218 15 4134 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/79b4b715bd7f0da7f6ae808280b4e80a.pdf 455933390312e97f9aba2b92cb75748d PDF Text Text BEST HOllDAY: WHITNEY ROPER CHRISTMAS SHOULD TAKE ABACKSEAT TO Wilkes University's Rockin' Roller HALLowEEN SPORTS I PAGE 19 OP/EDI PAGE 8 The I OCOTBER 27, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Program ties freshmen to med schools Volume 62 Issue 6 Wilkes hosts 8th annual Trespasser found Alcohol Awareness Week in Commuter Lounge BY BETHANY YAMRICK Correspondent BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Wilkes University is now offering the Premedical Scholars Early Assurance BS/MD program, a new scholarship for premedical freshman. The program grants early acceptance to one of three medical schools to those who are approved for the scholarship and maintain certain requirements. Eileen Sharp, manager of health sciences, admitted four freshmen into the program this year. The students admitted were Jacquelyn Gallo, Nisarg Joshi, Nathaniel Lamoreaux, and Brielle Stanton, all freshmen pre-med majors. The four students were able to choose from three participating medical schools: Drexel University, State University of New York, and Hersey PA State College of Medicine. In order for each student to maintain the scholarship, they must meet different requirements set by each of the medical schools. Gallo said her minimum requirements at the Hersey PA State College of Medicine are to maintain a 3.5 GPA in all of her science courses. When taking the MCATs, Gallo’s score must meet the average set by matriculants during the previous year. In addition, Gallo must participate in 25 hours of community service each year. During her last year, she must shadow in a hospital. “You [also] must be from central Pennsylvania, with intention to work [in central On Sunday, October 18 at 1:17 a.m. a man was discovered trespassing in the Commuter Lounge, located in the basement of Conyngham Hall. Public Safety confirmed that the man is not a student at Wilkes University. The man gave Public Safety the name of Josh Samuels, but after learning that the Wilkes-Barre Police were en route, he changed his name to Menachem Mendel Wachtel. According to the City of Wilkes-Barre’s police report, the incident was cited as criminal trespassing and the suspect, Wachtel, 18, was arrested. While Public Safety officers were making their rounds, they discovered the front See FRESHMEN page 3 The Beacon/ Allison Roth This overturned car was on display during Alcohol Awareness Week, held from October 19 through October 23. To see the full story, including student opinions and DUI by the numbers, see ALCOHOL AWARENESS See TRESPASSER page 5 Wilkes software detects computer virus, stops spread BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief On Monday, October 12, Wilkes University’s Information Technology Services (IT) was notified of a campus-wide virus attempt. The attempt occurred in the form of an email, which was disguised as a message from tech-admin@wilkes.edu. The message read, “Attention! On October 16, 2009 server upgrade will take place. INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com WEEK on page 4. I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 Due to this the system may be offline for approximately half an hour. The changes will concern security, reliability and performance of mail service and the system as a whole. For compatibility of your browsers and mail clients with upgraded server software you should run SSl certificates update procedure. This procedure is quite simple. All you have to do is just to click the link provided, to save the patch file and then to run it from your computer location. That’s Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 all.” A link was provided for the recipient to click, which would lead to the download of the virus. According to Ikram Muhammed, technical director of Client Services, a university staff member contacted the IT department after clicking the link provided in the email. Before the program could begin to down- See VIRUS page 2 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK & DUI BY THE NUMBERS PAGE4 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com OCTOBER 27, 2009 2 WILKES NEWS BRIEFS JEAN ADA BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor SORDONI ART GALLERY FACULTY EXHIBIT – On Monday October 19, the Sordoni Art Gallery will begin running a faculty exhibit that will continue until December 13. The faculty members who contributed include Jean C. Adams, Sharon Bowar, Nicole DePolo, Beverly Glennon, Bruce Lanning, Darlene Miller-Lanning, Mary Lou Steinberg and Professors Emeriti, Richard Fuller, and Herbert Simon. The artists worked in a broad range of techniques and styles. SPAIN STUDY ABROAD TRIP – This summer, there will be a trip to Madrid, Spain and four days in Paris during July 1 to 29, 2010. Students earn six credits, which are transferable to Wilkes, while traveling in Spain. The trip costs $3,995 and includes two three credit courses, international VIRUS from FRONT PAGE load, the university’s anti-virus software, Sophos, blocked the program and identified it as a virus. Upon confirming the attempt on Monday afternoon, a message was sent to all students, faculty and staff informing them to refrain from clicking the hyperlink if they received the email in question. “Several schools received a mass-mailing of that same message, with their school’s domain name changed in the link that went to the actual virus,” said Jason Wagner, a web programmer for the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. “Oklahoma State University was also affected by the virus mailing.” Wagner further explained, “The link in our email was to updates.wilkes.edu.secure.1admin.net, and through domain forwarding, it is very easy to just create URLs on the fly. They could replace wilkes.edu in there with round-trip airfare from NY to Madrid, flight from Madrid to Paris, airport transfers, lodging in a single room, all meals included (except for dinner on Sundays), four days in Paris for a hotel and breakfast, guided tours and health insurance. For more information, please contact Dr. Paola Bianco at paola.bianco@wilkes.edu or 408-4519. MIDDLE STATES SELF-STUDY OPEN FORUMS – The Middle States Steering Committee will be holding the second and third of three open forums next Monday, November 2 at 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, November 3 at 2:30 p.m., respectively. The purpose of these forums is to discuss the Middle States Self Study draft. The forums will be held in the Miller Conference Room. okstate.edu, and have the URL updates.okstate.edu.secure.1-admin.net forward the visitor to the same place as the URL sent to Wilkes emails.” The process used in the attempt to spread the virus is called mail-spoofing, said Wagner. In this case, messages appear to be sent by one user -- tech-admin@wilkes.edu -but are really sent by another. Muhammed and Wagner do not know where the virus originated, but Muhammad noted that the domain “admin.net” is hosted in Russia. Members of IT also do not know what would have happened to a computer if a recipient would have clicked the link and had it successfully downloaded to the hard drive. Muhammad and other members of IT did not wish to click the link and risk infecting school or personal computers to find out the extent of damage the virus was designed to cause. “I think the purpose of this email was simply to spread the virus, but I didn’t go into 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 The Sordoni Art Gallery held the opening reception of the Faculty Exhibition 2009 on Sunday, October 25. Pictured here are the contributing artists; the exhibit will run through December 13. details to find what the intent was,” said Muhammad. “It could have been for the fun of it, the excitement of it, or maybe they used this one as a launching pad to set it up on the machine and launch another attack down the road.” He noted that IT had not received any reports of infected computers on or off campus. Had someone successfully downloaded the virus onto one of the school’s computers, Muhammed said that it would not affect the students, faculty or staff members who use the computer at a later date or time. “All of the computers in the labs on campus are frozen,” he said. “So even if they click on it and it affects the computer in any way, shape, or form, once the computer is rebooted, it is in pristine condition.” While users with a background in computer sciences or technologies would have been able to identify the link as a threat simply from its lack of “http,” users without this knowledge may have mistaken the link, 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 and the message, as credible. Muhammad stated that there are various ways every user can avoid computer viruses. This includes going to the official website, such as MyWilkes, to locate the announcement, installing anti-virus software, such as Sophos, and calling IT if there are any doubts to a message’s credibility. Bianca Sabia, senior English major, has had to deal with an infected computer in the past, and is now suspicious of many emails that call for an action, such as submitting personal information or following a link to an unknown website. “I won’t click on anything that I don’t recognize already,” said Sabia. “A lot of emails from familiar sites, I won’t click on them if I haven’t requested the information… I won’t go to a Web site that’s questionable, either.” As of Sunday, October 18, all of the university’s online systems were working properly and were free of all virus-related threats. Meet the Staff Michael Cignoli Assistant Sports Editor �NEWS OCTOBER 27, 2009 FRESHMEN from FRONT PAGE Pennsylvania] post graduation,” Gallo said. Stanton and Joshi had similar requirements. However, Stanton must complete a writing assignment which sums up her educational experiences at the end of each year. Joshi also had an obligation to join the preprofessional society club. “I like the program because I know exactly what I have to do, and the goals are set,” said Joshi. If the students do not complete these requirements, they lose their scholarship. However, they may still apply to medical school. The students interviewed with Sharp, as well as the medical school that grants acceptance into the program and the hospital where the student will shadow. Each medical school limits the early acceptance scholarship to one or two freshmen. Gallo, who is committed to Hershey PA State College of Medicine, explained that such eight-year programs are becoming more common and respected, as opposed to the shorter accelerated program. On the other hand, Stanton does not believe many other medical schools will pick up on the trend of this type of scholarship. “I don’t think med schools will allow many programs like this because they are already very selective with who they admit,” Stanton said. Stanton, who is committed to State University of New York, explained that she found out about the scholarship through her admission counselor at Wilkes. Lamoreaux’s experience with the scholarship was a bit different. He was first accepted to Wilkes, and then contacted by Sharp to apply for the scholarship. According to Lamoreaux, who is committed to Drexel, being accepted to the early acceptance premed program helped him decide on Wilkes, in the long run. Joshi, who is committed to Drexel, as well, shares Lamoreaux’s experience. “I was researching similar programs, and came across it online,” said Joshi. “It is a prominent program, but not too many schools have it, probably [only] 20 to 25.” All of the four accepted freshmen agreed that there are benefits to the program and it affected their choice to come to Wilkes. Stanton agreed it is a good program for freshman. “If [students] are definitely sure they want to pursue medicine then it is a great program to get into because it eliminates some of the pressure,” Stanton said. 3 The Beacon/Allison Roth During the week, there was a display in the Henry Student Center with photos and captions of people who have died due to alcohol related accidents. A student from SUNY Buffalo who was killed in a drunk driving accident is pictured above. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore '7 Sou th Main St:reet ~llk:es-Ba rre PA 18701 ~ 5? 0 .208 .47100 ~ ~w.k:es bu.c ollege .,c om \tVl-iat 's New! . : : ••. ,I ~ Jl . •.-' ~-. - .......... ___ .. ; -- . . I ..... . - •' .. . - ,._ f Ho'1 ab,0 11tPJ Pants .01~v·o11 lo1111gers? t C,a rnoufl,a ge .h ats ·f o 1 .· o 1 011tdoor e11tl·.i 1s·asts! Al e ,-ro11 1 eadv· f o .~tl e 110l i ays? D011~ forget orn,a 1nents J:or the h-ee. 1 MIIW B · ·_ CH.P L SH ·•T.l JlfALS l �NEWS 4 Is Alcohol Awareness Week effective? Students reminded of drinking dangers during Alcohol Awareness Week BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor & JOSHUA PELLEW Correspondent “I know there’s a walk, but it needs better advertisement. There should be a video or mandatory speaker session.” - Adrienne Dorcent Sophomore, nursing major “Yes, it’s a good thing to help students know what to do.” Josh Shaver Freshman, pre-pharmacy major “Yeah, I’ve seen [the car] before and I think that is effective. I haven’t gone to any events, though.” Sarah Gerstman Junior, environmental science major OCTOBER 27, 2009 For one week during the month of October, Wilkes University observed its eighth annual National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. During the week-long event, students are presented with the dangers and effects of Alcohol and Driving Under the Influence (DUI), as well as ways to prevent alcohol-related incidents from occurring. During the week of October 19 through October 23, different events were organized by Gail Holby, coordinator of health and wellness promotion, urging students to “Be Part of the Solution.” Events were held both on and off-campus. “National Collegiate Awareness week is a great opportunity to promote and educate students on the dangers of alcohol,” said Holby. The week started off with the DUI Victims Moving Memorial presented on the greenway on Monday, October 19. The Wilkes community honored and remembered those who lost their lives as a result of driving while impaired or at the hand of other drunk drivers. This event also increased awareness about the intense consequences of driving under the influence. The Moving Memorial is a replica of the original DUI Victims’ Memorial. The Pennsylvania DUI Association dedicated the original DUI Victims’ Memorial Garden in 2003. The original Memeorial Garden is located at the DUI Association’s headquarters in Harrisburg. The garden includes 1,300 engraved bricks with the names of victims who died in DUI related accidents. On Tuesday, October 20, an Alcohol Awareness Walk encouraged students, faculty and staff to heighten alcohol awareness. Holby explained that more than 300 participants, including students, faculty and staff came out for the walk, making this year’s walk either the biggest or second biggest in its eight year history. Anna Mitchell, sophomore Spanish major, attended the walk. “Many people from the community came and showed support for alcohol awareness,” said Mitchell. “It has made me reconsider the consequences of alcohol among college students.” The BACCHUS (Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students) club helped conduct Alcohol Awareness week. BACCHUS sponsored the “Alcohol Bingo” on October 22 where students were awarded Henry Student Center gift cards as prizes. Krista Hill, a senior psychology major, is involved with BACCHUS and said this week is important on the Wilkes campus. “Every month we promote a different health-related theme, but Alcohol Awareness week is definitely our biggest week,” said Hill. Hill, on behalf of BACCHUS, provided some tips for students contemplating an evening filled with alcohol. She urged students to avoid binge drinking. If students do choose to drink, Hill added that they shold not get into a car. If they must get into a car, a designated driver should be selected before the night begins. Students can also use the University’s ‘Safe-ride’ system. The ‘saferide’ system provides Wilkes University students who are under the influence with transportation back to campus by Posten Taxi. The service is free of charge. Alcohol Awareness week ended with an educational display by Health Services and Campus Counseling, who presented students with information and answered questions about alcohol. Holby, a coordinator and speaker at the event, encouraged students to know the signs of alcohol poisoning and seek help. Holby recommended some tips to students about how to prevent the dangers and effects of alcohol. She explained that it is important for students to get involved in different activities because there’s always something to do on campus, especially within organizations. She also recommended that students know the signs of alcohol poisoning and get help if someone is in trouble. According to Holby, the effectiveness of the week is difficult to measure, but overall, she is happy with the turnout at various events. “If one student says, ‘Hey, wait a minute, I don’t think I’m going to do this,’ then we’ve done our job. If just one person is affected, that is great,” she said. DUI BY THE NUMBERS in Pennsvlvania last vear: 40,000 arrests made 13,514 alcohol related crashes 10,619 people in.iured 542 “It’s not applicable to me. If I par- “The most effective part was “I do not believe it is effective at tied, then maybe. I’ve seen the car the car. It’s more effective than Wilkes because no one pays any and I’m thinking, ‘What’s the rea- the signs on campus because it’s attention.” Jim Colosimo in your face and you have to look son?’” - Mohamed Jalloh Senior, criminology major Sophomore, undeclared at it.” - Jordan Brown Sophomore, Spanish major The Beacon/ Jacqueline Lukas people killed acts from the Pennsvlva nia State Police DUI StrikeForce �OCTOBER 27, 2009 NEWS 5 STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Treasurer’s Report: All College: $5,600 Conferences: $10,000 General: $2,300 Leadership: $3,000 Special Projects: $2,050 Spirit: $1,000 Start-Up: $1,500 Club Reports: Programming Board: Joshua Seth performed October 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ballroom. John Zaffas talked about ghost hunting on October 25 at 8:00 p.m. in the Ballroom. MSC: On Saturday October 24, MSC took a trip to New York City to go to Ellis Island. Talent show sign-ups start on October 22. A Thanksgiving dinner is planned for November 21. New Business: Dean Adams and Dr. Lew – Middle States Discussion: Paul Adams, dean of student affairs, and Dr. Vee Ming Lew, associate professor and chair of math and computer science, spoke about the Middle States Committee. Adams and Lew are the co-chairs of the committee. Middle States is designed to monitor the quality of higher education in the Middle States region. Middle States TRESPASSER from FRONT PAGE and side doors of Conyngham Hall ajar, explained Gerald Rebo, manager of Public Safety. The officers then decided to look around inside the building where they found Wachtel sitting in the lounge, watching television. Wachtel told Public Safety that he had been in the Commuter Lounge before with a friend once last year and thought he would go to the lounge; this time, by himself. Rebo explained that Wachtel was not armed or dangerous and nothing was taken or damaged in the Commuter Lounge. “He says he is from Canada,” said Rebo. “We think he lives in the Jewish home across from Breiseth Hall. We have trouble with [those residents] all the time.” Rebo explained that residents from Bais Menachem, the Jewish home loctaed on 148-150 S. Franklin Street, have given Public Safety and Wilkes University students problems in the past. Rebo said that the residents from Bais Menachem enter Breiseth is sanctioned, not run or controlled, by the Federal Government. Receiving Title 4 financial aid comes from the Middle States and it must be accredited to the University by the regional accrediting body. Every ten years, the Middle States Committee at Wilkes University must do a self- study. The self-study of Wilkes University has been comprised in a collaborative effort by faculty and administrators. “Basically, if this were a marathon, we would be in the 22nd mile of the 26.2 mile race,” said Dr. Lew. He continued to explain that the Middle States Committee at Wilkes University is at the feedback stage of revising the self-study. Middle States expects the institution to constantly self-examine and asses the institution itself. Also, Middle States would like to see more staff development which would mean keeping faculty and staff as up-to-date and as skilled as possible. For more information on the Middle States Committee and discussion, open forums will be held on November 2 at 3:00 p.m. and November 3 at 2:30 p.m. Saudi Interest Club Recognition (Week 1 of 1): The Saudi Interest group currently has about 45 members. It is open to all students and aims to introduce new Saudi students to the area. The group plans on exchanging culture and activities between Saudi students and American students. They also would like to celebrate some Saudi holidays. The members of the group would like Hall and use the computers and facilities available to Wilkes students. Rebo reminds students that Public Safety monitors all buildings on a regular basis and that Conyngham Hall is safe and secure. During the Commuter Council (CC) meeting on October 22, Courtny Sasserson, vice president of CC and sophomore business major, brought up the trespasser. The students in attendance were surprised and confused, but all students agreed they need to make sure the door of the lounge is locked when the last person leaves. “Things have been taken care of in the Commuter Council Lounge,” Sasserson said. “We will try to put a sign up in the lounge reminding students to keep the door locked. Public Safety will continue to make their rounds so that the building will remain safe and secure.” Kevin Hettrich, president of Commuter Council, declined comment. Barbara King, adviser to Commuter Council, could not be reached for comment. 10-21-09 to increase student involvement by creating flyers around campus. A motion was made to grant the Saudi Interest group club status. The motion passed 24-3-2. Juniors: Planning a full class meeting soon. Seniors: Bart & Urby’s social was held on October 22. Old Business: Homecoming Events Member of the Month: Stacy Prelewicz Closing Comments: OCC: Pizza with the President went really well. A meeting was held on October 22. IRHC: A dorm decorating contest was held with 13 participating halls; also planning a Study Break party. CC: Planning a New York City bus trip and a meeting was held on October 22. Events: McGlynn Halloween Party on October 29 Open House on November 14 Texas Hold ‘Em on November 19 Casino Night on November 20 The City of Wilkes-Barre Annual Christmas Parade on November 21 Committees: Campus Support met to discuss topics including: Leaf removal on campus has begun. Test on the Wilkes University text message alerts H1N1 vaccine will be on campus in the first week of November. Wilkes University has requested 2,000 doses of the vaccine. Students will be given the vaccine first and then it will be given to faculty and staff. Class Reports: Freshmen: Planning a pumpkin decorating contest. Sophomores: Art Appreciation Day will be held on today, October 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. -Wims UN!VtRs!Tr- *At 7:15 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. Last week's winner of Dinner and a Movie for 4 at JANUZZI'S & MOVIES 14 Anita Williams n't like Jf.Tee Stuffi . ... . . . . . ._y- (3 a ·ayt Two winners will each receive... 5 tickets to a Haunted Attraction Sponsored By: Located in the East End Center, Wilkes-Barre 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 Thursday, October 29, by 4pm.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com 6 OCTOBER 27, 2009 Culture of pride, school spirit missing at Wilkes BY THE BEACON Editorial Board in their conference and don’t even have a cheering section. Our homecomeing parade took exactly 10 minutes and .07 seconds from start to finish because 98% of the people in attendance were either marching in the parade or just “happened” to be walking up or down N. Main street. Attend a Student Government meeting, and you would see that very few students at any time throughout any day. But is it really fair to compare Wilkes University to Penn State? Yes. Why shouldn’t Western civilization places both positive we? If size is the only difference between and negative connotations upon referencus, then there is no reason why we could es to size. Consequently it is those things not outmatch their spirit and pride on any which are deemed “small” that receive the given day. brunt of the negative references. We have just as much in which to take Since the approach and passing of the new pride as they clearly do. We have athletes millennium, those things which have been who break records and win championships. classified as “small” have made atOur students are successful in the tempts to strike back against their classroom and in society. The small status and do big things for Wilkes faculty are some of the the world. most qualified educators in the We see the clearest examples of country. Our alums are spread those deemed as “small” making all across the globe, doing many “big” things happen in Hollywood great things that are making a movies: Disney’s Toy Story illusdifference in the world. trates that small and insignificant It’s easy to take pride in someaction figures Woody and Buzz thing that gets as much publicity can represent two different types of as a university like Penn State, person’s ability to coexist and work but the real displays for pride together for a common good. And and school spirit are shown Frank Miller’s 300 where a small when nobody else is looking. unit of Spartans defend their homeThere is a clear presence of land from over 150,000 Persian inpride within the small number vaders. of students we have on this camMuch like those small toys or the pus. We have students touching 300 brave men, Wilkes University’s lives and contributing to cultures 2,300 full-time undergraduate stuall over the world, and little do The Beacon/Melanie Beacon/Melanie Thomas Thomas The dents from 20 states and four forthey know that they are also repeign countries represent but a small resenting the “small” campus of Wilkes University’s Homecoming Parade from N.Main St. portion of people also making larWilkes university when they do to Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre was a prime ager-than-life moves. such things. The only problem example of the lack of school spirit on campus. Our university makes great strides with these small displays of pride toward getting its students fully prepared show up at the meetings who are not SG in the University is that we do not share for whatever it is that they may want to pur- members. These meetings are open to any them with each other. sue during and after their graduating from and all Wilkes University students who are If a student at Wilkes University just pubWilkes. willing to voice their concerns to an elected lished a research finding, broke a record, We have exactly 100 clubs/organizations, body of fellow students. Yet no one goes. It or held a door open for an elderly woman eight Division-3 sporting teams for both seems that no one cares. walking past, a spirited chant of support is men and women, intramural sports for both We have many organizations on our cam- in order for that person. The small things go the spring and fall semesters, and 16 seper- pus dedicated to putting on functions that the furthest in life and the same motto apate national honor societies. are designed to enhance the Wilkes Univer- plies to our university. Although our University provides students sity experience. But why are our students We may not have a Division-1 sports with such a wide array of opportunities to not as dedicated to elevating their pride in a program, 15,000 incoming freshman every expand and grow as future professionals, university which obviously values them? year, or Detla houses, but we do have a lot it is disheartening to see the lack of school The answer lies in the sad fact that finding to be proud of within the small confines of spirit expressed by the student body after all an enthusiastic student covered in blue and our comfortable university. Join a club. Atof the opportunities it is afforded. gold garb chanting for The Wilkes Univer- tend events. Stick around campus rather For example, go to a women’s volleyball sity Colonels at 9:00 a.m on a Monday is than heading home after your last class of game. The team doesn’t even have a cheer- unlikely to happen. the day. Take pride in Wilkes University, ing section. This is disappointing, especialAt a University such as Penn State, you because it takes pride in seeing you succeed. ly since the team is doing so well this year. will hear “WE ARE” on one end of the We all need to take more strides to create a They have a 500- winning percent average campus and the response “PENN STATE” culture of school spirit and pride at Wilkes. 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 32 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think Wilkes professors give too many assignments over break? • Yes 75% • No 25% Next Week’s Question: Do you think the collective Wilkes student body has enough school spirit? • 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. �OCTOBER 27, 2009 - YOUR Ri\Cl f5 OPINION 7 Dear Editor, Have you ever envisioned your future to be a tremendously fulfilling, happy place? Perhaps you have dreamt about a life for yourself that encouraged a gratifying smile to form across your face? I know I have! The exceptionality of my situation is one whereby my dreams became my reality and furthermore, I attribute much of my success to my mentor, Dr. Anne Heineman-Batory. Her support coupled with great family and friends and my resolve to embrace opportunity has comprehensively created a life for me that I often times query as a quirk of fate…but is it? The purpose of my writing is in response to the article that ran in The Times Leader entitled, “Wilkes teachers honored with awards.” As an adoring alumnus of Wilkes University, I not only value the education I received, but moreover the extraordinarily precious relationships I formed with their caring and talented faculty. Early on in my academic career, I stumbled upon my very first encounter with a professor that had captured my interest in a way I never realized was possible. Although we had not officially met at the time, Dr. Jeffrey Alves willingly embraced my request to serve as my academic advisor the year I transferred to Wilkes. I will never forget that summer meeting, nor will my parents, as it was the first time I actually became excited about learning! From there, the experiences only matured to what I consider an amazing time in my life where I truly discovered myself. It was not until I continued on in the MBA program at Wilkes that I had the pleasure of working with an invaluable faculty member, who is still an integral part of my life today. Dr. Anne Heineman-Batory em- braced my inquisitiveness and encouraged my passion for marketing, leadership and most of all working with people. She has been an essential ingredient in every aspect of my professional life to date, supporting me in all of my career decisions from industry experience, to adjunct teaching, to present day where I serve as a full-time faculty member at Moravian College, Bethlehem. I knew she was special when she encouraged my decision, with my husband, that I would quit my corporate marketing position, sell our home, and uproot my family to Miami, Florida for the sole purpose of embracing my dream to be a college professor. The few years I spent working on my doctorate were painfully pleasurable and, like Dr Batory promised, nothing short of a transformational experience. It is my hope that I can give back to my students at Moravian College by not only modeling Dr. Batory as an exemplar of stewardship, but also through self-reflection and the impact this special relationship has had on my life. Mentors are the little angels that guide us through the peaks and valleys of life and, for me, they are precious gems that I can only aspire to replicate. In sum, my message is simple – if you are a mentor or aspire to be a mentor take the time to reflect on the impact you can have on individuals and if you have a mentor remember to appreciate and communicate their value often. Kind Regards, Katie P. Desiderio, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Management Moravian College 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: 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. Please submit letters to thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS ter company may use all of these methods, some, or even just one. In a study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), nearly 22 percent of the brands tested contained, in at least one sample, chemical contaminants at levels above strict state health limits and if some of the chemical contaminants are consumed over a long period of time, they could cause cancer or lead to other health problems. While there are dangers associated with bottled water, there are also benefits to drinking tap water besides it being potentially safer. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prides themselves on providing technical assistance in the fluoridation of water in the United States, which is a major factor responsible for the decline of tooth decay. Most bottled waters, however, do not contain fluoride. For those concerned with the effects bottled water has on the environment, the NRDC estimates that only about 13 percent of the plastic used to bottle water gets recycled. If you are still not convinced to drink tap water instead of bottled water, consider the cost and how much money you would be saving. Some bottles can cost up to $2.00, while tap water costs a fraction of a cent per gallon. So, the next time you get the urge to quench your thirst and only water will do, make it tap water in a reusable sports bottle. Or, if you dislike that mineral-like taste specific only to tap water, get yourself a Brita filter for your sink faucet. They are only around $30 and will give you better piece of mind in the long run. You will save yourself the health risks and some money while helping the environment. And maybe you will keep your teeth a little longer in life. we all see it in every corner store, gas station, supermarket, cafe, and fast food restaurant: the exuberant amount of bottled water brands. From Aquafina to Zephyrhills, the list seems endless and ongoing. We are all guilty of indulging ourselves in a bottled water or two from time to time, and for some of us the preference to drink bottled water instead of tap is almost an addiction. According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, an organization that provides consulting and marketing reports to the global beverage industry, bottled water accounts for 28.9% of the global beverage market--second only to carbonated soft drinks--and is projected to increase. The grand question is: Would bottled water be the second most consumed beverage on the market if we were all aware of the potential dangers and environmental effects that drinking bottled water causes? Certainly not. These disillusioned consumers that think they are drinking water that is safer than tap must be informed about the facts and stop drinking so much bottled water. Municipal drinking water, or tap water, if you have a preference, is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the EPA, municipal drinking water must meet standards for 90 different contaminants. If the water does not meet all of these standards, water suppliers may not supply it to the public. Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In relation, the EPA also states that the FDA sets bottled water standards based on their tap water standards, but the bottled water produced may be treated more, less or not at all. This is a great risk if you do not know specifically how the bottled water is treated for sterilization. According to The Public Health and Safety Company (NSF), bottled water companies use a variety of different treatment methods to sterilize water, such as ozone or ultraviolet technologies, filtration, reverse osmosis, or distillation. Each bottled wa- The Beacon/Tom Reilly �OPINION 8 OCTOBER 27, 2009 can be useful LONG LIVE THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN Multi-tasking Except when driving and texting simultaneously Christmas can take a backseat to the best holiday around (I),________ Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS It’s the hap-happiest seeeason of all ... And, I’m definitely not talking about that washed up holiday that always ends up leaving moths in your wallet at the end of every year--Christmas. The season of concern here and now is Halloween, the holiday that comes just once a year, but humbly for one day, unlike its evil counterpart, Christmas, which takes up almost two months. Christmas pails in comparison to Halloween’s barrage of spooky-themed fun packed into one day: dressing-up in cool costumes, making mischief, eating candy, scaring unsuspecting citizens, telling ghost stories, trick-or-treating, pulling Halloween pranks, carving pumpkins, and jumping into big piles of brown and yellow leaves scattered about the ground. Celebrating Halloween takes but one day’s time. Imagine trying to do the same with Christmas rituatls: Malls all over America would be ransacked, highways would be shut down due to catastrophic traffic jams, and the level of body fat on every celebrator of Christmas would at least double. To celebrate Halloween, you don’t need to shop for gifts, travel to see all of your relatives, or eat three seperate dinners in one day. All of the fun surrounding Halloween requires little to moderate preparation. My main beef with Christmas is that it is drawn out between Black Friday and even a few weeks after December 25. During this time, celebrators of Christmas aren’t as worried about making preparations for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ; they feel it is the “last chance to buy presents.” And on top of its daunting length, the components that comprise the Christmas holiday season for almost two months tend to linger. For example, putting on unwanted pounds from all the Christmas dinners and Christmas cookies one consumes become difficult to remove, and Christmas songs that have been around for 50 years or more are heard constantly anywhere and everywhere. The worst thing you could get from the piles of Halloween candy you’ll likely consume in this one blessed day is a belly ache because after 20 miniature Snickers bars, your brain is going to make them lose their appeal. And there are only a handful of Hal- BY JASON SUTTON Correspondent loween songs one may hear occasionally on the radio: Thriller, The Monster Mash, or The Ghost Buster’s Theme Song. Above all lingering problems with the Christmas holiday hovers the pressure to buy the perfect gifts for relatives and friends. Along with this pressure comes the checklist of making sure you at least sent cards to all those people unworthy of a gift exchange, which is where the ultimate meaining behind Christmas becomes complicated. There remains some semiotic representations of the what the true meaning of Christmas in America is supposed to be, such as: baby Jesus in the manger, the Star or angel on top of trees, little drummer boys, the statues of three-wise men bearing gifts. Instead of these symbols being highly celebrated from Black Friday untill two weeks after December 25th, they are usurped by the notion buying gifts. In comparing the main activities both holidays imply from an American tradition standpoint, gift receiving/sending is more of a chore when contrasted against dressing up in a costume and partying all night long. By exchanging gifts with another person, the act will indefinitely elicit some sort of anxiety before and afterward. You will wonder: how much should I spend on this person? how much did he/ she spend on me? should I mail it or give to him/her in person?...this is all a bunch of unnecessary malarkey. The greatest gift you could ever give someone is the sharing of a good time. And good times are the only thing to be had during the core celebration ritual of Halloween, dressing-up in costumes. I bet you can remember your first Halloween costume you ever wore. Now try and feel the same about your first Christmassweater your mom forced you to wear during midnight mass…. definitely not a good time. Another downer about Christmas is having to eventually discover the truth about the person leaving presents under your tree for the first 18 years of your life. Upon the discovery of this ridiculous lie, the Christmas spirit slowly beings to die. Unlike Christmas, Halloween’s spirit cannot die because there is always something to be scared of and always a way to make your costume more ridiculous. In essence, Halloween gets better as you get older and it is the best. And don’t even think that you are ever too old not to go trick-or-treating, that’s a bunch of crap. fic alert service. Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. also offer traffic alerts via Twitter. However, it is not just the news stations that send these texts and tweets, it is also the state departments. The Virginia Department of Transportation sends alerts and updates to your email which many people now get on their phone. The Minnesota Department of Transportation offers Twitter alerts as well. This raises a question. Are these traffic texts and tweets counter-indicative to the laws? Many would say “yes.” These agencies, instead, have remarked that the tweets can be read before leaving the home or office, and that drivers should be accountable for handling these messages responsibly. My response is that of course drivers should be held accountable. We don’t need statistics and laws to tell us texting while driving is dangerous. Anyone who has done it inherently knows the dangers involved. Sure, a text about road conditions might catch the eye of a would-be texter, but the drivers that would break the law in this instance would break the law regardless as to the content of the text message. Simply put, detractors of this method tend to believe that drivers exist who would never break this law if only they wouldn’t receive Transportation texts. To blame state departments for sending these texts would be equivalent to blaming bars for serving would-be drivers. A bar or liquor store is not at fault when a driver blows a .11 behind the wheel; the driver is held accountable for breaking this law. Why should text messaging be any different? Studies find that driving while texting, eating, or a myriad of other daily activities are a dangerous gamble. We all, of course, understand this notion. Let’s be honest for a moment, if we could. Recently pundits have brought to light the hypocrisy of news outlets and government organizations sending text updates to drivers. These pundits blame the outlets for not practicing the safety that they air on the news each night. However, I believe that we must sincerely examine the notions of personal responsibility in this situation, and determine if these outlets truly are at fault. Some claim texting while driving is worse than driving drunk. Others, like Monash University Research Center throw statistics into the discussion. Drivers responding to a text message take their eyes off the road nearly 400 times as often as those not texting. Drivers texting attempt to compensate by distancing themselves from the car leading them, but do not reduce speed. In a country rife with the inability to pass laws effectively, nearly half of all states in America have passed laws banning cell phone use while driving. Let’s, for a second, step away from the issue of texting, and instead concern ourselves with the outlets reporting these statistics. News outlets have run these stories into the ground. State departments have all made public comments on the dangers involved. However, these outlets are the same companies, channels, and governments issuing traffic reports via text message. A few such examples of this would be areas such as Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. (all of which have banned cell phone use while driving) issuing up-to-the-minute traffic information via Twitter and texts. Such organizations like Google and NAVTEQ offer the service of having traffic alerts sent to your mobile phones, regardless of where you are in the United States, granted you are in cell phone recepetion. News stations like WSAZ that broadcast to Kentucky, West Virginia, The Beacon/Tom Reilly and Ohio and NBC Washington, which broadcasts Receiving updates on mobile phones while driving difrom Washington D.C. also verts driver’s visual attention away from the road, demoffer the same mobile traf- ostrating the hazard of multi-tasking behind the wheel. �Fall Fashion p. 10 li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com OCTOBER 27, 2009 9 College Days Dr. Mischelle Anthony travels many roads in college BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Five year-old Mischelle Anthony rides her bicycle around her yard in central Oklahoma. She weaves around the yard as the sun starts to peak through the clouds overhead. She looks up. “I remember thinking, ‘Okay, God, are you coming now? Make sure to get my family, too, and my dog,’” remembers Anthony, an associate English professor at Wilkes. As Anthony looked through those clouds and watched the sunbeams flood down onto her little patch of Oklahoma, it set in motion what would become her unique and vivacious view of the world. “It’s a tiny, tiny town. No stoplights. I graduated with 33 people,” says Anthony. Of the 33 students she graduated with, Anthony was the valedictorian. Upholding a family tradition of valedictorians, Anthony followed both her father and grandfather as the strongest academic. Her love of learning and value of education was deep rooted from her childhood and family values. “The transition [from high school to college] was made easier through my family’s value of education,” states Anthony. Anthony traveled only 20 minutes away from home for her undergraduate degree in psychology at Central State University in Oklahoma. The transition into college life was an eye-opening one for Anthony. “It was almost a non-transition. It was a big deal, because it meant perhaps I wasn’t going home every weekend to visit my family. They were always just very supportive. They would go, ‘Ok, great. We’ll visit you. We’ll have dinner,’” remembers Anthony. Despite reaching out to her new college “ peers, Anthony still felt pressure to stay connected to her home life. “I have to say that in the midst of that [moving to college], my mother and grandmother were not thrilled that I didn’t want to live at home. They really wanted me to commute,” says Anthony. As a psychology major, Anthony flew through the bachelor’s program and earned her degree in three years. When Anthony took on college, she took it on full force. “When I was an undergrad it was about speed and efficiency,” says Anthony. Anthony acquired her bachelor’s in psychology degree in 1990 and began her masters in psychology, also at Central State, the following year. Almost halfway through her masters program, Anthony had an epiphany. “I started to get to know more people that were going to be my colleagues in the psychology field and realized I didn’t have the personality for it. I had a crisis of education,” says Anthony. At a pivotal point in her higher education, Anthony chose a path that did not, in fact, lead forward. Her path lead her back to undergraduate education and into the field of English. When reassessing her educational choices, and with an army of supportive family behind her, Anthony backtracked in her education to unveil her true passions. Anthony began speaking to old undergraduate professors at Central State to try and figure out where her talents lied. “They noticed that I had an English minor, I loved reading books and talking to others about them. In fact, they noticed that I cornered people to talk about books,’” recalls Anthony. With the support of family and professors, as well as an instilled self-confidence, Anthony spent the next two years taking prerequisite courses and finishing her bachelor’s degree in English at Central State. She would eventually go on to receive her Ph.D in English from Oklahoma State University, all the while never being more than 45 minutes from her family. Anthony’s winding course through college and back again was a unique experience for her. “The great thing about my undergrad degree is that it was such a new world for me. In high school I was a big nerd. I went to one party my entire high school experience, and I just kind of sat on the couch, watched my friends drink too much, and I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t find people I had things in common with,” remembers Anthony. She continued, “Oh my gosh! When I got to college, though, there were people who were nerdy like me, who liked to read. They also liked to relax and enjoy life. That is something I didn’t learn, unfortunately, from my family life,” says Anthony. In fact, Anthony credits college with saving her life. “Turns out I had a history of depression in my family, that I didn’t know about, and I actually suffered from depression, but didn’t know it at the time. Being able to go to college and see this whole new world outside of my small town literally saved my life,” says Anthony. This high-achieving English major from Oklahoma traveled leaps and bounds to work here at Wilkes University. In fact, she was so excited about being interviewed by Wilkes that she admits to almost throwing up right in her interview. “I called my grandmother after the first ~ - -- - -- ~---=-- - - - -- ~ ~ ~ J Photo courtesy of Dr. Anthony Dr. Mischelle Anthony, age 18, rides on a train in the western countryside on a class trip. day of interviews and said ‘I just love it here, and I don’t know why they would want to hire me,” states Anthony. Anthony credits much of her success and outlook to the support she received from strong female leaders. “When I got to college, I started meeting these women professors who changed my life. I started looking at my grandmother, my mother, and how much support I got from them and how much I wanted to be like them,” she recalls. Anthony continues to instill vivaciousness throughout her students each and every time she stands up to talk about yet another piece of literature. With her sweet southern drawl, Anthony brings her unique view of life and literature to Wilkes. In her own words, Dr. Anthony sees her professor in a whole new light: When I was getting my psychology degree, I took a creative writing class. The professor's name was Russ T. Bowlen. He was our writer-in-residence at the University. I really enjoyed his class. He was a different kind of teacher. He would wear these crazy outfits. He would wear polka dot suspenders that were canary yellow, and a bow tie with a different pattern, and very shiny shoes. He was just very dapper. I was fascinated by him. One day, he didn't show up for class. We kept wondering where he was. So, we left after the 15 minutes you should stay. The next class day, he showed up and said "I'm sorry I missed class, I was in jail, because I got caught drunk driving. So don't drive drunk everybody". And he went on and taught class. I realized that not all professors are the same. People have lives. This was a crack in their armor. “ �10 LIFESTYLES OCTOBER 27, 2009 Female fall fashion is in full swing Brightly colored tights, scarves and coats leading trends this season BY ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER Correspondent Temperatures and leaves are falling. That means it’s time to change your wardrobe again. Every year autumn brings back sweaters, boots and darker colors, and a whole new array of fall fashion trends. This year plaid is in--plaid shirts, skirts, and vests. To pull off this look, wear a fitted plaid shirt or combine two trends in one by adding a belt to a looser or longer fitted plaid shirt. Wide belts are also big “whether it’s [with] a dress, a coat or a long shirt, slap a wide black belt on it,” according to Lorain Blanken’s “How-to Fall Fashion 2009 Guide”. Bling is also in, whether it’s metallics or sequins. “I like that sparkly shirts are a current fashion trend,” said Trisha Sikora, 21, pharmacy major. Bling is not just for going out at night; wear a subtle amount of sparkle to dress up casual daywear. Blacks, grays, navys and neutrals are always great colors for fall, but jewel-tones add a pop of color to your outfits. “I like to wear fall colors like gold and brown,” said Erin Robinson, 19, an English major. Consider adding some jewel-tones Some that look great with the typical fall colors are gold, pink, and teal. Add them in the form of tights, scarves, and coats. Brightly-colored coats are also big this season; they are “fall’s wardrobe punch-up, eye-catching without extravagance,” according to InStyle magazine.” “During fall, scarves are a must-have. [Fall fashions] are versatile,” said Robinson. “Scarves, especially, because you can mix and match things with them.” Sophomore education major Kaitlyn McGurk added, “Scarves are a cute way to accessorize.”. Wearing boots is fashionable and functional during the fall. Slouchy suede boots are comfortable and create a trendy, yet casual look when worn over skinny jeans. Another look is ankle boots with a skirt and tights. ”This season, designers are taking the opaque tights trend of last year to the next level,” according to CollegeFashion.net. “This year, the hottest types of tights for fall come in interesting patterns or jewel-tone colors,” the website adds. Mixing and matching seems to be the biggest fashion trend this season because recessionistas are trying to get more for their money. “I like having lots of layering pieces be- cause you get to mix and match them and get more outfits,” said Sikora. Cardigans are a great layering piece, “what could be more better than a slip-it over/under-everything,” said InStyle. Cardigans are also a great way to re-use some of your summer pieces while staying warm. A tank top you wore ervices this summer can be ltimate25 transformed by simityGuide ply wearing a cardigan over it. Fashion can seem complicated, but this year if there’s one trend to follow it is hitting the sale racks, mixing and matching, reusing, and saving money. ForE1 Bodyl Seel Tol L Cl SHC I 8' The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Instyle magazine is the place to look for all the fall fashion trends. Recipe: cranberry almond gorp BY RUTH WHISPELL Lifestyles Assistant Editor Michaelene Ostrum is the office assistant in the Upward Bound Office. Her desk is usually surrounded by graduates of the Upward Bound program who are now students at Wilkes University, other students who pass through the office and stop in to say hello, and fellow co-workers. She recently made Cranberry Almond Gorp and it got such a positive response that she brought it to school to share with everyone in the office. She decided to share the recipe with The Beacon, so those who didn’t drop in to say hello that day could have a taste of this fall treat. Cranberry Almond Gorp Serves about 20 people and takes about 25 minutes to make. Ingredients: ¾ Stick butter ½ cup packed light brown sugar 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 ½ cups dried cranberries 1 ½ cups slivered almonds 1 ½ cups trail mix 1 ½ cups pretzel nuggets, lightly salted Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Melt the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a large pot over medium heat. 3. Stir in cinnamon and pumpkin spice. 4. Add cranberries, almonds and trail mix 5. Once the ingredients are all combined, add the pretzels and stir. 6. Spread mixture on greased cookie sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until mixture is crunchy and lightly browned. “If you buy a trail mix that includes some of the ingredients then you don’t have to add extra of that ingredient into the recipe. Just double up on the trail mix,” said Ostrum. 'T ON STREET D EI1 1 ocated inside the ThIC .· on-1\•Iembers \Vd omed Jon thru Thurs 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Fridays 11 :00 :lm to 4:00 pm 1~ /(j di$ffilnl The Beacon/ Ruth Whispell Michaelene Ostrum made Cranberry Almond Gorp as a fall treat for everyone in her office to enjoy. ·/ Sm.dent ID F.a:oe W-.Fi A ~ ble Coming ~ 0 $F.ill _d · ~ li.otlf$ �OCTOBER 27, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 Love led Brena-Martinez to Wilkes BY RUTH WHISPELL Lifestyles Assistant Editor Debora Brena-Martinez, now 26-yearsold, was living in Brazil about a year ago with her mother, father, and younger brother. She had a degree in logistics from a University of Technology in Brazil and was working with planning and production control at a company that produced rubber pieces used to fix machinery. The furthest thing from her mind was moving to the United States and attending Wilkes University. When she attended a friend’s wedding, Debora was spotted by a young American business man, Ivin Martinez, who was a friend of the brides. Ivin was working with a company based in Wilkes-Barre and travels a lot. Ivin met the bride of that wedding through a company based in Brazil, that she was working for. The company Ivin was working for was doing business with her company. “It was love at first sight for Ivin. I had a bad experience about six months before and wasn’t sure if I wanted to be in a relationship,” said Debora. “The first thing I received was flowers, then he sent post cards, emails, and w chatted on MSN,” said Debora. She didn’t know that her friend gave Ivin her address, email and cell phone number, so when the flowers first arrived, Debora was surprised and taken back by the romantic gesture shown by someone who had just met her. He became a close friend, and as their friendship grew they began to talk more often. “I told Ivin that we’ll be friends and he said ‘I don’t want you as a friend, I want you as my wife,’” recalls Debora. After a while she also fell in love and Ivin eventually asked if she would move to the United States to be closer to him. Photos Courtesy of Debora Brena-Martinez Debora and Ivin Martinez enjoying spending their free time together. The two have been married for five months. “My family is the most important thing In April of 2008, Ivin began to fill out the to me, but for me to be happy I needed to paperwork required for immigration so that move on and make a life with the man I Debora could move to the United States to love,” said Debora. be with him; the paperwork took about six On Febuary 12, 2008 Debora joined Ivin months to be approved. on a business trip to Mexico, where they In September 2008, however, Debora’s stayed with his parents. “He was there for mother became ill. She had blood clots in business, but I was on a vacation,” said her lungs and at the same time was suffer- Debora. ing from thrombosis in her leg. Thrombosis Ivin’s parents are from Monterey, Califoris a form of a blood clot that is found in a nia, and have welcomed Debora into their blood vessel. family with open arms. “In the beginning of November, we went “You can’t possibly be with someone and to the theater and my mother fainted. She not get along with their family, too. He has spent 25 days in the hospital,” said Debora. a good relationship with my family; my Debora wouldn’t move to the United States mother said she wasn’t losing a daughter, until she was absolutely sure her mother but gaining a third son,” said Debora. was going to be ok. The two were married on June 18, 2009. Debora and Ivin haven’t been back to Brazil to visit her parents yet, because they are waiting of Debora’s passport application to be approved. Debora is currently a student in the Intensive English Program at Wilkes University. She is improving her English so she can apply for a job in logistics in the United States. “I was going to study online, but I need to be around people. I came here to polish my English, but it has improved since moving to the United States,” said Debora. Three weeks ago Debora began working at Macy’s in the Wyoming Valley Mall behind the jewelry counter. She is enjoying learning more about the English language, and married life About the Intensive English Program at Wilkes • The Intensive English Program (IEP) at Wilkes University helps international students learn English, improve their English, and learn more about the American culture before they immerse themselves into an American college atmosphere. • The students in the IEP have scheduled classes six hours a day for five days a week. • The students study reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, conversation in preparation for the TOEFL exam. • TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language Exam; international students take this exam worldwide to prove they have the skills in English they need to study at an American college or university. • The IEP is a section of The Center of Global Education and Diversity here at Wilkes. • Students who enter the IEP can come in at five levels, Beginner, speaking little or no English, Low Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate, and Advanced, speaking clear and concise English. • The Center also has a program called Global Partners. This is where international students can get together with American students and go to a movie, play pool in the Student Center or just hang out. • The Center for Global Education and Di- versity offers a Global Coffee Hour every Thursday from 3-5 p.m. in the Savitz Multicultural Lounge on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. • Anyone interested in becoming a Global Partner should contact Kimberly Niezgoda via email at kimberly.niezgoda@wilkes.edu. �Beer Deli ReviewPage 14 CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 OCTOBER 27, 2009 David Yezefski: eyes, ears of Darte theatre BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor The Dorothy Dickson Darte Center is home to many students, particularly those whose schedules involve a heavy dosage of dancing, music, and acting. It’s not unusual to find a theatre student pacing back and forth practicing a monologue for an audition of an upcoming show, or a dancer stretching after rehearsing a routine for a recital. Though you can’t see him stretching or pacing back and forth, David Yezefski is practicing just like any other performing arts student to get ready for an upcoming theater performance. He’s working hard to make sure that everything the audience sees and hears is perfect. Yezefski, a 20-year-old junior at Wilkes, is the man behind the scenes. He is also the first incoming freshman to major in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in design. It’s easy to become distracted by the talented performances that take place on stage, but most of the aesthetic appeal of the shows comes from Yezefski’s fingertips. He works the audio consul for shows as well as the lighting, which is much more involved than just flipping a switch or two. “Once you grasp how a system functions and understand the controls on any given audio consul, you could get lost for days,” said Yezefski. “What’s difficult is learning everything, while simultaneously staying on top with what’s currently going on in the industry,” said Yezefski. Yezefski, born and raised in Nanticoke, didn’t discover his interest in audio visuals until he was in high school, thanks to state representative Eddie Day Pashinski, who was a music teacher there at the time. Pashinski took Yezefski under his wing and introduced him to a new, fascinating world of audio electronics. Once Pashinski moved on and all the students who had knowledge on audio graduated, Yezefski was the only one left who knew the basics. “I was the only one so I took things apart that I wasn’t supposed to, put them together again, and even exploded a few things. It was the best way to learn,” said Yezefski, “I loved to see the way things work.” Yezefski is usually found in the Darte Photo courtesy of Bruce Phair Elysburg haunted house and woods offers scare BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI A&E Asst. Editor David Yezefski in his usual spot in the theatre behind his audio consul. This is where he creates his mixes and stands for an entire show to prepare for his cues. bumping elbows with Bruce Phair, the Darte Center Director. “Without Bruce, I wouldn’t be close to where I am now. He’s the guy who explains everything. He’s my business partner, friend and mentor. He knows so much about the industry. Hopefully I’ll thank him somehow,” said Yezefski. Yezefski said he chose Wilkes because it has a great theatre and sound facility--better than most other schools in the area. The small size, proximity to “home” and close interpersonal relationships with his mentors, like Phair, are the things Yezefski likes best about Wilkes. What makes this full time student stand out even more, however, is the fact that he has his own production company, DBY Production Services. He eats, sleeps, and breathes production--inside and outside of classes. His company has a varied clientele who mostly deal with concerts. Yezefski has helped out with a number of shows outside of Wilkes, mostly at Mon- tage Mountain, that include big names such as Dave Matthews Band, Rascal Flatts, and Crew Fest. The exciting aspect is being able to help out huge performers, but the best part for him is being exposed to the upto-date and cutting edge technology, which helps with his business. At Wilkes, Yezefski is also partially responsible for redesigning the theatre’s sound system, which is now beginning its last phase of renovation. After graduation, Yezefski plans to focus on his current company 100%. In five years, he hopes to see himself running, or starting to run, a successful regional production service, complete with a retail outlet for equipment and a large clientele. The next time you sit down to watch a show at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center and you’re wowed by the awesome lighting or startled by the dramatic music, it’s likely that Yezefski has been practicing all week to give you that thrill. Did you ever want to feel like you’re living in a horror movie? Look no further than the small town of Elysburg, PA for your frightening fantasy. The Elysburg Haunted House & Woods are sure to provide an overwhelming amount of scary monsters and horrifying attractions that will give you nightmares for the next week. The Elysburg Haunted House & Woods are created by the firefighters of Elysburg and Ralpho Fire Departments and volunteers from the surrounding communities. The volunteers spent four weeks making sure the haunted house was in perfect condition and ready to be opened on October 16. With the addition of more blood drips and a few more scare tactics, the haunted house was ready for its thrill-seeking guests. Harvey Boyer, president of the Elysburg Fire Company, added, “The setup does take time and aggravation. But it is all worthwhile when you hear that first scream!” Cory Kowaleski, first-year surgical technologist student at LCCC, said, “I have never been to the haunted house before because I’ve always heard it was extremely scary and I’m not one for horror and gore. I’ve had friends that have gone and came out crying when it was over.” This attraction is not for the faint of heart; however, guests ranging in age from a couple months old to an eighty-year- old woman have gone through the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods, according to Boyer. The chill in the night air only adds to the terror that is already felt while venturing in the haunted house and woods and some people just live for that feeling. There are blood-thirsty ghouls and zombies just waiting to attack when you enter a See ELYSBURG page 13 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 27, 2009 ELYSBURG from PAGE 12 Photo Courtesy of Elysburg Fire Company the line, and blood-chilling screams can be heard from all ends of the Valley Gun & Country Club in Ralpho Township -- the location of the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods. If the zombies aren’t enough to make you scream like a little girl, you’ll love the buzzing chainsaws they carry with them through the attraction. Chip Wetzel, treasurer of the Elysburg Fire Company, explained, “There are many characters [in the attraction] that are there in strange form. You name it, it has made an appearance.” The Elysburg Haunted House & Woods have been a long standing tradition in the Elysburg area for over30 years and bring scarier attractions each year. A crowd favorite, the basement and “jungle room,” will be returning. New to the haunted house are an electrocution room and a murder scene for the guests’ haunting experience. The main house contains 14 rooms for guests to walk through and scream in terror filled with snakes, ghosts, spiders, and a few surprise guests that may seem to pop up out of nowhere. Photo Courtesy of Elysburg Fire Company Photo Courtesy of Elysburg Fire Company A frightening zombie skeleton droops over a toxic waste can at the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods located just 2 miles from Knoebels Amusement Resort. 13 Boyer has experienced some unexplainable events while setting up the attraction for the year, such as hearing “unexplainable sounds” as he worked with the other volunteers and firefighters. Although the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods are meant to scare the guests, it provides nothing but amusement to those who put on the attraction each year. Boyer recalled “seeing someone running away screaming from a guy with cornstalks taped to a crutch,” as his funniest memory of the attraction. The Elysburg Haunted House & Woods are located about two miles from Knoebels Amusement Resort and will be open rainor-shine on October 30 and 31 at 7 p.m. Admission for this attraction is $8. For more pictures of the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods, check out the online edition of this story. for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com I TIii DIIYOQUIP! I BY DAVID LEWIS Asst. Opinion Editor I I I 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! I I I I I KRGU J PRZQX TJXTRGQ AGDGH, MX TJU BQBJCCF QJXBHIJF UMPRX LG AZBUI I I LZZ - PFMUP I ZU XRG IJUTG - ACZZH Gifts * Glass Art * T-shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ... I I This week’s clues: B=U & Z=O & X=T I I I Answer from last week: IF TWO ELEPHANTS FIGHT OVER ONE PEANUT THEN CHANCES OF THAT PEANUT CAUSING AN ALLERGIC REACTION ARE SLIM TO NONE - - - - - - - - _I 0 with this coupon Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 27, 2009 The Beacon/Tom Reilly BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI A&E Asst. Editor Similar to the classic cult film of 1987, The Stepfather includes a serial killer who finds his way into an unsuspecting family and dives in for the kill. This time, Dylan Walsh takes his turn as the serial killer with Sela Ward as the obliviously-in-love fiancée. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that from the very beginning David Harris (Dylan Walsh) is not exactly who he seems to be and that there’s already a search in place for this killer by the police. The family, soon to be destroyed, is introduced shortly after Harris’s flee from his last murder scene where he massacred an entire family. They meet at a supermarket in Oregon and Susan Harding (Sela Ward) is immediately attracted to this man who happens to be two things her ex-husband, Jay (Jon Tenney), never was: nice and reliable. It only takes a few months and Harris is already living with the family with the in- tention of marriage. To further the advance of this killer, the kids even like him. Well… the ones he knows about at this point. Michael (Penn Badgley), Susan’s oldest son, arrives home from a military school, exciting his mom and girlfriend Kelly (Amber Heard). Kelly appears in the movie only as eye candy, wearing next to nothing. I think she lives in the pool, since that’s the only place the viewers ever see her. David, who tells Michael he is a widower, tries to make Michael feel welcome and create a connection between the two. He vows to unite the Harding family and find his place within it. Jackie, Susan’s sister (Paige Turco), is fond of David until his alibis don’t match up. He refuses to prove his past, locks cabinets in the basement, and destroys IDs and photos of himself. At this point in the movie, suspicion rises. This movie seems to be quite content just being average. Its biggest problem was that the movie felt more like a TV movie, rather than an actual remake of a classic movie. It doesn’t help that the entire cast of the movie is from TV shows like Gossip Girl, ER, Nip/ Tuck and so on. The film was also directed by Nelson McCormick, who is known for his TV series directing skills. Much of the movie seems like a Lifetime special, rather than a feature film. The fact that David is a successful serial killer is hard to believe when he makes stupid mistakes like saying the name of his dead daughter and finding himself in “oops, did I just say that?” moments. Walsh is great at some parts, but lousy at others, like when he’s going in for the kill and it seems like more of a chore than an actual intense murder. Walsh’s robotic acting makes it seem like even he’s bored. However, Walsh can’t be blamed for the script. McCormick had poor judgment when he selected a script that lacked subtlety where necessary in the film. Badgley doesn’t do too badly in the movie but his character is rather dull. To our delight, he doesn’t play out as the teen with revenge, a cliché character in many horror films. Amber Heard is a waste of space in the movie, as she’s only seen in a bikini or panties. The Stepfather will entertain audiences although it’s a highly predictable plot. If you’ve seen the original, don’t bother going to see this. You won’t be surprised or shocked. You’ll just regret paying $7 to see a movie you could have rented for $4. Rating: 2.5/5 Restaurant Review: The Beer Deli BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor “Number 26! Number 26!” the waitress yelled at the top of her lungs. I slowly rise when I realize that is my number she is yelling. Number 26: a reuben sandwich and spinach and pasta soup. An elderly woman with a forceful demeanor slowly walks my tray over towards me. I stand up to help her, but she does not need help. According to the man sitting to the table to my left at the Beer Deli in FortyFort, “she has been doing this a long time.” The Beer Deli may seem like a typical deli when someone walks in; however, it gives off a feeling of a close-knit, family-owned restaurant once you’re settled inside. After ordering off of the giant whiteboards that are suspended above the deli counter, which hold menu items from hot and cold sandwiches to spaghetti and meatball dinners, I made my way around the corner to the dining room. There are no booths here at the Beer Deli. In fact, only tables. Tables slanted, tables crooked. Patrons seem to prefer it this way. Sitting in the back corner, I begin to construct a plan to tackle the huge sandwich in front of me. This was a monster of a sandwich. Coleslaw actually tumbled out of the sides of it. Despite it’s size, I devoured the delicious sandwich. It was easy to devour this sandwich, since it was one of the best reubens I have ever had. When ordering, all I could focus on was the constant bustle of employees from one side of the counter to the other, from the back of the restaurant and to the front. They seemed to work systematically, like a well-oiled machine. A well-oiled machine that makes really, really good reuben sandwiches. And then there is the white-haired waitress who holds some of the most important jobs at the Beer Deli. Her number one role is to yell out the number of the orders so patrons know when their order is ready. Despite yelling very, very loudly each and every order number, she still insists on carrying the trays of food to each table. But her most important role of all is another unique facet of the Beer Deli: she passes out the free dessert. The Beer Deli offers each patron who dines in free dessert. While the dessert choice changes from day to day, it is a refreshing and kind aspect of this small corner restaurant just off of Exit 4 on Route 309, not to mention delicious! The cake was moist and the icing worked well in combination. The Beer Deli’s large selection and family-like atmosphere make it a great stop for a quick bite or for long lunch. Rating: 4.5/5 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 27, 2009 15 Behind the Scenes of Wilkes Barre’s “Night Terrors” BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Are you looking for a fun scream for Halloween that isn’t too far from campus? Look no further. “Night Terrors” can provide you with the scary fun that most seek out around this time of year. Terrors is unique from most haunted houses, since it is located in a mall complex. The sound of it may be unappealing, but what that really means is that there’s over 30,000 square feet to cover, which makes it a huge venue full of frights. It is a growing multiple-use venue that currently has a haunted walk-through as well as a Halloween themed miniature golf course, complete with 13 holes. Terrors opened the evening of Sept. 24. Joe Niemiec, the manager, hopes to continue doing this every year. Originally in West Pittston the last three years, it was moved into the East End Center below the Wyoming Valley Mall, where the Red Lobster is located, in June. After being introduced to the actors, mostly made up of high school students, I was able to see a lot of the efforts put in to working something like Terrors. It seems like a fun job, but some of the actors have shared stories with me about people assault- • • • • • ., I The Beacon/Brie Friedman An actress prepares for her night of frightening customers at Night Terrors in Wilkes Barre’s East End Center located below the Wyoming Valley Mall. I’ve ever eaten. Apart from the walk-through and mini golf course, they have great food and games to play on the side. It is open rain or shine and is handicap accessible. It will be open this Friday and Saturday from 6-11 p.m. and Sunday 6-10 p.m. It is $10 per person and there are group rates available, but if you bring your Wilkes student ID, it’ll only cost you $8. For more information visit: www.niteterrors.com or call (570) 237-5062. Go to Page 4 of NEWS to enter to win 5 tickets to Night Terrors. • • • • appening Aroun BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor r Tuesday, October II ing them. It’s best for patrons and actors to just keep to yourself and listen to directions. For example, a young actress was punched by a patron to see if she was real or not. Since there has to be an even flow to this haunted walk-through, the ushers take you into a holding area and play old-fashioned scary movies like The Fly. They will let you through row by row. Upon waiting, I caught up with Robert DuBoice, a senior Wilkes mechanical engineering major who works at Terrors, providing the audio visuals. Duboice helped with the big move from West Pittston to Wilkes-Barre, as well as with the assembly of the majority of the set. “It’s neat. As an engineer, I get to see the finished project and see every step it took to get there, especially all the things that happen behind the scenes,” said DuBoice. Upon walking through the haunted complex, I found that it was your typical scare for the most part. What makes Terrors a bit different is that it provides a more personal experience with the actors. Though they don’t touch you, they will get in your face and follow you around. My favorite part was the bellboy in the elevator, but I won’t spoil anything more about that. The walkthrough took about five to ten minutes. Did I mention the Babushka Bettys? They happen to be the most delicious pierogies 27, 2009 Toasters, Skip Town Matty, AM Rev 2, Fridge Full of Popsicles @ day, October 29, 2009 ton Curtis @ River Street Jazz afe, Plains - FREE - 10 p.m. - "Phantoms of the Operetta" Radisson Lackawanna Station, Scranton - $55 - 6 p.m . Sunday, November 1, 2009 - Big City Lights & The Owl Stations @ Cafe Metro - $8 - 7 p.m. t - Cafe Metro - $10 - 7 p.m. - Open Mic for Acoustic and P @ Barnes and Noble - 6:30-8:3 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - The In Crowd, The Bride Wore Black, This Condition, The Heis Hopefuls @ Cafe Metro $8 - 7 p. - "'War of the Worlds" / "The Lost World"@ FM Kirby Center - $20$32.50 - 7:30 p.m. - Pa'leface & Bog Swing Band @ The Bog, Scranton - $5 - 9:30 p.m. All Weekend Long - (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Zing Zang Zoom @ Wachovia Arena - $22-$85 -Times Vary Friday, October 30, 2009 - Halloween Covers Show @ Cafe Metro - $7 - 8 p.m. - Eden Everlasting @ Club JAM, Pittston - $5 - 9 p.m. h & Suicaudio @ River Street afe - $5 - 10 p.m. & The Suburban Losers @ Scranton - $5 - - Jon Casey@ Barnes and Noble - 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Eastern State Penitentiary Haunted House Bus Trip @Wilkes - $5 omingUp: Kirby Center: d Science presents CSI !- Nov. 3 - $6.50 - 10 a.m. ton Cultural Center: t t t ggy lOI's Guitars & Stars feat. ·e Pickler, Phil Vassar, Jason Saturday, October 31, 2009 - PANKED! Halloween Special @ The Bog, Scranton - $5 10:30p.m. - Drop Veil & Unlabeled Affect @ JAM, Pittston - $5 - 9 p.m. - Daddy O and the Sax @ River Street Jazz C chael Carroll, and Jimmy Wayne ov. 3 - $27 - 7 p.m. achovia Arena: - FallFest 09' feat. Sean Paul, Keri Hilson, & Colby O'Donis Nov. 13 - $31.50-$101.50 - 8 p.m. - Daughtry, Theory of a Deadman, & t Cavo - Nov. 16 - $32-42 - 7:30 p.m. �CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu PAGE 18 16 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com OCTOBER 27, 2009 Wilkes crew team braves frigid waters Lady Colonels Little known club is making waves in Susquehanna follow Reed’s lead in 5-0 wins BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor Be honest with yourself. You were probably unaware that Wilkes had a crew team. The co-ed club, which has been a part of the university for decades, has gotten used to the fact that many students don’t even know what crew is, let alone that we have a team. “Crew is a way of life,” said Amanda Gunther, a junior communications major and the president of the club. “Our team is very different than any of the other teams on campus. It’s much more involved than just simply rowing a boat, which I don’t think many people realize.” The crew team holds ten practices a week, five in the early morning and five in the afternoon. Members must attend at least five of these throughout the week in order to participate in organized regattas, three of which will be attended by Wilkes’s team this year. The team meets in the back of the Student Union Building prior to practice before driving across the Market Street Bridge into Kingston, where their boatyard is located. Upon arrival, the team follows a series of vocal commands before attempting to lift the four and eight-man boats, which can weigh several hundred pounds each. After they have hoisted the massive boats in the air, they simply carry them down the dyke running alongside the Susquehanna until they reach the water’s edge- a walk of several hundred feet. “We try and stress the need for our members to be in good physical shape, not only for races, but just to be able to get our boats to the water before we collapse,” said Gunther with a laugh. Upon hitting the frigid waters of the Susquehanna, the team’s members help one another install the boat’s massive oars into the boat riggings before the rowers jump in. “Wading out into that [cold] water never gets any easier,” admitted Jose Ruiz, a sophomore business administration major and biology minor. “It’s probably the thing the majority of people fear most when com- BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor The Beacon/Allison Roth Members of the Wilkes University crew team lift their four-man boat out of the water at the conclusion of a practice last week. Pictured from left to right are Willie Eggleston, Paul Karmilowicz, Thompson Palmer, and Jesse Hassan. ing to practice.” After receiving a helpful push from those remaining on shore, the members on the water are free to take off on their trips up and down the river. One would imagine that following the hard work needed to get their boats to shore, the rowing would come easily in contrast. This assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. The act of rowing requires a great deal of strength, coordination and teamwork. The physical motion starts at the legs, which are held in place in Wilkes’ boats by a pair of Velcro-laced shoes. The legs push the body backwards on a sliding seat while the rower begins to lean backward, transferring the energy up to his or her lower back. The rower’s arms then follow the body backward, pulling the boat’s oars through the water to generate thrust. It is a repetitive and exhausting act that is further complicated by the need for a team to row in sync; just one person rowing out of rhythm with his or her teammates can slow a boat down dramatically, or in the worst case, tip it. To counter this, teams utilize a coxswain, or rowing instructor, who sits at the stern of the boat and shouts orders throughout a race. The coxswain’s role is to help those rowing maintain a sustainable pace. To Gunther’s knowledge, no Wilkes crew team has capsized a boat in at least six years. “I have absolutely no desire to find out what that experience is like,” she added. While the sport is indeed taxing, it can also be quite serene. A team working in unison truly glides across the water, a sensation that can be liberating and extremely fun. SEE CREW, Page 19 Leading scorer Julissa Reed fueled the Wilkes University women’s soccer team to their fifth and sixth victory of the season last week. Reed was assisted by her partners of punishment Taryn Hallowell and Katy Fissel to record their first Freedom Conference victory of the season against King’s College. This season hasn’t been too promising for the Lady Colonels as they are currently posting an overall record of 6-7-3 and 2-2-2 in the conference. However, things started to turn around for Wilkes when they stepped on the field against the Lady Monarchs last Tuesday. Shortly after the start of the game, Reed converted the Hallowell pass into their first goal giving them the lead with a mere 6:37 off the clock. From there the dominance took off for the ladies and a total team effort exploded. Reed found the back of the net once again in the 19th minute from the assistance of Fissel’s pass to record her sixth goal of the season making the score 2-0 early on. Reed would also score in the game against Delaware Valley tallying seven goals for her so far this season. Reed’s seven goals are leading the team this season with Hallowell, Sargent, and Clementson behind her each with four goals a piece. Shortly after Reed recorded her sixth goal of the season against King’s, Megan Clementson extended their lead to three goals going into the break. As Wilkes went into halftime with their head held high and a commanding lead, coach Sumoski reminded them to stay focused because there was plenty of game left to play. “I was just as honest as I usually am with them [at halftime],” said Sumoski. “We had some nice goals, we followed the game plan, but we needed the intensity level to go up.” SEE SOCCER, Page 19 �SPORTS OCTOBER 27, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Lindsey Davenport, the shutout artist BY MELISSA POLCHINSKI Staff Writer/Photographer Meet Lindsey Davenport, a talented and determined sophomore goaltender for the Wilkes University Lady Colonels field hockey team from Dallas, Pa. Davenport is majoring in elementary education along with a minor in special education and reading. Already in her short college career, the dominant goaltender has recorded nine shutouts with three of them coming this season. With a total of eight saves against FDU-Florham this past week, Davenport recorded her third shutout and was also named the Freedom Conference Player of the Week. Having heard she received this honor, Davenport was both excited and humbled. “I couldn’t achieve these honors and success without my teammates and coaching staff,” said Davenport. After having a shutout game, she was pleased to see that her time and effort has been paying off. With an overall record of 12-2 and is 3-1 in the conference, this year’s field hockey team is having a great deal of success and according to her teammates Davenport is a big part of that. “Lindsey makes a huge impact on the team,”said fellow teammate Chelsea Minix. “She’s the final line of defense, and she gives us every reason to trust her. We know she’ll do everything she can to stop the ball and usually she does.” Playing as hard as she can from start to finish is Davenport’s goal every game, a goal that will hopefully help the team accomplish its goal of becoming Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Champions. She said that the key ingredient to continue their successful season is to play as a unit. Davenport has proved to be a dependable goalie that is determined to win every game. It’s clear that her teammates feel very comfortable with her in the net. “Lindsey gets to see the whole playing field and her communication is a key when it comes to our defense,” senior Jen Keegan said about Davenport. “Having a talented goalie is always a good thing for any team to have. She saves our butts in tight situations.” The truly humble sophomore is ecstatic about the success that the team is having. “The season is going really well,” said Davenport. “I am proud of how good our team is doing. The only thing I would want to changes is our losses.” Davenport and her Lady Colonel teammates go into the last week of their regular season poised for a championship. With her leadership from in between the pipes, the Lady Colonels look to finish off their season the same way they started - on top. With Davenport taking charge of the defense the Lady Colonels are poised to win their first Championship under Coach Myers. Clearly, their overall 18-4 record and second place Freedom Conference ranking from a season ago has the ladies hungry to be number one. Davenport suits up again tonight, when asistant Coach Comiskey’s alma mater Misericordia pays a visit to Artillery Park, in hopes of upsetting the championship-minded Colonels. Courtesy of Marketing Communications Davenport has been clutch this season for the Wilkes field hockey team, posting three shutouts in between the pipes while leading the team to a 12-2 record. 53 PtJbuc_square 829-6111111 Do\fNto'l'N COLLe3e 5peetaLS QUICK HITS ALeoJIOL SPKeIALS FO~ 2t+ IN& I.D. 511N~ 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 Pl'•ce Appetazers ½ ,rice p1z.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.Le~ N13Ht N° co,,,er WI COi.i.eat' ID rHtJrSda! 5atll@ 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, Hotr s15L1ces 11pM-1at1 COJllle cHecK <>t}t Yl'Hat·s Ne'tY aNci E><ctt1N3 at R0 daNo'S Call to bOOK <>tJr prn/ate rooMThe For clN~ / CL3SS eveNtS Beacon Alison Kasper or soe1a. 5atHer1N3 Roc:laNO'S LtJNCH 5pec1atS ofTerec:1 7 c:la~S a WeeK F0 r $5.95 �SPORTS 18 OCTOBER 27, 2009 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 10/17 @ Delaware Valley 0-23 L 10/24 vs. FDU-Florham 7-6 W MEN’S SOCCER 10/13 @ Misericordia 0-3 L 10/17 vs. Eastern 2-1 W 10/21 vs. King’s 1-1 T (2 OT) What team will win the NBA championship? Do you believe in (the) Magic? I do. I WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/14 @ Misericordia 1-2 L 10/17 vs. Eastern 1-1 T (2 OT) 10/20 vs. King’s 5-0 W FIELD HOCKEY 10/13 @ FDU-Florham 5-0 W 10/21 vs. King’s 3-2 W VOLLEYBALL 10/14 @ Delaware Valley 3-1 W 10/17 vs. Albright 3-1 W 10/17 vs. Marywood 3-2 W 10/20 vs. Eastern 0-2 L 10/22 @ Scranton 0-3 L WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 10/31 @ Lycoming MEN’S SOCCER 10/31 @ DeSales WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/27 @ Cortland 10/31 @ DeSales FIELD HOCKEY 10/27 vs.Misericordia 10/29 vs. Delaware Valley 10/31 vs. Mangattanville Cross Country 10/31 @ MAC Championships Volleyball 10/28 vs. Misericordia 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 Sports Editor ' ANTHONY DORUNDA You know what I really hate? Pre-season predictions. They’re bogus. How can we accurately predict who is going to win it all when we can’t even begin to imagine who’s going to get injured, who’s going to be traded, and if the Clippers will ever get off the schnide. Okay. That may not happen in our lifetime, but they do have Blake Griffin, so that’s a start. But since it’s this week’s topic, I’ll trudge through it, forcing tears from Mr. Holmes’s very own eyes. Raise your hand if you thought that the Magic would be on the court last June. Precisely, only you, Stan Van Gundy. That’s not the case this year. Orlando won’t be sneaking up on anyone. With the reigning NBA Defensive MVP beasting the paint, a budding superstar floor general fully healthy, and a pure scorer joining Rashard Lewis in the backcourt, the Magic are fully loaded and ready to hang that elusive championship banner. Why the Magic? Well, the only team in competition in the East is the Cavs, the one team who matches up horrendously against the Magic. They bring in “the Diesel,” who is more like a Chevy S-10 at this point in his career thinking he’s going to be able to shut down the man-child that is Dwight Howard. I got news for you, Mike Brown, there ain’t no stopping Dwight inside. Shaq has to try and run up and down the court with Howard. Not happening. He has to defend Howard. Won’t happen. At this point in their careers, with Shaq nearing retirement, Howard is a much more explosive athlete, and Shaq just cannot hang with him. That addition, as great as it sounds, just won’t work. Ask the Suns. The knock on the Magic last year was their offensive rebounding. With them spreading the floor with four on the perimeter, no one was inside to help Dwight on the boards. Enter Brandon Bass, who was underutilized in Dallas, but brings ferocity to the power forward position that the Magic desperately need. To call him a workhorse is an understatement. The dude can flat out rebound and will bang bodies around until he has the rock. Oh, and they also got a healthy Jameer Nelson. Remember, before his injury last season, Nelson was on fire and was a lock to start the all-star game. Although the Magic “Win a ring for the king” (i),___ Asst. Sports Editor _________.H==Or~~'I I This year the obvious preseason favorite to win the NBA Championship has got to be the newly rebuilt Cleveland Cavaliers. So before I get started let me just ask, “Can you dig it?” In the past few years, LeBron “The King” James has moved mountains to do everything but put a championship trophy in his hands and a ring on his finger. And he did it all with limited help on the court. Yes, I know he had Delonte West, Mo Williams, Anderson Varejoa and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to assist him, but as you can see LeBron brings MVP trophies to Cleveland, not championships, without the proper help. But this year the Cavs roster has been upgraded by trading for the greatest big man in middle, Shaquille O’Neal. From the looks of what’s been going on in the preseason, the Cavs are poised for greatness. Once again, I will commend Mr. Dorunda on his guess, but as you can see from previous weeks, he obviously enjoys being wrong. However, when you look at the facts, the Orlando Magic does own a series victory over the Cavs. But that was last year, and last year is over. Along with “The Diesel,” Cleveland added Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, and Leon Powe to the franchise this year. Now with the four guys I named earlier that helped The King last season and the four that were added this year, the NBA is in for a rough season when they step on the court with the Cavs. But wait; hold on a second, Mr. Dorunda. I know what you’re thinking. Dwight Howard is the man or whatever else you want to call him. (I believe he prefers Superman which KryptoNate Robinson knows is wrong.) Last time I checked, Shaquille O’Neal is the first and original Superman of the NBA and he has the rings to prove it. had a serviceable backup in Rafer Alston, the vastly underrated Nelson is a superior player. And all this trash about them losing Hedo Turkoglu is nonsense. They replaced him with a decent guard in the off-season, who goes by the name of Vince Carter. Heard of him? Thought so. In terms of pure athleticism and basketball ability, Carter is a monumental upgrade over Turkoglu. Vince creates more shots with pin point accuracy, defends better than even the video game version of Turkoglu does, and is just an overall better player. Sure, he may underachieve from time to time. But I’ll take a high flyer that can slash as well as stroke it from beyond the arc over a guy who all but disappeared in last year’s finals. When it’s all said and done, they have vastly improved their frontcourt with the additions of Bass and Ryan Anderson, got insurance for Nelson with the signing of Jason Williams, and with Carter’s presence, have four legitimate all-star players in their starting five. When Orlando is hanging the 2010 championship banner in their sparkly new arena next season, just remember who told you so. Plus, I know that everyone saw that episode of MTV Cribs. He reps the symbol proudly, especially on his 15’x30’ bed. But I digress. Now, let’s talk about the man responsible for all that is great in Cleveland: Mr. LeBron “The Phenom” a.k.a. “The King” James. Since he stepped on the court in his first NBA game, he has been making some serious noise and as AJ Fiore would say, “he’s a bit of a guy,” no doubt about it. Every year LeBron elevates his team to the next level of success, coming the closest to a championship last year. We all remember that last second shot that gave them the win in game two. So back up off the man. He was doing the best he could with what he had. But this year, I can see King James hoisting the Larry O’ Brien Championship trophy over his head. Once they win, it will make Shaq’s purpose for being in Cleveland all true. Now get off my court, Mr. Dorunda. This game is over and you lost (again). �OCTOBER 27, 2009 SPORTS CREW From Page 16 The Beacon/Allison Roth The Wilkes Crew team practices on the Susquehanna River nearly ten times a week, learning how to work with one another in order to maintain a proper race rhythm. Their practices are intensive but offer beautiful perspectives of the river that few get to experience otherwise. The team usually rows from the Market Street Bridge upstream to the Luzerne County Courthouse. Members of the Wilkes crew team get to experience this feeling at their regattas, where they participate against dozens of opposing schools. This past weekend the teams participated in the Head of the Fish regatta in Saratoga Springs, New York. Unfortunately for Wilkes, the competition was impacted by inclement weather. The Men’s Open Novice 4-man race team saw its race called because of lightning in the area, but the Women’s Open Novice 4man team finished second in its race. Said Nicole Cook, a junior biology/premed major, as well as the vice president of the team, “It was an awesome learning experience for our new rowers and gave us some great experience to take to [our next regatta].” The team is expecting to participate in additional regattas before the conclusion of the school year. The next time you take your afternoon run down the River Commons, keep an eye out for your fellow students as they float merrily down the stream. 19 SOCCER From Page 16 Katy Fissel and Brooke Edwards only needed a short amount of time after the break to connect for another score. Fissel turned Edwards’ assist into another goal to put them up 4-0. In the 59th minute, Jenna Sargent scored their last goal of the day making the final score 5-0. “It was a good win for us,” Sumoski said after the win. “We hadn’t won in six games and needed the win to be in contention for playoffs. We are healthy and playing well, which is right where we want to be at this time of year.” The Lady Colonels made the trip to Delaware Valley on Sunday, with Wilkes again winning 5-0. This time it was Christina Stepansky finding the back of the net twice for her first two collegiate goals. Sargent and Clementson also followed up at Del Val with goals of their own to propel them to their second Freedom Conference victory in a row. When she’s not in class, Roper is “Crash” BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor Call her Crash. That’s the name that Whitney Roper, a junior communication studies major, goes by when her roller derby team practices on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Roller derby is a physically demanding sport that involves playing offense and defense simultaneously. Certain players – jammers – attempt to score points for their team by skating far enough ahead of everyone to lap them, while the other team does everything in its power to prevent the jammers from passing them. Roper, who is still learning how to rollerskate, is one of the youngest members of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Roller Radicals. That’s where her nickname comes from. “I crash a lot,” Roper said. “I fall a lot. I get knocked over a lot. I’m trying to come up with something better, but so far that’s all I’ve got.” A lot of her wrecks come from one particular practice drill that her team does, called Queen of the Rink. It’s a last woman standing match where the Queen isn’t crowned until all of the other skaters have been knocked to the floor. But it’s not a free for all. Like derby bouts, which are what games are called, there are rules that have to be obeyed. “You can’t elbow people, you can’t punch people, it’s nothing like that,” Roper said. “You have to use your hips, your (exple- tive), and your shoulders, basically. You can’t check somebody or anything, but you can shove them. You can push another girl into them. Clearly, Roper isn’t concerned about breaking a nail. “I’ve always been a tomboy,” Roper said. “I’ve always been very physical. I’m not a girly girl. I don’t like being pushed around. I like to take a beating.” Though she doesn’t appear physically intimidating, Roper can hold her own in a bout if the need arises. If you don’t believe it, just ask her about the splatter on one of her belts. “That is stained blood from a girl’s face because she started a fight with me,” Roper said. “I tackled her. I had her blood all over my shirt and everything. The girl was three times my size.” Granted, that was from a past altercation that had nothing to do with roller derby. But it illustrates that Roper is tough enough to physically compete with people who are bigger than she is, which is something that she will need to do at the rink. Most of the league’s participants are ten to 20 years older than she is. Though Roper doesn’t share a common age with her team, she does share some common interests with them. “Everybody on the team is into the same music,” she said. “Everybody has tattoos. Everybody is into the same stuff.” The music scene is actually how Roper discovered roller derby in the first place. A few years ago, Roper encountered a derby team member while they were at a psychobilly music show in Kingston, Pa. Roper was already into the music, which she described as a mixture of Elvis and punk rock, but once she found out that one of the female team members called herself Betty Brains, she became intrigued and decided to learn more about the sport. She was going to join the team last year, but didn’t want to be the only young person on the team. She and a friend finally joined this season, and Roper is quickly learning that the sport can be quite painful. “We were practicing falls (Tuesday) and I cracked my knee pads,” Roper said. “My knees are both really bruised and hurt. I can’t walk on stairs right now. I’m in a lot of pain.” In spite of that, Roper made it to class Wednesday. Though she didn’t display any visible limp or signs of pain in Dr. Jane ElmesCrahall’s class, the fact that Roper skates with a roller derby team didn’t surprise the professor. “A roller derby league does not surprise me,” said ElmesCrahall, Roper’s academic advisor at Wilkes. “There is an aggression to Whitney that doesn’t show in the classroom, but does the frustration build and is this kind of a competitive outlet for her that surprises me? Absolutely not.” Evene Estwick, associate professor of communication studies who also knows Roper well, agreed. “She seems to be the type who would be challenged by an activity like that,” added Dr. Estwick. “She’s not a traditional young lady.” The Beacon/ Michael Cignoli �SPORTS 20 OCTOBER 27, 2009 Women’s tennis cruises through fall season undefeated Clinches top seed for Freedom Conference tournament in the spring BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Wilkes University women’s tennis and Freedom Conference Champions are kind of like peanut butter and jelly – you can’t have one without the other. For the past three years, the Lady Colonels have absolutely owned the rest of the conference by winning three straight titles, culminating with an unbeaten regular season campaign last year. And now that the 2009 fall season is all wrapped up, let the run for number four begin. “We don’t have to prove anything else to anyone anymore,” said freshman Melanie Nolt, who holds a 10-1 singles record playing as the team’s number one. “When we go to play, we go to get the job done, no questions asked. We have made a name for ourselves this year.” You could call it a name, or a resounding warning to the rest of the conference come tournament time. With impressive victories last week over FDU-Florham and cross-town rival Kings, the Lady Colonels finished part one of their quest for an unprecedented fourth straight conference crown with a pristine 8-0 fall record, 6-0 in conference play. “It’s a huge confidence-booster [being undefeated]; it’s a sign that all of our hard work is paying off,” said junior Michelle Knight, who is 5-3 on the season, with a perfect 4-0 record in conference singles play and an 8-1 record in doubles play. “We are the real deal.” The real deal for sure. The Lady Colonels haven’t just beaten their opponents; they have flat out embarrassed each and every one. Of the eight victories thus far, six have been clean sweeps - 9-0 thrashings in both the doubles and singles competitions. And had it not been for some academic obligations, tests and mandatory night classes that restricted some of the girls from making the trip to the FDU match, it would have been seven. Instead they took two forfeit losses and dominated the rest, essentially shutting out the Devils 7-0. Another victim on that list of demoralized opponents was rival Kings College. Last Tuesday, October 20, in a match up of conference unbeatens, Wilkes humiliated the Monarchs with a 9-0 shellacking on their own courts, sweeping the doubles portion of the match before cruising through all six singles matches in straight sets. The victory erased any glimmer of hope the Monarchs may have had for stealing the top spot in the conference tournament. The two matches capped off their dominant fall campaign and earned them the top spot in the Freedom Conference Tournament, which will be played in April. That’s right - April - a mere six months from now. The long layoff has its advantages and disadvantages. Some believe it’s a refreshing break, a chance to rejuvenate and get some rest. On the other end are the ones who want to just keep it rolling while they’re on top. Nolt is one of those who want the tournament to happen sooner rather than later. “It’s a long wait that I don’t want to wait for,” shrugged Nolt. “I wish it was next weekend.” Knight, on the other hand, likes the break for a variety of reasons. “Knowing that the playoffs are so far away motivates us to stay on top of our game through the winter. We practice just as much if not more, which allows us to go into the conference playoffs refreshed and at the top of our game.” Either way, the ladies will enter the conference tournament seeded number one. And with the way they’re crushing opponents now, a clear path straight to their fourth consecutive crown. And hopefully a trip past the first round of the National tournament, a feat that has eluded them each of their past few trips there. “We want this so bad, and we know that we are capable of making it farther in nationals,” said Knight. It’s just a matter of making sure that we are in peak condition and on top of our game. We will come prepared this year.” Melanie Katrina Fr. / Manheim, Pa. Fr. / Berwick, Pa. Combined Record 20-3 Combined Record 20-3 Michelle Alexis Jr. / Roaming Shores, Oh. Fr. / Belmar, NJ KNIGHT Combined Record DONNER 13-4 Combined Record Xaioqaio Rebekah Sr. / Zhengzhou City, China So. / Richland, Pa. ZHANG Combined Record 12-4 19-1 SHANAMAN Combined Record 14-1 All photos courtesy of Marketing Communications The top six have been nothing short of dominant this season, paving the way to an unbeaten fall season and clinching the top seed for the conference tournament. WH ftA•J'S THE WORD ftA•J WILKES' I f~rmoreinformationcheckout. .. lw1lkesbeacon.com Number of matches it has been since the Lady Colonels last dropped a regular season tilt. 6 Number of matches in which the Lady Colonels have shut out their opponents in both singles and doubles competition. 0 Number of matches that last year’s conference MVP, Victoria Bybel, has played in this season. She has been hampered by an injury all fall, but will be back in action for the spring season. LYNN NOLT 29 19 Our editors debated what NBA team is most likely to win the title this upcoming season. 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 NBA team your classmates think will take home the championship trophy this year. 31-2 The combined singles records of freshmen Melanie Nolt, Alexis Donner, and Katrina Lynn. In just their first season, they have provided in immediate spark to a team already chalked full of talent. � 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 27th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 October 27 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/373bd392ee27b62a138627d0d9e6d59d.pdf 1ca92df346bdde0c1784380949fff253 PDF Text Text <.R§ad <Between tfie Lines How-to get out of a Parking Ticket strategies & tactics r,~~l-1'"·· a tak,e on women's magazine OP-ED I PAGE J NOVEMBER 3, 2009 LIFESTYLES THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW PAGE 10 Volume 62 Issue 7 Wilkes new ad campaign animates airwaves Wilkes set to reaffirm Middle States accreditation BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor & LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Do you have a little Colonel in you? That’s the question being posed to prospective Wilkes students via the University’s new “Be Colonel” marketing campaign. The campaign is a follow-up to previous years’ marketing campaign, which took the unique route of mentioning accepted students by name on university advertisements in order to illustrate the personal attention given to our undergraduates. Wilkes’s previous advertising campaign took the route of billboards and commercials, as well as advertisements in malls in and around the area. This year’s revised advertising campaign focuses on a series of commercials that take a similar approach to last year’s. Instead of focusing on incoming students, Wilkes uses a series of three separate commercials to highlight the unique accomplishments of current students at Wilkes. Current students will be able to spot their BY GINO TROIANI Staff Writer reserve meeting spaces and request additional funding. Clubs are also listed on the Wilkes website. Felixa J. Wingen, the interim assistant of Diversity Affairs and Saudi Club adviser, said that the club received recognition after drafting a constitution and becoming more organized in their efforts. According to Wingen, being granted granted club status After more than a year of research conducted by a committee composed of approximately 50 members of the Wilkes community, the group has finally laid the groundwork for a self study that will be sent to the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE) for evaluation in February 2010. The Middle States Commission is responsible for assessing degree-granting colleges and universities to determine if they qualify for accreditation through a peer-review process. According to the Middle States website, the commission’s purpose is “to assure higher education’s publics that its accredited institutions are fulfilling their stated purposes and addressing the publics’ expectations.” According to the U.S. Department of Education, accredidation also grants an institution the ability to participate in federal loan programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, Perkins Loan and Stafford Loan. MSCHE is made up of three accrediting commissions: the Commission on Elementary Schools, the Commission on Secondary Schools, and the Commission on Higher Education. In the United States, there are six regional accrediting associations, each responsible See SAUDI page 3 See MIDDLE page 5 Courtesy of Marketing Communcations The “Be Colonel” campaign utilizes photos, animation and graphics in a number of different videos on the website and television, as displayed in this screenshot. friends in the new ads, as Wilkes has tried to promote the mentoring opportunities available to those who commit to the school. Of those students, Michael McAloon, a senior environmental engineering major, is of the “characters” in the ads. “I was chosen because of the trip we took to Yellowstone National Park with some engineering students last summer. After the trip I was approached about the commercial. They took still photos, and I didn’t know how they would make those work See MARKETING page 5 Saudi Interest Group receives official club status BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor & GILLYAN GOWARTY Correspondent The Saudi Interest Group was granted official club status by Student Government on October 21, passing with a vote of 24-3-2. The decision came several days after the club’s initial request was turned down by a vote of 8-20-8 for failing to have representatives attend the weekly Student Govern- ment meeting. The Saudi Interest Group was already one of the largest student organizations on Wilkes University’s campus prior to the decision, with approximately 45 undergraduate and graduate members. Receiving official club status is an important step for student groups on campus; aside from being given a $300 budget with which to fund events, groups are provided with easy access to SG vans, the ability to INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �NEWS S'I1IIIIJJ. IJS l~IJNl)S 1.\IIONG (~01..J..EGES 111.\GE a CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com NOVEMBER 3, 2009 2 Three candidates vie for two seats in Common Pleas elections BY GINO TROIANI Staff Writer William Amesbury, Tina Polachek-Gartley and Richard Hughes are the three candidates vying for the two open seats on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. The candidates have been lobbying for voters support and trust over the last several months in hopes of earning a spot on the bench after the November 3 elections. The local election has received much attention after former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan were accused of running a scheme where they received kickbacks for sentencing minors to local juvenile detention centers. The three candidates have diverse backgrounds. Democrat William Amesbury, 61, of Wilkes-Barre, was the heavily favored candidate amongst both Democrat and Republican voters in the May primaries. At 61, Amesbury is the oldest candidate. He explained that he is the most qualified candidate for the position because of his diverse background in public service. “If you take a look at my life history, I have worked as a laborer, teacher, social worker, and attorney,” said Amesbury. Since 2001, he has served as a Magisterial MIDDLE from FRONT PAGE for a specific geographic area. MSCHE is responsible for covering the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia areas. Paul Adams, vice president for Student Affairs explained that in November of 2007, Wilkes established a “steering committee” composed of members from the Wilkes community, headed by both himself and Dr. Vee Ming Lew, associate professor/chair of math and computer science. The committee was responsible for cre- District Judge in Luzerne County and has heard over 30,000 cases. “What I have offered is experience, knowledge and the ability to handle a court room,” said Amesbury. “It’s a big task to go to the Court of Common pleas and restore confidence in Luzerne County.” Democrat Tina Polachek-Gartley, 43, of Plains Township, announced her candidacy in early January. Polachek-Gartley has more than 18 years of extensive legal experience as a practicing attorney. In 1996, she attained the position of the first S.T.O.P.V.A.W. (Stop Violence Against Women) grant prosecutor in Luzerne County’s District Attorney’s Office. Since 2004, Polachek-Gartley has served as the Senior Attorney of the Barbara J. Hart Justice Center in Scranton. Polachek-Gartley visited Wilkes University on Tuesday, October 27 to talk with students about her campaign. She told students that if elected, she wants to make the court system open and transparent. “I want to restore faith; there will be no secret meetings because everything will be open,” said Polachek-Gartley on her policy, if elected. “We need to restore Luzerne County,” said Polachek-Gartley during a debate broadcast Elections signs for competitive races are placed on Carey Avenue in Wilkes-Barre. on WVIA on Wednesday, October 28. “I won’t be afraid to make decisions that are politically unpopular.” Polachek-Gartley has received endorsements from The Times Leader and Citizen’s Voice, and WIlkes University Campus Democrats. Republican Richard Hughes, 48, of Fairview Township, has more than 23 years experience practicing law under his belt. In 1988 he was appointed Assistant District Attorney for Luzerne County by the Honorable Correale Stevens, where he served for five years. Throughout his career, he has tried more than 30 civil and criminal jury trials to verdict. Presently, Hughes serves in a parttime capacity in the District’s Attorney’s Office, after being appointed by DA Jacqueline Musto Carroll in January 2008. “I am ready and well prepared to serve as judge,” said Hughes. “In this election, I bring experience to the table and am committed to the rigors of a campaign because I know it is the right thing to do.” Elections are taking place today throughout Luzerne County. ating and conducting a self study with the purpose of demonstrating that Wilkes meets MSCHE requirements. “Basically, if this were a marathon, we would be in the 22 mile of [a] 26.2 mile race,” Lew said at a recent student government meeting, adding that the university’s Middle States Committee is at the feedback stage of revising the self-study. The self-study committee is broken up into four working groups, each made up of at least nine members, who assess different aspects of the institution. The four working groups are evaluating Wilkes along the following four measures: Creating a Culture of Aspiration and Assessment, Achiev- ing Excellence and Growth in Educational Programs, Providing a World Class Support Environment, and Valuing Our People. Once the study is complete, an evaluation team from MSCHE composed of faculty and staff from different colleges and universities will visit and evaluate Wilkes as an overall institution in order to affirm the findings in a process that spans over three days. Wilkes is scheduled for evaluation on March 28, 2010. After the evaluation process, the evaluation team is responsible for making a recommendation to the Commission on Higher Education regarding the institution’s accreditation. If obtained, accreditation lasts for 10 years. Accreditation through MSCHE is a voluntary process. If an institution is accredited, it agrees to abide by the standards of their accrediting organization. “Our membership in Middle States is an assurance to our peer institutions, students and their families, and staff and employees that Wilkes aspires to excellence,” said Adams. Wilkes has been a member of MSCHE for over 70 years, beginning in 1937. It last reaffirmed its accreditation in June 2001. More information on Wilkes and MSCHE can be obtained at http://course.wilkes.edu/ msa/. 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 Meet the Staff LeeAnn Searfoss Lifestyles Editor �NOVEMBER 3, 2009 MARKETING from FRONT PAGE the commercial, but they did a stand-up job,” said McAloon. The ad campaign, which prominently features the new Colonel mascot, has been airing on MTV and VH1 in the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton markets, and has even spread virally over the Internet through social networking mediums such as Facebook and Twitter. “The motto ‘Be Colonel’ means going beyond the pep rally,” explained Kimberly Bower-Spence, the associate director of Marketing Communications at Wilkes. “It means reaching out to others, being a leader, and serving as part of our community.” According to Bower-Spence, the aim of the marketing department is to show students in the area of the great mentoring opportunities that exist at Wilkes. “The goals of the campaign are to increase brand awareness, let people in the region know about Wilkes and the mentoring relationships that happen here,” stated BowerSpence. “Another goal is to increase the number of applications that come into the University.” The University has been closely monitoring new hits on the website since its launch approximately two weeks ago. “We are carefully measuring the website’s unique hits - we’ve about 2,500 unique visitors in just the first two weeks. It’s really healthy and we’re really pleased with that,” said Bower-Spence. Unique hits are categorized by hits not from current Wilkes stu- SAUDI from FRONT PAGE important accomplishment for club members. Wingen explained that if the Saudi Interest Club was not recognized as an official club by Student Government, then people in the club would not feel that they were part of the Wilkes community; in turn, other students will not want to become involved. The Saudi Interest Club will now officially serve as a means of supporting incoming Saudi exchange students who may not be immediately familiar with either the English language or American culture. “[They] teach others about Saudi culture, offer support for new Saudi students, hold cultural events, and even recruit students from Saudi Arabia to Wilkes,” said Wingen. Abdullah Alshaikh, a sophomore business administration major and treasurer of the Saudi Interest Club, agreed with Wingen. “We want to introduce our culture and tradition [to others],” said Alshaikh. NEWS 3 dents. Each commercial combines still images with cartoon animation. For example, McAloon is surrounded by a cartoon intepretation of YellowStone National Park. “As for the animation, I love the way the technique cuts through the clutter. Prospective students and their families are bombarded with print, broadcast, diCourtesy of Marketing Communications rect mail, email, internet, phone Above is a print screen from the video which can be viewed online at becolonel.com, on television and at Movcalls, and oth- ies 14 before the previews. The ad campaign features the new Colonel mascot, which was revealed during the er sources of Homecoming 2008 festivities. The hits have been closely monitored since the “Be Colonel” campaign launched. information,” To watch the videos, featuring students and faculty, check out www.becolonel.com. stated Dr. Anne Heineman Baon the perceptions of potential students and For additional information and a look at tory, professor of marketing at Wilkes. their families. That comprehensive and cu- some of the creative commercials hitting Current and prospective students can flip mulative effect will take time and patience the airwaves, visit www.becolonel.com. through the channels on their local televi- and will be more difficult to measure,” said sion stations to see the newest addition of Batory. Wilkes’s advertising campaign. If students cannot catch a glimpse of the “Of course, the real value of ‘Be Colonel’ commercial on television, they will also be will be the influence the entire strategy has able to see it at Movies 14 before movies. He and other members of the Saudi Interest Club worked closely with Student Government so that they could achieve club status after being initially denied. “They helped with our constitution,” said Alshaikh. “They added and deleted things from it. They really helped us a lot and cooperated with us throughout the process; it was an honor and a privilege working with Student Government here at Wilkes.” Nicholas Koch, a senior and the president of Student Government, commented on the topic. “I definitely feel that the general board saw the value of this club on campus,” said Koch. “They have a large following, which will ensure the immediate and hopefully future success of the club. The Saudi Interest Club has been very accommodating, doing everything asked of them by Student Government. It is this dedication that should hopefully allow them to be active within the campus community, as they pursue their goals.” The Beacon/Allison Roth Two students from the Saudi Interest Club converse during the Intensive English program’s Halloween Party. Mohammed Almoumin and Abdullateaf Alghufn are pictured above. �NEWS 4 WILKES NEWS BRIEFS BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor INJECTABLE H1N1 VACCINES ARRIVE AT WILKES - The University scheduled three H1N1 flu vaccination clinics to be held on the second floor of Marts Center. The last available clinic is today, Tuesday, November 3 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The vaccine will only be available to students and at-risk staff and faculty, like pregnant employees, healthcare providers, staff/ faculty with chronic health conditions such as asthma, or heart disease or a weakened immune system. After November 3, if flu vaccine is still available, arrangements will be made to provide the vaccine to Wilkes employees who are not in the at-risk categories. Dates and times for any additional clinics will be posted on Wilkes Today. For more information about the H1N1 virus, visit http://wilkes.edu/pages/3338.asp. Questions should be directed to the Health and Wellness Services Office at 408-4730. PARKING APPLICATIONS FOR SPRING 2010 - On-campus parking permit applications for commuters and residents will be available beginning on November 13. Applications are available in the following locations: -The Public Safety Office, located on148 South Main Street, first floor, UCOM Garage -The Residence Life Office, located in Passan Hall, third floor -The Information Desk, located in the Henry Student Center, first floor -The Commuter Lounge, located in Conyngham Hall, basement All applications are due to the Public Safety Office by December 11, no exceptions. Applicants should fill out the application completely, including the registration (license plate) number. The applications will then be reviewed by Commuter Council or the Residence Life Parking Committee; decisions will be made based on a point system that has been established. WEEK 10 ANNOUNCEMENT - With the end of the tenth week of the fall semester on Friday, November 6, also marks the end of the withdrawal period. The current withdrawal form, available online or at the NOVEMBER 3, 2009 student services center, requires the signature of the student’s advisor and the course instructor. Beginning on Monday, November 9, students may only withdrawal from courses with a written approval from the course instructor and the dean of the school in which the course is being offered. Career Services for more information, careers@wilkes.edu or www.wilkes. edu/career. The class will be offered on Tuesday from 2:30 pm-3:20 p.m. - CAR 198 A (CRN 11086) and Wednesday from 12:00 pm-12:50 p.m. - CAR 198 B (CRN 11087). LUNCH & LEARN - In order to inform the Wilkes Community about smoking, “Smoking and Lung Disease” will be presented by Tony Delonti, Program Specialist for The American Lung Association of PA. On Tuesday, November 17 at noon in the Miller Conference Room, Delonti will speak about topics such as lung disease and how smoking affects the lungs. All faculty and staff are welcome to attend this informative session. Those interested in attending must reserve their spot with Brunhilda Jones at brunhilda.jones@wilkes.edu by Wednesday, November 11. FINANCE WORKSHOPS - Cash Course is offering workshops on the topics of budgeting, credit cards, debt, identity theft and money management. The workshops started on Wednesday, October 28 and will continue through Tuesday, November 10. All courses take place in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. For more information on Cash Course, visit www.cashcourse. org/wilkes/Default.aspx ONE CREDIT COURSE OFFERED IN SPRING - This spring semester, Career Services is offering a one credit course in career development. The course, CAR 198, is for juniors and seniors. Also included in the class is resume writing, interviewing and professional networking skills. Contact POLISH ROOM HOLDS POLKA DANCING LESSONS - Wilkes University’s Polish room will be holding Polka dance lessons on Wednesday, November 4. The lessons will be held in the Henry Student Center Ballroom from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The event is free. All are welcome to attend. 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 official Starbucks location! Need a Pumpkin Spice Latte? A creamy blend of pumpkin and spices combined with Starbucks espresso, steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream. Come on in and get warmed up for the season. VEGAN Cookies now offered in your cafel 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. �NOVEMBER 3, 2009 NEWS 5 Recovering in NEPA: a look at stimulus funds among local colleges BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Editor’s Note: This is the first article in a two part series on the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Northeastern Pennsylvania and Wilkes University. The Beacon will focus on the approximately $1.6 million stimulus dollars given to Wilkes for grant and special programs next week. On Friday, the federal government reported approximately 640,000 jobs have been created or saved in the U.S. as a result of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more popularly known as the stimulus package. President Obama signed the Act into law on February 17 with three goals: save and create jobs, spur economic growth, and create transparency and accountability within the government for the funds. However, there have been other impacts of the stimulus beyond the jobs created – many to higher education in Northeast Pennsylvania. Several colleges and universities in NEPA were on the receiving end of millions of dollars in stimulus funding. According to Recovery.gov, the federal government’s official tracking site for stimulus funds, approximately $5.4 million stimulus dollars were distributed between Luzerne County Community College, King’s College, Misericordia University, and Wilkes University since Obama signed the Act last February. Out of the four institutions, LCCC received the most stimulus funds, $2,347,300; Wil- kes was second, $1,643,934; then Misericordia, $754,036; and King’s, $661,224. The grants are meant for a variety of projects and activities. LCCC received 13 awards ranging from over $2 million to less than $400. Wilkes received six awards from $700,000 to less than $2,500, Misericordia got 11 awards from approximately $600,000 to about $500. King’s received six from more than $500,000 to less than $3,000. The majority of the awards are described as “grant programs,” but there are some awards like Wilkes’ $704,323 grant from the National Science Foundation. According to the Wilkes’ Grants Office Director Anne Pelak, the grant is expected to begin in the summer of 2010 and is meant to encourage certain students to pursue a graduate education in biology. Countywide, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania estimates hundreds of thousands of people in Luzerne County have benefited from the stimulus through job creation and tax relief. Thirteen schools districts in Luzerne County and institutions like the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Cente also received funds Statewide, Pennsylvania expects to receive about $16 billion in stimulus funds. The White House hopes to save 3.5 million jobs by the end of next year through the stimulus funds. In a press release, the White House said the current job creation results, as well as news that the GDP numbers have shown growth in the third quarter, prove the stimulus is working. The $5.4 million Pie King's $660K • • 1ser1cor $750K Wilkes $1.6 million The Beacon/Andrew Seaman The above graphic illustrates the breakdown of the distribution of the $5.4 million in funding. Each school was allocated a certain amount from the stimulus package for various programs. Information in graph from Recovery.gov. STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES 10-28-09 . O BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor Treasurer’s Report All College: $14,900 Conferences: $10,000 General: $2,300 Leadership: $3,000 Special Projects: $2,050 Spirit: $1,000 Start-Up: $1,000 Club Reports Programming Board: Today, at 9 p.m. hypnotist Kevin Hurley will be holding a session in the HSC lounge. Concert planning underway. MSC: No date for the talent show yet. A Thanksgiving dinner is planned for November 21. New Business Ski Club Week 1 of 2: Request for Funds: Ski Club President Clinton Faught requested funding for a ski trip to Killington, Vermont. Faught requested $70 per person, up to a maximum of $1400. The money would be used to drive down the cost for each individual Wilkes student going. The trip would be open to up to 30 college-age students and non-Wilkes students would have to pay full-price. Transportation costs will be split with King’s College. During the year, the ski club takes five or six smaller trips on breaks or weekends, but this is the one big trip that ski club plans for during the year. Faught also said that the main reason they are asking for funds is to open the trip to non-club-members to promote interest and thus expand the club. SG will vote on this next week. SG T-Shirts (Week 1 of 1): Voted to allo- cate up to $300 to pay for their new shirts. Closing Comments: Lock-out Fee: Elizabeth Roveda brought up the possibility of starting to charge students who lock themselves out and have to call public safety. The fee would be $5. Roveda reported that other schools have a $10 to $15 fine for the mistake. *At 7:40 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. Il IC o 5: p. �6 Opinion wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com NOVEMBER 3, 2009 To vaccinate or not to vaccinate: you decide H1N1 vaccinations now available, many still debating benefits vs. risks particularly if you are allergic to eggs, any egg products, or any other substances within the vaccine. Chances of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is highly unlikely, but the possibility of such outcomes are possible. KTLA News reported 26-year-old cheerleader from Virginia developing what she will respond to the seasonal influenza and the H1N1 vaccines when taken simultaneously. If you are one of the people considering Many debatable truths have been created by Americans in response to the H1N1 panan H1N1 vaccine, know that it is only “exdemic for fear of their health and safety. pected” to have the same preventative efTaking preventative measures toward enfects as the seasonal flu vaccine. Also note suring one’s health during seasons of highthat one must also receive both vaccinarisk for influenza seems tions in order to be proto always be a debate tected from both strains in the minds of Ameriof influenza; the H1N1 can Citizens: The quesvaccination does not tion remains, “Should I protect against the seaor shouldn’t I get a flu sonal flu virus strain. shot?” The CDC has estabThe Beacon staff does lished that certain innot believe it is our place dividuals are more “at to tell you whether or risk” if they contract not to get the vaccines. the H1N1 virus, and it We do feel that it is our is urging those people place to urge students, to get the vaccination. faculty and staff of WilThose “at risk” groups kes University to eduare pregnant women, cate themselves on the people who live with benefits and risks of the or care for infants H1N1 vaccine so that younger than 6 months they might make the best of age, health care educated decision. and emergency mediThe most stirring cal personnel, anyone characteristic about the from 6 months through “Swine Flu” is that it 24 years of age, or anyhas been reported as a one from 25 through cause of death around 64 years of age with the country. The Centers certain chronic medical for Disease Control and conditions or a weakThe Beacon/Tom Reilly Prevention’s (CDC) reened immune system. ported that over 1,000 The Kirby Health Center on North Franklin street is performing H1N1 As you can see, people have died due vaccination for residents in the city of Wilkes-Barre. If you feel that you are at there is a lot to conto complications from serious risk for H1N1, The Beacon encourages that you research the facts and sider when weighing speak with your primary care physician before receiving the H1N1 vaccine. swine flu this year. the risks versus the In comparing the numbenefits of the H1N1 ber of people who died from H1N1 this year claimed to be a “neurological disorder” ten vaccine. Knowing the facts is the first step to the number of people who die on aver- days after receivng a seasonal influenza toward making an informed decision. The age per year from seasonal influenza, the vaccine. Beacon’s goal in this editorial was to proseasonal flu has proven to be just as, if not After doctors performed a number of tests vide you with some of those facts; however, more, dangerous than the H1N1 strain. to find out what caused the nerves to shut The Beacon urges you to continue to watch According to the CDC, seasonal influenza down, signs and speculations by the Virgin- news reports, learn about possible side efis responsible for over 36,000 deaths each ian woman still point to the vaccine. fects, and talk with your primary care phyyear in this United States. It is also important to note that the CDC’s sician and with your families about this imThe CDC ialso states that “a vaccine, sim- studies of vaccines include individuals who portant decision, especially if you fall into ilar to any medicine, could cause a serious have only one vaccine in their system at a one of the “at risk” groups. problem, such as a severe allergic reaction,” time. So, it is largely unknown how people BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu 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 19 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think the collective Wilkes student body has enough school spirit? • Yes 11% • No 89% Next Week’s Question: Do you plan on getting or have you already received the H1N1 vaccine? • 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. �NOVEMBER 3, 2009 OPINION 7 Reading between the lines . Brie Friedman high art and popular culture, and covered diverse subjects – from kissing to getting bank loans if you were a single woman – that had not previously been found within the same covers,” reported Hopkirk. I just don’t understand why women’s magazines--made mostly by women, for women--don’t publish articles to just “do you,” as my best friends say. In other words, magazines for women today should not just be about sex or pleasing your man, needing a man, or how to look. It should be about how to be happy with ourselves just the way we are. Women should be who they want to be, despite what other people think. It’s rare to find any men’s magazine that tells them how to make their woman happy (and I don’t just mean sexually). There are hardly any articles for men on how to make a relationship better for the woman, yet these “please everyone else” articles are mainstream for women. Most women read these articles because they’re entertaining, but there is a deeper meaning that reflects the gender roles in our society. Maybe it’s because, stereotypically, women care too much and maybe men don’t care enough, hence the overcompensation in women’s magazines on how to make everyone else happier. Who knows—there could be a number of reasons. Women’s magazines today, in general, should show more support for the everyday woman. It should be about representing ourselves and not trying to be something we’re not for the sake of someone else. I just wish there was more content about honoring our true, unique selves rather than holding back or altering ourselves for external validity. We need to get our voices back. What is it with today’s women’s magazines? Each brightly-covered, fashion-filled, pretty magazine is appealing and intriguing, attracting most women. The stories like “How to Catch a Hot Date,” or “Seven Ways to Make Your Butt Look Good” are fun. And don’t forget about those wonderful quizzes that let us know if we are too bossy to our boyfriends. Sure, these magazines are fun and create interesting topics of conversation, and even I have picked up a few copies. But what are these magazines really telling women, both young and old? This is my main beef: we should be reading articles on how to maintain our individuality and to indulge in freedom of being. I am tired of reading articles on how to better myself to make sure someone else--mainly, my boyfriend--is happy. This kind of advice is telling women to not be themselves. Women should aspire to be who they want to be. Today, the magazines preach on who they think you should be. It is a new age for the average woman. Not to be all feministic, but it’s taken a long time to get to where we are today. We can finally be ourselves; we have freedom and aren’t restricted to “the man.” We’ve made a statement that we will and can do what we want, though equality isn’t perfect and probably will never be. Popular women’s magazines include Cosmopolitan, CosmoGirl, Redbook, Seventeen, and so on. When it first came out, Cosmopolitan, was a revolution for women--a sexual revolution, as it finally made it acceptable to discuss sexuality and sex. There was freedom in that. But, when the magazine was still in its relative infancy, it included articles on finance and property and not just sex. What happened to that? According to an online article from The Independent Media titled “Confessions of a Cosmopolitan girl,” the launch editor, Joyce Hopkirk, said, “These days, it [Cosmopolitan] is more obviously youth-oriented, and displays the same obsession with bubblegum celebrities – ‘Backstage with Britney’ – as its competitors. It is a successful formula, currently selling 450,000 copies, but something has inevitably been lost. Today’s Cosmo is coarser and less critical, confesThe Beacon/Tom Reilly sional rather than analytical, and nervous Women purchase Cosmopolitan, one magaabout challenging preconceptions.” zine sending women the wrong message, Back in the early days, however, “it mixed from supermarkets and convenient stores. The Observatory What women’s magazines are really communicating A & E Editor . -~ -- ~M ----~ - ./ X:. 7:~?T'f",:"/"~~~ -· _·¼, __,~ ·-:, ~ ---. -'~ -,,. ;., _i _j ,~ .-.. .,, . : -~ -- i - I 7-t /~~~~~~$~ , ; . . ,,,,,-_1/; ~~~~ -/ - Don't get SAD, get active light treatment. Bright light or phototherapy treatment devices can correct the overpro• I duction of melatonin, which will give the body more energy and make it less suscepIt’s that time of the season. While we are tible to slipping into depression. The second all bundling up indoors trying to stay warm is, of course, anti-depressants. and preparing for the cold winter months Bright light devices tend to cost in the that are right around the corner, some peo- range of $200 and anti-depressants vary in ple are visiting their family physicians and cost, especially depending on what type of getting their anti-depression medication to health insurance you have, if you have any treat a disorder that commonly occurs in the at all. fall and winter months. This makes absolutely no sense to me. Seasonal Affective Disorder or coinciden- Why would you pay $200 for light? Sunlight tally, SAD for short, is a form of clinical de- is free, everyone. While it does get darker pression in which individuals experience an earlier in the day during the winter months, overall lack of energy, as well as symptoms at least make an attempt to get as much sun associated with depression. as you possibly can before it sets each day. According to the American Psychiatric And some anti-depressants like Zoloft can Association, “SAD has been linked to a bio- increase sucidal thoughts. It seems like an chemical imbalance in the brain prompted awfully big risk if you are just trying to rid by shorter daylight hours and a lack of sun- yourself of those winter blues. light in winter.” So why run to anti-depressants when you Sufferers of SAD tend to become tired can prevent mild forms of depression with and depressed, over eat, especially carbohy- an active lifestyle? drates, and have sudden mood swings much The Mayo Clinic, a non-profit medilike those with clinical depression experi- cal practice dedicated to the diagnosis and ence. treatment of virtually every type of comWhile I acknowledge that SAD is a seri- plex illness, states that “research on anxiety, ous disorder that requires medical treatment depression and exercise shows that the psyin severe cases, I do not agree with the way chological and physical benefits of exercise medical professionals overdramaticize the can also help reduce anxiety and improve disorder and suggest that people need to re- mood.” sort to sitting in front of a lamp for a certain While exercise will not treat the most amount of time each day and anti-depres- serious cases of SAD, at which point antisants to get through the winter. Maintaining depressants are necessary, it is affective in an active lifestyle with a healthy diet, and the prevention of mild cases. If you think getting a full night’s rest through the win- you may have clinical depression or a seter months are the best ways to prevent and vere case of SAD, seek medical attention treat the symptoms of SAD and the cost is immediately. minimal compared to bright light or photoBut, if you think you may be suffering therapy devices and prescription anti-de- from a mild case of SAD, want to save some pressants. money and do not want to take anti-depresPhototherpay devices and anti-depressants sants for two-plus months of the year, get such as Welbutrin and Zoloft are currently out there. Do some jogging. Get some sunthe two methods of treatment that most, light. Sleep of full eight hours a night. Eat if not all, health organizations suggest for healthy meals. Before you know it, the winpeople who are suffering or think they may ter will be over and you will be all smiles be suffering from SAD. The most common all the time. And you might even have lost and effective treatment suggested is bright a pound or two. Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS �OPINION 8 NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Bumper stickers act as an expression of the self Think before you plaster them all over your automobiles Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS When the rap-group NWA constructed the prelude to the chorus for “Express Yourself,” they unknowingly emphasized an important concept toward their listeners, that “brain damage on the mic don’t manage.” NWA’s message speaks volumes in terms of expressing one’s self through bumper sticker recognition. This is especially complicated during a time when American’s have an over-abundance of ways to accent individual characteristics that reveal parts of one’s personae. Regardless of how misconstrued some messages indicated through bumper stickers may be, the act of doing so is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The following tale is a true account of how First Amendment Rights can get you into trouble. As I was running northbound on Franklin St. toward Kirby Hall, my eyes caught a glimpse of a collage of bumper stickers on a truck’s window. The sticker in the left half of truck read “DMB,” indicating that the driver supports the Jam-Rock genre of music; nothing too alarming about that. But as I viewed the “Tool” and “Bob Marley” stickers on the other parts of the window, the driver’s message became more complicated, considering those two bands indicate he supports Alternative Rock groups as well as the Reggae genre. While contemplating that the driver may have been a simple minded person who enjoys several different types of music, my eyes caught the fourth and final sticker on the back window, which read “Support Local Music.” I was half tempted to yell at the truck for advertising such as confusing message. The driver of the vehicle clearly supported music, but the last time I checked, Dave Mathews, Tool, and Bob Marley are not musical sensations from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, that we can support from a local standpoint. Unfortunately for the driver of this vehicle, the message he communicates is one of confusion and not one that supports any of the four categories of music. Taking into consideration that momentary lapses do occur in ones thinking, this person’s “Support Local Music” sticker could have been just something useful to look cool and fill space at the same time. On the contrary, our motor vehicles are symbols of our “selves” by themselves. Do we not try our bests to purchase a car that is both affordable and reflects something about our individualities? Therefore, what we place on our entities of pseudo-individual identities become conscious reflections of what we are trying to say about ourselves. In other words, I have no mercy for this sorry-soul who communicated to me that he (or she) supports local music from Charlottesville, Los Angeles, and St. Ann Parish, Jamaica. Other bumper stickers which I find problematic are the ones that say “Honk if you like [insert anything one could possibly like here].” Naturally I am going to honk if I like the same things that the driver of the other vehicle indicates that he or she likes. But if I honk while behind that particular vehicle, the driver could get mad at me and think I am suggesting he or she is driving too slow. The end result would not conclude with a friendly wave and facial expression that says “we both like the same things, hooray for us.” Instead, the other driver is more likley to throw a gesture that is the opposite of friendly. Although attempts at making friends through bumper sticker relativity is not the smartest thing in the world, neither is slapping a bumper sticker on the back of your vehicle of a Dallas Cowboy urinating on an Philadelphia Eagle and then leaving your vehicle unattended at Lincoln Financial Field…or anywhere in Philadelphia for that matter. If loving the Dallas Cowboys is part of who you are and what you want the world to know about you, then there is no point to removing or covering the sticker when you watch the Cowboys play the Eagles in Philadelphia. The purpose of that sticker is to show that you are a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and you accept all consequences of any reaction toward that statement because it is who you indicate you are. Representing yourself through accented individual expressions is all well and good, I just ask a few favors for having to take time out of my life to address this issue. One: make sure that what you are trying to say about yourself is logical and possible. Two: if it says that you do something or like something on your bumper sticker, I want to see proof when I test you. And, finally, three: don’t hide who you are just because your bumper sticker might leave you with four less hubcaps and a busted windshield. State should mandate retest for elderly to renew drivers licenses Jason Thomas was a 25 year old man from Larksville. He was an uncle, a brother, and a son. This past August, he was tragically killed while riding his bicycle home from work on a Sunday night. The person behind the other vehicle involved was an 86-yearold woman. The woman involved not only struck Thomas, but dragged his body a large distance before eyewitnesses stopped her. She was not aware of the fact that she had hit Thomas. While this person most likely did not set out to purposely kill anyone that night, I strongly feel that precautions should have been taken so that this situation would have never occurred. According to the 2000 census, Pennsylvania has the third largest elderly population in the United States, but does not require any form of physical examination to confirm that drivers over the age of 65 are in proper drive shape. The Beacon/Melanie Thomas BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer/Photographer The PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services located in Hanover is the official licensing center for anyone eligible for an official Pennsylvainia State Driver’s license. Insure.com explains that states such as South Carolina and Georgia require a vision screening at the age of 64. Other states like Maine and Maryland require drivers to start taking vision screenings at age 40. More and more states are beginning to regulate older drivers. Currently there are 11 states that mandate certain requirements for older drivers. Pennsylvania, the state with the third largest elderly population in the country, does not mandate such screenings. What is it going to take for Pennsylvania to see that other drivers and pedestrians may be at risk when an elderly driver gets behind the wheel? I don’t mean to offend anyone who is a safe older driver; I know of senior citizens that are excellent drivers. But there is no denying of the fact that as we age, we start to lose our ability to hear, see, react, and use depth perception. As we start to feel the effects of aging, perhaps we should question how much longer we should be aloud to drive ourselves. People need to take responsibility and recognize their own limitations. The Department of Transportation indicates that if a medical professional knows of any person who is physically unfit to drive, that he or she must be made aware of his or her defeciency. This is not enough. It is crucial for the State of Pennsylvania to require that after a certain age, elderly people must take a physical examination in order to renew their licenses. �CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu li ostyllos ___ wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com NOVEMBER 3, 2009 9 Wilkes full-time staff are reaping their full benefits Employee/students juggle hectic schedule of work and classes BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor s: said they would hire me full fi time, I couldn’t pass uup the free tuition,” said Burke. He is currently E aa business administration ' ti major expecting to graduate at the end of g the spring semester. ~~4'-.l.l. ■ t1 Another young, fulltime employee that ti takes undergraduate ti classes at Wilkes is C Rosalie Morgans. She R s, sometimes feels the ppressure of working a full fi time job at Wilkes and also taking undera and loved the job,” said Morgans. Right now Morgans is a freshman nursing major at Wilkes. She transferred credits in from the University of Pittsburgh, which Some students will refer to school is where she went to school right after her as their job; they’re not getting paid graduation from Meyers High School. for doing homework and handing Morgans shifts at public safety vary, on a papers in on time, but maybe they weeknight she may be working from 5 p.m. consider their school work just as imto 1 a.m. or from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Weekend portant as a paying job would be. For shifts on Friday’s and Saturday’s can vary some students their place of full-time depending on the schedule. Due to the late employment is located right here at hours spent at work Morgans can only take Wilkes University, the same place 11 credits this semester. they attend classes. Although Morgans spends a great deal of According to the Wilkes Univerher night at work, she still finds time to get sity Employee Handbook, Wilkes some studying done. “The shifts that I’m will provide any full-time employee on during the week allow me to study some who has completed 90 calendar days while I’m at work,” said Morof employment with tuition benefits gans. for both undergraduate and graduA typical night for Morgans ate credits. These benefits are also would start out locking variextended to the employee’s spouse, ous buildings around campus. same-gender domestic partner, and She performs numerous floor dependant sons and/or daughters. The Beacon/ Allison Roth checks of the dorms and empFor Margaret Espada, director of Coley Burke has been employed ty buildings around campus Upward Bound at Wilkes, the past at Wilkes since the summer of throughout the night. During five years, taking courses for her 2006. He works in the mail room this time Morgans is also padoctorate degree in educational lead- and plans to graduate in May with trolling campus and respondership was something she wanted to a degree in business administraing to calls to open limited acdo not only for her degree, but also tion. cess doors. because of the free tuition. With her free time Espada Around 10 p.m., when all the Espada took courses for her doctorbuildings should be locked, ate for three semesters before she stopped found a second job working as a consultant for the magaMorgans will usually be put because of scheduling-related problems. on desk duty in either Univer“When I first entered the program I was zine Pampered Chef. Pamsity Towers or Evans, which told there was evening and weekend tracks. pered Chef sells cookware; typically involves doing floor I needed the weekend tracks because my consultants can hold parties checks regularly to maintain husband is in a position where he travels that people host, much like a Tupperware party. Espada the security in the dorms and during the week,” said Espada. making sure visitors sign in When Wilkes didn’t provide the courses hosts Pampered Chef parties upon entry. she needed to complete her degree, Espada with her daughter, earning “Sometimes it can get hectic, took a leave of absence and stopped pursu- them extra time together. The Beacon/ Allison Roth Some Wilkes employees but for the most part it’s pretty ing her doctorate degree so she could be Rosalie Morgans is employed as a public safety officer at Wilkes. home at night to take care of her 9-year-old are younger and taking un- She admits to feeling the pressure of balancing a full time job and 11 routine,” says Morgans. dergraduate courses, such Even though her long shifts daughter. credits, but appreciates the opportunity Wilkes has given her. are overwhelming for a college “In taking my leave of absence this semes- as local Forty-Fort resident, student, Morgans said the free ter I realized the stress it put on my family. I Coley Burke. Burke acquired tuition is most definitely worth it. looked at the pros and cons of pursuing my his job as a mail clerk in the mail room lo- graduate courses. Morgans has been a public safety officer “The only disadvantage is getting four to doctorate and asked myself if I was doing cated on the second floor of the Henry Stuit because I needed to have a doctorate de- dent Center in the summer of 2006 through at Wilkes for about seven months; she found five hours of sleep a night. There’s no time the job listing on Monster.com. “I figured for me to go home and take a nap,” said gree or because I couldn’t pass up the free Action Personal temp agency. “I was a full-time student at [then] Col- I’d give it a shot. My old basketball coach Morgans. tuition. The latter was my motivation,” said lege Misericordia at the time. When Wilkes used to work for public safety at Wilkes, Espada. ,----------, �LIFESTYLES 10 NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Getting out of a ticket: Tips and tricks from Wilkes students BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor & RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Red and blue lights. They are undistinguishable…especially in one’s rearview mirror. When one see’s red and blue lights their foot automatically hits the brake pedal. Getting pulled over is an everyday occurrence. Driving on Route 81 on any particular day, you are hard pressed to not find someone getting pulled over. That being said, there are most likely thousands upon thousands of traffic tickets given out in any particular day. There are most likely thousands upon thousands of excuses to accompany those tickets. Many college students consider themselves particularly decent drivers. They understand the rules of the road and, for the most part, they follow those rules. On the occasional slip up, however, they may drive (slightly) too fast on an open road. So, when the rules of the road are not followed to the letter, consequences seem to arise. Consequences in the form of red and blue flashing lights. “I got pulled over near Harvey’s Lake two years ago. I was being followed by a car that would not slow down, so I went through a stop sign to avoid being hit. The officer who pulled me over told me it would have been better to be hit than to speed up and go through a stop sign,” said Sarah Navin, a senior communications major. This is a typical scenario: someone is going too fast; a cop pulls them over. Whether you are having a bad day, you don’t have the money to pay the high price of a traffic ticket, or you legitimately thought you were going the speed limit, people constantly try and get out of traffic tickets. When Devin Sassone-McHugh, a senior criminology major, got pulled over a few years back, he was on his way to school, rushing to get to class on time. After being pulled over and having the police officer run his license plate numbers, Sassone-McHugh realized he was pulled over by his own fa- ther. Sassone-McHugh’s father and brother are both policemen on Long Island. “He knew he was pulling me over, and he ran my plates anyway. I couldn’t believe I got pulled over by my own dad,” stated Sassone-McHugh. Barring being related to the person pulling you over, Wilkes students have tried other ways to get out of having to pay fines, get points on their license, and impair their driving records. Meribeth Derkach, a freshmen pre-pharmacy major, got a ticket in New Jersey. “The cop stopped me for speeding. I started to cry and told him I just broke up with my boyfriend; then he let me go,” said Derkach. Rachel Zomberfeld, a freshmen pre-pharmacy major, got a ticket in Pennsylvania from a state trooper. “I was pulled over for a stop sign violation. It was two days before my birthday, so the cop let me go,” explained Zomberfield. According to Kenneth Stucker, a junior English major, “Good excuses would be that this is your first offense, and crying is usually the traditional way to get out of a ticket. I think arguing with the officer is probably the worst thing you could do.” So, the next time you see the red and blue flashing lights of the fine folks in blue coming up behind you, take stalk of the situation and give one of these quick-thinking choices a try. There is crying, lying about where you are going or who you need to see, and begging and pleading. Of course, you could also just drive the speed limit and not chance getting pulled over at all. IFYOU HAVE AN IDEA FORA "HOW TO..." ARTICLE, PLEASE CONTACT THE BEACON AT WWW. WILKESBEACON.LIFESTYLES@ GMAIL.COM. YOURARTICLE IDEA COULD BE FEATURED IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE BEA- CON! I NC OR P OR AT E D LINGIN INK SINCE 1993 Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. www.4t-shirts.com The Beacon/Tom Reilly A Wilkes-Barre police officer pulls over an individual near the City Hall building on Market Street. In the past, people have tried many ways to get out of traffic tickets, including crying, lying, and pleading. �NIOVEMBER 3, 2009 LIFESTYLES College Days Michael Raub trades in pens for knives and chef’s hat BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor The basic tools in a college student’s backpack: books, paper, pencils, pens. The basic tools in Michael Raub’s backpack were knives, a chef’s hat and a wellcreased chef’s coat. Raub, Wilkes University’s retail manager in charge of Rifkin Café, Einstein Brother Bagels, and the Stark Lounge, did not travel a traditional college road. For Raub, there were no desks or classrooms. Instead of lectures, there were demonstrations. Instead of well-sharpened pencils, there were wellsharpened knives. Raub attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, for culinary arts from 19982000. His non-traditional college experience began with only being two years long, according to Raub. Johnson & Wales has a prestigious and rigorous culinary program, and Raub and his classmates were not quick to forget that. “At the opening ceremony each year to start school, the president of the school would get up and give a little speech. He would tell us to look to our left and to our right. He said two of those three will not be there next year. He was right,” remembered Raub. Coming from Dallas High School in Dallas, PA, Raub transformed himself from an average student, maintaining B and C grades (voluntarily), to an attention-to-detail academic. Only Raub’s focus was pre- paring food instead of paper. Raub’s college career actually began before he even left high school. Dallas High School worked in conjunction with certain colleges around the country to help students obtain cross-over credits. When Raub found the Johnson & Wales culinary program, he “knew it was time to go.” “I never told anyone from high school that I wasn’t coming back for a regular senior year. I told some of my closest friends, but no one else knew. I came back from graduation and everyone thought I had died,” said Raub. Picking up and moving to Rhode Island alone to finish both his senior year of high school and begin his first year of culinary school, Raub found himself in a small quad of a dorm with three other students from three corners of the country. “Freshman year, I was put with three other guys,” stated Raub. “We couldn’t have had less in common, but we knew by week two we would get on just fine.” By his second and final year in culinary school, Raub’s living situation had upgraded, in his opinion. “By sophomore year, we got to choose our own roommates,” added Raub. “And the school bought out an old hotel, an old Hilton, so we dormed there.” Raub avoided the pen and pencil world of other “traditional” universities. His professors owned restaurants. Almost all of his classmates worked in the food industry immediately. “We worked on a trimester instead of a semester schedule. We would go to a class for nine days straight, one class, seven hours a day,” explained Raub. His rigorous schedule put him in a learning environment for the first four days of the week, leaving his weekend open. These hours were spent working at a restaurant or in the food industry, however, not relaxing. “We were required to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,” said Raub. Raub and his fellow culinary classmates worked around the clock to earn their degrees in a two year period. Raub can now be seen helping out and usually smiling each day at Rifkin Café, Einstein, and the Stark Lounge. He continues to use the basic tools from his college days. 11 Student Student of of the the Week: Week: Nicole Roman Roman Nicole BY BY KIRSTIN KIRSTIN COOK COOK Correspondent Correspondent For For the the typical typical student, student, completing completing all all of of the balancthe requirements requirements for for one one major major while while balancing ing life life on on and and off-campus off-campus can can be be challengchallenging. ing. That That is is what what Nicole Nicole Roman Roman is is facing facing in in her her college college schedule, schedule, and and unlike unlike the the typical typical student, student, she she loves loves every every second second of of it. it. The junior, originally The junior, originally from from Eaglesmere, Eaglesmere, PA, history and PA, is is majoring majoring in in history and psychology, psychology, with minor in with aa minor in education. education. She She is is hoping hoping to to graduate years, aa graduate in in aa total total of of two two and and half half years, goal worked at goal she she has has worked at by by taking taking 18 18 to to 21 21 credits credits aa semester. semester. As G. I. I. As aa child, child, Roman Roman was was nicknamed nicknamed G. Jane, Jane, and and now now she she is is aiming aiming towards towards her her lifelifelong long goals goals of of serving serving her her country country and and teachteaching. ing. From field training, From her her Air Air Force Force field training, Roman Roman has to be be calm highhas learned learned to calm in in the the face face of of highstress stress situations. situations. She She also also makes makes time time to to be be with with family family and and friends friends on on the the weekend weekend by by completing completing her her work work during during the the week. week. Roman Roman would would not not have have it it any any other other way. way. Another helps Roman Another aspect aspect that that helps Roman to to carry carry such such aa workload workload is is the the support support she she receives receives from people around from the the people around her. her. Roman Roman said said that that her most supportive, well her parents parents are are the the most supportive, as as well as as the the people people from from her her detachment detachment in in ROTC. ROTC. “It’s "It's like like aa whole whole other other family family in in air air force,” force," she she said. said. Even Even during during the the summer, summer, Roman Roman takes takes part part in variety of works, volunvolunin aa variety of activities. activities. She She works, teers teers for for her her church, church, is is active active in in events events such such as water festival as her her local local water festival and and volunteers volunteers for for the fire company. the fire company. She She also also demonstrates demonstrates her her love teaching by windsurfing leslove of of teaching by giving giving windsurfing lessons. sons. The Beacon: Where The Beacon: Where do do you you see see yourself yourself in in ten ten years? years? Roman: Roman: Depends Depends on on how how Air Air Force Force goes… goes ... either either stationed stationed somewhere somewhere or or teaching teaching in in aa district district somewhere. somewhere. Photos courtesy of Michael Raub In his own words, Michael Raub has some famous professors: We [flohnson & Wales] always had different special events that came up. inere was always a dinner or something. That was always put on by the students there. I got to meet a lot of celebrity people who graduated from there. I went to school at a time when the Food Network was just getting started. Chefs were starting to become famous for their food, not just their restaurant. The school would bring in chefs from around the country to teach and lecture and demonstrate. I have learned from Emeril Lagasse, Julia Child, and Jasper White. We got to meet or serve food to or gel\ lectures from them. The Beacon: The Beacon: Describe Describe yourself yourself in in three three words. words. Roman: Roman: Country, Country, skier, skier, Air Air Force. Force. The Beacon: The Beacon: Finish Finish this this sentence: sentence: “My "My friends friends The Beacon/Allison Roth would be would be surprised surprised to to know…” know ... " Roman: play drums. Roman: …that ... that II can can play drums. �WOl1M01HBR O'DRBl/3BW CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu PAt:;e ,a 12 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Calling all the inked and outrageous from Wyoming Valley “Inkin’ the Valley” returns to Wilkes-Barre, November 6-8 BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Tattoo artists from many different areas will be coming to the convention to show off their talents. Making an appearance at If you like tattoos, body piercings, or sword swallowing, then Inkin’ the Valley has just what you’re looking for. On November 6, 7, and 8, The Woodlands Inn and Resort will be hosting the 16th Annual Inkin’ the Valley Tattoo Convention and 8th Annual Sideshow Gathering. The NEPA area will be presented with three days of contest, prizes, vendors, and some of the greatest tattooing and body piercing. There will be 42 booths at the event that include both Tattooist and Piercers, so you should find something that you like. A tattoo artist at Marc’s Tattooing who goes by the name of Franco said, “It [the convention] is the combined effort of the whole Marc’s Tattooing family that makes it all come together.” Marc’s Tattooing is the sponsor of this event and is the glue that holds everything together during the convention. On Friday, from 3 p.m. – 11p.m., some of the greatest tattoo artists from around the world such as artists from All or Nothing Tattoo Studio in Smyrna, Ga. and human dart board sideshow freaks will be packing into The Woodlands to kick off this event. On Saturday, the convention will be open from 12 p.m. – 11p.m. Contest and sideshow entertainment will commence with the presenting of the award for the Tattoo of the Day at 9 p.m. On the third and final day, the entertainment starts at 12 p.m. ending at 7 p.m. with the Best of Show and Best Overall Tattoo awards Photo Courtesy of Jenna Stephens being presented before the sideshow Above: Jenna Stephens, former Wilkes begins. student, shows off her tattoo of a treasure Some of the other contests that will map that she had done at Marc’s Tattooing be taking place during the three day in Wilkes-Barre. She currently works for span are Best (large and small) Black Marc’s Tattooing in Scranton. and Gray Tattoo, Best (large and small) Color Tattoo and finally the Best Back Award. The Best Back Award is gender spe- the convention will be artists from Club cific and in order to enter you must have at Tattoo from Arizona, New Castle Ink from least 50 percent of your back covered. Delaware, White Tiger Tattoo from New about it, but I can tell you that it is one of the few shows that I continue to do every year [because] I look forward to seeing old friends and it is one of the more comfortable conventions for me.” Below: Amanda Touch, seDill originally started participating in nior communications major the convention as a way to promote his and business minor, shows work along with his shop. “[The conher lotus tattoo that she got vention is] also a way to get out and done at Electric City Tattoo meet new artists, see new techniques in Scranton. and keep up on what is going on in the industry,” Dill said. Touch said, “It’s a lotus with “This is an up-close, personal and rips in the petals and evil great place to research your tattoo, looking vines. It represents show off your tattoo or get a new one,” growth through hard times,” Franco concluded. said Touch. There are no entry fees or tickets needed for the event, so if tattoos, body piercings or freaks are what you’re into, p tlthen take a trip to The Woodlands on 6-8 and enjoy the unique atJ'November I mosphere. n For more information about the convention, go to www.inkinthevalley.com V or 0 www.thesideshowgathering.com for information on the sideshow. 11 York, and Baltimore Street Tattoo from right here in Hanover, PA. “I have been tattooing at the Wilkes-Barre convention for a long time, Inkin’ the Valley Schedule Friday, November 6: *3-11 p.m. @ The Woodlands Saturday, November 7: *12-11 p.m. @ The Woodlands Sunday, November 8: *10 a.m.-7 p.m. @ The Quality Inn & Suites, Wilkes-Barre Photo Courtesy of Amanda Touch I think at least 10 years,” said TeeJay Dill from White Tiger Tattoo. “At this point I couldn’t tell you how I originally heard For more information, please call (570) 820-3465. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 3, 2009 13 CD Review: Wolfmother’s Cosmic Egg not so cosmic BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor Nothing is better than the original, especially when it comes to an epic Australian band’s debut album that lasted for 23 weeks on Billboards top 200 list. There was once a time when we could say that Wolfmother was the Led Zeppelin of the new millennium. But after the debut of their second studio album Cosmic Egg couretsy of Modular Records, the band’s status as the second coming of the legendary 70’s epic rock band has been dramatically reduced to something comparable to a softer version of its contemporary Jet. Weak guitar solos, pitiful vocals and sorrowful lyrics taint the review of Cosmic Egg. Expectations for this album were running high after some of the songs the band had expected to put on Cosmic Egg were released on YouTube. Whether Wolfmother purposely released versions of songs such as “Violence of the Sun,” “In The Morning,” or ”Monolith” to create hype for Cos- making the YouTube version of “Violence of the Sun” a feature track on their new album. Instead, we end up with a version of “Violence of the Sun” that sounds like something you would hear as a back-track for action in Napoleon Dynamite. Wolfmother’s single “New Moon Rising,” which was released within the last week of August, started the buzz for new hits. At this point, it appeared as though this album had the potential to solidify and possibly progress and the band’s already solid new-rock, down-under, and epic reputation. In 2005, the release of the single “Joker and the Thief” created similar hype for possible feature tracks on the self-titled album, such as “Woman,” “Colossal,” “Vagabond.” The concluding track, “Vagabond,” ended the album on a note that confirmed their new-millenial Zepplin status. Listeners, such as myself, anticipated the release of the band’s next album to be just as sensational, if not better. The YouTube verisons of “Violence of the Sun,” “In the Morning,” and “Monolith” mic Egg cannot be verified. Regardless of the band’s intentions, or lack-there-of in this publicity move, the availability of their newest possible releases had fans excited for what we all thought was going to be a complimentative sequel to their self-titled album. Bassist/keyboardist Chriss Ross and drummer Myles Heskett left between the release of those songs on YouTube and the actual release of Cosmic Egg. Lead vocalist Andrew Stockdale was forced to recruit new members of Wolfmother ( Ian Peres, Aidan Nemeth, and Dave Atkins) to release the new album. Consequently the sound of this band has changed, and it has not been for the better. Comparing “Violence of the Sun” on YouTube to the version that made the studio cut is a clear example of this band moving in the wrong direction. The YouTube version of the could-have-been excellent album was a beautiful example of theFire band’s former Photo Courtesy of Elysburg Company Photo Courtesy of Elysburg members progressing theirFire newCompany millennium Zeppelin status. I am even tempted to say that they would have surpassed Zeppelin by reaffirmed this anticipation. Listeners were expecting a repeat of good feature tracks, surrounding a solid single -- “New Moon Rising.” Instead we have sub-par to mediocre feature tracks and an extremely weak concluding track in the revised version of “Violence of the Sun.” The lone pseudo-remnants of the Wolfmother that were lie in “Sundial,” “Cosmic Egg,” and “New Moon Rising.” Because there are slight hints of what Wolfmother used to be in their vocals, guitar riffs, and drum escapades, we can consider these mediocre songs from Cosmic Egg as possible equals to Wolfmother’s self- titled debut. I’m disappointed that Andrew Stockdale would let his band put out such a disheartening album. Hopefully they will bounce back with their next release, and listeners will be able to bask in the glory of what Wolfmother is truly capable of doing. Rating: 2 out of 5 I TIii DIIYOQUIP! I I BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor I I 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! I I I I I I M LZGSB PUS VLMPBSZZ MA PUS CLFHLGSZ VSBS I DNMFD PN KS ENFD, ZUS BSZCNFBSB PUSI’BS “FN ZMEEI, I BNJFB!” Gifts * Glass Art * T-shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ••• I I This week’s clues: F=N & M=I I I 0 I Answer from last week: WHEN A GHOST CATCHES SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, IT CAN USUALLY BE FOUND BOO- GYING ON THE DANCE-FLOOR - - - - - - - - _I coupon Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 �14 .............. A~ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 3, 2009 : ~ PM<:-Ot .............. Wilkes musical theatre alumni continues to perform BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Daniel Pascoe, a recent Wilkes graduate, spent his time mostly on the stage here at Wilkes. He was a musical theatre major and played various roles in all kinds of productions ranging from musicals to plays, and dance recitals to chorus concerts. Currently, Pascoe’s new project has been The Music Box Dinner Playhouse’s production of Richard O’ Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” playing the role of Brad Majors. The show opened Oct. 16 and closing night was Oct. 31. I was able to get a hold of Pascoe and ask him a few questions about life after Wilkes in the performing arts world. Here’s how it went: The Beacon: How does theatre differ from the Wilkes theatre dept.? Pascoe: Well, The Music Box is a community dinner theatre, so they serve food and booze. Wilkes only does that on wine and cheese night. Just kidding! Wilkes is definitely an educational setting, while The Music Box is a non-profit organization. The Beacon: Fair enough. What is most challenging about this show? Pascoe: To be honest, dancing in heels. The Beacon: [Laughing] I love wine and cheese night! Anyway, how did you become involved with The Music Box? Pascoe: I’ve done a few shows there in the past. I got involved with “Rocky Horror” through my high school music teacher, Nancy Evans, who is currently musically directing the show. The Beacon: I should have seen that one coming. What is your next step after this production of “Rocky Horror?” Pascoe: I will be working as assistant director and choreographer for Western Wayne School District’s musical production of “Anything Goes.” The Beacon: What is your favorite part about the show? Pascoe: “Rocky Horror” allows for a lot of audience participation. When the crowd gets into the show, it’s a total blast. The Beacon: Is this a job, or is it a community/volunteer theatre? Pascoe: It’s a community theatre, but the actors usually do waiter duty during dinner. So it’s kind of both? The Beacon: That’s impressive. What else do you do these days besides acting? Any hobbies? Pascoe: I enjoy MMOs (massively multiplayer online games.) I also love to dance. I typically take 12-16 hours of dance class a week. six years. Wilkes is a wonderful place to get a full spectrum theatre education. The faculty is fantastic. I am very pleased with my education and would recommend Wilkes’s theatre department to anyone interested in the performing arts as a career. The Beacon: Okay, last questions. What is your dream role to play one day? What is your favorite show? Pascoe: I would like to be Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” But my favorite show of all time has got to be “The Nutcracker” ballet. The Music Box is located on 196 Hughes St. in Swoyersville. If you are looking for a fun production in the future that combines a great buffet-style dinner, The Music Box is a great and affordable place. The Beacon: Wow. Still getting jiggy. How long have you been doing theatre? And why did you choose Wilkes? Pascoe: I’ve been doing theatre for about ··. ALL YOU - ·-. 'E AT · Ss . .. • _99 ·- __ __CA. N 1 1- Sala•d , p .a sta, pizza, a11d d ,e !lert? Tony Di's PIZZA BUFJrET P: 570.825.2060 F: 570. 825.2061 295 Sou h Ma ·n Street Wllkes--Barre, PA 1870 l 1 OPE_ /\ _. _~DAY TIL 1 3,:3 ~ We Deliver Photo Courtesy of The Music Box From left to right: Kevin Costly as Frank-N-Furter and Daniel Pascoe as Brad Majors. This photo was taken as a publicity shot for Richard O’ Brien’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at The Music Box Dinner Playhouse. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 3, 2009 15 KARPINSKI WORD SEARCH WORD BANK BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor D H I y E J A Q A D p I N T E R N R V s H I p E G C s A u V s s Q A Q E F D R K T G F D E I J H 0 T R I R y s C s X w C C I A T C E K D I D y s H u X B N 0 u M H L A I E 0 I w u w B A V A V F D T I D C T u L H C X E y K N E T Q I V 0 N J w y V J C K C 0 L 0 w w w s u u A V w X I T 0 D H D M w I B D V T u E w R s M X s T B p V E C F L H X J N E s u z N 0 B A R E D N V s I R H C T E D F H E s V w R u J G V X Q A G 0 B C H T R L Q R y I T s u B C E G R I A X X w E s B T V C J 0 F N R I I E N M w A N X L s C s C V D w B s E H F X G I A F N E T Q C s G E E B A w R N E I E y w Q s A N D N 0 B L E R z s A w T s I D T E B F N R s V s A X s A y R C D A T y B F A D E p R s 0 L F A E E R T u D M I A M R E T B N Q I R w y T R E X u D V I s 0 R A C s 0 s s M C 0 w y R D G T s B N I R R D u D C H w 0 V Wilkes Colonel Casino Night IRHC Gilmour Barnes and Noble Midterms Sordoni Henry Student Center UCOM Finals Registration Advisor Professor Intramurals Internship SIFE WCLH Interfaith - What's Happening Around Wilkes BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - Mad Science Presents CSI Live! @ FM Kirby Center $6.50 – 10 a.m. - Froggy 101’s Guitars & Stars feat. Kellie Pickler, Phil Vassar, Jason Michael Carroll, Jimmy Wayne @ Scranton Cultural Center - $27 – 7:30 p.m. Wed., November 4, 2009 - The World We Knew, Putrefied Flesh, Centralia, Black Friday Massacre @ Café Metro - $8 – 7 p.m. - Jackson Browne @ Scranton Cultural Center - $42-$62 – 8 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2009 - Terror On The Screen, Hollywood Lies, City Lights, Time and Distance @ Café Metro - $8 – 7 p.m. - Mike Miz, Vicci Martinez, Mike Dougherty @ River Street Jazz Cafe, Plains - $5 - 1O p.m. All Weekend Long - Roger Karshner’s “Don’t Say Goodbye, I’m Not Leaving” @ Actors Circle at Providence Playhouse, Scranton - $8 for students – Fri/Sat 8 p.m. – Sun. 2 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2009 - My Arcadia, The Hint, Captain John and the Explorers @ Café Metro - $8 – 8 p.m. - Tom Petty Appreciation Band @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains - $5 – 10 p.m. - NEPA Philharmonic: Tchaikovsky and MozartMasterworks II @ Scranton Cultural Center - $19-$56 – 8 p.m. - Three Imaginary Boys @ Club JAM, Pittston - $5 – 9 p.m. - Friday Night Live Music @ Barnes and Noble – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2009 - The Woody Browns Project @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 10 p.m. - The Movement, Life After Liftoff, The Brightlife, When East Meets West @ Café Metro - $8 – 8 p.m. - An Evening of Indian Culture @ Barnes and Noble 6-8 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2009 - Johnny Mathis @ FM Kirby Center - $55-$100 – 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2009 - The Menzingers, The Shook Ones, Make Do And Mend, We Are The Union @ Café Metro - $8 – 7 p.m. Coming to Wachovia Arena: (Tickets all on sale now) - FallFest 09’: Sean Paul, Keri Hilson & Colby O’Donis - Nov. 13 - 8 p.m. - $29+ - Daughtry, Theory of a Deadman & Cavo - Nov. 16 - 7:30 p.m. - $32+ - “Star Wars”: In Concert - Nov. 17 - 7:30 p.m. - $35+ - Transiberian Orchestra - Nov. 20 - 8 p.m. - $25+ �FIELD HOCKEY CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu Looking for revenge in conference playoffs wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com PAGE 20 16 NOVEMBER 3, 2009 WTF stands for something else – Wilkes Team Frisbee University’s club team scores big by playing the “ultimate” sport BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor According to the article entitled “The First Flight of the Frisbee,” by Mary Ellis, legend has it that the Frisbee came about in the late 1800’s, when college students were flinging around empty pie tins from the Frisbie Baking Company. The version of the disc we know today was invented some time later. In 1948, Los Angeles building inspector Walter Frederick Morrison created a plasticized version of the disc, which he named the “Pluto Platter.” The name changed to Frisbee when WHAM-O (the company who bought the idea from Morrison) replaced the “ie” in Frisbie Baking Company with an “ee.” In 1968, high school students from Maplewood, New Jersey, decided to play a game with rules similar to football, soccer and basketball with the Frisbee. The result? Ultimate Frisbee. Ultimate for short. A little over three years ago, freshmen Greg Castelli, Steve Kheloussi, and Peter Melle decided it was time for the sport to make its way to Wilkes University. When the three enrolled at Wilkes, Frisbee was only offered as a two week intramural. Seeing the need for the sport as a club, the three became the “founding fathers” of what is now known as “Wilkes Ultimate,” the Frisbee team club here at Wilkes University. “I was talking to Greg [Castelli] over the summer [before freshman year] about Frisbee, seeing as that’s basically what our friendship is based on,” said Kheloussi, a senior P2 pharmacy major, who serves as the club’s vice president. “After a few pick up games on the greenway, Pete came along and blew our mind [with his Frisbee skills], and we just decided to start it [the club]. If all three of us were not here and interested, we would not be here today.” Since its inception as a club, numbers have steadily increased each year. After a modest beginning, the club has consistently had 35-40 players at all practices, which run twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) at the Marts Center from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Those hesitant to join because they are Courtesy of Andy Julian - Members of the Wilkes University frisbee team compete in the largest beach tournament in the United States in Wildwood, New Jersey last summer. fearful of not being quite good enough should not let that hold them back; experience is the least of the clubs worries. “If you’re willing to learn and get better, that’s what we’re here for,” said senior P2 pharmacy major and club president Castelli. “You will learn and get better. We’ve all gotten better in our four years here. Just going out there and throwing the disc with somebody will make you better.” Garret Schrader, a sophomore secondary education major, began playing the sport a mere year ago after arriving at Wilkes, and now can not stay away from it. “I never played a team sport before I came here,” laughed Schrader. “Then I heard about the Frisbee team, came out and tried it, eventually got hooked, and haven’t stopped playing since. Students are fearful of being made fun of because they’re not good enough or have never played before. Half of our starting line had never picked up a Frisbee before they got here. We’re very welcoming, and we work on all levels, and make it open to everybody.” Junior computer information systems Andrew Sobesiak has been playing the sport since high school, but joined the team for other reasons when arriving at Wilkes. The shirts Sobesiak is referring to are quite popular around campus. Students can be seen walking around with a sharp white shirt with either a black and white penguin, or squirrel in the middle, with the letters “WTF” emblazoned below. And on the back is “Wilkes Team Frisbee.” The shirts are one of the strategies the club uses to market itself, and the design has a story behind it. “We were trying to figure out a design for a fun, not serious shirt,” said Castelli. “Steve decided to make a play on the WWF (World Wildlife Foundation) shirts, with a panda in black and white and the letters ‘WWF’ below it. We took that idea, and replaced the panda with another black and white animal, a penguin, with ‘WTF’ below it. On the back it says ‘Wilkes Team Frisbee’ so you really cannot confuse it with anything else.” Each year it has become principle for the team to change the logo, with this year’s shirts being graced by a squirrel. As for next year’s logo, that’s a secret to be revealed next semester. “It’s a secret to even the people inside the club, but there are some good ones,” said Kheloussi. So what exactly is Ultimate Frisbee? These guys will be the first to tell you it is not the game you played in gym class in high school. At this level, it’s the real deal. “People get the impression that it’s a gym class sport,” said senior environmental science major and team captain Peter Melle. “But when people come out to tournaments, you see some really good teams, with really good athletes.” With players zigzagging back and forth across the football-sized field, sprinting after sailing Frisbees in every direction, it may look a bit like mass chaos. But in actuality, “Ultimate,” as the sport is aptly titled (Frisbee is the brand), is really a simple game with relatively easy rules. Like many other sports, the goal is to reach the opposite end zone. It’s a seven-on-seven non-stop dash until someone scores fifteen points, with an intermission when one team reaches eight points. The only snag is that you cannot run with the Frisbee. Instead the “handlers,” who play the role of quarterback, advance the disc downfield by tossing it to either a “cutter,” who runs the short routes, or a “wide receiver,” who plays the role of playmaker and runs the deeper routes. The process is repeated all the way down the field and if a team scores, one point is earned. If the disc is dropped or “intercepted,” opponents snatch the disc from the spot and start flinging it the other way. Although the club is still young, they travel all over not only the state of Pennsylvania, but to places in New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Ohio, where they participated in the Division Three National Championships. Last year, they placed in the top 25 in the country at the National Championships, playing with schools such as Xavier, Rice, and St. Johns. This semester the team has participated in two tournaments, taking second at Bloomsburg and going 3-3 in the City College of New Jersey Tournament. If you’re interested in finding out more, and you’ve got a couple of free hours this weekend, catch the team in action this Saturday when they host their only home tournament of the semester over at the Forty Fort field complex off of Wyoming Avenue. You can get in touch with the team through email at wilkesultimate@gmail.com, or join the face book group under Ultimate Frisbee, Wilkes Edition. �SPORTS NOVEMBER 3, 2009 17 Women’s tennis wins seven titles at MASCAC tourney BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor The Wilkes University women’s tennis team finished the fall season with a perfect 8-0 record, proving that beating the competition was a piece of cake. At the Middle Athletic States Collegiate Athletic Conference individual tournament last weekend, they put the icing on top. The Lady Colonels won seven of the nine possible championships at the MASCAC tournament. Four of the team’s top six players won championships in singles play, while the team executed a flawless sweep of the doubles bracket, winning all three possible honors in that category. Phenomenal freshman Melanie Nolt continued her torrid performance for the Lady Colonels, emerging as the bona fide best player in the conference with a victory in the number one singles position. “Melanie proved she is the best player in the conference, and one of the top players in this entire region,” said head coach Chris Leicht, adding that he expects Nolt to Courtesy of Marketing Communications The Wilkes University women’s tennis team dominated the MASCAC tournament, with six players winning at least one championship and four players winning two titles. be included when the regional rankings are Wilkes’s program immediately, winning released this week. seven of the nine brackets at the MASCAC Though Nolt has been the brightest star on tournament could only be the beginning of the team this season, fellow freshmen Ka- what’s to come for Wilkes. trina Lynn and Alexis Donner aren’t far be“Obviously, if the women continue to hind her. They won the titles in the number work hard, the future is very bright for the two and four brackets, respectively. Wilkes Tennis Program,” Leicht said. “We With three freshmen contributing to are trying to move up in the regional and national rankings.” That’s something they’ve done during Xiaoqiao Zhang’s tenure at Wilkes. When Zhang was a freshman, she was the only player to win a championship at the MASCAC tournament. Now a senior, Zhang won the number three singles bracket at this season’s event and thinks that there’s no reason that the team wouldn’t completely sweep the competition next year. “We’re getting stronger and stronger,” Zhang said. “Next year, we’re probably going to win nine out of nine, because I’m the only senior leaving.” The team of Nolt and Lynn took home their second championship of the tournament with a great showing in the number one doubles competition. Zhang and Donner reigned supreme in the number two doubles bracket. That victory gave Zhang, a native of China, her seventh overall championship. She has won four individual crowns and three doubles titles during her tenure at Wilkes. SEE CHAMPIONS, Page 19 r•sr. ....... ..ELIIWla:a-Y SPECIALS QUICK HITS WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH Large Pie $7. 