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                    <text>The Beacon - November 11, 2014

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Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor. sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu .

Edito(ial"·Staff
20ll4-15
MANAGERIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Cllief - J~mes Jaskolka
Managing Editor - Ashley Evert
Adviser - Dr. Kalen Ohurcher
Social Media Director - Shawn Carey
Advertising Director- Rasha Shaker

Wilkes University Chorus Hosts Spaghetti Dinner
The Wilkes University Choral ensembles are hosting a
Spaghetti Dinner on Nov. 9 from 5-7 p.m. in the Ballroom of the
Henry Student Center. Members of the Wilkes University Choral
Ensembles also will provide musical entertainment. Tickets are
$5 for students and seniors, $8 for adults, and may be purchased
in advance from any member of the Wilkes Chorus or the Wilkes
Chamber Singers. Tickets will also be available at the door, and
meals will also be available for take-out. All proceeds from the
event go to support the Wilkes University Choral Ensembles.
Zebra hosts dodgeball tournament to benefit orphans
From 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 16, Zebra Communications, the
student
PR agency at Wilkes University, will host a dodgeball
tournament in support of the nonprofit organization, "Embrace a
Child in Tanzania," which benefits four children orphaned by
the AIDS virus. The tournament will take place at the UCOM
recreational center located at 84 W. South St.
Wilkes students who choose to participate in the tournament
will compete on a team of six.players and will be placed into a
bracket. Costing $12 a person, teams will be able to take part
in the rounds of dodgeball and receive an EAC shirt. A portion
of the proceeds from the tournament will go towards providing

SECTION l:DITORS
News - Sarah Bedford
LA&amp;E - Nicole Zukowski
Opinion - Frank Passalaqua
Sports - Brandon Gubitosa

run

ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Justin Topa
LA&amp;E - Bill Amos
Opinion - Mandy Stickles

y Nlcholas Durdan
taff Writer

Interested in joining the Beacon? To

leam more about the positions w,. .
offer and what 'y ou can do, contact
James.jaskolkabutler@wilkes.edu
"' ""

the necessities the four children need in order to continue their
education.
Open to Wilkes University students, registration begins at
12:30 p.m. and lunch will be provided for all who attend. The
public is invited to observe and party with Joshua Solarczyk,
the DJ. For more information about forming a team, contact
account team member, Amanda Komak at amanda.komak@
wilkes.edu.
All three Wilkes bands scheduled to perform together
History will be made on Nov. 22, when all three Wilkes
University band ensembles perform together for the first time
at Wilkes University Band Night. The Jazz Orchestra, The
Civic Band and The Marching Colonels present an evening of
big band jazz, concert band and marching band music ~t 7 p.m.
in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performmg Arts.
The event is free and open to the public.
Mathias Klettenmayer to lecture in United Nations series
Wilkes University's United Nations Lecture Series continues
at 4 p.m. on Nov. 13, when Matthias Klettermayer, presents
"The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - A
New Approach" in the Miller Room of the Henry Student
Center. Klettermayer is the sustainable development officer
responsible for communication and outreach in the United
Nations Division for Sustainable Development.

G notes: constitution revisions

DESIGN EDITORS
Dave Graff
Chris Kennedy
Moe Woodard
Nicole Kutos
Ryan Anderson

•

Beacon Briefs

••

·"'Ji

130 S. River $t
a

First Floor,.Conyngham Hall

Wifka Unive.rslty
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
Phone - (570) 408-5903
www.thewilkesbeacon.com

For its most recent meeting, Wilkes
University's Student Government had a
broader agenda than at the past few meetings.
Dr. Patrick Leahy, Wilkes University
president, addressed the group and answered
questions, including the possibility of a late
night gym in Marts Centet
In its second week of litigation, the
Psychology Club met for its constitutional
revisions, adding two positions and two
committees. The revisions passed Student
Government with a vote of32-0-10.
Student Government also heard from a
group wanting to start a men's volleyball
club. Main concerns included a practice
location and an ability to play opposing
teams. In addition, as an official university
club, it could not discriminate. The final vote
takes place at the next meeting.
The Ski Club is gearing for its annual trip
to Vermont and requested money for buses
for the trip. The group has done fundraisers,
but given the high volume of students going,
the amount the club is asking appears too
steep given Student Government's current
budget.Voting takes place next meeting.
The PPD organization is also seeking

funding for a tailgate event for the Wilkes
vs. King's football game. The organization
wan s more peop e o a en games an a
tailgate party seems like a good idea to drum
up a potential crowd. The group is seeking
$1 ,135.
Student Government representatives said
they hope the group looks for other sources
of funds in addition to Student Government.
In dining service initiatives, a "no tray
Tuesday" is being discussed. This initiative
would mean having no trays every Tuesday
to be greener and more environmentally
friendly. An additional idea included no trays
on the weekend given the lower volume of
consumers.
In IT news, a color printer in Breiseth is
being installed and wifi is being replaced in
University Towers.
The current budget for Student
Government is as follows: All college:
$216. 72 and general: $1,167.34 for a total of:
$1,384.04. More money could be reimbursed
if certain taxes and receipts go through.
Student Government meets at 6 p.m. on
Wednesdays in the Miller Room of The
Henry Student Center.
@wi/kesbeacon
nicho/as.durdan@wilkes.edu

table of contents
news ................ 2
life, a&amp;e........... 7
spread............ 12
opinion.......... 14
sports........:... 19

�The Beacon - November 11, 2014

onnewtlean
By Justin Topa

3

News

The good, the bad and the horrifying:
Colleges combat growing issue of STDs

Assistant News Editor

Wilkes University is in the process of
finding the appropriate candidate to fill
the position of Dean of the College of
Science and Engineering.
Throughout the past week, Drs. John
Schaumloffel, Michael Steele and Cecelia
Wigal have presented to faculty and staff
in hopes of earning the open position at
the head of the College of Science and
Engineering. Dr. Wtlliam Hudson is
scheduled to present on Thursday.
Steele, who presented on Tuesday, has
been working within the higher education
field since 1979. He is a graduate of
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
where he received a bachelor's degree
in biology. He received his doctorate in
biology with concentrations in ecology
and behavior and has done postdoctoral
research at North Carolina State
University.
Schaumloffel. who presented on
Thursday, has been working within the
field of higher education since March of
1997. He holds a bachelors degree in
geology and chemistty from Castleton
State College as well-as a ~ • s ~
and doctorate from Wasbmgtoll State
University in the field ofdternistry.
• Wigal presented on Monday and
received a bachelor of science degree
from Ohio Nortbem University, a mast.er

ofaciencedegteeinelectricalengineerlng
from the I1linois Institute of T ~ .
and a ~ of ~ y in
Industrilil~ a n d ~
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Hudson ~ ~ on 1'lttniay

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Photo illustration by Pat Walther
Using condoms during sexual intercourse will significantly cut down on the risk of contracting STDs.

By Pat Walther
Staff Writer

Some things are uncomfortable to
talk about. If one were to make a list of
things people go out of their way to avoid
discussing, it would most likely feature such
topics as: the sex lives of one's parents, the
ideology of the Westboro Baptist Church
and U.S. involvement in the Middle East.
Reading down this theoretical list, it
would be inevitable to come to the subject
of sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs;
something that most college students
would refuse to believe they could be the
unfortunate recipients of.
The time spent in college is one of
growth, discovery and exploration. And for
many students, this exploration can extend
beyond their classroom walls and into their
bedrooms. As it is, college campuses are
breeding grounds for STDs.
According to Stanford University's Sexual
Health Peer Resource Center, one in four
college students have an STD. The Centers
for Disease Control reports that although
15-24 year olds only account for 25 percent
of the sexually active population, they are
responsible for more than half of the new
STD diagnoses each year.

So why are college students so prone to
Along with complimentary condoms,
STDs?
Wilkes University offers periodic STD
It is easy to blame the hedonistic lifestyle testing, also free of cost, where students can
that many undertake during their years spent anonymously find out if they are the carriers
earning a degree. Although, some believe this of a number of different sexually transmitted
spread of disease is due to lack of education diseases and can be treated accordingly with
in relation to the subject at large. Myths the utmost confidentiality.
about STDs are popular among students.
This does not mean that anybody should
For example, many believe any and all be afraid of having sex. It just means
STDs are visible to the naked eye, similar to precautions are best taken before doing so.
herpes. This is simply not true with all STDs. Because sometimes, something. as simple
As a matter of fact, human papillomavirus . as applying a condom, which takes literal
(HPV), the most common STD in the seconds to do, can save one from more
country, often presents no symptoms at all. trouble than they think.
If left untreated, HPV can cause unsightly
For additional information or to receive
genital warts and, far worse, cervical cancer.
advice, medical attention or STD screening,
Students should also be wary when students can visit the office of Health and
engaging in sexual activity after consuming Wellness Services on the first floor of Passan
alcohol. Alcohol is universally known to Hall located on 267 South Franklin St. The
lower one's inhibitions, so naturally, if office is open bel'ween 8:30 a.m. and 4:30
somebody were intoxicated, it'd be easier to p.m., Monday through Friday. All medical
overlook the use of a condom. Over 45% consultations at the Health Services Office,
of college freshmen who have been binge done by both the doctor and the nurse are
drinking failed to consider the usage of free of charge.
contraceptive aids, like condoms, when
having sex, according to the CDC.
@wilkesbeacon
It's as easy to avoid catching STDs as it is
patrick.walther@wilkes.edu
to get them. Condoms are easily obtainable
through the Health Services departments
of many colleges and universities, Wilkes
University included.
__.

_______

r

�...J
The Beacon - November 11, 2014

News

4

Wilkes students welcome the autumn season
By Annelise Przywara
Beacon Correspondent

The leaves are changing and the
temperatures are dropping. Fall is in the air
and many students at Wilkes University have
welcomed the change in season.
"I'm a cool guy. I like cool weather," said
Jake Schannauer, an undeclared sophomore.
With red, yellow, and orange trees hanging
and falling from the trees, the campus
greenway is no longer very green. Instead,
piles of fallen leaves are the official sign that
fall is here and winter is not far away. Kavan
Rai, a sophomore psychology major, loves
the fall foliage and how pretty the trees look
this time of year.
Student Government Preseident Taylor
Moyer agrees.
"My favorite part about fall on campus
would have to be all the leaves changing
, colors because I think Wilkes is the most
beautiful campus in the fall," said Moyer, a
senior pharmacy major.
Overall, the fall colors are a favorite at
Wilkes University. The fall season also
marks a time for a variety of different food
and drinks.
"I really enjoy the food and drinks
associated with fall," said Chris Hartman,
a sophomore pharmacy major, said. "For
example, apple cider, pumpkin pie, and
candy corn are some ofmy favorites."
Hay rides, bonfires, football games,
hunting, apple picking, and carving
pumpkins are some of the popular activities

•

Wilkes students like to take part in during
the fall. In fact, some said the season
wouldn't be the same without these events.
For instance, it is a tradition for Zack
Sullivan, a junior mechanical engineering
major, and his family to go hunting together
throughout the season.
Despite Christmas being just around the
corner - Santa has already been spotted at
some local malls - students enjoy the fall
holidays.
"I enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving,"
Hartman said. "I feel that Thanksgiving is
an important holiday that's often overlooked
because of Christmas approaching.
Thanksgiving deserves more attention."
According to Moyer, Wilkes University's
own clubs and organizations hold events
geared specifically towards the fall season.
·Student Government offers Fall Fest for
students to enjoy fall activities on campus.
In October, Student Development hosted
Autumn Fest and Commuter Council
held a pumpkin carving social. Wilkes'
Programming Board's Freak Week, a
celebration of Halloween-related activities,
was also well attended.
"I would say Fall Fest is popular among
most students since there is usually a
nice spread of different food vendors and
entertainment," Moyer said. "Typically
400 students attend this event and the other
events are also usually very successful."
@wilkesbeacon
annelise.pryzwara@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Purvit Patel

The Beacon/Purvit Patel
Fall ls In full bloom as temperatures drop and the transformation of foliage
begins. Whlle students walk through the greenway on campus, a trip
through the various trees, bushes and plants, Is sure to entice heads to
turn and serve as a reminder that the holidays are right around the corner.
Above, students entering campus from the Student Union Building walk
through some of the oldest trees on campus. Bottom left, foliage In a bright
red catches the eyes. Bottom right, the center of our campus Is In natural
transformation .

The Beacon/Purvit Patel

�The Beacon - November 11, 2014

5

News

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Wilkes University to host third annual Empty Bowls event
To help increase awareness and fight
hunger, Wilkes University will play host to
the third annual Empty Bowls event on Nov.
16.
For $15, attendees will receive a handmade
bowl, as well as soup, bread and a drink. For
$5, children under the age of 12 can also
attend; however, the lower price does not
include one of the bowls. Empty Bowls will
be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Wilkes'
Henry Student Center ballroom.
"This program is important because it
fosters a sense of community among the
participating institutions and provides
much-needed funding for area food banks;'
said Bridget Giunta Husted, director of
Wilkes University's alumni relations.
Empty Bowls is held in conjunction
with National Hunger and Homelessness
Awareness Week, and is also sponsored by
King's College, Wyoming Seminary and
Luzerne County Community College.
The program began as an international
grassroots effort where potters and other
craftspeople created the handcrafted bowls,
according to a press release. The empty bowls
serve as a reminder of all the people who do
not have food to eat.

Locally, Empty Bowls was founded in 2012
by 1978 Wilkes graduate Jean Adams. Adams
is also an instructor at Wilkes University.
More than 1,000 bowls are created annually
by Adams and her Wilkes students.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more
than 15 percent of Luzerne County residents
live below poverty level. That number is two
points higher than the state average.
Just a mile or two from Wilkes University,
the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank
distributed 4.8 million pounds of food to
more than 160 agencies in the last year.
To register for the event, visit www.wilkes.
edu/emptybowls. Bowls and tickets can
also be purchased at the event or prior to
at Marquis Art &amp; Frame, 122 S. Main St., in
Wilkes-Barre and at Earth &amp; Wears on 68
Main St., in Dallas.

Pictured to the right: A sample
of one of the pieces available for
those In attendance of the event. All
proceeds to benefit those In need
within our community
Photo Illustration/The Beacon

r

�J
The Beacon - November 11, 2014

News

6

'Wilkes faculty and staff honored for their work
The Beacon
Staff reports
Seven Wilkes University faculty and
staff members were recently honored
for their work teaching and advising
students.
The awards were presented by the
university's Teaching Recognition and
Effectiveness Committee.
Jon Ference, associate professor of
pharmacy practice, and Gina Zanolini
Morrison, associate professor of the division
of global history and languages, were
honored with the Carpenter Award.
The Carpenter Award is the highest
award at the university and recognizes
outstanding teaching by full-time faculty
who have taught at the university for at least
three years.
Ference, who has been at Wilkes
for six years, teaches in the areas of
cardiovascular
therapeutics,
women's
health and information mastery. He also
coordinates the pharmaceutical care lab
clinical skills series, and serves as the
director of pharmacotherapy education at
the Wright Center for Graduate Medical
Education - Family Medicine Residency
Program.
Morrison, who has been at the university
for 18 years, taught multicultural education
for IO years in the education department and
now helps to prepare students pursuing the
doctorate in educational leadership degree.
She teaches courses in leadership, diversity
and societal change, and qualitative research
methods, among others.
Chris Henkels, an assistant professor
of chemistry, received the Outstanding
New Faculty Award. The award recognizes
one new tenure-track faculty member who
demonstrates outstanding initiatives in the
classroom as well as excellence in teaching,
advising and potential for leadership on
campus.
Henkels has been at Wilkes for three
years .• He teaches general chemistry
and biochemistry lecture and laboratory
courses, and continues his post-doctoral
research program.
Dina Udomsak, an assistant director
and instructor in the Jay S. Sidhu School
of Business &amp; Leadership, received the
Academic Support Award. The award
recognizes full-time, non-faculty support
personnel who facilitate classroom or
experiential initiatives and learning among
students, demonstrating leadership and
initiative in educational experiences in the
process.
Udomsak has been at Wilkes for
eight years. She teaches the personal and
professional development (PPD) class in
the school of business.

Photo Courtesy of Vicki Mayk

The winners of WIikes University's 2014 Teaching Recognition and Effectiveness (TREC) Awards are pictured,
front row from left, Dorinda McHenry, adjunct education Instructor; Dina Udomsak, Instructor, Sidhu School
of Business and Leadership; back row from left, Abas Sabounl, assistant professor of electrical engineering;
Christopher Henkels, assistant professor of chemistry; Debra Chapman, biology education speclallst; Jonathan
Ference, associate professor of pharmacy practice; and Gina Zanollnl Morrison, associate professor, global
history and languages.
Debra Chapman, a biology education
specialist, received the Outstanding Adviser
Award. The award recognizes academic
advisers who demonstrate excellence in
academic advising.
Chapman has been at Wilkes for 33
years. She encourages enthusiasm for
science in her students with hands-on
learning labs and guest speakers in the
classroom.
Ahas Sabouni, an assistant professor
of electrical engineering, received the
Interdisciplinary Award. The award
recognizes teachers who demonstrate the
advancement of interdisciplinary learning
through course pairing, team teaching or
course projects.
Sabouni has been at Wilkes for one
year. He has had success at an early stage
in his career at Wilkes for his engagement
in different interdisciplinary projects
across Wilkes departments, and developing
interdisciplinary courses as well as crossdisciplinary team teaching during fall and
spring 2013-2014.
Dorinda McHenry, an adjunct instructor
of education, received the Innovative and
Nontraditional Teaching Award. The award
recognizes teachers who successfully
incorporate innovative or nontraditional
strategies in at least one class.
McHenry has been at Wilkes for six
years.

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�The Beacon - November 11, 2014

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

Apple CEO comes out after the iPhone 6
By Austin Ely
Staff Writer

Tim Cook, one of the world's most
innovative people and CEO of a company
that brought upon a technological
revolution in itself, publically announced
that he was homosexual on Oct. 30.
The Apple CEO came out for the first time
according to CNN via an essay that was
published by Bloomberg Businessweek.
In the essay, Mr. Cook wrote, "Let me be
clear: I'm proud to be gay, and I consider
being gay among the greatest gifts God has
given me ... "
However, Cook's coming out is not as
revolutionary as some may think. Many
CEOs and higher-ups of companies
have come out in recent years, such as
Christopher Bailey of Burberry, Nick
Denton of Gawker Media Group, Robert
Greenblatt of NBC Entertainment, Robert
• Hanson of BP and even Nike's chief
information officer Anthony Watson.
Although reports depict that many
already knew that Cook was gay, his public
openess brings yet another powerful figure
to head the movement for equality.
How do Tim Cook and other CEO's and
those high on the business hierarchy relate
to the gay rights movement? Well, when
Wilkes professor and advisor for the GayStraight Alliance Dr. Helen H. Davis was
asked what Tim Cook's coming out meant
for the LGBT movement she stated:
"It is wonderful when members of the
LGBT community who are in important
positions are open about their sexual
orientation because it sends the message
that being LGBT is not anything to hide.
As is the case with any minority group,
representation is powerful:'
Davis went on to explain, "Tim Cook
is CEO of one of the world's largest, most
important companies. He is successful
and widely respected; he also happens to
be gay. Because of his position of power,

The Beacon/ Nicole Zukowski
WIikes Is a university that has publicly supported the LGBT community and has many groups to spread awareness.

he and many people who are LGBT
choose not to be open about their sexual
orientation in the workplace for many
reasons:
The irony in this predicament is that
many states have laws to protect members
of the LGBT community.
"In Pennsylvania, for example, it is still
legal to fire someone for being LGBT,
so there is still potentially a lot at stake
in coming out. By coming out, Tim
Cook sends a positive message to his
own employees, and hopefully to other
companies and to the community as a
whole;' Davis said. "It is always important

to have positive role models. Also, the more
people who are brave enough to come out,
the more common and accepting it will
hopefully become:'
Cook has said that he and Apple plan to
back LGBT rights for as long as he lives.
The fact that a figurehead of a powerful
company came out as homosexual affects
the whole business world.
It even hits home at Wilkes University.
Wilkes has many groups that serve to
support and raise awareness for the LGBT
community.
One such group is the Gay-Straight
Alliance.

"I think it means that students
have another positive, successful role
model, this time in a powerful business
position;' D.wis said. "I hope that it gives
them courage, strength, and hope that
acceptance of the LGBTQA community
will continue to grow:'
Instances such as Cook's coming out
helps to pave the way to not just gay rights,
but the rights to all minorities on the path
of equality.
@wilkesbeacon
austin.ely@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - November 11, 2014

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

8

Connectin the dots to one's future career

Courtesy of The Wilkes Alumni Association

Connecting the Dots event was held last Wed. for any student Interested In
networking with people who are already In the career fields or interest.

Courtesy of The Wilkes Alumni Association

Many students were able to speak on personal matters of professional
development with career experts.

Courtesy of The Wilkes Alumni Association

Partlcpants had the chance to network with professionals In different
fields to gain contacts and maybe even make bonds that will form lifetime
connections.

Courtesy of The Wilkes Alumni Association

Advice and stories are told to students to help them make good decisions In
thler lives and future careers.

.

@wilkesbeacon
austin.elv@wilkes.edu
/

�The Beacon - November 11, 2014

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

Around the world in one night
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC)
offered students a chance to eat food from
five different cultures, along with learning
about the global perceptions of other
countries through students own shared
stories last Thurs. at their 3rd annual One
World Party.
Kayla Rooney, president of MSC,
welcomed guests to the party by explaining
that, "MSC is devoted to spreading diverse
and cultural awareness:'
"Although we are all different, we are all
the same;' Rooney said.
Every year, MSC hosts a "One World
Party;' to bring the whole spectrum of
student diversity under one roof for the
night. They honor the fact that everyone's
background plays a significant role in our
University.
"Events like this are a good way to
gain sensitivity towards other cultures:'
sophomore nursing major, Lauren Spak
said.
At any point during the night, students
from the audience could take the
microphone and tell a story or interesting
fact from where their family originated.
Sophomore psychology major, Danica
• DeMesa, took this opportunity to share
about her culture.
"Let me tell you about Christmas in the
Philippines; everyone's doors are open and
it's like a walk in buffet;' DeMesa said.
Many other diversity oriented clubs
also showed up to support the event and
took time to share their culture with the
audience.
"Communicating with each other to
know each other better; that's the main
point of being multicultural;' sophomore
entrepreneur major, Bowen Wong,
president of the Asian Cultural Society
said.
Diversity is a characteristic that Wilkes
feels strongly about. They strive to represent
the community and offer students many
opportunities to gain knowledge of other
cultures. Events like the One World Party
are vital ways of spreading the importance
of diversity.
"Going to diversity events like this one
are a great way to meet other people. It
forces you out of your shell and allows you

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The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

MSC Is decalted to holding events like the One World Party for students to gain a better respect for diversity.

to learn about different cultures;' stated
first-year biology major, Josh Lanesderger.
"I also think that events, especially like
this one, gives students a taste of other
cultures and opens the minds of the
possible of studying abroad:'
The One World Party is an interactive
and fun way to expand one's opinions and
become socially conscience of others.
"I think it is important to go to events
like this to become more culturally aware;'
first-year early education major, Julia
McGeorge said.
"Since I'm going to enter a field where
you have to be culturally sensitive; I think
it is really valuable to go to events like this:'
For more information on MSC or
diversity events around campus contact
Kayla Rooney at kayla.rooney@wilkes.
edu. If interested on study abroard or want
to talk to a professional about diversity at
Wilkes, stop in the Office of Diversity on
the corner of South St. and Franklin St. or
email Erica Acosta at erica.acosta@wilkes.
edu.
@wilkesbeacon
nico/e.zukowski@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees'

WIikes MSC Is decalted to holding events like the One World Party at WIikes

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The Beacon - November 11, 2014

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

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19

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�The Beacon - November 11, 2014

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

11

More than just the military: Wilkes ROTC
Common questions concerning the ROTC a·re answered
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

Multitasking, time management and
withholding a strong attitude are all
characteristics that students involved with
the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
at Wilkes have to balance on a daily basis.
Students who participant in the ROTC see
. it as a lifestyle ·choice.
"You have to have time-management
skills. It is everyday actively focusing on
your training;' sophomore finance major,
Matthew Winger, ROTC Public Affair
Officer, said. "The ROTC is always in the
back of your mind:'
Wilkes University is one of eleven full
partnership programs within the Royal
Warrior Battalion. The Royal Warrior
Battalion was recognized recently as being
in the top 15% of all ROTC programs in the
country. Wilkes offers an Army ROTC and
Air Force ROTC.
Now that Wilkes has teamed up with
Kings College, the ROTC is compatible with
any major.
"We (ROTC program) have the truest
diversity;' Cadet 3rd Class Michael McCleaf,
a junior chemistry major, said. "We have

people from all sides of the spectrum as far as
student diversity goes. We have people from
an array of majors and everyone takes part in
different co-curriculars:'
"You are a regular college student in every
sense of the word. It is just another aspect
of your life;' Winger said. "It is almost like a
club that you could get involved in:'
A very active club in that sense. Dedication,
endurance and perseverance are all needed. .
"The ROTC permeates throughout all
aspects of college. You think you have a
switch for ROTC and a switch for regular
college life but they kind of merge into one;'
Winger explains. "The ROTC integrates into
your life:'
The ROTC prepares students through
a college-based program for training
commissioned officers of the United States
Armed Forces.
McCleaf describes the ROTC as a "four
year internship program:'
At Wilkes the primary focus of the ROTC is
to develop leadership capabilities in students
and train future leaders for the Army and the
American public in general.
"It (ROTC) is building and preparing you
to be a better leader for your job you get
when you graduate college;' Winger said.

The misconceptions of
the ROTC
What do your days consist of?

Matthew McCleaf: ''.A.lot of what we do
in the Air Force ROTC is working with the
community, in both a beneficial and active
waf'
What are some community service projects?

MM: "To name a few, volunteering at the
local soup kitchen and at the Blue Chip Farm
Animal Refuge:'
Are there ever times where talcing a fun
approach on learning happens?

MM: ''.A.ctually we . just had some
interactive team-building events. We had
fun paintballing and then we had a bowling
social. We will take part in the Veterans Day
parade, which we will be in our in-service
dress:'
One misconception about the ROTC is
that you basically sign your life to the Armed
Forces; is this true?

Matthew Winger: "There is nothing
specifically saying you sign on the dotted
line. It is complete volunteer. There is no jail
time if you leave. We participate because we
want to:'
MM: "I always say the strong don't stay

and the weak leave. It has to do with finding
out what you want. Thats why I said this (the
ROTC) is like a four year internship because
you get to find out if this is what you really
want to do. If it is the program will give you
the opportunities you need:'
Do all students in the ROTC have
scholarships?

MW: "No, I hear that all the time but not
everyone gets scholarships:'
What would you say is the goal of the ROTC?

MM: "Other than preparing for your future
career, Wilkes ROTC wants you to develop a
life outside of the military so at the end of
your career you have a sense of individuality."
What would you say is the largest change in
your life since joining?
MW: "It changes your character. There

is a certain character or set guidelines that
you abide by: integrity, service, honesty and
excellence:'
For more information on Wilkes ROTC
contact Matthew Winger at matthew.
winger@wilkes.edu

@wilkesbeacon
nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu

•

Looi&lt; for a featured Mindful entree at Henry's every day.

Eajoy the bel'\efits of"' o. w,eo.l plo.l'\,
Sign Up for a Meal Pl n Today

•

•

The Beacon Archives
WIikes ROTC Is commlted to holding service events on and off campus.

r

�The Beacon - November 11, 2014

12

Honoring Wilkes veterans, both past and future

Photo Courtesy of Mark Kaster

Lt. Colonel Mark Kaster Is a Wilkes ,rofessor who also serves as the WIikes
University Veteran's Counselor.

By James Jaskolka
Editor-in-Chief

In a fourth floor office in the Cohen
Science Center, Mark Kaster answers
a call from a young woman and
prospective student from Vir~nia.

He listens to her concerns before ·
rattling off information that has become
standard for him: information about
housing and textbook allowances, facts
about the Post-9/11 GI Bill (which
allows veterans to attend college for
free) and the number for the nearest

VA (Veteran's Affairs) hospital. He
comes across equally informative and
considerate.
In addition to being a professor
of environmental
science
and
engineering, Kaster, a retired Air Force
Lt. Colonel serves as the university's
Veteran's Counselor. He connects
to veterans -- current students and
potential ones -- and helps them
transition into a civilian atmosphere
by helping "turn their benefits on" and
showing them the resources they have
at their disposal.
For Kaster, it's a rewarding job.
"In a way, I've taken the uniform off,
but I'm still serving in this capacity;'
he said. "I consider it an honor that I
can continue to serve my brothers and
sisters that have served with me and
help them to achieve their goals:'
Kaster grew up on a farm in
northwest Iowa. Every male in his
family served in the military, so it
was natural for him to continue the
tradition. Kaster noted that without
the aid of the military, he wouldn't
have been able to attend college. This
is a definitive factor in Kaster's job. It
allows him to connect with veteran

one has a different worth.
so much more than how
ups can you do. It's about
mically can you bring to
e some ·

s
ran's Day:

sc eme of things. the entire

milwv:y at lacp:'

understanding
He said that's one of the biggest
everything I'm
misconceptions
about the military
for me... those
I've done, then that he's come across: if you aren't a
ctive duty," he physically powerful person, you won't

be of use to the military.

es:'
th

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coilU~q

because of
........,_,,,_,.........term career possi

___

~-

anted t
y to pay for
it appealing
a of longpersonally,

students in a way that no other faculty
member can.
"If you can think back to someone my
age, a veteran going to campus.. .! wasn't
certain I could do it. I'd been away from
high school for two years;' Kaster recalled.
"So when today's vets come to me, and they
say 'Colonel, can I do this? ' I look across
that table and say 'Yes, you can; because I
had the same feelings that they did. I know
what they're going through:'
Serving 26 years with the Air Force means
Kaster does not take Veteran's Day lightly.
On his desk, in front of the phone where
he speaks to current and potential student
veterans, Kaster keeps a water bottle,
filled with sand he took from Normandy
Beach during a family vacation: a constant
reminder of those who gave everything for
their country.
"We stand on the shoulders of those
veterans who came before us and gave their
life for this idea of America;' Kaster said.
"The ones who didn't make it are the ones
who have sacrificed everything:'

McCleaf wants to work in combat
rescue) and the lessons that were
instilled in him:
"You have to try and push yourself
to be better.
our job better and
better
above you
n.g is to
into the
by and
get to
e e of the day,
osy as it looks. Unless
you•re striving and pushing every day
to do your very best, you'll get sucked
away with tlie tide."

�The Beacon - November 11, 2014

13

By Pat Walther
Staff Writer

Undeclared Freshman Wy
Sebring Joined the ROTC p
gram as a way to be a part f
the mllltary whlle stlll pur Ing
an education.

Wyatt Sebring always wanted to
fly. Instead of giving up the dream
many abandon once they become
accustomed to the nature of the
world, he made his childhood
fantasy practical. He would join
the United States Air Force.
The military had always had an
indescribable draw to it, anyway.
He planned to enlist right after he
graduated.
Suddenly and violently, those
plans were dashed. After breaking
his fibula and tearing ligaments in
his ankle during football, his senior
year of high school was destined to
end on a sour note. A surgery was
necessary to fix the damage done,
and there was no chance he'd be

ready for physical conditioning by
the time he graduated.
Sebring would have to wait to
enlist in the military. Or maybe
not.
He learned of the ROTC program
and realized he would be able to
simultaneously join the military
and further his education, killing
the proverbial two bird.s with one
stone. In addition to this, Sebring
found that by enlisting in the ROTC
program he would be eligible for
various scholarships to keep the
cost of school reasonable.
Deciding to attend Wilkes
University, Sebring had to learn
quickly how to balance his
collegiate social life with the strict
training regimen of the ROTC.
"[People think] that we get yelled
at constantly and are punished by
doing physical exercise:' Sebring

said. Much to the contrary, many of
those enlisted enjoy the workout.
Now nearly half way through
his first year of college, things like
leadership, integrity, discipline
and dedication have become
second nature. Sebring, though
currently undeclared, is looking
to major in math or biology and
minor in aerospace studies. Most
importantly, he is staying true to
his dream. "I want to be a pilot and
fly cargo planes in the Air Force;'
he explains. ''Afterward, I want to
be an international airline pilot:'
And with the current path
he's on, it seems like the sky's
the limit for Wyatt Sebring.

r

�_J

The Beacon - November 11, 2014

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

Has the media overdone it with body images?
By Mandy Stickles
Assistant Opinion Editor

Playing, hanging out with friends or
doing school work are the only concerns
a child or adolescent should have.
Instead, many, even from an early age,
worry about their body image and not
being skinny enough or looking like the
models on television.
Why do children and adolescents
worry about these things? Because the
media flashes it in their face every time
they turn on the television.
Staggering statistics from executives
at Nickelodean reveal that, on average,
a child or adolescent watches up to 35
hours of television a week.
Medua are known for showing
Photoshopped images of models and
passing them off as the 'ideal body image'
when in reality, the images are nowhere
near
what the average body type is.
However, children and adolescents do
not constantly see the average body type
portrayed in the media and are instead
brainwashed to believe looking like a
model is what is acceptable or normal.
These 'model-like' body images
constantly being thrown at young
children and adolescents lead to harmful
effects. In turn, children and adolescents
are hard on themselves for the way they
look. This results in unhealthy dieting
or trying various other negative ways
to lose weight. Three huge effects are
eating disorders, mental depression and
physical depression.
The reported prevalence rate for
anorexia nervosa is 0.48 percent among
girls 15 to 19 years old. Between one and
five percent of adolescent girls meet the
criteria for bulimia nervosa. It is not only
young girls though; boys are affected as
well. While girls try to get the skinny
model figure and practically waste away
to nothing in the process, boys try to
build muscle and get lean and built.
The media has not always portrayed
male and females like they do now,
however. Over several years the images of
weight and size have drastically changed.
.... The women's body size and shape has
become revoltingly thinner and leaner,

Courtesy of Creative Commons

or in other words, 'skin and bones: while
the men's body size and shape has become
stronger and muscular often portraying
veins popping out of their body, implying
supplement use being the norm.
The media not only broadcasts
unrealistic body types, but also promotes
weight loss pills, drinks, foods and
several other 'weight loss products' to
make people 'feel full' when they are
starving themselves.
These 'get skinny quick' schemes
can become exceedingly harmful for a
person. These weight loss pills, drinks
and food can have damaging effects to
the body and may even land a customer
that uses these types of products in the
hospital. A number of weight loss pills
have been recalled over the years due
to putting customers in the hospital via

strokes, heart attacks, or other heart
related issues.
Why put your body through that type
of pain? How far are people willing to
push themselves to get that 'ideal body
image; and at what cost?
Instead of the media pushing young
children and adolescents to wanting
the 'ideal body image' they should
be encouraging them to eat healthy,
exercise, and love the body they have.
Nonetheless, it is impractical to think
that media will change in that way; it is
not about helping the people and giving
them positive outlooks, rather than what
will sell. And at the moment, overly
skinny models is what sells.
Unfortunately, it is up to the consumers
not to give in to these temptations of the
body images portrayed in the media and

to find the power within to be happy
and confident with the way they are. If
a person is overweight, losing weight the
healthy way is the way to go, by exercising
daily and eating healthy.
It is important to remember that the
media is not necessarily the truth and is
filled with photoshopped images that do
not display real life.
For additional information on eating
disorders, or to get help, visit www.
nationaleatingdisorders.org
or
call
1-800-931-2237. At Wilkes, visit http://
www.wilkes.edu/ campus-life/ studentaffairs/ he al th- and-wellness-services/
counseling-services.aspx

@wilkesbeacon
amanda.stickles@wikes.edu

�9

The Beacon - November 11, 2014

15

Opinion

Lena ·Dunham and toxic activism controversy
By Elyse Guzlewlcz
Staff Writer

Lena Dunham, a longtime beacon of
the feminist movement, is at the center
of another controversy.
Her book Not That Kind of Girl,
published this year, has come under
fire for passages that describe her
performing sexually inappropriate acts
with and on her younger sister Grace.
Her
response
has been less than
apologetic,
firmly
denying the severity
of the accusations
and claiming them
to be a normal if not
universal experience
for children. While
it's true that many
children
have
a
sense of innocence
that keeps them from
understanding some
actions · perceived
as sexual, what Ms.
Dunham describes
goes beyond this
into the realm of
disturbing .
Dunham tweeted
that "I told a story
about being a weird
7 year old. I bet you
have some too,"
despite describing
her
actions
as
"anything a sexual
predator might do to a suburban girl" in
her memoir.
The majority of white feminists have
been standing behind her, claiming
critics are policing her sexuality.
The attitude these people have
taken highlights an ongoing issue
among many social movements . This
can be described as toxic activism when social justice activists create a
negative or harmful space by supporting
problematic behaviors in other members
of their group.
Toxic activism is not just a problem in
the feminist movement, although it does
provide a place to start the discussion.
Anyone involved in the movement has
heard the call to be aware of the media
we're consuming and to keep an eye
out for problematic elements in film,
television, and print.
Problematic elements include things
like misogyny, racism, homophobia, rape
culture, or other harmful stereotyping.
Too often, however, activists accept a
celebrity as a feminist ( or other interest

group) and immediately begin defending
their every action. This is especially
prevalent among privilege~ ~embers_ of
the interest group - in femm1sm: white,
middle class women .
In turn, defense of problematic
behaviors leads to two negative
outcomes.
First, it helps perpetuate the issues
activists are seeking to solve. In
Dunham's case, defending her despite
her
admission
to
sexually
inappropriate
behaviors sends
the message that
assault is okay
as long as it's
between women.
These
ideas
are what most
feminists try to
debunk, as assault
should
never
be
considered
alright no matter
the gender of the
participants.
Second, it adds
fuel to the fires of
those that oppose
the
movement.
Hyperconservatives
and
Men's
Rights Activists
have taken this
controversy
and run with it,
claiming all feminists to be hypocrites
and abusers.
Clearly, this is overdoing it, but
Dunham's lack of repentance and the
feminist movement's defense of her
actions hasn't helped the negativity
and vitriol constantly being spewed by
groups antagonistic to women's rights .
The idea that any person is immune
to scrutiny and criticism creates a toxic
environment for any marginalized
person trying to involve themselves
and opens the entire movement up to
controversy.
It's better to point out flaws among
ourselves than to have them brought to
light by our enemies.

~---------------,

NOT

KI

.

lc11a Dt111l1a11

@wilkesbeacon
e/yse.guziewicz@wilkes.edu

m,an
ye

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�_J

The Beacon - November 11, 2014

Opinion

16

The Scarlet Letter- Examining Pop Culture's Love of a Classic
By Sara Plsak
Staff Writer

Nathaniel Hawthorne 's The Scarlet
Letter is an undisputed classic. For
generations, the text has S'een nothing
short of required reading.
This leads me to ask myself the
question, "What is pop culture 's
obsession with The Scarlet Letter?"
A reader may not realize they are
pleasantly bombarded by today 's
modern entertainment industry with
references to this classic text. Some of
these references are subtly slipped into
dialogues of television shows and lyrics
of hit songs. Others are more blatant
as these references are plots for entire
films.
By exploring these references , I
believe I found an answer as to why pop
culture's obsession with The Scarlet
Letter continues.
Starting with a nuanced reference,
a few weeks ago if you were one of
the more than a million people to
buy Taylor Swift's new album 1989,
you might have noticed
the song
"New Romantics" (Hawthorne himself
was consider part of the Romantic
Movement of literature) contains the
lyric, "We show off our different scarlet
letters. Trust me mine is better. "
This particular lyric happens to be
one of the most recent mentions of
The Scarlet Letter in music. Although,
I am positive many other songs from
various artists have lyrics referencing
Hawthorne's novel, this reference
stands out as a positive representation
of individuals competing to have the
best scarlet Jetter.
Another recent understated allusion
to The Scarlet Letter comes from the
dialogue of the popular television show
Castle. A section of dialogue from the
episode entitled "Little Girl Lost,"
which if you have read The Scarlet
Letter, can be viewed as an ode to Pearl
herself.
The dialogue reads as follows:
ALEXIS: My AP test is tomorrow. I was
having nightmares about Hester Prynne.
CASTLE: Ahh, the irony for you is not
getting an "A" would cause you shame.
After this reference, the episode
continues as if no mention of the novel
has been made. In short, The Scarlet
Letter is not the focus of the television
episode. The reference to Hester Prynne
paired with the name of the episode,
Little Girl Lost, is an elusive .gift to
bookworms as a veiled reference to
_ JHawthorne's text.
If a reader was looking forward to

7

more obvious modes of referencing
The Scarlet Letter, they should look no
further than Emma Stone's cult classic
movie, Easy A.
The movie is loosely based and I use
this term liberally, upon Hawthorne's
text. Throughout the entire movie, Emma
Stone's character, high school student
Olive Penderghast, feels ostracized
by her high school community. In an
attempt to fit in, Olive draws inspiration
from Hawthorne's novel and stitches a
Scarlet "A" on her clothes. For Olive,
trying to fit in backfires.
Olive is a visual representation of
what The Scarlet Letter stands for:
risking what others think of us in an
attempt to find ourselves and stand up
for what we believe.
In addition to the above references,
there is also the completely inaccurate
movie Scarlet Letter. The movie teams
with historical inaccuracies, ignorance
of the novel's original plot structure
and Demi Moore bathing more than
the average Puritan without modern
plumbing.
All jokes aside, the movie, although
dreadfully adapted, was filmed in 199 5
helping propel pop culture's love of The
Scarlet Letter.
Using these subtle and more obvious
odes to The Scariet Letter, "Why is pop
culture obsessed with this text?"
The answer seems to be The Scarlet
Letter is rooted in our colonial past.
Hawthorne himself was both horrified
and fascinated by the fact that he is
a descendant of a Salem Witch Trial
judge.
As a society, we, like Hawthorne,
are also caught in the delicate cycle
of embracing our past no matter how
conflicted it may be, while forging our
own future.
The text is centered on the fragile line
we all walk . We all strive to stand out,
to be unique and to stand-up for what
we believe in but how far dare we go?
How many lines can we cross without
being viewed as an outcast such as
Hester Prynne and branding ourselves
with our own scarlet Jetter?
The Scarlet Letter is everything
we hope for and everything we fear,
all wrapped into one classic piece of
literature.

@wilkesbeacon
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

Courtesy of Creative Commons

Sara's Score:

�8

The Beacon - November 11, 2014

Opinion

17

Tove Lo is staying high ... on the charts with "Queen of the Clouds"
By Eric Casey
Staff Writer

Tove Ebba Elsa Nilsson, also known
as Tove Lo, is a rising star from Sweden.
It appears that country is pumping out
popular acts lately with the likes of
Icona Pop, Nico &amp; Vinz, and Lykke Li.
Her blend of dark pop and electronic
music· makes for an excellent blend and
one of the most perfectly crafted albums
of 2014.
As soon as you hear "uh uh" on the
radio you automatically know what the
song is. "Habits (Stay High)" is huge
right now and completely inescapable.
It's blasting out car radios, in the store,
and even remixes of it in the bars and
clubs.
When you dance to it in a sultry way
or shout the main chorus do you even
know what the song is about?
I mean it's not really deep, but it's
not about "being high" in a smoking
a certain substance kind of way. It's
actually about her trying to get a high
off of hedonistic acts and drinking to
numb the pain from whatever breakup
she went through.

She doesn't have a filter on her which
gives the music a better connection to
the audience who might have gone
through what she did and doesn't need
sugarcoating.
I've been told I am
the problem / and the problem is my
honesty I when it's worst than how it
seems / and I tell you all the wrong
things.
Those lyrics from "The Way That I
Am" really elucidates her debut album
Queen of the Clouds which was released
September 30th. ·
The album has so far peaked at #14
on the Billboard 200 albums chart to
positive reviews. There appears to be
three sections to the album because
of the three interludes. It begins with
an interlude called "The Sex", and
following that are the songs "My Gun",
"Like Em Young", "Talking Body", and
"Timebomb."
They describe the rise of her
relationship and a reckless side to her
that knows no boundaries. Especially
on "Like Em Young" where to her age
is just a number and she's willing to
sleep wherever to get that feeling of
euphoric mindlessness.
"The Love" interlude follows with

songs called "Moments", "The Way
That I Am", "Got Love", and "Not on
Drugs."
This set allows her to express how she
doesn't give a you know what about her
personality and ways of doing things, as
heard in her song "Moments."
"Rough around the edges, memories
and baggage / you know me / never play
the safe card, when I go I go hard / and
now you know."
Her song "Not on Drugs" conveys
part of her relationship when the
breakup was actually happening. It
feels like she's trying to tell him that
sure she made mistakes in the past and
likes to mess around, but that he's her
only drug.
However, in recent interviews she has
made it well known of her dark past of
experimenting with drugs.
The song is likely to become her next
hit especially since a video was made
for it. "Baby, listen please I'm not
on drugs, I'm not on drugs / I'm just
in love / baby, don't you see? I'm not
on drugs, I'm not on drugs / I'm just in
love, you're high enough for me."
The last interlude "The Pain" features
her hit song and other ones that express

her distress of losing someone and
wanting to be with them.
It's best expressed in "Thousand
Miles" with lyrics like, "Coming for
you baby, I'm coming now/ that's when
I run / an of these thousand miles to get
you back."
Tove Lo isn't going to be a one hit
wonder. There are many fantastic songs
on this album that have mainstream and
alternative hit potential.
Although "Habits (Stay Hig_h)" has
reached #3 on the Billboard '1ot 100
chart, she's featured on EDM rising star
Alesso's track "Heroes (We Could Be)."
The song has so far peaked at #72 on
the Hot 100 and #27 on US Mainstream
Top 40. Her package of "grunge pop"
is certainly sticking around as it is a
major trend this year with such artists
like Lorde and Sia.
For now Tove Lo is likely to "stay
high" on the charts for the remainder of
the year.

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The Beacon - November 11, 2014

Opinion

18

Can you justify buying downloadable content for video games?
By Frank Passalacqua
Opinion Editor
Back in the day when the Xbox and PS2
were the current generation of gaming
hardware, consumers would pay one price
for a game of their choice, and that was
it. One price for one game that included
everything the game developers sought it
out to be.
Fast forward a few years circa 2006, the
popular video game Halo 2 took online
gaming to a whole new level. After much
success, the developers released a free
update that included map packs for people
to download for free.
Fast forward to now.
DLC
(downloadable
content)
is
associated with almost every single video
game that has been released for the past 6
or so years. This would not be a problem,
if it were free. However, it is not.
What is the problem with this?
The problem lies in the fact that
developers are purposely leaving things
out of a game to make people spend money
on what should have been a complete
purchase. Things such as maps, characters,
missions, etc., are all examples of DLC
that can be purchased to extend your
playability of a certain game.
Why do developers do this to begin
with? Because with every game they make,
they make a small income after everything
is said and done. They pay to ship the
games out, the retailers to sell them, the
packaging companies, the PR crew to
advertise and publicize the game, and so
on. By the time a single game is sold, they
receive a small fraction of the price. DLC
offers them a way to receive small chunks
of money at a time, and the income goes
directly to them.
Games such as Watch Dogs, Assassin's
Creed, Battlefield, Call of Duty, Far Cry 4
and many more all announce DLC before
the game is even released.
Let me break this down with a first hand
example'. The upcoming game Assassin's
Creed Unity offers a "season pass" which
includes "over 8 hours of bonus material"
in two mini side campaigns, plus bonus
missions and weapons.
If the game is not even released yet, how
can developers justify not including this in
the first place?
For games like Battlefield and Call of
Duty, they too have a "seasons pass" type
of deal, where over a span of a year or
so, they will release map packs, usually
ranging from 12-16 new maps for players
to play online. This type ofDLC costs $50,
" 'plus the initial purchase of the game ($60).
Is $110 for one game really worth it, or

played my $60 worth and I want to extend
the life of the game even more, than I can
justify dishing out the extra money.
In the past, I have bought all the DLC
for Skyrim because I could not get enough
of it, and I have paid an extra $50 for
Battlefield 3 and 4 to receive "Battlefield
Premium," a season pass that included
perks, weapons, and 16 new multiplayer
maps. Completely my choice, and I easily
could have not purchased them.
To wrap this up, do we understand why
developers do this? Yes, to make their
money. However, can I see myself buying
"extra" content before a game comes out?
No, and you should not either.
I want a complete game worth the
money I dished out for it. If developers are
intentionally making an incomplete game
to just make mony in the future off releasing
DLC, then there is a problem.

Courtesy of Creative Commons
Call of Duty Black Ops II DLC "Revolution" and "Vengeance" are two of four map packs
the game released, starting Just two months after the game's initial release. The DLC
contained five maps each, plus a bonus weapon and other perks for players onllne.

even ethical?
Then there is the other type of DLC
which includes minor game add-ons that
are completely optional and give a player a
certain edge over others. I am referring to
the life of "virtual coins" for some games.
NBA 2kl5, Madden 15, and FIFA 15 are
all games that rake in millions of dollars
per year solely from players buying online
coins for their "Ultimate Teams."
Ultimate Team in FIFA, for example,
gives players the option to buy instead of
earn coins, which unlocks player packs to
complete their team. These coins are on a
different scale from the earlier mentioned
DLC, because it is · not something the
developers could have added to the game
originally to make it complete.

The same applies in Call of Duty, yet
again, where players can purchase weapon
skins for a small price, usually $1-5 for a
pack of them. Totally up to the player.
In my opinion, deciding to spend your
own money on virtual coins or skins is
completely fine. It is your choice, and it
does not add or take away from the core
game itself.
A similar senario would be buying a
ton of extra songs on Guitar Hero, but we
know that was just a phase in the past.
However, I do not agree with developers
charging $50 for maps, missions, etc that
easily could have been including with the
game.
If I pay $60 for a game, I want the full
game, the full experience. If I feel I have

@wi/kesbeacon
frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

•

�Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Brandon.Gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Wilkes looks to knockout crosstown rival King's in Mayor's Cup

Kickoff Is scheduled for noon as the Colonels host cross town rival King's In the 19th annual Mayors Cup game on Saturday
By Danny Van Brunt
Sports Writer

After a long season of hard work,
the Colonel Football team's season is
coming to an end. The team is continuing
to work for the win over their rival team
the Monarchs of King's University. The
Mayor's Cup is held on November 15,
hosted by Wilkes at Schmidt Stadium at 12
PM.
The senior defensive end, Tyler
Thomas (#3), has an interesting perspective
towards his last game. He, along with his
team, has had this game on their minds

since last year when they fell to Kings on a
last second touchdown . This game will be a
tough fought game due to the rivalry, and he
is up for the challenge. He knows the team
is already out of the playoff picture, but the
team wants to end the season on a high note
then bring the trophy back to this side of
River Street.
He states that this will be his last
game ever in his football career. Never
putting pads on again makes him want to
leave every ounce of energy he has on that
field. He speaks for the team to say that
everyone will play that way. Since he has
joined the team, a lot of faces have come and
gone, some have dropped out, transferred or

quit the team. This leaves him with a strong
appreciation of the individuals who have
stuck out the four years with him.
He also claims that this season has
been a very a long one. At times, it wasn't
easy to keep his head up because of the
people outside of the team who are so quick
to critique the team in a negative way. He
wishes he could have won the conference
title in his last year, but he also was just
content playing. At this time last year, he
faced a season-ending injury that he thought
to also be career-ending. Coming back strong
this year is what he is most thankful for. He
appreciates the opportunity he has received
to play all these years. He left a quote for

the community, he said, "Win or lose, I just
want to be able to tell myself at the end of
the day that I did everything I could so that
the Colonels could win. I promise you that
you'll see #3 flying around the field."
This is an inspiring story from
one of the starting players on the team. It is
players like him that make a team want to
play. The team and coaches will appreciate
the communities' attendance at the game.
They promise to put a show for all spectators.

@wilkesbeacon
danie/. van brun t@wilkes.edu

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Sports

The Beacon - November 11, 2014

20

Wilkes cheerleaders eye national level competition
By Andre Spurell
Sports Writer
Although
cheerleading
is
not
recognized as a sport by the NCAA,
it is easily one of the main sources of
school spirit at sporting events and
pep rallies . The Wilkes Cheerleaders
have not set goals like winning
National Championships or making
the MAC Playoffs, but to be energetic,
enthusiastic, and have fun together.
As far as performance goals, the team
looks to perfect the different aspects
of cheerleading like dance, cheering,
and gymnastics. They also hope to
perfect certain actions individually
like stunting, tumbling, roundoffs,
backflips, and 360 ups for team goals.
The cheer team is lead by Coach
Jessica Short, who got the job around
tryouts last spring before graduating.
The biggest goal the squad is trying
to accomplish right now is to compete
in Nationals. In order for the girls to
do this, they have been fundraising
like crazy. Some of these fundraisers
include
selling
Gertrude
Hawk

candy bars, bracks fundraising cups,
selling t-shirts, doing a reunion at
Homecoming with all the cheerle.ading
alumni, selling eye black and old porn
porns, an Applebee's fundraiser on
November 16th, bake sales, and dollar
snack boxes just to name a few in order
to reach their goal of$12,000. Through
participating in all these fundraising
projects, it is clear that the team is all
about hard work and dedication.
When asked what she likes most
about her group of girls, Short replied,
"They are a great group. They can be
really really silly at times ... but they are
also a really talented and passionate
group. They're not all best friends
outside of cheerleading but when they
come in the room they are, which is
nice." With this team's talent, passion,
and dedication, they will hopefully be
able to achieve their goal of reaching
Nationals.

@wilkesbeacon
andre.spurell@wilkes.edu

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Short
Members of the WIikes cheerleadlng team pictured at a recent game

Lady Colonels finish season
By Cara Basile
Sports Writer
Although the women's soccer team didn't
clinch a post-season playoff spot it ended
with an overall record above .500 with 11
wins and 8 losses.
The Lady Colonels finished their season
strong with three straight wins against Manhattanville College, SUNY Cortland, and
Eastern University. The women went 3-4 in
conference play, holding them slightly short
of playoffs, but were able to get a bid for the
Eastern College Athletic Conference.
Certain goals were set and accomplished
throughout the season like completing passes, winning balls and the shots on goal percentage. While these goals were achieved,
Coach John Sumoski shared how they can
still improve for the upcoming spring and
fall season.
"Our players must become masters of
their craft based on position and that takes
time and repetitions and commitment on
their own outside of their season," Sumoksi
said. "The goal setting process is a big part
of our core value ambition and will help
them go in a great direction."
Junior goal keeper Lisa Semetti hopes to
improve the team's communication on the
field. She also shared strengths of the 20 I 4
season where team chemistry played a huge
factor.

"I'm proud of the chemistry and friendship between the girls on the team," Semetti
said. "Furthermore, I'm extremely proud of
how well we were able to play against good
teams and come out with a victory."
As the season comes to a close, the women
can look forward to the future. With the loss
of three core seniors, Alicia Roberts, Katie
Hughes, and Kirsten Smith, each class will
step up with new leadership roles along with
new freshman coming in for the 2015 season.
"I'm looking forward to embracing my
last season with my family," Semetti said. "I
cannot wait to see how the hard work that
the girls put in during the off season pays off
during preseason and our fall season."
Aside from all the stats and percentages,
athletes must always take a step back to remember why they love the game. Not only
do the players have to be "all in" as the Lady
Colonels chanted throughout the season, but
coaches as well.
"I love the game and the great moments in
it that our ladies create through hard work,"
Sumoski said. "Being someone that can support them on and off the field is important
to me."

@wilkesbeacon
cara.basile@wilkes.edu

�k Qne of my do~.. ·
iptayed~asketballhere .,
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What made
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ever played in your life,

· k I missed game days and the awesome
eeling of ~gout on the footb~ field A " A: The three
game is up there on the
: ot of the guys on the team helped mfluence. " list. My Iaist high school game r had a kickoff
y decision as well.
return for a TD and a couple rushing ones

m

too.

Q; Have there been any struggles trying to
!balance out the two sports since joining the
football team?

Q: How is the team adjusting to the new
coach?

A: Yeah for sure. I knew it was going to
be difficult balancing them both out. I've
idone a good job doing the football work,
memorizing our basketball plays, and
i_lceeping up with academics.

A: Coach Metz has been a great addition
to the program as well as the university. He
brings a competitive and fast-paced style of
play to both the offensi've and defensive parts
ofthegame.

Q: How excited are you for your first
ayor's Cup game ~weekend?

Q: Where are you from?
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school and plays
does traclc · ;,

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~I is .$till in' hi
key, basketball and

Q: Do you guys compete with one another
at home?

A: Absolutely. Everything is a competition!
Having two brothers so close in age, we
always played sports together. Family game
night gets pretty rowdy!
Q: What do you plan on doing after you
graduate?

A: I'm hoping to stay with sports and
become a grad assistant. J would like to
.......,_....._....,........_ become a coach somedar:_ _ _ _ .____...;;;.;,;;;

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Q: What are your goals for your current
season? Were they achieved yet?
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment
in your sport?
A: My biggest accomplishment was to be
given the chance to play football after high.
school because only about seven percent of
student athletes get to make that transition.

Q: What one or two things do you
currently do in your training that are keys to
your success?

A: The ·one thing I currently do trainingwise and always have done was run. Speed is
the most important thing to me and it is a
huge key to my success~
Q: What would be your
chievement?

A: I draw my inspiration from my parents,
and also my teammates.

9: What is your diet like?
A: I don't really have a diet, but I always eat
a Big Mac meal the night before games.
Q: What is your most memorable moment
here at Wtlkes?

A; My ultimate achievement would be able
to play at any level after college.

A: My most memorable Wilkes moment
hasn1t happened yet: Gaduation day.

Q: What was the best advice you were ever
given?

Q: What do you plan to do after college?

be complacent. ~Complacency is the enemy
of success."
Q: Do you have a saying or motto that you
live your life by?
·

7

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration
from?

ultimate

A: The best advice I was given was to never

.., ,

A: My goals for the current season were
to win the MAC and to be an all-conference
receiver. Unfortunately, winning the MAC
won't happen this year and I'll have. to wait
to find out about the all-conference selection.

A; I don't really have a saying or motto that
II live by, I just go out and play like I'll never
~et to play ~ain.

A: After college I plan to go to either the
State Police Academy or join the Air Force.
Q: H&lt;:&gt;w do you set your goals?

A: I set goals by focusing on the big picture
and then I look at the steps I need to take to
get there.

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The Beacon - November 11 2014

S orts

23

(57())-' 71-38 9() &amp; (57())-371-38 9J

LUNCH BUFFET &amp; C

~?7"1/c Pr~~, Cu6:l~,~
OPE

6 DAYS A W EK

MON-THUR: 11 A.M. - 9 P.M.
FRIDAY:
11 .M.- 10 PM.
SATURDAY: 11:30A.M.-10 P.M.
CLO ED ON UNDA Y

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The Beacon - November 11, 2014

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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Beacon Briefs
Adventures in Reading Program to Begin on Feb. 18
The Wilkes University School of Education is sponsoring
Adventures in Reading, an after-school reading program for
children in grades Pre-K through five. Teacher Education
candidates will present innovative learning opportunities across
the content areas with a focus on vocabulary and comprehension
enrichment. The series of seven sessions, which is free of charge,
begins on Wed. Feb. 18 from 4 to 5 p.m. on the second floor of
Breiseth Hall. Contact Dr. Diane Polachek at diane.polachek@
wilkes.edu for more information and registration forms.

Social Media D
Advertising'%Di ,,0

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News !
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LA&amp;E - J:,licole
Opinion - Frank Pass
Sports - Brandotihu

41k

Sexual Jeopardy Program
The BACCHUS Club is sponsoring a program called "Sexual
Jeopardy" on Tues. Feb. 3 from 9 tolO p.m. in the Henry Student
Center Ballroom. They are looking for student, staff and faculty
to participate in 4 teams with 5 participants per team. There will
be a question/answer exchange. Contact Health Services at ext.
4730 to participate. Prizes will be distributed to the winning
team.
Guest Speaker Adam Nordfors - Presentation on Energy
Flow in Landscapes Featuring Bowman's Creek Restoration
Adam Nordfors of Nordfors Environmental Design will
present at 11 a.m. on Jan. 27 in Cohen 102 on Energy Flow in
Landscapes featuring the Bowman's Creek Restoration Project.

Recognize an Innovative and Non-traditional Teacher and
Advisor Awards
Every year the Teacher Recognition Effectiveness Committee
(TREC) asks students to nominate instructors and advisors who
have made an impact on their education by nominating them
for the Innovative and Non-traditional Teaching Award as well
as the Outstanding Advisor Award. To nominate an instructor
and an advisor, students can fill out the electronic ballot link
below by giving the individuals name and a brief reason as to
why this person deserves this award and submit it. Electronic
form link: http:/ /goo.gl/forms/8ZQu66AABP
White Out
Wilkes vs Kings White Out on Jan. 28. Women's basketball
at 6 p.m. and men's basketball at 8 .m. at the Marts Gym. Free
shirts at 7:30.
Job Opportunities for Young Educators in the Lehman/
Dallas Area
The Lake Lehman Early Learning Center and Before/After
School Age Programs is reaching out to local colleges and
universities to find education majors that are looking to make
a difference in the lives of children and gain education and
teaching experience as well. Any interested candidates can
apply at www.hildebrandtlc.com

SG notes: fund requests; Vagina
Monologues, PBL/FBLA
By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer
In the second meeting of the semester,
Wilkes University's Student Government had
some old business to review as well as new
events coming up.
The Vagina Monologues is a show that
is put on every year on Valentine's Day
weekend. This show is a show dedicated to
raising money and awareness for the violence
against women and girls across the world.
Jennifer Magnotta, the representative for the
Vagina Monologues this year has requested
$1,000 towards this show. This money will be
used to help put on the show as well as allow
students free admission. The final vote takes
place in the next meeting.
Student Government also heard for the
PBL/FBLA group. This group will be in
attendance of the yearly State Leadership
Conference at Harrisburg Hilton Hotel in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on April 10-12.

The group has requested $2,000 to cover the
registration fee for the 25 members that will
be in attendance. This leadership conference
will provide the students with workshops,
training
seminars
and
networking
opportunities. If a student places at this event
they will have to opportunity to continue on
to the National Leadership Conference over
the summer. Student government will cast
their final vote in the next meeting.
Next Wednesday is the Wilkes vs. Kings
Women and Men's basketball games. Student
government will be handing out tshirts at the
Men's game.
The council reviewed the Treasurer's
report. The current budget is as follows: All
college: $216.72, General Funds: $12,500.00,
Conference: $5,000.00 and Spirit: $2,000.00
for a total of: $66,586.37.
~ @wilkesbeacon

lt:1 taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

.•...........
,

$-

�The Beacon - January 27, 2015

News

3

Saying goodbye to a Colonel; family, campus
community reflects on life of ''Eddie" Elgonitis
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor
The Wilkes University campus community
said goodbye to a longtime Colonel on Jan. 9.
Edward Elgonitis, 76, affectionately called
Eddie by students, faculty and staff, passed
away following an illness.
Those who knew Eddie described him as
having a "larger than life" personality.
Eddie was employed by Wilkes for roughly
40 years first in the maintenance department
and after retirement, returned to the
university in Sept. 2004 part time working
in the mail room where he interacted with
many students.
James Yeninas, the university's mailroom
supervisor, explained that Eddie was able

to connect with students in such a way that
made him unique.
"I think it's because he took an interest
in them;' Yeninas said. "He knew lots of
them by name, what their major was, what
activities or clubs they were in but most of
all he made them laugh. He would joke with
them, tease them and I think in general just
brightened they daf'
Head Football Coach Trey Brown found
that Eddie had a similar effect even among
staff, poking fun at Assistant Head Coach
Matthew DiBernardo.
Brown recalled Eddie saying, 'J\11
your cqaches are great, but keep this guy
(DiBernardo) out of here;' he explained,
laughing.
A loyal supporter of Wilkes athletic events,

Eddie, pictured above with family, w91s an avid supporter of WIikes athletics,
attending every home game this past fall according to Head Football Coach
Trey Brown. Eddie could be found "on the hlll" as a stable fixture during
the game. This type of fan was something Brown had not seen at other
universities as Eddie had truly been a "one of a kind" Individual.

All Photos Courtesy of Elgonitis Family

Taryn Talacka, niece, explained that her uncle's large heart and lively
personality Is what she will remember most about him. "At every
family gathering we had, Eddie's favorite thing to do was lead the
chicken dance," Talacka said. "He would stand In the middle of a
circle made up of his family, and he would lead the whole dance ... I
think that's how I'll always remember him, as the life of the party."

Eddie could be found "on the hill" at most small lessons that Eddie taught me or the
home football games, according to Brown.
survivor lap that I was able to push him
"My time with Eddie was short ... every around in the wheelchair;' Drebot said.
time I would go into the SUB I would come "He was always such a happy man and that
by the second floor to talk;' Brown said. "He brushed off on everyone that he came into
contact with:'
was excited to see someone stopping by:'
Taryn Talacka, Eddie's niece, shared
Along with athletics, Eddie also supported
Wilkes Relay for Life for the American similar sentiments about his kindness
and enthusiasm saying, "His heart had no
Cancer Society.
Bethany Sharpless, pharmacy, has worked boundaries" and at family affairs, he was
closely ,with the university's Relay for Life "always the life of the party" leading the
"chicken dance''.
event and grew close to Eddie as well.
"Eddie was a very important part of Relay
Talacka explained that Eddie never needed
the last few years, and will be a huge hole in to bring up his love of the university as his
our hearts as this year's event comes up:'
Colonel pride was always in step.
"He didn't have to mention Wilkes--the
Jenn Schlegel, elementary education, and
Jessica Drebot, criminology, shared some of university was written all over him. He wore
their memories of Eddie from the event as Wilkes shirts and sweatshirts every day. I
don't think I ever saw him wear anything
well.
"My favorite Relay memory of Eddie was else. He truly loved the school, students, and
always his survivor laps;' explained Schlegel. faculty. He wore Wilkes clothing with pride!"
The univerjity will hold a memorial
"He was always giving everyone a high-five
or a fist bump as he made a lap. He always service at 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 29 in the Henry
had a smile on his face. Last year for Relay . Student Center Ballroom. Anyone who has
Eddie also shared his story with us at the photos of Eddie is welcome to send them
Survivor Ceremony and he brought me to to Melissa Howells, melissa.howells@wilkes.
· tears. Eddie truly was a wonderful man and edu to include in a display.
he will be missed at Relay this year:'
"Having Eddie as one of the survivor
speakers last year was especially meaningful
@wilkesbeacon
to me because he meant so much to the
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu
Wilkes community. I can never forget the

r

�_J

The Beacon - January 27, 2015

4

News

Profile of a Professor: Dr. Karen Frantz-Fry, education
By Jennifer Baron
Staff Writer

Part of the promise of the Teacher
Education Program at Wilkes University
is that faculty members in the department
will take huge steps in preparing students
for a successful career in teaching through
dynamic, comprehensive programs. Dr.
Karen Frantz-Fry, Assistant Education
Professor, is no exception to this standard.
Frantz-Fry grew up in central Pennsylvania
and wanted to teach ever since she could
remember. At first, her career choice was
specific because she wanted only to teach
deaf individuals.
However, an experience in high school
allowed her to expand her interest area. Her
high school had a program that allowed
students to go into a special needs classroom
and assist the teacher. She went in as a
volunteer during her study halls.
The work she did with those students is
what helped Frantz-Fry narrow down, and at
the same time expand, her decision to teach
not only deaf students, but also students with
special needs. The inspiration for her career
can be traced right back to the students and
the teacher of that classroom.
While talking about the students she
stated, "the way that they reacted when they
grasped something is the piece that I still
grab hold of today. Even if it just happened
with one child, one time, in a whole year,
that's what kept me moving forward:'
After high school, Frantz-Fry attended
Bloomsburg University, which is where she
earned her Bachelors Degree in Mentally
and Physically Handicapped and her
Masters Degree in Behavior Disorders.
She also received her certification as
Reading Specialist and Special Education
Supervisor from Bloomsburg. She earned
her Administrative Principal Certification
from Bucknell University. She received her

students to college students?" One thing she
immediately picked up on was that if she had
concerns about a student in a public school
setting, she could just call the parents. In
college, students are adults so any concerns
would need to be brought up to the student.
The motivation to learn is also much
different. In public schools, students have
to be there. In college, students choose to
be there. There is clearly a much higher
motivation level to learn and succeed in life.
One thing that she didn't realize was the
fact that many freshmen still need someone
else's guidance even though they are adults.
She needed to think about the fact that
there are so many adjustments going on
in freshman year, and students need to be
helped so they can become successful.
On campus, Frantz-Fry is the advisor for
the Education Honor Society, Kappa Delta
The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski Pi. To be a member, students must meet all
the requirements of the teacher education
Frantz-Fry explalned that working with special needs students was an
program, pass the PAPA/PRAXIS core
Inspiring experience. "The way that they reacted when they grasped
tests, and have a 3.4 overall GPA or higher.
something Is the P,lece that I still grab hold of today."
They are planning an induction ceremony
doctorate through Marywood University in
"How can I impact lives and give them a for March of this year. She urges education
Human Development with a concentration
more fulfilling opportunity for life, if I have students to get involved with the society,
spread the word to others, and contact her if
in Education Administration.
any piece in that?"
Frantz-Fry's first job was at an Intermediate
When discussing why she left the district you need more information.
Not only is Frantz-Fry passionate about
she said, "I did not leave because I felt like
Unit were she taught the very first, high
school level emotional support class. After
I needed to get out. I left because another teaching and helping students to reach their
one semester, she was hired at a new job in
opportunity opened for me, and that was full potential. She is also very passionate
about Wilkes University. To end, she said,
Wilkes:'
the public school system. She worked there
for 34 years. Sixteen of those years were spent
Frantz-Fry retired for just one week before "I love it here. I love my job. I love my
teaching various levels of special education
beginning her job at Wilkes. This is because colleagues and working with them and I
in elementary, middle, and high school. For
she left her job at the public school at the love the students. So, there's never been one
the remaining 17 years, Frantz-Fry was the
last possible minute. At Wilkes, Frantz-Fry moment of regret in making this decision.
Director of Special Programs.
teaches numerous courses, most of which I'm very happy here:'
She went from teaching students to an
deal with special education They include ED
180, EDSP 210, 225, 226, 227, 302, and ED
administrative position for a very good
reason. As a teacher, she felt that she
652.
Frantz-Fry was asked to reflect on the
impacted less students compared to a
@wilkesbeacon
question, "What were differeD;ces you noticed
program director. As director she felt that
jennifer.baron
7@wilkes.edu
she impacted more lives, which she was all
when it came to teaching public school
about. She said it answered her question of,

Wilkes students to travel to Arctic Circle in June; Toolik Lake study
Byiabby Glinski
News Photographer
Dr. Ned Fetcher and chosen Wilkes
students will be traveling to the Arctic Circle
in June 2015 to conduct a study on the
changing climate in the Alaskan tundra.
A $1 million grant from the National
Science Foundation will allow Ned
Fetcher, coordinator of the Institute for
Environmental Science and Sustainability
at Wilkes University, and several Wilkes
undergraduates to study at the Toolik Lake
Field Station.
will
The
Wilkes
undergraduates

participate as field assistants on the team to
study the effects of the changing climate on
tussock cottongrass. They will be installing
warming chambers around the cottongrass
to study the effect of a warmer climate on the
growth of the plants.
The project will have a broad impact on
science beyond the research results in the
Alaskan climate. The patterns observed in the
tundra are expected to appear later in other
ecosystems. The results of the project may
serve as an indicator of the potential effects
of adaptation of plants to climate change.
Wilkes will be in coordination with Jianwu
Tang of the Ecosystems Center of the Marine
Biology Laboratory at Woods Hole, Mass.,

and Michael Moody of the University of
Texas.
Fetcher and Moody will study the genetic
factors that lead the plant adaptation in a
separate part of the study. Genetic markers
will be used to determine patterns of genetic
diversity and gene flow for regions of the
tussock cottongrass. The results will provide
important insight on the ability of the
cottongrass to adapt to a warming climate
change.
The project branches on an earlier study
in 1980, by Fetcher and his colleagues on
the tussock cottongrass. The earlier project
involved reciprocal translocation; moving
the cottongrass from the colder tundra

climate to the southern Alaska climates and
vice versa to study the adaptation of the
plants. Since the initial experiment, Fetcher
traveled to the Alaskan tundra four times
between 2009 and 2012.
The Wilkes students will be staying at
the Toolik Lake Field Station for a ten week
period. They will be living in the dorms
provided and attend classes and instruction
on the research. The undergraduate students
will be selected for the project through an
application process.
@wilkesbeacon
gabrie//e.glinski@wilkes.edu

"'

�The Beacon - January 27, 2015

5

News

The Fallbacks of Free Speech: The World Reacts to the Charlie Hebdo Attacks
By Pat Walther
Assistant News Editor
The morning of January 7 was like any
other in Paris, France. The streets bustled
with pedestrians on their lunch hour. Traffic
echoed through the boulevards and avenues.
The bitter wind chill made scarves a necessity
for anybody wishing to remain warm within
the concrete canyons of the historic city.
Without warning or precedent, two
masked men entered the offices of France's
sometimes offensive, sometimes profane
satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, from
the frozen streets. By the time their work
was done, twelve people would be dead and
eleven others would be wounded.
Charlie Hebdo was famous in France for
their highly-controversial cartoons, which
included various depictions of the Prophet
Muhammad.
Publishing and actively producing images
of Muhammad, as well as making fun of
him, may warrant a literal death-sentence to
some of the more extreme Islamic groups.
In the aftermath of the attack, French
nationalism was at an all-time high.
Dr. Andreea Maierean, Visiting Assistant
Professor of Political Science at Wilkes
University, commented, "For the first time
since the parade that marked the liberation of
Paris on August 26, 1944, millions of people
gathered on the streets of the French capital.
On January 12, influential world leaders
joined 3.7 million people participating in the
anti-terrorism rallies in Paris and in most
French cities:'
As millions marched in solidarity, a single
question emerged across the free world.
Does free speech have limits?
Dr. Kyle Kreider, Associate Professor of
Political Science at Wilkes, says yes, "There
have always been limitations on free speech,
in both Europe and America. In the U.S.,
however, limitations are fewer because of
the First Amendment's protection of free

Col!rtesy of Valentina Cala

Millions marched across Europe in support of free speech following the
shootings at the office of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
speech. Even with our expansive protections
for free speech, our courts have consistently
upheld various limitations on free speech:'
Kreider further adds, "However, our laws
have granted the maximum protection to
political speech:' The material in Charlie
Hebdo would be considered political speech
under US law, Kreider states.
Pope Francis, in response to the attacks,
implied that Charlie Hebdo was not
completely innocent. In a statement from
January 15, the Pope said, "You cannot
provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others.
You cannot make fun of the faith of others:'
Many have blamed the Charlie Hebdo
shootings on the insensitive subject matter of

the magazine.
Dr. Maierean states, "In my view, we should
not look for the one controversial drawing or
subject matter that inspired the :violence. The
perpetrators do not need a rational motive:'
By rationalizing the motive of the attackers,
the acts of murder that were committed
become wrongfully justified, setting a
dangerous precedent for future attacks, she
says.
Maierean adds, "Rather than focusing on
a possible spark that started the attacks, we
should try to analyze and understand the
deeply rooted causes of fundainentalism.
We can only get closer to eradicating this
phenomenon by focusing on prevention

and by closely monitoring the regions of the
world where it originates:'
Following the terrorist attack, approval
ratings for France's president, Francois
Hollande, and the French government,
skyrocketed.
Maierean says these results are to be
expected, "This trend reminds us of what
happened in the aftermath of 9/11, when
studies reported a significant growth in
popular trust in government. We should
however interpret these numbers with a
healthy degree of skepticism:'
Maierean adds, "Such views expressed in
moments of crisis might be more indicative
gf what citizens hope and wish their
government would do, rather than assess the
actions implemented. The important test for
the French institutions will be to maintain
and improve this popular support over
time and to prevent such attacks from ever
happening again:'
These attacks which rocked France will not
soon be forgotten. The dialogue brought up
about the limitations of free speech is not one
which will conclude clearly. As for how the
world will change in the wake of these acts,
only time will tell.

Editor's note: The Beacon
staff decided to not run
the picture of the Prophet
Muhammad from the most
recent edition of Charlie Hebda
in respect for the customs of the
Islamic religion.
@wilkesbeacon
patrick.walther@wilkes.edu

Spreading awareness with armchair activism
By Pat Walther
Assistant News Editor
The internet is a platform for all who
have something to say. It gives equal voice
to average citizens as it does world leaders.
As the digital age progresses, more and more
people have taken to the web to attempt
something few can ever dream to do: change
the world.
Internet activism, also called slacktivism,
is the act of using any means necessary online
to further a cause or idea. With millions of
hits on social media every day, it is hard to

find a better place to increase awarness about
a particular issue.
Nicholas Stauffer, a pharmacy major from
Wilkes University, is head of the Smoke-Free
Wilkes Campaign.
"Smoke-Free Wilkes is working for
dedicated and enforced smoking areas on
campus as well as making smoking cessation
resources more available to Wilkes students
and staff who would like help quitting:'
Stauffer says
Stauffer added, "The Internet has become
an integral part of today's society. Everything
is on the Internet these days; it's where people

look for information. I don't think that
people would have taken the Smoke-Free
Wilkes initiative seriously if it weren't for our
presence online:'
Though Stauffer found success online,
internet activism isn't without its critics. A
scientific study conducted by Kevin Lewis,
Kurt Gray and Jens Meierhenrich entitled
"The Structure of Online Activism'' came to
the conclusion that digital activism just did
not work.
In the study, the researchers tracked the
progress of the Save Darfur campaign on
Facebook. Though the study found that 1.2

million people liked the page and posted
on it, "the vast majority of Cause members
recruited no one else into the Cause and
contributed no money to it - suggesting that
in the case of the Save Darfur campaign,
Facebook conjured an illusion of activism
rather than facilitating the real thing:'
Whether armchair activism works or not
is up for debate, but nobody can argue that
a click, a like, a retweet or a share could have
broader meaning than we think.

@wilkesbeacon
pa trick.walther@wilkes.edu

r

�.J
The Beacon - January 27, 2015

News

6

What'JOU

mls&amp;ad over break

A recap of happenings in Wilkes-Barre
"Toys for Tots" donors given!'Jiogle Bells 1014,.,. tickets

..

'Ih0$e who"oon~ to toys for,Tot&amp;at ~ol)egan Sun ,Nena on Dec. 17 were given a gift
of their own. Those individuals were~ concert tickets to the "Tingle Bells 2014" concert
which was held on Dec. 20.

Fo1'fner hospital~. making way for loadingd.otk

. tin was tom downas part..of$12
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'IhefortnerGeisinge.r South .
millio11;,tenovations. 'Ihebull~

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Starting' New Year's d..\y; a state and ·fedt,r,al ~ tax, was. implemented .i n,Pa which
1cconms for ~ut 70.cents.rr gal\on at~ PU!\lP· 'Ihe tu wiJ1. helpswith costs associated
Wth highwayand,~ger~•ir.
·

Wilkes Uiliversity lit M~ guduatesmt MBA students
Three students graduated with their master's degre.es in ceremony at the Mesa Arts
Center, on Jan. 13 at the Wilkes Mesa campus. Diplomas were presented by Wilkes
President Patrick F. Leahy. 1he Hon. Scott Smith, former mayor of the City of Mesa, was
the keynote speaker.

Wtlkes University partners to help students SHINE
Wilkes University will be the educational host for Luzerne County SHINE, an after
school program aimed at imptoving educational opportunities for schoolchildren in the
county.

Maslow Faculty Reading Series
Wilkes University's Maslow Faculty Reading Series was held nightly from Jan. 4 to Jan. 9
in the Barnes &amp; Noble Bookstore with subsequent readings at the Dorothy Dickson Darte
Center . The series, which was part of the Jan. residency for the University's Graduate
Creative Writing Program, featured readings by faculty and alumni of the program.

, Alumnus Jay Sidhu named ·most admired CEO by Philadelphia Business Journal
Wilkes University alumnus Jay S. Sidhu, CEO of Customers Bancorp, has been honored
by Philadelphia Business Journal with its Most Admired CBOs award. 1he University's
Jay S. Sidhu School of Bu.siness and Leadership i$ named for Sidhu, who is a 1973 MBA
graduate of Wilkes.

I-.
it
aJ

lfave a.newsworthy stocyfrom your break?
Send it to us!
Contact News editor,"Sarah Bedford,
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

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�The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

Service with a smile not always easy:
Adeclassified look into the associate and customer relationship
By Justin Topa
Life, A&amp;E Assistant Editor

After a video of a car dealership berating
their pizza delivery driver went viral, some
at Wilkes University are reminded of the
real-life situations they have faced working
in the service industry.
Last week, a video of the interaction
between a pizza driver and several car
dealership employees made national
news after thousands online expressed
outrage for the way the driver was treated.
The driver was forced to return what
he thought was a tip, given the nature of
the extra bills handed to him. The extra
amount totaled about seven dollars. When
the driver went to return the cash, he was
approached with sneering comments and
threats of physical violence for attempting
to 'steal' from them.
Although the car dealership denies
~ ploading the video, the footage is from
their own security cameras and was
originally posted with the title "irate pizza
driver:'
Kathryn Roshong, a senior English
major at Wilkes, recalls some similar
situations during her time working for a
large-chain grocery store. After working in
the store for nearly two years as a cashier,
she is no longer a stranger to the cruelty
some customers may have.
Roshong, who said she took the job in
ordei; to afford living off-campus, has seen
a number of customers she describes as
less-than-perfect. One frequent patron in
particular stands out to the Wilkes senior
as someone consistently cruel and unusual
to her and her co-workers.
"He would enter my line and try to brush
up against me;' explained Roshong. "He'd
call me 'baby' and things like that and it
was not okaf'
The customer's behavior did not end

Se~vice Industry
Survival
Tips

Courtesy of Youtube
Jarrid Tansey, a pizza delivery driver, as he Is being verbally abused by staff
of a Massachussetts car dealership. The image Is a part of a viral video
which was filmed using the car dealership's own security cameras.

there, however. He has made attempts to
fight with the employees after their shifts
for, what Roshong explained, "looking at
him the wrong waf'
Roshong also remembers an encounter
with another customer, in which she
was called a variety of unpleasant names
for placing tomatoes in the same bag
as tortillas. According to Roshong, the
customer demanded the manager make
Roshong apologize.
Roshong had a number of stories in which

customers made her feel uncomfortable.
She has become accustomed to these
situations and has developed habits for
handling them.
"If it gets bad enough, I'll turn to coworkers to talk about the situation;'
Roshong shared. "Some situations call for
me talking things out with my manager,
though. At the end of the day, you really
just have to be able to laugh and shrug it
off. It's a part of the job:'
She also added that the there are plenty

• Use your smlle for
every sit uation; good,
bad or weird.
• Be proud. Not all
people can do what
you do.
• Have fun. The
customers don't ·
control your
happiness, you do.
• Don't take your work
home with you.

of nice, cheerful customers to balance any
negative experiences and that she does, in
fact, enjoy her job.
Though the ~elivery driver was given
more than $30,000 in tips from outraged
online viewers, there is an entire world
of other people who deal with customers.
This viral video may serve as a reminder of
the karma that awaits those who abuse the
associate-customer relationship.
@wi/kesbeacon
justin.topa@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

A slice of com

■

■

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

The line for Pizza Wars reached across the Henry Student Center last
Thursday. Pizza Wars was a WUPB event.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

There were six different pizza places represented at Pizza Wars. Seen above
Is number 4: Grotto's Pizza.

8

WUPB

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees
WUPB members Karissa Hensel, Grace Sanzalone, Jenna Graziano and

Sydney Calkins helped hand out the pizza.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Students and participants gathered around for a group photo with some
empty pizza boxes.

�The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

Michelle Kuzma: Life as a Resident Assistant
By Annelise Przywara
Contributing Writer

Walk into University Towers, take the
elevator to the ninth floor, walk to the end
of the hallway and knock on the door of
room number 970. Michelle Kuzma, a
Wilkes University senior pharmacy major,
will answer.
She isn't the stereotypical P2 student
submersed in books, labs and organic
chemistry equations. Instead, she has
dedicated a large portion of her life at
Wilkes to mentoring residents on campus
as a Resident Assistant or RA.
Michelle was born in Pittsburgh;
however, she grew up and attended school
in the small rural town of Penns Valley
near State College. Her involvement with
volunteer work at a veterinarian hospital
played a role in her choosing pharmacy as
a major.
'Tm really passionate about pharmacy;'
she said. "In the future I hope to either
specialize in a particular drug field or work
in retail because I like interacting with
people:'
She is the only child of Terence and
Donna Kuzma. Her father is a professor at
Penn State University, where Michelle has
taken several courses to gain credits for her
pharmacy major at Wilkes.
The family also has three dogs named
Emma, Megan and Darcie. Michelle
• raised Megan as a seeing eye dog for her
senior project in high school. The dog has
remained a part of the family ever since.
This semester marks Michelle's third
year as a RA at Wilkes. She was originally
motivated to become a RA while touring
the campus for the first time when she was
still in high school. The fact that resident
assistants had a room and bathroom to
themselves was a primary attraction for
Michelle. Not only was the personal space
appealing, but she also wanted to help
mentor other residents.
"More than anything I wanted to be a
role model for residents to look up to and
respect;' Michelle said.
"I also just wanted to make others'
college experience as pleasant as possible
by understanding some of the obstacles
they may be facing:'
Currently, Michelle is the RA on the
ninth floor of University Towers. She

Photo Courtesy of Michelle Kuzma

Helping animals has always been a motivation for Michelle Kuzma. Kuzma
has volunteered work at a veterinarian hospital. Shown above is Kuzma and
her dog, Darcie. Darcie was originally a 4-H seeing eye puppy in training.

began as a RA her sophomore year and in
the past has been placed in Evans Hall and
Catlin Hall.
Placement is completely random. The
Office of Resident Life typically tries to
match an RA's personality to a group of
residents; however, the resident assistant
never has too much of a say as to which
building they are assigned.
This is
Michelle's first year being a RA to a group

of mostly upperclassmen.
Meghan Kisela, a sophomore pharmacy
major, is one of Michelle's residents in
University Towers this semester. Meghan
spoke highly of Michelle, saying that she is
very bubbly, pleasant, and personable.
"Every time I run into Michelle she's
always is in a good mood and asks how I'm
doing;' Meghan said.
"She's helpful, too. When I needed help

with organic chemistry I felt perfectly
comfortable seeking her assistance:'
Michelle explained the process of
becoming a resident assistant.
First, an application must be filled out.
Any student who has lived on campus for a
year has the opportunity to apply.
Then, applicants must write mini essays
and obtain two letters of recommendation
from other resident assistants on campus.
In February, applicants participate in
group process, which includes interactive
activities with other resident assistants.
The process concludes with an interview
held by the director and assistant director
of residence life.
Jamie Miller, assistant director of
residence life at Wilkes, explained that
there isn't a particular type of person they
look for when selecting resident assistants.
"We hire young women and men who
are well-rounded, would be a good fit with
our returning staff and would serve as role
models for our resident population;' Miller
said.
"The major qualities we look for in a
candidate are maturity, knowledge and
academic success:'
In Michelle's opinion, one of the primary
responsibilities of being a RA is insuring
the safety and well being of the residents.
Also, as a RA, Michelle is responsible for
20 hours of desk duty, completing two to
three rounds during the semester, being
on call, hosting programs, and creating a
bulletin board every month.
According to the Wilkes University
website, "Resident assistants serve as
tremendous resources and have been
trained to assist students in a wide variety
of situations:'
Michelle does not find the job to be
overly demanding.
She uses her position to meet new
people and gain experiences with different
personality types.
"It has become a part of my life;' she said.
"Being a RA has enabled me to develop
great leadership and personal skills. I will
definitely be a RA for the rest of my time
at Wilkes:'

@wilkesbeacon
annelise.przywara@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - January 27, 2015

.

Filling a spiritual void:
Christian Fellowship Club
By Nicole Zukowski

Life, A&amp;E Editor

Where do Wilkes students find religious
faith?
Wilkes holds a non-denominational stance
in regard to providing an education for its
students, but that doesn't keep the institution
from hosting an array of different programs
and events for students to learn about faith.
One such organization is the Christian
Fellowship Club.
"The purpose of the club is to reach out
to the Wilkes student body and provide a
positive atmosphere for students who desire
to learn more or strengthen their Christian
faith;' pharmacy maj or Tristram Ford, copresident of the Christian Fellowship Club,
said.
College is a stressful time in which many
students seek a higher being to confide in.
Ford said, "The decisions students make
in social settings due to peer pressure
are often detrimental to their well being.
Christian Fellowship Club, CFC, provides a
comfortable atmosphere for all students to
come and be themselves, build friendships
and be encouraged:'
The club meets twice a week; once for
bible study on Tuesdays at noon in Gies
Hall in the Dorothy Dixon Darte Center and
again on Sundays for a mass. Most of the
group members attend Restored Church on
Franklin St. in Wilkes Barre.
CFC is also very active on campus and
with the surrounding community.
"My favorite part is t4e activities we do on
campus. Such as giving out school supplies
at the beginning of the year, cookies at

10

Life, Arts &amp; Entertamment

Courtesy of Tristram Ford
CFC at Club day In the fall. From left: Dylan Smith, Tristram Ford, Jeremy
MIiier and Amanda Gingrich.

Christmas and donuts whenever;' sophomore
Amanda Gingrich, member of CFC, said.
With morals of the Christian faith held
in high regard, the club participates in
numerous community service activities.
One major event the club takes part in is
a Thanksgiving dinner at the First Baptist
church on River St.
Helping
better
the
Wilkes-Barre
community is a goal of CFC.
Ford said, "The club has opened me up
to the churches and local organizations
in the area who have a heart for serving
the city of Wilkes Barre. My favorite part
about being involved in CFC is my personal
spiritual growth, the friendships and the
encouragement I receive from others. Over
the years, the group has helped me grow in

Cou rtesy of Tristra-m- Ford

CFC gathered around for 'See You At The Flag Pole" day in September. _

areas of accountability, integrity and faith :'
CFC also takes part in See you at the Pole
(SYATP) in the national week of pray.
"It is held . on the 4th Wednesday in
September. Students gather at the flagpole
on the greenway early in the morning to
pray. Schools at all levels across the globe
participate. We provide donuts and coffee
for all who attend;' Ford said.
Over the past few years CFC started to
attend concerts at local churches as well as an
array of other public performances.
Ford explains, "This past fall, we saw the
Newsboys and Britt Nicole at the Bloomsburg
Fair. One of our goals is to have an oncampus worship service with food and live
music from bands/worship teams:'
The club is always looking for more
members to join.
"The benefits for myself as well as other
students are spiritual growth through Bible
studies, prayer and fellowship. When I first
came to Wilkes, I didn't attend church as I
had in high school. Having a leadership role
and being involved with CFC has helped
to fill a spiritual need I was missing since
starting college;' Ford said.
To fill that missing spiritual void any
student might have, the campus Interfaith
office, located on the second floor of the
Henry Student Center, could answer any
questions about the chosen faith of question.
For more clubs or groups of faith visit the
Wilkes Interfaith webpage: http://wilkes.
edu / academics/ graduate-programs/ gradcampus-life/interfaith.aspx.

@wi/kesbeacon
nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu

Etruscan
Press
finalists f or
acclaimed
award
Etruscan Press is a non-profit literary
press working to produce and promote
books that nurture the dialogue among
genres, cultures and voices. Etruscan
publishes books of poems, novels, shOit
stories, creative non-fiction, criticism,
translation and anthologies.
Etruscan has been named one of five
finalists for the 2015 AWP Small Press
Publisher Award by the Association of
Writers and Writing Programs.
The award recognizes a press or literary
journal that has made a significant
contribution to contemporary literature.
Etruscan was nominated for demonstrating
excellence in production and design,
providing a steadfast commitment to
nurturing authors and actively engaging in
the community.
Founded by Philip Brady, Robert
Mooney and Stephen Oristaglio, Etruscan
is housed at Wilkes University and is
in partnership with Youngstown State
University.
Etruscan has published nearly 60
books since 2001. Authors published with
Etruscan Press are from areas such as
Cuba, Greece, the District of Columbia
and 15 states across the country.
"Etruscan Press nurtures dialogue in
a world of contemporary voices;' says
Executive Director Philip Brady.
"Etruscan's body of work in fiction,
poetry, creative nonfiction, criticism and
translation subverts traditional boundaries
and manifests the impulses beneath
conventional modes;' Brady says.
Since 2007, Etruscan has developed
outreach programs in Ohio and
Pennsylvania and in the fall Etruscan and
its partners, Barnes &amp; Noble, the Luzerne
County Historical Foundation and Wilkes
University, will introduce a literacy
program, Emerging-Voices, to the Hanover
Area School District.
The 2015 AWP Small Press Publisher
Award winner will be announced on April
8 at the opening night reception of the
AWP annual conference in Minneapolis.

@wilkesbeacon
thewilkesbeacon@wilkes.edu

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�The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

11

Wilkes University Theatre set to take the stage
By Austin Ely
Staff Writer

Wilkes University Theatre will debut two
differ1ng performances this spring that are
expected to draw in crowds with an array of
interests.
Wilkes University Theatre will first be
performing in "The Great American Trailer
Park Musical:' This show can be seen as
an artistic combination of the hit Comedy
Central television series "South Park"
met with the dramatic elements of ABC's
"Desperate Housewives:'
"The Great American Trailer Park
Musical" will be showing on February 13,
14, 20 and 21 at 8 P.M. and February 15 and
22 at 2 P.M. at the Dorothy Dickson Darte
Center for the Performing Arts. The musical
is directed by Jon Liebetrau accompanied
with musical direction by Ken McGraw and
choreography by Sean Harris. The show is
based off the book by Betsy Kelso.
The scene is set in Florida at a trailer park
named Armadillo Acres. The plot centers
on a couple together for twenty years who
are troubled when a stripper named Pippi
arrives. The husband, Norbert, and Pippi
have an affair which leaves both to deal with
the outcome. Hilarity is sure to ensue for
those in the audience.

Photo Courtesy of Wilkes Marketing and Communications
This semester the theatre at WIikes will perform two performances of different
Interests. The first on being "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" followed by
"Allee in Wonderland" later In the semester.

For those who prefer more traditional
performances, the Wilkes University Theatre
will also be performing something that may
sound familiar to audiences of all ages. For

those familiar with the phrase "release the
jabberwocky" or falling down rabbit holes to
explore new worlds of wonder and interest,
Wilkes University will be performing "Alice

in Wonderland" from April 9 through April
12.
Junior Shaun Pierre said, "I am cast as the
Mad Hatter, among other roles in the straight
show, 'Alice in Wonderland'. I am excited
by the buzz generated within our own
department with the methods we are using:'
This Lewis Carroll classic will be based on
the version made famous by The Manhattan
Project and directed by Teresa Fallon. In this
version, Alice finds herself in a wondrous,
dark and troubled environment.
Creatures such as the White Rabbit, the
Cheshire Cat, the King and Queen of Hearts
and even the Mad Hatter join Alice in this
world of chaos.
Fallon,
the
performance
director,
anticipates a positive turn out for both
performances. "Wilkes University Theatre
is excited to offer these plays for the
entertainment of the Wilkes Community;'
Fallon said.
Students and faculty can witness these
performances for free upon showing their
college I.D. Students without an I.D. will be
charged $5, while adults without an I.D. will
be charged $10.
@wilkesbeacon
'- Austin.Ely@wilkes.edu

VISIT THE BEACON ONLINE @.THEWILKESBEACON.COM FOR THE EXCLUSIVE

HUMANS OF WILKES UNIVERSITY
••

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The Beacon - Januar 27, 2015

12

T

8
Story by James Jaskolka I Design by Steve Dziedziak I Photos by Gabby Glinski ~ :f;planda Dittmar
•"

Many students work part-time jobs to help pay for food, housing or tuition.

\

Some Wilkes University students, however, have gone a step farther.
Below are three different businesses, all located at Wilkes, that are run
entirely by students.

ICRAICEH BOARDSPORTS

was born
out of co-founder and senior :p:1echankal engine€-ring tudent ike Grobinski's eed to
overcome an obstacle. "I wanted to go wakeboarding, but I didn't have a boat;' :robinski said, referencing his umyillingness to
spend several thousand dollars on the boat nee~ed to pull wake I oarders across ater.
l
His solution was to eliminate tlie need ~r a boat compl ttely. After the idea was developed in 2013 for a cl.:tss project,
Grobinski and senior electrical and mechanicaf engine~ring stue.ent Dan Lyken invente I a wine syste9 that pulls in nearly a
thousand feet of rope. This meant that the windh system, instea of a bol t, coul pull sorpeone on a wakepoard in, "We made
geographical features obsolete:1 Lykens said, noting tha they have since fwakebo rded in a pond nly thrc\f feet deep.
As the name suggests, Kraken Boardspc~rts isn't just rest icted to hvater: t e team (also co sisting of senior mechanical
enginf ering student Alex Planer and senior ma;·keting tudent Brandon Carey) ltave extensively applied this to snowboarding, as
well. "Say you're in fielp, and ypu see this gap y u want o hit;' Grobinski said. " , u can Hit it wit the invention:'
"You can snowboard uphill;' Lykens sai(!i. "We've done it' The gr up has een working wl h Montrge Mouptain in an
effort to test out the kinks and develop a solid oduct. The goaU they said, is to ell unitslto diffe:eent ski nesorts a either an
attract,i.on or an instructional tool. Kraken has also bee . working closeIJ with th, Wilkeslsmall B siness ibevelopipent Center,
• who have provided them with an office and a "Home base:'
f
·1
I
As of now, the four have committed to living focally after graduation in e Spring and working f 1-time on their
business. While it may be time consuming, it's something they're used t . "Start-up culture is like, 'work hatever 80 hours a week
you want;' Lykens said. "You find yourself becoming very efficient;' Groliinski noted. "Bu,t I can't bring m 'self to jl:lst do nothing.
This fills in the space:'

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To lea n more about Ktaken Boardsports, readers can go to Krakenboar sports.com.
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The Beacon - January 27, 2015

LYSSA-scoTT is artistic by nature.
Walk into the junior integratecLmedia s udent's apartment, and you'll fincl a plethora of it ms to support this statement: paintings
of Nirvana lyrics over different hues of blue pa· t; a photo albu filled with digi ally-enhanced postcards from travels across the world; a
table made from an old door, multicolored tile ~nd photos off; ily an friendsi all things she m de herself.
Her apartment conjures up a feeling of fOmfort, creativi and a certain sense of uniquen ss - thr e qualities she's trying to replicate
with Soulshine Design, her brand new online boutique.
or Marshall's, and it's
"There's this lack of diversity in produc on the market. iYou go into Walfllart or arget, y , u go in o TJ M
.,; all the same thing;' Scott explains. "I take prid in the fact that can di~ up stuffi that no everyo e can find:'
While she's quick to note that _S ulshine,is very ipuch "a ork in progres " Scott says her urrent selection made up ofhanacrafted
and vintage items that are "a little more quirky than what's on the market;' represents her ultimate goal.
"Right now, it's a shop of things that make my heart hap y;' she s~ys. "Long term, I want it to be b~ all handmade by artisans, as a
way to encompass the community and their passions:'
Scott believes that society has become disconnected from
, , , . . - - - - - - - - - - ------,,,,.._-,,-----------,
where products come from, and she's seeking to remedy that.
"You can buy soap and support Dove, or you can support
the guy who lives next door to you and makes soap, which I
think is way cooler:'

Ct

I

To learn more or to view Scott's inventory, readers can follow
_ • @Soulshine.Design on Instagram.

IJC JOLLEY has been Rlaying in bands and putting out albums s nee he was thirt en.
To h , the next logical step was to brand himself - something that wo , ld repr sent what him apd his
friends were trying to accomplish witliin the local music scene. So Jolley create Time Table Rec rds, a doit-yourself family-style collective that essentially serves as a tool to help 'ts artists with w atever hey neea:
print· g shirts or CDs, booking shows and even
recor ing demos. While Time Table Records has only lieen officially br~nded fo two years, Jolle and his
ut 25 re1eases from 15 different Hands, as well as hosted dozens of shows in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding areas.
strial psycholo~y major, the sop)iomore student says what drives him the most is the ability to create a coliesive environment where
musicians an audiencres can help support eachlother. " t's a bea1,1tiful thipg when people who are normally so different fina comll\on ground in
music' and create a por ive imRact on their co munity," he says,. "It's the best fee1ing to help foster these environments:'
To hear music from the Time Table Records ro ter, readers can go to www.timetablerecords.bandcamp.com.

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Opinion
Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

NFL cites Patriots' under-deflated game-balls as cheap advantage
By Frank Passalacqua
Opinion Editor

Once a cheater, always a cheater. That is
the saying, right?
In this specific case, that seems to be too
true. Everyone who considers themselves a
football fan remembers the 2007 "Spygate"
scandal, an incident where the New England
Patriots were caught video taping the New
York Jets' defensive coaches signals.
However, this incident was not the only one
of its kind. The team later admitted to video
taping numerous teams in the past, including
the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough practices
before Super Bowl XXXVI. It doesn't stop
there, when eight videotapes containing
coaches' signals and team practices were
submitted during an agreement meeting.
Cheating is never ethical, especially in a
professional sport watched by millions of
people. Not to mention by a team who won
numerous Super Bowls around this era. Is
their legacy tarnished?
Years have passed and the Spygate incident
has seemed to wash over and be forgotten.
Just as history repeats itself, the Patriots
find themselves in the middle of yet another
cheating controversy.
During the 2015 AFC Championship
game between the Patriots and the
Indianapolis Colts, the NFL has found that
11 of the Patriots' 12 game balls were deflated
significantly below the NF[s requirements.
Under two pounds per square inch to be
exact, which gives the team an advantage
with controlling the ball by being easier to
throw and catch.
However, can the blame be pointed
directly to the Patriots?
Before every single game in the NFL, it is
the head referee's responsibility to properly
weigh, inspect, and approve each game-ball.
Walt Anderson, the game's head referee,
denied to comment on the situation and his
act.
In fact, the only time the refs showed a bit
of concern about the game ball was when
they stopped play in order for the side judges
to grab a non-kicking ball to be placed.
Shouldn't the ref, or any ref for this matter
have stepped up and said something?
The second a play is over, the referee takes
the ball and places it.
How about this: How many referees are

Courtesy of Creative Commons

on the field at once during a game? Seven
officials are on the field at one time: the
referee, umpire, head linesman, line judge,
back judge, field judge and side judge.
You're going to tell me not a single one
noticed the ball was two pounds of air
pressure lighter than normal?
I think something is up there.
Were the refs in on it, or where they
genuinley numb in the hands not to be able
to tell a difference? Who knows.
Perhaps this would not be as big of a deal if
only one or twos balls were deflated. Perhaps
this would also not be a big deal if the Patriots
did not blow out the Colts 45-7. The fact that
this is actually surfacing, though, with their
track record is why it is being investigated.
So, what can be done and will the Patriots
be punished? Currently, the Patriots will not
have to surrender their win, nor will they
be disqualified. If the NFL deems this an
intentional act of cheating, the most the team
will face is a small fine and a loss of a draft
pick. Is that enough to be considered justice,
especially if they do win the Super Bowl?
It is truly hard to say at this point.

The New England Patriots' Head Coach
Bill Belichick denied acknowledgement
of this incident during a press conference,
answering questions from reporters,
Belichick repeated multiple times, "I have
no explanation for what happened" and "I've
told you everything I know:'
Seems Belichick is taking a page out of
Marshawn Lynch's notebook here.
On the other hand, Tom Brady, the
Patriots' quarterback, jokingly blamed it on
Rob Gronkowski's strength when spiking the
ball after his touchdowns.
The Patriots are working 100% with
the NFL in this investigation and are fully
complying. In 10 years from now, regardless
of the Super Bowl outcome, can anyone take
the Patriots serious? Just like the Spygate
scandal blew over, will this?
My personal opinion is yes.
This deflation scenario is not nearly as
important as the Spygate one. The Colts used
the standard regulation footballs with the
proper amount of air, and only put up seven
points.
Seven points the entire game is surely

not good enough to win against any team,
regardless of what ball they were playing
with. In the AFC Championship game, seven
points is rather pathetic.
A fine and a draft pick should be suffice,
if found guilty that this act was 100%
intentional.. .and that is going to be hard to
prove.
It is sad that this is even in the news. A
professional sports team, one of the highly
elite teams in the league, should not be in the
spotlight for cheating yet again.
Whether Rodger Goodell deems this
an official act of cheating, it will surely be
interesting to watch this investigation unfold.
What do you think? Do you believe the
Patriots when they say they have no part in
this? Or do you blame the refs more for not
stepping up and doing their job.
Let us know.

@wilkesbeacon
frank.passa/acqua@wilkes.edu

�0

The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Opinion

15

The Best American Nonrequired Reading of 2014 "'

By purchasing this book, a reader is
able to provide funds and resources
Assistant Opinion Editor
to students in financial need, most
of whom are first generation college
As the world has recently celebrated students.
the close of another year, The Best
A personal wish for this text, is an
American Nonrequired Reading of organizational structure.
2014 is the perfect way for a bookWhether the book's organizational
worm to commemorate the transition structure, is by subject matter, genre
into a new year of literature.
or author, I believe this structure
The unique aspect, which The Best would make the anthology easier to
American Nonrequired Reading of read.
2014 offers, is all the works included
At times transitioning from one
have been hand-selected by several work to another can be slightly
high school students residing in San confusing, as the works follow no
Francisco, California.
natural pattern. Without structure it
The students worked under the seems that the poetry can be viewed
careful eye of the project editor, famed as a place holder. Although I enjoyed
author Daniel Handler. Handler is most of the works included, ·as is
more recognizable by this pseudonym, common with an anthology, not every
children's author's Lemony Snicket.
work included will be viewed as a
These students spent their academic favorite. A structure to the text might
year scouring the ends of prominent help to create an easier flow from
literary sources to find the best one work to another as well as make
creative works that may have gone some of the more outstanding works a
unnoticed by the American public. fixture within the book itself.
The result of their hard work is the
In the end, this anthology was not
recently published dense compilation, what I expected, which is an amazing
The Best American Nonrequired attribute. The students should be proud
Reading of 2014 .
of the quality product they produced.
The text includes every genre of They definitely are straying from
creative work a reader could image.
the norm in their selections. Their
Poetry, Essays, Short Stories and atypical selections will either lead to
even Graphic Novels grace the pages praise from the literary community or
of the 2014 anthology. The varying turn off some readers entirely.
genres mean this text has something
I l0ok forward to perusing some of
for every reader.
the series' additional publications such
The students who diligently worked as "The Best American Nonrequired
to select these works should be proud Comics" or "The Best American
of the creative works they selected. Nonrequired Travel Writing."
These students did not shy away from
opting for more controversial subject
matter. A reader may expect the works
included to reflect teenage angst but
1. The Kite Runner
instead a reader will discover themes
ripped from today's headlines.
by Khaled Hosseini
Some of the compositions include a
protest novel, an essay from a conflict
2. Me: Stories of My Life
ravaged area and a satirical view of
by Katharine Hepburn
educational shortcomings.
These students did not balk,
3. Murder in The Cathedral
choosing works that spoke to them
individually, while employing a high
by T.S. Eliot
use of literary devices.
Another positive
attribute
of
4. I Know Why The Caged
this anthology is that a portion of
the proceeds are donated to the
Bird Sings
organization, "ScholarMatch."
by Maya Angelou
An excerpt in the concluding pages
of the compilation informs the reader
5. Wild
that ScholarMatch "is a nonprofit
organization that aims to make
by Cheryl Strayed
college possible by connecting underresourced students with donors."

By Sara Pisak

My Top 5 Readings

Courtesy of Creative Commons

Sara's Score:
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The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Opinion

16

Swing into the second semester freshman style

•
The Beacon archives

By Allison Rossi
Staff Writer
It's that time of the year again, moving all
of your things back into your dorm, seeing
all of your friends, talking about your break,
sharing stories over SUB food, setting your
alarm for your 8 a.m. class, and then rushing
because you overslept.
Get ready Wilkes, it's second semester.
For freshmen, the second semester
will most likely come easier than the first
semester did.
Now you are familiar with the environment
you will be thrown into, such as noisy dorm
lounges, roommates, loud suite-mates,
messy bathrooms, and living off of Ramen
noodles.
It is exciting to be back and to see all of
your -friends that you missed over break.
Having freedom again and being able to use
your time the way you desire to is a plus as
well. Starting new classes and getting new
professors can also be exciting.
The second semester can vary a lot from
the first semester in terms of friendships,
classes, professors, living situations, sleeping
schedules, and even the weather.
Many classmates transfer in and out
between the first semester and the second
semester, which can impact the people that
you meet and hang out with. Some people
gain roommates while others may lose them.
Some ofus will even switch majors.
Getting back into the swing of things
can be difficult to do at first but it does get
easier. The countless amount of studying
and pulling all nighters in the library is
sometimes a necessity. Getting adjusted to
your new teachers and their unique ways of
grading while staying on top of all of your

7

school work can be frustrating.
There are ways to make the transitions
easier on yourself. For example, you can
start by setting up a schedule or by creating
a daily planner. This can make it easier to
focus and help you keep track of all of your
responsibilities for all of your new classes.
Rather then focusing solely on school
work, friendships and enjoying yourself are
key factors as well. You shouldn't overwhelm
yourself with school work. Studying is the
key to success; however, \)reaks are much
needed as well. In order to have a successful
second semester, balancing these three main
components is extremely essential.
There are many things to look forward to
in the second semester. There are also many
things to get involved in both on and off
campus.
,
Now is the time to join or become a
member of a team or a club that you didn 't
have time for during the first semester.
You can become more active on campus as
well as off of campus. You can play a sport,
go to games to support your classmates
and university, join another club, or even
volunteer for a meaningful cause. Becoming
more involved on campus will most likely
positively contribute to the experience of
your second semester here at Wilkes.
Hopefully, your second semester at Wilkes
goes by smoothly and is even better than
your first semester.
Don't forget to set your alarms and rush
to class.

@wilkesbeacon
Allison.Rossi@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Opinion

17

Vance Joy on a riptide to folk stardom
By Eric Casey
Staff Writer

James Keogh, also known as Vance
Joy, is increasingly gaining recognition
here in the states, finally. His brand of
indie folk/indie pop might not be for
everyone, but it's quite fresh and unique.
He's from Australia and although there
have been famous bands and singers
from that country to cross over into
American audiences, those numbers
have been few and far in between.
2014 saw the rise of Iggy Azalea,
another Australian that undoubtedly
has been the most popular Australian
export in more than
15
years.
Also, remember Gotye from three years
ago? How about Kylie Minogue from the
'90s and early '00s? Or even folk band The
Seekers from the 1960s with hits like "I'll
Never FindAnother You" and "Georgy Girl?"
Vance Joy is 27 years old and hails from
Melbourne. He 's somewhat handsome
and comes off a little bit sheepish.
However, it's his music that really radiates.
Even though Vance is from the warm
nation of Australia, his music is not all
happy and sunny. In fact many of his songs
give off a Brandi Carlile kind of vibe,
except with a more upbeat tempo despite
lyrics of loneliness and longing for love.
His debut album "Dream Your Life
Away" was released worldwide and
peaked at # 1 on Australian Albums
chart, #2 on Canadian Albums chart,
#17 on US Billboard 200 Albums chart,
and top 40 in most other countries.
The opening track, "Winds of Change,"
is short but sweet. It's about him waiting
for someone he loves to come back home.
"Cause this heavy heart, oh, how it's
yearned / cause I've been alone far too long/
when are you coming home, my love?"
You can hear the distinct quiver and
roughness in his voice that is present
throughout the entire album which sets
him apart from similar folk singers.
"Mess Is Mine" was the third single
released back in July 2014, but has just been
released in the US this month and has already
reached #22 on the Hot Rock Songs chart
and #31 on the Alternative Songs chart. It's
undoubtedly one of his finest songs. When
interviewed by a radio show Triple J Drive last
fall he mentioned what the song was about.
"Sometimes when you have a strong
melody, it's easy to write the song.

It's about how when you're in love with
someone, you take on the whole package
[that person brings]. It's messy, but the mess
of life is the good thing. The special thing
about relationships is taking on the good
and the bad and the messy aspects. It's one
of the more direct love songs I've written."
"Wasted Time" is another song that pulls
on your heartstrings. It was released as the
5th single in Australia last fall. It's one
of the highlights and features melancholy
yet beautiful lyrics. "The things that I
thought would last / well they're fading,
they're fading / the feelings I used to have
/ well, they' re changing, they're changing."
"Riptide"
is
his
most
widely
known song to date. It was recorded
in 2012 and released in mid 2013.
Since then it has become a Top 40
smash around the globe, and has finally
reached mainstream airwaves here in
the US. As of January 17th it's #33 on
the Hot l 00, #7 on the Adult Pop Songs
chart, and has peaked at # 1 on both the
Alternative Songs and Rock Airplay charts.
The video was shot in a way that
reminds you of David Lynch or Wes
Anderson. I declared it the best song of
2014. More often than not he performs
this song live with just a Ukulele.
Both songs "Who Am I" and "We All Die
Trying to Get It Right" are also great songs
with more of the same heartache, but yet
they don't feel like album fillers at all. They
just help keep the flow of the album constant.
"From Afar" was the first single released from
him back in January 2013. It is probably tied
with "Riptide" as the best song on the album.
The video for this song is distinctly
depressing. It features two stories going
back and forth between each other. One
showing a picnic of two middle aged
couples. The one man is shown to be in
love with his friend's wife, and when
his own wife finds out things get messy.
The other story presents two teen
boys, probably around 19, who are
presumably best friends. One of the
boys is in love with the other, but the
other happens to be in love with this girl.
When the gay male finds out his best
friend is in love with a girl, he becomes
devastated. It's honestly depressing to watch.
Other songs worth listening to are
"First Time" and "All I Ever Wanted."

All in all this album is a success. His
songs of solitary and honesty make the
album believable. The rawness of his
voice is stellar and should solidify him
as a future icon of not just Australian
folk music, but of folk music worldwide.

Eric's Rating:

Did you know?
James Keogh's stage name 'Vance Joy' comes from a book.
Keogh's stage name Vance Joy originally comes from a novel called
Bliss by Australian author Peter Carey. Vance Joy only makes a small
appearance in the book, but the name had a ring to it that stuck with
Keogh. Performing professionally in 2012, he adopted the name as his
own to create a new identity for his music.

r

�_J

The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Opinion

18

•

�Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Brandon.Gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Men's Basketbal_
l team prepares to take on King's
By J.T. Keer
Sports Writer

Photo Courtesy of gowilkesu.com

Sophomore Guard Tyler Jackson and the rest of the team look to get back
on path Wednesday when they take on cross-town rival Kings College.

After a streaky start to the season, the
Colonels sit at a 7-9 record overall and
sit in the middle of the conference with
a record of2-3.
The Colonels began the season with
a controversial loss to a tough Richard
Stockton club. They then followed that
by reeling off six consecutive victories
in a stretch of close, down to the wire
ball games.
However, after a trip down the road
to King 's for a couple of games in the
Monarch Classic, the CQlonels have not
seemed to get back their mojo. Since
their excellent start, the Colonels have
lost eight of nine, this time winding up
on the opposite end of a bunch of close
games.
However, following a rough season
last year and coaching change,
sharpshooting two-guard Alec Wizar is
optimistic about where the program is
headed.

"The season is goi_ng well so far,"
Wizar said. "We've had a difficult
schedule so far and we've held our own
against some strong competition. Every
game has been close and we just need
to close out stronger and turn the closi
losses into wins."
In order to turn the season around,
Wilkes is going to need Wizar and fellow
shooter Steve Stravinski to continue
their hot shooting. Stravinski is 1st
in the league in 3 pointers with 53 , is
also leading the team by averaging 15.9
points per game and has been bringing
down 6. 7 boards per night.
Sophomore point guard Tyler Jackson
has been leading the team with 4 assists
per night. The Colonels have gotten
solid defensive play from senior leader
Cam Hinkel.
The Colonels take action again at
home this Wednesday for their first
battle with cross town rival King's
@wilkesbeacon
johnathan.keer@wilkes.edu

Women's Basketball shooting to make playoffs
By Danny Van Brunt

the morale of the team.
"This team is exciting to watch, and will
potentially be a playoff contender," Heery
said.
Two players from the team, Kate Thomas
and Cara Basile are proud to see thatthe
Colonels are a tough team within the
conference. They are also proud to have
defeated Moravian, Manhattanville, and
Misericordia this season.
There is team chemistry which helps the
team play together according to them. Their
ultimate goal is to make it to the playoffs
because neither player has made it before.

Sports Writer

With seven wins accumulated so far this
year, the Wilkes Women's Basketball team
has already surpassed last year's record.
Last year, the team clinched six wins.
Head Coach Chris Heery anticipated
improvement at the beginning of the season,
and now he has a strong team.
The team is now playing in conference
games. Along with Heery, the players feel
great coming into the conference games.
The team record and future competition has
the women eyeing a spot in the playoffs.
Heery is pleased with his team. He is
most proud of the team's recent win over
Moravian, which has a fantastic program.
The Colonels bested them for their second
conference win. Heery also believes the
team did very well in the Muhlenberg

Elena Stambone

Tournament, especially against Scranton,
another formidable opponent.
Heery noted that Elena Stambone, Kayla
Brahm, Emily Sofranko, Ellen Rich,

Chelsea Brown, and Chelsea Smelas are all
key players to the team's victories. These
players, along with the rest of the team, stay
focused and spread positivity, which boosts

@wilkesbeacon
daniel.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Sports

20

Wrestlers motivated to make nationals this season
By Cara Basile

Sports Writer

J-

The wrestling squad went against
tough competitors this season, but still
manages to hold a solid 10-4 record.
The team competed in the National
Wrestling
Coaches
Association
National Duals in Fort Wayne, Indiana,
where they faced some of the best teams
in the country.
.
Wilkes was able to clinch wins against
the University of Dubuque, Saint John's
University, and Luther College.
A lot of credit to these wins goes
to Head Coach Jon Laudenslager who
pushes his team every day. He wants to
motivate his wrestlers to be offensive
and to hustle through each position,
along with encouraging them to
wrestling their match.
"I think you just encourage kids to
try and get the best out of themselves,"
Laudenslager said. "I think our program
prepares them for success on and off the
mat."
One athlete with great success this
season is junior Guesseppe Rea who
earned his first Wilkes Open title along

with being ranked No. 7 overall. To stay
focused Rea tries to contro l everything
outside of the wrestling room . He also
shared how this helps when he competes
before a match.
"My mindset is staying cool and
collected," Rea said. "I don't really
think about the match so much. My main
concern is finishing the match healthy
and always giving God the glory."
Laudenslager also shared his and the
team's goals on getting as many guys
to Nationals as possible. Each day they
work hard to surpass individual goals in
order to earn that spot.
For Rea, he has the same goals since
freshman year, · including being on top
of the podium, along with the team to
be regional champs once again with a
NCAA trophy to bring home.
"I just love wrestling in general,"
Rea said. "I love the commitment, the
sacrifice and the rewards you get from
it. Nothing is given to you, you have to
go out there and earn it."

l""'l@wi/kesbeacon
l':lcara.basile@wilkes.edu

Photo Courtesy of gowilkesu.com

Guesseppe Rea leads all WIikes wrestlers this season with 23 wins.

•

�21

JSy Evan WIiiey
Sports Writer

A. My brothers because they are..the reason
for my competitive drive. · Also, my

high school basketball coach because
'Ibo.mas is from Schuylkill Haven.
she taught me bow to ttuly work hard.
Pa., and went to Blue Mountain High School
Kate is a guard for the Womens Basketball Q. How did you first get started p1qlng
Team here at Wilkes University. She has
basketball?
Kate

been playing since the third
b
e ~ i n· ~· ~
--·
aSeniot
gd

and will be graduating this upcoming year.
Q. As a senior, what is your most memorable

moment at WJlkes University- on or off
thecourtr
A. Beating Kings twice my junior year
Q. What do you see yourself doing after

graduating from Wilkes?
A. Working at a marketing firm
Q. Do you have any lucky charms that you

bring with you to your games?
A.Nope
Q. Ifyour life was a TV show what would the

show be called?
A. True Life: My Name is Nance

Q. Why did you dloose Wilkes ~
~careet? '
A. At the time, I was lookingatscb.ool$64t
offered a major in special educatioo and
elementary education. I also had tne

opportunity to play basketball.
Q. What is your spirit animal?

A.Kangaroo
Q. What are your favorite foods to eat

before and after a game?
A. Before: PB&amp;J
After: I'll eat anything; usually l go out
to eat with my family and teammates.

'@wilkesbeacon
evan.willey@wilke~edu

�..J
The Beacon - January 27, 2015

y Andre Spruell

ports W.riter
. How long have you been wrestling?
. I started wrestling in first grade. My dad
was a wrestling coach so I just grew up
around it.

,,.

. Did you win any awards or trophies
back in high school?
. I placed at the Pennsylvania state
tournament twice,
second
my
sophomore year, and fifth my senior
year, those are the two big ones.
. What made you decide to come to
wrestle Wilkes?
. They have really good wrestling history
and we have a good program now so I
felt like it was a good fit, I really liked
the campus. r liked everything about it,
even the small class sizes.
. Has it been difficult transitioning from
high school to college wrestling?
: Guys are definitely a lot stronger and
wrestle at higher level, but it hasn't been
too difficult but definitely is a transition
you have to get used to.
. What would you say has been the
biggest difference at the collegiate level?
. I say the guys are stronger just because
they are more physically mature, and
the technique level is a lot higher. Like
in high school kids aren't necessarily
technical, but in college they are a lot
more technical.

7

Sports

Q. How did you do at Nationals in Indiana
over winter break?
A. I went 1-2, it was a bit of a rough
wee!c-end but it was definitely a good
learning experience, I got to see some
of the best guys in the country. It was
definitely a good gauge to see where
I'm at this point in the season.

Q. With the season coming to an end,
what are your thoughts on how your
first year went?
A: I think I've done pretty well this year,
there are definitely some things I need
to work on but I'm ~cited to wrap it
up and see how I do at the end of the
year.
Q. Do you have any goals you want to
accomplish in the next three years?
A. I definitely want to become an AllAmerican and ultimately become a
National Champion. If I set my goals
high I think I can do some good things

Q. What do you enjoy most about
wrestling?
A. I think just the people that you meet,
like you meet a lot of great people. You
get to go to a lot of cool places and go
all over the country for wrestling so it's
pretty cool.

@wilkesbeacon
andre.spruell@wilkes.edu

22

�L
The Beacon - January 27, 2015

Sports

23

Marc~s Leaf leads by example on and off the field
By Rachel Leandrl
Correspondent

Junior Marcus Leaf is not your
stereotypic college jock. Although he
captures campus recognition for his
actions on the field, many are unaware
of his community involved demeanor he
presents off the gridiron and diamond.
Coming to Wilkes as a freshman in 2012,
Marcus was sure of one thing - his love
for baseball and football. He was inspired
by the dedication of the former Wilkes
head football coach, Frank Sheptock,
which is the reason he chose to leave
his hometown of Reading, Pa., and gain
some independence in both athletics and
academics in a new setting. Today, Marcus
is one of the few attending Wilkes to
actively play on two varsity sports teams.
Marcus is a communication studies
major with dual concentrations in public
relations and journalism. Considering
most know Marcus as the football team's
defensive back or the baseball team's
centerfielder or pitcher, they can assume
his dream job is to one day play in the
major leagues. However, what they may
not know is that Marcus' infatuation
for both sports and writing has left him
determined to one day write for ESPN.
Photo Courtesy of Benjamin Kramer
At Berks Catholic High-School, Marcus
Pictured above Is Marcus Leaf making a catch In a game last season vs Grove City In Myrtle Beach
played football, baseball and basketball,
earning him honors in athletics. In 2011, but also discovering what's important to to sports, he will be one of the very few students, and overall inspiring them to
people to succeed out of Reading through attend college, make the right choices, and
during his senior football season, Marcus him.
"Reading is not a promising place since his generation. We are very proud of him create something special with their lives.
was named MVP of his team and Defensive
When asked about Marcus's recruitment
Back of the Year for his section. He was there are so many opportunities to do the and excited to see what his future holds."
Marcus' mother, being a single parent to Wilkes, former coach, Frank Sheptock
also named All-County for football as a wrong thing," he said. "Children are so
defensive back and baseball as a pitcher dear to my heart that I feel it is my duty to and doing everything in her power to noted that the coaching staff was very
provide for her family, is his biggest impressed by Marcus in more ways than
and short stop. His proudest moment steer them on the right path."
His time at Olivet consisted of helping role model. Since she was never able to one.
was this past summer at the First Energy
"He is humble, soft spoken, and he is an
stadium in Reading, an open-tryout hosted with staff, camp counseling, instructing finish college, Marcus feels his biggest
by the Phillies organization, when Marcus baseball, and just being of assistance to accomplishment is not only making it to individual who does what he is supposed
pitched and received a look from Dale the kids in any way possible. With his ten- Wilkes but striving to graduate in order to to do," Sheptock said. "We were trying
year-old little sister, Nadia, now at Olivet, make his mother proud and to make her to find a Wilkes person, and Marcus
Murphy, the Philadelphia Phillies scout.
was a Wilkes person from day one. With
"Having someone call you back is highly Marcus feels even more responsible for smile.
It's not the numerous sports trophies his humility, importance of family, and
unlikely," Marcus explained. "Answering ,,guiding these children the best way he
that are the most significant to Marcus's athletic ability as a two-sport star, we
the phone was an unexplainable feeling. It knows how.
"Marcus was raised in Reading, which future, but having the ability to write figured he would create a successful
was almost like a dream come true."
It is obvious Marcus's sheer talent only three years ago, was deemed the and the opportunity to give back to his future for himself here and he is certainly
belongs on the field, but what many don't second most violent city in the nation," community. It's not winning the game that proving us right not only in the classroom
know is that his greatest enthusiasm lies Kevin Devera, director of Olivet makes Marcus the happiest, but seeing but also on the baseball and football field."
with helping children. The Olivet Boys Recreational Center, said. "But because others succeed. With that in mind, Marcus
@wilkesbeacon
and Girls Club is where Marcus has spent of the positive decisions he has made by sees himself in 10 years traveling to
'- rachel.leandri@wilkes.edu
his last three summers not only working, furthering his education and devotion schools, motivationally speaking to young

r

..,

�.J
The Beacon - January 27, 2015

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�</text>
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                  <text>&lt;p&gt;This is Wilkes University's &lt;em&gt;Beacon&lt;/em&gt; Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the &lt;em&gt;Beacon's&lt;/em&gt; predecessors, &lt;em&gt;The Bucknell Bison Stampede&lt;/em&gt;, 1934-1935 and &lt;em&gt;The Bucknell Beacon&lt;/em&gt;, 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 &lt;a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua"&gt;Bucknell University's Special Collections Department&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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The Beacon/Purvit Patel

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SWB RailRiders Tickets Fundraiser for Cheerleading
Adventures in Reading Program to Begin on Feb. 18

The Wilkes University School of Education is sponsoring
Adventures in Reading, an after-school reading program for
children in grades Pre-K through five. Teacher Education
candidates will present innovative learning opportunities across
the content areas with a focus on vocabulary and comprehension
enrichment. The series of seven sessions, which is free of charge,
begins on Wed. Feb. 18 from 4 to 5 p.m. on the second floor of
Breiseth Hall. Contact Dr. Diane Polachek at diane.polachek@
wilkes.edu for more information and registration forms.
Graduate School Testing Strategies Seminar

Join Kerri Quick, expert on graduate school testing from
Kaptest.com, in Career Services' CAR 198 class on Feb. 4 from
12 to 12:50 p.m. in SLC 380. Learn the latest about a variety of
examinations for Graduate &amp; Professional Schools.. Walk-ins
welcome.
Off Campus Federal Work Study Positions Available

The Civic Engagement Office has several off-campus federal
work study positions available at local non-profit agencies. Please
contact Megan Valkenburg at megan.boone@wilkes.edu for
more information.

The Wilkes University cheerleaders are selling field-level
reserved tickets for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
baseball game on April 11 at 4:05pm. This is a "Giveaway
Game," so the first 2,500 fans into the stadium will receive a
free giveaway item. The shuttles have been reserved and seats
will be saved on a first-come, first-serve basis! All faculty,
staff, students, and community members are welcome to join
us for this trip. Ticket orders will be taken every Tuesday and
Thursday in the Henry Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
by contacting any cheerleader or Coach Jessica Short at jessica.
short@wilkes.edu.
Blood Drive

There will be a blood drive on February 5 from 10:00 am4:00 pm in the Henry Student Center Lounge. Please register at
www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code WILKESU.
Alumni Association Scholarship

Do you have a parent or grandparent who graduated from
Wilkes? If so, you may qualify for the Alumni Scholarship.
Deadline is Feb. 27.

SG notes: funds approved;
Vagina Monologues, PBL/FBLA
By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer

•

I
INm

offer'
ja

On Wednesday, Wilkes University's
Student Government held their weekly
meeting.
Last week the Vagina monologues
representative Jen Magnotta had requested
$1,000 to allow up to 200 students free
admission to the presentation of the Vagina
Monologues. This motion was passed by
Student Government and the · money was
allotted to The Vagina Monologues.
Another follow up on last week's meeting,
PBLA asked for $2,000 to fund 25 students
to attend The State Leadership Conference in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It was motioned
and passed that Student Government will
fund $85 dollars per person, for up to 25
members of PBLA to attend this conference.
Some new business that was proposed:
the Adventures in Science Organization
has requested $2,500 to fund their annual
event. This event consists of usually about

200 fifth graders and 175 Wilkes University
undergrad volunteers from various majors.
The fifth graders are brought to campus
free of charge for the school district, and
gives these students the opportunity to have
hands-on lab experience. This funding would
cover lab supplies, t-shirts and googles for the
students. The event has continually grown to
include more fifth grader participants and
the group is hoping to be able to expand to
other school districts. Student Government
will cast their final vote in next meeting.
There was a member of the month
nomination and winner named in this week:
Kara Serfass, chosen for her hard work this
past semester.
The council reviewed the Treasurer's
report. The current budget is as follows:
All college: $47,086.73, General Funds:
$11,056.20, Conference: $5,000 and Spirit:
$2,000, for a total of: $65,142.57.

A @wilkesbeacon
l:J taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - February 3, 2015

News

3

Arbeit Macht Frei: Seventy Years after Auschwitz
By Pat Walther
Assistant News Editor

Giuliana Tedeschi, a survivor of the
Holocaust, once said, "There is a place on
earth that is a vast desolate wilderness, a
place populated by shadows of the dead
in their multitudes, a place where the
living are dead, where only death, hate
and pain exist:'
The word 'holocaust' is Greek in
origin. It comes from 'holos' meaning
'whole; and 'kaus.tos' meaning 'burned:
To say that people think of Greece
when reading the word holocaust is a
stretch.
It's more likely that the reader's minds
go back to the first time they saw the
grainy black and white images taken in
the aftermath of the carnage.
Bodies in piles. Walking skeletons.
Human ashes. Barbed wire. Blood.
Bones.
It has been 70 years since the
liberation of Auschwitz, the largest Nazi
concentration camp used during WWII.
Seventy years later and the ghosts of
Auschwitz still haunt the public memory.
Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, Assistant
Professor of History at Wilkes University,
sheds some light onto where it all started.
"'The final solution; we call it, this
• mass extermination ofJews, really takes
place in 1942, that's when Auschwitz
expanded from being basically a labor
camp and a camp for political prisoners
into the death camp we know it as now:'
Kuiken adds, "They build a second
part of Auschwitz, known as AuschwitzBirkenau, in 1942. This is the Auschwitz
of our collective memory, you know, the
gas chambers, the crematoria, all of that:'
By the time Auschwitz would finally
be found and liberated by Soviet troops
on January 27, 1945, an estimated I.I
million people were murdered on its
grounds, though it is virtually impossible
to get the real number of victims.
The Soviets, upon discovering
Auschwitz, sent word back to their
commanders that "it was hard to tell
the living from the dead:' Similar
reports came from American soldiers
who liberated the concentration camp
Dachau, with their first communication
reading, "The dead are up and walking

Photo by Janos Korom

Arbeit macht frei, German for"work makes you free;' was the sl~gan used in concentration camps in Hitler's Germany.
around."
The Holocaust does not end at Auschwitz.
Though one out of six Jews murdered in the
Holocaust died there, one must remember
there were five other extermination camps,
an additional 17 major camps and about
1,500 satellite camps. 6 million people were
killed because of their religion, who they
loved, their political beliefs, the geographic
region from which they came or just
because they were there.
The Holocaust does not end at European
borders. Fred Morgan Kirby, the namesake
of Kirby Hall and the F.M. Kirby Center,
had a grandson that died in the Dachau
concentration camp. Sumner Moore Kirby
was arrested in France on D-Day, June 6,
1944, under suspicion of being an American
spy, and was executed hours before Dachau
was liberated by American soldiers. The
effects of the holocaust are global.
The Holocaust does not end seventy
years after the camps were liberated.
Anti-Semitism is at some of the highest
rates they've been since the end of WWII,
specifically in Europe.

