253
15
4134
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/8535b3d70b0cd5c5950f76b3e8ad15f6.pdf
3c8283618af233350d971b68e624721a
PDF Text
Text
The Beacon - April 9, 2025
THE BEACON
Est. 1936
Pa. Newspaper Association Member
Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Volume 77, Issue 20
1
“The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.”
Crowds gather in Wilkes-Barre for “Hands Off !” protest
By Leah Smith
News Editor
“When we fight, we win!” was shouted
across the Wilkes-Barre Public Square on
Saturday, April 5 at the ‘Hands Off !’ rally.
Over 1,000 ‘Hands Off !’ rallies were
held across the country as a mobilization
movement to protest against the Trump
administration.
The phrase ‘hands off ’ is used to object
threatened budget cuts to several federally
funded programs, like Medicare and SNAP.
This also expanded to women’s rights,
public education and immigration rights.
Action Together NEPA organized two
protests in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area.
The rally in Scranton was held from noon to
2 p.m., and the rally at the Wilkes-Barre was
from 3 to 5 p.m.
Action Together NEPA is the organization
behind the rallies in the Wilkes-Barre
and Scranton area. Action Together’s
organization is a progressive organization
that focuses on community action and
empowering advocacy.
They hold chapters in Luzerne,
Lackawanna,
Columbia,
Montour,
Susquehanna and Wayne counties.
State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski addresses the crowd at the Wilkes-Barre “Hands Off!” protest.
Photo by Leah Smith
Transgender Pride
flag raised in Wilkes
ceremony, page 4
Annual Sex Bingo returns
to campus, draws crowd,
page 7
The downside of
announcing movies early
in advance, page 17
...HANDS OFF cont. on p.3
Wilkes Baseball hosts
Landmark series against
Juniata, page 19
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
News
News
2
Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Leah Smith at leah.smith1@wilkes.edu
Student Government notes: April 2 weekly meeting
By Kayla Bicskei
News Staff Writer
Student Government met for its 11th
weekly meeting of the Spring 2025 semester
on April 2. The meeting addressed five
funding requests from Wilkes University
clubs and organizations.
The Student Government Treasurer’s
report showed a current budget of $22,003.
The first presentation was given by
the Future Business Leaders of America
organization for its week one of two funding
request. The organization reported its
mission of inspiring and preparing students
to become business leaders through career
preparation and leadership experiences.
The organization is qualified to attend
the Future Business Leaders of America
National Conference in Dallas, Texas,
from May 31 to Jun. 2. To fund the hotel
room, flight, and registration costs, the
organization is requesting a total of $2,280.
The Future Business Leaders of America
organization will return next meeting for its
week two of two funding request.
The Art of Living Club was next to present
its week two of two funding request. The
club is planning to host two events before
the end of the Spring 2025 semester.
The first event the club will host will be
a Nepalese New Year’s Celebration on April
13. The club is requesting a total of $500 to
fund the food, utensils, and decorations for
the event.
The second event hosted by the club will
be an off-campus trip to a Hindu monastery
in New Jersey on April 18. To fund
transportation to the monastery, the club is
requesting a total of $5,000.
Due to the Student Government’s request
for more information about the club’s
planned off-campus trip, The Art of Living
Club will return next meeting for another
week two of two funding request.
The Math Computer Science Club
presented their week two of two funding
request for an off-campus trip to the
National Museum of Mathematics. The
club is working in collaboration with
the Commuter Council to use the same
transportation for two different trips on the
same day.
The club presented that exploration of
the museum is an opportunity for club
members to experience math is used in
practice. Along with the museum, the club
members will be able to explore New York
City.
The Math Computer Science Club is
requesting a total of $500 for transportation
to the National Museum of Mathematics.
Student Government voted to allocate an
augmented amount of $1,200 to completely
fund the transportation and food costs of
the trip along with a visit to the Lego store.
The American Society of Mechanical
Engineers organization was next to present
with its annual Car Show week two of two
funding request. The organization reported
that there is an anticipated attendance of 350
people this year.
The organization also announced that
all profits of this year’s Car Show will be
donated to Patriots Cove, a nonprofit charity
organization.
The American Society of Mechanical
Engineers is requesting a total of $4,325
to fund the shirts, DJ booth, trophies for
the best cars, and flyer printing. Student
Government voted to allocate the full
$4,325.
Christian Fellowship Club presented
the final week two of two funding request
of the meeting. The club preparing for its
participants’ attendance at the 2025 Women’s
Conference from April 4 to April 6.
The club representatives reported that
club members in attendance will listen to
speakers and attend seminars teaching them
how to manage the challenges of life as
women with grace.
The Christian Fellowship Club is
requesting general funds for its attendance
at the 2025 Women’s Conference. Student
Government voted to allocate $390 to the
club to fully fund the trip.
Student Government will meet again on
April 9.
Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events
Compiled by Andrew Marshallsay
Wilkes Integration Bee
Open to all undergraduate students, the
sixth annual Wilkes Integration Bee will
take place on April 12 at the Darte Center.
Winners will receive either a $200, $150 or
$100 prize. Participants are reminded that
they should know integration techniques
covered in Calculus.
Fall Parking Pass Applications
Applications are now open for the Fall
2025 semester parking passes. The deadline
to apply is July 1 at 5 p.m. If you have any
questions, you can contact 570-408-7275.
The link can be found on today.wilkes.edu.
X Ambassadors Concert Tickets
Tickets for the Programming Board’s X
Ambassadors conc ert are now on sale,
both online and in-person. To purchase
tickets, you can go to the SUB on Mondays,
Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the
normal movie ticket sale times. Tickets for
Wilkes students are $15 and $25 for non-
Wilkes students. The Concert will be held
on April 12 at 7 p.m. in the MAC.
2025 COBE Research Symposium
The 2025 College of Business and
Engineering Research Symposium will take
place on April 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in
the JPAC. The event serves as a way for
both faculty and students to showcase their
research and academic achievements. For
more information, you can contact mona.
pear@wilkes.edu.
Table of Contents
News..................2
Life, A&E............7
Opinion............14
Sports................19
Upcoming Events:
Spring 2025
April
11 - Tom Bigler Conference 2025
12 - X Ambassadors Concert
14 - COBE Research Symposium
15 - Honors Applications Due
25 - SOMA Night Lights
30 - Final Day of Classes
Want your event featured in the
calendar?
Email: leah.smith1@wilkes.edu
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
...HANDS OFF cont. from p.1
In addition to Action Together NEPA,
the Pennsylvanians Together Campaign
were also involved in the afternoon’s rally.
Mark Schaffer of the campaign took the mic
to explain what the Trump administration
has planned to do with federally funded
resources such as social security and SNAP.
“They want to get rid of these programs
to make themselves richer,” Schaffer said.
“These programs are ours, not theirs.”
Several other speakers took the mic at the
heart of the public square. Speakers such as
Kayla Johnson, a veteran who spoke about
how the Trump administration has been
hurting veterans such as herself by placing
cuts on veterans’ resources.
She expanded on her fight for veterans
to those struggling finding psychological
help and to LGBTQIA+ soldiers that are in
jeopardy of being out of the military.
“One team, one fight!” Johnson cried out.
Other speakers such as Jimmy Signorelli,
a nurse at Geisinger Medical Center,
addressed how billionaires are hurting those
working in the medical field. Signorelli was
one of the attendees of the Geisinger nurses’
strike in February.
In addition to that, Lois Scrimm, a
News
mother who uses SNAP, spoke up about
her experience as a single mother on food
stamps providing for her son.
“Without these programs, my son and
I would’ve been on the streets. I was able
to work for me and my son with these
programs,” Scrimm said.
Finally, State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski
closed the rally. Pashinski reminded
the crowd that the people represent this
country, not the billionaires.
“What is happening in Washington is
destroying America,” Pashinski said.
He continued his speech by reminding
the people to call their representatives to
stand up against the Trump administration
and to keep fighting.
The Wilkes Democrats club held a signmaking session at Abide Coffeehouse
before the rally. Kyra Hoyt, friend of the
Wilkes Democrats and a King’s College
student, attended the sign making session
and opened up as to why she wanted to fight
back.
“I’ve been looking for an outlet to make
change,” Hoyt stated
After the rally, several attendees stayed on
the square to hold their signs high and to
collect more support from passersby in cars
and on the streets.
Photos by Leah Smith
Demonstrator in Wilkes-Barre Public Square protests Trump and Elon Musk.
3
Protester in a monkey costume with a sign that reads: "A monkey can do better."
A protester holds sign advocating for LGBTQIA+ and women's rights.
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
News
4
Transgender Pride flag raised in Wilkes University ceremony
By Leah Smith
News Editor
“Diversity is having a seat at the table,
inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is
having that voice be heard.”
This quote by author and illustrator
Liz Fosslien was used by Wilkes English
professor and GSA faculty adviser Helen
Davis during the Transgender Pride flag
raising on, April 1.
International Transgender Day of
Visibility, known as simply Trans Day of
Visibility, is recognized on March 31. The
day of recognition was established in 2009
and is still acknowledged to this day.
This day recognizes the trans community
in not only solidarity but also in recognition
of those in that community.
Wilkes University celebrated Trans Day
of Visibility by raising a trans flag at the
flagpole in the greenway. The previous night,
the GSA also hosted a ball in recognition of
Trans Day of Visibility.
GSA President Morgan Steiner kicked
off the breezy morning meetup with words
that acknowledged the hard times and
tribulations that the trans community has
gone through and are continuing to go
through. She also took the time to recognize
the school’s protection for those in the trans
community.
“Our trans people are just here to be
treated equally and loved like everyone
else,” Steiner said.
Then, the Wilkes Title IX coordinator
Elizabeth Leo took the podium and
added her words of solidarity to the trans
community. Leo held a meeting about Title
IX changes being placed on campus earlier
this year. What she said then still holds
now: that trans students will be protected
and not scrutinized.
“These are anxious times for those
in the LGBTQ+ and trans community,”
Leo said. “We are going to double down
on our commitments for those who are
marginalized.”
After some brief words from Dr. Davis,
she opened the podium to students
who were willing to go up and share a
personal story about their experiences.
Aster Rowland, a junior student, took the
microphone first.
Rowland opened up on a personal story
during Thanksgiving break involving an
unaccepting family member while also
thanking her close family for not sharing
that particular family member’s closeminded attitude toward sexuality.
After Rowland, Ozzie Priebe, a political
science major, came to the podium and
shared facts with the audience -- facts
about schools firing teachers for spreading
awareness and posters that opened up love
and equality towards their students.
“To be an ally is to speak up for those that
can’t,” Priebe said.
The last speaker before the pink, white
and blue flag soared in the sky was a
graduate student Assétou Xango, who
shared a brief spoken word poem about
identity and a need for progressive change
around the world.
Dr. Davis concluded the podium section
with final words including information
about resources for those in the LGBTQIA+
community who are seeking help on
campus as well as additional advocacy for
the trans community.
To conclude the ceremony, Rowland and
Priebe wheeled the flag high in the sky with
thunderous applause.
Photos by Leah Smith
Assétou Xango shares a spoken word poem on the greenway.
Ozzie Priebe speaks at the Transgender Pride flag raising ceremony.
Aster Rowland shares a personal story on International Trans Day of Visibility.
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
News
5
Wilkes students voice technology concerns after GIS data loss
Sydney Allabaugh
Editor-in-Chief
Wilkes University students from the
biology and earth systems sciences (BESS)
and civil and environmental engineering
(CEE) departments recently met with
administrators to voice concerns and
discuss solutions after losing years of
geographical information system (GIS)
data in a drive failure.
“The importance of communication
was definitely emphasized there and
working together to try to solve the
problems and concerns that they have as
well as ours,” said Caleb Edwards, a junior
environmental science and biology double
major who attended the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, students sent
administrators a letter containing eight
pages of student testimonies regarding
technology concerns at Wilkes. Students
quoted in the letter were not just from
the BESS and CEE departments, but from
digital design and media art and beyond.
“It’s nice that we can actively make a
change if we play a part in working towards
it,” Edwards said.
The meeting primarily focused on the
GIS drive failure and its resulting setbacks.
The drive stored data, research, senior
projects and course files dating back a
decade or more.
Edwards lost foundational research for
his senior project that builds upon 10
years of previous work.
“We had some scraps that we're pulling
together that we saved elsewhere, but a lot
of the main work has disappeared, so it
was kind of just starting from square one
again,” he said.
Reagan Weldon Peri, a junior geology
major who also attended the meeting, lost
all her data for her senior project and two
and a half years of lab work. More than a
week of her classes were canceled as well.
“The mental impact it has had on my
professors has been hard for me, especially
with my one professor, Dr. Karimi,” she
said. “He has lost 15 years’ worth of work
as well as $20,000 worth of aerial photos
that he's been collecting.”
Dr. Karimi previously said he has been
staying up late and sacrificing his personal
time to remake lectures, assignments,
exams and labs. He also has been trying
to figure out how to progress his research
after losing much of it.
“Because this is such a small community,
we really get to know each other, both
classmates and the professors, so a win for
one is a win for all and a loss for one is
a loss for all,” Edwards said. “This failure
definitely impacted a lot of the community,
not just professors, but students alike.”
Edwards and Weldon Peri said that they
felt administrators heard their concerns
and answered their questions at the
meeting.
“I do genuinely think that they did
really hear what was in the letter because
they were referring to the quotes that they
had read previously,” Weldon Peri said.
Kerianne Geist, associate vice president
of marketing communications, said in an
email, “We appreciated the students’ time
and thoughtfulness in presenting their IT
concerns and remain committed to open
dialogue to address various issues.”
However, the students also felt that
some of their concerns were not fully
understood.
“Overall, I think they were sensitive
to the issue, but I just don't think that
someone who hasn't done this type of
research can fully understand the gravity
of this loss,” Weldon Peri said.
They were dissatisfied with attempts
to minimize the impact of the loss and
reduce it down to a routine technological
failure.
“The hardware of the server breaking is
routine, but what wasn't routine was the
failure of the backup system,” Edwards
said. “So, the server failing isn't necessarily
out of the ordinary, but the backup system
is really what was concerning.”
The students and Dr. Karimi said
the drives were sent to a company that
specializes in data recovery. It is not yet
known if the data can be recovered.
“Myself and Faith, my senior project
partner, have already had to redo work
because of this,” Weldon Peri said. “It's
not like we can just pause and wait for this
all to be recovered. We have to continue
working on our senior projects.”
Administrators and students developed
a plan to help mitigate future technological
problems. They put an emphasis on
improving communication.
“Importantly, it was agreed that the
university would reinforce guidance that
students should contact the IT Help Desk
(#HELP) to report issues such as slow WiFi so they can be specifically addressed,”
Geist said in an email. “Changes have
already been made to the portal and web
graphics, and communications about the
Help Desk will be more frequent.”
Gerald Korea, ITS executive director,
sent out an email to all students a few
days after the meeting. Korea reminded
students to use the “Colonel” network
and to contact the Help Desk with any
problems regarding internet connectivity
or software updates and licensing.
“An important outcome of the meeting
is that we can be part of the solution,”
Edwards said. “Students can actually
contribute towards improving technology
at Wilkes.”
Wilkes will soon hold a blood drive: The importance of donating
Shannon Slominski
Photographer
Donating blood saves lives. Did you know
one donation of blood can save up to three
lives?
Wilkes University will hold a blood drive
on April 22. Anyone interested in donating
can register to reserve a spot.
Blood donations help hospitals maintain
a steady supply in emergency situations
like traumas and emergency surgeries.
That is why blood drives play a vital role in
communities across the country.
The demand for blood is constant.
Hospitals require a steady supply throughout
the year, and blood drives help maintain this
critical resource.
According to the American Red Cross
website, anyone 16 or older, weighing 110
pounds or more can donate blood, provided
they are in good health. Individuals can
donate blood every 56 days, or up to six
times per year.
Increased awareness about this ongoing
need can mobilize communities to organize
and participate in regular blood donation
events. Every donation has the potential to
save multiple lives.
One pint of blood can be separated into its
components red cells, plasma, and platelets,
each serving vital functions in medical
treatments. For patients undergoing major
surgery, those battling cancer, or victims
of accidents, a steady supply of blood can
make the difference between life and death.
Blood drives not only provide a necessary
medical resource but also foster a strong
sense of community. By participating in
these events, individuals come together with
a shared purpose, promoting teamwork
and collective responsibility. Each donor
becomes a part of a larger effort, reinforcing
social bonds and encouraging a culture of
giving.
Blood drives are vital to saving lives,
fostering community spirit, and enhancing
public health. By understanding their
importance and actively participating, we
can ensure that our communities remain
strong, compassionate and prepared to
meet the medical needs of all individuals.
Sign up to reserve a spot. To register, visit
redcross.org and use the code WILKESU.
TO REGISTER:
CODE: WILKESU
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
News
6
Wilkes University mourns the loss of Joshua Pittenger
By Brady Melovitz
Layout Designer/News Staff Writer
On March 16, Wilkes University was
deeply impacted by the news of student
Joshua Pittenger's unexpected death.
