquehanna 9-0 W WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL What’s the best sports movie of all time? “Come on, Benny. Man. The kid is a L, 7, Weenie!” Sports Editor 10/7 vs. DeSales 0-3 L MEN”S TENNIS 10/11 vs Ssuquehanna 3-0 W FIELD HOCKEY 10/5 @ William Paterson 2-5 L 10/7 @ Ithaca 3-1 W 10/10 vs. DeSales 3-1 W WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 10/17 @ Delaware Valley MEN’S SOCCER 10/13 @ Misericordia 10/17 vs. Eastern WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/14 @ Misericordia 10/17 vs. Eastern VOLLEYBALL 10/14 @ Delaware Valley 10/17 vs. Albright WOMEN’S TENNIS 10/11 vs. Susquehanna 10/17-18 @ Bucknell Invitational 10/19 vs. Kings CROSS COUNTRY 10/17 @ East Stroudsburg Invitational twil:~er, @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports ANTHONY DORUNDA “Remember kid, there’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you’ll never go wrong,.” -Babe Ruth, The Sandlot In short, The Sandlot, is a legend. This is the Field of Dreams for pre-teens. Let’s just sit back for a minute and bask in the glory of our younger years. The days when playing hide and seek was an everyday necessity; and kickball, jungle gyms, and “friendly” games of tag dominated our recess time; when wiffle-ball was our favorite sport. As small as they may seem to us now, we look back on those memories with fondness, with the constant desire to go back to those times - times when the biggest problems we had were fitting in and trying to get a kiss on the cheek from the girl we had a crush on. The one we were simply afraid to talk to. Nothing represents those days better than everyone’s favorite childhood movie, The Sandlot. The magic woven by this movie is unmistakable. It lays down the smallest of life lessons (togetherness, bravery, self-improvement) while keeping us laughing out loud the entire movie with its quirky and comedic scenes of young boys acting, well like young boys. Above all else, this movie was real. The types of kids were real. The moments portrayed were real. The themes were real. From kids trying to fit in, to youngsters trying to be “cool,” to the boys engineering the sweetest ways to get a baseball back that was autographed by “The Great Bambino,” this movie perfectly scripted our lives at that age. How can someone not love this movie? That’s the real question. Ok, so there aren’t any racial barriers being broken down, and no, they didn’t end the cold war like Rocky did, but these little dudes dreamt big, just like we all did when we were growing up. Not to mention, this movie has one of the most epic name-calling battles of all time featuring my favorite catcher of all time, Ham Porter. In the scene, the sandlot kids stepped up to the hated Tigers, dropping lines that we all used growing up. Come on now, we all had a time when we told someone that they bobbed for apples in the toilet and liked it, I know I did. And it all ended in the most powerful statement a young boy growing up in the early 1960’s could ever make: “You play ball like a girrrrrrrlll!” Talk about a shot to the ego for a young boy. And of course there was the dream of stealing a kiss from the lifeguard. Squints became our hero when he risked his life to be saved by Wendy Peffercorn, and get a little tongue action in the process. But really, this movie takes those moments that seem so little to us now, but were monumental to us back then, and blows them up to the scale we had them at when we were that age. And does it like no other movie has been able to do it. So let’s get our PF Flyers on and dream big once again, like we did when our horizon stretched from home plate to centerfield. “We want some mo’, we want some mo’, we want some mo’!” (I,___)_ Asst. Sports Editor ____.._.._Ho=r~=tll Some of the greatest sayings of all-time have come from some of the greatest sports movies of all-time. To think, Hollywood has given us “if you build it, he will come,” from Field of Dreams; “you’re killin’ me smalls,” from Mr. Dorunda’s pick The Sandlot; “there’s no crying in baseball” from A League of Their Own, the numerous amount of Boobie Miles quotes from Friday Night Lights (i.e. “Y’all wanna win? Put Boobie in.”); and the overwhelming amount of hilariously vulgar quotes from Varsity Blues that would probably get The Beacon shut down if they were printed. When it comes to being a great movie, it has to have great moments that appeal to the audience. Without those moments, there is nothing and it makes for a terrible movie. This week, I’m not even going to bash Mr. Dorunda or his pick because it is definitely a great movie. I give him props for digging up a childhood favorite of mine that seems to never get old, but still “you’re killin’ me smalls” so just give