Kuiken explains, "There's growing AntiSemitism all across Europe - radical right
wing parties with thinly veiled Neo-Nazi
and Anti-Semitic ideologies are polling
in the high single digits and low double
digits in many European countries. In fact,
members of what Ia consider a Neo-Nazi
party won membership into the Greek
parliament just last week:'
The Holocaust does not end for those
who lived through it. An estimated 195,000
survivors are still alive today. All still carry
the memories of the camps with them,
along with the slogan implemented by the
Nazi regime that were prevalent in every
concentration camp - ARBEIT MACHT
FREI, meaning "Work makes you free:'
"The people who lived through the
Holocaust - this event, the 70th anniversary,
is likely to be the last event that the
survivors will be at:' Kuiken states. "They're
all in their 80s and 90s now, so as these
people start to die it's going to be incumbent
upon us to keep this memory alive because
they won't be there to remind us:'
Kuiken further adds, "Education about

it is going to become increasingly
important, so that the lessons from this
don't get lost upon us, so that we don't
resort back to hatred or singling out
minorities or going back to this sort of
persecution ever again:'
Music has always been a tool to
promote hope. In concentration camps, 1
the persecuted would often sing songs
from their homelands to remind others
that somewhere out there, the life they
once knew was waiting for them.
Zbigniew Koczanowicz wrote a song
while confined in a concentration camp.
Known as "the Camp Song;' its meaning
echoes through to this very day:
"The words of this song are stained
with our blood,
Within fflem are sorrow and grief,
Yet your camp song will carry beyond
these barbed wires
_To a distant place unknown to you:'
@wilkesbeacon
patrick.walther@wilkes.edu

r

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'The Beacon - February 3, 2015

News

4

WCLH nominated for Intercollegiate Broadcasting Awards

Courtesy of WCLH website

Microphone used by the DJs of WCLH, Wilkes' radio station.
By Pat Wa It her
Assistant News Editor

There is nothing conventional about this radio
station.
Eric Casey sits behind a complex-looking
sound-board, dancing crazily to a band with a
name that's nearly unpronounceable. Welcome to
Will&lt;es' own radio station, WCLH.
WCLH, with the help of Casey and his

colleagues, is in the running to win a few
awards from the Intercollegiate Broadcasting
System. These awards are dubbed the "Golden
Microphones'' and are awarded to college radio
stations across the country in categories ranging
from Best Radio Drama to Most Innovative
Program.
Rasha Shaker, the host of Metal Mondays,
explains the significance of it "To be nominated
for awards after about maybe twelve years is a big

deal It's been a pretty long time since weve done
anything'.'
Casey agrees with Shaker's analysis. "I think
the last award we won was around 2001. For
Best Promo series, which were nominated for,
were going against WSFX [Luzerne County
Community Colleges station], and they've won
that three years in a row. It's serious competition'.'
WCLH is currently one of the finalists for
three awards. Best Promo Series, in which
Shaker, Casey and Shaun Pierre, are jointly
nominated; Best Liner, which Alyi&amp; Stencavage
is nominated for; and Best Radio Drama for
"Halloween Shenanigans:' a show put together
by Casey.
"Even if we don't win, we still get bragging
rights:' Casey laughs.
Shaker, a senior communication studies major,
is happy to have accomplished what she did
"It was my goal before I leave here to at least
get WCLH nominated, and I've done that We
already have the Silver Mic award which is given
to finalists that have reached the top ten percent,
so we did pretty good:'
Casey, a senior communication studies

major and the host oflndie Flavours, states
that he would be interested in working in radio
post-graduation, or else write music reviews for
individual publishers.
Casey addresses the stigma of working in
radio: "As long as I make enough money to buy
fine wine and Cheez-Its, I am all about that life'.'
Both Shaker and Casey noted that WCLH is
always looking for new members to join, and
that no prior experience is necessary.
Catch Indie Flavour on Wednesdays from 3-6
pm and Metal Monday all-day on Monday on
90.7FM.

@wilkesbeacon
pa trick. wa lther@wilkes.edu

Editor's Note: In the interest offull
disclosure, both Rasha Shaker and
Eric Casey have an affiliation with
the Beacon.

IT updates wireless; working to improve network stability, increase access
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor
The past six months have been filled
with changes within Wilkes University's IT
department.
The department, which had been
outsourced to another company for
approximately 10 years, was brought back in
house this past July, and according to Dean
John Stachacz of the library and IT, there
were many issues needing resolution.
To combat these damages, the department
hi1'd 13 new employees, including John
Carlin, Director of Network/Tech Infrast,
who is directly working on improving the
wireless network.
Due to the gaps in the old system, the first
issue to be handled was improving security.
To do so, a password to access the guest
wireless network was added a year ago. The
department then encouraged students and
faculty to use the regular Wilkes network
connection and the guest network was
limited in access.
"It wasn't reactive, it was proactive
in protecting ourselves from potential
problems;' Stachacz said.
Carlin explained that the issue with the
system also had to do with the amount
of access points, which determine how
many devices can efficiently connect to the
network.

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

IT will continue to im prove t he overall wireless system campus w ide.
"With the wireless on campus ... there are
a lot of areas that had weak or inconsistent
coverage;' Carlin said.
One such example includes the wifi
connections in University Towers, which
has limited access points. Due to limited
resources, Towers has yet to be updated, but
it is on the list.
Other residence halls have been upgraded
however, such as Roth, Schiowitz, Sturdevant,
Pierce and Evans Halls.
Carlin explained that they had to come
up with a plan to continue working on the
dorms.

"We didn't have enough time. It's a lot of
pulling cable in dorm rooms to hang access
points'.'
As the department continues to work on
these updates, they must work within the
resources available within their current
budget.
Stachacz explained that they use "out of
the box thinking to enhance our capabilities
on this campus'.'
Along with the updates to the residents
halls wireless network, more access points
have been added to the library and the SUB
which will possibly be receiving six more

access points in the future.
"Students are coming in with more devices
and needs for wireless than they were 5 years
ago;' Stachacz said.
To determine which buildings take
priority, they explained that as new buldings
emerge on campus, they become first to be
upgraded with the residence halls. From that
point, the rest of campus is a case by case
basis.
Carlin explained, "we know it's an issue,
and it's on the list:' Depending on finances, if
they have extra money, they upgrade as best
as they can.
-"It's not a complete solution but it improves
the experience;' said Carlin.
The older buildings on campus pose their
own issues as there are limitations on what
types of renovations can be done as the
buildings are intended to keep their antiqued
appearance.
For now, the upgrades will continue
gradually as the department seeks out grants
and external resources.
Stachacz seems confident that within
the next few years, these upgrades will be
complete as the department itself continues
to improve.
"We know we're not perfect and have a
long way to go but we're on the right track'.'

l."'I @wilkesbe(If:on
1::1 sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

1

�The Beacon - February 3, 2015

5

News

Profile of a Professor: Del Lucent on physics, life
By Jennifer Baron
Staff Writer
Dr. Del Lucent has a resume that goes far
beyond the realm of "impressive:•
From graduating Magna Cum Laude
from Wilkes, receiving his doctorate
from Stanford University, and conducting
research in Melbourne, Australia, Wilkes
was very fortunate when he decided
to return and share his knowledge and
experiences with undergraduates.
Originally from Pittston, Pennsylvania,
he graduated from Pittston Area and was
a first generation college student. He said
that both of his parents were "blue collar"
people, as well as his grandparents.
Early on in his education, Lucent
expressed a desire in becoming a doctor
and his father encouraged him. As a result,
he came to Wilkes because there was a
program, called the Guthrie Pre-Medical
Scholars Program, which allowed for early
admittance into medical school. He was not
accepted into the program, but he decided
to stay at Wilkes.
At the same time, Lucent also really liked
physics, but it was not an option for him at
Wilkes. So, he thought that if he majored
in biology, he would be able to get a second
chance at being admitted into the Guthrie
Program. Eventually, Lucent decided to
study both physics and biology.
He spent 5 years at Wilkes studying,
performing research every summer and
almost every semester and serving as a TA
each semester. He graduated with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Physics and a Bachelor of
Science degree in Biology in 2003.

Photo Courtesy Lisa Reynolds
To read more about Dr. Del Lucent's research, visit www.lucentlab.com.
After graduating, Lucent took a year off
to work for his father, who was a wine maker
in New Jersey, and study for his GRE Subject
Tests.
. In 2004, Lucent went to Stanford
University where he earned his PhD in
Biophysics. His initial plan was to go to
Stanford to study X-ray Crystallography,
which is examining proteins in detail by
getting them to freeze into a crystal and then
shooting high intensity x- rays at the crystals
with a particle accelerator. By doing this, the
three dimensional shape of the protein is
able to be determined.
Lucent says this has been the most
significant project in his career so far.
Since Lucent was at the forefront of this at

Stanford, he is able to bring it to Wilkes so
students can work on a high profile project
that only a select few are able to do.
· While living in Austrailia after he
graduated, Lucent took his career in a
slightly different direction. Instead of
strictly doing biophysics, he wanted to be a
bioengineer.
This was because at Stanford Lucent
studied the physics behind how molecules in
our bodies take shape. He wanted to apply
what he learned to build custom molecules
that could solve problems. Specifically, he
wanted to construct enzymes that had the
ability to clean up the environment and help
with the energy crisis facing the world today.
Lucent really enjoyed his life in Australia,

but there was something that brought him
back to teach at Wilkes. He said one of
the most difficult things for him was the
distance. To come home required thousands
of dollars and an 18-hour plane ride.
Finally, the opportunity to teach at Wilkes
came along and he seized it.
"Wilkes was special enough to give me the
things that I needed to make a good career
for myself;' Lucent said. "I really felt it would
be a life well lived or worth my time, now
that I've done these cool things, to come
back and help other people have the same
opportunities that I've had:'
As far as Lucent's inspiration for his career
goes, much of it was intrinsic interest. He
had an interest in wanting to really know
how the world works, which is what he feels
all physicists share. His interest in biology
came from wanting to know what makes us
up and how the things learned in physics
create such extraordinary, biological thing.
When it comes to people who inspired
him, Lucent said, "The people that really
shaped me the most are my father and my
grandfather because they pushed me to
do more with my life. And the person that
really made me realize that the best thing
for me was to be a scientist was Dr. William
Terzaghi:'
Lucent has an outlook on life that can
really benefit people to hear. He stated, "My
philosophy has always been to cast a wide
net. The problem is that casting a wide net
requires more work, but it's always worth if'

f"lil @wilkesbeacon
'=':'J jennifer.baron 1@wilkes.edu

•Supreme court to review case, same-sex marriage rulings
By Gabby Glinski
News Photographer
Recently, the Supreme Court announced it
will be reviewing the case upholding bans on
same-sex marriage.
The Supreme Court will decide whether
same-sex couples will have the right to
marry everywhere in America under the
Constitution or whether states are free to
limit wedlock to its traditional definition as
a union only between a man and a woman.
The court will be reviewing cases concerning
the bans on gay marriage in Michigan, Ohio,
Kentucky and Tennessee.
"We are thrilled the court will finally decide
this issue;' said Jame Esseks, director of the
ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender
&amp; HIV Project. "The country is ready for a
national solution that treats lesbian and gay
couples fairly:'

The issue of marriage equality was
considered by the Supreme Court in 2013,
but the court chose not to take the case.
However, the decision not to take the case
made way for lower court rulings across the
country in favor of marriage equality. This
decision in 2013 made the number of states
allowing same-sex marriage jump from 12 to
36 as of 2015.
Dr. Helen Davis, professor of English
at Wilkes and advisor of the Gay-Straight
Alliance, has a positive outlook on the
Supreme Court ruling. She did state,
however, that certain conditions should be
amended following the potential ruling.
"In many states, including Pennsylvania,
same sex couples can marry but two same sex
parents cannot be listed on a birth certificate
as parents. Instead, the non-birth parent has
to go through the long, expensive process of
legally adopting their child:'

Those on both sides of the issue agreed
that the time had come for the Supreme
Court to step in and settle the issue.
"I think it's probably going to be a relief,
because if the Supreme Court makes a final
determination - and goodness knows,
nobody can guess what the Supremes are
going to do - then it's off the table;' said
Shawn Steel of the Republican committeeman
from California.
The cases will be argued in April, and a
decision is expected by late June.

@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu
The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

Supreme Court review of same-sex marriage bans at a federal level has
individuals hopeful for the future of marriage equality.

r

�.J
The Beacon - February 3, 2015

News

6

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The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski
On Jan. 29, students, faculty, staff and loved ones Qf Edward "Eddie"ElgQnitis
gathered in \he Henry Student Center BaJlroom in memorial of the late
Efgonitis. Attendees reflected on his life and Presi~ent Patrick Leahy, pictured
above, aMounced that the mailroom whkh Elgonitls returned to work in
after retirement, will be renamed the Eddie R. Elgonitis, Sr. Mailroom.

•

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Beacon Weather Beat: Feb. 3-6
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�Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

The Beacon - February 3, 2015

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

Public Safety welcomes new officers, added experience
By Justin Topa
Life, A&amp;E Assistant Editor

•

The Department of Public Safety at
Wilkes University hired four new officers
since last semester who bring additional
skills, experience levels and passion for
protecting the students on campus.
Since December, Public Safety has hired
officers Steven Bigus, Michael O'Donnell,
Tori 1 Harrison and William Dubiak.
Dire,ctor of Public Safety Christopher Jagoe
said the department is "real proud to have
these officers on board" and looks forward
to having them meet the community.
Harrison, who has been a police officer
since 2012, said she was eager to work in
a community-like environment in which
she feels she can help people rather than
the experiences of a traditional city police
setting.
"I like to be able to get to know who I
am dealing with;' said Harrison. "It's closeknit here and I feel like this department is
much more of a team:'
Bigus, a retired police officer for the
Wilkes-Barre police force, was already
very familiar with the campus community
before being hired at Wilkes. While
assisting public safety with training, he
saw a transition within the department
and wanted to be a part of it.
Bigus said he is pleased with how

welcoming the faculty, staff and students
have been during his first weeks at Wilkes
University.
"For the first week or so, you think it's
just because you're the new people on
campus," said Bigus. "Every day, though,
you're meeting new people and everyone
has continued to be so wonderful. I really
look forward to coming into work:'
Harrison, who is also the mother of a
17-year-old son, cautions students to think
before they act.
"I get wanting to go out and socialize,
but the most important thing right now is
getting the grades and experience needed
to get you through the rest of your lives,"
·said Harrison. "One bad decision can
affect everything and you really need to
think about it first:'
Harrison and Bigus both agree that the
biggest challenge they have faced thus far
has been dealing with the weather while
on duty.
Jagoe said hiring the four new officers
is only one phase in the revamping of
public safety. He expressed his gratitude
to President Leahy and the administration
of Wilkes University for their continued
dedication to the safety and well-being of
all those on campus.
@wilkesbeacon
justin.topa@wilkes.edu

Officer Tori HarriMn
•

•
•

Police officet since 2012
Graduate ofLCCC Police~
Act 235 certified
Previously employed as a sergeant
for Northwnber1and County Prison
as well as the White Haven, Millville
Certifications include CPR and First
Aid, Expandable Baton, Conflict
Resolution. Radar and Taser, among
others

Officers Tori Harrison and Steven Bigus were both hired by Wilkes' Public Safety
Department in December. The department also hired Officers Michael O'Donnell
and William Dubiak who are abent from the photo above.

Offic,r'.WJ1Uem ORltiak
•

•

and Salem police denpartments
•

Courtesy of Christopher Jagoe, di rector of pu bic safety

•

as
cer
Previously~ asa pti_t-tkjie
police ollicertor the de
of Pringle. Latmille.P·ly-and I.umiie as wt11 as setting a,
a security~ the Geisinger
Health Sf$tem
15~

Certifications include restricted
housing unit, defensive tactics,
\)asic water rescue and HAZMAT
materials, among others

•

.

Fonner Sergeant in the United States

Qf&amp;cer Steven lJiaus
•

MarineCorp

•

•

Prior poijce expemnce in the
departnie.nts ofHughestown, Avoca,
Duryea and the Lackawanna County
Sheritf's Offite
Trained in gang awareness.
identification and prevention,
anti-terrorism, weapons of mll$s
destruction, active shooter and
workplace violence, among others

•
•

•

Holds de.gee in Criminal Justice, Act
235 and Act 120 certified
Prior experience with the WilkesBarre and Luzerne Borough police
departments
Certified in Lethal Weapons training
and instructing, PA State Police and
Dept. of Homeland Security Firearms
instructing and is certified to instruct
defensive tactics, among others
Extensive experience in security

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The Beacon - February 3, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

8

· Abstract paintings from Dale Thrlkeld on display at Wilkes

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees
Dale Threlkeld's art exibit entitle "End of Illusion" will be on display in the
Sordoni Art Gallery until May 17.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees
Shown above is Threlkld's "End of Illusion, 2012, oil on canvas, 77 x 133 inches"
I
piece.

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The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees
Shown above is Threlkld's "Seance (detail), 2012, oil on canvas, 68 x 88 inches"
piece.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voor.hees
The Sordoni Art Gallery is open Tuesday
through Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m.
.
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�The Beacon - February 3, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

Danny Lykens; student, engineer, artist and adventurer
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

A trailblazer in his own right, Danny
Lykens is taking his passions and making
the most out of his final year in college.
Senior electrical and mechanical
engineering student, Lykens does much
more than just attend class. A Reading, Pa.
native, Lykens has an artistic side, having
minors in integrative media, computer
engineering and physics which he has
combined to create a business and art.
Last week, The Beacon ran a story about
Lykens' start-up company. Lykens met the
students that would become his coworkers
while spending a semester at Wilkes'.
Mesa, Ariz. campus.
The semester away started as a resume
builder but became "one of the best
decisions of my life" according to Lykens,
as he learned hands on experience but also
made connections along the way.
While in Arizona, Lykens "learned the
experience of adventuring" as he liked to
call it.
Part of his studies included interning at
Entrepix, which "serves the semiconductor
and related industries as a leading provider
of chemical mechanical polishing:'
"The main project we did was we make
a test rig for a machine component. What
the company did was refurbish older

machines into the semiconductor industry
because semiconductor machines are
worth millions and millions of dollars:'
explained Lykens.
His time in Arizona wasn't all work
however, as they had time to explore.
The group enjoyed the outdoors, going
on hikes, visiting lakes and even taking
road trips to Las Vegas and the Grand
Canyon.
"The Grand Canyon is ridiculous, it's so
big and the end is so far away that it looks
flat... the views out there were incredible;'
said Lykens.
Lykens completed a blog while in
Arizona which featured snippets of his day
and photographs he took of his adventures
which can be found at http:/ /wilkesumesa.
wordpress.com/.
Lykens recapped his final week at
Entrepix saying it was "fun but intense"
as he had to give a presentation in front
of his employers, professors and Wilkes
University President Patrick Leahy.
Lykens is still in touch with the group
and reflected on the camaraderie which
was built. He explained that they were "ten
people that were crazy enough to go out
there and say 'let's do this and we'll always
have a good time together."'
Among Lykens engineering abilities, he
also has a passion for art.

•

Courtesy of Dan Lykens
Senior Danny Lykens loves to take adventures to new places and expierence life
to the fullest. Traveling is one of Danny's favorite past times outside of Wilkes.

Courtesy of Dan Lykens
Danny Lykens combines all his intterests and passions into everything he does.

"I've always been really passionate about works with a little help from DannY:'
building things and tinkering around
Lykens explained that an art installation
but I've always been passionate about is an "art piece that interacts with the
film, graphic design, drawing and art in viewer:'
general... I didn't want to just choose one."
Using his engineering and graphic design
Taking these interests, Lyken joined skills, Lykens created a go-cart with a mind
numerous clubs and organizations such controlled throttle.
as Studio 20, IEEE, HAM Radio club, The
Although some think that engineering
Beacon and Cross Country and is also and integrative media are not likely pairs,
completing research ·in computational bio "it interacts so much more than you think"
physics.
according to Lykens.
Electrical engineering professor, John
Lykens explained that these were the
Gilmer, discussed Lyken's love for his types of activites he did in his free time but
work.
now he hopes to take those passions and
"He's so full of enthusia~m, energy, and make them into a career and to do so, must
ideas. Bizarre ideas, sometimes, but always step outside of his comfort zone.
interesting and unique ... Dan not only has
"People will shoot you down ... but
good and interesting ideas, but he also has everything will work out.. .you have to find
the energy, persistence, and technical skills out that stuff for yourself whether it goes
to carry them out:'
somewhere or doesn't:'
Last. semester, Lykens stood out
among his integrative media peers as A @wilkesbeacon
they participated in an art installation lt.:I sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu
affectionately titled "Darn it, we're not
engineers! But Dan is" in December.
Senior Integrative Media major, Moe Editor's Note: Danny Lykens does
Woodard, explained that Lykens helped freelance photography for the
students in the department design their Beacon, in~luding the "Humans
creations.
of Wilkes University" feature, and
"He is a great friend and helped out
the IM department and me with our therefore is an acquaintance to some
installation classes ...You'll see everyone's members of the staff

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l Toe Beacon - February 3, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

10

·Students take their future endeavors into their own hands
Wilkes Entrepreneurship Club destined for greatness
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

The success or failure of an idea is on the
shoulders of people who take chances and
believe in what they envision. To be an entrepreneur, one has to follow initiative and
be aware of the results of risks.
Wilkes Entrepreneurship Club operates
on the idea that business is a culmination
of many different factors that work harmoniously together to create success of their
,members.
The Entrepreneurship Club's president,
Britton Heim, explained, "Our mission is
to create a healthy relationship between
our members, the Family Business Alliance, and the Kirby Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise, to immerse
our members into projects dealing with
helping local entrepren eurs, to help our
members with their own e~trepreneurial
business ventures, and lastly, to give our
members a first hand experience with real
world entrepreneurship and entrepre-

nt!irs:'
With a sense of unity and momentum,
the club offers an environment that helps
fade the fear of failing when pursuing to
follow the dream of owning a business.
"Us, college students, hold the new and
Courtesy of Sean Ramsey
fresh ideas that are going to be the next
The
remodeled
UCOM,
now
The
Jay
S.
Sidhu
School
of
Business
and
Leadership
is
house
the
Entrepreneurship
Club. The
generation of our economy, but many
club
is
new
this
year
but
has
objectives
plan
and
has
been
making
stead
progress
towards
people are afraid to take their dreams
and ideas and turn them into reality;' said
of their business so that they are not in it with, said.
ing to entrepreneur symposiums.
Heim.
Heim goes on to explain that the club is
The club has much to offer Wilkes stu"We are here to try and take some of that alone:'
With a focus on guiding 111embers for- new to campus and had some objective to dents and is benificial for anyone in the
fear away by networking them with the
business field of study.
Family Business Alliance and the Kirby ward in following their hopes of success, accomplish themselves.
the club is seen
"Being a new club, we are really focused
"My favorite p3't about the club is that
Center so they
as a helpful re- on getting projects going and getting our we are bringing in a diverse group of peocan get the op"Although w e are
ple who all have the same basic dreams of
source to it's members involved:'
portunity
to
just g e tt:in g s tarted ,
members.
Currently the Entrepreneurship Club is being entrepreneurs;' Heim said.
meet
people
"Although we working three projects.
"By bringing people together that have
the en trepreneurshjp
who took the
"One of the was to clean out some of the the same interest as you, we can all work
are just getting
"leap of faith''
cJub serves as a great
started, the en - things in the basement of the Kirby Cen- together to reach our goals. productly"
•
and
followed
opportunity for students trepreneurship ter to sell for some funds. We sold various The club welcomes new members and for
their dream. We
are also here to
and the bus:inesses they club serves as a apartment type supplies, like unopened more information contact Britton Heim at
great opportu - packs of sheets and dishes and cleaning britton.heim@wilkes.edu.
provide a supserve ."
nity for students supplies and such:'
port team for
and the busiHeim also said that the club is looking to
@wilkesbeacon
our members
Ii..: nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu
and help them through the startup stages nesses they serve;' sophomore Jeff Hor- bring in some speakers for lectures and go-

�The Beacon - February 3, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

11

She said, He said

The start of a new column
By Nicole Zukowski

By Justin Topa
Assistant Life, A&amp;E Editor

Life, A&amp;E Editor

I agreed to start this column because
I hope to understand and celebrate the
different perspectives offered from all
sides.
While I do not contest that I serve as a
representation for all who identify as male
and do, in fact, enjoy my individuality, I
hope to be able to provide a basic male
perspective of the topics and issues facing
college students today, as well as provide
professional and educated commentary
from experts in whatever the topic may
be.

Topics affect women and men differently.
In this weekly column, the Assistant Life,
Arts and Entertainment editor, Justin
Topa, and I will explore different topics of
discussion through a gendered perspective.
The female/male discussions will be
centered around the facts and opinions of
people who have knowledge on the subject.
On my half of the discussion, female
aspects will be brought to attention: how
do things in the news or in life affect those
who identify as female?
Being a communication studies major
with an interest in history, I consider

researching facts a high priority.

Courtesy of the Department of Communication St udies

Check back next week
for the first installation!

Pictured above are Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor Nicole Zukowski,
and Life, Arts and Entertainment Assistant Editor Justin Topa.

VISIT THE BEACON ONLINE Cf THEWILKESBEACON.COM FOR THE EXCLUSIVE

HUMANS OF WILKES UNIVERSITY
•

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12

The Beacon - February 3, 2015

SWIPE RIGHT: A·LOVE STORY
Tinder and its role in modern relationships
Story by James Jaskolka I Design by Steve Dziedziak
In 2015, it's difficult to argue that technology is not pervasive in society.
One would be hard-pressed to find a· college-aged person who isn't active on at least one form of social media,
especially with the continuous development of app-specific media, like Instagram and Yik-Yak. One example that has
sparked a dialogue recently is Tinder, a matchmaking app that allows users view pictures and a short biography of
people within a certain distance.
The app, which connects through Facebook, has users swipe a photo to the right if they're interested. If two
people swipe right for each other, it's a "match;' and they can begin talking. While it's marketed as a way to "meet
people;' it seems to be an assumption that many users are looking for hook-ups and casual sexual encounters.
With an app like this, where people are seeking some sort of interaction, there's bound to be some surprising consequences. Take, for example, sopho1nore student Josephine Latimer, who met her now-boyfriend on Tinder.
Although she was aware of the app's implications, she decided to download it for fun, not anticipating that she would
find someone she legitimately enjoyed being with.
"I didn't really expect much from Tinder, maybe just a quick ego boost and a laugh;' Latimer said. "You don't go
into it expecting to meet genuinely incredible people:'
Experts often cite c01nputer-mediated communication, like texting and instant messaging, as harmful to
i~terpersonal communication. Apps like Tinder, however, may represent a shift in that school of thought.
"Comn1unication theory says we'll learn to adapt, and now we're adapting to 'faceless'
communication;' Jane Elmes-Crahall, Wilkes University professor of communication studies, said. "It's not totally
harmful to relationship development:'
Elmes-Crahall cited "social information processing theory" to complement the idea that text or computerbased interactions may actually have more benefits than previously considered.
For example, Eln1es-Crahall said that a highly visual and instant medium like Tinder allows for users to !'e
more selective in self-presentation. First impressions matter, so being self-conscious about how a stranger online will
view you, in this case, may be a good thing.

�- -- . The Beacon - February 3, 2015

....

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-

13

.
"If you're talking to a student in class that you know, you're gonna see them look bad sometimes;' she said. "But
if it's a self-selected presentation, it's pretty likely to be positive:'
Elmes-Crahall also noted that online interactions have an elen1ent of time not present when speaking face -toface, which allows users to respond more fully.
"Online, you don't give a response until you're ready to, and it may be better crafted because of that:'
While Tinder and similar mediums may offer some benefits, they are not without proble1ns. Mia Briceno, Wilkes
University assistant professor of communication studies, noted that there is still a taboo against dating someone that
you met online. "We still have a romantic ideal about how relationships are 'supposed' to happen;' she said, citing the
organic boy-meets-girl model found-often in mass media.
"It's like another reiteration of a fairytale. But if you 1neet online or through an app, even though it's widespread, there's
still a stigma there:'
Briceno also noted that the power dynamics in "traditional" relationships echo in online ones, in the sense that
women may often be bombarded with messages, and if ignored, be blamed for being superficial.
Similarly; Elmes-Crahall mentioned the app's potential negative consequences if only used for casual encounters.
"For most relationships to develop, you need time, shared values and morality, and I'm not sure hooking up allows for
that;' she said.
.

.

Whether Tinder will ever be able to serve as a legitimate platform for committed relationships is up for individuals to
decide. One thing, however seems to be clear: The relationship needs to eventually move into a real-world context to
truly form.
"A relationship can begin online, there's no doubt about it;' Eln1es-Crahall said, "but it needs to move from first impressions to actual social interactions for it to develop:'

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Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

A better America wi~_!t!igher education: Obama speaks up
By Mandy Stickles
Assistant Opinion Editor

The standard for jobs is becoming more
elaborate and will only increase over time.
Soon, no meaningful employment will be
obtainable without at least an associate's
degree.
President Barrack Obama wants to see
this educational goal available for all by
allowing Americans to go to a community
college free of charge for two years: If a
student can maintain a gpa of at least a 2.5
and keep on track to graduate within two
years, students may go to a community
college for free for an associate's degree.
Obama's Health Care and Education
Reconciliation Act plans to provide
resources to help community colleges
develop and improve, all in hope to
better the American people and help the
economy stabilize and improve.
With the proper resources, community
colleges could work with businesses to
set up a system that will create career
opportunities for students in the future.
This would involve workers coming into
the college and teaching students essential
skills for the job-market. Employers are
willing to train students for future job
opportunities that may lead to employment
and careers.
According to whitehouse.gov, on
addressing the issues of higher-education
and building-America, Obama's new
proposal for community colleges could
branch out and partner up with different
colleges and educational institutions,
allowing schools to expand course
offerings and help students transfer credits
to move forward to other colleges if they
so desire.
Community college could become
advantageous to adults wanting to further
their education who are not able to afford
or relocate to a four year college or
university. Online courses will also be
more readily available, making it more
convenient to take college courses or even
graduate in less time.
"I want to spread that idea all over
America so that two years of college
becomes as free and universal in America
as high school is today," Obama announced
at the 2015 State of the Union.

It seems that Obama has always, in
one form or another, tried to improve
our economy, raise minimum wage and
help people with lower incomes to have
the opportunity· to ' go to college and get
a higher level of education to improve
themselves and America as a whole.
Yet, there are critics and skeptics
reacting to his proposals in a negative
fashion because they do not want their
taxes raised. Shouldn't people want to
help their fellow Americans and their
society? More education is only going to
make us better. Taxes are always going to
be raised, if not for educational purposes
then for something else.
Obama's Education Act is a good idea
in theory and wanting to improve the
economy is always a plus. However, it is
going to take a lot of convincing on his
part to get congress to pass this proposal,
which is run by the Republican Party.

Dr. Kyle Kreider, political science
professor at Wilkes, is not a fan of Obama's
proposal. He feels the cost of community
college is already fairly low and there is
only a 25-35 percent graduation rate for
community college students. He feels
there is a deeper unlined meaning on why
the graduation rate is so low.
"Students are going into college
unprepared and become overwhelmed and
end up not graduating. There needs to be
improvement made in K-12 education first
before we start wQrrying about college
levels," said Kreider.
Obama's proposal can be a stepping
stone for new ideas and thoughts on how
to improve the economy, but chances are
the free community college plan will not
be passed at this rate.
@wilkesbeacon
amanda.stick/es@wilkes.edu

Should community
college be free for high
school graduates?
Should potential
students have to pay?
Tweet us your
thoughts:
@wilkesbeacon

�)

The Beacon - February 3, 2015

Opinion

15

'A Hard Day's Write' contains knowledge, errors
By Sara Pisak
Assistant Opinion Editor

e

I-

e

k
If

This Sunday, television networks
will broadcast The 5 7th Annual
Grammy Awards.
In celebration of The Grammy
Awards, I decided to explore Steve
Turner's book, The Beatles: A Hard
Day's Write: The Story Behind Every
Song. Although The Beatles do not
hold the record for most Grammy
Awards of all time as that honor
belongs to Hungarian conductor,
Sir Georg Solti with 31 awards, the
band's lasting impact on song writing
deserves to be applauded.
I have to admit that I am not a
Beatles aficionado.
I am more of a causal fan, even
though upon reflection, I know almost
all of the lyrics to The Beatles' songs.
However, I am a fan of music of the
time period including such greats as
James Taylor and Carole King. The
Beatles: A Hard Day's Write possess
not only a "puntastic" and catchy title
but the book itse lf seems to be a must
have for Beatles fans everywhere .
The subtitl e is not lying when it
states: "The Story Behind Every
Song." Readers are treated to the inner
mo st workings of one of the most
pro lific song writing duos , Lennon
and McCartney.
The Beatles : A Hard Day's Write is
graphically perfect.
Each page contains well known
color photography of some of the most
famou s pictures of the group, while
other pages introduce the reader to
non-widely published photography.
Either way, the book visually offers
readers quite a feast for their eyes.
A diehard fan would love to relive ,
through the use of photography
enclosed in the book, the band at the
pinnacle of their career.
When it comes to the story behind
every song, the book also delivers . I
be lieve it is safe to assume that hardcore fans of the group would know
most of the details Turner elaborates
upon.
However, as somewhat of a novice,
I was enlightened as to several of
the inspirations behind some of the
group ' s most popular tunes.
Upon opening the pages of this
text, the reader may be fascinated to
learn that The Beatles hit song, "Lucy
in the Sky With Diamonds" is not
about an LSD fueled fantasy as often

Courtesy of Creative Commons

suspected. Instead, the song has an
innocent motivation.
This song is based on a drawing
young Julian Lennon, John Lennon ' s
son, drew of his classmate Lucy
O ' Donnell.
Furthermore, I was unaware that
Paul wrote The Beatles song, "She' s
Leaving Home" when he read a
news story covering Melanie Coe, a
te enager who ran away from home in
1967.
There is, however, a downs ide to
accumulating all of this pop culture
knowledge within Turner's text.
Although the book delivers on
sp lendid visuals and the inspiration
behind every song, the reader must
trample through several errors. As the
book fights to keep a perfectly square
text box on every page, the editor does
so by creating many uneven spacing
errors.
The play this creates on one's eyes
can almost be forgiven in the name

of artistic style, if the text did not
contain other errors. In addition to
spacing and paragraphing errors,
the typographical error "he" appears
where the word "be" should be
employed.
As an English major, it does not get
much better than discovering an error
in a written text. Sadly, The Beatles :
A Hard Day's Write certainly fulfills
this dream. When it comes to this text,
the cliche six of one, half a dozen of
the other applies.
I enj oyed this book as it places into
perspective the songwriting of two of
the most adept musicians of all time.
However, the quest ion remains.
Can the reading publ ic overlook the
typographical blunders in order to
cure their case of "BeatleMania?"

Sara's Score:

@wilkesbeacon
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - February 3, 2015

16

Opinion

The Historic Storm That Never Came: Snowmageddon

•

The Beacon archives

By Allison Rossi
Staff Writer

Winter Storm Juno was hyped up only
to be turned into a flop.
Students were hoping for their schools
to be closed and others were concerned
about how they would be arriving to
work. This storm cau~ed panic and
chaos for a vast amount of people.
Many individuals were extremely
worried of this claimed to be "historic
snow storm." One major area that was
supposed to become greatly effected by
this snow fall was New York City.
The city that never sleeps was forced
to say goodnight on January 26, 2015
by Mayor Bill De Blasio. De Blasio
did not allow residents to drive on the
streets after 11 :00 p.m. New York City
was excepting to get hit with massive
amounts of snow. Residents feared for
the potential snow fall.
Residents of New York City were
excepting to be snow-bound for a couple

of days. Their opinions were varied.
Karol Joswick, a resident of Staten
Island, New York, stated "everyone was
afraid because they kept reporting that
this was a historical storm and people
kept remembering hurricane Sandy."
"Everyone
took
extraordinary
precautions," she continued. "All the
stores were sold out of milk, bread and
other staples. But thank goodness it
was not as bad as they made it out to be.
It was predicated we would get twentyfour inches or more with high winds.
We got around seven inches with light
winds."
Joswick also mentioned her opinion
of The National Weather Bureau.
Joswick stated "The National Weather
Bureau made a big error in their forecast.
Due to the prediction of this historical
storm various things were shut down
such as subways, buses, ferries, there
was even a ban on driving after 11 p.m.
which left many people, especially in

New York City, stranded with no way to
get home."
Ann Marie Honan, a resident of
Brooklyn, explained that she was very
happy that it did not meet the magnitude
of twenty-four inches of snow as
predicted.
Honan recalled "Brooklyn got around
six inches and as there was no school;
the children were just as happy and they
had a ball sleigh riding and making
snowmen."
In response to the weather outcome,
Mayor Bill DeBlasio voiced his opinion.
According to a press releas·e, DeBlasio
said: "So, the bottom line is, we got
lucky. Things turned out a lot better
than we feared, but we were prepared."
"The people of this city re-sponded
really the exactly right way. They
looked out for each other. They heeded
the warnings. And that had allowed us
to do what we needed to do to keep
people safe. Things are getting back

to normal but do not be overconfident.
It will still take a while to get things

fully back to normal, and again, take
real precautions while you're out there
today and tomorrow."
Barry Spitzer, District Manager of
NYC Community Board 12 located
in Brooklyn, stated "Sanitation did an
outstanding job in getting the streets
plowed and salted so that as of today,
Wednesday, January 28, 2015, business
is as usual.
All emergency personnel in New York
City did an excellent job."
Although winter storm Juno did not
arrive as originally predicted, it did
scare NYC. The lesson remains: always
be prepared for bad weather, you never
know when the real historic storm will
arrive.

A

@wilkesbeacon

ltlJ Allison.Rossi@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - February 3, 2015

Get Ready for the Main Event
By Elyse Guziewicz
Staff Writer

As everyone ,. knows, Marvel is
king when it comes to the big screen.
This year alone, they've scheduled three
major cinematic releases set to hit theaters
in March, May, and September. With these
films, Marvel is ending Phase Two of its
cinematic universe and launching the third
and final chapter of the continuing saga.
Upcoming this year is fan favorite
The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Fox's
Fantastic Four, and finally back to the
Disney-owned Marvel Studios for AntMan, which will mark the first time
his character has appeared on screen.
Kicking
off the
lineup
on
March 6th, 2015 is Fox Pictures'
Fantastic Four, stylized as Fant4stic.
Although Fox has produced two movies
featuring the characters already, the newest
flick is considered a complete reboot (not a

L
17

Opinion

remake, as it will not follow the same plot)
and will center on the origin of the title group.
The four heroes - Reed Richards/Mr.
Fantastic, played by Miles Teller, Susan
Storm/Invisible Woman, played by Kate
Mara, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, played
by Michael B. Jordan, and Benjamin Grimm/
The Thing, played by Jamie Bell -- gain
their powers in an accident that leaves them
stranded too close to a cosmic singularity.
The major antagonist of the film will be
Victor Domashev/Dr. Doom, an antisocial
programmer with a violent slant. The plot is
still unclear, and the first trailer was recently
released and is available on YouTube.
Following on May 1st is Marvel Studios'
Avengers: Age of Ultron, which will once
again feature the six major leads - Steve
Rodgers/Captain America, the quintessential
"All-American Boy" played by Chris Evans,
Tony Stark/ Iron Man, Cap's foil portrayed
by Robert Downey Jr., Thor, the god of
thunder, played by Chris Hemsworth, Bruce

Marvel's upcoming movies Banner/the Hulk portrayed by Mark Ruffalo,
Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow played
by Scarlett Johansson, and Clint Barton/
Hawkeye portrayed by Jeremy Renner.
The plot centers on an AI called Ultron
(voiced by James Spader) created by Stark
in the Avengers' absence that goes rogue and
begins targeting humans. The Avengers must
overcome personal differences in order to stop
what appears to be their greatest threat yet.
The movie will introduce Paul Bettany,
previously known as the voice of JARVIS,
as the voice of android character Vision,
Aaron Taylor-Johnson · as speedster Pietro
Maximoff/Quicksilver,
and
Elizabeth
Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch.
Numerous
trailers
have
been
released and can be viewed on YouTube
and other
streaming media
sites.
The final chapter in the 2015 Marvel
season will be released on November 6th
- Marvel Studios' Ant-Man. Featuring
Paul Rudd in the title role of Scott

Lang, the film's plot remains unknown
and no trailers have been released.
In the movie, he is mentored by former
Ant-Man Hank Pym (played by_Michael
Douglas), whose daughter, Hope Van
Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) is aiding the
villain Darren Cross/ Yellowjacket (Corey
Stoll) in a takeover of Pym's company.
Very little is known about any
feature
of this film,
but rising
excitement promises to make it a hit.
As Marvel concludes Phase Two with Age
of Ultron, prepare to launch yourself into a
new lineup ofheroes, villains, and stories that
will make this Marvel season unforgettable.

A

•
@wilkesbeacon

lb;J elyse.guziewicz@wilkes.edu

s

Charli XCX experiences commercial success with sophomore album
By Eric Casey
Staff Writer

Charlotte Emma Aitchison, also known
as Charli XCX, is a 22 year old pop music
mastermind. Her age really doesn't mat- ter, it's the talent that does. There's been
a lot of evolving in her short career span.
"Sucker" is just another part o~her bright
journey ahead.
She was born in England, but now
travels the world. Her first album" l4"
was released on Myspace in 2008 funded
by her parents, her third album "Sucker"
was released on every format funded by
Atlantic Records and Neon Gold Records.
She started from the bottom ... and well...you
know.
After releasing her first album at age 14,
if that actually counts as her first album,
she then took a long break. She came back
to the recording life around 2010/2011
to record her second album titled "True
Romance" which got pretty good reviews
upon it's release. It solidified her as some
sort of Princess of Goth Pop, at least in my
opinion!
The album was pretty straightforward
with a tone of an electropop feel throughout. Her songs echoed of previous heart-

ache just like any other generic pop singer.
However, with her dark tones and "witch
house" vibes in the songs you can actually
feel and get something out of the album.
Between 2011 and 2013 she had toured with
the likes of the Ting Tings, Ellie Goulding
and Marina and the Diamonds.
She had one minor hit with the 2013
song "SuperLove" which peaked at #62 on
the UK Singles Chart. The album surprisingly only peaked at #85 on the UK Albums
Chart. Charli slowly started building up
some kind of cult following. However,
it wasn't until she penned the lyrics for
Icona Pop's song "I Love It" which features
her on backing vocals. The sleeper hit of
2012/2013 reached #1 in the UK and #7 in
the USA while also climbing the Top 10 in
many other countries.
Last summer she rose to greater fame by
being featured on Iggy Azalea's smash hit
"Fancy." That song would rule the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks. Charli's
retro ' 80s sounding"Boom Clap" would be
her first solo Top 10 hit in the states as it
peaked at #8. It was the first single released
from "The Fault in Our Stars"-soundtrack which gave it a driving force.
In December her third album "Sucker"
was released in the states. It debuted at #28

on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart selling
nearly 29,000 copies in its first week. It is
premature to see if this album will prove to
be a success or not. It depends if "Break
the Rules'-', the second single, can perform
well. It has only peaked at #91 on the Hot
100 and #27 on the Mainstream Top 40
chart. She has also released a third single
titled "Doing It" featuring Rita Ora.
Her new album dabbles in punk pop and
punk rock, while still keeping that mysterious dark personality. In a recent magazine
interview she mentioned that she wrote the
album for girls and wanted to give them
·a "sense of empowerment." The "middle
fingers in the air like you just don't care"
attitude seems to be paying off. It gives her
an edge for sure. It's like the ultimate antimusic industry record.
For instance, the main chorus "Well,
f-you, sucker!" from the opening track
"Sucker" is definitely for the haters who
doubted her from the beginning. The song
is probably the greatest opening track on a
pop album ever. "Break the Rules" contains
lyrics you can't help relating to. "Going to
the discotheque, getting high and getting
wrecked, I don't wanna go to school / I just
wanna break the rules!"
"London Queen" is very much ' 80s punk

sprinkled with some new wave on top.
"Breaking Up" is a fun short song with a
very vintage looking music video that feels
like 1950s meets 2015. "Gold Coins" and
"Doing It"_are not so much in your face
like the opening tracks, but still very nice.
"Body of My Own" picks up with another
catchy chorus. "Cause I'm gone, so high
I got my darkness, I'm into myself, don't
need you."
"Famous" is a typical "night out with the
girl friend causing havoc" song. "Weren't
invited but we're feelin' so outrageous, just
like we're famous." "Hanging Around" has
a groovy classic pop rock sound influence in their. The last three tracks sound
like leftovers from her second album, and
should have been left off this album. Aside
from that, this is one of the best pop albums
made in the past ten years. Truly a future
classic! I give it 4 ½ stars out of 5.

A

@wilkesbeacon

U:J eric.casey@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - February 3, 2015

18

Opinion

NFL Pro.Bowl: prestiguous to ludicrous
By Frank Passalacqua
Opinion Editor
It is a sad thing to see, but the NFL Pro
Bowl has officially become a joke to the
league.
As this year's game was filled with
average players, no kick-offs, no blitzing,
soft tackling and wrap-ups, I think it is
finally time to declare the Pro Bowl as a nonprestigious event.
Let's rewind.
The Pro Bowl has been around for quite
some time, dating back to 1938 in fact.
The concept of an all-star game in the NFL
would the best players from each division
go head-to-head in a best of the best game,
providing great entertainment for its fans.
If a player was selected to the Pro Bowl, it
would mean they are the best in the league at
their position, a franchise player, elite, so on
and so forth.
The Pro Bowl was always something
players looked forward to, until things
started going downhill.
From 1980 to 2009, the Pro Bowl was
notorious for being held in the getaway
vacation land of Hawaii. That too is one
of the reasons players enjoyed the game
so much. Not only are you voted as one of
the best, but you can bring your family and
friends on a nice vacation to Hawaii after the
long season has ended. Relaxation at its best.
However, in 2010, the Pro Bowl was
played in Miami. Also, the game was held
a week before the Super Bowl, when it has
always been a week after. The change wasn't
welcomed to say the least.
In 2011, the game was played again in
Hawaii, but the happiness was short-lived.
The 2012 Pro Bowl was met with intense
criticism from fans all around the world. The
game was essentially flag football. Players
were not tackling, rushing the passer, or
putting any effort into the game. This game
was looked at as a major downfall, when a
"jogging" pace was set from the beginning.
Rightfully so, fans were angry. Fans from
all around the world were paying top money
to fly to Hawaii and pay for tickets to watch
this game.
NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell
addressed the issue and stated that if the
game was not played as it should, then he
would do away with it all together.
Since then, the format has changed
drastically. Last year was the first year ·
the AFC vs NFC format was changed to a
"fantasy draft."
Former players Jerry Rice and Deidn
Sanders headlines as alumni team captains
and got to pick players they wanted, much

•

Courtesy of Creative Commons

Pictured: Michael Irvin holding the Pro Bowl trophy as Team Irvin comes away with the win over Team Carter in a
32-28 victory.
Bowl.
like fantasy draft style.
Of course, this sort of change is drastic. A
The change was something new, and was
player was not even tackled until the 7-minute
actually welcomed by the players.
Here we are now, 2015, and things h,ave . mark in the first quarter, due to players
walking out of bounds, or surrendering to a
turned around yet again.
The Pro Bowl was played in Arizona, the wrap-up. Fans booed loudly, and rightfully
site of this year's Super Bowl. This was an so.
And I didn't even mention the biggest flaw
obvious choice by the NFL to save money, as
in the Pro Bowl, the players.
if they didn't already have enough.
As I mentioned earlier, being named to the
The fantasy draft style was again used,
with alumni captains Cris Carter and Michael Pro Bowl was something prestigious. Lately,
Irvin. However, some of the bigger changes the top players in the league would back out
to avoid injury, back out because they simply
were the rules.
No motion or shifting on offense, defense didn't want to play, or back out because they
MUST run 4-3, no blitzing, no kick-offs, are in the Super Bowl.
That leaves mediocre players getting the
no blocking on field goal or punts, clock
stops after each play and resumes once the Pro Bowl nod, like Andy Dalton.
Yup, Andy Dalton was in the Pro Bowl.
ball is set, possession changes after first and
third quarter. .. these are just some of the Let that sink in.
It is surely a sad sight to see. After all the
many changes that were made iri the Pro

changes in the past, one of the most fun and
entertaining events in the NFL is slowly
coming to an end and is quite-frankly a joke.
We miss the intensity. We miss the passion.
We miss the skills competitions and drills the
players would take part in during the event
that all added to the hype. We miss the Pro
Bowl, the way it should be played.
The NFL has stated the game will
permanently return to Hawaii in 2016.
However, Rodger Goodell, how long until
you make this league into flag football and
Geno Smith gets voted in?
In my opinion, it's only time.

@wilkesbeacon
"- frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

�Women's Basketball comes up short in loss to King's
point lead with under twenty seconds to
play to seal the road conference victory.
Stambone finished with a team-high 20
points going a perfect 11-for-11 from the
foul line in the defeat.
"It was definitely a tough loss for us,"
Stambone said. "It was a great game that
went back and forth and unforunatley we
couldn't come up with the win but wdll.l
get them on their home court."
Smelas followed with 18 points and five
rebounds, while Cara Basile added nine
tallies and seven boards.
The Lady Colonels were also without
starting power forward Chelsea Brown
who is a key part to the lineup.
"Each game will be a fight the rest of the
way," Brown said. "Going into the second
round of games I think we know what to
expect now and can improve on the things
we did the first time."

By J.T. Keer
Sports Writer
Elena Stambone and Chelsea Smelas
combined for 38 of Wilkes' 59 points
but that was not enough for the Colonels.
Cross-town rival King's College would go
on to outscore the Lady Colonels by ten in
the second half on way to a 68-59 Freedom
Conference victory Wednesday night in the
Marts Center.
Wilkes slips to 7-9 overall and 2-5 in
league games following the loss while
King's improves to 8-10 overall and 4-3 in
Freedom contests.
Wilkes took a 29-28 lead into the break
in a back-and-forth first half of action.
Four straight free throws from Stambone
and a jumper from Smelas with just under
a minute to play gave the hosts a one-point
advantage at the half.
A 12-6 run over the first seven minutes
of the second half put King's ahead by its
largest margin of the game, 42-35, with
13:05 left. Wilkes cut into the King's lead
and following two more free throws and
a transition score from Stambone tied the

Elena Stambone drives to the basket for Wilkes.
game at 48 with 5 :28 remaining.
More free throws from Stambone and
Smelas kept the Lady Colonels ahead 52-50

The Beacon/Gabby Galinski

with just under four minutes on the clock.
King's then answered with a decisive 7-0 run
over the next three minutes to take a seven

@wifkesbeacon
johnathan.keer@wifkes.edu

Wrestling team finishes third in MAC Championship
By Brandon Gubitosa
Sports Editor
Ten Colonels earned top four finishes at the
2015 MAC --Conference championship, and
the Wilkes wrestling team went on to finish
third. The team finished with 73 total points,
51 points behind second place Messiah
College. This year's MAC champion went
on to finish with 125.5 team points. This was
Delaware Valley's first MAC championship
since 2006, as wrestling was not sponsored
by the MAC from 2007 to 2013.
Four of the ten Wilkes wresters who
finished in the top four were the runner ups
of their weight class. Freshman Matthew
Grossman finished second in the 133 lb
weight class. Grossman started off by
pinning Messiah's Daniel Rodriguez and
Hunter Harris on his way to the finals. In
the championship round, Grossman went
on to fall 3-2 in a match, despite leading
for the majority of the match. Seniors
Sean Lombardi and Dave Oberrender both

finished as runner up in their weight classes.
Lombardi started off the day with an 11-8
win over Messiah's Josh Toal. He went
on to defeat Howard Kilpatrick of King's
College and went on to the title match.
In the finals, the senior came up short in a
match fought hard against Larry Cannon
of Messiah. Oberrender earned a win in the
opening round, and then advanced to the
finals with a 7-4 decision over his opponent.
Unfortunately, he came up just short and was
defeated by Zach Roseberry of Delaware
Valley. Junior Kyle Diesel was the fourth
Wilkes wrestler to finish as the runner up.
The Colonels entered the match ranked
13th overall in the nation. After it was all
set and done the Colonels dropped to 20th
overall in the nation and look to bounce back
in the next couple of matches as they prepare
for Eastern Regionals on March 1st.

l"'t/.?)wifkesbeacon

.

W::Jbrandon.gubitosa@wifkes.edu

Matthew Grossman pins his opponent.

Courtesy of gowilkesu.com

r

�The Beacon - February 3, 2015

Sports

20

\

.l-

•

An army of colonels wearing white to support the men's basketball team last Wednesday.

The Beacon/Purvit Patel

Men's Basketball pulls off the upset against rival King's
By Danny Van Brunt

Sports Writer
The Wilkes Men's Basketball team won a
nail-biting game against King's College at the
Marts Center on Wednesday, January 28.
Wilkes started off the game strong as they
went on to score the first three baskets of the
game to give them a commanding 6-0 lead.
The first half was a hard-fought battle while
both teams were going back and forth at it.
At the end of the first half, the Colonels
were down by one as King's went on to
complete two foul shots ending the first half
taking the lead over Wilkes 25-24.
The Monarchs came out strong to start off
the second half. The crowd erupted when
Wilkes fought back from behind, gaining a
strong lead over Kings at 52-45, with just five
minutes left in the game. Wilkes ended the
game victorious with a score of 59-54.
Junior guard Alec Wizar led all scorers with
- 19 points while draining five three-pointers.
Teammate Cameron Hinkel scored 11 points
to go along with his six rebounds. Brunner

chipped in at 10 points and five boards.
The Colonels sit 9-9 on the season and
improve to 4-3 in the Freedom Conference.
The Monarchs slip to 10-8 overall with the loss
and 3-4 in the Freedom Conference.
The first two-hundred fans were given a
free white basketball t-shirt to encourage the
game's theme, "White-Out." The immense
crowd provided encouragement through loud
applause and cheers for the team's success.
Members of the ROTC stood in the center of
gym, in uniform, during the playing of the StarSpangled Banner. At halftime, the Cheerleaders
preformed first followed by the Dance Team.
The Wilkes 2013 Freedom Conference Field
Hockey Champions where then presented with
their rings.
The Colonels look forward to the upcoming
conference games, four home games left on
2/4 vs. Eastern University, 2/7 vs. Misericordia
University, 2/14 vs. Delaware Valley College,
and 2/17 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson College.

f"'I @wilkesbeacon
l.:::J daniel.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

Tyler Jackson dribbles the ball down the court

The Beacon/Purvit Patel

�.
21

The Colonel shows off his Wilkes pride

Alyssa Schuler holds up a sign during a cheer routine

The Colonels huddle up before the game against cross-town rival King's College

Fans heckle the kings player as he prepares to pass in the ball
All Photos: The Beacon/Purvit Patel

r

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The Beacon - February 3, 2015

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re~,:

zza
the legendary taste

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�</text>
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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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                  <text>The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department.</text>
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                  <text>Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a &lt;a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/"&gt;legacy website&lt;/a&gt;. 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.</text>
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'

~~-~~
l]]l®ll@ ®ffi ~

Il@

Courtesy of Teresa Fallon

r

�.J

Have a.breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu
..

Editorial,· Staff
2014-15
MANAGERIAL STAFF
EditQr-in-Chief -,James Jaskolka
Managing Edit6r -Ashley Evert
Adviser - Or. Kalen Churcher
Social Media Director - Shawn Carey
Advertising Director - Rasha Shaker
SECTION EDITORS
News - Sarah Bedford
LA&amp;E - Nicole Zukowski
Opinion - Frank Passalacqua •
Sports - Brandon Gubitosa
ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Pat Walther
LA&amp;E - Justin Topa
Opinion - Mandy Stickles,
Sara Pisak
DESIGN EDITORS
Dave Graff
Chris Kennedy
Moe Woodard
Nicole Kutos
Steve Dziedziak
Interested In joining tbeB&amp;acon?.,To ,
learn more about the positions we
offer and what you can do, contact
james.jaskolk,_,buttet@wilkes.edu

130 S. River St.
First Floor, Conyngham Hall
•

Wilkes U,niversity
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
Phone - (570) 408-5903
www.thewilkesbeacon.com

Beacon Briefs
Adventures in Reading Program to Begin on Feb. 18
The Wilkes University School of Education is sponsoring
Adventures in Reading, an after-school reading program for
children in grades Pre-K through five. Teacher Education
candidates will present innovative learning opportunities across
the content areas with a focus on vocabulary and comprehension
enrichment. The series of seven sessions, which is free of charge,
begins on Feb. 18 from 4 to 5 p.m. on the second floor ofBreiseth
Hall. Contact Dr. Diane Polachek at diane.polachek@wilkes.edu
for more information and registration forms.

Alumni Association Scholarship
Do you have a parent or grandparent who graduated from
Wilkes? If so, you may qualify for the Alumni Scholarship.
Deadline is Feb. 27.

Off Campus Federal Work Study Positions Available
The Civic Engagement Office has severa! off-campus federal
work study positions available at local non-profit agencies. Please
contact Megan Valkenburg at megan.boone@wilkes.edu for
more information.

SWB RailRiders Tickets Fundraiser for Cheerleading
The Wilkes University cheerleaders are selling field-level
reserved tickets for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
baseball game on April 11 at 4:05pm. This is a "Giveaway
Game;' so the first 2,500 fans into the stadium will receive a
free giveaway item. The shuttles have been reserved and seats
will be saved on a first-come, first-serve basis! All faculty,
staff, students, and community members are welcome to join
us for this trip. Ticket orders will be taken every Tuesday and
Thursday in the Henry Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
by contacting any cheerleader or Coach Jessica Short at jessica.
short@wilkes.edu.

Tax Form 1098-T Tuition Statement is Now Available
Tax Form 1098-T Tuition Statement is now available online.
You can access your 1098-T online at mywilkes.wilkes.edu. Enter
your username and password, select Student Services tab and
then select Tuition Statement (Form 1098-T) under My Records.

PBL Soda Tab Collection
Wilkes PBL will be doing soda tab collection for donation.
Soda tabs will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
Donations will be collected in any of the jars around campus
until April 18.

SG notes: Adventures in Science
funds; IEEE, Big Event request
By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer

Wilkes University's Student Government
held its weekly meeting on Wednesday.
Last week, The Adventures in Science
organization requested $2,500 to fund its
annual event for local fifth graders. The
money will go toward lab goggles, lab
supplies and T-shirts. The motion was passed
by Student Government and the money was
allotted to the organization.
Some new business proposed to the
group included the IEEE Student Chapter
requesting funding for the annual
Engineering Olympics that will be held at
Wilkes University. The organization invites
12 local high schools to compete in the allday event. The engineering students create
five events for the high school students to all
compete in. The group is requesting funding
of $3,895. This money will be used to cover
the awards for all of the winners, food to be
provided, the supplies needed to put together
each event, T-shirts for the volunteers, and
all of the maintenance fees, including the 60

tables and 150 chairs. Student Government
members will cast their final vote in the
meeting next week.
Other topics that were covered in this
week's meeting included the annual Big
Event which will be April 25 this year. This
year's total has come to $3,292.77. This cost
has been used to cover the breakfast and BBQ
lunch as well as T-shirts and drawstring bags
for each volunteer. It was also announced ·
that there will be a new design.
Some new ideas had been generating
throughout the Conference Committee
Council. The committee has proposed adding
a set in stone budget given to each conference
that is brought to Wilkes. Nothing has been
decided, but the ideas will continue to be
generated.
The council reviewed the Treasure's report.
The current budget is as follows: All College,
$47,086.37; General Funds, $3,706.20;
Conference, $5,000.00; and Spirit, $1,250; for
a total of: $57,042.57.

-

@wi/kesbeacon
taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

table of contents
news................ 2
life, a&amp;e........... 7
spread............ 12
opinion.......... 14
sports ............ 19
.

�The Beacon - February 10, 2015

News

3

High -profilC sexual assault trial sparks conversation
Bystander Intervention program, student leaders, peers
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

The case surrounding four Vanderbilt
University football players and a young
woman has left college students across the
country in shock.
Brandon Vandenburg, 21, and Cory Batey,
20, former Vanderbilt University football
players, were found guilty of raping a peer
in a Vanderbilt dorm in June 2013. Two
other men, Brandon Banks and Jaborian
McKenzie, both 20, are currently awaiting
trial.
The woman, who could not recall the
event, viewed videos that had surfaced of the
crime, where she was able to point out her
assailants.
The crime which has taken on numerous
layers, has brought into question the role of
bystander intervention in such instances.
Dr. Philip Ruthkosky, Associate Dean
of Student Development and Wilkes
University's Deputy Title IX Coordinator
weighed in on the event.
"The Vanderbilt case in and of itself, the
crime, the rape that was perpetrated was
atrocious;' Ruthkosky said
Ruthkosky explained that sexual assault is
a common topic at the university setting and
one Wilkes takes very seriously.
"Our most important responsibility is
• to protect the safety and well being of our
students;' Ruthkosky said.
One such way the university attempts
to educate students on sexual assaults is
through various programming such as the
newly implemented Bystander Intervention
program which was created in Fall 2014.
The program, which involves faculty,
staff and approximately 20 student leaders,
allows for a range of interactions from face
to face conversations to the handing out of

brochures to freshman students.
be Brilliant in Bed" commonly hosted at
"We're able to challenge students on the universities was held. While some welcomed
critical thinking scale in respect to, here's a the event, others found it to be poor timing.
situation, how do you evaluate what you're
"I don't know if the answer is to stop
seeing here? ... How do you analyze what's the doing everything out of respect. There are
best action?" said Ruthkosky.
ways to be empathic to a victim such as
The program aims to not only educate providing counseling services and making
students how to prevent sexual assaults but arrangements but the fact is new students
also to "attack the rhetoric" such as victim continue to come in and continue to need
blaming when dealing with these cases as to be educated on this topic;' explained
well as correct any myths.
Ruthkosky.
Senior political science and international
Through the Bystander Intervention
studies major Kayla Rooney, who presented Program, Ruthkosky hopes that students
with the program felt that it has been very will be aware of resources that are available
beneficial.
to them.
"I thought the program was extremely
According to the Annual Security and Fire
successful and I felt like we really made an Safety Report, in accordance with the Clery
impact on first year students by educating Act, in 2013, a total of four "forcible sex
them on the truths about sexual assault and · offenses" took place.
our responsibility to try and help someone
The Clery Act requires all universities
we see in a possible bad situation;' Rooney to publish crime and fire statistics which is
said.
available at the university.to all.
Ruthkosky explained that one such fact
The issue with these numbers according to
students do not realize is that 90% of sexual Ruthkosky is that it only accounts for those
assaults on college campus' are between events the university is aware of.
acquaintances.
''A large percent of assaults, rapes, go
"We have the culture at this institution that unreported;' said Ruthkosky.
when you come to campus, it's not only an
The university encourages students who
expectation but an obligation that you look have been a victim of sexual assault or know
out for and respect each other and there's of an incident to reach out.
ways to do ·that without putting yourself at
"There are people who are here who care
risk;' said Ruthkosky.
about you and you're not alone;' Ruthkosky
Ruthkosky explained that education on said.
sexual assault is not a single conversation
Along with.Wilkes Student Affairs, campus
but one that must be reinforced to prepare counseling, faculty and staff, students may
students for any situation.
also reach out to Victims Resource Center
"I would like to think our students have that has a 24-hour hotline, (570) 823-0765.
some tools in their toolkit to say, I can break
this up and in a nonviolent manner:'
Ruthkosky did express that he knows that
this is not always easy.
Vanderbilt University faced more scrutiny , : , . @wilkesbeacon
days after the trial began as a previously ~ sarah.bedford@w ilkes.edu
scheduled sex seminar entitled, "How to

Know the facts:
•

•

•

•

Freshmen and
sophomores are at greater
risk for victimization than
upperclassmen
Sexual assaults were
most likely to occur in
September, October and
November, on Friday or
Saturday nights, between
midnight and 6 a.m.
Almost 12.8% of
completed rapes, 35%
of attempted rapes, and
22.9% of threatened rapes
happened during a date
4.7% of women reported
being raped in college
since the beginning of the
year and 72% happened
when the victims were
so intoxicated they were
unable to consent or
refuse

Statsit ics from the National Sexual Violence
Resource Center

Wilkes receives $40,000 to support science p~rogram
Wilkes University recently received a
$40,000 gift from UGI Utilities, Inc., through
the Educational Improvement Tax Credit
(EITC) Program.
The gift will support the university's
Women Empowered by Science program.
Women Empowered by Science offers
6th grade girls the opportunity to engage
with Wilkes faculty and science students.
The groups interact in laboratory and field

science exercises on campus throughout the
course of the school year.
The WEBS Summer Camp, popular with
many girls in the local area, gives the young
women an opportunity to sample many
areas of the sciences through investigative
laboraties and projects.
The program caters to young women
who have an interest in the sciences, have

potential for a career in the sciences and
wish to develop the skills and knowledge
necessary to reach their full potential in this
field.
The program is part of the university's
commitment
to
providing
multiple
opportunities for strengthening engagement
with science among public school students.
For · additional information on WEBS,

go to http://www.wilkes.edu/academics/
colleges/science-and-engineering/biologyhealth-sciences/women -em powered-byscience-webs/what-is-webs.aspx
If you are interested in donating to Wilkes
through the EITC program, or would like
to speak to someone about WEBS, contact
Lauren Pluskey, Director of Annual Giving
at Wilkes at 570-408-4331.

r

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The Beacon - February 10, 2015

News

4

· Student Profile: Sophomore Ben Collins
working toward dreams with ROTC
By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer
Have trouble getting up for some of your
morning classes?
Ben Collins has just the opposite problem.
He can't stay in bed past 6 a.m.
As a sophomore criminology major, Ben
is on a clearly defined path to fulfilling his
dreams. He has chosen this path to make his
dad proud.
"I want to make a career out of the military,
I am training myself for that career now;' Ben
said ..
Ben comes from a military background
and has had big goals for himself from day
one. He is driven, hardworking, and won't
take defeat from anyone. He works every day
to make himself better.
It takes a special kind of person to be as
self-motivated as he is, between football,
school and ROTC he is finding himself each
day.
Ben came here originally after being
recruited for the football team. He is on the
offensive line and his job is to protect the
quarterback.
"Being on the offensive line you learn
pretty quickly that you do whatever it takes
to protect your teammate. No one will get
past you, and sack him:'
Ben described football as just one of his
families .
"We are instructed from the first day of
camp that this is our family, and without that
mentality we will not be successful, because
we have to lean on one another each and
every game and practice:'
~ Wilkes University football team is just
one of his families that he described. The
other is his ROTC family.
Ben is a member of the ROTC program
and a member of the football team as well as
a full time student.
A glimpse into his schedule during football
season is overwhelming.
Physical training begins at 5 a.m. Monday
through Friday. Then, he goes to the Martz
Center to lift afterward -- he calls this his
"me time:'
Next, it's class at 10 a.m. back on campus.
Then, he makes his way over to King's
College for his afternoon military classes. He

comes back to Wilkes for classes
from 1-3 p.m. and then goes
back over to the Martz Center
for a team lift. As a member
of the football team, this is a
requirement four days a week.
He then finishes out his crazy
day with football practice from
7:45-9:45 p.m.
After that, he usually stays up
and does homework until about
1 a.m. Then it starts all over
again at 5 a.m.
This non-stop schedule is just
a daily routine for Ben.
"I really don't know how he
does it, we've been roommates
for two years now and I'm still
trying to figure it out;' says his
roommate, sophomore business
major, Ryan Dupre.
Ben has known for quite
some time that this is what he
wanted to do.
"I grew up with my dad in
my ear, how he never had the
chance to serve our country,
due to medical issues:' said Ben.
Now Ben has the chance to
make his and his Dad's dreams
come true.
"I'll make it there one day,
and once I do, I'll look back
and thank my Dad for pushing
me and having the courage for

Army ROTC
additional
information
By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer
The Army ROTC program is offered
at Wilkes University and is one of 11 full
partnership programs within the Royal
Warrior Battalion.
The Royal Warrior Battalion was
recently recognized as being one of the
top 15% of all ROTC programs in the
country. The classes for this program are
held at Kings College.
The ROTC program's focus is on
developing leadership skills in its students,
and having these skills transfer over to
the students' careers in the Army. After
graduation these students will finish off
the program as a second lieutenant in the
Army, Army National Guard or the Army
Reserve.
Any student interested can take
advantage of the leadership training in
ROTC with no obligations for the first
two years.
This program offers fully funded
academic scholarships to include all books
and fees for students interested in careers
in the Army.

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

Collins, pictured above, comes from a military
background. Having a strong ties to family
values, Collins feels a bond with those on the
football team as well as his peers ir;i the ROTC
program.

me:'

After graduating from Wilkes University,
Ben plans to go into the Army and work in
the Armor Division. He wants to continue
to make his family proud and use all of his
training from these four years to serve his
country.
"I am just looking forward to getting where
I want to, but I'm also enjoying the road to
get there. Well, trying to;' Ben said.
Ben works hard at everything he does, but
also attempts to have a balanced social life.
"He goes out on the weekends just like the
rest of us, and has fun while he's out, it's not
all work;' said fellow teammate, sophomore
business major, Nate Hughes.
Ben has had a girlfriend, Alyssa Colangelo,

for about two years.
"She helps me get through the hard days;'
he said
The couple goes to different colleges and
only usually sees each other over breaks or
some short weekends.
"She has always been really understanding
about how I'm always so busY:'
Ben hopes to continue his hard work ethic,
and keep improving, both physically and
mentally.
"Anyone can do it, but it takes someone
who is mentally tough to continue to do it,
and that's what I'm training myself for:'

A

l!:J

@wilkesbeacon
taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

For more information,
students can contact
The Enrollment Officer,
Major Bill Ramsey GS,
herbertramsey@kings.
edu
or visit www.goarmy.
com/rote or
http://matrix.sc ra nton.
edu/rotc/
for additonal resources

@wilkesbeacop
taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - February 10, 2015

5

News

Meet your potential 2016 presidential candidates
By Pat Walther

I

Assistant News Editor

Even though the next presidential election is over a year away, front- runners are already beginning to form among the
hordes of those seeking the office of the forty-fifth President of the United States. A few are particularly worthy of note.

Hillary Clinton
Clinton is a former Secretary of State, senator from
New York and First Lady. A highly recognizable figure,
she has been involved in American political affairs
since 1993. Clinton ran for president in 2008 and polled
extremely well with Democrats, though she ultimately
lost in the primaries to Barack Obama. Clinton has not
yet announced whether she intends to run in 2016, but
has said that she intends to announce her decision in
"early 201s:'

Bernie Sanders

•--------------Sanders is an independent senator from Vermont. A
self-described "democratic socialist;' Sanders is well
known for his public criticisms of Wall Street, big
business and the excesses of money in politics. He has
praised Scandinavian-style social democracy and is an
outspoken proponent of socialized medicine. Sanders
has stated that he is "prepared to run for president in
2016," but has not officially announced a campaign

Jim Webb
Webb, a former senator from Virginia and a Marine
veteran who fought in Vietnam, has been involved in
some facet of American politics since 1984. He's also an
Emmy-award winning journalist, a filmmaker and an
author of ten books. Webb retired from his senatorial
position in 2012 arid has since formed an exploratory
committee in preparation to run for president in 2016.

Jeb Bush
Bush, son of former president George H. W Bush
and younger brother of former president George W
Bush, served as governor of Florida from 1999 to
2007. Credited with initiating improvements in the
environment as well as reforming Florida's education
system, Bush has frequently been mentioned by massmedia outlets as a possible presidential candidate in
2016. On December 16, 2014, Bush announced he
would "explore the possibility of running for president:'

- Rand Paul
Paul is a senator from Kentucky known nationally for
his involvement with the Tea Party movement. Son
of former congressman and two-time Republican
presidential candidate Ron Paul, he has garnered
attention for his political positions that have led to
clashes with both Democrats and Republicans. Paul
is seen as a likely Republican frontrunner in the· 2016
presidential election, but has not formally announced if
he plans to run.

Mike Huckabee
Huckabee served as the governor of Arkansas from
1996 to 2007 and ran for the Republican nomination
for president in 2008. After being defeated by John
McCain, Huckabee began hosting an eponymous talk
show on the Fox News Channel. Huckabee ended
the show's production on January 3, 2015 in order to
focus his time on investigating the possibility of a 2016
presidential candidacy.

r

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6

News

The Beacon - February 10, 2015

Measles outbreak: Pennsylvania among those states with
confirmed cases; debate as to whether to vaccinate continues
By Gabby Glinski
News Photographer

As the measles outbreak in California
continues to swell, attention has been
drawn to parents to vaccinate their
children from measles and other diseases.
According to public health officials, a
small but growing number of individuals
are
eschewing
vaccinations
for
their
children,
which led to a record
year for measles
cases in 2014. In
the past year, the
U.S. recorded 644
cases of measles,
the highest number
since 1994.
Measles
is
a
.
highly contagious
~Pres ident
virus that lives in
the throat and nose mucus of an infected
person, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. It is
particularly problematic because it can live
on surfaces or in in the air where someone
coughed or sneezed for up to two hours.
The current outbreak centered in
Disneyland, California, has added 18

new cases of measles to the CDC official
outbreak tally in the past week.
According to the Centers for the Disease
Control and Prevention, io2 people in 14
states have become infected with measles.
Those states include: Arizona, California,
Colorado,
Illinois,
Minnesota,
Michigan,
Nebraska, New
York,
Oregon,
Pennsylvania,
South Dakota, Texas, Utah
and Washigton.
The several dozen people
who were exposed to the
measles at Disneyland
were not vaccinated.
"I just want people to
know the facts and science
and the information;'
Ba rack Oba ma P .d
res1 ent Barack Obama
said, in an interview with the Washington
Post. ''.And the fact is that a major success
of our civilization is our ability to prevent
disease that in the past devastated folks.
And measles is preventable:'
Research supports the idea that
vaccination is as much an issue of public
health as it is personal health. States

"The fact is that a
maj or success of our
civilization is our
ability to prevent
disease tha t in the
past devastated."

with stricter school and day care laws
that require vaccinations have higher
immunization rates and lower measles
infection rates.
"We have seat belt laws:' Patsy Stinchfield,
director of Pediatric Infectious Disease
Services at Children's Hospitals and
Clinics of Minnesota told the Buffington
Post. "We would never think to just lay
that newborn baby down in the front seat
and say, 'I don't really believe in car seats'
or 'I don't really want to buckle my child
up'... We should have the same kind of
vigor when it comes to protecting children
from vaccine-preventable diseases:'
Even though vaccines prevent diseases,
not all parents are on board to let their
child get the shot.
During a recent press call, Assistant
Surgeon General Dr. Anne Schuchat
recorded that 79 percent of people
infected with measles in 2014 did not get
the vaccination due to •"personal belief
exemptions:'
The reasons parents have to say no
to vaccines range from aµtism rumors
to contracting the disease through the
vaccine.

According to the CDC, the measles
virus is contagious long before symptoms
appear. One person infected with measles
can spread it to an average of 18 other
people. It is an airborne virus and can
linger in the air and on surfaces after the
infected person has left the room.
In 2014, the CDC reported 23 measles
outbreaks, including a major outbreak
among unvaccinated Amish communities
in Ohio. In 2013 , that number was
considerably lower, with 11 outbreaks
being reported, the largest having 58 cases.
Earlier this week, Lancaster County, Pa.
media reported a possible measles case in
Lancaster County. Additional information
on the case was unavailable at press.
For more information about measles,
see the Pennsylvania Department of
Health website at www.health.state.pa.us/
pdf/ epi/MeaslesFactSheet. pdf. Additional
information from CDC is also available at
www.cdc.gov.

@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

Beacon Weather Beat: Feb. 1.0-13
· Tues.

Wed.

Thurs.

33 °
22 °
Mostly cloudy

25 °

Fri.

•
32 °
130
Morning clouds

100

-

10

Mostly cloudy

.·"

Morning Clouds

Forecast as o Feb. 6 taken ram weather. com

-r

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�The Beacon - February 10, 20 15

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

When one plus one equals three
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

•

The expression goes, 'It takes two to
tango:
One man and one woman dance the
night away under the sheets and nine
months later a baby i~ staring up at them.
They are now new parents.
But how did this happen? She was on
the pill.
Last Tuesday night BACCHUS held
"Sexual Jeopardy" in the Ballroom of the
Henry Student Center.
The host for the night, Anne Holmes,
read surprising statistics making the
crowd gasp throughout the night.
One fact in particular, was that many
women who take oral contraceptions are
not taking them correctly.
Contraceptions only work when used
properly. Knowing the facts and reading
the instructions can prevent unexpected
outcomes.
"I feel that college students are more
prone to being sexually active and
therefore it is vital to be educated in sex
education and the practices of safe sex in
general;' junior communication studies
major, Amanda Fulk, said.
Ways of practicing safe sex come from
educating oneselfabout the different forms
of contraceptives and the prevention of
sexual transmitted infections, STis.
There is a common misconception
that birth control is only a female
responsibility because the various forms
of female contraceptives come to mind.
"I think it is important that both men
and women know the facts about birth
control for a couple of reasons;' Fulk
said. "First off, the pill does not protect
either partner from sexually transmitted
diseases. Secondly, there is always a slim
chance of pregnancy (with) a condom
regardless if yol1 are on the pill or not.
''Again, both men and women should be
educated when it comes to birth control

Courtesy of Creative Commons

Safe sex is the responisblit y of all parties involved and informing oneslf about the methods of safe sex is the first step.
to help practice the need for safe sex:'
Practicing safe sex, whether it is a random
one time night or a serious relationship,
should be of priority.
·
• "If it's just a hook up, you should definitely
wear a condom as the form of birth control
because you don't know where or who else
she's been;' sophomore JeffHorwith said.
Sexual activity with another person calls
for a sense of trust and a conversation
about sexual history. Talking before the
sexual action is the responsible way of
protecting yourself, but the need of action
with condoms and other methods of birth
control is just as important.
"If you're just hooking up with her, use
a condom because if she's having sex with
you without dating there's a good chance
she's having sex with someone else, too.

Not always true, but it's a solid rule of
thumb to avoid the clap (chlamydia);'
Britton Heim said.
It is reported that one of the most
common STis among people between the
ages of 15 to 24 is chlamydia. Chlamydia
is the most prevalent bacterial STI in the
United States, _with more than 1 million
new cases reported annually. The Center
for Disease Control and Prevention advise
active females aged 25 years or younger
to get tested for chlamydia every year
because chlamydia can affect the chances
of fertility.
"Most college students are between the
ages of 17 to 24, which has been found
to be the group that is most susceptible
to new STI infections. People in this age
group acquire almost half of all new STis

every year, with individuals between the
ages of 20 to 24 accounting for the highest
infection rates;' reported Ask Alice, an
informational website sponsored by
Columbia University.
Practicing safe sex is the responsibly of
every person to take care of themselves.
The Wilkes Health and Wellness Services
Department in Passan Hall offers free and
confidential testing. The next scheduled
days for these tests are March 19 from 3 to
5 p.m. and Aj&gt;ril 21 from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m.
Any questions on sex education contact
Wilkes Health and Wellness Services
Department in Passan Hall or go to
Askalice.com.
@wilkesbeacon
nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu

r

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The Beacon - February 10, 2015

8

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

WUPB sponsors Open-Mic Night for students

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Elyse Guziewicz opened up to everyone about the true meaning of feminism in
a slam poem. Guziewicz is a freshman English major at Wilkes University

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Danica DeMesa and Linai Galarza sang "We May Only Have Tonight" as a duet.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Open-Mic Night drew a good crowd, and students watched each performance
insightfully. They also recieved free wings and beverages provided by the Wilkes
University Programming Board.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Members of the Guitar Club played songs throughout the night to help recruit
new musicians.

.

�The Beacon - February 10, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

She said, He said
The unspoken rules of dating and relationshi:Rs
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

•

life. With that in mind, compromising is also
important.
"Friends are important. You need to
take time for yourself and do the things
that you love doing," Smirne said. "But in
a relationship there should be a 50/50, give
and take, too. Couples should be willing to
do things for the other person."
Smirne also had some advice about
Valentine's Day.
"The guy or girl should make the extra
effort. If you really have someone special
in mind to go for, do not wait or be afraid."
Smirne said. "If you do find that special
person, you should also do your best to keep
things exciting.
"I don't think it should be all about
appearance either, I think, for a lot of guys,
standards are too high and they expect too
much out of the other person. This shouldn't
be the case. If you look at a book by its cover,
you are not getting the beauty of everything
inside."

The three-hour shopping trip for just
the right outfit. The 30 minute shower, 35
minutes of making every strand of hair on
your head perfect, 15 minutes of putting on
makeup, and 10 minutes of changing outfits
because you were convinced the other one
made you look fat. Four and a half hours to
accomplish a look that says "I tried to look
presentable for you and did put a lot of effort
in myself, but don't get a big head about if'
Most first dates are nerve wracking
experiences.
It is the butterflies in the gut, the doubt
that the other person actually has an interest
in you and the hours it takes to get ready. In
reality, you may have spent more time getting
ready than you did on the date. Unless the
date flows with ease. Then, an entirely
different set of questions floods the mind:
When the date should end? The doorstep,
maybe after a late night coffee or maybe a
morning coffee?
A
@wilkesbeacon
The general hope of the first date is that
it goes well and a second one will come,
l::J nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu
eventually leading to the
'Facebook-official' relationship
status.
"You are obviously nervous,
your expectations are that you
hope the night is going to end
full of accomplishments," Natalie
Smirne, a Wilkes University
psychology major, said. "Overall,
you start to think of things that
can go wrong, but if you're lucky
like me, the worrying will all be
for nothing."
There are no written rules of
dating, yet there may be several
UNwritten ones.
"I think the guy should
ask the girl out and manners
are
important;'
senior
communication studies major
Kayla Bucci said.
A healthy relationship today
is mostly credited to good
interpersonal
communication
skills, just like it was decades ago.
"I think there should be mutual
feelings and trust;' Smirne said.
"Both should be willing to make
the relationship work."
The Beacon/ Marissa Spryn
Another unspoken rule is
that you should keep a sense Trust and letting the other know how much
of who you were before the you care seems to work for Natalie and Jake's
significant other came into your relationship.

The Beacon/Marissa Spryn
Jake Parrick and Natalie Smirne, his girlfriend and "best fishing partner'; says
shes is also his greatest catch. The two have been dating for nearly three years.

By Justin Topa
Assistant Life, A&amp;E Editor
After months of planning, sweaty palms
and a well-written song, the girl had finally
said yes to her suitor.
The story of Natalie Smirne and Jake
Parrick began officially on April 7, 20 12, a
semester after Jake had set his eye on Natalie
and began to win her over.
Parrick and Smirne are both graduates
of Pittston Area Senior High School, but
didn't get to know each other until sharing a
biology class at Wilkes University during the
fall 2011 semester. It was during this course
that Parrick saw an opportunity to get to
know Smirne.
He would head to class a half hour early
each day so that he could move Smirne's desk
into place, conveniently next to his own.
After more than two years, Jake still finds
that small acts of kindness help to keep the
relationship thriving.
They shared their first "official" date
seeing a scary movie, but the way in which
Jake asked Natalie to be his girlfriend was
much less ordinary. He brought Smirne to a
secluded cottage, rowed her out to the middle
of the lake and played her an original song.
"She deserved it;' said Parrick, who added,
"If you're going to do something, do it in a
big way".
Jake said that, like most guys, he feels
pressure this time of year to make Valentine's
Day special for Natalie.·
"Sometimes, I feel like I set the bar so high
last year that I constantly have to do better

with each year;' Parrick said.
Parrick shared that there are a few rules
to keeping a successful relationship, most of
which he has learned since the couple started
dating. One essential element for a successful
relationship is trust, began Parrick.
"I love how trusting she is and it really is
important in a relationship to have that sense
of trust. ·Of course, there is no reason she
shouldn't trust me, either:'
Parrick also cites being able to compromise
in order to make his partner happy as another
important element of dating.
"For instance, she's really cold all of the
time and I'm really hot all of the time;' he
explained. "It could be the middle of the
summer and she'll ask me to turn the heat
on in the car and, of course, I do so she's
comfortable. In the meantime, I crack the
window hoping for a cool-down:'
The most important 'rule' for dating,
according to the happy boyfriend, is that
you must continue the excitement most
couples share at the beginning of their
relationships well into the years. Parrick says
he and Natalie continue to experience new
adventures together, keeping the relationship
a very happy one.
"I don't think other couples should make
excuses about not doing things;' said Jake.
"Holding yourself back from new experiences
with your significant other is going to leave
both of you unsatisfied:'

@wilkesbeacon
justin.topa@wilkes.edu

r

�.J
The Beacon - February 10, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

10

Sex education is fun and games with Wilkes' Sexual Jeopardy
By Austin Ely
Staff Writer

"STDs for $400," said a member of the
Sexy Narwhals team last tuesday night.
Phrases like that were heard by Wilkes
students as they were educated about
matters of sexual education when Anne
Holmes visited campus on Feb. 3.
It all happened in the ballroom of the
Student Union Building, where blowpops flew about, chuckles were uttered
and students had the chance to learn
information about all things sex-related.
The BACCHUS Club sponsored the
game of Sexual Jeopardy and provided
tables stacked with pizza, cake and flavored
condoms. Students were encouraged to
take all three.
Holmes opened the show with some
interesting questions from Dr. Debra
Chapman's Biology 105 class.
As the night progressed, Holmes
alternated between Jeopardy and those
Biology 105 class questions. Jeopardy
questions were directed to the five teams
consisting of five participants.
Holmes !alked about the importance and
sanctity of one's own _genitals ov~f"a,nyone
else's and it remained a common theme
throughout the game. Whenever the use
of protection or the contraction of sexually
transmitted infections (STI) or diseases
(STDs) was brought up, the significance of

The Beacon/ Austin Ely
Anne Holmes hosted Sexual Jeopardy in the Ballroom of the Henry Student Center last Tuesday night. The main categories were angtomy of the human body, birth control, STDs and potpourri, which is a hodgepodge of different topics.

one's own genitals was also addressed.
Chapman said that her students, who
had to write a review of the event for class,
are often surprised with the presentation.
She agreed that Holmes is a very dynamic
speaker and is able to be op~n abbut ~ny
topic. Also, Holmes is knowledgeable
about the different types of relationships
between people and she is able to address
that as well.
Students in the audience who answered

an audience question correctly were
awarded a blow-pop. Participants on the
winning Sexual Jeopardy team received
$25 gift cards.
The winning team was Sexy Narwhals.
Shawn Carey, president of BACCHUS,
was pleased at the turnout.
"Sexual Jeopardy is always a great event;'
he explained. "It gives students a chance to
have fun while still being educated about
the dangers of unprotected sex, STDs and

STis, and also just how our body works.
''Ann (Holmes) always does such a great
job and the students really enjoy it when
she.does the event:'
Carey, who is graduating in May, added
.that he hopes the event continues next
year, too.
@wilkesbeacon
austin.ely@wilkes.edu

A sassy trailer park comm_u nity visits Wilkes University
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

A ~ sfunctional trailer park community,
with all its hoot and howls, will soon
be taking up home on the stage of the
Dorothy Dickson Center.
The Wilkes Department of Visual and
Performing Arts presents "The Great
American Trailer Park Musical:'
The musical will be showing at 8 p.m.
on Feb. 13, 14, 20 and 21 and 2 p.m. on
Feb. 15.
Those who has seen the musical.describe
it as having a cheeky script with an
infectious score, as well as being comical.
"Watching all the hard work and effort

that everyone in our department puts into
each show is amazing;' Simone Hanna,
senior theatre arts major said.
"We as a collective group have learned
from each other, and when I graduate I will
take what we have accomplished and apply
it to my future endeavors:'
The musical sets the stage as a trailer
park in Florida named Armadillo Acres.
Together, married for 20 years, a couple's
relationship is threatened by a new
neighbor of the community, a stripper
named Pippi.
An adulterous affair happens between
Pippi and the husband, Norbert.
Apart from strippers and adultery,

Armadillo Acres also houses murderous
ex-boyfriends, Cotsco and the Ice Capades.
The performance is based off the book
by Betsy Kelso. The musical is directed
by Jon Liebetrau accompanied with
musical direction by Ken McGraw and
choreography by Sean Harris.
Students and faculty can watch the
performance for free with their Wilkes I.D.
Students without an I.D. will be charged
$5, and adults without an I.D. will be
charged $10.

l':"I @wilkesbeacon
~

nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu

Keep a eye
1

out for

I

"Alice in
t Wonderland"
i later in
Ap~i.I~_
f

t

f
V

f,
C

a1

�The Beacon - February 10, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

11

"Vagina Monologues:" An act of ending violence
By Austin Ely
Staff Writer
In connection with V-Day, the "Vagina
Monologues" will be performed aat 7 p.m. on
Feb. 13 and 14 in the ballroom of the Student
Union Building.
Students with their Wilkes I.D. get in for
free; students without get in for $5 while
general admission is $10.
The "Vagina Monologues" are dramatic
readings first created by Eve Ensler. Ensler
is a playwright, performer and activist.
Ensler also created V-Day, which is a global
movement to end violence against women
and girls.
A reading of the "Vagina Monologues" is
one of many events encouraged by Ensler
and the V-Day organization. Its aim is to
revitalize the public with the spirit to help
end violence against women.
The monologues will be read by seven or
eight actors, while staying true to the story
of actual women. The real-life connotations
the readings are expected to evoke an
emotional response. It is also the hope of the
performers that their production will help
raise awareness of the issues surrounding

domestic and sexual violence against women.
Multiple organizations from throughout
the Wyoming Valley will be in attendance
with tables set up in the ballroom.
Organizations such as the Domestic
Violence Service Center, Victim Resource
Center and Planned Parenthood will be
offering information to those who attend.
T-Shirts and vagina-shaped lollipops will
be sold, as well, with any proceeds r.aised to
benefit their respective organizations.
Dr. Mark Allen, Dr. Thomas Baldino
and Student Government made generous
donations to the production, inspiring
students and those from the general public to
come, learn, participate and possibly donate
as well.
"We appreciate any donations that will be
made to any of the organizations:' said Dr.
Mia Briceno, the production's faculty adviser.
For any questions or information please
contact Briceno at mia.briceno@wilkes.edu
or Jennifer Magnotta, the director of the
performance at jennifer.magnotta@wilkes.
edu.

@wilkesbeacon
Austin.Ely@wilkes.edu

Courtesy of Creative Commons
At 7 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 14, Wilkes students, faculty and staff will perform
"Vagina Monologues:'

•

r

�...J
12

The Beacon - February 10, 2015

"He pushes me to do the things I enjoy:'
- Junior Roxana Mery &amp; P4 Scott Mantua

"He's just my best friend:'
- Juniors Felicia Snyder &amp; Roberto Ramirez

WILKS U~IVfl?SIO'

Vltj

I)
"She inspires me. She's my motivation, my muse:'
- Juniors Adam Lubas &amp; Kristine Kuriger

"I like that
we can both
be losers
and play
video games
together:'
-Juniors Sofia
Soares &amp;
Sean Mullins.

---------------- •---------------- •----------------

�13

The Beacon - February 10, 2015

- - - - - - - - - - • - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - - - - - • - - - - - - - -- - -

"Regardless of how life gets, or how stressful school is, I always know
there's someone at home who wants to make it all OK:'
- Junior Mike McCleaf &amp; Sophomore Grace Cadigan

"Be with someone that motivates you and
makes you do better:'
- Seniors Jaleel Sterling &amp; Kayla Rooney

"We're both Dr. Whp enthusiasts!" [said in
unison]
- Seniors Ashleigh Crispell &amp; Zack Hill

I
Design by Steve Dziedziak

-

Photos by Gabby Glinski,
Purvit Patel, Marissa Spryn
and James Jaskolka

r

r

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The Beacon - February 10, 2015

Opinion

14

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

You Do Not Need F~owers Today: The dangers of domesti~ violence

•

Courtesy of Unsplashed

By Allison Rossi
Opinion Copy Editor
"On average, 24 people per minute are
victims of rape, physical violence or stalking
by an intimate partner in the United States
- more than 12 million women and men
over the course of a year," the National
Domestic Violence hotline stated. Abusive
relationships are unfortunately extremely
common in the United States and around
the world. Abusive relationships can occur in
middle school, high school, college and even
marriage. There are different types of abuse
such as physical abuse or mental abuse.
At first in a relationship, there might
be no indications of abuse. Abuse can
occur progressively over time. There are
possible signs of an abusive partner and/
or relationship. Some indications are as
follows: if your partner discourages you, if
your partner shows jealousy of your friends
and time spent away, discouraging you
_ from spending time with family members,
embarrassing you in a private or pubic
setting, trying to control your expenses, and

7

even controlling who you associate yourself
with.
You might be wondering •why an
individual would stay in this horror-stricken
environment. There can be various reasons
why a person would allow themselves to be
treated this way. An individual could lack
self esteem which might cause them to think
that they will not be able to find another
partner. An individual might be financially
and emotionally dependent on their partner
as well. This is where mental abuse can come
into play. Another possible reason is that
they are too fearful of their abuser.
In the mind of the victim, they might be in
denial, they could become defensive of their
abuser, or they could not find the courage
and strength it takes to leave a romantic
partner.
In the mind of the abuser, they want
their partner to be completely isolated
and emotionally dependent on them. If an
individual is emotionally dependent and
tied to another person, their choices and
judgement may become clouded.

Paulette Kelly wrote a poem titled "I Got
Flowers Today:'
This poem tragically and beautifully
depicts the thoughts of the abused. The
poem states "I know he is sorry and didn't
mean the things he said, because he sent
me flowers today." Kelly continues to evoke
the horrors of abusive relationships. The
closing statement of the poem is: "It was a
very special day. It was the day of my funeral.
Last night he finally killed me. He beat me to
death. If only I had gathered enough courage
and strength to leave him, I would not have
gotten flowers today:'
Kelly's poem is shocking, horrific, and
gives readers a reality check. This poem puts
the reader into the mindset of the abused
and then brings them back to reality by the
horrible outcome. If only the abuser ended
his or her unhealthy relationship earlier then
that individual would not have died.
Leaving a romantic partner and or getting
out of an abusive relationships is clearly
easier said then done. That is why there
are support groups, resources and hotlines

available for victims of abuse. One support
group is the Pennsylvania Coalition Against
Domestic Violence.
The office is located on 3605 Vartan Way,
Suite 101 Harrisburg PA 17110. The office
phone number is (717) 545-6400 and they
can also be reached at their website: www.
pcadv.org.
There are many other hotlines. As
mentioned before there is the National
Domestic
Violence
Hotline
(www.
thehotline.org), and Help for Abused and
Battered Women (www.helpguide.org).
There are various organizations, hotlines
and support groups nationwide.
If you or someone you know is in an
abusive relationship, trying to get out of an
abusive relationship, or have suspicions that
the relationship might be getting physically
and or mentally violent, speak up and say
something.
@wilkesbeacon
allison.rossi@wilkes.edu

�)

The Beacon - February 10, 2015

15

Opinion

No mQre Beats: the top true headphones on the market
By Frank Passalacqua
Opinion Editor

.t
ll

:l
t

Let me guess; you wear Beats by
Dre, bro?
How come? Because they sound
good, they are stylish, recognizable,
comfortable? I'll give you two
of the four, because they are a
fashion statement and are certainly
recognizable with that glaring "b" on
the ear cup.
However, that is really all Beats
are.
They do not sound good by any
means, compared to a proper pair
of headphones, they most likely
feel awkward on your head, and are
insanely over priced.
Now now, before everyone get's all
angry and upset that they payed over
$200 for a fancy piece of plastic, let
me explain.
Dr. Dre made Beats with one thing
in mind, bass. Since hip-hop and rap
is what he is known for, Beats were
designed to give the listeners some
extra punch on those 808 's.
With that being said, Dre did not
compensate for. the highs, mid's, and
low's that you want to hear in your
music. Beats will produce bass, but
will make everything else muddy and
some garbled.
So they next time you are headphone
shopping for a real pair of headphones,
take this list into recommendation.
They may not be a fashion statement
or make you look like a cool kid, but
they will give you the best listening
experience on the market.
First up is the V-MODA Crossfade
LP. These headphones are an overthe-ear style headphone with 50mm
dual-diaphragm drivers that allow for
deep and vibrant bass, organic mids,
and high end clarity.
The frame of the headphones are
composed from a light weight steel
with a flexible memory headband for
great comfort. Do not worry about
breaking these.
To top it off, the ear cushions are
made from memory foam, which not
only will feel like pillows on your
ears, but will reduce ambient noise
on the outside and favor that low bass
response.
These are probably the most
fashionable on this list, coming in a
variety of colors and actually allow
for customizable plates on the ear
cups. They can easily be found for
around $100, unless you want to spend

a little extra on it's big brothers and
go for the LP2 or the Ml00 models.
Next up is the AKG Q 701 Quincy
Jones signature headphones.
These are a unique pair of cans
that will allow for a great listening
experience.
The reason they are unique is
because of their design. They are
classified as "open-back" headphones,
meaning the drivers inside are
exposed. Not only that, but their
flex-band headband won't have you
fussing over sliding the headband up
and down to best fit your head. With
this flex-band, they automatically
adjust to the size of your noggin for
maximum comfort.
I mentioned before they are
open-back. What this means is the
headphones on the outside expose
the drivers on the inside, so the
soundstage will be much bigger.
Meaning, it will sound like you are
in the actual room the song is being
played in, instead of having the song
projected into your ears on typical
closed-back headphones .
The AKG Q 701 's come in neon
green, black, and white. Something
else that is also cool is the fact they
have removable cables. This is a
bonus because if your cable frays or
the wires inside stop working, you
don't have to replace the entire pair
of headphones, you can just swap
cables.
They are a little more expensive at
around $170, but are still cheaper than
Beats and sound 100 times better.
Now is time for perhaps one of
the most popular headphones in the
world, for audiophiles that is.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are
true professional studio monitoring
headphones.
The M50x's are respected as the
top-tier headphones because they
give the most true and natural sound
throughout the frequency range with
deep and accurate bass.
Inside the cans are 45mm drivers.
One of my favorite things about
the headphones, besides the sound
quality, is how portable that are.
Both ear cups swivel 90 degrees and
the hinges fold up in to the headband
for maximum portability. Much like
the AKG headphones referenced
earlier, these too come with three
different removable cables.
The M50x headphones come in
black, white, blue and dark green, but
their M50 predecessors come in red

Courtesy of Flickr

and silver as well.
For around $160, the M50x will
blow your mind, and your ears.
Lastly, I am going to list a pair
of headphones that are probably
the coolest and most unique on the
market.
The Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro
headphones round off this list and
offer a great listening experience for
all genres of music.
Customizable. That is the one true
word for this pair of headphones.
I say that because literally
everything can be customized, even
down to the sound.
Yes, the sound.
On their website, you can order the
headphones in either black or white,
but change the color of everything to
fit your style. You can customize the
headband, ear cups, steel accents, and
the ear cup plates with a logo, pattern,
picture ... anything.
Now back to that custom sound I
was talking about.

On the bottom of the headphones,
you will find a slidable port on
both sides. The one port allows for
opening and closing the "bass port,"
which means you can choose to ,have
no bass, some bass, or a lot of bass.
Same applies for the other slider, but
this one allows for them to be closedback or open-back, again which is
something I eluded to earlier.
Given all the customizing and the
features for the Custom One Pro's,
you can not go wrong.
So there it is, a list of headphones
that will blow your Beats out of the
water any given day. Remember, you
are buying headphones to listen to
music, not to look good.
Or maybe you are. In that case,
stick to Beats and leave these true
headphones available for people who
actually care about sound quality.
Shots fired.

["'II @wilkesbeacon

1:1 frank.passa/acqua@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - February 10, 2015

Opinion

16

The Master
and Margarita: A classic worth revisiting
.
By Sara Pisak

Assistant Opinion Editor

Mikhail Bulgakov's 1967 novel,
The Master and Margarita, can be
characterized
with
many
words:
classic, satirical, political, offensive,
masterpiece, atheistic and countless other
contradictory terms. Whatever word
selection each unique reader makes, there
is always one word that seems to follow
The Master and Margarita controversy.
The controversy behind Bulgakov's
text begins at the root of the story's
two distinct settings: 1930s communist
Moscow, Russia and Pontius Pilate's
court in Jerusalem. The settings are
linked by one central figure serving as
the text's main character, the Devil. Here
lies the second controversy. It appears
that Bulgakov's vision for his text is
to serve as commentary on the godless
politics of Stalin's regime.
The wonderful thing about Bulgakov's
text is the "devil is in the details." A

7

reader quickly realizes that The Master
and Margarita is a story within a story.
As the devil ascends on Moscow, he is
accompanied by a black cat, who walks
upright, speaks with proper grammar and
happens to have a fondness for vodka and
chess. Both are escorted by a supernatural
witch. While in Moscow, the devil
challenges the beliefs of "The Master,"
a novelist, whose book about the trial of
Jesus lands him in a psychiatric clinic.
While hospitalized, he is questioned by
Soviet police. Meanwhile, his devoted
disciple/lover, Margarita, gives her soul
to the devil in order to save her beloved
Master.
The changing settings, the copious
characters, the multiple depths of various
storylines and the satirical commentary
can be confusing for a reader, as a reader
has to keep track of several various
points throughout the novel. Even the
title seems to confound readers:
I
asked a bookstore employee to assist in
locating this novel, she instantly handed
me a book detailing perfect Margarita
recipes. So, what makes The Master

and Margarita a worthwhile read after
all these years? What makes the novel
deserving of being dusted ·off and read
instead of being pushed behind a book of
perfect Margarita recipes?
Bulgakov
never
unequivocally
declares The Master and Margarita a
political commentary or a protest of
his country. He simply presents the
interwoven stories for the readers to
decide for themselves. It is no wonder
that so many contradictory terms can
be employed to classify this novel.
Some readers find utilizing the devil
and comparing other characters to Jesus
Christ atheistic, while today's readers
may view the novel's political agenda as
too abrasive.
It is also easy to imagine why
Bulgakov burned the first manuscript
of The Master and Margarita written
in the 1930s. Subsequently, the phrase
"manuscripts don't burn" appears several
times throughout the text. Here lies the
true theme of The Master and Margarita.
Whether Mikhail Bulgakov intended
for his text to have a sweeping political

agenda or to cause great debates, only
the author truly knows. As readers
continue to focus on the finer details of
the novel, an infinite number of possible
interpretations occur. Personally, I
believe "manuscripts don't burn" is
Bulgakov's main point. Thus making
The Master and Margarita more relevant
now than ever.
Writers can physically take the
time to light a match ahd watch their
manuscripts heartbreakingly go up in
flames. However, writers cannot ignite
and destroy the ideas from which their
manuscripts are based. Writers cannot
shake the haunting sentiments their
manuscripts spark within their own
creativity. Furthermore, a writer cannot
burn the changes, debates and insightful
new ideas that stem from readers enjoying
their work. Each time readers open the
pages of The Master and Margarita, they
create their own understandings, which
no one can incinerate.

A

@wilkesbeacon
1::::1 sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

�,.
The Beacon - February 10, 2015

Opinion

L
17

is

s

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The Beacon - February 10, 2015

Opinion

18

Coca-Cola
takes stand against cyberbullyin g
.
•

By Mandy Stickles

• •• •
••
•
•
.7; ...•::• • ••
• •
• • ••
• • • •
••
• ••
• •

Assitant Opinion Editor

Bullying is an ongoing struggle, and
over the past few years has also become
problematic online. It is time to take a
stand and speak out against cyber-bullying.
Coca-Cola addressed this issue in their
2015 Super-Bowl commercial, titled
"#MakeltHappy." It started off with a
young man on a computer receiving hurtful
remarks online such as; "I hate you,"
"Loser," "Freak," etc. The commercial
switches gears when a man accidently
spilled Coca-Cola on the server wires,
allowing the Coca-Cola beverage to spread
throughout, affecting all online bullying
by switching them to le.ind remarks.
Coca-Cola has always strived to give a
positive outlook on things through their
commercials and the Super Bowl 2015
commercial time slot was a primitive
opportunity for them to address such a
controversial issue. Coca-Cola not only
wanted to stand out during the Super
Bowl commercials but wanted to create
something that would stick with people
after the big game.
"Our goal is to inspire America to
become a collective force for positivity,"
says Jennifer Healan, Coca-Cola's group
director of integrated marketing content, in
an article posted on Coca-Cola's company
website.
Bullying does not exist in just a school
setting or with young children. Bullying
can happen anywhere and to anyone. With
new advances in technology bullying has
escalated to a whole new levels online,
allowing people to make crude and hurtful
remarks to a person for everyone to see on
a social media website.
There have been severe cases where
cyberbullying has ended in detrimental
or even life ending ways. People do not
realize the effect their words can have on
others.
Cyberbullying is a growing concern for
social media users and instead of sitting
back and witnessing such negativity it is
time for people to take a stand and take
Coca-Cola's commercial seriously. It
is time to start spreading positivity and
calling out those who think it is okay to
bully someone.
The
commercial
makes
viewers
think about their past online activity
and the things they view around them .
Discovering if they have been a witness
- .. to cyberbullying, or realizing they might

....

. .... .
.

1

Con un click puedes hacer mucho dano

El ciberbullying es un acto de cobardfa
Courtesy of Flickr user cesarion_: http://bit.ly/1lwNIOd

"With one click, you can do a lot of damage. Cyberbullying is an act of cowardice;' one illustration explains.
have been part of the problem themselves .
It can be somewhat manageable to
monitor bullying in a school or work
setting; however cyberbullying is harder to
point out because it is done behind closed
doors and in a written format rather than
verbal.
As viewers and users of social media we
have an obligation to speak out and put a
stop to cyberbullying. Because if we do
not, who will?
Cyberbullying needs to end. If there
is a comment on Facebook or Twitter
putting someone down, speak up and
make it known to the bully that it is
not okay. Let's make this a trend, to
band together on social media and stop
the hurtful comments. Even if you do
not know the person, take a stand and
stop the bullying.
If the person receiving mean comments
does not have the courage to stop the bully
lets have that courage for them and stand

up for what is right. No one should be put
down or treated in a negative way.
"Kids are beginning to go online ·
at such a young age and become easy
targets for cyberbullying. People need
to start taking note of the bullying and
seek help from others," said Mittal
Patel, a nursing student here at Wilkes.
"Coca-Cola has the right idea in wanting
to stop cyberbullying and spread love
and kindness instead. This is only the
beginning for how Coca-Cola will take
a stand against bullying; it is our job as
social media users to continue what CocaCola has started."
Coca-Cola has made their point against
bullying. How will you help to stop
cyberbullying?

@wilkesbeacon
brandon.gubitosa@wilkes.edu

•

�Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Brandon.Gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Men's Basketball fighting to secure a ·spot in the playoffs
thrilled with the new coaching staff.
"I do workouts with Coach Thompson
that are tailored to our offense, and specific
The Wilkes Men's Basketball team has things I need to work on, he has really been
had a roller coaster of a season so far, and is a blessing for me in terms of improving my
currently fourth in the Freedom Conference game," he explained.
Metz and Assistant Coach Stefan
with a record of 5-4. Overall, the Colonels
are 10-10 under first-year coach Izzi Metz Thompson have put in countless hours to
steer the team in the right direction, but
from Boston College.
Wilkes has shot the lights out so far from_ Jackson likes his coach more for things done
off the court.
behind the arc.
"Izzi is a players' coach first and foremost,
"Alec and Steve make the game a million
times easier. It makes us much harder to he cares about his players more than
guard, that kind of floor spacing makes it anything."
Junior guard Alec Wizar leads the
very tough to keep Cam (Hinkel) and I out of
Colonels this season averaging 15.1 points
the lane," said team member Tyler Jackson.
Juniors Steve Stravinski, and Alec Wizar per game. Wizar has made 57 three-pointers
sit at first and third in the conference in this season, which is second on the team to
3-point shots made. The two have been junior Steve Stravinski who has made 63 .
lighting gyms up for the past two seasons. Stravinski is averaging 14.6 points per game
They make it hard on defenses, and do not to go along with averaging 7 rebounds per
game. The Colonels travel Wednesday to
allow their opponents to play lazy defense.
Senior Cameron Hinkel has also played a take on Desales University.
They then return home to host Delaware
big part for Wilkes. He has grabbed the fifth
most offensive rebounds in the conference, Valley College on Saturday, tip off is
giving The Colonels more opportunities to scheduled for 3 p.m.
score.
Sophomore Tyler Jackson is the glue that f""l@wilkesbeacon
keeps the team together. He is also very L':Jjared.powell@wilkes.edu

By Jared Powell
Sports Writer

Junior guard Alec Wizar prepares to guard his opponent

The Beacon/Purvit Patel

Sophomore guard Tyler Jackson dribbles the ball up the court against King's.

Senior forward Jeremy Hartman pauses during a game against rival King's.

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The Beacon - February 10, 2015

Sports

20

Wrestlers look forward to finishing season on a high ·note
off a 50-6 win against Trinity. A pin from
Eric Bach and two more wins from Turner
and Diesel helped the team to carry out a
victory.
The third win was over Alfred State, where
Rea, Grossmann, and Chander earned their
third wins for the day. Other wins came from
Josh Evans, a pin by Nicholas Racanelli,
Dave Oberrender, and Diesel, Veppert, Bach,
as well. Wilkes defeated Alfred 49-3 .
The wrestlers look forward to finishing the
season on this high note. .
"The last goal to accomplish for me
personally is to carry this final season into
March, where my teammates and I look to
place individually and as team at the national
tournament at the Giant Center in Hershey,
PA," Turner said.
"This season has been kind of a roller
coaster ride and has had its ups and downs
but my main goal coming into this season is
just to focus on getting better every single
day," Chander said.
"I have been fortunate enough to
accomplish specific goals like winning the
Monarch Invitational and getting wins over
Division 1 competition at the Wilkes open."

By Cara Basile
Sports Writer

The wrestling team defeated three schools
this past Saturday at the Marts Center.
Wilkes won matches against Scranton,
Trinity, and Alfred State all in one day at
the home quad match.
· Several Colonels pulled off wins and
were able to contribute to the victory against
Scranton. Guesseppe Rae won with an 18-3
technical fall over his opponent, and Pankil
Chander won after another 16-1 technical
fall. Matthew Grossmann pinned his
opponent while Mark Misczenski, Stephen
Turner, and Kyle Diesel all earned wins by a
decision. The team defeated Scranton 45-3.
Senior Stephen Turner and Sophomore
Pankil Chander both agreed that the match
went very well.
"The meet we hosted Saturday went
exceptionally well," Turner said. "We
all wrestled very crisp and concise. We
exploited our opponents by getting to
positions we know we're good at."
Chander also shared his thoughts on the
win.
"We put up a lot of bonus points and
hustled through positions which is always
good and something we can build on."
· The Colonels did not stop there, pulling

Guesseppe Rea pins his opponent in a recent match

Courtesy of gowilkesu.com

@wilkesbeacon
""' cara.basile@wilkes.edu

Swimming program sweeps FDU-Florham Devils
freestyle with a time of 23.90.
Junior sprinter Jeff Mastrantuono
broke the school record in the 100
butterfly finishing with a time of
1:00.40. He also went on to the claim
first place in the 100 breaststroke at
l :03.90.
Sophomore distance swimmer Will
Hauze took first place in the 500
freestyle with a time of 6:02.00.
So far this season for the Colonels
has be n a learning experience as this is
their first season as a team since 1986.
"The kids want to make the foundation
set so we're here not for five years,
we're here for the long run," said Mark
Barnes, head coach, in an interview
earlier this season.
MAC Swimming Championships run
from Feb. 12 through Feb. 15 at the
Graham Aquatic Center.

By Brandon Gubitosa
Sports Editor

u

The Wilkes University swimming
teams conclude their inaugural seasons
this week at the Middle Atlantic
Conference Championships in York, Pa.
The Colonel men picked up their first
win against the FDU-Florham Devils
with a final score of 94-82.
The women's team went on to post
their second win of the season with a
97- 79 decision over the FDU-Florham
Devils .
On the women's side, Mandy Stickles
came in second place in the 200 freestyle
with a time of 2:29.80. Sophomore
Beth Chmil went on to take first place
in the 200 IM finishing with a time of
2:38.70. In the 500 freestyle sophomore
Megan Evers asserted her dominance by
finishing first with a time of 6:26.20.
On the men's side junior sprinter
Greg O' Malley took first place in the 50

7

Courtesy of gowilkesu.com

Sophomore Will Hauze went on to claim first place in a match against FDU

@wilkesbeacon
brandon.gubitosa@wilkes.edu

•

�Sports

The Beacon - February 10, 2015

21

Recaps: . Lady Colonels look to finish the regular season strong
By Danny Van Brunt
Sports Writer

The Women's Basketball team travelled to
Manhattanville College in New York on Jan.
31 and came out victorious.
The Valliants were in control for most of
the first half. They jumped out and took an
early lead forcing the Colonels to play hard
to come back against. The Valliants had the
biggest lead of the first half was 38-28. The
Colonels dropped a three-pointer to end the
first half 44-39.
Manhattanville came out with another lead
in the second half, scoring 11 unmatched
points. Wilkes remained behind for the
majority of the game, but continued to lower
the deficit. After a long fight from behind,
Wilkes closed in on Manhattanville, bringing
the score to 69-68.
Wilkes took the lead with only two minutes
left in the game. The team maintained the
lead and won with a final score of 85-82. Cara
Basile and senior guard Elena Stambone both
scored "20 points each. •
Eastern University came to Wilkes on Feb.

4, and defeated the Colonels. Eastern has an
impressive record this season of 16-4, and a
conference record of 8-1.
The first half ended 30-20 with Wilkes
trailing by 10 points. Eastern took the game
over in the second half and Wilkes could
not overcome the 25 point difference. The
game ended with a score of81-52. Stambone
scored 15 points leading the team, and
Chelsea Smelas scored seven points.
The Lady Colonels currently sit at a record
of 8-10, 3-6 in the conference. Stambone
leads the Colonels this season averaging
16.5 point per game. Senior forward Chelsea
Brown leads the Colonels with 7.9 rebounds
per game to go along with 10.5 points per
game.
They look to get things back on track when
they travel to Center Valley Wednesday
to take on DeSales University. Tip off is
scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Lady Colonels return back home
Saturday as Delaware Valley College travels
to Wilkes. Tip off is scheduled for I p.m.
@wilkesbeacon
daniel.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

Chelsea Smelas attempts a free throw against Kings

Do you have a passion for
writing? Taking pictures?
The Beacon may be for you!
Contact kalen.churcher@
wilkes.edu to find out how
you can get started.
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22

The Beacon - Feb

•

A: Soccer was my passion before I started
wrestling. I still play once in a while and
maybe MMA in the future.

• I

Guesseppe Rea chose Wilkes University
because his friends recommended it and
that the wrestling program was top tier. He
has been wrestling for six years and wants
to continue wrestling for as long as he can.
Guesseppe is from Stroudsburg, Pa. and is
majoring in criminology and sociology. Last
season he finished his sophomore season
28-7 at 125 pounds, with a 3rd place finish at
the Moil.arch Invitational, 3rd at Messiah and
5th at the East Regional

Q: Where are some of the places you have

traveled for wrestling tournaments?
A: Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey
and overseas in the near future.
Q: What is your go-to exercise to lose weight
for a match?
A: Forty-five minutes of hard cardio and a
bower before I go to bed.

Q: Can you name any awards or
accomplishments that you have received Q: What is your dream job after you graduate
while wrestling?"
from Wilkes?

A: Most memorable ones: Bethlehem A: I want to stick around wrestling for as
long as I can."
Holiday classic champion, PIAA AAA
State Qualifier Messiah Invitational
champion, Wilkes Open champion, Q: Who is your biggest motivation in life?
NCAA East Regional team champions .. .
A: I am my motivation.
Q: If you could come up with a different
uniform other than a singlet for wrestling, Q: If your life was a movie what would be
what would it be?
the title?
A: 1 would go with fighting shorts but I A: "-Dare to dream."
prefer the singlet.
Q: Are there any other sports you would
consider being apart of other than
wrestling?

7

@wilkesbeacon
v.. evan.willey@wilkes.edu

�I,

Q: ~tare soiµe of your hobbies?
A: Hanging out with my friends Kat, Nicole,
Q: How did you feel when you played in

your :first collegiate game?

and Sara, hanging out with my boyfriend·
and that's about it.
Q: What made you choose Wilkes?

A: I was nervous, I didn't know what to
think. but the speed of the $ame is very A:. Definitely the academics here are really
high, especially because I want to
different
'
Q: What has been the biggest change in how
the game is played from high school to
college?

A: The shot clock definitely and the tempo of
the game, and the Ume length.
Q: Where are you from?

A: Jim Thorpe, Pa.
Q: What position do you play?

special education and r know
a really good program and ·
play basketball again since
since I was little.

A: That fact that when
relieves all yow: stress aiid.fOU · ·
anything to worry a ~
Q: What has been the high,lightofth~seasb~

for you?
t

A: Point Guard

A: Probably when we beatMarywood'and. we
had a good game, everyone was making

Q: Who do you look up to as a role model?

A: I look up to my grandfather who used to
play. He has Lou Gehrig's right now but
he used to play point guard so I look up
to him the most.

@wilkesbeacon
•• andre.spruell@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - February 10, 2015

..,
Come to Dining Services Mardi Gras Bash and join us for
an authentic Louisiana celebration I
c

E:B.EE 1P:B.IZE8
o

DELICIOUS FOOD

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Tuesday February 17th

Henry's Food Court

4:30PM-7:30PM

'

Peace Corps at Wilkes University
·

Social and Public Service Career Day
Choose where you want to go. Apply in one hour.
Make a difference overseas as a Peace Corps Volunteer

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Henry Student Center, Wilkes University

Peace Corps

IZ ■AiZ-.-

peacecorps.gov- 855.855.1961

. . . . ■ IIIIELIIWfM-lfll'W

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�</text>
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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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                  <text>The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department.</text>
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                    <text>Above: Erica Chambers, organizer, brands herself with Eric Garner's iconic last words at the Black Lives Matter protest

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees

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Beacon Briefs

PBL Soda Tab Collection

Off Campus Federal Work Study Positions Available

The Civic Engagement Office has several off-campus federal
work study positions available at local non-profit agencies. Please
contact Megan Valkenburg at megan.boone@wilkes.edu for
more information.

Editor-In-Chief - James Jaskolka
Managing Editor -Ashley Evert
Adviser - Or. Kalen Churche(
Social Media Director - Shawn Carey
Advertising Director - Rasha Shaker
SECTION EDITORS
News - Sarah Bedford
LA&amp;E - Nicole Zukowski
Opinion - Frank Passalacqua
Sports - Brandon Gubitosa
~SSISTANT EDITORS
News - Pat Walther

LA&amp;E - Justin Topa
Opinion - Mandy Stickles,
Sara Pisak
DESIGN EDITORS

Dave Graff
Chris Kennedy
Moe Woodard
Nicole Kuto.s
Steve Dzledziak

lnterestectlnjOinlng the Beacon? To
ieam more about the positions we
offer and what you can do, contact
jetes.Jaskolkabutier@wilkes.edu

130 S. River St.
First Floor, Conyngham Hall
Wilkes Unlve...,aty
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
Phone - (570) 408-5903
www.thewilkesbeacon.com

Tax Form I 098-T Tuition Statement is Now Available

Tax Form 1098-T Tuition Statement is now available online.
You can access your 1098-T online at mywilkes. wilkes.edu. Enter
your username and password, select Student Services tab and
then select Tuition Statement (Form 1098-T) under My Records.
Relay for Life Yankee Candle Fundraiser

The Yankee Candle fundraiser run until February 28
benefitting Relay for Life. The candles must be purchased from a
selling member or you can order online. Just ask any Relayer for
more information or email justin.davis@wilkes.edu.

Wilkes PBL will be doing soda tab collection for donation.
Soda tabs will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
Donations will be collected in any of the jars around campus
until April 18.
Alumni Association Scholarship

Do you have a parent or grandparent who graduated from
Wilkes? If so, you may qualify for the Alumni Scholarship.
Deadline is Feb. 27.
Sophomore Bus Trip

Join Student Development on a Mystery Bus Trip just for
sophomores on Saturday, March 14. The cost is $10 and includes
transportation and dinner. Sign up at the Information Desk.
"Soul Food Wednesday" in Honor of Black History Month

In honor ofBlack History Month, Dining Services, The Office
of Diversity and MSC are bringing the Wilkes Community
"Soul Food Wednesday"in the Henry Student Center Cafeteria.

SG notes: IEEE, Big Event
approved; GSA, Spring Fling
By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer

On · Wednesday, Wilkes University's
Student Government held their weekly
meeting.
Last week IEEE Student Chapter requested
funding for the annual
Engineering
Olympics. This event invites local high
schools to come and compete in the all-day
event. The organization requested $3,895.
This money will go towards t-shirts for
volunteers, food, maintenance, awards for
the students and the supplies needed to put
together each event. Student Government
allotted IEEE $2,370 to be used for events,
t-shirts and maintenance.
Another follow up on last week's meeting,
the annual Big Event will be held on April
25, this year's total coming to $3,292.77.
This total was passed and the Big Event
organization will be given the total needed
to put on this university wide event. The new
design was also discussed along with what
colors to use. The final details are still being
worked out.
New business that was covered in this
week's meeting, a non-club request, was a
senior project request. A group of 8 students
in the EES and ENV department were

accepted to present their projects at The
Geological Society of America. They have
requested $2,000 to cover the registration
fees, lodging and extra workshops. Student
Government will cast their final vote in the
meeting next week.
Other topics that were covered included
the budget for Spring Fling. The Spring
Fling dance will be held at Genetti's on the
square, on March 27 from 6-11 p.m. Tickets
will go on sale February 23 and then again
after Spring Break. The theme is Black Tie
this year and the favors will be champagne
glasses. To try and change things up a little
more this year, there was a new idea of a live
band instead of the DJ that is usually brought
in for these events. This live band would cost
about six times what is usually paid for a DJ.
This brought some discussion to the topic.
Student Government will make the final
decision in next week's meeting.
The council reviewed the Treasurer's
report. The current budget is as follows:
All College: $46,786.37, General Funds:
$2,706.20, Conference: $2,875.00, Spirit:
$1,250.00 for a Student Government total of:
$53,617.57.

f."'I @wilkesbeacon
i!::J tay/or.ryan@wilkes.edu

table of contents
news ................2
lif~,.a&amp;e........... 7

spread............ 12
opinion.......... 14
sports ............ 19
.

�The Beacon - February 17, 2015

News

3

National Book Award winner, Phil Klay lecture
By Sara Pisak
Asst. Op inion Editor

2014 National Book Award winner for
Fiction, Phil Klay, visited the campus on
Feb. 10, as part of the Spring Writers Series,
an English Department event sponsored
by the Allan Hamilton Dickson Fund.
Klay, a Marine Corps Veteran, is gaining
national attention and honors for his recent
collection of fictional short stories, entitled
Redeployment. In Redeployment, Klay
brings to life the realities soldiers face both
during deployment and on the home front.
During his stay on campus, Klay lent his
writing and his public speaking talents to
students, serving as a class guest speaker,
writing workshop conductor and guest of
honor at a public reading.
Seemingly unphased by the public
attention and his new found literary rock
star status, one only needs to speak with
Klay for a few minutes before realizing
that under his cool, laid-back demeanor
is an extremely well-read and well-versed
author. Taking time to speak in Dr. Kuhar's
Postmodernism Literature Class, Klay and
students discussed and analyzed three of his
short stories, "Redeployment;' "Bodies" and
"Ten Clicks South'' which are located within
Redeployment.
Afterwards, Klay conducted a private
workshop with students, who had the
privilege to discuss a wide range of topics in
an intimate setting. Klay divulged some of
his favorite authors both in the short story
genre and beyond, crediting Isaak Babel,
T.S. Eliot, Flannery O'Connor and Fyodor
Dostoyevsky as a source of inspiration. Klay
was quick to anecdotally include, to breakup th.-nonotonous time he spent in military
training, he memorized T.S. Eliot's The
Wasteland. Klay was also eager to discuss

the process of acquiring
a literary agent and the
process of submitting
manuscripts to students
interested in possibly
following in his footsteps.
Similarly,
when
conferring about business,
Klay let his personality
shine through, informing
students
he
never
considered "an author"
as a job title. Klay jokes,
"Writing is a shameful
side-habit that is not
to be talked about:' He
continued to elaborate,
"Writers are weirdoes,
who spend a lot of time
alone imagmmg other
people:'
It was asked if a
particular story stood out
in Klay's mind, whether
it was for challenges the
story presented, character
development or favoritism.
Klay responded by stating,
The Beacon/Gabby Glinski
"Each
story presents
a different challenge:' Junior English major Gabriella Romanelli, shown above, has a conversation with Phil Klay at a
Klay expanded upon this book signing on his visit to Wilkes University.
notion, by · detailing as
a war veteran these stories required him to backdrop of war, all the stories assist in what
not only complete research but to sometime needs to be a conversation:' As the workshop
relive and "dwell in a negative place or to write concluded, an obvious observation was that
from a negative character voice;' thus each Klay has created a far sweeping, everyday
story occupies a different personal sentiment conversation centered on the elements of
for the author. Klay also discussed the way combat that might have otherwise been
in which his stories are linked throughout overlooked.
- Graduate of Dartmouth College.
this text. Klay asserts that each story "is not
a one-off:' The first few vignettes "help to
- U.S. Marine Corps Veteran.
@wilkesbeacon
inform the reader's perception of the latter
stories:' Klay persists, "Jetted against the
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu
- Served as a Public Affairs Officer.

Phil Klay:

Klay holds public reading: «Bodies;' «Ten Clicks South;" Q &amp; A
By Sara Pisak
Asst. Opinion Editor

A public reading by Phil Klay held in
the Henry Student Ballroom at 7 p.m. on
February 10, 2014 offered fans not affiliated
with Wilkes University the opportunity to
hear Phil Klay read two of his short stories:
"Bodies" and "Ten Clicks South:'
Klay's narration adjusted with each story,
filling the audience with varying accents of
characters and emotional narrators. Guests
were also afforded the opportunity to learn
more about Klay himself during a question
and answer portion of the evening.
Klay shared personal stories about his time
serving as a Public Affairs Officer in Iraq.
Klay regaled the audience with the reason

behind his decision to join the military.
The audience learned of a long standing
tradition of service in Klay's family, telling
the audience of his father, who served in the
Peace Corps and his mother, who worked
to secure medical aid for others. Klay states
that he was drawn by the phrase, "Be men for
others" as a reason to join the Marine Corps.
Other spectators were concerned with
Klay's style and perception of writing. When
discussing ifhe viewed his writing as a coping
mechanism, Klay states that he is now "more
connected to those who have not served"
after completing Redeployment. Klay also
answered inquires, about the use of profanity
and shocking images throughout his text.
Klay asserts, he does not push the boundaries

too far. He states, "These aspects deserve to
be thought about because people carry these
things with them:' Klay continues, "These
are for understanding but should not be used
gratuitously:'
Klay concluded his reading by discussing
his upcoming projects. Although he is not
willing to divulge details, Klay promises he
is authoring a new project as we speak. Those
in attendance were also able to have Klay's
book signed before the reading officially
came to a close, wrapping up Klay's insightful
day shared with students.

- Received an MFA from Hunter College.
- Writings have appeared in The New
York Times, Washington Post, Wall
Street Journal, Newsweek, Granta, Tin
House and various other publications.
- 2014

National Book Foundation, 5
Under 35 Honoree.

.

- 2014

National Book Award Winner,
Fiction.

@wilkesbeacon
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

r

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The Beacon - February 17, 2015

News

4

Students protest in support of Black Lives Matter movement
By Pat Walther
Asst. News Editor
Students of Wilkes University joined
together on Feb. 12 to support the Black
Lives Matter protest movement. Assembling
in the SUB during club hours, they
distributed signs with facts, statistics and
the famous "BlackLivesMatter" hashtag to
each participant. The protesters stood in the
center of the SUB in an effort to make their
presence non-negatable.
Organized by seniors Kayla Rooney and
Erica Chambers, the protest's mission was
to voice student opinions in relation to the
recent criticisms of law-enforcement in the
shooting deaths of Michael Brown and Tamir
Rice, among others.
"We just felt like it was time for us to
make our voices heard about this issue:' said
Rooney. "I feel like a lot of us on campus have
been talking about it ever since (Black Lives
Matter) started. It's hard to know if people
would want to join in with something like
this, but we knew it was finally time to do
something:'
Rooney makes it clear that the fact that
February is Black History Month is no
coincidence, either.
"We came up· with the idea in January
and thought maybe we could wait until
February for Black History Month and tie it
all together:' Rooney said.
The Black Lives Matter movement and
its accompanying hashtag started after the
fatai shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin
in 2012. George Zimmerman, the shooter,
was acquitted of all charges against him in a
highly controversial court case.
The movement rematerialized after the

The Beacon/ Becca Voorhees
Jaleel Sterling, Jared Powell, James Womble and Shemar Gadson protesting for #BlacklivesMatter.

death of Michael Brown and acquittal of
Officer Darren Wilson in his death on
August 9, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
The student protest was not without its
critics, though. One student walked through
protestors carrying a sheet of notebook paper
with the ''.AllLivesMatter" hashtag written on
it. The social media app YikYak was filled
with anonymous users criticizing the actions
of the students along with Wilkes University
for allowing the protest to happen.
Senior Jaleel Sterling, who was among the
protestors, commented on the dissent with,
"If you really thought all lives matter, you'd

be standing with us.
"I'll be honest, I didn't even want to do the
protest at first;' Sterling said. "But the way
you deal with (the criticism) is you focus
on the bigger picture and send a positive
message:'
A movement inspired by Black Lives
Matter called Muslim Lives Matter was
started after the triple-murder of Muslim
students on February 10 close to the campus
of the University of North Carolina, Chapel
Hill.
Sterling, a practicing Muslim, had this
to say: "It was scary to see three people

get killed, shot in the head, over a 'parking
dispute: It's like people are targeting all of
Islam just because of a select few people who
are evil:'
"The way the perpetrators or victims are
portrayed in the media always differ based
on race. It's disgusting, the way the media
chooses how to cover these stories. They
sensationalize them and then downplay other
things that happen:' Rooney commented.
@wilkesbeacon
patrick.walther@wilkes.edu

Wilkes' campus counseling offers help to any student in need
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor
Mental health awareness is a common
topic for college students nationally.
While feelings of sadness or anxiousness
are common, 30% of surveyed students from
two to four year institutions reported feeling,
"so depressed that it was difficult to function"
at some time during the year, according to a
2011, American College Health Association
assessment.
While depression has influence on
academic performance, it also can have
long term affects such as increase chance of
substance abuse and suicide.
Susan Biskup, a Wilkes University campus
counselor, explained options students may
have when facing depression and linked
illnesses.