Pittenger was a senior civil engineering
major from Bangor, Pa.
According to his obituary, Pittenger was
born in Bethlehem, Pa. on Feb. 17, 2002. He
went to Bangor High School where he was
a student athlete, being named the Scholar
Athlete for the high school football team.
During his free time, he enjoyed wrestling,
kayaking, camping and spending time with
his family and friends.
Pittenger came to Wilkes University in
2024 after transferring from Northampton
Community College.
Following Pittenger's death, Wilkes
University President Greg Cant sent out an
email to Wilkes students, faculty and staff.
“In his time on campus, (Pittenger) made
a positive impact on his faculty and fellow
students with his academic dedication and
strong, steady presence,” Cant said in the
email.
Dr. Brian Whitman, professor of
environmental and civil engineering, had
Pittenger as a student. Whitman mentioned
Joshua’s light-hearted attitude in class and
more specifically his smile which he had
everyday.
“Josh worked well with others and always
came in with a smile and was eager to
learn,” Whitman said. “I was sad to hear of
his passing.”
Whitman also mentioned how Pittenger
was always in the front row of the classroom,
which showcased his enthusiasm and
excitement for his classes.
Shiv Patel, senior chemistry and
neuroscience major, spoke to the person
Pittenger was outside the classroom.
“He was very jolly,” Patel said. “His energy
was never down and he would always have a
smile whenever I would see him. You know
if I could describe him in a word, jolly is
what I would say.”
Not only was Patel a fellow student to
Pittenger, but they were also neighbors.
“It still feels surreal, you know, one day
he is here and you're talking to him and the
next he’s gone,” Patel said.
A memorial service for Pittenger was held
on campus in the Savitz Lounge to celebrate
Pittenger's life and legacy.
As the Wilkes campus continues to
mourn the loss, Mark Allen, associate vice
president for Student Life and Success,
advises students who need support during
these difficult times to reach out.
“As we navigate this tragic loss, let us
lean on one another, offering kindness,
strength, and support to those who need it
most,” Allen said in an email. “As a Wilkes
community, we remain steadfast in our
commitment to caring for one another and
ensuring that no one faces their grief alone.”
For support, call 570-408-4100 to
schedule an appointment with the
Counseling Center in Passan Hall from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m Monday through Friday.
Resources are also available to students 24/7
at 570-408-CHAT (2428).
Joshua Pittenger.
Photo from Joshua Pittenger's obituary.
Students visit Wilkes at Admitted Colonels Day
By Sydney Allabaugh
Editor-in-Chief
Isabella Barberio photographs a
future Colonel in the MAC.
Wilkes students tell admitted Colonels and their families about clubs and
organizations on campus during the student activities fair.
Wilkes University President Greg Cant
addresses the crowd.
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
7
Life, Arts & Entertainment
Life, Arts & Entertainment
Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact editor-in-chief Sydney Allabaugh at sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu
Annual Sex Bingo returns to campus, draws crowd
By Kailey Vogel
News Writer
April 1 was an exciting day for students
on campus. Reslife hosted its annual Sex
Bingo allowing students to learn about
safe sex while competing for various sex
related prizes.
Some baskets such as the “Sneaky
Link” and “Not Your Parent’s Sex Talk”
baskets consisted of books, toys, and
latex-free condoms for winners.
Students formed a line outside SLC
105 around 7 p.m., eager to get inside.
Kendyl Keefer, a sophomore prepharmacy student, was among one of
the many attendees that came out to
participate.
“I wanted to win a prize, but I did not,”
she said.
Students were encouraged to wear teal
to be entered for a door prize. Extra
boards were also sold for $1 each.
All proceeds were donated to the
Victims Resource Center, which had an
informational table available throughout
the night.
By the end of the event $132 was
donated to the cause.
Resident assistants Brennan Reiner and
Gabriel Sawarynski informed students of
the risks of STIs and promoted safe sex
through an informational PowerPoint.
They informed students that “one in five
college students has been abused by an
intimate partner and almost one in three
college women is a victim of dating
abuse.”
Each slide highlighted the importance
of consent and contraception use.
Various statistics were also displayed.
Near the end of the presentation, slides
provided resources for those who have
been, or may know someone who has
been, sexually assaulted.
“We gotta teach the importance of
having safe sex. I mean, we showed the
statistics of STDs. You have cases of
Resident assistants
pour mocktails for
students to enjoy with
their pizza. Students
attending Residence
Life’s annual Sex
Bingo learned
valuable information
on sexual health and
sexual violence before
playing bingo for a
variety of themed
prizes.
Photo by Kailey Vogel
HIV and STDs that run rampant,” said
Sawarynski. “You have cases of lawsuits
too because people unknowingly give
STDs.
“So, presenting and raising awareness
for that is really important to make sure
that people perform safe sex.”
Bingo followed the informational
session and tiebreakers consisted of
answering sex related questions based
on the earlier educational slideshow
presentation.
Giada Gowden was the winner of one
of the baskets distributed throughout the
night. When asked how it feels to win
sex bingo, the first-year nursing major
replied, “It’s definitely different from
winning regular bingo.”
Throughout the game, resident
assistants walked by and dropped
Skittles into students’ mocktails. This
demonstrated how easily it is to be
roofied or drugged, warning students of
the dangers.
When the event concluded, some
students
left
having
important
conversations on the information they
had learned.
“I think my favorite part about sex
bingo was Gabe’s presentation. I love
seeing our RAs get out of their element
and to go up and do presentations that
engage people and get people riled up
and having a good time,” said Daniel
Yap, Slocum Hall RA.
Safe sex and sexual assault are
important topics to be educated on in
college. Reslife was able to incorporate
this education into a fun game of bingo.
Students were reminded that if they see
something, they should say something,
because no one is, nor should be alone in
a time of need.
Wilkes University offers many
resources for students on campus. Free
Counseling Services are offered on the
second floor of Passan Hall and Health
Services provide STD counseling for
students.
They also supply free condoms and
women’s sanitary supplies.
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Life, Arts & Entertainment
Sydney Allabaugh:
8
Sam Mullen:
Open Hearted - The Garden
Night Moves - Bob Seger
Leah Smith:
Brady Melovitz:
Bury the Light - Casey Edwards
Tarzan Boy - Baltimora
Andrew Marshallsay:
Shawn Carey:
Good Directions - Billy Currington
Maggot - Dazey and the Scouts
Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bops!
�The Beacon – March 19, 2025
Life, Arts & Entertainment
9
Wilkes University Theatre puts on As You Like It
By Anthony Kehs
Special to the Beacon
Editor’s note: Anthony Kehs is a cast
member of As You Like It.
After four years, The Bard is back
onstage at Wilkes.
The Wilkes University Theatre
Department presents As You Like It,
directed by Jon Liebetrau and assistant
directed by junior musical theatre
major Maddie Meier, this weekend in
the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for
the Performing Arts..
Wit and romance thrive in this
comedic Shakespeare play, where
feuding brothers spark exile and
transformation. Young Orlando escapes
his wicked brother Oliver and wins the
heart of Rosalind, daughter of the exiled
Duke Senior.
After being banished herself by Duke
Frederick, Rosalind disguises as a man
and flees with her cousin, Celia and the
court fool, Touchstone to the Forest
of Arden. In the Forest of Arden, love
blooms and identities blur until truth
is revealed and peace is restored with
weddings and forgiveness in the wilds
of the wood.
“we are setting [As You Like It]
in the 1960s around the Summer of
Love/Woodstock era where there
was a real confrontation between
the establishment and the antiestablishment, which I think mirrors
what we are experiencing today and the
turmoil they went through in that era,”
Liebetrau said.
“I think it’s really important in these
times when people disagree, to watch a
play that starts out with many people
disagreeing and finding ways to come
together and create a better union.”
First-year musical theatre major
Antonio Torres enjoys the giving of
themselves to the play.
“The most exciting part of rehearsal
is that we get to play. We are still in
that stage where we get to play with the
script and make it our own,” Torres said.
In addition to being the last show of
From left, first row, Antonio Torres and Kasey Karoli. Second row, Bella Ruiz and John Quick.
the 2024-2025 season, As You Like It
will also be the final show at Wilkes for
seniors Kasey Karoll and Bella Ruiz
“I love this role so much because I
see a lot of myself in her, and I think
I’m bringing a lot of myself into this
character,” said Karoll, who plays
Rosalind. “She’s such a me character.
“I am also really proud of everyone in
it. I think everyone is bringing a little
bit of themselves into the world of the
play and it makes the show all of the
more special, which only makes leaving
harder.”
Ruiz plays Celia.
“I am so thankful for this opportunity.
It’s kind of like a capstone in a way where
I am able to think about everything
that I have learned beforehand and
somehow encapsulate it into giving the
best performance I can to say goodbye
to the stage.”
Liebetrau hopes the audience will be
able “to think and process and find ways
to accept people that don’t necessarily
think the same way that they do, but
will get along with them and can create
an environment where people work
together and can accept each other.”
The Wilkes University Theatre
Department will perform As You Like
It on April 10, 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. and
April 12 and 13 at 2 p.m.
The cast includes Torres as Orlando,
John Quick as Oliver, Jesse Lawson as
Adam/William, Karoll as Rosalind, Ruiz
as Celia, Caleb Flannery as Touchstone,
Anthony Kehs as Duke Senior, Evan
Cole as Duke Fredrick/Corin, Elias Brix
as Charles/Silvius, Elena DiSciullo as
Phoebe, Hope Jacobus as Audrey, Ella
Villani as Le Beau, Alby Lopuhovsky
as Jaques, Rocco Pugliese as Amiens,
Madelyn Rex as Duke Senior’s First Lord,
Lexi Wesnak as Duke Senior’s Second
Lord/Sir Oliver Martext, Melissa Reyes
as Duke Fredrick’s First Lord, Jacob
Cintronelle as Duke Fredrick’s Second
Lord, and Maddie Meier as Hymen.
Tickets cost $15 for general
admission, $10 for students and seniors,
and are free for anyone with a Wilkes
University ID.
To purchase tickets for As You Like It,
please visit wilkes.edu/theatre or visit
the box office an hour before showtime
at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
for the Performing Arts on the corner
of West South and South River streets.
�The Beacon – April 9, 2025
Life, Arts & Entertainment
10
Finals season means practicing self-care
By Natalia Williams
Staff Writer
With finals season approaching,
prioritizing self-care and taking care of
mental health is extremely important.
The end of the semester can be a
really busy time with papers, exams and
projects, which often causes students
to forget about their well-being. But
forgetting to take breaks and neglecting
one’s overall mental health, can make
it harder to succeed in assignments or
things that need to be done in general.
“Self-care involves the activities that we
intentionally engage in to maintain our
physical, emotional, and mental wellness.”
said Maria Richards, the Director of
Counseling at the University Counseling
Center.
Practicing self-care during finals week
or a stressful time in general is important
because it helps reduce stress and anxiety,
and it can help with productivity.
It can alsoprevent burnout.
“One of the most important self-care
practices is establishing a regular routine
of eating and sleeping. This keep our
bodies and our minds nourished and
replenished to fuel the energy and focus
need to complete tasks and manage
stress,” Richards said.
Everyone has different ways to care for
themselves that works best for them.
“Some examples are reaching out to
friends and family, engaging in a hobby,
practicing relaxation techniques (yoga,
meditation), and listening to music. It is
important to identify activities that offer
recharge and rest, not just distraction or
numbing,” Richards said.
Juggling many exams and/or projects
can be tough. Time management and
balance is important in order to prevent
burnouts or even more stress.
“I think a good starting point
in managing stress when facing
multiple demands is to be proactive
with maintaining balance,” she said.
“This involves being intentional with
prioritizing and organizing time not only
to study, but also building breaks to rest
and recharge.”
Each student during their time at
Wilkes or their school career overall has
found their way of taking breaks and
balancing their time.
“I balance my breaks and study by
figuring out what space is really needed,”
said sophomore business administration
major Jaylin Cazares Gaspar.
“For example, I would like to study
right before class and if I have a two hour
gap between classes, the first hour is a
break and econd hour is study.”
For self care methods, Jaylin says she
takes breaks every couple of minutes so
she doesn’t overwork herself.
According to sophomore nursing
major, Anthony Vissotski, organization
helps him.
“I have a very strict schedule that allows
time for both studying and down time.
And what I do during breaks is drink
water and chill.”
Finding a favorite way to take brain
breaks during studying is imperative
for a smooth and less stressful studying
session.
“... these breaks are what are inherently
needed at regular points during these
times in order to maintain a healthy
mindset.”
Richards gave several ideas for relieving
stress, including taking a short break by
going for a walk outside, calling a friend
or listening to music.
Not only are taking breaks and time
management important, but staying
connected with family and friends is
another aspect as well. All can provide a
feeling of comfort and a strong support
system provides motivation.
“If students are struggling, opening up
to a trusted friend or family member is
a powerful step,” according to Richards.
“One can start by asking, ‘Do you have
time to talk?’ in order to convey that
you’re reaching out.”
The Wilkes University Counseling
Center offers free counseling for students
in need of emotional support or just
someone to talk to.
“Some students come regularly, and
others come as needed. It can help talk
things through with a counselor, and
students come for a variety of reasons
(stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem,
relationships, and many more)...When
Wilkes students have an urgent need to
speak with a counselor, 27/7 support is
available 570-408-CHAT (2428).”
With the last final months of he
academic year coming up, prioritizing
self-care is incredibly important and
essential. Taking study breaks, managing
stress and things to do can make a huge
difference in mental health and overall
academic success.
Students can reach out to the counseling
for an appointment at 570-408-4100 and
to get more information, visit wilkes.edu/
counseling for more information.
Is your club launching a fundraising event?
Looking for new members?
Let us know. You could be featured in an upcoming edition of The Beacon.
Email kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu with details and contact information.
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
11
Life, Arts & Entertainment
Spring Crossword Puzzle
Spring Crossword Puzzle
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Across
3. Common ingredient in Easter recipes; it could be
eaten on its own.
6. Often seen after a spring rain shower.
9. The month that marks the start of summer, but it's
still spring in the early days.
10. A place where flowers or vegetables are planted.
11. A week-long Jewish holiday celebrated in the
spring.
12. A popular spring flower.
Down
1. Hindu spring festival characterized by colorful
powder.
2. April ____ bring May flowers.
4. What animals often do in the fresh spring grass.
5. A colorful insect often seen in spring.
7. What flowers do in spring.
8. A spring holiday often associated with eggs and
bunnies.
Across
3. Common ingredient in Easter recipes; it could be
eaten on its own.
6. Often seen after a spring rain shower.
9. The month that marks the start of summer, but it's
still spring in the early days.
10. A place where flowers or vegetables are planted.
11. A week-long Jewish holiday celebrated in the
spring.
12. A popular spring flower.
g
y
r
l
e
t
12
m
t
o
s
p
11
a
10
8
Down
1. Hindu spring festival characterized by colorful
powder.
2. April ____ bring May flowers.
4. What animals often do in the fresh spring grass.
5. A colorful insect often seen in spring.
7. What flowers do in spring.
8. A spring holiday often associated with eggs and
bunnies.
r
d
e
e
z
6
3
e
g
4
a
s
n
s
r
9
j
u
n
w
o
r
a
i
g
1
n
b
h
l
s
o
2
f
v
e
r
o
e
a
u
e
l
7
t
b
t
w
u
5
h
Spring Crossword
ossword Puzzle
b
i
p
���The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Opinion
Opinion
14
Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact assistant opinion editors: shawn.carey1@wilkes.edu or logan.colonna@wilkes.edu.
Editorial Staff
2024-25
MANAGERIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief - Sydney Allabaugh
Social Media Manager - Megan Davis
Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher
SECTION EDITORS
News - Leah Smith
Sports - Zach Paraway
ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Andrew Marshallsay
Opinion - Logan Colonna
Opinion - Shawn Carey
Sports - Adam Grundt
Sports - Sam Mullen
DESIGNERS
Head Designer - Lara Mullen
Designer - Carol Stratford
Layout Designer - Brady Melovitz
Photographer - Shannon Slominski
SECTION STAFF WRITERS
News - Kayla Bicskei
LA&E - Natalia Williams
Opinion - “Freeze”
Sports - Ava Tureen
Sports - Lexi McHugh
141 S. Main Street
Clayton and Theresa Karambelas
Media & Communication Center
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
Phone - (570) 408-5903
www.thewilkesbeacon.com
Want to advertise in The Beacon?
Contact: Kalen Churcher at
kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu or
Sydney Allabaugh at sydney.
allabaugh@wilkes.edu.
The Beacon
Est. 1936
Pa. Newspaper
Association Member
Our Voice
Each week, The Beacon’s editorial board will take a stance on a current issue.
Importance of holding celebrities accountable
Celebrity culture is really something
to behold. We spend so much time and
resources monitoring each and every
moment of these celebrities’ day. While
many celebrities choose to avoid the
limelight to some degree, there’s plenty
that embrace it.
It’s not uncommon to see celebrities
interacting with fans. There’s meet
and greets, social media, mailing lists,
whatever else. On paper there’s nothing
wrong with this. It’s a great way to build
community.