up. Before anyone goes crazy because I’m leaving a few of the greats out, let’s just remember that those great sayings make these movies as great as they are. However, if I had to pick one as the alltime greatest sports movie, I would have to go with, Remember the Titans. Remember the Titans is by far the best sports movie. Not only did this movie have exceptional moments of history, but it also showed athletes how to overcome even the most difficult pressures to become a great team. Seriously, though, I love The Sandlot, but there was only one Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez and he was pretty much the only success story of the whole movie. Throughout Remember the Titans, we saw exactly what this team had to get through in order to be champions. The racial prejudice that beams through almost every scene is astonishing. The fact that this team really did have to conquer the racial restriction of their own time gives this movie an even greater impact. The things that the movie represents is what make this movie as great as it actually is. Not only did it entertain us all with one scene and bring us to tears in the next, but it taught so many lessons of what is truly important in life. But let’s think, we get to watch Denzel Washington (Coach Boone), who is nothing but great, along with other actors such as Donald Faison (Petey), Hayden Panettiere (Sheryl), Wood Harris (Julius), and Ryan Hurst (Gerry Bertier) that support his greatness. Before I go I would like to apologize if I disappointed anyone, but this is an off week for the trash talk. The Sandlot is a good pick, even though it doesn’t quite measure up to the strength of the “left side [or the] strong side” of Remember the Titans, because as Gerry Bertier would say this movie is just “too strong.” Now roll the credits, this movie is over. Hope you enjoyed the show. �SPORTS OCTOBER 13, 2009 19 Field hockey puts mistakes behind them, gets two big wins BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor On the ride home from William Patterson University last Monday, Wilkes University’s field hockey team didn’t have much to celebrate. The Lady Colonels conceded four unanswered goals in the second half of the game, turning what was a 2-1 lead at halftime into a 5-2 defeat. When the team got ready to head back to Pennsylvania, they made sure to leave something behind. “What happens on the field stays on the field,” said senior Jen Keegan, whose 12 goals this season are tied for the team lead. “Yeah, I’m upset about a loss if we do have that, but you just have to put it in your head as, that was that game, we’ll do better next time, and try not to let it get to you.” It worked. The Lady Colonels rebounded from their poor performance at William Patterson to puck up a 3-1 road win at Ithaca on Wednesday and a 3-1 win over DeSales on Saturday afternoon in Edwardsville. With the two wins under their belts, the when the Lady Colonels have the ball, evLady Colonels improved to eryone’s on the attack. When they don’t, 10-2 on the campaign. They everyone’s trying to get it back. have six games remaining in “When we don’t score a lot the regular season, including a of goals and we can’t come road match at FDU-Florham at back, it’s because people 7 p.m. tonight. aren’t working togethThough the team’s offense er,” Tilley said. “Peohas scored four or more ple aren’t moving as a goals in seven of their twelve unit.” matches this season, the Lady When they do move Colonels have never won a as a unit, watch out. game when they allow more than two goals. The Lady Colo“Last year, when we got scored nels were ranked 17th on first we couldn’t come back amongst all Division-III from it,” said senior defender field hockey teams accordAmanda Tilley. “This year, we ing to an October 5 womcan come back, but we’ve found ensfieldhockey.com poll. That’s that the second goal we get the highest national rating that scored on, we tend to fall apart the Wilkes field hockey program has ever received. if we’re not winning at the Even though the Lady time.” Colonels have enjoyed an Both Tilley and Keegan exceptionally successful mentioned that Wilkes season, Keegan says that plays team offense there is always room for and team defense. The Beacon/ improvement. That means that Melissa Polchinski “Mistakes are going to be made all the time,” she said. “Every player, every game, there will be mistakes. We try to have an outlook of one and done. Once you make a mistake, it’s over. You have to pick yourself back up and keep working hard.” The Lady Colonels’ quest to constantly improve as a squad is something that will continue throughout the remainder of the regular season. No matter how many goals they score, how many games they win, or