"If a student is suffering from addiction,
we offer counseling through Health and
Wellness which may lead to a referral to
Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services
or possibly a referral for a psychiatric
evaluation from our community resource
list;' said Biskup. ''A student can choose a
provider depending on their insurance and
other factors. All treatment at Wilkes is free
and confidential, available to all students:'
Most universities offer free or low cost
counseling service and health screenings.
"Counseling is a growth opportunity
providing students the opportunity to
discuss personal concerns or issues with a
counselor:' Biskup explained. "There are so
many wonderful and effective techniques
to help students work through issues such
as stress, anxiety, depression, grief, identity
issues, eating issues, substance abuse/

addiction, family and peer relationships,
sleep and adjustment issues:'
Although symptoms of depression vary,
common signs include feeling sad, anxious,
irritable, and restless while also experiencing
loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities,
lack of energy, problems falling asleep, loss of
appetite and feelings of sickness.
For many college students, being away
from home can cause feelings of depression.
"Sometimes students arrive on campus
with untreated depressive symptoms.
Additionally, students can be vulnerable
to depression during transitions and going
away to college is a transition:' said Biskup.
Depression is not something students have
to face alone, as friend groups can act as an
influential support systems.
"Listening to your friends is truly
a gift. Additionally, recognizing and

validating your friends feelings while gently
encouraging your friend to seek professional
help;' Biskup explained. "It can be helpful to
offer to walk over to make an appointment
to see a campus counselor with a friend or
ask permission to make the phone call for an
appointment. If it is an emergency or crisis,
a student doesn't need an appointment. The
student will be seen immediately by one of
the campus counselors upon arrival at Health
and Wellness Services located on the first
floor of Passan Hall:'
If you or someone you know is thinking of
suicide, immediately contact a mental health
provider, call 911, OJ" the National Suicide
prevention Lifeline's 24-hour hotline, 1-800273-TALK to speak with a trained counselor.
@wilkesbeacon
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

�L
The Beacon - February 17, 2015

5

News

Student Profiles: Josephine Latimer, utilizing "creative energy"
By Alyssa Mursch
Asst. Online Editor

With pastel
hair and 5-inch heels,
Josephine Latimer walks tall and fierce
through Wilkes' campus. However, the
confidence and ease that she carries herself
with is not always an accurate depiction of
how she feels.
"You feel like there's cinderblocks tied to
your ankles.. like everyJ:hing is clouded in
this thick heavy fog. You feel like you're just
moving through molasses."
Latimer, 19, describes in vivid detail
what it is like to go through an episode of
depression, in which she herself has fallen
in and out of ever since her parents' divorce.
Although a constant battle that she must
repeatedly overcome, as an English major
and creative individual, she credits her best
work as coming from her darkest times.
When first faced with this recurrent
challenge, Latimer described herself
as "withdrawing from everything and
everyone."
However, she was not alone, as 1 out of
every 4 college students suffer from some
form of mental illness, including depression,
according to Healthline, a website that
provides medical information, statistics and
advice.
It was in these times that she most deeply
explored and ·utilized her "creative energy."
In this respect, some of the lowest points of
Latimer's life unleashed what she considers
to be the peaks of her literary journey thus
far.
From a young age, Latimer had a passion
for English, literature and writing. She
portrays her childhood as a pathway to this
love, as it was more often filled with books
rather than toys. Growing up with an English
teacher as a father and an older brother that
niljored in English, she was continuously
encouraged to pursue her dream.
Along with her father and brother, who
constantly showered her with support and
assistance, Latimer described Dr. Thomas
Hamill as being one of the most influential
people in her progression as a writer.
"She is an engaged student. She has a voice,
and when she speaks, it's important," says
Hamill of Latimer.
Hamill also comments on the different
perspective that she is prone to taking about
the characters in the work. For example,
where most students may regard a character
as weak, Latimer is able to find the positive,
strong angles of their identities.
Latimer's success as an English major is
exemplified in the honor she was given by
being one of only three students from Wilkes
chosen to read their paper on the agency of
good women in Chaucer at a conference at

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

Josephine Latimer, above, describes her bouts with depression "like everyth ing is clouded in this th ick heavy fo g:'
However, Latimer used her creative energy and love of literature during these times which ultimately became the.
peaks of her literary journey to date.
Moravian College recently.
own depression as a driving force behind
"I've always written .. specifically my poetry their works. These creative minds include
best defines me as person," said Latimer of Edgar Allen Poe, according to The Daily
her love of writing and the raw emotions she Beast.
often finds herself embedding in her works.
Latimer recognizes that depression is a key
Her writing does not only apply to school factor of who she is, but she refuses to let it
and her successes, however, as she describes define her. She more readily identifies herself
it as the main outlet for her emotions, with the creative, raw works that come out
her "release." Latimer strongly feels that of these dark periods, rather than the illness
whether it is when she is euphoric or in the itself.
With this mindset, Latimer aims to squash
depths of depression, her times of emotional
extremes are when her writing benefits most, the stigma associated with depression.
"It's something I shouldn't have to hide,
parall~ling her emotions.
Latimer relates the dark writing that often and I'm not ashamed of it," Latimer said.
comes from this state of mind to a book she "If more people are able to recognize that
has recently read, Secret History. Within this they're going through this and that they're
story, there is a quote that attributes one's not alone ... more people would definitely seek
ability to find beauty in the grotesque to _help.. .! feel like that's an indicator of strength
and not weakness."
human nature.
As Latimer emphasizes the role of
By mentioning this quote, Latimer intends
to demonstrate the beauty that others emotions in her work, Hamill also notes
recognize in works such as hers. This idea is that she shows a "genuine responsiveness" to
proven accurate when considering the many the controversial issues brought up- in class
famous poets and writers that consider their through her writing.

Latimer further describes writing as
her most relied upon coping method, and
something that she has always found comfort
in. If battling depression and wanting to seek
help, contact Wilkes University Health and
Wellness Services at Passan Hall to set up a
free appointment. To make an appointment,
call 570-408-4730.

1,;11 @wilkesbeacon

l:J

alyssa.mursch@wilkes.edu

Campus
counselors offer
help
see-page 4
r

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The Beacon - February 17, 2015

News

6

SG, Meua Council Events Calendar

FiiiuiRY

SPRING FLING

Feb 19- Mardi Gras
SUB Lounge, 8:01 pm

March 12• Roller Skating

Apri l 7th • Texas Hold Em'
Tournament
Ballroom, 6PM

February 22 - Trivia Crack
SUB lounge, 2pm

March 20 Cake Challenge
SUB lounge, 7pm

April 8th - Bingo!
Ballroom, 8pm

Feb 26- So's Movie Night
Sub Lounge,
Doors open 7:30 pm, Movie
starts 8pm

March 26- Survivor Night
Sub Lounge

April 10th • CASINO NIGHT!!
7pm, SUB!

March 27th • Spring Fling
6-11pm Genetti's

Big Event Saturday, April 25,
2015

MARCH

CASINO WEEK

APRIL

March 28 • Washington,
D.C. Bus Trip

Have an event? Let us know!
Contact: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Multicultural:
Award nominations
Every spring, the Center for Global
Education and Diversity hosts a ceremony
honoring members of the Wilkes community
who are being recognized for their work
encouraging globalization on campus and
fostering multicultural awareness.
Nominations are from February 3 to
March 13.
The Multicultural Awards is an
opportunity to recognize those people
at Wilkes who have helped students take
advantage of the opportunities at Wilkes.
Nominations for the awards and past
winners are listed at http://www.wilkes.edu/
multiculturalawards.
The ceremony is April 9 at 4 p.m. in the
Savitz Lounge.
Award categories include the Wilkes
Helping Hands Student Award: Student
who has contributed the most to improve
the diversity climate at Wilkes; Wilkes
Diversity Leader Faculty Award: Faculty
member who has contributed the most to
improve the diversity climate at Wilkes;
Wilkes Diversity Change Agent Staff Award:
Staff member who has contributed the most
to improve the diversity climate at Wilkes;
Wilkes Diversity Executive Award: Member
of the Board of Trustees or the President's
Cabinet or a Dean who has contributed to
improve the diversity climate at Wilkes;
and the Global Scholar and Citizen Award:
A student demonstrating significant
contributions toward raising international
awareness at Wilkes through high academic
achievement and involvement in campus
and community activities promoting crosscultural awareness.

Beacon
Weather
Beat:
Feb.
17-20
•
Tues.

30 °
20°

Mostly sunny

Wed.

Thurs.

Fri.

22 °
20
Partly cloudy

19 °
20
Mostly cloudy

25°
110
Mostly., cloudy

Forecast as of Feb. 13 taken from weather. com

�The Beacon - February 17, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

Remembering 'The Great War:'
After 100 years, lecture to commemorate those who served
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

For many, there are grandfathers or
great-grandfathers who share stories of
being shipped to foreign soils in the name
of protecting freedom for all. Whether
the experience served as rewarding or
devastating, the events witnessed are some
that have lived on for 100 years and can
be expected to live on for hundreds more.
In commemoration of the centennial
anniversary of World War I, Wilkes
University's Department of Global
History and Language will host their first
event through the recently developed
Contemporary History Project.
On Feb. 23, The Contemporary History
Project will be hosting a lecture and
follow-up discussion with Jesse Tumblin.
Tumblin is a member of the Smith
Richardson Pre-Doctoral fellowship for
In~rnational Security Studies at Yale
University.
The Contemporary History Project is
housed under Wilkes University's Division
of Global History and Languages.
"My hope is to develop a self-sustainable
program that people will be interested in
attending;' said Dr. Jonathan R. Kuiken,

·

assistant professor of history.
The Contemporary History Project's
purpose is to engage Wilkes students,
along with the surrounding community, in
the process of understanding the historical
roots of contemporary issues.
The lecture and discussion is entitled,
"World War I at 100: Reflecting on the War
that Ended Peace:'
Kuiken believes that students can gain
from this and similar lectures in the future.
"Students of all backgrounds could
benefit from this project;' Kuiken said.
"It will help everyone gain a better
understanding and connection to an
economic root of the current world,
making them better equipped once they
move onto the next chapters of their lives:'
Tumblin, currently a doctoral candidate
in the history department at Boston
College, is researching the way security
politics drove ideas about sovereignty,
constitutionalism and political change
across the British Empire in the early
twentieth century.
This research has allowed him the
opportunity to conduct studies in the
United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada,

·

·

Courtesy of Jonathan Kuiken

The Contempo·rary History Project at Wilkes will feature Jesse Tumblin, above.

Australia and New Zealand.
The event will take place on Feb. 23, from
4 to 5:30 P.M. in The Miller Room located
on the second floor of the Henry Student
Center. It is free to attend this lecture and
discussion and will be open to the public.

For further information, you can contact
Dr. Jonathan Kuiken via e-mail at jonathan.
kuiken@wilkes.edu.
@wilkesbeacon
nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu

Supporting fellow students and their respective causes
Many of us want to give our support to
important causes and events on campus, but
do not have the time.
There is an easy solution to this problem:
spend a little money to show the right
support.
The campus is buzzing right now with
many different clubs and organizations
trying to sell items to raise money in support
of a cause. Here is a list of the possible things
one could buy at Wilkes to help in these
fundraising efforts
Relay for Life Yankee Candle Fundraiser
The Relay for Life organization on campus

will be selling Yankee Candles until Feb.
28. The candles must be purchased from a
selling member or one could order online.
Just ask any person on a Relay team, known
as a Relayer, for more information or email
justin.davis@wilkes.edu.
Color Changing Mood Cups
IME team Top Shelf is selling Color
Changing Mood Cups; the cups change
color with cold temperatures. They will be
selling in the Henry Student Center, on Tues.
and Thurs. through the end of March from
11 A.M. to 1 P.M. All cups are $4, with a
special of3 cups for $10. All proceeds will go

towards the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen
in Wilkes-Barre. Email top.shelf9950@gmail.
com with any questions.
Wilkes Marketing Club "Pink Out" Shirts
Wilkes Marketing Club is selling
"Pink Out" t-shirts to support the Wilkes
basketball teams and breast cancer research.
The shirts range from SM to XL and cost $10
each; anyone wanting a XXL may purchase
one for $12. 50% of the proceeds will go to
the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Contact Wilkes Marketing Club with the
size and amount of shirts you would like at:
wilkesmarketingclub@gmail.com. They will

continue to sell them throughout the month
of February and into March.
Infinity Scarves "
Legendary Sales from Wilkes University's
BA152 course is selling infinity scarves and
wrap-around scarves in either yellow with
black and white, or royal blue with white
and black at $13 each. There are some with
"Colonels" written on one side and blue and
yellow stripes on the other with the Wilkes
University logo on it. These are on sale for
$16 each. Contact: Zack McKitish, Kara
Falzone, Conner Wylie, or Zach Brunner at:
Legendary.salesl@gmail.com.

r

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-.- · .•

The Beacon - February 17, 2015

~

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

-•-~~

r

_

8

Students learn the importance of self-love

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Freshmen Erin Ryan and Dian McKinney helped participants make fruit
smooties. The WUPB also provided a table full of sweets and goodies.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Elizabeth Jensolowsky and Lara McQue painted canvases at one of the tables.
Anoth~r station was available to create Valentine's Day cards and make
bracelets.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

WUPB members Danica DeMesa, Val Woods and Scotty Vandine sported their
newest shirts for the Self-Love event.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Students could choose from a variety of props to help them make their selfmotivatonal pictures more creative and fun . Photos were printed and shared.

�The Beacon - February 17, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

l

She said, He said

Expression of Femininity and Modern Masculinity

Courtesy of Kahdijah Venable

Kahdijah Venable is majoring in IM at
Wilkes University and finds that her
femininity is based on self-expression.

By Nicole Zukowski"
Life A&amp;E Editor
A woman with high heels, lipstick, a
nicely pressed dress with an apron and a
string of pearls around her neck is holding
an apple pie that just came out of the oven.
With the music blasting, a woman has on
flannel pajamas, no make-up and a laptop
~ en to photoshop finishing a logo design.
Both of these scenarios are expressions of
femininity, a characteristic associated with
the expectation of womanliness.
Over generations, women have forged the
path to gaining equality for their gender.
Although there is still progress to be made,
modern-day women are changing the
traditional view of femininity.
"I feel feminine all the time:' junior
integrative media major, Kahdijah Venable,
said. "When I'm in my apartment by myself
with my hair looking gross, I feel that's
the true, natural look of femininity. Then
when I feel like dressing up and making my
appearance to the public, I feel feminine:'
For some, femininity is about being
comfortable in their own skin.
"I always wear makeup. Sometimes it
looks more natural, but it's still there. I put
effort into my hair, unless I'm wearing it
down. My hair is very long, which is usually
considered to be feminine:' Annie Stauffer,
junior integrative media major said. "I love
jewelry, and you'll never see me without it. I
love patterns, and I love wearing clothes that
show off my feminine shape:'
Although Stauffer puts time and effort into
her appearance she wanted to make it clear
that it is to make herself feel good.
"I don't do this for others to see, rather,

because it makes me feel much more feminine
to be able to see my curves when I look in the
mirror. When I look 'feminine' and 'pretty: I
feel good. I want to make it clear, I don't do
any of that for anyone but me:'
When it comes to the expression of one's
femininity, the only person one should seek
approval from is one's self.
Venable adds, "I think there are a lot of
different ways you could express femininity:'
All women express femininity based on
their own personal preferences.
"I sometimes put on eyeliner and mascara
while dressing 'girly' in a way. When I do
feel like -dressing feminine, I'll wear a nice
colorful top, leggings and a scarf and attempt
to do my make-up and hair when I feel like
it:' Venable said.
Clothing also serves as an expression of
femininity.
"Women in sports seem to express their
femininity by wearing bright, "girly" colors
a lot:' Stauffer said. "The clothes women
wear for workouts are often tight, showing
off their shape. It seems like a lot of women's
sports clothing is designed to be sexy. I don't
think all female athletes wear this, of course,
but I see some who do:'
In society, colors are a huge element in
expressing whether something is considered
feminine or masculine. Designs for different
products represent that truth.
"When designing a more feminine piece,
I like to use bright colors. Sometimes I use
pink, but it depends on whether or not pink
is appropriate for the piece:' Stauffer said.
"I like to use more organic lines and give
the piece a more playful look. For feminine
pieces, I've often chosen beauty topics as the
focus of my design. I have a few that are not
related to beauty, however:'
There is a stigma that lighter colors are
deemed as being feminine in our society.
"In making a feminine design I try to use
various lighter colors like pastels or pinks,
corals and light oranges, but nothing really
dark. I use a lot of circles and nontraditional
shapes. I mainly base it off colors:' Venable
said. "We see female products that are these
colors; so looking for a color code for a
feminine design you instantly drawn to these
colors:'
Society continues to influence how
femininity is expressed, but many have
become more conscious of the roles outside
forces play.
"That's just what we see everyday; we're
conditioned to those associations:' Venable
added. ·
@wilkesbeacon
nico/e.zukowski@wilkes.edu

By Justin Topa

them feel like they cannot be successful,
which is a shame because these are all
socially-constructed ideas we have created:'
Some argue that we are under a new,
The psychology student said separating
'fourth wave' of feminism that has led to a values instilled within him from an early age
modern-day adaptation in the expression of from those he now views essential has proven
to be a difficult task.
masculinity.
Masculinity, in its current state, is a term
"I was always with my parents and have
used to describe traditional qualities expected gained most of my values through them. This
of a male. While Dominic Rinaldi does view has now created a conflict in which I realize
society as a large contributor in how people that not all of the values I was instilled with
express their masculinity, the psychology can be carried with me and the way I feel
major said he expresses masculinity based today:' Rinaldi explained.
"I love my parents dearly, and I do
more on personal factors.
"The way I express masculinity is more or appreciate many of the things that they've
less based on situational cues. I try to avoid taught me but they grew up in a different
gender-policing and express myself in a way generation and under a different set of norms.
in which I feel comfortable based on my As we grow up, we realize that not all of these
experiences and the situation I'm in during norms are things we ought to continue:'
that particular moment:' said Rinaldi, who
Rinaldi said that he also feels media adds
added, "I wouldn't say that I police myself in outside press.ure for determining the norms
of masculinity, specifically mentioning a
the ways that society expects, though:'
Rinaldi, who is also a women's and gender commercial by Chevrolet titled, "Truck
Guy Focus Group:'
studies minor, does I.-..--..-.-.
still see pressure
in which men who
from society to act a
choose to drive a
certain way.
sedan rather than a
"I think there
truck are emasculated.
is some kind of
"The context in
precedence that has
this commercial and
evolved in terms or
others like it seems to
how men should
create added negative
behave and there's
pressures
for
the
this matter in which
behavior of men:'
our behaviors and
said Rinaldi. "They
the behaviors of
perpetuate an idea that
others both dictate
men should have a
how we see things:'
very rugged dexterity
said Rinaldi.
to them. If he's driving
"For
instance,
a fiµnily sedan, that
there's this idea that
somehow makes him
men are supposed
less attractive and
to
act
superior
The Beacon/Justin Topa less rugged as a male
figure. There are plenty
in comparison to D . . R' Id' .
. . .
h
women. This, along ommtc ma 11s maJormg m psyc o 1og~ other advertisements
with other social at Wilkes University and finds that
negativelyperpetuating
constructions, have masculinity is "evolving:'
masculinity in a similar
developed
causing
way and this is creating
personality to be stringent on outside factors. a lack of diversity in what society is willing to
accept from a man:'
This can be very maladaptive:'
Rinaldi cites factors such as upbringing as
While Rinaldi said that he sees added
contributions to the way he, and others, have pressures for acting masculine, he does think
developed their sense of masculinity.
our generation is progressing to redefine the
"It's saddening to think that our youth role of masculinity.
"While I do think the things that need to
grow up thinking that they have to fit a
certain role within society and, if they don't be said and done are being said and done,
follow the outlook of what their parents or there's still a need for repeatedly doing so
other role-models may expect, then they are before the message is received. There's still a
at risk of an identity crisis or ridicule from lot left to be done:'
others:' said Rinaldi.
f"'l @wilkesbeacon
"This can emasculate people and make
1::::1 justin.topa@wilkes.edu
Asst. Life, A&amp; E Editor

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The Beacon - February 17, 2015

.

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

10

Commuter Council Hosts "Almost Valentine's Day" Social
By Justin Topa
Asst. Life, A&amp;E Editor

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Students had the opportu nity to play Va lentine's Day Bingo and other games to
win prizes, such as stuff animals and gift cards.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Briana O'Neil and company waited anxiously for the next number to be called
for Bingo.

On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Wilkes University's
Commuter Council hosted an "Almost
Valentine's Day" social event on the first
floor lounge of the Henry Student Center.
The events for the evening consisted of
an ice cream eating contest, a balloon pop,
bingo and a Wilkes University version of
the newlywed game, which drew the most
interaction from those in attendance. The
Newlywed Game was a new addition to
the activities this year and, with a large
combination of couples, friends and even
a pair of strangers participating, it proved
to be a success.
Commuter Council also provided the
party-goers with a buffet of baked goods,
including brownies baked by freshman
Lauren Evans and 8 pies ofJanuzzi's pizza.
While the event was scheduled to last
from 5 to 8 p.m., Commuter Council ran
out of food after two hours due to a large
increase of those in attendance compared
to the previous years.

Brian Surdovel, a Wilkes University
sophomore majoring in finance, was
one of dozens who were in attendance
during the event on Tuesday evening.
He fo und the Newlywed Game to be an
amusing alternative to an otherwise boring
weeknight.
"It was a relatively .comical experience;'
Surdovel said. "It may have been
disorganized at times, but it was a fun
thing to do on an otherwise eventless
Tuesday night:'
Wilkes University's Commuter Council
is also scheduled to host a bus trip on
March 28 to Washington, D.C. and a Mad
Hatter-themed tea party on April 21.
For additional information on upcoming
events or to learn about becoming involved
with Commuter Council, which is open
to all students regardless of residence
status, students are encouraged to e-mail
Commuter Council President, Sarah
Bedford, via Sarah.Bedford@Wilkes.edu.

A
·~

@wilkesbeacon
justin.topa@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

The students also played a couple's questionnaire, and the judge's panel enjoyed
listening to everyone's answers.

.

�l.

The Beacon - February 17, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

11

8 Things You Learn During Your First Semester
By Emily DeAngelis
Staff Writer

Weclcome to Wilkes! You hastily unpack
your cars, soccer and football players lug
your bags to your new dorm room and you
set to decorate and create your space. Little
did you know, that was the easy part.
The real "college exprience" starts after
the goodbyes and all the new introductions.
Classes begin, life becomes hectic, and
suddenly you're learning things well beyond
biology and chemistry.
The first semester is filled with learning
experiences, and sometimes the best
learning occurs when we fail. From these
failures, we become better equipt to face the
remainder of our college experience.

•

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
"I learned that money, does in fact, not
grow on trees;' states sophomore Haley
Mesaros. Between Dunkin Donuts and the
plethora of other places to eat on the square,
first semester freshmen have a lot to learn
about the stingy college budget.

•

EXTRA FREEDOM?

_ Free time was unexpected for freshmen
Andrew Neidieg. Luckily, Wilkes has
plenty of amenities to fill the void. He
spends his free time at the local YMCA,
shooting hoops at the UCom, or preparing
for the upcoming tennis season.

•

USE THE ELEVATOR.

Freshmen biology major, Casey Krause,
doesn't bother with flights of stairs holding
him back from breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
He simply relies on the elevator to get him
there quick and easy.

0

THE FRESHMAN FIFTEEN.

It's as real or fake as you want it to be. Easy
mac and Ramen Noodles are consumed in
mad feasts in the messy dorm rooms of
Evans and Roth Hall. However, the local
YMCA looms over freshman housing, as

allows students to create their own club. A
great example of this is the university's new
batminton club.

an ever-present reminder that health and
physical fitness is a constant concern for
first year students especially.

•

HOW TO COOK.

Sophomore Missy Oertner learned
that one cannot live and die by sub food
alone. When craving something different,
Missy simply made it herself. Clearly
not everyone was as savvy as Missy; it's
evident by the number of false fire alarms
that some of us are still struggling in the
learning process.

•

GET INVOLVED.

.There's no better way to find people like
yourself than to join in things that interest
you. The first few weeks of college can be
crazy with trying to find your niche for
the next four years. Luckily, Wilkes is a
small school with big options. If you still
struggle to find something for you, Wilkes

•

WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

Being on your own teaches you things
beyond expectations. You learn the
importance of knowing who you are
and what you want to gain frqm · this
experience. Ellen Mook said it best, "What
you do or do not do in college defines the
rest of your life:' No pressure there.

•

THE BALANCIN G ACT.
Moriah Teed face d the battle not
unfamiliar to those new to college-the inevitable balancing act that fo rces
students to prioritize. Between studying
and the various demands that come with
living on your own, along with integrating
the social aspect of living in a community,
first semester students have a full plate on
their hands.

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12

· The Beacon - February 17, 2015

SUP.er bowl

xlix
Advertising isn't just a method of persuasion, it's a way of life. And when it comes to the most
watched television event in US history, it's not only accepted - it's a reason people watch the
action in the first place.

On February 1, 2015, Super Bowl XLIX became the most watched television program in the history of the
United States. A press release by its broadcaster, NBC, stated that nearly 115 million viewers tuned in to
watch it and nearly 48 percent of households with a television in the United States had it on.
But not everybody watches the Super Bowl for the game.

"I only really watch the Super Bowl for the ads:' says Jackie Gallo, a freshman international relations major.
"I could care less about football, honestlY:'
Gallo is not alone in this sentiment. A survey of 1,000 people by San Francisco ad agency Venables, Bell &amp;
Partners showed 78 percent of Americans look forward to Super Bowl commercials more than the game.

According to NBC, the average cost of a 30 second commercial slot during this year's game was $4.5
million. Due to the sizable chunk of change reserving a time-slot costs in the p.rst place, companies
will invest a good deal of time and money in an effort to put forth a memorable ad. Some of these
ads are destined to become classics while others are forgotten to time. Regardless of whether or not an ad
becomes a pop-culture phenomenon, advertising, in general, is extremely difficult to avoid.
Dr. Jane Elmes-Crahall, professor of Communication Studies at Wilkes University, confirms this.

"Advertisements are inescapable," Crahall says. "You can't escape them on your phone, you can't escape them on
your television or on your computer. They're everywhere. And therefore they dominate. 1he message is repeated to the
point where people think it's significant, simply because it's so present:'
This 'message' Crahall speaks of is not always a positive one. In an era where audiences look at advertisements as
another form of entertainment, one must consider the lasting effects of the message being conveyed.

.

The Beacon

�,.
12

13

The Beacon - February 17, 2015

,?t.e reot}'pes

•

A study about the relationship between body image and advertising conducted by Dr. Philip N. Myers of the
University of North Carolina came to the conclusion that they do.

. MORE COMMON IN
THE SUPER BOWL ADS

··THAN IN ADS THROUGH
OUT THE YEAR.

"Even watching thirty minutes worth of television advertising can alter a womans perception of her body," Myers
found. "Negative body perceptions can lead to eating-disorders, particularly with teenage girls."
While advertising perpetuates unrealistic standards of beauty, it also promotes gender-stereotypes.
In a study of the ads that ran during Super Bowl XLVIII, Natlie Vierra, from the University of Portland, discovered
that negative gender stereotypes were more common in commercials that aired during the Super Bowl than
commercials aired throughout the rest of the year. Vierra's study gpes on to explain that,

"These negative gender stereotypes have the possibility of skewing the viewers perception of how a man or woman
should act, or what they should or shouldn't do."

•

Children, unfortunately, are found to be more affected by advertisements than any other age-group.
According to the American Psychological Association, children are exposed to more than 40,000 c.ommercials a year,
the majority of which advertise sugary cereals, candy and fast food. Evidence suggests that these ads can increase the
likelihood of childhood obesity and establish unhealthy eating habits that can persist throughout the child's entire life.
Dr. Dale Kunkel, professor of communications studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, believes that
these habits are formed because of the child's perception of advertisements as fair, balanced and truthful.

"They don't see the exaggeration or the bias that underlies the claims," Kunkel explains in an article published by the
APA. "To young children, advertising is just as credible as Dan Rather reading the evening news is to an adult."

The sole purpose of advertising is to convince a person that what they have or who they are isn't enough.
Living in a capitalist society makes it a nearly impossible task to avoid it. Nearly all facets of media include some form
of it. And in a media-driven world, it's difficult to grasp that something as commonplace as a commercial or a billboard
can change the way people think.

the cost of
an ad is
$4 million
per 30sec.

~ of Americans will look up ►
I ads before the game airs

------

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The Beacon - February 17, 2015

Opinion

14

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

Lies of a Reporter: the 12 year scandal behind Brian Williams

••

Cou rtesy Of Creative Commons

By Mandy Stickles
Asst. Opinion Editor

Brian Williams is a well-known nightly
news anchor for NBC known for his good
use of "comic chops" and, apparently, also
good at embellishing his stories.
Williams has worked for NBC Nightly
News since 2004. He became a wellknown and well-liked news anchor for the
Network over the years.
In 2003 , Williams was traveling in an
air craft in Iraq .with his NBC news cast
took an emergency landing due to unsafe
conditions in the air. For the past 12
years, Williams has told his story of his
experience that the air craft he was in was
under fire and shot down by Iraqi forces.
Williams has told his story during
several different occasions. He most
recently told his story again at a New York
Rangers hockey game for a retired soldier,
while covering the story for NBC News.
The soldier at the event was one of the
men that protected Williams and his news
crew while grounded after their helicopter

was supposedly shot down according to
Williams.
The solider quickly corrected Williams'
take on the story and told him it was
incorrect. The helicopter that Williams
was riding in was nowhere near where the
Chinooks aircrafts were that took fire from
two rockets and small arms fire.
What makes Williams' story even more
shocking is that it turns out Williams's
helicopter arrived one hour later after the
other three helicopters did an emergency
landing.
For the past 12 years Williams has lied
and embellished his story of his time in
Iraq.
"I would not have chosen to make this
mistake;' Williams said. "I don't know
what screwed up in my mind that caused
me to conflate one aircraft with another;'
Williams told Stars and Stripes when asked
about the incident from 2003.
Williams also made a mediocre attempt
to apologize for his misinterpretation of
the event on NBC Nightly News after being

called out for his lies.
From what other soldiers and witnesses
have said of their experience in Iraq
during that time, it was pretty clear what
happened that day and it is hard to believe
that Williams became confused over the
day's events.
Williams' attempts to say he has become
confused over the years are cowardly and
disrespectful to the men and women that
fight for their lives in war. Especially to the
men and women that were in the three air
crafts that day who were under fire .
This not only hurts his credibility as
a journalist and the NBC Network, but
puts a bad taste in people's mouths of all
journalists.
Williams has destroyed his credibility
as a journalist and the lack of remorse he
showed while broadcasting his 'apology'
shows just how much Williams does not
take his lying as a serious matter.
At first, Williams decided to temporarily
step down from his position of NBC News
anchor because he feels he is in too much

of the news at the present time, but he said
he has all intentions of coming back and
fulfilling his duties as anchor in time.
NBC then decided to suspend Williams
for six months with no pay. The pr.esident
of NBC News, Deborah Turness, has said
that the network will be looking into other
stories that Williams has done in the past.
Which one can only assume with Williams
shady past something is bound to come up
that indicated he has embellished in his
past stories.
Williams might have been NBC News'
top anchor, but with the lies he has told
and has kept telling for 12 years would
make anyone turn away from wanting to
watch. I have most certainly lost all respect
for Brian Williams. Let's hope NBC News
makes the right call in the end so they do
not lose the respect and credibility they
have worked so hard to earn.

@wilkesbeacon
amanda.stick/es@wilkes.edu

�.0

The Beacon-February 17, 2015

Opinion

British folk artist George Ezra looks young but sounds old
ity
ras

By Eric Casey

.Ce

Staff Writer

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Do you know ,., that awkwardness of
listening to someone on the radio, and then
when you search for them on the internet
they look nothing like you imagined? Well,
that probably happens more often than not
with upcoming British folk artist George
Ezra.
When I searched for this mysterious
singer I couldn't believe what I found.
George Ezra had amazing clean cut
handsome looks with that blonde hair
and blue eyes. He looked like the nice
guy in high school. There was no way a
' 50s-esque, rough and seasoned voice
could be coming out of such a body.
It was a pleasant reminder to other artists
like Amy Winehouse, Jake Bugg and John
Newman who just don't look like what you
imagine upon hearing their songs.
Singer-songwriter George Ezra has been
steadily gaining recognition. George is
currently VHI 's "You Outta Know Artist"
this month and is currently nominated for
four Brit Awards.
Here in the states there seems to be
an increasing British male invasion, Ed
Sheeran being the most successful thus far,
followed closely by Sam Smith. George
Ezra, who is heavily influenced by Woody
Guthrie, seems to be on the brink of major
success in America.
In 2013 he perfo rmed on the "BBC
Introducing Stage" at Glastonbury Festival,

one of the largest festivals in the world.
His stage presence appears down-to-earth
just like his off-stage humble personality.
In some interviews he has stated that he
enjoys coming home to visit family and
friends.
On his youtube charmel he makes tour
diaries and talks about his inspirations
for writing his debut album "Wanted on
Voyage." Early last year he started a unique
tour called the "Ezra Express." This trip he
embarked on started at Bristol and ended
in Budapest. It was a train ride through
Europe where some fans came along with
him as he stopped for mini concerts along
the way.
It was similar to a month long trip
he made by himself just bpfore writing
his debut album. In an interview with
Grarnmy.org he says _"I kinda came home
and wrote songs from what I've seen, and
I think about 70% of the album came from
that trip. However, it was the Hungarian
capital of Budapest that he didn't reach on
his first trip.
Oh, and that scar on his upper right
brow? In the London Evening Standard, it
was mentioned that it came after a drunken
night when he slammed into a wall, but
refused to go to the hospital because Marky
Ramone was visiting his University the
following day. His lecturer sent him to the
hospital during the day, but it was too late
for stitches because the damage had been
done.
In regards to his UK hit song, which
peaked at #3 last year, he doesn't seem

phased by ultra stardom and is aware of
short attention spans among listeners. "I'm
aware that music is consumed in a way
now that means things don't have the same
opportunities to last.
In a recent NPR interview he said,
"I always say, if this is the only album I
get to release, so be it. I've had the best
time," Ezra says. "I'll continue writing and·
creating. If people get to hear it, then that's
amazing. I don't want people to think that I
don't love this; I do. Ifl can sit here when
I'm 60 and talking about my 15th, 20th
record, well, happy days, I'd love that. But
we'll see."
Speaking of happy days, Ezra's song is
#81 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week
with Gold certified "Budapest." The song
has also gone to# l on the Alternative Songs
chart. His album debuted in the US at #19
last week on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album consists of some fast paced
songs like "Blame It on Me" which has
peaked at #6 on the UK Singles Chart.
"What you waiting for?" is a lyric repeated
throughout the song and feels like a
motivation to just go out and do it even
if you have be alone to get it done, which
is something that seems to represent the
whole album.
"Cassy O"' is a great foot stomper that
sounds like it came from the early '60s.
Another personal and probably fan favorite
is "Listen to the Man." The music video
features legendary actor Sir Ian McKellan
lip synching to the happy tune. One of
his first songs written, "Did You Hear

the Rain," sounds a bit more gritty than
anything on the album.
"Drawing Board" has a similar vibe
to "Cassy O," lyrically speaking. "You
spend your nights with another man. Oh
you don't rest your head in mine no more.
I've gotta take my plug back to the drawing
board."
In an album filled with retro vibes "Stand
by Your Gun" sounds like the most modern
cut, besides George's voice that is.
Other songs like "Breakaway" and "Over
the Creek" are not likely to become singles,
but provide a nice leisurely appeal to the
ears at the end of his debut. It's highly
encouraged to listen from beginning to end.
It's real songwriting at it's best with no
gimmicks and auto-tune that you usually
get with Top 40 acts these days. He has
true cross-generation appeal. Y~ catch
him on tour with Sam Smith as well as
his own solo tour this spring. "Wanted on
Voyage" is out on Columbia Records. I
give the album 4 out of 5 stars.

A @wilkesbeacon
l!:Jeric.casey@wilkes.edu

Eric's Score:

George Ezra: On Tour Near You
March 6th

Beacon Theatre, NY

March 7th

Electric Factory, PA

April 21st

Trocadero, PA

Apri122nd

Webster Hall, NY

s

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The Beacon - February 17, 2015

16

Opinion

Looking on the Bright Side: combating seasonal depression
By Elyse Guziewicz
Opinion Copy Editor

The time is upon us: winter's dark clouds
loom overhead. You may feel yourself
getting fatigued more easily, feeling tired
even though you've gotten enoitgh sleep and
feeling down and depressed.
What you may be experiencing is Seasonal
Affective Disorder, a form of depression that
manifests in millions of Americans a year,
especially those in northern climates.
However, SAD isn't a death sentence.
There are plenty of ways to treat and combat
the feelings ofloneliness, fatigue and sadness
that can help get you through this difficult
season.
Although there are many forms of
treatment for SAD, this article will provide
you with five easy ways to help fight off
seasonal depression in your own life.
1. Talk to your doctor.
It may seem obvious, but since SAD is
a medical condition, your doctor may be
able to help you with medication or other
techniques. They may even refer you to
counseling or therapy.

2. Exercise
Obviously, exercise won't solve all your
problems, but it can help combat feelings
of fatigue. It's optimal for you to get outside
and take a brisk walk or run around campus,
but if the cold is too bitter, pick the exercise
machine closest to the window at the YMCA.
Exercise can also help combat the weight
gain that is common with SAD - weight gain
can contribute to lethargy.
3. Get some sun.
Since SAD is triggered by a lack of light
throwing off your circadian rhythms, it's
best to get outside when the sun is at its apex
(around noon) and soak up the light. You can
also keep windows uncovered in your dorm
room, or pick seats near the windows in the
library to study.
If it's very cold out, try studying in one of
the lounges in the Cohen Science Center they all have floor-to-ceiling windows that
will get you some light exposure.
4. Keep a good schedule.
I know it's hard, but sleeping and getting
up at reasonable hours can really help keep
seasonal depression at bay. SAD can cause

sleeping problems, but keeping a regular
schedule can help your rhythms get back
in place and train your body to produce
melatonin at the right time.
5. Take a break.
Fatigue is very difficult to cope with. Don't
force yourself to work so hard that you have
a breakdown - take a break to do something
you enjoy, like volunteering, hanging out
with friends or even chilling and watching
Netflix for an hour.
Allowing yourself some time to
decompress is very important in combating
depression. The more you push yourself, the
more fatigued you will become. Fatigue will
only worsen symptoms of depression.
Most importantly, if you're feeling as if you
are unsafe or a danger to yourself and others,
get help. The campus counseling center
is open to any student and would be glad
to help you out. If you're having difficulty
talking, websites like 7cupsoftea.com or
crisischat.com allow you to engage with
someone online.
It might feel embarrassing, but there's no
shame in asking for a hand up when you
need it. Take the steps to keep your head

above water.
It's okay if you can only save one person,
and it's okay if that person is you.

@wilkesbeacon
elyse.guziewicz@wilkes.edu

5 Steps to Combat
Seasonal Depression
1. Talk to your doctor
2. Exercise
3. Get some sun
4. Keep a
good schedule
5. Take a break

Homesickness 101: How to cope with missing your home life
By Elyse Guziewicz
Opinion Copy Editor

I am sure many individuals have heard the
statement "college will be the best years of
your life;' or "I wish I had the opportunity
to go away to school:' Being with friends all
of the time, going out, having freedom and
not having to report back to parents is very
exciting and fun.
But what happens when that person starts
to become tired of being with their friends all
of the time and they start to miss their family,
or if they are going through a difficult time
and start to feel a strong cfesire to go home?
All of these nostalgic thoughts begin
running through their head and they might
start to get bored of their dorm room walls.
This is called homesickness. According
to savethestudent.org, approximately . 5070 percent of students will suffer from
homesickness at some point in their lives.
Homesickness can happen to anyone at
any age. The longing to be home or around
your home town and environment can occur

during the first few weeks of college or even
the middle of your junior year. Usually
homesickness occurs when an individual
is stressed about different aspects of their
lives such as academics, friendships or
relationship issues.
The question now becomes how does
one get rid of their homesickness? Many
individuals do not know how to deal with
homesickness properly. There are many
outlets to get rid of that lonely, lost feeling.
Students usually bring decorations when
they being designing their dorm room or
apartment. These decorations can range
from pictures to sentimental objects, posters,
possibly art work from a relative or friend.
Having sentimental objects or pictures
of your friends and loved ones can make
your dorm room or apartment feel more
comfortable. Bringing objects and materials
from your room at home can make the space
feel homey and personalized.
When asked "What do you do to relieve
your feelings of homesickness?" college
students' an-swers varied enormously. Lissy

Rosner is a junior who attends Boston
University. Rosner stated: "I get myself
involved in as much as I can on campus. The
busier I am, the faster time moves, and the
less I think about home:'
Rosner also stated, "I also am lucky
enough to have a great group of friends here
that I can turn to during hard times. It's like
having a family away from home so that is a
huge plus:'
Maya Gil is a freshman who attends Rider
University. Gil mentioned: "When I am
homesick, I decide to try some new things on
campus. I like to choose a new hobby to keep
myself and my mind occupied. I also try to
reduce FaceTime or calling home to help me
feel more independ-ent:' Gil stated "I try to
think positively so my homesickness doesn't
affect my school work:'
Dylan Fox, a Wilkes University freshman,
had a different approach for dealing with his
homesickness. Fox explained: "I would have
to say the best way I relieved my feeling of
homesickness was by making great friends at
school. Being able to text and call my mom

and dad really helped me as well. Texting is a
great technique that helps me keep in touch
with my family and removes my feelings of
homesickness:'
Remember- feeling homesick is normal.
An individual should try these techniques
as previously mentioned such as facetiming family members and friends, getting
involved on campus, and being surrounding
by positive people.

@wilkesbeacon

g elyse.guziewicz@wilkes.edu

Courtesy of pixababy.com

�The Beacon - February 17, 2015

Opinion

17

'Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacifi.c Trail'
By Sara Pisak
Asst. Opinion Editor

Cheryl Strayed ' s autobiographical
novel , Wild: From Lost to Found
on the Pacific Crest Trail is quickly
becoming a global sensation. The
text, turned screenplay, is nominated
for two Oscars at this Sunday ' s
fa st approaching Academy Awards
Ceremony. The movie ' s acclaim
not only stems from the actors '
performances but from Strayed's
poignant words.
The novel foll ows twenty-six year
old Cheryl Strayed as she hikes the
Pacific Crest Trail from Mojave,
California to Locks , Washington.
Strayed undertakes this 1, l 00 mile
hike alone , spurre d by the demons
of her past as well as those of the
present. Strayed, using shear blind
determination to comp lete her trek,
is accompanied by the uncertainty of
her future. As the above lines work

to s.ummarize the text, one could be
tempted by this description to classify
Wild as nothing more than a new cog
in the "coming of age novel" wheel,
simply a book of self-discovery or
a travel journal. Any one of these
classifications would be a flagrant
mistake for this particular New York
Times Best Seller.
After the sudden death of her
mother, Strayed ' s life begins a
catastrophic tailspin. The once
distinguished college student finds
herself grieving her mother' s death,
separated from her family, ;iddicted
to heroin, entangled in affai rs
and ultimate ly divorced from her
husband , all before her twenty -sixth
birthday. At this time, Strayed viewed
the Pac ific Crest Trai l as a way to set
her life back on its own promising
course. Not to spoil the outcome
for prospective readers, however,
the long, winding and tumultuous
trail ironically, returns Strayed to
the straight and narrow. The beauty
of Strayed 's text is found not in her

redemption but in her honesty.
Each page of Wild is just that, wild.
Strayed's commentary on her life is
fierce, at times harsh or rough around
the edges, enthusiastic, or any other
synonyms one might conjure for the
novel's title. When the autobiography
needs to be, it is heart-wrenching,
haunting and self-reflective. Then,
on a dime, the text completes a 180
degree turn. It becomes sarcastic,
self-deprecating and witty. A reader
needs to look no further than Strayed 's
own name to find her own brand of
sarc astic humor. While iamenting her
ending marriage, Strayed informs the
audi ence she changed ,her named to
Strayed as a reminder of how far in
life she had in fact "strayed." These
abrupt changes in the text make
Cheryl Strayed what we all strive to
be and that is honest with ourselves.
My personal fear, regarding this
autobiography is that this honesty
comes at a cost. Not everyone will
appreciate the text's frankness.
Strayed discuss es everything from

her abortion to her drug use and
everything in between. In doing
so, Strayed apologizes to those she
has hurt, discourages others from
following in her path but never
regrets, as her indiscretions formed
her into the person she has become.
I fear some readers will not see past
the occasional profanity and the
controversial subject matter thus
preventing them from appreci ating
the true meaning of Strayed's words.
Her candor assi sts the reader to see
the fo rest through the trees (pun
intended).
•

A @wilkesbeacon
1:1 sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

Sara's Score:

r .,.

�_J

The Beacon - October 28, 2014

Opinion

18

Return of the "Sport Court:"Which NBA
team is going to win the finals?
Frank Passalacqua
Opinion Editor
With the best record in the NBA at 429, it is hard to disagree that the Golden
State Warriors will win the 2015 NBA
Championship.
Sitting amongst the rest of the competition
in the Western Conference, it is even hard
to see any other team give them a run for
their money in the second half of the year.
Memphis usually fizzes out come midaApril,
I am not a fan of the long-term chemistry
in Houston, Portland is still one playrnaker
away from being a true contender, and OKC
has had their share of troubles all season at
27-25.
If any team were to go round-for-round,
then it would be the San Antonio Spurs, but
I think this young, talented Warriors team
could put the Spurs in the dust.
If you gamble, then I will have you know
the odds facing the Warriors to win the ring

Brandon Gubitosa
Sports Editor

The NBA season is more than halfway
over and the Cleveland Cavaliers are second
in the NBA Central division with a record
of 33-21. They have already matched their
win total from last season, and are looking
to make the playoffs for the first time since
the 2009-2010 season. Of course that was
the last season where LeBron James was
a member of the Cavaliers, where they
went on to loose in the Eastern Conference
Semifinals. Well five years later LeBron
James has returned back to the Cavaliers
after winning two winning championships
with the Miami Heat.
If the NBA playoffs were to start today,
James and the cavaliers would be facing

is 5/1.
Why are the Warriors suddenly looked at
as one of the elite teams in the league? Two
names: Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
This duo has developed immensely over
the past few seasons and have truly had their
coming out party in 2015. In fact, this duo is
the only duo to be included in the statistics
category of the top-10 points-per game in the
league. Curry averages 23.6 while Klay adds
22.2 points per night for the Warriors. On top
of that, they are shooting lights out.
Literally.
With . a .483 percentage for Curry and
.473 for Klay, those numbers put them in
a category of their own. Out of the top 10
players averaging the highest points per
game, Steph and Klay are both shooting the
highest percentage out of everyone who is
not a forward.
Those points mainly come from one place,
beyond the arc.
Steph and Klay are included in the top 5
players for most made threes. Curry, with
159 made, is shooting .404 from downtown
while Klay, 152 made threes, is shooting
.441. Impressive? Yes. The only other duo in

the league that could be compared to these
two would be James Harden and Trevor
Ariza, who together have made 50 less three
points thus far- thats 150 points.
Their lights-out shooting puts the Warriors
at number one in the league in scoring with
110.9 points per game.
Mind you, this is all being done while AllStar forward David Lee has been sidelined
all season with an injury.
Of course we can not put the Warriors
success entirely on Klay and Steph's
shoulders. Marreese Speights has been
great off the bench, Harrison Barnes and •
Drayrnond Green are doing a great job at
forward, and Andrew Bogut is a great fit at
center. Let's not forget the spark that Andre
Iguodala gives.
Looking at the team schedule, they have
done damage. In their losses, they put up a
fight.
While we are at it, let's not forget Klay's
52-point putting against the Kings, as well
as Curry's 51-point performance against
Dallas.
Usually when there is a deadly duo, it's a
guard and a center, much like the Shaq and

off against the Washington Wizards as the
four seed in the playoffs. In past years the
Cavaliers have only one dominant scorer,
however this season they have six players
that are averaging over IO points per game.
Along with adding James this season,
the Cavaliers have added Kevin Love a
double-double machine and J.R. Smith an
energizing player who can make a difference
on that team. He can join the new big three of
LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving
who are arguably one of the best combos the
NBA has seen.
So far this season James is averaging 25.8
points per game to go along with his 7.4
assists per game. Point guard Kyrie Irving is
averaging 21.8 points per game to go along
with 5.3 assists per game. Irving came in a
year after LeBron James left and since then
has emerged as one of the top point guards
in the league. The former number one pick
from Duke is off to a great start to his young
career averaging 20.9 points per game over

three and a half seasons.
finals. LeBron James is the best player the
Forward Kevin Love enters his seventh NBA has seen since Michael Jordan. He is
season in the NBA, originally playing the type of player that can take over a game
his first five .seasons with the Minnesota · at any moment, combine that with two other
Timberwolves who drafted him fifth overall NBA all-stars and teams are faced with
in the 2008 NBA draft. Over the past six and a defensive challenge. The only way the
a half years Love has averaged 18.9 points Cavaliers will Jose in the playoffs if they
per game, along with 12 rebounds per game. beat themselves. Sure the Warriors may
These are insane numbers as he is averaging be a dangerous team . with Curry and Klay
a double-double over his young career so far. Thompson, but what the Warriors lack the
Although many not consider the Cavaliers Cavaliers make up for in experience with
33-21 to be a 'rough start,' the Cavaliers James and Love. My prediction is LeBron
know that they should be doing better than James will pick things up in the second half
that. The Cavaliers are recently coming of the season, cruise through the east in the
off a 12 game win streak, just one off their playoffs and then beat the Golden State
franchise record of 13, set back in 2009- Warriors in the NBA finals. James will go
2010. Things are finally starting to click for on to win his third championship and most
the Cavaliers as this is the first season under importantly the first championship in the
head coach David Blatt.
Cavaliers 45 year's history.
Once James, Irving and Love start clicking
together the Cavaliers will be a dangerous
@wilkesbeacon
team. If the Cavaliers do find a way to do
brandon.gubitosa@wilkes.edu
that, I see them easily winning the NBA

Kobe days. However, when you have two
skilled snipers in Klay and Steph, it opens
up a bag for a whole new level of trouble
from downtown, and it has proven to be a
dominant force in the league this year.
And now to add insult to injury, Steph is 26
and Klay is only 25 years old; two extremely
young players showing the league how it is
done.
This may be the first we are seeing this duo
in full effect, but it certainly will not be the
last.
I do give the Warriors the nod as my frontrunner to win the 2015 NBA Championship .
LeBron will have to put on his big boy pants
if he wants anything to say about that, but
even then, LeBron will probably be too busy
thinking about what team he wants to hop to
next.
Possibly he will take his talents to the
Golden State?
Steph Curry with the shot, boi.

@wilkesbeacon
frank.passa/acqua@wilkes.edu

•

�------

Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Brandon.Gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Wilkes baseball picked to finish fifth in Freedom Conference

The Beacon/Brandon Gubitosa
Freshman infielder Austin _Lescanec prepares to catch the ball at practice.

By Brandon Gubitosa·
Sports Editor

The Colonels look to improve from their
14-21 record last season going 6-15 in league
play. They are starting the season ranked fifth
in the latest Freedom Conference Preseason
Coaches' Poll. However, many players on
the team do not agree with their ranking this
season.
"We're going to disprove the doubters,"
junior outfielder Tom Ring said. "To me,
ranking us only 5th in the pre-season poll is
just another motive to show our competitors
where we stand."
The Colonel 's return a majority of last
years lineup including seniors Stephen Ruch
and Bobby Schappell. Ruch, Schappell and
sophomore Matt Kaster were all named AllFreedom Honorable Mentions last season
and will look to carry the team to the playoffs
this season.
The team members, who began practicing

in the beginning of February, are hoping all
their hard work pays off.
As sophomore Johnny Jan said quoting
Derek Jeter, "There may be people with
more talent than you but there is no excuse
for anyone to work harder than you."
Jan, like many others, believes that they
will surprise some people this season.
"I think we should be good this season.
We have a pretty young team led by a few
older guys on the team," said Jan. "We are
confident in our abilities. We have goals as a
team and we will reach these goals."
Ring is excited for this year's season.
He returns to the outfield this season after
an injury to his arm during the offseason
precented him from being able to pitch this
season.
When asked about his injury, Ring
responded, "After tearing my UCL (a major
ligament used in the throwing motion) this
summer, I have started to focus more on
outfield and hitting rather than pitching. I'rn

The Beacon/Brandon Gubitosa
Junior pitcher Marcus Leaf anxiously awaits for the ball to come at practice.

disappointed because I love pitching, but am
willing to sacrifice it if it means I'll get to
play the rest of my college career without
any arm problems."
Junior comer infielder Ryan Herbst also
had something to say regarding the team's
preseason rank. " I think that as a team we
are expecting to do big things. We definitely
have the talent and mindset to be the best
in our conference this season." The junior
slugger had two home runs last seasons and
will look to add to that number this season.
The Colonels open up their season on
Feb. 21 in Virginia where they will face off
against Alvemia University. They will also
be making their annual spring break trip
this season, where they will play five games
in Fort Pierce, Fla. Freedom Conference
games begin March 13 against cross-town
rival King's College.

r"'t @wilkesbeacon
~

brandon.gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Base a
e u e:
Feb. 21: 11 a.m. vs
lvernia University
. at Salem, Va.
Feb. 22: noon at
Roanoke College in
Salem, Va.
Feb. 22: 3 p.m. at
Roanoke College in
Salem, Va.
r

�_J

The Beacon - February 17, 2015

Sports

20

Women's Lacrosse looks to win first conference -championship
conference championship, but I honestly
think this could be the year."
The team has been working hard this
pre-season by getting in shape and getting
back into the swing of things. With several
returning players, the women are·going into
the 2015 season with plenty of chemistry.
Junior Madeleine Brownsey is one returner
who is excited to get back on the field.
"To me, this preseason has been the best
one since I've been here," Brownsey said.
"We have a very talented group of freshmen
who have definitely added more depth to
the team. Everyone's in shape and we're all
working hard to get where we need to be for
our first game in March."
The Lady Colonels have some time before
getting into conference play. Their first ten
games are critical to see how the season will
pan out. The women open the season against
Albertus Magnus College on March 3 ~
New Haven, CT.
Head Coach Towey stated, "The team
looks great this year and we are really
looking forward to what the season holds
both non-conference and conference."

By Cara Basile
Sports Writer

The Wilkes women's ,. lacrosse team
has been ranked second in the Freedom
Conference preseason coaches' poll. The
Lady Colonels received 32 points in the
survey, just one less than their toughest
competitor, FDU-Florham, who earned 33.
Although Wilkes outscored conference
rivals Misericordia, Eastern, King's,
Manhattanville, and Delaware Valley,
there is still room for improvement and
goals have been set for the season. Head
Coach Kammie Towey shared how a new
defense will hopefully work to the team's
advantage, along with pursuing the MAC
Championship.
"Our main goal for this season is to make
it back to the conference finals and bring
home the championship," Towey said. "We
came so close last year losing by 4 in the
finals. My team is extremely determined to
get back to the finals for redemption. We also
aim to obviously finish above .500 overall."
Senior Carley Smith also said there are
high goals set for the season. "I'd like to
make it back to conference finals," Smith
said. "Women's lacrosse has never won a

The Beacon/Brandon Gubitosa

The women's lacrosse team are ready for this upcoming season.

@wilkesbeacon
cara.basile@wilkes.edu

Softball team excited for season
been up early practicmg hard these past
couple of weeks and hopefully it will pay
off in the end."
The Lady Colonels are led by seniors
The Wilkes University softball team
Alex Hoops, Mandy Seccia and Emily
heads into the 2015 season with hopes
McGrath. Also returning is Lacey Bixler,
to improve. Picked to finish last in the
sister of Lady Colonel all-time home run
Freedom Conference, they are looking to
hitter Alysha Bixler. Bixler is ·coming off a
prove the conference wrong.
strong sophomore season in which she hit
13 out of the 16 players on the Lady
3 home runs and hit over .320 at the plate.
Colonels softball team are in the freshman
"We have a lot of potential coming into this
or sophomore class. They will need to win
season," said Bixler. "Coach Matthews
games early to gain the respect of their ·
believes we are one of the best teams that
opponents. Sophomore shortstop Brooke
he has seen in a while."
Limeberry believes that having a young
The Lady Colonels open in March at
team is not that big of a deal and it gives the
Myrtle Beach for their annual spring break
team an advantage.
trip.
Freedom conference play begins
"I'm hype for the season considering the
March 14, when the Lady Colonels travel
great potential we have," said Limeberry.
to cross-town rival King's College. They
"We ' re an extremely young team, but age
open up the season at home March 20, when
is just a number. The freshmen's work
SUNY Canton travels down to Wilkesethic and attitude is at the college level, we
all just have to be able to compete at the
college level as well. We have awesome f"'l @wilkesbeacon
leadership from our seniors who I know can l::Jjonathan.keer@wilkes.edu
take us to the MAC championship. We' ve

By J.T. Keer
Sports Writer

Peace Corps at Wilkes University
Social and Public Service Career Day
Choose where you want to go. Apply in one hour.
Make a difference overseas as a Peace Corps Volunteer

Tuesday, February 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Henry Student Center, Wilkes University

Peace Corps

peacecorps.gov - 855.855.1961

�Sports

The Beacon - February 17, 2015

21

Men's and Women's tennis favorited to repeat as champions
By Danny Van Brunt
Sports Writer

The Wilkes tennis teams are excited about
the start of their spring seasons. The men's
spring season opener was on Feb. 14, and
they travelled to Madison, NJ, for the Drew
Invitational. The women's season opener will
be on March second during spring break, in
Hilton Head Island, S.C. The men's team will
also be attending.
"The spring season is going to be a lot of
fun for sure;' said sophomore tennis player
Troy Haas. "After a strong fall season, we're
looking to keep that momentum:'
Another sophomore, Alanna Denauski
feels the same way.
"I think our season is going to go well.
Everyone is hitting well, and we also have
a couple great freshman to add to the mix.
We're hoping for another run to nationals!"
The men are predicted to win their eighth
straight conference title, and the women are
predicted to win their ninth straight.
Head Coach Chris Leicht may have the
strongest team he has ever coached at Wilkes

this season. Some stand out players include
two-time Freedom Conference Player of the
Year Steven Wilson, and both first team AllFreedom players Dominic Parfianowicz and
Max Appello.
The women's team has core players such
as first team All-Freedom Anastasia English
and Rookie of the Year winner Kendra
Croker.
Both teams competed in th!! fall and
achieved winning records. The men's team
has a team score of two wins, and the
women's team has five wins with one loss.
The men's team shut-out one team, and the
women's team has shut-out four.
The men and women's teams placed high in
the MAC Individual Tournaments. The men's
team finished with six singles champions and
three doubles champions. The women's team
finished with four singles champions and
two doubles champions.
Freedom conference matches begin April
2 against Eastern at the Ralston Athletic
C~mplex.

f'"'l @wilkesbeacon

U:J danie/.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

Courtesy gowilkesu.com

Anastasia English and the rest of the tennis team looks to repeat as champions.

Colonels come up big and defeat Delaware Valley 78-75

The Beacon/Purvit Patel

Senior Jeremy Hartman stares down his defender in the win vs Delaware Valley.

The Beacon/Pu rvit Patel

The Colonels huddle up before their game against Delware Valley on Saturday.

r

�-

_J

•
By Evan Will~y
Sports Writer

Amal Pillai is from Westwood, New
Jersey, and chose Wilkes for its great
engineering program. Amal is a junior
mechanical engineering major and this is
his first year on the Men's Basketball Team
at Wilkes. He's been playing since he was in
second grade and decided he couldn't let go
of his love for the game.
Q: What is the best part of being on the
team?
A: 'Ihe best part of being on the team is
knowing all this hard work paid off and
gaining experience of what is like to be a
college basketball player.
Q: What made you decide to try out for the
basketball team?
A: Having love for the game and knowing
that the new coach is taking walk-ons is
what made me try out for the team.
Q: What is your major and what are you
planning on doing after graduating from
Wilkes?
A: I am a mechanical engineering major,
and I plan on finding a career using my
degree after graduating.

Q: If you won the lottery tomorrow what
would you buy?
A: IfI won the lottery, I would buy a mansion
for my family and I.

Q. Other than basketball what is another
hobby you enjoy?
A. Other than basketball, my other hobbies
are playing other sports, video games,
and listening to music.
Q: Who is your role model in life?
A:. My role model is definitely my father. He
works hard every day at what he does
which makes me work hard every day
as well.
Q: What makes yo1,1 a great asset to the
Wilkes basketball team?
A: What makes me a great asset is my ability
to bring energy during practice and
games and doing anything I can to help

the team succeed.
Q: What is your most memorable moment
while playing sports?
A: My most memorable moment while
playing sports is probably when I scored
my first basket as a high school varsity
basketball player.

Q: What is your favorite movie &amp; why?
A:. My favorite movie is Wolf of Wall StrWet.
I thought Leonardo DiCaprio did a
great job and I thought the movie was
hilarious.

�The Beacon -February 17, 2015

23

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Q~:wliat are·your plans after you graduate?
A: Right now fm planning 011 moving to
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trying to find a job in the Baltimore area.

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The Beacon- February 17, 2015

VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION!

ID

~ legendary taste
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The Beacon - Feb

•

L

Above: Junior Wilkes student Beth Gilbert, who recently announced her campaign to run for city council.

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

r

�..J

Have a bteaking story 91' a press release to sendf Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Editorial Staff
20tl4-15

~-"

Jamee....,.

Editor-in-Olief Managing Editor Ashlel&amp;ett
Adviser• Dr. Kalen~
SodatMediaDtre.ctoJ,-ShawrlC..,

AdvertisintDnotol' .. ftntia·~
SEC110tllDfl'Olll8 ""
NewsLA&amp;EOpinion -t=fank

.....
Sports-BlartdbnGublosa
ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Pat Welther
LA&amp;E - Justin Topa
Opinion - Mandy Stickles,
Sara Plsak

DESIGN EDITORS
Dave Graff
Chris Kennedy
Moe Woodard
Nicole Kutos
SteveOzledzlak

•

hlternt8dlnjofnlngthe8eacon?To
learn more about the posttiona we
offer and what you can do, contact

james.~u

130 s. River St.
First Floor. Conyngham Hall
Wilkes University
wtlkes-lJatTe, PA 18786
Phone· (570t 488-5903
www.thewllk•beacon.com

Beacon Briefs

Alumni Association Scholarship

Off Campus Federal Work Study Positions Available

The Civic Engagement Office has several off-campus federal
work study positions available at local non-profi~ agencies. Please
contact Megilll Valkenburg at megan.boone@wilkes.edu for
more information.
Tax Form 1098-T Tuition Statement is Now Available ·

Tax Form 1098-T Tuition Statement is now available online.
You can access your I 098-T online at mywilkes. wilkes.edu. Enter
your username and password, select Student Services tab and
then select Tuition Statement (Form 1098-T) under My Records.

Do you have a parent or grandparent who graduated from
Wilkes? If so, you may qualify for the Alumni Scholarship.
Deadline is Feb. 27.
Lenten Busy Person's Retreat
Campus Interfaith will once again be running it's Lenten

Busy Person's Retreat. The retreat will begin on February 18 and
go until April 2. Each weekday, students will receive an email
with the next day's retreat exercises and are invited to come in
for spiritual direction during the week if you wish. There will
be appointment sign ups available. If interested, please send an
email to Caitlin at caitlin.czeh@wilkes.edu

SG notes: Spring Fling approved;
club recongnition, requests
By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Wilkes University's
Student Government held its
weekly
meeting.
Last week, there was a non-club, senior
project request. Eight students from the
EES and ENV department were accepted to
present their senior projects at The Geological
Society of America. They requested $2,000 to
cover the registration fees, lodging, and extra
workshops. Student Government allotted a
total of $720 for registration and the extra
workshops to the eight students.
As another follow up on last week's
meeting, the budget for the annual Spring
Fling dance was presented. The dance will
be held at Genetti's on the Public Square,
on March 27 from 6-11 p.m. Tickets will go
on sale Feb. 23 and then again after Spring
Break. There will .be a cover band playing
as the entertainment in place of the DJ and
there will also be the photo booth that was
there in the past. The budget of $16,000 was
passed by Student Government.
There was alot of new business brought to
the board's attention this week. First, there is
a new badminton club forming on campus.
The club currently has about 50 members.
Next, the Mini Baja club on campus is
looking to revamp and update its constitution .
This club provides real world practice to
various engineering majors by allowing them
to design a car. The new constitution will be
reviewed by Student Government and during
week two of two.

The Psychology Club put in two requests
this week. They first requested funding for
the Eastern Psychological Conference in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The total cost of
conference is $3,329.12. The club has only
requested $270 from Student Government to
cover the registration fees for the conference.
Their second request was for a day trip for all
of the club members to the Franklin Institute.
The club is requesting $279.45 to cover their
tickets to enter, the tolls, and parking.
The next request came from Capital
Projects. Some items that were presented
include a new Student Government vehicle,
a Chevy Traverse, snow brooms, Casino
Night bingo cards and cages, and first aid kits
that can be provided for every site during
the Big Event. The ·total projected cost was
$28,567.28.
Lastly, the projected budget needed for
casino night was presented. This committee
has sent out student surveys to generate
some new ideas for prizes this year. There
are bigger prizes this year, compared to past
years, causing a sligi)t incline in tp.e budget.
There was a positive reaction from the board
after all the new prizes were presented. The
total budget came to $12,299.
The council reviewed the Treasurer's
report. The current budget is as follows:
All College: $36,786.37, General Funds:
$10,206.20, Conference: $2,875.00, Spirit:
. $1,250.00 for a Student Government total of
$51,117.57

C'I @wilkesbeacon
11::1 taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

CORRECTIONS
Senior basketball player Chelsea Brown was
incorrectly identified in last week's Athlete of
the Week. The Beacon staff regrets the error.

table of contents
news................2
life, a&amp;e........... 7

spreacl;........... 12
opillioll............. 14

. s,orts.................
19
•

�L.
The Beacon - February 24, 2015

3.

News

Wilkes junior running for Wilkes-Barre City Council
Beth Gilbert announces candidacy for District C seat
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

Beth Gilbert, 20, is preparing for more than
just exams this semester as she announced
her candidacy as a democrat for WilkesBarre City Council District C seat in January.
The junior is a member of Pi Sigma, the
Political Science Honor Society; Alpha
Sigma Pi, the National Society of Leadership
and Success; and the International Studies
Club. She is also an active volunteer with
Valley Santa, Key Club, Building Bridges and
Wilkes-Barre's city clean up days.
Now, Gilbert has added yet anoth~r
extracurricular to her list.
·
Gilbert, a political science and international
studies double major, Wilkes-Barre native
and G.A.R. graduate, took the initiative to
run for the position after being inspired by
previous experience with the Wilkes-Barre
Junior City Council while in high school.
After winning an essay contest sponsored
by the Pennsylvania League of Cities and
Municipalities, Gilbert was given the
opportunity to be part of the Junior City
Council and go to Pittsburgh where she met
•rious mayors and individuals who sparked
her interest in politics.
Through the junior council, Gilbert led
other high school students with events such
as city cleanups, donation drives for Ruth's
Place, numerous charity drives and also
attended City Council meetings.
Although she is young compared to other
council candidates, Gilbert has found age to
be just a number.
"Some people have commented on it, 'oh
shes so young, how can she run a city' but my
age never entered my mind;' Gilbert said.
Gilbert explained that the biggest difficulty
she has faced is getting her name out in the
public.
'Tm trying to utilize social media. As far
as I know, I'm the first council person to do
that;' Gilbert explained.
Gilbert hopes to get students involved and
interested in politics as she sees them as part
of the revitalization of the Wilkes-Barre area.
Part of her plans, if elected, include
encouraging Wilkes University and King's
College students to stay in the area upon
graduation.
"We want educated individuals· to stay in
the area;' Gilbert said.
So far, the campus community has been
very receptive of Gilbert's plans.
''I've always been more mature for my
age;' Gilbert said. ''I've always done things

The Beacon/ Gabby G(inski

Beth Gilbert, above, plans on using her education in political science and international studies to inform
Wilkes-Barre residents what she can do for them. A lifelong resident of the area, Gilbert hopes to restore the
neighborhood communities and bring back youth programs through local government. Gilbert explained
that _the youth have an opportunity to take an active role in government happenings but also a responsibility.
where people said, 'you really want to do
that when you're only 16 or 18?' ButJ've had
a really positive response from the campus
community and a lot of students who are
backing me:'
If elected for the seat, Gilbert would be
responsible for representing District C, which
is composed of the Heights and Mayflower
areas, as well as passing ordinances and
taking calls from residents.
Gilbert explained that her specific goals
if elected include bringing the youth aspect
into local politics by bringing back the
Wilkes-Barre Junior City Council which has
since been removed, as well as rejuvenate the
community life.
"I want to focus on neighborhoods as there
is a lot of focus on the downtown .. .! feel that
a lot of residences feel neglected;' Gilbert
explained.
Gilbert, who exudes a strong sense of

determination explained that, "The best way
to get something done is to do it yourself..!
want to actually do something:'
Currently, Gilbert has planned a campaign
fundraiser for March 3 at Genetti's in WilkesBarre with tickets at $40 per person.
Gilbert has more plans on the horizon
once the primary draws near such as hosting
a Town Hall meeting so she can hear directly
from residents.
"We're here to represent the constituents
and I feel that is often forgotten;' Gilbert said.
Gilbert hopes that her enthusiasm
encourages individuals her age to take an
active role in government as well.
"Everything that is going on now is our
responsibility and we need to ensure that the
direction it heads in is a positive one;' Gilbert
said.
Gilbert plans on using her background
in political science to her advantage as well
to help Wilkes-Barre residents understand

what she is trying to do.
"I think when you get elected sometimes
people think you're a superhero and you can
solve anything but it doesn't work that way;'
Gilbert said.
Along with he1' plans, Gilbert also wants
her constituents to know that she is ready to
hear their concerns as well.
'J\ny time they have a concern, I will
always be accessible and get back to them, in
one way or another:'
Gilbert is currently running against James
Burden, 58. The District C seat opened
after councilwoman Maureen Lavelle
decided not to seek reelection for a second
term, according to an article in the Sunday
Dispatch.

f:"11

~

@wilkesbeacon
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - February 24, 2015

News

4

Profile of a Professor: Debra Chapman, Biology Department
ByToni Pennello
Staff Writer

Debra Chapman, education specialist, is
passionate about biology, teaching, World
War JI-era Germany and Wilkes.
Although she is not a professor (she has
not earned her Ph.D.), many consider her
an integral part of the Biology Department
at Wilkes.
Chapman grew up in Dallas, Pa., and
attended Wilkes.
"I've been at Wilkes since 1977, 38 years. I
love it here;' she said.
Chapman attributes her decision to enter
the field of biology to a pig dissection she did
in high school.
"It was so interesting. I remember, clearly,
thinking Tm gonna teach biology.'
Chapman teaches freshman-level Biology
121 and 122, as well as sophomore-level
Biology 225 and Biology 105 for the students Debra Chapman inspires students to succeed.
who are not science majors.
When it comes to her love for her job, is when her students say, "Oh! That's really they actually get it:'
Chapman does not take anything for granted. neat, I get this!"
Aside from the courses Chapman teaches,
"I was lucky. . . there are so many things,
"Especially now with the new technology she is also involved in several outreach
especially for women, that we can be now that they have, if they hear something on the programs.
that we wouldn't even have dreamed of in radio, or they see something on television;'
Chapman is the coordinator of the Women
the late seventies... I was lucky that I just . Chapman explains, "they can actually Empowered by Science program, known as
absolutely loved the teaching field."
understand the new developments that are WEB-S, and says this is her biggest outreach
Chapman says her favorite part of teaching happening in the fields of science. I mean program.

"We invite sixth grade girls to the campus
once a month to do all kinds of sciences .. . it's
a great experience for them because they're
learning science, and they're learning in a fun
environment:'
WEBS also offers a week long camp
in the summer, where young girls come
every day to participate in science labs and
demonstrations.
Chapman is also involved in an annual
outreach program called Adventures in
Science, which is taking place on Friday,
April 24. Students from all majors are invited
to help out with this event.
Chapman has very little free time; however,
she likes to designate an hour each night for
reading, especially World War II novels,
because her mother grew up in Germany
during that time.
"I'm very fascinated with how it all
happened and how people got through it;'
Chapman said.
As a Biology Education Specialist, Debra
Chapman is well loved at Wilkes; her passion
for her job shows in the way she helps her
students, and, the way she puts .it, "I love
back:'

f:!I

@wilkesbeacon

·

~ toniann.pennello@wilkes.edu

Kane is Able Vice Chairman Dick Kane to present at Wilkes
By Gabby Glinski
News Photographer

On Thursday, Feb. 26, Wilkes will host
the family business se,minar "Eleven Best
Practices of Successful Family Businesses"
pres&lt;jted by the Wilkes University Family
Business Alliance.
The seminar will be presented by Dick
Kane, vice chairman for Kane is Able, Inc., a
fourth-generation family business.
At the seminar, family business owners will
learn specific traits and skills of successful
family firms and how to apply the skills into
their own businesses. The attendees will be
introduced to the "Best Practices Alignment
Profile," a tool used to identify the best
practices within their firms.
The profile identifies how well teams are
in sync with their companies' mission, goals,
and ownership priorities.
Attendees will be able to create a
personalized action plan to incooperate
the Eleven Best Practices into their own

businesses.
Attendees will learn how they can use the
relationship .between the Family Business
Alliance, Wilkes University and the Jay S.
Sidhu School of Business &amp; Leadership to
support their family business.
The seminar will be at the Henry Student
Center Ballroom, from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Students are encouraged to attend.
Kane is executive in residence for the
Family Business Alliance, and is Owners
Council at Kane is Able, Inc., one of
northeastern Pennsylvania's most successful
local companies which is now in its 85th
year of business. During his tenure as CEO
at Kane is Able, Inc., his guidance helped to
triple the size of business in 12 years.
Those interested in attending the seminar
should RSVP by contacting Lorna Galliford
at _lorna.galliford@wilkes.edu or by calling
570-408-4590.

m

1\:1

@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

Graphic by Moe Woodard

Presented by the Wilkes University Family Business Alliance, the seminar entitled
"Eleven Best Practices of Successful Family Businesses" will feature Kane is Able
Inc. Vice Chairman, Dick Kane where attendees will be able to learn traits and
skills to be helpful with successful business planning while lecfrning to the use
"Best Practices Alignment Profile;' a tool used to identify the best practices
within their firms. The seminar is scheduled for Feb. 26.

�The Beacon - February 24, 2015

5

News

Crisis in Ukraine: Civil war tears apart homes and lives
By Pat Walther
Asst. News Editor

The situation in Ukraine is complicated at
best. There's no singular reason for the urban
warfare and turmoil that has plagued the
small country recently.
One can blame its dysfunctional
relationship with Russia, as Ukraine was part
of both the Russian Empire and the Soviet
Union for a long time. But placing the blame
squarely on Russia's shoulders seems a little
too easy.
It's worthy to note that not all of Ukraine has
fallen into chaos. The fighting that is making
global headlines is happening predominantly
in the eastern part of Ukraine. This has to do
with the proximity of this area to Russia.
Dr. Jonathan Kuiken, an assistant
professor of history at Wilkes University,
explains: "Ukraine has never really been an
independent country .except for a few years
in its history. But eastern Ukraine specifically
has been in the orbit of Russia for centuries."
Many Ukrainians, even after the fall of the
• Soviet Union, consider themselves a part of
Russia. Wilkes-Barre resident Anton Koval,
who grew up and lived in Ukraine for the
majority of his life, confirms this.
•
"There are many people that live
(in Ukraine) that don't really consider
themselves Ukrainian," Koval says. "They say
•they are Russian when asked:'
The civil war in Ukraine has two distinct
factions: the pro-Russian seperatist rebels
and the pro-Ukraine military.
One may wonder how these rebels became
so well-equipped while living in a nation
known for agriculture and
impressive
alcohol consumption (according to a report
by the European Union, Ukraine is the fifth
highest consumer of alcohol in the world.)
These rebels would have little chance if it
weren't for Russia's support. Russia's military
interference in Ukraine began a little less
than a year ago.
Ukraine, which owned Crimea at that
time, was experiencing mass protesting by
Crimean citizens who wanted to break off
and become part of Russia.
Suddenly, the conflict escalated.
'J\11 of a sudden these soldiers start
showing up in Crimea;' Kuiken explains.
"They're dressed like Russian soldiers,
carrying Russian military equipment, look
Russian, and they're called 'the little green
men' because they seemingly appear over
night:'
These soldiers were said to be local
Crimean security forces, but in the words
of Kuiken, "That would be like if the Wilkes
Barre police department was suddenly armed
like Green Beret commandos:'

Pro-Russian Protests

Annedlnsu,genc:y

OCcupltioll of RSA

Oned by Russia

This map shows the war-torn eastern half of Ukraine.
On March 19, 2014, after heavy fighting
on the Crimean peninsula between Russian
backed Crimean defense forces and the
Ukrainian armed forces, Crimea voted with a
96 percent majority to become part of Russia.
But Russia's involvement was widely
condemned by the international community.
Kuiken elaborates, "The situation kind of
ended with Russia saying, 'Well, what are you
going to do about it?' and since no western
nations wanted to start a war over Ukraine's
right to Crimea, nothing happened:'
After this incident, pro-Russia protests
began popping up in eastern Ukraine. These
protests quickly escalated into an armed
insurgency, after which Ukraine was forced
to launch a military counter-offensive.
Koval, now 43 years old, remembers
the day he heard about the fighting in east
Ukraine.
"I turn on the news and I see soldiers and
tanks with the headline 'Fighting in Ukraine'
and I know that things will never be the
same:'
Koval's family is split between the Un'ited
States and Ukraine, and also, as he puts
it, "split between supporting Russia and
supporting Ukraine:'
With recent cease-fire agreements being
broken and the death toll rising to over 5,000,
many Ukrainians are hoping a peaceful
resolution is on the horizon, including Koval.

Rebel separatist soldiers on side of road
"I believe in Ukraine;' Koval says. "I
believe in democracy. I believe that my
country can get through this:'
With the crisis going on its second
year, the world awaits an outcome to this
international power struggle.

Graphic by Moe Woodard

Photo courtesy of Sasha Maksymenko

@wilkesbeacon
patrick.walther@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - February 24, 2015

News

6

Dates to Know: .
Spring Recess .....:.................•...•.........•.............•......................................... February 28
Classes Resume.•...•••..•••••••.•••...•••.•...•••...•.•.•••.•.•••.••••..•••••••..•••.••••.••••...•........••..March 9
Holiday Recess Begins................................................................................~·······APril 2
Classes R~me~...................................- ••••••••••••••.•.••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••.•.•••April 7

Commencement................................................................................................May 16

ASB collects school supplies;

Weather Beat: Feb. 24-27
Tues.

Wed .

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17°
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Thurs.

24°

40

Partly Cloudy
Forecast as of Feb. 20 taken from weather.~om

News Photographer

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35 °

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Preparations for Costa Rica trip
By Gabby Glinski

~

a
I

Wilkes Alternative Spring Break committee
is holding a school supply drive for students
in Costa Rica in preparation for their spring
break trip.
Six students were accepted into the
Alternative Spring Break program to travel
to Costa Rica during the University's spring
break to complete community service
projects. This year, the focus will be on
working in the schools and coffee fields. The
participants will be helping the students learn
English and they will be building benches for
the schools.
"I am an individual that believes in going
above and beyond in all aspects. When my
friend Jimmy and I learned that we were
accepted onto the Alternative Spring Break
trip, we decided that we wanted to do more,"
stated Alternative Spring Break participant

Elizabeth Bracco on establishing the school
supplies drive.
Through her research, Bracco concluded
that the students desperately need the school
supplies to improve the quality of their
education.
The Alternative Spring Break committee
is in need of pens, pencils, crayons, markers,
notebooks, and books for any age category.
The school supplies collected will be given
to the Costa Rican students. There is a box
on the service desk in the Henry Student
Center where donations can be dropped off.
Any questions about donation information
can be sent to Elizabeth Bracco at elizabeth.
bracco@wilkes.edu or Jimmy Steigerwalt at
james.steigerwalt@wilkes.edu.
The planning of the trip is finished;
however, students can look forward to
applying to the trip next year.
@wilkesbeacon .,
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - February 24, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Colle-g e: a .doorstep to professional success
By Austin Ely
Staff Writer

The morning of the big interview is a
jittery time in one's life. Stress bubbles
up in one's stomach thinking about the.
questions that will be asked. When getting
dressed one spends a lot of time picking
out an outfit that says "yes I'm in college
but I'm also a professional."
The outfit is not the only indicator
that .relays the message that you are
professional. Showing that you have
experience is the best way to get the
position you are applying for.
Some students may see college as a
doorway to a job and career.
College is the next logical step to take,
with consideration of some other options
such as the military or working out of
high-school. Taking the extra step to
get that Associates, Bachelors or Masters
Degree may have been a step in the right
direction, but the questions is, how can a
student begin and continue to market th•at
'1egree for a future beyond college?
Photo Illustration/ Pat Walther
The answer can be found in a multitude
The
professional
outfit
is
only
one
aspect
of
building
your
career.
On
Feb.
24,
Career
Sevices
is
hosting .a social and public
of techniques that are geared to landing a
career
fair
open
for
students
in
the
student
center
ballroom
during
club
hours.
person that dream job.
There are things that must be done
before a student begins to even consider
She also stresses the importance where the student would live or stay.
GPA and extracurricular activities:'
a career path.
of students getting involved with the
"This past year, 43 companies attended
Career Services is hosting the Social and
"To help students prepare for work and community and people within their the Internship Fair in October. Those Public Service Career Fair on Feb. 24 in
careers post-Wilkes, we first have to make respective majors. Connections that are employers were here for one reason, to the ballroom during club hours, where 25
sure that they attain the knowledge and made in college are important, especially meet, interview and accept only ·wilkes public and services agencies will talk to
skills to deal with searching for positions professional ones.
students;' Wilkes Director of Internships, students about what agencies are out there,
in an extremely competitive environment:'
"Use them, thank them, and pay th~m Sharon Castano said.
how students themselves should dress,
Carol Bosack, director of Career Services back in some way, some day;' Bosack said.
Castano encourages students to begin how they should introduce themselves,
said.
One good step in building experience in to build their resumes as early as possible, how to edit their resumes and so on.
Bosack encourages students to use college are internships.
even if they are blank.
If college was a logical step, it only proves
Career Services ~uring their sophomore
Wilkes offers a variety of internships
"Most employers a~e seeking students to be a bigger step into an ever changing
and juniors years in order to formulate anywhere one wants to work. There that have had an internship or even say professional world. A world that is geared
reasonable career goals.
are internships available locally, where three when they graduate," Castano said. for those who connect, impress and
"Students have to learn that attaining students would have the chance to "The days are gone when the degree alone succeed.
a career means much more than putting complete their internship credits while makes you marketable. They place great
their resumes on Monster and thinking attending school in the ,fall and spring. emphasis on your abilities to apply what
@wilkesbeacon
that they are going to get multiple job There are also internships offered globally you have learned outside of the classroom
austin. ely@wilkes.edu
offers, that rarely happens;' Bosack warns. where the only extra cost is attributed to and still be able to manage school, a high

.

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The Beacon - February 24, 2015

8

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

-wuPB hosts·Mardi Gras food and fun

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Danica DeMesa and Val Woods sported smiles for the WUPB shark mascot that
still needs a name. Use the hashtag #WU PB on lnstagram or @WilkesUPB on
Twitter for name suggestions!

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Tori Rudovitz st arted to decorate her own mask with the glitter, feathers, and
beads provided at each table.

Asian Culture Club rings in Lunar New Year with celebration
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

The Lunar New Year was brought in with a
celebration at Wilkes University.
The Wilkes University Asian Culture Club
hosted• Chinese New Year celebration last
Wednesday so that the Wilkes community
could embrace the Chinese culture.
Each lunar new year is marked with a
symbolic animal and natural element. The
current new year will be the year of the Green
Sheep. The sheep will also be symbolic of the
element Earth based on its habitual eating
and living patterns.
"I believe that diversity events are good
experiences and create fun at school;'
Zhaoyang Wang, member of the Asian
Culture Club said. "We want more people to
know about the Chinese culture:'
People who came out to to the celebration
had the opportunity to taste Chinese food
and do a workshop on dumpling making.
Wang adds, "Diversity events like the
Chinese New Year can not only provide a way
to exchange our cultural views to others but

also brings a platform to broaden horizons
of all:'
The event also presented traditional
Chinese dance and games for the audience
to learn.
Wang holds Wilkes University in
high regards in terms of accepting and
understanding different cultures.
"Wilkes University is like the cosmos
that includes the different stars. Each star
is quite different arid unique, but because of
the differences among the cosmos (student
body), the whole universe is able to shine;'
Wang said.
The Asian Culture Club plans to continue
efforts for providing campus with the
opportunity to gain better understanding of
different cultures throughout the rest of the
semester.
Pictured to the right: one of the many
dishes prepared for the event.

r.-1 @wilkesbeacon

l=J Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

�L
The Beacon - February 24, 2015 .

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

She said, He said
.
Opposite sexes: "Why can't we be friends?"
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

The age old.question: can you have just a
friendship with the opposite sex?
In the simplest definition of friendships;
dynamic interactions between two people
over a time period that could last months
to years and even decades, one would
think the answer to this question should
not be so complex.
''At some point you will ask yourself
'can I date him?: which I would guess
he will ask himself, too, if he could see
himself with you. While that question is
in your head, that can really make things
complicated;' junior psychology major
Allison Davis said.
The level of friendship also adds to the
complexity.
Davis adds, "My position on this topic
is from 'When Harry Met Sally'. There is
a part when Harry says guys and girls can
be friends if neither of them are attracted
• to each other:'
In the modern day, friendships have
different roles. A common, modern day
example exists when one person is attracted
to the other friend but the attraction is not
replicated: the 'friendzone:
"One of them is going to catch feelings
and a friendzone situation is going to form.
No one is ever satisfied with being in the
friendzone;' Davis explains. "There is an
awkwardness that develops and eventually
deteriorates the friendship:'
Another type of friendship exists when
their is a mutual agreement of added
benefits to the friendships: friends with
benefits.
''Again referring to a movie, 'Friends
with Benefits' this friendship is s~ort lived.
It does not work because one or both of
them will inevitably catch feelings;' Davis
said. "If only one person wants more
in the friendship, self-esteem problems
could develop. The .questions of 'why
am I enough for sex, being together in
the most intimate way possible, but not
good enough to go to the movies and on
a date with' will bother you and ruin the
friendship:'
There are, however, ways opposite sex

friendships do work.
One example of this positive friendship
is the 'sibling-like friendship'.
"If I see you as a brother and you look
out for me like a little sister our friendships
will work;' Davis said.
The final type of working friendship is a
relationship.
"If both people end up liking each other
then thats the best friendship you could
have. Everyone _wants to want to marry
their best friend:' •
Friendship need mutual understandings
to work.
"Both parties in the friendship need to
know what level of friendship they are on
to make it a lasting dynamic;' Davis said.

By Justin Topa
Asst. Life, A&amp;E Editor

nature to friendships with members of
the same sex.
"It seems common that a lot of guys
It is not uncommon to he_a r the que~tion
become
friends with giris because of
posed: "Can a man and woman ever really
an
attraction
to them, at least in the
just be friends?"
beginning;'
said
Minnich. "Regardless ·
Those on Wilkes University's campus are
of
how
the
friendship
starts or whether
split on whether or not a· male and female .
ulterior
motives
exist,
the bonds don't
can be friends :without ulterior motives,
seem
as
strong
as
the
bonds
built with
in~luding sexual endeavors. Many males
your
pals
(
of
the
same
sex)."
are of the opinion that a male-female
Minnich finds that a friendship with
relationship is difficult to maintain and
a
female can be as equally beneficial ~s ·
not as bonding as a friendship with the
any
friendship, but said that there may
member of the same sex.
be
difficulty
in finding comfortable
Kendric Minnich, a senior undergraduate
common
ground
to relate to one another. ,
student within the Department of
"Conversations
and
planning hang-outs i
Environmental Engineering, agrees that
can
seem
less
organic
with a member of
males and females can have healthy
the
opposite
sex;'
Minnich
said. "It may
friendships, but co~tests that these
@wilkesbeacon
take
some
work
in
developing
common
friendships are generally different in
nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu
ground:'
Despite the hesitation by some to
form friendships with the opposite sex,
there is another group of males who find
friendships with females just as healthy
as those with other guys. Evan Ensley, a
junior undergraduate student within the
Sidhu School of Business at Wilkes, is of
this opinion.
"Even as a young kid, some of my best
friends have been girls;' Ensley said.
"Topics of conversation may be a little
different but, as you do in any friendship,
you tailor the conversations based on
mutual interests and experiences:'
Ensley noted that issues may arise
surrounding the way others view
friendships of opposite sexes.
''A lot of peepfe bring up dating when
opposite sex friendships are seen;' Ensley
said. "It's usually not the intention and
people suggesting that it seems romantic
can really mess up the friendship:'
While Minnich and Ensley both agreed
that healthy friendships with females are
possible and can be of great value, the
two both find that differences can exist
making the friendship something that
needs to be developed.
Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons/Angela Waye Photography and Design

Developing a friendship with a member of the opposite sex may leave some
feeling frustrated. Kendric Minnich finds that opposite sex friendships "may take
some work in developing common ground:'

@wilkesbeacon
justin.topa@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - February 24, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

10

1

-·Nurse from Tanzania visited Wilkes for AIDS awareness
By Alyssa Mursch
Staff Writer
With a scarce amount of available
health care and limited resources, over
30% of children have been left orphaned
by HIV AIDS in Tanzania. It is Zebra
Communications', a student-run public
relations firm, intent to help provide for
these children.
Over the past four years, Zebra has rajsed
over $13,000 to help provide orphaned
children in Tanzania with basic necessities,
such as food and shelter, but they also help
pay for their education.
"It costs about $11,000 a year to provide
housing, school, books, shoes, and food for
one of the children," said Dr. Jane ElmesCrahall, the head of Zebra.
To raise money, Zebra has held many
fund.raising events such as a dodge ball
tournament, a formal gala, and many other
silent auctions and events.
Currently,
Zebra
is
sponsoring
four children through the nonprofit
organization Embrace a Child.
By sponsoring the children, they are able
to further their education.
"We have so many resources here
compared to the possibilities for people
there," said Dr. Linda Winkler, special
assistant to the Provost and director of
Global Outreach. Winkler originally
brought the idea to Zebra.
After sponsoring these children for
several years and following their progress,

hearts," said Haley
Adam, co-manager of
the Embrace a Child
account team. "Not
only are we helping
other people but it's
nice to know we were a
part of something like
that."
On April 12, Zebra
will be working with
the Wilkes' Student
Athletic
Advisory
Committee to put
together a Charity
Challenge.
At
the
cost of $5 per person,
both
members
of
the community and
"Wilkes' students can
compete in teams of
four. This event will
incorporate
several
sports, including some
of Tanzanian origin.
Proceeds from this
event will be shared
Courtesy of Dr. Winkler among Embrace a

Maria Nassola is a nurse from Tanznia who recently
visited Wilkes. She advocates for proper health care.
receiving biographies and pictures, many
of the students working with the campaign
say they have become emotionally invested
in them.
"We hold this process close to our

Child, Make-A-Wish
Foundation,
and
Special Olympics.
One of the students Zebra has sponsored,
Kahinga, has utilized this program to its
fullest, as he just finished the equivalency
of community college and will be taking a
test in February in hopes of moving on to

a university.
"It's amazing what these kids are doing
with their lives," said Adam.
Those involved say the children show
immense gratitude for the efforts that
Zebra puts forth, portraying just how much
of a difference this program is making in
their lives.
"They make a point of thanking us,"
said Elmes-Crahall. "Kahinga doesn't
have access to computers often, but when
he does he will email. They [the emails]
always start with 'thank you so much for
what you do:"
Maria Nassola, who is a nurse from
Tanzania, recently visited Wilkes. She
works as a midwife while also giving health
lessons over the radio, which plays a large
role in advocating proper health care in
her community.
Nassola spoke of the need for education
and medical training in Tanzania, stating
that there is only one hospital that is
split to accommodate two districts,
both of 700,000 each. Not only are they
understaffed, but only a handful of workers
know how to do many of the procedures,
and they are severely lacking in technology
advancements.
"We're providing hope, providing
possibilities,
and · creating capacity
for individuals who wouldn't have an
opportunity otherwise," said Winkler.

On Thursday, February 19, the
Multicultural Student Coalition hosted
a poetry slam inspired by Black History
Month.
Students within the Multicultural Student
Coalition and other students who attended
the event delivered poems written by famous
African American poets, works inspired by
Black History Month and slam poems. MSC
also served freshly baked desserts to those in
attendance.
Jaleel Sterling, a senior undergraduate
student and member of MSC, delivered a
poem titled "Riches': but added personal
touches to the work. He dedicated his
delivery to his supportive family and received

a number of snaps from the audience for his
performance.
Erica Chambers, a Wilkes University
pharmacy student, is the treasurer for the
Multicultural Student Coalition who helped
to organize the event and also participated.
She said the event was a success and that the
MSC is likely to hold similar events in the
future.
"We wanted people to celebrate Black
History Month while gaining a bit of culture
and background in different forms of poetry,"
Chambers said.
MSC is scheduled to host a talent show
in March. For more information, e-mail
president Kayla Rooney.
.... @wilkesbeacon
l:::J justin.topa@wilkes.edu

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Jaleel Sterling, shown above, read "Riches" last Thursday at MSC's slam poetry.

�The Beacon - February 24, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

11

5 Things You Should Really Give up this Lenten Season
By Emily DeAngelis
Staff Writer

•

We are all guilty. Chocolate, soda,
sweets- giving up things that
serve us superficially but do not
nurture ourselves in the ~ay the
spirit of lent is intended. While it
is holistically possible to do things
for others rather than eliminate
things from ourselves, there is a
plethora of things that can be easily
given up and beneficial to our
lifestyles.
•

Admit it: it's easy to cower
behind their expressive faces and
sometimes tearful eyes. Time will
teach that nothing easy is ever
really worth it. Start finding the
words for those emoticons. Miguel
Ruiz's first of his Four Agreements
states, "be impe~cable with your
word:' Every email, text or call is
an opportunity to use language in
a powerful and precise manner.
Don't let emoji's and shortcuts
dilute your abilities.

FORGETTING TO CALL
YOU FAMILY.

It's easy to get caught up in the
chaos. Mid-semester offers plenty
of excuses for the lack of time,
but really, we can all spare the
few minutes, even if they contain
twenty questions.

USING MORE EMOJI'S
THAN WORDS
.

.

BEING HARD ON YOURSELF.

99% of the time, it's not you, it's the
situation.

The Beacon/ Nicole Kutos

.

GIVING UP.

It's easy to get down and out. This
Lenten Season, let positivity be the
mantra.

•

•

CHOCOLATE AND SODA.

While you're at it, join freshman
nursing major Jackie Scheffler in
cutting the sweets.

HUMANS OF WILKES UNIVERSITY

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�The Beacon - February 24, 2015

13

A google image search for "How to Dress Professionally"
yields many similar results; the majority of these images
depict women wearing what the peopre posting them con. sider appropria,te attire for women in a business setting.
The vagueness of the "professional" dress code for women
can be a cause for concern. Many women who are graduating seniors, as well as students who
are seeking internships, may soon face
this problem as they enterthe·workforce.

described in the essay. "Some days you just want to get
dressed and go about your business. But if you're a woman, you can't, because there is no unmarked woman."

Women also tend to be pre-judged based on what they
are wearing, Starner said. "Yoi.J focus on what a woman
is wearing rather than what she can
do or say," she said. "What she says
. is pre-judged, or framed in advance
TO GET DRESSED AND GO ABOUT · simply by looking at what she has on."

"SOME DAYS YOU JUST WANT

Dr. Janet Starner, English profesYOUR BUSINESS. BUT IF YOU'RE Andrew Wilczac, assistant sociolsor at Wilkes University, weighs in
on why this might be. "For men,
ogy professor at Wilkes, also comments on the fact that women have
there is pretty much a standard cosBECAUSE
THERE
IS
NO
more ·to worry about in regards to
tume, and that makes them sort of
fade into the background. Their clothwhat they have to wear in order to be
deemed professional. "Me, I have to
ing doesn't usually distinguish them,"
.
Starner said.Starner contrasts this with the difficulty try nof to look like a slob .. .for ~ lot of women, there's a
women may have in choosing clothing for the same jobs. lot more image work that goes into what you're going to
wear for work." He also noted that teacher evaluations
"There are all kinds of ways th.at women can dress, sometimes skew towards a woman professor's appearbut each 'co·stume,' if you will, each mode of dress- ance and way of dress rather than their achievements.
ing, sends a particular message about who that woman is, including things like whether or not she's se- Wilczac spoke of stories about young female profesrious, whether or not she's intelligent... all kinds of sors having comments such as, "I always liked it when
messages can be sent using clothing," Starner said. she wore the red sweater," or "I liked it when she turned
around to write on the board." When asked for an ex"lf that weren't the case, we would not have all kinds planation as to why women are viewed so differently in
of how-to guides that instruct us on how to 'dress for the professional world, Wilczac points toward a lack of
success. ' Starner attributes this to the idea of worn- integration. "We haven't gotten to the point yet where we're
en as "marked" individuals. Deborah Tannen, lin- comfortable with women working - the number of women
guistics professor at Georgetown University and ac- in power are still very few." For further reading about the
claimed author, defines what it means to be "marked" way women's dress defines them, readers can refer to
in her essay entitled "There is No Unmarked Woman." Deborah Tannen's essay, "There is No Unmarked Woman." It can be found at:
In the essay, Tannen describes how women ascribe to
a certain presenlation of self, whereas men have the
option to blend in. She uses the example of a business http://www.sjusd.org/schools/lincoln/downloads/Tanconference. "Each of the women at the conference had nen_article.pdf
to make decisions about hair, clothing ... each decision
carried meaning. Every style available to us was marked.
The men in our group made decisions, too, but the range
from which they chose was incomparably narrower," she

AWOMAN, YOU CAN'T,

•

UN ARKED WOMAN.'~

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14

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

Four Reasons Why "Fifty Shades o~ Grey" is Black &amp; White
Debunking the myths behind the controversial movie
disputes the idea that Ana is making
thoughtful, detached decisions about
Christian in an article on her website,
megmeekermd.com.
"Christian
constantly supplies
Anastasia with alcohol, impairing her
judgment. Also, Anastasia becomes
sexually active with Christian - her
first experience ever - soon after
meeting him. Neuroscience suggests
their intimacy could jump start her
feelings of attachment and trust,
before she's certain he deserved
them. Sex is a powerful experience
- particularly the first time. Finally,
Christian manipulates Anastasia into
signing an agreement prohibiting her
from telling anyone that he is a long
time abuser," Grossman said.
The bottom line is that Ana is
coerced. Coercion is not consent.

By Ashley Evert
Managing Editor
Fifty Shades of Grey quickly became a
worldwide phenomenon when the first
book was released in 2011. Four years
later, it has been adapted on the big screen
and is raising big questions. There are
dozens of popular articles on the Internet
explaining why Fifty Shades is not the
sexy BDSM novel that most of society
perceives it to be-it is a tragic story of
sexual abuse.
Despite
the
fact-based
articles
supported by evidence from the books
themselves, many individuals are
overlooking the dangerous themes
represented in the movie. Not sure how
to battle with your friend about why they
should save their money (or better yet,
donate their money to women's slielters)
instead of seeing the movie? Here are four
reasons people give for wanting to see the
movie anyway and what you can say to get
them to think twice.

1. It's just a movie don't read into it.
Mia Briceno, assistant professor of
communication studies, said that movies
can be looked at as rhetorical artifacts,
"they shape our culture, our interpersonal ·
relationships-certainly they are not the
only influence we have - but if you're going
to say that mass media doesn't contribute
at all to those ideas and the way that we
communicate and interact with each
other, you're ignoring the significance of
that:'
"Cultural representations of sex matter.
Cultural representations of sexual power
matter- especially when it reinforces
the social stigmas of women's repressed
sexuality and that present any kind of
justification of our date rape culture that
says that it's okay for a man to force himself
on a woman;' Helen Davis, associate
professor of English said.
Davis notes that sex education in
schools isn't cutting it and that is why we
need to read into movies.

Photo illustration by Ashley Evert

"These cultural representations of sex are
what most people get as their sex education;'
she said.
Briceno notes that we can consume the
types of messages seen in Fifty Shades of
Grey for entertainment or pleasure but
there is a difference between being an
informed receiver of these messages and
consuming these messages without critically
considering them.

2. It's just so kinky
and sexy.
''Abuse isn't sexy, abuse isn't kinky, abuse
isn't okay. There are much healthier, sexier,
kinkier options out there that would serve
that purpose much better;' Davis said.
"There's a whole field of erotica that
doesn't rely on either badly written tropes or
badly represented ideas of sexual practice:'

3. But Ana consents to
being a submissive.

In Fifty Shades, "consent is incredibly
problematic. The rules that are agreed upon
by both of them are constantly violated. She
constantly ends up in sexual situations that
she is not comfortable with and that she has
not agreed to," Davis said.
The book frames this this as acceptable
because Ana eventually likes it, but women
have to be in charge of their own sexual
experiences. Women are made to feel guilty
if they say no to things they do not want to
do, Davis said.
Briceno notes that because of the unequal
power distribution between Christian and
Ana, the book reinforces ideas that rape
culture is built around like "blurred lines"
and "she says no but she means yes:'
"It's not just women being abused in these
sorts of relationships, it's also about the way
that it disproportio~ally affects men and the
expectation that they embody this kind of
masculine stereotype;' Briceno said.
Miriam Grossman, a medical doctor
specializing in pediatrics and psychiatry

4. People practice
BDSM all the time.
Fifty Shades of Grey is not an accurate
representation of BDSM culture. In
BDSM, all parties give active and
informed consent.
"People who read this book and think
they want to get into BDSM culture could
be in big trouble because it's not a very
clear or accurate representation of that
culture and, in fact, violates most of the
rules in that culture;' Davis, said.
Equating BDSM with sexual abuse isn't
doing the already misunderstood culture
even more harm.
According to Katherin O'Clare in her
article about Fifty Shades on crushable.
com, ''All sexual relationships, whether
vanilla or ~nky, require consent. There
is no such thing as having sex that is not
based in consent. The only thing that
happens without it is rape:'
Why would anyone pay $11 at a theater
to see that?

@wilkesbeacon
ashley.evert@wilkes.edu

•

�The Beacon - February 24, 2015

Opinion

15

Likes, Favorites and Followers: But what about real life?
By Allison Rossi
g
V

t
1
1

t
1

r
l

e
1

e
1

1

Staff Writer

"'
The first instinct of many teens_today
when something .exciting or thoughtful
happens is to post a picture or a status on
social networking sites such as Twitter,
Instagram, or Facebook. Social media
is changing various social aspects in
todays society.
The internet is an extremely influential
aspect in our society. Many aspects in
an individuals life can change due to
social media such as job opportunities,
friendships, and even relationships.
Social media has transformed social
aspects of society.
According to The Statistics Portal,
there are more than 1.6 billion social
network users world wide. More than
sixty-four percent of the internet users
use social media online.
Teenagers' time is being consumed
by Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and

Snapchat.
"As of the second quarter of 2014,
Twitter had 2 71 million monthly active
users," the portal stated. "Instagram
had 200 million monthly active users
worldwide. In June 2014, Facebook had
more than 1.32 billion global monthly
active users, including over one billion
mobile monthly active users ."
When Marissa D' Angola, a freshman
who attends Wilkes University, was
asked how often she uses Twitter,
Instagram, and or Facebook, she
responded: "On average I use social
networking sites about six hours per
day. Whenever I am bored or need a
break from studying . I check up on my
followers on these sites."
Ashley Weber is also a freshman
who attends Wilkes University. Weber
explained that she has met important
people in her life such as friends through
Facebook and Twitter. Weber even met
her roommate through Facebook. The

internet is extremely powerful and
creates many life long connections in
today's society. However, there are
downfalls to the internet and these
social networking sites as well.
Twenty-somethings are unaware and/
or forget what it feels like to not be
influenced and impacted by the internet.
For example, instead of an individual
enjoying his or her meal or describing
what they consumed at a restaurant to a
friend, he or she may take a picture of it.
If something happens in one's life
such as an engagement, a good test
score, a good deed or a surprise, it is
immediately posted on Instagram,
Twitter or Facebook.
People broadcast their relationships
on social networking sites as well.
Whether it is a positive aspect or a
negative aspect with.in the relationship
many post about their personal lives
on Twitter. There have been many
arguments between couples due to their

favorites or even their Snapchat best
friends.
Many
individuals
meet
their
significant others on these websites as
well as through Facebook messages,
Twitter, and Instagram direct messages .
The Statistics Portal explained: "In
2014, the leading dating website in the
United States with global audiences was
match.com with 35 million monthly
users." There are many success stories.
About 8 percent of 18-29 year olds
admitted to The Statistics Portal to
being in a committed relationship with
a spouse or partner they met online.
Individuals, especially teenagers,
need to remember and understa1.d that
their worth and value is not measured
by the amount of Instagram likes one
gets on their picture or by the amount of
followers or favorites one attains.

@wilkesbeacon
allison.rossi@wilkes.edu

r
s

More than an elective: The harm of confining black history

r

Staff Writer

By Elyse Guziewicz
1

Ah, yes, Black History Month. The
singular month of the year where we spout
a few facts about whatever memorable
historic event involving black people
comes to mind and go on our merry way,
happy to have done our good deed.
All throughout their primary and
secondary school years, American children
are taught a certain version of history. For
the most part, it centers around "heroic"
European colonizers, with a few chapters
dedicated to strangely white Egyptians.
In doing so, they are taught that the
history of the rest of the world is only fit to
be compressed into a few short chapters or, in the case of black history, the shortest
month of the year.
Americans who identify as black make
up almost 15 percent of our population
and have been on American soil as long as
Europeans have. The continent of Africa

is the second largest and the second most
populous in the world, with Asia coming in
first.
By telling our children (particularly
black children) that the accomplishments
of Africans (such as the invention of paper,
buildings, and the human race) and black
Americans (such as the invention of rock
and roll and the first large-scale blood bank,
among other things) aren't worthy to be
included in the general curriculum, we tell
them the ability to achieve is mitigated by
nationality and race.
"Black history is almost nonexistent
in schools. This type of education only
promotes self-hatred and invisibility," says
Ekundayo lgeleke in his 2014 article "The
Negro Remains Uneducated."
He goes on to state that "culturally
relevant curricula are important for all
people, especially black people. It gives
youth liope that their school cares about
who they are or who they were.

"It is powerful to understand that Africans

are the genesis of modem civilization. I am
sure (w)hite students feel empowered when
they hear of the great history of their Greek
and Roman ancestors."
White history is a required course, while
black history an elective. When teachers
attempt to correct the wrong being done
to their students, they are reprimanded or
fired, as seen in Washington D.C. at Howard
U. Middle School.
Wilkes student Simone Davies, who hails
from Bermuda, said that her experience
with · black history in school focused on
slavery and genocide. Bermuda, which is
still technically a British colony, has a more
than 50 percent black population, and yet its
curriculum is, like America's, Eurocentric.
Teaching children that white people are
responsible for making great changes and
black people have only ever been beneath
others has a darker side - it means minority
students get teachers with less experience,

harsher penalties for rule violations, and
more suspensions.
By choosing not to teach black history as
a vital part of our development as a nation
and a world, we are forcing Black students
to shoulder the task of teaching themselves.
Confining
the
narratives
and
accomplishments of black Americans to a
single month does not mean that there is
only enough to fill up 28 days, it simply
means that any person who wants to learn
will have to learn on their own time and
often their own dime.
"They're not going to teach us," senior
Jaleel Sterling said. "We have to educate
ourselves."

@wilkesbeacon
elyse.guziewicz@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - February 24, 2015

Opinion

16

Wild: From· Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
By Sara Pisak
Asst. Opinion Editor

Editor's Note: The Beacon is rerunning
this book review because the ending was
inadvertantly cut from last week's issue.
Cheryl Sti:ayed's autobiographical
novel, Wild: From Lost '"to Found
on the Pacific Crest Trail is quickly
becoming a global sensation. The text,
turned screenplay, was nominated
for two Oscars at this past Sunday's
Academy Awards Ceremony. The
movie's acclaim not only stems from the
actors' performances but from Strayed's
poignant words.
The novel follows twenty-six year old
Cheryl Strayed as she hikes the Pacific
Crest Trail from Mojave, California to
Locks, Washington. Strayed undertakes
this 1,100 mile hike alone, spurred by
the demons of her past as well as those
of the present. Strayed, using shear
blind determination to complete her
trek, is accompanied by the uncertainty
of her future. As the above lines work
to summarize the text, one could be
tempted by this description to classify
Wild as nothing more than a new cog in
the "coming of age novel" wheel, simply
a book of self-discovery or a travel
journal. Any one of these classifications
would be a flagrant mistake for this
particular New York Times Best Seller.
After the sudden death of her mother,
Strayed's life begins a catastrophic
tailspin. The once distinguished college
student finds herself grieving her
mother's death, separated from her
family, addicted to heroin, entangled
in affairs and ultimately divorced from
her husband, all before her twenty-sixth
birthday. At this time, Strayed viewed
the Pacific Crest Trail as a way to set her
life back on its own promising course.
Not to spoil the outcome for prospective
readers, however, the long, winding
and tumultuous trail ironically, returns
Strayed to the straight and narrow. The
beauty of Strayed's text is found not in
her redemption but in her honesty.
Each page of Wild is just that, wild.
Strayed's commentary on her life is
fierce, at times harsh or rough around
the edges, enthusiastic, or any other

synonyms one might conjure for the
novel's title. When the autobiography
needs to be, it is heart-wrenching,
haunting and self-reflective. Then,
on a dime, the text completes a 180
degree turn. It becomes sarcastic, selfdeprecating and witty. A reader needs
to look no further than Strayed's own
name to find her own brand of sarcastic
humor. While lamenting her ending
marriage, Strayed informs the audience
she changed her named to Strayed as a
reminder of how far in life she had in
fact "strayed." These abrupt changes in
the text make Cheryl Strayed what we
all strive to be and that is honest with
ourselves.
My personal fear, regarding this
autobiography is that this honesty comes
at a cost. Not everyone will appreciate
the text's frankness. Strayed discusses
everything from 'her abortion to her
drug use and everything in between. In
doing so, Strayed apologizes to those
she has hurt, discourages others from
following in her path but never regrets,
as her indiscretions formed her into
the person she has become. I fear some
readers will not see past the occasional
profanity and the controversial subject
matter thus preventing them from
appreciating the true meaning of
Strayed's words. Her candor assists the
reader to see the forest through the trees
(pun intended).
A revelation occurs as one reads this
book. It is: we all make mistakes, we
should move on in a positive manner
and we should embrace our errors.
Staryed teaches the reader, not to spend
precious time regretting our mistakes
because without them, our life would
not be enhanced but drastically lacking
in personal meaning. At times, so~iety
bans literature for various reasons. With
trepidation I believe that Wild will one
day succumb to societal pressures of
not conforming to political correctness.
It would be a discredit for a reader not
to acknowledge Strayed's miraculous
feat and I am not referencing her solo
trek, her transformative life, but her
teachable life lessons.

@wilkesbeacon
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

Sara's Score:

•

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f OM LO I TO

F UND ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL

•

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Courtesy of Creative Commons

�L
Opinion

The Beacon - February 24, 2015

17

A life saving opportunity for Luzerne County residents · ·
By Mandy Stickles
Asst. Opiriion Editor

Since 2002, the death rate from drug
overdoses has become astronomical,
ranging from 45 to 70 annually in
Luzerne County. This i'!; the leading
cause of deaths compared to other death
incidents in this area.
Heroin and opiates have become more
popular over the years and people
~re becoming riskier with their drug
choices, finding it cool to experiment
and combine different types of drugs to
get a more intense or longer high.
Drugs have become more easily
available and it does not matter if the
people of Luzerne County are poor or
rich, it is a problem involving the whole
county and needs to be addressed.
An overdose on drugs could happen to
anyone, especially if it is someone that
is not experienced with the drug or if
people decide to mix different drugs for
a new type of high.
If caught soon enough drug overdoses
can be prevented; with a drug called
Naloxone. Naloxone is safe to use and
has been around for a while. When the
central nervous system and respiratory

system begins to shut down from an
overdose of drugs the N aloxone reverses
the effects, saving the person's life.
Naloxone is the saving grace for
drug overdoses, however, many times
it becomes too late to use it because
only emergency medical responders
are allowed to administer the drug .
Thankfully law enforcement officials
recently came to their senses . and
realized it does not make much sense
to only allow medical responders to be
able to administer this drug.
It may seem foolish to allow someone
access to this drug that may have
no medical experience · or familiar
with injections; however, if it comes
down to a life or death situation and
there is not enough time to wait for
medical responders, people may think
differently.
Having Naloxone available _to anyone
could also be beneficial if it deals with
a younger crowd who may be scared
to call the police for fear of getting in
trouble.
.
Records show that last year in Luzerne
County 63 people died from drug
overdoses; if this drug can help reduce
that number of deaths then it seems like
a no brainer to allow people to have

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access to Naloxone.
The market is selling Naloxone
under the name Evzio. It is basically
like an EpiPen, allowing the person
administering the drug to simply stick it
into their thigh and not having to worry
about needles or having to know how to
inject something properly.
Dr.
Kimberly
Welch,
assistant
professor for Wilkes' International
Medical Pharmacy Practice voices her
concern for the drug.
"The problem with Naloxone is that
it works fast but not for a long time.
People need to know that injecting
Evzio does not completely reverse the
effects of an overdose it only prolongs
them, buying the victim. time to get to a
hospital or wait for medical attention to
arrive," Welch said.
Having _Evzio can become handy and
reassuring for people that may know
someone that does drugs like heroin
or opiates . God forbid, someone
finds a friend or family member lying
unconscious and overdosing, knowing
.Evzio can save their life is a good
feeling to have .
However, Evizo should npt be taken
for granted or used on a daily bases.
Drug abusers should seek help for their

addiction and not rely on Evizo to be
their back up if they accidently decide
to overdose.
When using Evizo, people should
also be careful because if the drug
does completely reverse the effect of a
heroin or opiate overdose the victim can
go into immediate withdrawal, which
can be just as harmful and deadly as an
overdose.
Dr. Thomas Franko, assistant professor
for the pharmacy practice at Wilkes is
all for the Naloxone drug and allowing
people to have access to Evizo.
"Allowing people to have access to
Evizo is a step in the right direction on
figuring out that someone has a drug
problem and then helping them get the
help they need for their drug addiction,"
Franko said.
It might be hard or even close to • ·
impossible to stop the drug problems
in Luzerne County but at least with the
drug Naloxone it can help save people's
lives from drug overdosing and being to
provide them with the help they need.

@wilkesbeacon
amanda.stickles@wilkes.edu

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�_J

The Beacon - February 24, 2015

18

Opinion

Sport Court: J.T. vs Brandon
By J.T. Keer
Staff Writer

Heading into the heart of the 20142015 NCAA basketball season, there
is one team that stands apart from the
rest, the Kentucky Wildcats.
Led by Willie Cauley-Stein, KarlAnthony Towns ahd the Harrison
twins , the Wildcats have a roster
driven by plenty of NBA talent and
have 12 players who can contribute
on any given night. One weakness
that Kentucky has is its relatively
inexperienced lineup. With CauleyStein as its only upperclassman that
gets significant playing time, youth
could play a factor come March and
April when the Wildcats run into a
talented experienced ball club.
With as much talent as Kentucky
has, there are a few teams that could
challenge the Wildcats come March.
One of those teams is the Duke Blue
Devils.
Duke has a similar top end of the
roster as Kentucky does with their best
players being underclassman. Duke
has the top prospect for this year's

By Brandon Gubitosa
Sports Editor

Heading into the heart of 2014-15
draft on its roster, big man Jahlil
Okafor. Okafor is one of the best
big men college basketball has seen
in a very long time. His combination
of size and athleticism makes him a
force to be reckoned with in the post.
Also , the Blue Devils play in arguably
the nations toughest conference, the
ACC, and will be more battle tested
come March then Kentucky is.
Another ACC team, the Virginia
Cavaliers, also will be a tough out
this March.
The €avaliers play
suffocating defense and have been
making
teams work
for
every
basket. Led
by
Justin
Anderson,
Virginia
will
play
hard
and
smart from
buzzer
to
buzzer.
Out of the

Big 10, I think the Wisconsin Badgers
pose a major threat to opponents
in this tournament. With a lot of
experience, the Badgers will work
you until they get the perfect shot.
Frank Kaminsky is a do-it-all big man
that will be determined to go far this
March in his final run at the title.
I think' that Micliigan State is
playing good ball and will be a
sleeper out of this conference lead by
legendary coach Tom Izzo.
In the Big East, Villanova
appears to be a strong contender to
make a run
at the title.
Nova
has
a·
starting
lineup
of
all
Juniors
and Seniors
that
have
been playing
together now
for 3 years.
There
have
been a few

games this season where all 5 starters
have scored in double figures. Nova
plays very well together and will
never settle for the bad shot.
The one small conference team that
everyone knows will be dangerous
is the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Gonzaga
is loaded in its starting •lineup but
the issue of strength of schedule has
caught up to the team the last few
years. The Zags seem to get shell
shocked every March when they
finally play a good opponent again.
My prediction for this year is
that Kentucky, Duke, Virginia and
Villanova make it to the Final 4 with
a matchup of Kentucky and Duke in
the final. Even with a lineup full of
youth, I think Kentucky is too strong
not to win this years title. But, as we
learned last year, nobody really knows
anything when it comes to picking the•
champion coming tournament time.
@wilkesbeacon
j onathan.keer@wilkes.edu

Selection Sunday is less than one month away

The Hoosiers were one of the four
Selection Sunday is ·1ess than one schools to ever go unde feated, along
with the UCLA Bruins, North Carolina
month away. Yes, yoti heard right.
The best month of the year is almost Tar Heels and the San Francisco Dons .
upon us. It is the time of the year The Bruins did this four times under
where Cinderella teams are born and legendary head coac h John Wooden
your re_cord really doesn't mean much in 1964, 1967, 1972 and 1973.
The big question this -year is who's
on game day. On March 15, CBS will
reveal the 68 teams that will make it going to beat the Wildcats? Four
teams come to mind: The Duke Blue
to the big dance this year.
The favorite for the NCAA tournament Devils, Virginia Cavaliers, Gonzaga
Bulldogs and Wisconsin Badgers
is the University of.Kentucky Wildcats.
are
Kentucky's biggest competitors,
As of now they are the only team
unbeaten nationally. No college acc·ording to most experts.
The
Virginia
Cavaliers
are
basketball team has finished the
season undefeated since the Indiana ranked second in the nation behind
Hoosiers in 1976. Three other .teams the Kentucky Wildcats. They are
currently tied with the Duke Blue
have entered the tournament undefeated;
Devils
for first place in the ACC.
however, all lost in the tournament itself.
Last season the Wichita State The reason why Virginia can beat the
Shockers were 34-0 before falling to Wildcats is the way they control the
the Wildcats in the Round 32. They game. They are arguably one of the
best defensive teams in the nation.
were the first team since the 1991
Head
coach Tony Bennett emphasizes
UNLV Runnin ' Rebels to enter the
NCAA tournament unbeaten. Before • defense as a way to win games. The
the Rebels it was Larry Bird and the Cavaliers average 58.1 possessions
Indiana State Sycamores in 1979 who per game fewer than all but one other
entered the tournament without a loss. team in Division I basketball. They
control the ball when they have and

make sure to use all 35 seconds of is ranked first in the nation with
the shot clock. Their style of play has Kaminsky leading the team in scoring.
been considered boring, but it might He is currently averaging 17 .6 points
just help them beat the Wildcats.
per game along with 8.4 rebounds per
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are on the game. The Badgers last season lost
to the Wildcats in the Final Four and
verge of making a run this season.
They haven't been past the Sweet . will look to get revenge this season.
16 since their 1999 run to the Elite
My personal favorite to beat the
Eight. Many people are always Wildcats is the Duke Blue Devils.
skeptical of the Bulldogs because of Jahlil Okafor is a monster and is a
their conference schedule. However clear favorite to be the number one
overall pick in the draft. The freshman
the Bulldogs are in the Top 20 from
beyond the arc, and have played is averaging 17 .9 points per game
seven games against the Top 68 teams along with 9.4 rebounds per game.
He is a force in the paint and usually
in RPI. In those games they are 6-1
with that one loss coming in overtime. draws two defenders. When he does
They really haven't faced that big draw two defenders, he dishes it out
of a challenge in their conference to either Quinn Cook or Tyus Jones .
schedule, but then again neither . has Averaging more than 10 points per
Kentucky.
games and are shooting about 40
The
Wisconsin
Badgers
find percent from behind the arc .
themselves with a 23 -2 overall record
The senior and freshman make up
and an 11-1 record in Big Ten play. The arguably the best backcourt in the
Badgers are poised to make another nation and will be a key part if the
Final Four run. Wilkes graduate Bo Blue Devils look to make a run toward
Ryan has a great team and one of the their fifth national championship .
best players in the country with Frank
@wilkesbeacon
Kaminsky ( expected to be a top five
brandon.gubitosa@wilkes.edu
pick in the draft). The Badgers offense

�Lacrosse Club preparing to become a team in 2016
By Brandon Gubitosa
Sports Editor

While the Wilkes Lacrosse program
is still one year away from coming back,
the Wilkes Lacrosse club is preparing for
the transformation from a club sport to a
team sport. With the addition of the Men's
Lacrosse team, Wilkes will now have 20
intercollegiate teams.
Curtis Jaques takes over as head coach
for the team for the first time since the
70's. In 1975 the team captured the MAC
championship, that team was later inducted
into the Wilkes Athletics Hall of Fame in
2007-2008.
Players from the club team are preparing
for the clubs upcoming season. Last year
the club played in two games, this season
they will playing in five games according
to sophomore Bobby Lok.
Lok is the president of the Lacrosse club,
and is in charge of scheduling the club's
practices and games. However he doesn't
consider himself to be the captain of the
club. "I wouldn't say captain, everyone is

The Beacon/Brandon Gubitosa
Sophomore Bobby Lok playing goalie for the Wilkes Lacrosse Club
a captain. We all learn from each other,"
he said. According to Lok the team usually

practices once a week on Monday nights.
Practices usually last for an hour, but

some kids like to take it a step further and
practice for two hours. The club practices
all year round and games are usually
played in the spring, which is in season for
lacrosse. Games are played at the Raltson
Athletic complex and will start up in A•il.
Their first game is April 3, and on April
27 the team will play its first home game.
Out of the team's five games only one of
those games is at home. The other four are
played at schools in the local area. "The
guys are excited for this, I am excited for
them," said Lok. This will be there last
game before they officially become a team
in 2016.
Coach Jaques is not affiliated with the
club, and many players on the club will be
trying out for the team next season. Jaques
however does run drills for the team and is
preparing them for next season. Until then,
the Wilkes Lacrosse Club is preparing
their upcoming season, and is excited for
the future of the program.
@wilkesbeacon
brandon.gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Colonels come up short
By Danny Van Brunt.
Sports Writer

Cameron Hinkel made the winning basket
for the Colonels against the Fairleigh Dickinson University Devils with a score of 89-87
on February 17.
Despite the Devil's unimpressive record
of 2-22, they stayed neck in neck with the
Colonels, who had a record of 12-12. The
win over the Devils enabled the Colonels a
chance to enter the playoffs through a win
over our rivals, the King's College Monarchs.
The Colonels started out with a strong lead
over the Devils, who quickly took back the
lead. In the last three minutes of the first half,
the Colonels scored seven points to tie 40-40
at halftime.
The Colonels took the lead not long into
the second half with a score of 78-63, giving the Devils little hope of a comeback.
With six minutes left, and the Devils shocked
everyone by making five three-point shots,

tying the game. With ten seconds left, Tyler
Jackson passed the ball to Cameron Hinkel,
who shot and won the game for the c~lonels. Jackson led the team with 16-points,
Steve Stravinski scored 14, and Alec Wizar
·scored 13. Hinkel scored 12-points, and Jeremy Hartman and Devin Dunn both scored
11-points while getting the team excited.
The Colonels finished their season with a
12-13 record losing their final game of the
season to King's 83-76. They finished Freedom conference play going 7-7. The future is
bright for the Colonels as they will be returning most .of this seasons lineup.
Junior guard Alec Wizar finished the game
with 19 points including five three pointers.
Freshman Zachary Brunner added 16 points
along with four rebounds. Tyler Jackson and
Cameron Hinkel each scored 13 points.

-

@wilkesbeacon
danny.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Brandon Gubitosa
Jeremy Hartman warming up for the Colonels as they battled rival King's College

r

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The Beacon - February 24, 2015

Sports

Wrestling team focused on
making a run to Nationals
By Andre Spruell

Sports Writer
The Wilkes wrestlers are currently 14-5 on
the year, continuing to show their dominance
and carrying on the tradition winning. Some
of the standouts this year are 125 pounder
Junior Guesseppe Rea who has posted a
28-2 record, Freshman 133 pounder Matt
Grossman who just came off of defeating a
two-time All American title, as well as Junior
Kyle Diesel and Senior Dave Oberrender,
who have made the transition from the 197
pound weight class to the 285 heavyweight
class and have won as a re~ult.
With the season drawing to a close,
the main focus for the Colonels is the
Regional tournament. The winners from that
tournament will get a chance to wrestle in
Nationals and achieve their goal of winning a
National Championship. This year Nationals
will be held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which
marks the first time ever that the event will
be held on the East Coast. For the Colonels,
this means more fans and alumni support at
the matches.
When asked what he admires most about
his wrestlers, Coach Laudenslager replied,

"Just their work ethic, their commitment.
Wrestling isn't the kind of sport where you
can point the finger and say it wasn't my
fault so you better be making a commitment
on and off the mat." With their hard work
and commitment, the Colonels look to make
an appearance in Nationals and bring home
a National Championship to add to their
legacy.

A

@wilkesbeacon

~

andre.spruell@vyilkes.edu

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20

Swimming team wr~ps up
season at MAC Championship
year I'm sure we will be even better."
Jeff Mastrantuono, Will Hauze, and
the relay team of Greg O'Malley, Chris
Bright, Austin Paisley and Mastrantuono
Last Sunday the Wilkes Swimmers took also broke personal and school marks.
on their last day in York, PA to participate The relay team topped the school mark
in the MAC championship. The women in the 400 freestyle relay at 3:28.89.
placed ninth with 93 points out of 12 Individually,
Mastrantuono
broke
other teams, while the men placed tenth his personal school record in the 200
out of 11 teams with a total of 79 points.
breaststroke and Hauze set another high
The team broke many individual and mark with a new record in the 1650
school records last weekend. Beth Chmil freestyle.
had a memorable day competing in the
The team hopes to grow and develop
490 freestyle alongside Cassie Morey, . to find a higher spot on the podium next
Mandy Stickles, and Lauren Merli, where season. Stickles said, "MAC ' s really
they finished in seventh place in the finals brought the team closer together, it is a
and set a school record at 3:59.68. Chmil great group of people. We support one
broke her own school record time as well another and encourage everyone to give
for the 200 breast stroke, finishing with a it their all."
•
time of 2:39.08.
Mandy Stickles wa&amp; excited about
making a podium spot, along with seeing
@wilkesbeacon
the improvements the team has made A
Rdcara.basile@wilkes.edu
throughout the season.
"Throughout
the season we worked hard and gave
it everything we got .and it showed at
MAC's," Stickles said. "For a first year Continued on page 21
team we did pretty well I think, and next

By Cara Basile

Sports Writer

�The Beacon - February 24, 2015

Sports

21

From left to right: Nancy Ramirez, Thurman Fogleman, Kiersten Torre, Michael Hanne, Lauren Merli, Austin Paisley, and Sarah Cole

Wilkes swimmers compete in the MAC conference.

Wilkes swimmers position themselves.
All photos courtesy Willard Hauze

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S orts

•

By Evan Willey
Sports Writer
Mason McIntyre is a junior computer
science major. He is from Bethlemhem, Pa.
He is the 165 weight class on the Wilkes'
Mens' Wrestling team. In the ~012-13
season Mason finished 9-1 at 157 pounds.
Last season Mason did not wrestle, he was
injured.

Oliv'er in exhibition,. Jordan Burroughs
also graduated from the University of
Nebraska where I attended a summer
and fall semester only to shake his hand
I never actually had the opportunity to
wrestle him.

Q: What is yo~ most memorablemomen! at
A:

Wilkes either wrestling or just in general?
My most memorable moment at Wilkes
was tuing 3rd in the Wilkes open. A

Q: With your majo:t what are you planning ·
tournament where Division 1 schools
on doing after you graduate from Wilkes
are allowed enter any number of their
University?
wrestlers.
A: I plan to become a Software Development
Engineer, working at professional level to Q: Last year you were injured • can you
create software which will be integrated
explain that injury and how you overcame
into the real world.
it.
A: Last year I broke my leg, specifically my
Q: What is your go to exercise to cut weight
tibia. 1 had a plate and 8 screws put in
for your match?
which then caused bone infection to form
A: Running hills and long-distance wearing
underneath the .qietal I needed another
lots oflayers.
surgery to remove the metal, along with
having a picc-line inserted into my left
Q: Can you name a specific match that had
arm. I had to give myself antibiotics
significance in your wrestling career and
intravenously for 6 weeks, along with
why it sticks out?
.
starting my rehab. Slowly but surely I
A: My sophomore year of high school I
began to walk, run and finally wrestle
· wrestled a match against a Bethlehem
once again. I now walk with a bit of a limp
Catholic athlete, where I was pinned in 23
and have a nasty scar, but that could ever
seconds. This match sticks o,ut, as I told'
stop mr from competing.
myself I'd never let that happen again. The
last dual meet my senior year I had another Q: Other than; wrestling what are some
opportunity to wrestle the same kid, who
other hobbies you enjoy?
placed 2nd in states the year prior. The A: I like to hang out with friends, hike, fish
dual meet hinged on this match, as he was
and be outside in the warm weather. I also
considered the best wrestler on the team.
am a COJ,tlputer. scientist so I have a few
I went out onto the IJ!at assuring myself
nerdy hobbies as well, but I really enjoy
there was no possibility in me !osing. My
getting away from a computer screen as
confidence availed and I had pinned the
much as I possibly can.
state runner up in ·33 seconds, 2 years
after my embarrassing defeat

Q: Ifyou could wrestle anybody in the WOJ.'ld
who would it be and why?
A: Jordan Burroughs, as I have already
wrestled with Cael Sanderson and Jordan

.@wilkesbeacon
evan.willey@will&lt;es.edu

•

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23

Sports

the Beacon - February~ 201S

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schoo , an c,ver since then I've called ® pla~ball here?
·
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Ai 1 thuii it J\'ould bZive to be beating Kings
· at home thi§ past year with that wicked
student section showing $Upport for us.
at is.your favorite··p ~about Wilkes{
That was prettyfrealdn'.awesome.
ave to say it is the atmosphet-eand the
that go here. The energy;Js ~ton .
and the people .Jiete.,ire ,friendly •Q: Where are you fron_&gt;:?
going.
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and .A: ~lut;Y ,othing [laughs]. My friends
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The Beacon - February 24, 2015

THE EllOG POND
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Visit us @menusnepa.com for daily specials and business hours!

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•

�</text>
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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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                  <text>Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a &lt;a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/"&gt;legacy website&lt;/a&gt;. 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.</text>
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                    <text>The Beacon - March 17 2015

~&lt;ml

Above: people play bagpipes during Wilkes-Barre's parade day last Sunday

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

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Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: sarah;bedford@wilkes.edu

Beacon Briefs

Commuter Council Washington D.C. Bus Trip

Freshman FIFA Tournament

Freshman Class will be hosting a FIFA '15 Soccer Tournament
on March 22 at 6,p.m. in the Henry Student Center Lounge. The
cost will be $5 per person. The prize will be a specially designed
trophy. Sign-ups will occur every Tuesday and Thursday from
11-1 p.m .. Email cody.morcom@wilkes.edu for details.

Ed

Wear the Wilkes Summer T-Shirt and You Can Win
Book Talk with Dr. Edward Bednarz

Dr. Edward Bednarz is hosting a discussion about his book
The Journey to Discover the Meaning of Life on March 25, 4 - 6
p.m. in in the Salon of Kirby Hall. RSVP for the event by March
20 to BookTalk@wilkes.edu. Refreshments will be served.

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Summer registration begins on March 16. Each day from
March 16- 20, students who are seen wearing the blue I LOVE
SUMMER t-shirt on campus have the chance to win gift cards
to Barnes &amp; Noble, Dunkin' Donuts, Rodano's and more.