Some celebrities take it too far
however. Unwanted messages, creepy
DMs, inappropriate touching. There are
celebrities that believe that they can do
whatever they want and get away with it.
This often fails.
Recently, former “Impractical Joker”
star Joe Gatto was accused of messaging
and sexually assaulting a 19-year-old
fan. The star allegedly got the young
individual drunk before leading her back
to his hotel room in September 2023, a
year and a half ago. That’s how long it
took for the allegations to go public.
As of now, it’s currently unknown if
Joe is going to face charges.
Out of every 1000 sexual assaults, 975
perpetrators will walk free, according
to RAINN. Even if the allegations are
true, it could be possible that he will
get no more than a slap on the wrist.
This entire situation begs the question:
Should we be holding celebrities more
accountable?
We often view celebrities as mythical
figures. We look up to them; we’re
inspired by them; we want to be them.
Much like heroes of myth, they can do
no wrong. We forget that they’re human
just like us, humans with influence and
power.
They aren’t our friends; we don’t
truly know them. While I don’t doubt
that there’s plenty of celebrities that
appreciate their fans, there’s plenty that
treat them as just a number.
It can be difficult to put them down
at our level. After all, most people don’t
have an army of thousands of loyal
followers, which is why I believe that
we shouldn’t. We should instead expect
more.
They don’t have the same resources
or responsibility as us; they have even
more. It’s because of this that we should
expect them to use them wisely. If they
want to be treated like heroes, then they
should act like it.
We should also always expect the
worst. It is a rather depressing thought
but it’s something to think about. Who
knows what these people are hiding or
how much money they’re spending to
keep the victims silent.
Even in cases in which celebrities
are found guilty of harassment, assault
or worse, there are fans that defend
their actions. We should not give these
individuals a pass just because they are
famous.
Everywhere you go you see it. Treat
celebrities as you would treat a stranger.
Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters
must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not
be published but may be used for verification purposes.
All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods:
Email: sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu
Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.)
Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Opinion
15
The Icebox: The Nintendo Switch 2 is almost here
By “Freeze”
Opinion Staff Writer
Welcome back to the Icebox. In today’s
issue, there is a rather critical matter to
discuss. The “Nintendo Direct” for the
successor of the Nintendo Switch finally
aired globally. Not even seconds into the
presentation, my mind was blown.
The Direct begins with a detailed trailer
for the latest installment in the Mario
franchise, “Mario Kart World” which
can have up to 24 racers. The courses are
gigantic and a mix of tracks from previous
games; the roster is quite abundant,
previously vaulted items are making a
return and you can drive around in an
open-world setting.
That last bit is clearly a lot to unpack
for a Mario Kart game. As a kid I always
wondered how cool it would be to just be
able to drive anywhere. Now it looks like
my dreams are becoming reality with the
“free roam” game mode where you can
get together with your friends and drive
around on a large map.
The Switch 2 revealed some of the features
that everyone suspected before. The JoyCon 2 does feature a mouse sensor and is
claimed to be more durable. Everything
about the console is bigger except for its
thickness. The console will support 1080p
resolution with 120 frames per second in
handheld mode and potentially supporting
4K resolution when docked. The dock
houses a separate cooling system so that
higher-power gaming is within reach. The
native storage space is now 256 gigabytes,
which is eight times that of its predecessor.
Funny enough, Nintendo has only just
caught up to industry standards. This
hardware is impressive for a Nintendo
console, but relatively tame otherwise. It’s
the fact that Nintendo creators never fail
to make their projects super unique that
carries them such a long way. Another
positive note here is that the console has
everything that people were hoping for.
As previously discussed in an online
issue of the Icebox, there is a mysterious
“C” button on the controllers. That has
been revealed to toggle a new feature called
“GameChat.” This allows players to connect
to each other in real time with voice, screen
sharing and even video if they purchase the
Nintendo webcam accessory. This addition
to the console is absolutely insane, acting
as a built-in alternative to Discord. While
the exact performance is still up in the
air for this, it’s clear that Nintendo wants
to support the family-friendly aspect of
gaming with this feature.
Additionally, Nintendo has finally made
greater measures to enhance the definition
of “Nintendo Switch family.” First, it was
revealed in another recent Direct that
the systems would support virtual game
cards. These are transferable copies of a
digital game that can be shared with other
consoles.
The Nintendo Switch 2 will also be able
to locally share a game to another console
so both can run the game at once, just like
how the now-discontinued DS systems.
Transferring data from one console to
another has also been made easier and
faster. Of course, some of these features will
require a Nintendo Online membership.
Speaking of Nintendo Online, there is
still no intel on whether or not the service
has been improved. Fans are hoping for
“rollback netcode” which is the most
optimal way to arrange an online service
for a video game.
Games from the original Switch will
be playable on the Switch 2, and some
of them are even receiving updates to
push potential for the new hardware. For
example, the open-world Zelda games will
be playable in 4K on the Switch 2. “Mario
Party Jamboree” will actually include
entirely new content that will make use of
the new mouse and webcam features.
Mario Kart is usually the designated
launch title for Nintendo devices, but
along with it are many Nintendo originals
and collaborative projects, some of which
are very surprising. Needless to say, a
lot of bold statements were made when
Nintendo revealed some of the launching
and developing titles.
For example, a Nintendo-exclusive
game by FromSoftware, called “The
Duskbloods” is going to be released soon.
The same developers made “Elden Ring,”
which is also going to be released for the
Switch 2. Several big titles have already
pitched in with their normal editions, such
as EA Sports and Square Enix.
The Switch 2 Direct has been an
absolute revival of the Nintendo
atmosphere, which died years ago. Not
only did the representatives indirectly
challenge competitors, but they have
already established a spotlight with Indie
developers.
Why you should play the “Devil May Cry” video game
By Leah Smith
News Editor
Upon the release of the highly anticipated
Netflix anime adaptation of the video game
series “Devil May Cry,” people online have
vocalized their interest in not only the
show but the game series in general. This is
your guide to the series, what to expect and
how to purchase the games.
“Devil May Cry” is a Capcom distributed
video game series. This game would be
categorized as a hack-and-slash franchise
akin to that of the “Doom” and “God of
War” series. “Devil May Cry” is led by the
franchise’s pizza-loving and charismatic
protagonist Dante.
Dante is one of the sons of the devil,
Sparda. Sparda is the devil hero that came
from this game’s version of hell who vowed
to protect the human world from hell’s evil
forces.
However, when Dante and his brother
Virgil were children, they were ambushed
and their human mother Eva was killed
and Sparda disappeared and later killed.
His body becomes a sword that is used later
in the franchise.
“Devil May Cry” is Capcom’s most
underrated franchise despite it having
a highly anticipated and beloved anime
adaptation and niche internet fanbase.
There has not been a new game to enter
the series since “Devil May Cry 5” in 2019.
The series offers a fun charismatic lead
as well as other fan-favorite characters:
Virgil, the most recurring antagonist, Trish
and Lady, Dante’s partners in his demon
hunting business ventures, and Nero,
who ends up becoming a co-lead in the
franchise’s later games with Dante.
“Devil May Cry” is an incredibly fun
game series with a fun and engaging
storyline that newcomers will be able
to follow along with pretty easily. The
combat and gameplay improves as the
series progresses. Obviously, since the first
game came out in 2000, playing the game
nowadays would prove challenging but
nostalgic.
The series is not in chronological order
though. “Devil May Cry 3” is technically
where the series begins in terms of Dante’s
journey into finding out he is half-demon
and beginning the demon hunting business.
How you play the games is up to you of
course, but if you are one for chronological
order then “Devil May Cry 3” is the place
to start.
The series offers an array of fun and
exciting gameplay and weaponry and
the later installments sure test your skills
with those elements. The gameplay in the
series tests your combo skills by indicating
a meter that starts from D and goes up to
SSS.
By reaching to SSS, you will be able to
reach more points that you can use to
purchase in the games’ store options. In
the early games, the store is located via a
golden lion statue while in “Devil May Cry
5” the store can also be reached via statue
but mostly from the van driven by side
character, Nico, who builds weapons for
the leads Dante and Nero.
If you end up liking the show and
are interested in the games, I highly
recommend checking out “Devil May Cry.”
The series is one of my all time favorite
video game franchises because of the fun
gameplay and engaging plot and characters
as well as the game’s hard rock/nu-metal
aesthetic and presentation.
There is a collection including the first
three to four games located on online
platform stores and at gaming stores in
person. The fifth game is sold by itself but
should be available at a reasonable price.
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Opinion
16
Baseball’s Torpedo Bats: Nothing special, but they may work
By Andrew Marshallsay
Asst. News Editor
The New York Yankees have started their
season on a hot streak, launching home
runs like clockwork in the early stages.
Propelled by a high powered offense,
one thing has stood out: the new “torpedo
bats.” Designed by a physics professor hired
by the Yankees, the bats were created to
better help a hitter find their sweet spot on
the bat. The barrel on these bats is fattened
at the certain part of where a certain
player tends to make the most contact on a
standard-issue bat.
The bats aren’t anything entirely new,
and they aren’t a way for players to cheat.
Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton used
one in the 2024 postseason and had a good
stretch of games during the AL Pennant
run.
New York Mets shortstop Franciso
Lindor used one as well last year and
finished as a National League MVP finalist.
Other than that, it’s not entirely clear
when these bats first appeared in baseball.
Major League Baseball has come out
and said that the bats are completely legal
and don’t violate any rules on equipment.
However, the bats aren’t really anything
special.
Some have come out and said that the
bats are “wrong” or “cheating,” but really,
they’re just giving a player a better idea of
where to hit the ball.
Most baseball players tend to hit the
ball with the same part of the bat over,
and over again. Pure sluggers are going to
have a certain point of contact with the bat,
contact hitters are going to have another
point of contact.
With the torpedo bats, the main aim is
to just maximize hitting. Again, there are
some that say that the bats are illegal, but
they just aren’t. Unlike corking a bat which
gives the bat less weight, the torpedo bat
weighs the exact same as a normal bat.
There’s nothing illegal about it, it’s just
about maximizing contact.
It changes for every player, thus the
torpedo bats are for different players. Since
they’re just now being adopted by teams
and players other than the Yankees, the
science and links between the bats and
increased hits just isn’t there yet. It’ll take
some time before we really know if these
bats are working.
Quite frankly, the bats may give
advantages to hitters, the key word being
“may.” The evidence may be there, however
it’s too early to tell if these bats are actually
contributing to home runs, or good players
are just starting the season having good
games.
While they may be a cool thing, they may
well just end up being a gimmick. However,
those who use the torpedo bats seem to like
them so far.
Alternate history: The New Order vs. The Man in the High Castle
By Noah Garraoui
Contributing Writer
The most common question among
those who discuss alternate history is,
“What if the Axis had won World War II?”
And by most common, I do mean it’s a
subject that has been beaten to death and
then beaten even more.
Nevertheless there is still a way to do it
well and a way to do it poorly, and as such I
submit two examples to demonstrate a case
in which this alternate history scenario was
engaged with on realistic, intriguing, and
nuanced grounds, and other that isn’t.
Respectively, I am referring to the
“Hearts of Iron IV” mod, “The New Order,”
and the book turned TV show adaptation,
“The Man in the High Castle.”
And yes I would like to clarify that I am
saying the video game mod has superior
world building to the big budget TV. The
whole subject is surrounded by conjecture
of how modifying something or other about
the Axis war effort would have decisively
turned the tables on the Allies, so before
getting into the meat of this subject, I feel
beholden to dispel some of these theories
and the faulty grounds they depend upon,
though they are not ones which either
example rest upon.
First and foremost, the loss of the British
Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk would
have been extremely unlikely to catalyse a
British surrender. Churchill had made up
his mind about no peace for cooperation
with Nazi Germany. While manpower
would have certainly been a concern in the
face of the loss of a third of a million men,
this could have been remedied by troops
from the Commonwealth. Furthermore,
Germany was never going to invade
England.
Consider the monumental effort it took
to enact D-Day, technological innovations,
the sheer quantity of men and material,
and the near total control of the air and
sea. Even at the height of its capabilities,
Germany was nowhere near able to pull this
off primarily because of how outmatched
the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine were to the
Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
Last among the myths of how Germany
could have won WWII is to simply
concentrate the German invasion of the
Soviet Union upon Moscow and take the
city before the onset of winter. This point
misunderstands the character of Stalin and
the nature of the war between the USSR
and Germany. It was a total war, and for
the Soviet Union, it was a war of survival in
which German designs post-war dictated
the eradication of the inhabitants of Eastern
Europe. As such, the loss of their capital
would in no way meant the end of the
Soviet war effort, and for a megalomaniac
like Stalin, no amount of defeats would
mean he would concede the war.
Returning to the comparison of our two
titles, I start with our positive example,
“The New Order.” A short book could be
written about the extensive lore of this mod
but in broad strokes, this mod starts the
game in 1962 after Nazi Germany lands a
man on the Moon, beating the USA and
Japan. Right from the start, the world is far
more dynamic and realistic.
First of all, Germany never invaded the
United States nor conquered it; the United
States survived the war and founded the
Organization of Free Nations, basically
NATO, and welcomed the former British
Commonwealth. Meanwhile, Germany
has hegemony over Europe in an alliance
called the Einheitspakt. Nominally, this
includes a semi-independent France, a
puppet Kingdom in England, Germany
proper, and its colonies made out of
Soviet Territory in the East. The German
Colonies themselves are another small slice
of realism, as the Nazi dream of German
families settling and subduing the East
Failed.
Instead, there is a near-ongoing partisan
warfare, and the colonial governments
burden the Reich with economic and
material reliance. Speaking of the East, The
Soviet Union collapsed and lost its territory
east of the Arkhangelsk- Astrakhan Line
and collapsed into a multitude of various
warlord states ranging from burgeoning
democracies, Nazi Aligned warlords, or
former soviet generals all fighting over the
future of Russia. To the South of Germany,
Italy under Mussolini split with Hitler and
created his own faction with Turkey and
a United Iberia for mutual protection in
case of a Nazi invasion. All of this is barely
scratching the surface of the sheer effort
and love that went into crafting the world
of “The New Order,” and it’s all the more
impressive considering it’s a mod for a
video game.
Now shifting to “The Man in the High
Castle,” the world map is basically two
blobs: a big Reich blob over Europe, Africa,
North America, and part of South America,
and a big Japan blob around the Pacific and
into India. How does Germany or Japan
even have the manpower to occupy all
these territories? Who knows? Why aren’t
there constant rebellions all the time? I
have no clue. Why did the Unites States
surrender after getting nuked once? Why
did Germany pursue nuclear weapons
when Hitler mistrusted nuclear science out
of antisemitism? What is life even like in
the Reich?
There are no answers to these questions.
There is so much information integral to
making the world in “The Man in the High
Castle” work that is ignored, skipped over
or is incongruent. For a TV show with a
budget of $70 million, there is so much
more that could have been done with the
world building.
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Opinion
17
The downside of announcing movies in advance
By Shawn Carey
Asst. Opinion Editor
We live in an age of nonstop media
consumption.
There’s
constantly
new movies, shows and games being
released. Most of these projects, such
as the superhero ones, were announced
years in advance.
For example, July’s “Fantastic Four:
The First Steps” was first announced
all the way back in 2019 at San Diego
Comic Con, six years ago. We have
known of this movie for half a decade.
So what gives? When and why did
studios start to do this? Why is the
existence of a movie public knowledge
to the public before it even made it to
the production stage?
These early announcements are a
pretty recent phenomenon. Like with
most entertainment trends we can tie
it back to Marvel. Back in 2011 the
studio announced “phase 2” of their
cinematic universe, once again at San
Diego Comic Con.
Marvel showcased the dates, titles,
plot summaries of their next couple
films. Everything from 2013 “Ironman
3” all the way to 2015 “Ant-Man.” The
studio did this to show the public
that they had a grand plan for their
cinematic universe that Marvel was
going to be around for the years to
come.
Soon after, other media giants
decided to jump on the cinematic
universe bandwagon. Warner Bros. and
DC announced the DCEU, Lucasfilm
announced a large list of Star Wars
films and shows that would be releasing
in the coming years, Sony created their
own universe of Spider-man related
characters.
While most of the projects announced
were finished and released, there were a
few outliers. DC had to cancel their Ben
Affleck led Batman movie, Star Wars
had to cut most of their TV shows, and
so on. These connected universes were
mostly successful. At least for a time.
Ever since the pandemic began,
it seems like general audiences are
becoming less and less interested in
these joint projects. The last few DCEU
movies were box office bombs causing
the studio to reboot the entire thing,
Sony scrapped their universe entirely
and Star Wars is no longer the cultural
landmark it once was.
The MCU is seemingly the only
connected universe still standing,
and even then they’ve been running
into problems. Mostly involving the
characters of “Kang the Conqueror.”
Kang was meant to be the universe’s
movies usually serve as the big phase
ending movies. They’re framed as these
huge cinematic experiences. Movies
that are meant to get the whole world
talking.
Kang didn’t have the best introduction
but perhaps there was still a chance
to get the audience to care about him.