how many records they break, they’re not going to be satisfied until they reach the end of the road. “Once you get satisfied, you lose yourself as a team,” Keegan added. “You should never be satisfied with your playing abilities. You should always be looking for ways to be better. That’s ultimately what a championship team is. They’re not satisfied until the end.” well as the 1996 Hewlett-Packard Division III SID’s honorable mention team and the 1996 Hanson Football Gazette All-American third team. In 1997, Fadden finished out his playing career in style, as he was again awarded a spot on the all-ECAC team, but was also selected as a first t-team all-american by both Hewlett-Packard and Division III Hanson Football Gazette. Hanson also selected him as its National Player of the Year, the first time in the history of Wilkes University that a football player received such an honor. “He had the tremendous ability but also the work ethic to match it,” said Sheptock. Photo Credits: Rebecca Baker Sandosky & Dan McKeown Courtesy of Marketing Communications Lisa Kravitz Miller, Jim Domzalski, Joe DeMelfi, JJ Fadden, & Ben McKeown The Beacon/Tom Reilly At left: Jen Keegan has scored 12 goals for the Lady Colonels this season. That total ties her with Jenna DiSabatino for the team lead in goals scored. HALL OF FAME, from Page 20 Lisa Kravitz Miller Volleyball JJ Fadden Football Class of 1988 Class of 1998 “I wasn’t here when Lisa was a student, but one thing I always hear people say about her was that she was definitely ahead of her time,” said current Wilkes Athletic Director, Adelene Malatesta. Miller, who graduated from Wilkes in 1988, was one of the best, if not the best, volleyball players to ever step foot on the court at Wilkes. During her brilliant career, Miller was named Wilkes’ most valuable player all four seasons of eligibility. On top of that, she was a three-time first-team Middle Atlantic Conference first team all-star. Miller, who served as team captain both her junior and senior seasons, set the standard for kills in a season in 1988, when she set the school record by spiking 153 kills on the year. That same year, Miller received both the Letterwomen’s Club scholarship as well as the Coreen Santoro Award. When it was all said and done, Miller left Wilkes University highly regarded as the best volleyball player the school had ever seen. She continued her volleyball career after she was done playing, serving as assistant coach for two seasons at her alma mater. When describing JJ Fadden, Wilkes’s alltime leader in sacks, intense may just be an understatement. “JJ was tremendously intense,” said Frank Sheptock, who recruited Fadden out of high school. “There was no rep, practice or walk through that he didn’t think it was to win the championship. He was so intense, [in practice] he grabbed the facemask of an offensive lineman and ripped it right off. He ripped the four screws right off the helmet. We were mad, but we were like, ‘Wow!’” But beyond the stories and tales that seem like folklore, Fadden left a legacy that will forever be remembered. When it was all said and done, Fadden left Wilkes University as the school’s alltime leader in sacks with 35.5, shared the lead for sacks in a single game with 5, and had a mind-boggling 254 tackles from the defensive end position -- all that in just three full seasons. Fadden’s name was a shoe-in each year he donned the blue and gold, garnering first team All-MAC honors each season he chased down quarterbacks. In 1996, Fadden was named to the all-ECAC team as SOCCER from Page 16 Three of the final five contests will see the Colonels play outside of the friendly confines of Ralston Field. “Anytime you play conference opponents on the road, it’s a difficult challenge,” said assistant coach Michael Pryor. “Fortunately for us, we have experience at key positions that allow the entire squad to play calm and confident wherever the match takes place.” Unfortunately for the Colonels, calm and confident doesn’t always guarantee results. The team has struggled to find the back of the net on the road this season, scoring just two total goals in their five away matches. They haven’t scored a goal in their last 409 minutes of play on the road, dating back to the first half of their first away game of the year against Gwynedd Mercy. “The results don’t show it, but we actually get a lot of opportunities,” junior defenseman Tom Joyce said. “The luck just hasn’t been on our side, and we just can’t finish our chances.” If the Colonels want to make a legitimate playoff push, they’re going to need to find a way to bury those chances. There’s just no way around it. But after going so long without a road goal, the team believes that sooner or later one