SG Notes: Club recognition, Relay .
for lleat, constitutional revisions
Staff Writer

7

The Commuter Council will host a bus trip to Washington,
D.C. on March 28. Tickets are $30 per person. Sales will take
place in the Henry Student Center during club hours. Those
interested should contact CC President, Sarah Bedford, sarah.
bedford@wilkes.edu for more information.
·

On March 11, Wilkes University's Student
Government held its weekly meeting.
Student Government heard from a new
club f~rming on campus. The Gaming Club
has requested to be a Student Government
recognized du'?. SG approved their request.
The Running Club, which held its annual
Relay for Heat last week, asked for Student
Government tt&gt; sponsor every Wilkes
Student that participates in the event. All of
the money raised will be donated tpward the
Commission on Economic Opportunity's
Martin Luther King Fuel Fund to heat
family's homes. Student Government . has
allocated $5 per student for up to 50 students
plus $75 toward the incentive for students
and teams to participate. The total donation·
will be up to $325.
New business from this week's meeting:
The Veteran's Council made constitutional
. revisions and presented these to the general
board. Student Government will cast its final
vote during next week's meeting.
The next request came from the business
club, Enactus. This club has asked Student
Government to pay for 11 members to attend
the 2015 Enactus national Expo in St. Louis
this April. The club asked for approximately
$1,500. This will cover the airfare and hotel
accommodations for the 11 students. Student
Government members will cast their votes
next week.
The next request came from AphA, the
American Pharmacist Annual Conference.

The- club requested funding .for the
registration fees for the conference as well
as the hotel fees. The totalamount totaled
$1 ,695.60.
The Chemistry Club also requested funds
for a conference. The group is sending six
members to attend·the American Chemi~al
Society National Meeting in Denver, Colo.
later this m&lt;:&gt;nth. The total project cost is
$4,800 and the club requested $1,500 to cover
the registratioi:i and transportation fees.
'f4e last request came from Capital Projects,
part two. The group proposed that Student
Government fund a new neurotraining
facility for the psychology department. The
facility would provide interested students
with new ways to train the brain in order to
focus, improve studying, suppress anxiety
and excel in sports. The project would cost
about $20,000 for the new office, supplies
and equipment.
Next, Capital Projects asked Student
Government to provide funding for new Big
Event materials, such as shovels, rakes, gloves
and gardening sets. All of these supplies
come out to $960.00. Student Government
will vote next week for all combined funds of
Capital Projects.
The council reviewed the Treasurer's
report. The current budget is as follows:
All College: $16,923.60, General Funds:
$7,836.20, Conference: $2,155.00, Spirit:
$1 ,250.00 for a Student Government total of:
$28,164.80

f"'I @wilkesbeacon
l:J taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

Corrections: In Alyssa Mursch's
article in the Februar 24 issue, a
number was incorrectly printed as
$11,00, when it should have been
·$1,000. In the previous issue, an article
was incorrectly attributed to Elyse
Guziewicz, when it was written by
Allison Rossi. We regret the errors.

'

,,

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spread............ 12

•

sports ............ 19

�The Beacon - March 17, 2015

News

3

Wilkes students travel to Costa
Rica for Alternative Spring
..
Break; ''Grateful" for unique ~pportunity to serve others
-

By Gabby Glinski
News Photographer and Staff Writer
During spring break, six Wilkes students
traveled to Costa Rica for Alternative Spring
Break, also known as ASB.
Students Elizabeth Bracco, Jimmy
Steigerwalt, Shana Noon, Julie Miller, Cody
Logan, and Nicole Morgan were accepted
into the Alternative Spring Break program
to travel to Costa Rica to do volunteer
community service in the schools and the
coffee fields.
Prior to departure, Bracco and Steigerwalt
and the ASB committee held a drive for
school supplies to give to the students in
Costa Rica. They estimated they collected
about 50 pounds of school supplies ranging
from notebooks to markers for the Costa
Rican students. Enough supplies were
collected to send to two schools.
The ASB members feel that by donating the
supplies, they have bettered the education of
the students.
"We had a 5-year-old boy, I gave him a
couple notebooks and some crayons and
he started crying because he was so happy;'
stated Bracco on the Costa Rican students'
reactions to the donations.
While at the Costa Rican school, the ASB
students interacted with the children, who
ranged in age from 5 to 15-years-old. They
built a flower garden with the children and
played with them in-between lessons. Bracco
• aid that some of the children's favorite
activities included hide arid seek and tagwhich the Costa Rican students called 'cat
and mouse' in Spanish. The Wilkes students
also taught English to the 140 students at the
school.
The ASB members were also invited by a
family to tour their coffee fields. The Wilkes
students learned how coffee was harvested
and made into the end product. They also
visited a coffee co-op to view the process on
a larger scale.
The ASB also provided some "down time"
for Wilkes students to tour the area. They
climbed to the peak of Volcano Irazu; and
peaked through the clouds at 11,000 feet.
"I think that I have become a lot more
grateful . We go through many things in our
life, like our struggles, and you see ... these
people are willing to learn and willing to
give and I think that is definitely something
I have learned and taken away from that:'
Bracco states on her experience.
In the six months before departure,
students prepared by attending weekly
meetings, conducting numerous fundraisers,

and engaging in team-building activities.
ASB held several events for funding their
program including a chocolate fondue event,
empandas turnovers sale, and the group's
annual pasta dinner.
Bracco gave some advice to Wilkes
students considering applying for next year's
Alternative Spring Break.
_
"I think that what you learn from the trip
will stay with you for the rest of your life:'
The Wilkes Alternative Spring Break
program gives an opportunity for students to
participate in giving back to· the community
and provides cultural experiences as well
as self discovery. In its previous 19 years of
establishment, Wilkes students have traveled
to India, Germany, Peru, and the Dominican
Republic
including
many
domestic
destinations.
For more information on the ASB program,
contact Megan A. Boone Valkenburg,
Community Service Coordinator, at megan.
boone@wilkes.edu.

A @wilkesbeacon
lt'.J gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

All photos courtesy of RAW tours

Pictured above are the six Wilkes University students who participated in this
years Alternative Spring Break Trip to Costa Rica. Elizabeth Bracco explained that
after the trip she became more "grateful"for the small things in life.

Prior to the trip, the ASB committee held,:i drive for school
supplies to give to the students. The group collected enough
supplies to donate to two schools. While in Costa Rica, the
Wilkes students taught English to 140 children but also played
games between lessons. During their free time, the students
also had an opportunity to climb to the peak of Volcano
lrazu. Bracco encourages students to apply for Alternative
Spring Break in the future because it is much more than an
educational experience.

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The Beacon - March 17, 2015

4

News

Beacon staff members bring home statewide awards
By Justin Topa
Asst. Life, A&amp;E Editor

Five members of The Beacon staff have
been chosen as recipients for the statewide
Keystone Press Awards for the 2014
calendar year.
Shawn Carey, The Beacon's social media
director and a senior communication
studies major, won first place in the
"Personality Profile" category for his piece
entitled "Fighting ALS: How one professor's
brave fight is inspiring a whole campus''.
Elyse Guziewicz, a freshman English
major, was awarded second place within
the "column writing" category for a series
of three columns.
James Jaskolka, editor-in-chief and a
junior communication studies major; Sarah
Bedford, news editor ancl a sophomore
politkal science and communication
studies major; and Alyssa Mursch, a
sophomore communication studies major,
were awarded an honorable mention for
their continued, on-going news coverage
regarding the death of Wilkes student
Jonathan Ratchko.
The Keystone Press Awards are open
to all Pennsylvania higher education

institutions. The Beacon staff members
competed against all statewide institutions •
with 10,000 or fewer students.
Dr. Kalen Churcher, faculty adviser for
the award-winning campus newspaper, said
she is excited about the recognition her staff
has received.
'Tm .thrilled to see the students being
recognized for their hard work;' said
Churcher, who also serves as an assistant
professor in the Communication Studies
Department. "It's quite an accomplishment
for The Beacon to be recognized with
not one, but three awards. It says a lot for
the paper, the communication studies
department and the university overall."
Churcher also pointed out that The
Beacon award recipients and the staff in
general span over a variety of majors,
showing that working on The Beacon can
be rewarding to students regardles_s of their
field of study.
According to Churcher, who worked
professionally in the journalism field
since 1998, the Keystone Press Awards are
prestigious and well known to industry
professionals.
"All of The Beacon staffers have worked
hard this semester. I'm so proud of everyone

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski
Student Keystone Award winners are, from left to right: Elyse Guziewicz, Sarah Bedford,
Alyssa Mursch, Shawn Carey and James Jaskolka.

.and the effort they've put into making
changes to the paper. I'm really looking
forward to what's in store for the future. "
For more information on the award
recipients or the rest of The Beacon staff, visit

their staff profiles via TheWilkesBeacon .
com.

g

@wilkesbeacon
justin.topa@wilkes.edu

Misercordia group to host free
medical technology seminar
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

On March 21, Misercordia University's
American Medical Student Association,
AMSA, will host a one day conference
entitled, "From the Classroom to Life Flight".
The conference, which welcomes Wilkes
University students, will focus on emerging
medical technology and includes keynote
speaker, Dr. Samuel Slimmer, associate
physician in emergency medicine, assistant
medical director of life flight, and associate
program director of emergency medicine
residency at Geisinger. Slimmer will focus
on technology used in the ER.
Along with Slimmer, the Geisinger Life
Flight helicopter will be on campus to give
tours and demonstrations of the various new
technologies it contains.
In addition to the keynote address, Staff
Sgt. Jason DiGangi will speak about U.S.
Army healthcare careers and technology.
Senior biochemistry major Jeremy Osko
will also present his research on e-cigarettes,
said Misercordia senior, Rachel Bohn AMSA
secretary.

High schools as well as universities in the
region have been invited to attend this event.
"I think that all students considering a
career in healthcare would benefit from
this conference, not just pre-meds, because
technology is the future of healthcare," said
Bohn. "I think it is safe to say that many
people out there today would not be alive
without it, and I hope students interested in
healthcare look at that as both humbling and
exciting, because medicine is going places it
has never been before."
This is the second year Misercordia is
hosting the event.
AMSA is a nationally recognized
organization.
The conference will be held on March 21
from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Insalaco 216 and
217 with continental breakfast and lunch
provided.
Those interested in attending should RSVP
to Rita Molino at rmolino@misericordia.edu
as soon as possible.

A

1.1:J

"'

@wilkesbeacon
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 17, 2015

5

News

Profile of a Professor: Dr.Louise Berard, mathematics
ByToni Pennello
Staff Writer

•

Dr. Louise Berard, professor of
mathematics, will be retiring this year after
35 years at Wilkes.
During her career, she has taught between
30 and 40 different mathematics courses,
all ranging from the 100-level to graduate
level. In the beginning of her career she also
taught several computer science courses
and later several teacher education courses
for students who were future secondary and
elementary school mathematics teachers.
Berard was born and raised in the
Hazleton area, where she still lives with her
husband. She received her bachelor's degree
from King's College, and her doctorate
from Brown University in Providence,
Rhode Island.
Although Berard has only ever taught at
the college level, she is convinced that it is
the perfect match for her.
"I like this age group; college teaching
is very rewarding because students have a
lot of maturity, but they are still fun-loving.
The students at Wilkes I have found to be
fun-loving, and yet very respectful. They're
just nice people:'
Teaching mathematics also seems to be a
perfect match for Berard, because it allows
her to "not just convey information, but

"We
have
felt
particularly gratified
when our students
themselves go on to
be math teachers ...
sometimes it sticks and
sometimes it doesn't,
but if we've had the
right kind of influence
it will continue into the
future. The students
out there teaching
mathematics will have
a similar influence on
their students:'
Berard was the chair
of the mathematics
.
The Beacon/Gabby Glinski department at Wilkes
for seven years and says
Dr. Louise Berard does much more than teach mathematics. that she hired about half
In her free time, she enjoys being outside and traveling
of the current faculty in
throughout the world.
the department.
She also served as vice
help students to develop their reasoning president and president of the local section
abilities and their abilities to explain their of the Mathematical Association of America,
thinking:'
which is a leading professional organization
Berard is very passionate about education. in the field of college mathematics. Her
Her passion is shared by her husband, who position allowed her and her husband to
taught mathematics at King's College for 40 make many professional contacts as well
years. This shared affinity for teaching has as give several presentations at national
made both her marriage and professional meetings. She also was able to give talks
life very special.
in places such as Lycoming College and

Bucknell University.
Berard was particularly filled with
gratitude upon receiving the Outstanding
Teaching Award at Wilkes early in her
career.
"I was happy that my students and
colleagues felt I was worthy of that
As a woman in mathematics, Berard said
she personally faced very little opposition
on her track to success.
"When I was in college and graduate
school, most of the students that were
with me were males. Proportionally there
weren't many women. I can't generalize, but
I think most mathematicians and professors
love the discipline, so it was a supportive
environment... I don't think my being a
woman has really entered much:'
When she isn't teaching, Berard enjoys
being outdoors. She and her husband
enjoy biking and walking, and she likes to
ride her 125cc motor scooter through the
countryside.
She also enjoys studying foreign languages
and travelling, and she and her husband
have escorted seven trips to Europe with
travelers that they have recruited from both
inside and outside their schools.

A

@wilkesbeacon

~ toniann.penne/lo@wilkes.edu

Wilkes PSPE hosts career and ethics panel; Milton L. Lunch Ethics Contest
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

On March 10, the Wilkes University
student chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of
Professional Engineering, PSPE, held a career
and ethics panel featuring six professional
engineers from various organizations.
The panel discussion featured John
R. Ackerman, P.E., P.G., BCEE, F. NSPE
Principal at Twin Oaks Consulting, LLC;
Thomas Maheady, P.E. ·CEM Vice-President
of Borton -Lawson Engineering; Prahlad
Murthy, Ph.D, P.E., BCEE, QEP Professor
and Associate Dean, College of Science and
Engineering at Wilkes University; Holly
Avery Ostopick, P.E., CPESC, CPSWQ
Project Manager at- Pennsy Supply; Eric W
Tappert, P.E. President, Pennsylvania Society
of Professional Engineers; and Thomas
Walski, Ph.D., P.E., F. ASCE Senior Project
Manager, Bentley Systems.
The focal point of discussion was on
careers for engineers, ethical situations and
information on the Milton F. Lunch Ethics
Contest.
The essay contest, sponsored by the

National Society of Professional Engineers
calls upon chapter members to respond to a
situation regarding an engineer faced with an
ethical question regarding his or her firm. The
scenario examines the engineer's practices
in connection with a site-development"
study for a county with which he or she is
associated through his membership on a
county industrial development agency. NSPE
and NSPE Educational Foundation award
$1,000 to the winning essay divided between
the chapter itself and the coauthors of the
· paper. The winners are also recognized in PE
Magazine.
.
Entries are due April 17.
Following the formal panel, informal
discussion including a Q and A was
conducted.
Junior
Mechanical
and
Electrical
Engineering major, Bernard So~ha, Wilkes
Student Chapter of PSPE president, explained
that while this is the first year Wilkes PSPE
has cosponsored this discussion, they do
host other events.
"We do Mathcounts with local middle
schools in February, and we also had a
nuclear speaker come in last semester:'

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

Holly Avery Ostopick, Project Manager at Pennsy Supply addresses group
along with three other panel members.

Socha said. "PSPE also does order of the
engineers on March 29;' Socha added .."Here,
graduating seniors receive a ring to be worn
on their working hand to remind them to be
honest and ethical:'
Wilkes PSPE club meetings are typically
at 11 a.m. every other Tuesday in Stark

Learning Center. Students interested in
getting involved can reach out to Socha at
bernard.socha@wilkes.edu.
@wilkesbeacon
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

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News

The Beacon - February 24, 2015

Registration Fall 2015
Seniors

Class of 2016
(73 or more current credits earned)
Online Registration for ALL Upcoming Seniors begins Monday, March 16th at 12:01 a.m.
Juniors

Class of 2017
(43 or more current credits earned)
Online Registration for ALL Upcoming Juniors begins Wednesday, March 18th at 12:01 a.m.
Sophomores

Class of 2018 .
(13 or more current credits earned)
_
Online Registration for ALL Upcoming Sophomores begins Monday, March 23rd at 12:01 a.m.
Freshmen

Class of 2019
(less than 13 current credits earned)
Online Registration for ALL Freshmen begins Wednesday, March 25th at 12:01 a.m.

Weather Beat: March 17-20
Tues.

40 °
23°
Cloudy

Wed.

43 °
26°
Mostly Sunny

Thurs.

Fri.

51°
31 °

46°

Mostly Sunny

31°

Partly Cloudy

Forecast as of March 13 taken from weather.com

6

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•

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

I

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-

---------------

Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;B Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

Jesus Christ .Superstar blesses Wilkes-Barre
By Gabriella Romanelli
Contributing Writer

While individuals are fasting this
Lenten season, the city of Wilkes-Barre is
indulging itself in. theatrical entertainment
by rolling out the red carpet for a very
special guest: Jesus Christ.
The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre
picked an appropriate time to perform its.
production ofJesus Christ Superstar.
The community theatre will become the
town of Jerusalem for the two weekends
before Easter, as the musical cast takes
the audience through the dramatic acts
following the arrival ofJesus of Nazareth.
Director Dana Feigenblatt is enthusiastic
to be directing the musical she had
previously performed at the Music Box in
2004.
Feigenblatt, aware that Jesus Christ
Superstar is a popular musical that has been
produced numerous times throughout the
area, has taken the opportunity to set her
show apart from others.
·
"We're going for a modern 20s vision
with the costumes and the props;'.reveals
the director, wanting to do "something out
of the box and different:'
Actors in the musical )Vill be sporting a
variety of fashion, Dana explains, "from
glamourous flapper looks, to everyday
wear, to some of the more rich-wear.
"Since the show is so crowd-based, we
wanted the peqple to look from all different
walks oflife, as a crowd would be:'
Feigenblatt is confident that her hardworking cast will masterfully represent
these characters, as the 40 men and women
range from ages 15 to 66.
Chris O'Neal, 38, of Terre Haute, Indiana,
is about to perform for his first time in 20
years as the character Judas.
Prior to his involvement with Little
Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, O'Neal's theatre
experience had been limited to high school
plays, in which he had been cast in lead

Courtesy of Angel Berlane Mulcahy, On My Cue Photography

The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre will turn its stage into Jerusalem for a pe~formance of'Jesus Christ Superstar'which will
be held at 3 p.m. on March 22; 8 p.m. on March 27 and 28; and 3 p.m. on March 29, which is also Palm Sunday.

· roles.
He knew it was time to get back into
performing when he found out that a
local theatre was putting on Jesus Christ
Superstar.
"This is my dream show, and Judas is my
dream role;' the actor said.
O'Neal is most excited about performing
Judas's death scene, which will deviate from
traditional performances of the musical.
"Traditionally, he 'hangs himself, but
we're doing this play in a 1920s style, so the
way that he dies is going to be a little bit of
a surprise:'
Now that O'Neal is back from his
performing hiatus, audiences· can expect
to see more of him in upcoming local
productions.

More familiar with being part of a
Jesus Christ Superstar cast in community
theatres is 52-year-old Michael Rahl, ho
will be performing in the musical for the
fourth time in 10 years.
"I started as an apostle· and moved my
way up to Caiaphas:' Rahl said.
This particular production is different
from. the actor's previous experiences, in
part, because of his role as Caiapha~.
"It's weird to be the villain, but fun;'
·he said. 'Tm the guy that takes in stray
animals and opens up my house for people
when they have nowhere to go, and now
here I am saying, 'Jesus Must Die!""
Rahl said he is most excited for the
audience to be blown away by the gifted
cast ofJesus Christ Superstar, giving special

attention to the vocal talent of O'Neal.
According to Feigenblatt, the audience
can "expect to ·see a Superstar unlike
they've ever seen before:'
Little Theatre, located on 537 N. Main
St. in Wipces-Barre will hold its opening
night at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.
Admission is $20.
Wilkes students recieve free admission
with their student IDs.
Additie&gt;Ral performances are 3 p.m. on
Sunday, March 22 and 29; and 8 p.m. on
Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28.
For more information go to www.ltwb.
org.
@wilkesbeacon
gabrielfa.romane/Ji@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - March 17, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

8

·w uPB hosts ~Everything Green Bingo'

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

On March 12, the Wilkes University Programming Board hosted an "Everything
Green Bingo" night on the first floor of the Henry sq.ident Center.

_The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Freshman Lena Campisi volunteered to wear WUPB's shark suit for a free movie
ticket during WUPB "green" Bingo.

C

i
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The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Students played a number of rounds of Bingo to win all kinds of"green" prizes,
from snacks to the grand prize blender.

7

The Beacon/ f{ebecca Voorhees

The winner of the blender was freshman Brandon Redcay. Follow the WUPB on
Twitter @WilkesUPB to learn more about upcoming events.

"
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The Beacon - March 17, 20 15

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

Sweating your way to relaxation with yoga
By Josephine Latimer

Staff Writer

The first time walking into hot yoga could
cause apprehension in some people. Not
knowing what to expect, many may have
doubts on their abilities to make it through
a session, whether it is reservations on
flexibility or the 100+ degree room.
However, when the music starts to fill the
heated ·air and muscles begin to loosen, one
hardly realizes the sweat rolling from the
body.
After the session is complete a cool wash
cloth dipped in calming aromatic scents
is then distributed, a highlight after doing
strenuous work in the dense, heated room.
Hot yoga, also known as bikram yoga,
is considered by many to be a great and
enjoyable way to de-stress and get in shape.
Jill Price, director of the Wilkes Adventure
Educatiov. program, believes thqse who have
fears and insecurities should go and try it
out, even if one needs to rest throughout the
class.
"Don't judge yourself if you need to sit
down. In yoga they teach you if it's too much,

sit down . . .it boosts your confidence to sit
down on a mat having gone than to dodge it
if you're afraid:'
For those who still have doubts on whether
or not to try hot yoga, there are easier
variations available to beginners.
If one is unable to do a more advanced
move geared toward those with more
experience, there are poses that put less stress
on your body that are equally beneficial.
"I did it the first time and really liked it
but I thought it was just a one-time thrill;'
said Lyssa Scott, a junior integrative media
student. "When I went back the second time
I was getting so much deeper in the poses, it
was so ·greaf'
There are also health benefits if one
regularly does hot yoga. A study in Time
magazine showed "inCFeases in strength and
muscle control, as well as a big improvement
in balance:'
Along with the physical boosts, hot yoga
may also . provide psychological. benefits as
well.
Boston Magazine ran a story stating, "Heat

The Beacon/Josephine Latimer
Whether it is personal problems or school related stress, hot yoga could provide the
necessary calming boost one needs as exams and papers beg in to pile up.

has traditionally been used to promote
wellness. The heated environment may
enhance the antidepressant effects of this
form of yoga:'
·

For more questions on hot yoga contact Jill
Price at jill.price@wilkes.edu

A

@wilkesbeacon

l.':I josephine.latimer@wilkes.edu

Creativity and imagination: Wilkes Art Club
By Danny VanBrunt
~ ports Writer

.

·

.

Students have an outlet for their creativity
and imagination thanks to the Art Club at
Wilkes.
"I enjoy Art Club because it is a
comfortable environment where I can just
relax while doing creative projects and
(talk) to friends I don't get to see often;'
said member Nicole Kutos.
The club meets once a month in Bedford
Hall, room llO. It is run by Kutos, Israel
Rodriguez, Kelly Sones and adviser Sharon
Cosgrove.
Kutos encourages people to join,
regardless of experience.
"You just need to be willing to let yourself
be innovative and try new ideas:' she said.
Sones handles contacting the members
of the club by letting students know wh en
the club will meet. She also recommends
students join because it is a great place to
meet people, a_nd because creating art is
fun.
The club has done various activities this

year such as finger painting, card making,
watercolor painting and doodling sessions.
Every meeting is something different,
which allows the club to appeal to a variety
of students and get them involved in
activities the students may not have done
before.
The Art Club, along with several other
campus clubs, also plans to work on a
project for the school.
Rodriguez explained that one of the
business-focused clubs is opening a
student store in UCOM.
The store will be used for students to sell
their own products to other students. The
students will manage it.
Studio 20 is working with the Art Club to
design the store. Rodriguez said the space
lacks color, so th at is a priority. Studio 20
and the Art Club will decide on a design,
and then the Art Club will paint it.

·

Cou rtesy of the Wil kes Art Club
@wilkesbeacon
danny.vandrunt@wilkes.edu

Last month, the Wilkes Art Club had open stud io time to allow students to relax before the upcoming midterm stress.

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Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

The Beacon - March 17, 2015

10

~Psychology Club welcomes new members to join
By Zachary Benedict
Contributing Writer

If you have you ever been interested
in the way the human mind works and
behaves, Wilkes University's Psychology
Club might be the co-curricular for you.
Dr. Debbie Tindell, professor of
psychology and adviser to the Psychology
Club, said she likes to think of the club as a
way for psychology students to bond.
"The Psychology Club is a way for anyone
who has an interest in psychology to get to
know others with a similar interest;' said
Tindell. 'Tm very much about inclusion
and making everyone feel welcome.
Students can j_oin at any point and be
involved as much as they like:'
Junior psychology and criminology
major, Lauren Chamberlain, has been a
member of the Psychology c;lub since
her transfer to Wilkes University. She said
there is never a dull moment in the club.
"There's always something new and
exciting that we can do as a group;'
Chamberlain said. "I like the community
service aspect because we get to help out
other people:'
While Tindell has served as adviser since
2013, this was not her first time serving
in the r~le. The psychology professor
first held the position in 1999 and served

·

Courtesy of Wilkes University Psychology Club

Members of the Psychology Club pose in Philadelphia where they recently
participated in the Eastern Psychological Association conference.

for a number of years until turning the
organization over to Dr. Jennifer Thomas.
It should be noted that the Psychology
Club is not specifically for psychology

majors. Anyone with an interest in the
aspects of psychology can join.
The club commits to regular activities
such as helping out with the Step-by-Step

program, which according to its website,
"is committed to enhancing the quality of
life and personal growth of those (served)
through support for individua~ choice and
independence:'
The group also works with other
organizations that assist people who have
developmental disabilities.
"It is not just psychology driven:'
Chamberlain said. "We all do a lot of
different events that aren't related to
psychology. There are events that are just
more about helping people:'
While the club currently lists about 130
members, the Psychology Club encourages
new members to learn more. Leadership
positions are available.
Tindell said she very .much enjoys all
aspects of the club, but particularly enjoys
getting to know the students at off-campus
events.
"Spending time with students at
the annual meeting of the Eastern
Psychological Association or at an end of
the year party at my house allows me to get
to know the students personally, outside of
a classroom setting;' Tindell noted.

The
Merriam-Webster
dictionary
defines feminism as "the belief that men
and women should have equal rights and
opportunities."
Why then, do some continue to reject
being considered a feminist?
It could be because of the common
misconceptions that people hold about
what feminism is and what it means to be
a feminist. Seeking to bring clarity to this
topic, some feminists of Wilkes University
recently offered their refutes to these
misconceptions.
One popular notion about feminists is
that they hate men, or that feminism is
harmful to men, arguing that it seeks to
diminish their role in society.
"Feminism is not at all about hating men,

a
2
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~

@wilkesbeacon
Zachary.Benedict@wilkes.edu

a
a
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0

Misconceptions of.fetninism revealed and explained
By AJyfsa Mursch
Staff Writer

e

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d
C

putting men down or demeaning men,"
said Dr. Helen Davis, associate professor of
English and interim chair of the Women's
and Gender Studies Department. "It is
about striving for a more equal world.
It's good for men too because an unequal
society is not good for anyone."
Davis went on to say that it is incorrect
that feminists can only be women, as there
are many men that realize a strong culture
is better for all and thereby identify as
feminists. She also rejects tlre widespread
belief that feminists are against marriage.
"As a feminist, I fully embrace the right
for women to make their own life choices,
whatever that looks like. It's about having
the choice," Davis said.
Another argument that undermines
feminism and the need for it is that gender
equality simply isn't an issue.

"If gender equality isn't an issue, why
do women get paid less than men? Why
are women the c&gt;Verwhelming majority
of victims of sexual and domestic abuse?"
asked sophomore Danica DeMesa. "Just
because people don't experience gender
inequality doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
People may also shy away from being
deemed a feminist because it is rumored
that if you identify as such, you cannot be
stereotypically "feminine."
Both women contest this claim, as
DeMaesa emphasizes that feminism
includes a variety of people and supports
women no matter how they choose to
present themselves. Davis furthers this
point by saying that to reject someone as
a feminist due to their appearance would
mean denying a large portion of the
feminist population.

Many ofthese widely held misconceptions
discourage people from identifying as a
feminist.
However, if provided with a more
thorough understanding of what feminism
is these hesitations could fall away.
"We [women] don't have strong media
representations. We don't have women in
positions of political power, we still have
many women experiencing systems of
discrimination in the work force, and we
still have a very prevalent rape culture,"
Davis concluded. "Until that changes we
still need women and ~en who are willing
to fight for the rights of women to be treated
fairly and equally, and I don't understand
how anyone can be against that."
@wilkesbeacon
alyssa.mursch@wilkes.edu

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F
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�The Beacon - March 17, 2015

11 .

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

5 Saint Patrick's Day Traditions Explained
By Emily DeAngelis
Staff Writer

St. Patty's Day. While here in
Northeastern Pennsylvania we
celebrate with Irish potatoes, the
wearing of the green and plenty
to drink, around the globe St.
Patrick's Day is met with a wide
variety of custom.
•

RIVER DYING

A 40-year-old tradition in Chicago
turns the city very green- literally.
By using an eco-friendly dye, the
Chicago River is dyed green during
the celebrations. In years previous,
it has taken days for the river to
return to its natural color. Today,
however, the dye only fasts about
five hours but still manages to
bring in over 400,000 spectators.

•

The North White House Fountain
c ll
. •1 ar pursm•t.
also 10
ows a s1m1
•
THE BAGPIPES

The Bagpipes: While undoubtedly
a time-honored element to most St.
Patrick's Day parades, behind the
scenes there remains debates over
the legitimacy of the pipes. ·While
Highland pipes are traditionally
used in St. Patrick's Day parades
around the world, these pipes
are actually of Scottish origin.
However, the real pipes of Ireland,
Uileann pipes, can only be played
while seated making them difficult
to integrate into marching parades.
Furthermore, the Highland pipes
have a heartier and louder quaintly
that we now associate with the
holiday and its festivities.

•

WORLD'S SHORTEST
PARADE

World's Shortest Parade: In Hot
. Spring's National Park', Arkansas,

all 98 feet of the World's Shortest
Street, Bridge Street, are packed
with St. Patty's Day festivities!
The parade is famed to host over ·
100 Elvis impersonators, and this
year the celebration is going to
be kicked off by a performa~ce of
growing country stars, The Swon
Brothers.
•

FOCUS ON HISTORY

Focus on history: Although
Boston, Massachusetts, is home
to our nation's largest Irish
population, its celebrations are
limited to the traditional parade,
bagpipes and drinking. Sharing

the same date of celebration is
.
D ay, wh en t h e Bntls
•· h
Evacuat10n
troops evacuated Boston during
the Revolutionary War. Used as a
safe word of passage through the
city by early colonists, "St. Patrick;'
proves their deep Irish roots.
•

EVERYONE TURNS IRISH
ON ST. PATTY'S DAY

.

While here in the states, people
pretend to become Irish for a
brief 24 hours, Ireland is quite
the opposite. Ireland's parades
celebrate the multitude of
nationalities in their country,
including Polish and Welsh. Fun
fact: The real St. Patrick wasn't
Irish either.
@wilkesbeacon
emilyrose.deangelis@wilkes.edu

HUMANS OF WILKES UNIVERSITY

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12

The Beacon - March 17, 201 5

♦

♦

••

The

•igins of

,$t

Patrick's Day is famous for two things: parades and binge-drinking. Named after the patron saint of
• Ireland, March 17 is used as a day to party in quite a few nations around the world besides Ireland.
These countries include
Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Argentina, Australia and the United States. Though a generally popular holiday, those who celebrate it seem to know little of its origins or, really, the point of it all.

When asked what he knew of the history of St. Patrick's Day, Taillon Staudenmeier, a sophomore at Wilkes
University, knew the basics of it. "I know that Saint Patrick was credited with the removal of snakes on the
island of Ireland. I also know that, on a more believable note, he used the three leaf clover as a way to teach
the Holy Trinity:' What Staudenmeier mentioned and what many forget is the purely Christian origin of this
holiday. St. Patrick's Day is a d~y for church-goers. The Lenten restrictions on drinking alcohol are lifted for
this day, which is most likely why this holiday has been continuously celebrated since the 1600s, according
to the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
·

·•

But, as Dr, Philip Freeman of Luther College said in a 2009 National Geographic article, "The modern eelebration of St. Patric'.Ks Day really has almost nothing to do with the real man:' So who was St. Patrick?
Nearly all the world knows about this murky figure is from two hand-written documents. The most notable
is called "The Confessions of Patrick:' which acts as an autobiography for the saint himself.
The following information is taken directly from his words, along with various historians' interpretation In
the first place, Patrick was not from Ireland. Born in Roman-controlled Britain around 387 A.D., he was a
non-b_eliever with a deacon father. At the age of sjxteen, Patrick was captured by Irish pirates, taken Ireland itself and turned into a slave. While being in captivity for a six-year span, he found God through prayer
and reportedly began hearing voices. These voices, he believed, were messages from God and the angels. He
ran away and persuaded a ship captain to take him back to Britain. Once home, he ~ontinued his study o(
Christianity; A few years later, he had a stunning vision.

to

story by Pat Walther

design by Steve Dzledziak

1

�The Beacon - March 17, 2015

13

..

~
@======================@
As Patrick himself writes, "I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he
carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: 'The Voice of the Irish: As I began the
letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people ... and they cried out, as with
one voice:.'we·appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us:"

•

Patrick returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary following the vision. His mission was to convert the
· pagan population to Christianity. This was not an easy task. Many of the Irish thought he was insane and Patrick was beaten oftel?, for his beliefs, according to his memoir.
Patrick died in relative obscurity on, what historians believe, was March 27,461 AD. Over time the myth
around Patrick grew to epic proportion. Nearly the entire Irish national identity i' founded around this folklore. But St. Patrick's Day itself is a different story. What we celebrate today is more or le a bastardization of
the Christian feast day.
A major inaccuracy is the use of the color green as symbolic of St. Patrick. St. Patrick's color, and the color
with which Ireland celebrates St. Patrick's Day, is blue. According to J.B. Bury, author of Ireland's Saint: The
Essential Biography of St. Patrick, the color green is widespread for four reason .
"Toe first reason is that green is one of three colors in the .Irish flag. The second reason is Ireland's nickname,
'The Emerald Isle: The third is the association of the color green with the season of spring, similar to the use
of a rabbit for Easter. And the fourth and most obvious reason is that green is the color of the shamrock;'
The world will never know who St. Patrick really was. Now all historians can do is speculate over centuriesold texts to try and find new meanings in dead words. So, as another St. Patrick's Day comes and goes, think
about the history of what's being celebrated blindly but consistently.
Maybe the luck of the Irish will lead you to answers.

@==========~==;;:;:::;;=========~@

~

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The Beacon - March 17, 2015

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

University of Oklahoma students expelled after racist
lnstagrar11 video exposure, student body unifies
By Mandy Stickles

Assistant Opinion Editor
A disturbing chant sweeps the nation
after going viral on social media.
Students from Sigma Alpha Epsilon
(SAE) fraternity at the University ·of
Oklahoma were caught on camera
chanting a revolting racial chant about
never allowing African Americans in
their fraternity.
The words used in the chant were
sickening and completely disrespectful
to the African American race, not to
mention a complete embarrassment to
the Caucasian community. The two boys
that were caught on camera singing the
chant faced immediate expulsion.
The president of the university, David
Boren, quickly shut down the Oklahoma
chapter and ended all ties they had with
them the following day after the video
was released.
Students of all differen_t_races came
together in front of the SAE house and
supported the closing of the home.
The two boys caught on camera are not
the only ones facing the consequences.
Boren is heavily investigating the 70
member fraternity and figuring out all
David Boren

I have acted today to expel two
students who were leaders in the
singing of a racist chant. See press
release - DBo
0
5,883

1 2 P
4,533 •

*

Boren commented via Twitter

7

•••

that were involved with the chant and
following with appropriate disciplinary
action.
However, there are some that disagree
with the president's decision and think
he acted too swiftly without considering
all the factors.
A libertarian group, Foundation for
Individual Rights in Education , said "It
was unconstitutional for the university
to expel fraternity members for their
speech, no matter how hateful," in an
article in the New York Times.
Perhaps the president did act quickly,
but he has his whole student ·body to
think of. A student feeling unsafe or
uneasy on campus is not acceptable to
Boren. He did what he felt would make
the student body f~el more at ease on
campus.
"They [tbe two boy students] played
a leading role in the singing of the
chant and created a hostile learning
environmenCfor others,"-Boren· told the
New York Times.
These
students
making
such
nauseating remarks need to understand
that discriminating against different
races is not tolerated. Frankly it is
disgusting to see that we still have such
racial hatred in the world.
The actions have even impacted other
aspects of the university.
Many sports recruits have backed out
of their commitm'ent to play collegiately
for the school.
.
This is the 21st century. Have we not
grown as a whole that we cannot now
look at one another no matter race,
ethnicity or religion as our equal?
It seems there has been too much
naivety and too much faith being put
into people; thinking everyone is well
rounded and does not discriminate
against others. America is looked upon
as a place of equality and opportunities.

The screenshot from the raeial video taken-from SA~'s -lnstagram account helped
university officials quickly identify the students involved

It would behoove us as individuals to
think otherwise, apparently.
This incident adds to why people
sometimes look down on fraternities .
These students obviously did not come
up with this chant all on their own.
SAE has been around for a while; and
because of this a question arises.
Did the University really has no idea
about this racial chant sung by this
fraternity for so many years? Or are
they only doing something about it now
because it was exposed and posted on
social media?
Students at Oklahoma University
have claimed to feel some tension in the
past due to race; however nothing has
arose, (as we know of) until now.
President Boren was right in his
decision of the racial remarks made by

the SAE fraternity boys. Let this be a
lesson for all the members, students at
Oklahoma University and others that
have viewed the video of the fraternities
chant.
·
This is unacceptable behavior that
should not and will not be tolerated.
People that support that type of
behavior are absolutely unpalatable and
deserve any punishment or discipline
given to them.

@wilkesbeacon
amanda.stick/es@wilkes.edu

�lO

The Beacon - March 17, 2015

L

The Diary _
o f a Young Girl, the Anne Frank story

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By Sara Pisak
Asst. Opinion Editor

As the Nazi Party swept through
Holland, a wave of anti-semitic laws
were passed which barred hard working
individuals of the Jewish faith from
owning businesses, practicing law and
holding other forms of employment.
Hitler began rounding up members of
the Jewish community and imprisoning
them in concentration camps. Otto Frank,
a businessman, anticipated his family's
suffering and on July 6, 1942, they entered
hiding in the "secret annex." The small
attic space above a business required the
inhabitants of the attic spend their days
in complete silence and little movement
as the businessmen downstairs kept their
secret.
While living in the "secret annex,"
13 year old Anne Frank composed daily
entries in her diary, where she revealed an
intellect gift for writing and insight into
the world beyond her years. The Franks
and their friends resided in the attic for
25 months until a Nazi informant revealed
their position, leading to their deportation
to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
Anne Frank, her older sister, her mother
and their family friends were separated
and died at the hands of their captors in
deplorable conditions. The exact date
of Anne Frank's death is unknown but
historians estimate the date of her death
may have occurred in early March, just
days before Allied Forces liberated the
camps and before her sixteenth birthday.
What is known however, is Anne Frank's
lasting impact on the literary world and
society in general. After the war, Otto
Frank, the only surviving · member of
the family returned to the annex, where
he found his daughter's diary, which he
published. In just 20 short years after the
diary's first publication, Anne's diary
has been published in 31 languages and
has sold over 4 million copies. In honor
of Anne, I am counting down my five
favorite quotes from her novel, The Diary
of a .Young Girl.

5."Sympathy,Love,Fortune ...
We all have these qualities but
still tend to not use them!"
This quote selected as number five
makes me question, why as a society
do we not use our strongest qualities
more often? Are we so preoccupied with

Opinion

life that we breeze through each day
without even the slightest consideration
of how we can use our best qualities
for the betterment of the world? Anne
considered herself fortunate . In a time
when Anne and her family had very little ,
she considered herself to have more than
most as she acknowledged the suffering
of others. Anne's desires for people to be
more sympathetic, to love others without
prejudice and to sprejld our good fortune,
is still relevant in our tumultuous world.
Anne merely wishes for us to utilize and
.share our best qualities.

4. "No one has ever become
poor by giving.'.'
Anne's quote is a simple statement
that always rings true. I believe it is often
assumed that giving has to be a grand
gesture. A donation of a large sum of
money is often the grand gesture that first
comes to our minds when we describe
giving. Large monetary donations may be
something that many are unable to afford .
What Anne is discussing is giving the gift
of your time and although "it may seem
cliche, the gift of a kind word or a smile
could make someone's day. These are
gifts that do not wield us poorer for giving
them but richer for taking a moment to
share them with those around us. Having
little in the "secret annex," Anne does not
take for granted the simple gestures that
brighten her day and neither should we , as
we should make a point to become richer
through giving .

3. "I know what I want, I
have a goal, an opinion, I have
a religion and love. Let me be
myself and then I am satisfied.
I know that I'm a woman, a
woman with inward strength
and plenty of courage."
How many of us were this confident
when we were 13 or 14 years old?
Probably not many. How many of us are
this confident at this point in our lives?
Anne is a hundred percent sure of herself,
unwavering in her beliefs. She wants
to share her goals and her opinions on
every subject. Anne recognizes that she
holds steadfast to her love of life and
her religion. When she recognizes these
elements in her life, Anne is satisfied with
herself and more importantly with who
she is becoming. Anne was persecuted

15

because of her religious beliefs but as a
woman Anne also faced other challenges.
Anne identifies her qualities as a woman
of strength and of courage, who was fully
aware of the ideals she would contribute
to the world .

2. "In spite of everything I
still believe that people are
really good at heart."
This quote places Anne's life in
perspective; she is a young teenager
living in constricting and confining
conditions. Considering the situation
Anne, her family and others of the Jewish
faith have endured during WWII, it
would be justified if Anne was filled with
bitter contempt. Instead, Anne believes
that people are good at heart. The word
that always strikes. me in this quote ·is
"people". Anne does not distinguish types
of peopl~ . She does not state, "I believe
the Jewish people" nevertheless, she
encompasses all people not excluding
those who are persecuting her. Like all of
Anne's work, she shows a compassion for
the human spirit.

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Courtesy of Creative Commons

1. "I want to go on living even
after my death. And therefore,
I am grateful to God for ~iving
me this gift, this possibility
of developing myself and of
writing, of expressing , all that
is in me."
Finally, this is my favorite Anne Frank
quote for many reasons. The two main
motives behind my favoritism for this
quote are the infinitive spirit of the first
sentence and Anne 's acknowledgement of
her talent. The first sentence is biting as it
strikes a blow to the reader. Anne has more
than accomplished her goal of continuing
to live after her unwarranted death. It is as
if Anne, who was easily able to peer into
the human soul, was able to predict the
outcome of her writing. Each time anyone
reads The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne's
words continue to ensure her legacy.
Secondly, Anne also acknowledges and
thanks God for her writing talent. As
always, Anne is self-aware of the notion
that her diary was a way of expressing
not only her emotions but the emotions of
people. I always read this quote with a sad
air of inevitability. As if Anne discerned
her death was inevitable and if she could
leave behind one wish, one thank you

note and one quote to be remembered for,
she decided to write what has become my
favorite quote.
The
uncertainty
and
horrible
circumstances surrounding the date
of Anne Frank's death serves as a
reminder of the cruel intentions caused
by discrimination. However, the stirring
wisdom behind Anne's poignant quotes
illustrate the power and the lasting effect
the written word can have on society,
while moving humanity towards a more
humane and tolerant culture

Sara's Sco·re:

A @wilkesbeacon
le:J sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - March 17, 2015

Opinion

16

I do: the status of relationships and marriage i~ 2015
By Al Ii son Rossi

Our generation is no longer looking for
that typical romantic relationship such as
the relationship portrayed in The Nofebook
Everyone claims that an individual by Nicolas Sparks. Our generation rarely
should go into college free of a relationship goes on dates anymore. A romantic gesture
and or commitment.
is no longer receiving flowers or sneaking
Not many ·college students want a out past curfew to be with a significant
relationship while they are in school for other. A romantic gesture now is equivalent
many reasons. People, in general have to a good morning or a good night text.
gotten told over and over again that Some people even prefer texting ratlier
longterm relationships in college are a bad then talking in person. Small talk has
idea. College is meant to focus on lifelong • unfortunately become the new deep and
friendships, academics and career paths. clruv.k words are sometimes more valued
The . question· now becomes: are these than sober conversations.
statements and opinions actually accurate?
This generation is becoming increasingly
For many individuals, college is a time comfortable with just a hook-up.
to figure out who they are, what they want
The "hook-up" stage is increasing in
to create, pursue, enjoy and where they are many teens and other individuals in their
headed next after · they are graduated. It twep.ties as well. In a college environment
can be nice to bring someone along in that intoxicated and sober hook-ups are bound
moment in time but this can possibly create to occur (Ed. note: The Beacon staff
obstacles in their journey as well.
does not endorse underage drinking, nor
There must ~e a reason why so many drunken sexual activities).
People get
people have this mindset of college together at parties and other soc1al events
combined with romance, love and sex.
to hook up with someone or to have good

Staff Writer

times with their friends, acquaintances and
other students.
·
Some students look at relationships as
if they're being confined or restrained.
Individuals have become less focused
around the idea of a relationships and
marriage in general.
One of the reasons why people are
becoming less focused on relationships
and marriage is the fact that people are
becoming more career driven then they
were in the past. The declining economy
in the United States has caused an increase
and a demand for a college education.
Many individuals are beginning to put
less of a significance on marriage.
This has an enormous impact on the
marriage rates of the United States.
According to pewsocialtrends.org, only
fifty-two percent of all adults in the United
States were married in 2008; back in 1960,
seventy-two percent of the population was
married. ·
Our generation is influencing various
social changes m today's society.

The definition of family has become
very controversial in the recent years.
Pewsocialtrends.org explained: "eighty-six
percent of people say a single parent and
child constitute a family; nearly as many
(eighty percent) say an unmarried couple
living together with a child is a family;
and sixty-three percent say a gay or lesbian
couple raising a child is a family."
Just like the definition of family has
changed in the recent years the significance
and view point of marriage is changing
simultaneously.
The "hook-up" or "no commitment"
mentality is becoming increasingly
popular, especially on college campuses.
This mentality can become contagious but
how far will it spread? Will this mentality
completely change the traditions and
customs of marriage? Or maybe marriage
might cease to exist all together.

@wilkesbeacon
allison.rossi@wilkes.edu

Hitchcock's Rear Window re-release now in technicolor
By Sara Pisak
Asst. Opinion Editor

On March 22nd and March 25th Alfred
Hitchcock's Rear Window will be rereleased in theaters.
The 1954 classic follows photojournalist
L.B . Jefferies, who after an accident
is wheelchair bound. Confined to his
apartment in a wheelchair, Jefferies
uses a pair of binoculars to break-up
the monotony of his day. While looking
through his binoculars, Jefferies believes he
witnessed his neighbor murder his wife in
cold blood. The old-school, psychological
thriller stars famed actors of the time James
Stewart, Grace Kelly and Raymond Burr.
Popular director Alfred Hitchcock, known
as a pioneer of the psychological thriller/
mystery genre as well as the first director to
employ 3D, directed the movie during his
peak years behind the camera.
Although being snubbed for any Oscars
during its release year, Rear Window

7

quickly gained acclaim. The American Film
Institute ranks Rear Window at number 48
on its list of "The 100 Greatest Movies of
All-Time."
Further acclaim comes as Rear Window
is listed 38 on the International Movie
Database's ranking of"The Top 250 Films."
Alfred Hitchcock and his work became
so popular, the term "Hitchcockian" was
coined to describe his unique brand of
suspense.
In the case of Rear Window, the movie's
popularity has flourished. The film has
been adapted to a stage play and recreated
in episodes of popular television shows as
well as loosely served as the basis of the
Shia LaBeouf movie Disturbia.
La:Beouf is a teen serving a sentence of
house arrest when he becomes convinced
his neighbor is a serial killer. Besides the
movie's differences in plot and ages of the
characters, the viewer will quickly notice
that the loosely based remake, contains
more violence and blood than the original
Rear Window.

What accounts for these differences? I
have seen almost every Alfred Hitchcock
movie that has been released and I
categorize each one as terror not horror.
The differences in both films can be found
in the differences between terror and
horror. Ann Radcliffe, a forerunner of the
Gothic Literature movement, explains the
difference between these terms in her essay
"On the Supernatural in Poetry." Radcliffe
states, "Terror and horror are so far
opposite that the first expands the soul, and
awakens the faculties to a high degree of
life; the other contracts, freezes and nearly
annihilates them."
Radcliffe views terror as the more
sophisticated form of frightening the viewer.
Terror creates an ·active viewer of the film
as it plays on their psychological states
and their ability to reason through events.
Horror on the other hand, is intrusive to

Continued on page 17
Courtesy of Creative Commons

•

�The Beacon - March 17, 2015

Opinion

17

Rear Window continued ...
.

the audience. Horror is filled with classic film and director. When I began
shocking images which leaves the viewer composing this article, I asked several
helpless as the fear annihilates their other individuals of varying generations if they
senses.
were more familiar with Rear Window or
Hitchcock, in all of his works including Distrubia. Although not a definitive study,
Rear Window, strives to create terror. He I found individuals in my generation
plays with camera angles, lighting and have heard of Rear Window but have
props in order to keep from shocking the never seen the movie while others, who
audience so greatly that they cannot solve consider themselves movie buffs such as
the mystery presented. Along the way, myself, have seen both Rear Window and
Hitchcock uses these film elements to toy its loosely based remake Distrubia. By rewith what the characters and audience releasing Rear Window, a new generation
saw, heard and believes, thus employing familiar with the technologically produced
terror to the fullest. Hitchcock has a more gore of today's horror films will become
difficult task than directors of modern · well-acquainted with the master of terror
horror films. As a director in l 920s- l 970s, as they unplug from the technologically
Hitchcock produced a greater quality of enhanced movies of today and dive into a
work with less technology.
Personally, I am excited by 1he rerelease of Rear Window as it means a
new generation will be introduced to a

wo~ld of suspense and terror.

f"IIII @wilkesbeacon

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l:J sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

Love the skin you're in: skin .care tips for the changing seasons
By Elyse Guziewicz
Staff Writer

Spring months are a difficult time
for skin care. As the ~eather changes,
it vacillates between cold and warm
temperatures, meaning basic summer or
win.ter routines are ineffective at best.
Dry skin is indicative of a frigid and
windy climate, while sunny days can
mean a buildup of oils from sweat and
sunburnt skin.
Skin care is more than vanity. Taking
care of your skin can help prevent major
health problems either immediately,
like painful cracking around the lips
or fingertips from the cold, or later
in life, like skin cancers caused by
overexposure such as melanoma.
Taking care of your skin in the spring
means mixing necessary steps from
winter and summer weather skin care to
combat the elemental mood swings.
One of the first, most important tools

for skin care, especially in the spring, is
knowing the kind of skin you have.
This can depend on a lot of factors,
including how much melanin you have
and the natural moisture of your skin.
Melanin is what contributes to the color
of your skin. The more melanin you
have, the darker your ski.n is. The darker
your skin is, the less susceptible you are
to UV radiation and sunburn, meaning
you won't need heavy sunscreen.
Lighter skin tones will require more
sunscreen sooner in the year.
Knowing whether or not you have dry,
oily, or combination skin can also help
set you up for success.
Naturally dry skin means you'll likely
need moisturizer daily year-round. It
would also be in your best interests to
avoid "oil-control" cleansers, which
could irritate your skin.
Conversely, oily skin means you have

to watch out for clogged pores and
means it's important that you keep your
skin - especiaUy your face - clean fro!Il
sweat and other pollutants like makeup.
With cold weather skin care,
moisturizer is the name of the game.
Wind, ice, and salt mean red, irritated,
and dry skin, especially in exposed
areas like the face and hands.
Keeping in mind your skin type, pick
a moisturizer that's lightweight and
won't clog your pores. If you struggle
with oily skin, choosing something with
salicylic acid could keep your face from
getting windburned without polluting
your skin or causing breakouts.
When the weather gets warmer,
sunscreen and keeping your skin clean
get even more important. For people
who have very light skin, wearing spf30
sunblock daily is essential to avoid

sunburn - sunburn plus windburn is a
painful combination.
Regardiess of skin tone, sunscreen
should be a part of your daily routine
and can be found at about spfl 5 in a lot
of drugstore moisturizers.
For people with oily skin, it may be
in your best interests to wash your
face morning and evening, as warmer
weather can mean sweat irritating your
skin and causing breakouts or redness.
Balancing the essential parts of skin
care in bOth winter- alld -summer is the
key to surviving the spring months
while keeping your skin dear and
comfortable.

A

@wilkesbeacon
t.,:J elyse.guziewicz@wilkes.~du

r

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The Beacon - March 17, 2015

Opinion

18

201-5 NFL Scouting Combine Results

By Frank Passalacqua
Opinion Editor

40Yard Dash

Draft Analysis

Vericle Jump

II

Mariota, Marcus ..,
Marshall, Nick
Sims, Blake
Hundley, Brett
Fajardo, Cody

4.52
4.54
4.57
4.63
4.63

II

Marshall, Nick
Bennett, Bryan
Hundley, Brett
Mariota, Marcus
Petty, Bryce

37.5
37.0
36.0
36.0
34.0

II

Langford, Jeremy
Williams,. Karlos
Williams, Trey
Johnson, David ·
Gordon, Melvin

4.42
4.48
4.49
4.50
4.52

II

Abdullah, Ameer
Johnson, David
Zenner, Zach
Crockett, JohnRB
Ajayi, Jay

42.5
41.5
41.0
40.0
39.0

II

Nelson, J.J.
Dorsett, Phillip
Conley, Chris
White, Kevin
Lockett, Tyler

4.28
4.33
4.35
4.35
4.40

II

Conley, Chris
Strong, Jaelen .
Bell, Kenny
Hall, Rannell
Coates, Sammie

45.0
42.0
41.5
41.0
41.0

II

Cox, Justin
4.36
Rowe, Eric
4.45
Randall, Damarious 4.46
Tartt, Jaquiski
· 4.53
Collins, Landon
4.53

II

Drummond, Kurtis
Rowe, Eric
Randall, Damarious
Cox, Justin
Whitehead, Jermaine

39.5
39.0
38.0
38.0
37.0

Jones, Byron
Johnson, Kevin
Darby, Ronald
Carter, Alex
Williams, P.J.

44.5
41.5
41.5
40.0
40.0

Tull, Davis

42.5
42.0
41.0
40.5
38.0

m

Darby, Ronald
Grant, Doran
Shaw, Josh
Mager, Craig

4.31
4.38
4.44
4.44
4.44

Beasley, Vic
Alexander, Kwon
Anthony, Stephone
Dupree, Bud
Heeney, Ben

4.53
4.55
4.56
4.56
4.59

Waynes, Trae

m

m
•

Dupree, Bud
Beasley, Vic
M., Benardrick
Kendricks, Eric

After the annual NFL scouting
combine, we can rest assured knowing
that this draft class offers some depth at
multiple important positions.
First things first: the quarterback debate
just got hotter.
Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston
are the obvious leaders in the QB pack,
while both will go as the first two quarterbacks selected. Even though Mariota had
a better college career (looking at purely
stats), Winston seemed to steal the QB
show.
Winston came out and immediately
addressed the elephant in the room- his .
maturity. During the news conference, he
acted very confident, giddy and ready to
take the step to the next level. His performace showed that as well.
While both QB's participated in throwing drills, Winston was ·on point 24/7.
Mariota proved the critics wrong when
they address his drop-back issues and
his injury past, but he wa~ still obviously
lacking compared to the spotlight of
Winston.
Many mock drafts have Winston going
number one overall to the Tampa Bay
Buccanneers, aJ)d I can't ever argue. But
where will Marcus go? Tennessee? New
York? Cleveland? Philadelphia? Only
time will tell, but.my money is in Philly
(regardless of the Bradford acquisition).
Next is the significant emergence of
Trae Waynes as the obvious best defensive back in the entire draft.
Waynes came out and silenced the
crowd with his 4.31 40-yar;d time. It
should be noted that only one person, a
wide receiver, had a faster time in the
entire combine. Waynes will immediately
be an impact player in any defense he is
placed into.
Lastly is a player I have been big on
for months, West Virginia's Kevin White.
This receiver I feel has the characteristics
and skill set to be the best receiver in this
draft, even over Amari Cooper.
Amari Cooper may be the most natural
receiver, but there is something special
about Kevin White that shines through.
His fluid performance at the combine was
one for the books.
The 2015 NFL Draft officially kicks off
April 29. I can tell you one thing, I will
be glued to my TV all night.
Go Eagles!

Top 32 Prospects
1. Leonard Williams
2. Jameis Winston
3. Marcus Mariota
4. Dante Fowler Jr.
5. Kevin White
6. Vic Beasley
7. Danny Shelton
8. Amari Cooper
9. Randy Gregory
10. Shane Ray
11. Brandon Scherff
12. DeVante Parker
13. Andrus Peat
14. Alvin Dupree
15. Trae Waynes
16. La'el Collins
17. Malcom Brown
18. T.J. Clemmings
19. Landon Collins
20. Todd Gurley
21. Ereck Flowers
22. Jaelet?- Strong
23. Melvin Gordon
24. Dorial Green-Beckham
25. Owamagbe Odighizuwa
26. Cameron Erving
27. Marcus Peters
28. Maxx Williams
29. Kevin Johnson
30. Jordan Phillips
31. Eddie Goldman
32. Shaq Thompson

DT
QB
QB
OLB
WR
OLB
DT
WR
DE
DE
OT
WR
OT
DE
CB
OT
DT
OT

ss
RB
OT
WR
RB
WR
DE
C
CB
TE
CB
DT
DT
OLB

@wilkesbeacon
frank.passa/acqua@wilkes.edu

•

�Sports

The Beacon - March 17, 2015

19

Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Brandon.Gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Women's tennis motivated to win ninth straight
By Grant Rogers

Sports Writer
The Wilkes University Women's Tennis
team is on the verge of capturing its
ninth consecutive Freedom Conference
Championship. The Lady Colonels have had
19 wins in the last three seasons. Currently
Wilkes is 9-1 and is ranked 19th in the
Atlantic South Region.
"The team and I are excited and motivated
to play our b,est so we can hopefully
capture the title for the ninth straight year,"
sophomore Kendra Croker said.
This month, the Lady Colonels headed
south to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina,
for their annual spring break trip. Wilkes
came out in style sweeping Central State
University 9-0 in the first match. Wilkes won
every match while -in South Carolina.
"Hilton Head was great. We had a couple
of tough matches but everyone played really
well and had a lot of fun," sophomore Alanna
Denauski said.
In the second match against Wartburg
College, Wilkes earned wins from

sophomore standout Kendra Croker at the
No. 1 spot, Taylor Hoffmann at the No. 4
spot, Olivia Hewison at the No. 5 spot and
Alanna Denauski at the No. 6 spot. Final
score of was Wilkes coming out on top 7-2.
The Lady Colonels sailed past Mount
Union in their third match in South Carolina
beating the Lady Raiders 7-2. Wilkes took
four of six singles matches alld won all
three doubles flights against Mount Union.
The four. singles winners .for Wilkes were
Madison Salmon, Taylor Hoffmann, Olivia
Hewison, and Alanna Denauski.
In the final match of spring break Wilkes
took on St. John f.i.sher College and defeated
the Lady Cardinals 9-0. Singles winners
for Wilkes were Croker, English, Salmon,
Parker, Stanton, and Markulics. Wilkes also
swept St. John Fisher in the three doubles
flights.
"South Carolina w~s amazing. We all
played incredible tennis and we went
undefeated. It was great!" Croker added.
The Wilkes University women's tennis
team had perfect 4~0 record on their spring
break trip to South Carolina, bringing the
team record to 9-1 for the 2014-2015 season.

Courtesy of gowilkesu.com

Sophomore Madison Salmon hitting the ball to her opponent in a match.
"With everyone hitting well, we're expecting
to have another great season," Denauski said.
The Lady Colonels have three matches
against Lebanon Valley College, Haverford
College and Bloomsburg University before

opening Freedom Conference play against
Eastern University on April 2.

t,"ll @wilkesbeacon

l=;Jgrant.rogers@wilkes.edu

Men's tennis wins five of six games on spring break trip
By Danny Van Brunt
Sports Writer
The Men's Tennis team won five
out of six games played over spring
break in Hilton Head Island, South
Carolina. The Colonels defeated
Wartburg College, Central State
University, University of Mount
Union, John Fisher College, and
Roanoke College.
The Colonels lost their first game
of the season to the University of
Findlay (1-5).
The team hopes to dominate and
capture its eighth straight conference
title this spring. Head coach Chris
Leicht, has been coaching for 13
years and feels confident his team
will continue to dominate.
The team captains Steven Wilson,
Brendon Blachowski, and Throy
Austero all contribute to the team's

success.
Steven Wilson is the two-time
Freedom Conference Player of the
Year, and has a MAC Individual title
in both singles and doubles play.
Brendon Blachowski has earned
a
second
team
All-Conference
honor, and has two MAC Individual
singles crown. Some other important
players are Max Appello, Dominic
Parfianowicz, Michael Kranz, Adam
Lefkandinps, Troy Haas, and Jacob
Parfianowicz.
The first three games against
Lebanon Valley College, Bloomsburg
University and the University of
Scranton will be played away.
On March 29, the tennis team
play shome at the Ralston Athletic
Complex against Keystone College .
Courtesy of gowilkesu.com

@wilkesbeacon
danny.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

Sophomore Jacob Parfianowicz prepares to hit the ball to his opponent.

r

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Sports

The Beacon - March 17, 2015

Women's lacrosse opens up
the season with a win
By Cara Basile
Sports Writer

.,

The women's lacrosse team went 1-1
in New Haven, Conn., over spring break.
The team dominated its first garrie against
Albertus Magnus College 18-2, but fell to
Western Connecticut State 17-21.
The team was able to learn from both
the win and loss, setting a mark for the rest
of the season. The Lady Colonels had the
opportunity in their first games to practice
and develop team chemistry on the field.
The second game was more of a learning
experience for the team.
"The second game was much more
challenging for us," midfielder Tori Kerr
said. "The loss was a blessing in disguise
because it make·s us realize what we need
to work on as a team before conference
play."
Kerr, along with Melanie Rivera are two
returning juniors who are excited to be
back on the field and hope to encourage
their teammates in order to be successful.
"On the field I try to motivate my
teammates by maintaining a positive

outlook and a positive attitude," Kerr
said. "Off the field I tty to motivate my
teammates by setting realistic goals."
"Three of my roommates and I are all
lacrosse players," Rivera said. "Whenever
one of us i~ down, we're all there to lift
each other up whether that's on the field
or off of it."
To accomplish goals like making
playoffs and winning the Freedom
Conference championship, the women will
have to maintain their positive outlook.
The team fell just short of the title last year
against Arcadia University. This year the
women are more determined to secur~ a
spot and the win.
"My freshman year we came into the
season ranked dead last in the conference,"
Rivera shared. "Now we're ranked second
overall. With Arcadia finally out of the
conference: this is our year to win it all."
The team will take on Martime College
at 2 p .m . on March 21 Schmidt Stadium
which will also be -the team veteran's
game.

@wilkesbeacon
cara. basile@wilkes.edu

Softball wraps up spring trip
By An dre Spruell
Sports Writer

APARTMENTS
Studio, 1, 2 &amp; 3 bedrooms
Available June 1, 2015

Over Spring Break, the Wilkes University
softball team took a 12-hour bus trip down
to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where
members began their spring training. While
in Myrtle Beach, the softball team went 4-4
and grew closer together as a team.
Almost all of the games that the girls
played were done at 2 p.m., so after they
· worked up a sweat on the diamond, they
were able to soak up some sun and enjoy
themselves by doing things like going to the
beach, doing team bonding activities in their
hotel rooms and going to team dinners.
All these activities brought the girls closer
together as a result and will look to use their
closeness and togetherness as a team to their
advantage this season.
The women were able to have fun while
playing the sport they love.
"The weather was pretty nice so that was
a plus and we played pretty well. We could

have done better, but we went .500 overall so
we can't really complain, and we got along
as a team so overall it was pretty good," said
freshman shortstop Grace Sanzalone.
While in South Carolina, team members
were able to face some pretty tough
competition, including a Division II school.
The Lady Colonels seem eager and ready to
start the season as they just ended having
to wake up for 6 and 7 a.m. workouts and
currently practice every day at 4 p.m.,
waiting for the weather to get warmer so
they can start practicing outside.
The team's opening game was supposed
to be at King's College but was postponed.
The opening game now will be home against
SUNY Canton at 5:30 p.m. on on March 20.
"I think our outlook is really good, the
team meshes well together and we have
really good players so ifwe practice hard and
play as a team we will do well," Sanzalone
added. •

@wilkesbeacon
andre.spruell@wi/ke's.edu

�The Beacon - March 17, 2015

21

Sports

Wilkes baseball team opens spring break with two wins
By Brandon Gubitosa
Sports Editor

The Wilkes baseball team wrapped up its
spring break trip with.,.i record of 3°5. The
team opened• its season with a pair of wins
against host Paine College in Augusta, Ga.
In the first game, senior Dan Pisanchyn
put the Colonels on the bQard early with an
RBI single driving in Stephen Ruch.
.
The Colonels then went on to score
seven runs in the top of the fourth. Junior
Ryan Herbst tripled in two runs while Nick
Preston and Matthew Reese added RBI
singles. They would go on to win the first
game 8-4. Sophomore pitcher Quinn Kelly
would go on to pick up his first win ·of the
season.
In the second game of the double header
against Paine College, Wilkes started off the
game scoring two runs in the first. Reese
dove in senior Bobby Schappell, while senior
Stephen Ruch homered for the Colonels.
The Colonels went on to score three more
insurance runs in the top of the sixth.
After losing three straight down in
Florida, the Colonels picked up their first

win against Lebanon Valley College. After
trailing in the first inning, Wilkes went on to .
tie the game in the third as Jay Clymer would
on to score on a past ball. Lebanon answered
right back in the bottom of the third as
shortstop Zach Smith scored on a past ball.
Trailing by one going into the fifth inning,
the Wilkes bats exploded scoring four runs to
take a 5-2 lead. Sophomore James Brown flied
out to right field scoring Clymer, and Reese
followed that with an RBI single. Pisanchyn
flied out to CF scoring Reese followed by Josh
Slocum singling in Ruch. Quinn Kelly would
go on to win his second game of the season,
while Matt Kaster picked up his second save
of the season. The Colonels went on to shut
out Lebanon Valley after ·scoring four runs to
win 5-2.
In the final game of their spring break trip
Bethany College defeated the Colonels 6-1.
Bethany scored four in the first inning and
never looked back from there. They then
Courtesy of gowilkesu.com
went on to add two runs in the top of the
Junior outfielder Tom Ring swings at a pitch.
eight. giving them a 6-0 lead. In the bottom
of the eight Tom Ring singled home Ruch for
the Colonels lone run for the game. .
at home to open up freedom conference
The Colonels· return to action on 'March play. The Cougars are the favorite to win the f'.'!!l@wilkesbeacon
20 as they take on Misericordia University freedom conference this upcoming season.
lt:lb,andon.gubitosa@wilkes.edu

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�.J

com

Tom Ritig. oripially·· ~
tnaji,r came to Wilkes ·for
~ t and the baseball

CS '

, . . aying at
Ring is a marketing major, but is still on complex was :an amazing time. In Flori
the ba$eball team. Ring was ~I(in, and it was incredi})le playing in eighty- degree
adopted from, Paraguay, South ~erica. He weather on beautiful fields where w_e actually
now lives in Massapeq~ Park, New.. York. .•,g?t !o ex.rerien~~ an .actual Spring Break. A
He went to SL John the Baptist High School, ,, mce plus 1s that we got to go to the beach and
a private Catholic school Ring plays right / w:ear shorts and tank tops everyday
field and played and started in 23
·
Q: What are your expectations for the
season?
team}

Now

games.

.

9:

What do you plan on doing with your
.
. .
•
ma1or when you graduate from Wilkes?
. A: 'Ibis season I can expect us to do much
' better tl:tan my past two years being here. We
A: I plan on becoming an entrepreneur are a very young team, but have brought in a
and introducing a new product to the world '"great amount of talent that can only improve.
or just running my 0swn business.
Also this seasons increased success can be
greatly attributed to the addition of our
Q: What .!ire some of your favorite foods pitching coach, Matt Hochstatter and hitting
to e~t befo~e and after a game?
coach, Nate Ramsey.
, . They are both great guys·who have a great
•
A: Before games, fll usually have, some knowledge 9f the game and help us get
Flavor Blasted' Goldfish and aftei: will better every single day. I believe that we wiH
dispro~ the doubters who have placed in
sometimes celebrate with Angelos,
5th place in the preseason poll because we
know
that we have the ability to make·a run
Q: How long have you been playing
baseball and how did you pick up interest in for the top spot.".
the sport?
· Q:Who is your role model in life?

us

A: I've been ·playing baseball since I was
about 4 since I picked up my first wiffleball
bat. I think I actually fell in love with the
game because at the beaches at home J
would just hit rocks with a branch Ia find
lying around for hours.
·

A: My role models are my parents who
love .me . and do everything for me. Being
adopted helps me appreciate them even more
consideriµg they chose to bring me here and
take care of me for life,
They are both hard working and dedicated
Q: Ifyou won the lottery tomorrow what people who have made incredible sacrifices
would you do with the money?
to allowme to be where.,I am today. My dad
has. taken so much time out of his life to
A: If'I wo1Hhe lottery, I would definitely coach me, have catches with me and throw
save a grear portion of1it and finish school batting ptactice to me.My mom works long
even I had enough,iµoneyto Jive off of. hours a.s a teacher constantly traveling and
I would "surprise my patents with" gifts as .a running around and .still makes it to many of
way of,.thanlsiJ?S the.qi :for putting up With • my games'. I thank them for everything and
me for :the past 20 years and every sacrifice }!!St ~ant to make them proud.
they've made for me.
·

if

Q: What's one memo
- - from w·
A: .,

on't for.get

Ukesbeacon
an.willey@wilkes.edu

�23

be.nalf the,nui-

otber she is. '

.

."

Q: When did you 's tart playing softball?
A: I started elayin_g when I was a youngin Jt

8. I already knew I was gonna be real a~.it" '.'

~@wilkeslieaton'

j ohnatQan.~eer,@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - March 17, 2015

•

•

ONLYS495
ER CREDIT

�</text>
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                  <text>&lt;p&gt;This is Wilkes University's &lt;em&gt;Beacon&lt;/em&gt; Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the &lt;em&gt;Beacon's&lt;/em&gt; predecessors, &lt;em&gt;The Bucknell Bison Stampede&lt;/em&gt;, 1934-1935 and &lt;em&gt;The Bucknell Beacon&lt;/em&gt;, 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 &lt;a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua"&gt;Bucknell University's Special Collections Department&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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                <elementText elementTextId="366521">
                  <text>Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a &lt;a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/"&gt;legacy website&lt;/a&gt;. 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.</text>
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                    <text>The Beacon - March 24, 2015

Civil Rights leader Diane Nash and William J. Barber, lead marchers over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama .

Courtesy of Jim Gavenus

r

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Have a breaking story or a press releaseJo send? Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes;edu

Beacon Briefs

Glow Run

Relay for Life: Remember

Relay for Life of Wilkes University, sponsored by Colleges
_ Against Cancer, takes place April 18 starting at 10 a.m. on ·the
greenway. Registration is $10, and there will be food, games,
fundraisers. Contact justin.davis@wilkes.edu for more details, or
follow the link: www.relayforlife.0rg/pawilkes.
Health &amp; Wellness Club Workout Challenge

The Health and Wellness Club "is hosting an eight-day workout
challenge weekdays at 6 a.m. in the UCOM from Mareh 23 to
April 1. Insanity workouts the first week and P90X workouts the
second week (no weights) . Each workout will last 40-50 minutes.
Attending sessions enters students into a raffle to win a free
dry-fit club t-shirt. Email michelle.kuzma@wilkes.edu or sarah.
fillman@wilkes.edu.

Social

Adverti

By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer

I
0

jamci

First F'looi
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Wilkes

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Univ

Wilkes-Batre,'
Phone - (570) 4

7

Book Talk with Dr. Edward Bednarz

Dr. Edward Bednarz is hosting a discussion about his bbok
The Journey to Discover the Meaning of Life on March 25, 4 - 6
p.m. in the Salon of Kirby Hall. RSVP for the event by March 20
to BookTalk@wiikes.edu. Refreshments will be served. ·

SG Notes: (onference funds allocated,
Capital Projects &amp;Glow Run week one

9Pini
Spo

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The "Just Glow With It" Glow Run SK will take place April 17
starting at the UCOM building and finishing at the Riverfront
portal. Registration begins at 8 p.m. where there will be race
tags, glow bracelets, and a glow store to buy glow in the dark
accessories. The race will begin at 10 p.m. Registration is also
at the following link: www.community.wilkes.edu/ glowwithit
until the day of the event or on Tuesdays and Thursdays from
lla.m.-lp.m. in the Henry Student Center. Registration will be
$5 for students and $10 for non-students. All proceeds will go
to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention

On Wedn~sday, Wilkes University's
Student Government held its weekly meeting.
This week's meeting had a lot of follow up
content from last week. First, The Veteran's
Council made constitutional revisions.
Student Government reviewed these
revisions and approved all changes made.
Another follow up on last week's meeting,
Enactus, a business club on campus,
requested funding for an upcoming National
Expo Conference in St. Louis. The club
requested a total of $1715 to cover travel
and lodging fees for 11 students. Student
Government moved to allocate the full $1715
to Enactus. ·
The next follow up, the APhA has
requested'funding for the annual conference
that is being held in San Diego, Calif., this
year. The group has requested $1,695.60 to
cover registration and hotel fees. The motion
passed.
The Chemistry Club requested funding
for the American Chemical Society National
Meeting conference being held in Denver,
Colo., later this month. This will cover
six members. The club requested $1,500
from Student Government to cover the
registration and transportation fees. Student
Government voted to allocate the Chemistry
Club the $1,500.

In the last follow up from last week's
meeting, Capital Projects presented part
two of its budget for the year. It was decided
that Student Government will not be voting
on the ·neuro-training facility until more
information is given. Next, Capital Projects
also presented a another part of its budget
for new Big Event supplies, the projected
cost is $642.18 for shovels, rakes, gloves and
gardening sets. Student Government passed
the motion.
·Some new business that was presented
in the meeting, pertained to the second
annual Glow Run in April. This is a SK held
on and around campus in order to promote
suicide prevention awareness. There is a
$5 registratio~ fee for students, and there
is now a website that allows you to register
online. Last year there was a turnout of about
300 people. The requestors asked Student
Government for $2,079 that will go toward
supplies, generators, and other items that
will be used to put on the event. Student
Government will cast its final vote at next
week's meeting:
.
The council reviewed the Treasurer's
report. The current budget is as follows:
All College: $4,724.60; General . FtJnds:
$7,552.14; · Conference: $1,835.00; Spirit:
$1,250.00 for a Student Government total of:
$15,361.1'4

@wilkesbeacon
taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

�----------,-----~-

The Beacon - March 24, 2015

--- --- ----

News

3

March for Freedom: 50th Anniversary of Historic Civil Rights Protest
By Pat Walther
Asst. News Editor

This month marks the SO-year anniversary
of the famous civil rights marches from
Selma to Montgomery in Alabama.
.
In 1963, after the Alabama State Legislature
passed a new law constitution that required
a poll tax upon voting and a literacy test for
comprehension of the constitution, many
African-Americans and poor whites found
themselves effectively unable to vote.
This triggered the beginning of the
civil rights movement in Alabama, where
thousands of people fought to give equal
rights to disenfranchised black citizens.
Altercations began to grow more and
more frequent between protestors and
police, leading to numerous deaths that
caused national outrage.
Then a plan was concocted. Civil rights
supporters decided to march from Selma to
Montgomery, the state capital, in protest of
the unfair voting laws.
The first march ended on March 7, 1965,
or what is known infamously throughout
American history as "Bloody Sunday:'
As protestors crossed into Dallas County,
where Montgomery is located, they faced a
wall of state troopers. Earlier in the day, the
sheriff of the cqunty issued a proclamation
ordering all males over the age of21 to report
to the county courthouse. When there, they
were all deputized.
.
Words were exchanged between a leader
of the march and the commanding officer of
the posse. The protestors were told to "turn
around immediately:' . When they did not
comply, officers began shoving and pushing
the marchers, eventually beating them with
• nightsticks.
Tear gas was fired, troopers on horseback
charged the crowd. Absolute anarchy
reigned supreme.
After the smoke had settled, 17 marchers
were taken to the hospital and 50 were
treated for lesser injuries.
But the protestors did not give up. The
second march was organized for March 9.
Rev. Martin Luther King led 2,500 p~ople
into Dallas County before turning around
in respect of a court-order which prevented
them from doing the full march.•
After Lyndon B. Johnson promised King
to protect the protestors with troopers
and guardsmen and a federal judge came
to the conclusion that the protestors were
exercising their First Amendment rights,
thereby overruling any court-order, the
protestors went back to it.
The third march began on March 21.
Led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
and numerous spiritual leaders, the march
commenced with close to 8,000 people

Illustration by Pat Walther

Courtesy of Jim Gavenus

On left, marchers hold up a sign of MLK during the 50th anniversary of the march to Montgomery. at right, a map.
denoting the protest route.
ready to take up the trek.
When the nearly 25,000 civil rights
supporters arrived in Montgomery on
March 24, they took a day to organize on the
outskirts of town. Finally, on March 25, they
stepped foot on the Alabama State Capital
Building. It was there that King delivered one
of his most famous speeches.
Known now as "How long, not long;' the
words still echo forth today.
"Once more the method of nonviolenf
resistance was unsheathed from its scabbard,
and once again an entire community was
mobilized to confront the adversary;' King
spoke. ''And again the bn1tality of a dying
order shrieks across the land. Yet, Selma,
Alabama, became a shining moment in the
conscience of man. If the worst in American
life lurked in its dark streets, the best of
American instincts arose passionately from
across the nation to overcome it:'
This protest march is important to this
very day. Though it may be overshadowed
by the movement itself, it stands as seminal
act that defines the turbulence of the time
period.
"The cultural significance is enormous-finally the country and the world were

waking up to the lack of justice and freedom
in the U.S. South. Black citizens had stood up
for themselves--in the face of grave danger-and peacefully demonstrated for their rights,
equality, and justice;' said Dr. Diane Wenger,
associate professor of history at Wilkes
University
On March 7, 2015, the 50 year anniversary
of Bloody Sunday, President Obama and
numerous political activists came together to
reenact the historical event.
In a speech, President Obama noted the
importance of the march.
"[Selma] is instead the manifestation of a
creed written into our founding documents:
'We the People .. .in order to form a mote
perfect union: 'We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal;
Obama spoke.
He continued, "These are not just words,
they're a living thing, a call to action, a
roadmap for citizenship ,md an insistence in
the capacity of free men and women to shape
our own destinY:'
Jim Gavenus, a Kingston resident and
internationally
known
documentary
photographer, · was at the scene of the
reenactment.
Gaven us
attends
the

anniversary celebrations regularly and has
gotten to know quite a few of the original
protestors, many of whom provided
some insight into their actions. His work
documenting the civil rights movement
is featured in the National Voting Rights
Museum in Selma.
"They were looking to change the world,
not for themselves, but for their children
and grandchildren - for everyone;' Gavenus
said ..

Jim Gavenus is the keynote
speaker for the 15th annual
Tom Bigler Journalism
Conference slated for April
I0th at Wilkes University.
For additional info contact
kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu

-

A @wilkesbeacon
11!::1 pa trick. walther@wilkes.edu
L

•

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�_J

The Beacon - March 24, 2015

News

4

Award-winning poet Lynn Emanuel guest lecture
Spring Writers Series sponsored by Allan Hamilton Dickson Fund
By Sara Pisak

poetry we read and especially to have her
read our work;' said junior English major
Gabriella Romanelli. "She [Emanuel] came
into class as someone who is extremely down
to earth:'
Students departed the class with insight
into furthering their writing techniques as
they travel on the road to becoming more
experienced writers.
The Spring Writers Series is sponsored by
the Allan Hamilton Dickson Fund.

Asst. Opinion Editor

On March 16, award-winning poet Lynn
Emanuel visited campus as part of the
English Department's Spring Writers.Series.
As part of Emanuel's visit, she served as
a guest speaker in Dr. Mischelle Anthony's
Advanced Creative Writing, Poetry class.
Students were able to submit poem~ to
Emanuel a week before her visit. Submitting
poetry afforded students the opportunity to
have Emanuel offer comments which were
discussed as part of Monday's class workshop.
Offering comments and conducting a
workshop are nothing new for Emanuel, who
is a professor of English at the University of
Pittsburgh. In addition to teaching, Emanuel
has also served as a poetry editor for the
Pushcart Prize Anthology, a judge for the
National Book Awards and a member of the
Literature Panel for the National Endowment
of the Arts.
Emanuel's qualifications do not stop
there; students studying poetry have become
familiar with her · work from her four
published books of poetry: She spent the
class time leading group discussions which
focused on the students' submitted poems.
The class began with Emanuel stating each
of the students' poerps, "occupies a distinct
voice with no cookie cutter format or copycatting of each other or a favorite poet:' As
the class and Emanuel discussed the works,
the differing topics and varying styles led to a
wide range of topics being examined.
• ajor topic of class discussion focused
on the revision process. As many authors
find revising difficult, Emanuel cautioned

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees
Lynn Emanuel, an Eng lish professor at the University of Pittsburgh, has accompl ished
many thi ngs as a poetry editor for the Pushcart Prize Anthology, a judge for the
National Book Awards and a member of the Literature .Panel for the National
Endowment of th e Arts.

"revision isn't about dissolving a poem to
sand:' Instead she advises the best way to
revise can be to write a completely new poem.
Each student received possible points of
revision from Emanuel on their submitted
pieces.
Students also conversed on the ideas
behind imagist poetry. "Sometimes poetry
does large things in small spaces., she said.
Through
work-shopping
Emanuel
expressed that when working with imagist
poetry the concept focuses on employing

sounds and images to draw a reader to
conclusions about the work. Often imagist
poems lack a concrete time and place as a
traditional setting. Using specific lines from
their classmates' poetry, students offered
comments on their beliefs of the ideas
represented through the imagist poems.
The class visit offered students unique
insight into an admired auth(?r as well
as invaluable feedback on work from a
professional.
"It was very cool to meet someone whose

The next featured
writer for the Spring
Writer's Series will
be Henry Veggian.
Come see Veggian at
7 p.m. on April 9 in
the Kirby Salon.

'"-

@wilkesbeacon
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

Writer,s workshop speaker offers advice to aspiring publishers
By Sara Pisak
Asst. Opinion Editor

After serving as a guest speaker, Lynn
Emanuel also spent time speaking to students
one on one during a writer's workshop.
Emanuel answered questions about her
experience as a writer and her career as
an educator. As for when Emanuel knew
she would pursue a career as an author,
she expressed, as an undergraduate in the
English department, English was not viewed
as a profession for which you could train
individuals, unlike departments now.
Emanuel fell in love with the idea of a
career in English when the newer theories of
writing and literature came to the forefront.

She described how she earned her doctoral
degree in English by alternating semesters
teaching at the University of Pittsburgh and
completing her degree at the University of
Iowa.
Emanuel also spoke about the pros and
cons of Low Residency Master's programs
in English/Writing. She informed students
of the positive attributes associated with
publishing work as the result of successful
completion of a master's program.
Many creative writing students use the
process of writing and revision to work
toward a goal of publishing. She offered
valuable advice to those seeking to publish
their work.

"(C)ontinuously work on the craft of
writing;' she counseled.
Emanuel further elaborated on the
progress of havi~g a work published by
affirming, "It all depends on the work itself'
Emanuel spoke about creating the best
and most concise work to send to editors and
judges. She elaborated even though works
chosen often match editors' and judges'
personal styles, working to improve writing
always produces the greatest chances of
being selected.
On advice for judged and editorial contests,
Emanuel said that before submitting to ask
yourself, "Do I love the author's [who is
editing] work?"

For those in creative writing looking to
break into the world of publishing, Emanuel's
advice is instrumental. Offering students
advice based on her personal experiences of
publishing and serving on editorial boards
provided students the opportunity to gain
a glimpse into the world of submitting and
publishing work.
After the workshop, Emanuel held a
reading of her work.. Her day on campus
concluoed with a book signing for those in
attendance.

IL.

@wilkesbeacon
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 24, 2015

5

News

March marks Women's ~story Month: Two professors reflect on wome~s roles
By Gabby Glinski
News Photographer and Staff Writer

Every March is dedicated to the
recognition and appreciation of women's
history. While the recognition of Women's
History Month seems enough to appreciate
it, women's views and feminist views are still
in need of being included in everyday life to
fully understand the importance of women.
"When you shift history around and you
start to look at it through women's eyes
or how it affected women or how women
effected it, you get a whole different slant
on it than if you looked at [history] in the
traditional way," said Dr. Diane Wenger,
and associate professor of history at Wilkes.
Wenger teaches American women's history
and specializes in the history of women.
Feminism holds strong ties with Women's
History Month. Wenger said she tries to
incorporate feminism into her everyday

teaching.
"What I try to
do is show students
how few rights
women had. I think
once we show what
women did not
have, then feminism
doesn't seem like
that radical of an
idea:'
The true meaning
and , theories of
feminism are often
hidden under harsh
stereotypes,
Dr.
Mia Briceno, an
assistant professor
of communication
studies at Wilkes
University,
states
her definition of ,

feminism.
"It's about emphasizing
the role of gender and how
it potentially constrains
both men and women in
their daily lives, culture,
and society:'
While there are many
progressive attributes to
Wilkes' culture, including
the recent addition of
a Women and Gender
Studies minor and the
Wilkes Safe Space, there
are many more things that
can be done to promote
Women's History Month
and its theme of feminism,
Wegner
discussed
having more programming
Graphic by Moe Woodard
on campus pertaining to
celebrating and protecting

women. Wegner disclosed that establishing
markers for local successful women and
creating Wilkes scholarship programs
would be a good way to establish the themes
of Women's History Month into everyday
life.
Briceno and Wenger hope that in the
future, Women's History Month, feminism,
and the recognition of women's success will
play a larger role in the main curriculum of
all education levels.
According to womenshistorymonth.
gov, Women's History Month was founded
in 1987 after being petitioned for by the
National Women's History Project. Between
1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional
petitions requesting the President to
proclaim March of each year as Women's
History Month.
~

@wilkesbeacon

l!:J gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

Profile of a Professor: Dr. Mischelle B. Anthony, E.n glish
ByToni Pennello
Staff Writer

••

Dr. Mischelle B. Anthony is an associate
professor of English at Wilkes. Her teaching
focuses on 18th century literature, early
American literature, Gothic and sentimental
fiction and poetry..
She teaches courses ranging from first
year to senior courses and capstones,
specializing in writing, poetry and lite~ature.
Anthony is originally from the small
town of Luther, Okla.
"We had no stoplights and more cows
than people;' she explained.
She earned her Bachelor's degree from
The University of Central Oklahoma, and
her PhD from Oklahoma State University.
As an English professor, her favorite
part of teaching is "discovering student's
responses to the reading. Seeing into
students' heads:•
Originally,
Anthony planned
on
becoming a child psychologist.
'Tm actually a practicum away from a
Master's in psychology.... I looked at my
final year of coursework and realized that I
didn't want to do that;' she said.
Between the mass of statistics courses and
a personal aversion to some beliefs in the
field, she decided that psychology was not
the best choice for her.
"The DSM freaks me out;' she explained,
referring to the Diagnostic and Statistical

•
Manual of.Mental Disorders. "At that point
homosexuality was still in it - when I was
in school it was still considered a disorder:'
Reading and writing was always a great
love of Anthony's, but she did not consider
it as a career path until a friend of hers
suggested it.
"I switched to English and this whole
time, that was 20 years ago, I still can't
believe that I get paid to do this work. I'm
very fortunate:'
Among other things, she is a published
poet and the president of the American
Association of University Professors
(AAUP) at Wilkes, but as her most valued
accomplishment Anthony points to earning
her PhD.
"I realized that was the first thil).g in my
life that I received that no one could take
away from me ... I knew that no matter what
happened to me, no matter what choices
I made in my future, I would always be a
doctor. I would always be a researcher, and I
had that under my belt. That meant so much
to me:'
This great pride is what makes the field of
education so important to her.
"I knew Io worked hard, and it was so
rewarding for me. I wanted to share that
with other people. It's such a great life:'
Anthony is a strong advocate of Women's
History Month.
"There's a lot more acceptance of things
that, I would say, eyen five years ago we

......---.--0--:-:-----....---:--...-

•

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

Dr. Anthony reflects on her past career goals explaining that education was .t he
best choice for her as it has proved to be so rewardnig.
weren't talking about so much, or there I still see issues with gender. I think we do
would be someone in class who would be need Women's History month, and I'm glad
uncomfortable with talking about these we have it:'
issues. . . it seems like people are becoming
During her free time, she likes to read
much more educated about these things. poetry, fiction and the New York Times, as
But gender is still the one that people can't well as listen to jazz and blues. She also likes
to garden and relax with her cat.
see around so much. It's so embedded:'
She seems to feel that gender inequality
@wilkesbeacon
is still an issue that needs to be addressed.
toniann.pennello@wilkes.edu
"Even in this higher education workplace,

r

�_J

The Beacon - March 24, 2015

1

6

News

Hum~n trafficking lecture brings awaren·ess to timely issue
By Alyssa Mursch
Asst. Social Media Director ·

Every 30 seconds, someone becomes
a victim of human trafficking. Human
trafficking involves the buying and selling of
human beings as if they were commodities.
On March 17, Emily Pasnak-Lapchick
came to Wilkes University to spread
awareness and encourage students and
faculty to participate in taking action to end
child trafficking.
Pasnak-Lapchick is the End Trafficking
Officer at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF where
she leads a national awareness and advocacy
campaign about this matter.
She informed the university about child
trafficking and the lack of awareness that
surrounds it, as most people are focused on
drug trafficking instead. However, human

trafficking is more profitable than drug Anyone is capable of advocating stronger
trafficking as humans can be resold. For legislation, addressing the objectification of
example, a trafficker can profit up to $250,000 women and children, spreading awareness,
and learning signs to recognize a victim of
per year from just one girl.
Pasnak-Lapchick argued the problem is human trafficking.
incresing because there is not enc;mgh public
When looking for subjects of human
outcry to take steps toward ending it. Also, trafficking, there are signs that can help. A
police are more focused on prosecuting child that is being trafficked knows little about
the victims of these crimes rather than the his or her whereabouts, works excessively
traffickers themselves, even though more long hours, exhibits fear or anxious behavior,
times than not, their career in prostitution is : was hired with false promises, and has
inconsistencies with his or her story.
not their choice.
More often than not, people become
Anyone can fall victim to trafficking,
subject to trafficking because they are offered but children who are abused, homeless,
jobs under false pretenses, · causing them a runaway, or in foster care are especially
to believe that they are legitimate. Once vulnerable. Within 40 hours of running away
wrapped into the job, they are exposed to the or becoming homeless, 1 in 3 will be solicited
world of trafficking and it is too late to turn for sex. Women and children are even being
sold on Craigslist.
back.
Many people have the misconception
So what can an everyday citizen do?

that trafficking is strictly found in other
countries, when in reality this problem
has been reported in all 50 U.S. states. One
incident was especially close to home, right
here in Wilkes-Barre.
According to the Times Leader, four years
ago, federal prosecutors targeted five massage
parlors, including one on North River Road
in Plains Township, in a human trafficking
scheme involving Asian woman forced into
prostitution.This is one example of how close
to Wilkes' own campus the problem has
occurred.
To report a potential case, get information,
or request training, call 888-373-7888. It is
100 percent confidential, and interpreters are
available.

Asst. Social Media Director

Starting next fall, Wilkes students will
have the option of declaring a major in
neuroscience.
.
"Neuroscience is the field that studies
the nervous system, mostly focusing
on the brain and spinal cord," said Dr.
Edward Schicatano, associate professor of
psychology.
Wilkes currently offers a neuroscience
minor, which has been successful and
typically encompasses about 40 stup.ents.
"The design of the program is really for
students who intend on going to graduate
school, ·whether that be in a neuroscience
gr~duate program or something in the

health sciences," Schicatano said. "The
curriculum is designed so that they could
easily go on to these programs."
From a student standpoint, freshman
Lauren Evans explained why this major,
which she will be declaring in the fall, will
put her at an advantage for her post-college
plans.
"My plan for after my four-year degree
would be to go to chiropractic school, and
because chiropractic [medicine] deals with
the spine and manipulating it, which holds
the central nervous system, I really think it
would benefit me in the long run to have a
degree in neuroscience," Evans said.
This major will entail neuroscience courses,
psych methods courses, basic science classes,
and will also include performing research in

psychology.
As research is a large part of neuroscience,
there needed to be enough resources and
opportunity for students to engage in it
before the major could be brought to the
university. One main way that students will
be able to do their research is through the
upcoming neurotraining and research center.
"The center uses cutting-edge neuroscience
techniques like neurofeedback. The goal
is to use these techniques to help people
with stress management, attention focus,
energy, and overall emotional regulation,"
Schicatano said. "We are the only university
in the nation with a neurotraining center."
Also coming in the fall, the neurotraining
and research center will be located in Breiseth
Hall and available to any student, faculty and

staff for free. It will provide neuroscience
students with research, work, and internship
opportunities.
"I've always loved application more
than straight memorization," said Evans,
regarding the research aspect of the major.
"If you're really interested in what controls
your behavior and your thinking, then you
probably want to understand the brain,
and neuroscience is the study of the brain,"
Schicatano said.
For more information about this upcoming
major, contact Dr. Edward Schicatano at
edward.schicatano@wilkes.edu.

By Pat Walth er
On March 9, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas
wrote a letter without President Barack
Obama's knowledge addressed to the nation
· of Iran.Signed by 47 of the Senate's 54
Republicans, a large outcry came by way of
the American public and news-anchors for
their actions.
The letter was in relation to the Obama
administration's
ongoing
nuclearproliferation negotiations with Iran. The
letter said, in effect, that any deal struck
by the president with Iran can easily be
overturned by a potential future Republican
administration. Many believe the Republican

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@wifkesbeacon
afyssa.mursch@wifkes.edu

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Sen. Tom Cotton's 'Lett·e r to Iran' and the ·Logan Act
Asst. News Editor

1

]
@wilkesbeacon
afyssa.mursch@wifkes.edu

Neuroscience minor to become major this fall
By Alyssa Mursch

'

senators were overstepping their boundaries
by interfering with foreign policy, while
others have praised Cotton and his
compatriots for their bold actions.
Within hours of the letter's release, newsmedia outlets were claiming that it violated a
little known part of the Constitution called
"the Logan Acf'
What is the Logan Act?
As explained by Chris Lombardi in an
article for philly.com, "The law, passed by
Congress and signed by President John
Adams in 1799, prohibits unauthorized
people from negotiating with foreign
governments. Violating the act is a felony,
and anyone convicted under the statute faces
a three-year prison sentence:'

Legal .experts are quick to mention that
since the passing of the act over two centuries
ago, nobody has been prosecuted under it.
What isn't often mentioned is how this act
came into place.
When Philadelphian George Logan went
overseas to France to discuss diplomatic
relations in 1798, it caused a good amount of
criticism. This was during a conflict known
as the Quasi-War by historians. Fought
pred ominantly between France and the
United States, it started because of French
privateers seizing American shipping vessels.
John Adams, who was president at the
time, attempted to negotiate with France but
was met with no response. So it was, John
Adams rescinded all treaties in place with

France. Numerous naval battles followed.
George Logan, th ough not in violation
of any laws, was not in any position of
power to negotiate with a foreign entity.
An amendment was passed shortly after to
prohibit any private citizen from ever doing
anything of th at nature again.
Though France and the United States came
to a peaceful resolution and Logan did no
laSt ing damage, th e law is st ill in power today.
As for the 47 GOP senators, it's doubtful
any will be prosecuted due to th e st and down
nature of the law itself.

@wifkesbeacon
patrick.wafther-@wifkes.edu

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�The Beacon - March 24, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

Diversity smiles in the form of electronic Emojis
By Austin Ely
Staff Writer

•

Apple, the company that revolutionized
our technological age, has done it again. This
time they are including all skin tones to the
equation by introducing some new emojis.
Originally from Japan and first called
"smileys," emojis have provided society with
a new way to communicate in social media,
texting, emailing and so on. Emojis can be
used in the place of words to express how
someone may feel or interprets something.
"I always think it's a good idea to
The Beacon/Nicole Kutos
acknowledge diversity in every aspect of
When
using
emojis,
one
could
exp·ress
feelings
in
their
message.
The
new
updates
for
the
!phone
now include diversity.
life;' Dr. Gina Zanolini Morrison, associate
professor of history and global languages, symbolize nighttime. .
used elsewhere in companies such as, Apple,
"One thing I can say is that.I believe that
said.
it is easy to be offensive and to feel offended
Apple was not the first company to use Google, and Samsung.
"Not only is it a smart move for Apple, emojis or smileys in their so~are however.
Morrison not only spoke on Apple, but she when using electronic communications:•
commercially, but it's great for a company According to iemoji.com it was actually included all companies when she went on to said Executive Director of Diversity Affairs,
this important to realize that so far the a Japanese mobile phone provider called say, "Now, if only all companies, including Georgia Costalas, "but intent is harder to
default icon has been white, Eurocentric:'
DoCoMo i-mode who came up with the idea textbook companies, could take a good look discern:'
Emojis aren't faces of expression however; and have since integrated emojis in mail and at their products and work on recognizing
Texting may already be difficult for
they are all pictures that identify with web service in all mobile carriers in Japan.
how Eurocentric common products are, we'd some because messages can be interpreted
different things.
Smileys in Japan soon turned to smileys live in a more realisti!=, more inclusive world. differently and in some instances people
For example, an emoji of a person smiling everywhere when The Unicode Standard We'd all have a lot more choices:'
can be offended. The question is whether
may symbolize happiness, an emoji of a clock · was released, which contained over 100,000
With an upgraded emoji line-up the these emojis are exceptions to this issue of
ipay symbolize time, an emoji of a heart may different characters that can be used as text. potential issue of appropriate use should be electronic communication.
symbolize love and an emoji of a moon may This standardization allowed for emojis to be considered.

Thrifty Business: 'Ballin' on a Budget'
By Josephine Latimer
Staff Writer
Thrifting, It's a word many college students
have become incredibly familiar with.
Whether it's someone telling their friend
how they got pieces and parts of their outfits
from the local Salvation Army, or if it's heard
in passing c_onversation, thrifting is being
discussed among groups of eager college
students.
The act of thrift shopping has become a
way oflife for many college students, but why
has it become such a phenomena recently?
The thought of thrift shopping did not
cross many people's minds .too long ago.
It was once regarded as a last ditch effort
to find something remotely nice looking,
but now? College aged people flock to thrift
stores.
Sam Szura, a freshman nursing student,
weighs in on this. "I think it's cool that you

can go around and fi nd vintage stuff, it's than the feeling of not spending as much
money as one anticipates.
unique:'
There6 also a thrill involved with thrifting.
Szura raises a point; Going into a thrift
store, there's always that air of mystery, There's a history to the things one buys, it
an ambiance that is lacking in a corporate hasn'.t been mass manufactured, starched,
void oflife.
clothing store.
From clothes to knick-knacks to furniture, · There's character in the clothing, in all
things nestled in a thrift store. The items
one can expect a wide variety.
Another reason people frequent thrift have personality, something one can't find in
a brand new sweater.
stores might be the cheap prices.
Thrifting is an adventure, the act of going
Going to the mall is discouraging;
especially when there's only $15 dollars in to the store.not knowing what one might find
your wallet and that sweater is $27.99. In a especially appeals to the younger crowd.
Cost efficiency and exploration mark
thrift store, there could be a sweater with an
uncanny resemblance hanging on the rack the exhilaration college aged adults find in
_ thrifting, not to mention escaping the cookie
for only $4 dollars.
Rather than being sad over the overpriced cutter department store stigma.
Courtesy of Creative Commons sweater, one could be overjoyed about getting
Second-hand stores are a cheap way of a similar piece of clothing for much less.
Low prices are the perfect way to lure in
@wilkesbeacon
expanding one's closet
the college crowd. There's nothing better
josephine.latimer@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - March 24, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

8

Everyone is a Wilkes all-star at VIP Day

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

Wilkes hosted a VIP Day for all accepted students for Fall 2015. The event was a
chance-for them to experience a day on campus and take a interactive tour.

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

7

In the Ballroom of the Henry Student Center were tables where accepted
students could browse, pass and stop to ask questions about the types of clubs
Wilkes has to offer.

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski
Many accept~d students showed up to explore Wilkes Universty on Sat. March
21. They were able to get a feeling for the campus environment and all the
diversity Wilkes has.

...

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

Any questions from accepted student were welcomed at the many information
tables set up.

�The Beacon - March 24, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

She sa-id, He said
_
Gendered Drinking in Social·Situations
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

In the late college years of one's life, the
bar is a place to catch up with old friends
or make new ones._It is also a place of
judgement - judgements of appearance,
behavior and passing judgements as far as
criticizing one for their drink preference.
"I usually only see when a girl will,
unexpectedly, buy a beer. When this
happens, other girls tend to judge by
saying phrases such as, 'ew, you like beer?'
to that girl," Jennifer Magnotta, junior
communication studies major said.
The judgement does not stop there either.
Magnotta adds,"Even though you didn't
ask for her opinion, then she goes on to tell
you why she doesn't like beer:'
Society had shaped a gendered stigma
of who should consume what drinks.
The term "fruity drinks" seems to be
interchangeable now with the term "girly
drinks".
"In society, beer is masculine and fruity
cocktails are feminine;' Magnotta said.
Context.com describes "girly drinks" as
being fruity, sugared rimed and colorful
cocktails.

•

This stigma of gendered drinks is By Justin Topa
"Honestly, that's something I hear,4
relevant at the bar, but in the college setting . Asst. Life, A&amp;E Editor
from my parents more than from my
there is one thing that can overcome the
As warm weather starts to set in and generation:' said Eaton. "I have ordered
judgement: money.
many seem much more inclined to imbibe, what some may consider 'girly' drinks
Cocktails usually cost more than beer.
.r
· I think its
·' a
SOI]le may notice d iuerences
in the way an d was never h arasse d f,or 1t.
"It depends on how I'm feeling, if I want males and females handle social drinking dyjng notion:'
a fruity drink or a just a glass of beer:' experiences.
While Eaton said he does not see
Magnotta said. "It mostly depends 0n how
Everal ''Ben" Eaton is a senior within instances of criticism in regards to the
much money I have:'
•
the Department of Psychology at Wilkes drinks he or others consume, he does feel
College is a time where the scarcity of University. While Eaton dedicates most of pressure to drink larger quantities.
money controls what you do.
his free time during the warmer months to
"When I do go out, I feel a sort of
There is also a change happening in outdoor activity, he said he typically visits underlying pressure to drink large
college setting of a reinterpretation of the bar once or twice weekly. He typically amounts;' explained Eaton. "There isn't
what is masculine and what is feminine. patrons Rodano's, the Woodlands and bars rea11Y a parhc
· ul ar person that makes me
Personal preference now is a leading force local 10 him, as he is a commuter.
feel this way. Rather, it is more of a societal
of how one acts, second to the pressure of
-"I tend to go out with a mix of males and pressure. When you're in your twenties,
others.
females;' said Eaton. "I usually go with one it is alright and expected to drink larger
"I see girls order fruity cocktails a lot, or two people and end up running into amounts:'
but I also see them buy a pitcher of beer. I quite a few friends while fm out."
Eaton does not see this societal pressure
.
really thi~ it depends on what your flavor
The senior psychology major tends to in . the way males are expected to dress
preference is:' Magnotta said.
drink rum-based mixed drinks or lagers, w~e socially drinking, contrary to the
. Whether you are a shot of whiskey kind but says he sees most guys ordering a wider pressures many women report to feeling.
of girl or a Mai Tai drinker, choosing what array of beers and mixed drinks. While he . "Usually when I go to the bar, it's after a
one drinks should be entirely up to the ~as heard past .generations criticize the long day of school and work. The last thing
consumer and free from the idea that the drinks males choose to order, he feels this I want to do is dress up to go to the bar, so
drink should be gendered.
is no longer a timely concern and said he jeans and a hoodie it is for me:' said the
does
not hear neither positive nor n~gath;e . senior. "For the men who do 'dress up: the
f.'..'l @wilkesbeacon
feedback.
code seems to be jeans and a button-down
l::Jnico/e.zukowski@wilkes.edu
flannel. It's nothing too outrageous."
Eaton said he feels that many proposed
gendered .schemas involved with nights
out at the bar might not be as prevalent in
the millennial generation. He does note,
however, there may be a few instances
where gender might still play a role.
"If you are in a relationship, the guy might
pay for the cover or fo~ a drink or two and,
at the end of the night, it's typical to make
sure your female friends have someone to
walk them home:' he explained. "Other
than that, there aren't really too many
situations that come to mind:'
0

.
Photo Illustrati on /Nicole Zukowski
People who drink in social situations have the added b urden of choosing a drink that people wi ll not criticize them for. Whether
you prefer a shot of whiskey or a glass of fine wine, the choice of d rink one orders m ight make a bad impressio n on those
around.

Editor's Note: The Beacon
does not... support underage
or excessive alcohol
consumption.
@wilkesbeacon
justin.topa@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - March 24, 2015

.•

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

10

1

Dancing from the heart with school s irit

I

By Jackie Kurovsky
Staff Writer

A

"Dance is the hidden language of the
soul;' says the quote by dance pioneer
Martha Graham.
This holds true for members of the
Wilkes University Dance Team, a group of
students wh o put their heart and soul into
every crowd-energizin g performance.
The team, established in fall 2010 by
former member Jaclyn Palummo, gives
·students a fun way to explore their dan ce
talents while meeting new people and
supporting the university.
Jenna Vislosky, a senior nursing major
from Peckville, Pa., has been elected this
year's president of the dance team. She
previously served as the team's secretary
for three years .
Vislosky's position as president also
gives her the role of team . captain. Her
responsibility is to keep the team's
performance up to par and make sure
things are running smoothly.
Usually, the captain and co-captain
would create the team's dan ce steps. But
this year, choreography is a combined te.am
effort. Vislosky says this has been working
very well and has helped the team bond.
The choreography is mainly hip-hop
and jazz, and is the kind of dance that will
entertain and excite an audience.
The team performs during halftime at all
Wilkes men's basketball home games.
Anyone with experience and an interest
in darn~ , as well as school spirit, is welcome
to join the tea-!11. Being a dance minor is

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Th e Beacon/ Rachel Leand ri

Members of the Wlkes Dance Team are·a11 experienced in dance and have an overwhemling joy for sc hool spirit. One does
not have to be decleared a dance minor to j o in the dance team. The team welcom es anyone w ho is interested.
not a requirement.
"I think it's great having members as
dance minors and non dance minors
because it creates a more diverse and wellrounded team;' Vislosky said.
"With such a variety of dancers, the team
is able to collaborate and use their dance

and choreography skills from Wilkes and
other dance facilities:'
Those interested in- joining the dance
team can contact Vislosky at jenna.
vislosky@wilkes.edu, or Kendra Radle, the
upcoming president for fall 2015-spring
2016, at kendra.radle@wilkes.edu.

Rehearsal times are scheduled every
Sunday and Wednesday, and all members
are expected to attend.

@wifkesbeacon
jackie.kurosky@wifkes.edu

Wilke·s University,s Enactus Club means business
By Nathan Hughes
Correspondent
Interested in helping others and meeting
new people?
Wilkes University's Enactus is that
and more. It provides experience and
connections to all of its members.
In its 21st year, Enactus' mission is "to
help improve life for local business owners
within the community;' said Bridget Turel,
business professor and club adviser.
Prior to being called Enactus, the club was
known as SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise).
The purpose of the club is to put
community first by doing specieyc projects.

The projects are powered by grants given to
Enactus through partners in order to exec.ute
their mission.
A total of $4,500 was given to the club this
year to help accomplish projects and make an
impact.
One project that members are involved in
is Women's Economic Empowerment, which
targets Ruth's Place . in .downtown WilkesBarre. To power this project, a $1 ,500 grant
supported by Coca-Cola was provided. The
project is to work with the women's shelter
and provide professional training sessions
and financial support brought within by the
students.
Turel, who took over the reins shortly after

2010, is more than proud to lead this club
and make an impact in the community.
"There has been a long legacy here and
in the last couple of years there has been
success:' Turel said.
This success is not only shown throughout
our community but also at the national stage
in competition.
Every spring the Wilkes Enactus club treks
to St. Louis, Missouri, to compete against
more than 400 teams from other universities
across the nation. The competition is based
solely off of the presentations the students
give on the projects they did throughout the
year.
The club has done extremely well at recent

competitions. In fact: last spring the club
was recognized as a finalist in the opening
round of competition, moving on to the
quarterfinal, where they were crowned third
place.
.
Jamie Seyler, a junior, and current vice
president of recruitment, says the club
has benefited her by "the experience and
networking:' Last fall, Seyler spoke with
representatives from HOille Depot and Kraft
at a conference in Chicago.
If interested, the club meets at 11 a.m.
every Tuesday in UCOM 231.

@wilkesbeacon
nathan.hughes@wilkes.edu

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�The Beacon - March 24, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

11

6 Things You Should Know About Wilkes-Barre, PA

•

By Emily DeAnge/is
Staff Writer

•

A drive down North River Street
portrays a provoking billboard reading:
"Hey @wilkes_barre, if you don't like
what people think of you, then change
it!" This billboard originated from a
business project by Wilkes University
students trying to bring positive change
to the city. One student involved,
senior Chelsea _LaPorta, stated that the
purpose of this billboard was, "To make
people realize that this city truly isn't
bad, and there are a lot of great things
happe.Qing around the area:' She also
notes that people need to be the driving
force behind the positive change of
Wilkes-Barre's reputation. So to further
these efforts; here is some background
information new c;:omers should know
about Wilkes-Barre.

One of the few cities in t}le United
States to inclu~e a hyphen, according to
the city website, there are two commonly
accepted pronunciations for WilkesBarre: "Wilkes-Berry" and "WilkesBear:'

.

TRICKY CIT~

THE FLOODS

In 1972, Tropical Storm Agnes sent the
Susquehanna into swell over the 41 ft
levees, flooding downtown Wilkes-Barre
with over 9ft of water. Since then, the
levees have been rebuilt to cover above
their previous abilities and they have
withstood the less severe storms of 1996,
2004 and the scare of 2006.

•

TERRITORIAL BUILDINGS

After its founding in 1769, both
Pennsylvania and Connecticut both laid
claims on the area, causing the YankeePenriamite War. According to records
from the city's demographics, after the
U.S. Congress accepted· Pennsylvania's
claim on the land, second • burning
of the area took place by the hand of
Connecticut settlers. The first time the
Wyoming Valley area was set ablaze was
during the Revolutionary War via the
British.

•

ARTS AND MUSIC SCENE

Freshman commuter Cassidy Clement
mentions that the area has a growing
and thriving amount of artists and
bands, as well as perfect venues to suit
the city's talent. One such place Clement
mentioned was Toe·Lamp Post- Chapter
One, on Franklin Street.

•

S~Ill GROWING

While many renovations have been
added to downtown Wilkes-Barre in
years previous, the city website notes
that the coming year will bring over one
•
hundred
more street lights to brighten
•
EDUCATION-FILLED
the square, as well as a $25 million
parking complex to make the city more
Home to two universities and one
accessible and convenient for visitors.
college campus, Wilkes-Barre is the 13th
,... @wilkesbeacon
largest ~ity in Pennsylvania.

l::J emilyrose.deangelis@wilkes.edu

HUMANS OF WILKES UNIVERSITY

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The Beacon - March 24, 2015

Th,

Inter-Residence Hall Council Hosts Cake Challenge.

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

IRHC hosted a cake challenge in the SUB lounge last Friday evening. The theme
wa s board games. Towers floors 4/11 won first place with this chess cake.

Th e Beacon/Gabby Glinski

Waller North's cake imitated the CLUE murder-mystery game.

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

Contestants were required to use marshmallows in their cakes, which Weiss Hall
did with their rendition of the classic board game Operation.

L
t1

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

Sturdevant's chocolate cake was reportedly delicious.

St1

�13

The Beacon - March 24, 2015

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

L-R: Liz Swantek, director of Residence Life, Jamie Miller, assistant Director of Residence Life and Christian Victoria, resident staff adviser, were
the three judges for the evening's challenge.

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

Students sample cake from contehstants.

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees

Those in attendance enjoyed free dessert.

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The Beacon - March 24, 2015

14

Opinion .

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

'Synthetic child·ren' births Dolce &amp; Gabbana boycott
Elton John urges followers: #BOycottOolceGabban·a
By Mandy Stickles
Assistant Opinion Editor

Outrage quickly flooded social media
after a recent statement made by Dolce &amp;
Gabbana.
Social media has been buzzing over the
designers of Dolce&amp;Gabbana and their
recent statement about not supporting gay
marriage and artificial insemination.
While doing an interview for Italian
Magazine Panorama, Domenico Dolce
made an unforgettable statement.
"I am not convinced by those I call
children of chemicals, synthetic children,
rented uterus, semen chosen from a
catalog;' Dolce told the magazine.
Gabbana added, "Th_e family is not a
fad, in it there is a supernatural sense of
belonging:'
Dolce discussed how he grew up in a
'traditional' family, with a mother, a father
and a child. That's how he sees fit of what
a family should be. He feels a child should
never be taken away from its mother. He
also states that he is aware that there are
other types of family structures out there;

however, he does not agree with that family
life style and believes in his traditional
views.
The singer, Sir Elton John, was outraged
(having two sons of his own through I.VF)
by the designer's statement and decided
to make a-statement of his own to speak
out on the matter. He took to Instagram
and made it known to Dolce&amp;Gabbana
how disgusted he was on the designer's
statements.
"How dare you refer to my beautiful
children as 'synthetic: Shame on you for
wagging your judgmental little fingers at
I.VF. Your archaic thinking is out of step
with the times, just like your fashions. I
shall never wear Dolce &amp; Gabbana ever
again;' John said.
Included
in
John's
post
on
Instagram was a hashtag that said,
"#BoycottDolceGabbana:' Soon after
the post went viral on social media, with
several followers; including celebrities,
standing behind John's statement. Many
other celebrities followed John's footsteps
and posted their own statement on
social media regarding their disgust and

e to ~ohn
How dare you refer to my beautiful .
children as "synthetic". And shame on you
for wagging your judgemental little fingers
at IVF - a miracle that has allowed legions
of loving people~both straight and gay, to
fuffll their dream of having children. Your
archaic thinking is·out of step with th~
times just like your fashions. t shall never
wear Dolce and Gabbana ever again.
#Bo cottDolceGabbana

disappointment of the designer's blatant
disregard for acknowledging children
that were created through I.VF as 'actual
children' or as an unnatural way of creating
a child.
Threats were made on social media of
wanting to burn the designer's clothes
and take no part in anything the designers
create from this point on. ·
·
It's appalling to think that Dolce &amp;
Gabbana, who are openly gay men, have
such negative views on same sex marriage
and the right to raise a family if they so
choice.
In addition, this type of behavior will
do nothing but bring down their business.
It is one thing for someone to come out
and make their views known on a matter
that many not agree with. However, it is
another for Dolce &amp; Gabbana, who are
such well known and successful designers,
to make such a poor judgment call while
representing their business.
It is· going to take a lot for the designers
to make a comeback from this. Yet, the
designers are already off to a rocky start.
Gabbana decided to retaliate against
John by. calling •him a fascist and also
posting "Je Suis D&amp;G" on Instagram,
which is in reference to "Je Suis Charlie"
which was posted in the French magazine
Charlie Hebdo after the attack in France.
After a horrible judgment call on
Gabbana's part, the designers decided to try
and tone down the situation. A statement
was released through the company by
Gabbana to explain why they made the
statement about I.VFs in the first place.
"We firmly believe in democracy and
tb.e fundamental principle of freedom
of expression that upholds it. We talked
about our way of seeing reality, but it was
never our intention to judge other people's
choices:' said Gabbana in a press release
from the company.

Gabbana tries to justify his actions in
a half attempt to apologize for offending
people. No matter what Dolce andGabban,.
say at this point to try and justify their
actions they still stand behind their beliefs.
Within this day and age many people will
not stand for that type of blatant disrespect
and disregard for ways of being able to
create a human life.
Dolce and Gahanna have dug themselves
into a deep hole. Their credibility is shot
at this point in regards of being designers
and being companionate understanding
human beings.
A life is a life, no matter how it is created.

f.".'11 @wilkesbeacon

a=J amanda.stick/es@wilkes.edu

�0

The Beacon - March 24, 2015

Opinion

15

Beasts &amp; Men: A journey into flash fiction
By Sara Pisak
Asst. Opinion Editor

Curtis Smith's co~ction of essays entitled
Beasts &amp; Men marks the reader's journey
into the world of flash fiction. The genre of
flash fiction is characterized by essays/short
stories consisting of a mere 100 to 1000
words .
The author must work to efficiently capture
life 's most unique moments in an abridged
form. This is not an easy task to complete
as authors are often trained to employ longer
detailed events and often longer, flowery
language. The idea behind flash fiction is to
abbreviate the use of the language in order to
free ze and portray a single moment in time .
Freezing a specific moment in time , is an
element which the 30 pieces of.flash fiction
included within Beasts &amp; Men excel beyond
their call of duty.
I was first introduced to this text in a
previous creative writing class. We were
given copies of Beasts &amp; Men to read in
preparation for the text's author, Curtis
Smith , who was a guest lecturer in our class .
I instantly fell in love with the text. Although
not included in this collection , "My Totally
Awesome Funeral" is perhaps my all-time
favorite work by Smith. On a side note, one
of my favorite memories from Smith 's visit
is during his public reading when Smith
read "My Totally Awesome Funeral" for the

audience. Hearing Smith read his essay aloud life .
worked to further bring out the satirical,
Smith's succinct language and short
emotional perspectives and will always be pieces of work create an interesting paradox
one of my favorite moments from his campus that might shock a reader. This surprise is
visit. As a reader will notice solely by the simply that succinct language and short
title, "My Totally Awesome Funeral" offers pieces of work create an exceptionally
insight to Smith's satirical but emotionally descriptive slice of life. A description which
deep sentiments surrounding life and death. can fi]l hundreds of pages and be created by
The reading audience can expect similar thousands of words instead of just a special
attitudes ranging from touching to sarcasm selected few. Reaching a reader with a few
but always poignant stances in Beasts &amp; selected words is a concept I view as a
Men.
prodigious skill. It is easy to influence people
From start to finish, each piece of flash and cause them to ponder with profuse
fiction works to peel back the layers of society expressions . Furthermore, it is even easier to
and the complex l~yers of human emotion. paint a masterpiece with a full color palate.
Personally, although it is challenging to Smith can paint a natural, realistic to life
privilege one story over another, some of the picture with a straightforward keyword. The
standouts of the collection include: "Lenin ," true skill lies in what Curtis Smith evidently
"The Diorama" and "The Couple and Their has mastered; condensing .
Secrets." Smith offers the reader ~- look
Condensing in writing is essentially saying
through the camera 's lens as he presents a .what needs to be said and moving along.
snapshot of the human circumstance.
Striving to make a point with direct wording,
The snapshots of life range from "Lenin," without being bluntly in the reading public's
a story about ·a bankrupt country planning face is exactly what a reader will find when
a worldwide tour for Lenin 's body. The peeling back the layers of life illustrated in
fandom , the backlash and the chaos that Beasts &amp; Men. Now that I have written an
ensues, illustrate the consequences of the entire page on condensing and being concise
trend-hopping, hottest vogue chasing, it is time to practice what Smith flawlessly
money loving society, in which we reside. preaches. Long story short: Buy the book .
To the other side of the scale, "Tqe Couple Read the book from beautifully decorated
and Their Secrets ," assists the reader in the cover to cover, and fall helplessly in love
·
realization that everyone retains secrets and with this text.
pains which they carry with them throughout

Courtesy of Creative Commons

Sara's Score:
f':"l @wilkesbeacon

1::1 sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - March 24, 2015

Opinion

16

Disney not going to ''Let it Go'' with blockbuster sequel
By Elyse Guziewicz
Staff Writer

On March 12, Disney announced its
plans for a sequel to the blockbus!er
animated film Frozen, produced by Walt
Disney Animation Studios. Fans of the
film were overjoyed at the news and the
major cast all expressed their delight over
social media.
At this time, there hasn't been a release
date or production schedule announced,
but given the impact of the first film many
expect it to be within the next two years.
Frozen was extremely popular,
especially among young girls, for its
portrayal of sisterly love and affection. It
was lauded a·s having a feminist message
and even being one of the first to eschew
romantic love in favor of family bonds.
In addition to The Princess and the
Frog and Mulan, Frozen is one of only
a few Walt Disney Animation Studios'
films where the heroine is in control of
her own destiny rather than operating
from a prophecy or other outside force.
This has led to many accolades;
including an Academy Award for Best
Animated Feature and Best Original
Song.
Although the sequel is sure to be

Clearly, there's no evolutionary need
very profitable, there are two particular
mistakes Disney could make as they for either of these things - to the best of
our knowledge, · snowpeople don't give
develop the plot and script for the film.
To start, Disney could go entirely birth, lactate, or nurse their young, and
wrong by introducing a love interest for reindeer in general don't attract mates
every character that remained single at with cosmetics, but in films such as
Bambi, female animals are often given
the end of the original film.
This includes Olaf, the strangely popular highly sexualized characteristics for no
chatty sidekick, Sven, the reindeer that reason other than to prove their gender
served as an animal companion, and Elsa, identity.
The second major problem that could
one of the major characters and perhaps
. pop up would be giving the sequel film a
the most popular character of the film.
Many fans were happy to see a princess carbon-copy plot.
In the first Frozen film, Elsa struggled
(or in Elsa's case, a queen) who wasn't
occupied with romantic pursuits and to control her ice powers - whenever her
rather focused on self-actualization. It emotions got the better of her, she would
was a refreshing change from · previous cause major damage to her surroundings.
movies where the princess characters By the end of the film, Elsa had learned
were concerned either directly or the key to controlling these powers was
indirectly with getting a boyfriend or love and could freeze and melt water
husband.
·
molecules as .well as conjure ice storms
To change Elsa's character into one at will.
focused on romantic love would ruin · Some critics have predicted that a
Frozen sequel will mean. Elsa losing
much of her appeal.
In addition, concerning more minor control of her powers again, likely
characters with romantic subplots could through some major destructive or
mean a propagatioi;i of gender stereotypes traumatic event.
and a reinforcement of the gender binaryUnlike my previous point, . this
giving a female snowperson breasts or wouldn't be a result of stereotyping or
a female reindeer elongated/mascara- social norms, but rather lazy writing.
It would be easy to get a plot that was
adorned eyelashes, for example.

based around Elsa freezing the country of
Arendelle once again - the writers have
already done it once before. However,
it would cheapen the. impact of the first
movie and frustrate both child and adult
fans of the film.
There are a myriad of options when it
comes to directions to take the plot of a
Frozen sequel. My personal choice would
be to look into political problems that
may face Arendelle now that Elsa's ice
powers are widely known.
From Prince Hans' family in the Seven
Isles to the fate of the Duke ofWeaselton,
there are a lot of interesting areas that
could be elaborated on; a plot of this
nature would also result in valuable
lessons about power and politics for
young people, particularly girls.
The Frozen sequel will likely be a
big success, and the franchise will gain•
more traction from merchandising and
promotional material surrounding the
film. My hope is that Disney will see
the mistakes they have made in the past
and with the first Frozen film and make
cbanges for the better.

,:,. @wilkesbeacon
ltl Elyse.Guziewicz@wilkes.edu

Esquire's '~80 Books Every Man Should Read,,
list severely lacking gender diversity
By Sara Pisak
Staff Writer

Recently Esquire magazine released a
list entitled "The 80 Books Every Man
Should Read."
_This comes as no surprise since
Esquire is a publication geared towards
a predominantly male audience . . My
love of books urged me to read through
the list and found included the following
texts: Deliverance (James Dickey)," The
Things They Carried (Tim O'Brien),
Hell 's Angels (Hunter S. Thompson)
and Savages (Don Winslow).
If a reader is unfamiliar with the
novels above, Deliverance was adapted
into a t~riller. The Things They Carried

7

involves soldiers serving in the Vietnam
War. In Hell's Angels, Thompson
infiltrates the 'notorious motorcycle
gang of the same name. Don Winslow's
Savages is a violent crime novel dealing
with the drug trade. Judging by th~ short
synopsis of each work, these texts ooze
testosterone and masculinity.
Although several classics such as Call
of the Witd also make the list, a reader
will notice that only one text making the
list is authored by a woman.
Flannery o:connor has this honor
with her text A Good Man is Hard To
Find. One immediately notices the word
"man" appears in the title of the only
text representing a female author.
Esquire is a men's magazine and

it is definitely not the definitive and
authoritative judge of literary classics.
In fact, the magazine declares the list
"an unranked, incomplete, slightly
biased list of the greatest works of
literature ever published." This led me
to ponder if women are represented in
authoritative literary circles.
The Pulitzer Prize website contains
a list of · previous Pulitzer Prize
winners for fiction since 1948. From
1948 until 2014, roughly 40 men have
won the award while 17 women have
claimed this accolade. The results are
unproportioned; however five out the
17 women have been award the Pulitzer
si11ce 2005.
Some of my favorite works by

women have never been considered
for the Pulitzer Prize. These works are
considered "classics" such as A Tree
Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith), The
Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) and
Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora
Neale Hurston) .
What implication does the · recent
increase in female authors winning The
Pulitzer Prize mean for female authors?
As is the case, where women work
for equal rights in our society, female
authors have a greater chance of being
recognized for their work now than in
previous years. Nevertheless, there is
still a great deal of progress to be made.

A @wilkesbeacon
l=:J Sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

�Opinion

The Beacon - March 24, 2015

17

Hozier creates a bold, hit-filled and soulful debut album
By Eric Casey
Staff Writer

Is this a "Best of Hits" album? Is this
the second coming of Elton John, but with
more of an edge? Maybe even a lost Elton
John album? Well obviously the answer is
a definite no.
Not since lcona Pop's 2013 effort "This
is .. .Icona Pop" and Foster the People's
2011 debut "Torches" has there been such
a stellar debut album in my opinion. By
that I mean every song is superb. There is
literally not one bad song on his debut self
titled album Hozier.
He was born Andrew HozierByrne.
There seems to be confusion on how
to pronounce his name. The best way to
describe it is it rhymes with cozy, then just
add an 'er' at the end.Anyway, he's an Irish
born singersongwriter at age 24. Just like
George Ezra, who he's touring with here in
the states soon, his age doesn't match the
voice that comes out of his body!
Hozier came out of nowhere last year
with his now certified triple platinum
song "Take Me to Church." It peaked at
#2 on the Billboard Hot 100 just a few

weeks ago, and has been on the chart for
28 weeks now. It has also reached # 1 on
the US Adult Top 40 chart and # 1 on the
US Hot Rock Songs chart. Around the
world the song has reached # 1 in over 10
countries. After the music video went viral
in the fall of 2013, he was instantly signed
to Columbia Records.
In case you're not aware, "Take Me to
Church" is his irritation with the Catholic
Church and their stance on homosexuality
and gay marriage. In a recent interview he
explained further.
"The song is about how sexuality and
love are such a basic, integral part of
humanity," Hozier explained.
"For the church.or any organization like
a government to question who you love or
who you have sex with just seems to go
against humanity. I'm not condemning the
church or religion on the whole, just that
one policy, which seems so wrong to me.
And obviously I'm not alone in thinking
that." Speaking of alone, he was far from
it at the Grammy Awards just a few weeks
ago. Although he went home unfortunately
empty handed, he did however perform
with the legendary Eurythmics lead signer

Annie Lennox on stage.
As stated above, the whole debut from
Hozier is stellar. There is heavy R&amp;B and
Gospel influence in his music and lyrics.
"Angel of Small Death and the Codeine
Scene" is arguably just as good as "Take
Me to Church." It has Plot been released a
single yet, but I predict it will be his next
huge hit.
The lyrics are a little touchy as it deals
with the positive and negative effects he
possibly felt with drugs in the past. "With
her sweetened breath, and her tongue so
mean, she's the angel of small death and
the codeine scene."
If there is any weak song on this album
it would be "Jackie and Wilson", but it's
still a better song than most hit songs on
any random mainstream artist's album.
"From Eden" is the current single making
it's way on to alternative radio format. It's
vibe is almost similar to his hit song, but
has a really retro feeling.
"Someone New" is another superb
standout. It's catchy and feels like an early
1970's "AM Gold" lost hit song. This
could also be a potential future single.
Like many of the other songs on this

album, it features beautiful background
chorus singers. It's quite etheral.
"In a Week" features a duet with
unknown singer Karen Crowley is about
a young couple who are found dead in a
field. It's a peaceful song and a change
of pace on the album. "Work Song" and
"Like Real People Do" have a much
folkyer aesthetic vibe that comes across
pleasantly.
The last few songs pick up pace like the
opening songs and then ends with a live
version of "Cherry Wine". If you haven't
had the chance to listen to this album all the
way through, then it's highly encouraged.
It's one of the best albums in the past two
years and it will not disappoint: Hozier has
an extremely bright future ahead. He may
in fact be the next Elton John, altholjh he
is much different from him. Lastly, this
man sings incredible live. There is nothing
polished about him. I give this album a
rare 5 out of 5 stars.

@wilkesbeacon
eric.casey@wilkes.edu

Eric's Score:

PIERCING .

PERFECTION.
'MARCSTATTOOING.COM
WI ke•Barr•
Hazleton
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01

.one~ TAT T 0 .0 .1 N_G.

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The Beacon - March 24, 2015

18

Opinion

2015 NFL Free Agency
common comment on every thread and
wall post, but what would happen a few
days
later would be something they did
Opinion Editor
not particularly love. Since the Dallas
Cowboys continued to low-ball the leagues
Every single year, I wait for 4 p.m leading rusher Demarco Murray, he took
to strike on the first day of.free agency. his talents to Philly to join Sam Bradford,
Every year, 4 p.m comes and goes without Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles in t~e
a single thing happening. Every year, backfield.
I am met with disappointment at the
Naturally, sulking in remorse and pain,
anticlimactic event.
.
Cowboys fans claimed Murray "wasn't
This 2015 Free Agency, however, was even good" in an effort to make the
one for the books.
situation lighter in their cold hearts.
Never could I think of a single day
It is safe to say Chip Kelly and the Eagles
where so many signings and trades kicked made the biggest splash thus far. It should
off the official start of the offseason.
also be noted that Seahawk's comerback
First, abqut a week prior, breaking news _ Byron Maxwell joined the Eagles as well,
emerged that the Philadelphia Eagles in a move to upgrade their secondary.
would trade star running back LeSean
Enough with the Eagles, let's talk about
McCoy to the Buffalo Bills in exchange the other big moves in free agency.
for linebacker Kiko Alonso. Social media
4 p.m also was met with another huge
exploded, and so did I. A few days later, trade. The New Orleans Saints traded
the Eagles reported they would not be Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks in
resigning wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. exchange for center Max Unger, with the
Again, social media exploded with people Seahawks also throwing in a first round
all around the world asking, "What is Chip pick in this year's draft. ·
Kelly doing?!"
The trade sent the star tight end to a team
At the start of free agency, Chip made who made it to two consecutive Super
one more move to puzzle the minds of the Bowls, going 1-1 after losing last year to
world.
the Patriots. I've never thought highly of
The Philadelphia Eagles traded Russell Wilson, but now that he has a huge
quarterback Nick Foles to the St. Loui s target, I expect the Seahawks to do some
Rams for Sam Bradford. Minds exploded. work irr the NFC.
People took to social media, mainly
Ndamukong Suh signed a massive deal
bandwagon Dallas Cowboy fans, a1.1d used with the Miami Dolphins, worth $114
this as an opportunity to live it up.
million dollars. Suh taking the big bucks
"I don't know what Chip Kelly is over a contender team· proves he would
doing, but I love it!" was the most rather have money than a shot at the
playoffs.
.
Darrelle Revis would not stay in Super
Bowl winning New England, as the
Patriots declined to pick up the option.
Revis would decide to return home to New
York, bringing a tiny glimmer of hope to
the two Jets fans in the world. Antonio
Cromartie alse decided to return home to
the Jets, rejoining Revis and his squad for
the first time since 2011.
The Jets also brought in Ryan Fitzpatrick
in an attempt to give Geno "Turnover"
Smith some competition, but it is hard to
see them competing in the AFC East with
those options at
Orange Julius is no more, he is now in
Jacksonville. Peyton Manning's former
favorite tight end in Denver has signed
with the Jaguars for a 5-year deal. Blake
Bortles will now have a legitimate weapon
on Sunday's.
Iri a speed round of signings, Brandon
Marshall joined the Jets, Greg Hardy
signed with the Dallas Cowboys, Percy

By Frank Passalacq ua

Harvin and Charles Clay signed with
Buffalo , Jeremy Maclin is now a Chief,
Nick Fairley joins all former first-round
picks on the d-line in St. Louis, Andre
Johnson and Frank Gore are Colts, Jordan
Cameron joined the Dolphins, Tramon
Williams is in Cleveland with Dwayne
Bowe, and Vince Wilfork is a Texan.
There are still a few talented players out
there who remain un-signed.
I can not remember a single free agency
with this many signings and trades right off
the bat. The Patriots lost three key players
to their defense in Revis, Browner, and
Spikes all vacating. In the same division,
the Bills vastly improved. Their offense
now has LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin,
Sammy Watkins, Charles Clay, and Robert
Woods. Scary for sure, now only if they
had a playmaker at quarterback.
It is hard to judge the Seahawks. While
they added Jimmy Graham, they lost two
secondary players to their famed "Legion
of Boom." Dallas lost one of their most
valuable playmakers in Demarco Murray,

who literally carried the entire team last
year. With Romo and tl\eir crippling
defense only getting older, I do not see
them repeating as division champs.
If I had to pick a sleeper how I think
will be better than last season, I like
Cleveland's chances at being a better
team. They have two first-round picks in
the draft, so that will add some talent in
the void.
Then obviously, the Philadelphia Eagles
get the award for most dramatic changes.
No one was safe from being cut or traded
on the team, and as a result, the Eagles are
a completely different team than 2014.
The NFL Draft kicks off on April 29.
For the teams that missed out on some
top targets in free agen~y, the draft will be
their last shot to redeem their team.