All Marvel needed to do was release a
project that showed him as a legitimate
threat. Something that they never got to
new big bad, following the widely
popular Thanos. Played by Johathan
Majors he first appeared in “Ant-Man
and the Wasp: Quantumania.” The
movie was both a critical and financial
failure, which proved to be rather
unfortunate for the studio.
The villain was meant to headline
“Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.” For
those who don’t know, the Avengers
do.
On March 25, 2023, Jonathan Majors,
the actor that was going to play Kang,
was arrested in New York City and was
later found guilty of one misdemeanor
assault charge and one harassment
violation after allegedly striking his
girlfriend Grace Jabbari in the head
with an open hand and breaking her
middle finger by squeezing it.
One of Marvel’s leading actors was
now a criminal.
As you can imagine the studio
panicked. The big event they’ve been
building up to was now in trouble. They
obviously couldn’t use the actor, or even
recast him. Marvel didn’t even want to
acknowledge the allegations.
So, what were they going to do?
Recast Robbie Downey Jr, their
original frontman as a villain. Last
year it was announced that RDJ would
be playing fan favorite Marvel villain
“Doctor Doom.” This in turn made
“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”
essentially meaningless. The movie no
longer mattered.
While Marvel has had a handful of
other problems within the past couple
of years, such as not being able to find
a director for Blade. Nothing beats the
entire Kang situation.
So, what can studios do differently?
These early announcements are done
to build hype. They want the audience
to get excited for what’s to come.
They however, also lead to them being
disappointed.
Imagine being a fan of a character. Let’s
use Ghost Rider as an example. Comic
Con comes around and you’re eagerly
waiting for a movie announcement. It’s
time for the Marvel panel and instead
of your favorite hero getting a movie,
Marvel announces a fourth Thor movie.
All you can do after is wait and hope for
one next time, whenever that may be.
Nothing stays the same, you really
can’t plan a decade into the future. You
honestly can’t even really do a year. Sure,
you can have a concept, but still you
can’t tell people to expect something.
As messy as the game’s industry is,
it at least seems like they know how to
showcase a product.
Most games tend to get announced
at most two years before release. While
they are some exceptions, this seems to
be the standard practice.
There’s nothing wrong with getting
viewers excited, you just have to figure
out the proper course of action.
Graphic by Carol Stratford
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Opinion
18
A review Nav's newest album "OMW2 REXDALE"
An analysis of performance, features, production, replayability
By Logan Colonna
Asst. Opinion Editor
I’d like to start this by saying that I am
not a NAV fan in the slightest. I never
made time to get to know his music all
that well besides the more famous songs
from his catalog.
I know that most music fans
are very one-sided regarding him
though. You have the one side that
is practically die-hard fans and
enjoy just about anything that he
released. Then, you have the other
side that automatically says that the
music is bad without even giving it
a solid listen.
To find out which side I’m on,
I’ll be reviewing his new record,
“OMW2 REXDALE.” I’ll take
into account certain areas like the
performance of NAV, the features
he got together for this project, the
production and the replayability of
the album.
First, Nav did pretty decent on
this record. My favorite song on this
record was the intro, “SINKING.”
This is all because of his vocals on
the track. I know very little about
NAV, but I do know that he’s not
known for his lyrics. While they’re
not bad by any means, they’re not
something that is going to blow
your mind. Because of that, I think
he knows that his appeal is his voice.
With that in mind, we get tracks
like this that are more melodic than
usual.
I also really enjoyed “U.N.I.” quite
a bit. Yet again, it’s because of his
vocals and his flow. As a whole, NAV
is just a very melodic artist. Overall,
NAV is honestly great performance wise.
As for the features on the record,
there’s only a couple. We have Don
Toliver on “YOU” and Playboi Carti on
“UNLIMITED.”
As for Don’s feature, he offers his
typical cloudy vocals. What he does
here isn’t amazing by any means, but
he creates a nice soundscape for the
music to exist in. He does a great job of
keeping the same vibe that NAV set up
in the beginning with his verse. Even the
rapping he does throughout his verse is
pretty good.
As for “UNLIMITED,” it’s practically
Playboi Carti’s song. He gets an intro,
“rock out,” and I am just not in the mood
for repetition like that as of late.
It’s kind of funny that I’m now like
this because when he first released
“JumpOutTheHouse,” I was in love with
it. I bring this up because he repeats
“jump out the house” 30 different times.
two verses, the pre-chorus, chorus and
an outro. I get why this wasn’t on his
record “MUSIC” that just released since
it wouldn’t fit whatsoever, but I find it
weird whenever artists get a feature and
are heard more than the original artist.
While this isn’t a bad thing, it just irks
me a bit. I thoroughly enjoyed Carti’s
verses, but I cannot bring myself to like
the chorus. All it is is Carti repeating
Do not ask why.
Anyways, the features are both decent.
Nothing too bad or too good here.
In regard to the production on the
album, there’s seriously no track that
stands out to me positively or negatively.
Each track is good, but that’s about it.
“SINKING” and its production is
solid, but again, it’s nothing out of
the ordinary. However, we do have a
collaboration track with “legendary”
producer Metro Boomin and NAV on
“REAL ME.” I say that with the quotes
because with the way that Metro Boomin
is anymore, I didn’t expect anything
amazing. With that, the instrumental
on the track is alright at most. In my
opinion, Metro Boomin has been
declining shortly after his record
in 2022, “HEROES & VILLAINS.”
Since then, he’s just not hit the same
sound that I loved from that record.
Overall, the production is good at
most.
With the decency of the
production bringing the record
down, we have something that
is better in comparison, the
replayability. The record is fairly
short coming in at 14 tracks and
only 36 minutes.
Like I’ve said in the past, I enjoy
records that are shorter since
they’re often times more cohesive
as an album. The records that are
over 30 songs (thanks Playboi
Carti) are just unlistenable, front to
back, when you want to listen for
the fifth time or so. The record here
also offers different sounds on each
track, helping its credibility in the
replayability department. Overall,
I’ve enjoyed listening to the record
front to back because of its great
replayability.
As you can probably tell, NAV is
decent this time around. I can’t say
that I’m much of a fan, or hater, at
this point because I know that he
definitely has some “meh” projects
out there but I have to listen to them
to really understand the people’s
hate. I do get that people may not get the
appeal to NAV, and I think that’s why he
has so many haters.
With all of that being said, I think if
you typically listen to NAV, you should
give this record a try.
Regardless,
NAV’s
“OMW2
REXDALE” gets a 6 out of 10.
Graphic by Carol Stratford
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Sports
Sports
19
Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: zachary.paraway@wilkes.edu
Wilkes baseball hosts Landmark Series against Juniata
By Andrew Marshallsay
Asst. News Editor
�������������������������������������������
��
�������������
������ ��
�� ��� �� ���� ��� ���� ���� ��� ����
�������� ���� ���� ��������� ��������� ��� ��
�������������������������������������
���� ��� ��
������� ���� ���� ��� � ��
��
����� ���� ������ ���� �
�� ����� ��
���
��������������
������ ����� ��� �������� ������� ������
�����
��� ��� ���� ���������� ���� ���������
���� ���� ��� ���� ��
����� ������ ���� ���� �����
�����������������������
����������������
���
���������������������������� �����������
������
��������������������������������
����������������������
���������
�������
�����
��������
�������������������������������
��������� �������� ������ � ������� ������
����������������� ���
������������� ���
���������� ��� ������� ��
�����������
����������������� ����
��� ����������������
����
���
�� ����
����� ��� ���� ������� ��
�� ����
���� ��������� ���� ����� ������ ��� �������
������������������� � ���
�����������������������������������������
�
��� ��������������������� ����������������
������������ ����������������������
��������
������ ������ ��� ������ �������� ����� ��� ������
���
������������������������������������
�� ��
��������
�������������������������
�������
��������������������������������������
�����
������������
������������
������������
������� �������� ���� ���� ������ ��
�� ��� �
����
���������������������������������������
���������������������������������������������
������������������������������������������������
���������������������
� ��������������
��
�����
�������������������
��������
����������
��������������������
������ �������� ����� ����� � �������� �����
���������� ��������� ������������� ���� �����
�������� ���������������������������������
����������������������������������������� ��
���������
������������������������������
������ ����
���
�������������
�����
�
���������������������������������������������
����������������������
��������������������
�� ���� ������� ������ �� ��� ���� ��� ���� ��
��
������ ������� ��
�� ��� ����� �������� ���
���������������������������������
�������
������
��������� ���
������� ������������ ��� �������� ���� ������
���������������������������������������������
��� ����
����������������������������������
������������������������������ �������������
��� ��������������������������
��������������
�������������������������������� �����������
��� ��������� ���� ���� �������� ���� ���
������ ���� ����� ������� ��� ���
����� ��������
���� ��
�� ��� ����� �������� ������� �����
����������������������������������������������
��
����������������������������������������
�������������������������������������
��
����� ��
����� ���� ���� ������ ���
���� ��� ��
�����������������������������������������������
�������
��
��������������
������������������������
���������������������������������������
��������� ���� ����� ����� �������� �������
���������������������������������
������ ���� �������� ���� ��������� �
���
���
���¡¡��������������������������������
�����������
�� ����� �������
�������������
�����������������������������
���������������������������������������
�������
��������������
���������������������
������
����
����������������
������ ������ ���� ��������� ���� ��� � ��� ����
�������������������������������� �����
����
����¢��
��������������������
���������
�������
�� �����������������
���
����������������������������������
��� ��������������
���������� �����
������ �������� ������ ����� ����� ���� ��� ��
��
��� ����
�� � ����������� ������ ���� ��� ���
��������� ���
� ���� ��� � ��� ������� ��� ��
��
����������������
��������������
��������������� �����������������������
��
���������������������������������������
����������������
���
��� ��� ��
�� ����� ���� ������� ��� ���� ���
���� ����
�� � ������������ ������ �������
�����������������������������������������
�
�� ���� ���� �� ��������� ����� ������
��� ��� ��� �� ��
����� �� ���� ��������
�����������������
�����
�������������������
����������������������
������� ��� � ���� ����� ��� ���� ���� ��� ����
������� ������� ����� ��
����� ��
���� ��
��������� ������ ��� �� ��� ��� ����
��� �����
����� �
��� ���� ����� ��� ������� ����
���
�� ����������������������������������������
������������������������������������������
��
���
� �� ��� �� � �������� ����� ������������
�����
���� �������� ������ ����
��� �� ��
���������
���������������������������
�������������
��� ��������� ������� ������ ��� ���� ������
Photo by Wilkes Athletics
���� ����� ���������
� ���� ��� �� � ��
��
������� ��� ��� ��� ��� � ������� ��� ������
��
��������������������������
�����������
��������
�����������
�����������������������������
���������������������������
������
������
� ��
��������
����
����� ���������� ���������
������������������������������������
������
��
��������
����������������� ��������
��
���� ������
����� ��� ������� ����� �����
����� �������������������������������� ��
������������������
��� ������ ��
�� ��� ���� �������������
���� ���� ������ �� �� ����
����� ���� ����
������������������������
���������
���
�����������������������������
������ �������� ���� ���������� ��� ���������
������������������������������� �������������
������������������������
���������� ���
���������������
� ����������
�������
��� Wilkes Baseball seniors celebrate their last home games with the team during double-header against Juniata.
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Sports
20
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins look to bounce back this week
Game recaps, the week ahead, news and notes
By Adam Grundt
Asst. Sports Editor
After two games against a tough
opponent, the Cleveland Monsters, the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins look to
make a final push for a first-round bye
in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Penguins have already clinched a
spot in the 2024-25 postseason, but are
looking to solidify themselves in one
of the top three spots in the Atlantic
Division in order to clinch a first-round
bye.
After this weekend’s games, WilkesBarre/Scranton sits in third place, just
one point ahead of the fourth-place
Providence Bruins. They are two points
behind Charlotte, who is in second
place, and five behind the two-time
defending Calder Cup Champions, the
Hershey Bears.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4 – Penguins 1 –
Cleveland 7
The Penguins offense was drubbed
by the Monsters on Friday, as the team
was outplayed at Rocket Mortgage
Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
Roman Ahcan tallied the first goal of
the game for Cleveland during the first
period, and then the Monsters rattled
off three goals to take a 4-0 lead into the
third period. Mikael Pyyhtiä, Ahcan,
and Guillaume Richard scored for the
Monsters during the middle frame.
Five minutes into the third, Cleveland
extended their lead to 5-0 with a goal
from James Malatesta. Vasily Ponomarev
tallied the only goal for Wilkes-Barre/
Scranton, his 15th of the season.
Luca Del Bel Belluz scored Cleveland’s
sixth of the night with three minutes
remaining in the third, and Ahcan
completed the hat trick with his third of
the night with a minute left.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5 – Penguins 0 –
Cleveland 3
Another stellar performance from
Cleveland’s defense and netminder
Jet Greaves was in store on Saturday
night as the Monsters rebranded as the
Cleveland Pierogies.
Cleveland kicked off the scoring 36
seconds into the game with a goal from
Hunter McKown. Just over six minutes
into the game, McKown struck again to
put the Pierogies ahead by 2.
The two-goal Cleveland lead carried
all the way into the third period,
until former University of Michigan
Wolverine, Gavin Brindley, concluded
the night’s scoring at 13:35 of the final
stanza.
Penguins’ rookie netminder Sergei
Murashov stopped 21 of 24 shots in net.
THE WEEK AHEAD
The Penguins do not play a game
until April 11, when they return home
to Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza for
a grudge match with a bitter rival, the
Hershey Bears. As previously stated, the
two teams are separated by five points
in the standings as of April 5. Penguins’
defenseman Filip Král leads all active
skaters with 11 points (3G – 8A) in the
season series thus far through 10 games.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton returns to
home ice the following night for their
annual community night rebranding,
presented by Visit Luzerne County.
The Penguins are rebranding to the
Carbondale UFOs, an ode to the alien
spacecraft’s alleged crash during the
1970’s in the Lackawanna County town.
In addition, the first 2,000 fans to arrive
at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza will
receive a Joel Blomqvist bobblehead. The
team faces off against the Springfield
Thunderbirds, and puck drop is slated
for 7:05 p.m.
NEWS AND NOTES
The Penguins are without two of
their leading point producers until
the end of the regular season. Rookie
sensations Ville Koivunen and Rutger
McGroarty were recalled to Pittsburgh,
and Koivunen made his NHL debut on
March 30, a 1-0 win against the Ottawa
SCHEDULE & TICKETS
Senators. Koivunen’s family made the
trip from Finland to Pittsburgh and
were in attendance at the game.
McGroarty collected his first NHL
point, an assist on a goal from Bryan
Rust in Thursday’s game against the St.
Louis Blues.
Later in the game, Koivunen tallied
his first NHL point with an assist on
McGroarty’s first NHL goal, a marker
that tied the game late in the third period.
The two rookies were pictured postgame
with the puck from McGroarty’s goal
and Koivunen’s point.
If the Pittsburgh Penguins are to
become eliminated from playoff
contention,
reinforcements
will
most likely be on the way. Koivunen
and McGroarty will likely return to
Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Tristan
Jarry is eligible to return to the team as
well for the Calder Cup Playoffs.
For more information on the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, visit
wbspenguins.com.
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Sports
21
MLAX: Wilkes drops back-to-back in conference play
By Ava Tureen and Zach Paraway
Contrubuting Writers
The Wilkes Men’s Lacrosse team just
finished up their last week, having played
two games. They hosted Drew University
on April 2 and traveled to Goucher College
on April 5.
The team came into last week with a
4-7 overall record and a 1-2 record within
Landmark Conference play. The previous
week was a successful one for the team
as they went 2-0 for the week with wins
against Mount Saint Mary College and
Juniata College, both on the road.
The Colonels were unable to make a
comeback on Wednesday against Drew
after a difficult first quarter, in which the
Rangers scored nine points and held the
Colonels scoreless. The final score for the
night was 16-4.
Wilkes had five turnovers during the
first quarter, and First-Year midfielder
Stone Sosnovik had one shot on goal that
was saved by Joe Barnish.
At the beginning of the second, the
Rangers switched their goalie to Sawyer
Kennedy. The Colonels had nine shots on
goal, and Jackson Casper scored the first
point for Wilkes after picking up a ground
ball and getting the shot off. That would
be their only goal before half, while Drew
went scoreless in the quarter.
Drew opened the second half scoring
with a goal from attackman Riley Zeer
and was assisted by Tommy Larmore. The
Colonels were quick to answer with a goal
from Casper and the assist coming from Sr.
midfielder Anthony DelDuca.
First-Year attackman Oscar Cline was a
player to watch during this game with one
goal, three ground balls, and three shots on
goal.
Wilkes gave it all in the fourth quarter
and scored two more times. Cline scored
the third goal of the game for Wilkes,
followed by Sosnovik scoring the final
goal of the game. Both of these goals were
assisted by So. midfielder Austin Sosnovik.
During the final quarter, Drew scored
2 more points, giving them a total of 16
points for the win.
Junior attackman Tim Hartka had even
shots, and Casper scored two goals. Austin
Sosnovik had two assists and picked up a
team-high of six ground balls along with
Brandon Cooke.
