59 15 4132 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/20ee970e0dbf7e4a5fd83c826f41eafa.pdf 4edd8e6d6a7a476ce34ee90e8085b838 PDF Text Text !Uc~ lPfAJBIJ C 1(0 S)j., THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Ralston bridge tagged with graffiti BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor The railroad bridge near Ralston Field, which displays the Wilkes University logo has been tagged with graffiti of a stick man walking a dog. The bridge displays the words “Wilkes University” in gold letters with a blue background. Though the University’s name is displayed across the entirety of the side of the bridge, it is not actually Wilkes’ property. “We lease that space to have our name on that overpass [from the railroad],” said Vicki Mayk, associate director of public relations. These situations are generally dealt with as swiftly as they are brought to the University’s atten- 4 01(1J Volume 62 Issue 14 Wilkes sets course for next five years Students, faculty, staff and administrators plan Vision 2015 BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor The Beacon/ Thomas Reilly The bridge near Ralston Field now displays “Wilkes University” as well as stick-figure graffiti. tion, according to Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities. “When we become aware of graffiti on campus, we try to get it taken care of as quickly as posSEE RALSTON, Page 4 Wilkes’ Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) has been meeting throughout the 2009 – 2010 school year to chart the University’s course for the next five years. The finished plan of action, which will be Vision 2015, will build upon Vision 2010, which charted the course of the university over the last few years. “We’ve developed a goal for 2015 and the Strategic Planning Committee develops a strategic plan to reach that goal in 2015,” said Alyssa Fusaro, a sophomore communication studies major and member of the SPC. “The committee itself is made up of different representatives across the university,” said Erin Hardiman, a Wilkes organizational leadership graduate student and member of the SPC. “We have the president of the university; we have vice presidents, deans, SEE VISION, Page 2 Pharmacy hooding to take place ASB Stick ‘Em Up Fundraiser in separate, personal ceremony BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor This May, graduation will not include the hooding of pharmacy students during the ceremony. According to Dr. Bernard Graham, dean of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and Nursing, the department will hold a more personal hooding ceremony the night before graduation. Since the program began about 10 years ago, pharmacy students have always been hooded on stage during the commencement ceremony. Graham said this change will make the hooding ceremony more intimate for the students because they will be able to have their family and friends watch them receive their hoods in a more closed setting. “We’d like to make it a little bit more personal and a little bit more involved with the students,” said Graham. “By having a personal ceremony… the students will be hooded on stage and we can now involve the student adviser in the hooding process and we can talk a little bit about each student as they come up.” Graham said the pharmacy program will graduate around 70 students this May. By removing the hooding ceremony, Graham estimates that it will save about twenty minutes from the Wilkes’s three-hour graduation ceremony. During the commencement ceremony each year, the graduates are called upon in the following order: pharmacy students, graduate students, undergraduate students. The order is determined by the American Council on Education (ACE). Wilkes University currently follows the protocol of ACE’s guidelines on commencement. Being that the graduation ceremony can go on for about three SEE PHARMACY, Page 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Last Thursday, Alternative Spring Break held a fundraiser by having students and faculty “stuck-up.” Being taped above is Frank Kopyta, a senior elementary education major. Opinion Pages 6-8 Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 Sports Pages 16-20 1st Amendment: End of Era Clothesline Project The Buried Life Speaks Out Coaches’ Up’s and Down’s Wilkes University breaks decades of tradition to censor The Beacon over childish and petty online comPAGE 6 ments. Psychology students, along with the Victim’s Resource Center, use t-shirts to raise awareness of violence in the PAGE 10 community. Part Two of the coaching feature The guys from “The Buried Life,” a television show on MTV, shared with series focuses on the positives and us their new show and the meaning negatives of coaching in the collebehind it. PAGE 16 PAGE 13 giate ranks. Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE COLLEGE | PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 23, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Briefs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>~ BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor STUDY ABROAD IN SPAIN – This study abroad experience includes one month in Spain, and four days in Paris, France. In addition, the price of $3,995 includes international airfare, six transferrable credits, most meals, lodging and health insurance. For more information contact Dr. Paola Bianco at paola.bianco@wilkes.edu or 408-4519. PEACE CORPS VISIT – On Thursday, February 25 there will be a presentation by a former Peace Corps member to talk about his/her experience. The meeting will be held in Breiseth Hall, Room 211 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. WINTER WORSHIP NIGHT – Christian Fellowship Club will be hosting Winter Worship Night on Thursday, February 25 VISION Continued from FRONT PAGE administrators, faculty members, staff members, as well as student representation.” “I think we’re making truly marvelous progress,” said Dr. Joseph ‘Tim’ Gilmour, Wilkes’ president. “The strategic planning committee, which I chair, has really been working together as a team and has defined a planning framework for Wilkes.” Gilmour says the broad framework includes an overall goal, identification of needs, how those needs will be met, what the costs are and what must to be done to meet those needs. “The group has really defined this framework,” said Gilmour. “We gather our information and make those goals based on more than just the brains in the room,” said Hardiman. “We branch out and try to encompass everybody that it will affect.” from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. in the first floor lounge of the Henry Student Center. There will be free food and free concerts featuring student performers. GLOBAL COFFEE HOUR – Every Wednesday, there will be a global coffee hour from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the Savitz Multicultural Lounge on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. INTRAMURAL SPORTS – Students may sign up for basketball by February 24 or volleyball by March 3. Basketball games start on March 3 and are played at UCOM on Monday through Thursday at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Volleyball games start on March 15 and are played on Monday through Thursday. Times and location of volleyball games are yet to be determined. For more information, contact neal.biscaldi@wilkes.edu. CHINESE SPRING FESTIVAL – The Chinese Student Union is hosting a Chinese Spring Festival on Saturday, February 27 at 6 p.m. in the ballroom in the Henry Student Center. The event includes an introduction to Chinese food, customs, beliefs and history. There will also be an explanation about the World Expo in Shanghai. Free music, food and prizes will be offered to guests. MOCK GRAD SCHOOL TESTS – Career Services is hosting Princeton Review mock grad school tests. Students interested in signing up can contact Career Services at careers@wilkes.edu with a name, major, cell number and test type. The tests will be held on Saturday, February 27 at 9 a.m. For more information, go to www.princetonreviw.com and look at ‘Free Events.’ MANUSCRIPT DEADLINE – The deadline to hand in work for the Manuscript has been extended to February 26 at 5 p.m. Students can submit poetry, prose and art to magazine@wilkes.edu. GO BALDACIOUS – The Community Service Office invites the Wilkes community to show support for people suffering from leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers who lose their hair during treatment. The Community Services Office asks that students, faculty and staff shave their heads, color their hair or get creative with their face and hair. Set a fundraising goal and ask friends and family for support. Participation in this event will raise money and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event will be held on Saturday, February 27, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Shavertown/Kingston Township Municipal building at 180 East Center Street. For transportation to the event, contact Megan Boone at megan.boone@wilkes.edu or 408-5905. For more information go to www.totallybaldacious.org Hardiman said the SPC was broken down into smaller subcommittees to address the needs of specific demographics, such as faculty and staff, stakeholders, alumni and graduate study, undergraduates, and strategic partners and donor information. Fusaro said SPC members are also able to lend their voices into the process, too. “One of the things is transfer students. This university, as a whole, really needs to hop up its transferability,” said Fusaro. “One of the things I would like to see is have an online transfer - something that you can either plug in or look at the way your credits from another university would transfer over.” Fusaro added that there are a lot of little things that can also help, such as more online options for adult learners. Part of the process was also looking back at the previous strategic plan to see what can be incorporated into Vision 2015. “There are a number of initiatives that are a part of Vision 2010 that will continue in one form or another into 2015,” said Jack Chielli, executive assistant to the president and executive director of marketing communications and government relations. Chielli says valuing Wilkes’ people was a large part of the 2010 initiative. “We won’t lose sight of that in 2015,” said Chielli. “[Vision] 2015 will no doubt continue to build on the work that was done in 2010.” As for progress, Hardiman says the committee is closing in on their goals. “This process started in the beginning of August by just coming together and gathering information. Since then, we’ve met and gone on two-day retreats every month. At this point we’re a little past the middle,” said Hardiman. Gilmour said that framework should be developed by the end of the academic year and then approved by the board at the beginning of summer break. The framework will then be provided to different parts of the campus for feedback. “We hope that process will be a real dialogue,” said Gilmour. “We may actually change the framework some, but this will set the broad framework for where we’re going for the next five years.” CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Beacon Corrections In Issue 12, The Beacon incorrectly identified the hospital in the photograph on page 1 as Geisinger Wyoming Valley in Kingston. The photograph was taken at General Hospital in Wilkes-Barre. In Issue 13, The Beacon misspelled lacrosse coach Kammie Towey’s name. The correct spelling is Towey, not Towie. Also, due to printing errors, page 18 of Issue 11 was reprinted as page 18 of Issue 13. The correct page can be viewed online at WilkesBeacon.com. The Beacon regrets these errors. Nicole Frail, Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Wotanis, Adviser Meet the Staff Kirstin Cook Assistant A&E Editor �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 NEWS 3 Wilkes and Tobyhanna set to strengthen existing relationship Wilkes delegates to visit depot on February 25 to discuss future of partnership BY DAN KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor On Thursday, February 25, approximately ten delegates from Wilkes University will travel to Tobyhanna Army Depot in order to further a longstanding relationship that exists between the two organizations. According to Dr. Rodney Ridley, the director of Wilkes’s engineering department, the meeting will serve as an opportunity to “align the various points of interaction” between the university and Tobyhanna, enhancing their collaborations on a number of different activities. “The [Tobyhanna] leadership and I thought that it would better serve us both to put a framework around all of that activity and be able to harness the power of the collective,” said Ridley. “This includes things such as resource sharing, becoming more efficient […] as a collective, as opposed to a bunch of different people doing different things.” Because of their relatively close proximity to one another, Tobyhanna and Wilkes have been able to work in conjunction on numerous activities in the past. The depot, which employs roughly 6,000 people, is in constant demand for further education and training for their engineers and technical staff--services Wilkes is able to provide. “Tobyhanna’s mission parallels our mission in so many ways,” said Ridley. “Their mission is to align with ours in that they’re doing specific things with military equipment and applications that we teach our engineers. There’s a lot of overlap in the kinds of labs we have and the labs they have, the kind of things their engineers need to know and that we teach.” PHARMACY Continued from FRONT PAGE hours, Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs, said that there have been many ideas to keep people at the ceremony, but nothing is concrete. Because the ceremony lasts approximately three hours, members of the audience sometimes leave during the ceremony, once they’ve seen their family member or friend receive his or her diploma. In addition, sometimes graduate and pharmacy students leave the ceremony once they’ve received their diploma. According to Adams, there have been ideas of reversing the degrees, making it more conspicuous if people leave and having the diplomas in possession of the school “It’s clear to us here at Wilkes and those at Tobyhanna that we are good at training,” he continued. “For them to carry out their mission, they need to have a highly educated technical workforce. We’re good at training a technical workforce. The partnership makes sense.” The first half of the delegates’ visit will be spent hosting a conference for Tobyhanna’s employees seeking undergraduate, graduate or continuing education. Ridley pointed to several of Wilkes’s course offerings, such as the Professional Engineering (PE) exam preparation courses, that Tobyhanna staff and managers have taken advantage of in the U N I VERSITY past. Vicki Mayk, the associate director of marketing communications, agreed with the assessment, stating the importance of gaining a “foothold in the world of business.” “These relationships help Wilkes to tap into expertise outside the university, as well as establish opportunities for support of our programs,” said Mayk. The benefits Wilkes receives from the partnership are numerous and varied. First, it is often loaned technology and equipment from Tobyhanna that is instrumental in classroom demonstrations and laboratories. They can also count Tobyhanna as one of their “industrial partners,” an important piece of language that allows them to be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which mandates having such partners. As a member of Wilkes’s Industrial Advisory Board, Tobyhanna provides outcome assessment of graduates to determine whether or not their education was satisfactory for the field in which they’re entering. Lastly, Tobyhanna offers many paid internships and full-time job opportunities for Wilkes engineering students and participates in the Wilkes Engineering and Physics division “Adopt-A-Lab” program. The program offers participating companies the opportunity to access the knowledge and resources of the engineering department students, while also providing the school with expertise on a variety of subjects. Ridley estimates that as many as 50-60 of Tobyhanna’s 300 engineers are products of Wilkes’s engineering department. “[The “Adopt-A-Lab” companies’] expertise, leadership and knowledge will be used to shape purchasing and curriculum decisions to keep Wilkes ahead of industry trends in electrical and mechanical engineering,” said Ridley. The second half of the visit will pertain to the business side of matters, such as how to handle technical equipment sharing and communications between both organizations, as well as process feedback on the quality of Wilkes’s training. Ridley plans on using Tobyhanna’s review as a type of focus group response. “We’re going up there and finding out what they like, what they don’t like, what can we do better, what are they looking for, what can we do to adjust ourselves to serve that market, and so on,” he said. “It’s a big client so you want to do some customer service.” A plan was originally in place for Wilkes Alumni Relations to host a special recognition luncheon for the Wilkes alumni working at Tobyhanna, though it had to be rescheduled due to a conflicting event. The luncheon is but a part of a much larger effort designed by Alumni Relations to honor the relationship between the university and Tobyhanna. Ultimately, the department hopes to hold a special ceremony during Homecoming to acknowledge the number of alumni working at Tobyhanna. “These alumni provide proof that a Wilkes engineering degree is an asset in this highly competitive field,” said Sandra Carroll, the executive director of Alumni Relations. “Our longer term goal is to bring to the surface the importance of building the network of engineering graduates so that we may collaborate with them in our goal to provide a special event for Engineering graduates (and students) in the context of Homecoming 2010,” she continued. “This year’s Homecoming will incorporate such events and programs for science, health and engineering as we look ahead to what the next generation of Wilkes students will have as a resource as Stark is transformed [into the SHE facility].” until after the ceremony. Adams said that the issue of graduate and pharmacy students leaving the commencement ceremony before the undergraduate students receive their degrees has been discussed with faculty and administration. “In the end, we’ve just kind of decided that somebody gets disadvantaged in all of those alternatives,” said Adams. Adding one or more of these alternatives would create a different ceremony and significantly affect the planning and behind the scenes work of the commencement committee. Most of this organizational work is extensive and done during the spring semester. Prior to the actual ceremony, Ms. Susan Hritzak, registrar, is responsible for gathering the information on any student that plans on graduating. Hritzak contacts stu- dents who plan on graduating and requests that they sign up for the graduation audit course (GRD000). Students who register for are sent reminders paperwork that is due before graduation. In the spring, Hritzak has about 350 students of which she has to keep track. In the fall, she has fewer undergraduates, which makes her workload easier. Hritzak begins this process one semester before the student will graduate. For example, if a student is graduating this May, the process was started in the fall of 2009. Hritzak, who has been organizing the ceremony for about 27 years, does the “behindthe-scenes” work. She and her co-workers order the cap and gowns and diplomas. The diplomas are then arranged in a specific order by honors, school, and program. “We want everyone to have their diploma that day,” said Hritzak. “But if you don’t do your part, we can’t do ours.” She urges students who are close to graduating to read their email and make sure that they have their paperwork in order. Hritzak said that many students choose not to participate in the graduation ceremony. Adams expanded on that by saying that many more students graduate than the students that walk across the stage because of Wilkes’s widespread graduate program. “We have 50 additional locations that we teach master’s classes at all over the state of Pennsylvania,” said Adams. The commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 22, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre. w WILKES , CONTACT DAN KAUTZ AT: daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu �4 NEWS RALSTON Continued from FRONT PAGE sible,” Messinger said. He went on to say that, depending on the severity of the situation, the graffiti would either be cleaned off or painted over. In this situation, the University is going to first make an attempt to clean the bridge. “We’ll start by seeing if our people can clean it, and if not, we’ll hire a professional cleaning firm,” said Messinger. However, if that doesn’t work out, the University then plans on trying to find out who originally painted the bridge so that they might be able to fix it. At this point, Messinger is not sure who that is, if the company still exists, or if they can still do the job. “If we can’t find them, we’ll just find someone else to redo [the paint job],” said Messinger. As far as defacement goes, Messinger and Mayk both said that it isn’t a big problem at Wilkes. “I don’t want to say that we don’t see it [defacement] because we do, but it’s not a situation that we feel we have a large problem with,” said Messinger. The worst problem that Messinger has seen thus far at Wilkes was a few small tags around campus, but he says that it’s nothing compared to larger schools. “I don’t see it as much as in the bigger urban areas and it just doesn’t seem to be an overriding problem here. However, if a person were caught, there would of course be consequences,” said Messinger. He went on to say that the severity of the consequences would depend on the situation. That is, whether the University would deal with it on its own or if the Wilkes-Barre Police Department would be brought in. For this instance, the University is not going to investigate. It isn’t because no one at Wilkes cares; it’s simply not their job. “Because we lease that, it would be [the railroad’s] responsibility to seek an investigation and prosecute someone for the graffiti,” said Mayk. “If it had occurred on school property, it would depend on the degree of defacement as to whether the University would investigate and actively pursue whoever had done it, but it’s just not up to us.” If you see graffiti or other forms of defacement on campus or on campus property, Messinger asks that you call Public Safety at 408-2349. CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Karen Boback spoke to students The Beacon/Tom Reilly On Thursday, February 18, State Representative Karen Boback spoke to students with a speech called “Things I wish I knew Before College.” The program was hosted by the Wilkes University chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success as well as the Wilkes Leadership Institute. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com ALL adidas CLOTHING .. ~ . 25° --~ · aa1das o OFF aa das Stop in for a great deal today! Now accepting applications! Stop by and talk to a manager to find out what positions are available today! �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 NEWS 5 Student Government Notes - February 17, 2010 BY MOLLY KURDLANDSKI & EMMA ZIMMERMAN Correspondents to Gettysburg. Projects from the trip will be displayed in the Osterhaut Library on the weekends. Treasurer’s Report: All College: $29,700 Conferences: $16,260 General: $14,060 Leadership: $5,325 Special Projects: $2,250 Spirit: $480.60 Start-up: $2,100 New Business: A new class representative was approved for the junior class: Jonathan Wilbourne. Robotics Club Constitution Passing (Week 2 of 2): Changes in the constitution were requested the previous week. The club reported that 17 people attended the first meeting and 25 more who could not attend expressed interest in the club. The club made the constiutional changes and was approved by the board, unanimously, 40-0-0. Nursing Student Organization Fund Request (Week 1 of 1): The Nursing Student Organization (NSO) requested $2820 for a conference in Orlando, Florida. It is the NSO’s first year with a full enrollment, and therefore first year they would be able to attend the conference. The hotel and airfare was paid for by NSO with money they had raised by fund raising such as bake sales and magnet sales. Six delegates will be attending the conference. Representatives from NSO reasoned that the conference will give Club Reports: Programming Board (PB): Concert tickets for Third Eye Blind will go on sale at Monday. Time is to be announced. Tickets are $15 for students and you can buy up to two for this price with your Wilkes ID. For alumni, tickets are $20 and for outside guests, $25. Also, PB is planning Pizza Wars. Wilkes University History Club: On April 22, the WUHC, in cooperation with the Pittston Historical Society, will be holding History Day on the first floor of the SUB. They have started fund raising for their trip them new fund raising ideas, study habits they could use when taking their nursing exams and would publicize Wilkes’s nursing program. Other nursing students present at the meeting claimed that other students were not informed of this conference and it wasn’t open to them. A motion was made to dismiss the request and it was dismissed with a vote of 19-18-0. This vote was vetoed and a motion was made to donate $720 dollars to NSO to get them in the door of the conference. This was also dismissed with a vote of 12-27-0. At the end of the discussion, no money was given to NSO for the trip. The use of the veto for the NSO fund request was controversial, but the exeutive board felt it needed to be used since the vote was close. Adventures in Science Fund Request (Week 1 of 1): Adventures in Science (AIS) is an organization that teaches fifth grade students about science through labs performed on the campus. There are 250 volunteers, which includes Wilkes students, science professors and outside volunteers. AIS provides each volunteer with a shirt and each student attending a canvas bag. AIS provides Wilkes with publicity due to word of mouth and press coverage. SG would be allowed to include their logo on the canvas bags if a donation was made. AIS is to be held on April 23. A motion was made to donate $2500 and it was passed 39-0-1. Winter Weekend Budget Allocation Fund Request (Week 1 of 1): Shirts will be needed for all those participating and food and drinks provided. A motion was made to donate $2300 and was passed 36-0-4. * At 7:45 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The Motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. CONTACT MOLLY KURLANDSKI OR EMMA ZIMMERMAN AT: molly.kurlandski@wilkes.edu emma.zimmerman@wilkes.edu D A P A R 17 West Ross Street T M E N T 5 Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 • JUSTA FEW BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS • FREE INTERNET ACCESS • FREE □ FF-STREET PARKING • FREE WATER, SEWER, TRASH • SECURE ENTRY/ REMOTE Buzz- N • FULLY EQUIPPED GRANITE KITCHEN • CABLE TV • PRIVATE BATH WITH SHOWER • LAUNDRY S70.6B7.2220 □R CUMBERLANDLIVIN;G.CDM A P A R T M E N T S �LIKE OPINIONS? LIKE THE INTERNET? Check out a letter to the editor and a piece about Tiger Woods online. www.wilkesbeacon.com CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Freedom of the press: The end of an era at Wilkes? The Beacon calls on Wilkes to go back to mission, vision and values BY THE BEACON Editorial Board The Beacon has operated without infringement from the Wilkes administration since President Christopher Breiseth took office decades ago, and possibly even before that. However, it appears that the era of a free press at Wilkes University is coming to an end. A recent article involving the women’s lacrosse team sparked anger on The Beacon’s Web site, WilkesBeacon.com. The comments that were left on the Web site about the article became childish, petty and hurtful. Yet, The Beacon left the comments up as we had for every other controversial issue that we has ever covered. Much to our dismay, certain members of the Wilkes administration ordered us to remove all comments from the February 16 issue, and prohibit readers from commenting until further notice. The staff of The Beacon had no other choice but to comply with the demands. Wilkes, as a private institution, is not required to extend First Amendment rights to its campus community, and especially not its student media, even though we have enjoyed that privilege for many years. The reasons the administration gave for the censorship were plentiful. The first was safety, which is and should be a primary concern for Wilkes. However, there were no threats of violence in any of the comments, and our publication is not responsible for what others do on social networking sites or through electronic media. There will be hard feelings whether our Web site allows comments or not. The second worry was liability, which is an absurd concern. Wilkes, and our Web site’s provider the College Media Network, are immune to legal action thanks to Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, and its challenge in front of the Supreme Court in Reno v. ACLU. The 1996 CDA attempted to censor the internet, and included Section 230, which says, “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” The Supreme Court case found most of the 1996 CDA, except Section 230, to be unconstitutional. Section 230 still stands as law today and has been tested, at length, through various legal trials. Even though our staff, Wilkes and our Web site’s provider are immune to legal action from these comments, a person is always legally liable for his or her actions. While a person may think he or she can prowl the internet under the cover of darkness, he or she always leaves an electronic trail. The comments left on the lacrosse article and others throughout our Web site’s long history have shown that Wilkes is not immune to the lack of civility in modern society. The comments left are not often credible. However, we cannot be expected to police the comments and deem one person’s words more valuable than the next, no matter how unbalanced the comment is. Those words are a person’s thoughts, thoughts that Wilkes University should value. Wilkes has always supported, and should continue to support, the power of independent thinking. While we vehemently oppose the administration’s decision in this case to silence those controversial voices, the staff of The Beacon has and will always support an open dialogue with its readers, whether in our paper or online. As journalists, the staff of The Beaconhave been taught to love the First Amendment through our education at Wilkes. We question that education when the institution is willing to throw away the First Amendment along with the reputation as a progressive private institution that was built by generations of students, staff, faculty and alumni. The staff hopes that we can start rebuilding that reputation by putting the comments back online. We challenge Wilkes and the administrators who censored us to live up to Wilkes University’s mission for academic excellence, its vision of ethics and civic responsibility and its value of community engagement. The staff of The Beacon knows that our opposition to this censorship may bring repercussions, but we will not sit back quietly while the legacy of our 75-year-old campus newspaper is tarnished so severely. We do BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. The poll was based on 28 responses. Last week’s question: Do you think the current generation of college students overuses the words “like” and “um”? • Yes 96% • No 4% This week, The Beacon asks: Do you agree with the Wilkes administration decision to censor comments on The Beacon website? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com not only owe it to current students, staff, faculty and alumni, but also to those who came before us. The Beacon staff continues to be committed to our mission as journalists, which is to shed light on both the good and bad in the Wilkes community while allowing our readers to participate in an open discussion about the events that impact their lives. College-town excuse a poor excuse for recurring irresponsibility BY THE BEACON Editorial Board When local college students exhibit irresponsible behavior, our community is too often comforted with that same old phrase: “You just have to expect this in a college town.” But, they shouldn’t have to expect it. The Sunday morning edition of The Citizens’ Voice brought news that a Wilkes University student was charged with “desecration of a venerated object, open lewdness and underage drinking.” According to the paper, the student was caught urinating on the front steps of Good Shepherd Church on Main St. in Wilkes-Barre. A King’s College student was also caught urinating on the city’s manger display just weeks before. Examples of the lack of civility go much deeper than just the drunken acts on the streets of Wilkes-Barre. The women’s lacrosse article in last week’s issue accrued more than 60 comments before The Beacon was ordered to take them down. The majority of the comments on the article were uneducated, ill formed and revealed that the authors of those comments are not the professionals that Wilkes University should be producing or employing. When we resort to name-calling, we prove that we don’t have the intelligence to form a solid, competent argument. Furthermore, the comments on the lacrosse article were riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, and there was no regard for information that was obviously shared in confidence. Wilkes and the other educational institutions in Northeastern Pennsylvania need to do more to educate all members of their campus communities not only to have the knowledge to excel in a subject area, but also to become responsible, respectful and ethical civic leaders who will transform our local and regional communities as leaders rather than followers. There will always be students and employees that will be reckless no matter what kind of rearing they have, but the problem is too wide spread to be ignored. We cannot tell the schools what plan of action they should take. Maybe a specific class or the incorporation of principles into the existing curriculum will work. However, one thing is for sure. The reputation of the college students in the Wilkes-Barre community is not positive, and it is a reputation that is deserved in many ways. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 OPINION 7 Global education necessary for success in today’s work environment BY DR. GODLOVE FONJWENG Global Education/Diversity Affairs Director provides opportunities for student scholarships, faculty research support, and exposure to alternative methods of academic inquiry. Furthermore, faculty members who have international experiences are the best spokespeople for study abroad as they draw on their past experiences when making a case for study abroad. Well-traveled faculty are able to articulate the benefits of a study abroad experience and address parental concerns which are most often linked to the safety and security of their children living far from home. Additionally, parents frequently express concerns as to the academic value of study abroad which sometimes carries additional expense. The cultural difference between the United States and the study abroad destination, whether large or small, nuanced or dramatic contribute to a multifaceted learning environment for students’ intellectual and personal development, increased confidence and self-reliance. This coming summer, about five Wilkes students will travel to Campion College in Sydney, Australia to study the history and politics of Australia since colonization in 1788. This program has an Outback service-learning component that will allow participants to work among Aboriginal communities. Similar to their experiences with Aboriginal communities, Wilkes students can also experience dramatic cultural contrasts and gain fresh global perspectives by studying in parts of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Middle East. While cultural sensitivity is a desired outcome of such experiences, valuing the learning that takes place outside the classroom will provide our students with the opportunity to better understand the complexities of the human condition. Exposure to contexts of extended family systems and oral tradition will enhance our students’ understanding of how other cultures transmit, share and validate knowledge. For Wilkes to become a leader in global education and to graduate “global students,” we as a learning community must come together and work toward aligning our curriculum with our mission to prepare our students for “lifelong learning and success in a constantly evolving and multicultural world.” That is the challenge to all of us, students, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents. Globalization, the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of our global community, is a fact. For Wilkes students to participate and compete successfully in a global work place requires a first rate global education. But how is best to do it? According to Pennsylvania’s 2005-2008 International Education Report, our state’s students are not yet equipped with 21st Century skills, in part because their teachers are not well trained as international educators. The report concluded that, “Education should reflect the complexities of the global age by providing the necessary skills and knowledge for students to become productive members of society.” This begs the question, what are the characteristics of a global student? Renowned institutions, such as Hobart and William Smith Colleges, have defined a primary curricular goal as imbuing their graduates with “A critical knowledge of the multiplicity of world cultures, as expressed for example, in their languages, histories, literatures, philosophies, religious and cultural traditions, social and economic structures, and modes of artistic expression.” Similarly, Wilkes University’s mission statement includes a commitment to educate our students for lifelong learning and success in a constantly evolving and multicultural world. With this charge, the Core Review Committee (CRC) is working to arrive at a campus consensus as to what constitutes a “global student” in an effort to make good the promise of Wilkes’ mission statement. A component of a global education is study abroad, providing Wilkes students with affordable opportunities for study at reputable overseas universities, and in the process, gaining an invaluable global perspective. In The Beacon issue of 2/16/10, reporter Jacqueline Lukas announced the development of a partnership between Wilkes University and Campion College in Australia. In addition to facilitating student study abroad, the partnership also aims to assist Wilkes faculty who are interested in leading study abroad trips by providing them with the resources of Campion College, thus enabling faculty to dwell more on the academic component of the trips, and less on CONTACT DR. GODLOVE FONJWENG AT: travel itineraries and logistics. godlove.fonjweng@wilkes.edu Collaboration with overseas institutions It is raining dogs and cats out there…literally! BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor I must preface what I am about to say with this: I am not a mean person. I do have a heart and love animals. In fact, I am the proud legal guardian of a rescue dog. With that being said, I see a serious problem with the United States when it comes to pet ownership. Frankly, there are too many dogs, cats, and owners of dogs and cats in this country. We all need to seriously consider how many of these pets there actually are in the United States and whether or not we can all take the responsibility of owning them. The 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association estimates that 77.5 million people own dogs in the United States. Approximately 93.6 million people own cats. In relation to the amount of pet owners, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the 2010 population to be 308 million. If you do the math, almost half of the country own dogs or cats. These numbers are staggering, especially in 2010. In the middle of economic downturn and unemployment, why are people are consciously and deliberately taking on yet another mouth to feed? The survey also averages that dog owners spend $225 on veterinary visits, $203 for cat owners. That does not even tackle food, toys, beds, and grooming. Not to mention, what happens if the animal breaks a leg, has a disease, or a debilitating condition? What if the animal has an accident on the carpet? How many times will you need to have your carpet cleaned? My point being, it is expensive to own dogs and cats. In relation, too many owners are treating their dogs and cats like people. A 2009 Associated Press/Petside.com poll shows that 50 percent of pet owners consider their pet as much a part of the family as any person in the household. It is understandable that people consider their pet a part of the family, but when they start feeding the animal human food (43 percent) and giving them human names (49 percent), a problem arises. While an animal should receive proper care, they should not receive the same care as a person. Animals are not people, they are animals. It is expensive enough to raise a child, do not treat your pet like one because then the whole family suffers. If you are thinking about breeding, forget it. Among the many resources that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) provides, local shelters provide three main purposes: prevention of cruelty, shelter for abused or neglected animals, and population control, which is why they spay or neuter every animal they receive. The only problem now is that there are too many animals and not enough funding. Most shelters can receive their funding from city, county or state contracts. It all depends on the shelter. They also receive funding from donors. With state and federal budget cuts across the country and jobless donors, most shelters are losing money. My advice is to think twice before you breed animals that you cannot really provide the care for because animal shelters are stretched as far as they can go right now and cannot afford to take them off your hands. Basically, there are too many dogs and cats in this country and not enough people to care for them. If you already have one, get it spayed or neutered. And if you are thinking about owning a pet like a cat or a dog, think long and hard on whether or not you can afford it and give the animal the attention it deserves. People come first; you should not be putting yourself in the poor house because of a pet, which should not have to suffer because of irresponsibility either. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 OPINION THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Driving is a privilege and An underappreciated gaming experience should be treated as such Adventure games: drant or pick up a motorcycle and stuff it in your pocket, adventure games can give you those opportunities and more. An advantage of playing adventure games “Grim Fandango” is the best video game is that you will undoubtedly learn new life ever. Unfortunately, in an industry domi- skills. Adventure games are puzzle-based; nated by RPGs and first-person shooters, therefore, they require you to pay strict atadventure games such as “Grim Fandango” tention to detail while thinking both logihave not received the exposure they right- cally and outside of the box. Conversation is also an important part fully deserve. In the video gaming community, the adventure genre is rarely recog- of adventure games. Choosing the correct dialogue option at the right time can make nized, despite the uniqueness of the genre. Although they are technically video or break relationships with other characgames, adventure games are similar to mov- ters, just as in real life. You will also learn ies. Like all great movies, adventure games valuable methods of improvisation for use tend to contain compelling stories, intricate in sticky situations. The next time you are plot twists, and complex characters that de- locked in a closet and the key just happens to be in the other side of the door and all you have is a pen and a greeting card, you will know exactly what to do. Despite having much lower sales rates, several adventure games have won a substantial amount of awards. Arguably the greatest story ever told, “The Longest Journey,” released in 2000, has won over a dozen awards, the most notable being a Game of the Year award by GameSpot, one of the The Beacon/Tom Reilly top 200 most-viewed Freshman environmental engineering major Tim Fisher enjoying a video websites on the Intergame in his spare time. Certain video games are not only a source of fun and net. Even though “The entertainment, but can also teach important life skills and sharpen critical Longest Journey” is thinking ability. one of the most critivelop as the story progresses. In adventure cally-acclaimed video games of our time, games, however, you are not only watch- the game has only sold approximately ing the story play out, but you are actually 350,000 copies in total. Sales obviously interacting with the story. In some games, have no correlation with quality, as “Game you can even alter the entire direction of the Party,” widely regarded as the worst game of the past decade, had sold more than three story based on a single decision. Unlike RPGs and first-person shooters million units as of February 2009. Whether you are an avid or casual gamer, where the game progresses as you follow a set path to a certain point, adventure games adventure games provide an experience that progress quite differently. In adventure other games cannot. If you are looking for games, you must converse with other char- an introduction to the genre, pick up a copy acters, combine objects, and solve puzzles of “Grim Fandango,” “The Longest Journey,” or “The Monkey Island series.” You in order to progress. You can also fully interact with the envi- will spend much less money while having ronment. If there is a picture on a wall that fun and being entertained in a new way. You you do not quite understand, you can make may even learn something! the character look at the picture and provide a description from his or her point of view. CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: If you have ever wanted to talk to a fire hy- anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu BY ANTHONY TRUPPO Assistant Opinion Editor regulations about what to do on the road and how to act while driving. Maybe, when you were learning to drive, Although American citizens have many you were able to just skate by because you rights, driving is not one of them. It is a got easy questions on your learner’s permit privilege; just like when your parents would test. Or you heard through the grapevine let you have ice cream after you cleaned what to do. The people who chose not to your plate at dinner time. study the manual are the people that are Privileges are special rights given to driv- now wreaking havoc on our roads. ers only when they have proven to be comBut for others who actually wanted to petent on the road after being tested. Isn’t learn the rules of the road, we read the manthis right? ual and became We’ve all educated about experienced our state’s driving different badlaws. driving sceThe next step in narios: the process was Someone taking a test to recuts you off ceive your learnand then er’s permit. In makes a onePennsylvania, the fingered hand test encompassed gesture, as if questions from the it was your manual and if you fault. passed, you were There are able to obtain a four cars at learner’s permit. a stop-sign For six months, intersection The Beacon/Tom Reilly teen drivers would and everydrive with a parent one sits there Driving in Public Square is a privilege, as with all roads. All drivers or guardian and for about 30 should respect their driving privileges by occasionally revisiting in this time, the seconds, as the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual. rules of the road if they were would be taught. Sounds simple, right? unsure of where to go next. Well, as you may have guessed, people Cars are weaving in and out of traffic on have different views about what is right the highway without a care in the world for and wrong while on the road. They make the safety and security of other drivers and the manual so that everyone can follow the their passengers. same uniform style of driving. If two peoBut I digress… ple disagree, this might cause conflict evThe real issue at hand is that people are ery time a permit holder gets in the car with careless, rude and unsafe while driving. But their parent/guardian. anyone can change their habits by followSo after a driver fights with his or her paring the rules and remembering to be safe ent or guardian during the six month period while on the road. of driving, it’s time to go for your driver’s Teen drivers are often named as “bad driv- license test. In Pennsylvania, this test eners” and “careless,” but it is not only teens. compasses trying your driver’s skills with a Drivers who are careless on the road can be test administrator. anyone: from a 16-year-old boy, to an elMany people pass this test, obtain their liderly woman. cense and continue to be good drivers. Other It’s worth something to remember the pro- people may pass this test and let their good cess of obtaining a driver’s license. First, habits slip away causing them to become you must study a manual. reckless, hasty and inconsiderate drivers. When you were 16, do you remember that I encourage everyone to look over the booklet you received from the Department driver’s manual each year to remind themof Motor Vehicles (DMV)? Well that book- selves of the importance of following the let, the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual, was rules provided by your state’s DMV and I actually important. also encourage people to practice safe rules There were valuable facts and pieces of of the road while driving. information in the manual that can be ref- CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: erenced. Listed in the manual are rules and jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor �New Year’s Resolutions PAGE 12 Barely into 2010, the Wilkes community struggles to keep up with resolutions. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com FEBRUARY 23, 2010 College Days Craig Merriman uses his time at Texas A&M Kingsville to grow up BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Craig Merriman, sports information director for Wilkes University athletics, liked to achieve in college. Not overachieve, not underachieve. Just achieve. According to Merriman, he did just what was necessary to get by during his five years at Texas A&M Kingsville, a satellite school of Texas A&M located near his hometown. “I was one of those guys who made sure they knew it for the test. I took a geology course. I didn’t care about geology. Did I learn it? No. I learned it enough to get passed,” said Merriman. Coming from a nearby high school, Merriman stuck to his close group of friends and integrated into playing baseball for the Javelinas. “I played one year of baseball. It was hard, because I knew I needed an education and with 12-hour bus rides for a three game series, I was missing a lot of school,” said Merriman. Merriman stopped playing baseball after his freshman year and took up track instead. Dropping all athletics his junior year, Merriman focused on his studies…slightly. “I hated to study--hated it. I had an interesting college life. [Because] I played baseball, I had to maintain a 2.0 GPA. I was down to a 2.01,” stated Merriman. His hatred of studying and low ACT score coming into Texas A&M Kingsville caused Merriman to take remedial courses, called 099 classes, during his first year of school. “I only scored a 17 on my ACT. I was immediately put into 099 classes, where you have to take them [first] to finally get into English 101. Reading, math, and writing took up almost a whole year. Not only was I taking regular classes I was taking these 099 classes, embarrassingly enough,” said Merriman. Despite not feeling compelled to study, Merriman found keys to success in getting through school. His foolproof plan for passing classes included picking classes early in the day and participating in class on a regular basis. “I looked at it like high school. I took my classes at 8 and was done by 11--like a half a day. Then I could spend the day doing whatever I wanted,” said Merriman. Adapting socially, as well as academically, seemed to come easily for Merriman. “I spent a lot of time with high school friends and made some college friends. I didn’t have this group of big buddies that we’d hang out with,” said Merriman. While he had friends to keep him company, Merriman admits not being able to “buy a date” while in school. Along with learning minilessons about his schooling, Merriman’s parents took it upon themselves to help teach him about being responsible by making him get a job at school. Merriman funded his education on his own by working in the sports information office for the school. “When your parents tell you to do stuff, you don’t want to. I thought at the time ‘that’s pretty crappy,’ but I’m glad they did. It taught me responsibility, taught me to budget, taught me a lot of things. ,” said Merriman. Merriman is glad he listened to his parents. He believes having to work to put himself through school made him more responsible and grown-up. “You had to grow up,” said Merriman. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu. Photo courtesy of Craig Merriman Craig Merriman, now sports information director for Wilkes Athletics, spent his time in college studying little and learning lots. In his own words, Merriman makes the grade: “ “ I put off taking an algebra course in college. I finally took it-failed it miserably. I took it again the next semester. There was a comprehensive final. I made a C on one test. Knew nothing about algebra. Luckily I had a Grad Assistant as a teacher. Foreign. Very hard to understand. It didn’t matter to me, I still didn’t get it either way. I handed in my test, and he says, ‘Mr. Merriman, how are you doing in my class?’ I said, ‘Honestly, I can barely pass a regular class, much less a comprehensive final.’ He said he understood and asked, ‘What was your grade going into this class?’ I thought, ‘That’s a weird question to ask me’ and said ‘a C’. No way I had a C. Low and behold, I get my report card in the mail and I got a C and passed. �10 LIFE THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 _____, t:.Jltffll9W E9l ffEaeE Psychology students help air emotional laundry Clothesline Project in Student Union Building builds awareness of violence BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor “Don’t air your dirty laundry in public,” is an adage that generally means to keep certain actions, thoughts and beliefs in one’s life private. The Clothesline Project goes against this saying, and has some people airing out their dirty laundry on the second floor of the Student Center. A pamphlet for the Victims Resource Center (VRC) described The Clothesline Project as, “Victims and their family members creating an artistic expression of their victimization to display on a clothesline in celebration of their transformation from victim to survivor.” The t-shirts, created by members of the VRC, are displayed in six different colors, all of which symbolize what type of violence that person experienced. According to another pamphlet for the VRC, a white tshirt signifies women who’ve died because of violence; yellow or beige represents battered or assaulted women; a red, pink or an orange t-shirt stands for survivors of rape and sexual assault; blue and green indicates survivors of incest and sexual abuse; purple or lavender represents women who were attacked based on their sexual orientation; and black is a sign for women who were attacked for political reasons. The t-shirts are no longer hanging from the second floor of the Student Center, but according to Megan Boone, coordinator of community service at Wilkes, the Clothesline Project will be displayed again closer to April 21, which is the date set for the Victims Right’s Rally. Boone explained that the Clothesline Project was displayed during the Vagina Monologues, which took place this past weekend. “It’s important to highlight the valiancy of women. I felt the Clothesline Project would help celebrate womanhood, and it tied in nicely with the Vagina Monologues,” said Boone. One of the students involved directly with the VRC and who also helped put The Clothesline Project together is Amber Kozo, a junior psychology major at Wilkes. “The Clothesline Project is basically designed as an outlet for woman to express what has happened to them,” said Kozo. Kozo joined Scholars in Service to PA [SISPA], through the Community Service Office at Wilkes. SISPA offers scholarships for students willing to do community service. After applying and being accepted to SISPA, Kozo was assigned to the VRC, where she helps raise awareness of abuse and violence through various projects planned throughout the semester. Through the Clothesline Project, Kozo hopes to bring awareness of abuse and violence to the Wilkes Community. “We’re on a college campus and no one wants to talk about it, but I’m sure there are assaults on campus. People need to know that they’re not alone,” said Kozo. She hopes people who have experienced violence or those who are experiencing violence will feel comfort in the fact that they aren’t alone. Kozo never actually met the ‘survivors’ who’ve made the shirts, but she believed that they find solace in showing other victims that they too can be survivors. The Clothesline Project isn’t the only project Kozo is working on this semester; she is currently planning a Root Beer Social set for April 16. The social will feature free root beer and free food. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the VRC will be holding a Mock Rape Trial. The trial is set for April 14 and will feature an actual judge and court who will all be volunteering their time to portray a realistic sexual assault trial. This mock trial will happen at the Luzerne County Courthouse. The Victims Rights Rally is scheduled for April 21. The rally is actually a march designed to bring about awareness of violence to the community. Boone explained that marching in the rally along with Wilkes will be King’s College, Misericordia University, Luzerne County Community College and Penn State University. The march will also include high schools such as GAR High School and Wyoming Seminary Upper School. The Victims Rights Rally will begin at both King and Wilkes. The two schools, along with the others, will meet on the square then take Market Street across to Millennium Circle at the River Commons. At Millennium Circle there will be refreshments, a candle light vigil, and about five speakers. Boone explained that the focus of this year’s rally is crimes on college campuses. For more information about The Clothesline Project or any other events involving the VRC contact Megan Boone at megan. boone@wilkes.edu or Amber Kozo at amber.kozo@wilkes.edu. For more information on the VRC, go to www.vrcnepa.org. CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu. Last week's winners of 2 Movie Tickets to Movies 14: Brynn McGregor and Paran Mukhija B Enter for a chance to win... Dinner and a Movie for Two Sponsored By: ·~ - PIUA · WINGS ~ SUB· SALADS Located on Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk in the Student Union by Friday, February 26, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORDS: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 LIFE 11 Wilkes University’s Health & Wellness Corner Students inquire about antibiotics and eating disorders colds and flu, they can stop working effectively against bacteria when you really need them. Antibiotic resistance (when antibiotics no longer can cure bacterial infections) has been a real health concern and is considered one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Do not demand antibiotics Q: I went to my doctors for a cold that when your healthcare provider says they are I had for three days and wanted her to not need. Do not take an antibiotic for viral put me on antibiotics for my cold and infections like cold or flu. Do not take ancongestion and was told that it would tibiotics prescribed for someone else. Taknot help me because it was probably a ing the wrong medicine may delay correct viral infection. I was told to take over treatment and allow bacteria to multiply. the counter (OTC) cough medicine and Motrin. Wouldn’t an antibiotic make my Q: How do I know if my friend has an symptoms go away quicker? eating disorder? A: Antibiotics do not fight infections A: That is a very good question but one caused by viruses, like colds, flu, most sore throats and bronchitis and some ear infec- that is not easily answered. As a result, tions. Rest, fluids, and OTC products may this will be the first of a three part series on be the best treatment. If antibiotics are used eating disorders. Our relationship with food is complex and too often for things they can’t treat, like The Health & Wellness Corner is a weekly feature in The Beacon. Students who ask questions remain anonymous. All questions will be answered by Health Services staff. strange as it sounds, it is not about the food, but rather how we can use food to deal with deeper issues. Food is meant to enjoy and to nourish our bodies. Additionally, it is often a part of our traditions, celebrations, and socialization. Still, our culture puts an unhealthy emphasis on appearance and body image. As a result, women, and less often men, desire to be thinner or more muscular than what is natural for us. This can lead to a change in eating behaviors that may develop into an eating disorder. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and eating disorders that are not otherwise specified. Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychological and physiological disorder. Anorexia nervosa can occur at any age or within any socioeconomic class. However, the most common age of onset is between 11-18 with more frequent diagnosis occurring in upper middle class. Symptoms of anorexia include: restric- tion of calories to the point of emaciation, excessive exercise and/or taking laxatives or diuretics to lose weight. Most who suffer with anorexia will deny that they are hungry or thin. Approximately 60% of those with anorexia will also develop bulimia. Do you have a question for the Health & Wellness Corner? Email your questions to wellness.services@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next week’s Health & Wellness Corner. your privacy will be protected. ,.##ST. . .OT . . ELIVE. . V" 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre SPECIALS WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH Large Pie $7.95 Chicken Wing Pie $10.95 (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 MIX&MATCH Any 3 Subs or Wings I I 825-5166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Dining Room I 2 Tickets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95 WE CATER lARGE GROUP EVENTS PHASE CAll BEFORE YOUR NEXT MEETING! Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-11 pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-12am Sun. 12pm-11pm We're more than just great pizza ... see our entire menu at www.januzzispizza.com �12 LIFE THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 New Year’s resolutions fizzle at Wilkes Two months into 2010, students give up on personal promises BY ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER Correspondent Every year after the ball drops and the celebrations are over, the reality of New Year’s resolutions set in. Many American adults make New Year’s resolutions. Some popular resolutions include drinking less alcohol, losing weight, managing debt, reducing stress, and volunteering to help others. “I always thought that if someone wanted to change something about themselves and were serious about that decision, they shouldn’t wait until a new year to do so,” said Brynn McGregor, coordinator Upward Bound. “I guess I understand the saying ‘new year, new you’ but why wait,” said McGregor. “For me, the motivation to make a lifestyle change comes from within.” So, why wait until a new year to change? Studies have shown that people are more likely to reach their goals if they make them as a resolution. New Year’s resolutions have been a tradition for a long time. They are usually a reflection of something in your past that you would like to change in the future. The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings. Janus had two faces which allowed him to look at both the past and the future. John C. Norcross, professor of psychology at the University of Scranton, has done studies in the past on New Year’s resolutions. He found that after two weeks 71% of people kept their resolutions. After one month it dropped to 64% and after six James Spickard, a junior electrical engineering major from Trukerton, NJ, is the president of the newly reformed Robotics club. “I am not usually a person to take charge, but I wanted to get more involved this semester,” explained Spickard. Despite being inactive on campus for some time now, Spickard plans on doing whatever it takes to help get the club back together, and he is ready to take charge. “I know that I can take the Robotics Club where it needs to go,” said Spickard. Electrical and mechanical engineering majors can use Robotics Club as an extracurricular activity to spice up a resume, or to learn more about a field in which they’re major, didn’t make a resolution this year. “There’s no point,” she said. “I don’t normally keep them.” “If they can stick to it, then great,” said McGregor. “I always like to hear that someone sets a goal to make a positive change in him or herself.” CONTACT ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER AT adrienne.shellenberger1@wilkes.edu. Chuck Stevens, a fifth year student, lifts weights at the gym at the YMCA on Franklin St. Stevens, along with many other students, work out to try and keep up their new year’s resolutions. months only 46% of people had kept their resolutions. Around campus, most New Year’s resolutions seem to be health related. Melanie Good, sophomore pharmacy major, made a resolution to work out more and be healthier. She kept it for awhile but “when I got back to school I got busier and it was harder to keep,” she said. Student of the Week: Jame§ BY MAJORIE WHISPELL Correspondent Junior Erin Robinson, English major, made a resolution to quit smoking. “I haven’t completely quit yet,” she said. “But I have cut back significantly.” Michael Bosco, junior, communication studies major, also decided to quit smoking, but only kept his resolution for about a day. Melissa Thorne, freshman English The Beacon/Tom Reilly §pick.ar-d interested. “A robot is a machine that can be completely self-automated, without any interaction from humans. We make robots, and would like to enter them into competitions like Battle Bots,” explained Spickard The Robotics’ Club is also looking forward to hosting a competition here at Wilkes “What that would be is a simple competition, where a robot would have to navigate itself a around a certain course. It will have to do everything completely automated, go through obstacles and make it to a checkered flag.” said Spickard Dr. Matthew J. Zukoski, associate professor of math and computer science, who passed away last spring semester, was the club’s adviser. Now Abu-Nabaa, director of Engineering Operations and Strategy, MS [EOS], and an engineering professor, is the club’s adviser. The Robotics Club meets on Tuesdays at 11 a.m., in Stark Learning Center, room 238. Any person of any major is welcome to join. one like Lockheed Martin. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Spickard: Hardworking, active, and leadership material. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know…” Spickard: That I am the President of the Robotics Club; my friends back home would not expect it. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Spickard: Hopefully in a good job [at] an engineering firm, either one that I start, or The Beacon/Allison Roth CONTACT MAJORIE WHISPELL AT majorie.whispell@wilkes.edu. �SHUTTER ISLAND MOVIE REVIEW, PAGE 14 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com FEBRUARY 23, 2010 MTV’s “Buried Life” aims to put resolutions six feet under The Beacon talks with the four boys who are making their dreams a reality BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Four Canadian boys shared an idea four years ago to one day make a television show out of their efforts to achieve certain tasks before they died, such as asking out the girl of their dreams or delivering a baby. The Buried Life, which is their concept brought to life, currently airs on MTV, and has captured hopeful audiences of all ages, surpassing the usual demographic for MTV. Yes, even beyond the Jersey Shore fans. The four hosts of the show are Dave Lingwood, Ben Nemtin, Duncan Penn, and Jonnie Penn. Through an exclusive event provided by Collegepublisher, The Beacon, along with other college publications, was able to sit in on a conference call with Lingwood, Nemtin, and (Jonnie) Penn. Brett Hanes, the senior vice president of comedy and animation for MTV and executive producer for The Buried Life also sat in on the interview. Hanes recalled receiving a DVD trailer of what the boys had been doing, trying to promote their cause and taping their lives over the last three years. Without hesitation, Hanes knew that he had stumbled upon something unique and perfect for MTV. The boys’ challenge was finding the right platform for their television show. Prior to MTV, the boys received an offer in 2007 from another production company, but if they agreed, they would have lost all creative control. Instead, their show fell into Hanes’s hands. “Our [MTV’s] only help would be to broadcast and be part of the journey,” said Hanes. “We were inspired, and it’s a really (explicitive) hilarious show.” All of the boys grew up together in Victoria, Canada. Being extremely busy promoting their new show, Penn said they were finally able to gauge the response of the audience, now that they are doing a press tour across the country and in Toronto. The idea behind the show was for them to make something that their friends would enjoy and to inspire them. “We get to meet people and talk to them about what they want to do before they die, it’s been very humbling,” said Penn. Their friends and family have kept the boys’ efforts alive by throwing events at home where their whole community got together to support them. “We started to ask ourselves, and our friends, why we aren’t going after what we really wanna do, and why are we settling,” said Nemtin. Out of everything they have completed on the list thus far, and trying to put a positive spin on death, it’s safe to say that they have witnessed some life altering events. The Beacon: Out of everything that you have seen, what has been your most eyeopening mission thus far on the show? Lingwood: The mission that most changed my life was the story of Queen, a recent episode. Her mother died in Katrina and she never got to say goodbye to her mom, who was buried all the way in Denver, Colorado. We had the chance to raise enough money to get her up to Denver to say goodbye. The Beacon: Wow, that’s emotional. It’s great you guys are shedding light on doing what you want to do before you die. Lingwood: Yeah, I mean, death is not really a part of society as much as it used to be- a weird phenomenon. Death is hidden from us and it’s a really unnatural thing to be there with a stranger and see her say goodbye to her mom- it was just a blow. It reminded us of all the reasons why we do this, and we celebrate it. The Beacon: Embedding a positive legacy into society today, which is what you are doing, does stir up controversy. Has there been any outstanding negative feedback from all of this? Nemtin: Oh yeah, that we’re “self-centered, taking a booze cruise across the country.” They think we’re promoting entitlement. [And we’ve also heard peole say] that MTV scripts everything on our show. For the one episode when we wanted to get into a Playboy mansion party, we actually had to write a letter to Hugh Heffner and had to work really hard to get in there. It’s SEE MTV, Page 15 Review: “Art of the Brick” Exhibition transforms toys into art BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Assistant A&E Editor The Art of the Brick Exhibit in the Everhart Museum in Scranton is an exhibit like no other. All of the artwork in this particular exhibit, which included multiple 3-D sculptures and portraits, was constructed of LEGO toy bricks. There was a combination of 3-D sculptures and pictures hanging on the wall. Nathan Sawaya is a New York based artist, who discovered LEGOS as an art medium, rather than just a toy, after his college years, according to his website, www.artofthebrick.com. According to Sawaya’s book, The Art of Brick, he used to be an attorney before he made the transition to professional artist. Some of my favorite sculptures include” Heart,” “Yellow,” “Crowd,” and “Future” and several of his untitled portraits. The heart sculpture was my personal favorite. It was built in March of 2008. It is constructed as an actual human heart. The details of this sculpture really amazed me. It is completely anatomically correct, and took Sawaya over 100 hours to complete, according to his website, www.artofthebrick.com. ”Yellow” was constructed in February of 2006. It is a sculpture of the bust of a man, ripping his chest open.The yellow LEGOS, once part of his chest, were dispersed haphazardly across the table. It is very difficult to portray the full effect of the sculpture using only words. It is best to actually view the sculpture to understand how striking it truly is. ”Crowd” is another one of my personal favorites. There are small figurines of people walking in many directions. This sculpture also contained an optical illusion feature. When I took a step back, I saw that the color on each of the figurines combine to make a large blue eye. “Inspired by the throngs and graffiti of New York City, art is where you see it,” said Nathan Sawaya in his book. Perhaps Sawaya is trying to portray that you can find art everywhere if you keep your SEE LEGOS, Page 15 Photo courtesy of Nathan Sawaya Sawaya’s sculpture “Circle Triangle Square” was constructed in April of 2009. Three human bodies were built out of LEGOS with geometric shapes where their heads would normally be. This is one of the many LEGO sculptures Sawaya has on display. Photo was reproduced with the permission of the Everhard Museum. �14 A&E THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Review: Shutter Island, a psychological joyride BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers. The latest psychological thriller, Shutter Island, presents the question: could insanity be contagious? The film, released on February 19, makes you question this concept, and more, as you follow the winding plotline and complex characters. The movie takes place in 1954, a time period emphasized by the underdeveloped, unethical practices in the field of psychology. Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a U.S. Marshal recruited to investigate a case at Ashecliffe Hospital, an institution for the criminally insane on Shutter Island in Boston. The case is regarding a missing patient, Rachel (Emily Mortimer), a war widow who is at the penitentiary for drowning her three children. She invents a fictional world in which her husband and children are still alive, and the workers at Ashecliffe are simply neighbors. The disappearance of the prisoner turns into a full-fledged mystery, with each clue leading to a more complex development. We learn from the very beginning that Daniels’ wife died in a fire. Daniels visually suffers from a wounded past from losing his wife and serving in World War II. As Daniels spends more time at the hospital, his traumatic past continuously haunts him. His time working on the case is plagued with nightmares of his wife and the war, constant hallucinations and fragmented thoughts. Daniels finds it difficult to uncover answers from this twisted mystery. Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley), the head psychologist at Ashecliffe, is incriminatingly unhelpful with the case, refusing Daniels access to patient files. Daniels’ sidekick, Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), serves as the ideal partner with his insightful and supportive personality. He suggests that the psychologists at Ashecliffe manipulated Daniels to become involved at the hospital. The theory of unethical operations being conducted at the institute is developed, and it becomes evident that Shutter Island is not what it appears to be. From that point on, it becomes difficult to decipher who can be trusted and what is real. The most prominent concept presented in Shutter Island is the definition of insanity. The characters discuss how easily one can be labeled as crazy. The patients state that once one doctor calls someone insane, all the other doctors backs them up, and any attempt at objection is simply perceived as proof of the insanity. With this broad definition, anyone could be insane, which leads to some thought-provoking discrepancies. There are several intriguing concepts that mirror each other. The missing prisoner mirrors Daniels, since they are both widows. Daniels has fractured flashbacks to his complicated past, which mirrors the scrambled clues to the missing patient case. The unethical practices at the institute set up a clear mirror of the holocaust. The ending was mind-blowing, and connected all the loose ends in a satisfactory manner. The only weakness was its slight openness at the conclusion, with there being possibilities for two different ending, though the ultimate end is assumed. There are few flaws I can scrutinize from this movie. The plot seemed to rush too quickly into Daniels background and how his wife died, while I think it should have focused on the information of the case in the beginning. Also, while other aspects of Daniels’ wife are elaborated on, the storyline lacks a major piece of her background. There are some traumatic images present- The Beacon/Tom Reilly ed that may impact audience members and require a warning. These visuals involve the holocaust, as well as the dead bodies of children. These small flaws can be easily overlooked, however. Shutter Island is more than just a movie; it is a psychological venture that should not be missed. Though insanity is not a contagious disease, this movie will make you doubt whether what you are seeing is real or an illusion. Rating: 5/5 CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! Becan.eeveu , "Fashionistas" j' 101,OFF canbefrugal. WITH WILKES STUDENT l,D, AP CHSOQKAXD AC I QKOX AQ SECQ KIJO CQHXO’C QKMHZ DAJOX CHSOHXO IZIV, I sale items not included ;~ ~;, Offer Valid Through 3/31/10 KIML QASO! ...... . ..... . . ... ..... .... ....... .... .................. .. r · · ··· · This week’s clue: O=E & Q=T Last week’s answer: If a chipmunk can catch pneumonia then shouldn’t pneumonia be able to catch a chipmunk? �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 A&E ~ - I' 3 I - - ; 4 I I - .-----10 I I ' 11 f-- f-- f-- f-- 116 - 17 f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- I f-- ,o - I - u ,. - f-- 15 f-- f-- f-- 15 - I - - 30 n I I I lR I I I I I I I I I 19 f-- ,,----- I I I I I f-- - f-- f-- I" - f-- I I I I I I I '7 I I I I I I f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- - f-- - f-- f-- - f-- f-- f-- - f-- f-- f-- - f-- 34 f-- f-- - f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- f-- ,,---- f-- f-- - I 31 I f-- f-- ,.-- - f-- f-- - - f-- f-- - - ~ f-- f-- - - f-- I I I I I I f-- f-- 37 f-- Continued from PAGE 14 - - - - - - f-- f-- - - f-- f-- - - f-- f-- I" I I I I f-- I I 40 I 41 I I I I I I I I I I Courtesy of EclipseCrossword.com ACROSS 2.“Goodnight, John Boy.” 5.“Survey said...” 7.“Ooooh! Burn! That’s a burn about a burn! That’s a 2nd degree burn!” 8.“There isn’t enough wall space in New York City to hang all of my exes.” 10.“Singing is not your thing.” 13.“Pick ME. Choose ME. Love ME.” 16.“It’s time for some Chat Stew!” 18.“And I would’ve gotten away with it too, if it were’nt for you meddling kids!” 20.“The truth is out there.” 21.“Please take care of yourselves...and each other.” 24.“How rude!” 25.“You’re Fired!” 26.“Up your nose with a rubber hose.” 29.“Throughout the past five seasons, we’ve had some stars with various physical CONTACT BRIE FRIEDMAN AT: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu LEGOS f-- f-- 139 “The point of the show is that they really do everything on the show, and some people just refuse to believe that,” said Hanes. For their first season, the boys sat down to figure out eight episodes. Now that they are becoming famous, the second season is full of higher expectations. They plan to continue doing things on their own lists, as well as incorporating others. People can actually visit the show’s website and post their own life lists at http://theburiedlife.com/blog/. The second season will be even more edgy and eye-opening as the four boys continue to tackle the real meaning behind the title, The Buried Life, which airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. on MTV. f-- f-- “Famous TV Quotes” f-- - I - Continued from PAGE 14 MTV is not just handing it over to us like some think. f-- - f-- I MTV all part of putting ourselves out there, and - f-- " I I 13 - - I BY ASHLEY ZERFOSS Correspondent I I I I I '1 - 6 I - mr - "' f-- 14 I f-- f-- • - 1' I I I ZerCross 15 challenges. Heather Mills had one artificial leg. Kenny Mayne apparently had two.” 31.“Oh my God! They killed Kenny!” 35.“Don’t make me angry...” 38.“We are two wild and crazy guys!” 39.“Spin the Wheel!” 40.“Eat my shorts!” 41.“If you get it on tape, you could get it in cash.” DOWN 1.“You think this is hard? [insert something harder than a cheerleading routine] THAT’S hard!” 3.“You think, DiNozzo?” 4.“That’s hot.” 6.“Holy crap!” 9.“How YOU doin’?” 11.“Smile! You’re on...” 12.“See you in another life, brother.” 14.“No soup for you!” 15.“A man who deliberately covers himself in poo is not sexy.” 17.“Aaay” 19.“Whatchoo talkin’ ‘bout Willis?” 22.“There is always a clue.” 23.“Whapah!” 27.“Bam!” 28.“Live long and prosper.” 30.“Is this chicken what I have or is this fish? I know it’s tuna. But it says chicken. By the sea.” 32.“Giggity giggity giggity!” 33.“I just love sales. I love it to death. It’s as simple as that.” 34.“I know nothing!” 36.“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!” 37.“The tribe has spoken.” CONTACT ASHLEY ZERFOSS AT: ashley.zerfoss@wilkes.edu eyes open and look at things closely. ”Future” is one of his portraits. Upon first glance, it may be difficult to grasp its full meaning. The background is white, and there are black lines across it. The description panel tells viewers that an optical illusion feature was built into the portrait. When I stood to the left of the portrait, and stepped back a few feet, I was able to see that the lines were actually letters that, when looked at sideways, spelled out “tomorrow.” The Art of the Brick exhibition will be on display at the Everhart Museum until May 2. The Everhart Museum is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12-4, Saturday from 10-5, and Sunday from 12-5. I would encourage everyone to go and see this incredible exhibit. It appeals to all generations. Even for those who did not play with LEGOS as a child, it is likely that most people have had some kind of experience with them over the years. Rating: 5/5 CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gillyan.gowarty@wilkes.edu ·------ . . ______ . I Check out “What’s Happening Around Wilkes” online at: I wilkesbeacon.com �MIDSEASON MVP PICKS With basketball season half over, who are the favorites to take home the Maurice Podoloff trophy as NBA MVP? PAGE 18 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Coaching comes with pros and cons Colonels given BY DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor A ,,. ,,,. royal treatment in 21-point loss y.-.,• ....;.;i, **Editor’s Note: What follows is the second part of a look into the background of coaching, a three-part feature series entitled “The Life and Responsibilities of a College Coach.” BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor The Life and Jerry Rickrode found Responsibilities himself coaching basketof a College ball for the first time in 1985, when he assumed Coach responsibility as the freshmen JV coach at his alma mater, Skidmore College. A “wet-behind-the-ears” 21-year-old, Rickrode took the job with vigor after a decision he had made a year earlier left him with few other options. “I got into it in a funny way,” said Rickrode. “When I was a senior, we had a game at New York University the same day I had to do a lab for one of my sciences. I went to see the professor […] He said that I couldn’t miss it and that it would greatly affect my grade if I did […] So I dropped the class,” he said, matter-of-factly. Rickrode traveled with his team to play NYU, and had to later sign up for an additional semester so that he could take a comparable science course in order to graduate. He tried to rejoin the basketball team that fifth year of school, but found that his eligibility had since expired after his senior year. It was then that his coach approached him about the possibility of coaching Skidmore’s junior varsity team. “I don’t necessarily advise kids to do what I did,” said a chuckling Rickrode. “But it was a life-changing decision for me, that’s for sure.” His choice ended up directly influencing his future; Rickrode soon earned his Master’s in Physical Education from Ithaca College while serving as a graduate assistant coach there in 1986. By 1991, he was at Wilkes University and on his way to becoming a highly regarded Division III head coach. “My parents always joked that I put too much emphasis into basketball [when I was younger],” said Rickrode, “but I really do love it. I love holding practices with the boys and seeing them day-in and day-out. When I get out of coaching, if I ever do, PART 2 The Beacon/Daniel Kautz Men’s and women’s tennis head coach Christopher Leicht (left) helps sophomore pharmacy major Jefferson Bohan string a racket in his office. that’s what I’m going to miss the most. [The] second part of [what I like most about coaching] is when these guys graduate and you still hear from them quite often- I still go to all their weddings. I get to see how well they’re doing.” Influenced by his passion for tennis, Christopher Leicht also become a coach at an early age. He began teaching at Frost Valley Country Club while still an undergrad at Bloomsburg University, and soon became the club pro. He later tried for the head coaching position at Danville Area High School, his alma mater. During his three-year tenure there, he oversaw a program that went 57-4 and reached the state semifinals two years in a row, epitomizing excellence. “Coaching’s always been about my relationship with my players,” insisted Leicht. “I think my players [at Danville] took to me more easily than another possible coach because of the fact that I wasn’t much older than they were; it made being able to relate a lot easier. They always had a ton of energy and enthusiasm for tennis and it got me excited to be able to help teach it.” When he arrived at Wilkes, he continued to build relationships with his players on the men’s and women’s teams, citing the process as one of his motivations for his in- volvement with coaching. “When we’re [at competitive matches], I love motivating the players in the way that best suits them,” he said. “I take it in a case-by-case basis. Some kids want to be fired up; some need to joke around to relax. I always try and behave in a way that helps them perform better, and it’s something I get a kick out of.” That Lisa Rizzo became a volleyball coach was no real shock for her after looking back on the past; she participated in the sport during her four years of college and admittedly loved it. It is the fact that she wound up at Wilkes- after playing those four years at rival King’s College- which she said shocks people whenever they learn of it. Despite the changing of loyalties, Rizzo guided her team to a 16-12 season in 2009, an improvement of four wins over the 2008 squad. “I’ve been playing sports since I was a toddler,” said Rizzo. “[Coaching] is just something that I find neat; I like leading my players and watching them form that team bond that allows [them] to overcome obstacles, whether it be in a game or in real life.” The coaches discussed the enjoyment that SEE COACHES, Page 19 The Colonels packed their bags for the last time of the season, traveling just a few blocks to partake in the classic hometown rivalry against the Monarchs. Coming into the game with an average record of 13-11 (4-9), Wilkes did not want to end its season with another loss, however, the shots just did not fall for the Colonels, shooting 36 percent from the floor and hitting just one three pointer throughout the course of the game. An 11-13 (7-6) King’s team came into the game with a chip on their shoulder, dominating the Colonels in the first half 43-23, and solidifying a win with a final score of 77-56. The game began by honoring Wilkes seniors Chris Gulla, Anthony Gabriel and Tom Kresge on their home court. This year the three were all key players on the Colonels’ starting lineup. “It was defiantly emotional, the big crowd, (the) last game on the floor,” said Gabriel. “We wanted to go out with a win.” In the first five minutes of the game it was all Wilkes, quickly establishing a 10-2 lead while playing tight defense and bringing it hard down low. However, over the next four minutes the Monarchs were able to shift the momentum with an 11-1 run over the Colonels, making the score 13-11 in favor of Kings. Just like a game of Super Nintendo’s NBA Jam, the Monarchs were on fire throughout the rest of the first half. While keeping the pressure on the Colonels, King’s was able to ignite their three point game, shooting 610 from the perimeter. With two minutes left in the half, the Monarchs held a 16 point lead and Wilkes continued to dig themselves deeper into a hole, continually missing easy shots from the field, which lead to a 6-0 run by King’s, ending the first period with a score of 4323. A major factor to King’s success in the first half was their ability to spread the ball SEE BASKETBALL, Page 19 �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 SPORTS 17 Athlete Spotlight: Scott Mantua, f ab freshman BY JUSTIN JONES Staff Writer After a monumental season last year, the Wilkes wrestling team is having another record breaking season, and freshman Scott Mantua has been a vital part of it. His seemingly easy transition from the high school tocollege level has locked down the 125 pounder from Clarksville, Maryland, as this week’s Athlete Spotlight. “The transition to college has gone well for me. Obviously, the competition is tougher but I try to just take it one match at a time and only worry about who I have to wrestle that day,” Mantua said. When Wilkes took to the mat against rival King’s last week, all that Mantua had on his mind was Mike Tabasco. Mantua went down early and gave Tabasco a 2-0 lead, but he admitted that he normally gives up the first take down, so he wasn’t worried by the small deficit. It only took four more seconds for Mantua to gain the upper hand with an impressive escape. “I took a shot from neutral, creating my own offense, and [Tabasco] tried to counter my shot using a risky move. I knew the Courtesy of Sports Information Freshman Scott Mantua has been a revelation for the 17th ranked Clonels this season. Mantua is sporting a 30-10 record heading into the postseason, leading the team in wins. move was coming because he had already tried it and I was able to catch him on his back,” commented Mantua. “I always work for the pin but I definitely am more excited about a pin in a match against King’s. The extra points definitely help the team and also help with the general attitude on the • bench. As the first match I like to get the dual meet started with a pin.” Not only did Mantua’s pin start Wilkes towards a 27-9 thrashing of nationally ranked King’s, but it also pushed his individual record to 30-10. “Having three times as many wins as losses has actually been a goal for me this season,” said a proud Mantua. “About halfway through the season, once I got adjusted to college wrestling, I made goals to have three times as many wins as losses and to win thirty matches. I was able to achieve both of those goals this weekend and that was pretty exciting for me.” Mantua’s record credits the seniors on the team for preparing him physically as well as mentally. “The seniors have been awesome this year; they were very welcoming to me in my freshman year and I look up to all of them,” said Mantua. In aspects of wrestling we have plenty of seniors on the team such as Frank Heffernan and Zach Pizzaro to look up to, as well as seniors such as Burt Griffith to give me guidance in academics and other areas.” Now it’s on to the Metropolitan Conference Championship, where Mantua will look to continue his fantastic freshman season against the conference’s best. CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT justin.jones1@wilkes.edu ,,. w.... 1 THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Olt VICE VERSA Get 10% off with valid student ID Oil VICE VERSA Get 10% off with student ID Foll Meno Served All Dag -------------------,-------------------r-------------------¢ ~ ....... ~ i ~ 99 BREAKFAST BURRlfO REGULAR $1 OFF CroisS0N1c• BREAl<!FAST SANDWICH 99:w ' ROUTE 44 BIG DRINK• : SOFT DRINK. Full Menu Served All Dag �18 SPORTS - -= SCOREBOARD MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/16 vs. DeSales 64-75 L 2/18 @ Eastern 45-69 L 2/20 vs Kings 56-77 L WBS PENGUINS 2/17 vs. Albany 9-2 W 2/20 @ Lowell 1-0 W PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 2/16 vs. Miami 78-105 L 2/19 vs. San Antonio 106-94 W 2/20 @ Chicago 90-122 L NEW JERSEY NETS 2/16 @ Charlotte 103-94 W 2/19 vs. Miami 84-87 L 2/20 vs. Toronto 89-106 L WEEK AHEAD WBS PENGUINS 2/23 @ Portland 7:00pm 2/27 vs. Providence 7:05pm 2/28 vs. Hershey 3:05pm Sports Editor lNTHONY DORUNDA~ Over the past season, Kevin Durant has not only proven he’s a star; he has entered the same category as players like LeBron, Kobe, and D-Wade - superstar. Loaded with a plethora of unbelievable talents, Durant has flashed greatness, offering only a glimpse into what this man is capable of doing. One thing he is capable of this season, at only 21, is an MVP award. And before we talk about defense, LeBron makes those chase ‘em down blocks from behind that make the highlight reels, but that’s not man-to-man defense. In fact, there isn’t much difference between the two defensively. Show me the last time playing defense was a pertinent factor in the MVP race. Let’s be real here. More often than not the MVP award is given to the player who scores at absurd rates. Or in other cases it goes to the most electrifying player who makes you close your eyes for a few seconds, blink a few times, NEW JERSEY NETS 2/23 vs. Portland 2/27 @ Boston 2/28 vs. Washington .• . ' il:I: ~ ,. @Beaconsnorts For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports and ask yourself if that really happened. In that case, there is no doubt in my mind the MVP is LeBron James. I’m not here to bash LeBron because, well, you can’t. The two are totally different players – LeBron’s a slasher, Durant is more of a shooter. Sure, he may not make the highlight reel plays that LeBron makes every night, but ladies and gentlemen, no player is more important to the success of their team than Kevin Durant. Besides the fact that he’s already at 5,000 career points and on the cusp of averaging 30 points per game at the ripe age of 21, he has the Oklahoma City Thunder, yes THE THUNDER, at 32-21 as of press time and has literally turned the team into something exciting. Not since the Supersonics days with Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton has the team been this good The corps of this team revolves around four players, who are all under the age of 23. As good as these players are, the engine runs off of what Durant supplies, and more often than not that’s 30 points a game. It’s almost as certain as the sky is blue that if Durant doesn’t score at the rate he scores, the Thunder will lose. That rate? Try 25- plus points the last 27 games. He has scored nearly as much as his best two teammates. Combined. And in those games the Thunder are 19-8. If that doesn’t scream MVP, I don’t know what does. Did I mention that the man is 21, and the unquestioned leader of this team? Durant has a power forward’s height, a small forward’s fluidity, and a shooting guard’s touch, with the ability to bring the ball up the court and run the offense. Not to mention the Thunder’s offense runs through him, or should I say is him. He has the Thunder poised for their playoff appearance for the first time since…ever! The sooner than expected resurgence of the franchise can be credited to one single player: No. 35. He’s single handedly turned a struggling franchise into a playoff contender in the loaded western conference in the matter of only a few seasons. Team leader, top two in the NBA in scoring, sole reason for a team’s success, and attitude to continue to critique and improve his game - add that together, and we have an MVP on our hands. The King will reclaim his title - MVP PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 2/23 @ Golden State 10:30pm 2/24 @ Phoenix 9:00pm 2/26 @ Los Angeles Lakers 10:30pm FEBRUARY 23, 2010 Who is the Mid-Season MVP? Kevin Durant has arrived, Thundering into the MVP race WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2/16 vs. DeSales 42-76 L 2/18 @ Eastern 62-72 L 2/13 vs. Kings 61-90 L THE BEACON Assistant Sports Editor DANIEL KAUTZ LeBron James stands to make a fortune this summer when he hits what may be the most anticipated free agency period of all time. The media sensation following his signing - or extension, should he stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers - will be overwhelming, and justifiably so. He is the rare athlete who manages to outpace the superlatives we try to assign him, the only one whom the title “King” could be fixed to without seeming absurd or trite. And he is this season’s MVP. The man is averaging slightly less than 30 points a game (29.9), and has filled the stat sheet by averaging 7.1 rebounds and 8.3 a contest to go along with it. Durant is averaging almost the same amount of points and rebounds a game (29.7 and 7.5, respectively), but has had less success distributing the ball and getting his teammates involved (2.9 assists per game). This is not necessarily meant to sound like an unfair critique of Durant; he is four years younger, and plays a radically different role on the Thunder than James does on the Cavaliers, where he is allowed to dictate the offense more often. However, it still does not change the fact that James is a better facilitator, and more valuable because of the multiple roles he plays. The biggest disparity between the two of them is their defense, however, and not their offense. Durant was one of the worst defenders in the NBA last season; indeed, the Thunder allowed an additional 9.1 points per 100 possessions on defense last season when he was in games, more than negating the offensive boost he brought his team. While he has improved of late, James is surpassing him in blocks (52 to 46) and steals (86 to 72) this season. His fast, physical style of defense even inspired the Cavaliers’ front office to invent the “chasedown blocks” statistic for him, a category that records the number of times he chases a player in transition and successfully blocks his shot from behind. You know, the move that is a staple of James’s highlight reel every other night. He had 22 of them last season. Lastly, for those stat-heads out there, there is the matter of their Player Efficiency Ratings (PER). The rating system, created by ESPN’s John Hollinger and used leaguewide in player evaluations, takes into account many of the positive and negative statistics a player accumulates throughout the season before using a formula to determine their value to their team. A PER of 15.00 is league average; this is the rating you would see given to many bench players or common starters. Kevin Durant currently possesses a PER of 25.16, a rating that would establish him as a “fringeMVP candidate” according to Hollinger’s book, Pro Basketball Forecast. James is currently posting a 31.65, which is beyond the 30 rating that indicates a “runaway MVP candidate.” Only two players have posted a PER rating higher than that historically. One was Michael Jordan, who twice accomplished the feat, once in the 1987-88 season (31.79) and the other in the 1990-91 season (31.89). The other was LeBron James. His 31.76 rating last season was the third highest ever, and came with an MVP award in tow. There’s no reason that shouldn’t happen again this year. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 23, 2010 BASKETBALL Continued from page 16 around amongst their players, shooting 60 percent behind the arc. In the second half Wilkes stepped their game up and continued to chip away at the 20 point deficit, putting pressure on the Monarchs offence and achieving a 14-4 run of their own with 12:38 to go. However, their short burst would not be enough, and King’s would run away with the victory, 7756. Speaking of the loss, Gabriel explained COACHES Continued from page 16 they get out of serving at Wilkes, a school which all three believed gives more equal attention to its athletics than other programs in terms of support and publicity. They also noted that it is the close fraternity between coaches here that has helped engender such an environment. “I think all the people and students here give pretty much an equal amount of respect to the different teams; the coaches, especially,” said Rickrode. “We all support one another.” “I know that, for me, my transition was made much easier with the help of some of the other coaches here,” said Rizzo. “They were always there to help answer questions or help me with scheduling […] I think the entire athletic department here treats all of the teams more fairly than at some other schools.” Leicht said that there is a definite sense of equality between the sports programs at Wilkes in terms of administrative support. “Football, for example, will always be high-profile wherever you go, but […] Wilkes places priority on all sports, not just the big ones. The athletic department here has put a real emphasis on tennis […] especially when other coaches tell me other negative things [about their programs],” he concluded. As with nearly anything, however, there are negatives to be found. The challenges that coaches face today are numerous; while there are ways to steer around trouble, all three coaches admitted that there is not one “right method” in which to handle adversity; it depends on the situation and the coach’s experience. In a day and age where adult professional athletes are in the news everyday for their transgressions, it calls to attention the question of how much we can expect from college-aged youths, as well as how to play the role of disciplinarian. “I’ve never had any real problems on my teams fortunately,” said Leicht. “Of course that doesn’t mean I haven’t had to step in SPORTS 19 that the team simply “…didn’t get [the ball] out to shooters,” like the team wanted to. The Colonels were lead by the seniors Kresge and Gabriel, playing in their last game as Colonels. Kresge racked up 14 points, four rebounds and three assists and Gabriel not far behind with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists of his own. With the loss, the Colonels end their season with a record of 13-12 (4-10). CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT gino.troiani@wilkes.edu sometimes […] I’m fairly approachable; I try and talk with them and use setbacks as learning examples. I ask them, ‘Did what you do affect the team? Is this something we can fix?’ I don’t yell; I just approach it calmly on a case-by-case basis.” “I’ve rarely had to admonish my athletes,” said Rizzo. “And if I had, it’s usually something like if I hear a kid [cursing] or horsing around. It goes back to [how I think players should represent themselves].” Managing athletes’ egos is also a job that coaches must master in order to effectively lead. “You can’t, as a coach, keep everyone happy,” said Rickrode. “I was always a firm believer that if everybody in the world likes you, I’m not sure you’ve done everything right. You kind of have to do what’s best for the team and what you feel is the right thing to do.” “I had a situation some time ago when a kid made a little spectacle of himself after the game in front of some fans and I suspended him for two games,” he added. “I had some people fight me on it and I decided I wasn’t [going] to back down from it. They could do whatever they wanted to do to me but I wasn’t going to back down from that conviction; you have to be willing to treat your star player just the same as you would anyone else as a coach.” “It goes both ways,” said Leicht, of massaging players’ egos. “Some athletes who were standouts in high school have egos when they get here, but then find themselves surrounded by others who are also talented. In those situations they can get overwhelmed and you have to give them time to get adjusted, maybe give them a word of encouragement.” **Check back next week for Part III in the series, which discusses the struggles and rewards of coaching. CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski As the rest of his team looks on, senior Chris Gulla (3) shoots a free throw during Wilkes University’s senior night contest on Saturday against its cross-town rival King’s College. The Colonels lost the game, 77-56, thanks to some hot shooting by the Monarchs, who made 11 three-point shots compared to Wilkes’s one. King’s (12-13, 8-6) took the season series with the win, dropping the Colonels to (13-12, 4-10). In his final regular-season home match of his collegiate career, Gulla finished with eight points, three rebounds, and a steal in 25 minutes of action. CALL 570.288.0220 NOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER Quick Professional Ser v ice With A Home Cooked Fl avor St. l.ouis Rihs • Pidh.><l Pork • Tcx.cL'> Rl--er • Chick~•n I lohlug.