of their shots is bound to find the back of the net. “We just have to be persistent, as far as running our attack and being patient,” Joyce said. “I think sometimes we’ll get into the final attacking third and we’ll just give the ball up or we’ll just panic. As of late, we’ve been pretty composed on the ball and I think the goals will come.” �SPORTS 20 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Hall of Fame welcomes six new Wilkes Alumni BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor & RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Edtor This past Sunday, five former standout athletes and one legendary coach took their seats amongst Wilkes University legends when they were introduced as the 16th Hall-of-Fame class in the university’s athletic history. And what a diverse crowd it is. This class has it all—football legends Ben McKeown and JJ Fadden, baseball phenom Jim Domzalski, dual sport standout Rebecca Baker, and volleyball ace Lisa Kravitz. Celebrated coach Joe DeMelfi, best known for his work in bringing a downtrodden football team back to national prominence, was also inducted alongside his players. These six individuals each left their own personal mark on the Wilkes University athletic program, and now sit alongside 131 of the greatest athletes and teams to ever step foot on this campus. But what’s most special about this class is that each of these impressive individuals were more than just spectacular athletes, these men and women demonstrated their prowess as leaders both in the classroom as well as amongst their peers on the fields and courts. Each member left a lasting impression on this school, and will now be forever remembered for their accomplishments. Joe DeMelfi Football Head Coach 1990-1995 Although he may have roamed the Ralston field sidelines for only six years, head football Coach Joe DeMelfi made the most of his short tenure. The fiery coach instilled a hardworking attitude into a program that was searching for an identity. With DeMelfi at the helm, the Colonels went from Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) cellar dwellers to conference powerhouse in the matter of only three seasons. Current football head coach Frank Sheptock, who was DeMelfi’s defensive coordinator during his six-year reign, praised his former mentor for his dedication to rebuilding this football team. “He worked very hard for this program, on and off the field, to build it into a championship contender,” said Sheptock. “He wanted to put that blue-collar, intense, physical trademark on the program in the beginning to try and change the profile of the program.” In the years leading up to the hire of DeMelfi, the Colonels had only mustered two winning seasons in the previous 15. After only three seasons at the helm, DeMelfi overhauled the entire squad, and led the Colonels to a perfect 10-0 regular season record in 1993, the fifth team in Wilkes history to finish the regular season unbeaten. The Colonels were crowned MAC champs, and DeMelfi was named the MAC Coach of the Year. He was honored as the Kodak AFCA Division III Region 2 Coach of the Year as well as the Jostens Division III National Coach of the Year. DeMelfi continued his great turnaround in 1994, leading his Colonels to a 9-2 record and an ECAC Southeastern Championship with a 28-21 victory over Stony Brook. “He had a great plan, and he really worked it,” said Sheptock. “To become the national coach of the year in just four years, that’s tremendously special, and reflective of who he is and what his abilities are. It speaks volumes of his work ethic, intensity, and desire.” Ben McKeown Football Class of 1995 A key cog of DeMelfi’s vaunted 1993 team was defensive back Ben McKeown. The star cornerback was an intimidating presence in the Colonels’ defensive backfield for four spectacular years. After a breakout freshman year in which he was named to the MAC second team, McKeown built off his early success and garnered first-team all-MAC honors his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. “Ben was huge for our team,” said former teammate and current Wilkes assistant football coach Mike Mcree. “He was the leader of a great secondary and we all knew that no matter what, he was going to get the job done.” In 1994, McKeown was named to the Football Gazette All-American second team, as well as the NCAA Division III SID’s All-American third team. He left Wilkes University second on the school’s all-time interceptions list. McKeown was a centerpiece of both the 1993 and 1994 teams, which combined to go 19-3 over the two seasons. Aside from his tremendous ball-hawking skills, McKeown’s intimidating presence and ability to shut down any player on the field contributed to his