95 Chicken Wing Pie $10.95 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre I I a2s-s166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Di:ning Reem (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 Mll&MATCHI Any 3 Subs or Wings 2 Tick:ets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95, WE CATER IARGE GROUP EVENTS PlEASE CALL BE!FORE YOUR NEXT MERING! Hours: The Beacon / Alison Kasper Mon.-Thurs. 11ami-11 pm We're more than just great pizza ... Fri.-Sat. 11 am-12am see our entire menu at Sun. 12pm-11 pm www.januzzispizza.com �SPORTS 18 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 10/31 @ Lycoming 17-13 W MEN’S SOCCER 10/25 @ Delaware Valley 3-0 W 10/31 @ DeSales 1-0 W WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/25 @ Delaware Valley 5-0 W 10/27 @ Cortland 1-2 L 10/31 @ DeSales 4-1 L FIELD HOCKEY 10/27 vs. Misericordia 6-2 W 10/30 vs. Delaware Valley 2-0 W 10/31 vs. Manhattanville 6-3 W VOLLEYBALL 10/28 vs. Misericordia 3-0 W WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 11/7 vs. Widener MEN’S SOCCER 11/3 @ Freedom Conference Playoffs (TBA) WOMEN’S SOCCER 11/3 @ Freedom Conference Playoffs (TBA) FACECIF Who’s the most overrated NCAA football team? Hurricanes aren’t rocking anyone anymore Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA No team in college football gets more undeserved respect than Miami. In all honesty, they’re living off of their storied past. Let’s look at their resume. At this point in the season, the mighty Hurricanes stand at 6-2. Compared to the success (or lack there of) the past few seasons, where they are at right now (#19 in the BCS) is surely worthy of some respect. But I use the word respect sparingly. When we dig beneath the surface and really pick apart their schedule…who exactly have they beaten? Well let’s take a quick look. At this point, Miami has had victories over 4-4 Florida State (which they barely pulled out), UCF, and Florida A&M, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, and Oklahoma. I’ll give them credit where credit is due- Georgia Tech is a damn fine team, and they have given the Ramblin’ Wreck their only blemish thus far this season. But Oklahoma wasn’t as prestigious a win that it was made out to be. 11/4 @ Freedom Conference Playoffs (TBA) WRESTLING 11/7 @ King’s Tournament twil:~ ~ r, @Beaconsnorts 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 They beat a Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham-less Sooners team, two future first round NFL draft picks. To put it in perspective, that’s like beating Florida without Tim Tebow, or the Colts without Peyton Manning, or having spaghetti without meatballs- it’s just not the same. But I digress. Oklahoma is not only unranked in the latest BCS standings, but has also lost to the same BYU team that just got spanked by the boys down in Corpus Christi. Back to Gerogia Tech. After the win, they jumped a ridiculous 11 spots in one week, up to number nine. Come on now; let’s not get this victory confused with a victory over Florida. Does any one win really deserve a spot in the top 10? No. And they proved that by being spanked the next week by Virginia Tech (who is now 5-3 after that embarrassing loss versus North Carolina). My main man Ryan below me (which if you have noticed, he’s below me for a reason) seems to think that USC is severely overrated. Why can’t I take him seriously? Well one of his poorly constructed arguments is based on the fact that the Trojans pulled out a squeaker versus Oregon State. Instead of the close score, he used the mascot, a Beaver, as an excuse. Well let me ask you Mr. Holmes, what would you do if you were attacked by a pissed off beaver? My money’s on the beaver. As for USC…freshman quarterback smeshman quarterback; the Trojans do not rebuild, they re-load. Miami also lost to Clemson. The Tigers are not a bad team by any means, but they aren’t a great team, either. You have show up for big conference games, and Miami has not, in the weak ACC. Right now Miami is behind Duke within the conference, and had to have a huge fourth quarter to beat Wake Forest. Not the sign of a true contender, nonetheless a top-20 team. So the mighty ‘Canes have beaten only one team (Georgia Tech) with less than three losses, yet are still ranked inside the top 20. Personally, I haven’t seen anything from them that merits that ranking. I don’t need to keep going. My time here is done. These Trojans have been used i i----)_ ___.H=or~~tll Asst. Sports Editor VOLLEYBALL NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Let’s just get right to it. The most overrated college football team has got to be USC (University of Southern California). Face it Trojans fans, your team is not quite what it used to be since the needle threading, high flying, “Terrible Towel” stomping trio of Leinart, Bush, and White took off the cardinal and gold. The only legend left on that team is Pete Carroll and you know it. USC use to be the breeding ground of national championships, but lately it’s more like a Toys “R” Us with young Matt Barkley calling the signals. But I will give him credit, for a freshman he is doing OK; however, it’s not like he’s playing the greatest competition out there. Oh, and speaking of competition, did I mention that they lost to Washington. What championship program that you know of loses to a team that went 0-12 the year before? Although the BCS rankings are nothing but educated guesses, and have proved to be completely false this season, there is no reason that a team ranked number three, which USC was at the time, should lose to a team that just broke a 12-game losing streak the week before. It’s a good thing that they haven’t lost since then, but if you think about it who have they played that should have given them any sort of competition. You might be able to argue that Notre Dame had a shot at beating them, but be serious- it’s Notre Dame. Oregon State came close to beating them the week later but if you lose to a team with a Beaver as a mascot you better forfeit the rest of your season. USC truly doesn’t have any show stoppers on the field this year. And OK, go ahead and argue Taylor Mays, but you need 11 to play, not one. The only reason that they were talked about this year was either because they lost when they shouldn’t have or because they picked their quarterback up from the seesaw at the park on the way to Los Angeles Coliseum. But I give Carroll props – he is doing what he can with what he’s got since Sanchez became a GQ model and started to think he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. And come on Mr. Dorunda, you can’t possibly think that Miami is that overrated. The ‘Canes have a ton of talent on their roster, especially Stick Stickly under center. There’s no doubt that Jacory Harris is a better gun slinger then Barkley, if not, I’m pretty sure that they would have lost to Wake Forest after being down that many points. But let’s get back to the main topic. USC is not the team they use to be and because of the trio of show stoppers that have now became NFL players (even though Leinart is a terrible disappointment) the Trojans are always favorites to be a success. USC laid a giant egg against the Oregon Ducks of all teams just last Saturday. Really, USC? A 47-20 loss? It’s funny to see what happens when a real team comes knockin’ at the door. It’s a good thing that Oregon’s tailback Mike Tyson, I mean LeGarrette Blount is out until November 7th or else the Trojans would have been a little bit more than used. But it’s time to go. I think I hear little Matthew crying, he must need his diaper changed or something. �NOVEMBER 3, 2009 SPORTS 19 Cross country closes out regular season at MAC meet BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor The Wilkes University cross country team started off the season with only half of its roster completed. However, that still did not stop them from taking on Misericordia University in the first contest of the season. Both the men and women ended up falling to the Cougars with the men losing 5015 and the women 48-17 in less than stellar fashion. Michelle Wakeley was Wilkes’ top finisher for the women coming in with a time of 16:47 to put her in fourth place. Olivia Waszkiewicz was the next best finisher for Wilkes, coming in 10th place for the Colonels. Representing the men was Austin Loukas who crossed the finish line first for Wilkes with a time of 15:26, putting him in 12th place. Chris Manzi came in shortly after in 14th place with a time of 15:49, while Mike Wintermute, Phat Nguyen and Mike Piotti rounded out the pack to finish 15-17th for the Colonels. Next, the Colonels participated in the King’s College NEPA Classic. This time it was Robert Carp leading the pack. Carp crossed the finish line in 15th place posting a time of 22:02, followed by Tim Fisher in 23rd, Erik Karlsen in 30th and Loukas in 34th. Overall, the men took 4th place as a team with 122 points, coming in just before hosting team King’s College. Wakeley and Waszkiewicz led the Lady Colonels once again, coming in 14th and 35th place. The trio of Kristin Cook, Molly McDonough and Brittany Maloney crossed in 44-46th place with Emily Klinetob closely behind in 48th. Their fourth competition ended similarly with Wakeley leading the Wilkes women by placing 21st overall at the Cougar Classic at Misericordia Invitational. Carp, Wakely’s male counterpart of leadership, lead the Colonels once again with his time of 30:24 and 51st place finish. Though the team was not bringing home championships, their perseverance never dwindled. With the leadership of Wakeley and Carp, the team has steadily improved. “We’ve definitely moved up in the pack as far as a team over all,” said Wakeley. “I don’t really see us needing to prove anything to anyone. We’re small, sure, but we do what we can and we have fun doing it.” Both teams then traveled to Philadelphia to participate in the Belmont Classic where Carp and Wakeley were the leaders again. Finishing 22nd with a time of 30:25 was Carp, who was followed by Karlsen in 25th place. “I am definitely proud of what I have accomplished my freshman season, especially since competing at the college level is so much different than that of the high school level,” commented Carp. However, Wakeley stole the show once again with her time of 20:58 putting her in third place. Waszkiewicz was Wilkes’ next finisher coming in 20th to record a time of 22:36. “The men feed off one another in a race situation, but as for the women’s team, they are dropping time pretty much every week. I am very pleased with them [too],” said Coach Nick Wadas. Just last week the men and women parThe Beacon/Tom Reilly ticipated in the East Stroudsburg InvitaMembers of the Wilkes University men’s cross country team practice in preparation for tional where once again Wakeley was the Saturday’s MAC Championship meet. The men placed ninth out of fourteen teams. leader. Her time of 20:34 put her in seventh place followed by Waszkiewicz in CHAMPIONS, From Page 17 33rd and McDonough in 54th. On the men’s side of the race, Karlsen After being eliminated in the semifinals of at number one singles, hasn’t even stepped and Wintermute emerged as the leaders the number five singles bracket, junior Mi- on the court this season due to an injury. for the Colonels. Their times of 18:51 and chelle Knight came back with a vengeance When she returns, Leicht will probably 19:03 placed them in 55th and 58th place in doubles play. Knight teamed with sopho- have to sideline one of his other players to to power the men’s team to a 6th place fin- more Rebekah Shanaman to complete the make room for the reigning champion. ish. That means that a player who was good Lady Colonels sweep of the doubles tour“Both our teams have evolved through- nament. enough to win an individual honor at the out the season,” Coach Wadas remarked. With six different players winning at least MASCAC tournament isn’t even good “I am very proud of what both the team one title at this year’s event, Leicht is faced enough to crack Wilkes University’s top has accomplished so far this year, but the with a dilemma that any coach would be six. real gauge of success for me as a coach thrilled to encounter. “This is easily the most talented team I is how we finish at the MAC championJunior Victoria Bybel, who was named have ever coached,” Leicht said. “I am exships,” said Coach Wadas before the race. last season’s conference player of the year cited for the spring season, as we try to win When it came time to race on Saturday, after going undefeated in the regular season our fouth straight conference title.” top contender Wakeley was ready to go for the women. She once again finished first Last week’s winners of 5 tickets to NIGHT TERRORS for the Lady Colonels, clocking out with a Rhonda Waskiewicz & Mary Balavage time of 25:35, good enough for 10th place overall. Waszkiewicz finished second for the 0 Lady Colonels, posting a time of 28:00 that placed her 57th overall. Enter for a chance to win... On the male circuit, Karlsen was the top finisher for Wilkes. His time of 31:01 was good enough for 63rd place overall. Loukas, Wintermuth, and Fisher placed Sponsored second, third, and fourth for the Colonels, locking down places 77, 78, and 79 overBy: PIZZA BUFFET all. An important thing to remember about Located on South Main St. Wilkes cross country is that the team is in just its second season of competitive play Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. after the program was brought back from HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor’s logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk the dead. in the Student Union by Friday, November 6, by noon.** Though they didn’t secure a championThe winner will be announced in next week’s issue. ship this season, the team was thrilled with their overall performance. NAME: _______________________________________________________ “The team did great this season in every PHONE: _________________________________________________ way possible from bonding to placing the EMAIL: _________________________________________________ team couldn’t have done better,” concludMYSTERY WORD: ________________________________________ ed freshman captain Karlsen. . e Stuff?! ...,.....,...IJ,_y-. - m .ay! 7 Free Buffet Dinners Tony Di's �SPORTS 20 NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Field Hockey wants revenge against archrival Eastern Lady Colonels hope to get another crack at Eagles in conference championship BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor As they prepared for their final two matches of the regular season, the Wilkes University field hockey team knew two things. Number one: the Lady Colonels would not clinch the top seed in the conference tournament. That honor belongs to the Eastern Eagles, who handed Wilkes a 3-1 defeat earlier in the year en route to a perfect 7-0 record in conference play. Number two: the team was livid to see the Eagles soaring at the top of the conference. “I hate them,” senior defender Amanda Tilley said of Eastern. “I don’t know, I just hate them. I did last year and I play lacrosse too and I hated them then. I can’t wait to come back against them.” A good deal of the bad blood between Wilkes and Eastern stems from last season’s meetings between the two clubs. The Lady Colonels saw their hopes of a conference championship spoiled last season by the Eagles, who squeaked out a 2-1 victory in the title match. That result was particularly upsetting for Wilkes, who defeated Eastern in the regular season last year. Senior attacker Jen Keegan hopes that there’s a bit of a reversal of fortunes for the Lady Colonels this year if they wind up see- The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Sophomore attacker Chelsea Minnix advances the ball during Wilkes University’s match-up against Misericordia on October 27. Minnix had three shots on goal during the game, which Wilkes won 6-2. The Lady Colonels are the number two seed in the conference tournament. 10-0 Field hockey’s record at home this season. In 10 games, they have surrendered just 12 combined goals to their opponents. 14 th National ranking of the lady Colonels as of this past week, the highest ranking ever achieved by the team. They are ranked 6th in the South Atlantic Regional poll. The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Sophomore attacker Amanda Peters controlls the ball during Wilkes University’s October 27 match against Misericordia. In the team’s match against Manhattanville on Saturday, Peters scored twice in the first 1:16 of the game and the Lady Colonels never looked back, running away with a 6-3 victory on Senior Day at Artillery Park. ing Eastern in the playoffs. “We have this weird mindset about it… I don’t know if it’s superstition or what but since they beat us this first time, it’s very hard to beat a team two times in a row,” she said. “We’re thinking that it’s going to be in our favor this time.” With revenge on their minds, the last thing that the Lady Colonels want to happen is to lose in any of their postseason matches. With a 2-0 victory over Delaware Valley on Friday night, the team secured the number two seed in the conference tournament. So if they’re going to play number one Eastern, it won’t be until the championship match. Keegan and Tilley were both members of last season’s team and know the drill when the playoffs roll around. “There’s definitely a lot of intensity,” Keegan said. “This could be your potential last game ever and as a senior I don’t want to lose. I’m sure that girls on the other team that we’re playing feel the same. It’s really a head-on-head battle.” Keegan added that head coach Sara Myers routinely tells her team to play as if the game they’re about to head into is the most important game of the season. That mentality is one that the team feels can only help them as they head into playoff matches where they’ll be facing elimination on a regular basis. “Every game – if we’re thinking about it that way – and we win and do well, we’re going to build on it for the next time,” Tilley said. “If you think about it, as the season goes on it gets harder to get into the playoffs. So you need to think about that game as the final because the competition’s going to get harder because everyone else is trying to get in (to the playoffs).” The mentality that Wilkes has carried all year has helped them to a 15-2 record during the regular season and a 6-1 mark in conference play. They’ve outscored their opponents by a ridiculous 69-27 margin. Now, it’s just a matter of translating that success into the postseason. But the Lady Colonels are confident that that won’t be an issue, and when the conference championship game rolls around, there’s no doubt in the team’s mind that it will be Wilkes going toe-to-toe with Eastern for the title. “I look forward to it,” Keegan said. “I can’t wait to beat them and show them who the number one team should be.” 15 Number of wins the Lady Colonels have amassed this season. They have lost only twice, giving them an astronomical 88.2 win percentage. 69 Goals scored this season by the Lady Colonels. Throught the regular season, Wilkes was ranked 10th in Division-III with 4.05 goals per game. � 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 November 3rd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 November 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/f46fb13eb086033e21937c59d1c8c8f4.pdf d29f1231d600a803138521612d7f3593 PDF Text Text COLLEGE DAYS: DR. FREAR FOOTBALL SECURES WINNING SEASON Lifestyles | PAGE 9 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 PAGE 16 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 8 Lock-out Wilkes dedicates contest to late professor fee under consideration BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Students who lock themselves out of their dorms could soon be faced with a $5 lockout fee. At last week’s Student Government meeting, Elizabeth Roveda, director of Residence Life, presented the idea of charging students $5 whenever Public Safety must be called to let a student into their dorm. “Right now, we’re just at the beginning stages of [planning it],” said Elizabeth Roveda, director of Residence Life. Roveda said that other institutions have implemented lock-out fees as high as $10 and $15. “The reason why we were looking into it is because other institutions are doing it and there are some students that are constantly locking themselves out or forgetting their keys,” said Roveda. “So we are just looking at ways to utilize Public Safety in a different way, rather than just letting students back into their rooms.” Roveda has brought the concept of the potential lock-out fee to different groups on campus including Public Safety, Inter-Residence Hall Council (IRHC), Student Government, Residence Assistants, and Student Affairs. At last week’s SG meeting, members broke up into groups to discuss the issue. Roveda explained that three-quarters of the students thought it was a good idea. Stu- The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Below, students had one hour of practice before the ACM-ICPC began. Above, students compete in the contest. This year, 24 teams of three students each worked together to solve programming problems. See LOCK-OUT page 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 Approximately one year ago, Dr. Matthew Zukoski relaxed with a handful of Whoppers candies and a juice box after the culmination of the 32nd annual Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest (ACM-ICPC). For eight years, the former associate professor of math and computer science helped organize part of the international contest. Since 2000, Wilkes University has been a host site for the Mid-Atlantic Region. Zukoski served as site director since Wilkes took over the event from the University of Scranton, said Dr. Fred Sullivan, associate professor of math and computer science. Sullivan served as the site director this year. Although Zukoski passed away last January, he still influenced many aspects of this year’s contest. On Saturday, November 7, Wilkes hosted the contest for the ninth year. The Mid-Atlantic Region’s portion of the contest was dedicated to Zukoski. This year, a record number 24 teams from 13 schools traveled to Wilkes from as far as Quebec to participate in the ACM-ICPC, sponsored by IBM, said Jason Wagner, course web programmer for Graduate Education and systems administrator for the contest since 2006. Wagner and Zukoski worked closely to ensure that the contest avoided as many technical issues as possible each year. “It used to be that when Matt and I would do things, we wouldn’t even have to communicate,” said Wagner. “After [working See CONTEST page 2 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member w . �STIMULUS MONEY COMES TO WILKES: PART II I PAGE 4 2 CONTEST from FRONT PAGE together] for four years, we knew exactly what the other person was doing.” The contest began at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Participating teams were comprised of three students and were allotted one computer. Wilkes University’s student team, Blue and Gold, consisted of sophomores Dakota Cole, Mitchell Frear and Ed Zulkoski. Teams had five hours to solve as many program-related problems as possible in the least amount of time. Wilkes’ Blue and Gold did not place in the regional competition, while Quebec’s University of Sherbrook’s team took first. Finalists will advance to the world finals in China this February. Although details of the contest have not undergone many changes over the years, Zukoski’s absence this year has been observed in a variety of ways by all members of the Wilkes community involved in organizing the contest. According to Sullivan, the Thursday before the contest, he and Wagner realized that they would need extension cords in order to NEWS move the computers and ensure their function in different rooms for the contest. “Matt always brought his own extension cords from home,” noted Sullivan. Aside from a few tools here and there, amusing non-essentials were missing, as well. “Matt used to go shopping for the contest and we’d always laugh because he would get so much food that we didn’t eat,” said Wagner. “We always noticed that the foods left over at the end were ones that he liked. He’d always get candy. Whoppers – no one eats those Whoppers. But when you would go into the fridge in his office after the contest, there would be bags and bags of Whoppers.” Wagner also noted that he had been paid for assisting with the organization of the contest the past few years. This year, however, he figured out that Zukoski had been paying him out of his own pocket. “We found a few weeks ago that we were over-budget,” said Wagner. “We found out that Matt used to put in a lot of his own money just to make everything run smoothly and comfortably for everybody… That’s The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Students from 24 schools had five hours to complete as many problems as possible in this year’s ACM-ICPC. Wilkes was the host site for the Mid-Altlantic Region. 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 cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Archives/Courtesy of John Mishanski Dr. Matthew Zukoski passed away last January. This year’s ACM-ICPC was held in his memory. He was the site director of the contest for eight years. kind of the reason I agreed to do this even munity” in Zukoski’s passing. Many have though I’m not a student anymore.” been impacted by the former professor’s Outside of this year’s ACM-ICPC, Zu- death and have chosen to keep him in their koski is also missed. In classrooms and memories. hallways, students are aware of the profes“[During the orientation], we did mention sor’s absence. that the contest was in memory of Matt,” “Zukoski always found a way to make said Wagner. “Many of the coaches who class fun,” said Zulkoski, a competitor in had gotten to know him over the past few the competition this year and last. Before years talked a little about what they reZukoski’s death, Zulkoski had taken one of membered about him, particularly the team the professor’s computer graphics classes. coach from Lehigh, where Matt had com“We had one lecture where he showed us pleted his Ph.D.” a ‘horse race’ program, but instead of using Over one hundred people took part in this horses he had a badger, a sheep, and a piero- year’s ACM-ICPC at Wilkes and took the gi dashing across the screen,” Zulkoski re- time to remember Zukoski before the “Batcalled. “He was also notorious for arriving tle of the Brains” officially began. to class five to 10 minutes late with disheveled hair from riding his bike to class. But Dr. Matthew J. Zukoski received his he always managed to cram an hour and a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineerhalf’s worth of material into those remain- ing from Wilkes University in 1986. He ing 40 minutes, with his trademark Hi-C completed his Master’s in computer science juice box at hand, naturally.” at Virginia Tech in 1990 and received his Last semester, Dr. Reynold Verret, pro- Ph.D. in computer engineering from Lehigh vost, told The Beacon that the university University in 2007. He passed away Janulost a “great citizen of the Wilkes com- ary 31, 2009 at the age of 44. 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 Brie Friedman A&E Editor �NEWS NOVEMBER 10, 2009 WILKES NEWS BRIEFS BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor OLD CELL PHONE DONAT I O N S – During the month of November, the Community Service Office will be accepting old/used cell phone donations. The phones will be given to the Domestic Violence Service Center (DVSC). The phones will be refurbished and women from the DVSC will be able to use them as emergency cell phones. TGI FRIDAY’S FUNDRAISER – Zebra Communications is partnering with T.G.I. Friday’s to raise money for the Salvation Army. During the month of November, 15% of profits will be donated to the Salvation Army. Attendees must have the discount card and must attend T.G.I. Friday’s from Monday through Thursday. Cards can be obtained at www.wilkes.edu/zebra. LOCK-OUT from FRONT PAGE dent Government President, Nicholas Koch, declined comment on this issue. “The first year students, maybe because it is their first year here, they might see more lock-outs than others. They had negative things to say,” said Roveda. Additionally, Student Affairs was consulted on this issue. “Consideration of the fee is rooted in the number repeat customers who are asking Public Safety to provide access to their residence hall rooms when [residents] are without their keys,” said Paul Adams, dean of Student Affairs. “Responding to lockouts takes Public Safety away from other services we deem a higher priority.” At present, it is unknown whether other members of the campus community, including faculty and staff, will be affected by the proposed lock-out fee. Research is being conducted to find out exactly who and how many people are requesting assistance from Public Safety due to lock-out. Gerald Rebo, manager of Public Safety, said that he does not believe a lock-out fee is unreasonable for any members of the campus community because other institutions do not open doors at all. He said that Wilkes has a very open policy when it comes to opening doors for students, faculty and staff. “I know King’s has a policy where Public Safety doesn’t open the doors at all,” said Rebo. “You have to go to [the public safety] office, pick up a key, give them $5, go to the GLOBAL SPORTS TUESDAYS – Every Tuesday, the Center for Global Education and Diversity welcomes students to play different sports including volleyball, basketball, soccer and frisbee from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the UCOM gym. Questions and suggestions should be directed to georgia.costalas@wilkes.edu. tion sessions in the Henry Student Center Lounge for students who are interested in becoming Resident Assistants (RA) for the fall 2010 semester. The sessions will give students the opportunity to meet Residence Life staff and talk with current RAs. One session was held on November 5, and there are three more upcoming sessions on the following dates: Wednesday, November 18 at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. Monday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. 3 Students should schedule their appointment by logging onto www.ouryear.com, school code 222 or by calling 1-800-OURYEAR during business hours. Once the appointment is scheduled, students will receive information on how to prepare for the portrait. 17th ANNUAL TASTE OF WILKES – The 17th Annual Taste of Wilkes will be held on November 11 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. Family dishes can be sampled. Admission fees will benefit the United Way of Wyoming Valley and are as follows: Faculty, staff and guests: $6.00 Students: $3.00 Chefs: Free RESIDENT ASSISTANTS NEEDED – Residence Life is hosting informa- CLASS OF 2010 SENIOR PORTRAITS – Senior Portraits for the Class of 2010 by Herff Jones will begin today, November 10. They will be taken in the Henry Student Center Lounge according to the following schedule: Tuesday, November 10: 12:00PM - 8:00PM Wednesday, November 11: 9:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday, November 12: 12:00PM - 8:00PM door, open it up and bring the key back.” Rebo explained that if the lock-out fee is implemented, there will likely be a warning the first time, without the fee. Second offenders will be charged the fee. Rebo and Roveda both stated that they want to just teach some responsibility when it comes to losing keys. Roveda said students should be calling Public Safety as a last resort when they are locked out. They should call their roommates or if a student loses their key, or go to Residence Life in order to obtain a new key or resolve the situation. Students had their own opinions about the lock-out fee. “I think it’s pointless to charge students for locking themselves out of a dorm room,” said Matt Austin, freshman biochemistry major. Austin commutes to campus, but he felt the lock-out fee was not a good idea. Another freshman, who dorms on campus, agreed with Austin’s view. “I think it’s an awful idea, if you just lock yourself out once,” said Kerry Morton, accounting major. “Maybe if you lose your key all the time and you’re asking the [resident assistant] every day, then I could see why it would come into effect.” It has not yet been determined how the money obtained from the lock-out fee will be utilized. Student Government will vote on this in the upcoming weeks or next semester. All students are welcome to attend Student Government meetings on every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the Miller Conference room on the second floor of HSC. Samuel Smith locks a door outside of the Stark Learning Center. Public Safety is currently responsible for locking and unlocking buildings around campus. They will open doors for students who have locked themselves out of their dorm rooms; however, it is not technically part of their job description. COUNCIL OF THE CLUBS – Student Government will host a Council of the Clubs on November 12 at noon on the second floor of the Henry Student Center in the ballroom. Student Government requests all club presidents or designated representatives to attend. Clubs should R.S.V.P. to Nicholas Koch, president of Student Government, at nicholas.koch@wilkes.edu. The Beacon/Tom Reilly �4 NEWS NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Recovering in NEPA: stimulus funds reach Wilkes U. BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a two part series on the approximately $1.6 million stimulus dollars given to Wilkes for grant and special programs. Last week The Beacon focused on the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Northeastern Pennsylvania and Wilkes University. According to Recovery.gov, the government’s official website tracking money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Wilkes University received $1,643,934 from the ARRA for various purposes. The majority of the funds went toward a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase the number of students from under-represented groups who enter graduate programs in biological research upon graduation from Wilkes University, said Anne Pelak, director of Wilkes’ grants office. The NSF grants aim is to provide funding, research and mentoring opportunities to a number of juniors and seniors over a five-year period. According to Dr. William Terzaghi, professor of Biology and a principal writer of the grant, the NSF has had this program in place for many years before the ARRA existed. “In the fall of 2008 we submitted a five-page pre-application and there were upwards of 50 institutions around the country that submitted this pre-application. Of those 50 there were 28 or 29 that were invited to submit a full length application,” said Terzaghi. “And of those 28, we were one of the ones that were actually selected.” Every dollar in the ARRA is meant to be tracked and spent quickly to be transparent and invested in the economy as soon as possible. Pelak said she had to report the money’s usage online to the NSF. Terzaghi also added that the speed at which the money was meant to be spent presented a slight problem to Wilkes, because the program started September 1, which was within weeks of Wilkes receiving the money. “We’re spending a bit this semester on advertising materials and going out to talk with potential partners: first off, Luzerne County Community College, and community colleges in the Philadelphia area,” he said. Terzaghi added that the grant may also help increase the amount of minority students in the biology program by bringing students in from other institutions. ARRA funding also found its way into Wilkes’ federal work study program, said Janine Becker, executive director of Wilkes’ Student Service Center. According to Recovery.gov, Wilkes received $93,185 towards the work study program. Becker said the money is added to the federal work study funds Wilkes already has, with the goal that the money be spent first and that they are able to employ more students. However, Becker added that the school has never been in a situation where it ran out of money and could not employ a student. Becker said she reports the ARRA funds on a quarterly basis online. Despite the federal government’s goal to be transparent, there is still over $800,000 in agency reported ARRA funding at Wil- Wilkes' ARRA Funds $1,000,000 $846,426 800,000 $704,323 600,000 400,000 200,000 $93,185 * Information from Recovery.gov The Beacon/Andrew Seaman The above graph shows the amount of funds that Wilkes received and how the money was distributed. kes University under the cursory title of “grant program.” “Agency reported” ARRA funding means that state agencies like the Department of Education can supplement current programs with ARRA funds in many different areas. Agency reported ARRA funding may or may not require its recipient to report the funds, which means several programs at Wilkes can be the recipient of ARRA funds without knowing it. Alaimo steps in as new financial aid director of Wilkes BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor On Monday, November 7, Joe Alaimo began his position as fifth financial aid director Wilkes has had in the last three years. The most recent former financial aid director, Pamela Hoffman, took the position in September of 2008 and left in mid-September of this year. She had been the executive director of Student Services before being promoted to financial aid director. According to Janine Becker, executive director of Student Services, Hoffman chose to leave her position when the university asked her to spend more time on campus. Prior to this request, Hoff- man had been working from home four days a week. Becker said Alaimo was chosen to fill this position because “he’s very in-touch with the students and I think the customer service aspect is really huge. He’s very well qualified.” She also said that the selection process was relatively extensive. “We had a committee that got together and reviewed all of the applicants. [Then they] conducted all of the interviews and when they were done going through and making their final recommendation, Joe was a better fit for Wilkes.” Becker also said that having the pres- ence of a financial aid director on campus will be an improvement in and of itself for the university. “This will help have a much bigger financial aid presence other than me just running around when someone needs something.” Alaimo said that one of his main qualifications is that he has had a couple different perspectives on financial aid throughout his career. “I started out at Sallie Mae, so I got to see the other side of it. Not the educational side, but the repayment side.” A workshop that Alaimo held while working at Sallie Mae is what made him initially interested in working on the university side of things. Alaimo said he was training schools on how to use a product called Laureate. The program no longer exists but used to help schools to transfer loan information. “Once I got that taste, going into the schools, and talking to the financial aid office-that was just one of those things where if I figured if I ever did leave Sallie Mae, I would like to get into the academic side in that way.” Since leaving Sallie Mae, Alaimo has been working at Luzerne County Community College. “I’ve come [graduated] from a state-related school to a com- See ALAIMO page 5 �NOVEMBER 10, 2009 NEWS 5 STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES 11-4-09 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Treasurer’s Report: All College: $14,900 Conferences: $10,000 General: $2,900 Leadership: $2,485 Special Projects: $2,050 Spirit: $1,000 Start-up: $900 Club Reports: Programming Board: Kevin Hurley, the hypnotist, went well. Currently, Programming Board is working on a concert survey. MSC: Planning a Thanksgiving Dinner on November 21 and a Holiday Party in December. The Fashion Show is planned for the first week in February. New Business: Ski Club Fund Request (Week 2 of 2): Ski Club President Clinton Fought requested funding for a ski trip to Killington, Vermont. Fought requested $70 per person, up to a maximum of $1,400. The money would be used to drive down the cost for each individual Wilkes student going. The trip would be open to up to 30 college-age students and non-Wilkes students would have to pay full-price. The trip costs $339 for Wilkes students and $469 for non-Wilkes. Transportation costs will be split with King’s College. During the year, the ski club takes five or six smaller trips on breaks or weekends, but this is the one big trip that ski club plans for during the year. Ski Club will be doing a fund-raiser, selling bumper stickers in the HSC for $2 each. Faught said that the club has been self-sufficient up until now. Faught also said that the main reason they are asking for funds is to open the trip to non-club-members to promote interest and thus expand the club. A motion was made to allocate the $1,400 to the Ski Club for their trip to Killington, Vermont. The motion passed in a vote of 34-0-3. Member of the Month for October: Caevaun Dubarry was voted member of the month for his hard work on the freshmen class social. The social entailed decorating pumpkins and donating the pumpkins to the Charles Adams Senior Center. ALAIMO Casino Night Budget (Week 1 of 1): The from PAGE 4 budget was originally proposed for $9,945 with 37 prizes for the Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament on November 19 and Casino Night on November 20. During the meeting, it was proposed that they should double the amount of pizza; 60 to 120 pies. Also, members brought up that they would like to see more prizes for the two nights. The motion was made to allocate $14,000 for the Casino Night Budget. The motion passed in a vote of 33-3-0. The treasurer of Student Government, Benjamin Biedel, did not vote. Events: Council of the Clubs on November 12 at 12:00 noon in the HSC Ballroom Open House on November 14 Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament on November 19 in the HSC Ballroom Casino Night on November 20 in the Marts Gym *At 7:10 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. munity college. From the community college going into the four-year school was something that I’ve always wanted to get back into. I thought that Wilkes University was a great fit for me.” As far as change goes, Alaimo isn’t sure what, if anything, he will adjust within Wilkes’s current financial aid system. “My goal is to come in and lay back and see what the flow is [for a while]. Sometimes, you don’t want to fix what’s not broken,” said Alaimo. He went on to say that, if necessary, he is willing to go in and tweak some things. “We’re looking at what’s going to be best for the university and what’s going to be best for the students,” said Alaimo. for more information check out. .. Iwilkesbeacon.com 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 official Starbucks location! 25% off entire stock of hoods. f/lLKts ◄ ► IEmzl �6 Opinion Campus community should take action to promote cleanliness In an ideal world, all members of the Wilkes University community would take great measures toward keeping our campus clean and presentable. However, we do not live in an ideal world. On any given day, the campus is disrespected in many ways. Walking along the sidewalks of the greenway, overturned ice cream cones and blackened banana peels are often spotted. Trash cans sometimes overflow, and a glance in one of the recycling bins in Breiseth will undoubtedly turn up plastic bottles in the paper bins and napkins and food wrappers amidst newspaper and printer paper. There has also been a pile of garbage on the sixth floor of the UCOM Parking Garage that has been growing week after week. Dunkin Donut boxes, candy wrappers, leaves and un-eaten food continue to pile up before our eyes. Bathrooms are also included in this mess. The trash receptacle in the women’s room on the first floor of Breiseth consistently overflows. Instead of taking the used paper towels to another bin approximately 50 yards away from the bathroom, users often just pile the tissues and towels on top of the growing mound. Sooner or later, this pile falls to the floor, where it sits until a member of the cleaning staff has the unfortunate experience of picking up a mess they did not make. The Beacon understands that due to the average flow of students, faculty and visitors on our campus each day, the tendency for disposal receptacles to overflow is high. If a trash can is overflowing, however, there is no need to throw one’s unwanted food or trash in any place other than a different trash receptacle. These are not that difficult to find considering they are placed reasonably throughout campus. The fact of the matter is that no one group of people can shoulder the blame for this issue; everyone contributes. Students drop their ice cream cones and banana peels, boxes and papers, and staff members let the mess sit there for hours or days. wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com NOVEMBER 10, 2009 A call for respect of campus property BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu Since there are designated disposal receptacles located throughout our campus, littering and cleanliness should not be an issue of concern. While The Beacon acknowledges the fact that people may sometimes drop things here and there and not realize it (ie: notes, tissues, wrappers), it must call attention to the blatant and purposeful actions that occur around campus. For example, there is no reason for a student to jam a cookie into overhead grates on of the elevator in the Henry Student Center (HSC). There is also no reason to contribute to the growing pile of garbage in the parking garage. If you don’t want your cookie, hang on to it until you’re off the elevator The Beacon/ David Lewis Above is a dropped ice cream cone that was on the greenway this week. To the right is a picture of an overflowing garbage can. For more examples of campus litter, check out www. wilkesbeacon.com and drop it in a garbage can in the HSC. If you don’t want your Dunkin Donut box, throw it out when you leave the garage--there’s a trash can right outside the door when you get to the ground floor. If those who are deliberately responsible for these predicaments were to take a moment to tend to them or not make them at all, then the overall image of our campus would improve two-fold. Imagine what alumni or onlookers not associated with this campus think when they see trash overflowing in the receptacles or piled in inappropriate places. These messes do not have to be the responsibility of our custodial staff to clean up. These are things that the students, faculty, and staff can control. However, The Beacon does call upon our respected custodians to make an effort to clean up habitual messes, such as leaves in the elevator of the Parking Garage. In reference to the Parking Garage, a trash can placed on each floor of the garage may eliminate the urge to drop trash on the ground. To those who like to throw ice cream upon the ground or stuff cookies in inappropriate places, make an effort to hold onto those deserts until you see a trash receptacle. To those who leave a messy dining table during the busy eating hours in the SUB, Rifkin, and Einstein, a quick wipe of the napkin will suffice to ensure that the next person who chooses to eat at your table The Beacon/ Tom Reilly will have a clean place to rest their food and personal items. To those who do not dispose of their trash in proper receptacles, or bins that may be full, make an effort to find the next bin and finish the job. Because Wilkes University employs a staff specifically for cleaning the indoor and outdoor facilities on campus does not mean we should leave them work to do if the deed is menial. The more work they have to do, the greater the chances that the smaller, yet still meaningful, problems the campus faces – such as overturned ice cream cones and misplaced recycling – will be overlooked. Everyone – students, faculty, staff, and visitors – should show respect for our campus and help ensure that it stays clean, beautiful and welcoming to all. for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com 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 17 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you plan on getting or have you already received the H1N1 vaccine? • Yes 65% • No 35% Next Week’s Question: Do you think Wilkes University’s campus is clean? • 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. �NOVEMBER 10, 2009 OPINION 7 Wrap your lips around this: breathalyzers in more bars BY JASON SUTTON Correspondent Peanut butter and jelly. Cinnamon and sugar. Ketchup and mustard. Some things just make sense together. Why not bars and breathalyzers? This coupling is so natural that I almost don’t feel like I need to explain any more. However, there are some considerations to be made. Bars are a service industry, selling liquor, beer, and the occasional bad decision. However, regardless how friendly your bartender is, the fact remains that bars operate for a profit. Let’s apply this age-old paradigm to breathalyzers. The bar would purchase the apparatus, ranging anywhere from $50 to $300 from a website such as Frontgate. com, and then charge a nominal fee for each use. The stipulation would be that the readout is for personal patron use only, and if said patron is issued a DUI, the bar is not at fault. After the nominal fee covers the initial cost of the breathalyzer and any accessories needed, the further fees would be sheer profit for the bar. Some bars already do provide this service, but very few. If this service was more widespread, it would naturally benefit more people. This forms a mutually beneficial relationship with the patrons of the bar. A responsible drinker wanting to rely on methods more accurate than “Am I too dizzy yet?” or “Can I walk to the bathroom in a straight line?” would spend a buck or two and have a much more precise idea as to where they stand regarding Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Even irresponsible drinkers or those who are not driving could benefit. No one wants to get into a car with someone who is not safe to drive and risk getting hurt or even killed. Drivers getting breathalyzed before they decide to leave the bar would ensure their passengers that they are safe and that would potentially save more lives. Let’s take a step back from economic concerns for a moment and consider the more pressing issue at hand. According to statistics taken from PennDot and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,773 alcohol-related vehicle fatalities occurred in the United States in 2008 alone. If we can reduce the number of fatalities due to drunk driving, then it justifies bars spending money on breathalyzers and patrons spending money to use it. Driving drunk not only endangers the driver themselves, but everyone else on the road and even pedestrians. No person wants to be at fault for taking someone’s life, which is why they might use this system. Realistically, drunk driving will not be solved by this bar and breathalyzer combination; when irresponsible drinkers want to drive even stiff penalties and jail time will not stop them. If this idea can stop even one accident from happening, however, its value is priceless. The Obse.rvat:.o.ry Wal-Mart has achieved merchant of death status Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS My friend recently brought to my attention that the retail wanna-be-monopoly WalMart began selling caskets and urns on their website about two weeks ago. She used the words “deeply disturbed” to describe her thoughts on the subject and I wholeheartedly agreed. My initial reaction was of course laughter, but when that subsided, I could not even begin to comment on the subject. I was speechless and slightly offended. It is morbid to think of a retail store selling caskets to grieving families. It is simply not their place to do so. Wal-Mart has no business selling caskets and urns and we as consumers should not contribute to the problem by purchasing any funeral related items from their website because that would just open the flood gates for other retail stores to sell the same things to compete with the retail giant Wal-Mart. The entire move for Wal-Mart to start selling caskets and urns is an attempt to compete with Costco, a much smaller retail organization that recently started selling caskets on their website. Understandably, Wal-Mart is attempting to corner the market on just about anything a consumer could buy, so naturally it makes sense that they would try their hand in the business of death. The caskets start anywhere from $895 to $2,899 according to Wal-Mart’s website and ship within 48 hours of the purchase. The urns usually range from $80 to $220. But this is just the beginning. Wal-Mart is only performing a trial run by using their The Beacon/ Tom Reilly website to sell the caskets and urns. Their Beer Boys on North Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre, a bar that draws a large crowd Illinois based supplier, Star Legacy Funeral Network, Inc., is set to supply Wal-Mart on the weekends, could benefit from offering a breathalyzer service to its partrons. with their entire catalog if the caskets and urns sell successfully says Star Legacy CEO Rick Obadiah. So what’s next? Funeral departments in our local Wal-Mart stores? That is a definite possibility. It is obnoxious for Wal-Mart to sell consumers funeral items. For a global retail conglomerate earning over 405 million last year according to Fortune 500, it is just plain obnoxious. Wal-Mart is already the best of the best; the elite. They out sell their competitors nearly four to one. For them to enter the business of funeral arrangement for obvious profit is, in a sense, evil. Funeral suppliers like Star Legacy Funeral Network Inc., supply funeral homes with the caskets that they sell to families preparing to bury a loved one. Because funeral homes deal with the business of death, it seems fitting that they would sell caskets. The fact that they profit is overlooked because, naturally, it is their business. Wal-Mart has never had, nor do they currently have any business dealing with death, therefore their intentions of profit are clear, not to mention that Wal-Mart is taking the personal aspect out of preparing a funeral. Funeral home employees help families through the grieving process and handle the arrangements for the funeral. Buying caskets from Wal-Mart is a very impersonal business transaction. Wal-Mart’s website cannot offer comfort or a shoulder to cry on to family members. Funeral homes can. There is not a colossal price difference either. Wal-Mart prides themselves on their low, rollback prices that save consumers so much money each year, but the average prices of the caskets they sell and the ones already on the market are pretty even. So, my advice is: Wal-Mart, stay out of the business of death and consumers do not fall for Wal-Mart’s low price slogans. WalMart’s website cannot comfort you and your family and their prices are not that different from the current market anyway. �OPINION 8 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Stop stalling on Senate Bill 711 state legislators Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS To preface any argument about Pennsylvania’s proposed fiscal budget of 2010, it must be stated that the $200 million in revenue that Governor Ed Rendell and state legislators estimate from placing and taxing table games like poker at the slot machine casinos within the state is risky. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board estimates that yearly revenue of five casinos placing 100 table games will be $480,157,500 a year. According to Senate Bill 711, which will allow Pennsylvania the licensing to place table games at the casinos, imposing a 34% tax on the gross table game revenue will generate $247,393,000 to fill the deficit the proposed state budget. While I do not agree with using gambling to generate revenue for the budget because it is essentially that--a gamble--it seems that this is Pennsylvania’s best option right now. However, state legislators still cannot agree on the bill and no immediate action is being taken to remedy this. The largest impact that this would have is on college students at Penn State, Pitt, and Temple. These students could see their tuition increase for the spring semester because Pennsylvania has not yet given the three universities the combined $675 million in subsidies they are expecting. If the state keeps stalling on giving the universi- ties the subsidies, they may have to raise tuition so they do not go into deficit. Governor Ed Rendell and House Democrats will not release the subsidies to the universities until an agreement is met about the table games bill because it would create a deficit for next year if they do not know where the money is coming from or how much there will be to replace the subsidies. So, why are state legislators pulling out of meetings to discuss and agree on key issues of the bill? As usual, our Republican and Democratic leaders cannot come to agreement about the Senate bill or move up scheduled meetings to discuss the matter even though Governor Ed Rendell has stressed the importance of the issue. Legislators met yesterday, November 9, to discuss the matter and have another meeting scheduled for November 16. On November 16, I encourage you to come to an agreement state legislators. Put the effort in and do what is best for Pennsylvania. Yes, this Senate bill is a major concern. Yes, it requires careful consideration. You may not agree with every aspect of the proposed plan, but some sort of compromise needs to be made. College students stand to suffer higher tuition bills that are already astronomical as a result, and the more inaction and indecision you take about the matter, the more you prove to the registered voters of Pennsylvania that you are not fit to lead this state. We elected you to make informed decisions. Please make one, and soon. 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: The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre is one of the slot machine casinos in the state of Pennsylvania that is set to place table games such as bingo and poker in the near future. Pennsylvania legisltators still cannot come to a tentative agreement about aspects of Senate Bill 711, which will allow them the licensing to do so. Last week's winners of 7 Free Dinners at TONY DI'S PIZZA BUFFET Russell Dehaut Who Doesn't like Free Stuffi! 1be Beacon Weekly Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win... 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. Please submit letters to thebeacon.oped@gmail.com $50 Gift Card Rodano's Restaurant &Bar Located on Public Square 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 Friday, November 13, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �Wilkes’ Alma Mater p. 11 li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com NOVEMBER 10, 2009 9 College Days Dr. Dean Frear makes his college days last over three decades BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Dean Frear stands in line in the gymnasium at Bloomsburg State College. He is ready to register for classes. Frear and his friends are holding registration cards, going from booth to booth waiting to have instructors sign off on their class rosters. It’s 1967. A lot has changed since then, acknowledged Frear. “That’s one of the major changes. If you wanted to register for a class, things were not computerized. You had to have a professor sign off on the class and the time of that class.” Many college students take approximately four years to complete their degrees. Frear was not one of those typical students. Frear’s post-secondary education began in the fall of 1967. He entered then Bloomsburg State College as a philosophy major. He was studious. He liked reading. He liked playing bridge. Working through the first three years at Bloomsburg, Frear was gearing up to graduate, get his degree and enter the professional world. All he needed was120 credits. He was at 101 at graduation time. He was forced to quit school. 1971. Entering the professional world earlier than expected, Frear began working. Between 1971 and 1975, Frear moved to Williamsport, got married, and worked. Then school came a-calling…again. “Back then, you were out for a year. So, I went to work. Subsequently, I got married and tried to go back to Bloomsburg one more time to try and graduate,” said Frear. Throughout his time out of school, Frear continued to self-educate, reading and rereading everything he could. “I used to read a lot. I would stay up for 24 hours to read an entire book cover to cover, 400-some pages. Non-stop. I didn’t go to eat or anything else. Now, if that had been my homework, I could probably have finished all five books by the end of the week, but I didn’t do that,” remembered Frear. 1975. Frear reapplied to Bloomsburg and continued with his philosophy degree. Despite holding a life-long desire to learn and achieve, Frear could not keep up with the commute from Williamsport each day to the school, so he had to quit Bloomsburg yet again. 1998. The philosophy degree Frear began working for in 1967 was still not complete in 1996. He re-entered Bloomsburg yet again in 1996. Frear finally graduated from Bloomsburg with a philosophy degree in 1998. “I moved back to Bloomsburg and was going through a divorce, but I finished my degree and had an eye on getting my MBA,” remembered Frear. Frear attended the University of Scranton to get his masters in business administration. After receiving his master’s degree, Frear worked for Morgan Stanley. 2005. Being the self-educating individual he The Beacon/LeeAnn Searfoss Dr. Dean Frear sits in his office on the third floor of Weckesser Hall, surrounded by pictures of Albert Einstein. He continues to push students, as he pushed himself academically for the last several decades. was, Frear looked toward his doctorate. Frear’s academic standards were high, and he chose Capella University for their accreditation. “We had classes that were colloquia. The professor would show up for class with materials and books for the course, but classes were very self-taught. They were very writing intensive,” said Frear. Frear balanced relationships, ones that worked and ones that did not. He also built a family while continuing his own education. “At one point, one of my daughters [Re- gina] was getting her Ph.D in physical therapy when I was still getting my undergrad degree,” stated Frear. Frear credits education for giving everyone more opportunities. He used his to make advancements in the professional and business worlds. And it only took 37 years. 'Fhere was this girl who I went to high school with. We kind of discovered each other when we got to Bloomsburg. She was actually dating and getting engaged to one of the guys I played bridge with. Now, back then there were no computers, but I was not good at typing anyway. So, since I was friends with her fiancee, she would help me write papers. I would dictate entire papers, no notes, and she would type them. She wrote several term pap_ers fpr me. �LIFESTYLES 10 Student of the Week: Michael Gionfriddo BY KIRSTIN COOK Correspondent Michael Gionfriddo looks at the bigger picture. While many of his fellow pharmacy students stress about learning material because they want a good grade on the test, Gionfriddo feels the pressure for different reasons. He knows he is going to be affecting the lives of future patients, which is one of the reasons he has been so successful in his major. Gionfriddo has his eye on the future, which has led him to an early success. Now in his fifth year in the pharmacy program, Gionfriddo is currently the president of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists and Wilkes’ delegate for the Pennsylvania Pharmacist Association. Above all, the achievement he is most proud of is his research work. “It suits my personal goals to learn and explore.” The difficult aspect of his research is the monotony, such as when he had to make over 50 solutions, but Gionfriddo overcomes this struggle. “You have to believe in what you are doing.” The major source of Gionfriddo’s success is his self-propelled drive. “A lot of it is self-motivation, to want to do better for myself.” His love of learning has aided his drive and his academic success. “I like to learn and I like to discover new things. If there’s a question, I need to find an answer for it. I’m always asking why.” Surprisingly, Gionfriddo originally dreamed of becoming a libriarian. His dad, who works in a hospital, suggested that a pharmacy field would fit his personality. Gionfriddo admits that this career path has been tough, but it is worth it. “I like the fact that you get to help your patients.” His future goals include getting his PhD, continuing his research, and eventually teaching. Gionfriddo admited that keeping up with all of the pressures of being a pharmacy student isn’t easy. He said that it breaks down to time management, and through that he balances his studies, family, friends, and even the guilty pleasure of a little time to play Xbox. “There’s enough time for everything – barely,” he states, with a laugh, “but there’s enough time.” The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Gionfriddo: I actually hope to come back to Wilkes. I like the atmosphere, very friendly and open community. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Gionfriddo: Dedicated, funny, friendly. The Beacon: Finish this sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Gionfriddo: I used to live out in the woods for two months. I was a camp counselor for four years. NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Few students find community in HSC game room BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer The game room in the Henry Student Center is the hotspot for many students. This hotspot serves as a fun and relaxing waiting area where students meet up with friends in between classes. And, anyone who frequently walks through the HSC can usually see familiar faces in that game room. The “regulars” are usually shooting pool, talking about classes, or not talking about classes. One of these “regulars”, Mike Pauley, a junior chemistry major, thinks that the game room is “a popular spot because it’s easily accessible, and conveniently close to Rifkin”. The students who frequent the game room are a combination of every major and year. Each game roomer adds to the unique group dynamic that has now grown into a group of students who come to rely on each other through encouragement and friendship. Friendships and relationships that have transpired as a result of the game room are ones that make coming to the game room a worthwhile experience. The people in the game room look forward to their daily routine of playing pool and hanging out with each other in between classes. The game room serves as a spot for these students to hang out, talk, help each other with homework, and play pool. “Everyone does their own thing but, for the most part you always see the same fac- es,” Pauley adds. Along with visiting the room at certain times throughout the day the group often gets together on the weekends. “Sometimes we get something to eat or watch movies,” Tim Cheung, a freshman CIS major, said. Most of the group consists of men, but there are a few women who hang out here as well. Corey Katsak junior electrical engineering major met his girlfriend Sandy of seven months through the people in the group. Sandy Sharpe, a senior sociology major, emphasizes that, “the group really does take in anyone. She also describes the group as, “a close nit group with high social capital.” Here in the game room friends laugh at and with each other. Often times they compete amongst themselves in X-Box and pool games for fun. As the semester progresses more and more students join their classmates in the game room. “The current number of game roomers has grown from a few to about 20-30,” Pauley said. Students are drawn into the game room each day by invites from classmates, who then become a part of the group by making friends with everyone else. The cycle continues each semester and, as the years pass, the relationships in the game room remain. Pauley explains that, “anyone could become a part of the group you don’t even have to like pool.” The Beacon/Allison Roth NORTHAMPTON STREET DELI Loe a ted inside the YMCA Non-Members Welcomed Mon tluu Thurs 11:00 ain to 8:00 p1n Fridays & Sundays 11:00 am to 4:00 pm **** Please note new Sunday and Evening Hours **** 10% discount w / Student ID - Free WiFi Available The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Some Wilkes students have found friends, and fun in the HSC game room. They are a group opened to make new friends and have fun hanging out inbetween classes. �NIOVEMBER 10, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 A little slice of Wilkes History: The Wilkes Alma Mater Wilkes Alma Mater goes unnoticed and unknown by most Wilkes students BY RUTH WHISPELL Lifestyles Assistant Editor When Eleanor Farley created the Alma Mater 73 years ago, she was expressing a certain pride for Bucknell Junior College. She most likely expected people to learn, sing and pass on the Alma Mater with the same pride that she felt when she wrote it. In the original Alma Mater, Eleanor described Wilkes, then Bucknell, as an institution that “hast led us onward in finer heights…” and also as a school that deserves the students’ “deep devotion.” Students have to sing the Alma Mater at their freshmen orientation, and again when graduating. This is why it’s surprising to discover that so many students at Wilkes University don’t know the words to the Alma Mater. Although students aren’t studying the Alma Mater inbetween orientation and graduation, unless they take a course which requires it to be studied, it’s still an important part of Wilkes’ history. In a informal survey done by The Beacon, where 26 people were polled, only two of the 26 knew the words to the Alma Mater and only one could sing it word for word. “I know my high school alma mater off the top of my head, but at graduation from Wilkes we sang off a pamphlet,” said Aaron Stoker. Stoker graduated from Wilkes in 1997; he is currently working at Wilkes tutoring students in various subjects Since Stoker’s graduation in 1997, there are still students who don’t know the words to the Alma Mater. At graduation in May 2009, Cassandra Scarantino, sang the Alma Mater, but now she can’t recall the words. “I knew it ex- _._ ..__ __.._ , __ .. ··- · ___ .. ...,.-.-....-1 The musical notes to the Bucknell Alma Mater [pictured above], written by Eleanor Farley have changed after Bucknell’s name was changed to Wilkes, but the pride found in Eleanor’s words can still be heard today at orientation and graduation isted before graduation, but I didn’t know the words until then,” said Scarantino. Scarantino is now a taking courses at Wilkes in pursuitof her MBA. The turn of events that led the Farleys to Wilkes-Barre was brought about by Arnaud Marts who was searching for an educator who could help the college prosper in a town [Wilkes-Barre] that everyone believed was going nowhere. Dr. Harold Cox, Wilkes’ archivist, explained Eleanor held no formal position at Bucknell Junior College, but she was an active participant in the college’s activities. Eleanor was also a practicing musician who decided that Bucknell College needed a song. Thus the Bucknell Alma Mater came Bucknell Junior College Alma Mater Bucknell Junior College, We pledge our hearts to thee; honor, faith and courage, truth and loyalty. As we leave thy guiding spirit to prove our way as men, we’ll take thy memory with us, to help us to the end. .__ ____ The Bucknell Beacon/ October 1936 Thou hast led us onward in search of finer heights. May we leave no memory to mar thy spirit bright. May our deeds and deep devotion to one we love so well, stay with thee for others. Oh Bucknell, dear Bucknell! into existence. Eleanor Farley passed away in 1965. The Amnicola that year featured a dedication for Eleanor written by someone named McGarty. Cox is unsure of whom McGarty is, but his dedication for the late Eleanor Farley was a heartwarming addition to the yearbook. The dedication written by McGarty described Eleanor as someone who lived with the College from its beginning to 1965, watching it grow and also growing with the College. The song we sing today to celebrate Wilkes University and all it means to us is a bit different from the one Eleanor wrote 73 years ago. “The changes in the text of the song were made by Richard Chapline and William Gasbarro, both music professors at Wilkes. The two made the changes shortly after their arrival at the college, because it made the piece easier for the school band to play at athletic events,” said Alfred Groh, who helped arrange the book, Essays of an Educator, Dr. Eugene S. Farley. Some of the changes made include singing, “In our work as in our pleasure, Guide us as a friend; we shall always love thee, Loyal to the end,” instead of singing “As we leave thy guiding spirit to prove our way as men, we’ll take thy memory with us, to help us to the end,” which is what Eleanor wrote. Another change in the song is, “Thou shalt lead us onward in search of finer things. May we find the wisdom that thy spirit brings. May our deeds of love and service ever swell thy fame -- Wilkes, we stand to greet thee! Glory to thy name!” The first version read, “Thou hast led us onward in search of finer heights. May we leave no mem’ry to mar thy spirit bright. May our deeds and deep devotion to one we love so well, stay with thee for others. Oh Bucknell, dear Bucknell!” Many students admit they don’t know the words but there are some exceptions, such as Casey Gow. Gow is a sophomore musical theater major who was required to learn the song for her chorus class. Just as the words have changed over time, so has the pride in the school and the number of people who know the words or sing the Alma Mater. Students will continue to sing the song upon their arrival at Wilkes and their graduation, but who’s to say how many will leave the University knowing and understanding the words and their meaning. Eleanor would hope that all Wilkes students would “take thy mem’ry with [them] to help [them] in the end.” You can find lyrics of the Wilkes song at http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/1082.asp. For more information on the history of Wilkes contact Dr. Harold Cox at harold. cox@wilkes.edu. �Where the Wild Things Are Movie ReviewPage 13 12 CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com NOVEMBER 10, 2009 A successful weekend for Inkin’ the Valley Convention puts on another satisfying display BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor For three days the inked, creepy, and crazy inhabited The Woodlands Inn & Resort from November 6-8. The buzzing of tattoo guns, smell of ink, and side show tricks had people cringing in pain and wide-eyed in astonishment. Kicking off last Friday as tons of artists set up their booths and sword swallowing freaks readied their throats, people from all over came to either get another tattoo, or gawk at the sideshow tricksters. Everywhere you looked for the three day span there was a different style of tattoo being done with all different kinds of colors. From portraits to tribal, you name it, it was being done. “It’s so comfortable to be here, and plus it’s pretty easy driving distance, which helps as well,” said TeeJay Dill, owner of White Tiger Tattooing. As he took a break from tattooing a man’s chest, he stepped back in amazement of his own work as if it were the Mona Lisa. Judging by the look on his face, he was pretty satisfied with what he had done. Each one of the 42 booths offered something for everyone as well as a sideshow on the stage at the far end of the room. To commemorate the time spent at the convention, most artists were also selling T-shirts with their patented slogan or design on them. Evil Brand Clothes also had their own set up with their trademark devil on every shirt they had to offer. One of the more fascinating displays was by Deluxe Irons who had a glass case filled with hand-crafted tattoo machinery by “Ernie D.” On display were tattoo hardware that looked like it was made in the 1800s all the way until modern day. Teamed with Deluxe Irons was Resurrected Tattoo which is also owned by “Ernie D.” In the mix of tattooing needles at work were a number of piercing needles as well. The Beacon/Tom Reilly Sharpened steel rods pushed through ears, A crowd of Wyoming Valley residents and visitors flooded to the “Inkin’ the Valley” lips, and tongues modifying people’s aptattoo convention, which took place this past weekend. Tattoo artists flood in from all pearance as a balloon was being swallowed over the world for this event. on stage. The tattooed-family reunion continued with everyone showing off their tattoos and comparing their work with each other. The The large wooden tables hold baskets a light lunch with a co-worker or a dinlifting of shirts and pant legs to reveal their of fries, clusters of burgers. The menu at ner with friends. There is no loud music glorified scars made each story that much Patte’s is set up with the lingo of the sports to drown out good conversation. It is an better as artists met up with old friends and world. atmosphere that is quiet, without the loud new canvases. While I waited for the cheeseburger I built noise and distraction of televisions. People lined up at the bar to get a drink myself, I noticed that the waitresses, all two The combination of a more personal waiting for their chance to add to their priof them, wore identical outfits. In true sports atmosphere paired with great food gives vate museums of expression on their bodfan fashion, and for the sake of being unbi- Patte’s a 4 out of 5 rating. ies. ased during the World Series, the waitresses The looks of satisfaction that seemed to wore t-shirts that had both team’s logos on be pasted on people’s faces as they showed The Beacon/LeeAnn Searfoss the back and Patte’s Sport Bar on the front. off their ink new and old were priceless. AcNow, onto the food. The burger was so companying the smiles of satisfaction were large I needed a knife to cut it in half just to handshakes and thank yous. eat it. Building my own burger gave me the Walking around and hearing people say opportunity to not have to pick off anything “thanks, that looks great,” or, “wow, you I did not want. did a great job,” the smell of ink seemed to But the most important part of the burgseep into your clothes. er basket is, of course, the fries. And does “It’s only day two but it’s been a pretty Patte’s have good fries! Perhaps they are good turn out,” Dill said on Saturday. “I deep fried in special oil. Perhaps there is a got to see a lot of old friends and made secret family recipe. Either way, the fries some new ones. All-in-all it’s been a good are fantastic. time.” The atmosphere at Patte’s is great for Restaurant Review: Patte’s Sports Bar BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor The typical sports bar: loud music, massive big screen televisions covering the walls, and crowds of people cramping together. Patte’s Sports Bar has none of those things. There is no loud music. There is no big screen television. There are only patrons eating lunch. There is a couple in the corner. There are two friends out for lunch. There is a group of business professionals dressed in their suits at the table across the room. The dimly lit, simply decorated dining room was covered in only a few pictures of sports stadiums scattered around the room. Instead of big-name sports teams, Patte’s displays photos and plaques from local teams. T-ball teams. YMCA basketball teams. �NOVEMBER 10, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are "Let the wild rumpus st'1rt:!" BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers. It’s a bit challenging to think back on what it’s like to be a little kid again. You could spend hours and hours playing with one thing and turn it into several different things. A piece of lint, for example, could serve many purposes, from being just a weird ball of hair to your action figure’s toupee. The point is imagination. Where the Wild Things Are, directed by Spike Jonze, is about a boy’s loneliness and hunger for attention. The dynamics of his family shows an assumed single, loving mom who works very hard to put food on the table. His sister is a teenager who is struggling with her own independence. Her friends are more important to her than family. Max, the main character in the movie, is hurt from feeling pushed aside by his family. Whenever he puts on his “monster” outfit, his imagination is activated and he becomes a manifestation of the turmoil within. Max runs away and sails to a distant island in the middle of the ocean. Characters like Carol and K.W. help him and show him that he is needed after This is where Carol and K.W. reside, along with other unhappy monsters on that island. Once Max makes his presence known, he convinces them that he is a king and promises them happiness. Max soon learns that promising everyone happiness is almost impossible and thus begins the trials and tribulations of these close relationships with “the wild things.” I didn’t really know what to expect from this movie. I read the children’s book, written by Maurice Sendak, maybe once or twice. The movie made valid points about the hardships a child undergoes when feeling misunderstood and finding a sense of belonging with other beings that are just as misunderstood as he is. It also makes a strong point about dealing with those kinds of feelings at such a young age. In the one scene, Max becomes really upset with his mother for not paying attention to him when he wanted her. He put on his monster suit and bit her without thinking. At the end of the movie when he returns home to her, however, he realizes his mistake and that he is extremely loved by his family. On the island with the wild things, he learns that though he loves them dearly, he belongs with his family. The best scene to pinpoint the exact feeling of belonging for Max is when he is under the mass of a pile the monster’s form, preparing to fall asleep. The monsters’ bodies form this protective covering around him, much like his snow fort in the beginning of the movie, and he is relieved, secure, and happy. The movie wasn’t very long so it wasn’t overdone. The music, written by Karen O (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Carter Burwell, definitely captured the euphoria of the The Beacon/Tom Reilly movie and maintained the magical tone. Nothing in this movie looked fake—the setting was gorgeous and the wild things looked very real. The characters are comical and endearing enough for all ages to enjoy. There’s something that everyone can get out of this movie, whether it’s the characters, the music, the story, or just feeling like a kid again howling into the night. Rating: 4 out of 5 din Jouxnalisro? t nte:res e Need to build your portfolio? 1 ·c\e ox t t ·t an ax '1 to VJXl e t wan wo? Learn the basics of journahsm and sharpen your writing skills by writing for THE BEACON! You can write for Opinion, News, Lifestyles, Sports, and/or Arts and Entertainment ??? INTERESTED??? Stop by a Beacon Meeting on Sundays from 2-3pm in Conygham Hall, 1st Floor -ORContact: Professor Lindsey Wotanis, The Beacon faculty advisor, lindsey. wotanis@wilkes.edu or Nicole Frail, Editor-in-Chief, nicole.frail@wilkes.edu �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 • • • • CD Review: "Play On" - Carrie Underwood • • • • KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor Carrie Underwood, the winner of American Idol in 2005 and artist on top of the country charts, is at it again with her latest album “Play On” which was released this past Tuesday in stores nationwide. She’s the most successful of the winners of American Idol. Some of her well-known hits include “Before He Cheats,” “Wasted,” “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and “All American Girl.” Carrie Underwood won three awards at the 2007 CMT (Country Music Television) Awards: Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year, and Video Director of the Year for the music video “Before He Cheats.” She also took home three 2007 ACM (Academy of Country Music) Awards, which included Album of the Year for “Some Hearts” and Top Female Vocalist. Carrie has won a Grammy every year since 2007 and also won ACM Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year in 2008 and 2009. Underwood’s third album, which she considers her most versatile, features 13 new tracks to add to her collection of outstanding country music. In my opinion, the album provides a great blend of slow and upbeat songs that can appeal to wide audience. It’s perfect for anyone who appreciates country music too! Cowboy Casanova – Truly the anthem for any girl who has experienced the foul play of a guy. Underwood claims this “Cowboy Casanova” can get a girl wrapped around his finger while telling her “nothing but lies.” Underwood’s take on this song is telling a girl to stay away because he may look good, but he’s far from it. Quitter – This is a faster song about being in love. She has always believed that nothing lasts forever and quitting came naturally to her, but this time is different. The song talks about being in love and finally realizing that good relationships and good men really do exist in a sea of men who have previously let her down. Mama’s Song – A slower song written to a mother, not sure if it’s actually meant to be Underwood’s. The story line of the song is a girl telling her mom that the guy she’s dating is perfect for her and cares for her just as much as she did when she was a child. It’s an assurance song to a mother since they do worry often. Change – An inspirational and motivational song, in my opinion. It’s a song encouraging those who believe they can change something in the world to go out and try to change it, to avoid those negative voices that tell you it’s impossible. Undo It – A faster-paced song that has a great beat. The girl in the song realizes TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant 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! ZW J YVQQL QJKY J LZQXQ BD YVQLVIGA’Y LZQ, KVQE KVQ YVQQL ZY J-HBRZE BE OL! This week’s clues: K=T Z=I Answer from last week: I ASKED THE WAITRESS IF THE PANCAKES WERE GOING TO BE LONG, SHE RESPONDED “NO SILLY, THEY’RE ROUND!” she fell for the wrong guy and wants to turn back time and “undo it.” This is the perfect song for any girl that just broke up with a useless boyfriend or had this problem in the past and needs a good laugh about it. Someday When I Stop Loving You – A slower song about getting over someone that may take a long time. It’s a perfect song for those who just broke up with someone they’ve been with for awhile and need something to help mend their heart and get over that person. The Beacon/Kristen Karpinski Carrie Underwood, owner of three CMT awards from 2007 and also winner of an ACM award for Female Vocalist of the Year in 2008 and in 2009, recently released her new album, “Play On.” Songs Like This – This is Underwood’s message to guys who screw up a lot. She uses this upbeat song to blame guys for their stupid actions and explains that because guys act the way they do, there will be “songs like this” – pretty much revenge in a song about how a guy messes up a relationship. cial guests Sons of Sylvia. It appears to be a song about a couple that broke up a long time ago and the girl wants to contact her ex but has no idea what to say to him. Also, it seems like a song about regret--either regret about how the relationship ended or how they can’t pick up the phone to call each other. Temporary Home – This song represents the fact that Earth is only our temporary home and once we die we’ll go off to somewhere else. It also looks at the lives of three or four other people and how where they live will never really be their real home but instead temporary. Play On – Another motivational song, in my opinion. Underwood encourages listeners to keep “playing on” in life and enjoy it. It’s a song that you hear and you just feel good about yourself and what you do. This Time – This is a slightly upbeat song about being in love. It focuses on how a person feels when they know for the first time they’re in love with someone, which is similar to being on “cloud 9.” Look At Me – This is another slow tune about a person falling in love so deeply with another person that they would do anything for them. It’s one of those “love with devotion” songs where the person is so in love it hurts. Unapologize – This song tells the story of a girl who refuses to hide her feelings and “unapologizes” for them getting out. She obviously wants the guy to know she likes him and doesn’t care that he knows. What Can I Say – A slower song with spe- If you’re a fan of country music and Underwood, you definitely won’t be let down by this album. It contains just enough slow tunes as it does fast and the lyrics easily relate to the listener on a personal level. Aside from the fact that Underwood is absolutely adorable, she has a phenomenal voice that will set you in a trance of absolute musical tranquility. Key Fact: The vocals do NOT disappoint! The album is available in most retail stores and also on iTunes. Rating: 4.85/5 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 10, 2009 15 KARPINSKI WoRro SEARCH BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor N A C D X N I A z X V E p X s C K E A F I R G V z Q R y R 0 I B L L u G V A Q s A X E p y A s C X Q M N y w E A C I u E w u s C 6 u J K F E y T R R y N T G F V A J K w E w E A R C w E T s X N y J u F B I C E WORD BANK: BEDFORD BREISETH CAPIN BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor K D N F N C E R G N y K N M B E s u J A B E R s V D C R X F V s w E J C CHASE CONYNGHAM DELAWARE EVANS FENNER s 0 w G E C F C N K V y C B A T w y w R T y s E R C I J N B G X E s F G X u I B H T 0 R X A M N E s T R D X u N s y A s K s X B R E I G A s X Q C D A N E X M F B J R E I s y T w u B L I Q B E D F 0 J s A s N C p w w C s A w D E w A N A D L C u B w A Q T M s K R R V 0 C V L A X G E T A J H H E N s R A FORTI NS KY KIRBY MARTS MAX ROTH PASSAN I X w w A s D C X E E s H w L A z A s G Q K R s E F F A B F I M N 0 T 0 R D F D F G H s A K R u E G s E K T R T H z C L B N w G F B y V J N X N H w E K E s s E R B I s V C R X N V E C F B I w E 0 A T z F T RIFKIN STARK LEARNING CENTER STERLING SULLIVAN WECKESSER G s D s H s �LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON PAGE 19 CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Monumental first quarter propels football to victory Colonels score 15 points in first five minutes of Senior Day, never look back BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor The Wilkes University football team used Saturday’s game against Widener to snap a couple of troubling trends. The Colonels picked up their sixth victory of the season, defeating the Pride by a score of 29-24. That means that for the first time since Wilkes won the conference championship in 2006, the Colonels are guaranteed to finish the season with a winning record. “Coming in here as a freshman, we won the MAC and everything was great,” said defensive back Corey Gilroy. “The last two years, we struggled a little bit. To seal a winning season in my senior year, I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Gilroy and the Colonels couldn’t have asked for a better first quarter either. The team entered its final home game of the regular season having scored just three total points in their previous eight first quarters combined. On Saturday, Wilkes eclipsed that mark in just 59 seconds. Widener fumbled the opening kick-off and the Colonels gained possession of the football at the Widener 35-yard line. On the team’s second play of the game, senior quarterback Rob Johnson optioned the ball to sophomore running back Zachary Tivald, with Tivald running 32 yards into the end zone. Junior kicker Chris Horn nailed the PAT to give the Colonels a 7-0 lead. Gilroy blocked a Widener punt two minutes later, setting up a safety that put the Colonels up 9-0. Two minutes after that, Widener fumbled a Wilkes punt, providing the Colonels offense with a fresh set of downs at the Widener 28-yard line. This time, it took the Colonels just one play to embarrass the Pride, with Johnson finding senior wide receiver Gennaro Zangardi in the end zone. The team botched the PAT attempt, but still held a 15-0 lead before the game was five minutes old. “That set the tone for the whole game,” Zangardi said. “We had the momentum the whole game. Once you get on top like that, it’s hard for another team to come back and battle back from a 15-point deficit.” intended receiver and into the hands of Wilkes’s Kevin Gerhart. That’s when the team could finally breathe, as they took a knee to run out the clock and seal the win. “Madden and Gerhart have been making huge plays all season,” said Zangardi. “They really, really have. I can’t think of two safeties in the league that are better than those two guys.” The Colonels have their sights set on defeating their cross-town rival King’s College this Saturday when the two battle for the Mayor’s Cup. As if that wasn’t enough to get the team fired up, the Colonels know that this game is what their season is going to come down to. If they want a shot at a playoff berth, the 6-3 Colonels need to win. “It’s absolutely a must-win,” Gilroy said. “If we want to play another game, it’s a must win. There’s no way we’re getting into the playoffs at 6-4 and we know that.” Photo Left: The Beacon/Kerri Frail Photo Below: Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Sophomore running back Zach Tivald, featured in this week’s Athlete Spotlight on page 18, opened the scoring for Wilkes with a 32-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of Saturday’s game vs. Widener. Wilkes gained momentum from the play, amassing 15 points before the game was five minutes old en route to a 29-24 victory. The teams traded 1-yard touchdown runs and PAT’s to close out the first quarter’s scoring, with Widener quarterback Jimmy Lahue and Wilkes fullback Harry Reese providing the offense for their teams. Another touchdown run allowed the Pride to cut the Wilkes lead to 22-14 before the second quarter was two minutes old, but Johnson made sure that the Colonels would have their 15-point lead back before the teams broke for halftime. With 5:34 remaining in the half, Johnson found sophomore wide receiver Shawn Gregson open in the middle of the field and the two connected for a 46-yard touchdown pass. Another successful PAT by Horn gave Wilkes a 29-14 lead at the half. For as impressive as the Colonels looked in the game’s early going, they struggled to enjoy the same success in the second half. They surrendered ten points in the third quarter to Widener and played the majority of the final 15 minutes on their heels, cling- ing to a 29-24 lead. With Widener driving down the field with three minutes to play in regulation, the Colonels needed a big play to preserve the win. They got two. First, Widener quarterback Chris Haupt had his Hail Mary bid picked off by senior defender Sean Madden. “That’s what I live for, making the big play when your number is called,” Madden said. “The guy had us beat deep, no doubt about it, but the quarterback made a mistake and threw it right into my hands. Game over from there.” Ordinarily, yes. However, the Colonels didn’t get a first down on their ensuing drive and were forced to give the ball back to the Pride on a punt. Luckily, the Colonels defense answered the bell again. With less than a minute remaining, Haupt had another pass deflected away from his Junior defensive lineman Chris Swinarski had four tackles as the Colonels defeated Widener on Saturday afternoon at Ralston Field. With the win, the Colonels improved to 6-3 on the season. �SPORTS NOVEMBER 10, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Zach Tivald, sophomore sensation BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Meet Zach Tivald, a six foot, 195 pound sophomore running back from Edison, NJ, who acted as the one-man wrecking crew for the Colonels in their road win against Lycoming College last weekend. Tivald amassed a career-high 149 yards on 31 carries along with a 22-yard reception for a touchdown to assist in the victory over the Warriors. Appearing in seven games as a freshman last year, Tivald proved his worth early. So far this season, he has racked up 439 yards and three touchdowns on 125 attempts along with nine receptions for a total of 109 yards and one touchdown. His 439 yards rushing leads the Colonels backfield with the next closest being Harry Reese with 151. “Zach leads by example and works very hard at practice and during games,” said Coach Frank Sheptock. “He also has a very strong work ethic that has been evident in his preparation for the season, as well as his weekly preparation during game week.” In the two years that Tivald has been Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Running back Zach Tivald rushed for 149 yards against Lycoming last weekend. sporting the Navy and Gold, he has proved to be someone that quarterback Rob Johnson could count on. “Tivald makes my job easier,” said John- son. “It’s great having him in the backfield. He is able to get through tight holes and explode into the secondary.” His ability to squeeze through tight spaces definitely helps more than just Johnson on the field; it also helps the offensive line. “Making a hole for Tivald is simple,” said sophomore center Ben Webb. “We give him a small space and before we know it, he’s flying past us.” Tivald was honored to be named the Athlete of the Week by The Beacon after his performance. Going out every game and making a positive impact is what Tivald strives for week in and week out. Even with the great display that Tivald put on last week, he still remains as humble as ever. “Without the offensive line there is no way that I would have been able to do anything at all in any game not just the game against Lycoming,” Tivald commented. In the game against Lycoming, Tivald became the first player to rush for over a 100 yards for the Colonels since 2007, a drought that the Colonels have seemed to put behind them with the performance from last weekend. Tivald and the Colonels look to make it seven in a row this week versus River Street rival King’s College in the battle for the Mayor’s Cup. 53 PtJbLIC _sqtJare 829-64tJ4 Do\fNto'A'N COLLe3e 5peetaLS QUICK HITS ALeoHOL SPKeIALS FO~ 21+ UI& I.D. SllN~ 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 Prtce Appet&zers ½ Pl'•ce P1zza r11eSda! DJ OOH\fee Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Prace Appetizers COL.Leae N13Ht N,o COi/er 'fl I C01.1.ese ID rKt1r5da! 5illrda! 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 $15L1ceS dlll''NS COJUle cHecK <>tit YiHat·s Ne\Y 3Ncl E')(ctt•NS ~r, Hotll' at R0 daN°'S Gall to bOOK OtJr private rooMThe For aN~ / CL3SS eveNtS Beacon Alison Kasper or soe1a. 5atHer1N3 RociaNo's LtJNCH 5pec1at.S ofrerecI 7 Ja~S a WeeK r0 r $5.95 $l 5LiceS ltfM-111 �SPORTS 18 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 ONE AND DONE BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor All four Wilkes University teams that qualified for the conference playoffs this fall were eliminated in the opening round of competition. The string of unfavorable results started last Tuesday when the women’s soccer team visited top-seeded Manhattanville. The Valiants scored just seven minutes into the match and never looked back, handily defeating the Lady Colonels by a 4-0 margin. On Wednesday, the men’s soccer team visited archrival Misericordia University and raced out to a 2-0 lead at halftime. However, they struggled in the second half, allowing Misericordia to tie the game and force overtime. Misericordia scored on their second shot of the extra session, earning a 3-2 win and spoiling Wilkes University’s hopes at a conference championship. This was the second straight year that Misericordia bounced Wilkes from the playoffs, as they defeated the Colonels on penalty kicks last season. Also on Wednesday, King’s College pulled off an upset of David vs. Goliath proportions, defeating the Lady Colonels field hockey team in overtime. The Lady Colonels entered the match with a 15-2 regular season record and had scored 14 combined goals in their previous three matches. But they were unable to translate that regular season success to the postseason, as they were held to just one goal by the Lady Monarchs and fell 2-1. The loss spoiled field hockey’s hopes of a highly anticipated rematch with Eastern University in the conference title match. The Lady Colonels volleyball team didn’t fare well on Wednesday either, as their season was ended when they were on the wrong side of a 3-0 decision at Eastern. twil:I: r, @Beaconsnorts 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 What sports city do you love to hate? No lost feelings for the “City of Brotherly Love” Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA As a fan of sports, I hate every sports city outside of the one that houses my favorite. In other words, I’m here to tell you that Pittsburgh is the best sports city in the great old US of A. Their fans are the most loyal fans out there, and their teams are always competitive. For the sake of this column, let’s just pretend that the Pirates do not exist. But the same cannot be said for that city on the Eastern half of the state. Philadelphia is the anti-Pittsburgh. Philly is the Chad JohnI mean Ochocinco to the Larry Fitzgerald – the city who needs the limelight compared to the city who just goes about its business. But the reason I love to hate Philly – its fans. Let’s just put it this way, when Philadelphia has a winning sports team (which is not very often, may I remind you), you hear about it all day and all night. When a Philly team loses, you get an earful for the next week on why Donovan McNabb sucks and why Elton Brand was the worst pickup ever. An article I read recently said it best: “listening to sports talk radio in Philadelphia is like watching an angry mob torching the stadium.” You could not be more dead on accurate. This is the only city that boos its franchise quarterback after single-handedly turning the entire organization into a consistent playoff team and Super Bowl contender. Their treatment of fans and players alike is despicable. Case in point: the incident of fans throwing snowballs and booing Santa Claus. Really? It’s also this same set of “loyal” fans that cheered when Cowboys great Michael Irvin broke his neck during a fierce game. Granted, they did not know the severity of the injury at the time, but what kind of person cheers raucously when a player gets injured? Let me just say this, would your mother be proud for celebrating over another man’s agony? Think about it, and get back to me. Then again in Philadelphia, grandmothers are throwing garbage at opponents, so I guess they would be proud of it. There’s a difference between loyal and insane. Philly borders more on the insane side of the equation. Basically, if you do not win or put up huge, gaudy statistics every single week, you will not be loved, and will be driven out of the city as fast as Billy Wagner’s four seam fastball getting up and in on your hands. Just look at Cole Hamels. The Phillies won the World Series last year because this guy was untouchable. He breezed through the entire postseason effortlessly, making opponents look like they were me stepping into the box as a five year old in my first year of tee-ball, while winning the World Series MVP. This year Hamels looks average, and they want to hang the guy. He was on schedule to pitch game seven of the World Series, and they were calling for journeyman pitchers to get the nod over Hamels. What only a single year can do, and it’s at its worst in Philly. In Philly, it’s win or die, literally. You feel bad for a city that only has one sports title in the past 26 years. But then again, in a city that constantly lynches its players, why would anyone want to play there? Taking a bite out of “The Big Apple” (i),_____Ho~r~~tl Asst. Sports Editor Let me start by addressing Mr. Dorunda’s comments from last week first. If I came across an angry beaver I’m pretty sure that he wouldn’t make it out alive, kind of like you against a seven-year-old little girl. And your words are printed up there because someone has to be the main event in this face off, and if you ask around, it’s definitely not you so calm down young man the adults are speaking. But let’s get to the question at hand. I know that I am definitely going to anger some people, and I’m sorry, but the sports city that I love to hate has got to be New York. I mean if you paid me that much money I would rep the city, too, but I’m just not a fan. Which bring me to my first point; the Yankees. I can not stand their “if you pay him, he will come” mentality. The Yankees are good for one reason and one reason only, because they pay for it. No one ever pays tons of money for something for it to be terrible. But I guess it’s true about what they say, George Steinbrenner is the pimp of the MLB. Then we have the Mets. I’m not going to bash on the Mets because the rest of the National League did that enough during the season. The Knicks I can’t really say much about either. “Krypto” Nate Robinson is the only good thing about them. I’m not going to say anything about the Liberty, because what kind of gentleman hates on women that can dunk on you? It’s just not smart. I don’t really know hockey too well, but I’m pretty sure that if I did, I wouldn’t be a Rangers or Islanders fan. Next, there are the Giants. The Giants of old that had the great bone shattering Lawrence Taylor was a team that everyone could love. But these Giants today, I could do without them and Peyton’s little brother. What’s his name again, Lucky? I can hear all the Giants fans screaming “Super Bowl Champions,” but even a blind squirrel can find a nut, so calm down. Lastly, we have the Jets, who are really from New Jersey, but that’s a completely different story. But I have nothing against the Jets. I wish them luck and I hope Sanchez has a successful career as a model, I mean quarterback. It’s safe to say that the only thing I like about New York is Brooklyn. They gave us the Dodgers (Ebbets Field), Jay-Z, and Notorious B.I.G. Do I need to go on? Sorry, I guess I just don’t have that Empire State of Mind. Sorry to disappoint all you New York fans, but it had to be said. And oh yeah, I forgot. Philly cheese steaks, Will Smith, and Boys II Men; three reasons Mr. Dorunda is wrong about Philly. They have nothing to do with sports, but who doesn’t love those three? To you Anthony, your time to be the main attraction is coming. I’m graduating soon; you’ll get your chance. �NOVEMBER 10, 2009 SPORTS 19 LIKE PATiiER, LIKE SON Father-son tandem has been voice of Ralston Field for past 50 years BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor For the last 50 years, two things have been certain: the sun would rise each morning, and Richard Myers would be behind the mic at Ralston Field, calling the action for the Wilkes University football games on Saturday afternoons. The 2009 season marks half a century that both Richard Myers, Sr, and his son Richard Myers, Jr, both graduates of Wilkes University, have been the voice of Ralston Field. To put it in perspective, Wilkes was established as Bucknell Junior College in 1933 and started playing football in 1946. Fourteen years later, Richard Myers, Sr. took the reins of the PA system, and it has not left the family since. Richard Myers Sr, who graduated from Wilkes University during the spring of 1960, took the reins as the public address announcer that following fall. As a student, Myers was plenty involved in the sports department of the University. During his tenure, he served as sports editor, news editor, and editor-in-chief of The Beacon and was the sports information director for the University before it was made into a paid professional position. His talents behind the microphone were not limited to just football; he called wrestling matches, basketball games and even swimming meets. After state-owned Artillery Park was given to Wilkes University, the football team made a move from what is now Wyoming Valley West’s high school field. The move called for a new public address announcer, and that’s where Myers got his start in the press box, albeit a little less luxurious press box than one would imagine. “There was no place to hang speakers [at Artillery Park],” chuckled Myers, Sr. “We had a local sound company come down with a system to use. They gave me a 100yard long cord with a hand mic, pointed the speakers in the general direction of the crowd and said ‘go.’” Two years later, Wilkes moved into Ralston Field, its first very own stadium complex, where it has been ever since. Myers, Sr. served as announcer through numerous different milestones at the University, including the dedication of the field to former coach George Ralston as well as the years of the Golden Horde, the teams The Beacon/Kerri Frail Richard J. Myers, Sr. (‘60) stands with his son, Richard J. Myers, Jr. (‘84) in the Wilkes University press box at Ralston Field this past Saturday, November 7. This season marks the 50th year that the voice of the father, and then the son, announced the Saturday afternoon gridiron action of the Wilkes Colonels and their opponents at Ralston Field. at Wilkes between the years of 1965-1969 under Coach Rollie Schmidt. Those teams went 37-3 during those years, including three straight unbeaten seasons and two Lambert Bowl titles. In 1984, after 25 years in the booth, work obligations moved him out of town, forcing him to leave his post. Wilkes now had to replace the only announcer Ralston Field had ever heard. The vacancy in the position did not last very long. “[John Reese] asked me where we were going to get somebody,” said Myers, Sr.. “I told him ‘if you would have taken my advice in the first place, we wouldn’t have this problem.’ When he asked, I told him, ‘I got a son waiting in the wings. He’s right under your nose.’” Myers Jr. started tagging along with his father when he was 12 years old, learning the ins and outs of what went on behind the microphone. “I went to the games with my father, ‘back in the day,’” laughed Myers, Jr. “I sat in the press box and spotted for years when I was in high school.” “He was my defensive spotter,” said Myers, Sr. “He would check all the substitutions. He would have the opposing roster and he would holler in my ear the substitutions and who made the tackle. He pretty well knew the routine and needed no on the job training. It was like second nature for him when he took over.” Myers, Jr. has been the voice of Colonels football ever since, celebrating his 25th year this season. Throughout his time, Myers, Jr. has seen his fair share of great teams and players. A couple teams, such as the undefeated teams of 1993 and 2006, come to mind instantly when asked about his favorite memories. But it was a player whom Myers, Jr. says stands out above the rest. “All the years [Brett] Trichilo played, that guy was incredible,” said Meyers, Jr. “They would go 10 plays, 80 yards, and it was just Trichilo right, Trichilo left, Trichilo up the middle. He was just a horse. They tried to tackle him high, tackle him low, and they would just bounce off of him. Watching him was amazing.” Between the two, they have called well over 200 home games, and have only missed three games combined in that same period. “I missed the first game of one season because John Reese didn’t call me,” said Myers. “That year I never got a hold of the schedule in advance and John just forgot to call me. I thought he finally got a college student after all those years. He called me right after the game and said ‘you son of a [expletive], don’t you do that to me ever again.’” For Myers, Jr, it was a bit of a family conflict. “My sister had the nerve to schedule her wedding date before checking the Wilkes schedule,” laughed Myers, Jr. “She got married on a home game.” As for how long Myers will continue to be the voice of Colonel football, the only season for certain is 2010, and for good reason.. “I have to do one more year, because I’m not coming out of this with a tie,” laughed Myers, Jr. “I really wanted to do this year because I thought it would be neat to do 50 years, and I’d like to do another year just to say I did it longer than he [my father] did. I still enjoy it. It’s fun to be in the press box, fun to watch the team, and as long as they’ll have me for right now,0 I’d like to keep doing it.” So now the question remains, when Myers, Jr. decides to step down, will the honor stay in the family? “I can say this, I got a son and he’s 17,” laughed Myers, Jr. “He’s been to every game that I’ve seen for the last three years. He seems to enjoy it. Let’s see where he lands after college. There is a Richard Myers, III hanging out there in the wings.” �SPORTS 20 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Metropolitan champions continue their winning ways Wrestling starts the season with win against Hunter, King’s Tourney Title BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor The 18th-ranked Wilkes University wrestling team took on Hunter with four freshmen in the lineup who did not slack on the mat in their first collegiate competition. Freshman Scott Mantua got the match started at 125 with an 8-6 victory over Greg Pollock to put the Colonels up 3-0. Ryan Wilson gave Wilkes another victory at 133 before Kris Krawchuk, the second freshman to record his first collegiate win at 141, posted a 12-4 major decision. Anthony Dattolo’s victory at 149 for Wilkes put them up 13-0 before Wilkes had their first bump in the road at 157. Wilkes’s James Histed fell 8-3 to Eduardo Delgado, who posted the first points on the board for Hunter. But things picked back up at 165 and 174 when freshmen Dustin Stough and Jesse Villella recorded their first wins by a score of 2-0 (Stough) and 10-6 (Villella) to increase the team score to 19-3. Capping off the night in dominant fashion were seniors Frank Heffernan, Zach Pizarro, and Andrew Feldman. At 184 Heffernan recorded a 14-1 major decision against Alan Djokic. Pizarro followed with a major decision of his own over Robert Klotz at 197. Feldman used a punishing power half to record the only pin of the night in 1:35 over Dan Heydebrand, making the final score 33-3 to give the Col- The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Wilkes University wrestling team received their rings commemorating last year’s Metropolitan Conference championship season. The team was presented with the rings in a ceremony prior to their match aginast Hunter on November 1. 195 Points scored by the wrestling team at the King’s College Tournament this weekend, good enough to earn the team championship. 6 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Sophomore Anthony Dattolo wrestles in the 149-pound weight class for Wilkes on November 1. Dattolo defeated Hunter’s Vitaly Simkin 13-10 and also took first place in the King’s College Tournament that was held this past weekend. onels the win. “The team really works hard and knows when it’s time to get down to business,” said Feldman after the match against Hunter. “Seeing the championship rings is a big motivator too; I think that really sparked some enthusiasm and makes us all want to accomplish another championship.” After the impressive victory over Hunter, the Colonels traveled down the street to King’s College Tournament on Saturday to continue their dominance. At 125, Mantua bullied his way to his first collegiate championship by recording a major decision and a technical fall in his first two matches en route to his 8-6 victory over Jerrid Hartman of York College. Freshman Taylor Stuart took home the fifth place title at 125 as well. After losing his first match of the day, Wilson recorded a fall in 4:36 and a 19-5 victory before taking a medical forfeit victory of teammate AJ Fisher in the consolation semifinals. Wilson won his consolation finals match 3-2 to win third place. Krawchuk avenged a loss in his second match to Zach Crain of Oneonta State in the consolation finals to take third place for the Colonels. Top seeded Dattolo “majored” and “teched” his way to the finals before beating teammate Nathan White 6-2 for the gold. Coming into the tournament as the second seed, Histed beat all of his opponents by a combined score of 19-3 to take home the gold at 157. Freshman Steve Falk majored Mike Guenter from Scranton University 10- 1 to place third at 157. After starting the day off in stellar fashion, Ben Marich won the fourth championship of the day for Wilkes at 165. Marich beat teammate Dustin Stough in the semifinals 4-2 in overtime before recording a 9-4 victory to take home the championship while Stough went on to place fifth. Frank Heffernan, who is ranked fourth in the nation, came in top seeded as well at 174. Starting off with a 14-1 major decision victory in his first match, he went on to win 5-2 and 9-0 before making it to the finals where he had his hands full with Dave Foley of King’s. However, he managed to pull off the 4-3 victory for the championship. Taking home the sixth and final title of the day for the Colonels was Zach Pizarro at 197. With victories coming in his first two matches, Pizarro defeated Casey Hedash from Army 7-3 in the finals for the championship. Chris Smith took home fifth place for the Colonels at 197 as well. With the slew of dominance that took place at the King’s Tournament, Wilkes also won the team title by amassing 195 points. “The four freshmen were very impressive [against Hunter] and showed that we have reloaded with some tough kids to make another run at a Conference Championship,” said Coach Jon Laudenslager. “I think this team seems to have the confidence, attitude and work ethic to be very successful this season.” Catch the Colonels in action again on Saturday in the John Reese Duals here at the Mart Center Gymnasium starting at 11 a.m. Champions the Wilkes wrestling team had at the King’s College Tournament this past weekend. 4 Freshmen in Wilkes University’s starting line-up in the team’s home opener against Hunter College on November 1. 1 Pin that the Colonels had in the win against Hunter, recorded by senior heavyweight Drew Feldman. It took Feldman only 95 seconds to record the pin against his opponent, Dan Heydebrand. � 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 November 10th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 November 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/28b66fa70a0ce019fa7d66da1e27063a.pdf a5b74d68f074b2a5ee45f73e9fb14e9b PDF Text Text G REAT GR EAT AMERI A M ER I CAN C AN S MO K KEO EOUT UT LIFESTYLES | PAGE 10 BRENDA BLY: THE MUSICAL A&E | PAGE 12 The I NOVEMBER 17, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 9 SHE plans leave fate of Sordoni Gallery in question Wiesel brings Future site of collection, art studios also uncertain international stories to Wilkes BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief & JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor On Thursday, October 22, members of Wilkes University’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences learned that floor plans for the future Science, Health, and Engineering (SHE) Building did not include the Sordoni Art Gallery or any of the art studios located in the basement of the Stark Learning Center (SLC). “It wasn’t a surprise,” said Joe Dawson, chair of the Visual and Performing Arts. “It is logical that the gallery and the studios wouldn’t be part of the science building and I think we all kind of knew that. My initial reaction was - we have to find a place for the gallery and we have to find a place for the studios.” The announcement came after Dr. Thomas Baldino, interim dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, received a phone call from Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities, concerning the SHE building plans. “[After the phone call], I then conveyed that information to the relevant people who report to me on this, so I called Joe Dawson, Sharon Bowar and Brittany DeBalko,” said Baldino. “And then on Thursday, when I had a meeting with the College faculty, I announced to the faculty that this would be the plan, because this is what I learned. At that point, there were questions from the audience […] And I said this is what I have: there will not be art studios or a gallery in the new SHE Building.” BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor See SORDONI page 3 See WIESEL page 4 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Plans for the new SHE building may not include locations for the Sordoni Art Gallery or art studios. New locations for these facilities are currently under discussion and have not yet been determined. Sordoni Art Gallery After discussing the issue at the faculty meeting, rumors about the future of the visual arts at Wilkes and the Sordoni Art Gallery spread across campus. According to some of the rumors that The Beacon intercepted, the gallery was to be permanently removed from campus. “The announcement did leave a lot of uncertainty,” said Sharon Bowar, associate professor of art. “When there’s uncertainty, people’s imaginations… you know, they assume things, and sometimes really bad things – like the gallery is closing.” On Thursday, October 29, Dr. Reynold Verret, provost, sent an email to the deans INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com of the university addressing the rumors. The email read: “I know that two related rumors are circulating – that the Sordoni Gallery will be closed and that the Sordoni Collection will be sold to fund the law school. Neither rumor is true. If you are asked by your faculty or staff, please reassure them that neither option is being considered...” The email then went on to instruct the deans to forward the information to their respective chairs. President Tim Gilmour did not wish to provide further comment regarding the email. Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Holocaust survivor, Boston University professor and author, has sold out the fifth annual Outstanding Leadership Forum. Wiesel will speak tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. Wiesel, 81, was born in Sighet, Transylvania, now part of Romania. He was 15 years old when he and his family were forced to Auschwitz. After surviving the Holocaust, Wiesel became a journalist and then decided to write about his own life. He has been teaching at Boston University since 1976 where he participates in the University Professor Program. This program works with gifted students and the purpose is to create ties between different disciplines within the University. According to Wiesel, teaching is his passion and he prefers to work with young students. “In the beginning, no publisher wanted to publish [my book],” said Wiesel. “I feel grateful, really, each time I hear from a child or a student that he or she read it.” In 1986, he won a Nobel Peace Prize for his book, Night. According to Dr. Paul Browne, Dean of the Sidhu School of Business, choosing a speaker for the Outstanding Leaders Forum is critical. “We’re looking for people who embody some of the principles of leadership that I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member w . �Check out “Wilkes hosts nuclear forum” exclusively online [wilkesbeacon.com I~ 2 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Library moves forward with Learning Commons renovations BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief When classes resumed after fall break in mid-October, demolition in the basement of the Eugene S. Farley Library was underway. Although a mere month has gone by, Paul Kaspriskie, manager of Capital Projects, said that the project is ahead of schedule. As of last week, 99 percent of demolition had been completed, said Kaspriskie. The basement of the library currently displays a dark, yet detailed, skeleton of what is to come. Amidst exhaust vents hanging from the ceiling and extension cords snaking across the floor, metal framework hints at the formation of four group study rooms, dinerstyle study areas, and semi-private small and large computer terminals. The majority of this area will be referred to as the Alden Learning Commons, said John Stachacz, dean of the Farley Library. Alden Trust contributed a $75,000 grant to the project. According to Stachacz, the orders for 24 new computers and new furniture have already been placed and processed. Much of the old furniture has been donated to other areas of campus, including the second and third floors of the library. The old furniture is not the only thing missing from the demolition site, however. The old, musty smell that wafts throughout the entire library has slowly made its way out of the basement. “[The smell] is finally starting to dissipate,” said Kaspriskie. As the carpets are removed from the first through third floors in future renovations, Kaspriskie and Stachacz predict the library will lose its infamous smell altogether. Throughout the week, four to eight workers plus the general contractor can be seen working on various areas and projects in the basement. With the demolition and the construction comes somewhat necessary noise – noise that has proven to be disruptive to some professors and students whose classes take place in the Media Room. “There have been a couple of days when it’s just been unbelievably loud – not just jackhammers and drills, but radio, too,” said Dr. Kyle Kreider, assistant professor of political science. “The biggest problem is that it’s disruptive to the educational environment. What makes it worse is that we’re WILKES NEWS BRIEFS BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor GOVERNOR RENDELL TO SPEAK AT WILKES – Today at 2:30 p.m., Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell will be speaking at Wilkes regarding state funding for education in Pennsylvania. The Governor’s speech will be held in Room 1 of the Stark Learning Center. All members of the Wilkes Community are invited to attend. STUDY ABROAD FAIR – Today there will be a study abroad fair from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Henry Student Center. Interested students will be able to learn more details about studying abroad. Wilkes University students who have studied abroad will be available to talk with other students about their experiences. WILKES-BARRE CHRISTMAS PARADE FLOAT VOLUNTEERS – Student Government is asking for volunteers to be on Wilkes University’s float in the WilkesBarre Christmas Parade on this Saturday, November 21. This year, Wilkes’ theme for the float will be “Celebrating Diversity.” 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/Allison Roth Demolition began in the basement of the Farley Library after fall break in mid October. As of the second week of November, 99 percent of demolition was complete. at a time in the semester when the students are already stressed, [they have] a lot of papers and a lot of work, and they’re showing very little patience for this very disruptive environment.” Dr. Marianne Rexer, professor of the Sidhu School of Business agreed. “The noise level depends on the day. I have requested that the workers be quiet on test days and that has been easily accommodated,” she said. “On non-test days, the noise level varies between low level noise and jackhammer noise. Hopefully, the re- Multicultural flags will be displayed and MSC may participate, as well. Nursing Student Organization (NSO) is participating. Line-up will be starting at 2:15 p.m. Students, groups or clubs interested in participating should contact Megan Dickinson at megan.dickinson@wilkes.edu. until 10:00 p.m. from Monday-Thursday. CIRCLE K BOOK DRIVE – Until November 20, Circle K will be holding a book drive to benefit Ruth’s Place. Buckets are located in the lobby of the Stark Learning Center and the first floor of the Henry Student Center. All books are accepted, new or used, and children’s books are preferred. NEW HOURS FOR R.A.C. – The Recreation and Athletic Center will now be open 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 See LIBRARY page 5 PSI CHI HOSTING WEBINAR – Today, Psi Chi will host a webinar at 3:00 p.m. in Breiseth 211. The title of the webinar is “Successful Strategies for Getting into Graduate School is Psychology.” Questions should be directed to anna.mcfadden@wilkes.edu. FOREIGN LANGUAGE TABLES – Today, in the cafeteria, tables hosted by foreign language speakers of Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hungarian, Arabic, Hungarian, German, French and other languages. Students are encouraged to go and practice their foreign languages. Meet the Staff Allison Roth Assistant Photo Editor �NEWS NOVEMBER 17, 2009 SORDONI from FRONT PAGE According to Brittany Kramer DeBalko, interim director of the Sordoni Art Gallery, the gallery was established in 1973 after the university received a gift of valuable paintings from the late Senator Andrew J. Sordoni’s personal collection. “Included in this gift were funds earmarked for the acquisition of additional works, ensuring that the gallery would be able to continue to expand and enrich its holdings,” said DeBalko. While the university currently has no intention of closing or removing the gallery from Wilkes’ campus, there has been discussion as to where it will be relocated when construction begins for the SHE Building. Baldino stated that Wilkes faces a “spectrum” of possibilities concerning the relocation of the gallery when the time comes. The university could choose to simply move the gallery and all of its components to a bigger building on campus. They could also choose to purchase more land or acquire new buildings to build a brand new gallery. Another possibility might be purchasing space downtown and creating a Wilkes Gallery that would belong to the university, but would be located off-campus. According to Messinger, in the Master Plan for 2005, the university had planned to move the Sordoni Art Gallery to a renovated Bedford Hall, located on the corner of West South Street and South River Street. The gallery has not been relocated thus far. As a new Master Plan is created, architects will be asked to find an appropriate place for the gallery. According to many faculty members and students at Wilkes, it is vital that the Sordoni Art Gallery remain on campus. “The Sordoni Gallery is a well-known gallery; it’s not just a campus gallery,” said Dawson. “A lot of work goes into attracting artists that are renowned artists. You can go to Soho in New York City and see some of these same artists… [The gallery] can teach you something about culture and ways of expressing yourself. It can tell you things about current thinking, philosophical out look; all those important things. A gallery can really broaden your world view.” Baldino agreed, stating that an art gallery enhances the educational opportunities for students across all programs at Wilkes. “Any college or university that has an art gallery makes it distinctive and helps it separate those institutions with such galleries from the many others that do not.” Erin Sweet is a senior integrated media major who has been required to complete many art courses for his major. He has visited the gallery numerous times during his tenure at Wilkes and said he sees the value the gallery brings to campus. “I think in order to have a good art department, you need a gallery—a professional gallery, not one that you see hanging in the halls of Breiseth,” said Sweet. “[We need] an area that you can change lighting and shift walls around in, a place that looks and feels like you are walking through a museum-type atmosphere. This gives art students the ability to see professional work so they can get an idea of what is actually being done in the real world.” Bowar agreed, stating that it is important that the gallery remains on campus a short distance from classrooms where students meet to study the arts. In many of Bowar’s classes, she walks with the students to the gallery to study the featured exhibits. If the gallery were too far away, the majority of a 50-minute class would be spent walking to the exhibit, said Bowar. According to Messinger, discussions regarding the fate of the gallery are ongoing, but he said that as far as he knows, it will remain on campus. “To me, there has been no discussion of [not having a] Sordoni Art Gallery. The Sordoni Art Gallery, as far as I know, would not disappear,” said Messinger. “It was apparent to all of us that [SLC] is not the best location for an art gallery,” said Petra Carver, vice president of Finance and Support Operations. “As we move forward with the SHE design, we’ll have to determine what the best solution for the art gallery is and that decision has not been made.” Sordoni Art Collection The fate of the Sordoni Collection also came into question during the discussions of the Gallery. Since the establishment of the gallery in 1973, Wilkes has accumulated approximately 1,300 pieces of art. “Nearly 70 percent of the collection has come as gifts from friends and donors carrying on the Senator and his family’s founding vision to acquire, preserve and interpret works of art of the highest quality for this community,” said DeBalko. DeBalko would not disclose how much the collection is worth, citing that its value is “confidential information.” The majority of the collection is stored in a vault located below the flood plane in the basement of SLC. DeBalko has not heard if the collection will be moved when construction begins for the SHE Building, but welcomes the possibility of a change in location. “I don’t know why the vault was initially placed in the basement of a building adjacent to a river that floods, or threatens to flood, annually,” said DeBalko. “But the fact that the vault is located there is very 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Pictured above is an art studio, which is located in the basement of the Stark Learning Center. With the renovation of the SHE Building, the studios will be moved. problematic. Every time the Susquehanna River threatens to flood, the Sordoni staff, with the help of other university and safety personnel, is forced to evacuate the contents of the vault to higher ground. Not only is this a massive amount of work, [but] the security of the art is then jeopardized and is prone to damage during the process of twice moving the art…” Even though the future location of the vault is unclear, Gilmour said that the university has no intentions of selling any of the objects in the collection. “The ownership of the Sordoni Collection does rest with the university and includes art not part of the gift from the Sordoni Family,” said Gilmour. “That said, the ultimate decision [to sell any of the pieces] would be made by the Board of Trustees in consultation with the Sordoni Family and those affected by the decision on campus and in the community. The idea of selling the collection for any purpose is not under consideration.” Art Studios While blueprints for the SHE building may not include a space for the Sordoni Art Gallery, they may also force the relocation of the art studios that are currently in the basement of SLC. According to Bowar, an ideal art studio designed for educating students would include open space that is naturally lit and can be easily configured to adapt to different projects. It is also essential that the studios have adequate storage, office space for art faculty, updated technology and exhibition space for student work. Sweet agreed. “I honestly think what Wilkes should do is pick out a few art schools and travel to them to view the setup of their studios and offer room suggestions if they were going to build a new studio for the art department,” he said. Bowar said a strong example of a building that would provide the space needed for good art studios would be similar to the former Blasi Printing building located on South River Street. The building is currently for sale through Lewith & Freeman Real Estate. “That type of a building could be easily reconfigured and would be very suitable for teaching the studio arts and also perhaps some parts of the integrated media program,” said Bowar. Carver said that regardless of the plans for the SHE building, space would be allocated to house the arts somewhere else on campus. “If we have some programs that are currently happening [in SLC], we’ll have to find a home for them, whether within Stark or elsewhere,” said Carver. “But all of this [the SHE building] is currently in the planning phrase and I’m very surprised how [the rumors] came into being.” “The people from the science building aren’t looking to evict us [the arts] or anything like that,” said Dawson. “They’re very sympathetic to what our needs are.” “The arts being displaced from the SHE building should be viewed as an opportunity to create a good, state-of-the-art home for the arts rather than a step backwards,” added Bowar. At the time of publication, the Sordoni family was unable to be reached for comment. �NEWS 4 Veterans Day Ceremony The Beacon/Allison Roth Members of Air Force ROTC lower the flag in the middle of the greenway to honor veterans during the University’s Veretans Day Ceremony. I N CO B P O B A T E D LIRGIN IRK SINCE 1993 Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. www.4t-shirts.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 WIESEL from FRONT PAGE we try to teach,” said Browne. “Among those [principles] are authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, strategic vision, principle decision making.” Browne explained that people who have made a mark on society are important to the decision making process of choosing the speaker. “Of all the people living today, Dr. Wiesel probably stands at the front of the line of people who challenged us to be true to our conscious and ask ourselves, ‘Where is our humanity?’ I think that is a remarkable role that he has played for us,” said Browne. Browne added that Wiesel’s speech is aimed at both the Wilkes University and the Wilkes-Barre community. Dr. Holley Hansen, visiting assistant professor of political science, also touched on Wiesel’s presence in the area and hopes students take advantage of Dr. Wiesel’s unique perspective. “Just to have a speaker of this magnitude is a phenomenal opportunity for the students to get to experience,” said Hansen. “He has a very impressive resume and even large[r] universities have a hard time pulling in someone like this.” Vicki Mayk, assistant director of marketing communications, said that Wiesel’s international caliber brings knowledge to WilkesBarre and the surrounding area. “It’s bringing somebody who’s literally world renowned to this community and giving people an opportunity to hear him speak,” said Mayk. “So many people have experienced his work through his book, Night.” As for Wiesel’s topics during the speech, he said that they are always different and he doesn’t like to repeat himself. The Nobel Peace Prize winner likes to speak about current and relevant topics, especially to students. “I like to come and give something that is especially important to the students [at all schools],” said Wiesel. Wiesel has spoken at many college campuses in the nation and likes doing it. He prefers to speak to young people because of his vast teaching background. Wiesel has never been to Wilkes University. “Students on campus must know to study, to be educated,” said Wiesel. “To seek knowledge means to accept other views, as many as possible, from all the horizons of the world.” Hansen has seen some of Wiesel’s speeches online and said that he tries to open people’s eyes to the problems that the world faces through his use of storytelling and personal speeches. “One of the nice things is that, when he does give these speeches, he really does try to take on issues to make people aware,” said Courtesy of Marketing Communications Elie Wiesel, pictured above, will be speaking to the Wilkes-Barre community tonight. Hansen. Through Wiesel’s international humanitarian work, he is able to talk about these experiences during his speeches. Currently, Wiesel said he is concerned with the war in Darfur. Although the tickets are sold out, Mayk said that she continues to receive calls on a regular basis from people in the community regarding the event. The money from the ticket sales funds the Outstanding Leadership Scholarship Program at Wilkes University. Tickets sold for $10. A number of tickets were sold through sponsorships, as well. In addition to the speech this evening, a Leadership Day was held on campus, which incorporated local high schools. The schools brought over 100 students who attended workshops and a question and answer session with Wiesel. Leadership Day is run by Matthew Sowcik, director of the Sidhu School of Business. The Outstanding Leaders forum has included past speakers such as former President of Mexico,Vincente Fox; former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani and former Secretaries of State, Madeline Albright and Colin Powell. “I think one of the remarkable things about [Wiesel] is that he’s never asked for anything in return,” said Browne. “He is a humble man who is happy to live a simple life. He just seems like such an ideal prototype of a leader.” �NOVEMBER 17, 2009 LIBRARY from PAGE 2 sults will be worth the disturbances.” Professors are not the only ones who have noticed the noise. “The renovations in the basement are usually quite loud for the duration of my Criminal Law class, and it is distracting for me at times, and I’d venture to guess for the rest of the class as well,” said Jon Casey, freshman criminology major. “At certain points, the renovations are loud enough where they do, in fact, overpower Dr. Kreider and any students who may be responding and participating in class.” Kaspriskie noted that they anticipated this problem from the start of demolition, but have received very few official noise complaints. To avoid becoming a distraction at times, members of the demolition crew received copies of the Media Room’s schedules to work around. As noted previously by Rexer, professors have also been asked to notify Stachacz when an exam is to take place during their class period. “I gave an exam on a Monday and I notified [Stachacz], who is very nice and very supportive, and he talked to the crew and they didn’t work during that hour,” said NEWS Kreider. “These guys are doing their best to work around the class schedules,” said Stachacz. “With enough head time, these folks can do something else that won’t make noise.” Rexer, Kreider, and their students tolerate the noise during their classes due to their understanding of the necessity of the project. “I understand that the work needs to be done,” said Kreider. “I understand that they need to do some work up front before they can do the work that doesn’t have noise involved.” “Although I am not fond of listening to the sound of power tools echoing throughout the Media Room during Criminal Law lectures, the library is in desperate need of an upgrade,” said Sarah DeCesaris, senior political science and international studies major. Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities, initially predicted that the renovations in the basement would be complete during the spring semester. As work progresses, however, it looks as though the project may be complete as early as the start of the semester in January. “It’s a short term inconvenience with long term benefits,” said Stachacz. 5 The Beacon/Allison Roth Capital Projects, which is renovating the basement of Farley Library, will be using green products whenever possible. Everything taken out of the basement that was not able to be utilized in other campus locations was recycled. New items to be added to the basement include energy efficient light bulbs and recycled carpet tile. 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 official Starbucks location! 25% off entire stock of hoods. jl.LKts ◄ ► �6 Opinion wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Needed health care reform should pass minus Stupack Amendment kicked off of Medicare. One of the most popular myths is that the proposed legislation will force the U.S. down the path of socialism. Unfortunately, the people propagating this myth forget about Medicare and Medicaid, two successful government-operated healthcare systems. Granted, the two systems suffer from wasteful spending, but H.R. 3962 even tries the amount of legalese in a woman’s way by making her purchase riders--supplemental policies that would cover abortions--on a private insurance program if she accepts Many students will walk off Wilkes Unifederal affordability credits from the new versity’s campus in May and enter a frightinsurance plan, which will lead many back ening world. Too old to be covered by their to the days of back alley abortions. guardian’s plan and not yet employed, they The Stupak Amendment is simply unjust, will join a growing number of Americans and should be removed from the legislawho flinch at every cough or sneeze, buy tion. Tylenol instead of antibiThe U.S. is closer than otics, forgo cancer screenit has ever been before to ings, and hope that pain real reform in our healthin their chest will just go care system. No longer away. There are almost will the U.S. healthcare 50 million of them in the system be based on the U.S., and several Wilkes almighty dollar. Instead, students will be their newH.R. 3962 would move est recruits. They are the the U.S. closer to a misuninsured. sion-based system like On Saturday, Novemthat in the Netherlands. ber 7, the U.S. House of People need to think Representatives took one about what side of the degiant leap forward in the bate they are on. Are they fight to cover those 50 prepared to be part of the million people by passing generation that said no H.R. 3962: the Affordable to the healthcare reform? Health Care for America Are they prepared to conAct. tinue to see their friends For Wilkes students, one and neighbors forced into of the most important feabankruptcy by mounting tures of this legislation is medical bills? Are they that it allows people up prepared to renounce to 27-years-old to stay Medicare and Medicaid The Beacon/Tom Reilly on their legal guardian’s health plan. The bill also Health care centers and hospitals groups like Geisinger will benefit by H.R. because they are socialist ensures that students who 3962 if the Senate passes the bill. They will receive $171 billion over the next concepts? The Beacon urges the are not covered by their 10 years in reimbursements for the newly insured under this legislation. Wilkes community and guardian’s plan can be accepted into Medicaid, a federal and state to correct that by cutting excess spending our members of Congress to take these thoughts into consideration, and listen to run insurance program for low income without sacrificing quality. One sad truth about the bill is the Stupak reason – not those who are supported and Americans. H.R. 3962 faces many obstacles, unfor- Amendment, a late night addition to the endorsed by insurance companies. Editor’s Note: The views and opinions extunately, the most challenging being the legislation by Reps. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) myths about the legislation, which are be- and Joe Pitts (R-Pa.). The amendment en- pressed in this editorial is solely that of The ing encouraged by Congress’ Republican croaches on a woman’s Constitutional right Beacon’s staff. Their opinions in no way leadership and insurance companies. These to an abortion by putting several road blocks reflect the views of the University. Wilkes University does not engage in activities rumors include “death panels”, longs lines in her way. The 1976 Hyde Amendment already bans which promote or advance a political candiat the hospital, bureaucrats standing between a person and their doctor, economic federal funding of abortions, except in cases date, political party, proposition, or PAC as ruin, tax dollars being used to pay for abor- of rape, incest, and life threatening compli- a result of the Federal Elections Campaign tions, and grandma dying because she was cations. The Stupak Amendment increases Act of 1971. BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu 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 17 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think Wilkes University’s campus is clean? • Yes 59% • No 41% Next Week’s Question: Do you think that the health care reform bill should pass with the Stupack amendment attached? • 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. �OPINION NOVEMBER 17, 2009 7 - . YOUR Ri\Cl f5 The Observatory -~-- ~M ----~ - ./ X:. Stop wiping boogers on bathroom walls 7:~v:y,:r,,,,_~~~ ,· Dear Editor, During a time when flu finds its footholds in the public sphere, and during which time the public has the added fear of H1N1, a very important matter must be discussed. Gentlemen, or perhaps the gentlemen do not suffer from this malady, but men, we live in a time where antibacterial soap is in abundance. We have toilets that flush on their own to decrease the amount of contact we come into in the bathroom. We have sinks that run without touching the handle, and we have hand dryers and paper towel dispensers that operate with a wave of the hand. This is all done to slow the spread of germs. During this flu season, these considerations seem to be most helpful and even necessary. However, there are those who will go out of their way to continue undermining these efforts. To these men this editorial is aimed. Stop wiping your boogers on the walls of the bathrooms. It makes no sense and has the capacity to be very dangerous to the healthy members of your sex. Because you find solace in the privacy of the urinal does not for one second establish an availability to find solace in the immature. From my . observations, this despicable act transcends age and class. Whether it’s a bathroom at McDonald’s, a mangy bar, or the Wilkes University Breiseth second floor bathroom, boogers abound. No bathroom is immune. This must stop. For all of the cares taken to shield us from the spread of germs, one foul placed booger ruins it all. For all of you that are right now thinking that you have never seen this phenomenon, look closer the next time your are sidled up to the porceline. For you ladies out there, who may be hearing this for the first time, a quick Google search of “boogers urinal” yields seven hits on the first page alone. And for all of you having a self-congratulatory snicker, I have only one piece of advice. Grow up. I’m ashamed for all of our sex that this issue even needs addressing. Dutifully yours, Jason Sutton Senior, English major Cartoon by Tom Reilly _·¼, __,~ ·-:, - -'~ ~ ---. -,,. ;., .i _j ,~ .-.. .,, . : -~ -- i - I 7-t /~~~~~~$~ . ,. . ; . . ;/-~::.,;~~~~A...... ., ,. . We are all guilty of fueling celebrity stalking Opinion Editor • MATTHEW GOGAS I Some of the most annoying news briefs are the ones that tell us about celebrities being stalked by crazed fans. I see these briefs every couple of months in headline news or on the E! Entertainment channel. The extreme length that these stalkers go to get close to or gain the attention of their celebrity victims is ridiculous. They sneak into their houses, send them love letters, build shrines to honor them, etc. Celebrity stalking is a serious global issue. Some of the world’s greatest celebrities or stars on the rise have been killed by their stalkers. The media is not helping the issue either. They usually do not run coverage of these celebrity stalking cases until the stalker is caught, so they are not even helping identify these stalkers so that everyday people might the police and catch the stalkers. Not to mention they glorify these celebrity stalker cases as much as they can because people find it entertaining. Yes, I understand the idea. The coverage sells and with the media market being what it is, news companies have to do everything in their power to make money and stay afloat. However, the media is only contributing to the problem and putting celebrities at risk of stalkers by giving them so much attention in the news. In fact, news coverage of Ryan Seacrest’s latest stalker bout is what spawned this entire editorial. For those of you who were not aware, 25 year old Chidi Benjamin Uzomah Jr., who was arrested in September for assaulting Ryan Seacrest’s bodyguard in an attempt to get to the star was arrested nearly two weeks ago for disobeying a court order again attempting to get to Seacrest at the E! Entertainment building in Los Angeles. Stalking is a crime yes, but in the case of celebrity stalkers, it is also a mental illness. It is an obsessive fixation. These people stalk their prey because they have some sort of delusion that they share a deep connection with the star that they idolize. Then they go to the extreme and start following them and make news headlines. This is where the media digs the knife into the wound a little deeper. They give the stalkers the attention that they want- the attention they crave. We do not help the situation either, both by showing interest in celebrity stalking coverage and by not identifying these celebrity stalkers before they go off the deep end and do something stupid that warrants news coverage. And in light of the latest celebrity stalking of American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest, new evidence tells us that it is becoming more difficult to identify celebrity stalkers, so we all need to be observant and vigilant. Author and fame psychology expert James Houran told CNN that, “there’s a stalker in all of us, and given the right set of circumstances, virtually anybody can be pushed to be a celebrity stalker, or at least someone that obsesses about celebrities to the point that it interferes with our daily life.” So, from one journalist and human being to others: stop contributing to the celebrity stalker problem. Journalists have a responsibility to inform about issues that actually matter. Celebrity stalking only matters to the celebrity being stalked and gives the stalker unnecessary attention. And we as individual people should be doing our part to solve or at least minimize the problem, too. Apparently there is, “a stalker in all of us,” so watch your friends and family. Keep them in check. Make sure that their celebrity idolization does not become a fixation because if they go to the extreme they could possibly kill Ryan Seacrest or Miley Cyrus (not that I would mind, but I am sure other people would). �OPINION 8 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 The workin’ man needs to replenish his electrolytes too Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS Enterprises such as Gatorade and Powerade market their products specifically toward the athlete in need of re-hydration. This is an understandable move considering that the two products are designed to replenish electrolytes and other minerals the body exerts during physical activities. Professional athletes are the ultimate examples of physical energy exerters who would be in need of sport drink designed specifically to aid the body in performing at a normal hydrated level. However, athletes are not the only demographic of people who exert physical energy on a daily basis: the mail-carrier transports a heavy sack the length of many roads; the full-time student scales a vast amount of terrain on his or her campus; a custodian uses that elbow grease to scrub all surfaces to their shining point. Although these examples sound menial and not worthy of a re-hydrating sport drink, the amount of energy required to perform certain 8-hour jobs would suggest that these non-athletes deserve a Gatorade or Powerade. Gatorade’s “Instant Powder Mix,” which is available on the Internet, reads that it “replenishes the much-needed carbohydrates and electrolytes lost from the body through sweat and exertion.” Watching a Gatorade commercial would have a non-athlete but hard-working construction worker believe that he is not worthy of replenishing his carbohydrates or electrolytes because he is not dunking a basketball or scoring a touchdown. Sport drink marketing masterminds should take into consideration all people who need to replenish their carbohydrates or electrolytes throughout a work day, not just the athlete’s. We have seen a range of Gatorade’s marketing ability span from the not-too-publisizedtriathlete all the way up to the high profile superstars like Michael Jordan. During our country’s time of economic unprosperity and decay, it would be nice to see a commercial with the Gatorade beads of sweat rolling down the sweaty arms of grocery store clerk/bagger or the Gatorade “G-theme” beating to the rhythm of hammers of construction workers erecting green warehouses. According to Peter Hadzipetros of CBCnews, the sport drink market is estimated to be a $4 billion dollar a year industry. Professional, semi-pro, and high school/collegiate athletes are not the only components making up the $63.87 million dollars Gatorade contributes to that sport drink industry. People who are not athletes can burn carbohydrates and need to replenish just as many electrolytes as a professional athlete. Sport drink enterprises should give laborers some credit in at least one commercial. If that is too much to ask, then maybe the sport drink industry could focus more on Letters to the Editor Policy creating a better tasting electrolyte replenishing beverage. Gatorade and Powerade are not known for having great tasting sport drinks, however this may be an option for the two companies to consider putting more effort toward. The Beacon’s unofficial and unsponsored “Gatorade vs. Powerade Taste Challenge” held on November 5 in the Henry Student Center sought to see which sport drink tasted better. Fifty-Five people volunteered to take the The Beacon/Allison Roth challenge and 23 volunteers acknowledged Juniors Andrew Sobiesiak and Shawn Klitsch take The that they had difficulty Beacon’s Gatorade vs. Powerade Taste Challenge. distinguishing between drink which sells itself as the replenisher of the two disguised yet obvious orange-fla- carbohydrates and electrolytes. Bonvie curvored sport drinks. rently is the owner and operator of DownOne of the 55 volunteers happened to be town Wilkes-Barre’s Blue Chip Gourmet an ex-professional NHL enforcer by the restaurant, working a regular job exerting name of Dennis Bonvie. He chose “B” as just as much energy through the course of the better tasting of the two sport drinks-- an entire day as he did as a hockey player. Powerade. If the sport drink industry wants to beAll that sweaty athlete marketing did not come even smarter marketers, they will pay off for Gatorade in this situation, con- make an effort to sell their product to the sidering Bonvie did not choose the sport working class. Last week's winner of $50 Gift Card to RODANO'S RESTAURANT &: BAR Amanda Touch 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 Stuffi! 1be Beacon Weekly Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win... 5 Free Appetizers 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. Sponsored By: -• 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. Please submit letters to thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Located on Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre 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 Friday, November 20, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �International students connect to family p. 11 li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 9 College Days Chapman took academic road less traveled, has no regrets BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Debra Chapman hurries inside her house. She checks under her bed. She checks the closets. She checks every room of her house. Chapman just returned home after seeing Halloween with her boyfriend. She is checking for Michael Meyers, the savage killer featured in the film. “I thought I was going to die. I was so scared,” remembered Chapman. Movies were only one part of Chapman’s college days. She filled her time at Wilkes, where she was enrolled from 1977 to 1981 as a biology major, with watching movies, watching friends play the fiddle, and disco dancing. “We went to the Vox Box. It was a big disco place,” said Chapman. “We would disco dance. We had some very good dancers who were friends of ours who would compete. As a commuter it was hard to socialize, but I had a boyfriend who lived on campus, so that was my connection.” As a biology major in the late 70s, Chapman and her peers were part of a collaboration with the Haneman Program. This program connected pre-med and biology majors with a sister medical school that is now Drexel University. Chapman was not a pre-med major like many of her classmates, so her first two years of school and her last two years of school were drastically different. “Socially, [college] was tough, because my friends left after two years,” said Chapman. “They were pre-med and they left. That was hard because ‘now what?’ The last two years were, socially, not as fun. I filled the void by studying. The traditional bio majors were the minority, so when they left our class size went from huge to extremely small.” The loss of peers and friends hit Chapman hard. To deflect the panges of being one of the few left behind, Chapman hit the books. “I did a lot of teaching assistant work, and you don’t learn anything better than when you teach it. And you aren’t going to go into a classroom of your peers without knowing your stuff, because you really need to know what you’re doing,” stated Chapman. Her friendly demeanor and positive attitude added to the strong curriculum Wilkes presented to its biology majors at the time. “We had to do double the bio that they do now. Every seven weeks we completed a course in biology, which, obviously, means we were moving pretty fast in lecture. Plus we had two labs a week, where they only have one now,” said Chapman. “The caliber of student that we had here obviously was up there.” Pushing through her four years, Chapman’s senior year brought on a crisis of continuation. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to do research. I knew from what I had seen here--the passion and commitment to be good at what you do is 100% and more. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher all my life. I just knew research wasn’t for me. At that point in time, I wasn’t that kind of thinker,” said Chapman. Even though she already had a seat held for her at SUNY-Binghamton for Ph.D research, Chapman panicked. She said that she really struggled with the decision to leave her seat behind and return to Wilkes. Photo courtesy of Debra Chapman Dr. Debra Chapman, in 1990 with her daughter, had a seat at SUNY-Binghamton to do research, but she knew she did not want to do research and wanted to begin a family. Mid-summer Chapman was offered a tutoring position at Wilkes. “I knew it [SUNY] wasn’t for me, and I never, ever looked back. I called SUNY and told them I wasn’t coming. Then I had to tell me research advisor. It wasn’t good. I then had to take him as a graduate student. But you’ve got to do what’s good for you, not what’s good for your professors,” said Chapman. Chapman received her Master’s in biology education while working at Wilkes and climbed the academic ladder to become the professor she is today. “I am extremely fortunate to have the job I have today, because I have a Master’s, I don’t have a Ph.D.,” said Chapman. She may not be running home from the movies or disco dancing her way through the Vox Box, but Chapman created a fervor for teaching, and for life, at Wilkes in 1977 and has never stopped. In her own words, Chapman gets scammed: Wh, n I was in college, I think I was scammed over by a boyfriend ofmine. I'm not totally l}O itive, but I think. I was a TA at the time, and he knew Ihad access to the tests and such. 'So_,. I think he stole the answers and gave them out. Needless to say, we are not together anymore. �LIFESTYLES 10 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Pharmacy professors support the Great American Smokeout BY RUTH WHISPELL Lifestyles Assistant Editor On Thursday, November 19, smokers will take one long smoke break. That is, they’ll smoke less or perhaps even try to quit for good, if they participate in The Great American Smokeout. Daniel Longyhore, Pharm.D, assistant professor of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing and his colleague, Dan McCune, Ph.D., an assistant professor for the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy, have very strong views against smoking and nicotine’s negative effects on people who smoke. The two are preparing themselves for The Great American Smokeout. “To me the Great American Smokeout is a double-edged sword. The good thing is that it brings this huge awareness to people that it’s time to quit smok- ing; the downside is that everyone thinks they have to quit smoking on November 19,” said Longyhore. Longyhore explained that you can quit smoking anytime you want, but there is a lot of prep work involved. People who quit and then begin smoking again think they let someone down and it makes that second attempt to quit even harder. “In reality, it takes the average smoker eight times to quit smoking,” said Longyhore. Longyhore also said that smokers need to tell as many people as possible that they are quitting, because then when they want a cigarette, they think about all the people they already told they were quitting. Perhaps for this reason, many people are skeptical about the effectiveness of the Smokeout. “I think the Great American Smokeout is a great idea because it gives people a reason to quit smoking, but I don’t think it will be effective; even if they quit for that day, they probably will pick it back up again,” said Christina Leetz, a freshmen nursing major. Katelyn Kozma, a sixth year pharmacy student at Wilkes, recently appeared on The Outlook radio show with Longyhore, McCune, and some other students to talk about The Great American Smoke Out. “I think it [The Great American Smokeout] is an excellent idea because it raises awareness about the negatives that are associated with smoking. It also provides a community feeling to trying to quit; having support when you are trying to quit is very important,” said Kozma. The Outlook radio show will air on 98.5 KRZ, Froggy 101, and 102.3 The Mountain, on Sundays at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.. While some students may not see the benefits of quitting smoking, Longyhore offered even more insight on why quitting smoking would aid college students, women in particular. “Smoking is a procoagulant, which means it causes your blood to congeal,” said Longyhore. “On a campus like this where you have many young ladies using oral contraceptives to regulate their cycles or prevent pregnancy, estrogen is also a procoagulant; when you put those two drugs [nicotine and oral contraceptives] together it puts someone at a very high risk $§.99 ALL YOU CAN EAT Salad, p .a sta, piz.z a, a11d desert:! Tony o·'s PIZZA BUFTET P: 570.825.20 0 F. 570.825.20 295 Ma·n .... rr,a,i,rs, il TIL The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Freshman biology major Evan Kriner has a smoke break while standing outside Evans Hall. Thursday, November 19 is the Great American Smokeout a day meant for smokers to either quit smoking all together or smoke less. of getting blood clots in their legs, heart or brain, which would cause a stroke.” McCune explained that there is a plus side when someone quits smoking: shortly after quitting, a smoker’s circulation will gradually improve, their heart rate and blood pressure will begin to lower and the risk factors for diseases such as cardio vascular disease begin to become lower, as well. Some benefits, according to McCune, may take a bit longer to improve, but eventually within one year a smoker’s risk of coronary heart disease is cut is half, and in about 10 to 15 years their risk of having a stroke would be back to the base line. Dr. Mary Beth Mullen is the advising coordinator for the College of Science and Engineering and a biology teacher here at Wilkes. Mullen has strong feelings against smoking because of the many health problems that can accompany the habit. She added, “I just get flabbergasted to see how many students smoke, and they know the dangers... It’s literally suicidal. The risks of getting cancer are 30 times greater than if you don’t smoke.” Longyhore added that people who need help quitting can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, which is a 24 hour help line. �NIOVEMBER 17, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 The miles do not mean anything Foreign students keep in touch with family via internet KIRSTIN COOK Staff Wrtier The Internet tends to make everything easier for the typical college student. Simple tasks are now done online, such as paying bills, refilling prescriptions and shopping for gifts. However, the Internet takes on a new importance for foreign students at Wilkes. The Internet is a vital resource that helps students from foreign countries stay in contact with their families back at home. The majority of foreign students use the Internet to keep in touch and overcome the difficulties of distance. Often times, students will use online messenger programs, webcams and e-mails to communicate with loved ones. Junfeng Ma, a junior from China, states, “Internet makes the distance short.” They also take advantage of texting and calling family members to keep in touch. One of the most frequent online tools used is Skype, a program that allows the user to make online calls with webcam capabilities. Aziz Aldabal, who traveled here from Saudi Arabia, said he often misses his family between his visits back home, but seeing them with Skype helps. “I can see them in Skype”, saod Aldabal. For foreign students, seeing their parents becomes a rare privilege. Many times, this rare occasion is reserved for graduation day. Gaurav Jhamb, who is from India, is looking forward to having his parents visit him during graduation. “We’ll be sending them graduation invitations, and then they’ll be coming,” said Jhamb. The next time Ma’s family will get to see him may be a bit farther off. “Maybe when I graduate, maybe then,” stated Ma. Prabhat Jain, is a student from India who is currently pursuing his masters degree. He said that talking to his family takes an importance over other social activities on campus. “Family first, and then friends,” said Jain. He also commented on some cultural barriers that make it difficult for family members to communicate back. He explained that some people, like his mother, don’t know how to use the communication programs on the computer. Fortunately, the tutorial methods available make it easier, and his family has made an effort to learn about computers. Another barrier of communicating with family is the time zone difference. There is approximately a difference of ten hours separating many of these students from their families back at home. This difference makes it hard for the students to time their calls and contact their family. Many aspects on campus make foreign students miss their families even more. Events such as religious festivals from their home country make them miss their family traditions. Another part about missing home is the traditional food from their culture. Zhengwei Zhu, a graduate student, said he misses home most, “When [he’s] hungry.” The Wilkes cafeteria food is just not the same as their cultural dishes from home. To overcome these feelings of homesickness, students try to talk to their parents more often. Gurpreet Kingra, typically talks to his family online at least once or twice daily. There are programs other than Skype that foreign students use to help them communicate with family and friends. Orkut, a social networking service run by Google, is another popular program. To instant message family members, Yahoo Messenger is also commonly used. There are many obstacles that make it difficult to communicate with family at home, but these foreign students find ways to overcome these obstacles. “It’s cheap and it’s convenient,” says Zhu. Even though talking online with family is not quite as good as talking in person, it helps to make the miles more bearable. The Beacon/ Tom Reilly International students face many hardships when leaving their home countries in order to go to school at Wilkes, but thankfully they can communicate with their families online. Students use a variety of mediums to connect with family and friends from their home countries, including popular social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. They also use Skype to video conference with their families. - - Student of the Week: Micfi.~et ?i<Jtti - - KIRSTIN COOK Staff Writer Every student at Wilkes has been impacted by the swine flu in some way. Students must face the danger of the virus, as well as the dilemma of the vaccination. In the middle of the swine flu frenzy is Michael Piotti, a senior nursing major. Piotti took on a pivotal role of administrating swine flu vaccinations and from this experience has developed a fuller understanding of the dilemna. Piotti said he was honored to be a part of the vaccination distribution. He volunteered to participate in the service and gained a great deal of experience from the opportunity. The best part of distributing the vaccine, according to Piotti, was the amount of children that attended the clinic. Piotti was happy to see them being protected. He also enjoyed the ability to be helping in the to impact his community, which led him to midst of the community, which differs from nursing. “I’ve always wanted to help peohis clinical work in the hospital. ple,” said Piotti. He saw the rising need for Through this experience with the vaccina- nurses and hopes to help fulfill that need. He tion, Piotti has especially enjoys become more the one-on-one informed. “It’s patient interaction important for a in his field. community such Piotti’s ultias a college to mate goals are to get the shot.” He eventually work added that it is in the Emergency vital for college Room, as well as students to realearn his Master’s ize how at risk degree in hospital they are, but they administration. also must weigh He has already their options. He begun to develop believes the flu his leadership The Beacon/Allison Roth will be spreading skills right here on to the area and affecting even more people. campus, with his status of Captain of the “I don’t think we’ve hit the highest point of men’s cross-country team. He also is active it.” in other activities in his community, such as From the beginning, Piotti has had an urge ski club and environmental club. Originally from Williamstown, New Jersey, Piotti came to Wilkes as a freshman but only stayed for one semester, returning to his hometown mostly to cut back on the cost of college. He returned to Wilkes to complete his degree, a decision he is glad he made. However, as Piotti has been a college student since 2005, he is ready to graduate. He is eager to emerge in his community and begin to make a greater impact. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Piotti: Hopefully working in a hospital in Philadelphia and married with kids. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Piotti: Hardworking, dedicated, outgoing. The Beacon: Finish this sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Piotti: In high school I was a skater punk kid. �l)rie's Adventures: Heaven f s~chic Fa ire- f age 12 14 Al & E I c~ - -\ CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 “Brenda Bly: Teen Detective” offers something for all BY KIRSTIN COOK Staff Writer The fall semester musical at Wilkes will surely attract all types of audience members. Young and old can appreciate all the different facets to which “Brenda Bly: Teen Detective” appeals. Being regarded as a blend between Grease and Scooby-Do, “Brenda Bly” provides a mix of mystery, humor, and romance. “Brenda Bly” taps into the up-and-coming mainstream concept of detectives. The detective theme was seen in the “Nancy Drew” movie from 2007, and will be continuing into 2009 with the premieres of “Nancy Drew 2” and “Sherlock Holmes.” The detective theme in Brenda Bly is emphasized with the use of flashlights and private eye garb. All through the lyrics and dialogue are detective puns that satirize the concept. From the very beginning of the production, the audience is faced with a cliffhanger -- literally. The plot focuses the attack of one of the girls at Whitney Ellis Private School for Girls. Throughout the show, the audience members are led on a wild goose chase in an attempt to figure out who is guilty in the mystery. Countless leads are brought up simply to guide the audience to dead ends. The actors are successful at looking needlessly suspicious in several occasions, resulting in audience members remaining on the edge of their seats. Everyone looks to Brenda Bly, a private eye teenager played by Casey Lynch, a senior musical theatre major, to tackle this case and save the day. Wilkes takes a humorous approach to the mystery genre with the show, so that the seriousness of the whodunit story is balanced with jokes. “There’s something that I think everyone will get a good laugh out of,” said Lacey Willis, sophomore communication studies major and assistant stage manager for the show. There are numerous parody aspects that the show takes on, poking fun at both mysteries and musicals. The exaggerated elements of the characters are one of the most memorable and humorous qualities. “It’s really entertaining, it’s something to do on the weekend,” Willis adds. Mystery and comedy are not the only genres involved. Romance also takes center stage. The highlighted lady, Brenda Bly, The Beacon/Tom Reilly In this photo, it is opening scene of the musical. It is a scene featuring Alyssa Glueck as Darcy (in the space suit.) rehearsing “Rocket Girl: the Musical.” “Brenda Bly” takes place in 1958, a time when space exploration was the center of excitement and people began to take an interest. Wilkes to hold Diwali celebration November 21 in HSC BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer Imagine a holiday that combines both the Fourth of July and Christmas, where beautiful lights decorate people’s homes and fireworks blast and fill the sky. Diwali, a Festival of Lights, is such a holiday celebrated in India that is being brought to Wilkes. On November 21, the Indian Cultural Association will hold a Diwali festival in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. At this Diwali celebration, participants can expect dancing, food and a presentation about Diwali. According to Iloveindia.com, Diwali falls on the day of “Amavasyaa,” or the new moon, usually in the month of October or November. On this day, people light tiny diyas (earthen lamps) to illuminate their homes with bright light that creates lovely designs all around their home with colorful rangoli art. Paran Mukhija, p2 pharmacy student, and member of the Indian Cultural Association, typically celebrates Diwali with her family in India. During the Festival of Lights, Mukhija and her family participate in special traditions such as gift giving, decorating and cleaning of their home, special prayer in the evening, setting off fire crackers outside with neighbors and family, and storytelling. “We have Diwali on campus as a celebration,” Harnisha Patel, an Indian Cultural Association member, said. “All the students celebrate the festival together away from home while wishing to enlighten souls around them. Our Diwali function has and will always be open to all of the students and the community members.” Performances include dancing, singing, musical, etc. See DIWALI page 13 Photo Courtesy of Paran Mukhija Paran Mukhija, third in from the right fron row center, is shown in this photo from last year’s Diwali, which is a festival of lights. Attendees can expect dancing, food celebration, and a presentation on the history of Diwali. �NOVEMBER 17, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BLY from PAGE 12 struggles in her relationship with Buddy Rogers, her daring boyfriend played by John Layton. Cecil Sessil, a security guard played by Casey Thomas, attempts to win the hard heart of Vera Van Strander, the manipulative headmistress played by Casey Gow. JoJo, a boy-crazy starlet played by Jessica Lech, pursues her love of Stu, Buddy Roger’s oaf sidekick played by Bill McGovern. Lynch has enjoyed being able to play to different audiences. “The show is cool because you get to play to a child audience but there’s also these adult themes that we get to play with too, so it’s really fun,” Lynch said. She explained how children audiences will like the cute themes, young adult groups will enjoy the hidden innuendos, and older audience members will like the parodies of the 60’s. Lynch has been inspired by theater since she saw a production of “Beauty and the Beast” when she was in 4th grade, and now, as a senior majoring in theater arts, she has plans of continuing acting in her future. Her goals include future auditioning for parts and possibly even touring with productions. She is going to miss the community within the theater program at Wilkes and the network of teachers that she has developed when she leaves Wilkes upon graduation. Along with all the laughs and suspense, there are deeper meanings to Brenda Bly, as Lynch points out. “Anyone’s going to be able to take away a really good message out of the show, and they’re going to laugh the whole time they’re here,” she said. These messages include finding your place in the world, and following your passions. Cierra Cellerari, whose role is the optimistic Nurse Wilder, is an example of the encouragement to never stop trying through her song, “Oogie Woogie Boogie”. Another interesting aspect of the show is the concept of the musical within a musical. Alyssa Glueck plays Darcy, who in turn plays “Rocket Girl” in her school’s upcoming musical. This musical features the wonders towards the idea of space exploration from that time period, and not to mention tap-dancing aliens. The song “All American Boy” is a showcase of the time period genre. It takes place in McFrostie’s Soda Shop, which is the perfect setting for the theme. This number emphasizes the presence of ‘pink girls’ and ‘greasers,’ and a time when Rock and Roll was just becoming popular. This scene of soda pop and jukeboxes will create flashbacks for older audience members. No matter what you take from the show, “Brenda Bly: Teen Detective” is a great chance to laugh and dance along. The production will continue to run on November 20 and 21 at 8 p.m., and November 22 at 2 p.m., with free admission to anyone with a valid Wilkes ID. Taste of Wilkes The Beacon/Allison Roth Faculty, staff and students enjoyed sampling food at the thirteenth annual Taste of Wilkes, which took place on Wednesday, November 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event provides an opportunity for all members of the Wilkes community to try their hand at preparing some favorite recipes for everyone to enjoy. DIWALI from PAGE 12 Photo Courtesy of Paran Mukhija From left: Paran Mukhija, Dr. Linda Paul, professor of philosophy at Wilkes, and Tia Hickman, a fourth year Pharmacy major, pose at last year’s Diwali festival that took place in the Henry Student Center last fall. 13 Indian food is also provided from the Indian Cultural Association. The celebration of Diwali holds a deep and holy meaning for Hindu people. “Diwali is a very holy and joyous Hindu festival celebrating the return of Ram Bhagwan to Ayodhya from his 14-year exile, and the victory of good over evil[...]signified by the lighting of oil lamps dispelling the darkness,” Patel said. “The way the people of ayodhya lightened diyas to welcome Lord Rama...we lighten our hearts and forgive and forget misdeeds of others family, friends, and relatives.” Mukhija explains that the purpose for the lights is to ward off evil; there can’t be any darkness anywhere in and around the house. Famous stories are told during Diwali. Mukhija tells the story of Lord Rama. Lord Rama is known to the Hindu people as the perfect man. He is a deity that symbolizes self control and virtue. Diwali is celebrated because of his return home from his 14 years of exile. Lord Rama was married to another deity, Sita, who Hindu’s believe to be the embodiment of perfect womanhood. When Mukhija was growing up in India she remembers the story that was told during the holiday about Lord Rama and Sita. Mukhija recalls when Lord Rama was in exile, his wife Sita was captured by Ravana. He then went to battle against Ravana for her. After his victory he returned back to Ayodhya. Later Lord Rama became emperor. With Diwali’s rich and interesting history, it may be a surprise to some that Diwali is not observed here in the United States. “People would wonder what we were doing if they saw us decorating our houses in the middle of October,” Mukhja said. The Indian Cultural Association’s president Silvia Silvi is ensuring the events success by fundraising. The Indian Cultural Association will be holding a Gertrude Hawk candy and henna sale in order to help pay for the event costs. “It is very important to celebrate Diwali here at Wilkes because of the number of Indian students at Wilkes, especially international students,” Patel said. “Some of the students have been away from home for the first time especially at Diwali. We want to make them feel like home by giving them a chance to perform and also celebrate Diwali with the rest of the community.” �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 ~rii's '(ldvinturis A day at the Heaven Psychic Faire in Will(es-Barre BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor As I stepped into the convention room in the Quality Inn & Suites on Kidder Street, I was hit with a wave of aromatic incense and mesmerizing acoustic music. This was my first encounter with the Heaven Psychic Faire and I was suprised to be greeted by a young woman by the name of Ang Rasimas. “You must be Brie,” she said. “How did she know that?” I thought in surprise. (Then I realized my press pass with my name on it dangling from my neck in plain eyesight.) Rasimas, who was kind enought to tell me a little bit about the Faire, said it is going on its thirteenth year. She has been participating for the past few years. The first thing I saw--and no, it wasn’t crystal balls--was a stand with healing lotions and crafts, mostly of fairies, that are hand sculpted out of polymer clay by the artist Theresa Popiolek. Once a woman in the corporate world in the heart of Manhattan, Popiolek said she had to abandon it due to her constant dreams of fairies. She began to explore her spirituality and began to use fairies to express her beliefs and the magical powers they may possess. Since then, she has moved around to a few places but is now settled in Tobyhanna, PA. The fairies, she believes, are symbols of love and since they are connected to nature, it is a way to become more connected to the planet. Once a customer purchases a fairy from Popiolek, she encourages them to ask the fairy its name. Within the next few days, a name will intuitively pop into the customer’s mind, this being the answer from the fairy. Once that has occurred, the definition of that name (which the customer will have to figure out by doing research) will be the fairy’s message. “We all need some positive energy,” said Popiolek. Though that it is true, I was unable to purchase a fairy. As I turned the corner of the fairy stand, I noticed other people at tables that read “Aura Photography,” “Foot Reflexology and Ear Candling,” and much more. Nearby, a family of three, Daelynn and John Farrell and Lindsay Suchowieski, had a table representing H.U.G.E. (Hauntings & Unexplained Ghostly Encounters). These paranormal investigators share this passion, but only as a hobby. They have about 15 years of experience and currently have 20 members to their organization in Wilkes-Barre. After explaining the equipment that was laid out on the table, such as a K2, which measures electromagnetic fields, Daelynn told me that the trick to investigating paranormal activity is consistency. When training, they teach people how to use the equipment, finding consistent patterns, what to look for, and what questions to ask. Daelynn, the psychic in the family, uses something other than technology to determine her investigations. She turns to her crystals and stones when she needs to focus hard on a certain area when on location for investigations. The tiger eye crystal, for example, is for protection and the smokey quartz resembles an eye that is meant to be stared into. Peering into this quartz increases focus and concentration because it is, in fact, a mesmerizing crystal. NORTHAMPTON STREET DELI Located inside the YMCA Non-Members Welcomed Mon thru Thurs 11 :00 am to 8:00 pm Fridays & Sundays 11:00 am to 4:00 pm **** Please note new Sunday and Evening Hours **** 10% discount w / Student ID - Free WiFi Available The Beacon/Jahmitza Perez Theresa Popiolek showcases her fairies at the Heaven Psychic Faire that are believed to bring positive energy and increase connection between the customer and the planet. Popiloek, a former businesswoman in New York, found her passion in spirituality via these fairies that she makes herself. Moving on, I observed the beautiful jewelry and funky accessories made by the talented artists and psychics. Debra Cross, who makes her own jewelry and has a business called New Moon Creations, Jewelry with Spirit, had a variety of jewelries from beads to silver, to necklaces made out of fabric. Every piece was beautiful. Finally, I went to the corner of the room that had the tarot readings. It was a bit crowded and very involved--psychics staring into clients eyes, some holding hands and others looking intensely at the cards. There was an adornment of all different kinds of tarot cards and the psychics looked intriguing, to say the least, especially the woman wearing a cape. Ramona Maiolino, who just finished with a customer, invited me over. Though she does tarot readings, her preferred art is astrology, which she has been doing for 52 years. “I guess you could say tarot cards are my newest passion, even though I’ve been doing it for 30 years now,” laughed Maiolino. She continued to enlighten me about tarot reading and clarified that it doesn’t necessarily predict anything. Instead, the cards tune into our energies and that it is our energy that shuffles the cards. It concentrates on what is on the mind. I observed while speaking with Maiolino that tarot readings weren’t the only things going on. People can do readings via touching the hair or the hands, palms, and by rubbing metal or a piece of jewelry that is worn often. Being psychic is a natural gift for Maiolino, but it wasn’t an accepted one. When she was young, she was punished for it. I was unable to see what the cards had in store for me, but perhaps I will when the Faire comes to Wilkes-Barre again in February. “The vibes that are shared between us and the client is what’s important,” said Maiolino. “There is much to be learned from these things but you must have intuition, and everyone has it.” Overall, I was amused and entertained at my first-ever trip to a Psychic Faire. The teeny-tiny skeptic in me was well-behaved and I enjoyed learning about a completely different culture of spirituality and conversing with people who have refreshingly different views. The Faire took place this past weekend, and only cost $6 for admission. The Faire will be coming back in February, and is definitely worth going to if you want to step outside the box of the typical. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 17, 2009 TIii DIIYOQUIP! 