@wilkesbeacon
frank.passa/acqua@wilkes.edu

�19

...

Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Brandon.Gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Wilkes Freshman crowned National Champion
Matthew
Grossmijnn
becomes the first
National Champion
from Wilkes in 40
years.
By Brandon Gubitosa
Sports Editor

For the first time in 40 years, Wilkes
University has a national champion.
Freshman Matthew Grossmann captured
the 11th national championship in Wilkes
University wrestling history with a 4-3
decision, defeating Chad Bartschenfeld
of Augsburg College.
Winning the
championship was no easy task for
Grossmann as he went on to defeat four
wrestlers in the 133-pound bracket.
Grossmann finished the season with a 36-6
record. The last Wilkes wrestlers to win a
national championship were Gene Ashley
and Jim Weisenfluh when "they were
notorious back in 1975.
"It is an awesome feeling, it is a testament
to a lot of hard work and is really cool to
see all my hard work pay off," Grossmann
said. "I had an amazing support system
behind me from my parents, coaches and
my work out partner, Guesseppe Rea. They Grossmann attempting to pin his opponent in the ring
all helped me tremendously in achieving in my wrestling career that were able to
"They were all thrilled. It was awesome
my goal and I know will be crucial in come and watch," Grossmann said. "The to be coach Laudenslauger's first NCAA
continued success."
tournament was in Pennsylvania and not in champion and the school's first in 40 years,"
He was able to reach the finals after the mid west like it usually is there were a Grossmann said. "The support from all the
upsetting top seed Nathan Giorgio of lot of Wilkes wrestling alumni that were in alumni that were at the tournament was
the United State Coast Guard Academy. attendance," said Grossmann when talking amazing, when they raised my hand and
Grossmann jumped off to an early 2-0 lead about the support he had.
I turned to see the Wilkes section, which
in the first period before Giorgio narrowed
"Matt had an amazing freshman year was front and center, and saw everyone
it down to a 2-1 lead. He then managed to and really got better each week," Coach going crazy it was such an amazing feeling
escape Giorgio and held on to win in the Laudenslager said. "He learned from that I will never forget."
final minute with a 3-1 win.
his earlier losses, which helped prepare
In his twelfth season as head coach of
This year's tournament was in Hersey him for the National tournament. It's Wilkes Laudenslager has led the Colonels
not far from Grossmann's hometown of really uncommon to win a National to a 144-44 overall record including eight
Lancaster. "I had some extra motivation Championship as a true freshman," said straight seasons of at least 15 wins. In those
wrestling so close to home. There were Laudenslager during an interview featured years he has coached 28 national qualifiers,
a lot of people that have been involved on gowilkesu.com.
eight All-Americans, one national finalist

Courtesy of gowilkesu.com

and one national champion.
Now Grossmann looks to become the
third Wilkes wrestler to win back-to-back
national championships and the first to do
since Joe Wien di did back in 1968 and
1969. "I think there is a little pressure on
me now because I am now the one with a
target on my back. However I know that if
I continue to work hard and improve that I
will have continued success," Grossmann
said.
@wifkesbeacon
brandon.gubitosa@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - March 24, 2015

Sports

20

Women's lacrosse bonds on
and off the field
By Cara Basile
Sports Writer

"'

The women's lacrosse team has started the
season off on a positive note with half their
wins stemming from away games. The Lady
Colonel's offense has been dominant so far
this season with lead scorers Madeleine
Brownsey, Carley Smith, and Tori Kerr.
The team has yet to play conference
games, which don't begin until later into
the season. With this advantage, the women
are able to develop and improve their skills
for games that will be necessary to earn a
playoff spot. Head coach Karnmie Towey
said the competition in the conference is
tough and these games will say a lot about
the rest of season.
'The first few weeks of games really
give our team the opportunity to work out
any kinks we may have in our offense and
defense," Towey said. "They also help to
boost our confidence all around and give us
a positive attitude and outlook going into an
extremely difficult conference schedule."
The women all have a common goal to
make it to the MAC Championship again and

to do that will take preparation. Although
some games will be a challenge, they know
the conference teams will be the ultimate
competition. While winning is fun, sports
also create memories and bonds between
individuals, which every team can relate
to. Junior Emily Ketterman shared how this
team is like a family and it's hard sometimes
seeing each other at a loss.
"Our team chemistry off the field reflects
• how we are on the field," Ketterman said.
''Not every team can say they get along with
all of their teammates off the field, but I think
our team can say tl).at,."
Coach Towey also shared how she loves
being able to see her players grow on and off
the field.
"Our team ~hemistry this year is honestly
the best I have ever seen it," Towey said.
"The team gets along so well both on and
off the field. They are so welcoming to new
players and the underclassman taking them
under their wing." ·

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U:l cara.basile@wilkes.edu

Wrestling wraps up season
By Andre Spruell
Sports Writer

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Studio 1, 2, &amp; 3 bedrooms
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Despite sending fewer wrestlers than
they did last year, the Colonels did
not disappoint, sending four wrestler
to Nationals in our home state of
Pennsylvania.
The four wrestlers
that made Nationals were Junior
174 pounder Kyle Diesel, Freshman
149 pounder Josh Evans, Junior 125
pounder Guesseppe Rea who finished
6th in the nation, and 133 pounder
Matt Grossman who went on win the
National Championship.
Although Diesel had a strong
showing at Nationals, he was not able to
advance past the quarterfinals, despite
at one point holding the lead over top
seeded Conner Lefever of Wabash in
the second, he was defeated by Lefever
8-6. Freshman Josh Evans had a strong
showing in his rookie campaign going
15-7 and gaining huge experience by
wrestling in Nationals. Matt Grossman,
also a freshman, went on to win the

National Championship and was
named the MAC Conference Rookie
of the Year as well as the Conference's
Wrestler of the Year. Guesseppe Rea
made Nationals and has been making
his presence felt on the team since his
Freshman campaign. Despite having a
strong showing , Rea finished 6th in the
East Regional. When asked about his
efforts this season Rea replied, " I had
more ups than downs . I think it was one
of my better seasons but not my best. It
went by very quick. I'm happy to be an
All-American but I'm not pleased with
the result."
Behind Grossman's result and Rea's
leadership, the Colonels will look to
continue its tradition and have an even
stronger showing in Nationals next
year. When Rea was asked about what
to expect in his senior year, he said, "I
want to help my teammates succeed
and to get what I came here for. "

@wi/kesbeacon
ondre.spruell@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 24, 2015

21

Sports

Coach Brown and Team 70·
look to bounce back
By Jared Powell
Sports Writer

The Colonels are coming off of a 2-8 season,
their worst in the last five years. Coach Trey
Brown does not plan on looking back on that
season, the blinders have been on since the last
game of the 2014 season and the coaching staff
has been working hard to get the Colonels back
on track.
"I think recruiting overall has gone very
well! The guys on this team understand their
role .within recruiting, and did an awesome job
when the recruits were on campus:' Brown said.
Coach Brown seems very enthused about
the upcoming season. Team 70 is the theme for ·
the 2015 season. This will be .the 70th football
team that Wilkes has had, and with that Coach
Brown has used it as a way to motivate the
players. Various emails have been sent out to
players to express the level of excitement he has
for this spring.
"I am very excited for spring ball. With it
being year two I have much better feel for our
football team;' said Brown.
He said this, because last year was his first

year· as head coach, and he came in with about
a month to prepare for spring ball. This time
around he has months to prepare, and even
sent out the entire schedule to the team about a
month or two ago. This goes to show how much
time and effort the coaching 'staff has put into
the organization.
When speaking with Brown about "Team
70" and the 2015 season his big smiJe always is
prominent. With that being said, he knows hard
work and commitment is the only way to get it
done. He was brutally honest when asked about
next season.
"I think next year possesses another very
challenging schedule for us. If we can improve
upon all of the things that we know are critically
important, we will give ourselves a chance to be
competitive within every ball g&lt;1me:'
Team 70 and Coach Brown feel like its time
to turn the program around. In the last three
years the overall record is 11-18, which is
well below .500. Team 70 is ready to· make the
change the campus has been waiting for.

@wilkesbeacon
"- f ared.powell@wilkes.edu

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�_J

By Evan Willey
Spqrts Writer

a

Marcus Lea£ is a two sport athlete at
ilkes University, football in the fall and
aseball in the spring. He is from Reading,
Pa and went to Berks Catholic High School.
It's not easy Juggling school, football, and
aseball, but Marcus makes it look~- He

·s a junior Communication Studies major
that , one day pla,ns on opening his dW1l

lie Relations Company:

A: There is no better feeling of be,mg a paJ1
of team, when you play on a team you
build a bond with phwers who potentially
become . }'QUI brothers, and when }'QU
step on the field on game day you know
}'QU have a dugout or sideline filled, with
• brothers d,at have your back at your best
and at your worst.

'

Qf Wlia

Q: If you won the ,lottery tomorrow
would you do with the money?
.
m mom l ~ donate JOO

some. of your favorlt.e
s·to ·
eat before and after a game?
·
Q!. Wnat's, one""'memory
won
. '. Before ~ . I have to have some sort " , froin Wilkes? · · ·
'
of sweet caµdy such as Swedish fish, A: After we win the MAC championship this'
Sour patch ~ or Hot Tamales. And if
year.
I could choose to have any meal after a
game it would have to be M?-c n cheese Q: What are your expectations for the season?
bites from sheet$, however I am also a
A: Having a win percentage over .600, and
big fan ofFrank's ~college heart attack.''.
· winning the MAC.
: How long have you been playing baseball
and how did you pick up interest in the

sport?
A: I started playing baseball at tpe age of 5,
what kept me so interested in the game
at that young age was the fact that I could
smack the ball pretty far. Unfortunately
I lost that talent once I reached higher
levels of play, so now I strictly pitch
and leam the life lessons, that the game ·
teaches each day.

Q: How does it feel to be part of the team?

ypu

Q: Who is your role model in life?
A: My mom is iny role model in life, single
parent that takes care of two kids and is
constantly bending over backwards to
make sure my sister and I have successful .
lives. Her dedication to my sister and I
is what drives me to be the best student,
son, brother, man and potential parent I
can be in life... "she's the real MVP."

@wilkesbeacon
evan.wl1ley@wilkes.edu

�Q:' What are·you planning on. doing with

your degree?
A: l ho~ to one day run a power plant.

Q: Where are you from?

Q: Whatinspired you to do that?
A: My high school physics teacher. ,

A.: Bridgewater. NJ
=
: What~ school did yo
Imm . Hi "Schoo

Q: When did you start playing Lacrosse?

4= My senio,r year ofhigh s,mool.

Q: What do you do for tun at hom~

·

r usually attend high school or college

A.:

hockey games and.shop with friends from
highschoQL

.

..

Q:Whatmade-you want to come to Wilkes?
A: 'Ihe oppottunity to play lacrosse was
probably tbe biggest factor when I was
picking a school
Q: What is your favorite part about Wilkes?
A: It would definitely have to be my

teammates. .

Q: What i6 ~ur major:?
A: Engineering

~: Did you play any other sports in High
• School~ '
A:Nope. . ,
Q: Who's :your fat&gt;orite i,rofessional sports

. team(s)?

A: Pittsburgh Penguins and the Minnesota
·Twins.

·

·

·

Q: Favorite athlete?
A: Sidney Crosby.

,

@wilkesbeacon
1ohnathan.keer@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - March 24, 2015

0 LYS49
ER CREDI

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                    <text>THE BEACON

The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Est. 1936
Pa. Newspaper
Association Member
Volume 68 			
Issue 18

The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.

Bent, Not Broken

Wilkes athlete overcomes back injury
Sophomore Josh Farrell discusses his broken back and playing sports again, page 19.

The Beacon/Brandon Gubitosa

�News

The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Editorial Staff
2014-15
MANAGERIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief - James Jaskolka
Managing Editor - Ashley Evert
Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher
Social Media Director - Shawn Carey
Advertising Director - Rasha Shaker
SECTION EDITORS
News - Sarah Bedford
LA&amp;E - Nicole Zukowski
Opinion - Frank Passalacqua
Sports - Brandon Gubitosa
ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Pat Walther
LA&amp;E - Justin Topa
Opinion - Mandy Stickles,
Sara Pisak
DESIGN EDITORS
Dave Graff
Chris Kennedy
Moe Woodard
Nicole Kutos
Steve Dziedziak
Interested in joining the Beacon? To
learn more about the positions we
offer and what you can do, contact
james.jaskolkabutler@wilkes.edu

130 S. River St.
First Floor, Conyngham Hall
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
Phone - (570) 408-5903
www.thewilkesbeacon.com

News

2

Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Beacon Briefs

Glow Run
The “Just Glow With It” Glow Run 5K will take place on April
17 starting at the UCOM building and finishing at the Riverfront
portal. Registration begins at 8 p.m.The race will begin at 10
p.m. Registration is $5 for students and $10 for non-students.
All proceeds will go to the American Foundation of Suicide
Prevention. Any questions, email samantha.davidson@wilkes.
edu or michelle.kuzma@wilkes.edu.
10th Week Withdrawal Reminder
Beginning March 30, a student may only withdraw from a
course with the written approval of the Dean of the School in
which the course is being taught, and the instructor. Course
withdrawal forms are available on-line or at the Student Services
Center.

Wilkes Candidate for Leadership Wilkes-Barre, 2015-16
Anyone interested in being the Wilkes nominee is asked to
submit a letter of interest that addresses the following question:
“How do you think the Leadership Wilkes-Barre program can
help you fulfill your aspirations as a leader at Wilkes and in
the Greater Wilkes-Barre area?” If a candidate in previous
years, the selection committee asks for reconfirm of interest by
submitting the aforementioned letter. Send letters of interest
via email to Paul Adams at paul.adams@wilkes.edu by the end
of the day on April 3.
Career Planning for Jrs. &amp; Seniors Offered
Juniors and seniors may join this one credit elective class
held on Wednesdays, 12:00-12:50 p.m., CRN 30906. Course
aids in career planing, resumes, application letters, interview
skills and professional networking.

SG Notes: Glow Run funds allocated;
requests, APS, LKS, HAWC; Mock Trial
By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Wilkes University’s
Student Government held its weekly meeting.
First, all of the new board members for fall
2015 were initiated.
The first request came from APS, The
American Psychological Society. In week one
of two, the request was for $323 to cover their
registration fees and bus trip for one student
to attend the National Conference in New
York City.
The next request was from Lamba Kappa
Sigma, LKS. This is a pharmacy fraternity
on campus. They have requested funding for
their upcoming conference this summer in
St. Louis, Missouri. The total fund request
is $395 per person, and 11 members will be
attending, coming out to a total of $4,345.00.
Student Government will cast their final vote
in the next meeting.
Another week one of two request was from
the Health and Wellness Club on campus,
HAWC. They are putting on a late night
lift from 6:30-8:30 p.m. held at the YMCA.
There will be trainers there to help instruct
students on proper techniques and to teach
demo classes. The club is requesting $850
for promotional items, in order to get more
students involved and for the trainers. This is
an attempt to expand the club and get more
of the underclassmen involved. The event

will be held on April 27.
The last new fund request came from a
new club looking to form on campus. This is
a Mock Trial Club that has requested Student
Government recognition. They currently
have 40 members involved. This would be
beneficial for all student but specifically
students that may be interested in law
school in their future. This will give students
opportunities to get more familiar with the
court room and real life experience. Student
Government will cast their final vote in the
next meeting.
Some follow up content from last week’s
meeting, the second annual Glow Run
will be held April 17 to help promote
suicide prevention on campus. This new
organization had asked Student Government
for funds to go towards supplies, generators,
and other items that will be used to put on the
event. Student Government has motioned to
allocate the Glow Run the full $2,709 to be
put towards their event.
The council reviewed the Treasurer’s
report. The current budget is as follows:
All College: $4,724.60; General Funds:
$7,227.14; Conference: $1,835.00; Spirit:
$1,250.00 for a Student Government total of:
$15,036.74

@wilkesbeacon
taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

table of contents
news................2
life, a&amp;e...........7
spread............12
opinion..........14
sports............19

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

News

On the Campaign Trail: Beth Gilbert reaches out to locals with meet up

3

By Pat Walther

Asst. News Editor
Wilkes junior Beth Gilbert held a meet and
greet on March 25, 2015, during her ongoing
campaign for Wilkes-Barre city council.
The event was held at the Tavern on the Hill
located on East Northampton Street.
Gilbert, a life-long resident of WilkesBarre, chose this spot because it’s a wellknown watering hole in the district she
wants to represent. Either coincidentally
or otherwise it has a close proximity to her
home.
“I live basically right across the street,”
Gilbert laughs. “I just wish it wasn’t a
smoking bar.”
While Tavern on the Hill has the feel of
the titular bar on the television show Cheers,
on this night, the small and smoke-dense
space is packed with supporters of Gilbert
along with other locals campaigning for
various political positions. There’s a mayoral
candidate here, a county council candidate
there, and the constant buzz of conversation
enveloping it all.
This bar and the community that has
grown in and around it stand as a good
representation of what Gilbert wishes to
bring to the city of Wilkes-Barre if elected.
“I think there’s been a large focus on
the downtown area. Because of that the
neighborhoods and surrounding areas feel
rather left out,” Gilbert says. “I would like to
bring back community events – you know,
block parties, cleanups, those kind of things.”
Along with her plans to renew the sesnse

Photos by Pat Walther
City council candidate, Beth Gilbert, recently held a meet and greet with constituents in Tavern on the Hill in Wilkes Barre
of community in Wilkes-Barre, Gilbert wants
to make politics “about the people” again.
“My number one task as councilwoman is
to make city government more interactive,
which would in turn make Wilkes-Barre a
better place.” Gilbert said.
The interactive element is in the least
admirable. But one critic who wished to
remain anonymous questioned how this will
happen.
“I think it’s unrealistic. People won’t just
come to you with problems just because you
put yourself out there.” The source said.
When asked what she could do to “get
the ball rolling” to create an open dialougue

with residents, Gilbert was confident in using
social media to reach out.
“I will definitely utilize social media,”
Gilbert said. “I’ve had a great response from
social media so far, so I can only see it helping
in the future.”
While the stresses of running and being
the face of a campaign seem like plenty of
work itself, Gilbert also has to balance out
30+ hours of work a week and her various
classes at Wilkes.
“I don’t really know how I find time for
it all,” Gilbert admits. “I usually wake up
around 5:30 to 6 in the morning. That’s when
I do the majority of my school work.”

This hectic schedule does take a toll on the
twenty year old.
“A lot of people can stay up all night writing
papers and doing homework, but as soon as
it hits ten or eleven, I pass out immediately,”
Gilbert laughs.
As Gilbert progresses through her
campaign, the Beacon will be covering her
actions every step of the way.

@wilkesbeacon
patrick.walther@wilkes.edu

Senator Ted Cruz announces his bid for president in 2016
By Pat Walther

Asst. News Editor
On March 23, 2015, Texas senator Ted
Cruz announced his intent to seek the
Republican nomination for president in
2016. He is the first major Republican to
declare his candidacy for President of the
United States.
Cruz was first elected to the United
States Senate in 2012. Prior to his senatorial
campaign, Cruz served as Solicitor General
of Texas from 2003 to 2008.
A graduate of Princeton University and
Harvard Law School, Cruz came to national
attention during the government shutdown
of 2013. According to news outlets such as
Politico and the New York Times, the Texas
senator played a large role in convincing
fellow Republicans to stand against the
Affordable Care Act, commonly known as

Obamacare, which
of the United States
led to the federal
Constitution states:
government being
“No person except a
shut-down.
natural born Citizen,
Known
as
a
or a Citizen of the
staunch proponent
United States, at the
of pro-life values and
time of the Adoption
gun-rights, Cruz is
of this Constitution,
the first person of
shall be eligible to the
Hispanic nationality
Office of President.”
to serve as a US
Cruz
is
still
Senator from Texas.
technically
allowed
Cruz was born
to take the office of
in Canada and,
president
because
because of that, has
he was a US citizen
faced criticism as to
at birth; his mother
whether or not he
was a US citizen who
is eligible to serve
lived in the US for
as President of the
more than ten years,
Courtesy of cruz.senate.gov as required by the
United States.
Section one of Article two
Nationality Act of 1940.

Eric Hammond, a member of the Wilkes
University Campus Republicans, likes Cruz
and is happy that he declared his candidacy.
“Cruz’s
strict
interpretation
and
unwillingness
to
compromise
on
constitutional issues is the main reason
I like him,” Hammond said. “He is also a
proponent of a simplified tax code with less
exemptions and more fair rates.”
Cruz is currently polling strong among
contemporary Republicans in national
surveys conducted by CNN, Fox News and
other mainstream media outlets.
Rand Paul, a Republican senator from
Kentucky, is due to announce his candidacy
for president in the following few weeks.

@wilkesbeacon
patrick.walther@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

News

4

Anatomy of an Administrator: Erica Acosta

Expanding diversity from classroom to service
By Toni Pennello

we should be valued more than a month. I
feel like, without women you can’t make the
world go around... with that said, I like it
because we need to value each other a little
bit more, and applaud each other in our
accomplishments along the way. It should be
Women’s month all year round, but the fact
that we get recognized for a month is a step
going forward.”

Staff Writer

Erica Acosta is the Associate Director for
Diversity Initiatives at Wilkes. Her job, by her
own definition, is “to create programming,
not only for students but for faculty and staff,
on diversity and inclusion, multiculturalism,
and awareness of other cultures.”
She is also an advisor for the study abroad
program.
“I help students create that global
experience – to make it more obtainable, and
make the process a lot easier for students to
study abroad,” she said.
Studying abroad has many different
benefits from person to person, according
to Acosta, but she feels that it is a great way
for students to learn a new language, become
more culturally aware, and see the different
traditions in other countries. She believes
studying abroad gives one “that experience
of knowing who you are as an individual, not
only in the states, but outside the states in
other places.”
Acosta is originally from Brooklyn, New
York, but has strong ties to her Dominican
background. She frequently visits the
Dominican Republic to do community
service.
“I’m excited that Wilkes has an alternative
spring break, conveniently, to the Dominican
Republic. I get to go back and help my
community. I also encourage students to
come with me and see the culture, and also
the education system in the Dominican

@wilkesbeacon
toniann.pennello@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

Erica Acosta is proud of how much she has accomplished explaining that it
helps that she has had great support from friends and family.
Republic. I get a little bit of both worlds,” she
explained.
Acosta received her Bachelor’s degree
in Spanish from SUNY Buffalo, and her
Master’s in Organizational Management
from Misericordia University. She has been
in the field of Diversity and Inclusion for six
years.
She is very proud of how far she has come
at such a young age.
“I didn’t think I would make it this far so

quickly in life, I’m hitting 30 soon. I like my
job, I like where I’m at, I like that I work with
such a supportive group of people. I think
that’s one of my biggest accomplishments
– being able to get the degrees I have with
the support of family and friends. It’s a big
accomplishment, especially growing up in
Brooklyn,” she said.
As far as Women’s History Month goes,
Erica Acosta has a strong opinion.
“I like that we have a month, but I feel like

Have a
professor or
administrator
you’d like to see
featured in The
Beacon? Contact
Toni Pennello or
Sarah Bedford.

ASME Car Show to be held April 19, benefits Wounded Warriors Project
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

The ninth annual American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, ASME, Car Show is
set to take place on April 19.
The event will benefit the Wounded
Warriors Project which has been the
beneficiary for the past few years.
According to ASME Vice-President,
Corey Hohol, senior mechanical engineering
major, the goal this year is to prepare the upand-coming underclassmen to take over the
event.
“We want to hand the show over to the
students,” said Hohol. “So, I'm excited to see
the underclassmen take on a bigger role.”
This is important as the club is holding

their yearly board elections later this
semester.
This year, much of the planning was done
within the clubs, aside from sponsorships
from local business.
These sponsors help to provide prizes
to vehicles of various categories. This year,
categories include “Top Three Pre-War
Domestics, Pre 1944”, “Top Five Post-War
Domestics, 1944-1960”, “Top Five American
Muscle, 1961-1972”, “Top Five Domestics,
1973-1999”, “Top Five Euro. Imports”, “Top
1 Euro. Stock”, “Top Three 21st Century
Domestics, 2000-present”, “Top Five JDM/
Asian Imports”, “Top Three Truck/SUVs”
and “Top Three Low-Riders”.
There are also specialty awards that
individuals may enter such as the “Best
Student Car”. Students interested must place

their university student ID visibly on their
windshield to be considered.
Typically, judges view the cars in pairs.
This year, a “celebrity judge” will be joining
the ranks.
The YouTuber known as Mr. R, who
operates the channel, “RegularCars” will be
acting as a judge this year.
The channel has over 152,000 subscribers
with content centered on the reviewing of
various vehicles such as the 1990 Lexus
LS400, 1999 Chevy Blazer, and point of view
videos featuring cars such as Jaguar XJ6.
Much like previous events, the car show
will feature catering from Leggio's, musical
entertainment as well as the Dyno which
for $35, individuals can also hook up their
vehicle to measure their vehicles torque and
horse power.

For the first 100 individuals to enter the
car show, they will receive a dash plaque and
everyone will receive a grab-bag and t-shirt.
The ASME Car Show is to take place on
April 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the SUB
and adjoining lots. Preregistration is $10 and
registration the day of is $15. Registration
begins at 8:30 a.m.
The rain date is scheduled for April 26.
For more information, visit the ASME
Car Show Facebook page where the
preregistration link is available or contact
Zachary Tomasura at zachary.tomasura@
wilkes.edu or Hohol at corey.hohol@wilkes.
edu.

@wilkesbeacon
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

5

News

Get lucky and win big at Wilkes’ upcoming Casino Night
By Gabby Glinski

News Photographer and Staff Writer
Casino Week holds some of the largest
campus events of the semester. Students
can play games, win tickets and enter for
prizes.
Casino Week consists of three major
events from April 7 to April 10. Texas Hold
‘Em takes place April 7, bingo is held April
8, and the last night, April 10 is Casino
Night. Casino Night is the longest event,
lasting 2-3 hours long and consists of a
number of games including wheel games,
bingo, blackjack and roulette.
Instead of using money, students are
given a set amount of chips at the door

and try to earn more chips through playing
games. The chips are then exchanged for
raffle tickets and the tickets can be used to
win a variety of prizes.
This semester, Casino Night prizes will
vary from tickets to a Phillies/Yankees
game to formal men’s wear to Michael Kors
items. Popular items from last semester,
like the Macbook Pro, iPad, GoPro, HDTV
and the DSLR camera will be included in
the prize loot due to popularity. All of the
items are updated to recent versions.
“The prize that has gained a lot of
attention this semester is the kayak! It’s
hard to miss this large prize as it sits in
the SG office window within the Student
Center.” stated Anthony Fanucci, student
government treasurer, on the biggest prize

offered. Fanucci encourages everyone
to check out the variety of prizes being
displayed in the student government office
in the SUB.
“Casino Night will operate in a similar
fashion to last semester but we are preparing
for large crowds by adding extra staff.”
says Fanucci about the changes in Casino
Night from last semester. Fanucci stated,
in addition to the members of student
government, staff and faculty members are
invited to participate as dealers.

@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

Casino Week:
April 7

April 8

April 10

Texas
Hold ‘Em

Bingo

Casino
Night

Anyone who has any
questions or wants to
volunteer for any of
the various Casino
Week events can
contact Anthony
Fanucci at anthony.
fanucci@wilkes.edu

Prizes on
display in
the Student
Government
Office.

Brian Greene, scientist and author, to deliver lecture at Wilkes
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

Theoretical physicist and bestselling
author Brian Greene will give a lecture on
April 26, as part of the Rosenn Lecture in
Law and Humanities.
Greene’s lecture, “Science Matters:
Inspiring the Next Generation of Maverick
Thinkers,” starts at 7:30 p.m in the Dorothy
Dickson Darte Center for the Performing
Arts. The event is free and open to the
public, and will be followed by a book
signing.
Greene, a leading theoretical physicists
– a string theorist -- whose efforts to

make science more accessible act as the
focus in his upcoming Rosenn lecture.
The presentation will incorporate such
multimedia elements.
Greene is known for his participation
in the TED Talks conference series and
his guest appearances in popular media,
including the CBS sitcom “The Big Bang
Theory” and major motion pictures such
as “Frequency” and “The Last Mimzy.” He
has been a guest on “The Late Show with
David Letterman,” “Late Night with Conan
O’Brien,” “Charlie Rose,” “Nightline,” and
“The Colbert Report.”
Greene’s bestselling books “The Elegant
Universe” and “The Fabric of the Cosmos”

have been adapted into Emmy and Peabody
Award-winning NOVA specials on PBS.
His illustrated novella, “Icarus at the
Edge of Time,” was adapted as a film and
symphonic performance in collaboration
with composer Philip Glass in 2010.
A summa cum laude graduate of
Harvard University and a Rhodes Scholar
at Oxford University, Greene is a professor
in physics and mathematics at Columbia
University. His work has been published in
Wired Magazine and The New York Times.
He co-founded The World Science Festival
in 2008, drawing an audience of nearly
500,000 people to its week-long offerings.
In 2014, the festival launched World

Science U, a series of free online courses
led by Greene.
With his colleagues, Greene is responsible
for the discovery of new properties of
string theory known as mirror symmetry
and topography change. He has lectured in
more than 25 countries at both a general
and a technical level.
For more information on the Max Rosenn
Lecture Series in Law and Humanities,
contact Rebecca Van Jura at 570-408-4306
or rebecca.vanjura@wilkes.edu.

@wilkesbeacon
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

News

6

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Graphics by Moe Woodard

Weather Beat: March 31- April 3
Tues.

54 °
36°
PM Showers

Wed.

54°
36°
Partly Cloudy

Thurs.

Fri.

59°
42°
PM Showers

60°
36°
Partly Cloudy

Forecast as of March 26 taken from weather.com

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

Women Empowered by Science hosts local students
By Justin Topa
Asst. Life, A&amp;E Editor

On March 21, WEBS hosted sixth grade
girls from around the Wyoming Valley
to gain hands-on learning experience
about the reproductive system and the
engineering behind wind tunnels.
Women Empowered by Science, or
WEBS, is an organization developed to
maintain female interest within the science
field through hands-on learning and
experiments.
Professor Debra Chapman is the director
of WEBS. She said she sees the importance
of keeping girls engaged.
“Research shows that boys and girls
are equally interested in science up until
middle school,” Chapman said. “At some
point around middle school age, we tend
to lose a lot of girls for a variety of reasons.
One of the main things we try to do with
the WEBS program is to maintain the
interest in science that these girls already
have.”
The girls who attended on Thursday
represented Hanover Area, Wilkes-Barre,

Wyoming Valley West and Holy Rosary
school districts. They spent half of their visit
isolating gametes from purple sea urchines
to better understand the reproductive
system and the rest of the time eploring
the engineering behind wind tunnels. The
students and their teachers said they were
very thankful for the opportunity.
“This is just amazing,” Lisa Casey, a sixth
grade teacher at Holy Rosary said. “They
do more here than they could ever hope
to in the classroom and we can’t wait to go
back to school and tell everyone about it.”
Chapman explained that all involved
shared a great enthusiasm for the event and
the implications it can have for the future
of the students. Grace Cadigan, biology
major, was one of the student volunteers
who agreed.
“When I was a little girl, I wished for
a program like this. It’s a really cool way
to get you excited for the future,” said
Cadigan.
@wilkesbeacon
justin.topa@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Justin Topa

Matthew Yatison helps two sixth grade students from Holy Rosary, Duryea, as
they remove the eggs of a sea urchent for closer examination.

Charity Challenge to benefit Embrace A Child, Make-A-Wish
By Cara Basile
Staff Writer
The Embrace a Child in Tanzania
account team of Zebra Communications
is partnering with the Student Athletic
Advisory Committee to host the Charity
Challenge. This will be a fundraising
event that will benefit the Make-A-Wish
foundation and Embrace a Child which is
a charity that sponsors orphan children in
Tanzania.
The event will consist of teams of four
competing in competitive activities
throughout the day. The teams will
participate in athletic challenges such as a
relay races and truck pushes. The Charity
Challenge is going to be April 12, at the

Ralston Athletic Complex.
“This is a unique and fun opportunity
for students of Wilkes to get involved
in an event benefitting two different
charities,” senior Stephanie Hahn shared.
“We also want to invite students of
Kings, Misericorida, and Luzerne County
Community College to come out and
participate in this event.”
Many of the Wilkes athletic teams
are encouraged to come out and bring
their “A Game” against fellow classmates
and friends. Not only are athletic teams
encouraged, but anyone who is willing
to compete all for a good cause. Some
students are looking to go against friends
on opposite sports teams for a fun

challenge.
“I'm most excited to compete against
Jared Powell and his team,” men’s basketball
player Alec Wizar said. “Cameron
Hinkel and I are excited to prove that
we are the superior athletes in Wilkes
Communications department.”
On behalf of the football team, Powell
claims he is just as excited to take on his
fellow Communication Studies majors.
“I know Cam and Alec will be
participating in the events, and I plan on
taking them, and their respective teams,
down,” Powell said. “I know they are both
as competitive as I am, so I will be looking
forward to the event!”
Apart from the competitions and a day

filled of challenges, the main idea to the
event is to get a lot of students involved
to support great charities like Make-AWish and Embrace a Child. SAAC has had
success in the past working this fundraiser,
and the Zebra account team is excited to be
part of it this year.
“Participating in an athletic event to
raise money for good causes is extremely
effective because it offers competition and
enjoyment, but it also gives participants
the chance to help others,” Wizar said.
“Win-win situation.”
@wilkesbeacon
cara.basile@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

Health and Wellness Fair at Wilkes

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Wilkes students had the chance on March 24 to talk with professionals in the
health and wellness field. There were also many free samples for students who
stopped by.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

One health living method, juicing, was explained at the High Point Greens
Juicing Company’s table during the Health and Wellness Fair.

8

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Organizations all over the area were represented atthe fair, held in the Henry
Student Center Ballroom.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Wilkes pharamacy students had a chance to particpate in the fair while still
taking advantage of all the leanring opportunities at the different tables.

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

Advice for thrifting from an avid shopper

9

By Josephine Latimer
Staff Writer
The experience you get while thrifting is
unlike any other. There’s a certain feel to it
which is almost indescribable.
You’re bombarded by racks of clothes,
usually separated by type.
Lines of sweaters that seem to go on
for miles, denim shirts, jeans from dark
washed to acid washed from the mideighties.
Sections dedicated to plain tees, collared
t-shirts, button downs.
It may throw many people off if they have
never gone thrifting before.
They could get overwhelmed, not know
where to start.
Discouragement is part of the process in
finding things worthwhile while at a thrift
store. The key is to not let it overtake you.
Go into the experience with an open
mind, anticipating frustration at not
knowing where to start. The best way to
thrift is to just dive right in.
Once you find yourself in a place
where your mind is clear of expectation,
everything will fall into place.
Things will practically jump out at you,
things that you are unexpectedly drawn to.
A lot of it may be a bust but how could you
go wrong when the prices are so cheap?
My most recent thrifting experience I
bought three shirts and three skirts all for
$10.94.

Courtesy of Creative Commons
Second-hand stores typically have rows of clothes separtated my the type of artifact. One could find about any type of
clothing piece needed. If clothing is not wanted, thrift stores sell books, knick-knacks, and even furniture sometimes.
Because of the growing popularity of reservations you may hold, especially if unique things that have character to them.
vintage clothing, many big time stores you’re strapped for cash.
The things you find in thrift stores are not
are cashing in on this craze, upping their
It may not even be clothing you’re simply manufactured and sold for twice as
prices due to the increased demand of this looking for. There are plenty of interesting much as what they’re worth.
style.
furniture and knick-knacks you could find
If you’re the type of person who is wary of
The clothing I got while thrifting are as well for a very reasonable price.
going, I would highly recommend giving it
most likely being sold for twice the price of
It’s the perfect place to go if you’re a shot, you may surprise yourself.
what I got them at.
looking to furnish your apartment.
@wilkesbeacon
Do not discredit thrift stores because of
Thrift stores provide a wide variety of
josephine.latimer@wilkes.edu

Mathematics professor and a murder plot
By Jackie Kurovsky
Staff Writer

What do a math professor, a murder plot
and an underground tunnel system all
have in common?
These can all be found in "The Tunnels",
a short story by Wilkes Emeritus
mathematics professor Dr. Steven Tillman
that has been published on Mysterical-E,
an online journal centered on mystery.
Tillman's story focuses on a math
professor and his girlfriend who
unexpectedly find themselves targets of
a murder plot. They seek escape through

a system of tunnels, hence the title,
underneath a snowy New York campus.
Tillman said the story's concept
originated from a few chapters of his first
unpublished novel. Some aspects were also
drawn from his personal experiences.
"When I was a student at Brown there
was a small tunnel system under part of
the campus," Tillman said. "That gave me
the idea of putting a tunnel system under
the entire campus of my story locale, and
use it to have the protagonist escape the
bad guys."
Tillman's interest in writing sparked

when his retirement in 2012 left him with
much free time. While he mainly writes
novels, Tillman said, "The Tunnels" was his
first major success.
"I thought that as long as I'm writing,
I may as well try to get something
published," he said.
Tillman hopes to one day have a novel
of his published, a process which he said
is very frustrating. He has been unable to
get a literary agent, which is necessary to
publish a novel.
"An agent is not necessary for short
stories," Tillman said. "Having "The

Tunnels" accepted for publication was very
satisfying.”
Tillman is an avid reader of mystery and
science fiction. Some favorite authors of
his are John Sandford, David Weber, and
the late Robert B. Parker.
Those interested in reading Tillman's
story can go to www.mystericale.com, and
select "The Tunnels by Stephen Tillman"
under the "Current Issue" section.
@wilkesbeacon
jacqueline.kurovsky@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

Ambitious lifestyle of a Wilkes Colonel

10

By Gabby Glinski
Staff Writer

Hungary, Romania, Arizona, Portlandthese are only a few places that Lyssa Scott
has traveled to.
Scott’s adventurous lifestyle is more than
touring. She likes to explore all there is to a
place and exerience new settings. Scott can
be considered Wilkes’ most adventurous
student.
“Every time I can put a stamp in my
passport I’m pretty much happy” stated
Scott when she shared her love of traveling.
When she travels, Scott likes to dive
into the culture and explore the road less
toured. She likes to experience the small
things that the local people would do every
day and to participate in outdoor activities.
For example, Scott went to New
Hampshire for a college event and picked
apples on the side. She also went ziplining
in Romania.
“I try to not get hotels, I try to see how
people really live. It’s like taking something
that maybe most people would just get a
hotel, do their business, and fly home and
doing something worthwhile instead.”
Scott stated.
The furthest Scott has traveled was her
missionary trip to Romania. When Scott
was 16 years old, she went to Romania with
a team of 12 students and two leaders for
ten days. The mission was to teach English
and American customs to Romanian
students. Scott and her fellow youth group
members enjoyed teaching the Romanian
students about sports, music and American
holidays.
Scott also participated in teaching the
students how to play capture the flag,
dodge ball, man hunt and other various
backyard American games.
Besides her missionary work, Scott
enjoyed several other key moments in her
trip. Scott went ziplining, played soccer in
an abandoned communist village, played
man hunt until midnight, and experienced
questionable foreign plants. After her
missionary work she toured Hungary and
Budapest.
Scott shared her gained spiritual
experience through her trip to Romania
and Hungary. Scott’s father passed before
her trip. Scott explained that after her
father passed away, she had this sense

Courtesy of Lyssa Scott

Lyssa Scott is known across campus for her love of adventuring and all things outdoors.
where she didn’t know if he was in heaven
or hell or if she was going to see him again.
Scott was able to find peace with her
internal struggle through a hiking trip in
Romania.
Scott explained that the humor and
friendship that she found on top of the
mountain gave her the understanding that
she needed.
“I felt like everything was going to be
alright; like god was living through other
people, encouraging me and telling me that
everything was going to be okay. I came
home and I felt like it was the beginning of
me being okay again.”
Scott began her traveling lifestyle with a
program called Hijacked when she was 13
years old. The trip gives the participant a
list of what to pack but doesn’t tell them
where they are going. Scott says she ended
up traveling to New York, Vermont, New
Hampshire and Connecticut all within a
week.
Every morning Scott would pack up
camp and go to another place. It was her
first taste of adventure where she needed
a real sleeping bag that wasn’t from Kohl’s.
“I would love to go rain-foresting. That

opportunity doesn’t just come up like it
does to go to Europe,” Scott shared when
asked about her dream destination.
Her number one place to visit would be
South America. In the meantime, Scott
says that she already has two road trips
planned for the summer.
Jill Price, director of the Wilkes
Adventure Education program and Scott’s
close friend and travel partner gave her
insight on why it is important for students
to travel.
“Traveling unveils the sights you can't
see sitting home. It opens a student's
mind to learning new ways. It inspires the
student to be reliable upon oneself, and
gain confidence in the ability to become
comfortable outside of her comfort zone.”
Lyssa Scott is a junior integrative media
major at Wilkes. She also has a minor in
Art and is hoping to pick up another minor.
On campus, Scott is the editor of Amnicola
yearbook, involved in WCLH radio, and is
an avid member of the Wilkes Adventure
Education program. She frequently goes
rock-climbing and enjoys photography.
@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

Adventure Education
at Wilkes
The Wilkes Adventure Education
program is hosted by Wilkes
University.
The program offers safe and fun
ways to be adventurous on and off
campus.
The group hosts a Bike-Share
program in which students can
rent free bikes, rock wall and
ropes courses, and adventure
series where students can engage
in various outdoor activities for a
reduced cost.
They also host interactive events
such as zip-lining, glamping,
hiking trips and much more.

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

8 Things to Binge Watch
on Netflix
HUMANS OF WILKES

By Emily DeAngelis
Staff Writer

1. House of Cards- No surprises that
this is number one on our list. Susan
Paoletti from the Education Department
enthusiastically
recommends
this
Netflix original which follows Kevin
Spacy as Frank Underwood, a democrat
from South Carolina who serves as the
majority whip on his ruthless quest for
power. It is the first web only television
series to receive Emmy nominations
(receiving 9 total) over other online only
favorites like Orange is the New Black.
2. The Office- Freshman Biology major
Casey Krause notes, “It’s a good laugh,
not many shows have the ability for their
viewers to feel so close to the characters.”
If it’s characters and charm aren’t enough
to convince you, the show is set in
Scranton making it a local must now that
you reside in NEPA.
3. Grey’s Anatomy- Nursing majors
agree, Grey’s Anatomy is the way to
break from studying without really
breaking. Freshman Jackie Scheffler
and Sara Adelfio note, while it may be
educational, sometimes they just need
time away from school work to enjoy,
“McDreamy and McSteamy.” If you don’t
know what that means, it won’t take
more than an episode to find out. You’ll
be hooked immediately.
4. Dexter- Sean Kelly, associate
professor of English, recommends
the series that follows a Miami Metro
blood-spatter analyst Dexter Morgan as
he solves murders and commits them
too. Why watch? Perhaps it’s Dexter’s
seemingly relatable “dark passenger,” or
apparently normal life that make him
such a complex character that we just
have to keep watching. Not to mention
that almost every episode ends with a
cliff hanger that makes turning it off
almost impossible.

5. Weeds- Inspired by big names such
as the Sopranos and directed by Jenji
Kohan, producer of Sex in the City,
Weeds is flawless from start (with its
loveable theme song “Little Boxes) to
finish. It’s especially good for a quick
binge or watch between classes, because
episodes typically take no longer than
thirty minutes.

UNIVERSITY

6. Breaking Bad- A hit from the start,
Breaking Bad has grown tremendously in
popularity. The show follows a chemistry
teacher, Walt, as he is diagnosed with
cancer and his radical decision to cook
meth to provide for his family when he
is no longer able to. Why watch? Either
we watch because we sympathize with
Walt or idealize his efforts to protect his
family. Regardless, this one is difficult
to step away from. Although the series
has ended, it lives on in a companion
show, Better Call Saul. Talk of a spin off
focused on Walt’s companion, Jessie, has
been about but nothing conclusive has
been released yet.
7. Blue Mountain State- Perhaps this is
wishful thinking, or maybe freshmen like
Mike Melograno just like to think big.
The three seasons of this show follow a
DI football team as they progress from a
losing record to competing for a national
championship.
8. Parks and Recreation- Sophomore
English major Chris Santo admits to a
Parks and Rec binge over winter break.
At first, it seems just like many other
work place sitcoms (Workaholics, 30
Rock) but its characters and small
town charm set Amy Poehler’s sardonic
comedy apart from others.
@wilkesbeacon
emilyrose.deangelis@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Danny Lykens

What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen
happen while running trivia night?
“One time a girl lost her toenail in a
physical challenge.”
-Vince “The Trivia Master” Insalaco

11

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Multicultural Student Coalition hosts talent show

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees
On Thursday March 27th, the MSC hosted their annual Talent Show. Beverages
and prize tickets were available at the door.

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees

Lenai Galarza and Danica DeMesa exchanged smiles as they performed “Rather
Be.”

12

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees

Freshman Courtney McMonagle was the first to perform. She sang a song titled
“The Island.”

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees
Sophomore Tori Rudovitz showed off her baton skills with a twirling routine.

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

13

�Opinion

The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Opinion

14

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

New “Hello Barbie:” Is she a clever technological
innovation or a terrifying disaster waiting to happen?
By Mandy Stickles

Assistant Opinion Editor
A new and improved Barbie.
Who needs friends now that Barbie can
physically talk back?
In a recent toy fair in New York, Mattel
launched its newest brand in Barbie, called
Hello Barbie. This new and improved doll
can now have ‘intellectual’ conversations
with the player of the doll.
Hello Barbie is able to do this through
voice-recognition software that allows the
doll to listen to the child talking and give
responses related to what the child just
told the doll.
The doll also remembers what the child
says and can refer back to that information
at a later date if the child brings up
something related to a topic they have
discussed in the past.
What has parents in a tizzy is the ability
for the doll to connect to WiFi. Similar
to what iPhones have with iCloud. The
information given to Hello Barbie goes
into a cloud and travels through servers
allowing the speech to be remembered
and processed to help Barbie give a proper
response.
Parents are worried that the information
they are receiving will not be handled in a
proper manner. For good reasons parents
do not want their children’s personal
thoughts and feeling being put out there
for the world to hear.
The Washington Post reports, “Mattel
and ToyTalk, the San Francisco-based
startup that created the technology used
in the doll, say the privacy and security of
the technology have been their top priority.
Mattel is committed to safety and security,
and Hello Barbie conforms to applicable
government standards,” Mattel said in a
statement.

Parents and even Mattel come to similar
cross roads, whether it is deciding when
to use newer advances of technology
in their product or whether it is parents
deciding when and how much technology
based toys and gadgets should be allowed
in a child’s life. Both individuals need to
decide when it is too much and when it is
not enough.
Technology is growing rapidly and if
companies like Mattel want to stay aﬂoat in
the marketing world they need to conform
in some ways, in incorporating new types
of technology in their products.
“The data [collected from Hello Barbie]
is never used for anything to do with
marketing or publicity or any of that stuff.
Not at all. The audio ﬁles the doll collects
will be used only to improve the product.”
said ToyTalk chief executive Oren Jacob
in the Washington Post.
The doll creates a new and innovative
way for children to interact with their

Courtesy of Creative Commons
toys. Parents are becoming busier whether
it be in the workforce or their daily day
to day lives and cannot always engage
in intellectual talk with their children.
Having Hello Barbie allows children to
talk to their doll about their day, their
thoughts or feelings and now with new
technology the Barbie can respond back
and allow the child to engage in stimulating
conversation. Something they may have
missed out on that day if they did not have
the doll.
This is not to say that the child should
only rely on the doll to have conversations
with, but every now and then if the child’s
parents are busy and their childhood
friends are not around the doll gives the
child the opportunity to talk to “someone”
and discuss their thoughts for the day.
It is understandable for parents to be
wary of Hello Barbie and the technology
and power it has with releasing their
children’s voices and intimate thoughts

into the unknown “cloud” of the cyber
world. However, parents do get to have a
say and a sense of control of what is being
said to their child’s doll.
Parents can choose if they so desire to
receive daily or weekly emails with the
ability to see the audio ﬁles of what their
child is saying to Hello Barbie. If there is
something a parent does not like or want
their child to be saying they can then
address the matter to their child. It allows
the parent to be fully aware of what is
going on.
Parents can also look at this new
technology savvy doll as a way to better
understand their child. A child may feel
more comfortable discussing something
with their doll rather their parents.
With the ability for the parents to
monitor what their child is saying it could
better help with communication overall
between the parent and child.

@wilkesbeacon
amanda.stickles@wilkes.edu

Tell us your thoughts.
Is Hello Barbie a clever new
toy or an all-around bad
idea?
Email
amanda.stickles@wilkes.edu
with your comments

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Opinion

Letter to the Editor

15

To the Editor,
Because a campus club has been promoting
attendance at Ringling Brothers Circus next
weekend, I think it’s important for all of us
to consider where our money is going if we
support this circus.
Animal circuses are the source of much
suffering and Ringling Brothers Circus is no
exception. Keeping animals like elephants,
tigers, bears, and horses in train cars or
trucks and transporting them all over the
country creates physical frustration and
causes mental and emotional problems in
the animals. They are deprived of their
natural social groups and cannot run, play,
hunt, or graze. All these animals have strong
natural drives which must be frustrated and
suppressed for the circus to operate (for

example, elephants in the wild generally
roam a good 25 miles per day).
Animals also suffer by being trained to do
unnatural acts. Such training all too often
involves beatings, gouging with hooks, and
other painful methods. Some even die as the
result of the “training.”
Circus promoters tell us the animals are
given food and medical care. Food and
medical care are desirable things to have,
but, in themselves, they do not make for a
good life or even an acceptable one. People
in prison are given food and medical care.
Most of us agree that, while difficult to
fulfill, the Golden Rule provides us with an
excellent guide for our actions. This rule, of
course, tells us to treat others as we would
want them to treat us. Which of us would

want to be stolen from our mothers at birth?
Beaten until we performed unnatural acts
for the pleasure of others? Kept in small,
confined spaces and only let out to perform
those unnatural acts? Only individuals who
can honestly answer those questions in the
affirmative should patronize circuses that
use animals. The rest of us should be doing
everything we can to close them down.
When we pay Ringling Brothers to
attend their circus, we are paying people
to cause misery on our behalf. For more
information on what circuses are really like
for the animals, check out the many sources
of information readily available on the Web.
You might start with Mother Jones’ excellent
piece on elephants titled “The Cruelest
Show on Earth.” http://www.motherjones.

com/environment/2011/10/ringling-broselephant-abuse
Let’s spend our entertainment dollars
elsewhere.
Dr. Linda Paul
Associate Professor of Philosophy

By Allison Rossi

According to dosomething.org, more
than 100 million animals are subjected
to animal testing in United States labs
each year. These animals are burned,
crippled, poisoned and abused in
various horrid ways. Animal abuse in
the United States needs to be abolished.
These animals are not only corrupted
by cosmetic companies but by drug
testing and other scientific studies. Many
say that animal testing is beneficial for
the well-being of the public but that is
not the case.
The statement “If we didn’t use
animals we would have to test new
drugs on people” is mentioned a lot.
Other frequent statements are “Medical
students have to dissect animals” or
“The studies the animals are enduring
aren’t painful they numb the animals
The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) stated that 92 percent of all
drugs that are shown to be safe and
effective in animal tests fail in human
trials because they do not work and
they are dangerous. 
Half of the small amount of drugs that
are eligible for human use are relabeled
due to the side effects that were not
detected on the animals during the
experiments.
Contrary to popular belief, medical
students are not required to dissect
animals. In fact prestigious colleges

such as Yale, Harvard and Stanford
do not have animal dissections during
their students medical training.
The Physicians Committee for
Responsible Medicine noted: “Out of
the 141 allopathic and 30 osteopathic
medical schools in the United States,
all but three schools have eliminated
the use of animals in medical student
courses. Almost all the remaining
schools have only one or very few
animal lab courses, and the number of
schools still using animals continues to
decline each year.”
Even under the protection of the
Animal Welfare Act (AWA) animals
are still subjected and forced to endure
being poisoned, burned, starved, brain
damaged, restrained, crippled and other
ways of unethical torture.
On top of what they are put through,
these animals have no pain relief either.
Animal testing in the United States
and around the world can be stopped
in its tracks with one simple solution:
the consumer. If a massive amount of
people begin to boycott companies
that resort to animal testing they will
be forced to change their ways of the
creation of their products.
We have more of a voice than one
thinks. We, the consumers, can put an
end to this unethical horrific journey of

animal testing. Speak up for the animals
that cannot speak for themselves.
The ruby red Mac lipstick does not
justify the ruby red blood shed of these
innocent animals.

We welcome your thoughts and ideas
If you or someone you know would like
to submit a letter to the editor, please
submit to:
James Jaskolka, Editor-in-Chief
James.Jaskolkabutler@wilkes.edu

The torturous side of looking good:
When perfection equals pain

Staff Writer

Animals are tortured, horrified
and massacred on a daily basis. Most
humans do not think of this in their
everyday life; women usually think
more about their appearance on a daily
basis.
A typical morning for women may
begin as follows: She goes to the mirror
in the morning and stares at herself
and gets her outfit ready for the day.
She then applies her Revlon foundation
and her Maybelline mascara but there’s
something else missing. She realizes she
forgot her Mac lipstick. She then applies
a thick coat of her ruby red lipstick to
make her lips plump and luscious.
Thoughts rushed through her head
this morning about how pretty and
good she looked. The thought that did
not cross her head, however, was how
many animals died due to the cosmetics
she wears everyday to make her feel
beautiful.
Beauty is pain is an absolutely true
statement. PETA (People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals) explained that
cosmetic companies such as Revlon,
Maybelline, Mac, Bobbi Brown,
Clinique, and L’Oreal endure pain to
animals on a daily basis.

@wilkesbeacon
Allison.rossi@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Opinion

16

One man’s thoughts: How to succeed in life by really trying
By Luke Zack

Contributing Writer
Editor’s note: In an effort to include
more student voices in the Beacon, we are
welcoming guest writers to submit articles
like the one featured here. If you’d like to
aubmit an article, you can contact the editorin-chief at james.jaskolkabutler@wilkes.edu.
We reserve the right to edit any submissions.
Approaching your goals, whatever they
maybe, can be a painful experience. We
all have goals, ambitions, and dreams we
would like to fulfill, but we might only
intermittently work towards them. We only
work towards them when we feel inspired or
when life permits us to.
Let’s face it, human nature tends to make
us inconsistent and direct us to take the path
that is already well-traveled with the least
resistance. Because of this, when you set a
goal, there will be days when you feel like
quitting. But stepping up when you feel this
distress is what will allow you to succeed.

Success requires staying on course and
not letting the urgencies of life get in the
way. Being successful is about having
discipline to commit to what is important
to you. It’s about continuing when you feel
like stopping, not because you want to work
more, but because your goal is that important
to you. Those who are successful work on
their goals, even when it is inconvenient, and
they never regret it.
This is the life to live. One that is full of
action and devoid of remorse. Stop playing
the role of the victim and letting life just
happen. Only through your persistence,
fearlessness, and discipline does the world
yield to your efforts.
You must create your own health, success,
and therefore happiness. No one else can do
this for you. So, here are my eight tips for
your future success.
1. Take time to identify your goals, and
align your life to them.
Decide what you really want to be good at.
Physically, write your goals down on paper
and look at them once a month. Once you

know what you truly desire, you will act with
coherence and integrity in the world.
2. Take action in everything you do.
Success hates idleness, in all forms. So
instead of being a weightlifter, be lifting.
Instead of being a student, be studying.
Knowledge is useless without action.
3. Constantly live beyond the edge of
fear and discomfort.
Your growth will be optimized when you
live just outside your comfort zone. Make
fear your friend so that you eventually
become desensitized to it. This takes guts
to put into practice, but don’t let insecurity
cause you to doubt yourself.
4. Remove “failure” from your
vocabulary and replace it with “feedback.”
Realize that failure is just the cost you
pay to be right later. See each failure as the
feedback that makes you that much smarter
to get you closer to your goals.
5. Set schedules for your actions and
stick to them. Remember, average speed
will yield above average results. Progress,
no matter how slow, is still progress.

6. Use your imagination.
Neurons in the brain cannot distinctly
determine between imaginary or real life.
Take full advantage of this. Imagine yourself
achieving your goals and include the
obstacles and struggles you must overcome
in order to achieve your aspiration.
7. Limit your television watching.
It is a huge distraction that is preventing
you from achievement. You do absolutely
nothing when you are watching TV, it is
equivalent to being asleep. TV takes away
from social interaction, something you need
to cultivate to further your success in work,
school, love, and life.
8. Do not judge or put down people that
are better than you.
Positively support the success of others
and steal from their habits freely. Ask them
questions and learn from them.
I do not have this all figured out, but I am
doing my best to walk the slow march toward
greatness, with all of you. so. Let’s make
a stand to never succumb to mediocrity,
starting today.

When Ruby Met Sapphire: The normalization of
same-sex relationships in children’s programming
By Elyse Guziewicz
Staff Writer

As far as good kids’ cartoons go, it’s a
pretty slim picking.
Most are either geared toward very
young children and frustrating for adults,
or so filled with physical/vulgar humor
they’re not really funny anymore.
As far as socially aware kids’ cartoons
go: Well, I could probably count them on
one hand. It’s difficult to get controversial
media marketed toward children, and most
censors won’t allow anything beyond
subtext.
Recently, a few cartoons have come out
with LGBT characters; still, most only
feature men in same-sex relationships
and many only confirm the characters’
sexuality in off-camera interviews.
2014 was a victory year for femalefemale relationships. It began in the early
months, with the popular anime/manga
Shingeki no Kyojin, or Attack on Titan.
The creator confirmed that two female
characters, Krista Lenz and Ymir, were

romantically involved with one another,
and that their interactions were meant to
be read as romantic.
However, Shingeki no Kyojin is not
marketed toward children, as it is violent
and deals with some mature themes. The
main consumers of the show and comic
are teenagers and young adults.
This declaration was followed by the
confirmation of a previous romantic
relationship involving Princess Bubblegum
and Marceline in the children’s show
Adventure Time.
Many fans had suspected that they had
a history, but no evidence has been shown
to date in the show itself. The Adventure
Time comics feature brief mentions and
subtext involving the relationship, but no
clear explanations of the relationship.
Last December, the cartoon Legend
of Korra finished its final season. Fans
had been questioning the nature of
relationships between the title character
and a close friend (Asami Sato). In the
final episode, Korra and Asami walk into
the spirit world hand in hand, mimicking
the marriage scene from minutes earlier.
Two days later, creators Michael

Dante DiMartino and Brian Konietzko
independently confirmed that the scene
was romantic, later explaining that the two
were married later in life and lived happily
ever after.
This is the first major instance of
a female-female relationship being
explicitly shown onscreen in a cartoon
marketed toward children. The age range
for Korra was listed for children about
7-14: significantly younger than Shingeki
no Kyojin.
However, within the last month, a
contender for “best representation” has
entered the ring. Steven Universe, a Y-7
show from Cartoon Network, released an
episode where one of the major characters,
Garnet, was (spoiler!) shown to be a fusion
of two female-coded characters known as
Ruby and Sapphire.
(I say female-coded as the gems have
been confirmed to have no gender. Both
characters refer to themselves with female
pronouns.)
The scene features Ruby searching for
Sapphire in a prison ship. At their reunion,
they embrace and Sapphire kisses Ruby’s

eyes. For anyone refusing to see, the
creators confirmed the nature of Ruby and
Sapphire’s relationship as romantic.
Steven Universe is a quality show
beyond this amazing step in female/
non-binary LGBT representation. The
animation is lovely, and it features a wide
range of racial features and body types.
It’s done in lovely colors and portrays
positive messages and relationships
between the main character and his friends
and parental figures – particularly his
father, which is often rare in TV shows.
We’re making bold moves toward
normalizing same-sex relationships:
an important step in ending the stigma
surrounding othered sexual orientations.

@wilkesbeacon
Elyse.Guziewicz@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Opinion

17

Hagberg’s “It’s All In Your Head” biographical, haunting
By Sara Pisak

Asst. Opinion Editor

Eva Hagberg’s text It’s All in Your
Head is a short novel which I admittedly
cannot wrap my mind around. Being
perfectly honest with my audience, I
have no clear cut opinion of this work.
I am used to more of a black and white
approach to my opinions surroundings
texts. I ﬁnd comfort in the fact I can both
love and loathe aspects contained within
the same text because I understand
clearly what elements I like and dislike.
Hagberg’s text is somewhat of a grey area
for me and I assume for numerous other
readers because it lacks any deﬁnitive
information, leaving a reader not quite
sure of their own emotions. This can
be either the beauty or the downfall of
Hagberg’s text.
Hagberg recalls her life story starting
with her recovery from years of hard
drinking and damaging drug use in 2008.
Hagberg begins her career as a New York
City architecture critic until one morning
she awakes with dizziness. It’s All in
Your Head chronicles the next ﬁve years
of the author’s life as her unrelenting
symptoms worsen. Hagberg seeks
medical care from several professionals
with each specialist insisting test results
indicate she is “normal.” The medical
diagnosis Hagberg receives is “it’s all in
your head.”
Hagberg believes the professionals’
opinions and leaves busy New York
for Portland, Oregon where she begins
homeopathic therapy consisting of yoga,
acupuncture, long relaxing walks and
behavioral therapy. Hagberg continues
therapy until February 2013 when an
MRI reveals a tumor on her brain and
blood tests divulge alarmingly high
tumor markers, which are both indicators
of cancer. Hagberg begins another
excursion into the world of possible
treatment options and brain biopsies.
Sadly the author’s account abruptly
concludes with the idea that she has only
imagined the long sought after diagnosis
and her problems are still only in her
own mind. The text terminates midway
as a reader is not privy to what happens
to Hagberg, although thankfully her
website informs readers she is in good
health.
This unexpected ending, leads to
some confusion when it comes to
understanding what elements of It’s All
in Your Head a reader gravitates towards
or shrinks away from. The reader has
no solid ground to build a relationship
with Hagberg nor does the reader

comprehend what aspects, if any, are
imagined or real. A reader of It’s All in
Your Head is meant to feel the frustration
of questioning the occurrences in the
text and their own feelings. It cannot be
expected for a reader to understand and
formulate an opinion on events in which
the author herself is not conﬁdent of their
occurrence. If Hagberg’s intended effect
is to have the reader feel as insecure,
unsure and frightened as the author then
her work is brilliant and she has without
doubt succeeded. In addition to the
adjectives above, the reader is also left
alienated, isolated and without any sort
of closure. A reader cannot be blamed as
they close the pages of this text for not
wanting to return to the work a second
time.
However, a reader cannot fault
Hagberg for sharing her life story or for
creating the feelings the text produces
in each unique reader. As is the case
with many novels, not every reader
can validate their own life experiences
through the work of an author. Hunter S.
Thompson’s Hell’s Angels is a perfect
example as not every reader has been
part of a notorious motorcycle gang;
not every reader shares Thompson’s
experiences but readers still keep coming
back for more. Therefore, the same can
be said about It’s All in Your Head,
not everyone (Thank God!) will share
Hagberg’s life story of an undiagnosed
medical condition. The text maybe
isolating and lack a closing but this is
still Hagberg’s life. Furthermore, if she
is brave enough to reveal her experiences
then a reader should be respectful even
if they are unable to form an attachment
to Hagberg and her work.
The bottom line is I still do not have a
ﬁrm grasp on my emotions towards It’s
All in Your Head. There are two things I
know for sure: First, this book produces
without a doubt an eerie, haunting
inﬂuence, which leaves the reader as
much as the author questioning if “it’s
all in their heads.” Second, I am still
discussing this book weeks after ﬁrst
reading the work. After all, do not all
authors strive to be remembered and to
act as a catalyst for discussion?

@wilkesbeacon
Sara.Pisak@wilkes.edu

Sara’s Score:

Courtesy of Creative Commons

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Opinion

18

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�Sports

The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Sports

19

Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Brandon.Gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Wilkes sophomore overcomes past back injury
By J.T. Keer

Sports Writer
Josh Farrell from Lancaster County, Pa
never had to deal with many hardships.
With a good mom and dad and a younger
sister, Josh had everything that he needed.
Projected as a starter, on the offense side of
the ball, his sophomore year of high school,
Josh had everything going his way.
Rarely playing on defense leading up to
the season, Josh was thrown into the fire at
outside linebacker the last few plays of his
scrimmage for Pequa Valley. Josh split the
guards and was clipped from behind into the
ball carrier. His back folded like a chair.
He got up, walked off the field and went to
the locker room. When he picked up his bag
to go home, he lost all feeling in his legs.
His parents took him to the hospital and
Josh thought he was paralyzed for about 20
minutes.
“I just sat there and kept thinking that
I needed to wiggle my toes,” Farrell said.
“I really kind of thought that my life was
over. If I was paralyzed, I would have lost
everything and never would have been able
to accomplish anything I wanted to in life. I
was so scared.”
At the hospital, Josh found out that he had
suffered a bilateral Pars fracture of the L4 on
the butterfly wings of his spine. They were
both fractured all the way through. Nobody
wanted to do the surgery because he was
under the age of 18. The first 3 doctors he
visited all told him no and informed him
that he would never be able to play sports
again following the surgery. According to
the doctors, there was a 40 percent chance
that he would be paralyzed for the rest of his
life if the surgeon accidently hits a nerve.
Finally, Josh found a doctor that was
willing to perform the surgery. Although
it was unlikely, the doctor offered him the
option of being in a body cast for three
months to see if the bones would heal. After
the three months had gone by, the bones had
not healed and Josh was given the option of
whether or not to play basketball with the
broken back. Knowing that he may never
be able to play sports ever again after the

taking two and a half months to learn how
to walk again, Josh needed 2 doctors to sign
off for him to play football. In a struggle of
a search, his parents found him 2 doctors
that would sign the dotted line. He played
his whole junior year and had a completely
healthy season. He even had the fortitude to
play both sides of the ball.
“I really didn’t think I was going to be
able to come back to sports; which is why I
took the chance to play basketball before the
surgery,” Farrell said. “After the surgery, I
felt that it was God’s plan to get me back
out onto the field.”
Josh had been working hard all summer
for his senior year of football, the day
before the first game, he found out his mom,
Debbie, had stage three breast cancer. He
would go to the hospital every day after
practice and continued to succeed on the
field using his mom as motivation. With
lots of support from his teammates, he
was named captain his senior year and the
offense was designed around him. His team
continuously rallied around him and even
dedicated a game to his mom during the
season. Even though they fell short, Josh
scored two touchdowns that Friday night.
Debbie couldn’t have more proud of her
son.
“It brought tears to my eyes when my son
scored those touchdowns,” Debbie said. “I
remember when he scored; he pointed right
to the stands where I was sitting. I knew
that hard work he put in was all for me. I
could not be more proud of him.”
Josh then went onto make first team
offense and defense on his All-League
The Beacon/Brandon Gubitosa team. He was recruited by every school in
Josh Farrell currently plays for the Wilkes football team, despite suffering a
the Middle Atlantic Conference and wound
up coming to Wilkes University. Upon
severe back injury a few years ago.
attending Wilkes University, Josh’s mom
surgery, Josh jumped at the opportunity to there are two marks where the rods connect. successfully won her battle with cancer a
play, even though he had a broken back.
Grant Rogers, a member of the football few weeks into his first season.
After basketball was completed, Josh team, noticed the marks but never had
Josh is currently a sophomore at Wilkes
was finally able to get the surgery on May asked why they were there.
University and is majoring in Marketing
10, 2011. He was given a 5 percent chance
“I would have never guessed by the way and minoring in Integrative Media. His
of ever returning to sports following the Josh plays that he ever would have suffered back is healthy and his mother is cancer
surgery. During the surgery, there were an injury to his spine,” Rogers said. “I free.
two metal bars put in his back to connect saw the marks, but I didn’t think it could
@wilkesbeacon
his spine and two layers of muscle tissue possibly be that serious.”
johnathan.keer@wilkes.edu
were removed. When looking at his back,
Following a successful surgery and

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Sports

Women’s lacrosse looks to
continue their success
By Cara Basile
Sports Writer

With an impressive record, the
women’s lacrosse team continues to
move forward as the season progresses.
Big wins against Alfred University
(18-8), SUNY Canton (19-14) and
Houghton College (19-16) allow the
team to hold a strong edge against
their competitors.
The team is having great success, and
individual players are performing to
the best of their abilities. Senior Carley
Smith and Freshman Kellie Kalada
were named Freedom Conference
Women’s Lacrosse Players of the
Week. Smith has been given this honor
for the second time this season, while
Kalada is new to the accomplishment.
“To this honor, I am beyond happy,
and so are my teammates, coaches
and family,” Kalada said. “However,
just because I got player of the week
doesn't mean I do not have to work
hard. I'm going to work hard for the
entire season, but I have my team

and coaches to thank. They help me
improve every day.”
Kalada brings a lot to the team as the
goal keeper for the Lady Colonels. As a
freshman, this is a huge responsibility
to take on, but she believes she is ready
for the challenge.
“My mindset in goal ﬁrst is to keep
that ball out of my net, but lacrosse is
a high scoring sport I'm bound to get
shot on and scored on ﬁrst,” Kalada
said. “The thing is to move on and save
the next ball. Second to have vision all
over the ﬁeld, for instance , letting my
defense know when someone is behind
them.”
The team is averaging 18 scored
goals per game along with 40 assists.
Upon returning from Easter break the
women will take on the number one
rankers in the conference, Fairleigh
Dickinson College at Florham and
local rivals King’s College which will
be held at Schmidt Stadium April 8.

20

• Off Campus
Premium Student Housing

@wilkesbeacon
cara.basile@wilkes.edu

Big turnout for intramurals
By Andre Spruell
Sports Writer

APARTMENTS
Studio, 1, 2. &amp; 3 bedrooms
Avai lable June 1, 2015

www.DreamRentals.net

Call Jtm (570) 288-3375

Enjoy playing sports and being active
but do not have all the skills to make a
university team? Then the thing to do is
play intramurals.
The sports currently offered through
intramurals here at Wilkes are indoor
soccer, basketball, volleyball and ﬂoor
hockey. Out of all the sports offered
indoor soccer seems to be the most
popular among the students, boasting
an impressive 18 teams. “In my eyes it
has been a great turnout this Spring for
Intramurals,” stated ﬁrst year Intramural
Coordinator Stefan Thompson, who is
also the assistant coach for the Wilkes
University Men’s Basketball team.
“This is my ﬁrst year being the
Intramural Coordinator so I cannot
compare this Spring's turnout to last
Spring's turnout. I have saw that there is
a greater turnout and interest level in the
Spring semester compared to the Fall
semester,” Thompson said.

The big turnout of students is
encouraging because it is great way for
students to stay active while playing
with their friends, and even making new
friends as a result. Thompson also added,
“Most importantly, I think it is beneﬁcial
for students to interact socially. Often
times students' relationships are limited,
in terms of people maybe only interacting
in the classroom or the dining hall, I feel
intramurals give students another outlet
to get to know one another.”
When asked if more students should
play intramurals, Thompson replied,
“Absolutely! The greater the turnout
of students creates more avenues of
interaction and I believe builds a greater
sense of Wilkes University pride and
togetherness.”
If you ever thought about joining
intramurals but was on the fence about
it, the decision has been made easier,
join now.
@wilkesbeacon
andre.spruell@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Sports

21

Colonels split double header with Eastern University

Sophomore pitcher Christopher Nixon delivers a pitch for the Colonels.

Senior infielder Bobby Schappell is ready for the ball to be hit his way.

Freshman outfielder Jay Clymer swings at a pitch to start off the game.

Sophomore outfielder James Brown advnaces to first after drawing a walk.
The Beacon/Purvit Patel

�Sports

The Beacon - March 31, 2015

22

Getting to know...

Brendon Blachowski
Senior Tennis Player

By Evan Willey

started using it.

Sports Writer

Q: What do you plan on doing after Wilkes?

Brendon Blachowski is a senior Tennis
player. He is majoring in Environmental
Engineering. Some of Brendon’s awards
include The Colonels Elite, Freedom
Conference MVP, 5 Time MAC Singles and
Doubles Champion, 2 Time Second Team
All-Conference.

A: I’m currently searching for jobs that
will lead to opportunities in water
resources engineering and sustainability
management in the Greater Philadelphia
Area.

Q: Why did you choose Wilkes?
A: When I was searching for schools, very
few offered both an environmental
engineering major and a prestigious DIII
tennis program. Once coach reached out
to me and I visited Wilkes, I was sold.
Q: How long have you been playing tennis
and how did you start playing?
A: I’ve been playing ever since I can
remember. My mom is also a tennis
player so she got me into it the day I was
able to pick up a racquet. My dad on the
other hand is a basketball/volleyball guy,
but he picked up tennis pretty easily. I
still haven’t beaten him to this day…but
I think it’s time we have our first rematch
in over ten years!

Q: What is one thing you will never forget
about college?
A: If I had to choose one thing, it’d be our trips
to the NCAA National Championships.
It’s an amazing experience competing
against some of the best teams in the
country and I’ll always cherish those
memories. Winning both my doubles
and singles matches sophomore year
to advance us to the Round of 32 at
nationals was probably one of the coolest
memories. Of course I’ll never forget all
the friends I’ve made along the way that
made my last four years unforgettable.
Q: If you could trade places with one
celebrity who would it be and why?
A: Kit Harington because who doesn’t love
Game of Thrones!? Season 5 can’t come
any faster!

Q: Do you have any lucky charms you bring
with you?

Q: What are some of your favorite before
and after foods?

A: I don’t have any lucky charms, but I do
have some weird superstitions like
bouncing the ball exactly three times
before a first serve and two times before
a second serve. I’m also known for using
the same racquet with a pink grip for
matches since I’ve convinced myself
it’s brought me good luck ever since I

A: I usually eat fruits like bananas and
oranges before matches, but I can always
go for a celebratory homewrecker
burrito from Moe’s afterwards.

@wilkesbeacon
evan.willey@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Brandon Gubitosa

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

Getting to know...

23

Sports

Alanna Denauski
Sophomore Tennis player

By Grant Rogers
Sports Writer

Alanna Denauski, currently a sophomore,
came to Wilkes for a business management
degree and for the tennis team. Alanna is
from Robbinsville, New Jersey where she
attended Robbinsville High School. She was
a member of the tennis team primarily but
also ran track for a few years. Her tennis
team made the state tournament every year
when she was there.
Q. What brought you to Wilkes?
A. I really liked Wilkes's campus and how
small it is. I also wanted to play tennis in
college and it had all of the majors I was
interested in. It was a perfect fit.
Q. What do you plan on doing with your
major once you graduate from Wilkes?
A. I plan on finding a job in a management
position or in human resources. I also
hope to receive my MBA post graduation.
Q. When did you start playing tennis and
how did you pick up the sport of tennis?
A. I started playing when I was 8 years old. I
picked up tennis by my mom just simply
signing me up for lessons. I came to
like it really quick and kept playing year
round. It became my favorite sport.
Q. Who is your role model in your life?

The Beacon/Purvit Patel

A. My role model is my dad. He has always
been my biggest supporter. He's the
one that would stay up with me until
midnight doing math homework or

helping with research projects. He's
never missed more than a few of my
tennis matches since high school. He
always makes the time to come 2 hours
just to see me play. My dad is the most
kindhearted, genuine and patient person
I know and the person I aspire to be.
Q. What are you expectations for the rest of
this season?
A. We have had a great season so far! We
have a couple tough matches coming
up but everyone has been hitting well. I
hope were able to keep the momentum
going and continue to have another fun
and successful season!
Q. How exciting is it that you and the tennis
team are going for Wilkes's 9th straight
Freedom Conference Championship?
A. It is definitely very exciting for our team
to be competing for our 9th straight
Freedom Conference Championship.
It is really rewarding to see our team
succeed and do well.
Q. Who is your favorite athlete?
A. Roger Federer
Q. What has been your favorite memory
since being at Wilkes?
A. My favorite memory since being at
Wilkes is going to Nationals last year
in Maine. We were able to play with
some competitive teams. It was a great
experience and a lot of fun!

@wilkesbeacon
grant.rogers@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - March 31, 2015

PUB &amp; PIZZERIA
Butch &amp; Mary Jo
131 Coal Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

(570)

824-2222

Visit us@menusnepa.com for daily specials and business hours!

PIERCr G

PERFECTION.
TATTOO I NG

The Beacon
wants members

to join for the Fall!

~t il:eXt
.SZ2S7
Uls;e !me k.ei;word
,ltWmlke:sU llln g
'N h our
message!

Iit's a~!

Writers / designers / photographers
copyeditors / advertising reps

No experience needed. Payment
available for long-term work.
Contact ashley.evert@wilkes.edu

#WilkesUDining
lunch was great
today!! Thanks!

Joe Binotto, general manager
570-408-3993

wilkes.edu/campus-life/dining-on-campus/

�</text>
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.....
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Have a bre~ng story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Beacon Briefs
Glow Run
The "Just Glow With It" Glow Run SK will take place on April
17 starting at the UCOM building and finishing at the Riverfront
portal. Registration begins at 8 p.m.The race will begin at 10
p.m. Registration is $5 for students and $10 for non-students.
All proceeds will go to the American Foundation of Suicide
Prevention. Any questions, email samantha.davidson@wilkes.
edu or michelle.kuzma@wilkes.edu.

Eddie Elgonitis to be Honored During Mailroom
Dedication on April 17
· The University community is invited to a ceremony to
dedicate the mailroom in memory of Edward Elgonitis Sr.
"Eddie's Mailroom'' will commemorate the infectious spirit of
our fellow Colonel who served Wilkes as a staff member for
33 years before his passing in January. The ceremony begins at
11:15 a.m. on Aeril 17, outside the mailroom, located on the
Henry Student Center second floor. Light refreshments will be
served.

MSC Baltimore Trip
MSC will be hosting a free trip to · B~timore on Saturday,
April 18. Students will be leaving the Henry .Student Center at
8 a.m. and leaving Baltimore to return to Wilkes-Barre at 6 p.m.
Students can optionallr. pay $10 to go to the National Aquarium.
Sign ups will be at the Front Desk.
·

Career Planning for Jrs. &amp; Seniors Offered
Juniors and seniors may join this one credit elective class
held on Wednesdays, 12:00-12:50 p.m., CRN 30906. Course
aids in career planing, resumes, application letters, interview
skills and professional networking.

SG Notes: Ulp~tal projects, APS, LKS,
HAWC funds; Mock Trial; ASME funds

" SpbrtS t

By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer

LA&amp;

Opinion.~

Sara, PiSSk
DESIGN EDITO~S
D
.
ChnsKenn

Moe. •:f\'~~
Nicole Ku
{

_,

:

;;

On Wednesday, Wilkes University's
Student Government held its weekly meeting.
To follow up on last week's meeting, Capital
Projects has voted to fund the new Neurotraining facility that will be on campus
starting this fall. This facility will be used
to help students with stress management,
improving grades, concentration and selfregulation. It will also give internship and
work study opportunities. The total cost
of this project is $28,750, but with some
funding from the university, they need about
$15,250. Student Government has voted to
allocate $15,000 toward this project. ·
Another follow up on last week's meeting,
there was a request from APS, The American
Psychological Society. The club has requested
$323.25 to cover one participant's registration
fees as well as their round trip bus fare to
attend the National Conference in New York
City this May. Student Government voted to
allocate the full amount to APS.
Next, Lambda Kappa Sigma (LKS) a
pharmacy fraternity on campus has requested
funding for an upcoming conference this
summe~. They have requested $395 · per
person for 11 members. Student Government
• voted to allocate the total amount for up to
11 members.
Next, HAWC the health and wellness club
on campus is putting on a late night lift ·at th~
YMCA. The event will be held April 27 from

. 6:30-8:30 p.m. The club has requested $850 in
order to pay the trainers, other supplies and
for t-shirts. Student Government has voted
to allocate the full $850 to the club. The event
will be 9pen·and free to all Wilkes Students.
The last follow up from last week, there
is a new Mock Trial Club on campus that
has requested for Student Government
club recognition. This club already has
many interested members and hopes to
continue brining in new students. Student
Government voted to grant the Mock Trial
club recognition.
One new request in this week's meeting
came from ASME. They are getting ready
to put on their ninth annual car show next
week. The show is open up to the university,
as w.ell as all comm.unity members. The event
usually brings in about 100-200 p_articipants.
They have requested $1,400 for T-shirts, $250
• for food and drinks for staff members, $ 100$200 for the music entertainment and $200
for the awards, for a total of $2,100. Student
Government will cast its final vote in next
week's meeting.
.
·
The council reviewed the Treasurer's
report. The current .budget is as follows:
All College: $724.60; Conference: $925.00;
General Funds: $7,227.14; for a Student
Government total of$10.126.74.

t:"I @wilkesbeacon

-

l:J taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

life;a&amp;e........... 7

�The Beacon - April 14, 2015

News

3

Violence erupts around Wilkes·-Barre,·seven shot over span of five days

□

4/1 - Man shot,
died at hospital

4/3 - Man found
dead inside
home
4/3 - Two men shot
outside
C lub Envy
4/4 - Man &amp;
woman shot in
Interfaith Apts.
4/6 - Man shot
outside
Boulevard i ownhor'nes

By Pat Walther
Asst. News Editor

2013 was a bad year for Wilkes-Barre.
According to FBI statistics and published
reports, it was more likely for someone
to be killed in the Diamond City than in
New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago or
Pittsburgh.
It was a startling fact for locals to share
with others.
Fast forward to April 2015, and seven
people were shot in a matter of five days.
• Despite the shootings, Wilkes University's
Director of Public Safety, Chris Jaego, wants
to reassure students of their safety.
"We work closely with the city police and
feed them information about what we see
and hear and they do the same with us;' he
said.
In a press conference, Wilkes-Barte
Mayor Tom Leighton said saturation patrols

Ill ust ration by Pat Walther
This map shows t he areas in wh ich t he recent shootings occured. Wilkes University's campus is highlighted in red . .

are continuing throughout the city. The city
is also working closely with the Luzerne
County Dishict Attorney's Office.
Tony George, a former Wilkes-Barre
police chief who is running this year
for mayor of the city, described WilkesBarre as being in "a crisis of violence and
lawlessness;' according to press release
published on his Facebook page. Leighton
is not running again for mayor.
In a press conference, Wilkes-Barre Police
Chief Robert Hughes was quick to argue
against accusations that shoddy police work
is to blame for the shooting.
"It's not a lack of law enforcement. We're
out there; our officers and our detectives are
out the.re;' Hughes said.
"We're aggressively targeting crime.

Specifically drug crimes, which we know
a lot of times lead to this type of violent
crime:'
Lt. Philip Miller of Wilkes' Public Safety
~xplained the campus is a safe place.
"The downtown area· where we're based
out of is generally safe. It's populated by a
lot of people outside of the area coming to
shop, go to the movies, students frequent it:'
Miller stated,
According to police and published
reports:
The first bullet that hit was fired
around 10 p.m. on April 1. Jason
Khaleen-Rowe, 25, of Bronx, New
York, died in the hospital the •
following Friday of a single gunshot
wound to the pelvis, Wilkes-Barre

police said.
Also on April 3, Peter Bielecki Jr.,
49, was found dead inside his Carey
Avenue home, reportedly shot.
Earlier that day, two men were shot
outside of Club Envy on South Main
Street shortly after 4 a.m. Their
names were not available as of Friday.
A man and woman were shot inside
of Interfaith Apartments off of Coal_
St. on April 4.
Around 1:30 a.m. on April 6, police
responded to a call of a man shot
outside Boulevard Townhomes on
South Welles Street.
@wilkesbeacon
patrick.walther@wilkes.edu

Students reflect on campus safety, proximity to recent crime
By Toni Pennello
Staff Writer
In light of the recent shootings in Wilkes-

Barre, Wilkes students are often forced to
consider ways they might be affected.
Margaret Galatioto, a freshman pre-med
student, voiced concern for the comfort of
the Wilkes student body.
"I feel like it puts many people, especially
parents, on edge when they hear about it on
the news, and that it can definitely sway new
students' opinions on coming to this school;'
she said. "Students should feel safe at the
school they are attending, so I feel that new

safety measures or other solutions need to be
made soon:'
Ji. few of these violent shootings, so.me
fatal, have taken place near the Wilkes
campus.
Junior biochemistry major, Sarah Hankey
is well aware of the dangerous events.
"It is scary to hear about all of these
shootings in such a short period of time.
I live in a smaller town and you don't hear
much about shootin"gs in my area;' she said.
"It seems like in Wilkes-Barre it is becoming
more common and it is hard to place blame
about why it is happening:'

Both Hankey and Galatioto share the
belief that further safety measures must take
place in order to end the violence.
"It might help if they had more police on ·
duty. While walking · around, I barely see
them;' f-!:ankey said.
Casey Krause, a freshman biology major,
knew of the shootings but was not aware of
their multitude and proximity to the campus.
Upon reading a list of the dates and locations
of the shootings, however, he did not seem
surprised.
"It seems like this is a usual thing to happen
around here. I think the school is doing a

good job keeping us informed;' he said
Students have been informed of the events
via local news and campus chatter.
"I live off campus, so like it's all over the
news;' said Kasey Gandara, a freshman
biology major.
"I think that it's just such a nice area but
it's such a small town ... shootings happen
everywhere but it's a big deal here because of
how close we all are;' she explained. "It's just
.
really scary to think that there's violence and
what's going to happen next:'
·
@wilkesbeacon
toniann.pennello@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - April 14, 2015

News

4

Profile of a Professor: Dr. Jeffery Stratford
Biology; from the field to the classroom
ByToni Pennello
Staff Writer

Dr. Jeffrey Stratford is an associate
professor of biology at Wilkes. He teaches
Conservation Biology, Bio Stats, Field
Zoology, introductory Biology labs, and
helps with Population Evolution.
Originally from the small town of
Washington, New Jersey, Stratford received
his Bachelor's degree from Rutgers
University, his Master's from Southeastern
Louisiana University, and his PhD from
Auburn University.
Stratford's home life led to a love ofnature
and an interest in the field of biology.
"Despite it being New Jersey, I grew up in a
very rural part. I was the youngest child with
two older sisters, so I spent a lot of time alone
walking through the woods;' he explained.
Most of his research deals with birds,
indicative of this interest in nature. He
recently spent some time in the Tropics,
and had two papers come out regarding
his research. He hopes to go back, and take

students with him to particip~te in research.
He often invites his students to come off
campus with him to experience research
hands-on in the field.
"I know that most of them are going
into the health profession, and once they
get into that they won't have many of these
opportunities," he said.
He also boasts a good relationship with his
students.
"It's respectful, but very light and very
funny. I try to make it fun, and do different
things that students don't normally do, like
go snow-shoeing:'
For him, the most rewarding aspect of
his teaching career is watching his students
· succeed.
"It's a long term thing, so I like seeing
students come in, and then seeing them
become successful five, six, seven, or eight
years later;' he said.
Even in his free time, Stratford likes to do
things that relate to his interest in biology,
such as hiking, fishing, and mountain biking;
he also likes reading science fiction.

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

Stratford took his love of nature and made it into a career where he has
connected with many students, enjoying the success they have achieve'd upon
graduation.

g

@wilkesbeacon
toniann.pennello@wjlkes.edu

Wilkes Honors Program to begi~ F_all 2015;
Benefits to first year students: success, achievement
By Sarah Bedford

university faculty and staff.
high school graduating class.
"In addition to an Advisory C,ouncil of ·
While the program does require extra
six faculty members, representing each of courses, it does reap benefits to enrolled
In the fall 2015 semester, 30 Wilkes the six schools at the University, a Student students.
University incoming freshman will begin the Development staff member serves on the
Along with access to field trips, dinners
fist year of the revived honors program as committee with a focus on developing and notable speakers on campus., honors
one had existed in prior years.
experiential learning opportunities that will students will receive a housing scholarship
The program, which is centered on dovetail with classroom learning;' explained valued at $7800 along with any qualifying
the university's values of mentorship, Allen.
merit scholarships he or she receives; an
scholarship, diversity, innovation and
The program requires 22 honors credits, enrichment grant to help cover academic
community, also places high emphasis on most of which are incorporated into the costs such as study abroad and research. This
leadership in personal and professional students regular course load.
is broken down to $ 1000 for the first two
settings, integrity in demonstrating ethical
Allen explained that the program is flexible years of study and $2000 annually for their
and moral standards, self-awareness and to accommodate all majors.
last two years.
academic distinction.
In order to be selected for the program,
Students who are residents will also . be
According to Dr. Mark Allen, Interim students must fulfill certain academic placed in a living-learning community with
Director of the Honors Program, the program requirements as well as submissions. ·
other first year students.
has been in the works as university President
''.All students had to complete an application
He or she will receive first priority access to
Patrick Leahy brought the idea back to the which included an essay. Each app was scored, course selection as well as additional support
-campus community.
using a rubric, by two faculty members:' said in career counseling-and assistant in applying
"Dr. Leahy was a driving force in getting Allen. "Each interview also had two faculty for graduate school or scholarships.
the university community thinking about members. The evaluators based decisions
If the honors courses go over the course
resurrecting an honors program;' explained · on a variety of factors including diversity of load credit limit, these courses will not be
Allen. "A taskforce spent over a year majors and backgrounds:'
charged at an additional cost, as per academic
developing the program and then getting it
Students must also have an SAT score of advisors.approval.
approved by the faculty:'
1,500 or higher or an ACT score of 23 or
Participation in the honors program will
The program is oversaw by various higher, or rank in the top 20 percent of their also be noted on their transcripts as well as at
News Editor

commencement.
While the monetary benefits act as
incentive, Allen explains that the overall
experience is what counts.
"The value of participation far exceeds
II}Onetary rewards by providing intellectual
experiences that challenge the academic
strengths of the students involved;' said
Allen.In order to remain enrolled in the
program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA
at the end of the freshman year, a 3.2 after
the sophomore year, and a 3.3 after the junior
year.
To graduate with honors, students must
end the senior year with a GPA of at least 3.4.
The student must also receive 3.0 or higher
in all grades and will only be permitted one
grade of a 2.5 in an honors course.
If a student wishes, he or she may leave the
program however, the benefits will no longer
be in place.
Currently, the program is only available to
first-year students.

""

@wilkesbeacon
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

'l1

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�The Beacon - April 14, 2015

5

News

Indiana Governor signs controversial religiou·s freedom bill
By Gabby Glinski
News Photographer and Staff Writer •

On April 2, Indiana Governor Mike Pence
signed the controversial religious freedom
bill into a law. The bill and signing of the law
sparked controversy across the country.
The law prohibits state or local
governments from substantially burdening a
person's ability to exercise their religion. The
law will take effect July 1.
The law was meant to protect religious
freedom, which Pence claimed "our first
freedom:'
Although the bill does not mention sexual

orientation, opponents fear it could allow
business.owners to deny services to LGBTQA
individuals for religious reasons.
In efforts to fix the confusion made by the
signed bill, Pence clarified to Indianapolis
reporters, "We'll fix this, and we'll move
forward. I believe in my heart of hearts that
no one should be harassed or mistreated
because of who they. are, who they love or
what they believe:'
Howeyer, Pence declined to support
legislation explicitly banning discrimination
against LGBTQA individuals in Indiana. "It's
not on my agenda;' said the Governor.
Among the opponents stand many

celebrities. Noyelist John Green, Colts
punter Pat McAfee, television personality
Monte! Williams, and Star Trek actor George
Takei all expressed opposition to the recently
passed law.
"It's all just bulls--t, I think that sums
it up pretty well:' stated Wilkes student
Eliza Neidlinger, junior psychology major,
expressing her opinion on the Indiana law.
"While sometimes we feel discouraged
by local setbacks, I strongly believe that
the struggle for equal rights will eventually
prevail;' stated Dr. Andrea Maierean, Wilkes
political science professor, remaining positive
in the outcome of the law. "The progress is

however incremental and patience is needed.
Laws like the one passed in Indiana might
delay the result, but they will hopefully not
negatively affect the outcome:'
Pence signed the bill during a private
ceremony. . He was in the c-ompany of
Franciscan monks and nuns, orthodox
Jews, and some of Indiana's most powerful
lobbyists on conservative social issues. The
event was closed to the public and the press.
The law makes Indiana the 20th state to
adopt this kind oflegislation.

f""'I
m:J

@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

Pride Fest to be held by the Wilkes Un iversity GSA
By Gabby Glinski
News Photographer and Staff Writer

The Wilkes University Gay-Straight
Alliance will host its first Pride Fest in
several decades on April 21 and April 22.
The Pride Fest will be held over two days
and consist of three events.
The start · of the Pride Fest will take
place on the Greenway on· April 21 from
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There .will be games,
a bake sale, and a tie dye t-shirt event.
Tables from local organizations such as
The Rainbow Alliance, Wilkes University
Health Services, Caring Communities,
Equality PA, and the Wilkes GSA will be

represented and nave information tables
for students to explore loc~l services.
A Variety Show and Rain-Glow parade
will be held on April 22. The Variety Show
will start at 7:30 p.m. and the Rain-Glow
parade will follow immediately after.
The Variety Show will host an array of
performances including slam poetry,
stand-up comedy, musical performances,
and performances by professional and
amateur drag queen and kings. Prizes and
snacks will also be offered. Glow sticks
will be given to participants and audience
of the Variety Show for the Rain-Glow
parade. The parade will stretch across
campus in a demonstration of pride.

Tickets for the Variety Show are $5 and
will be sold in -the· SUB before Pride Fest
or can be bought by contact Emily Zavada
at emily.zavada@wilkes.edu. All proceeds
will benefit The Rainbow Alliance,
a NEPA organization that provides
education, support, and advocacy for
LGBTQA individuals and families.
"Our main goal for the Pride Fest events
are to spread awareness to the Wilkes
community about LGBT issues and
resources:' said Emily Zavada, student
and lead 9rganizer of Pride Fest. She
hopes to get local organiz&lt;ltions involved
so students can be informed about. what
services are available.

"We also want to have fun while
spreading.
information:'
continued
Zavada.
Any volunteers wh9 would like to
help with the supervising of Pride Fes·t
activities are asked td contact either Dr.
Helen Davis at helen.davis@wilkes.edu
or Emily Zavada at emily.zavada@wilkes.
edu. Variety Show participants and bake
sale goods for the Greenway Pride Fest
event are also needed.

'-

@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

Wilkes hosts House Democratic_P~licy Committee Hearing
_ B;tJennifer Ba_
ro_n_ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Staff Writer

On April 5, Wilkes University hosted
the House Democratic Policy Committee
Hearing, which focused on the topic,
"Education Funding:'
Members of the panel included: David
Volkman, the Executive Deputy Secretary of
the Pennsylvania Department of Education,
Dr. Bernard Prevuznak, Superintendent
of Wilkes-Barre Area School District,
Andrew Kuhl, Superintendent of Hanover
Area School District, Dr. Anthony
· Grieco, Executive Director of the Luzerne
Intermediate Unite 18, Susan Gobreski,
Executive Director of the Education Voters
of Pennsylvania, and Jeff Ney, Northeasters
Region President of the Pennsylvania State
Education Association.

David-Volkman was the-first to speak-and
provided a detailed overview of Governor
Wolf's plan for education funding.
To begin, he discussed the negative
aspects about funding that were brought
about by the previous administration.
Volkman said that the poverty level is on
the rise and that the region is currently
dealing with a poverty crisis, not an
education crisis.
.
The problems with education are a direct
result of the increasing poverty. Because
of this increase, schools are receiving less
money from property taxes, so the districts
must depend on a majority of their funding
to come from the state government.
Gov. Wolf is attempting to fix the damage
that was done over the past four years,
which was caused by one billion dollars
worth of funding cuts in school districts

aeross Pennsylvania.
Despite the substantial cuts that have
been made to education, Gov. Wolf has
proposed a contract that will get education
funding back to where it used to be.
Tl}e current funding in Pennsylvania
is less than 30 percent, and compared to
education funding across the country, that
is the lower end of the spectrum. Because
of this, property taxes are increased to
make up for the lack of funding.
To counteract this, Gov. Wolf plans to
spend $1.15 billion of the states budget
on education in general. To split it up, $9
million will go toward dual enrollment
courses, $16 million for cyber schools, and
$140 million for colleges.
This funding will also allow for a 75
percent enrollment increase · in prekindergarten (pre-k) programs. This means

an additional 14,000 students receiving
education prior to starting kindergarten.
The children who do not have the financial
means to attend pre-k programs are 18
months behind their peers who could
afford a pre-k education. Now, children
will have the opportunity to be on the same
level when they begin schooling.
The increased funding from the state will
also cut property taxes by over 50 percent.
Specifically in Luzerne County, residents
will be able to save over 800 dollars in
property taxes~ This would make a huge
difference since the median property tax in
Luzerne County is $1,152.
@wilkesbeacon
jennifer.baron@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - April 14, 2015

News

6

Senior Week
Senior Meeting
Thursday, April 9th 11 :15 a.m.
Henry Student Center Ballroom

Commencement Rehearsal ·
Friday, M~y 15th 11 :00 a.m.
Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center

Senior Salute
Wednesday, April 15th 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 16th 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Henry Student Center Ballroom

Academic Awards Ceremony
Friday, May 15th 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts

Extracurricular/Leadership Awards Luncheon
Thursday, April 23rd 11 a.m.
Henry Student Center Ballroom
Senior Picnic
Monday, May 11th 3 p.m. -6 p.m.
Fenner Quadrangle
Champagne Brunch
Wednesday, May 13th 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m ..
Henry Student Center Ballroom
By ticket only.
Final Farewell
Wednesday, May 13th - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

TBA
15th Annual Pharmacy Dean's Golf Tournament
Thursday, May 14th Mount Laurel Golf Club, White Haven, PA
http://www.mountainlaurelgolfclub.com Includes lunch, dinner,
prizes Registration- 11 :30-1 :00 Shot-gun Start 1 :00 Current Wilkes
Students $90.00 All others $110.00 Reservations Required Please
email theresa.rule@wilkes.edu Or Call 570 408-4270
President's Dinner Dance Honoring the Class of 2015
Thursday, May 14th 6 p.m. -11 p.m.
Woodlands Inn and Resort

President's Reception Honoring the Class of 2015
Friday, May 15th 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Weckesser Hall
Baccalaureate Service
Friday, May 15th 6:45 p.m.
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts
Pharmacy Professional Hooding Ceremony
Friday, May 15th 7:30 p.m.
Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Friday, May 15th 1 :00 p.m.
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts
AFROTC Commissioning
Saturday, May 16th 9:00 a.m.
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts
68th Annual Spring Commencement
Saturday, May 16th
Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center
Graduate Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. (doors open at
9a.m.)
Bachelor's Degree Ceremony begins at 3 p.m. (doors
open at 2 p.m

Shuttle service available.

Graphics by Moe Woodard

•
Weather Beat: April 14 - April 17
Tues.

Wed .

Thurs.

Fri.

,,,,
67 °
39°
AM Showers

68°
41 °
Sunny

68°
49°
Partly Cloudy

66°
47°
AM Showers

Forecast as of April 10 taken from weather.com

�The Beacon - April 14, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

Eating more green leads to·being less mean __
By Austin Ely
Staff Writer

r-""'"'=:;::==:=:-::z::::-;

·

A person's diet cari contribute to his or
her health physically, but recent studies
and research are now showing it can also
contribute to mental health as well.
Vitamins and their connections to
mentai health have been confirmed
throughout the years. For example, a
deficiency in certain B vitamins has
been linked to depression. However, the
connection between vitamins and mental
health may be the key point in a much
broader discussion about diet as a whole.
It is not just about the vitamins a person
consumes through diet, but it is also about
other things like omega-3 fatty acids which
are a complementary treatment for mental
illnesses like depression.
The discussion of how dietary patterns
influence mental health has beeri aimed
to change the way mental illnesses. are
diagnosed, treated and prevented.. %is
research is being looked at as "the tipping
point" of psychiatry.
The modern diet, while high in calories,
does not contain enough things like
Vitamin D, Omega-3s, B Vitamins, zinc,

The Beacon/Nicole Zukowski

Studies are showing that eating healthy foods helps with one's mental health.
There are links between vit~min intake and depression.

iron and magnesium.
"Hiring a nutritionist would be a good.
idea if this person created programs
to educate students;' said Dr. Edward
Schictano,
aassociate
professor of
psychology.
Low levels of key B Vitamins for
example have been linked to depression.
Low levels of materhal Vitamin D may be
connected to a child's risk of developing
schizophrenia, one of the most debilitating

mental illnesses.
Although the cause of mental health
issues may differ based on psychological,
emotional, biological, dietary and
environmental factors, lookirig at how
to improve dietary patterns will change
how traditional lines of treatment such as
pharmaceuticals. and various therapies are
used. Experts would simply have another
tool to aid patients.
Knowing this, the question of whether a

new dietary position should be created to
provide students access to mental health
and dietary resources could be raised.
" I'm not sure how many students would
voluntar:ily go to see a nutritionist for this
information," Schicatano said.
According to t:Jie Anxiety and Depression
Association of America, anxiety disorders
are often prominent issues among college
campuses and its students.
Schicatano offered further comment on
this.
"... there is a lot of research indicating that
stress and negative emotions are a leading
cause. of many problems lµce physical
· illness, pain, and addiction:'
He also stated that some mental illnesses
like depression can cause "physical
manifestations" which can hinder a person
as well.
The reason to hire a full time nutritionist
or find ways to educate students on the
effects of their diets on their brains is
present. It seems as if the term "brain food"
is now a term with context.
@wi/kesbeacon
qustin.ely@wilkes.edu

Wilkes offers Mandarin; adds diversi_ty to lang~age o·fferings
electives is Mandarin. Hepp sees this as an most widely spoken first language in the
"important language" that wil be beneficial world;' he said.
In addition Wang also states that, "China
to students.
Language is important.
"Learning Mandarin in a world where is the second largest economy in the world
From a professional standpoint, being
China is. becoming increasingly important and is one of the United States' largest
able to communicate and connect with
is going to be important no matter what trading partners:'
others who are not native English speakers
your major is because you're going to
This brings the gro~ing n~ed for more
is important as business becomes more ·
eventually encounter someone who speaks Mandarin speakers to light.
globally-focused.
Mandarin;' he said. ·
''We talk at Wilkes all the time about
That global focus has created a demand
Zhaoyang Wang, member of the Asian global education. To me, the clearest
for multilingual speakers and is one of the
Culture Society, agrees that learning commitment to.this is teaching languages:'
reasons Dr. John Hepp, history associate
Mandarin is incredibly important ana will
Learning Mandarin, among other
professor and co-chair of the Wilkes
be a very useful skill for those who want to . languages, could provide what Wilkes aims
University's Global History and Languages
to do, which is becoming more globalized
further their careers.
Department, has wanted to expand the
"One-fifth of the world speaks Chinese and interactive in other cultures.
number oflanguage offerings.
and [Mandarin] is the mother tongue of
Anyone interested in learning more
The newest language added to the
over 853 million people, making it the about Mandarin or offering other
By Josephine Latimer
Staff Writer

languages should contact Hepp at john.
hepp@wilkes.edu

What languages would you
like to see offered at Wilkes?
"'
Email
nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu
with your suggestioris.

1:"11 @wilkesbeacon
l!=J josephine./atimer@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - April 14, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

8

Casino Night gave students chances to get lucky

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Students had the oppertunity last Friday night to become pals with Lady Luck
at Student Government's Casino Night.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Students crowd the poker table in hopes of beating the student government
dealers.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Student Government gave out prizes ranging from gift cards to expensive
electronics, with everything from a mountain bike and a kayak in between.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Christian Giovannini spins the roulette wheel in hopes of helping fellow
Colonels gain chips for a chance at the prizes.

�I

The Beacon - April 14, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

6 Reasons why Silicide 11 Awareness'' ·is not enou_g h
By Emily DeAngelis
Staff Writer

•

EVERYONE KNOWS SOMEONE

According to the American Foundation
for Suicide · Prevention (AFSP), since
2010, suicide rates have risen and stood
• constant despite increased efforts for
raised awareness. We acknowledge the
Day of Silence, World Suicide Prevention
Day and Month, but as these days pass
from our minds, suicide is still real and
relevant in the minds of its potential
victims:
While this article is not to speculate
a solution, what can hopefuµy be
uncovered are the reasons why society's
increased efforts to help those suffering
from mental illness are sometimes still in
vein and the changes that can be made in
the hopes of bringing light to those who
struggle with mental health.

•

A common thought when the topic
of mental health arises is that everyone
is connected to someone who has
struggled with their well-being. The
problem, however, is that not everyone
is prepared to help. Beyond offering
support and providing information of
. the services offered by the University,
many have trouble advocating to others
in the manner that they need.
· At Wilkes, there exists a prepared and
compassionate faculty that will support
anyone in this position. If you know
someone struggling with mental health,
do not hesitate to reach out to someone in
the Wilkes University community, visit
the first floor of Passan Hall, or call 570408-4730 to schedule an appointment.
WE ARE NOT TARGETING ALL All counseling services at Passan Hall are
free and confidential.
THE RIGHT AUDIENCES

The CDC and AFSP report that the
highest suicide rate was among people
45-64 (19. 1) years of age. The second
highest rated occurred in those over
85 (18.6). However, typical suicide
awareness programs are aimed at the
lower percentiles. This is not without just
cause. Teen Mental Health Organization
cites ~uicide as one of the top three global
causes of teen deaths. Although it can
be helpful to promote ·prevention, the
goal should be to promote self-help for
everyone in every stage of life, not just
the younger demographic. A suggested,
but not proven technique, was that of
sending postcards. It is suggested that at
specific integrals post attempted suicide,
the person be sent follow up post cards
just to remind them that they are in the
thoughts of someone else. Although the
study was not conclusive, it did show
some promising results. One thought
is to send preventative post car&lt;ls to
those in nursing homes in the hopes of
reaching out to them so they know that
despite how they feel, they are in fact,
never alone.

•

•

SUICIDE IN THE MEDIA_

stubborn and foolishly driven thus
avoiding intervention when help is
readily available, coaches and players
need to keep an open dialogue in order
to stop these issues before they have the
opportunity to fester.

I covering a famous person's death,
such as Robin Williams, really promoting
their actions? More than 50 studies have
found that the media coverage of suicide
deaths can increase the likelihood
of vulnerable individuals to commit
suicide. The amount, prominence and
duration of the coverage all contribute to · •
''AWARENESS" HAS A
the increase.
FLEETING TONE
There are a plethora of media resources
that provide additional places for those
in a vulnerable state to get help. One that
We raise awareness on given days, we
is readily available is suicide.org and its wear specific colors for specific causes
helpline, 1-800-suicide. This site also and maybe even doni te a dollar or two.
provides statements for the media to For suicide awareness, yellow is worn on
copy verbatim in the hopes of preventing Sept. 10 in acknowledgement of World
contagion suicide attempts due to media Sufride Prevention Day. While these
coverage. When dealing with · these days are incredibly important, equally,
topics in coverage and if unsure of how if not more important, is continuing
to utilize best practices, consult this or awareness beyond them.
similar websites for helpful statements
and figures to model after.

PROGRAMS EXIST, BUT ARE
NOT ALWAYS IMPLEMENTED
•

REACTIONS BY
ORGANIZATIONS

The AFSP has 12 different programs on
its website "for different target audience~:
When University of Pennsylvania
Programs for Teens and Young Adults, Runner Madison Holleran took her life,
Programs for Com~ unities and it prompted backlash against the NCAA'.s
Programs for Professionals.
failure to address the mental health of
However, not everyone goes through female_athletes in parti_cular.
a suici~e awareness and/?r prevention
A recent article appeared on the
program in high school. Why, if these Student Athlete Journal has gone
resources are readily available and viral for speculations of the climate
successful, are they not used?
of many sports locker rooms and
Testing may be one reas_on.
the organizations disregard to fix the
High stakes testing is currently taking negativity. Issues mentioned were,
priority in schools and programs that "eating disorders, anxiety, substance
do QOt contribute to the school's score abuse, sleeping problems, depression
advancement are typically left on the and suicide, to name a few:• The NCAA
back burner and are shown too late provided its guide to dealing with mental
to work as prevention. While at the health and noted that, "they are not a
University level, th~ time exists to go medical institution:•
through these programs. Suicide plagues
The handling of Holleran's death
people of all ages and these programs are · could serve as an example for other
best if utilized throughout .the lifespan, organizations to follow, and the
starting at a young age.
example should be a positive one. The
most tangible solution offered was an
increase in dialogue. Athletes can be

@wilkesbeacon
emilyrose.deangelis@wilkes.edu

Here are some resources:

SAVE: Suicide Awareness
and Voices of Education
American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention
SPEA: Suicide Prevention
and Education Alliance
WILKES U: Pass an Hall,
first floor or 570-4084730

r

�The Beacon - April 14, 2015

Life, Ar.ts &amp; Entertainment

She said, He said

"You're not listening to me!"; gender norms ~f arguing
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

When it comes to disagreeing, research
shows that men and women take different
tactics to get their point across.
Females are said to communicate to
establish and maintain relationship in
order to share and learn things with
others. Talking is essential to how most
females communicate with others. This
interpretation of the female speech
supports the notion that when in a
disagreemeat, females will talk it out,
leaving everything · that supports their
position on the table. They also want to
hear the other's point of view.
This differs from the male speech
because most men want to assertive
their dominance and tend to give advice
on what one should do. Males are more
action prone than the female's ways or
talking first.
Reflecting this personally on myself, I
find.my arguing styles to differ depending

on the medium of communication and
situation. People usually come to me
because I give good advice, but first I listen
to them talk then give my opinions of what
they should do.
Since we are living in the technology
generation now, arguing electronically is
common. I see this as the worst form of
communication when you are trying to
dissolve a disagreement. In this form, I
find myself definitely writing novels to get
my point across. In texting, myself and
other females I've talked to about this all
agree, that when having a disagreement
that. you end up writing lengthy messages,
then the other person replies with a "K"
or an one sentence message you become
more agitate.
This example could help support the
theory that women need ·to talk out
arguments instead of trying to just fix the
problem and forget about it.

A

@wi/kesbeacon

l=J nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu

By Justin Topa
Asst. Life, A&amp;E Editor

Even in the strongest of friendships,
arguing seems to be inevitable anq the
ways in which these situations are handled
can vary. One contributing factor to
hacking out the hassle may lie in gendered
norms.
Studies in gendered communication
show that men typically resort to working
on solving the problem at hand rather than
simply discussing a problem and generally
engage in conversation that allows them
to assert dominance and show knowledge.
WhUe it is reported commonly that men
use talk to establish and defend personal
beliefs and ideas, it is also reported that
men iend to respect the independence of
others and avoid condescending.
While I'm generally described as rather
easy-going and open, there are gendered
communication norms I find myself
slipping into while in a quarrel with a
friend. My main goal in an argument is

to solve a tlligible problem. Demonstrated
knowledge and an openness. to others
views are two tools that must often be used
to solve the issue at hand. I do not attempt •
· to control or dominate an argument, as I
find the only way a heated discussion can
be beneficial is thr~ugh an open discussion
and, more often than not, compromise.
· In an ever-adapting world, these
gendered communication tactics mjly seem
outdated and tl;tere are always exceptions.
The studies referred to above can be found
·within Julia T. Wood's textbook, Geadered
Lives.
To learn more about these rules and
gendered
communication,
students
may take Gender · and Communication,
a course taught by Dr. Mia Briceno, or
Interpersonal, Communication taught by
Dr. Jane Elmes-Crahall.
If you have any opinions about how
gender affects having disagreement please
email at the address below.
@wilkesbeacon
justin.topa@wilkes.edu

15th annual Tom Bigler Journalism Conference brings local students to Wilkes

The Beacon/ Nicole Zu kowski
Dottie Martin, Community News Group Editor ofThe Times Leader and editor
for a number of local newspapers, moderates a workshop for the high school
students inside the Beacon office on the first floor of Conyngham Hall.

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski
The keynote speech was given by Jim Gaven us, photojournalist, who describes
his job as one of a "storyteller" and a "messenger''.

�The Beacon - April 14, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

Ski and Snowboard Club
wr~ps up snowy season
Mountain, Big Boulder Mountain, and
By William Deemer
the annual Killington, VT trip o:ver winter
Contributing Writer
break.
Grobinski has bee]) organizing the
When the . winter months come most
people stay inside, but member of the Vermont trip for the last two years.
"It has been the best part of my winter
Wilkes University Ski and Snowboard
Club can often be found on the mountain break since I started college. I don't know
what I'm going to do after I graduate;' he_
riding and enjoying the winter. •
The club is very active on campus, and said of the trip.
Grobinski and a few of the Ski and
it continues to grow as current members
Snowboard Club members rode at the
seek out new snow lovers.
The club is rumored to have started in CollegeRailJam recently at Montage
the 60s by a few men who wanted to ride Mountain.
He and other students
promoted the club at the contest and ·m et
with their friends and enjoy the sport.
"That's what it's all about ... riding with people from different colleges.
friends and meeting new people;' said
The club takes care of its members
Michael Grobinski, club president. "It's utilizing all ways and places t~ ride
always fun to ride and also a good way to accommodating skiers, snowboarders
meet new people and bond over a great and snow tubers so everyon!! enjoys the
sport."
mountains.
If you are looking for a club or just
The Ski and Snowboard Club has
roughly between 150-200 members that something new to do, the Ski and
are active with ch,1b riding and involved in • Snowboard Club is accepting all new
events both on and off campus. The club potential members for next winter.
f"'II @wilkesbeacon
does everything from designing new shirts
l.:J William.Deemer@Wilkes.edu
and snowboards to club trips to Montage

u·

HUMANS OF WILKES
UNIVERSITY

••

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees

Wilkes University Programming Board hosted transformational comedian
Kyle Cease on April 9. He spoke on self-worth and love.

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1

.
When she was 16, Sophia* made a promise to herself: if she couldn't meet the expectations
her family arid peers had set for her by the time she was 21, she would take her own life.
Since 13, she said she lacked an environment that was supportive or helpful. Pressure from
st:hool and extracurriculars coupled with a chaotic home life led her to start self-harming.
"Cutting was my way of coping with overwhelming anxiety," Sophia said. "In order to shut
it out and see it in form."
This cycle continued for years. By the time she turned 21 her junior year at Wilkes, her
family life "had gotten ~~t of control;' and everything started becoming increasingly ov~rwhelming for her. When the semester ended and summer came, the chaos was left without
. a structure, and it became too much to handle.
She d~cided it was time to make good on her promise.
Sophia was ready to take an entire bottle of heart medication when a well-timed phone call
from her boyfriend intercepted her pl_an. While that was enough to make her change her
mind, Sophia said she still struggles with depressive and suicidal thoughts, as well self-

harm.

.

as

It hasn't been an easy road to recovery, although she said that talking has made it easier. "It
was really hard until I started opening up to more people; she said. "Growing and letting
myself talk about it has let me step away from .if' ·
Sophia's story is one that rings true for many ~thers. According to a study done by Berkeley.edu, one out of ten college students contemplated suicide. Suicide is also the second
leading cause of
. death for college-aged people, according to the same study. "The suicide
.
rates for college students are.astounding," Samantha Davidson, senior environmental engineering major, noted. "As college students, we put more pressure on ourselves:'

.

*Editor's Note: In the interest ofprotecting her identity and story, the student's name was changed. Having
known her for an extended period of time, the editor can confirm her story as.true. Sophia is currently attending
regular counseling sessions through the university and advises anyone with a similar story to do the same.

.

�Davidson is part of a team that helped to organize this year•s Glow Run SK, the proceeds
from which will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. ·The foundation's
message, as well as the aim of the SK, is to bring the conversation about suicide "out of the
dark," something Davidson said is important.
"[Suicide] is a topic that people don't like to talk about," Davidson said. "People affe e
suicidal thoughts .. .it's not as op~n as some of the others causes [breast cancer, etc.] so it•s
something that really needs the awareness. People need to realize that they aren't the only
one who has thought about it."·

Sephia agrees that suicide has a stigma surrounding it. She attributes this to it being sen'Sationalized in mass media, making some people believe that having suicidal or depressive
ughts is "ovef-dramatized:' "I think that view of it makes it jarring to people, makes it a
big deal and hard to talk about:• she said. "You're never sure what the other person is go1ng to think. There are too many ways for people to.respond to it to feel comfortable_saying
something without the fear of what will happen:'
While she acknowledges that it can be difficult, Sophia recoll}mends talking to someone if suicidal or depressive thoughts cross one•s mind, despite how harmless they may
seem. "Don't think it has to be some ideal to be the pinnacle of problem:· she said. "If you're
concerned with your well-being, even if you aren't self harming ....don't write it off as nothing. Talk to som~one sooner rather than later."
This year's Glow Run SK will take place on Friday, April 17, with registration starting at 8
p:m. at the UCOM. Registration is $5 for students and $10 for non-students, with all proceeds benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. For more information,
readers can contact Davidson at samantha.davidson@wilkes.edu.
Anyone struggling with depressive or suicidal thoughts is encouraged to reach out to the
national suicide prevention hotline at 1 (800) 273-8255.
Story by James Jaskolka

Design by Steve Dziedziak

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The Beacon - April 14, 2015

Opinion

14

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilkes.edu

Are we l_iving to work or working to live?:
Making 'cents' of what's important to society
By Allison Rossi
Staff Writer

In life, many strive to become rich and/or
increase their riches. When asked ·"would
you rather be rich or loved?" 14 out of
24 people chose that they would rather
become rich than be loved, according to the
experienceproject.com.
Money makes the world go round and
is necessary in everyday life. Money and
the desire for money has shaped the world
around .us. A majority of individuals work
and choose their: careers solely based on
what their salary is going to entail.
People look up to and inspire to be
like famous people not orlly due to their
popularity, but because of their market value
and their ma.terialistic expensive items.
Everything in this world costs something,
whether the payment is coming directly

from the citizens, or if it is coming from the life. Commerce reflects their health benefits
and coverage, what they · consume · to
government.
In order to survive properly and live eat, their clothing, their education, their
comfortably, one needs to have a steady connections, job opportunities, their status
salary and or save up enough money to live and power in society etc.
Money can lead to many positives and
· off of. If th~t individual has a family, they
need to support them as well this is one of luxury items, but there is also a dark side. to
the main factors why people are so desperate money as well. With wealth comes power;
and strive to attain money. Money is not a both wealth and power can corrupt society
cure for all in life, but it does influence the as a whole. The desire for money. can lead
to various .dangers. The strong pull and
factors mentioned above.
Benjamin Franklin stated, "In this world · desperate longing for wealth can change an
nothing can be s.aid to be certain, except individual. There are various crimes in the
death and taxes:' There is no escaping United States that are correlated to wealth.
According to the Bureau of Justice
money whether it bt: payment, property,
inheritance and most importantly, taxes to Statistics' National Crime Victimization
the government. Having wealth is extremely Survey (NCSV) in 2013, United States
powerful and can drastically change ones residents ages twelve or older experienced an
estimated 6.1 million violent victimizations
life in positive and negative ways.
An individual's wealth or salary and 16.8 million property victimizations.
determines many aspects in that persons In 2013 there were approximately 645,650

robberies,
approximately
3,286,210
burglaries, "661,250 motor vehicle thefts,
and approximately 12,826,60 thefts.
Some of these crimes are not all caused
by a lack of money .but they are correlated
or connected to· a lack of money. People
revolve their lives around making money.
Take college for example, students enro_i
in college to not only create a career of theu
choosing but to make more money as well.
Money is the ultimate goal of all jobs in fact
after college students graduate from college
they will begin to pay off their student loans.
In our society there is an ongoing cycle
and it is all revolved around wealth. Overall
the relationship our society has with money
is a very interesting one.
How far will you go for money? Is money
more important to you then love, happiness,
or your health?

Should Autism Speak(s) for everyone?
By Elyse Guziewicz
Staff Writer

As many of ·you may know, April is
Autism Awareness Month.
Autism Speaks, possibly the most wellknown "advocacy" organization geared
toward autism, promotes many events
during this time, including the popular
"Light It Up Blue" campaign to raise
awareness by changing white lights to blue
lights, putting blue filters over bulbs, or
wearing the color blue.
Autism Speaks, though being the first
narrative on autism many people hear, has
been criticized for its approaches as to how
it addresses autism. For example, Autism
Speaks' cure narrative only supplements
its mismanagement of funds and lack of
autistic voices.
To begin, it is important that I explain
what the cure narrative is. The cure narrative
propagates the idea·that autism is inherently
bad and requires a cure or test (likely done
prenatally, similar to Down's Syndrome) to
--prevent or remove it and turn autistics into
allistics.

This idea has proven to be very harmful
· to autistic people, including promoting or
implicitly endorsing the murder of "lowfunctioning" autistic individuals.
Autism Speaks is well known for
spreading the cure narrative~The major-ityof the money they make goes to research, ·
most of which supports the idea that autistic
individuals either need or want a cure.
In 2006, Autism Speaks created a short
film called "Autism Every Day;' which
includes a number of parents of autistic
children complaining about how difficult
their lives are and how autism is bad and
scary and has ruined their lives.
In the video, the parents also complain
about how their nonverbal children are
impossible to communicate with - despite
the fact that most of them are clearly trying
to communicate in the video, with one boy
even using sign language that the parent
clearly didn't understand.
Most shockingly, one mother admits that
she wanted to commit a murder/suicide by
driving herself and her daughter off a bridge,
which she found preferable to her daughter

"not making any progress:' She states the
only n;ason she didn't go through with it is
for the benefit of her allistic daughter.
As if their short films couldn't get any
worse, the. 2009 video "I Am Autism"
features an- ominous, trailer-like -voice
explaining that autism is a horrifying
monster just waiting to ruin your life. by
burdening you with an ·autistic child. The
shock! The horror! Your kid might be
neurodivergent - and you won't know until
it's too late!
Only about 4% of Autism Speaks' funds·
go toward what they call "Family and
Support Services" - the· only part of their
organization that actually helps autistic
people and their families/caretakers.
The rest goes to propagating the cure
mythos or advertisements that paint autistic
individuals as a burden to society and their
families.
To top it all off, Autism Speaks doesn't . .
have one - not one - autistic person on their
board of directors. That's like a feminist
organization run entirely by men, or the
NAACP being somehow overtaken by white

leadership. How can you claim to "speak"
for a condition when you aren't actually
being influenced by individuals with that
condition?
Our university has the misfortune, in
my opinion, of- hosting-a chapter of-AutismSpeaks on campus.
· If the information shared about Autism
Speaks has got you down, don't worry.
There's a better option: ASAN, or the
Autism Self Advocacy Network. ASAN is
run by and for autistic people. Their motto
is "Nothing About Us Without Us:•
Sound familiar? That's right - it's the same
sentiment that started the formation of the
British colonies into the United States: "no
taxation without representation:'

Want to share your opinion
about Autism Speaks or another
group? Email editor-in-chief
James Jaskolka at james.
jaskolkabutler@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - April 14, 2015

Opinion

16

From Philly
to Wilkes-Barre: Liz de Lise on the road
.

.
By Eric C~sey

without a doubt. "And I dream of
songs and where to find the album.
pirates and hippies galore!." It has a
. As· soon as the semester began very unique "gypsy-folk" vibe to it. .I
Rebecca Filipski, our Alternative . get images of sailing on the open seas
When .someone says local music, Director, and I got an email forwarded with my best friends.
I instantly think of some punk rock to us from Liz de Lise. She had asked
"Home/less" is a very pleasant slow
band that plays basement shows with what show on our station would be best ballad featuring Liz's vocals at the
their cult follpwing ... of like 26 sweaty fit for her to come in for an interview forefront with a violin. At times it has
friends. Sometimes I think of classic and 'perform a: small acoustic set. a very "live" sound to it and might give
rock cover band called 40 lb Head. Naturally, my "Indie Flavour" show you the feeling like sq.e's singing it at
Also, I think of an-oldies band called on Wednesdays 3-5 pm was the best fit the top of a hill at someone's outside
The Starfires who were poP.ular in this as I often -play folk music along with casual dinner party. It also reminds me
area in the 1960's but ·still perform. indie rock.
a little of Fiona Apple and Christina
We had quickly agr.eed to April Perri. "Pan" is the sort of song that
Anyway, there are many local bands
in NEPA. However, in recent years I Fool's Day being the day she would sounds great around · the campfire.
in: Unfortunately, some It has that tribal element to it. . The
think of the words "local music" in a come
things fell through on her end, but backup vocals shine wonderfully. The
new light.
.
To me local music doesn't just have miraculmtsly she was able to come up lack of instruments isn't an issue, and
to be from NEPA. It can be from the next day since she was playing a in fact makes it very interesting with
as far away as Philadelphia. That's show that night in Clarks Summit. It the minimalistic approach. Vocals are
where folk singer/songwriter Liz de was last minute, but everything turned the most powerful instrument here.
Lise resides. Around last October our out fantastic.
"Strangers" is• another favorite with
She's a young musician with a lot listeners. It evokes dreams of joining
campus station 90.7 WCLH started
playmg two songs from Liz's debut of talent thanks to a family of musical in with a band that is walking through
EP titled To &amp; Fro. Those songs are background. Not only does she play the streets of a foreign country like
called "Ode" and "Strangers." Over guitar, but she can play violin as she ·1taly or France trying to have random
Christmas break, -according to our told me during the live on air interview, -locals join in with them. "Star. Fire"
station manager Kristen Rock, some "Ode" is the first song on the EP and is a really cool track. Just like some
callers were wonderi~g who sang those also one of my favorite songs of 2014
Staff Writer

of her other songs, this too features an
accordion. The lyrics tell a neat story.
"Ain't it strange, either way we live
we're always beggin' for change."
In the song she also names the city of
Portland, which is where most of her
songs were inspired from since staying
there one summer- as an undergraduate
at Connecticut College to observe and
interview the street kids. Lastly, "The
End" provides for _a relaxing end to a
very well produced debut album from
Liz de Lise.
She was the first singer I had on my
show for an interview and performance.
Liz is a very genuine person with a
story to tell. We were only her second
radio station that she has appeared live
on as she begins what I hope is a ·Jong
and successful journey. Did I mention
she just came back from an oversees
trip in Armenia?! Anyway, check
her music out on Spotify, Bandcamp,
SoundCloud, iTunes, and her own
website. You won't be disappointed. I
give To &amp; Fro 4 out of 5 stars.

@wilkesbeacon
&amp;ic.casey@wilkes.edu

Eric's Score:
(

�!

The Beacon - April 14, 201 _5

Opinion

17

~s~~}scoveri~£t~L£t~~~t~:,. Murder in the Ca·thedral
Asst. Opinion Editor

One of the aspects I enjoy most
about writing this column each week is
rediscovering a classic text. The classic
being revived this week is T.S. Eliot's
dramatic work Murder in the Cathedral.
Eliot, known as a world renowned poet
and playwright, talces his talent to a new
level in this work. Murder in the Cathedral
is often categorized as dramatic verse,
a unique combination of a poem and a
dramatic play. Authors will attest that it
is difficult to write a full length dramatic
work. They will continue to testify to the
difficulty of forming poetic lines into a
dramatic format, creating a continuous
poem and a continuous play. A reader and
an author can then appreciate the work
and skill level of Eliot,- who successfully
combined both styles of writing.
The.result is a continuous 88 page poem
broken down into dramatic acts and scenes
found in Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral.
This combined form allows Eliot to
create a fact based character of mythical
proportions.
Murder in the Cathedral tells the story of
Archbishop Thomas Becket who preaches a
sermon declaring/predicting his•own murder
and martyrdom. Eliot based the character
Becket on the authentic Archbishop of
Canterbury, also named Thomas Becket,
who was murdered in 1170. The setting of
the play takes place between Dec. 2 and
Dec. 29 H 70, when Thomas Becket returns
after seeking refuge in France for seven
years.
When Becket returns, the reader realizes
Becket has not escaped the dangers he
hoped to leave behind. Becket is then
tempted by four differing "Tempters." The
four Tempters promise Becket forgiveness
of past transgressions and removal of
dangerous threats. Becket turns down their
temptations of physical safety, of fame, of
friendship and of glory.
Then on Christmas Day, Becket delivers a
sermon defining peace-and commemorating
saints who have been martyred. The sermon
serves as a prediction of-Becket's own death
to come.
Soon "Knights" enter town demanding
Becket pledge his allegiance to the King
and not to God and the Church. Becket
refuses. The Knights allege Becket has
committed treason against England while
in exile in France, which Becket denies to
no avail leading the Knights to murder him.
The Knights' murder of Becket fulfills
his Christmas day prophecy. Becket's

question his intentions based on the idea he
predicted his death. However, people talce
solace in the fact faith will prevail because
of Becket's example of strong conviction.
In literary circles, it is often discussed
that Becket's character is a symbolic Christ
figure resisting the temptations of the deviL
As is also the case with Christ, Becket
is killed for his faith and unwavering
devotion. Others have viewed Eliot's work
from a political perspective centered on the
resistance to the Fascist movement in 1935.
Considering the multiple commentaries
on Eliot's work, how can modern readers
relate to Murder in the Cathedral in new
and inventive ways?
Personally, .the idea I take away each time
I read or discuss this work can be located
deep within the text. A few pages before
Becket is murdered, he employs the use
of soliloquy to present the reader with a
profound message regarding humanity.
Becket asserts during the closing of his
soliloquy, "Humankind cannot bear very
much reality."
Blink while reading Murder in the
Cathedral and you might miss this quote
altogether. In my opinion this quote is the
theme ofEliot's story,"the moral of Becket's
existence and universally the idea behind
life in general. Becket is correct; humanity
cannot handle much reality. As human
beings, we are influenced by many internal
and external factors to define reality
accurately.
Internally, reality is construed by 0ur
perception and memory and imagination
allows humanity to cloud events creating ·
and changing reality. Externally, humans
allow affiliations within their families,
friends, religious groups and other
associations to affect how they view reality.
Further, often to maintain a content
· equilibrium, man blocks out reality which
is cap~ble of causing a great deal of sorrow.
Even in Thomas Becket's life, reality is
transformed .as his motives and death are
questioned, while those who maintain
a strong sense of faith and conviction
continue to uphold Becket and their beliefs.
For a 21st century reader, who is
• constantly dealing with internal and
external influences, if truth is reality and
reality is a true representation then Eliot's
dialogue created for Becket continues to
still be precise: "Humankind cannot bear
very much reality!"