stellar career. “Ben was huge,” said Mcree. “He was bigger than all of our linebackers, but could cover anyone on the field. He was a true lock-down guy.” Rebecca Baker Sandosky Volleyball & Baksetball Class of 1998 When alumni and students discuss the best athletes to ever come through this school, a name that constantly is in the conversation is Rebecca Baker Sandosky. Sandosky was a very special athlete, one who did not just play one sport, she played two, and dominated them both. During her record-breaking tenure at Wilkes, Baker suited up for both the basketball and volleyball teams, re-writing nearly every record in the record books for both sports. In volleyball, she holds the career record for blocks with 532, as well as total blocks in a season with 192. Baker started her volleyball career off with a bang, receiving the Rookie of the Year award her freshman year. During her sophomore and junior seasons, Baker was a first team Freedom League selection, and was selected to the second team her senior season. As a sophomore, she was selected to two All Tournament teams, as well as the CoSIDA Academic All Region. In 1997, she was a CoSIDA District Academic All-American. When the fall sports season was over, Baker slipped out of the volleyball uniform and into basketball attire. Let’s just say her accomplishments on the basketball court were nothing short of spectacular. Baker still holds numerous records in women’s basketball at Wilkes. Included in those is the record for field goal percentage in a season with an astounding 69.3%. She also holds the record for rebounds in one game with a staggering 22 boards ripped down. Over her illustrious career, she averaged a double-double with 16.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. She sits in second place on the all-time list in career rebounds with 997, third in career points (1,447), and fifth in points in a season (428). Fresh off being elected conference rookie of the year in basketball, Baker was honored with Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of the basketball season. In her sophomore and junior seasons, she was a first team Freedom League performer, as well as a second team player her senior year. And to wrap up her memorable career, Baker received second team Southern Region ECAC All Star honors. Jim Domzalski Baseball Class of 1998 Whether it was the career leader in at-bats, or in rbi’s, Jim Domzalski’s name appears time and time again at the very top. While serving as team captain for his final three seasons, it was “Jimmy D’s” freshman season when he exploded onto the baseball scene. In a matchup versus Moravian, Domzalski hit three homeruns, drove in eight runs, and tallied 14 total bases. All three of these feats were and still are single game school records, and may never be touched again. As a Sophomore, Domzalski was named the team’s “Most Dedicated Player,” indicating the work ethic that Domzalski brought on top of the talent. Wilkes head baseball coach Joseph Folek, who coached Domzalski during his four years at the University, never met a player with the drive and intensity that Jimmy D displayed on the diamond. “Jimmy D is the ultimate example of an old-fashioned hard-nosed ballplayer,” said Folek. “Jimmy was known for and always played the game the way it was suppose to be played. He was tough as nails and he’d do anything to help his team win a ballgame.” Domzalski also served as team captain his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, showing off his outstanding leadership abilities that were admired by Folek. “He was tough as nails and he’d do anything to help his team win a ballgame,” said Folek. “He is the only player that I’ve coached, played with, or known at Wilkes who was named captain of the team his sophomore year due to his outstanding leadership.” In his captivating four year career, the slick shortstop was elected to the Middle Atlantic Conference all-conference first team his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He finished his stellar career as the school’s leader in at-bats (510), hits (163) and runs batted in (129) and is second in school history in singles (113), doubles (34), total bases (260) and games played (133). Domzalski went on to play baseball professionally in Europe for the Montpellier Barracudas of the French Federation Baseball League, but it was his four special years at Wilkes that have earned him a seat next his father Gene, who was inducted into the Wilkes Hall of Fame as a baseball coach in 1996. SEE HALL OF FAME, Page 19 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 October 13th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 October 13 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University