15 - Osterhout Gatne Night- BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant 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! “R P BDJ KRLM QM CRSS O COTU ZDJYM O O KSOYY X D D W R M, DP Z R S W” This week’s clues: Q=H & D=O The Beacon/Tom Reilly Answer from last week: IF A SHEEP EATS A PIECE OF SHEPHARD’S PIE, THEN THE SHEEP IS A-MOVIN’ ON UP! On National Game Day this past Saturday, the Osterhout Free Library, located on Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre, participated by hosting board games and card games all day. The Wii game system was also available to play from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. In this photo, two young children are enjoying Super Mario Kart on the Wii. • • • • appening Aroun BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor day, November 19, 2009 an Regan @ FM Kirby Center $39.50 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - Wilkes Crew Fund raiser "Wii Rowing Tournament" @ Rodano' -18-20 - $6, 21+ - $3 Starts at 1 p.m. - FREE PIZZA@ 11 p.m. - Pappy & Dylan of Cabinet and Kris Kehr of The Recipe @ River Street Jazz Cafe, Plains - FREE -10 p.m. - Professor Elie Wiesel @ FM Kirby Center - $10 - 8 p.m. ""'SOLD OUT** All Weekend Long - Star Wars: In Concert @ Wachovi Arena - $35+ - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - •An Enemy of the People" @ Kings College Theatre - $10 - 7:30 p.m. -11/18-11/21 - Kevin Hammonds and Charles Miller's "Brenda Bly: Teen Detective" @Wilkes University - Free to Students w/ ID - 8 p.m. ri./Sat.) 2 p.m. (Sun.) - November 20, 2009 t the Zoo@ The Bog, -10:30 p.m. - Glass Empires @ Club JAM, Pittston - $5 - 9 p.m. - Zach Deputy @ River Street Jazz Cafe, Plains - $8 -10 p.m. - One For The Angels, Aherin & Centralia @ Club JAM, Pittston -$5-9 p.m. e Brew & JMMD @ River t Jazz Cafe, Plains - $5 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2009 @ Wachovia Arena - $25+ - 8 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2009 - Grammar Debate w/ Kite Party@ The Bog, Scranton - $5 -10:30 p.m. - Tip the Van @ Cafe Metro - $8 -8 p.m. - Skye is Falling @ Club Pittston - $5 - 7 Op.m. day, November 22, 2009 y Tomlin @ FM Kirby Center 39+- 7 p.m. he "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions 40th Anniversary Edition @ Wachovia Arena - $24+ - 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. �BASKETBALL PREVIEW CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu 18 en's 19 16 • wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 =•: FAl:ECIFF What is the greatest rivalry in all of sports? There’s a reason it’s known as “The Game” Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA No rivalry is more heated than the battle that takes place on the third Saturday afternoon in late November. The rivalry I’m referring to is the one that pits the scarlet and gray from Ohio State against the maize and blue from Michigan. I can’t go with the Yankees and Red Sox because they meet nearly 20 times a year. As much as I wanted to go with Duke-Carolina, I have too much bias pulling in the direction of the Tar Heel Blue, and they meet at least twice, but usually three to four times a year. Michigan-Ohio State? Once a year. Ali-Frazier was an individual rivalry, nothing more than that. When Ohio State and Michigan collide, two whole worlds are on a crash course with one another. The game involves two states, two massive schools, thousands of players, students, and alumni, and most of all, thousands of fans that absolutely hate each other. Ohio State and Michigan go head to head on the gridiron just once a year in the very last game of the season and in nearly every meeting, the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl is on the line in some way. That’s why this is the greatest rivalry, hands down. They meet once, usually for the biggest prize, and it’s the last game of the season for each. That is what rivalries are made of. It all began in 1922, when Ohio Stadium was opened. The opponent for the Buckeyes? The Wolverines. And they rained on that parade with a 22-0 win, setting the stage for what has become not only the fiercest rivalry in college football, but the fiercest rivalry in all sports. Period. Kapeesh. Goodnight. This game draws over 100,000 spectators to the stadium no matter the venue. And that doesn’t count the thousands outside the stadium and the thousands more watching on the television. Look at it this way. If you are from Ohio, you can go to any school in the country that you choose. It could be Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, or Michigan State. But don’t you dare choose Michigan. You will be shunned forever. And the same goes for Michigan natives. You could go to Michigan State before you went to Ohio State. If you choose the other, say goodbye to your state voting rights. This rivalry represents the pure college experience, and the epitome of college football. School pride is on the line in every meeting. At every meeting, there are 100,000 screaming fans are going berserk the entire time, relentlessly booing the opposition at every opportunity. There was an even HBO documentary made about it. When players graduate, they’re not judged on how many championships they won, they’re judged on how many times they beat Ohio State, or vice-versa. These teams could win one game a season, as long as it was against the other. The Buckeyes and the Wolverines each have the same purpose at the beginning of each season: Beat Ohio State. Beat Michigan. Here’s a little FF (fun fact) to end on: In 1970, a Columbus judge dismissed an obscentity charge against a man wearing a TShirt that said “F--- Michigan,” because the saying “accurately expressed” local feelings about the University and the state. If that doesn’t scream rivalry, nothing does. It just doesn’t get any bigger than that. However, the best rivalry has got to be Muhammad Ali versus “Smokin” Joe Frazier. This fight had everything. From the powerful punches and change in momentum to the great finish in the end. Although none of us were born back when “The Thrilla in Manila” took place we can all appreciate the amazing display of pugilism. The two men met in the ring three times with “The Thrilla” being the last and best time. Ali and Frazier faced each other for 132 minutes to decide who was the better man. This fight is considered to be the most brutal battle of all time. This was also the only fight between the two that did not last the full time it was scheduled. Round by round Ali and Frazier traded punches leaving each other com- pletely battered and bruised. With every round each fighter grew more and more tired but the determination replaced the energy that they had lost. Blow by blow, sweat and blood poured from the body of each man. With each round the judges grew more and more skeptical of who was going to be the winner. Ali kept coming at Frazier and Frazier kept coming at Ali. Neither man was going to back down. They both let their fists fly in hopes of putting the other to the canvas. By round 14, Frazier’s left eye was completely shut from the punishment of Ali’s right hand. But he kept on coming in hopes of hitting that spot to put Ali down. But it never came. With both completely exhausted and beat up, they sat in their corners awaiting the last round to come. Back then if both men made it to the last round there was a little bit of a longer break to let them recuperate and give it everything they had left in the final minutes. But the last round never came. During the break, Frazier’s trainer took one last look at him and just knew that he could not go on. So before the men could even get up to give each other whatever they had left, it was stopped. They had already given everything and there was no more that needed to be done. The fight ended with Ali as the victorious one. To this day that fight is still talked about and I believe that it will forever be the best sports rivalry of all time. The Thrilla in Manilla Asst. Sports Editor RYANI HOlMES Everyone knows that when it comes to sports, no matter what sport it is, there are always rivalries and battles that seem to continue even after the clock hits all zeroes. And even if you are playing on a team there are still individual battles or rivalries that the athletes just absolutely live for. When it comes to the best sports rivalry there is no way that I could pick a rivalry where an entire team was involved, the best rivalries occur between two people like Shaq versus Kobe or LeBron versus Howard. I know that I am leaving out some of the big ones but still, you get my point. WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? How do you feel about our editors decisions? Check out the story online, at www.wilkesbeacon.com, and give your opinion. While you’re at it, tell us if you agreed with Anthony’s or Ryan’s choices this week, and every week. for more information check out ... ~Iw_i_lk_e_s_b_e_ac_o_n_._co_m _ _~I ew.zl �SPORTS NOVEMBER 17, 2009 17 Wrestling has impressive showing at John Reese Duals COURTESY OF CRAIG MERRIMAN Sports Information Director The Wilkes University wrestling team had an impressive showing at the fifth-annual John Reese Duals, posting wins over NYU, Scranton and Centenary while falling to Cortland. Wilkes took a 31-6 victory over fellow Metro Conference member NYU as it won all but two bouts in the contest. Scott Mantua gave the Colonels a 3-0 start at 125 with a 5-2 win over Kyle Christensen. NYU would bounce back to win the next two bouts to take a 6-3 lead, but Wilkes would score 28 unanswered points the rest of the way. At 149, Nathan White took a 3-0 lead over Gabe Gleason before James Histed won his bout 4-1 over David Rice to give the Colonels a 9-6 lead. Ben Marich continued the winning ways for Wilkes at 165 before Frank Heffernan recorded the first pin of the day over Steve Massey at 174 in 2:08, giving the Colonels an 18-6 lead. Jesse Villella, competing at the 184-pound division for the first time this season, took a 4-3 win before Zach Pizarro pinned Jamie Myers Courtesy of Marketing Communications Senior heavyweight Drew Feldman is undefeated this season. At the duals, Feldman upended Cortland’s Joe Murphy, the number eight wrestler in the country, at 285. in 4:08 at 197. Andrew Feldman picked up his fourth-straight win after beating Justin Murberg 12-2. The second match pitted two top-25 teams as Wilkes took on Cortland. The match went back and fourth before Cortland won fourstraight bouts to secure the 21-9 win. Jared Lemik took a close 6-5 win over Mantua at 125, handing the Colonel wrestler his first loss of the season. Ryan Wilson tied the match at three with a 4-0 win over Dave Dolaginvanni, but Al Sterling would give Cortland the lead once again when he defeated Kris Krawchuk 4-2. Stephen Perez gave Cortland back-toback wins before James Histed took a 6-4 win, closing the gap to 9-6. Unfortunately Cortland would win the next four bouts to take a 21-6 lead before Feldman beat Joe Murphy, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the country, 3-1. After dropping their first dual match of the season, the Colonels bounced back to route Scranton 43-0. AJ Fisher, Villella and Feldman recorded pins for Wilkes, while White, Dustin Stough both recorded shutout victories. In their final match of the day, the Colonels won five-straight bouts that would eventually lead to a 31-9 win over Centenary. The Colonels are now 4-1 on the year and will travel out of state next weekend when they compete in the Buckeye/Keystone Challenge in Columbus, Ohio. ..-...~-=:;...;;T.-... HOT DELII.-EHY SPECIALS QUICK HITS WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH Large Pie $7. 95 Chicken Wing Pie $1 0 .95 20 E N!ortharnpton St. Wilkes Barre I I a2s-s166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Di:ning Room (carry out/d ine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 MIi & MATC:HI A ny 3 Subs or Wings 2 Tick:ets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95, WE CAT1 EI IAIGE GROUP EVENTS PlEASE CALL BEFORE YOUR NEXT MERING! Hours: The Beacon / Alison Kasper Mon.-Thurs. 11ami-11 pm We're more than just great pizza ... Fri.-Sat. 11 am-12am see our entire menu at Sun. 12pm-11 pm www.januzzispizza.com �SPORTS 18 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Wilkes University basketball prepares FULL ROSTER 1 - Chris DeRojas 2 - Tyler Breznitsky 3 - Chris Gulla 4 - Mike Donatoni 5 - Matt Meier 10 - Steve Blish 12 - Cliff Richardson 14 - Greg Colucci 20 - Anthony Gabriel 21 - Trey Tietz 22 - Aaron Dombrowsky 30 - Paul Huch 32 - Bernard Edmonds 33 - Tom Kresge 34 - Kendall Hinze 40 - Nic Wilkins - Men’s team blessed with wealth of returning talent BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Jr.- G Fr. - G Sr. - G So. - G Fr. - G Fr. - G Fr. - G So. - G Sr. - F Fr. - G Fr. - G/F So. - G/F Fr. - F Sr. - F So. - F Fr. - F The number nine will play a significant role for the men’s basketball team this season, one that can both make, and break their season. The Colonels return nine players (including seven of their top eight scorers) from a team that finished 15-11 before bowing out to DeSales in the Freedom Conference tournament semi-finals last season. That loss to DeSales marked the ninth straight time that they have fallen victim to the Bulldogs. But with the plethora of talent and experience returning to the hardwood this season, a new chapter of Wilkes University basketball is sure to be written. “This team is a lot better than it was last year,” says sophomore guard Greg Collucci, who will be vying for time at one of the guard positions. “I can’t stress enough how great our leadership is. It is so important to have it throughout this long season and I think we finally have it.” Leading the team this year is junior guard Chris DeRojas and senior forward Tom Kresge. Both were All-Freedom Conference second-team selections last year and are both former conference rookies of the year. And this season, they have been chosen as team captains. “[Chris] DeRojas’s work effort is second SCHEDULE 11/16 PSU Hazleton 7:00 PM 11/20-21 Susquehanna Tournament 11/23 Penn College 7:00 PM 12/2 Misericordia 8:00 PM 12/5 FDU-Florham 3:00 PM 12/9 Elizabethtown TBA 12/12 Lycoming 1:00 PM 1/2-3 Wilkes-Barre Challenge 1/5 Marywood 7:00 PM 1/7 Baptist Bible 7:00 PM 1/9 Manhattanville 3:00 PM 1/13 Eastern 8:00 PM 1/16 King’s 3:00 PM 1/20 DeSales 8:00 PM 1/23 Delaware Valley 3:00 PM 1/25 Lebanon Valley 7:00 PM 1/30 FDU-Florham 3:00 PM 2/3 Misericordia 8:00 PM 2/6 Manhattanville 3:00 PM 2/10 Eastern 6:00 PM 2/13 Delaware Valley 6:00 PM 2/16 DeSales 6:00 PM 2/20 King’s College 6:00 PM 2/24 Freedom Conference Playoffs STATISTICS 9 – Members of last season’s team that are returning this season. That total includes seven of their top eight scorers. 33.6 – Combined total of points-pergame scored by Chris DeRojas and Tom Kresge last season. Those two will captain Wilkes this season. 2 – Wins that the Colonels needed to win the conference championship last season. However, they lost in the tournament semi-finals to DeSales. ity to the Colonels’ lineup. Freshman Tyler Breznitsky will start at guard beside DeRojas. All Breznitsky did in his high school career was score 1,880 points, shattering his school’s record. He was also named the Wyoming Valley Conference Division-IV MVP in the process. His adjustment to the college game should be no problem, as he has been thrust into a starting role as a freshman before. “I had to deal with this once before in high school when I was thrown into the starting line-up as a freshman, so it’s something I can relate to already,” says Breznitsky. “I’m excited to get an opportunity to make my impact on the team and I feel like I am more then ready to take that responsibility and really just help the team win games.” For this team to make a run into the postseason, they’re going to have to do just that – run. “We got to try to be different than other teams,” says Rickrode. “We concentrated very hard on getting the ball out fast and being more of a team that scores often this year. If we can play at that pace and be solid on defense, I think we’ll have a good chance.” “I think this year the team can play a much more up-tempo game which we weren’t able to do last year,” said sophomore guard/ forward Paul Huch. “That is going to be a big advantage for us with the guys we have that can run the floor.” PLAYERS TO WATCH 33 1 All Photos: Courtesy of Marketing Communications Home games in BOLD to none, while Tommy is one of the most coachable kids I’ve ever had,” says head coach Jerry Rickrode, who is entering his 18th year at the helm for the Colonels. “It’s fairly unanimous amongst the players and the coaching staff that those guys should be captains. They have a great demeanor and the guys respect them.” As the Colonels’ floor general DeRojas led the team in scoring, averaging 17 points per match-up. Kresge was a force in the middle, leading the team with 8.4 rebounds per game while chipping in with 16.4 points per game. But it takes more than two players to win a basketball game, and the Colonels have plenty of options waiting in the wings. “Right now we have a pretty definable seven guys, but were looking for a couple others to step in,” says Rickrode. “If that occurs we could be really good. It’s a hard working, coachable bunch.” Joining DeRojas and Kresge will be seniors Chris Gulla and Anthony Gabriel, and sophomores Kendall Hinze and Paul Huch. Gulla averaged five points per game while starting 23 of the teams 26 games. The 6’6” Gabriel chipped in with 5.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game down low, while the 6’5” 230 pound Hinze provided the muscle on the inside for the Colonels, snatching 48 offensive rebounds. Huch, a 6’6” talent who can play guard and forward, led the team with 30 blocks last season, adding versatil- CHRIS DeROJAS He averaged 17.2 points-per-game last season, a total that was good enough for third in the conference. He was named Second Team All-Freedom Conference. This season, he’s one of the team’s captains. 2 TOM KRESGE Like DeRojas, Kresge was named Second Team All-Freedom Conference. He earned that honor by averaging 16.4 points-per-game, while contributing 8.4 rebounds-per-contest. He will also serve as a team captain. TYLER BREZNITSKY Though he’s a freshman, Breznitsky stands to play a huge role for the Colonels this season. A former 1,880-point scorer in high school, the rookie was named one of the team’s starting guards by coach Rickrode. �SPORTS NOVEMBER 17, 2009 19 for another season on the hardwood FULL ROSTER Young women’s team features seven rookies, six freshmen BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor There’s one statistic about the women’s basketball team that can’t be ignored. Out of the thirteen members of the team that finished 11-14 last season, eight will not be returning to the court this year. The Lady Colonels lost Khadija Bates and Chelsey Gosse to graduation, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Six non-seniors parted ways with the team during the offseason, meaning that fifth-year head coach Rachel Hartung Emmerthal had a lot of voids to fill via recruiting. The eight players that are no longer with the team scored a combined 910 points last season, a total that amounted to 61.9% of Wilkes’s total offense. So, how do the Lady Colonels plan to address these departures? They don’t. “As a team we have decided to focus on the members we have and not address the absences of former players,” said junior guard Brittany Ely. Fellow junior guard Erin Schneider also declined to comment on the issue. Schneider and Ely are two of just five players that have played under coach Emmerthal before this season. The duo, plus junior guard Sam Lynam, sophomore guard Whitney Connolly, and sophomore center Lindsey Gosse, have been thrust into lead- ership roles. “I am very excited about my leadership role this season,” Ely said. “I am looking forward to helping the freshmen adjust to the college game and watching our team come together to be successful.” There’s no question that the Lady Colonels are going to rely heavily on the five veterans that are returning to the court. But if they want to eclipse the 11-win mark that they achieved last season, the newcomers have to be ready to step up to the plate. This season’s roster is rounded out by sophomore Lyndsay Ellis, as well as six freshmen – Amanda Pawlowski, Angela Palmerio, Morgan Palermo, Megan Kazmerski, Samantha Rohn, and Jennfer Rommer. “This is the youngest team I have ever played on but I see it as a challenge rather than a set back,” said Ely. “The rookies have a lot of potential and with a good group of juniors and sophomores to guide them, I believe they will be able to fit right in and be successful on the college level.” “This year we are very young,” Schneider added. “However all of our players are working very hard together.” Though the rookies are short on NCAA experience, they stand to benefit from a pair of solid additions to Wilkes University’s coaching staff. Joining Emmerthal behind the bench this 3 - Amanda Pawlowski 12 - Samantha Lynam 13 - Whitney Connolly 14 - Erin Schneider 20 - Lyndsay Ellis 21 - Angela Palmerio 22 - Brittany Ely 30 - Morgan Palermo 32 - Megan Kazmerski 35 - Samantha Rohn 40 - Jennifer Rommer 52 - Lindsey Gosse season will be Merideth Alexis, who played professional basketball in Europe and attended training camp with two Women’s National Basketball Association teams. As if having a former WNBA prospect as an assistant coach wasn’t enough, the team also brought in Lindsey Sykes, who captained Misericordia to the conference playoffs last season, as an assistant coach. “I do believe that Merideth Alexis and Lindsey Sykes are great additions to our coaching staff, and can really help us to continue to grow,” said Schneider. “Both have great basketball experiences and they each bring valuable knowledge of the game to practice every day,” added Ely. “They are passionate about making this team a success and have a huge love for the game. With Coach Alexis helping with the posts and Coach Sykes working with the guards, Coach Emmerthal is allowed to focus on the bigger picture.” If the Lady Colonels achieve their ultimate goal this season, that picture will have the team with at least a .500 record and possibly a berth in the NCAA tournament. “I don’t feel that being young will be a weakness this season,” said Ely. “Each of the rookies brought certain strengths that when combined with the experience of the few upperclassmen we have will allow for us to continue to build toward a winning season.” 11/16 PSU Hazleton TBA 11/20-21 Frostburg State Tournament 11/24 Marywood 6:00 PM 11/30 Cedar Crest 7:00 PM 12/2 Misericordia 6:00 PM 12/4 FDU-Florham 7:00 PM 12/7 Baptist Bible 7:00 PM 12/9 Susquehanna 7:00 PM 12/11-12 Elizabethtown Tournament 1/6 Lebanon Valley 7:00 PM 1/9 Manhattanville 1:00 PM 1/13 Eastern 6:00 PM 1/16 King’s 1:00 PM 1/20 DeSales 6:00 PM 1/23 Delaware Valley 1:00 PM 1/27 Lycoming 7:00 PM 1/30 FDU-Florham 1:00 PM 2/3 Misericordia 6:00 PM 2/6 Manhattanville 1:00 PM 2/10 Eastern 6:00 PM 2/13 Delaware Valley 6:00 PM 2/16 DeSales 6:00 PM 2/20 King’s 6:00 PM 2/24 Freedom Conference Playoffs ERIN SCHNEIDER The junior guard is one of just five Lady Colonels that is returning to the team this season, and the team will rely heavily on her veteran leadership. Last season, she averaged 5.3 points-pergame and scored 23 three-pointers. 52 BRITTANY ELY Ely, a junior guard/forward, is Wilkes’s top returning rebounder. She recorded 90 boards last season, while also leading the Lady Colonels with 63 assists. Ely said that she is looking forward to her new leadership role. LINDSEY GOSSE The sophomore is the lone returning center for the Lady Colonels. Though she didn’t start a game last season, the 6’1” product of Allentown, Pa. collected 3.8 rebounds-per-game and 4.9 points-per-game from the bench. All Photos: Courtesy of Marketing Communications 22 Fr. - G Jr. - G So. - G Jr. - G So. - G Fr. - G/F Jr. - G/F Fr. - F Fr. - G Fr. - F/C Fr. - F/C So. - C SCHEDULE PLAYERS TO WATCH 14 - Home games in BOLD STATISTICS 910 – Points scored by the eight players on last season’s Lady Colonels team that won’t be returning this season. 11 – Wins recorded by the Lady Colonels last season. That was a significant improvement from two years ago, when they won just two games. 7 – Players that are new to the Wilkes University women’s basketball team this season. That includes six freshmen and one sophomore. �SPORTS 20 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Colonels come up short in Mayor’s Cup match Latest installment of long-standing rivalry has the wrong outcome for Wilkes BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor The Wilkes-King’s rivalry began in 1946 when Coach George Ralston added the cross-town Monarchs to the schedule. Wilkes came away victorious in that first meeting 7-0, capping off a 6-0 perfect season and marking the beginning of a rivalry that continues today. The Colonels took on the Monarchs from 1946-1952, losing only in ‘51 and ‘52. After that the two teams did not appear on the gridiron against each other for 40 years (1953-1993), leaving the Mayor’s Cup at the King’s end of River Street. Wilkes and King’s met again after the 40 year drought at King’s in 1993. It was then that the Mayor’s Cup returned to hands of the Navy and Gold when the Colonels triumphed 41-14. For seven years, the cup stayed with Colonels until they lost it again in 2000. King’s regained the power and kept it for two more years after that until it was finally returned to Coach Sheptock and the Colonels in 2003. And this past Saturday, the Colonels looked to keep up the dominance of the completely one-sided series. “I’m really playing for the seniors,” said junior defensive back Darnell Corbin before the game. “These seniors have taught me so much over the years and it’s really my turn to give back to them and send them out with a perfect record against King’s.” Senior Quarterback Rob Johnson spoke about the rivalry on Friday before the game as well. “We have won the game for six years,” said Johnson. “I really want to go out there on Saturday and do my best to make sure it stays for a seventh. It’s my last time playing King’s and I really want to go out with a win.” Every year since, the cup has remained in the hands of the Colonels. That was until this past Saturday, when the dominance the Colonels have shown over the past six years was ended. Early on, it looked like the game was going to be a shootout. King’s took it to the Colonels’ defense in 2,535 Total yards amassed by the Wilkes University offense this season. Of that, 1.778 yards came via passing, while 757 were through rushes. 33 Courtesy of Marketing Communications Wilkes University president Tim Gilmour poses with running back Zach Tivald. Tivald was named the Colonels’ Most Valuable Player of the Mayor’s Cup, but the team lost to King’s College for the first time since 2002. the opening drive of the game. Monarchs’ quarterback Corey Lavin took his offense all the way down the field on their first possession and put six points on the board. The Colonels answered shortly after when Zach Tivald rushed 22-yards for the score. Tivald’s touchdown sparked the Colonels, who began to feed off of the early touchdown. Wilkes forced the Monarchs to punt on their next possession and did not hesitate to put another six points on the board. Tivald reached the end zone for the second time on the afternoon putting Wilkes in the lead 13-6. However, that would be the last time that anyone for the Colonels would see the end zone. King’s answered with a score of their own and allowed just three more points from then on. The Monarchs scored before the half and entered the break up 19-16, marking the first time in a seven year span that the Colonels have trailed King’s at the half. Lavin and the Kings offense then turned the second half into their own personal highlight reel. The third quarter started out with both teams fighting for control, but King’s finally grabbed a hold of the game in their second possession of the half making the score 2616. The rest is history. The Monarchs posted one more score on the board in the fourth quarter to make the score 33-16, where it would stay. Tivald was named the Most Valuable Player for the Colonels, rushing 13 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns. For the Monarchs, Lavin took home the MVP plaque for his efforts on the day. After the loss on Saturday, the Colonels lead the rivalry 18-6, but the bragging rights and the Mayor’s Cup Trophy belongs to the team in Red and Gold from down the street. This year also marks the first year since 2002 (the last time King’s won) that Wilkes gave up 30 points or more in the battle for the cup. “I would have really liked to get the MVP and the win,” Tivald said after the loss. “But, I guess today just wasn’t our day.” Wilkes completed their season with a 6-4 overall record (3-4 in the conference), finishing fourth in the conference. Men's & Women's Basketball Everything you need to know about the Colonels | Page 18 & 19 Points surrended by the Colonels on Saturday afternoon. It’s the first time since 2002 that Wilkes has allowed more than 30 points in the Mayor’s Cup game. 77 Rushing yards recorded by Wilkes running back Zach Tivald. Tivald scored two touchdowns on the day, earning MVP honors for Wilkes University. 6 Consecutive victories the Colonels recorded against King’s College prior to Saturday’s match-up. The win streak dated back to the 2003 Mayor’s Cup game. � 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 November 17th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 November 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/36c2796673cdf4a8c08ccab76730df2a.pdf a5f806b623d45dd791c8d9da229caab4 PDF Text Text PAGE20 Franklin 8: Marshall scores 19 points in the fourth quarter, wins South Atlantic Bowl on last-second TD. The I NOVEMBER 24, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 10 Students robbed Turnout lower than expected at H1N1 clinics on campus last Thursday BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor A pair of incidents on campus this past Thursday sent one student to the hospital and left another without her purse. According to a statement sent out to all students and staff by Wilkes President Tim Gilmour, the first incident occurred around 4 p.m. The suspects were two Caucasian males, one described as having a medium build with dark curly hair and a beard, wearing a dark sweater and blue jeans. The other was only described as wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt. Manager of Public Safety, Gerald Rebo, said that Edward Maye, the victim of the first incident, was walking from Slocum Hall, where he lives. He was approached by the two men, described to be in their late 30s to early 40s. One of the men forcibly removed Maye’s cell phone from his pocket. At this point, Maye tried to get it back, and he and one of the men started to wrestle. This is when the suspect took out what may have been a screwdriver and, according to public safety’s records, grazed the student’s abdomen. “He got his cell phone back, but in the mean time the guy cut him with something,” Rebo said. “We don’t know what it was. Could have been a screwdriver, could have been a razor blade.” See ROBBED page 4 Courtesy of Dr. Edward Foote Above, a pharmacy student draws a dose of the H1N1 vaccine. Nursing students helped by drawing doses and injecting vaccines at Wilkes University’s clinics. Clinics were held for Wilkes students, faculty and staff. Later on, the clinics were opened up to Wilkes family and friends. See VACCINE page 3 Rendell visited Wilkes, discussed State budget BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Staff Writer Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell visited Wilkes University to give an address about state finances on Tuesday, November 17. Approximately 80 people attended Rendell’s address including President Tim Gilmour, and Jack Chielli, executive direc- INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com Wilkes University recently received 1,500 doses of H1N1 vaccines. Of the 1,500, approximately 1,100 vaccines were administered to faculty, staff, students, and their families within the past few weeks. Of the 1,100 vaccines given to the Wilkes Community during the vaccination clinics, there have been no reported complications or issues. Paul Adams, dean of Student Affairs, listed numerous reasons why the vaccine is so important at the University. “First and foremost, you want to protect the educational environment at the University to make sure it isn’t interrupted unnecessarily,” said Adams. He continued, saying that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) warned Wilkes of the possibility of having to temporarily close the school if there was a 20 percent absenteeism rate. “One of the interesting things we’re struggling with is why so many students have not gotten immunized,” said Dr. Edward Foote, I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 tor of marketing communications. Rendell focused on the Pennsylvania State Budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which was passed 101 days after deadline. With the passing of the budget, Rendell said several educational programs were cut. A total of $2.5 billion was cut from the budget with the elimination of these programs and other educational programs, such as the Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 hallmark tutoring initiative. The Governor’s School of Excellence, which is a summer program for high school students to study agricultural sciences, creative and performing arts, global entrepreneurship, health care, information technology, international studies, the sciences, and See RENDELL page 4 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �E(~O-I~llIENl)f. Y I..IVINGI. E1.\IlNING (~OIIIIIJNI'I1Y J>1.\GE 5 2 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Hunger & Homelessness Week educates campus on social concern Former Bloom professor works to spread awarness about homelessness BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer On Friday November 20, students gathered in the Henry Student Center ballroom to discuss one of the biggest social issues that America faces today--homelessness. Last week, was Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week with a variety of activities and events to shed light on this ever-growing social concern. Gary Clark of Bloomsburg University, professor emeritus, gave a presentation that focused on putting a face to this very serious and growing problem in Wilkes-Barre and nationwide. Clark is a photojournalist who tries to capture the true identity of the homeless by photographing homeless individuals. He explained that homeless people are treated as if they are invisible. With the use of his emotionally charged pictures, he said his goal is to to inspire others to reach out and help. Clark’s presentation on the faces of homelessness exposes what being without a home truly means because his photos show the harsh reality. More than 500 campuses nationwide get involved with Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week every year. “We have this here on our campus so that we can be aware of the hunger and homelessness that is in our own community,” said Caitlin Czeh, interfaith coordinator. She continued, “There are many people, who are hungry and homeless in our area, but there are very limited resources to help them.” Czeh explained that the current economy and its limited resources are stretched. “This year, because of the economy, there are even more people who are struggling every day to make ends meet, and therefore they must depend on area food pantries to help them.” Throughout the week there were specific events that aimed to bring homelessness awareness to the area. “A mile in her shoes,” which was a tour of places that homeless women visit each day. Dinnerless Dinner was an event where people donated canned goods instead of a dish to share. There was a Hunger Banquet and The Hungry for the Holidays canned food drive. The Many Faces of Homelessness were some of the highlights that encouraged students to get involved. Inspired by the streets of New York, Clark wanted to find out who the homeless really were. According to Clark 96% of homeless people didn’t expect to ever live on the streets. “One wrong turn, one bad decision, and you can be on the streets.” Clark emphasized that, “It’s not just about the people on the streets It’s about all of us.” Sandy Sharp, senior sociology major, came to the presentation to get some questions she had about homelessness answered. “The more I’m learning about homelessness the more I’m finding how widespread it is,” said Sharp. Carrie Early and Max Morales, sophomore psychology and sociology majors, respectively, attended the event to learn more about homelessness. During his presentation Clark discussed how children are affected by homelessness. “As children, we draw pictures of what is really important to us. Children draw pictures of houses and their family. This gives them the sense of security and order that is essential to any child’s development.” Through Clark’s efforts to bring awareness to homelessness, there have been many BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu success stories. Clark’s website, essentialhumanity.com, tries to bring families back together by posting homeless people’s faces on the site along with who they are trying to find. He explained that, “The families hurt just as much as the victims themselves.” Clark encourages us all to defeat homelessness by becoming advocates for those who cannot “beat the streets.” “Be social irritants,” said Clark. “Get our politician’s to provide more funding for homeless programs. Typed letters on letterheads will get their attention.” Students can also donate time, food, clothing, and blankets to the Reach shelter at 35 South Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre. Contact them at 829-5611. Outstanding Leaders Forum The Beacon/Cathryn Frear Dr. Elie Wiesel spoke at the Outstanding Leaders Forum on Tuesday, November 17. Wiesel is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Holocaust survivor and professor at Boston University. for more information check out.. . Iwilkesheacon.com 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 Tom Reilly Photo Editor �NOVEMBER 24, 2009 VACCINE from FRONT PAGE professor and chair of pharmacy practice. “The general population of students were not getting immunized and we’re not quite sure why.” Adams agreed with Foote regarding the resistance they’ve seen from students on the the vaccine. Adams said he believes students may have been reluctant to get vaccinated because they don’t necessarily feel vulnerable to the H1N1 virus. Adams also cited Youtube.com videos and different media sources as students’ reasons for fearing the vaccine. The videos showed people who were negatively affected by vaccines. Adams said that these specific cases get attention from media because they are so rare. “Ultimately, I don’t think the University would offer something to its students that we believe is unsafe,” said Adams. Side effects of the H1N1 vaccine include a sore arm or mild symptoms of a common cold according to Dr. Adam Welch, assistant professor of the pharmacy practice. Some students were apprehensive about the receiving the vaccine. “I didn’t get the shot just because it’s so new,” said Gousfin Hanna, sophomore pharmacy major. “My sister had the [H1N1 virus] and was put on medication. She’s fine now.” Hanna continued, saying that she would rather get the flu and have it run its course than get the H1N1 vaccine. Kelly Ferrell, sophomore English major, said that she was aware the University was giving the vaccine but chose not to get it. “I missed the times, but I’m a commuter so I can just go over to my doctor’s office NEWS because they are giving it out,” said Ferrell. The Health and Wellness Services has held about eight vaccination clinics total. In partnership with the nursing and pharmacy programs, two clinics were open to family of members of the Wilkes community. According to Foote, about 15 faculty members of the pharmacy and nursing programs have helped with the clinics by giving the vaccines. The first few clinics were lightly attended; therefore, there have been multiple attempts to reach students such as moving the vaccination site from the Marts Gym to the Henry Student Center Lounge. In addition, pharmacy and nursing students and faculty have been assisting with the clinics to expedite the process. “Everyone seems very appreciative,” said Diane O’Brien, director of Health and Wellness Services. “As soon as we got [the vaccines], we really tried to sit down with Student Affairs and Paul Adams and really have a plan to just deliver them quickly.” There are a few populations that are most susceptible by the H1N1 vaccine including children, people under the age of 24, pregnant women and the elderly. Dr. Julie Olenak, assistant professor of the pharmacy practice, said that school-aged children and young adults are contracting the H1N1 virus because of decreased immunity. “So what happens normally with the flu, it’s the elderly that get sick and are hospitalized and die,” said Olenak. “But that’s not the case with H1N1 and that’s because [students] lack immunity. [Students] have never seen a similar virus, so their body has no protection against it.” According to Welch, the vaccine is a new 3 The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas In attempts to increase the number of students receiving the immunization, clinics were moved from the Marts Gym to the Henry Student Center, pictured above. strain of influenza. Every February, the CDC determines three main strains of seasonal influenza, and then those strains are put into a vaccine. Since the H1N1 virus was not identified until April 2009, the vaccine had to be produced in six months as opposed to the seasonal flu vaccine, which is produced in eight months. “If [the swine flu] had been identified in February instead of April, it would have been in this year’s seasonal flu shot, and we wouldn’t have had a need for an additional H1N1 vaccine,” said Welch. Other students supported getting the vaccine. Meaghan Williams, a junior psychology major and a neuroscience minor, wanted to get the vaccine to protect herself. “It wasn’t a hard decision to come to,” Williams said. “I wanted to do anything I could to keep myself from becoming susceptible.” Trevor Hirsh, a junior entrepreneurship major, business administration and marketing minors, also said that he felt vulnerable to the H1N1 virus. “I got the vaccine because of the risk peo- ple under the age of 24 faced,” said Hirsh. “Since a lot of college campuses were being hit hard with swine flu, I decided it would be a good idea.” Other area colleges and universities like King’s College, Luzerne County Community College and Misericordia University are administering immunizations, as well. O’Brien confirmed approximately 10 cases of H1N1 on campus during the swine flu tests and 20 isolated cases; all students returned to class without complications. If a student went to Health and Wellness Services with symptoms of the H1N1 virus, they were treated as if they had the virus with Tamiflu, an antiviral flu medicine. Adams confirmed the approximate 10 cases of H1N1 on campus during the President’s Coffee Hour on November 19. If students, faculty or staff want the H1N1 vaccine, they can visit Health and Wellness Services on the first floor of Passan Hall to receive it. O’Brien reminds students that washing hands and not sharing drinks or cigarettes is important to keep the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu from spreading. Wilkes alumni help in development of H1N1 vaccination BY AUBREE ARMEZZANI Correspondent KAYLA MATTIOLI Correspondent & NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief The H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu, continues to make headlines across the country. Antibacterial lotion, vitamins, and tissues have been flying off the shelves of supermarkets and stores all over the world. In approximately one year, H1N1 has left about 500,000 people dead, said CNN. com. Wilkes University has offered free vaccinations at the Marts Gym multiple times in the last month. Each time the shot was offered, students, faculty, staff and their families waited in line to receive the vaccine. While the University has hosted many of these clinics, they have also had a hand in the development of the vaccine. Wilkes’ alumni Roger Raby, ’05 and Matthew Nighbert, ’09 are employed by Sanofi Pasteur, a pharmaceutical company located in Swiftwater, Pa. that develops and produces the vaccines. “We’re trying our best, and we’re solving this more and more one day at a time,” said Raby, a level two technician at Sanofi. According to Nighbert, a laboratory analyst, the procedure for making the vaccine is extremely complex. They begin by growing seed strains of the virus. Scientists are then able to identify a strain that triggers the immune system but doesn’t make people sick. At Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine for the Swine flu is made just like the vaccine for the regular common flu, except there are different ingredients. “With the common flu you use three strains of flu, where as with swine, you only use one strain of flu,” said Raby. “The flu vaccines are usually grown in fertilized chicken eggs,” said Nighbert. “The seed virus is injected into these chicken eggs and they are then incubated for a period of time, which allows for the viral strain to replicate and multiply.” The egg is then opened and the virus, still live at this point, is harvested. It then goes through an inactivation process. The inactivated virus is harvested, purified and formulated by adding other ingredients. “I am very confident with this vaccine; I really do think we’ve finally found a solution to all this mayhem,” said Raby. When Nighbert was a student at Wilkes, biology education specialist Debra Chapman was his advisor. After receiving word of Nighbert’s job at Sanofi Pasteur, Chapman was excited and proud. “As his advisor, I, too, was thrilled that Matt was employed by a company that would provide a challenging and motivating environment for him,” said Chapman. “Advisors share in the success of their advisees, and this is no exception.” Both Raby and Nighbert enjoy their jobs at Sanofi Pasteur and welcome the challenges that some projects, such as the development and production of the H1N1 vaccine, bring to their day to day lives. “I really like what I do; I like the fact that I’m helping people all over the world,” said Raby. Nighbert agreed. “The best part of my job is knowing that what I do can save lives,” he said. �NEWS 4 ROBBED from FRONT PAGE According to the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, however, Maye was leaving his dorm when he was approached by two men who asked for money. He told them he had none and a “struggle ensued.” The official police report said the struggle led to Maye being “stabbed” in the abdomen with what may have been a screwdriver by the man with the curly hair. Maye was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center for treatment and released the same night. A mere four hours after the first incident occurred, at around 8 p.m., another robbery occurred in the parking lot of Weckesser Hall. According to Rebo, Chi Vu was walking to University Towers from Breiseth when she saw two suspicious-looking in their 20s. In the statement from Gilmour, these men were also described as Caucasian. One of the men had dark, curly hair and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, while the other was wearing a gray jacket with a fur-lined hood. “She saw the two males sitting on the bench inside the bus stop,” said Rebo. “They were watching her very intensely and it scared her.” Vu said that the incident really shook her. “I was scared and shocked. I couldn’t believe that this happened to me,” said STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor 11--18--09 Treasure’s Report: All College: $4,800 Conferences: $10,000 General: $50 Leadership: $2,225 Special Projects: $600 Spirit: $1,000 Start-up: $900 New Business: Wilkes Fitness Club Recognition (Week 1 of 2): The Fitness group is looking to gain club status. SG will help the group members rework their constitution next week. Chemistry Club (Week 1 of 2) Fund Request: Saturday, November 21 Wilkes University hosted a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Seminar. It was free for all attendees. This event was not hosted by Chemistry Club; it’s hosted by the chemistry department. Chemistry Club requested $500 to replenish funds spent on the event. Wilkes Mini Baja Club Fund Request: Baja Club requested $2400 to finish building their Baja and to test it out next semester for a competition in June. Survey System Renewal: A motion was made to allocate $660 to renew current survey system, as well as to maintain the system, for the next year. The motion passed 31-5-0. Events: OCC Wing Wars will be held December 1 A study break party will be held December 13 *At 7:25 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. Vu. “I had a real bad feeling when seeing those two guys sitting there, and tried to walk faster, but then I heard them running after me. I was pushed down and the next thing I could remember, I was chasing after the guy who had taken my bag, screaming.” She went on to say that she realizes that she should not have chased after the men, but did it on instinct. The men then reportedly made their way down South Street and onto South River Street. Rebo said that if someone is robbed, the best thing to do is not to confront the mugger. While pride may tell a person otherwise, personal property isn’t worth risking making the situation worse. “My advice is give it up,” Rebo said. “It’s RENDELL from FRONT PAGE teaching on college campuses, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, was eliminated. Classrooms of the Future was also cut. This program was put in place to supply laptops and SMART Boards in all Pennsylvania public school classrooms. According to Rendell, those educational programs were cut because they were not considered to be part of the state’s core function. “The core function is to provide emergency services, to educate, to provide health care, to provide child and social services, and to provide corrections,” said Rendell. In regards to higher education, the new budget has resulted in a reduction in the grants made by the Pennsylvania Higher Education NOVEMBER 24, 2009 not worth getting injured.” Gilmour had similar advice for students, stating in his message, “If someone is forcibly taking your property, such as a cell phone, purse, wallet or backpack, don’t resist. Your personal safety is of greater value than whatever is being stolen.” It is not yet known whether the two occurrences are related. Students can sign up to get text message alerts on such incidents by visiting http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/2611.asp. Thomas Messinger could not be reached for a copy of the official report from Public Safety. Assistance Agency (PHEAA). PHEAA’s Grants to Students program will receive $403.6 million, less than a one percent reduction from the 2008-2009 budget year, according to the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget. “Harrisburg has looked at our colleges and universities as problems rather than resources,” said Rendell. Pennsylvania has the second highest concentration of colleges and universities, the first being Massachusetts. Governor Rendell said he has visited Wilkes University five or six times during his stint as Governor. Despite the changes and reductions made, Rendell said that Pennsylvania is one of the ten states in the union which are in a solid financial situation. for more information check out ... I wilkesbeacon.com NORTHAMPTON STREET DELI Located inside the Thi CA on-lv1embers Welcomed Mon th1u Thurs 11 :00 a.in to 8:00 pm Fridays & S1-mdays 11:00 am to 4:00 pm **** Please note new Sunday and Evening Hours **** 10% discount w / Student ID - Free WiFi Available The Beacon/Allison Roth Tuesday, November 17, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell visited Wilkes and spoke about the issues and concerns with the State budget. Other topics he discussed included limiting campaign financing, a possible merit selection of state judges, and a new reapportionment, which is the process that defines territories of districts for state and federal legislatures. He plans to accomplish these things during the remaining 14 months of his governorship. �NEWS NOVEMBER 24, 2009 5 Eco-friendly living-learning community approved Ross Hall will become “The Green House at Ross Hall” in Fall 2010 BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor & GILLYAN GOWARTY Staff Writer The proposal for the Sustainable LivingLearning Community (SLLC), which The Beacon reported on earlier this semester, has been approved and is now slated to start in 2010. As reported by The Beacon, the SLLC will be an eco-friendly residence on campus where students will work together to reduce their carbon footprint. The goal is to make the house completely carbon-neutral. Sarah Decesaris, senior political science and international studies double major and SLLC project manager, said she has been working diligently for months to get the proposal approved. “I presented it in July and August, and the environmental working group approved the proposal,” said Decesaris. However, since then, a more technical process has begun. The process included getting support and ......._.._ ~ signatures from Dean of Students, Mark Allen; Director of Residence Life, Elizabeth Roveda; Executive Director of Facilities, Thomas Messinger; Dr. Marleen Troy, as a faculty sponsor and advisor; and Dr. Ellen Flint, director of undergraduate education and coordinator of the campus living-learning communities, who also serves as a representative of the office of the provost. “In September, there had been verbal support and commitment given, but it took a while to gather all of the signatures,” said Flint. “We had to go through several steps in the approval process, so we had to gather signatures from different constituencies.” The Provost, Dr. Reynold Verret, has signed off on the budget. Flint noted that this is only the beginning of another long process. However, she stated that this is a good start. “What that signifies is that we have support and approval for this living-learning community from all of the constituencies involved,” said Flint. The application process is being imple- mented currently. Flint said that they want residents who are ready to step up and be committed to sustainable living. “This living learning community will require that the-community members bring specific strengths and interests and qualifications to the experience.” Therefore, she said, the application is one of the most important parts. “We need to be sure that the application allows us to learn about people’s interests and what they intend to bring to this experience.” The prospective student members will need to complete a certain number of service projects per semester. What the tasks will be and how many they will have to complete will be determined once things are started up, said Flint. Decesaris has been working on this aspect of the SLLC. “It’s called the low-carbon diet. It’s very simple steps to reducing your carbon footprint. Things like timing your showers, buying locally grown produce, not driving [but] getting a bike instead—all these things that we hear about, they’ll be practicing,” said Decesaris. Though students from science and engineering have been working on the project, Decesaris and Flint both emphasized that students from all majors are welcome to apply to be members of the community. Also, they both want for the living-learning community to encompass all graduation years. “As in any community, [it] is made all the richer for the diversity of its membership,” said Flint. Flint is also working to develop a curriculum that will run along the same lines as the community, educating the students involved on eco-friendliness. Now that approval has been made, the next step is getting the actual structure in place. Ross Hall has been designated as the location and will be known as the Greenhouse at Ross Hall, according to Flint. If all goes as planned, the first group of students will move into the community in Fall 2010. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.corn J ansport Sale November 29th - December 19th ! Buy one J ansport item and get the second J ansport item at50% off. �The Observatory •• ~ .. -f)J · -( ~ ~~ .. -~,.. .~~-~ \Ii .. ' :;~~~!- t•AGE 7 ·1 id 6 Opinion NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Variety of skills essential in bleek job market Stay competitive later by doing more now BY THE BEACON Editorial Board In today’s job market, it would be wise to make yourself marketable in every way possible. Employment rates have been fluctuating all year and the average amount of debt among graduating seniors is about $22,500, according to FinAid.org. Due to these facts, it is our position that current students need to take advantage of the opportunities Wilkes has to offer before finding themselves struggling to obtain work. One misnomer that people seem to have about the future is that as the economy recovers, certain jobs will come back; that is not the case. Many corporations have streamlined their operations, which will make the hunt for jobs that much more competitive. College graduates will be competing for limited positions against not only each other, but adults who are much more experienced and qualified. As such, The Beacon feels that students should make the most of this time to hone new skills that may not be in their primary field of interest or study. Communication majors, for example, will be graduating into a market that has undergone seismic change in the last several years due to shrinking profit margins. As such, graduating students are being advised more than ever to diversify their skill sets; gone are the days of the traditional print journalist. Today’s journalists need to know how to shoot and edit their own video, launch Podcasts and take their own photos. Education majors can distinguish themselves amongst competitors by taking courses in English as a Second Language (ESL) or Special Education. Taking additional psychology courses past the core requirements could be rewarding in the future, for example; though teachers will always be needed, those with multiple disciplines will be more attractive than education majors who studied only a single track. Another suggestion is to become involved with co-curriculars and club organizations on campus. These can not only steer you in a direction of interest but can also further develop your skills in your field. With over 100 different clubs and organizations at Wilkes University, getting involved on campus should be an effortless no-brainer. One of the major organizations that could valuable skills and experiences in an array of disciplines. They can also join clubs; for example, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) teaches students how to do this by allowing them to start their own business using marketing, financial planning, ethics and environmental sustainability. CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com 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 7 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think that the health care reform bill should pass with the Stupack amendment attached? • Yes • No 14% 86% Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published on the website next week. Speak Up! The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Freshman Ryan Wood plans future events for WCLH using his computer in the Henry Student Center. He also participates in paintball and rock climbing through Wilkes. benefit from the participation of more students is Student Government. Students could learn leadership and ethics in a political setting. This type of organization could benefit a political science major, for example. Wilkes also incorporates the military. Those involved in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) learn valuable lessons in leadership, dedication and hard work. These students may qualify for leadership roles in the military when they graduate from Wilkes and serve their commitments. Learning skills like how to run your own organization may be attractive to employers, as well. By enrolling in business or entrepreneurship courses, students can garner There are plenty of majors that could support interdisciplinary studies, such as integrated media, English, business administration, and international studies, to name a few. There are also many other interdisciplinary activities and groups on campus that could help students develop new skill sets, like Wilkes Programming Board, Psychology Club, Campus Interfaith and the Multicultural Student Coalition. No matter what you may be interested in, Wilkes probably has a course, club or organization to suit your needs. Becoming involved will benefit you when you graduate and if you truly enjoy the club or organization you are involved in, your time at Wilkes will be more rewarding and more memorable. 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. �NOVEMBER 24, 2009 OPINION 7 Farmville grows lazy crop of students Asst. Sports Editor MICHAEL CIGNOLI This is getting ridiculous. I do not care how many lonely stray animals wander onto the farms of you Farmville users. I’m not going to help you rescue them. Please stop asking me to do so. If you’re one of the hundreds of millions of people in this world that has a Facebook account, you know what I am talking about. If you are not, consider yourself lucky. Since June of this year, 63.7 million people have added the Farmville application, a real-time simulation that allows players to own and operate their own virtual farm, to their Facebook accounts. Unfortunately, those 63.7 million users have their in-game achievements published in their friend’s news feeds approximately every five minutes. I find this notification system to be a bit excessive. Imagine if you were talking to your friends in real life and a group of them started playing handheld video games. You would probably become annoyed if they kept randomly shouting, “I found a black sheep!” or “I leveled up!” In fact, they probably would not be your friends for that much longer. That is the situation in which I currently find myself. My friends keep inviting me to play Farmville. I keep declining the invitations. If I wanted to spend my free time farming, I would plant a vegetable garden. That way, when it came time to harvest, I would have food that can actually be eaten. I think that’s what gets to me the most about this game. For the sake of argument, let us assume that each of the 63.7 million Farmville users spends just one minute per day playing the game. That is a total of 63.7 million minutes that are wasted worldwide, which converts to 121 years. Think about that. At the very minimum, society as a whole is wasting 121 years of manpower every day on this game. That is in addition to the countless number of hours that people have to spend sifting through the countless notifications they receive in their Facebook news feed. In a 20-minute span last Sunday, I received four notifications from the same classmate about their exploits on their farm. Conversely, I received no notifications from the Amish about their exploits on their farms – the ones with real crops and real animals that provide real people with real food. You know, if I have a choice in farm-related notifications, I would prefer to receive notifications from the Amish. I would like Facebook to inform me if there is going to be some sort of famine that will have an impact on the world’s food supply, not if a fictitious, abnormally colored cow is lost and needs my assistance. But I digress. Do 63.7 million people really have nothing better to do than play Farmville? I would like to think that there are things that our society has discovered that would be more enjoyable and more productive than wasting time on this game. Getting teeth pulled comes to mind. The Observatory No good deed goes unselfish Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is worth living.” For someone who devoted their life entirely to finding the scientific explanations behind existence to say something so profoundly philosophical is surprising to say the least. While his words may be powerful, a little reason and common sense should tell you that maybe he misspoke. Einstein’s famous quote is founded upon the most basic interpretation of altruism. For those of you with a reading level lower than the ninth grade, altruism is “unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others,” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. For far too long has the word altruism has been thrown around, thoughtlessly expelled from the mouths of people who think altruism actually exists and pretend that their good deeds in life make them altruistic. I contend that altruism does not and cannot exist in our everyday lives. I must preface my argument by saying that I am not trying to pick on the do-gooders of the world. I am not cynical or disgruntled, and I certainly do not hate Gandhi, or Einstein or Mother Teresa. I just cannot call them altruists. It goes against logical reasoning to do so. The famous philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand spent her entire life trying to promote her philosophical view on life, which she called objectivism. Objectivism requires a person to seek their own happiness or self interest and the pursuit of individual rights. Rand also spent the majority of her life deconstructing altruism in the process. Her assertion was that a person could not devote The Beacon/Melanie Thomas his or her life to others because that person’s Rachel Zomerfeld, a freshman pre-Pharmacy major, spends some free time on her own happiness and well-being naturally facebook page managing her farm in the Stark Learning Center. take first priority. Therefore it contradicts the notion of unselfish regard for others if your own interests must come first. Rand also states that altruism only truly exists in emergency situations of life or death whereas the basic instinctual and protective skills step in and people are willing beyond any other circumstance to sacrifice their life for others. Only when critics alter the interpretation of the word altruism by including, “regard for yourself and for others,” do Rand’s ideas about altruism not hold true. Otherwise, her points are valid and thoughtful. The other flaw behind altruism that I see is it cannot be unselfish for reason of personal satisfaction. No matter which way you look at it, any good deed done for others gives the person doing the deed a feeling of appreciation-that sense of satisfaction. If you benefit from helping others, even on an emotional level, your actions cannot be deemed unselfish—especially when people strive to seek that satisfaction by helping others. For example, say I help an elderly woman across the street and she smiles and thanks me for my kindness. When I walk away, I am going to feel like a good person. I am going to feel that satisfaction. Say the next day I see a different elderly woman crossing the street and I remember how good it felt to help the first old lady, so I help the second. She thanks me. I walk away, and I feel pretty good about myself. That is the selfishness. Personal interests are at play here, which brings us back to Rand’s idea of objectivism. Believe that you are a good, decent, unselfish altruist and I can without a doubt tell you that you are not. There is nothing unselfish or selfless about helping others and it is not such a bad thing either. We are all selfish in our own right. It is basic human nature to be that way. Just try to understand that concept and try to understand that altruism does not exist in our everyday lives. �OPINION 8 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 SG not doing enough to represent the student body Voting patterns suggest “group think” and a “go with the flow” attitude Lifestyles Editor LEEANN SEARFOSS Democracy is wonderful. Granting citizens the power to elect officials to represent their thoughts, beliefs, and ideals is an ingenious idea. However the concept of a small number of trustworthy, free-thinking individuals fairly and accurately representing the diverse convictions of any population is an impossibility. The Democracy that America employs is not even a true one. Our country’s voting system depends on the 538 members of The Electoral College representing 125,225,901 American voices. It is easy for the representation to simply not listen to the votes of the millions of people they are supposed to represent based upon their individual beliefs. Wilkes University’s Student Government has the advantage of being surrounded by the same voices they are representing. Therefore, representing 2,500 voices compared to 125 million voices should be much more manageable. Unfortunately, SG does not put forth enough effort toward hearing our voices in a democratic fashion. Aside from notifications of class meetings, SG does not consid- er our voices when voting upon decisions. The American version of Democracy is structured in a way that at least allows citizens to analyze the “popular votes” to tell how well their voices were represented by the Electoral College. Student Government should, at the very least, send out e-mails keeping the student body abreast of the topics upon which they are voting. If they wanted to get serious about hearing our voices, they could use the same voting software that Wilkes Programming Board recently used when inquiring which musical acts the student body would like to see on campus. SG should take a lesson or two from Programming Board. The 36 members of SG should do more to solicit and hear the 2,500 students they aim to represent. It’s sad enough that a true democracy is not represented by our own country. This sad example does not have to carry over into our University. The difficulties, perplexities and demand of a free democracratic government make this often-marveled “perfect system” imperfect. This is true of governments across the board - including Wilkes’s student government. I recognize that it is difficult to manage the balancing act of representing an entire student body. Therefore, it is important to Letters to the Editor Policy put individuals in those positions who are free-thinkers and innovative. The voting records at SG meetings seem to follow a pattern. Students vote to either favor, oppose or abstain from the motion on the floor. Here are some recent voting numbers: 33-3-0. 33-0-4. 28-8-2. Do you see the pattern? The majority of SG members “go with the flow.” There’s rarely a close vote. It seems that an active and representative government, even at the student level, would engage in a more active debate. Taking the voting records of SG at face value would not be a fair assessment, however. So, I went to a SG meeting, something I can say I have never done before (and I am a senior). I wanted to see the balance of representation between classes and how lively the discussion of those representing the entire student body is. After the usual roll call, there seemed to be a similar pattern of events. The agenda was clear, typed on brightly colored paper. Perhaps the fact that the agenda is in print persuades individuals to feel they cannot press issues or create new agenda items. Whatever the case may be, I did notice that some individuals participated in an active discussion when asked. However, those individuals were either juniors or seniors. Classes were clustered together, and their perspectives and input seemed to reflect that. The freshmen and sophomore class representatives sat quietly at a long table on one side of the room, while the junior and senior class representatives sat as a mirrored image on the opposite side of the room. It is tough to have active conversation when you are not even facing each other. I hate to think the body of students chosen to represent the entirety of Wilkes’s campus are not actively engaging, challenging and bringing students’ concerns to the forefront. But the debate over government is twosided. Not only should a government keep one another fair and continue on in active discussions, the student body as a whole needs to be more aware of the government created for them. I was able to observe many things at the SG meeting, but one of the most blatant and irking of these was the fact that members of the general student population were not there. People may have comments about the way SG, or any other organization on this campus, is run. But until those comments are actually brought to a meeting or addressed to a representative, the student body is as much to blame as those who represent it for not maintaining a high quality government. And that is a real shame, because democracy is wonderful. Last week's winners of 5 Free Appetizers at T.G.I. FRIDAYS April Bielinski and Ben Andrews 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 Ll.ke Free Stuffi! The Beacon Weekly Giveaway! Two winners will each receive a ... $25 Gift Card 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. Sponsored By: ~ America's Drive•ln. Located on Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre 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 Monday, November 30, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Please submit letters to thebeacon.oped@gmail.com EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �Students of the Week p. 11 CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu Li ostyllos ......__ wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com NOVEMBER 24, 2009 9 Philosophy professor brings meditation to Wilkes CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor As attendees sit in the meditation session, there is a feeling of calm. It’s dark, and it’s quiet. Quiet outside, quiet inside. This is a key part of meditation and is something Dr. Linda Paul, a Wilkes philosophy professor, has been practicing for 16 years. Since 2003, Paul has been enlightening her students to the practice of meditation by holding sessions in Kirby Hall. Dr. Mischelle Anthony, an English professor at Wilkes, estimates she has been attending the sessions since the spring 2004 semester. Nowadays, however, Anthony assists Paul in heading up the sessions. “Linda and I take turns, so we do about half and half,” said Anthony. “Whoever wants to that week leads. I always defer to her if someone asks me a question and I’m leading. I’ll give the best answer I know, but then I’ll say ‘Linda, do you have anything to add?’” Paul’s meditation sessions started as a kind of fluke right here on campus. “I was teaching here at Wilkes,” explained Paul. “I had not studied Buddhist thought or anything other than Western thought in graduate school and undergraduate school and when I came here I received in the mail a textbook that had world philosophies in it and started reading some of the Buddhist stuff.” However, Paul says that “they” say that you cannot really understand Buddhist philosophy unless one practices it. “You know, they say you can get only a very superficial understanding from reading and thinking about it, so they say you have to actually keep [practicing],” said Paul. Regardless of her initial lack of enthusiasm toward putting all of her mental efforts into exceedingly mundane tasks, such as vacuuming, she tried it. “[At first] I thought ‘Well, why would I want to be just focusing on the vacuum going back and forth across the floor?’” recalled Paul. Oddly enough, at the end of the day’s chores, what she would describe is not a feeling of tire or boredom. She felt happy. “Not wildly excited kind of happiness, but just a nice kind of happiness. I thought, ‘These guys may be onto something,’” said Paul. From there, she began to study and practice regularly on her own, striving for the same result. “The goal actually is that you are focused and very aware and that was throughout your entire day so whatever you’re doing – you are really in the moment experiencing what’s going on right now,” said Paul. That’s exactly what Paul began to do. Anything from peeling carrots to cleaning her apartment to brushing her teeth – she began to be “there,” in that moment. For her, the practice has been well worth it and the benefits plenty. Upon this realization, Paul recognized meditation as simply focusing on the now. “I’m going to pay attention to this very simple thing I’m engaged in,” said Paul. She started out doing walking meditation, which is basically focusing on, well, walking. It’s a focus on breathing; whether it’s one breath with each step taken or three. It’s also a focus on how the body actually feels and responds to the steps. Eventually, however, Paul transitioned into the more traditional sit-down pose of meditation. As to why meditation works, Paul says it’s very basic; like flipping a switch. “I think part of the thing is that our minds just are kind of crazy and they jump around to all this stuff and if you really listen to them, a lot of the things they jump around to is not really happy stuff, its worry about stuff, stressing about this, anxiety about that. And really, you’re turning that off. Not by trying to turn it off, but just by saying, ‘Okay, I’m not going to pay attention to you anymore,’” said Paul. Paul, as well as countless studies, credits the success of meditation to it changing the way the brain actually functions. The studies of evidence range from modest meditators, such as Paul, to Tibetan monks who have more than 60,000 hours of meditation under their kerags [belts] What’s the difference? Alpha waves. These are the waves released in the brain when someone is happy or relaxed. The more a person meditates, the more alpha waves that person tends to produce. According to Paul, when studies are con- ducted, within the monks’ brains-on a structural level-they tend to think about different things differently. In the studies, they would be asked to simply concentrate on different things or emotions. The biggest proprietor of alpha waves within the brains of the monks occurred when they were concentrating on compassion. “The interesting thing about that is the Dalai Lama, who is the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, says, ‘If you want to be happy, practice compassion.’ It turns out now that they can actually support that now with what happens in your brain,” said Paul. Anthony said that while people aren’t supposed to concentrate on actually calming themselves down, that is a side effect. She recommends students try it out. “I wish I knew about this when I was in school! I didn’t learn about meditation until after I had my Ph.D.,” said Anthony. Junior mathematics major Benjamin Collins became interested in the meditation sessions through a philosophy class taught by Paul. “I decided to go to one [a session] and it was just relaxing; it was enjoyable. Nothing too strenuous. Not a major commitment,” said Collins. Everyone sits in silence. The only audible exceptions are the occasional ringing of a bell followed by Dr. Paul’s voice. “Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.” Quiet outside, quiet inside. The Beacon/Tom Reilly Dr. Linda Paul leads Wilkes students in a meditation session in the salon of Kirby Hall. Each meditation session helps guests focus on their breathing, calming their minds, and centering their thought processes. �LIFESTYLES 10 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Christian Fellowship Club promotes Christianity at Wilkes SALVATORE INFANTINO Correspondent In the Wyoming Valley last year, residents witnessed churches closing left and right. Watching sacred buildings become pieces of property bought and sold as easily as a New York City apartment might have caused the average person to start questioning their own faith. There is one organization at Wilkes University that’s sole purpose is to spread faith through the university. This organization is known as the Christian Fellowship Club (CFC). The CFC has been an official Wilkes sanctioned club since the fall of 2006, but according to Erin Wimer, one of the club’s co-presidents, it existed unofficially for a year or more before that. The main purpose of the CFC, according to their website, is “to provide a comfortable learning atmosphere for those seeking the faith of Christianity, and also for those looking to strengthen their walk with Christ.” “Obviously, we see the biggest enrollment from those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, but anyone is welcome to come and cuss scripture,” explained Wimer. “Thursday is an activity-driven day. There is still some Bible study, but it usually consists of team building games, and we also use the time for event planning.” One of the activities CFC mem- Kitchen can trace its roots back to the late 1800’s. Through the years, it grew and evolved but always kept one basic idea in mind: helping those in need. Julie Engebrecht, a sophomore pharmacy major, is another active Obviously, we see the biggest enrollment from those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, but anyone is welcome to come and see what we’re all about. - Erin Wimer, CFC co-president see what we’re all about,” said Wimer. The club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 p.m. in Gies Hall in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, as well as on Thursdays at 9 p.m. in Kirby Hall. “Tuesdays are designated as more of a Bible study day, where we sit down, read and then dis- bers partake in at least once a semester is a community service outreach project at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen. “Something like that is open to anyone,” Wimer said, “but it’s usually frequented by King’s students, because their curriculum calls for a certain amount of service hours.” The St. Vincent DePaul Soup member of the club who recently volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen. “As we met in the SUB and piled into cars to drive over, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Engebrecht. “I grew up in a pretty wealthy neighborhood and went to one of the nicest public schools in New York. I know I grew up sheltered.” Engebrecht added, “I enjoyed seeing the people being able to load up their plates with a goodsized warm meal. You could see how much it meant to them when you looked into their eyes.” Another event that was a consistent part of the CFC’s regimen is their yearly trip to the Heritage House to sing Christmas carols for the residents. “We’ve done it every Christmas since [2007]. It’s just really fun to go down there,” Wimer said. Wimer pointed out that the carols sung by the CFC are traditional Christmas songs, with the mindset for the Christian-based club being “Keep Christ in Christmas.” “It’s so much fun. One year, we actually left Heritage House and just kept caroling. We caroled... around public square,” Wimer recalled. ·n Jouxnalisxn? d ntexeste 1 Need to build your portfolio? ·c\e ox two ·t an ax t 1 towx1 e V,ant Learn the basics of journalism and sharpen your writing skills by writing for THE BEACON! You can write for Opinion, News, Lifestyles, Sports, and/or Arts and Entertainment ??? INTERESTED ??? Stop by a Beacon Meeting on Sundays from 2-3pm in Conygham Hall, 1st Floor -OR- Contact: Professor Lindsey Wotanis, The Beacon faculty advisor, lindsey. wotanis@wilkes.edu or Nicole Frail, Editor-in-Chief, nicole.frail@wilkes.edu �LIFESTYLES NIOVEMBER 24, 2009 11 College Days Coach John Sumoski goes from frat boy to dedicated athlete BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Feisty, loud-mouthed John Sumoski showed up at a spring practice for the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown men’s soccer team when he was a senior in high school. “My coach didn’t play me, because I was a flight risk to myself [when playing high school soccer],” stated Sumoski, the current head coach of the women’s soccer team at Wilkes. “I would talk back to everyone. Coaches, referees, and the other teams’ players.” Coming from a highly successful high school soccer program back in Flemington, New Jersey, Sumoski was one of two players to go on to play college athletics. Despite his loud-mouth and fiery personality on the field, Sumoski knew he was good with facts and numbers and wanted to go to school to further his skills. “My big thing was that I wanted to play soccer. That was my thing,” stated Sumoski. Sumoski began his first term as a 3.0 student. As his second term unfolded, he found himself down to a 1.75. The large decrease in grade point average was in large part, due to the fact that he began pledging a fraternity, according to Sumoski. “One of my biggest challenges while in school was just trying to keep my head above water academically,” said Sumoski. “I lived with my fraternity brothers and spent so much time doing things for the fraternity and playing soccer that school was really tough to keep up with. At least the frat did community service, though.” Sumoski chose pledge projects, like building bars and painting crests for the frat house, over hitting the computer labs to write programs for his computer science degree. “You were just a minion for them,” said Sumoski. “You didn’t matter. That’s what frats were. Anything you saw on those frat movies, that’s just how it was like.” While his academics were not getting his full attention, Sumoski did put extra effort into his blossoming soccer career. “I gave myself these goals: I wanted to be All-Conference, then All-Region, then All-American,” said Sumoski. With such lofty goals, Sumoski knew he needed to spend more time on and off the field training. Reaching out to his mother back in Flemington, Sumoski worked out with a trainer and began tak- ing tips from a nutritionist.” “We were doing Rocky-type stuff,” said Sumoski. “I would run up hills with logs on my back. That kind of training.” While he may not have reached his goal of becoming an AllAmerican, he did become AllRegion, being recognized for his extremely hard work. “Another goal was to become a leading scorer,” said Sumoski. And that he was. Sumoski became tenth in the nation for scoring. Sumoski recalled breaking down games by numbers and knowing he needed to score one out of five shots a game to obtain such a high honor. “I also understood numbers,“ said Sumoski. “That made sense to me. Maybe it was from the computer stuff, but I was always very interested in facts and numbers. I thought to myself ‘Okay, I can make one, just one out of five.’” With his dazzling soccer career and partying under his belt, Sumoski left Pitt-Johnstown after three and a half years to finish out his undergraduate degree with a paid internship back in New Jersey. As Sumoski took his first job, he told the employer that he received his degree from Pitt-Johnstown. Turns out he was wrong. “I thought I had it. Turns out I was two credits shy of graduating. So, I had to take another course to finish out my degree,” said Sumoski. Sumoski’s personal drive as an athlete took him to different coaching positions. After seeing the coaching position for Wilkes women’s soccer job listing on the National Collegiate Athletic Association website, he knew he wanted to put his years of training to work for a team. He may not be carrying logs on his back and running up hills, but Sumoski continues to push himself and his players to the limit. Hard to think he was once a “lowly” frat boy. Photo courtesy of John Sumoski Sumoski shoots a ball with his forehead during a soccer game. In.his own worijs, John Sumoski gets a big break: In college, I roke a really big window ... that the school owned. It as winter, an'd we [my frat brothers and I] were having a snowall fight outsitfe. I decided it was a good idea to pick up a huge slab of rock/ice and I had it right here, by my shoulder. I then proceeded to shuck it towards a dorm, and just as I did, the door. closed and the entire glass door shattered. I could lflave ran, but I stuck around. The resident assistant came and cal/ea QUblic safety, but that was $250 that I, as a college stude t, ditln't na , . Students of the Week: David Cook and Jeffrey Niemiec KIRSTIN COOK Correspondent The third largest debate tournament of the year took place over the weekend of November 14th in Western Connecticut. Over 400 students competed overall, with 124 students in the Novice Division of Policy Debate. Out of the 62 teams in the Novice Division, the Wilkes debate team led in the top position after five preliminary rounds. The team went on to the octofinal round, and won 3-0 against University of Rochester. Two debaters, David Cook and Jeffrey Niemiec, were both recognized for their speaking abilities. Cook received the 5th place speaker award, while Niemeic was award 14th place. This accomplishment qualified the team for the National Tournament at University of Louisiana, which takes place in February. They were also qualified for competition at a Junior Varsity level and open divisions for next semester. Christine Mellon, advisor of speech and debate, attributed the success of the team to the hard work these two students put into the competition. “The fact that they were willing to do as much research as needs to be done, they’re willing to put the time in, their competitiveness…I think that above all things they really like to debate, and I think that is incredibly important because you want to be passionate about the things you are doing.” Niemiec, a senior serving as president of speech team, as well as a representative of the Pennsylvania Forensics Association, is grateful for the impact that both speech and debate have had on him. “Speech, as well as debate, is definitely the best thing I’ve done in college, and everything you put into that you see out 110%, because you learn how to speak, how to reason, how to interact with people.” Cook is a sophomore, and is currently the president of debate. “The most important thing is really the fact that last year we were absolutely nowhere. We didn’t have an office, we really didn’t have a lot of money and everything and now, just a year later, every tournament we’ve been to we’ve been breaking, we’ve been winning, it just really shows how much work we’ve all put into this.” The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Niemiec: Building the next generation of roller coasters while continuing to coach and judge speech on the side. Cook: I see myself working as a lawyer, hopefully out in Boston. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Niemiec: Multifaceted, blunt, coaster-loving. Cook: Ambitious, cynical, dedi- cated. The Beacon: Finish this sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Niemiec: …in high school I was Senior Class President and Homecoming King. Cook: …I served as council to the Queen of England on matters of national interest. The Beacon archives �{!4fl(Y7G ()U i r1ri ()1'f "e,()J< ()'f,=r~i 1-rrr, "1{I.W M()()1'f" - ? A-9l tf -e.uzz CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Casino Night provides prizes and fun for all students Macbook Pro, 47” Samsung HDTV, Nintendo Wii and PS3 among prizes BY KIRSTIN COOK Staff Writer For the gamblers and risk-takers among the student body, Student Government (SG) presented Casino Night last week in the Marts gymnasium. On Friday, November 20, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. more than 400 students packed into the gym to play poker, blackjack and roulette. Prizes included a MacBook Pro, game systems such as Playstation 3 and Wii, Coach purses, an iPod Touch, a DVD home system, and much more. The most desired prize of all was the 47” Samsung HDTV, which everyone had an equal opportunity to win, as it was a door prize. Ben Beidel, junior and treasurer of SG, had a vital role in planning the entire event. He stated that one of the aspects that attract students the most is when the prizes are displayed through a window in the Henry Student Center. “It really draws people in. They start asking, you know, ‘How do I win that?’” said Beidel. Even if they were not playing and earning more chances to win, students had a chance to win a door prize restaurant gift card every fifteen minutes. Also, there was free pizza and soda for everyone. Nick Koch, SG president, said he felt that the night was a success. “I think this is on par with some of the most successful events that we’ve had, not only Casino Night but other events,” said Koch. “I think that’s a testament to this year’s board.” Koch said that the most satisfying aspect about the event was seeing the faces of winners. “The best part of this event is seeing the happiness on the students’ faces who win the prizes, who come and enjoy all the hard work we do,” said Koch. “I think this event is one of the best ways to see direct satisfaction from the student body.” The grand prize winner of the event was Lataysha Willis. Willis, a sophomore ((MAJOR?)), walked away that night with the 47” HDTV. “I never win anything, so I’m ecstatic,” said Willis. “I’m happy, I’m even lat a loss for words.” On November 4, SG allocated $14,000 for the Casino Night Budget. The event was funded by the activity fee, which is incorporated into every student’s tuition. “I mean, really all we’re doing is taking your student activities fees and putting them towards prizes, so really I just want everyone to have a good night,” stated Beidel. Upon entering the event, students were given a beginning cup of tokens. They used those tokens to wager and earn more tokens. Ten yellow tokens were exchanged for a raffle ticket. This raffle ticket was then entered into a drawing for any prize of the student’s choosing. Students did not have to be a professional poker player to have a good shot of winning one of the prizes. The entire Student Government was involved with the event. Members were serving as card dealers at the playing tables, exchanging tokens for tickets and handing out pizza and drinks. According to Koch, the success from the event was worth the amount of work. “It seemed like everyone had a great time, which is the most important thing,” concluded Beidel. The Beacon/Allison Roth The Beacon/Allison Roth ABOVE: Students enjoy gambling with their poker chips at Casino Night on Friday, November 20. The Beacon/Allison Roth ABOVE: Students enjoy a game of Blackjack at Casino Night. RIGHT: The 47” Samsung HDTV was one of the top prizes of Casino Night. �NOVEMBER 24, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Crowds packed downtown for “New Moon” premiere BY MEGAN PARSI Staff Writer Thursday nights typically aren’t the most active at the movie theaters in Wilkes-Barre, especially at midnight. But early on Friday morning, at approximately 12:01 a.m., the premiere of Stephenie Meyer’s “New Moon,” the second movie in the best-selling “Twilight Saga,” premiered on five of the screens at the Wilkes-Barre R/C Movies 14 theater. Masses of people of all ages rushed into the theater as early as Thursday afternoon to wait for the opening of this movie. Garret Silva of Dallas, 29, was one of the many to wait in line all day to get into the theater. “I’ve been here since noon, so it’s very exciting,” said Silva. “New Moon” was directed by Chris Weitz. Weitz’s most recent films include: “American Pie,” “About a Boy,” and the movie based on the novel, “The Golden Compass.” “It was exciting to see the outcome of this movie due to the new director,” said Meribeth Derkach, a freshman pharmacy major at Wilkes. “I expected it to be as good as the last movie, if not better. They have a new director, and it’s such a big teen phenomenon. I liked it.” “New Moon” is the second book in Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series. This fantasy-romance story follows teen Bella Swan as she copes with losing her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Edward has chosen to leave Bella in Forks, Washington, where she is safe from any danger his presence may bring. With Edward gone, Bella’s close friend Jacob Black steps in to fill the void. A battle between vampires and werewolves ensues. The movie focuses mostly on Bella and how she copes with the loss of Edward and the Cullens, and her journey to get him to come back and see her once again. Even waiting for the flocks of people to flood into the theater, the excitement could be felt surrounding R/C Movies 14. After viewing the movie and exiting the theatre around 2 a.m., fans appeared to be both excited and satisfied with the quality of the movie. The chipper crowds came down the escalator and stairs of the theater chatting about their favorite parts and recounting scenes they could not wait to see again. “I liked it better than the book itself, and as far as movies go, I thought it was better than the first ‘Twilight’ movie,” said Allison Kasper, junior psychology major. “It’s Above and below are photos of the huge crowds that came out to Movies 14 late Thursday night to catch the midnight showing of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” This novel/movie series phenomenon made $140,700,000 at the Box Office, and worldwide grossed about $118,100,000. Altogether, this pop culture spectacular made about $258,800,000 just on opening weekend. This isn’t just a teenage girl fantasy-- people of all ages come out to see this movie. The Beacon/Megan Parsi a lot different than the first one and it followed the story much closer than the first movie did. I would pick the movie over the book.” Overall, according to the consensus and buzz from people surrounding the fIick, it seemed the popular vote went to the movie rather than the book, since the movie stayed true to most of Stephenie Meyer’s novel. According to viewers, it delivered the essential plot themes and supplied the needed elements to keep the audience in suspense the entire time, and that is exactly what the audience desired. The Beacon/Megan Beacon/Meoan Parsi Parsi The TIii DIIYOQUI,! BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor BY TOM REILLY Photo Editor Do you Ul<.e Cosfu ")e, \"' V~f'\p1re my o. 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! EZ U CADOB GOUBT CBEOZT PYOF VO’T HBACUCJK RAEFR PA ROP QFAMQON AIP HBOPPK WIEMQ… ROP EP!? This week’s clue: E=I & R=G Last week’s answer: IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE, HE WILL WANT A GLASS OF MILK. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Movie Review • • • • • • • • • • • • • • “The Box” is as dull as its title, lacks build-up BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor Richard Kelly, the director of “Donnie Darko”, takes his chance at transforming fantasy writer, Richard Matheson’s short story “Button, Button.” The outcome is less than appealing. “The Box” is an almost two-hour film that could have been compiled into a thirty minute episode of a show similar to the “Twilight Zone.” It also doesn’t help that the movie was released when big hits such as “Paranormal Activity” and “The Fourth Kind” were thriving in the box office. The movie can be summed up in about three sentences. A couple is given a box containing a button. If they refuse to press the button, nothing happens. If they press the button, they will be given one million dollars, but someone they don’t know will die. The only real connection found in this movie is the fact that the world is dealing with an economic recession and who wouldn’t want to find a box with a button that could give you one million dollars if you dare to press it – and kill an innocent person. The basic situation of the story is that a couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden, respectively) are given a mysterious box at their home with the options mentioned previously. The setting of this movie is in Richmond, Virginia in 1976. Arthur is an engineer at NASA who is working on the Viking mission to Mars. Norma teaches literature at a private school their son attends. Norma walks with a limp throughout the movie because of a freak x-ray accident that happened a few years ago. All of the toes on her one foot were removed because of it. She is set to have an operation due to the accident, but the couple is facing financial woes. The mysterious box, which is delivered to them at their home by an unknown man with half of a face, places a bit of anxiety on the couple – should they press it or ig- nore it? It’s definitely certain that they are in need of money. The movie lacks any central or coherent theme. The audience is left to wonder what is the couple actually dealing with – government conspiracy, alien invasion, etc? The numerous zombies lurking outside of their home do anything but clarify the confusion. And what is the purpose of all of those zombies acting as waiters or valet drivers? The audience has to make their conclusions. Let’s face it: who wants to think critically while at a movie? I wanted to enjoy myself – not spend $7.50 for a lesson in critical thinking. However, the only conclusion I could come to is a test from a higher being: testing the morals of the human population. Would greed become more powerful than the ability to save a life – or would the just the opposite occur? What would you do in that situation – if you were given the box and could get one million dollars by pressing a button and having one innocent person you didn’t know die – would you press the button? I wasn’t too impressed with the movie. I felt like I could have spent my night at home doing something more productive. The addition of Cameron and James was a good choice; however, the entire concept of the movie didn’t allow them to showcase their acting abilities to a high level. If you want to go see a movie this week, “Paranormal Activity” or “The Fourth Kind” might be a better choice. Rating: 2/5 The Beacon/Tom Reilly ATTINTION ■UtlNltt OWNIR!!! 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(O"TA(T: Michele Flannery, Business/Advertising Manager PUO"I: 570-817-0171 IMAll: michele.flannery@wilkes.edu �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 24, 2009 15 KARPINSKiliORDSEARCH BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor D C I B R E K A G M F R s H C E G T V A C C R X E L N E C s A L R I C A R F T E D X C A N s w s s R 0 D I H C L E M V B E w X R T R w B R N A N G E D A A w z w s z R L E s Q 0 w z w N T H 0 A w N R B w s H X I w 0 s N N D C K R F s T N 0 J T y V p J D H V 0 R K E N N s R G R T B 0 A B u B X z w u z X M A I s E y s s s z w s N V 0 D N C y V E A w A B J A y s w T D s u T y B s E F R A J s s w J D R F A C L K y B R s u L G R I F s E K D B F H u B D 0 s T V N w R I V N N J z C L N H E B p I I s T R V R y u B z R G C E R V E C A C A A M Q A F M A R I A N I y R z B T s D D s s s w V s E N C G u u M R A C N D N H M R I I R R A H I E A X M T I C s F I K E M C X s s s z w C D s R I G R E s D B 0 F R N I E w s T D T s y u N I H w w N I 0 R s I V u B T L L R V C V C L A s w s R T u D T R E s s s Word Bank: Degnan Lanning Shock Adams Driscoll Lindsey Simon Baker Fallon Mariani Stabinsky Bowar Glennon McGraw Steinberg Busa Harris Melchiona Thomas C D BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor This is our last issue for the fall 2009 semester! Keep a look out for the next issue of The Beacon that will be hot off the presses on February 2! �FACE OFF CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu Page 18 16 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Busy week for both basketball teams Students Men open season with 2-1 record, women start 1-2 BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Wilkes’s men’s and women’s basketball teams got their season started in impressive fashion with victories over Penn State Hazleton last Monday. Some key veterans stepped up for both teams as well as some pretty talented newcomers. On the men’s side of things Paul Huch lead the Colonels with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Aiding Huch on the court was Anthony Gabriel who had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Going through the first quarter of the game, the Colonels stayed in control and never relinquished their lead to the Nittany Lions. However, the Lions did catch up to Colonels tying up the score at 21 about 11 minutes before the half. But that was the last time that the Colonels let the lead slip away as they took a 38-36 lead into halftime. In the second half leading scorer, Huch and Captain Chris DeRojas heated up again and lead Wilkes on a 12-2 run to extend their lead to 14 points. Gabriel assisted them to add to the lead pushing Wilkes to an 84-53 victory. While the men were taking care of business on the home court, the women traveled to PSU-Hazleton to take of some business of their own. The Lady Colonels showed no mercy as they took the court with a “can’t be beat” attitude and didn’t look back until the clock read all zeroes. With Lynam leading the charge with 22 points, the ladies took it to Penn State beating them by an impressive score of 80-23. “We are a young team, and I am anxious to see how much we can build this year,” Sam Lynam said after the victory. After recording victories over Penn State Hazleton, the men and women got on the road. The men headed to the Susquehanna Tournament to take on Elizabethtown in their first game on Friday. The Colonels seemed to carry their season opening success into the first half against Elizabethtown. Kresge recorded his first double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds against the Blue Jays who went into half- challenged to pick charity BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor season with returned and the Colonels came out on top to leave the Susquehanna Tournament with a 1-1 record. The Ladies didn’t do so well either in the opening round of the Frostburg State Tournament as they fell to Gettysburg in a devastating loss. Early on, Wilkes found their selves down 13-0 against the Bullets. Lynam scored the first basket for the Ladies, but it did not seem to make much of a differences. Lindsey Gosse attempted to spark the Lady Colonels in the first half with two steals, four points, and nine rebounds but to her disappointment it did not work. Down by a score of 46-19 going into the second half freshman Megan Kazmerski attempted to help Gosse and the rest of the team to wipe away the deficit. But the Bullets were too strong for the Colonels as they beat Wilkes in convincing fashion by a score of 80-43. Kazmerski was the leading scorer for the Lady Colonels as she ended up with 13 points and four rebounds against the Bullets. Gosse finished the game with six points and 10 rebounds in the loss as well. The Colonel Charity Challenge has been a fixture at Wilkes University since 2005. An event modeled after a similar Penn State University tradition, the Challenge originated when a Board of Trustees member inquired about the athletic department’s contribution to local charities. Though Wilkes athletic teams are mandated to perform community service, it was decided that the athletic department was capable of doing more, and the idea of creating some type of affair that would draw student interest was floated around different groups. Keith Klahold, the strength and conditioning coach at Wilkes, was asked if he could run such an event. He was chosen because of his previous experience with organizing physical contests similar to those that make up the Challenge, such as several weight lifting competitions. He readily accepted the opportunity, and the groundwork for the Challenge was laid. Over the years, the Challenge has benefited several charities chosen by the athletic department; this year, however, students are being given the ability to vote on the charity that they would like to see supported from the event. When the Challenge was still in its infancy, it was decided that two charities would be benefited each year; the Children’s Miracle Network would be a fixture, while the second would change annually. In 2005 and 2006 Klahold and the athletic department bounced around ideas for what the second charity would be internally, while in 2007 and 2008 they were aided by a committee. The idea of having Wilkes University students help decide the second charity came to Klahold this year as a way of increasing student participation. “The basis for the idea was simple,” said Klahold. “We wanted students to pick local See BASKETBALL Page 19 See CHARITY Page 19 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Members of the men’s team talk strategy during the team’s win over PSU-Hazleton. Early in the season, #33 Tom Kresge and #30 Paul Huch are emerging as leaders. time trailing the Colonels 40-34. A 9-0 run in the first half powered the Colonels to their first half success. Wilkes dominated the game shooting 57.1 percent before the half. However, Wilkes lost their edge in the second half. The total team effort that the Colonels displayed in the first half was gone and they struggled to make field goals shooting under 30 percent to give Elizabethtown the lead and the momentum. With the game in the hands of the Blue Jays, Wilkes began to heat up again when Kresge took over to give Wilkes the 47-44 lead. But Elizabethtown regained the lead once again and never let it go as they went on to defeat the Colonels 66-57. The following day the Colonels took on Penn College in an attempt to redeem their selves from the day before. With the leadership of Kresge, the Colonels regained their swagger to top Penn College. For the second consecutive game, Kresge recorded a double-double. With 26 points and 13 rebounds he was followed by Gabriel and Chris Gulla who also scored in the double figures against Penn. The total team effort that they started the �SPORTS NOVEMBER 24, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Paul Huch, solid start to season BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent It’s basketball season, people. The Wilkes Men’s team came out for their season opener against PSU-Hazelton determined to start the year right with a win after going 15-11 in 2008-2009. One player in particular stepped his game up to lead the team to an 84-53 victory, and that was sophomore guard/forward, Paul Huch. Hailing from Tuckerton, NJ, Huch has played basketball since his father got him into the sport when he was a little kid. His fondest basketball memory is when he racked up three consecutive triple-doubles his senior year of high school, two of them occurring after he broke his wrist. Two years later, he is still creating great memories on the court. “I felt really confident,” commented Huch when asked about how he felt during the game. “I just found the open areas and tried to hit the shots when I was open.” The open areas seemed to be everywhere for Huch, a 6’5” swingman with the ability to stroke it from the outside. In the season opener, the sophomore set career highs in points scored (18), three-pointers made (3), field goals made (7), rebounds (9), and assists (6). Nothing seemed to get in his way in this game as he caught fire early and never let up. “I knew that my shot was on but I had no idea that I was going to get career highs in anything until I saw the write up on the game,” he said. “I try to play hard all the time and help the team as much as possible with my defense.” Huch didn’t just show up a better player for this game. He spent most of his off-season in the gym, getting better physically as well as working on his game. He worked out and put himself in game situations at least five days a week, prepping for the rigors of the long basketballl season. He also participated in a summer league in Belmar, NJ to prepare for this season. But for Huch, the stats are the last thing on his mind. The most important statistic for him is the score at the end of the game, with Wilkes in the W column. “Overall my goals are to just do what I know how [to do] and play hard whenever I’m on the court to help the team win,” said Huch. Huch said that winning the first game of the season was huge for the team, a win that could propel them through the rest of the season. “We started the game with a couple of made shots but then started to struggle a little bit and were only up by two at the half,” said Huch. “After talking it over at halftime, we came out strong and started getting the ball down low a lot more which really opened up the floor for us.” Looking past his career game, Huch sees the team repeating their performance against PSU-Hazelton throughout the rest of the season. As for this sophomore star, he is not looking back on this one game; he knows he’s got the whole rest of the season ahead of him. “I’m just going to keep playing hard and try to help the team win.” Courtesy of Marketing Communications Huch opened up the season on a tear, setting career highs in points, rebounds, and assists while leading the team to a season opening victory over PSU-Hazelton. 53 PtJbLIC _sqtJare 829-64tJ4 Do\fNto'A'N COLLe3e 5peetaLS QUICK HITS ALeoHOL SPKeIALS FO~ 21+ UI& I.D. SllN~ 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 Prtce Appet&zers ½ Pl'•ce P1zza r11eSda! DJ OOH\fee Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Prace Appetizers COL.Leae N13Ht N,o COi/er 'fl I C01.1.ese ID rKt1r5da! 5illrda! 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 $15L1ceS dlll''NS COJUle cHecK <>tit YiHat·s Ne\Y 3Ncl E')(ctt•NS ~r, Hotll' at R0 daN°'S Gall to bOOK OtJr private rooMThe For aN~ / CL3SS eveNtS Beacon Alison Kasper or soe1a. 5atHer1N3 RociaNo's LtJNCH 5pec1at.S ofrerecI 7 Ja~S a WeeK r0 r $5.95 $l 5LiceS ltfM-111 �SPORTS 18 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 11/21 @ Franklin & Marshall 29-24 L MEN’S BASKETBALL 11/16 vs. PSU-Hazleton 84-53 W 11/20 vs. Elizabethtown 66-57 L 11/21 vs. Penn College 98-57 W WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 11/16 @ PSU-Hazleton 80-23 W 11/20 vs. Gettysburg 80-43 L 11/21 vs. Guilford 68-54 L WRESTLING 11/14 vs. NYU 31-6 W 11/14 vs. Cortland 21-9 L 11/14 vs. Scranton 43-0 W 11/14 vs. Centenary 31-9 W WEEK AHEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL 12/2 vs. Misericordia 12/5 vs. FDU-Florham 12/9 @ Elizabethtown 12/12 @ Lycoming WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 11/24 @ Marywood 11/30 vs. Cedar Crest 12/2 vs. Misericordia 12/4 vs. FDU-Florham 12/7 @ Baptist Bible 12/9 vs. Susquehanna WRESTLING 12/4 Messiah Tournament 12/12 @ York 12/12 @ Penn State DuBois 12/12 @ Thaddeus Stevens twil:I: r l 1 1 @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 Should the Heisman be awarded to non-Division-I players? The trophy for the best should go to the best. ~"\-----------.--...ANT..-.-..HOwiilNY Sports Editor DORUNDA Now this is a hot-button question…OK. Not really, but it is kind of interesting to think about. So, should Division-II and DivisionIII players be considered for the Heisman Trophy? You know, that 25-pound bronze trophy that is annually awarded to the best college football player on the planet? Well let me make this short and quick for everyone. No. Listen, I myself playDivision-III football. And when I say play, I mean I’m on the team, cheering them on from the sidelines. I have seen some great players in my three short years here; players that have been some of the best that I have seen with my very own eyes. But that in no way means that I would consider them contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Why you may ask? Well, my answer is relatively simple. Studs from Division-II and Division III schools just do not play the same competition on a weekly basis that division one teams do. These guys that play at Ohio State, USC and Texas play each other, the best of the best, every single week. This is nothing against any players who do not participate in division one athletics. Because we know that some of the best players have, in fact, come from non-Division-IA schools. Names like Andre Reed, and Jerry Rice come to mind. (OK. So Rice played at Mississippi Valley State, which is Division-IAA, or the Football Championship Sub Division, but it’s still not pure Division-I.) There are great players in other levels other than Division I. Often times, it’s the players that are overlooked by the big guys, the standouts who were two inches too short, or ran a 4.5 instead of a 4.4, but are every bit as athletic or as football smart as the guys that do go big time. It’s just that you cannot be considered for the award handed out to the greatest footballer in college if you don’t consistently play the best of the best. You may very well be the best player on the planet, but you have to play everyone else to even think about being in the hunt for the trophy. You can’t expect to be in it if you’re playing the Menlo Oaks while Tim Tebow is playing Alabama one week, and LSU the next. It’s just not the same. I’m not saying that a non-Division-I player cannot play at the division one level; Actually, I’m sure he probably could…but would he be the same type of player? Would he put up the gaudy statistics against the Oklahoma’s and the Miami’s of college football? I’m just saying that just because he puts up ridiculous numbers at the Division-II or Division-III levels does not mean he should be in consideration for the most coveted trophy in college football. If the best players really reside in division one, then the trophy goes to the best of that bunch, regardless of age, but that’s a whole ‘nother issue. See ya next semester! Can we get a nomination...please? Asst. Sports Editor Before we get started I would like to have a moment of silence for Georgia’s mascot UGA VII, who passed away last Thursday. OK, now let’s get started. There are plenty of players who play college football, but there is only one honor that each of them would love to have besides a championship and that’s the Heisman Memorial Trophy. But the Heisman is not awarded to just the best football player or the player with the best stats, because if it was then there would be players from Division-II and DivisionIII considered for the award. I don’t want to get all official on anyone, but as stated by www.heisman.com, “The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.” I didn’t want to quote the whole para- graph, but I can tell you one thing it does not say and that’s “he who has the best stats gets the trophy.” I could be mistaken, which I most definitely am not, but it doesn’t say that the player it goes to has to be a Division-I athlete. If you don’t believe me then come find me because I want someone to prove me wrong. As you can see from week to week, Mr. Dorunda has yet to do it. But anyway, I am not saying that a player from outside D-I should win, I am just saying that they should be considered. Here’s a fun fact: there are players in the NFL right now that won the prestigious award in question that watch the game just as much as the rest of us do on Sunday’s (i.e. Matt Leinart). And then we have players like Pierre Garcon who played at Mount Union a D-III school and are doing nothing but making plays on Sundays. Now, I am no rocket scientist, and I’m not saying that Garcon deserved to win the trophy so don’t be mistaken. I’m just saying that if you looked at his stats (in college), which are definitely the deciding factor for who wins, he could have been sitting next to Mattie boy at that ceremony. Garcon is just one current example, but in the past there have been plenty of players outside of D-I that could have been considered or that made it to the NFL and were a lot better then the person who won the trophy. Now I’m going to let that one marinate on your brain for a bit. But just think if the Heisman committee actually picked based off of the criteria they have set up then wouldn’t there be more players considered from outside D-I for the trophy? I don’t know, just think about. As Forrest Gump would say, “That’s all I have to say about that.” Before I conclude, I would like to thank everyone from week to week for reading all the dangerously hilarious things that Mr. Dorunda and I had to say. I wish all of you luck next semester, have fun and “Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” �SPORTS NOVEMBER 24, 2009 19 WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? Neve~stopn for more information check out ... Iwilkesbeacon.com car1n z es n1vers11v How do you feel about our editors decisions in this week’s Editor Face Off? Check out the story online and give your opinion. While you’re at it, tell us if you agreed with Anthony’s or Ryan’s choices this week, and every week. lti:ZI BASKETBALL From Page 16 Charil Challen e The Beacon/Tom Reilly All participants in last year’s Charity Challenge received a t-shirt. On the back of the shirt were the logos of the two charities that the event benefitted, The Children’s Miracle Network and Bo Tkach Memorial. This year, Wilkes University students have the opportunity to vote on which charities will receive the proceeds from the event. CHARITY, from Page 16 charities that they could identify with.” The hope is that turnout will increase once the students’ input is considered. “The bigger the event, the more money is raised for both [charities]; it’s easy,” said Klahold. “We’ve had great turnout before, but we can probably do even better.” Klahold’s desire is to poll the committee and have them rank their top five preferences for the desired charity out of a list of 1520 local ones. That list of five would then be weeded down to three, at which point the list will be made available to students so that they can vote on what they would like to see chosen. “[The Challenge] is always a great experience,” said Michael Koehler, a junior criminology major and past participant. “Last year’s event was wild because there were so many students involved. It was a really good showing that the students care.” Koehler believes that giving students the ability to vote on the second charity is a sound idea. “If it will increase the amount of kids going and help [the Challenge] raise money, then I’m for it,” he said. “It’d be great to see even more kids there this year.” Jeff Kaufman, a junior engineering management major, agreed with Koehler. “It’s a good thing, as far as I can see,” he said. “Because the options will be local charities I think students will be able to make more informed decisions, and if they feel strongly about [their pick] they’ll show up more.” Senior criminology major Brittney Hodnik enjoyed last year’s Challenge, which she said was surprising in its competitiveness. She was also a fan of greater student input. “We have to pay to participate so I do think it’s a little more fair that we get a say,” said Hodnik. This year’s Colonel Charity Challenge will be held on April 11, 2010. Last year’s event drew its largest-ever crowd of participants, as 275 students divided themselves into teams of five to compete in the physical contests that are a mainstay of the Challenge. Poster advertisements and sign-up sheets will be available next semester in the Student Union Building, as well as in the Marts Center. Students will be able to e-mail their charity vote to charitychallenge@wilkes. edu once the options are narrowed down. Additionally, Klahold also hopes to have the poll available on the university’s athletic website. “The Challenge is a great community event that does a lot of good for others,” said Klahold. “Hopefully it will continue to grow and benefit those that are in need.” The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Colonels huddle during their game against Penn State Hazleton on Monday, November 16. The Colonels defeated the Nittany Lions 84-53 to earn a victory in their home opener. They hoped to bounce back and get the win in their second game, but the Lady Colonels never got back on their feet as the lost their second game of the tournament to Guilford College. Although this battle was a bit closer than the first, the ladies still couldn’t overcome the struggles of their first loss against Gettysburg. Once again the ladies trailed at half time and found that they would not be able to pull their selves back up as they lost to the Quakers 68-54. “We had a strong showing in our first game,” Kazmerski commented after the teams upsetting outing at the tournament. “The tournament in Frostburg, Maryland was a huge learning experience and will only make us better as a team.” Gosse was named to the All-tournament team for Wilkes which proved to be the lone highlight for them on the weekend. But the honor did not go to Gosse’s head as she credited her team for the support they provide her. “I think we have a lot of potential and if we play together we can be successful,” said Gosse who looks to assist in the early season turn around. Catch the men’s team in action again next Wednesday night when Misericordia makes the trip to the Mart Center gym at 8 p.m. The women travel to Scranton today to play Marywood in hopes of bouncing back from the losses at the Frostburg Tournament. �20 SPORTS NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Diplomats bowl over Colonels in fourth quarter Franklin and Marshall’s fourth quarter comeback wins ECAC South Atlantic Bowl BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor That definitely wasn’t the way the Colonels wanted to see their season end. Franklin and Marshall scored 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to take a 29-24 victory over Wilkes in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl on Saturday afternoon. It was the first postseason appearance for Wilkes since the team won the conference championship in 2006, and their first appearance in an ECAC bowl game since 2003. The seniors on this year’s team were freshmen in 2006. So when they learned that the 2009 club would be playing an eleventh game once again, they were thrilled. “Coach [Frank] Sheptock always talks about leaving the program where you found it and I know we didn’t make the NCAA playoffs,” senior quarterback Rob Johnson said before the game. “But we still are playing in a postseason game and it’s a step in the right direction for Wilkes football.” Unfortunately, Wilkes stopped stepping after the third quarter. The Colonels had a 24-10 lead after 45 minutes of play but the Diplomats vetoed that in the final frame. Franklin and Marshall scored touchdowns on drives of 69, 86, and 79 yards in the fourth quarter, with the game-winning score coming with just eight seconds to play. The comeback began just 56 seconds into the quarter, when running back John Kaschak caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Diplomats quarterback John Harrison. Mike Shin’s PAT bid was successful, cutting the Wilkes lead to 24-17. Exactly seven minutes later, Kaschak struck again. This time, he capped off a lengthy Franklin and Marshall drive with a five-yard run, making the score 24-23 in favor of Wilkes. The Diplomats pressed their luck and went for a two-point conversion that would have given them a 25-24 lead; but the Colonels defense came up big and stopped running back Ryan Murray’s bid from two yards out. Though they stopped Murray once with the game on the line, the Colonels defense couldn’t stop him a second time. Murray caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Harrison with eight seconds remaining in regulation, giving the Diplomats their first lead since the opening minute of the second quarter. It also gave the Diplomats, who compete 2006 The last time that the Colonels posted a winning record prior to this season. It was also the last year they qualified for postseason play, earning a NCAA playoff berth. 19 Points scored by the Diplomats in the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon. They overcame a 24-10 deficit to pick up a 29-24 win. Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Junior safety Kevin Gerhart had two interceptions, but the Colonels dropped the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl to Franklin and Marshall on Saturday. The Colonels had a 24-10 lead at the end of the third quarter, but ultimately lost 29-24. in the Centennial Conference, their ninth win of the season. Franklin and Marshall improved to 9-2 on the campaign, while the Colonels saw their record fall to 6-5. “They’re a pretty good team,” junior defensive back Darnell Corbin said of the Diplomats. “They just missed the NCAA playoffs.” The Colonels originally drew first blood when Chris Horn kicked a 37-yard field goal less than five minutes into the game. But they surrendered the 3-0 lead with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter, allowing a 16-yard touchdown reception by Kaschak. Franklin and Marshall kicker Mike Shin nailed the PAT, giving them a 7-3 lead that they carried to the end of the opening 15 minutes of play. Johnson then connected with sophomore wide receiver Shawn Gregson for a 26-yard touchdown pass only 11 seconds into the second quarter. Horn’s PAT bid was successful, putting the Colonels up 10-7. The Diplomats equalized the score with 7:04 remaining in the half when Shin’s 20yard field goal attempt sailed through the uprights. The Colonels then scored back-to-back touchdowns and PATs to jump out to a fourteen-point advantage. Before the first half was over, sophomore running back Zach Tivald got away from the Diplomats defense and rushed into the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown run. In the third quarter, senior wide receiver Gennaro Zangardi caught a pass from Johnson and ran 81 yards down the field for his sixth touchdown reception of the season. But in the fourth quarter, Franklin and Marshall showed that no lead was safe, and the Colonels fell to 3-4 all time in ECAC bowl games. Though the 2009 season is officially over, the returning Colonels are going to remember this game as they begin their quest for the postseason in the fall of 2010. With the junior class on this year’s team already receiving a great deal of playing time, the Colonels believe that they have the opportunity to enjoy prosperity next fall. “We have great leadership in the junior class,” said Corbin. “[Safety] Kevin Gerhart, he’s one of the main leaders. He was just named to the First Team All-MAC. With Gerhart, [defensive end] Chris Swinarski, guys like that on the team, offensively we’ve got Jordan D’Emilio, who’s a big playmaker for the wide outs. The younger guys on the team, we take upon leadership roles already... so we’ve been put in a position to be successful next year as seniors.” 8 Seconds that the Colonels were away from a win on Saturday. But Franklin and Marshall scored the game-winning touchdown in the game’s final moments. 3-4 Wilkes University’s all-time record in ECAC bowl games. Before Saturday, the last time the Colonels appeared in a bowl game was in 2003. � 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 November 24th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 November 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/1054f92d411fe3e71f4389b34fb12109.pdf b02b726cafa6a66d54dc27445c5145ac PDF Text Text FLY LIKE AN EAGLE LIFE | PAGE 10 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tuesday, February 2, 2010 Volume 62 Issue 11 Earthquake in Haiti: effects reach Wilkes University BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor The Beacon/Tom Reilly Students utilize the personal and group study areas in the newly renovated library basement. Alden Learning Commons: renovations nearly complete BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor After three months of construction, The Alden Learning Commons in the basement of the Eugene S. Farley Library is approximately 98 percent complete according to Paul Kaspriskie, manager of capital projects. Minor electrical wiring and reshelving the bound periodicals is all the work that remains in the newly renovated space. Overall, the project cost about $400,000 with $100,000 of the amount going toward technology and furniture. The demolition of the basement began on October 15, 2009 and was 98 percent complete on the first day of classes of the spring 2010 semester. The renovations include four new high-tech group study rooms, which each housing 42-inch flat screen televisions and a white board. One of these study rooms has a video recording device that students can use to record what they covered in their group meetings. This device was donated to the Alden Learning Commons by Student Government. There are also group-study/ lounge areas divided by halfwalls, which make the area almost cubicle-like. These areas are complete with large couches and a Mac computer. A portable white-board is also a resource for students who are working on a group project. John Stachacz, the Dean of the Farley Library, said that the new half-walls give the area a sense of place. “Before the renovations, there was no sense of place. Now, we SEE ALDEN, Page 4 From a televised benefit that raised over $57 million for relief efforts, to the personal stories and fundraising efforts at Wilkes University, the effects of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the small island nation of Haiti have been felt around the globe. Frantzddyn Pamphile, a Wilkes junior psychology student from Brooklyn, is of Haitian decent and said she still had family living in the area destroyed by the violent earthquake. “I was surprised, because it happened to little Haiti. Nobody ever expected it to happen of there,” said Pamphile. Pamphile remembers Haiti from a trip she made when she was younger. “I remember the parts of Haiti The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Student Government (SG) hosted a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, January 20. Speakers at the ceremony included Nicholas Koch, SG president, Megan Boone, community service coordinator, as well as others. that they don’t show of Haiti,” she said. “There’s a place in Haiti where the whole entire block is SEE HAITI, Page 5 Wilkes hires associate director of Global Center of Education and Diversity Dr. Tristana Harvey brings experience and new perspectives to Wilkes BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Wilkes University hired Dr. Tristana Harvey as associate director of Global Education and Diversity after the position was vacant for about one year. Previously, Brandon Ice held the position, but left in December of 2008. Dr. Godlove Fonjweng, director of Global Education and Diversity, believes that Harvey has experience and new perspectives, which she can bring to Wilkes University’s diversity program. “She seems to have the type of personality that students will like,” said Fonjweng. “She has the right credentials and excellent references.” Harvey, originally from Chicago, Il., earned her doctoral degree Opinion Pages 6-8 Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 Diversity a two-way street Wilkes prof studies abroad Guitar Hero record attempt Wilkes makes effort to create a diverse and cultured community, but students must meet administration PAGE 6 halfway. Dr. Zanolini Morrison travels to her husband’s home country of Malaysia to continue research of women in PAGE 9 higher education. Sophomore mechanical engineering major Aaron Nikles is trying to play his way into the Guinness Book of World Records. PAGE 13 from Penn State University, where she was later employed. Formerly, Harvey spent most of her professional career at Penn State University where she worked as a multicultural counselor. “In that role, I assisted students with any academic, personal or career issues that may impact their academic success,” said Harvey. Harvey helped undergraduate and graduate students learn about SEE HIRE, Page 3 Sports Pages 16-20 Tilley snags coaching gig Senior Business major and former field hockey captain Amanda Tilley has accepted an Assistant coaching job at DeSales University. PAGE 16 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �SUSQUEHANNA RISES PAGE 4 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Beacon Briefs >>»>»>>>>>>»>>»>>>>>>»>>»>>>>>>»>>»>>>>>>»>>»>>>>>>»>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>~ BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor SORDONI ART GALLERY EXHIBIT – The Sordoni Art Gallery opened the Brian Wood art exhibit on January 18. Wood has shown his work in New York City and internationally. The exhibit contains paintings, drawings, prints and photographs and will be on display until March 14. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. and admission is free. CAMPUS COMMUNITY WEIGHT WATCHERS PROGRAM – As part of the Employee Wellness Initiative, the Health Services Center is beginning a Weight Watchers program for students, faculty and staff. There are weekly meetings, which cost $10, consisting of a weigh-in and a 30 minute meeting. Wilkes community members interested in joining the program should call Anita at 408-4730 to register. In addition, let Anita know what time of the day works best for you. WILKES PHONATHON: EARN CASH – The Wilkes University Phonathon asks Wilkes alumni for their participation in this year’s annual Wilkes Fund. The Phonathon runs from Sunday through Thursday beginning February 1 until the beginning of May. Students will be calling alumni to try to raise money for the Wilkes Fund. Students earn $10 per hour and being a student-caller is a flexible position. Interested students should contact Amy Hetro at 4084302 or amy.hetro@wilkes.edu. RELAY FOR LIFE – This year, Relay for Life will be held on Saturday, April 24. Students who are interested in forming a Relay for Life team should contact Bethany Sharpless at Bethany.sharpless@wilkes. edu. SEXUAL JEOPARDY – Health Services and the BACCHUS club will be hosting “Sexual Jeopardy” on February 9 at 9:00 p.m. until 10:15 p.m. The program will be held in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. Health Services and BACCHUS are looking for four teams of four people each to participate in a question and answer game. The winning team will receive prizes. The program will provide answers to questions about sexual health and issues. Contact Health Services at 408-4730 to participate on a team. CAMPUS MEDITATION – Weekly campus meditation will take place on Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. in the Kirby Hall Salon. Contact Linda Paul at linda.paul@wilkes.edu or Mischelle Anthony at mischelle.anthony@wilkes.edu. COLONELS RUN FOR KIDS – The second annual Colonels Run for Kids will be held on Saturday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre This five kilometer race will benefit Wilkes-Cross Country and Valley Santa. Pre-registration is $10 and to registration on race day is $12. For more information, go to www.neparunner.com. clude lunch. Interested faculty and staff should contact Michele Grushinski at Michele.grushinski@wilkes.edu to R.S.V.P. by February 12. questions, contact Alberto Prado at alberto. prado@wilkes.edu. DEAN’S LIST: FALL 2009 – Wilkes University has announced the Dean’s List for the Fall 2009 semester. In order to be named on the Dean’s List, students must carry at least 12 credits and obtain a GPA of 3.4 or higher. To access the Dean’s List, go to www.wilkes.edu. ACADEMIC SUCCESS WORKSHOP SERIES – University College will be presenting a series of weekly workshops to help students manage college life. Workshops will be held at 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. in Conyngham Hall, Room 109 every Tuesday through February. There will be a workshop on February 2, which focuses on task management. PEER TUTORING – Peer tutoring is now available, free of charge. Make an appointment at: http://tutortrac.wilkes.edu. All tutoring will be held in Conyngham Hall in Room 113. For more information or Win an award? Hear about an important event? If you think it’s newsworthy, send it in! Email jacqueline.lukas@ wilkes.edu or cathryn.frear@wilkes. edu with your tip. Sestak visits Wilkes 2009 TAX TUITION FORMS – The Student 2009 Tax Tuition forms are available on the Wilkes Portal. Log on to the portal for more information about accessing your form. EAP PROGRAM – Wilkes University provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to faculty and staff. A representative from EAP will be on campus on February 23 at 12:00 p.m. The presentation will be held in the Henry Student Center Ballroom and will provide information on how to access services on health, family, financial and legal issues. The presentation will in- ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas Representative Joe Sestak (D-PA) spoke with Dr. Thomas Baldino’s legistative behavior class Thursday January 28. Students in the class could take this opportunity to ask him questions about where he stands on different political issues that they may have concerns about. Also during his campus visit, Sestak spoke with The Beacon’s editorial board. He discussed how his role as senator would differ from his current representative position as well as where he stands on healthcare and the price of tuition. Sestak is currently campaigning in a run for the Senate’s democratic primary against incumbent senator Arlen Specter (D-PA). According to a Franklin & Marshall College Poll, Sestak lags 30-13. Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Ruth Whispell Assistant Life Editor �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 NEWS 3 Student Government Notes - January 27, 2010 BY MOLLY KURLANDSKI Correspondent Treasurer’s Report: All college: $29,700.00 Conferences: $16,260.00 General Funds: $14, 060.00 Leadership: $5,235.00 Special Projects : $2,750.00 Spirit: $2,000.00 Start-up: $2,100.00 New Business: Relay for Heat Donation Request (Week 1 of 1): The Wilkes University Running Club requested $1,200 to organize a Relay in which all proceeds will go to the Martin Luther King Fuel Fund, administered by the Commission for Economic Opportunity (CEO). $500 was allocated to the Running Club for this request. Student Governement voted 26-10-3. Spirit Club Shirt Allocation (Week 1 of 1): On February 20 at 3 p.m., during Winter Weekend activities, the Spirit Club will be giving away free Wilkes T-shirts during the Wilkes and Kings game. Student Government allocated $1,850 to give away Tshirts. The vote was 33-0-3. Old Business: The Library and SUB construction is winding down, with 98 percent of the library complete. All computers are up and running. Use the library website to make suggestions and comments. Events: Winter Weekend 2/19 – 2/20: Themes are still being considered. Committees: Campus Support: Elevator construction continues in the Towers. Class Reports: Megan Dickenson, junior class president, is organizing a trivia social on February 10 at 9 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Closing Comments: Vagina Monologues will be held on February 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. in the Ballroom. *At 6:45 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. CONTACT MOLLY KURLANDSKI AT: molly.kurlandski@wilkes.edu for more information check out ... w_il_k_e_s_b_e_a_c_o_n_._co_m_ _ _lE:lJ _I HIRE Continued from FRONT PAGE the university’s policies and procedures, the campus and the opportunities that were available. Before coming to Wilkes University, she taught at Bloomsburg University, but decided teaching wasn’t her strongest asset. “That experience wasn’t quite what I thought it would be,” said Harvey. “So I decided administration is probably a bit more where I needed to be.” Harvey accepted her current position at Wilkes University in late December and started working on January 18. Wilkes University is smaller than the other two schools at which Harvey has been employed, but she doesn’t see that as a negative aspect. “It’s a much smaller school, so the ability to [reach out to] students much more directly is amplified, significantly,” said Harvey. “For me, it’s going to be fun.” Presently, Harvey is assessing reports and getting to know the Wilkes community to see how the diversity programs on campus can be enhanced. “I’ve had the opportunity to read over a number of reports that the University has put together on diversity and [the University’s] prior efforts,” said Harvey. She wants to bring the University’s diversity goals to life in the near future by looking at what has been done in the past and what is being done now. Harvey is in the process of establishing contacts with different departments within the University community like Student Affairs, University College and Alumni Relations. In cooperation with Marketing Communications, one of Harvey’s goals is to improve the Global Center for Education and Diversity’s webpage. She would like to get rid of information that is no longer pertinent. “There are generalizations there,” said Harvey. “There are pieces there that tell you about past programs that have been done.” She would not only like to see more current information about the Global Center itself, but also more about upcoming events that the Center will host or co-host. Harvey will also be working closely with the Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC) and is looking to facilitate programs throughout the university in cooperation with MSC. Tracy Garcia, president of MSC, was excited for Harvey’s arrival at Wilkes. “I am looking forward to seeing some new ideas and programming that Dr. Harvey may have to offer,” said Garcia. “My main goal is that we would be able to create awareness of diversity and also to educate more people on the Wilkes campus about diversity.” Fonjweng said Harvey has been well-received by students, faculty and staff and is excited about her joining the Wilkes community. Fonjweng also sees that Harvey will help infuse global and cultural ideas into the University community. “I think the most exciting thing about my job will be seeing ideas come to life and actually having the students take part in it,” said Harvey. The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas On Tuesday, January 26, the Global Center for Education and Diversity held a meet and greet for Dr. Tristana Harvey, who is the new associate director for the center. Students from the Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC) were there to speak with Harvey about her plans for diversity within the Wilkes community. Harvey, left, is speaking with a student, right, about her hopes for MSC. In her spare time, Harvey likes to exercise and is still exploring the ski areas available in Northeastern Pennsylvania. But most of all, she enjoys international travel and has been to many places in Europe, including Milan, Italy; Dublin, Ireland; and Paris, France. CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu Dr. Harvey’s office is located on the second floor of the Global Center for Education and Diversity. She welcomes all students to stop by her office and speak with her. For students interested in obtaining more information or joining MSC, contact Tracy Garcia, president, at: tracy.garcia@wilkes.edu �4 THE BEACON NEWS ALDEN Continued from FRONT PAGE can inhibit noise [with the walls] while students are working,” said Stachacz. In addition to these work spaces, there are also smaller, more intimate work spaces for groups of two or three. These also have the same large computers, but a bigger desk and chairs as opposed to the other area with couches. “We wanted to accommodate multiple learning styles,” said Stachacz. The classroom, toward the back of the Alden Learning Commons, was updated as well. “The old classroom could accommodate about 45 to 50 students,” said Kaspriskie. “Now, it can hold about 60 to 65 students with enhanced lighting.” Stachacz and Tom Messinger, executive director of campus support services, agreed that the classroom renovation was a 180 degree change. Kaspriskie also pointed out that there have been renovations to the men’s and women’s bathrooms and the addition of a handicapped bathroom approved by the American Disability Association (ADA). The renovated bathrooms and new ADAapproved bathroom are energy efficient with energy-saving fountains, automatic hand towel dispensers and motion-sensor lighting. In addition, the Writing Center has made its move from Breiseth Hall to the Alden Learning Commons. Though the Writing Center’s new home is a slightly smaller space, Dr. Chad Stanley, director of the Writing Center and English professor, is very pleased with the relocation. “It’s a move that benefits both the Writing Center and the library and certainly the students and faculty at Wilkes,” said Stanley. “It makes sense to have the library be the location for the Writing Center.” Stanley said now that the move is complete, he would like to see the Writing Center extend their hours. Currently, they are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. “We could experiment with adding some hours into the evening; we could even experiment with some weekend hours,” said Stanley. Currently, the Writing Center’s staff has about 30 students, with room to expand. Kristen Pechulis, junior English major and employee of the Writing Center, is unsure about some of the logistics of the move. “I think the new space is really nice but I am unhappy because the size is really inadequate for the number of consultations that can occur in any given day,” said Pechulis. Pechulis is worried that students might not be able to get the help they need due to an insufficient amount of space, but hopes that the Writing Center will still be a valuable resource on campus. Kaspriskie said that the planning for this new space was a collaborative effort. “John [Stachacz] sat down with architects and students to find out what was lacking in the basement,” said Kaspriskie. To Stachacz and Library staff, the renovations in the basement seem to appeal to the majority of the students who have visited FEBRUARY 2, 2010 The Beacon/Tom Reilly In addition to group study rooms, there are also group study areas with couches, pictured above. Dean John Stachacz’s main goal was to accomodate multiple learning styles and add many group study areas. Here, students can work with a larger group and a large computer screen. the basement since it has re-opened. “It’s always packed down here,” said Stachacz. “[The Alden Learning Commons] is a very high-profile area,” agreed Stanley. Stachacz also said that the renovations will be a great way to attract prospective students to Wilkes University. “No ifs, ands or buts about it, [the Alden Learning Commons] will be a great recruitment tool, as well as a retention tool for current students,” said Stachacz. Messinger said that the timeline for renovating the remaining three floors of the Farley library is still unknown. The budget must be approved before any demolition, construction or renovation can begin. “For the first floor [of the library], we plan on re-thinking the entrance to have better access,” said Messinger. “[We plan on making] cosmetic changes, like carpeting and furniture.” CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu Susquehanna at flood stage Two winners will each receive a... 'Iwo a... Wilkes Hooded Sweatshirt Sponsored By: BARNES&NOBLE Located on S. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor’s sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon offi ce in Conyngham Hall or at the desk office in the Student Union by Monday, November 30, by noon .** noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's week’s issue. The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Due to heavy rainfall on Wednesday, January 27, the Susquehanna River rose to flood stage. The new River Common, which opened in the Summer of 2009, was flooded and now, needs to be cleared of debris. In addition, the flood portals under the bridges of the River Common were closed because of the rising waters. NAME: _______________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ MYSTERYWORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: ________________________________________ �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 HAITI Continued from FRONT PAGE filled with white houses, and they have hotels that are twice as nice as the ones in New York. Those are the places I remember.” Fortunately, Pamphile’s family escaped unscathed and was able to fly into the U.S. after the quake. Pamphile’s family’s story of exodus from Haiti is quite different for another group of students’ stories, who will be flying to the island of Hispaniola in March as part of Alternative Spring Break (ASB). The students will spend time in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island with Haiti, working with orphans through the organization Orphanage Outreach. “Despite the unfortunate events in Haiti, I continue to be very optimistic that my ASB trip will be a huge success,” said Jason Woloski, a biochemistry and pre-med senior at Wilkes, who will be taking part of the program in the Dominican Republic. “Fortunately, the Dominican Republic was spared from most of the devastating consequences of the earthquake.” April Bielinski, a Wilkes junior communication studies student, will also be heading NEWS to the Dominican Republic with ASB. “Having seen a great deal of media coverage on the disaster in Haiti, it’s clear that the earthquake made a bad situation worse,” said Bielinski. “The people of Haiti were already fighting a losing battle to begin with and it’s truly heartbreaking to see the struggle worsen. Haiti has already been the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere for so long and now their uphill battle is even greater.” Haiti has been plagued by troubles since the late 15th century. According to the U.S. government, most of Haiti’s native population was killed by Spanish settlers within 25 years of Columbus landing on the island in 1492. Most recently, Haiti’s former president was sent into exile in 2004. The country then elected a new president and parliament in May 2006 with the guidance of the United Nations. Megan Boone, Wilkes’s community service coordinator, will accompany the Wilkes’ students to the Dominican Republic and has also helped coordinate a fundraising drive to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. Boone said there are two tiers to Wilkes’ program to help the people of Haiti. The first tier is a two-dollar fundraiser, which was organized by Dr. Mary Beth Mullen, Wilkes’ coordinator for student affairs. “It’s still ongoing, and we keep getting more donations day-in and day-out,” said Boone. People can donate $2, which is the amount some Hatians live on a day, by dropping it off at Boone’s office in the student center, Mullen’s office in Conynham Hall, or the UCOM. The second tier is a collection of ‘hygiene kits’ that will be sent to the people of Haiti, which are being put together by the Alpha Chi honor society and the community service office. Pamphile said the worldwide fundraising efforts are good things, but the problems still exist on the ground in Haiti. “I was shocked at how much money was raised, but all the actions that need to be done that needs to be there to supply people food; they have no organization. It’s all dysfunctional. That’s the bad part,” said Pamphile. “They’ve fundraised a lot of money – that’s the good part. But to get all the supplies to Haiti isn’t organized at all.” According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, U.S. non-profit organizations have raised $560 million for relief efforts in Haiti. 5 Pamphile says she hopes the people of Haiti will rebuild with disasters like this earthquake in mind, and that the U.S. helps guide Haiti into a better future. CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu HOW YOU CAN HELP: Students, faculty and staff who wish to donate to Haiti to help with the earthquake relief can do so at the following places: American Red Cross International Response Fund: (800)-RED-CROSS or (800)-257-7575 (Spanish); www.redcross. org http://www.redcross.org; or donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting “HAITI” to the number 90999 The Salvation Army: (800) SAL-ARMY; www.salvationarmyusa.org http://www. salvationarmyusa.org; or mail checks to Salvation Army, 61 NW 67 St., Miami, FL 33150 UNICEF: (800)-4UN-ICEF; http://www. unicefusa.org/haitiquake Catholic Relief Services: www.crs.org Doctors Without Borders: Donate with a debit or credit card at https://donate. doctorswithoutborders.org/ American Jewish World Service: (212)792-2900; http://www.ajws.org B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ITEM! Stop by 2/2 to 2/8 and get 10% off tie-dyed Wilkes University rolled blankets! Check out our new premium sandwiches in the cafe! We now offer Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Pretzel Sandwiches and Mediterranean Chicken Flatbreads. TRY ONE TODAY! Now accepting applications! Stop by and talk to a manager to find out what positions are available today! �CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Attempts at adiverse campus atwo-way street Students must meet administration and faculty half way Beacon Poll The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. for Global Education and Diversity, and the plethora of multicultural organizations’ efforts would not be in vain. This week, The Beacon asks: Some examples of the multicultural organizations at Wilkes are: the Multicultural StuAs the spring semester begins, The Beadent Coalition, the Islamic Interest Society, Have you participated in a multiculcon would like to address an important isthe Indian Cultural Association, and the Chitural diversity event at Wilkes? sue that we see present within the Wilkes nese Student Association. Most of these orgacommunity. The point here is not to point nizations do not restrict who can join. In fact, fingers or make people look bad, but to they encourage diversity amongst the vari• Yes arouse discussion. So what is the issue? ous organizations, meaning that if a Cauca• No Multicultural Diversity. sian student wished to join the Multicultural Wilkes has continually made every efStudent Coalition or the Indian Cultural Asfort to bring students of different ethnic sociation, they easily could. However, most and cultural backgrounds to the university. choose not to do so. Currently there are Most of the students of Indian, events these Saudi Arabian, organizations Asian, Hispanic and plan are well various other ethattended, such nic backgrounds in as Family Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to undergraduate and Heritage Day, cast your vote. Results will be pubgraduate programs which fea- lished on the website next week. on campus. tured a variety Wilkes continues of different to draw these stuethnic foods dents here based on such as Poltheir tireless comish, Chinese, mitment to and dePuerto Rican velopment of muland more, a ticultural programs celebration of The Beacon wants your and organizations. Dawali, which opinion. Contact us at The best example featured dance of this is the Center performances wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com for Global Educaand Indian tion and Diversity, cuisine, and with your Name, Major, Year, which encompasses Global Coffee and Opinion! each of these mulHour, which ticultural organizatakes place ev- The Beacon reserves the right to edit tions. Their goal is ery Wednesday submitted pieces for space and content. The Beacon/Allison Roth in the Savitz Anonymous letters will not be published. to support the minority population, American and International students mingle at Global Coffee Hour in the Savitz Multicultural Lounge. Students speak about Multicultural to educate and en- their unique perceptions of global events. Lounge from courage the entire 3:00 and 5:00 student body to actively participate with While international students do commu- p.m. Wilkes also offers global dance lessons other multicultural students. nicate and assimilate with other students on teaching dances commin in other cultures. The Wilkes administration and faculty campus, they do so merely with students If you are a student who wishes to get more have done a commendable job thus far in of their own same ethnic background, not involved in multicultural diversity on camterms of multicultural diversity awareness the overall Wilkes community, and it is not pus, visit the Center for Global Education and encouragement, but the attempt to make their fault. If greater strides were made by and Diversity and find out how to get more the campus a cultured and diverse environ- the majority of the students to get to know involved with these other cultures. ment is a two way street. Wilkes can make these minority students, Wilkes, The Center BY THE BEACON Editorial Board every effort to diversify the campus, but if the overall Wilkes community is not getting involved and doing its part, there is really no point in trying. The majority of the student body needs to get more involved in multicultural diversity. A general low attendance at multicultural organization meetings, events and general campus observations show that Wilkes students are putting forth little or no effort to do so. These international students are interesting and accepting of people who are attempting to learn the American culture. So why don’t the rest of the native students reciprocate? Speak Up! It’s Your Right! �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 OPINION The Haitians will rebuild society with hope and sense of history BY DR. C. REYNOLD VERRET Wilkes University Provost Editor’s Note: This editorial is the first of a weekly series written by Wilkes University faculty and administration. Some things are sad; this one oppressively so when 200,000 perish, some in a brief moment, others in lingering agony lasting days. The illustrious like Georges Anglade, the renowned geographer and a founding member of l’Université du Québec a Montréal, and many less known and unknown were lost in what seemed the blinking of an eye. Surely, we will grieve, when we allow ourselves, when time allows amidst the pressing business of caring for each other. Yet even in this catastrophe, the Haitian people secure embers of hope from the ashes and contemplate a better day. This is a resilient people that have endured much throughout its history, from its breaking from slavery in 1804, to a complete isolation imposed by European powers and the United States, to the punishing payment of reparations to France for the audacious claim of freedom, to a legacy of corrupt tyrants. Still, the word “debrouiller” comes easily to Haitian lips, meaning to manage, to find a way when often there seems no way. But the scale of 200,000, roughly 10 percent of the population of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings, is astonishing. Shortly before Christmas, I received a pretty photograph of the palace in Port-auPrince decorated with lights for the Christmas season. Long a place of fear, a house of despots, this palace had been transformed into a shimmering symbol of hope and re- demption. Now, it lies in ruin. We are filled with horror at the shattering of the capital city. Indeed, the recent government had become a servant of the people. With international support, it had undertaken restoration of essential institutions, such as the courts, police, customs, and ministries of finance. The police and armed forces, which for generations had been agents of terror, now protected and served. It was a long-hopedfor transformation that stirred hope for the Haitian nation, and for its diaspora that was scattered to the four winds by the Duvalier dictatorships. For a better day to come, structural inequities and impediments that have mired the people will have to be overcome. A succession of corrupt governments have prevented real development and absconded with the nation’s wealth to bank accounts in Switzerland, France or the United States. Education had been limited to the few, thus preventing the full flourish of the people’s genius. A class system derived from feudal practices of the colonial era impeded any real development, and kept the rural peasantry, the majority of Haitians, underfoot little access to power, to education and to any real wealth. The majority did not speak French, the language of the elite power. Furthermore, deforestation and despoliation of the land undermined agricultural productivity. Many corrective measures had begun to take root before the quake. These and more must continue. The international community and especially the USA has responded magnificently in the last few days, partnering with a government in dire straits. With their help, the Haitian people must build a new society and not restore the old. 7 Observat:.ory Commentary on Luzerne County Corruption BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor Kickbacks, bribery, blatant outright theft. These are all words to describe the current political climate in Luzerne County. With as many as 23 federal corruption cases currently under investigation, the citizens of Luzerne County have probably lost complete faith in the officials they elected to make informed decisions for them. I am personally waiting with anticipation for more corruption cases to come out of the woodwork and I will tell you why shortly. To briefly recap, it all started with the investigation of Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan and since then, many other county officials, attorneys, school officials, clerks and even, surprisingly, a barber have gone down. Even County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak was charged with accepting bribes. I could round off the countless others involved in the corruption, but that would be a waste of time and I am trying to make a point here. The reason I am so excited to hear about the Who’s Who of Luzerne County corruption is the public reaction. The citizens of Luzerne County are so angry and feel so taken advantage of that they use any venue to preach about it. From my own personal observations, I have heard complaints at the bar, the supermarket, people’s homes, and even walking down the street. From all this I have gathered that most people are looking for someone to blame (at least those with less than half a brain.) Some blame the corrupt themselves, some blame their superiors, and some blame Pennsylvania and the Federal Government for not keeping a closer eye on the county procedure. Photos Courtesy of Dr. C. Reynold Verret So, if you are a disgruntled Luzerne CounAbove left is a picture of the National Palace in Port-au-Prince before the earthquake. The picture on the ty citizen and you are looking for someone right is what is left of the National Palace in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. to blame for all of the corruption you have seen so far, look no further than yourselves. For those of you that vote, three judges have been charged, three judges that were publically elected into office by you. You can make the assertion that you did not know they were corrupt at the time, but that can only go so far. It is your responsibility to find out who these people are, and not rely solely on what they tell you while campaigning. You should not blindly elect public officials because they make your decisions for you; they are your REPRESENTATIVES. The same goes for Greg Skrepenak- a novice in public government who was elected to office of County Commissioner because of his popularity as an ex-football player. Again, you elected him. As for the school officials, those of you who worked closely with these people at these schools and had some sort of knowledge that something fishy was going on, shame on you. And finally for the barber, how do you get away with accepting $6,000 for giving county prisoners haircuts and then not cut their hair? How many people let that one slide? I am glad so many people got laid off this year and last year so Luzerne County could pay people not to do their jobs. You can only blame the guilty for so much. Yes, they are guilty, but many people in Luzerne County enabled them to commit these crimes, many people that are not going to jail for it. If you want to lay all the blame on their heads, you are without a doubt wrong. Blame those who turned a blind eye to this corruption; blame those who fueled the rumor mill with their coworkers at the courthouse, and blame those who ignorantly elected these officials. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 OPINION THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Adecade in review: the good, the bad, and the ugly BY KAYLA MATTIOLI Correspondent A lot has happened in the last ten years. We got older, technology has changed and reality shows took over television. This past decade has brought us many changes even if we are unable to remember them all. So let’s take a look back at the good, the bad, and the ugly. The Good: This decade brought about many new and innovative technologies. For the first time, we could do more with our cell phones than just make a call with the mainstreaming of Smartphones. Social networking sites changed the way we keep in touch with friends and the digitalization of music allowed us to enjoy our favorite one hit wonder without paying for the rest of the crappy CD. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to allow gays to marry. It is so nice to see that some of us are finally acknowledging that “all men are created equal” and should have the same rights. On May 15 2008, California began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The state soon told city officials to cease and desist when in 2008 California voters said “yes” to Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage statewide. The 2008 election finally forced American’s to choose leaders that were not the typical old white men. The Democrats gave us the choice between Hillary Clinton, a woman, or Barack Obama, a black man. The two battled for the candidacy in what felt like the longest primary election campaign ever. The Republicans on the other hand gave us Sarah Palin, the now former Governor of Alaska, as a running mate to their old white man, John McCain. The Bad: It began in 2000 when we brought in the new millennium. Y2K sent everyone into a frenzy as we thought the New Year would bring the crash of computer systems worldwide and the collapse of the stock market. Luckily, we were spared the stock market fiasco for another few years. Following September 11, 2001 the terror level was often on high alert and anthrax started appearing in mail across the country. In 2003, President George W. Bush decided to declare war on Iraq because of “evidence” that their leader Saddam Hussein had “weapons of mass destruction.” This war soon took precedent over the finding of Osama bin Laden, who was in fact responsible for the 9/11 attacks and had little or nothing to do with the nation Iraq, or Saddam. As an update, bin Laden has never been found, Hussein is dead, and Iraq is no better off now than they were before we took over. The writers’ strike in Hollywood left us with little entertainment to take our minds off the various crises of our lives. As it takes a long time to complete a movie, we are still seeing many that were affected. Films that should have been blockbuster hits became huge flops. But for what it’s worth, I don’t know that the “Land of the Lost” remake starring Will Ferrell was destined for box office gold anyway. The Ugly: September 11, 2001 is one of those days that will never be forgotten. Nearly 3,000 people were killed by four hijacked planes. Nine years later, New York has yet to rebuild much of anything in the former site of the Twin Towers. Did I mention Osama Bin Laden is still alive and kicking? In 2005 Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast devastating New Orleans, as well as surrounding areas, and killing more than 1,200 people. It has been decided that Wal-Mart did more to help the survivors than the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to Kanye West, this is because “George Bush does not like black people,” while Wal-Mart on the other hand is an equal opportunity em- ployer. Ultimately, the United States failed to help the people at home who were in need of assistance. Due to the collapse of the subprime mortgage market, America was thrust into the worst recession since the Great Depression. Big auto dealers were nearly bankrupt and banks had to foreclose on millions of homes. Former President George W. Bush signed a $700 billion dollar bailout plan for the banking industry prior to leaving office. Months later, President Obama pass a multibillion dollar stimulus package used to create jobs and give tax credits to people buying new homes or cars. After all that, the unemployment rate of the country is at 9.7 percent, which is higher than it was prior to these “bailouts.” Overall, aside from the occasional feel good story (like Sully and the Miracle on the Hudson), the entire decade was kind of a bust. However, I find it easier to make it through the day by self-medicating and realizing that things can’t get much worse. We are, after all, Americans. Powerful, entitled, and maybe just a little dense. CONTACT KAYLA MATTIOLI AT: kay/a.mattioli@wilkes.edu No sign of spell check in SUB atrocity BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Online Editor We’ve all been to a movie, sporting event, museum, or play at some point in our lives, so this next question shouldn’t be too difficult for anyone. You know the word for that little slip of paper that you receive once you’ve paid the price of admission? The one that says you’re entitled to enter the premises? It rhymes with the phrase “click it.” How is that word spelled? Right, “T-I-C-K-E-T.” Ticket. Everybody gets a gold star for that one. Except, sadly, for the person who was charged with creating the sign advertising the discounted movie tickets that all Wilkes University students have the ability to purchase. According to that person, ticket is spelled “T-I-C-K-I-T.” Of course, if they had double-checked this, they would have discovered that they were mistaken. However, they didn’t. They just went ahead and put the incorrect spell- ing down in big, bold purple letters on a sign that hung prominently in the Henry Student Center or as some refer to it, the SUB. The sign has since been removed, but the damage has been done. Somewhere, Noah Webster is rolling over in his grave. Now, that’s far from the worst spelling error that I’ve seen. That would be the time that someone told my friend via Facebook that they would make an excellent “raper.” What the person meant to say was that my friend would excel in the same genre of music that Tupac found success in. They instead hypothesized that my friend would excel in the same type of crimes that John Wayne Gacy committed. Thankfully, the sign’s been taken down. However, it still troubles me that the atrocity was publically displayed in the first place. When I first visited Wilkes in the summer of 2006, the Student Union Building was the first place that the tour guide took my parents and me. To this day, the SUB is still a popular stop on all campus tours. I don’t know about you, but if the first thing that I saw when I stepped on campus was a gigantic sign with a glaring spelling error, I would have serious doubts about the quality of education that the University offered. It is inexcusable. I understand that no human being is perfect (including myself) and that people make mistakes, but come on. This is what happens when you spend too much time tending to your crops in the online game FarmVille and not enough time paying attention in class. To make matters worse, I’d like everyone who purchased a discounted movie pass in the past week to take a moment to look at it. The word “ticket” is correctly spelled on the ticket a total of not one, not two, but four times. If you count three, the one you’re probably missing is in very small print underneath where it says “Void After.” That’s just sloppy. Don’t let this happen again, Wilkes. The last thing this University needs (aside from more fire alarms in the Towers) is for the sign designer to make another egregious spelling error. CONTACT MICHAEL CIGNOLI AT: michael.ciqnoli@wilkes.edu Movie lickH·s The Beacon/Michael Cignoli This sign advertising discount movie tickets was prominently displayed in the SUB last week. As you can see, the word "tickets" is spelled incorrect! . �COLLEGE DAYS _ _] PAGE 12 Mark Reid uses his time in college to find him_____________ ·Dr. self and change his way of thinking. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Dr. Zanolini Morrison to research in Malaysia Women in leadership roles in higher education focus of new study BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Studying abroad, traveling the globe, and finding what one really wants to do in life is something college students do every day. Now a college professor is going to give it a try. Dr. Gina Zanolini Morrison, associate professor of English, was just granted a sabbatical for which she will be traveling to her husband’s home country of Malaysia to begin new research in the field of women in higher education. “We [my husband and I] met in a coffee shop in Kingston, PA, but we travel to Malaysia to visit his family that is over there once in a while,” stated Zanolini Morrison. Morrison points to Malaysia as a country that has found a way to take pride in their multi-cultural heritage. “I learned a lot about how to do diversity just by going over there to Malaysia,” said Zanolini Morrison. On her last trip to Malaysia over the summer of 2009, Zanolini Morrison was asked by a fellow Wilkes professor, Dr. Vijay Arora, who also happened to be in the country, to travel south and visit the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). In November 2008, Zanolini Morrison and Arora did a presentation to create a link between UTM and Wilkes. Through their presentation, the two research professors tried to connect the research efforts of Wilkes and UTM, as well as create an international exchange program to Malaysia. UTM is the premier university in engineering and technology, according to the UTM handbook. After traveling approximately three hours south of her husband’s family in Malaysia to UTM, Zanolini Morrison met with a woman named Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir (known as Prof Siti) who encouraged Zanolini Morrison to help do research on women in engineering. While the trip to meet Prof Siti was originally for academic purposes, when Zanolini Morrison arrived, she found that she would be doing a lot more than research. “One day I got a call from Prof Siti and she asked me to breakfast. I wore traditional clothes out of respect. When we met for breakfast she looks at me and says, ‘I think you can meet the King today,’” said Zanolini Morrison. They embarked on an afternoon of meeting the King of Malaysia at a golf tournament outside the city limits. According to Zanolini Morrison, there were approximately 100 people at the event, but she and Prof Siti were the only women. After some consideration, Zanolini Morrison accepted the request to aid in the research and joined three other female researchers, two from Malaysia and one from the United States to conduct research on women in engineering in Malaysia. “Every woman has a piece of the puzzle, and we will bring them together. My piece is transcribing our qualitative research,” stated Zanolini Morrison. Replicating a study first done in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Zanolini Morrison and her colleagues interviewed young women in the engineering department of The group of four researchers want to embark on new endeavors. Along with Zanolini Morrison and Prof Siti, Dr. Durrishah Idrus, director of the research held in Kuala Lumpur, UTM’s international campus, and Dr. Lou Jean Beishline, an adjunct professor at Bloomsburg University, will come together once again to research women’s roles in higher education. They will be joined by a fifth female researcher for the studies conducted on women in higher education leadership roles, Dr. Azizah Abdul Manaf. Zanolini Morrison and her colleagues from two separate corners of the world are waiting to hear if their research will be accepted to be presented in May. While she is hopeful to present their profound research, Zanolini Morrison is not waiting to begin more research in Malaysia. With her newly appointed sabbatical, she and her husband and their 11 year-old daughter will travel to Malaysia beginning in August for one year. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu. Photos courtesy of Zanolini Morrison UTM and asked them questions about their parents’ influence on their choice to become and engineer. Zanolini Morrison conducted the interviews and found that many women in Malaysia had a great respect and admiration for their parents’ wishes when choosing career choices. Top left: Dr. Zanolini Morrison shakes hands with the chairman of the board of trustees for UTM, Tan Sri Abdul Halim Bin Ali. Top right: The table of the King of Malaysia at an alumni golf tournament held outside the city limits. Bottom left: Dr. Zanolini Morrison, left, sits with Prof Siti, also a fellow researcher and newly appointed to the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. �10 LIFE THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Wilkes senior wraps up first season as Eagles’ flyer BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief When Holliann Brooks was in eighth grade, she had no intention of becoming a cheerleader. Her mother, however, encouraged her to give it a shot. “I didn’t want to try out, at all,” said Brooks, a senior business administration major at Wilkes University. “I was totally against it, but my mom made me. And I made the team.” Years later, Brooks is not only a member of Wilkes’ cheerleading squad, but she also recently completed her first season as a professional cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles’ football team. Despite her initial lack of enthusiasm for cheerleading in high school, she soon formed a bond with the rest of the Delaware Valley varsity squad. Together, the team made it to a national cheerleading competition and placed fifth of fourteen. After enrolling at Wilkes, Brooks became a member of the university’s cheerleading team. In her junior year, Brooks was also a cheerleader for the Pioneers, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s former arena football team. At one of these games, she was approached by a scout for the Eagles’ cheerleading team. The franchise was looking to put together a stunt squad, which would differ in responsibilities and training than the original dance squad. “After the game, [the scout] found me and introduced herself and told me that tryouts were coming up in March and April,” said Brooks. Brooks struggled with the decision to try out for the Eagles’ team. After talking it over with her mother and some of her friends, she made the drive to Philadelphia in spring 2009. “I was so nervous,” said Brooks. “[After I had made all of the cuts], they interviewed me; it was pretty intense. During the interview, they asked me all these Eagles questions and I had no idea because, to be honest, I don’t even like the Eagles. I like the Giants. They gave me a hard time and were busting on me, but I was totally fine with it.” Of the 300 girls that tried out, Brooks was one of 27 to make the stunt squad. She would hold the position of “flyer.” In other words, she was one of the girls that was tossed into the air during routines. “Being a cheerleader myself, I thought it was pretty cool that stunting is catching on in professional football and that Holli has a chance to be a part of it,” said Kerri Waleck, junior psychology major and Brooks’ roommate. “I was extremely excited for her because I know how much she loves cheerleading and how important it was to her to make the squad.” Brooks’ role on the squad required her to drive to Philadelphia for practices on Tuesday nights and on the weekends. Even before her first practice, Brooks knew that being a member of the team would be both challenging and rewarding. “It was super intense,” said Brooks. “There’s a weight limit for your height and your age and if you don’t make your weight, they won’t let you cheer at all. You get suspended. It was hard for me; I think I missed my weight once. But at the same time, you’re in front of an audience who came out to see you and if you’re not in physical shape to do it, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.” Despite controlling her weight from week to week, training at practices was also difficult and sometimes stressful. Each routine would have to be hit perfectly three times in a row before the squad could move on to the next one. Sometimes, this would take hours. “If I made a mistake, bobbled or anything, they would switch me automatically,” said Brooks. “There is no second chance. This is really serious stuff. They don’t deal with lateness or missing games. It was weird getting used to.” After practicing for hours Tuesday night during the fall semester, Brooks would often make the drive back to Wilkes, where she had class at 10:00 the next morning. On the way to class, she would often see Dr. Marianne Rexer in the hall. “We talked about the plane trips, the time changes of some of the away games, and starting a new week as a student,” said Rexer, professor of accounting for the Sidhu School of Business. “Holliann had committed herself to finishing school and, with all of the demands on her time, had the time management skills to make sure she made it to class. I’m sure it was really difficult to get home at 3:00 a.m. and make it to class, but she seemed to handle it well.” While Brooks admits that her grades were somewhat affected by her traveling and her commitment to the Eagles’ team, she says the changes were not drastic because she was able to incorporate her studies into her travels. For example, her mother bought her a laptop so she could work on papers and presentations for school when she was on the plane for away games. Even though the profession is demanding, Brooks became fully aware of its rewards during the first pre-season game she cheered at in North Carolina. “It was the first time I was actually in North Carolina and it was amazing,” said Brooks. “I can’t even say how much bliss I felt. It was so nice, the crowd was amazing. I was in complete awe; my heart was beating so fast. I was so excited because all of the stunts hit. Everything went sweet as candy.” While the cheerleaders are forbidden to seek out contact with NFL players, Brooks admits to having met Brian Westbrook, running back for the Eagles, when she was getting her knee inspected by a trainer one day. Brooks is looking forward to fulfilling her responsibilities as a flyer next season. Her former position, however, is not guaranteed. She will have to drive to Philadelphia once again this coming spring to try out for the squad. CONTACT NICOLE FRAIL AT nicole.frail@wilkes.edu. Student of the Week: Derek Nye, junior biology 111ajor BY RUTH WHISPELL Life Assistant Editor “Oui, je parle francais un peu. Je ne le parle pas tres bien mais j’etudie les cours francais cette semester,” said Derek Nye, a junior at Wilkes University. Nye actually said, “Yes, I speak some French. I don’t speak it very well but I am studying French courses this semester to improve.” Nye is a biology major at Wilkes, with a minor in international studies, and also intends on going to medical school. His hometown is Athens, Pennsylvania, but from January 7 through May 29, Nye will reside in the Latin Quarter, also known as the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Needing to complete credits for his international studies minor, Nye decided to study abroad in Paris. doctor it’s necessary to be an educated and “I’m staying with fantastic French family, diverse citizen of the world,” said Nye. pardon the alliteration,” said Nye. Nye is a recognizable face on campus Nye said he wants to see and due to his role in the new ‘Be do everything while in Paris. Colonel’ commercial. He was He was able to visit an orphana research assistant with Dr. age in Monte Christe, DominiLinda Gutierrez of the biology can Republic recently. department and Dr. Jun Ling “The state of normal living of The Commonwealth Mediconditions, public health care, cal College. and education was extremely You can read more about eye opening and I consider Nye’s experiences studying it a vital influence in not only abroad in Paris at Nye’s blog: my career goals but also my www.nyeinparis.wordpress. personal character and aspiracom. tions,” said Nye. Nye is intrigued by global The Beacon: Where do you Photos courtesy of Derek Nye medicine, public health and see yourself in ten years? certain humanitarian organiNye: I have no idea, but by zations. “I feel like besides being a skilled then I’m hoping to have my MD and resi- dency completed, working on another degree (Ph.D/MPH), fellowship, research, or NGO. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Nye: Anatidaephobic [The fear that you are being watched by a duck], Frisbeetarian, and ludic The Beacon: Finish the sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Nye: The bottom indentation of a wine bottle is called the “kick” and reinforces the bottle, but lessens holding capacity. CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu �THE BEACON LIFE FEBRUARY 2, 2010 11 Wilkes University's Health & Wellness Corner BY SUSAN BISKUP Campus Counselor Each week, Susan and her colleagues from Health Services will answer your health and wellness questions. Q: I want to hang out with my friends but often all they want to do is drink. Why do college students seem to drink so much and so frequently? A: You ask a very good question. First let me start by saying that although it seems that all college students are drinking, the reality is that there are many students who do not drink at all. In fact, statistics show that approximately 19% of students do not drink. Additionally, 63% of students consume an average of four or fewer drinks per week. That being said, there are many reasons why students to drink. Students who drink excessively and often can be uncomfortable in social situations and they find that alcohol temporarily relaxes them. However, this is a short term fix for a long term issue. I believe that many people are longing for real, healthy relationships—a sense of community if you will. We are “thirsty” for relationships that are secure, lasting, fun and full of trust. Whether we’re watching Sex in the City or logging onto Facebook, it is apparent that we like to watch people who appear to be connected. In this way, some students choose to connect to Jack Daniels or sit close to the keg of beer at a party. It’s safer, easier, and in some ways comforting—always there when you need it. It can mistakenly make you feel funny, attractive, fun to be with and, most of all, accepted. You might say it is a “friend with benefits.” But just like that concept, it eventually leaves you feeling empty and lost. Our desire for relationships is strong but often we look for it in the wrong places such as drinking, spending or even food. A healthier way to connect with people is to engage in counseling to find out what your specific relationship and/or alcohol dependence issues are and to work through the change to become the best version of yourself. BY DIANE O’BRIEN Director of Health Services Q: My roommate seems to constantly play her music loud at night and talks on her phone when I’m trying to study in our room. I’m afraid to say something to her because we get along pretty well and I don’t want her to get mad at me. But, it’s my room too and this is really starting to bother me. What can I do? A: Effective communication is essential in order for any relationship to be successful. I realize this is easier said than done. It’s important to consider and evaluate your rights within your current situation. You share the room with this individual; therefore you do have the right to ask for what you want. Designate a mutually agreeable time to discuss this problem, unless you decide that spontaneous assertiveness is necessary. State the problem in a way that conveys how you are negatively affected. Be as objective as you can without blaming. For example, “I am having trouble concentrating with the loud music and talking. Let’s compromise on a time to study and a time to relax.” Remember that you are responsible for your own thoughts and feelings. No one causes you to have feelings of anger, upset or anxiety. Therefore, when asserting yourself with another person, it is always better to use “I” rather than “you” statements. For example, “I would appreciate it if there were less noise in our room during study hours because the loud music and talking are really distracting and upsetting me.” When you make your request, use assertive, nonverbal behavior such as establishing eye contact, using an open posture and staying calm. Be specific and ask for precisely what you want in a nonjudgmental, non-blaming manner. Don’t apologize for your request. If after attempting this request you are still unsuccessful, talk with your RA who can be a helpful mediator. Do you have a question for Susan? Email it to her at susan.biskup@wilkes. edu, and you may see your question in next week’s Wellness Corner. Privacy will be protected. ~o~~ ~C)d-6 53 Public Squcll!"e 829-64'4'4' tl0Uil1-C0UiJ1 e0LLe5e SpecieciLS ALC0IIOL SPECIALS PO~ 21+ UIK 1.0. "Gltm.aadd:i Pi.a~ SCl"Dm.add.~ Cclll f;o book oUP piaivCl'f;e :POo-m OP ~OP~ socic:ll 5at;lteiail1s clcass eve11.t;s �12 THE BEACON LIFE FEBRUARY 2, 2010 College Days Dr. Mark Reid is "still wild and crazy" but has better judgment BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Dr. Mark Reid, assistant professor of philosophy, followed the path set for him by his parents. He went to a fine private high school in Virginia and adapted his thinking to the ideals constructed by his parents. And then he went to college. “I went to the College of William & Mary, which was about 45 minutes away [from home]. So it was close enough to home but far enough away,” said Reid. College can be known as a time period for young individuals to separate themselves from their teenage pasts and spend years figuring out what one wants to do with one’s life. Reid did not begin at the College of William & Mary with such a mindset. Following the logical, practical mindset he learned in high school and at home, Reid began college as a physics major. “I never read or wrote, because I was going to be become an architect,” said Reid. During his first undergraduate year, Reid admits to not being the best student. He recalls only obtaining a 2.8 grade point average and putting a great deal of emphasis on his social life instead of school. “I did not do so well in school,” said Reid. “I went to school for partying my freshman year, and it was great. I was just in school for social life and for the practical reason of of Maryland and then Illinois to earn his getting a job.” Despite the good times with his friends, master’s degree. While Reid got his academic life on track Reid realized that the track of physics was early in his college career, his social life not where he wanted to be. Changing his major, he took on reading needed a bit more time to steam out. Reid went to school with several people and writing courses--courses he admits dohe knew from ing extremely poorly in high school, but before. he was not par“My sophomore year ticularly excited I said to myself, ‘Okay, by the idea. just take anything else.’ “I went to colI did not know what philege with 15 peolosophy was. I took phiple I went to high losophy and psychology school with, but I courses. My parents told sort of wanted to me I would not survive break free from a day, because it’s all that. It was ocreading,” stated Reid. casionally interHe survived much esting to talk to more than a day. them, but mostly Reid soared in the arI didn’t want to eas of liberal arts. While see people from he was determined to my high school. I become an architect, he took his former GPA Photo courtesy of Dr. Mark Reid wanted to have a clean break,” said of 2.8 and bumped it all Reid’s goal upon entering college was to become an Reid. “I wasn’t the way up to a 4.0 in the architect. He soon found out that his love was in phiparticularly fond areas of philosophy, psylosophy. of high school, chology, and art. because of the “I loved the content,” same reason I love philosophy-it was too said Reid. Despite changing his major, Reid com- limited. Too many people doing what their pleted school in four years. He admits to parents expect them to do [with] little free not knowing what to do with his degree, but thought.” He had found a large group of friends in eventually found his way to the University Dorm Recipes Dorm Recipes Pizza Bagels Galaxy Cake by Ashley Zehner Ashley Zehner, a freshmen elementary education major, makes pizza bagels when she’s looking for a quick and simple meal. Pizza bagels are an easy to make, inexpensive lunch, snack or dinner. “Just don’t burn it,” warns Zehner. Ingredients: 1 bagel 1 bottle of marinara sauce, or pizza sauce American cheese (You can actually use any type of cheese you’d like.) Garnish, such as pepperoni Directions: 1. Spread the sauce evenly over the bagel then sprinkle or lay on your cheese of choice. 2. (Optional) Garnish pizza bagel with your topping of choice. 3. Put the bagel in the oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees. 4. Cook for 2-5 minutes, checking frequently. college, but there was still one area where Reid was not entirely comfortable yet: girls. “I struggled socially with being shy. I was afraid to go and talk to members of the opposite sex. I wanted a girlfriend so bad sometimes that I wouldn’t know how to do that,” admitted Reid. Reid points out that his social awkwardness with girls ironed itself out over time. He believes that it takes time for individuals to come into themselves and be comfortable. “I feel like I discovered myself [in college],” said Reid. In his own words, Reid sings to a new friend: My friends and I were walking across campus. When we passed a woman, I (for some reason, not sure why) spontaneously started singing to her at the top of my lungs “If I could save time in a bottle, I would spend it all with you. . . “ She was shy and seemed a bit embarrassed. Later that day, we struck up a conversation at a party, dated briefly, and remained friends. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu. by Mohammed AlMoumin Mohammed AlMoumin is a 20-year-old student in the Intensive English Program at Wilkes. AlMoumin, originally from Saudi Arabia, explained that Galaxy Cake takes about 15 minutes to make and is a popular dessert in Saudi Arabia Ingredients: 1 box of Social Tea Cookies (Can be found in the cookie isle of any grocery store) 16 oz. heavy cream 2 bags Dream Whip Powder 3 tbsp. cocoa ½ cup milk Directions: 1. Mix the heavy cream, dream whip powder and cocoa until smooth. 2. Next arrange a single layer of cookies in the bottom of a 9” x 13” pan. 3. Dip a pastry brush in milk and brush over the cookies until cookies are damp. Photo courtesy of Melanie Thomas 4. Lastly spread a thin layer of mixture on top of the cookies. *Repeat steps 2-4 two more times, then spread the remainder of the mixture on top. The top layer should be thicker than the bottom two layers. Refrigerate galaxy cake and serve it cold. Galaxy Cake is a popular desert in Saudi Arabia. �“LEGION” REVIEW, PAGE 14 Latest film to hit silver screen isn’t very saint-ish. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Student attentpts to break world record for Guitar Hero BY KIRSTIN COOK A&E Assistant Editor Most people play Guitar Hero for fun, but for Aaron Nikles it is a more serious matter. The sophomore is planning on breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest streak of continuous play of the video game Guitar Hero. His attempt at this goal is scheduled for Friday, February 5 at 3 p.m. until Sunday, February 7 at 3 p.m. Nikles, a mechanical engineering major, said that the current record of straight Guitar Hero play is 24 hours and two minutes, but he hopes to double that time for a full 48 hour streak. This attempt began as a simple idea between Nikles and a friend. “I’ve always wanted to break a Guinness record,” Nikles said. “I just had to find what I wanted to do.” Nikles speculated that the biggest challenge with the attempt would be the friction on his hands from constant guitar playing. He is hoping that people will attend to help maintain his morale. “I want a lot of people there, especially late hours because it’s going to be rough then.” Since a requirement to break the record is to have at least one witness present at all times, Nikles is planning on setting up a time chart where people can sign up for blocks. Nikles said that when people hear about his objective, they often think it is a crazy task. But, Nikles remains determined. “It’s a personal challenge. I just want to see if I can do something like this,” he said. In pursuing this goal, Nikles plans on managing his time strategically. “According to Guiness, every hour of play I get a ten minute break,” said Nikles. He plans on utilizing these breaks efficiently. Nikles’ roommate Michael DiPasquale, sophomore chemistry major, is planning on witnessing a portion of the event. “I’m pretty sure he’ll break the world record,” said DiPasquale. “I don’t know if he’ll be able to make it to 48 hours. My money’s on that he’ll collapse at like 36 (hours).” While DiPasquale is hopeful for his roommate, he holds some concerns about his well-being. “I’m a little worried he’s going to develop carpal tunnel from his perpetual playing of Guitar Hero, but otherwise he’s good,” he said. Nikles has been playing Guitar Hero since the age of 13. “It’s a lot of music I really like…it’s challenging…and it’s actually good exercise,” Nikles said. Philip Ruthkosky, the Associate Dean of Student Development, is assisting Nikles with planning this event, but was unavailable for comment. The Beacon/Kirstin Cook Aaron Nikles prepares for his upcoming attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record for longest continuous play of Guitar Hero. His attempt will take place on Friday, February 5 beginning at 3 p.m. Nikles will be striving for 48 hours of continuous Guitar Hero play. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu • • • • • • • • Band Spotlight: I Am Alaska • • • • • • • • BY MICHAEL TEDESCHI Correspondent When the genre “progressive rock” is mentioned, who instantly comes to mind: The Beatles, or Pink Floyd? Although those two bands may be two of the most influential bands in musical history, it is time to start to take those who have been influenced by them more seriously. Which bands are now considered to be modern “progressive rock” artists? Into whose hands have we left the musical timeline? If you do not have a clue, you must not have discovered indie music. Among the hundreds of indie bands hailing from Pennsylvania, one of my personal favorites is undoubtedly I Am Alaska. What makes this band different from many others is their exceptional transitions and build-ups. Most of their songs start out fairly slow and instantaneously pick up the tempo. Although this is a popular technique among many bands, I Am Alaska has a definite smoothness that truly makes them stand out. It is also remarkable how the lead singer’s voice can maintain flow while keeping up with the constant change in tempo. His voice is comparable to Cedric Bixler-Zalvala, frontman of At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta. I was lucky enough to have a short interview with I Am Alaska’s guitarist, Drew Magid. Beacon: Who are your influences? Magid: Our influences are At The Drive- In, This Day Forward, Maps and Atlases, Nirvana, Elliot Smith, and Circa Survive. Beacon: Are your songs up for interpretation or do they mostly have a specific meaning? Magid: All songs are about specific things. For example, all the songs on our “To Elude The Architect” EP are about escape in one way or another. The song “Train Car” is about a little girl in Nazi Germany escaping a death camp. Beacon: Which I Am Alaska song do you recommend to readers? Magid: I would recommend “Proletariat”, a song about the every day working man, or “Lobo”. Beacon: Is there anything else you would like to say about I Am Alaska? Magid: We’re a five-piece band hailing from the Greater Philadelphia area but are currently all across the state from Philly to Pittsburgh. Still managing to practice twice a month and touring around school breaks. We’re recording our next record in May and plan to tour for about a month this summer. We are also doing 10 days in the Midwest in March, while planning a possible show in Wilkes-Barre or Kingston in early March. Check out I Am Alaska’s myspace for details about their upcoming shows. CONTACT MICHAEL TEDESCHI AT: michael.tedeschi@wilkes.edu �14 THE BEACON A&E FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Movie Review: "Legion" can confuse even the faithful BY GILLYAN GOWARTY A&E Assistant Editor Editor’s Note: Review may contain spoilers. Legion is a strongly theologically-based movie, directed and written by Scott Stewart. The plot unfolds as God loses faith in man and sends a very large team of angels in human form to a small town. Those angels are sent to exterminate the human race so that God may start over. Aren’t angels spposed to be Holy and good creatures? Not in this case. These angels are killers. Will they successfully wipe out the human race? Is there a human strong enough to triumph over them? These are among the many questions I asked myself while sitting in the movie theater for 100 minutes. Charlie (Adrianne Palicki) is a young woman who is eight months pregnant and thinking about giving her baby up for adoption. The baby’s father is out of the picture and she claims she never wanted the baby. Jeep Hanson (Lucas Black) is just an ordinary guy, but he has a lot of faith in Charlie. He is in love with her and he wants her to keep the baby so they can raise him together. Bob Hanson (Dennis Quaid), Jeep’s father, has lost faith in himself and the rest of the world after he bought a diner in the middle of nowhere, which was unsuccessful, causing his wife to leave him. A family stops at the diner after their car breaks down. Howard, Sandra, and Audrey are stuck at the diner until the car can be repaired. When it is discovered that the television, radio, and phone lines are not working, everyone in the diner believes that something is wrong. Shortly after that, an old lady enters the diner. Charlie is her waitress and they begin talking about the baby. When the old lady finds out that Charlie is unmarried and no longer seeing the baby’s father, she tells Charlie that the baby will burn. SEE LEGION, Page 15 futuristic innovati~ The Beacon/Tom Reilly “Legion,” directed by Scott Stewart, sends out unexpected images of angels not being so angelic. It is considered to be a horror-action themed movie that is bound to captivate and leave the audience somewhat bewildered. “Legion” opened January 22. - - - graphics welcome 2010 incorporated (it's a mouthful, but it just tastes so darn good) Home of Wilkes Winter Weekend! teams\\ Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, ~·~ and promotional items. ~~, new website! 4t-s irts ii com 570-823-9272 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TUI 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! OS L FGDLQ MBLQ ZJB OIB MB TGQB CBOVJK BRGAVJ ZG MQBLE ZJBR L QJORG’K ZJLR BRGAVJ FOIE-FO CBOVJZ ZV MQBL DORB! This week’s clue: O= I & Z=T TAKZ ZJB �THE BEACON A&E FEBRUARY 2, 2010 What's Happening Around Wilkes BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Staff Writer All Week Long: -Sordoni Art Gallery Exhibition: Brian Wood Wednesday, February 3, 2010 -Shoot the Moon @ RockStars Sports Bar & Grill, Wilkes-Barre at 8 p.m. -Workshop on the Professional Uses of Social Media @ Henry Student Center Ballroom from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2010 -Early Valentine’s Day Root Beer Social @ Henry Student Center Lounge from 6-7 p.m. -”The Price is Right” at 6 p.m. in Stark 101, Wilkes Campus -We are in the Crowd, Secret Secret Dino Club, The Brightlife & A Golden Era @ Cafe Metro, WilkesBarre at 9:30 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2010 -Friday Night Live Music @ Barnes & Nobles from 6:30-8:30 p.m. -Angelina Pivarnick of MTV’s Jersey Shore @ Hardware Bar, Scranton Saturday, February 6, 2010 -Three Days Grace w/ Chevelle & Flyleaf @ Mohegan Sun Arena at 7 p.m.- $35 -Uncle Cracker @ Hardware Bar, Scranton -Dear Dallas, Bring the Heat, Deceiver & We Brought War @ Cafe Metro, WilkesBarre at 10 p.m. -Flyleaf in-store signing & performance @ Gallery of Sound (Mundy St.) at 2 p.m., Wilkes-Barre ever 15 LEGION Continued from PAGE 14 Howard jumps up to confront the old lady and she reacts by biting his neck like a vampire would. Amidst the struggle to keep Howard alive, a new character is introduced. Michael comes in to warn everyone of God’s wrath. They are angels sent by God, and he knows all of this because he was one of them. He then explains that the baby will be born soon and he will save humanity, if he is not killed first. This makes Charlie a modern day Mary. Even as a Catholic with a basic knowledge of the Bible, I found myself lost throughout much of the movie. I did comprehend that there was a strong theme of anti-abortion throughout the film. There is a scene where Charlie reveals that she almost had her pregnancy terminated on more than one occasion. I wish we were given more of Jeep’s background. We know that Bob is his father and his parents are separated, but we do not get any information about his mother, other than the fact that she was displeased with the lack of success of the diner. I also kept wondering why the setting was only on this diner in this small town. I think we at least should have seen people from other parts of the country to see if they were being attacked as well. One would think that God would be angry with residents of larger cities as well. I think it would be interesting to see how they were affected and if the attacks were similar. The ending of the movie was very confusing. I was completely lost during the last 20 minutes of it. Things just kept happening and nothing was explained, and then it ended. Overall, I did find the movie enjoyable. There is plenty of action, along with some aspects of a romance, although Jeep’s true feelings for Charlie are never revealed to her. The angels attacking humans in such a manner was a little bit over the top. After the movie was finished, I still wasn’t convinced that angels would bite humans in the neck like vampires would, even if God was angry and did choose to send an apocalypse. It shows an ongoing battle of good versus evil, but eventually the lines are blurred and meshed together, which makes it unclear for us to determine who is on which side. Rating: 3/5 CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gillyan.gowarty@wilkes.edu ews You ' �SUPER BOWL PREVIEW Who’ll win the biggest game of the year? PAGE 18 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Tilley ready to set sail on coaching career Senior field hockey captain will join Bulldogs as assistant coach BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor “I’m a retired field hockey player now,” laughed Tilley. “But being able to stay in the game and bring to this team what I know will help me get started. Field hockey is changing all the time, and I know the present game of field hockey, and the kids they will be playing against because I played against them.” Among her coaching duties, Tilley will kin, was Tilley’s coach her freshman year of high school. Tilley’s new coach, Sarah Fosdick, is thrilled to add the young, vibrant Tilley to the Bulldog field hockey staff. Although not originally searching for an assistant, Coach Fosdick was approached by Tilley to be part of the staff. After just one talk with her, Fosdick knew Tilley was the right fit. For most graduating seniors, the weeks and months following this year’s May 22 commencement will be spent searching for jobs in a crowded field of candidates. For departing senior and field hockey captain Amanda Tilley, the hunt is already over. Tilley has signed on to become an assistant field hockey coach at fellow Middle Atlantic Conference member DeSales University starting in the fall of 2010. And for the former Colonel defender, summer practices cannot come soon enough. “I want to start this spring; tomorrow,” exclaimed Tilley. “Unfortunately they don’t have a spring tournament.” Tilley, who is set to graduate with a degree in business this May, has yearned to set foot in the coaching world since her sophomore year here at Wilkes University, and she’s thrilled at the opportunity to get a start right away. “I’m just exited to be a coach,” said Tilley. “This is a job that I want to do. It’s like a doctor who passes the MCATS or a lawyer who passes the bar and gets excited. I just don’t have to pass a test, I get to The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski play field hockey.” As a player, Tilley has been Tilley, seen here on the right along with teammatesand fellow seniors Jen Keegan (far right) and Brittany Sines (left), will take a driving force behind the re- her skills and abilities to the coaching profession, accepting an assistant coaching job at MAC rival DeSales University. “I knew that she was interested in pursuing surgence of the Wilkes women’s field hock- be in charge of the team’s conditioning and fitness. She’s already prepared for the chal- coaching after speaking with [Wilkes head ey team over the last four years. Arriving at a program that traditionally lenge that comes with making conditioning coach] Coach Myers and was intrigued to get to know Amanda so we could decide if finished toward the bottom of the standings, a habit. “I’m in charge of fitness, so they will she would be a good fit for DeSales,” said Tilley, along with her fellow seniors and head coach Sarah Meyers, took an under- probably hate me,” laughed Tilley. “But I Fosdick. “I was sold on having her as an achieving bunch and turned them into a na- just want them to realize that the more in assistant coach because of her passion and tionally ranked powerhouse. Over the past shape and fit you are, then the easier it is to desire to get into the coaching world.” One major hurdle will be avoiding becomtwo seasons, the lady Colonels have posted play the game. That’s one of my goals, to ing friends with her new players, some of a 33-8 record, including a national ranking get them in shape.” Although it will be her first season as a whom may be older than their new assistant as high as 12th in the country, a school recoach, Tilley is quite familiar with the coach. Fosdick is confident, however, that cord. Now that her time as a player is done, school. The campus is located directly this will not be a problem for Tilley. “There are challenges in being so close in she is looking forward to the challenge of across the street from her high school Alma coaching players whom she has played Mater, Southern Lehigh. Not to mention, age to the players,” explained Fosdick. another DeSales assistant coach, Pat DierSEE TILLEY, Page 19 against on the field herself. Colonels drop the Dutchmen DeRojas pours in 30 BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor Coming into last Monday’s game against Lebanon Valley College (LVC) the Colonels had one thing on their mind: payback. With a 71 to 65 victory over the Dutchmen, the Colonels managed to avenge a two game skid against the Dutchmen in their last two regular season meetings, most recently with a heartbreaking 76 to 70 loss. However, history would be re-written after Monday’s game at the Arnaud C. Marts Center as Wilkes unleashed a weapon that had not been at their disposal in their last meeting because of injury: junior pointguard, and team captain Chris Derojas. Playing in his first game after scoring his 1,000 career point, the junior point guard ran circles around the LVC defense, finding openings and torching the Dutchmen for a total of 30 points on the night. “Our mindset was to build on [our last] win and try and get another win going into the second half of conference play,” said Derojas. Derojas managed to hit an astounding 11 of 15 from the field, with six of those shots coming from beyond the arc, helping the Colonels win their third conference game in a row. Playing with an unmatched tenacity, the Colonels silenced the Dutchmen with a 24-4 run in the first 11 minutes of the game. During that time, Lebanon Valley was ice cold, missing 14 of their 16 shots. “We had a very strong start which kind of set the tone,” said Head Coach Jerry Rickrode. “We were looking to continue to build momentum with another win.” Despite the lead, Lebanon Valley buckled down and was able to cut the difference to just four points with 2:35 left in the first half after a 21-4 run of their own, closing the gap to a score of 34-27 before the half in favor of Wilkes. “I was pretty sure they were going to make a run on us,” said Rickrode. “They were just coming off an overtime loss against Albright who has a 15-2 record, another overtime loss against (Elizabethtown), and a close loss to Widener, all quality teams.” SEE BASKETBALL, Page 19 �THE BEACON SPORTS FEBRUARY 2, 2010 17 Athlete Spotlight: Kevin Gerhart, two-sport standout BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent The name Kevin Gerhart has shown up abundantly throughout the sports section of The Beacon the past few years for his outstanding play on the gridiron. However, this time he's making headlines for his performance on the mat for the men's wrestling team. Gerhart earns recognition for being this edition's Athlete Spotlight for his stellar performance at the Messiah Open last week, capturing the championship in the 184-pound weight class. "I had a tough first match that I won by a slim margin. My second match I wrestled better and won the match more convincingly, and my finals match was close," Gerhart recalled. The final match was indeed close. Tied at 1-1 with the last 20 seconds of the match fading fast, Gerhart scored a takedown for the victory and the title. Gerhart's performance earns an extra round of applause due to the fact that this is his first season wrestling at the collegiate Junior Kevin Gerhart has thrived in his first season on the mat for the Colonels, posting a 10-4 record thus far. level. After a debilitating injury his freshman year, Gerhart had no choice but to rehab for the football season in the fall. It wasn't until an injury opened up the 184-pound spot on the wrestling team that Gerhart made the decision to be a two-sport athlete. "I don't want to look back and say 'what if I had wrestled?' so the decision was an easy one," Gerhart said. "There was a hole that I could fill on a great team." While joining the team may have been an easy decision, actually competing on the collegiate level is something else entirely. "I knew wrestling was a demanding sport, but in college, everyone is good," said Gerhart. "In college, if you take a break dur- ing a match chances are your opponent will take advantage." With his three victories at Messiah, Gerhart improved his overall record for the season to 8-3. He is happy with the impressive start, but he isn't complacent. "My record is just a number," he said. "I want to keep improving and the wins will come but I still need to get much better in some areas. I want to have a very good showing at conferences this year." "I'm just glad to be part of this team. All the guys on the team are great guys to be around. The team is a great group of athletes that push each other every day to get better. Their work ethic is phenomenal," Gerhart insisted, pushing off the praise for his accomplishments thus far. Bringing the focus back to his initial feelings going into the season, Gerhart admitted that he was a little nervous, particularly because he had been away from the sport for so long. With a 10-4 record and the Messiah Title for the 184-pound weight class in hand, Gerhart's nerves should be settled, and replaced with the confidence of a champion. ,,. w THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Olt VICE VERSA Get 10% off with valid student ID Oil VICE VERSA Get 10% off with student ID Foll Meno Served All Dag -------------------,-------------------r------------------¢ ~ ~ ....... 99 BREAKFAST BURRITO s10FF CroisS0N1c• BREAl<!FAST SANDWICH 99:w~ ROUTE 44 BIG DRINK• ' SOFT DRINK. Full Menu Served All Dag �18 SPORTS THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 SCOREBOARD WRESTLING *SINCE JANUARY 18, 2010 1/18 @ TCNJ 20-18 W 1/30 vs. Gettysburg 29-21 W 1/30 vs. Plymouth State 24-15 W 1/20 vs. Kutztown 12-30 L Who will win Super Bowl XLIV? Unfortunately for the Colts, this just Aint the Aint’s MEN’S BASKETBALL *SINCE JANUARY 18, 2010 1/20 @ DeSales 64-78 L 1/23 vs. Delaware Valley 70-62 W 1/25 vs. Lebanon Valley 71-65 W 1/30 @ FDU-Florham 61-58 W WOMEN’S BASKETBALL *SINCE JANUARY 18, 2010 1/20 @ DeSales 48-100 L 1/23 vs. Delaware Valley 57-71 L 1/27 vs. Lycoming 41-58 L 1/30 @ FDU-Florham 46-66 L WBS PENGUINS *SINCE JANUARY 18, 2010 1/22 @ Syracuse Crunch 6-3 W 1/23 @ Rochester Americans 3-5 L 1/29 vs. Hershey Bears 6-8 L 1/30 vs. Manitoba Moose 4-6 L WEEK AHEAD All right, listen. I can’t sit here and argue against Peyton Manning because frankly, he may just be the greatest quarterback to ever play the game of football. Only problem is, even Peyton Manning cannot defeat destiny. The Saints just ain’t losin’. I can sit here and go on and on about many different factors that favor New Orleans. I could talk about the eight defensive touchdowns the Saints had this past year. How they were third in the league in picks, second in the league in turnover margin, sixth in rushing, and had the number one air attack. But instead, I’m going give you two reasons why this is the Saints’ Super Bowl to lose. First, this is not the Jets, or the Ravens for that matter. This is the best offense since the Rams ‘Greatest Show on Turf.’ Is it just me, or did the Colts have the easiest path to the Super Bowl this year? The Jets have a 2/5 vs. Ithaca @ 7pm MEN’S BASKETBALL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2/3 @ Misericordia @ 6pm 2/6 vs. Manhattanville @ 1pm twil:I: r , @Beaconsnorts 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 chants to the post-game celebration, the entire heartbeat of this organization runs through him. The man is just phenomenal. He can put the ball wherever he likes, whenever he likes, however he likes. All he has to do is have the football, which, unfortunately for the Colts, he has on every single play. Anyone at anytime can score for the Saints. Twenty-one different players have scored a touchdown, and it has come in a variety of ways. It can be on the ground or catching the ball out of the backfield with one of the three headed monsters at running back.. Or it can be through the air, to the array of wide outs Brees has to throw to. But to win, they have to stop Peyton Manning. And to do that, they have to do exactly what they did to Brett Favre last week – get to him on every snap. Attack, attack, attack. That’s the name of the game. And they have the right amount of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball to do just that. They get to him, Mardi Gras will come nine days early this year. Final Score: Saints 31, Colts 27 Sorry, but this aint the Saints’ year WRESTLING 2/5 @ Misericordia @ 8pm 2/6 vs. Manhattanville @ 3pm great rushing attack, but (and I love Mark Sanchez) their passing attack is downright putrid. And do the Ravens even have an offense? The Colts have to buckle up the chin straps and get ready, because this Saints attack is a high flyin’, trick play runnin’, gun slingin’ lookin to explode on whatever defense gets in their way. They will get on you and will do so in a hurry. For all those who say the Colts have the speed off the edge to shut down this high flyin’ attack, guess again. What beats speed? Draws up the middle. Screens to the outside. Quick passes right over the top. And no one in the league runs it better than the Saints. Second, they are armed with literally every sort of arsenal imaginable. Have you seen the playbook Sean Payton carries around? It looks more like a menu at the Cheesecake Factory than a playbook. They have more weapons than the USS Eisenhower has on deck. And their baby is, of course, Drew Brees. The entire offense, scratch that, the entire team, scratch that too, the entire city goes where he takes them. From the pre-game Listen, I would like for the Saints to win their first Super Bowl Sunday. In the best of times for the franchise, their fans have endured mediocrity; in the worst, well, there’s a reason they were once referred to as the ‘Aints. They have become representative of an entire city’s road to recovery, and feature one of the most entertaining offenses in recent memory. The problem is, of course, that they simply won’t. Oh, I expect it to be a hard fought and emotionally charged game, with Drew Brees and company giving their all to defeat the Colts. The reason that they will not win is because of the play of Peyton Manning, the TV pitch man who happens to throw a football phenomenally well. He is simply unstoppable. He attacks game film like Mr. Dorunda does a tray of Whiskey Business wings, and then executes on the field at a level that few quarterbacks, if any, ever have. Witness his performance last week against my beloved New York Jets: after being rattled in the first quarter by Rex Ryan’s multiple defensive looks and blitzing schemes, he and his offense recovered to thoroughly stomp what many considered to be the best defense in the NFL this season. An advantage the Jets had over the Saints inthe match-up was the presence of Darrelle Revis, who took Reggie Wayne out of the equation (though Wayne’s three receptions and 55 yards were impressive compared to how other receivers have fared against Revis this season); this allowed them to double-cover Dallas Clark for stretches in the beginning of the game. The ultimatum they attempted to deliver was simple: either run against our No. 1 ranked rushing defense, or take your chances with your young receivers. Well, Jets fans are now painfully aware of the names “Pierre Garcon” and “Austin Collie,” who combined for 18 receptions, 274 receiving yards, and a couple of touchdowns. This was against a Jets defense that ranked first in defending the pass this season, al- lowing a paltry 153.7 yards through the air, good enough to be tops in the NFL. Indeed, the Jets gave up 1,310 less passing yards on the season than the Saints, an average of almost 82 less yards a game. Against that type of passing defense, Peyton threw for 377 yards with three scores and no picks. Lost in the aftermath of the game was the fact that their rushing attack also hung 101 yards on the Jets, whose rushing defense was best in the NFL. So am I to believe that the Saints, who will not be benefiting from a shutdown corner, will be able to adequately cover all of his options while containing their run and creating pressure on Manning? No sane defensive coordinator in the world would want this assignment. Maybe on a neutral field the Saints will be able to pull out the win. It won’t be with their defense, though; Brees had better throw for at least 350 yards and three scores if this game is going to be close. He knows it, too. I just can’t see them outscoring the Colts. Final Score: Colts 34, Saints, 24 �THE BEACON SPORTS FEBRUARY 2, 2010 TILLEY BASKETBALL Continued from Page 16 Continued from Page 16 “It depends on the character and maturity of the person to be able to handle the pressures of being a young coach, and I am confident that she will take her role seriously as an assistant and will act accordTILLEY ingly.” As for her first tilt with her college alma mater, she’s already got the day marked down. “It’s toward the end of the season on a Saturday,” said Tilley. “It’s going to be different because I’m from around there so everyone I know is going to be there, and my parents are going to be torn on who to root for.” Although her former teammate will be wearing an opponent’s colors, Junior Alyson Paulauskas couldn’t be happier. “It’s going to be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time,” said Paulauskas. “She brings a ton of knowledge of the game to DeSales, but I’m excited to see a good friend who has had such a huge impact on me get to coach. It will be exciting.” The majority of the second half was a shootout, however. The two teams exchanged points the entire half, responding to eachother’s runs with a scoring run of their own. Wilkes slowly pulled away to a ten point lead with 2:22 left in the game after a 5-0 run with the help of Derojas’s hot shooting from the outside and senior forward Tom Kresge’s defensive presence down low. Kresge, the 6’5 forward, racked up a total of 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds throughout the game, turning on the heat towards the end of the game to solidify the win. In the remaining 2:22, Wilkes scored another six points all culminating with a final score of 71 to 65, defeating the Dutchmen for the first time in the last three meetings. “It feels good, [the win] gets our confidence back up and we are ready for the second half of conference play,” said Derojas. After Saturday’s win against FDU-Florham University, the Colonel’s were able to improve their winning streak to three games, and their overall standing to 12 and seven overall, and jumped to 3-5 in conference play. CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT gino.troiani@wilkes.edu 19 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Sophomore Kendall Hinze made all three of his free throw attempts in Wilkes University’s victory over Lebanon Valley. REMEMBERTOVOTEFORTHECOLONELCHARITYCHALLENGE! Voting ends on February 5 This year’s Colonel Charity Challenge, to be held in the spring, will raise money to benefit one of the following charities. Students and faculty are encouraged to vote for the charity they would most like to be benefited; voting ends on February 5. Cast your vote on the school’s athletic website, gowilkesu.com. The poll can be found on the left hand side of the home page. Gift of Life – www.donors1.org Bo Tkach Foundation – www.botkach.com To create awareness for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other mental health issues while providing essential funding for youth athletic programs, scholarships and otherwise inaccessible individual mental health screening and treatment. Bo Tkach was a former Wilkes University student as well as a student athlete. Non-profit agency serving the eastern half Our Military Kids – of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and www.ourmilitarykids.org Delaware, is responsible for recovering and Provides tangible support to the children distributing organs and tissues used in lifeof deployed National Guard and Military saving and life-enhancing transplants. Reserve personnel and to the children of the severely injured service members through Turn 2 Foundation – grants for sports, fine arts and tutoring that www.mlb.com/players/jeter_derek/ nurture and sustain the children during turn2/index.jsp the time a parent is away in service to our To create and support signature programs country. and activities that motivate young people **All information courtesy of the to turn away from drugs and alcohol and Sports Information Department. The Beacon/Gino Troiani “TURN 2” healthy lifestyles Senior Anthony Gabriel goes up for an easy score against conference foe Lebanon Valley in their 71-65 victory on January 25. Gabriel finished with 14 points in 26 minutes of action. �SPORTS 20 THE BEACON I FEBRUARY 2, 2010 No rest for the weary: Winter sports teams use winter break to improve BY DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor While the majority of Wilkes students were home over winter break enjoying their time off, members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the wrestling team, remained behind. For them, winter break is hardly a time for relaxation; indeed, it is one of their most important stretches of the season, as the extra practice helps to prepare them for the second half of their schedules. “Winter break really is a tough time for us,” said Jonathan Laudenslager, head coach of the wrestling team. “We need to work real hard to get back the conditioning we may have lost with a two week lay-off.” The wrestling team came back to school on December 26 in order to prepare for the Wilkes Open, which they hosted on December 28. They were then given a break from December 30 to January 2. Upon returning, they quickly adjusted to their daily practice schedule, which included a morning workout and 4 PM practice. “We did some free time in the morning where they could get out of bed and lift, drill or run, and then reported back everyday for practice at 4 PM,” said Laudenslager. “For the most part break was all business and getting back into great shape for the second half of the year. It was tough though; it’s really boring as we do nothing but wrestle. With no classes it’s really uneventful and a long two weeks.” Junior Jacob Weinrich, an environmental engineering major and third year wrestler, described the lifestyle he and his teammates adopted over the break. “Our two practices a day were tough, but what was sometimes worse was filling the down time you had outside of it,” said Weinrich. “At the beginning of break it was really nice but pretty soon you had to start looking for ways to entertain yourself. You would really just try and hang out with your teammates as much as possible.” Benjamin Marich, an integrative media major and fellow junior wrestler, transferred from Lehigh University last year. Though he was injured for most of the break, his experience at his previous school helped to prepare him for what he would face at Wilkes. “It really wasn’t much different than what I 30+ Average length, in days, of most student’s winter break. 10-15 The Beacon/Daniel Kautz Seniors Rich Pellegrini (left) and Frank Heffernan of the wrestling team trained with their teammates over break. Here, Heffernan offers a spot at the end of an extensive workout. went through there. We did a lot more crosstraining here though, including lifting and running, instead of just straight wrestling.” The time outside of practice was spent bonding, according to Laudenslager, as the team spent most of their free time and meals together. The members of the men’s basketball team had a few more days off than the wrestlers, as they reported back on December 29. They held practice from 12:00-2:30 for the first ten days, and then switched to 12:00-1:00 shoot-arounds with practice from 4:00-5:30. They received no time off until the day before classes started. “[The time over break] is very important because we have the week off from practice during finals, as I do not believe in practicing then so [the students] can concentrate on their grades,” said head coach Jerry Rickrode. “Then we have the Christmas week off as well. It’s like starting another season when we get back. We have to get the brain functioning on all the stuff we have not run for three weeks and we have to make sure our physical conditioning is up to speed.” Christopher DeRojas, a junior business administration major and co-captain of the team, agreed. “[The members of the team] all react the EXCLUSIVE Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won’t find in the print edition. same way. Of course we’re going to miss being at home with family, friends, and good meals but at the same time we know we have to be ready to get better and during the break is a great time to improve on things.” Time not dedicated to the hardwood was spent resting and hanging out with teammates, he added. The women’s basketball team had a similar schedule as the men. They arrived the week following Christmas, and had morning shoot-arounds with afternoon practices that usually ran two hours. “I thought the practices we had over break were really beneficial for the team,” said undeclared sophomore Lyndsay Ellis. “It was tough work.” With a little less than a month until conference tournaments begin, time will tell how helpful the extra practice sessions were. Coach Laudenslager, whose team upset then-No. 7 TCNJ over break, is a firm believer in the extra time winter break affords the different teams to prepare. “Thankfully it was successful, as we are now back at classes with everyone having used break to improve and get ready for the stretch run.” CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT danie/.kautz@wilkes.edu for more information check out .. . w_il_k_e_sb_e_a_c_o_n_.c_o_m _____l[fl:ZI . I __ Average length, in days, of most student-athletes’ winter break. The members of the wrestling team reported back the earliest (December 26), with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams arriving shortly afterwards. 2 The number of daily practices each team held. The morning/ early afternoon usually featured a personal workout or shoot-around, with a serious practice later in the day. 3 Number of weeks until conference tournaments begin for each team. � 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 2010 February 2nd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 February 2 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/03c5f88fd4ad34d6504ffb5fdd0a4267.pdf dea63116613d672c2247f8cb7be1859c PDF Text Text VALENTINE’S DAY SPREAD PAGES 10-11 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tuesday, February 9, 2010 Volume 62 Issue 12 Doctor of Nursing Practice program approved Online courses for first class to begin this summer BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor The Beacon/Gino Troiani Robert Wheeler led a brainstorming session with the other ITS planning team members. Wilkes to implement new technologies in 2010 BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor Members of the Information Technology Strategic (ITS) planning team gathered on February 4 to brainstorm ways to implement new types of technology into the educational process at Wilkes. Since October, the team composed of 15-plus members has been conducting surveys, exploring new and diverse technologies, and holding meetings with both faculty and students in order to derive a list of improvements that will best facilitate Wilkes’ technological needs. “We are looking at what it is the University community, the students, faculty and staff need and want and expect from technology services,” said Gloria Barlow, chief information officer at Wilkes. The team began planning in October of last year and has been gathering information from the various departments around campus. “A lot of time went into scheduling in order to incorporate all of the different aspects of campus education,” said Barlow. To aid the process, 14 focus groups were scheduled. The groups were set up with interviews in order to outline the basic technological needs throughout the university. “We did extensive outreach,” said Barlow, adding that a total of nine undergraduates, two graduates, 13 full-time faculty, nine adjunct faculty, and 32 administrative staff participated in the focus groups. Despite the groups’ success, Barlow said she would have liked to receive more student feedback. “The only major bump in the road has been generating feedback from students,” said Barlow. The last survey ended in 2008. “What we did as a group, was to Opinion Pages 6-8 Campaign Finance A recent Supreme Court decision will allow corporations to donate to political campaigns as if they were individuals. PAGE 6 SEE TECH, Page 3 Last fall, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education approved a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing. Dr. Deborah Zbegner and Dr. Bridgette Zielinski, both associate professors of nursing, were the primary authors and developers of the program and currently serve as its co-directors. The program would be based mostly online, with the exception of a one-week residency. According to Zielinski, Dr. Speziale and Mary Kropiewnicki colSEE NURSING, Page 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Wilkes recently gained approval to start up a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The program emphasizes practice as opposed to research. Above, Professional Master’s students work on their clinical education at Geisinger Wyoming Valley in Kingston, PA. Three-year Middle States accreditation process nearing completion BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Wilkes University will be completing the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s accreditation process this year, after three years of preparation from Dr. Vee Ming Lew, Dr. Paul Adams, co-chairs, and from the steering committee. Every 10 years, colleges and universities must go through an accreditation process, which is overseen by Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Wilkes University was last accredited in 2000. According to the Middle States website, the commission’s purpose is “to assure higher education’s publics that its accredited institutions are fulfilling their stated purposes and addressing the publics’ expectations.” There are three steps to the accreditation process: a self-study, a peer-evaluation process and the decision of accreditation, said Adams, vice president of student affairs. First, the self-study is a comprehensive review of the institution in comparison with MSCHE’s characteristics of excellence. The SEE MIDDLE, Page 3 Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 College Days Flyleaf comes to Wilkes-Barre Coach, senior reach 100 wins Sports Pages 16-20 Dean John Stachacz talks about his time at the University of New Mexico and the education he got both in and out of the classroom. PAGE 9 Gallery of Sound music store, located on Mundy St. in Wilkes-Barre, welcomed Flyleaf for an in-store signing and performance PAGE 13 Jon Laudenslager and Frank Heffernan recently won their 100th matches as part of the Wilkes University wrestling program. PAGE 16 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �NEW INTERIM DIR. OF ADMISSIONS FEBRUARY 9, 2010 PAGE 4 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Briefs >>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>»>>>>> BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Sexual Jeopardy – Health Services and BACCHUS Club are hosting Sexual Jeopardy on Tuesday, February 9 from 9 p.m. until 10:15 p.m. in the ballroom on the second floor of HSC. Students, faculty and staff are invited to the event and the organizers are looking for four teams of four people each. The winning team will be awarded prizes. The program is in a game-show format and will be a question and answer exchange. The topics will include sexual health and issues. Intramural Sign-ups – Sign-ups for basketball run until February 17. To sign up for basketball, email neal.biscaldi@wilkes.edu with your name. If you have a team please provide a team name and all the names of your team members. Intensive English Program – Wilkes University’s Intensive English Program (IEP) is hosting a program for 30 international students who would like to improve their English by talking with American students who are fluent English speakers. The program will be about one or two hours per week for students who sign up for this program. Contact Kimberly Niezgoda at kimberly.niezgoda@wilkes.edu to be paired up with an international student. NSO Seeks Class Nominations – The Nursing Student Organization (NSO) is seeking freshman class nominations for president elect. Nursing students who are enrolled in NSG210 in fall 2010 are eligible. NSO is also seeking sophomore class nominations for vice president, secretary and history. Nursing students who are enrolled in NSG240 in fall 2010 are eligible. All students must be in good academic standing. Nominations should be emailed to Megan Dickinson at megan.dickinson@wilkes.edu by February 12. Online Writing Center – The Online Writing Center (OWC) is now open for submissions for spring 2010. The OWC consultations are similar to the consultations done in the Writing Center in the Alden Learning Commons in the Farley Library. Papers are read and sent back to the writer within 48 hours. Submissions can be made by going to http://wilkes. edu/pages/766.asp. Pink Out – The Women’s Basketball Team will be playing King’s College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 20. The team will be selling “pink out” T-shirts for $10 and the profits will be donated to the fight against breast cancer. Shirts can be purchased through any member of the team or coaching staff until February 12. Go to www.gowilkesu.com for names of the players. Daffodil Days – Wilkes University, in cooperation with the American Cancer Society, is raising awareness about cancer by selling daffodils. Anyone interested in purchasing daffodils can contact Megan Boone in the Henry Student Center at megan.boone@wilkes.edu and Janice Broyan in the UCOM at janice.broyan@ wilkes.edu. The products for sale are bunches of daffodils, $10; Birthdays R. Hope Boyds bear, $25; potted mini daffodils, $12; a vase of daffodils, $15; and vase without daffodils, $7. Mock Grad School Testing – Career Services will host Princeton Review test prep services on Saturday, February 27 in Breiseth Hall at 9 a.m. for students interested in taking mock GRE’s, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT. Students must email careers@wilkes.edu or call 570-408-4060 with name, test desired, major, year and cell number to attend. The tests are approximately three to five hours and the GRE and GMAT tests are computer administrated. All students must arrive to Breiseth Hall, first floor by 8:55 a.m. No walk-ins or late arrivals will be accommodated. Australia Study Abroad Meeting - ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Today, Dr. Godlove Fonjweng and a representative from Australia will be speaking to students and faculty about a study abroad opportunity. The student meeting is at 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on the second floor of the HSC in the Miller Conference Room. The faculty meeting, directly following the student meeting, will be held from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. same room. Contact Dr. Godlove Fonjweng at godlove.fonjweng@wilkes. edu for more information. Beacon Corrections In Issue 11, The Beacon incorrectly identified Dr. Gina Zanolini Morrison as an associate professor of English. Dr. Zanolini Morrison is an associate professor of education. Also, due to technical difficulties with WilkesBeacon.com, the deadline of Issue 11’s Weekly Giveaway has been extended. Coupons for Issue 11 and Issue 12’s Giveaway will be accepted until Friday, February 12. Please write the mystery word for the contest you would like to enter on the appropriate line. Both contests can be entered using the same coupon. Win an award? Hear about an important event? If you think it’s newsworthy, send it in! Email jacqueline.lukas@ wilkes.edu or cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu with your tip. ---~.sn't like Free Stuffi. --.a.-Y Giv ar ayt Enter for a chance to win a... a ... Wilkes Hooded Sweatshirt I Sponsored By: oR O BARNES&NOBLE I $20 Gift Card Sponsored By: Rodano's Located on S. Main Street and Public Square, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery words online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor’s sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon offi ce in Conyngham Hall or at the desk office in the Student Union by Friday, February 12, by noon .** noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's week’s issue. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ NAME: _______________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORDS: ________________________________________ Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Anthony Truppo Assistant Op/Ed Editor �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 NURSING Continued from FRONT PAGE laborated on this project while it was in its development stages. William Jones continues to collaborate in launching the online program. Zbegner and Zielinski formed the idea and put it in motion in approximately 2007. “Well, it really took off about two years ago,” said Zbegner. She continued to say that after they felt they had done as much research as they needed to do and initial development commenced, they wrote the program proposal in the summer of 2009. “We then received the Pennsylvania Department of Education [first] and then Middle States approval [both] in the fall of 2009,” said Zbegner. The establishment of this program was initially put into place because of a new requirement by The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). “The American Association of Colleges of Nursing mandated that by 2015 all advanced-practice nurses, which include nurse practitioners, midwives, anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists—which is our program—be prepared at the doctoral level,” said Zbegner. Zbegner described a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as a clinical degree, not a research degree, like a PhD. She added, “It’s a practice doctorate, not a research doctorate.” As far as current nursing students’ clinical education goes, they are taught by people who sometimes have their doctorate and at times have their masters. Regardless of their education level, Zielinski says “They’re considered to be experts in their clinical TECH Continued from FRONT PAGE review that plan, see what was accomplished and see where some of the goals were not yet met,” said Barlow. She added that some of the major goals in the last technology plan were to update the network infrastructure and secure the campus with a strong foundation for its technology services. The ITS team explained that they are still in the early phase of the overall project. “I think at this point we’re looking more at the over-arching needs at what the University has,” said Robert Wheeler, enterprise architect from Sungard Higher Education. Wheeler explained the process is much like designing a house, starting from the bottom up. Janine Becker, executive director of stu- NEWS background, so they are quite capable of teaching on a clinical level.” “The students apply research in this degree, but it’s more focused on practice,” Zielinski added. Students who already have their master’s degree in nursing will be able to enroll beginning in June 2010. The program will be opened up to those with their bachelor’s in January 2011, according to Zielinski. When it begins, the program will have a few different paths that the students can take. “For their clinical courses, they are going to be placed in specific clinical areas, depending what their concentration is. We have three different concentrations; management, gerontology, and psychiatric and mental health,” said Zielinski. As far as issues such as space and instructors go, Zbegner and Zielinski are confident that they have what they need already. Zielinski said that if issues arise, they will deal with that as they go, just like any other program or department. “If we expand the program and take in any other concentrations in the future, certainly we may need to acquire additional equipment, additional instructors, and additional space,” said Zielinski. The program is the first DNP program in Northeast PA and the first online-based in Northeast or Central PA. Zielinski said that they are very proud of the program. She continued, “We are very excited about this program for our department and for Wilkes. It’s really going to open a world of future education to nursing.” CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu dent services, mentioned that one of the fresh ways to incorporate technology is through mobile devices. Becker said the team is looking for, “a more effective means of sharing information and getting feedback across the campus.” The group said they are looking to draft a final plan to present and share with the Wilkes community around March 15. From there on, the plan will be passed around the various committees at Wilkes, awaiting approval. Barlow said she has high hopes for what the team will achieve after the study is complete. “It’s going to really differentiate and make Wilkes stand out from its peer institutions,” said Barlow. CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Professional Master’s nursing students from Wilkes University travel to local hospitals for clinical education. MIDDLE Continued from FRONT PAGE self-study is available for students, faculty and staff to view on the Wilkes Portal and will be finalized next week on February 15. According to Lew, chair of the math and computer science department, more than 40 faculty members, divided into working groups, and some students participated in creating the 200-page document. The next step in the process is a peer-evaluation, where members from other institutions within MSCHE visit the campus. “[The peer-evaluation is] to determine if our assessment of ourselves in the selfstudy is, indeed, accurate,” said Adams. The peer-evaluators are scheduled to be on campus from March 28 to March 31. The peer-evaluators will be looking to make sure that MSCHE’s characteristics of excellence are in place. “The important part about this, too, is that the reviews are done by your peers,” said Lew. “[These people are] not coming from a federal level.” The peer-evaluators will be speaking with students around campus and have already requested a meeting with Student Government. At the end of the peer-evaluation process, there will be an open forum to which the entire Wilkes community will be invited. This will enable students, faculty and staff to listen to the peer-evaluators’ report. This open forum will also give the Wilkes community a chance to see if the institution is in compliance with MSCHE’s characteristics of excellence. “We are in the final weeks before [the self-study] is completed, but we’re also in the process of preparing for the [peer-evaluation] visit itself,” said Lew. In the final step, MSCHE will review the report submitted by the peer-evaluation and decide whether Wilkes University should be accredited. The MSCHE accreditation process is vital to students because in addition to accredit- Courtesy of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education website For more information on Middle States and the accreditation process, go to www.msche.org ing Wilkes with university status, it also impacts loans from the Federal Government. “It’s absolutely critical that we have our accreditation because without accreditation, the Federal Government will not recognize Wilkes and allow us to receive Title 4 Financial Aid funds, which are the Stafford loans and Pell grants,” said Adams. “If they found us out of compliance on a standard, there’s a whole spectrum: [an institution] could be commended to out of compliance.” There are many different stages between accredited and non-accredited. According to Adams, since MSCHE has been founded, only one institution has lost all accreditation. Therefore, it’s unlikely for Wilkes University to lose its accreditation. “If an institution is found to be deficient in any of the standards, Middle States has a prescribed remediation that would require [an institution] to address the deficiency,” said Adams. Adams continued to explain that there would most likely be a short written study and then a smaller team of evaluators to assess if the deficiency was satisfactorily addressed. “That’s why it is so important that [the MSCHE accreditation process] works so that the Federal Government doesn’t decide that it needs to come in and become a definitive evaluator of our quality,” said Adams. “This whole process is about improvement,” he added. CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu �4 NEWS THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Amy Patton promoted to interim director of admissions BY MEGAN PARSI Correspondent Amy Patton, former associate director for transfer students, was recently promoted to interim director of admissions. Matthew McCaffrey, who left Wilkes to relocate to Ohio on January 15, previously held the position of director of admissions. Alexander Sperrazza, assistant director of admissions, has been temporarily put in charge of Patton’s transfer students while the department prepares to advertise the director position in the next few months. Patton’s previous position as associate director of transfer students consisted of recruiting transfer students to Wilkes University. Patton worked primarily with Henry Steuben, also a director in the department. Together, they recruited approximately 130 transfer students every fall and 30 students each spring semester. Patton’s previous position as associate director of transfer students consisted of recruiting and working directly with transfer students to make their transition to Wilkes University easier. As associate director for transfer students, Patton worked directly with students reviewing their applications, contacting them, making admissions decisions on their applications, taking care of financial aid questions, and handing them off to academic advisors once they’ve made their deposit to make sure they received their schedule. As interim director of admissions, Patton will deal with all aspects of the admissions process for incoming freshman, as well as transfer students. In this new position, Patton acts more as a manager than as a counselor. She now meets less often with students and instead is busy supervising six freshmen counselors who work directly with freshmen students and she also oversees the transfer operation. Patton said she enjoys interacting closely with the different staff and also getting to learn the different styles of the counselors. In addition, she has the benefit of learning more about the University and how all the parts and functions fit together. “I love my job,” said Patton. “I have been working here for about eight years and enjoy working with the students, staff, and faculty. I have had jobs in different areas including government. I was a high school teacher, and worked in corporate, but higher education, at Wilkes specifically, really suits me best.” Julie Page, a senior psychology major, has worked in admissions with Patton for four years. “She’s definitely very knowledgeable about her job,” said Page. “She’s one of the nicest people I’ve met in admissions.” Currently, Patton said that she is in an observation period and will wait before making any changes to the admissions department. As for Sperrazza, he said he is able to help students get into and go through the process of applying to Wilkes University, as well as getting credit for classes they have taken in the past. He counsels students and advises them on different majors that can maximize their career choices. Sperrazza also credits evaluations and helps with financial aid. In comparison to his old position as assistant director of admissions, Sperrazza finds the specificity of requests a very interesting change. In his previous position, he counseled incoming freshmen and explained the process that they were going to go through, as well as helping students complete their transfer evaluation. According to Sperrazza, one problem that transfer students face is that Wilkes has a four-credit English requirement. Many other institutions use the three-credit system for core classes, which can be difficult to transfer to Wilkes. Sperrazza is starting to understand the curriculum of what each major requires, and is beginning to understand the details of what Wilkes has to offer for each major. “It’s early in the process but it is quite challenging,” said Sperrazza. “It’s a completely different world. I’m always excited to learn new things and am up for the challenge.” CONTACT MEGAN PARSI AT: megan.parsi@wilkes.edu Honoring Dr. Zukoski The Beacon/ Allison Roth On January 31, 2009, Dr. Matthew J. Zukoski, professor of math and computer science, passed away. This year, students remembered him by hanging a photo of Zukoski in the first floor of the SUB during the week of the one year anniversary of his death. Those passing through could write messages dedicated to the his memory. He had a great impact on student life at Wilkes University and many took advantage of the opportunity to honor him. Above, Santino Gabos writes a message to Zukoski. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 NEWS 5 Student Government Notes - February 3, 2010 New Business: Strategic Planning Committee: Outlined their overall goals of what the University needs to achieve. Their plan is to create a strategic plan to guide the University and help better develop its overall status. The committee has goals of making Wilkes a nationally recognized institution. BY JOSHUA PELLEW Staff Writer Treasurer’s Report: All College: $29,700 Conferences: $16,260 General: $14,060 Leadership: $5,235 Special Projects: $2,250 Spirit: $2,000 Start-up:$2100 Club Reports: Programming Board: Planning on booking magician and entertainer, Justin Credible. Programming board is also looking to host Pizza Wars. Running Club: Has plans for donation requests and fall races. The club would like to hold an afterschool program for third through fifth grade students to promote awareness of childhood obesity. The club also plans to invite students to the UCOM to play sports such as volleyball, soccer, and basketball. Robotics Club – Club Recognition (Week 1 of 2): The Robotics Club pled their case in becoming an all-around club at Wilkes. There are currently six members who will be conducting their first meeting on Tuesday, which is open to all students. They would like to make use of the robotics facilities and help gain school recognition by participating and hosting robotics competition. Old business: Allotted $500 to running club for relay for heat event. Events: Winter Weekend theme will be TV/Sitcom. Teams will be meeting to discuss team members and their captains. Winter Weekend will be held February 19-20. Wilkes University has been invited once again to participate in the City of WilkesBarre’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade held on March 14. Committees: CRC: Math Testing (Seniors) the math tests are a survey of Wilkes students to see how they have progressed since they were freshmen. Revising of student transfer credits Financial Aid: Applicants currently registered for fall of 2010. The school is discussing getting rid of SAT scores for incoming freshman at Wilkes. Campus Support: The University Towers left elevator is undergoing repairs and should be finished by the end of the month. Work-study jobs are available with Maintenance Works doing grounds work around campus. As of next week furniture that was taken out for the remodel will be placed back on the second floor of the SUB. Class Reports: Seniors: First Farewell will be held on Thursday, February 11 in the ballroom of SUB. Closing Comments: OCC: First meeting was held last week; Block Party, with entertainment by Phantom Entertainment, will be held February 10. IRHC: Planning Mardi Gras February 16 and RA Appreciation Day February 17. *At 7:45 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. CONTACT JOSHUA PELLEW AT: joshua.pellew@wilkes.edu B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ITEM! Stop by 2/9 to 2/ 15 and get 10% off tie-dyed Wilkes University rolled blankets! Check out our new premium. sandwiches in the cafe! We now offer Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Pretzel Sandwiches and Mediterranean Chicken Flatbreads. TRY ONE TODAY! Now accepting applications! Stop by and talk to a manager to find out what positions are available today! �SOLO ACTS PAGE 8 Over the years, music has become less of a communitybased listening experience. FEBRUARY 9, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Supreme Court decision diminshing polltical equalify BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Over 200 years ago our great nation’s founding fathers wrote in the Declaration of Independence, “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This solidified the idea that the power in American democracy lies within the hands of the people. A recent Supreme Court ruling is testing that ideal. Soon, a major power shift will take place and drastically alter the political landscape. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the Constitution’s most basic right— freedom of speech—by overturning two important precedents that banned both forprofit corporations and unions from directly contributing revenue from their general funds to political campaigns. In the past, the only way corporations and unions could legally contribute to campaigns was through political action committees (PACs)—committees formed by a special-interest group in order to independently raise revenue for political campaigns. After the January 18 decision, the Court has single-handedly given corporations the green light to spend as much as they want in any given election. The decision has raised many concerns amongst both Democrats and Republicans. According to Dr. Kyle Kreider, assistant professor of political science at Wilkes, the decision will have a “severe detrimental impact on the American political system.” The court ruled that the previous restrictions on political financing violated the corporations’ free speech rights. “If the First Amendment has any force, it prohibits Congress from fining or jailing citizens, or associations of citizens, for simply engaging in political speech,” Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote for the majority. Kreider explained the court’s reasoning. “In many ways, corporations are just like people,” he said. “They have interests. They have opinions, and just like people have First Amendment rights… so should the corporation.” The ruling overruled two precedents: Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which in 1990 upheld restrictions on corporate spending; and McConnell v. Federal Election Commission, which upheld a part of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, further restricting campaign spending by corporations and unions. In 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act banned the broadcast of cable or satellite transmissions paid for by corporations or labor unions from their general funds 30 days before a presidential primary and 60 days before general elections. The court’s decision to protect and advocate for freedom of speech—the same freedom that grants us the right to publish this editorial—was an important one. But, on the other hand, an influx of money into the political system will create major revenue gaps and increasingly diminish political equality. “There are Supreme Court decisions that have said there are valid reasons why corporations are not allowed to spend money from their general treasury fund to help elect candidates,” said Kreider. While the opinion on Capital Hill is widely mixed in both major parties, the ruling is seen as an initial win for Republicans. “I think, by and large, Republicans like this more than Democrats do because Republicans politically are much closer to corporate interest,” said Kreider. Pundits speculate the Court’s ruling will gradually take effect, drastically increasing the cost of campaigning. With the power corporations now possess, corporate interest will take precedent over individual interest. The general public will have no chance at competing with companies, like ExxonMobil, who posted a $45.2 billion profit margin in 2008. This will have a negative impact on the democratic process, likely discouraging participation by voters who may feel as though their voices will not be heard. The Supreme Court and Congress should strongly reconsider the decision and engage in acts to return order to the electoral process. Until then, American democracy will suffer severe consequences, creating a “Wild West” atmosphere in the political landscape. BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. Last week’s question: Have you participated in a multicultural diversity event at Wilkes? Because of website difficulties, last week’s poll results were lost. We apologize to everyone who voted. This week, The Beacon asks: Do you agree with the Supreme Court giving for-profit corporations First Amendment rights? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.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. Anonymous letters will not be published. It's TIME TO STOP 7' VICIOUS LAWSUITS ?l HIGH TAXES ?I LOW TEST SCORES The Beacon Archives/Tom Reilly The Supreme Court’s decision giving for-profit corporations First Amendment rights allows these companies to contribute any amount of money to political campaigns is liable to create special interests with politicians and shift the balance of political equality. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 OPINION The Why not the National Anthem? BY DR. JUSTIN MATUS Chair of the Sidhu School of Business Editor’s Note: This editorial is part of a weekly series written by Wilkes University faculty and administration. In a few more months the University faculty, staff and most importantly the class of 2010 will assemble for another commencement exercise. As commencement exercises go, the Wilkes routine is pretty much just that…routine. The University President gets up, has a few kind words for everyone, a minister offers up some hopefully inspirational if not spiritual sentiments and finally at some point the keynote speaker launches into a mildly amusing and usually predictable soliloquy on life’s challenges and travails. Once these formal speeches are mercifully concluded, the actual handing out of diplomas begins and about two hours later, everyone is graduated and everyone is very, very happy. And then everyone leaves. Lost in all this hustle and bustle is the glaring fact that the musical selection to honor our country is not the National Anthem, but America the Beautiful or some other tune posing as our National Anthem. The reasons given as to why we don’t play the National Anthem vary from the “musicality” of one song over another or that it was a “tradition.” One version has it that the decision to switch away from the National Anthem was a political statement by a previous University President in about 1957. Either way, the commencement ceremony belongs to the students. I also know our band is a very capable one and quite skilled at playing virtually all the patriotic tunes including the Star Spangled Banner. I call on the class of 2010 to demand that the one and only true National Anthem be played at this year’s commencement. Let everyone know that you are setting the new tradition of patriotism and pride in your country and your National Anthem. Yes we can! 7 Observatory Free parking is only a Monopoly space, cheap parking just a fantasy BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor If you have ever gotten a parking ticket in Wilkes-Barre, which I am sure many if not all of you have, you will be glad to know that, according to Wilkes-Barre Parking Code Enforcement, your standard parking violation fine of $10 is going towards fixing the many potholes in the road, repairing the condition of publicly owned structures, and the establishment of new structures to attract business. Don’t agree with this assessment? Me neither, nor do the two blown struts on my car from hitting Wilkes-Barre potholes, or “craters” as they should be called. Something needs to be done about the parking situation in downtown WilkesBarre, especially around both King’s College and Wilkes University. College students do not have the money to pour into the meters every single day, nor do they have the money to pay the fines on top of that when their time runs out-that is if they can even find a parking spot on the street in relative distance to campus. One could make the argument that students at King’s and Wilkes have the option to park on campus for a flat fee each semester. However, what if there are no more spots to give out? As a Wilkes student, I can tell you that parking permits are few and far between and Wilkes often oversells them with the assumption that not every student with a vehicle will be on campus every day at the same time. (You know what happens when you assume!) Also, what if it is not practical for you to park in a lot across the river when you leave campus to go to an internship or a job after class? Sadly, meter parking is your only option. When Mayor Tom Leighton first took office six years ago, he made it a top priority to collect fines from back-dated parking tickets that the previous administration left behind and to enforce parking violations stricter. The trend has continued ever since. Graphic by Tom Reilly I commend his efforts, but parking enforce- ment has become so vigilant, that there is no where to park without paying and risking a parking ticket. On top of that, where is all this revenue going? I realize that parking ticket revenue is a modest contribution to the maintenance of the entire city of Wilkes-Barre, but parking enforcement generates thousands of dollars in revenue a day from meter violations and progress always seems slow moving. Wilkes-Barre is currently in the midst of completing several development projects such as, the $7.3 million Downtown Streetlight and Streetscape Enhancement Project, the $13.7 million Coal Street Park Renovation Project, and the $25 million Intermodal Transportation Facility that parking ticket revenue are helping pay for. The Intermodal Transportation Facility, which will finish construction soon, seems to be a great idea for the downtown area with an expected 752 spaces on a six-level parking garage, but it is merely intended to centralize the Luzerne County Transportation Authority, Martz bus and taxi traffic, not eliminate limited street parking or make it more affordable. Also, the mentality here seems to be to build the city up bigger and better and not fix existing problems in Wilkes-Barre like the roads. What good is it to spend exuberant amounts of money on new structures when the rest of the city falls apart around them? Say the city of Wilkes-Barre split some of that money up and built a few parking structures in the downtown area, not just one, that could guarantee more parking spots for an affordable flat fee each day. Would that not be easier? Would that not be more convenient than running to a meter every few hours to put change in it? Maybe then Wilkes-Barre would make enough money from parking fees to fix the craters. Oops, I mean “potholes.” You be the judge. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 THE BEACON OPINION FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Changing your profile name does not make you invisible BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief Over the past few months, I have noticed that many of my friends on Facebook, specifically those who began their last semester of college this January, have cleaned house online. Photographs they have been tagged in have disappeared, videos have been removed, and some people have even swapped their last names for their middle names or have removed letters from their last names. From what I have observed, this is occurring because students who are applying for jobs do not wish for their future employers to run an internet search of their name only to stumble across a profile page filled with drunken statuses and inappropriate, sometimes disgusting, pictures. I commend those who are removing discriminating evidence of wild nights and illegal activities from their profiles, but I just cannot wrap my head around the name thing. Simply because you add a middle name and drop a last does not make you invisible. Removing a few letters off the end of your last name also does not guarantee that you will not be found. If someone wants to find you, they will. Companies such as Spokeo exist solely for that purpose. According to Spokeo’s website, “74% of Americans have profiles on one of at least 43 social networks that Spokeo tracks.” Even though Spokeo claims that their users access the site to learn about their “customers’ hobbies and interests through online profiles and personal photos,” it is quite clear how the same company can use the same services to track candidates applying for available positions. People who sign up for Spokeo’s service have access to numerous blogs, profiles, bookmarks and lists. Information on Pandora, Amazon, Blogger, Flickr, YouTube and surprisingly Target.com can be found using Spokeo. Even without a paid account, typing in someone’s email address will pull up practically everywhere he or she has used that email address on the web, along with their profile picture and their location. Lying about your name on Facebook will not help you avoid this search engine. Some people may disagree with the thought of potential employers running internet searches to find out more information about their applicants, but I truly do not see the harm. If you uploaded the photographs, you wanted someone to see them. If you made an obnoxious post littered with profanity and obscene language on someone’s public wall, then you wanted multiple people to see that, too. Now, you have simply gained a wider audience. Instead of attempting to fool your future employers - who are not that naïve - into believing that you do not have a Facebook (or MySpace, etc.) and going through the hassle of changing your name and removing the tags from sometimes thousands of photographs of you showing off your red Solo cups and licking your friend’s face, perhaps you should just click a few extra privacy settings. If you do not allow others to tag you in photographs, you will not be tagged. If you make your profile private, no one can see anything about you unless they request it. If you do not want someone to be your “friend,” do not add them. It’s all quite simple. And honestly, it gets even easier. If you have any reason whatsoever to hide pictures, videos, posts, etc. from future employers, perhaps you should not be posting them online. Or even better – maybe you should not be participating in the activity. CONTACT NICOLE FRAIL AT: nicole.frail@wilkes.edu Music: No longer an element of human fellowship BY ANTHONY TRUPPO Assistant Opinion Editor In a modern world suffocated by below mediocre, IQ-lowering reality TV shows and mindless next generation technological advances, people seem to have forgotten about one of the most quintessential aspects of the human community – music. Years before the invention of the phonograph in 1877, people gathered together to listen to music. Since there was not yet a way for people to enjoy music in the comfort of their own homes (unless they played instruments themselves), many would spend much of their time attending live performances with their friends and families. After the phonograph was created, people were astounded by the capability of listening to music in their own living rooms. Since entertainment outlets were severely limited, music became the dominant source of home entertainment for groups of people all over the planet. When the radio came along, people had access to a wide variety of music at nearly any time and place they desired. Once television emerged, record players and radios began to ubiquitously gather dust. Why listen to music with your friends when you could all stare blankly at a big box? Rarely do I walk down the hallway to my apartment without hearing at least two blaring TVs. Even when I am among friends that seem to have a deeper appreciation for music than others, we tend to watch TV instead of listen to music. One may argue that music is more prevalent in the human community today thanks to portable MP3 players, but all they have really done is removed the community aspect of music, leaving people to listen by themselves. Thanks to these portable music players, music listening has become more of an isolated practice than a communitybased experience. Recent psychological studies show that there are many benefits to listening to music in social settings, such as a classroom. Psychologists F. F. Cripe, L. Morton, J. Keshner and L. Seigel monitored a group of students and were able to conclude that when played in a classroom, students were less likely to become distracted by their environment. Also, hyperactivity among the students was greatly reduced, as music’s repetitive beat is said to relieve muscle tension. Nearly all of the students seemed to gain sharp enhancements of their short term memories while the music was playing. Several studies by other psychologists show that when music is being played, students working in groups seem to work more productively and are more accepting of each other’s ideas. Despite the many benefits of music, music is unfortunately no longer a major part of the human community. Perhaps if families and friends spent more time listening to music together, people would be more accepting of one another and less prone to arguments and separations. So the next time you and your friends are browsing Best Buy, ignore the latest season of The Bachelorette on DVD and pick up a Radiohead CD of your choice. You will be doing yourself and your relationships a substantial favor. CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly (right) A Montana guitar with a broken string. One of the many guitars being ignored more and more as technology continues to advance. Music played to groups of people can be highly beneficial to the listeners as a group and individually. �SWEET HISTORY PAGE 10 Check out the history of the conversation heart. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Student of the Week: Justin Balint After the impoverished nation of Haiti was rocked by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, a combination of individuals and organizations around the world have risen up, lending their hands in aid. Here at Wilkes, Justin Balint, a P3 pharmarcy major and president of the Alpha Chi honor society, has volunteered the help of Alpha Chi members in the hygiene drive. Balint explained that the drive is collecting wash cloths, soap and tooth brushes to send to the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. “I felt this was an important opportunity to help people in need. Alpha Chi is dedicated to service, and this project was just one small way to help donate towards a great cause,” said Balint. Last year while Balint was in the Dominican Republic with Alternative Spring Break [ASB], the group took a day trip to Monte Christe. While in Monte Christe they visited a large market place on the border of Haiti. Balint explained that for two hours every day they opened the border, allowing the Haitians to cross and shop at the market place. “There’s a bridge reaching across the border, but most of the Haitians just walked through the waist deep water in a hurry to get their goods,” explained Balint. To help out with the hygiene drive, Balint encourages students to contact Megan Boone, community service coordinator, at megan.boone@wilkes.edu. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Balint: Hopefully working for the pharmaceutical industry or the FDA. The Beacon: Describe yourself in 3 words… Balint: Quixotic, ambitious, and methodical. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know that…” Balint: I took karate for several years when I was younger. Dean John Stachacz gets an education outside of the classroom on the weekends, Stachacz gained a bright new perspective into life outside of Connecticut. “The first time I ever ate real green chili--I mean the real hot stuff--I had that on one of Scorpions. Rattlesnakes. Boa constricthese farms [that my friends lived on] over tors. the weekend,” said Stachacz. “We drove all These are the challenges John Stachacz, over the place, did all kinds of neat dean of the Farley Library, faced things. We went to Mexico for while an undergraduate at the Unispring break. Studied hard, but versity of New Mexico. had a lot of fun.” “We used to go Southwest Stachacz utilized his time in to…New Mexico State,” said school to make new friends, Stachacz. “There used to be old travel, and truly find what he was lava beds there. Some of the things interested in. He even remembers we used to do was that they [my catching a train just across the friends] would bring these heavy Mexican border, paying $22 for a duty oxen gloves—the kind that ticket, and riding the rails for two go up to your shoulder—and we thousand miles. used to put our hands into the lava There have been many changes beds, and the one who came out in the arena of higher education with the most scorpions attached since Stachacz caught the plane to it won.” from LaGuardia Airport in New Stachacz began his higher eduYork in 1971. One of the chalcation at the University of New lenges Stachacz and his classMexico in 1971 as an anthropolmates faced that has not changed ogy major. He later changed his over the course of time is the peer major to geography after taking pressure associated with drugs. elective classes in an area that he Photo courtesy of Dean Stachacz “Staying out of the drug culture enjoyed. was one of my biggest challenges Moving from Connecticut to Stachacz, sitting in the tree on the left, hangs with friends in a park in New socially,” remembered Stachacz. New Mexico was an huge change Mexico. Stachacz always saw himself of environment for Stachacz, who remembers when he was dropped off at La- new time period of his life. According to in academia, from his own schooling to the countless institutions at which he has Guardia Airport in New York and showed Stachacz, he “just sort of went with it.” Stachacz’s free time was spent travel- worked. According to his count, Stachacz up to school with only his two suitcases. “I was looking for schools with good an- ing outside of the University around the has been in higher education for almost 40 thropology programs, and I was looking for Southwest United States and into Mexico. years. “I’ve not been out of higher academics schools that, if I didn’t like anthropology, Stachacz said the education he received [would allow me to] move around,” said outside of the University of New Mexico since I was a freshman,” said Stachacz. was just as influential during his transitionStachacz. With no friends at the school and family al college time as the education he received CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT thousands of miles away, Stachacz learned in the classrooms. Going to friends’ homes leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu. BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor quickly how to adjust to college life. “It was a month before I even talked to my parents, with no cell phones or anything like that,” remembered Stachacz. As a first generation college student, Stachacz did not have parents or siblings to explain to him what to expect during this In his own words, Dean Stachacz gets embarrassed: “ A friend took me to the airport. It was Christmas break. Once I finally boarded the flight, there was a snow storm, so there were no flights into New York City, or anywhere for that matter. Absolutely every airport in the entire Eastcoowas shut down. Every plane going to the east coast was sent to St. Louis. There were no cell phones, so I couldn’t tell my parents when I’d be in or where I’d fly into. When I finally arrived at LaGuardia Airport, I heard rumblings from people in the airport of a mad man who kept ranting and raving about the flights. Turns out it was my father. “ BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor College Days �l/allo11ti11o's Day 2010 10 LOG ON, MEET UP Online dating helps some connect with soulmates by rUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor In today’s society there are numerous ways to meet new people, one way is internet dating. There are many sites one can use when searching for that special someone and all of them acknowledge themselves as the ideal match making website. eHarmony’s website declares [in a 2007 poll for eHarmony by Harris Interactive] that they are responsible for 2% of marriages in the United States, and Match.com boasts that every year people find love on match.com. Those are only two of the hundreds of internet dating sites available. With such a large selection and all of them claiming to be the best, how do you know what dating site to use, and do they really work? Donna Talarico, an adjunct faculty member of the Communications Studies department here at Wilkes said, “I think eHarmony’s advertising is rooted in the very traditional-sense- meet your future husband or wife.” Talarico admits to trying eHarmony for a month, about a year ago. “When they had a 30-day deal, I tried it. It took days for a compatible match to be found and that was discouraging,” said Talarico. Only when Talarico began accepting broader matches and expanded her mile radius did she get matches. Talarico never contacted anyone and canceled her membership when the month was over. “There’s one funny part - one of my few matches was one of my best male friends. We still laugh about that. So basically, I paid $20 to learn what I already knew; that me and this guy are the same person,” said Talarico. SWEET HISTORY For Dr. Meridith Selden, assistant professor of psychology at Wilkes, eHarmony was just a way to meet new people while living in the outskirts of New York City. “I was at the time living and working outside of New York City and I didn’t know anyone, I was in a relationship that just ended and I was bored. I didn’t think it would work,” said Selden. In fact Selden wasn’t matched with her [now] husband until the last day of her contract, and it was only because she lowered the age and distance brackets. Before being matched with her [now] husband Selden was matched with about 100 potential matches. “I don’t believe in the idea of match-making on scientific principles,” said Selden, who is skeptical of the scientific match-making process that eHarmony offers. Selden isn’t alone in her skeptic, Jake Malachowski, a junior mechanical engineering major, explained that he doesn’t feel internet dating sites work at all. “I watched someone spend $1,868 plus the cost of dating, [at All About Singles] only to get nowhere,” said Malachowski. Even though internet dating sites work for some, like Selden, they may not work for others. Selden’s advice for internet dating is, “Be open and honest, and be prepared for a lot of matches.” According to Talarico, “These dating sites work, but like any relationship, there is still room for human flaws. Dating sites don’t build perfect people for other people to marry, they just bring people together. People can still make mistakes.” CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT: ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while most are out shopping for jewelry, chocolates, and big teddy bears, billions of Sweetheart Candies are being bought and sold. These sugar hearts with whimsical sayings on them are made by New England Confectionery Company [NECCO], but the idea didn’t start there. According to NECCO.com, when Abraham Lincoln was still president, they printed the sayings on small papers and rolled them into the candies, which they called “cockles” because the candies looked similar to a cockle shell. In the year 1866, messages were beginning to be printed on the Sweetheart Candies. This year, for the first time in 145 years, Sweethearts will be coming out with completely new sayings. Along with the new sayings will come some new flavors like strawberry, green apple, lemon, grape, orange and blue raspberry. These Sweethearts with their updated sayings and flavors can be used in marriage proposals, decorations, a fun valentines gift, or just as a snack. – Marjorie Whispell, Correspondent THE BEACON 11 FEBRUARY 9, 2010 LONG DISTANCE L•VE Couples find ways to celebrate V-day while apart by leeann searfoss Life Editor Not all students welcome the arrival of February 14 by KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor Among some Wilkes students there seems to be a consensus: Valentine’s Day is evil. While couples are setting dates and purchasing gifts, these radicals challenge the tradition. For most of these people, their hatred of Valentine’s Day is based on the argument that there should not be only one day to tell a person how you feel about them. “You can tell them that [you love them] every single day,” said Melissa Urban, freshman psychology major. She believes that people should not act like they love someone more on one particular day. “There shouldn’t just be that day that you give someone flowers and tell them you love them and give them chocolates and just be all goo-goo-ga-ga all over them. You should be like that every day if you really love someone,” said Urban. Pete Kennedy, a fifth year senior majoring in entrepreneurship, agrees with this opinion, but it is only one of his reasons that he is against Valentine’s Day. “I have three main reasons: the first and least important is the fact that I don’t have someone to celebrate with,” said Kennedy. “The second reason is, it’s an Americanized version of the Catholic feast day of Saint Valentine. I’m not Catholic; I don’t need to follow it. And the third reason is it’s the one day where you’re supposed to show the person that you care about exactly why you care about them.” There is also the claim that Valentine’s Day makes people act like someone they are not. “I think it puts pressure on people to, you know, be in love and have a commitment that really isn’t there and to buy gifts [and] spend money that they really don’t have,” said Amber Sines, junior education major. Another reason people have developed hatred for Valentine’s Day is the collection of bad experiences they have had with the holiday. Sean Cox, a sophomore criminology major, said that his negative experience during last Valentine’s Day is the main reason behind his opposition. “Last Valentine’s Day, my ex-girlfriend went on a date with some kid at home instead of coming here (to Wilkes),” he said. Ever since this betrayal, Cox has considered the holiday to be a fraud. Sines also has a bad Valentine’s Day memory. She says that her worst Valentine’s Day experience included “getting turned down by this guy I was talking to because he had to go home and spend it with his ex-girlfriend, who was getting surgery the day after.” These students refuse to take part in the stereotypical romantic date occasion. “I go out to eat with my friend,” Sines said. Others act like it is an ordinary day and ignore the concept altogether. “I usually just hang out with my friends, just another normal day like any other day,” Urban stated. Instead of buying cards and flowers, these Anti-Valentine students disregard these typical traditions. Kennedy thinks that purchasing flowers and candy is pointless. “It’s just another form of commercialism,” she said. For some of these Valentine’s-Day-haters, though, there’s still hope. Sines believes that her opinion may change when she is more mature and in a serious relationship, perhaps “when [she is] married and there’s a reason to be romantic.” However, others said that their opinion about the holiday will never change. “I realize that circumstances change, but in the end my opinion is that there shouldn’t be just one day to show someone that you care,” said Kennedy. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: Photo: The Beacon/Tom Reilly kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu Historically, it is Cupid’s job to connect people on this upcoming holiday. Well, Cupid may have to travel a bit farther for some this Valentine’s Day. Several students at Wilkes are trying to maneuver this romantic holiday to accommodate their significant others who are apart from them. While many others will be celebrating this midFebruary holiday that centers around love and candy and flowers this weekend, Marrissa Harrison, a P1 pharmacy major, does not have that luxury. She and her boyfriend of a month needed to celebrate early, because they live too far apart. “We [my boyfriend and I] made pizza together for Valentine’s Day,” said the junior pharmacy major. Harrison and her boyfriend, Drexel Siok, live approximately three and a half hours away from one another. Harrison resides in Wilkes-Barre while her boyfriend lives in Milford, Delaware. While the two met at Wilkes and dated casually for approximately two years, Harrison and Siok made their relationship official after Siok graduated from Wilkes last year. “It stinks. It’s hard to be far away from him, but we will find a way to see each other as much as possible,” said Harrison. Harrison is currently in her third year of the pharmacy program, with three more years to go. While this is their first Valentine’s Day apart, Harrison and Siok may need to maneuver around this romantic holiday again for the next three Februarys until Harrison graduates from the pharmacy school. This type of long-distance love is common of college students, especially if they are separating from significant others they were with at previous schools or in previous cities. Salvatore Infantino, a senior communications major, will be experiencing the same type of separation as Harrison and Siok this coming Valentine’s Day. He and his boyfriend are separated by almost four states, with Infantino at Wilkes and his boyfriend almost five hours away. “His school observes President’s Day. Since [Wilkes doesn’t], I can’t go down to see him,” Infantino said. Despite the separation, Infantino does not believe “the big day” will cause that much longing. “I have work the night before, and the night of, on top of school and all of that nonsense we routinely partake in. We’ll probably Skype on Sunday night,” said Infantino. Together six months, this is Infantino’s first Valentine’s Day with his boyfriend. Similar to Harrison and Siok, Infantino will need to celebrate his Valentine’s Day on a different day. Infantino will be heading to see his boyfriend the weekend after Valentine’s Day. “Since he and I are distanced, every time I see him is exceptionally special, because I can’t do it every day,” said Infantino. “So I don’t need gifts, decorations or a fancy dinner to make it special... I just need him.” Being separated from a significant other is not always a result of being at difficult schools. Richelle Shertzer, a junior nursing major, and her husband of two and a half years have been juggling their relationship while he tours overseas with the military. “Over the summer he did his first tour to Iraq, but he was only over there for about four months which was nice,” stated Shertzer. “We have spent many holidays apart, though, with him in boot camp and all.” Even though her husband is back from his military tour, he is still based in Arlington, VA, approximately five hours from Wilkes. Shertzer points to family and friends as those she turns to during the holidays she cannot be with her husband. “When we are apart, I try and spend a lot of time with family and friends,” said Shertzer. “I’m the type of person that needs to keep busy if we are not together.” The many holidays Shertzer and her husband have spent apart make the ones they can spend together more sentimental. This particular Valentine’s Day, Shertzer and her husband will get to spend time together, but that is a rarity from the usual time spent apart. Shertzer and her husband will have the chance this year to celebrate Valentine’s Day in traditional ways such as dinner together, exchanging gifts, and chocolate-covered strawberries. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu �12 THE BEACON LIFE Wilkes University's Wilkes University’s Heath Wellness Corner Heath & & Wellness Corner The Health & The Health & Wellness Wellness Corner Corner is is aa weekly feature in Beacon. Students weekly feature in The The Beacon. Students who ask questions anonymous. All All who ask questions remain remain anonymous. questions Health SerSerquestions will will be be answered answered by by Health vices staff. vices staff. Q. to Q. II was was wondering wondering where where II can can go go to get get information information regarding regarding Birth Birth Control Control options? options? A. A. The The Health Health & & Wellness Wellness Services Services can can refer refer you you to to Women Women to to Women Women Inc., Inc., which which is is aa health health care care center center for for women. women. The phone number The phone number is is (570) (570) 714-5880, 714-5880, and and they the Park ce Buildthey are are located located in in the Park Offi Office Building, ing, Suite Suite 208-209, 208-209, 400 400 Third Third Ave. Ave. KingsKingston, be happy happy to to ton, PA. PA. 18704. 18704. They They would would be make you to to discuss make an an appointment appointment for for you discuss your your options. options. Q. testing at Q. Do Do you you do do STD STD testing at Health Health SerServices? vices? A. A. Yes. Yes. We We can can do do some some types types of of STD STD testing probtesting at at the the Health Health Services. Services. The The problem that the the testing testing is processed through through lem is is that is processed the health insurance the student’s student's health insurance and and most most students students prefer prefer to to have have anonymous anonymous testing. testing. With mind, referrals made to: With that that in in mind, referrals are are made to: Women Women to to Women, Women, aa health health care care center center for for women. phone is women. The The phone is (570) (570) 714-5880, 714-5880, and and they ce Building they are are located located in in the the Park Park Offi Office Building (see (see address address listed listed in in previous previous article). article). Another option Another option for for STD STD testing testing is is to to go Dept., go to to the the Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre City City Health Health Dept., which which is is aa FREE FREE walk-in walk-in clinic, clinic, if if you you live live in proof of in Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre City. City. (So (So bring bring proof of adaddress). dress). The The phone phone is is (570)208-4268. (570)208-4268. They They are are located located in in the the Kirby Kirby Health Health Center, Center, 71 71 N. Wilkes-Barre. N. Franklin Franklin St. St. Wilkes-Barre. If Wilkes-Barre City, If you you do do not not live live in in Wilkes-Barre City, free free testing testing is is available available at at Planned Planned ParentParenthood, North Franklin hood, 63 63 North Franklin Street, Street, WilkesWilkesBarre. Barre. Phone Phone (570)824-8921. (570)824-8921. Do you have a question for the Health & & Wellness Corner? Email your questions to, susan.biskup@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next weeks Wellness Corner. Your privacy will be protected. 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PAGE 15 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Sordoni Art Gallery presents Brian Wood BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor At the current art exhibition at the Sordoni Art Gallery, perception is presented in its true form. The exhibition, featuring the works of Brian Wood, will be displayed through March 14 and is open to the public from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The collection includes 28 pieces of oil paintings and graphite drawings. Wood hails from New York City and has collections in several museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Brittany Kramer DeBalko, the interim director of the Sordoni Art Gallery, said that Wood is a well-known artist, with artwork displayed in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. “One of the interesting aspects of the exhibition is actually his renown,” said Kramer DeBalko. “Actually, a curator from MoMA will hopefully be coming down to see this show, so that’s an interesting aspect of this exhibition, to have someone of his renown here, right here in Wilkes-Barre, at the Sor- (LEFT) Students observe “Near Exit 5”, one of the paintings showcased in the Brian Wood exhibition at the Sordoni Art Gallery. This piece is a representation of a motorcycle crash that the artist was involved in. This is one of the many works that demonstrate a biographical purpose within the exhibition. The Beacon/Kirstin Cook doni Art Gallery.” The exhibition can be viewed as biographical of Wood’s existence and emotions. “It’s just very personal work that I think originates from personal experiences and personal feelings of the artist,” stated DeBalko. The art may also be perceived as a representation of biology. “It’s based on a biological perspective of anatomy in its real form. I’m not sure if that’s the point of what he’s trying to say, like reproduction, creativity…but that seems to be one of the key points,” said Briana Nissen, a junior English major who is a work-study student at the gallery. Regardless of the interpretation, there is a definite element of embodiment of perception in the artwork. The perception ranges from the viewpoint of specific occasions to the analysis of physical flesh. “He talks a lot about states of awareness or states of being,” said DeBalko. An example of the biographical perception can be viewed in the painting, “Near Exit 5” particularly stands out among the other pieces. It demonstrates the differences in perceptions, with the instance of the varying views of the artist and the viewers. SEE SORDONI, PAGE 14 Flyleaf makes appearance at Gallery of Sound: A Review BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Fans from across the Wyoming Valley stood in the cold to see the famous, platinum record-selling band on the rise, Flyleaf. The line wrapped around the Gallery of Sound building on Mundy Street, The band made an appearance for an in-store signing and small performance that took place at 2 p.m. this past Saturday. It was freezing, but a variety of people— men, women, and children—embraced the cold to see the band, which has close ties to the Wilkes-Barre area. “We actually helped them on their first record,” said Joe Nardone, Jr., owner of the store. “Wilkes-Barre was the first place Flyleaf was able to sell their records significantly and make major impact in the industry, and them coming here was a nice gesture—we take care of each other,” added Nardone. Some fans arrived as early as 12:30 p.m. friends.People in line anxiously discussed Flyleaf and expressed their excitement for the opportunity to see them up close and personal. After awhile, I decided to use the perks of being a journalist and call the owner of the store to get me in with my golden ticket: the Wilkes University Press Pass. I was scooted in by Nardone. He and his father run six of the local Gallery of Sounds in the Wyoming Valley. I thanked him profusely for the immediate warmth that engulfed me. “I’m just glad everyone came out.” I headed straight for the line of excited fans, who became even more excited when the band entered the building and finally took their seats at the autograph station. Flyleaf’s success is due largely to the attention they receive because of their lead singer, Lacey Mosley, who has a mighty voice. The rest of the talented band consists of Jared Hartmann and Sameer BhattachaSEE FLYLEAF, PAGE 15 The Beacon/Brie Friedman The band Flyleaf seems to enjoy the fans almost as much as the fans love them. Seen here, Flyleaf is signing posters, CD covers, and other materials for the fans who had been waiting for hours outside in the freezing cold. From left to right: Lacey Mosley (vocals), Sameer Bhattacharya (guitar), and James Culpepper (drums). �14 THE BEACON A&E Dinner Review: Hottle’s offers SORDONI Continued from PAGE 13 romance for Valentine’s Day BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor With Valentine’s Day fast-approaching, couples all around the community will be booking tables at restaurants to have that all-important couple’s dinner. While the Valley is littered with new, up-and-coming eateries, it is easy to forget that WilkesBarre offers restaurants that are considered classics by the locals. When planning a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, do not overlook the small, family-owned restaurant of Hottle’s, located on Main Street, approximately one block from Wilkes’s campus. While Hottle’s is what some may consider a “hole in the wall”establishment, it is filled with delicious food and a romantic atmosphere. Known for their specialty seafood, Hottle’s offers patrons a large menu of quality dishes. Offering plates from fish, chicken, and pasta to lobster and steak, there is something on the menu for everyone’s taste buds. This trip to Hottle’s was not my first. Wanting to try out the restaurant for date purposes, I asked someone to accompany me. Walking into the dimly lit, small dining room, there is a sense of comfort that envelopes patrons. As the hostess rises to seat you, she isn’t standing behind a tall podium with an appointment book. She is coming from the end of the bar, where she has been speaking to other patrons you can tell are regulars from their familiar tones. With a comfortable sense over the scenery, a very large, extensive menu is placed in front of you. Large selections of fresh sea • • • • • • and land dishes jump off the page. After making our selections, my date and I relaxed into our worn in, yet comfortable, booth. We both recognized the music playing over the sound system. Not a radio station or blaring music that makes conversations inaudible, there was continuous classic music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s washing over the room. These golden songs made the scenery even more comfortable. While the ambiance is carefree and warrants a good date atmosphere, the food is what draws most people to the restaurant. My date ordered the Shrimp Newberg, a special of Hottle’s. This dish of jumbo shrimp in a cream sauce with toast points was gone before I could even attempt to steal any. I decided to go bold and try the surf and turf dinner--six ounces of steak and six ounces of lobster tail. While I really enjoyed the heaping portions of steak and potatoes and salad that accompany the meal, I was slightly disappointed with the lobster. Perhaps eating Maine lobster after vacationing there not too long ago spoils one’s opinion of lobster south of the Maine border, but the lobster seemed to be dry and slightly overcooked. That slight set back did not deter my opinion of my meal overall, though. With a romantic atmosphere and good food, Hottle’s is a choice restaurant for couples to encounter on Valentine’s Day. Just be prepared for the prices. These are not your typical dollar menu items, but then again, this is a good day to splurge on someone you care about. The biological aspect of the exhibition is concealed in many of the works, in the form of body parts such as brains, eyes, legs, hands and bones. There are also various tubes and tendons connecting many of these limbs. “He has what looks like ear drums in some of the pictures, so it could be sensory perception or maybe like feeling or emotion,” said Nissen. A specific purpose of some of the graphite drawing is to illustrate iconic memory. These drawings are notably simple, yet this is merely to demonstrate how the memory is caught in an instant and not developed farther. These drawings, such as “Sitter,” are in simple form, similar to visual memory. Nissen said that not many visitors offer feedback after viewing the exhibition. “I think it would be nice to hear a response, because they kind of just look at it questionably,” she said. The arrangement of the exhibition has a significant meaning behind it for the artist. “The artist actually came here and laid the exhibition out himself, which is not the norm,” said DeBalko. “He really wanted • • • • • Do you miss the Crossword? • e-mail brie.friedman@wilkes.edu if you • orPlease you know is interested in creating • someone a crossword puzzle each week. • • • • • • • • • • • • • it to have a specific layout and feel in the space, so that was his design actually.” Throughout all of these interpretations of the varying purposes of the exhibition, there is no one specific conclusion. “There is no real clear, straightforward theme,” said DeBalko. Since it opened on January 18, the exhibition has been fairly popular. “We’ve had a lot of students in there, a lot of classes have given, it sounds like, essays or assignments on it,” DeBalko said. The Sordoni Art Gallery is open to the public and is located at 150 South River Street in the Stark Learning Center on the Wilkes University campus. The Gallery is open daily, from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 570-408-4325. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com 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! CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu • FEBRUARY 9, 2010 I .I QJ • •1 • e 1 • ZVK DT DSSXK’Y WKTZKG QY QZY WFGK DSSXK FJ FTK’Y KIK DTYWKT KTZDX ZVKT RAYZ VDBK ZG DCQXQZQKY! This week’s clue: Q=I & Z=T Last week’s answer: IF A POLAR BEAR WEIGHS ENOUGH TO BREAK THE ICE THEN A RHINO’S WEIGHT MUST BE MORE THAN ENOUGH TO BREAK THE PICK-UP LINE! �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 A&E 2010 Grammys focuses on performances BY KAYLA MATTIOLI Correspondant The Grammy Awards aired Sunday, January 31, on CBS. Admittedly, I have not watched the Grammys in a few years, but I feel like they used to spend more time giving out awards and less time watching the nominees perform duets with other artists. Nevertheless, I’ve seen nearly every award show for acting in the last seven years and they are not nearly as entertaining as the Grammys. The show lasted about three and a half hours and began with a performance by Lady Gaga and her male equivalent, Sir Elton John. Together they sang “Speechless” and “Your Song” while playing a pair of connected pianos. Both wore bedazzled glasses and had ash smeared on their faces. The pair received a standing ovation from the crowd even though it was probably the most tame/dull Gaga performance to date. Beyonce, who won six awards that night, including Song of the Year for “Single Ladies,” sang a rendition of “If I Were a Boy” before paying tribute to Alanis Morrisette (for some reason unknown) by switching to “You Oughta Know.” Pink sang “Glitter in the Air” while doing the acrobatic routine we already saw her do at MTV’s Video Music Awards last September. It was both exciting and impressive the first time. The second time around, though still impressive, was much less thrilling. Rihanna, Jay-Z, and Kanye West won the award for Best Rap/Song Collaboration for “Run This Town.” Kanye was conspicuously absent from the award ceremony even though he was scheduled to perform with Drake, Eminem, and Lil Wayne and he was featured on four other songs that were nominated for awards. Hmm… Taylor Swift performed with Stevie Nicks, and won Album of the Year as well as Best Country Album. She was permitted to complete her acceptance speech, which I’m no longer sure is a good idea. I like Taylor’s music as much as the next girl but…when she talks, do you feel like she might be a little off? Green Day, winners of the Rock Album category for “21st Century Breakdown,” performed “21 Guns” with the cast of the upcoming musical “American Idiot” which features the band’s songs. I would like to give Kudos to these guys for still being relevant enough to win awards. What's Happening Around Wilkes BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Staff Writer Tuesday, February 9, 2010 -Women’s Book Club: Hinda Feet on High Place @ Barnes and Noble – 1112:30 a.m. -Sexual Jeopardy @ Henry Student Center Ballroom – 9-10:15 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2010 -Campus Meditation @ Kirby Hall Salon, 1st floor – 4:45-5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 11, 2010 -Strike Anywhere, Blacklisted, Title Fight & This Time Next Year @ Café Metro – 8 p.m. - $12 -MIZ & Skursky Duo @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 8 p.m. -Special Program: The Sign Connection @ Barnes and Noble – 12-12:30 p.m. -The Manuscript Poetry Readings @ 1st floor lounge of Henry Student Center – 11 a.m. Friday, February 12, 2010 -NEPA Philharmonic @ FM Kirby Center – 8 p.m. - $20.50+ -Poppa Chubby @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 9 p.m. - $10 -Friday Night Live Music @ Barnes and Noble – 6:30-8:30 p.m. -Vagina Monologues @ 7 p.m., Henry Student Center Ballroom, free for Wilkes students Saturday, February, 13, 2010 -Cabinet @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 10 p.m. -Vagina Monologues @ 7 p.m., Henry Student Center Ballroom, free for Wilkes students Monday, February 15, 2010 -Gabriel the Marine @ Café Metro – 7 p.m. - $7 15 FLYLEAF Contined from PAGE 13 rya on guitar, Pat Seals on bass, and James Other performances included the Black Culpepper on the drums. Eyed Peas, DaveCon Matthews Band, and A young son and his mother were in a number of other people whose music I’ve front of me in line. I asked them what they never heard in my life. thought of Flyleaf, and what was the appeal After winning the award for Comedy Al- for them. Before the son, Mark, 13, could bum, Stephen Colbert came out on stage answer me, she pulled him aside jokingly and did a short opening speech that I’m and said, “Please! Don’t tell her it’s because assuming was supposed to be funny. Ulti- she’s hot!” mately, he bombed and the whole thing was “She’s an amazing singer, and the music awkward. He also took some time to plug and her voice complement each other so the new Apple iPad and ask his daughter if well,” said Mark. winning a Grammy finally made him cool. I was able to get an autograph, but was a She let him know that it did not. It is even bit embarrassed since I didn’t have any of more uncool to not be funny after winning their material to sign. Afraid I’d insult them, an award for your comedy album. I looked down at my “Professional ReportPerhaps the most disappointing part of the er’s Notebook” and cringed. Thankfully, night was Lionel Richie’s tribute to Michael I managed to find a photograph of them. Jackson. After suffering though it, I’ve de- Needless to say, the band was super nice cided that people need to stop making Mi- and didn’t mind one bit. Mosley even shook chael Jackson tributes. I respect Michael’s my hand and formally introduced herself. musical talent and have dedicated many Seals was also very nice, and I was mesmerhours to learning how to moon walk, so this ized with the many necklaces that dangled is not because I dislike him. It’s because no from his neck. Bhattacharya, Hartmann, tribute will ever top Janet Jackson’s at the and Culpepper were very friendly with their VMAs when dancers dressed in Michael- polite smiles, but seemed to be more on the like costumes performed his signature shy side and didn’t say too much to the fans. moves before allowing Janet to take the Mosley sported a cute white dress, Bhatstage. She performed “Scream” with Mi- tacharya in a maroon sweater, and the rest chael, via a large video screen behind her. of the band members dressed in all black. In contrast, Lionel, who was good friends I was not able to make the scheduled with the King of Pop and even appointed twelve song performance in the store. The him Godfather to daughter Nicole, showed performance and signing helped promote some nonsense video of a little girl outdoors their performance with Three Days Grace enjoying nature (which you could have and Chevelle at Mohegan Sun that took watched in 3D if you had the glasses). This place Saturday night at 8 p.m. was accompanied by Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and CONTACT BRIE FRIEDMAN AT: Smokey Robinson (all good friends of the brie.friedman@wilkes.edu Jackson family, I’m sure) singing Michael’s “Earth Song.” The tribute was supposed to reinforce his message that we need to save the planet. OK, but this is CHEAPBOOKS.COM the Grammys, where we pay tribute to musicians because of their music. There was also a cameo TEXTBOOKS by his two oldest children, Prince BOUGHT ANDS Michael and Paris. Prince acNEWAND cepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on his father’s behalf. Overall, the show went smoothly with zero crazy stunts, which was almost disappointing. If you would like to see a full list of the winners, considering they only gave out about five awards on the telecast, visit www.grammy.com. BUY, SELL, RENT CONTACT KAYLA MATTIOLI AT: kayla.mattioli@wilkes.edu 260.399.6111 SEE SITE FOR OTHER SUPPORT LINES �TWO PASS CENTURY MARK Coach Jon Laudenslager, senior Frank Heffernan in elite company. PAGE 20 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Wikes falls to Ithaca for second time Valiants vandalized Mantua, Marich, Heffernan pick up wins for Colonels taking a 3-0 lead early after freshman Scott Mantua continued his sensational freshman campaign, taking down the country’s fourth ranked 125-pounder Jon Gregory. The win bumped Mantua’s record to 29-10 on the season, avenging a 12-3 loss earlier in the second, Marich would hold on, picking up a much needed 5-2 win to get the Colonels to within 10, 16-6. It was a battle of top fifteen teams Friday At 174, No. 12 Frank Heffernan continnight in the Marts Gymnasium as the Wilued his fantastic senior season, shutting out kes University wrestling team, ranked No. 5 Ithaca’s John Beach 12-0, bringing the Colnationally, hosted the onels within six. No. 4 ranked division The Bombers three team in the nawould get some tion, the Bombers of breathing room after Ithaca College. Josue Mendez pulled The matchup would out an 11-6 victory be the eighth time this over Jesse Villella at season the Colonels the 184-pound class, faced a nationally extending the lead to ranked team, and the nine. second time this year The 197-pound that they have squared clash turned into a off on the mat with bloody battle. After the Bombers. The last three blood timetime these two teams outs, Ithaca’s David met, Ithaca wreaked Spriscia pulled out a havoc on the Colonels, 5-2 victory over 7th winning the first seven ranked Zach Pizarro, matches en route to giving the Bombers a 29-9 victory in the a 22-10 advantage. semi-final round of the Ithaca’s Joe Goetz Budd Whitehill Duals took care of Justin in January. The Beacon/Allison Roth Franiak in the 285“Our schedule is Freshman 285-pounder Justin Franiak takes down Ithaca’s Joe Goetz in the final match versus the No. 4 pound match, securtough, but it needs to Bombers. Franiak would drop the match 10-2, as the Colonels fell to Ithaca for the second time on the sea- ing their second win be,” said head coach son, 26-10. With the loss, the Colonels’ record dropped to 21-7. They take on No. 29 Elizabethtown Thursday. this season over the Jon Laudenslager. “If Colonels, 26-10. you’re going to make it to the national tour- season to Gregory. “They did the little things much, much nament, you need to be battle tested and I “I was pretty excited,” said Mantua. “I lost better,” said Head Coach Jon Laudenslager. know our guys are that. They’ve wrestled a close match last week, but it feels good to “Can we compete; can we clean up those eight nationally ranked teams, two division bounce back with this one. I wrestled a lot things? Yes. We’ve been preaching those two teams, and a lot of other good teams, of close matches with things all year long, it’s either we’re going and we still have two more coming up. Our good kids, but its good to do it or not. We’re going to make that schedule is tough, and it’s that way for a to beat one of them next step to beat a number four team in the reason.” to prove myself out country or we’re going to stay in the middle The Colonels would be even more battle here.” of the pack at 15th.” With the loss, the Colonels drop to 21-7. tested after this heavyweight tilt. But the Bombers The Bombers came into the matchup with would respond, win- Their next matchup comes Thursday evefive wrestlers ranked among the top ten in ning the next four ning when they battle Elizabethtown, who the country in their respective weight classmatches to take a com- is ranked 29th in the country. es, including the number one ranked wresmanding 16-3 lead. MANTUA tler at the 149-pound weight class, Blaine The match of the CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT Woszczak. Wilkes sports two members night belonged to the anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu ranked in the top ten with Zach Pizarro at bout at the 165-pound class. With the battle No. 7 in the 197-pound weight class and locked up at 0-0 late in the second period, Frank Heffernan No. 12 at 174. Sophomore Ben Marich took the lead with The highly anticipated match did not dis- a take down of Ithaca’s John Dale. With the appoint. The Colonels jumped on top quick; crowd noise increasing with every waning BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Colonels rally from 15 down for victory BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor The Colonels defeated Manhattanville on February 6, by a score of 81-78, improving their record to 13-8 overall. Early in the game Manhattanville took center stage hitting baskets and taking an 11-7 lead six minutes into the game. The two teams would continue to battle it out on the hardwood; however, after a deep three by Manhattanville’s Jeff Ventura the Valiants went up by eight, causing Wilkes to call timeout in order to compose themselves. Despite the Colonels effort to slow the pace of the game, the Valiants continued their run, scoring from the outside and improving their lead by 16 with seven minutes left in the half. After two free throws by Tom Kresge and a jumper by freshman Tyler Breznitski, the Colonels managed to close the gap by eleven; however the Valiants were able to come back, ending the half with 41-29 lead. In the second half the Valiants continued their streak, hitting back to back three pointers and scoring an easy layup to extend their lead to 15 with 14 minutes to play. Just when it looked like Wilkes was out of the game, the Colonels were able to generate a little momentum of their own. With 12:30 left in the game, Manhattanville committed its seventh foul and allowed the Colonels to score a couple of free points. After a combination of baskets between Kresge and Anthony Gabriel, the Colonels went on a 12-0 point run, chipping away at their deficit. Kresge was able to tie up the score at 57 for the first time in the second half with a clutch three pointer. Free throws were the key in the Colonels’ win with both Anthony Gabriel and Tom Kresge earning a total of 27 points from the charity line on the night. Gabriel went 1415, and Kresge 13-16. As a team, Wilkes went 37-47 from the line. After a tight race in the second half, the two teams ended regulation tied at 72 apiece. The overtime period featured sloppy play SEE BASKETBALL, Page 19 �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 SPORTS 17 Athlete Spotlight: Chris DeRojas, sharpshooter BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent The phrase “he’s on fire” from the classic video game “NBA Jam” crossed minds as Chris DeRojas scored 30 points, leading the Wilkes Men’s Basketball team to a victory over Lebanon Valley. His hot hand from everywhere on the court has earned DeRojas this week’s Athlete Spotlight. The Dutchmen couldn’t find a way to put out the fire, allowing DeRojas to go perfect at the line (2-2), 6-8 from three-point land, and 11-15 from the field. “I got hot and my teammates found me and got me the ball where I can score,” DeRojas commented on his performance. “It felt good. I got hot, but most importantly we got the W.” Coming off his second game of the season scoring 30 or more points, DeRojas received nothing but praise from head coach Jerry Rickrode. “[DeRojas] was very aggressive with the ball and punctured into the lane from north to south,” said Rickrode. “He also seemed to get into that comfort zone and his confi- “I let the game come to me and tried to get my teammates involved,” said DeRojas. When asked what he could attribute his impressive play this season to, DeRojas credited his offseason work ethic, as well as his training throughout the season. “The off-season is my time to get better and to get stronger,” said DeRojas. “I work hard. I do a lot of drills, shooting, playing in some leagues, conditioning, and lifting. During the season I like to make sure I get shots up before or after practice.” Rickrode also acknowledged DeRojas’s work ethic. “He works as hard as anybody in the offseason. He has a true love for the game. He’s a very respectful young man. He’s fun The Beacon/Gino Troiani to have around.” Chris DeRojas has been on fire the past few games for the Colonels. In a win versus Lebanon Valley, DeRojas Although DeRojas’s play has earned him was 11-15 from the field, netting 30 points. the Athlete Spotlight, he aspires to earning a he becomes a big distraction to the oppos- MAC Title and an NCAA playoff birth. dence level was very high.” Rickrode talked about how DeRojas’ play ing team.” DeRojas admits that fighting off the urge CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT affected the team as a whole. “When he gets like that, we are very hard to take every shot himself because he felt justin.jones@wilkes.edu to stop,” said Rickrode. “The team feeds like all of his shots would go in. But he off of those stretches, and it opens up scor- didn’t let the urge get the better of him and ing possibilities for everyone else, because remained a team player by being patient. • w__ .,,. I THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Olt VICE VERSA Get 10% off with valid student ID OR VICE VERSA Get 10% off with student ID .J l Foll Menu Served All Dag 99....... ~ ~ ¢ _____ ___ __ __ ~=--=~ ---·----= l ~ BREAKFAST BURRITO ... _ ..... REGULAR "'""_ . ., "' ..... ' Full Menu Served All Dag f·; ._•rlc•• . Orlve•ln § ; �18 SPORTS THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/3 @ Misericordia 71-77 L 2/6 vs. Manhattanville 81-78 W WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2/3 @ Misericordia 46-67 L 2/6 vs. Manhattanville 47-79 L Who will take the “Battle of Tobacco Road”? The Dean Dome will house a dominant ‘Heels performance WRESTLING 2/5 vs. Ithaca 10-26 L WBS PENGUINS 2/3 vs. Adirondack 5-4 W (Shootout) 2/5 vs. Syracuse 1-4 L PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2/6 @ Canadiens 3-5 L 2/7 @ Capitals PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 2/3 @ Oilers 0-1 L 2/6 @ Wild 1-2 L WEEK AHEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/10 @ Eastern 8pm 2/13 @ Delaware Valley 3pm WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2/10 @ Eastern 6pm 2/13 @ Delaware Valley 1pm For me, the Duke-UNC matchup is like waking up and having a large glass of Tropicana Lots of Pulp Orange Juice in the morning--I cannot go on with my day without it. No matter the records coming in, it still is Duke-North Carolina. It still has meaning and bragging rights are still on the line between the two schools. Before I go on, we have to step back for a second and appreciate the beauty of this rivalry. The two schools rank No. 2 and No. 4 all-time in wins in college basketball history. They have combined to win 12 out of the last 13 ACC Tournaments, and have won outright or shared 23 of the past 28 Regular Season ACC titles. Duke has won three NCAA championships and has been in fourteen Final Fours, while North Carolina has won five NCAA championships and has appeared in eighteen Final Fours. Much to Mr. Kautz’s dismay, it doesn’t really matter if Duke has got three studs and 2/9 @ Elizabethtown 7pm 2/12 vs. Kings 7pm WRESTLING WBS PENGUINS 2/10 @ Norfolk 7:15pm 2/12 vs. Binhamton 7:05pm 2/13 vs. Hershey 7:05pm 2/14 @ Adirondack 3pm twil:I: r, @Beaconsnorts 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 it from the outside, sure, but they are not nearly athletic enough to hang with the Tar Heels. I understand that they haven’t put it all together yet, especially defensively, but this North Carolina team is far more athletic than the Blue Devils. Singler will not know how to handle the long, talented Ed Davis down low, while Scheyer will not get the open looks he needs. Last, Roy Williams. Since taking over at North Carolina, the Carolina alum has simply gotten the best of Coach K. He is 7-5 against Duke since his reign in Carolina blue started in 2004, and has won the last three matchups over the hated Blue Devils. I feel bad for Mr. Kautz and all of his loyal Duke fans. This is the one year that Duke may have the advantage and may truly have a chance to get the best of the Tar Heels. With all the talent Carolina will be returning next year, along with both the nation’s number one player and number one recruiting class, this may be the last time the Blue Devils ever have the advantage. To quote the Albanian kidnapper from Taken: “Good Luck.” Final Score: UNC 77, Duke 68 Duke’s experience, personnel matchups will carry them WRESTLING 2/9 @ Elizabethtown 7pm 2/12 vs. Kings 7pm the better defensive numbers. If this rivalry has shown anything it’s that when these two teams meet, all numbers are thrown out the window. Despite their recent slide out of the top 25, here are a few reasons why UNC will win the first of two regular season matchups. First, the Dean Dome. To make things absolutely clear, the Tar Heels do not lose at home. In the 23 years they have played ball in the arena they have lost just 51 times. Although the fans that pack the Dean Dome have been referred to as a “wine and cheese crowd,” the arena is one of the loudest venues in college basketball. And with the boys from Durham rolling in, it will be at its loudest. The crowd will be the sole reason for some turnovers and some missed shots in transition, as well as some huge momentum swings in UNC’s favor. With Duke coming in ranked inside the top ten, the ‘Heels would want nothing more than to upend the Dukies and destroy their season. Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer. Wait, what? No, that is not a misprint, and that is not supposed to be the advantage written about by the kid below me. These two can stroke While I’ll allow Mr. Dorunda his precious optimism, I have to admit that I can’t stop smiling over this matchup. I’ve been a fan of Duke basketball since a friend introduced me to the beauty of a J.J. Redick three-pointer back in high school, and nothing hurt more than last season’s 79-71 loss at Chapel Hill. That was Tyler Hansbrough’s last home game, and I wanted nothing more than an upset; despite being the inferior team playing in a hostile environment, Duke was up 39-38 at half and played well before ultimately losing. I watched the game in University Towers with several people and was crushed as the final buzzer sounded, This season, with the Tar Heels (13-9, 2-5) looking less like the defending national champions and more like a weak mid-major, is Duke’s (18-4, 62) chance for revenge. Go ahead Mr. Dorunda, call Duke un-ath- letic. I’ll take the knowledge and experience of Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler over the ups of any of Carolina’s diaper dandies. Between the two of them and Nolan Smith, Duke has one of the best cores in the ACC this season (the three combined are averaging just over 53 points per game). For all of its hype, the combination of Ed Davis and Deon Thompson has not been able to carry the Heels (especially with Tyler Zeller out with an injury). And while it’s true that the Blue Devils have had their share of difficulties on the road this season (N.C. State?), the Tar Heels have lost their last three home games to two unranked conference opponents and Georgia Tech, who Duke just spanked 86-67. Were this team a bit younger I would have my reservations about driving into the Dean Dome, but I’m not terribly phased. Duke is just better this season. Though they are averaging only slightly more points per game than the Heels (82.1 to 80.4), their defensive prowess (63 points allowed per game compared to 73) offers them an advantage that cannot be ignored. If they can slow the game down to where they can limit transition baskets and force the Heels into their half-court offense, the Duke bigs will have little trouble protecting the hoop. Davis and Thompson will get their points, but they will be heavily contested and forced to work hard for them. If Duke can play to their capabilities this game, it will be a walk. The Dean Dome will be rocking, and will undoubtedly play a role in helping to create turnovers, but if the Blue Devils can limit their mistakes and give a concerted effort, there’s little doubt in my mind that they will walk out with their first win in the last four matchups between the two teams. The Tar Heels just do not have enough this season to complete with their neighbors in Durham, and I, for one, am loving it. I am not foolish enough to expect Carolina to simply roll over in this game, especially in front of their home fans, but I like Duke in this matchup. Final Score: Duke 76, North Carolina 70 �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 SPORTS 100 WINS BASKETBALL Continued from page 20 Continued from page 16 matches at 174 pounds. He finished in seventh place and helped cement his status as an All-American, one of his proudest moments as a Wilkes wrestler. “Going to nationals and becoming an AllAmerican was a huge achievement for me personally,” said Heffernan. “It was the result of a lot of work and something I was proud of.” Now in his last year of college, Heffernan owns 102 career victories and is ranked fifth nationally in the d3wrestle.com and the National Wrestling Coaches Association Poll in the 174-pound division. He was aware of when he won his 100 against McDaniel, but said that there was little time for celebration because of the fact that he had two more matches to look forward to that day. With the season now drawing to a close, his focus is on helping Wilkes repeat as Metro Conference Champions. He also wants to place higher at nationals this year, something he has been looking forward to. “I probably couldn’t share 100 wins better with any kid [than Heffernan],” said Laudenslager. “He’s one of the reasons I have 100. Kids like him who are dedicated to the team, know how hard you have to work to have success; they just make coaching that much easier. He’s a true leader. He understands what it takes to be a champion. He’s good all around; he’s a good student who works hard off of the mat for everything he gets.” “We’re very close,” said Heffernan, of his relationship with Laudenslager. “We’re always in contact throughout the year, and I always feel like I can ask or share anything with him.” The two will count on that close relationship helping them as they approach the Metropolitan Conference Championship, which is on February 21, and the National Championships, which are on March 5. With any luck, the two will be able to add a few more wins, and hopefully, championships, to their resumes. CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu 19 from both teams, but the erratic play would end up haunting the Valiants. With 12 seconds left in the game the Valiants fouled Junior Chris DeRojas, sending him to the line for the second time on the night. DeRojas was able to hit both shots and solidify the Colonel win with a final score of 81-78. With the win, Wilkes moves to 13-8 overall and 3-6 in conference GABRIEL pay. The Colonels will continue their playoff push as they take on Eastern on Wednesday, Febuary 10. CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT gino.troiani@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Colonels attempted to regroup during a timeout against the Valiants. They would win the game by the score of 81-78. small frappl! Not valid with any other coupon offer. Valid on ly at participating McDonald's restau rants in Northeast Pennsylvania. Partic ipat ion based on independent operator decision. Not valid in conj unction w it h any othe r offer, d iscount, coupon or combo meal. Cash Value 1 /20 of I cenl Li m it one coupon per person, per visil Coupon may not be transferred, copied or dupli cated in any way or transm itted via e lectro nic media. Valid when p roduct served. May not be va lid for custom orders. m Limit one coupon per person, per visit. VALID: 219110 through 3115110 • i'm lovin' it' �THE BEACON SPORTS 20 FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Wilkes wrestling coach, senior reach 100 wins Jon Laudenslager, Frank Heffernan in rarified air By DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor Last month was a historic one for Wilkes wrestling, with both head coach Jonathan Laudenslager and senior wrestler Frank Heffernan winning their 100th matches. Heffernan celebrated his 100th win on January 9 at the North South Duals, after winning a major decision over Scott Forrester of McDaniel College, 13-2. He is only the fourth Wilkes University wrestler to reach the century mark; 2009 graduate Erik Smith most recently accomplished the feat last season, on February 19, 2009. Laudenslager’s win came after his team defeated visiting Plymouth State College 24-15 on January 30. He is only the second wrestling coach to win 100 matches at Wilkes, although it should be noted that his predecessor (and coach while a student at Wilkes), Alan Zellner, reached 97 by the end of his career. “I think they both have achieved such success here at Wilkes because of their commitment and the amount of heart they put into wrestling,” said Rich Pellegrini, a senior history major and member of the wrestling team. “They both try to push themselves and the team to achieve every goal that they set out to do.” Both men have participated in wrestling since they were in kindergarten, forming a deep appreciation for the sport that is obvious in their discussions of it. They both point to their love of competition as the main factor in their involvement with wrestling. “I’ve been [wrestling] my entire life; it’s second nature to me,” said Heffernan, an accounting major. “I like competing and being close with my teammates.” “I find [both wrestling and coaching] to be fulfilling,” said Laudenslager, who wrestled for the Colonels from 1994-98 and graduated with a degree in psychology. “I don’t think one is more important than the other to me […] You have to be competitive to succeed in both, and I think I’m a pretty competitive person.” Laudenslager became a volunteer assistant coach as a fifth year senior, helping mentor those who had previously been his teammates. He then went to North Carolina to be closer to his father, and found work as EXCLUSIVE Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won’t find in the print edition. BY THE NUMBERS 100 Wins that head coach Jon Laudenslager and senior Frank Heffernan have accumulated throughout their careers. Both recorded their 100th win in January. Laudenslager is the second winningest wrestling coach in university history. 416 The Beacon/Allison Roth Coach Laudenslager (far left, crouching) looks on as Heffernan scores a major decision, 12-0, against Joe Beach of Ithaca. The two broached the 100-win mark in January, something few in Wilkes University wrestling history have achieved. a high school coach. Midway through that ried, is great.” “[Laudenslager] doesn’t have to be [a] year, he was contacted by Zellner, who said that he wanted to leave coaching in a few loud, vocal coach because we respect him years and felt that Laudenslager would be and know how he demands to give everyan ideal replacement. He offered the recent thing your best,” said Pellegrini. “And that’s what we do.” graduate a job as assistant coach. The coach, who was unaware he had won “It was tough,” admitted Laudenslager. “I’d just met my wife, who at the time I 100 until being informed by Tom Dunwasn’t even married to yet, a month or two smuir, the equipment and facilities manager before that, so it was tough getting her to at Wilkes, said that the numbers mean little make the move up here after six months. It to him. “I’m not one to follow wins and losses too was a good move for me though. A year away from Wilkes helped me come back as much as long as kids are giving it their best more of a coach and less of a teammate, so effort.” One of the better decisions he has made in you could say that the time away definitely his tenure was recruiting Heffernan, a stuhelped.” The transition from player to coach was dent who has certainly given his best effort certainly different for him, but his lifelong while with the team. Breaking out in his sophomore year, Hefinvolvement with the sport and experience fernan placed second in the Metropolitan as a volunteer assistant helped. “I don’t know which one is easier, to be Championship and qualified for an at-large honest with you,” said Laudenslager. “Ob- bid to the NCAA National Championships viously as a wrestler you have to put a tre- at the 165 pound level. Though he lost his mendous amount of physical effort into two matches there, admittedly feeling nerthings. Coaching is stressful in other ways; vous, the experience helped him mature as you’re worrying about ten guys, not just a competitor. He reached nationals again yourself. From the coaching side, watching as a junior, where he won two of his three kids grow over four years is very fulfilling SEE 100 WINS, Page 19 and watching them get great jobs, get mar- for more information check out. .. I lwilkesbeacon. com GO! Number of wins Laudenslager needs to surpass John Reese as the winningest wrestling coach in Wilkes University history. Reese compiled a 515-171-10 record between 1953-94. 25-7 Heffernan’s record on the season, good for a .781% win percentage. He will have the opportunity to win two additional matches as Wilkes wrestles Elizabethtown and King’s before the start of the Metropolitan Conference Championships. 11 Days until the Colonels try to repeat as Metropolitan Conference Champions. The championship is on February 21, in Ewing, NJ. � 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 2010 February 9th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 February 9 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/67200f8d052a75d64e53af77333f9579.pdf 712bb1992d4f6f31782045fa3eec41e0 PDF Text Text Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Volume 62 Issue 13 The Beacon Archives/ Allison Roth SPOTLIGHT ON ANTHONY GABRIEL SPORTS | PAGE BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor SEE RENDELL, Page 3 pass the budget bill, but – I don’t know – it will be interesting,” said Erin Sweet, senior class representative on student government. Gary Miller, a spokesman for Rendell, said Wilkes is currently one of two commencement addresses the Governor has agreed to give. Adams says that Rendell’s name has been kicked around in the past for the address, but it has never worked out. “Governor Rendell has been on our list for the past few years,” said Adams. “Timing is always an issue in the selection. Since this is the last opportunity we have to honor Governor Rendell while he’s in office, we invited him for Rendell chosen to address graduates PA governor to deliver spring commencement address Rendell has delivered several addresses at Wilkes campus throughout his term in office. THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW FY ‘10 and ‘11 budget session held Petra Carver met with interested Wilkes community members to discuss the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years, giving a presentation and answering their questions. with a balanced budget. So, to balAmong the revenue received is ance out the current deficit, a few a Department of Education grant different sources of revenue and that is guaranteed for this year and cutbacks will be used in 2011. SEE BUDGET, Page 5 The Beacon/Thomas Reilly Wilkes still struggling to balance deficit BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor On Thursday, February 11, Petra Carver, vice president of finance and support operations, held a budget update session for the Wilkes community about the immediate financial future of the University. It was followed by a question and answer session. According to Carver, 2010 is projected to end in a deficit of $2.2 million because of a shortfall in graduate tuition revenue and parttime tuition revenue. There was also some over-expenditure on the part of financial aid. Every year, the goal for the University is to end the fiscal year Potential study partnership with Australian college in works Campion College to give Wilkes students a study abroad experience BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Diversity, is hopeful that it will soon be approved. About 15 students and 15 faculty members came to hear Abela speak about Campion and the type of programs the college has to offer to Wilkes students and faculty members. Students studying abroad can live in a dorm, live in shared houses or live with an Australian family. On campus, Campion has facilities that include a library, gym The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, governor of Pennsylvania, will offer the spring commencement address at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 22, says Vicki Mayk, associate director for marketing communications at Wilkes. Dr. Paul Adams, vice president for student affairs, said Rendell has visited Wilkes many times in the past. “He’s been a great friend to Wilkes and a great supporter of Northeastern PA,” said Adams. “I think [he’s] an interesting choice. I don’t know how well [he] will be received since he couldn’t Sports Pages 16-20 SEE AUSTRALIA, Page 3 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 Campion has to offer. Campion is a small liberal arts college located about 35 minutes from Sydney and 10 minutes from the Parramatta, which is another business district in Australia. Campion is Australia’s first liberal arts college and it was founded in 2006. Currently, the college has 100 students and eight faculty members. The study abroad partnership has not yet been finalized, but Dr. Godlove Fonjweng, director of the Center for Global Education and Life Pages 9-12 The Center for Global Education and Diversity, in cooperation with Campion College in Australia, plans to create a study abroad partnership for students, as well as a separate teaching program for faculty members. Dr. Paul Abela, deputy registrar from Campion College, visited Wilkes University on Tuesday, February 9 to speak with students and faculty about the program that Opinion Pages 6-8 Coaches’ Responsibilities College athletic coaches are responsible for helping their students achieve success beyond their sport. PAGE 16 2010 Vagina Monologues Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues showcased at Wilkes this past weekend. The spotlight shined on the women in the Congo. PAGE 13 Black History Month Dr. Stringer integrates Black History Month facts into her classes to help students better understand this PAGE 9 month-long celebration. Plague of poor rhetoric Students have become accustomed to using the word “like” and “um” in their speech which causes problems PAGE 6 entering job market. Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member ~ The �$24,690 690 FEBRUARY 16, 2010 $24,690 $25,801 $25,801 SEE HOW YOUR FEES ARE INCREASING PAGE 5 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Briefs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor coaching staff until February 12. For names of the players, visit www.gowilkesu.com. ONLINE WRITING CENTER – The Online Writing Center (OWC) is open for submissions for spring 2010. The OWC consultations are similar to the consultations done in the Writing Center in the Alden Learning Commons in the Farley Library. Papers are read and sent back to the writer within 48 hours. Submissions can be made by going to http://wilkes.edu/pages/766.asp. MOCK GRAD SCHOOL TESTING – Career Services will host Princeton Review test prep services on Saturday, February 27 in Breiseth Hall at 9 a.m. for students interested in taking mock GRE’s, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT. Students must email careers@ wilkes.edu or call 570-408-4060 with name, test desired, major, year and cell number to attend. The tests are approximately three to five hours and the GRE and GMAT tests are computer administrated. All students must arrive at Breiseth Hall, first floor by 8:55 a.m. No walk-ins or late arrivals will be accommodated. PINK OUT – The Women’s Basketball Team will be playing King’s College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 20. The team will be selling “pink out” T-shirts for $10 and the profits will be donated to the fight against breast cancer. Shirts can be purchased through any member of the team or TREC AWARDS – The Teaching Recognition and Effectiveness Committee (TREC) is now accepting nominations from faculty for the Carpenter Award, the Outstanding New Faculty Award, the Part-time Teaching Award, the Academic Support Award, the Multiculturalism Award and the Interdisciplinary Award. The Carpenter Award nominations are due February 19 and the other awards are due March 19. More information for the criteria of each award can be found at http://course.wilkes.edu/trec/. RELAY FOR LIFE – Registration has begun for Relay for Life. Students interested in forming a team and signing-up can contact Bethany Sharpless at bethany.sharpless@ wilkes.edu. Relay for Life will be held on April 24 through April 25. Stress Management Workshop today, February 16 at 11:15 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. in the Health and Wellness Service Center on the first floor of Passan Hall. Susan Biskup, M.A., NCC, will lead the informative session about how to handle and cope with stress. Pizza will be offered to students who attend. For more information, contact Susan Biskup at susan.biskup@wilkes.edu. Win an award? Hear about an important event? If you think it’s newsworthy, send it in! Email jacqueline.lukas@ wilkes.edu or cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu with your tip. STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP – Campus Counseling will host a SAT-optional still a long shot for Wilkes applicants Admissions still discussing pros and cons of nixing the test scores BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A & E Editor The Wilkes University Admissions Department is considering eliminating the SAT scores requirement from the application process, though according to enrollment administration doing so is merely a possibility at this point in time. In Spring 2007, the Admissions Department began exploring the idea of making SAT scores optional for application to the university. After much debate and consideration by the Admissions Department, the plan for making SAT scores optional for incoming freshmen is stll in the preliminary stages. The concept has been sent to the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee, but there is little evidence that it has any potential of becoming an official proposal. Melanie Mickelson, vice president for enrollment services, said, “The committee itself has not yet made a decision as to whether or not they even wish to propose a policy. They’re still in the research stages.” Mickelson describes evaluating the option of removing SAT scores as being a tedious process that has been ongoing over the last three years. “For the past three years, the Admissions and Financial Aid committee has been discussing this conceptually. Where they are right now is, they are looking at policies of other institutions, looking at the rationale behind such a policy. Then, the committee, after they’ve done their research, will conclude as to whether or not they wish to ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu propose a policy.” According to Mickelson, if the committee decides that it would be effective to eliminate SAT scores, the proposal would still have to pass a faculty vote. Mickelson said that switching SAT scores to optional in the near future is “an extremely remote possibility.” Amy Patton, acting director of admissions, also said that this transition is “nowhere close to being a possibility.” There are many schools that have already converted to SAT-optional, and Wilkes has noticed this trend. “Some schools have shown a very positive change from it.” Mickelson said, “Drew University is probably one of the best examples that’s shown. They increased their application pool. They increased their diversity. They really garnered all of the results from it that they wanted to get.” However, there have also been questionable consequences from this change that the committee has been monitoring. “Other schools, I think, are still evaluating the impact of it. King’s College went SAT-optional a few years ago, and they’re still evaluating whether or not they got the benefits they wanted,” said Mickelson. There is indication that this change may not occur at all. Mickelson said, “There’s been a lot of concern that we are not ready for such a policy. The largest faculty argument is that it will lower admission standards.” The objective of this switch would not be to lower standards for incoming freshSEE SAT, Page 5 Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Gino Troiani Managing Editor �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 RENDELL Continued from FRONT PAGE May. President Gilmour wrote a letter to the Governor inviting him to speak.” The 66-year-old Democratic governor is completing his second term in office, and has had a lengthy career in national and Pennsylvania politics. He was first elected to the office of governor in 2002, and reelected in 2006. He was the mayor of Philadelphia from 1992 NEWS to 1999, and the city’s District Attorney from 1978 to 1985. Rendell also served as the General Chairman for the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 presidential election. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova Law School. According to Mayk, the speaker is chosen by the Honorary Degree Committee. The committee is comprised of President Tim Gilmour; Dr. Reynold Verret, Wilkes’ provost; Dr. Paul Adams, vice president for student affairs; Dr. Elizabeth Slaughter, rep- 3 resentative from the board of trustees; and Dr. Bernard Graham, dean of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing. Mayk says the committee solicits suggestions from the campus community for honorary degree recipients in the fall. “This call for nominations doesn’t stipulate that it is a call for suggestions for commencement speakers, since the University sometimes awards honorary degrees at commencement to honor individuals who are not speaking,” said Mayk. “Governor Rendell will be the only hon- Commencement Speakers Throughout Wilkes’ History June 8, 1939 – Paul Swain Havens, president of Wilson College in Chamnbersburg, Pa., delivered the 5th commencement address for Bucknell Junior College. June 3, 1957 - Eric Johnson, president of the Motion Picture Association and special envoy of President Eisenhower, delivered the address for Wilkes College. AUSTRALIA Continued from FRONT PAGE and sporting facilities. In order to qualify, students must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher. Abela pointed out that by studying at Campion, students will be immersed in Australian culture because there are not many students from other cultures at Campion. Campion is offering two different types of study abroad programs for students. According to Fonjweng, these programs will be offered during summer semesters if the program is accepted by both Wilkes and Campion. The first type of program is for a full semester, which will encompass a full class schedule and living on campus or with an Australian family. This program is about the cost of a semester at Wilkes University, but Campion offers a wide range of scholarships that are available to students. The second study abroad program is about three weeks. It will include two weeks of in-classroom learning and then one week of travel into the Australian Outback to learn about and to help the aboriginal culture of Australia. This study program will be a three credit course and costs about $4,000. Students will have to pay for their flight and bring their own spending money. Abela emphasized the “work hard, play hard” attitude in Australia, but also talked about the lessons that students will take with them for the rest of their lives. “I think there is value in an Australian June 11, 1962 – James E. Webb, the second chief administrator of NASA, delivered the commencement address for Wilkes College. - May 15, 1999 – Janet Reno, former U.S. Attorney General, delivered the commencement address for Wilkes University. study abroad experience,” said Abela. “It’s not all parties and games.” Both Abela and Fonjweng emphasized the importance of field trips. Abela said that there are many opportunities to travel throughout Australia. Abela talked about students traveling to big cities like Sydney and the Parramatta, as well as the Australian Outback. Currently, Fonjweng is hoping that faculty members from Wilkes University will teach classes at Campion in their field of expertise. The faculty teaching program’s logistics are a little less clear. For faculty members going to Campion College from Wilkes University, there is no set class or curriculum that they must teach. Currently, according to Abela and Fonjweng, faculty can teach whichever subject they would like to teach, and students can take it as an elective. In addition, being that Campion is a liberal arts college, there are not many science or math classes offered to students. Therefore, science and math professors can teach their area of expertise as an elective course, as well. Faculty members who decide to teach abroad will have an office, library resources and a full meal plan. “We are still in the early stages of development,” said Abela. Fonjweng said that, through this project, he hopes to get more faculty members involved in the study abroad experience to attrack the attention of a greater number of students. “When faculty [members] become inter- May 21, 2005 – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. delivered the commencement address for Wilkes University. Kennedy is an attorney, author and environmental activist. - May 22, 2010 Edward G. Rendell, governor of Pennsylvania, is scheduled to deliver the commencement address for Wilkes University. orary degree recipient at this year’s ceremony,” said Adams. “He will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.” “The University will recognize individuals who have attained achievements of extraordinary and lasting distinction,” said the selection committee in the call for honorary degree nominations last semester. “In all cases they should have a demonstrated record of accomplishment consonant with the ideals of the University.” The committee also said they prefer to identify native Pennsylvanians for contributions that they have made to the state. People from different walks of life have earned the honor including Marlee Matlin, American actress; Bill Cosby, American comedian; Janet Reno, former U.S. Attorney General; and John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, American jazz icon. In total, Wilkes has awarded approximately 100 people with honorary degrees throughout the institution’s history. CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas Dr. Paul Abela, deputy registrar of Campion College in Australia, spoke with Wilkes students about the college and its’ study abroad options. He also spoke with faculty about teaching classes at Campion. ested in study abroad, they can then also urge their students in classes and give advisement sessions to go abroad,” said Fonjweng. “So this project is an attempt to get faculty more involved in study abroad, with the main goal of getting our students [to study abroad].” Fonjweng continued to say that many students from Wilkes have not traveled, so to encourage students to study abroad can be quite difficult. Dr. James Merryman, professor of sociology and anthropology, attended the faculty meeting to hear Abela’s presentation. Merryman takes students on trips almost every spring break and summer. This summer, he will be traveling to Australia and plans to stop by Campion. “While I’m [in Australia] I will go visit [Campion College near] Sydney and so I’ll have a much better feel for it by seeing the campus first hand and meeting faculty,” said Merryman. “So I expect to be positively impressed and I would be very much in favor of encouraging Wilkes students to go there.” Merryman, who calls himself a worldtraveler, has learned many life lessons about the value of a study abroad experience. “It’s important to gain a different perspective of the U.S. and a different perspective of yourself, as a world citizen and not just an American,” said Merryman. CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu �4 THE BEACON NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Robotics club seeking constitution approval BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor As a way to remember their late professor, Dr. Matthew Zukowski, some engineering students on campus have decided to try to revive the robotics club. Mr. Hisham A. Abu-Nabaa, an engineering instructor and the advisor to the club, persuaded some of his students to start the club back up. “Our teacher, Dr. Nabaa, encouraged us to start the club up last semester when we took one of his robotics classes,” said James Spickard, a junior electrical engineering major. “We realized [the lab] was such a spectacular room, with all of the different robotics stuff in there. It’s one of the most impressive labs on campus and is only used one day a week for that semester.” So, they decided that they would put the lab room to some use by reforming the robotics club. They could then take advantage of it while bringing back a unique club. The club has been inactive for years, but no one ever withdrew its club-status. However, the only issue with Student Government from granting club status was that the constitution had been lost somewhere along the way. Spickard went to work writing up a new constitution and submitted it to Student Govern- club members, however. “That gives us basically a two-month head start on the competition,” said Gabos. Though members don’t have to be engi- “We want to give the students the opportunity for hands-on learning. It’s hard to understand robotics without actually doing it.” - Santino Gabos, junior electrical engineering major ment for review and what he and the other robotics club supporters hope will be approval. “We want to give the students the opportunity for hands-on learning. It’s hard to understand robotics without actually doing it,” said Santino Gabos, also a junior electrical engineering major. “Building a robot would look great on a resume, especially in engineering,” said Spickard. Another thing the robotics club wishes to do is compete in tournaments, such as Battle Bots. Specifically, Battle Bots starts in April, so even with approval, they will have to wait until next year. This does not bother potential neering majors to join, another big part of the robotics club would be allowing students to finish projects. “For anyone who didn’t finish their [ongoing] projects in class, they get to finish them during the club. They can also start a project in the club and take it over to the class,” said Spickard. According to Gabos, one of the ways this club would benefit engineering majors is with their required senior project. The robots students build in the club can potentially be used as senior projects. The club had its first meeting last Tuesday and already has gained a good number of members. “Right now, we have 25 people on the email list. People seem excited. There were students stopping me in the hall saying ‘Make sure you put me on the email list’ if they couldn’t make it to our meeting,” said Spickard. Clubs on Wilkes’ campus are required to do some sort of community outreach. The robotics club plans on hosting some information sessions and demos for elementary and high school students in the area. There are some other things that they would like to do for charity, as well. According to Gabos, they would like to host charity competitions and appliance drives. “We were thinking of maybe hosting an appliance drive. People could just bring in their old appliances that they’re not using so that we can donate them to people in need,” said Spickard. For students interested in attending a meeting or joining robotics club, they meet Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the SLC, Room 238. Student Government will vote on their constitution’s approval this Wednesday, February 17, at its weekly meeting at 6:00 p.m. CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu B 8& N Wilkes-KJn.g's Books . a-Barr,e-,. PA O 8'701. - 570-208.4"100 - wi:lkea-baoo~ . ae 25%oFF ·.·. - HMJ. 1Cf t. ."'1MJ. Z1' Stop n fo · a great . eal today· . ~m· · _tog by ,ag . . t,c, · ~ - - to .· . n a · ilic __. oat b • - · __.._ v:. - able ua . _:v1 �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 BUDGET Continued from FRONT PAGE NEWS Proposed FY 2010-’11 increases 2009-2010 next year. This year, Wilkes will receive about one million dollars. However, even with that grant, Wilkes would still be short approximately another one million dollars. The University plans on holding and not going forward with all of its current uncommitted Capital Projects expenses in order to save some money and bridge some of the financial gap. “Tom Messinger [executive director of campus support services] and I have looked at our Capital Projects’ funds and believe there is enough there to cover the remaining million,” said Carver. Capital Projects includes basic maintenance of electricity, plumbing, windows, etc. on campus such as the renovation of the library basement and the elevator replacement in University Towers. Carver went on to say that she believes that this will take care of the rest of the deficit and will bring Wilkes back to a neutral position for 2010. She made clear that any Capital Projects that are seen as being in immediate need of being taken care of will not be ignored, no matter the financial situation. All of these ideas to balance the budget are currently just proposals. They will have to go through a Finance Committee vote at their board meeting on March 26. Carver also spoke about the future and what the University’s plans are for 2011. “Just as last year and the year before, 2011’s financial situation was extremely challenging,” said Carver. After receiving all of the initial funding requests, there was a $4.8 million deficit gap that needed to be filled. “That posed some unique challenges for SAT Continued from PAGE 2 The objective of this switch would not be to lower standards for incoming freshmen, but rather to remove the exaggerated importance of the test from the judgment of student performance. “From a student’s perspective, I think they are extremely emphasized…to the point where there’s quite an industry around SAT prep, retaking the SAT, coaching for SAT, all of that,” Mickelson said. Mickelson believes that the SAT is a useful tool in analyzing specific abilities and is more accurate for some categories of students than others. She finds that with students in the school of science and engineering and the school of pharmacy and nursing 5 2010-2011 $6,680 Residence Halls (Dorm Style) $6,880 $4,320 Meal Plans (Colonel Gold) $4,493 $24,690 $35,690 $24,690 Tuition $25,801 $35,690 Total $37,174 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40*In thousands *All numbers are approximations The Beacon/ Andrew Seaman Campus costs are on the rise to fill in the deficit gap. Among the expences increasing are residence halls (3%), meal plans (4%), and tuition (4.5%). us,” said Carver. “Because of the gap that we had to bridge, we had to go back and revise some of the initial assumptions that went into the budget.” At first, student cost increases were going to be lower than currently planned. However, an increase was necessary to fill the deficit gap and balance the budget. Meal plans, room and board and tuition increases are currently planned to be put into the 2011 budget. Financial aid was also affected by the there is a correlation between their math SAT scores and their performance. With other students, however, the test results are not so accurate. “There are certain categories of students that our own research shows, at Wilkes, the SAT is not predictive of their success here. Students who are conditionally admitted, students of color, students who have an undeclared major, their success here doesn’t have a correlation to their SAT score,” said Mickelson. According to Mickelson, Wilkes must take into consideration many facets of applicant academic potential, not just the SAT results. “I think that we wade into dangerous waters when we make a student no more than a SAT score,” she said. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu deficit. The biggest thing affected was the freshman financial aid discount rate, which went to 46.3 percent. Along with this, Capital Projects will be scaled back again. Though there has not been a final decision made, there is expected to be a two percent salary increase for the University’s employees. Those making over $110,000 will not see an increase in their pay and distribution of the increase otherwise has yet to be determined. The last three years, according to Carver, have been difficult. “After this third year of struggling to get the budget back into balance, it has become clear to all of us that we need to look at the University as a whole to determine how we bring this into balance,” said Carver. For anyone interested in attending, there will be another budget update session this Wednesday, February 17 at 2 p.m. in Marts 214. CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu American Red Cross Blood Drive The Beacon/ Tom Reilly A worker from the American Red Cross prepares a Wilkes student to give blood. The Red Cross administered a blood drive on Tuesday, February 9 and it was open to the entire Wilkes community. �iBAD PAGE 8 Apple’s new tablet cannot possibly live up to the hype. FEBRUARY 16, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com "Hi, I'm like, here for my job interview:' Our generation’s overuse of the word “like” and other rhetorical incorrectness BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Something has happened to our generation. No, it is not considered a stuttering problem, and no, we are not constantly comparing things to one another. Yet, we continually overuse the words “like” and “um.” Glossophobia, or fear of public speaking, is derived from the Greek language: “glosso” meaning “tongue” and “phobos” meaning “fear.” The fear of speaking in public is extremely common, and is ranked higher than that of the fear of flying, fear of illness, fear of terrorism, and often the fear of death, according to national surveys. Free of public speaking is a serious problem in this country, specifically our generation. In older generations, it is rare to find them using filler words and other wrong uses of “like.” Using filler words has become a national phenomenon tolerated and accepted in our daily language. The majority of us are guilty of this, but it is getting worse and worse. Perhaps some of us prefer speaking like a bubbly teenager from the 1995 film “Clueless,” but most of us do not. It is not socially acceptable to litter your sentences with the words “like” or “um” and never has been. Media is supposed to reflect society, not the other way around. Here we are, however, in college years later and we are still speaking incorrectly. Some of us are embarking on graduation and entering the “real world,” soon to be going to job interviews and following career paths that will inevitably involve communication between clients and presenting big ideas at important business meetings. When we get there, will our incorrect slang be accepted when our generation rules the business world, or will it one day be beaten out of us? Will we continue to be coddled by some of the older generations who will let it slide? These days, we are using “like” in sen- tences that are unnecessary and do not make sense when we are sharing dialogue or speaking in public. For example, “I’m sorry I was, um, late. The traffic was like, awful.” In this scenario, traffic is either awful or it is not. Nothing can be “like, awful.” Also, the word “um” is used when someone is stalling in a speech and it clearly displays a lack of confidence. How can we be confident in ourselves if cannot be confident in our own speech? It may stem from insecurity of speaking in public, but in order for our embarking generation to strive in a tough job market or to be taken seriously, we must speak correctly or else our credibility is diminished. We are all free thinking individuals and we all have the power to change. Professors, start deducting credit from students’ grades. Students, call your friends out for poor rhetoric - even try to call yourselves out. The sooner we can identify the problem, the sooner we can solve it. BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. The poll was based on 7 responses. Last week’s question: Do you agree with the Supreme Court giving for-profit corporations First Amendment rights? • Yes 14% • No 86% This week, The Beacon asks: Do you think the current generation of college students overuses the words “like” and “um”? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com Going green or cutting costs? BY TREVOR HIRSH Correspondent Green technology, green marketing, green grocery bags, even green parenting…blah. Today’s latest fad in the business world is going green. Everyone is doing it to stay on the edge of competition and appeal to customers. Surely, as a disclaimer, I feel going green is crucial for helping our world both today and tomorrow. Resources are scarce and that is not going to change anytime soon. I feel that we need to adopt sustainable and newer means of using energy and creating new resources to help future generations and ourselves. With that said, I feel it is important to point out that many businesses are using “going green” to selfishly conceal their cost cutting, not for the environment, but for themselves. We know it is possible. Think of previous years with Enron, the $19 billion dollar Madoff scandal, CEOs taking hefty bonuses that helped put us in a recession, etc. Ethi- cal practices are rarely followed in business from what it seems. Some examples of these fake “going green” tactics can be found in some companies that turn off the majority of their lights on certain days. Another example can be found in most companies with “paperless” invoices, documents, tickets, etc. If I go online to buy tickets through major ticket sales companies and order tickets, they will e-mail me the tickets to “go green,” and then tack on a convenience fee for that. The only problem is that I still have to print out the ticket anyway to get into a show. Therefore, we end up using the same amount of paper, I pay a convenience fee (for what I have no idea), and the ticket company saves some money. Now, think about Wilkes’ “green” actions. I remember the cafeteria used to have coffee cups everyone took on the go and loved. They are now nowhere to be found. Why? Going green. Although they reduce our carbon footprint, I feel like the cafeteria really just got rid of them because they were increasing expenses since so many people used them daily. I guess we will never really know the answer to that. I also had a bunch of teachers that used to e-mail their students important reading materials to save on paper. The teachers figured we would all read it on the computer and be done with it: a noble idea. Nevertheless, my classmates and I would just end up printing them out anyway, because we wanted to be able to read them more easily, more conveniently, and bring the materials to class. Therefore, this used the same amount of paper and did not help the environment at all. Cutting costs by “going green” just seems to be a rising trend anywhere you look. Clearly, I am not saying going green is a bad thing; it is necessary and needs to happen more. However, it seems like most companies use it as an excuse to cut their costs without facing criticism. Are they really trying to “go green” or are they just cutting costs. You decide. And keep a watchful eye on these “going green” efforts; make sure these companies are doing it for the right reason. The Beacon/Tom Reilly Several businesses like Wal-Mart have been making the effort to “go green” by using recycleable bags or eliminating paper consumption. Some people feel this is merely an attempt to cut cost down. CONTACT TREVOR HIRSH AT: trevor.hirsh@wilkes.edu �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 OPINION 7 All aboard for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" BY KAYLA MATTIOLI Correspondent There is a lot of controversy going on right now pertaining to the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” or DADT, policy. For those who don’t know, DADT was put in place in 1993 as a compromise to allow homosexuals to serve in the military barring that they never actually tell anyone they are gay or engage in any sort of homosexual act. You may be asking what dangers homosexuals pose to the U.S. Military. Well specifically, “it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability.” I’m sorry. I was under the impression that beggars weren’t allowed to be choosers. The military is constantly looking for people to sign up and fight to protect our country. Gosh forbid we have to reinstate the draft because DADT caused thousands of perfectly willing and capable homosexual soldiers to be dishonorably discharged. Lucky for us, nobody is talking about reinstating the draft. They are however discussing the repeal of DADT. This was a campaign promise of President Obama’s, one many gay rights activists thought he may have forgotten about among all the economic and healthcare hullabaloo. He did manage to mention his support of repealing the policy in his recent State of the Union speech but has otherwise avoided answering questions on the subject. It does however, seem that many officials think it is time for the military to stop its nonsense and allow their gay soldiers to live happily ever after. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen is on board along with the President, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and 57 percent of Americans. So it seems just about everyone is ready to get it done. Everyone except John McCain. He believes that the repeal of DADT would be a “mistake.” His reasoning is the old “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” An old aphorism from an old man. McCain had previously been in favor of a repeal during his Presidential campaign but has more recently taken up the role of advocate for DADT. Sometimes campaign promises are just words I guess. The point is, times have changed. I can’t even remember the last time I met a person without a gay friend or family member. I can’t remember the last time I met a person who disliked someone else because they were gay. We have different views than our parents and our grandparents and the John McCains of the world. Opinions of what is right and wrong have been evolving for generations because historically, the world evolves. So, let’s move on from such petty arguments and focus on the big picture. Being gay does not affect a person’s ability to take orders, fire a gun, or wear camouflage. Adderall is not asubstitute for laziness and procrastination BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor Hey kids! Do you want to get those good grades you always dreamed of? Do you want to finish all of your assignments and still have time to get together with your friends to have fun? Well then, put the time and effort in to your studies and you will. Adderall is not a safe alternative to studying and completing your assignments ahead of time. For those of you who are completely oblivious to the study habits of Wilkes students, Adderall is one of the most popular drugs on campus. Students take it to stay up CONTACT KAYLA MATTIOLI AT: all night and study for exams they have the kayla.mattioli@wilkes.edu next day, complete assignments, or to make drinking alcohol more interesting. You may call me a liar, but I have made my observations on the subject. It cannot be proven or disproven because who is really going to admit to taking drugs that are not prescribed to them to keep up on their studies? Not many. The official FDA indications for Adderall use are: treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Narcolepsy. According to the Adderall medical guide, some of the side effects include: sudden death in patients who have heart problems or heart defects, high blood pressure and heart rate, seizures, psychosis, stomach ache, insomnia, weight loss, mood swings, and dizziness. Even people who have these disorders still experience side effects and these side effects are unnecessary for people who are The Beacon/ Tom Reilly not taking the drug to treat these disorders. The abundant use of Adderall by students who are not prescribed the drug by their doc- Why would you risk a heart attack, mental tors poses serious health risks and the possibility of death. disorders, seizures, and all of the other side effects if you do not have to? Another problem that Adderall poses is addiction. The chemical make up of Adderall includes a mixture of amphetamines. According to Dr. Russell Barkley, one of the foremost authorities on ADHD, Adderall and cocaine share similar properties. Both are stimulants and both contain amphetamines. While Adderall is safer because it gradually increases dopamine levels in the brain, whereas snorting cocaine is instantly released into the blood stream increasing dopamine levels, they both pose serious health risks and are both addictive. So why not just use cocaine? It gets the job done quicker. I am obviously being sarcastic. Do not start using cocaine, please. This is not just a problem at Wilkes University either. Students in college all over the United States misuse Adderall as a study or party drug. A study performed by Rutgers University has shown that 75.4 percent of college students find use of non-prescribed Adderall socially acceptable. Students, faculty, administration, hear me out. We cannot lurk down every dark alley for drug deals and prevent prescription users of Adderall from peddling their drugs for cash, but we can get educated on the risks to prevent misuse. And I understand that it is easier to take drugs than to put effort into studying, but college is not easy. If it was, everyone would go to college. Dependency on drugs will only hurt you in the long run. And it could kill you, so depend on yourselves instead. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 OPINION THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Natural meds can provide iPad cannot live up to the hype a safer alternative BY ANTHONY TRUPPO Assistant Opinion Editor Our sweet planet Earth has kindly provided us with herbs for thousands, perhaps millions of years – herbs that when combined and consumed correctly can provide treatment for nearly any illness known to man. When used medicinally, natural herbs can be just as effective, if not more effective, than pharmaceutical medications. I am not saying that pharmaceutical medicines should be outright ignored; I am merely suggesting that one should consider natural alternatives when treating an ailment. I have witnessed firsthand that herbal medications can produce better results than pharmaceuticals in treating physical ailments. A close family member of mine suffered from basal joint arthritis, or more simply, a condition in which the cartilage between her thumb and wrist had degraded leaving bone rubbing against bone, causing painful inflammation and restricted movement of the thumb. At 40 years old, she had the hands of a 60-year-old and the only permanent solution would be surgery. Thanks to an herbal supplement containing Pyrazine, an organic compound, the intense pain was not only relieved, but the cartilage actually grew back. While taking a pharmaceutical medication, she was having negative side effects so she switched to natural medicine and the side effects disappeared. The pharmaceutical medication could have cured her ailment as the natural medication did, but I think most of us would prefer not to suffer from harmful side effects. Many physicians condemn the use of natural medicines, claiming that herbs are nothing but foul-smelling placebos. Looking back, I can safely say that 100 percent of the doctors I have visited have suggested I steer clear of natural medicines, even for symptoms as minor as nasal decongestion. The main concern of physicians seems to be that herbal medicines are not regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since natural medicines are not regulated or approved by the FDA, many are concerned about their contents, and rightly so; however, research shows that a consumer of natural medicine has a much lower chance of experiencing dangerous side effects than one using pharmaceutical medication. An article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association entitled “Is US Health Really the Best in the World?” reports that every year one in 125 Americans prescribed pharmaceutical medication requires hospitalization due to a negative reaction to the medicine. On the other hand, the article claims that only one in every 200,964 is hospitalized due to adverse reactions to a natural supplement. The fact that pharmaceutical medicines are more widely used than herbal remedies certainly factors into that number, but one in 125 is still quite frightening to me. Though many are skeptical about use of natural medicines, I have seen that herbs can be equal to or even better than pharmaceuticals in treating illnesses. The next time you are prescribed medication, do some quick research on natural cures. You may find a much better result in treating an illness. CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu BY BRYAN CALABRO Correspondent I decide that I want to cheer her up with a picture of my beautiful face. Oh, sorry mom. I can’t send a photo. No built in camera on my iPad. Now imagine I’m sitting the in library, working hard on a class project using my iPad and I suddenly realize that I’ve just run out of disk space on my iPad. Without freeing up some space, I won’t be able to save my many hours of work. So, I figure that I will just stick my flash drive in the USB port and take some data off, right? Wrong. The iPad doesn’t include USB drives. There are rumored attachments, but they cost more money on top of that hefty $500 tag. I am a college student, Apple. Where am I supposed to get this money? Finally, the iPad has left out one of the most important features for viewi n g content on the Web these days--Adobe Flash. According to The New York Times, Flash is one of the world’s most ubiquitous applications, appearing on 98 percent of all computers. In fact, 70 percent of online gaming sites require it to play. So, you make the decision. Should you go out and buy the first generation iPad just for Apple to re-release an updated second generation iPad in a year with all the features they “casually” left out? Credit should be given where credit is due, especially when it comes to Apple. They have made an abundance of great products when it comes to external music devices, ranging from the iPod Classic, to the now current iTouch. Apple has now prepared us for something new, something big, something that will change our lives... an oversized iPod Touch. Yes, that is what the iPad is. At a beginning price of $500 (16 GB Model), one would think that it is a bit preposterous. I would have to agree; the iPad may not be worth the asking price. Picture this: it is a bright sunny Sunday morning, the day after you bought your iPad. You wake up, make yourself a hot cup of coffee and go outside. You take out your iPad, set it on a table and start reading the newspaper online. Your neighbor starts cutting the grass feverishly in the bright sun; the noise is so annoying, you need music to drown out the sound. Sorry, but that’s not allowed because your iPad does not support multitasking; you cannot listen to music and read the newspaper at the same time. Here are a few other examples that demonstrate why the iPad may not be a logical buy. First, picture this scenario. My mom is at work and has called to tell me CONTACT BRYAN CALABRO AT: that she is having a really bad day. bryan.calabro@wilkes.edu �College Days PAGE 10 Dr. Edward Foote balances academic and social life at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Students & teachers celebrate Black History Month BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor Hidden in the shadows of February’s more popular holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and President’s Day, Black History Month uses February to focus on the accomplishments of a people who shaped this nation. According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History’s Web site [ASALH], Carter G. Woodson is the man credited for establishing Black History Month. In 1915, Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History [ASALH]. Negro History Week correlated with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass, who was a leader of the abolitionist movement and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976 Negro History Week was expanded to include the entire month of February; therefore, becoming Black History Month. Dr. Ebonie L. Cunningham Stringer, assistant professor of sociology and criminology at Wilkes, celebrates Black History Month by sharing a Black History fact with each of the courses she teaches throughout February. For example, Stringer told her Juvenile Delinquency class a story about a 14-yearold boy from Chicago named Emmett Till. Stringer explained that Till was visiting his relatives in Money, Mississippi, during the summer of 1955. During a trip to a local store with his cousins to purchase some candy, Till was accused of whistling at one of the store owners, who just happened to be a white woman. One night while Till was sleeping two of the woman’s male relatives came into Till’s grandfather’s home and took him from his bed in the middle of the night; Till was never seen alive again. Eventually, Till’s body was found at the bottom of a river with a cotton gin tied to his neck. He had been tortured and shot in the head at close range. “Till has been called the ‘sacrificial lamb’ since his death sparked outrage in African American communities and helped to move the Civil Rights Movement forward,” said Stringer. “His story is relevant to juvenile delinquency because it is an example of how seemingly innocent childhood pranks can have enormous consequences for youth who don’t fully comprehend the significance of their actions.” Stringer explained that because Till was raised in the North, he wasn’t familiarized with the South’s racial culture and had no idea that his infantile behavior would cost him his life. Some of Stringer’s students have shared her feelings and ideas even before she im- plemented “The Black History Fact of the Day.” One of her past students, Yasmine Solomon, sophomore criminology major said, “I feel that it is an important month to honor African Americans who have made great accomplishments. However, the history should be taught, celebrated and remembered year round.” Stringer is also making more of a conscious effort to include a multicultural perspective to her lessons. “There are many marginalized groups such as women, religious minorities, sexual minorities and persons with disabilities whose voices need to emerge in the Wilkes curriculum with more regularity across disciplines,” she said. “Real multicultural transformation as demonstrated through inclusiveness and cross-cultural understanding can happen in the classroom, one student at a time.” Although Stringer has always celebrated Black History Month, it’s only recently, during this semester, that she began to implement what she calls “The Black History Fact of the Day” into each of her courses’ daily lessons. Since she began teaching at Wilkes and living in Wilkes-Barre, Stringer has done a lot of work to enhance diversity at both an institutional and community level. According to Stringer, it is important to allow time and space to honor the experiences, contributions and accomplishments of African Americans. “After all, Black History is really American History,” said Stringer. “America as we know it culturally, economically, politically and otherwise would be much different had people of African descent not played pivotal roles in the making of America.” Stringer also explained that the celebration of Black History Month around the Wilkes Campus is important to African American students who make up one of the largest minority groups on campus. “I feel that Wilkes should offer classes geared towards African American history because it is a very important topic as well as any other subject,” said Solomon. “Most students do not know much history about African Americans because they are not taught in schools. In my high school, there were no lessons that discussed any topics related to African Americans. So, for Wilkes or other universities to offer classes, it would give students an opportunity to learn some history that they were never taught before.” CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT: ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu The African Free School in New York City was the first free school for blacks. It was started by the abolitionist group the New York Manumission Society in 1787. Minnie Jocelyn Lee Elders (1933-) was the first black and the second woman to serve as the United States Surgeon General. Her term lasted for 15 months (1993 - 1994). The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), founded by Richard Allen (1760 - 1831), became the first national black church in the United States in 1816. Bessie Coleman (1893-1926) was the first licensed black pilot in the world. She received aviation instruction in France. Maya Angelou’s (1928 - ) autobiographical, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is the first non-fiction work by an black woman to make the best-seller list. Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923), a zoologist and educator, was the first person to discover that insects can hear. Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) was the first black to be honored on a U.S. stamp in 1940. Robert L. Johnson (1946-), founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) is the first black billionaire. Richard Theodore Greener (1844 - 1922) was the first black graduate from Harvard in 1870. He started out at Oberlin college, the first American college to admit blacks and went on to become a lawyer. Nathaniel Adams Cole (“Nat King Cole”) (1919 - 1965), a singer, song writer and pianist, was the first black to host a national television program, The Nat King Cole Show, in 1956. The banjo originated in Africa and up until the 1800s was considered an instrument only played by blacks. Black History Month originated in 1926 by Carter Godwin Woodson as Negro History Week. The month of February was chosen in honor of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, who were both born in that month. These, and many more facts, are courtesy of The Biography Channel. Each fact focuses on a historically significant individual or event in black history. Visit www. biography.com for more. �10 LIFE THE BEACON College Days Student of the Week: Dr. Foote balances his schooling with his fraternity life a struggle of his in school. “My friends would have a field day with me in chemistry lab, because I was always The old adage is “do as I say, not as I do.” dropping beakers or breaking this or that. This statement seems to hold true for Dr. That’s how I knew I couldn’t be a chemist,” Edward Foote, chair and professor of pharstated Foote. macy practice. Well, for Foote it is more Foote found lifelong friends and met his like “do as I say, not as I did.” future wife while at school. Foote tried to strike a balance between “It was graduation day, and she asked his academics and social life while at me out at a frat party,” said Foote. Her Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and brother was one of my best friends in Science; however, he found himself doschool. Now he’s my brother-in-law.” ing many things he now warns his stuFoote balanced more than just schooldents not to do. work with frat life, which he referred to “I partied, but I also studied,” said as Animal House, at times. Foote also Foote. needed to balance friends, as he found As a pharmacy major at Philadelphia himself stuck between the studious College of Pharmacy and Science, Foote crowd and the partiers. tried to acclimate himself to his new sur“One of my roommates in school roundings. wanted to be a dentist or a physician,” “I’m originally from up here, well, Gersaid Foote. He was very serious. So, man, PA,” said Foote. “I am the youngest when he was studying I thought ‘I of ten, so it was always said that if you should be studying.’ But I wanted to be could go local, you went local. My siba good student.” lings teased me that I found a school far In the times he was not studying, away so I could move away.” Foote was the head of a fraternity on Foote went from being the youngest in campus that he believes is very tradia family of twelve people to being one of tional. Foote believes his leadership eight men to dorm at Philadelphia Colrole in the fraternity helped shape his lege of Pharmacy and Science. future. “We lived eight guys together. I got put Foote points to this “transformain with a very diverse group of people,” tional” time of his life as one he would Photo courtesy of Dr. Foote stated Foote. “We were freshmen and not go back and repeat. Between the had to go out and grocery shop. It was re- Dr. Edward Foote poses for his graduation picture in1987. Dr. classes and the partying at the frat ally good, because we learned about bud- Foote spent his time in college balancing academics and social house, Foote struck a balance in his collife. geting.” legiate life. Foote looks back with “no viduals through rushing a fraternity. He was a self-proclaimed introvert in regrets.” “I joined because my roommates were dohigh school and felt he needed to break “Well, maybe I should have dated more,” out of that shell in college. Taking full ad- ing it. It was kind of a group effort. Next said Foote. vantage of the diverse group of peers with thing I know, I was the president,” stated which he was put, Foote tackled academ- Foote. While academia came easily for this inCONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: ics head on but found time to become a frat trovert, Foote does point to butterfingers as leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu brother. BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor “I like to think I had a good balance. For me it was about creating some friendships and getting to know people that I just didn’t know before,” said Foote. While in high school, Foote said he hung out with “the scholastic people,” but reached out to different groupings of indi- In his own words, Foote disrupts class: It was [pharmacy] law class. Like 200 kids. I sat by my bunch of friends. I never goofed around, but I was talking in class. I had stopped. The guy who is now my brother-inlaw started talking to the same girl. The professor, who was a lawyer, teaching pharmacy law, goes “You! Get out.” I left immediately. I was mortified. “ “ FEBRUARY 16, 2010 5l[yssa :Fusaro BY MARJORIE WHISPELL Correspondent Alyssa Fusaro, a junior communication studies major at Wilkes, is one of the student representatives who echoes the voices of the numerous students of Wilkes in the Strategic Planning Committee. “The Strategic The Beacon/ Allison Roth Planning Committee...is a Fusaro is one of the student team of hand- representatives on the Stratepicked faculty, gic Planning Committee. staff and students that have developed a vision for the future of the university,” said Fusaro. The committee is creating a vision of 2015 that explains where the university wants to be in five years, Fusaro explained. One of Fusaro’s personal goals for the future of Wilkes is to help the undergraduate student population of Wilkes. She hopes to achieve her goals by making the transfer into Wilkes from other schools easier for transfer students. “Even though my transfer went easy there are some people I know whose did not,” said Fusaro. She would also like to see things happen with the e-mentor, adult learner relationship programs and online classes and programs. Fusaro got involved with the Strategic Planning Committee because she loves to ask questions and get feedback, and because she would also like to see new things happen around the university, and wants to be a part of it. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Fusaro: That is so hard to answer, hopefully my gospel album becomes a hit, but mostly comfortably situated in my own business. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Fusaro: Caring, motivated and fun. The Beacon: Finish the sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Fusaro: That I am a softy. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 LIFE 11 Wilkes University’s Health & Wellness Corner The Health & Wellness Corner is a weekly feature in The Beacon. Students who ask questions will reamain anonymous. All questions will be answered by Health Services staff. Q. I am worried about a friend of mine who seems depressed. He’s not interested in spending time with our group of friends and often seems to isolate himself in his room. How would I know if he is contemplating suicide? A. Many people who plan or attempt suicide tend to give some clue or warning sign to people around them. Some warning signs include hopelessness, rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge, acting reckless or engaging in risky activities without thinking, feeling trapped, increased alcohol or drug use, withdrawing from friends, family, society, anxiety, agitation, poor appetite, inability to sleep or sleeping all the time, dramatic mood changes and/or expressing no reason for living or no sense of purpose in life. Those who plan to commit suicide are usually willing to live, but are unable to find another way to cope with their thoughts and feelings. Almost all college students who die by suicide are suffering from an emotional disorder, most often depression. Other emotional problems that can increase the risk for suicide are anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, substance abuse and eating disorders. It is important to listen for any hints at suicide such as “I am not sure I want to be here” or “I don’t want to live anymore.” Listen for direct suicidal statements such as “I wish I were dead.” Watch for behaviors like preoccupation with death, making final arrangements, or talking about giving away their possessions. Remember that suicide can be prevented by intervening, talking with the person and referring him for help to counseling. If you fear for your friend’s life, don’t be afraid to make the call to counseling on that person’s behalf and encourage the person to see a counselor letting him know that you will be there to support him. Q. I have noticed for the last week I have been urinating frequently, some days worse than others. Today I noticed that my urine looked pink and it burns at the end of urinating. I never had a urinary tract infection and was wondering if this is what it could be? A. You certainly seem to be exhibiting symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which include burning on urination, frequent urination, increased urge to urinate, low back pain, low fever, blood in urine or bad smelling urine. The cause is from bacteria that reaches the bladder from another part of the body. Women are particularly at greater risk because they have a shorter urethra that is close proximity to the perirectal area making bacteria easier to colonize. Increased sexual activity, excessive exercise, poorly ventilated undergarments, sitting in water with bath salts or bubbles and holding urine for excessive lengths of time can increase risk of UTI. If you have any of these symptoms go to the Health and Wellness Center to confirm the diagnosis and if positive treatment will be a course of antibiotics. Things you may do to prevent UTI’s include, urinating within 15 minutes of intercourse, drink plenty of water, take showers instead of tub baths and seek prompt medical treatment for UTI’s. Do you have a question for the Health and Wellness Corner? Email your questions to, susan.biskup@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next weeks Health and Wellness Corner. Your privacy will be protected. ~o.. ~ ~od-6 S3 Public Squc:ll."'e 82S-6444 t)0UIJ1t;0Ull1 e0LL@5@ SpecieciLS ALeoJIOL SPEeIALS FO~ 21+ UIE 1.0. Cctll flo book oUP p:eivd:fle :eoom Vo:e C01.~ clciss eve11fls o:e socictl 5d:flhe:ei115 �12 THE BEACON LIFE FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Wilkes student balances school work with personal struggle MELANIE THOMAS Correspondent Some students struggle with balancing school work and extracurricular activities. Having to handle being an athlete or a member of a club or organization on top of a course load can be daunting for many students. Melanie Ward, a sophomore accounting major at Wilkes, performs a rare balancing act of her own, while living day-to-day with muscular dystrophy. Melanie was born with one of the rarest forms of muscular dystrophy, which has inhibited her ability to physically function like a typical college student. Muscular dystrophy causes a weakness in Melanie’s muscles, making it difficult for her to move around like a normal college-aged person. One of the biggest differences between Melanie and many other students here at Wilkes is the simple task of getting to school. “A normal student can get up at 7:50 a.m. and get to an 8:00 a.m. class. I have to get up at 6:30 in order to get to a 9:00 a.m. class,” Melanie said. Because of the challenges associated with her muscular dystrophy, Melanie is perpetually late for back-to-back classes. “I usually have to stop back here in the the complications she was born with. As a lounge on the second floor in Breiseth in result of this diagnosis, she received a traorder to get the macheotomy [“trached”] to reterials I need for my pair her airways, and she is next class,” said Melnow vented and can breathe anie. “If I have the on her own. Doctors vented first class in Breiseth and “trached” Melanie by and the next class in placing an air vent and tube Stark Learning Ceninto her trachea to allow her ter, I never make it on to breathe without wasting time.” much energy. Melanie’s mother, “She is a wonderful lisHelen Ward, accomtener and retains informapanies her every day tion exceptionally,” said to school. From helpHelen. ing her organize maDespite being a full term terials to aiding her in baby, Melanie was met with and out of buildings, a slew of frustrating cicumMelanie’s mother is a Photo courtesy of Melanie Ward stances in the first years of valuable asset to her Ward, is an accounting major with special her life. success as a student. needs. She was born with one of the rarest Helen explains that, “the Due to the progres- forms of muscular dystrophy. trache and air vent were crusion of muscular cial to her survival.” dystrophy and having no muscle strength in Physical struggles are not the only issue her hands, Melanie is unable to lift her own Melanie must deal with due to the nature of books, copy and take notes quickly, . She is her muscular dystrophy. It is very imporalso pitch tone deaf, and has no up-down or tant for Melanie to sanitize her surroundside-to-side movement of her eyes. She can ings, because if she were to catch a cold, only see with one eye at a time. she may have to be hospitalized to prevent According to Helen Ward, doctors felt further repercussions. Melanie would not thrive in life because of “I sanitize everything. When I get sick I get it ten times worse than the next person,” said Melanie. Melanie carries much of her own equip- Dorm Recipes Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip by Stephen Gruver Stephen Gruver, a P1 pharmacy major at Wilkes, made this tasty buffalo chicken wing dip to enjoy while watching the Super Bowl. Gruver explains that the dip is delicious and easy to make. Ingredients: 1 can chicken [large size] 1 8 oz. brick cream cheese 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing 1/4 cup cayenne pepper sauce 1 pkg. shredded Monterrey Jack cheese celery sticks, crackers or corn chips Directions: 1. Melt cream cheese over medium-low heat. Once cream cheese is creamy, add blue cheese, hot sauce, and chicken. 2. Remove from heat, and fold in 1/2 pkg. of shredded cheese. 3. Pour into square 8x8 oven-safe dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350°F until cheese is melted and bubbly. 4. Serve with celery sticks, crackers or corn chips. Gruver made Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip for everyone to enjoy during the Super Bowl last weekend. CONTACT MELANIE THOMAS AT melanie.thomas@wilkes.edu. Dorm Recipes Mapo Tofu by Tianjin Xiaoyu-Yang & Hong Lei Liu Tianjin Xiaoyu-Yang, known as Franz to his friends. is a 24 year-old from China. Hong Lei Liu is a 23 year-old from Beijing. Yang and Liu are both students in the Intensive English Program at Wilkes. Mapo Tofu is a common entrée in Chinese culture. Ingredients: Oil [Enough to coat the pan] 1 Green onion, chopped into small slices 1 chili pepper 1 lb tofu, cut into 1 in square blocks 1 bowl boiled water ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon soy sauce Photo courtesy of Stephen Gruver ment and school supplies to protect herself from bacteria. Instead of carrying around a backpack or bag for her school materials, she rides on a motorized scooter equipped with an air vent, a portable lab board, and book magnifiers. Melanie explains that these preventative measures are absolutely necessary in order for her to be able to attend Wilkes. “I complained to a maintenance man because there are no Clorox Wipes anywhere in the computer lab. I use those all the time,” she said. Mark Allen, dean of student affairs, has been an advocate for Melanie and is very accommodative to her special circumstances while attending Wilkes. “Most of the administrators have been helpful and lenient as far as allowing me to come to school with Melanie to take care of the needs that she has while here,” stated Helen Ward. The most inspiring thing that Melanie offers to others is that, among all the difficulties she faces, she still keeps an extremely positive attitude about herself and her future. Melanie’s advice to other students is to “get up off your butt and do something with your life. You might not be here tomorrow.” Directions: 1. Heat oil for about 30 seconds on a high flame. Then add the green onion and chili pepper and cook until the aroma comes out. 2. Next add tofu and stir fry for 1 minute. 3. Pour in enough boiled water to cover the tofu then add ½ teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. 4. Cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes then a high flame for 1 minute, until the water is absorbed. During cooking, stir fry every 30 seconds. 5. Garnish with chopped green onion, and enjoy. The Beacon/Archives Mapo Tofu should be cooked Xiaoyu-Yang [featured the same day and above] and Lei Liu said served immedi- Mapo Tofu is a popular ately after cooking. entree in China. �A PLACE TO CHILL Check out Damenti’s in Mountain Top. PAGE 14 FEBRUARY 16, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 2010 Vagina Monologues provides uplifting performance BY ASHLEY FILIPEK Correspondent This year’s production of the Vagina Monologues was a great success yet again. When I arrived at the event, I saw that there were not enough chairs to accommodate the amount of guests that arrived for the show this past weekend. The lights dimmed and the women of the Vagina Monologues entered the stage to a roaring applause. Director Angela D’Alessandro, a junior pharmacey major, asked the audience to prepare themselves and embrace the emotional rollercoaster that the evening would present. There were two new additions to the monologues this year. Sabrina Hannon, a senior double majoring in Enligh and women’s studies, performed a chilling monologue in which she conveyed the plight of a severely abused Native American woman from South Dakota. The Victim’s Resource Center was at the event promoting awareness of abuse, and the addition of the mono- 2010 The Beacon/Tom Reilly This logo for VDAY is globally known to raise awareness of violence against women. It was inspired by the Vagina Monologues., written by Eve Ensler. She is also releasing a new novel, I Am an Emotional Creature. logue seemed quite fitting. Abby Kasprenski, a junior pre-medical and biology major, and Morgan Thomas, a junior pharmacy major, delivered a monologue that was the partial inspiration for Eve Ensler’s new novel I Am an Emotional Creature. Ensler, author of the Vagina Monologues, gives voice to women around the world who suffer from torment and abuse nearly every day in her new novel. This particular monologue was about a 17year-old woman who survived two years of rape, abuse and a pregnancy as a man’s sexual slave. It gave a voice to the young woman and her detailed instructions for surviving such a situation. I think we were all waiting for a few of the monologues to come along. My boyfriend smiled with excitement saying, “She performed this one last year,” as Ariel Miller, a junior elementary education major with a minor in theatre, approached the microphone. Miller’s rendition of “Reclaiming C**t” was perfection. Justine Adams, a sophomore psychology major minoring in dance and women’s studies, took on the role of the “Angry Vagina” with surprising ease. The monologue was barely audible with the laughter that filled the ballroom. The room waited with bated breath as Kyriel Manzo, a junior English major with a minor in education, approached the microphone. Manzo moaned (yes, moaned) for her orgasmic monologue in front of the room with great enthusiasm and variety, to say the least. As a senior, I thank Wilkes for allowing me to enjoy four years of wonderful performances. This show helped Ensler give women one ultimate message: you are not alone. CONTACT ASHLEY FILIPEK: ashley.filipek@wilkes.edu The Wolfman fails to frighten with stereotypical plot BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers. If you are looking for a remake of the typical werewolf classic with a predictable plot, then this movie is for you. The Wolfman, which premiered in theaters February 12, offers no surprises for the viewer. The film, set in 1891 in the grim town of Blackmoor, England, properly develops the sensations of the werewolf legend. According to The New York Times, the movie is a remake of the 1941 original by the same title. The movie begins when Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) returns to his family estate after receiving word of his brother’s death. Upon arrival, Lawrence is re-united with his mysterious father Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins), whom he has not spoken to in years. He also meets with his brother’s grieving fiancé, Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt), who encourages him to find out the cause of his brother’s death. As we learn more about Lawrence, we find that he suffers from a troubled past. He witnessed his mother’s death when he was a child, and shortly after was sent to an asylum by his father to cope with the traumatic experience. The legend of the werewolf is introduced in a usual manner. Lawrence eavesdrops on a group of men exchanging horror stories about the beast at a local bar, a scene plagiarized from every old-fashioned horror flick. While searching for the cause of his brother’s death, Lawrence sets out on an irrational voyage into the forest after a rampant werewolf. Not surprisingly, he quickly becomes a victim and is infected with the curse of the werewolf. The simple storyline continues to unravel as Lawrence struggles with his affliction. He makes his first transformation into a werewolf and brutally attacks the villagers. When he transforms back into a human, Lawrence looks upon his destruction appalled, and is soon captured. He is locked into an asylum and given a disturbing treatment for his so-called delusions. The treatment proves to be worthless and he escapes, running wild while causing damage and death throughout the town. The remainder of the plot focuses on Lawrence’s continued vengeance, his mis- understood embodiment of a monster, and a tacky love between Lawrence and his dead brother’s fiancé, who ignorantly wishes to save Lawrence from his curse. The simple and predictable plot is explainable through the fact that the remake contains the same storyline as the 1941 original, according to The New York Times. The modern version attempts to make the story more exciting by adding more tension during trivial events, yet this only makes the movie appear overdramatic. Building suspense was one area the movie excelled at, with appropriate backdrop, lighting, and music. However, this thrilling sensation is ruined when it peaks at something trivial, such as when the character slips on a step, or a door shuts menacingly. A werewolf jumps out to recreate the element of surprise, yet the moment has already passed prematurely. The director, Joe Johnston, was clearly under the impression that gore equals fear. The entire movie is filled with endless images of mauled body parts and blood. These gory instances include beheading, impalement and dismemberment. This tasteless imagery succeeds at making audience members nauseous, not fearful. There are several pointless characters developed throughout the film. The town inspector, Abberline (Hugo Weaving), is introduced as a seemingly insightful and resourceful character. However, after each werewolf attack he consistently arrives to gape uselessly into the distance. I would have preferred to see him attempt to accomplish anything helpful regarding the attacks. The only impressive part of the movie was the scene where Lawrence is in the asylum. This portion displays an interpretation of Lawrence’s mental instability through a usual context, but while using intriguing cinematography. The scene develops Lawrence’s delusions in an abstract manner, mixing his reality with fiction within complex flashbacks. If you are willing to accept the simplicity and flaws within the storyline, The Wolfman is a classic adaptation of the enduring werewolf legend. However, don’t expect it to give you goose bumps when the full moon rises. Rating: 2/5 CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu �14 A&E THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Restaurant Review: Damenti’s BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor Do you often find yourself searching for new and interesting places to share with that special someone while breaking up the monotony of conventional restaurants? If so, look no further. After one night at Damenti’s, you’ll leave wondering how you went your whole life without dining at this wonderful restaurant. Damenti’s, located on South Mountain Boulevard in Mountain Top, has been in business for over 33 years, and it is no wonder why, offering a warm homey atmosphere with a sophisticated touch. The restaurant is constructed out of an old house that sits on the side of a steep hill. Inside, the off-white walls and dark green baseboards help reflect the dim lighting, which creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The original architecture also adds to the experience, offering a secure and familiar feeling, sort of like the one you get at grandma’s house. In conjunction with their layout, Damenti’s menu is on point, featuring more than 20 appetizers, 70 entrees, a tasty selection of homemade desserts and a long list of elegant wines to top it all off. The current owners, Kevin and Helen McDonald, have traveled the world and studied various types of food that add to the restaurant’s diverse menu. The couple has studied under and been awarded certificates by Marcella Hazan, Bologna, Italy; Ken Hom, Hong Kong; and L’Ecole de Cordon Bleu in Denver, Colorado. The appetizers’ prices were all between $9-$12, while entrees such as steak, chops and chicken ranged from $24-$42, and veal $29 and up. A unique characteristic about Damenti’s is selection. Damenti’s offers a total of nine sides to accompany your meal; spinach, acorn squash with cream spinach, mashed potatoes (regular/garlic), steak fries, salad, broccoli, applesauce, and cranberry sauce. SEE DAMENTI’S, Page 15 w___ 1f 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! KL S GMKRZBAX GSA GSQGM RAFBZJAKS, WMJBTYA’Q RAFBZJAKS IF SITF QJ QMFA GSQGM S GMKRZBAX This week’s clue: S=A & G=C Last week’s answer: If an apple’s center is its “core,” then the apple of one’s eye must have transcendental abilities! FREE ~. SONIC· BURGER 99i REGULAR SHAKE ~ . ., ____ °""----------~--...-·"".... . --.--,~. --~·---~---w; ... ... ...... .... _..., _ _ JO~JOl),O,yS ............... - ~ ..... THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A OR VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with valid student ID Olt VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with student ID Full Menu Served All Dag --------------------,-------------------r-------------------4 ¢ cs~ plustu cs~ 99 BREAKFAST BURRITO --- --- ----·-REGULAR ... ....., .... _ _ _ , .. ..-,o,~ -OQOJ,)_ .........., ___ ... _ _ _ ., _ _ MTM• - - -...· - - -... 11.(_ s1 OFF CroisSONIC'" BREAKFAST SANDWICH i' ROUTE 99~.44•w ~ BIG DRINK'" SOFT DRINK. Full Menu Served All Dag �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 DAMENTl'S Continued from PAGE 15 I decided to go with chicken scampi over pasta with sides of steak fries and salad, which was accompanied by a large warm basket of fluffy white bread, all for around $25. The salad was covered in Damenti’s house dressing, which is a combination of oil and vinegar mixed with “dry creamy” bleu cheese. Although the taste was unfamiliar at first, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Next, on to the main course. The server brought out a generous portion of chicken scampi over pasta along with a plate full of steak fries. The chicken was cooked just right, tender and juicy, and covered in a rich, flavorful scampi sauce--definitely enough to fill your stomach and then some. In addition, the fries were tasty and cooked to the perfect texture, not too hard, not too soft. For dessert, I chose the homemade chocolate peanut butter cake and ice cream. One mouthful of the cake and a scoop of the peanut butter ice cream made my taste buds tingle with its full and savory taste. The only drawback was that I would have liked A&E to see a larger portion, but overall the dessert was a hit. After polishing off my meal, I took a stroll down the hill to the restaurant’s very own “ice bar,” which was carved early last month. The colorfully lit sub zero structure stood approximately eight feet high, 12 feet wide and 40 feet long and featured carvings of pirates, skulls, treasure chests, swords and even a giant ice throne for people to sit on. The actual “ice bar” featured a selection of five bottled beers at $5 each, hot chocolate and coffee both at $2.50, and the restaurant’s home made specialty, “grog,” a $5 drink which resembled spiked fruit punch. Overall, the food was phenomenal, the service top-notch, and I had an amazing time. Although Damenti’s is probably not an everyday dining option for the average college student, I would recommend it to anyone interested in trying something new and unique. 15 Left: The bartender stands behind the ice bar wearing appropriate attire--a heavy duty coat and warm pants. The ice bar was a cool and unique get-away, however It’s not recommended hanging out too long without proper attire. It does get cold! Not visible in this photo are all of the mesmerizing and colorful lights of pink, green, and blue that shine through the ice figurines. The Beacon/Tom Reilly Right: Kevin McDonald, co-owner of the restaurant, built all of the ice sculptures at Damenti’s in a week. McDonald is also a competitive ice carver. This ice treasure chest is one of his ice creations and is for collecting donations to the American Cancer Society. Rating: 4.5/5 CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu ••••••••• ••••••••• What's Happening Around • • • • Wilkes • • • • • • ··----------------------------------• • • • • Two winners will each receive... • 2 Free Passes to Movies 14 • • • • Sponsored By: RC:, • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••• •••••••••••• BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Staff Writer Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Women’s Book Club: Hinda Feet on High Places @ Barnes and Noble – 11 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2010 Pink Floyd Experience @ FM Kirby Center - $25+ - 7:30 p.m. Tonight Until Feb. 20th – “Wonder of the World” @ King’s College Theater - $5 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 18, 2010 Men’s Book Club: What Kind of Man Was Joseph… @ Barnes and Noble – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. All Weekend Long Monster Jam @ Mohegan Sun Arena - $18+ - TIMES VARY Friday, February 19, 2010 Clarence Spady Band @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 8 p.m. And The Moneynotes @ Vintage Theater, Scranton - $6 – 8 p.m. Friday Night Live Music @ Barnes and Noble – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Tonight Until February 28th – Theater Production: “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee” @ Dorothy Dickson Darte Center – Fri./Sat. 8 p.m. Sun 2 p.m. – Free for Wilkes students! Saturday, February 20, 2010 Blizzard of Flies, Black Friday Massacre, Church, Swamp Vulture @ Café Metro – $7 – 8 p.m. Tom Petty Appreciation Band @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains - $8 – 10 p.m. Elvis: Love Me Tender @ Scranton Cultural Center - $29+ - 8 p.m. Monday, February 22, 2010 Women’s Book Club: Hinda Feet on High Places @ Barnes and Noble – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. “Taikoza”- Japanese music and dance group featuring thunderous rhythms of ancestral Japanese Taiko drums and bamboo flutes @ Luzerne County Community College – 7 p.m. – Tickets required – contact: jclark@luzerne.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly 1 Last week’s winners of a Wilkes Hooded Sweatshirt: Anne Marie Smith, Kelly Hummel; and $20 to Rodano’s: Susan Frank, Rachel Zucosky 1 I THEATRES Located on Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre 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 Friday, February 19, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week’s issue. NAME: _______________________________________________________ PHONE: _________________________________________________ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ MYSTERY WORDS: ________________________________________ �U.S. OLYMPIC HOCKEY PREVIEW Young Americans begin quest for gold medal today. PAGE 19 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Stressing academics, responsibility as a coach BY DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor **Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of a three-part series that focuses on the lives of three different Wilkes University coaches. It details the roles that they play in the lives of their student athletes, the rewards and struggles they face while coaching, and the personal responsibilities they must juggle between their work and home life. The values that sports help to instill in people - teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship, to name a few- are all beneficial to society as a PART whole, and help to make individuals well-rounded. Perhaps no one is as integral to this process as the coaches behind the sport. They are responsible for mentoring young people, shaping them into better individuals and team players. At Wilkes University, coaches do just as much mentoring, if not more, than the faculty. And while their main goal is to produce winning teams, most will tell you that they’re more concerned about their studentathletes. For coaches Jerry Rickrode, head coach of the men’s basketball team, Christopher Leicht, head coach of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams, and Lisa Rizzo, the head coach of the women’s volleyball team-who have 48 years of coaching experience between them--academics always come first. “I’m a stickler,” began Coach Jerry Rickrode while talking about the emphasis he places on academics. “We check all the time to see if our guys are in class; the professors get a real kick out of it, and usually call me if a player is late or slacking off on his work. Our team had a 3.36 GPA last year, which is almost a Dean’s List GPA.” Rickrode, a husband and father of two, has coached men’s basketball at the collegiate level for 25 years. He has a career mark of 318-130, a .709 winning percentage that is among the best all-time in NCAA Division III history for coaches with at least five years of experience. He also holds the Division III record for being the fastest coach to reach the 200-win plateau, an accomplishment he managed in just his first The Life and Responsibilities of a College Coach 1 249 games. His players know he means business when it comes to their studies. “He works well with his players to make sure that they’re able to fairly balance their schoolwork and work on the court,” said Christopher Hopkins, a junior communications studies major and former player on the Wilkes men’s basketball team. “They’re equally important to him and it really shows in his handling of his players.” Christopher Leicht understands Rickrode’s sentiment. His tennis teams have received Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American Academic honors nine times, and he has guided many individual players towards becoming All-Conference and All-American academic achievers. Leicht, who admitted to being “outnumbered” by his wife and three daughters, has a combined record of 163-50 as the coach of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Wilkes. He has been coaching for 11 years at both the collegiate and high school levels; at his alma mater, Danville Area High School, he led the boy’s team to a 57-4 overall record during his three-year tenure. “For me, it’s always been, ‘If my athletes perform well on the court, but poorly off of it, then what have I helped them with?’” said Leicht. “There is nothing wrong with having enthusiasm for your particular sport, but it can’t be allowed to get in the way of [academics].” “Coach Leicht does a great job of balancing the athletic success of the team with academics,” said Ali McDonald, a fifth-year pharmacy major and former player on the women’s tennis team. “I was worried that I would have trouble with playing sports while in pharmacy school, but he understood that academics were my first priority.” Lisa Rizzo agreed with both of her colleagues, as she recognizes the soft touch necessary to manage her players. “It’s difficult to ask your young players to dedicate so much time across different activities,” she began. “They’re adults who work, go to class, and have other responsibilities outside of whatever it is you coach. You have to sometimes judge when’s the right time to give them an off day and when it’s alright to push them. They need to do well in class and that’s something I stress and hope all coaches stress.” Rizzo, a twelve-year coaching veteran who also has experience at the high school and collegiate levels, has just begun estab- The Beacon/Allison Roth Jerry Rickrode (furthest right), the head coach of the men’s basketball team, looks on during a practice drill. lishing herself at Wilkes after accepting the position of head coach of the women’s volleyball team last summer. The three also emphasized the importance of their athletes having balance in their lives, something they appreciate seeing in addition to their academic and athletic successes. “At larger Division I schools, the athletes are totally consumed with their sports and their classes - that’s it,” said Leicht. “Here, they’re participating in a much wider scope of activities. You have to keep them free to pursue their interests and schedules, which I like because it prepares them for after college.” Rizzo enjoys watching her student-athletes develop over what she describes as their “formative years.” “It’s a comfort to know that the sense of teamwork and responsibility [that they garner] through athletics will probably help them in their careers down the line,” she said. In some instances, they have even stepped out of the traditional coach-athlete relationship when the time called for it. “I’ve helped many players put together resumes,” added Rizzo. “We even had a clinic on how to change a car tire,” she said with a laugh. Coaches can help affect the way that student athletes carry themselves, and the three coaches were quick to confirm the point. Rickrode values players who are honest and serve as positive role models, admitting that the challenge is making sure you get a team that “[…] gets the unique, right fit where there’s a really good chemistry.” “I tell the guys, ‘Don’t say something second-hand, go to the source and talk with them about [the issue]’,” he said, elaborating on how he tries to create cohesive teams. “I think people respect honesty and people that come forth and confront things head-to-head. I try telling my guys that anonymous stuff, all that kind of [talk], is for cowards.” “My girls hear it from me,” affirmed Rizzo. “I always tell them that when they’re in their Wilkes gear, they are representing the school […] I always ask them to be responsible and set good examples; being a part of a team here is a privilege, not a right.” “With me, I try and set the example myself,” said Leicht. “I think most athletes would say that they’re most connected to their coach, in terms of serving as a mentor, while they are at school, and because of this I always try to set a good example for them. I always tell them to take pride in what it is they do, while making friends, memories; I stress that they do their best in all areas while being responsible and working hard,” he concluded. CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu **Check back next week for Part II in the series, which discusses the struggles and rewards of coaching. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 SPORTS 17 Athlete Spotlight: Anthony Gabriel BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent Anthony Gabriel’s days as a member of the Wilkes Men’s Basketball team are quickly winding down. With that in the back of his mind, the senior from Mechanicsburg, PA, plays every minute of the game like it is his last, because he knows at the end of this season, it very might well be. Gabriel’s grit and determination to get the ball to the hoop or fight for every last rebound rebound in the past few games has not only shown his love for the game, but has also earned him The Freedom Conference Player of the Week award, as well as this week’s Athlete Spotlight. “It’s definitely a honor,” said Gabriel, who earned the award after and recording a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds, bringing back the Colonels from a deficit against Manhattanville.He also poured in 16 points on six shots with 4 rebounds and 5 assists against Misericordia the game before that. Gabriel doesn’t take all the credit for this accomplishment. Showing what a true team side.” The two players Gabriel alluded to are senior Tom Kresge, who leads the team in scoring, and last week’s Athlete Spotlight, junior Chris DeRojas. “I feel the play of Tom, Chris, and I can raise the level our team plays at because we have been around for 3 and 4 years and have been through this before,” said Gabriel. As the season continues, Gabriel believes his athleticism will help him continue to play at the height of his ability, but he wants to work on lowering his turnovers, something which has been bothering him at times throughout the season. What Gabriel really cares about however, is making the playoffs. DeRojas similarly stated last week that his individual goals The Beacon/Tom Reilly took a back seat to his greater hopes of Anthony Gabriel, pictured on the right, has come on strong in his senior season for the Colonels. In addition to making it to the playoffs. Gabriel’s situabeing named this week’s athlete spotlight, Gabriel was also named Freedom Conference Player of the Week. tion is different because unlike DeRojas, he player is all about, he attributes his play of mind while he heated up the court, he put it doesn’t have a “next year.” This is it for Gabriel and he plans to make the most of it. quite simply. late to the play of the entire team. “I was aggressive out there and wasn’t go“Our defensive level has raised and it opens up a lot more opportunities for my- ing to let defenders stop me from getting to CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT self and our whole team.” the rim,” said Gabriel. “It also didn’t hurt justin.jones@wilkes.edu When asked what was going through his having two all conference players on my (it's a mouthful, but it just tastes so darn good) Home of Wilkes Winter Weekend! Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. new website! 4t-s irts ii com 570-823-9272 CALL 570.288.0220 NOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER Quick Professional Service With A Home Cooked Flavor St. I.ouis Rihs • Piillt'fi Pork • Tt•x.:L<; Reef• Chickt•n I lohlugs • Burgers • Sulads & Much Morel EAT-1:'ol OR TAKE-our �18 SCOREBOARD MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/13 vs. Delaware Valley 73-81 L WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SPORTS How young is too young in college recruiting? Sills just the latest in long line of premature touting WRESTLING 2/12 vs Kings 27-9 W 2/10 @ Norfolk 3-5 L 2/12 vs. Binhamton 3-2 W (Shootout) 2/13 vs. Hershey 7:05pm 5-0 W 2/14 @ Adirondack 3pm PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2/10 vs. Islanders 3-1 W 2/12 vs. Rangers 2-3 L (OT) 2/14 vs. Predators PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 2/8 vs. Devils 3-2 W 2/10 @ Devils 3-2 W (OT) 2/12 vs. Canadiens 2-3 L 2/13 @ Canadiens 6-2 W WEEK AHEAD Imagine your seventh grade self for a second right now. You’re probably flirting with the cute girls in your class, still playing hide and seek, and are elated about that stubble growing under your arms. Now imagine you’re David Sills, the 13 -year old Delaware football prodigy who decided he’s ready to take his skills to USC after. No that’s not a misprint, he’s 13, and has decided exactly where he wants to continue his playing days...five years from now. And it’s Steve Clarkson, the guy who said Jimmy Clausen was the “LeBron James of football,” saying this kid is the real deal. I respect his opinion, the guy was molded some of the best, but you honestly think, as a skinny eighth grader, that this kid is THAT good? Jimmy Clausen was no LeBron James. He was good, but not nearly what you said bud. 2/18 @ Eastern 8pm 2/20 vs Kings 3pm WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WRESTLING 2/21 @ Metropolitan Conference Champ. WBS PENGUINS 2/17 vs. Albany 7:05pm 2/20 @ Lowell 7:00pm 2/21 @ Manchester 3:00pm twil:I: r, @Beaconsnorts 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 I don’t have the slightest clue where I will be in five years, but this kid, who’s in the beginning stages of puberty, knows? And he thinks he has the tool set to cruise over to an elite football program? This irks me. A lot. This isn’t the first time, just the latest time. We remember Chris Leak, yes? The quarterback who led Florida to a National Championship his senior year? Well, long before he became a Gator legend, even before he led his Independence High North Carolina team to three state championships, he was offered a scholarship as an eighth grader by Wake Forest, who was coached by current Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell. It was also recently that the younger brother of Eric Berry decided to take his eighth grade skill package to Tennessee. Ironically it was Lane Kiffin, who now coaches at Sills destination, USC, who was coaching Tennessee at the time. That’s weird. Way to get ahead on the class of 2015. This has happened a lot in basketball in the past (see OJ Mayo, LeBron James, etc). Football is different. Who knows how this lanky kid’s body is going to fill out. Will he grow? Will his arm get any stronger? Will he even still be playing football? What if he decides to take up cricket instead? The point is, how are “experts” supposed to know how good a kid will be before they have even stepped foot in a high school game, let alone a division one college game? Not to mention, have you seen the dudes this kid is throwing to? They look like the USC receivers now. Check out his highlight tape, some of the catches his teammates are making are pretty ridiculous. I recently saw a basketball recruiting database grading the nation’s top fifth graders. Really? How could anyone possibly know, in a country of 300 million occupants, who the best fifth graders are? Kids aren’t ready for that. You cannot predict how a kid will pan out. He’s going to be under the microscope now; if he makes the slightest mistake, it’s going to be everywhere. That’s not what kids who are barely teenagers need. Recruiting needs to be observed on a case-by-case basis MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/18 @ Eastern 6pm 2/13 vs. Kings 1pm FEBRUARY 16, 2010 ACE 2/13 vs. Delaware Valley 55-72 L WBS PENGUINS THE BEACON You can imagine my trepidation at having to actually defend Lane Kiffin’s recruiting of a 13-year-old quarterback “prospect” (forgive the quotation marks, but I hesitate to call any athlete not yet through puberty a legitimate prospect). Indeed, David Sills, the stud seventh grade quarterback of Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, Delaware, gave a verbal commitment to the USC coach on February 7 in a move that has only intensified a national debate on recruiting tactics Critics argue that children should not be made the target of national recruiting sweeps. The arguments are that it adds intense pressure to their lives of these young adolescents, and is potentially damaging to their emotional development as they grow older. “It’s a bit reminiscent of how the Eastern bloc countries used to control the Olympics,” said Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com, in a recent column. “Identify an athletic kid with sturdy legs; get him or her expert instruction in an academy; and voilà, you’ve got a gold-medal ski jumper six years later. Never mind that the kid had to live a regimented life away from his family and friends.” While Saxon’s comment expresses a valid, albeit dire, opinion, who is to say that the process is such an evil? Indeed, it is easy to look at a 13-year-old through the lens of the national media and say that he is being manipulated by the shadowy overlords of college football, but whoreally knows what’s best for him? “I really don’t care what people say about me,” Sills said. “When people say something negative about me I just take it and work harder because it makes me want to push harder and train harder and prove them wrong. I just take whatever they say negative and turn it into a positive.” “For the people that don’t like kids getting recruited early, if it was their kid, what would they do? Would they hold them back?” Sills’ father asked. “The way I look at it is if David was a phenomenal mathematician and I held him back, wouldn’t that be wrong? If he was a great piano player or a gifted child actor and I held him back, wouldn’t that be wrong?” said Sills’ father. “There are a lot of things that people don’t put a negative stigmatism to because they’re considered prodigies […] David has been recognized as a decent athlete and I’m allowing him to fulfill whatever opportunities that he can. […] There’s no pressure, there’s gentle encouragement. He’s the one that always says, ‘dad let’s go to the gym and let’s throw.’ It’s what he enjoys doing. If he ever got to a point where he doesn’t love what he does I told him to stop.” While I have my own reservations regarding the recruiting of young teens around the country, people must understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. A popular argument is that a young athlete anointed as the next superstar could possibly lose his or her drive; what if athletes lacking in motivation or confidence receive a word of encouragement from a coach, and decide to reinvest themselves in their sport(s)? What if an athlete from a poorer background receives early praise and is offered a scholarship that would allow him or her to go on to higher education? An early scholarship offer could help direct an adolescent towards a future previously impossible. Though I ultimately side with Mr. Dorunda on this issue, I do believe that there is room for debate. Thirteen year old David Sills is in love with the game of football, and can throw a football better than I can; can’t we let him make his own decisions with his parent’s guidance? �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 SPORTS 19 THE KIDS IN AMERICA Men’s Olympic ice hockey team is short on experience, big on talent BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Online Editor A youthful United States team will begin its quest for a gold medal in men’s ice hockey when it takes on Switzerland today at 3:00 p.m. The Americans, who have an average age of slightly over 26, feature just three players who have previous Olympic experience. The proverbial changing of the guard comes on the heels of a disappointing eighth-place finish at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy. U.S.A. general manager Brian Burke chose to go with an internationally inexperienced yet talented team for the Vancouver Olympics, rather than field a squad of aging veterans. Captain Jamie Langenbrunner will lead the up-and-comers into Vancouver. Langenbrunner was a logical choice for captain, as he holds the same honor for his National Hockey League team and skated for the United States at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Center Chris Drury and defenseman Brian GROUP A UNITED STATES ROSTER Goalies (NHL Team, Age) Ryan Miller (Sabres, 29) Jonathan Quick (Kings, 21) Tim Thomas (Bruins, 35) Defensemen (NHL Team, Age) Tim Gleason (Hurricanes, 27) Erik Johnson (Blues, 21) Jack Johnson (Kings, 23) Brooks Orpik (Penguins, 29) Brian Rafalski (Red Wings, 36) Ryan Suter (Predators, 25) Ryan Whitney (Ducks, 26) Forwards (NHL Team, Age) David Backes (Blues, 25) Dustin Brown (Kings, 25) Ryan Callahan (Rangers, 24) Chris Drury (Rangers, 33) Patrick Kane (Blackhawks, 21) Ryan Kesler (Canucks, 25) Phil Kessel (Maple Leafs, 22) Jamie Langenbrunner (Devils, 34) Ryan Malone (Lightning, 30) Zach Parise (Devils, 25) Joe Pavelski (Sharks, 25) Bobby Ryan (Ducks, 22) Paul Stastny (Avalanche, 24) Rafalski are the other two Americans with previous Olympic experience. At age 36, Rafalski is also the team’s oldest player. While those three players will be called upon to mentor the team, the United States has plenty of young guns that can lead by example. The Americans boast a trio of former top- SCHEDULE Tuesday, February 16 USA vs. Switzerland 3:00 p.m. Thursday, February 18 USA vs. Norway 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 21 Canada vs. USA 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, February 24 Elimination Games Begin Saturday, February 27 Bronze Medal Game 10:00 p.m. Sunday, February 28 Gold Medal Game 3:15 p.m. five draft picks in Patrick Kane, Bobby Ryan, and Phil Kessel. All three of those players are under the age of 22 and scored a combined 187 points in the NHL last season. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Defensemen Brooks Orpik, Ryan Whitney, Jack Johnson, Erik Johnson, Tim Gleason, and Ryan Suter were all first-round selections in their respective drafts. Should they falter, goaltenders Ryan Miller, Tim Thomas, and Jonathan Quick are more than capable of stealing games for their country. Through February 10th, no NHL goalie had won more games than Quick (34). Miller’s .931 save percentage is tops in the NHL, and Thomas was awarded the Vezina Trophy last season for being the best goalie in the NHL. Though the United States has the depth and talent required to win Olympic gold, it won’t be easy. The Americans are faced with the daunting task of going for the gold in a country that eats, sleeps, and breathes ice hockey. The Canadian squad is equally as talented as the red, white & blue, plus it will have homeice advantage. For that reason alone, Canada has to be considered the tournament favorite. But if a group of American college kids beat the Soviets in 1980, why can’t a group of American NHLers beat the Canadians in 2010? The Competition Canada Norway Switzerland United States Olympic Appearances: 20 Olympic Medals: 13 (7G, 4S, 2B) Player to Watch: After being left off the 2006 Turin team, Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby will make his Olympic debut in Vancouver. 2010 Outlook: The only team with home-ice advantage, anything but a gold medal will be a disappointment for the Canadians. Olympic Appearances: 9 Olympic Medals: None Player to Watch: Detroit defenseman OleKristian Tollefsen’s 163 NHL games are the most amongst Norwegian players. 2010 Outlook: Stranger things have happened, but it’s unlikely that Norway will prove to be much of a threat to the powerhouses. Olympic Appearances: 14 Olympic Medals: 2 (2B) Player to Watch: Goaltender Jonas Hiller (Anaheim) has shown he can steal games in the NHL – can he do the same in Vancouver? 2010 Outlook: Not the most talented team, but if Hiller is on top of his game, they could pull off an upset or two. Olympic Appearances: 20 Olympic Medals: 10 (2G, 7S, 1B) Player to Watch: Center Ryan Kesler knows Vancouver well. As a member of the Canucks, it’s the city where he plays his NHL games. 2010 Outlook: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Miracle On Ice. The 2010 squad needs to channel some of that magic to beat Canada. Czech Republic Latvia Russia Slovakia Olympic Appearances: 4 Olympic Medals: 2 (1G, 1B) Player to Watch: Jaromir Jagr scored 1,599 points during a 17-year NHL career before joining Russia’s Avangard Omsk in 2008. 2010 Outlook: The offense is there, but the Czechs aren’t strong on defense. They’ll go as far as their goaltenders carry them. Olympic Appearances: 3 Olympic Medals: None Player to Watch: Wing Kaspars Daugavins was in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, skating for the AHL’s Binghamton Senators. 2010 Outlook: Things don’t look good. Latvia doesn’t have a lot of NHL experience and is competing in the tournament’s toughest group. Olympic Appearances: 4 Olympic Medals: 2 (1S, 1B) Player to Watch: As a 20-year-old in the 2006 Olympics, Alexander Ovechkin scored five goals, including the one that eliminated Canada. 2010 Outlook: The Russians have a dynamic one-two punch with Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. Look for them to do some damage. Olympic Appearances: 4 Olympic Medals: None Player to Watch: At 6’9”, defenseman Zdeno Chara is the tallest player to ever play in the NHL. He anchors Slovakia’s defense. 2010 Outlook: Slovakia’s best Olympic finish came in 2006, when it placed fifth. The team can definitely improve on that in 2010. GROUP B GROUP C Belarus Finland Germany Sweden Olympic Appearances: 2 Olympic Medals: None Player to Watch: Winger Konstantin Koltsov spent parts of three seasons with the WilkesBarre/Scranton Penguins. 2010 Outlook: With so many other great teams competing in Vancouver, Belarus is going to need some luck if it wants to go far. Olympic Appearances: 14 Olympic Medals: 4 (2S, 2B) Player to Watch: The pesky Jarkko Ruutu is a great agitator and is known to get opponents off of their games. 2010 Outlook: Finland won the silver medal at the 2006 Olympics and has the talent to pull off a similar finish in Vancouver. Olympic Appearances: 12 Olympic Medals: 1 (1B) Player to Watch: Christian Ehrhoff is the team’s most talented defenseman. As a Canuck, he plays his NHL games in Vancouver. 2010 Outlook: Germany hasn’t medaled in men’s hockey since 1932 and it is unlikely that the nation will break that streak in 2010. Olympic Appearances: 20 Olympic Medals: 8 (2G, 2S, 4B) Player to Watch: Goalie Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers) backstopped the Swedes to a Gold Medal in 2006. 2010 Outlook: It certainly has the talent to repeat, but can Sweden overcome Canada’s home-ice advantage? Only time will tell. �20 SPORTS THE BEACON LAX LACKS NUMBERS Team set to start season with just 12 girls on roster comments, which are reviewed with the coach, but they are anonymous, and it’s no more than any other sport gets.” Last year, the women’s lacrosse had a monuMalatesta feels that the commitment, in mental season that culminated in the school’s some cases, becomes too much, and athletes first winning record in the sport’s short history. make a choice to walk away because it is not This year, the team is struggling to simply field as meaningful as it once was. a full team. “A lack of love for the game was never part With preseason practices well underof leaving,” said McDonald. “There were way, there are just 12 players on the a lot of issues going on in with the team team’s roster, a far cry from the 18 from behind the scenes.” last year, and only enough to fill out a According to both Towie and Malatstarting lineup – with no substitutions. esta, the struggling economy combined Of those who have quit, roughly 20 with rigorous academic schedules is partplayers still attend Wilkes. That group inly to blame. With the country suffering cludes last year’s captains Kat Edwards, from the worst economic recession since Analicia Jost, and Shannon McDonald, the Great Depression, many athletes are as well as the team’s top two scorers, taking jobs to help suppress the financial forwards Brittney Hodnik and Melissa burden of the college education. Polchinski, who combined for 208 of the “I think a lot of student athletes are team’s 357 points. obtaining work study or part-time jobs,” The sudden exodus has raised quessaid Malatesta. “Parents are having a tions about why so many players are tougher time making ends meet; if you leaving the program. can alleviate some of the burden I can Although a concrete reasoning for the understand that.” substantial drop-off is inconclusive, there “Some students may not have a probare varying explanations all across the lem managing academics, a job, a team board. sport, and a social life,” said Towie. “For “There are many reasons for the lack some it just becomes a pyramid of prioriof numbers,” said athletic director Addy ties with the team sport cascading to the Malatesta. “Retention is always an issue; bottom.” although this is a drastic drop, it’s a cycle. Towie ensures that she balances pracClass schedules, heart, philosophical diftices around students’ academic schedferences, and coaching are all possible ules, even arranging study halls assuring reasons.” players time to devote to their schoolAccording to both Malatesta and head work. The Beacon/Archives coach Kammie Towie, one of the biggest Britney Hodnik looks on as Melissa Polchinski attacks the goal last year. “Sometimes this just isn’t enough challenges for the program is the lack of Both players, who were 1-2 in scoring last seasoon, have left the team. and girls feel overwhelmed and leave high school lacrosse in the area. With so the team, to focus on academics,” said few high schools offering lacrosse locally, re- here,” said Hodnik. “I didn’t think that division Towie. cruiting is a tough obstacle. Despite the dwindling numbers, recruiting three lacrosse was going to be this stressful, Malatesta said it’s hard for a program like this much time, and this much of a hassle.” efforts have not slowed down. As of press Wilkes to build a solid foundation because the McDonald also left the team due to difficul- time, close to 30 potential athletes have been program is so young and there have been three ties with the coaching. on campus for recruiting tours. Towie has also different coaches in eight years. “The main reason I left was due to the fact hung posters around the school, advertising for “Unfortunately there’s this level of frustra- that there was no respect for the coaching women to come out for the team. According tion that’s created this dark cloud, and it seems staff,” said McDonald. “Many returning girls to McDonald, players who have left the team like it has caused a domino effect,” said Malat- had issues with the specific coaching staff… have also been contacted via email by the esta. “It used to be fashionable to play a sport They didn’t believe in the coaching tactics or coaching staff, inviting them back to the team with your friends, now it’s fashionable to leave their morals.” for the upcoming season. with your friends and that’s kind of scary.” As for the players still on the team, they are Malatesta, however, does not feel coaching Sophomore Carissa Clark agreed, citing an is the main issue. Players are given the op- moving forward, looking ahead to the upcominstance where one girl quit and three followed portunity to disclose their unhappiness with ing season, and sticking together with the few her immediately after. the program through the player response sur- players they have left. “It was as if one of them was not on the veys. These forms are similar to the Student “It may or may not be a hard season, but team, then none of them could be,” com- Response Surveys (SRS Forms) filled out by we will make the best of it,” said Clark. “We mented Clark. “A lot of us who have stayed students to leave comments regarding their all made a pact to stick together through it no aren’t very happy with the girls who decided classes. matter what.” to leave. They left us when we needed them, “Not everyone is going to be satisfied,” said they were part of the team and it makes it very Malatesta. “It’s an opportunity to write and CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT hard to reunite as a team again.” vent about anything. We have seen negative anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Towie stated that many past and recent recruits joined the team because they could see themselves playing at Wilkes University. Hodnik, a senior who left the team “because of coaching more than anything else,” sees it differently. “On my recruiting trip people were telling me how fun it was going to be and to come FEBRUARY 16, 2010 BY THE NUMBERS 19 Number of former lacrosse players that still attend Wilkes. Included in that are the teams two leading scorerers from a year ago. 12 Numbers of players still on the team. Also the number of players needed on the field at one time. 3 Team captains the lacrosse team had last year. All of them were underclassman, and none have returned for the upcoming season. 32 Number of days until the Lady Colonels take the field for the first time this season versus Manhattanville, as of press time. � 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 2010 February 14th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 February 14 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/20ee970e0dbf7e4a5fd83c826f41eafa.pdf 4edd8e6d6a7a476ce34ee90e8085b838 PDF Text Text !Uc~ lPfAJBIJ C 1(0 S)j., THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Ralston bridge tagged with graffiti BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor The railroad bridge near Ralston Field, which displays the Wilkes University logo has been tagged with graffiti of a stick man walking a dog. The bridge displays the words “Wilkes University” in gold letters with a blue background. Though the University’s name is displayed across the entirety of the side of the bridge, it is not actually Wilkes’ property. “We lease that space to have our name on that overpass [from the railroad],” said Vicki Mayk, associate director of public relations. These situations are generally dealt with as swiftly as they are brought to the University’s atten- 4 01(1J Volume 62 Issue 14 Wilkes sets course for next five years Students, faculty, staff and administrators plan Vision 2015 BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor The Beacon/ Thomas Reilly The bridge near Ralston Field now displays “Wilkes University” as well as stick-figure graffiti. tion, according to Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities. “When we become aware of graffiti on campus, we try to get it taken care of as quickly as posSEE RALSTON, Page 4 Wilkes’ Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) has been meeting throughout the 2009 – 2010 school year to chart the University’s course for the next five years. The finished plan of action, which will be Vision 2015, will build upon Vision 2010, which charted the course of the university over the last few years. “We’ve developed a goal for 2015 and the Strategic Planning Committee develops a strategic plan to reach that goal in 2015,” said Alyssa Fusaro, a sophomore communication studies major and member of the SPC. “The committee itself is made up of different representatives across the university,” said Erin Hardiman, a Wilkes organizational leadership graduate student and member of the SPC. “We have the president of the university; we have vice presidents, deans, SEE VISION, Page 2 Pharmacy hooding to take place ASB Stick ‘Em Up Fundraiser in separate, personal ceremony BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor This May, graduation will not include the hooding of pharmacy students during the ceremony. According to Dr. Bernard Graham, dean of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and Nursing, the department will hold a more personal hooding ceremony the night before graduation. Since the program began about 10 years ago, pharmacy students have always been hooded on stage during the commencement ceremony. Graham said this change will make the hooding ceremony more intimate for the students because they will be able to have their family and friends watch them receive their hoods in a more closed setting. “We’d like to make it a little bit more personal and a little bit more involved with the students,” said Graham. “By having a personal ceremony… the students will be hooded on stage and we can now involve the student adviser in the hooding process and we can talk a little bit about each student as they come up.” Graham said the pharmacy program will graduate around 70 students this May. By removing the hooding ceremony, Graham estimates that it will save about twenty minutes from the Wilkes’s three-hour graduation ceremony. During the commencement ceremony each year, the graduates are called upon in the following order: pharmacy students, graduate students, undergraduate students. The order is determined by the American Council on Education (ACE). Wilkes University currently follows the protocol of ACE’s guidelines on commencement. Being that the graduation ceremony can go on for about three SEE PHARMACY, Page 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Last Thursday, Alternative Spring Break held a fundraiser by having students and faculty “stuck-up.” Being taped above is Frank Kopyta, a senior elementary education major. Opinion Pages 6-8 Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 Sports Pages 16-20 1st Amendment: End of Era Clothesline Project The Buried Life Speaks Out Coaches’ Up’s and Down’s Wilkes University breaks decades of tradition to censor The Beacon over childish and petty online comPAGE 6 ments. Psychology students, along with the Victim’s Resource Center, use t-shirts to raise awareness of violence in the PAGE 10 community. Part Two of the coaching feature The guys from “The Buried Life,” a television show on MTV, shared with series focuses on the positives and us their new show and the meaning negatives of coaching in the collebehind it. PAGE 16 PAGE 13 giate ranks. Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE COLLEGE | PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 23, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Briefs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>~ BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor STUDY ABROAD IN SPAIN – This study abroad experience includes one month in Spain, and four days in Paris, France. In addition, the price of $3,995 includes international airfare, six transferrable credits, most meals, lodging and health insurance. For more information contact Dr. Paola Bianco at paola.bianco@wilkes.edu or 408-4519. PEACE CORPS VISIT – On Thursday, February 25 there will be a presentation by a former Peace Corps member to talk about his/her experience. The meeting will be held in Breiseth Hall, Room 211 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. WINTER WORSHIP NIGHT – Christian Fellowship Club will be hosting Winter Worship Night on Thursday, February 25 VISION Continued from FRONT PAGE administrators, faculty members, staff members, as well as student representation.” “I think we’re making truly marvelous progress,” said Dr. Joseph ‘Tim’ Gilmour, Wilkes’ president. “The strategic planning committee, which I chair, has really been working together as a team and has defined a planning framework for Wilkes.” Gilmour says the broad framework includes an overall goal, identification of needs, how those needs will be met, what the costs are and what must to be done to meet those needs. “The group has really defined this framework,” said Gilmour. “We gather our information and make those goals based on more than just the brains in the room,” said Hardiman. “We branch out and try to encompass everybody that it will affect.” from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. in the first floor lounge of the Henry Student Center. There will be free food and free concerts featuring student performers. GLOBAL COFFEE HOUR – Every Wednesday, there will be a global coffee hour from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the Savitz Multicultural Lounge on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. INTRAMURAL SPORTS – Students may sign up for basketball by February 24 or volleyball by March 3. Basketball games start on March 3 and are played at UCOM on Monday through Thursday at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Volleyball games start on March 15 and are played on Monday through Thursday. Times and location of volleyball games are yet to be determined. For more information, contact neal.biscaldi@wilkes.edu. CHINESE SPRING FESTIVAL – The Chinese Student Union is hosting a Chinese Spring Festival on Saturday, February 27 at 6 p.m. in the ballroom in the Henry Student Center. The event includes an introduction to Chinese food, customs, beliefs and history. There will also be an explanation about the World Expo in Shanghai. Free music, food and prizes will be offered to guests. MOCK GRAD SCHOOL TESTS – Career Services is hosting Princeton Review mock grad school tests. Students interested in signing up can contact Career Services at careers@wilkes.edu with a name, major, cell number and test type. The tests will be held on Saturday, February 27 at 9 a.m. For more information, go to www.princetonreviw.com and look at ‘Free Events.’ MANUSCRIPT DEADLINE – The deadline to hand in work for the Manuscript has been extended to February 26 at 5 p.m. Students can submit poetry, prose and art to magazine@wilkes.edu. GO BALDACIOUS – The Community Service Office invites the Wilkes community to show support for people suffering from leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers who lose their hair during treatment. The Community Services Office asks that students, faculty and staff shave their heads, color their hair or get creative with their face and hair. Set a fundraising goal and ask friends and family for support. Participation in this event will raise money and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event will be held on Saturday, February 27, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Shavertown/Kingston Township Municipal building at 180 East Center Street. For transportation to the event, contact Megan Boone at megan.boone@wilkes.edu or 408-5905. For more information go to www.totallybaldacious.org Hardiman said the SPC was broken down into smaller subcommittees to address the needs of specific demographics, such as faculty and staff, stakeholders, alumni and graduate study, undergraduates, and strategic partners and donor information. Fusaro said SPC members are also able to lend their voices into the process, too. “One of the things is transfer students. This university, as a whole, really needs to hop up its transferability,” said Fusaro. “One of the things I would like to see is have an online transfer - something that you can either plug in or look at the way your credits from another university would transfer over.” Fusaro added that there are a lot of little things that can also help, such as more online options for adult learners. Part of the process was also looking back at the previous strategic plan to see what can be incorporated into Vision 2015. “There are a number of initiatives that are a part of Vision 2010 that will continue in one form or another into 2015,” said Jack Chielli, executive assistant to the president and executive director of marketing communications and government relations. Chielli says valuing Wilkes’ people was a large part of the 2010 initiative. “We won’t lose sight of that in 2015,” said Chielli. “[Vision] 2015 will no doubt continue to build on the work that was done in 2010.” As for progress, Hardiman says the committee is closing in on their goals. “This process started in the beginning of August by just coming together and gathering information. Since then, we’ve met and gone on two-day retreats every month. At this point we’re a little past the middle,” said Hardiman. Gilmour said that framework should be developed by the end of the academic year and then approved by the board at the beginning of summer break. The framework will then be provided to different parts of the campus for feedback. “We hope that process will be a real dialogue,” said Gilmour. “We may actually change the framework some, but this will set the broad framework for where we’re going for the next five years.” CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Beacon Corrections In Issue 12, The Beacon incorrectly identified the hospital in the photograph on page 1 as Geisinger Wyoming Valley in Kingston. The photograph was taken at General Hospital in Wilkes-Barre. In Issue 13, The Beacon misspelled lacrosse coach Kammie Towey’s name. The correct spelling is Towey, not Towie. Also, due to printing errors, page 18 of Issue 11 was reprinted as page 18 of Issue 13. The correct page can be viewed online at WilkesBeacon.com. The Beacon regrets these errors. Nicole Frail, Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Wotanis, Adviser Meet the Staff Kirstin Cook Assistant A&E Editor �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 NEWS 3 Wilkes and Tobyhanna set to strengthen existing relationship Wilkes delegates to visit depot on February 25 to discuss future of partnership BY DAN KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor On Thursday, February 25, approximately ten delegates from Wilkes University will travel to Tobyhanna Army Depot in order to further a longstanding relationship that exists between the two organizations. According to Dr. Rodney Ridley, the director of Wilkes’s engineering department, the meeting will serve as an opportunity to “align the various points of interaction” between the university and Tobyhanna, enhancing their collaborations on a number of different activities. “The [Tobyhanna] leadership and I thought that it would better serve us both to put a framework around all of that activity and be able to harness the power of the collective,” said Ridley. “This includes things such as resource sharing, becoming more efficient […] as a collective, as opposed to a bunch of different people doing different things.” Because of their relatively close proximity to one another, Tobyhanna and Wilkes have been able to work in conjunction on numerous activities in the past. The depot, which employs roughly 6,000 people, is in constant demand for further education and training for their engineers and technical staff--services Wilkes is able to provide. “Tobyhanna’s mission parallels our mission in so many ways,” said Ridley. “Their mission is to align with ours in that they’re doing specific things with military equipment and applications that we teach our engineers. There’s a lot of overlap in the kinds of labs we have and the labs they have, the kind of things their engineers need to know and that we teach.” PHARMACY Continued from FRONT PAGE hours, Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs, said that there have been many ideas to keep people at the ceremony, but nothing is concrete. Because the ceremony lasts approximately three hours, members of the audience sometimes leave during the ceremony, once they’ve seen their family member or friend receive his or her diploma. In addition, sometimes graduate and pharmacy students leave the ceremony once they’ve received their diploma. According to Adams, there have been ideas of reversing the degrees, making it more conspicuous if people leave and having the diplomas in possession of the school “It’s clear to us here at Wilkes and those at Tobyhanna that we are good at training,” he continued. “For them to carry out their mission, they need to have a highly educated technical workforce. We’re good at training a technical workforce. The partnership makes sense.” The first half of the delegates’ visit will be spent hosting a conference for Tobyhanna’s employees seeking undergraduate, graduate or continuing education. Ridley pointed to several of Wilkes’s course offerings, such as the Professional Engineering (PE) exam preparation courses, that Tobyhanna staff and managers have taken advantage of in the U N I VERSITY past. Vicki Mayk, the associate director of marketing communications, agreed with the assessment, stating the importance of gaining a “foothold in the world of business.” “These relationships help Wilkes to tap into expertise outside the university, as well as establish opportunities for support of our programs,” said Mayk. The benefits Wilkes receives from the partnership are numerous and varied. First, it is often loaned technology and equipment from Tobyhanna that is instrumental in classroom demonstrations and laboratories. They can also count Tobyhanna as one of their “industrial partners,” an important piece of language that allows them to be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which mandates having such partners. As a member of Wilkes’s Industrial Advisory Board, Tobyhanna provides outcome assessment of graduates to determine whether or not their education was satisfactory for the field in which they’re entering. Lastly, Tobyhanna offers many paid internships and full-time job opportunities for Wilkes engineering students and participates in the Wilkes Engineering and Physics division “Adopt-A-Lab” program. The program offers participating companies the opportunity to access the knowledge and resources of the engineering department students, while also providing the school with expertise on a variety of subjects. Ridley estimates that as many as 50-60 of Tobyhanna’s 300 engineers are products of Wilkes’s engineering department. “[The “Adopt-A-Lab” companies’] expertise, leadership and knowledge will be used to shape purchasing and curriculum decisions to keep Wilkes ahead of industry trends in electrical and mechanical engineering,” said Ridley. The second half of the visit will pertain to the business side of matters, such as how to handle technical equipment sharing and communications between both organizations, as well as process feedback on the quality of Wilkes’s training. Ridley plans on using Tobyhanna’s review as a type of focus group response. “We’re going up there and finding out what they like, what they don’t like, what can we do better, what are they looking for, what can we do to adjust ourselves to serve that market, and so on,” he said. “It’s a big client so you want to do some customer service.” A plan was originally in place for Wilkes Alumni Relations to host a special recognition luncheon for the Wilkes alumni working at Tobyhanna, though it had to be rescheduled due to a conflicting event. The luncheon is but a part of a much larger effort designed by Alumni Relations to honor the relationship between the university and Tobyhanna. Ultimately, the department hopes to hold a special ceremony during Homecoming to acknowledge the number of alumni working at Tobyhanna. “These alumni provide proof that a Wilkes engineering degree is an asset in this highly competitive field,” said Sandra Carroll, the executive director of Alumni Relations. “Our longer term goal is to bring to the surface the importance of building the network of engineering graduates so that we may collaborate with them in our goal to provide a special event for Engineering graduates (and students) in the context of Homecoming 2010,” she continued. “This year’s Homecoming will incorporate such events and programs for science, health and engineering as we look ahead to what the next generation of Wilkes students will have as a resource as Stark is transformed [into the SHE facility].” until after the ceremony. Adams said that the issue of graduate and pharmacy students leaving the commencement ceremony before the undergraduate students receive their degrees has been discussed with faculty and administration. “In the end, we’ve just kind of decided that somebody gets disadvantaged in all of those alternatives,” said Adams. Adding one or more of these alternatives would create a different ceremony and significantly affect the planning and behind the scenes work of the commencement committee. Most of this organizational work is extensive and done during the spring semester. Prior to the actual ceremony, Ms. Susan Hritzak, registrar, is responsible for gathering the information on any student that plans on graduating. Hritzak contacts stu- dents who plan on graduating and requests that they sign up for the graduation audit course (GRD000). Students who register for are sent reminders paperwork that is due before graduation. In the spring, Hritzak has about 350 students of which she has to keep track. In the fall, she has fewer undergraduates, which makes her workload easier. Hritzak begins this process one semester before the student will graduate. For example, if a student is graduating this May, the process was started in the fall of 2009. Hritzak, who has been organizing the ceremony for about 27 years, does the “behindthe-scenes” work. She and her co-workers order the cap and gowns and diplomas. The diplomas are then arranged in a specific order by honors, school, and program. “We want everyone to have their diploma that day,” said Hritzak. “But if you don’t do your part, we can’t do ours.” She urges students who are close to graduating to read their email and make sure that they have their paperwork in order. Hritzak said that many students choose not to participate in the graduation ceremony. Adams expanded on that by saying that many more students graduate than the students that walk across the stage because of Wilkes’s widespread graduate program. “We have 50 additional locations that we teach master’s classes at all over the state of Pennsylvania,” said Adams. The commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 22, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre. w WILKES , CONTACT DAN KAUTZ AT: daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu �4 NEWS RALSTON Continued from FRONT PAGE sible,” Messinger said. He went on to say that, depending on the severity of the situation, the graffiti would either be cleaned off or painted over. In this situation, the University is going to first make an attempt to clean the bridge. “We’ll start by seeing if our people can clean it, and if not, we’ll hire a professional cleaning firm,” said Messinger. However, if that doesn’t work out, the University then plans on trying to find out who originally painted the bridge so that they might be able to fix it. At this point, Messinger is not sure who that is, if the company still exists, or if they can still do the job. “If we can’t find them, we’ll just find someone else to redo [the paint job],” said Messinger. As far as defacement goes, Messinger and Mayk both said that it isn’t a big problem at Wilkes. “I don’t want to say that we don’t see it [defacement] because we do, but it’s not a situation that we feel we have a large problem with,” said Messinger. The worst problem that Messinger has seen thus far at Wilkes was a few small tags around campus, but he says that it’s nothing compared to larger schools. “I don’t see it as much as in the bigger urban areas and it just doesn’t seem to be an overriding problem here. However, if a person were caught, there would of course be consequences,” said Messinger. He went on to say that the severity of the consequences would depend on the situation. That is, whether the University would deal with it on its own or if the Wilkes-Barre Police Department would be brought in. For this instance, the University is not going to investigate. It isn’t because no one at Wilkes cares; it’s simply not their job. “Because we lease that, it would be [the railroad’s] responsibility to seek an investigation and prosecute someone for the graffiti,” said Mayk. “If it had occurred on school property, it would depend on the degree of defacement as to whether the University would investigate and actively pursue whoever had done it, but it’s just not up to us.” If you see graffiti or other forms of defacement on campus or on campus property, Messinger asks that you call Public Safety at 408-2349. CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Karen Boback spoke to students The Beacon/Tom Reilly On Thursday, February 18, State Representative Karen Boback spoke to students with a speech called “Things I wish I knew Before College.” The program was hosted by the Wilkes University chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success as well as the Wilkes Leadership Institute. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com ALL adidas CLOTHING .. ~ . 25° --~ · aa1das o OFF aa das Stop in for a great deal today! Now accepting applications! Stop by and talk to a manager to find out what positions are available today! �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 NEWS 5 Student Government Notes - February 17, 2010 BY MOLLY KURDLANDSKI & EMMA ZIMMERMAN Correspondents to Gettysburg. Projects from the trip will be displayed in the Osterhaut Library on the weekends. Treasurer’s Report: All College: $29,700 Conferences: $16,260 General: $14,060 Leadership: $5,325 Special Projects: $2,250 Spirit: $480.60 Start-up: $2,100 New Business: A new class representative was approved for the junior class: Jonathan Wilbourne. Robotics Club Constitution Passing (Week 2 of 2): Changes in the constitution were requested the previous week. The club reported that 17 people attended the first meeting and 25 more who could not attend expressed interest in the club. The club made the constiutional changes and was approved by the board, unanimously, 40-0-0. Nursing Student Organization Fund Request (Week 1 of 1): The Nursing Student Organization (NSO) requested $2820 for a conference in Orlando, Florida. It is the NSO’s first year with a full enrollment, and therefore first year they would be able to attend the conference. The hotel and airfare was paid for by NSO with money they had raised by fund raising such as bake sales and magnet sales. Six delegates will be attending the conference. Representatives from NSO reasoned that the conference will give Club Reports: Programming Board (PB): Concert tickets for Third Eye Blind will go on sale at Monday. Time is to be announced. Tickets are $15 for students and you can buy up to two for this price with your Wilkes ID. For alumni, tickets are $20 and for outside guests, $25. Also, PB is planning Pizza Wars. Wilkes University History Club: On April 22, the WUHC, in cooperation with the Pittston Historical Society, will be holding History Day on the first floor of the SUB. They have started fund raising for their trip them new fund raising ideas, study habits they could use when taking their nursing exams and would publicize Wilkes’s nursing program. Other nursing students present at the meeting claimed that other students were not informed of this conference and it wasn’t open to them. A motion was made to dismiss the request and it was dismissed with a vote of 19-18-0. This vote was vetoed and a motion was made to donate $720 dollars to NSO to get them in the door of the conference. This was also dismissed with a vote of 12-27-0. At the end of the discussion, no money was given to NSO for the trip. The use of the veto for the NSO fund request was controversial, but the exeutive board felt it needed to be used since the vote was close. Adventures in Science Fund Request (Week 1 of 1): Adventures in Science (AIS) is an organization that teaches fifth grade students about science through labs performed on the campus. There are 250 volunteers, which includes Wilkes students, science professors and outside volunteers. AIS provides each volunteer with a shirt and each student attending a canvas bag. AIS provides Wilkes with publicity due to word of mouth and press coverage. SG would be allowed to include their logo on the canvas bags if a donation was made. AIS is to be held on April 23. A motion was made to donate $2500 and it was passed 39-0-1. Winter Weekend Budget Allocation Fund Request (Week 1 of 1): Shirts will be needed for all those participating and food and drinks provided. A motion was made to donate $2300 and was passed 36-0-4. * At 7:45 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. CONTACT MOLLY KURLANDSKI OR EMMA ZIMMERMAN AT: molly.kurlandski@wilkes.edu emma.zimmerman@wilkes.edu D A P A R 17 West Ross Street T M E N T 5 Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 • JUSTA FEW BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS • FREE INTERNET ACCESS • FREE □ FF-STREET PARKING • FREE WATER, SEWER, TRASH • SECURE ENTRY/ REMOTE Buzz- N • FULLY EQUIPPED GRANITE KITCHEN • CABLE TV • PRIVATE BATH WITH SHOWER • LAUNDRY S70.6B7.2220 □R CUMBERLANDLIVIN;G.CDM A P A R T M E N T S �LIKE OPINIONS? LIKE THE INTERNET? Check out a letter to the editor and a piece about Tiger Woods online. www.wilkesbeacon.com CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Freedom of the press: The end of an era at Wilkes? The Beacon calls on Wilkes to go back to mission, vision and values BY THE BEACON Editorial Board The Beacon has operated without infringement from the Wilkes administration since President Christopher Breiseth took office decades ago, and possibly even before that. However, it appears that the era of a free press at Wilkes University is coming to an end. A recent article involving the women’s lacrosse team sparked anger on The Beacon’s Web site, WilkesBeacon.com. The comments that were left on the Web site about the article became childish, petty and hurtful. Yet, The Beacon left the comments up as we had for every other controversial issue that we has ever covered. Much to our dismay, certain members of the Wilkes administration ordered us to remove all comments from the February 16 issue, and prohibit readers from commenting until further notice. The staff of The Beacon had no other choice but to comply with the demands. Wilkes, as a private institution, is not required to extend First Amendment rights to its campus community, and especially not its student media, even though we have enjoyed that privilege for many years. The reasons the administration gave for the censorship were plentiful. The first was safety, which is and should be a primary concern for Wilkes. However, there were no threats of violence in any of the comments, and our publication is not responsible for what others do on social networking sites or through electronic media. There will be hard feelings whether our Web site allows comments or not. The second worry was liability, which is an absurd concern. Wilkes, and our Web site’s provider the College Media Network, are immune to legal action thanks to Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, and its challenge in front of the Supreme Court in Reno v. ACLU. The 1996 CDA attempted to censor the internet, and included Section 230, which says, “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” The Supreme Court case found most of the 1996 CDA, except Section 230, to be unconstitutional. Section 230 still stands as law today and has been tested, at length, through various legal trials. Even though our staff, Wilkes and our Web site’s provider are immune to legal action from these comments, a person is always legally liable for his or her actions. While a person may think he or she can prowl the internet under the cover of darkness, he or she always leaves an electronic trail. The comments left on the lacrosse article and others throughout our Web site’s long history have shown that Wilkes is not immune to the lack of civility in modern society. The comments left are not often credible. However, we cannot be expected to police the comments and deem one person’s words more valuable than the next, no matter how unbalanced the comment is. Those words are a person’s thoughts, thoughts that Wilkes University should value. Wilkes has always supported, and should continue to support, the power of independent thinking. While we vehemently oppose the administration’s decision in this case to silence those controversial voices, the staff of The Beacon has and will always support an open dialogue with its readers, whether in our paper or online. As journalists, the staff of The Beaconhave been taught to love the First Amendment through our education at Wilkes. We question that education when the institution is willing to throw away the First Amendment along with the reputation as a progressive private institution that was built by generations of students, staff, faculty and alumni. The staff hopes that we can start rebuilding that reputation by putting the comments back online. We challenge Wilkes and the administrators who censored us to live up to Wilkes University’s mission for academic excellence, its vision of ethics and civic responsibility and its value of community engagement. The staff of The Beacon knows that our opposition to this censorship may bring repercussions, but we will not sit back quietly while the legacy of our 75-year-old campus newspaper is tarnished so severely. We do BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. The poll was based on 28 responses. Last week’s question: Do you think the current generation of college students overuses the words “like” and “um”? • Yes 96% • No 4% This week, The Beacon asks: Do you agree with the Wilkes administration decision to censor comments on The Beacon website? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com not only owe it to current students, staff, faculty and alumni, but also to those who came before us. The Beacon staff continues to be committed to our mission as journalists, which is to shed light on both the good and bad in the Wilkes community while allowing our readers to participate in an open discussion about the events that impact their lives. College-town excuse a poor excuse for recurring irresponsibility BY THE BEACON Editorial Board When local college students exhibit irresponsible behavior, our community is too often comforted with that same old phrase: “You just have to expect this in a college town.” But, they shouldn’t have to expect it. The Sunday morning edition of The Citizens’ Voice brought news that a Wilkes University student was charged with “desecration of a venerated object, open lewdness and underage drinking.” According to the paper, the student was caught urinating on the front steps of Good Shepherd Church on Main St. in Wilkes-Barre. A King’s College student was also caught urinating on the city’s manger display just weeks before. Examples of the lack of civility go much deeper than just the drunken acts on the streets of Wilkes-Barre. The women’s lacrosse article in last week’s issue accrued more than 60 comments before The Beacon was ordered to take them down. The majority of the comments on the article were uneducated, ill formed and revealed that the authors of those comments are not the professionals that Wilkes University should be producing or employing. When we resort to name-calling, we prove that we don’t have the intelligence to form a solid, competent argument. Furthermore, the comments on the lacrosse article were riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, and there was no regard for information that was obviously shared in confidence. Wilkes and the other educational institutions in Northeastern Pennsylvania need to do more to educate all members of their campus communities not only to have the knowledge to excel in a subject area, but also to become responsible, respectful and ethical civic leaders who will transform our local and regional communities as leaders rather than followers. There will always be students and employees that will be reckless no matter what kind of rearing they have, but the problem is too wide spread to be ignored. We cannot tell the schools what plan of action they should take. Maybe a specific class or the incorporation of principles into the existing curriculum will work. However, one thing is for sure. The reputation of the college students in the Wilkes-Barre community is not positive, and it is a reputation that is deserved in many ways. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 OPINION 7 Global education necessary for success in today’s work environment BY DR. GODLOVE FONJWENG Global Education/Diversity Affairs Director provides opportunities for student scholarships, faculty research support, and exposure to alternative methods of academic inquiry. Furthermore, faculty members who have international experiences are the best spokespeople for study abroad as they draw on their past experiences when making a case for study abroad. Well-traveled faculty are able to articulate the benefits of a study abroad experience and address parental concerns which are most often linked to the safety and security of their children living far from home. Additionally, parents frequently express concerns as to the academic value of study abroad which sometimes carries additional expense. The cultural difference between the United States and the study abroad destination, whether large or small, nuanced or dramatic contribute to a multifaceted learning environment for students’ intellectual and personal development, increased confidence and self-reliance. This coming summer, about five Wilkes students will travel to Campion College in Sydney, Australia to study the history and politics of Australia since colonization in 1788. This program has an Outback service-learning component that will allow participants to work among Aboriginal communities. Similar to their experiences with Aboriginal communities, Wilkes students can also experience dramatic cultural contrasts and gain fresh global perspectives by studying in parts of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Middle East. While cultural sensitivity is a desired outcome of such experiences, valuing the learning that takes place outside the classroom will provide our students with the opportunity to better understand the complexities of the human condition. Exposure to contexts of extended family systems and oral tradition will enhance our students’ understanding of how other cultures transmit, share and validate knowledge. For Wilkes to become a leader in global education and to graduate “global students,” we as a learning community must come together and work toward aligning our curriculum with our mission to prepare our students for “lifelong learning and success in a constantly evolving and multicultural world.” That is the challenge to all of us, students, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents. Globalization, the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of our global community, is a fact. For Wilkes students to participate and compete successfully in a global work place requires a first rate global education. But how is best to do it? According to Pennsylvania’s 2005-2008 International Education Report, our state’s students are not yet equipped with 21st Century skills, in part because their teachers are not well trained as international educators. The report concluded that, “Education should reflect the complexities of the global age by providing the necessary skills and knowledge for students to become productive members of society.” This begs the question, what are the characteristics of a global student? Renowned institutions, such as Hobart and William Smith Colleges, have defined a primary curricular goal as imbuing their graduates with “A critical knowledge of the multiplicity of world cultures, as expressed for example, in their languages, histories, literatures, philosophies, religious and cultural traditions, social and economic structures, and modes of artistic expression.” Similarly, Wilkes University’s mission statement includes a commitment to educate our students for lifelong learning and success in a constantly evolving and multicultural world. With this charge, the Core Review Committee (CRC) is working to arrive at a campus consensus as to what constitutes a “global student” in an effort to make good the promise of Wilkes’ mission statement. A component of a global education is study abroad, providing Wilkes students with affordable opportunities for study at reputable overseas universities, and in the process, gaining an invaluable global perspective. In The Beacon issue of 2/16/10, reporter Jacqueline Lukas announced the development of a partnership between Wilkes University and Campion College in Australia. In addition to facilitating student study abroad, the partnership also aims to assist Wilkes faculty who are interested in leading study abroad trips by providing them with the resources of Campion College, thus enabling faculty to dwell more on the academic component of the trips, and less on CONTACT DR. GODLOVE FONJWENG AT: travel itineraries and logistics. godlove.fonjweng@wilkes.edu Collaboration with overseas institutions It is raining dogs and cats out there…literally! BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor I must preface what I am about to say with this: I am not a mean person. I do have a heart and love animals. In fact, I am the proud legal guardian of a rescue dog. With that being said, I see a serious problem with the United States when it comes to pet ownership. Frankly, there are too many dogs, cats, and owners of dogs and cats in this country. We all need to seriously consider how many of these pets there actually are in the United States and whether or not we can all take the responsibility of owning them. The 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association estimates that 77.5 million people own dogs in the United States. Approximately 93.6 million people own cats. In relation to the amount of pet owners, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the 2010 population to be 308 million. If you do the math, almost half of the country own dogs or cats. These numbers are staggering, especially in 2010. In the middle of economic downturn and unemployment, why are people are consciously and deliberately taking on yet another mouth to feed? The survey also averages that dog owners spend $225 on veterinary visits, $203 for cat owners. That does not even tackle food, toys, beds, and grooming. Not to mention, what happens if the animal breaks a leg, has a disease, or a debilitating condition? What if the animal has an accident on the carpet? How many times will you need to have your carpet cleaned? My point being, it is expensive to own dogs and cats. In relation, too many owners are treating their dogs and cats like people. A 2009 Associated Press/Petside.com poll shows that 50 percent of pet owners consider their pet as much a part of the family as any person in the household. It is understandable that people consider their pet a part of the family, but when they start feeding the animal human food (43 percent) and giving them human names (49 percent), a problem arises. While an animal should receive proper care, they should not receive the same care as a person. Animals are not people, they are animals. It is expensive enough to raise a child, do not treat your pet like one because then the whole family suffers. If you are thinking about breeding, forget it. Among the many resources that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) provides, local shelters provide three main purposes: prevention of cruelty, shelter for abused or neglected animals, and population control, which is why they spay or neuter every animal they receive. The only problem now is that there are too many animals and not enough funding. Most shelters can receive their funding from city, county or state contracts. It all depends on the shelter. They also receive funding from donors. With state and federal budget cuts across the country and jobless donors, most shelters are losing money. My advice is to think twice before you breed animals that you cannot really provide the care for because animal shelters are stretched as far as they can go right now and cannot afford to take them off your hands. Basically, there are too many dogs and cats in this country and not enough people to care for them. If you already have one, get it spayed or neutered. And if you are thinking about owning a pet like a cat or a dog, think long and hard on whether or not you can afford it and give the animal the attention it deserves. People come first; you should not be putting yourself in the poor house because of a pet, which should not have to suffer because of irresponsibility either. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 OPINION THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Driving is a privilege and An underappreciated gaming experience should be treated as such Adventure games: drant or pick up a motorcycle and stuff it in your pocket, adventure games can give you those opportunities and more. An advantage of playing adventure games “Grim Fandango” is the best video game is that you will undoubtedly learn new life ever. Unfortunately, in an industry domi- skills. Adventure games are puzzle-based; nated by RPGs and first-person shooters, therefore, they require you to pay strict atadventure games such as “Grim Fandango” tention to detail while thinking both logihave not received the exposure they right- cally and outside of the box. Conversation is also an important part fully deserve. In the video gaming community, the adventure genre is rarely recog- of adventure games. Choosing the correct dialogue option at the right time can make nized, despite the uniqueness of the genre. Although they are technically video or break relationships with other characgames, adventure games are similar to mov- ters, just as in real life. You will also learn ies. Like all great movies, adventure games valuable methods of improvisation for use tend to contain compelling stories, intricate in sticky situations. The next time you are plot twists, and complex characters that de- locked in a closet and the key just happens to be in the other side of the door and all you have is a pen and a greeting card, you will know exactly what to do. Despite having much lower sales rates, several adventure games have won a substantial amount of awards. Arguably the greatest story ever told, “The Longest Journey,” released in 2000, has won over a dozen awards, the most notable being a Game of the Year award by GameSpot, one of the The Beacon/Tom Reilly top 200 most-viewed Freshman environmental engineering major Tim Fisher enjoying a video websites on the Intergame in his spare time. Certain video games are not only a source of fun and net. Even though “The entertainment, but can also teach important life skills and sharpen critical Longest Journey” is thinking ability. one of the most critivelop as the story progresses. In adventure cally-acclaimed video games of our time, games, however, you are not only watch- the game has only sold approximately ing the story play out, but you are actually 350,000 copies in total. Sales obviously interacting with the story. In some games, have no correlation with quality, as “Game you can even alter the entire direction of the Party,” widely regarded as the worst game of the past decade, had sold more than three story based on a single decision. Unlike RPGs and first-person shooters million units as of February 2009. Whether you are an avid or casual gamer, where the game progresses as you follow a set path to a certain point, adventure games adventure games provide an experience that progress quite differently. In adventure other games cannot. If you are looking for games, you must converse with other char- an introduction to the genre, pick up a copy acters, combine objects, and solve puzzles of “Grim Fandango,” “The Longest Journey,” or “The Monkey Island series.” You in order to progress. You can also fully interact with the envi- will spend much less money while having ronment. If there is a picture on a wall that fun and being entertained in a new way. You you do not quite understand, you can make may even learn something! the character look at the picture and provide a description from his or her point of view. CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: If you have ever wanted to talk to a fire hy- anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu BY ANTHONY TRUPPO Assistant Opinion Editor regulations about what to do on the road and how to act while driving. Maybe, when you were learning to drive, Although American citizens have many you were able to just skate by because you rights, driving is not one of them. It is a got easy questions on your learner’s permit privilege; just like when your parents would test. Or you heard through the grapevine let you have ice cream after you cleaned what to do. The people who chose not to your plate at dinner time. study the manual are the people that are Privileges are special rights given to driv- now wreaking havoc on our roads. ers only when they have proven to be comBut for others who actually wanted to petent on the road after being tested. Isn’t learn the rules of the road, we read the manthis right? ual and became We’ve all educated about experienced our state’s driving different badlaws. driving sceThe next step in narios: the process was Someone taking a test to recuts you off ceive your learnand then er’s permit. In makes a onePennsylvania, the fingered hand test encompassed gesture, as if questions from the it was your manual and if you fault. passed, you were There are able to obtain a four cars at learner’s permit. a stop-sign For six months, intersection The Beacon/Tom Reilly teen drivers would and everydrive with a parent one sits there Driving in Public Square is a privilege, as with all roads. All drivers or guardian and for about 30 should respect their driving privileges by occasionally revisiting in this time, the seconds, as the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual. rules of the road if they were would be taught. Sounds simple, right? unsure of where to go next. Well, as you may have guessed, people Cars are weaving in and out of traffic on have different views about what is right the highway without a care in the world for and wrong while on the road. They make the safety and security of other drivers and the manual so that everyone can follow the their passengers. same uniform style of driving. If two peoBut I digress… ple disagree, this might cause conflict evThe real issue at hand is that people are ery time a permit holder gets in the car with careless, rude and unsafe while driving. But their parent/guardian. anyone can change their habits by followSo after a driver fights with his or her paring the rules and remembering to be safe ent or guardian during the six month period while on the road. of driving, it’s time to go for your driver’s Teen drivers are often named as “bad driv- license test. In Pennsylvania, this test eners” and “careless,” but it is not only teens. compasses trying your driver’s skills with a Drivers who are careless on the road can be test administrator. anyone: from a 16-year-old boy, to an elMany people pass this test, obtain their liderly woman. cense and continue to be good drivers. Other It’s worth something to remember the pro- people may pass this test and let their good cess of obtaining a driver’s license. First, habits slip away causing them to become you must study a manual. reckless, hasty and inconsiderate drivers. When you were 16, do you remember that I encourage everyone to look over the booklet you received from the Department driver’s manual each year to remind themof Motor Vehicles (DMV)? Well that book- selves of the importance of following the let, the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual, was rules provided by your state’s DMV and I actually important. also encourage people to practice safe rules There were valuable facts and pieces of of the road while driving. information in the manual that can be ref- CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: erenced. Listed in the manual are rules and jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor �New Year’s Resolutions PAGE 12 Barely into 2010, the Wilkes community struggles to keep up with resolutions. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com FEBRUARY 23, 2010 College Days Craig Merriman uses his time at Texas A&M Kingsville to grow up BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Craig Merriman, sports information director for Wilkes University athletics, liked to achieve in college. Not overachieve, not underachieve. Just achieve. According to Merriman, he did just what was necessary to get by during his five years at Texas A&M Kingsville, a satellite school of Texas A&M located near his hometown. “I was one of those guys who made sure they knew it for the test. I took a geology course. I didn’t care about geology. Did I learn it? No. I learned it enough to get passed,” said Merriman. Coming from a nearby high school, Merriman stuck to his close group of friends and integrated into playing baseball for the Javelinas. “I played one year of baseball. It was hard, because I knew I needed an education and with 12-hour bus rides for a three game series, I was missing a lot of school,” said Merriman. Merriman stopped playing baseball after his freshman year and took up track instead. Dropping all athletics his junior year, Merriman focused on his studies…slightly. “I hated to study--hated it. I had an interesting college life. [Because] I played baseball, I had to maintain a 2.0 GPA. I was down to a 2.01,” stated Merriman. His hatred of studying and low ACT score coming into Texas A&M Kingsville caused Merriman to take remedial courses, called 099 classes, during his first year of school. “I only scored a 17 on my ACT. I was immediately put into 099 classes, where you have to take them [first] to finally get into English 101. Reading, math, and writing took up almost a whole year. Not only was I taking regular classes I was taking these 099 classes, embarrassingly enough,” said Merriman. Despite not feeling compelled to study, Merriman found keys to success in getting through school. His foolproof plan for passing classes included picking classes early in the day and participating in class on a regular basis. “I looked at it like high school. I took my classes at 8 and was done by 11--like a half a day. Then I could spend the day doing whatever I wanted,” said Merriman. Adapting socially, as well as academically, seemed to come easily for Merriman. “I spent a lot of time with high school friends and made some college friends. I didn’t have this group of big buddies that we’d hang out with,” said Merriman. While he had friends to keep him company, Merriman admits not being able to “buy a date” while in school. Along with learning minilessons about his schooling, Merriman’s parents took it upon themselves to help teach him about being responsible by making him get a job at school. Merriman funded his education on his own by working in the sports information office for the school. “When your parents tell you to do stuff, you don’t want to. I thought at the time ‘that’s pretty crappy,’ but I’m glad they did. It taught me responsibility, taught me to budget, taught me a lot of things. ,” said Merriman. Merriman is glad he listened to his parents. He believes having to work to put himself through school made him more responsible and grown-up. “You had to grow up,” said Merriman. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu. Photo courtesy of Craig Merriman Craig Merriman, now sports information director for Wilkes Athletics, spent his time in college studying little and learning lots. In his own words, Merriman makes the grade: “ “ I put off taking an algebra course in college. I finally took it-failed it miserably. I took it again the next semester. There was a comprehensive final. I made a C on one test. Knew nothing about algebra. Luckily I had a Grad Assistant as a teacher. Foreign. Very hard to understand. It didn’t matter to me, I still didn’t get it either way. I handed in my test, and he says, ‘Mr. Merriman, how are you doing in my class?’ I said, ‘Honestly, I can barely pass a regular class, much less a comprehensive final.’ He said he understood and asked, ‘What was your grade going into this class?’ I thought, ‘That’s a weird question to ask me’ and said ‘a C’. No way I had a C. Low and behold, I get my report card in the mail and I got a C and passed. �10 LIFE THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 _____, t:.Jltffll9W E9l ffEaeE Psychology students help air emotional laundry Clothesline Project in Student Union Building builds awareness of violence BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor “Don’t air your dirty laundry in public,” is an adage that generally means to keep certain actions, thoughts and beliefs in one’s life private. The Clothesline Project goes against this saying, and has some people airing out their dirty laundry on the second floor of the Student Center. A pamphlet for the Victims Resource Center (VRC) described The Clothesline Project as, “Victims and their family members creating an artistic expression of their victimization to display on a clothesline in celebration of their transformation from victim to survivor.” The t-shirts, created by members of the VRC, are displayed in six different colors, all of which symbolize what type of violence that person experienced. According to another pamphlet for the VRC, a white tshirt signifies women who’ve died because of violence; yellow or beige represents battered or assaulted women; a red, pink or an orange t-shirt stands for survivors of rape and sexual assault; blue and green indicates survivors of incest and sexual abuse; purple or lavender represents women who were attacked based on their sexual orientation; and black is a sign for women who were attacked for political reasons. The t-shirts are no longer hanging from the second floor of the Student Center, but according to Megan Boone, coordinator of community service at Wilkes, the Clothesline Project will be displayed again closer to April 21, which is the date set for the Victims Right’s Rally. Boone explained that the Clothesline Project was displayed during the Vagina Monologues, which took place this past weekend. “It’s important to highlight the valiancy of women. I felt the Clothesline Project would help celebrate womanhood, and it tied in nicely with the Vagina Monologues,” said Boone. One of the students involved directly with the VRC and who also helped put The Clothesline Project together is Amber Kozo, a junior psychology major at Wilkes. “The Clothesline Project is basically designed as an outlet for woman to express what has happened to them,” said Kozo. Kozo joined Scholars in Service to PA [SISPA], through the Community Service Office at Wilkes. SISPA offers scholarships for students willing to do community service. After applying and being accepted to SISPA, Kozo was assigned to the VRC, where she helps raise awareness of abuse and violence through various projects planned throughout the semester. Through the Clothesline Project, Kozo hopes to bring awareness of abuse and violence to the Wilkes Community. “We’re on a college campus and no one wants to talk about it, but I’m sure there are assaults on campus. People need to know that they’re not alone,” said Kozo. She hopes people who have experienced violence or those who are experiencing violence will feel comfort in the fact that they aren’t alone. Kozo never actually met the ‘survivors’ who’ve made the shirts, but she believed that they find solace in showing other victims that they too can be survivors. The Clothesline Project isn’t the only project Kozo is working on this semester; she is currently planning a Root Beer Social set for April 16. The social will feature free root beer and free food. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the VRC will be holding a Mock Rape Trial. The trial is set for April 14 and will feature an actual judge and court who will all be volunteering their time to portray a realistic sexual assault trial. This mock trial will happen at the Luzerne County Courthouse. The Victims Rights Rally is scheduled for April 21. The rally is actually a march designed to bring about awareness of violence to the community. Boone explained that marching in the rally along with Wilkes will be King’s College, Misericordia University, Luzerne County Community College and Penn State University. The march will also include high schools such as GAR High School and Wyoming Seminary Upper School. The Victims Rights Rally will begin at both King and Wilkes. The two schools, along with the others, will meet on the square then take Market Street across to Millennium Circle at the River Commons. At Millennium Circle there will be refreshments, a candle light vigil, and about five speakers. Boone explained that the focus of this year’s rally is crimes on college campuses. For more information about The Clothesline Project or any other events involving the VRC contact Megan Boone at megan. boone@wilkes.edu or Amber Kozo at amber.kozo@wilkes.edu. For more information on the VRC, go to www.vrcnepa.org. CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu. Last week's winners of 2 Movie Tickets to Movies 14: Brynn McGregor and Paran Mukhija B Enter for a chance to win... Dinner and a Movie for Two Sponsored By: ·~ - PIUA · WINGS ~ SUB· SALADS Located on Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre 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 Friday, February 26, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORDS: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 LIFE 11 Wilkes University’s Health & Wellness Corner Students inquire about antibiotics and eating disorders colds and flu, they can stop working effectively against bacteria when you really need them. Antibiotic resistance (when antibiotics no longer can cure bacterial infections) has been a real health concern and is considered one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Do not demand antibiotics Q: I went to my doctors for a cold that when your healthcare provider says they are I had for three days and wanted her to not need. Do not take an antibiotic for viral put me on antibiotics for my cold and infections like cold or flu. Do not take ancongestion and was told that it would tibiotics prescribed for someone else. Taknot help me because it was probably a ing the wrong medicine may delay correct viral infection. I was told to take over treatment and allow bacteria to multiply. the counter (OTC) cough medicine and Motrin. Wouldn’t an antibiotic make my Q: How do I know if my friend has an symptoms go away quicker? eating disorder? A: Antibiotics do not fight infections A: That is a very good question but one caused by viruses, like colds, flu, most sore throats and bronchitis and some ear infec- that is not easily answered. As a result, tions. Rest, fluids, and OTC products may this will be the first of a three part series on be the best treatment. If antibiotics are used eating disorders. Our relationship with food is complex and too often for things they can’t treat, like The Health & Wellness Corner is a weekly feature in The Beacon. Students who ask questions remain anonymous. All questions will be answered by Health Services staff. strange as it sounds, it is not about the food, but rather how we can use food to deal with deeper issues. Food is meant to enjoy and to nourish our bodies. Additionally, it is often a part of our traditions, celebrations, and socialization. Still, our culture puts an unhealthy emphasis on appearance and body image. As a result, women, and less often men, desire to be thinner or more muscular than what is natural for us. This can lead to a change in eating behaviors that may develop into an eating disorder. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and eating disorders that are not otherwise specified. Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychological and physiological disorder. Anorexia nervosa can occur at any age or within any socioeconomic class. However, the most common age of onset is between 11-18 with more frequent diagnosis occurring in upper middle class. Symptoms of anorexia include: restric- tion of calories to the point of emaciation, excessive exercise and/or taking laxatives or diuretics to lose weight. Most who suffer with anorexia will deny that they are hungry or thin. Approximately 60% of those with anorexia will also develop bulimia. Do you have a question for the Health & Wellness Corner? Email your questions to wellness.services@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next week’s Health & Wellness Corner. your privacy will be protected. ,.##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 �12 LIFE THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 New Year’s resolutions fizzle at Wilkes Two months into 2010, students give up on personal promises BY ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER Correspondent Every year after the ball drops and the celebrations are over, the reality of New Year’s resolutions set in. Many American adults make New Year’s resolutions. Some popular resolutions include drinking less alcohol, losing weight, managing debt, reducing stress, and volunteering to help others. “I always thought that if someone wanted to change something about themselves and were serious about that decision, they shouldn’t wait until a new year to do so,” said Brynn McGregor, coordinator Upward Bound. “I guess I understand the saying ‘new year, new you’ but why wait,” said McGregor. “For me, the motivation to make a lifestyle change comes from within.” So, why wait until a new year to change? Studies have shown that people are more likely to reach their goals if they make them as a resolution. New Year’s resolutions have been a tradition for a long time. They are usually a reflection of something in your past that you would like to change in the future. The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings. Janus had two faces which allowed him to look at both the past and the future. John C. Norcross, professor of psychology at the University of Scranton, has done studies in the past on New Year’s resolutions. He found that after two weeks 71% of people kept their resolutions. After one month it dropped to 64% and after six James Spickard, a junior electrical engineering major from Trukerton, NJ, is the president of the newly reformed Robotics club. “I am not usually a person to take charge, but I wanted to get more involved this semester,” explained Spickard. Despite being inactive on campus for some time now, Spickard plans on doing whatever it takes to help get the club back together, and he is ready to take charge. “I know that I can take the Robotics Club where it needs to go,” said Spickard. Electrical and mechanical engineering majors can use Robotics Club as an extracurricular activity to spice up a resume, or to learn more about a field in which they’re major, didn’t make a resolution this year. “There’s no point,” she said. “I don’t normally keep them.” “If they can stick to it, then great,” said McGregor. “I always like to hear that someone sets a goal to make a positive change in him or herself.” CONTACT ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER AT adrienne.shellenberger1@wilkes.edu. Chuck Stevens, a fifth year student, lifts weights at the gym at the YMCA on Franklin St. Stevens, along with many other students, work out to try and keep up their new year’s resolutions. months only 46% of people had kept their resolutions. Around campus, most New Year’s resolutions seem to be health related. Melanie Good, sophomore pharmacy major, made a resolution to work out more and be healthier. She kept it for awhile but “when I got back to school I got busier and it was harder to keep,” she said. Student of the Week: Jame§ BY MAJORIE WHISPELL Correspondent Junior Erin Robinson, English major, made a resolution to quit smoking. “I haven’t completely quit yet,” she said. “But I have cut back significantly.” Michael Bosco, junior, communication studies major, also decided to quit smoking, but only kept his resolution for about a day. Melissa Thorne, freshman English The Beacon/Tom Reilly §pick.ar-d interested. “A robot is a machine that can be completely self-automated, without any interaction from humans. We make robots, and would like to enter them into competitions like Battle Bots,” explained Spickard The Robotics’ Club is also looking forward to hosting a competition here at Wilkes “What that would be is a simple competition, where a robot would have to navigate itself a around a certain course. It will have to do everything completely automated, go through obstacles and make it to a checkered flag.” said Spickard Dr. Matthew J. Zukoski, associate professor of math and computer science, who passed away last spring semester, was the club’s adviser. Now Abu-Nabaa, director of Engineering Operations and Strategy, MS [EOS], and an engineering professor, is the club’s adviser. The Robotics Club meets on Tuesdays at 11 a.m., in Stark Learning Center, room 238. Any person of any major is welcome to join. one like Lockheed Martin. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Spickard: Hardworking, active, and leadership material. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know…” Spickard: That I am the President of the Robotics Club; my friends back home would not expect it. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Spickard: Hopefully in a good job [at] an engineering firm, either one that I start, or The Beacon/Allison Roth CONTACT MAJORIE WHISPELL AT majorie.whispell@wilkes.edu. �SHUTTER ISLAND MOVIE REVIEW, PAGE 14 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com FEBRUARY 23, 2010 MTV’s “Buried Life” aims to put resolutions six feet under The Beacon talks with the four boys who are making their dreams a reality BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Four Canadian boys shared an idea four years ago to one day make a television show out of their efforts to achieve certain tasks before they died, such as asking out the girl of their dreams or delivering a baby. The Buried Life, which is their concept brought to life, currently airs on MTV, and has captured hopeful audiences of all ages, surpassing the usual demographic for MTV. Yes, even beyond the Jersey Shore fans. The four hosts of the show are Dave Lingwood, Ben Nemtin, Duncan Penn, and Jonnie Penn. Through an exclusive event provided by Collegepublisher, The Beacon, along with other college publications, was able to sit in on a conference call with Lingwood, Nemtin, and (Jonnie) Penn. Brett Hanes, the senior vice president of comedy and animation for MTV and executive producer for The Buried Life also sat in on the interview. Hanes recalled receiving a DVD trailer of what the boys had been doing, trying to promote their cause and taping their lives over the last three years. Without hesitation, Hanes knew that he had stumbled upon something unique and perfect for MTV. The boys’ challenge was finding the right platform for their television show. Prior to MTV, the boys received an offer in 2007 from another production company, but if they agreed, they would have lost all creative control. Instead, their show fell into Hanes’s hands. “Our [MTV’s] only help would be to broadcast and be part of the journey,” said Hanes. “We were inspired, and it’s a really (explicitive) hilarious show.” All of the boys grew up together in Victoria, Canada. Being extremely busy promoting their new show, Penn said they were finally able to gauge the response of the audience, now that they are doing a press tour across the country and in Toronto. The idea behind the show was for them to make something that their friends would enjoy and to inspire them. “We get to meet people and talk to them about what they want to do before they die, it’s been very humbling,” said Penn. Their friends and family have kept the boys’ efforts alive by throwing events at home where their whole community got together to support them. “We started to ask ourselves, and our friends, why we aren’t going after what we really wanna do, and why are we settling,” said Nemtin. Out of everything they have completed on the list thus far, and trying to put a positive spin on death, it’s safe to say that they have witnessed some life altering events. The Beacon: Out of everything that you have seen, what has been your most eyeopening mission thus far on the show? Lingwood: The mission that most changed my life was the story of Queen, a recent episode. Her mother died in Katrina and she never got to say goodbye to her mom, who was buried all the way in Denver, Colorado. We had the chance to raise enough money to get her up to Denver to say goodbye. The Beacon: Wow, that’s emotional. It’s great you guys are shedding light on doing what you want to do before you die. Lingwood: Yeah, I mean, death is not really a part of society as much as it used to be- a weird phenomenon. Death is hidden from us and it’s a really unnatural thing to be there with a stranger and see her say goodbye to her mom- it was just a blow. It reminded us of all the reasons why we do this, and we celebrate it. The Beacon: Embedding a positive legacy into society today, which is what you are doing, does stir up controversy. Has there been any outstanding negative feedback from all of this? Nemtin: Oh yeah, that we’re “self-centered, taking a booze cruise across the country.” They think we’re promoting entitlement. [And we’ve also heard peole say] that MTV scripts everything on our show. For the one episode when we wanted to get into a Playboy mansion party, we actually had to write a letter to Hugh Heffner and had to work really hard to get in there. It’s SEE MTV, Page 15 Review: “Art of the Brick” Exhibition transforms toys into art BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Assistant A&E Editor The Art of the Brick Exhibit in the Everhart Museum in Scranton is an exhibit like no other. All of the artwork in this particular exhibit, which included multiple 3-D sculptures and portraits, was constructed of LEGO toy bricks. There was a combination of 3-D sculptures and pictures hanging on the wall. Nathan Sawaya is a New York based artist, who discovered LEGOS as an art medium, rather than just a toy, after his college years, according to his website, www.artofthebrick.com. According to Sawaya’s book, The Art of Brick, he used to be an attorney before he made the transition to professional artist. Some of my favorite sculptures include” Heart,” “Yellow,” “Crowd,” and “Future” and several of his untitled portraits. The heart sculpture was my personal favorite. It was built in March of 2008. It is constructed as an actual human heart. The details of this sculpture really amazed me. It is completely anatomically correct, and took Sawaya over 100 hours to complete, according to his website, www.artofthebrick.com. ”Yellow” was constructed in February of 2006. It is a sculpture of the bust of a man, ripping his chest open.The yellow LEGOS, once part of his chest, were dispersed haphazardly across the table. It is very difficult to portray the full effect of the sculpture using only words. It is best to actually view the sculpture to understand how striking it truly is. ”Crowd” is another one of my personal favorites. There are small figurines of people walking in many directions. This sculpture also contained an optical illusion feature. When I took a step back, I saw that the color on each of the figurines combine to make a large blue eye. “Inspired by the throngs and graffiti of New York City, art is where you see it,” said Nathan Sawaya in his book. Perhaps Sawaya is trying to portray that you can find art everywhere if you keep your SEE LEGOS, Page 15 Photo courtesy of Nathan Sawaya Sawaya’s sculpture “Circle Triangle Square” was constructed in April of 2009. Three human bodies were built out of LEGOS with geometric shapes where their heads would normally be. This is one of the many LEGO sculptures Sawaya has on display. Photo was reproduced with the permission of the Everhard Museum. �14 A&E THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Review: Shutter Island, a psychological joyride BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers. The latest psychological thriller, Shutter Island, presents the question: could insanity be contagious? The film, released on February 19, makes you question this concept, and more, as you follow the winding plotline and complex characters. The movie takes place in 1954, a time period emphasized by the underdeveloped, unethical practices in the field of psychology. Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a U.S. Marshal recruited to investigate a case at Ashecliffe Hospital, an institution for the criminally insane on Shutter Island in Boston. The case is regarding a missing patient, Rachel (Emily Mortimer), a war widow who is at the penitentiary for drowning her three children. She invents a fictional world in which her husband and children are still alive, and the workers at Ashecliffe are simply neighbors. The disappearance of the prisoner turns into a full-fledged mystery, with each clue leading to a more complex development. We learn from the very beginning that Daniels’ wife died in a fire. Daniels visually suffers from a wounded past from losing his wife and serving in World War II. As Daniels spends more time at the hospital, his traumatic past continuously haunts him. His time working on the case is plagued with nightmares of his wife and the war, constant hallucinations and fragmented thoughts. Daniels finds it difficult to uncover answers from this twisted mystery. Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley), the head psychologist at Ashecliffe, is incriminatingly unhelpful with the case, refusing Daniels access to patient files. Daniels’ sidekick, Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), serves as the ideal partner with his insightful and supportive personality. He suggests that the psychologists at Ashecliffe manipulated Daniels to become involved at the hospital. The theory of unethical operations being conducted at the institute is developed, and it becomes evident that Shutter Island is not what it appears to be. From that point on, it becomes difficult to decipher who can be trusted and what is real. The most prominent concept presented in Shutter Island is the definition of insanity. The characters discuss how easily one can be labeled as crazy. The patients state that once one doctor calls someone insane, all the other doctors backs them up, and any attempt at objection is simply perceived as proof of the insanity. With this broad definition, anyone could be insane, which leads to some thought-provoking discrepancies. There are several intriguing concepts that mirror each other. The missing prisoner mirrors Daniels, since they are both widows. Daniels has fractured flashbacks to his complicated past, which mirrors the scrambled clues to the missing patient case. The unethical practices at the institute set up a clear mirror of the holocaust. The ending was mind-blowing, and connected all the loose ends in a satisfactory manner. The only weakness was its slight openness at the conclusion, with there being possibilities for two different ending, though the ultimate end is assumed. There are few flaws I can scrutinize from this movie. The plot seemed to rush too quickly into Daniels background and how his wife died, while I think it should have focused on the information of the case in the beginning. Also, while other aspects of Daniels’ wife are elaborated on, the storyline lacks a major piece of her background. There are some traumatic images present- The Beacon/Tom Reilly ed that may impact audience members and require a warning. These visuals involve the holocaust, as well as the dead bodies of children. These small flaws can be easily overlooked, however. Shutter Island is more than just a movie; it is a psychological venture that should not be missed. Though insanity is not a contagious disease, this movie will make you doubt whether what you are seeing is real or an illusion. Rating: 5/5 CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu 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! Becan.eeveu , "Fashionistas" j' 101,OFF canbefrugal. WITH WILKES STUDENT l,D, AP CHSOQKAXD AC I QKOX AQ SECQ KIJO CQHXO’C QKMHZ DAJOX CHSOHXO IZIV, I sale items not included ;~ ~;, Offer Valid Through 3/31/10 KIML QASO! ...... . ..... . . ... ..... .... ....... .... .................. .. r · · ··· · This week’s clue: O=E & Q=T Last week’s answer: If a chipmunk can catch pneumonia then shouldn’t pneumonia be able to catch a chipmunk? �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 A&E ~ - I' 3 I - - ; 4 I I - .-----10 I I ' 11 f-- f-- f-- f-- 116 - 17 f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- I f-- ,o - I - u ,. - f-- 15 f-- f-- f-- 15 - I - - 30 n I I I lR I I I I I I I I I 19 f-- ,,----- I I I I I f-- - f-- f-- I" - f-- I I I I I I I '7 I I I I I I f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- - f-- - f-- f-- - f-- f-- f-- - f-- f-- f-- - f-- 34 f-- f-- - f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- ,,---- f-- f-- - I 31 I f-- f-- ,.-- - f-- f-- - - f-- f-- - - ~ f-- f-- - - f-- I I I I I I f-- f-- 37 f-- Continued from PAGE 14 - - - - - - f-- f-- - - f-- f-- - - f-- f-- I" I I I I f-- I I 40 I 41 I I I I I I I I I I Courtesy of EclipseCrossword.com ACROSS 2.“Goodnight, John Boy.” 5.“Survey said...” 7.“Ooooh! Burn! That’s a burn about a burn! That’s a 2nd degree burn!” 8.“There isn’t enough wall space in New York City to hang all of my exes.” 10.“Singing is not your thing.” 13.“Pick ME. Choose ME. Love ME.” 16.“It’s time for some Chat Stew!” 18.“And I would’ve gotten away with it too, if it were’nt for you meddling kids!” 20.“The truth is out there.” 21.“Please take care of yourselves...and each other.” 24.“How rude!” 25.“You’re Fired!” 26.“Up your nose with a rubber hose.” 29.“Throughout the past five seasons, we’ve had some stars with various physical CONTACT BRIE FRIEDMAN AT: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu LEGOS f-- f-- 139 “The point of the show is that they really do everything on the show, and some people just refuse to believe that,” said Hanes. For their first season, the boys sat down to figure out eight episodes. Now that they are becoming famous, the second season is full of higher expectations. They plan to continue doing things on their own lists, as well as incorporating others. People can actually visit the show’s website and post their own life lists at http://theburiedlife.com/blog/. The second season will be even more edgy and eye-opening as the four boys continue to tackle the real meaning behind the title, The Buried Life, which airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. on MTV. f-- f-- “Famous TV Quotes” f-- - I - Continued from PAGE 14 MTV is not just handing it over to us like some think. f-- - f-- I MTV all part of putting ourselves out there, and - f-- " I I 13 - - I BY ASHLEY ZERFOSS Correspondent I I I I I '1 - 6 I - mr - "' f-- 14 I f-- f-- • - 1' I I I ZerCross 15 challenges. Heather Mills had one artificial leg. Kenny Mayne apparently had two.” 31.“Oh my God! They killed Kenny!” 35.“Don’t make me angry...” 38.“We are two wild and crazy guys!” 39.“Spin the Wheel!” 40.“Eat my shorts!” 41.“If you get it on tape, you could get it in cash.” DOWN 1.“You think this is hard? [insert something harder than a cheerleading routine] THAT’S hard!” 3.“You think, DiNozzo?” 4.“That’s hot.” 6.“Holy crap!” 9.“How YOU doin’?” 11.“Smile! You’re on...” 12.“See you in another life, brother.” 14.“No soup for you!” 15.“A man who deliberately covers himself in poo is not sexy.” 17.“Aaay” 19.“Whatchoo talkin’ ‘bout Willis?” 22.“There is always a clue.” 23.“Whapah!” 27.“Bam!” 28.“Live long and prosper.” 30.“Is this chicken what I have or is this fish? I know it’s tuna. But it says chicken. By the sea.” 32.“Giggity giggity giggity!” 33.“I just love sales. I love it to death. It’s as simple as that.” 34.“I know nothing!” 36.“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!” 37.“The tribe has spoken.” CONTACT ASHLEY ZERFOSS AT: ashley.zerfoss@wilkes.edu eyes open and look at things closely. ”Future” is one of his portraits. Upon first glance, it may be difficult to grasp its full meaning. The background is white, and there are black lines across it. The description panel tells viewers that an optical illusion feature was built into the portrait. When I stood to the left of the portrait, and stepped back a few feet, I was able to see that the lines were actually letters that, when looked at sideways, spelled out “tomorrow.” The Art of the Brick exhibition will be on display at the Everhart Museum until May 2. The Everhart Museum is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12-4, Saturday from 10-5, and Sunday from 12-5. I would encourage everyone to go and see this incredible exhibit. It appeals to all generations. Even for those who did not play with LEGOS as a child, it is likely that most people have had some kind of experience with them over the years. Rating: 5/5 CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gillyan.gowarty@wilkes.edu ·------ . . ______ . I Check out “What’s Happening Around Wilkes” online at: I wilkesbeacon.com �MIDSEASON MVP PICKS With basketball season half over, who are the favorites to take home the Maurice Podoloff trophy as NBA MVP? PAGE 18 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Coaching comes with pros and cons Colonels given BY DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor A ,,. ,,,. royal treatment in 21-point loss y.-.,• ....;.;i, **Editor’s Note: What follows is the second part of a look into the background of coaching, a three-part feature series entitled “The Life and Responsibilities of a College Coach.” BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor The Life and Jerry Rickrode found Responsibilities himself coaching basketof a College ball for the first time in 1985, when he assumed Coach responsibility as the freshmen JV coach at his alma mater, Skidmore College. A “wet-behind-the-ears” 21-year-old, Rickrode took the job with vigor after a decision he had made a year earlier left him with few other options. “I got into it in a funny way,” said Rickrode. “When I was a senior, we had a game at New York University the same day I had to do a lab for one of my sciences. I went to see the professor […] He said that I couldn’t miss it and that it would greatly affect my grade if I did […] So I dropped the class,” he said, matter-of-factly. Rickrode traveled with his team to play NYU, and had to later sign up for an additional semester so that he could take a comparable science course in order to graduate. He tried to rejoin the basketball team that fifth year of school, but found that his eligibility had since expired after his senior year. It was then that his coach approached him about the possibility of coaching Skidmore’s junior varsity team. “I don’t necessarily advise kids to do what I did,” said a chuckling Rickrode. “But it was a life-changing decision for me, that’s for sure.” His choice ended up directly influencing his future; Rickrode soon earned his Master’s in Physical Education from Ithaca College while serving as a graduate assistant coach there in 1986. By 1991, he was at Wilkes University and on his way to becoming a highly regarded Division III head coach. “My parents always joked that I put too much emphasis into basketball [when I was younger],” said Rickrode, “but I really do love it. I love holding practices with the boys and seeing them day-in and day-out. When I get out of coaching, if I ever do, PART 2 The Beacon/Daniel Kautz Men’s and women’s tennis head coach Christopher Leicht (left) helps sophomore pharmacy major Jefferson Bohan string a racket in his office. that’s what I’m going to miss the most. [The] second part of [what I like most about coaching] is when these guys graduate and you still hear from them quite often- I still go to all their weddings. I get to see how well they’re doing.” Influenced by his passion for tennis, Christopher Leicht also become a coach at an early age. He began teaching at Frost Valley Country Club while still an undergrad at Bloomsburg University, and soon became the club pro. He later tried for the head coaching position at Danville Area High School, his alma mater. During his three-year tenure there, he oversaw a program that went 57-4 and reached the state semifinals two years in a row, epitomizing excellence. “Coaching’s always been about my relationship with my players,” insisted Leicht. “I think my players [at Danville] took to me more easily than another possible coach because of the fact that I wasn’t much older than they were; it made being able to relate a lot easier. They always had a ton of energy and enthusiasm for tennis and it got me excited to be able to help teach it.” When he arrived at Wilkes, he continued to build relationships with his players on the men’s and women’s teams, citing the process as one of his motivations for his in- volvement with coaching. “When we’re [at competitive matches], I love motivating the players in the way that best suits them,” he said. “I take it in a case-by-case basis. Some kids want to be fired up; some need to joke around to relax. I always try and behave in a way that helps them perform better, and it’s something I get a kick out of.” That Lisa Rizzo became a volleyball coach was no real shock for her after looking back on the past; she participated in the sport during her four years of college and admittedly loved it. It is the fact that she wound up at Wilkes- after playing those four years at rival King’s College- which she said shocks people whenever they learn of it. Despite the changing of loyalties, Rizzo guided her team to a 16-12 season in 2009, an improvement of four wins over the 2008 squad. “I’ve been playing sports since I was a toddler,” said Rizzo. “[Coaching] is just something that I find neat; I like leading my players and watching them form that team bond that allows [them] to overcome obstacles, whether it be in a game or in real life.” The coaches discussed the enjoyment that SEE COACHES, Page 19 The Colonels packed their bags for the last time of the season, traveling just a few blocks to partake in the classic hometown rivalry against the Monarchs. Coming into the game with an average record of 13-11 (4-9), Wilkes did not want to end its season with another loss, however, the shots just did not fall for the Colonels, shooting 36 percent from the floor and hitting just one three pointer throughout the course of the game. An 11-13 (7-6) King’s team came into the game with a chip on their shoulder, dominating the Colonels in the first half 43-23, and solidifying a win with a final score of 77-56. The game began by honoring Wilkes seniors Chris Gulla, Anthony Gabriel and Tom Kresge on their home court. This year the three were all key players on the Colonels’ starting lineup. “It was defiantly emotional, the big crowd, (the) last game on the floor,” said Gabriel. “We wanted to go out with a win.” In the first five minutes of the game it was all Wilkes, quickly establishing a 10-2 lead while playing tight defense and bringing it hard down low. However, over the next four minutes the Monarchs were able to shift the momentum with an 11-1 run over the Colonels, making the score 13-11 in favor of Kings. Just like a game of Super Nintendo’s NBA Jam, the Monarchs were on fire throughout the rest of the first half. While keeping the pressure on the Colonels, King’s was able to ignite their three point game, shooting 610 from the perimeter. With two minutes left in the half, the Monarchs held a 16 point lead and Wilkes continued to dig themselves deeper into a hole, continually missing easy shots from the field, which lead to a 6-0 run by King’s, ending the first period with a score of 4323. A major factor to King’s success in the first half was their ability to spread the ball SEE BASKETBALL, Page 19 �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 SPORTS 17 Athlete Spotlight: Scott Mantua, f ab freshman BY JUSTIN JONES Staff Writer After a monumental season last year, the Wilkes wrestling team is having another record breaking season, and freshman Scott Mantua has been a vital part of it. His seemingly easy transition from the high school tocollege level has locked down the 125 pounder from Clarksville, Maryland, as this week’s Athlete Spotlight. “The transition to college has gone well for me. Obviously, the competition is tougher but I try to just take it one match at a time and only worry about who I have to wrestle that day,” Mantua said. When Wilkes took to the mat against rival King’s last week, all that Mantua had on his mind was Mike Tabasco. Mantua went down early and gave Tabasco a 2-0 lead, but he admitted that he normally gives up the first take down, so he wasn’t worried by the small deficit. It only took four more seconds for Mantua to gain the upper hand with an impressive escape. “I took a shot from neutral, creating my own offense, and [Tabasco] tried to counter my shot using a risky move. I knew the Courtesy of Sports Information Freshman Scott Mantua has been a revelation for the 17th ranked Clonels this season. Mantua is sporting a 30-10 record heading into the postseason, leading the team in wins. move was coming because he had already tried it and I was able to catch him on his back,” commented Mantua. “I always work for the pin but I definitely am more excited about a pin in a match against King’s. The extra points definitely help the team and also help with the general attitude on the • bench. As the first match I like to get the dual meet started with a pin.” Not only did Mantua’s pin start Wilkes towards a 27-9 thrashing of nationally ranked King’s, but it also pushed his individual record to 30-10. “Having three times as many wins as losses has actually been a goal for me this season,” said a proud Mantua. “About halfway through the season, once I got adjusted to college wrestling, I made goals to have three times as many wins as losses and to win thirty matches. I was able to achieve both of those goals this weekend and that was pretty exciting for me.” Mantua’s record credits the seniors on the team for preparing him physically as well as mentally. “The seniors have been awesome this year; they were very welcoming to me in my freshman year and I look up to all of them,” said Mantua. In aspects of wrestling we have plenty of seniors on the team such as Frank Heffernan and Zach Pizzaro to look up to, as well as seniors such as Burt Griffith to give me guidance in academics and other areas.” Now it’s on to the Metropolitan Conference Championship, where Mantua will look to continue his fantastic freshman season against the conference’s best. CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT justin.jones1@wilkes.edu ,,. w.... 1 THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Olt VICE VERSA Get 10% off with valid student ID Oil VICE VERSA Get 10% off with student ID Foll Meno Served All Dag -------------------,-------------------r-------------------¢ ~ ....... ~ i ~ 99 BREAKFAST BURRlfO REGULAR $1 OFF CroisS0N1c• BREAl<!FAST SANDWICH 99:w ' ROUTE 44 BIG DRINK• : SOFT DRINK. Full Menu Served All Dag �18 SPORTS - -= SCOREBOARD MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/16 vs. DeSales 64-75 L 2/18 @ Eastern 45-69 L 2/20 vs Kings 56-77 L WBS PENGUINS 2/17 vs. Albany 9-2 W 2/20 @ Lowell 1-0 W PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 2/16 vs. Miami 78-105 L 2/19 vs. San Antonio 106-94 W 2/20 @ Chicago 90-122 L NEW JERSEY NETS 2/16 @ Charlotte 103-94 W 2/19 vs. Miami 84-87 L 2/20 vs. Toronto 89-106 L WEEK AHEAD WBS PENGUINS 2/23 @ Portland 7:00pm 2/27 vs. Providence 7:05pm 2/28 vs. Hershey 3:05pm Sports Editor lNTHONY DORUNDA~ Over the past season, Kevin Durant has not only proven he’s a star; he has entered the same category as players like LeBron, Kobe, and D-Wade - superstar. Loaded with a plethora of unbelievable talents, Durant has flashed greatness, offering only a glimpse into what this man is capable of doing. One thing he is capable of this season, at only 21, is an MVP award. And before we talk about defense, LeBron makes those chase ‘em down blocks from behind that make the highlight reels, but that’s not man-to-man defense. In fact, there isn’t much difference between the two defensively. Show me the last time playing defense was a pertinent factor in the MVP race. Let’s be real here. More often than not the MVP award is given to the player who scores at absurd rates. Or in other cases it goes to the most electrifying player who makes you close your eyes for a few seconds, blink a few times, NEW JERSEY NETS 2/23 vs. Portland 2/27 @ Boston 2/28 vs. Washington .• . ' il:I: ~ ,. @Beaconsnorts 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 and ask yourself if that really happened. In that case, there is no doubt in my mind the MVP is LeBron James. I’m not here to bash LeBron because, well, you can’t. The two are totally different players – LeBron’s a slasher, Durant is more of a shooter. Sure, he may not make the highlight reel plays that LeBron makes every night, but ladies and gentlemen, no player is more important to the success of their team than Kevin Durant. Besides the fact that he’s already at 5,000 career points and on the cusp of averaging 30 points per game at the ripe age of 21, he has the Oklahoma City Thunder, yes THE THUNDER, at 32-21 as of press time and has literally turned the team into something exciting. Not since the Supersonics days with Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton has the team been this good The corps of this team revolves around four players, who are all under the age of 23. As good as these players are, the engine runs off of what Durant supplies, and more often than not that’s 30 points a game. It’s almost as certain as the sky is blue that if Durant doesn’t score at the rate he scores, the Thunder will lose. That rate? Try 25- plus points the last 27 games. He has scored nearly as much as his best two teammates. Combined. And in those games the Thunder are 19-8. If that doesn’t scream MVP, I don’t know what does. Did I mention that the man is 21, and the unquestioned leader of this team? Durant has a power forward’s height, a small forward’s fluidity, and a shooting guard’s touch, with the ability to bring the ball up the court and run the offense. Not to mention the Thunder’s offense runs through him, or should I say is him. He has the Thunder poised for their playoff appearance for the first time since…ever! The sooner than expected resurgence of the franchise can be credited to one single player: No. 35. He’s single handedly turned a struggling franchise into a playoff contender in the loaded western conference in the matter of only a few seasons. Team leader, top two in the NBA in scoring, sole reason for a team’s success, and attitude to continue to critique and improve his game - add that together, and we have an MVP on our hands. The King will reclaim his title - MVP PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 2/23 @ Golden State 10:30pm 2/24 @ Phoenix 9:00pm 2/26 @ Los Angeles Lakers 10:30pm FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Who is the Mid-Season MVP? Kevin Durant has arrived, Thundering into the MVP race WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2/16 vs. DeSales 42-76 L 2/18 @ Eastern 62-72 L 2/13 vs. Kings 61-90 L THE BEACON Assistant Sports Editor DANIEL KAUTZ LeBron James stands to make a fortune this summer when he hits what may be the most anticipated free agency period of all time. The media sensation following his signing - or extension, should he stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers - will be overwhelming, and justifiably so. He is the rare athlete who manages to outpace the superlatives we try to assign him, the only one whom the title “King” could be fixed to without seeming absurd or trite. And he is this season’s MVP. The man is averaging slightly less than 30 points a game (29.9), and has filled the stat sheet by averaging 7.1 rebounds and 8.3 a contest to go along with it. Durant is averaging almost the same amount of points and rebounds a game (29.7 and 7.5, respectively), but has had less success distributing the ball and getting his teammates involved (2.9 assists per game). This is not necessarily meant to sound like an unfair critique of Durant; he is four years younger, and plays a radically different role on the Thunder than James does on the Cavaliers, where he is allowed to dictate the offense more often. However, it still does not change the fact that James is a better facilitator, and more valuable because of the multiple roles he plays. The biggest disparity between the two of them is their defense, however, and not their offense. Durant was one of the worst defenders in the NBA last season; indeed, the Thunder allowed an additional 9.1 points per 100 possessions on defense last season when he was in games, more than negating the offensive boost he brought his team. While he has improved of late, James is surpassing him in blocks (52 to 46) and steals (86 to 72) this season. His fast, physical style of defense even inspired the Cavaliers’ front office to invent the “chasedown blocks” statistic for him, a category that records the number of times he chases a player in transition and successfully blocks his shot from behind. You know, the move that is a staple of James’s highlight reel every other night. He had 22 of them last season. Lastly, for those stat-heads out there, there is the matter of their Player Efficiency Ratings (PER). The rating system, created by ESPN’s John Hollinger and used leaguewide in player evaluations, takes into account many of the positive and negative statistics a player accumulates throughout the season before using a formula to determine their value to their team. A PER of 15.00 is league average; this is the rating you would see given to many bench players or common starters. Kevin Durant currently possesses a PER of 25.16, a rating that would establish him as a “fringeMVP candidate” according to Hollinger’s book, Pro Basketball Forecast. James is currently posting a 31.65, which is beyond the 30 rating that indicates a “runaway MVP candidate.” Only two players have posted a PER rating higher than that historically. One was Michael Jordan, who twice accomplished the feat, once in the 1987-88 season (31.79) and the other in the 1990-91 season (31.89). The other was LeBron James. His 31.76 rating last season was the third highest ever, and came with an MVP award in tow. There’s no reason that shouldn’t happen again this year. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 BASKETBALL Continued from page 16 around amongst their players, shooting 60 percent behind the arc. In the second half Wilkes stepped their game up and continued to chip away at the 20 point deficit, putting pressure on the Monarchs offence and achieving a 14-4 run of their own with 12:38 to go. However, their short burst would not be enough, and King’s would run away with the victory, 7756. Speaking of the loss, Gabriel explained COACHES Continued from page 16 they get out of serving at Wilkes, a school which all three believed gives more equal attention to its athletics than other programs in terms of support and publicity. They also noted that it is the close fraternity between coaches here that has helped engender such an environment. “I think all the people and students here give pretty much an equal amount of respect to the different teams; the coaches, especially,” said Rickrode. “We all support one another.” “I know that, for me, my transition was made much easier with the help of some of the other coaches here,” said Rizzo. “They were always there to help answer questions or help me with scheduling […] I think the entire athletic department here treats all of the teams more fairly than at some other schools.” Leicht said that there is a definite sense of equality between the sports programs at Wilkes in terms of administrative support. “Football, for example, will always be high-profile wherever you go, but […] Wilkes places priority on all sports, not just the big ones. The athletic department here has put a real emphasis on tennis […] especially when other coaches tell me other negative things [about their programs],” he concluded. As with nearly anything, however, there are negatives to be found. The challenges that coaches face today are numerous; while there are ways to steer around trouble, all three coaches admitted that there is not one “right method” in which to handle adversity; it depends on the situation and the coach’s experience. In a day and age where adult professional athletes are in the news everyday for their transgressions, it calls to attention the question of how much we can expect from college-aged youths, as well as how to play the role of disciplinarian. “I’ve never had any real problems on my teams fortunately,” said Leicht. “Of course that doesn’t mean I haven’t had to step in SPORTS 19 that the team simply “…didn’t get [the ball] out to shooters,” like the team wanted to. The Colonels were lead by the seniors Kresge and Gabriel, playing in their last game as Colonels. Kresge racked up 14 points, four rebounds and three assists and Gabriel not far behind with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists of his own. With the loss, the Colonels end their season with a record of 13-12 (4-10). CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT gino.troiani@wilkes.edu sometimes […] I’m fairly approachable; I try and talk with them and use setbacks as learning examples. I ask them, ‘Did what you do affect the team? Is this something we can fix?’ I don’t yell; I just approach it calmly on a case-by-case basis.” “I’ve rarely had to admonish my athletes,” said Rizzo. “And if I had, it’s usually something like if I hear a kid [cursing] or horsing around. It goes back to [how I think players should represent themselves].” Managing athletes’ egos is also a job that coaches must master in order to effectively lead. “You can’t, as a coach, keep everyone happy,” said Rickrode. “I was always a firm believer that if everybody in the world likes you, I’m not sure you’ve done everything right. You kind of have to do what’s best for the team and what you feel is the right thing to do.” “I had a situation some time ago when a kid made a little spectacle of himself after the game in front of some fans and I suspended him for two games,” he added. “I had some people fight me on it and I decided I wasn’t [going] to back down from it. They could do whatever they wanted to do to me but I wasn’t going to back down from that conviction; you have to be willing to treat your star player just the same as you would anyone else as a coach.” “It goes both ways,” said Leicht, of massaging players’ egos. “Some athletes who were standouts in high school have egos when they get here, but then find themselves surrounded by others who are also talented. In those situations they can get overwhelmed and you have to give them time to get adjusted, maybe give them a word of encouragement.” **Check back next week for Part III in the series, which discusses the struggles and rewards of coaching. CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski As the rest of his team looks on, senior Chris Gulla (3) shoots a free throw during Wilkes University’s senior night contest on Saturday against its cross-town rival King’s College. The Colonels lost the game, 77-56, thanks to some hot shooting by the Monarchs, who made 11 three-point shots compared to Wilkes’s one. King’s (12-13, 8-6) took the season series with the win, dropping the Colonels to (13-12, 4-10). In his final regular-season home match of his collegiate career, Gulla finished with eight points, three rebounds, and a steal in 25 minutes of action. CALL 570.288.0220 NOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER Quick Professional Ser v ice With A Home Cooked Fl avor St. l.ouis Rihs • Pidh.><l Pork • Tcx.cL'> Rl--er • Chick~•n I lohlug.~ • Bu rgers • Salad s: & M uch Morel EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT 5% Off for Wilke,s Students with valid ID �20 THE BEACON SPORTS Monarchs conquer Colonels Losses to DeSales, King's leave women on 11-game skid BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor It was a tale of two teams going in opposite directions last Tuesday – DeSales riding an eight game winning streak, Wilkes looking for its first victory since January 13. Halfway through the first half, it was obvious that fortunes would not change. After a back and forth 12 minutes that saw Wilkes on top after a three from freshman Angela Palmerio, DeSales clamped down on defense and cranked up the offense. The Bulldogs forced turnover after turnover, capitalizing in transition with fast break points, ending the half on a 24-4 run. The Lady Colonels shot only 19 percent from the field, and had 19 turnovers in the period. DeSales, on the other hand, committed just nine turnovers, and hit nearly half the shots they put up. The second half was more of the same story. The Bulldogs stretched the lead out to 30 points and never looked back, thumping the Lady Colonels 76-42, extending their win streak to nine games. Freshman Megan Kazmerski led the Colonels with 12 points, while Palmiero chipped in with 10. Junior Brittany Ely recorded her second double-digit rebounding game in a row, snatching 10 boards. Wilkes committed almost as many turnovers (33) as they had points (42) in the game, and shot just 25 percent from the field. After dropping their 10th straight game Thursday to Eastern, cross-town rival King’s was in the house for a pink out this past Saturday, with all proceeds benefitting breast cancer awareness. King’s came into the game looking to get up over .500, while Wilkes was looking to end its rough season on a high note. In a game full of offensive fireworks, King’s chalked up the win, 90-61. Julia Lynott had a field day in the middle, dropping 27 points and snagging 14 rebounds for the Lady Monarchs, with many of her points coming after cleaning up the boards on the offensive end. “You got to try and shut everyone else down and get any rebounds that don’t go in and play hard,” said Wilkes head coach Rachel Emmerthal. “You do what you can do, and if you can say you left everything on the floor, there’s nothing else I can do,’ there’s nothing else you can do.” Devastated by a rash of injuries late in the season, the Lady Colonels came out hungry early, dashing out to 9-4 lead, slashing to FEBRUARY 23, 2010 BY THE NUMBERS 0 Number of seniors on this year’s team. The entire group of players returns intact next season. 1 Number of girls that ended the season averaging double figures in scoring. That player was freshman Megan Kazmerski, who ended the season averaging 11.5 points per game. The Beacon/Allison Roth Freshman Morgan Thomas battles for a loose ball last Tuesday versus DeSales. Thomas finished with three steals in 16 minutes of action in the 76-42 loss to the Bulldogs. the hole and getting to the line early and often. “We have a lot of athleticism with our young players, so we’re trying to work to our advantages,” said Emmerthal. “We tried to let the girls run and take it at them.” But the running would not last long. After Kayla Dick drilled a three from deep for King’s, the Monarchs would go on a 19-2 run to blow the game wide open, and never looked back. With Wilkes playing without six foot center Lindsey Gosse, King’s utilized it’s marked size advantage and pounded the ball inside the entire game, living off second chance buckets. The Monarchs outrebounded the Colonels 56-32, with 25 of those boards coming on the offensive end. “We had to pretty much go five guards all night,” said junior Brittany Ely, who finished the night with eight points and three rebounds. “We had our girls that were playing down low front the post which made us rely on our help defense being there. A lot of times they weren’t there, and we got into foul trouble early.” The Colonels would cut the lead to nine during the second half after freshman Amanda Pawlowski was fouled hard on a layup and converted the and-one. But King’s responded all night long, answering every run by the Colonels with a larger run of their own. Kazmerski filled out the stat sheet for the Colonels, recording 16 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and five assists on the night. Sophomore Lyndsay Ellis chipped in with 10 points, while fellow freshman Pawlowski added eight. The loss dropped the Colonels to 3-22 on the season, 1-13 in Freedom Conference play. But Emmerthal was optimistic after the game, already looking forward to next season. “It’s a matter of putting everything together…we just ran out of time,” said Emmerthal. “The best part about this year was that it was a great experience for all of them. We don’t have any seniors. As long as they keep their heads up and work hard in the offseason, we have a lot of opportunities.” With the entire team returning fully intact next year, there’s hope that this season was an opportunity to grow for the young Colonels, who had five freshman log plenty of minutes. “Experience is going to help a lot,” said Ely. “We have a lot of local girls, and they figured out what its like to play, figured out what the conference is about. We know we can compete in the conference so it should give us a lot of confidence heading into next year.” CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu 3 Number of wins the Lady Colonels had on the season, down from the 11 wins they had last season, which was the second biggest turnaround in NCAA Division III history. 11 Length of losing streak the women ended the season on. Their last victory came January 13th, versus Eastern. � 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 2010 February 23rd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 February 23 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/ae38d24684e1612d04dbfcad1f768b1e.pdf 2de1f24c8635013ad177184a0d0fdf1f PDF Text Text ALUMNUS CAST AS LEAD ROLE IN DRACULA A & E | PA G E 1 3 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tuesday, March 2, 2010 SNOW BURIES “THE BARRE” Admissions fires nine students without warning BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor This semester, students working in the admissions office who were paid by institutional funding were laid off via e-mail without any forewarning. “We hired roughly the same number of students with the same amount of budget,” said Melanie Mickelson, vice president of enrollment. “There’s usually a normal amount of attrition that happens. After about two, maybe three weeks, students just stop showing up for work. Also, students start cutting back on their hours.” Mickelson said that this is typically caused by said students being busier with classes as the semester goes on. This year, there were less students cutting back and there was also a change in leadership. Mickelson emphasized that the student personnel cuts had nothing to do with budget cuts, because there simply were no budget cuts. This round of firings was because of a change in employee pattern. There were also more interested and committed students doing the work this year. “We have students who help around the office during the day and we have students who work the phone, calling prospective students in the evening,” said Amy Patton, interim director of admissions. “We did a really good job in attracting students to the job, so we had more work study students than usual.” Patton took over as interim director of admissions on January, 15 replacing former director Matt McCaffrey. The new position requires Patton to directly manage the University’s budget. “I didn’t have access to any of the budget information until after January 15,” said Patton. “But, I think [prior to taking the director position] when we’re looking at the time cards and seeing how many hours students were logging, we realized that this might be an issue.” Patton also said that she decided that when she took the position, she would look into the number of hours students were accumulating. Once she took the position and the SEE FIRES, Page 2 Volume 62 Issue 15 The Beacon/Kirstin Cook Peter Melle and Kelly Hummel take advantage of their snow day by romping around the greenway and pummeling one another with the snow of the newly formed icy tundra. Look for another snow day photo on page three and a slide show of shots online. Former Reagan adviser to deliver Kirby Lecture BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Dinesh D’Souza, a former policy analyst for the Reagan White House and the former John M. Olin Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, will speak at Wilkes University today as part of the Allan P. Kirby Center Lecture Series. D’Souza has been called one of the “top young public-policy makers in the country” by Investor’s Business Daily, and one of America’s most influential conservative thinkers by The New York Times Magazine. His lecture is titled “Why America is Loved, Why Opinion Pages 6-8 Student Development Wilkes University Student Development has been doing a great job planning activities for students on campus. PAGE 6 America is Hated.” “I’m going to speak on what are the unique aspects of America and why is the role of America so controversial in the world today,” said D’Souza. “I’m going to explore the issue of patriotism, and I am going to ask whether America is deserving of rational allegiance.” By “rational allegiance,” D’Souza said he means whether the United States is worthy of its citizens’ love, and whether patriotism is a rational emotion. D’Souza also said he will be drawing from some of his most recent books, including: The Enemy at Home, which looks at Islamic radicals and what he believes made them successful. Trevor Hirsh, a junior entrepreneurship major, will introduce D’Souza at the lecture. He said he thinks D’Souza’s speech will be intriguing and useful. “That is so amazing,” said Hirsh. SEE D’SOUZA, Page 5 Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 Sports Pages 16-20 College Days Globetrotters visits the Valley Baseball Season Preview Dr. Jennifer Edmonds reflects on her time at the University of Michigan as a chemical engineering major. PAGE 11 Harlem Globetrotters played at MoLast season, the Colonels set a hegan Sun Arena this past weekend, school record for wins with 29. offering entertainment value beyond What’s in store for 2010? just basketball. PAGE 13 PAGE 16 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �Marketing Comm. Wins 3 ADDY Awards PAGE 4 MARCH 2, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com CAHSS dean search beginning to make progress BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor The dean search for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is underway after the college operated with an interim dean since January 2009. After 15 years at Wilkes, Dr. Darin Fields left the position of dean of the CAHSS in early January of 2009 to become vice president for academic affairs, dean of the faculty and professor of English at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia. After Fields’ departure, a search was held within the college to find an acting dean. Dr. Thomas Baldino, interim dean of the CAHSS, applied for the position and signed a contract, which expires in May of this year. The expiration of his contract prompted a search to begin in January. Dean John Stachacz, dean of library services, is heading the search committee of five other professors. The members of the ADMISSIONS Continued from FRONT PAGE budget was evaluated further by both Patton and Mickelson, they realized that they had a problem. “When Amy took over as [interim] director of admissions, she and I sat down and started reviewing everything. We quickly realized that there just wasn’t enough institutional funding to keep the students employed,” said Mickelson. Patton said that at this point, she went through the budget and found some extra money that she transferred from the operating budget to keep the students employed by admissions as long as possible. Even so, this funding only lasted long enough to employ the students for an extra month. Mickelson said that letting go students is a normal part of the cycle in the admissions committee include: Sharon Bowar, associate professor of art; Dr. Marcia Farrell, assistant professor of English; Dr. Edward Foote, professor/chair of pharmacy practice; Eric Ruggiero, director integrative media; and Dr. Robert Tuttle, associate professor/chair of sociology and anthropology. Stachacz headed the search committee for the Chief Information Officer at Wilkes University, in addition to several other searches during his career. Baldino said he was curious about an administrative position, such as dean. He applied for the position temporarily with the understanding that he could apply for the full-time dean position once his contract expired in May 2010. “As of this summer, I pretty much decided I wanted to return to the faculty,” said Baldino. “I have had some satisfaction [as dean], but I think I’ll get more going back to the classroom.” Currently, Stachacz said that there are over 50 applicants for the position. “I think we’ve seen some really good applicants for this position,” said Stachacz. “We’re still working through [the applications].” The committee is now trying to narrow down the application pool to a few candidates. “What we’re looking for in a new dean, obviously, is somebody who has a good track record in teaching, working with students and faculty, and an administrative background,” said Stachacz. “[The candidate] should have some experience in chairing a department.” Baldino believes that whoever is chosen to fill the position of dean should be committed to the College and the students of Wilkes University. “Whoever holds the job needs to be absolutely committed to the liberal arts and the value of a liberal arts education [and] committed to student-centered education,” said Baldino. Baldino also said that patience, good judgment and the ability to analyze and weigh alternatives are good qualities for a candidate to have. Above all, Baldino believes that the person who takes this job needs to like people because, as dean, he or she will deal with people on a daily basis. The new dean will also deal with faculty review, faculty review for tenure and issues between faculty members or student-faculty issues. Stachacz said he hopes to have selected at least three candidates to come to campus in early April to have interviews with the faculty and department chairs of the CAHSS. The prospective candidates will talk with members of the campus community, including students, the hiring committee, the provost and the president. office. Still, she went on to say that this usually doesn’t happen until closer to the end of the semester and that there is also generally more warning. “In the past when we had to lay students off, we would review the payroll and it would be more ‘Okay, you guys, you can work this month, then after this month the money’s gone.’ However, that usually doesn’t happen until April or May,” said Mickelson. To make up for the work that the students who were fired would be doing, Mickelson said that the students who are funded by federal work study dollars will pick up the slack. “We do still have our federal work study students who are still employed and that budget is perfectly stable, so those students will be able to remain with us through the end of the semester,” said Mickelson. “Plus, we have restructured so that we will have somewhat less need.” According to Mickelson, admissions knew after the December payroll that they would have to let students go. After Winter break commenced, the firings began. “It [the firing] was not all at once. It varied based on what jobs they were doing, because we employ students doing a lot of different jobs in admissions,” said Patton. Though nine of the 30 students lost their jobs, all of the office-related jobs were eliminated. The admissions office also employs admissions ambassadors, or students who give tours of the campus to prospective students; those students were kept on. According to Patton, they will most likely only be used during Wilkes’s upcoming VIP Day. As for the future, both Mickelson and Patton said that they will be making some adjustments when it comes to the process of hiring students. “I think we will definitely be reviewing all of the things that we need to address with students prior to the start of the semester,” said Mickelson. “There’s been various work study issues that have come up throughout the years that we’d like to address upfront with students [in the future.]” According to Patton, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. This year students came in and we assumed that they would drop off, but they didn’t. So next year, we’re going to assume that they won’t drop off either.” Both Mickelson and Patton also said that, in the future, they will tell students upon hiring that there is a chance they will not keep their jobs the entire year. Also, there will be more advanced warning as to if or when the students will be fired from admissions. ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Gillyan Gowarty Assistant A&E Editor �THE BEACON MARCH 2, 2010 NEWS 3 Student Government Notes, February 24 BY JOSHUA PELLEW Correspondent Treasurer’s Report: All college: $27,400 Conference: $16,260 General: $11,560 Leadership: $5,235 Special projects: $2,250 Spirit: $480 Start-up: $1,800 Total: $64,095 Club Reports: Programming Board will host Justin Kredible, a comedian and magician, on March 26. Biology Club recently raised $300 for Haiti relief efforts. The Biology Club will host Wilkes “Fear Factor” where professors will participate in the event. All the proceeds from the “Fear Factor” event will go to Haiti. Psychology Club held a Krispy Kreme fund raiser, the Harvest Party, “Step By Step” event to help residential homeless in Kingston. They will also be hosting “Wilkes Night Out” next week and are planning a trip to the Bollywood exhibit. New Business: Zebra Communications Donation Request (Week 1 of 1): Zebra Communications asked for a donation of $500 for their spring event: “Spring Wing & Sing.” The event is in cooperation with the Victims Resource Center (VRC) and will be held on March 29. For students and the public, the cost will be $5. The motion was passed 38-0-0. The Tenth Annual Tom Bigler Journalism Conference Donation Request (Week 1 of 1): Representatives from the Tenth Annual Tom Bigler Journalism Conference requested $470 for tee shirts for Communication Studies students who help during the conference. The motion was passed 38-0-0. Winter Weekend Results: “Golden Girls” team won and raised $500 for Ruth’s Place. Old Business: Robotics Club Constitution was passed. Nursing Student Organization fund request was not passed. Adventures in Science was given $2,500 for their project on April 23. Winter Weekend was given $2,300 for their budget. SNOW BALL Events: MSC will hold their annual fashion show on March 20. Block Party will be held on April 10. Casino Night will be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino on April 30. Fall dates are currently being discusssed. Class reports: The freshmen class is planning a root beer pong social. The junior class had a good turn-out at their trivia night with about 40 people in attendance. The senior class is planning a Bart & Urby’s Senior Social. Also, senior class tee shirts are being sold for $10. Closing Comments: OCC is currently planning March Madness and Field Hockey tournament. IRHC purchased tee shirts for $250. They also plan to volunteer at the local children’s hospital Bingo Night is planned for after Spring Break and the New York City trip will be held on March 27. Comments from the Floor: Executive Board told members that preregistration for classes will begin March 15. Tryouts for the new Colonel will be held next week. * At 6:45 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. CONTACT JOSHUA PELLEW AT: joshua.pellew@wilkes.edu Last week’s winner of Januzzi’s Dinner and a Movie for 2: Stephanie Durk . sn't like I.Tee ....'li-,j,.~ Jli ...,...,&_y Giv ~ · ·ayt Two winners will each receive a... $25 Gift Card Sponsored By: Located on Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre 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 Friday, March 5, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week’s issue. NAME: _______________________________________________________ PHONE: _________________________________________________ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ MYSTERY WORDS: ________________________________________ The Beacon/Kirstin Cook Here, students enjoyed their two days without school by playing football in the snow on the Fenner Quadrangle or greenway. Other students spent time indoors at Student Government’s snow day event on the first floor of the SUB where there was hot chocolate and doughnuts. For a slide show of pictures of the snow day’s events go to The Beacon’s Web site. for mo,re infiorm .tion c'heck o--t.