Junior goalkeeper Caleb Miller was in
goal for Wilkes and had 17 saves in the
game. Miller has played all 13 games so far
this season with a record of four wins and
nine losses.
In the econd game of the week, the team
traveled to Baltimore, Maryland to take on
the Goucher University Gophers. Goucher,
which was 6-5 coming into this game, was
able to pick up their first conference win
in the match. Goucher was able to take
an advantage early in the game, making
the deficit 7-0 after the first quarter and
15-0 by the half. Nine points in the second
half made the final score 24-0 in favor of
Goucher.
Standout performances for Goucher
include attackmen Gianni Karam with
seven goals and Jacob Morgan with 11
points between four goals and seven
assists. For Wilkes, Miller had 18 saves and
three players; defensemen Mac Jackson,
Owen Peters, and Caleb Edwards each had
4 ground balls, leading the team.
The Colonels have four games left in
their regular season, with the next game
home against Lycoming College at 7 p.m.
���� ����� ������ �������� ��������� ����
�����
�������
���
�� ��
�
�����
����������
MEN’S LACROSSESCHEDULE
FEB 15 1:00 P.M. – VS ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE (LANDMARK) – SCHMIDT STADIUM
FEB 22 1:00 P.M. – VS UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT BRADFORD – SCHMIDT STADIUM
FEB 26 4:00 P.M. – VS MARYWOOD UNIVERSITY – SCHMIDT STADIUM
MAR 5 5:00 P.M. – AT VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY – VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
MAR 8 1:00 P.M. – VS LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE – SCHMIDT STADIUM
MAR 12 7:00 P.M. – AT KING'S COLLEGE (PA.) – WILKES-BARRE, PA
MAR 15 1:00 P.M. – VS HOOD COLLEGE – SCHMIDT STADIUM
MAR 19 7:00 P.M. – AT ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY – READING, PA
MAR 22 1:00 P.M. – VS MORAVIAN UNIVERSITY (LANDMARK) – SCHMIDT STADIUM
MAR 26 7:00 P.M. – AT MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE (NY) – NEWBURGH, NY
MAR 29 1:00 P.M. – AT JUNIATA COLLEGE (LANDMARK) – HUNTINGDON, PA
APR 2 7:00 P.M. – VS DREW UNIVERSITY (LANDMARK) – SCHMIDT STADIUM
APR 5 1:00 P.M. – AT GOUCHER COLLEGE (LANDMARK) – BALTIMORE, MD
APR 9 7:00 P.M. – VS LYCOMING COLLEGE (LANDMARK) – SCHMIDT STADIUM
APR 12 12:00 P.M. – AT SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY (LANDMARK) – SELINSGROVE, PA
APR 16 6:00 P.M. – AT UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON (LANDMARK) – SCRANTON, PA
APR 26 1:00 P.M. – VS CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA (LANDMARK, SENIOR DAY) – SCHMIDT STADIUM
�The Beacon - April 9, 2025
22
Sports
Athlete of the Week
Ally Stafursky
First-Year, Catcher/Outfielder, Women's Softball
The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week
Stafursky went 6 for 14 at bat with a home run, three RBI,
a walk, and two runs scored to help the Colonels with their
first Landmark Conference win of the season against Drew
University and non-conference game against Immaculate
University.
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Eynon, Pa
What had been your favorite
sports memory from your time
as a Colonel?
My favorite sports memory
as a Colonel is hitting my first
collegiate homerun and seeing
my teammates celebrating it with
me.
What
is
your
favorite
professional sports team (any
sport)?
Philadelphia Phillies
What is your favorite thing to
do away from sports?
Spending time with friends
What is your favorite part of
being an athlete at Wilkes?
I'm able to balance academics,
play the sport I grew up with,
and I enjoy the atmosphere of the
community.
The Beacon//Samantha Mullen
Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s
staff each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on
Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year."
What sports movie is your goto for movie night?
"The Benchwarmers" or "A
League of Their Own"
If you did not play your current
sport, what sport would you
have wanted to play?
Tennis
What has been your favorite
sports memory overall?
Winning back-to-back District
Championships my junior and
senior year of high school.
What is your favorite postgame meal?
Taco Bell
How do you feel about being
selected as the Athlete of the
Week?
Being named Athlete of the Week
is an incredible honor. None of
this would be possible without
my teammates and coaches
who push me to get 1% better
everyday.
Compiled by Samantha Mullen, Asst.
Sports Editor
�The Beacon April 9, 2025
Sports
Athlete of the Week
Nathan Loch
Sophomore, Shortstop, Men’s Baseball
The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week
Loch went 9 for 22 at bat with eight RBIs, three doubles, a triple,
three stolen bases, and six runs during the Colonels Landmark
Conference wins over Elizabethtown College, Penn State
Harrisburg and Drew University.
Major: Financial Investments
Hometown: Effort, PA
What had been your favorite
sports memory from your time
as a Colonel?
The spring trips down to Flordia.
What is your favorite professional
sports team (any sport)?
New York Yankees
What is your favorite thing to do
away from sports?
Hanging with friends and family
What is your favorite part of
being an athlete at Wilkes?
The strong bond within the team
What has been your favorite
sports memory overall?
Winning the championship in
summer ball a couple of years
ago.
What is your favorite postgame meal?
Bacon cheeseburger
How do you feel about being
selected as the Athlete of the
Week?
I feel really honored to be selected
as Athlete of the Week. It’s a great
recognition, but I couldn’t have
done it without my teammates
and coaches.
What sports movie is your go-to
for movie night?
“The Blindside”
If you did not play your current
sport, what sport would you have
wanted to play?
Golf
Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s
staff each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on
Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year."
23
�24
The Beacon - April 9, 2025
Interested
in joining
The Beacon?
The Beacon
is currently
looking to fill
the following
positions for next
year’s staff:
Reporters
Photographers
Designers
Editors
Production
Managers
Advertising Reps
For more details,
please email...
kalen.churcher@
wilkes.edu
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present
Description
An account of the resource
<p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Missing Issues:</p>
<p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1934-present
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Newspaper
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Wilkes Beacon, 2025 April 9
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Communications Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2025 April 9
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Newspaper
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/14dc657acb97f480617b687e3770b22d.pdf
8c3e00b3840532d7e87faa60ff478166
PDF Text
Text
The Beacon - April 30, 2025
THE BEACON
Est. 1936
Pa. Newspaper Association Member
Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Volume 77, Issue 22
1
“The news of today reported by the journalists of tomorrow.”
Programming Board hosts County Fair event on the greenway
By Shannon Slominski
Photographer
Programming Board hosted a County
Fair event on the greenway on Thursday,
April 24.
It was a fun-filled event where students
could relax after a stressful week of exams
and assignments, just before finals.
The event had games and activities like
an obstacle course, mechanical shark
and a dunk tank where students had the
opportunity to dunk members of the
Programming Board. It featured a free
portrait artist and photo booth as well.
Food offered included chicken tenders,
breadsticks, pizza, crab rangoons and more.
The event also featured Programming
Board’s annual Snack Attack, where
students can get free treats, drinks and
snacks.
Samara Carey, Programming Board big
event chair and event lead, said that the
planning for this event began at the end
of the previous fall semester with Owen
Ward, small event chair and event lead.
“It’s been a process, but it’s been a fun
process,” Carey said.
Students sit at tables on the greenway, enjoying the warm weather for the Country Fair event on April 24.
Photo by Shannon Slominski
Professors and Shiv Patel
get pied at Chemistry
Club Bond-B-Q, page 4
The Sordoni Art Gallery
hosts SOMA Night Lights,
page 9
What caused “A Minecraft
Movie” to succeed?,
page 17
...COUNTY FAIR cont. on p.3
Wilkes Baseball kicks off
weekend by honoring Julia
Mazur, page 19
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
News
News
2
Have a breaking story or a press release to send? Contact the news editor Leah Smith at leah.smith1@wilkes.edu
Student Government notes: April 23 weekly meeting
By Kayla Bicskei
News Staff Writer
Student Government convened for
its final weekly meeting of the Spring
2025 semester on April 23. The meeting
addressed the Senior send-off.
The Student Government Treasurer’s
report showed a final budget of $9,500.
The Senior Send-Off began with each
of the seniors receiving a gift from the
Student Government as an appreciation
of their time and services with the Student
Government.
The send-off continued with each of the
Seniors announcing their immediate plans
for after their graduation.
To conclude the Senior Send-oOff, a
slideshow was played on the projector
screen. The slideshow consisted of pictures
of the Student Government members
throughout the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
semesters.
The last meeting of the Spring 2025
semester ended with a last goodbye to the
graduating Seniors and an adjournment of
the meeting.
Student Government will meet again in
the Fall 2025 semester.
Fall 2025 Parking Applications
Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
Hooding Volunteers
Beacon Briefs: Upcoming campus events
Compiled by Andrew Marshallsay
HPSC Clothing Drive
If you have any clothes you do not want
to use anymore, you can drop them off at
the Honors office at SLC 262. Donations
must be clean and in good condition.
No undergarment or swimwear will be
accepted for donation.
2025-2026 FAFSA
Students are reminded to fill out the 20252026 FAFSA form by May 1 in order to be
eligible for the Pennsylvania State Grant.
If you have any questions or need help
with the form, you can call the Financial
Aid Office at 570-408-4512, email at
financialaid@wilkes.edu or visit the
second floor of Capin Hall.
2025 Founders Gala
The 2025 Wilkes University Founders Gala
will be held on May 8 at the Westmoreland
Club in Wilkes-Barre. The theme of this
year’s event is the Gilded Age, a time in the
rich history of the city of Wilkes-Barre.
Construction Work at SIMMS
Until May 1, there will be exterior
construction work at the SIMMS building
on the corner of South Main and West
South Streets. The sidewalks will be
impacted in the area, and you are asked
to avoid the area if possible. For any
questions, contact 2Fix or Charles Cary.
Commuter and resident parking permit
applications are open now, and will be
available until July 1. If you require a
Ralston permit, you are asked to note
your preference in the comments. No
applications will be accepted after the July
1 deadline. For any questions, contact
parking at 570-408-7275 on Monday
through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Spring 2025 Final Exams
Final exams for the Spring 2025 semester
will begin on May 1 and end May 8. To
find the final exam schedule, you can visit
ww.wilkes.edu and visit the “Calendars &
Schedules” tab.
Faculty Advisor Workshop - May 14
For new faculty advisors or anyone looking
for a refresher, the Office of Academic
Success is hosting an advising workshop on
May 14 in the Miller Room. The workshop
is targeted towards new advisors, but
current faculty can also attend. To find the
RSVP form, visit today.wilkes.edu.
Men’s
Hockey Seeking Social
Media Coordinator
The Wilkes Men’s Hockey Team is looking
for someone to help amplify content on
their social media platforms. If you are
interested, contact Head Coach Tyler
Hynes at tyler.hynes@wilkes.edu.
The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy is looking
for volunteers to help in the Hooding
Ceremony on May 16 at 7 p.m. in the MAC.
Volunteers are asked to be at the MAC for
5:15 p.m. Care Lab attire is required. For
more information, contact Justin Collins at
justin.collins@wilkes.edu.
Table of Contents
News..................2
Life, A&E............7
Opinion............14
Sports................19
Family Tree at the Sordoni Art
Gallery
The new exhibit for the Sordoni Art
Gallery is titled Family Tree. The exhibit
brings the work of four sisters together to
talk about trees. The exhibit is open from
April 22 to June 1. The gallery will also
be hosting the second Saturday Family
Hour on the exhibit on May 10 at noon.
Participants can create their own family
tree, with supplies being provided.
Summer 2025 Courses
Summer 2025 Courses will begin on
May 19 and will be held until August
15. Courses are at a reduced price of
$530 per credit. Financial clearance
for summer courses is due May 5 until
a payment plan has been set up. For
more information visit www.wilkes.
edu/academics/summer-classes/index.
aspx.
Upcoming Events:
Spring 2025
April
30 - Final Day of Classes
May
1- First Day of Finals
8 - Last Day of Finals
17 - Spring Commencement
19 - Summer Classes Begin
Have a safe and anjoyable summer!
Want your event featured in the
calendar?
Email: leah.smith1@wilkes.edu
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
News
...COUNTY FAIR cont. from p.1
Various local craft vendors and
businesses attended the event, selling
painted glasses, homemade baked
goods, jewelry and beyond.
“I wanted to get the local vendors'
names out there, and a great way to do
that is an event like this,” Carey said.
Programming Board raffled gift
certificates for students to support local
vendors.
Carey said these events draw large
crowds of 120 or more students.
“Events like this are fun and always
have a fun crowd,” Carey said. “It's
a good time and a good way to relax
before finals and have some fun with
friends and enjoy some food.”
Several students agreed that the
county fair was a great turnout and a
good time to relax and hang out with
friends before the finals begin.
Photos by Shannon Slominski
Students wait in line for food, which
included breadsticks, pizza, and more.
Students shop at local vendors' tables for crafts, baked goods and more.
Students throw balls to dunk a Programming Board member in the dunk tank.
The mechanical shark and inflatable obstacle course students enjoyed.
3
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
News
4
Professors and Shiv Patel get pied at Chemistry Club Bond-B-Q
By Brady Melovitz
Layout Designer/News Staff Writer
The Chemistry Club hosted its BondB-Q followed by the “Pie Your Professor”
event at 12:30 p.m. on April 24 in the
Evans Hall quartyard.
At the Bond-B-Q, there were typical
barbeque foods like burgers, hotdogs,
and chips.
Along with the assortment of food at
the event, there was a bean bag toss for
students and faculty to enjoy awaiting
the Pie Your Professor event.
Jake Middleton, Chemistry Club
treasurer, was on hand for the pie
your professor event. He explained the
process that went into choosing the
professors that would be pied.
“We just asked all the faculty in
the department if they wanted to be
involved in the pie your professor event,”
Middleton said. “Once we figured out
who said yes, we set up a fundraiser for
people to vote who they wanted.”
The list of professors included Dr.
Blechle, Dr. Youmans, Dr. Nazzal, Dr.
Harms, Dr. Mencer, Mrs. Pitchford, and
Dr. Jennings. Students could also vote
for chemistry and neuroscience student
Shiv Patel.
Students needed to pay $1 to
vote. Middleton mentioned that the
professors involved in the pie your
professor could even chip in and in turn
could be rewarded.
“The way it works is students can vote
for the professor that they want to get
pied, but the professor can also donate
money and for every dollar that they
donate they get to remove a vote.”
The professors that got pied at the
event were Dr. Mencer and Dr. Jennings
alongside Shiv Patel.
Photos by Brady Melovitz
Geology student Reagan Weldon-Peri and biology student Maria Belen Gonzalez
grill burgers.
Any Barrios pies chemistry professor and co-chair Dr. Don Mencer.
Biochemistry student Jake Middleton pies chemistry and neuroscience student
Shiv Patel.
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
News
5
It's on Us and Title IX host virtual Q&A with Sarah Vaughan
Leah Smith
News Editor
It’s On Us and Title IX held a Zoom
session with “Anatomy of a Scandal”
author Sarah Vaughan on April 24, from
noon to 1 p.m. in the Miller Room.
Students who registered for the
event had a chance to listen and talk to
Vaughan about her novel and her other
works.
Title IX coordinator Elizabeth Leo
hosted the event and disclosed that the
It’s On Us book club featured “Anatomy
of a Scandal” as one of their titles.
“Anatomy of a Scandal” is a crime/
courtroom thriller novel that features
themes such as sexual assault, abuse of
power dynamics and consent.
“It’s easier to talk about these things
using characters,” Leo said. “My hope is
that by doing this it would be easier to
address these topics in real life.”
Vaughan proceeded to read an
excerpt from the novel, a courtroom
cross-examination scene that she took
inspiration from a real life cold case she
shadowed in her work in journalism.
Vaughan is mostly known for
her fictional work but gathered her
knowledge and experience of exploring
themes such as sexual crimes in her
work as a journalist where she covered
crimes involving the sexual assault and
abuse on women and young girls.
“I covered these cases because I was
seen as non-threatening,” Vaughan said.
“In literature and life, the muddy
cases and grey areas of consent is where
most common cases happen,” she added.
“Anatomy of a Scandal” was released a
few months after the Harvey Weinstein
case and the beginning of the #MeToo
movement.
As a joke, Vaughan said, “I finally beat
the zeitgeist for once.”
Along with the novel, there is a
Netflix show adaptation based on the
novel with the same name. Copies of
the book were offered as well as items
provided by Elizabeth Leo, such as a
webcam cover and an anti-spiking drink
cover. Programming Board provided
refreshments.
Author Sarah Vaughan speaks to attendees via Zoom.
Photos by Leah Smith
Title IX coordinator Elizabeth Leo introduces Sarah Vaughan.
A copy of Vaughan's novel "Anatomy of a Scandal" that has a Netflix Adaptation.
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
News
6
Wilkes receives 2025-2026 Military Friendly School designation
By Leah Smith
News Editor
Wilkes University has earned the 20252026 Military Friendly School designation
with the silver distinction
The silver distinction is dedicated to
institutions that offer extraordinary military
and veteran programs that scored 21% in
the survey and have three or more qualifying
benchmarks.