LIO
l?ABER

Courtesy of Creative Commons

Sara's Score:

@wilkesbeacon
Sara.Pisak@wilkes.edu

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The_Beacon - April 14, 2015

Opinion

18

NFL Draft DiScussion: Thoughts on 2015 prospects
By Fran k Passalacqua
Opinion Editor
In preparation for next week's mock draft
board for the 2015 NFL Draft, I'm analyzing
the top prospect's and giving my personal
thoughts on potential busts and gems.
_
First is the obvious question: where
will Marcus Mariota go? Florida State
quarterback Jameis Winston will most likely
go number one overall to the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers, because he · seem~ to be the
most 'NFL ready' quarterback available.
Findif?g Mariota's landing spot will be the
most interesting thing ii t~e draft. _Maybe
Tennessee will snag him with the second pick,
or will the Jets take a risk and draft him? Will
he fall past Chicago and Cleveland, right into
the bird nest that is Philadelphia? Only time
will tell.
Personally, I think Philadelphia. Eagles
Head Coach Chip Kelly will find a way to
reunite with his former star quarterback.
If Mariota falls past 10, Chip will pull
some strings and trade his way to Mariota.
While I am not a fan of that possibility, it is
something I Cfill see happening. The Eagles

need to address more positions on the _team
than qul;lrterback. Drafting a receiver would
be the best option for them, but hey, I'm
getting too into my favorite team here.
At sleepers at QB, ( am a big fan of
Baylor's Bryce Petty. He has a great body
_type and is the most _fluent and natural passer
in the draft. He may not be ready to make a
difference on a team yet, b1,1t with the proper
guidance and coaching, he may become a
household name in about four years.
Another QB I think could be a solid starter
in the league is Bryan Bennett of Southern
Louisiana. Bennett lost his starting role in
Oregon to Mariota and transferred to start
elsewhere. He has a cannon for an arm and
has some legs to rack up the rushing yards.
Next is runningback. While Todd Gurley
and Melvin Gordon are getting all the
attention as the best two backs available
( deservedly so), there are other backs that I
think could be a huge improvement to any
team in heed of a rushing attack.
.
Jay Ajayi and Ameer Abdullah are two
guys with crazy odd names, but a skill set
that is on par to shock. Ajayi from Boise
State and Abdullah from Ne~raska may slip

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Skipping a (ew positions to wrap this
up, Eric Kendricks, linebacker from UCLA
is one guy not getting enough time and
recognition he deserves. There are about
five players rated ahead of him at the
position, but I predict he will have the most
impact on his team and will probably have
the most tackles out of any-of them.
Kendrick's natural instinct and quick
speed is ·what won- him the award for best
linebacker in the NCAA, and it's obvious
to me that his drafting team will be highly
rewarded.
Lastly, defensive backs are a hard i rea
for rookies to have an immediate impact
on. We have seen numerous times in the
past a highly rated rookie come to the NFL
and fail quickly. However that will not be
the ~ase for 1'1ichigan State 's Trae Waynes.
Waynes shocked the world at the
NFL Combine by putting on a show to
remember. I doubt he will make it out of
the top 10 and wherever he starts will be
instantly upgraded. Landon Collins and
Bryce Jones are two other DB 's who can
make an immediate impact as well. I look
for them all to go in the first round.

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to the second round, but don't be surprised
if they have better seasons than Gurley or
Gordon.
Going down the depth chart brings us to
wide receivers, my personal favorite position
to analyze. Everyone knows Amari Cooper
is hands down the best receiver in the draft.
While personally, I think Kevin White is
better, it doesn't need to be said that they will
be the first two receivers taken.
However, there are three guys who I would
settle happily on. Jaelen Strong, Breshard
Perriman and Nelson Agholor are three
receivers who have high playmaker ability
and could pass 1,000 yards receiving in their
rookie year. That is a big statement, I know,
but their presence combined with · skillset
could prove to have a huge outcome.
Devin Funchess and Doria! GreenBeckham are two receivers highly rated in
their position. However, I think they will be
a bust. Funchess lacks speed and the ability
to separate from the defense while GreenBeckham is the next Josh Gordon. He may
rival Calvin Johnson in body and have some
talent, but it is his issues off the field that will
keep him off the field .

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I

Want your spoi;t CQ'Vered? Contact the sports editor: Brandon.Gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Women's tennis team looks to finish season strong
By Grant Rogers
Sports Writer
The Wilkes women's tennis team looksed
to continue its eight-match winning !!treak
as team members prepared for Freedom
Conference foe Misericordia University at
the Ralston Athletic Complex on April 12.
Results of the match were not available at
press time.
In the team's last meeting, the Lady
Colonels put on a show posting an 8-1
victory over the Lady Cougars, with the
Lady Colonels only loss coming in a doubles
match.
"The women have been working very hard
in practjce, as we are getting ready for all of
our upcoming conference matches," said
Head Coach Chris Leicht on preparing for
Misericordia. "Misericordia is always a very
deep team, so everyone on our team has to be
ready. Specifically, we have been working a
lot on doubles strategy."
The women's tennis team has seen much
success over the years. In the l~t three
seasons, the Lady Colonels have had 57

wins, averaging 19 wins a season. The Lady
Colonels are also going for their 9th straight
Freedom Conference title.
· "We are very focused on the present - just
taking one match at a time. I am lucky to
have such strong upper-class leaders, who
are excellent role models," Leicht said.
"Also, we are very experienced as our team
is filled with players who have already
won titles and won matches in the NCAA
National Tourney."
Even though the Lady Colonels are on
a hot streak they still feel there is room for
improvement.
"We try to work with each player
individually on things they need to keep
improving. As a team, I think we need to
improve our aggressiveness in doubles,"
Leicht added.
"The team and I are looking forward to
the second match of conference play," said
sophomore Kendra Croker. I think it will be
a more competitive match for every player."
After the Misericordia match the wofi1en's
tennis team takes on Marywood University
at 2 p.m. at the Ralston Athletic Complex .
The Lady Colonels come back to Freedom

Courtesy of gowilkesu.com
The Lady Colonels are looking to finish this season strong. Check out their next
match on April 14.
Conference play on April 14 against
Delaware Valley College, then Arcadia
University and King's College to round

out the regular season before the Freedom
Conference tournament.

Softball players taking it one game at a time
By Andre Spruell
Sports Writer
After coming off a strong showing
over spring break and facing some stiff
competition while in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the
Lady Colonels are looking forward to the rest
of the season.
While in South Carolina, the team went
4-4, capturing wins against schools like John
Jay College, Grove City College, Rosemont
College, and Anna Maria College.
"Most of the competition was on par
with us, so most of the games were evenly
contested," said IS-year head man Coach
Frank Matthews.
· The Lady Colonels are poised to have a
solid season this year based on their successes
over spring break.
.
. .
The Beacon/Brandon Gubitosa
To start the season off, the Lady Colonels Freshman Nicole Cumbo pitching in a recent game
traveled up to Annville, Pa., where they faced suffered losses in both games at the hands place at home against rivals Misericordia
Lebanon Valley College in doubleheader and of the Dutchmen. Their next contests took University and Delaware Valley Co!lege.

In the home opener against Misericordia,
the Lady Colonels suffered tough 4-5, 3-4
losses and split the series between Delaware
Valley with a 7-2 win and a 3-7 loss.
"After we had a pretty good start in Myrtle
Beach, I thought W!! would play a little better.
Right now we're not and we're making a lot
of mental errors and those errors have to be
corrected one at a time."
Despite the rough start, the Lady Colonels
look to capitalize off their mistakes and
finish the season on a strong note behind their
leaders, seniors Alex Hoops, Mandy Seccia,
and Emily McGrath. It will be tough as they
will face some pretty stiff competition down
the stretch ..
Matthews also added, "They show up to
practice, they practice hard, their hearts are
in it, their minds are in it, .and we're just
going to play it one day at a time ... we have
to come from behind and win a game and
change things a· little for us and that's what
we hope to accomplish."

r

�_J

The Beacon - April 14, 2015

Sports

Wilkes Univeristy baseball's
midseason battle continues

20

Off Campus
Premium Student Housing

"'
By Cara Basile
Sports Writer
The men's baseball team is off to a strong
start as the team gained important wins in
the Freedom Conference. At this point in the
season it is crucial to maintain momentum in
order to earn a spot in playoffs:
.
The Colonels have held onto big wms
including shut-outs against both King's and
Delaware Valley College. The men will face
the local rivals again later i~ the seas?n and
still have conference games approachmg, so
there is always room for improvement.
"The season has been going pretty well for
us," senior Bobby Schappell said. "We h~ve
progressively been getting be~er an~ commg
together as a team . . We are improv~g each
day and are working hard to achieve our
goals."
.·
.
The team has a diverse mix of freshmen,
sophomores, juniors, and seniors all .~ith
special roles to bring to the competltI?n.
Success comes from working together durmg
the positive and negative aspects of the
game. Schappell_said motivation and team
chemistry are huge elements of the game that

are just as important as skill or athleticism. ·
· "I want to do the best I can to help my
team achieve our goals," Schappell said.
"As for my teammates, we have a few guys
on the team that are pretty good motivators.
Marcus Leaf has really taken a big role with
the motivational stuff for our team."
Leaf a dominant player for the Colonels
says ~onference games _are especially
important to not play l!ghtl)'..
"So far # 13 Misencordia has been our
most difficult match up, however every team
in the Freedom Conferertce has a quality ball
team, each team in conference comes ready
to play, there really are no cake walks," Leaf
said.
·
The Colonels will take on Eastern
University on April 14, King's College on
April 15, and Fairleigh Dickipson-College at
Florham onApril 17 and 18.
"Our team has come a long way, from
becoming teammates to a band of bro!her~
striving for one common_goal, a MAC titli::,
Leaf said.

A
@wilkesbeacon
ll::J cara.basile@wilkes.edu

Now.... LEASING FOR MAY

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Football team spring practices
sho·w ing major team results
By Danny van Brunt
Sports Writer

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The Wilkes football team is keeping
its athletes in shape during the off-season
involving them in spring ball.
The football players are assigned workouts
three days a week with team practices on
~ff-days: The players also lift ~eights in the
gym and practice on the field without gear.
- Sophomore.._quarterback Ryan_ _Dailey
explained its importance.
_
"We're just trying to get our chemistry
better with all the people returning from last
year," he said. "We also w~t to be_ be~er
than last year and that starts m the sprm~,
"We have no pa&lt;lll on. We have meetmgs
before practices, get all of the formations and
plays, and then we take them~~ pract!ce," he
continued. "We do drills, position dnlls, and
then we do seven-on-seven drills. At the end,
we take our six teams and do competitive
activities."
In the weight room, the football team has
made progress.
.
"I'm getting stronger," freshman Michael
Melgrano said. "My max has gone up at least
50 pounds over the course of six months. _So
whatever they are doing here, they ~e domg
it well."
Keith Klahold, the strength and
conditioning coach/fitness coordinator, was

assigned to design work outs for the team.
"The football team gives me more leeway
than other coaches as far ·as creating their
work outs. So, they pretty much tell me they
need their players bigger, faster, stron~er,
and etc. From then, they give me free reign
to do whatever I feel is best, and get them the
results, which is actually kind of nice.
_
"They trust me for the fact that I ~ gom~
to do what is best for the team, and ,fl don t
get them the results they need to~in, that's
·my fault."
When asked about results, Coach Klahold
had only positive feedback.
_
"Results are obviously number-driven.
We will strength test once more before the
end of the semester, and before they leave
for the summer. We've already tested twice
so far this semester, and the results have been
very good. We've improved each time."
Klahold considers the improvements made
between January and February remarkable.
"The willingness to push each other and
get on each other if they don't feel th~ other
person is pushing as hard as they can 1~ what
makes them successful," Klahold contmued.
"That's something we haven't seen on this
team in quite a while."

f."l @wilkesbeacon
U:l daniel.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - April 14J 2015

21

Sports

Lady Monarchs soar to _overtime win agarnst Colonels

I

Wilkes University junior Tori KeH prepares for the faceoff against a King's-player.
The Lady Colonels fell to the Monarchs in overtime.

Senior Carley Smith works her way up field in a game against King's College. The
Lady Monarchs proved too powerful in overtime, wining 17-16

Junior Madeleine Brownsey runs by the defenders to score one of her nine goals
against King's College.

Senior Carley Smith attempts to catch the ball after a faceoff.
All photos: The Beaconi Purvit Patel

r

I

�..J

The Beacon - April 14, 2015

r

,.

Q. Where are you from?
A. Camp Hill. Pennsylvania
Q. What high school did you go to?
A. East Pennsboro
Q. What do you do for fun at home?

Q. What inspired you to do that?
A. One of my good friends is in the Na
they send him to the coolest pl
figured that would be such a.
experience, vital to my major. ,
Q. When did you start playing Lac
A. I started playing lacrosse in
2013.

A. Drive around Harrisburg, have bonfires,
tan and shop with friends

Q. How has your experience
Wilkes?
.
A. My overall experience has b

Q. What made you want to come to Wilkes?

Q. Did you play any other sports in

.

A. I loved the small campus feel, in the 9ty.
Q. What is your favorite part about Wilkes?

A. I love the variety of freelance lectures that
students can attend.
Q. What is your major?
A.History

Q. What are you planning on doipg with

your degree?
·
A. I initially just wanted to write books and
study for the rest of my life; but since
thafs such a hard business to profit off of; ·
I'm going into the Navy after I graduate.
I plan to apply my degree by studying the
places the Navy sends me.

high_

school?
•
·
A. Nope, I was more into music and theater
Q. What is your favorite professional sports

team?
A. Toe Philadelphia Eagles
Q. Favorite athlete?
A. Cristiano Ronaldo

@wilkesbeacon
johnathan.keer@wilkes.edu

�,

_

The Beacon - April 1~ ~15

Sports

23

~

·-~

'

, t~ffillike to p i ~ He is the player I
(

de\rdeped·· the way I played the game.
and raplded it No one has ever heard
about~.Derek Jeter scandal, and the way

s
and taised

semor catcher wf.
. .

·oiing in .
~Computer Sclen

is

and

~ Pa;$

• 'wi

Why did you start playing baseball O.{
who inspired~ to plq?·

I started playing baseball at a very Yl?ung
age and just ~celled from .the start.
Watching Derek Jeter play on :TV was
probably the biggest inspiration as well
as my Uncle who.bought m~ my first set
of catchers' p and battolollowJn.his
footstepsi
: What . _

Wilkes
spentmy
cheri

.

.his status and played every
secon6ofemygame as tfltcould be his
last ~•howed,me.~ .way l wanted to
be.
~. upholds

Q: Do 'you 'have any pregame rituals and if
sq what are theyt
..
.
A: ,The only pregame ritual I have 1s to
clean ~ as in shave.before every game,
because ·the saying "Look good, Feel
good, Playgood~ has always stuck with
me.

Q: What ~ the best game you have ever
played in and why?
A: :Ihe best'pm~ I have ever played in was
;
,day defeating Misercordia
in n,.y four years here.

~

uch of a
game one

fthisgame.
the 7th; we
. 't have

a

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�...J
The Beacon -April 14, 2015

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�</text>
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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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                    <text>The Beacon - April 21, 2015

The Beacon archive photo, courtesy of Dr. Merryman. Digital illustration by reddit user Roughy.

i

�.J
The Beacon - April 21, 2015

Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Beacon Briefs
Final Exam Schedule Updates
Please check the on-line version of the Spring Semester Final
Exam Schedule (http://www.wilkes.edu/ academics/office-ofthe- registrar-recorder/calendar- schedules.aspx), as there have
been many updates over the past few weeks.
Commuter/Off Campus Parking Applications Available
Now
Parking applications for the Fall 2015 semester are available
now online. The deadline to apply is May 15. You must reapply
for parking each semester. Applying for parking does not
guarantee you a permit. If you have any questions, please email
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu.

Career Planning for Jrs. &amp; Seniors Offered
Juniors and seniors may join this one credit. elective class
held .on Wednesdays, 12:00-12:50 p.m., C&amp;N 30906. Course
aids in career planing, resumes, application letters, interview
skills anq professional networking.
Dr. Louise Berard's Retirement Celebration
After 35 years of dedicated service to Wilkes University
and to its students, Dr. Berard is retiring. Please join her in
celebration in the Savitz Lounge (Henry Student Center, 2nd
floor) on_ April 24 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Contact: Karen
Weyhenmeyer at 570-408-4830 or atkaren.weyhenmeyer@
wilkes.edu

SG Notes: ASME allocated fun~; Leahy;
Capital Projects request, new budget
By Taylor Ryan
Staff Writer

I

teamm
qfferan
James.J

On Wednesday, Student Government
held its weekly meeting.
There was one follow up from last
week's meeting. ASME was preparing to
put on its 9th annual car show to raise
money for The Wounded Warrior Project.
The club requested a total of $2,100 from
Student Government to cover T-shirts for
staff membe.rs, as well as all participants,
food for the staff, entertainment, and
the awards. Student Government has
motioned to allocate the total r~quest of
$2,100 to cover the event.
·
Next, there was a very special guest in
this week's meeting. Wilkes University
President Patrick Leahy was welcomed
into the meeting and had the opportunity
to update the members of Student
Government on new and upcoming events
and changes that will be made in the near
future on campus. He first honored Eddie
Elgonitis and discussed dedication of the
mailroom; it was be renamed "Eddie's
· Mailroom" in his honor on April 17.
Next, President Leahy discussed the
various upcoming facility changes that
will be made to campus. The school and
board have been busy planning in order
to make Wilkes' campus a safer and more
welcoming environment. He allowed
all the members to ask any questions or
propose any concerns they may have.
As this school year comes to an end, it
has become time to look forward to the

upcoming school year. At the meeting,
the future Student Government budget
was broken down and presented for all
the members. It will be reviewed and
discussed again in next week's meeting.
The next request came from Capital
projects, even as the semester is coming
to an end they are still busy at work
improving campus. They have requested
a total of $38,150 from the budget. This
money will be . put toward adding more
bottle fillers to the water fountains around
campus and a new and exciting renovation
and addition to the Student Government
office. They have come up with plans to
move the Student Government office,
as well as create a new club office for
all clubs on campus to have access for
supplies and a meeting place. This is a big
project, but if passed will be done in time
for next school year. Student Government
members will cast their final vote in next ·
week's meeting.
Lastly, the Student Government board
voted on The Faculty and Staff Choice
Awards for this school year. The top five
will be nominated and voted on during
this week's meeting.
The council reviewed the Treasurer's
report. The current budget is as follows .
All College: $4,812.38; General Funds:
$4,275.91; Conference: $925.00; • Spirit:
$865.00; for a Student Government total:
$10,8.78.29
@wilkesbeacon
taylor.ryan@wilkes.edu

,~ news~., ....:....:..2
AA

life, a&amp;e: .......... 7

...

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�The Beacon - April 21, 2015

News

3

After 35 years, Dean King will exit Wilkes with the Class of 2015
By Sarah Bedford ·
News Editor

•

After 35 years, Associate Dean of Student
Affairs Barbara King, will exit Wilkes
University with the Class of 2015.
"In the last 43, I've been at Wilkes all
except four years because I went to school
here;' explained King, whose retirement was
announced earlier this month.
King, who has been associate dean of
student affairs for the past 17 years, did not
always work in academics, however. King
worked as a travel agent and then at Leslie
Fay in shipment control prior to finishing her
college degree. Her time at Leslie Fay is what
made her decide to go back to school.
"I thought I was going to live on love with
my love at the time and so I went to work full
time and ended up staying out four years;'
explained King. "I figured I better go back and
finish, so I came back in 1978, and finished
summer of 1980. I walked from my last class
with Mr. Engel to my office in admissions:'
Engel was a former professor, chair and
Dean of Business.
King worked for a total of nine years in
admissions. For a year, she filled in for a faculty
member in the co-op office and then worked
in adult education in 1985, where she was
assistant director and then director until 1990.
"When I started in admissions I said Icl stay
two years, then I met my first husband and I
wasn't gone but I was happy to stay... you don't
work somewhere for 35 years if it's terrible;'
King said. She returned to admissions, also
working in student affairs doing special
programs like orientation, as well as University
College doing similar tasks.
King explained that when, "Dr. Adams
became dean of student affairs, he asked me to
come;' and she followed.
As associate dean, King has handled
students' unique challenges as well as act as
chief disciplinary officer, dealing with on- and
off-campus issues.
King elaborated, saying she has worked with
students who have had various issues that need
assistance or "just a sounding board''.
King also served as the international student
adviser for 26 years.
''I've certainly lived through a lot of students
with big, big problems and a lot of those stay

Faculty Reflections
"Beyond our work experiences together, I

will remember Barbara for her kindness and
sincere interest in her colleagues' lives. For
us, almost every Monday morning began
with a conversation on family and what I did
with my daughter over the weekend:'
- Dr. Philip Ruthkosky, Associate Dean
Student Development

in my head but I certainly wouldn't talk about
them;' King said.
King reflected on her time at Wilkes saying
the idea of having a work family is valid.
"To tell you the truth, when you've been
here as long as I have it really is your family
in many ways ... Wilkes has seen me through
the best and worst times of my life, no doubt
about that:'
King is thankful for Wilkes for more than
just her career.
"I had the good fortune thanks to Wilkes
of meeting my late and current husband;'
she said. "My late husband was the dean of
the school of science and engineering, Umid
Nejib:'
She explained that the two met in 1983; he
passed away in 2002.
"It was probably the lowest point in my life
and Wilkes was there for me all the way on that
one and I will never forget that;' King said.
"My husband now is Dr. Michael Paige and I
met him because Wilkes sent me to a seminar
about international students many years ago
when I was first starting out with international;'
she said. "He was the lead presenter from the
The Beacon/Gabby Glinski
University of Minnesota and we got to be good
While the decision to retire was not an easy one, King looks forward to traveling but
friends an~ life turns out the way it turns out
eventually.
will always appreciate her Wilkes family. She added that Wilkes will always be home.
King explained that Wilkes has a way for
caring for people, including its students.
Istanbul, Turkey, where she attended bazaars she remains focused on Wilkes students.
"I would like them to remember the
"I think we take care of our students as well and the large indoor market. The food, she
opportunities Wilkes afforded them, whether
as any other school I have heard about. In terms explained, was phenomenal.
of every need-- emotionally, academically, with
While Istanbul is at the top of her list, King they used them or not is two dif(erent things,
regard to health, I think we take very good care said, "most of the countries I've been to I can and to any extent you can at any point in life
of our students:'
. find something wonderful about; they're all so try to support Wilkes whether its financially
or a.s a mentor when you graduate because it
While King admits the decision to retire has different:'
not been an easy one, she does have big plans
Although she enjoys travel, King said this really is a special place:'
King offered this advice to students as they
ahead of her. She and her husband plan on will always be home. She also has some other
prepare for graduation.
doing a lot of traveling, starting this summer.
plans for retirement.
"Become independent, make decisions for
"We're very big travelers:' she explained.
"I also will catch up on all the needlework
"We have friends all over the world and this and reading I haven't been able to do for years them(your)selves, and work at what makes
you happy not necessarily what makes you
gives us an opportunity to go and spend some and clean my house;' she explained, laughing.
time while were young enough to enjoy what
King shared some of her other interests, wealthy;' King said. "Remember you have to
start at the bottom of the barrel and work your
were doing:'
including rock music.
King obtained her first passport at 30,
"My favorite old Band is Led Zeppelin- way up. You don't become the vice president
estimates she has visited 50 countries.
nice and loud;' King said. Her dream concert the day after you graduate:'
"I'll certainly miss my interactions with
This summer, she and her husband plan would be the Rolling Stones.
on visiting Russia and Finland. She hopes to
"I also want to see Janis Joplin and George students, whether its been good situations
someday visit South America, Burma and go Harrison but I have to wait for the Big concert or bad situations I will really miss that and I
will certainly miss the people I worked with;'
on an African safari.
in the skY:' King said, laughing.
Her favorite place to visit thus far has been
While King has many p~ans ahead of her, said King. "I have life long friends I have made
here and its kind of hard to believe Dr. Adams
and I wont go to lunch every day and I wont
"In
all
of
our
history,
of
the
"Dean King has spent 35 years, in
be running across the street to see Coach
thousands
of
staff
who
have
worked
various capacities, working at Wilkes.
Malatesta and everybody that's been a close,
at Wilkes, proportionally, there are
She is also an alum of the university.
close friend:'
few
who
have
been
able
to
serve
the
This extraordinary length of service
King's last day is May 16, graduation.
university
for
such
a
long
tenure.
Dean
and dedication to the institution
"It's like I'm graduating, too:'
Kings'
loyalty
and
dedication
will
be
certain demonstrates her commitment
...
long remembered by the students
to being Colonel. I'm sure, in her
whom she has served... As she and
Editor's Note:
retirement, she will continue to be a
Mike begin this new and wonderful
Sarah Bedford also serves as the
fixture at sporting events and other
stage of their lives, they deserve every
Commuter Council President working
events at the institution. All of us in
happiness:'
Student Affairs wish her the best:'
with Dean King as the organization's
- Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President
-Dr. Mark Allen, Dean of Students
adviser.
Student Affairs

r

�_J

The Beacon - April 21, 2015

4

News

The "Big Event" has Big plans fOr Colonels
Serving the community
one project at a time, touching lives
.

By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

On April 25, members of the Wilkes
University student body are invited to
participate in the universities largest
community service event, The Big Event.
Sophomore pre-pharmacy student, and
Student Government Executive Recording
Secretary, Allie Grudeski, is also this year's
Big Event coordinator.
"The Big Event is the single largest
community service project that takes place at
Wilkes University every year, " Grudeski said.
''Around 300 students sign up to volunteer at
one of the many volunteer sites that surround
campus. The Big Event truly promotes unity
between campus and community as students
come together for one day to express their
gratitude to the area we live in:'
This year, some of the service sites include
cleaning up the Riverfront, cleaning up Bear
Creek trails, working with local residents on
household tasks, weeding at the Community
Garden, packaging meals at the CEO
Foodbank among others.
This year, Grudeski and her committee
expect 400 students to get involved.
Grudeski _explained that the Big Event is
special to her for many reasons.

"The Big Event has truly become near
and dear to my heart because I love
community service. I attended HOBY (Hugh
O'Brien Youth) Leadership Conference my
sophomore year .of high school. It changed
my life completely and gave me a different
perspective on life. I was so inspired to get out
and make a difference;' she said. "Ever since
I really try to give back to as many people
in different ways as possible. I actually just
recently received the President's Volunteer
Service Award presented by the Corporation
· for National and Community Service. I was
so surprised and couldn't believe what an
honor it was:'
After the Big Event follows the Little Event,
celebrating the students work.
"There is a big BBQ lunch with a small
concert of student musicians which everyone
really enjoys. This year we are excited that
we could team up with Commuter Council,
Programming Board, Off Campus Council,
Student Development, and Badminton Club
to host more than ever before;' Grudeski
explained. "There will be tie-dying of
T-shirts, Auntie-Anne's pretzels, an ice cream
truck, backyard games, Kan Jam, and a little
surprise that will hopefully leave a"splash" on
campus:'
Pre-registration ends April 21. Students
are welcome to register the day of starting at

Design by Studio 20, Israel Rodriguez

Grudeski and her committee hope to have over 400 students at this years event.
8 a.m. however they will not be able to work
with preregistered teams.
Students with questions should contact
Grudeski at alexandra.grudeski@wilkes.edu.

(i3

@wilkesbeacon
·
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Campus remembers late professor Removal of OCC from Mega Council
By James Jasolka
Editor-in-Chief

Wilkes
University
Professor
of
Anthropology and Sociology Jim Merryman
died on April 14, following a battle with ALS.
Though his illness had progressively gotten
more severe, Merryman is remembered by
colleagues and students fondly.
"Losing any member of our Wilkes family
is diffi'i'lt;' President Leahy said in a written
statement. "Jim's long tenure at Wilkes and
his enduring commitment to his family, his
students, his colleagues and his discipline,
make this a deep loss for all of us to absorb:'
Dr. Michael Garr, professor of sociology
and anthropology, described his colleague as
"passionate:'
"He'd been here for 25 years and he was
part of everyday life here;' Garr said. A great
man -- great stature [and) great character:'
Garr noted Merryman's drive to learn new
things, referencing how he taught himself
saxaphone and piano to start a jazz quartet,
and how he enrolled in the creative writing
master's program.
Garr also mentioned Merryman's

dedication to teaching, and how he was still
teaching online classes when the illness took
away his ability to speak.
Colleen
O'Callaghan,
a
junior
communication studies major, took one of
Merryman's online courses. "He was very
passionate about his work;' she recalled.
"He really wanted to learn more about other
people and was so interested in what he did'.'
"This is very sad news;' said Wilkes
alumnus Michael Beachem in a Facebook
comment. "Many alum will recall Nancy [his
wife) and Jim always led the dancing at any
Homecoming or Senior Week Dance. He will
be missed greatly:'
Campus Counseling/Health and Wellness
Services will offer an open grief counseling
session from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 21 ,
in Marts Center Room 214. This sessi.on is
open to anyone who has experienced a loss
through death.
A memorial service for Merryman is
scheduled for 2 p.m., May 2, in the Dorothy
Dickson Darte Center.

(i'3

@wilkesbeacon
james.jasko/kabutler@wilkes.edu

By Alyssa Mursch
Assistant Social Media Director

Starting next fall, Wilkes University will
no longer recognize the Off Campus Council
as a club, raising concern about how this
portion of the campus community will be
represented in its absence.
"The Off Campus Council is the liaison
between students that live in apartments
on to three blocks [off campus] and all
the organizations and faculty on campus,"
explained future student government
president Anthony Fanucci.
Fanucci explains that the Council is being
removed as ·a club due to lack of involvement
as well as an inability to fill the leadership
position. Like most clubs, OCC received
funding that can now be distributed to other
clubs that are 1;1ore active in campus life.
With the termination of the club, the main
concern that arises is how the off campus
community will continue to be represented
throughout the university.
Dean Philip Ruthkosky introduced the
possibility of Community Ambassador
positions to combat this issue.
"The focus will be to promote a more
cohesive off-campus population and to

serve as a resource for them [off-campus
students)," said Ruthkosky of the positions.
CAs will have several responsibilities
including serving as a resource for Wilkes
students and community residents living on
their block, representing off campus residents
on designated university committees, and
attending student government meetings as a
non-voting member, just to name a few.
Students interested in these positions
must be of junior or senior, full-time
undergraduate status and be residing off
campus. There will be an application process
for these positions and the chosen CAs will
receive a $500 scholarship per semester.
As for the events that the OCC held, such
as Wing Wars and the Block Party, they
will be assigned to other clubs and, as a
result, those clubs will receive the additional
funding needed to hold them.
For additional information about
Community Ambassador positions, contact
Dean Phil Ruthkosky at philip.ruthkosky@
wilkes.edu or Dean Mark Allen at mark.
allen@wilkes.edu.

-

.

@wilkesbeacon
alyssa.mursch@wilkes.edu

Will
Cole

�The Beacon - April 21, 2015

5

News

Lack of attendance at SG leadership forum sparks question :
Why aren't students interested in campus leadersh i p ?
ByToni Pennello
Staff Writer

The Presidential Forum for Student
Government took place on April 14 in the
SUB lounge. Lack of attendance has sparked
. some controversy regarding student interest
in Student Government.
One member of Student Government, who
preferred to remain anonymous, vouches for
the lack of attendance. "A lot of people in
the audience were friends with the people
up there. There was a maximum of about 25
people there. There were 50 chairs:' they said.
Samantha Szura, a freshman who did not
;ittend the forum expressed apathy as to who
holds Student Government positions.
"It doesn't matter to me who wins, even
though that's a mean thing to say. I don't feel
like it affects me at all;' she said.
Dr. Thomas Baldino, interim dean of
Arts, Humanities and Social Science, as well
as a Professor of Political Science, has an
explanation for this kind of apathy.
"Student Government is government,
and many students are apathetic about
government. .. Student Government t ouches

The Beacon/Gabby Glinski

Anthony Fanucci and Valerie Woods, pictured above, participate in the open
forum. Fanucci was the only nominee for Student Govenment President, and
Woods, is running opposed for Programing Board President.
them directly, but they don't see it, they don't
feel if'
He went on to compare this with voter
turnout among young people outside college
level government. "Young people, as a rule,
don't vote in great numbers. Participation

rates by people between the ages of 18 and 30
is the lowest of any age group:'
However, lack of interest may not be
the culprit. The current freshman class
president, Cody Morcom, also did not
attend the meeting, for lack of time. "I wasn't

able to attend. It was during club hours,
and unfortunately, that day I had two huge
exams;' he said. "It's hard for students to make
time to go if they are doing club activities:'
Taylor Moyer, Student Government
president, agrees that the lack of attendance
was not indicative of student participation as
a whole.
"This year alone, we had more requests
from students for conference • and event
funding, as well as club recognition requests,
than we have during any year since I have
been at Wilkes:'
Baldino also cited the pgssibility that
time is the main issue. "Time is a precious
commodity for everyone, and students,
almost invariably, have to balance
going to class, working, socializing, and
extracurriculars;' he said. "For athletes, you
add that on too. Time is a critical issue:'
According to Executive Parliamentarian
Cameron Low, "I feel that the driving force
for students to join student government is the
major planning aspect. Student government
plans a lot of events and I think that draws
a lot of people to join and want to help ouf'

Glow Run SK shines light on suicide prevention awareness
second place male and female runners were
Jordan Lindley and Abbey Weidler with
times of 16:59 and 27:28, respectively.
Clemson, Davidson and Kuzma would
like to let everyon~ know that this event
would not have been possible if it were not
for the volunteers who helped with setting
up, working at the registration tables, face
painting, guiding the runners on the track,
and even DJ-ing at the finish line.
They would also like to thank Finish Line
for keeping the times of the competitive
runners,
Student
Government
and
IRHC for funding costs of the event, the
Wilkes Alumni office for access to online
registration, Lowes for donating race
materials, and the Public Safety Officers and
Police Officers that patrolled the event.

By Jennifer Baron
•

Staff Writer

The second "Just Glow With It" SK took
place on April 17 at 10 p.m. The race was
developed last year by Amanda Holyk and
Jordyn Miller and was organized this year
by Nicole Clemson, Samantha Davidson,
and Michelle Kuzma.
Before the start of the race, participants
received T-shirts, glow paint, and were able
to purchase accessories from the Glow Bar.
The race followed a path that started
at UCOM and ended at the River Front
Portal. Participants had the option to
run competitively or non-competitively.
Competitive runners began the race at 10
p.m. and non-competitive runners started
at 10: 10 p.m.
Throughout the run, there were three
paint stations that participants had the
option to run through. There were alternate
routes that did not have paint stations.
There were more than 300 participants
in the race this year and, compared to
last year, more then double the amount of

The Beacon/ Purvit Patel

More than 300 people participated in Wilkes University's Glow Run for Suicide
Revention Awareness
The first place male and female runners
money was raised. A total of $2,402 will go
were
Robert Moulton, with a time of 15:54,
to the American Foundation for Suicide
and
Kaitlyn
Sitch, with a time of 23:35. The
Prevention.

.
@wilkesbeacon
jennifer.baron@wilkes.edu

r

�J
The Beacon - April 21 , 2015

6

News

T

New area restaurants opening soon
By Gabby Glinski
News Photographer and Staff Writer
Feeling hungry? Interested in trying
something new?
What The Fork, Chipotle and Five Guys
Burgers and Fries are all slated to open
sometime soon in Wilkes-Barre or the
surrounding ara.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries will serve
hotdogs, hamburgers and sandwiches at its
new location at 280 Mundy St. It will be one
of the 1,000 locations across the county.
Chipotle will open soon behind the
Wyoming Valley Mall. The establishment
will . hold 75 guests and boast a menu of
burritos, tacos, and nachos. According to its
website, Chipotle prides itself on using meat
free from antibiotics or added hormones
and fresh ingredients from farmers who are
"good stewards to their land:'
What The Fork is planning to open its
first permanent location in the Wilkes-Barre
Mid Town Village, located at 41 South Main
Street.

•

Mario Bevilavqua, owner of What The
Fork, plans for the restaurant to be able to
seat 25 guests and offer delivery to the nearby
downtown area.
The What The Fork food truck is known for
its modern food. What The Fork's Facebook
page states "Call it what you want... New
American, Street food, or Bistro fare. We're
just here to serve up some of the tastiest and
unconventional food you've ever ordered..:•
What The Fork's menu serves a variety of
unique foods including their famous pulled
pork taco with candy sauce and sweet potato
straws.
What The Fork has won awards from
Mobile-Cuisine.com for Best Food Truck
Menu Item 2012 and Best
New Food Truck from Electric City
Magazine. What The Fork has also been
featured on LIVE! With Kelly &amp; Michael for
2nd Place Best Food Truck Nationwide.
To find out where the truck is headed,
visit What the Fork's Facebook page, www.
facebook.com/WTForktruck.

J

The Beacon/Purvit Patel

A ceremony was held on April 17 dedicating the mailroom to the late Edward
Elgonitis Sr. "Eddie's Mailroom"will commemorate Elgonitis who served Wilkes
as a staff member for 33 y~ars before passing away. Pictured is Eddie's daughter.

UPCOMING EVENTS·

Bl
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an

April 21: CC Mad Hatter Tea Party
April 25: Big Event
April 30: IRHC. Study Break·. Party
April .25: Downtown Establishment Tour

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Graphics by Moe Woodard

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�The Beacon - April 21, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editor: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu

Sax, .Dnigs and Rock and Roll:
Are musicians prone to substance abuse?
himself surrounded by alcohol often.
blasting our guitars:'
"When surrounded by alcohol, it is
Both musicians spend much of their
definitely easy to succumb to the desire time performing in bars and agree that
As more biographies and documentaries to drink. Having a few drinks before this environment and the . lifestyle of a
musician leave them
hit the market glamorizing the drug-use performing also helps
and musicians like
and alcoholism of musicians, an important some musicians relax,
them vulnerable.
question is raised-Are musicians and which is an important
Strunk
"Most venues for
performers predisposed to substance component;'
explained. "I feel like
bands just happen to be
abuse?
bars and guess what;'
Andy Gorto, who has just celebrated his some musicians drink or
began Gorto. "Bands
50th birthday, has lived in Luzerne County smoke [marijuana] just
get free drinks. Fans
since he was a child. Gorto joined his first to overcome nerves and
buy band members
band by the age of fourteen and has been I know a few musicians
more free drinks. It's
who would call it liquid
a part of the local music scene ever since.
a catch 22. They want
"I had a high school band as long as confidence before they
you to party as hard as
I could remember;' Gorto said. "Ninth had to play a solo:'
Gorto also agreed
they are. You just have
grade we knew about 11 songs and the
to know your limits:'
Dallas Band director asked us to play their that alcohol could serve
Strunk spoke on the
banquet. My guitarist was two years older to alter the mindset
influence alcohol could
and he brought a six-pack with him and of a musician before a
performance or while
have on a musician
the four of us had one beer:'
but feels "there is far
Beer was not the only thing that left working on .the creative
less drug affiliation .in
Gorto feeling good that day in high school. process.
"Musicians are always
music now than there
"As soon as we started playing, the entire
was in the past:' With
student body got up and started dancing. looking for an escape.
more than 35 years
Cheerleaders, band geeks, strutters and That is what draws us
as a musician, Gorto
everyone in the place went nuts;' the to music;' the musician
has seen a number of
musician said. "We played three sets said. "It also doesn't help
his colleagues fall to
of those 11 songs and they danced like that all of our idoJs posed
both alcohol and drug
they never heard the songs before. That in every major music
abuse.
right there was the biggest 'high' I ever magazine with a bottle ,..._,_
'Tm lucky. I don't
of Jack Daniels. So our
experienced:'
influenced
have an addictive
Collin Strunk, a junior and Pl in Wilkes influences
personality so I never
University's pharmacy program, also us for all the wrong
really abused anything
began playing music at an early age. He reasons:'
Gorto continued, "We
where it became a
has been playing saxophone since the
problem. I can say I
fifth grade and began playing at bars as a thought a case of beer
in.dulged in a lot of
freshman in high school. His interest for was almost as important
things,. some alcohol
the saxophone was inspired after going to . as our guitar case. Luckily
we recorded ourselves
and some other things.
a jazz bar called The Deerhead Inn.
I would do a little but
Strunk plays frequently in bars, country during a practice and
it never turned into a
clubs, picnics and in auditoriums. He also realized that we weren't
lot;' Gorto explained.
currently plays in Wilkes University's very good blasted while
Jazz Band and Picture Perfect, a wedding
Courtesy of The Beacon/ Emily DeAngelis
band. He said that, as a musician, he finds
By Justin Topa
Assistant Life, A&amp;E Editor

"Unfortunately so many musicians think
that is the lifestyle and I have seen a lot of
great musicians become great drunks and
druggies and, when I say great, I mean
they greatly ruined their lives and their
talent. They believed the interviews and
the stories about tpe' party lifestyle and
spent more time on that side of the music
business than they did on the creative side:'
Strunk and Gorto continue to perform.
While they agree that the environments
in which they perform can be breeding
grounds for substance abuse, neither are
willing to let their music suffer by indulging
in excessive drinking or drug use.
"I have played too many shows to count
and have recorded a number of songs that
actually get requests. That was always my
goal, to live forever by having a song or two
of mine played forever;' Gorto said.
Gorto is currently a member in the
punk band, The Haunting, and a cover
band called KAOS, an abbreviation for
Kiss and Other Songs. It was with fellow
band ·members of KAOS that Gorto and
two band members coined a phrase to
describe the euphoria they really chase
while performing.
"We all have experienced a feeling called
'the Swirl' !coined by KAOS], where the
music actually starts spinning around us
and we get lost in the song, so much so that
all of the concentration is to impress each
other until the last note of the song;' Gorto
explained. "It happens more than not and
I credit that to what music was created
for in the first place-to make emotion
something you can actually feel circling
you. It's the original high that I felt at the
Band Banquet [in high school]:'

.

["II

@wilkesbeacon

1:1 Justin.Topa@wilkes.edu
F

�.
--------------------_J

The Beacon - April 21, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

8

1

Smisconceptions around being a virgin in college
By Emf/y DeAnge/is
Staff Writer

Let's lose it for good.
.
We all have our own preconceptions
about what sex should be like, the first
time especially. These misconceptions
range from thinking that there is a right
and wrong way to lose one's virginity to
thinking that sex for the first time is this
irreversible transformation of mind and
body
Regardless, virginity is that delicate
topic. Handle it wrong, you're a slut,
handle it right, you're prude ... or is it the
reverse?
It doesn't fit our society, and society
is screaming back for a change. Let's
explore why this long withstanding
tradition is problematic in 20th century
America.
•

1

Virginity is one
dimensional.

The virginity we are accustomed to only
accounts for one type of relationship:
heterosexual vanilla sex. There are
individuals that, according to our
standard definition of gender, can never
lose their virginity. Gender currently
sits on a flat spectrum, identifying
indivi~als either male, female or
androgen. This is troublesome, because
many individuals find themselves
someplace in between, leaving our
current definition of gender antiquated
just like virginity.
According to sophomore psychology
major Danica DeMesa, "Gender is as
much a spectrum as sexuality is. I think
society should stop expecting people to
identify as something they may not be,
because the consequences of forcing
such a system on people has caused too
big of a loss:'
Non-binary individuals and those
with diverging sexual preferences are
often faced with the question of if they
are a virgin or not. If an individual does
not fit onto society's spectrum of gender
or sexuality, are they not capable of
participating in one of the biggest trends
society has to offer?

The definition of virginity has a ~exuality:' •
problem. It i:iever has been defined
ihe swinging pendulum that is
scientifically, only socially. According to virginity could very well be its downfall.
Sutter Health, In Ancient Greece, virgin While to a female, virginity adds to her
was the label given to the goddesses worth, to a male, it decreases his.
who were immune to the temptations of
Dionysus, Greek god of seduction. It was •
Purity culture
once a term of power. Now, it is more or
less a term of confusion for our society
While modesty still exists, it is greatly
to bend how it pleases.
changed, and its flaws are now exposed
through • literature and media alike.
•
The "Hookup" Culture
Purity culture revolves around the
concept of saving oneself for marriage,
It's generally agreed upon that men and this is not limited to those who
looking for a one night stand don't chose to wear purity ring or are entered
want a virgin. According to Diego*, into an arranged marriage. This culture
in freshman year of college especially, encompasses individuals who chose,
men aren't looking to get tied down. In be it for person~, family. or religious
the first few weeks of his first semester, reasons, to save themselves for marriage.
Diego found a great girl, with only one However, America's growing obsession
flaw: she was a virgin. In her best interest, with virginity often increases these
Diego reluctantly cut their time together individual's challenge to remain pure.
short. Even the best intentioned man,
Most schools, however, are shying
such as Diego, does not want to lead a away from the abstinence-only form
female into a relationship that he is not · of education. Advocates for Youth
prepared to cultivate.
acknowledge that despite the large
Another freshman, Lilly, pointed out amounts offederal funding for abstinence
that even when a female is not a virgin; education,
"A
federally-funded
she's not yet free of male scrutiny.. "She's evaluation of four carefully selected
not a virgin so she's not attached which abstinence-only education programs,
•makes her appealing, but she's not a published in April 2007, showed that
virgin so how many people has she been youth enrolled in the programs were
with?" Lilly noted this tricky duality that no more likely than those not in the
females face when describing their past programs to delay sexual initiation, to
to a potential partner.
have fewer sexual partners, or to abstain
entirely from sex:' In simpler terms,
purity isn't changing any minds.
.
Sexism
A basic flaw with1n this purity
Virginity is sexist. It is used as a sign of culture, is that it often likens virginity
purity, and this does not accommodate to a precious jewel or flower that one
for cases of rape. Regardless of the possesses until they, hopefully chose
circumstances, a women faces shame to, give it to another. Continuing the
and scrutiny around her status, especially metaphor, for females, once a man has
before marriage, whereas a man faces this, a piece of that femal_e's identity is
less cultural backlash for not remaining forever shattered, and the longer she
a virgin.
had it, the more integral it becomes to
According to The Purity Myth, by her being. This is problematic because
Jessica Valenti, '~The lie of virginity-the at marriage, virginity is supposed to be
idea that such a thing even exists-is something given to the spouse. Those
ensuring that young women's perception deemed, "impure;' thus have nothing to
of themselves is inextricable from their give, and this completely overlooks the
bodies, and that their ability to be moral fact that the female in marriage is, in
actors is absolutely dependent on their theory, giving herself to the care of her

husband, something far greater than any
flower or pearl.
•

Slut-shaming
b

Shaming people for their sexuality
via the way they chose to dress, act or
present themselves has emerged as a
tragic cultural downfall. While partisan
and nonpartisan sources alike debate the
legitimacy of catcalling and argue if it is
a racist or gender selective issue, a female
need only walk through Wilkes-Barre
any time after dark wearing whatever she
pleases to elicit comments from a myriad
of people. All things aside, the legal
system defines harassment as "the act of
systematic and/or continued unwanted
actions of one party or group ... purposes
varY:' Several females at Wilkes admitted
to having negative experiences with
catcalling, and agreed that it is nothing
short of harassment. Lilly explained
that it's best to just handle. it as a joke
and hide any discomfort. But even Lilly
can't escape her daily routine without
·thinking twice about what she wears.
When going out, she wants to be sure to
look available, but she doesn't want her
cloths to send the wrong message. Lilly
agreed that most girls want to avoid
looking "slutty" but still try to find ways
to feel pretty, drawing a fine line about
what to wear and how to feel confident in
the face of constant scrutiny.

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D:
Perhaps
renowned
philosopher
Voltaire- foreshadowed our society's
current dilemma when he wrote, "It is
an infantile superstition of the human
spirit that virginity would be thought a
virtue and not the barrier that separates
ignorance from knowledge:'
As a community, we can all agree upon
DeMesa's statement .. that, "A person
shouldn't be defined by anything other
than what they wish to be defined by,
much less their sex life (or lack thereof):'

*Editor's note: names were changed
in this article to respect the privacy
of those involved.

M
A
da
hi
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de
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�The Beacon - April 21, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

Wilkes University Programming Board Puts on "Class~c" Act:

MKTO Performs at F.M. Kirby _Ceriter
By Kayla Bucci
Contributing Writer

Wilkes University Programming Board
hosted MKTO on Sunday, April 12 at the
F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre.
MKTO, a band comprised of members
• Tony Oller and Malcolm Kelley, are
originally from Florida. They are known
for the hit songs, "Classic" and 'J\rnericait
Dream:' The event was open to all Wilkes
University students, faculty and staff as well
as the public.
The two members met on a television
series called Gigantic. The two played best
friends on the show and have been together
since.
"We were hanging out a lot and just sort of
clicked;' said Oller. "He's my best friend and
I get to work with him and travel with him:'
The duo describes their music as something
that is always changing and evolving. They
expect their upcoming album to express
their personality more closely.
If the two weren't making music, Kelley
said he would have liked to have a career
within the CIA. Oller said he might. have
pursued a career as a lawyer, a career his
mother thought would suit him because of
his constant debating.
Oller and Kelley, who have been together
for several years but have many years in
the entertainment industry before coming
• together, name a few common influences to
their sound.
"Michael Jackson and the artists mentioned

in the song 'Classic: for sure;' said Kelley on
those who influenced him and Oller. "Were
also influenced by our producers. The way
they listen to and create mm,ic is pretty
awesome:'
The inspiration for MKTO's lyrics stem
from more than just modeling the sounds
that have come before them. They find
inspiration in a number of ways based on
personal experiences and every day life.
"You can only take from what you learn and
live through;' said Oller. "An album should
be a story and that's what we're trying to do.
We put together as many stories as we can in
a melodic, relatable and understanding waY:'
The show began at 7 pm with music from
opener, DJ Tonez. The duo took the stage at
about 8:30 to perform for the enthusiastic
crowd. MKTO provided plenty of exciting
experiences for the audience to get involved
including sing-alongs, covering old classics
including "Runaround Sue" and drenching
those in front with water during their song,
"Thank You:'
Despite the band's recent claim to fame,
they remained completely personable and
down-to-earth during their time in WilkesBarre, making a number jokes and trying to
get to know the audience in front of them.
For more on musicians near and far and to
hear the top pop, punk and alternative, tune
into DJ KayBooch on 90.7 WCLH between
three p.m. and five p.m. on Tuesdays.

"

Courtesy of Kayla Bucci

MKTO poses for a photo with Kayla Bucci, contributing writer for the Beacon.

@wilkesbeacon

111:J Kay/a.Bucci@wilkes.edu

Courtesy of Kayla Bucci

Courtesy of ayla Bucci

Tony Oller (left) and Malcolm Kelley (right) perform in front of the F.M. Kirby
Center's crowd consisting mostly of Wilkes students, but the event was open to
the public.

Courtesy of Kayla Bucci

MKTO, a musical duo based out of Florida, performed at the F.M. Kirby Center on
Sunday, April 12, 2015, courtesy of Wilkes University's Programming Board.
Malcolm Kelley (left) and Tony Oller (right) leave it all on the stage as they
perform for the enthusiastic crowd.

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Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

The Beacon - April 21, 2015

-Where to go for the best pizza around Wilkes
By Nathan Hughes ·
Correspondent

Having a slice of pizza is the norm for
many college students in today's society.
The price and taste of pizza are some of
many reasons why students choose it.
In the eyes of Wilkes students there is
a clear battle of who has the best pizza,
between Frank's Pizzeria and Angelo's
Pizzeria. The two pizzerias have different
attributes that they are known for. Angelo's
is known for its sweet sauce and thin crust.
Frank's is known for it's · New York style
crust.
"Our pizza is not comparable, it has a
different style and taste than other pizza
places around here;' said Bill Ricci, owner
of Angelo's.
.
Yelp, a company that publishes selfreviews, hands the edge to Angelo's, givin$
it a rating of 4.5 out of 5. At press time,
Frank's maintained of 3.5 out of 5.
The taste of pizza is not the only issue.
Location is a huge factor in students'
minds. Students often choose Frank's
because it is within walking distance from

·

The Beacon/ Nicole Kutos
The Wilkes student body is divided when the best pizza place is involved. Many
factors go in t o the decision such location, delivery factors and taste.

campus. Angelo's however, is a mile away
and delivery is not an option, meaning
students have to drive to get there.
Another factor that played into people's
decision to choose Frank's is that it takes
Flex Dollars as payment, something that is
essential for students at Wilkes.
Angelo's has "thin and crispy crust and

extra sweet sauce, which is my favorite;'
said sophomore Vanessa Serano. "The only
inconvenience is that they don't accept
cash or deliver:'
Some other things that stood out to her
were "the taste and the drive of the people
that work there:'
Serano added that Flex Dollars are a

major reason she visits Frank's.
Angelo's "is an experience ... nice people,
busy atmosphere. Well worth the time
spent to go get it;' said sophomore Maria
Chielli.
"Frank's has a close location and prices
are reasonable;' said former student
Anthony Swain. "Pizza there is readily
available, full of flavor and a lot of choices
of toppings. Flex Dollars are a big plus. A
lot of seating inside and the service is great. ,
Compared to Angelo's there's other choices
of food on the menu. You can't get one slice
at Angelo's:'
Even though students say both
restaurants have enticing pizza, it seems
that Angelo's has more positive reviews
on pizza. Frank's, however, definitely has
the edge on location, Flex Dollar use, and
different food options.
"Frank's is in walking distance, which is
very convenient ... Flex dollars makes it a
better place to get food;' said sophomore
Tim Lindner.

f'.!ll @wilkesbeacon

R::J nathan.hughes@wilkes.edu

Eating hot dogs to support the Veterans Council
. Ely
By Aus t,n
Staff Writer
If you weren't at the Student Union
Building getting something for lunch
to fill your dietary needs, at the library
crun~ ing down on that last minute work
for a 1 p.m. class, or in class being prepared
for your future you probably should have
been on the greenway where the Student
Veterans Council hosted a hot dog eating
contest from 11-a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hot dogs were offered for $2 along with
a free drink and a bag of chips which were
$1. Not only was it just a place to eat hot
dogs and enjoy the spring air, but it was
also a fundraiser for homeless veterans.
According to the National Coalition
for Homeless Veterans, 12 percent of
homeless adults are veterans. All though
that number may or may not be staggering,
the Student Veterans Council ran with the
slogan "They fought for us let's fight for
them'' which signifies the importance of
these men and women which make up that

r---=

The
Shown above is Corey Purta, munching
dog last Thursday.

12percent.
According to sophomore Kellie Palko,
who is the president of the Student
Veterans Council, the goal for the club was

to raise $1000 .
The gro~p was also
hosting a clothing
drive, where for a
donation
of two
articles of clothing
· a person would be
offered a free bag of
chips. The Student
.Veterans Council was
aiso selling Wilkes
shirts for $5.
The hot dog eating
contest cost $5 to
enter and whomever
ate six hot dogs the
fastest was awarded a
Beacon/ Austin Ely $25 gift card.
down on a hot·
"It's cheaper to get
six hot dogs for $5
than buying one hot
dog for $2;' said sophomore Gabrielle
Baran. "It also provides people with an
incentive:'
Everyone involved was also guaranteed a

stomach full of hot dogs. ·
The contest started at 12:30 p.m. with
four hungry and passionate individuals
racing to devour six hot dogs each. Those
who participated consisted of senior
Corey Purta, sophomore Will Richardson,
sophomore Kelly Egan and freshmen Eric
Geiger.
Egan and Geiger ·expressed that they
would rather relax instead of rushing to
eat their six hot dogs, while Purta and
Richardson battled for the prize. Purta,
who was the winner of the contest,
~ommented, "It's simply a good way to
support the club and their purpose:'
Those in attendance were· also urged to
donate by texting the number 56512 with
the word "home:' Donations can still be
made to this number.
For any information about the Student
Veterans Council ot homeless veterans
contact Kellie Palko at kellie. palko@wilkes.
edu or Mark.Kaster@wilkes.edu.
A @wilkesbeacon
1:1 austin.ely@wilkes.edu

E

�The Beacon - April 21, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; En

•

•

I II • I

WUPB Hosts Silent Disco
By Macey McGuire
Contributing Writer

·•

Imagine a dance floor with no music. You
walk into a room with flashing lights and
lasers but you don't hear a sound, except
maybe a few laughs here and there.
The Wilkes University Programming
Board sponsored an event called a Silent
Disco on Thursday, April 16, 2015 from
8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Wilkes University
Henry Student Center second floor
Ballroom. The Programming Board got
the idea for this event at a conference they
attend every year called NACA or National
Association of Campus Activities. At the
conference the Programming Board was
able to experience a Silent Disco through
one of the NACA showcases.
"We wanted to bring a Silent Disco to
Wilkes because we had fun and learned
a lot about each other through the games
we played and ffiJlSic we danced to at the
showcase;' Valerie Woods, a nominee for
President of the Programming Board, said.
A Silent Disco is exactly what it seems
to be; silent. At the event, students were
provided with wireless headphones that
had two different channels the students
could choose from to listen to. The first
channel ''I{' had classic throwback songs
and channel "B" was playing current
popular music. The DJ was relaying the
music to the headphones as the students
danced. To anybody walking past this
event, they would have seen people dancing

around in a silent room with flashing lights
and lasers, but to the people wearing their
headphones it was a dub-like experience.
"I went to a Silent Disco at a night
club once somewhere in Tennessee. It
was an average night in the club, crazy
lights, smoke machines and lasers. The
only difference was this club had three
DJ's instead of one and were all playing
different kinds of music. It was funny
because if you took your headphones off,
you could tell what people were listening
to by the way they were dancing;' student
Alex Fahnestock who attended the event
Thursday night said.
The Wilkes Programming Board is
known for their Thursday night events
held for students.
"For next year's programming events,
we plan to raise the bar, make new events,
bring bigger and better event ideas to
campus and find different venues to come
in to make the student experience more
wonderful than it already is at Wilkes.
Anything we think the students will like,
we will try our best to bring it to Wilkes;'
Woods added.
For more information on upcoming
events on the Wilkes campus, you can visit
their Facebook page by searching Wilkes
University Programming Board.

HUMANS OF WILKES
UNIVERSITY

@wilkesbeacon
macey.mcguire@Wilkes.edu

4th Annual Max Fine SK
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, A&amp;E Editor

Muscles are what allow the body to
move. Imagine your muscles deteriorating
slowly, limiting your movement gradually
along the way.
According to the Mayo Clinic, muscular
dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause
progressive weakness and loss of muscle
mass.
On April 26, the 4th annual Max Fine
Memorial Sk Race will be held in support
for the Muscular Dystrophy Association
(MDA). The event will take place in

Wilkes-Barre. Starting at 10:30 A.M. The
race starts at the intersection of South
River Street and West Northampton Street.
This race consists of a Sk race ut and
back course and one mile walk.
The race director, Michael Fine, son of
Max Fine, welcomes all to participate.
"My family and I could not continue to
improve this race and raise more funds for
MDA each year without your assistance;'
Fine said.
For more information visit
www.
maxfinemerorialSk.com.
@wilkesbeacon
nicole.zukowski@Wilkes.edu

r

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12

The Beacon - April 21, 2015

Rememberi_
ng Merryman:
Graduating Beacon editor reflects on interview with the late professor
By Shawn Carey, Social Media Director

Over the summer everyone was doing the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.•
It did not matter' where you went, someone was taking the challenge to raise
awareness and money for ALS. As it was all happening over the summer, Keystone College took the challenge to hon~r Dr. Nancy Merryman, who was a
professor there. Keystone promptly challenged Wilkes University and Dr.
Patrick Leahy to take the challenge in honor of Dr. Jim Merryman, a professor
of Wilkes for many years. It was a huge success with faculty and staff coming
together to honor such a beloved member of the Wilkes family.
Let me first say that I never got a chance to meet Dr. Merryman in
person. I was only able to converse with him via email when ~riting a profile on
his diagnosis last semester. His disease had already progressed so m1=1ch that he
only spoke at a "gravelly whisper:' However, in those few emails, I learned that
Dr. Merryman was a special person who had a grasp on life that most of us only
wish of having. I al~o had the privilege of speaking to his wife; his daughter, and
one of his closest friends, Dr. Sid Hals or. Through those individuals I was able
to get a better un1e.rstanding of the kind of person Dr. Merryman was.
I am sure Dr. Merryman would second this when I say that he was
• surrounded by love and support. Hearing his wife and daughter talk with such
strength during such a difficult time, was an inspiration in itself. Dr. Merryman's daughter shared a story with me about how the nurses and doctors told
the family not to look at his ALS as a death sentence, but to cherish each
and every moment.
.
Another thing that Dr. Merryman's wife shared with me is that although ALS is a terrible disease, it could be worse. For a family to carry such a
light in a dark moment like that ia truly what makes this family special.
Although I only _had those short interviews with them, I feel like I have known
them for years.
After conducting all of the interviews with Dr. Merrym'an's wife,
daughter, and friends, I started to get emails from Dr. Merryman himself
answering questions that I had sent him. As I mentioned before, this was the
only way for me to communicate with him. I had sent him a list of about 12-15
questions, and each night Dr. Merryman would send responses to about 3-4 of
those questions, at the end of each email, he would break from the "interview"
and say that he had to take a break for the night.

By the last couple emails, I was waiting with eagerness to see what he
had written. The way he answered my questions was as if we were talking face
to face. There was a depth to him, and also such emotion and conviction in
everything he did. This was a man that had done it all. He had worked in Africa
with the Peace Corps and had travelled the world seeing the beauty in
everything. I was just lucky enough to have been able to exchange a few emails
with him.
While I was in "writing mode" writing this profile piece about Dr. Merryman, I wanted people to see that depth and emotion. Nothing I said would
do it justice, so I used quotes from him, his family, and his friends. Anything I
wrote was merely a transition from one quote to the next. After I completed it, a
sense of worry came over me, because I wondered if Dr. Merryman
would even like it.
•
After the print edition came out, that day, I sent an email to Dr. Merryman with the link to the article that I had worked on for the past two weeks.
I eagerly awaited a return about his thoughts. In the meantime, I received a
couple of emails from others saying they read the article, including President
Leahy, but no one's opinion was as important as Dr. Merryman's. The article that
I wrote is one that I will not soon forget. It was a very special piece because of
the people involved. They treated me with such respect and I will forever be
appreciative of that. It is hard to put into words what this article means to me,
because it was an article that was a true labor of love.
A couple weeks after the article was published, Dr. Merryman had
emailed me asking what the reaction was to the article. I had told him it was
nothing but positive, and I promised to forward him any and all fan mail,
knowing that it would all be for him. I will still hold true to that promise in the
off chance that there is still some that has yet to be mailed. However, there
was one piece of fan mail I did keep for myself. Back in March, I learned that
Dr. Merryman's article had won a Keystone Press Award from the Pen,nsylvania
Newsmedia Association. I was so proud to have accepted that award because
Dr. Merryman was receiving the recognition he deserved. So, Dr. Merryman, I
dedicate that award to you.

.

In closing, it is hard to believe that I am finishing this year the same

as I began it, writing about the incredible life of Dr. Jim Merryman. One
thing I promised Dr. Merryman was that he could flip the tables on me
and interview me like any good anthropologist. So, I say to you, Dr.
Merryman, I look forward to that day when we can talk and share a good
martini - shaken, of course.

Th

�After Dr. Merryman was diagnosed
with ALS last year, Wilkes faculty
participated in the ice bucket
challenge to show their support for
their colleague. A full academic year
later, these pictures are a testament
to the impact that Merryman had on
the campus community. A memorial
service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on
May 2 in the Dorothy Dickson Darte

Top left: President Leahy dedicates
a speech to Merryman before
participating in the ice bucket
challenge.
Top right: Wilkes faculty pour
buckets of ice water over their heads.
Bottom: Merryman and Leahy
sit soaked from the challenge's
aftermath.
All photos the Beacon archives//
Sarah Bedford.

r

�.J

Have an opinion or want te write a guest colurru.i? Contact the opinion editor: frank.passalacqua@wilk~s.edu

Added r:--ursing requirement
unfair to seniors
.
.

.

New exam worth. 25 percent of Management Leadership grade
By Mandy Stickles

·

.

Assistant Opinion_ Editor

Senior Wilkes Nursing students
received a surprising twist in one of their
classes this final semester;
The nursing program decided to add
a pass or fail exam called the HESI to
one of the classes that students must
take during their last semester in the
program. A goal of the exam is to help
with preparation as nursing students
move forward in their careers.
According to statistics outlining
nursing schools' passing rates on
the National Council Licensure
Examination, the standard competency
exam for nurses, Wilkes University's
. passing rate for the nursing program has
fluctuated within the past few years. In
2010 the passing rate was 75.4 percent,
84.3 percent in 2011, and 86.5 percent in
two attempts to take the exam. The exam
2012; a large drop occurred in 2013 with
is worth 25 percent of a student's overall
a passing rate of only 72.6. 2014 saw a 6.6
grade in the management leadership
percent increase, taking the passing rate
class, according to Havrilla.
to 79.2 percent.
It is unjust that these current nursing
The class that is requiring the
students be responsible for passing the
nursing students to take the HESI is
HESI _exam on such short notice. The
a management leadership class, and
students were only told about this exam ·
multiple students have voiced that the
last semester. It would be one thing
exit exam is unfair because it does not
. if the students knew about this exam
pertain directly to the course itself.
going into ·the program but to sp.ring
The professor of the management
this type of information on the students
leadership class, Dr. Emily Havrilla,
during their senior year in the program
an assistant professor in the School of
i~ completely unfair of the school to do
Nursing, said in an email that The School
to their nursing students.
of Nursing faculty has been extremely
Several nursing students have taken it
committed in preparing the students to
upon themselves to try and get the HESI
take the upcoming HESI exam. Within
exam expunged and have spoken to the
the past week a three-day prep course
provost of the university about the exam.
was constructed to better help the
The students ~aid there is an ongoing
students and the faculty are continuing
discussion about the exam.
to work with them.
Several senior members of the 2015
Students must get a score of 850 or
nursing class want their voices to be
higher to pass the exam and will have

way it's being presented.
"I think that HESI is a useful tool to
assess strengths and weaknesses and
should be used as a guidt; to studying for
the NCLEX RN exam. I think the HESI
should be used to benefit and not harm
students:' said a senior nursing student.
It seems no matter how hard the
nursing class of 2015 at Wilkes work~
for the past four years it could all be for
nothing if they do not pass the HESI
exam -- something these students knew
nothing about until last semester,seems
like a cruel and unjust graduation
surprise.

f:'.'11 @wilkesbeacon
The Beacon/Purvit Patel

heard, adding they feel cheated and at
a huge disadv.;intage on having to take
the HESI exam. However, students are
scared to make their identity known in
fear of repercussions they might_ face
from the dean or university.
"I feel severely disadvantaged that my
entire nursing career is going to be based
on a standardized test that is no way
reflective on that class [management
leadership], said one senior nursing
student.
"This exam is weighted so heavily on
our career and it was just introduced to
us last semester. We have been prepping
for the exam and no one has even
reached the passing grade. It's also unfair
that it is a pass or fail. A score of 850
gives you 25 percent but anything lower
automatically gives you a 0percent;' said
other senior nursing student.
Some students do recognize the
potential b~nefit of the exam but not the

~ amanda.stjckles@wilkes.edu

Tell us your thoughts.
Is testing in the final
semester a bad idea for
Wi lkes Nursing Students?
Email
ama nda.stickles@wi Ikes.ed u
with your comments

�-------·-------

The Beacon - April 21, 2015

Opinion

15

.

Past, Present &amp; Future: ba lancing, not dwel Ii ng
By Allison Rossi
Staff Writer

For some reason, people find it hard to
focus on the present. Most people tend to
get hung up on the past. Remembering
the past is a good thing; however, living
in the past is only going to hold you back
from success.
People focus on things they wish they
did or didn't do. They keep going back
and forth in their heads focusing on
what could have been. People tend to
have regrets or blame themselves for past
events. They will search for months for
an explanation to a specific past event
they think to themselves "If only I did
this instead': Instead of focusing on what
they could have done, should have done,
or would have done, people need to focus

on what they are doing in this moment.
The key word in that thought process is
"if only".
If only what?
You cannot change what has already
happened. People like to take the, blame
for others' actions but, sometimes this
is not the case. One cannot change an
individual, people think differently and
feel differently and that is life. He or she
could feel nostalgic at times and have
a longing for the past but the truth is
change is inevitable. Change as much as
people hate it, including myself is a part
of life. Change allows a person to grow
and learn about themselves and the world
around them.
It is extremely hard for the majority
of people to not dwell on the past It is
also hard to stop looking into the future
as well. Focusing on the future is good

and being optimistic about one's future
is great. This will lead to hard work and
ambition. If an individual is living in the
future they will always be working and
not living in the present or enjoying their
life now.
Everyone waits for the future, whether
it be short term goals or long term goals.
People dream for the future they dream
of a better future or a happier one.
Everyone looks forward to the weekend
every week, they look forward to their
next paycheck, their next birthday, their
next meal. Everyone is hoping for the
next best thing, they are always striving
for something more.
Circumstances
change
focus.
According to sivers.org, one needs safety
and staoility in the present to begin
thinking about the future. Political and
economic instability also causes people

to focus more on present survival than
saving their money.
The answer for success is an equal
balance of focus on the past, present,
and the future. During family events or
meeting up with old friends, one should
be past-focused to enjoy and recall old
memories. When their work is finished
and it's time to wind down, they should
be present-focused.
When one has 'work to accomplish
(academically or in their profe.ion)
they should be future-focused.
People tend to ignore the present day.
Everyone needs to learn to live in the
present because the present is the only
thing that is guaranteed.
~

IZ:J

@wilkesbeacon
Allison.rossi@wilkes.edu

Matt and Kim a"re forever young with New Glow
By Eric Casey
Staff Writer

Matt and Kim are forever young
Matt and Kim have been getting some
flak over their new album •New Glow.
Some critics say they never change their
sound, while others are saying that they
changed their sound in some dramatic
way. Honestly, I don't think there is much
to argue over this album.
If anything, I believe that indie pop
Brooklyn duo Matt and Kim are The B-52s
of the modern era. They are an incredible
party band. There is nothing negative
about saying that either. Who wouldn't
want to have that kind of distinction?
This is their fifth album. Is it drastic
from their 2012 album Lightning? It
could be said that, no not lyrically, but
instrumentally hell yeah! When it comes
to the lyrics I do feel what the critics
are saying though. The lyrical content
feel so intentionally dumbed down and
teenager-ish. Especially with "Hoodie
On" and "World Is Ending:'
The new album feels like a playlist of
mixed material. "Stirred Up" has a trap
vibe in there that makes the song more

interesting despite it's cringe-worthy
lyrics. Another song with hip hop and
trip elements is their moderate alternative
hit "Get It" which is a highlight on the
album. It has so far peaked at #27 on the
US Alternative Singles chart.
Their song "Killin' Me" leaves me with
mixed emotions. I feel like it's going to be
one of those songs that is best played live.
They make great use of the horn again just
like they did on the opening track "Hey
Now:' Speaking·of which, it's the perfect
opening to dance your &amp;#$ off to. The
horn section is really cool mixed in with
hip hop sounds.
Other highlights on the album include
"Make A Mess:' Yet another example of a
song of theirs that will sound absolutely
stellar live, not just from your stereo at a
party.
The zany video game beats heard
throughout the song make it super fun
to move around your living room ... or
a proper. dance floor. "Not Alone" is a
cur.iously crafted tune that sounds like
their biggest hit "Daylight" at times.
"Here comes brighter days, forgot many
times, true friends hard to find."
Lastly, let's just take a moment and
really appreciate one of the best songs of

the year to date and
what is surely to be a
huge staple in their
discography. That
is "Can You Blame
Me:'
Surely this
song will be remixed
sooner than lateF.
It's
definitely a
future classic Matt
and Kim song. This
song ought to be
blasting
through
your speakers this
summer
as
it's
destined to be an
indie anthem.
To
conclude,
some won't like this
record, and diehard
fans will treasure it
just like I will. The
too short album
that is New Glow won't attract a ton of
new fans, but it will keep diehards happy.
If there's one thing that can be said
about Matt and Kim it's that they put on
a better and more lively show than most
bands out there with multiple members.
Seriously, it's quite the spectacle to see

Kim shake what she's got while booty
bouncing on the hands of the front rows.
I rate New Glow 3 ½ out of 5 stars.

['I @wilkesbeacon

lt:I eric.casey@wilkes.edu

r

.I

�_J

The Beacon - April 21, 2015

Opinion

16

No regr~ts: Reflections from a graduating senior
By Alyssa Stencavage"'
Contributing Writer
Whenever someone used to say "enjoy
these years because they're going to fly
by," I always took it with a grain of salt.
But really, I should have listened.
I remember my first day on campus as
if it were yesterday. I didn't realize the
obstacle that is parking, which can mean
driving around for half an hour. Then I sat
at the front of the Student Union Building
pretending to be busy.
Who was I kidding?
Nobody has work on the first day before
classes even start.
Looking back, there are so many
things I cannot help but laugh at. It feels
like I snapped a finger and I'm about to
graduate. While these years have been
tough in many ways, they've also been
some of the most incredible and satisfying
years of my life . After some reflection,
I wanted to give some undergrad to
undergrad wisdom before the turning of
the tassels.
·There's no doubt that getting involved
from the get-go is essential - don't
wait. Take advantage of the numerous
opportunities Wilkes provides because
four years go much faster than you think.
Move outside your comfort zone and
make time to get involved. Don't make

excuses and don't have regrets.
The professors at Wilkes are here for
you, so don't be afraid to ask questions . It
could make a difference in your grade.
Don't ever be afraid to speak up. People
will respect you, and you may have an idea
nobody else was thinking about. Everyone
has a voice, use yours.
This sounds simple, but be who you
are . Chase your dreams and go after what
you want in life. I speak from experience
when I say if you care too much about the
opinions of others ipstead of living for
you, you're going to have a tough life. If
you have an idea, make it a reality. As long
as you have faith and determination, you
will find a way to make anything happen.
In every moment of doubt, find the
· courage to carry on. Fill your mind with
positive thoughts and do good. It will come
back to you.
You're going to experience fear often.
Conquer it - it is overcoming that fear that
leads to some of the greatest satisfaction.
Learn from your mistakes and bad
experiences- they can teach just as much
as good ones. Everyone has a journey.
Enjoy yours and find the meaning. As
Robin Roberts said, "Make your mess your
message."
Make the most of EVERY moment and
every opportunity. Soon enough, you'll
be walking across the stage to get your

diploma and wondering where the time human interaction never killed anyone),
went. Don' t rush.•I found myself doing that and professors. Don't ever underestimate
all too often, and when you do, you miss the power of relationships with professors.
what's right in front of you.
Even if you drive them absolutely insane in
It's also about brightening the days of the process (I speak from experience), talk
others. Lend a smile or hold the door for to and see them when needed. I PROMISE
someone - it makes a difference. Surround you won't be sorry.
yourself with good people, be kind to
These people help and watch you grow,
everyone, and let people know they're encourage and support you ~ you build
important to you.
relationships with them, who may end up
Through it all, don't stop until you ' ve being lifelong friends . And in my opinion,
reached your absolute fullest potential. you can't ask for anything more.
Work hard and do your best, but have some
And
remember-just
because you
fun and get some rest. There are going to graduate, doesn't mean your time at Wilkes
be hardships, but I pr"omise you will get is over. Remember and keep in touch with
through them. Reach out for help- we can those who helped you along the way. As
all use a shoulder to lean on.
Maya Angelou said, "People will forget
At the beginning of this semester what you said, people will forget what jlt,u
someone asked me what I would change did, but people will never forget how you
in life if I could go back. I thought for a made them feel. "
second and then it hit me - although I'm
You can't get back time, so use it wisely.
only 21 , I wouldn't change a thing. While
As I prepare to graduate, as nostalgic and
I probably would've done· some things scared as I am, I take with me many great
differently and been a bit more assertive, I memories with great people, all of which I
am more than grateful for the experiences will always hold close to my heart. I would
that have made and continue to make me like to thank all those who have made this
who I am today.
journey both possible and special.
As I reflect back on my time at Wilkes,
which helped me to grow tremendously,
one of the best things have been the people
@wilkesbeacon
- those who make moments extra special.
~ a/yssa.stencavage@wilkes.edu
I'm talking fellow students, people you pass
on the greenway (say hi to people ... a little

r,,.

Autism Speaks: Starting a public conversation
By Emily DeAngelis
Staff Writer
Organizations such as Special Olympics
and Athletes Helping Athletes perpetuating
the understanding and acceptance of autism
in my local community have changed who I
have become as an individual, so to read that
one organization, Autism Speaks, promotes
autism in an unethical manner, was beyond
shocking. Because I have no prior affiliation
with Autism Speaks, I wanted to further
explore these harsh comments. ~Jter much
research and discussion with those in the
field, I have found the comments on the
organization to barely scratch the surface
of the insurmountable goals that Autism
Speaks attempts to accomplish, ;iside from
being a blatant replication of several other
articles.
While the comments on the vic\,eo, "I Am
Autism," are not incorrect, they only look at
- ·· the first half of the trailer. The second half
establishes that the autistic community is

ready and willing to face their challenges
together, and it spreads the powerful message
that: "Our capacity for love is greater than
your capacity to overwhelm." The videos
discussed in last week's article depict
parents' feelings of fear and apprehension
when they discover their child has autism.
Autism Spe'aks addresses the truth. The
apprehension parents and guardians face is
normal, and organizations and professionals
in the field do not work to hide the truth, but
to embrace it.
Children with autism are special, and
they require special preparation and care.
If Autism Speaks were to simply publish
the benefits of autism, they would be doing
a disservice to the guardians of autistic
children by not validating their worries
as well as assuring them that there is a
competent and compassionate community
surrounding autism.
Clinical Director and Behavior Therapist,
Holly Davies, states that she has never
had any problems with the organization
Autism Speaks, it is pretty innocuous and

"just looks to spread awareness." Which is
correct, especially considering that in 2010,
21% of Autism Speaks' budget went toward
awareness and advertising.
With the help of founder Bob Wright,
since Autism Speaks was founded in 2005,
autism has become a household topic. His
goal was for "more public awareness, more
understanding, and more funding, both
private and public." The growing awareness
has contributed to a more vigilant doctors.
who, not only to diagnose autism, but
diagnose it early in order to start preparing
the family to care for and accommodate
autism in their family. Also in the 2010
budget report was the statistic that 44% of
their funding went to medical research to
make these diagnoses possible.
Perhaps this is where the biggest
controversy arises: the cure. While new
information is constantly uncovered about
the origins of autism, a &lt;;ure is still a question
mark. Theories have been raised about
the ethicality of a cure and whether or not
autistic individuals even want a cure. Davies

hit the mark when she noted, "I think making
a blanket statement about a cure is wrong
either way."
Focusing on degrading an organization is
taking away from what is really important:
the individuals which the organization is
working to promote. No organization is
flawless. However, in order to be ranked a
top nonprofit like Autism Speaks, several
professionals must acknowledge its reach
and impact.

Editor 's note: This piece is a response to
"Should Autism Speak(s) for Everyone?"

that ran in the April 14th issue of the
Beacon and discussed the problems with
the organization. For context, readers can
view the original editorial around campus
oron
www.thewilkesbeacon.com.
~

l!::J

@wilkesbeacon
emilyrose.deangelis@wilkes.edu

{d '(l:ll02 :,imgOUL .f!OIJOJI.) 11;;l1m12 10 2:lffl:lrtl

7

�L

1y

Mattie Stepanek: Loving Through Heartsongs
By Sara Pisak
Asst. Opinion Editor

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17

Opinion

The Beacon - April 21, 2015

Loving Through Heartsongs, written
by 13 year old poet Mattie J. T. Stepanek,
was published in 2003. Loving Through
Heartsongs is one of those texts that finds
itself somewhere between too old to be
considered a new release but published
recently enough that its place in the literary
world has yet to be classified. Personally,
this text has a clearly defined place in literary
history be\:ause of its courageous author.
Mattie's website, as well as- the book's
jacket, informs readers that Mattie Stepanek
was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy.
Not allowing his health struggles to slow hini
down, Loving Through Heartsongs marked
his third New York Tinies Best Selling book
all before his fourteenth birthday. Mattie
should be acknowledged, as few authors at
such a young age enjoy this type of success.
Loving Through Heartsongs features an
introduction by world renowned author Maya
Angelou. In addition to prominent authors
introducing his works, Mattie has several
other literary and humanitarian awards to
his name. Mattie has appeared on shows
such Oprah, Good Morning America and
Larry King. His poems have also appeared
in national newspapers and magazines.
2002 was a pinnacle year for Mattie and
his accomplishments as he was awarded
the Children's Hope Medal of Honor, the
Verizon Courage Award and the Pediatric
Nursing Society of America's Humanitarian
Award. Also in 2002, Mattie, who resides
in Maryland, was named his home state's
Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association. He was also named
Muscular Dystrophy's National Goodwill
Ambassador. Sadly Mattie died in 2004,
days before his fourteenth birthday; however
his legacy lives on through his poetry.
Once a reader selects Loving Through
Heartsongs, the text can be read cover to
cover in an afternoon. What makes Mattie's
book of poetry one that is difficult to put
down and one that should be discussed?
Siniply, it is the author's intuitive nature.
Each poem found in Loving Through
Heartsongs showcases a different human
emotion. Poets and critics will often state:
"Read a collection of poetry from cover to
cover and you will often become bored or
disinterested." This disinterest is common
as writers are driven by siniilar triggering
subjects and emotions. This results in a
collection of poems often having similar
themes or siniilar diction. Judging solely by

the title, Mattie's works are about the driving
forces behind the sentinient of love. A reader
might be tempted to inquire, "What does
a thirteen year old boy know about love?"
I advise you not to be hasty when posing
this question. Mattie knows exactly what
he is talking about and c.µ1 describe these
emotions far better than someone three or
four times his age.
I feel as a writer, ewressing life's
most difficult to pinpoint sentinients oi:
troublesome attitudes are often stated best by
children. Mattie's poems are no exception
to this finding. Siniilarly, like most children,
they possess a unique .innocence stemming
from their own personal life moments. Mattie
possesses this innocence and his poems have
a childlike quality of being pure in heart, in
mind and in action. However, Mattie's poems
express profound and mature concepts and
he does so in unadulterated genuineness.
The innocence, genuineness and authenticity
Mattie articulates in his work does not mean
he is unworldly or gullible. In fad, it means
exactly the opposite. Mattie's authenticity is
refreshing and wise beyond his years. Loving
Through Heartsongs does not contain a bitter
or a rancorous line, as love through a child's
eyes is not vengeful or spiteful. Mattie
writes, "And when the letters and words/
Of those Heartsongs bring some/ Peace to
the countries and people/ Who have war in
their lives, / That is real happiness/ To me."
These verses showcase the combination of
innocence and profoundness contained in
Mattie's poetry. More accurate than most,
Mattie is self-aware of the effect his words
and sentinients (Heartsongs) have on the
world.
·
Although the time has not come to decide
where Mattie stands in the literary hierarchy,
it is obvious to me that his works should
occupy a space within the poetic world. I think
some individuals might be tempted to call
these poems "siniple" or "uncomplicated"
as Mattie does not employ poetic techniques
one would learn in a college setting.
However, the poems present the tenacity and
honesty of the human spirit. It often seems
as a person grows older, they hold tighter to
more jaded life experiences, blocking them
from experiencing childlike joy and honesty.
These experienced individuals, who have
lost their child-like joy, are the ones who can
benefit from Mattie's integrity and sincerity
the most.
·

,.,,

.

M"ttieJ:T.
Stepanek
Sara's Score:

@wilkesbeacon
Sara.Pisak@wilkes.edu

i

�_J

April 21, 2015

Opinion

18

· Frank Passa·lacqua's 2015 NFL Mock Draft Board

3

-51• ·
4
6-

JAMEIS WINSTON - QB

TODD GURLEY - RB

As it has been predicted since the beginning of the offseason, •
Winston will stay in Florida and become a Bue. Crab legs for days

Risky pick here for sure, but high risk means high reward in the
end. SD needs some flashy playmakers on offense.

LEONARD WILLIAMS - DE

CAMERON ERVING - C

The Titans have many issues to address, but adding an impact
player like Wiffiams could be the first step in the right direction.

The Chiefs had major pass protection issues last year... well, they
had major offense issues all together. More protection is needed.

DANTE FOWLER JR. - OLB

DJ HUMPHRIES - OT

The Jags are another young team in the league who wi:ll keep adding young talent, may not pay off now, but it will.

Another spot subject to trades. If not, the Browns second pick in
the first tound could be giving the QB some help.

AMARI COOPER - WR

LANDON COLLINS - SS

While Cooper and Kevin White are the top WR's in the draft, the
Raiders will snag the more natural and polished playmaker.

This is a toss-up. Mariota is an option if available, picking a WR
is somethip.g I can see, but taking Collins would be the safest bet.

20 ~

VIC BEASLEY - OLB

MALCOM BROWN - DT

Since Brian Orakpo left the team, adding someone like Beasley
will complement Brian Kerrigan and Trent Murphy.

The Bengals need help improving their pass-rush efforts and
Brown could be the guy to make that happen.

SHANE RAY - DE

MARCUS PETERS - CB

This spot could be available f~r trading down. However, if they
keep the pick,. I see another pass rusher aiming for Tom Brady.

With Polamalu and Ike Taylor retiring, the defense is in need of
major help. Peters could be a solid pick for the team.

KEVIN WHITE - WR

EDDIE GOLDMAN - DT

7

Not a big surprise, and don't buy into the Mariota nonsense in
Chicago. Br~ndon Marshall left, so they'll need a new target.

Suh is gone, and so is most of the talent that was once on the Oline. Bringing in help would be the smart option here.

RANDYGREGORY-OLB

MELVIN GORDON - RB

8

The Falcons were one game away last year from making the playoffs with a medicore team. Gregory could be a nice addition.

Shocker alert. The Cards were very close last year to becoming a
Super Bowl team, and adding Gordon could be the final piece.

BRANDONSHERFF-OG

ANDRUS PEAT - OT

Let's face it, Eli Manning could use all the help he can get. Giving
him extra time in the pocket is something he will welcome.

Cam Newton was like Adrian Peterson's kids, he kept getting hit
last year. Peat could fill glaring holes in the line.

ERECK FLOWERS - OT

PHILIP DORSETT - WR

With Jake Long out the door and new QB Foles in town, giving
him some protection will be a top priority in St. Louis.

Steve Smith isn't getting younger and Torrey Smith signed elsewhere. Adding a quick flashy target for Fiacco is the answer.

TRAE WAYNES - CB

BYRON JONES-CB

Why not solidify that great DB group in Harrison Smith and
Xavier Rhodes with the best CB in this draft class?

I hate the Cowboys. They desperately need help at CB and it pains
me to see talent like Byron Jones possibly land in Jerry World.

MARCUS MARI OTA - QB
And yet again, the Browns will select another QB that does not fit
• into their system. Mariota &amp; Manziel...kiss your career goodbye.

27

TJ CLEMMINGS - OT
Similar senario with many teams taking a tackle, they need to
give the QB protection. Peyton appreciates it.

BUD DUPREE - OLB

LA'EL COLLINS - OT

Saints will go for the best player available on defense at this
point. With Cam Jordan subject of trade talks, this makes sense.

Read above but replace Peyton wit~ Luck.

JALEN COLLINS - CB

ERIC KENDRICKS - ILB

While some people have the Dolphins taking a WR, I think they
wait until the second round to fill that void and work on their D.

They always seem to do it...but Green Bay will land a linebacker
who I think will be an instant star in the NFL to replace AJ Hawk.

ARIKARMSTEAf)-DT

JAELEN STRONG - WR

Comers are in need in San Fran, but the talented ones may not be
there. Taking Armstead is the safe option in a hurting defense.

Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills are out. Brees needs a weapon
so the best WR will be take~ at this spot.

DEVANTE PARKER - WR

KEVIN JOHNSON - CB

Andre Johnson is no longer in town, but DeAndre Hopkins is a
rising star in Houston. Adding another young WR would be smart.

Lastly, with most of the talent on defense leaving the Super Bowl
champs, they will add the best available comer to end the round.

•

�Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Brandon.Gubitosa@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/ Purvit Patel

and end up coaching here at Wilkes," stated
Hartman. "I have great relationship with
Trey Brown ... he knew I was interested
and
he knew I would do a good job and
Wilkes University senior Jeremy
coaching
is something I want to pursue to
Hartman is a two sport athlete, excelling as.
a Forward for the Men's Basketball team do."
Playing two sports while in college and
and as a star Wide Receiver on the football
team. With a 6'3" 220 pound frame, he is juggling· the responsibilities of being a
not hard to miss. Since transferring from college student is certainly not easy.
When asked about his favorite moments
Albright College his freshman year he
has become one of the most recognizable from each sport, Hartman replied, "For
students on campus based on his playing basketball, being able to play as a freshman
on the court, on the field, and for his big after transferring was a big deal and making
the conference championship game in that
personality.
Despite doing well in both sports, atmosphere was just amazing."
"I've had great teammates all four years
Hartman looks to continue being involved
with football. As of right now, Hartman is here and that's what I always loved about
a part of the coaching staff for the Wilkes being a Wilkes Colonel basketball player."
football team on the offensive side of the
When it came to football he replied,
ball as the Tight Ends Coach.
As far as playing in the future, Hartman "Playing home against Albright College.
will be trying out for some teams in the I transferred from there and I circled that
Canadian Football League and the Arena game on my calendar since last spring
League. "If the whole football thing and I was able to catch three touchdowns
doesn't work out, I'm going to come back against. There are other great memories

By Grant Rogers
Sports Writer

but that one stands out the most to me and
just being able to play two sports."
Hartman will be graduating at the end of
this semester with a major in History and
a minor in Broadcast Communications and
will attempt to continue playing football
despite only have played in his senior
campaign during his time in college.
When asked about how he was able to
balance all his responsibilities, he stated,
"Time management is so important. As an
athlete you practice 2-3 hours a day, then
you have to lift and go for a run, study film

The Beacon/David Lee

on your opponent.
As far as education, you have to hit
the library and get papers done. The only
words of advice I would have is to put time
ahead of yourself to get what you need to
get done." Hartman also had few words
about the university, "Have a great time
here. Wilkes is a great place where you
can succeed and do good things if you put
forth the full effort."

r

�.J
The Beacon - April 21, 2015

· 20

Sports

Women's Tennis stays
determined for playoffs
By Cara Basile
Sports Writer

The Women's Tennis Team is off to a
strong start this spring season shutting out
nearly all of their competition. Despite a
loss from the University of Scranton in the
fall season, the team is 4-0 in the Freedom
Conference and maintains 13-1 overall
record.
Both the men and women teams are
coached by Chris Leicht. Leicht is thankful
for his upperclassmen leaders who make his
job easier when it comes to motivating his
players. He ai_so credits assistant coach Dave
Teres for the motivation and preparation for
matches. "Our practice sessions have really
helped prepare us for matches," Leicht said.
"Because our team is so deep, we are able to
have very challenging practice workouts."
Sophomore Taylor Hoffmann shared
how she prepares for ·matches and staying
positive on the court. "When I'm on the court
I try to stay positive whether I'm winning or
losing because I play better when I'm in a
happier mindset," Hoffmann said. "When
I'm losing I try to stay determined and not
let myself give up because anything could

Off Campus

_
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happen in tennis."
Although the Lady Colonels have not
faced much loss this year as a team, they
know the importance of sticking together.
Tennis can be a sport of ups and downs, so
·determination is key in order to come out
with a win. "Our strength is definitely our
team dynamic," Senior Anastasia English
said. "We're all really close on and off the
court. During those tight matches and three
setters it's nice to have your team cheering
for you and knowing they're rooting for
you."
The team still has some games to complete
as the semester comes to a dose: With · a
chanee of redemption against the University
of Scranton April 24 at the Ralston Athletic
Complex and their last conference game
against local rivals, King's College April 26.
"They are all very strong players and great
people, and I'm very lucky to be on a team
with all of them," Hoffmann says on behalf
of· her teammates. "Also, we are all very
supportive of each other and always cheer
and support each other on and off the court."

A @wilkesbeacon
l:l cara:basile@wilkes.edu

Women's lacrosse team
enjoys continued success
By J.T. Keer
Sports Writer

APARTMENTS
Studio 1 2 &amp; 3 bedrooms
Available June 1

The Wilkes Women's lacrosse team is
enjoying another successful season with 8
wins and 4 losses. However, after dropping
2 heart breakers to Wyoming Valley rivals
King's College and Misericordia University,
the Lady Colonels are sitting at 0-3 in the
conference.
To return to the league playoffs, the
Lady Colonels are going to have to win the
remainder of their contests in conference.
They will need to lean defense and the play
of their big 3, Carlie Smith, Madeleine
Brownsey and Tori Kerr. Together these
3 have scored 76% percent of the team's
goals and will need to continue to produce
with a playoff spot on the line.
Smith is having another record breaking
season with 48 goals and 56 assists.
Brownsey is following that up with an
impressive 69 goals and 7 assists. Kerr has

also been lighting it up with 50 goals and
7 assists.
Kerr says the team needs to stay upbeat if
they want to have a shot at playoffs.
"We had a few tough losses but we are
still motivated to make it to the playoffs,"
said Kerr.
"We are staying positive as a team, and
are striving to perform our best with the
upcoming conference games."
The Lady Colonels finish the season with
their final road game at Eastern University,
before coming home to play a trio of games
against Manhattanville, Maritime College
and Delaware Valley College to close out
the regular season.

@wilkesbeacon
jonathan.keer@wilkes.edu

�- - - - - - - - - --

The Beacon - April 21, 2015

- - -, -

- -- --

Sports

21

Students show off their Colonel Pride this semester

Fans going crazy at the first of two games against rival King's College

Colonel nation made a trip down to rival King's College during winter weekend
to support the Men's Basketball team.

Wilkes students participated in a white-out against.rival King's College. The
Colonels went on to defeat the Monarchs.

The Colonel shows off his Colonel Pride at the white-out against King's College
All photos: The Beacon/Purvit Patel

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22

A. Best part of being on a team, is that yoll,j
can all just be a bunch ofweirdos together
and it's perfectly alright...

Carley Smith is a senior biology major
·th a chemistry minor. She is from York, PA
d went to Dallastown High School She
ecided to come to Wilkes for the pharmacy
rogram but decided it wasn't for me shortly
er working in an impatient pharmacy for a
ummer. She is the only senior on the Wilkes
acrosse team.
Q. What do you plan on doing after college?
I am currently waiting to hear back from
grad schools to get a master in Physician
Assistant studies. However if that doe.sn't
work out I will stay at Wilkes for the
accelerated nursing program.

. What first interested you to play- Lacrosse?
. I never heard of lacrosse until middle
school which was when some of my
friends started playing. It seemed liked a
cool sport so I just picked up a stick and
gave it a shot. .

. If you won the lottery tomorrow what
would"you spend the money on?
. If I won the lottery tomorrow Ia pack my
bags and start traveling the world.
. What's the best part of being a part of a
team?

Q. Do you have any'o ther hobbies or talents
other than lacrosse?
A

r like to play basketball and snowboar'1. o
pretty tnuch do anything outside.

• _.

Q. What's your favorite movie?
A. I liked the hunger games
~ divergent.
·

Q..' If you could only eat l type of food for ·- 11111111-......:·
the rest of your life what would it be and
· why?
A. Dunkin because everybody runs on
Dunkin.

Q. Who or what is your biggest influence in
life?
.
A. My mom is definitely my biggest influence
in life. She's the perfect role model and
always pushes me to be better.
Q. What i~ your biggest goal of the season?
A. Biggest goal of the season is to break the
record for scored goals.
Q. What 4s one quote that you live your life
by?
A. "You get what you get, and you don't get
upset:'

•

@wilkesbeacon
evan.willey@wilkes.edu

�L

,.

By Daniel Van Brunt
:ports Writer
Jay Clymer is a freslunan baseball player
t Wilkes. He is studying psychology and is
om Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Center field
·s his position.
. What brought you to Willtes University?
"I was talking to the coach over the
summer and he gave me a couple of good
reasons to co~ here. When I got to the
campus, I really liked it."
. What do you find most interesting about
your major?
"I'm really interested in getting to learn
stu1f like psychology. What people think
about is very interesting to me:'
·
. How long have you been playing baseball?
. "Since I was three.•

. Why do you enjoy being a part of the
baseball team at Wilkes University?
"Everybody bonds really well together
and the.wb.ok environment is so much
fun to be a part of.'
. What has been .your most memorable
basebaJ!~ce?
"From high school my junior year. we
hadoor matyear of districts. I hit a walkoff homerun in the bottom of the eighth
inning. So, that was a pretty memorable
moment .in my life:"

Q. How does baseball affect you as a person?
-A. "It gives me better people skills. It h
opened me up to different things in m

life and have met so many people."
Q. Do you have any other hobbies?
A. '"I used to play soccer, and in the wint~
• I snowboard if I get the chance. I can

snowboard as much during the season.
I've playM soccer since I was three years
old also:'
Q. Who is your favorite Major Le

Baseball team, and your favorite player?
A. "My fitvorite baseball team is the Red Sox.
If I had to pick somebody, it would be
Mike 1rout. He plays the same EOSffio
as me and he just plays the game the way,
it should be played."
Q. Who is your role model?
A. "My Dad because he has led me thro

everything in my life, and taught me h
to go about mysel£',
World-

Q.

.

A. ..

havu,g

~llcesbeacon
iJfanJeJ.vanbrunt@wilkes.eda

�_J

The Beacon - April 21 , 2015

T

--·I,.
.. •

.

-@wilkesbeaco~

r;wilk~sUDining
lunch was great
today!! l'hamcsl

Find us on Facebook! ·

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�</text>
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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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                  <text>Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a &lt;a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/"&gt;legacy website&lt;/a&gt;. 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.</text>
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                    <text>The Beacon/Purvlt Patel
Above: Colonels observe a moment of silence before their home game on September 11, where they went on to defeat the Delaware Valley Aggies 12-7. .

Wilkes updates smoking policy: page 3

Dangerous drug on the rise in Wyoming Valley: page 12

Students speak on construction: page 16

Football season preview &amp; game coverage: page 20

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Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Editorial Staff
2015-16
MANAGERIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief- James Jaskolka
Managing Editor -Ashley Evert
Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher
Social Media Director -Alyssa Mursch
Seeking Advertising Director

SECTION EDITORS
News - Sarah Bedford
LA&amp;E - Nicole Zukowski, Justin Topa
Opinion - Mandy Stickles ·
Sports - Rachel Leandri

ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Gabby Glinski
Opinion - Sara Pisak
Sports - Danny Van Brunt, Andre Spurell

Wilkes University Blood Drive - September 15th
There will be a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept.
15 in the Henry Student Center first floor lounge. Donors will
receive a coupon for a free medium iced coffee and donut from
Dunkin Donuts or a coupon for $2.50 off ant 32oz container of
Turkey Hill All Natural Gelato.

Nicole Kutos

••rested in joining the Beacon? To
learn more about the positions we
offer and what you can do, contact
james.jaskolkabutler@wilkes.edu

130 S. River St
First Floor, Conyngham Hall

Wilkes J,Jniversl!Y
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
'

Phone - (570)408-59~3
,:;:«:

www.thewilkesbeacon.com

Calling All Off-Campus Students
A meeting about the Community Liaison program will be at
11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Breiseth 107. Questions can be
directed to Gretchen Yeninas at X4107 or gretchen.yeninas@
wilkes.edu.

SG Notes: Homecoming changes; Leahy visit
By Gabby Glinski
Asst. News Editor
Weekl of2
Student Government held its first meeting
of the 2015-2016 school year on Sept. 2, in
the Miller Room of the SUB.
Dean John Stachacz gave the IT and
Library report. The air conditioning project
in the library will be completed by January.
Thanks to the Provost, this year, Wilkes has a
large book budget available for new materials
for the library. The WiFi project is ongoing
and will be completely finished in a few
weeks. Wilkes bough all Cisco modems in the
area, adding 256 wireless modems to dorms.
WiFi was added to each room in Towers and
Evans. Another ongoing library project will

By Jen Baron
Staff Writer

DESIGN EDITORS

(_. .'.:&lt;"ii ··)

Beacon Briefs

Week2 of2
On Wednesday, Wilkes University's
Student- Government held its weekly
meeting.
Last week, representatives from the
Alumni Office, Jacki Lukas and Bridget
Giunta, requested $500 from Student
Government. The money will go toward
student tickets for Homecoming so they
can attend events and network with alumni.
Student Government allotted the full $500.
Kara Serfass, presented her Homecoming
proposal in regards to the Homecoming
Pep Rally, Dance, and Football game for
the second week. $457.44 for the game and
$17,979.61 for the dance was passed and
allocated. After discussion, $17,534.11 was
allocated to the Pep Rally. The vote passed
with 19-1-3.
Allie Grudeski proposed her plan for
Bubble Bash, which is an event that will
replace Fall Fest. The motion passed and
$4,000 was allocated.
Anthony Fanucci presented the proposed
budget to cover the cost of Club Day. The
request of $5,500 was passed.
Dr. Patrick Leahy stopped by the meeting
to answer questions and deal with any
concerns students had. Many of the concepts
dealt with the new food services such as_the

be the renovation of the circulation desk. The
IT help department will be moved to the first
floor of the department.
Kara Serfass presented the proposal for the
homecoming weekend activities; pep rally,
homecoming game and homecoming dance.
This year's festivities will be carnival themed.
Homecoming Dance ticket sales started Setp.

table of contents
news ................ 2

11.

The new community enforced smoking
policy was reviewed. The policy enforces
smokers must be 20 feet from all buildings,
vents, windows and entry ways.
The new student government website
is now launched. To find all forms and
resources regarding student government, go
to www.wilkes.edu/studentgovernment.
slow speed of "Which Wich;' the uncertainty
of finding something enjoyable to eat in the
cafeteria, high prices in the "P.O.D.;' and
Gambini's Cafe not being opened on the
weekends.
Leahy was also asked about the large area
of grass next to Fortinsky and if there are any
plans for it. The idea of making it a parking
lot was brought up .
Sarah Bedford, commuter council
president, added on to the parking topic
by saying how she would like. to see
improvements in parking, especially for
commuters.
Nia Williams brought up concerns about
energy efficacy and usage. She said that
simple actions such installing energy efficient
light bulbs and having proper insulation on
windows will save energy.
Valerie Woods asked if campus will be
more biker friendly and requested that bike
racks be added outside of the residence halls.
The council reviewed the Treasurer's
report. The current budget is as follows:
All College: $47,000.00, General Funds:
$24,456.00, Conference: $5,000.00, Spirit:
$2,000.00 for a Student Government total of
$78,456;00.

f:1111 @wilkesbeacon
lt:J gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu
jennifer.baron 1@wilkes.edu

,.

life, a&amp;e ........... 7

spread............ 12

opinion.......... l4

•

sports........... ~J9

�The Beacon - September 15, 2015

3

News
'

Smoking policy leads to changes on campus; students, faculty react
Smokers to stay 20 feet from buildings; health awareness, precautions
ByToni-Ann Pennello
Staff Writer

Wilkes has undergone a , few changes
entering the 2015 fall semester including
changes to on-campus dining as well as the
building of the gateway, Another change that
many students and faculty are aware of is the
enforcement of a ne~ smoking policy,
This new policy prohibits smoking within
20 feet of any university building, window or
ventilating system, This policy is intended to
promote a healthier environment for students
and faculty by eliminating all secondhand
smoke that could be inhaled by people
entering or exiting buildings, according to
the statement shared by President Leahy
through emaiL There has also been a hut
installed next to Breiseth Hall where smokers
can sit, providing shelter for them during
inclement weather,
It is unclear whether this new policy is
indicative of a future, stricter policy for
smoking on campus, However, it might raise
some controversy among non-smoking and
smoking students and faculty,
Senior Integrative Media major and
smoker Annie Stauffer has no problem with
the new smoking policy,
"I don't mind it at all;' Stauffer said, "I
can understand nonsmoking students not
wanting to have smoke blown in their faces;'
~e said, "I think that there are a lot of smokers
who could be way more considerate:'
Dr, Michael Garr, a sociology professor
who enjoys smoking pipes and cigars, agrees
that smokers should be considerate,
"I think it's a fairly good policy, I
think smokers -need to be considerate of
nonsmokers"" I have no problem with the
smoking policy, what I have a problem with
is the rationale behind it That this is being
done for the health of students;' he said,
He went on to explain that there are many
things that can be done to improve the health
of our students, but that h~ feels tobacco use
is the only thing that receives zero tolerance,
"Smoking has become a moral issue
more than a scientific issue", clearly there
is evidence that smoking cigarettes and
secondhand smoke are harmful, and
certainly indoor smoking bans are needed, ..

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

Wilkes' new community enforced smoking policy prohibits smoking within 20 feet of any university building, window or
ventilating system. This policy is intended to promote a healthy living environment for students and faculty by eliminating
all secondhand smoke that could be inhaled at the entraces of buildings. The university recently installed a smoking hut,
located between Sturdevant Hall and Breiseth Hall, which provides shelter for smokers during inclement weather with
inclosed seating.
however, as for outdoor smoking bans,
smoke dissipates much too quickly for it to
be harmful to other people;' he explained.
Despite those feelings, Garr thinks the
policy is ultimately good because even
he finds himself bothered when leaving a
building if someone is smoking directly
outside,
Even Thomas Krutsick, a freshman
pharmacy major who is strongly opposed to
smoking, feels that the new smoking policy is
fair. "No smoking on campus at all would be
nice, but that wouldn't be as feasible because
it is still the sm,.oker's right I think this policy

is a nice compromise;' he said.
Dr, Deborah Tindell, a professor of
psycl}ology who does not smoke, feels that
the policy isn't quite harsh enough.
"I think universities ought to be
nonsmoking, I think the policy maybe is not
even as strict as it could be;' she said, "I think
we owe it to our students to demonstrate an
environment that has good healthy behavior,
and I think we owe it to our nonsmoking
students to create a safe environment for
them:'
Tindell feels that as a professor it is her
duty to promote the health of the students at

her institution. However, she is still realistic
that not all students will cease smoking.
"I think as long as there are smokers
you have to provide some kind of access,
otherwise there's no way to implement the
policy effectively. So there will probably need
to be someplace on campus that would be
appropriate;' she said, in regard to a possible
future where smoking freely on campus is
banned.

f.".'11 @wifkesbeacon
~

toniann.pennello@wifkes.edu

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The Beacon - September 15, 2015

4

News

Students reflect on honors program, Barre Hall housing
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

The Wilkes University Honors Program
has begun, encouraging and motivating 29
first year students to be successful.
The program is centered on the university's
values of mentorship, scholarship, diversity,
innovation and community.
This year, students have been accepted
who represent the various schools within the
university.
The Resident Assistant of Barre Hall,
which houses the honors students, Valerie
Woods, explained that this was a large part of
bringing back the honors program.
"Part of having an honors program at
Wilkes was to represent each major;' Woods
explained.
While academics are critical to the
programs success, the students will also be
attending programs within the year.
Joseph Strzelecki, pre-pharmacy, explained
that there are events already planned for the
students and it helps to have a welcoming
group of peers.
"The program so far is very good. The
people in the house are all very friendly and
supportive;' Strzelecki said. "We have a lot
of upcoming events planned that seem very
interesting and I cannot wait to get started:'
Mechanical engineering major and
lacrosse player, John Weitzel, agreed adding
that Barre Hall is quite luxurious.
"The house is amazing. I knew it would

be nice, but until I got here ... I didn't know
how nice. The luxury of having a full kitchen,
nice bathroom, and living space on top of
a huge bedroom is something few students
anywhere get to enjoy, especially freshmen;'
Weitzel explained.
"Living there is such a privilege:'
While different schools of academia are
represented, various countries and states are
as well.
Dr. Mark Allen, Interim Director of the
Honors Program, explained that three
countries are represented and five states.
Woods noted that each student has
something to offer not only to the program,
but the university as well.
"Each personality is so different;'
Woods said. "There are so many different
backgrounds ... it's a very diverse group and
they work well together:'
Woods explained that in addition to having
various majors, numerous extra curricular
activities are also represented such as student
athletes and band members.
However, some students are still adjusting
to college life but are eager to join the Wilkes
community.
Julie Nong, a pre-pharmacy major
explained, 'Tm still trying to get used to my
classes, but I'll be looking around when it
comes time for Club Day. So far I really like
the idea of being a mentor in the future, and
maybe even an RA:'
.
Madalyn Pfaff, nursing, agreed saying,
"Coming from a graduating class of 143, the

Photo Credit/Gabby Glinski

Barre Hall, the Honors Program housing, houses up to 30 students. Each luxury
apartment has a full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living space.
idea of having classes with 50+ people was
very taunting. However, all of my professors
have made this transition quite smooth and I
am, so far, enjoying all of my classes:'
Woods explained that while she is still
getting to know the students through hall
meetings · and· one-on-one sessions, she's
begun to see their personalities shine
through.
"I think they're all really super awesome

students;' Woods said. "They have leadership
abilities and social skills .. .They are
intelligent:'
Currently, the program is only available to
first-year students.

C"I @wilkesbeacon
l:::J sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Gateway renovations to be completed Oct. 2, dedication to be held
•
pedestrian traffic from Towers to the central
Alyssa Mursch
Social Meqia Director

On the afternoon of Oct. 2, President
Patrick F. Leahy will kick off homecoming
weekend by dedicating the new visuallyappealing and safety-enhancing Gateway in
a formal ceremony.
After months of work, the $1 million
project will be coming to an end. Wilkes
University was given a $600,000 Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation multi-model
grant, which was then matched by $400,000
from the University.
Chip Prescott, the university's chief
operating officer and supervisor of all facility
projects, explained the goals behind this
project.
They include creating a safe and
attractive corridor from South Main Street
to the center of campus, enhancing the
university's presence on South Main Street
and developing a corridor that will_improve

part of campus.
"The creation of the campus gateway will
do more than provide a new and visible
entrance to the Wilkes campus. Urban
universities often struggle to create a
cohesive campus on city streets. The gateway
accomplishes that by seamlessly linking the
parts of our campus separated by South
Franklin Street with a beautifully landscaped
area;' said Leahy in a university news release.
Prescott also described the specific
features that the gateway will include.
"A wide, safe path for pedestrian traffic,
new security cameras to enhance safety, new
crosswalks on South Main Street and South
Franklin Street;' said Prescott, also adding
that the crosswalk on South Franklin will be
raised in order to provide additional safety.
Marketing Communications Director
Vicki Mayk, who has been in charge of
publicizing the project, shared her thoughts
on the gateway.
"It really unites the two main parts of our

Photo Cr~ dit/Joa nne Fasciana

Gateway constructio n is to be compl eted by Oct. 2, homecoming weekend.
Above is the perceived design after construction is complete.
campus so that it feels more cohesive;' she
said.
The gateway is expected to be completed
shortly, adding yet another new feature for

alumni to explore when they come back to
Wilkes for homecoming weekend.

�' 5

News

The Beacon - September 15, 2015

Anatotny of an Adtninistrator: Dean Rhonda Rabbitt
Futu_re image of education at Wilkes, breaking boundaries
By Dian McKinney
News Copy Editor

Rhonda Rabbitt, the new dean of the
College of Education, has some words of
wisdom for up-and-coming education
students and definite plans the college.
Rabbitt is in charge of the undergraduate,
masters and doctoral areas of education. She
chose to pursue a career at Wilkes University
because the institution encompasses "a
small-campus feel, but has the big University
opportunities:'
"I look at my big role here as the new dean
as (starting to build) those relationships
within the school of education so that we
are all on one same team" and gather the
abilities "to reach out to the local schools and
communities" surrounding the Wilkes-Barre
area.
Rabbit also commented in depth about
the "warm and· caring" nature of the faculty
and staff on campus. Rabbitt said she was
shocked by the polite and welcoming nature
of the individuals on &lt;;ampus.
She said that "everybody on the campus
that I have encountered is in the present
moment .. . I have never felt like [the faculty)
they didn't have time for me:'
Regarding the future of American
education, Rabbit elaborated on the breaking
down of boundaries between elementary,
middle, and high school; different subject
areas; and students of different race and
culture. In achieving this goal, Rabbitt

•

encourages future educators to begin
approaching these problems that are so
obvious in society and school systems.
Rabbitt said that educators need to
eliminate "the falsities and boundaries we
set up so that we can work to help each other
instead of against each other:'
Having acquired a bachelor and master's
degree in Spanish, she especially believes
that "instead of realizing the powerful
potential that [Spanish speakers) bring to
a classroom to develop bilingual people all
around, we put down a false boundary and
we say, 'No language other than English in
this classroom:"
When giving personal recommendations
and information to future educators, Rabbitt
elaborated on the importance of being
authentic and honest in front of your students
in order to manage a very open-minded and
comfortable educational environment.
· Rabbit comments on educators who "put
on their teacher hat;' In other words, referring
to teachers who put on an authoritative
and more formal identity in front of their
students.
Rabbit said these teachers are just "fooling
themselves" in their efforts, adding that
being genuine in front of students helps
foster honest, respectful, collaborative and
helpful relationships.

f"II
l::;J

@wilkesbeacon
dian.mckinney@wilkes.edu

Courtesy of Marketing Communications
Dean Rabbit commented about the "warm
and caring" nature of the faculty and staff
on campus elaborating that"everybody on
the campus that I have encountered is in the
present moment ... I have neverfelt like [the
faculty] they didn't have time for me:'

University's Veterans Council receives $10,000 grant
Courtesy of Wilkes University

Wilkes University's Veterans Council
has been awarded a $10,000 grant from
the VetCenter Initiative grant program,
a partnership between Student Veterans
of America (SVA) and The Home Depot
Foundation to renovate a center for
veterans on campus.
A space in Conyngham Hall has been
designated as a veteran resource center,
and will serve as a focal point for veteran's
activities on campus.
Student Veterans of America chapters
across the country competed for this
award, with the 50 best plans receiving

grants to turn these plans into reality.
Since 2008, Student Veterans of America
(SVA) has helped those returning from
military service obtain the resources,
support and advocacy needed to achieve
.success in higher education and after
graduation.
"This grant means a lot for our club;'
said Wilkes University Veterans Council
President Kellie Pelko. "To receive it is an
honor and confirmation that all our hard
work paid off last semester.
"In short, this grant means a future for
our club. It means we can grow and reach
more veterans that need help. Our club

worked hard to get this grant because ·we
know it will draw people to our cause. It
will give veterans on c~pus a place to
relax and feel safe:'
Retired Col. Mark Kaster, Wilkes'
veterans outreach coordinator, said the
award affirms the University's commitment
to veterans.
"Wilkes creates a culture that connects
our students to veterans and our veterans
to students;' he said.
Wilkes has previously been honored
for its work with veterans by earning the
Military Friendly Schools designation five
times.

The recognition, presented to 15 percent
of all colleges and universities, honors those
schools doing the most to make campuses
-a welcoming place for veterans returning
to school. The award is presented by GI
Jobs magazine.
The Wilkes· University Veterans Council
is open to all students wishing to become
involved with assisting and ra1smg
awareness about i'he University's growing
veteran community. All are welcome.
For information on Wilkes University's
Veterans Services, visit http://www.wilkes.
edu/ academics/ office-of-the-registrarrecorder/veterans-services/

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The Beacon - September 15, 2015

6

News

1

School to be renamed Passan School of Nursing, dedication
Program receives $3.3 million donation from local philanthropist
By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

The Wilkes University school of nursing
will be renamed the Passan School of
Nursing after receiving a gift of$3.3 million
from John J. Passan, a local businessman
and philanthropist according to an
announcement made by Dr. Patrick Leahy
Friday morning.
This is the largest gift or grant in Wilkes'
history and will be used to create a dedicated
endowment for the school, the annual
proceeds of which can be used by the dean
in any way that advances the prominence of

the nursing school.
At the 3 p.m. dedication ceremony Oct.
21 , the nursing school will officially be
renamed the Passan School of Nursing in
honor ofJohn J. Passan.
Junior
nursing
major,
Hailley
Malenovitch, shared her excitement over
the announcement.
"I am really excited to hear that the School
of Nursing at Wilkes is being renamed
Passan School of Nursing;' Malenovitch
said.
"I think that it is an honor for the program
to be able to bear Mr. Passan's name and
it serves to distinguish the students and

faculty that are part of the program. Also, it
is nice to know that someone cared enough
about the education of the students at the
university to provide such a generous gift in
the first place:'
Carol Keup, a current member of the
Board of Trustees and Passan's niece,
visited campus this spring where Carol
was impressed with the work of the
undergraduate and graduate program
nursing faculty and staff.
The campus community is invited to
attend the dedication ceremony on Oct.
21 where Passan and Keup will be in
attendance.

Moving for arts sake: ·
Wilkes' Sordoni Art Gallery set to relocate for fall 2016
Courtesy of Wilkes University

University announced recently plans
to relocate the Sordoni Art Gallery to
South Main Street and bring national
and internationally known art exhibits
to downtown Wilkes-Barre. Beginning
in fall 2016, the gallery will move to 141
South Main St. with an entrance on the
new Campus Gateway.
The move is part of a gallery
revitalization plan that aims to enrich the
arts experience on campus for faculty,
staff, fnd most importantly, students,
while contributing to the cultural life of
Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley.
"The plan s to re-imagine the Sordoni
Art Gallery reflect Wilkes University's
commitment to become one of the finest
small universities in the country;' Wilkes
President Patrick F. Leahy said. "This
decision is a win-win because it enhances
the student experience as well as the
quality of life in Wilkes-Barre."
The ·d ecision also supports Wilkes'
strategic plan, which calls fo r helping to
revitalize downtown Wilkes-Barre.
The three-part plan for the gallery
came at the encouragement of Andrew J.
Sordoni, III whose family established the
gallery at Wilkes in 1973.
As a member of the Task Force
appointed by the president to consider
the gallery's future, he challenged the
University to develop a strategy that
would better serve both Wilkes students

and the surrounding community.
Sordoni, who has a distinguished
history of supporting the arts, affirmed
the new direction for the gallery.
"From my experience in the arts, this
is extraordinary stewardship. We · are
going to better serve our students, our
community and posterity:'
The first step in the plan calls for
creating a permanently dedicated multimillion-dollar endowment that will be
used to bring high-quality art exhibits
from nationally and internationally
known artists. To create this endowment,
Wilkes will sell selected pieces of the
collection - a process known as deaccessioning.
The sale of art will be combined with
the existing endowment to create funds
needed fo r a substantial permanent
and dedicated endowment, wh ich will
improve the academic experience of our
students, fac ulty and staff, and enrich the
arts experience of our community.
The collection contains 1,500 works of
art, of wh ich approximately 65 comprise
the majority of the monetary value. The
resp ected auction house Sotheby's will
assist in selling the collection , which is
estimated to yield around $1.3 million.
No works by Wilkes art faculty will be
sold.
Advising the administration and the
Task Force is Dr. Stanly Grand, former
director of the Sordoni Art Gallery.
The second part of the plan calls for

hiring a highly qualified faculty member
to run the · art gallery and enhance
University arts programming. This
faculty member will curate traveling
shows, develop academic programming,
integrate the gallery into the campus
arts community, and help identify new
funding sources to enhance the gallery.
The final step calls for the Sordoni Art
Gallery to be moved to a premier location
on campus that will better serve both
students and members of the WilkesBarre community.
In fall 2016, its new location will be 141
South Main Street, at the intersection of
South main and the Wilkes Gateway, a
major thoroughfare on campus.
The building will house both the
gallery and the communication studies
department, and is adjacent to the Sidhu
School of Business, further advancing this
area as Wilkes' newest academic corridor.
The gallery will be larger than the
current gallery in Stark Learning Center,
and outfitted for high -end arts exhibits
and include versatile sp aces fo r teachin g
and entertaining.
With entrances on South Main Street
and the Gateway and on-site parking,
this new location will make the gallery
more accessible, more visible and more
functional as an academic resource and a
downtown enhancement.

Passan founded Valley Distributing &amp;
Storage Co. of Wilkes-Barre and has been
supportive of many causes throughout
Northeast
Pennsylvania,
including
providing previous philanthropic support
to Wilkes.
The 267 South Franklin Street building,
:which currently houses the Office of the
Dean of Students, Health and Wellness
Services and Residence Life, bears his name.

(

A @wilkesbeacon
l:::J sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu
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Local attorney
to speak at
Thursday's
Constitution Day
By James Jaskolka

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Editor-in-chief

Wilkes
University
will
celebrate
Constitution Day on Thursday by hosting a
lecture by local attorney Al Flora Jr. Entitled
"Gideon's Trumpet and the Constitutional
Right to Counsel: Has Justice Failed the
Poor?'; the _lecture will take place at 11 a.m.
in Breiseth 107. Flora is a private-practice
attorney who has worked in northeast
Pennsylvania for 37 years. In that time, he
has argued appeals before the U.S. Supreme
Court and handled over 2,000 criminal cases.
Flora has received national attention for
his high-profile cases in !he region. Among
those he represented are George Banks,
who killed 13 people in 1982, and Mark
Ciavarella, Jr., who was charged with bribery
and extortion as a Pennsylvania state juvenile
court judge in the "Kids for Cash" scandal.
Constitution Day is a federal observance
that commemorates the implementation of
the United States Constitution on Sept. 17,
1786. It was this day that representatives from
the Constitutional Co)Jvention, including
George Washington and Benjamin Franklin,
signed the document in Philadelphia.
For more information on the lecture,
contact Kyle Kreider, associate professor and
chair of political science, at kyle.kreider@
wilkes.edu.

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�The Beacon - September 15, 2015

1 Life,

Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editors: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu or Ju~tin.Topa@wilkes.edu

New dining options tasty to some; others
question if selections limit some students
By Jen Baron
Staff Writer

There are many changes taking place on
the Wilkes campus, but one major change
that college · students are particularly
focused on and drawn to is the food.
After two weeks since fallclasses began,
students have had time to settle in and
experience the new campus dining
options.
Changes include Aramark replacing
Sodexo as the university's food service
provider, Which Wich and Grille Works
coming to Rifkin Cafe, and P.O.D. and
Greens to Go taking over for Stark
Cart.Starbucks will also soon come to
Gambini's Cafe.
Student feedback at this early stage is
important because it will make visible
is going w~ll and what may need
some extra attention.
Dominique DelPriore, a sophomore
with a major in early childhood
education, commutes every day to
Wilkes. She has a meal plan, which she
uses frequently during her long days on
campus.
When DelPriore was asked about
the new dining service she said that
the gluten free foods, which used ·to
be a whole section of the cafeteria, are
virtually nonexistent.
DelPriore cannot eat gluten because she
has Celiac's Disease, which she describes
as being similar to a severe gluten allergy.
"I would like there to be more gluten
free options and I would like to see gluten
free foods labeled so I know whether or
not I could eat it;' she said. "That would
give me a much better eating experience."
Something DelPriore appreciated
about last year was that rice was always
available, which is something she would

l11at

like to see return.
Similar to DelPriore, Kiersten Torre,
a sophomore political science and
international studies major, is also
limited in her dining choices. Torre is
a vegetarian and said that although her ·
options were limited last year, they are
even more limited this year.
"There are days when I go into the
cafeteria for dinner and my only options
are cereal or a bagel because there is meat
at every station:'
Similar to DelPriore's opinion, Torre
would like to see an expansion in
vegetarian dining options.
When asked about what she liked about
the new dining services, Torre said she
enjoys how meal swipes can be used at
different places, aside from the cafeteria.
John Vols, a junior mechanical
engineering major, said that he and many
other students have classes scheduled at
odd times, so he does not always have the
opportunity to eat at ideal meal times.
When this happens around 3 p.m., the
only option he really has is salad since
many of the stations are switching over
, food during these off times.
Vols also commented that he would like
to see the service at "Which Wich" and
"Grille Works" be quicker.
Both places appear to be popular
among the student body causing a longer
wait in service lines.
In addition, Vols said that he definitely
tastes and sees an improvement in the
quality of food being served.
While there are adjustments that need
to be made, the general consensus is
that the dining services and options are
headed in the right direction.
Aramark has made it known that the

The Beacon/Austin Ely
With the switch of food services, Wilkes has many new dinning options. As seen
above, one of the more popular options, Which Wich, offers students an array of
different sandwich combinations.

company is more than willing to hear
student feedback. One could tweet to @
HearMeAramark with any questions,
concerns, or something new to see on
campus.
Representatives from dining services
could either not be reached for comment
for this story or were unavailable for
interviews.

l:""I
~

What do you think of
the new dining options?
Tweet and let us know!

@wilkesbeacon
jenifer.baron@wilkes.edu

@wilkesbeacon
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8

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

The Beacon - September 15, 2015

Club Day showcases student organizations
"i

.

;",;a~,/

•

-CLUB

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

The Pharmacy Club had one of the most packed tables of all during the 2015
Club Day. Members handed out recycled prescription bottles filled with sweet
and colorful Skittles.

Autumn Peck is an executive member of the Biology Club. She was one of
dozens of students who participated in Club bay on Sept. 10. Although rain
forced the event to move into the gymnasium, attendance was steady.

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The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

Tim Marchakitus walked up to the UNICEF table du.ring Club Day and Dian
McKin ney helped him sign up for a good cause. UNICEF is a children's rights and
emergency relief organization.

"
7

.

Hundreds of students attended Club Day, which took place in the Arnaud C.
Marts Center on Wilkes' campus. Aramark, the university's new food service
provider, also provided a variety a food for students to enjoy. ..

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�The Beacon - September 15, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

P.O.D. replaces Stark Cart and lounge; some students feel misplaced
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment Co-Editor

Ever run out of milk and not feel like
running 20 minutes to the store to go buy
it?
That problem is now fixed with the new
convenient store on campus. Located on
the first floor of the Stark Learning Center
is the P.O.D. Market.
There, you can find fresh food and
produce along with many daily essentials.
The P.O.D. Market tries to provide
customers with quality, a wide selection
and value in each purchase.
Inside the P.O.D. Market is Greens On
Go, which offers fresh, health and quick
eating options.
"It (The P.O.D.) is as convenient as the
Stark Cart was:' Grace Cadigan, a junior
biology major said. "If I want to grab a
coffee or snack before class, I still could, so
that's good:'
The appeal to the P.O.D Market is the
variety of goods and fast service.
"It's a good size for a store and there's a
large · selection;' pharmacy major, Sarah
Brozena said. "I went to Which Wich first
and there was a huge line. Greens on Go is
so much quicker:'
.=onvenience and variety comes at a cost,

The Beacon/ Austin Ely
To provide a more convenient way for students to shop, SLC now houses The P.O.D., a mini convenient store outside of
lecture hall 101. The store is equipped with snacks and other items one might find at a mini-mart.

though, as many students are finding out.
"The prices are a little high compared
to going to regular stores," Cadigan said.
"Many students used to use this area to
study when it was a lounge but now we
don't really have anywhere to go:'

Brozena agreed with that comment
adding, "There needs to be more of a
sitting area:'
Although most like the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
hours of operation for the P.O.D., some
students said they wished it was open on

the weekends along with Greens On Go
staying open later. Their current hours are
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

,...@wilkesbeacon
~ nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu

WUPB hosts bingo and gives creative prizes to winners

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees
WUPB executive members Kasey Knapp and Jessica Huck wear the "I Love
Thursday Night"T-shirts that the WUPB handed out during Club Day.

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees
Bingo Night was held by the WUPB on Sept. 10. The lounge room was filled with
anticipation as students hoped to win a prize.

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The Beacon - September 15, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

10

OPINION: New year, new changes at Wilkes
By Emily DeAngelis

.

Design Editor

The triumph of Wilkes University is
its progress. Many small colleges are
complacent; they continue to do what they
have always done and remain in stagnation.
Wilkes is unique in many ways, but it has
set itself apart from many small schools by
continuing to grow not just in its numbers,
but in its physical appearance and countless
offerings for students. Its commitment to
student success really shows through the
changes that took place while students
were home for the summer; every decision
that was made created a purposeful effect
on the student population now and in the
future.

The Gateway Project
Admit it, an expensive project like this
had the student body skeptical. Now
in full effect, the Gateway is an integral
part of campus connecting Wilkes to the

downtown and creating convenience for
residents and commuters alike. At night,
the open lighted pathway feels much safer
than it did previously. During the day, the
campus is much more open and unified,
and the addition of more landscaping
helps to keep Wilkes feeling suburban
despite its urban location. Now we just
need those sprinklers to stop splashing
students on the way to class and it will be
a perfect addition to our already stunning
campus greenway.

•

New Tennis Courts

Wilkes is finally upgrading its tennis
facilities. Although junior doubles player,
Dom Parfianowicz, is still waiting in eager
anticipation to try out the new courts, he
and his fellow teammates are all extremely
excited to have new courts for their
upcoming season. The old courts had
cracks and dead spots, it was time for an
improvement and Wilkes has risen to the ·
occasion.

Photo Courtesy of Austin Ely

The new Gateway Project has provided students with a safe and aestheticallypleasing walk from one side of campus directly to the other.

•

Barre Hall

·

This
semester has
seen great
improvements to Wilkes, notably, the
largest amount of residential students ever
on campus at 1,095. To accommodate this
number and the new honors program,
Barre Hall was renovated and now houses
29 students in the first Learning through
Leadership Community (LLC) on campus.
Resident Assistant in Barre Hall, Valerie
Woods, is excited about the community
that the hall is already forming. The
students all met at orientation and had the
advantage of getting to know one another
before officially moving onto campus.

Secondary Education Major
Constantly growing, Wilkes has
added to its list of offerings a new major
in secondary education. For more
information, see Anne Thomas' note in
The Beacon's summer issue.

•

Dining Services

Aramark has taken full swing of the food
offerings here on campus. With fresher
and more cost effective options, students
seem generally much happier with the
change. Rather than paying in full d_ining
dollars like Rifkin last year, Greens to Go,
Which Wich and The Grill allow you to
swipe a comparable meal price and take
the remainder of the meal off dining or flex
accounts.

•

Public Safety

Public Safety is constantly evolving to
fit student needs. Over the summer, the
department added several new officers to
its hybrid force. Furthermore, at the desk
of Evans and Towers after 10 p.m., there
will always be a PSO.

.f'.!'l @wilkesbeacon

U:J Emily.DeAngelis@wilkes.edu

Photo Courtesy of Austin_Ely

Barre Hall has been reopened to accomodate a very special group of new students. The 29 students make up the first Learning through Leadership community.
..

�The Beacon - September 15, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertain~ent

11

Expression through physical appearance··
Misconceptions of body ink in today's professional world
By Austin Ely
Staff Writer

In this series, Austin Ely will explore
different topics about expressing ones
self through a physical form of body art.

What do we see when looking at another
person?
Of course we see their face, their eye_s,
their hair, their attire, their expression and
even their skin. The amount of clothes a
person wears limits the amount of skin
they show.
In professional settings, people who have
body art such as tattoos and piercings have
been and may continuously be generalized.
However, according to an article on
Forbes entitled, Tattoos No Longer A Kiss
of Death in the Workplace, the idea that
a person is hired for the experience and
not their appearance is becoming more
prominent in corporate America.
Unforttinately for many students,

especially those on the verge of graduating
who have tattoos that are in plain view,
there are misconceptions in which
our society has established that causes
businesses, leaders and employers to view
tattoos and body art in a negative light.
When used appropriately, body art in
general allows people to gain insight and
connect with those around them, whether
they have some body art or not.
However, some misconceptions that
stem from body art forms, specifically
tattoos, are that people with tattoos
cannpt find professional jobs, people with
tattoos are unable to be professional and
even that people with tattoos are of lower
intelligence.
According to an article posted by The
New York Times called Keeping Their
Art to Themselves and according to a
survey done by the Center for Professional
Excellence in York College of P!!nnsylvania
that showed 61 percent of human-resource
managers saying that having a tattoo would

•

Photo Illustration/The Beacon Archives

Many people wear clothing that covers more skin to hide an ink they might
have. This hampering of personal expression is to avoid the stigma of tattoos.

Photo Illustration/ Alexandra Devarie

Visible tattoos in a professional work setting sometimes comes with negitive
stigmas of unprofessionalism prompting the employee to cover skin for work.

hurt an applicant's chances.
With that being said, according to a
Pew Research study called Millennials:
Confident, Connected, Open to Change,
done in 2010, 23 percent of Americans
have a tattoo and 40 percent of millennials
have a tattoo.
This means that despite the fact that
some corporate leaders and managers are
beginning to look past the- tattoos, treating
them as forms of expression and hiring
based on experience, the misconceptions
and judgments are still things those with
ink must worry about.
One· must also consider the profession
they are going to be seeking a job in.
Jeffrey Ochs is a sophomore undeclared
science major, with the goal of finding a
career in the health industry. If Jeff wore
a short sleeve shirt part of his tattoo is
visible.
"I feel like some positions in the
professionat world are patient or customer
oriented:' Jeff elaborated by saying, "Some

businesses simply want their customers
or patients to see 'clean' and professional
looking employees:'
He uses the word "clean'' in a sense that
he thinks some of the public still considers
tattoos connected to some sort of criminal
or taboo activity.
Within the coming years as more young
adults are seen getting some kind of body
modification the amount of acceptance
can only increase.
Employers will or have already started to
realize that professional and skillful people
are a product of experience and knowledge
and that something like tattoos do not
dictate a perso1'is worth as a professional in
their field.