•., 1 Iwilkesheacon.com IE �4 NEWS THE BEACON MARCH 2, 2010 Marketing department wins three ADDY awards BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Wilkes University’s marketing department won three awards from the Northeastern Pennsylvania AdClub (NPAC) at the 2009 ADDY Awards. The Northeastern Pennsylvania AdClub, a non-profit organization, is a division of the American Advertising Federation (AAF). According to the NPAC’s website, their purpose is to “promote greater effectiveness in the use of advertising as an instrument of distribution.” The three awards were presented to Lisa Reynolds, assistant director of creative services, on February 19, 2010 at the Green Ridge Club in Scranton. The awards were given for Wilkes’s advertising campaign: “Be Colonel,” which launched around early October of 2009. Wilkes University partnered with 160over90, an advertising agency based out of Philadelphia, to create the “Be Colonel” campaign, which is a combination of animation, photographs, music and a narrative. “[160over90] had the majority part in ac- tually creating the website and the commercial,” said Reynolds. “It’s also a really big nod for them because they put in a ton of work [into the campaign].” The ad campaign, which also featured the new Colonel mascot, has been airing on channels such as MTV and VH1 in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton markets. “When the ADDY’s came around, we looked at the categories and thought that we had a really viable chance to win one with the campaign that was created,” said Reynolds. “We entered and were fortunate enough to win two Gold [Awards] and a Best in Show [Award.]” The marketing department won the first Gold Award for a local 30-second television spot for the “Be Colonel” ad campaign. The other gold award was for the BeColonel. com website design. Because the department won the two gold awards, they are automatically entered into the national AAF competition. Some of the major players working to achieve a successful “Be Colonel” ad campaign were Reynolds; Kimberly BowerSpence, director of marketing communica- tions; and Craig Thomas, director of Web services for marketing communications. The Best in Show Award was given to Wilkes University because of the overall success of the “Be Colonel” campaign. “The Best in Show Award is given to the best creative of all the entries in the show,” said Jack Chielli, executive director of marketing communications. “The Northeastern Pennsylvania AdClub includes all of the ad agencies, the colleges, the hospitals; anybody who does a significant amount of marketing in the NEPA region.” The winner of the best in show award has the best ad out of any company that entered in any category, according to Chielli. Winning ADDY awards is important to Wilkes University for a number of reasons. “This is another way for Wilkes University to show that it is a high-quality university,” said Chielli. “It [also] energizes the folks in the marketing department.” This year, the marketing department won a few other awards including a Gold Award in Magazine for Color at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District II. Also, according to Chielli and Reynolds, the department was awarded three CUPPIE’s from the College and University Association of Public Relations of Pennsylvania (CUPRAP): a Gold Award in the Print Magazine category for the spring 2009 magazine, a Silver Award in the Electronic Category for the Wilkes Web-redesign and a Bronze Award in the Print-Brochure category for the health and sciences brochures. “What you learn about advertising is that you have to be different,” said Chielli. “You have to try and stand out from the crowd.” Chielli added that the support that he has received from the Wilkes community has been tremendous. “The marketing department is very appreciative of the support we’ve gotten from campus,” said Chielli. “It’s very important that the faculty and the administrators have been extremely supportive of what [the marketing department] does. To know that the campus is behind you and enjoying what you’re doing makes [work] really rewarding.” CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com May the Luck of the Irish Be with You! Get your Green Wilkes Sha,nrock Tees in time for St. Patrick,s Day! Only $17.98 while supplies last! Check out our new offerings in the cafel Premium Salads, Pita and Hummus Dip, les and Peanut Butter Di , Pasta Salad, Par aits! �THE BEACON MARCH 2, 2010 NEWS Chinese New Year celebration Photo courtesy of Shaokang Yang Students play instuments during the Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 27. Attendees were able to try traditional Chinese foods, listen to music and talk with International students. 5 D'SOUZA Continued from FRONT PAGE “To be 17 years old and then ten years later be advising the president. That’s not much older than we are,” said Hirsh. D’Souza brings the perspective of an immigrant with him when he speaks, too. Born in India, D’Souza traveled to the U.S. when he was 17 years-old. He then attended college at Dartmouth, and was advising President Ronald Reagan by the age of 26. “The immigrant has the advantage of growing up in a different culture, but the immigrant has the disadvantage of not knowing a lot about America,” said D’Souza. “Most immigrants have the foreign accent; they haven’t lived in America very long. So they know about some other culture, but they don’t know a lot about America.” “To me, the kind of perspective I bring is the dual perspective of being both an insider and an outsider,” he added. “That I think has helped my work and will certainly inform the theme of my talk.” D’Souza is currently working on two books, which will add to his already lengthy catalog of works. One book focuses on Courtesy of Marketing Communications “Obama’s America,” which will be released in the fall. The second looks at God and suffering, and is expected to be released next fall. Hirsh said, “I think it is important to get different perspectives… One of the things that I’m going to ask him is why he left his country, what is the education background that enabled him to be a Reagan adviser so young, and just ask him about his personal life right now.” D’Souza will speak tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts. The event is free and open to the public. CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu D A P A R 17 West Ross Street T M E N T 5 Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 • JUSTA FEW BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS • FREE INTERNET ACCESS • FREE □ FF-STREET PARKING • FREE WATER, SEWER, TRASH • SECURE ENTRY/ REMOTE Buzz- N • FULLY EQUIPPED GRANITE KITCHEN • CABLE TV • PRIVATE BATH WITH SHOWER • LAUNDRY S70.6B7.2220 □R CUMBERLANDLIVIN;G.COM A P A R T M E N T S �el OPINION MARCH 2, 2010 BUYER BEWARE Popular auction site has plenty of scammers PAGE 8 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Student Development a valuable asset to Wilkes University Senate p~ingjobs bill shows continued political agreement BY THE BEACON Editorial Board BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor knowing what students are interested in on campus and satisfying those interests. With the addition of a new Adventure Education The long-lived expression, “If it ain’t Coordinator, Student Development plans to broke, don’t fix it,” comes to mind when hold more rock climbing sessions and outtalking about Student Development at Wil- door excursions for students, as well. “We come together as a whole department kes University. Well, it “ain’t broke,” so we are not going to try to fix it. Student De- incorporating the co-op coordinator and the velopment is actually quite the contrary. It community service coordinator and we sit is a well-structured and truly democratic down and look at what the students want organization on campus. In fact, no other to see, especially when it comes to student organization on campus encompasses so activities planning,” said Mellissa Howells, much student participation, so they admit- Student Development coordinator. “We really keep in mind what the students would tedly deserve recognition for it. Student Development’s primary focus on like to go to, what they want to experience, campus is to plan activities for student par- especially outside of the classroom.” Though recently hired as Student Develticipation . Thus far, they have done a stellar job planning events and activities that en- opment Coordinator, she is already playing compass the student body’s wide variety of a vital role in the continuing success of Stuinterests. From well-attended musical con- dent Development and the other organizacerts, guest speakers, and sporting events, tions she oversees on campus. Students may not be aware that they do to the many other activities they plan each semester, Student Development clearly more than just plan concerts, guest speakmakes every effort to take an active role in ers, and trips to sporting events. They also help plan freshmen orientation, commencement, and provide a multitude of leadership programs through the leadership institute. Most importantly, Student Development creates a greater sense of community. It is the type of organization where every student can participate, opinions can be voiced, and interests can be cultivated. If we can all find programs or events that we enjoy at Wilkes, then both the University and the student body benefit as a result. If you are a student who is interested in something The Beacon/ Tom Reilly that Wilkes has yet to Though the Student Development office is small in size, many exciting decioffer, go see the Stusions have been made from the desk of the Student Development coordinator dent Development coinvolving concerts, sporting events, comedy acts, and so many others to accom- ordinator. You will not modate student interests at Wilkes University. regret it. If you have been watching the political news lately, you might have seen that the proposed 2010 jobs bill passed in the Senate last Wednesday. In a surprising turn of events, the bill passed 70 to 28 votes with 55 Democrats, 13 Republicans, and two Independents voting in favor. What does this mean for John Q. Public? Well, if you are an employer, you will receive a tax break for hiring previously unemployed people for at least 60 days. Also, the proposed bill will also increase funds to states for highway and transit plans, increase loans to small businesses, provide subsidies to make homes more energy efficient, and aid state government funding. The most important thing that we as Americans need to know from all this jobs bill discussion is that Democrats and Republicans finally came to an agreement on how to boost the United States’ stalling economy. We, as Americans, need to see Congress agree on more legislation like this proposed jobs bill. Too many people stand to benefit from this bill and the many others that have been promised this year. Indecision and public disagreement of these proposed bills and many other bills that will benefit the United States will only hinder the progress that our country is making. Currently there are 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, one Independent, and one Independent Democrat in the Senate. There are 255 Democrats and 178 Republicans and two vacancies in the House of Representatives. Though the Democrats hold the majority in Congress, both parties still need to vote on these key policies before they can be made into laws. For years we have seen bills get rejected for this reason, which is why we need to see more agreement. We need our leaders to reach a common ground like they have with this jobs bill. Indecision and public disagreement of these proposed bills and many other bills that will benefit the United States will only hinder any future progress. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. The poll was based on 96 responses. Last week’s question: Do you agree with the Wilkes administration decision to censor comments on The Beacon website? • Yes 10% • No 90% This week, The Beacon asks: Do you feel that Student Development is doing a good job at Wilkes University? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! t' s Your Right! The Beacon wants you! 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 MARCH 2, 2010 OPINION One too many parking tickets prompts professor to take the bus BY DR. GINA MORRISON Associate Professor of Education I confess it; I did the crime. Over the past few years I parked my car in so many nonparking spots—little nooks and crannies, unmarked extra spaces, and secret hideaways—that I accrued quite a collection of those nasty white tickets. I’m not proud of it and I’m confessing it to the world. It always started the same way: I had to get to work and I needed to park my car. It’s a terrible addiction, but admitting it is the first step to recovery. The amount I’ve spent feeding the addiction is frightening: about $4500 since my hire at Wilkes! I paid my money faithfully, only to find that I was seldom able to find a parking spot within reasonable distance to carry my laptop, purse, books, notes, and class props without something falling out. And with that many things to carry, managing an umbrella is just not an option. So I won’t even tell you my reaction if it started to rain on my journey to work. Oh, I was able to get pretty creative when I needed that parking spot fix. I parked in unmarked spots behind walls, tucked in gravelly curves or cobblestoned corners. Or worse: sometimes I even parked in a visitor’s spot, out of sheer frustration in seeing so many un-ticketed non-Wilkes vehicles filling up all the paid-Wilkes spots. It became a terrible habit. In the end, they always found me, gave me the ticket, and painted a big NO PARKING sign on the spot. I don’t blame security. They didn’t make the rules, but it’s their job to enforce them. Alas, I fear that I alone am responsible for the many NO PARKING signs that have sprung up over the years in the most unusual spots. And I’m sorry that I’ve ruined these spots for the rest of you, my friends. There’s more to this sad story, though: I paid my $30 a month even during summer when I wasn’t even working here, because when I asked to opt out for the summer, I was told no! If you sign up for parking, you’re hooked. Forever. And I paid that $30 a month all year round, year after year, even when my schedule changed to accommodate online, night, and weekend classes. By the way, did you know that it doesn’t matter if you have a pass after 4:30 p.m. anyway? So, month after month, year after year, I paid for a spot that either wasn’t within walking distance during the day, or was no longer reserved for paying customers at night. Let’s face it; it’s just not logical. Addictions never are. It finally caught up with me. “Do the crime, you pay the dime.” Or, in my case, 2000 dimes. Yep, I got a bill for $200 for all those little white tickets I have accrued since 2006. And I’ve already asked finance to take the money right out of my paycheck. No, I’m not mad at them either. They’ve got a job to do, too. I’m just grateful to be able to pay my debts to Wilkes and to society, to come clean and make a fresh start. Anyway, I’m free! I cancelled my parking pass and I have been taking the bus. I’m a new person, and, like many ex-addicts, I want to share my good news with the world. You, too, might consider cancelling your parking pass and taking the bus! Think about it while you read my list below. CONTACT DR. GINA MORRISON AT: gina.morrison@wilkes.edu TOP TEN REASONS TO TAKE THE BUS 10. The new hybrid buses are environmentally correct and comfortable, too. 9. You can read Dr. Anthony’s students’ poetry on the walls of the bus while enjoying the stress-free ride to campus. 8. The bus company’s phone number is easy to remember and the people who answer are really helpful: Call 287-TIME and find out for yourself. 7. You only have to walk from downtown, which is almost the same distance you’re probably walking now anyway. 6. You can stop by Circles for a blueberry muffin, grab a coffee at the bookstore, and browse at Boscov’s on your way to campus. 5. You only pay for what you use! You can get 20 rides for $22, which still leaves you with enough money for that muffin and coffee. 4. There’s plenty of room on the bus for my new wheelie-thingy that carries my laptop and classroom props, and it’s easier to get it in and out of the bus than my car. 3. The bus drivers are great, especially Bob and Lou, who know their passengers by name. 2. You get to meet all sorts of people on the bus: moms, businessmen, students, professors—mostly just people who are sick and tired of fighting for parking spots downtown. 1. On weekends and after 4:30 during the week, you can still park on campus for free! 7 The observatory Tim Burton, clearly the most typecasted director in Hollywood BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor We have all been brainwashed. Some of us may not have even known it until reading this, but it’s true. We have all been brainwashed into thinking that Tim Burton is an excellent filmmaker; albeit he once was, but not anymore. For years we have been dazzled by his eerie filmmaking style, strange motifs, and zany characters. The only problem here is: most of these characters have already been developed by literary figures and/or other filmmakers and Burton’s style never really progresses or matures. And to my knowledge, it does not seem as if anyone really seems to notice. These issues need to be addressed and truth needs to come out now. Let’s start with some of his earlier works. Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Batman, Beetlejuice, Batman Returns, and Edward Scissorhands were all admittedly great films. They were truly innovative for their time and showed great promise for Tim Burton’s directorial career, but that starts to unravel from here. Burton’s most praised claim to filmmaking fame came next with The Nightmare Before Christmas in 1993. Though Burton did not direct, he developed the characters and story, as well as produced the film. To be honest, I never even saw it. Any chance of having an enjoyable experience while watching the movie has been ruined by seeing countless tweens and teens sporting The Nightmare Before Christmas t-shirts and sweat jackets. Moving on, Burton next tackles the life of b-horror director, Ed Wood. He does the movie in black and white and stars Johnny Depp in the title role. The film is not well received commercially, so what does Burton do? He goes back to making stopmotion animation musicals by producing James and the Giant Peach. After that he does a couple more spooky films, but not really worth mentioning for the sake of argument. Let’s just say they were commercial flops and move on, though Johnny Depp stars once again in the leading role of one of them and Burton borrowed the story from Washington Irving. (It’s Sleepy Hollow.) Next comes a “re-imagining” of Planet of the Apes, not a remake as Tim Burton stated making the film. This film sees Burton’s girlfriend, Helena Bonham Carter for the first time. Big Fish is the next film. It is a cute story and enjoyable. However, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory follows two years later and diminishes any hope of Tim Burton diversifying himself as a filmmaker. It was adapted from the Roald Dahl book and is yet another remake of the story. Uh-oh, here comes more spooky-ness with Corpse Bride. After that comes Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a play adaptation, and Alice in Wonderland, a loose adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s book by the same name. With the exception of Big Fish, what do all of these films have in common? They were all filmed with the same unchanging Burton style and they all star Depp and Carter in leading roles. Now Burton is planning to adapt a cheesy 60s soap opera, Dark Shadows, into a film and remake one of his earlier short films, Frankenweenie. It is not difficult to adapt other works and remake your own films, Tim Burton. Please come up with something original for a change. With all that being said, Tim Burton really needs to change his style and stop casting the same actors in every movie and we all need to start realizing this and boycott these movies. Failure only has the potential to force him to digress from the norm, otherwise the trend will continue and Burton will just continue to type-cast himself and tarnish his legacy in the filmmaking industry. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 OPINION THE BEACON MARCH 2, 2010 The golden rule does not apply to eBay BY ANTHONY TRUPPO Assistant Opinion Editor A majority of eBay users take part in honest, smooth transactions; however, the world’s most popular online marketplace is littered with swindlers who profit off of average, hard-working citizens. These criminals deserve to be prosecuted and jailed, but unfortunately, most will never be reprimanded for their parasitic actions. I feel that eBay users need to be made aware of common scams and also how these scams can be avoided. Knowing scam prevention techniques may not drag scammers into a courtroom, but they can help us honest consumers avoid losing our hard-earned dough. Since eBay began as AuctionWeb in 1995, scammers have discovered methods to cheat the system and its honest users. According to ScamBusters.org, there are nearly 2,000 scams in progress on eBay at any given time. Everyone I know that has ever browsed eBay has seen less-than-truthful listings. Even my 9-year-old brother once spotted people selling empty boxes of brand new video game systems. Unfortunately, most eBay scams are much more difficult to spot than items listed as “Brand New Playstation 3 – Empty Box.” The most common scam appears in the form of an email that is presented as an official eBay or PayPal e-mail. The e-mail directs the user to a fake eBay page and once the user enters his or her login information, the scammer can gain limitless access to the user’s account, allowing the scammer to sabotage the user by bidding thousands of dollars for a single “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” DVD. Though the e-mail scam is the most popular, there are a multitude of other common scams, such as sellers shipping incorrect, fake or broken items, sellers raising bids on their own items through different accounts, fake “Second Chance Offers” and many more. Although eBay users cannot always protect themselves from scammers, there are several precautions users can take to reduce the possibility of being scammed. I have been employing several of these techniques and have not yet been taken for a single penny. The most important technique to avoid being scammed is to always read the seller’s feedback. If a seller’s feedback has a mes- sage saying, “This nincompoop took my money and disappeared,” then he/she is probably not a good person to do business with. Another simple technique is to read the entire listing of the item carefully. Unless you are seeking a broken item, do not bid if it is described as being broken. Creating a separate e-mail address strictly for eBay and PayPal will make it easier for you to keep track of all eBay-related messages and will prevent scammers from finding more information about you by performing a The Beacon/Allison Roth Google search of your main Sophomore business major Raina Connor contemplates placing a bid e-mail address. on an eBay auction. Scammers on eBay are constantly seeking victims; There are hundreds of therefore, users are highly recommended to take precautions. websites describing many other methods that can be used to avoid be- tinct in the near future, we have the power ing scammed. Sadly, there is no sure-fire as consumers to thwart their selfish plans way to avoid scams, as scammers have be- by educating ourselves on scamming techcome accustomed to finding loopholes and niques to prevent becoming victims. inventing new scamming methods. Though CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: scammers will most likely not become ex- anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu Are there rules when it comes to text messaging? BY BRYAN CALABRO Correspondent So you like to text message? It is often easier than talking and less stressful because you do not have to deal with uncomfortable pauses and awkward moments. You get to think before you act and make up a good message/story to send out into the digital world. I always wondered if there were actual rules when it came to texting, so I got bored one day and decided to do my own investigation on texting etiquette. The website life123.com has mapped out three distinct guidelines for proper etiquette when sending text messages. With their help, which is illustrated in the first four rules and a few of my own suggestions, I have constructed some basic measures that should be followed when one is composing a text message/SMS (Short Message Service). 1) You do not want to die, right? Do not text message while you are driving for obvious reasons. According to Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, text messaging while driving leads the list as the biggest distraction while driving, and is considered to be becoming as dangerous as drinking and driving, in terms of distorting a teen’s perception while driving. 2) Make sure you watch how you word your text messages; sarcasm is hard to get across to the person reading your text. They might take something you say the wrong way. When you mess up the punctuation and make all your letters CAPS, people might think you are shouting at them. 3) If you are texting something important, refrain from using slang terms. Serious matters call for actual words, not abbreviations. Ex: Lol, Lmao, k, and cuz. These slang terms can make you sound quite dull. 4) Do not use text messaging for anything that is formal. For example, breaking up with your girlfriend/boyfriend, or telling your friend that someone else had died. Face to face conversations are preferred when it comes to serious matters. 5) Texting under the influence can leave you with disastrous results. Sending a drunken text at 3 a.m. saying, “hey wut up foxy lady,” can make you look like a fool later in the morning. Do not drunk text if you want to save yourself the embarrassment. 6) And finally, when you are in class, talking to your friends or in a conversation with someone, do not just pull your phone out in front of them and start texting. Text when no one can see you. There is nothing more annoying than someone talking to someone else while they are supposed to be talking to you. Just remember these six rules when you pull The Beacon/Tom Reilly out your phone to start texting. You could of- A student is in the process of composing a text message. Although text fend people, possibly messaging is sometimes more convenient than talking to someone, there are get in trouble with your important rules to remember when sending text messages. professor or employer and make a fool out of yourself. CONTACT BRYAN CALABRO AT: I am sure no one wants to do that. bryan.calabro@wilkes.edu �TOP O’ THE MORNING PAGE 11 Wilkes students gear up for St. Patrick’s Day. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com MARCH 2, 2010 Student of the Week: Brandon Pauling Forty days of Lent & fasting RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor As we all know, the deadline for taxes is fast approaching. Brandon Pauling, a junior accounting major, has volunteered his time to make sure people in the Wilkes-Barre community are prepared for the April 15 deadline. Pauling is a volunteer for VITA, which stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistantance. VITA volunteers, as stated on vitavolunteers.com, provide free income tax preparation assistance to those people who are low-income, elderly, disabled or speak limited English. “I thought the program would be good to do because it’s something that I will be doing when I graduate from Wilkes. I also thought it was a good idea to help people in Wilkes-Barre with their taxes,” said Pauling. In order to be a VITA volunteer, Pauling had to have taken both individual and corporate taxes, two courses taught by Ms. Cynthia Chisarick, associate professor of the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, and he also had to pass a test given by VITA. Pauling considers being a VITA volunteer excellent practice and hopes to gain more experience in the field of accounting. He has been helping an average of three to four people every Saturday since the beginning of February. The last day Pauling will be volunteering for VITA is February 27. RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor The Beacon/ Allison Roth Pauling is a volunteer for VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Pauling: In ten years, I would like to have my CPA licenses, and either be high up in a CPA firm or be an accounting manager in a company. I would like to get my MBA during that time and maybe have a family. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Pauling: Nice, friendly and helpful. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know…” Pauling: What size shoe I wear, which is a size 13. CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu The season of Lent lasts for 40 days, during which time many Christians fast. Some don’t eat meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. Others will give up something that they normally eat or do all the time. “Lent may be one of the oldest Christian seasons and is one of the two traditional periods of repentance within the Christian calendar,” said Dr. Michael Davidson, assistant professor of history. Christians have observed Lent in one form or another since at least the second century, but originally Lent was not 40 days long, said Davidson. He explained that, years ago, people who were being baptized or receiving confirmation to become a Christian practiced a strict 40-hour period of fasting. This fasting began on Good Friday and went into Easter, which was their baptism. “This corresponded with the 40 hours during which Jesus, by tradition, lay in his tomb. Eventually this period was extended throughout the entire Easter week,” said Davidson. “In the fourth century, the period was extended to 40 days, corresponding with the period of Jesus’ temptation in the desert, and became common practice among all Christians.” Today, many people from different forms of Christianity and diverse backgrounds still practice Lent. This is why Rifkin Cafe, located on the first floor of the Henry Student Center, has a list of various non-meat meals that can be ordered on Wednesdays or Fridays. Bea Kopec, a cashier at Rifkin Cafe, explained that, although the list is designed for Lent, anyone can order those items on any day. Egg salad, a cheese quesadilla, eggplant parmesan sub and tuna salad are just some of the meals that you can purchase during Lent. The full list can be found in Rifkin Café on the glass divider, where orders are placed. The cafeteria is also offering a special menu for Lent. According to Michael Molnar, general manager of Sodexo, the cafeteria offers more non-meat or fish items on Ash Wednesday and Fridays throughout Lent. “Every day we offer a vegetarian option or the salad bar, but those days are not entirely meatless days,” said Molnar. Molnar explained that if anyone from any religion at any time made it known that they had a reasonable special preference then the cafeteria would try to honor that person’s request. Today, most Catholics, and even some people who are not Catholic, give up meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday during Lent. CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu The power of positive thinking around Wilkes ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER Correspondent If you feel like you are always complaining and your friends constantly tell you that you’re a negative person, perhaps it’s time to change it up and start thinking positive. “I try to use positive thinking; it’s what gets me through nursing at Wilkes,” said Amanda Rodney, junior, nursing major. Many people believe that if one thinks positively, only positive things will happen in their life. Around campus, the attitudes seem to reflect being optimistic, but realistic. “I do not advocate positive thinking,” said philosophy professor, Dr. Linda Paul. “I advocate realistic thinking, this means taking into account all aspects of a situation.” Positive thinking isn’t about convincing oneself of false realities, but simply looking on the bright side and dealing with any situations that may come their way. “We have to work to find a good balance in our attention of the positive and the negative,” said Paul. “Thinking positive doesn’t mean being a smiling idiot and smearing rainbows on the harsh realities of life,” said English professor Dr. Mischelle Anthony. “It’s facing life in the present moment. Recognizing patterns and being open to change in realistic, helpful ways while being as aware as possible of every one that our decisions could affect.” It can be dangerous to only focus on the positive. However, it can also be unhealthy to focus only on the negative. “I try to be aware of things as they are, rather than how I want them to be or expect them to be,” said Paul. “I try to appreciate them for what they are.” “My family’s always been the ‘put on a happy face’ type,” said Anthony. She explained that she became a truly positive person after she learned about anxious thought patterns and how to deal with them. “That’s what got me into what I call traditional Buddhism practices, which involves regular meditation and close attention to our surroundings,” she said. Some people consider Buddhism a religion, but it’s a philosophy. If a person wanted to become a more calm and positive person, he/she can research Buddhism. Paul teaches about Buddhism in her Philosophy 101 course. So if someone thinks that they will get an A on a test without studying, will it work? Probably not, but if someone stays positive and doesn’t complain and dread studying, it might pay off. CONTACT ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER AT adrienne.shellenberger@wilkes.edu �life THE BEACON Top o’ the morning BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor Wilkes students uphold Irish traditions on St. Patrick’s Day With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, many old traditions and family values are emerging among Wilkes students. Because of a rich historical heritage, St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, has a special relevance in the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton area. The annual Scranton Parade is one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day events in the country. Overall, the celebration is the fourthlargest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the United States, according to NBC Philadephia. In 2008, there was an estimated 150,000 people who attended the parade. This year, the Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade will take place on March 13 and will start at 12 p.m. According to www.stpatparade.com, a page devoted to the parade in Scranton, the event has been held for many years, beginning in 1962. The Scranton parade has a personal importance to pharmacy major Natalia Petrochko. “I’ve been in the [Scranton] parade twice, but I’ve never actually gone to see it,” she said. Petrochko, a freshman, says she is usually a participant in parades rather than an observer. She used to play bagpipes in the Edward P. Maloney Memorial pipe band from Binghamton, New York, and admits that she is disappointed that she is unable to participate this year. “Normally I would be playing the bagpipes in the parade, but because of school I haven’t been able to go to practice, so this year I’ll just be supporting the band, cheering them on from the sidelines,” she This St. Patrick’s Day feast has been a trasaid. Petrochko has marched in several parades since she began playing the bagpipes. dition in the O’Leary family through many “I’ve been playing the bagpipes for about generations. “Both my parents are 50 perfive years,” she said, adding that she has cent Irish, so I’m sure they grew up doing marched in countless parades during that the same thing.” O’Leary said she looks forward to the time. Being a part of the parade has become customary meal each year, so much that it has become her a great St. favorite part Patrick’s Day of the holiday. memory for Pet“We only do rochko, since it once a year, she was able to that’s the only spend time with time my mom all of her friends makes it,” she in the band. said. “It’s just a lot For her St. of fun; I know Patrick’s Day back home our tradition, freshparade day is man nursing the same thing, major Sarah just get out and Rollison attends have fun.” the Scranton paPetrochko enrade, along with joys being acPhoto courtesy of Natalia Petrochko thousands of tive in the St. Patrick Day Natalia Petrochko, sencond from left, stands with fellow bagpipers other community members. f e s t i v i t i e s , during the 2009 St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York. Like Petrocheven though there is no ancestral importance behind it ko, Rollision is not accustomed to viewing for her. “I’m not even Irish. I’m Russian,” the parade from the sidelines. “I actually played in band with my high she said. For Julie O’Leary, there is a family sig- school and marched in it for the last four nificance behind her celebration. The fresh- years,” said Rollison. Rollison says that the parade attracts all man mathematics major enjoys a traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner with her family ev- types of people. “It’s either a lot of really bizarre people, or a lot of really normal peoery year to celebrate their Irish heritage. “Corned beef and cabbage is the main ple just trying to enjoy the parade.” Since she hails from the Scranton area, thing, and then you have some other sides, like sometimes my mom will make corn Rollision looks forward to the time spent at home with her relatives. “My favorite part and potatoes,” said O’Leary. would probably just be getting to hang out with my family again, because I’m from around Scranton,” she said. Rollison believes that the importance behind the parade is a result of the associated history. “I think in Scranton there’s a lot of the Irish history, like a lot of people that came over from Ireland and settled around this area. Then, I think over the years…it just got so much attention that it just expanded.” According to “Colonial Scots-Irish Immigrants: The Irish Records”, an article by Kyle J. Betit, many of the earliest ScotsIrish immigrants settled in Pennsylvania during the 1720’s and 1730’s. This immigration in the Scranton area is what began the celebrated culture. The enhanced Irish culture is one of the best aspects of the parade for Ryan Stanger, theater arts major. “The whole Irish atmosphere, there’s just so much culture there, it’s so much fun to be a part of.” Stanger also marched in the parade during his high school career. He has been involved with the parade every year since he has moved to the area. The highlight of his St. Patrick’s Day experiences is the memory of when his high school band won the parade contest among the other participating bands. Whether it is attending the Scraton parade or spending time with family, there are plenty of ways that students can appreicate this Irish celebration. It is clear that there is more substance to this holiday than just lepricons, shamrocks, and pots of gold. Freshman pharmacy major Saidu Barrie approximates that he was about two years old when he and his family fled north to Guinea from his birth country of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is one of the African countries that has been facing conflict over its natural supply of diamonds. Barrie doesn’t remember much about his early life in Sierra Leone and, he said, he prefers not to ask his family too much about it. “I don’t ask a lot about it, because it just upsets my family,” said Barrie. “I think it’s better to just let it go and move on.” However, Barrie said that growing up in Guinea wasn’t bad. He received a good education—attending a French school—and excelled in his studies. By the time he was ready to think about life after high school, his father had moved to the United States, so Barrie looked at some of the schools around the U.S, looking for a school with an attractive program in pharmacy. “I chose Wilkes because it has a really good pharmacy program,” said Barrie. “Also, I applied to schools like Temple, but they wanted me to complete some kind of cultural requirements and I just wanted to start school. I didn’t want to wait.” Barrie wanted to start as quickly as possible, but has had a little delay. “I had to go in as an undeclared science major,” said Barrie. There are lots of reasons that Barrie wants to start and finish school with haste. The most important reason is that he would like to start making money as soon as he can. Not for the sometimes selfish reasons people want money, however. Barrie doesn’t want to buy a huge house or expensive cars; he wants to help the people of Guinea. He considers Guinea to be his home country and he wants to give back in any way that he can. “I want to help them build things. They College Days Dr. Jennifer Edmonds uses time at University of Michigan to find true friends BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Dr. Jennifer Edmonds sits at a desk in a classroom in high school. She looks to the left. She sees another girl. She looks to the right. She sees another girl. Jennifer Edmonds sits at a desk in a classroom in college. She looks to the left. She sees a boy. Edmonds, coming from an all girls’ school in Detroit, Michigan, went from a high school of 600 students to classes of 600 students. “Maybe there were 600 in my high school-all girls--Catholic. [In comparison,] my organic chemistry lecture…fit 600,” said Edmonds. While Edmonds, now assistant professor of business, only lived 45 minutes away from the University of Michigan, where she majored in chemical engineering, the University of Michigan was leaps and bounds away from her upbringing. According to Edmonds, she was not allowed even to talk to boys until she was 14 years old. “I lived in a very traditional house. You can’t talk to boys on the phone until you’re 14. You can’t date until you’re 16,” said Edmonds. Once at the University of Michigan, Edmonds let loose, or at least as loose as one can be as a chemical engineering student. While Michigan’s engineering program was a four-year program, many students completed it in four and a half years or even five. “Here, students take 18 credits almost like it’s no big deal. It was a big deal to take 15, usually 12. You did all your general education stuff the first two years and what was left was only your major,” said Edmonds. Edmonds became acclimated to the academics of higher education within the first two years at Michigan. “Freshman year was just okay, not great. I would get Bs and Cs [in college], when in high school I got As and Bs,” said Edmonds. “Maybe a year and a half of that, and then you drifted towards your major, and you couldn’t do that anymore.” Beyond her academics, Edmonds threw herself into several different extracurricular activities. While she believes she should have joined them earlier, Edmonds joined several clubs relating to chemical engineering. “There was a chemical engineering club, a minorities in engineering club. Most of them were engineering clubs. You socialized with people in your major, because they knew this is a time to study. Most of the social stuff I did, I did with engineers,” said Edmonds. One of the extracurriculars Edmonds did not do with engineers was the African dance group she became a part of after taking an African dance class. A dancer from her childhood, she took the course on a whim while at Michigan and was later approached by the instructor to join the group. With her studies all in a row, Edmonds used her time at Michigan to learn lessons about herself, and she did not even notice. “I think you do so many different things in college. I was able to be a student before that. I didn’t know how to date. I didn’t know who was out there to date. I figured out in college what makes a good friend, and who ends up not being a good friend,” said Edmonds. Hindsight into her five years at Michigan gave Edmonds the perspective to truly value herself and who she surrounds herself with. “It comes from dating. You date bad guys, and you realize ‘Wait, I don’t deserve to be treated that way.’ Then you extend it to your friends and how they treat you,” said Edmonds. Edmonds’ college days were truly revolutionary to her studying habits, her social habits, and who she eventually became as a person. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu Left: Edmonds sits in the middle of her African dance group. Middle: Edmonds stands with a friend on Michigan’s campus. Above: Edmonds, left, poses for pictures after graduating from the University of Michigan. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu Saidu Barrie: former refugee, current student, future humantitarian BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor 11 life March 2, 2010 could use schools and hospitals. I would also like to build mosques,” said Barrie. Though he doesn’t have a lot of free time as a student, Barrie signed up as a member of Wilkes’ branch of Circle K, a community service program. “I have a very busy schedule, but I am still part of it,” said Barrie. He also plans on helping to support his family, as is customary in Guinea. “People here, when they get jobs, they support themselves and their children,” said Barrie. “Where I’m from, we help cousins and aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews.” CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu In her own words, Edmonds hash bashes: “ Photos courtesy of Jennifer Edmonds Then there was hash bash. Every April. There was this event. It was a sit-in on the Michigan equivalent of the greenway. First Saturday in April. It was a protest to legalize marijuana. It was a smoke-out. I did not [partake in that]. I may have. I can’t remember. I may have walked by. It was kind of cool. This was concerts and speeches and sit down and smoke weed. You only got arrested if you got caught selling. It was a very peaceful thing, as long as you weren’t getting carried away. It’s just sitting, sitting on the grass...high. “ 10 �12 THE BEACON LIFE MARCH 2, 2010 Wilkes University’s Health & Wellness Corner The Health & Wellness Corner is a weekly feature in The Beacon. Students who ask questions will remain anonymous. All questions will be answered by Health Services staff. Q. Can you help me to understand more about eating disorders? A. Bulimia usually begins in late adolescence and early adulthood. Persons with bulimia are aware of the problem and work to keep it secretive. Bulimia Nervosa consists of recurrent episodes of binge eating when a person eats an excessive amount of food within any two-hour period feeling a lack of control over their eating. The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for three months. A person’s self worth is greatly influenced by body shape and weight. There is a purging type of bulimia disorder and non-purging type. In the non-purging type, a person uses other compensatory behaviors such as fasting or excessive exercise. Finally, there are disordered eating patterns that do not meet the criteria for any specific eating disorder. An example of this would be binge-eating disorder where a person engages in binge eating but does not use compensatory be- haviors. Common warning signs of eating disorders include: preoccupation with body type/weight, continuous dieting even when thin, obsessing over food, calories, nutrition, making excuses to avoid eating, eating high calorie foods in secret, compulsive exercise, eating alone or in secret, and going to the bathroom right after meals. The risks of anorexia nervosa are: loss of approximately 30% or more of body weight leading to emaciation, irregular or complete loss of menstrual period, dry skin, hair loss, growth of fine body hair, withdrawal and isolation, and death. The risks of bulimia are: abdominal pain due to overeating, heart and kidney problems, excessive constipation, digestive problems, swollen salivary glands, a tear in the esophagus, and diarrhea. Next week’s column will include a compassionate look at those who suffer with eating disorders and practical ways to help. Do you have a question for the Health & Wellness Corner? Email your question to, wellness.services@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next weeks Wellness Corner. Your privacy will be protected. St. Louis Ribs • Pulled Pork • Texas Beef • Chicken Hotdogs • Burgers • Salads & Much More! EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT <}wen's Ylvenue Salon Dallas Route 309 Wilkes-Barre ......- 779 Wyomin9 Ylve. -Sa ::::, 0 'l(in9ston, (P.Jl 0::: Gwen's Avenue Salon 570-283-5610 FOILS SEMI-FORMAL UPDOS $60 FULL HEAD PEDICURE $25 $25 VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.GWENSALON.COM �.5 4 1J MARCH 2, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com Wilkes casts alumnus in lead role of Dracula BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief & GILLYAN GOWARTY Asst. A&E Editor On Friday, January 22, students of Wilkes University took to the stage to audition for various parts in the school’s upcoming theatre production, Dracula, which will be presented this April. Junior John Layton had planned on trying out for the lead role and was surprised to find a familiar face reading for the same spot—Daniel Pascoe, a graduate of the Class of 2009. Having only previously worked with current Wilkes undergraduate students - and occasionally a child or two from the Conservatory - in Wilkes productions, Layton said he questioned the audition policy and was told that auditions for Dracula were open to the public, meaning anyone from the surrounding community could audition for a part. According to Layton, this was the first he heard of an open audition policy. Of the four productions held this year—The Love of the Nightingale, Brenda Bly: Teen Detective, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Dracula—Layton said that Pascoe was the only community member who auditioned for a role. The Visual and Performing Arts Department’s page on the Wilkes Web site states that the department “is committed to nurturing a climate in which a community of artists-educators, diverse student population, and the public-at-large engage in art, dance, music, and theatre.” While this statement mentions that the “public-at-large” are allowed to “engage” in the department’s productions, it does not distinguish between engaging as part of the audience or as a member of the cast. Several attempts were made to contact members of the Visual and Performing Arts Department to clarify the auditioning policy, but faculty declined to share details of the casting process with The Beacon. Despite the unclear rules that may be in place regarding casting, current and former theatre majors feel that the casting of alumni or members of the community in a Wilkes production is unfair. Christopher Lucas, Class of 2007, sent a letter to The Beacon to air his feelings on the situation. “There are students that are paying over $100,000 over the course of their four-year stint at Wilkes University for a quality education and I feel by casting an alumnus, you are not only cheating them out of their money, but cheating them out of a quality education,” Lucas, a theatre graduate. “It feels as though part of the money that they are putting in as a student is being handed over to the alumnus actor.” Layton agreed, stating that current students should be given these opportunities to prepare them for their careers. He added that holding open auditions for a student production does not make sense because student productions should be filled by students. “I’m sure the [Wilkes] football team would love to have Peyton Manning come and play if they were allowed to have open try outs,” said Layton. Lucas also added in his letter that casting former Wilkes students or members of the community weighs on current students’ confidence levels. He said that Wilkes students may think that the directors may feel that they “do not currently have the talent pool amongst their current students to be able to play a lead role in a main stage production” and must search elsewhere to fulfill these roles. Layton agreed. “We all go to Wilkes and if we’re not good enough to play this part, are they training us the right way?” he asked. With an open audition policy, Layton questioned how Wilkes’ theatre productions are any different from those put on by community theatres. Representatives of the department would not provide The Beacon with information that would clarify the differences between these two types of productions. Upset with the decision to cast a non-Wilkes student in Dracula, Layton said he contacted Joseph Dawson, chair of the Visual and Performing Arts department, for further clarification on the audition policies. But when he didn’t get a direct answer regarding the policy, he told Dawson he would not SEE DRACULA, Page 15 Globetrotters provide silly and sporty fun for viewers BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor On Friday, February 26, The Harlem Globetrotters made a stop in their 2010 world tour at the Mohegan Sun Arena in WilkesBarre. With a focus on audience participation, the performance brought out the child in every audience member. The show was a blend between humorous theatrical antics and athletic talent. It was constructed of a basketball game against the Washington Generals, with a silly plot line incorporated. The players had imaginary names with personalities to match. The line-up consisted of the likes of Bear Butler, Moo Moo Evans, and Rocket Rivers. The leader of the pack seemed to be Hi-Lite Bruton, who narrated for the team as he played along. Another player, Cobra Coley, entertained the audience with his signature cobra imitation after every slam dunk. There were several basketball tricks incorporated into the game, which made it more of an entertainment event than a sporting event. At the beginning of the show, there was a break-dance performance showing off skilled moves and building the fun atmosphere. During halftime, the show featured a dance and stunt performance by Northeastern Pennsylvania’s very own dance company, The David Blight School of Dance. These dancers were from all age groups, and wore eye-catching neon outfits. The audience participation was another entertaining element. The players pulled audience members out of the stands to dance with them. Children were able to shoot hoops and take part in games. The downfall of the performance was the time length, since it ran around two hours. The game began to drag on towards the end. The Globetrotters are scheduled to return to Pennsylvania on Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m. They will be performing in Philadelphia at the Liacouras Center at Temple University. The Beacon/Kirstin Cook CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu The mascot of the team, Globie, was one of the best aspects of the performance. He danced energetically, changing into different outfits to imitate various stars. Globie impersonated Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, and many other performers. �14 THE BEACON A&E ZerCross BY ASHLEY ZERFOSS Correspondent BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor 10 11 14 13 SEE DAMENTI’S, Page 15 " 16 18 19 17 ,0 21 22 23 MARCH 2, 2010 “Dog Breeds” Down Across 2. Loyal and protective, Best known as fearsome guard dogs 4. Some famous ones include Snoopy, Underdog, Gromit (from Walace and Gromit), and Brain (from Inspector Gadget) 7. Small black dog with a wiry coat, originates from Scotland 12. Known for their amazing sense of smell and tracking abilities 13. French curly-haired dogs, Georgette from Disney’s Oliver and Company 19. Famous dogs from this breed include Duke (from the Bush’s Baked Beans commercials), Shadow (Homeward Bound movies), and Comet (from Full House) 21. These little hot dogs are lovable, playful, and ideal for any home. 22. Can skateboard (or at least Darla can) 23. These hounds were used in England to stop otters from destroying the fish population. 24. Known to hunt wolves in the land of Leprechauns 1. Developed in Massachusetts 3. Hunts foxes across the pond 5. Famous as sled dogs in The Iditarod 6. Toy breed known for its long, flowing double coat, name means “lion” 8. A shepherd in Britain, Known in films as a Shaggy Dog 9. Mexican dog famously owned by Paris Hilton 10. You get one clue: Lassie 11. These dogs can point the way to a hunter’s prey. 14. Can come in chocolate brown or bright gold For last week’s answers and for this week’s “What’s Happening Around Wilkes” calendar, please check out II wilkesbeacon.com 24 CONTACT ASHLEY ZERFOSS AT: ashley.zerfoss@wilkes.edu futuristic ingoyative grapn1cs incorporated (it's a mouthful, but it just tastes so darn good) Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. WOMEN'S SOCCER, ADVENTURE EDUCATION, ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK, KAPPA PSI, NURSING, IRHC, PHARMACY, STUDENT GOVERNMENT, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, LAMDA KAPPA SIGMA, BASEBALL, THE BEACON, BIOLOGY, CLUB DAY, FIELD HOCKEY, HOMECOMING, INTO THE STREETS, LACROSSE, MATH CLUB, OFF CAMPUS COUNCIL, PROGRAMMING BOARD, RHO CHI, SIDHU, SKI CLUB, SLOCUM HALL, STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, TRI BETA, VOLLEYBALL, ULTIMATE FRISBEE, WCLH and more .... SO MANY CAN 1T BE WRONG!!!! 570•823·9272 new website! 4t-shirts dot com 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! QOWRI YPITI U OQ WA SEUTUWYII PUXXD PUXXD, DAE GIUH JOHH GOSPY TISEHUT-ZUHEI GIUH; JOHH MI YPUY GULI UQ JIHH DAE SIY UY HIUQY YPI OY ZUHEIUMHI! This week’s clue: E = U & D = Y Last week’s answer: If something is a stone’s throw away, then it must have given someone a hard time! �THE BEACON 15 A&E MARCH 2, 2010 DRACULA Continued from Page 13 feel comfortable attending rehearsal for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. “He called me back and gave me the ultimatum-that if I wasn’t at rehearsal, then I wasn’t in the production. And I decided not to go,” said Layton. Layton not only chose to abandon his part in Putnam County, but also to leave the department entirely. Layton said he has decided to drop theatre and will soon declare an English major. He has also considered transferring to another college or university. After leaving Putnam County, Layton said he expected that one of the two assistant stage managers would fulfill his empty role. Although there are no formal understudies for Wilkes productions, assistant stage managers act as such and are prepared and willing to fill deserted positions. “People have told me that [Tony Goreczny] was preparing [to fill Layton’s role] and was rehearsing,” said Layton. Goreczny, a freshman theatre major and one of the assistant stage managers for Putnam County, was not called upon to play the part, however. Instead, Pascoe picked up where Layton left off. “I consider the theater department’s choice of replacing John Layton with Daniel Pascoe to be a slap in the face [to Layton], considering the fact that John left his major after the unexpected Dracula event,” said Austin Loukas, a freshman psychology major who tried out for Layton’s empty role in Putnam County before Pascoe was given the role. Both Goreczny and Pascoe declined to comment on these, or any other, matters. Numerous attempts were made to contact Teresa Fallon, director of the upcoming Dracula, but phone calls and emails were not returned. Dawson was the director of Putnam County, but declined to comment on the situation. While Dawson did not wish to comment specifically about casting procedures either, he directed The Beacon to the academic grievances protocol that is listed on page 88 of the Student Handbook. The handbook states that “students having academic grievances should first confer with the instructor involved. The route of appeal is the department chairperson, the dean of the school, and the Provost.” “The student in question [Layton] merely informed the instructor [Teresa Fallon] that he was dropping his major,” said Dawson. “As far as I know he has still not addressed the casting issue with her. As a result he has not allowed himself to become educated on the intricacies of casting. He bypassed protocol by emailing me first, and even before I could respond went to the Dean and then The Beacon. Clearly not protocol … If students are encouraged to follow protocol by first bringing grievances to instructors then uncomplicated issues would have a slimmer chance of being sensationalized.” Dawson would not comment on the “intricacies of casting” he mentioned, stating that if students wished to find answers to their questions regarding casting decisions, they are to speak with the faculty directors who are involved with the theatre productions. CONTACT NICOLE FRAIL AT: nicole.frail@wilkes.edu CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gillyan.gowarty@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly Daniel Pascoe, Wilkes alunmus, Class of 2009,filled the role of Chip Tolentino in Putnam County Spelling Bee after former theatre major, John Layton, left the department because of the Dracula casting. ~0--~ ----~ od-6 S3 Public Squ:c:we 825-84!4!4! t)0UIJ1t;0Ull1 e0LLe5e SpecieciLS ALeollOL SPEe1ALS FO~ 21.+ UIE l.t>. ecill flo 'book oUP p:eivelfle :eoom \to:e cDt~ clc:1Ss eve11.fls o:e socicil 5Clflhe:eiJ1.5 �GET YOUR GAME FACE ON 2010 Wilkes Baseball Preview PAGE 19 MARCH 2, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com Coaches make sacrifices for love of the game BY DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor **Editor’s Note: What follows is the third part of our look into the background of coaching, a three-part feature series entitled “The Life and Responsibilities of a College Coach.” Jerry Rickrode, the coach of the men’s basketball team at Wilkes, went to Skidmore College, a small liberal arts school in Saratoga PART Springs, New York, to become a doctor. He was one semester from completing his degree in biology when he was forced into a decision one day: go to a lab for a class he was badly struggling in, or cut it and follow his team to their game against New York University that night. He decided to drop the class and retake a similar science course the next semester, a decision that would serve as one of the turning points of his life. Upon returning as a fifth-year senior, he attempted to rejoin the basketball team before finding that his eligibility had expired. It was then that his coach asked him about stepping in to lead the Skidmore JV team. “It’s funny how things evolve,” said Rickrode. “You never know how things are going to happen.” His young introduction into coaching, originally a way to simply stay involved while finishing school, turned into a career that has spanned 25 years. Now in his 18th year as head coach of the Wilkes men’s basketball team, he said that he has found his niche. Christopher Leicht, the coach of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams, also took to the sport early. He received his introduction to coaching while serving as the club pro at Frost Valley Country Club, simultaneously trying to earn his bachelor’s degree in business from Bloomsburg University as a 21-year-old. Leicht would later go on to coach at Danville Area High School and attend summer instructional camps taught by coaches at Division I powers like Boston College and the University of Georgia. He realized after a few seasons that it was something he was interested in professionally. The Life and Responsibilities of a College Coach 3 Lisa Rizzo, the head coach of the women’s volleyball team, also became a coach because of her love of the game. So much so, in fact, that she began coaching at Wilkes despite her undergraduate ties to King’s College. Despite their love of the profession, they are all well aware of its drawbacks. Because the sports revolve around the agendas of the students first and foremost, they are often at the mercy of schedules that do not allow much time for family or personal enjoyment. Rickrode, a married father of two, believes that it can be a difficult profession to manage at times. “I think the downside is, in the sport of basketball, which has a longer season and lasts two semesters, you basically have to recruit while you’re Courtesy of Sports Information playing and you’re away from your family a lot,” he said. “Whether it be practic- Lisa Rizzo (far right, in white) has juggled a large amount of responsibility in becoming the head coach of Wilkes ing at night or travelling for recruiting or University’s volleyball team. Despite the demands on her time, Rizzo loves being able to work with her girls, an games, you spend a lot of time away from opportunity she calls “a privilege.” your family. I often said you should start have a very full schedule, and I am work- profile of Phil Jackson, Mike Krzyzecoaching at 55 when your kids are grown up. It just doesn’t work that way. You have ing every weekend. I have had to miss some wski and Pat Summit, but that does not to try and keep a balance in life and it gets family events due to this time commit- mean that they don’t consider themselves successful. Their efforts have stressful sometimes; you can easily distort ment.” None of them would go back and change helped hundreds of young men and yourself by putting so much energy in your job. I guess that’s something I thought I professions if given the chance, however. women mature into more well-rounded always needed to work better at,” he con- For all of the hardships that come with the individuals with a focus on academterritory, it has given each of them a sense ics and representing themselves in a cluded. For Rizzo, the grind can be extremely of personal fulfillment in which they relish. positive fashion. Through their roles as “It’s something I love, plain and simple,” mentors and, at times, disciplinarians, difficult and time-consuming. She holds a full-time job teaching computers applica- said Rickrode. “I just kind of took to it. they have provided stability for these tions at King’s, while also serving as their When I did graduate [from Skidmore], young adults at one of the most crucial desktop and lab support specialist. In ad- I was offered a graduate assistant job at points of their lives. At times, their lessons have extended dition to those responsibilities, she is also Ithaca College as, again, a JV coach. It was working toward her Master’s in science and paid for by my school. I was going to go to to their family lives as well. “I think I’ve done a pretty good job in instructional technology at Bloomsburg medical school but I liked coaching and just raising them,” said Rickrode, in referUniversity. Her schedule often prevents her got into it.” “Coaches, in a lot of ways I think, can get ence to his two children, Jordyn, 12, from returning to her home in Kent Island, a point across to kids more than their pro- and Christian, 10, both basketball playMaryland. “To go through a day of work and then fessors can,” said Rizzo. “It’s a responsibil- ers themselves. “Whether or not they follow in my footsteps and continue have to run across town to coach the girls ity and a privilege, one that I like.” “It was [at those advanced camps] with basketball isn’t that important to […] it’s something I have never minded doing but also something I will admit is hard,” that I really took to the [teaching] as- me, as long as they work hard and act said Rizzo. “Sometimes it can be very pect of the game,” said Leicht. “The respectfully.” When asked if he could be considered tough. [Kent Island] is about a three and a students there wanted to learn and have half hour drive […] and when coaching it is fun and it was a lot of fun for me. “[De- his children’s life coach, he provided difficult to find time to travel. This means spite the drawbacks], I really do love just the slightest of grins. “I guess you could say that.” that I often miss birthday celebrations, coaching. I could not see myself in any mother’s/father’s day dinners, off-shore other job at this current time. I enjoy working with my players, both on and fishing trips, campground vacations […]” “During our season, my schedule is ex- off the court.” CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT Rickrode, Leicht, and Rizzo may nev- daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu tremely busy,” added Leicht, who has three daughters ages one, three, and five. “We er achieve the superstardom or public �THE BEACON MARCH 2, 2010 SPORTS 17 Athlete Spotlight: Megan Kazmerski BY JUSTIN JONES Staff Writer Walking off the court for the last time in the 09’-10’ season after a tough loss to cross-town rival King’s College, freshman Megan Kazmerski knew she had much to look forward to in the next season, posting 16 points, 13 rebounds, six steals, and five assists in the final game. Though the lady Colonel’s as a whole endeavored a disapointing season, Kazmerski’s inspiring play throughout the season and final game has earned her this week’s Athlete Spotlight. “I wanted the end the season with a win and I was determined to play my best to achieve that goal. I guess it just wasn’t in the books,” Kazmerski commented on the final game of her freshman season. Despite her efforts turning out for naught, (Kazmerski was the only player to finish the year with a double-digit average in points scored) her play has left the guard/forward optimistic heading into the off-season. “We can use this season as a learning experience and use the off season to work on Kazmerski knows there is room for improvement not only for the young team, but for herself as well. Going into her sophomore season, she intends to work diligently to improve her skills on defense while finetuning her rebounding and ball-handling. Emotions run wild inside the ardent athlete who also wants to “refrain from getting frustrated with [herself] during a game.” Excited to return to the court next season with the entire roster from this year still in tact, Kazmerki believes that the team will be more mature, learning from their mistakes this year and working past them to get into the playoffs next season. When asked what she believed the team needed to do to make it to the post-season next year, Kazmerski didn’t hesitate to respond. Photo Courtesy of Steven Finkernagel “Hard work, dedication, and teamwork. If Freshman Megan Kazmerski has been a bright spot for the Lady Colonels this season. Kazmerski led the Lady we can stay true to all three we will have a Colonels in scoring, pouring in 11.5 points per game. winning season next year.” “I believe that when you step on the court our individual qualities,” she said. “This will you have to give 110 percent and to try and CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT make us better and stronger as a team.” The high-scorer plans to have the same do as much as you can for the team to win. I justin.jones1@wilkes.edu mentality she possessed all season, even as try to do that in every game,” said Kazmerthe team’s record continued to decline. ski. BUV ONE GET ONE . w.... FREE SONIC" BURGER" 99~ REGULAR SHAKE ~ THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Olt VICE VERSA Get 10% off with valid student ID Oil VICE VERSA Get 10% off with student ID Full Menu Served All Dag -------------------~-------------------r------------------~ 5 99t.~ BREAKFAST BURRlfO REGULAA 10FF CroisSONIC• BREA!C!FAST SANDWICH :gge I l ....... ' ROUTE 44 BIG DRINK" SOFT DRINK' ! Full Menu Served All Dag 1; ....o,-l..,.~ln ,,c.:. . • .. �18 SPORTS 2/21 @ Manchester 4-2 W 2/23 @ Portland 1-2 L 2/27 vs. Providence 5-1 W 2/28 vs. Hershey PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 2/23 @ Golden State 110-102 W 2/24 @ Phoenix 95-106 L 2/26 @ Los Angeles Lakers 90-99 L NEW JERSEY NETS 2/21 vs. Memphis 94-104 L 2/23 vs. Portland 93-102 L 2/27 @ Boston 104-96 W 2/28 vs. Washington WEEK AHEAD WBS PENGUINS 3/3 vs. Norfolk 7:05 p.m. 3/5 @ Syracuse 7:30 p.m. 3/6 @ Hershey 7:00 p.m. 3/10 vs. Albany 7:05 p.m. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 3/3 @ Atlanta 7:00 p.m. 3/5 vs. Boston 7:00 p.m. NEW JERSEY NETS 3/3 vs. Cleveland 7:30 p.m. 3/5 vs. Orlando 8:00 p.m. 3/6 @ New York 7:30 p.m. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 3/2 @ Lightning 7:30 p.m. 3/3 @ Panthers 7:30 p.m. 3/5 @ Sabres 7:30 p.m. 3/7 vs. Maple Leafs 7:00 p.m. 3/9 vs. Islanders 7:00 p.m. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 3/2 vs. Sabres 7:30 p.m. 3/4 @ Rangers 7:00 p.m. 3/6 vs. Stars 1:00 p.m. 3/7 vs. Bruins 3:00 p.m. .• . ' il:I: ~ ,. @Beaconsnorts 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 MARCH 2, 2010 - -= SCOREBOARD WBS PENGUINS THE BEACON When should Tiger Woods return to golf? Time and space are needed for Tiger to lick his wounds Sports Editor lNTHONY DORUNDA,- - ' Alright, he’s apologized, it is now time to begin the countdown to Tiger’s return to golf. After leaving us without a return date, it is quite possible that golf’s biggest star will not be in attendance when golf’s Superbowl, the Master’s, gets under way in April. So now the question is, should Tiger come back? The answer? No, not right now. The best thing he can do is stay away from the limelight for a while and tie up the loose ends in his personal life. That’s what’s most important in the very end. Golf is just a game – a hobby that will be waiting for him when he decides to return. His life outside of golf is what matters when it all boils down. He has to focus on number one--himself-and organize the most important part of his life--his family. I completely agree, as does the rest of the world, that golf needs Tiger. But when they say golf needs Tiger, it’s not the actual game that needs Woods, it the businessmen and power brokers behind the scenes that need Woods. The figureheads talking are discussing golf monetarily; they’re talking about the Benjamin’s. With Tiger playing in a tournament, the following is incredible; without him, sometimes we forget that golf is still being played. Just look at the numbers. According to Nielsen Company, an estimated average of 4.6 million viewers tuned in to tournaments played by Tiger in 200708. When he had knee surgery after winning the 2008 U.S. Open and missed the rest of the season, ratings sunk as much as 50 percent. Neal Pilson, president of Pilson Communications, a media consulting firm, and a former president of CBS Sports said that “if Tiger’s in an event, you expect a 50 percent increase in ratings.” For the 15 or so tournaments where Woods might have been expected to play this year, Larry Novenstern, executive vice president of Optimedia, estimated the resulting advertising loss to networks would total between $10 million and $20 million. But look at it this way. Tiger has only been on the PGA tour since 1997; they survived before Tiger didn’t they? And one day they will have to do it again, so consider this a round robin tournament in which they get to figure out what they have to do to keep people interested, while maintaining ratings and public interest. It also gives other golfers a chance to step up and prove their worth without the enormous shadow cast by Tiger. Am I saying Tiger should never come back? No way, Jose. That’s like saying I shouldn’t have turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. I’m just saying he needs to take a break to get everything else in his life sorted out and to take some time off from the sport that demands perfection from him every time he hits the fairway. He needs to re-charge his batteries, and come out when he has a renewed vigor, and a hunger to get back to the sport he loves--and the sport that loves him. Tiger needs to stop hiding in the Woods Assistant Sports Editor DANIEL KAUTZ Tiger Woods set the record for consecutive covers of the New York Daily Post with 20, beating the previous record of 19 set by the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Despite his grossly over-publicized infidelities, Woods should return to the sport of golf sooner, rather than later. He is without peer, the true giant of his sport. Every time the experts raise an argument claiming that he has been overtaken by one of his rivals (Mickelson, Els, Singh, etc.) he proves them wrong. He draws the biggest crowds, the biggest advertisers, and is sorely needed by a sport that is lacking in legitimate star power. The obstacles he will face on the green may be startling. Over the last several months, his life has been analyzed and talked about more than the cast of Jersey Shore, with talking heads all around the country offering up their opinions on his conduct. His marriage has been talked about and lampooned relentlessly, from talk shows to Saturday Night Live and beyond. No one knows what kind of crowd reaction he will receive after stepping under the rope for the first time, though his caddie, Steve Williams, offered a hopeful assessment. “I think when Tiger gets back to playing, people will be appreciative of the fact he is going to play…” said Williams in a story published on ESPN.com. “There are always going to be people who are going to knock you ... Being the No. 1 player in the world and being as successful as Tiger has been, there have been people who have knocked him anyway. I am sure there might be a few more, it goes with the territory.” A few more? That would be a minor miracle. What Tiger should be preparing for are boo birds, and plenty of them. Should that stop him from returning though? I agree with Mr. Dorunda that his number one priority at the moment should be trying to heal the damage done to his family. The damage to his marriage may be irreparable, but he still has to try and arrange the care of his children. I believe that he will come back sooner than most anticipate, however, because of the type of competitor he is. He and the rest of the world already know that he is the greatest golfer alive; he now needs to prove that he is the greatest in history. With every tournament he misses, he loses an opportunity to further cement his legacy as the sport’s best ever. Tiger’s already offered a public apology for his behavior, beginning the long road towards mending the relationship between him and fans of golf around the world. By the time the Master’s roll around in April, he will have had adequate time out of the public spotlight with which to heal and mentally prepare for his competition. When you consider the implications his break may have on his career, as well as the financial ramifications his time off has had on the PGA, it becomes obvious that Tiger Woods need to return to his sport as soon as possible. They need each other, for better or worse. �THE BEACON MARCH 2, 2010 SPORTS 19 INSIDE LOOK Older, Colonels look to improve on'09 success BY DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor Despite tying with Manhattanville for first place in the Freedom Conference last season with an 11-5 conference record, the Wilkes Colonels were picked to finish sixth in this year’s standings. This would be understandable were Wilkes not returning nine seniors (there largest senior class in the last two decades), and coming off a season in which they won 29 games, the school record for a season. Despite the clear lack of preseason faith in the Colonels by coaches around the conference, senior criminology major and shortstop Mike McAndrew has a tremendous amount of faith in his team. “I like that we were picked low because it gives us more to prove,” said McAndrew. “I’d rather be [sixth] last year we were picked to finish fifth or sixth, too. It makes us work harder.” “We expect to win the MAC with our returning guys,” said Joseph Folek, the head coach of the Wilkes baseball team. They certainly have the tools to do just that. Returning are many members of the team that played consistently enough to run off an 11-game win streak last year, while outscoring their opposition by 117 runs over the course of the season (an almost three-run differential per game). Among those returnees is senior catcher Randy Dengler, a reigning first-team all-region selection. During his sophomore campaign last season, Dengler batted .348 with 41 RBI, good for second on the team, while also leading the team with eight long balls. Also returning is sophomore Matt Ruch, who was second on the team last season with a .390 batting average, and tied for the team lead with 44 RBI. On the mound, the Colonels return senior Tom Buckler. Last season, Buckler led the team with nine wins and 58 strikeouts en-route to a second-team all-region selection. With any luck, they will be able to contend for the school record for wins yet again with the currently constructed team. Their first game is tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. against Muhlenberg College in Allentown. “The target on our back is bigger because last year we set the record for school wins,” said Folek. “I think our guys are up to the challenge. In fact, they’re looking forward to it.” CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu Florance 53 TB Watson .571 SLG% John Florance Joel Watson NO PHOTO AVAILABLE 34 BB (led team) 64 Hits (led team) Rich Cosgrove .474 OBP Cosgrove DNP Fortin DNP (freshman) Justin Fortin Mike McAndrew 100 TB (led team) Ward Matt Ruch NO PHOTO AVAILABLE Shawn Ward Carmen Lopresto .846 FP Lopresto DNP (freshman) 75.0 IP (led team) 14 GS (led team) 9 wins (led team) .333 AVG .365 OBP Thomas Buckler Jeremy Watson Trevin Jaggars Randy Dengler QUICK HITS Joe Folek • Entering 15th season as head coach of the Colonels • 2007 Freedom Conference champs • School record 29 wins last season • 2-time Freedom Conference Coach of the Year FUllROSTER 2 - Scott Sammer 4 - Shawn Ward 5 - Tom Buckler 6 - Tom Piessi 7 - Carmen Lopresto 8 - Trevin Jaggars 9 - Jon Drebitko 10 - Ed Kamenas 11 - Sean Flecknoe 12 - Mike Brennan 13 - Joe Dantas 14 - Jeremy Watson 15 - Matt Ruch 16 - Mike McAndrew 17 - Joel Watson 18 - Ben Caioli 19 - Randy Dengler 20 - Justin Fortin 21 - Will Sisca 22 - Al Clocker 23 - Rich Cosgrove - Fr. - OF - Sr. - P/3B - Sr. - P - So. - 2B - Fr. - IF - Sr. - 1B - Fr. - C/IF - Sr. - OF - So. - P/IF - Sr. - P - Fr. - IF - Sr. - IF - So. - IF - Sr. - SS - So. - UTL - So. - IF - Sr. - C - Fr. - OF - So. - P - Jr. - OF - Jr. - OF 24 25 27 28 29 34 36 37 38 39 40 44 45 48 49 - Fr. - P - Sr. - OF - Fr. - P - Fr. - C - So. - P - So. - P - Fr. - P - So. - IF - Fr. - P - Fr. - P - Fr. - P - So. - C - So. - IF - Fr. - P - So. - P - Joe Harvey - John Florance - Angelo Trento - James DaRe - Mark Siebel - Ryan Fetterman - Brandon Carling - Chris Manzi - Zach Lazar - Corey Martin - Phil Leid - Jose Ruiz - Angus Neary - Jonathan Tomko - Mike Olerta OPENING DAY 3/3 @ Muhlenberg 3:30 p.m. 3/5 PSU-Abington (DH)* 9:00 a.m.** 3/6 Plattsburgh 9:00 a.m.** 3/7 PSU-Berks (DH)* 12 p.m.** *DH - Doubleheader **Ripken Experience �THE BEACON SPORTS 20 MARCH 2, 2010 Proposal to renovate Ralston Field athletic complex in final stages Synthetic turf new bleachers, lights included in face lift 3 mil. By gino troiani Managing Editor After nine years of consideration, the proposal to renovate the current athletic complex at Ralston Field is in the final stages of approval. The Board of Trustees will meet on March 26 to vote on the multi-phase proposal, which includes a synthetic surface, new stands, press boxes, new lights and comfort facilities. “We’re trying to make it not only a more attractive, but a more functional facility,” said Addy Malatesta, athletic director. “We’re also trying to serve the needs of as many student athletes and people in the campus community as possible.” Malatesta explained the renovations will come in a series of installments. “This is at least a three or four step plan,” said Malatesta. She explained phase one would be the construction of a multi-use synthetic surface that will replace the current football field. The field would be home to football and women’s lacrosse on game days, but would also serve as a practice surface for men’s and women’s soccer, baseball and softball, and as a place for intramurals sports to be played. “From a durability standpoint you can do many things [with a synthetic surface],” said head football coach, Frank Sheptock. Due to space constraints at the current complex, Malatesta explained there is little room to expand, so the implementation of a multi-use synthetic surface is a major factor in the decision making process. “This sort of opens up everything,” she said. “Once you have this you don’t have to worry about the field maintenance issues and tearing everything up; the next team just moves onto the field.” In conjunction with the new surface, there are many other new features under consideration. First, the university would like to install a lighting system surrounding the field, making it a 24-hour facility. The current home stands are set to be demolished, re-built, and switch places with the visiting stands. From there a double sided press box would be built on the home side, overlooking both the football field and current soccer field, and a free standing press box would EXCLUSIVE Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won’t find in the print edition. BY THE NUMBERS Amount of money it is going to take to cover the cost of the brand new renovations to Ralston Field. The money has been earned through many fundraising efforts as well as donations from former athletes. 24 Number of hours in a day that the facility will be available for use if lights are installed. 3-4 The Beacon/Thomas Reilly Ralston Field is nearly set to undergo a major face lift over the next few years. New additions to the field include a synthetic turf field, lights, a demolition of the old bleachers and installation of new ones with a double sided press box on the home side. be built on the visiting side. The sod covering the football field is set to be transplanted to the far practice field at the other end of the complex, replacing the current beat up surface. The university is also considering re-locating the concession stands and restrooms to the front of the complex, making it the first thing spectators see upon entering. Sheptock said the completion of phase one would be a major improvement to the current complex. “I think it’s going to benefit all of the field teams,” said Sheptock. “I also think that it’s a great opportunity for intramurals.” In order to cover the cost of the $3 million facility, Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs, said there is a placeholder in the 2010-2011 budget to begin the project. In conjunction, there have also been many fundraising efforts over the last year and a half through the Wilkes development staff and former Wilkes athletes. “We think we have enough that will allow us to do the synthetic surface, to demolish the old home bleachers and to do a lot of the site work that is necessary,” said Adams. “We would hope that we could somehow get lights on it, although it’s not a given,” added Malatesta. If all goes according to plan, Adams said the university hopes to finish the complex in the next few years. “I’m hoping that three or four years from now we look at a completed project,” said Adams. “It’s very exciting,” Adams continued. “I hope everybody understands that this isn’t just benefiting student athletes, but is also going to give us the ability to have this surface for intramurals… it really opens up the opportunities we have.” contact gino troiani at gino.troiani@wilkes.edu for more information check out. .. I lwilkesbeacon. com GO! Number of years it is expected to take to complete project. This includes a new synthetic field surface, reconstruction of bleachers, a potential lighting system, double sided press box, and possible relocation of the restrooms and concession stand. 7 Number of outdoor sports, excluding cross-country, that these new renovations would benefit (which is all outdoor sports). On top of NCAA sports, it will also be used for intramural sports as well. � 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 2010 March 2nd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 March 2 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/ca76a3a1dc28f29eb4eab475a08ff19f.pdf 19c05c7dd46a9eef265fd3452b5b9008 PDF Text Text MARCH MADDNESS BEGINS WITH BRACKET PICKS SPORTS | PAGES 18-19 Tuesday, March 23, 2010 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 16 SPRING IS MARCHING IN S P R I N G B R I N G S N E W S W E ET T R E AT S : L I F E | PA G E 1 1 CROSSWORD SPRING FLOWERS: A&E | PAGE 15 SPRING PHOTOS: ONLINE The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Pages 6-8 Former Judges Trial of former Luzerne County judges should remain in Pennsylvania and not be relocated to Delaware. PAGE 6 Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 Sports Pages 16-20 Class in Prison POWzine Da’Zine Spotlight on Zach Pizarro New classes being offered in the Fall ‘10 semester offer students unique opportunities, like taking class in prison. PAGE 9 On March 25, three integrative meSenior All-American Zach Pizarro dia majors will host a release party recently ended his wrestling career at for their collaborative art magazine. Wilkes by placing fifth at the national PAGE 20 PAGE 13 championships. Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �STUDENT PETITION IN LIBRARY ASKING FOR LONGER HOURS PAGE 4 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com MARCH 23, 2010 Penny drive competition kicks off ahead of lecture BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Wilkes University has teamed up with Pennies for Peace, a program of the Central Asia Institute, to collect pennies, which will be used to buy school supplies for children in parts of Central Asia. The penny drive is a buildup to Wilkes University’s Max Rosenn Lecture in Law and Humanities on Sunday, April 25. Greg Mortenson, co-author of Three Cups of Tea and co-founder of the Central Asia Institute, will deliver the lecture, “Promoting Peace Through Education.” “I actually knew about [the program] before he was coming,” said Michelle Dubbs, a junior middle school math and special education major. “I like the whole premise, because education is a global thing. I really like what he is doing.” Pennies for Peace, which was also found- ed by Mortenson, has raised over $3 million for school supplies in Pakistan and Afghanistan since the program was created 15 years ago. According to PenniesforPeace.org, the organization’s website, one penny can buy a pencil, 15 pennies can buy a notebook, $20 can buy a child school supplies for a year and $50,000 can build a new school and support it for five years. Wilkes’ penny drive kicked off with a “popcorn for pennies” theme on Thursday, March 18 in the Henry Student Center’s first floor lounge. Students stopped by to drop off their pennies, and left with a bag of popcorn. The penny drive has also turned into a competition between residence halls. The hall that raises the most money will win an ice cream party from Sodexo. However, even with the spirited competition, Christiane Leitinger, director of Pennies for Peace, said the overall goal of the program is education. “It’s completely about education. In fact, if you were talk to Greg, what he would say is the raising money part of the organization is important because they need to teach youth in this culture that they are very blessed, and they have a responsibility to be of service to the rest of the world,” said Leitinger. According to Dubbs, the Education Club understands this goal. “Every member of the Ed Club, just about, has a field placement this semester. We’ve opened it up to them to take into their observing classrooms, because on the website there is actually a curriculum that revolves around Pennies for Peace. So, when that fits into their lessons they can take it into the classrooms,” said Dubbs, who is also the Education Club’s treasurer. “I think it is a great idea to teach students about the value of education, because I Photo Courtesy of Marketing Communications SEE PENNY, Page 4 Integrative Media and Visual Arts programs officially join forces BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief This coming fall, students interested in pursuing courses in the programs of Integrative Media (IM) or Visual Arts will find both the programs under a brand new department of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). According to Eric Ruggiero, assistant professor of IM, six to eight months ago, he entered conversation with Dr. Thomas Baldino, interim dean of the CAHSS, that regarded the continued growth of the IM program. Approximately six years ago, former provost Dr. Maravene Loeschke initiated the IM program. The next year, Ruggiero was hired as director of the program and later started the tenure-track as a faculty member. Roughly 40 students are enrolled in the IM program today. Students in the program have the choice to minor in a number of areas that complement their major. These include art, communication studies, computer science, business administration, entrepreneurship, and English. Ruggiero and Baldino estimate that 70 percent of IM students choose to minor in art. Sharon Bowar, associate professor of art, noted that the art program has also seen “steady” growth over the past eight to ten years. “… On average, during the fall, spring and summer semesters, we serve up to 500 students annually. These are core courses, art minors, and electives …,” she said. ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Due to the majority of IM students who pair their major discipline with art classes, Ruggiero, Baldino, and Bowar, in collaboration with the provost, discussed the possibility of removing the art program from the Visual and Performing Arts (VAP) department and placing it in a department alongside IM. Joseph Dawson, chair of the VAP, was supportive of the idea, as well. “Of the VAP, the Visual Arts are probably the least perfect fit,” said Baldino. “The Performing Arts fit together and they interact much more than the Visual Arts because, really, paintings don’t dance.” “Our [IM] routes are in art, design and technology, but our branches go out to lots of things,” said Ruggiero. “For me, coming from an art school background, it made lots of sense that the relationship with the art program should be one that we should continue to build and foster.” According to Dr. C. Reynold Verret, provost, Wilkes University’s Cabinet members approved the formal proposal to move the two programs to their own department on February 24. The VAP department will undergo a change in name around the same time a final decision is made about the name of the new department that includes IM and Art. Ruggiero will fill the role of chair of the new department. Since the initiation of the IM program, Ruggiero was employed as the only fulltime faculty member of the program. Bowar is also the only full-time faculty member of the Visual Arts. While there are numerSEE IM, Page 3 Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Melissa Polchinski Photo Staff �THE BEACON MARCH 23, 2010 NEWS 3 Beacon Briefs >>>>>>>>>>>>»>>»>>>>>>>>>>»>>>>»>>>>>>>>>»>>>>»>>>>>>>>>»>>>>>»>>>>>>>>»>>>>>»>>>>>>>»>>>>~ BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Online Editor FALL & SUMMER REGISTRATION – Registration for the fall and summer classes began on Monday, March 22. Students can access the fall and summer schedules schedule via the Wilkes portal or they are available at the UCOM, Marts Center Lobby, HSC Lobby, Stark Learning Center Lobby or the library. Pre-registration with advisers began last week. PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT/INTERNSHIP FAIR – There will be a professional employment and internship fair held today, March 23 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, formerly the Wachovia Arena, in Wilkes-Barre. The fair is from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and potential employers request resumes and professional dress attire. A list of employers is available at www.collegecentral.com/npecemploymentfair. HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER EGG IM Continued from PAGE 2 ous IM and art adjuncts who teach courses at Wilkes for both programs, the provost hopes to bring in at least one more fulltime faculty member for the new department. A new classroom for the department is also under minimal renovation in the basement of Breiseth Hall. According to Baldino, when the Writing Center moved from Breiseth to the Library Commons, he asked Ruggiero if he was interested in embracing the space for the growing program. Baldino also noted that in the future, new courses, minors, majors or even new degrees may be added for students of the new available. Students may pick up applications in the Communication Studies Department on the second floor of Capin Hall. Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 2 and should be returned to Lindsey Wotanis, 305 Capin Hall. Students of all majors and interests are encouraged to apply. SALE – Slocum Hall will be selling milk chocolate and dark chocolate peanut butter eggs today, March 23 in the Henry Student Center from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the International Hospital for Children. NEPDEC PROGRAM – The Northeastern Pennsylvania Diversity Education Consortium will hold a webinar titled, “Toward Understanding Islam and Muslims” from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24. The online presentation will be led by Mamoun Bader, PhD. from the Penn State Hazelton campus. Bader’s presentation will give an overview of the Islamic faith and values. The webinar will include a brief discussion on Muslims in America and particularly, in Northeastern Pennsylvania. To sign up, contact Dr. Tristana Harvey at tristana.harvey@wilkes.edu. STD TESTING – Caring Communities in cooperation with the City of Wilkes-Barre’s Health Department will be offering free and confidential STD testing on campus on Thursday, March 25 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The tests will be offered at the Health and Wellness Center on the first floor of Passan Hall. No appointments are necessary. For more information contact Health Services. APARMENTS & SINGLE ROOM APPLICATIONS – Apartment and single room applications are available at the Office of Residence Life on the third floor of Passan Hall. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on April 1. BEACON LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE -- Applications for Beacon Leadership positions are now department to pursue. Baldino added that Vernon Harper, associate provost, has taken on the task of investigating the possibility of bringing a major in art back to Wilkes. According to Bowar, the last time Wilkes offered a major in the Visual Arts was in 1998. The last students to pursue a degree in art graduated in 2002. Bowar recognizes the importance of bringing the art major back to the University. “Students will always be hungry for knowledge and experience in the fine arts,” she said. “The Visual Arts offer an eternally I I enriching area of study that forms the heart I and soul of any self-respecting college or university.” She added, “It’s wonderful to become a member of a new and exciting department. I’m pleased to see administration beginning to recognize the enduring value of the visual arts. Our students in the Visual Arts and IM are producing fantastic creative works, and deserve the best of support within the right environment that includes an exciting mix of new technologies tempered by the guiding principles of tradition.” Students are also accepting and excited about the new department, which will have received an official name by the fall semester. Some are surprised the idea and approv- TENTH ANNUAL TOM BIGLER JOURNALISM CONFERNCE – The conference will be held on Friday, April 16 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The theme of this year’s conference is “Sports Journalism and Promotion” and will host the keynote speaker, Kevin Blackistone from AOL/FanHouse and ESPN’s “Around the Horn.” The conference is for high school students interested in telecommunications, journalism, public relations and other media areas. For more information on the conference, contact Lindsey Wotanis at lindsey.wotanis@wilkes.edu or 408-4165. SG SPONOSORED CLUBS BUDGETARY REQUEST – Student Government sponsored clubs are to request funds for the 2010-2011 school year. The budgetary request forms are due on April 9 to Benjamin Beidel, executive board treasurer, at benjamin.beidel@wilkes.edu. The amount that clubs request is not guaranteed for next year. Forms are available on the SG website. al to officially pair the IM and art programs is just now occurring. “The Visual Arts and IM pairing is just more intuitive than the pairing of Visual Arts and Performing Arts given the similarities between the two,” said junior Kenneth Stucker, English and philosophy double major. CONTACT NICOLE FRAIL AT: nicole.frail@wilkes.edu ·----------------------------------: Last week’s winners a of $25 gift card to Sonic: Paul Griffing & Amanda LoFaro Who Doesn't Like Free Stuffl! :1be Beaco ee y Giveaway! Two winners will each receive a... $20 Gift Card Sponsored By: Rodano’s Bar & Restaurant Located at 53 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre 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 Friday, March 26, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week’s issue. The Beacon/Tom Reilly This fall, the Integrative Media or Visual Arts programs will combine to form a new department under the CAHSS. There will also be an IM classroom added in the former Writing Center’s space of Breiseth Hall. NAME: _______________________________________________________ PHONE: _________________________________________________ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ MYSTERY WORDS: ________________________________________ �4 NEWS PENNY Continued from PAGE 2 think students in America take for granted the opportunities that they have,” said Aubrey Madera, vice president of the Education Club and a junior elementary education major specializing in early childhood with a minor in psychology and reading. The penny drive will end April 21, and the money will be presented to Mortenson when he delivers his lecture at the F.M. Kirby Center. According to Vicki Mayk, associate director of marketing communications at Wilkes, the University had to switch venues from the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts to the F.M. Kirby Center because so many people have requested tickets to the lecture. “There seems to be enough interest out there for people to come and hear him speak. Instead of turning people away, we decided to move it to a bigger venue,” said Mayk. She added, “There is money budgeted from the University to present all the lectures we present. They are covering the cost of the THE BEACON MARCH 23, 2010 Kirby Center within the budget that exists for all lectures at the University.” Mortenson has received national acclaim for his approach to a stable Central Asia. The New York Times’ Nicholas Kristof said in a 2008 opinion article, “[Mortenson] a lone Montanan staying at the cheapest guest houses has done more to advance U.S. interests in the region than the entire military and foreign policy apparatus of the Bush administration.” “What we’ve learned is that people seem to relate to this speaker on a very emotional level, and the book [Three Cups of Tea] has something to do with that. The book is not only about what he did, but he is the central character in the book. I think people see him as a sort of folk hero,” said Mayk. The lecture is free and open to the public; however, tickets are required. CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu Photo Courtesy of David Oliver Relin Greg Mortenson, the author of Three Cups of Tea and co-founder of the Central Asia Institute, interacts with children at the Gultori Refugee School in Pakistan. Mortenson is also the co-founder of Pennies for Peace, which is an organization that raises money for schoolchildren in Pakistan and Afghanistan. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com Buy one, get one 1/2 priced on our Tee shirts! UNTIL THE END OF MARCH!! t the Bookstore or online@wilkes.bncollege.com. �THE BEACON MARCH 23, 2010 NEWS 5 Student petition asks for longer weekend library hours BY RACHEL LEGGIERI Staff Writer A petition questioning the Farley Library’s current operating hours was recently posted on the bulletin board inside the main entrance. This petition was posted by two students, junior biology major Brittany Maloney and sophomore biology major Aaron Wolman, in hopes of getting the library to answer their request to extend it’s hours. Currently, the Farley Library is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 12 a.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. until 12 a.m. Dean John Stachacz, library services, explained that the petition was much appreciated. “When we first saw it up there, a few people were saying ‘oh, you can’t possibly want to keep that up,’” said Stachacz. “Of course I [want to keep it up]. We operate on knowing what students want and we are rewarded with that kind of feedback.” The idea of the petition came about during a study session Maloney and Wolman had one night in the library. “We overheard a fellow student saying ‘I’m going to be here all night… well at least until they flicker the lights at 11:30,’” said Maloney. “The conversation went from there, and that’s when we decided to make the petition.” The issue of extended hours is one that is very familiar to Stachacz. He explained that there have been recent extensions to the hours—one of them being this year’s recent addition of Saturday hours. “Believe it or not, we are very aware of the amount of students in and out of the library,” he said. “We know when the busy times are and when the slow times are, and we do adjust our schedules to match it.” The petitioners feel the hours during the week are reasonable, but are fighting for an extension on the weekends. “It’s frustrating when you would like to continue your work after your Friday class so that you could enjoy your weekend,” said Maloney. “When the library closes at 5 p.m., it almost seems as if it’s an incentive to shut your brain off until Sunday night.” Christine Gavlick, a junior business ad- • ministration major, explained that she can relate to these frustrations. “There’s some applications needed for homework that not everyone has on their computers at home,” she said. “With a student’s busy schedule—work and classes—it would be nice to have more flexible access to what the library has to offer.” Currently, the petition has19 signatures. “When you look at the petition, the amount of signatures is symbolic to what students are saying,” said Stachacz. “However, we don’t want to turn a deaf ear to the students that do need us. We are trying our best to find reasonable accommodations.” The library has been considering the issue of hours for a while now. One of the possible solutions discussed is the addition of a swipe-in machine at the library’s door. Through this machine, anyone with a swipe card would have access to the library and it’s accommodations after closing hours. “If we are supplied the resources and security that we need for the swipe card, that easily could be the answer to the problem,” said Stachacz. “As long as we can guarantee the safety of the students and make sure they’re actually there doing what needs to be done, then we may be able to figure something out.” Stachacz made a point to mention that any student that has a comment on improvement may post it on the library’s website. “The petition caught our eye and was approached in an intelligent way…I applaud them for their efforts,” he said. “However, we do also try to accommodate any request on our website’s comment board.” CONTACT RACHEL LEGGIERI AT: rachel.leggieri@wilkes.edu Beacon Corrections In Issues 14 and 15, The Beacon incorrectly reported that Student Government was holding Casino Night at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. It is being held in the Marts Gym. The Beacon regrets these errors. Nicole Frail, Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Wotanis, Adviser ¥ w...., 1 THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Oil VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with valid student ID Oil VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with ~ l99:w Full Menu Served All Dag Orlv.•I•• student ID I • --------------------,-------------------r-------------------¢ ~ ....... ~ ~ 99 BREAKFAST BURRlfO REGULAR $1 OFF CroisS0N1c• BREAl<!FAST SANDWICH ' ROUTE 44 BIG DRINK• : SOFT DRINK. Full Menu Served All Dag �BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU Security cameras usually instill fear in people instead of making them feel safe. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com MARCH 23, 2010 Trial of former Luzerne County judges should stay here BY THE BEACON Editorial Board According to local news, former Luzerne County judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan seek to have their upcoming corruption trial moved to a federal court in Delaware. The decision was based on the results of a phone poll and other evidence that shows that the majority of people that live in Pennsylvania believe that the two former judges are guilty. The Times Leader reported that a telephone poll conducted by a national trial consulting firm, DecisionQuest, showed that of the 409 people that were interviewed, 68.8 percent believed the two men were “definitely or probably guilty.” Another reason that they wish to have the trial moved is because of the amount of press this corruption scandal has received since it was first made public. DecisionQuest analyzed the media coverage that this scandal has been given and from January to November 2009, local newspapers and television stations combined produced 2,200 stories about the subject. Though these two judges feel that having the trial in Pennsylvania will create a bias for their prosecution, the trial should stay PAGE 8 here. It is unnecessary to move the trial to a federal court in Delaware for a number of reasons, with the potential bias being one of the leading factors. First off, Ciavarella and Conahan wish to have the trial moved specifically to a federal court in Delaware because the same DecisionQuest poll that found that the majority of Pennsylvania residents believe them to be guilty also found that 28.3 percent of the Delaware residents interviewed were familiar with the case and only 14.7 percent believe them to be guilty. It may be arguable to say that moving this trial to Delaware would give Ciavarella and Conahan the advantage because potential jurors are less familiar with the case and therefore less likely to find them guilty. However, instances like this are why the court system has a jury selection process. The way a jury is selected is simple. Jurors are selected from a broad-based pool and asked a series of questions by both the prosecution and the defense. Both must agree on the potential juror before that person can serve on the jury. If these former judges are worried about bias, it is in this process that any potential bias is eliminated. The Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee Ciavarella and Conahan the right to a fair and speedy trial by an impartial jury and due process under the law, meaning that the government must respect the legal rights of an individual under the law. No matter where the trial is held, these laws still apply making it unnecessary to move the trial anywhere. In relation to the bias these former judges believe they have against them, Pennsylvania residents are basing their opinions on what has been reported. If they believe these former judges to be guilty, it is on the facts surrounding this corruption that they based their opinions. While newspapers and television stations have reported a great deal of stories on the Luzerne County corruption, it is a news journalist’s duty to fairly and accurately report on a subject. If they did not do this, they would not be employed in the journalism profession. The most important reason why this trial should stay in Pennsylvania is because the crimes for which these two men are being charged happened right here. If these men are found guilty, we should be the ones to say it, not a federal court in Delaware. We are the ones that were taken advantage of and we are the ones who had to deal with the negative publicity this case has given to Luzerne County. BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. The poll was based on 63 responses. Last week’s question: Do you feel that Student Development is doing a good job at Wilkes University? • Yes 84% • No 16% This week, The Beacon asks: Do you think that the corruption trial of former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan should be moved to a federal court in Delaware? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com Firing via e-mail an unprofessional approach to running a business BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Just to say “hello,” to catch up with friends, to schedule a meeting- those are all functions that e-mails serve. Firing someone from a job is not a function an e-mail should serve; however, it seems to be slowly becoming a trend. When someone is being let go from a position, or having any important, personal conversation of any type, it should not occur over the medium of electronic mail. As pre-professionals, we are taught proper etiquette in workplace settings. Whether it be in a research facility, a restaurant or an internship, we are put into professional settings to hone our skills of the protocol of the real world we are about to embark into. It is sometimes the unfortunate lesson of individuals, both pre-professionals and professionals alike, to learn how the real world functions, not necessarily, however, how it should function. An example of this type of professional mishap is major communication over the medium of e-mail. I felt the effects of this poor form of communication when I was let go from a position via e-mail. Not only did the medium (make getting fired) feel more like a slap in the face, but even the language was too casual to be my electronic pink slip. That being said, I was let go, which is never a positive situation. Businesses and organizations, both big and small, are turning to e-mail to communicate more quickly and in different forums with their employees. The Washington Post reported that electronic juggernaut RadioShack sent the following message to some four hundred employees via e-mail: “Unfortunately your position is one that has been eliminated.” Being pink-slipped, down-sized, or restructured, whichever way you’d like to phrase it, is never easy to take. Having any of these come through your inbox can be an even more difficult venture. According to Jessica Levco, a Ragan.com staff writer, “the term ‘unemployment office’ hasn’t changed-nor has the sting of losing your job, your work family, your benefits, and maybe a bit of your pride.” Levco writes to reach out to readers of her column to share their personal stories of being let go via e-mail and other less-than-professional ways. Her readers share stories like being let go via e-mail, receiving phone calls, and even going to get their paycheck from the distribution office and finding that there is not one there for them. Horror stories like these of clashing professional views happen on a daily basis due to the failing economy. However, in this increasingly technologically-savvy world, are we, as a culture, reaching a time when communication like this is acceptable over e-mail? Columnist Sheppard Sternthal cites in his article “Email Communication in the Workplace” that it is important to “remember that business email is not the same as personal email.” Sternthal also suggests that if you do receive an unprofessional workplace email “at your work address, either delete them [or] ignore them.” Hmm, perhaps that is what I should have done. Firing employees has now become as casual a process as sending a memo or inviting a co-worker to lunch. What seems even sadder in this unfortunate situation is that talking, really talking, to our co-workers-to their faces-seems it has completely eliminated itself from work place etiquette. While situations like the one at RadioShack or even my own personal situation could have been handled in more professional and upstanding ways, e-mail communication is a wave of the future, and workers should become savvy to that particular fact. But be careful, because you may not want to check your e-mail as frequently. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu �THE BEACON MARCH 23, 2010 OPINION 7 The Thinking (and acting) sustainably Observatory Safer and healthier living starts with the individual BY WESLEY KINTER Americorps* VISTA Remember that Audi commercial during the Super Bowl that comically reinforced the connection between environmentalists and the “Green Police”? It was mildly controversial, but some thought it was a fair and funny jab at a movement that was maybe a little too pompous for its own good. As someone who does care about the environment, energy independence, and energy efficiency, I couldn’t agree more. But who’s really getting parodied in the ad isn’t the farcical bureaucratic agency over-punishing petty offenses but the “normal” people surrounded by bad choices willing to live with such an oppressive group. Why would they do that to themselves? Wouldn’t it seem like a better idea to make some small changes to their habits and perceptions about things like pollution, trash, and energy than force some privacy-bashing initiative to make those decisions instead? Unfortunately, if we’re not willing to let someone else make those calls, it becomes our responsibility to change the way we look at how we live and the services we use everyday. Is the convenience of bottled water worth paying hundreds to thousands of times more than for tap water? Is it worth it for pretending to be safer or healthier rather than forcing yourself to fight for cleaner or better tasting water from local public systems? Are any of these thoughts going through your head as you make these purchases? This is the kind of mystification within our over-consuming culture that we should be fighting so much harder to stop: deceitful marketing, hidden costs and unsustainable systems. Environmentalists don’t want to tell you what to do or think. They think it might not be a terrible idea to reduce our pollution and waste and think you might agree. But you don’t disagree; you just don’t care enough. And you should. It doesn’t matter what it takes to motivate yourself, but if you need some help, here’s a handy list of relevant issues: improving air and water quality, preserving national and state parks, promoting healthy eating, curbing resource consumption, improving health, reducing solid wastes, achieving energy independence, improving energy efficiency, preserving endangered plant and animal species, reducing toxicity in homes and schools and preventing climate change. You don’t have to agree with or support every item on that list, but that’s exactly the point. Environmentalism isn’t just about climate change, it’s about providing solutions to our unsustainable systems so that we can use less, waste less, and live better. Climate change is the threat of our failure to cooperate and achieve that world. Recycling, changing your light bulbs, and buying a Prius won’t be enough to make a difference. We need a fundamental shift in the way people think about the things they buy, use and throw away. It’s easier than it sounds, but only if we follow through. Start thinking sustainably about the items you buy. Where do they come from? What are the hidden costs? Think about useless packaging and ludicrous portion sizes, and stop pretending that it was always this way. Think about how energy efficiency and a smarter, thriftier consumer culture can save everyone money across the board. Think about the additives, chemicals and toxins you ingest in every processed meal. Think about how you can be your own “green police” and solve these problems. If you don’t know, ask for help or insight. Then start acting. Volunteer at cleanups, change your diet and make smarter purchases. Plant and maintain community gardens, buy locally and reuse everything you can. Ride your bike to class or work, write to your congressman, and, yes, recycle. There are a million ways we can live responsibly, but we have to promise to collectively participate if we want to achieve that better world. Why do double standards exist when it comes to restrooms? BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor Before anyone dismisses my entire argument, please hear me out. I would like to talk about prejudice that all men experience on a day to day basis. For those of you that may not be informed about the monumental differences between the restrooms, I will enlighten you. While some restrooms are unisex, most are gender specific. When these public restrooms are gender specific, they are obviously not designed the same way. Even if you are a male and you have never seen the inside of a women’s restroom, you know that a men’s restroom has urinals and a women’s does not. In contrast, there are more stalls to accommodate the women in their restroom. Also, women have feminine products available to them in their restroom, while men have no need for these things in theirs. However, when you get past these differences between the two, other glaring differences present themselves. Women’s restrooms are often bigger and brighter than men’s, provide more privacy, and sometimes have a pre-restroom area before the stalls and sinks that have nice flowers and/or couches for women to sit and relax on before they “do their business.” Males do not have these luxuries. Urinals often do not have partitions for privacy, there are no soothing pastel colored walls, and there is certainly no pre-restroom area before the stalls and urinals with couches to relax on before using the facility. Males line up against the wall facing the urinals and stalls watching and waiting for other people to be done using them. Where is the privacy in that? Why are women favored in this instance and what general collective opinion states that women deserve better restrooms? In the United States, in 2010, both men and women are nearly equal in every aspect of life. So why is it that when it comes to something as insignificant as a restroom that a double standard exists? If we are going to have genuine equality between the sexes, it must be across the board. We cannot pick and choose where men and women are equal; they simply must be no matter what. Men deserve restrooms as nice as women for this reason. It does not matter if you are male or female. If you agree, do something about it. Petition your employer or your school. If enough people complain, they must do something about it. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu CONTACT WESLEY KINTER AT: wesley.kinter@wilkes.edu “Environmentalism isn’t just about climate change, it’s about providing solutions to our unsustainable systems so that we can use less, waste less, and live better.” The Beacon/ Tom Reilly The modest elements and level of comfort that a men’s restroom exhibits pales in comparison to a women’s restroom, which often includes a couch, chairs, more space, more stalls, and more privacy. �8 OPINION THE BEACON MARCH 23, 2010 Excessive surveillance promotes fear, not safety BY ANTHONY TRUPPO Assistant Opinion Editor Security cameras have become ubiquitously threatening to law-abiding citizens across the United States. Although a small percentage of these cameras succeed in reducing crime, there are several small towns throughout the United States where security cameras increase the rate of fear rather than lowering rates of crime. In 2009, over one hundred cameras were planted throughout the streets of Lancaster, PA, an Amish town of nearly 55,000 citizens. According to StopTheCameras.com, Lancaster, PA is the “most surveilled city per-capita in the U.S.” Lancaster contains more security cameras than many major cities, including Philadelphia, San Francisco and Boston. The security cameras are placed on power poles, mainly in public places; however, some of the cameras are also placed in residential areas. If I had a camera staring at my home from across the street, I would certainly feel a bit safer from criminals, yet I would likely be in a constant state of fear that I am being watched. Living in an apartment building with security cameras in one looking for a job can waltz right into every hallway, I have become accustomed the LCSC headquarters and apply to watch people going up to their presence and down their and realize that driveways. their purpose is to prevent crimiSince all citinals from enterzens are given ing; however, the ability to security cameras work for the that stare into a LCSC, the coperson’s window alition is bound signify that the to employ lessauthorities are than-honest taking the whole workers. Acsurveillance thing cording to Lana bit too far. caster NewsThe biggest reapapers Inc., a son people fear The Beacon/Tom Reilly journalist worksecurity cameras Security cameras placed in public places, like the one pictured ing for the comin Lancaster is above, often provoke fear in law-abiding citizens. Surveillance pany discovered that the cam- cameras continue to appear in more and more locations across that an LCSC trainee had preeras are not even the country. viously been armonitored by the police. The cameras are monitored by rested for harassment and impersonating a employees and volunteers of the Lancaster public safety officer. I certainly would not Community Safety Coalition (LCSC), a feel safe if the coalition appointed to surveil nonprofit group that is not regulated by the my entire town had once hired a convicted state or federal government. Basically, any- criminal. Most of the time, security cameras observe people in their everyday lives. When the occasional crime does occur, cameras can be effective in the apprehension of a criminal; however, the multitude of cameras scattered throughout Lancaster have not significantly reduced the city’s violent crime rates. Although the cameras did help police capture a murderer and solve a few other violent crimes, a vast majority of the crimes captured by the town’s cameras are very minor offenses, such as prostitution and public drunkenness. Since the cameras were installed, many peaceful protests have taken place in Lancaster, yet none have had an effect in stopping the city-wide surveillance. Although security cameras provide a slight reduction in violent crime rates, they seem to be more focused on creating fear. If the Orwellian surveillance of Lancaster, PA spreads throughout the country, dollar bills in the future may be printed with the new motto of the United States, “In Surveillance We Trust.” CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu Is FLAC file format likely to surpass MP3 as the standard? BY BRYAN CALABRO Correspondent There is nothing like waking up on a bright Saturday morning, or any morning for that matter, and taking your iPod out to accompany you on your jog. While you are trudging down the street, avoiding the pot holes and the old lady walking her dog, your mind is enriched with the booming sound of a stripped down audio version of a CD. According to Easeaudioconverter.com, “an MP3 file that is created using the setting of 128 kbit/s will result in a file that is about 1/11th the size of the CD file created from the original audio source.” The stripped down audio version, almost 1/11th of the original sound source is called an MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 file, commonly abbreviated as MP3. As an audio enthusiast (Audiophile), I can tell you that because the audio format of an MP3 is a compression of the original source, it obviously lacks the original quality. MP3 files were created to do just that; be lacking. The original sound source gets compressed into a smaller package; this smaller package is commonly referred to as the beloved MP3 file. It is compressed because the uncompressed version of a song’s file size is roughly 30 megabytes, while the common MP3 file size is usually three mega bytes. So, if your four gigabyte media player holds 1000 songs, you can only hold about 150 songs with the larger uncommon lossless file formats. There are many lossless format files, but the one that is most prominent and most likely to become the standard is the Free Lossless Audio Codec file, commonly referred to as the FLAC file. As technology keeps advancing and computer hard drive space grows larger, FLAC is likely to prevail and push all files to this “lossless” format. What’s so good about this FLAC format? From a chart on Flac.sourceforge.net you can see how FLAC files surpass MP3 format files. They use nearly 50-60% of the sound source compared to the mere nine percent (1/11th) of the common 128kb/s MP3 file. Think about it. Near perfect sound quality passing digitally through your cochlear nerve to the depths of your brain. Can you imagine having a concert-like audio quality in your living room? Yes, now I can actually make myself go deaf! I am just kidding, of being a major issue anymore, the only thing course. Everything in moderation. Audiophiles like me are always complain- holding this back is music listeners. So, if ing about the quality of music, finding all you want to listen to better quality music, the little distortions and static. Common au- download FLAC files instead of MP3. You dio enthusiasts consistently say “vinyl’s are will not regret it. the best way to listen to music,” but now audio enthusiasts can replace that vinyl with CONTACT BRYAN CALABRO AT: the fat raw format of lossless digital sound. bryan.calabro@wilkes.edu FLAC files may not ever surpass MP3 as the most popular type of music file, but audio enthusiasts alike will be compelled to learn more about these new lossless audio formats, especially the FLAC file. The only problem is that FLAC files are not a mainstream commodity yet because almost none of the major portable media players support the format. If more people continue to use FLAC instead of MP3, companies like Apple and The Beacon/Tom Reilly Microsoft will start making digital media players A student is browsing MP3s, which present the listener with a wateredthat support this type of file. down version of a CD’s audio quality. FLAC files have near perfect quality, With hard drive space not yet they are of a larger size and not supported by most portable players. �College days PAGE 10 Dr. Rodney Ridley remembers his LASER summer at Lincoln University. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com MARCH 23, 2010 Next fall, students can trade classrooms for cell blocks Fall 2010 course schedule provides host of new, interesting classes BY RUTH WHISPELL Life Assistant Editor The catalog for the fall 2010 semester provides an array of classes that are new, interesting or redesigned and being taught in a different manner than they have been in previous years. Students who are interested in criminology or wish to pursue a career in teaching can take a hands-on approach to learning. Two courses that will be taking the applied way of learning in the fall semester are SOC 222: Criminology as an Inside-Out course, which will be taught from a prison, and ED 190: Effective Teaching with Field Experience, which will allow students to learn through mentoring with a local school teacher. SOC 222 is recommended for criminology majors or upperclassman with an interest in crime and corrections. The class has will be taught by Dr. Ebonie Cunningham Stringer, assistant professor of sociology and criminology. The class [SOC 222] will be taught at the State Correctional Institution [SCI] in Dallas, Pennsylvania. Stringer explained that all of the class meetings will be in the prison except for the first and last class meetings, which will be held on campus. “We will on focus on past and present theoretical explanations of crime and policy and research implications. The course will also require a group project on which Wilkes Students and residents, inside the prison, will collaborate,” said Stringer who has taught the course before but never in a prison as an inside-out course. While taking part in the class, Stringer asks that the students refer to the inmates as residents. “The term ‘prisoner’ carries a stigma based on assumptions about people who are incarcerated. These assumptions often have no basis in reality and may not always reflect the person to which it is attached,” said Stringer. The SOC 222 class will work with a diverse group of residents who have committed different crimes. However, residents who are sex offenders and those who have recently had disciplinary problems will not be allowed to take part in the program. Stringer explained that the residents taking part in the program will be selected though an application process in order to find those best suited for interaction with the students. While criminology majors can acquire handson learning while working with residents in SCI Dallas, students wishing to pursue a degree in teaching can learn more about the teaching field while mentoring with a teacher in a local school through the course ED 190: Effective teaching with field expe- rience. ED 190 is offered every fall and spring semester. This fall 2010 semester the course will offer three sections that each enroll 20 students. One of the sections will be taught by Mrs. Anne Thomas, coordinator of education and the other two sections will be taught by Dr. Marcia R. Balester, assistant professor of education. Students who take ED 190 will be taught concepts and skills that are effective for teaching. In addition to their classes on campus, students taking ED 190 are required to complete a 40 hour field experience in a local school. “Students are assigned to schools based on their certification path and subject area. Students need to obtain three clearances, two state and one federal, to be able to complete field experiences,” said Thomas. For more information about Stringer’s SOC 222 class email, Dr. Ebonie Cunningham Stringer at ebonie.cunningham@ wilkes.edu. For more information about Thomas’s ED 190 class email, Mrs. Anne Thomas at anne.thomas@wilkes.edu. CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu Students of the week: Jason Woloski & Cortny Sasserson BY MARJORIE WHISPELL Correspondent Every spring break, while other students are catching up on their studies and sleep, those students who are members of Alternative Spring Break [ABS] travel across the globe volunteering their services to states, countries and people in need of assistance. This year one of the places where some of the ASB students volunteered was the Dominican Republic. Jason Woloski, a senior biochemistry and pre-med major, and Cortny Sasserson, a sophomore business administration major, were two students who had the chance to experience ASB in the Dominican Republic. Sasserson and Woloski spent Spring break helping children at the Jaibon orphanage in the Dominican Republic. While there they preformed various service projects, including field clearing and Photo courtesy of Jason Woloski Photo courtesy of Melanie Thomas Woloski took a break to pose for a photo with some fourth grade girls in the Dominican Republic. It was Sasserson’s first time participating in ASB, and her expectations for the trip were far exceeded. landscaping work. They also spent time at the local public schools teaching students English as a second language, in a creative ways like using songs. The trip was the first ASB trip for both Woloski and Sasserson, who both held high expectations for their experiences. “This trip gave me a clearer view of how important it is for volunteers to reach out to developing countries and those in need all over the world,” said Woloski. Sasserson explained that the culture of the Dominican Republic was a very personal one. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Woloski: Following medical school and residency, I hope to return to Northeastern PA, establish my own practice as a family physician, settle down, and start a family. Sasserson: I see myself doing what I love; I don’t know what that is but if I am going to spend 10 years working for something it should be something I love. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Woloski: Altruistic, charismatic, and compassionate. Sasserson: Passionate, creative, stubborn. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know…” Woloski: that I plan on running for political office some day. Sasserson: That I am naturally shy. CONTACT MARJORIE WHISPELL AT marjorie.whispell@wilkes.edu �10 life THE BEACON MARCH 23, 2010 College Days Dr. Rodney Ridley LASERs through his undergraduate years BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Dr. Rodney Ridley, director of engineering, remembers the LASER summer. Between 1984 and 1987, Ridley attended Lincoln University as a physics major. At Lincoln, Ridley gained many academic opportunities, developed a dedicated work ethic and even some serious study habits. The thing Ridley takes away from his undergraduate years, however, stemmed from the LASER summer. “It was the Lincoln Aero Space Engineering Recruitment program. It was a program that was funded by NASA to increase the number of minority students in science, in engineering specifically,” said Ridley. Beginning college earlier than most, Ridley packed his bags to move to Lincoln’s campus to begin his first year of college, but he did not move in August like many freshman. Ridley, and his peers in the LASER program, had to leave high school in May of their senior years. “You had to leave high school early. The program actually started the beginning of May of your senior year. I left school early to go on campus. They compressed your first year into your first summer,” said Ridley. Cramming an entire year’s worth of work into a few short months, Ridley began what he described as academic “boot camp.” “The courses were four hours in the morning and four hours in the afternoon, plus mandatory study sessions at night. It was a very intense summer,” said Ridley. A group of approximately twenty students, according to Ridley, enrolled in the highly competitive program out of the prestigious University. In fact, fellow alumni of Lincoln include Thurgood Marshall and Langston Hughes, as well as African royalty. “People who went through the program with me went on to go to MIT, Harvard law school, and there was even a girl who went to work for NASA and then got an appoint- out socially. Over one of the summers he stayed at Lincoln to assist on a research project, Ridley met his future wife. “I never had time to do much besides study. I equate it to having no money. If you have no money, you know you can’t afford [to do anything]. I knew I always would have to study, so I hardly went out,” said Ridley. He did get out, however, during the begin- Photo courtesy of Marketing Communications Dr. Ridley attended Lincoln University for his undergraduate years. Lincoln, according to Ridley, has been hailed as the most historically black college in America. ment to work for President Obama,” said Ridley. Ridley was prepared for his rigorous take on college since he had spent almost every summer of his high school career traveling to different schools and enrolling in different programs. “One summer it was Villanova, one summer it was Drexel,” said Ridley. His difficult course load kept him plenty busy throughout his time at Lincoln. However, Ridley did find some time to branch ning of his first semesters after the LASER summer. Ridley refers to this relaxation from his studies as decompressing. He decompressed with parties and “weekend kind of stuff.” He even found time to pre-pledge a fraternity. “My friends were pledging, and I did all the pre-stuff, but when it came time to pledge I chose not to. I didn’t think it suited me. Fraternities have that group-mentality,” said Ridley. The way the LASER program was set up, according to Ridley, was that students did three years at Lincoln and then went to an accredited engineering school to finish the other two years of the program. This type of structure left the students with two bachelor’s degrees, one in physics and one in engineering. “The way the program was originally setup was you spend three years at Lincoln doing most of your background information. Three years at Lincoln, then you would transfer to a school that was affiliated with the program to finish your last two years in engineering,” said Ridley. Ridley, and two other classmates, traveled to Penn State University at University Park to finish out their program. Ridley even stayed at PSU for a total of nine years to finish both his master’s and doctorate degrees. Through all of his rigorous work, Ridley realized that learning in a smaller academic environment like Lincoln, which he relates to Wilkes, requires students not to be afraid to ask questions. “In a group of ten students, I’ll know if you’re sleeping or don’t know something. You can’t hide in an auditorium of 4,000 students,” said Ridley. He also walked away with a confidence of finishing the rigorous program. “Out of the approximately 20 students, four of us finished at Lincoln,” said Ridley. And Dr. Rodney Ridley has the LASER summer to thank for that. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu In his own words, Dr. Ridley plays Cageball and has the scars to prove it: “ Cageball doesn’t exist anymore, but what they had was an outdoor basketball court. Because it was next to the road, it was fenced in by a cage. Really high cage, high walls. And we had some of the most intense basketball games, because everybody wanted to take out their frustrations. Almost like wrestling, these steel cage matches. I still have the scar to this day. My best friend did this to me. The scars and the intense rivalries that went on there. You actually played basketball, but it was just surviving. I just remember after class everybody running to the cage. “ �THE BEACON life mARCH 23, 2010 BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Two weeks ago, mounds of snow covered cars, sidewalks, and roads. Now it is 60 degrees and sunny. Spring has finally sprung, and along with it many people, who want to get out and enjoy the season, are looking forward to getting outside and enjoying what the season has to offer. In the midst of mid-terms and projects, students and community members alike can now look forward to that yearly venture of finding a great ice cream cone or Italian water ice. The Valley has several options in the area of springtime refreshment. While one can look forward to the seasonal openings of big name ice cream and Italian water ice establishments there are also a few lesser known but equally as delicious treats to find. Going to an ice cream store or stand seems almost as spring-like as flowers or baseball. The area has several options for ice cream lovers. Cold Stone Creamery, located on Mundy Street in Wilkes-Barre, takes one’s favorite flavors of hard ice cream and creates sweet creations by kneading the ice cream on frozen stone. There are plenty of other ice cream locations, though, to choose from. Sprinkles, located on Wyoming Avenue in Edwardsville, offers up general flavors of these frozen treats. A lesser-known ice cream place students can trek to is Curly Creme Soft Ice Cream. Down South River Street, just beyond the Route 309 overpass, Curly Crème gets rave reviews from its online audience. “They make a wicked good ice cream, and it’s not that expensive,” said Matthew Duffy, junior history and secondary Education major. If an ice cream eater is more inclined to have hard ice cream instead of soft, they can travel to Moosic, near Old Forge, for Jitty Joe’s Ice Cream. Specializing in hard ice cream, Jitty Joe’s offers up new flavors for the season. “[They have a] very wide variety of choices. They have almost any flavor of hard ice cream you can imagine and large serving sizes,” said Marissa Harrison, P1 pharmacy major. Avid ice cream eaters can go straight to the source by riding up Route 309 towards Dallas to Hillside Farms. This farm, dairy, and ice cream shop offers up fresh ice cream. They even make homemade ice cream sandwiches. If Italian water ice is the treat one is looking for, there are options in and around town. Rita’s Italian Water Ice, located on Market Street in Kingston, creates several different flavor options. Students can look forward to the new Peep-flavored water ice, which debuted on Saturday. Competing with Rita’s this season is Josie’s Italian Water Ice. Located on Wyoming Avenue in Edwardsville, Josie’s plays soft, classical music to customers who line the streets for the treats. Just be prepared before venturing to Josie’s, because they only accept cash. While there are many different places the Wilkes community can begin to trudge to now that the sun is shining and the weather is warmer, the above places are certainly points to start at. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu 11 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Patrons wait outside Rita’s Italian Ice on Market Street. Serving up fresh Italian ice and custard, Rita’s is a seasonal favorite of locals. Rita’s annual “Free Rita’s Day” was held Saturday, March 20th. Wilkes alumni take on roles as Wilkes staff BY ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER Staff Writer May is just around the corner and students from the class of 2010 are applying for grad schools and jobs, but job opportunities may be closer than they know. Yohanna De Los Santos was a communication studies major with concentrations in journalism and broadcasting. Right after she graduated in 2009, she hopped on a plane to Florida and interned at Walt Disney World Resorts for seven months. “I gained lots of valuable experience as part of the Disney College Program,” De Los Santos said. Once she came back to Pennsylvania she applied for jobs and is now a part-time admissions counselor at Wilkes. “I would have never imagined there was going to be an open position at Wilkes,” she said. “Best of all I absolutely enjoy it.” As a student, she had done work study in the admissions office, so she knew it would be a great fit. “I loved my time as a student and I feel my years as a communications major prepared me for the outer world,” she said. Jason Wagner, course web programmer for the College of Graduate & Professional Studies, was a double major in computer science and math when he began working part-time at Wilkes. He originally thought he didn’t have time to work between 15 and 20 hours a week. After he graduated last May, he was offered the full-time position.” I thought do I really want to stay here after I’ve been here for four years,” he said. However, Wagner took the job, which he now enjoys. Wagner plans to attend grad school eventually. He explained that taking the position was a good opportunity to help him decide whether he wanted to work or go to grad school. Felixa Wingen, now assistant director of international students, majored in English, with an art minor and ESL certification. After graduating, she wanted to apply for jobs but couldn’t, because she hadn’t received her green card yet. She took a position as an intern in the Center for Global Education and Diversity. The employee who previously had Wingen’s position gave her tips on how to reach that type of position. “I never thought I would actually get her job,” said Wingen. That employee decided to take a different job and Wingen got the exact type of job that she wanted. “I know how hard it is right now to get a good job, or even any job, so I feel all the more thankful for having a job that I love,” she said. What should current job-seeking students do? Wagner advises that current Wilkes student to take any opportunity they can. “Use your contacts because they might not have a job for you, but might know of someone who does,” said De Los Santos. “Don’t post offensive stuff on Facebook; many potential employers check,” advised Wingen. She also said to do internships, job shadowing and “most importantly, stay optimistic and be confident.” CONTACT ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER AT: adrienne.shellenberger@wilkes.edu �12 THE BEACON LIFE MARCH 23, 2010 Wilkes University’s Health & Wellness Corner W The Heatlth & Wellness Corner is a weekly feature in The Beacon. Students who ask questions will remain anonymous. All questions will be answered by Health Services staff. Q: How do I help my friend who has an eating disorder? A: First, remember to respectfully speak to the person in private and avoid any accusations or critical comments. Explain why you are concerned and the behaviors that worry you. Be specific about the times that you felt concerned about the behaviors indicating that you believe professional help is needed. If the person will not admit to a problem, calmly restate your concerns and your availability for support. It is important to avoid discussion when a person is very tired or under stress. Instead, choose a time when your friend appears to be relaxed and rested. Use kind “I” language when speaking, avoid placing shame or guilt on the person, and avoid simple solutions or giving ultimatums. Emphasize how much you care about them, offer a supportive ear and reassurance that you will continue to be there for them. The most important thing you can do for a person suffering with an eating disorder is to encourage treatment. Urge your loved one to see a doctor/seek counseling as soon as possible. A doctor can assess your friend’s symptoms and screen for medical problems that might be involved. A psychologist or mental health counselor can assess for any coexisting mental health issues. A nutritionist can offer ongoing support in terms of issues directly related to food goals/ nourishment of the body, and health consequences of an eating disorder. Hospitalization may be necessary if your loved one is dangerously malnourished, suicidal, suffering from medical complications, or getting worse despite treatment. With compassionate and comprehensive treatment, those suffering with an eating disorder have hope for recovery to live a healthy and purposeful life. Do you have a question for the Health & Wellness Corner? Email your question to, wellness.services@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next weeks Wellness Corner. Your privacy will be protected. CONSIGNMEN'TI Because em1 , "Fashionistas" ' "> canbe frnga 1. WITH WLKES STUDENT LD, [ sale items not included ! ~~~;, Offer Valid Through 3/31/10 ~ . '.................................................. . . . . of. . . . .. qwen's }f.venue Sa{on Dallas 779 'Wyoming Ylve. 'l(ingston, q>YJ_ Route 309 Q) ::::, 0 0::: Wilkes-Barre Gwen's Avenue Salon 570-283-5610 FOILS SEMI-FORMAL UPDOS $60 FULL HEAD PEDICURE $25 $25 VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.GWENSALON.COM �THREE DAYS ‘TIL THIRD EYE PAGE 14 Third Eye Blind set to rock Kingston Armory CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com MARCH 23, 2010 New magazine to be released with a “POW” BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor Integrative media students at Wilkes are hoping to rouse up students with the release party of their new magazine, POWzine. The party is scheduled for Thursday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Henry Student Center, and will celebrate the first printed issue of their innovative magazine. Jahmitza Perez, integrative media senior who developed the idea for the magazine, is hoping the release generates interest among students and the community. POWzine is a collection of artwork created by integrative media students. It also incorporates the abilities of students from other majors, and even students from other area schools. Adviser Nicole DePolo said, “It showcases works by the integrative media students, and also some of their collaborators in the field.” One of the objectives of the party is to find students who are interested in becoming involved with the magazine. The editors recommend potential contributors to come to the release party and stay for a meeting at the end of the event. They are searching for students interested in several aspects, such as writing and blogging. “I guess the ultimate goal is to get Wilkes University to recognize us and to get them Photo Courtesy of Jahmitza Perez Editors from left to right: adviser Depolo, Mandy Petrosky, Ryan Bracey, and Jahmitzah Perez are excited for the release since students will finally have access to the work. “We’re excited because we’re finally going to get it to the hands of students,” said Perez. to support and back us up, get the student body to be just really pumped up and excited and to get involved, and most importantly to get the integrative media face recognition, and hopefully to get people to join the major,” Perez said. As DePolo puts it, there are plenty of “awesome antics” planned for the release party. The activities include live entertain- ment such as a DJ and singers, a coloring station and finger painting. There will also be snacks available, including cupcakes, sparkling apple cider and Jello. The artwork contained in the magazine ranges from all types of unique art forms. “What’s interesting about it is it shows the diversity…the diversity of creed and efforts, and products that the integrative media de- part turns out. You’ve got mixed media, examples of film and video, photography and painting, writing, interviewing, journalismeverything that integrative media really stands for is represented,” said DePolo. The meeting will also play an important role in determining the future of the magazine. Perez said that interest from the University will allow the magazine to continue to be developed by future editors, possibly through an intergrative media club. The other option would be for the graduating students to continue “POWzine” themselves as a freelance development. The members are also hoping for donations at the release party to help their cause. They say money will pay for copies to make the magazine free, as well as show the University how serious and interested the student body is. POWzine originated though an idea that Perez created for a class project. Perez said, “It started out with…‘Well, what would I want to read?’” The idea was so successful that it evolved into an independent study. For more information on the magazine, check out their website www.POWzine. webs.com or their Facebook site, titled Powzine Da’Zine, for a sample of their issue. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu Movie Review: Green Zone reveals government secrets BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Assistant A&E Editor Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers The previews for Green Zone may lead potential viewers to believe that it was going to be just another military movie. Attending the movie showed that previews can be misleading. In the film, Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller was played by Matt Damon. The mission was to find the weapons of mass destruction which were supposedly hidden in Iraq. After raiding and searching many Iraqi cities, Miller and the other soldiers were unable to find any weapons of mass destruction. Miller became frustrated and started questioning authorities about wheth- er or not such weapons were even known to be in existence. Miller was quickly silenced and this was when he realized that he was onto something. Miller was not alone. There was also Lawrie Dayne, a journalist from the Wall Street Journal, who was lurking around; trying to find what was really going on. She had already written many articles on the subject, but was given false information. She needed to talk to General Al-Rawi, but he was codenamed as “Magellen” and could not be found. Miller, however, was not afraid to take on the challenge of finding him. He teamed up with an Iraqi citizen who went by the name of Freddy. With his help, Miller was able to obtain a notebook from Seyyed Hamza. This notebook was crucial because it contained the adresses to AlRawi’s safe houses. With the help of Freddy, Miller was able to find Al-Rawi and hear straight from him that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Rawi said the U.S. government knew this right from the beginning, but decided to invade anyway. Miller realizes that the entire reason for going to war was based on a lie. Right toward the end of this conversation, Al-Rawi was shot dead by Freddy. There were not many sympathetic characters, that is, characters that audience members can relate to or form a bond with. The only bond that partially exists in the movie is the one between Miller and Freddy, but this bond is not strong enough to last throughout the whole movie. They both had agendas, and they were willing to turn on each other. Overall, this movie is very impressive. It was about two hours long- too long for any movie- but it was completely engaging throughout the entire movie. Of course there was the shooting and world saving that was expected, but it was well done. There is just the right combination of action and suspense to keep the audience members interested and wanting more. Also, it is about a topic that everyone who is alive today was affected by. The Iraq war is still going on and weapons of mass destruction were never found, as shown in the movie. It makes you think about the U.S. government and what kind of secrets they are hiding from the general public. Rating: 4/5 CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gillyan.gowarty@wilkes.edu �14 THE BEACON A&E 3EB to perform at Armory BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Third Eye Blind, a band that has been a popular staple in the music industry for 17 years, will be performing this Friday, March 26, at the Kingston Armory. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Earlier in the year, the student body of Wilkes University anticipated the e-mail from the Wilkes Programming Board and student development surveying what band we, as a whole, would like to see perform here. The programming board aims to have two big performances a year- usually a comedian in the fall, and a well-known band for the spring. As the ballot unfolded with choices of bands between Flo Rida, Brand New, and other various artists, Third Eye Blind was finally chosen to perform this spring semester. For the last three years, they have been on the ballot and have proven to be very popular. “I thought it was neat when I heard they were chosen,” said Ariel Miller, a junior elementary education major minoring in theatre. “In the power that I am as President, I saw to it that they were put on the ballot,” said Erin Sweet, senior integrative media major and president of the Programming Board. The band formed back in 1993 and their newest album debuted in August 2009, Ursa Major. Three members consist of the band: Brad Hargreaves on the drums, Tony Fredianelli on vocals and guitar, and Stephan Jenkins also on vocals and guitar. “I don’t think it’s always about the newest, most popular bands,” said Miller. “They are cool and old school.” About 300 student tickets have been sold so far and about 40-45 alumni tickets as well. Tickets can be purchased on the first floor in the Henry Student Center. For the general public, tickets can be purchased at the door and online on the Wilkes Programming Board event page for the performance. Student tickets are being sold for $15, alumni for $20, and general public for $25. CONTACT BRIE FRIEDMAN AT: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu Battle of the Slices The Beacon/Allison Roth This past Wednesday in the Henry Student Center Ballroom, local pizzerias and students participated in Wilkes’ “Pizza Wars” to vote on whose pizza tasted the best. The four pizzeria participants were Januzzi’s, Mr Pizza, Tommy’s and Antonio’s. The majority of students who showed up to sink their teeth into the four different pizzas voted Januzzi’s as the best pizza. Januzzi’s is located on Northampton Street in Wilkes-Barre. ,-##.ST.,, . .o,r 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 .. IJIEa.■ E--,r 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre SPECIALS Large Pie $7.95 Chicken Wing Pie $10.95 MARCH 23, 2010 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 �THE BEACON 1 ZerCross - -1 - -3 4 - - 8 '7 9 - j 6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 11 11 - - - 13 15 - - 18 - - - - ~ 14 - - - - - -- -- - - - - - 19 - 10 l' 16 - 11 11 I I I 13 EclipseCrossword TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer Use the clues 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! JH GSF BZCAX DKLK AZ MSLFKXX AMK ZH KKCX, AMKF J AMJV XSYK AZ XSO JAX KYYKNA ZF KZGO DZPCQ “Springtime Flowers” BY ASHLEY ZERFOSS Correspondent - - 15 A&E MARCH 23, 2010 TK… Down 1. Commonly known as Lady’s Fingers, these flowers are prized for their uncommon structure. 2. These South African native flowers are known for both their wide variety of colors and their multitude of scents, like rose, orange, apple and peppermint. 3. These flowers are known for their calming scent, flavorful use in tea and their naming of a Middle Eastern Disney princess. 5. These orange flowers with black spots resemble an exotic striped feline. 6. This exotic, tropical flower resembles an aviary creature. 8. These fuzzy silver delights are used as a painkiller and anti-fever medication by Native Americans. 9. This creamy white flower grows in a southern shrub and creates one of the most easily recognized fragrances anywhere. 12. This Indiana state flower is known for its significantly flashy pink bloom and full foliage. 13. These little flowers grow in cone-like bunches and are highly known for their bold fragrance and intensely colored flowers. 14. This golden flower has a trumpet-like center surrounded by petals. 15. These pink and purple trumpet-shaped flowers are popular in hanging baskets in the spring. 16. These little pink flowers grow on shrubs in cool, shady spots for two weeks every spring. 18. This pink, white, red, or yellow flower is commonly pictured in fields beside Holland’s windmills. 22. This popular Valentine flower comes in an array of romantic colors. Across 4. These golden beauties are both used for ornamentation, medicinal purposes such as treating skin disorders and killing indoor and outdoor pests. 7. This infamous flower is easily recognized by its boldly colored flowers and its seed pods, used to make drugs such as morphine. 10. This sweet-smelling lavender flower grows in bunches on a towering bush that can reach up to 20 feet high. 11. These light pink flowers blossom from the branches of a fruity tree. 15. These oval or heart-shaped blooms are cold-hardy, blooming in late fall, early winter and early spring. 17. This cup-like flower is commonly found on trees in Houston, Texas and Mississippi. 19. This vibrantly bright bell-shaped flower is a staple for ornamenting oldfashioned and modern gardens. 20. The Greek meaning of this flower’s name is “rainbow,” which would explain the vast amount of colors this flower can be. 21. These highly scented little flowers are funnel shaped and come in a wide variety of colors, such as pink, white, purple and multicolored. 23. These dazzling flowers are known for growing in shaded areas, as well as for their seed pods that release impatient little seeds at the slightest touch. CONTACT ASHLEY ZERFOSS AT: ashley.zerfoss@wilkes.edu KCKNALZFJN JA DZPCQ TK AMK DZLCQ’X KNZ XMZNVJFI! This week’s clue: K= E & J=I & Y= T Last week’s answer: Since there is no guarantee that a happy meal will make you happy, you might as well get the regular-value meal; at least it will be valuable! For last week’s answers and for this week’s “What’s Happening Around Wilkes” calendar, please check out: www.wilkesbeacon.com �THIS IS MADNESS! These are our predictions for the rest of the tournament. PAGES 18-19 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com MARCH 23, 2010 SCOREBOARD BASBEBALL 3/5 @ PSU-Abington DH 1-6 L, 6-4 W 3/6 @ Plattsburgh 2-3 L 3/7 @ PSU-Berks DH 8-4 W, 6-7 L 3/14 vs. Marywood 16-8 W 3/19 @ DeSales 3-8 L 3/20 vs. DeSales DH SOFTBALL 3/6 @ Christopher Newport 1-10 L 3/6 @ Peace (DH) 10-13 L. 7-5 W 3/6 @ Christopher Newport 2-10 L 3/7 @ Baruch 6-8 L 3/7 @ Peace 1-7 L 3/20 @ DeSales LACROSSE 3/20 @ Manhattanville 5-20 L MEN’S TENNIS 3/20 vs. Neumann 9-0 W 3/21 vs. Elizabethtown 9-0 W WOMEN’S TENNIS 3/21 vs. Elizabethtown 5-4 W WEEK AHEAD BASBEBALL 3/24 @ Scranton 3:30 p.m. 3/26 vs. FDU-Florham 3:30 p.m. 3/27 @ FDU-Florham (DH) 1 p.m. 3/29 vs. Keuka 3:30 p.m. SOFTBALL 3/24 vs. Scranton (DH) 4 p.m. 3/27 vs. FDU-Florham (DH) 1 p.m. 3/28 vs. William Paterson (DH) 1 p.m. LACROSSE 3/22 vs. FDU-Florham 4 p.m. 3/24 vs. Alvernia 4 p.m. MEN’S TENNIS 3/23 @ Bloomsburg 3:30 p.m. 3/28 @ NYU 12 p.m. WOMEN’S TENNIS 3/23 @ Bloomsburg 3:30 p.m. 3/28 @ NYU 12 p.m. ~T~ - CE ., Can anyone beat UConn’s women’s team? I Volunteer to tame the Huskies Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA___;._, A wise man once told me that no one is invincible - that everyone has a kink in their armor, it’s just a matter of finding it. I’ve learned that besides Mark Wahlberg portraying Vince Papale in Invincible, this statement is amazingly true. So UConn has won 73 consecutive games - all by double digits. Including 23 ranked opponents on the way. I get it. But, no team has ever completed back-toback undefeated seasons. The chances of a second consecutive unblemished record are out of the question. I know what you’re thinking, how can I possibly write an article that dethrones them? How can I make a seemingly invincible team appear susceptible? How can I even attempt to manipulate you with 500 words that you think to be pure BS? Here’s how: it’s happened before. That’s right, it was in 1997 A.D at the regional final in Iowa City. The undefeated, and heavily favored Connecticut Huskies took on a scrappy and spirited team that head coach Geno Auriemma has come to utterly dislike - the Tennessee Volunteers. Pat Summitt, the Mecca of women’s college coaches, arrived with a team that had lost 10 games on the season and finished fifth in the SEC. But with Final Four implications on the line, it was the massive underdog Volunteers (no pun intended) upsetting the favored Huskies. The bitter rivalry ended in 2007 after the recruitment of all-world superstar Maya Moore. So they have not seen each other this year, or the past few years as a matter of fact. Actually, they have not squared off at all during UConn’s remarkable run. Which means neither Auriemma nor Summit know very much about either team outside of the press clippings. Summit ignited that 1997 squad to an improbable upset over the heavily favored Huskies, en route to three straight national championships. Could this be the game that propels Tennessee back to national prominence? A stage they have not graced since the departure of Candace Parker? Possibly. Tina Charles, UConn’s all-time leader in both points and rebounds, is gone next year. But the Huskies still return Moore, who is the National Player of the Year two years running, and almost certainly will be raking in the nation’s top recruiting class. Imagine this team if Elena Della Donne stayed on. Now that’s scary. Say the Huskies do get by the Volunteers, there still is one other possibility: Stanford. If the Cardinal can get by Texas A&M, who are one of the scariest teams in the country, then they will get their shot at revenge against Connecticut. The Cardinal are the last team to defeat the Huskies (in the National semi-final two years ago), and even held a slim lead at halftime of their meeting this season before bowing out in the end, losing by 12. With Jayne Appel neutralizing Charles down low, the Cardinal have a legit chance of taking out the Huskies, and bringing home their first National Championship since 1992. Who says there’s no drama in the women’s tournament? UConn take your best shot, but the Huskies aren’t losing Assistant Sports Editor DANIEL KAUTZ I was at UConn’s main campus in Storrs, Connecticut last year after their women’s basketball team had won the national championship. The mood was far from celebratory, however, as most students fretted about the men’s team’s recent loss to Michigan State. The women’s team was almost an afterthought, not because they’re not revered, but because their success is so predictable it’s practically numbing. They have won five championships this decade and are thus expected to win, plain and simple. Well, UConn students and followers won’t have to worry about hanging another championship banner in Gampel Pavilion at the end of this season. It’s as sure a thing as the sun rising. While you were going through the daily routine of life the last couple of years, the UConn Huskies were busy winning 73 straight basketball games. They toppled 23 ranked squads who mistakenly thought they had any business being on the same court as them. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the streak is that they won all of the games by double figureswith an average margin of victory of 32.8 points per game. That means never taking a single night off; never rolling over when taking your opponent’s best shot. One of the reasons for their stunning success is the leadership of head coach Geno Auriemma. He has won six national championships at UConn and is one of the few coaches to be actively coaching while in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Should his Huskies win another 16 consecutive games they will top John Wooden’s 88-game winning streak at UCLA, a record long thought to be untouchable. He does an excellent job at keeping his team grounded and focused on each and every game, something evident in the fact that they have never lost a “trap” game on their march towards another perfect season. Another reason is their personnel. They have a veteran group led by Maya Moore and Tina Charles, who holds the school records for points scored and rebounds. They have the experience of beating other ranked schools that would try and upset them in this year’s tournament, namely Stanford and Tennessee. Any team facing them can be assured that they won’t catch the Huskies sleeping. Seeing as how top-seeded Kansas was recently laid to rest by Northern Iowa, I guess anything is possible. To bet against the girls from UConn would be folly, however. To put things in perspective, it would be bigger news if the Huskies lost this year’s tournament than if they won it. �THE BEACON A P A MARCH 23, 2010 R T 17 West Ross Street M E N T SPORTS 17 5 Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 • JUSTA FEW BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS • FREE INTERNET ACCESS • FREE □ FF-STREET PARKING • FREE WATER, SEWER, TRASH • SECURE ENTRY/ REMOTE Buzz-IN • FULLY EQUIPPED GRANITE KITCHEN • CABLE TV • PRIVATE BATH WITH SHOWER • LAUNDRY 5'70.687.2220 □R CUMBERLANDLIVIN;G.CDM futuristic inl)oyative grapn1cs incorporated (it's a mouthful, but it just tastes so darn good} Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. WOMEN S SOCCER, ADVENTURE EDUCATION, ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK, KAPPA PSI. NURSING, IRHC, PHARMACY, STUDENT GOVERNMENT, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, LAMDA KAPPA SIGMA, BASEBALL, THE BEACON, BIOLOGY, CLUB DAY, FIELD HOCKEY, HOMECOMING, INTO THE STREETS, LACROSSE, MATH CLUB, OFF CAMPUS COUNCIL, PROGRAMMING BOARD, RHO CHI, SIDHU, SKI CLUB, SLOCUM HALL, STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, TRI BETA, VOLLEYBALL, ULTIMATE FRISBEE, WCLH and more 1 .. .. SO MANY CAN'T 570•8Z3-9Z7Z BE WRONGl!I! new website! 4t-shirts dot com St. I ..c>uis Rihs • Pulle<l P<,rk • Texas Fk~r • Chickt-'11 1lohlug..:; • Burgers• Sal..u ls & Much Morel EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT 5% Off for W i lkes Students with va lid ID •Cannot be combi ned with other offe * OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! �18 SPORTS THE BEACON MARCH 23, 2010 O R AN G E FIRST ROUND SECOND ROUND SWEET SIXTEEN March 18-19 March 20-21 March 25-26 ELITE EIGHT March 27-28 FINAL FOUR April 3 1. Kansas 1. Kansas 16. Lehigh 9. Northern Iowa THE NATIONAL 8. UNLV 9. Northern Iowa April 5 9. Northern Iowa 5. Michigan State 5. Michigan State 5. Michigan State 12. New Mexico State 5. Michigan State 4. Maryland 4. Maryland MIDWEST St. Louis 13. Houston 6. Tennessee 6. Tennessee 5. Michigan State 11. San Diego State 6. Tennessee 3. Georgetown 1. Syracuse 14. Ohio 14. Ohio 10. Georgia Tech 7. Oklahoma State 10. Georgia Tech 10. Georgia Tech 10. Georgia Tech 2. Ohio State THE BEACON 2. Ohio State 15. UC Santa Barbara PREDICTS 1. Syracuse *All picks made from the round of 16 on. Some games were unfinished as of press time 1. Syracuse 16. Vermont 1. Syracuse 8. Gonzaga 8. Gonzaga 9. Florida State 1. Syracuse 5. Butler 5. Butler 12. Texas El Paso 5. Butler 4. Vanderbilt 13. Murray State WEST Salt Lake City 13. Murray State 6. Xavier 6. Xavier 1. Syracuse 11. Minnesota 3. Pittsburgh 3. Pittsburgh 3. Pittsburgh 14. Oakland 3. Pittsburgh 7. Brigham Young 7. Brigham Young 10. Florida 2. Kansas State 2. Kansas State 2. Kansas State 15. North Texas STREET BEAT -----------------What team will cut down the nets and make it through the tournament unscathed on April 5th? I Chris Jordan Junior Communications Major Megan Clementson Wes McDonald Sophomore Elementary Education Major Junior EnvironmentalEngineering Major ~j “I have Kansas State going all the way. I want to go with the Big 12 because it’s a strong conference and Kansas State is a strong team. I love their coach. he’s a passionate coach and they have a lot of talent.” “I think Kansas is going to go all the way. I did like Maryland, but everyone told me that there’s no way they’ll win and that Kansas will kill them, so I changed my decision.” “I’m picking Ohio State to win. Evan Turner is pretty good and I’ve been following him a lot. I think they can go all the way this year” �THE BEACON MARCH 23, 2010 SPORTS 19 CR USH ELITE EIGHT FINAL FOUR March 27-28 April 3 SWEET SIXTEEN SECOND ROUND FIRST ROUND March 25-26 March 20-21 March 18-19 1. Kentucky 1. Kentucky 16. East Tennessee State 1. Kentucky CHAMPIONSHIP 8. Texas 9. Wake Forest Time TBA 9. Wake Forest 1. Kentucky 5. Temple 12. Cornell 12. Cornell 12. Cornell 4. Wisconsin NATIONAL CHAMPION EAST Syracuse 1. Kentucky 4. Wisconsin 13. Wofford 6. Marquette 11. Washintgon 11. Washintgon 11. Washintgon 3. New Mexico 3. New Mexico 14. Montana 2. West Virginia 7. Clemson 10. Missouri 10. Missouri 2. West Virginia 2. West Virginia 2. West Virginia 15. Morgan State SYRACUSE 1. Duke 1. Duke 16. Arkansas Pine Bluff 1. Duke 8. California 8. California 9. Louisville 1. Duke 5. Texas A&M 1. Kentucky 5. Texas A&M 12. Utah State 5. Texas A&M 4. Purdue SOUTH Houston 3. Baylor 4. Purdue 13. Sienna 6. Notre Dame 11. Old Dominion 11. Old Dominion 3. Baylor 3. Baylor 3. Baylor 14. Sam Houston 3. Baylor 7. Richmond 10. St. Mary’s (California) 10. St. Mary’s (California) 10. St. Mary’s (California) 2. Villanova 2. Villanova 15. Robert Morris Nora Skochinsky Junior Biology Major “I think Villanova is going to win because I’m from right outside Philadelphia and I root for Philly sports all the time.” Jerry Rickrode Men’s Head Basketball Coach “Not to jump on the bandwagon, but the University of Kentucky. They’re so long and athletic and good at every position and huge inside. And the two guards out front are outstanding; they’ll be a tough out for teams.” Julian Amor Brittney Hodnik Freshman Criminology Major Senior Criminology Major “I’m taking Kentucky because they’re nasty. They’re the number two seed overall and John Wall is the best player out there right now.” “Definitely Syracuse. They have the Big East Player of the year Wesley Johnson, and they have a good combination of experience and skill. Plus that’s where I’m going to law school, and Jim Boeheim is a legend!” �20 SPORTS THE BEACON MARCH 23, 2010 Colonels drubbed by DeSales in doubleheader induced a weak grounder for the final out. The Colonels took a 3The baseball team lost 0 lead in the bottom of the a tough doubleheader inning on RBI hits by Joel against DeSales University Watson and Neary, as well on March 20 by the scores as a sacrifice by Tom Buckof 16-3 and 13-7. ler that drove in Dengler They took a quick 1from third base. 0 lead in game one afIt would prove to be too ter Randy Dengler, who little, however. DeSales reached base after being took advantage of a two-run hit by a pitch, was driven homer and a triple to take a in by Angus Neary. 6-3 lead by the end of the The teams then exfourth inning, and dumped changed blows in the three more runs on the Colfourth inning. Mike Newonels after they closed the land hit a two-run homerun gap to two on a sacrifice fly for the Bulldogs, giving by John Florance. them a 2-1 lead that would The Colonels made it inlast until the bottom of the teresting in the bottom of frame. Wilkes freshman the sixth inning when BuckThe Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Scott Skammer responded ler drove in a run, promptly The Colonels took DeSales’ best shot on March 20, losing a tough doubleheader to them by the scores of 16-3 and 13-7. The Colonels’ couldn’t slow down by driving in Al Clocker followed by a Rich Cosgrove the offensive attack from the Bulldogs, as they gave up 31 hits combined. They take on Marywood tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in Scranton. and Carmen Lopresto with solo homerun. Their efforts a double to left field, giving cut the DeSales lead to 9-7, but the Bullthe Colonels a 3-2 lead. It would be the last side-the-park job, and never looked back. for the Colonels, as the first three DeSales dogs yet again pulled away on a bases-loadruns the Colonels would score in the game. They would go on to score two additional batters reached base. Sophomore starting ed single in the top of the next inning. The fifth inning saw DeSales break out, runs in both the sixth and seventh innings, pitcher Sean Flecknoe was able to settle scoring ten runs on nine hits and an error. crushing the Colonels by the score of 16-3. down afterwards and keep any of them from CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT The Bulldogs hit four homeruns, one an inGame two started off in scary fashion crossing the plate, as he struck out two and danie/.kautz@wilkes.edu by Daniel Kautz Assistant Sports Editor Athlete Spotlight: Zach Pizarro, All-American by justin jones Staff Writer It’s one thing to be ranked one of the best in the conference, but to be ranked in the top five of the nation in any sport is a feat not many people achieve in their lifetime. Senior wrestler Zach Pizzaro didn’t just stumble upon this type of recognition. He earned it. While the Colonels wrestling squad fell short of reclaiming the Metro Conference title, Pizzaro showed his brilliant individual skills on the mat. Pizzaro showed off his dazzling array of takedowns and moves en route to earning 5th place at the national tournament and garnered All-American status. “Feels great to finish 5th, a great way to end my wrestling career,” said a proud Pizzaro. The senior wrapped up his stellar season at Wilkes with 31 wins and only three losses. He put a decisive cap on his reign as a Colonel with three straight wins in the 197 lb. weight class against Centenary’s Anthony Bachmann, Kings’ Peter Dwyer, and Elizabethtown’s William Meaney at the NCAA Championships. These wins cemented Pizzaro’s status as an All-American, which is still a feeling with which Pizzaro is getting acclimated. “At the end of the tournament it was a little surreal. But I figured if you’re going to end your career, why not out here on the biggest stage in Division III wrestling.” It helped that Pizzaro was blessed with the presence of his parents at the most important moment in his stint as a college wrestler. “Wrestling in front of my parents is definitely motivation for me. All the things they have sacrificed during my life so I can enjoy the things I love, makes me feel lucky to have them as parents. My father has been to almost all of my matches throughout my career and I can only count on one hand how many he’s missed. So to have that support and love really inspires me to work hard and make them proud,” said Pizzaro. Pizzaro not only credits his parents as motivational tools for his success, but also his teammates. “We knew we were a very good team this year, and you could definitely tell through our work ethic that we were going to work The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Pizarro finished his senior year 31-3 and was named an all-american after finishing 5th at the Nationals. Although it was his last hurrah on the extremely hard for another Metro Conference championship, and also that we all mat, it surely won’t be the last time you see wanted to make each other better wrestlers; Pizzaro around the sport. “I do not plan on ever wrestling in a comthat was the key.” It’s quite clear that the combination of petition again, but wrestling will most likely family, the camaraderie of his teammates, be a part of my life somehow.” and his own work ethic have permanently placed his name amongst Wilkes’ wrestling contact Justin jones at justin.jones1@wilkes.edu greats, something that Pizzaro appreciates. � 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 2010 March 23rd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 March 23 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/782c737debab82cb3b00af1749fcdf2b.pdf 392dca68487a6d3f12bddfb52d16c684 PDF Text Text EARTH DAY LIFE |PAGES 9 &10 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Volume 62 Issue 19 SURPRISE! Courtesy of Marketing Communications Sydney Hanadel, a senior at Wyoming Valley West High School, was working at Cook’s Pharmacy in Kingston when she was surprised by the Colonel Coalition. Colonel Coalition greets prospective students with surprise mob BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor The Wilkes University Colonel, with dozens of followers in tow, ambushed five high school seniors on Saturday in an attempt to welcome students to the Wilkes community. The event, dubbed the Colonel Coalition, was orchestrated by 160 over 90, an adverOpinion Pages 6-8 Wilkes in identity crisis Misappropriated funds and budget cuts may greatly effect the future of Wilkes University. PAGE 6 tising agency which handles marketing for Wilkes. During the Coalition, the mascot and a bus packed with approximately 30 current students, admissions counselors and marketing representatives, stopped at five locations around Northeastern Pennsylvania. Michelle Prescott, director of public relations at 160 Over 90, described this event as a “friendly flashmob.” “We wanted to show that a mob of people could also be a positive thing,” Prescott said. “It could be something that generates positivity, that sends a good message.” The purpose of the event was to greet prospective students as well as bring attention to Wilkes, according to Vicki Mayk, Associate Director of Marketing Communications. “It has a dual purpose: to welcome these Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 College Days Psi Chi to host Family Feud Vice president of finance, Petra Carver, chats about her schooling in Germany and having to balance school with raising a family. PAGE 9 Family Feud: Wilkes Edition will be held in the Henry Student Center on Tuesday, April 20, from 6-8. PAGE 13 students, and also to kind of raise our profile in the community so people can see one of the things that we pride ourselves on at Wilkes… the personal attention that students receive here,” Mayk said. One of the outcomes that Prescott hoped for was that future students felt as if they were a part of the Wilkes community before they are actually enrolled. SEE COALITION, Page 3 Sports Pages 16-20 Hole-in-one! Sophomore Noah Svoboda scored a hole-in-one at the Susquehanna Established 1936 Spring Invitational, while the ColoPA Newspaper nels placing ninth out of 12. PAGE 16 Association Member �TOM MESSINGER RETIRING APRIL 20, 2010 PAGE 4 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Briefs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>~ BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor FREE SPANISH CLASSES – Free Spanish classes will be offered by Friedes Rangel Noguera, Venezuelan student, every Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. in Capin Hall, room 102. For more information or questions, contact freide.rangelnoguera@wilkes.edu SISTER CORITA EXHIBITATION – The Sordoni Art Gallery is now displaying Sister Corita: The Joyous Revolutionary, which focuses on politically-charged serigraphs from the years 1950 through 1980. The exhibit will be on display until May 23. The Sordoni Art Gallery is open to the public from noon until 4:30 p.m. It is located at 150 South River Street in the Stark Learning Center. For more information, call 408-4325. PARKING APPLICATIONS – Parking Applications for the Fall 2010 semester will be available as of Monday, April 12 in the following locations: Public Safety Office, 148 South Main Street1st floor, UCOM Garage; Residence Life Office, third floor of Passan Hall; Information Desk, first floor of HSC; Commuter Lounge, Conyngham Basement. Applications are due by May 14 to the Public Safety Office and no application will be accepted after that date. PRESIDENT’S COFFEE HOUR – President Tim Gilmour will host his next coffee hour on Tuesday, April 20 at 3 p.m. in the Student Lounge in the Henry Student Center. The time of the coffee hour was changed due to feedback from students and others from the campus community. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s peer evaluation committee recommended that the President and his cabinet set topics for the meetings. The topic will be academic advising. BLOOD DRIVE – On Tuesday, April 20, there will be a blood drive from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. There will be registration tables in the HSC today, April 13 and Thursday, April 15. Contact Megan Boone, for more information or to sign up at 408-5905 or megan.boone@wilkes.edu. SPAIN STUDY ABROAD MEETING – There will be a study abroad meeting on Tuesday, April 20 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Kirby Hall’s salon on the first floor. Students who are traveling to Spain this summer will have an opportunity to have questions answered by students who have already been to Spain on a study abroad experience. VRC RALLY – The Victims Resource Center will be hosting their annual Crime Victims Rights March and Rally on Wednesday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m. The March will begin at the Wilkes HSC and King’s College Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center. The two groups will end with a rally at the Victims Resource Center at 71 North Franklin Street. The rally will begin at 6 p.m. non-profit Central Asia Institute and founder of Pennies for Peace. Wilkes recently launched a ’Pennies for Peace’ campaign to raise money for Mortenson’s schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The book has sold over 3.6 million copies, been published in 41 countries, and was a New York Times bestseller for more than three years after its 2007 release. CROSS COUNTRY MEETING – There will be a meeting on Monday, April 26 at 6 p.m. for current members of the cross country team or anyone who is interested in joining the team. Coach Wadas requests that students meet outside of the Hall of Fame room on the second floor of the Marts Gym. For more information or to make other meeting arrangements contact Coach Wadas at 570-574-9771 or email nicholas. wadas@wilkes.edu. VIOLA VAUGHN AT KIRBY CENTER – The Center for Global Education and Diversity, in partnership with the F.M. Kirby Center hosts Dr. Viola Vaughn on Wednesday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kirby Center. Vaughn is the founder and executive director of Women’s Health Education and Prevention Strategies Alliance and 10,000 Girls in Senegal, Africa. Vaughn will speak of her experiences with these organizations over the years. In addition, Vaughn was also named a CNN “Hero” in 2008. For more information, contact Dr. Godlove Fonjweng at godlove.fonjweng@wilkes.edu. Win an award? Hear about an important event? If you think it’s newsworthy, send it in! Email jacqueline.lukas@ wilkes.edu or cathryn.frear@wilkes. edu with your tip. Bigler Journalism Conference GERANIUM SALE – Orders for the twenty-fifth annual geranium sale to benefit the Victim’s Resource Center must be placed by April 21. Geraniums are available in pink or red and can be picked up May 6 or May 7. Contact Gretchen Yeninas at 4084428 or gretchen.yeninas@wilkes.edu. MAX ROSENN LECTURE – Best-selling author Greg Mortenson will be speaking at the 29th Annual Max Rosenn Lecture on Sunday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center on Public Square. Tickets are free, but attendees must have a ticket to enter. For tickets, call F.M. Kirby Center box office at (570) 826-1100. Mortenson is the co-author of The New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea, co-founder of the ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Allison Roth Friday April 16 , Kevin Blackistone, contributer to ESPN’s “Around the Horn” and AOL/FanHouse, spoke at the 10th Annual Tom Bigler Journalism Conference. The Wilkes University communications department hosted the event. Coordinators invited students from local high schools to come and learn about sports reporting and promotion as well as the communication studies. Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis LeeAnn Searfoss Life Editor �THE BEACON APRIL 20, 2010 NEWS 3 Two incidents prompt posted notifications but no text alerts Wilkes officials differentiate between isolated and community cases BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor -in-chief & MOLLY KURDLANDSKI Correspondent On March 22 and April 7, Wilkes University students, faculty and staff arrived on campus to find community notifications posted on numerous entrances to many of the school’s buildings. The day before each notification was posted, an incident occurred on or around campus that university officials were required to report to the campus. While the printed notifications were posted, many subscribers of the emergency contact system’s text message notifications were surprised to find that they did not receive a text message reporting either incident. According to Jerry Rebo, manager of public safety, subscribers did not receive text message notifications because the events that occurred on March 21 and April 6 were considered to be isolated incidents that did not affect the Wilkes community at large. Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities, said both cases involved two parties who were angry with one another and acted on their frustration. The cases did not concern any Wilkes community members outside of the situation. “When they are isolated cases, they are only given a community notification that we put on dorms and academic buildings,” said Rebo. “An isolated case is something like a domestic incident, which is usually between two people and has no affect on the community.” While isolated incidents only receive paper notifications, community incidents are COALITION CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE According to the prospective students, the event was a success. “It makes you feel more welcomed into the community,” said Brian Zingaretti, a potential pre-pharmacy major from James M. Coughlin High School. The members of the Colonel Coalition also expressed their welcome to the potential students by writing personal messages to them on postcards. Future pre-pharmacy student Erika Green, from Wyoming Valley West High School, felt that the postcards was the best part of reported to subscribers via text. Community incidents include any acts of violence on campus, robberies and assaults. “An example of something different [a community incident] would be the purse snatching behind Weckesser last semester,” said Messinger. “Of course, there is a need for widespread knowledge if something like this occurs because it could affect anybody that is walking by or on campus or adjacent to the campus.” Rebo explained that there is a process that decides whether cases are crucial enough to notify the community through texts. The goal is to report the incident to the campus as soon as possible. Once public safety reports the incident to the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the officers then contact either Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of Student Affairs, or Mark Allen, dean of Student Affairs. Together, Rebo and Student Affairs, along with input from Messinger, decide how much information to announce to the community. They then send a notice to Marketing Communications and Information Technology to announce on WilkesToday and through text messages. While there appears to be a clear distinction between isolated and community cases, many students were not aware that cases were divided into two categories. Some stated that even if the incidents are isolated, they would still like to be notified via text when an incident occurs. “I didn’t know there was a difference,” said Margaret Wesolowski, junior business administration major. “[The flyers are in] small print, [and] you have to go to class, so you have no time to read it. Text messages are quick and easy.” Elizabeth Taber, freshman pre-pharmacy “We don’t want to scare the public,” said Rebo. “If it was going to affect the whole community, yes the text goes out for your protection.” According to Rebo and Messinger, whether the incident is considered to be isolated or one that affects the entire community, Wilkes University must disclose information to the community in some way because they are required to follow the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. SecurityOnCampus.org, a web site dedicated to keeping all high school and college campuses safe and secure, states that the Clery Act “is the landmark federal law […] that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Because the law is tied to participation in federal student financial aid programs it applies to most institutions of higher education both public and private.” The Clery Act was named after Jeanne Clery, a 19-year-old college student who was raped and murdered in her dorm in 1986. According to Messinger, aside from the emergency notifications, an incident report of all events on Wilkes’ campus is circulated online each day. the surprise. “It’s a really good thing, because it was surprising and it’s cool, especially the letters from all the other students,” Green said. Green had thought she was in on the surprise and that it was for her friend, and was shocked when students were actually chanting her name. She added that this event made Wilkes stand out from other universities. “As far as I know this is the only school that does this,” she said. Mayk feels that there is a future for the Colonel Coalition, which was not the original notion. “It started out as an idea we he community,” said Brian Zingaretti, an incoming pre-pharmacy major from thought we were going to use just maybe for a one-time basis, and now it looks like it’s something we might try to keep going,” she said. Though the Colonel has been involved with similar events in the past, this event was the first time a specialized group of people accompanied the mascot. “We’re calling it the Colonel Coalition really just to sort of get a group with school spirit who’s out there with the Colonel so it’s not just the mascot by himself,” Mayk said. The event was different from the modern approach at using social media to contact prospective students, which Prescott found to be an advantage. major, agreed. “It’s not enough to put a sign on the door. If they want us to see it, they should just go all out and send the text messages in both cases,” she said. Rebo stated that another reason emergency contact system subscribers do not receive notices about cases that are considered to be isolated is because they do not want the incident to become dramatized or for the community to become hysterical. Both Messinger and Rebo stressed that it is important that students, faculty and staff sign up for the text notifications on the MyWilkes Portal. “Just about all students have cell phones today - a very limited number do not - and they really ought to take advantage of the service,” said Messinger. “You never know what the circumstance could be. There’s not that many active shooter circumstances that occur on college campuses, but when they do, everyone really needs to know what’s going on. Having a notification can obviously save your life. The probability of that happening here is relativity small, [but] it’s a situation where you want to be able to have that knowledge and be able to protect yourself as best you can.” Rebo added that this also applies to any active assaults that may occur on campus. If a notification is sent out that says when and where an incident occurred and what the attacker looked like, everyone on campus that receives that notification will know to avoid the area and to report anyone they see that matches the suspect’s description. Messinger and Rebo also added that students should always be aware of their surroundings, should never walk alone downtown or on campus at night, and should be extra aware when attending parties on or off campus that involve alcohol. Following these steps will add to safety on campus. CONTACT NICOLE FRAIL AT: nicole.frail@wilkes.edu CONTACT MOLLY KURDLANDSKI AT: molly.kurdlandski@wilkes.edu “That’s what makes doing something like this so unique, that it’s not as expected anymore.” Prescott said, “The gathering of a large group of people to go and celebrate one person doesn’t happen as much. A lot more of the communication is through technology.” Prescott said that students would appreciate this face-to-face interaction. “I think in this day and age of technology it’s interesting and important to have that personal connection,” she said. “That’s what Wilkes is all about, and that’s what we want to show.” CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu �4 NEWS THE BEACON APRIL 20, 2010 Messinger to retire, search for new director of facilities launched BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities, will be retiring from the University effective May 2. As executive director of facilities, Messinger is responsible for a great many things across campus. According to Messinger, his job involves overseeing the facilities operation and various activities on the campus grounds such as preventative maintenance, repair maintenance, grounds maintenance, risk management, custodial services, maintaining the shuttle busses and maintaining the mailroom. He is also in charge of Public Safety and Campus Services, such as 2FIX. Messinger said it is the right time for him to leave the University and enter retirement. “I want to take advantage of the time off and seek other opportunities,” said Messinger. According to Messinger, in his stead, Petra Carver, vice president of finance and support operations, Paul Kaspriskie, manager of capital projects; John Pesta, director of capital projects and Bob Swetts, manager of capital assets will be taking on assigning who will be receiving Messinger’s tasks until his replacement is found. “The managers in facilities are very capable individuals and we will work as a team to ensure that Tom’s responsibilities are completed,” said Pesta. For now, Carver is filling his position on an interim basis. However, a search to fill the position on a permanent basis has begun. “We’ve started a search to streamline finding a really qualified manager [as to] get someone to permanently fill the position,” said Carver, adding that a search committee is to be formed on campus this week. Pesta said that they will be looking for someone with relatively the same qualifications as Messinger. “Although I am not directly responsible for filling the position, I would think the University will be looking for an individual with a strong background in higher educa- tion facilities management, good communication skills and an overall knowledge of the construction industry,” said Pesta. Carver also noted that they are looking for an “out of the box thinker.” “We want someone capable and energetic,” said Carver. “We need someone who is looking toward the future with things like green energy and sustainable resources. They also should look at things with a fresh eye but also be able to carry forward the [projects Messinger] has started.” With the remaining planned renovations to the library still up in the air, as well as the SHE building plans underway and the Ralston field remodel, Carver said that there are a lot of important changes happening around campus that Messinger’s replacement will have to be prepared to take on immediately. Pesta said that Messinger has been a useful resource and will be missed, both on a personal and professional level. “His experience and knowledge regarding college and university facilities operations will be missed. On a personal level, I will miss working with him and I will also miss his great sense of humor,” said Pesta. Carver said that hard work and dedication, such as that displayed by Messinger, can be taken for granted; however, she said she appreciates everything Messinger has done for the University. “I wish him the best,” said Carver. “He has done so much good for the campus…I would like to express my gratitude toward Tom for being so hard-working and dedicated. I will really miss him.” CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.co CASH FOR BOOKS NOW!!! Stop by the bookstore with your unwanted books & your student I.D. TODAY and get cash back for them! �THE BEACON APRIL 20, 2010 NEWS 5 Student Government Notes - April 14, 2010 BY EMMA ZIMMERMAN Correspondent Treasurer’s Report: All College: $0 Conferences: $13,290 General Funds: $8971 Leadership: $5230 Spirit: $750 Start Up: $480 Special Projects: $1800 Total: $30,521 Club Reports: Programming Board -- Justin Kreidble went well. Sometime in the future they might bring Hillside ice cream or Dippin’ Dots to the greenway. Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) -- The main project SIFE is currently working on benefits low income families locally. They financially counsel them twice a month. They held three fundraisers and raised $300. New Business: Adventure Education Program Update – Over the summer, Gabe Lamberti is plan- ning rafting, hiking and other trips that will train students and then have hands on experience with the activities. He’s looking into a temporary Frisbee golf course to put up in the greenway. SIFE Fund Request (Week 1 of 2) -- Their current balance is $4502 and they need $6550 for the national SIFE competition. They will present the twelve projects they have put together and represent Wilkes with 20% of the top SIFE organizations in the country. Relay for Life Donation Request (Week 1 of 1) -- They are asking for $3000. All money raised will be going to the American Cancer Society of this area. There will be 20 teams participating and registration is $100 for each team. This money goes toward equipment that will be used for the event. They do have other sponsors and food donations. Last year they raised $16,000 for the cause. A motion was made to allocate $3000. Motion passed 29 - 6 - 3. Programming Board Constitution Revision (Week 1 of 2) -- Programming Board currently has a president, secretary, treasurer and then several different chair-holders. The new system will be as follows: President - Oversees everything. Major Events Chair - Comedians and concerts. Recreational Secretary - Booking minor events. Treasurer - Handles money. Public Relations Chair - Contact The Beacon and send updates via Facebook, Twitter, etc. Committees: High School Leadership - Schools will be coming this Thursday and on May 4 to participate in the low ropes course. * 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. CONTACT EMMA ZIMMERMAN AT: emma.zimmerman@wilkes.edu Campus Support - If students have events coming up, please put in your staff orders ASAP. Closing Comments: Representatives – Eco-friendly bottles are being sold for $10 in the Henry Student Center due to the Green Bottle event. IRHC - May 6, 7-9p.m. is the study party. Also, in honor of Earth Day, the cafeteria will be going tray-less April 21-22. • I THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Oil VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with valid student ID Oil VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with student ID Foll Meno Served All Dag --------------------,-------------------r------------------- 99 ¢ ~~ plu,tu BREAKFAST BURRITO REGULAR --- --- ----·-- ... ....., .... _ _ _ , .. ..-,o,~ -OQOJ,)_ .........., ___ ... _ _ _ ., _ _ MTM• - - -...· - - -... 11.(_ .: s1 OFF CroisSONIC'" BREAKFAST SANDWICH ~~ i 99t.~ ' ROUTE 44• BIG DRINK"' SOFT DRINK. Full Menu Served All Dag �CELLPHONES, CLEARLY ADDICTIVE Dependence on technology keeps us from one-on-one interaction. APRIL 20, 2010 Wilkes facing a crisis of identity CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Misappropriated funds and budget cuts leave Wilkes in jeopardy BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Questioning the future of the United States, Benjamin Franklin wondered whether a carving of a half sun in Independence Hall was rising or setting during the crafting of the Constitution. One has to wonder the same about the future of Wilkes University as the institution goes through immense changes over the next few years. The addition of a law school, new science facilities and new athletic fields are a few of the projects Wilkes is trying to get off the ground. As Wilkes focuses on these new endeavors, the institution must not forget about its existing programs and current students. Already, many programs appear to have been put on autopilot with the mentality that funding should be kept to a minimum while resources are diverted to other projects. According to Renee Loftus, WCLH manager, it was announced in a department meeting that the communications studies budget for the next school was cut significantly and was done so without the consultation of the Dean or the department chair. This is just one example across the University. Without question this mentality will lead to the ruin of Wilkes University. As prices for supplies increase, the University cannot expect to keep funding at the same level and especially below what it was before. Quality will, and in many cases has already, suffer. Wilkes is going through an identity crisis and needs to decide what it wants to be. The current conversations do not appear to be working. The main question should be, does Wilkes want to be a large mediocre university? Or, does Wilkes want to be a small jewel of excellence in Northeastern Pa.? The students prefer the latter. The law school is a perfect example of the school’s ongoing identity crisis. Wilkes is clearly pouring resources into the creation of the school, while funding is being cut for existing programs. Wilkes needs to asks itself if it’s ready to create a law school at the cost of its existing programs, which bring in a considerable amount of money to the institution. Also, does the school want to just say they created a law school, or do they want to say they did it right? As for upgrading our science facilities, this project is necessary. The Stark Learning Center, which in its day stood as a hallmark of education in the Wyoming Valley, now sits as a shadow of its former self with outdated equipment. Funds should focus on necessary projects, instead of things like the landscaping of a bee garden next to Fenner Hall. The students, faculty and staff are leading lives of quiet desperation, and they need leadership that can promise and show them that their time and money are worth investing in Wilkes University. Until then, Wilkes’ students, faculty and staff should call, email or write letters to every member of Wilkes’ board of trustees and let them know of any discontent. Unfortunately, without drastic changes, Wilkes will continue down a road where students and faculty start jumping ship. Initial cuts in funding have resulted in a loss in the quality of education we offer, causing students to leave, which leads to less money, which leads to more funding cuts, which leads to a continued loss in quality. It appears as though the half sun, in Wilkes University’s case, is setting. And without a change in course, that sun may very well extinguish in only a few years. Maybe Wilkes will have to put projects like the law school on hold, but it will preserve the worth of the institution and the degrees it awards. BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. The poll was based on 7 responses. Last week’s question: Have you been tested before for STDs or do you plan on getting tested in the near future? • Yes 57% • No 43% This week, The Beacon asks: Do you think that Wilkes should spend more time focusing on existing programs instead of developing new ones? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com Program down, salaries up at Misericordia BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Misericordia University recently decided to cut their Circle of Friends program due to lack of funding. The program assisted challenged women through college. Yet, somehow, Misericordia raised all of its salaries for professor, associate professor and assistant professor positions by an average of 3.7 percent. The Circle of Friends program began about eight years ago and it was funded by a grant from the Sordoni foundation and a private donation from Andrew and Susan Sordoni. Their daughter was in the first group of women in this program. The program helped women with developmental disabilities and provided social interaction on campus through mentoring activities. Since its first year, the program benefited seven female students at Misericordia. This year, the grant and private donation will be exhausted by the end of this Spring 2010 semester. Fundraising for the program has been unsuccessful. According to an article in The Times Leader on April 8, the students enrolled in the program pay $30,000 per year. Funding is also needed to pay mentors for the students and pay for housing for the mentors, as well. If the University decided to keep salaries at their current amount, there would have been approximately $7,600 to fund the program. Although this is most likely not enough to fund The Circle of Friends program, the remaining money is at least a start. It seems that the University has not exhausted all of their possibilities to keep this program because of their recent decision to raise salaries. Fundraising for this program has gone by the wayside. Sister Bernadette Duross, special assistant to the president of Misericordia University, said that there has been a history of unsuccessful fundraising for this program. Duross cites the current economic situation for the ending of the program and lack of successful fundraising. If the University was more serious about economic struggle, they wouldn’t have raised professor salaries by an average of 3.7 percent. According to an article in The Times Leader on Monday, April 12, most of the nation is struggling and many colleges and universities are barely raising professor salaries. And yet, area colleges are increasing salaries by a significant amount. Duross said that the program should be celebrated, rather than lamenting the program’s loss. But people in the area do not want to see a good program leave Misericordia University. For example, Selena Water is in her final year with the program. Her mother, Dori, said that the program has had a great effect on her daughter. She wishes that more girls could take advantage of the program because of her daughter’s wonderful experience. The current economy is difficult to deal with for many Americans, but for Americans with disabilities, moving through life on a day-to-day basis can be more difficult. Programs like The Circle of Friends benefited seven area women and could have benefited more women, too, if money was budgeted more effectively and fundraising was placed at a higher priority. CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu �THE BEACON APRIL 20, 2010 OPINION The Circus animal abuse a growing concern BY ANTHONY TRUPPO Assistant Opinion Editor Imagine one day you are sitting at home eating dinner with your family when a bunch of men break into your home and take you away. You are then locked in a cage where your only options are to stand or turn around. When you are finally released from the cage, you are beaten into submission and forced to perform unnatural acts against your will. Now imagine going through the same barbarous routine every day for the rest of your life. This is just a small taste of the abhorrent life of an average circus animal, which are horribly abused in many ways. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), circus animals are often whipped, forced into shackles and tight collars, shocked with electric prods and pierced with bullhooks. Some even have their claws and teeth removed. Many times, these animals do not receive proper veterinary care. The horrible conditions into which circus animals are forced often cause the animals to display unnatural behaviors. Animal Defenders International (ADI) has observed the conditions of elephants in traveling circuses. ADI reports that circus elephants spent 60 percent of their time shackled and 25 percent of their time exhibiting abnormal behaviors. In the most extreme condition, an elephant was seen shackled for 96 percent of its time and spending 70-90 percent of its time swaying back and forth repeatedly and bobbing its head. Head bobbing is the most common abnormal behavioral trait in circus animals. Since abuse has strong psychological effects on circus animals, there is always a chance that animals will rebel. A week ago, Andrew Anderton, an elephant handler from Florida working with a local circus, tragically died after being kicked by an elephant. According to an article in the Times Leader, Luzerne County Coroner John P. Corcoran ruled that the death was an accident and the elephant did not intend to harm Anderton. In Defense of Animals (IDA), a nonprofit animal protection organization, disagrees with Corcoran. IDA believes that Anderton’s death was not an accident, and that the elephant’s reaction was likely a product of abuse. Not much has been done to prevent animal abuse in circuses, and that needs to change. The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law in 1966; however, the Act does not really do much at all. The Act specifies minimum requirements for aspects such as handling, housing, transportation, feeding and sanitation. But a major problem with the Act is that it specifically states that handling elephants with sticks and hooks is appropriate. Even worse, the Act does not protect animals being used for experiments, no matter how painful or unnecessary the experiment may be. Animal abuse in circuses has been a major problem for years. Thanks to hundreds of animal rights organizations around the world, circus animal abuse is becoming exposed to the public and more people are becoming aware of the revolting abuse being inflicted on circus animals. If you are looking to take action against circus animal abuse, the easiest way is to boycott circuses with animal performers. There are many circuses that do not use animals and are just as entertaining. 7 Observatory Apparently ignorance is bliss BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor It is that time of year again: Spring Commencement. This year’s Commencement, which is right around the corner, makes me quite weary. I see a crop of graduating seniors that are completely unprepared to face the challenges of the world. These students are not a collective handful amongst the majority; they are the majority. The majority of graduating seniors are not going to find career jobs out of college or in the distant future because they are extremely unqualified. These are the students that never applied themselves, never actively participated, or learned basic, yet essential skills they are going to need when they go looking for that career job right out of college. Let’s cite specific examples. I am a communication studies major at Wilkes. My concentration is journalism. Even if we were not close friends, you would guess or recognize this fact. Why? Well, it is because I participate in both Zebra Communications, the student-run public relations agency at Wilkes, and you read my section every week CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: in this newspaper. However, I cannot say I anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu see the same level of participation in some of the other students in the communication studies department. I could not tell you half of their concentrations because though I see them in class every day, I never see them participating in any co-curricular activities. The same holds true for nearly every other major at Wilkes. There are a handful of students who get involved in co-curricular organizations pertaining to their major, while the rest coast by aimlessly. Did you know that the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business & Leadership has an organization called Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE)? Did you know that Wilkes has a history club? Well, if you did not know, you would if you did more at Wilkes than just attend classes. Also, in case you did not know, there are some students on campus that have not yet Cartoon by Tom Reilly mastered the art of reading, writing, and spelling. Maybe this is a reflection of the institution of college, but maybe not. Every college has students who fall through the cracks or slip by unnoticed. For an institution at the college level, is it really Wilkes’ job to teach students how to read and write? Don’t think so. The only thing Wilkes and every other college are guilty of is passing these students through the system to make a profit. The point of that whole tangent there was that basic skills, like being able to communicate, are essential in the job market. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) last month issued the results of its national salary survey, which found that employers look for communication skills, both verbal and written, before any other skill. So, if you cannot communicate, it is doubtful you will be hired in today’s job market. And I am not trying to make the tired argument here that, in this stalling economy, graduating college seniors need to have as many skills as they can. In fact, CareerBuilder’s Annual Job Forecast found that the number of employers planning to hire recent college graduates has increased this year from 43 percent in 2009 to 44 percent in 2010. Regardless of the state of the economy, graduating seniors should have skills and experience because they are going to need them to get a good career. Now some of these seniors are entering the job market without a clue about what they are up against and how competitive it will be. I fear their ignorance for the past four years has led them here, though I wish them the best of luck. Maybe if things don’t work out looking for a career job, they will go back to school and take it more seriously the second time around. And let this be a lesson for all underclassmen too. Work hard, take college seriously, and participate. You are going to need all the skills and experience you can learn. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 THE BEACON OPINION APRIL 20, 2010 Students struggle to overcome cell phone addiction BY MICHELE FLANNERY Business Manager Let me set the scene for you. It is a beautiful spring day, the sun is shining and students are starting to file out of their morning classes. On a jaunt from the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center to the library, you tend to see many people hustling about with armfuls of books, a loving grasp on their significant other, or, most likely, people buried in their cell phones. And it is not just something that is a college phenomenon. Walking, driving, sitting at Barnes and Noble sipping coffee -- people are constantly glued to their cell phones. A relatively new technology, cell phones started around the 1970s as a rather large, bulky, not too convenient portable phone that was not capable of doing half of what its descendents can now do. Since then cell phones have morphed into mini-entertainment systems supplying us with not only the ability to call anyone at anytime anywhere in the world, but also watch TV, listen to music, surf the web and much more all from a device that can fit in the palm of your hand. But are we as a society dependent on cell phones so much that we cannot even walk down the street between classes without checking our email, sending a text message, or just using the preventive measure, I use my phone to call whoever might be home, even if I just talk to my home answering machine, if I feel like I’m being followed by a suggestive individual. The second reason I am glued to my phone is for entertainment. Let’s face it, having games and a multitude of other entertaining options in your pocket during a boring lecture or lull between classes is a great convenience. And the third reason is quite ironic. I am dependent on this technology to keep me connected at all times, but I also use it as a way to shut out people. Sometimes, I just do not want to interact with anyone and would rather browse web pages for something interesting to read than have an actual, faceto-face, diatomic conversation. Physorg.com defines cell phone addiction as “this need to be connected, to know what’s going on.” Sit down and think what a day without your cell phone would be like. How dependent are we as a society on these tiny technological marvels? Truly, life in 2010 revolves around using different forms of technology on a day-today basis. While it is important to be connected and aware of what is going on in the world, it is just as important to be able to turn the phone off for an hour or two to spend time with family, actually have that “Sit down and think what a day without your cell phone would be like. How dependent are we as a society on these tiny technological marvels?” phone as a tactic to avoid people we do not wish to acknowledge? In some circumstances with some individuals (not saying all, but I fit this category as well), cell phones become a sort of technological teddy bear that gives us confidence and the feeling of not being so alone. Personally, I love having my cell phone in my hand while walking in downtown WilkesBarre and Wilkes campus for three reasons. The first reason is safety. Even though if I’m attacked, I’m sure my phone would not be much of a deterrent to a possible mugger, it still gives me a feeling of control over the situation. If needed, I may have the opportunity to call and may be able to scream to whatever dispatcher is on the line for help and the dispatcher may hear an audible cry for help and may take it seriously. And as a face-to-face conversation on the greenway, or finish a paper that’s due in one sitting. Dependence on technology seems inevitable, but do not let it engulf and dictate your life! So next time you come across the “please, turn off your cell phones and pagers” message, take a deep breath, turn off your phone, look your friend in the eye and use your voice to communicate instead of a screen and your thumb. CONTACT MICHELE FLANNERY AT: michele.flannery@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly Freshman Alison Schenke glances at her cell phone while walking through the green way. The act of walking around with a cell phone in one’s hand is becoming more and more popular. Although cell phones can prevent feelings of loneliness, people as a whole are becoming too dependent on these “technological teddy bears.” Last week’s winners of $25 to Applebee’s: SANDRA RENDINA & ANDREW TROUT n e ..,..,. ,. .1,_y- 0 · ~ 'ay1 One winner will receive a... $20 Gift Card Sponsored By: Located on Public Square, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor’s sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon offi ce in Conyngham Hall or at the desk office in the Student Union by Friday, April 25, by noon .** noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's week’s issue. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ NAME: _______________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORDS: ________________________________________ �EARTH DAY APRIL 20, 2010 PAGES 10&11 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com College Days Petra Carver balances school books and kids LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Carver took on her second degree, the equivalent of her undergraduate degree in business administration, tax law and accounting. Her first degree was in the area of sciences. “I needed something practical,” said Carver. “I was always interested in business. At that stage and age I thought I would start a business. Some people might think it’s a dry subject matter, but I always find it fascinating and interesting.” Carver fell into higher education flawlessly and with little effort. She worked rigorously at her classes and engaged in discussions with her professors. However, on the social end of things, Carver struggled some. “Socially, there was not much there, because the place where my fellow classmates were was different,” said Carver. “Most of them didn’t even have relationships. They were just doing their thing. We did have some study groups, and that was kind of exposure to the social thing.” Balancing being a student and a mother at just eighteen years old, Carver took on more than just tests and papers. She took on bottles and playtimes and did most of her studying after her children went to bed at night. “After school I went home and spent time with the children, did house stuff,” remembers Carver. “Then the homework piece had to wait until they were in bed. I put in a lot of night shifts.” Carver knew she didn’t want to put off getting her degree, so she dove head-first into higher education with her school books and her kids at her side. Her incredible work ethic followed her throughout her schooling and eventually lead her to her MBA. “Was it worth it?” asked Carver. “That is a big question in my mind. Yes, absolutely. That was never in my thinking really [focusing just on family]. I could have waited, but again in hindsight, it just happened the way it needed to happen.” Petra Carver, Wilkes’s vice president for finance, strayed away from the beaten path while recieving her formal education. In fact, she earned her associate’s degree before ever entering college, and did so all while raising two small children. In an unlikely situation, Carver always had a determination to gain more and more education. Carver spent her time at Fachhochscbule Rheinland-Pfalz, from 1978-1982. “My education path was a bit untraditional,” remembers Carver. “I went there primarily, because it was in my hometown. At that time I had two small children and I needed my parents to help me out with watching the children while I pursued my undergraduate degree.” She explained much of her time was spent traveling back and forth from class to home to take care of her children, rather than spending her free time partying or hanging out with friends. “I could never hang out after CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: school,” recalled Carver. “I could leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu never do a lot of the weekend activities or club activities, because my children were, of course, my first priority. I made the choice not to The Beacon/ Allison Roth participate in those activities and Petra Carver, Wilkes’s vice president of finance works at her desk in UCOM. Carver has traveled both physical and academic lengths spend time with my family.” With the help of her parents, to her current position at Wilkes. She balanced being a student and a mother during her undergraduate years. “ In her own words, Carver gets bored: I did do some work study, because there was one professor who had some really interesting projects that was utilized for work study. That was before the computer era. He had written some programs to enter into computers, and you had to use punch cards. My part of the project was to actually get those cards punched. It was so insane an experience. I was sitting in this room with this huge machine, and it was so mind-numbing. I was just sitting there laughing, and I said, 'There has got to be something better to do with your time. This is absolutely insane: ” �10 THE BEACON THURSDAY IS EARTH DAY CELEBRATING 40 YEARS SES Club hosts Earth Day events by ruth whispell Assistant Life Editor This week on campus, there will be a dodgeball tournament against King’s College, a vegetarian cookout, tons of aluminum water bottles for sale and sidewalks decorated with sidewalk chalk. What do all of these things have in common? Simple, Earth Day. The Students for Environmental Sustainability Club (SES) at Wilkes will be running these events this week on campus. SES has been in operation for two years, explained Valentina Beneski, junior environmental engineering major and cotreasurer of the SES Club. Beneski said that the clubs mission is to raise awareness of and improve sustainability on campus. Throughout the year the clubs members’ host different event’s in support of environmental awareness. Beneski, who loves the outdoors, has always been environmentally conscious. “I think the fact that I was made aware of environmental issues so early in my life and that I simply enjoy nature are the reasons I feel the way I do about environmental issues,” said Beneski. Deanna Drako, junior environmental engineering major, is the project manager of the SES Club. She explained that in celebration of Earth Day, the SES Club will be holding a few events, one of which is a vegetarian cookout. The free cookout will be held on April 20 from 11 to 1 p.m. on the lawn in front of Kirby Hall. All Wilkes faculty, students and staff are invited to attend the cookout, which offers a variety of vegetarian foods that will be provided by Sodexo and SES Club members. 11 APRIL 20, 2010 ------------The Beacon/LeeAnn Searfoss Junior environmental engineering major Kayla Saxon, a member of SES, writes on the sidewalk surrounding the flagpole. Saxon and other SES members are using chalk to raise student awareness about Earth Day, which will be held on April 22. “The cookout is taking place to support conservation of the earth’s show the importance of sustainable resources. Consuming less today will living. Eating less meat is sustainable allow future generations to enjoy the because a lot of energy goes into the privileges we have now that require farming, production and processing such resources,” said Drako. of meats,” explained Drako. Beneski explained that the club The other event that the SES Club will be advertising all of their Earthwill hold in celebration of Earth Day week events around campus on sideis a cooperative dodge ball tourna- walks using sidewalk chalk. ment. On Earth Day, April 22, from “We’re hoping this will grab the 4 to 8 p.m. in the UCOM gym, stu- students’ attention and spark their dents from King’s and Wilkes will interest in what we have planned,” play each other in the dodge ball said Beneski. “I feel that if they attournament. tend these activities not only will Drako explained that teams of five they be able to enjoy a good time, to seven people are needed for the but they can take away some intournament. The tournament is $5 formation of the environment that per person and all money raised maybe they didn’t know before.” from the event will benefit the reEmmaLee Vecere, junior enviconstruction of the local Wilkes- ronmental engineering major and Barre garden. secretary of the club, explained that “Recycling and sustainability are during all events planned the SES important practices because they Club will be selling reusable alumi- num water bottles for $10. “We plan on setting up a table at each event, as well as in the first floor of the student center,” said Vecere. Vecere has always been interested in the environment, but upon entering high school, she became proactive in helping with environmental issues. “Environmental awareness is important because it is something that applies to everyone, whether they are concerned with it or not. It is also a cause that can be aided with just a few small changes to daily behavior,” said Vecere. Later this month, the SES Club will be sponsoring a sustainability salvage. “The salvage is sort of an exchange. Students can donate unwanted items such as school supplies, books, small appliances and household items at the end of this semester to later receive some of these items for free in the fall,” explained Drako. Collection boxes for the salvage will be placed throughout campus buildings and in various dorms later this month. Anyone interested in the Environmental Sustainability Club or any of their planned events should contact Deanna Drako at deanna.drako@ wilkes.edu, EmmaLee Vecere at emmalee.vecere@wilkes.edu or Valentina Beneski at valentina.beneski@ wilkes.edu. contact RUTH whispell at: ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu STREET BEAT What does Earth Day mean to you? Kirby Park offers Earth Day activities by marjorie whispell Correspondent April 22 will mark the 40th anniversary of the internationally known celebration, Earth Day. To help do their part in the community for Earth Day, a few staff members and students of Wilkes University are lending a hand to inform younger students from local schools and guide them into the interest and study of science. On Friday, April 23, about a thousand local middle school students will fill Nesbitt and Kirby Park Natural Area from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for Earth Day along the Susquehanna River. This event will provide different stations where the students can learn about the environment and how to get involved. As stated on the United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] website, Earth Day was created in April of 1970. Earth Day, according to earthday. org, was first celebrated in 1970 by a man named Gaylord Nelson, who at the time, was a senator from Wisconsin. On April 22, 1970, Nelson began a nationwide protest that raised awareness of the environment and the importance of taking care of it. The protests held on the first Earth Day, as stated on earthday.org, led GRIFFIN PANICUCCI to things such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. Dr. Marleen Troy, chair and associate professor of environmental engineering department of environmental engineering and earth sciences, has been helping with Earth Day at Wilkes since 1997. Troy, along with a group of Wilkes students, will be hosting a solar car race for local seventh and eighth grade girls who are involved with the program, Women Empowered by Science [WEBS], this Friday, April 23. “The biology department from Howard Hughes [Medical Institute] runs a grant called WEBS, basically to get young girls interested in science. They get them to build mini solar cars and we have races,” said Troy. Debra Chapman, a biology education specialist at Wilkes, is the head coordinator of WEBS. This program allows those students to work with Wilkes students in labs and other activities inspiring them to follow this interest into their later years of education. Along with WEBS, Dr. Kenneth Klemow, professor of biology at Wilkes, will also be hosting a station at Nesbitt and Kirby Park Natural Area. Klemow, along with 20 or so biology and pharmacy majors, Sophomore Mechanical Engineering Major “It is awareness of pollution and making sure the Earth stays clean and keeping it as long as we can.” will be teaching students about the plants that are along the river bed. “There is an area located next to the river levy and dike that is natural forest. Native to the area are plants that you would have seen if you would have been here five hundred years ago,” says Klemow. He explained that some of these plants include blue bells, spring beauty, and trout lily. In this area there are many plants that are also foreign to the United States, the Japanese Knotweed plant is from Japan and Garlic Mustard plants are from Europe, explained Klemow. Klemow and his students will be educating the hoards of middle school children about these plants, and how researchers are finding ways to use them in medicine. “The plant Knotweed contains a drug called resveratrol, which is also found in red grapes. French paradox eat food rich in fat but still have long lives. French also drink a lot of red wine, so we are trying to find a way to use this ‘wonder drug’ resveratrol to market,” said Klemow. Another station Klemow will be hosting is about his Podcast Trail Guide to the Kirby Park Natural Area. This is a free podcast offered at Wilkes University’s iTunes U site [http://itunes.wilkes.edu]. The iTunes U station will inform TREVOR KURTZ Freshman Communications Studies Major “I’ll try not to throw my cigarettes on the greenway too much.” people about how they can download this podcast before going for a walk through Kirby Park. Instead of just walking and looking at the forestry, individuals can download the podcasts to help talk them through the park. To learn more about the events at Kirby Park please contact Dr. Kenneth Klemow at kenneth. klemow@wilkes. edu, Dr. Marleen Troy at marleen. troy@wilkes.edu or Mrs. Debra Chapman at debra.chapman@wilkes.edu. contact Marjorie whispell at: marjorie.whispell@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Thomas Reilly Trees line the road leading to Ralston Field on Wilkes’ campus. CHRISTINE SHANEBERGER Freshman Political Science & International Relations Major “It’s a good day to reevaluate my contribution to the Earth.” ARIEL MILLER Junior Elementary Education Major “Absolutely nothing. It’s just another day.” CHRIS HORN Junior Entrepreneurship & Business Administration Major “It means a lot to me because I know how precious and rare an Earth is.” �12 THE BEACON LIFE APRIL 20, 2010 Wilkes University’s Health & Wellness Corner The Health & Wellness Corner is a weekly feature in The Beacon. Students who ask questions will remain anonymous. All questions will be answered by Health Services staff. Q: I can’t believe it’s already April. The semester’s almost over! I am really starting to get anxious about the remaining tests and finals I’m facing. In fact, I seem to have a big problem with test anxiety. What can I do about it? A: Actually, a small amount of test anxiety can be a good thing as it allows energy to kick in when preparing for and taking a test. But, when anxiety starts to interfere cognitively (e.g.; mental blocks, forgetting simple things) and/or produces physical manifestations (e.g.; racing heart, nausea, headache, sweating, etc.), there are a few techniques you can do to help reduce your anxiety. Progressive Muscle Relaxation is helpful whereby one learns systematic tensing and relaxing of various muscle groups. Systematic desensitization, deep diaphrag- matic breathing, and visualization are also very helpful in reducing anxiety. A counselor can work with you to show you how to put the techniques into practice. Remember that all techniques need to be practiced regularly in order for results to become evident. Anxiety is created by a person’s thoughts or expectations about what is likely to happen. We tend to create the positive or negative feelings as a result of the way we think of or perceive a situation. Therefore, a helpful method for dealing with test anxiety is by using cognitive restructuring, which is the process of looking at irrational thoughts one is generating regarding the test scenario and replacing them with rational or positive thoughts. Of course, nothing can substitute for thorough, effective, organized study habits in order to properly prepare for any test. Do you have a question for the Health & Wellness Corner? Email your questions to wellness.services@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next weeks Wellness Corner. Your privacy will be protected. CONSIGNMEN Breau ee1·eu , 'Fashionistn " 1 ~, call be frngal. WITH WILKES TU DENT lD, sale nems not inr-11ded f ;►-:, OFFER VALi DTHRU 5/31/ 10 ...................................... f ...... qwen's _J/_venue Sa[on Dallas Route 309 Wilkes-Barre ......- 779 Wyoming )f ve. 'l(ingston, <.P)f .....:::::, Q) 0 0::: Gwen's Avenue Salon 570-283-5610 FOILS SEMI-FORMAL UPDOS $60 FULL HEAD PEDICURE $25 $25 VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.GWENSALON.COM �VAMPIRES! DRACULA REVIEW PAGE 14 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com APRIL 20, 2010 Survey says: Family Feud, Wilkes University Edition to be hosted by Psi Chi BY KIRSTIN COOK Asst. A&E Editor Students at Wilkes University may soon feel as though they are on the classic show Family Feud when Psi Chi, the psychology honor society, hosts a Wilkes version of the gameshow on Tuesday, April 20. The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Henry Student Center (HSC) ballroom. Though the format and feel of the game will be the same, the content will be focused on Wilkes trivia. Psychology juniors Meaghan Williams and Chelsea Uselding have teamed to take charge of the planning of this event with the intention of pure entertainment and enjoyment of the students. “It’s really just for the students,” said Wil- liams. “It’s not a profit to Psi Chi at all. All the money is going to prizes for the audience, like door prizes and prizes for the winners.” The game hopes to appeal to students, as it will be fully related to the campus on which they live and learn every day. “I think that students will really enjoy it,” said Uselding. “It’s Wilkes-related so it involves them and is related to them.” Family Feud consists of teams that compete to figure out what the top answers were from specific survey categories. According to Williams, the Wilkes version will include categories such as “best place to eat on campus, what the library smells like, scariest street on campus,” and “best parking on campus.” The answers to the categories were collected from Wilkes students. Over a hundred students were sampled, and the re- sults found were narrowed to the top five answers. Prizes for players and attendees will most likely consist of gift cards for locations such as Rita’s, Subway and Starbucks, said Williams. There will also be Wilkes attire available for winners. Williams said that the idea originated from the group adviser, Dr. Robert Bohlander, and that he developed it from a past occurrence of the event. “They had done it years ago,” Williams recalled. “I think [Dr. Bohlander] said they did it in Rite Aid Auditorium. They used a projector and slips of paper to uncover answers.” Players will consist of eight teams of five individuals each, with an entry fee of $2 per person. Team sign-ups will progress through April 20 until eight teams have been formed. For students who wish to observe the contest, there will still be plenty of opportunities to be involved. Free pizza and soda will be offered to everyone, as well as door prizes. “Even if they’re not playing they should come and watch,” Uselding said. “It’ll just be a lot of fun.” Williams finds that the timing of the event is convenient, with the looming threat of finals and projects. “It’s a crazy time of the semester; everyone’s stressed out. Just come, watch and have fun,” she said. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu Seven local college radio stations “Mad Hatter Tea Party” had sweet results come together for a “Cause” BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor In what is to be believed as the first time in college radio history, seven local radio stations will come together to support one cause on Wednesday, April 21 from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. The special is a preview of “Concert for a Cause 8,” organized by Alan Stout from The Times Leader. What deems this as an “historical” event is that the special will air on seven college radio stations at the same time. The cause being previewed this year is about raising money to aid United Way Veterans Programs and collecting items for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their “Wish List” requests simple but essentials items such as baby wipes for cleaning, snacks, AA batteries, sunscreen, AT&T calling cards, Nerf footballs/frisbees, hand-held fans, drink mixes (iced-tea, lemonade, etc), chapstick and toothbrushes/toothpaste. The event is working together with the United Way and the 109th Field Artillery to help send off the items. The college radio stations that are involved and airing the special are Luzerne County Community College, Wilkes University, King’s College, the University of Scranton, Keystone College, Marywood University and Misericordia University. Renee Loftus, general manager of the Wilkes radio station (WCLH 90.7 FM), has been preparing for this event and getting students involved. She believes that not only is this educational in terms of harnessing the skills to create promos and such, but she also believes that coming together with the local media is something truly special. “All college radio advisers have gotten together to plan and support this event. Again, never before have we all thrown competition out the window and joined forces for a cause,” said Loftus. A.J. Wallace, senior communications studies major and production director for WCLH, was one of the students to help create promos for the event. “I think it’s real cool that colleges are uniting for a cause like this one,” said Wallace. Loftus said that each radio station’s gen- SEE CAUSE, Page 15 The Beacon/Brie Friedman The “Mad Hatter Tea Party,” sponsored by Communiter Council, produced a crowd that indulged in sweets and hot beverages. There were cookies, muffins and scones along with tea, coffee and hot chocolate. The tables were decorated in pastel tablecloths with “hatter hats” in the center. Three Imaginary Boys provided the live music. Cortny Sasserson, a sophomore majoring in business administration, is the new president of the Commuter Council Club. “Mad Hatter Tea Party is Commuter Council’s spring social and is a debut of what Wilkes University should expect in terms of enthusiasm from the club for 2010-2011,” said Sasserson. �14 THE BEACON A&E APRIL 20, 2010 Play review: Dracula features strong male cast BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Assistant A&E Editor Thriving from the lifeblood of the current vampire fad, the Wilkes theatre production of Dracula was presented this past weekend. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a classic novel. The novel opens with Count Dracula venturing off to England and calling on the help of John Harker, an English native, played by Luke Brady, to help familiarize him with the land. Little does Harker know that Dracula is actually a vampire, hoping to prey on the blood of innocent English citizens, including Harker’s fiancee, Mina Murray, played by Cierra Cellerari. The play had a strong male cast. The females, however, were not as impressive. Although each female who was selected was well-suited for her role, each of them was a bit overdramatic at times. For example, Lucy Westenra, played by Casey Lynch, was a bit over-the-top with her suffering. It is understandable, but it came off as a bit much. Portraying the play’s title role of Count Dracula was Wilkes alumnus Daniel Pascoe. Pascoe was clearly one of the best actors in the cast. He set a high bar for the other cast mem- The Beacon/Alllison Roth John Seward (left), played by Bill McGovern, teams up with Harker (middle) and Van Helsing (right) to figure out a way to prevent Dracula from killilng more innocent people before it is too late. bers to meet. For the most part, this worked doctor who treats Lucy when she mysteriously well. Pascoe was undoubtedly perfect for the falls ill. Van Helsing was assisted by Mina, a very role of Dracula. He had the perfect persona for close friend of Lucy. Mina becomes concerned the part. He was also very good at engaging when Lucy begins sleep-walking and acting in the audience, even for those who couldn’t ala very strange manner. It is soon discovered ways see him. that Westenra has mysterious marks on her Dr. Van Helsing, played by Tim King, was neck, and has been suffering from a loss of also portrayed very well. Van Helsing is an blood. important character in the play, for he is the In the beginning of the play, Harker is invited to stay with Count Dracula. This is a traumatizing experience for Harker, but he keeps all of his thoughts and observations in a diary. Renfield, played by Lou Gerstle, is definitely the most amusing character in the play. He is an inmate in an insane asylum, and is a comic relief character. He brought great amusement to the audience members. He had a great amount of energy. During the show, most of the audience members were seated on the stage. These lucky people were able to get a fantastic view of the show, as well as an ability to better connect with the actors. Unfortunately, this on-stage seating was limited, leaving about a dozen people in the auditorium seating, with a slightly restricted view. However, this added an intimate setting to the production and the cast did an excellent job with it. Overall, the play was decent. Many hours of rehearsal went into it and it definitely showed. The cast all had great chemistry and worked together well. CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gillyan.gowarty@wilkes.edu CUMBERLAND A P A R T 17 West Ross Street • L-1UST A M E N T S Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 FEW BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS • FREE INTERNET ACCESS • FREE □ FF-STREET PARKING • FREE WATER, SEWER, TRASH • SECURE ENTRY/ REMOTE Buzz-IN • FULLY EQUIPPED GRANITE KITCHEN • CABLE TV • PRIVATE BATH WITH SHOWER • LAUNDRY S70.6B7.2220 DR CUMBERLAND LIVING.COM CUMBERLAND A P A R T M E N T S �THE BEACON A&E APRIL 20, 2010 15 ZerCross "OBSCURE HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS" BY ASHLEY ZERFOSS Correspondent Across 5. Without this item, doors would be impossible to open! 6. These ceiling adornments whirl air I I about and light up the room! 7. This book contains a variety of picture-perfect memories! I I 8. This pink porcelain swine is a perfect way to hoard some change! 10. This common paper product is found cleaning up a variety of spills around the house! 12. These little lace delights adorn many household tables! 14. This twisted metal rod can easily hold those papers together! I 15. These fancy table centerpieces can hold any number of candles! 18. This bathroom necessity spouts hot cascades of water to get you cleaned up! 22. Want warm, crisp bread? Let this device pop in and help you! 23. This porcelain cup is an essential for any morning caffeine addict! 1 - - 3 I' - -,------ 4 5 - I I I I I -110 - - - - - - 8 I I - 112 13 - - -- - - I - - 21 ~ 20 - ~ 22 I I - - I - 15 11• - - - I I I 18 16 IT 19 I - I I - - 9 I u - - - I' - I - 123 - - - - f-- - - - - - •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• For this week’s “What’s Happening Around Wilkes” calendar, •• •• pleaes check out our website: •• wilkesbeacon.com! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 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! LFKAHJSR LU PKJSR G EGKLQ, PD WTKD LU KDYJSI OGKRD PGWDPGOO ROUCDW JS VGLVF LFJSRW LFGL GKD LFKAHS 1. These drapes of fabric adorn windows in every household! 2. This elder timekeeper adds a classic touch to any home! 3. This kitchen appliance cooks food in a flash by rotating it in circles! 4. This artificial plant offers a place for you keys to dangle! 9. What better place to store all those classic works of literature? 11. How could you clean those pearly whites without this little scrubber? 13. This is a warm, blazing part of the house that generates some heat! 16. This line of household cleaning items gives cleaning a new meaning! 17. This is a massive archive of everyone’s contact information in the area! 19. This noisy harbinger is used by guests rather than residents! 20. These are the viewing portals to the outside world! 21. These little squares in the wall are an essential if you have anything powered by electricity! • EclipseCrossword TIii DIIYOQUIP! HFDS CONTACT ASHLEY ZERFOSS AT: ashley.zerfoss@wilkes.edu f-- Down UKIDK LA LFDJK HGQ! This week’s clue: H=W & O=L & S=N Last week’s answer: Owning a smart phone doesn’t do much for one’s I.Q. I CAUSE 1 Continued from Page 13 eral manager selected a student to be the on-air personality for the preview. Loftus chose Alexandria Briggs, a sophomore education major and the alternative music director for WCLH. Each station was given one of the bands performing at the event by Stout to interview for the preview. Stout selected a different band for each station according to their format. The special will include the interviews and other fun facts about the event. Due to special request by Stout, Loftus said that she cannot reveal anything else about the preview. “We are keeping the preview a secret... Stout asked us to not give anything out,” said Loftus. “He wants it to be a surprise.” The college stations will be airing the same cause at the same time, but each station’s preview is a bit different in terms of content. The actual event itself, “Concert for a Caues 8,” will take place the day after the preview on Thursday, April 22 at The Woodlands Inn and Resort. There will be 35 bands performing, and CD’s and t-shirts will be sold. The proceeds will aid the United Way Veterans. There will also be donations for U.S. troops to be sent over to them in Iraq and Afghanistan. The music will be playing from 6:30 p.m. until 2 a.m. Admission into the over-21 event is $7. For those who cannot attend the event, donations can be dropped off at the lobby starting at 5 p.m. To tune in to this special and witness college radio history, listen to the following stations the night before the event on April 21, from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m.: WSFX-FM (89.1 & 105.5), WCLH-FM (90.7), WUSRFM (99.5), WRKC-FM (88.5),WKCV-FM (103.5) WVMW-FM (91.7), WXLV-FM (90.3), and Cougar Radio (www.cougarradio.net). CONTACT BRIE FRIEDMAN AT: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu �REPEAT? PAGE 18 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com APRIL 20, 2010 Golf places ninth at Susquehanna Spring Invitational Sophomore Svoboda’s hole-in-one is highlight of the competition BY DANIEL KAUTZ Asst. Sports Editor The Wilkes University men’s golf team participated in the Susquehanna Spring Invitational last Friday, April 16, finishing ninth out of the 12 participating teams with a final score of 341. They finished a mere two strokes behind rival King’s College, but came out ahead of Penn State WilkesBarre and Lycoming thanks in part to the highlight of the day, sophomore Noah Svoboda’s hole-in-one on the fifth hole. Svoboda, a mechanical engineering major, was admittedly as surprised as anyone else that his tee-shot went in. “As I was walking to the green I couldn’t see my ball, so I did what every golfer does and checked the hole,” said Svoboda. “I couldn’t believe it was in there! It’s every golfer’s dream, like finding a pot of gold.” Senior history major Sean Madden was on the scene when Svoboda took his shot, but did not immediately understand what had just transpired. “I saw him walking there, and then he started flagging me over,” said Madden. “He was flashing me a ‘1’ with his fingers, so I thought he meant he was one below par. I started to congratulate him, but it was then that I realized he’d hit a hole-in-one.” Though nobody could have predicted his luck, Svoboda said that he felt confident heading into the hole after he took several good practice swings just prior to teeing off. “My three practice swings were really fluid; I’d honestly say they were among the best of my life,” said Svoboda. “All I was focusing on was replicating them for the real thing.” “I felt great for him,” said Madden. “The whole team was really excited because it’s obviously not something that you see everyday.” The Invitational was held at the Susquehanna Valley Country Club under sub-par conditions. Despite the day’s somewhat dreary weather, the course played fairly well. “The weather had no impact, fortunately” said Svoboda. “The fairways were all very nice, although the greens played very fast. It was tough, but it wasn’t affected by the weather” he concluded. Madden agreed with the assessment, citing the weather as a “constant factor in any match, and not one that could not be blamed on Friday.” Madden led Wilkes with a team-best 82, good for +12. His score entitled him to a four-way split of 24th place, out of a field of 62. Junior Michael Turano finished two strokes behind Madden with an 84, good for a three-way tie of 32nd place. Juniors Brian Williams and Kaleb Smith shot 86 and 89 respectively for Wilkes, while Svoboda ended his round with a 92. The tournament was won by Susquehanna’s own Mitch Mercer, who finished the Invitational as the only player to score under par (-2). Susquehanna’s Pat Wilson (5th place) and Kevin Willett (T- 7th place) rounded out a very strong showing for the Crusaders, who won by six strokes over second-place Manhattan College. Svoboda spoke confidently of his team’s Photos courtesy of Sports Information Sophomore Noah Svoboda (left) hit a hole-in-one on the fifth hole of the Susquehanna Spring Invitational last Friday, April 16. Senior Sean Madden (right) led the team with a team-best score of 82, good for +12. The golf team returns to action at 1 p.m. this Thursday, April 22, when they tee off against visiting Misericordia University and Baptist Bible College. ability to improve heading into future events. “We played some tough competition but we feel we can do a little better as a team. All of our players have good long games; it’s just a matter of working on our short games and putting.” “I’ve played that event and course five times,” said Madden. “It’s tough; you need to take careful approaches and just hope for some good luck with your putts rolling in.” The Colonels’ next match is a tri-meet against visiting Misericordia and Baptist Bible on Thursday, April 22, at 1 p.m. CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT: daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu Lax nets fi rst win of season Girls defeat Cedar Crest College, 16-13 The Wilkes University Lady Colonels (1-8) won their first game of the season against Cedar Crest College (4-7) behind superior efforts from sophomores Stephanie Harkins and Cassie Cronin. Cronin, the team’s goal keeper, made 17 saves throughout the game while Harkin scored six goals. Amelia Farnham, Lindsey Davenport and Jacqueline Harri- son each added three goals of their own to aid in the effort. The Lady Colonels found themselves facing early deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 before later going on a four-goal tear to retake the lead, 6-5. Wilkes led 9-7 at the half and traded goals throughout the second before eventually scoring four of the final six goals of the game. The Lady Colonels’ next game is tomorrow, when they will host Lycoming at 4 p.m. They will be shooting for their second win of the season. Photo: The Beacon/Tom Reilly At left, Senior Amanda Tilley carries the ball in against Moravian. Tilley and the Lady Colonels picked up their first win of the season last week against Cedar Crest. �THE BEACON APRIL 20, 2010 SPORTS 17 Athlete Spotlight: Mike McAndrew, RBI machine BY JUSTIN JONES Staff Writer Record-breaker. That’s what senior Mike McAndrew can call himself when he talks about his career as shortstop for the Wilkes baseball team. With his run in the Colonels’ 34-4 romp over PSU-Wilkes-Barre, McAndrew cemented a new record for runs scored in a career at 144, and earned the shortstop this week’s spotlight. “It feels great to be the school’s all time leading run scorer,” McAndrew said. “It’s not something you think about while playing your entire career. I was just focused on trying to win games.” But as the runs kept piling up, the looming record proved to be unavoidable. “When you see you only need a few runs to break the record entering your senior year, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it,” said McAndrew. After crossing home-plate against the Nittany Lions, McAndrew no longer needed to think about breaking the record, for it was his. McAndrew celebrated with teammates after surpassing recent graduate Kyle Follweiler’s record of 143 runs in a career. The Beacon/Thomas Reilly Senior captain and starting shortstop Michael McAndrew became the school’s all-time leading run scorer this season, registering his 144th run versus Penn State Wilkes-Barre, passing 2007 graduate Kyle Follweiler. With 144 runs and counting, the shortstop’s 17 years of hard work and dedication to the sport of baseball are beginning to pay off. “Baseball means a lot to me,” said McAn- drew. “It has been a part of my life since I was about four or five and it will be a part of my life after college. Whether it is playing or coaching. I have so many great memories and I feel that I’ve made some really good friends throughout my playing career that I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life and that means the most to me.” McAndrew’s not just an offensive threat for the Colonels, he’s formidable in the field as well. He believes his size is a big reason for his success at shortstop. “I’m not really the tallest person in the world,” said McAndrew. “And I’m probably too slow to run down some balls in the outfield. But I feel I have good lateral movement and good range for a shortstop. I also like being close to the action so I can be more involved in the game, either physically or vocally.” McAndrew wasn’t one to worry too much about his individual accolades, though. A team player, McAndrew is more concerned with ending the year on a high note with the guys he has been apart of for four years. “I would like to end the season on a good note being my last year and everything,” said the senior. “I’ve never once been on a team that was under .500 so it would be nice if we could finish above that. SEE MCANDREW, PAGE 19 J:>olJIJ1flolJll1 eoLL@5@ Sp@cieciLS ALe0ROL SPEeIALS PO~ 21+ UIK J_t)_ Cclll ~o book oUP p:eive(f;e :eoom .\'oP Cll1.:i clel.Ss evett~s o:e socicll 5at;lte:ebts �18 SPORTS BASEBALL Who will win the Stanley Cup? Crosby, Pens poised to repeat as champs SOFTBALL 4/15 @ Susquehanna 7-5 L, 3-11 L 4/17 vs. King’s 1-0 W, 8-0 W LACROSSE 4/12 @ Arcadia 8-17 L 4/14 vs. Messiah 0-18 L 4/15 @ Cedar Crest 16-13 W MEN’S TENNIS 4/14 @ Kings 9-0 W WOMEN’S TENNIS 4/15 vs. Haverford 5-4 W WEEK AHEAD BASEBALL 4/20 @ Rutgers/Newark, 7 p.m. 4/23 vs. Eastern, 3:30 p.m. 4/24 @ Eastern, 12 p.m. SOFTBALL 4/22 vs. Lebanon Valley, 3:30 p.m. (DH) 4/24 vs. Eastern, 1 p.m. 4/25 vs. Hunter, 1 p.m. WOMEN’S LACROSSE 4/21 vs. Lycoming, 4 p.m. 4/24 vs. Misericordia, 1 p.m. 4/26 @ Elizabethtown, 4 p.m. MEN’S TENNIS 4/21 vs. Eastern, 3:30 p.m. 4/22 @ PSU-Berks, 4 p.m. 4/24 @ FDU-Florham, 1 p.m. WOMEN’S TENNIS 4/21 vs. PSU-Berks, 4 p.m. 4/25 @ Lebanon Valley, 12 p.m. wll:I: ~ r @BeaconSports Follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ BeaconSports APRIL 20, 2010 Fae: SCOREBOARD 4/13 @ Marywood 7-5 W 4/17 vs. Kings 13-5 W 4/17 @ Kings 0-7 L 4/18 @ Neumann (Postponed) 4/18 vs. King’s 0-8 L THE BEACON Sports Editor ANTHONYDORUNDA,_____ The only thing I’m wondering is why exactly is this even a topic of discussion? My good friend Michael should know that this argument is a lost cause, because there really is only one team that is even a part of this argument – hometown coach Dan Bylsma and the Pittsburgh Penguins. I believe the last time I wrote about the Penguins, I said that “we may be witnessing the start of a dynasty.” Although the season was not a dominating effort, let’s reach back into our memory banks and remember where the Pens were at this time last year. Before Bylsma’s promotion from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pittsburgh held a 27-25-5 record and was at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, five points out of the final playoff spot. With the arrival of Bylsma, a rejuvenated, star-studded cast took the ice, and rolled off nine wins in their next 11 games. They went on to win 18 of their final 25, clinching the fourth playoff spot. Ironically, that’s the same spot the Pens occupy this season. And oddly enough, after the Penguins put a halt to the upstart Senators, the NHL’s dream matchup is potentially in place: Ovechkin and the Capitals versus Crosby. That’s a matchup the NHL craves even more this season than they did last year. Crosby may not even hold Ovechkin’s jock strap during the regular season, but come crunch time, the captain has flourished every time. I’ve heard all the hogwash about how hard it is to repeat, and that’s all garbage. But the fact of the matter is, Bylsma has this team fired up and ready to go. Experts are saying that the Capitals and Ovechkin are the premier team in the playoffs. That’s fine, ok. Sure, they swept the Penguins in the regular season, dominating Crosby, Malkin, and company them each and every game. If we went off of the regular season, many holders of the Stanley Cup would have been radically different. The Caps may have taken it to the Pens in the regular season, but the playoffs are whole new season. We saw what happened in last season’s playoffs, when the Caps and the Pens went the distance in a scintillating seven-game series. The NHL needs that series again, and they will get it. And the Penguins will move in, again, in seven games. The Penguins core is ridiculously young, which means they have more energy to make it through the long haul. The Pens have the experience that all teams covet. They’ve been in the past two Stanley Cup Finals, and they know how to win. With all of the returning experience, they know what it takes to be a champion. The captain will not allow the Pens to lose. Hossa no curse, ‘Hawks will win it Assistant Online Editor MICHAEL CIGNOLI Dang. I thought I was going to make it through the entire year without having to write one of these things. However, when Mr. Kautz sent me a text message 39 minutes past deadline on Friday night asking me if I could fill in for him this week, I didn’t really have a choice. Although my heart would love to see the Phoenix Coyotes cap off a storybook season with a Stanley Cup championship, my head strongly encourages me to not make a homer pick. Therefore, the Chicago Blackhawks will win the 2010 Stanley Cup. History says that the Hawks will at the very least go the Stanley Cup Finals this season. Chicago has Marian Hossa on its roster, a player that has the unfortunate distinction of playing in – and losing – the past two Stanley Cup Finals. He was a trade deadline acquisition by the Penguins in 2008, helping Pittsburgh to an Eastern Conference championship, but the Penguins were ousted by the Detroit Red Wings in the final round of the playoffs. Hossa then bolted from Pittsburgh to Detroit in the offseason, only to see his Red Wings lose to the Penguins in game seven last June. Many Pittsburgh fans believe that Hossa is a curse. He’ll help your team to the Stanley Cup Finals, only to come up short in the clutch, they say. However, many Pittsburgh fans also forget that Hossa was not the only Penguin to bolt from Pittsburgh to Detroit in the 2008 offseason. Ty Conklin, Pittsburgh’s back-up goaltender, also signed with the Red Wings that summer. Hockey fans will remember Conklin for his blooper in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals when he played for Edmonton, coughing up the puck to Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour and allowing a brutal goal in the final minute of game one. Carolina went on to win the series, and the Stanley Cup as well that season. Conklin played for three different Stanley Cup losing teams in four years. He is the curse, not Hossa. Since Conklin now plays for non-playoff St. Louis, not Chicago, the Hawks are set. Many say that the Blackhawks are an inexperienced crop, which to an extent is true. However, they didn’t secure the number two seed in the Western Conference without playing some pretty good hockey during the regular season. They’re a great team, headlined by some players who came up with clutch performances at the 2010 Olympics. Chicago has two gold-medal winning players in Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. They have a silver medalist in Patrick Kane. They have a very talented core of young players. Most importantly, they have Hossa, who history says will get them to the Stanley Cup finals. And this year, without the curse of Conklin to hold his team back, Hossa will finally get that Stanley Cup. �THE BEACON APRIL 20, 2010 SPORTS 19 Lady Colonels squeak past #17 Haverford Tennis has to fight for every point in win BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor The Lady Colonels tennis team snapped a three game losing streak after securing a victory in last Thursday’s match against Haverford. The 5-4 win was no easy feat to accomplish, after facing an uphill battle against a hot and #17 ranked Haverford team. “We kind of knew it would be a battle,” said head coach Chris Leicht. “We have had a couple of losses; [they] have been to good teams… so it’s kind of nice to get back on the winning track, especially a close match to a ranked team.” The Lady Colonels started the match strong with doubles partners Michelle Knight and Xiaoqiao Zhang. The duo showed their dominance early and was able to rack up a 6-1 lead over Haverford’s Helen Fisun and Rachal Torg. However, Fisun and Torg were able to fire back, racking up three straight wins and raising the ante to 6-4. Digging deep, Knight and Zhang pulled out the victory after winning the last two games, and giving Wilkes an early 1-0 lead. Knight explained both she and Zhang were “excited to play together” because the two usually do not play as doubles partners. She said the fact that the unfamiliar partners were able to come together and still pull out a win made the victory that much better. “We were really excited because we’ve had a few losses this season,” said Knight. “We’re just taking it one game at a time.” McANDREW Continued from PAGE 16 Mathematically were not eliminated from the playoffs yet, although it seems rather difficult to make them from the position were in now. We’ll just keep playing hard and we’ll see what happens.” No matter how the season ends, McAn- In addition to Knight’s and Zhang’s win, Wilkes’ Alexis Donner and Katrina Lynn were also able to secure an 8-4 victory in doubles play over Harverford’s Katie Drooyan and Fumiko Shogase. “We won two out of three doubles, which was nice,” said Leicht. “It was a good team win. Everybody played well and it was kind of good to get us back on track.” In singles play, the Lady Colonels had to fight for every point. Overall, Wilkes was able to win three of its six matches with victories from Rebekah Shanaman, Melanie Nolt, and Zhang. The freshman Nolt played in the deciding match and was able to squeak out a 63 victory over Haverford’s Katie Wettick to put Wilkes on top with a score of 5-4. “This is probably my strongest freshman class ever,” said Leicht. “They’ve stepped right into the line up and have helped us out a lot.” This year the Lady Colonels will be battling for both their fourth straight Freedom Conference title and NCAA National Tournament appearance. “We’re getting ready for the conference tournament, which we’re the number one seed, If that goes well we have a chance to qualify for the NCAA national tournament,” said Leicht. “We’ve definitely played a lot better competition this season and it’s really good for us for getting ready to play in our conference playoff,” said Knight. “We’re going to try and play as well as we can up until that point.” The Beacon/Thomas Reilly Doubles partners senior Xiaoqiao Zhang (right) and junior Michelle Knight (center) congratulate their opponents, Helen Fisun and Rachal Torg of Haverford College. Zhang and Knight won their match 8-4 after holding off their opponents’ spirited comeback. CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu drew is going to keep baseball close to him. “I’ll be coaching my brother’s team this summer and maybe go to some tryouts,” said McAndrew. “Playing is always still a possibility but I think my career is more likely heading towards coaching. Not too many people make it to the pros that are 5’9, 170 pounds.” The Beacon/Thomas Reilly CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT: justin.jones1@wilkes.edu Senior Xaioqaio Zhang serves the ball in her team’s match against Haverford. �THE BEACON SPORTS 20 APRIL 20, 2010 Lady Colonels pitching stymies Monarchs BY THE NUMBERS Behrenshausen, Pelot combine for 12 shutout innings in sweep by anthony dorunda Sports Editor With their playoff hopes dangling on a limb, the Wilkes University softball team needed someone to step up and carry the team on their back to make a late charge at the Freedom Conference playoffs. On Saturday, the team’s two star pitchers answered the call. Junior Lindsey Behrenhausen and senior Maureen Pelot combined to allow just five hits , and threw twelve scoreless innings in a doubleheader sweep of cross-town rivals King’s. “These wins were huge for us today,” said Pelot. “They were just what we needed to bring playoffs back into sight and get our momentum up for Delaware Valley and Eastern.” Behrenshausen agreed. “The wins today were huge,” said Behrenshausen. “Not only for the division standings, but for our confidence as well. We have lost so many one-run conference games that we really needed a momentum shift and hopefully with these two shut-outs today it will get our momentum moving in the right direction.” And they needed every bit of of Behrenshausens best stuff in game one, as the Colonels offense mustered just two hits off of Kings pitcher Lindsey Hoerner, who went back and forth with Behrenshausen the entire game. But it was one of those two hits that proved to be the difference. With the game dedlocked at zero in the bottom of the fifth, first baseman Kristy Ordile cranked a solo shot to deep to right center field, giving the Colonels a 1-0 lead. That one run one would be enough, as Behrenshausen continued her dominant performance, giving the Colonels a muchneeded 1-0 win. Behrenshausen went the distance, scattering just four hits over seven innings and striking out five to pick up her sixth win of the season. “I was extremely dissatisfied with my performance in the last game I pitched this week and I had a very strong sense of determination to have a solid outing today,” said Behrenshausen. “We have had too many close games where we came out on the losing end and I told myself that things were going to be different today. And I think any- EXCLUSIVE Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won’t find in the print edition. 2 The number of wins that Wilkes walked away with in its doubleheader against King’s College last week. 9-0 The combined score of the two games. Wilkes won the first 1-0 and the second 8-0. 0 The Beacon/ Thomas Reilly Pitchers Lindsay Behrenshausen and Maureen Pelot led the Lady Colonels in sweeping rival King’s College in their doubleheader last week. Freshman Jackie Follweiler (pictured) had two RBI in the second game. time I get in the circle against King’s it is extra motivation to really dig deep and find my best stuff.” The Colonels bats came alive in game two, shutting out Kings for the second consecutive game, 8-0. Senior pitcher Maureen Pelot picked up right where Behrenshausen left off, continuing the dominating pitching performances for the lady Colonels. She pitched a one-hit shutout, fanning-six batters while walking just two to pick up her second win of the season. “Momentum played a huge part in my game,” said Pelot. “It helped to have both offensive and defensive support behind me. I thought that my catcher called a great game and it helped that we were on the same page in what pitches we wanted to throw and when.” The Colonels gave Pelot all the run support she would need, outhitting the Monarchs 9-1. Freshman Abbey Agresti led Wilkes with two hits and three RBI’s in the contest. Megan Mowery, Gina Stefanelli and Jackie Follweiler each had two hits and an RBI in the game, the Colonels first wins since their doubleheader sweep of Baptist Bible on April 7. “We are always telling the team, ‘we need more eggs in the basket,’ which is our way of saying we need more runs,” said Pelot. “There is so much less pressure on a pitcher when we are winning by several runs.” With the sweep, the lady Colonels snapped a four game conference skid and improved their record to 9-17, 4-6 in conference play. With 14 games left, the lady Colonels are hoping this is the game that catapults them back into the playoff picture. “It was a good start, but we cannot stop there,” said Behrenshausen. “It is crucial for us to build on today and not digress. We have come so close in so many conference games, now that we finally made it over that hump, we have no option but to keep going.” contact anthony dorunda at: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu for more information check out. .. I lwilkesbeacon. com GO! Number of runs given up combined between pitchers Lindsey Behrenshausen and Maureen Pelot, in 12 innings. 4 Number of games Wilkes sits behind Conference leader Manhattanville College (8-2). � 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 2010 April 20th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 April 20 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/f63c6f85972b52d3ccf9d5bb06ec9ed5.pdf 48fb2f86e4d2602293d733101c373ce4 PDF Text Text THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW OLD SCHOOL SOFTBALL SPORTS PAGE 20 Tyrannosaurus wreckS? Volume 62 Issue 20 15, 20 years, so many people just don’t care,” said Kurtz. The theme was an attempt by Student Government (SG), which organizes the event, to bring a renewed interest to the dance. Kevin Sports Pages 16-20 SEE JURASSIC, Page 5 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 One-Hit Wonder the event theme was also questionable. “Jurassic Park was made in what, the 1990’s? So if it was 1996 or whenever the movie came out and we had a Jurassic Park themed Spring Fling I think a lot of people would go to that, but it’s been Life Pages 9-12 Review: A Kick-Ass Movie event turnout, according to Trevor Kurtz, a freshman communications major. “This year’s theme seems to be a little off,” Kurtz said. “I don’t know how many people would get behind a Jurassic Park theme.” Kurtz also said that the timing of Introducing the new Colonels members of the student body say. A little more than 200 attended the Jurassic Park-themed event, which was held on Friday night at the Waterfront Complex. The theme choice and lack of interest were some of the contributing factors for such a small Visitation Rights Three students were selected last week to be the new Colonel for the fall semester. Opinion Pages 6-8 Hospital visitation rights will be extended to include gay and lesbian partners. PAGE 11 The lastest super hero film shows Senior Maureen Pelot pitched a that everyone can be a hero, even if gem against King’s College, earning you are not a comic book nerd. her this week’s Athlete Spotlight. PAGE 13 PAGE 17 PAGE 6 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member ~ A comparatively small turnout at this year’s Student Government-sponsored Spring Fling dinner dance is being attributed to a questionable theme choice, some Jurassic Park theme contributes to lower attendance at Spring Fling BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor Tuesday, April 27, 2010 The �FIRST FLOOR LIBRARY RESTORATIONS | PAGE 5 APRIL 27, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Briefs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>~ BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor CPR CLASS – Health Services will be hosting a CPR class today, Tuesday, April 27 at noon in the Marts Center in room 214. The class is free of charge, but there is limited space. To reserve a space, call Health Services at 408-4730. VIOLA VAUGHN AT KIRBY CENTER – The Center for Global Education and Diversity, in partnership with the F.M. Kirby Center hosts Dr. Viola Vaughn on Wednesday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kirby Center. Vaughn is the founder and executive director of Women’s Health Education and Prevention Strategies Alliance and 10,000 Girls in Senegal, Africa. Vaughn will speak of her experiences with these organizations over the years. In addition, Vaughn was also named a CNN “Hero” in 2008. For more information, contact Dr. Godlove Fonjweng at godlove.fonjweng@wilkes.edu. SOPHIA’S DRAWINGS – A WWII multimedia representation will be presented at the Wyoming Valley West Middle School on Wednesday, April 28 at 11:30 a.m. The presentation incorporates puppets, shadows and projections that show the life of Sophia, who was a 16 year-old girl in Holland when the Nazis were stationed there. This free presentation will be at Wyoming Valley West Middle School on 201 Chester Street in Kingston. The Wilkes shuttle service will drop any interested student at the Wyoming Valley West Middle School, only if boarded at the 11 a.m. run and pick-up will be around 1 p.m. POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAM – The political science department received a grant to fund a program entitled “Challenges of the Twenty-first Century: Enthnicity, Equality and the end to violence around the world.” The program will be held on Thursday, April 29 at 11:15 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of the HSC. The program features three speakers: Dr. Holly Hansen, Wilkes University; Dr. Donna Barray, The Pennsylvania State University; and Dr. Jessica Stanton, The University of Pennsylvania. All three speakers have an expertise in ethnic conflict. The speakers will be presented with questions to talk about. The program is free and the Wilkes community is encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Dr. Tom Baldino at Thomas.baldino@ wilkes.edu. WILKES AMBASSADORS – Students who enjoy their experience at Wilkes are encouraged to become Wilkes University student ambassadors, which is a paid work-study job. Ambassadors give tours, host overnight events and help with open houses at Wilkes. Applications are available in Chase Hall and should be completed by May 6 and returned back to Chase Hall. For more information, contact Michele Zalno by phone at 408-4412 or email michele. zalno@wilkes.edu. FILM DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION INTERNS – SenArt Films, a New York based Production Company, is accepting applications for summer interns to work out of its Wilkes University campus research facility. SenArt is in development and production on a number of Pennsylvania based projects. Applicants should have an interest in creative storytelling, journalism and film production. In addition, students should have good research skills, be able to pay attention to detail, have responsibility and discretion. Candidates studying humanities, communications, integrative media or criminal justice may be best suited. Applicants must undergo security background check. The deadline for applications is Monday, May 10th 2010. To apply, email a letter of interest along and your resume to: wilkesinterns@senartfilms.com. ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP FAIR – The local career services will be hosting the second annual Virtual Internship Fair beginning at noon, April 23 until midnight on May 30. Interested students should visit www.NPECcareerFair.com, register as a candidate and look at the potential employers. Through this, there will also be the opportunity for virtual interviews, as well. For more information, contact Career Services by phone at 570-408-4060 or email at careers@wilkes.edu. 2010 MULTICULTURAL AWARDS – The winners of the 2010 Multicultural Cultural awards have been announced: Wilkes Diversity Change Agent Staff Award: Michael McCree, Assistant Football Coach; Wilkes Diversity Faculty Award: Dr. Gina Morrison, School of Education; Wilkes Global Scholar and Citizen Award: Alyssa Ciesla, student; Wilkes Helping Hands Student Award (2): Santino Gabos and Xiaoqiao Zhang, students; Wilkes Diversity Advocate Board Member Award: Marjorie Marquart, member Board of Trustees. PARKING APPLICATIONS – Parking Applications for the Fall 2010 semester will be available as of Monday, April 12 in the following locations: Public Safety Office, 148 South Main Street1st floor, UCOM Garage; Residence Life Office, third floor of Passan Hall; Information Desk, first floor of HSC; Commuter Lounge, Conyngham Basement. Applications are due by May 14 to the Public Safety Office and no application will be accepted after that date. PENNIES FOR PEACE - The Pennies for Peace campaign concluded on April 21. It raised $730.19, which includes a $100 donation from the Education Club and $100 from Circle K. Not included are the donations from the April 25 speech by Greg Mortenson.The total just in pennies and misc. change was $530.19. The winner of the residence hall competition to see which hall raised the most was University Towers 1 and 2, which raised $127. First National Community Bank was the official counter for Pennies for Peace at Wilkes. Beacon Clarification In Issue 18, in “MSCHE Peer Evaluation: Wilkes has improved since 2000,” The Beacon reported: “During the exit report, held on March 31, Rubino said the projects, like the law school and SHE Building, may not be fiscally possible at this time.” On Friday, April 23, The Beacon received a draft of the written exit report. It reads: “It is apparent that difficult choices may be required between renovating the SHE Building and beginning a Law School should partnerships and fundraising not be feasible for SHE.” In the same article, The Beacon incorrectly stated: “Rubino also said that the SHE Building and the law school have not been prioritized or funded properly.” In the draft of the written report, Rubino states that what needs prioritizing is not the SHE Building but resource allocations for departmental enhancements: “It [is] apparent that because of constricted budget funding, [resource allocations for departmental enhancements] requests have not been prioritized or funded for the past two budget cycles. While the lack of funding is understandable, there is an added level of frustration evident.” The Beacon regrets any confusion this may have caused. Nicole Frail, Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Wotanis, Adviser Front Page photo: The Beacon/Tom Reilly Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery A&E Editor: Brie Friedman News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Andrew Seaman Online Editor �THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 NEWS 3 President Gilmour makes changes to coffee hour Number of students in attendance still miniscule BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor President Tim Gilmour held his monthly coffee hour last Tuesday, only this time, there were some changes made to try to bring up student attendance. The first big change was the time. In the past, the coffee hour had been held at 8 a.m. However, this coffee hour was held at three o’clock in the afternoon, a time at which more students are awake and ready to talk. “We didn’t feel that eight in the morning was a good time for many students,” said Dr. Reynold Verret, Wilkes University provost. He continued, “We held it then because it fit our schedules, but students just didn’t want to get up for something like this at that hour.” Another one of the changes made is that there was a topic: academic advising. Previously, coffee hours were open forums where students could just come ask questions, but they were not about any specific subject matter. “We still encourage students to ask whatever they may have questions about,” said Gilmour, “but we also want to have something for them to kind of go off of.” Gilmour said that the topic suggestion was made by members of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) during their recent visit to the JURASSIC Continued from FRONT PAGE Hopper, a business major who serves as sophomore class secretary for SG, thought that it was an effective tactic. “I feel like this theme this year is the best step for Spring Fling, because it’s something new and it’s something exciting,” Hopper said. Katie White, senior biology major and corresponding secretary on SG executive board, took the largest role in the planning and dubbed the theme a method to overcome the obstacle of disinterested students. “You do deal with different themes, different favors, different attractions… those are the incentives that we try and use to get students to come to these events,” said White. “Either way you look at it, it’s still a dinner dance and students, we think, are maybe getting a little bored with it, so we’re looking to switch it up a little bit.” The theme was mostly incorporated through minimal decorations. Amanda Pe- University. “We often just sit here and wait for questions and there is just silence. So, rather than prying questions out of students, we thought maybe a topic would get more people interested and that they could maybe consider their questions ahead of time,” said Gilmour. Students were invited to come ask the staff and administration questions. However, the number of students in attendance was three, including two Beacon staff members. The majority of those in attendance were members of staff and administration, who were there to answer the questions. “We want people to come talk to us. We really want student insight, but it’s always a challenge to get people here. But we are always open to suggestions,” said Verret. Jon Kadjeski, sophomore English and secondary education major and only nonBeacon student in attendance, said that he regularly attends the coffee hours. “I feel like a chance to talk to the administration is a good thing,” said Kadjeski. “I always come because otherwise, how do students get their voices heard?” Jack Chielli, executive assistant to the president, said that there may be some better ways that they could consider. “Maybe we could set up an e-mail address for students to send their questions to,” said Chielli. “We also could consider getting The President’s Coffee Hour was held Tuesday, April 20 in the Henry Student Center first floor lounge. President Gilmour and his cabinet use the coffee hours to meet with students about any questions they may have. This time around, rather than being just an open forum, the coffee hour had a theme: academic advising. something set up on the [Wilkes] website Gilmour said that they will continue tryfor students to go there and submit their ing to have different themes for each coffee questions.” hour into next year. Gilmour added that these options may be “I really like this [having a theme]. I think better alternatives for those who cannot at- it encourages more questions. We’re defitend the coffee hours. nitely going to have different things going “We encourage students to attend, but on next year,” said Gilmour. people have conflicting schedules. Plus, this He also encourages students to feel free probably wasn’t the best time in the semes- to speak with the administration whenter to have one of these,” said Gilmour. ever they have an issue they feel needs adGilmour said that one of the big factors dressed. Students can e-mail, call, make apthat held back attendance to this coffee hour pointments or attend coffee hours with their was that students’ course loads pile on when questions, comments and concerns. the end of the semester comes along. “Everyone’s work gets to be a bit overwhelming right around now, so it’s tough to CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu get people to come out,” said Gilmour. ters, sophomore biology major, felt that the theme idea was “weird,” and the prospect of inflatable dinosaurs was “creepy.” Hopper explained that the decision process of the theme was slightly different this year. “From my understanding, this year’s seniors, ever since they were freshmen they had always joked about the theme being Jurassic Park,” said Hopper. “Usually when we do themes for dances, the corresponding secretary will write on our white board theme ideas and then we vote on it.” White explained that the idea had not been developed in the past because she was not sure how students would react, but she stated that she received a particularly positive response for the theme this year. “The ultimate decision comes down to the Student Government general board and executive board, but what we do is we’ll send people out and we’ll say ‘Okay, go and talk to three of your friends, ask them what they think.’ So they bring back that input and I’ll take it into consideration, but we really did get a lot of positive feedback,” White said. Kurtz felt that the decision process was a possible cause for the lower amount of attendees. “That’s a select few people making a decision that a group of people should be making,” said Kurtz. “If they’re trying so hard to get people to come, don’t you think that should have been a public thing?” According to Hopper, publicity was a struggle that SG tried to overcome. While he thought the Jurassic Park theme was “awesome,” Joshua Alberola, junior Integrative media student, did not receive enough notice about the dance. “I didn’t hear about it until a day before the ticket sales were over,” he said. Alberola suggested many possible ways that SG could have increased publicity, such as the chalk messages on the pathway used for Earth Day events and Wilkes radio promotion. One concern about the event was the amount of resources that went into it. White said she was allotted $15,000 to pay for the event, which mostly went towards the venue. The Beacon/Tom Reilly Michelle Wakeley, a biology pre-medicine sophomore, was skeptical about the amount of money spent with the result of around 200 attendees. “I think that’s a pretty small turnout considering we have over 2000 students. That’s only a tenth of student population that are attending,” Wakeley said. According to White, SG has future plans to cut down the total cost of Spring Fling, such as finding a more affordable venue. “Currently we’re looking to make Spring Fling for the upcoming years more costeffective… just because attendance has dropped over the five years, and part of that is just that students get tired of the same old thing no matter how hard you try to make things different,” White said. While the majority of students did not attend, White said the opportunity it presented had a universally positive function. “The event has the potential to benefit the entire student body if students take advantage of it,” said White. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu �4 NEWS THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 WCLH receives grant for talk show, conference BY MOLLY KURLANDSKI Staff Writer The Wilkes University radio station, 90.7 WCLH, recently received a grant of $5,000 from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasting (PAB). In order for the station to be eligible for this grant, Renee Loftus, radio station manager, had to put together a proposal for PAB on how WCLH could benefit from utilizing the money in a way that is geared toward the students. Students who are interested in a radio show on WCLH could receive a $2,000 grant for creating a weekly show. WCLH maily focuses on music so a talk format would add a different facet to the radio station’s current setup. The rest of the grant will go toward the radio station so that members can attend seminars and conferences, such as the College Music Journal Conference in New York City. At this conference, students have the opportunity to meet with other colleges, universities and professional radio industries around the country, and can even attend a variety of workshops about all as- pects of radio stations. “It all benefits the students directly, and I’m really happy about that” said Loftus. Dr. Mark Stine, communication studies department chair, said that a talk show will be a good experience as long as it stays professionally developed with a clear plan and goal. Overall, it can add to the station’s programming. Students can learn how to do a high quality talk show where the subject matter can vary. “I think that students when they realize, that when doing this, it’s not easy putting a talk show together,” said Stine. “There’s a lot of research that goes into it, there’s a lot of planning that goes into it, and a lot of time goes into it.” Stine is responsible for all communication programs’ budgets, and even suggested that, “in the last two years, given the economy, budgets have been tight. The fact that Ms. Loftus was successful in bringing in this $5,000 dollars will really benefit the students where our budget lines have been cut back.” Stine was pleased to hear about this proposal being accepted. “The fact that this grant was approved The Beacon/Tom Reilly DJ Minor a.k.a. Paul Moran, senior communication studies major, hosts the ‘570 Show’ on Wednesday nights. speaks to the dedication of both Ms. Loftus and the staff and management and students at WCLH,” said Stine. Loftus hopes that the talk show and grant brings attention to the work students do at WCLH. Like the other communication studies programs, WCLH is student-run. The program has a large following and can be considered a commercial station, appealing to a large audience. Loftus stated that all of the students of WCLH enjoy the station and, “they deserve to be rewarded and recognized for the hard work that they do. We really do have a great radio station.” Anyone who is interested in this talk show will have to step forward and bring their proposal to Loftus and Stine, who would than pick a recipient for the grant money. Both Stein and Loftus agreed that they see the grant as a way to foster an interest among students into doing future talk shows. CONTACT MOLLY KURLANDSKI AT: molly.kurlandski@wilkes.edu ~......... · · B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.co CASH FOR BOOKS NOWIII Stop by the bookstore with your unwanted books & your student I.D. TODAY and get cash back for them! �THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 NEWS 5 More library restorations to begin this summer BY RACHEL LEGGIERI Staff Writer Restorations to the Farley Library will take place over the summer. The restorations will include the first floor and will give the library an fresher look and be more accessible for students. The renovation includes new carpets, new walls, new ceilings and new lighting. There also are plans for major renovation to the main entrance way. Project Manager Paul Kaspriskie explained that things are still in the design phase. He said that as far as what things will look like, it’s expected that the walls, ceilings and floors will resemble the new design in the basement. “When people walk through the front doors, the setup will look very similar,” said Farley library dean John Stachacz. “However, the design will be more up-to-date and modernized.” Stachacz said that the hallmark of the project is the renovation to the main entrance doorway. One of the biggest issues at the library are the heavy doors. The renovation includes replacing the doors with an electronic version, as well as adding a ramp for wheelchair accessibility. “We are compliant with the disability act regulations; however, we need to update it to modern day perspectives,” said Stachacz. “We want to make things more accessible for everyone. Everyone should be able to come in through those front doors.” The team is also looking into making other resources the library has to offer more handicap accessible. Kaspriskie explained that there are also plans to renovate the main desk to cater to everyone’s needs. “We want to put a lower area at the main desk where someone in a wheelchair can pull up and have the desktop available to them as well,” said Kaspriskie. Stachacz said that the plans aren’t to duplicate the design of the basement. He explained that the first floor will be used for more individual work, while the basement was designed for group work. “The plan is to make each floor a different learning niche for every student’s taste,” said Stachacz. “The higher you go on the floors, the quieter things will get.” Another goal of the renovation is to do some combining and reconfiguring in order to open up more space on the floor, de-cluttering and area and making it more workfriendly. “A lot of things are going electronically and replacing the print. We’re trying to remove some stacks and weed out all those print sources that aren’t necessarily needed anymore,” said Stachacz. When discussing future plans, the team wants to take things one project at a time, progressing as things come together. “As we progress and develop, seeing what we can do with the first floor, that’s when we’ll begin thinking more about the second and third,” said John Pesta, director of capital projects. “It is being considered, but we have to take things one step at a time.” Kaspriskie explained that whatever renovations are decided on, they will be done by the beginning of the fall semester. “We want to make it so there are no inconveniences for the student,” said Kaspriskie. “If it comes down to that time is not going to allow, we might just put off some things to assure that it will be done by the start of classes in the fall.” “This isn’t about ego; this isn’t about prettying up the building so it looks nice… this is about learning. It’s all about making things easier for students,” said Stachacz. CONTACT RACHEL LEGGIERI AT: rachel.leggieri@wilkes.edu To view a slideshow for this story, go to: Ir~~ mfomiab ch.at om.~ I ~ kes eac ~ ·com. _ llf lilj $249 EXTRA-LONG CHILI ..., CHEESE CONEY ... & LG TOTS THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Oil VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with valid student ID Oil VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with student ID Full M nu Served All Dag --------------------,-------------------r------------------¢ ~ ....... ~ ~ 99 BREAKFAST BURRlfO REGULAR $1 OFF CroisS0N1c• BREAl<!FAST SANDWICH l99~w ' ROUTE 44 BIG DRINK• ' SOFT DRINK. Full Menu Served All Dag �GENDER BIAS IN THE DORM ROOMS? Residence Life should allow male-female pairings in the dorm rooms. PAGE 8 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com APRIL 27, 2010 The Beacon wishes adviser Lindsey Wotanis best of luck BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Lindsey Wotanis is not a typical first-year instructor. While many would take their first year of teaching to test the waters at their new university, Lindsey decided to dive in at Wilkes. She taught courses, advised The Beacon, organized the prestigious Tom Bigler Journalism Conference for local high school students and became a mentor to many of her students. Now, Wilkes and The Beacon must say goodbye to Lindsey as she prepares to join the faculty of Marywood University in its growing journalism program. Marywood is completely justified for snatching Lindsey up; people like her are not found everyday. The Beacon considers her a rare diamond in the rough. She is kind, caring and accessible; however, she knows when students are not working to their potential and never settled for work that was merely “good enough.” One of the qualities that endeared students to Lindsey is her history with Wilkes University. During her time as an undergraduate student here, Lindsey was heavily involved in student organizations, such as The Beacon, Zebra Communications and Commuter Council. From the start, her students knew that not only could she relate to them, but her advice would be accurate as well as relevant. Admittedly, Lindsey’s first year was not a cakewalk. Her first year brought challenges that would make even tenured professors cower; however, Lindsey met those challenges head-on. Not only did she tackle them, she handled them with class. The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Even with The Beacon and Visiting instructor Lindsey Wotanis served as The Beacon’s adviser for an in-progress dissertation, the 2009-10 school year. Lindsey was not hesitant to volunteer her time to help other clubs and kes professor and mentor. Wilkes Univerorganizations when they were in need. sity will be hard-pressed to find a replaceAs an example, she has given up multiple ment for such an amazing, dynamic teacher weekends to be a judge for the speech and and adviser. debate team. Though we know that this move is what is Albert Einstein once said that it was the best for her, we can’t help but be a bit selfart of the teacher to “awaken joy in creative ish and want to keep her here. The Beacon expression and knowledge.” Lindsey, while staff wants her to know that we will very young, perfected this art form, and luckily much miss her and that we wish her only her students were able to benefit from her the best in all of her future endeavors. knowledge during her short time as a Wil- Hospital visitation rights are human rights BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. The poll was based on 23 responses. Last week’s question: Do you think that Wilkes should spend more time focusing on existing programs instead of developing new ones? • Yes 78% • No 22% This week, The Beacon asks: Do you agree with President Obama’s plan to grant gay and lesbian partners hospital visitation rights? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com Obama mandates hospitals to modify visitation rights BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Anyone who is admitted to a hospital for an emergency or must stay for an extended period of time deserves the right to have the person who cares for them most at their bedside. In the past, same sex couples were not allowed visits from their partners when in the hospital. Thanks to President Barack Obama, hospitals will begin to allow visitation rights for gay and lesbian partners. All hospitals accepting Medicare and Medicaid funding, which includes most hospitals in the United States, will now allow patients to receive the support of their partners when they need it most, regardless of sexual orientation. On April 15, President Barack Obama issued a memorandum to The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) directing HHS to create rules that would prevent hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments from denying visitation rights to partners of gay and lesbian patients. The rule will allow patients themselves to decide who can visit them. The memo also directs HHS to study the problems gays and lesbians face in obtaining healthcare. By putting this rule into effect, President Barack Obama is making an honorable move on a pressing gay rights issue. Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights group in the United States, applauded President Barack Obama’s decision. According to a blog post on HRC President Joe Solmonese said, “Discrimination touches every facet of the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- gender people, including at times of crisis and illness, when we need our loved ones with us more than ever.” President Barack Obama’s decision to change the policy on gay and lesbian visitation rights was inspired by a case in 2007 in which a lesbian woman was denied the ability to visit her partner while she lay dying in a hospital. Lesbian couple Lisa Pond and Janice Langbehn embarked on a cruise with their three adopted children when Pond suffered an aneurysm, beginning a long series of tragic events for the Langbehn-Pond family. According to The Langbehn-Pond family’s official website, Langbehn and her children were forbidden from being at Pond’s side while she lay dying, being told by a social worker that they were in an anti-gay state. In a speech given at the Hollywood Roosevelt on October 13, 2007, Langbehn said, “It is a reality that someone can leave this earth completely alone even though their loved ones are just 20 feet away. No family should have endured what we did that night in Miami at Jackson Memorial Hospital.” Despite the great tragedy of Langbehn’s experience, her story along with dozens of speeches and support from gay rights groups played a major part in ensuring visitation rights for gays and lesbians. The ability for one to be in the company of loved ones when in a hospital is a basic human right that should never be denied for any reason. Putting this new rule into effect, President Barack Obama is taking a great step in securing not only gay and lesbian rights, but basic human rights themselves. �THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 OPINION Wilkes University continues moving toward excellence BY DR. JOSEPH E. GILMOUR Wilkes University President In last week’s editorial on the future of the University, The Beacon Editorial Board recounted the story of Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Constitution of the United States. They noted that, “Franklin wondered whether a carving of a half sun in Independence Hall was rising or setting during the crafting of the Constitution.” They went on to ask the same question about Wilkes University and opined that for us the sun is setting. It is interesting that they did not finish Franklin’s thought on that occasion. Referring to the half sun, Franklin went on to say, “I have often looked at that picture … without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting sun. Now at length I have the happiness to know that it is indeed a rising, not a setting sun.” And it is my firm belief that the sun is also rising for our University. The Middle States Evaluation Team has presented us with a highly complimentary report. It notes Wilkes’ considerable progress in the 10 years since our last accreditation visit, found us in compliance with every standard of excellence, and cited only one recommendation regarding the Faculty Handbook. This recommendation is in stark contrast to the 40 Wilkes received in 2000. It also is worth noting that the Middle States Team – whose job is to objectively evaluate our university -- noted that we are better off financially than we were 10 years ago. This is because we invested in new undergraduate programs like integrative media and graduate programs like Creative Writing and Discovery Education. These programs have added more than $20 million to the University’s overall budget. And without this significant revenue growth, we would not be the vibrant University that we are today, nor would we be able to maintain the integrity of our core academic programs as well as we have. We also have the great promise of a new law school. We will present a final proposal to the Board for the school at its June meeting. In that report, the administration will recommend opening the school in Fall 2012. While the University has invested venture capital in the school, it will, once open, be self-sustaining and after five years produce surpluses that will support the University. But the greatest benefit of the law school will be the boost it will provide to our prestige and the increase in the number and quality of undergraduate enrollments to the arts, humanities and social sciences, disciplines typically chosen by pre-law students. Other new initiatives have the potential to impact the academic experience of our undergraduate students positively and enhance the quality of our science health and engineering facilities. For example, we are talking with The Commonwealth Medical College about a partnership that takes advantage of our strengths in the sciences, engineering and health professions. And as you may have read in the newspaper, I accompanied Congressman Kanjorski to Washington to visit with Vice President Biden and Secretary of Energy Chu on April 19 to discuss the funding of a research center to assist the region in addressing the opportunities and challenges associated with the Marcellus Shale formation. Although there is much to be done, we are hopeful Wilkes will play a central role in this Center and that it will greatly benefit our academic programs. All of this said, I understand the concerns in our community about the pace of change and the shifting balance between undergraduate and graduate education that underlie The Beacon editorial. Indeed, over the past decade, we have made the strengthening of our traditional undergraduate programs a priority through increased faculty salaries, reduced student/faculty ratios, significant investment in undergraduate research and travel through mentoring, and improved facilities. And certainly the very modest reductions for FY11 in no way signal a retreat from this quest for quality. Indeed, there was an overall increase of six percent to the academic budget within next year’s operating budget. In closing, when you combine the great strides we have made since the last Middle States Accreditation visit and these promising developments, Wilkes is certain to emerge over the next five years as the leader in higher education in Northeast Pennsylvania. There is nothing mediocre about this goal; it is a far cry from The Beacon Editorial Board’s pessimistic view and much more akin to Benjamin Franklin’s optimism about our young nation. CONTACT DR. JOSEPH E. GILMOUR AT: joseph.gilmour@wilkes.edu 7 The Observatory Observe and Report Journalistic bias degrades news’ value BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor Over the course of the past few months, I have shared many of my own personal observations with all of you. Some of them I do have strong, unwavering opinions about and others were merely written to arouse conversation. This however, will be my final observation and in this final installment, I would like to discuss a serious problem with the way news is reported. I see a world being slowly persuaded by the fractured opinions of the people who are in fact supposed to present news in a fair and accurate manner. We all need to prevent journalists from slanting the news to suite an agenda. Someone recently asked me what I am studying in college and I told her journalism. She then proceeded to ask me what type of journalist I am with the only two choices being: left (Democrat) or right (Republican). I told her neither, instead explaining that I was an objective journalist, but the question was enough to tell me that this is what people believe journalism to be. I could have explained it to her, but why waste my breath? Most people have opinions that have been reinforced in them so much that they cannot be argued, reasoned or changed. And I don’t blame this woman for making the poor assumption because it is not her fault. It is the media’s fault because they are the ones that reinforce this opinion of journalism. We are currently being ushered into an era where news could be better described as the news “according to.....” With news stations like Fox News being accused of having a republican political bias and CNN being accused of being slightly liberal, there are few news outlets anymore that are not trying to push some agenda to their consumers and the programming on these stations could also be described as unprofessional. One example of this unprofessionalism in particular is a segment by CNN’s Rick Sanchez. Nearly two weeks ago, the anchor began deliberating whether or not Iceland should be having a volcano eruption with the on-air meteorologist Chad Myers. Sanchez said, “when you think of a volcano, you think of Hawaii and long words like that. You don’t think of Iceland. You think it’s too cold to have a volcano there.” Sanchez, also known as Mr. Wizard on CNN, is the same man who delivers a weekly segment in which he discusses the day’s news stories through postings on the various social media websites, Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace. I am not trying to single Sanchez out because I feel that most journalists are guilty of this, but Sanchez is a perfect example that news broadcasters need to be neither objective nor intelligent. The Pew Research Center conducted a 2009 survey finding that the majority of Americans feel that the news is inaccurate, putting trust in the media at an all time low. Only 29 percent of Americans say that news organizations generally get the facts straight, while 63 percent say that news stories are often inaccurate according to the survey report. If people don’t believe these new organizations are getting the facts right, it stands to reason that they will no longer get their news from these sources. With news organizations folding, where will consumers get their news? It is the sole purpose of the news media to objectively report the news to the world. I fear that soon this concept will be a thing of the past. This may just be my opinion, but I am a journalist first and foremost. It is my duty to present the facts before anything else. If you are a journalist, you should take all of this into account and report the news as it is, not how you or your employer wants it to be seen. And if you are a news consumer, put your trust in news that you know is accurate, which you should also demand from your news outlets because if you don’t, there won’t be objective news anymore. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 OPINION THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 Wilkes housing discriminates based on gender BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor When I was a kid, I shared a room with all of my three brothers at one point or another. When I was about nine or ten, it stopped. Why? Because we finally had a house with enough room to separate us. But, we still lived in the same house and occasionally shared sleeping quarters for one reason or another. However, a year or so ago when I talked to Brenda Stanley, former director of residence life, I was denied the ability to share a University Towers apartment with my younger brother, Mitch. Not because of silly sibling rivalry, but because he is a boy and I am a girl. While I would like to say “OH MY (expletive) GOD – EW!!” and ask them why they need an anti-incest policy, there is a more pressing matter at hand. Also, shame on you, residence life. Ladies and gentleman, this is not 1952. There is no reason a boy and a girl cannot live together. Race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin and any other protected status should not be considered when people choose to live together on a college campus. Residence life doesn’t want boys and girls living together in the same apartment or dorm because of romantic issues. That is what Stanley told me. To be clear, the student handbook’s section entitles “Residence Halls” says nothing about that. If they’re the only situation where this has ever actutrying to stop people from having sex on ally happened simultaneously. campus, that ship has sailed. It is important to note, however, that if two homosexuals want to live together, it just kind of happens. Frankly, it would just be too much work to go around and constantly make sure that two people living together of the same gender were not romantically involved. Sure, the occasional couple will move in together and things will go awry. Yes. However, this has already happened with The Beacon/Tom Reilly campus homo- Roommates Kevin Anyan (left), freshman communication studies major, and Eric Stull sexuals. (right), freshman computer science major, are relaxing in their dorm room. Males are Can we all just free to share a dorm room with other males and females with females, but residence take a step back life prohibits males and females from sharing a dorm room with one another. and look at what this really is? The real issue here is that this is discrimination Straight people can cohabitate whenever against straight people at the same time as and practically wherever they want with gay people. As far as I can remember, this is whomever they want. The exception is that on college campuses, two consenting adults cannot live together if they are of opposing genders. Whereas gays can’t get married, join the military (openly), adopt children in certain states, etc. AND they can’t live with people of the opposite gender. This actually forces them to live with the gender to which they are attracted, which is exactly what residence life is trying to avoid. Separate is not equal. Hasn’t America danced that waltz before? Sure, maybe if people are just placed with other students residence life shouldn’t just give them a dorm with someone of the opposite gender, but if they choose that path, it doesn’t make any good sense for it to be a problem. I’m pretty sure the biggest problems most people have living together are food-, chore- and why-are-you-having-sex-in-ourshared-space-when-I-specifically-askedyou-not-to-related. This has held true since the beginning of mankind when cavemen dormed together. The point is, the idea that allowing people to choose whom they live with regardless of gender would not cause any bigger issues than what there already are on campus. People are still going to be robbed just as much, they’re still going to loot food out of the cafeteria just as much and they are still going to fight with their roommate just as much, no matter their bits and pieces. CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu Wilkes University needs a free student media BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor I struggled to grasp the concept of censorship at private universities during my first few years at Wilkes. Students from other private universities would tell me horror stories from their institutions. To me, Wilkes was that city upon a hill that bucked the trend of censorship at private institutions. I was proud of Wilkes, but my pride greatly dimini shed throughout this year. I’ve been working for a good part of this school year to have Wilkes’ President Gilmour sign a First Amendment agreement. The agreement ensured the student media at Wilkes University “will operate as designated public forums, and free from censorship and advanced approval of content.” The agreement also protected the student media’s funding and advisers from a vengeful administration. The agreement is not a legally-binding contract. Instead, it is a promise that the administration can make to the Wilkes community that the school will not trample on the rights set forth by America’s founding fathers. My hope was that Wilkes would be the first private institution to sign the agreement, which would solidify its status as a beacon of press freedom among private universities. However, as conversations over the agreement began, it became apparent that the administration did not trust its own student media. Outrageous hypothetical situations were proposed about renegade newspaper staffs, and soon the agreement became bogged down with language that would have made even the greenest First Amendment advocate laugh. What should have been a gesture of good will between the administration and the community it serves became a symbol for a hidden distrust. Obviously, there is a lot of hesitation when an entity is asked to relinquish some of its power, but the administration needs to start putting more trust into its students, faculty and staff. I hope the glacial progress of the agreement and the censorship of The Beacon earlier this year are not previews of things to come. As The Beacon transitions to a new adviser next year the paper will no doubt be vulnerable to outside forces. However, I am comforted in the fact that the new student leaders of The Beacon are some of the strongest and most trustworthy people I’ve met at Wilkes University. They understand the role of a journalist and respect the institution that is The Beacon. I look forward to reading the amazing pieces of unfettered journalism that hold the leadership of Wilkes University accountable, expose wrongdoing and shine a light on the amazing work being done across our community. My overlapping hope is that Wilkes does not fall in line with those other private institutions that censor their student media. As Franklin Roosevelt said, “If in other lands the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored, we must redouble our efforts here to keep them free.” CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu �NEW COLONEL MASCOTS CHOSEN APRIL 27, 2010 PAGE 11 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com Students pursue summer internships to gain experience BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor Plenty of Wilkes students participate in a variety of internships every semester. Although no two students share the same experience while interning, all of them are participating in an internship to gain experience and learn new things about their fields of study. Sara Cosgrove, sophomore communication studies major, has concentrations in telecommunications and public relations which will lead her to intern this summer at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. Cosgrove worked at the Raceway last summer selling tickets and was offered an internship this summer working in the public relations and marketing office. “I’ll be helping with different events to promote the race track,” explained Cosgrove. This will be Cosgrove’s second internship. She has been an intern at the Development Office at Wilkes since September 2009 working with the Alumni Office to do phone-a-thon campaigns and other similar tasks. Although this is the second internship that Cosgrove has had she explained that she’s still excited for the fun and the experience interning at Pocono Raceway is sure to bring. “We go places like Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins hockey games and Hershey Park to promote the racetrack,” said Cosgrove. Cosgrove will be blogging about her internship on www.wilkes.edu/coop. “I’ll probably blog about every two weeks with updates on what I did,” Cosgrove said. After carrying an internship all school year and another in the summer Cosgrove doesn’t plan on interning in the fall, but she explained that she plans on interning again The Beacon/ Allison Roth Sharon Castano, coordinator of student development, advises students throughout their internships. before graduating from Wilkes. “You can never have enough experience,” said Cosgrove. Also interning this summer is Brian Meeker, junior business administration major with a concentration in finance. Meeker will gain financial experience while participating in an internship at Merrill Lynch in Red Bank, Student of the Week: A BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Anastasia Genelow is graduating in less than a month. Oh yeah, and she already has a job. To top that, Genelow is also only supposed to be a junior, but through years of constantly taking courses, both in and out of the school year, she worked through her 120 credit hours to receive her business degree in just three years. “As a high school senior at Crestwood High school in Mountaintop, I was eligible for duel enrollment, where I could complete 12 credits throughout their senior year at a local college and complete a half day at the high school itself,” said Genelow. New Jersey. Meeker’s internship will focus mainly on assisting financial analysts. While working and learning, Meeker and the other interns will also be competing with each other and having fun. Meeker explained that there will be ten other students interning Genelow loaded up her plate with 19-20 credits while at Wilkes and 6-9 credits at Luzerne County Community College. “There was always a lot of course work, but I was always someone who stayed busy at all times,” said Genelow. “So beyond school I worked full time second shift in my field at Indalex Inc. as a quality analyst.” Through her several internships and heavy course load, Genelow earned her valuable business skills that landed her an interview and eventual job with Kraft Foods, Inc. “I have worked very hard and applied to dozens of companies and still feel as though the job market is slow,” said Genelow. With a degree almost complete and a job at Merrill Lynch and all the interns compete in a stock game, where they will receive imitation money to spend on virtual trades. He doesn’t know if the winner of the virtual stock trading game will get any prizes, but Meeker does know that he wants to make a good impression and doesn’t want to come in last in the competition. While Cosgrove and Meeker have been accepted to their internships, not everyone has been so lucky. Erin Gallagher, junior integrative media major applied to an internship at the 2010 PromaxBDA conference in Los Angeles, but has yet to hear whether or not she has been accepted as an intern. According to promaxbda.org, the conference is “the world’s largest entertainment marketing, promotion and design event.” Gallagher applied for the week long internship because she wants to meet people in the media industry and discover what employment opportunities will be available when she graduates. As someone who is new to the integrative media department, and also a non-traditional student, if accepted this would be Gallagher’s first internship. “I have no idea what to expect. I am mostly nervous and a little scared,” said Gallagher. Even though she is a bit nervous, Gallagher is also curious to see if there will be any other interns her age at the conference. “I don’t know enough about graphic design to contribute... it’s mostly intimidating. I just hope I can keep up with the other interns. But I’m also excited for the opportunity to see L.A. and maybe get some behind the scenes experience in the field,” said Gallagher. CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT: ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu naa-~ G waiting for her as soon as she crosses the stage, it only makes sense for Genelow to keep propelling her life forward. She is engaged to marry in 2011. For her high work ethic and success in the business community, Genelow is The Beacon’s Student of the Week. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Genelow: A leader, determined, and hardworking The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Genelow: I would hope to be in upper level management at a large company. I enjoy marketing and operations so being a head manager in those areas would be ideal. I also would like to see myself starting a business of my own. That has always been a dream of mine. The Beacon: Finish this sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know that...” Genelow: Their influence on my life is where my inspiration and motivation for all my goals comes from. I know I could do anything I set my mind to because they will always be there. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu �10 THE BEACON life APRIL 27, 2010 College Days President Gilmour keeps busy during his College Days Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of this year-long look into the shared college experiences of Wilkes’s faculty, staff and administration. Joseph (Tim) Gilmour ran against Joe Biden in an election…back in college that is. Gilmour and Biden both attended the University of Delaware in the early 1960s where both ran for class presidents. Both lost, but both went on to govern in some way. “We both ran for class president, he junior, me sophomore, and we both lost,” said Gilmour. “But I guess his politics have been pretty successful [since then].” While Biden worked his way through the U.S. Senate to the White House with President Obama, Gilmour worked his way through years of schooling to become the head of Wilkes University. Gilmour traveled just 11 miles away from his house to attend the University of Delaware from 1962-1966 as a history major. “I originally wanted to be a lawyer, and then over time I realized I wanted to work in higher education,” said Gilmour. “I don’t think I was a person with a huge amount of focused direction, but I had enough direction that I wanted to explore a lot of areas of learning to become an educated person.” He credits his academic successes while in school to his adviser. While the role of an adviser is to help pick classes and advise on academic issues, Gilmour believes his adviser did more. “I had an excellent adviser who had enormous patience with me, and in a very quiet, almost non-directive way would get me to think about things I should do,” said Gilmour. Being heavily involved was not the only thing into which Gilmour put extra time while at school. He also put time into girls. “I enjoyed the whole dating scene,” said Gilmour. “In this [dating scene] there were probably four fairly serious relationships. You wanted to date someone so you could bring them to the fraternity spring event. At least that’s how I operated.” Like many young adults, Gilmour took break-ups hard, admitting he was even in a “tail spin” for almost a year over one par- Sunday that I graduated informing me that I was to be at Fort Knox the next Tuesday,” said Gilmour. Despite having summer plans quickly changed, being summoned for Army duty was not as jolting as his undergraduate graduation. “College graduation had a tremendous impression on me,” said Gilmour. “I thought, ‘Oh, now I have to go out and do something.’ And it’s really kind of daunting and a little scary.” He did go out and do many things, including earning his master’s and doctorate degrees. His roads from Delaware, to the Army, to his advanced degrees led him to Wilkes, where he holds the highest position at the University. While he may not hold one of the highest positions in our government, Gilmour Photo courtesy of Gilmour worked truly hard to both Gilmour poses for a photo during his final year in school, 1966. learn and play while at the University of Delaware. He took full advantage of his college days. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu In his own words, Gilmour chit chats with Vice President Biden: “ After we [Joe Biden and I] had lost the election, we ran into each other in the library. I had gone into the library to study, but Joe was a wonderful kind of spiritjust saying, 'Eh, come on! We lost. Oh well.' We both lost, but it was still a really good experience. So, we said, 'What are we going to do next?' “ BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor ticular girl. “I wasn’t good when it was over,” said Gilmour. “I spent almost a whole year in a tail spin. I was feeling sorry for myself. My mother kept yelling at me, ‘Quit feeling sorry for yourself. Get out there’”. When Gilmour wasn’t attending fraternity parties off campus or entering the dating game, he was focused on his classes. While most of his studies focused around the area of history, several classes not history-related aided to his ever-changing views of the world and society in general. “Although I was not a dedicated student, in the way you think about people being, I learned a tremendous amount from [the professors] of several courses,” said Gilmour. “They were both challenging and enormously interesting to me.” Gilmour took his less than 3.0 grade point average and soaked up the lessons being taught both in and out of the classroom. Despite having a GPA of less than 3.0, Gilmour still tackled courses, like a senior seminar, that he was convinced he could not get into. “[My adviser] said one day when I was looking for classes, ‘You’re not looking at the honors seminar.’ I said, ‘Well, I don’t qualify.’ And he told me I was going anyway,” said Gilmour. Gilmour had his hands full while at Delaware, being in student government, the head of a fraternity and part of Army ROTC, just to name a few of his extracurriculars. “I did a really good job at the extracurricular,” said Gilmour. “I think I learned a lot about how you interact to get things done [with a group of people].” Gilmour’s leadership roles came naturally for him, especially through his heading a fraternity. While he admits spending a good deal of time partying off campus with his frat brothers, he and his “brothers” were kept in line by their frat house mother, Mrs. Carter. “She was five foot nothing, but boy did she keep us in line,” said Gilmour. The straight-laced Mrs. Carter must have rubbed off on Gilmour, because he was determined and able as he earned his undergraduate degree. His initial plan after graduation was to go to the beach to spend some time relaxing with his friends. His plan was quickly thwarted as he got a letter the day before his graduation to report for Army training. “I got this letter the Saturday before the �THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 life 11 Three new students hired to Be (the) Colonel BY MARJORIE WHISPELL Staff Writer As graduation and summer approach, many students are waiting for calls from potential employers to hear those two small words--you’re hired. For two Wilkes students, the Colonel delivered that call. Student Development recently announced that Shawn Klitsch, junior mechanical engineering major, and Bruce Chesson, freshman nursing major, will serve as two of the three students to portray the Colonel next fall. The third Colonel has yet to be announced. In the fall semester, Wilkes went on the hunt for the new Colonel by gathering names of students who would like to try out to see if they are rowdy and school spirited enough to handle the job of the Colonel. Many students applied. Though any Wilkes student, graduate or undergraduate, can apply for the position there are some requirements that applicants must meet. One must be at least 5 feet 6 inches in height, have a GPA of a 2.0 or higher, be in good physical condition and have tons of school spirit. Melissa Howells, coordinator of student development, advises the Colonel program. She also oversees the scheduling of the appearances of the Colonel. Howells explains that the Colonel is a major part of every event on campus. “Duties of the Colonels would be attending sporting and community service events, welcome new students to Wilkes and teaching them to Be Colonel, [and] helping Wilkes University win.” Though being the Colonel holds many duties, the one that excites Klitsch is using the tee-shirt gun, and for Chesson it is attending the sporting events and envoking school spirit. These two students were inspired to become one of the new Colonels by their love of school spirit, the thought of being crazy without anyone knowing who they are, and the current Colonels themselves. “The current Colonels inspired me, in particular Jason [Woloski]. I couldn’t believe it was him inside the suit. When I found out it was him and how he was able to act crazy, I said, ‘I want to do that’,” said Klitsch. Chesson explained that he wanted to become the Colonel for other reasons. “I’m an outgoing person; I like to make people laugh. You get to fool around and act like a complete idiot, but it’s all cool because no one can see you,” said Chesson. Chesson’s friends were not all surprised that he is one of the students behind the Colonel costume at Wilkes. “A lot of the friends I told said I would be perfect for it, they were excited for me,” said Chessons. Klitsch, on the other hand, explained that half of his friends would be surprised to hear he is one of the Colonels at Wilkes. “I was in swimming, band and drama club. I’d say half and half. Some would, some wouldn’t [believe me],” said Klitsch. Be Colonel means something different to everyone. Klitsch explained that to him Be Colonel means “having pride in your school. From doing my co-ops I run into a lot of engineers that went to big schools like Lehigh and Virginia Tech, which is a little intimidating, but when you find out you know just as much as them, you get a good feeling that you go to Wilkes.” Next year you can see the Colonels in action at any sporting event, or an event on campus that just needs that burst of school spirit. If believe you are a person with the right enthusiasm and energy for the job, look for the table in the Henry Student Center next year for sign ups. You may also contact Melissa Howells at melissa.howells@wilkes.edu. Photo courtesy of Marketing Comm. CONTAC MARJORIE WHISPELL AT: marjorie.whispell@wilkes.edu Students walk Relay for Life for many reasons BY ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER Correspondent The greenway gets transformed every few weeks. Whether it be the Block Party or a pick-up football or soccer field, the greenway is an active place. This past weekend, the greenway got transformed into a place for members of the Wilkes community to remember and raise awareness for cancer patients. Relay for Life raises awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. Many Wilkes students took part in the Relay in honor of their family members and some participated because they are cancer survivors themselves. Melanie Good, sophomore nursing major, walked in her sixth Relay For Life, her second at Wilkes. Good was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of 12. She used to go to a camp with other children battling cancer and most of them participated in Relay for Life. “I may have been the only kid in my seventh grade with cancer,” she said.”But at Relay, I didn’t feel so alone.” Good, along with several other Wilkes students, staff and faculty, participate in Relay for Life for all kinds of personal reasons. Good’s personal connection reaches beyond herself. “Since then, some of my friends may have passed away from cancer, but Relay has become the perfect way to remember them,” added Good. This year and last year, Ashley Yob was a chairperson and helped organize the event on campus. Yob, like Good, also has personal connections to Relay. Yob explained that she has known at least 10 friends and family members that have had cancer. Her grandfather has fought and won his battle with cancer three times. “Experiencing things like this in my life has made me a stronger person and has made me appreciate life even more,” she said. While some cancer survivors do Relay, others do Relay for their loved ones. Angela Nicolosi, senior psychology major, started doing Relay for Life after her grandmother’s diagnosis. “I got really involved with Relay for Life ever since my grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer,” said Nicolosi. This was her fourth time joining in the annual event. Nicolosi’s grandmother passed away two years ago and last year she had her own team called “Doin’ it for Dolores” in memory of her grandmother. “It is a very sentimental event for me that I would not miss for anything,” Nicolosi said. Bethany Sharpless, freshman pre-pharmacy major, participated in her twelfth Relay For Life. The Beacon/Tom Reilly She started relaying at Angela Nicolosi, left, walks with Amber Kozo during this past weekend’s a young age in memory Relay for Life, held on the greenway and in the Marts Gymnasium. of her grandfather and in honor of her aunt. now in remission. “Since then, both my sister and dad were Whether it be personal experiences, famdiagnosed with and beat their cancers,” she ily connections or just to raise awareness, said. Relay for Life is one annual event on cam“I relay for my grandmother,” said Am- pus that combines music, comrodory and ber Kozo, junior psychology major. It was awareness to a very serious topic. Kozo’s fourth relay, her third on campus. CONTACT ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER AT: Her grandmother had breast cancer and is adrien.shellenberger@wilkes.edu �12 THE BEACON LIFE APRIL 27, 2010 ·-----------------------------------· Wilkes University’s Health & Wellness Corner Last week’s winner of $20 to Rodano’s: Colleen Herman c The Health and Wellness Corner is a weekly feature in The Beacon. Students who ask questions will remain anonymous. All questions will be answered by Health Service staff. Q. I was told that I should take a calcium supplement even though I’m only 20 years old. I thought you only take a supplement when you get older, like during menopause. Is that something I should do for myself? A. Calcium is a mineral that plays a crucial role in building healthy teeth and bones. Unfortunately, most adolescents do not eat enough high calcium foods and puts them at greater risk for osteoporosis when they get older. As a young adult you should be eating 3 to 4 servings of dairy products, like milk, yogurt or cheese. Green leafy vegetables, whole grain foods and beans are a good source of non-dairy calcium. Also, many women in college are on the depo provera shot for birth control. Although it is an excellent form of birth control, it may cause you to lose calcium stored in your bones. The longer you use depo provera, the more calcium you are likely to lose. The take home lesson here is that although young adults typically do not need calcium supplements, if their diet is lacking calcium enriched foods or if they are on depo provera for birth control they should take a calcium supplement. For the best absorption, no more than 500 mgs should be taken at one time. 1 . W1mo Doesn't like Free stuffi! One winner will receive a... Gift Basket of Items 6 Sponsored By: ~ l 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 Friday, April 30, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week’s issue. NAME: _______________________________________________________ PHONE: _________________________________________________ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ MYSTERY WORDS: ________________________________________ <}wen's Ylvenue Sa[on Dallas Route 309 Wilkes-Barre ......- 779 Wyomin9 flve. .S ::::, ~ (P_jl Gwen's Avenue Salon 570-283-5610 FOILS SEMI-FORMAL UPDOS : The Beaco Weekly Giveawayt As this is the last issue of The Beacon this semester, it is also the last Health and Wellness Corner featured this semester. If you have a question for the Health Services staff you can contact them at wellness.services@wilkes.edu. 'l(in9ston, I I I I I $60 FULL HEAD PEDICURE $25 $25 VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.GWENSALON.COM �BOARD GAMES Crossword, Page 15 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com APRIL 27, 2010 Movie Review: Kick-Ass gets the job done BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Editor’s note: Review may contain spoilers. If I were to pick one word to describe this movie, it would indeed be its very own title: kickass. For the past few years, Hollywood has been feeding America the super hero fads. This movie, however, does a perfect job of poking fun at the super hero concept but not in a cheesy Not Another Teen Movie way. It’s classy. Dave Lizewski/Kick-Ass, played by Aaron Johnson, is your typical comic book nerd who one day gets the idea to be a shining light in the diverse city he lives in. His two best friends don’t offer the best support; however he decides to follow through. He orders his costume and keeps his new identity a secret. The evolution of this character is definitely satisfying, as he proves that there is a hero in everyone. He starts out awkwardly doing little things around his neighborhood, like finding a lost cat. Eventually, he accidentally disrupts a fight and beats the hoodlums to a pulp, which is caught on camera. From that point on, he becomes famous, because it is played all over YouTube and on the local news. The audience can relate to Kick-Ass because he is just an average high school student with insecurities trying to do good for society, but also strives to find his own identity throughout everything. He certainly isn’t a professional, which is what adds to the hilarity, and he definitely gets beaten up a lot. Christopher Mintz-Plasse, better known as Superbad’s McLovin, plays the character of Chris D’Amico/Red Mist. The boy may have some chance to play outside his typical typecasted role of the ultimate nerd. His character is the son of a gangster drug lord of the city who is responsible for most of the crime. When his father notices Kick- The Beacon/Tom Reilly Ass, he assumes he is the one interfering with his business. However, he is not the only vigilante in the city. There are two other unknown vigilantes. Big Daddy, played flawlessly by Nicholas Cage, and Hit Girl, played by the fearless Chloe Moretz, make the best super hero duo. What makes them special is that they are father and daughter, an unlikely pair, especially since she is only eleven and has as much knowledge about fighting and weapons as Rambo does, thanks to Big Daddy’s teachings. The dialogue between them and the bond they have, not to mention Hit Girl’s vulgar language, is the best part about the movie. Hit Girl will definitely slap you in the face with pure satisfaction as you see her take charge and avenge. She makes the entire movie. D’Amico, who only wants his father’s approval and involvement with the family business, decides to step in. He creates SEE KICK-ASS, PAGE 14 SUB parking lot held custom cars over weekend BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Asst. A&E Editor Wilkes University hosted the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) car show in the parking lot of the Henry Student Center on Saturday, April 24. This car show is an opportunity for owners of custom or classic cars to show them off and enter them in contests. There were 125 cars there this year, which was less than last year, because of a competing car show in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, said Ben Sauers, vice-president of ASME. “A grading rubric was used to determine which cars were most deserving of the awards”, said John Wilbur, president of ASME. There was a special award for the Wilkes student with the best car. It was awarded to Nick Whitenight, for his 2000 Chevy Camaro SS. There were a total of 35 awards given out at the show. These awards went to mostly muscle cars from the sixties and early seventies, according to Sauers. The best in show award went to a 1970 Chevy C-10 Pickup. Wilkes has held this show for the past two years. It is run by Wilkes engineering students who also belong to ASME. A lot of planning goes into this event in order to get the show together and to obtain sponsorship. A few of the sponsors include Dagwood’s, Philly’s Finest, Rita’s Italian Ice, Ricochet’s, The Weekender, and many others. There was also an opportunity for attendees to help out with a charitable cause, and donate clothing to the Wilkes’ Annual Clothing Drive. “A lot of people brought in big bags of clothes when they were checking in,” said Sauers. “We’re a really big event, it’s open to everyone. We want involvement from not just Wilkes, but the whole community,” says Wilber. For more information about this show, or future shows, visit www.asmecarshow. bravehost.com CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gillyan.gowarty@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly An Audi and a Ferrari are among the 125 cars that were entered into the ASME car show. The car show was held on Saturday, April 24 in the Henry Student Center parking lot. There were 35 awards issued for the best cars at the show. �14 A&E Paintball goes inflatable KICK-ASS Continued from PAGE 13 The Beacon/Kirstin Cook Students were able to take part in a form of inflatable paintball, which was setup on the greenway on Monday, April 19. Instead of actual paintballs as ammunition, ball and dart bullets made of foam materials were shot from air-powered guns. Red Mist, a false vigilante, only to befriend Kick-Ass so he can lure him to his father to be “taken care of.” At this point in the movie, the action is about to reach its climax. Just when you think there’s already been enough hardcore action, there’s more to come taken to the next level of intensity, all done in good taste. A love film, of course, is embedded into the story to add that extra component to the plot. It adds to the evolution of Kick-Ass’s character, because he is the nerd that wins the most beautiful girl’s heart. He finds himself, is taken under the wing of Hit Girl and Big Daddy, and literally kicks butt. The plot thickens as more and more events unfold, but I won’t spoil everything. There is definitely potential for a sequel. I recommend this movie to absolutely anyone, even if you aren’t necessarily into the super hero fads. There are enough satirical moments about super heroes and plenty THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 of hilarious action in this movie to keep you entertained. This movie allows any comic nerd, or individual who wishes they were a vigilante to laugh at themselves. More importantly, it’s to celebrate the inner nerd, because underneath the mask is someone who just wishes they could make a difference, even if they are their own hero. Rating: 5/5 CONTACT BRIE FRIEDMAN AT: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu For last week's answers and for this week's "What's Happening Around Wilkes" calendar, please check out: www.wilkesbeacon.com CUMBERLAND A P A R 17 West Ross Street • L-1UST A T M E N T S Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 FEW BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS • FREE INTERNET ACCESS • FREE □ FF-STREET PARKING • FREE WATER, SEWER, TRASH • SECURE ENTRY/ REMOTE Buzz-IN • FULLY EQUIPPED GRANITE KITCHEN • CABLE TV • PRIVATE BATH WITH SHOWER • LAUNDRY 570.6B7.222 □ OR CUMBERLAND LIVING.COM CUMBERLAND A P A R T M E N T S �THE BEACON ZerCross 2 TIii DIIYOQUI,! EclipseCrossword 1 3 BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer - 4 I I ~ - ~ f-- 5 I I f-- I I - ~ -- 6 I ~ 14 1-- I I 10 1-- 1-- 1-- I - f-- ~ - 7 19 13 u 1-- 15 16 18 1-- 1-- 1-- I 1-- 1-- - - 1-- - ~ f-- lO I I I I Across 1. A word game that challenges every player against himself as time runs down and players attempt to form words out of random letter configurations. 4. This classic trivia game features the collection of multi-colored wedges each player needs to win. 5. A quick-thinking game of categories and guessing that pits players against one another. Players score points by naming items in specific categories within a set amount of time. 6. A guessing game where players must interpret the drawings of other players. Pitting team against team, and sometimes player against player, the game depends less on your artistic abilities than your team’s willingness to work together and not panic. 9. Also known as Othello, this classic strategy game involving battle between Light and Dark forces on a grid. Players take turns setting different colored tiles at intersections to “capture” the other player’s tiles. Also may be referred to as “Go.” 13. This guessing game is a favorite of children and adults alike for the social interaction it encourages. Everyone knows the story – whodunit in what room with what weapon – and the guessing aspect only - 8 - - u - - - - u Directions: Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter which 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 deduct 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! Sheppard - ~ - f-- - This week’s clue: Q = T & J = C MB I I I I - I 1-- 1-- 19 1,1 15 A&E APRIL 27, 2010 I I - ~ CVZ XZNZ QC LQQZNK L JAZNNS BZDQMOLY HGCDDCP - “Popular Board Games” BY ASHLEY ZERFOSS Correspondent heightens the tension and raises the stakes for players. 16. This matching game features a judge determining which of his fellow players has presented the best noun to match a select adjective. 18. This two player game focuses on breaking a secret code by lining up potential solutions. 19. A game where players take alternating turns dropping colored discs into an upright board in order to form rows of four. 20. A war strategy game invented by a French film director in 1957. This is a turnbased game for two to six players based on the world at the time of Napoleon. The goal is to dominate the world with your army by capturing countries through military might. 21. Considered “the poor man’s chess,” this game of “capture” is highly popular around the world. Down 1. This guessing game is set in a naval arena. The cheat proof back-to-back setup, however, was not around for quite some time. 2. This guessing game is played with two boards depicting multiple individuals. Players alternate turns asking their oppo- XCTYK MQ HZ QCC PRJW QC ZEAZJQ QC JWZNNS DZZ L OZVKCN? Last week’s answer: WHEN THROWING A PARTY, BE SURE TO REMIND YOUR GUESTS TO BRING LARGE BASEBALL GLOVES IN ORDER TO CATCH THINGS THAT ARE THROWN THEIR WAY! nents about a person they selected. Whoever guesses their opponent’s person first wins. 3. The basic object is to remove all of your pieces from the board before your opponent. Movement and play is based on a roll of the dice. 7. The infamous two-player battle between kingdoms of white and black. This game is highly strategic, and is the most popular game in the world. 8. This game brings together traditional die-rolling movement, capturing, and strategy to create a fairly unique game that has lasted for centuries. The name of the game is mostly responsible for its place in pop culture – the funny title has undoubtedly added to its recognition. 10. This is a classic war strategy game, where the players control a large number of pieces representing the soldiers and officers of rival armies. The game depends on misleading your opponent, a good deal of bluffing, and strategy learned over time in order to win. 11. Players move through the game by spinning a wheel and following various tracks, making important decisions along the way. Children enjoy pretending they are growing up, adding children and jobs and money along the way, while adults seem to enjoy wondering what “could have been.” 12. The best-known and most popular word game, this game is for two to four players who take turn forming words on a crossword puzzle-type board. More obscure letters and words lead to higher point totals. 13. This classic children’s game is won by climbing to the top and sliding to the bottom of the board. 14. Though there are several different versions of this game, it is notorious for its paper money. 15. The board part of this party board game is based on Ludo, the simplest of board games, but the game play itself is rather unique. Players must act, sing, craft, and guess their way to points, participating in various activities along the way designed to get people out of their shell. A typical game will find one team lip-syncing one minute, and the next minute the opposing team is guessing and shouting and laughing. 17. This famous count and capture game is popular in Western culture, but has been around since the 6th century. CONTACT ASHLEY ZERFOSS AT: ashley.zerfoss@wilkes.edu �SHOULD HE STAY OR SHOULD HE GO? PAGE 18 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com APRIL 27, 2010 Myers, DiSabatino twins departing Errors doom Colonels against Rutgers-Newark BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Wilkes’ Head Field Hockey Coach Sara Myers, and freshmen first team All-Freedom Conference honorees Cassie and Jenna DiSabatino will part ways with Wilkes University and its field hockey program at the end of the 2009 - 2010 school year. “This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but at this time I have to do what is best for my family,” said Myers, who has been coaching at Wilkes for five years. “I will miss my players. Every team that I have coached in the last five years holds a special place in my heart.” Coming to Wilkes from the University of Scranton’s field hockey program in 2005, Myers says she was a young coach and thanks the Wilkes administration for giving her a chance. “I was a very young coach looking for a full-time position five years ago, and this experience has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said Myers. Leaving with Myers are freshmen standouts Cassie and Jenna DiSabatino. They are BY DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor The Beacon Archives/Melissa Polchinski Cassie and Jenna DiSabatino, along with head coach Sarah Myers will not be returning to Wilkes next season. taking their game to Bloomsburg University after their freshman year at Wilkes, which is not a surprise according the twins. Both Cassie and Jenna said that they came to Wilkes after a complication, but planned on heading to Bloomsburg. “We figured we’d stay at Wilkes for a year and then go to Bloom,” said Jenna. According to Cassie, even though they knew they were moving on to Bloomsburg, leaving Wilkes is a hard thought to grasp. SEE HOCKEY, Page 19 INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS Above: Junior Matt Stephens dribbles the ball during an intramural basketball championship game on Thursday night at the Marts Center. At right, the championship teams pose with shirts they received for winning their respective divisions. All Photos: The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Wilkes University men’s baseball team fell to Rutgers-Newark last Tuesday night by the score of 7-2. Though the Colonels initially led the contest, light hitting and four errors combined to do them in against the Scarlet Raiders. Freshman starter Zachary Lazar received the ball for the Colonels, and took the mound in the bottom of the first with a 2-0 lead thanks in part to an unearned run and freshman outfielder Scott Skammer’s RBI single. Wilkes managed to tax Rutgers’ freshman starter Michael Schneider, who was shaky in allowing walks to Michael McAndrew and Matthew Ruch, as well as hits to Skammer and Carmen Lopresto. Though senior Tom Buckler hit into a double play to end the inning, it seemed as though they had Rutgers’ number. The Scarlet Raiders threatened in the bottom of the frame after putting on two runners via a single up the middle and a hit batsman, but a liner to Ruch ended the inning without any damage. The score would remain unchanged until the bottom of the third inning, when Rutgers finally got to Lazar. After getting the first batter of the inning to fly harmlessly to center, he gave up a single followed by a sacrifice to leave a man on second. Two consecutive hits and an error in left field tied the score at two apiece. The damage could have been worse, but the Colonels settled down and retired the side to end the inning without giving up any further runs. Al Clocker was able to single and steal second in the fourth inning, giving the Colonels their first runner in scoring position since the opening frame, but Schneider was able to end the threat without trouble. Rutgers countered in the bottom of the fourth inning, however, scoring three runs behind three hits and two Wilkes errors. After striking out the first batter of the inning, Lazar gave up a single to Rutgers’ freshman Robert Kistner, who then promptly stole second base. Michael DiCenso singled to drive in Kistner, and later reached SEE BASEBALL, Page 19 �THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 SPORTS 17 Athlete Spotlight: Maureen Pelot, one-hit wonder BY JUSTIN JONES Staff Writer Pitching in the backend of a double header, Maureen Pelot had rival King’s batters swinging at air all game. Pelot’s terrific pitching effort had the senior softball player walking off the mound with a shutout under her belt and for her effort is this week’s Athlete Spotlight. “Shutting out King’s was a fantastic feeling,” Pelot commented. “It’s been a long time since we’ve swept King’s so it felt great to finally do so.” Pelot effectively shut down the Monarchs high powered offense with six strikeouts and two walks, only allowing one hit against sixteen batters. “I think what was really working for me through those 5 innings was honestly the defense I had behind me,” Pelot said. “Good defense really gave me the confidence and motivation to throw harder. I get nervous after every walk though, because it always seems that each walk I give up always comes back to bit me and usually scores. But my defense made sure that did not happen.” Head coach Frank Matthews could not be happier with the pleasant surprise Pelot has been this season. “Early this year, Mo had a tendency to get very wild and throw some “unique” pitches,” Matthews said. “However, of late she has greatly improved her control, is throwing a lot more strikes, and is working ahead in the count much more often.” What makes Pelot such a special player is her veteran ability to put the team before individual accomplishment and not stay down when things aren’t going her way on the stat sheet. “I try not to think about my own personal win-loss record,” Pelot said. “Yes it’s nice to have more wins, but a loss does not necessarily reflect on the way I pitched. We win and lose as a team, and one team member can’t win or lose a game by themselves. As far as the rest of the season is concerned, I would love to get a few more wins under my belt but more for the benefit of the team rather than my personal win-loss record.” The stats favored Pelot against the Monarchs, and coach Matthews had something short and simple to say to the senior after the game. “Just a simple well-done,” Matthews said. “I think our players will be the first to tell you that I am not one to gush over their accomplishments. It’s on to the next challenge. I was very proud of her, and very pleased that she put such a good game together against a rival. I’m sure it is a game she will always remember.” This is Pelot’s final year as a Wilkes student and athlete, and with the end of her career upon her, it is impossible for her too look ahead to the future. “Well, I’m getting married this June and moving to Kansas where my fiancée is stationed in the Army,” said Pelot. “Of course that adds a lot of stress with marriage, moving, jobs, school, and softball and so on, but I’m very excited.” Her plans include working in the nursing field and attending graduate school. Pelot doesn’t want to see a future where she can’t turn to throwing the softball as a form of relaxation and entertainment. CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT: justin.jones1@wilkes.edu Courtesy of Marketing Communications Senior pitcher Maureen Pelot registered a shutout against King’s College on April 17. Pelot surrendered just one hit to the Lady Monarchs and the Lady Colonels won 8-0 in five innings. ,-,_&..-. MIOT DIE....,E. .11" 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre SPECIALS 825-5166 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 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Dining Room 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 �18 SPORTS 4/20 @ Rutgers-Newark 7-2 L 4/23 vs. Eastern 21-8 L 4/24 @ Eastern 10-4 L, 12-6 W SOFTBALL What should the Steelers do with Ben? Hasta la vista, Big Ben 4/22 vs. Lebanon Valley 7-0 L, 4-0 L 4/24 vs. Eastern 5-2 L, 3-2 W LACROSSE 4/21 vs. Lycoming 20-3 L 4/24 vs. Misericordia 14-13 L MEN’S TENNIS 4/22 @ PSU Berks 9-0 W 4/23 vs. Eastern 9-0 W 4/24 @ FDU-Florham 9-0 W WOMEN’S TENNIS 4/20 vs. PSU Berks 9-0 W 4/25 @ Lebanon Valley PPD to 4/29 WEEK AHEAD BASEBALL 4/27 vs. Scranton, 3:30 p.m. 4/30 @ Delaware Valley, 3:30 p.m. 5/1 vs. Delaware Valley, 1 p.m. SOFTBALL 4/27 vs. Alvernia, 3 p.m. 5/1 @ Delaware Valley, 1 p.m. Sports Editor ANTHONYDORUNDA-----= With the NFL draft over and done with, it’s clear that the Steelers will most likely not be trading Big Ben Roethlisberger, even amidst all the speculation that Dan Rooney was considering shipping him out. But before we jump to conclusions, let me give you some reasons as to why he has exhausted his time in the black and gold and why the Steelers need to rid themselves of the cancer he has become. Being the avid terrible towel-waver I am, let it be known that this is a sore subject for me. The Steelers are the only true team in pro sports that owns my heart, and it’s difficult for me to go against what they believe. But in this case, it’s more of a need than a want. Yes, Big Ben has led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles in the past four years. Yes, it’s because of his ability to extend plays that they have pulled out a few games that they probably should not have won. And yes, it is because of him that he should be MEN’S TENNIS 5/1 Mascac Ind. Tourney, TBA WOMEN’S TENNIS 4/29 vs. Lebanon Valley, 3:30 p.m. 5/4 vs. Manhattanville, 3:30 p.m. w,1:1: ~,. @BeaconSports Follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ BeaconSports shipped out of town. For good. There’s a time when character has to outweigh talent for those in upper management. Think of it this way. If you were running a company in which your star employee was making you loads of dough, but also running your name into the ground because of his mishaps away from work, would you want him to stay around? Some would say yes, because he’s making them rich. But most would deal with the losses and move on, cleansing their name of all the wrong doings. That’s what should be done here. Ben is a tremendous player; I’m not here arguing he is not. But his off-field issues are becoming way too much for the Steelers, a team that prides itself on its blue collar persona and it’s pristine track record in the front office. Each and every off-season the Steelers have to deal with the sex scandals or his wild ways that are bringing negative attention to the team. Plus, it’s Ben’s off year this year. Since coming into the league in 2004, the star has developed a trend of having a phenomenal season only to follow it up by a horrible season. This year is that year. Get rid of the problem before it happens. If you don’t believe me, here’s the proof to back me up (not including his rookie season): 2005: 17 TD’s, 9 INT’s, 98.6 Rating 2006: 18 TD’s, 23 INT’s, 75.4 Rating 2007: 32 TD’s, 11 INT’s, 104.1 Rating 2008: 17 TD’s, 15 INT’s, 80.1 Rating 2009: 26 TD’s, 12 INT’s, 100.5 Rating 2010: ???? Pittsburgh, you axed Santonio Holmes off the roster after a slight mishap that has not even been proven, yet you let Roethlisberger, the star QB, the face of the team, the guy who is scarring your reputation, stay on during each and every tumultuous decision he makes. What is going on here? I don’t care who this guy is, enough is enough. He has obviously shown that he does not have the mental capacity to act like a professional off the football field, and eventually his lackluster apologies are going to mean as much as Bin Laden apologizing for the terrorist attacks. Do yourself a favor Pittsburgh, and ship the problem off to another team to deal with. I’m sure Al Davis would be more than willing to inherit another problem child. Shipping Roethlisberger not in Pittsburgh’s best interest WOMEN’S LACROSSE 4/27 vs. Lancaster Bible, 4 p.m. 5/1 @ King’s, 1 p.m. APRIL 27, 2010 - C: SCOREBOARD BASEBALL THE BEACON Assistant Sports Editor DANIEL KAUTZ While I am certainly not defending Ben Roethlisberger’s recent actions, I would not trade him from a pure business sense; he has simply lost too much of his value in the eyes of other teams (as evidenced by the fact that the Steelers were unsuccessful in shopping him before the draft) in order to make it worthwhihle. However, he can still be a successful leader for the Steelers, both in the locker room and on the field. Allow me, for a moment, to recap his accomplishments since entering the league as the 11th pick in the 2004 draft: nearly 20,000 passing yards, a 63.3 career completion percentage, a quarterback rating of 91.7 and two Super Bowl rings. Not too shabby. Now let’s entertain the possibility that the Steelers trade the man who is still affectionately called “Big Ben” in and around Pittsburgh. Are Steelers’ fans really looking forward to hearing that their team is being quarterbacked by Charlie Batch, or even Byron Leftwich? Do you seriously think that this team has the potential to find itself higher than .500 come week seven, when Ben is reinstated? Save me their accomplishments or history, people- they’re back ups for a reason. Roethlisberger is, for better or for worse, this team’s quarterback. Does that mean that the Steelers should not begin looking for a future alternative to Ben? Of course not; the man has sustained four concussions in his career, and will almost assuredly see the bench or another team if he receives another. The simple fact of the matter is that for right now, there exists no better alternative than Ben. Add to that the fact the team is fairly shallow at receiver with the recent departure of Santonio Holmes, meaning that the Steelers will need to rely on an experienced, veteran quarterback to get the ball into the hands of their wideouts. The Steelers missed the playoffs last season, but if they remain healthy and consis- tent on offense in Ben’s absence this season, there is a chance that they could return and make some noise. Should the Steelers reach the promised land in 2011, do you really think the majority of their fans will care about his offseason transgressions? That is not meant to sound heartless or insensitive, but it is what I believe to be the truth. Sports in our modern society are centered on results, plain and simple. Sordid tales of Tiger Woods’s affairs spread across the media for nearly three months before he returned to the Masters- and he was cheered on by throngs of supporters who apparently could not have cared less. For those special athletes who become integral to their franchise or sport, we are more concerned with what happens behind the rope- or on the gridiron- than what we see in our papers and blogs. Could Ben Roethlisberger’s days be numbered in Pittsburgh? I would not doubt it. But is moving him now the Steelers’ best move? Depends on how they think their fans will react. You know my take. �THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 SPORTS MATTHEWS Continued from PAGE 20 The Beacon/ Melissa Polchinski The Colonels offense sputtered down the stretch after a first inning outburst. After scoring two runs in the first inning, the Colonels mustered just five hits, and no runs the rest of the way, falling 7-2 to Rutgers-Newark. BASEBALL Continued from PAGE 16 third after the throw attempting to catch him stealing second sailed into center field. A double and a series of errors afterwards gave Rutgers the lead, 5-2. From then on out it was all Rutgers, as the Scarlet Raiders scored runs in the fifth and sixth inning to increase their lead to 72. The Colonels threatened in the top of the seventh, loading the bases, but a fly to center ended the inning and effectively ended the game for Wilkes. “They made some nice plays on balls we hit hard,” said Clocker. “In the seventh inning with the bases loaded we hit two straight liners that they were able to come up with.” Clocker credited the Colonels’ bullpen for keeping the game manageable until the end. “Our pitchers kept us within striking distance. Our bullpen of Seibel, Flecknoe, and HOCKEY Continued from PAGE 16 “It’s sad, because I am used to the campus, I have a lot of great friends, and I had a great coach,” said Cassie. She added, “It’s kind of something I have to do to move on with my life.”As for the future of Wilkes’ program, Jenna hopes she and Cassie left their mark on the team. “When me and my sister came on to the team we brought more aggressiveness,” said Jenna. “I just hope they take on the aggressiveness and never quit or give up.” Myers said, looking back on her time at Wilkes, “I am most proud of how respectful, dependable and hard working my team 19 Trento threw extremely well.” The Colonels managed only five hits following their first inning outburst, and the defense failed to support their pitching. “We try to keep having good at bats to keep pressure on their pitcher,” said Clocker, on whether or not an offense tends to press when the hits aren’t coming. “Unfortunately we hit into some tough outs with runners in scoring position.” “[Schneider] settled in and they made some great outs,” said Buckler. “Our defense made some errors and our bats went silent after theirs heated up. We [can] obviously score- we scored over 60 runs in two games [against Baptist Bible and PSU Wilkes-Barre]; we just need to go to the plate with more confidence.” Wilkes’s next game is today at 3:30 p.m. against the University of Scranton at home. Not many people get to meet the people he met while there, either. During his tenure at Harvard, Matthews worked with the son of pro wresting superstar Jimmy “Supafly” Snuka and met numerous Olympic athletes, - all in the Alexander H. Bright Hockey Center, Harvard’s hockey rink. “Everything was centered around the rink,” said Matthews. “On the softball field it was all ordinary people. You get in the hockey rink and it was all these celebrities.” Among those celebrities was Olympic silver medalist and figure skating hall of fame inductee Paul Wiley. Wiley and his wife, a former goaltender for Brown, were attending Harvard Business School at the time, and would make routine trips to the rink throughout the week. “Half of the ice was used for those who wanted to fool around for hockey, and the other half was for general skaters,” said Matthews. “Everyday they came in, and he would go play hockey, and she was doing figure skating. It was so funny.” After that one year away from the Valley, a head coaching position opened up here at Wilkes University, and Matthews jumped all over it. “I didn’t even know about it,” said Matthews. “Somebody called me and told me that the Wilkes job had opened up. The first call I made was to Tom Dunsmuir. He said it was open, so I submitted the application. One thing led to another, and here I am. “ Ten years later and he’s still on the softball diamond. Throughout that time, Matthews has led the Lady Colonels to 203 wins, the most in school history, has earned two Freedom Conference coach of the year awards, and has coached five conference players’ of the year. Included in that list is former standout Robyn Mendenhall, one of Matthews’ stars at Hanover. “I got her at the beginning, and I got her at the end,” said Matthews. “I coached her all the way through from seventh grade to 12th grade, and then her senior year here. She was the first all-American here, and she was a very special girl.” Although he has been extremely successful, the goal of coaching is not to produce all-Americans or win national championships; it’s for the girls to enjoy the game of softball. “When they leave I don’t want them to say ‘he was my friend,’ but I want to say that ‘as much as I disagreed with him, I respected him.’ The wins and losses – they come and go. Any coach will tell you that it’s great to have more wins than losses, but I don’t coach for wins and losses. I do it because I still enjoy doing it at my age.” CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu NSIGNMEN CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT: daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu has become and I can not say enough about them.” As for the future of Wilkes’ field hockey program, Myers is not worried. “I am not at all worried about the future of the field hockey program at Wilkes because this team knows what it takes,” said Myers. “They know how hard they have worked in the last few years to build this program, gaining national recognition along with academic success.” “We have always been the definition of a ‘team,’ unselfish in every way and a true family,” added Myers. CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu r\ ~ ,J' Bccau c{'YCU ' ' tn 'Fa h10ms 1 II 10% OFF ca11 be frugal. WITH WILKES STUDENT lD, sale terns not incl oed : •.~ ; OFFER VALi DTHRU 5/31/ 10 ..'· ........................................................ . ... . . . . .r · · · · · �SPORTS 20 OLD SCHOOL SOFTBALL Frank “Tanky” Matthews brings coaching, life experience to Lady Colonels by anthony dorunda Sports Editor When PNC Field, home to the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees, held a celebratory home run derby years ago, many local celebrities flexed their long ball muscles in a friendly competition. Included in the participants were New York Jets defensive great Joe Klecko as well as current Wilkes-Barre mayor Thomas Leighton. The winner of that competition? Wilkes head softball coach Frank Matthews, who was launching bombs out of every part of the stadium. “He was hitting softballs over the scoreboard,” said Wilkes’ assistant softball coach and longtime friend of Matthews, Tom Dunsmuir. “He was very powerful; a monster.” Powerful indeed, as the centerfield fence is 408 feet away and the scoreboard sits behind it. It was that power that earned him a nickname that resonates in softball circles around the Valley. “It’s Frank ‘Tanky’ Matthews,” said Dunsmuir. “No one knows him as Frank, it’s Tanky because he was built like a Tank. You could probably ask anyone in the Valley who the top player was and they’re gonna name Tanky.” That power earned Matthews, who played for a variety of slow pitch and fast pitch softball teams around the Valley and in York, Pa., a place in the Amateur Softball Association of America’s (ASA) hall of fame in 1996, the first slow pitch player to ever be inducted. “Now that’s something I can hang my hat on,” said Matthews. He earned it. Matthews played on six ASA State Championship teams, five teams that advanced to the ASA National Tournament, three of which earned top twelve finishes, and was an ASA all-American as well. He also belted around 1,400 career homeruns. “That’s an estimate,” said Matthews. “Maybe a little more, maybe a little less. If you’ve been around slow pitch, you really don’t keep an accurate record of that. There were no scorebooks, so I would just estimate.” That number would have been even greater had teams in one of his leagues chosen to pitch to him. EXCLUSIVE Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won’t find in the print edition. THE BEACON APRIL 27, 2010 BY THE NUMBERS 1996 Year that Matthews was inducted into the Amateur Softball Association of America’s Hall of Fame. He was the first slow pitch player to be inducted. 1,400 The Beacon/ Thomas Reilly Softball coach Frank Matthews has guided the Lady Colonels to 203 wins during his tenure at Wilkes. “There was a meeting with all the teams [in the league] and they [the other teams] said ‘Tanky, don’t even bring a bat,’” said Dunsmiur. “So he went out there every Tuesday for three, four summers and never swung a bat because they wouldn’t pitch to him, because they didn’t want him to hit a homerun.” While playing softball was his passion, Matthews made a living in the education system. He served as an elementary education teacher for 30 years, five at Hazleton and 25 at Hanover Area, the latter of which he served as an assistant football coach as well as the weightlifting coach. It was not until 1988, his 15th year at Hanover, that he decided to coach the sport that he dominated after school hours. “When I became the AD [athletic director], the softball program was so bad that I felt we could have been better,” said Matthews. “So as AD, I hired myself as softball coach. At that time, Hanover had a policy where the athletic director could not coach, but that policy was waived for a couple of years.” After a one-year stint with the varsity team, Matthews demoted himself to junior high. When his first group of players reached ninth grade, the head varsity coach became ill, so he swapped places and took over the varsity program for the second time in three years. After relinquishing his duties as athletic director, Matthews revamped the program and took the team to supreme heights. With the players Matthews had groomed since seventh grade, the Hawkeyes won an unprecedented five consecutive Wyoming Valley Conference championships and two PIAA District 2 titles, and Matthews was twice named the conference’s coach of the year. After 11 years as head coach, and 30 years as an educator, Matthews decided to try something else, and ventured out into the college ranks. Of all places to coach, Matthews wound up at Harvard University. “I was already 50 years old and I wanted to get into college coaching,” said Matthews. “The opportunity arose and I was lucky enough to be hired by Harvard.” During his one year at Harvard, the Crimson won just its second Ivy League championship in school history, and earned a berth in the NCAA Division I-A Championships, where they fell to eventual national champion Oklahoma. But it was his job outside of softball that he likes to talk about the most. “My claim to fame was working on a zamboni,” laughed Matthews. “Not many people get to do that.” SEE MATTHEWS, Page 19 for more information check out. .. lwilkesbeacon. com IGO! Approximate number of home runs Matthews hit during his career. He’s lost count of the real number. 30 Years that Matthews taught school children before entering the collegiate coaching ranks. 203 Games that the Lady Colonels softball team has won with Matthews at the helm. � 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 2010 April 27th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 April 27 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/37aa3c0483ebf14c4e92053592102299.pdf a0d7680b041cadc7641933b899f76825 PDF Text Text Resident parking limited within garage BY CATHRYN FREAR The Beacon/Allison Roth New computers on the first floor of the library are the first change in the renovat.ion proj- ect for floors one through three. Other renovations could start as early as this summer. Library to undergo further renovations BY CATHRYN FREAR News Editor &EMMA ZIMMERMAN Staff Writer After renovations to the Alden Leaming Commons in the basement of the Eugene S. Farley Library, more changes could begin this summer. The renovation of the library began with the basement, which was remodeled during the fall semester. Study rooms and study areas for larger group work were installed, as well as computers for individual students or small groups. Since the changes, traffic to the basement has significantly increased. John Sh\.chacz, dean of the library, said that before an average of 25 students utilized the basement and its resources daily. Stachacz said that the numbers have amplified to nearly 600. "The use has skyrocketed," Stachacz saiq. After the first stage of remodeling, library employees have utilized several empty rooms in the basement for teaching, reorganized the reference section and updated the Web page. Stachacz hopes that the renovations on the rest of the library can start by this summer, though it is still too early to determine when exactly they will be able to begin. SEE LIBRARY, Page 4 Resident students on Wilkes' campus were recently informed by residence life via.e-mail that they will now · be assigned to park almost exclusively on floors four through six of the parking garage. · As with every year, parking enforcement hasn't started right away. All parking rules will begin to be enforced September 20. According to Public The Beacon/Allison Roth Safety Manager Jerry Starting on September 20, resident students who park inside of the Wilkes University Parking Garage Reho, the change has will now be assigned to park their vehicles on floors four through six. As always, resident students, as to do with the safety well as any permit-carrying person parking on campus may also park on the roof of the garage. of students and their property. Reho wants students to out and really, that's just the safest were a lot of vehicles being broknow that this decision wasn't place [to park on campus]," Reho ken into at the Creative Printing lot [located at the comer of Ross made in haste. said. "We took our time and talked it He continued, "Last year there SEE PARKING, Page 3 New software combats phishing attempts BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant News Editor Recent issues with spam e-mails have prompted Information Technology Services (ITS) to install new security measures to protect the computers of the campus community. To help guard against phishing schemes, which is where hackers attempt to acquire personal information via phony e-mails, a spam filter called Barracuda Networks was installed over the summer, according to ITS Chief Information Officer Gloria Barlow. · "Should there be problems with spam going out, Barracuda monitors that and stops it, so we don't have problems like we had over the summer," Barlow said. Students received several e-mails and announcements from ITS over the summer warning them about malicious e-mail activity. Barlow links · these spam outbreaks to a lack of education among users. "People typed in their Wilkes ID, their Wilkes password and then the spammers basically hijacked their accounts, and used their ac- counts to send out high volumes of spam." Barlow said. According to Ikram Muhammad, manager of network services at ITS, phishing scams are a nationwide problem that have been making an increasing impact. "It's been going on for a very long time, but recently it has picked up some pace." Muhammad said. The reasoning behind this increase in spam is unknown to ITS, but Muhammad identifies · SEE PHISHING, Page 5 Opinion Pages 6-8 Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 Spor:ts Pages 16-20 Attack ads are awful Chatting with Faculty Foam party hits greenway New field hockey coach Politicians should focus more on their own policies rather than bashing their opponent's policies. PAGE6 New professor Paul Lumia sits down for a question and answer with The Beacon. PAGE9 Foam Party is to take place on riday, September 17 at 7 p.m. d promises a lot of dancing and ubbles. PAGE 13 Coa~h Mollie Reichard brings experience, focus and intensity to the team in an attempt to win the MAC championship. PAGE 19 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �2 THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 NEWS Beacon Briefs >>»>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>»>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>»>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>~ BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Editor-in-Chief MOCK .GRAD SCHOOL TESTING Kaplan Test Prep is offering a free test for the GRE, LSAT, GMAT or DAT tests at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 19 at King's College in the Mulligan Science Center on the second floor. To register, go to www. kaptest.com/practice. For more information, contact career services at careers@wilkes. edu or 408-4060. PSYCHOLOGY PICNIC - The psychology department will hold the Annual Picnic at Kirby Park in pavilion number one at noon on September 19. New students are encouraged to attend to meet other students and professors. Children and significant others welcome. RSVP to Deborah.tindell@ wilkes.edu. WEEKLY MEDITATION - Weekly meditation will be held every Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 5:30 p.m in the salon of Kirby Hall. First time mediators should come to the question and answer session from 4:45 p.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, contact mischelle.anthony@wilkes. edu or Linda.paul@wilkes.edu. IDENTITY THEFT WORKSHOP -An identity theft workshop will be held with information on personal safety on September 15 at 6 p.m. in the lobby of UCOM. Wilkes alumni, students and community are invited to attend. For more information, contact bridget.guinta@wilkes.edu CROSS-COUNTRY VOLUNTEERS- Volunteers to direct runners through the course for the Homecoming cross-country race are needed on October 2. Interested students should contact Nichol~s.wadas@wilkes. PEER TUTORING - Peer tutoring began · edu. September 7 in Conyngham Hall, room 113. WIDTE COAT CEREMONY - StuAppointments can be made at http://tutortrac.wilkes.edu. Questions can directed to dents of the class of 2014 of the School of Alberto Prado at alberto.prado@wilkes.edu. Pharmacy invite friends to the "Oath of a Pharmacist" White Coat ceremony on Sunday, September 19 at 11 a.m. in the Rite Aid Auditorium, Stark Learning Center, room 101. ISLAMIC INTEREST FUNCTION - The Islamic Interest Society is holding a celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr on September 16 at 7:45 p:m. in the HSC ballroom. This will include food, fun and learning. KEVIN HART. TICKETS - Tickets for ·comedian, Kevin Hart, will be on sale Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Henry Student Center. The show will be on September 30 in the Marts Center with doors opening at 8 p.m. and the show beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets prices are as follows: students, $10; faculty and staff, $15; general public, $20. WORKSHOPS BY CAMPUS COUNSELING - Campus Counseling will host workshops on building relationships every Wednesday evening from September 15 through September 29 from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on the first floor of Passan HalL Susan Biskup, M.A., NCC will administer the workshop, which will include information about managing relationships and finding relationships. Anyone interested in attending should contact susan.biskup@wilkes.edu. HOLIDAY CARD CONTEST - Dr. and Mrs. Gilmour invite students to enter a design for this year's Wilkes University holiday card. Prizes will be awarded to the winner, $175, and an honorable mention, $75. Submissions should be made to Susan DiBonifazio in UCOM 221 by October 18. SUSTAINABILITY SALVAGE - Students for Environmental Sustainability (SES) Club will be hosting a free 'sustainability salvage' by giving away dorm and household items that were donated by students last year. It will be held on September 16 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Henry Student Center. CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu Student Government Notes - September 8, 2010 BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant News Editor Treasurer's Report: _All College: $14,000 Conferences: $12,500 General Funds: $9,500 Leadership: $1000 Spirit: $2000 Special Projects: $3000 Start Up: $1500 Total: $43,000 Club Reports: Programming Board - Ticket sales for comedi~ Kevin Hart have begun and will continue for at least another week. The event will take place on September 30 in the Marts gym. There is also a skydiving trip planned for September 21. Student Concerns: Library has had a few issues with printers being jammed and the air conditioning being broken. The issue of air conditioning was a result of squirrels chewing through wires and will be resolved soon. Students requ_est that SG make a more inviting atmosphere for other students to attend meetings. There were some comments on a lack of chairs and space. There have been some issues of clothes being singed by dryers in Evans Hall. New Business: Homecoming Allocation (Week 1 of 2) The budget was presented for the homecoming weekend with a total cost of $17,015. Some adjustments were made to the dinner dance, which will have a theme called Colonel carnival. Dinner was also switched to a less expensive meal to cut back on costs. ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 . E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu A clown was incorporated into the budget, but was removed due to concerns over effectiveness. The band Three Imaginary Boys are scheduled to play at the pep rally. The Homecoming allocation is a two week process, and will be voted upon next week. Old Business Updates: Fall Fest Allocation-Fall Fest will be taking place September 16-18. There will be a Hillside Farm truck booked for Friday, September .17, with a minimum cost of $500. Students will be receiving tickets for going to three separate events, which are movie on the greenway, foam party, and mini block party. The tickets will go into a raffle, for which the prize is undecided. Wilkes, possibly Arabic. Closing comments: IRHC -- Toy Story 3 will be played during movie on the greenway, which will take place during Fall Fest on September 16 at 9pm. * 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 at 6 p.m. in the Miller Conference Room located on the second floor of HSC. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: Committees: Curriculum committee - Attempts are being made to bring different l_anguages to kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2010-11 Meet the Staff Editors-in-Chief: Michael Cignoli & Jacqueline Lukas News Editor: Cathryn Frear Opinion Editor: AnthonyTruppo Interim A&E Editor: Molly Kurlandski Life Editor: Ruth Whispell Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Advertising Manager: Whitney Roper Photo Editor: Allison Roth Design Editor: Sonja Heisey Design Editor: Michael Klimek Adviser: Loran Lewis Michael Cignoli &Jacqueline Lukas Editors-in-Chief �fHEBEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 NEWS 3 As to picking the location, Reho said that · they spoke with residence life to figure out a .Jlltinued from FRONT PAGE centralized location for the residents to park. \tree! and River Street], s,o we figure we'll "I spoke to Residence Life and for the safemake that a commuter, [faculty and staff ty of the students on campus we changed all lot] because they go home [early] and then of the resident lots except one, which is the rt'sempty." Marts [lot], to the garage," said Reho. Security is increased in the parking garage Elizabeth Swantek, formerly Elizabeth m comparison _________ Roveda, director ~ other lots ________________ of residence life, JD campus be- "If you have your car on the first agreed. cause a Wilkes "A smaller ID card is nee- or even third fl~or and you're just amount of people ~sary to get in. · · d t ·t, · t f: t ,, wanted to park [in The cameras going Ill an OU , l S JUS as er, the Creative Printit the entrance ing lot] and more Miller said. md exit of the people wanted also to park at the gaiarage provide further security for those parking in rage," said Swantek. "It's something I've the garage. been trying to do for the students, and we Another reason is that commuters move are finally able to do so now that we own their cars more and having them on the first that whole parkade." three floors is more convenient, according She said that there were 40 spots in the to Public Safety Officer Phil Miller. Creative Printing lot that were allotted to "If you have your car on the first or even re~idents which have since been moved to third floor and you'_re just going in and out, the extra space in the garage. n's just faster," Miller said. "It's easier for As for space, Reh? said there will always people who are going in there a lot to get in be parking spots. He explained that the and find a spot when they get there and also garage i~ packed now because people are easier for them to leave." parking either with no parking passes or no The Beacon/Allison Roth According to Jerry Reho, manager of public safety,he worked with residence life to find a safer and more centralized location for residents to park, deciding on the fourth through sixth floors of the parking garage. passes at all. Once enforcement starts, Reho said more spots will be available. Reho and Miller both emphasized the fact that any and all parking-pass-carrying parkers may still park on the roof of the garage. Violators will be given a ticket charged the regular $25 for ignorance of the new rule. CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu NEVER A SLOW NEWS DAY. 1v-1,\kes wilkes /" ~' z. ~ "c.;Ov· ...., . �NEWS 4 James Lennox named new CSE safety offic of the labs. Currently, the various lab managers have a format that they follow, but each lab manager's format is different. James Lennox has been named the new "We're in the process of laying out the University safety officer for the College of plan of how to conduct the audit," Lennox Science and Engineering (CSE). He will said. "I'd also like to set into place some be working with the Environmental Health safety standards for the labs ... It would be l\fid Safety Committee (EHSC) to regulate a standard format so that you could go into safety around campus. any lab and know where the different safeFor the CSE, Lennox will be overseeing ty procedures are as well as the chemical not only the implementation of safety prac- forms." tices, but also the paperwork components He said that this standardization will make of the labs used on campus. it easier to continue from year to year. Lennox will be ultimately answering to Dr. "It makes it easier for everyone," Lennox Reynold Verret, the Wilkes University pro- said. "Once you know what it is, you know vost, when it comes to his responsibilities. where to go for it and it's so much easier "What I expect from him is to provide and it's easier to maintain, as well." oversight on all of our safety functions, Despite his new position, Lennox isn't both in the academic and non-academic new to the Wilkes community. sector," Verret said. "He will also provide "I started at Wilkes in 1985 and I worked the training for different challenges and with the dean of science and engineering dangers that may arise around campus." . then, as well," Lennox said. "I did a lot of Lennox also said that, to be clear, his job the laboratory instrumentation work and reisn't the same as someone in public safety. search, that sort of thing." "It's really the environmental and workLennox also said that he did work in all space safety," Lennox said. "It's not as of the different sciences in the CSE back much public safety, although it does duck then. tail into that side of things from time to "I did work in biology, chemistry, engitime. However, it's more about 'Is this lab · neering, et cetera, so I'm _really familiar safe for students, employees and staff to with the labs and with the people in the labs, work in?' That sort of thing." which works in my favor," Lennox said. According to Lennox, EHSC looks over Lennox also had a hand in helping Wilkes possible safety issues on campus and de- through its technological progression. cides the best course of action to take in "Back before Wilkes had a real IT [insituations which are deemed unsafe. formation technology] team, I helped with "Depending on the situation, a certain different things on the technological front," member or members of the committee are Lennox said. "We did all of the IT work." alerted and they then respond accordingly," When Wilkes's IT department did form, Lennox said. Lennox was a member of the staff. One of his duties is to work with the EHSC "I did wind up in information technology," to perform the annual safety audit across Lennox said. "For a period of time I worked campus as well as regulate the safety format for SunGard, who is the IT services provider BY CATHRYN FREAR News Editor L~RARY Continued from FRONT PAGE ~ Before renovations can begin, the university needs to find a designer. "The design will likely come late fall," said John Pesta, director for capital projects and planning. "We'll work through that probably through spring if it needs to take that long and then we'll start getting the work scheduled for the coming months." "We have two things that are an issue: design and the weather... and we are looking at a plan that would encompass all three floors at once and will proceed according to costs," he continued. While the design has yet to be decided on, there are some concrete ideas of what to expect once the library is finished. The main concern - and biggest challenge - is the front entryway, which will be redone and made handicap accessible. There is no system in place now to make access with a wheelchair in or out of the front of the library possible, though they are looking for a solution. "The thing that we'd probably focus on first before we do any other work in the library is probably the entrance, making it handicap accessible," Pesta said. The plan is to keep the concrete pillars and stairs where they are and to install a ramp. "However, we'll be installing a different door system because the current ~oors aren't wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair," Pesta said. Another new feature students will see is more workspace. "I want to add four more group study rooms , mo ofn that 1 in the e elev The Beacon/Allison Ro James Lennox (above) was named safety officer for the College of Science and Engineering. He will be working with the Environmental Health and Safety Committee to address safety issues around campus. here on campus. I worked for them as the chief information officer for Wilkes." His official IT systems work lasted about three years. After that, he left Wilkes to pursue other endeavors. "I went to different colleges and universities doing basically the same thing," Lennox said. "It was a lot of IT management. I went to north New Jersey, south New Jersey, Ontario, Canada ... [the work] was mostly on the east coast." According to Verret, Lennox will also be as well as places for individuals to study," Stachacz said. "Overall, [we want to] make it more habitable for students to work in." The tl).e possibility of installing a coffee bar is still being discussed. There is the possibility that the renovations will run into next school year. If that is the case, Stachacz emphasized that the floors of the library that are being worked on will still remain open, unlike the basement which was blocked off during the renovation process. Students will be directed where to go in order to avoid construction during any renovation to the remaining floors to the library. Though no changes were made to the library's structure since the finishing of the basement, though other adjustments made. "Since we [haven't been doing] any renovation projects, the library wisely used the onsyi y sur1 tly Ilt leted, er th< were g th esh , t incl responsible for making sure that differe health issues are addressed. "While he, himself, will not be deliverin any immunizations," Verret said, "maki sure that all of the documentation is the and that all of the people who need to hav the vaccines are identified, and that tho delivering the vaccines go through the pro-- - - cess of being trained." ssible m will often t as a "launc CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: such as bru cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu Barracuc time to weed out 2,500 outdated and super- ing a list 0 seded reference books from the main floor as network o1 well as hundreds of reels of microfilm that accounts a were supersede by the electronic collections mails. Thi of JSTOR," Stachacz said. immediate The current changes, including the base- In ordei ment and the new computers on the first source, I1 floor of the library, have caused the library's Anti-virus overall daily population to increase. dents, faci "There is this mystical number of 1,500 to a copy ' [students] we're said to have," Stachacz McAfee said. "We reached it couple of times before Noble or the downstair\ was renovated. Now, we portal. reach it every day." "I think their com CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: and all the cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu out there Evenw CONTACT EMMA ZIMMERMAN AT: emma.zimmerman@wilkes.edu �EBEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 0 ; ,A~!~rsity Towers renovations nearing completion . mce its purchase in 2006, University ·ers has undergone many changes. This mimer, more projects were added to the list. !pair of new elevators were installed last ,ing that replaced a set of elevators in~ed in the building circa 1976. iToe elevators] were just breaking down lot," said John Pesta, director of capital jects. "They were so old and the equipmt to repair the elevators were becoming hard to find, so it was well over time for enew ones." OOier somewhat smaller changes were Ide over the summer to revitalize the lding's interior. ·Initially it was safety stuff that we did," i.id Paul Kaspriskie, manager for capital rojects. "The fire alarm system that was in ~e was inadequate, so we installed new ire safety equipment] to meet codes includa new fire alarm system and a fire supression system [sprinklers]." IJany surface repairs and rejuvenations are Roth :irrently nearing completion or are already l!llpleted, such as painting. ing 'Over the summer, all of the walls and oors were repainted," said Kaspriskie. "Evl)'thing that is considered a common area rent ~ta fresh coat." That includes the lobby, the downstairs rathrooms and the corridors. ~HISHING ~tinued from FRONT PAGE jX)SSible motives. He said that spammers will often treat user names and passwords as a"launching pad" to expand to assets ruch as bank accounts. Barracuda provides security by supplyper- ing a list of detected scammers among a r as network of devices and recognizing when that accounts are sending mass amounts of eons mails. This allows ITS to block the source immediately, said Muhammad. aseIn order to prevent infections from the first source, ITS is providing access to McAfee 's Anti-virus software. Barlow says that all students, faculty and staff members are entitled to a copy of the software. McAfee can be picked up at Barnes & Noble or downloaded from the MyWilkes portal. "I think it will really help everybody keep their computers free of viruses and spyware and all those bad things that can happen to us out there in cyberspace," Barlow said. Even with the new security measures, Mu- "We redid the common bathrooms on the [ground] floor," said Kaspriskie. "We painted and put in new paper, so that's looking really nice." The downstairs carpeting was stripped and a new ceramic tile floor was installed in its place. "Along with the painting, we pulled the carpeting out and put in ceramic tile," said Kaspriskie. "We changed the ceiling tiles on the ground floor, too. Those are all new." The elevators are no longer available to anyone who comes into the lobby, which changes the accessibility to the building. "We did card access to the elevators," said Pesta. "That way someone just can't follow someone else in. The only people who can use their card to get into the elevator are people living in the building, just like any other access to any other dorm around campus." This brings about better security for those residents residing in the University Towers building. "Now students who can get into Evans can't get into Towers the same way that the residents of Towers cannot get into Evans, and so on with the rest of the dorms," said Pesta. The renovations aren't over, however. Over winter break, there are more changes that are set to be made. The biggest of these upcoming changes will be the new carpeting. The carpet was originally scheduled to be installed over the hammad explained that the magnitude of e-mails is a determining factor in effectiveness. "It's humanly impossible to monitor that kind of traffic, especially e-mails, because every second a piece of mail is coming through," he said. ITS is also working on improving education towards computer security. Barlow said to expect announcements shortly regarding a series of workshops for users to learn about being safe on the Internet. The sessions will cover phishing, protecting privacy on social networking sites and more. For users faced with phishing scams, ITS gives simple advice. Never give out your user name, password, or any other valuable information, they say, while urging users to avoid clicking on links in e-mails that do not pertain to Wilkes. "My best suggestion is: when in doubt, hit the delete button," said Barlow. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes. edu The Beacon/Cathryn Frear Pictured above is the lobby of the University Towers building, which received two new elevators, a new paint job and new ceiling and floor tiles. Other renovations to the building are set for winter break. summer break. This was because, according to both Kaspriskie and Pesta, the team at capital projects wants to do it when students are not on campus to avoid any inconvenience. But the carpeting had to be put off due to time constraints. "We just ran out of time, but we do have the carpeting, which is carpet tile," said Kaspriskie. "That will be done during the holiday break. It's already here and it's all ready to go." He also said that the overall University Towers project is nearing completion. "With the exception of installing the carpeting and whatnot, we are about 99 percent complete," said Kaspriskie. "Other than that, we just have some small things like window treatments that need taken care of on a couple of the windows, but that's about it." CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu The following email is NOTfrom ITS, is fake, and should not receive a response. Fr•m: "Judith Mc\'arish" <mevarisj:astiollns.tda> Date: August 24, 2010 12:49:34 AM EDT T•: <lnfo/a:admin.edu> Subj(ld: Y•w:M:!ilBox 1w Almost Extuded It Qu.otd .imit Your MailBox Has Almost E.-;ceedtd It Quota/Limit As Stt By Your Administrator And you May Not Bt Able To Receive Or Send ~ew Mails Soon Until You Re.Validate . To Re,Validate CLICK HERE <hF11;ci\\wwJinkzor.comZOLl2> <http;hwww.lillkzor.co.1ni1Q.sFx> Thanks System Administrat◊r The Beacon/Cathryn Frear Many phishing e-mails have been circulating with the motive of stealing personal information from recipients. Above is a screenshot of an phishing scam, which was sent in a notification from ITS to warn users. �THE SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 Attack ads do not contribute to election season Political ads shouldfocus on candidates policies, not the opponents BY THE BEACON Editorial Board It's election season again. It's time for campaign signs to go up, debates to be held and the beginning of another season of political attack advertisements. We here at The Beacon are against these types of ads. Attack advertisements are political poison. They generally don't inform you of the policies of the candidate ·that paid for the commercial. Instead, they focus on bringing down the opposition, stating previous voting records and political faux pas of the other candidates. Although these ads can potentially sway the outcome of an election, voters are not receiving any information on the beliefs and policies of the attacker. We can only assume that the person who approved the ad opposes the other candidates beliefs, but policies are not always black and white, meaning that the polar opposite is not always the appropriate assumption. Is it that the candidate is the lesser of two evils? We can't really say for sure solely based on the commercials because there is no hard evidence, except what the person being attacked supports. Attack ads also customarily mislead the audience by using some statements, which are outdated and others, which take out of context altogether what the person was trying to say. They also have a tendency to confuse the public. For example, during his 2010 campaign, Sen. John McCain had a series of attack ads that portrayed then Senator Barack Obama as nothing but a celebrity. One particular commercial started with now President Obama being "the biggest celebrity in the world" and ended with a quip about him raising taxes and being pro-foreign oil. One of those things is not like the others. One of these things isn't even a political issue at all. From that commercial you learn that President Obama wants to raise your taxes and is opposed to offshore drilling. We also know that, rather than utilizing his 30 seconds on TV and millions of constituent dollars spent on this ad with a message about how he w-ould lower our taxes and find ways for America to be less dependent on the use of foreign oil, Sen. McCain chose to attack his opponent instead. Current senatorial candidate Joe Sestak (D-Pa. currently has an attack ad out ·criticizing opponent Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). The commercial tells the audience that Toomey is against taxing corporations. Whether you support taxing corporations or not, you learn nothing about Sestak from this commercial other than that he is anti-Toomey. However, that's so obvious that anyone could have figured it out without Sestak spending thousands of dollars on an advertisement. While the advent of radio, television, and the Internet brings these ads to the forefront, they are nothing new. Attack ads have been around for ages. Then President John Adams once posted an ad calling then presidential candidate Thomas Jefferson "too French." Adams believed that Jefferson would bring with him the sexual looseness that France was notorious for at the time. Because Jefferson was enamored by France and was a frequent visitor of the country, Adams made the assumption that Jefferson was a proponent of that lifestyle. History has shown this to be true. No matter what, guess who didn't get reelected that year? Mayor -welco1nes class of 2014 to Wilkes BY THOMAS M. LEIGHTON Mayor of the City of Wilkes-Barre To the Class of 2014: As yew school year begins, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to the city of Wilkes-Barre. As students of Wilkes University, you will have the opportunity to experience this great city firsthand. I hope that the next four years that you spend here with us will be rewarding and memorable. I encourage you to explore everything the city has to offer: from great downtown dining, to the movie theater, to the new ice rink facility at Coal Street Park. Perhaps more than a few of you will make Wilkes-Barre a permanent home once you graduate and become alumni of Wilkes University. The city has seen a rebirth in recent years but there is more work left to be done. You are residents of this city nine months out of the year, and I hope that you come to view Wilkes-Barre as a second home. As such, I invite you to become a vital part of the continued revitalization effort. While you attend Wilkes, look beyond the campus and venture into the broader community. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, tutor children after school, distribute food to under-privileged families at CEO, or take the time to "adopt" a block near campus and help keep it clean throughout the year. Serving the community is a sacred obligation. Wilkes-Barre is an inviting community and if you extend your hand to help, you will be greeted with open arms by city residents. There are limitless opportunities for you to get involved in the community, and it will benefit from your contributions. If you invest in this community, you will receive a dividend more valuable than any paycheck. Most importantly, be safe and be smart. Look out for your fellow classmates both on and off campus. I am very proud to welcome the class of 2014 to Wilkes University. You are the lifeblood of the school and without question you will leave your mark not only on the university, but also on the city as a whole. I wish you the best of luck this year and beyond. I look forward to following your achievements and success in the coming years. Good luck, and know that my door will always be open to you. Sincerely, Thomas M. Leighton Mayor of the City of Wilkes-Barre BYSl Staff The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. Last week's question: No poll question last week. This week, The Beacon asks: When you decide who to vote for, do you take political attack ads into account? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com SPEAK UP! The Beacon wants to hear your voice. Send your name, major, year, and opinion to: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. ~ Obt: goal t of Arr So, lamic at the The expre being Grom sue a Sine built ment Zero. Sim three site, i them I we a mos ship. ' ter wi word exag€ want FO: tion t Zero ists. �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 Buildi~g of NY mosque should .not be inhibited BY STEPHANIE WILKIE Staff Writer on k to: Obtaining the "American Dream" is a goal that every citizen of the United States of America wants to achieve. So, why has it become an issue for Islamic-Americans to practice their religion at their own choice of location? The media is overwhelmed with people expressing frustrations toward a mosque being built one-tenth of a mile from Ground Zero, but has anyone given this issue a look from the other side? Since the mosque is not exactly being built at 'Ground Zero, it is an overstatement to say that the mosque is at Ground Zero. Since you would actually have to travel three blocks total to reach the proposed site, it's much more appropriate to say that the mosqu~ is near Ground Zero. I would not even describe the building as a mosque, which is an entire place of worship. The building is simply a cultural center with a prayer room. The misuse of the word 'mosque' can be blamed on the overexaggerating, opposing forces who do not want this prayer room to be established. FOXNews.com has a horrible assumption that building a mosque near Ground Zero is a recruitment procedure for terrorists. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, head of the proposed prayer center, has made it clear -that his intention for the building is to create harmony among Christians, Jews and Muslims. He pointed out in an interview that people from various religions died in the September 11 attacks all together. He also stated that if the Muslims and Christians begin cursing each other, then people will qegin cursing Allah and Allah will hold the Muslims responsible. Rauf certainly does not want to wish this upon -himself. Denying the building of the mosque would be against our country's own foundation. We all take serious consideration - of 'equal opportunity' when our own de. mands are at stake. To object to another person's is only proving that we don't look out for our fellow man. In our own constitution, we claim to have the freedom ofreligion; to practice it and to not have it infringed upon. Objecting the construction of a place of worship for fellow· Americans would be going against what our country was founded on. President Obama has even expressed himself that Muslims have every right to practice their religion in this country, as does every other citizen. Although, Obama has not taken an official stance on the mosque. - Overall, denying Muslims a . place to worship would be going against the intentions of our forefathers to create a country based upon unbiased solitude. The more we obstruct others from living by the framework of our society, the more we are asking for some sort of rebellion. It takes a S.:!,Crifice or two to establish an understanding between people from different nationalities. Allowing the prayer center to be built is a step in the right direction. CONTACT STEPHANIE WILKIE AT: stephaine.wilkie@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly Aplace of worship, like the one pictured at left, should be able to be built anywhere without scrutiny. Denying anyone in America a place to practice their religion goes against the foundations of our country. -The Spyglass Hypnosis shoul~ not be overlooked as a cure BY.ANTHONY TRUPPO Opinion Editor Physical and mental ailments have plagued humans since the dawn of time. Many embark on arduous searches that can last years in the hope that they will be able to discover a cure. Whereas most seek medicinal and therapeutic remedies, many overlook hypnosis as a possible cure. Treatment through hypnosis can be just as effective - if not more effective - than traditional medicine and therapy. Tim Triplett, a native of Doylestown, PA, now residing near Atlanta, GA, performs 25-30 shows per year as a comedy hypnotist. Unlike most performers, Triplett uses-his skills for healing as well. "Being hypnotized can literally change your life," said Triplett, and he could not have been more right. One of Triplett's major successes involved him working with a woman that suffered from a severe case of arthritis. The woman's pain was so severe that she was rendered unable to leave her home. After being put under hypnosis, the woman experienced complete pain relief. Triplett has not only had great success in healing physical ailments with hypnosis, but mental ailments as well. He encountered a woman with Alzheimer's disease who was experiencing heavy memory loss. While under hypnosis, the woman was able to recall vivid memories and specific . details that she· had completely forgotten. Despite the documented healing powers of hypnosis, many skeptics believe that hypnosis simply does not work. People who do not understand ·hypnosis tend to believe that hypnosis is an act. "People tend to lump hypnotists in with mentalists and magicians and think everything is a trick," said Triplett. I have witnessed firsthand that hypnosis is most certainly not a trick. Sitting front row center at one of Triplett's shows, I watched as he randomly selected 10 spectators from the audience. • All of them were under hypnosis within a matter of minutes. Some went much deep- er than others, one being a close friend of mine who made absolutely no contact with Triplett prior to the show. Many of those who are skeptical of hypnotism have attempted to be hypnotized themselves, but were unable to go under. Factors preventing one from being hypnotized, however, are easily avoidable. Triplett has recognized that hypnosis may not work if the subject is afraid of being hypnotized. According to Triplett, 80 percent of people in their teens and twenties will go under easily, as they are less afraid of being hypnotized. 9ther factors that may prevent hypnosis are trying too hard to go under, analysis of whether one is going under or not and J,elief that the hypnosis is not working. , Whether some people wish to acknowledge it or not, everyone has been hypnotized countless times throughout his or her life. "People go in and out of hypnosis all day, every day," said Triplett. When daydreaming, you are in a hypnotic state. Even those who deny having daydreams are still going in and out of hypnotic trances in the moment before waking and the moment before falling asleep. "If you can allow yourself to go under and find a competent hypnotist, the changes you can find are incredible and can be long term," said Triplett. Although some may not believe in hypnosis, hypnosis can be an effective cure · for all sorts of physical and mental ailments and should not be overlooked as a treatment option. CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu �OPINION 8 THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 Challenge of exams shouldn't be discoveri~g them BY AMANDA LEONARD Assistant Opinion Editor Often times the mere mention of a 101 class brings upon a mural of unpleasant images: crowded classrooms, lectures, exams and the sort Though these classes are indeed essential for building a framework to help one progress towards his or her desired major, many see these classes as a repeat of high school work. Incoming students have varied backgrounds in education, and some may step foot on campus that are beyond the 101 course work. Is it really necessary for each and every English major to take Math 101, even if he or she took calculus in high school? Yes, the opportunities for AP classes may have been offered, but not every student comes into college with a bag full of AP credits. While it is extremely important to have a strong liberal arts background, is it necessary to endure each and every 101 as ifhe or she has never been exposed to the material before? Though it may seem hidden between the lines, Wilkes University offers challenge exams to be exempt from a 101-level course. The fee is $90 per credit, which is significantly cheaper than the normal credit rate. According to the 2009-10 Wilkes bulletin, one may request permission to take a challenge exam if "there is clear evidence that the student has adequate background in the field to attempt the exam." Interestingly enough, not many ·students, or even teachers, are aware of this examination. Why are departments not more open about these exams? If more people passed them, it would lessen the amount of"closed" classes and the need for adjunct teachers. Each department has its own exam in the event a student wishes to take one. Although a challenge exam is not always the way to go in every department, it should at least be presented to students. Dr. Stine, chair of the communications studies department at Wilkes, says that advisers, especially those within his department, do not bring up the topic of challenge exams because they are "not a good idea because successfully challenging one exam is difficult." Howe.ver, courses like Math 101 and History 101, which deal with set information, differ from a communications exam, which would involve "being able to deliver a wide variety o( speeches, as well as the ability to grasp the theoretical portion," Stine explains. The option for challenge exams should be more open and advisors should be more willing to talk to their advisees about this opportunity. By being exempt from a course, one can take higher-level classes that pertain to his or her major, without the credit overload. CONTACT AMANDA LEONARD AT: amanda.leonard 1@wilkes.edu -F BY f Stafl n The Beacon/Tom Reilly Students Erik Karlsen (left) and Altay Uzel (right) sit in a 101 class. Unbeknownstto many, students may have the ability to be exempt from 101 classes by taking a challenge exam; however one must demonstrate knowledge of the subject in order to be eligible for taking a challenge exam. Student Government President encourages involvement on campus BY BENJAMIN BEIDEL Student Government President Wilkes University Students, It is my honor and privilege to welcome everyonq, to the 2010-2011 Academic Year. I'm truly excited to enter into a new year in our education with everyone and thrilled for the opportunity to learn, socialize, and volunteer my time with those whom I have come to have the utmost respect for: my fellow students. As we move forward into another year, for some our last, for others their first foray into the collegiate lifestyle, I want to bring to attention to everyone that· this is an excellent opportunity to get to know your fellow students, explore your own identity, and find how to affect the world around us in a positive way. I want to take this time to encourage everyone to take full advantage of our time here at Wilkes University. Wilkes has il great deal to offer, from a plethora of trips with Student Development as well as the new Adventure Education Program, to an array of opportunities to become involved with different clubs and organizations on _campus. No matter what your interests, be it journalism, sports, government, politics, pharmacy, business, or any other club or organization, Wilkes has a group for it. As Club Day is now in the rear-view mirror, I hope that those who were interested in writing stopped at The Beaco,:z table and learned about submitting articles, those who were interested in leading stopped by the Student Government table, or the Off Campus Council, InterResidence Hall Council, or Com_m uter Council tables to learn how they can represent themselves and give back to the University. It is also my hope that students took time to learn about Programming Board and MSC and their role on this campus. We have a great deal of events ahead of us, including a new three day event known as Fall Fest, September 16-18, as well as Homecoming, October 1-3 with the Pep Rally and comedian Kevin Hart on September 30th, and of course;Casino Night, set for November 5. In the Spring semester, look forward to a revamped Winter Weekend, Spring Fling, and another Casino Night. I encourage all students to take advantage of all the events going on throughout the year on and around campus. By taking advantage of our time at Wilkes, we can continue to move forward together, forging a new ideal; active stuThe Beacon/Marjorie Whispell dents helping their University to exceed During club day, students had many opportunities to the heights it has climbed before, and set join various clubs and organizations. Most clubs meet a new standard for those to follow. during 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays when classes are not in session, in order for everyone Benjamin Beidel to have the chance to parti~ipate. Student Government President 2010-2011 crea Lun ontc (FY Han tion A: ing the and H he f job. C rect he, mir L me1 late fro1 ate ics his ne, rea FY in; be he' 1 sid I ke! I tl toe Lil the re~ ha, wa 'l of ] Ur in1 �CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com . . · Chatting with Faculty: Paul Lumia . .. Professor introduces freshmen FYF classes to Urban Sustainability BY MARK ATTILIO ltaff Writer lly e of s The Wilkes community has again increased with the addition of professor Paul Lumia, who will impart his life knowledge onto a new year of First Year Foundations ~YF) classes. The 48-year-old native of Hampton, Va. came to his teaching position at Wilkes through a fulfilled past. After four years in field artilfery and being mobilized - but never deployed - for the Gulf War, Lumia pursued a bachelor's and master's degree in teaching. However, life took twists and turns, and he found himself working in a main-stream job. Currently, he works as the executive director of North Branch Land Trust, where he conserves portions of land in the Wyoming Valley area. Lumia made some friends in the environmental science department at Wilkes, and later received a formal invitation to teach from Dr. Ellen Flint, dean of undergraduate programs. Teaching his FYF class, Topics in Urban Sustainability, he can share his knowledge of the environment with a new generation of environmental activists, ready and eager to learn what they can. The FYF class, Lumia's first teaching position in an academic environment, is proving to be a good segue into the teaching career he's always kept in the back of his mind. The Beacon: In the past have you con- ell to sidered a teaching career? Lumia: Years ago, lactually came to Wilkes in .order to take some teaching courses. 1thought, 'Maybe I want to teach' , and I took some courses and I greatly enjoyed it. Life took its twists and turns and I stayed in the outside of academia and worked in the regular job wrrld, so to speak. So, I haven't had the opportunity to teach but I have always had it in the back of my mind. iet 1ys ne The Beacon: What is the primary lesson of your FYF class? Lumia: This is FYF section R, Topics in Urban Sustainability. Basically we are looking at how to ma:ke urban environments more stable. We want to· do that because population trends have shown more and more peopl~ are moving into the urban environment globally. To try and achieve some kind of sustainable development in the world, we are going to need to work on the resources we use and all we put out on the other end. We need to try and balance those out so that we can run a neutral system and not run an environmental deficit which we are sort of doing right now. The things we will look at are the urban transportation systems, waste stream, energy, how energy is utilized and how to make buildings more environmehtally sustainable to reduce a building's ecological foot print. We are going to touch on other things like population, zoning, and food production, and things with secondary effects on the urban environment. The Beacon: How is Wilkes treating you? Lumia: I think Wilkes is a fantastic university. I have known a lot of people who have taught at Wilkes. I know a lot of people who have gone to Wilkes, but I have never really had a reason to be on campus until I started teaching. It has been a really pleas~nt experience. Physically, it looks great, and from another perspective, I am being treated quite well. · The Beacon: Do you have any pets? Lumia: I have two terriers, a cat and frogs. The Beacon: Is there anything your students should watch out for the most? Lumia: They should watch out for surprises from me; I like to keep them on their toes. I don't mean by pop quizzes, I mean by throwing them curve balls with different ideas that relate to the subject matter. In the middle of class I might say, 'Let's get up and go for a walk downtown,' a real surprise to get them thinking. They should keep themselves ready, mobile and wear sneakers. The Beacon: Will we see you around in future years? Lumia: I would love to continue to teach a class or two. If they have me back, that is. The Beacon: If you were stuck on a deserted island with a fax machine, Sean Connery and a roll of duct tape, which would be the most useful? Lumia: The duct tape, definitely the duct tape. The Beacon/ Marjorie Whispell Professor Paul Lumia is a new addition to the Wilkes staff. He teaches an FYF class titled, Topics in Urban Sustainability, in a slightly nontraditional manner. Students are encouraged to be ready for anything and to always wear snea~ers. The Beacon: If you could trade all three woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? for something else, what would it be? Lumia: A woodchuck could chuck as Lumia: A short wave radio transmitter. I may actually just trade it for a ride home, · much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if that would work too. a woodchuck could chuck wood. The Beacon: What are your recreational The Beacon: ff you where to run into a activities? Lumia: I do a lot of road riding and ninja on campus, what would be your reacmountain biking. I also fly-fish and ski. tion and would you try to fight him? Lumia: Well, if I saw him stalking me· The Beacon: What is your favorite part like he was going to jump out and attack, I would get ready to battle. Ifl just saw him of any of your current jobs? Lumia: I am the executive director of walking .along I would just think he was part of the theater. I wouldn't bat an eye North Branch Land Trust which is a land conservation organization which we operon a campus. ate in Northeastern Pennsylvania. What we The Beacon: What is your happiest do is conserve property so that it can no longer be developed. memory, which you are willing to share? Lumia: The birth of my first daughter, it The Beacon: How much wood would a was an incredible experience. The Beacon: Do you miss college? Lumia: Yes, it is nice to _be in the academic environment. It didn't make me miss being in .college· myself, I mean, I enjoyed being in college and I enjoyed the experience, but it made me a little nostalgic about the actual environment. So it is nice to be here again, on the teaching side. CONTACT MARK ATTILIO AT mark.attilio@wilkes.edu �LIFE THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 Gak, fencing, Dippin Dots, and music at Club Day 2010 BY RUTH WHISPELL Life Editor On Thursday, September 9, the greenway was a sea of chaos as Wilkes students scoured the numerous tables at Club Day. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. students built bears at a Build-A-Bear Workshop sponsored by the Wilkes University Programing Board table, fought overt-shirts at the Student Development· table and made Gak by mixing chemicals with the chemistry club. This year was the first Club Day for the Paint Ball Club and Robotics Club. The Beacon was there to capture some of the memories made at Club Day 2010. You can find information about all Wilkes clubs at https://sites.google.com/site/wilkesusga/clubs. CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu The Beacon/ Marjorie Whispell Students were able to stop by the pre-phamacy club table and grab a medicine bottle filled with candy to · munch on while browsing other Club Day tables. The Beacon/ Allison Roth Numerous Wilkes University students flooded the greenway on Thursday, September 9 for Club Day 2010. They enjoyed food such as pretzal twists, sausage and peppers, vegetarian chilli and corn dogs provided by Sodexo. The Beacon/ Marjorie Whispell At the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) table you could sign up to recieve information about this years ASB trips and pick up a free bag. The Beacon/ Allison Roth You could have picked up a copy ofThe Manuscript at their Club Day table, stopped by the chorus table and signed up to sing a tune or at the history club table and learned about the past while munching on adelicious baked goods. The Beacon/ Allison Roth The Beacon/ Marjorie Whispell The fencing club, hoping to attract new members, put on an interesting display when they took to the greenway in full fencing uniforms and swords for a lively demonstration in the sport of fencing. Above is an aireal view of the Education and other club tables set up towards the end of the greenway by Capin and Breseith Halls. . · SEE CLUB, Page 11 �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 LIFE 11 Fall 2010 fashion for college girls "' sweaters, as well as an accessory to fall clresses and skirts. They can also be worn under jeans to add extra insulation on parFall weather is in the air. Summer is ticularly chilly days. Many girls wear legfading away and the days are starting to gings in place of tights or stockings, but get cooler. It is time to start putting away they do not qualify as actual pants. shorts and tank tops and switch over to "Leggings are n~t pants, they make fall favorites. pants for a reason" said Cierra Cellerari, For those who are keeping up with the sophomore musical theater major. latest trends, fashion has been moving Leggings come in many different types backwards to styles that were popular in of fabric, some of the most popular being the 1980s, and as far back as the 195_0s. of a blend of spandex, cotton, or polyesAn example of modem styles that were ter, but lace and leather leggings are also popular in the 1950s is ballerina style flat coming into popularity. shoes. An example from the 1980s is legBrittany Battista, freshman communicagings. Other popular fashions this year are tion studies major, is an employee at Juslace clothing, military-style clothing, and tice, which is a clothing store for young fur boots, according to fashionisi~g.com. girls. She said the store sells many pairs The major color for this season is purple, of leggings and that they are very comaccording to Ashley Mehall, sophomore fortable. pharmacy major. She also said that vests 'J eggings' are a newer form of leggings that go over shirts are popular this year, as that hit the runway last year and have well as leggings. now made the transition into main-stream Leggings, not to be confused with pants, . clothing. They are made to look like skinare very popular amon!} female college ny jeans, but they are made of the same students. According to Mehall, leggings spandex blend as leggings. are definitely in style again. This can be The difference between the two 1s that seen just by walking tJ,raugh the green- jeggings have a button on them to make way. Leggings can be worn under long them more like actual jeans, according to BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Assistant Life Editor Jessica Short, sophomore pharmacy major. "I saw them and I thought they were really stupid at first, but I have a pair and they're· actually realiy comfy," said Short. Aside from the leggings family, some college students do not pay much attention to the latest fashion trends. College students typically wear hoodies, and sweat pants or jeans, especially when the weather is chilly. "Fall fashion doesn't change much [for college students]," says Short. She also said it's basically sweats and jeans if )'.Ou're lucky. "I just wear what I'm com-. fortable in and what I think looks good on me," said Cellerari. Skinny jeans, jeggings, belted sweaters, and military jackets can be found in the "must have looks" section of www. boscovs.com. CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gil/yan.gowarty@wilkes.edu The Beacon/ Marjorie Whispell Cierra Cellerari, sophomore musical theater major, sports popular fall fashions that span across decades, including leggings from the 1980s and ballerina-style flat shoes from the 1950s. CLUB Continued from PAGE 10 The Beacon/ Marjorie Whispell The Build-A-Bear Workshop, sponsored by the Wilkes University Programming Board (WUPB), was swamped with The Beacon/ Allison Roth students who enjoyed building stuffed dalmations, elephants, bears and dogs. Students enjoyed the workshop Raina Connor, sophmore buisness major, and a fellow member of the Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Club so much that the table ran out of supplies for building the stuffed animals rather quickly. helped recruit new SIFE members and showed off the clubs past projects and achievements on a poster board. �12 THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 STREET BEAT ------------------ Adam Bailey Cody Bauman Miranda Baur What made Wilkes Freshman pharmacy major Freshman computer science major Freshman English major your school of choice? BYMOI Interim) lt was the most affordable pharmacy school around here and it's a really nice school."· 11 Alf Photos The Beacon/Marjorie Whispell "It was the only school 1. applied to:' '1 love the location. l love the atmosphere, and I knew that Wilkes had a strong program for my major." 1 Laura Preby Melissa Shoemaker Megan Shinert Kaitlyn Brown Freshman communication studjes major Freshman Special-Education Major Freshman undecided Freshman pharmacy ·major "Close to my home and people in my family went here, so I knew it was a great school:' "My cousin went here, and when I used to come visit her I fell in love with the campus, and I knew they had a special education program!' "I live close by and basically I got a nice scholarship. l1m familiar with this area, and it felt like home:' "The pharmacy program, the size and the softball here:' TheWi plans to1 floor wit party, co discjod The ev day frorr · Wilkes's Every to get to day spar The c day, wh1 (IRHC) Story 3" The f< transfon :floorwh On S, Wilkes University's Health & Wellness Corner The Health and Wellness Corner is a weekly feature in The Beacon. Students who ask questions will remain anonymous. All questions will be. answered by Health Service staff Q. I've noticed that using the Internet has started to interfere with my daily life. Do you think it is possible to become addicted to the Internet? A. As you know, the Internet has revolutionized. our ability to communicate and learn allowing the world to be a much smaller place. This is positive, allowing us to be "connected" to others such as family, friends . and colleagues. It is also a wealth of information at our fingertips making it necessary for many of us to be online several hours a day for employment/education purposes. That being said, the Internet can sometimes interrupt lives of real connection and relationship · building while fostering unhealthy habits. In other words, if you feel more comfortable with online friends than your real friends or wish you could stop gambling, shopping and/or coµipulsive surfing so that you finish your class assignments, you are using the Internet too much and may be developing an addiction. Some signs of unhealthy computer use include: mixed feelings of well-being and guilt while online, unsuccessful efforts · to limit computer use, neglecting friends, family and/or responsibilities while online, feeling anxious, depressed or irritable when your computer time is interrupted, using the computer as a way to feel better (sadness, anger, or sexual gratification) and/or frequent thoughts about when you will be using the computer again. If this describes you and you would like to work toward change and balance in your life, make an appointment with a campus counselor to learn new coping skills, strengthen your relationships, and process any underlying reasons that may need therapeutic treatment. Do you have a question for the Health & Wellness corner? Email your questions to wellness.services@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next week's Wellness Corner. Your privacy will be protected. You can reach those working at Health Services at SJ0-408-4730 or by visiting their office located on the first floor of Passan Hall. I ' Fl �CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 Go big or go foam: party a new addition to Fall Fest BY MOLLY KURLANDSKI Interim A&EEditor The Wilkes University Programming Board plans to transform the greenway into a dance floor with the school's first ever foam/dance party, complete with an inflatable foam pit, disc jockey and light show. The event, which is scheduled for this Friday from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., will highlight Wilkes's annual Fall Fest celebration. Every year, Fall Fest allows several clubs to get together and host events over a threeday span. The celebration will commence Thursday, when the Inter-Residence Hall Council {IRHC) and Commuter Council show "Toy Story 3" on the greenway at 9 p.m. The following night, the greenway will transform from a movie theater into a dance floor when the foam party takes place. On Saturday, Student Government will hold several activities from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Programming Board has planned the foam/dance party in hopes to gain more campus involvement in the fun and exciting activities made available to the students. Jeff Simpson, a senior business major and Prograrnming Board president, stated that since this year is a rebuilding year for the board, they wanted to see if they could bring in some new activities. "This was just an opportunity to do something we [have] never done before," said Simpson, "With the success of the concert over by Evans [Hall, we can] utilize space that we never used, and just basically try to give the students something they never had before." The event hopes to attract many students and its location will surely make it hard to miss. "It's something that's been thrown around for awhile and we were the club that said we would make it happen," said Christina D'lppolito, a senior pharmacy major and PR Secretary for Programming Board. D'Ippolito explained that each year Programming Board has the opportunity to attend a NACA (National Association for Campus Activity) conference. At this conference, students are able to talk and receive information from over 300 vendors, who than provide entertainment and activities of all variations, to colleges and universities. "This year, it's a smaller executive board," Simpson added. "We want to push more events that we haven't done before and expand what we do. Something new. We want student participation." Attire for the foam party is a t-shirt and shorts, and Programming Board encourages students to dress appropriately. Though the party is highly anticipated, it's just the beginning of exciting activities that Programming Board is sponsoring this year. On Tuesday, September 21, the group will also be host a sky-diving event during club hours in the greenway. On September 30, at 8 p.m. comedian Kevin Hart will be performing at Wilkes. Also, with the addition of the new Wilkes University Programming Board fan page on ·Facebook, students can become more involved with events on campus and even make suggestions on future events. CONTACT MOLLY KURLANDSKI AT: mol!y.kurlandski@wilkes. edu Student -Develo·pment activities . .;lt}:J!I~ , ,. ..• - ~,,~-1 ;,., , 00 Hl'Hll'. Pir.1.~,~119/• · emlirollletY, • / ·· -:, 'v, x::,-- · - .., pro1110 ~.~~~.. ., - itellls • • ~ Helping 1111ake Wilkes look great since 1 P931 Your trusted source for • screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. • • FUTURISTIC INNOVATIVE GRAPHICS, INC. ... 146 S. Pennsylvania, Ave. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 570.823.9272 ~ ,«1;111io ... • ~ 1@'"'"' (Across from Holy Redeemer High School near Domino's) Affordable trips offered during Fall '10 BY STEPHANIE WILKIE Staff Writer Wilkes University Student Development is offering dozens of affordable activities for cash-strapped students during the Fall 2010 semester. The mixture of programs include day trips, experiential adventures, cultural · activities and more. The majority of the events will cost students less than $10. Student Development's experiential adventure series is an alternative learning experience, which allows students to engage in physical activities and build teamwork skills. On September 25, an Urban Bike Tour will take place in New York City. The cost of the excursion is $15 and includes a bike rental. If you are interested in Disc Golf, which . is a game where discs are thrown into a basket or at a target, on October 10, students can attend a free Disc Golf event and a Boulder Field Hi,ke at Hickory Run State Park . For those who are daring, there will be a haunted tour of Jim Thorpe, Pa., which includes a hike and bike rental for $10. This will take place on October 23. Student Development heads back to Jim Thorpe on Halloween when they sponsor an opportunity to play paintball at Skirmish. A prize will be awarded to the student with the best costume for this Halloween event, which costs $15. Students can sign up now at the Student Center Info Desk for a free hiking trip of the Appalachian Trail, which will take place on November 13. And if you're hesitant about leaving campus or spending money, there's always the free UCOM Rock Wall, which ev- . ery student can attempt to scale on Mondays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Other day trips sponsored by Student Development include a trip to Citizens Bank Park to see the Philadelphia Phillies battle the New York Mets on September 24. Tickets and transportation for this trip cost $10. On October 9, there will be a trip to New Jersey's Six Flags Great Adventure for $10. If you are up for a thrill, there is a trip to the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia for a haunted tour called "Terror Behind the Walls." For only $5, which is $20 off of the regular cost, you can visit one of the top haunted houses in Pennsylvania. SEE DEVELOPMENT. PAGE 15 �r A&E THE BE~CON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 TH Happy Little Hot Dog Co. makes customers happy BY MOLLY KURLANDSKI Interim A&E Editor Located on South Main Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre, The Happy Little Hot Dog Company is easily the quaintest restaurant within walking distance of the Wilkes campus. The owners, Jim and Daphne Roberts, are a retired couple who find a joy in providing and catering to the downtown region and its college student inhabitants, which is why they offer great food at a price that anyone can afford. Originally starting out as a hot dog cart, the Roberts' are now constantly expanding their business each and every week, adding more and more quality choices to their once strictly 'hot dog' menu. There are no preservatives in the hot dogs or hamburgers served and everything is 100% beef. Though the food at the Happy Little Hot Dog Company is unparalleled for what it is, the best part of this restaurant is lunch specials can be found nearly every day. Plus, students the quick service, perfect for those patrons who need to grab can receive a discount on their meal by presenting a valid college ID. a quick bite to eat between meetings or classes. · In two or three weeks, breakfast will be offered, in a 'deUpon entering the Happy Little Hot Dog Company, a customer will feel just that: happy. A patron will feel like they . sign your own' manner such as wraps and breakfast sandare sitting at their own dinner table waiting for mom and wiches. Also, hours will be expanded to cater to the college studad to finish up their cooking. All of the restaurant's food is homemade and served with a numerous choice of delicious dents who might be coming back from a movie late or even for those who dorm close by. toppings. Whether its the friendly service or the cute 'made-to-orWhether it's a hot dog, hamburger or fries, the food is served with a smile and a friendly hello, just like mom and der menu,' this Little Hot Dog Co. is relatively new, but it's obvious that downtown Wilkes-Barre just can't seem to get dad would. Prices are affordable especially for college students who enough of it. are hungry for food on-the-go and are on a budget. Menu items range from $3 to $9, and that usually includes two hot CONTACT MOLLY KURLANDSKI AT: dogs, a drink, and fries. If that's outside your price range, mollykurlandski@wilkes.edu 0, [ Cc pl lI1 D s pl B tl l] n 1 Happy Little Hot Dog Co., located on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre, is open generally from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The Beacon/Jonathan Bowman STREET BEAT Erin Hanley Brittany Battista Jessica Who is your favorite Jersey Shore charader? Junior pharmacy major Freshman communications major Sophomore elementary education major -----------------Photos The Beacon/Jonathn Bowman The Beacon/Molly Kurlandski "Vinny::' "Sammi:' Short fi I �TH~ BEACO.N . 1 SEPT~MBER 14, 2010 ZerCross: "THINGs WE oo To PROCRASTINATE" BY ASHLEY ZERFOSS Correspondent ~ I ll ' de'andstueven I I I ' l - ........... -'-4 16 '-- I io-ort it's o get I ........... r ····-··-·· I-- 1 '-- '-- 9 .......... ,..... I 110 11 ,___ ---- I 18 II I - >--- I 13 - 14 I - >-->--- ~ 15 I i >--- >--- ~ 16 I 11 ,__ ,__ 118 I I ' 19 >--- I '-~ lO I I I ' DEVELOPMENT Continued from PAGE 13 wman On December 4, a trip is being held to New York City. The price of$25 includes tickets to a Broadway show and dinner. Interested students can sign up at the Student Center Info Desk for any of these trips. There's also a cultural series of activities presented by Student Development, which offers discounts on two local productions. The first show is located at the Little Theater of WilkesBarre. "The Producers" is being performed on September 17 through September 19, and admittance is free with a Wilkes ID. The Broadway Theater of NEPA will be performing the musical version of "Legally Blonde" on November 20th. Ticket~ for this are available at the Student Center Info Desk for $5. Down Across .--3 2. Click here for the latest videos of anything and everything. 6. Head here during the day to bask in the sun, hang out with friends, or enjoy a block party. 8. Pop some popcorn and text your friends because these are an easy way to kill a few hours. 10. Some tum to other books to get away from studying. 11. For some, its easier to do this to their rooms, even though mom and dad aren't . around telling us to do it. 12. Fling this around on the green with some friends. 14. Pull this out of your pocket and rock out to your favorite music anywhere, anytime. 16. Grab a roommate or a friend and just do this. 17. Raid your minifridge or head to Rifkin for this time-wasting activity. 18. Hint Hint: you're doing it NOW. 20. Pull out your controllers and enter the virtual world through these. Community Service is also part of this fall's events. There will be blood drives in the SUB Ballroom on September 29 and November 30 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. World Habitat Day, designed to reflect on the state of our cities and the basic.human right to shelter, is on October 1. Make a Difference Day, a day intended to be a day of helping others, is on October 23. Frances Slocum State Park will be holding the Bark at the Park and Nay Aug State Park will be holding Light the Night Walk. Both of these events are on October 2, starting at 9 a.m. Bark at the Park is a non-profit event to spread awareness of the abuse to animals. All of the proceeds will find homes for animals, spay/neuter animals, present humane messages against violence to animals and save lives of sick ani_mals. Light the Night walk is a nationwide event inspired by the illnesses leukamia and lymphoma to build awareness of blood cancers and to raise funds for cures. Campus Interfaith provides many different resources for 1. Pull out your cellphone and do this to "c what ur friends r up 2." 3. How about pulling out Clue, Sorry, or Parcheesi to blow off some steam with your roommate? 4. Fluffy, Fido, and even Bubbles the fish can provide easy distractions. 5. Head here to lift some weights, shoot some hoops, or anything else to get your heart pumping. 7. Watch this to see what's happening on the Jersey Shore or to catch the bigJ ame! 9. Here, you update your status, write on walls, and post pictures of your procrastination. 13. Head here for the best bagels on campus! 15. Grab a stick and shoot stripes or solids in this game. 19. Take one of these to get away from campus and see some sights. CONTACT ASHLEY ZERFOSS AT: ashley.zerfoss@wilkes.edu students of different faiths. The first Monday of each month, Scoops of Spirituality will be held at 5 p.m. in Fenner Hall. Every Sunday, Protest.ant and non-denominational services are held at 7 p.m. in the Savitz Lounge on the second floor of the SUB. Roman Catholic Services can be attended every Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Miller Conference Room, also on the second floor of the SUB. Intercollegiate Leader~hip Wilkes-Barre applications are available within the Student Development Office. E-Mentor applications will be available on December I at the SUB Info Desk and Co-op office. If you become fan of Wilkes University Student Development on Facebook, you are eligible for free prizes and . give-a-ways. CONTACT STEPHANIE WILKIE AT: stephaine.wilkie@wilkes.edu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-~~~~~~-~~a;aa;a; Bruce · Chesson Michael Wagner Maggie Wesolowski Helen Lawry Sophomore nursing major Freshman Senior Freshman pre-pharmacy major business administration major pre-pharmacy "The Situation:' major �CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 Wilkes women's soccer has ball in Brazil BY PETER NGUYEN Attend club Championship, learn life lessons Correspondent BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor While most students were soaking up the rays and making the most out of their last few weeks of summer, 13 women of the Wilkes University soccer team were exploring Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil. For some, the trip to Brazil, which was organized in conjunction with the United Soccer Academy, has been something that they've been dreaming of their whole lives. "Playing soccer in Brazil has always been on my list of things to do in life," said junior midfielder Ashley Thorpe. "So having this opportunity was truly awesome." For sophomore midfielder Brooke Edwards, words do the experience no justice. "The trip was amazing," Edwards said excitedly. "We got to experience a completely different lifestyle then we have here at home." The 10-day event began on Monday, August 2 and was made possible by immense amounts of fundraising by the team over the past couple of years. Between the solicitation of alumni, apparel sales, Valentine's Day rose sales, and numerous camps and clinics for local high school athl~es, the team surpassed its original goal of$13,000 by more than $1,000. . Between trekking through South Americanjungles, crashing through waves at some of the most beautiful beaches in the world • and visiting the Favellas slums, the trip had a little bit of everything. And out of all their experiences, it was easy for the women to pick out their fondest memory from the trip. Both Edwards and Thorpe agreed that going to the Sao Paulo soccer game was the highlight of the trip. "My favorite part was going to the Sao Pa · o soccer game," said Edwards. "It was completely different then anything in the U.S. Nothing would compare to the experience." "Easily the Sao Paulo game was my favorite part," _said Thorpe. "It's something that everyone needs to experience to understand. It doesn't compare to a World Series or Super Bowl in America." The girls were lucky to attend the game because head coach John Sumoski was warned Photo Courtesy of Ashley Thorpe The Wilkes women's soccer team spent 1Odays of their summer in Brazil where they not only had the chance to play, but interact with local kids where they were able to give out anything from shirts to jerseys. . about the dangers of attending a game of that magnitude due to the rowdy crowds. But Sumoski, who wanted the women to really experience the South American culture, would not take no for an answer. "We were told ahead of time [the game] would be dangerous, but we wanted to go, because that's what the culture is all about," said Sumoski. "You don't get that kind of passion in the US. It was the South American club championship and the tickets were hard to come by, but they kind of fell in our lap." The women's visit into the Flavella slums in Paraisopolis, a small municipality in Sao Paulo, was another experience that they will always remember. The visit, which was Sumoski's idea, was an eye-opening experience for the women because the team was not accustomed to that lifestyle. "It truly was a humbling experience," said Edwards. "The picture of the slums was like watching 'Slumdog Millionaire.' These kids had barely anything compared to the city life, but still managed to have a soccer field and equipment to play with." The Skinny Post By going to Flavella, Sumoski's goal was to show the girls how some people live and to teach valuable life experiences. "Honestly, I hate complaining," said Sumoski. "I wanted them to see people in the worst circumstances possible. My first question to the company was take us to the most exciting games possible, and take us to see the people in the slums and do community service. What those people have ... they just play soccer all day. Some kids cut school just to see us. I wanted them to see poverty and to look at what they have and when they think about complaining, they think twice." While there, the team gave away anything from shirts to pens and jerseys. According to Sumoski, the locals wanted anything they could get from the Lady Colonels. "I went with 10 Wilkes shirts, and I gave nine away," said Sumoski. "If I would have known, I would have had hundreds of Wilkes shirts printed off to give away." The last time Sumoski took his team overseas, in 2005 when the team visited Belgium, Holland and Germany, they came back and won the Freedom Conference for the first SEE BRAZIL, Page 19 Editor '.s note: This is the first installment of a weekly column highlighting fantasy football. Check back each week for insights and tips on how to ensure you win your next game. All right, football fans, It's about that time of year again. The ladies of Wilkes University were looking mighty fine on the greenway this week, so enjoy it while it lasts ... the countdown to sweat pants and high school sports team sweatshirts with their nickname on the back has begun! All you fanatics also know that the countdown to the NFL season is now officially over with the Saints and Vikings kicking it off last Thursday. Boy, did Drew Brees look good airing it out in that first half? It's too bad his receiving corps looked like "The Replacements." I mean come on! How hard is it to catch a wide open money pass? I know you Brett Favre owners ar~ probably getting nervous with his performance, but I don't think he's really to blame. He played fairly well with a good amount of protection from that offensive line. I know for a fact that Visanthe Shiancoe owners are loving life right now. While Adrian Peterson owners might be a little worried about the weak 10-point showing, keep in mind, he did rush for 87 yards on 19 carries in a losing effort against a pretty legitimate defense. So here comes the reality of fantasy sports, which ex-Jets coach Henn Edwards stated very clearly, "You play to win the game!" Instead of torching the Vikings secondary, the Saints wisely managed the clock ended the game with some not so sexy football, fantasy wise that is. Without further adieu, I would like to start with the things .I hope you didn't do. Let's start with your draft. I hope none of you took defenses or kickers early to fill up your team. The Jets DIST and Mason Crosby earlier than the last two to three rounds are just not good options. It's much wiser to load up on those precious RB/WR positions as they will be scoring the bulk of your points. There's also the issue of some general manag~rs selecting players that they want on their team ahead of players that are much SEE SKINNY, Pag_e 19 �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 SPORTS '\ 7 Athlete Spotlight: Marissa Harrison, volleyballer BY JUSTIN JONES Staff Writer In today's society, when someone is tallying up kills, it would be safe to assume that said person is playing some sort of violent video game. For Marissa Harrison, her kills aren't violent in nature, but they still go a long way towards winning her type of game. The senior volleyball player has opened up the first stretch of the season with a bang, already generating 71 kills and 57 digs for the Lady Colonels. Harrison's superb play on the court and her evident team leadership has garnered this week's Athlete Spotlight. To get a glimpse of how well Harrison has played thus far, just look at her individual stats in the team's last game against Albright where she had 17 kills and 12 digs. Harrison is nowhere near becoming complacent, saying that, "I am always pushing myself to do better, so I wouldn't say it was a great game, but definitely a good game for the beginning of the season." She a~itted that against Albright, she had a lot of help from her teammates and coaches telling her where the other teams defense The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Senior volleyball player Marissa Harrison has started the 2010 season strong with 71 kills and 57 digs for the lady Colonels throughoutthe first 18 games of the season was set up, and where the block was. Harrison attributed her success during the beginning of the season to aspects of her game that she has worked on over the past off-season. "I think I have become a more well-rounded and smarter hitter," she said. "I definitely can place the ball better this year, and I am able to pick out the holes in the opposing teams defense." The senior acknowledged that with her class standing also comes a responsibility to lead her team. "I definitely think it is my duty as a senior to lead by example both on and off the court," she said. "I always try my best to be as vocal as possible and to always encourage my teammates, as well as help them improve their volleyball skills." The team, despite the play of players uch as Harrison and junior Kate McGurk, has struggled so far in the win-loss column, going just 5-5 in their first ten games. "This season has started off a lot different than last season," Harrison said. "Last season we started off with a 10-0 record, however this season we have faced much tougher competition than we did last year. I jeel like this will only push us to strive and get better, and we can only benefit from playing better teams." '.'Compared to the past, I think this years team has a good mix of freshman ancrupperclassnian," she added. "The freshman are definitely stepping up, SEE HARRISON, Page 19 ALecHOL SPEeIALS PO.lil 21+ UIE .I.0. ~ e11fi~ usi~h cclleae I.'D(Asu 21+ <mls) �l8 SPORTS SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL .-9/11 vs. Waynesburg 38-35 W WOMEN'S SOCCER 9/1 vs. Marywood 1-0 W 9/4 @Stockton 1-2 L 9/5 @ Rowan 0-5 L 9/8 @ Scranton 0-1 L 9/11 vs. Moravian 1-0 W MEN'S SOCCER 9/1 vs. Marywood 2-3 L 9/4@ Neumann 2-3 L 9/8 @ Muhlenburg 0-4 L 9/11 @McDaniel 0-1 L 9/12 vs. York/ Medaille FIELD HOCKEY 9/4 @ Scranton o~ 1 L 9/8 @ Cabrini CANCELLED , 9f.ll vs. Arcadia 2-1 W VOLLEYBALL 9/1 vs. Scranton 1-3 L 9/3 @ Swarthmore 0-3 L 9/3 @Alvernia 3-1 W 9/4@ Cabrini 1-3 L 9/4 @ Centenary 3-0 W 9/7 @Albright 3-0 W 9/10 @Centenary 3-2 W 9/10 @ Pitt-Bradford 0-3 L 9/11@ Scranton 0-3 L 9/11 @ Kings 3-2 W WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 9/18 vs~Springfield WOMEN'S SOCCER 9/16 @Lebanon Valley 9/17 @Widener 9/21 @Centenary MEN'S SOCCER , 9/1 vs. Dickinson 9/4 @ Elizabethtown College FIELD HOCKEY 9/16 vs. Keystone 9/18 vs. Moravian 9/21 vs. William Paterson VOLLEYBALL 9/15 @ FDU-Florham 9/18 @Lycoming 9/18 @Baptist Bible College n, THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 FACECIFF BY, BCS vs. Playoffs: Which should we have? Edit Nc Rei~ kno in ti alw; Re corr: pior "1' #Playoffs?! You kidding me? Playoffs?" Sport, Editor ANTHONYDORUNDA As my favorite super hero alter-ego Tony Stark has said, "Oh, it's good to be back." Oh, and it is. You know what my· favorite part of the start of fall semester is? Having classes at 8 a.m .... joking, joking. The real reason I'm glad to be back is the official beginning of what America waits a dreadful eight months for: college football. It's the return of tailgating, of white outs, of Richter-scale measuring crowd noise and of Lee Corso and the College Gameday gang. It's also the return of the hottest debate in college sports: a football playoff system. To be, or not to be; that is the question. What better way to spark up this daily debate than the opening weekend finale featuring possibly the team with the most at stake in the BCS system: Boise State. The high-flying Broncos (clad in their ex- tremely sharp Nike Pro Combat uniforms) did what they do best: win. They are the sole reason (along with a few teams like Utah and TCU) that a playoff system should surely be considered as a way to determine a national champion in college football. See, the only problem with that is there are only a handful of teams that actually deserve that shot. And to be completely honest, although this year Boise State is surely in the upper echelon of mighty teams (are there really any "mighty" teams this year?), the Broncos are just not enough to warrant a playoff format in Division-I college football. Now, before someone threatens to hang me from Breiseth Hall, at least hear me out. No, I'm not going to point to their weak conference schedule. To be honest, they incinerate every single team they play. They get the job done, day in and day out. I'm simply going to point to their record versus BCS conference opponents since 2002: 6-7. I'm sorry, but if Ohio State was 6-7, not only would they not get a crack at the title, they might not get invited to the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl (which, by the way, is my favorite game purely because of the name). Before we drop nearly 100 years of unique college football history as one of the few sports without a playoff to determine a champion, I want to see Boise State play a top notch team one week, and then come back the next week and face another legitimate foe. That's the difference between mid-major teams and BCS teams - there is no week off. Sure, Boise wins those big games. But they also have all year to prepare, use up all the energy they have in the tank to pull off a nail-biter, and then relax because they know San Jose State's coming for them next week (I'm shaking, too). ESPN's Colin Cowherd said it best when he said that that game was just another Saturday night in the SEC. Let's just sit back, relax, and let it be another year for the BCS. goa win Iwi stan M that is ii the COUJ "I mail defi figh Di sity a bi the El Reic sea~ tens "I ing said mm BCS: Big Controversial System AssistmltSports Editor {JlNSJOPIJIHOl!IIJIS, For 12 years, the best college football team in the nation has been crowned under what has been a faulty system. The BCS format is too flawed and comes with too much controversy to be taken seriously anymore and should no longer be the basis for how we determine the best team in the nation. Just take the 2003-2004 season for example. You ask people in Louisiana and in California who the National Champion was that year and you're going to get different answers. How is that possible? How can there be different answers for such a clear cut question? There are no ties come postseason. Both LSU and USC considered themselves to be champions. With three teams from the BCS conferences, LSU, USC, and Oklahoma, finishing with only one loss, USC was left out of the "championship" game because of a low computer ranking, a major component of the BCS. This is despite being number one in both the AP polls and the coaches' poll. With both USC and LSU winning their respective games, USC topped the AP polls while LSU took over the coaches' poll, although not by a unanimous count, the first and only time in history the coaches' poll was not unanimous. Two national champions, never getting the chance to play each other to determine a true wmner. Let's go back to last year, where I'm sure Boise State and TCU would be glad to give you their thoughts on the current format. These two teams made strong cases throughout the season that they deserved a shot at the championship by going undefeated. However, not only were they not granted a spot in the National Championship, but they were pitted against each other - denying them an opportunity to show they could hang with any major conference team. A similar problem is already in the works for this season. Only one week into the season and controversy is already brewing with the same two teams, Boise State and TCU. With both schools already in the top five, can we really penalize them again for playing in a weaker conference? Boise State proved their talent with an impressive win over then-tenth-ranked Virginia Tech in the first game of the season, while TCU also took out a ranked Oregon State team. However, it appears a national title may be out of their hands, even if they never lose, if two teams from a "BCS" conference also go undefeated. It would be a shame to see them miss out again. It's not a hard problem to fix. Playoffs are the solution to not leaving deserving teams out wondering what if or having "co-champions." In a recent survey done by ESPN, 135 Division I-A football players were asked, "BCS or playoffs?" Playoffs were the decisive choice, as· 62% voted in favor of a bracket. So I ask the NCAA to take a hint and move on from· past mistakes. Listen to your athletes and toss the BCS before we have another set of co-champions. I think Julie the Cat said it best in "D3: The Mighty Ducks," "I hate ties. It's like kissing your brother." SI Cont mor . ' pid 1'1 for whe out was draf Dall age Dc tale1 tion for c dep1 co · pett �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 SPORTS , 19 ew field h_ockey. .coach brings intensity, focus and experience In addition, at a smaller school like Wilkes, Reichard is able to do a mix of everything, such as recruiting and handson coaching. Assistant coach, Kaitlyn Martin, a Tow·son University graduate, said that receiving a new coach made the girls BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Editor-in-Chief New head field hockey coach Mollie . Reichard is no stranger to the game. And she knows that although winning is a main goal in the minds of many players, to her, it isn't always everything. Reichard said that the players have one common goal in mind: win the MAC championship. "My goal is helping them achieve their goal," Reichard said of the players' idea of winning the MAC championship. "For me, I want to see them each improve and understand concepts." Midfielder/forward Amanda Peters said that making it to the MAC championship . The Beacon/Allison Roth n7,~:us._ 1 is important to the team because last year, Head coach Mollie Reichard looks on during the team's 2-1 victory this past Saturday versus . , . v 1 0 us by the team was ranked as high as 12th in the Arcadia. The victory marked her first win at the helm of the Lady Colonels program. it s gliomg to. e country. . a c ange, Just "It would be nice to be ranked again and to cus." because of tranmake it to the championship," she said. "We Reichard spent her 2009 season with Old sition of coaching staff," Martin said. "The definitely have the potential; we just have to Dominion University as a recruiting coordi- girls were of course nervous, they were just fight it out iµid stick together." nator. Prior to that, she served on the coach- trying to stick together and be as positive as During their first game against the Univer- ing staff at Ohio University. they can about receiving a new coach." sity of Scranton, Reichard said the team was She chose to come to Wilkes for a numMartin said that Reichard turned out to be abit nervous, which may have attributed to ber of reasons. The choice was a good op- a good fit for the girls and for Wilkes. the 1-0 loss. portunity for a head coach position. Because "She is very knowledgeable about the Each game is a learning experience for Reichard feels so strongly about academics game coming from Division 1 programs," Reichard and the players. For the rest of the and athletics, she felt Wi.l kes University was Martin said. "She is very intuitive with the season, Reichard has high hopes due to in- an institution where successes in both areas girls, very positive and very serious about tense and focused practices. getting the job done and getting the job done could be achieved. "I'm pleased right now, but I'm not hav"I want the kids to leave not only being correctly." ing any idea of what to expect," Reichard better hockey players, but better people, as Senior defender Rachel Cannuli said that said. "Pre-season went very well and things well," said Reichard. "I want students to coach Reichard has brought skills and coachmoved along with good intensity and fo- have a well-rounded college experience." ing techniques to the table. SKINNY HARRISON Continued from PAGE 16 Continued from PAGE 17 more skilled and would be a much better pick. I've seen some questionable stretches for players who are taken for personal bias when clearly there are better options still left out there. For example, Brent Celek (who was taken in the fourth round of one of my drafts, before the likes of Antonio Gates, Dallas Clark, and Vernon Davis) is just not agood pick. Don't get me wrong, Celek is a great young talent and was fourth in points for that position respectively, but by reaching that early for Celek, you're missing out on those great depth choice~. CONTACT PETER NGUYEN AT: peter.nguyen@wilkes.edu L CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu I. BRAZIL Continued from PAGE 16 and fulfilling their roles on the court, which time in school history. allows us to be a better team." Sumoski hopes that this trip can spark a Although Harrison has strong values re- little more of that magic this season. garding teamwork, she also commented on "It's certainly crossed my mind," said Suwhere she sees herself individ_ually. moski. "It's not so much about the trip as it "I have recently broke the 1,000 kill mark, is. the group of players. That [2005] group and I hope to break the record this season for was a special group with high standards, and kills in a career," Harrison said. I can see glimpses of that with this group. Whether she achieves that goal or not, her ·1 We're just trying to find ourselves right now. devotion to the team and love of the game We have enough talent, and I always believe I has helped her decide that no matter how that if your in the playoffs, who knows what this season ends, she wants to stay with the can happen." team her final two years as the Graduate As· sistant. 1 I CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT: justinjones 1@wilkes.edu "She is actually a great coach and everyone's really excited to have her," Cannuli · said. "She is bringing a lot of intensity into the program." Peters said that transitioning to Reichard's coaching style was difficult in the beginning. "It was rough at first because she is a very hard coach," said Peters. "But she knows everything [about the game]." In addition, Cannuli 's skills have improved due to the coaching of Reichard and Martin. "I think that out of all the years I've played, I've developed most this year because of e#,,erything Katie and Mollie have taught us." Prior to the game versus Arcadia University, both Cannuli and Reichard were expecting a win and the team reached their goal by defeating the Knights 2-1. Marni Mancini, freshman, scored the first goal, which was unassisted, within the first two minutes of the game. During the rest I of the first half, junior goalkeeper, Lindsey Davenport; saved 11 shots. With the start of the second half came another goal for Wilkes by Olivia Dworak, freshman. Arcadia pressured the Wilkes defense and scored with five' minutes left in the second half. That goal came from Abagail Brockelbank of Arcadia. Before the half was over, Davenport saved six more shots to secure the first win of the season for the team. CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu ATTENTION! "'*lntramurals have begun 1 Flag Football, Soccer, and numerous other events wilJ be taking place! .. For more information, .view the Wilkes Uni-versity Athletic website• www.gowilkesu.com. Advertisements will also appear on the Wilkes Today section in the MyWilkes portal. **Visit the Facebook fan page, "Wilkes lntramurals,'' and become a fan! **For more information, contact Neal Biscaldi at neal.biscaldi@wilkes.edu �20 THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 SPORTS Colonels sting Jackets in opener, 38-35 • Bernsten scores four touchdowns in Wilkes debut r BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Editor-in-Chief There's only one number that mattered to the Wilkes University football team on Saturday. One win. It didn't matter how many yards or points the Colonels gave up. All that mattered to the Colonels is that they won the game. Thanks to sophomore quarterback Tyler Bemsten's four total touchdowns and a game-saving interception by senior defensive back Greg Nielsen, the Colonels defeated Waynesburg 38-35 in the team's first-ever game at the newly renovated Ralston Athletic Complex. "We knew that they were going to be a very good team," said Bemsten, who fin. ished ll-for-16 with 129 passing yards and · added 55 rushing yards on 16 carries. "We got their last three films from last season. We knew their offense was very good and their defense had a lot of good players, especially in the front seven. We just ran our stuff." That "stuff' was a balanced offensive attack that saw the Colonels score four touchdowns in the game's first half to build a 28-7 advantage. All told, the Colonels rushed 45 times and threw 25 times, recording 379 yards of total offense. Bemsten was at the center of it all, throwing touchdown passes to junior wide receivers Shawn Gregson and Todd Eagles, as well as senior wide re...... c e 1 v er Jordan D'Emilio, while running one of his own in as well. Junior running back Zach Tivald recorded the other BERNSTEN Wilkes touchdown on a I-yard run. With less than two minutes remaining in the first half, it looked like Wilkes was heading into the locker room with a decisive advantage. But Waynesburg had other plans. The Yellow Jackets erupted for two 64plus-yard touchdown drives before the half was over, cutting Wilkes' lead to 28-21 as the teams headed to the locker room. The Colonels responded with a big drive The Beacon/ Jacqueline Lukas Junior Todd Eagles and senior Jordan D'Emilio celebrate after Eagles scored on a 34-yard touchdown reception from sophom~re quaterback Tyler Bernsten in the third quarter. of their own to start the third quarter, with Bemsten capping off a 66-yard drive with a 6-yard rushing touchdown. Chris Hom nailed his fifth PAT of the afternoon to give Wilkes a 35-21 advantage . "We're up 28-7, have all the momentum I think we relaxed a little bit," said Wilkes coach Frank Sheptock. "Obviously, Waynesburg's a very explosive offense. They get back in the game, but being that we were able to come out of the locker room, drive it down, score, get a three-and-out and sort of reestablish ourself, I just thought that was tremendous by our team." After the Yellow Jackets scored late in the third to make it 35-28, Hom put a 21-yard field goal between the uprights to give the . Colonels a 10-point lead. But Waynesburg responded with another touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to make it a threepoint affair with 8:16 remaining in regulation. The Colonels then mounted an 11-play, 68-yard drive that ate more than five minutes off the clock and saw them advance to Waynesburg's 12-yard line. However, with a chance to put the game out of reach, Bemsten fumbled the ball and the Yellow Jackets recovered. Waynesburg drove down the field to their own 42-yard line, which is when Nielsen reacted to a throw over the middle and made his second interception of the afternoon to save the game. "Oh my God," said Nielsen. "I can't even explain th!! feeling. I've never been so happy in my life. The way we got out of there, I'm still recovering from that." "Coach said before the game that nothing's ever going to be easy," Bemsten said. "You're going to have to face adversity in everything that you do in life and football is a part of life. We had some highs ... we had the momentum and we lost it. We were able to gain it back again at the end." NOTEBOOK In addition to Nielsen's two interceptions, the Colonels also received picks from freshman linebackers Tom Calabrese and Rob Houseknecht. The Colonels return to action next Saturday when they host Springfield College (MA). Kick-off is set for 12:00 p.m. at the Ralston Athletic Complex. CONTACT MICHAEL CIGNOLI AT: michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu � 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 2010 September 14th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 September 14 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/441224720852a9e5fcbbc416b76b1df7.pdf b5f3d96c455f196ce755caad19a80611 PDF Text Text THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Volume 63 Issue 2 Fenner Garden is more than just a pretty place Tlie Beacon/Allison oth Phase one of SHE building approved for 2011 construction BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant News Editor Last week the Board of Trustees approved the construction of a new Science Health and Engineering building with a projected construction date of September 2011, diverging from the original plan to renovate the Stark Learning Center. The plan has been defined as 'phase one' of the SHE building project, which outlines the construction of a new building to house the biology and chemistry programs, along with possibly some of the environmental science programs and the new program for energy and environment. President Tim Gilmour said that this plan has a reduced scope from the previous idea to fully renovate the Stark Learning Center, which currently houses the sciences. "That's actually changed from where we were even six months ago, in that we thought we were going to be able to renovate the old portion of the building, but the more the architects and the construction representative looked at it, the more they realized that probably in the end it would be just as expensive to do the renovations," Gilmour said. The tentative proposal, Gilmour said, is to build the new building in the center of the greenway to keep it nearby SLC and to create a different flow on campus. The building is expected to be approximately between 55,000 and 70,000 square feet. Phase one, which Gilmour estimates will cost approximately $35 Million, is estimated to last around a year and a half. After construction of the new building, the proposal is that the Opinion Pages 6-8 Life Pages 9-12 Don't Ask, Don't Tell Freshmen adjusting to Wilkes Metro hosts last show Sports Face-off The Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy is one step closer to becoming repealed. New to campus, freshmen are beginning to adjust to Wilkes and :Wilkes-Barre. Our sports editors debate on whether the NFL season should be extended to 18 games. PAGE6 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 vacated area in SLC will be renovated to bring the pharmacy and nursing programs physically closer together and support interaction between the majors. "I'm hoping that not only will we get this done, done well, done at the $35 million level, but we'll then move on from there to do the remainder of the renovation relatively rapidly," Gilmour said. SEE SHE BUILDING, Page 5 PAGE9 Cafe Metropolis, located in downtown Wilkes-Barre, closes with last performance on Friday, Sept. 18. PAGE 13 Sports Pages 16-20 PAGE 18 Established 1936 PA Newspaper ~odation Member �TH K CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 Be a con Briefs BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Editor-in-Chief PARKING ANNOUNCEMENT - Public Safety began ticketing \'.ehicles at 8 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 20. All vehicles must be in the correct parking lots according to the assigned parking permit. Public Safety would like to remind the campus community that the Chase parking lot is for handicapped and visitors parking; the library parking lot is for library and continuing education visitors; residents must park on floors 4-7 of the Parking Garage. For questions, contact 4082349. STD TESTING - Caring Communities, in cooperation with the Wilkes-Barre Department of Health with be hosting a free and confidential STD testing from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 22 in Passan Hall. For questions or more information, call Health Services at 408-4730. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>~ 2010 TREC AWARD WINNERS - Nine members of the Wilkes University faculty and staff were honored at the annual TREC awards Ceremony on Sept. 2. The awards were presented to the faculty and staff from the Teaching Recognition & Effectiveness Committee (TREC). The honorees were: Dr. Paola Bianco, Deborah Chapman, Dr. Jennifer Edmonds, Dr. Kyle Krieder, Amy Patton, Dr. Edward Schicatano, Dr. Jeffery Stratford, Dr. Marlene Troy and Dr. Deborah Zbegner. CROSS-COUNTRY VOLUNTEERS - Volunteers to direct runners through the course for the Homecoming cross-country race are needed on Oct. 2. Interested students should contact nicholas. wadas@wilkes.edu. PARK PROJECT - The City of WilkesBarre, in conjunction with Kraft Food Services, KABOOM!, The Goals Foundation and the Iron Triagle Community is looking for volunteers to help build a park near Hazle Street in the Iron Triangle Community. The KABOOM! Playground Project needs the most help between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 7. Contact carie.early@wilkes.edu KEVIN HART TICKETS - Tickets for comedian Kevin Hart will be on sale Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Henry Student Center. The show will be on Sept. 30 in the Marts Center. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets prices are as follows: students, $10; faculty and staff, $15; general public, $20. WEIGHT WATCHERS - Health Services has set up a Weight Watchers at Work Program for the fall semester for students, faculty and staff. There is a weekly, halfhour meeting with a weigh-in and a cost of $10. Alternatively, participants can pay for an eight-week series, $80, or a 10-week series, $100. Students, faculty and staff will be reimbursed with half the cost of the program if he or she completes it. Call Anita from Health Services at 408-4730 to sign up. CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu WEEKLY MEDITATION - Weekly meditation will be held every Wednesday from 5 to 5:30 p.m in the salon of Kirby Hall. First-time meditators should come to the question and answer session from 4:45 to 5 p.m. Contact mischelle.anthony@wilkes. edu or linda.paul@wilkes.edu. SG passes budget for homecoming weekend BY CATHRYN FREAR News Editor Student Government approved a budget for the homecoming weekend at their Wednesday, September 15 meeting. The motion passed 25-0-1. The budget total ended up being $15,811, but Kevin Hopper, a junior business major and SG's corresponding secretary says that that isn't a final budget. "That is what I asked for as a maximum amount," iJopper said. "That is a budget for 300 people and while I'd love to think that many people will show, chances are they just won't." The money that isn't spent on the week- end activities will be put back into the SG budget. SG President Ben Beidel, a P2 pharmacy student, said that one of his goals as president is to cut spending. "I know we got a lot of flak for our spending on dances last year," Beidel said. "I think Kevin did a good job keeping spending down." However, both Beidel and Hopper made it clear that the spending isn't just for the dance; it's for all of the homecoming weekend's activities. "It includes everything for the dance like the venue, food, photo booth, T-shirts, security, bartenders and the DJ," Hopper said. "But it also includes all of the weekend ac- ~BEACON tivities like the pep rally and the [football] game." Beidel said that SG, as well as other clubs across campus, has problems getting students to get involved with events such as the homecoming dance. Hopper said that one of the reasons that students don't go to the homecoming dance is because they are concerned about the dress code. "I don't mind dressing up, but not everyone wants to do that," Hopper said. "To be honest, I don't care if people show up in a pair of nice jeans as long as they come and have a good time." CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu e McAfee Anti-virus software is avail le at Barnes and Noble and the MyWilke ortal. The software. is only available fo Wtl1oad from the MyWtlkes portal. T. n regretstbis error, Meeting Notebook: Treasurer's Report: All College: $14,000 Conferences: $12,500 General Funds: $9,500 Leadership: $1,000 Spirit: $3,000 Special Projects: $2,000 Start Up: $1,500 Total: $42,500 New Business: Winter Weekend: Looking to form a comittee to being planning Winter Weekend. ·s will be finalized later in the semester Trustees Meeting: President Ben Beidel ttended the trustees meeting. Members ·scussed integrating transfer students with lassmen in their year as opposed to freshan and SHE building, initiatives. Editorial Staff 2010-11 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Meet the Staff Editors-in-Chief: Michael Cignoli & Jacqueline Lukas News Editor: Cathryn Frear Opinion Editor: AnthonyTruppo Interim A&E Editor: Molly Kurlandski Life Editor: Ruth Whispell Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu i ' \ · Beacon Correction mlssue l, The Beacon reported that th L ·, I' I f .. I I '·''. ("', "' l , 'I t ' f Advertising Manager: Whitney Roper Photo Editor: Allison Roth Design Editor: Sonja Heisey Design Editor: Michael Klimek Adviser: Loran Lewis ,# I 't Anthony Dorunda Sports Editor K·, JAC Edit, C now the · insti lege and ing. M rock Uni1 natu tapp Ki a.m. dent men will n east, and Peru ami1 estir mon "V lion it th, fuel said 5%1 11 is ir brillJ WiU is sti Dt and tice, that dres into yett "A atiot dent that be li Th the< �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 NEWS 3 Kanjorski announces $1 million for Marcellus Shale research King's, Wilkes,. Earth Conservancy institute formed for research and development JACQUELINE LUKAS Editor-in-Chief Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-PA) announced $1 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to create an institute with Wilkes University, King's College and the Earth Conservancy for issues and research with Marcellus Shale gas drilling. Marcellus Shale is a type of sedimentary rock found near the Appalachian area of the United States. Most of the rock contains natural gas, with the majority of it being untapped. Kanjorski held a press conference at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 13 in the Henry Student Center lounge to make the announcement to the members of the institute, which will be located on the Wilkes campu-ti'~ · The possibility of gas drilling in Northeastern Pennsylvania has many advantages and disadvantages. Kanjorski said that the Pennsylvania State University has been examining the Marcellus Shale drilling and estimates that there is gas to be drilled and money to be made in this region. "We probably have an extractable $7 trillion in Marcellus Shale, which would make it the richest gas deal in the world; enough to fuel America for 50 to 100 years," Kanjorski said. "And of course that's only extracting 5% of the gas that's there under presenftech- nology." Kanjorski continued to say that the possibilities of Marcellus Shale mirror the coal mine revolution in Northeastern Pennsylvania from after the American Civil War until the 1950s. "lfNortheastem Pennsylvania can be a big player in that field, it will be replicating what we did with anthracite coal to fuel the Industrial Revolution," Kanjorski said. "We'll fuel the American second century of world dominance, free from the Middle East." John Duda, from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, said that Marcellus Shale is a significant domestic resource, but there are matters at hand that need to be discussed. "There are multiple issues, both real and perceived, that need to be addressed in order : to fully develop Marcellus Shale in the most responsible manner, realizing the economic breach of security and environmental benefits." SEE KANJORSKI, Page 4 Congressman Paul Kanjorski, right, announced funding for an institute between King's College, Wilkes University and the Earth Conservancy. Kanjorski received $1 million in funding for research and development of Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling. The institute will be located at Wilkes University but the other contributors will be involved. The Beacon/Allison Roth More global classes: a possibility on the horizon CATHRYN FREAR The General Education Committee (GEC) is in the beginning stages of looking into bringing more globally diverse classe·s into Wilkes' general education curriculum, but it is still undergoing review. Dr. Karen Beth Bohan, GEC chairperson and associate professor of pharmacy practice, emphasized that every group of people that the change would affect will be addressed before any actual changes are put into place. Because of that, an initiative has yet to be introduced to the committee. "Anyone who is a stake-holder in this situation will be considered," Bohan said. "Students, faculty, staff, administration-anyone that will be affected by a change like this will be listened to before any action is taken." Though language would play a big part in the changes, Bohan said that in this particu- lar situation, the GEC isn't just looking to alter the language curriculwn; it is looking for classes that bring a more global perspective to students. _, "We want to be able to give students that advantage," Bohan said. "Classes about cul.. !tJre-and language - not just how they are now, but how they are formed and evolve offer students a different point of view; and not only about that culture or that language, but about our culture and language." According to Bohan, language is not a reqt'tirement in the general education curricuIum at Wilkes at this time. "As of now, students don't have to take a language," Bohan said. "They have the options of taking either a foreign language or a philosophy course." Dr. Paola Bianco, associate professor of Spanish and a Wilkes graduate, said that Ianguage classes being put into opposition with philosophy classes is illogical. "It just doesn't make any sense for us to be competing," Bianco said. "The classes are just too different to compare." Bianco got her bachelor's degree from Wilkes in French and says that the University used to have four languages - French, Spanish, Gennan, and Russian. "That was many years ago," Bianco said. ''Then whefi I came [to teach], you could minor in German and Russian, but they slowly phased them out." In y~ars. past, Wilkes required that students take at least six credits of a language during their undergraduate academic career. There are plenty of different factors that may have caused the university to steer the curriculwn away from world languages. "We used to have an actual requirement," said Dr. Mark Harris, visiting professor of Spanish. "I think that the administration kind of thought it sort of deterred students away from coming here, so they changed the general education requirement." He also said that the substantial upsurge in the population of Spanish-speakers in the United States in the 1990s is what kept Spanish alive. "I don't know why it happened and I don't think anyone could have predicted it, but there was this explosion of Spanish-speakers from Latin America," said Harris. "Spanish has become a very important language in not only American culture, but the world." Bohan said that she would like the see students be more aware of that world, but it may never happen. "We just don't know," Bohan said. "We don't even know what classes we would be trying to bring. They could be classes that were here before, or they could be completely new." CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 NEWS 4 GARDEN Continued from FRONT PAGE "I think it puts us on the map as a university that's not only a fine institution but a place of beauty," Gilmour said. "Buildings are nice, and renovations are nice, but we also need gardens when we need open space." However, The Leaming Garden doesn't just look pretty. As a pollinator garden, it provides nectar and nourishment to bees and butterflies that are endangered by herbicide usage and habitat loss. The ongoing garden project has many future improvements such as circular benches that were donated by alumni, stone-carved pillars, a gazebo with vines and a fence to close off the parking lot. Jack Lewis, a senior history major and secondary education minor, has noticed the developments. "I transferred here two years ago and [the garden] was actually one of the first things I noticed, but it didn't look as good as it does now," Lewis said. "I think that they made improvements over the last few years." All of the garden's weeds are pulled by hand, which contributes to the overall look of the garden. "Sometimes people think our campus looks a little raggy in places, but that's because we're not using chemicals, and we're looking for a more natural look," Gilmour said. The garden also uses compost to make the campus a more green environment. Even some of the plants are recycled, as the boxwoods edging shrubs were relocated from the old football field. By expanding progress made in The Leaming Garden, Gilmour hopes to aid students in getting Wilkes recognized by The Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA. According to the foundation's Web site, "Tree Campus USA colleges and universities strive to engage their student body as well as their broader community to establish and sustain healthy community forests for the benefit of current and future residents." Gilmour said she would aid interested students in starting a committee to get Wilkes recognized as a Tree Campus USA and developing a plan to build a certain amount of trees annually. Gilmour says that there are many opportunities for involvement with the garden project. Volunteers may help plant an herb garden, replace trees or aid in many other gardening tasks. Gilmour encourages any interested volunteers to e-mail her at patty. gilmour@wilkes.edu. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu KANJORSKI Continued from PAGE 3 This funding is preliminary and will be used for primary research and development. ""This $1 million is just the first of many millions and millions of dollars over the next five years," Kanjorski said The possibilities for students will be numerous because students will be able to be involved in internships, research opportunities and classroom learning, said Dr. Tim Gilmour, president of Wilkes University. "Wilkes is pleased to be part of this initiative to provide accurate, objective information about water quality and energy issues in Northeaster Pennsylvania," said Gilmour. "It is appropriate that we take the lead in this partnership with King's College and the Earth Conservancy to address these issues that are so important." Both Kanjorski and Gilmour emphasized the importance of doing effective and safe research when dealing with gas drilling. The institute will monitor water quality, because of it is a concern of citizens. Peo- pie working within the institution will also Con provide new research and ideas for developing the Marcellus Shale drilling. p Marcellus Shale is a type of sedimentun tary rock found, which contains largely in 1 untapped gas reservoirs. cha The drilling is not only a concern within thal this joint coalition, but also of the greater ope region. Gilmour said that there are both cip'. positive and negative consequences with WOI Marcellus Shale drilling. "No one will ever be totally satisfied olo. with [Wilkes University] ," Gilmour said. has "You have to think, 'What's the purpose dis, of your institution? ' Is it to play it safe? pro Or to help the broader community?" tice Kanjorski has been working on getting app the funding for Marcellus Shale research tan1 since last spring. Vi He first introduced the idea to Vice buil President Joe Biden. Following that, ing members from the two colleges, the Earth ere, Conservancy and Biden met on this subpro1 ject and decided how the federal governC ment could provide aid. tant saic CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: be · jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu for for more information check out. .. m01 L-lw_i_lk_e_s_b_e_a_c_o_n_.c_o_m _ _ _ ______.l M•lA the i Clll:&F.. ....... SPECIALS WEEKDAY SPECUllS ■-TH Large Pie $7 .95 Chicken Wing Pie $10.95 IIIIELII.W►IIIIV' 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre 825-5166 NEIIT TO MOVIES 14 FREE WI-Fl In our Dining Room (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBlES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 Mll&MATCH Any 3 Subs or Wings 2 Tickets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95 WE CATER UlllE IIIUP EVEIIS PlEASE t:All BERIIE YII■ IDT IIEDIIII Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-11pm Fri.-Sat. 11 am-12am Sun. 12pm-11 pm We're more than just great pizza ... see our entire menu at www.januzzispizza.com l C �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER21,2O1O , 2010 SHEBUILDING .. .vill also Continued from FRONT PAGE r <levelProvost Reynold Verret said that the fu~dimenture biology and chemistry laboratories largely in the new building are essential for the changing methods of science. He added 1 within that the new laboratories will have a more greater open structure, which will allow interdisire both ciplinary collaboration and capacity to :es with work with professors. "The actual practice of becoming a bi:atisfied ologist and actually becoming a historian ,ur said. has to do with being able to work in your purpose discipline side-by-side with your major it safe? professors," Verret said. "It's an apprenticeship, and in the sciences to do that getting apprenticeship the laboratories are impor·esearch tan!." Verret feels that the construction of the to Vice building is a vital element of maintaing that, te Earth ing a positive reputation that Wilkes has created in this region through the science 1is subprograms. governChip Prescott, who is the special assistant to the president for major projects, said that the next step in the phase will T: be for the architect to complete designs for the project, which will take about six months. The architect is scheduled to visit the campus next week to develop the de- The Beacon/Tom Reilly Pictured above is a portion of an science laboratory located in SLC. The old laborities will be replaced by new, more open workspaces in the SHE building. sign, which will include a definite decision on the most ideal location for the building. Prescott said that the master campus planning will gamer involvement with the SHE building plans. "At appropriate times we will be creating a process to solicit input from faculty members and staff members at the univer- sity and students, and also members from the community," Prescott said. Trustee emeritus Beverly Hiscox is very much in favor of the SHE building plans. She feels that it will enhance the education of students and the beauty of the campus. "We need more space and we need more up-to-date equipment and a building for the sciences that will stand on its own," Hiscox said . Gilmour believes that the defined phase is flexible enough to overcome possible obstacles. "I think we have a plan that will enable us to do it, setting aside a catastrophic economical situation, which I don't think is really going to happen," Gilmour said. "It will enable us to do it no matter what." Gilmour said that the funding will be a collection of annual capital project allocations, money collected from capital campaigning, state-funding and other "creative resources." However, the logistics about financing are still being explored. • "Our feeling is that particularly the institute for energy and environment will attract resources from the community and from public sources of dollars that we should be able to gamer in the next year or so," Gilmour said. Verret said that the approval of phase one was reached despite many obstacles. Some of the difficulties faced involved financing, determining the needs of all the departments and meeting them, as well as adjusting the vision of how science is conducted. "It's a big moment for us," Verret said, "It's about time." CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu Wilkes films virtual tour WBSNightOut.com is THE premiere website for planning your evening. Whether you want to hit the clubs, catch a concert, see a movie, or just chill out at a bar. Ea ... Dott1t Forget to check out our week(y cotttests - you catt wir. some realty cool stuff. Ir.eluding dinners, trips, concert tickets, sports tickets and more! On Sept. 15 and 16, Wilkes filmed a virtual tour of campus for the University's website. The filming was organized by advertising agency 160over90, and used a state-ofthe-art 360 degree camera that will allow viewers to grasp a full view of the campus. The videographer wore a backpack with the camera suspended over his head and rode a motorized scooter as he captured shots. Pictured left is the camera contraption. On the right, senior communication major Amanda Gunther prepares for her tour guide The Beacon/Allison Roth role. �CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 Don't Ask, Don't Tell shot down in CA Ruling is a much-needed step forward for the U.S. military BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Serving in the armed forces is the most noble, heroic deed done for one's country. All American citizens should be given the right to fight for their country; however, some Americans are prohibited from taking part in the armed forces due to America's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. On Sept. 9, a federal court in California ruled that the DADT policy is unconstitutional, which is a brave, much-needed step forward in ensuring freedom for all men and women to join the armed forces, regardless of sexual preference. The DADT policy, signed into law in 1993 by former President Bill Clinton, lates the First Amendment as a restriction of speech. "The act discriminates based on the content of the speech being regulated," Phillips wrote in her ruling. Put simply, a heterosexual member of the armed forces can proclaim his or her sexual orientation until he or she is blue in the face, whereas a homosexual member must remain completely silent. Not having violated enough of our guaranteed rights as American citizens, the DADT policy continues its path of contamination, violating the Fifth Amendment as well. According to Judge Phillips' ruling, DADT violates the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment, which states that no tutional; the policy is also detrimental to the military. Especially now, in a time of war, the military needs as many talented, dedicated personnel as possible and DADT prevents these people from taking part, no matter how high their skill level and dedication may be. President Barack Obama has even publicly stated that the DADT policy is a danger to our national security; however, Obama has not yet made a decision in regard to Judge Phillips's case. Since Judge Phillips' ruling, many gay rights organizations have praised Phillips. Servicemembers United, the largest organization of gay and lesbian troops in the United States, feels that the judge's decision is extremely helpful for homosexual "The military needs as many talented, dedicated personnel as possible and DADT prevents these people from taking part, no matter how high their skill level and dedication may be." says that a member of the armed forces can be discharged if he or she claims to be homosexual or bisexual, has engaged in homosexual acts or has married or attempted to marry a person of the same sex. United States District Judge Virginia Phillips ruled that the DADT policy vio- person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law. Due process guarantees the right to a fair trial, which is violated by DADT, in that members of the armed forces who claim to be homosexual are dismissed without any sort of trial. The DADT policy is not only unconsti- soldiers. Alexander Nicholson, founder and executive director of Servicemembers United, gave an official statement after Phillips's ruling, stating, "This is an historic moment and an historic ruling for the gay military community... We are finally on our way to vindication." According The Faces of DADT, an official Servicemembers United website, Nicholson was discharged from the United States army because of DADT. Since his discharge, Nicholson has been at the forefront of several major initiatives drawing attention to DADT. Having dedicated his life to the dissolution of DADT, Nicholson recognizing Phillips' ruling as "historic" goes to prove that the decision is an honorable, effective step in ensuring equal rights for homosexual and bisexual members of the military. The Beacon feels that human rights should be something that all people have, no matter their gender, race, sexual preference or economic standing. Photo Illustration: The Beacon/Sonja Heisey BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. This poll was based on 11 responses. Last week's question: When you decide who to vote for, do you take political attack ads into account? • Yes 36% • No 64% This week The Beacon asks: Should the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy be removed? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com SPEAK UP! The Beacon wants to hear your voice. Send your name, major, year and opinion to: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 OPINION OnStar' s new 'read out' • feature 1s unnecessary ific, the on Nas k to: om edit tent. hed. BY AMANDA LEONARD Assistant Opinion Editor You may have been in a situation when you are driving and hear a familiar beep from your phone: You have a new text message. After looking down to check the message, you hear another beep. This time, it's the horn of a car behind you. You have completely missed the green light and it is now red. As if drivers were not already distracted enough, General Motors is discussing the possibility of a text read-out and Facebook status update program for OnStar. Companies do not need to be making devices such as these, which deter a driver's attention and can potentially set bad examples of driving habits for any young passengers in the car. Many people consider driving to be a right, when it is actually a privilege and can be taken away at any time. Driving a car is not the place where people should be updating statuses, potentially placing the driver and others around him or her at risk. On Sept. 10, USA Today reported this ridiculous and unnecessary new feature. Those who have OnStar will soon be able to not only be distracted by their cell phones, but also become more engaged with their social lives. Of course, this will all be hap- pening while drivers should be focused on the road. The Facebook feature will allow those who subscribe to this service to not only verbally update their Facebook statuses, but listen to the recent news feed messages through OnStar's virtual adviser as well. On Sept. 15, a select group ofOnStar customers had the opportunity to test the Facebook feature in their cars. For the read-andrespond to texts-out-loud feature, only a few preset responses are available. One of those preset responses is "I am driving right now." What is so pressing that this response is actually needed? Do our social lives fall back onto technology so much that we are in need of a virtual adviser? Why do people feel the need to be connected to their friend list 24/7, even while one may be driving to one of his or her friend's houses? Are we socially obliged to update the world about every waking moment of our lives? While one may see OnStar's new program as a safer alternative to physically texting and driving, that's not necessarily the case. Consider the risks a driver may run into while pressing buttons that are located on the rearview mirror. While doing that, he or she is essentially thinking that the road is his or her second priority, because updating his 7 The Spyglass Human expedition to Mars is probable, can boost economy BYANTHONYTRUPPO Opinion Editor Every single inch of our planet Earth has been explored, be it by foot or satellite. But despite humankind's examination of the entire Earth, the United States remains in a economic crisis. Even though Earth is and always will be our homeland, I feel that sending humans on a journey to Mars would not only be scientifically fascinating, but will aid the economy of the United States. Forty-one years ago, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on Earth's moon. The moon landing did wonders for the American economy, inspiring young people across the country to purSEE ONSTAR, Page 8 sue careers in science and engineering. The ' moon landing also sparked technological progress with America's increased focus on engineering and science. President Barack Obama has made his interest in space exploration known. In April of this year, President Obama gave a speech at Kennedy Space Center that praised the space program and drew attention to the positive effects the space program has had on the American economy. "We have to fix our economy. We need to close our deficits, but for pennies on the dollar, the space program has fueled jobs and entire industries," Obama said during his speech. Three years ago, NASA announced its wishes to send a human to Mars by 2037. Some, however, feel that 2037 is much too late, and that the expedition should begin sooner. In Henri Tapani Heinonen's article, "Manned mission to Mars in 2019," Heinonen writes, "We must return to an Apollo-like program with hard goals of manned The Beaconrrom Reilly landing within as short timeframe as posMany cars that have OnStar will be able to upgrade to the new text read out feature, sible." Heinonen feels that by 2037, the as well as enabling Facebook updates that activate with voice regonition. program will have become under-funded. Therefore, the the best time financially for NASA to send humans to Mars would be within the next decade. I agree with Heinonen's statement that NASA should pursue the Mars expedition sooner, as the public interest is currently high, and I fear that many may lose interest in a mission to Mars if NASA waits too long. Also, NASA is funded by the United States government and if the economy does not improve, I fear that the government may cut NASA's funding. Unfortunately, planning a journey to Mars will take some time, as there are several factors that will make the journey a challenge. According to astrologists at Universe Today, a space and astrology news website, a journey to Mars by rocket would take approximately seven months using a low amount of fuel. However, a nuclear rocket would be able to reach Mars in four months, which would be beneficial to those traveling, albeit more costly. There are other factors that must be sorted out before sending humans to Mars, which include landing on Mars and the psychological and physical conditions of the persons traveling. The European Space Agency, an organization dedicated to space exploration with 18 European member countries, is currently running a study known as Mars500, where six people will be sealed in an isolation chamber for 500 days. The purpose of the study is to mimic the conditions of elongated space travel to and from Mars, orbiting Mars, conducting missions on Mars and landing. The Mars500 project is the best way for scientists to learn how a mission to Mars can psychologically affect a person. The simulated landing on Mars is planned for February 2011 and the study has been in session SEE MARS, Page 8 �8 OPINION THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 A call for a return to liberal education Today, Americans are immersed in a world that is changing not only quickly, but also going in directions that challenge our cherished beliefs and our position of leadership in the world community. In many ways, our democratic principles are endangered both by global forces and the rise of powerful domestic voices, which promote the consolidation of power in the hands of elite groups. Forces on both the political left and right promote radical solutions to the problems with which we are confronted. Public fear, which has emerged because of the 9/11 attacks, continues to guide and inform our perceptions. The economic devastation we are experiencing creates a climate that focuses our policies and our actions on improving our economy. In the midst of complexity, we seem to be turning to simplistic answers. Unfortunately, leaders of educational institutions are also guilty of applying simple solutions to complicated problems through the use of accountability measures. I believe this accountability movement in education, which places a heavy reliance on standardized testing, is forcing educational changes that place our democracy at risk. With our educational institutions under fire and fear that we will not be able to compete in world markets because our citizens are undereducated and do not possess the skills needed to move our economy forward, some educators would narrow the curriculum and diminish the rigor. My friends in the teaching profession allude to constant emphasis on test preparation. They decry the fact that curriculum in the arts, humanities, and social sciences are being widely diminished or even eliminated. They worry that our children are being deprived of thoughtful experiences and critical thinking opportunities, which serve to educate an informed citizenry capable of understanding social and political complexity and willing and able to raise their voices in the decision making processes. Diane Ravitch, once one of the primary proponents of a need for educational accountability in her latest book, "The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education," lamented that she may have supported a program that has undermined public education. "We must be sure that they [students] are prepared for the responsibilities of democratic citizenship in a complex society. We must take care that our teachers are well educated, not just well trained," she commented. We live in a culture where 30-second snap- BY DR. ROBERTS. GARDNER Assistant Professor of Education ONSTAR MARS Continued from Page 7 Continued from Page 7 or her status simply cannot wait anymore and is now the driver's first priority. Can you say "traffic accident"? Not ~ nly are safety issues at hand, but there are social issues here as well. The mere thought that people now need to be so virtually connected to the point that they are updating and sifting through their friends' news while behind the wheel is repulsive. It's certainly understandable that the need to respond to someone is extremely urgent in certain situations. However, most of people's Facebook updates are not exactly timesensitive. One thing to consider before investing OnStar's new feature: How often do you want to be interrupted behind the wheel by song lyrics that your friend posted when he or she was having a bad day? for just over 100 days, with no major issues reported. According to the ESA's official website, "The crew has followed the timeline of the mission, reproducing as accurately as possible a potential mission to our planetary neighbor, complete with communication delays and daily routine similar to real space missions." As space technology progresses in the future and studies continue, a human mission to Mars does not seem farfetched. Hopefully, the space industry does not give up its plans for sending humans to Mars, as such an undertaking will undoubtedly bolster the economy. shots and tweets, along with a landslide of electronic information, present significant challenges to making well-informed and reasoned decisions about our personal future and the future of our great nation. Although more information than ever is available to us, I question our ability as a society to make objective sense of the mountain of information and the well-managed and structured misinformation with which we are constantly bombarded. We need educational institutions to once again focus on the humanities, the arts, and the social sciences. These studies provide us with a more thoughtful understanding of the beautiful, complicated world in which we live. It is not enough that we are "trained" to be effective workers and ravenous consumers. In her book, "Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities," Martha C. Nussbaum reminds us that, "freedom of mind is dangerous if what we want is technically trained obedient workers." George Orwell's classic, "1984," depicts a society in which citizens have been trained not to think, but to be obedient. Thomas Jefferson declared that the best safeguard against tyranny was "to illuminate as far as practicable the minds of the people at large." The historian Joseph J. Ellis has argued that the democratic institutions our founders created were "not about providing answers, but rather about providing a framework in which the salient questions could continue to be debated." In the Sept. 3, 2010 issue of "The Chronicle of Higher Education," Parker J. Palmer declares that we are in need of the habit of humility. "Humility means knowing that I must listen to others, especially to those who seem most alien to me, in order to understand and feel at home in a diverse world," Palmer said, while also asserting that people need to find and use their own voices. Taking Palmer's advice, I call for the elevation of the humanities, arts, and social sciences to their rightful place of importance and value in our K-12 educational systems and that the institutions of higher learning encourage the development and expansion of core courses that speak to the human condition. I ask this with humility using the voice that I have acquired during my education and experience in my over 40 years of teaching in public school and university classrooms. Respectfully submitted, Robert S. Gardner, Ed.D. Assistant Professor of Education Wilkes University CONTACT ROBERT GARDNER AT: robert.gardner@wilkes.edu CONTACT AMANDA LEONARD AT: CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu aff Phoi It's fu bings tl linator c :enter, i l so a 19 Rendi11 egree i ation, a legree ii While tedina I amily. 1 vas ther :upport lee worl ,apers. Along ,upport Wilkes i Somet tendina :he no~ fhe met >gy cla~ mdDor After · :Iigh Sc Frt av AN<: ':orrespc !r MAR. Staff Ph Nature ;oincide Jnivers1 ;chool t Adjus md eve1 1ew to resideno mute fro ~ach op The a The Beacon/Tom Reilly amanda.leonard 1@wilkes.edu ~ MAR. Humans have thoroughly explored the Earth and should extend their exploration to our neighbor, Mars. Sending humans to Mars will undoubtedly bolster the United States' economy and should be done as soon as possible. .umman nan se "I lik from hi �D l m ue Il- ler of [I h.o ~rl," >le elial .Ce ns ng on m- 1at :xm CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com Chatting with f acuity: Sandra Rendina Rendina moves from Wilkes student to Wilkes employee MARJORIE WHISPELL It's funny how people come back to ings they love. Sandra Rendina, coorinator of the Wilkes University Leaming enter, is not only a Wilkes employee, but soa 1987 graduate of Wilkes University. Rendina graduated from Wilkes with a ee in biology and a teaching certifition, and in 1995 received her master's egree in biology education. While attending Wilkes as a student, edina lived in Plymouth, Pa., with her ily. She had a work-study job at what asthen the Wilkes University Academic pport Center. There she helped with ofce work, tracked tutoring hours and filed rs. Along with working at the Academic \l\l\lllrt Center, Rendina tutored fellow like! students in chemistry and biology. Sometime after graduating from Wilkes, enaina moved to Larksville, Pa., where now resides with her husband, whom emet at Wilkes in their freshman biolgy class, and their two children, Victoria Dominick. After teaching at Wyoming Valley West i~ School for a year, Rendina found herself back at Wilkes working in University College as the coordinator of disability support services. She has held that position for the last 20 years and has spent her work days teaching a CAR 101 class, giving advice to current Wilkes students and helping students with disabilities. With a degree in biology, going green is a major topic in Rendina's life. Below she comments on what going green means to her, and her family. The Beacon: What does "going green" mean to you? Rendina: I think it means that you need to keep track of your carbon foot print, recycle and do your part. The Beacon: Are you for or against recycling? Rendina: I'm for recycling. We recycle everything at our house, from paper to plastic. We have energy-efficient light bulbs in every room. We try to reduce our amount of electricity used by unplugging unused appliances and turning off the computer when it's not in use. We shut off lights when we leave the room, and keep the thermostat set low in the winter. The Beacon: What made you consider teaching? Rendina: Well, I liked biology, didn't want to go into professional school and I like to work with students. So I decided to go into teaching. The Beacon: If you were stuck on an island what three things would you want with you? Rendina: This is hard; I guess water, my iPad and probably peanut butter. The Beacon: What are you recreational activities? Rendina: [I'm a] taximom, Girl Scout troop leader for 13 years and The Beacon/ Marjorie Whispell reading. Sandra Rendina, once a student at Wilkes, is now workThe Beacon: If a friend ing at Wilkes in University College as the coordinator of was asked to describe you disability support services. in three words what would Rendina: I would say my children. your hope for them to say? The Beacon: What are words of advice Rendina: I would hope: dependable, inyou could give to Wilkes students? telligent and friendly. Rendina: I would say seek help early in The Beacon: What is a random fact that the semester, whether from your adviser you are willing to share about yourself? Rendina: I really don't like to talk in or a tutor. Also, get involved in clubs and front of people. Public speaking is my big- community service. gest anxiety. The Beacon: What's your greatest ac- CONTACT MARJORIE WHISPELL AT: marjorie.whispell@wilkes.edu complishment to date? reshtnen students adjusting to Wilkes and Wilkes-Barre YAiGELO BLADES rr!Yf)ndent MA!JORIE WHISPELL taff~tographer iilly ion 1it- Natie's switch from summer to autumn in.~ with the freshmen of Wilkes nil!lity and their adjustment from high h ~ a new college life. A · g to Wilkes is different for each Nry freshman. While all freshmen are ew1college life, some of them live in i halls on campus while others comim~m home. There are pros and cons to h ·on. Tolivantages of living off campus are · ed by commuter Sam Tellip, freshndary education major. "rnthat I can be at home with my friends m school and my friends from here," The Beacon/ Marjorie Whispell Members of Blake Mackesey's freshmen CAR 101 class write in their journals about the reality of their interest now in college. Tellip said. "I think it's better because I can actually focus on doing my work." On the other hand, freshman residents have more convenience living on campus. Some of these conveniences are having campus social activities right in their back yard and living a short walk from the bookstore and Public Square at all times. While they do have social events in their back yard, this may serve as a distraction for some, leading to incomplete homework assignments and failure to take care of other responsibilities. Freshman Marina Skevofilax understands that there are distractions and responsibilities in college. "The biggest difference is that college work is a lot more independent. You have to manage your time better," she said. Living in a dormitory also comes without having to be preoccupied with the hassles of traveling to and from home. Instead, residents have an easy five-minute walk to and from class. However, unless a student is from Wilkes-Barre, this also means students SEE FRESHMEN, PAGE 12 �Students help save the Earth with i BY RUTH WHISPELL Life Editor r s safe environment and all the resources th BY GI need," Beneski said. Assist, Beneski's fellowship was rewarded to h by the International Research Experie Wi for Students. Her adviser discovered Some Wilkes University students aren't ronmt informed her of the fellowship opportuni just going green on campus. They're also every "I always wanted to go to Germany, but doing their part to help save the environtancy' also involved working with water treatm ment through internships and fellowships Th, which is something I would like to purs1 both domestically and internationally. menta for my career," said Beneski, who studi Dr. Marleen Troy, associate professor of emmt German in high school. environmental engineering and earth sci2002, Beneski 's fellowship dealt with an ong ence, explained that one of the reasons ate pr ing project that researched the effects of c students are becoming interested in going and e: mate change on riverbank filtration system green when selecting an internship is due to tor of which treat drinking water. increased awareness about endangering our at Wil "The main focus of my group was to £ environment. two ir cus on problems with clogging in these sy Troy explained that big events, like the BP vidua terns," Beneski said. oil spill, bring about awareness of how fragOn She said she learned many things throu ile our environment really is and how much trodui the fellowship including the process of w more people should be doing to protect it. abili~ ter treatment through lectures, literature an "All of these things increase awareness accor, hands-on experience. and provides people with the chance to portai "Through research and lab experiment make a difference," Troy said. emph we were able to test clogging and relate itt Over the summer Tyler Howe, a senior en"Hav: changes in climate," Beneski said. "Becam vironmental engineering major, interned at and d this process is not used much in the Unite the New York State Department of Environfrom States, I had never heard of it before. Tu mental Conservation. There, he helped with ter w experience gave me the chance to learn a 1 inspections for hazardous waste sites, junk gradu about the process and its benefits." yards and water quality data analysis geoThe Beneski suggested that students lookingt graphic information system mapping. whicl find a fellowship or an internship do a k Howe knew he wanted to be an engineerthey 1 of searching, and apply for everything the ing major and finally decided upon envi"T can, even if they don't think they have ronmental engineering after learning more ents, chance at getting the position. about it. He said that he has always been enCourtesy of Valentina Beneski !ems, "I applied thinking there was no wa vironmentally conscious, but more so now Valentina Beneski is pictured above testing a column to see nities they'd pick me," Beneski recalled. "I ende that he has been learning more about it in if it was clogged. Beneski explained that the main focus of mark, up being a first alternate, but then was ir class. her fellowship group was the problems the system was havmaki1 vited to come with the rest of the group. Yo Lately, students don't have to look into ing with clogging. Troy never know what will happen and if yo companies that deal normally with enviTh don't try you could miss an amazing exper ronmental work in order to find internships stude ence." that are considered green. Troy explained ships as something other than green," Troy doors. These that more businesses are becoming earth said. "Some may call them environmentally For these reasons, the environment beteam: friendly not only because it's good for the friendly or sustainable. It all depends on the came something she wanted to take care of small environment, but because it's profitable for company's culture." in her career. whicl Recycling plastics and paper in separate the business itself. "The most important part of going green is CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT: Thi "Some places may refer to the intern- containers instead of tossing them into the to ensure that future generations can have a ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu trash and unplugging appliances when you aren't using them are only two of the many little changes people can make to help the environment. "You don't have to go out of your way to live a green lifestyle," Troy added. "You don't have to make big changes, little changes will help, too." Valentina Beneski, a senior environmental engineering major, spent eight weeks out of her summer at a fellowship in Germany at The Dresden University of Applied Sciences. While a fellowship and internship have the same basic ideas behind them, Troy clarified that a fellowship is rewarded to a student. Beneski, the president of the Students for Environmental Sustainability Club and vice president of the Air and Waste Water Management Association at Wilkes, said her family has always been environmentally friendly and she has always loved the out- Meli-- STREET BEAT Thome -----------------What does 'going green' mean to you? All Photos The Beacon/Marjorie Whispell Junior Junior Sophomore biology major biology major English major "Everyone doing their own part to help the environment. Save more paper, recycle, carpool, things like that." "Not what Wilkes does. Going green "Being eco-friendly. Vay Mother N would actually be using less paper ture!" and not enough people recycle on cam us there is a ton of waste." �IE BEAfN SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 11 LIFE e s ty students help local businesses 'go gr BYGILLYAN GOWARTY Assistant Life Editor Wilkes University's business and environmental science departments join together every year to offer a "sustainability consultancy" course. The course, which helped the environmental science department earn the government environmental outreach award in 2002, is taught by Dr. Marleen Troy, associate professor of environmental engineering and earth science, and Ruth Hughes, director of the small business development center at Wilkes University. According to Troy, the two instructors team up and cover their individual strengths. One key aspect of the course is th~ introduce students to the concept of sustainability and show them why it is important, according to Troy. "Sustainability is an important tool that is getting more and more emphasis by all organizations," Troy said. "Having the opportunity to take this course and develop these skills with a real client from the Small Business Development Center will serve the students well when they graduate." The course is run like a consulting firm, which allows students to experience what eynonnally would in the work-place. "They learn about interacting with clits, researching and solving client probems, finding financing or funding opportu'tiesto address these problems, developing arketing plans, meeting deadlines and v..•r-· g and presenting recommendations," roysaid. The class size is small, with only 10 to12 dents admitted to the course every year. rhese students are then broken up into teams of typically three or four, and the small groups then meet with certain clients, hich are always small business owners. This semester, students in the class are The Beacon/ Marjorie Whispell Business administration and environmental science majors learn how to teach local businesses to be environmentally sustainable in the Sustainability Consultancy class. Marleen Troy (pictured right corner) teaches the course with Ruth Hughes. currently working with a hair care facility and a small grocer/butcher. The hair care facility is looking to launch new products with the help of the students, and the grocer/ butcher is looking to market his business. The instructors try to keep the students as evenly balanced as possible so that each team has a mix of business majors and environmental science majors can offer their strengths to the clients to meet their needs, Troy said. The mixture of majors also helps the students to share responsibilities in regards to the projects with the clients. "Having small teams with members of different backgrounds and skills is similar to what they would encounter in a consulting firm," Troy said. Specific things that are done in the course depend on what the client wants. The course focuses on helping a business with marketing and learning how to cut down on costs, which is a big part of going green, said Trevor Hirsh, senior business administration major. The environmental science part of the class helps the clients to go green, while the business side helps with marketing. The students instruct clients on how to cut down on energy use, reduce waste, reduce their overall carbon footprints and cut down on their overall cost. The teams also teach them how to create an environmental management system, which looks at the way the business is operated, as well as the day-to-day running of the business to help find things that can be improved. "The class is important because it not only combines the business aspect, but it combines the science world as well," Hirsh said. Students who have taken this course in* the past have worked with restaurants, diesel repair shops, port-a-potty companies, taxi cab companies and many others, Troy said. There are generally two or three main clients for the students to work with per semester. For the first few weeks of the course, the students work with a "fake company" in the form of a case study in order to practice for their work with the real clients. Then, the students are divided into their teams and assigned to their clients for the semester. After that, the goals for the semester are further developed to meet with the needs of the clients. The course has been offered for several years now, but it has been in slightly different forms in the past. Now, most of the course involves sustainability. "The course teaches very valuable skills for someone on the job market now", Troy said. "It looks good on a resume." At the end of the semester, the instructors usually get positive feedback from the clients. They try to put the suggestions into use to make their businesses better and more sustainable. "We enjoy the class," Troy said. "We've gotten very good feedback from the small business development center." -~ ,. CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gillyan.gowarty@wilkes.edu Josh Elmore Junior computer science major the Earth. I'm thinking it be a futile effort because we Sophomore math major "It means I drive a hybrid. It's findning complex answers to simple problems:• Sophomore accounting and business administratioq "Saving the environmen :' Freshmen communication studies major "Being energy efficient and trying , to stop global warming." f �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 12 FRESHMEN Continued from Page 9 must adjust to a new home as well. To some, Wilkes-Barre is a very busy city, to others it is merely a quiet town. "Wilkes-Barre is a big city compared to where I am from," says Emily Christian, a freshman nursing major. Showing how diverse the view of Wilkes-Barre is, freshman pharmacy major Tyler Young explains that the city is "ghetto in some spots but fairly well kept up as a whole." No matter what their background, freshmen who were interviewed agreed, at least partally, upon certain points: Adjusting to a college life style and to Wilkes-Barre in itself has its positive and negative aspects, whether a residential or commuting student. One main agreement is that college is much different than high school. In college, students must take account for their own actions and daily tasks. "[College professors] don't spoon-feed you information. It's up to you to learn," said Tyler Holland, a freshman mechanical engineering major. Homework and studying have found •• their ways into freshmen lives and have changed some lifestyles. "My free time pretty much consists of studying. Academically, college is much harder and a lot more is expected of you," said Kristen Craven, a freshman pharmacy major. One freshman, computer science major Patrick Killian, said "I think I'm adjusting pretty well. Love it so far. It's way better than high school could have ever been." This could serve as a testimony of the opinion of many members of the freshmen class. Though as the trees are gradually changing to color and their leaves are still falling to the ground, Wilkes freshmen are slowly adapting to the changes of a college life, themselves. But when fall turns to winter, Wilkes freshmen will be changing again. Only this time, they'll go from naive newcomers, to experienced Wilkes students. CONTACT ANGELO BLADES AT: ange/o.blades@wilkes.edu CONTACT MARJORIE WHISPELL AT: marjorie.whispell@wilkes.edu SEPl Ju BYIII Edito Th€ the < secut came mark Wh majo: book: confii Th~ to stc able 1 "M: my rr don't situat Nik set in on Fe virtm Bath, Hm ningl after l day,k If}\ mom noon, "Th "Thin 9/30: Pep Rally on the Greenway! 6m-9pm -Dunk Tank -Fish Pong -Caricatures -Mini-Golf 10/1: Dinner Dance (§) 6:30pm-11:,0 0pm -&emi,,-formal -Photo booth -Presenting DJ Chris Emanski! ! ! -Favors BYR, Staff A 11 mane band! ro, a: all-ag indo show The less ii Life t Sourn band' Doc ginnii ages 1 �CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 Nikles looking to strum his way into record bookS Junior plans to shatter Guinness mark by playing Guitar Hero for 36 hours BYMICHAEL CIGNOLI Editor-in-Chief The last time Aaron Nikles tried to break the Guinness world record for most consecutive hours spent playing Guitar Hero, he came up about six hours shy of the current mark of 24 hours and two minutes. When the junior mechanical engineering major tries to play his way into the record books again this weekend, he's a lot more confident that he'll be successful. That's mainly because Nikles isn't going to stop playing unless he is physically unable to continue. "My body would have to quit on me before my mind would quit," Nikles said. "I really don't want to lose twice. This is a no-lose situation for me. I have to win this." Nikles originally tried to break the record, set in 2009 by four guys from Finland, back on Feb. 5, 2010. But after about 18 hours of virtual shredding, the 20-year-old native of Bath, Pa., called it quits due to exhaustion. However, Nikles made the mistake of beginning his original attempt more than six hours after he woke up for his 9 a.m. class that Friday, kicking off his concert at 3:38 p.m. IfNikles would have started playing in the morning instead of waiting until the afternoon, he could have easily broken the record. "That's very frustrating," Nikles said. "Thinking that ifl would have started Satur- The Beacon/Michael Cignoli Aaron Nikles, a junior mechanical engineering major, plans to play Guitar Hero for at least 25 straight hours this weekend. If he does, he'll own the Guinness world record in that category. day morning, or wouldn't have gone to class and started that morning, then I would have had the record by the time I did stop. This time is all about redemption." Nikles plans to start this semester's attempt on 11 a.m. this Saturday morning. He'll play on a screen set up in the first floor of the Henry Student Center and invites anyone who's interested to swing by to support him. For a $1 donation to the American Cancer Society, anyone can hop on with Nikles and turn one of the 128 different songs that he-~· playing into a duet. According to Nikles, Guinness allow* him one 10-minute break for every hour of play. As he did during his last attempt, Nikles plans to play for three hours, then take a 30-minute break for food, water, and restroom usage. If he keeps playing, Nikles will own the record just after 11 a.m. on Sunday morning. However, Nikles doesn't want to just break the record. He wants to shatter it. "I'm going to shoot for 25 [hours], but at the very most I'd like to go for 36 if possible," Nikles said. "But anywhere after 25, I'd be comfortable stopping." In order for that to happen, Nikles is going to need a cheering section, especially in the wee hours of the morning. He found that fatigue really started to set in last semester when he didn't have anyone to talk to. 'Tm going to try and get more people out in the early morning hours," Nikles said. "That's when I really started to feel tired because there weren't people there to communicate with." One of the people that will be there to keep Nikles awake is his roommate, Garrett Schrader, who has jokingly suggested that he's going to smack Nikles around with a wooden paddle ifhe starts to fall asleep. ., SEE NIKLES, PAGE 15 Cafe Metropolis holds its final show, local bands saddened BY RACHEL LEGGIER! Staff Writer A local music venue recently closed permanently, leaving frequent visitors and bands in disdain. Cafe Metropolis, or Metro, as it is affectionately known, was an all-ages, alcohol-free music venue located in downtown Wilkes-Barre. It held its final show Saturday, Sept. 18. The final show was headlined by Motionless in White and featured performances by Life to Come, Machine Arms and Goodbye Soundscape, who recorded a live set for the band's future live album. Doors opened at 7 p.m., with the show beginning at 8 p.m. As always, people of all ages were welcome. Uniquely, Metro stood out as one of the last all-ages nonalcoholic venues in the area. Goodbye Soundscape vocalist Jeremy Romani believes the closing of the venue will have a huge effect on its typical crowd. "It's given the kids in the area a place to go to see not just local music but all types of music," Romani said. "For those kids that are Straight Edge and don't like to drink or those that are under 21, it's really the only place in the area they get to go to experience music. Its closing will have a big effect because they won't have that anymore." Life to Come has been playing at Metro for about four years. Bass player Jeremy Laporte agrees that the closing will have a saddening effect on the area and its performers. "It's been the most consistent venue in the area," Laporte said. "Not only will it be sad to see it go, but I think the closing of it will definitely hurt the music scene in Wilkes-Barre." Several local bands considered Metro not only a music venue, but one of their favorite places to perform. Romani explained that Metro was like a second home to the band and links much of the band's success to the venue. "I've heard about polls out there that state us being the band that played there the most out of every band that's ever played," Romani said. "That's a big thing for us. Metro has really given our music the boost it needed in the area in order for us to do what we've done so far." The venue has been welcoming a wide range of music for the past 10 years. Local talent frequently took the stage, and many bands held some of their first shows at the venue. Metro even hosted popular bands such as Fall Out Boy and Gym Class Heroes. For its final show, Metro brought back some of its most consistent and successful bands. Laporte explained that the opportunity to play the last show is somewhat of an "honor." "It's a depressing thing that it's closing but I'm really happy to be getting the chance to play there one last time," Laporte said. "It always gave us some place to play and some of the best crowds were always there. It was always a lot of fun and I'm sad to see it go." CONTACT RACHEL LEGGIER! AT: rache/.leggieri@wilkes.edu �Tl 14 A&E THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21,201 Local colleges to come together for Party on the Squar BY MOLLY KURLANDSKI Interim A&E Editor , Students from local colleges within the area will be able to enjoy a night of fun, food, music, and activities on Wednesday, Sept. 22 on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The annual Downtown Collegetown Party on the Square invites students to participate in competitive festivities, as well as an opportunity to receive free food and give-a-ways from local restaurants and businesses. The event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Colleges invited to the event include: King's College, Luzerne Community College, Misericordia University, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, and Wilkes University. As it is an annual event, attendance has increased significantly over the years. This year, organizers estimate that 1,500 students will attend. Elle Butler, a senior communications major at King's College, helped organize this year's event. She stated that each year, the popularity of the event increases and that the event is always a great way for college students to interact with one another as well as with local businesses. "We have seen an increase in interest from business sponsors," Butler said. "They recognize the great opportunity the event provides for exposure to an ever-growing number of college students who patron their businesses as residents of the city for most of the year." This year, the Party on the Square will inelude three contests: pizza eating, mechani- cal bull riding, and the college school-pride banner contest. These events will be part of the Collegetown Cup Competition, which pits the five schools against one another in a battle for the Collegetown Cup. Colleges are also judged by how many students show from each school at the event. The winning school receives a trophy, engraved with their institution's name, which the school keeps until the following year's Party on the Square. Last year's winner was King's College. "I look forward to this every year, and there's so much to do. It's hard not to have fun," said Lyndsey Morris, a senior nursing major at Wilkes. In addition, students who register for the event will have the opportunity to receive a discount card from various merchants and businesses that can be used throughout the entire year. There will be a variety of free food made available to all students, including free slices of Domino's Pizza and wings from Bart & Urby's. "Party on the Square is the ideal event for college students because it provides an atmosphere of fun," Butler said. "The ultimate goal of the event is to showcase the great things this city has to offer, especially to its incoming freshmen students and new residents." CONTACT MOLLY KURLANDSKI AT: molly.kurlandski@wilkes.edu _ _ The Beacon Archives/Tom Reill In this file photo from 2009, area college students attend Party on the Square, a annual event held on Public Square. This year's event will be held on Sept. 22 an students that attend can receive free food and give-a-ways from local businesses. __ Bistro on the Avenue: an affordable night ou STAFF REPORT r;, For some college students, a night out to dinner may be reserved for a special occasion. But it doesn't always have to be, even .« you're a student on a budget. As we all know, sometimes the cafeteria or the Rifkin Cafe just isn't cutting it. It's always nice to go to a restaurant where you are waited on by a pleasant staff in a nice atmosphere. Recently, a Beacon staff member dined at Bistro on the Avenue in Kingston, right across the Market Street Bridge. This restaurant is moderately priced, with more expensive dishes, such as steaks, seafood and features. But with smart choices, the average college student could dine at Bistro for $10 or $15. The clean, fresh design of the petite restaurant, located at 174 United Penn Plaza, is the perfect place for a date or dinner with friends. Although the Mariah Carey tunes were not the best music to listen to while dining, the soft lighting and the candles on the tables made for an intimate atmosphere. In addition to the table candles, there was also a small vase of two fresh red lilies. The menu is creative and innovative. According to their Web site, Bistro focuses on "distinctive, yet traditional fare, with an eclectic feature menu." This statement is quite accurate. The features are different and interesting, but the menu is basic, with a few twists. How could any of this be affordable for a college student? Very easily, actually. First, you can start with a house salad for $5, which includes a fresh greens mixture, black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and your choice of dressing. The balsamic vinaigrette was a wonderful complement to the light, airy greens. From here, there are a number of delicious options for the student on a budget. A pizza with 8 slices ranges from a traditional style, $9, to a classic margherita, $10, to an unconventional duck, $15. The grapevine says that the chef at Bistro makes wonderful pasta sauce; and he didn't New York strip for $18 and $21, respective! disappoint. Feature appetizers last week included Althought pasta is not regarded as one of melon and prosciutto salad and conch fri the most decandand dishes, the Penne alla ters. For dinner features, the chef prepar Vodka with shrimp was perfect with chunky a sea bass Provencal, a seven ounce stuffi tomatoes balanced out by a smooth orches- filet and coconut shrimp. tra of flavors infused with pepper, oregano For desert, Bistro offered about eight di and cilantro. The shrimp were cooked to per- ferent choices. Our staff member selected fection and two large pieces of garlic bread, pistachio cake with pistachio icing, whic with just the right amount of garlic. was delightfully light with a hint of swee The dish cost $17, but it's a very affordable ness and crunchiness. $12 when ordered without shrimp. Bistro ofA variety of wines, martinis and beers fers various other pasta dishes that range in available to the 21-year-old diner, whi variety and price from a classic marinara for complimentary water is served upon be· $9 to a lobster risotto for $18. seated. For the diner who is looking to spend some You don't always have to eat at Rodano money, a mixture of seafood dishes includ- just because you are on a budget. Colle ing salmon, ahi tuna, sea bass, crab cakes, students have options; and the affordab scallops and shrimp are available for prices and delicious Bistro on the Avenue is ju between $20 and $23. one of those options in the Wyoming Valle For meat lovers, Bistro offers a number of different styles of chicken, veal and lamb. CONTACT US AT: There's also filet mignon and a seven ounce wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com s �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 2010 re Sweet treats from Sophomores ZerCross "CATCHY SLOGANS" 13 ll 14 11 19 18 2ll The Beacon/Marjorie Whispell Sophomore Student Government members Caevaun DuBarry, Samantha Bickert and Megan Parsi man the candy apple stand on Saturday afternoon at Fall Fest. The sophomore class had a table set up where students could decorate apples. BY ASHLEY ZERFOSS Correspondent • Across acr~'.prlitli19)."....1iroldMY, • pro... - / . . , ·: - '.-/?,//'·< - ~ ~. • llq Helping make Wilkes look great since 1993! • Your trusted source for • screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. • • tg, whic of swee FUTURISTIC INNOVATIVE GRAPHICS, INC. ... • • 1-46 S. Pennsylvania, Ave. Wilkes-Barr~ PA 18701 570.82J. 9272 • - . . .. .,. •. "'. (Across from Holy Redeemer High School near Domino's) 4. Eat fresh. 8. Expect more, pay less. 11. Drive one. 13. Apply directly to the forehead! 15. Have it your way. 18. They're grrrrreat! 20. The now network. 21. Live out loud. 22. Very funny. CONTACT ASHLEY ZERFOSS AT: ashley.zerfoss@wilkes.edu NIKLES Continued from Page 13 "The more people behind him, the easier it's going to be on him," Schrader said. Even if Nikles does beat the Finnish four's time, it'll still need to be verified by Guinness before he's officially recognized as the record holder. He'll need to submit photographic evidence, signed witness testimony and a video of him playing to the Guinness. Even after providing all that, there's still no guarantee that his record is one of the ones that Guinness will include in the book. However, that doesn't deter Nikles, who Down 1. Moving forward . 2. Feed the senses. 3. Rule the air. 5. Save money. Live better. 6. Style is an option, clean is not. 7. Easy, breezy, beautiful. 9. It is so good. 10. Maybe she's born with it. 12. Gives cleaning a new meaning. 14. A new kind of family. 16. I'm lovin' it. 17. Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more. 19. Let's build something together. has been playing Guitar Hero since he was 13, from wanting to strum his way to glory. "I've always wanted to have a world record," Nikles said. "I've always searched for something that I've felt I could do. This Guitar Hero thing is something that I've felt I could do, so I decided to give it a shot." "I think that he can definitely do it this time," Schrader said. "He knows what he's dealing with. Last time, it was harder for him because he didn't know what he was going to run into. This time, he knows exactly what's going to be happening. I feel really confident in him." CONTACT MICHAEL CIGNOLI AT: michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu �SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 c ·o ionel men bedeviled in shutout The Skinny Post Soccer falls to Dickinson, Elizabethtown; manage 1 goal BY JOSHUA PELLEW CONTACT JOSHUA PELLEW AT: joshua.pellew@wilkes.edu phat.nguyen@wilke!teedu Wilkes goalkeeper Kaleb Smith attempts a save in last year Smith goes up high for a ball during a game last season (left). The Colonels have managed just one goal in the past five games, and have slumped to an 0-7 start to the and put in a team effort to attack and defend as well." Dakota Cole stopped seven shots in his first full start in net for the Colonels. The loss dropped the Colonels to 0-7 on the season, nearly matching their number of losses last season. The Colonels are back in action Thursday, September 23 for the start of a four-game ---------------- These four things I know are true: Peyton Manning will put up big numbers this year, Brandon Jackson and Ryan Grant are not players of the same caliber, Michael Vick is better than you think... much, much better, and the Jets are not even close to the team that they want fans to believe. I know it's week one, but the Colts have some serious issues on defense, which has been the case for the past decade. This year, their main issue is safety Bob Sanders, who is sidelined with a torn bicep. They can't stop the run or run the ball on offense, which immediately rockets quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receiver Reggie Wayne, and tight end Dallas Clark's stocks sky high. If their run woes continue all season, Manning and his receiving corps will be playing hard right up to the final week of the season. A lot of people have been talking about Green Bay running back Brandon Jackson without any qualms, thinking they can simply just throw him in there and get a top fantasy rusher like Ryan Gran. Well, the fact of the matter is, Jackson is not as gifted as Grant. He's average at best. However, Jackson does inherit one of the premier passing offenses, so when teams expect Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers to air it out, Jackson can take advantage of some easy running lanes. It also doesn't hurt that his first few match-ups are against a weak Bills, Bears and Lions DIST. With the injury to Philly quarterback Kevin Kolb, back-up Michael Vick took the helm and again stunned us all with his speed and ability to move around in the pocket. His grace made people miss tackles and he threw well against a pretty good Packers DIST in week one. Before Kolb's injury, coach Andy Reid made it a point to use Vick as much as possible, lining him up on offense as a receiver and running back. Vick did so well that he finished seventh in all points week one, and that's why I'm buying stock in combination of Vick and receiver DeSean Jackson for some long ball in the weeks to come. And the Jets, ugh the Jets. I can't even fit what I have to say about them in here. To be short: overrated. CONTACT PHAT NGUYEN AT: Cor~pondent It's been a rocky start to the 2010 season for the Wilkes University men's soccer team. After an 0-5 start to the season, the Colonels came into their September 14 matchup with the Dickinson Red Devils eager for a turnaround. But just eight minutes into their home opener at the new Ralston Field Complex, the Colonels excitement quickly turned to gloom as the Red Devils' Javier Mena found the top left corner of the net to put the Red Devils up 1-0. After a stalemate for the rest of the first half, the Red Devils applied the heavy pressure in the second half. They netted their second goal in the seventieth minute from Shephard Waldenberger. Dickinson struck again just 10 minutes later when Sung Woo Kim found the back of the net, putting the Red Devils up 3-0, a lead they would never relinquish. The 3-0 defeat marked the third consecutive game that the Colonels were unable to find the back of the net. Even through the defeat, fans found reason to believe the team was on the rebound. Senior Mathematics major Kristen McGranaghan was in the stands for the game, and w as enthusiastic about what she saw. "They played as a team," said McGrnaghan. "They didn't get discouraged and they kept fighting" Kaleb Smith and Dakota Cole split time between the pipes for the Colonels, combining for nine saves in the contest. The Colonels took the field again Saturday, September 18 to do battle with the Blue Jays of Elizabethtown. Any hopes of a first win were*dashed when the Blue Jays raced to a 5-0 lead in the first half, en route to a 6-1 victory. Elizabethtown struck early and often, mounting an insurmountable lead. The Colonels got on the board when junior midfielder Ed Zulkoski threaded the back of the net on a penalty kick in the 74th minute.The goal was just the Colonels fifth of the season. "I feel like our team chemistry was missing defensively and we played more like individuals," said senior midfielder Sean Stitt. "The next game we need to keep our shape ~:,:~p::::~YEN homestand versus Baptist Bible College under the lights of Ralston Field at 7 p.m. They take the field again at 3 p.m. Saturday versus the Flygin Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley College. a b ti 0 �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 .. 17 SPORTS Athlete Spotlight: Tyler Berntsen, Playmaker BY JUSTIN JONES Staff Writer In a weekend where many NFL quarterbacks made their debut as starters in the league, Tyler Berntsen was making his first start for the Wilkes Colonels. Berntsen entered the newly renovated Ralston Athletic Complex with a winning attitude and walked off the football field with a performance worthy of this week's Athlete Spotlight. "Going into Saturday [Sept. 11] I believe the team was very confident," the 6-4 sophomore said. "We had a great week of practice, and have been working hard all through camp. Everyone was excited to go out and play against someone in a different jersey. Of course there were some jitters, but once the game started that was out the window." If there were any butterflies floating around somewhere in his stomach, Berntsen never showed it on the field. He kept his poise and led Wilkes to an early three-touchdown lead against the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets. Even when the Jackets mounted a comeback late in the second quarter and captured the momentum going into halftime, the sophomore gained control of his team like a vet- eran player would do and secured the victory. When the dust settled, Berntsen had completed 11 of his 16 passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns. "In our offense, you have to complete passes," Berntsen said. "The offensive line and backs did a great job giving me lots of time out there. The wide outs, tight ends and backs all came up with big catches throughout the game to put us in good situations." Berntsen admitted to being a fan of Tim Tebow, and it showed when he used his legs when there were no options in the passing game. Berntsen ran for 55 yards and one touchdown against Waynesburg. Berntsen gives credit where it is due, and he commented that his offensive line did a great job opening up holes all day. "The running game doesn't go without them, in addition to the wide outs blocking down field," Berntsen said. After Waynesburg began to stage a comeback, Berntsen was given the chance to show his stripes and let his team know that he won the starting position for a reason. He has what it takes to get the win. "We were able to go up big in the game, and that is exactly what we wanted to do," .. G C)~l.'\_~3 Pul,lic The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Sophomore quarterback Tyler Berntsen, a transfer from Monmouth University, completed 11 of 16 passes for 129 yards in his Colonels debut against Waynesburg. Berntsen said. "We faced some adversity throughout the game, but we were able to stick to the game plan and come out with the win. When Waynesburg started to come back, we just knew we had to make more plays." When asked ifhe believed his performance in week one had earned his team's trust as their leader on offense, Berntsen cited the ~ importance of family on the field. "Football is a game of trust; trusting the guy next to you that they are going to get their individual job done so as a team, we can go," the quarterback said. "I trust all of them, we are a family and in it together, one heartbeat." CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT: justinJones 1@wilkes.edu S2B-B44J4 J)c,UiJ1fl0Uil1 e0LL@5@ Sp@ciclLS ALe0HOL SPEeIAL& PO$ 21+ IJIE ,I_'D .. tJi p~l1.d&@ c:>V' sodd ~ @tt"D~ lJlifih eclleau .I.I:). (A,su 2'1+ (~1•1t scudatt• :1.l).) - c:mb-) �... SPORTS 18 SCOREBOARD FQOTBALL 9/18 vs. Springfield 7-44 L WOMEN'S SOCCER 9/16 @Lebanon Valley 3-1 W 9/ 17 @ Widener 0-1 L ACE FIELD HOCKEY 9/16 vs. Keystone 3-1 W 9/18 vs. Moravian 4-2 W VOLLEYBALL 9/15 @FDU-Florham 3-1 W 9/18@ Lycoming 1-3 L 9/18 @Baptist Bible College 1-3 L WEEKAHEAD FOOTBALL 9/25 @Utica WOMEN'S SOCCER CIFF NfL Should the NFL expand the regular season? So I've heard through the grapevine that the NFL is considering implementing an 18-game regular season, an increase of two over the current 16-game format. Well, here are my thoughts on that. ....... That's what. Is this some kind of sick joke? Why do I have the feeling you're wondering the same thing? Here's why: career life span. The life span of an NFL player, on average according to www.livestrong.com, is only 3.3 years Now there's a combination of reasons for that, including the extremely high competitiveness at the highest level. But a huge part of that number is injuries. It is more often than not that an illustrious NFL career is cut short by a sudden injury, or a rash of them (think Earl Campbell). What is the point in extending a season that is already long and arduous enough? These guys take a world-class pounding week in, and week out, for at least 20 weeks with the preseason, why add more traumas to that? Listen up here folks, I am possibly the biggest football fan there is, and I am not agreeing to this wacky idea of extending the regular season two more games. Isn't it perfect the way it is? Look at the ratings that the NFL gets week in and week out. They are already swimming in the Benjamins and all this proclamation is for the money hounds to put a few more dollars into their pockets. The head honchos talk about how they are trying to drastically decrease the rash of unnecessary injuries that occur throughout the NFL season, yet they want to extend it two more weeks? Wouldn't that be a sure-fire way of increasing the amount of injuries? Although the proposal is to cut two preseason games and start the regular season earlier, the fact of the matter is this: Those preseason games are of paramount importance to teams. Two games are not enough to determine how your team is rounding outnot to mention the fact that most of the starters may play a series or a quarter in these games, meaning their bodies are not worn r-in-C note ized t gh aI If it's not broke, don't fix it MEN'S SOCCER 9/14 vs. Dickinson 0-3 L 9/18@ Elizabethtown College 1-6 L THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 down at all. Adding two more regular season games leaves their bodies at a much greater risk of failing them at the end of the season. Now don't get me wrong, an addition of two games, monetarily, would benefit a whole ton of people. From networks, to local bars and restaurants, even to grocery stores who get ransacked for party foods on Sundays and Mondays. But is that what this game has become about, money? I know the resounding answer is "yes," but let me live in a fantasy land for about 500 words and imagine a game that wasn't about money. I know it's not supposed to be about stats, but come on now, who in their right mind doesn't want to go out and break Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season? Or Eric Dickerson's record for rushing yards in a season? Sports are all about breaking records. With 18-game seasons, all milestones will be put to rest and records will be smashed. What are we going to do ... put asterisks next to all of them, signifying they were done under the new, 18-game format? Let's leave baseball with that little problem. Good move, Goodell unica ancas1 all tea e ofhe the rol, ot race ewoul, ofev fMou er, so particu bottle el vi e had tc n the b1 st to se en said d stick 9/24@NYU MEN'S SOCCER 9/23 vs. Baptist Bible College 9/25 vs. Lebanon Valley College FIELD HOCKEY 9/25 vs. Eastern ~ VOLLEYBALL 9/25@ Stevenson 9/25 @Albright MJ:N'S TENNIS 9/24 @ Bloomsburg Tournament GOLF 9/25 @ Susquehanna Invitational CROSS COUNTRY 9/26 @ Philadelphia Metro Small College Meet Fourth quarter, four-point game. Home team on the opponent's 20-yard line with 30 seconds left. Sounds like an exciting situation for an NFL football game. It sure would be, if it wasn't the fourth preseason game and both team's third string players were in. Let's face it, most of those guys are probably going to be working a nine-to-five job come Monday. With the recent talks of the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell eliminating two preseason games and adding two games to the regular season, I, for one, couldn't be more excited. More actual football and less meaningless preseason. What's not to love? The NFL has become a year-round sport that requires a 365-day commitment from its players. Teams have more camps than the Boy Scouts and with all these "optional" workouts, players are practicing all year. There really is no more off-season for players, who stay in shape all year long. They prepare for the season day after day, not just during those four weeks prior to the season. Do they really need four preseason games to get tuned up? I understand that players need a chance to hit someone other than their own teammates and that coaches need to practice calling schemes to see how their teams hold up against competition. However, by the fourth week I think we have all seen all that we need. By leaving players out there, it only increases the chance of injury. Could you imagine how Vikings fans would feel if Adrian Peterson went out for the year before the season even started? To risk an injury on a game with no significance doesn't make sense. Aside from eliminating these two meaningless games, an 18-game schedule would have another great bonus. Two more games. Two more chances to see Peyton Manning drive his team 80 yards down field to win in the fourth quarter, instead of Curtis Painter, his back-up. Two more chances teams have to separate themselves from the competition in the standin s. How many elite matchups do we miss out on because there are just not enough games in the NFL schedule? This could give us two more chances to see top teams from each conference battle it out in the regular season or see former stars get revenge against their old teams (I'm talking about you LT) or even get to see a Manning Bowl more than once every four years. An 18-game schedule gives fans more of what they want: football. 1\vo more games a year would give each team one more home,. game, which l know the owners would love too. Maybe with the revenue from the Additional game, owners might ev dG the unthinkable and lower ticket prices from the small fortune they cost right now. I applaud the NFL for moving in this direction of more real games and a shorter preseason, even if it may just be to increase revenues. The fani would be getting more meaningful games, which is what they want. People want to see their best players battling it out against the other team's best, competing for a win and a chance to play in the four she wo she arri 1 for B, is work e Base valuab to make ssful ofl gosh,' ted ab1 d so mt rally. a typica stadiun e, she VI �EBEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 SPORTS 19 ehrens1'ausen's eyes opened during internship itcher gains knowledge of baseball front office while pursuing dream job h's not every day that you get to wear an r :r ie e t. lg t.rr !!Sized bottle of Lemonade Tea and sprint ugh a professional baseball stadium in a reagainst other gigantic beverages. Cnless you're Lindsay Behrenshausen, the summer of 2009. That's when Behrenshausen, now a senior unication studies major, interned with Lancaster Barnstormers, a minor league ball team. One of her many game-night duties was to ythe role of the Lemonade Tea bottle in a ot race sponsored by Turkey Hill. 1e would race between the third and fourth of every home game," recalled the naof Mount Holly Springs, Pa. "I did it all er, so it was very warm outside, and particular costumes had no ventilation." Tre bottles didn't allow for peripheral via. either. The softball-sized openings at etop of the costumes were large enough inhabitants to be able to see straight in tofthem, but that was it. Unfortunately for Behrenshausen and the interns, Lancaster's players knew about IUnnel vision that the costumes created. e had to run past our guys that were sitin the bullpen, and they would have this st to see who they could trip," Behrenen said. "They would roll a ball out or 'd stick a bat out or just come up and ly shove us. It was kind of a comedy along with the racing, but it was always because you never knew exactly what going to happen." t's more or less how Behrenshausen's summer went. part from racing as giant beverages on enights, Lancaster's interns had a numofjobs that they had to do in the front of.Behrenshausen often didn't know what she would be doing on any given day she arrived at work in the morning. for Behrenshausen, whose ultimate is work in the front office of a Major e Baseball team, the internship gave 1 valuable opportunity to see what it to make a professional sports franchise ssful off the field. gosh," Behrenshausen said when pted about the team's front office. "I no clue what they did and my eyes were dso much." · rally, a typical day, Behrenshausen reported stadium at 9 a.m. If it rained the night , she was there at 7 a.m. to pull the major league and minor league baseball teams operate and market themselves. "The (New York) Yankees, the reason people go to their games is to see the team," she said. "At the Barnstormers, their main thing was they marketed to the community. It wasn't just come for the baseball game. It was come for the game, get this meal, take L part in this." Some of the bigger events that Behrenshausen remembered were the three nights that Lancaster wore special themed jerseys, which were auctioned off after the game and the proceeds were donated to charities. Another was the team's "Bark in the Park" night, where fans were encouraged to take their dogs out to the ballgame. "Everybody thinks that's great," Behrenshausen said. "There was a dog parade. They brought special K-9 dogs that did an attack before the game." 7 But the biggest event that Behrenshausen helped market was when the Barnstormers held an exhibition match between two soccer clubs, Crystal Palace of London and the Harrisburg City Islanders. The interns, Behrenshausen said, were responsible for coordinating the entire event. That involved contacting all of the youth soccer programs in the Lancaster area to convince them to purchase tickets to the match. "We did all the promotions for that," Behrenshausen said. "We would go out for days at a time and just promote, set up stands, sell tickets, just huge promotion work for the event. That was the interns. That was like our baby." As a player herself, Behrenshausen knows that professional athletes often have to pay their dues in the minor leagues before they finally get their chance to shine in the majors. She believes that the experience she got with the Barnstormers is the first step on her road to the management side of the big leagues. And for that reason, she was OK with , , looking like a fool in her lemonade tea costume for a few minutes each night. "It taught me more than I could ever fit into words," she said. "They treated us as employees. We were doing jobs that real employees were doing. While we did do typical intern jobs like the iced tea and lemonade racing, we were doing day in and day out jobs that everybody else was doing. It was just so much real world, hands-on experience that I could have never gotten in the classroom." * Photos courtesy of Lindsay Behrenshausen Lindsay Behrenshausen, a senior pitcher on the Wilkes softball team, interned with the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball team in the summer of 2009. One of her duties was to don the Lemonade Tea costume and race against other beverages. tarp off the field and help the grounds crew get the stadium in game shape. The majority of Barnstormers games were played at night, so Behrenshausen was often at the stadium until the wee hours of the morning. "We were lucky ifwe got out of the stadium by midnight," she recalled. "That was a good night ifwe got out by midnight. I was working way, way over 40-hour workweeks. We'd have standard business hours, but the whole second part of the business day was a game day. I had no idea how much work they put in, especially in minor league baseball." Behrenshausen's internship schedule had a series of small breaks built into it. When Lancaster was on the road, the front office staff didn't need to work that late. But one particular stretch of the season saw the Barnstormers play seven consecutive home games. Remember, Behrenshausen had to be at the office at 9 a.m. every day and didn't get to leave the stadium until midnight at the earliest. Factor in the 60-minute drive to and from her home in Mount Holly Springs twice a day and by the end of the homestand, Behrenshausen was practically a zombie. But was the young intern about to let a lack of sleep deter her from chasing her dream? "They would always joke with us, this will either make or break you," Behrenshausen said. "But I have such a passion to enter into that (field) that I think even though I was working such long hours - and such crazy hours - that I really did thoroughly enjoy what I was doing. I think that trumped the long hours and the sleepless nights." It's not like the sport was entirely new to Behrenshausen. Her father Eric was a high school softball coach and when Behrenshausen was younger, she would often attend games to watch her dad coach. That's how she first developed an interest in the sport, and she's currently in her fourth season of pitching for Wilkes University's softball team. "He was so persistent in his efforts with me to help me pitch," Behrenshausen said of her dad. "Pitching is something that takes so much work. You never get to be perfect; it's just an ongoing process of constant work." Even though Behrenshausen had knowledge of the amount of work and dedication that it took to make a team thrive on the field, working in a baseball team's front offlee gave her an entirely different perspective of the sport. "It just gave me such a great appreciation because, let's face it, they're not making huge money in minor league baseball," she said. "But everyone there put their best foot forward every day just to make the team suecessful. It's not only the team on the field, it's all the entertainment and all that other stuff - that fluff - that goes into the games. The in-between innings things, the promotions, you know?" According to Behrenshausen, there is a pretty noticeable difference in the way that I • CONTACT MICHAEL CIGNOLI AT: michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu �THE BEACON I SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 SPORTS 20 Springfield trips up Colonels in blowout win Pride racks up 566 rushing yards; beats Colonels 44-7 BY CHRISTOPHER HOPKINS C m Assistant Sports Editor The Colonels knew what to expect when they played Springfield College on Saturday at the Ralston Athletic Complex. However, .the Pride's option offense was just too much for the Colonels to handle. Known for their triple option attack, Springfield came into Saturday's game with one thing in mind - run the football. That's just what they did; rushing for 566 yards on 90 attempts. The Pride only threw the ball seven times, but still defeated Wilkes 44- 7 to drop the Colonels' record to 1-1 on the season. "The biggest difference was just the speed of their attack," said senior defensive back Kevin Gerhart. "It's hard to gauge how fast r they are just watching them play on film. It was a lot different actually seeing it on the field." At first, it looked like the Colonels had the option all figured out. On just the third play of the game, Springfield quarterback Josh Carter fumbled a pitch, allowing junior defensive back Matt Gunther to recover the ball for the Colonels. After Wilkes was forced to punt, Springfield began a 61-yard drive down field, but fumbled again on the Wilkes 26-yard line, and was scooped up by senior defensive back Greg Nielsen. After that, however, it was all Springfield. After a Wilkes punt that put the Pride at its wn 19, Springfield went 81 yards on 13 plays to break the scoreless tie and go up 7-0. Wilkes would get the ball back, only to go three and out. On the ensuing Springfield drive, Carter fumbled for a third time missing on another pitch attempt. Nielsen fell on the loose ball, giving the Colonels possession with 25 seconds left in t1re first quarter. The Colonels would struggle to put a stop to the run heavy Springfield offense from that point on, as they would force only two r:. punts for the rest of the game. Springfield would go onto score three touchdowns in the second quarter, which included a 67-yard rushing touchdown by EIOllSIR Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won't find in the print edition. ,,, ,., •••• ••& •• C BY< Stafi s cam rour ed i1 vehi Pl Reb bee1 a rr iten len OS, The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Linebacker Ryan Clifford tries to regain his balance as Seth Fetterolf chases the play Saturday versus Springfield. The Colonels couldn't find an answer for the Pride's option attack. Springfield's running back Mark Safer on a third-and-23 with 10:32 left in the half. "We did expect Springfield to run the ball for the majority of the game," Wilkes coach Frank Sheptock said. "Their triple option attack is a system they have been running for many years. The offense is difficult to defend because of the pace at which they play, while forcing a defense to play discipline assignment football." Down 28-0 at the start of the second half, the Colonels came out with a new intensity. After a Wilkes punt to start the half, the Colonels defense got to Springfield's quarterback four times in their first series and forced them to punt. After a three-and-out by the Colonels offense, the Wilkes defense forced a threeand-out of their own, holding the Pride right where they were and forcing a punt. "At halftime, I told them to play passionately [in the second half], and they did that almost to a fault," Sheptock said. "You started to see a defense play with aggressiveness and a passion." This set up a Colonels drive that started at their own 37-yard line. Junior quarterback Marc Persing found senior wide receiver Jordan D'Emilio, who wound up with four catches for 50 yards, for a 10yard completion. Freshman running back Auxence Wogou took a handoff for 18 yards to get them to Springfield's 35-yard line. It was on the next play that Persing, who finished the day 4 for 6 for 58 yards with one touchdown, hit junior wide receiver Todd Eagles in the corner of the end zone for Wilkes' first score of the day, making the score 28-7. Springfield would go onto score the game's final 16 points on a 1-yard rush by Carter, a 35-yard field goal and a 1-yard rush by Austin Bateman, after which the Colonels blocked the PAT. iten T the bee Ce1 bee anc 5 E Bl NE th ar Vf th ai th th CONTACT CHRISTOPHER HOPKINS AT: c; christopher.hopkins@wilkes.edu C, � 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 2010 September 21st Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 September 21 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