The institutions that have received the
Military Friendly School designation were
evaluated via survey and public data sources.
More than 1,800 schools answered in the
survey, with 830 earning rewards for going
above the standard.
By earning the Military Friendly Silver
designation shows the dedication Wilkes
has for assuring veterans have the resources,
guidance and community needed for veterans
to thrive in their educational endeavors.
“This school is a great landing zone for
military people to make their dreams come
true,” said Lt. Col. Mark Kaster, director
of veterans affairs, veteran counselor and
environmental science and engineering
professor at Wilkes.
The Military Friendly School designation is
a result of the university’s services, including
but not limited to a veteran’s affairs counselor
who works with veterans as they enroll, the
Veterans Center of Excellence on campus
located in Conyngham Hall that offers a spot
for veterans to meet and study and a Wilkes
Student Veterans Council that provides
programming to help military members
transition to the civilian landscape.
Looking into the Wilkes Veterans Student
Council, the council members support local
military service projects and organizations
such as the Wounded Warrior Project. They
also provide community services such as
sending care packages overseas.
Wayne McCormick, communication
and media studies major and secretary
of the Wilkes Veterans Student Council,
said he is pleased with the Military Friendly
Designation.
“It’s a very fine school for vets,” McCormick
said.
McCormick proceeded to state that a
military friend of his is considering applying
to Wilkes’ creative writing program.
“Schools who achieve awards designation
show true commitment in their efforts,
exceeding the standard,” said Kayla Lopez,
vice president of Military Friendly.
For more information about the university’s
student veteran programs can visit wilkes.
edu/veterans.
Wilkes-Barre's annual Cherry Blossom Festival held at Kirby Park
By Sydney Allabaugh
Editor-in-Chief
Attendees listen to live music outside in lawn chairs at this year's Cherry
Blossom Festival on April 26 and April 27.
A family takes a selfie in front of a Cherry
Blossom Tree at Kirby Park.
Children enjoy rides and carnival
games at the festival.
Hundreds of attendees visit dozens of food and craft vendors selling lemonade, jewelry, funnel cake and more.
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Life, Arts & Entertainment
Life, Arts & Entertainment
7
Have any events or artists to be shared? Contact kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu
Student choreographers present work in spring performance
By Anthony Kehs
Contributing Writer
Student
choreographers
were
showcased at a recent concert held on
campus.
As the 2024-2025 academic year
comes to a close, Wilkes University
dance minors Maddie Meier, Charley
Cain, Amelia Smicherko, Lexi Wesnak,
and Kylie Kilvitis, prepared for the
Student Choreographers’ Concert.
The
Student
Choreographers’
Concert gives dance minors taking
DAN 320 (DanceComposition) the
opportunity to take full control by
selecting their dancers, the dance style,
music, choreography, and costume for
their piece. This allows them to take a
more creative anddirectorial role.
Meier, choreographed “Sparkle in
Spite” to Gracie Abrams’ That’s So
True.
“I wanted my piece to value all of
the anger and angst that comes from
wanting to be somebody else, so that
there was room for the exhilarating
feeling
of
showcasing
yourself
unapologetically.”
Meier added, “I wanted to find four
dancers who were also beautifully
different from one another. I wanted to
combine their different strengths and
showcase each of them.”
“I liked Maddie Meiers’ because it
was very touching, and I was able to
come up with my own feelings about it
and could see the story that was being
conveyed,” said audience member
Elena DiSciullo. “It’s very relatable.”
Cain, who choreographed “That’s
Life” to Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life, had
a specific motive for their piece.
“The word I continued using was
‘triumph,’” Cain said. “I wanted the
audience to get a sense of triumph and
that mydancers were strong and that
no matter how much life tore them
Work choreographed by Amelia Smicherko, Maddie Meier, Kylie Kilvitis, Charley Cain and Lexi Wesnak was recently
performed at Wilkes’ Choreographers’ Concert.
down, they were right back up again,
cause that’s life.”
Jesse Lawson, another audience
member, said they liked how every
dance had “a clear story to tell.”
In
addition
to
the
Student
Choreographers’
Concert,
Meier,
Cain, and Smicherko’s pieces were
handpicked and performed later
Saturday night during the Spring Dance
Concert, where choreography from
dance classes like tap and Broadway
to modern and ballet were showcased.
The classes were taught by faculty
members Lynne Esgro, Sean Harris and
Stefan Zubal.
Anyone interested in becoming a
dance minor should contact Faculty of
Practice and Director of Dance, Stefan
Zubal at stefan.zubal@wilkes.edu or
visit
https://www.wilkes.edu/academics/
performing-arts/dance.aspx.
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Life, Arts & Entertainment
Sydney Allabaugh:
ANDY - Skrillex
Megan Davis:
After Midnight - Chappell Roan
Leah Smith:
Caramel - Sleep Token
Andrew Marshallsay:
Fast Hearts and Slow Towns Midland
8
Sam Mullen:
20 Dollar Nose Bleed - Fall Out
Boy
Adam Grundt:
Lachryma - Ghost
Shawn Carey:
Collapse (Post-Amerika ) Rise Against
Brady Melovitz:
The Road I’m On - 3 Doors
Down
Each week, the Wilkes Beacon staff picks their favorite song of the week. Check out this week’s bops!
�The Beacon – April 30, 2025
Life, Arts & Entertainment
The Sordoni Art Gallery hosts SOMA Night Lights
Sydney Allabaugh
Editor-in-Chief
The Sordoni Art Gallery hosted SOMA
Night Lights, named for Downtown
Wilkes-Barre’s newly branded South
Main (SOMA) Arts District, on April 25
from 6 to 11 p.m. It was a celebration of
community and the arts.
Artist Jeff Dubrow’s SOMA Night
Lights featured several video-mapped
projections on buildings throughout the
district.
Other attractions included a car
graffiti bomb led by blitz.ink, fire
perforers and a Kids Courtyard with
free crafts.
Photos courtesy of Sordoni Art Gallery
Attendees watch a fire performer in front of the Rusty Iris, a school bus
transformed into a double-decker, mobile sculpture, art exhibit and venue.
Attendees view Jeff Dubrow’s projections on Weckesser Hall.
Children run through the Kids Courtyard at 116 S. Main St. It had free crafts and
tables featuring Sordoni Art Gallery’s community partners.
Students graffiti bomb a car, spray painting “SOMA” on the hood.
9
�The Beacon – April 30, 2025
Life, Arts & Entertainment
10
New exhibit, Family Tree, opens at Sordoni Art Gallery
By Natalia Williams
Find out what is going on in your campus community
Staff Writer
On April 22, The Sordini Art Gallery
opened its latest exhibit “Family Tree.”
The exhibit features the work of four
sisters, Elin O’Hara Slavick, Madeline
Slavick, Susanne Slavick and Sarah Slavick
who are each artists.
The exhibit portrays trees in and out of
human conflict and care.
“Each sister works with their own
medium whether it be paint, mixed
media, photography or analog darkroom
techniques. While it is a diverse collection
of artwork, it is a solid collection work.”
said Heather Sincavage, director of the
Sordoni Art Gallery says.
Sophomore criminology major and art
gallery worker Camilia De Los Santos
expressed her thoughts and feelings about
the exhibit.
“The exhibit is pretty cool,” she said. “It
was interesting to learn that most of the
trees have survived things like an atomic
bomb, so it shows how trees can survive
trauma and it symbolizes peace.”
Sincavage also explained what the
exhibit means deeper.
“What the exhibition does and brings
them together through the subject of
trees. Each approach the motif of the
tree with different intentions whether it
is to explore a historic event, reference
literature or tackle global issues.”
“Family Tree” shows how trees can
be mesmerizing and full of meaning.
Through the various mediums, it is still
a cohesive piece of work that everyone
should see.
The exhibition is very accessible for
both scholars and novices…It has so
many applications and represents so many
things. While using the tree, it allows us to
explore aspects of our own humanity.”
Student art gallery worker and DDMA
major Nora Ahmetaj also enjoys the
exhibit.
“I just think it is really cool. The context
behind it and how they used the theme in
many ways and more people should see
it.”
On Saturday May 10, the gallery will
host Second Saturday Family Hour:
Family Tree. At this event, children will be
able to design their own family tree while
exploring their family history.
Sordoni Art Gallery Hours:
Tuesday-Friday | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday | Noon to 5 p.m.
The gallery is closed on Mondays
and during University holidays.
All events are free and open to the
public. Reservations are required for
the Last Look brunch. Please RSVP
to melissa.carestia@wilkes.edu.
For more information, visit wilkes.
edu/sordoniartgallery.
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Life, Arts & Entertainment
Crossword
End-of semester edition
Answer Key:
11
�The Beacon- April 30, 2025
s
die
u
t
nS
tio ’s
a
:
r
c
en dies
jo ni
Ma mmu Wom Stu
Co inor: nder
M d Ge
an
ies
tud
S
n
tio en’s
a
c
ni om s
mu y, W tudie
m
r
o
S
: C sto er
jor s: Hi end
a
M inor d G
an
M
I joined The Beacon my senior
year to help out as social media
manager. I thought it would be a
good way to get some experience
in running a social media account
for someone other than myself.
The experience I gained here was
useful in not only social media
posting but creating graphics
for posts as well. What I enjoyed
most was seeing the different
stories in The Beacon each week
when it came out. My advice for
people considering joining is to
definitely get involved early. I
think it’s easier to see what you
like early on rather than realizing
you enjoyed a position your last
year. Regardless, I am grateful
for my time here and the friends
I made along the way!
12
�The Beacon- April 30, 2025
BRADY
MELOVITZ
Layout Designer &
News Staff Writer
Major: Communication Studies
Minor: Women’s and Gender Studies, English
When I decided that I was going to be a communication
major at Wilkes four years ago, I told myself that I would
never join the newspaper. I just felt like I wasn’t interested
in it and for my first two years at Wilkes that remained true.
However in my junior year something changed. I wanted
to be more involved within the department so I joined the
Beacon. At first it was just for the practicum credit, but
through time I grew an appreciation for what we did at
the Beacon.
I started out at the Beacon as a layout designer for the
majority of my time. I would periodically write articles
but that was only if there was no one else willing to do so.
However, for my last semester I decided I wanted to write
more articles to better prepare myself for what I might
do outside of Wilkes. The Beacon allowed me to not only
improve on skills like my writing, but also develop skills
that I didn’t have before. I am grateful for not only the
opportunity I was given, but the experience that I gained.
ADAM GRUNDT
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Major: Communication Studies
Minor: Sports Management
SAMANTHA
MULLEN
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Major: Communication Studies
I started writing briefly for the Beacon my freshman year
and quickly became interested in continuing. It wasn’t
until I started writing for sports my sophomore year that I
really started to feel comfortable with writing. Since then,
I have now become the Assistant Sports Editor and mainly
focus on Athlete of the Week or taking photos of some of
the sports teams here at Wilkes.
I think my biggest advice for anyone thinking about
joining is to just try it out and see where you fit. I didn’t
initially start in the sports section, I first started covering
news and then slowly moved into sports. Also during this
time, I started to take photos and quickly grew a passion
for taking sports photos. You never really know what will
peak your interest until you try it.
13
ZACH
PARAWAY
SPORTS EDITOR
Major: Communication Studies
I joined The Beacon during my first week on campus,
having never written before. After I had gotten my feet
under me with the help of staff, I was able to feel good
about my writing and how to build articles. I wrote for
news my first two years, before then moving on to be the
Sports Editor in my senior year. I don’t write as much now,
doing mostly layout, but I do love to help the staff build a
great paper
To anyone looking or thinking to join, just go for it. This
group of people ha been nothing short of amazing in
helping to create a strong product and to make sure all
strong writers, editors, and staff all throughout. I will
always remember this great experience and am sad that it
is coming to an end.
I joined The Beacon because it’s always been a goal of mine
to work in sports media. After working for The Beacon
my sophomore year as a sports writer, I quickly became
interested in developing my skills as a writer. From junior
year until now, I’ve been an Assistant Sports Editor.
This experience with The Beacon will help me immensely.
I have grown so much as a writer and a human being from
being around such great people throughout the past three
years with the Beacon. My favorite part of the experience
was fulfilling what was a childhood dream of mine: writing
about sports.
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
�������
Opinion
14
Have an opinion or want to write a guest column? Contact assistant opinion editors: shawn.carey1@wilkes.edu or logan.colonna@wilkes.edu.
Editorial Staff
2024-25
MANAGERIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief - Sydney Allabaugh
Social Media Manager - Megan Davis
Adviser - Dr. Kalen Churcher
SECTION EDITORS
News - Leah Smith
Sports - Zach Paraway
ASSISTANT EDITORS
News - Andrew Marshallsay
Opinion - Logan Colonna
Opinion - Shawn Carey
Sports - Adam Grundt
Sports - Sam Mullen
DESIGNERS
Head Designer - Lara Mullen
Designer - Carol Stratford
Layout Designer - Brady Melovitz
Photographer - Shannon Slominski
SECTION STAFF WRITERS
News - Kayla Bicskei
LA&E - Natalia Williams
Opinion - “Freeze”
Sports - Ava Tureen
Sports - Lexi McHugh
141 S. Main Street
Clayton and Theresa Karambelas
Media & Communication Center
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
Phone - (570) 408-5903
www.thewilkesbeacon.com
Want to advertise in The Beacon?
Contact: Kalen Churcher at
kalen.churcher@wilkes.edu or
Sydney Allabaugh at sydney.
allabaugh@wilkes.edu.
The Beacon
Est. 1936
Pa. Newspaper
Association Member
���������
�����������������������������
�������
���������������������������
�������
�
WrestleMania 41: Was John Cena’s win the right call?
WrestleMania 41 was shocking to say
the least, from the Seth Rollins heel turn
and Paul Heyman betrayal on April 19,
to the surprising WrestleMania debut
of viral Total Nonstop Action (TNA)
Wrestling champion Joe Hendry and the
return of fan-favorite women’s wrestler
Becky Lynch on April 20.
However, the biggest shock of the event
was the final match on WrestleMania
Sunday where Cody Rhodes failed to
defend his Undisputed championship
against John Cena. By defeating Rhodes,
Cena has won his 17th undisputed title,
breaking Ric Flair’s record of 16 world
titles.
This came as a bit of a shock because
of Rhodes’s strong reign with the title
that lasted for over a year. Cena came
back and shocked the world prior to
WrestleMania when he turned heel (for
non-wrestling fans, it means becoming
the bad guy) and sold out in favor of
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. This led
up to the match at WrestleMania.
The question is, did WWE make the
right decision to switch the title hand
from the company’s current cash cow
to giving it to the man who several fans
would refer to as the greatest of all time?
After putting emotional biases aside,
this title change had to happen.
It’s a tale as old as time in the WWE,
the greatest faces of WWE have always
had to come back from failure somehow.
The “fallen hero” trope is one the most
celebrated tropes in storytelling even
outside of wrestling.
Fans regarded WrestleMania 39 and
40 to be the “Avengers: Infinity War”
and “Avengers: Endgame” of the WWE
in regards to Cody Rhodes and Roman
Reigns’s rivalry. This comparison is
made based on the endings of those films
and how they correlate to their rivalry.
Villain wins first, but the hero comes
back and takes the well-earned victory.
At WrestleMania 39, fans believed
Cody would finally win the Undisputed
title against Roman Reigns. After one
Samoan Spike from Roman’s former
enforcer Solo Sikoa, that chance was out
the window.
However, at WrestleMania 40, Cody
finally beat Reigns in a hard-fought
match filled with appearances in favor of
both wrestlers such as Seth Rollins, the
Usos, and the Undertaker.
This is the key not only for Cody
Rhodes’s support from fans, but for
making a face of the company truly
historic. Having the hero, essentially,
of the company win the gold he’s been
chasing for, finishing the story that’s
been building since he’s returned and
lost it after more than a year of holding
that title from a man who used to be that
hero Rhodes now is.
This is wrestling storytelling at its
finest and WWE made the right call to
have Cody Rhodes lose to have John
Cena win his 17th championship.
Cena not only deserves to break that
record but it builds up the inevitable
rematch between Rhodes and Cena to
be even more special. It’s just a matter
of when that rematch will take place and
whose side the fans will be on.
Letter to the editor policy: The Beacon welcomes letters to the editor from differing viewpoints. Letters
must contain contact information, including name, city, state and phone number. Phone numbers will not
be published but may be used for verification purposes.
All letters to the editor must be sent using one of the following methods:
Email: sydney.allabaugh@wilkes.edu
Phone: (570) 408-5903 (Voicemail: 30 seconds or less, please.)