1.'._111

@wi/kesbeacon

~ austin.ely@wilkes.edu

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.

�Across- the Wyoming Valley, people with glazed
eyes are staggering before falling violently onto the
sidewalks.
_
They are collapsing under the Market Street bridge,
projecting hallucin~tions on the concrete before
passing out.
They are dazed. They are half-conscious.
They are on spice.
Last month, the campus community received an
email warning of a dangerous new drug trend, with
nearly 40 reported cases in August, according to
Public Safety Director Chris Jagoe.
Synthetic marijuana, also known as 'spice: is on the
rise in the area, with 20 overdoses in the first week
of August alone, Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Robert
Hughes said in a statement to WNEP.
The drug killed 15 people in the first half of 2015,
according to a CBS news article by Amy Kraft.
Spice is a dried plant mixture sprayed with
chemicals that are supposed to simulate the effects
of marijuana, according to drugabuse.gov.
Sold in gas stations and head sh~:. 1.p1ti1
Pennsylvania's 2013 "blanket law" made ~gany
synthetic drug illegal, the drug has sinCC,fuade its
way onto the streets.
Typically marketed as a safe alternative to
marijuana, spice is often used by people who need to
pass drug tests. However, Jagoe warns that the drug
is both dangerous and misleading.
· "Calling spice 'synthetic marijuana' is like calling
lighter fluid 'synthetic vodka: You woul4n.'t drink it,'
he said.
Jagoe said the drug is produced in ~less-thansterild' conditions. He called it "garage ~emistry,"
and compared it to crack cocaine or heroia.
"Ifs not marijuana, ifs j,unk," he said. ~ou don't
know what you're getting.'
The.drug is known to cause high lev~..:91 anxiety
and paranoia, hallucinations, and • ~ e cases,
psychotic episodes..
Alexandra C. is a 20- ~ ~.~ n t at Luzerne
County Communi
ege. Shebegan using spice
at 17 as a m:&gt;to
$S the random drug testing at
her job. 1'~1-ecreational use quickly turned into· a

habit, until she was using daily for three months.
·"I started losing my mind:' she said. "Pot has an
antipsychotic in it, and spice do·es not. It made me
psychotic:'
Alexandra began to lose her grip on reality. It
started as paranoid episodes, where she said she
became convinced that people could read her mind.
Eventually, auditory and visual hallucinations
became regular, even when she wasn't using. She
said she would often hear heavy, ominous breathing
outside her door at night. Toilets in public bathrooms
began flushing all at once. She began seeing people
in the shadows of her room and car.
At the peak of her hysteria, Alexandra said she had
convinced herself there was "a war between good
and evil" inside her that was being orchestrated by
the head shop clerk who was selling her spice.
Alexandra was eventually admitted to First
Hospital in Kingston, where she was diagnosed with
a drug-induced psychosis.
She still struggles with the effects of her spice use.
"To this day, I still have paranoid episodes," she
said.
Worse than the continued paranoia and memory
loss may be the path that spice led Alexandra on.
After quitting spice, she began smoking marijuana
again, but found she was ·missing something. This
prompted Alexandra to turn to harder drugs,
including heroin.
She believes that she was genetically predisposed
to addiction, but said spice was the catalyst.
"It opened me up to everything else that addiction
has to bring," she said.
Although Alexandra enrolled in a 28-day-program
and recently celebrated one year completely
substance-free, she warns of the dangers of both
spice and addiction.
"It's not a safe alternative to marijuana:' she said.
'~nd if people think ·they have a problem, they
should get help:'
·
Jagoe said students who see people that appear to be
under the influence should contact Public Safety or
local authorities. Warning signs include staggering,
excessive sweating, agitation and slurred speech.

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The Beacon - September 15, 2015

14

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: amanda.stickles@wilkes.edu

Why it makes more sense to be a cat person
By Mandy Stickles
Opinion Editor

Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Dogs are great when you want a
companion to play with and perhaps to
get some fresh air with. However, when it
coines to a more complex and intellectual
animal, cats will always triumph over dogs.
It has crossed the minds of several cat
owners over the years what their cat might
be thinking. Across the room lies the quiet
sleeping cat, so majestic and peaceful without
a care in the world; or so we thought. But
cats are stronger, more intelligent and less
domesticated than people might perceive
them to be.
Sure, dogs might be extremely obedient
once trained well, but getting a dog to that
point is a lot of work for humans. Not to
mention how needy they are and look for
constant affection from their owner.
Personally I am a cat person. I !ways have
been and I always will be. Call me a crazy
cat lady if you must. I will embrace my cat
obsession and own it.
My cat definitely has a unique personaility.
While sitting down for dinner most nights I
prepare for battle between my cat and trying
to keep the food on my plate. Honestly I
think he enjoys the hunt and the thrill of it
all.
He is definitely a physo cat in every type
of way but that is what makes him such
great .company.
The reason for this manic behavior is
because cats were never truly meant to be
domesticated.
Cats are the descendants of the North
African/Middle Eastern wildcat Felis lybica.
This started the association with cats about
10,000 years ago, according to Psychologist
John Bradshaw, who has been studying the
behavior of domestic cats and dogs for over
25 years. However, the domestication of cats
did not come until about 2,000 BC and has
hit a few bumps in the road with the feline
behavior over the centuries.
What really separates cats from the
domesticated dog or any domesticated
animal for that matter is their ability to
plan their own mating time and not have it
determined by their owners.

However, cats do cherish the relationship
and bond they have with their owners. Cats
treat their owners as if they were the mama
cat.
Bradshaw points out a few key signs and
concepts a cat might show to their owners if
they feel comfortable and happy with them:
At first meeting a cat will go up to a human
with their tail straight in the air and rub
up against them to make sure they are not
hostile. Purring is associated with feeding
and if a cat kneads their owner it relates
back to how they used to get milk from their
mother.
Do not let the love and affection cats show
· to their owner be mistaken for a needy or
helpless animal that need to survive on
human care.
Cats can go hours on end without needing
care from their owners and many times
prefer to be alone. Let's not forget that cats
are a part of the lion and tiger family and
were sufficient hunters for their own meals
not long ago and still enjoy the thrill of the
hunt even today.
Ashley Potkulski, a fellow cat lover and
junior theater major, shared an interestil).g
story pertaining to her own cat.
"People underestimate the intelligence of
cats. One evening we were all busy cooking
our own dinner and suddenly we all watched
in amazement as my cat gets up, walks into
the _kitchen where we keep his food and
began to try and open the cabinet. To our
surprise he was able to get it open and than
proceeded to try and get his food bag open. I
was completely stunned;' said Potkulski.
Even when we think our cats might not be
paying attention and just lay around all day, .
they do stunts like that that make us wonder.
As much as humans have tried to
domesticate cats over the centuries there will
still always be a part of them that want to
be wild and free. However, do not let their
. hidden undomesticated side fool you either.
Cats may not always show love and affection
to their owners on command, but they
will always stay loyal and cherish the bond
between cat and human.

m
~

@wilkesbeacon
amanda.stickles@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Mandy Stickles

Cats may make it look like they need their owners to survive, but cats are
more than capable of taking care of themselves. They allow themselves to be
domestcaited by the humans.

The Beacon/Mandy Stickles

Do not let their looks deceive you, cats are more intelligent than they let on.

�0

The Beacon - September 15, 2015

.

Opinion

15

Bareface or full-face: Makeup in the workplace
d
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ts
te

1g
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:x

0

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0

k

By Allison Rossi

work and work ethic should not be
solely based on someone's outer
qualities.
Why are we judged by our outer
In most professions, women are
appearance the most? Why, especially required/persuaded to wear make up
is it in the work force, one is first to work. Some of these professions
judged. on their clothing, hair, and are education, law, secretaries and
exterior features?
even some part time, minimum wage
People are judged on their everyday jobs. The knowledge teachers are
appearance even before others get to providing to enlighten students' lives
know them. First impressions say a should not be undermined due to
lot about an individual but should one's makeup. Clients, lawyers, and
they? First impressions are relevant others in the justice system should not
in a dating setting, social setting, and · look or diminish a lawyers argument
the most important of them all, the because of how long their eyelashes
work place. Bosses are most likely are or what shade of lipstick they are
going to choose the individual that wearing that day. A job interviewer
looks the most professional. The should not force someone to wear
quality or value of an individual's make-up if they do not want to.

StaffWriter

It is one thing if women want to
wear makeup but they should not
be required to in order ~o be taken
seriously in the world; whether in a
social environment or a professional
environment. According to the
Huffington Post, out of three
thousand women 91 percent of them
would cancel a first date if they did
not have makeup on, 31 percent said
they that they would not exercise at a
gym if they were barefaced.
There is a difference between being
professional arid needing to meet
the requirements of today's society.
Have we as a generation taken
professionalism to the extreme?
The Detroit Free Press stated
factors that could be preventing ones

career success: "On the appearance
side, employers cited provocative
clothing (44%), wrinkled clothes or
shabby appearance (43%), piercings
outside of traditional ear piercings
(32%), clothing that's too casual
for the workplace (27%), visible
tattoos (27%), an unprofessional
or ostentatious haircut ~5% ),
unprofessional or ostentatious facial
hair (24%)." .
Women of high status and intellect
are a great attribute to society and
that have successful careers should
be able to wear make-up if they want
to and not be required to do so.
~

@wilkesbeacon
~ allison.rossi@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - September 15, 2015

Opinion

16

.colonelsTalk Back
"How do you feel about construction for the new Gateway?"
Adrian Th_omas, Sophomore
"It brings campus closer to the
square. Though, I think Wilkes
- could've fixed the central air in the
basement of the library."

Ashley Grayson, Freshman
"Now I don't have to worry about
traffic or distracted drivers while
hurrying to class."

Ian Valles, Freshman
"It will lead into positive outcomes
on campus. As a commuter, it
makes it a little harder to get
around campus, but once its
finished, I'll have a better path to
classes."

Badel Alotaibi, NIA
"Construction is good, but I
think they could've added air
conditioning to some buildings."

By Rebecca Voorhees
Staff Writer

Phoebe Yost, Freshman
"I think that it's a good idea,
although it's inconvenient at the
time. It will definitely cut walking
time in half."

What do you think?
Let us know!

@wilkesbeacon

•

�Opinion

The Beacon - S~ptember 15, 2015

17

Go Set A Watchman: A classic in its own right
By Sara P1sak
Assistant Opinion Editor

s

Author's Note: Plot details are divulged:
Spoiler Alert.
I am sure many readers such as myself
have been hoping, praying and even begging
that Harper Lee would publish a second
novel. Lee has only published one work, the
literary classic, To Kill AMockingbirdwhich
was first published 55 years ago. On July 14,
2015, the literary community was granted
their elusive wish when Harper Lee released
her second novel, Go Set A Watchman.
Several
news
outlets,
including
Entertainment Weekly, have reported Go
Set A Watchman has sold over 1.1 million
copies in its first week of print. These
skyrocketing sales records give the novel
the distinction of being the fastest-selling
book. in _HaperCollin's publishing history.
Cons1dermg the flurry of press surrounding
this historic release, I wanted to offer my
own review and insights on this significant
literary achievement.
. ~e t_imeline of events surrounding the
pubhcat10n of Go Set a Watchman is as
unique as the text itself. Go Set a Watchman
was originally written by Lee before her
classic work To Kill Mockingbird but the
story itself chronologically takes places
after the events of To Kill Mockingbird
unfold. Deciding against the work, Lee
shelved the piece and began work on To Kill
A Mockingbird instead. It was not until late
2014 that Lee's lawyer discover the original
·Go Set a Watchman manuscript attached
to an old typeset of To Kill A Mockingbird
stored in a safe deposit box. The skewed
timeline of composition has led some readers
to consider the work a sequel of To Kill A
Mockingbird, whiles others consider the
text an early draft of what became To Kill A
Mockingbird.
Excitement about the work's discovery
and the impending publication soon spread.
However, quickly after the release many
news outlets expressed disappointment
as well as a narrow-minded reading of the
text. In another opinion piece in this issue
of The Beacon, I discuss the controversy
surrounding Go Set a Watchman and the
media coverage of its release.
If I had to classify Go Set A Watchman,
I would categorize the piece as a separate
entity; not a rough draft or sequel. However,
Go Set A Watchman has fallen prey to the
sequel category since some of To Kill A
Mockingbird's characters returrI. Scout and
Atticus are still the main focus of Lee's new
work. However, Jem, a major protagonist
of Lee's earlier work, has died. Sadly, no
mention of the famous Bo Radley is made

within the second work.
While Go Set A Watchman examines
events from To Kill A Mockingbird in
retrospect, a reader who (God forbid) has
never read the classic text would not be
left out of the loop while reading Go. Set A
Watchman. Given Lee's context of previous
events and a reader's inclination to critical
thinking, Go Set A Watchman can be viewed
correctly as a separate entity.
The media frenzy surrounding Go Set A
Watchman focuses on Atticus' recent racism
and few articles mention the major factor
that allows Go Set A Watchman to step out
of To Kill A Mockingbird's shadow: Scout's
emergence as a hero. Thus furthering Go Set
A Watchman's classification as a separate
work. Clearly, Atticus' defense of Tom
Robinson brands him as the hero of To
Kill A Mockingbird. However, in Go Set A
Watchman Lee does exactly what she has
built her literary career upon: she turns the
tables on the reader in order to break societal
stereotypes.
In Go Set A Watchman, Atticus is no longer
the knight in shining armor. When Scout
confronts Atticus about his changing views,
she 1s shocked, horrified, and betrayed. The
reader cannot help but share her feelings as
both Scout and the reading public see their
hero tarnished. As the reader sympathizes
with Scout, he or she begins to see Scout
as the hero of the text. Scout follows her
conscience and ignores the "collective
conscience" of the town and her father.
As Scout adheres to her morals, the reader
begins to follow their own conscience. The
reader views Scout in terms of her own
humanity instead of associating her with
Lee's other characters.
Allowing the reader and the character
to simultaneously follow their own
consciences, not only connects a reader to
a character but is the basis of Lee's literary
career. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus'
defense of Robinson establishes him as the
c?rner~tone of the morality, thus bonding
him with the readers. Go Set A Watchman
allows Lee to create the same type of link
but this time with Scout.
Go Set A Watchman is not a rehashing of
a previous classic but a classic in its own
. right as Scout teaches the reader more about
themselves and more about the truths of those
we love and idolize than a simple sequel
or retelling. The shocking twist of Scout's
development as a hero and the realization
that To Kill A Mockingbird's Atticus is not
the cornerstone of morality but a human with
faults, allows the reader to appreciate Go Set
A Watchman as its own benchmark.

Courtesy of Sara Pisak

Sara's Score:

A @wilkesbeacon
1t1 sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - September 15, 2015

Opinion

18

Go Set A Watchman: The media missed the mark
By Sara Pisak
Assistant Opinion Editor

.

Author's Note: Plot details are divulged:
Spoiler Alert.
July 14, 2015 marked a historic day for the
literary world as Harper Lee released her first
new text in 55 years, Go Set A Watchman.
Instead of celebrating this gift to the literary
community, most media outlets have focused
solely on one aspect of the text. As usual, a
narrow-minded focus has worked to tear
down this significant text and its author, thus
overlooking or ignoring the broader elements
and overall theme of the text. I believe most
of the media has grossly failed to see the
larger picture, by their branding of Atticus
Finch as a racist and their overlooking
Scout's contribution to the text.
Go Set A Watchman addresses race
relations. Personally this text deals with
answering to one's conscience when
faced with adversity. In my opinion, the
overlooked point of the novel can be found
on pages 264 and 265, These pages read,

"Every man's island, Jean Louise [Scout],
every man's watchman is his conscience.
There is no such thing as a collective
conscience." Atticus is merely the backdrop
bringing the theme of Scout staying true to
her morals and her "watchman" (conscience)
to the forefront. Media outlets focusing
exclusively on Atticus' racism have missed
the mark of Lee's text, thus doing the work a
grave injustice.
On the day of the book's long awaited
release, The New York Times ran an article
entitled "The Name Atticus Acquires an
Unwelcome Association." The subject of
the article is exactly what the title states.
Parents, who named their children Attictis,
are worried racism will be associated with
their children since the text's release. Some
parents even went as far as changing their
children's name from that of the beloved
character. After some research, I found
people are so preoccupied with the name
Atticus but have failed to show concern that
children are named after the seven deadly
sins (all but gluttony), or if those who are

named after Disney villains will be guilty
by association. The New York Times solitary
focus on the name Atticus further devalues
Lee 's idea of one's watchman.
In fact most articles associated with the
release o_f Go Set A Watchman contain
derivatives of "Atticus Finch is an overt
racist." This exact phrase can be found in the
article, which appeared in The New Yorker,
entitled "The Atticus We Always Knew."
While a great deal of articles critiquing Go
Set A Watchman make no mention ofth&lt;:: main
protagonist Scout and her search to break
free of the world's "collective conscience."
It is not until the very end of "The Atticus
We Always Knew" does interviewee Mary
Murphy state, "The character of Scout [ ... ]
is an innocent, and she's trying to find her
own way in this very imperfect time." After
scouring articles surrounding the book's
release, it seems that someone has finally
taken it upon themselves to state, that the
world is imperfect, those heroes we admire
are not perfect either and it is up to our own
watchman to develop a sense of morality.

Personally, the only article I could · find
portraying the full story of the text appeared
in National Public Radio under the title, "Go
Set A Watchman' Is A Revelation On Race, Not
A Disappointment" written by Errin Whack.
Whack speaks of Atticus' racism and his
thoughts on the race movement advancing too
quickly. However her main focus is on Scout
as an emerging hero, and how the truths of life
can be hard to accept as these truths often fall
within a gray area of morality. Whack is so far
the only author to make mention of the biblical
verse from Isaiah 21 :6 that contains Lee's
watchman idea.
Looking past the one-sided, unjust media
portrayal of Go Set A Watchman, I will continue
to adore Harper Lee as .an insightful human
being as well the author of TWO revolutionary
literary works. The media should accept Go Set
A Watchman for what it is, a long awaited gift
from a beloved author.

@wilkesbeacon
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

The Bechdel Test: Legally Bl.onde passes the test
By Em Leonick
Staff Writer

Each week, staff wrtier Em Leonick will
analyze classic and current movies to see
if they pass the Bechdel Test, which gauges
female representaion in.film.
Representation is an important focus point
when deciding on what movie ticket to buy.
There are people who are more interested
in watching films that properly represent
aspects like gender in 'films. In fact, gender
equality in films is so important special tests
have been created to gauge how well or
poorly representation is handled in films.
The Bechdel Test is one of the most popular
ways to gauge adequate representation of
women within film. The test is named after
comic book artist Alice Bechdel, who, in
1985, introduced this gauge in a comic strip
titled "The Test." The test consists of only
three criteria for a film to meet:
1. The movie has at least two women in it
2. The women·must talk to each other
3. They need to talk about something other
than a man.
In later years, there have been more
rules and criteria added to the test such as
whether or not the writers give these female
characters names. There have also been
spinofftests based on the Bechdel Test, such

as Russo Test, which specifically focuses on
LGBT+ characters within movies. Despite
the fact that the Bechdel test sets such a low
standard for representation, a surprising
amount of movies fail the test.
The first film I am going to discuss
is Legally Blonde. Legally Blonde is a
comedy released in 2001, and stars Reese
Witherspoon as Elle Woods, a sorority girl
who follows the boyfriend who dumped
her (Matthew Davis) to law school in an
attempt to win him back, only to find out
he has a new fiancee (Selma Blair). After
realizing she is fighting a lost cause, she
instead throws herself into law school and
interning with a law firm who is defending
a murder defendant.
Legally Blonde passes the Bechdel Test.
As most of the cast are women and there are
more than two, there is dozens of instances
where they talk to each other. While the
plot begins with Elle deciding ·to follow
her ex-boyfriend to law school to win
him back, few conversations in the movie
center around a man. By the standards of
the Bechdel Test, Legally Blonde is a good
representation of women.
Outside the Bechdel Test, there are
still things to consider when it comes to
representation. Legally Blonde is great
at representing traditionally feminine

things, such as Elle's aptitude
for fashion and hair care, as
strengths rather than weaknesses
and the butt of jokes. Despite the
fact that the film's plot has plenty
of opportunities to pit women
against each other, they rarely
fight. However, representation in
this film is not without its faults.
Legally Blonde has virtually no
named women of color within
the film, and the ones who are
serve as stand-ins. They have no
names and only a few minutes'
worth of screen time within the
film.
While
Legally
Blonde
passes the Bechdel Test and
makes positive strides towards
representing women as real
people and not plot progressi_on
tools, it still falls short in
representing types of women.

f."11 @wilkesbeacon
U:J emily.leonick@wilkes.edu

Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons

�19

Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Rachel.Leandri@wilkes.edu

Coach Trey Brown speaks on upcoming season
By Rachel Leandri
Sports Editor

Having accepted the position m
February 2014, Trey Brown, Wilkes
University's head football coach, is
making his mark within the football
program foreseeing progress that can only
become stronger.
"There is no reason why Wilkes
University cannot be an elite football
team in this specific league," said head
coach, Trey Brown.
Better acquainted with his staff
and team, Brown's plan of action for
this football season requires a highly
competitive attitude to conquer last year's
outcome of only two wins .
"To avoid that type of disappointment,
we have been really practicing through certain bad habits that would previously
cause mistakes to happen," Brown
FIITl/1!£
said. "With hard work put forth and the
competitiveness to win, those mistakes
will not appear on game days which will
pay off on.the scoreboard."
In order to assure this type of work
ethic, preseason entails a lot more than
just showing up to practices. Consisting
of 25 on-field practices before the first
Coach Trey Brown preparing before last Friday night's game against Delaware Valley.
game, players must perfect their schemes
as their talents are evaluated. Aside from
terms of players this year, Brown has found
his beliefs into what he was doing.
the physicality of preseason, meetings that other changes made from the previous
"When I first got hired, I wanted to
involving lots of positional review and season have been nothing but positive.
know my team and then I wanted to start
online content are necessary to attend,
"What has changed from last year is that being a tea~ both on campus and on the
study and learn from.
we definitely practice better," Brown said. field," Brown admitted. "Some of that I
Preseason also brings the team together "The framework of our schedule and the had to tend to, and other goals I couldn't
in terms of bonding and camaraderie.
overall effort from the team is better. We get to right away. This year is different in
"What people witness is a real closeness . now dress the same in the weight room the way that the things I fretted about kind
that the football team shares," Brown looking more like a team and we simply of took care of themselves because now
said. "However, that closeness is between just carry ourselves better in my opinion."
people know what they have to do and
various guys from various backgrounds;
Aside from the team, Brown endured they are motivated to get it done."
not always because they play the same his own obstacles to overcome. Figuring
pos.itions. I feel these guys really care out future expectations, it hit hard that
about one another a great deal matter his team just went two and eight. With so
what grade level or position on the team." much going on throughout his first year, he
@wilkesbeacon
-Though numbers are a bit lower in felt he needed to pick his battles and put
I.... rachel.leandri@wilkes.edu

For coverage
of the first
home game,
turn to page
20
r

�.J
The Beacon - September 15, 2015

Sports

20

Colonels upset Aggies With touchdown late in tne ,game
brought the Colonels in good position
to
score. Tensions arose after a series of
Asst. Sports Editor
penalties, but the team still managed to
score. The field goal was missed, which
The men's football team at Wilkes hosted
brought the score to a disappointing 7-6.
its first Friday night game in history and
The game was fought back and forth. The
was victorious against the Delaware Valley
Aggies 12-7.
· Colonels recovered a fumble; the Aggies
tossed a far pass but missed a field goal.
The game was played on September
The Colonels became nervous when the
11 ; the announcer asked the audience to
Aggies marched down the field and were
take a moment of silence to honor the
looking in the end-zone. Suddenly, the
devastation that occurred in the 2001 attack
Aggies quarterback missed a snap and moved
on the World Trade Center. Soon after, the
the ball back 24 yards. They attempted to
marching band played the Star-Spangled
punt and messed up, giving the Colonels
Banner as the sun peeked over the hills in
great field position.
the distance.
The Colonels, very excited, began moving
The sun fell quickly and the Friday night
the ball. The whole team pushed the running
lights came on. The Aggies won the coin
back to the first down. After, Wilkes'
toss and chose to start on defense. This
quarterback thr_ew a bullet on fourth-down
decision allowed them to receive the ball
to keep the drive alive. With the defense on
after halftime.
their heels, they threw a sci:een pass and ran
The Colonels opened the game very well,
the ball in for the second touchdown. The
but turned over the ball to the Aggies.
two-point conversion failed and brought the
The Aggies threw a few passes which
game to 12-7.
gained the team substantial yards. A handA nail-biting finish, with a wide variety of
off to the running back led to the first
penalties, drove the home stands crazy. The
touchdown of the game followed by a
final play in the red-zone was a failed pass.
field goal. Wilkes needed to overcome the
The crowd erupted with excitement.
7-point deficit.
This win was a very emotional one: The
Wilkes received the kick-off and moved
crowd gave a standing ovation as the team
down the field, passing and running the
stormed the field.
ball. A failed pass on third-down led them
Wilkes travels to Williamsport, PA to play
to punt back to the Aggies.
Lycoming College on Sat. 9/19 at 1:30. Go
The Colonel defense held the Aggies
to GoWilkesU.com for further information
without a conversion. After the Colonels
on the football team and other teams at
got the ball back, they moved down the
Wilkes University.
field, but had to punt once again. They held
· the Aggies scoreless on their drive.
The Beacon/Purvit Patel
The Colonels gained momentum on
@wilkesbeacon
a second-down sack and a third-down
danie/.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu
Colonels march down the stairs before last Friday's game.
interception. A big toss to the red zone
-J

By Danny Van Brunt

The· dilemma of being a collegiate athlete: Prqfessional fantasy drafts
By Jared Powell
Sports Writer

As the summer comes to a rapid close
and the fall begins to creep in, the smell of
football on the weekends is now as strong
as the players themselves. The opening
weekend for the NFL and collegiate sports
is. among us. All of the fantasy draft fans
are doing their last minute lineups before
each game kicks off every weekend -except for collegiate athletes.
For those who may not know, athletes
that play in the NCAA are not allowed to
gamble on other sports in the NCAA. This

includes fantasy football within the NCAA.
These regulations do not only restrict one
from their sport, but for all sports the NCAA
sponsors. If caught in a collegiate gambling
case, one may be stripped of eligibility for
all sports.
Student-athlete Neojoe Lughas said, "I
usually join a few leagues, especially with
college football. I think it's better than the
NFL, but since I am a dual sport athlete here
I can no longer join."
Collegiate athletes do not have the same
problem when it comes to professional
sports -- they . are allowed to join these
fantasy leagues. However, it would be good
to proceed with caution -- do not jump into a

money league if you do not take it seriously.
Some would call these leagues easy
money, but others struggle from week to
week. The easiest way to struggle is by not
setting your league each week. This means
from week to week, before your player
takes the field, you must first make sure
he is actually playing. Things like injuries
and bye weeks must be checked often to
ensure your player is competing that week.
In addition, suspensions are becoming more
relevant -- another thing to keep up with.
At the end of each weekend, you go
head to head with a team in your league.
Your players rack up points depending on
how good of a game they had, and at the

end of the season, your record gives you a
playoff seed and you play from there to find
a winner. Usually first, second, and third
place gets a prize, and anything after that
loses money.
Fantasy drafts are known for their fun
and innocent way of making money. Many
people do these for fun, or join free leagues
that do not cost or win money. Money
leagues are in place to add a competitive
edge between a group of friends ( or random
people) by testing their knowledge of
@wilkesbeacon

Ioli jared.powell@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - September 15, 2015

21

Sports

Field hockey looks to make a playoff run this season
By Andre Spruell
Asst. Sports Editor
Winning two out of its first three games
this season, the Wilkes University women's
field hockey team is off to a solid start in their
2015 campaign. Despite losing four seniors
this year, this close knit group of ladies _is
looking to build off their early successes in
hopes of making a run in the playoffs.
The Lady Colonels' early success can be
attributed to the players working out this
summer to stay in shape and working hard
so they would not come into the pre season
out of shape and would have a leg up on
their competition.
In their first game of the season, the Lady
Colonels captured a home win over Keystone
College with a resounding 7-1 win, behind a
hat trick, an assist from sophomore forward
Marissa Surdy, and three assists from junior
forward Taylor Ryan.
After the statement win, the field hockey
team traveled four days for a weekend

tournament in Selinsgrove, PA, where they
knocked off Susquehanna University 2-1 in
overtime. However, they suffered a defeat in
the championship game at the hands of Kean
University with a score of 2-1.
Under the leadership of junior midfielder
Maura Anistranski and senior midfielder
Lexi Thompson, the Lady Colonels are
poised to make a deep playoff run and
capture the championship rings in the MAC.
With the multitude of talent that this
team possesses and with the leadership and
chemistry of their two captain midfielders,
the Lady Colonels is a team to watch out for.
This close-knit group of women has many
more games remaining on the schedule,
which gets more difficult as time goes on
due to the conference games they will play
beginning the last week of September.
Check out the Lady Colonels' next home
game, which takes place on September
19th at 12:00 PM as they take on Alvernia
University at Schmidt Stadium.

..,
Courtesy of GoWilkesU.com

The Lady Colonels at Arcadia University last week.

Big changes for switn teatns
By: Evan Wiley
Sports Writer

156 SOUTH PENNSYLVANIA • WILKES-BARRE • 570.823.9272

Both the men's and women's swim teams
are moving practice locations. The swim
team started in Wilkes-Barre's family
YMCA, but have chosen to take their
practices elsewhere -- to the Catholic
Youth Center (CYC).
A major issue was that the YMCA pool
temperature was very warm. Swimmers
. co~plained that the pool was always
too hot to swim and compete in. It was
recorded that the pool was sometimes
90 degrees. The YMCA also didn't afford
the swim teams the necessary space they
needed.
Head Coach Mark Barnes stated, "By
changing our practice facility to the
Catholic Youth Center, we will be able to
have proper practices. · We will be able to
work harder as a team with the great facility
that they offer. The biggest excitement is
that we will be able to host home meets this
coming season:'
The CYC has more to offer all around.
In the YMCA, the team was only getting

2,500 yards in at practice. The CYC has
more lanes in the pool for the team to
spread out.
With this additional space, Coach Mark
Barnes hopes to get in at least 6,000 yards
of practice. With more availability of
space to practice, Wilkes has an a stronger
advantage when competing against other
schools.
The CYC also provides more deck space
for the team to do more dryland workouts,
or workouts outside of the pool. Their pool
and deck area are both the appropriate
temperature for the team's needs and
potential success.
Senior Mandy Stickles is beyond excited
that the team was able to make this move
into a better location.
"The whole team, including our coach,
is more than pleased about moving our
location to practice in;' Stickles claimed.
"We have worked hard all summer:'

t"I @wilkesbeacon

R:J evan.wileyl@wilkes.edu

r

�_j

22
I,..

...

1--~----,------,----

A. I would
because it is W1lY

From Carlisle, Pa.. .Edwin Mettger is a team.

2012 Graduate of Carlisle High

School.

Metzger came to Wilkes to pursue a degree
Q. Do you have
in Mechanical Engineer and is a mmfieldet' hobbies off of the tield?
for Men's Soccer team.
Q. What was the driving force for your
decision to come to Wilkes?

Q. Who would you say is the
influential person in your life? .

A. I knew that the engineering program at
WJlkes was a very good one, and the fact I
A. My father is the most inft.uential person
knew I would be playing soccer helped my in my life- because he is the man!
decision.
Q. Do you lnweanyadvice for the
Q. What are }'bUr plans in'terms of so«er student athletes beginning the1r
after college?
seasons and semesters?
A. I hope to at least play in a Men's Rec.
A. Know how to organize your time with
League team.
school and sports. Make sure that you put
school in front of sports.
Q. What are your hopes for your final
season as a Colonel?
·
Q. How do you feel about the changes
being made to aunpus this year? What do
A. I hope that we will make the MAC you like or dislike?·
playoffs and be over .500.
A. I feel that the changes to the campus are
Q When/Why did yon first begin plitying helping the school out. The Gateway Project
Soccer?
really opens up the campus from towers to
the Greenway.
A. I started playing soccer when l was Jive
years old. Most kids try soccer when they
are young. and I stuck with it.

· @wllkesbeacon

Q. If

r-s

n had to choose one thing a

u1a~

purv{tl!!J!d~wl~~!.!l,g._,..-,,....__,~

�program is run in a respectable,
organized fashion.
Q: Do you have other sports/interest/
Taylor Wright comes from Yardville, hobbies off of the field?
NJ. A graduate of Steinert High School,
A: Off the field, I really enjoy playing
Wright chose Wilkes for its exemplary tennis, as well as spending times with
Psychology program and the ability to play friends, and especially family.
as a midfielder for Wilkes' Women's Soccer
program.
Q. Who would you say, is the most
influential person in your life?
Q: What was the driving force for your
A: I have two extremely influential people
decision to come to Wilkes?
in my life: my mother and father. They are
A: While in-between many different quite the set of parents -- these two are
schools, Wilkes stood out in a unique way. my biggest fans, and I hope to be half the
I met with many administrators/professors woman my mother is one day and have the
who all seemed overly willing to help each same work ethic that my father has. They are
and every student in their path to success. extremely supportive and I love them a lot!
This was a special attribute that Wilkes held
unlike many other schools.
Q: A quote you live your life by?
Q: Post-graduation plans in terms of
A: "The best revenge is massive success"
soccer or a career?
.
- Frank Sinatra. I am a huge competitor
A: Immediately post-graduation, I plan and I always have been; this quote by Frank
to attend graduate school. In terms of Sinatra is so simple but has a ton of meaning
soccer, I would like to acquire a position as behind it
a Graduate Assistant, where I would coach.
Q: Do you have any advice for the
Q: What are your hopes for your final freshmen student athletes beginning their
season as a Colonel?
freshman seasons and semesters?
A: This season we have one vision and
A: My advice to the, freshman student
that is to win The MAC.
athletes is to have the most fun playing
while they can, because time flies and four
Q: When/Why did you first begin playing years is over before you know it! Give your
Soccer?
best effort on the field and in the classroom.
A: I first began playing soccer when I
was 5 years old. I was such a tomboy when
Q: How do you feel about the changes
I was little, always wanting to play football being made to campus this year? What do
or baseball -- this was all due to the fact you like or dislike?
that I grew up with a brother who was so
A: Although the changes to the campus
close in age. My mom always told me that I aren't complete yet. it seems to be an
played soccer because it was the only happy invesbnent that many people are going to be
medium between football and cheerleading. pleased with. ·
Q: If you had to choose one thing about
Wilkes' soccer program that you could
improve. what would it be?
A:. Other than the terrible field conditions,
there isn't much that I would change about
the program. Here at Wilkes, the soccer

@wllkesbeacon
purvit.patel@wilkes.edu

�_J

The Beacon - September 15, 2015

Follow us on social media for exlusive live updates, giveaways and more!

@wilkesbeacon

•

Find us-on -Facebook!

--SAFT. 1111. . ■ IIIIEaJIWrEMIY'
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�</text>
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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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              <name>Creator</name>
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              <name>Rights</name>
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�.J

Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Editorial Staff
2015-16
MANAGERIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief- James Jaskolka
Managing Editor -Ashley Evert
- Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher
Social Media Director -Alyssa Mursch

Seeking Advertising Director

Beacon Briefs
Important Network News - Internet Upgrade
On Sept. 29, the ITS Network team and Frontier
Communications will work on upgrading the Internet circuit
from 260MB to 340MB. Work will begin approximately at 5 p.m.
and will last till approximately 6 p.m. During this time users will
not be able to access the Internet, or any systems that depend on
that.
Party on the Square
Bring college ID to Party on the Square to receive giveaways
from area businesses, a money-saving discount card and other
items. The event will be held on Public Square from 5-7p.m. on
Sept. 30, rain or shine. Valid college ID required.

Chase Parking Lot Closed on Oct. I for Homecoming Pep
Rally
The parking lot in between Chase Hall and Stark Learning
Center will be closed at 4 p.m. on Oct. 1, for the Homecoming
Pep Rally. Questions or concerns, can be directed to Kara
Serfass at kara.serfass@wilkes.edu
Bystander Intervention Training Program Recruiting
Student Trainers
The Bystander Intervention Training Program is in the
process of recruiting student trainers once again. This program
trains members of the student body, peer to peer, to safely
intervene in situations or potential situations of sexual viofence.
If interested, the remaining training session is: Sept. 27 12 - 3
p.m. in the Miller Conference Room.

SECTION EDITORS
News - Sarah Bedford
LA&amp;E - Nicole Zukowski, Justin Topa
Opinion - Mandy Stickles
Sports - Rachel Leandri

ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Gabby Glinski
LA&amp;E -Austin Ely
Opinion - Sara Pisak
Sports - Danny Van Brunt, Andre Spurell

SG Notes: Bubble Bash; dub report; new board
By Jen Baron
Staff Writer

Week3
On Wednesday, Wilkes University's
Student Government held its weekly meeting.
As a part of the Bubble Bash, there will
be a soap and shampoo drive. Those who
donate will be given tickets that can be used

at Casino Night.
Some news in sports includes that Wilkes
will have a men's volleyball team beginning
next year and the tennis court renovations
have been completed.
Keep in mind that on Sept. 29, from 5
p.m. to 6 p.m., the Wilkes Internet will be
unavailable due to maintenance.

1.fterested in joining the Beacon? To
learn more about the positions we
offer and what you can do, contact
james.jaskolkabutler@wilkes.edu

130 S. River St.
First Floor, Conyngham Hall
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
Phone - (570) 408-5903
www.thewilkesbeacon.com

7

table of contents
news ... ~ ............ 2

DESIGN EDITORS
Nicole Kutos

Retraction:
In the summer issue of the Beacon,
the "Commuter Tips" article stated
students were told they could aquire
parking p ermits once the semester began.
This is incorrect as parking permits are
determined on a wait-list system once the
semester begins.

Week4

The Bubble Bash will be on Oct. 9 from 4
to 8 p.m. This event has replaced the Fall Fest.
The Homecoming dance will be on Oct. 2
at the Woodlands. The last day to buy tickets
is Sept. 29, in the SUB during club hours.
Also on Oct. 2, tliere will be a Gateway
Dedication Ceremony from 4 to 5 p.m.
The Ski and Snowboard Club gave its
annual report. Some fundraising ideas
include Gertrude Hawk, Krispy Kreme,
T-shirts and hat sales.
For community service, the group
is looking to participate in the Alcohol
Awareness Walk, a trash cleanup and making
Christmas cards. Trips that are being planned
are college nights at Montage and Big Boulder
Mountain on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The
group is also looking into a Vermont trip.
New members of Student Government
were installed. From the senior class, Tom
Schmidt was installed as a class representative.
In the junior class, Scott Vandine and Emma
Leach were installed as representatives.
In the sophomore class the following were
installed: Jeremy Yeoman, president; Paige

Gallagher, vice president; Nate Barnhart,
treasurer.
The following members of the freshman
class were installed: Jeremy Tomaine,
president; Kyle Thomas, vice president;
Jasmine Quintana, treasurer; Ian Valles,
secretary;
Noah
Yurkanin,
Joseph
VanderWagg, Harrison Eckert, Caitlin
Brossman, Ydalisa Rodriguez and Shannon
Festa were installed as representatives.
Student Government will vote next week
on the hours the Club Hub will be open, the
allocation of funds and the amount of money
that will go toward the work-study positions.
The council reviewed the treasurer's report
and there was no change from last week.
The current budget is as follows: All
College:
$1,528.84,
General
Funds:
$23,956.00, Conference: $5,000.00, Spirit:
$2,000.00 for a Student Government total of
$32,484.84.

life, a&amp;e ........... 7
spread............ 12
opinion-........ 14

~ @wilkesbeacon

•

jennifer.baron 1@wilkes.edu

sports ............ 19

�The Beacon - September 29, 2015

News

3

'Noble' act saves family of four

By Meghan Burns
Staff Writer

By Gabby Glinski
Asst. News Editor
Don Noble was at the right place at the
right time.
Minutes before a van ignited in flames in
early-August, the Wilkes University 2nd shift
Public Safety Patrol Sergeant rescued the
driver and passengers, including two young
children.
"You don't make a plan, you rely on your
training;' Noble stated. "I did what was the
most important thing at the time, getting
them out:'
On Aug. 8 at 3:51 p.m., Noble witnessed a
car crash while patrolling his regular route
on the corner of South Franklin and West
Northampton streets.
Without a second thought, he rushed
toward the smoking van and pulled the
occupying family out. After forcing the front
passenger door open, and conducting a
medical assessment, the two young girls and
family were found to be unharmed.
Soon after the rescue, the van caught
fire; Wilkes-Barre's fire department arrived
shortly on the scene.
Noble, now a lieutenant, started as a Patrol
Officer at Wilkes late 2013. He also works
as an officer at a local municipality's police
department, also holding position as Deputy
Sheriff for seven years. Noble reflects on his
position as a Wilkes Public Safety officer and
compares it to being a regular police officer.
"Dealing with bad guys takes a toll. Here,
working with good guys;' said Noble on
transitioning from the outside community to
Wilkes' campus community.
"As a police officer, I mostly spend time
arresting people. At Wilkes, I get to actually
help people; educate and warn them about
dangerous behavior. What I do on campus
matters, I get to know the community:'
Wilkes' Public Safety Department has
approximately 30 members; patrol officers,
administrators and coordinators working
24 hours a day, seven days a week. Noble
said that there is a lot of experience in the
department and safety is Wilkes' number
one priority. Four officers have more than 20
years of experience in police work. Wilkes
conducts national searches to find the best
and most highly trained officers to serve the
campus.

Celebratipg
pharmac1sfs

t'1

The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski

Patrol Sergeant Don Noble, above, explains that in a moment of crisis, relying
on training is crictical as there may not be time to make a full plan.
Wilkes continues to provide training to
all of its officers. Officers are certified under
Act 235, The Lethal Weapons Training Act
and continue to receive training. Noble was
sent to an armours course and firearms
instructor's course. The lieutenant is glad
the addition of firearms to the force didn't
change the way the campus views officers.
"I just hope everyone knows we are here to
help because we are part of the community
too. It's not just the people, we are not above
the law;' he said.

Noble said he prefers to stay out of the
spotlight when incidents like the car accident
occur. "It takes a specific skill set that not a
lot of people have, to do what I do. The job
is the reward:'
The Wilkes' Department of Public Safety
is located on South Main Street, next to
University Towers.
~

•

@wilkesbeacon
gabriel/e.glinski@wilkes.edu

To report an incident, crime, or safety related issue, contact
the Department of Public Safety at (570) 408-4999.

During the month of October, the
Wilkes University chapter of the American
Pharmacist Association will be celebrating
American Pharmacists Month.
During this month, pharmacists try to
break the misconceptions that the public
may have about their trade. The chapter on
campus is trying to raise awareness to the
students and staff of Wilkes University about
the various things pharmacists do other than
just stand behind the counter.
The chapter's slogan is "Know your
medicine, know your pharmacist:'
In order to raise this awareness on campus,
the American Pharmacists Association will
be holding a health fair every Tuesday for
the month of October in the Henry Student
Center during club hours. The health fair will
feature presentations from Wilkes pharmacy
students on a variety of different topics such
as heart health, blood pressure, smoking and
poison control.
The association is hoping to make this
health fair an annual event, Keri Diehl, the
association's co-chair, said.
"It is nice to get out into the community,
but we want to bring it back to our core:'
According to pharmacist.com, American
Pharmacist Month is celebrated annually
during October and serves to promote
pharmacists as medication experts, an
integral member of the health care team and
people who are directly involved in patient
care.
American Pharmacist Month aims to
educate the public, policy makers and other
health care professionals about the role
pharmacists play in the reduction of overall
health care costs and the safe and effective
management of medications.
~

•

@wi/kesbeacon
meghan.burns@wilkes.edu

Contact the Beacon
to cover your
event. Look for
us on Twitter and
Facebook.
;.___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _---ll

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The Beacon - September 29, 2015

4

News

'Tobacco Cessation Treatment' offered

Internet issues

Help students kick smoking habit in the "butt"

Bandwidth, connection

As the Wilkes University community
adopts a new smoking policy, measures have
been taken to give students the opportunity
to quit smoking, right from campus health
services.
Susan Biskup, Campus Counselor in
Health and Wellness Services located
in Passan Hall, completed the Tobacco
Dependency Program at Rutgers University
this past summer and has since become
a Licensed Professional Counselor and a
Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist.
Tobacco Cessation Treatment has been
available at some universities but will now
be a service offered at Wilkes, according to
Biskup.
"Treatment interventions for students
include: education, assistance with setting
a quit date, and development of a plan
through counseling, individual and group,
sessions;' explained Biskup. "Additionally,
nicotine replacement therapy can be a part
of treatment through Health and Wellness
Services:'
Along with the intervention sessions
for students, faculty can contact Human
Resources and Health and Wellness Services
to find services available through University
health insurance plans.
"There is also web-based support and
telephone support by calling your state Free
Quitline at 1-800-quit-now (1-800-7848669);' Biskup added. "This free Quitline
offers smoking cessation services 24 hours
per day/7 days per week:'
Quitline services include up to five
coaching sessions by phone, unlimited calls
to the Free Quitline as needed, educational
materials on quitting tobacco use and free
Nicotine Replacement Therapy, up to eight
weeks of patches for qualified callers.
"The most beneficial aspect of tobacco
cessation treatment is that the service
provides students who would like to quit
smoking the counseling support and
treatment necessary to take the first step.
Sinci tobacco dependence is a chronic
disease, a person will be more likely to have a
successful quit attempt with treatment:'
Biskup explains that helping an individual
quit smoking is more than just handling
addiction, but building up that person's selfesteem.
"Smoking rates in individuals with a

By Dian McKinney
News Copy Editor

By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

The Beacon/Jesse Cha lnick

St udents can fi nd out more information on t he Tobacco Cessation Treatment by
visit ing Health and Wellness Services.
mental illness or addiction are at least double
that of the general population;' she said. "We
know that most smokers want to quit and
often feel ostracized due to their smoking
behavior. in supporting a person through
quitting, we are also promoting positive selfimage:'
Biskup also explained that in a youth
centered culture, students may be motivated
to quit smoking because of the physical
effects it leaves on the body.
"The reality is that there is a 50% chance
that a person who continues to smoke will
die prematurely from smoking;' Biskup said.
Biskup explained that smoking also ages
people prematurely, changing the skin, teeth,
and hair as well as affecting fertility. It can
also compromise the strength of the heart,
lungs, and bones.
Not smoking for minutes can have positive
changes to the body too, accordif\g to Biskup.

"After 20 minutes of not smoking your
blood pressure and pulse rate and the
temperature of your hands and feet have
returned to normal. After 48 hours, damaged
nerve endings have started to regrow and
your sense of smell and taste are beginning
to return to normal;' Biskup said. 'J\.fter
one year, your excess risk of coronary heart
disease, heart attack, and stroke has dropped
to less than half that of a smoker. After ten
years, your risk of being diagnosed with lung
cancer is between 30% and 50% of that for a
continuing smoker:'
If a student would like to receive tobacco
cessation counseling and/or other therapies,
they can contact Health and Wellness
Services to schedule an appointment by
calling (570)408-4730.
~ @wilkesbeacon
: , sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

As of late, Internet connection problems
have been among the most popular
complaints across campus.
Simply scrolling through Yik Yak, one can
identify several posts explaining that Wilkes
students are constantly unable to "Netflix and
Chill" after a long day of classes. However, the
issues with the broadband and wifi Internet
connection do not come as a surprise to the
IT department.
Over the summer, many changes and
upgrades were made regarding Internet
accessibility campus-wide, along with other
major projects such as the new Gateway.
However, these upgrades could not be made
until the IT Department identified and
carefully picked through the major problems.
Beacuse a number of years had passed
without upgrades, it took a year to identify
all of the system problems and organize a
master plan. Beginning in June 2015, IT
began making the necessary changes.
Compared to last year's 1,800, there are
on average 2,300 devices online at any given
time on campus, including phones, iPods,
laptops, desktop computers and tablets.
In addition, during the 2014-2015 school
year, there were 243 Wifi Internet access
points in residence halls across campus. Now,
there are approximately 560 access points,
including huge upgrades in Evans Hall, Roth
Hall, Fortinsky Hall and University Towers.
In the past week, Wilkes University
students should have received an email from
the IT Department explaining that there will
not be any internet access between the hours
of 5 and 6 p.m. on Sept. 29. During this time,
the entire broadband will be expanded by ½
of what it currently is.
In summary, this will help more devices
be able to connect and flow through the web
faster and more efficiently.
Dean John Stachacz, a librarian and one
of the individuals behind · these changes,
concurred that the entire project cost equals
more than $1 million dollars. In addition,
switching to the newer, more efficient tools
of Internet access also saved the entire
university almost $300,000.
Although some may think that the
IT Department would be tiresome of
complaints, they are surprisingly and humbly
happy to accept any and all comments about
the problems and kinks regarding Internet
connection.
In the words of Dean Stachacz, "The only
way we can find out if there is a problem is if
students call in and report if'
~ @wilkesbeacon
: , dian.mckinney@wilkes.edu

.

�The Beacon - September 29, 2015

News

5

Wilkes University Holllecoming 2015 to be a family affair
By James Jaskolka

At left: Anthony
Fanucci and Makia
Stocker prepare
for homecoming
festivities in the
Alumni office.
"Family of Colonels"
is the theme for
Wilkes Homecoming
2015. It will take
place Friday, Oct.
2 through Sunday,
Oct. 4, with various
activities thoughout
the weekend.

Editor-in-Chief

Held Oct. 2 through Oct. 4, Wilkes
University Homecoming 2015 will have
something for everyone, thanks to this
year's theme - Family of Colonels.
Director of Alumni Relations Bridget
Giunta explained that since Wilkes is a
close-knit community, it made sense to pay
homage to the "Family of Colonels" - even if
the family isn't blood-related.
"There are greater opportunities here to
cultivate that culture of a family of Colonels
because everyone can come together more
frequently than at a larger school;' Giunta
said.
"We have athletic teams that become so
close they're like a family, friends who are like
family, as well actual families [as alumni];'
Jacki Lukas, alumni communications and
events manager, said. "It kind of just fit with
what we wanted to do and how we wanted
to bring things to campus:'
The newest initiative is the launch of the
"Colonel's Kids Club;' which allows alumni
to register their children or grandchildren
to receive a birthday card from the Colonel
every year. Giunta said that familiarizing
children with the university early on

The Beacon/ Jesse Chalnick

helps "add another layer" to the "Family of
Colonels" concept.
Additionally, the annual Tailgate Tent, held
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, at the
Ralston Athletic Complex, will now feature
the Colonel's Kids Corner. This will bring a
variety of activities for children, including
face painting and a bounce house. Student
clubs and organizations will host activities
and demonstrations of their own, making it
suitable for older children as well.

"I really think there's going to be something
for all kids;' Lukas said.
"This year, we wanted to really focus on
kids and make sure alumni know it's a family
event" Giunta explained.
Alumni without children will still find
plenty of activities, however. This year marks
the second installation of the "Share the
Spirit" event, a celebration of school spirit
with a focus on athletics, held 6 to 9 p.m.
on Saturday in the Recreational and Athletic

Center in the University Center on Main.
Kevin Gryboski, '95, will be making a return
as a guest of honor at the event.
In addition to the familial focus, many
events this year are centered around the
recent changes on campus, the biggest of
which is the new gateway from South Main
Street. The official campus dedication and
opening celebration will take place at 4:30
p.m. on Friday, October 2.
To showcase the changes, several events including "Pints with Professors" at 6 p.m.
Friday - will be moved to the parking lot
behind Weckesser Hall.
Since Lukas has been updating the alumni
Facebook page with photos of the progress
since construction began, she is excited about
sharing the changes with former students.
"We want the alumni to be able to see the
gateway;' she said. "Nothing beats seeing it in
real life:'
Following the opening ceremony is a small
reception, both of which are open to the
public as a way to remind the community
that Wilkes really is a "Family of Colonels:'
"Everyone's a Colonel at Homecoming;'
Giunta said.

~
@wilkesbeacon
- , james.jasko/kabutler@wilkes.edu

Student government changes: New faces and spaces
By Alyssa Mursch
Social Media Director

Elections have come to a close and Student
Government welcomed 17 new board
• members and unveiled a new office.
The freshman class appointed Jeremey
Tomaine as its president, Kyle Thomas as
vice president, Jasmine Quintana as treasurer
and Ian Valles as secretary. There are also
six representatives from the freshman
class, including Noah Yurkanin, Joseph
VanderWaag, Harrison Eckert, Caitlin
Brossman, Ydalisa Rodriguez and Shannon
Festa.
The sophomore class elected Jeremy Yeoman
as class president, Paige Gallagher as VP, and
Nathan Barnhart as treasurer.
The junior class selected two class
representatives, Scott Vandine and Emma
Leach.
The senior class chose Thomas Schmidt as
their representative.
Purvit Patel, Parliamentarian for Student
Government, said that this was the "biggest
election in years," and that they had many
candidates running for various positions.
Each new member will be appointed ·a

mentor to help them acclimate to their new
role in Student Government. The mentors
will provide advice and guidance to the new
board members, helping them successfully
maneuver through their duties.
Through the election process, the election
committee encountered a slander offense by
a student running for office, which caused
the other candidates to be monitored more
closely, as Patel noted.
The members are not the only things that
are new, however. There is also a new office
and Club Hub, which is a store stocked with
supplies that clubs may need.
The Club Hub will be open to all clubs and
will run on a point system. Each club will be
allotted a set number of points and can use
them to purchase items they may need for
crafting, events, and the like.
There will be a work study position open to
monitor the Club Hub, which there will be
more details on shortly.
Tf'le Beacon/ Jesse Chalnick
For more information about Student
Government or Club Hub, contact President At last Wednesday's meeting, members of Student Government were able
Anthony Fanucci at anthony.fanucci@wilkes. to view their new office space for the first time since renovations began this
edu.
summer. The new office is located within the Henry Student center lounge
which
was once meeting space and the Leadership room.
~ @wilkesbeacon
- , alyssa.mursch@wilkes.edu

r

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6

News

The Beacon - September 29, 2015

We asked 100 students about politics:
As the presidential primary date comes closer, the Beacon staff set out to find what the campus community's
political views are. In this survey, 100 students selected at random were asked if they were regesistered to vote, to
which party do they identify, if are they likely to vote and who are they likely to vote for. The charts below contain
the results.
What Do You Identify As?
Are You Registered to Vote?

Debate
Schedule:
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Wednesday, October 28
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Aired On: CNBC

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�Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

The Beacon - September 29, 2015

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editors: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu or Justin.Topa@wilkes.edu

A new perspective: gender fluid student speaks on experience
By Justin Topa
Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Editor's Note: Th is article has been written
using gender-neutral pronouns, such as
using "they," "their" and "th emselves" in the
singular. These are just a few examples of
gender-neutral language.

In most, ways, junior Elliot DeMesa
is similar to the majority of students at
Wilkes University. DeMesa enjoys listening
to their music a bit on the loud side, losing
track of time hanging out with friends and
finding the perfect courses within their
major, psychology.
DeMesa, who many met as Danica, chose
psychology based on a lifelong interest in
the human psyche.
"Growing up, I noticed that what
interested me most was people and the
various ways we all interact with each
other:• the junior explained.
DeMesa does differ in one way fro m the
majority of other students roaming the
greenway. DeMesa identifies as gender
fluid.
Gender
fluid
i1"
non-binary
individuals do not
exclusively identify
as male or female.
Instead, they identify
as multiple genders,
identify
as
no
particular
gender
or they choose to
switch between a
combination of all
genders.
In many ways,
DeMesa said their
experiences at Wilkes University are on
par with the rest of the Colonel population.
The student's daily routine does differ in
one major way, however.
"The main difference between me and
many of my classmates comes from getting

ready in the morning;• explained DeMesa.
"Being gender fluid, I experience body
dysphoria, which is feeling like my physical
body doesn't match the gender I am:'
A 2012 survey by the Equality and
Human Rights Commission found that
as much as 1 percent of the United States
population identified as 'gender variant'
to a degree - more than 3 million people.
The causes of gender dysphoria still aren't
completely understood.
"So, depending on how severe my
dysphoria is in the morning, I choose
whether or not to wear a binder, which
looks like a sports bra, but its function
is to flatten breasts to make a female
look like they have flat chest, therefore
more masculine. I choose how feminine,
masculine, or neither I feel comfortable
looking that daf'
Ruby Rose, actress and model, has been
making headlines since their role in season
three of "Orange is the New Black:' Rose is
gender fluid in real life.
"Gender fluidity is not really feeling
like you're at one end of the spectrum or
the other;' Rose said in
an interview with Elle
magazine. "For the most
part, I definitely don't
identify as any gender.
I'm not a guy; I don't
really feel like a woman,
but obviously I was born
one. So, I'm somewhere
in the middle, which in
my perfect imagination
is like having the best
of both sexes. I have
a lot of characteristics
DeMesa
that would normally be
present in a guy and then less that would be
present in a woman. But, then sometimes
I'll put on a skirt".
DeMesa's gender identity also plays a
part in the way they present themselves in
the classroom.

"Being
gender
fluid
makes
it
difficult for me to
have to identify as a
girl in class. I don't
feel
comfortable
yet
telling
my
professors,
and
consequently
telling strangers in
class, that I have a
preferred name and
pronouns:• DeMesa
said.
The classroom is
an environment in
which DeMesa feels
The Beacon/ Gabby Glinski
uncomfortable
at For more information about the Gay-Straight Alliance, a
times.
resource for anyone, students are asked to e-mail Dr. Ellen
"What tends to
Newell, interim adviser for the organization.
happen is something
like the professor splits the class into else out there like them. I'm very active
teams of boys and girls, and I don't feel on campus, so if I'm possibly helping a
comfortable having to choose girls;' they closeted person see that there are other
explained. "Just because I'm a female, it queer people at Wilkes that they can
connect with, I'm all for if'
doesn't mean I'm a girl:'
DeMesa does this by volunteering and
They also find an issue with the use of
generalizations within the classroom, taking part in LGBTQ+ related activities
including insulting comments regarding and wearing various patches on their
jacket. They said the spotlight is often
sexual orientation and gender.
Outside of the classroom, the student's pointing in their direction, but it is often
because they put themselves there.
experiences have been more comfortable.
Identifying as something other than
"The RA staff has been very supportive
in using my preferred name (Elliot). I've a hetero/cisgender student has some
noticed that it's a little harder for people to advantages according to DeMesa.
"A lot of people don't or can't take the
get into the habit of using gender-neutral
pronouns, but I really appreciate when perspective I do, as a female who is gender
fluid, a lesbian, and Asian;' said DeMesa.
people use them;' they added.
DeMesa, who also identifies as lesbian, "Bringing my experiences and perspective
said they find that sometimes identifying to class, I hope, opens others to seeing
that there are queer people close to them
as a queer person is a political statement.
"It's a sort of sign of bravery to admit that and that we don1 have the privileges that
you're queer and you're willing to show cishet people do:'
people that you exist;' DeMesa said. "I do
~ @wilkesbeacon
it both for those who haven't had much
•
justin.topa@wilkes.edu
experience with queer people and for those
who are queer and feel like there's no one

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8

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

The Beacon - September 29, 2015

OPINION: The Butterfly Effect in practice
How I saw this phenomenon happen at Wilkes University
By Emily DeAngelis
Staff Writer

I feel that I stand among a crowd of stellar
examples of kindness on our campus.
I might be biased, but there are stories
that must be shared of individuals much
to humble to own them. The resident
assistants on our campus are best defined
by the principle of "The Butterfly Effect;'
coined by mathematician Edward Lorenz.
This theory delves into the importance
of every single action and its potential
positive or negative ramifications on a
large scale.
For example, suppose a butterfly beating
its wings in Wilkes-Barre could affect the
weather conditions in Central America.
If our actions reached that large a scale,
would you act differently?
What if actions already have such drastic
reactions that we can barely fathom all the
effects of some of the smallest things we
do?
I speak from experience when I say, as
an RA, sometimes you realize how even
the smallest things can have the largest
responses. How do the 52 RAs on campus
do it? Why do they do it? Here's some
insight:
Put yourself in their shoes: Although
Kayla Hiryak is most commonly seen

•

mentality, Yurko has recruited
potential RA'.s and made
residents feel confident and
capable in their abilities to make
a positive impact on campus.

wearing crocs, they are merely a fac;:ade
for the several shoes that the Pl Pharmacy
student sports on a daily basis. How does
Kayla relate to others and make it seem so
effortless? Simple. She puts herself in their
shoes.
Hiryak·says, "You never know what kind
of day someone is having and a simple
smile and hello can change their whole day
around. It really helps you to remain openminded and compassionate, which is super
important:'
I find that it is through her compassionate
mentality .that others are affected most by
her.

Right

Never Underestimate the Little Things: I

know of a member of Residence Life who
once casually told a student that a position
for president of MSC was available. They
thought nothing of this small comment
until that student, then a graduating senior,
sought out the Residence Life member and
told them that without that suggestion to
join the Multicultural Student Coalition,
they might not have continued their
education at Wilkes. That's huge.
Open Door Policy: In school and in life,
RAs keep their doors open. Towers RA
Kaitlin Yurko noticed in her first few weeks
on the job how much a simple action such
as keeping her door open could touch
several residents.

Photo Illustration/ Israel

She said that within the first few days, she
"had four residents asking about the role of
the RA, and what it takes to be one. All of
these residents said they are interested in
being an RA and that they didn't apply last
year simply because they didn't think they
would be good at it, or they didn't know
anything about it:'
Because of her open door and open

~
•

I . -

lnsta

7

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emily.deangelis@wilkes.edu

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your

Sometimes, the littlest thing can
come off wrong to another.
Be it as small as not saying
"hello;' when passing someone
on the greenway, or as large as
hurting another's feelings or
reputation, it takes courage to
admit to one's shortcomings.
RAs knowingly do not have
all the right answers, and even
if it is as simple as apologizing
for a delay while tl}ey search
for the answer to a questiop.,
they are always cautious to treat
others with the respect that
th
Rodriguez ey deserve. When miS t akes
are made, genuine apologies are
readily available and forgiveness is never
an afterthought.
These are things we can all carry into
our everyday lives. Actions, big and small,
create consequences as large as changes
in the weather just like the wings of a
butterfly.

WilkesBeacon .

�The Beacon - September 29, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

Blogging for the future:
Students attend national conference
By Nicole Zukowski

there is one question that comes to mind:
"What is the point of creating my own
blog?"
Social media has grown from a way to
The answer is to better market yourself.
virtually connect with friends and family
"Biogs are great for marketing yourself
into a methodical way of making a name because it is essentially you, in digital form.
for one's self or landing a dream job.
You have to take the time to write content
With the rise in social media usage, with your voice and you really put yourself
many could feel a pressure to get their out there by doing !hat;' Simenkiewicz
own digital footprint out there, but have said. "If you upload really good content
no idea how to transmit their personalities about your niche subject, then people will
through to the virtual public.
take notice and your 'market value' will
One way of creating one's own niche surely increase. I think that blogging is a
footprint is through blogging.
way to get your voice out there:'
"I think blogging is more popular
At NEPA BlogCon 2015, keynote speaker,
now because the
Ashley Ambirge, .CEO
Internet is popular.
of the creative agency
There is so much
House of Moxie, Inc.,
"The blog is you,
content on the web
spoke about her 'Middle
that people don't
essentially; your
Finger Project' blog and
know where to
her
social media career.
interests, your writing,
start, but with their
Adam Lubas, senior
your self is being
own interests. There
communication studies
are biogs about
major who also attended
put into this blog."
cooking, reading,
the conference, said,
· ~Simenkiewicz
crafting
and
"She was inspirational in
basically anything
the way she has grown
ever;'
Allison
and changed over life.
Simenkiewicz, senior intergrative media Not only was her speaking strong, but her
major, said.
presence and overall attitude towards life
"People look for other people with their was very interesting. It showed that if you
own interests and blogging has almost do have social media as your career you
become another form of social media. The could make a profit from it:'
blog is you, essentially; your interests, your
Lubas also mentioned that Ambirge
writing, your self is being put into this was particularly inspiring to him because
Wog. Everyone wants to find and connect she
completed her undergraduate
with people who think the same as they degree in 2006 from the Department
do, and blogging is just another way to do of Communication Studies at Wilkes
that;' Simenkiewicz added.
University, focusing in public relations.
Simenkiewicz recently attended NEPA
"It was beneficial to me to realize that
BlogCon, a conference hosted by East I could have her success one day;' Lubas
Stroudsburg University. The conference added.
was about the importance, advantage and
Despite the route a student may take
enhancement of biogs and social media. after college, the conference served as an
The conference reportedly had people opportunity to teach those in attendance
attend from across the country along with the benefits social and professional biogs
students from various colleges up and could have on expanding their personal
dow the East Coast.
and professional lives.
"There's over 18 million biogs out
there according to the one speaker;'
~ @wilkesbeacon
Simenkiewicz said.
,
nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu
With so many biogs already in existence,
Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment Editor

ANSOFWIL
UNIVERSITY

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The Beacon - September 29, 2015

10

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

-Constitution Day

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The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees
In honor of Constitution Day, Wilkes hosted a lecture by attorney Al Flora Jr.
Flora is a private-practice attorney who has worked in northeast Pennsylvania
for 37 years.

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Attorney Al Flora's lecture was entitled "Gideon's Trumpet and the
Constitutional Right to Counsel: Has Justice Failed the Poor?" Flora has argued
appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court and handled over 2,000 criminal cases.

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The Beacon· September 29, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

11

Adventure Education continues taking on great outdoors
By Amanda Bialek
Staff Writer

At Wilkes, there is no excuse to be
bored.
Student development offers Adventure
Education, WAE, as an extracurricular
program for students to get become
active.
This department hosts adventurous
activities like rock climbing, camping,
biking, ballroom dancing among others.
Recently, WAE received a grant to
participate in the 2015 National Outdoor
Challenge. This contest challenges 59
colleges to compete against each other
to prove who can get the most students
active in the outdoors. Over a six week

period, students have the opportunity to
create an account and post pictures of
outdoor activities that they participate in.
There are a variety of things that students
can do outside that · will qualify for the
challenge. This program is designed to
encourage students to get involved with
the outdoors and meet new people.
"Most of my daily activities have been
simple .things like walking or playing
frisbee with friends. The challenge has
helped us to get so many people outdoors
that would not have done so otherwise,
and I believe that is the ultimate mission
of the whole thing;' Adventure Education
Student Coordinator Anthony Fanucci
said.

Students can create an account on
outdoornation.org and log a photo every
time they complete an outdoor activity.
The Adventure Education Program will
also be giving away prizes for students
who participate in the challenge.
"If it weren't for the On Campus
Challenge, I probably wouldn't have ever
had the opportunity to enjoy nature and
the amazing sites;' student Allie Grudeski
said.
Wilkes University is the only East Coast
school in the top five for this challenge.
"What is truly amazing is out of the 59
teams in the nation, we are currently in
fourth place;' WAE Coordinator Jill Price
said.

If Wilkes wins, the Adventure Education
Program could earn up to 1500 dollars.
This money could result in another
camping trip or additional equipment for
the program.
There will be a Fall Break backpacking
trip for those interested in joining. WAE
will also be holding Saturday and Sunday
hikes. These events are open to any
student who enjoys the outdoors or who
is willing to go out of their comfort zone
by trying something new.
"My favorite part is watching students
discover cool things about themselves;'
Price said.
. . . @wilkesbeacon
•
amanda.bialek@wilkes.edu

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C det: Wilkes

canine a

AFROTC Det. 752
rogram
P
pioneers new
Story by James Jaskolka

,

I. Design by Nicole Kutos I Photos by Gabby Glinski

Wilkes University Air Force ROTC Detachment 752 recently launched a new initiative where the members will help
train a psychological service dog.
'1.ffectionately called the detachment's canine cadet, the 3-month-old wirehaired pointing griffon named Libby will
provide emotional support for the campus community at large. Eventually she also will be used off campus. Psychological
service dogs assist those they come in contact with by improving social, emotional and cognitive function.
Lt. Col. John "Slick" Baum, the detachment commander who launched the initiative, explained that spending five to
15 minutes with a service dog has been proven to change one's brain chemistry by boosting endorphins, reducing stress
hormones and even aids building neural pathways. This can help people better cope with stress, depression and trauma.
Baum believes Libby exemplifies the Air Force Core Value of "Service Before Self'
Baum notes that, to the best of his knowledge, this is the first time any AFRO TC unit has implemented a psychological
service dog.
·

�Baum said the canine cadet will.operate under different
"spheres of influence;" in other words, she will be utilized
in different ways to help different parts of the university
appropriately. The first "sphere" or layer is the U.S. Air
Force Cadre, the active-duty members currently stationed
in at Wilkes University. Baum said Libby acts as a "bonding
agent" for them, a necessity as the cadre adjusts to not
being around other airmen, support functions or service
facilities found on a normal Air Force base.
"From a social standpoint, we're kind of just alone &lt;loin~
our jobs:' Baum said. "Libby helps bring some stabilization. '
From there, Baum hopes to implement Libby to help
AFROTG ·&lt;iadets, as well as the faculty and student body.
Ultimately, ·Baum said he hopes to use her as "a tool ori
campus:•'to~p'rovide support to those who need her. For
example, ~Baum states that if someone were to have to
deliver bad 'h ews .to a student or. faculty member, Libby
would be pre§ent to help break the news.
''As we ~ ork fo continue to socialize her, .we're trying to
figure Ol;lt the right times and places' to.plug her in:' Baum
said, citin~ homecoming and various alumni·• events as
examples. 'She's a ·great·icebreaker:'
Eventually, Baum said he would like to "make a face for
(Libby) on campus:' which he's already started w~th her
own instagram feed: @cadetlibby.
Obtaining a psychological service dog has been a three. year process for Baum. He had been working with a breeder
to find a dog that would be virtually shed-free and "very
active" as to suit the needs of the community.
In the three weeks ·she has been on campus, Libby has
already won the affection of everyone she has met, Baum
said. Additionally, her behavior on the flight from Coloi·ado
o Wilkes-Barre suggests that she will·be a great fit fol the
ampn:s and the Air Force ROTC.
·

t

/

"She flew like a champion:' ·Baum said;

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14

The Beacon - September 29, 2015

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: amanda.sticldes@wilkes.edu

Ahtned's Clock: Islatnophobia in a post-9/11 world
English class. When asked at how similar they were and how mislead
to show his teacher what he was about Saudi Arabia.
made the noise she said, "It
"People should not be judged by the way
looks like a bomb:'
that they look. People follow the media too
Mohamed
proceeded much. Get to know someone first before
to tell her it was a clock putting labels on them;' said Alshiban.
Mohamed is fully aware of the
he made. The teacher
did · not seem to care and discrimination that he and many of his
confiscated the clock from Muslim people have to deal with on a daily
him and told the principal, basis. However, I do not think he ever
who then contacted local thought he would have to deal with his
police. Mohamed had a principal threatening him with expulsion if
strong feeling he would he did not explain himself with the so called
'bomb' and his reasons for bringing it.
never see that clock again.
He was then taken out of
No one seemed to care what Mohamed
class and taken into a room had to say. Mohamed and his family told
where four police officers police and the school several times how
he likes to invent technology savvy things
awaited him.
One officer made a and this was not out of the ordinary
comment saying, "Yup. for Mohamed to do something like
That's who I thought it this. Mohamed has even stated that his
was:' explained Avi Selk, homemade clock was not even one of his
from The Dallas Morning more elaborate projects. He was able to put
News.
his clock together on a Sunday night in just
That one comment right under 20 minutes.
"He just wants to invent good things
there just proves how real
for
mankind;' Ahmed's father, Mohamed
Islamophobia
is
and
the
This photo of Ahmed Mohamed went viral after
effects caused by 9/11. Elhassan Mohamed, said in an interview
authorities arrested him.
After all those years people with the Dallas News. "But because his
are still fearful of what happened on 9/11 name is Mohamed and because of Sept. 11,
By Mandy Stickles
and many do not know how to deal and I think my son got mistreated:'
Opinion Editor
Dr. Andrew Wilczak, a sociology
cope with the aftermath of it all.
But for a police officer, who is supposed to professor at Wilkes, is quick to blame the
Ahmed Mohamed, a freshman at serve and protect the people, no matter their media for incidents like this.
MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas
"Post 9/11 fears and current fears in
race, religion or ethnicity, to make such a
was arrested for bring a 'hoax bomb' to discriminatory remark about a 14-year- the world have people worried of secret
school, when he told officers several times old boy just proves that Islamophobia is invasions, which are obviously ridiculous.
that it was actually his homemade clock.
alive and well. It is a problem that must be But, people buy into this and are easily
The crafty 14-year-old, who reportedly addressed and diminished.
mislead into believing something that is not
enjoys creating his own gadgets from
Dafer Alshiban, a Wilkes University · true or so outrageous due to news outlets
scratch, was excited to bring his homem.t'de
foreign exchange student from Saudi and other social media sites;' Wilczak said.
clock to school to show all his teachers
Arabia, feels bad about Ahmed's situation
Because of these ridiculous fears that
his hard work. However, the reaction he
and the stereotypes being placed on him people have about other people just based
received was not the one he was hoping for.
based on his skin color.
on their skin color or religion is resulting
After showing his engineering teacher
Alshiban shares a story of an experience in a 14-year-old boy being suspended from
his homemade clock, he was advised by he had at a university while attending an school. Why? For being technologicaly
his teacher to not show anyone else and to international student luncheon. A student savvy and wanting to show his teachers
keep it in his book bag for the remainder from Africa began to ask Alshiban about his something he created with his own two
of the day.
religious beliefs and culture. As Alshiban hands? Mohamed should not be punished
- •· Mohamed listened to his teacher until explained his religion and what it was like and accused for doing something wrong,
the clock made a beeping noise in his
at home, the African student was shocked he should be praised and encouraged to

continue what he is doing and to never
stop inventing.
In order for these stereotypes to stop
people need to be more open-minded and •
understanding. Not everyone will think or
act the same and people need to be willing
to accept that.
"Most people don't care to do this [be
open-minded and understanding] and
want to keep their head in the sand: People
would rather be told what the world is like
rather than them think for themselves;'
Wilczak said.
~

@wilkesbeacon
, - amanda.stick/es@wilkes.edu

#IStandWithAhmed
Celebrities take to Twitter
for support
Hillary Clinton: "Assumptions and fear
don't keep us safe--they hold us back.
Ahmed, stay curious and keep building:'
President Obama: "Cool clock, Ahmed.
Want to bring it to the White House?
We should inspire more kids like you to
like science. It's what makes America
great:'
Russell Simmons: "#IStandWithAhmed-stay strong little brother. You are a
genius and we all support your
incredible passion for innovation
and technology'.'
Sophia Bush: "When a kid who loves
robotics builds a clock and wants to
show his classmates, we should
celebrate him. Not arrest
him. #IStandWithAhmed:'
Shannon Woodward: "That moment
when school can't tell the cliff[ erence]
b/w[between] a clock and a bomb but
since the kid is brown, they arrest him
just in case. #IStandWithAhmed:'

�0

The Beacon - September 29, 2015

Opinion

15

'Censorship'
is the dirtiest word in the English language
.

The Beacon/Sara Pisak

Banned Book Week, held Sept. 27 - Oct. 3 this year, celebrates various literature considered unfit to study in public schools, including the above titles.
By Gabriella Romanelli

Guest Writer
English professor Jack Grier addressed
his English Teaching Methods class on the
first day of school with a piece of advice
for the three aspiring high school English
teachers. He told us that "the only bad word
in the English language is censorship:'
His statement was very intriguing to me,
as I sat listening with my two peers in the
intimate setting of Kirby 103, wondering
what this experienced teacher with the
unicorn bicep tattoo might mean by his
seemingly
rebellious
announcement.
Professor Grier's insight on the issues of
censorship in schools is becoming cleat
to me now, as a future educator, and as I
prepare for Banned Book Week with my
fellow members of Sigma Tau Delta, the

English honor society.
The Wilkes University chapter of Sigma
Tau Delta will hold a Banned Book Reading,
in honor of Banned Book Week, at noon on
Tuesday, Sept. 29, on the steps of Kirby Hall.
According to the American Library
Association, "Banned Book Week is an
annual event celebrating the freedom to
read. Typically held during the last week
of September, it highlights the value of free
and open access to information:' This week
designated to controversial literature calls
attention to how harmful censorship is to
students whose schools are preventing them
from reading what could be very educational
and culturally informative books.
As many educational books get banned
from schools, educators, librarians, parents
and readers take a stand by challenging the
unacceptable censorship to the Office of

Intellectual Freedom. '
The official website fo r Banned Book
Week notes that since 1982, when Banned
Book Week began, more than 11 ,300
banned books were reportedly challenged to
the Office oflntellectual Freedom . In 201 4,
there were 311 books reportedly challenged.
Number three on the list of most
challenged books in 2014 is a 2005 children's
picture book written by Justin Richardson
and Peter Parnell, called And Tango Makes
Three. The book tells the true story of a
couple of male penguins who were given an
egg to hatch by another male-female couple
who had two eggs and could not take care
of both. The male couple named their chick
Tango, hence the title of the book.
Reasons for banning this heartwarming
children's story include the story being
allegedly "anti-family;' and "promoting

the homosexual agenda;' according to the
official website of Banned Book Week.
These are just two of the many ridiculous
reasons why this book has been banned
from schools instead of focusing on the
book's heartwarming message.
Number eight on the most challenged list
of 20 14 might be familiar to young adult
readers and movie buffs. Steven Chbosky's
The Perks of Being a Wallflower has been
banned
for
"drugs/alcohol/smoking;'
"offensive language;' and "date rape and
masturbation;' to name a few.
Banning such educational and culturally
and emotionally eye-opening literature is a
disservice to our students that Banned Book
Week aims to call attention to.
~

•

@wilkesbeacon
gabriella.romanelli@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - September 29, 2015

Opinion

16

Does the new Wilkes smoking policy
unfairly target campus smokers?
By Rebecca Voorhees
StaffWriter
As students and faculty may already
know, Wilkes University has recently
changed its smoking policy on campus.
Before the fall semester commenced,
Wilkes University President Patrick
Leahy notified students through an email
that smoking on campus would be very
different.
He indicated the following: "Our
new policy, scheduled to go into effect
beginning Monday, August 31, 2015,
establishes a smoke-free zone of 20 feet
from any university building door, window,
or ventilating system. This smoke-free zone
is meant to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke for people entering and exiting
our facilities."
After the declaration, there was a decent
amount of celebration on campus. The new
smoking policy seemed like a reasonable
notion, but how fair is it really? Why should
we isolate smokers and discreetly remove
them from campus? I would like to add that
I am not a smoker, and I feel as though the
smokers on camptls have been targeted.
I want to bring attention to some actions
influenced by this topic, which primarily
took place last semester. Pharmacy student
Nicholas Stauffer promoted ideas for a nonsmoking campus; he handed out brochures
filled with health risks, and gave away
stickers to those who supported the cause.
That was a completely appropriate manner
to raise awareness on campus. Some
students however, took the "movement"
too seriously.
For example, sidew1!lks were covered
with statistics and negative comments
towards smokers in chalk. Smokers wanted
to erase the messages by pouring water
over them, but they didn't want to endanger
other students by creating sheets of ice on
the walkways. The approach to the situation
by non-smokers was not only offensive, but
also extremely immature.
Corresponding with President Leahy's
- announcement, lots of students openly
expressed their concerns about secondhand

7

•

The Beacon/Jesse Chai nick

Wilkes' new smoking policy requires smokers to stay 20 feet away from buildings.
smoke on campus. It is well-known that
secondhand smoke can be harmful, but
a great deal of health effects caused by
secondhand smoke are due to long-term
and/or constant exposure. Occasionally
walking past a smoker on campus would not
put anyone at immediate risk for respiratory
problems, or even lung cancer.
I also believe it was not the smokers ' fault
that the designated smoking areas on campus
were relatively close to building entrances.
If you walk through the Greenway, you will
see that there are still cigarette disposal
containers less than twenty feet away from
Breiseth's and Stark's doors.
Sophomore history major Courtney
McMonagle shared her opinion on the
subject matter.

"Part of me agrees with it [the smoking
policy] because if they 're not supposed to
smoke indoors, why should they be allowed
to smoke directly outside of building doors?
It seems counterintuitive. But on the other
hand, this is a small campus. Where else
are they supposed to smoke where they feel
safe?"
"Social smoker" and senior finance
major, Michael Zudjelovic, offered a
different reaction.
"I think the amendment to the smoking
policy is perfect. We are already training
our future healthcare professionals to
treat symptoms rather than addressing
the underlying disease of addiction [to
tobacco] ."
What students don't realize is that a

maJonty of smokers do know the risk
they're taking when they light a cigarette.
Informing people about the risks of smoking
is obviously responsible and encourages
prevention, but in the_end, it's a personal
choice.
We as a university should not discriminate
against smokers just because they take part
in something that isn't necessarily accepted.
Smoking cigarettes is perfectly legal.
As long as smokers don 't deliberately
disturb students and dispose of their
cigarettes appropriately, the smoking policy
should not have required modification.

~
@wilkesbeacon
- , rebecca. voorhees@wilkes.edu

�17

Opinion

The Beacon - September 29, 2015

Elie Wiesel's Night Mankind's _must read te..-xt_
By Sara Pisak'
Assistant Opinion Editor

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September 30, 2015 marked the
87th birthday of Nobel Peace Prize and
Congressional Gold Medal winning author
Elie Wiesel. Night, his most famous work,
originally published in 1958 recounts Eliezer
(Elie) and his family 's imprisonment in the
concentration camps known as Auschwitz
and Buchenwald. Narrating Wiesel's tale is
the teenage version of himself who recalls his
three years of imprisonment and of torture.
This marks my third time reading Night as
it has become one of my personal favorites.
Night should be required reading for not only
every student or lover of literature but every
human being as it portrays important life and
literary elements.
First, Wiesel's narrative structure is to be
admired. Wiesel composed Night at the age
of 30, 14 years after being liberated from
the Buchenwald concentration camp. It is
obvious the harrowing events of his youth
have remained with Elie. However, Night
is not narrated by hindsight or retrospect.
Instead, the text's narrator is thirteen year
old Wiesel as he experiences these events.
Wiesel masterfully weaves together the past
and the present flawlessly.
Night reminisces the events of Wiesel's
imprisonment by the Gestapo from the
ages of thirteen through sixteen. Wiesel
does look back, narrating events but it
is the actions of a teenage Wiesel that
presents the dialogue and action up close
and personal. This combination of present
and past leaves the reader with a corporeal,
visceral experience. As his teenage narrator,
Wiesel capably mixes a voice of wisdom and
naivety. Floating between the narrative of an
experienced adult and an innocent teenager,
Wiesel finds the sweet spot of his narrative
style.
The narrative structure of Night keeps
the reader tight within its grasp. While
Elie and the other prisoners are forced by
SS officers to run several miles between
camps to avoid the advancing Allied forces
liberation efforts, the reader feels as if they
are required to run with frostbitten limbs in
knee deep snow. It is Wiesel's crafting of the
narration that allows a reader to be viscerally
affected. Before the reader realizes it, the
narrative combination of experienced adult
and innocent teenage allows the reader to
be caught up in the oppression afflicted on
Elie and the other prisoners. By the text's
conclusion, the reader is as deeply affected,
unable to shake what they have read and
experience. These experiences change the
reader for the positive.
Fully experiencing Wiesel's narrative,

the reader is able to open their mind to the
text's most profound message: we owe it
to the victims of atrocities to remember our
past fully; not to erase ghas.tly situations
that neglect to conform to the perfect
notion of history we weave. By erasing our
past horrific moments, we dishonor and
disrespect those, whose courageous actions,
perseverance and strength allowed them to
retain their humanity throughout these grisly
circumstances.
The concluding sentences of Wiesel 's
text serves as a reminder that we must all
take steps to ensure historical tragedies are
not repeated. After his liberation, Wiesel
concludes his text "One day when I was able
to get up, I decided to look in the mirror on
the opposite wall. I had not seen myself since
the ghetto. From the depths of the mirror, a
corpse was contemplating me. The look in
his eyes as he gazed at me has never left me."
The final scene Wiesel paints is shocking to
read and to comprehend. Wiesel himself is so
astonished that he does not refer to himself
with the personal pronoun "I" but with the
pronoun "he" therefore, regarding himself
as a separate entity. Elie represents himself
as someone who has been forever changed
by the events of his life. He is no longer the
same "I" as he was before the concentration
camp. Readers also find themselves forever
changed just by being privy to Elie's life.
What should transform a reader is
remembering the text is nonfiction. No
matter how unpleasant the text, a reader
cannot deny the existence of these events.
By denying the text's reality an even greater
injustice is committed. The final sentence of
Night proves to be as haunting as the events
themselves. A reader cannot and should
not be able to shake Wiesel's gaze, which
represents millions of others who have
suffered. Wiesel's gaze serves as a reminder
that collectively we should not erase horrific
past events but should work to ensure these
events are never repeated as we strive
for a more accepting and compassionate
humanity.
Readers can further their knowledge,
outreach and love of the text by going to
the eliewieselfoundation.org and become
acquainted with The Elie Wiesel Foundation
for Humanity. The name of the organization
says it all: Night and all of Wiesel's work
focus on the good of man striving to shine a
light on the dark side of humanity.

~
•

EL
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Courtesy of Sara Pisak

Sara's Score:

@wilkesbeacon
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

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The Beacon - September 29, 2015

18

Opinion

Invisible Illness Awareness Week: the struggle you don't see
By Elyse Guziewicz
Staff Writer

l

"'

September 28 through October 4 is
Invisible Illness Awareness Week, an event
which seeks to educate the general public
about the reality of living with a chronic
illness. It was founded in 2002 by Lisa
Copen, the founder of RestMinistries.com.
The "Our 30 Things" meme, shortened
to 20 for this article, is a way for people
suffering from invisible illnesses to share
their story with the public.
20 Things About My Invisible Illness
You May Not Know.
1.
The illness I live with is: Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome type 1, also known
as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.
2.
I was diagnosed with it in the year
2009 - the year I entered high school.
3.
The biggest adjustment I've had to
make is: not being as active. It's normal for

me now, but I was a really active kid, and
being sedentary was strange.
4.
Most people assume that I'm
not really sick because I push myself to
function at the level of an abled person of
my age. I feel a lot of pressure to do things
that are very physically strenuous for me in
order to not appear lazy.
5.
The hardest part about mornings
is getting moving. Actually forcing myself
to get up, get dressed, walk the dog ... after
that, it's a little easier to stay moving.
6.
My favorite medical TV show is:
eh, probably Scrubs? I like humor. Also,
Dr. House is a jerk.
7.
A gadget I couldn 't live without
is : my phone. Sometimes I' m stuck in
situations where I need help or medical
information or medication from someone
and my phone is a lifesaver.
8.
The hardest part about nights
is: getting past the fact that I can't be

comfortable in bed and just letting the sleep
meds kick in.
9.
Each day I take pills &amp; vitamins.
10. If I had to choose between an
invisible illness or visible I would choose:
not being sick? Is that an option? But
seriously, it 's really a toss up . Passing as
abled has its advantages and disadvantages.
11. The hardest thing to accept about
my new reality has been: not being able to
do the things my peers do because of the
pain it will cause me.
12.
Something I never thought I could
do with my illness that I did was: work at a
summer camp with no amenities.
13. The commercials about my illness:
are nonexistent.
14. Something I really miss doing
since I was diagnosed is: being able to run a
lot. I can't really run anymore.
15 . Anew hobby I have taken up since
my diagnosis is: visual art - a great, low-

impact outlet.
16. If I could have one day of feeling
normal again I would: learn kickboxing.
17. Want to know a secret? One thing
people say that gets under my skin is: "but
you don't look sick!"
18. When someone is diagnosed I'd
like to tell them: It's not going to be okay,
but you 're going to learn how to not be
okay and sti ll have a good life.
19. The nicest thing someone did for
me when I wasn't feeling well was: sent me
an e-mail. I know that sounds strange, but
there was one girl I never got on with in
middle school who sent me an email when
I was in the hospital about her own secret
health struggles. It was very encouraging.
20. The fact that you read this list
makes me feel: full of hope for the future!
~

•

@wilkesbeacon
e/yse.guziewicz@wilkes.edu

The Bechdel Test: Pitch Perfect hits high and low notes
By Em Leon ick
Staff Writer ·
In this weekly feature, staff writer Em
Leonick will analyze and review movies,
both contemporary and classic, according
to the Bechdel Test, which measures female
representation in film. The test requires
there to be more than one female character,
and they must speak to one another about
something other than a man.
Often times, to ensure that you'll watch a
movie that passes the Bechdel Test of female
representation it's easiest to pick a film with
females as a majority of the cast. If nothing
else, they're more likely to pass incidentally
with the sheer number of opportunities that it
has with so many female characters.
Pitch Perfect is one of those predominately
female movies. This musical comedy,
released in 2012, is the story of Beca
Mitchell, played by Anna Kendrick, trying
to make it through a year of college as an
agreement with her father so she can move
to LA with his help to peruse her dreams to
produce music. In order to show him that
she's trying, she joins the Barden Bellas, an
all-female a cappella group, and takes part in
- ·getting them to the national competition for
a cappella groups.

The film itself has a whole host offemale
characters such as Aubrey (Anna Camp),
Chloe (Britany Snow) and "Fat Amy"
(Rebel Wilson). Beyond them, all of the
Barden Bellas miraculously have names,
regardless of how many lines they have
throughout the film. There is also a romantic
tension in the film between Beca and Jesse
(Skylar Astin), though it is a sub-plot that
manages not to overshadow the rest of the
plot of the film.
Pitch Perfect passes the Bechdel Test with
flying colors, though it should be expected
because the majority of characters in this
film are women. It'd be more impressive if
it failed, given the amount of opportunities
within the plot for all the criteria of the test
to be met.
There are a plethora of female characters
in the movie, maxing out at fourteen.
Amazingly, all fourteen of these characters
have at least a first name. In fact, only two
don't have a last name, which is refreshing.
Throughout the film, there are hundreds
of instances of female characters talking
to each other. Most of these conversations
don't have to do with a man.
It is frustrating, however, that it takes a
female led movie for there to be a movie

that passes with such ease. This
movie has plenty of representation,
not only of women, but of different
types of women. There are characters
of color within the film, and there
is also a character who is a lesbian.
However, the representation of both
has their problematic moments.
For example, when Beca meets
her roommate, Kimmy-Jin, she
becomes the butt of a "do you
speak English/under me" joke.
There is also the fact Cynthia-Rose's
sexuality is also the center point of
a recurring joke. Both serve their
purpose in the comedy of the film .
Pitch Perfect is a prime example
of how a female-driven film can
thrive. It became incredibly popular,
even though it's about a group of
women, which means representation
of, women isn't always something
trivial. However, the way it
represents certain types of people
leave something to be desired.
~

•

@wilkesbeacon
emily.leonick@wilkes.edu

Courtesy Creative Commons

�Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Rachel.Leandri@wilkes.edu

Notable alumnus returns as hon:iecoming guest of honor
By Rachel Leandri
Sports Editor
In the midst of h~mecoming festivities,
Wilkes University will continue on Saturday
its second annual "Share the Spirit" event.
Kevin Gryboski, a 1995 Wilkes graduate
and former Atlanta Braves pitcher, is this
year 's guest of honor.
Gryboski said he is looking forward to
coming back to Wilkes, not only because he
grew up locally, but also because he credits
his love for baseball to the area. Growing
up in Plains Township, Pa., Gryboski was
instantly put into Little League. He then
went through the ranks of American Legion,
followed by high school varsity, then his
career at Wilkes.
From playing in the MAC to MLB,
Gryboski has left his mark on a multitude
of teams while racking up a collegiate
conference championship and professional
records during divisional play.
Gryboski is an ideal honoree and
reflection of Wilkes pride, as he deferred
his initial draft calling for the chance to
graduate a Colonel and the opportunity to
lead his team to a MAC Championship in
1994. Only a few credits shy of graduating,
Gryboski's concern was fulfi lling his life
dream of receiving a college education and
not letting down his family - this meant not
turning pro.
"I figurecl that if I had another successful
season I could have had another opportunity
to play baseball professionally," he said. "I
see lots of professional athletes who never
go back to achieve their degrees, so I felt it
was very important for me to do that."
Though playing for many years growing
up, making the Pennsylvania Allstate
baseball team and for American Legion in
1991 of his freshman year at Wilkes was a
breakthrough for Gryboski and his potential
MLB career.
On his journey to becoming an asset to the
MLB, Gryboski struggled with whether that
was the life he wanted for himself. Coming
up through the minor leagues, he often asked
himself if he would really ever make it to the
major leagues.
"It's a tough lifestyle and not everyone
realizes the time, work ethic, and effort put

a widely known
success story, he
often is approached
by individuals who
ask the odds of
having their child
make it to the major
leagues. He then
shares the difficult
truth.
Based on his
professional
experience,
Gryboski believes
college athletes who
potentially
want
to make it to the
MLB should stay in
college, study hard
and graduate with a
degree.
"There's
3.4
million
kids
courtesy of Alumni Relations
that play youth
Gryboski pitching for the Atlanta Braves throughout his MLB
baseball, 455 ,000
that
play highcareer.
school
baseball,
25,000 that play
forth to make it big in the industry," he said. college baseball, 7,000 that play minor
"Everyone just looks at the glory, but a lot is league baseball drafted from their colleges,
put into the minor team just simply to receive and only 1,280 that actually play Major
an opportunity to reach the glory part.
League Baseball," he said.
"At any time, you can be cut and released,
"Too many people leave school early
which can easily be the last time you might because of all the draft hype and excitement.
have a chance to excel in both minor and All of that focus on a future professional
career can lead someone to never going back
professional leagues."
The balance between fami ly life and a to college to obtaining there degree which is
professional baseball career was surprisingly one of the most important things in life."
not a difficult obstacle for Gryboski due to
Thankful fo r his opportunities, Gryboski
the strong support system of his loved ones, feels that Wilkes shaped not only his baseball
and the caring and patience of his wife, Leah career, but his life as a whole.
From minors, to Wilkes, to the major
Gryboski.
"A lot of athletes say that their wife is leagues, and now coaching his own children's
the rock of their fami lies, and I couldn't baseball teams, Gryboski's opinion of the
agree more," he explained. "Considering game has not swayed.
we play eight to nine months out of the year
"I know what it takes to get to the next
constantly traveling, I desperately needed level and how much time and dedication that
is demanded," he explained. "The message I
the support of family and parents.
"The relieving thought of knowing my try to get across in teaching kids today is that
children were taken care of every day and not everything in life gets handed to them.
getting tucked in to sleep every night was a
"You have to go out with the right mindset
big help to me keeping it all together."
and that is what I stress with my son every
Since Gryboski's career is considered day. To improve with his own baseball skills,

he needs to hit 200-300 balls a day, and he
does. He knows the time and effort necessary
and I want my kids and other children to be
well aware that in life isn't always easy and
motivation and hard work is necessary to get .
where you want."
Meeting different coaches while at Wilkes
and still in contact with them today has
helped Gryboski grow not only as a student
athlete, but as a person. He owes his baseball
career to Joe Folek, Bob Dubla, and Jerw
Bavitz. They were there his entire college
education and baseball experience.
Gryboski's brother, Brian Gryboski,
is being inducted into the Wilkes Hall of
Fame for basketball next year, having led
the Colonels to the Final Four in 1998.
Considering Kevin was already inducted
for baseball, now both brothers will be
trademarked within the Wilkes Chapter of
Athletics forever.

~

3'

@wilkesbeacon
rachel.leandri@wilkes.edu

courtesy of Alumni Relations

Gryboski photographed when he was
a student at Wilkes.

r

�_J

The Beacon - September 29, 2015

Sports

20

Men and Women's.Tennis: The quest for another title
By Jared Powell
Sports Writer

The tennis teams at Wilkes are coming
off an impeccable 2014 campaign: Both
men and women's tennis are known
around the country for their visits to
the NCAA playoffs year after year. The
men's team has won the Middle Atlantic
Conference the last eight seasons and this
year's vision is no different.
"The team goals are to match last years
performance at the MAC championships,
and try to get past the round of 32 in the
national tournament (NCAA) should we
get that far," said senior Max Apello.
The team members appear to be
embracing the target on their backs that
comes with being a successful program,
and every team wants to knock them
off. The message has been simple from
Coach Leichtas as he preaches the idea
of family to his players.
"The message that Coach Leicht and
I are sending to the freshman about the
culture of Wilkes Tennis is to be united
in a family atmosphere. Coach Leicht
believes that a succesful team must have
members who are very supportive and
amicable," said Brian Murray.
The Lady Colonels are just as successful
if not more considering they have won
the last nine Middle Atlantic Conference
championships, each win giving them
a bid to play in the NCAA playoffs.
The success comes directly from Coach

Leicht. He seems to be preaching the same
family process to the women as he does to
the men's team.
"Wilkes Tennis is a family. Boys and
girls combined are not just a team, but stick
together and help one another out. Play as
a team, win as a team, lose as a team and
like a family," said Olivia Hewison.
Anytime the team does not win the
conference, the season is ultimately
a failure. That just goes to show the
expectations that Coach Leicht holds for his
players, and even further the expectations
the athletes hold for themselves.
The men's team is starting out strong
this season with four huge wins and no
losses. The women's team has three wins
and zero losses. Combined the men's and
women's teams are an incredible 61-2
in singles/doubles matches this season.
Each full team match is composed of nine
different events, and so far out of the seven
total matches only two within the match
have been losses by the mel).'s team. The
women's team has yet to give up a loss in
any match.
"Wilkes tennis is very competitive, and
we play to win. The motivation we have
is unstoppable. However, we also try and
show sportsmanship on and off the court,"
said Hewison.
~

•

@wilkesbeacon
jared.powell@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Jesse Chalnick

Member of men's tennis team recovers from serve at last week's match.

Cross country team making strides toward the fin ish
By Andre Spruell
Asst. Sports Editor

The Wilkes University Cross Country
team is making strides to improve from
its disappointing 8th place finish in the
Middle Atlantic Conference last season for
both the men's and women's teams.
In its last meet on Sept. 12 at the Cougar
Classic at Misericordia University, the
Colonels placed 9th out of the 15 teams
that took part in the meet. Leading the
way for the men was sophomore Jordan
Lindley, who finished 28th overall with a
time of28:59, the thirteenth fastest time in
- -•school history for the 8k.
For the women, freshman Morgan Jones

finished with a time of 24:53, the seventh
fastest time in school history for the 6k, and
took home 11th place. With five more meets
remaining, the men and women's teams
look to keep making progress and finish as
one of the top schools in the MAC.
"Each person has individual goals, but as
a team I think we're trying to get the highest
place we can," said sophomore sprinter
Jordan Lindley. "Last year we finished 8th
but I think we can definitely do better than
that this year."
With the hard work that the team puts
in, which includes certain male sprinters
running up to fourteen miles a day and the
women running about nine miles a day. Not
only do the teams run, they also do things

like swim and weight train to incorporate
other methods in an effort to improve.
Despite not having official captains on the
team, the team leaders (according to other
runners) for the women is junior Tracey
Hilker and on the men's side, seniors Tyler
Sutton and Martin Tolbert. Despite running
being an individual sport, many people fail
to realize that cross country actually is a
team sport -- in order for a team to place, it
has to take into account the place of the top
five runners from each school to see where
they finished.
Female athletes must run a 6k, which is
3.8 miles, while the men run an 8k, which
is 5 miles.
Despite a shaky start, the Colonels look

to unite and finish the rest of the season on
a high note.
Sophomore sprinter Carmen Hillman
adds, "We made some team goals: to work
as a family, be a family, and not let anyone
else quit, and just improve throughout the
season individually and team scoring wise."
The Cross Country team's next race will
take place on Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m. in
Carlisle, Pa., at Dickinson College when the
team participates in the Dickinson Short/
Long Invitational.

~
•

@wilkesbeacon
andre.spruell@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - September 29, 2015

21

Sports

Wilkes ·swim teams plan to come back strong this season
By Sean Grundy
Sports Writer

In the Fall of 2014, Wilkes University
introduced both a Men's and a Women's
swim team. The athletic board chose to hire
Mark Barnes to be the head coach of the both
teams. Coach Barnes became the Colonel's
first swim coach in Wilkes' history.
Barnes is no stranger to success. He
has coached at two successful swimming
programs in the Bloomsburg and Danville
areas.
The Colonels have been working hard
through the offseason to come back strong in
the 2015 campaign.
The men's team started out slow, losing
the first seven dual meets of the season. The
men placed 5th at the Diamond Invitational,
proceeding to win the last meet of the season
against FDU.
The women also had a rough start to the
season, losing the first five meets of the

season before finally beating FDU and New
Rochelle College. The women's team finished
the season 2-7, and the men finished the
season 1-7.
Even though both swim teams had a losing
record, they fought hard in every meet.
Coach Barnes said that his swimmers are a
young group with enormous talent, but don't
have the experience just yet.
Both the men's and the women's team have
a lot of young swimmers. They have 13 female
swimmers and three of them are directly out
of high school. Many of them haven't swam
for a swim team in a little while, so it took
them some time to get back into competition
mode.
The Colonels are looking forward to
having a turnaround season with new
addition of the freshman class that Coach
Barnes brought in, but have already suffered
a big loss with the injury to the men's team
MVP Jeff Mastrantuono.
Mastrantuono is a two-sport athlete and
suffered a torn achilles during football season.

The Beacon/Jesse Chai nick
A member of the Wilkes swim team perfects her start in preparation for
meets.
With the loss of Mastrantuono, the team is
losing the 150 points that Mastrantuono
scored last year. He also set nine individual
records and four relay records.
Coach Barnes said he has talked to the
men about stepping up to fill the role that
Mastrantuono left when he went down. Both

teams look to do big things this year and have
already started the season. Their first meet of
the season starts Oct 10 -and will take place
at Widener.
~ @wilkesbeacon
- , sean.grundy@wilkes.edu

Colonels determined to get the
win at homecoming game
By: Danny Van Brunt
Asst. Sports Editor

The football team will be playing its
homecoming game against Widener
University on Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. in Schmidt
Stadium.
"It would be a big step for this football
team to win this game;' said Ryan Dailey,
the starting quarterback. "We just need to
fight for all 60 minutes and stay strong,
especially playing in front of all of our
friends that are coming back for the game.
"It would mean a lot to get the 'W' on
homecoming."
The Colonels so far are undefeated at
home, prevailing over Delaware Valley
University in a close game. The team
came back very late in the game making it
a strong comeback win 12-7.

Muhlenberg, on the other hand, brought
it to the Colonels. Muhlenberg defeated
Wilkes 35-7 in a well-played game.
Wilkes also lost to Lycoming with a
score of 24-48. The Colonels came out
strong, but Lycoming slowly got the ball
moving. Lycoming scored 21 points in the
fourth quarter, which raised the score to
48 points.
The football team has continued to show
substantial passing yards throughout their
games. The players make up a strong team
that can potentially find a spot in the end
zone on Saturday at home.
Widener University has had a similar
beginning to their season. After its first .
three games, the team stands at the same
record as Wilkes, which is 1-2.
~

•

@wilkesbeacon
danny.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

By Purvit Patel
Sports Writer

Sophomore Carmen Hillman from
Urbana, Ohio, came to Wilkes last year to
pursure a degree in criminology and run on
the Cross Country Team as a vasity runner.
Q. What was the driving force for your
decision to come to Wilkes?
A. I was recruited for the cross country
team my senior year, and I an:1 from a small
town in Ohio, so I wanted to 1eave and
explore the country.

Q. Post-graduation plans in terms · of
crosscountryoracareer?
A. I plan on. continuing my tupning
career in half marathons aJ!d my dream
is to qualify for the Boston Marathon. In
terms of my career, I would like to join law
enforcement in a big city far from home,
maybe Miami or Los Angeles
Q. What are your hopes for this season
as a Colonel?
A. I would really like to improve my
times from last year; everything was new
last year, like the daily mileage and training
but now I am used to it so I know I can do
great things for Wilkes.
Q. When/Why did you first begin
running cross country?
A. I began running my freshman year of
high school because all of my friends told
me it would be a great fit for me in terms of
athletics, plus I was recruited by the one of
the coaches.
Q. If you had to choose one thing
about Wilkes' XC Program that you could
improve, what would it be?
A. Weactuallymadealotofimprovements
this year, and the program is more focused
on preventives from injuries•.. .It wouldn't
hurt if we had a home course.

Q. Why did the Women's Team finish with
no score during the Miseracodia Invitational?
A. In order to score in XC, a team must
have five runners, and we had a number of
scheduling conflicts, so only three girls were
able to run, causing us to not score.

Q. Do you have other sports/interests/
hobbies off of the course?
A. In the spring. our coach talces us to
track meets and I competed in 1500m and
the steeplechase.
Q. Who would you say is the most
influential person in your life?
A. My high school XC coach was an
incredible role model for .tne
throughout
my running career and my academic career;
he was the one that originally told me that I
should run.

·ap

Q. A quote yot1 live your life by?
A. "Work so bard that you no longer
have to introduce yourself.' This quote has
been a driving force for my running and my
inspiration for my professional career as well.
Q. Do you have any ad~ce for the
freshmen student athletes beginning their
freshmen seasons and semesters?
A. If your sport demands more than you
can give, give even more; if your coach is
strict, be even more obedient. It doesn't get
better or easier, but you will get stronger, and
you love every minute of it.
Q. How do you feel about the changes
being made to campus this year? What do
you like or dislike?
A. lt's been really annoying running
through all of the construction around
campus, but it is so amazing to see Wilkes
making such tremendous improvements
everywhere.

@wilkesbeacon
purvit.patel@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - Se tember 29, 2015

S orts

23

Q:' What is the biggest challenge you have
Junior John Scalese from Medford, NY
majors in finance at Wilkes along with
playing on the men's golf team.

Q: What was the driving force for your
decision to come to Wilkes?
A: I wanted to escape my hometown and
see life from the view of another state.
Q; What do you hope to do with the
degree you obtain from Wilkes?
A: As a finance major, I hope to work
for an investment firm and. manage stock
portfolios.

Q: Any predictions for the upcoming
seasofl for men's golf?
A: We almost topped the MAC last year,
so we hope to be number this year and bring
home the wins for Wilkes.
Q: When/Why did you first begin playing
golf?
A:. I first started playing seriously at 13,
right before I started high school. Before
that I played fot fun, but at 13, I started to
take golf very seriously, in the attempt to
make the high school golf team.
Q: If you had to choose one thing about
Wilkes' golf • program that you could
improve, what would it be?
A: I wish more students wanted to play
gol£ It's a great atmosphere and everyone is
so amazing, and all we want is more people
to be interested.

faced growing up?
A.: When I was 7, I was diagnosed with
leukemia. Being so young and not being able
to understand the seriousness of my illness,
I did not know what was going on and I was
scared but through the support of my loved
ones, I was able to overcome my cancer in
two short years.

Q: A quote you live your life by?
A: "Life is too short to be stressed all the
time:' -Tejuss .Kakarala
Q: Do you have any advice for the freshman
student athletes beginning their freshman
seasons and semesters?
A: Love the sport you play, don't ever let
mistakes guide your athletic life.
Q: How do you feel about the changes
being made to campus this year? What do
you like or dislike?
A: I love the new look this campus has.
It has a great inviting image. I hate the loud
construction outside my apartment in
Towers.

Q: Which Wich or the Old Rifkin, which
do you prefer?
A: Which Wich, 100%. I go there more
than I eat at the cafe.

J

@wilkesbeacon
purvit.patel@wilkes.edu

r

�..J
The Beacon - September 29, 2015

Off Campus
Premium Student Housing

•
Follow our new lnstagram @wilkesbeacon
for behind-the-scenes photos, exclusive ·
updates, contests and more!

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�</text>
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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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                    <text>Est.19

Pa.News
AssoclattonM911Dtr
Volume69

IHIJE

The news of today reported by the Journalists of tomorrow.

The Beacon/Jesse Chalnick__

Pat Klus, '14, plays trumpet with the Wilkes University Jazz Ensemble as they practice for the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center's 50th anniversary.

r

�_J

The Beacon - October 13, 2015

2

News

Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Editorial Staff
2015-16
MANAGERIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief - James Jaskolka
Managing Editor -Ashley Evert
Advfser - Or. Kalen Churcher

Social Media Director-Alyssa Mursch
SeekingAcMirtislng DinJctot
SECTION EDITORS
News - Sarah Bedford
LA&amp;E - Nicole ZukowskJ, Justin Topa '
Opinion - Mandy Stickles
Sports - Rachel Leandri
ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Gabby Glinski
LA&amp;E -Austin Ely
Opinion - Sara Plsak
Sports - Danny Van Brunt, Andre Spurell
DESIGN EDITORS
Nicole Kutos

Interested in joining the Beacon? To
learn more about the positions we
offer and what you can do, contact
james.jaskolkabutlei@wilkes.edu

130 S. River St.
First Floor, Conyngham Hall
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18166

Phone• (570) 408-5903
- www.thewllkesbeacon.com

1

Beacon Briefs
WGS Newsletter Available Online
The latest edition of the Women's and Gender Studies (WGS)
Newsletter is now available online. Go to wilkes.edu/academics/
colleges/ arts-humanities-social-sciences/behavioral-socialsciences/womens-and-gender-studies/newsletter/index.aspx
U.N. Lecture Series
The Wilkes U.N. will be hosting a U.N. World Food Programme
on Syria on Oct 27 at 4 p.m. in the Henry Student Center Miller
Room. For more information, conact Mildred Urban at event.
productions@wilkes.edu.
Annual Alcohol Awareness Walk
Join the walk toward awareness of the dangers of excessive
and underage drinking on a one-mile walk on Oct. 20 starting at
noon. A free long sleeve t-shirt will be given to all participants.
Register with Gail Holby at gail.holby@wilkes.edu by Oct. 12.

Influenza Vaccine
Wilkes University Health &amp; Wellness Department is offering
the Influenza vaccine Fluzone Quadrivalent at a cost of $20.00,
payable by check made out to Wilkes University or cash.
Vaccines will be given during regular office hours. There is a
. limited number of shots available which are offered on a firstcome, first-serve basis.
GET Funds for Flex and Dinning Dollars
Wilkes University Business Operations launched the "GET
Funds" application. The GET Funds application allows you add
Dining and Flex Dollars from any computer, laptop or mobile
device. Login to the MyWilkes Portal Student Services tab
for the sign-in page and create your account. If you have any
questions, please contact Business Operations at studentmeals@
wilkes.edu.

CORRECTION
A teaser on the front page of last week's newspaper incorrectly identified the position of
a Wilkes employee who resigned because of what she considered to be 'questionable ethics'.
That employee was a staff member. Th~ Beacon regrets the error.

table of contents

SG Notes: Clubs present requests; Casino night
By Jen Baron
Staff Writer
Week6
On Wednesday, Wilkes University's
Student Government held its weekly
meeting.
Members from the Math and Computer
Science Club delivered their annual report.
The group is trying to bring a math and
computer science honor society onto
campus, Pi Mu Epsilon, so they can become
part of the national organization. They
also are trying to get more underclassmen
to participate because the club is mostly
juniors and seniors right now.
A representative from College Democrats
came in to present for week 2 of 2. They
want bring back the college Democrats on
campus because it has been inactive for
the past few years. They intend to work
on helping the community as a whole.
They are also part of a national network
of college Democrats. They want to have
equal representation for both Democrat
and Republican students on campus. Their
constitution was passed and the College
Democrats will be more active on campus.
The Nursing Student Organization

(NSO) came in fo r week 1 of 2 to ask for
a fund request to attend a conference.
The conference is the (Student Nurses
Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP)
Convention. While there, students will
participate in an NCLEX Bowl, NCLEX
Review Sessions, hear speakers and
attend workshops. By attending, students
will gain knowledge that can be shared
with the entire nursing class and bring
attention to Wilkes. There are 16 students
participating in the conference, 10 officers
from NSO and six additional participants
from the organization. NSO is requesting
$3,724.25 to attend the conference. Student
Government will vote next week.
The Casino Week budget was voted
on. After discussion and voting, it was
determined that $12,278.98 be allocated for
Casino Week.
The council reviewed the treasurer's
report and there was no change from last
week. The current budget is as follows:
All College: $1,528.84, General Funds:
$16,993.26 Conference: $5,000.00, Spirit:
$2,000.00 for a Student Government total
of $25,522.10.

news................ 2
life, a&amp;e........... 7
spread............ 12
opinion.......... 14
sports............19

�The Beacon - October 13, 2015

News

3

Some faculty give failing grade to administration's transparency

Art gallery plans spur shared governance questions
Skleder, regarding the plans for the art gallery.
Skleder also serves as the university's chief
academic officer.
Decisions about the future of the
"Dr. Skleder provided us (the FAC) with a
university's Sordoni Art Gallery led one staff report this summer of what the plans were for
member to resign from her position in early the Sordoni Art Gallery. Prior to that, FAC
October.
was not asked for input;' Ference said.
Now some faculty members are accusing
"At that time where the prClvost presented
the university's administration of not being the information there was not a discussion
transparent in the decision making process, surrounding the decision or the process by
as well as not living up to the spirit of shared which the decision is made:'
governance.
Skleder explained that the plan was
"We are all witness to the Wilkes upper delivered to the FAC over the summer and at
administration failing to have rigorous an August meeting with donors. It was also
and difficult conversations, its failure to be discussed at fall convocation and at faculty
genuine to all its constituencies, and its failure and FAC meetings held in September.
to work with and respect faculty and staff who
"We as the administration strive to serve
are unflinchingly loyal to this university;' said with as much transparency and gather input
Dr. Mischelle Anthony, associate professor of as appropriate;' Skleder said.
English and president of the Wilkes chapter
Skleder explained that it was the president's
of the American Association of University task force that discussed and created the plans
Professors (AAUP).
for the gallery, which was then presented to
In an interview conducted last week, Wilkes the Board of Trustees.
President Patrick Leahy said the plan for the
"The task force consisted of people who fit
gallery involves "three prongs": investing particular roles;' Skleder said.
funds to hire a new gallery director, moving
Those individuals included Vice President
the art gallery to a more visible location and for Advancement Michael Wood, who also
deaccessioning much of the art.
serves as the Chief Development officer;
The deaccessioning of the art led to the Andrew Sordoni; Leahy; and Dr. Thomas
resignation of Brittany DeBalko Kramer, Baldino, who at the time was the Interim
the now former assistant art director of the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and
gallery. DeBalko Kramer had been employed Social Sciences.
by the university for more than a decade.
According to Skleder, Baldino was not on
According to Dr. Jonathan Ference, Faculty the committee as a faculty representative.
Affairs Council (FAC) chair, faculty opinion
When Dr. Paul Riggs joined the university
has varied regarding the decisions.
as the new dean of the College of Arts,
"There's
some
that
are
clearly Humanities and Social Sciences in July, he
disappointed ... there are people who are then took over Baldino's position on the task
ambltalent and there are people who reached force.
out to me who expressed support;' Ference
Skleder said that Dr. Sharon Cosgrove, an
said. "Because of that... the next logical step is associate professor of art at Wilkes, was one of
to develop and continue the dialogue:'
the first faculty members to learn of the plans.
The FAC, which serves as a v:enue and
"It was very important to speak with Dr.
voice to the faculty to discuss issues that affect Cosgrove and we did;' Skleder said.
them, has been conversing with faculty and
According to Cosgrove though, not soon
administration to discuss the way in which enough.
the process played out.
"I was not involved in the decision making
Though some faculty members question process:' she explained. "To my knowledge,
the ethics behind the deaccessioning of the I was the first faculty member to be,
art, the decision making process behind the 'informed; of decisions made by a select few
administrators:'
plan has caused an even greater concern.
"There have been decisions where the
Several other faculty members also voiced
faculty have been involved because they concern on the lack of transparency by the
were identified as a stakeholder;' Ference administration; however, they declined
explained. "Here is one particular issue comment or could not be reached for this
where they weren't involved and I believe.. .it's story.
because this has been thought to be a donor
"Regarding the Sordoni decisions, faculty
initiated initiative process:'
from every part of campus are concerned
Ference explained that the FAC received a with this administrative failure of shared
report this summer from Provost Dr. Anne governance;' Anthony said. "Wilkes has been

By Sarah Bedford
News Editor

The Beacon/Jesse Chai nick
Recent changes surrounding the university's Sordoni Art gallery (pictured
above) have some faculty accusing the administration of a lack of transparency.
charged by our accrediting organization, Humanities, and Social Sciences were also
Middle States, to make sure and involve invited by Riggs to participate in an upcoming
campus constituencies affected by campus open forum to discuss concerns surrounding
decisions in the decision-making process:'
· the issue.
Anthony explained that dialogue didn't
Ference said the decision making process
begin until decisions had already been made. will also be a topic of discussion at the Oct. 27
"President Leahy working privately with FAC meeting.
a donor to set up a faculty position, without
While this is one instance where the faculty
any faculty in that college having a say or even may not have been as involved in the decision
being informed of the matter until after the making process, Ference does not think this
decision was made-- (is)a failure to abide by is a widespread issue with the administration.
that Middle States charge;' Anthony said. "No
Anthony, however, believes the issue may
art faculty on campus had any say or (was) have tasting repercussions as the state AAUP,
even information about the Sordoni Gallery which serves as a source of advice as well as
moving to a new location, either, until after works to "safeguard academic freedom;' is
the decision had been made:'
watching the university.
When asked his thoughts on the level
"The Pennsylvania State AAUP is also
of faculty involvement, Ference said that watching Wilkes right now, especially
it "seems very reasonable" that a faculty since our administration made a curricular
member could have been consulted or invited decision-a new faculty position-without
to participate on the taskforce.
any involvement of faculty. That piece of the
Skleder explained that future faculty Sordoni action is a viol,iition of best practices
involvement will revolve around providing in American higher education, and will put
input on teaching space in the new gallery as us at risk of being censored by the national
well as in the search committee responsible AAUP.''
for hiring an art director.
According to Skleder, Cosgrove has been
@wilkesbeacon
asked to serve as part of the search committee.
Last week members of the College of Arts,
sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

r

�..J
The Beacon - October 13, 2015

News

4

Students can 'Zoom In' to win monetary awards, study abroad
ByToni Pennello
Staff Writer

The Wilkes study abroad program recently
introduced Zoom In, a photo contest which
encourages students studying abroad to enter
photos from their trip for a chance to win a
monetary award.
Photos can be entered in one of three
categories: people, scenery and helping hands.
Students can enter up to two photos, each
of which will be judged by the staff and
committee of the Office of Study Abroad.
Submitted photos may then be used for
promotional purposes by the study abroad
program.
Erica Acosta, who is in charge of Zoom
In, said that a contest like this has been done
before and had a great turnout.
"The name started this year, but the idea
came from a colleague of mine who worked
here about two years ago... It's great for
students to showcase amazing pictures they
took while abroad;' she said.
The name Acosta chose reflects her goal for
the contest.
"I want students to zoom in on their own
experience, and also educate the whole
campus about what they saw;' she explained.
"I want it to reenergize students and
encourage them to study abroad again'.'
Lisa Semetti, a senior political science,
international studies and history major who

just returned from Wales,
plans on participating in
the contest.
"We studied abroad.
We had these amazing
experiences that we were
able to capture in photos,
so why not try to share
them?"
Senior
sports
management
major
Victoria Warne also plans
on participating, hoping
that if she wins the reward
may pay for future travel.
Warne also thinks the
contest might help the
program as a whole.
"Study abroad is a fairly
small program, and Erica
wants to make it bigger.
Students will see the
photos and it might get
them interested;' she said.
The contest began Sept.
27 and will end Oct. 27. The
winners will be announced
during
International
Diversity week on Nov. 19.

The

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The Beacon/ Jesse Chalnick

During a recent study abroad fair, a representative from Alliance Global Education spoke with
Anthony Polizzi, a freshman, mechanical engineering major, and Ashley Bender, a freshman,
pre-pharmacy major about international opportunities.

@wilkesbeacon
toniann.pennello@wilkes.edu

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Campus shootings across the U.S. cause Wilkes community to reflect on safety
By Amanda Bialek
Staff Writer

With r~ ent campus shootings at Umpqua
Community College in Oregon, Northern
Arizona University and Texas Southern
University, college campuses everywhere are
being even more vigilant at enforcing safety
and security.
The tragedies raised mixed emotions
for students, staff and faculty at Wilkes
University.
"The whole school shooting strikes a cord.
Every time this happens, I think that could
have been me or my brother;' said Christine
Walsh, a freshman.
Wilkes' Public Safety continually strives to
ensure students are safe and aware of their
surroundings.
"The University is working on and
continues to do a good job with the
emergency procedures:' said Don Noble,
lieutenant of Public Safety. "Wilkes has hired
professional police officers that bring a great
deal of training to campus'.'

Junior Kellie Palko believes that the safety
on campus is good. She feels that Wilkes takes
it very seriously by sending out daily emails to
the students.
Multiple media outlets have reported there
have been 74 school shootings in the last 18
months. This averages one school shooting
every five weeks in the U.S., according to
CNN.
"It's really saddening when students are just
trying to go to school to get an education;'
said Valerie Woods, a resid~nt assistant and
junior.
According to Gallup, in 2014, 47 percent
of the public felt that the selling of firearms
should be made more strict:
"I believe in rigorous background checks,
but not necessarily on more gun restriction;'
said Alex Faes, a freshman.
Lora Gerlach, an Aramark cashier, believes
that guns do not kill people. She feels that
they aren't the problem.
People are the problem.
"There is a lot of security on campus, and
there are people kids can talk to:' Gerlach

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The Beacon/ Ashley Evert

said. "A lot of the workers here are mothers
and fathers, so my hope is that the kids can
find it in themselves to get help or come talk
tous'.'
Michael Reagan, the son of the late
President Ronald Reagan, recently lectured
on the Wilkes University campus. Discussing
guns causes him to think back to the day his
father was shot.

He, too, believes that guns are not the
problem.
Reagan would like to .,see more armed
guards at schools to help prevent these
shootings.
"A guard without a gun is just a bystander;'
he said.

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�The Beacon - October 13, 2015

News

5

Faculty and staff recognized for their excellence
Wilkes Marketing Communications
Wilkes University recognized 12 faculty
and staff members for excellence in
teaching and advising at the 2015 Teacher
Recognition and Effectiveness Committee
(TREC) Awards Ceremony. The recipients of
this year's awards are:
Marianne Rexer, Robert Capin Professor
of Accounting, received the Carpenter
Award for Teaching. The awardee is
nominated by his or her full-time colleagues
and must have been a full-time employee for
at least three years.
Rexer joined Wilkes as an assistant
professor in 1990. She was nominated for
the award by Matthew Sowcik, department
chair of entrepreneurship, leadership, and
marketing. His nomination stated that
Rexer models teaching excellence for faculty
and students within the business school,
demonstrating hard work, dedication, and
a desire to set the bar and redefine how
accounting is taught.
Students have commented that she
demonstrates her interest in their success
now and as future accountants. She also
makes an effort to attend an extracurricular
event for every student she advises, has
collaborated with numerous students and
mentored students on scholarly projects.
She also received much positive support
from alumni, who noted her ability to relate
to the aspirations of her students and her
commitment to their success as business
and accounting leaders. Rexer is currently
building the Sidhu School programs at the
newly renovated Mesa Center for Higher
Education in Mesa, Arizona.
Paola Bianco, professor of global history
ind languages, received the Multiculturalism
Award. The award recognizes an outstanding
faculty member who demonstrates leadership
in the advancement of multiculturalism
ideals in the classroom.
In her award nomination, it was noted that
Bianco wants her students to experience other
languages, beliefs, cultures and traditions
so they can appreciate, respect, accept and
embrace people from diverse backgrounds. As
a professor of foreign languages, she believes
in integrating multicultural education into
every aspect of the curriculum through her
teaching, advising, new course creation and
participation in diversity events.
The Outstanding Advisor Award is a
student-nominated award that recognizes
one academic adviser from each college
who demonstrates excellence in academic
advising based on load, advising philosophy
and testimony by advisees. This year's
recipients are:
Karen A. Frantz-Fry, assistant professor
of education-undergraduate, received the

Outstanding Advisor Award
for the School of Education.
As an adviser, Frantz-Fry
believes it is her responsibility
to communicate with students,
provide them a map of
requirements that must be met
for graduation and refer them
to university resources to assist
them in their academic and
developmental success. She
treats her advisees as family and
checks in with them throughout
the semester.
Dean F. Frear, associate
professor of business, received
the Outstanding Advisor Award
for the Sidhu School ofBusiness.
Frear's advising philosophy
centers around helping students
with course scheduling and
focusing on a career path.
Students have commented on
the individual attention he gives
to their schedules and making
sure they graduate on time.
Gretchen Yeninas, associate
.
. .
dean of student affairs, received
Courtesy of Wilkes Marketmg Communications
the Outstanding Advisor Award TREC award winners who were present at the ceremony include, from left, Dr. Kalen
for the University College. Churcher Dr. Maria Grandinetti, Dr. Jonathan Ference, Gretchen Yeninas, Dr. Andrew Wilczak,
Working primarily with _ fir st- Dr. Karen' Frantz-Fry Dr. Don Mencer, Dr. Marianne Rexer, Dr. Edward Bednarz 111, Dr. Prahlad
year students, Yenmas stnves to
'
teach her advisees about policy Murthy and Dr. Dean Frear.
and procedural issues, and also
Outstanding Advisor Award for the School of technology in the classroom; consistent
how to be better students inside and outside Nursing. Grandinetti is a proactive adviser; student-centered, interactive classroom
the classroom. Yeninas was formerly an answering questions, being supportive, and experience; engagement in outside-theadvising coordinator in University College.
proving guidance when needed. Her advisees classroom learning experiences that enrich
Kalen M.A. Churcher, assistant professor· know that she is available to them, as she student mastery of concepts and theories;
of communication studies, received the makes a conscious effort to stay connected and engaging students in joint facultyOutstanding Advisor Award for the College throughout the year. Her overall aim is to student research projects.
of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. be an effective and friendly advisor. Students
Donald E. Mencer, associate professor
Churcher views advising as being part appreciate the excellence in advising that she and chair of chemistry, received the Alumni
mentor, part cheerleader and part apron demonstrates.
Mentoring Award. Mencer was nominated
string-cutter. She believes it is a privilege to
Jonathan D. Ference, associate professor by four former students who expressed
advise students, holds high expectations for of pharmacy practice, received the their gratitude and provided examples of his
her students and challenges them to succeed. Outstanding Advisor Award for the School of continued mentoring, such as making phone
Prahlad Murthy, associate dean and Pharmacy. Ference understands mentorship calls to graduate school programs, developing
professor of environmental engineering and as a process of nurturing individuals to research collaborations for former students
earth sciences, received the Outstanding understand and act on their abilities while and providing career advice.
Advisor Award for the College of Science challenging them to achieve greatness. He
Andrew R. Wilczak, assistant professor
and Engineering. Murthy believes that in employs student self-confidence, comfort, of sociology and anthropology, received the
addition to assisting students in evaluating competence and control to aid him when Outstanding New Faculty Award. Wilczak,
their academic progress, the ability to listen advising students during the personal and who specializes in criminology, joined the
and communicate well with students and professional development processes.
Wilkes faculty in fall 2012. Students have
at times with their parents is important for
Edward T. Bednarz III, assistant professor consistently commented that Wilc;zak makes
effective advising. Students have commented of mechanical engineering, received the the material int~esting, is engaging, makes
that he is very approachable and tries to Innovative and Non-Traditional Teaching the class fun and pushes his students to learn.
provide advisees with as many professional Award. The student-nominated award Also, unsatisfied with the textbook options
opportunities as possible by discussing their recognizes a teacher who successfully for the foundational course he teaches in
career aspirations and other professional incorporates innovative or non-traditional criminology, Wilczak crafted a proposal to
interests.
strategies into at least one class. Teaching write a criminology textbook himself and
Maria Grandinetti, assistant professor innovation includes effective small group, received a contract with Lynne Rienner
of nursing-undergraduate, received the collaborative methods; advanced use of Publishers.

r

�_J

The Beacon - October 13, 2015

News

6

Michael Reagan delivers Kirby Oct. 7 lecture
By Gabby Glinski
Asst. News Editor

Photo Courtesy of Anthony Fanucci

Student Government President Anthony Fanucci and
Michael Reagan

On Wednesday Oct.
7, Michael Reagan, son
of
President
Ronald
Reagan, gave a speech on
his father's legacy in the
Dorthy Dickinson Darte
Center, sponsored by the
Allan P. Kirby Center
for Free Enterprise and
Entrepreneurship.
Reagan, a Fox News
commentator,
radio
personality and world
record setter for paddle
boat racing, was adopted
by the Ronald Reagan
family.
Reagan spoke about the
importance of starting
speeches with stories and
knowing and relating
topics to the audience.
Reagan shared that when

his father ran for president, he denied rumors
of his plans to "wipe out Iran:' By knowing
his audience and never denying the rumors,
the American hostages in Iran were let free
on the day of Ronald Regan's inauguration.
Throughout the speech, he referred to his
father's legacy and his presidency and used it
as an example. "If you never fail, you'll never
really understand success;' stated Reagan in
relation to his father's loss in the 1972 and
1974 presidential elections.
Forgiveness to Reagan is an important
aspect to have as a professional. When
Ronald Reagan was shot and inches away
from his death, Reagan recalled his father
saying to him about the shooter, "If you're
ever going to get shot, don't wear a new suit. I
wonder if he will buy me a new suif'
The lasting impression Reagan gave
his audience was the moral of his speech,
"Remember how far you can go and how
much you can accomplish if you don't worry
about who gets the credit:'
@wi/kesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

Wilkes pulls Cosby's honorary degree
"The board's decision was made following
careful consideration and was taken to
uphold the interests, mission and values
of Wilkes University;' Leahy's statement
continued.
Wilkes University had no additional
comment on the Cosby or the revocation of
the honorary degree.

By Staff reports
On Sept. 12, 2003, members of the Wilkes
University community voted to award Bill
Cosby an honorary Doctor of Humane
Letters degree.
Just more than 12 years later, the
university's Board of Trustees voted
unanimously to rescind that degree.
Cosby, the well known actor and
comedian who starred in 1980's "The Cosby
Show;' was chosen to receive the degree
becaw,e of his educational and theatrical
achievements, as well as commitment to
social justice and civil rights issues.
"It has become clear by Mr. Cosby's
own admission in a 2006 legal deposition
(Constand v.Cosby) that became public this
summer, that he engaged in conduct that is
contrary to the values of Wilkes University
and the qualities for which he was honored;'
said Wilkes University President Patrick
Leahy in an email sent last week to the
campus community. "This conduct is not in
keeping with the principles of social justice
and civil rights stated in the honorary
degree citation.
"Mr. Cosby does not represent the ideals

Above: Bill Cosby shakes hands with
a graduate during the May 15, 2004
commencement activities.
to which Wilkes aspires or the values most
important to the university:'
On Oct. 2, the Boart of Trustees voted to
rescind the degree that had been awarded
on May 15, 2004.