Mail: 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18766 Attn: The Beacon
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Opinion
15
Trump’s second term and the battle for America’s future
By G. Wyane McCormick
Submission to The Beacon
���������������������������
����� ����
������
���
�������������������� �����
��������� �������
��� ����� ����� ���� � ������������� ����
����������
�����
�
����
�� ���� � ����� ��� ������� ��
��� �� ���
� ���
������ ��������
����� �������� ��� ������ ��
���
������
�����������
�����
�
���� ������������������������������
��� ���� ��
������ ������
������� ���
����
�� ��� ��
��� �� � ������ ���
�������������
��������������
�
��
��� � ������ ��� ��� ���������
� ��
�������������������������������
�������� �� � ���� ����� � ���� ����
���� ���� ����� ��������� ����� �����
����� �����������������
� ������� �
��������������
������������� ��� ������� ������ ��
������
������������������������
� ��
��� � ���� ����� ��� �����
��
�������������������
���
������������ �
��������������������������� � ������
����������� ���������������������
�
��� � ���
���������� ���
���
�� ������������ ���� ���������
���������� �����������
� ������ ���������������������
������
����� ��������������������
���������
������ �� ��� �������
�� ���� ��
� ���
������ � ����� ��� ������ ���
�
������ �����
� �����
� �����������
������������ �
����� ����
��� ����
� ���������
� ����������������������� �
������ �������� ������ ���� ����� ��
�������������
� �����
��� �����
�� �������������
� ���
��������
�� ����
���� ������� � ��� ������� �� �
���
� ������ ������ ��
��� � �������
��� ���
�� ������� ������� ��� ��������� ��
������������� ��� �������� ��������� ���
���� ������ ���������� ���� �������� �
��
����� ����� �����
� � ������������� ��� ����
�����
�������������� ��������������
��� ����� �������� ���� ����� ��
���
��
�������������� ���������������
�
������
���������������
�� ������������������������������������
�
����
�����
�
������������������������������
���������� �� � ��� �� ����� ��� ���� ��
�����������
�����
���������
������������������������
������������ ��� �����������
�
���
��
������� �������
������������������� ������
���������������
��� ������� ���
�
���� ��� ������ ��������
�
���� ������ �� ��
�
�� ��� ���� ��������
����� ����� ��� ����� �� ��� ��������
�� �������
������� �����������������
The Icebox: Presenting platform shooter game “Cuphead”
By “Freeze”
Opinion Staff Writer
�������������������������������������������
����
����������������������������
���� �����
���� ����� ���
�� ����� ���� �������� ����� �
���������� ���� ���� ������ ��� ����� ��� ����
��
�����
���
���������������
�����������
��� �� ����� ������ ��� ���� ���
��� �� ��
�
������
�������
�����
��������������
��������
��������������
�����
����������� ��� ��� ��� � ���� ��
�� ���� ��� ����� � ���������� ���
��
����
�������� �
���������� ��������������������
������� ��� ������ ������
�� ���
��� � ��
��� �������������������������
����� � ��� �� ��� ���������
�
�
������� �������� ����� ����� �� ������ ���
����
���
����� ������ �������
��
���
���
������
�� ��
���� � ��� �
�� �� ���
�� ����� �� ��� ����� ����
�� ����� ���
����
������������
������ �������� �����
���
������� ��� ����� ������������ ���� ����
���
����������������������������������
���
�
����������
��������������������������
��� ����� ����������� �������� ��� �����
���� ������� ����� ���� �����
�� ��� ��
���
� ���� ������ ������ ��� ��������� ����
���� ������������ �
�� �� ��� ���
������
���
������������
������������������������
����
�� ���� ��� ��������� ����� � �
���
��������� �� ���� ������ ������� �
�� ��
���������� ��� ���� ���� �� ��
��� �����
����������
��� ������
������ ����� ����� � �� �
����
�������� ������� �������� ���� ����
����� ������ ����� ��� �����
� ��
�� �� �
����
�� ����� ����
���
��� ������� ����
������ �� �������� ������� ��� ���� ������ ��
��
������
����� ��������� �
�� ����
���
�
�����
����������������������������������
���� ���� ���� �� ����� ���� �����������
��� ���� �������� ��� �����
����� ��� ����� ������
���
��� ����� � �������� ���� ����� �� �
������ �������� ���� �� � ����
������� �
�
����������������� ��
�������������������
�������������������������
���
���
� ��� �����������������������
����� ��� ����� � � ���� ����� ������ ������
������ ����������� ���� ���
�� ��� ���������
�
������ ����� � �� � ������ ������
�����������������
������������������������
�
����������� �������������� ����� �
�����
��������������������������� ��� ����
���� �������
�� ����� ��� �������� ��������
��������� � �������������������������� �
�������������������������������������������
������� ���� ���� ������ �� ������� ���� �� �
���� ��� ��
�� ���������
��� ���
� ����
������
�� ����� ��� �� ��������� ���
����
����� � ��� ������ ��� �
���� ��� �����
����� ����� ���
�� ����� ���� ����������
������ ��� �����
� ���
����
���
���� ���
���
�����������������������������
� ��������
���������������������������
�����������
���� ��� �� �� � �
����� ��� ������ �
����
��������
������������ ��������
���������
��������������������� ���������������
���
������������������
�������
�����
� �
�
������ ����� ����� ������ �����
���� ����� ��������� ����� ���� ������ ���
�������
���������������������������������
��
���� ��� �����
�� ������ ���� ��������
���
���� �������������������������������
�������������������������������
�
�������
������
���������������������������������
����� � �� � �� �� �� ���� ����� �������� ���
������������������������������������
��
���
�� �������� �������� ����� ������ ���
���
�
�� ���� ���� ���
����� ��
�� ����
�����
�������������������
�������
����� ���� ��������
�� �������� �� �
�������������
������������������������
���� ������ �� ��� ����
��� �� ��������
����� ��������� �������������� �
�������
���� �������� ��� �� ������� ���� ����� ���� ��
����������������
��� ����
���� �������
������������������������������
��������
���������� �
����� ����������������������
�������������� ����� ����������������
������������� ���������������������
�� ��
�� ������ ����� ����� ��� �
��� ������
�� ���
���������������
������� � ��� � ���������������������
���
���������������������������
�� ������
���
�������� ���
�
��
���� ����� � ����
�������� ��������
���
�� �� � ���
����
������������
�� ����� ������ ��� ���
�� � ����� �� ����
������ ��� ���������� �� � ��� ����
������ ���
���������� ��� ��� ����� � �������� ��� �����
���
���� ����
�������
�������� ��� ����� �
�� � � ��� ����������� ��� ����� ���������
���������������� �������
�����������������
�����
���������������
��� ������ ���
�
��
� ���� ����� ����� ���
�������� �������
��
��������������������� ���
��������������
���������������
�
�������������
���
� ��������
�������� �
������ ��� ����� ���� ����� ��������
�������������� ������������ ����������
��
�� ����� ����� ��
����
��� �������
�� �����
����������������
���������
��
����� ���
�� ����� �������� � �
������ ����� �
����� �������� ����� �������� ��
����
������� ��� ���� �� ���
� ���
������ ���
���
���������������� ��������������
READ MORE OF
THE ICEBOX
ONLINE
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Opinion
16
Students must take action: Neutrality helps oppressors
By Johnny Sudol & Jace Hynick
Submission to The Beacon
There’s a famous post-WWII poem
called “First They Came.” It goes as
follows:
First, they came for the
Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade
unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
Dear Students of Wilkes University,
The time to speak out is now.
Our generation has been pressured
to be the change our world needs to
heal. However, we are living in a world
where chaos has become the new
normal.
We live in a time that leaves many
feeling isolated and hopeless. We are
expected to carry the torch, to be
better, to societally progress and to
fight a failing system.
It may seem like we do not have
the tools to stand up against the
inequalities dragging us down, but
we do. Throughout history, every
revolution that occurred had young
adults like us standing at the forefront,
fighting for freedom.
You may ask, “Freedom from what?”
It’s a fair question to ask, since the
oppression one person faces may be
different to the oppression another
faces. Maybe you experience racism,
classism or ideological oppression,
etc. However, if we all stand up then
we’ll stand united.
And if you personally do not feel
oppressed or at all affected by the
current political climate, we urge you
to consider the words of the poem
prior. If you wait to step in and stand
up for others until you are directly
affected by the conflict, you may wake
up to find there is no one left to fight
with you.
We have reached a tumultuous and
historic point in our nation’s social,
political and economic climate, and
the time has come to rise against
authoritarian threats.
This is not a memorandum; this is
a call to action.
The future of educated America is
now uncertain. The fact of the matter
is that no one knows what is in store
for us students here in the U.S.—and
yes, that still includes Wilkes.
The Department of Education has
been plunged into complete disarray,
leaving us unaware of its impact on
the future of K-12 education. So, if you
have loved ones and friends still in
primary or secondary education, this
situation should deeply concern you.
We’ve already watched as almost
all of the bigger, elitist, Ivy League
schools rolled over to the Trump
Administration—as he holds their
federal funding over their heads.
The question is: Will Wilkes be
next? We would like to feel safe and
protected by our university from this
unprecedented threat, but the future is
uncertain.
According to AP News:
Rümeysa
Öztürk,
a
Turkish
doctoral student at Tufts University
who publicly expressed support
of Palestinian causes, was recently
detained by authorities. Her student
visa was revoked in what her lawyers
say is apparent retaliation for an oped piece she co-wrote in the student
newspaper.
Öztürk was taken by immigration
officials as she walked along a street
in the Boston suburb of Somerville.
She was moved to an Immigration
and Customs Enforcement detention
center in Basile, Louisiana.
Öztürk’s lawyers say her detention
violates her constitutional rights,
including free speech and due process.
Öztürk isn’t the only one. A Louisiana
immigration judge ruled that the
U.S. can deport Columbia University
graduate student Mahmoud Khalil
based on the federal government’s
argument that he poses a national
security risk.
Others are being shipped to foreign
prisons under false assumptions of
criminality.
According to CBS News, the majority
of immigrants sent to a maximum
security prison in El Salvador have no
apparent criminal convictions or even
criminal charges.
Those innocent people are still
imprisoned in El Salvador. This is
the end result of the disregard of
our constitutional protections of
freedom of expression under the First
Amendment and of the Due Process
Clause under the Fifth Amendment.
This is the unfortunate reality
we live in. Again, you may not be
an immigrant. You may not be a
political opponent to the Trump
Administration. But you are a student.
The Trump administration is already
targeting universities; the future is
uncertain.
So again, it is time to act. It is time
to mobilize and to organize. To inflict
steady pressure on the government,
our elected officials and our university,
to keep us safe and to act in our best
interest.
We believe Pennsylvania Sen. John
Fetterman (D), Sen. Dave McCormick
(R) and Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R)
are not currently acting in our best
interest.
If we need to march, then we’ll
march. If we must protest, we’ll
protest. This is your education, your
investment into your own self-worth.
And unfortunately, we’ve entered a
time where that is being challenged.
Be willing to fight for what is yours. Be
willing to do what may feel scary and
force yourself to be brave.
This may be the defining moment in
your life, maybe the page in the history
books our generation will be tied to.
So you need to be asking yourself,
which side are you on?
There’s no longer any room to
remain neutral. Neutrality only helps
the oppressor, never the oppressed.
This is your opportunity to make sure
you’re on the right side of history.
Is this a political conflict?
Absolutely.
But does it also transcend
partisanship?
Absolutely.
If only this were as simple as
elementary identity politics: Red
vs. Blue, Democrat vs. Republican,
Liberal vs. Conservative. It’s not. It’s
bigger than all of that, bigger than all
of us.
This is for the soul of our nation
and for the pledge we gave to it. It is
imperative for the survival of America
that we don’t let them become empty
words and that we’ll actually protect
liberty and justice for all.
We also urge you to call the local
offices of Pennsylvania elected officials
to make your voice heard:
Sen. John Fetterman: (570) 820-4088
Sen. Dave McCormick: (570) 9410930
Rep. Rob Bresnahan: (570) 763-6120
-Johnny Sudol,
Anonymous
Jace
Hynick
&
For any questions, comments,
concerns or if you want to get involved,
contact jace.hynick@wilkes.edu or
john.sudol@wilkes.edu
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Opinion
17
What caused “A Minecraft Movie” to succeed?
A deep dive into the memes and impact on pop culture
By Shawn Carey
Asst. Opinion Editor
The very thought of making a movie
about “Minecraft” is inherently silly.
I’m sure that most of you know what
“Minecraft” is. For those of you who have
been living underneath a rock for the past
10 years. “Minecraft” is a sandbox game
developed by Mojang Studios that allows
players to explore a vast open world,
build, mine, and you guess it, craft.
Minecraft is well deservingly extremely
popular. The game sold over 300 million
copies, making it the best selling game of
all time.
One of the reasons for the game’s
massive success is the freedom it offers
the player. The game allows players to do
pretty much whatever they want. Solo or
with a group of friends.
The game lacks a clear goal. Sure there’s
a few major advancements that the player
can achieve such as defeating the Ender
Dragon and completing a Woodland
Mansion. However, there’s nothing that
really signifies “an ending.”
With that being said, how do you make
a feature length film about a game that
doesn’t have a story? How can you make
an adaptation based on a game where you
can do anything?
You hire Jack Black to play the leading
character.
It was recently reported that “A
Minecraft Movie” is set to end its
theatrical run with an estimated earnings
of over a billion dollars. Not only making
it one of the biggest video game movies of
all time, but one of the highest grossing
movies of all time.
The success of “A Minecraft Movie”
has been surprising to say the very least.
When the film was originally announced
it was faced with harsh criticism. That
would be until the release of the first
teaser, in which it was faced with even
harsher criticism.
The movie was constantly made fun
of by everyone online, so much so that
it was hard to find even a single person
excited for it.
The numbers don’t lie
however, the movie is
a resounding success.
Which begs the question,
how?
One of the main
things contibuting to its
popularity is a simple
phrase. Chicken Jockey.
Just typing the word out
makes me want to jump
up and clap.
When the movie was
originally making its
rounds on the internet
users were quick to make
fun of the way Jack Black
pronounced certain words.
In the original trailer
Jack Black was constantly
over pronouncing many
words from the games.
“Flint and steel,” “diamond
armor”
and
“Nether
portal,” for example.
Clips of the actor saying
these phrases quickly
spread across the internet,
mainly on TikTok. Edited
videos of him saying these
phrases were everywhere.
Videos of him slowed
down, sped up, backwards
and so on.
The
most
popular
of these phases is the
previously mentioned “chicken jockey.”
As silly as it sounds, “chicken jockey”
took on a life of its own. It became a
popular trend to stand up, scream, spill
popcorn and just be overall obnoxious
when the scene showed up in the movie.
The
trend
became
extremely
popular among teenagers and young
adults, mostly men. Much like the
“gentleminions” trend from a few years
ago, a sense of FOMO (fear of missing
out) was created.
Everyone wants to get to the theater,
act like an idiot and post a video of them
doing so online before the movie is pulled
from theaters. “A Minecraft Movie” is
strangely enough getting young people to
go to the theater.
This stupid trend is of course not the
only reason why the movie is doing well.
It’s “Minecraft.” There’s no doubt that it
was going to be a hit. Kids love it, families
love it, everyone loves “Minecraft.”
However, I think that there’s something
to be said about the effect the internet has
had on the movie. A movie that would’ve
been fairly successful on its own terms is
now set to soon be a billion dollar hit.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say
that a movie about Jack Black fighting
blocky CGI pig monsters probably didn’t
appeal to most audiences. However, here
we are.
There was a sort of unintentional
marketing with everything. Most of
the discussion surrounding the movie
didn’t come from ads or trailers, but
from “memes” and videos online. I’m
sure that once the sequel comes out in
however many years we’ll see the studio
unsuccessfully recreate it.
Speaking of which, it wouldn’t surprise
me if other studios try to do something
similar, creating artificial “memes” for
the sake of free advertising.
Imagine a “Fortnite” movie starring
Ryan Gosling where he’s constantly
repeating phrases like “griddy” and “item
shop.”
Graphic by Carol Stratford
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Opinion
18
A review of "Soft Spot" by JMSM, an innovative album
An analysis of performance, features, production, replayability
By Logan Colonna
Asst. Opinion Editor
If you saw my recent review of R&B
and alternative artist JMSN, you would
know that I love just about everything
that he’s put out. More specifically, I
loved his 2018 record “Velvet,” his 2021
album “Heals Me,” and his 2023 project
“Soft Spot,” which is the topic of this
week’s review.
“Soft Spot” pushes the boundaries of
JMSN’s music in a positive direction. I
first loved him for his more soft songs
with the typical sounds that you’d hear
in R&B music. Now, I love him here
for his experimental and alternative
approach to his usual sound.
First, JMSN had amazing vocals
throughout each of the nine tracks
on the record. My favorite among the
bunch is easily “Cherry Pop” and the
title track “Soft Spot.”
His vocal inflections on “Cherry
Pop” made me fall in love with the song
nearly instant. Along with this, his ad
libs add onto the song greatly. In rap
music, ad libs have certainly lost their
“oomph.” Here, however, JMSN uses
each ad lib strategically in order to
add on to the great vocal performance
as well as the wonderfully-crafted
production, which I’ll get into later
on in the review. Near the end of the
song as a little outro, JMSN embraces
the rock-inspired instrumentation and
goes full rockstar mode as he yells into
the mic, all while still sounding great.
As for “Soft Spot,” we shift directions
into more of a groovy kind of song.
During the chorus of the track, which
is easily my favorite part of the song, we
get a high-pitched vocal performance
by JMSN, which I am obviously a fan
of. The song takes us through a roller
coaster ride between the choruses and
each verse, as the beat gets slower after
each chorus, only to ramp back up after
each verse. He makes sure to match this
with the pitch of his voice excellently.
Like I said for the “Heals Me” review,
JMSN released a breakdown of each
track for the record. Seeing him
break down “Soft Spot” was honestly
something else.
Seeing the creative side of artists is
just mesmerizing to me. As you could
guess, every other song off of the record
showcases JMSN’s amazing vocals. If I
expect from Sada Baby, but I’m glad
he’s on the remix. His voice, flow and
way he raps overall pairs excellently
with the instrumental and JMSN’s vibe
on the track. With that, the feature
here is great and adds a lot in terms
of replayability even if it is just one
were to talk about them, we would be
here all day though.
As for the album itself, there are no
features to accompany JMSN on the
tracklist. However, as a treat for fans,
JMSN released a remix of “Soft Spot”
(the title track) with rapper Sada Baby.
At first, I didn’t know what to expect
since I thought the two artists would
end up clashing too much in terms
of sound. As a surprise, the track,
especially Sada Baby’s inclusion, is
really good. I didn’t know what to
feature out of the whole tracklist.
Next up, we have the production.
As you could guess, it’s nothing shy of
perfect. As I said, the record goes from
all kinds of sounds, like rock, R&B,
alternative and experimental. All of
these different sounds combine into
this album wonderfully. My favorite
tracks among the bunch, in terms of
production, include “Not 4 U” and
“Groovy.”
“Not 4 U” offers a wide variety of
sounds. You get this synth that plays in
the beginning of the track, effectively
setting the tone. You get these DJ
scratches all throughout the track
too, which just sounds nice when it’s
sprinkled here and there. As for my
favorite part of the production, during
the choruses, we get this nice electric
guitar to pair with JMSN. Besides
that, a lot of the track does go silent,
allowing JMSN to show off his sweet,
sweet vocals.
Moving onto “Groovy,” the song
itself is, well, groovy. You get this
addicting electric guitar performance
all throughout the song as well as
a constant drum cymbal being hit,
which just sounds great. The guitar and
cymbal combo that you hear sometimes
is unworldly in my opinion. This kind
of addicting production is found all
over the album, making for one of my
favorite parts of the record. Just like his
past record, everything is executively
produced by JMSN as well, making it
even more impressive that he makes
these amazing instrumentals.
Finally, we have the replayability of
the album. With all of the different
sounds that the record offers, along
with the short tracklist and runtime
(nine songs and 40 minutes), I find no
issue in replaying the record from front
to back over and over again.
This may even be easier to relisten
to than JMSN’s previous record, “Heals
Me,” because of all of the different
soundscapes from track to track. To
top it off, each track is just really great,
making it addicting to go back to each
track after each listen.
As you can assume, this record is
practically perfect to me, just like
“Heals Me.”
With that being said, JMSN gets his
second 10 out of 10 from me with his
2023 record, “Soft Spot.”
Graphic by Carol Stratford
�Sports
The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Sports
19
Want your sport covered? Deserve to be Athlete of the Week? Contact the Sports Editor: zachary.paraway@wilkes.edu
Wilkes baseball kicks off weekend by honoring Julia Mazur
By Jake MIlls
Contributing Writer
���� ������� ����������� ��������� �����
������
������
����� ������������ �����
�����������������������������
���� ���
��� �� ����� ��� ���
����
���� ��������� �������� ����� ������
�� ��� ����� ���� ����
��� �� �������� ����
������
���
������� ���� � ���� ���� ������ ��� ����
��� � ��� ����� ���� �� ������ � ����
�������� ����� ���� ���� ����������
����� ������ ������ � ����
� �������� �����
����� ������������������
�������
�� ������������������ ������
�����������������
����
� ��������� �
��������������� ������ ���������������
��� � ��� ����� ������� ��� ����� ��� �� �
�
�����
���� �
�� ��
� ����� ��
���� ��������
�������������������� ���
���������� ���
��������������� � ������������������� �
����
� �����������������������
�� ���� ����� ��� ���� ����������� �������
������ ������ �� � ����� ��
��� �����
������ � ������ ��������
���� ����� ��������
�
�� ����������
� ����� ����� ������ � ���
������� ���� ���� ��������� �� ����� � � �
��
���������� �� � ���� ���� ��� ����� ������ ����
��
���
������ ���� ������� ��� ��� ���� ���
��� ������
��� ��� � ���� ���� ���� ������
��� �� ������ ���� ���� ������
����� ������
������ � ����������
������������������������������������
�� ����
��� �� � ��� ��������
�
����� �� �������
���� ������ ���� �����������
���������
���� ���� ������ ��� �� ������
��� ��� � � ��� ������ ��� ���� �� � ���
�������� ���� ��
��������������������
������� ���������������������� �����
���
�
����� �������� ��� �������� ������
�������
���� ��������� ������� �
������������ ����� ������� ������������
�������������������������
����
���������������������� ���� ������� ���
���������
������������������
Photos by Andrew Marshallsay
Carey Mazur throws out the first pitch in Saturday's doubleheader.
Carey Mazur, Julia Mazur's mother, and catcher/first baseman Mike Sabella.
Wilkes baseball team and Carey Mazur on the baseball field.
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Sports
20
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins season ends prematurely
Recapping the team's playoff games
By Adam Grunt
Asst. Sports Editor
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’
season was cut short by the Lehigh
Valley Phantoms for the second year
in a row during the first round of the
American Hockey League’s Calder Cup
Playoffs.
The No. 4-seeded Penguins team
faced off against the number 5-seeded
Phantoms squad in a best-of-three series
that lasted only two games. Last season,
the No. 6-seeded Lehigh Valley Phantoms
upset the No. 3-seeded Penguins in the
same series. With a youthful group
taking the ice at Mohegan Arena at
Casey Plaza this season, the team looked
to enact revenge on their bitter rival en
route to a deep playoff run.
Game 1: PENGUINS 2 vs. PHANTOMS 5
The first game of the short series was
played on April 23 at Mohegan Sun
Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre,
and the Phantoms took a commanding
1-0 series lead with a 5-2 victory.
Olle Lycksell tallied the only first
period goal for Lehigh Valley, and a
red-hot Alex Bump and Rodrigo Ābols
tacked on two more during the second
for the Phantoms.
During the second period, Penguins
netminder Joel Blomqvist suffered an
injury that forced him out of the game,
and Taylor Gauthier, who tallied a
shutout in the team’s final game of the
regular season, was tasked with finishing
the game for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Bump added his second of the night
in the first half of the third frame, and
Anthony Richard scored the fifth goal of
the night for the Phantoms one minute
and 33 seconds later.
Avery Hayes scored for the Penguins
with just under five minutes to go in
regulation, and Gabe Klassen tacked on
another goal for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
a minute before the final buzzer.
“Honestly you could feel a bit of the
nerves early,” said head coach Kirk
MacDonald during his media availability
following game one. “[Lehigh Valley]
came out with a good push, but I think
we were just really tentative. I thought
after the first goal we settled down, but
they kept pushing.”
Game 2: PENGUINS 2 at PHANTOMS 3
A tense game two at PPL Center in
Allentown ensued on April 25.
Goaltender Sergei Murashov, who
posted an 11-game winning streak
during the regular season, was recalled
from ECHL Wheeling to make the start
for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in game two
between the pipes.
After a scoreless first frame, Richard
tallied his second of the playoffs for
Lehigh Valley to give the Phantoms a
1-0 lead.
However, before the end of the middle
stanza, Tristan Broz launched a wicked
wrister that snuck through the pads
of Lehigh Valley netminder Parker
Gahagen.
Harrison Brunicke scored the first
goal of his professional career in a
massive moment, giving the Penguins
the lead for the time being with 13
minutes remaining in regulation. The
rookie blueline entered the offensive
zone and lofted a puck from the blue
line that fluttered over Gahagen and
into the back of the net.
However, Jacob Gaucher scored for
Lehigh Valley to tie the game and just
a minute and 28 seconds later, and
with exactly two minutes remaining
in regulation, Helge Grans scored the
game-winner and series-clincher for
Lehigh Valley.
“We made three critical errors and
they all ended up in the back of our
net,” said MacDonald following Game
2 at PPL Center. “I thought we were
great. The guys made the adjustments
we needed to make; we won the special
teams battle. We had some great looks.
Our young guys really stepped up.
"Trust me when I say [the guys]
wanted to be here, and they’re crushed.
You get to these best-of-threes, and you
have one off night and all of a sudden,
you’re on the brink of elimination. It’s
tough.”
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
return to action at Mohegan Arena in
the fall of 2025. For more information
on the Penguins, visit wbspenguins.com.
Wilkes softball will soon wrap up: A recap of last week's games
By Ava Tureen
Sports Staff Writer
The Wilkes softball season had two
doubleheaders this past week. In each
doubleheader, they won one of the two
games they played.
Their first double header of the week
was against the Colonels' rivals, King's
College.
The Colonels won the first game
4-1. Allyson Stafursky, Olivia Dougher,
Maddy Maloney and Abby Cruz all
crossed the home plate, resulting in
the four total points the Colonels had
during the first game. One out of three
of Stafursky’s hits led to her crossing
home plate.
The second game of the double header
was won by King's College with a score
of 0-4. Kings scored their first two points
during the second inning, with one run
after the other. It was the beginning of
their comeback in game two.
The second doubleheader was against
Susquehanna University, and like the
first doubleheader, the Colonels won
their first game and lost their second
game.
The Colonels had a great start to their
first game with a score of 6-3. Talia
Piragas helped Mia Butka score the first
point for the Colonels after an error.
In the second inning, Susquehanna
scored its first point, and the colonels
responded by scoring three more points
during the third inning.
Kayla Burleson scored the final point
of the first game during the seventh
inning. Mia Butka pitched the entire
game and had three successful hits.
The second game of the doubleheader
was a loss for the Colonels with a score
of 4-6.
Lauren Demarco pitched for the
first four innings, and Amanda
Amerman finished off pitching
for the last three innings.
The Colonels opened the
scoreboard when Hana Cross
scored the first point of the
game. Susquehanna won
the game after scoring five
points in the fifth inning and
another point during the final
inning.
The Colonels had a total of 14
points during their four games and
won two out of the four games. The
Colonels play their last doubleheader
of the season against Elizabethtown
College on
May 3.
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Sports
21
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
22
Sports
Athlete of the Week
Hannah Boyd
Fifth-Year, Catcher/Utility,
Women's Softball
The Beacon: Female Athlete of the Week
Boyd had three RBI's and two runs in the Colonel's two doubleheaders against King's College and Susquehanna University.
Major: Sports Management
Hometown: Escalon, Calif.
What had been your favorite
sports memory from your time
as a Colonel?
Myrtle Beach spring break
tournament
What is your favorite professional
sports team (any sport)?
LA Dodgers
What is your favorite thing to do
away from sports?
Hiking
What has been your favorite
sports memory overall?
Playing on the same team as my
sister her senior year of highschool
and senior year of college
What is your favorite post-game
meal?
La Tolteca
How do you feel about being
selected as the Athlete of the
Week?
It is an honor to be selected as
Athlete of the Week
What is your favorite part of
being an athlete at Wilkes?
The friendships I have made with
my teammates throughout the
years.
What sports movie is your go-to
for movie night?
The Benchwarmers
If you did not play your current
sport, what sport would you have
wanted to play?
Vollyball
Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s
staff each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on
Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year."
Compiled by Samantha Mullen, Asst.
Sports Editor
�The Beacon April 30, 2025
Sports
Athlete of the Week
AJ Levandoski
First-Year, Pitcher,
Men’s Baseball
The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week
Levandoski pitched seven strikeouts and allowing only one run
in the 9-8 win over Moravian University. In the game against
Lycoming College, he had 8 strikeouts in the 5-0 win.
Major: Middle Level Education
Hometown: Scranton, Pa.
What had been your favorite
sports memory from your time
as a Colonel?
Favorite sports memory as a
Colonel has to be sweeping
Elizabethtown during our first
week of conference play.
What
is
your
favorite
professional sports team (any
sport)?
Boston Red Sox
What is your favorite thing to
do away from sports?
Playing card games with my
friends
What is your favorite part of
being an athlete at Wilkes?
Favorite part about being an
athlete at Wilkes is definitely the
family aspect of it. Everyone likes
each other and plays for each other.
What sports movie is your go-to
for movie night?
Major League II
If you did not play your current
sport, what sport would you have
wanted to play?
If I didn’t play baseball I’d love to
golf
What has been your favorite
sports memory overall?
Favorite sports memory ever was
my last game my senior year of
high school. I recorded my 200th
strikeout and was named 1st Team
All State; the first in school history.
What is your favorite post-game
meal?
Chick-Fil-A
How do you feel about being
selected as the Athlete of the
Week?
It’s an honor to be selected as the
athlete of the week, and I wouldn’t
have been to without the help from
my teammates and the coaching
staff.
Compiled by Samantha Mullen, Assistant
Sports Editor
Editor’s note : Athlete of the Week s elec tions are deter mined by the spor t s
staff each week. At the e nd of the acade mic year, we w ill post a reader poll on
Tw itte r @ Wilkes B eacon to c row n an “Athlete of the Year."
23
�The Beacon - April 30, 2025
Sports
24
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present
Description
An account of the resource
<p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Missing Issues:</p>
<p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1934-present
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Newspaper
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Wilkes Beacon, 2025 April 30
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Communications Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2025 April 30
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Newspaper
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/e5237a0cdfa2c49d8977971e4f512759.pdf
7f09aa9637ec12b22c85dbff55325afc
PDF Text
Text
��
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Petrosky Mandy.Untitled. no date.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Petrosky Mandy.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/7c206b2dd74a6af925f6fc0329e97392.pdf
a67d75ee97610b3459abb44c60b88ec3
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Peguero Joselina.Untitled.no date
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Peguero Joselina
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/e3dc6ee370ffdff26fd23bbe41fbbfa2.pdf
c35dd32047e8dd6a7cd3acbbf9745918
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Unknown.painting of a chess board and art figure. no date
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
unknown
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/099153074fd9435096cd032cfcfc1757.pdf
2162467446eb9dbff79b97c3bda6e43c
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Unknown. Painting of a face red and yellow. no date
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
unknown
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/42fb8c22ab5981f59e358247dbd3ea55.pdf
37192a82e81fddfd71d1603d2ccc1e3d
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Unknown.blue and green abstract painting. no date
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
unknown
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/f3b4aab892229f929de75e64a8b86abe.pdf
b623b898f7c4adad5ec960c5b60ed0a0
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Unknown.pink and blue painting of a man.no date
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
unknown
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/0e474e6c43e5336883ce9b3003e680c2.pdf
ee3b91d9a98a7c5bf5d940ded2aaa884
PDF Text
Text
4>
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
“view” no date
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Unknown.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/44f223e46b963f1d1299ff1178a56ac6.pdf
23cfccae9ddfe731b7711a296a126132
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
“Window Sill” no date
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Unknown.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/3a8fe6d9bd411364ced713e2e1925f29.pdf
b7af53839526e0089aa1fa93fd280646
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
“Room With a View”
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Unknown.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1986
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/88ff260651a84ea091a439e35bdab658.pdf
f2671034d21851fc0057c9ed902cc04d
PDF Text
Text
��
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
“Reductive Linocut” (Green) “Reductive Linocut” (Blue)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Unknown.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/e6829eab7c9abf44ea157c2bf0b13485.pdf
3cf58f788250186b1c357d61583ec3b9
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
“My Roommate”
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Unknown.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/86c48e7f77ca5f8241c36b864871b168.pdf
5018b5c2605476ee7ef00db817d6f0f7
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
“I Gratify” no date
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Unknown.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.
-
https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/c1c7058beb412f6e2623180be0353933.pdf
7aae71afebc49044790a36c886c5cdc5
PDF Text
Text
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Student Artwork, 1940s-2025
Description
An account of the resource
This collection of artwork was created by Wilkes College and Wilkes University students from the 1940s through 2025. It was originally located in the Art Department before being transferred over to the Wilkes University Archives in December 2024 thanks to Sharon Cosgrove, Art Department professor. Because of a lack of documentation for many of the art pieces, some of the metadata fields are unknown including Creators, Dates, or Titles. The student who processed and digitized this collection, Emily Romanoskey, arranged the collection according to the medium type and added a date and creator and title when listed.
If any former Art students see a piece that is theres and sees the piece identified incorrectly, please reach out to Wilkes University Archivist, Suzanna Calev (suzanna.calev@wilkes.edu ), with a link to the digitized piece and the proper information so she can update the collection and make sure the item is labeled correctly.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Art Department
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940s-2025
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork (paintings, prints, drawings, lino cuts, etc)
Still Image
A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
“Darkness Beckons” no date
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Unknown.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
no date
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
JPEG
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Art Department
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Wilkes University retains copyright of this document.