What are your
thoughts on Wilkes
rescinding
Bill Cosby's honorary
degree?
Tweet us@
wilkesbeacon

Weird News
By Gabby Glinski
Asst. News Editor

NEW YORK CITY
A New York City health department
employee will face his second suspension for
ignoring his supervisor's warnings to stop
talking like a robot.
On Sept 15, a city administrative judge
ruled that Ronald Dillon will be suspended
without pay for 30 days for answering calls
using a robotlike voice. According to the
New York Daily News, Dillon was previously
suspended in 2014 for 20 days after
performing the same act.
MICHIGAN
A Michigan man filling his car at a gas
station reportedly spotted a spider sitting
near his car's gas cap. He pulled out a
lighter and attempted to burn the arachnid,
according to local news outlets. The flame
from the lighter set the area around the gas
pump up in flames. The man was able to
safely douse the flames with a nearby fire
extinguisher. The gas pump was destroyed.
INDIANA
According to Indiana authorities, Angela
Kipp, 35, allegedly leapt from her car after
spotting a spider on her shoulder. Her 9
year old son moved from the back seat in
an attempt to hit the brakes but accidently
hit the accelerator, sending the car from the
driveway into a passing school bus.
· ALLENTOWN, PA
An Allentown man must spend at least 60
years in prison after claiming in court that his
"evil twin'' robbed 10 gas stations and other
stores, according to The Associated Press. On
Sept 28, Steven Felton, 34, was sentenced to
62 to 124 years by a Lehigh County judge.
GREAT FALLS, MT
According to the Associated Press, Chase
Dellwo, 26, was hunting in Montana with
his brother when he encountered a sleeping
grizzly bear, estimated to be 350-400 pounds.
Dellwo said he surprised the bear and it
attacked, biting his head and leg. When the
bear attacked him for a second time, Dellwo
used a tactic he recalled his grandmother
telling him. Remembering bears have a bad
gag reflex, Dellwo shoved his arm down the
bear's throat, causing the bear to stop and
leave.
~

•

@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

"'

�The Beacon - October 13, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editors: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu or Justin.Topa@wilkes.edu

Laughs through meaning: transformational comedy
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor

"Don't believe the shit in life that says
you're incomplete," said Kyle Cease, a
transformational comedian who performed
at Wilkes University on Oct. 8.
The night oflaughs took place in the Henry
Student Center Ballroom and was hosted by
Wilkes University's Programming Board.
The night featured Cease doing his style
of standup-a combination of hilarity and
inspiration.
Comedy Central ranked Cease's act as
number one on its Standup Showdown in
2009.
The comedian started stand up at the
age of 12. If Cease looks familiar, it may be
because he has also acted in the movies "10
Things I Hate About You" and "Not Another
Teen Movie:' Cease speaks of transformation
througp. the art of learning to let go.
Students who attended the event seemed
to connect with Cease's message and
delivery style.
One student who "scheduled fun;' as
Cease worded it, particularly enjoyed
the night with Cease. Brianna Nutaitis, a

nursing major, found a bit of herself within
the comedy routine.
"I related to almost everything he talked
about and I was always cheering along,"
Nutaitis said.
"He used his own experiences and comedic
aspects in a way that truly resonated with
not only me, but I believe everyone who
came."
Cease walked the audience through his
major life events, triumphs and struggles.
He categorized different parts of his life into
jokes with meaning. Much of his time on
stage was talking about how he overcame
doubts from his friends and people around
him.
"You have total control of your life and a
lot of people don't want you to know that;'
he said.
Cease shared a time in his life that he
was at an all time low, in a depression that
spiraled into crippling anxiety. He spoke
about how one could get past such lows and
see the positive, bright side oflife.
"Do you know why we are scared to leave
something?" Cease asked.
"Because your mind could measure what
you will lose, but it could never measure
what it will gain. Your mind is literally

tricking you:'
It was advice that made what was supposed
to be an hour stand up set turn into two.
After an hour Cease asked for a time check
but also asked to keep going. With approval
from the audience, he continued to relay his
messages.
"I think students took away his deepest
and most true message, which is to be 100
percent genuinely who you are;' Valerie
Woods, WUPB president said.
"The one thing that I took away from
it (his set) was to not take anything too
seriously;' Nutaitis said. "I feel like I've been
hyping up things in my life that don't need
my time:'
Cease focused on this concept of "time"
as a major theme throughout the evening.
Although many would say his stand
up is motivational, Cease believes that
"motivation is bullshit:'
"Motivation is when you go Tm going
to make this. thing happen; I'll be the best:
That only happens when you think that
'thing' you're going to get will complete you.
Meaning that you are saying whenever you
want something you are incomplete:'
This thought especially motivated
students to reflect on their lives.

"Goal setting and having the motivation
to achieve a goal has always been a huge
worry that I've had. Now I'm looking at
these types of things differently and in a
more open way;' Nutaitis said.
The one thing that Cease did ask of the
audience was to try and follow along with
what he was saying. He did not expect the
audience to accept his words as truth, but he
requested that they at least put though into
his message.
"The reason I wanted to be the president
of WUPB is because I wanted to bring
events to campus like this. Wilkes has never
had a transformational comedian, and I'm
sure many students were hesitant to come to
something they've never heard of;' Woods
said. "The sole purpose for why we are here,
at Wilkes University, is to learn and figure
out who we are and what our goals are.
That's exactly what bringing Kyle Cease to
campus did:'
For more information about Cease and
his upcoming shows go to: kylecease.com

@wilkesbeacon
nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu

Wilkes students participate in suicide awareness walk

Wilkes University students recently participated in a suicide awareness walk at
Kirby Park, near the university's campus.

Even four-legged friends were involved with a recent walk to spread awareness
about suicide.

r

�_J

The Beacon - October 13, 2015

8

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

-·H&amp;M showcases Muslim model in newest advertisement
Students respond; question of traditions, beliefs, culture

Live, Love
and Dance
By Amanda Bialek
Staff Writer

Courtesy of YouTube
ldrissi balances a modeling career with her religious beliefs and finds that H&amp;M is understanding of the Muslim culture.
By Gabby Glinski
Asst. News Editor

H&amp;M• the world's second largest retailer,
recently made headlines for its new ad
campaign that features a Muslim model
wearing a hijab, a first for the fashion
company.
The video ad campaign, "Close the Loop"
was released earlier in September in efforts
to better the environment by encouraging
customers to recycle clothing. The ad includes
a wide variety of under-represented models
alongside the starring Muslim woman. The
inclusive ad features an amputee model,
plus-sized model and a group of Sikh men.
The most popular face of the new
campaign, Mariah Idrissi, 23, of London,
started modeling as a hobby. She starred in
the video after her photo was submitted to
H&amp;M by her casting director and friend.
Debuting in the fashion industry, Idrissi was
surprised at the amount of insight H&amp;M
had of Muslim culture and traditions, how
to wear the hijab and how tight clothing was
frowned upon.
The video opened a conversation whether
modeling conflicts with traditional Islamic
7

beliefs or promotes them. Idrissi states she
doesn't believe modeling conflicts with her
beliefs because she isn't breaking any rules;
she still wears the clothes she is used to.
According to several Muslim Wilkes
students, the H&amp;M ad provides a strong
empowering message to Muslim women.
Student Maryam Almarhoon, an accounting
major, agreed with Idrissi and H&amp;M's
message. She believes people are all the same
and shouldn't be attacked for doing what
they love.
Entrepreneurship major Abdullah Nazal
Altaleb was recently in New York City and
saw the ad in Times Square. He thinks
Muslims in modeling shoulp be encouraged
and there is no difference between Muslim
and non-Muslim models.
"I believe that Islam has nothing to do
with it and it is not against it, but that's me;'
Altaleb said. "I know that a lot of Muslims
would disagree and I'm OK with that. You
know people interpret beliefs differently:'
Fatimah Salat, who is in the intensive
English program, level 5, stated H&amp;M's
message is a beacon of hope for Muslim
women who want to model, including
herself, due to the appearance of more

Muslim women in modeling.
Israa Hawsawi, a sociology major, sees the
ad as a way to educate others about Muslim
culture.
"I think modeling can be one approach
to familiarize other cultures about Muslim
women's unique way of wearing clothing,
especially the western culture that sometimes
perceive the hijab negatively:'
Hawsawi also said that to represent the
hijab, a woman must be careful to follow
Islam beliefs.
However, some students think Muslim
models should take caution. Asma Mourcy, a
political science major, voiced her opinion on
how modeling can infringe on the meaning
of the hijab.
"Staying away from modeling is preferable
because it could lead to women following
new trends of hijab, like wearing it tightly
and putting makeup on instead of covering
their beauty, which is against the purpose
of hijab and will draw the wrong idea of the
hijab to the world:'
To see the full version of "Close the Loop;'
visit www.hm.com or www.youtube.com/
watch ?v=s4xnyr2m Cul.

Tl

Live Love Dance is now ~ffering dance
classes to college students on the second
floor of the Wilkes-Barre YMCA. Classes
include jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet, lyrical, twirl
and baton.
"Dance is not only a great form of exercise,
but it is also mentally relieving," said Janet
Nevel, artistic director for Live Love Dance.
"I want everyone to feel like they have a
dance family. Instead of taking time off when
you go to college, you can still continue your
passion for dance with us."
•
Nevel has been dancing since she was 3
years old. She has previously taught at three
other dance studios and is a former dancer
for the University of Scranton Dance Team.
Her favorite genres of dance have always
been tap and jazz.
"Dance is my passion. This is my dream
job. I love teaching about something that I
am so passionate about;' Nevel said
Live Love Dance has a variety of classes
available with five different teachers. There
are classes for all ages and skill sets.
"I find great joy in my students and their
accomplishments. The individuals I teach
have a great deal of impact on me, as well;'
said Shana Kwiatkowski, a senior who serves
as ballet and pointe teacher. "Each student is
extremely unique and has their own set of
talents and challenges:'
The dance studio hopes to build friendships
between students and enable them to express
themselves with other artists sharing the
same passion.
"As a highly involved student on campus
with a background in dancing for over 13
years, dancing at this studio gives me an
opportunity to relax, work out a little and be
creative;' said Kristen Lopatofsky, a junior at
Wilkes University. "Miss Janet is also very
flexible when it comes to something you
would like to work on and she understands
our busy schedules:'
Any student interested in taking a course
at Live Love Dance might be persuaded by
the discount the studio offers to students.
The teachers within the studio hope that
once students are introduced to the classes,
they will have a lasting involvement in dance.
"I hope the college students will grow with
us, so that they have a pl;ce to go. Dance was
always a place I could go growing up where
no one judged you. Everyone comes together
and becomes one happy family;' Nevel said.
For more information, students are
asked to call the studio at (570) 970-5055
or contacting the studio via e-mail, at
livelovedancestudio@gmail.com.

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�The Beacon - October 13, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

OPINION: Top GOP Contenders
By Emily DeAngelis
Design Editor
With a large selection of potential GOP
presidential candidates, even political
pundits may not know where to begin. To
start, let's break down some of the basics of
the main runners.

•

JebBush

Accomplished Florida Governor and
younger brother of 43rd President George
W. Bush, Jeb Bush has made it clear in his
campaign that he is different from the rest
of the Bush family. However, in trying to
make this distinction, political analysts
from the Conservative Review quote, "His
commitment to conservatism has waned
since 2007". The biggest reason they cite for
this is his alliance with the Common Core
standards for education. This factor alone
will lose him popularity with educators
across the nation. However, he will gain favor
for his commitment to family values and
efforts to defund Obamacare.

•

Ben Carson

Retired Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon
famous for the surgery that successfully
separated twins conjoined at the head,
Ben Carson is holding his own among a
field full of career politicians. Carson first
gained notice when he spoke at a National
Prayer Breakfast in 2013, preaching about
the dangers of political correctness when it
pertains to health care-sitting not 10 feet
away was President Obama. While running
on the conservative ticket, Carson carefully
distinguishes that he does not identify with
any political group. The Politicians and
E}&amp;ctions Portal describe his political views
a?' "traditional, but infused with common
sense:'

•

Chris Christie

Newark, NJ, native, Chris Christie
graduated from the University of Delaware
and earned his law degree from Seton Hall
along with honorary doctorate degrees from
Rutgers and Monmouth University. Christie
is a straightforward conservative. He opposes
the legalization of marijuana, he is against gay
marriage but believes that gay couples should
be granted civil unions and he identifies as
pro-life. He has a number of vulnerabilities,
but he is still cited as a top contender for the
2016 nomination. Critics have gone as far as

to cite his weight as a limiting factor on his
vigor and health. To combat this, Christie
has lost more than 100lbs in four years and
underwent lap band surgery.

•

TedCruz

ANSOFWIL
UNIVERSITY

Texas produces several big name
politicians, and Ted Cruz is no exception .
Cruz is the first Hispanic-American to
serve for Texas, Cruz was named the
"most principled candidate" in the race
by talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Cruz's
steadfast opposition to liberalism and firm
connection to his beliefs is making him a
true contender in a large and accomplished
group. While several of the candidates he
is facing once fought for Obamacare, Cruz
consistently fought against the immorality
of Obama's failed health care plan, and his
reviews remain constant today. Washington
Times reported Steve Deace writes, "Here
is the bottom line: If someone doesn't have
a proven history of fighting the corruption
in Washington before getting elected, that
· probably means they're unlikely to do it after
they reach the White House''.

•

Carly Fiorina

On Monday, May 5, CEO of HewlettPackard, Carly Fiorina announced that her,
"private-sector background and conservative
credentials make her best positioned to
capture the Republican nomination and
take on Hillary Rodham Clinton:' She since
has taken the GOP by surprise by capturing
support after the first debate. While Firoina
debated with the group of less likely
candidates, her commentary still managed
to overshadow some of the bigger names
·during post-debate analysis. According to the
Conservative Review, "Fiorina has, for the
most part, stayed silent on most civil rights
issues, although she has vocally criticized
the Left-namely, Clinton, for hypocrisy in
decrying religious freedom laws while doing
business with corners of the world where
women are treated as second class citizens:'
Her lack of political experience, while
appealing to many, makes her rather thin on
several of the hot issues within the campaign.

For information on other top
presidential contenders, be sure
to check out the next issue of
The Beacon.
@wilkesbeacon
Emily.DeAngelis@wilkes.edu

r

�.J
The Beacon - October 13, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

~wilkes takes a firm stance against violence
By Nicole Zukowski
Life, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Wilkes groups are teaming up with
community organizations to
raise
awareness regarding all forms of violence.
WCLH, the student-run radio station
on campus, and BACCHUS are hosting
an event entitled "Stop The Violence, Stop
The Hate" on Oct. 22 in the Henry Student
Center lounge from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The groups have invited the Domestic
Violence Resource Center, Victims
Resource Center and United We Stand I
Divided We Fall to provide information
and resources to the campus community
during the event.

"WCLH has a concern with raising
awareness about violence because, not
only does it seem to be increasing around
the Wilkes community, we also lost a
WCLH DJ, DJ Moe, two years ago on Oct.
13;' Kayla Bucci, the WCLH promotion
and information director said.
"We are not just honoring what he's done
for WCLH, but making the community
aware that it's still active:'
This event seeks to raise awareness across
all forms of violence, as well provide a
tribute to DJ Moe, a former WCLH DJ and
victim of gun violence.
Coming together to host this live remote
broadcast with WCLH, BACCHUS has its

own interest in promoting a healthy and
safe lifestyle.
"BACCHUS has always tried to take
a leading role when it comes to tackling
issues such as sexual violence on college
campuses. It's hard to find an issue that's
more relevant to students here at Wilkes
so, we thought this was a really important
opportunity to raise awareness for this
issue;' President of BACCHUS Troy Carey
said. "Not to mention, the size of this
issue makes an event like this hard to plan
on your own. I know coming together
with WCLH is going to make this a very
successful event:'
This event is intended to bring the Wilkes

community together and acknowledge
and inform Wilkes students on such issues
related to violence.
"Students should come out to hear from
speakers in the community to become
educated on violence and what they can
do to help someone in a violent situation.
Lunch will also be served and there will be
lots of giveaways;' said Markeata White,
WCHL programming director.
For more information on the event
contact Kayla Bucci at kayla.bucci@wilkes.
edu.
@wi/kesbeacon
nicole.zukowski@wilkes.edu

New Contest: Find the 4 differences
Follow us for a chance to win prizes!

.

W @wilkesbeacon

Tweet us the 4 differences first for a chance
to win a Dunkin' Donuts gift card!

�The Beacon - October 13, 2015

11

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

Club commits acts of random kindness
By Michelle Lehman
Correspondent
A cupcake.
A flower.
A kind word.
These simple items have all - at one point
or another - been part of the Acts of Random
Kindness club at Wilkes University.
Simply put, the club was formed to make
others happy. Members perform random
acts of kindness on campus and in the
community.
"Kindness is powerful;' said Dr. Anne
Batory, the faculty adviser of the Acts of
Random Kindness (ARK) club. "Several
years ago a small group of Sidhu students
were inspired to start a club that would
nurture and encourage acts of random
kindness by working together to identify
opportunities for kindness:'
ARK usually meets in UCOM every two
weeks at various locations and times. At
meetings the members generate new ideas
for acts and discuss how previous acts went.
ARK only meets when the club is prepping
for or preparing an act.

During the last few years ARK has been
active on and off campus. The group has
cleaned up a street in a neighborhood
connecting the Wilkes campus, passed out
hand warmers during cold winter days and
offered free socks.
ARK members also have given away
movie tickets and flowers to Wilkes food
service personnel, helped with a cupcake
sale and shoveled snow for older area
residents.
This semester, ARK members handed
out flowers around campus and distributed
Gatorade and water to the construction
workers working on the Wilkes Gateway
Project.
Members even wrote anonymous letters
to professors on campus to make them feel
appreciated.
Other acts of kindness are planned for the
future.
The president of ARK, Jeffrey Horwith,
said that the club is about Inspiring
selflessness in individuals and promoting
kindness to others on campus and in the
community.
"My favorite part about ARK is making

people cry tears of joy;' said Horwith.
"I like doing nice things for people who
seem like they need it;' said Kya Lewis, a
freshman and new member of ARK.
To find out more about ARK, visit
getarked.org or follow them on Instagram
Wilkes_ark.

What acts
of random
kindness would
you like to see
on campus?
Tweet us
@wilkesbeacon

Sometimes a simple flower can
brighten someone's day.

-----

r

�J

'!he Beacon - October 13, 2015

~

12

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Design by
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In the mid to late 1800s the land on which the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the
Performing Arts now stands was used as a depot for the Lehigh &amp; Susquehanna Railroad.
At the peak of the coal industry, the spot was essential.
Today, the land remains important. Instead of coal, it serves as a terminal for talent,
where those interested in the performing arts can spend up to four years honing their
creative skills. This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Darte's construction.
Held October 24 at 8 p.m., the Darte will celebrate its milestone with performances from
those in the program as well as short speeches about the anniversary's significance.
"It's a mark of staying power in a way, that the university is·invested in the arts;' Chair
of the Division of Performing Arts Steven Thomas said. "It's a wonderful thing that the
university did fifty years ago, to create this facility for the arts, and we're still making art
fifty years later:'
Billed as "A Celebration of the Performing Arts;' performances by several different
groups will show what the division has to offer by showcasing three distinct sections:
eatre, music, and dance.
The theatre program will perform select scenes from this year's shows, including Our
Town and Shout! The Mod Musical. The dance program will perform two dances: a ballet and a more modern piece. The music program will feature performances by the civic
band, the jazz ensemble and the choral ensemble.
"It's a time to reflect on the brilliance that the building has been host to in the past 50
years;' Shaun Pierre, a Senior theatre arts major who will be performing at the anniversary, said. "It's a brilliant thing when you have a gala event such as this, where all aspects
come together:'
While this event marks the 50th anniversary of the Darte's construction, the performing
arts have been a staple at Wilkes University since its inception. In 1937, only three years
after the university's founding, Chase Theatre was built on what is now the greenway, according to Public Services Librarian and Archivist Elizabeth Sullivan.
During the Great Depression, Dorothy Dickson Darte contributed large amounts of
money to fund the arts programs at Wilkes. "She was a huge supporter of Wilkes, and
especially of the arts at Wilkes;' Sullivan said.

• n of the
Construct10
Darte's stage

Darte was one of the main benefactors during the construction of what was originally
called the Wilkes College Center for Performing Arts. Reportedly too humble to let it be
publically known as more than an anonymous donation, former president Eugene Farley
dedicated the building to her in 1970 after her death the year prior.

All photos courtesy of University Archives

r

�..J
The Beacon - October 6, 2015

Opinion

14

Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact the opinion editor: amanda.stickles@wilkes.edu

"This is the story of how I got my scars ... "
By Gretchen Yen inas
Associate Dean of Student Affairs

According to breastcancer.org
About 1 in 8 U.S. women - 12.4% -

This is the story of how I got my scars. I'm
going to say it in one word: mammogram.
You were probably expecting me to say
something else, like breast cancer, and that
would have been correct, too.
When people hear the word cancer, some
of those fears that you stuff deep down come
rising up to the surface. It makes people say
things like, "Oh, you poor thing;' or "That's
too bad:' I hated that. I got my scars because
I was doing the right thing: I got my annual
mammogram. It's that preventative screening
that women joke about regularly, put off or
completely forget about ... and while it may
have given me a scar (or three), damn, is it
important!
Forty-one-years old. It was only my
second mamo ever. It was also a few days
before Christmas. I scheduled it that way on
purpose. Mamo first thing in the morning
and the rest of the day to finish last minute
shopping.
Perfect, right?
And it was perfect, until I got the call
telling me I needed to come back for an
ultrasound. That was Dec.22, 2014. Because
of the holidays, I had to wait for a biopsy until
Jan. 7, 2015. The confirmation the next day
that it was indeed cancer rocked me, but I
just wanted to know, "What's my next step?"
That was my refrain through a mastectomy,
six treatments of chemotherapy, followup medicines, with one more surgery to go
next year. Knowing what comes next made
it easier for me to get through the day-to-day
of my treatment.
I'm lucky. Wilkes provides staff and faculty
with outstanding health care coverage. I
didn't have to leave the Wyoming Valley
for anything. However, I'm surprised at the
number of women who told me after they
heard my story that they hadn't been for
a mamo in years. Why?? According to the
American Cancer Society, all states except for
Utah, require that private health insurance
covers mammograms. And the Affordable

will develop invasive breast cancer over
the course of her lifetime.
For women in the United States, breas~•
cancer death rates are higher than death
rates for any other type of cancer, besides
lung cancer.
Except for skin cancer, breast cancer
is the most commonly diagnosed cancer
among American women. Just under 30%
of cancers diagnosed in women are breast
cancers.

As of early 2015, there were more than
2.8 million women with a history of breast
cancer in the U.S. This figure includes
women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment.
A woman's risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree
relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has
been diagnosed with breast cancer.
About 5-10% of breast cancers are
thought to be caused by inherited gene
mutations (abnormal changes passed
through families) .

Courtesy of wilkes.edu
Women should be scheduling mammograms for themselves at least once a
yea r. Above, Gretchen Yeninas prior to donating her hair.

Health care act (aka Obamacare) also covers
mammograms. If you're covered, what on
earth are you waiting for? http://www.cancer.
org/ cancer/breastcancer / moreinformation/
breastcancerearlydetection/breast-cancerearly-detection-paying-for-br-ca-screening
So, was it cancer or the mammogram that
caused my scars?
I suppose that's up for debate, but the fact is,
I took care of myself enough to get checked.
Had my tumor gone unchecked, who knows
what would have happened? Someone
recently asked me if I would do it again. I was
genuinely surprised by the question. No one
chooses to have cancer and feel the way I did
for months during chemo, but if I had to do it

again, I know that I could. I had my bad days,
but I had (and still have) tons of support from
family, friends and strangers.
Another question I heard was about my
hair. Immediately following my second
chemo treatment, all my long, curly hair
started to fall out. I was asked if I was mad
about losing my hair. The answer is, no. I was
mad that I didn't cut it off sooner to be able
to donate more. By the time I cut off three
thick ponytails worth of hair, I had probably
thrown out another ponytails worth. I just
hope that Children with Hair Loss was able
to make a great wig, or two, out of what I sent
in. As an aside, if you're looking to donate
your hair, they take anything over 8", natural

or color treated. Visit them at: http:/ /www.
childrenwithhairloss. us/ .
So, back to my scars ... they are a part of me,
a daily reminder that I am healthy now. And I
already scheduled my next mammogram, and
I continue to encourage the women around
me to get checked. A saying I've seen a few
times sums up my experience: "A scar simply
means you were stronger than whatever tried
to hurt you:'-Unknown. I feel like that fits
me perfectly.
~

•

@wilkesbeacon
gretchen.yeninas@wilkes.edu

�10

Opinion

The Beacon - October 13, 2015

,,

Ulltil it happens to you

dmowledge
1 such issues

Staff writer

o hear from
to become
tat they can
nt situation.
there will be
.eata White,
the event
1cci@wilkes.

·s.edu

By Allison Rossi
Lady Gaga is famous for her catchy songs
and her crazy outfits. Some people do not
take her seriously because of some of her
lyrics. Others do not take her seriously
because of the way she presents herself. For
example, the meat dress she wore to the
VMA's. However, A majority of people that
have heard her new single "Until It Happens
To You" have a new outlook on Lady Gaga.
"Until It Happens To You" had 12,157,884
views and 270,674 likes within the first week
of the song being on Youtube.com.
The song "Until It Happens To You" is
striking and the music video that goes along
with it is extremely graphic. The lyrics and the
music video send out an inspiring, powerful,
and meaningful message for many. The song
depicts victims of rape on college campuses.
This growing topic is needed to be known and
people, especially college students should be
informed. The song brings great attention to
this serious topic.
Many victims of rape get different reactions
when they speak up about this tragic event
that happened to them. The lyrics state:
"You tell me "it gets better, it gets better, in
time. You say I'll pull myself together, pull
it together, you'll be fine. Tell me what the
hell do you know, what do you know tell me
how t~e hell could you know, how could you
know.
These lyrics describe some of the responses
that people giye to victims but the truth is
they do not know how the victims feel. The
lyrics continue: Till it happens to you, you
don't know how it feels, how it feels till it
happens to you, you won't know, it won't be

real, no it won't be real, won't know how it
feels:'
No one can truly understand something
until it happens to them personally. People
deal with their issues differently especially
when it is a serious and harmful problem.
When asked their opinions of Lady Gaga's
new single, students had a lot to say. Adrianna
Fiore explained her opinion of the song and
the major topic: rape on college campuses.
Fiore stated, "When I first heard the song I
thought there was a deep meaning behind
the lyrics; however, I did not grasp the full
message until I watched the music video. The
video helped me understand how serious
the issue of college rape, and rape in general
t_ruly was. It is a scary reality to fathom:•
Sophomore, Quinn Kelly also had many
thoughts on the new song. Kelly stated, ''.After
seeing the statistics in the video, I realized
how many people are affected by rape. It is
scary to think that it does happen on college
campuses and that majority of the victims are
in my age group. It is good that Lady Gaga
and others are using their fame wisely and
addressing this serious problem:'
Andrew Neidig explained, "The video
was very graphic and too awful to face the
reality of college rape on campuses. It is sad
and unfortunate that this is a rising issue in
today's society:'
The statistics in the video were as follows:
"One in five college women will be sexually
assaulted this year unless something
changes:' "Until It Happens To You;' deals
with a very important and serious issue and
this topic is getting the attention it deserves.

The Beacon is looking for Colonels to join our
staff.

Al majors and years are welcome o Join
and no experience ia neeesaary. If you have
an interest in writing, editing. designing,
photography, marketing or advertising, we
have a home for you~

f'br more infonuation. e-mail Aahley Evert
managing editor.

.ance

'

Courtesy of via YouTube
Lady Gaga expresses her feelings of rape on college campuses through a
powerful song and music video.

Aahley.Evert@Wilkea.edu

�.J
The Beacon - October 13, 2015

16

Opinion

Bare-faced or clown-faced: Is there a preference?
By Allison Rossi

.

• Staff writer
Why are we judged by our outer
appearance the most?
Why, especially is it in the work force,
one is first judged on their clothing, hair, and
exterior features.
People are judged on their everyday
appearance even before others get to know
them. First impressions say a lot about an
individual but should they?
First impressions are relevant in a dating
setting, social setting, and the most important
of them all, the work place. Bosses are most
likely going to choose the individual that
looks the most professional. The quality or
value of an individual's work and work ethic
should not be solely based on someone's
outer qualities.

In some professions, women may
feel obligated to wear make up to work,
particularly in professions that deal with the
public. A job interviewer should not force
someone to wear make-up if they do not
want to.
It is one thing if women want to wear
makeup but they should not be required
to in order to be taken seriously in the
world; whether in a social environment or
a professional environment. According to
the Huffington Post, out of three thousand
women, 91 percent of them would cancel
a first date if they did not have makeup on,
31 percent said they that they would not
exercise at a gym if they were bare-faced.
There is a difference between being
professional and needing to meet the

requirements of today's society. Have we
as a generation taken professionalism to the
extreme?
The Detroit Free Press stated factors that
could be preventing ones career success:
"On the appearance side, employers cited
provocative clothing (44%), wrinkled
clothes or shabby appearance (43%),
piercings outside of traditional ear piercings
(32%), clothing that's too casual for the
workplace (27%), visible tattoos (27%),
an unprofessional or ostentatious haircut
(25%), unprofessional or ostentatious facial
hair (24%)."

...
Have an idea
for an opinion piece?
Contact Mandy
Stickles
at
amanda.stickles@
wilkes.edu

@wilkesbeacon
allison.rossi@wilkes.edu

This week Eric reviews Lana Del Rey's new record, Honeymoon:"This could be her best work yet because nothing seems to be overwhelming or too kitschy. At this point Lana is too cool
to care about the naysayers. As heard in "Honeymoon", "We both know that it's not fashionable to love me, but you don't go cause truly there's nobody for you but me." Don't be surprised
to see this record at the top of many "best albums of2015" music publication polls by December. My rating is 4.5 out of 5 Stars." For the full review go to http://www.thewilkesbeacon.
com/category/opinion/

By Eric Casey

Photo illustration Ashley Evert

�I

8

The Beacon - October 13, 2015

Opinion

17

Spies ofthe Balkans:/:JI the intrigue the cover advertises
By Sara Pisak ..
Assistant Opinion Editor

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Spies of the Balkans is the eleventh novel
by Alan Furst however, the novel marks my
first foray into Alan Furst's writing. Why did
I select this Furst novel? I wanted to select
a book from the bookstore shelf without
background information or a synopsis posted
on the back cover. Honestly, I selected this
book because of its cover.
Spies of the Balkans is the perfect text
to select ba.sed on its cover. First, the word
"spies" is boldly printed on the front cover.
Instantly, this should be a clue that intrigue
and mystery will follow. Second, adorned
on the front cover is a black and white
photograph of a 1940s couple clutching a
briefca.se. The women's face obscures the
man's face, rendering him unidentifiable.
The cover art is a precursor to the plot a.s
well a.s the main characters enclosed within
the book's pages. As soon as a reader opens
the novel, they know immediately that the
novel is exactly what the cover illustrates.
As a result, I enjoyed being plunged into the ·
shady, uncover world of espionage.
After opening the pages, the reader
becomes engaged in the story of Costa
Zannis, a senior police official. Set during
the 1940s, Zannis, a citizen of Greece, lives
in the port city known as Salonika. Zannis
quickly finds himself playing a dangerous
game of political espionage. As Adolf Hitler
organizes an inva.sion of the Balkans, Zannis
plans an escape route for fugitives captured
by the Nazis. Pursued by the Gestapo, Zannis
must work quickly to free Balkan detectives
from the Nazi's grasp.
As time before the invasion runs out,
Zannis finds himself falling in love with
three different women who come into his
life. Does Zannis and his captive Balkan
detectives make it out alive?
What makes Spies of the Balkans a
worthwhile read in the throngs of all the
available thriller and mystery novels?
Furst's writing is top notch but what makes
this novel standout is his ability to use actual
events in a productive and a believable way
which paints a vivid setting.
Typing historical fiction into a Google
search yields the following definition:
"Historical fiction is defined a.s movies and
novels in which a story is made up but is
set in the pa.st and sometimes borrows true
characteristics of the time period in which
it is set." The definition of historical ficition
states, events or characters are "borrowed."
The wonderful element of Furst's Spies
of the Balkans is his work, notably his
characters and setting, does not in the lea.st
feel borrowed. In short, Furst inlmerses

the reader in a time instead of simply
borrowing characters and adding them to
his contemporary work. Although not a true
historical account of the Balkan police force
during the 1940s, Furst's work engages a
reader so greatly in the time period that a.s
a reader closes the final pages, it is difficult
for the reader not to believe the text is
historically accurate. A reader will definitely
have a problematic time separating fact from
fiction, which is exactly what one hopes for
in a historical spy novel.
Furst is able to achieve the feat ofreadable
historical accuracy by setting the scene. The
way characters such a.s Zannis dress, walk,
talk and interact leaves the reader entirely
absorbed in a different way of life. Further,
Spies of the Balkans is vividly described.
The setting of the city rears to life, becoming
a character in its own right. The setting flows
a.s Zannis travels through the Balkans to
a.ssist with the escape of capturep Balkan
detectives.
With each twist and tum, as Zannis runs
through the dark alleys of Salonika, the
setting comes to life; twisting and turning
in its own right. The streets wither and die
as the countdown to the final attack quickly
approaches. Furst's description of The
Balkans during World War II leaves the
reader in a state of shock when he or she
peers over the edge of their book, only to
realize the modem world surrounds them.
As the setting in the Spies of the Balkans
breathes life, it creates the affect that a.s
Zannis and his girlfriend try to escape,
Zannis' account could be more historically
accurate than fiction. It is Furst's idea of
inlrnersion instead of borrowing that leaves
more historical details for the reader to grasp
than fictionalized story elements. Zannis'
escape reads as a plight of all those who fled
the Nazi regime and not just those who fled
like Zannis because of his political trea.son.
The idea of Zannis being "the everyman"
by the conclusion of the text further drives
home Furst's historical inlrnersion instead
of historical borrowing. I look forward to
reading additional Furst's novels and being
transported into completely thrilling times
and places.

Sara's Score:

Courtesy of Sara I

A @wilkesbeacon
i:1 sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

r

�...J
The Beacon - October 13, 2015

Isolating smokers was a good idea
By: Elyse Guziewicz
Staff Writer
One of my favorite things about this
university is the way that it prioritizes its
students' health. In particular, there are
addiction programs available for students
through the campus Health Services office
in Passan Hall. They offer cessation aids
and counseling for many different forms of
addiction, including controlled substances.
Unfortunately, they did not have anything
to help me; last year, when my addiction left
me tired and with a persistent cough, there
was not anything they could do.
What was I addicted to? Air. Oxygen
- the good stuff. See, I have asthma, and
getting enough air is just a necessity. They
do not make albuterol gum so I do not start
wheezing, or oxygen patches to keep the
cough at bay. Unfortunately, the university
just does not prioritize my addiction to clean
air, possibly because air is necessary for all
mammals to live.
Due to the lack of smoking regulations
on campus, I spent the entirety of last year
coughing through classes, study sessions,
and even when I was trying to sleep. In
many situations I had no choice but to walk
through clouds of smoke while entering and

18

Opinion

exiting certain buildings to attend classes.
Not only is cigarette smoke a trigger for
my asthma, I am allergic to it, and I am
not the only one. Cigarette smoke is a very
common irritant, especially among people
with seasonal/environmental allergies about 30-40% of the population. Asthma is
as common as I in 12.

and necessary

Smokers sidling up to building entrances
and exits literally made me sick. Ask my
mother, or my doctor, or my nebulizer, which
I had to pull out of storage for the first time
in years. So you can imagine my frustration
when I see someone complain that the new
policy is unfair.
Smoking risks were written on the

Photo llllustrastion by Elyse Guziewicz

pavement in chalk? What a childish thing
to do. Kind of like insisting your dangerous
habit get in the way of other people breathing.
Forgive me if I don't care as much about
smokers being "isolated" on campus - I
will always prioritize respiratory health over
someone's feelings.
So yes, walking past a cloud of cigarette
smoke will cause an adverse reaction.
Within seconds of inhaling secondhand
smoke, I start coughing; within minutes I
have a headache that will last most likely for
the rest of the day.
Do not get me wrong - I have friends
who smoke; this isn't a personal attack.
I'm going to be honest. If it were up to me,
there wouldn't be smoking on campus at all.
There is no such thing as a cessation aid for
a respiratory disorder, and I certainly did not
pick up asthma because I .thought lying in
a hospital bed with a nasal cannula looked
cool.
Sure, I think now (with Wilkes' new
cessation program) would be a great time to
quit, but you can smoke if you want to. Just
do not do it near me.

@wilkesbeacon
elyse.guziewicz@wilkes.edu

The Bechdel Test: Hocus Pocus, th·e Halloween classic
By Em Leonick
Staff Writer

.•

Each week, staff wrtier Em Leonick will
analyze classic and current movies to see
if they pass the Bechdel Test, which gauges
female representaion in film.
Halloween season always comes with a
few things that make people look forward
to that time of the year. People enjoy the
chance to dress up, eat some candy, and
maybe go to a haunted house or two. For
a lot of people, however, the Halloween
season means it is the time of the year
for some of their favorite movies. People
every year re-watch the same movies they
watched as kids and get to relive some of
the magic.
One of these movies is Hocus Pocus.
Released in 1993, this movie is about the
Sanderson sisters: Winnie (Bette Midler),
Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah
Jessica Parker) and their quest to collect the

lives of children before they die forever at
sunrise after Halloween night. Each sister
has a specific power that helps them find
children. Winnie has the knowledge, Mary
can smell children, and Sarah can sing a
siren song that mesmerizes the children.
They were summoned by a candle lit by
Max Dennison (Omri Katz). Max, his little
sister Danni (Thora Birch) and his crush
from school, Alison, (Vinessa Shaw) visit
the Sanderson sisters' cottage, located in
witch central itself, Salem, Massachusetts,
which has become a museum dedicated to
the legend of the sisters.
With the help of Thackery Binx (Sean
Murray), who has been cursed by the sisters
and forced to live as a black cat that can
never die, they spend their Halloween
trying to rid the world of the Sanderson
sisters once and for all. The witch trio does
not take this lying down, and sends all sorts

of magical things the kids' way. This is a
Halloween movie that seems to have it all:
a legend about witches, magic, a talking
cat, a whole lot of people in costumes, a
great musical number, and even a zombie.
There's a reason many consider it a mustsee in the Halloween season.
Hocus Pocus does certainly seem to
have it all. By the Bechdel Test's standards,
it definitely does not disappoint. It fills
all the qualifications of being a good
representation by the test's standards. The
film has a whole host of female characters
that have been named. To make things even
better, with the exception of Allison, they
all have both a first and last name. These
women characters talk to each other often,
and more often than not, it is not about a
man.
Outside of the Bechdel Test, I would
argue this film is ~ decent representation

of women. There are many different types
of female characters in the movie. It is not
just the evil Sanderson sisters in the movie.
There are women characters that are meant
to be seen as heroes. Unfortunately, the film
lacks any real diversity. Not only are none
of the main characters people of color, there
are not really any people of color seen at all
throughout the film.
Hocus Pocus has its place in the
Halloween season. It certainly has reasons
to be loved by so many, though it still had
potential to be more inclusive.

.
@wilkesbeacon
emily.Jeonick@wilkes.edu

�19

Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Rachel.Leandri@wilkes.edu

Off-season is no time off for these Colonels
By: Andre Spurell/Danny Van Brunt
Asst. Sports Editors

Cold football games are a reminder that
winter is around the comer. All of the fall
sports are in full swing, but there are still
winter sports teams preparing for their
season.
The men's wrestling, basketball and
women's basketball teams' seasons are
slowly beginning. These teams have been
staying fit and doing team activities.
"We have been working harder, doing
more, and looking better this year," said
James Palys, a sophomore 157-pound
wrestler.
He continued about his routine stating
that the wrestlers have been doing various
activities such as being assigned lifting
routines in the gym and wrestling practices.
The wrestling team also has high-paced
sprinting and lifting routines in the large
and open green room.
The men's basketball team has been
waking up before many others, getting to

practice at 6 a.m. to run, do basketball drills
and play pick-up games followed by lifting
weights.
Freshman forward Tommy Bowen has
started this routine.
"The workouts were pretty tough at first,
but once I got into the swing of things,
everything got easier," he said.
Bowen has .struggled, but he has pushed
past it. He did not lift as much as he does
now when he was in high school.
"The biggest transition I had to deal with
was the whole lifting part of the college
level. I was never forced to lift or had a
lifting program in high s.chool so lifting is
way different for me," Bowen said.
Catey McFadden is a sophomore women's
basketball player. She has been participating
in all the off-season activities so far.
"We have conditioning and lifting three
days a week and we play pick-up at least
twice a week," McFadden said. "We also do
team bonding activities."
She thinks the preseason has been busy,

but fun. Even though the team is not in season
yet, everyone shows up ready to work hard. She notices how excited everyone really is.
"A major difference from last year is that
we don't have as young of a team. Last year,
we had six freshman, and now we have
two, so most of us are returning players,"
McFadden said.
The wrestling team began practicing on
Oct. 10, while the two basketball teams start
a week later on Oct. 17.
Although all three teams won't be starting
their season for another few days, they all
have been working hard these past two
months to attempt to accomplish their goals
of reaching the playoffs · and ultimately
winning a championship.
Each team will be competing in
tournaments in about a month, and all of the
tournaments will be hosted away.

The Beacon/Jesse Chai nick
@wilkesbeacon
andre.spurell@wilkes.edu
daniel. vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

Members of the women's basketball
team go head-to-head in preparation
for the start of winter sports.

The Beacon/Purvit Patel
Wrestlers practice their top and bottom techniques during an off-season
practice this past week.

Members of the men's basketball team compete hard for a rebound at a recent
practice for their upcoming season right.

r

�_J

The Beacon - October 13, 2015

Sports

20

Wilkes' Stengel dreams big on and off the field
By: Brandon Gubitosa

Sports Writer
At the age of 5, Tanner Stengel played
in his first ever football game for the South
Parkland Trojans. Fifteen fears later, he is
still playing the same game he grew up to
love.
Stengel is in his junior year for the
Colonels and is a returning second team
All-MAC linebacker. When Coach Trey
Brown took over for the Colonels last year,
Stengel was given the chance to prove
himself. He finished the 2014 season as the
league's top tackler with 102 total tackles
in ten games played.
At the age of 8, Stengel realized that he
had a future in football. During a practice,
one of his coaches, who weighed more
than 300 pounds, was running toward him,
and Stengel was able to tackle hiin to the
ground.
Coaches stoQd there in shock, unable
to register what he had just done. After
practice, his .coach approached his dad
telling him that "although he might not be
the biggest kid on the team, he has heart for
the game, and that will take him places."
Standing at 5 feet 11 inches and 190
pounds, Tanner still might not be the
biggest guy out there, but he always prides
himself on being the hardest worker.
"Tanner's mobility allows him to make
plays all over the field," said senior safety

Jared Powell. "I have never played with a
linebacker as mobile as him. He allows me
to not worry about the run so much; I can
play the pass quicker knowing he's there to
make any run play."
This is Stengel's first season as captain,
and he knows that it comes with a big
responsibility.
"Nothing really changed, you just have to
be vocal and outright with everything and
just play to the best of your abilities so the
younger guys look up to you."
Leading the league in tackles is a major
accomplishment, especially as a sophomore,
but Stengel has his goals set high for this
season.
"There's always that dream of being an
All-American."
So far he is on pace to lead the league in
tackles, which will help him in his journey
toward achieving that dream.
However, there is more to life than
just football. Stengel is a mechanical &amp;
electrical engineering major at Wilkes.
Having two demanding majors is rough
for a student athlete, but he has found that
time management and being able to put in
the extra hours really helps. Being able to
maintain a high GPA while balancing it
with athletics really shows who he is as a
person.
"He can take your breath away with a
stare, but touch your heart with his words,"

The Beacon/Jesse Chai nick
JuniorTannerTengel makes a tackle during homecoming game against Widener.
said junior defender Josh Farrell.
Powell also praised Stengel for his
ability to lead.
"As a captain, he leads us with not
only his words but also by example. He
is always working hard, and when we get
down as a defense he is there to pick us
up and make sure we keep a next-play
mentality."
Like many football players, Stengel
dreams of one day playing the NFL, but
he has a plan in case that dream doesn't
play out. He hopes to one day have his

own engineering company. Unlike othe~
companies out there, which focus on a
certain aspect of engineering, he would like
for his company to be able to complete a
wide range of activities and do anything
possible.
When he is not on the field or in the
classroom, he can be found participating in
one of his hobbies including longboarding,
snowboarding or skim boarding.
~ @wilkesbeacon
. . brandon.gubitosa@wilkes.edu

Wilkes men's soccer: Kicking it into gear for new season
By: Sean Grundy

Sports Writer

The Beacon/Jesse Chai nick
Men's soccer members perfect drills in
pairs at a recent practice.

The Wilkes men's soccer team began
its campaign for the 2015 season with big
challenges early in the season.
Last year, the team rounded out the season
with a four-game losing streak to end the
season.
The team's final overall record ended up
being 4-15, 2-5 in the Freedom Conference.
The Colonels ended up losing their first four
games of the season to some of the best outof-conference teams in the country, two of
which were ranked. Gettysburg is ranked
10th and Elizabethtown is ranked 21st.
"We had a lot of opportunities in all four
of those games and just came up short and
couldn't get it done," said Head Coach Phil
Wingert.
The soccer team has a good core group
of upperclassmen but also has a few
new additions on the field with five new

freshman. Freshman goalie Tim Gallageher
steps into the net replacing seniors Kyle
Romm and Patrick Loube.
"Gallageher has been playing very well -he has made some great saves that have kept
us in some games," Wingert said.
Gallageher has 41 saves on the season
and continues to be a concrete wall of
defense. The men experienced their first
taste of victory on the season when they
beat Summit University of Pennsylvania
in double overtime 1-0. The Colonels went
on to beat Stevenson University 1-0, and
McDaniels College 2-1.
The soccer team's record is currently 3-8,
0-1 in the Freedom Conference with the
second half of the season approaching fast.
When talking to Wingert about the first
half of the season he explained that, "The
game is all about finding ways to win or
finding ways not to lose, whether it's being
up 1-0 and eating up clock to stay ahead or
being down 1-0 and finding ways to put the

ball in the back of the net to tie it."
The second half of the season consists
of all Freedom Conference games, so
the conference is still wide open to the
Colonels. The team has only lost one game
in the conference -- to Fairleigh Dickinson
University. This half of the season is
formidable but winnable, and the Colonels
are well equipped for the challenge.
The men have a lot of firepower on
offense. A good portion of it is coming
from their senior co captain Eddie Metzger.
Metzger has a team high of five goals and
seems to be taking full advantage of his
opportunities.
"Eddie proves his leadership on and off
the field as he continues to be a ·role model
to the younger guys on the team," Wingert
said.
~

,

@wilkesbeacon
sean.grundy@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - October 13. 2015

Sports

21

Wilkes "shares the spirit" with alumnus at homecoming
By Jared Powell
Sports Writer
As homecoming rolls around each year,
Alumni Relations Director Bridget Giunta.
Alumni Events Manager Jacki Lukas and
Associate Alumni Relation Director Mary
Simmons rally to host Share the Spirit,
where sports alumni return to campus for
honors and reunions.
This year's honoree was Kevin Gryboski,
a 1995 Wilkes graduate and former Atlanta
Braves pitcher.
Along with Gryboski, President Patrick
Leahy and Dr. Paul Adams, vice president
of student affairs, addressed friends and
family in the crowd.
"The event is designed to celebrate
the legacy of Wilkes athletics. It brings
former student-athletes, current studentathletes, coaches, staff and faculty, friends
and alumni together to celebrate the rich
tradition of Wilkes:'
Adams is heavily involved with the
academics and even more so with athletics
at Wilkes. He is known for his reputation
among the student-athletes on campus.
He knows most athletes on a personal
level; between the president and himself,
the athletes are kept involved and in check
on campus.
This year's Share the Spirit event turned
out to be very successful. There were
plenty of refreshments going around as the
marching band put on a show along with

the cheerleaders on campus.
Drs. Leahy and Adams also kept the
crowd involved by asking questions and
recognizing the different teams and alumni
that attended the event.
Adams felt the need to reach out to the
alumni and thank them wholeheartedly
for all that they do for the campus. At a
small institution like Wilkes, it is hard to
find the funding each sport needs to get by
each season. The alumni play a huge part
in funding their respective sport after they
leave.
"Wilkes alumni support our athletics
program in so many ways: with their
financial support, their attendance at
athletic contests, their service on University committees like the Athletics Hall of Fame
selection committee, and coaching search
committees;' he said.
The Share the Spirit event is a way to keep
the alumni involved and give back to the
Wilkes Community for all the alumni do
for the school.
"I think the event accomplished its
intended purpose - to celebrate Wilkes
athletics and to honor a distinguished
former student-athlete - Bryan Gryboski. It
is a great opportunity to bring together our
current student-athletes with our alumni it creates sharing across the generations;'
@wilkesbeacon
jared.powell@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/Purvit Patel

Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs, addresses the crowd
and thanks attendees for not only being a part of Wilkes Athletics, but
sporting Colonel pride to this day.

University welcomes new men's volleyball team in 2016-17
By Evan Willey
Sports Writer

t

Over the years, Wilkes has welcomed
many new teams and clubs in which the
student body can participate and excel.
Soon, students will have another sporting
choice -- men's volleyball. The MAC and
Wilkes have decided to develop a men's
D3 volleyball conference in the 2016-17
academic year.
Joseph Czopek will lead the boys volleyball
team in the 201617 season. The university is
taking the opportunity to expand its sports
offerings to attract prospective students.
Faculty and students may recognize this

coach's name that is because he is already
the women's volleyball coach at Wilkes. This
will not present a problem because women's
volleyball takes place in the fall semester
and the men's team will start playing in the
spring semester.
This gives Czopek a full year of great
volleyball knowledge and will only help the
two teams excel within each other.
"I am excited that Wilkes has given me the
opportunity to be the first men's volleyball
head coach;' he said.
Current volleyball graduate Assistant
Coach, Alex Czopek, is being considered to
be part of the future coaching staff.

The fact that Wilkes already has the
women's program means the university
can take full advantage of using the current'
facility and existing equipment.
To start a new MAC team is a long process
and the process that the men's volleyball
team went through was led by Athletic
Director Addy Malatesta.
When asked about his expectations
about the new team, Czopek said the main
expectation will be to fill the full roster of
athletes and field a motivated team that will
be competitive in the new conference being
established.
As a coach, he is looking forward to

qualifying for the conference playoffs and
to have team members be recognized on the
All-Conference Team.
Just being recognized within the MAC
will be a great start for the new program.
Czopek has high hopes for this new
endeavor at the university and is optimistic
about the future.
"Once qualified for the playoffs, anything
can happen from there;' he stated.

~ @wilkesbeacon

~ evan.willey@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

---~-----~--~---

The Beacon - October 13, 2015

By Purvit Patel
Sports Writer
Taylor Ryan is a junior communication
studies major and plays forward on Wilkes
Field Hockey Team.
Q: What was the driving force behind
your decision to come to Wilkes?
A: I am from Virginia and was recruited
to play field hockey, so originally that was
the driving force. Once I visited, the Comm.
Department was definitely what I needed to
make my decision.

Q: Post Grad.uation Plans in
Career?
·
·

terms of a

A: I hope to work in the public relations
field or as a part of the marketing team for a
professional sports team.
0

Q: What

,

are your hopes for your third

season as a Colonel?
A: !have htsh expectations fur this ~on
as we have a lot of talent that came on this
year. I hope to make anothet appearance in
the MAC,finals.

Q: When/Why did you first begin playing
field hockey?

A: I started playing when I was in
elementary school after I first moved into
my area. I just wanted to get involved in a
sport and had tried a lot of others, but didn't
really like any of them.
Q: If you had to choose one thing about
Wilkes' Field hockey Program that you
could improve, what would it be?
,
A: We could really use a new lock.er room
(we barely fit in ours), but I thin.k:that our
program has grown in a short amount of
time and we are headed to reach our full
potential. It is just -awesome to be part of
this.

Sports

Q: Do you have other sports/interest/
hobbies off of the field?

A: rm a waitress, so between work, hockey.
and school, a lot of time is being taken up.
Other than that. hanging out with friends and
hanging out with D:lY dog.
Q: Who , would you say is the most
influential person in your life?,
A: l can't pick one, so fd just say my family
in general. My parents give up almost every
weekend in the fall to make the drive up h,ere
and make sure I have someone in the stands.
They are all my support S)'Jtem. but also make
sure I'm always improving whether iB in
sports or just life in general.

Q: A quote you live your life by?

· A: "You are confined only by the waifs p
bwdyoursetr&gt;
·
Q: Do you have any advice for the
wstudent athletes beginning their
seasons and semesters?
A: It isn't easy:but in the end it'll be the best
decision you make. Talre it all in. because it
goes by a Jot faster than you expect

Q: How do , you feel about the ~hanges
being made to campus this year? What do
you like or dislike?
A: I like all the changes. I think the gateway
looks awesome and makes it feel like a unified
campus. I'm excited for the new Comm.
Department to be underway.

22

•

�2

Sports

The Beacon - October 13, 2015

23

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"GET

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•
By Purvlt Patel

at our home gamea.

Sports Writer

-

Q: Do JOU have other sports/inf.erest/
hobbies offof the 6eld?

Colvin is a soccer player from
Stroudsburg, Pa., who majors in chemistry
at Wilkes University.
0

•• 2
•• 7

•12

Q: What was the driving force. for your
decision to come to Wilkes?

A: I visited a lot of schools as a senior and
Wilkes felt like the best fit. Also, as a science
major, having a new science building was a
plus.

most

A; My parents.
"

Q: A quote you live your llfe by?

A: "Life is a beach. fm just playin' in the
sand" -Lil Wayne,

A: Going for my masters degree in

Q: .Qo you have any advice for the
freshmen student athletes beginnmg their
freshman seasons and semesters?

chemistry.
Q: What are your hopes for your third

A:. Finish the season with a good record

and.make the playoffs.
Q: When/Why did you first begin playing
soccer?
A: I started when I was 6 and-enjoyed j.t so

rve stuck with it since.

,19

Q: Who would you say is the
influential person in your life?

Q: Post graduation plans in terms of a
Career? .

season as a Colonel?

.14

A: In the winter, I snowboard as much as
I can.

Q: If you had to choose one thing about
Wtlkes' s«.cet Program that you ~
~ what would it bet

A: It would be nice to haw a.field closer to
campus •- that way we could get inore'fans

A; Don't fall behind in work or $tudyjng.
because it'll come back to bite you in the
end.

Q: How 'do you feel about the changes
being made to campus this year? What do
you like or dislike?
A: 1he changes made this year have
une,roved my experience at wmr. front
p,rev.ious years (espedallyWhidl Wial).

@wilkesbeacon

purvtt.patel@w.ilkes.edu

�.J
The Beacon - October 13, 2015

. r

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�</text>
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                <elementText elementTextId="366514">
                  <text>&lt;p&gt;This is Wilkes University's &lt;em&gt;Beacon&lt;/em&gt; Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the &lt;em&gt;Beacon's&lt;/em&gt; predecessors, &lt;em&gt;The Bucknell Bison Stampede&lt;/em&gt;, 1934-1935 and &lt;em&gt;The Bucknell Beacon&lt;/em&gt;, 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 &lt;a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua"&gt;Bucknell University's Special Collections Department&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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                    <text>The Beacon - October 27, 2015

D □

l.

Students thank donors for $3.3 million gift -- Page 4
r

�he Beacon - October 27, 2015

TheBeac

Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor: sarah.bedford@wilkes.edu

Editorial Staff
2015-16
MANAGERIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief - James Jaskolka
Managing Editor-Ashley ~~

Adviser - Or. Kalen Churcher
Social Media Director -Alyssa Mursch
Seeking AclYertlsin9 Director
SECTION EDITORS
News - Sarah Bedford
LA&amp;E - Nicole Zukowski, Justin Topa
Opinion - Mandy Stickles
Sports - Rachel Leandri
ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Gabby Glinski
LA&amp;E -Austin Ely
Opinion - Sara Pisak
Sports - Danny Van Brunt, Andre Spurell
DESIGN EDITORS
Nicole Kutos

•

Interested in Joining the Beacon? To
learn more about the positions we
offer and what you can do, contact
james.jaskolkabutler@wilkes.edu

130 S. River St.
First Floor, Conyngham Hall

Wilkes Unive,ntity

WIikes-Bane, PA 18766
Phone - (570) 40W903

--~

Beacon Briefs
Wtlkes Honors Program Sponsors Book Drive
The Wilkes University chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the national
English honor society, is sponsoring a book drive across Luzerne
county. Boxes for donations are established in the following
places: Mountain Top: Kirby Library. Plymouth: Wyoming
Valley West High School. Tamaqua: Marian Catholic. West
Hazleton: Holy Name of Jesus Parish. Wilkes-Barre: City Hall;
Wilkes Uniyersity; Barnes &amp; Noble on Public Square; Schiel's
Family Market. Spanning until November 20, all books received
will be donated to Ruth's Place House of Hope, Inc. and St.
Hedwig's Veterans Home. For more information, contact Sara
Pisak at (570)-401-7196 or at sara.pisak@wilkes.edu.
Work Study Positions Available
Wilkes University Student Government is hiring qualified
individuals for new work study positions. There are several
hours available to work and pay will start at $7.50 an hour. Work
study studepts will serve as cashiers in the new club room that
Student Government has developed. A full job description and
an application can be picked up from the info desk in the SUB.

U.N. Lecture Series
The Wilkes U.N. will be hosting a U.N. World Food
Programme on Syria on Oct 27 at 4 p.m. in the Henry Student
Center Miller Room. For more information, conact Mildred
Urban at event.productions@wilkes.edu.
Influenza Vaccine
Wilkes University Health &amp; Wellness Department is offering
the Influenza vaccine Fluzone Quadrivalent at a cost of $20.00,
payable by check made out to Wilkes University or cash.
Vaccines will be given during regular office hours. There is a
limited number of shots available which are offered on a firstcome, first-serve basis.
GET Funds for Flex and Dinning Dollars
Wilkes University Business Operations launched the "GET
Funds" application. The GET Funds application allows you add
Dining and Flex Dollars from any computer, laptop or mobile
device. Login to the MyWilkes Portal Student Services tab for the
sign-in page and create your account. If you have any questions,
please contact Business Operations at studentmeals@wilkes.
edu.

SG Notes: Constitutional changes, NSO, vehicles
Staff Report
Week7

On Wednesday, Wilkes University's
Student Government held its weekly
meeting.
IEEE presented its revised club
constitution for review to the board.
Changes included revisions to their
national dues, officer titles, elections,
meeting notifications, and subcommittees.
The board will vote on the constitutional
changes next week.
The Nursing Student Organization
(NSO) came in for week 2 of 2 to ask for
a fund request to attend a conference.
The conference is the Student Nurses
Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP)
Convention. While there, students will
participate in an NCLEX Bowl, NCLEX
Review Sessions, hear speakers and attend
workshops. By attending, students will
gain knowledge that can be shared with the
entire nursing class and bring attention to
Wilkes. There are 16 students participating
in the conference, 10 officers from NSO
and six additional participants from the

organization. Student Government casted
their vote and approved the request.
IRHC also presented week 1 of2 for their
constitutional revisions. Changes included
membership, voting rights, and procedures.
The changes were made to make IRHC
more inclusive to the campus community.
The board will vote next week.
Capital Projects came ·in for week 1 of
2 for fund approval of a new commuter
lounge in the Hiscox room. Funds are
requested for storage units, lounge
furniture, and a bulletin board as well as
a few suggestions such as a TV which was
discussed at the meeting.
The board will vote on the final budget
next week.
SG Vehicle policy changes were
discussed. Changes were made to ensure the
proper use of the vehicles by undergraduate
students only as well as vehicle up keep.
The council reviewed the treasurer's
report. The current budget is as follows: All
College: $749.88, General Funds: $5,493.26
Conference: $5,000, Spirit: $2,000.00 for a
Student Government total of$13,243.14.

table of contents
news.......•........2
m

life, a&amp;e........... 7
_spread............ 12
opinion-........ 14

�The Beacon - October 27, 2015

3

News

University educates students, realities of sexual assault
By Alyssa Mursch
Social Media Director
Sexual assault is a growing issue on college
campuses, and even more alarming are the
attitudes and misconceptions surrounding it.
According to Sarah Lawrence College, 1 in
4 women will be the victim of a sexual assault
during her academic career. Moreover, 48.8
percent of those women that met the study's
definition of rape did not consider what
happened to them rape.
It is important to note that both men and
women are victims of sexual assault. The
issue being raised by these statistics isn'f
one of sex, but rather perception. What do
college students consider rape, and how does
this affect their likelihood to report it when it
happens to them?
Based on a survey given to more than 30
students, both male and female, at Wilkes
University, there are some disparities as to
what qualifies as rape. Of the 33 students
surveyed, six did not consider it rape if one
person says no but flirts, sends naked photos,
or leads the other person on beforehand.
The survey explicitly states that the victim
said no, and yet because he or she showed
some type of interest beforehand, 18 percent
of students did not consider this to be rape.
Other questions that received mixed
responses were whether or not it is
considered rape if the victim said no but
made the first move or was in a relationship
with the offender.
These misconceptions are just one of the

many reasons that victims of sexual assault
may be reluctant to come forward, often
times accompanied with embarrassment,
fear, and not wanting to tell their stories
again.
'Tm concerned that the students surveyed
didn't think_that those questions equated to
rape. If one person says "no" at any point
during a sexual encounter, and the other
person still forces it, it is rape," said Dean
Gretchen Yeninas.
"It doesn't matter who initiated sex. It
doesn't matter how much flirting went on."
Yeninas deals with these cases first hand,
as she has been a · board member for the
Victims Resource Center for 16 years and
recently became Dean of Student Affairs at
Wilkes University.
The most recent Clery Report shows
that there were four incidents of rape in
2014 at Wilkes University, and that is only
accounting for those that were reported.
This issue is not without solution. Being
informed is only the first step, but it is an
important one.
"I want students to know that there is a
team of people in Student Affairs that are
here to help, no matter how a student chooses
to proceed. Counselors are available, on and
off camps, free of charge," Yeninas said. "No
one is going to judge a student or blame a
student for what happened... No one should
feel alone."

~
•

·@wilkesbeacon
a/yssa.mursch@wilkes.edu

Percentage of Wilkes students surveyed that believe
it's not rape if the person flirted, sent nude photos
or otherwise led them on.

D

females
males

Graphic by Ashley Evert

Students were randomly selected to gain insight on what the Wilkes campus
community may consider to be sexual assault or not. St udents answered a ·
va riety of quest ions as well as provided t heir year and gender. Questions were
created based upon findings of other campus sexual assault surveys.

What if it happened to me? Steps to take after an assault
By Sarah Bedford
JJews Editor
Sexual assault is always a topic of concern
at the university level.
Dr. Philip Ruthkosky, associate dean
of Student Development as well as the
university's Deputy Title IX Coordinator
explains that while being able to have a
conversation about sexual assault is critical,
being informed on what to do if an individual
or peer is assaulted is just as important.
"Get to a safe place is what initially we
want to have happen;' Ruthkosky said.
According to the university's "Sexual
Misconduct Policy and Procedures:' if an
individual is a victim of sexual assault, or
witness to a sexual assault, the first step is
to get the victim to a safe place as soon as
possible.
Ruthkosky explained that if the victim is
trapped by the perpetrator, call 911.
Once safe, the next step is to seek immediate

medical attention. Ruthkosky emphasized
that by seeking medical attention, the victim
is not required to report it to authorities.
However, when an alleged victims calls 911,
the Victim's Resource Center is notified.
They will meet the victim at the hospital
and will cover the cost of care. The Victim's
Resource Center is not required to notify the
university on any calls or reports.
A confidential counselor will be made
available to the victim who by law, cannot
reveal any details of the situation to officials.
If the victim is not in a life threatening
situation, the Department of Public Safety
can be reached at (570) 408-4999 or Student
Affairs staff person on-call at (570) 362-8346.
The next step is to preserve any evidence
once the victim is in a safe place. Any articles
that may contain the offender's DNA should
be saved, so victims should not bathe or
shower, use the restroom, change clothing,
comb hair, clean the crime scene or move
anything the offender may have touched.

The final step a victim may choose to take,
but is not required to, is to file a report with
Student Affairs or Public Safety.
"Someone who is categorized as a
responsible employee at a university knows
or reasonably should know there was a
sexual assault on or off campus dealing with
one of the students, is required to report that
to someone at the university who handles
that;' Ruthkosky explained.
Everyone employed at Wilkes is a
responsible employee except people at
Health Services. Those individuals at Health
Services are considered to fall under the "safe
space" category. Confidential conversations
are critical according to Ruthkosky for
students to know what their options are.
If a student reports it directly to Student
Affairs or other related employees, they will
do their best to maintain confidentially but
must also review the safety of the campus
community. They can only move forward
with investigations with victim's consent.

While it is ultimately the victim's choice
to report a case, Ruthkosky explained that
in informing students what options and
services they will have available to them will
hopefully encourage them to come forth
with allegations.
"There is no right or wrong way to go
about it;' Ruthkosky said.
One such way the university has been
informing students on sexual assault is
through the Bystander Intervention Training
Program.
The program focuses on teaching students
creative ways to intervene before an assault
occurs. By going through the training,
Ruthkosky hopes more students will develop
and use that skill set to save peers from future
trauma.
"You as one .. individual can change a
persons life:'

@wilkesbeacon
acah.bed(ocd@wilkes.e.......__

r

�_J

The Beacon - October 27, 2015

News

4

-University dedicates school as Passan School of Nursing

John Passan speaks at the dedication for the Passan School of Nursing after donating a record-breaking $3.3 mllllon.
Wilkes Marketing Communications
Wilkes University recently received a $3.3
million gift - the largest in the institution's
history - to support its School of Nursing.
The gift, given by local businessman and
philanthropist John J. Passan of WilkesBarre, and his wife, Ann, will be used to
create a dedicated, permanent endowment
for the school.
The gift will transform nursing
education at Wilkes for both graduate and
undergraduate nursing students, enabling
expanded opportunities for technology and
professional development experiences.
• The nursing school was renamed the
Passan School of Nursing in Passan's honor
at a dedication ceremony on, Oct. 21.
"Wilkes University thanks John and Ann
Passan for their vision in giving this gift
to the School of Nursing, which now will
bear John Passan's name;' said University
President Patrick F. Leahy. "Such an
investment reflects an awareness of not only
what nursing education at Wilkes is - but,

more importantly, what it can be, given the
resources this his contribution provides."
Passan founded Valley Distributing
&amp; Storage Co. of Wilkes-Barre. He has
supported a number of charitable causes in
the region, including previous support to
Wilkes. The building at 267 South Franklin
St., which currently houses the office of the
university's dean of students, health and
wellness services and residence life, bears his
name.
"My wife and I have a deep respect for
health care professionals and especially
nurses;' Passan said. "It is very exciting for us
to know the possibilities the Passan School
of Nursing will bring to Wilkes University
nurses and the health of this community and
beyond:'
Nursing school Dean Deborah Zbegner
said the Passan gift provides valuable
programmatic support to Wilkes' nursing
programs.
"The School of Nursing faculty joins me
in thanking Mr. Passan for his support. With

its dedication as the Passan School of Nursing,
we enter a new era in nursing education with
new resources:' Zbegner said. ''As technology
continues to rapidly evolve, this funding will
allow us to provide advanced technology
in our simulation center and programs,
increase online journal holdings in library
databases and grow scholarly opportunities
for students and faculty:'
Wilkes University tr_ansitioned its
nursing school to become a standalone
school beginning in fall 2014. The move,
which separated it from the Nesbitt School
of Pharmacy, made it the only such nursing
school in the region, reflecting Wilkes' strong
commitment to nursing education.
The Passan School of Nursing offers
a bachelor's degree in nursing and an
accelerated baccalaureate degree in nursing
for those who already hold a bachelor's degree
in another field. On the graduate degree
level, the school offers online master's degree
programs in adult gerontology primary care
nurse practitioner, psychiatric/mental health

nurse practitioner, nursing informatics,
nursing education and nurse executive. An
online program leading to the doctor of
nursing practice was introduced at Wilkes
in 2012 - making it the first institution at
that time to offer the degree in northeast
Pennsylvania.
The Passan School of Nursing's
undergraduate nursing program places
nursing students in clinical rotations during
their sophomore year -- an opportunity
unique among nursing programs. Students
experience three years of clinical education,
giving them more opportunity to explore
specialties and making them more prepared
to work in hospitals.
In addition, Wilkes has a Clinical Nursing
Simulation Center, which is one of the
most advanced in the region. The center is
credited with helping students become more
prepared than ever to enter clinical rotations
in hospitals. ·

"'

�The Beacon - October 27, 2015

5

News

Profile of a Professor: Dr. Chris Zarpentine, philosophy
ByToni Pennello
Staff Writer
How do people make moral decisions?
Why is it that certain moral questions do not
translate well into action? These are only a
few questions pondered by Chris Zarpentine,
assistant professor of philosophy. Zarpentine
has worked at Wilkes since 2013, and
specializes in moral psychology, a discipline
which integrates philosophy, psychology,
and neuroscience.
Zarpentine has been in the field of moral
psychology for almost ten years. "What is
unique about the ways I approach these
questions is that for many thousands of years
philosophers have been asking these sorts of
questions, but only recently have scientists
and psychologists been able to study them
in a more systematic way;' he said. "I try to
ask philosophical questions in a way that is
informed by the interesting research being
done in psychology and neuroscience:'
Even though he specializes in this area of
philosophy, the courses he teaches as well as
his interests are not restricted. "We're a small
program, so I teach broadly. It's great because
I am interested in almost every aspect of

I found that to be a great part of
being a philosopher:'
Zarpentine didn't discover his
interest in philosophy until he
began his undergraduate studies as
a music major at Ithaca College. He
realized that jobs in music would
not work for him, and decided
to take up philosophy instead. "I
think that's the way a lot of people
discover philosophy, because most
people don't take philosophy in
high school;' he said.
.
He is also on the Institutional
Review Board, responsible for
protecting the human subjects
involved in research. As an
ethicist, the 'protection of human
subjects is important to him. He
is also working with pyshology
professor Ellen Newell to form
The Beacon/Jesse Chalnick and advise a student organization
which will focus on the intersection
of philosophy and psychology.
philosophy;' he explained. Zarpentine
Whenever he has free time, Zarpentine
has taught .courses like logic and ancient
philosophy, and will be teaching philosophy likes to do things like hike and read. "I have
of the mind and environmental ethics. 'Tm a two year old now, so many weekends are
allowed to be interested in many things, and spent at the playground:'

essor
o see
con?

r

@wilkesbeacon
toniann.pennello@wilkes.edu

"The Hunting Ground" screening
Safety vs. university reputation
By Gabby Glinski
Asst. News Editor

•

On Oct. 20, Student Affairs hosted a
viewing of the award winning documentary
"The Hunting Ground" to bring awareness
to sexual assault on university and college
campuses.
Dean of Student Development Philip
Ruthkosky and Elizabeth Swantek, director
of residence life, presented the film to educate
students on the cover up of sexual assault
on campuses by colleges and universities.
Ruthkosky described the institutional
phenomena as "a fight between the safety of
students and the reputation of the university:'
"The Hunting Ground;' directed by Kirby
Dick, is a documentary featuring a variety
of college students sharing their struggle
with the process of reporting sexual assault
on their respective college campuses. The
film specifically follows two students and
their protest of unfair treatment of sexual
assault victims by college administrators
through Title IX, a federal law that prohibits

discrimination on basis of sex.
The film includes an array of statistics that
are meant to stun the viewer. The film claims,
"88% of women who are raped on college or
university campuses do not report it;' due to
colleges condemning the persecution of the
assailants.
"I want you to think, what can I do as a
student?" Ruthkosky stated, wanting students
to use the film to further educate themselves
on learning the signs of a victim of sexual
assault and becoming an engaged bystander.
Through education, Ruthkosky believes
that sexual assault will become easier to
report on Wilkes campus.
For
more
information
on
the
documentary and its message, visit www.
thehuntinggroundfilm.com. The film can be
rented or bought on Amazon or in the iTunes
Store.
To learn more about sexual assault on
campus, check page 3.

@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

Rotten Tomatoes

r

�.J
The Beacon - October 27, 2015

News

6

Kihinga George tneets Wilkes friends after years of support
Zebra Communications; press conference on Tanzanian education
ByToni Pennello
Staff Writer
On Oct. 12, students and local media
met in Breiseth Hall for a conversation and
press conference with a well-dressed and
· enthusiastic Kihinga George, a 21 -year-old
Tanzanian student.
Since 2011 , Zebra Communications,
the student-run PR agency of the
communication studies department, has
sponsored the education of four students in
Tanzania. George was orphaned by the AIDS
virus. Communication studies professor Jane
Elmes Crahall oversees the agency.
Anthropology Professor Linda Winkler
has been aiding children and families
devastated by AIDS in George's hometown of
Karagwe, Tanzania, for 15 years.
George has shown a lot of potential in his
studies, and hopes to become a doctor or
pharmacist in his hometown, where medical
services are lacking. When asked how he
maintained his ambition and strength
through overwhelming obstacles, he simply
said that he saw a need in his community
and has decided to answer the call no matter
what.
George, who visited Wilkes for about a
week, has met his sponsors for the first time
and also seen America for the first time. Here
he ate his first ice cream, learned how to tie

Weird News
By Ga b by Glinski
Asst. News Editor
PENNSYLVANIA

According to a Yahoo! News report,
two Pennsylvania cheese manufacturers
were charged with conspiracy after selling
mislabeled cheese. The cheese, labeled
Parmesan ~d Romano but actually
coltaining cheddar and Swiss, didn't
conform to federal standards. The company
has been charged with misbranding food as
part of a scheme.
NEW JERSEY

Joseph Greenwood allegedly used a
police summons as toilet paper. After being
released on a charge of threatening assault,
Greenwood placed the summons between
his "butt cheeks;' made a wiping motion
and threw it at an officer, Newser reported.
Greenwood was then charged with throwing
bodily fluids at a police officer.

a tie and took his first selfie. He also saw
firsthand what it was like to be a student in
America while attending classes.
Higher education in Tanzania is radically
different than it is in the United States. At
the press conference, it was announced that
George had been accepted to university;
however, his acceptance must still be
reviewed by the school board. Since there
are so few universities, it is very competitive.
George will be placed in the biology program
based on testing, because students do not get
to choose their own field.
At the press conference, George presented
Elmes-Crahall with a handmade map of his
town, the bottom of which depicted shaking
hands, one hand showing an American flag,
and the other a Tanzanian flag. George was
then presented with a Wilkes hoodie, which
he immediately put on.
Despite the opposition he has faced,
George remains determined to empower
himself through his education and also help
his community. He continuously expressed
appreciation to the students and faculty who
have worked to sponsor him, and credited
them as his inspiration.
''Ambition in education is the key to life;'
he said.
~
,

@wilkesbeacon
toniann.pennello@wilkes.edu

LON DON

British man Jeff Woolmer was fo rced to
move homes after winning a seven-ton army
tank on an online auctioh, paying $14,000.
The massive ex-Canadian military vehicle
forced him to move to find a place with more
parking space. Surprisingly, with the correct
paperwork, it is possible to drive tanks on
roads in the UK.
PENNSYLVANIA

According to police, a woman was arrested
after she broke into a neighbor's house and
washed clothes in the bathtub. Kelly Bancroft,
44, is charged with burglary and trespassing
after the neighbor found her in the bathroom
with water, shampoo and clothing in the
bathtub.
CNN

Rapper Wacka Flocka Flame announced
in a Funny or Die video his bid for speaker of
the house, dismissing his dream of running
for president last spring after realizing he was
too young for he role. If he wins, his plans
include implementing "cool things" like
marijuana legalization, women's rights and

Photo Courtesy of Zebra Communications

L-R: Zebra officer Amanda Kornak, Kahinga George, Tanzanian nurse Martha and
Zeb ra Co-Chair Justin Topa.
gun control, and blocking "stupid" things
such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, voter
ID laws and a wall between the United States
and Mexico.
ALASKA

A man legally named Santa Claus won a
three-year city council term in an Alaskan
town called North Pole. According to news
reports, the 68-year-old man has a natural
white beard and donned a red suit for the
campaign. Claus is an advocate fo r legislation
and services that benefit at-risk children.
OREGON

A Subway unknowingly served a dead
mouse in one of its sandwiches. The mouse
was found in an Italian sub by Matt Jones,
who snapped a picture of the unusual find
and posted it to social media. The animal
was likely scooped out of the bottom of
the spinach bin, according to a USA Today
report. Luckily, local health officials said
there was a low chance of sickness from the
food.
NEWYORK

Buster the kangaroo experienced a few
minutes of freedom in New York City. Buster

and his owner were visiting friends on Staten
Island when the 3-foot tall marsupial slipped
through an unlocked gate. The New York City
Police Department confirms they responded
to a call of a wild animal hopping in an auto
shop parking lot. The owner was not charged
in the incident, as marsupials are allowed in
upstate New York but not in New York City.
AUSTRALIA

An Australian chicken restaurant, Chicken
Treat, has an unusual PR coordinator. Betty
the Chicken tweets promotions for the
restaurant in hopes of eventually typing a
legible five letter word. While Betty's latest
tweet "79./. al " is not a Guinness World
Record, she did allegedly type "bum" once.
In retaliation to blowback from animal
rights activists, Chicken Treat tweeted that
the effort has been "been approved by (the
Australian Royal Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals) &amp; abides by all
standards regarding animal welfare:'
~
,

@wilkesbeacon
gabrielle.glinski@wilkes.edu

.

�7

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

The B~acon - October 27, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment
Have a story or want your event to be featured? Contact the Life, A&amp;E Editors: Nicole.Zukowski@wilkes.edu or Justin.Topa@wilkes.edu

Just what the doctor ordered
Wilkes professor makes directorial debut with The Rocky Horror Show
Staff Reports
Sitting in his office on the third floor of
the Stark Learning Center, Dr. Tom Franko
excitedly discusses one of his ongoing
research projects stopping only long enough
to answer an advisee's registration question.
He then chats with a colleague before
moving onto further organizing a neatly
stacked pile of papers on his desk.
It's
5
p.m. on a
Thursday,
but
for
Franko, an
assistant
professor
of pharmacy
practice, the
work day
is far from
finished .
Once
he
leaves Stark,
he'll head
to the Little
Franko
Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, where
he is making his directorial debut with The
Rocky Horror Show - the stage version of
the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show.
According to the show's Facebook page,
"Innocent young Brad and Janet seek refuge
in a mysterious castle on a rainy night.
Inside, they encounter the lab of Dr. Frank
'N' Furter and his madcap gaggle of aliens
and misfits, who lead the young couple
on an intergalactic adventure of sexual
discovery and rock-and-roll:'
"Understanding art helps people better
understand people;' Franko said, adding
that medicine is more than simply treating a
disease - it's treating the person.
So while some people may think
Franko, who has been active as an actor in
community theater since 2011, is unique
with such an artistic pastime outside of his
medically minded job, he sees it as making
perfect sense.
After performing in shows like Spamalot,
Anything Goes, The Crucible, Barefoot in

Courtesy of On My Cue Photography and Productions

The Rocky Horror Show at Wilkes-Barre's Little Theatre takes place this week. From left, first row, Ben Steitz,
Ericka Law, Karl Kleist and Ashley Firestine. Back row; Mike Wawrzynek.
the Park and Les Miserables, Franko felt it
was "time to get (his) name out there" as a
director as well as an actor.
"It's a lot of work. As an actor, you stay on
stage ... and go with it;' he explained. "As a
director, I need to know where everyone has
to go and why:'
One thing that has helped Franko
with Rocky is a number of returning cast
members. Little Theatre put on The Rocky
Horror Show last October, and a number
of actors are returning the their past roles,
such as Mike Wawrzynek and Ericka Law.
Wawrzynek plays the platform-shoewearing Dr. Frank n' Furter, while Law plays
the innocent goody-two-shoes Janet Weiss.
"(Dr. Frank n' Furter) is rarely subtle in
his movements or reactions;' Wawrzynek

said. ''I've almost likened him to a silent
movie star in the way that he reacts so
grandiosely and impulsively to everything
that happens to him.
"I do everything in my power to keep the
audience on their toes - so don't be surprised
if I end up in the audience multiple times
throughout the night:'
Show goers can expect to be scared,
shocked, surprised and entertained, cast
members .said.
"There are multiple scenes in this show
where you are forced to be rather close and
intimate with other cast mates:• Law said.
"... It allows you to be yourself and let loose:'
That's what Franko hope the audience can
also do - let loose.
Fans of the film or stage show know

how important audience interaction is
to The Rocky Horror Show, he said. Little
Theatre will have "prop bags" available for
$5 so attendees can participate in the show's
activities, too. At Friday night's show, the
cast will be available for on-stage photos
with audience me1i1bers; cost is a "suggested
donation;' Franko added.
The Rocky Horror Show runs at 8 p.m. on
Oct. 29 and 30 and 3 p.m. on Nov. 1. There
will also be a midnight Halloween show.
Wilkes University students are eligible for
free tickets with their ID.
For additional information on Rocky
Horror or other upcoming Little Theatre
Shows, visit www.ltwb.org.

r

�_J

The Beacon - October 27, 2015

8

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

-students help raise awareness of social issuses

df

\

I
The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

BACCHUS PresidentTroy Carey, reads about the alarming statisic of sexual
violence at the "Stop the Hate, Stop the Violence" event last Thursday.

The Beacon/ Jesse chalnick

On Oct. 21, BACCHUS held their annual Wilkes Alcohol Awareness Walk to
increase the education of the risks of alcohol.

The Beacon/ Rebecca Voorhees

WCLH Programimng Director Markeata White speaks to the audience about the
station's late DJ Moe at the "Stop the Hate, Stop the Violence" event.

The Beacon/ Jesse Chalnick

Walkers in the 2015 Wilkes alcohol awareness walk made the journey from the
Wilkes Greenway, across the Market Street Bridge to Kirby park and back.

�The Beacon - October 27, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

9

MSC: one world, one university
By Andre Spure/1
Sports Asst. Editor

If you're looking to learn about different
cultures without having to sit through
lots of classes, look ~o further than the
Multicultural Student Coalition Club.
The multicultural student coalition, or
MSC, is a club has been around for a few
years and its purpose is to let students
discuss their cultures and get to know each
other better as a result.
"Students get to come together and each
student gets to learn about each other's
culture which is what I like most about
the club;' stated Erica Acosta, the faculty
adviser of MSC.
One of the biggest issues the club tackled
was the "Black Lives Matter" protest, which
took place at the Henry Student Center
back in March.
The purpose was to stand up for African
Americans like Eric Garner and Trayvon
Martin, who got their lives taken away due
to police brutality and violence. The idea
was brought up by senior Erica Chambers,
president of the club, and turned out to be
a huge success.
The former president, Kayla Rooney,
helped Chambers with the idea of having
,
a protest or rally on the issue.

"It's especially important for a school like
Wilkes, since we're so small, to spread light
on these issues because I feel everyone is
silent here about issues like this;' Chambers
said.
When the club originally started, there
really was no clear purpose or motive
behind it, so about two years ago, the
students involved with the club decided
to do something about it. Recent Wilkes
graduate and former president of MSC,
Jaleel Sterling, is credited with helping turn
the club around according to current and
former members.
What the club is probably most known
for is the "One World Party;' which includes
dancing and food from different countries,
and allows for people to interact with each
other and discuss their cultures. The party
typically includes different genres of music
from around the world and a talent show
which is open to everyone on campus.
"This is a club where you can learn
about different cultures, meet new friends,
and learn more things, which I'm sure
is something people would like to do;'
Chambers said.

ANSOFWIL
UNIVERSITY

..a- @wilkesbeacon
andre.spurell@wilkes.edu

The Beacon/ Nicole Zukowski
MSC prompts a link between diversity and acceptance on campus.

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The Beacon - October 27, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

10

-GSA hosts lecture to debunk LGBT+ myths
By Austin Ely
Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment Asst. Editor

On Oct. 21 , the Wilkes University's Gay
Straight Alliance hosted a special lecture
from Michael A. Bronski of Dartmouth
College and Harvard University, who
visited Wilkes to continue the discussion
about gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual and
transgender communities.
The topic of discussion was centered
around a book called "You Can Tell Just
By Looking: And 20 Other Myths about
LGBT Life and People," which was written
in collaboration between Bronski, Ann
Pellegrini and Michael Amico.
In the book there are actually 21 myths
outlined in five parts that pertain to the
LGBT life and people.
Bronski started the discussion by passing

out copies of the table of contents of the
book. He asked the audience, which
was comprised of about thirty people,
which myths seemed foreign or unusual.
He also prefaced the discussion with an
explanation about myths and what the
purpose of myths are.
Almost immediately the discussion fired
off as those fro~ the audience asked for
clarifications and explanations about some
of the myths.
The myths that were discussed ranged
from the first myth, which is "You can
tell who's gay just by looking" to myth 17
which is "Positive Visibility in the Media
Increases Tolerance and Acceptance of
LGBT People" as well as myth 21, "Getting
Tested on a Regular Basis Helps Prevent
the Spread of HIV?'

However, the bulk of the discussion
focused around myth 17, which sparked
an extensive discussion about the media's
role in depicting LGBT people in a positive
way.
"What is the difference between
acceptance and tolerance?" Bronski asked,
directing his question at the audience to
answer.
He also said that the definition
of "visibility" is also important ·in
understanding this myth. He provided the
example of how visibility did not help the
jews during World War II and therefore the
visibility in the media for LGBT people, at
times, does not help either.
Bronski then challenged the audience
to think of a T. V. show that would be the
most accurate representation on everyday

life for a member of the LGBT cpmmunity.
Professor of Communication Studies
Mia Briceno was present at the discussion
and cautioned that people must be weary
of the media and how it portrays gay,
lesbian, bisexual, asexual and transgender
characters because these characters are
often defined by that trait alone.
Bronski's visit lasted almost two hours
and curated some valuable points to add
to the ongoing discussion about LGBT life.
It strengthens the understanding of
Wilkes professors and students alike, and
makes way for tolerance and acceptance
of people who do not define themselves as
heterosexual or cisgender in this world.
@wilkesbeacon
austin.ely@wilkes.edu

New Contest: Find the 4 differences
Follow us for a chance to win prizes!

- - @wilkesbeacon

Tweet us the 4 differences first for a chance
to win a Dunkin' Donuts gift card!
•

�The Beacon ·- October 27, 2015

Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment

11

Expression through physical appearance
A look into a professional life affected by body art
By Austin Ely
Life, Arts &amp; Entertainment Asst. Editor
In this series, Austin Ely will explore
different topics about expressing ones
self through a physical form of body art.

More people, especially employers
and recruiters, are beginning to realize
and understand that body art does not
determine the skill or expertise of a person.
More people, especially millennials
between the ages of 19 to 25, are getting
tattoos and according to a Pew research
study titled "A Portrait of Generation
Next;' more than a third of millennials
have at least one tattoo.
This means that as millennials continue
to enter the workforce employers and
recruiters will continue to see more
employees and clients who have body art.
In a previous article in this series titled
"Expression through physical appearance:
A change of perceptions in the professional
realm;' there was a distinction made
between two different job fields. Those two
job fields consisted of the conservative job
field and the liberal arts job field.
These two professional realms differ in
how they address body art in the work
environment. Where one is more cautious
of its employees' appearance in regards
to body art and the other may not be as
concerned with it.
Susan Zubitne, a senior English and
secondary education major at Wilkes
• University, currently works at a law firm
in the area as well as observes at Coughlin
High School for her observational hours
as part of her secondary education
curriculum.
She also has a tattoo on the back of her
neck of a skull which has butterfly wings
sprouting from it, surrounded by a spider
web and stars. Her tattoo is also difficult to
hide with just clothes and hair.
Zubitne states that she has had issues in
both the conservative and liberal fields,
especially when majoring in secondary
education.
When talking about the conservative
job field she explained that every day is

The Beacon/ Austin Ely
Visible tattoos in a professional work setting sometimes comes with negative stigmas of unprofessionalism depending
on which type of work one is in. In some environments, visible tattoos can bring a feeling of shame, something Susan
Zubitine, above, experiences often.

a struggle to hide her tattoo and that she
puts her hair down ·even before entering
the law firm.
"You are expected to dress as if you were
walking into the courtroom;' Zubitne said.
"I would likely be looked at as a client if
I walked into the firm with my tattoo
exposed:'
She also explained that special concealer
for tattoos and scarification is relatively
expensive, especially if someone has to use
it every day to conceal their body art.
Zubitne then compared her law firm
experience to her observational experience
at a local high-school.
First, she explained that she was given
a packet in which explained many rules
and procedures when observing in a
school and one of the bullet points in the
packet actually addressed tattoos and their

restrictions. It said that all tattoos must be
covered.
"When students saw my tattoo they never
said anything negative," she said, "but if
any of the teachers or administrators saw
my tattoo they could immediately tell me
to leave just because they saw it."
All though Zubitne has never
experienced having to leave the school
because she makes sure her tattoo is
covered, she expressed that there is still
the feeling of being ashamed of having her
body art when she is in the school.
She also said that at times she has even
questioned whether or not she will be
hired just because of her ink.
However, despite her experience in
having to continuously cover her tattoo
due to the type of work environments she
is in, she has a positive outlook on how

body art defines herself and others.
"Being forced to hide my tattoo on the
basis of society makes me feel like I am
covering up a part of me; my tattoo is part
of me but it does not define me."
The more the discussion of body art in
the workplace is brought up, there can
only be more of an understanding and
acceptance of it.
Zubitne spoke for all those who have
body art and are seeking a career in a
professional field when she stated, "Don't
allow society or anyone to shame you or
make you feel worthless or belittle you for
your tattoos because they are works of art.
Be proud."

..a' @wilk~beacon
- , austin.ely@wilkes.edu

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12

The Beacon - October 27, 2015

"CTHULHU FOUND IN SUSQUEHANNA"

VOLUNTEER TAKES BITE OUT
OF CAMPUS BLOOD DRIVE

Ashley Evert
Managing Editor

Wilkes Barre police were called to the
River Commons late Monday night to
investigate a call about a creature found in
the Susquehanna.
Police would not comment on what was
taken in for lab testing, but a witness was
found at the scene chanting, "Ph'nglui
mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl

fhtagn."
The witness was Emma Thurston, a junior
philosophy major at Wilkes.
"The great priest Cthulhu, from his dark
h ouse in the mighty city of R'lyeh under
the waters, should rise and bring the earth
again beneath his sway. W e knew some day
he would call, when the stars were ready,
and the secret cult would always be waiting
to liberate him," she commented.
Thurston is not the only person to
comment that the creature found in the
river was reminiscent of a science fiction
legend.

"It had this head like a cuttlefish but a
slimy, scaly body like a mix between a
dragon and a fish. I swear I saw tentacles,
too. I know it sounds crazy, but that's what
I saw!" he said.
William Price, professor of English at
Dunsany University, specializes in science
fiction. Price wrote his dissertation on
H.P. Lovecraft's short story, "The Call of
Cthulhu."
"The story was published in 1928, but is
not the first written notion of Cthulhu.
For example, Tennyson wrote a sonnet
titled The Kraken in 1830 that described an
aquatic monster at the bottom of the sea.
This is no new phenomenon," he said.
Price continued, "Authors often draw
inspiration from real life, so who's to say
Lovecraft, Tennyson and dozens of other
authors hadn't actually seen this monster?
Who's to say that we know about every
living thing in our waterways?"

Jax Johansen, freshman criminology major
at Wilkes, was walking along River Street
when he saw the plastic sheet slip off of the
creature the police were examining.

~r~~e!!A SUSPECTS APPREHEND
News Editor

. The string of thefts occurring across
Outta This World Automotives
NEPA was put to an end 1hursda
early Thursday.
.
when police took two felons into y
custody.
Mork, 29 and Nado, 19, have each
been charged with 13 counts of
"Morkie Mork" and "Alf N ad o, ,,
h
~nd theft auto and 666 counts of
as t e two are known in th 1 al
"Gal
e oc
illegal possession of space weaponry.
axy Gang,,, have been arrested
and charged with grand theft auto
,:'-uthorities found hundreds of
after attempting to steal a UFO
li~hts~bers, thermal detonators and
from the space craft dealership,
se1sm1c charges in their getaway

---~-----------

Sara Pisak
Assistant Opinion E ditor

W ilkes University recently
held its annual blood drive
benefiting the American Red
Cross.
However, several news outlets
were quick to report that
suspicious activity ceased the
event from going as planned.
Local vampire Vlad Usturoi is
now the subject of a statewide
manhunt after illegally working
the blood drive held on the
university's campus.
A student, who wished to
remain anonymous to protect
their identity, is quoted saying:
"I observed Mr. Usturoi
placing the donated bags in
the bloodmobile and suddenly
he was gone. It was as ifhe
vanished into thin air."
Usturoi is described as being
six feet two inches tall,
speaking with a foreign accent,
having slicked back, black
hair and was last seen wearing
Halloween themed black and

vehicle, "The Mini Death Star.,,
O utta This World Automotives
Manager Darth Brooks expla' d
th h '
1ne
at e s happy to see the two men
put behind bars.

0~

red scrubs adorned with fangs.
Campus and Wilkes Barre
police are asking anyone with
any information to call 911
immediately.
W ilkes U niversity Professor
Philip Plasma was interviewed
by campus and city police. H e
stated, "Mr. Usturoi was the
phlebotomist who drew my
donation today. In all my years
of donating to the drive, I have
never seen him before, but he
seemed like a great guy."
P lasma continued, "Mr. Usturoi
made me feel comfortable. He
explained that he works with
people and blood everyday
so not to worry! was in good
hands."
According to the WilkesBarre city police report, the
bloodmobile never arrived at its
final destination at the W ilkesBarre Red Cross. Several
witnesses report. a small bat was
seen sitting comfortably on the
dash of the bloodmobile as it
drove away from campus.

t?e

alleged gang, whose main
Victims are those in the UFO and
broomstick business.

Bolice say ~at shop owners, space
craft enthusiasts and Qµidditch
players should lock up their
belongings before dark as to avoid
possible theft.

"Those monsters have caused
enough damage around here ,,
Brooks said in a statement t~ the
public Friday morning. "With part
Those with information on the
of the Galaxy Gang awaiting trial,
Galaxy Gang or who would
we can all rest a bit easier at night.,,
like to report any suspicious or
supernatural activity
· · can report it to
With their arrest, authorities are
the police.
•
on the lookout for more members

D esign by
Nicole Kutos

�.
13

12

FORMER PROFESSOR RETURNS
SEEKS REVENGE
· '
,d

Eric Casey
Staff Writer
Wilkes University's Public Safety
received a call last night from
Kalen Churcher, professor of
communication studies and recent
addition to faculty. City police were
reportedly called in for backup to
investigate the scene at Conyngham
Hall, home of The Beacon student
newspaper.
Once inside, they found Churcher in
shock and almost motionless on the
floor in the middle of newspapers
that had ominous red writing
scribbled on them.

t its

esas
e

lt

"I was just looking through old
• newspapers when suddenly three
knocks came from outside," Churcher
announced to the public this
morning, visibly shaken. "Without
thinking I went to the back door to
let in what I thought was a student
coming to finish a late assignment,
but alas I was wrong."
She said the person at the door
was former Beacon advisor and
communication st:udies professor
Loran Lewis. According to Churcher, ·

tos

he looked ghostly and kept rambling
on about trying to take his job
back.. He swung at her with an AP
style guide book. She said that he
admitted to working with Student
Government to "take (her) down."
"He said they had a secret meeting
around 3 a.m. last Thursday. They
planned for Dr. Lewis to come after
me," she said. "After he told me he's
been spying on me all week, that 's
when I yanked out my phone to call
public safety, but I tripped backwards
and fell. I panicked into the phone,
and then he swiftly ran away."
Churcher is taking an extended
leave of absence at her home. For
now, Lewis is still at large. Rumors
speculate potential plans to scare off
Communication Studies Chair Mark
Stine so he can take over the entire
department. Student Government
and its president Anthony Fanucci:
are to be questioned for possible
suspic,ious activity relating to the
attack.

ZOMBIE SPURS POTENTIAL RABIES
OUTBREAK, UNDEAD ARMY
Gabby Glinski
A ssistant News Editor

everything under control." H e
quickly fled after the address.

On Monday, October 26 at
4:30 a.m., the Wilkes-Barre city
wmbie, affectionately named
'One Eye' was admitted to the
quarantine department in the
W ilkes-Barre G eneral H ospital
due to a positive rabies testing.
The test sent the city into a mass
panic.

Due to the uncertainty of the
precise locations of the ot_h er
infected wmbies, the WilkesBarre C ity Police Department
placed the areas of Wilkes
University, Sheetz #297 on
Wilkes-Barre Township Blvd,
and Wilkes University Ralston
Field Sports Complex under
a Class A High Risk Watch
for potential infected zombie
uprisings.

"Our staff is trying its hardest
to contact every former human
that was ever bitten by One
Eye," stated Chief Physician of
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital,
AnthonyTerreo. "However, One
Eye did not keep good records of
his bitings and the infected will
soon turn into a rabid army of
the undead."

The Wilkes-Barre Family and
Friends Rabies Center has
volunteered to provide free
housing for residents in the areas
claimed as high risk. The center
is located on North River Street,
next to the courthouse.

Early morning rioters through
the streets near the General
Hospital were threatening to rekill One Eye. The Pennsylvania
National Guard quickly arrived
on the scene to dismiss the
turmoil.

"Run while you can," said Wilkes
University President Patrick
Leahy in a recent address to the
university's remaining undergrad
students, after an immediate
evacuation was put in place for
all graduate students.

Mayor Jack Olanturn quickly
addressed the situation at 9 a.m.
the same day. "We need to take
caution in upcoming Halloweens,
by then, we should have

If an emergency, zombie spotting
or foaming at the mouth occurs
call the Wilkes-Barre Anti
Zombie Coalition immediately
at 570- RUN-AWAY.

r

�.J

Have an opinion or want to write a guest celumn! Contact the opinion editor: amanda.stickles@wilkes.edu

Do college students really run on coffee?
By Allison Rossi
Staff writer
College is like a bubble to the outside
world.
In that bubble students are constantly
running around trying to squeeze
everything possible into small periods
of time, including clubs, meetings, going
to class, studying for their classes until
ungodly hours of the night and going out
with their friends as well.
Something must keep students running
and focused so they have the energy to
make it through their busy schedule.
This is where coffee comes into play.
Coffee gives people an energy boost and
keeps individuals alert. It can also become
addicting. According to webmed.com,
caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous
system, and regular use of caffeine does
cause mild physical dependence.
Becoming dependent on coffee or on any

·
substance is not good for you. Harvard's
T.H. Chan, from the school of public health,
said that 54 percent of Americans over the
age of 18 drink coffee every day.
Americans drink an average of 3.1 cups a
day. Sixty-five percent of Americans drink
it with breakfast, 30 percent drink it in
between meals, and 5 percent drink it with
metals other than breakfast. The United
States of America spends $40 billion dollars
on coffee per year.
The reasoning on why college students
drink coffee as much as they do can vary.
Sophomore Sarah Adelfio had a lot to say
about her caffeine consumption habits.
"On average, I drink two to three cups
of coffee a day;' Adefio said. "On a busy
day I usually drink more than that. I can
study without coffee but I typically have a
cup before I study to help me focus more.
I go through very bad withdrawals after 24
hours of not having coffee:'

Student Jacqueline Scheffler similarly
enjoys drinking coffee.
"Depending on how my day goes, I drink
one or two cups daily. I usually have one in
the morning and that gets me through the
day but sometimes I need more than one
and I always make sure it is dark roast.
"I can study without it but I prefer
studying with coffee. I do not go through
withdrawals, I can go days without having
it but I drink it because it tastes good, wakes
me up, and helps me with headaches:'
Ashley Weber explained, "I consume
coffee once a day. I can study without coffee
and I am not dependent on it. I do not have
withdrawals from coffee either:'
Coffee consumption habits vary from
student to student. Some do not need coffee
to focus like Weber; however, others need
coffee to complete their everyday tasks like
Adelfio and Scheffler.
Clearly, many college students are

dependent on coffee. After hearing these
caffeine consumption statistics and habits
it is true that America really does run on
coffee.

@wilkesbeacon
al/ison.rossi@wilkes.edu

Yes; the world really does revolve around money
bill. Since then, there has not been an
agreement and students eligible for PHEAA
are impatiently waiting for their account
summaries
to decrease.
The frustrations of a college student seem
Republicans
proposed a compromise for
to increase with every passing day, but 8 a.m.
the
bill
the
last
week
of August, but it is under
classes and five-page papers are the least of
our troubles. Most students are concerned review. On Sept. 29, the Republican majority
with money, especially if they have a financial passed an $11 billion short-term spending
plan to cover four months of funding, but
hold on their account.
It has been brought to many students' Tom Wolf vetoed their advance once again.
attention that their account summaries are When will politicians stop dancing around
significantly higher than previous semester's- and finally address the immediate problems
at hand?
-the question is, why?
Student Services can only make
Student Services at Wilkes University,
and college institutions all over the state, estimations for PHEAA grants based on the
are still waiting for the Pennsylvania State numbers from the previous fiscal year, but
Budget to be passed in Harrisburg. Without they will not know for sure until the budget is
a budget, the Pennsylvania Higher Education passed. Schools sfay in contact with PHEAA,
Assistance Agency (PHEAA) grants cannot receiving limited information and empty
be dispersed, leaving students distraught and promises. Colleges everywhere can only
attempt to comfort their students during this
worried for the future.
time
of uncertainty.
.
A budget was approved by -the Senate
Should students prepare for the worst
earlier this summer, but on June 30, Gov.
Tom Wolf vetoed the $30.2 billion budget outcome?

By Rebecca Voorhees
Staff writer

With midterm exams being over, students
are anxious to see their progress so far this
semester, but students who have a h9ld on
their account cannot have access to their
grade reports.
Academics are obviously very important,
and without access to grades some, students
could struggle with balancing out their
studies. One class could negatively change a
GPA and lots of students receive academic
scholarships. Losing a scholarship would
cause even more financial troubles.
Pre-registration has already begun on
campus. Friends are planning to schedule
classes together and advisors are guiding
their students to success. Unfortunately,
Wilkes University policy does not allow
students with a financial hold on their
account to register for classes for the next
semester. If students cannot register for
the appropriate classes on time, they could
lose credits and fall behind on their major
courses. This could force students to not
graduate on time, and spend even more

money towards earning a degree.
Sophomore criminology major Samie
Hilenski shared her difficult experience with
The Beacon.
"If PHEAA had fallen through on time, I
would have only had to spend a few hundred
dollars on tuition this semester. But because
the bill wasn't passed, I had to take out a
substantial loan. It's not fair because I was
relying on PHEAA, and I had to take out a
loan on such short notice:'
. Another student, who wished to remain
anonymous, could not take the same action.
"I can't get a personal loan. My parents don't
have good credit, and I need a cosigner. I'm
desperately waiting for my PHEAA grant so
that I can figure out what to do as soon as
possible. I'm really worried about my future
here at Wilkes:'
So brace yourselves classmates, and hope
for the best outcome.
~ @wilkesbeacon
: , rebecca. voorhees@wilkes.edu

�The Beacon - October 27, 2015

.

tity.
lies

Opinion

15

Colonels Talk Back

ion
ary
~ay,
der
are
urs
tdd
ife.
of
md
oce
, as

Reactions to the KKK actively recruiting in Wilkes-Barre
Interviews by
Luke Modrovsky
Photos by
Jesse Chalnick

Alison Walck
Freshman/Pre-Pharmacy

"I am not really worried about it. The press
seems to overdo things a lot so I think they're
overdoing this too. I think this will pretty
much go away and not be an issue after a
while:'

Media outlets reported that local leaders from the Ku Klux Klan are seeking
out new members in the Wilkes-Barre area. Although the members say they
are not a racist organization, some people feel differently.
The Beacon asked members of the Wilkes Community for a reaction to the
news.

Here is the message placed on fliers
distributed in the Wilkes-Barre area:
I am proud to be black; said the bfack man.
I am proud to be Asian; said the Asian
man . .
I am proud to be white; said the racist.
Stop the double standards.
Help us fight white racism, illegal
immigration and terrorism.

NehaKansal
Freshman/Biology &amp; Pre-Med

"I don't like this. It's sad. Racism shouldn't
be a thing anymore in today's world. Today is
a society where all of us should be equal. This
group and their mission will work to destroy
the progress made so far:'

Jason Ugwu
Senior/Mechanical Engineering

'Tm really not that scared anymore.
Probably back in the day I would be, but
right now, no. I don't think there is going
to be much success with it, but good luck to
them. I've heard a lot of white men say I'm
proud to be white and I don't consider that
racist at all. These guys are associated with
a terrible past and they shouldn't do what
they're doing:'

Jay Gonzalez
Freshman/Political Science

"It makes me feel frustrated, but in the long
run, I'm not really worried about it. I mean, if
the KKK was prevalent today, you would see
them everywhere and you don't. So, there's
no need to worry about it right now.

Ramon Bazan
Freshman/Business Administration

'Tm kind of worried, but also not at the
same time. These people are looking to
reform the KKK again where we live, so it
can be dangerous. It can be kind of scary with
just thinking about what they've done in the
past:'

Allie Grudeski
Junior/Pharmacy- I

•

"I think the biggest thing is that I am upset
about it. I don't see why if I'm white, that I
should be considered a racist. Some of my
best friends are of different ethnicities than I
am. Today's a different world:'

r

�_J

The Beacon - October 27, 2015

Opinion

16

•

�8

Opinion

The Beacon - October 27, 2015

17

The Monk: Lewis, 18th century's Stephen King
By Sara Pisak
Assistant Opinion Editor

ees

he

1ick

e

Halloween is the one time a year we allow
ourselves to be scared. Most ofus avoid fear
the other three hundred and sixty-four days
of the year. We simply change the channel to
avoid the scary movie and we stay within our
comfort zone to avoid our own psychological
fears. However, during Halloween we sit
wide-eyed confronting our fears, and if you
are a vivid reader, it is the perfect time to
pick up a Stephen King classic.
Instead of discussing the contemporary
king of horror, Stephen King, I would like
to discuss the first ever king of horror,
Matthew Lewis. I always consider Matthew
Lewis and his text, The Monk to be ahead
of its time and comparable to the works of
Stephen King. Although The Monk possesses
several elements of the horror genre such as
character doubling, gruesome deaths and
the interrelatedness of characters, it also
possesses one of the contemporary elements
of horror a reader closely recognizes. This
element is the supernatural becoming
corporeal and is often employed by authors
such as King.
Matthew Lewis published his Gothic
classic, The Monk, at the age of nineteen in
1796, well before the public craved shock
and horror within their novels. A reader only
needs to view the popular late 1790s political
and social cartoons depicting the repulsion of
women reading The Monk to see its shocking
impact. When examining Gothic works
whether classic or contemporary, it is always
important to keep in mind the difference
between terror and horror. I discussed these
differences between terror and horror in a
previous opinion column focusing on Alfred
Hitchcock's classic film Rear Window.
The concepts b_ehind the differences
are still the same no matter the genre.
Ann Radcliffe, writer and contemporary
of Matthew Lewis defines the difference
behind terror and horror. In Radcliffe's essay
On the Supernatural in Poetry, she states,
"Terror and horror are so far opposite, that
the first expands the soul, and awakens the
faculties to a high degree of life; the other
contracts, freezes, and nearly annihilates
them." Radcliffe is defining terror as a type
of fear which allows the reader to expand
their senses. Terror engages the reader
allowing them to take an active role in the
dialogue, the other sensory details and the
psychological aspects of the text. Horror,
on the other hand, paralyzes the reader with
fear. This fear disengages the reader from
the text as he or she becomes shocked and
passive onlookers.
Regarding The Monk and any Stephen

King text, they employ horror. The main
goal of these works is to scare the reader
senseless and they do just that. Lewis'
text is the tragic tale of Capuchin Monk,
Ambrosio, who breaks his vow of chastity.
The breaking of this vow leads Ambrosio
down the path of obsession, rape, incest and
murder. The horror within The Monk, is the
element which makes this text comparable to
a contemporary King novel. Lewis plays on
the reader's expectations that a man of God
would not be led astray. Lewis shatters the
idea that religion is a refuge. Lewis leaves
the beliefs of his readers crumbled and with
the crumbling of their beliefs so does the
solid ground on which the reader stands. By
Lewis shattering the religious convictions of
his read~rs, he creates the horror which the
text instills.
The horror continues when the
manifestation of the Madonna icon in
Ambrosio's bedchamber turns out to be the
devil in disguise which is responsible for
leading Ambrosio astray. For authors like
Lewis and King, the devil is in the details.
Lewis and King are able to use their writing
ability to create horror lurking within
everyday objects. Lewis creates horror by
having the devil disguised in iconography.
Lewis develops horror through objects
further when he employs the setting of an
Abbey. The Abbey turns into a house of
horrors. For example, the mother abbess
imprisons one of the characters in a damp,
rat infested dungeon below the Abbey. As
the mother abbes, the other nuns and the
faithful parishioners remain devote and
model symbols of religion above ground
praying in the Abbey, the prisoner remains
hypocritically beneath their feet as screams
are squelched by music and prayers. The
Abbey and dungeon become a character
themselves as the horror which lurks in their
midst becomes too physical to contain.
Lewis utilizes the natural elements in the
setting to take on a life of their own. The
ending scene witnesses a character (I will not
reveal which character) being thrown to their
death by the devil. The character painfully
dies with only the river and rocky landscape
as company. With the rise ofnatural elements
and inanimate objects being brought to life
by Lewis, it is no wonder centuries later the
public would crave novels such as Stephen
King's where pictures and cars cause
mayhem and take on a life of their own. If
you are looking for a scare this Halloween,
pick up this classic Gothic text and discover
where the public's fascination with horror
began.
~

•

Matthew Lew·
The Monk
:..

o.

FORD WOil LO'

lA

J
Courtesy of Sara Pisak

Sa ra's Score:

@wilkesbeacon
sara.pisak@wilkes.edu

r

�_J

The Beacon - October 27, 2015

Opinion

18

EL DfA DE LOS MUERTOS: Wilkes professor offers insight
By Dr. Rafael Garcia
Guest Columnist

.

I have been teaching Spanish for four
years at Wilkes University. As we approach
the end of October, students often ask me
about el dia de los muertos, which means
"the Day of the Dead," and it seems to be
the "Spanish" version of Halloween.
I have to tell them that it is not a tradition
that we have in Spain, my country of origin,
and only few years ago it was as exotic
to me as it might be to any American not
familiar with it.
The Day of the Dead is a Mexican
holiday originally celebrated in the southern
and central regions of Mexico, but it has
spread to the whole country because of
the educational policies of the government
of Mexico in the second half of the 20th
century.
On this day, people get together with
family and friends to remember and pray for
the loved ones who have died, in the hope

that prayer will help them in their spiritual
journey. Day of the Dead, however, doesn't
have a serious, gloomy air, but a festive tone.
The Day of the Dead is now a public
national holiday in Mexico. It is interesting
to note that the origin of this celebration
precedes the Spanish colonization for more
than thousands of years.
It used to be celebrated at the beginning
of summer but, as a consequence of the
Christianization of the region, it was moved
to October 31st, November 1st and 2nd to
make it coincide with the Catholic feast days
of All Saints Day on November 1st and All
Departed Souls Day on November 2nd.
People spend the day at the cemeteries
to be with the souls of the departed. It is
a perfect occasion to show artistic skills
in painting, carving, dancing and even
literature. People build colorful altars and
shrines that are abundantly decorated with
many different kinds of ornaments, flowers
(especially marigolds), photos, memorabilia,
paintings, crosses, statues of the Virgin Mary
and other saints and even food, usually the

Courtesy of Wilkes University

favorite food of the departed.
The belief is that the spirits of the dead
will eat the spiritual essence of the ofrendas
(this is the Spanish word for the food offered
to the dead) but the celebrators will later eat
the food once the festivities are over. Pillows

and blankets are provided for the deceased to
rest after their long journey.
No wonder this celebration found some
resistance among Christians, because it is
perceived as a syncretic Christian celebration
still containing pagan elements.
It appears that in every culture there has
always been some kind of day of the dead
and it was usuall:y observed as a part of the
autumnal rites, when the last harvests had
been collected.
In
Christian Europe,
Catholicism
assimilated this pagan tradition and it became
All Saints Day and All Souls Day. But for
some reason, in Mexico the assimilation was
not complete and elements from its pagan
origin still remain.
The day of the dead has crossed the
boundaries of Mexico and has spread to the
United States and other countries. It's likely
to become more and more popular for the
years to come.

@wilkesbeacon
rafael.garcia@wilkes.edu

The Bechdel Test: Ghostbusters, sadly, gets busted
By Em Leonick
Staff Writer

Each week, staff wrtier Em Leonick will
analyze classic and current movies to see
if they pass the Bechdel Test, which gauges
female representaion in film.
Looking at movies with the Bechdel Test
in mind can sometimes be a frustrating thing
to do. Just because the movie itself is good
does not always mean it is going to pass the
test.
Likewise, movies that pass the test, even
those that pass on technicalities, are not
always the best to sit down and watch. It is
also incredibly frustrating to know a movie
really well and love it, and then go back and
approach it with the Bechdel Test in mind.
One movie that I love that I thought
would be good to go back and look at
with the Bechdel Test is Ghostbusters, a
supernatural comedy released in 1984. The
movie stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and
Harold Ramis as three scientists who started
a ghost-hunting business after being fired
from their jobs at Columbia University, and
Ernie Hudson as the fourth edition to the
team when business takes off.
Also in the movie are Sigourney Weaver

and Rick Moranis, who play a client of the Unfortunately, that also means that
ghostbusters and her neighbor, who both she ends up needing to be saved by
end up dealing with demonic ~pirits that are the protagonists in the film, a group
haunting their building. Throughout the film, of men. She serves as the damsel
the team deals with ghosts throughout the in distress in the film, which is
city and eventually stumble upon something commonly seen with women
even more sinister when Weaver's and characters. Dana also serves as the
Moranis' characters end up possessed by the object of multiple men, creating a
rivalry between them.
demonic spirits in their building.
Though Ghostbusters is one of
Ghostbusters is a genuinely funny movie,
and it holds a place as one of my all-time my favorite movies, watching it
favorite films for a reason. What is lacks for this article was both frustrating
in special effects it makes up for in great and a bit of a letdown. While it is a
writing and great acting. However, it does great movie by the standards of the
not pass the Bechdel test. There are two average movie watcher, someone
named women in the film, Dana (Weaver's interested in female characters
character) and Janine, the ghostbusters' holding an important role in films
will be disappointed.
secretary.
There's only one female
While the two do speak to each other, they
character
of any real importance,
only speak to each other about the men Dana
and
she
ends
up being something
is trying to hire to solve the problem of her
for
two
men
to
fight over and ends
building being haunted. It passes two out of
up
needing
to
be rescued. It is a
the three tests, but it almost does not feel like
disappointment
because this movie
it should pass.
is
otherwise
great.
Dana is the only female character that can
be taken out of the movie and leave behind a
plot hole, as it is her apartment being haunted ~ @wilkesbeacon
and she does end up possessed by a spirit. J , emily.leonick@wilkes.edu

Courtesy of Creative Commons

•

�19

Want your sport covered? Contact the sports editor: Racbel.Leandri@wilkes.edu

Jeremy Hartman: back on the field as a Colonel
By Rachel Leandri
Sports Editor

Jeremy . Hartman, a 2014 Wilkes
University graduate, traded in his shoulder
pads and helmet for a clipboard and whistle
this year.
Hartman was named the university's
assistant football coach at the start of this
season.
Head Coach Trey Brown arranged for
Hartman to play football in a different
league post-graduation, but being fully
involved with basketball as soon as his
· senior football season ended, Hartman was
unable to commit to the original plan.
"That's when coaching came up in
conversation as an alternative," Hartman
explained. "I felt extremely honored to be
working under Trey's system and I was more
than ready for the learning experience. He
hired me as an offense coach for the tight
ends, and that's where it all began."
Brown felt it was a great idea to bring
Hartman on board.
"I told him, as with most things in life,
you are never truly sure you want to do
something until you do it," he insisted. "I felt
Jeremy," along with our other young coaches,
could add a dynamic to the staff that was
lacking last year."
Considering this is not a typical move
to make as a postgrad student, Hartman
followed his gut feeling on the opportunity.
"The truth is you don't get to play
organized sports for your whole life, and
coaching was something that s~emed like
the next best thing for me," he said.
Though approaching the job with
optimism, Hartman realized there is a fine
line between playing and coaching. When a
player, Hartman kept to himself in order to
focus his performance. Now as a coach, he
must motivate an entire team.
Another difficult aspect of the transition
from player to coach was the idea of not
being able to play at all.
"At practice, you see the guys kicking the
ball and stretching, and you long to be back
out on the field standing next to the guy who
loves the game as much as you do," Hartman
said. "I always think to myself how much I
wish I could sneak shoulder pads on and get
on that field, but then I remind myself that
everyone's time ends eventually."
Hartman also finds himself struggling

to keep the mindset of a coach at all times
instead of what previously was a player's
mindset.
"As a player, I had a humorous and a
sarcastic attitude lots of times and tried to
keep things fun when hardships would arise.
That is the brotherhood aspect of it," he
said. " I have to remind myself that I cannot
always be their buddy anymore, but instead
a professional in the sense of helping to keep
the players focused and not distracted by
jokes."
· Hartman balances the role he is in now
in dealing with his players on the team that
had previously played with him side by side
through accountability.
"We both hold on our end of the deal," he
said.
Working one-on-one with Hartman, the
team's tight end, Garrett Armstrong, loves
learning from a longtime friend who he now
thanks for helping him make an impact on
the field.
"It was cool to see him go from a big asset
of our team to now part of our coaching staff,
especially since I am learning off of his own
past experiences," Armstrong said.
With an abundance of challenges, Hartman
is humbled by the few similarities within
being a player and a coach.
"That is a reason why I continued to stay
here and start coaching," he explained. "It
is so hard to leave such a great game like
football behind.... I still have that drive to
win and improve, not so much as a player
anymore, but as a coach."
Any obstacles his position entails are
outweighed by the beneficial take-aways of
it all.
Hartman sees himself in the future of
the evolving Wilkes football program as
continuing his position if the opportunity
arises for the upcoming seasons. He plans to
become a grad assistant and earn his master's
degree in athletic administration.
"If you love the game and possess the
ability to teach others, do it, because you
cannot play forever," Hartman said. "There
is no better feeling seeing the boys that you
work with every day go out and win. Seize
the opportunity, because I definitely do not
regret doing this."
~

@wilk.esbeacon
. , rachel.leandri@wilkes.edu

Hartman shares a moment with his team during a timeout the Homecoming
game against Widener.

The Beacon/Jesse Chalnick
Hartman signaling the plays to his team members on the field from the sidelines.

r

�The Beacon - October 27, 2015

Sports

. sr "t'•':ht ·,n - "',

•'- 20.-.

Wilkes wrestling will grapple in the Garden soon
By Kimberly Hein
Sports Writer
Wilkes University's wrestling team will
head to New York City to participate in
Grapple in the Garden on November 29 at
Madison Square Garden.
"It really excites me to know that we
will be wrestling at such a well-known
venue. There is going to be a lot of great
competition and it'll be an amazing
experience for everyone," said sophomore
Dustin Zuzulock.
The Colonels will join 17 other colleges,
including institutions from all three
divisions of the NCAA, in the one-day
event.
This year's Grapple at the Garden will
feature a total of 11 NCAA Division I
programs, including five schools which
placed among the top 20.
"This is our first time going to an event
like this. Usually it is all the well-known,
division I teams, so we are lucky to be
invited. It is going to a very cool experience
to wrestle somewhere as iconic as Madison
Square Garden," junior Kelly Pullen states.
Wilkes is one of the only four Division
III programs to be invited to the event, and
will be part of a field that includes Division
I teams such as Cornell, Princeton, Rutgers,

Nebrask~ Maryland, George Mason and
Drexel.
"It's just a great honor for our team to be
invited to such a prestigious event," said
head coach Jonathan Laudenslager.
"I expect it to be a great experience for our
entire team. I believe that it's the first time
in Wilkes Athletic history that we have had
a team compete in Madison Square Garden,.
Competing in an arena as big as Madison
Square Garden t~at can hold over eighteen
thousand people can be intimidating.
Although that is true, the Wilkes wrestling
team has competed in National Duals the
last few years, so they have a wide variety of
The Beacon/Purvit Patel
experience with wrestling big duals in front
of some giant crowds.
Ashton Gyenicz is getting cradled by Jake Dimarsico at last week's practice.
The team has four National Qualifiers and
a Nation~! Champion returning, so there is a each other. We always want to be working that the coaches say will prepare them for the
lot of talent from last year coming back.
harder to bring championships to Wilkes, but event and get their starting line-up in order.
"Our teams greatest strength has to be that we also have a lot of excellent competition
In order to attend the event, family,
were returning the majority of our lineup. within the room that keeps us improving as friends and fans are asked to purchase one
One of the benefits ofreturning the majority a team."
of Wilkes's 100 allotted tickets. Each ticket
of our lineup is guys will be a year more
"We all know how close we are to being a comes at a cost of$20. For more information
mature," senior Kyle Diesel explained.
top five team in the nation and then some. I on how to purchase a ticket, please contact
Some may find it hard to stay motivated think on our best day we can actually be the Colonels head coach Jon Laudenslager by
throughout the whole season. Although best team in the nation," Diesel adds.
email (jon.laudenslager@wilkes.edu) or by
that is true, the Wilkes wrestling team has
For a number of college wrestling phone (570-408-4035).
motivation all around them.
programs, the Grapple at the Garden will be ~ @wilkesbeacon
Zuzulock el{presses, "I think our team is the opening event for their season. However,
kimberly.hein@wilkes.edu
motivated by our previous success as well as Wilkes will have several matches beforehand •

Wom en's Vo lleyball has big future
By Mark Makowski
Sports Writer
The Lady Colonels Volleyball team has
had an up and down season so far. With
seven games left on the season, the Lady
Colonels have compiled a 12-17 record. The
team has a 1-4 record in conference play.
While many people may see this· program
as a below .500 team, many do not know
that this team has a young core and will be a
contender in the near future.
Megan Powers is facing something that
she never has before- she is the only senior
on the team. Although this is something she
has never experienced, she has taken the
challenge of leadership exceptionally well.
"It is definitely a challenge, and it puts
a lot on my shoulders," she said. "You
also have to be a role model because these
players are the future of the program."
Many see this team as one who cannot
make the playoffs. Coach Joseph Czopek,
who is in his fourth season, does not listen
to the doubter as he has expectations for this
team.
"Our team preseason outlook was the
- - earn a Conference Playoff spot," he said.
"Last season proved that it can come down

to our last Conference match."
A team that is filled with underclassmen
also gives Coach Czopek a chance to watch
all of these players grow as the seasons go
by. He is very impressed by the performance
of Sophomore Middle Hitter Ellen Mook.
"She continues to grow with each week
of the season," Czopek said. "Ellen has
improved 100% since last season and she
makes us a better middle-oriented team,
which makes us successful," said Megan
Powers.
Transfer Junior Outside Hitter Kayley
Schinski, has started to find her groove on the
team since not playing the game since high
school. Schinski and Mook look like they
can be future leaders for the Lady Colonels.
Coach Czopek believes that even though
his team is young and inexperienced, they
can mak~ another playoff run like they did
last year. Czopek believes that practice will
help these young players grow.
"There aren 't any drills in practice that
can compare to competition court time," he
explains. "Experience playing at the college
level for our young team will pay dividends
as the volleyball program continues to grow."
~ @wilkesbeacon
- , mark.makowski@wilkes.edu

Off Campus
Premium Student Housing

�The Beacon - October 27, 2015

21

Sports

For The Love of The Game: Kate Mahoney's Journey
By Danny Van Brunt
Asst. Sports Editor

11

if
s
t

Kate Mahoney, the Wilkes Women's
Soccer team goalkeeper, has come a long
way. She is a graduating senior who has
been an important part of the team from the
start.
She appeared on the John Mendola
Show in the beginning of her season. John
Mendola is a radio host who interviews
local coaches and student athletes from
high school and college in northeastern and
central Pennsylv3.11ia.
Her coach put her up for the interview.
She described her time playing soccer at
Wilkes.
Mahoney is a marketing major with a
minor in accounting. She is very passionate
about her major along with soccer.
A five and a half hour drive separates
her from her family in Kingston, New
Hampshire. However, it does not stop her
parents from attending her games. She has
a sister in northern New Hampshire, and
another in Connecticut. They all play sports
so it has been tough for them to attend all of
their daughter's games this year.
Mahoney started her senior season
slowly. She was not performing as well
as she knew she could. She also knew the
team had potential to do much better as the
season progressed.
The soccer season is coming to a
close soon, and Mahoney has played an
outstanding season. She received the
Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom
Player of the Week twice in her final season.
Her first award was for making four saves
in the 2-0 win against William Paterson,
and eight saves in the 2-1 double overtime
loss against Arcadia. The second award was

The Beacon/Rebecca Voorhees
Mahoney clears the ball downfield during a a recent game.

named the following week of the first award.
She made seven saves in a 1-0 loss against
Susquehanna, and made five saves in the 1-0
win against Stevenson.
"Last season I coached soccer and played
golf because I couldn't play," said Mahoney.
She continued, "This season has been so
taxing on my body because of practicing
instead of just coaching:'
October ofMahoney's sophomore year, she
sustained a concussion that pulled her out of
the game for over a year. She was injured in
her game against Cortland.
"I tend to think, would I have been able
to save that shot if I had not taken a year
and a half off?" said Mahoney. Although
sometimes she can be hard on herself, she
tries not to dwell on it because she does not
like negativity.
Soccer was not the only thing that she
struggled with after her concussion. Her
classwork had to come to a halt due to

her injury. Some of her classes resulted in
incompletes because she was unable to keep
up with the work. Other professors worked
very closely with her in order to help her pass,
especially her classes that were prerequisites
to other classes.
"I couldn't study, I couldn't read, I couldn't
do anything for about four months;' Mahoney
said. She was hit on her right temple, above
her right eye twice in a row which is what
made her concussion so bad. Her overall
reaction time had slowed, her vision had
changed, and her balance was unsteady.
To recuperate, she had to see a therapist
who taught her various techniques to get her
to focus once again. The main therapy she
had to do was to focus her eyes on a moving
target.
She has overcome her adversities with
help from her head coach, John Sumoski, her
goalkeeper coach, Elizabeth Pauly and the
Adventure Education coordinator, Jill Price.

They have shed positivity onto her.
After her first double-header, Mahoney
felt really down after letting two goals go past
her. She chose to speak with her roommate
Megan Binder for comfort. Binder had just
come back from her ACL tear.
"We are never going to win this way if I
keep letting goals past me," Mahoney said.
"I am just so happy that we can play
together again in our senior year," Binder
said. Mahoney knew that was the turning
point for her. She realized that when she first
started, all that mattered to her was 'inning.
Now she is just grateful to be able to play.
"If I didn't make those saves, my week was
ruined. But now, at least I get to play. That is
all that I want:' Mahoney said.
Mahoney believes her performance may
be a bit lower than freshman year, but her
presence on the field is greater. She is very
vocal.
She attributes her leadership and
management skills to her soccer career.
She started an internship, and believes they
wanted her because she has these skills from
soccer. The internship has given her the
opportunity to work after college.
"I think what they don't teach in classes
is how to motivate different types of people,
individually, because not everybody's the
same. That's what you can learn on a sports
team. You can get each individual pumped
up;' Mahoney said.
She believes that walking away from
soccer would have been a terrible decision.
She knew that she could come back and
she set her mind to it. For everyone who
is overcoming an injury or experiencing
a setback, Mahoney is proof that it can be
overcome.
~

•

@wilkesbeacon
danny.vanbrunt@wilkes.edu

It

s
s
g
y
s

,

7

It's not about
By EvaAWilley
Sports Writer

Carl Von Glahn is a senior a i ~
major whohas apat lowfotfootWI.
Carl bad Mn playina'tlus sport for;fi
years when he had found out his low j,r
football may have to be put on the back
burner.
Carl needed back ~ He bad three
bulging and two herniated disks in his
lumbar spine. He also has spinal stenosis.
which is narrowing of the spinal column.
and arthritis in his spine. Carl also has
degenerative disk disease.
"One of the herniated disks was
compressing my sciatic nerve so mud)

-

pass1on he hasmr

Out-,,tty-..Mtl«dwacesofhim
re-~his backtte-rligb. but he

~
hismt;otlmd~oa

game.

Whea Jie W U ~ tootbaJl atvWilkes,

thecoKhesiitwedhimtotigntend. wherehe
admitted he didn't have much experiem;e but
was excited for the opportunity. Carl played
his freshman year. but sophomore year he
had no choice but to redshirt. Tu redshirt

One Wi)Wdffdnk . . .
~ Carl 'WOWd wat'it"to
it easy
just watch his favorite spol1. HMver. that is
not the case.
In the 2015

season, Carl pur,ats and kicks
for the Colonels. "'Since r kkked in high
school. it is nothing new ror me... Carl said.
"It sucks only being ... to kick and not

aoesn, .. 1o mi8S out on a sport he
loves..

Manyff,IOple:M&gt;Uldnt-.theJiskafter
he«1th ~ but Carl has a
paskm for the ~that he am't just give
up. 'Iha Wilkes Univemty Colonels are
lucky to have such -a dedicated player on
mtjQr

their team.

tJ1

@wilkesbeacon

evan.wileyi)Wi)kes.edu

F

�_J

·sports

The Beacon - October 27, 2015

22

•
Q: Do you have other sports/interest/
hobbies off of the court?

Sophomore Sarah Birchmeier is a
Spanish and Secondary Education major,
with a minor in Women's and Gender
Studies at Wilkes University. From Cherry
Hill, N.J., Birchmeier plays for the Women's
Basketball team as a guard

A: I also play for the Wilkes Softball team,
but when I'm not at practice or a game I play
guitar and piano.

Q: What was the driving force for your
decision to come to Wilkes?

A: The most influential person in my life
is my high school basketball/softball coach.
Stephanie Digneo coached me all four years
in basketball and coached me for my last two
years in softball. She taught me what it means
to be a true athlete.

A:
The great
teacher-to-student
relationship. small class sizes, and Spanish
as a major.

Q: What are your post-graduation plans
in terms ofa ~

Q: Who would you say is the most
influential person in your life?

Q A quote ,ou live your life by?

after

A: "If you dodt"go
what 1ou wam.
A: High scbool'Spanish teacher and/or, ,ou'll ;never'' have it ~ you don't ask. the
Translator.
answer is always no. Ifyou. don't_, forward.
you're always in the same place,." - Nora
Q: What are yt)Uf hopes for your second' Roberts
season as a Colonel? '
Q: Do you have any advice for the freshmen
A: I hope to see the Women's Basketball student athletes beginning their freshman
team achieve a winning record and make it seasons and semesters?
to playoffs.
A: Come to your season in shape, work
Q: When/Why did you first begin hard whether you are in season or not. Stay
playing basketball?
ahead on your school work. you never know
when a game or practice will be rescheduled.
A: I started playing in 6th grade because
the coach told me · to -- because in 6th
Q: How do you feel about the changes
grade, I was already 5'6':
being made to campus this year? What do
you like or dislike?
Q: If you had to ch~ one thing about
Wilkes' Basketball Program that you could
A! I love the Gateway, it's so pretty and wellimprove, what would it be?
lit and makes me feel a !ot safer wal!dng back
,
to Towers late at night 1 dislike that they ,got
A: I wish we could hnprove our record tidofC ~ Toast Crunch in the S~.
from last~ we are.a much stronger team
0
than our iecerdniade i:r$ QUt to bt..
-:
·*· con
'~

, . . . purvit.~l@wilkes.
~f

·

�Sports

The Beacon - October 27, 2015

By Purvit Patel
Sports Writer

23

A: ~ going to tie llea;i.;
snowboardmgandhanMwithfrieocts.

Q: Who would you say i8 the moat
SophmoreNick RacaneJli majon in Biology
at Wilkes as heals«&gt; wmtles at 157 lbs for the
universitys team.

Q: What was the driving force for your
decision to come to Wilkes?
A: Wdkes had great athletic and academic
programs suitable for my sport and major.

Q: What are your post-graduation plana in
terms of a career?
A: Become a dermatologist.

~: What are your hopes for your second
season as a Colonel?
A; Become an NCAA All American and
make the Dean's List

Q: When/Why did you first ' begin
wrestling?
A: I began wrestling in the third grade and
was encouraged by my older brother who

influential person in your life!
A;,

'Ihe

most

iflspiratioiJal

~ in

my Ba would have to be my father.

older

brotherad past wrestling coaches. All have
taught me valuable. life long lessons that I
still consider today.
Q: A quote you live your life byf
A: "When the going gets tough. the tough
get going:' Or, "tough times don't last, tough
people do:' I use these quotes in everyday
life because there's no such thing as an
day for me. Each day contains
obstacle that need I need to
better or improve.

Q: Do you have
freshmen student
freshman seasons and

. A: .
going to
where .
com.es. •

wrestled.
Q: If you had to choose one thing
Wilkes' Wresding Program that
unprove. what would itbe?

....

A:Asmuch•Ihatrethe

•onlJ~•need&amp;Muilp(--....,..

r

�_J

•

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Missing Issues:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1947 August 8th&lt;br /&gt;1947 September 5th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 3rd&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 17th&lt;br /&gt;1947 October 31st&lt;br /&gt;1947 November 21st&lt;br /&gt;1947 December 19th&lt;br /&gt;1948 September 9th&lt;br /&gt;1950 April 28th&lt;br /&gt;1953 April 10th&lt;br /&gt;1962 February 2nd&lt;/p&gt;</text>
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