~ • Bu rgers • Salad s: & M uch Morel EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT 5% Off for Wilke,s Students with valid ID �20 THE BEACON SPORTS Monarchs conquer Colonels Losses to DeSales, King's leave women on 11-game skid BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor It was a tale of two teams going in opposite directions last Tuesday – DeSales riding an eight game winning streak, Wilkes looking for its first victory since January 13. Halfway through the first half, it was obvious that fortunes would not change. After a back and forth 12 minutes that saw Wilkes on top after a three from freshman Angela Palmerio, DeSales clamped down on defense and cranked up the offense. The Bulldogs forced turnover after turnover, capitalizing in transition with fast break points, ending the half on a 24-4 run. The Lady Colonels shot only 19 percent from the field, and had 19 turnovers in the period. DeSales, on the other hand, committed just nine turnovers, and hit nearly half the shots they put up. The second half was more of the same story. The Bulldogs stretched the lead out to 30 points and never looked back, thumping the Lady Colonels 76-42, extending their win streak to nine games. Freshman Megan Kazmerski led the Colonels with 12 points, while Palmiero chipped in with 10. Junior Brittany Ely recorded her second double-digit rebounding game in a row, snatching 10 boards. Wilkes committed almost as many turnovers (33) as they had points (42) in the game, and shot just 25 percent from the field. After dropping their 10th straight game Thursday to Eastern, cross-town rival King’s was in the house for a pink out this past Saturday, with all proceeds benefitting breast cancer awareness. King’s came into the game looking to get up over .500, while Wilkes was looking to end its rough season on a high note. In a game full of offensive fireworks, King’s chalked up the win, 90-61. Julia Lynott had a field day in the middle, dropping 27 points and snagging 14 rebounds for the Lady Monarchs, with many of her points coming after cleaning up the boards on the offensive end. “You got to try and shut everyone else down and get any rebounds that don’t go in and play hard,” said Wilkes head coach Rachel Emmerthal. “You do what you can do, and if you can say you left everything on the floor, there’s nothing else I can do,’ there’s nothing else you can do.” Devastated by a rash of injuries late in the season, the Lady Colonels came out hungry early, dashing out to 9-4 lead, slashing to FEBRUARY 23, 2010 BY THE NUMBERS 0 Number of seniors on this year’s team. The entire group of players returns intact next season. 1 Number of girls that ended the season averaging double figures in scoring. That player was freshman Megan Kazmerski, who ended the season averaging 11.5 points per game. The Beacon/Allison Roth Freshman Morgan Thomas battles for a loose ball last Tuesday versus DeSales. Thomas finished with three steals in 16 minutes of action in the 76-42 loss to the Bulldogs. the hole and getting to the line early and often. “We have a lot of athleticism with our young players, so we’re trying to work to our advantages,” said Emmerthal. “We tried to let the girls run and take it at them.” But the running would not last long. After Kayla Dick drilled a three from deep for King’s, the Monarchs would go on a 19-2 run to blow the game wide open, and never looked back. With Wilkes playing without six foot center Lindsey Gosse, King’s utilized it’s marked size advantage and pounded the ball inside the entire game, living off second chance buckets. The Monarchs outrebounded the Colonels 56-32, with 25 of those boards coming on the offensive end. “We had to pretty much go five guards all night,” said junior Brittany Ely, who finished the night with eight points and three rebounds. “We had our girls that were playing down low front the post which made us rely on our help defense being there. A lot of times they weren’t there, and we got into foul trouble early.” The Colonels would cut the lead to nine during the second half after freshman Amanda Pawlowski was fouled hard on a layup and converted the and-one. But King’s responded all night long, answering every run by the Colonels with a larger run of their own. Kazmerski filled out the stat sheet for the Colonels, recording 16 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and five assists on the night. Sophomore Lyndsay Ellis chipped in with 10 points, while fellow freshman Pawlowski added eight. The loss dropped the Colonels to 3-22 on the season, 1-13 in Freedom Conference play. But Emmerthal was optimistic after the game, already looking forward to next season. “It’s a matter of putting everything together…we just ran out of time,” said Emmerthal. “The best part about this year was that it was a great experience for all of them. We don’t have any seniors. As long as they keep their heads up and work hard in the offseason, we have a lot of opportunities.” With the entire team returning fully intact next year, there’s hope that this season was an opportunity to grow for the young Colonels, who had five freshman log plenty of minutes. “Experience is going to help a lot,” said Ely. “We have a lot of local girls, and they figured out what its like to play, figured out what the conference is about. We know we can compete in the conference so it should give us a lot of confidence heading into next year.” CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu 3 Number of wins the Lady Colonels had on the season, down from the 11 wins they had last season, which was the second biggest turnaround in NCAA Division III history. 11 Length of losing streak the women ended the season on. Their last victory came January 13th, versus Eastern. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2010 February 23rd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 February 23 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/67200f8d052a75d64e53af77333f9579.pdf 712bb1992d4f6f31782045fa3eec41e0 PDF Text Text Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Volume 62 Issue 13 The Beacon Archives/ Allison Roth SPOTLIGHT ON ANTHONY GABRIEL SPORTS | PAGE BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor SEE RENDELL, Page 3 pass the budget bill, but – I don’t know – it will be interesting,” said Erin Sweet, senior class representative on student government. Gary Miller, a spokesman for Rendell, said Wilkes is currently one of two commencement addresses the Governor has agreed to give. Adams says that Rendell’s name has been kicked around in the past for the address, but it has never worked out. “Governor Rendell has been on our list for the past few years,” said Adams. “Timing is always an issue in the selection. Since this is the last opportunity we have to honor Governor Rendell while he’s in office, we invited him for Rendell chosen to address graduates PA governor to deliver spring commencement address Rendell has delivered several addresses at Wilkes campus throughout his term in office. THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW FY ‘10 and ‘11 budget session held Petra Carver met with interested Wilkes community members to discuss the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years, giving a presentation and answering their questions. with a balanced budget. So, to balAmong the revenue received is ance out the current deficit, a few a Department of Education grant different sources of revenue and that is guaranteed for this year and cutbacks will be used in 2011. SEE BUDGET, Page 5 The Beacon/Thomas Reilly Wilkes still struggling to balance deficit BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor On Thursday, February 11, Petra Carver, vice president of finance and support operations, held a budget update session for the Wilkes community about the immediate financial future of the University. It was followed by a question and answer session. According to Carver, 2010 is projected to end in a deficit of $2.2 million because of a shortfall in graduate tuition revenue and parttime tuition revenue. There was also some over-expenditure on the part of financial aid. Every year, the goal for the University is to end the fiscal year Potential study partnership with Australian college in works Campion College to give Wilkes students a study abroad experience BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Diversity, is hopeful that it will soon be approved. About 15 students and 15 faculty members came to hear Abela speak about Campion and the type of programs the college has to offer to Wilkes students and faculty members. Students studying abroad can live in a dorm, live in shared houses or live with an Australian family. On campus, Campion has facilities that include a library, gym The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, governor of Pennsylvania, will offer the spring commencement address at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 22, says Vicki Mayk, associate director for marketing communications at Wilkes. Dr. Paul Adams, vice president for student affairs, said Rendell has visited Wilkes many times in the past. “He’s been a great friend to Wilkes and a great supporter of Northeastern PA,” said Adams. “I think [he’s] an interesting choice. I don’t know how well [he] will be received since he couldn’t Sports Pages 16-20 SEE AUSTRALIA, Page 3 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 Campion has to offer. Campion is a small liberal arts college located about 35 minutes from Sydney and 10 minutes from the Parramatta, which is another business district in Australia. Campion is Australia’s first liberal arts college and it was founded in 2006. Currently, the college has 100 students and eight faculty members. The study abroad partnership has not yet been finalized, but Dr. Godlove Fonjweng, director of the Center for Global Education and Life Pages 9-12 The Center for Global Education and Diversity, in cooperation with Campion College in Australia, plans to create a study abroad partnership for students, as well as a separate teaching program for faculty members. Dr. Paul Abela, deputy registrar from Campion College, visited Wilkes University on Tuesday, February 9 to speak with students and faculty about the program that Opinion Pages 6-8 Coaches’ Responsibilities College athletic coaches are responsible for helping their students achieve success beyond their sport. PAGE 16 2010 Vagina Monologues Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues showcased at Wilkes this past weekend. The spotlight shined on the women in the Congo. PAGE 13 Black History Month Dr. Stringer integrates Black History Month facts into her classes to help students better understand this PAGE 9 month-long celebration. Plague of poor rhetoric Students have become accustomed to using the word “like” and “um” in their speech which causes problems PAGE 6 entering job market. Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member ~ The �$24,690 690 FEBRUARY 16, 2010 $24,690 $25,801 $25,801 SEE HOW YOUR FEES ARE INCREASING PAGE 5 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Briefs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor coaching staff until February 12. For names of the players, visit www.gowilkesu.com. ONLINE WRITING CENTER – The Online Writing Center (OWC) is open for submissions for spring 2010. The OWC consultations are similar to the consultations done in the Writing Center in the Alden Learning Commons in the Farley Library. Papers are read and sent back to the writer within 48 hours. Submissions can be made by going to http://wilkes.edu/pages/766.asp. MOCK GRAD SCHOOL TESTING – Career Services will host Princeton Review test prep services on Saturday, February 27 in Breiseth Hall at 9 a.m. for students interested in taking mock GRE’s, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT. Students must email careers@ wilkes.edu or call 570-408-4060 with name, test desired, major, year and cell number to attend. The tests are approximately three to five hours and the GRE and GMAT tests are computer administrated. All students must arrive at Breiseth Hall, first floor by 8:55 a.m. No walk-ins or late arrivals will be accommodated. PINK OUT – The Women’s Basketball Team will be playing King’s College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 20. The team will be selling “pink out” T-shirts for $10 and the profits will be donated to the fight against breast cancer. Shirts can be purchased through any member of the team or TREC AWARDS – The Teaching Recognition and Effectiveness Committee (TREC) is now accepting nominations from faculty for the Carpenter Award, the Outstanding New Faculty Award, the Part-time Teaching Award, the Academic Support Award, the Multiculturalism Award and the Interdisciplinary Award. The Carpenter Award nominations are due February 19 and the other awards are due March 19. More information for the criteria of each award can be found at http://course.wilkes.edu/trec/. RELAY FOR LIFE – Registration has begun for Relay for Life. Students interested in forming a team and signing-up can contact Bethany Sharpless at bethany.sharpless@ wilkes.edu. Relay for Life will be held on April 24 through April 25. Stress Management Workshop today, February 16 at 11:15 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. in the Health and Wellness Service Center on the first floor of Passan Hall. Susan Biskup, M.A., NCC, will lead the informative session about how to handle and cope with stress. Pizza will be offered to students who attend. For more information, contact Susan Biskup at susan.biskup@wilkes.edu. Win an award? Hear about an important event? If you think it’s newsworthy, send it in! Email jacqueline.lukas@ wilkes.edu or cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu with your tip. STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP – Campus Counseling will host a SAT-optional still a long shot for Wilkes applicants Admissions still discussing pros and cons of nixing the test scores BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A & E Editor The Wilkes University Admissions Department is considering eliminating the SAT scores requirement from the application process, though according to enrollment administration doing so is merely a possibility at this point in time. In Spring 2007, the Admissions Department began exploring the idea of making SAT scores optional for application to the university. After much debate and consideration by the Admissions Department, the plan for making SAT scores optional for incoming freshmen is stll in the preliminary stages. The concept has been sent to the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee, but there is little evidence that it has any potential of becoming an official proposal. Melanie Mickelson, vice president for enrollment services, said, “The committee itself has not yet made a decision as to whether or not they even wish to propose a policy. They’re still in the research stages.” Mickelson describes evaluating the option of removing SAT scores as being a tedious process that has been ongoing over the last three years. “For the past three years, the Admissions and Financial Aid committee has been discussing this conceptually. Where they are right now is, they are looking at policies of other institutions, looking at the rationale behind such a policy. Then, the committee, after they’ve done their research, will conclude as to whether or not they wish to ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu propose a policy.” According to Mickelson, if the committee decides that it would be effective to eliminate SAT scores, the proposal would still have to pass a faculty vote. Mickelson said that switching SAT scores to optional in the near future is “an extremely remote possibility.” Amy Patton, acting director of admissions, also said that this transition is “nowhere close to being a possibility.” There are many schools that have already converted to SAT-optional, and Wilkes has noticed this trend. “Some schools have shown a very positive change from it.” Mickelson said, “Drew University is probably one of the best examples that’s shown. They increased their application pool. They increased their diversity. They really garnered all of the results from it that they wanted to get.” However, there have also been questionable consequences from this change that the committee has been monitoring. “Other schools, I think, are still evaluating the impact of it. King’s College went SAT-optional a few years ago, and they’re still evaluating whether or not they got the benefits they wanted,” said Mickelson. There is indication that this change may not occur at all. Mickelson said, “There’s been a lot of concern that we are not ready for such a policy. The largest faculty argument is that it will lower admission standards.” The objective of this switch would not be to lower standards for incoming freshSEE SAT, Page 5 Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Gino Troiani Managing Editor �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 RENDELL Continued from FRONT PAGE May. President Gilmour wrote a letter to the Governor inviting him to speak.” The 66-year-old Democratic governor is completing his second term in office, and has had a lengthy career in national and Pennsylvania politics. He was first elected to the office of governor in 2002, and reelected in 2006. He was the mayor of Philadelphia from 1992 NEWS to 1999, and the city’s District Attorney from 1978 to 1985. Rendell also served as the General Chairman for the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 presidential election. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova Law School. According to Mayk, the speaker is chosen by the Honorary Degree Committee. The committee is comprised of President Tim Gilmour; Dr. Reynold Verret, Wilkes’ provost; Dr. Paul Adams, vice president for student affairs; Dr. Elizabeth Slaughter, rep- 3 resentative from the board of trustees; and Dr. Bernard Graham, dean of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing. Mayk says the committee solicits suggestions from the campus community for honorary degree recipients in the fall. “This call for nominations doesn’t stipulate that it is a call for suggestions for commencement speakers, since the University sometimes awards honorary degrees at commencement to honor individuals who are not speaking,” said Mayk. “Governor Rendell will be the only hon- Commencement Speakers Throughout Wilkes’ History June 8, 1939 – Paul Swain Havens, president of Wilson College in Chamnbersburg, Pa., delivered the 5th commencement address for Bucknell Junior College. June 3, 1957 - Eric Johnson, president of the Motion Picture Association and special envoy of President Eisenhower, delivered the address for Wilkes College. AUSTRALIA Continued from FRONT PAGE and sporting facilities. In order to qualify, students must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher. Abela pointed out that by studying at Campion, students will be immersed in Australian culture because there are not many students from other cultures at Campion. Campion is offering two different types of study abroad programs for students. According to Fonjweng, these programs will be offered during summer semesters if the program is accepted by both Wilkes and Campion. The first type of program is for a full semester, which will encompass a full class schedule and living on campus or with an Australian family. This program is about the cost of a semester at Wilkes University, but Campion offers a wide range of scholarships that are available to students. The second study abroad program is about three weeks. It will include two weeks of in-classroom learning and then one week of travel into the Australian Outback to learn about and to help the aboriginal culture of Australia. This study program will be a three credit course and costs about $4,000. Students will have to pay for their flight and bring their own spending money. Abela emphasized the “work hard, play hard” attitude in Australia, but also talked about the lessons that students will take with them for the rest of their lives. “I think there is value in an Australian June 11, 1962 – James E. Webb, the second chief administrator of NASA, delivered the commencement address for Wilkes College. - May 15, 1999 – Janet Reno, former U.S. Attorney General, delivered the commencement address for Wilkes University. study abroad experience,” said Abela. “It’s not all parties and games.” Both Abela and Fonjweng emphasized the importance of field trips. Abela said that there are many opportunities to travel throughout Australia. Abela talked about students traveling to big cities like Sydney and the Parramatta, as well as the Australian Outback. Currently, Fonjweng is hoping that faculty members from Wilkes University will teach classes at Campion in their field of expertise. The faculty teaching program’s logistics are a little less clear. For faculty members going to Campion College from Wilkes University, there is no set class or curriculum that they must teach. Currently, according to Abela and Fonjweng, faculty can teach whichever subject they would like to teach, and students can take it as an elective. In addition, being that Campion is a liberal arts college, there are not many science or math classes offered to students. Therefore, science and math professors can teach their area of expertise as an elective course, as well. Faculty members who decide to teach abroad will have an office, library resources and a full meal plan. “We are still in the early stages of development,” said Abela. Fonjweng said that, through this project, he hopes to get more faculty members involved in the study abroad experience to attrack the attention of a greater number of students. “When faculty [members] become inter- May 21, 2005 – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. delivered the commencement address for Wilkes University. Kennedy is an attorney, author and environmental activist. - May 22, 2010 Edward G. Rendell, governor of Pennsylvania, is scheduled to deliver the commencement address for Wilkes University. orary degree recipient at this year’s ceremony,” said Adams. “He will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.” “The University will recognize individuals who have attained achievements of extraordinary and lasting distinction,” said the selection committee in the call for honorary degree nominations last semester. “In all cases they should have a demonstrated record of accomplishment consonant with the ideals of the University.” The committee also said they prefer to identify native Pennsylvanians for contributions that they have made to the state. People from different walks of life have earned the honor including Marlee Matlin, American actress; Bill Cosby, American comedian; Janet Reno, former U.S. Attorney General; and John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, American jazz icon. In total, Wilkes has awarded approximately 100 people with honorary degrees throughout the institution’s history. CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas Dr. Paul Abela, deputy registrar of Campion College in Australia, spoke with Wilkes students about the college and its’ study abroad options. He also spoke with faculty about teaching classes at Campion. ested in study abroad, they can then also urge their students in classes and give advisement sessions to go abroad,” said Fonjweng. “So this project is an attempt to get faculty more involved in study abroad, with the main goal of getting our students [to study abroad].” Fonjweng continued to say that many students from Wilkes have not traveled, so to encourage students to study abroad can be quite difficult. Dr. James Merryman, professor of sociology and anthropology, attended the faculty meeting to hear Abela’s presentation. Merryman takes students on trips almost every spring break and summer. This summer, he will be traveling to Australia and plans to stop by Campion. “While I’m [in Australia] I will go visit [Campion College near] Sydney and so I’ll have a much better feel for it by seeing the campus first hand and meeting faculty,” said Merryman. “So I expect to be positively impressed and I would be very much in favor of encouraging Wilkes students to go there.” Merryman, who calls himself a worldtraveler, has learned many life lessons about the value of a study abroad experience. “It’s important to gain a different perspective of the U.S. and a different perspective of yourself, as a world citizen and not just an American,” said Merryman. CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu �4 THE BEACON NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Robotics club seeking constitution approval BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor As a way to remember their late professor, Dr. Matthew Zukowski, some engineering students on campus have decided to try to revive the robotics club. Mr. Hisham A. Abu-Nabaa, an engineering instructor and the advisor to the club, persuaded some of his students to start the club back up. “Our teacher, Dr. Nabaa, encouraged us to start the club up last semester when we took one of his robotics classes,” said James Spickard, a junior electrical engineering major. “We realized [the lab] was such a spectacular room, with all of the different robotics stuff in there. It’s one of the most impressive labs on campus and is only used one day a week for that semester.” So, they decided that they would put the lab room to some use by reforming the robotics club. They could then take advantage of it while bringing back a unique club. The club has been inactive for years, but no one ever withdrew its club-status. However, the only issue with Student Government from granting club status was that the constitution had been lost somewhere along the way. Spickard went to work writing up a new constitution and submitted it to Student Govern- club members, however. “That gives us basically a two-month head start on the competition,” said Gabos. Though members don’t have to be engi- “We want to give the students the opportunity for hands-on learning. It’s hard to understand robotics without actually doing it.” - Santino Gabos, junior electrical engineering major ment for review and what he and the other robotics club supporters hope will be approval. “We want to give the students the opportunity for hands-on learning. It’s hard to understand robotics without actually doing it,” said Santino Gabos, also a junior electrical engineering major. “Building a robot would look great on a resume, especially in engineering,” said Spickard. Another thing the robotics club wishes to do is compete in tournaments, such as Battle Bots. Specifically, Battle Bots starts in April, so even with approval, they will have to wait until next year. This does not bother potential neering majors to join, another big part of the robotics club would be allowing students to finish projects. “For anyone who didn’t finish their [ongoing] projects in class, they get to finish them during the club. They can also start a project in the club and take it over to the class,” said Spickard. According to Gabos, one of the ways this club would benefit engineering majors is with their required senior project. The robots students build in the club can potentially be used as senior projects. The club had its first meeting last Tuesday and already has gained a good number of members. “Right now, we have 25 people on the email list. People seem excited. There were students stopping me in the hall saying ‘Make sure you put me on the email list’ if they couldn’t make it to our meeting,” said Spickard. Clubs on Wilkes’ campus are required to do some sort of community outreach. The robotics club plans on hosting some information sessions and demos for elementary and high school students in the area. There are some other things that they would like to do for charity, as well. According to Gabos, they would like to host charity competitions and appliance drives. “We were thinking of maybe hosting an appliance drive. People could just bring in their old appliances that they’re not using so that we can donate them to people in need,” said Spickard. For students interested in attending a meeting or joining robotics club, they meet Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the SLC, Room 238. Student Government will vote on their constitution’s approval this Wednesday, February 17, at its weekly meeting at 6:00 p.m. CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu B 8& N Wilkes-KJn.g's Books . a-Barr,e-,. PA O 8'701. - 570-208.4"100 - wi:lkea-baoo~ . ae 25%oFF ·.·. - HMJ. 1Cf t. ."'1MJ. Z1' Stop n fo · a great . eal today· . ~m· · _tog by ,ag . . t,c, · ~ - - to .· . n a · ilic __. oat b • - · __.._ v:. - able ua . _:v1 �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 BUDGET Continued from FRONT PAGE NEWS Proposed FY 2010-’11 increases 2009-2010 next year. This year, Wilkes will receive about one million dollars. However, even with that grant, Wilkes would still be short approximately another one million dollars. The University plans on holding and not going forward with all of its current uncommitted Capital Projects expenses in order to save some money and bridge some of the financial gap. “Tom Messinger [executive director of campus support services] and I have looked at our Capital Projects’ funds and believe there is enough there to cover the remaining million,” said Carver. Capital Projects includes basic maintenance of electricity, plumbing, windows, etc. on campus such as the renovation of the library basement and the elevator replacement in University Towers. Carver went on to say that she believes that this will take care of the rest of the deficit and will bring Wilkes back to a neutral position for 2010. She made clear that any Capital Projects that are seen as being in immediate need of being taken care of will not be ignored, no matter the financial situation. All of these ideas to balance the budget are currently just proposals. They will have to go through a Finance Committee vote at their board meeting on March 26. Carver also spoke about the future and what the University’s plans are for 2011. “Just as last year and the year before, 2011’s financial situation was extremely challenging,” said Carver. After receiving all of the initial funding requests, there was a $4.8 million deficit gap that needed to be filled. “That posed some unique challenges for SAT Continued from PAGE 2 The objective of this switch would not be to lower standards for incoming freshmen, but rather to remove the exaggerated importance of the test from the judgment of student performance. “From a student’s perspective, I think they are extremely emphasized…to the point where there’s quite an industry around SAT prep, retaking the SAT, coaching for SAT, all of that,” Mickelson said. Mickelson believes that the SAT is a useful tool in analyzing specific abilities and is more accurate for some categories of students than others. She finds that with students in the school of science and engineering and the school of pharmacy and nursing 5 2010-2011 $6,680 Residence Halls (Dorm Style) $6,880 $4,320 Meal Plans (Colonel Gold) $4,493 $24,690 $35,690 $24,690 Tuition $25,801 $35,690 Total $37,174 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40*In thousands *All numbers are approximations The Beacon/ Andrew Seaman Campus costs are on the rise to fill in the deficit gap. Among the expences increasing are residence halls (3%), meal plans (4%), and tuition (4.5%). us,” said Carver. “Because of the gap that we had to bridge, we had to go back and revise some of the initial assumptions that went into the budget.” At first, student cost increases were going to be lower than currently planned. However, an increase was necessary to fill the deficit gap and balance the budget. Meal plans, room and board and tuition increases are currently planned to be put into the 2011 budget. Financial aid was also affected by the there is a correlation between their math SAT scores and their performance. With other students, however, the test results are not so accurate. “There are certain categories of students that our own research shows, at Wilkes, the SAT is not predictive of their success here. Students who are conditionally admitted, students of color, students who have an undeclared major, their success here doesn’t have a correlation to their SAT score,” said Mickelson. According to Mickelson, Wilkes must take into consideration many facets of applicant academic potential, not just the SAT results. “I think that we wade into dangerous waters when we make a student no more than a SAT score,” she said. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu deficit. The biggest thing affected was the freshman financial aid discount rate, which went to 46.3 percent. Along with this, Capital Projects will be scaled back again. Though there has not been a final decision made, there is expected to be a two percent salary increase for the University’s employees. Those making over $110,000 will not see an increase in their pay and distribution of the increase otherwise has yet to be determined. The last three years, according to Carver, have been difficult. “After this third year of struggling to get the budget back into balance, it has become clear to all of us that we need to look at the University as a whole to determine how we bring this into balance,” said Carver. For anyone interested in attending, there will be another budget update session this Wednesday, February 17 at 2 p.m. in Marts 214. CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu American Red Cross Blood Drive The Beacon/ Tom Reilly A worker from the American Red Cross prepares a Wilkes student to give blood. The Red Cross administered a blood drive on Tuesday, February 9 and it was open to the entire Wilkes community. �iBAD PAGE 8 Apple’s new tablet cannot possibly live up to the hype. FEBRUARY 16, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com "Hi, I'm like, here for my job interview:' Our generation’s overuse of the word “like” and other rhetorical incorrectness BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Something has happened to our generation. No, it is not considered a stuttering problem, and no, we are not constantly comparing things to one another. Yet, we continually overuse the words “like” and “um.” Glossophobia, or fear of public speaking, is derived from the Greek language: “glosso” meaning “tongue” and “phobos” meaning “fear.” The fear of speaking in public is extremely common, and is ranked higher than that of the fear of flying, fear of illness, fear of terrorism, and often the fear of death, according to national surveys. Free of public speaking is a serious problem in this country, specifically our generation. In older generations, it is rare to find them using filler words and other wrong uses of “like.” Using filler words has become a national phenomenon tolerated and accepted in our daily language. The majority of us are guilty of this, but it is getting worse and worse. Perhaps some of us prefer speaking like a bubbly teenager from the 1995 film “Clueless,” but most of us do not. It is not socially acceptable to litter your sentences with the words “like” or “um” and never has been. Media is supposed to reflect society, not the other way around. Here we are, however, in college years later and we are still speaking incorrectly. Some of us are embarking on graduation and entering the “real world,” soon to be going to job interviews and following career paths that will inevitably involve communication between clients and presenting big ideas at important business meetings. When we get there, will our incorrect slang be accepted when our generation rules the business world, or will it one day be beaten out of us? Will we continue to be coddled by some of the older generations who will let it slide? These days, we are using “like” in sen- tences that are unnecessary and do not make sense when we are sharing dialogue or speaking in public. For example, “I’m sorry I was, um, late. The traffic was like, awful.” In this scenario, traffic is either awful or it is not. Nothing can be “like, awful.” Also, the word “um” is used when someone is stalling in a speech and it clearly displays a lack of confidence. How can we be confident in ourselves if cannot be confident in our own speech? It may stem from insecurity of speaking in public, but in order for our embarking generation to strive in a tough job market or to be taken seriously, we must speak correctly or else our credibility is diminished. We are all free thinking individuals and we all have the power to change. Professors, start deducting credit from students’ grades. Students, call your friends out for poor rhetoric - even try to call yourselves out. The sooner we can identify the problem, the sooner we can solve it. BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. The poll was based on 7 responses. Last week’s question: Do you agree with the Supreme Court giving for-profit corporations First Amendment rights? • Yes 14% • No 86% This week, The Beacon asks: Do you think the current generation of college students overuses the words “like” and “um”? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com Going green or cutting costs? BY TREVOR HIRSH Correspondent Green technology, green marketing, green grocery bags, even green parenting…blah. Today’s latest fad in the business world is going green. Everyone is doing it to stay on the edge of competition and appeal to customers. Surely, as a disclaimer, I feel going green is crucial for helping our world both today and tomorrow. Resources are scarce and that is not going to change anytime soon. I feel that we need to adopt sustainable and newer means of using energy and creating new resources to help future generations and ourselves. With that said, I feel it is important to point out that many businesses are using “going green” to selfishly conceal their cost cutting, not for the environment, but for themselves. We know it is possible. Think of previous years with Enron, the $19 billion dollar Madoff scandal, CEOs taking hefty bonuses that helped put us in a recession, etc. Ethi- cal practices are rarely followed in business from what it seems. Some examples of these fake “going green” tactics can be found in some companies that turn off the majority of their lights on certain days. Another example can be found in most companies with “paperless” invoices, documents, tickets, etc. If I go online to buy tickets through major ticket sales companies and order tickets, they will e-mail me the tickets to “go green,” and then tack on a convenience fee for that. The only problem is that I still have to print out the ticket anyway to get into a show. Therefore, we end up using the same amount of paper, I pay a convenience fee (for what I have no idea), and the ticket company saves some money. Now, think about Wilkes’ “green” actions. I remember the cafeteria used to have coffee cups everyone took on the go and loved. They are now nowhere to be found. Why? Going green. Although they reduce our carbon footprint, I feel like the cafeteria really just got rid of them because they were increasing expenses since so many people used them daily. I guess we will never really know the answer to that. I also had a bunch of teachers that used to e-mail their students important reading materials to save on paper. The teachers figured we would all read it on the computer and be done with it: a noble idea. Nevertheless, my classmates and I would just end up printing them out anyway, because we wanted to be able to read them more easily, more conveniently, and bring the materials to class. Therefore, this used the same amount of paper and did not help the environment at all. Cutting costs by “going green” just seems to be a rising trend anywhere you look. Clearly, I am not saying going green is a bad thing; it is necessary and needs to happen more. However, it seems like most companies use it as an excuse to cut their costs without facing criticism. Are they really trying to “go green” or are they just cutting costs. You decide. And keep a watchful eye on these “going green” efforts; make sure these companies are doing it for the right reason. The Beacon/Tom Reilly Several businesses like Wal-Mart have been making the effort to “go green” by using recycleable bags or eliminating paper consumption. Some people feel this is merely an attempt to cut cost down. CONTACT TREVOR HIRSH AT: trevor.hirsh@wilkes.edu �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 OPINION 7 All aboard for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" BY KAYLA MATTIOLI Correspondent There is a lot of controversy going on right now pertaining to the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” or DADT, policy. For those who don’t know, DADT was put in place in 1993 as a compromise to allow homosexuals to serve in the military barring that they never actually tell anyone they are gay or engage in any sort of homosexual act. You may be asking what dangers homosexuals pose to the U.S. Military. Well specifically, “it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability.” I’m sorry. I was under the impression that beggars weren’t allowed to be choosers. The military is constantly looking for people to sign up and fight to protect our country. Gosh forbid we have to reinstate the draft because DADT caused thousands of perfectly willing and capable homosexual soldiers to be dishonorably discharged. Lucky for us, nobody is talking about reinstating the draft. They are however discussing the repeal of DADT. This was a campaign promise of President Obama’s, one many gay rights activists thought he may have forgotten about among all the economic and healthcare hullabaloo. He did manage to mention his support of repealing the policy in his recent State of the Union speech but has otherwise avoided answering questions on the subject. It does however, seem that many officials think it is time for the military to stop its nonsense and allow their gay soldiers to live happily ever after. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen is on board along with the President, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and 57 percent of Americans. So it seems just about everyone is ready to get it done. Everyone except John McCain. He believes that the repeal of DADT would be a “mistake.” His reasoning is the old “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” An old aphorism from an old man. McCain had previously been in favor of a repeal during his Presidential campaign but has more recently taken up the role of advocate for DADT. Sometimes campaign promises are just words I guess. The point is, times have changed. I can’t even remember the last time I met a person without a gay friend or family member. I can’t remember the last time I met a person who disliked someone else because they were gay. We have different views than our parents and our grandparents and the John McCains of the world. Opinions of what is right and wrong have been evolving for generations because historically, the world evolves. So, let’s move on from such petty arguments and focus on the big picture. Being gay does not affect a person’s ability to take orders, fire a gun, or wear camouflage. Adderall is not asubstitute for laziness and procrastination BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor Hey kids! Do you want to get those good grades you always dreamed of? Do you want to finish all of your assignments and still have time to get together with your friends to have fun? Well then, put the time and effort in to your studies and you will. Adderall is not a safe alternative to studying and completing your assignments ahead of time. For those of you who are completely oblivious to the study habits of Wilkes students, Adderall is one of the most popular drugs on campus. Students take it to stay up CONTACT KAYLA MATTIOLI AT: all night and study for exams they have the kayla.mattioli@wilkes.edu next day, complete assignments, or to make drinking alcohol more interesting. You may call me a liar, but I have made my observations on the subject. It cannot be proven or disproven because who is really going to admit to taking drugs that are not prescribed to them to keep up on their studies? Not many. The official FDA indications for Adderall use are: treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Narcolepsy. According to the Adderall medical guide, some of the side effects include: sudden death in patients who have heart problems or heart defects, high blood pressure and heart rate, seizures, psychosis, stomach ache, insomnia, weight loss, mood swings, and dizziness. Even people who have these disorders still experience side effects and these side effects are unnecessary for people who are The Beacon/ Tom Reilly not taking the drug to treat these disorders. The abundant use of Adderall by students who are not prescribed the drug by their doc- Why would you risk a heart attack, mental tors poses serious health risks and the possibility of death. disorders, seizures, and all of the other side effects if you do not have to? Another problem that Adderall poses is addiction. The chemical make up of Adderall includes a mixture of amphetamines. According to Dr. Russell Barkley, one of the foremost authorities on ADHD, Adderall and cocaine share similar properties. Both are stimulants and both contain amphetamines. While Adderall is safer because it gradually increases dopamine levels in the brain, whereas snorting cocaine is instantly released into the blood stream increasing dopamine levels, they both pose serious health risks and are both addictive. So why not just use cocaine? It gets the job done quicker. I am obviously being sarcastic. Do not start using cocaine, please. This is not just a problem at Wilkes University either. Students in college all over the United States misuse Adderall as a study or party drug. A study performed by Rutgers University has shown that 75.4 percent of college students find use of non-prescribed Adderall socially acceptable. Students, faculty, administration, hear me out. We cannot lurk down every dark alley for drug deals and prevent prescription users of Adderall from peddling their drugs for cash, but we can get educated on the risks to prevent misuse. And I understand that it is easier to take drugs than to put effort into studying, but college is not easy. If it was, everyone would go to college. Dependency on drugs will only hurt you in the long run. And it could kill you, so depend on yourselves instead. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 OPINION THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Natural meds can provide iPad cannot live up to the hype a safer alternative BY ANTHONY TRUPPO Assistant Opinion Editor Our sweet planet Earth has kindly provided us with herbs for thousands, perhaps millions of years – herbs that when combined and consumed correctly can provide treatment for nearly any illness known to man. When used medicinally, natural herbs can be just as effective, if not more effective, than pharmaceutical medications. I am not saying that pharmaceutical medicines should be outright ignored; I am merely suggesting that one should consider natural alternatives when treating an ailment. I have witnessed firsthand that herbal medications can produce better results than pharmaceuticals in treating physical ailments. A close family member of mine suffered from basal joint arthritis, or more simply, a condition in which the cartilage between her thumb and wrist had degraded leaving bone rubbing against bone, causing painful inflammation and restricted movement of the thumb. At 40 years old, she had the hands of a 60-year-old and the only permanent solution would be surgery. Thanks to an herbal supplement containing Pyrazine, an organic compound, the intense pain was not only relieved, but the cartilage actually grew back. While taking a pharmaceutical medication, she was having negative side effects so she switched to natural medicine and the side effects disappeared. The pharmaceutical medication could have cured her ailment as the natural medication did, but I think most of us would prefer not to suffer from harmful side effects. Many physicians condemn the use of natural medicines, claiming that herbs are nothing but foul-smelling placebos. Looking back, I can safely say that 100 percent of the doctors I have visited have suggested I steer clear of natural medicines, even for symptoms as minor as nasal decongestion. The main concern of physicians seems to be that herbal medicines are not regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since natural medicines are not regulated or approved by the FDA, many are concerned about their contents, and rightly so; however, research shows that a consumer of natural medicine has a much lower chance of experiencing dangerous side effects than one using pharmaceutical medication. An article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association entitled “Is US Health Really the Best in the World?” reports that every year one in 125 Americans prescribed pharmaceutical medication requires hospitalization due to a negative reaction to the medicine. On the other hand, the article claims that only one in every 200,964 is hospitalized due to adverse reactions to a natural supplement. The fact that pharmaceutical medicines are more widely used than herbal remedies certainly factors into that number, but one in 125 is still quite frightening to me. Though many are skeptical about use of natural medicines, I have seen that herbs can be equal to or even better than pharmaceuticals in treating illnesses. The next time you are prescribed medication, do some quick research on natural cures. You may find a much better result in treating an illness. CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu BY BRYAN CALABRO Correspondent I decide that I want to cheer her up with a picture of my beautiful face. Oh, sorry mom. I can’t send a photo. No built in camera on my iPad. Now imagine I’m sitting the in library, working hard on a class project using my iPad and I suddenly realize that I’ve just run out of disk space on my iPad. Without freeing up some space, I won’t be able to save my many hours of work. So, I figure that I will just stick my flash drive in the USB port and take some data off, right? Wrong. The iPad doesn’t include USB drives. There are rumored attachments, but they cost more money on top of that hefty $500 tag. I am a college student, Apple. Where am I supposed to get this money? Finally, the iPad has left out one of the most important features for viewi n g content on the Web these days--Adobe Flash. According to The New York Times, Flash is one of the world’s most ubiquitous applications, appearing on 98 percent of all computers. In fact, 70 percent of online gaming sites require it to play. So, you make the decision. Should you go out and buy the first generation iPad just for Apple to re-release an updated second generation iPad in a year with all the features they “casually” left out? Credit should be given where credit is due, especially when it comes to Apple. They have made an abundance of great products when it comes to external music devices, ranging from the iPod Classic, to the now current iTouch. Apple has now prepared us for something new, something big, something that will change our lives... an oversized iPod Touch. Yes, that is what the iPad is. At a beginning price of $500 (16 GB Model), one would think that it is a bit preposterous. I would have to agree; the iPad may not be worth the asking price. Picture this: it is a bright sunny Sunday morning, the day after you bought your iPad. You wake up, make yourself a hot cup of coffee and go outside. You take out your iPad, set it on a table and start reading the newspaper online. Your neighbor starts cutting the grass feverishly in the bright sun; the noise is so annoying, you need music to drown out the sound. Sorry, but that’s not allowed because your iPad does not support multitasking; you cannot listen to music and read the newspaper at the same time. Here are a few other examples that demonstrate why the iPad may not be a logical buy. First, picture this scenario. My mom is at work and has called to tell me CONTACT BRYAN CALABRO AT: that she is having a really bad day. bryan.calabro@wilkes.edu �College Days PAGE 10 Dr. Edward Foote balances academic and social life at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Students & teachers celebrate Black History Month BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor Hidden in the shadows of February’s more popular holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and President’s Day, Black History Month uses February to focus on the accomplishments of a people who shaped this nation. According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History’s Web site [ASALH], Carter G. Woodson is the man credited for establishing Black History Month. In 1915, Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History [ASALH]. Negro History Week correlated with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass, who was a leader of the abolitionist movement and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976 Negro History Week was expanded to include the entire month of February; therefore, becoming Black History Month. Dr. Ebonie L. Cunningham Stringer, assistant professor of sociology and criminology at Wilkes, celebrates Black History Month by sharing a Black History fact with each of the courses she teaches throughout February. For example, Stringer told her Juvenile Delinquency class a story about a 14-yearold boy from Chicago named Emmett Till. Stringer explained that Till was visiting his relatives in Money, Mississippi, during the summer of 1955. During a trip to a local store with his cousins to purchase some candy, Till was accused of whistling at one of the store owners, who just happened to be a white woman. One night while Till was sleeping two of the woman’s male relatives came into Till’s grandfather’s home and took him from his bed in the middle of the night; Till was never seen alive again. Eventually, Till’s body was found at the bottom of a river with a cotton gin tied to his neck. He had been tortured and shot in the head at close range. “Till has been called the ‘sacrificial lamb’ since his death sparked outrage in African American communities and helped to move the Civil Rights Movement forward,” said Stringer. “His story is relevant to juvenile delinquency because it is an example of how seemingly innocent childhood pranks can have enormous consequences for youth who don’t fully comprehend the significance of their actions.” Stringer explained that because Till was raised in the North, he wasn’t familiarized with the South’s racial culture and had no idea that his infantile behavior would cost him his life. Some of Stringer’s students have shared her feelings and ideas even before she im- plemented “The Black History Fact of the Day.” One of her past students, Yasmine Solomon, sophomore criminology major said, “I feel that it is an important month to honor African Americans who have made great accomplishments. However, the history should be taught, celebrated and remembered year round.” Stringer is also making more of a conscious effort to include a multicultural perspective to her lessons. “There are many marginalized groups such as women, religious minorities, sexual minorities and persons with disabilities whose voices need to emerge in the Wilkes curriculum with more regularity across disciplines,” she said. “Real multicultural transformation as demonstrated through inclusiveness and cross-cultural understanding can happen in the classroom, one student at a time.” Although Stringer has always celebrated Black History Month, it’s only recently, during this semester, that she began to implement what she calls “The Black History Fact of the Day” into each of her courses’ daily lessons. Since she began teaching at Wilkes and living in Wilkes-Barre, Stringer has done a lot of work to enhance diversity at both an institutional and community level. According to Stringer, it is important to allow time and space to honor the experiences, contributions and accomplishments of African Americans. “After all, Black History is really American History,” said Stringer. “America as we know it culturally, economically, politically and otherwise would be much different had people of African descent not played pivotal roles in the making of America.” Stringer also explained that the celebration of Black History Month around the Wilkes Campus is important to African American students who make up one of the largest minority groups on campus. “I feel that Wilkes should offer classes geared towards African American history because it is a very important topic as well as any other subject,” said Solomon. “Most students do not know much history about African Americans because they are not taught in schools. In my high school, there were no lessons that discussed any topics related to African Americans. So, for Wilkes or other universities to offer classes, it would give students an opportunity to learn some history that they were never taught before.” CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT: ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu The African Free School in New York City was the first free school for blacks. It was started by the abolitionist group the New York Manumission Society in 1787. Minnie Jocelyn Lee Elders (1933-) was the first black and the second woman to serve as the United States Surgeon General. Her term lasted for 15 months (1993 - 1994). The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), founded by Richard Allen (1760 - 1831), became the first national black church in the United States in 1816. Bessie Coleman (1893-1926) was the first licensed black pilot in the world. She received aviation instruction in France. Maya Angelou’s (1928 - ) autobiographical, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is the first non-fiction work by an black woman to make the best-seller list. Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923), a zoologist and educator, was the first person to discover that insects can hear. Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) was the first black to be honored on a U.S. stamp in 1940. Robert L. Johnson (1946-), founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) is the first black billionaire. Richard Theodore Greener (1844 - 1922) was the first black graduate from Harvard in 1870. He started out at Oberlin college, the first American college to admit blacks and went on to become a lawyer. Nathaniel Adams Cole (“Nat King Cole”) (1919 - 1965), a singer, song writer and pianist, was the first black to host a national television program, The Nat King Cole Show, in 1956. The banjo originated in Africa and up until the 1800s was considered an instrument only played by blacks. Black History Month originated in 1926 by Carter Godwin Woodson as Negro History Week. The month of February was chosen in honor of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, who were both born in that month. These, and many more facts, are courtesy of The Biography Channel. Each fact focuses on a historically significant individual or event in black history. Visit www. biography.com for more. �10 LIFE THE BEACON College Days Student of the Week: Dr. Foote balances his schooling with his fraternity life a struggle of his in school. “My friends would have a field day with me in chemistry lab, because I was always The old adage is “do as I say, not as I do.” dropping beakers or breaking this or that. This statement seems to hold true for Dr. That’s how I knew I couldn’t be a chemist,” Edward Foote, chair and professor of pharstated Foote. macy practice. Well, for Foote it is more Foote found lifelong friends and met his like “do as I say, not as I did.” future wife while at school. Foote tried to strike a balance between “It was graduation day, and she asked his academics and social life while at me out at a frat party,” said Foote. Her Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and brother was one of my best friends in Science; however, he found himself doschool. Now he’s my brother-in-law.” ing many things he now warns his stuFoote balanced more than just schooldents not to do. work with frat life, which he referred to “I partied, but I also studied,” said as Animal House, at times. Foote also Foote. needed to balance friends, as he found As a pharmacy major at Philadelphia himself stuck between the studious College of Pharmacy and Science, Foote crowd and the partiers. tried to acclimate himself to his new sur“One of my roommates in school roundings. wanted to be a dentist or a physician,” “I’m originally from up here, well, Gersaid Foote. He was very serious. So, man, PA,” said Foote. “I am the youngest when he was studying I thought ‘I of ten, so it was always said that if you should be studying.’ But I wanted to be could go local, you went local. My siba good student.” lings teased me that I found a school far In the times he was not studying, away so I could move away.” Foote was the head of a fraternity on Foote went from being the youngest in campus that he believes is very tradia family of twelve people to being one of tional. Foote believes his leadership eight men to dorm at Philadelphia Colrole in the fraternity helped shape his lege of Pharmacy and Science. future. “We lived eight guys together. I got put Foote points to this “transformain with a very diverse group of people,” tional” time of his life as one he would Photo courtesy of Dr. Foote stated Foote. “We were freshmen and not go back and repeat. Between the had to go out and grocery shop. It was re- Dr. Edward Foote poses for his graduation picture in1987. Dr. classes and the partying at the frat ally good, because we learned about bud- Foote spent his time in college balancing academics and social house, Foote struck a balance in his collife. geting.” legiate life. Foote looks back with “no viduals through rushing a fraternity. He was a self-proclaimed introvert in regrets.” “I joined because my roommates were dohigh school and felt he needed to break “Well, maybe I should have dated more,” out of that shell in college. Taking full ad- ing it. It was kind of a group effort. Next said Foote. vantage of the diverse group of peers with thing I know, I was the president,” stated which he was put, Foote tackled academ- Foote. While academia came easily for this inCONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: ics head on but found time to become a frat trovert, Foote does point to butterfingers as leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu brother. BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor “I like to think I had a good balance. For me it was about creating some friendships and getting to know people that I just didn’t know before,” said Foote. While in high school, Foote said he hung out with “the scholastic people,” but reached out to different groupings of indi- In his own words, Foote disrupts class: It was [pharmacy] law class. Like 200 kids. I sat by my bunch of friends. I never goofed around, but I was talking in class. I had stopped. The guy who is now my brother-inlaw started talking to the same girl. The professor, who was a lawyer, teaching pharmacy law, goes “You! Get out.” I left immediately. I was mortified. “ “ FEBRUARY 16, 2010 5l[yssa :Fusaro BY MARJORIE WHISPELL Correspondent Alyssa Fusaro, a junior communication studies major at Wilkes, is one of the student representatives who echoes the voices of the numerous students of Wilkes in the Strategic Planning Committee. “The Strategic The Beacon/ Allison Roth Planning Committee...is a Fusaro is one of the student team of hand- representatives on the Stratepicked faculty, gic Planning Committee. staff and students that have developed a vision for the future of the university,” said Fusaro. The committee is creating a vision of 2015 that explains where the university wants to be in five years, Fusaro explained. One of Fusaro’s personal goals for the future of Wilkes is to help the undergraduate student population of Wilkes. She hopes to achieve her goals by making the transfer into Wilkes from other schools easier for transfer students. “Even though my transfer went easy there are some people I know whose did not,” said Fusaro. She would also like to see things happen with the e-mentor, adult learner relationship programs and online classes and programs. Fusaro got involved with the Strategic Planning Committee because she loves to ask questions and get feedback, and because she would also like to see new things happen around the university, and wants to be a part of it. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Fusaro: That is so hard to answer, hopefully my gospel album becomes a hit, but mostly comfortably situated in my own business. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Fusaro: Caring, motivated and fun. The Beacon: Finish the sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Fusaro: That I am a softy. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 LIFE 11 Wilkes University’s Health & Wellness Corner The Health & Wellness Corner is a weekly feature in The Beacon. Students who ask questions will reamain anonymous. All questions will be answered by Health Services staff. Q. I am worried about a friend of mine who seems depressed. He’s not interested in spending time with our group of friends and often seems to isolate himself in his room. How would I know if he is contemplating suicide? A. Many people who plan or attempt suicide tend to give some clue or warning sign to people around them. Some warning signs include hopelessness, rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge, acting reckless or engaging in risky activities without thinking, feeling trapped, increased alcohol or drug use, withdrawing from friends, family, society, anxiety, agitation, poor appetite, inability to sleep or sleeping all the time, dramatic mood changes and/or expressing no reason for living or no sense of purpose in life. Those who plan to commit suicide are usually willing to live, but are unable to find another way to cope with their thoughts and feelings. Almost all college students who die by suicide are suffering from an emotional disorder, most often depression. Other emotional problems that can increase the risk for suicide are anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, substance abuse and eating disorders. It is important to listen for any hints at suicide such as “I am not sure I want to be here” or “I don’t want to live anymore.” Listen for direct suicidal statements such as “I wish I were dead.” Watch for behaviors like preoccupation with death, making final arrangements, or talking about giving away their possessions. Remember that suicide can be prevented by intervening, talking with the person and referring him for help to counseling. If you fear for your friend’s life, don’t be afraid to make the call to counseling on that person’s behalf and encourage the person to see a counselor letting him know that you will be there to support him. Q. I have noticed for the last week I have been urinating frequently, some days worse than others. Today I noticed that my urine looked pink and it burns at the end of urinating. I never had a urinary tract infection and was wondering if this is what it could be? A. You certainly seem to be exhibiting symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which include burning on urination, frequent urination, increased urge to urinate, low back pain, low fever, blood in urine or bad smelling urine. The cause is from bacteria that reaches the bladder from another part of the body. Women are particularly at greater risk because they have a shorter urethra that is close proximity to the perirectal area making bacteria easier to colonize. Increased sexual activity, excessive exercise, poorly ventilated undergarments, sitting in water with bath salts or bubbles and holding urine for excessive lengths of time can increase risk of UTI. If you have any of these symptoms go to the Health and Wellness Center to confirm the diagnosis and if positive treatment will be a course of antibiotics. Things you may do to prevent UTI’s include, urinating within 15 minutes of intercourse, drink plenty of water, take showers instead of tub baths and seek prompt medical treatment for UTI’s. Do you have a question for the Health and Wellness Corner? Email your questions to, susan.biskup@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next weeks Health and Wellness Corner. Your privacy will be protected. ~o.. ~ ~od-6 S3 Public Squc:ll."'e 82S-6444 t)0UIJ1t;0Ull1 e0LL@5@ SpecieciLS ALeoJIOL SPEeIALS FO~ 21+ UIE 1.0. Cctll flo book oUP p:eivd:fle :eoom Vo:e C01.~ clciss eve11fls o:e socictl 5d:flhe:ei115 �12 THE BEACON LIFE FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Wilkes student balances school work with personal struggle MELANIE THOMAS Correspondent Some students struggle with balancing school work and extracurricular activities. Having to handle being an athlete or a member of a club or organization on top of a course load can be daunting for many students. Melanie Ward, a sophomore accounting major at Wilkes, performs a rare balancing act of her own, while living day-to-day with muscular dystrophy. Melanie was born with one of the rarest forms of muscular dystrophy, which has inhibited her ability to physically function like a typical college student. Muscular dystrophy causes a weakness in Melanie’s muscles, making it difficult for her to move around like a normal college-aged person. One of the biggest differences between Melanie and many other students here at Wilkes is the simple task of getting to school. “A normal student can get up at 7:50 a.m. and get to an 8:00 a.m. class. I have to get up at 6:30 in order to get to a 9:00 a.m. class,” Melanie said. Because of the challenges associated with her muscular dystrophy, Melanie is perpetually late for back-to-back classes. “I usually have to stop back here in the the complications she was born with. As a lounge on the second floor in Breiseth in result of this diagnosis, she received a traorder to get the macheotomy [“trached”] to reterials I need for my pair her airways, and she is next class,” said Melnow vented and can breathe anie. “If I have the on her own. Doctors vented first class in Breiseth and “trached” Melanie by and the next class in placing an air vent and tube Stark Learning Ceninto her trachea to allow her ter, I never make it on to breathe without wasting time.” much energy. Melanie’s mother, “She is a wonderful lisHelen Ward, accomtener and retains informapanies her every day tion exceptionally,” said to school. From helpHelen. ing her organize maDespite being a full term terials to aiding her in baby, Melanie was met with and out of buildings, a slew of frustrating cicumMelanie’s mother is a Photo courtesy of Melanie Ward stances in the first years of valuable asset to her Ward, is an accounting major with special her life. success as a student. needs. She was born with one of the rarest Helen explains that, “the Due to the progres- forms of muscular dystrophy. trache and air vent were crusion of muscular cial to her survival.” dystrophy and having no muscle strength in Physical struggles are not the only issue her hands, Melanie is unable to lift her own Melanie must deal with due to the nature of books, copy and take notes quickly, . She is her muscular dystrophy. It is very imporalso pitch tone deaf, and has no up-down or tant for Melanie to sanitize her surroundside-to-side movement of her eyes. She can ings, because if she were to catch a cold, only see with one eye at a time. she may have to be hospitalized to prevent According to Helen Ward, doctors felt further repercussions. Melanie would not thrive in life because of “I sanitize everything. When I get sick I get it ten times worse than the next person,” said Melanie. Melanie carries much of her own equip- Dorm Recipes Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip by Stephen Gruver Stephen Gruver, a P1 pharmacy major at Wilkes, made this tasty buffalo chicken wing dip to enjoy while watching the Super Bowl. Gruver explains that the dip is delicious and easy to make. Ingredients: 1 can chicken [large size] 1 8 oz. brick cream cheese 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing 1/4 cup cayenne pepper sauce 1 pkg. shredded Monterrey Jack cheese celery sticks, crackers or corn chips Directions: 1. Melt cream cheese over medium-low heat. Once cream cheese is creamy, add blue cheese, hot sauce, and chicken. 2. Remove from heat, and fold in 1/2 pkg. of shredded cheese. 3. Pour into square 8x8 oven-safe dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350°F until cheese is melted and bubbly. 4. Serve with celery sticks, crackers or corn chips. Gruver made Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip for everyone to enjoy during the Super Bowl last weekend. CONTACT MELANIE THOMAS AT melanie.thomas@wilkes.edu. Dorm Recipes Mapo Tofu by Tianjin Xiaoyu-Yang & Hong Lei Liu Tianjin Xiaoyu-Yang, known as Franz to his friends. is a 24 year-old from China. Hong Lei Liu is a 23 year-old from Beijing. Yang and Liu are both students in the Intensive English Program at Wilkes. Mapo Tofu is a common entrée in Chinese culture. Ingredients: Oil [Enough to coat the pan] 1 Green onion, chopped into small slices 1 chili pepper 1 lb tofu, cut into 1 in square blocks 1 bowl boiled water ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon soy sauce Photo courtesy of Stephen Gruver ment and school supplies to protect herself from bacteria. Instead of carrying around a backpack or bag for her school materials, she rides on a motorized scooter equipped with an air vent, a portable lab board, and book magnifiers. Melanie explains that these preventative measures are absolutely necessary in order for her to be able to attend Wilkes. “I complained to a maintenance man because there are no Clorox Wipes anywhere in the computer lab. I use those all the time,” she said. Mark Allen, dean of student affairs, has been an advocate for Melanie and is very accommodative to her special circumstances while attending Wilkes. “Most of the administrators have been helpful and lenient as far as allowing me to come to school with Melanie to take care of the needs that she has while here,” stated Helen Ward. The most inspiring thing that Melanie offers to others is that, among all the difficulties she faces, she still keeps an extremely positive attitude about herself and her future. Melanie’s advice to other students is to “get up off your butt and do something with your life. You might not be here tomorrow.” Directions: 1. Heat oil for about 30 seconds on a high flame. Then add the green onion and chili pepper and cook until the aroma comes out. 2. Next add tofu and stir fry for 1 minute. 3. Pour in enough boiled water to cover the tofu then add ½ teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. 4. Cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes then a high flame for 1 minute, until the water is absorbed. During cooking, stir fry every 30 seconds. 5. Garnish with chopped green onion, and enjoy. The Beacon/Archives Mapo Tofu should be cooked Xiaoyu-Yang [featured the same day and above] and Lei Liu said served immedi- Mapo Tofu is a popular ately after cooking. entree in China. �A PLACE TO CHILL Check out Damenti’s in Mountain Top. PAGE 14 FEBRUARY 16, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 2010 Vagina Monologues provides uplifting performance BY ASHLEY FILIPEK Correspondent This year’s production of the Vagina Monologues was a great success yet again. When I arrived at the event, I saw that there were not enough chairs to accommodate the amount of guests that arrived for the show this past weekend. The lights dimmed and the women of the Vagina Monologues entered the stage to a roaring applause. Director Angela D’Alessandro, a junior pharmacey major, asked the audience to prepare themselves and embrace the emotional rollercoaster that the evening would present. There were two new additions to the monologues this year. Sabrina Hannon, a senior double majoring in Enligh and women’s studies, performed a chilling monologue in which she conveyed the plight of a severely abused Native American woman from South Dakota. The Victim’s Resource Center was at the event promoting awareness of abuse, and the addition of the mono- 2010 The Beacon/Tom Reilly This logo for VDAY is globally known to raise awareness of violence against women. It was inspired by the Vagina Monologues., written by Eve Ensler. She is also releasing a new novel, I Am an Emotional Creature. logue seemed quite fitting. Abby Kasprenski, a junior pre-medical and biology major, and Morgan Thomas, a junior pharmacy major, delivered a monologue that was the partial inspiration for Eve Ensler’s new novel I Am an Emotional Creature. Ensler, author of the Vagina Monologues, gives voice to women around the world who suffer from torment and abuse nearly every day in her new novel. This particular monologue was about a 17year-old woman who survived two years of rape, abuse and a pregnancy as a man’s sexual slave. It gave a voice to the young woman and her detailed instructions for surviving such a situation. I think we were all waiting for a few of the monologues to come along. My boyfriend smiled with excitement saying, “She performed this one last year,” as Ariel Miller, a junior elementary education major with a minor in theatre, approached the microphone. Miller’s rendition of “Reclaiming C**t” was perfection. Justine Adams, a sophomore psychology major minoring in dance and women’s studies, took on the role of the “Angry Vagina” with surprising ease. The monologue was barely audible with the laughter that filled the ballroom. The room waited with bated breath as Kyriel Manzo, a junior English major with a minor in education, approached the microphone. Manzo moaned (yes, moaned) for her orgasmic monologue in front of the room with great enthusiasm and variety, to say the least. As a senior, I thank Wilkes for allowing me to enjoy four years of wonderful performances. This show helped Ensler give women one ultimate message: you are not alone. CONTACT ASHLEY FILIPEK: ashley.filipek@wilkes.edu The Wolfman fails to frighten with stereotypical plot BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers. If you are looking for a remake of the typical werewolf classic with a predictable plot, then this movie is for you. The Wolfman, which premiered in theaters February 12, offers no surprises for the viewer. The film, set in 1891 in the grim town of Blackmoor, England, properly develops the sensations of the werewolf legend. According to The New York Times, the movie is a remake of the 1941 original by the same title. The movie begins when Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) returns to his family estate after receiving word of his brother’s death. Upon arrival, Lawrence is re-united with his mysterious father Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins), whom he has not spoken to in years. He also meets with his brother’s grieving fiancé, Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt), who encourages him to find out the cause of his brother’s death. As we learn more about Lawrence, we find that he suffers from a troubled past. He witnessed his mother’s death when he was a child, and shortly after was sent to an asylum by his father to cope with the traumatic experience. The legend of the werewolf is introduced in a usual manner. Lawrence eavesdrops on a group of men exchanging horror stories about the beast at a local bar, a scene plagiarized from every old-fashioned horror flick. While searching for the cause of his brother’s death, Lawrence sets out on an irrational voyage into the forest after a rampant werewolf. Not surprisingly, he quickly becomes a victim and is infected with the curse of the werewolf. The simple storyline continues to unravel as Lawrence struggles with his affliction. He makes his first transformation into a werewolf and brutally attacks the villagers. When he transforms back into a human, Lawrence looks upon his destruction appalled, and is soon captured. He is locked into an asylum and given a disturbing treatment for his so-called delusions. The treatment proves to be worthless and he escapes, running wild while causing damage and death throughout the town. The remainder of the plot focuses on Lawrence’s continued vengeance, his mis- understood embodiment of a monster, and a tacky love between Lawrence and his dead brother’s fiancé, who ignorantly wishes to save Lawrence from his curse. The simple and predictable plot is explainable through the fact that the remake contains the same storyline as the 1941 original, according to The New York Times. The modern version attempts to make the story more exciting by adding more tension during trivial events, yet this only makes the movie appear overdramatic. Building suspense was one area the movie excelled at, with appropriate backdrop, lighting, and music. However, this thrilling sensation is ruined when it peaks at something trivial, such as when the character slips on a step, or a door shuts menacingly. A werewolf jumps out to recreate the element of surprise, yet the moment has already passed prematurely. The director, Joe Johnston, was clearly under the impression that gore equals fear. The entire movie is filled with endless images of mauled body parts and blood. These gory instances include beheading, impalement and dismemberment. This tasteless imagery succeeds at making audience members nauseous, not fearful. There are several pointless characters developed throughout the film. The town inspector, Abberline (Hugo Weaving), is introduced as a seemingly insightful and resourceful character. However, after each werewolf attack he consistently arrives to gape uselessly into the distance. I would have preferred to see him attempt to accomplish anything helpful regarding the attacks. The only impressive part of the movie was the scene where Lawrence is in the asylum. This portion displays an interpretation of Lawrence’s mental instability through a usual context, but while using intriguing cinematography. The scene develops Lawrence’s delusions in an abstract manner, mixing his reality with fiction within complex flashbacks. If you are willing to accept the simplicity and flaws within the storyline, The Wolfman is a classic adaptation of the enduring werewolf legend. However, don’t expect it to give you goose bumps when the full moon rises. Rating: 2/5 CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu �14 A&E THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Restaurant Review: Damenti’s BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor Do you often find yourself searching for new and interesting places to share with that special someone while breaking up the monotony of conventional restaurants? If so, look no further. After one night at Damenti’s, you’ll leave wondering how you went your whole life without dining at this wonderful restaurant. Damenti’s, located on South Mountain Boulevard in Mountain Top, has been in business for over 33 years, and it is no wonder why, offering a warm homey atmosphere with a sophisticated touch. The restaurant is constructed out of an old house that sits on the side of a steep hill. Inside, the off-white walls and dark green baseboards help reflect the dim lighting, which creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The original architecture also adds to the experience, offering a secure and familiar feeling, sort of like the one you get at grandma’s house. In conjunction with their layout, Damenti’s menu is on point, featuring more than 20 appetizers, 70 entrees, a tasty selection of homemade desserts and a long list of elegant wines to top it all off. The current owners, Kevin and Helen McDonald, have traveled the world and studied various types of food that add to the restaurant’s diverse menu. The couple has studied under and been awarded certificates by Marcella Hazan, Bologna, Italy; Ken Hom, Hong Kong; and L’Ecole de Cordon Bleu in Denver, Colorado. The appetizers’ prices were all between $9-$12, while entrees such as steak, chops and chicken ranged from $24-$42, and veal $29 and up. A unique characteristic about Damenti’s is selection. Damenti’s offers a total of nine sides to accompany your meal; spinach, acorn squash with cream spinach, mashed potatoes (regular/garlic), steak fries, salad, broccoli, applesauce, and cranberry sauce. SEE DAMENTI’S, Page 15 w___ 1f TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! KL S GMKRZBAX GSA GSQGM RAFBZJAKS, WMJBTYA’Q RAFBZJAKS IF SITF QJ QMFA GSQGM S GMKRZBAX This week’s clue: S=A & G=C Last week’s answer: If an apple’s center is its “core,” then the apple of one’s eye must have transcendental abilities! FREE ~. SONIC· BURGER 99i REGULAR SHAKE ~ . ., ____ °""----------~--...-·"".... . --.--,~. --~·---~---w; ... ... ...... .... _..., _ _ JO~JOl),O,yS ............... - ~ ..... THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A OR VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with valid student ID Olt VICE VERSA Get 100/o off with student ID Full Menu Served All Dag --------------------,-------------------r-------------------4 ¢ cs~ plustu cs~ 99 BREAKFAST BURRITO --- --- ----·-REGULAR ... ....., .... _ _ _ , .. ..-,o,~ -OQOJ,)_ .........., ___ ... _ _ _ ., _ _ MTM• - - -...· - - -... 11.(_ s1 OFF CroisSONIC'" BREAKFAST SANDWICH i' ROUTE 99~.44•w ~ BIG DRINK'" SOFT DRINK. Full Menu Served All Dag �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 DAMENTl'S Continued from PAGE 15 I decided to go with chicken scampi over pasta with sides of steak fries and salad, which was accompanied by a large warm basket of fluffy white bread, all for around $25. The salad was covered in Damenti’s house dressing, which is a combination of oil and vinegar mixed with “dry creamy” bleu cheese. Although the taste was unfamiliar at first, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Next, on to the main course. The server brought out a generous portion of chicken scampi over pasta along with a plate full of steak fries. The chicken was cooked just right, tender and juicy, and covered in a rich, flavorful scampi sauce--definitely enough to fill your stomach and then some. In addition, the fries were tasty and cooked to the perfect texture, not too hard, not too soft. For dessert, I chose the homemade chocolate peanut butter cake and ice cream. One mouthful of the cake and a scoop of the peanut butter ice cream made my taste buds tingle with its full and savory taste. The only drawback was that I would have liked A&E to see a larger portion, but overall the dessert was a hit. After polishing off my meal, I took a stroll down the hill to the restaurant’s very own “ice bar,” which was carved early last month. The colorfully lit sub zero structure stood approximately eight feet high, 12 feet wide and 40 feet long and featured carvings of pirates, skulls, treasure chests, swords and even a giant ice throne for people to sit on. The actual “ice bar” featured a selection of five bottled beers at $5 each, hot chocolate and coffee both at $2.50, and the restaurant’s home made specialty, “grog,” a $5 drink which resembled spiked fruit punch. Overall, the food was phenomenal, the service top-notch, and I had an amazing time. Although Damenti’s is probably not an everyday dining option for the average college student, I would recommend it to anyone interested in trying something new and unique. 15 Left: The bartender stands behind the ice bar wearing appropriate attire--a heavy duty coat and warm pants. The ice bar was a cool and unique get-away, however It’s not recommended hanging out too long without proper attire. It does get cold! Not visible in this photo are all of the mesmerizing and colorful lights of pink, green, and blue that shine through the ice figurines. The Beacon/Tom Reilly Right: Kevin McDonald, co-owner of the restaurant, built all of the ice sculptures at Damenti’s in a week. McDonald is also a competitive ice carver. This ice treasure chest is one of his ice creations and is for collecting donations to the American Cancer Society. Rating: 4.5/5 CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu ••••••••• ••••••••• What's Happening Around • • • • Wilkes • • • • • • ··----------------------------------• • • • • Two winners will each receive... • 2 Free Passes to Movies 14 • • • • Sponsored By: RC:, • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••• •••••••••••• BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Staff Writer Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Women’s Book Club: Hinda Feet on High Places @ Barnes and Noble – 11 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2010 Pink Floyd Experience @ FM Kirby Center - $25+ - 7:30 p.m. Tonight Until Feb. 20th – “Wonder of the World” @ King’s College Theater - $5 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 18, 2010 Men’s Book Club: What Kind of Man Was Joseph… @ Barnes and Noble – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. All Weekend Long Monster Jam @ Mohegan Sun Arena - $18+ - TIMES VARY Friday, February 19, 2010 Clarence Spady Band @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 8 p.m. And The Moneynotes @ Vintage Theater, Scranton - $6 – 8 p.m. Friday Night Live Music @ Barnes and Noble – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Tonight Until February 28th – Theater Production: “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee” @ Dorothy Dickson Darte Center – Fri./Sat. 8 p.m. Sun 2 p.m. – Free for Wilkes students! Saturday, February 20, 2010 Blizzard of Flies, Black Friday Massacre, Church, Swamp Vulture @ Café Metro – $7 – 8 p.m. Tom Petty Appreciation Band @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains - $8 – 10 p.m. Elvis: Love Me Tender @ Scranton Cultural Center - $29+ - 8 p.m. Monday, February 22, 2010 Women’s Book Club: Hinda Feet on High Places @ Barnes and Noble – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. “Taikoza”- Japanese music and dance group featuring thunderous rhythms of ancestral Japanese Taiko drums and bamboo flutes @ Luzerne County Community College – 7 p.m. – Tickets required – contact: jclark@luzerne.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly 1 Last week’s winners of a Wilkes Hooded Sweatshirt: Anne Marie Smith, Kelly Hummel; and $20 to Rodano’s: Susan Frank, Rachel Zucosky 1 I THEATRES Located on Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor’s logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk in the Student Union by Friday, February 19, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week’s issue. NAME: _______________________________________________________ PHONE: _________________________________________________ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ MYSTERY WORDS: ________________________________________ �U.S. OLYMPIC HOCKEY PREVIEW Young Americans begin quest for gold medal today. PAGE 19 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com FEBRUARY 16, 2010 Stressing academics, responsibility as a coach BY DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor **Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of a three-part series that focuses on the lives of three different Wilkes University coaches. It details the roles that they play in the lives of their student athletes, the rewards and struggles they face while coaching, and the personal responsibilities they must juggle between their work and home life. The values that sports help to instill in people - teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship, to name a few- are all beneficial to society as a PART whole, and help to make individuals well-rounded. Perhaps no one is as integral to this process as the coaches behind the sport. They are responsible for mentoring young people, shaping them into better individuals and team players. At Wilkes University, coaches do just as much mentoring, if not more, than the faculty. And while their main goal is to produce winning teams, most will tell you that they’re more concerned about their studentathletes. For coaches Jerry Rickrode, head coach of the men’s basketball team, Christopher Leicht, head coach of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams, and Lisa Rizzo, the head coach of the women’s volleyball team-who have 48 years of coaching experience between them--academics always come first. “I’m a stickler,” began Coach Jerry Rickrode while talking about the emphasis he places on academics. “We check all the time to see if our guys are in class; the professors get a real kick out of it, and usually call me if a player is late or slacking off on his work. Our team had a 3.36 GPA last year, which is almost a Dean’s List GPA.” Rickrode, a husband and father of two, has coached men’s basketball at the collegiate level for 25 years. He has a career mark of 318-130, a .709 winning percentage that is among the best all-time in NCAA Division III history for coaches with at least five years of experience. He also holds the Division III record for being the fastest coach to reach the 200-win plateau, an accomplishment he managed in just his first The Life and Responsibilities of a College Coach 1 249 games. His players know he means business when it comes to their studies. “He works well with his players to make sure that they’re able to fairly balance their schoolwork and work on the court,” said Christopher Hopkins, a junior communications studies major and former player on the Wilkes men’s basketball team. “They’re equally important to him and it really shows in his handling of his players.” Christopher Leicht understands Rickrode’s sentiment. His tennis teams have received Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American Academic honors nine times, and he has guided many individual players towards becoming All-Conference and All-American academic achievers. Leicht, who admitted to being “outnumbered” by his wife and three daughters, has a combined record of 163-50 as the coach of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Wilkes. He has been coaching for 11 years at both the collegiate and high school levels; at his alma mater, Danville Area High School, he led the boy’s team to a 57-4 overall record during his three-year tenure. “For me, it’s always been, ‘If my athletes perform well on the court, but poorly off of it, then what have I helped them with?’” said Leicht. “There is nothing wrong with having enthusiasm for your particular sport, but it can’t be allowed to get in the way of [academics].” “Coach Leicht does a great job of balancing the athletic success of the team with academics,” said Ali McDonald, a fifth-year pharmacy major and former player on the women’s tennis team. “I was worried that I would have trouble with playing sports while in pharmacy school, but he understood that academics were my first priority.” Lisa Rizzo agreed with both of her colleagues, as she recognizes the soft touch necessary to manage her players. “It’s difficult to ask your young players to dedicate so much time across different activities,” she began. “They’re adults who work, go to class, and have other responsibilities outside of whatever it is you coach. You have to sometimes judge when’s the right time to give them an off day and when it’s alright to push them. They need to do well in class and that’s something I stress and hope all coaches stress.” Rizzo, a twelve-year coaching veteran who also has experience at the high school and collegiate levels, has just begun estab- The Beacon/Allison Roth Jerry Rickrode (furthest right), the head coach of the men’s basketball team, looks on during a practice drill. lishing herself at Wilkes after accepting the position of head coach of the women’s volleyball team last summer. The three also emphasized the importance of their athletes having balance in their lives, something they appreciate seeing in addition to their academic and athletic successes. “At larger Division I schools, the athletes are totally consumed with their sports and their classes - that’s it,” said Leicht. “Here, they’re participating in a much wider scope of activities. You have to keep them free to pursue their interests and schedules, which I like because it prepares them for after college.” Rizzo enjoys watching her student-athletes develop over what she describes as their “formative years.” “It’s a comfort to know that the sense of teamwork and responsibility [that they garner] through athletics will probably help them in their careers down the line,” she said. In some instances, they have even stepped out of the traditional coach-athlete relationship when the time called for it. “I’ve helped many players put together resumes,” added Rizzo. “We even had a clinic on how to change a car tire,” she said with a laugh. Coaches can help affect the way that student athletes carry themselves, and the three coaches were quick to confirm the point. Rickrode values players who are honest and serve as positive role models, admitting that the challenge is making sure you get a team that “[…] gets the unique, right fit where there’s a really good chemistry.” “I tell the guys, ‘Don’t say something second-hand, go to the source and talk with them about [the issue]’,” he said, elaborating on how he tries to create cohesive teams. “I think people respect honesty and people that come forth and confront things head-to-head. I try telling my guys that anonymous stuff, all that kind of [talk], is for cowards.” “My girls hear it from me,” affirmed Rizzo. “I always tell them that when they’re in their Wilkes gear, they are representing the school […] I always ask them to be responsible and set good examples; being a part of a team here is a privilege, not a right.” “With me, I try and set the example myself,” said Leicht. “I think most athletes would say that they’re most connected to their coach, in terms of serving as a mentor, while they are at school, and because of this I always try to set a good example for them. I always tell them to take pride in what it is they do, while making friends, memories; I stress that they do their best in all areas while being responsible and working hard,” he concluded. CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu **Check back next week for Part II in the series, which discusses the struggles and rewards of coaching. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 SPORTS 17 Athlete Spotlight: Anthony Gabriel BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent Anthony Gabriel’s days as a member of the Wilkes Men’s Basketball team are quickly winding down. With that in the back of his mind, the senior from Mechanicsburg, PA, plays every minute of the game like it is his last, because he knows at the end of this season, it very might well be. Gabriel’s grit and determination to get the ball to the hoop or fight for every last rebound rebound in the past few games has not only shown his love for the game, but has also earned him The Freedom Conference Player of the Week award, as well as this week’s Athlete Spotlight. “It’s definitely a honor,” said Gabriel, who earned the award after and recording a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds, bringing back the Colonels from a deficit against Manhattanville.He also poured in 16 points on six shots with 4 rebounds and 5 assists against Misericordia the game before that. Gabriel doesn’t take all the credit for this accomplishment. Showing what a true team side.” The two players Gabriel alluded to are senior Tom Kresge, who leads the team in scoring, and last week’s Athlete Spotlight, junior Chris DeRojas. “I feel the play of Tom, Chris, and I can raise the level our team plays at because we have been around for 3 and 4 years and have been through this before,” said Gabriel. As the season continues, Gabriel believes his athleticism will help him continue to play at the height of his ability, but he wants to work on lowering his turnovers, something which has been bothering him at times throughout the season. What Gabriel really cares about however, is making the playoffs. DeRojas similarly stated last week that his individual goals The Beacon/Tom Reilly took a back seat to his greater hopes of Anthony Gabriel, pictured on the right, has come on strong in his senior season for the Colonels. In addition to making it to the playoffs. Gabriel’s situabeing named this week’s athlete spotlight, Gabriel was also named Freedom Conference Player of the Week. tion is different because unlike DeRojas, he player is all about, he attributes his play of mind while he heated up the court, he put it doesn’t have a “next year.” This is it for Gabriel and he plans to make the most of it. quite simply. late to the play of the entire team. “I was aggressive out there and wasn’t go“Our defensive level has raised and it opens up a lot more opportunities for my- ing to let defenders stop me from getting to CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT self and our whole team.” the rim,” said Gabriel. “It also didn’t hurt justin.jones@wilkes.edu When asked what was going through his having two all conference players on my (it's a mouthful, but it just tastes so darn good) Home of Wilkes Winter Weekend! Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. new website! 4t-s irts ii com 570-823-9272 CALL 570.288.0220 NOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER Quick Professional Service With A Home Cooked Flavor St. I.ouis Rihs • Piillt'fi Pork • Tt•x.:L<; Reef• Chickt•n I lohlugs • Burgers • Sulads & Much Morel EAT-1:'ol OR TAKE-our �18 SCOREBOARD MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/13 vs. Delaware Valley 73-81 L WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SPORTS How young is too young in college recruiting? Sills just the latest in long line of premature touting WRESTLING 2/12 vs Kings 27-9 W 2/10 @ Norfolk 3-5 L 2/12 vs. Binhamton 3-2 W (Shootout) 2/13 vs. Hershey 7:05pm 5-0 W 2/14 @ Adirondack 3pm PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2/10 vs. Islanders 3-1 W 2/12 vs. Rangers 2-3 L (OT) 2/14 vs. Predators PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 2/8 vs. Devils 3-2 W 2/10 @ Devils 3-2 W (OT) 2/12 vs. Canadiens 2-3 L 2/13 @ Canadiens 6-2 W WEEK AHEAD Imagine your seventh grade self for a second right now. You’re probably flirting with the cute girls in your class, still playing hide and seek, and are elated about that stubble growing under your arms. Now imagine you’re David Sills, the 13 -year old Delaware football prodigy who decided he’s ready to take his skills to USC after. No that’s not a misprint, he’s 13, and has decided exactly where he wants to continue his playing days...five years from now. And it’s Steve Clarkson, the guy who said Jimmy Clausen was the “LeBron James of football,” saying this kid is the real deal. I respect his opinion, the guy was molded some of the best, but you honestly think, as a skinny eighth grader, that this kid is THAT good? Jimmy Clausen was no LeBron James. He was good, but not nearly what you said bud. 2/18 @ Eastern 8pm 2/20 vs Kings 3pm WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WRESTLING 2/21 @ Metropolitan Conference Champ. WBS PENGUINS 2/17 vs. Albany 7:05pm 2/20 @ Lowell 7:00pm 2/21 @ Manchester 3:00pm twil:I: r, @Beaconsnorts For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports I don’t have the slightest clue where I will be in five years, but this kid, who’s in the beginning stages of puberty, knows? And he thinks he has the tool set to cruise over to an elite football program? This irks me. A lot. This isn’t the first time, just the latest time. We remember Chris Leak, yes? The quarterback who led Florida to a National Championship his senior year? Well, long before he became a Gator legend, even before he led his Independence High North Carolina team to three state championships, he was offered a scholarship as an eighth grader by Wake Forest, who was coached by current Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell. It was also recently that the younger brother of Eric Berry decided to take his eighth grade skill package to Tennessee. Ironically it was Lane Kiffin, who now coaches at Sills destination, USC, who was coaching Tennessee at the time. That’s weird. Way to get ahead on the class of 2015. This has happened a lot in basketball in the past (see OJ Mayo, LeBron James, etc). Football is different. Who knows how this lanky kid’s body is going to fill out. Will he grow? Will his arm get any stronger? Will he even still be playing football? What if he decides to take up cricket instead? The point is, how are “experts” supposed to know how good a kid will be before they have even stepped foot in a high school game, let alone a division one college game? Not to mention, have you seen the dudes this kid is throwing to? They look like the USC receivers now. Check out his highlight tape, some of the catches his teammates are making are pretty ridiculous. I recently saw a basketball recruiting database grading the nation’s top fifth graders. Really? How could anyone possibly know, in a country of 300 million occupants, who the best fifth graders are? Kids aren’t ready for that. You cannot predict how a kid will pan out. He’s going to be under the microscope now; if he makes the slightest mistake, it’s going to be everywhere. That’s not what kids who are barely teenagers need. Recruiting needs to be observed on a case-by-case basis MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/18 @ Eastern 6pm 2/13 vs. Kings 1pm FEBRUARY 16, 2010 ACE 2/13 vs. Delaware Valley 55-72 L WBS PENGUINS THE BEACON You can imagine my trepidation at having to actually defend Lane Kiffin’s recruiting of a 13-year-old quarterback “prospect” (forgive the quotation marks, but I hesitate to call any athlete not yet through puberty a legitimate prospect). Indeed, David Sills, the stud seventh grade quarterback of Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, Delaware, gave a verbal commitment to the USC coach on February 7 in a move that has only intensified a national debate on recruiting tactics Critics argue that children should not be made the target of national recruiting sweeps. The arguments are that it adds intense pressure to their lives of these young adolescents, and is potentially damaging to their emotional development as they grow older. “It’s a bit reminiscent of how the Eastern bloc countries used to control the Olympics,” said Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com, in a recent column. “Identify an athletic kid with sturdy legs; get him or her expert instruction in an academy; and voilà, you’ve got a gold-medal ski jumper six years later. Never mind that the kid had to live a regimented life away from his family and friends.” While Saxon’s comment expresses a valid, albeit dire, opinion, who is to say that the process is such an evil? Indeed, it is easy to look at a 13-year-old through the lens of the national media and say that he is being manipulated by the shadowy overlords of college football, but whoreally knows what’s best for him? “I really don’t care what people say about me,” Sills said. “When people say something negative about me I just take it and work harder because it makes me want to push harder and train harder and prove them wrong. I just take whatever they say negative and turn it into a positive.” “For the people that don’t like kids getting recruited early, if it was their kid, what would they do? Would they hold them back?” Sills’ father asked. “The way I look at it is if David was a phenomenal mathematician and I held him back, wouldn’t that be wrong? If he was a great piano player or a gifted child actor and I held him back, wouldn’t that be wrong?” said Sills’ father. “There are a lot of things that people don’t put a negative stigmatism to because they’re considered prodigies […] David has been recognized as a decent athlete and I’m allowing him to fulfill whatever opportunities that he can. […] There’s no pressure, there’s gentle encouragement. He’s the one that always says, ‘dad let’s go to the gym and let’s throw.’ It’s what he enjoys doing. If he ever got to a point where he doesn’t love what he does I told him to stop.” While I have my own reservations regarding the recruiting of young teens around the country, people must understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. A popular argument is that a young athlete anointed as the next superstar could possibly lose his or her drive; what if athletes lacking in motivation or confidence receive a word of encouragement from a coach, and decide to reinvest themselves in their sport(s)? What if an athlete from a poorer background receives early praise and is offered a scholarship that would allow him or her to go on to higher education? An early scholarship offer could help direct an adolescent towards a future previously impossible. Though I ultimately side with Mr. Dorunda on this issue, I do believe that there is room for debate. Thirteen year old David Sills is in love with the game of football, and can throw a football better than I can; can’t we let him make his own decisions with his parent’s guidance? �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 SPORTS 19 THE KIDS IN AMERICA Men’s Olympic ice hockey team is short on experience, big on talent BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Online Editor A youthful United States team will begin its quest for a gold medal in men’s ice hockey when it takes on Switzerland today at 3:00 p.m. The Americans, who have an average age of slightly over 26, feature just three players who have previous Olympic experience. The proverbial changing of the guard comes on the heels of a disappointing eighth-place finish at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy. U.S.A. general manager Brian Burke chose to go with an internationally inexperienced yet talented team for the Vancouver Olympics, rather than field a squad of aging veterans. Captain Jamie Langenbrunner will lead the up-and-comers into Vancouver. Langenbrunner was a logical choice for captain, as he holds the same honor for his National Hockey League team and skated for the United States at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Center Chris Drury and defenseman Brian GROUP A UNITED STATES ROSTER Goalies (NHL Team, Age) Ryan Miller (Sabres, 29) Jonathan Quick (Kings, 21) Tim Thomas (Bruins, 35) Defensemen (NHL Team, Age) Tim Gleason (Hurricanes, 27) Erik Johnson (Blues, 21) Jack Johnson (Kings, 23) Brooks Orpik (Penguins, 29) Brian Rafalski (Red Wings, 36) Ryan Suter (Predators, 25) Ryan Whitney (Ducks, 26) Forwards (NHL Team, Age) David Backes (Blues, 25) Dustin Brown (Kings, 25) Ryan Callahan (Rangers, 24) Chris Drury (Rangers, 33) Patrick Kane (Blackhawks, 21) Ryan Kesler (Canucks, 25) Phil Kessel (Maple Leafs, 22) Jamie Langenbrunner (Devils, 34) Ryan Malone (Lightning, 30) Zach Parise (Devils, 25) Joe Pavelski (Sharks, 25) Bobby Ryan (Ducks, 22) Paul Stastny (Avalanche, 24) Rafalski are the other two Americans with previous Olympic experience. At age 36, Rafalski is also the team’s oldest player. While those three players will be called upon to mentor the team, the United States has plenty of young guns that can lead by example. The Americans boast a trio of former top- SCHEDULE Tuesday, February 16 USA vs. Switzerland 3:00 p.m. Thursday, February 18 USA vs. Norway 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 21 Canada vs. USA 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, February 24 Elimination Games Begin Saturday, February 27 Bronze Medal Game 10:00 p.m. Sunday, February 28 Gold Medal Game 3:15 p.m. five draft picks in Patrick Kane, Bobby Ryan, and Phil Kessel. All three of those players are under the age of 22 and scored a combined 187 points in the NHL last season. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Defensemen Brooks Orpik, Ryan Whitney, Jack Johnson, Erik Johnson, Tim Gleason, and Ryan Suter were all first-round selections in their respective drafts. Should they falter, goaltenders Ryan Miller, Tim Thomas, and Jonathan Quick are more than capable of stealing games for their country. Through February 10th, no NHL goalie had won more games than Quick (34). Miller’s .931 save percentage is tops in the NHL, and Thomas was awarded the Vezina Trophy last season for being the best goalie in the NHL. Though the United States has the depth and talent required to win Olympic gold, it won’t be easy. The Americans are faced with the daunting task of going for the gold in a country that eats, sleeps, and breathes ice hockey. The Canadian squad is equally as talented as the red, white & blue, plus it will have homeice advantage. For that reason alone, Canada has to be considered the tournament favorite. But if a group of American college kids beat the Soviets in 1980, why can’t a group of American NHLers beat the Canadians in 2010? The Competition Canada Norway Switzerland United States Olympic Appearances: 20 Olympic Medals: 13 (7G, 4S, 2B) Player to Watch: After being left off the 2006 Turin team, Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby will make his Olympic debut in Vancouver. 2010 Outlook: The only team with home-ice advantage, anything but a gold medal will be a disappointment for the Canadians. Olympic Appearances: 9 Olympic Medals: None Player to Watch: Detroit defenseman OleKristian Tollefsen’s 163 NHL games are the most amongst Norwegian players. 2010 Outlook: Stranger things have happened, but it’s unlikely that Norway will prove to be much of a threat to the powerhouses. Olympic Appearances: 14 Olympic Medals: 2 (2B) Player to Watch: Goaltender Jonas Hiller (Anaheim) has shown he can steal games in the NHL – can he do the same in Vancouver? 2010 Outlook: Not the most talented team, but if Hiller is on top of his game, they could pull off an upset or two. Olympic Appearances: 20 Olympic Medals: 10 (2G, 7S, 1B) Player to Watch: Center Ryan Kesler knows Vancouver well. As a member of the Canucks, it’s the city where he plays his NHL games. 2010 Outlook: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Miracle On Ice. The 2010 squad needs to channel some of that magic to beat Canada. Czech Republic Latvia Russia Slovakia Olympic Appearances: 4 Olympic Medals: 2 (1G, 1B) Player to Watch: Jaromir Jagr scored 1,599 points during a 17-year NHL career before joining Russia’s Avangard Omsk in 2008. 2010 Outlook: The offense is there, but the Czechs aren’t strong on defense. They’ll go as far as their goaltenders carry them. Olympic Appearances: 3 Olympic Medals: None Player to Watch: Wing Kaspars Daugavins was in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, skating for the AHL’s Binghamton Senators. 2010 Outlook: Things don’t look good. Latvia doesn’t have a lot of NHL experience and is competing in the tournament’s toughest group. Olympic Appearances: 4 Olympic Medals: 2 (1S, 1B) Player to Watch: As a 20-year-old in the 2006 Olympics, Alexander Ovechkin scored five goals, including the one that eliminated Canada. 2010 Outlook: The Russians have a dynamic one-two punch with Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. Look for them to do some damage. Olympic Appearances: 4 Olympic Medals: None Player to Watch: At 6’9”, defenseman Zdeno Chara is the tallest player to ever play in the NHL. He anchors Slovakia’s defense. 2010 Outlook: Slovakia’s best Olympic finish came in 2006, when it placed fifth. The team can definitely improve on that in 2010. GROUP B GROUP C Belarus Finland Germany Sweden Olympic Appearances: 2 Olympic Medals: None Player to Watch: Winger Konstantin Koltsov spent parts of three seasons with the WilkesBarre/Scranton Penguins. 2010 Outlook: With so many other great teams competing in Vancouver, Belarus is going to need some luck if it wants to go far. Olympic Appearances: 14 Olympic Medals: 4 (2S, 2B) Player to Watch: The pesky Jarkko Ruutu is a great agitator and is known to get opponents off of their games. 2010 Outlook: Finland won the silver medal at the 2006 Olympics and has the talent to pull off a similar finish in Vancouver. Olympic Appearances: 12 Olympic Medals: 1 (1B) Player to Watch: Christian Ehrhoff is the team’s most talented defenseman. As a Canuck, he plays his NHL games in Vancouver. 2010 Outlook: Germany hasn’t medaled in men’s hockey since 1932 and it is unlikely that the nation will break that streak in 2010. Olympic Appearances: 20 Olympic Medals: 8 (2G, 2S, 4B) Player to Watch: Goalie Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers) backstopped the Swedes to a Gold Medal in 2006. 2010 Outlook: It certainly has the talent to repeat, but can Sweden overcome Canada’s home-ice advantage? Only time will tell. �20 SPORTS THE BEACON LAX LACKS NUMBERS Team set to start season with just 12 girls on roster comments, which are reviewed with the coach, but they are anonymous, and it’s no more than any other sport gets.” Last year, the women’s lacrosse had a monuMalatesta feels that the commitment, in mental season that culminated in the school’s some cases, becomes too much, and athletes first winning record in the sport’s short history. make a choice to walk away because it is not This year, the team is struggling to simply field as meaningful as it once was. a full team. “A lack of love for the game was never part With preseason practices well underof leaving,” said McDonald. “There were way, there are just 12 players on the a lot of issues going on in with the team team’s roster, a far cry from the 18 from behind the scenes.” last year, and only enough to fill out a According to both Towie and Malatstarting lineup – with no substitutions. esta, the struggling economy combined Of those who have quit, roughly 20 with rigorous academic schedules is partplayers still attend Wilkes. That group inly to blame. With the country suffering cludes last year’s captains Kat Edwards, from the worst economic recession since Analicia Jost, and Shannon McDonald, the Great Depression, many athletes are as well as the team’s top two scorers, taking jobs to help suppress the financial forwards Brittney Hodnik and Melissa burden of the college education. Polchinski, who combined for 208 of the “I think a lot of student athletes are team’s 357 points. obtaining work study or part-time jobs,” The sudden exodus has raised quessaid Malatesta. “Parents are having a tions about why so many players are tougher time making ends meet; if you leaving the program. can alleviate some of the burden I can Although a concrete reasoning for the understand that.” substantial drop-off is inconclusive, there “Some students may not have a probare varying explanations all across the lem managing academics, a job, a team board. sport, and a social life,” said Towie. “For “There are many reasons for the lack some it just becomes a pyramid of prioriof numbers,” said athletic director Addy ties with the team sport cascading to the Malatesta. “Retention is always an issue; bottom.” although this is a drastic drop, it’s a cycle. Towie ensures that she balances pracClass schedules, heart, philosophical diftices around students’ academic schedferences, and coaching are all possible ules, even arranging study halls assuring reasons.” players time to devote to their schoolAccording to both Malatesta and head work. The Beacon/Archives coach Kammie Towie, one of the biggest Britney Hodnik looks on as Melissa Polchinski attacks the goal last year. “Sometimes this just isn’t enough challenges for the program is the lack of Both players, who were 1-2 in scoring last seasoon, have left the team. and girls feel overwhelmed and leave high school lacrosse in the area. With so the team, to focus on academics,” said few high schools offering lacrosse locally, re- here,” said Hodnik. “I didn’t think that division Towie. cruiting is a tough obstacle. Despite the dwindling numbers, recruiting three lacrosse was going to be this stressful, Malatesta said it’s hard for a program like this much time, and this much of a hassle.” efforts have not slowed down. As of press Wilkes to build a solid foundation because the McDonald also left the team due to difficul- time, close to 30 potential athletes have been program is so young and there have been three ties with the coaching. on campus for recruiting tours. Towie has also different coaches in eight years. “The main reason I left was due to the fact hung posters around the school, advertising for “Unfortunately there’s this level of frustra- that there was no respect for the coaching women to come out for the team. According tion that’s created this dark cloud, and it seems staff,” said McDonald. “Many returning girls to McDonald, players who have left the team like it has caused a domino effect,” said Malat- had issues with the specific coaching staff… have also been contacted via email by the esta. “It used to be fashionable to play a sport They didn’t believe in the coaching tactics or coaching staff, inviting them back to the team with your friends, now it’s fashionable to leave their morals.” for the upcoming season. with your friends and that’s kind of scary.” As for the players still on the team, they are Malatesta, however, does not feel coaching Sophomore Carissa Clark agreed, citing an is the main issue. Players are given the op- moving forward, looking ahead to the upcominstance where one girl quit and three followed portunity to disclose their unhappiness with ing season, and sticking together with the few her immediately after. the program through the player response sur- players they have left. “It was as if one of them was not on the veys. These forms are similar to the Student “It may or may not be a hard season, but team, then none of them could be,” com- Response Surveys (SRS Forms) filled out by we will make the best of it,” said Clark. “We mented Clark. “A lot of us who have stayed students to leave comments regarding their all made a pact to stick together through it no aren’t very happy with the girls who decided classes. matter what.” to leave. They left us when we needed them, “Not everyone is going to be satisfied,” said they were part of the team and it makes it very Malatesta. “It’s an opportunity to write and CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT hard to reunite as a team again.” vent about anything. We have seen negative anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Towie stated that many past and recent recruits joined the team because they could see themselves playing at Wilkes University. Hodnik, a senior who left the team “because of coaching more than anything else,” sees it differently. “On my recruiting trip people were telling me how fun it was going to be and to come FEBRUARY 16, 2010 BY THE NUMBERS 19 Number of former lacrosse players that still attend Wilkes. Included in that are the teams two leading scorerers from a year ago. 12 Numbers of players still on the team. Also the number of players needed on the field at one time. 3 Team captains the lacrosse team had last year. All of them were underclassman, and none have returned for the upcoming season. 32 Number of days until the Lady Colonels take the field for the first time this season versus Manhattanville, as of press time. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2010 February 14th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 February 14 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/03c5f88fd4ad34d6504ffb5fdd0a4267.pdf dea63116613d672c2247f8cb7be1859c PDF Text Text VALENTINE’S DAY SPREAD PAGES 10-11 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tuesday, February 9, 2010 Volume 62 Issue 12 Doctor of Nursing Practice program approved Online courses for first class to begin this summer BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor The Beacon/Gino Troiani Robert Wheeler led a brainstorming session with the other ITS planning team members. Wilkes to implement new technologies in 2010 BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor Members of the Information Technology Strategic (ITS) planning team gathered on February 4 to brainstorm ways to implement new types of technology into the educational process at Wilkes. Since October, the team composed of 15-plus members has been conducting surveys, exploring new and diverse technologies, and holding meetings with both faculty and students in order to derive a list of improvements that will best facilitate Wilkes’ technological needs. “We are looking at what it is the University community, the students, faculty and staff need and want and expect from technology services,” said Gloria Barlow, chief information officer at Wilkes. The team began planning in October of last year and has been gathering information from the various departments around campus. “A lot of time went into scheduling in order to incorporate all of the different aspects of campus education,” said Barlow. To aid the process, 14 focus groups were scheduled. The groups were set up with interviews in order to outline the basic technological needs throughout the university. “We did extensive outreach,” said Barlow, adding that a total of nine undergraduates, two graduates, 13 full-time faculty, nine adjunct faculty, and 32 administrative staff participated in the focus groups. Despite the groups’ success, Barlow said she would have liked to receive more student feedback. “The only major bump in the road has been generating feedback from students,” said Barlow. The last survey ended in 2008. “What we did as a group, was to Opinion Pages 6-8 Campaign Finance A recent Supreme Court decision will allow corporations to donate to political campaigns as if they were individuals. PAGE 6 SEE TECH, Page 3 Last fall, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education approved a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing. Dr. Deborah Zbegner and Dr. Bridgette Zielinski, both associate professors of nursing, were the primary authors and developers of the program and currently serve as its co-directors. The program would be based mostly online, with the exception of a one-week residency. According to Zielinski, Dr. Speziale and Mary Kropiewnicki colSEE NURSING, Page 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Wilkes recently gained approval to start up a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The program emphasizes practice as opposed to research. Above, Professional Master’s students work on their clinical education at Geisinger Wyoming Valley in Kingston, PA. Three-year Middle States accreditation process nearing completion BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Wilkes University will be completing the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s accreditation process this year, after three years of preparation from Dr. Vee Ming Lew, Dr. Paul Adams, co-chairs, and from the steering committee. Every 10 years, colleges and universities must go through an accreditation process, which is overseen by Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Wilkes University was last accredited in 2000. According to the Middle States website, the commission’s purpose is “to assure higher education’s publics that its accredited institutions are fulfilling their stated purposes and addressing the publics’ expectations.” There are three steps to the accreditation process: a self-study, a peer-evaluation process and the decision of accreditation, said Adams, vice president of student affairs. First, the self-study is a comprehensive review of the institution in comparison with MSCHE’s characteristics of excellence. The SEE MIDDLE, Page 3 Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 College Days Flyleaf comes to Wilkes-Barre Coach, senior reach 100 wins Sports Pages 16-20 Dean John Stachacz talks about his time at the University of New Mexico and the education he got both in and out of the classroom. PAGE 9 Gallery of Sound music store, located on Mundy St. in Wilkes-Barre, welcomed Flyleaf for an in-store signing and performance PAGE 13 Jon Laudenslager and Frank Heffernan recently won their 100th matches as part of the Wilkes University wrestling program. PAGE 16 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �NEW INTERIM DIR. OF ADMISSIONS FEBRUARY 9, 2010 PAGE 4 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Briefs >>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>»>>>>> BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Sexual Jeopardy – Health Services and BACCHUS Club are hosting Sexual Jeopardy on Tuesday, February 9 from 9 p.m. until 10:15 p.m. in the ballroom on the second floor of HSC. Students, faculty and staff are invited to the event and the organizers are looking for four teams of four people each. The winning team will be awarded prizes. The program is in a game-show format and will be a question and answer exchange. The topics will include sexual health and issues. Intramural Sign-ups – Sign-ups for basketball run until February 17. To sign up for basketball, email neal.biscaldi@wilkes.edu with your name. If you have a team please provide a team name and all the names of your team members. Intensive English Program – Wilkes University’s Intensive English Program (IEP) is hosting a program for 30 international students who would like to improve their English by talking with American students who are fluent English speakers. The program will be about one or two hours per week for students who sign up for this program. Contact Kimberly Niezgoda at kimberly.niezgoda@wilkes.edu to be paired up with an international student. NSO Seeks Class Nominations – The Nursing Student Organization (NSO) is seeking freshman class nominations for president elect. Nursing students who are enrolled in NSG210 in fall 2010 are eligible. NSO is also seeking sophomore class nominations for vice president, secretary and history. Nursing students who are enrolled in NSG240 in fall 2010 are eligible. All students must be in good academic standing. Nominations should be emailed to Megan Dickinson at megan.dickinson@wilkes.edu by February 12. Online Writing Center – The Online Writing Center (OWC) is now open for submissions for spring 2010. The OWC consultations are similar to the consultations done in the Writing Center in the Alden Learning Commons in the Farley Library. Papers are read and sent back to the writer within 48 hours. Submissions can be made by going to http://wilkes. edu/pages/766.asp. Pink Out – The Women’s Basketball Team will be playing King’s College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 20. The team will be selling “pink out” T-shirts for $10 and the profits will be donated to the fight against breast cancer. Shirts can be purchased through any member of the team or coaching staff until February 12. Go to www.gowilkesu.com for names of the players. Daffodil Days – Wilkes University, in cooperation with the American Cancer Society, is raising awareness about cancer by selling daffodils. Anyone interested in purchasing daffodils can contact Megan Boone in the Henry Student Center at megan.boone@wilkes.edu and Janice Broyan in the UCOM at janice.broyan@ wilkes.edu. The products for sale are bunches of daffodils, $10; Birthdays R. Hope Boyds bear, $25; potted mini daffodils, $12; a vase of daffodils, $15; and vase without daffodils, $7. Mock Grad School Testing – Career Services will host Princeton Review test prep services on Saturday, February 27 in Breiseth Hall at 9 a.m. for students interested in taking mock GRE’s, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT. Students must email careers@wilkes.edu or call 570-408-4060 with name, test desired, major, year and cell number to attend. The tests are approximately three to five hours and the GRE and GMAT tests are computer administrated. All students must arrive to Breiseth Hall, first floor by 8:55 a.m. No walk-ins or late arrivals will be accommodated. Australia Study Abroad Meeting - ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Today, Dr. Godlove Fonjweng and a representative from Australia will be speaking to students and faculty about a study abroad opportunity. The student meeting is at 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on the second floor of the HSC in the Miller Conference Room. The faculty meeting, directly following the student meeting, will be held from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. same room. Contact Dr. Godlove Fonjweng at godlove.fonjweng@wilkes. edu for more information. Beacon Corrections In Issue 11, The Beacon incorrectly identified Dr. Gina Zanolini Morrison as an associate professor of English. Dr. Zanolini Morrison is an associate professor of education. Also, due to technical difficulties with WilkesBeacon.com, the deadline of Issue 11’s Weekly Giveaway has been extended. Coupons for Issue 11 and Issue 12’s Giveaway will be accepted until Friday, February 12. Please write the mystery word for the contest you would like to enter on the appropriate line. Both contests can be entered using the same coupon. Win an award? Hear about an important event? If you think it’s newsworthy, send it in! Email jacqueline.lukas@ wilkes.edu or cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu with your tip. ---~.sn't like Free Stuffi. --.a.-Y Giv ar ayt Enter for a chance to win a... a ... Wilkes Hooded Sweatshirt I Sponsored By: oR O BARNES&NOBLE I $20 Gift Card Sponsored By: Rodano's Located on S. Main Street and Public Square, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery words online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor’s sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon offi ce in Conyngham Hall or at the desk office in the Student Union by Friday, February 12, by noon .** noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's week’s issue. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ NAME: _______________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORDS: ________________________________________ Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Anthony Truppo Assistant Op/Ed Editor �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 NURSING Continued from FRONT PAGE laborated on this project while it was in its development stages. William Jones continues to collaborate in launching the online program. Zbegner and Zielinski formed the idea and put it in motion in approximately 2007. “Well, it really took off about two years ago,” said Zbegner. She continued to say that after they felt they had done as much research as they needed to do and initial development commenced, they wrote the program proposal in the summer of 2009. “We then received the Pennsylvania Department of Education [first] and then Middle States approval [both] in the fall of 2009,” said Zbegner. The establishment of this program was initially put into place because of a new requirement by The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). “The American Association of Colleges of Nursing mandated that by 2015 all advanced-practice nurses, which include nurse practitioners, midwives, anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists—which is our program—be prepared at the doctoral level,” said Zbegner. Zbegner described a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as a clinical degree, not a research degree, like a PhD. She added, “It’s a practice doctorate, not a research doctorate.” As far as current nursing students’ clinical education goes, they are taught by people who sometimes have their doctorate and at times have their masters. Regardless of their education level, Zielinski says “They’re considered to be experts in their clinical TECH Continued from FRONT PAGE review that plan, see what was accomplished and see where some of the goals were not yet met,” said Barlow. She added that some of the major goals in the last technology plan were to update the network infrastructure and secure the campus with a strong foundation for its technology services. The ITS team explained that they are still in the early phase of the overall project. “I think at this point we’re looking more at the over-arching needs at what the University has,” said Robert Wheeler, enterprise architect from Sungard Higher Education. Wheeler explained the process is much like designing a house, starting from the bottom up. Janine Becker, executive director of stu- NEWS background, so they are quite capable of teaching on a clinical level.” “The students apply research in this degree, but it’s more focused on practice,” Zielinski added. Students who already have their master’s degree in nursing will be able to enroll beginning in June 2010. The program will be opened up to those with their bachelor’s in January 2011, according to Zielinski. When it begins, the program will have a few different paths that the students can take. “For their clinical courses, they are going to be placed in specific clinical areas, depending what their concentration is. We have three different concentrations; management, gerontology, and psychiatric and mental health,” said Zielinski. As far as issues such as space and instructors go, Zbegner and Zielinski are confident that they have what they need already. Zielinski said that if issues arise, they will deal with that as they go, just like any other program or department. “If we expand the program and take in any other concentrations in the future, certainly we may need to acquire additional equipment, additional instructors, and additional space,” said Zielinski. The program is the first DNP program in Northeast PA and the first online-based in Northeast or Central PA. Zielinski said that they are very proud of the program. She continued, “We are very excited about this program for our department and for Wilkes. It’s really going to open a world of future education to nursing.” CONTACT CATHRYN FREAR AT: cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu dent services, mentioned that one of the fresh ways to incorporate technology is through mobile devices. Becker said the team is looking for, “a more effective means of sharing information and getting feedback across the campus.” The group said they are looking to draft a final plan to present and share with the Wilkes community around March 15. From there on, the plan will be passed around the various committees at Wilkes, awaiting approval. Barlow said she has high hopes for what the team will achieve after the study is complete. “It’s going to really differentiate and make Wilkes stand out from its peer institutions,” said Barlow. CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Professional Master’s nursing students from Wilkes University travel to local hospitals for clinical education. MIDDLE Continued from FRONT PAGE self-study is available for students, faculty and staff to view on the Wilkes Portal and will be finalized next week on February 15. According to Lew, chair of the math and computer science department, more than 40 faculty members, divided into working groups, and some students participated in creating the 200-page document. The next step in the process is a peer-evaluation, where members from other institutions within MSCHE visit the campus. “[The peer-evaluation is] to determine if our assessment of ourselves in the selfstudy is, indeed, accurate,” said Adams. The peer-evaluators are scheduled to be on campus from March 28 to March 31. The peer-evaluators will be looking to make sure that MSCHE’s characteristics of excellence are in place. “The important part about this, too, is that the reviews are done by your peers,” said Lew. “[These people are] not coming from a federal level.” The peer-evaluators will be speaking with students around campus and have already requested a meeting with Student Government. At the end of the peer-evaluation process, there will be an open forum to which the entire Wilkes community will be invited. This will enable students, faculty and staff to listen to the peer-evaluators’ report. This open forum will also give the Wilkes community a chance to see if the institution is in compliance with MSCHE’s characteristics of excellence. “We are in the final weeks before [the self-study] is completed, but we’re also in the process of preparing for the [peer-evaluation] visit itself,” said Lew. In the final step, MSCHE will review the report submitted by the peer-evaluation and decide whether Wilkes University should be accredited. The MSCHE accreditation process is vital to students because in addition to accredit- Courtesy of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education website For more information on Middle States and the accreditation process, go to www.msche.org ing Wilkes with university status, it also impacts loans from the Federal Government. “It’s absolutely critical that we have our accreditation because without accreditation, the Federal Government will not recognize Wilkes and allow us to receive Title 4 Financial Aid funds, which are the Stafford loans and Pell grants,” said Adams. “If they found us out of compliance on a standard, there’s a whole spectrum: [an institution] could be commended to out of compliance.” There are many different stages between accredited and non-accredited. According to Adams, since MSCHE has been founded, only one institution has lost all accreditation. Therefore, it’s unlikely for Wilkes University to lose its accreditation. “If an institution is found to be deficient in any of the standards, Middle States has a prescribed remediation that would require [an institution] to address the deficiency,” said Adams. Adams continued to explain that there would most likely be a short written study and then a smaller team of evaluators to assess if the deficiency was satisfactorily addressed. “That’s why it is so important that [the MSCHE accreditation process] works so that the Federal Government doesn’t decide that it needs to come in and become a definitive evaluator of our quality,” said Adams. “This whole process is about improvement,” he added. CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu �4 NEWS THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Amy Patton promoted to interim director of admissions BY MEGAN PARSI Correspondent Amy Patton, former associate director for transfer students, was recently promoted to interim director of admissions. Matthew McCaffrey, who left Wilkes to relocate to Ohio on January 15, previously held the position of director of admissions. Alexander Sperrazza, assistant director of admissions, has been temporarily put in charge of Patton’s transfer students while the department prepares to advertise the director position in the next few months. Patton’s previous position as associate director of transfer students consisted of recruiting transfer students to Wilkes University. Patton worked primarily with Henry Steuben, also a director in the department. Together, they recruited approximately 130 transfer students every fall and 30 students each spring semester. Patton’s previous position as associate director of transfer students consisted of recruiting and working directly with transfer students to make their transition to Wilkes University easier. As associate director for transfer students, Patton worked directly with students reviewing their applications, contacting them, making admissions decisions on their applications, taking care of financial aid questions, and handing them off to academic advisors once they’ve made their deposit to make sure they received their schedule. As interim director of admissions, Patton will deal with all aspects of the admissions process for incoming freshman, as well as transfer students. In this new position, Patton acts more as a manager than as a counselor. She now meets less often with students and instead is busy supervising six freshmen counselors who work directly with freshmen students and she also oversees the transfer operation. Patton said she enjoys interacting closely with the different staff and also getting to learn the different styles of the counselors. In addition, she has the benefit of learning more about the University and how all the parts and functions fit together. “I love my job,” said Patton. “I have been working here for about eight years and enjoy working with the students, staff, and faculty. I have had jobs in different areas including government. I was a high school teacher, and worked in corporate, but higher education, at Wilkes specifically, really suits me best.” Julie Page, a senior psychology major, has worked in admissions with Patton for four years. “She’s definitely very knowledgeable about her job,” said Page. “She’s one of the nicest people I’ve met in admissions.” Currently, Patton said that she is in an observation period and will wait before making any changes to the admissions department. As for Sperrazza, he said he is able to help students get into and go through the process of applying to Wilkes University, as well as getting credit for classes they have taken in the past. He counsels students and advises them on different majors that can maximize their career choices. Sperrazza also credits evaluations and helps with financial aid. In comparison to his old position as assistant director of admissions, Sperrazza finds the specificity of requests a very interesting change. In his previous position, he counseled incoming freshmen and explained the process that they were going to go through, as well as helping students complete their transfer evaluation. According to Sperrazza, one problem that transfer students face is that Wilkes has a four-credit English requirement. Many other institutions use the three-credit system for core classes, which can be difficult to transfer to Wilkes. Sperrazza is starting to understand the curriculum of what each major requires, and is beginning to understand the details of what Wilkes has to offer for each major. “It’s early in the process but it is quite challenging,” said Sperrazza. “It’s a completely different world. I’m always excited to learn new things and am up for the challenge.” CONTACT MEGAN PARSI AT: megan.parsi@wilkes.edu Honoring Dr. Zukoski The Beacon/ Allison Roth On January 31, 2009, Dr. Matthew J. Zukoski, professor of math and computer science, passed away. This year, students remembered him by hanging a photo of Zukoski in the first floor of the SUB during the week of the one year anniversary of his death. Those passing through could write messages dedicated to the his memory. He had a great impact on student life at Wilkes University and many took advantage of the opportunity to honor him. Above, Santino Gabos writes a message to Zukoski. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 NEWS 5 Student Government Notes - February 3, 2010 New Business: Strategic Planning Committee: Outlined their overall goals of what the University needs to achieve. Their plan is to create a strategic plan to guide the University and help better develop its overall status. The committee has goals of making Wilkes a nationally recognized institution. BY JOSHUA PELLEW Staff Writer Treasurer’s Report: All College: $29,700 Conferences: $16,260 General: $14,060 Leadership: $5,235 Special Projects: $2,250 Spirit: $2,000 Start-up:$2100 Club Reports: Programming Board: Planning on booking magician and entertainer, Justin Credible. Programming board is also looking to host Pizza Wars. Running Club: Has plans for donation requests and fall races. The club would like to hold an afterschool program for third through fifth grade students to promote awareness of childhood obesity. The club also plans to invite students to the UCOM to play sports such as volleyball, soccer, and basketball. Robotics Club – Club Recognition (Week 1 of 2): The Robotics Club pled their case in becoming an all-around club at Wilkes. There are currently six members who will be conducting their first meeting on Tuesday, which is open to all students. They would like to make use of the robotics facilities and help gain school recognition by participating and hosting robotics competition. Old business: Allotted $500 to running club for relay for heat event. Events: Winter Weekend theme will be TV/Sitcom. Teams will be meeting to discuss team members and their captains. Winter Weekend will be held February 19-20. Wilkes University has been invited once again to participate in the City of WilkesBarre’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade held on March 14. Committees: CRC: Math Testing (Seniors) the math tests are a survey of Wilkes students to see how they have progressed since they were freshmen. Revising of student transfer credits Financial Aid: Applicants currently registered for fall of 2010. The school is discussing getting rid of SAT scores for incoming freshman at Wilkes. Campus Support: The University Towers left elevator is undergoing repairs and should be finished by the end of the month. Work-study jobs are available with Maintenance Works doing grounds work around campus. As of next week furniture that was taken out for the remodel will be placed back on the second floor of the SUB. Class Reports: Seniors: First Farewell will be held on Thursday, February 11 in the ballroom of SUB. Closing Comments: OCC: First meeting was held last week; Block Party, with entertainment by Phantom Entertainment, will be held February 10. IRHC: Planning Mardi Gras February 16 and RA Appreciation Day February 17. *At 7:45 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of the HSC. CONTACT JOSHUA PELLEW AT: joshua.pellew@wilkes.edu B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ITEM! Stop by 2/9 to 2/ 15 and get 10% off tie-dyed Wilkes University rolled blankets! Check out our new premium. sandwiches in the cafe! We now offer Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Pretzel Sandwiches and Mediterranean Chicken Flatbreads. TRY ONE TODAY! Now accepting applications! Stop by and talk to a manager to find out what positions are available today! �SOLO ACTS PAGE 8 Over the years, music has become less of a communitybased listening experience. FEBRUARY 9, 2010 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Supreme Court decision diminshing polltical equalify BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Over 200 years ago our great nation’s founding fathers wrote in the Declaration of Independence, “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This solidified the idea that the power in American democracy lies within the hands of the people. A recent Supreme Court ruling is testing that ideal. Soon, a major power shift will take place and drastically alter the political landscape. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the Constitution’s most basic right— freedom of speech—by overturning two important precedents that banned both forprofit corporations and unions from directly contributing revenue from their general funds to political campaigns. In the past, the only way corporations and unions could legally contribute to campaigns was through political action committees (PACs)—committees formed by a special-interest group in order to independently raise revenue for political campaigns. After the January 18 decision, the Court has single-handedly given corporations the green light to spend as much as they want in any given election. The decision has raised many concerns amongst both Democrats and Republicans. According to Dr. Kyle Kreider, assistant professor of political science at Wilkes, the decision will have a “severe detrimental impact on the American political system.” The court ruled that the previous restrictions on political financing violated the corporations’ free speech rights. “If the First Amendment has any force, it prohibits Congress from fining or jailing citizens, or associations of citizens, for simply engaging in political speech,” Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote for the majority. Kreider explained the court’s reasoning. “In many ways, corporations are just like people,” he said. “They have interests. They have opinions, and just like people have First Amendment rights… so should the corporation.” The ruling overruled two precedents: Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which in 1990 upheld restrictions on corporate spending; and McConnell v. Federal Election Commission, which upheld a part of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, further restricting campaign spending by corporations and unions. In 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act banned the broadcast of cable or satellite transmissions paid for by corporations or labor unions from their general funds 30 days before a presidential primary and 60 days before general elections. The court’s decision to protect and advocate for freedom of speech—the same freedom that grants us the right to publish this editorial—was an important one. But, on the other hand, an influx of money into the political system will create major revenue gaps and increasingly diminish political equality. “There are Supreme Court decisions that have said there are valid reasons why corporations are not allowed to spend money from their general treasury fund to help elect candidates,” said Kreider. While the opinion on Capital Hill is widely mixed in both major parties, the ruling is seen as an initial win for Republicans. “I think, by and large, Republicans like this more than Democrats do because Republicans politically are much closer to corporate interest,” said Kreider. Pundits speculate the Court’s ruling will gradually take effect, drastically increasing the cost of campaigning. With the power corporations now possess, corporate interest will take precedent over individual interest. The general public will have no chance at competing with companies, like ExxonMobil, who posted a $45.2 billion profit margin in 2008. This will have a negative impact on the democratic process, likely discouraging participation by voters who may feel as though their voices will not be heard. The Supreme Court and Congress should strongly reconsider the decision and engage in acts to return order to the electoral process. Until then, American democracy will suffer severe consequences, creating a “Wild West” atmosphere in the political landscape. BEACON POLL The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on the Wilkes campus. Last week’s question: Have you participated in a multicultural diversity event at Wilkes? Because of website difficulties, last week’s poll results were lost. We apologize to everyone who voted. This week, The Beacon asks: Do you agree with the Supreme Court giving for-profit corporations First Amendment rights? • Yes • No Cast your vote online at: www.wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail. com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. It's TIME TO STOP 7' VICIOUS LAWSUITS ?l HIGH TAXES ?I LOW TEST SCORES The Beacon Archives/Tom Reilly The Supreme Court’s decision giving for-profit corporations First Amendment rights allows these companies to contribute any amount of money to political campaigns is liable to create special interests with politicians and shift the balance of political equality. �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 OPINION The Why not the National Anthem? BY DR. JUSTIN MATUS Chair of the Sidhu School of Business Editor’s Note: This editorial is part of a weekly series written by Wilkes University faculty and administration. In a few more months the University faculty, staff and most importantly the class of 2010 will assemble for another commencement exercise. As commencement exercises go, the Wilkes routine is pretty much just that…routine. The University President gets up, has a few kind words for everyone, a minister offers up some hopefully inspirational if not spiritual sentiments and finally at some point the keynote speaker launches into a mildly amusing and usually predictable soliloquy on life’s challenges and travails. Once these formal speeches are mercifully concluded, the actual handing out of diplomas begins and about two hours later, everyone is graduated and everyone is very, very happy. And then everyone leaves. Lost in all this hustle and bustle is the glaring fact that the musical selection to honor our country is not the National Anthem, but America the Beautiful or some other tune posing as our National Anthem. The reasons given as to why we don’t play the National Anthem vary from the “musicality” of one song over another or that it was a “tradition.” One version has it that the decision to switch away from the National Anthem was a political statement by a previous University President in about 1957. Either way, the commencement ceremony belongs to the students. I also know our band is a very capable one and quite skilled at playing virtually all the patriotic tunes including the Star Spangled Banner. I call on the class of 2010 to demand that the one and only true National Anthem be played at this year’s commencement. Let everyone know that you are setting the new tradition of patriotism and pride in your country and your National Anthem. Yes we can! 7 Observatory Free parking is only a Monopoly space, cheap parking just a fantasy BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor If you have ever gotten a parking ticket in Wilkes-Barre, which I am sure many if not all of you have, you will be glad to know that, according to Wilkes-Barre Parking Code Enforcement, your standard parking violation fine of $10 is going towards fixing the many potholes in the road, repairing the condition of publicly owned structures, and the establishment of new structures to attract business. Don’t agree with this assessment? Me neither, nor do the two blown struts on my car from hitting Wilkes-Barre potholes, or “craters” as they should be called. Something needs to be done about the parking situation in downtown WilkesBarre, especially around both King’s College and Wilkes University. College students do not have the money to pour into the meters every single day, nor do they have the money to pay the fines on top of that when their time runs out-that is if they can even find a parking spot on the street in relative distance to campus. One could make the argument that students at King’s and Wilkes have the option to park on campus for a flat fee each semester. However, what if there are no more spots to give out? As a Wilkes student, I can tell you that parking permits are few and far between and Wilkes often oversells them with the assumption that not every student with a vehicle will be on campus every day at the same time. (You know what happens when you assume!) Also, what if it is not practical for you to park in a lot across the river when you leave campus to go to an internship or a job after class? Sadly, meter parking is your only option. When Mayor Tom Leighton first took office six years ago, he made it a top priority to collect fines from back-dated parking tickets that the previous administration left behind and to enforce parking violations stricter. The trend has continued ever since. Graphic by Tom Reilly I commend his efforts, but parking enforce- ment has become so vigilant, that there is no where to park without paying and risking a parking ticket. On top of that, where is all this revenue going? I realize that parking ticket revenue is a modest contribution to the maintenance of the entire city of Wilkes-Barre, but parking enforcement generates thousands of dollars in revenue a day from meter violations and progress always seems slow moving. Wilkes-Barre is currently in the midst of completing several development projects such as, the $7.3 million Downtown Streetlight and Streetscape Enhancement Project, the $13.7 million Coal Street Park Renovation Project, and the $25 million Intermodal Transportation Facility that parking ticket revenue are helping pay for. The Intermodal Transportation Facility, which will finish construction soon, seems to be a great idea for the downtown area with an expected 752 spaces on a six-level parking garage, but it is merely intended to centralize the Luzerne County Transportation Authority, Martz bus and taxi traffic, not eliminate limited street parking or make it more affordable. Also, the mentality here seems to be to build the city up bigger and better and not fix existing problems in Wilkes-Barre like the roads. What good is it to spend exuberant amounts of money on new structures when the rest of the city falls apart around them? Say the city of Wilkes-Barre split some of that money up and built a few parking structures in the downtown area, not just one, that could guarantee more parking spots for an affordable flat fee each day. Would that not be easier? Would that not be more convenient than running to a meter every few hours to put change in it? Maybe then Wilkes-Barre would make enough money from parking fees to fix the craters. Oops, I mean “potholes.” You be the judge. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 THE BEACON OPINION FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Changing your profile name does not make you invisible BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief Over the past few months, I have noticed that many of my friends on Facebook, specifically those who began their last semester of college this January, have cleaned house online. Photographs they have been tagged in have disappeared, videos have been removed, and some people have even swapped their last names for their middle names or have removed letters from their last names. From what I have observed, this is occurring because students who are applying for jobs do not wish for their future employers to run an internet search of their name only to stumble across a profile page filled with drunken statuses and inappropriate, sometimes disgusting, pictures. I commend those who are removing discriminating evidence of wild nights and illegal activities from their profiles, but I just cannot wrap my head around the name thing. Simply because you add a middle name and drop a last does not make you invisible. Removing a few letters off the end of your last name also does not guarantee that you will not be found. If someone wants to find you, they will. Companies such as Spokeo exist solely for that purpose. According to Spokeo’s website, “74% of Americans have profiles on one of at least 43 social networks that Spokeo tracks.” Even though Spokeo claims that their users access the site to learn about their “customers’ hobbies and interests through online profiles and personal photos,” it is quite clear how the same company can use the same services to track candidates applying for available positions. People who sign up for Spokeo’s service have access to numerous blogs, profiles, bookmarks and lists. Information on Pandora, Amazon, Blogger, Flickr, YouTube and surprisingly Target.com can be found using Spokeo. Even without a paid account, typing in someone’s email address will pull up practically everywhere he or she has used that email address on the web, along with their profile picture and their location. Lying about your name on Facebook will not help you avoid this search engine. Some people may disagree with the thought of potential employers running internet searches to find out more information about their applicants, but I truly do not see the harm. If you uploaded the photographs, you wanted someone to see them. If you made an obnoxious post littered with profanity and obscene language on someone’s public wall, then you wanted multiple people to see that, too. Now, you have simply gained a wider audience. Instead of attempting to fool your future employers - who are not that naïve - into believing that you do not have a Facebook (or MySpace, etc.) and going through the hassle of changing your name and removing the tags from sometimes thousands of photographs of you showing off your red Solo cups and licking your friend’s face, perhaps you should just click a few extra privacy settings. If you do not allow others to tag you in photographs, you will not be tagged. If you make your profile private, no one can see anything about you unless they request it. If you do not want someone to be your “friend,” do not add them. It’s all quite simple. And honestly, it gets even easier. If you have any reason whatsoever to hide pictures, videos, posts, etc. from future employers, perhaps you should not be posting them online. Or even better – maybe you should not be participating in the activity. CONTACT NICOLE FRAIL AT: nicole.frail@wilkes.edu Music: No longer an element of human fellowship BY ANTHONY TRUPPO Assistant Opinion Editor In a modern world suffocated by below mediocre, IQ-lowering reality TV shows and mindless next generation technological advances, people seem to have forgotten about one of the most quintessential aspects of the human community – music. Years before the invention of the phonograph in 1877, people gathered together to listen to music. Since there was not yet a way for people to enjoy music in the comfort of their own homes (unless they played instruments themselves), many would spend much of their time attending live performances with their friends and families. After the phonograph was created, people were astounded by the capability of listening to music in their own living rooms. Since entertainment outlets were severely limited, music became the dominant source of home entertainment for groups of people all over the planet. When the radio came along, people had access to a wide variety of music at nearly any time and place they desired. Once television emerged, record players and radios began to ubiquitously gather dust. Why listen to music with your friends when you could all stare blankly at a big box? Rarely do I walk down the hallway to my apartment without hearing at least two blaring TVs. Even when I am among friends that seem to have a deeper appreciation for music than others, we tend to watch TV instead of listen to music. One may argue that music is more prevalent in the human community today thanks to portable MP3 players, but all they have really done is removed the community aspect of music, leaving people to listen by themselves. Thanks to these portable music players, music listening has become more of an isolated practice than a communitybased experience. Recent psychological studies show that there are many benefits to listening to music in social settings, such as a classroom. Psychologists F. F. Cripe, L. Morton, J. Keshner and L. Seigel monitored a group of students and were able to conclude that when played in a classroom, students were less likely to become distracted by their environment. Also, hyperactivity among the students was greatly reduced, as music’s repetitive beat is said to relieve muscle tension. Nearly all of the students seemed to gain sharp enhancements of their short term memories while the music was playing. Several studies by other psychologists show that when music is being played, students working in groups seem to work more productively and are more accepting of each other’s ideas. Despite the many benefits of music, music is unfortunately no longer a major part of the human community. Perhaps if families and friends spent more time listening to music together, people would be more accepting of one another and less prone to arguments and separations. So the next time you and your friends are browsing Best Buy, ignore the latest season of The Bachelorette on DVD and pick up a Radiohead CD of your choice. You will be doing yourself and your relationships a substantial favor. CONTACT ANTHONY TRUPPO AT: anthony.truppo@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly (right) A Montana guitar with a broken string. One of the many guitars being ignored more and more as technology continues to advance. Music played to groups of people can be highly beneficial to the listeners as a group and individually. �SWEET HISTORY PAGE 10 Check out the history of the conversation heart. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Student of the Week: Justin Balint After the impoverished nation of Haiti was rocked by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, a combination of individuals and organizations around the world have risen up, lending their hands in aid. Here at Wilkes, Justin Balint, a P3 pharmarcy major and president of the Alpha Chi honor society, has volunteered the help of Alpha Chi members in the hygiene drive. Balint explained that the drive is collecting wash cloths, soap and tooth brushes to send to the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. “I felt this was an important opportunity to help people in need. Alpha Chi is dedicated to service, and this project was just one small way to help donate towards a great cause,” said Balint. Last year while Balint was in the Dominican Republic with Alternative Spring Break [ASB], the group took a day trip to Monte Christe. While in Monte Christe they visited a large market place on the border of Haiti. Balint explained that for two hours every day they opened the border, allowing the Haitians to cross and shop at the market place. “There’s a bridge reaching across the border, but most of the Haitians just walked through the waist deep water in a hurry to get their goods,” explained Balint. To help out with the hygiene drive, Balint encourages students to contact Megan Boone, community service coordinator, at megan.boone@wilkes.edu. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Balint: Hopefully working for the pharmaceutical industry or the FDA. The Beacon: Describe yourself in 3 words… Balint: Quixotic, ambitious, and methodical. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know that…” Balint: I took karate for several years when I was younger. Dean John Stachacz gets an education outside of the classroom on the weekends, Stachacz gained a bright new perspective into life outside of Connecticut. “The first time I ever ate real green chili--I mean the real hot stuff--I had that on one of Scorpions. Rattlesnakes. Boa constricthese farms [that my friends lived on] over tors. the weekend,” said Stachacz. “We drove all These are the challenges John Stachacz, over the place, did all kinds of neat dean of the Farley Library, faced things. We went to Mexico for while an undergraduate at the Unispring break. Studied hard, but versity of New Mexico. had a lot of fun.” “We used to go Southwest Stachacz utilized his time in to…New Mexico State,” said school to make new friends, Stachacz. “There used to be old travel, and truly find what he was lava beds there. Some of the things interested in. He even remembers we used to do was that they [my catching a train just across the friends] would bring these heavy Mexican border, paying $22 for a duty oxen gloves—the kind that ticket, and riding the rails for two go up to your shoulder—and we thousand miles. used to put our hands into the lava There have been many changes beds, and the one who came out in the arena of higher education with the most scorpions attached since Stachacz caught the plane to it won.” from LaGuardia Airport in New Stachacz began his higher eduYork in 1971. One of the chalcation at the University of New lenges Stachacz and his classMexico in 1971 as an anthropolmates faced that has not changed ogy major. He later changed his over the course of time is the peer major to geography after taking pressure associated with drugs. elective classes in an area that he Photo courtesy of Dean Stachacz “Staying out of the drug culture enjoyed. was one of my biggest challenges Moving from Connecticut to Stachacz, sitting in the tree on the left, hangs with friends in a park in New socially,” remembered Stachacz. New Mexico was an huge change Mexico. Stachacz always saw himself of environment for Stachacz, who remembers when he was dropped off at La- new time period of his life. According to in academia, from his own schooling to the countless institutions at which he has Guardia Airport in New York and showed Stachacz, he “just sort of went with it.” Stachacz’s free time was spent travel- worked. According to his count, Stachacz up to school with only his two suitcases. “I was looking for schools with good an- ing outside of the University around the has been in higher education for almost 40 thropology programs, and I was looking for Southwest United States and into Mexico. years. “I’ve not been out of higher academics schools that, if I didn’t like anthropology, Stachacz said the education he received [would allow me to] move around,” said outside of the University of New Mexico since I was a freshman,” said Stachacz. was just as influential during his transitionStachacz. With no friends at the school and family al college time as the education he received CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT thousands of miles away, Stachacz learned in the classrooms. Going to friends’ homes leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu. BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor quickly how to adjust to college life. “It was a month before I even talked to my parents, with no cell phones or anything like that,” remembered Stachacz. As a first generation college student, Stachacz did not have parents or siblings to explain to him what to expect during this In his own words, Dean Stachacz gets embarrassed: “ A friend took me to the airport. It was Christmas break. Once I finally boarded the flight, there was a snow storm, so there were no flights into New York City, or anywhere for that matter. Absolutely every airport in the entire Eastcoowas shut down. Every plane going to the east coast was sent to St. Louis. There were no cell phones, so I couldn’t tell my parents when I’d be in or where I’d fly into. When I finally arrived at LaGuardia Airport, I heard rumblings from people in the airport of a mad man who kept ranting and raving about the flights. Turns out it was my father. “ BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor College Days �l/allo11ti11o's Day 2010 10 LOG ON, MEET UP Online dating helps some connect with soulmates by rUTH WHISPELL Assistant Life Editor In today’s society there are numerous ways to meet new people, one way is internet dating. There are many sites one can use when searching for that special someone and all of them acknowledge themselves as the ideal match making website. eHarmony’s website declares [in a 2007 poll for eHarmony by Harris Interactive] that they are responsible for 2% of marriages in the United States, and Match.com boasts that every year people find love on match.com. Those are only two of the hundreds of internet dating sites available. With such a large selection and all of them claiming to be the best, how do you know what dating site to use, and do they really work? Donna Talarico, an adjunct faculty member of the Communications Studies department here at Wilkes said, “I think eHarmony’s advertising is rooted in the very traditional-sense- meet your future husband or wife.” Talarico admits to trying eHarmony for a month, about a year ago. “When they had a 30-day deal, I tried it. It took days for a compatible match to be found and that was discouraging,” said Talarico. Only when Talarico began accepting broader matches and expanded her mile radius did she get matches. Talarico never contacted anyone and canceled her membership when the month was over. “There’s one funny part - one of my few matches was one of my best male friends. We still laugh about that. So basically, I paid $20 to learn what I already knew; that me and this guy are the same person,” said Talarico. SWEET HISTORY For Dr. Meridith Selden, assistant professor of psychology at Wilkes, eHarmony was just a way to meet new people while living in the outskirts of New York City. “I was at the time living and working outside of New York City and I didn’t know anyone, I was in a relationship that just ended and I was bored. I didn’t think it would work,” said Selden. In fact Selden wasn’t matched with her [now] husband until the last day of her contract, and it was only because she lowered the age and distance brackets. Before being matched with her [now] husband Selden was matched with about 100 potential matches. “I don’t believe in the idea of match-making on scientific principles,” said Selden, who is skeptical of the scientific match-making process that eHarmony offers. Selden isn’t alone in her skeptic, Jake Malachowski, a junior mechanical engineering major, explained that he doesn’t feel internet dating sites work at all. “I watched someone spend $1,868 plus the cost of dating, [at All About Singles] only to get nowhere,” said Malachowski. Even though internet dating sites work for some, like Selden, they may not work for others. Selden’s advice for internet dating is, “Be open and honest, and be prepared for a lot of matches.” According to Talarico, “These dating sites work, but like any relationship, there is still room for human flaws. Dating sites don’t build perfect people for other people to marry, they just bring people together. People can still make mistakes.” CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT: ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while most are out shopping for jewelry, chocolates, and big teddy bears, billions of Sweetheart Candies are being bought and sold. These sugar hearts with whimsical sayings on them are made by New England Confectionery Company [NECCO], but the idea didn’t start there. According to NECCO.com, when Abraham Lincoln was still president, they printed the sayings on small papers and rolled them into the candies, which they called “cockles” because the candies looked similar to a cockle shell. In the year 1866, messages were beginning to be printed on the Sweetheart Candies. This year, for the first time in 145 years, Sweethearts will be coming out with completely new sayings. Along with the new sayings will come some new flavors like strawberry, green apple, lemon, grape, orange and blue raspberry. These Sweethearts with their updated sayings and flavors can be used in marriage proposals, decorations, a fun valentines gift, or just as a snack. – Marjorie Whispell, Correspondent THE BEACON 11 FEBRUARY 9, 2010 LONG DISTANCE L•VE Couples find ways to celebrate V-day while apart by leeann searfoss Life Editor Not all students welcome the arrival of February 14 by KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor Among some Wilkes students there seems to be a consensus: Valentine’s Day is evil. While couples are setting dates and purchasing gifts, these radicals challenge the tradition. For most of these people, their hatred of Valentine’s Day is based on the argument that there should not be only one day to tell a person how you feel about them. “You can tell them that [you love them] every single day,” said Melissa Urban, freshman psychology major. She believes that people should not act like they love someone more on one particular day. “There shouldn’t just be that day that you give someone flowers and tell them you love them and give them chocolates and just be all goo-goo-ga-ga all over them. You should be like that every day if you really love someone,” said Urban. Pete Kennedy, a fifth year senior majoring in entrepreneurship, agrees with this opinion, but it is only one of his reasons that he is against Valentine’s Day. “I have three main reasons: the first and least important is the fact that I don’t have someone to celebrate with,” said Kennedy. “The second reason is, it’s an Americanized version of the Catholic feast day of Saint Valentine. I’m not Catholic; I don’t need to follow it. And the third reason is it’s the one day where you’re supposed to show the person that you care about exactly why you care about them.” There is also the claim that Valentine’s Day makes people act like someone they are not. “I think it puts pressure on people to, you know, be in love and have a commitment that really isn’t there and to buy gifts [and] spend money that they really don’t have,” said Amber Sines, junior education major. Another reason people have developed hatred for Valentine’s Day is the collection of bad experiences they have had with the holiday. Sean Cox, a sophomore criminology major, said that his negative experience during last Valentine’s Day is the main reason behind his opposition. “Last Valentine’s Day, my ex-girlfriend went on a date with some kid at home instead of coming here (to Wilkes),” he said. Ever since this betrayal, Cox has considered the holiday to be a fraud. Sines also has a bad Valentine’s Day memory. She says that her worst Valentine’s Day experience included “getting turned down by this guy I was talking to because he had to go home and spend it with his ex-girlfriend, who was getting surgery the day after.” These students refuse to take part in the stereotypical romantic date occasion. “I go out to eat with my friend,” Sines said. Others act like it is an ordinary day and ignore the concept altogether. “I usually just hang out with my friends, just another normal day like any other day,” Urban stated. Instead of buying cards and flowers, these Anti-Valentine students disregard these typical traditions. Kennedy thinks that purchasing flowers and candy is pointless. “It’s just another form of commercialism,” she said. For some of these Valentine’s-Day-haters, though, there’s still hope. Sines believes that her opinion may change when she is more mature and in a serious relationship, perhaps “when [she is] married and there’s a reason to be romantic.” However, others said that their opinion about the holiday will never change. “I realize that circumstances change, but in the end my opinion is that there shouldn’t be just one day to show someone that you care,” said Kennedy. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: Photo: The Beacon/Tom Reilly kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu Historically, it is Cupid’s job to connect people on this upcoming holiday. Well, Cupid may have to travel a bit farther for some this Valentine’s Day. Several students at Wilkes are trying to maneuver this romantic holiday to accommodate their significant others who are apart from them. While many others will be celebrating this midFebruary holiday that centers around love and candy and flowers this weekend, Marrissa Harrison, a P1 pharmacy major, does not have that luxury. She and her boyfriend of a month needed to celebrate early, because they live too far apart. “We [my boyfriend and I] made pizza together for Valentine’s Day,” said the junior pharmacy major. Harrison and her boyfriend, Drexel Siok, live approximately three and a half hours away from one another. Harrison resides in Wilkes-Barre while her boyfriend lives in Milford, Delaware. While the two met at Wilkes and dated casually for approximately two years, Harrison and Siok made their relationship official after Siok graduated from Wilkes last year. “It stinks. It’s hard to be far away from him, but we will find a way to see each other as much as possible,” said Harrison. Harrison is currently in her third year of the pharmacy program, with three more years to go. While this is their first Valentine’s Day apart, Harrison and Siok may need to maneuver around this romantic holiday again for the next three Februarys until Harrison graduates from the pharmacy school. This type of long-distance love is common of college students, especially if they are separating from significant others they were with at previous schools or in previous cities. Salvatore Infantino, a senior communications major, will be experiencing the same type of separation as Harrison and Siok this coming Valentine’s Day. He and his boyfriend are separated by almost four states, with Infantino at Wilkes and his boyfriend almost five hours away. “His school observes President’s Day. Since [Wilkes doesn’t], I can’t go down to see him,” Infantino said. Despite the separation, Infantino does not believe “the big day” will cause that much longing. “I have work the night before, and the night of, on top of school and all of that nonsense we routinely partake in. We’ll probably Skype on Sunday night,” said Infantino. Together six months, this is Infantino’s first Valentine’s Day with his boyfriend. Similar to Harrison and Siok, Infantino will need to celebrate his Valentine’s Day on a different day. Infantino will be heading to see his boyfriend the weekend after Valentine’s Day. “Since he and I are distanced, every time I see him is exceptionally special, because I can’t do it every day,” said Infantino. “So I don’t need gifts, decorations or a fancy dinner to make it special... I just need him.” Being separated from a significant other is not always a result of being at difficult schools. Richelle Shertzer, a junior nursing major, and her husband of two and a half years have been juggling their relationship while he tours overseas with the military. “Over the summer he did his first tour to Iraq, but he was only over there for about four months which was nice,” stated Shertzer. “We have spent many holidays apart, though, with him in boot camp and all.” Even though her husband is back from his military tour, he is still based in Arlington, VA, approximately five hours from Wilkes. Shertzer points to family and friends as those she turns to during the holidays she cannot be with her husband. “When we are apart, I try and spend a lot of time with family and friends,” said Shertzer. “I’m the type of person that needs to keep busy if we are not together.” The many holidays Shertzer and her husband have spent apart make the ones they can spend together more sentimental. This particular Valentine’s Day, Shertzer and her husband will get to spend time together, but that is a rarity from the usual time spent apart. Shertzer and her husband will have the chance this year to celebrate Valentine’s Day in traditional ways such as dinner together, exchanging gifts, and chocolate-covered strawberries. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu �12 THE BEACON LIFE Wilkes University's Wilkes University’s Heath Wellness Corner Heath & & Wellness Corner The Health & The Health & Wellness Wellness Corner Corner is is aa weekly feature in Beacon. Students weekly feature in The The Beacon. Students who ask questions anonymous. All All who ask questions remain remain anonymous. questions Health SerSerquestions will will be be answered answered by by Health vices staff. vices staff. Q. to Q. II was was wondering wondering where where II can can go go to get get information information regarding regarding Birth Birth Control Control options? options? A. A. The The Health Health & & Wellness Wellness Services Services can can refer refer you you to to Women Women to to Women Women Inc., Inc., which which is is aa health health care care center center for for women. women. The phone number The phone number is is (570) (570) 714-5880, 714-5880, and and they the Park ce Buildthey are are located located in in the Park Offi Office Building, ing, Suite Suite 208-209, 208-209, 400 400 Third Third Ave. Ave. KingsKingston, be happy happy to to ton, PA. PA. 18704. 18704. They They would would be make you to to discuss make an an appointment appointment for for you discuss your your options. options. Q. testing at Q. Do Do you you do do STD STD testing at Health Health SerServices? vices? A. A. Yes. Yes. We We can can do do some some types types of of STD STD testing probtesting at at the the Health Health Services. Services. The The problem that the the testing testing is processed through through lem is is that is processed the health insurance the student’s student's health insurance and and most most students students prefer prefer to to have have anonymous anonymous testing. testing. With mind, referrals made to: With that that in in mind, referrals are are made to: Women Women to to Women, Women, aa health health care care center center for for women. phone is women. The The phone is (570) (570) 714-5880, 714-5880, and and they ce Building they are are located located in in the the Park Park Offi Office Building (see (see address address listed listed in in previous previous article). article). Another option Another option for for STD STD testing testing is is to to go Dept., go to to the the Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre City City Health Health Dept., which which is is aa FREE FREE walk-in walk-in clinic, clinic, if if you you live live in proof of in Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre City. City. (So (So bring bring proof of adaddress). dress). The The phone phone is is (570)208-4268. (570)208-4268. They They are are located located in in the the Kirby Kirby Health Health Center, Center, 71 71 N. Wilkes-Barre. N. Franklin Franklin St. St. Wilkes-Barre. If Wilkes-Barre City, If you you do do not not live live in in Wilkes-Barre City, free free testing testing is is available available at at Planned Planned ParentParenthood, North Franklin hood, 63 63 North Franklin Street, Street, WilkesWilkesBarre. Barre. Phone Phone (570)824-8921. (570)824-8921. Do you have a question for the Health & & Wellness Corner? Email your questions to, susan.biskup@wilkes.edu, and you may see your question in next weeks Wellness Corner. Your privacy will be protected. 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PAGE 15 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Sordoni Art Gallery presents Brian Wood BY KIRSTIN COOK Assistant A&E Editor At the current art exhibition at the Sordoni Art Gallery, perception is presented in its true form. The exhibition, featuring the works of Brian Wood, will be displayed through March 14 and is open to the public from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The collection includes 28 pieces of oil paintings and graphite drawings. Wood hails from New York City and has collections in several museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Brittany Kramer DeBalko, the interim director of the Sordoni Art Gallery, said that Wood is a well-known artist, with artwork displayed in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. “One of the interesting aspects of the exhibition is actually his renown,” said Kramer DeBalko. “Actually, a curator from MoMA will hopefully be coming down to see this show, so that’s an interesting aspect of this exhibition, to have someone of his renown here, right here in Wilkes-Barre, at the Sor- (LEFT) Students observe “Near Exit 5”, one of the paintings showcased in the Brian Wood exhibition at the Sordoni Art Gallery. This piece is a representation of a motorcycle crash that the artist was involved in. This is one of the many works that demonstrate a biographical purpose within the exhibition. The Beacon/Kirstin Cook doni Art Gallery.” The exhibition can be viewed as biographical of Wood’s existence and emotions. “It’s just very personal work that I think originates from personal experiences and personal feelings of the artist,” stated DeBalko. The art may also be perceived as a representation of biology. “It’s based on a biological perspective of anatomy in its real form. I’m not sure if that’s the point of what he’s trying to say, like reproduction, creativity…but that seems to be one of the key points,” said Briana Nissen, a junior English major who is a work-study student at the gallery. Regardless of the interpretation, there is a definite element of embodiment of perception in the artwork. The perception ranges from the viewpoint of specific occasions to the analysis of physical flesh. “He talks a lot about states of awareness or states of being,” said DeBalko. An example of the biographical perception can be viewed in the painting, “Near Exit 5” particularly stands out among the other pieces. It demonstrates the differences in perceptions, with the instance of the varying views of the artist and the viewers. SEE SORDONI, PAGE 14 Flyleaf makes appearance at Gallery of Sound: A Review BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Fans from across the Wyoming Valley stood in the cold to see the famous, platinum record-selling band on the rise, Flyleaf. The line wrapped around the Gallery of Sound building on Mundy Street, The band made an appearance for an in-store signing and small performance that took place at 2 p.m. this past Saturday. It was freezing, but a variety of people— men, women, and children—embraced the cold to see the band, which has close ties to the Wilkes-Barre area. “We actually helped them on their first record,” said Joe Nardone, Jr., owner of the store. “Wilkes-Barre was the first place Flyleaf was able to sell their records significantly and make major impact in the industry, and them coming here was a nice gesture—we take care of each other,” added Nardone. Some fans arrived as early as 12:30 p.m. friends.People in line anxiously discussed Flyleaf and expressed their excitement for the opportunity to see them up close and personal. After awhile, I decided to use the perks of being a journalist and call the owner of the store to get me in with my golden ticket: the Wilkes University Press Pass. I was scooted in by Nardone. He and his father run six of the local Gallery of Sounds in the Wyoming Valley. I thanked him profusely for the immediate warmth that engulfed me. “I’m just glad everyone came out.” I headed straight for the line of excited fans, who became even more excited when the band entered the building and finally took their seats at the autograph station. Flyleaf’s success is due largely to the attention they receive because of their lead singer, Lacey Mosley, who has a mighty voice. The rest of the talented band consists of Jared Hartmann and Sameer BhattachaSEE FLYLEAF, PAGE 15 The Beacon/Brie Friedman The band Flyleaf seems to enjoy the fans almost as much as the fans love them. Seen here, Flyleaf is signing posters, CD covers, and other materials for the fans who had been waiting for hours outside in the freezing cold. From left to right: Lacey Mosley (vocals), Sameer Bhattacharya (guitar), and James Culpepper (drums). �14 THE BEACON A&E Dinner Review: Hottle’s offers SORDONI Continued from PAGE 13 romance for Valentine’s Day BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor With Valentine’s Day fast-approaching, couples all around the community will be booking tables at restaurants to have that all-important couple’s dinner. While the Valley is littered with new, up-and-coming eateries, it is easy to forget that WilkesBarre offers restaurants that are considered classics by the locals. When planning a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, do not overlook the small, family-owned restaurant of Hottle’s, located on Main Street, approximately one block from Wilkes’s campus. While Hottle’s is what some may consider a “hole in the wall”establishment, it is filled with delicious food and a romantic atmosphere. Known for their specialty seafood, Hottle’s offers patrons a large menu of quality dishes. Offering plates from fish, chicken, and pasta to lobster and steak, there is something on the menu for everyone’s taste buds. This trip to Hottle’s was not my first. Wanting to try out the restaurant for date purposes, I asked someone to accompany me. Walking into the dimly lit, small dining room, there is a sense of comfort that envelopes patrons. As the hostess rises to seat you, she isn’t standing behind a tall podium with an appointment book. She is coming from the end of the bar, where she has been speaking to other patrons you can tell are regulars from their familiar tones. With a comfortable sense over the scenery, a very large, extensive menu is placed in front of you. Large selections of fresh sea • • • • • • and land dishes jump off the page. After making our selections, my date and I relaxed into our worn in, yet comfortable, booth. We both recognized the music playing over the sound system. Not a radio station or blaring music that makes conversations inaudible, there was continuous classic music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s washing over the room. These golden songs made the scenery even more comfortable. While the ambiance is carefree and warrants a good date atmosphere, the food is what draws most people to the restaurant. My date ordered the Shrimp Newberg, a special of Hottle’s. This dish of jumbo shrimp in a cream sauce with toast points was gone before I could even attempt to steal any. I decided to go bold and try the surf and turf dinner--six ounces of steak and six ounces of lobster tail. While I really enjoyed the heaping portions of steak and potatoes and salad that accompany the meal, I was slightly disappointed with the lobster. Perhaps eating Maine lobster after vacationing there not too long ago spoils one’s opinion of lobster south of the Maine border, but the lobster seemed to be dry and slightly overcooked. That slight set back did not deter my opinion of my meal overall, though. With a romantic atmosphere and good food, Hottle’s is a choice restaurant for couples to encounter on Valentine’s Day. Just be prepared for the prices. These are not your typical dollar menu items, but then again, this is a good day to splurge on someone you care about. The biological aspect of the exhibition is concealed in many of the works, in the form of body parts such as brains, eyes, legs, hands and bones. There are also various tubes and tendons connecting many of these limbs. “He has what looks like ear drums in some of the pictures, so it could be sensory perception or maybe like feeling or emotion,” said Nissen. A specific purpose of some of the graphite drawing is to illustrate iconic memory. These drawings are notably simple, yet this is merely to demonstrate how the memory is caught in an instant and not developed farther. These drawings, such as “Sitter,” are in simple form, similar to visual memory. Nissen said that not many visitors offer feedback after viewing the exhibition. “I think it would be nice to hear a response, because they kind of just look at it questionably,” she said. The arrangement of the exhibition has a significant meaning behind it for the artist. “The artist actually came here and laid the exhibition out himself, which is not the norm,” said DeBalko. “He really wanted • • • • • Do you miss the Crossword? • e-mail brie.friedman@wilkes.edu if you • orPlease you know is interested in creating • someone a crossword puzzle each week. • • • • • • • • • • • • • it to have a specific layout and feel in the space, so that was his design actually.” Throughout all of these interpretations of the varying purposes of the exhibition, there is no one specific conclusion. “There is no real clear, straightforward theme,” said DeBalko. Since it opened on January 18, the exhibition has been fairly popular. “We’ve had a lot of students in there, a lot of classes have given, it sounds like, essays or assignments on it,” DeBalko said. The Sordoni Art Gallery is open to the public and is located at 150 South River Street in the Stark Learning Center on the Wilkes University campus. The Gallery is open daily, from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 570-408-4325. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu • FEBRUARY 9, 2010 I .I QJ • •1 • e 1 • ZVK DT DSSXK’Y WKTZKG QY QZY WFGK DSSXK FJ FTK’Y KIK DTYWKT KTZDX ZVKT RAYZ VDBK ZG DCQXQZQKY! This week’s clue: Q=I & Z=T Last week’s answer: IF A POLAR BEAR WEIGHS ENOUGH TO BREAK THE ICE THEN A RHINO’S WEIGHT MUST BE MORE THAN ENOUGH TO BREAK THE PICK-UP LINE! �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 A&E 2010 Grammys focuses on performances BY KAYLA MATTIOLI Correspondant The Grammy Awards aired Sunday, January 31, on CBS. Admittedly, I have not watched the Grammys in a few years, but I feel like they used to spend more time giving out awards and less time watching the nominees perform duets with other artists. Nevertheless, I’ve seen nearly every award show for acting in the last seven years and they are not nearly as entertaining as the Grammys. The show lasted about three and a half hours and began with a performance by Lady Gaga and her male equivalent, Sir Elton John. Together they sang “Speechless” and “Your Song” while playing a pair of connected pianos. Both wore bedazzled glasses and had ash smeared on their faces. The pair received a standing ovation from the crowd even though it was probably the most tame/dull Gaga performance to date. Beyonce, who won six awards that night, including Song of the Year for “Single Ladies,” sang a rendition of “If I Were a Boy” before paying tribute to Alanis Morrisette (for some reason unknown) by switching to “You Oughta Know.” Pink sang “Glitter in the Air” while doing the acrobatic routine we already saw her do at MTV’s Video Music Awards last September. It was both exciting and impressive the first time. The second time around, though still impressive, was much less thrilling. Rihanna, Jay-Z, and Kanye West won the award for Best Rap/Song Collaboration for “Run This Town.” Kanye was conspicuously absent from the award ceremony even though he was scheduled to perform with Drake, Eminem, and Lil Wayne and he was featured on four other songs that were nominated for awards. Hmm… Taylor Swift performed with Stevie Nicks, and won Album of the Year as well as Best Country Album. She was permitted to complete her acceptance speech, which I’m no longer sure is a good idea. I like Taylor’s music as much as the next girl but…when she talks, do you feel like she might be a little off? Green Day, winners of the Rock Album category for “21st Century Breakdown,” performed “21 Guns” with the cast of the upcoming musical “American Idiot” which features the band’s songs. I would like to give Kudos to these guys for still being relevant enough to win awards. What's Happening Around Wilkes BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Staff Writer Tuesday, February 9, 2010 -Women’s Book Club: Hinda Feet on High Place @ Barnes and Noble – 1112:30 a.m. -Sexual Jeopardy @ Henry Student Center Ballroom – 9-10:15 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2010 -Campus Meditation @ Kirby Hall Salon, 1st floor – 4:45-5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 11, 2010 -Strike Anywhere, Blacklisted, Title Fight & This Time Next Year @ Café Metro – 8 p.m. - $12 -MIZ & Skursky Duo @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 8 p.m. -Special Program: The Sign Connection @ Barnes and Noble – 12-12:30 p.m. -The Manuscript Poetry Readings @ 1st floor lounge of Henry Student Center – 11 a.m. Friday, February 12, 2010 -NEPA Philharmonic @ FM Kirby Center – 8 p.m. - $20.50+ -Poppa Chubby @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 9 p.m. - $10 -Friday Night Live Music @ Barnes and Noble – 6:30-8:30 p.m. -Vagina Monologues @ 7 p.m., Henry Student Center Ballroom, free for Wilkes students Saturday, February, 13, 2010 -Cabinet @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 10 p.m. -Vagina Monologues @ 7 p.m., Henry Student Center Ballroom, free for Wilkes students Monday, February 15, 2010 -Gabriel the Marine @ Café Metro – 7 p.m. - $7 15 FLYLEAF Contined from PAGE 13 rya on guitar, Pat Seals on bass, and James Other performances included the Black Culpepper on the drums. Eyed Peas, DaveCon Matthews Band, and A young son and his mother were in a number of other people whose music I’ve front of me in line. I asked them what they never heard in my life. thought of Flyleaf, and what was the appeal After winning the award for Comedy Al- for them. Before the son, Mark, 13, could bum, Stephen Colbert came out on stage answer me, she pulled him aside jokingly and did a short opening speech that I’m and said, “Please! Don’t tell her it’s because assuming was supposed to be funny. Ulti- she’s hot!” mately, he bombed and the whole thing was “She’s an amazing singer, and the music awkward. He also took some time to plug and her voice complement each other so the new Apple iPad and ask his daughter if well,” said Mark. winning a Grammy finally made him cool. I was able to get an autograph, but was a She let him know that it did not. It is even bit embarrassed since I didn’t have any of more uncool to not be funny after winning their material to sign. Afraid I’d insult them, an award for your comedy album. I looked down at my “Professional ReportPerhaps the most disappointing part of the er’s Notebook” and cringed. Thankfully, night was Lionel Richie’s tribute to Michael I managed to find a photograph of them. Jackson. After suffering though it, I’ve de- Needless to say, the band was super nice cided that people need to stop making Mi- and didn’t mind one bit. Mosley even shook chael Jackson tributes. I respect Michael’s my hand and formally introduced herself. musical talent and have dedicated many Seals was also very nice, and I was mesmerhours to learning how to moon walk, so this ized with the many necklaces that dangled is not because I dislike him. It’s because no from his neck. Bhattacharya, Hartmann, tribute will ever top Janet Jackson’s at the and Culpepper were very friendly with their VMAs when dancers dressed in Michael- polite smiles, but seemed to be more on the like costumes performed his signature shy side and didn’t say too much to the fans. moves before allowing Janet to take the Mosley sported a cute white dress, Bhatstage. She performed “Scream” with Mi- tacharya in a maroon sweater, and the rest chael, via a large video screen behind her. of the band members dressed in all black. In contrast, Lionel, who was good friends I was not able to make the scheduled with the King of Pop and even appointed twelve song performance in the store. The him Godfather to daughter Nicole, showed performance and signing helped promote some nonsense video of a little girl outdoors their performance with Three Days Grace enjoying nature (which you could have and Chevelle at Mohegan Sun that took watched in 3D if you had the glasses). This place Saturday night at 8 p.m. was accompanied by Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and CONTACT BRIE FRIEDMAN AT: Smokey Robinson (all good friends of the brie.friedman@wilkes.edu Jackson family, I’m sure) singing Michael’s “Earth Song.” The tribute was supposed to reinforce his message that we need to save the planet. OK, but this is CHEAPBOOKS.COM the Grammys, where we pay tribute to musicians because of their music. There was also a cameo TEXTBOOKS by his two oldest children, Prince BOUGHT ANDS Michael and Paris. Prince acNEWAND cepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on his father’s behalf. Overall, the show went smoothly with zero crazy stunts, which was almost disappointing. If you would like to see a full list of the winners, considering they only gave out about five awards on the telecast, visit www.grammy.com. BUY, SELL, RENT CONTACT KAYLA MATTIOLI AT: kayla.mattioli@wilkes.edu 260.399.6111 SEE SITE FOR OTHER SUPPORT LINES �TWO PASS CENTURY MARK Coach Jon Laudenslager, senior Frank Heffernan in elite company. PAGE 20 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Wikes falls to Ithaca for second time Valiants vandalized Mantua, Marich, Heffernan pick up wins for Colonels taking a 3-0 lead early after freshman Scott Mantua continued his sensational freshman campaign, taking down the country’s fourth ranked 125-pounder Jon Gregory. The win bumped Mantua’s record to 29-10 on the season, avenging a 12-3 loss earlier in the second, Marich would hold on, picking up a much needed 5-2 win to get the Colonels to within 10, 16-6. It was a battle of top fifteen teams Friday At 174, No. 12 Frank Heffernan continnight in the Marts Gymnasium as the Wilued his fantastic senior season, shutting out kes University wrestling team, ranked No. 5 Ithaca’s John Beach 12-0, bringing the Colnationally, hosted the onels within six. No. 4 ranked division The Bombers three team in the nawould get some tion, the Bombers of breathing room after Ithaca College. Josue Mendez pulled The matchup would out an 11-6 victory be the eighth time this over Jesse Villella at season the Colonels the 184-pound class, faced a nationally extending the lead to ranked team, and the nine. second time this year The 197-pound that they have squared clash turned into a off on the mat with bloody battle. After the Bombers. The last three blood timetime these two teams outs, Ithaca’s David met, Ithaca wreaked Spriscia pulled out a havoc on the Colonels, 5-2 victory over 7th winning the first seven ranked Zach Pizarro, matches en route to giving the Bombers a 29-9 victory in the a 22-10 advantage. semi-final round of the Ithaca’s Joe Goetz Budd Whitehill Duals took care of Justin in January. The Beacon/Allison Roth Franiak in the 285“Our schedule is Freshman 285-pounder Justin Franiak takes down Ithaca’s Joe Goetz in the final match versus the No. 4 pound match, securtough, but it needs to Bombers. Franiak would drop the match 10-2, as the Colonels fell to Ithaca for the second time on the sea- ing their second win be,” said head coach son, 26-10. With the loss, the Colonels’ record dropped to 21-7. They take on No. 29 Elizabethtown Thursday. this season over the Jon Laudenslager. “If Colonels, 26-10. you’re going to make it to the national tour- season to Gregory. “They did the little things much, much nament, you need to be battle tested and I “I was pretty excited,” said Mantua. “I lost better,” said Head Coach Jon Laudenslager. know our guys are that. They’ve wrestled a close match last week, but it feels good to “Can we compete; can we clean up those eight nationally ranked teams, two division bounce back with this one. I wrestled a lot things? Yes. We’ve been preaching those two teams, and a lot of other good teams, of close matches with things all year long, it’s either we’re going and we still have two more coming up. Our good kids, but its good to do it or not. We’re going to make that schedule is tough, and it’s that way for a to beat one of them next step to beat a number four team in the reason.” to prove myself out country or we’re going to stay in the middle The Colonels would be even more battle here.” of the pack at 15th.” With the loss, the Colonels drop to 21-7. tested after this heavyweight tilt. But the Bombers The Bombers came into the matchup with would respond, win- Their next matchup comes Thursday evefive wrestlers ranked among the top ten in ning the next four ning when they battle Elizabethtown, who the country in their respective weight classmatches to take a com- is ranked 29th in the country. es, including the number one ranked wresmanding 16-3 lead. MANTUA tler at the 149-pound weight class, Blaine The match of the CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT Woszczak. Wilkes sports two members night belonged to the anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu ranked in the top ten with Zach Pizarro at bout at the 165-pound class. With the battle No. 7 in the 197-pound weight class and locked up at 0-0 late in the second period, Frank Heffernan No. 12 at 174. Sophomore Ben Marich took the lead with The highly anticipated match did not dis- a take down of Ithaca’s John Dale. With the appoint. The Colonels jumped on top quick; crowd noise increasing with every waning BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Colonels rally from 15 down for victory BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor The Colonels defeated Manhattanville on February 6, by a score of 81-78, improving their record to 13-8 overall. Early in the game Manhattanville took center stage hitting baskets and taking an 11-7 lead six minutes into the game. The two teams would continue to battle it out on the hardwood; however, after a deep three by Manhattanville’s Jeff Ventura the Valiants went up by eight, causing Wilkes to call timeout in order to compose themselves. Despite the Colonels effort to slow the pace of the game, the Valiants continued their run, scoring from the outside and improving their lead by 16 with seven minutes left in the half. After two free throws by Tom Kresge and a jumper by freshman Tyler Breznitski, the Colonels managed to close the gap by eleven; however the Valiants were able to come back, ending the half with 41-29 lead. In the second half the Valiants continued their streak, hitting back to back three pointers and scoring an easy layup to extend their lead to 15 with 14 minutes to play. Just when it looked like Wilkes was out of the game, the Colonels were able to generate a little momentum of their own. With 12:30 left in the game, Manhattanville committed its seventh foul and allowed the Colonels to score a couple of free points. After a combination of baskets between Kresge and Anthony Gabriel, the Colonels went on a 12-0 point run, chipping away at their deficit. Kresge was able to tie up the score at 57 for the first time in the second half with a clutch three pointer. Free throws were the key in the Colonels’ win with both Anthony Gabriel and Tom Kresge earning a total of 27 points from the charity line on the night. Gabriel went 1415, and Kresge 13-16. As a team, Wilkes went 37-47 from the line. After a tight race in the second half, the two teams ended regulation tied at 72 apiece. The overtime period featured sloppy play SEE BASKETBALL, Page 19 �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 SPORTS 17 Athlete Spotlight: Chris DeRojas, sharpshooter BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent The phrase “he’s on fire” from the classic video game “NBA Jam” crossed minds as Chris DeRojas scored 30 points, leading the Wilkes Men’s Basketball team to a victory over Lebanon Valley. His hot hand from everywhere on the court has earned DeRojas this week’s Athlete Spotlight. The Dutchmen couldn’t find a way to put out the fire, allowing DeRojas to go perfect at the line (2-2), 6-8 from three-point land, and 11-15 from the field. “I got hot and my teammates found me and got me the ball where I can score,” DeRojas commented on his performance. “It felt good. I got hot, but most importantly we got the W.” Coming off his second game of the season scoring 30 or more points, DeRojas received nothing but praise from head coach Jerry Rickrode. “[DeRojas] was very aggressive with the ball and punctured into the lane from north to south,” said Rickrode. “He also seemed to get into that comfort zone and his confi- “I let the game come to me and tried to get my teammates involved,” said DeRojas. When asked what he could attribute his impressive play this season to, DeRojas credited his offseason work ethic, as well as his training throughout the season. “The off-season is my time to get better and to get stronger,” said DeRojas. “I work hard. I do a lot of drills, shooting, playing in some leagues, conditioning, and lifting. During the season I like to make sure I get shots up before or after practice.” Rickrode also acknowledged DeRojas’s work ethic. “He works as hard as anybody in the offseason. He has a true love for the game. He’s a very respectful young man. He’s fun The Beacon/Gino Troiani to have around.” Chris DeRojas has been on fire the past few games for the Colonels. In a win versus Lebanon Valley, DeRojas Although DeRojas’s play has earned him was 11-15 from the field, netting 30 points. the Athlete Spotlight, he aspires to earning a he becomes a big distraction to the oppos- MAC Title and an NCAA playoff birth. dence level was very high.” Rickrode talked about how DeRojas’ play ing team.” DeRojas admits that fighting off the urge CONTACT JUSTIN JONES AT affected the team as a whole. “When he gets like that, we are very hard to take every shot himself because he felt justin.jones@wilkes.edu to stop,” said Rickrode. “The team feeds like all of his shots would go in. But he off of those stretches, and it opens up scor- didn’t let the urge get the better of him and ing possibilities for everyone else, because remained a team player by being patient. • w__ .,,. I THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Olt VICE VERSA Get 10% off with valid student ID OR VICE VERSA Get 10% off with student ID .J l Foll Menu Served All Dag 99....... ~ ~ ¢ _____ ___ __ __ ~=--=~ ---·----= l ~ BREAKFAST BURRITO ... _ ..... REGULAR "'""_ . ., "' ..... ' Full Menu Served All Dag f·; ._•rlc•• . Orlve•ln § ; �18 SPORTS THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/3 @ Misericordia 71-77 L 2/6 vs. Manhattanville 81-78 W WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2/3 @ Misericordia 46-67 L 2/6 vs. Manhattanville 47-79 L Who will take the “Battle of Tobacco Road”? The Dean Dome will house a dominant ‘Heels performance WRESTLING 2/5 vs. Ithaca 10-26 L WBS PENGUINS 2/3 vs. Adirondack 5-4 W (Shootout) 2/5 vs. Syracuse 1-4 L PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2/6 @ Canadiens 3-5 L 2/7 @ Capitals PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 2/3 @ Oilers 0-1 L 2/6 @ Wild 1-2 L WEEK AHEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/10 @ Eastern 8pm 2/13 @ Delaware Valley 3pm WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2/10 @ Eastern 6pm 2/13 @ Delaware Valley 1pm For me, the Duke-UNC matchup is like waking up and having a large glass of Tropicana Lots of Pulp Orange Juice in the morning--I cannot go on with my day without it. No matter the records coming in, it still is Duke-North Carolina. It still has meaning and bragging rights are still on the line between the two schools. Before I go on, we have to step back for a second and appreciate the beauty of this rivalry. The two schools rank No. 2 and No. 4 all-time in wins in college basketball history. They have combined to win 12 out of the last 13 ACC Tournaments, and have won outright or shared 23 of the past 28 Regular Season ACC titles. Duke has won three NCAA championships and has been in fourteen Final Fours, while North Carolina has won five NCAA championships and has appeared in eighteen Final Fours. Much to Mr. Kautz’s dismay, it doesn’t really matter if Duke has got three studs and 2/9 @ Elizabethtown 7pm 2/12 vs. Kings 7pm WRESTLING WBS PENGUINS 2/10 @ Norfolk 7:15pm 2/12 vs. Binhamton 7:05pm 2/13 vs. Hershey 7:05pm 2/14 @ Adirondack 3pm twil:I: r, @Beaconsnorts For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports it from the outside, sure, but they are not nearly athletic enough to hang with the Tar Heels. I understand that they haven’t put it all together yet, especially defensively, but this North Carolina team is far more athletic than the Blue Devils. Singler will not know how to handle the long, talented Ed Davis down low, while Scheyer will not get the open looks he needs. Last, Roy Williams. Since taking over at North Carolina, the Carolina alum has simply gotten the best of Coach K. He is 7-5 against Duke since his reign in Carolina blue started in 2004, and has won the last three matchups over the hated Blue Devils. I feel bad for Mr. Kautz and all of his loyal Duke fans. This is the one year that Duke may have the advantage and may truly have a chance to get the best of the Tar Heels. With all the talent Carolina will be returning next year, along with both the nation’s number one player and number one recruiting class, this may be the last time the Blue Devils ever have the advantage. To quote the Albanian kidnapper from Taken: “Good Luck.” Final Score: UNC 77, Duke 68 Duke’s experience, personnel matchups will carry them WRESTLING 2/9 @ Elizabethtown 7pm 2/12 vs. Kings 7pm the better defensive numbers. If this rivalry has shown anything it’s that when these two teams meet, all numbers are thrown out the window. Despite their recent slide out of the top 25, here are a few reasons why UNC will win the first of two regular season matchups. First, the Dean Dome. To make things absolutely clear, the Tar Heels do not lose at home. In the 23 years they have played ball in the arena they have lost just 51 times. Although the fans that pack the Dean Dome have been referred to as a “wine and cheese crowd,” the arena is one of the loudest venues in college basketball. And with the boys from Durham rolling in, it will be at its loudest. The crowd will be the sole reason for some turnovers and some missed shots in transition, as well as some huge momentum swings in UNC’s favor. With Duke coming in ranked inside the top ten, the ‘Heels would want nothing more than to upend the Dukies and destroy their season. Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer. Wait, what? No, that is not a misprint, and that is not supposed to be the advantage written about by the kid below me. These two can stroke While I’ll allow Mr. Dorunda his precious optimism, I have to admit that I can’t stop smiling over this matchup. I’ve been a fan of Duke basketball since a friend introduced me to the beauty of a J.J. Redick three-pointer back in high school, and nothing hurt more than last season’s 79-71 loss at Chapel Hill. That was Tyler Hansbrough’s last home game, and I wanted nothing more than an upset; despite being the inferior team playing in a hostile environment, Duke was up 39-38 at half and played well before ultimately losing. I watched the game in University Towers with several people and was crushed as the final buzzer sounded, This season, with the Tar Heels (13-9, 2-5) looking less like the defending national champions and more like a weak mid-major, is Duke’s (18-4, 62) chance for revenge. Go ahead Mr. Dorunda, call Duke un-ath- letic. I’ll take the knowledge and experience of Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler over the ups of any of Carolina’s diaper dandies. Between the two of them and Nolan Smith, Duke has one of the best cores in the ACC this season (the three combined are averaging just over 53 points per game). For all of its hype, the combination of Ed Davis and Deon Thompson has not been able to carry the Heels (especially with Tyler Zeller out with an injury). And while it’s true that the Blue Devils have had their share of difficulties on the road this season (N.C. State?), the Tar Heels have lost their last three home games to two unranked conference opponents and Georgia Tech, who Duke just spanked 86-67. Were this team a bit younger I would have my reservations about driving into the Dean Dome, but I’m not terribly phased. Duke is just better this season. Though they are averaging only slightly more points per game than the Heels (82.1 to 80.4), their defensive prowess (63 points allowed per game compared to 73) offers them an advantage that cannot be ignored. If they can slow the game down to where they can limit transition baskets and force the Heels into their half-court offense, the Duke bigs will have little trouble protecting the hoop. Davis and Thompson will get their points, but they will be heavily contested and forced to work hard for them. If Duke can play to their capabilities this game, it will be a walk. The Dean Dome will be rocking, and will undoubtedly play a role in helping to create turnovers, but if the Blue Devils can limit their mistakes and give a concerted effort, there’s little doubt in my mind that they will walk out with their first win in the last four matchups between the two teams. The Tar Heels just do not have enough this season to complete with their neighbors in Durham, and I, for one, am loving it. I am not foolish enough to expect Carolina to simply roll over in this game, especially in front of their home fans, but I like Duke in this matchup. Final Score: Duke 76, North Carolina 70 �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 SPORTS 100 WINS BASKETBALL Continued from page 20 Continued from page 16 matches at 174 pounds. He finished in seventh place and helped cement his status as an All-American, one of his proudest moments as a Wilkes wrestler. “Going to nationals and becoming an AllAmerican was a huge achievement for me personally,” said Heffernan. “It was the result of a lot of work and something I was proud of.” Now in his last year of college, Heffernan owns 102 career victories and is ranked fifth nationally in the d3wrestle.com and the National Wrestling Coaches Association Poll in the 174-pound division. He was aware of when he won his 100 against McDaniel, but said that there was little time for celebration because of the fact that he had two more matches to look forward to that day. With the season now drawing to a close, his focus is on helping Wilkes repeat as Metro Conference Champions. He also wants to place higher at nationals this year, something he has been looking forward to. “I probably couldn’t share 100 wins better with any kid [than Heffernan],” said Laudenslager. “He’s one of the reasons I have 100. Kids like him who are dedicated to the team, know how hard you have to work to have success; they just make coaching that much easier. He’s a true leader. He understands what it takes to be a champion. He’s good all around; he’s a good student who works hard off of the mat for everything he gets.” “We’re very close,” said Heffernan, of his relationship with Laudenslager. “We’re always in contact throughout the year, and I always feel like I can ask or share anything with him.” The two will count on that close relationship helping them as they approach the Metropolitan Conference Championship, which is on February 21, and the National Championships, which are on March 5. With any luck, the two will be able to add a few more wins, and hopefully, championships, to their resumes. CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu 19 from both teams, but the erratic play would end up haunting the Valiants. With 12 seconds left in the game the Valiants fouled Junior Chris DeRojas, sending him to the line for the second time on the night. DeRojas was able to hit both shots and solidify the Colonel win with a final score of 81-78. With the win, Wilkes moves to 13-8 overall and 3-6 in conference GABRIEL pay. The Colonels will continue their playoff push as they take on Eastern on Wednesday, Febuary 10. CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT gino.troiani@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Colonels attempted to regroup during a timeout against the Valiants. They would win the game by the score of 81-78. small frappl! Not valid with any other coupon offer. Valid on ly at participating McDonald's restau rants in Northeast Pennsylvania. Partic ipat ion based on independent operator decision. Not valid in conj unction w it h any othe r offer, d iscount, coupon or combo meal. Cash Value 1 /20 of I cenl Li m it one coupon per person, per visil Coupon may not be transferred, copied or dupli cated in any way or transm itted via e lectro nic media. Valid when p roduct served. May not be va lid for custom orders. m Limit one coupon per person, per visit. VALID: 219110 through 3115110 • i'm lovin' it' �THE BEACON SPORTS 20 FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Wilkes wrestling coach, senior reach 100 wins Jon Laudenslager, Frank Heffernan in rarified air By DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor Last month was a historic one for Wilkes wrestling, with both head coach Jonathan Laudenslager and senior wrestler Frank Heffernan winning their 100th matches. Heffernan celebrated his 100th win on January 9 at the North South Duals, after winning a major decision over Scott Forrester of McDaniel College, 13-2. He is only the fourth Wilkes University wrestler to reach the century mark; 2009 graduate Erik Smith most recently accomplished the feat last season, on February 19, 2009. Laudenslager’s win came after his team defeated visiting Plymouth State College 24-15 on January 30. He is only the second wrestling coach to win 100 matches at Wilkes, although it should be noted that his predecessor (and coach while a student at Wilkes), Alan Zellner, reached 97 by the end of his career. “I think they both have achieved such success here at Wilkes because of their commitment and the amount of heart they put into wrestling,” said Rich Pellegrini, a senior history major and member of the wrestling team. “They both try to push themselves and the team to achieve every goal that they set out to do.” Both men have participated in wrestling since they were in kindergarten, forming a deep appreciation for the sport that is obvious in their discussions of it. They both point to their love of competition as the main factor in their involvement with wrestling. “I’ve been [wrestling] my entire life; it’s second nature to me,” said Heffernan, an accounting major. “I like competing and being close with my teammates.” “I find [both wrestling and coaching] to be fulfilling,” said Laudenslager, who wrestled for the Colonels from 1994-98 and graduated with a degree in psychology. “I don’t think one is more important than the other to me […] You have to be competitive to succeed in both, and I think I’m a pretty competitive person.” Laudenslager became a volunteer assistant coach as a fifth year senior, helping mentor those who had previously been his teammates. He then went to North Carolina to be closer to his father, and found work as EXCLUSIVE Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won’t find in the print edition. BY THE NUMBERS 100 Wins that head coach Jon Laudenslager and senior Frank Heffernan have accumulated throughout their careers. Both recorded their 100th win in January. Laudenslager is the second winningest wrestling coach in university history. 416 The Beacon/Allison Roth Coach Laudenslager (far left, crouching) looks on as Heffernan scores a major decision, 12-0, against Joe Beach of Ithaca. The two broached the 100-win mark in January, something few in Wilkes University wrestling history have achieved. a high school coach. Midway through that ried, is great.” “[Laudenslager] doesn’t have to be [a] year, he was contacted by Zellner, who said that he wanted to leave coaching in a few loud, vocal coach because we respect him years and felt that Laudenslager would be and know how he demands to give everyan ideal replacement. He offered the recent thing your best,” said Pellegrini. “And that’s what we do.” graduate a job as assistant coach. The coach, who was unaware he had won “It was tough,” admitted Laudenslager. “I’d just met my wife, who at the time I 100 until being informed by Tom Dunwasn’t even married to yet, a month or two smuir, the equipment and facilities manager before that, so it was tough getting her to at Wilkes, said that the numbers mean little make the move up here after six months. It to him. “I’m not one to follow wins and losses too was a good move for me though. A year away from Wilkes helped me come back as much as long as kids are giving it their best more of a coach and less of a teammate, so effort.” One of the better decisions he has made in you could say that the time away definitely his tenure was recruiting Heffernan, a stuhelped.” The transition from player to coach was dent who has certainly given his best effort certainly different for him, but his lifelong while with the team. Breaking out in his sophomore year, Hefinvolvement with the sport and experience fernan placed second in the Metropolitan as a volunteer assistant helped. “I don’t know which one is easier, to be Championship and qualified for an at-large honest with you,” said Laudenslager. “Ob- bid to the NCAA National Championships viously as a wrestler you have to put a tre- at the 165 pound level. Though he lost his mendous amount of physical effort into two matches there, admittedly feeling nerthings. Coaching is stressful in other ways; vous, the experience helped him mature as you’re worrying about ten guys, not just a competitor. He reached nationals again yourself. From the coaching side, watching as a junior, where he won two of his three kids grow over four years is very fulfilling SEE 100 WINS, Page 19 and watching them get great jobs, get mar- for more information check out. .. I lwilkesbeacon. com GO! Number of wins Laudenslager needs to surpass John Reese as the winningest wrestling coach in Wilkes University history. Reese compiled a 515-171-10 record between 1953-94. 25-7 Heffernan’s record on the season, good for a .781% win percentage. He will have the opportunity to win two additional matches as Wilkes wrestles Elizabethtown and King’s before the start of the Metropolitan Conference Championships. 11 Days until the Colonels try to repeat as Metropolitan Conference Champions. The championship is on February 21, in Ewing, NJ. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2010 February 9th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 February 9 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/1054f92d411fe3e71f4389b34fb12109.pdf b02b726cafa6a66d54dc27445c5145ac PDF Text Text FLY LIKE AN EAGLE LIFE | PAGE 10 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Tuesday, February 2, 2010 Volume 62 Issue 11 Earthquake in Haiti: effects reach Wilkes University BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor The Beacon/Tom Reilly Students utilize the personal and group study areas in the newly renovated library basement. Alden Learning Commons: renovations nearly complete BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor After three months of construction, The Alden Learning Commons in the basement of the Eugene S. Farley Library is approximately 98 percent complete according to Paul Kaspriskie, manager of capital projects. Minor electrical wiring and reshelving the bound periodicals is all the work that remains in the newly renovated space. Overall, the project cost about $400,000 with $100,000 of the amount going toward technology and furniture. The demolition of the basement began on October 15, 2009 and was 98 percent complete on the first day of classes of the spring 2010 semester. The renovations include four new high-tech group study rooms, which each housing 42-inch flat screen televisions and a white board. One of these study rooms has a video recording device that students can use to record what they covered in their group meetings. This device was donated to the Alden Learning Commons by Student Government. There are also group-study/ lounge areas divided by halfwalls, which make the area almost cubicle-like. These areas are complete with large couches and a Mac computer. A portable white-board is also a resource for students who are working on a group project. John Stachacz, the Dean of the Farley Library, said that the new half-walls give the area a sense of place. “Before the renovations, there was no sense of place. Now, we SEE ALDEN, Page 4 From a televised benefit that raised over $57 million for relief efforts, to the personal stories and fundraising efforts at Wilkes University, the effects of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the small island nation of Haiti have been felt around the globe. Frantzddyn Pamphile, a Wilkes junior psychology student from Brooklyn, is of Haitian decent and said she still had family living in the area destroyed by the violent earthquake. “I was surprised, because it happened to little Haiti. Nobody ever expected it to happen of there,” said Pamphile. Pamphile remembers Haiti from a trip she made when she was younger. “I remember the parts of Haiti The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Student Government (SG) hosted a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, January 20. Speakers at the ceremony included Nicholas Koch, SG president, Megan Boone, community service coordinator, as well as others. that they don’t show of Haiti,” she said. “There’s a place in Haiti where the whole entire block is SEE HAITI, Page 5 Wilkes hires associate director of Global Center of Education and Diversity Dr. Tristana Harvey brings experience and new perspectives to Wilkes BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Wilkes University hired Dr. Tristana Harvey as associate director of Global Education and Diversity after the position was vacant for about one year. Previously, Brandon Ice held the position, but left in December of 2008. Dr. Godlove Fonjweng, director of Global Education and Diversity, believes that Harvey has experience and new perspectives, which she can bring to Wilkes University’s diversity program. “She seems to have the type of personality that students will like,” said Fonjweng. “She has the right credentials and excellent references.” Harvey, originally from Chicago, Il., earned her doctoral degree Opinion Pages 6-8 Life Pages 9-12 Arts & Entertainment Pages 13-15 Diversity a two-way street Wilkes prof studies abroad Guitar Hero record attempt Wilkes makes effort to create a diverse and cultured community, but students must meet administration PAGE 6 halfway. Dr. Zanolini Morrison travels to her husband’s home country of Malaysia to continue research of women in PAGE 9 higher education. Sophomore mechanical engineering major Aaron Nikles is trying to play his way into the Guinness Book of World Records. PAGE 13 from Penn State University, where she was later employed. Formerly, Harvey spent most of her professional career at Penn State University where she worked as a multicultural counselor. “In that role, I assisted students with any academic, personal or career issues that may impact their academic success,” said Harvey. Harvey helped undergraduate and graduate students learn about SEE HIRE, Page 3 Sports Pages 16-20 Tilley snags coaching gig Senior Business major and former field hockey captain Amanda Tilley has accepted an Assistant coaching job at DeSales University. PAGE 16 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member �SUSQUEHANNA RISES PAGE 4 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Beacon Briefs >>»>»>>>>>>»>>»>>>>>>»>>»>>>>>>»>>»>>>>>>»>>»>>>>>>»>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>>>»>>~ BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor SORDONI ART GALLERY EXHIBIT – The Sordoni Art Gallery opened the Brian Wood art exhibit on January 18. Wood has shown his work in New York City and internationally. The exhibit contains paintings, drawings, prints and photographs and will be on display until March 14. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. and admission is free. CAMPUS COMMUNITY WEIGHT WATCHERS PROGRAM – As part of the Employee Wellness Initiative, the Health Services Center is beginning a Weight Watchers program for students, faculty and staff. There are weekly meetings, which cost $10, consisting of a weigh-in and a 30 minute meeting. Wilkes community members interested in joining the program should call Anita at 408-4730 to register. In addition, let Anita know what time of the day works best for you. WILKES PHONATHON: EARN CASH – The Wilkes University Phonathon asks Wilkes alumni for their participation in this year’s annual Wilkes Fund. The Phonathon runs from Sunday through Thursday beginning February 1 until the beginning of May. Students will be calling alumni to try to raise money for the Wilkes Fund. Students earn $10 per hour and being a student-caller is a flexible position. Interested students should contact Amy Hetro at 4084302 or amy.hetro@wilkes.edu. RELAY FOR LIFE – This year, Relay for Life will be held on Saturday, April 24. Students who are interested in forming a Relay for Life team should contact Bethany Sharpless at Bethany.sharpless@wilkes. edu. SEXUAL JEOPARDY – Health Services and the BACCHUS club will be hosting “Sexual Jeopardy” on February 9 at 9:00 p.m. until 10:15 p.m. The program will be held in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. Health Services and BACCHUS are looking for four teams of four people each to participate in a question and answer game. The winning team will receive prizes. The program will provide answers to questions about sexual health and issues. Contact Health Services at 408-4730 to participate on a team. CAMPUS MEDITATION – Weekly campus meditation will take place on Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. in the Kirby Hall Salon. Contact Linda Paul at linda.paul@wilkes.edu or Mischelle Anthony at mischelle.anthony@wilkes.edu. COLONELS RUN FOR KIDS – The second annual Colonels Run for Kids will be held on Saturday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre This five kilometer race will benefit Wilkes-Cross Country and Valley Santa. Pre-registration is $10 and to registration on race day is $12. For more information, go to www.neparunner.com. clude lunch. Interested faculty and staff should contact Michele Grushinski at Michele.grushinski@wilkes.edu to R.S.V.P. by February 12. questions, contact Alberto Prado at alberto. prado@wilkes.edu. DEAN’S LIST: FALL 2009 – Wilkes University has announced the Dean’s List for the Fall 2009 semester. In order to be named on the Dean’s List, students must carry at least 12 credits and obtain a GPA of 3.4 or higher. To access the Dean’s List, go to www.wilkes.edu. ACADEMIC SUCCESS WORKSHOP SERIES – University College will be presenting a series of weekly workshops to help students manage college life. Workshops will be held at 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. in Conyngham Hall, Room 109 every Tuesday through February. There will be a workshop on February 2, which focuses on task management. PEER TUTORING – Peer tutoring is now available, free of charge. Make an appointment at: http://tutortrac.wilkes.edu. All tutoring will be held in Conyngham Hall in Room 113. For more information or Win an award? Hear about an important event? If you think it’s newsworthy, send it in! Email jacqueline.lukas@ wilkes.edu or cathryn.frear@wilkes. edu with your tip. Sestak visits Wilkes 2009 TAX TUITION FORMS – The Student 2009 Tax Tuition forms are available on the Wilkes Portal. Log on to the portal for more information about accessing your form. EAP PROGRAM – Wilkes University provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to faculty and staff. A representative from EAP will be on campus on February 23 at 12:00 p.m. The presentation will be held in the Henry Student Center Ballroom and will provide information on how to access services on health, family, financial and legal issues. The presentation will in- ~BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 E-MAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas Representative Joe Sestak (D-PA) spoke with Dr. Thomas Baldino’s legistative behavior class Thursday January 28. Students in the class could take this opportunity to ask him questions about where he stands on different political issues that they may have concerns about. Also during his campus visit, Sestak spoke with The Beacon’s editorial board. He discussed how his role as senator would differ from his current representative position as well as where he stands on healthcare and the price of tuition. Sestak is currently campaigning in a run for the Senate’s democratic primary against incumbent senator Arlen Specter (D-PA). According to a Franklin & Marshall College Poll, Sestak lags 30-13. Meet the Staff Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Managing Editor: Gino Troiani Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Design Editor: Michael Cignoli Life Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss A&E Editor: Brie Friedman Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Adviser: Lindsey Wotanis Ruth Whispell Assistant Life Editor �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 NEWS 3 Student Government Notes - January 27, 2010 BY MOLLY KURLANDSKI Correspondent Treasurer’s Report: All college: $29,700.00 Conferences: $16,260.00 General Funds: $14, 060.00 Leadership: $5,235.00 Special Projects : $2,750.00 Spirit: $2,000.00 Start-up: $2,100.00 New Business: Relay for Heat Donation Request (Week 1 of 1): The Wilkes University Running Club requested $1,200 to organize a Relay in which all proceeds will go to the Martin Luther King Fuel Fund, administered by the Commission for Economic Opportunity (CEO). $500 was allocated to the Running Club for this request. Student Governement voted 26-10-3. Spirit Club Shirt Allocation (Week 1 of 1): On February 20 at 3 p.m., during Winter Weekend activities, the Spirit Club will be giving away free Wilkes T-shirts during the Wilkes and Kings game. Student Government allocated $1,850 to give away Tshirts. The vote was 33-0-3. Old Business: The Library and SUB construction is winding down, with 98 percent of the library complete. All computers are up and running. Use the library website to make suggestions and comments. Events: Winter Weekend 2/19 – 2/20: Themes are still being considered. Committees: Campus Support: Elevator construction continues in the Towers. Class Reports: Megan Dickenson, junior class president, is organizing a trivia social on February 10 at 9 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Closing Comments: Vagina Monologues will be held on February 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. in the Ballroom. *At 6:45 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of the HSC. CONTACT MOLLY KURLANDSKI AT: molly.kurlandski@wilkes.edu for more information check out ... w_il_k_e_s_b_e_a_c_o_n_._co_m_ _ _lE:lJ _I HIRE Continued from FRONT PAGE the university’s policies and procedures, the campus and the opportunities that were available. Before coming to Wilkes University, she taught at Bloomsburg University, but decided teaching wasn’t her strongest asset. “That experience wasn’t quite what I thought it would be,” said Harvey. “So I decided administration is probably a bit more where I needed to be.” Harvey accepted her current position at Wilkes University in late December and started working on January 18. Wilkes University is smaller than the other two schools at which Harvey has been employed, but she doesn’t see that as a negative aspect. “It’s a much smaller school, so the ability to [reach out to] students much more directly is amplified, significantly,” said Harvey. “For me, it’s going to be fun.” Presently, Harvey is assessing reports and getting to know the Wilkes community to see how the diversity programs on campus can be enhanced. “I’ve had the opportunity to read over a number of reports that the University has put together on diversity and [the University’s] prior efforts,” said Harvey. She wants to bring the University’s diversity goals to life in the near future by looking at what has been done in the past and what is being done now. Harvey is in the process of establishing contacts with different departments within the University community like Student Affairs, University College and Alumni Relations. In cooperation with Marketing Communications, one of Harvey’s goals is to improve the Global Center for Education and Diversity’s webpage. She would like to get rid of information that is no longer pertinent. “There are generalizations there,” said Harvey. “There are pieces there that tell you about past programs that have been done.” She would not only like to see more current information about the Global Center itself, but also more about upcoming events that the Center will host or co-host. Harvey will also be working closely with the Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC) and is looking to facilitate programs throughout the university in cooperation with MSC. Tracy Garcia, president of MSC, was excited for Harvey’s arrival at Wilkes. “I am looking forward to seeing some new ideas and programming that Dr. Harvey may have to offer,” said Garcia. “My main goal is that we would be able to create awareness of diversity and also to educate more people on the Wilkes campus about diversity.” Fonjweng said Harvey has been well-received by students, faculty and staff and is excited about her joining the Wilkes community. Fonjweng also sees that Harvey will help infuse global and cultural ideas into the University community. “I think the most exciting thing about my job will be seeing ideas come to life and actually having the students take part in it,” said Harvey. The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas On Tuesday, January 26, the Global Center for Education and Diversity held a meet and greet for Dr. Tristana Harvey, who is the new associate director for the center. Students from the Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC) were there to speak with Harvey about her plans for diversity within the Wilkes community. Harvey, left, is speaking with a student, right, about her hopes for MSC. In her spare time, Harvey likes to exercise and is still exploring the ski areas available in Northeastern Pennsylvania. But most of all, she enjoys international travel and has been to many places in Europe, including Milan, Italy; Dublin, Ireland; and Paris, France. CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu Dr. Harvey’s office is located on the second floor of the Global Center for Education and Diversity. She welcomes all students to stop by her office and speak with her. For students interested in obtaining more information or joining MSC, contact Tracy Garcia, president, at: tracy.garcia@wilkes.edu �4 THE BEACON NEWS ALDEN Continued from FRONT PAGE can inhibit noise [with the walls] while students are working,” said Stachacz. In addition to these work spaces, there are also smaller, more intimate work spaces for groups of two or three. These also have the same large computers, but a bigger desk and chairs as opposed to the other area with couches. “We wanted to accommodate multiple learning styles,” said Stachacz. The classroom, toward the back of the Alden Learning Commons, was updated as well. “The old classroom could accommodate about 45 to 50 students,” said Kaspriskie. “Now, it can hold about 60 to 65 students with enhanced lighting.” Stachacz and Tom Messinger, executive director of campus support services, agreed that the classroom renovation was a 180 degree change. Kaspriskie also pointed out that there have been renovations to the men’s and women’s bathrooms and the addition of a handicapped bathroom approved by the American Disability Association (ADA). The renovated bathrooms and new ADAapproved bathroom are energy efficient with energy-saving fountains, automatic hand towel dispensers and motion-sensor lighting. In addition, the Writing Center has made its move from Breiseth Hall to the Alden Learning Commons. Though the Writing Center’s new home is a slightly smaller space, Dr. Chad Stanley, director of the Writing Center and English professor, is very pleased with the relocation. “It’s a move that benefits both the Writing Center and the library and certainly the students and faculty at Wilkes,” said Stanley. “It makes sense to have the library be the location for the Writing Center.” Stanley said now that the move is complete, he would like to see the Writing Center extend their hours. Currently, they are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. “We could experiment with adding some hours into the evening; we could even experiment with some weekend hours,” said Stanley. Currently, the Writing Center’s staff has about 30 students, with room to expand. Kristen Pechulis, junior English major and employee of the Writing Center, is unsure about some of the logistics of the move. “I think the new space is really nice but I am unhappy because the size is really inadequate for the number of consultations that can occur in any given day,” said Pechulis. Pechulis is worried that students might not be able to get the help they need due to an insufficient amount of space, but hopes that the Writing Center will still be a valuable resource on campus. Kaspriskie said that the planning for this new space was a collaborative effort. “John [Stachacz] sat down with architects and students to find out what was lacking in the basement,” said Kaspriskie. To Stachacz and Library staff, the renovations in the basement seem to appeal to the majority of the students who have visited FEBRUARY 2, 2010 The Beacon/Tom Reilly In addition to group study rooms, there are also group study areas with couches, pictured above. Dean John Stachacz’s main goal was to accomodate multiple learning styles and add many group study areas. Here, students can work with a larger group and a large computer screen. the basement since it has re-opened. “It’s always packed down here,” said Stachacz. “[The Alden Learning Commons] is a very high-profile area,” agreed Stanley. Stachacz also said that the renovations will be a great way to attract prospective students to Wilkes University. “No ifs, ands or buts about it, [the Alden Learning Commons] will be a great recruitment tool, as well as a retention tool for current students,” said Stachacz. Messinger said that the timeline for renovating the remaining three floors of the Farley library is still unknown. The budget must be approved before any demolition, construction or renovation can begin. “For the first floor [of the library], we plan on re-thinking the entrance to have better access,” said Messinger. “[We plan on making] cosmetic changes, like carpeting and furniture.” CONTACT JACQUELINE LUKAS AT: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu Susquehanna at flood stage Two winners will each receive a... 'Iwo a... Wilkes Hooded Sweatshirt Sponsored By: BARNES&NOBLE Located on S. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor’s sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon offi ce in Conyngham Hall or at the desk office in the Student Union by Monday, November 30, by noon .** noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's week’s issue. The Beacon/Andrew Seaman Due to heavy rainfall on Wednesday, January 27, the Susquehanna River rose to flood stage. The new River Common, which opened in the Summer of 2009, was flooded and now, needs to be cleared of debris. In addition, the flood portals under the bridges of the River Common were closed because of the rising waters. NAME: _______________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _________________________________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _________________________________________________ MYSTERYWORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: ________________________________________ �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 HAITI Continued from FRONT PAGE filled with white houses, and they have hotels that are twice as nice as the ones in New York. Those are the places I remember.” Fortunately, Pamphile’s family escaped unscathed and was able to fly into the U.S. after the quake. Pamphile’s family’s story of exodus from Haiti is quite different for another group of students’ stories, who will be flying to the island of Hispaniola in March as part of Alternative Spring Break (ASB). The students will spend time in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island with Haiti, working with orphans through the organization Orphanage Outreach. “Despite the unfortunate events in Haiti, I continue to be very optimistic that my ASB trip will be a huge success,” said Jason Woloski, a biochemistry and pre-med senior at Wilkes, who will be taking part of the program in the Dominican Republic. “Fortunately, the Dominican Republic was spared from most of the devastating consequences of the earthquake.” April Bielinski, a Wilkes junior communication studies student, will also be heading NEWS to the Dominican Republic with ASB. “Having seen a great deal of media coverage on the disaster in Haiti, it’s clear that the earthquake made a bad situation worse,” said Bielinski. “The people of Haiti were already fighting a losing battle to begin with and it’s truly heartbreaking to see the struggle worsen. Haiti has already been the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere for so long and now their uphill battle is even greater.” Haiti has been plagued by troubles since the late 15th century. According to the U.S. government, most of Haiti’s native population was killed by Spanish settlers within 25 years of Columbus landing on the island in 1492. Most recently, Haiti’s former president was sent into exile in 2004. The country then elected a new president and parliament in May 2006 with the guidance of the United Nations. Megan Boone, Wilkes’s community service coordinator, will accompany the Wilkes’ students to the Dominican Republic and has also helped coordinate a fundraising drive to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. Boone said there are two tiers to Wilkes’ program to help the people of Haiti. The first tier is a two-dollar fundraiser, which was organized by Dr. Mary Beth Mullen, Wilkes’ coordinator for student affairs. “It’s still ongoing, and we keep getting more donations day-in and day-out,” said Boone. People can donate $2, which is the amount some Hatians live on a day, by dropping it off at Boone’s office in the student center, Mullen’s office in Conynham Hall, or the UCOM. The second tier is a collection of ‘hygiene kits’ that will be sent to the people of Haiti, which are being put together by the Alpha Chi honor society and the community service office. Pamphile said the worldwide fundraising efforts are good things, but the problems still exist on the ground in Haiti. “I was shocked at how much money was raised, but all the actions that need to be done that needs to be there to supply people food; they have no organization. It’s all dysfunctional. That’s the bad part,” said Pamphile. “They’ve fundraised a lot of money – that’s the good part. But to get all the supplies to Haiti isn’t organized at all.” According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, U.S. non-profit organizations have raised $560 million for relief efforts in Haiti. 5 Pamphile says she hopes the people of Haiti will rebuild with disasters like this earthquake in mind, and that the U.S. helps guide Haiti into a better future. CONTACT ANDREW SEAMAN AT: andrew.seaman@wilkes.edu HOW YOU CAN HELP: Students, faculty and staff who wish to donate to Haiti to help with the earthquake relief can do so at the following places: American Red Cross International Response Fund: (800)-RED-CROSS or (800)-257-7575 (Spanish); www.redcross. org http://www.redcross.org; or donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting “HAITI” to the number 90999 The Salvation Army: (800) SAL-ARMY; www.salvationarmyusa.org http://www. salvationarmyusa.org; or mail checks to Salvation Army, 61 NW 67 St., Miami, FL 33150 UNICEF: (800)-4UN-ICEF; http://www. unicefusa.org/haitiquake Catholic Relief Services: www.crs.org Doctors Without Borders: Donate with a debit or credit card at https://donate. doctorswithoutborders.org/ American Jewish World Service: (212)792-2900; http://www.ajws.org B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ITEM! Stop by 2/2 to 2/8 and get 10% off tie-dyed Wilkes University rolled blankets! Check out our new premium sandwiches in the cafe! We now offer Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Pretzel Sandwiches and Mediterranean Chicken Flatbreads. TRY ONE TODAY! Now accepting applications! Stop by and talk to a manager to find out what positions are available today! �CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Attempts at adiverse campus atwo-way street Students must meet administration and faculty half way Beacon Poll The Beacon poll is unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. for Global Education and Diversity, and the plethora of multicultural organizations’ efforts would not be in vain. This week, The Beacon asks: Some examples of the multicultural organizations at Wilkes are: the Multicultural StuAs the spring semester begins, The Beadent Coalition, the Islamic Interest Society, Have you participated in a multiculcon would like to address an important isthe Indian Cultural Association, and the Chitural diversity event at Wilkes? sue that we see present within the Wilkes nese Student Association. Most of these orgacommunity. The point here is not to point nizations do not restrict who can join. In fact, fingers or make people look bad, but to they encourage diversity amongst the vari• Yes arouse discussion. So what is the issue? ous organizations, meaning that if a Cauca• No Multicultural Diversity. sian student wished to join the Multicultural Wilkes has continually made every efStudent Coalition or the Indian Cultural Asfort to bring students of different ethnic sociation, they easily could. However, most and cultural backgrounds to the university. choose not to do so. Currently there are Most of the students of Indian, events these Saudi Arabian, organizations Asian, Hispanic and plan are well various other ethattended, such nic backgrounds in as Family Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to undergraduate and Heritage Day, cast your vote. Results will be pubgraduate programs which fea- lished on the website next week. on campus. tured a variety Wilkes continues of different to draw these stuethnic foods dents here based on such as Poltheir tireless comish, Chinese, mitment to and dePuerto Rican velopment of muland more, a ticultural programs celebration of The Beacon wants your and organizations. Dawali, which opinion. Contact us at The best example featured dance of this is the Center performances wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com for Global Educaand Indian tion and Diversity, cuisine, and with your Name, Major, Year, which encompasses Global Coffee and Opinion! each of these mulHour, which ticultural organizatakes place ev- The Beacon reserves the right to edit tions. Their goal is ery Wednesday submitted pieces for space and content. The Beacon/Allison Roth in the Savitz Anonymous letters will not be published. to support the minority population, American and International students mingle at Global Coffee Hour in the Savitz Multicultural Lounge. Students speak about Multicultural to educate and en- their unique perceptions of global events. Lounge from courage the entire 3:00 and 5:00 student body to actively participate with While international students do commu- p.m. Wilkes also offers global dance lessons other multicultural students. nicate and assimilate with other students on teaching dances commin in other cultures. The Wilkes administration and faculty campus, they do so merely with students If you are a student who wishes to get more have done a commendable job thus far in of their own same ethnic background, not involved in multicultural diversity on camterms of multicultural diversity awareness the overall Wilkes community, and it is not pus, visit the Center for Global Education and encouragement, but the attempt to make their fault. If greater strides were made by and Diversity and find out how to get more the campus a cultured and diverse environ- the majority of the students to get to know involved with these other cultures. ment is a two way street. Wilkes can make these minority students, Wilkes, The Center BY THE BEACON Editorial Board every effort to diversify the campus, but if the overall Wilkes community is not getting involved and doing its part, there is really no point in trying. The majority of the student body needs to get more involved in multicultural diversity. A general low attendance at multicultural organization meetings, events and general campus observations show that Wilkes students are putting forth little or no effort to do so. These international students are interesting and accepting of people who are attempting to learn the American culture. So why don’t the rest of the native students reciprocate? Speak Up! It’s Your Right! �THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 OPINION The Haitians will rebuild society with hope and sense of history BY DR. C. REYNOLD VERRET Wilkes University Provost Editor’s Note: This editorial is the first of a weekly series written by Wilkes University faculty and administration. Some things are sad; this one oppressively so when 200,000 perish, some in a brief moment, others in lingering agony lasting days. The illustrious like Georges Anglade, the renowned geographer and a founding member of l’Université du Québec a Montréal, and many less known and unknown were lost in what seemed the blinking of an eye. Surely, we will grieve, when we allow ourselves, when time allows amidst the pressing business of caring for each other. Yet even in this catastrophe, the Haitian people secure embers of hope from the ashes and contemplate a better day. This is a resilient people that have endured much throughout its history, from its breaking from slavery in 1804, to a complete isolation imposed by European powers and the United States, to the punishing payment of reparations to France for the audacious claim of freedom, to a legacy of corrupt tyrants. Still, the word “debrouiller” comes easily to Haitian lips, meaning to manage, to find a way when often there seems no way. But the scale of 200,000, roughly 10 percent of the population of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings, is astonishing. Shortly before Christmas, I received a pretty photograph of the palace in Port-auPrince decorated with lights for the Christmas season. Long a place of fear, a house of despots, this palace had been transformed into a shimmering symbol of hope and re- demption. Now, it lies in ruin. We are filled with horror at the shattering of the capital city. Indeed, the recent government had become a servant of the people. With international support, it had undertaken restoration of essential institutions, such as the courts, police, customs, and ministries of finance. The police and armed forces, which for generations had been agents of terror, now protected and served. It was a long-hopedfor transformation that stirred hope for the Haitian nation, and for its diaspora that was scattered to the four winds by the Duvalier dictatorships. For a better day to come, structural inequities and impediments that have mired the people will have to be overcome. A succession of corrupt governments have prevented real development and absconded with the nation’s wealth to bank accounts in Switzerland, France or the United States. Education had been limited to the few, thus preventing the full flourish of the people’s genius. A class system derived from feudal practices of the colonial era impeded any real development, and kept the rural peasantry, the majority of Haitians, underfoot little access to power, to education and to any real wealth. The majority did not speak French, the language of the elite power. Furthermore, deforestation and despoliation of the land undermined agricultural productivity. Many corrective measures had begun to take root before the quake. These and more must continue. The international community and especially the USA has responded magnificently in the last few days, partnering with a government in dire straits. With their help, the Haitian people must build a new society and not restore the old. 7 Observat:.ory Commentary on Luzerne County Corruption BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor Kickbacks, bribery, blatant outright theft. These are all words to describe the current political climate in Luzerne County. With as many as 23 federal corruption cases currently under investigation, the citizens of Luzerne County have probably lost complete faith in the officials they elected to make informed decisions for them. I am personally waiting with anticipation for more corruption cases to come out of the woodwork and I will tell you why shortly. To briefly recap, it all started with the investigation of Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan and since then, many other county officials, attorneys, school officials, clerks and even, surprisingly, a barber have gone down. Even County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak was charged with accepting bribes. I could round off the countless others involved in the corruption, but that would be a waste of time and I am trying to make a point here. The reason I am so excited to hear about the Who’s Who of Luzerne County corruption is the public reaction. The citizens of Luzerne County are so angry and feel so taken advantage of that they use any venue to preach about it. From my own personal observations, I have heard complaints at the bar, the supermarket, people’s homes, and even walking down the street. From all this I have gathered that most people are looking for someone to blame (at least those with less than half a brain.) Some blame the corrupt themselves, some blame their superiors, and some blame Pennsylvania and the Federal Government for not keeping a closer eye on the county procedure. Photos Courtesy of Dr. C. Reynold Verret So, if you are a disgruntled Luzerne CounAbove left is a picture of the National Palace in Port-au-Prince before the earthquake. The picture on the ty citizen and you are looking for someone right is what is left of the National Palace in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. to blame for all of the corruption you have seen so far, look no further than yourselves. For those of you that vote, three judges have been charged, three judges that were publically elected into office by you. You can make the assertion that you did not know they were corrupt at the time, but that can only go so far. It is your responsibility to find out who these people are, and not rely solely on what they tell you while campaigning. You should not blindly elect public officials because they make your decisions for you; they are your REPRESENTATIVES. The same goes for Greg Skrepenak- a novice in public government who was elected to office of County Commissioner because of his popularity as an ex-football player. Again, you elected him. As for the school officials, those of you who worked closely with these people at these schools and had some sort of knowledge that something fishy was going on, shame on you. And finally for the barber, how do you get away with accepting $6,000 for giving county prisoners haircuts and then not cut their hair? How many people let that one slide? I am glad so many people got laid off this year and last year so Luzerne County could pay people not to do their jobs. You can only blame the guilty for so much. Yes, they are guilty, but many people in Luzerne County enabled them to commit these crimes, many people that are not going to jail for it. If you want to lay all the blame on their heads, you are without a doubt wrong. Blame those who turned a blind eye to this corruption; blame those who fueled the rumor mill with their coworkers at the courthouse, and blame those who ignorantly elected these officials. CONTACT MATTHEW GOGAS AT: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu �8 OPINION THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Adecade in review: the good, the bad, and the ugly BY KAYLA MATTIOLI Correspondent A lot has happened in the last ten years. We got older, technology has changed and reality shows took over television. This past decade has brought us many changes even if we are unable to remember them all. So let’s take a look back at the good, the bad, and the ugly. The Good: This decade brought about many new and innovative technologies. For the first time, we could do more with our cell phones than just make a call with the mainstreaming of Smartphones. Social networking sites changed the way we keep in touch with friends and the digitalization of music allowed us to enjoy our favorite one hit wonder without paying for the rest of the crappy CD. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to allow gays to marry. It is so nice to see that some of us are finally acknowledging that “all men are created equal” and should have the same rights. On May 15 2008, California began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The state soon told city officials to cease and desist when in 2008 California voters said “yes” to Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage statewide. The 2008 election finally forced American’s to choose leaders that were not the typical old white men. The Democrats gave us the choice between Hillary Clinton, a woman, or Barack Obama, a black man. The two battled for the candidacy in what felt like the longest primary election campaign ever. The Republicans on the other hand gave us Sarah Palin, the now former Governor of Alaska, as a running mate to their old white man, John McCain. The Bad: It began in 2000 when we brought in the new millennium. Y2K sent everyone into a frenzy as we thought the New Year would bring the crash of computer systems worldwide and the collapse of the stock market. Luckily, we were spared the stock market fiasco for another few years. Following September 11, 2001 the terror level was often on high alert and anthrax started appearing in mail across the country. In 2003, President George W. Bush decided to declare war on Iraq because of “evidence” that their leader Saddam Hussein had “weapons of mass destruction.” This war soon took precedent over the finding of Osama bin Laden, who was in fact responsible for the 9/11 attacks and had little or nothing to do with the nation Iraq, or Saddam. As an update, bin Laden has never been found, Hussein is dead, and Iraq is no better off now than they were before we took over. The writers’ strike in Hollywood left us with little entertainment to take our minds off the various crises of our lives. As it takes a long time to complete a movie, we are still seeing many that were affected. Films that should have been blockbuster hits became huge flops. But for what it’s worth, I don’t know that the “Land of the Lost” remake starring Will Ferrell was destined for box office gold anyway. The Ugly: September 11, 2001 is one of those days that will never be forgotten. Nearly 3,000 people were killed by four hijacked planes. Nine years later, New York has yet to rebuild much of anything in the former site of the Twin Towers. Did I mention Osama Bin Laden is still alive and kicking? In 2005 Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast devastating New Orleans, as well as surrounding areas, and killing more than 1,200 people. It has been decided that Wal-Mart did more to help the survivors than the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to Kanye West, this is because “George Bush does not like black people,” while Wal-Mart on the other hand is an equal opportunity em- ployer. Ultimately, the United States failed to help the people at home who were in need of assistance. Due to the collapse of the subprime mortgage market, America was thrust into the worst recession since the Great Depression. Big auto dealers were nearly bankrupt and banks had to foreclose on millions of homes. Former President George W. Bush signed a $700 billion dollar bailout plan for the banking industry prior to leaving office. Months later, President Obama pass a multibillion dollar stimulus package used to create jobs and give tax credits to people buying new homes or cars. After all that, the unemployment rate of the country is at 9.7 percent, which is higher than it was prior to these “bailouts.” Overall, aside from the occasional feel good story (like Sully and the Miracle on the Hudson), the entire decade was kind of a bust. However, I find it easier to make it through the day by self-medicating and realizing that things can’t get much worse. We are, after all, Americans. Powerful, entitled, and maybe just a little dense. CONTACT KAYLA MATTIOLI AT: kay/a.mattioli@wilkes.edu No sign of spell check in SUB atrocity BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Online Editor We’ve all been to a movie, sporting event, museum, or play at some point in our lives, so this next question shouldn’t be too difficult for anyone. You know the word for that little slip of paper that you receive once you’ve paid the price of admission? The one that says you’re entitled to enter the premises? It rhymes with the phrase “click it.” How is that word spelled? Right, “T-I-C-K-E-T.” Ticket. Everybody gets a gold star for that one. Except, sadly, for the person who was charged with creating the sign advertising the discounted movie tickets that all Wilkes University students have the ability to purchase. According to that person, ticket is spelled “T-I-C-K-I-T.” Of course, if they had double-checked this, they would have discovered that they were mistaken. However, they didn’t. They just went ahead and put the incorrect spell- ing down in big, bold purple letters on a sign that hung prominently in the Henry Student Center or as some refer to it, the SUB. The sign has since been removed, but the damage has been done. Somewhere, Noah Webster is rolling over in his grave. Now, that’s far from the worst spelling error that I’ve seen. That would be the time that someone told my friend via Facebook that they would make an excellent “raper.” What the person meant to say was that my friend would excel in the same genre of music that Tupac found success in. They instead hypothesized that my friend would excel in the same type of crimes that John Wayne Gacy committed. Thankfully, the sign’s been taken down. However, it still troubles me that the atrocity was publically displayed in the first place. When I first visited Wilkes in the summer of 2006, the Student Union Building was the first place that the tour guide took my parents and me. To this day, the SUB is still a popular stop on all campus tours. I don’t know about you, but if the first thing that I saw when I stepped on campus was a gigantic sign with a glaring spelling error, I would have serious doubts about the quality of education that the University offered. It is inexcusable. I understand that no human being is perfect (including myself) and that people make mistakes, but come on. This is what happens when you spend too much time tending to your crops in the online game FarmVille and not enough time paying attention in class. To make matters worse, I’d like everyone who purchased a discounted movie pass in the past week to take a moment to look at it. The word “ticket” is correctly spelled on the ticket a total of not one, not two, but four times. If you count three, the one you’re probably missing is in very small print underneath where it says “Void After.” That’s just sloppy. Don’t let this happen again, Wilkes. The last thing this University needs (aside from more fire alarms in the Towers) is for the sign designer to make another egregious spelling error. CONTACT MICHAEL CIGNOLI AT: michael.ciqnoli@wilkes.edu Movie lickH·s The Beacon/Michael Cignoli This sign advertising discount movie tickets was prominently displayed in the SUB last week. As you can see, the word "tickets" is spelled incorrect! . �COLLEGE DAYS _ _] PAGE 12 Mark Reid uses his time in college to find him_____________ ·Dr. self and change his way of thinking. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Dr. Zanolini Morrison to research in Malaysia Women in leadership roles in higher education focus of new study BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Studying abroad, traveling the globe, and finding what one really wants to do in life is something college students do every day. Now a college professor is going to give it a try. Dr. Gina Zanolini Morrison, associate professor of English, was just granted a sabbatical for which she will be traveling to her husband’s home country of Malaysia to begin new research in the field of women in higher education. “We [my husband and I] met in a coffee shop in Kingston, PA, but we travel to Malaysia to visit his family that is over there once in a while,” stated Zanolini Morrison. Morrison points to Malaysia as a country that has found a way to take pride in their multi-cultural heritage. “I learned a lot about how to do diversity just by going over there to Malaysia,” said Zanolini Morrison. On her last trip to Malaysia over the summer of 2009, Zanolini Morrison was asked by a fellow Wilkes professor, Dr. Vijay Arora, who also happened to be in the country, to travel south and visit the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). In November 2008, Zanolini Morrison and Arora did a presentation to create a link between UTM and Wilkes. Through their presentation, the two research professors tried to connect the research efforts of Wilkes and UTM, as well as create an international exchange program to Malaysia. UTM is the premier university in engineering and technology, according to the UTM handbook. After traveling approximately three hours south of her husband’s family in Malaysia to UTM, Zanolini Morrison met with a woman named Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir (known as Prof Siti) who encouraged Zanolini Morrison to help do research on women in engineering. While the trip to meet Prof Siti was originally for academic purposes, when Zanolini Morrison arrived, she found that she would be doing a lot more than research. “One day I got a call from Prof Siti and she asked me to breakfast. I wore traditional clothes out of respect. When we met for breakfast she looks at me and says, ‘I think you can meet the King today,’” said Zanolini Morrison. They embarked on an afternoon of meeting the King of Malaysia at a golf tournament outside the city limits. According to Zanolini Morrison, there were approximately 100 people at the event, but she and Prof Siti were the only women. After some consideration, Zanolini Morrison accepted the request to aid in the research and joined three other female researchers, two from Malaysia and one from the United States to conduct research on women in engineering in Malaysia. “Every woman has a piece of the puzzle, and we will bring them together. My piece is transcribing our qualitative research,” stated Zanolini Morrison. Replicating a study first done in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Zanolini Morrison and her colleagues interviewed young women in the engineering department of The group of four researchers want to embark on new endeavors. Along with Zanolini Morrison and Prof Siti, Dr. Durrishah Idrus, director of the research held in Kuala Lumpur, UTM’s international campus, and Dr. Lou Jean Beishline, an adjunct professor at Bloomsburg University, will come together once again to research women’s roles in higher education. They will be joined by a fifth female researcher for the studies conducted on women in higher education leadership roles, Dr. Azizah Abdul Manaf. Zanolini Morrison and her colleagues from two separate corners of the world are waiting to hear if their research will be accepted to be presented in May. While she is hopeful to present their profound research, Zanolini Morrison is not waiting to begin more research in Malaysia. With her newly appointed sabbatical, she and her husband and their 11 year-old daughter will travel to Malaysia beginning in August for one year. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu. Photos courtesy of Zanolini Morrison UTM and asked them questions about their parents’ influence on their choice to become and engineer. Zanolini Morrison conducted the interviews and found that many women in Malaysia had a great respect and admiration for their parents’ wishes when choosing career choices. Top left: Dr. Zanolini Morrison shakes hands with the chairman of the board of trustees for UTM, Tan Sri Abdul Halim Bin Ali. Top right: The table of the King of Malaysia at an alumni golf tournament held outside the city limits. Bottom left: Dr. Zanolini Morrison, left, sits with Prof Siti, also a fellow researcher and newly appointed to the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. �10 LIFE THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Wilkes senior wraps up first season as Eagles’ flyer BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief When Holliann Brooks was in eighth grade, she had no intention of becoming a cheerleader. Her mother, however, encouraged her to give it a shot. “I didn’t want to try out, at all,” said Brooks, a senior business administration major at Wilkes University. “I was totally against it, but my mom made me. And I made the team.” Years later, Brooks is not only a member of Wilkes’ cheerleading squad, but she also recently completed her first season as a professional cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles’ football team. Despite her initial lack of enthusiasm for cheerleading in high school, she soon formed a bond with the rest of the Delaware Valley varsity squad. Together, the team made it to a national cheerleading competition and placed fifth of fourteen. After enrolling at Wilkes, Brooks became a member of the university’s cheerleading team. In her junior year, Brooks was also a cheerleader for the Pioneers, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s former arena football team. At one of these games, she was approached by a scout for the Eagles’ cheerleading team. The franchise was looking to put together a stunt squad, which would differ in responsibilities and training than the original dance squad. “After the game, [the scout] found me and introduced herself and told me that tryouts were coming up in March and April,” said Brooks. Brooks struggled with the decision to try out for the Eagles’ team. After talking it over with her mother and some of her friends, she made the drive to Philadelphia in spring 2009. “I was so nervous,” said Brooks. “[After I had made all of the cuts], they interviewed me; it was pretty intense. During the interview, they asked me all these Eagles questions and I had no idea because, to be honest, I don’t even like the Eagles. I like the Giants. They gave me a hard time and were busting on me, but I was totally fine with it.” Of the 300 girls that tried out, Brooks was one of 27 to make the stunt squad. She would hold the position of “flyer.” In other words, she was one of the girls that was tossed into the air during routines. “Being a cheerleader myself, I thought it was pretty cool that stunting is catching on in professional football and that Holli has a chance to be a part of it,” said Kerri Waleck, junior psychology major and Brooks’ roommate. “I was extremely excited for her because I know how much she loves cheerleading and how important it was to her to make the squad.” Brooks’ role on the squad required her to drive to Philadelphia for practices on Tuesday nights and on the weekends. Even before her first practice, Brooks knew that being a member of the team would be both challenging and rewarding. “It was super intense,” said Brooks. “There’s a weight limit for your height and your age and if you don’t make your weight, they won’t let you cheer at all. You get suspended. It was hard for me; I think I missed my weight once. But at the same time, you’re in front of an audience who came out to see you and if you’re not in physical shape to do it, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.” Despite controlling her weight from week to week, training at practices was also difficult and sometimes stressful. Each routine would have to be hit perfectly three times in a row before the squad could move on to the next one. Sometimes, this would take hours. “If I made a mistake, bobbled or anything, they would switch me automatically,” said Brooks. “There is no second chance. This is really serious stuff. They don’t deal with lateness or missing games. It was weird getting used to.” After practicing for hours Tuesday night during the fall semester, Brooks would often make the drive back to Wilkes, where she had class at 10:00 the next morning. On the way to class, she would often see Dr. Marianne Rexer in the hall. “We talked about the plane trips, the time changes of some of the away games, and starting a new week as a student,” said Rexer, professor of accounting for the Sidhu School of Business. “Holliann had committed herself to finishing school and, with all of the demands on her time, had the time management skills to make sure she made it to class. I’m sure it was really difficult to get home at 3:00 a.m. and make it to class, but she seemed to handle it well.” While Brooks admits that her grades were somewhat affected by her traveling and her commitment to the Eagles’ team, she says the changes were not drastic because she was able to incorporate her studies into her travels. For example, her mother bought her a laptop so she could work on papers and presentations for school when she was on the plane for away games. Even though the profession is demanding, Brooks became fully aware of its rewards during the first pre-season game she cheered at in North Carolina. “It was the first time I was actually in North Carolina and it was amazing,” said Brooks. “I can’t even say how much bliss I felt. It was so nice, the crowd was amazing. I was in complete awe; my heart was beating so fast. I was so excited because all of the stunts hit. Everything went sweet as candy.” While the cheerleaders are forbidden to seek out contact with NFL players, Brooks admits to having met Brian Westbrook, running back for the Eagles, when she was getting her knee inspected by a trainer one day. Brooks is looking forward to fulfilling her responsibilities as a flyer next season. Her former position, however, is not guaranteed. She will have to drive to Philadelphia once again this coming spring to try out for the squad. CONTACT NICOLE FRAIL AT nicole.frail@wilkes.edu. Student of the Week: Derek Nye, junior biology 111ajor BY RUTH WHISPELL Life Assistant Editor “Oui, je parle francais un peu. Je ne le parle pas tres bien mais j’etudie les cours francais cette semester,” said Derek Nye, a junior at Wilkes University. Nye actually said, “Yes, I speak some French. I don’t speak it very well but I am studying French courses this semester to improve.” Nye is a biology major at Wilkes, with a minor in international studies, and also intends on going to medical school. His hometown is Athens, Pennsylvania, but from January 7 through May 29, Nye will reside in the Latin Quarter, also known as the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Needing to complete credits for his international studies minor, Nye decided to study abroad in Paris. doctor it’s necessary to be an educated and “I’m staying with fantastic French family, diverse citizen of the world,” said Nye. pardon the alliteration,” said Nye. Nye is a recognizable face on campus Nye said he wants to see and due to his role in the new ‘Be do everything while in Paris. Colonel’ commercial. He was He was able to visit an orphana research assistant with Dr. age in Monte Christe, DominiLinda Gutierrez of the biology can Republic recently. department and Dr. Jun Ling “The state of normal living of The Commonwealth Mediconditions, public health care, cal College. and education was extremely You can read more about eye opening and I consider Nye’s experiences studying it a vital influence in not only abroad in Paris at Nye’s blog: my career goals but also my www.nyeinparis.wordpress. personal character and aspiracom. tions,” said Nye. Nye is intrigued by global The Beacon: Where do you Photos courtesy of Derek Nye medicine, public health and see yourself in ten years? certain humanitarian organiNye: I have no idea, but by zations. “I feel like besides being a skilled then I’m hoping to have my MD and resi- dency completed, working on another degree (Ph.D/MPH), fellowship, research, or NGO. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Nye: Anatidaephobic [The fear that you are being watched by a duck], Frisbeetarian, and ludic The Beacon: Finish the sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Nye: The bottom indentation of a wine bottle is called the “kick” and reinforces the bottle, but lessens holding capacity. CONTACT RUTH WHISPELL AT ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu �THE BEACON LIFE FEBRUARY 2, 2010 11 Wilkes University's Health & Wellness Corner BY SUSAN BISKUP Campus Counselor Each week, Susan and her colleagues from Health Services will answer your health and wellness questions. Q: I want to hang out with my friends but often all they want to do is drink. Why do college students seem to drink so much and so frequently? A: You ask a very good question. First let me start by saying that although it seems that all college students are drinking, the reality is that there are many students who do not drink at all. In fact, statistics show that approximately 19% of students do not drink. Additionally, 63% of students consume an average of four or fewer drinks per week. That being said, there are many reasons why students to drink. Students who drink excessively and often can be uncomfortable in social situations and they find that alcohol temporarily relaxes them. However, this is a short term fix for a long term issue. I believe that many people are longing for real, healthy relationships—a sense of community if you will. We are “thirsty” for relationships that are secure, lasting, fun and full of trust. Whether we’re watching Sex in the City or logging onto Facebook, it is apparent that we like to watch people who appear to be connected. In this way, some students choose to connect to Jack Daniels or sit close to the keg of beer at a party. It’s safer, easier, and in some ways comforting—always there when you need it. It can mistakenly make you feel funny, attractive, fun to be with and, most of all, accepted. You might say it is a “friend with benefits.” But just like that concept, it eventually leaves you feeling empty and lost. Our desire for relationships is strong but often we look for it in the wrong places such as drinking, spending or even food. A healthier way to connect with people is to engage in counseling to find out what your specific relationship and/or alcohol dependence issues are and to work through the change to become the best version of yourself. BY DIANE O’BRIEN Director of Health Services Q: My roommate seems to constantly play her music loud at night and talks on her phone when I’m trying to study in our room. I’m afraid to say something to her because we get along pretty well and I don’t want her to get mad at me. But, it’s my room too and this is really starting to bother me. What can I do? A: Effective communication is essential in order for any relationship to be successful. I realize this is easier said than done. It’s important to consider and evaluate your rights within your current situation. You share the room with this individual; therefore you do have the right to ask for what you want. Designate a mutually agreeable time to discuss this problem, unless you decide that spontaneous assertiveness is necessary. State the problem in a way that conveys how you are negatively affected. Be as objective as you can without blaming. For example, “I am having trouble concentrating with the loud music and talking. Let’s compromise on a time to study and a time to relax.” Remember that you are responsible for your own thoughts and feelings. No one causes you to have feelings of anger, upset or anxiety. Therefore, when asserting yourself with another person, it is always better to use “I” rather than “you” statements. For example, “I would appreciate it if there were less noise in our room during study hours because the loud music and talking are really distracting and upsetting me.” When you make your request, use assertive, nonverbal behavior such as establishing eye contact, using an open posture and staying calm. Be specific and ask for precisely what you want in a nonjudgmental, non-blaming manner. Don’t apologize for your request. If after attempting this request you are still unsuccessful, talk with your RA who can be a helpful mediator. Do you have a question for Susan? Email it to her at susan.biskup@wilkes. edu, and you may see your question in next week’s Wellness Corner. Privacy will be protected. ~o~~ ~C)d-6 53 Public Squcll!"e 829-64'4'4' tl0Uil1-C0UiJ1 e0LLe5e SpecieciLS ALC0IIOL SPECIALS PO~ 21+ UIK 1.0. "Gltm.aadd:i Pi.a~ SCl"Dm.add.~ Cclll f;o book oUP piaivCl'f;e :POo-m OP ~OP~ socic:ll 5at;lteiail1s clcass eve11.t;s �12 THE BEACON LIFE FEBRUARY 2, 2010 College Days Dr. Mark Reid is "still wild and crazy" but has better judgment BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Life Editor Dr. Mark Reid, assistant professor of philosophy, followed the path set for him by his parents. He went to a fine private high school in Virginia and adapted his thinking to the ideals constructed by his parents. And then he went to college. “I went to the College of William & Mary, which was about 45 minutes away [from home]. So it was close enough to home but far enough away,” said Reid. College can be known as a time period for young individuals to separate themselves from their teenage pasts and spend years figuring out what one wants to do with one’s life. Reid did not begin at the College of William & Mary with such a mindset. Following the logical, practical mindset he learned in high school and at home, Reid began college as a physics major. “I never read or wrote, because I was going to be become an architect,” said Reid. During his first undergraduate year, Reid admits to not being the best student. He recalls only obtaining a 2.8 grade point average and putting a great deal of emphasis on his social life instead of school. “I did not do so well in school,” said Reid. “I went to school for partying my freshman year, and it was great. I was just in school for social life and for the practical reason of of Maryland and then Illinois to earn his getting a job.” Despite the good times with his friends, master’s degree. While Reid got his academic life on track Reid realized that the track of physics was early in his college career, his social life not where he wanted to be. Changing his major, he took on reading needed a bit more time to steam out. Reid went to school with several people and writing courses--courses he admits dohe knew from ing extremely poorly in high school, but before. he was not par“My sophomore year ticularly excited I said to myself, ‘Okay, by the idea. just take anything else.’ “I went to colI did not know what philege with 15 peolosophy was. I took phiple I went to high losophy and psychology school with, but I courses. My parents told sort of wanted to me I would not survive break free from a day, because it’s all that. It was ocreading,” stated Reid. casionally interHe survived much esting to talk to more than a day. them, but mostly Reid soared in the arI didn’t want to eas of liberal arts. While see people from he was determined to my high school. I become an architect, he took his former GPA Photo courtesy of Dr. Mark Reid wanted to have a clean break,” said of 2.8 and bumped it all Reid’s goal upon entering college was to become an Reid. “I wasn’t the way up to a 4.0 in the architect. He soon found out that his love was in phiparticularly fond areas of philosophy, psylosophy. of high school, chology, and art. because of the “I loved the content,” same reason I love philosophy-it was too said Reid. Despite changing his major, Reid com- limited. Too many people doing what their pleted school in four years. He admits to parents expect them to do [with] little free not knowing what to do with his degree, but thought.” He had found a large group of friends in eventually found his way to the University Dorm Recipes Dorm Recipes Pizza Bagels Galaxy Cake by Ashley Zehner Ashley Zehner, a freshmen elementary education major, makes pizza bagels when she’s looking for a quick and simple meal. Pizza bagels are an easy to make, inexpensive lunch, snack or dinner. “Just don’t burn it,” warns Zehner. Ingredients: 1 bagel 1 bottle of marinara sauce, or pizza sauce American cheese (You can actually use any type of cheese you’d like.) Garnish, such as pepperoni Directions: 1. Spread the sauce evenly over the bagel then sprinkle or lay on your cheese of choice. 2. (Optional) Garnish pizza bagel with your topping of choice. 3. Put the bagel in the oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees. 4. Cook for 2-5 minutes, checking frequently. college, but there was still one area where Reid was not entirely comfortable yet: girls. “I struggled socially with being shy. I was afraid to go and talk to members of the opposite sex. I wanted a girlfriend so bad sometimes that I wouldn’t know how to do that,” admitted Reid. Reid points out that his social awkwardness with girls ironed itself out over time. He believes that it takes time for individuals to come into themselves and be comfortable. “I feel like I discovered myself [in college],” said Reid. In his own words, Reid sings to a new friend: My friends and I were walking across campus. When we passed a woman, I (for some reason, not sure why) spontaneously started singing to her at the top of my lungs “If I could save time in a bottle, I would spend it all with you. . . “ She was shy and seemed a bit embarrassed. Later that day, we struck up a conversation at a party, dated briefly, and remained friends. CONTACT LEEANN SEARFOSS AT leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu. by Mohammed AlMoumin Mohammed AlMoumin is a 20-year-old student in the Intensive English Program at Wilkes. AlMoumin, originally from Saudi Arabia, explained that Galaxy Cake takes about 15 minutes to make and is a popular dessert in Saudi Arabia Ingredients: 1 box of Social Tea Cookies (Can be found in the cookie isle of any grocery store) 16 oz. heavy cream 2 bags Dream Whip Powder 3 tbsp. cocoa ½ cup milk Directions: 1. Mix the heavy cream, dream whip powder and cocoa until smooth. 2. Next arrange a single layer of cookies in the bottom of a 9” x 13” pan. 3. Dip a pastry brush in milk and brush over the cookies until cookies are damp. Photo courtesy of Melanie Thomas 4. Lastly spread a thin layer of mixture on top of the cookies. *Repeat steps 2-4 two more times, then spread the remainder of the mixture on top. The top layer should be thicker than the bottom two layers. Refrigerate galaxy cake and serve it cold. Galaxy Cake is a popular desert in Saudi Arabia. �“LEGION” REVIEW, PAGE 14 Latest film to hit silver screen isn’t very saint-ish. CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Student attentpts to break world record for Guitar Hero BY KIRSTIN COOK A&E Assistant Editor Most people play Guitar Hero for fun, but for Aaron Nikles it is a more serious matter. The sophomore is planning on breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest streak of continuous play of the video game Guitar Hero. His attempt at this goal is scheduled for Friday, February 5 at 3 p.m. until Sunday, February 7 at 3 p.m. Nikles, a mechanical engineering major, said that the current record of straight Guitar Hero play is 24 hours and two minutes, but he hopes to double that time for a full 48 hour streak. This attempt began as a simple idea between Nikles and a friend. “I’ve always wanted to break a Guinness record,” Nikles said. “I just had to find what I wanted to do.” Nikles speculated that the biggest challenge with the attempt would be the friction on his hands from constant guitar playing. He is hoping that people will attend to help maintain his morale. “I want a lot of people there, especially late hours because it’s going to be rough then.” Since a requirement to break the record is to have at least one witness present at all times, Nikles is planning on setting up a time chart where people can sign up for blocks. Nikles said that when people hear about his objective, they often think it is a crazy task. But, Nikles remains determined. “It’s a personal challenge. I just want to see if I can do something like this,” he said. In pursuing this goal, Nikles plans on managing his time strategically. “According to Guiness, every hour of play I get a ten minute break,” said Nikles. He plans on utilizing these breaks efficiently. Nikles’ roommate Michael DiPasquale, sophomore chemistry major, is planning on witnessing a portion of the event. “I’m pretty sure he’ll break the world record,” said DiPasquale. “I don’t know if he’ll be able to make it to 48 hours. My money’s on that he’ll collapse at like 36 (hours).” While DiPasquale is hopeful for his roommate, he holds some concerns about his well-being. “I’m a little worried he’s going to develop carpal tunnel from his perpetual playing of Guitar Hero, but otherwise he’s good,” he said. Nikles has been playing Guitar Hero since the age of 13. “It’s a lot of music I really like…it’s challenging…and it’s actually good exercise,” Nikles said. Philip Ruthkosky, the Associate Dean of Student Development, is assisting Nikles with planning this event, but was unavailable for comment. The Beacon/Kirstin Cook Aaron Nikles prepares for his upcoming attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record for longest continuous play of Guitar Hero. His attempt will take place on Friday, February 5 beginning at 3 p.m. Nikles will be striving for 48 hours of continuous Guitar Hero play. CONTACT KIRSTIN COOK AT: kirstin.cook@wilkes.edu • • • • • • • • Band Spotlight: I Am Alaska • • • • • • • • BY MICHAEL TEDESCHI Correspondent When the genre “progressive rock” is mentioned, who instantly comes to mind: The Beatles, or Pink Floyd? Although those two bands may be two of the most influential bands in musical history, it is time to start to take those who have been influenced by them more seriously. Which bands are now considered to be modern “progressive rock” artists? Into whose hands have we left the musical timeline? If you do not have a clue, you must not have discovered indie music. Among the hundreds of indie bands hailing from Pennsylvania, one of my personal favorites is undoubtedly I Am Alaska. What makes this band different from many others is their exceptional transitions and build-ups. Most of their songs start out fairly slow and instantaneously pick up the tempo. Although this is a popular technique among many bands, I Am Alaska has a definite smoothness that truly makes them stand out. It is also remarkable how the lead singer’s voice can maintain flow while keeping up with the constant change in tempo. His voice is comparable to Cedric Bixler-Zalvala, frontman of At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta. I was lucky enough to have a short interview with I Am Alaska’s guitarist, Drew Magid. Beacon: Who are your influences? Magid: Our influences are At The Drive- In, This Day Forward, Maps and Atlases, Nirvana, Elliot Smith, and Circa Survive. Beacon: Are your songs up for interpretation or do they mostly have a specific meaning? Magid: All songs are about specific things. For example, all the songs on our “To Elude The Architect” EP are about escape in one way or another. The song “Train Car” is about a little girl in Nazi Germany escaping a death camp. Beacon: Which I Am Alaska song do you recommend to readers? Magid: I would recommend “Proletariat”, a song about the every day working man, or “Lobo”. Beacon: Is there anything else you would like to say about I Am Alaska? Magid: We’re a five-piece band hailing from the Greater Philadelphia area but are currently all across the state from Philly to Pittsburgh. Still managing to practice twice a month and touring around school breaks. We’re recording our next record in May and plan to tour for about a month this summer. We are also doing 10 days in the Midwest in March, while planning a possible show in Wilkes-Barre or Kingston in early March. Check out I Am Alaska’s myspace for details about their upcoming shows. CONTACT MICHAEL TEDESCHI AT: michael.tedeschi@wilkes.edu �14 THE BEACON A&E FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Movie Review: "Legion" can confuse even the faithful BY GILLYAN GOWARTY A&E Assistant Editor Editor’s Note: Review may contain spoilers. Legion is a strongly theologically-based movie, directed and written by Scott Stewart. The plot unfolds as God loses faith in man and sends a very large team of angels in human form to a small town. Those angels are sent to exterminate the human race so that God may start over. Aren’t angels spposed to be Holy and good creatures? Not in this case. These angels are killers. Will they successfully wipe out the human race? Is there a human strong enough to triumph over them? These are among the many questions I asked myself while sitting in the movie theater for 100 minutes. Charlie (Adrianne Palicki) is a young woman who is eight months pregnant and thinking about giving her baby up for adoption. The baby’s father is out of the picture and she claims she never wanted the baby. Jeep Hanson (Lucas Black) is just an ordinary guy, but he has a lot of faith in Charlie. He is in love with her and he wants her to keep the baby so they can raise him together. Bob Hanson (Dennis Quaid), Jeep’s father, has lost faith in himself and the rest of the world after he bought a diner in the middle of nowhere, which was unsuccessful, causing his wife to leave him. A family stops at the diner after their car breaks down. Howard, Sandra, and Audrey are stuck at the diner until the car can be repaired. When it is discovered that the television, radio, and phone lines are not working, everyone in the diner believes that something is wrong. Shortly after that, an old lady enters the diner. Charlie is her waitress and they begin talking about the baby. When the old lady finds out that Charlie is unmarried and no longer seeing the baby’s father, she tells Charlie that the baby will burn. SEE LEGION, Page 15 futuristic innovati~ The Beacon/Tom Reilly “Legion,” directed by Scott Stewart, sends out unexpected images of angels not being so angelic. It is considered to be a horror-action themed movie that is bound to captivate and leave the audience somewhat bewildered. “Legion” opened January 22. - - - graphics welcome 2010 incorporated (it's a mouthful, but it just tastes so darn good) Home of Wilkes Winter Weekend! teams\\ Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, ~·~ and promotional items. ~~, new website! 4t-s irts ii com 570-823-9272 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TUI DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! OS L FGDLQ MBLQ ZJB OIB MB TGQB CBOVJK BRGAVJ ZG MQBLE ZJBR L QJORG’K ZJLR BRGAVJ FOIE-FO CBOVJZ ZV MQBL DORB! This week’s clue: O= I & Z=T TAKZ ZJB �THE BEACON A&E FEBRUARY 2, 2010 What's Happening Around Wilkes BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Staff Writer All Week Long: -Sordoni Art Gallery Exhibition: Brian Wood Wednesday, February 3, 2010 -Shoot the Moon @ RockStars Sports Bar & Grill, Wilkes-Barre at 8 p.m. -Workshop on the Professional Uses of Social Media @ Henry Student Center Ballroom from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2010 -Early Valentine’s Day Root Beer Social @ Henry Student Center Lounge from 6-7 p.m. -”The Price is Right” at 6 p.m. in Stark 101, Wilkes Campus -We are in the Crowd, Secret Secret Dino Club, The Brightlife & A Golden Era @ Cafe Metro, WilkesBarre at 9:30 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2010 -Friday Night Live Music @ Barnes & Nobles from 6:30-8:30 p.m. -Angelina Pivarnick of MTV’s Jersey Shore @ Hardware Bar, Scranton Saturday, February 6, 2010 -Three Days Grace w/ Chevelle & Flyleaf @ Mohegan Sun Arena at 7 p.m.- $35 -Uncle Cracker @ Hardware Bar, Scranton -Dear Dallas, Bring the Heat, Deceiver & We Brought War @ Cafe Metro, WilkesBarre at 10 p.m. -Flyleaf in-store signing & performance @ Gallery of Sound (Mundy St.) at 2 p.m., Wilkes-Barre ever 15 LEGION Continued from PAGE 14 Howard jumps up to confront the old lady and she reacts by biting his neck like a vampire would. Amidst the struggle to keep Howard alive, a new character is introduced. Michael comes in to warn everyone of God’s wrath. They are angels sent by God, and he knows all of this because he was one of them. He then explains that the baby will be born soon and he will save humanity, if he is not killed first. This makes Charlie a modern day Mary. Even as a Catholic with a basic knowledge of the Bible, I found myself lost throughout much of the movie. I did comprehend that there was a strong theme of anti-abortion throughout the film. There is a scene where Charlie reveals that she almost had her pregnancy terminated on more than one occasion. I wish we were given more of Jeep’s background. We know that Bob is his father and his parents are separated, but we do not get any information about his mother, other than the fact that she was displeased with the lack of success of the diner. I also kept wondering why the setting was only on this diner in this small town. I think we at least should have seen people from other parts of the country to see if they were being attacked as well. One would think that God would be angry with residents of larger cities as well. I think it would be interesting to see how they were affected and if the attacks were similar. The ending of the movie was very confusing. I was completely lost during the last 20 minutes of it. Things just kept happening and nothing was explained, and then it ended. Overall, I did find the movie enjoyable. There is plenty of action, along with some aspects of a romance, although Jeep’s true feelings for Charlie are never revealed to her. The angels attacking humans in such a manner was a little bit over the top. After the movie was finished, I still wasn’t convinced that angels would bite humans in the neck like vampires would, even if God was angry and did choose to send an apocalypse. It shows an ongoing battle of good versus evil, but eventually the lines are blurred and meshed together, which makes it unclear for us to determine who is on which side. Rating: 3/5 CONTACT GILLYAN GOWARTY AT: gillyan.gowarty@wilkes.edu ews You ' �SUPER BOWL PREVIEW Who’ll win the biggest game of the year? PAGE 18 CONTACT US: wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Tilley ready to set sail on coaching career Senior field hockey captain will join Bulldogs as assistant coach BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor “I’m a retired field hockey player now,” laughed Tilley. “But being able to stay in the game and bring to this team what I know will help me get started. Field hockey is changing all the time, and I know the present game of field hockey, and the kids they will be playing against because I played against them.” Among her coaching duties, Tilley will kin, was Tilley’s coach her freshman year of high school. Tilley’s new coach, Sarah Fosdick, is thrilled to add the young, vibrant Tilley to the Bulldog field hockey staff. Although not originally searching for an assistant, Coach Fosdick was approached by Tilley to be part of the staff. After just one talk with her, Fosdick knew Tilley was the right fit. For most graduating seniors, the weeks and months following this year’s May 22 commencement will be spent searching for jobs in a crowded field of candidates. For departing senior and field hockey captain Amanda Tilley, the hunt is already over. Tilley has signed on to become an assistant field hockey coach at fellow Middle Atlantic Conference member DeSales University starting in the fall of 2010. And for the former Colonel defender, summer practices cannot come soon enough. “I want to start this spring; tomorrow,” exclaimed Tilley. “Unfortunately they don’t have a spring tournament.” Tilley, who is set to graduate with a degree in business this May, has yearned to set foot in the coaching world since her sophomore year here at Wilkes University, and she’s thrilled at the opportunity to get a start right away. “I’m just exited to be a coach,” said Tilley. “This is a job that I want to do. It’s like a doctor who passes the MCATS or a lawyer who passes the bar and gets excited. I just don’t have to pass a test, I get to The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski play field hockey.” As a player, Tilley has been Tilley, seen here on the right along with teammatesand fellow seniors Jen Keegan (far right) and Brittany Sines (left), will take a driving force behind the re- her skills and abilities to the coaching profession, accepting an assistant coaching job at MAC rival DeSales University. “I knew that she was interested in pursuing surgence of the Wilkes women’s field hock- be in charge of the team’s conditioning and fitness. She’s already prepared for the chal- coaching after speaking with [Wilkes head ey team over the last four years. Arriving at a program that traditionally lenge that comes with making conditioning coach] Coach Myers and was intrigued to get to know Amanda so we could decide if finished toward the bottom of the standings, a habit. “I’m in charge of fitness, so they will she would be a good fit for DeSales,” said Tilley, along with her fellow seniors and head coach Sarah Meyers, took an under- probably hate me,” laughed Tilley. “But I Fosdick. “I was sold on having her as an achieving bunch and turned them into a na- just want them to realize that the more in assistant coach because of her passion and tionally ranked powerhouse. Over the past shape and fit you are, then the easier it is to desire to get into the coaching world.” One major hurdle will be avoiding becomtwo seasons, the lady Colonels have posted play the game. That’s one of my goals, to ing friends with her new players, some of a 33-8 record, including a national ranking get them in shape.” Although it will be her first season as a whom may be older than their new assistant as high as 12th in the country, a school recoach, Tilley is quite familiar with the coach. Fosdick is confident, however, that cord. Now that her time as a player is done, school. The campus is located directly this will not be a problem for Tilley. “There are challenges in being so close in she is looking forward to the challenge of across the street from her high school Alma coaching players whom she has played Mater, Southern Lehigh. Not to mention, age to the players,” explained Fosdick. another DeSales assistant coach, Pat DierSEE TILLEY, Page 19 against on the field herself. Colonels drop the Dutchmen DeRojas pours in 30 BY GINO TROIANI Managing Editor Coming into last Monday’s game against Lebanon Valley College (LVC) the Colonels had one thing on their mind: payback. With a 71 to 65 victory over the Dutchmen, the Colonels managed to avenge a two game skid against the Dutchmen in their last two regular season meetings, most recently with a heartbreaking 76 to 70 loss. However, history would be re-written after Monday’s game at the Arnaud C. Marts Center as Wilkes unleashed a weapon that had not been at their disposal in their last meeting because of injury: junior pointguard, and team captain Chris Derojas. Playing in his first game after scoring his 1,000 career point, the junior point guard ran circles around the LVC defense, finding openings and torching the Dutchmen for a total of 30 points on the night. “Our mindset was to build on [our last] win and try and get another win going into the second half of conference play,” said Derojas. Derojas managed to hit an astounding 11 of 15 from the field, with six of those shots coming from beyond the arc, helping the Colonels win their third conference game in a row. Playing with an unmatched tenacity, the Colonels silenced the Dutchmen with a 24-4 run in the first 11 minutes of the game. During that time, Lebanon Valley was ice cold, missing 14 of their 16 shots. “We had a very strong start which kind of set the tone,” said Head Coach Jerry Rickrode. “We were looking to continue to build momentum with another win.” Despite the lead, Lebanon Valley buckled down and was able to cut the difference to just four points with 2:35 left in the first half after a 21-4 run of their own, closing the gap to a score of 34-27 before the half in favor of Wilkes. “I was pretty sure they were going to make a run on us,” said Rickrode. “They were just coming off an overtime loss against Albright who has a 15-2 record, another overtime loss against (Elizabethtown), and a close loss to Widener, all quality teams.” SEE BASKETBALL, Page 19 �THE BEACON SPORTS FEBRUARY 2, 2010 17 Athlete Spotlight: Kevin Gerhart, two-sport standout BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent The name Kevin Gerhart has shown up abundantly throughout the sports section of The Beacon the past few years for his outstanding play on the gridiron. However, this time he's making headlines for his performance on the mat for the men's wrestling team. Gerhart earns recognition for being this edition's Athlete Spotlight for his stellar performance at the Messiah Open last week, capturing the championship in the 184-pound weight class. "I had a tough first match that I won by a slim margin. My second match I wrestled better and won the match more convincingly, and my finals match was close," Gerhart recalled. The final match was indeed close. Tied at 1-1 with the last 20 seconds of the match fading fast, Gerhart scored a takedown for the victory and the title. Gerhart's performance earns an extra round of applause due to the fact that this is his first season wrestling at the collegiate Junior Kevin Gerhart has thrived in his first season on the mat for the Colonels, posting a 10-4 record thus far. level. After a debilitating injury his freshman year, Gerhart had no choice but to rehab for the football season in the fall. It wasn't until an injury opened up the 184-pound spot on the wrestling team that Gerhart made the decision to be a two-sport athlete. "I don't want to look back and say 'what if I had wrestled?' so the decision was an easy one," Gerhart said. "There was a hole that I could fill on a great team." While joining the team may have been an easy decision, actually competing on the collegiate level is something else entirely. "I knew wrestling was a demanding sport, but in college, everyone is good," said Gerhart. "In college, if you take a break dur- ing a match chances are your opponent will take advantage." With his three victories at Messiah, Gerhart improved his overall record for the season to 8-3. He is happy with the impressive start, but he isn't complacent. "My record is just a number," he said. "I want to keep improving and the wins will come but I still need to get much better in some areas. I want to have a very good showing at conferences this year." "I'm just glad to be part of this team. All the guys on the team are great guys to be around. The team is a great group of athletes that push each other every day to get better. Their work ethic is phenomenal," Gerhart insisted, pushing off the praise for his accomplishments thus far. Bringing the focus back to his initial feelings going into the season, Gerhart admitted that he was a little nervous, particularly because he had been away from the sport for so long. With a 10-4 record and the Messiah Title for the 184-pound weight class in hand, Gerhart's nerves should be settled, and replaced with the confidence of a champion. ,,. w THAT EATS LIKE AN THAT EATS LIKE A Olt VICE VERSA Get 10% off with valid student ID Oil VICE VERSA Get 10% off with student ID Foll Meno Served All Dag -------------------,-------------------r------------------¢ ~ ~ ....... 99 BREAKFAST BURRITO s10FF CroisS0N1c• BREAl<!FAST SANDWICH 99:w~ ROUTE 44 BIG DRINK• ' SOFT DRINK. Full Menu Served All Dag �18 SPORTS THE BEACON FEBRUARY 2, 2010 SCOREBOARD WRESTLING *SINCE JANUARY 18, 2010 1/18 @ TCNJ 20-18 W 1/30 vs. Gettysburg 29-21 W 1/30 vs. Plymouth State 24-15 W 1/20 vs. Kutztown 12-30 L Who will win Super Bowl XLIV? Unfortunately for the Colts, this just Aint the Aint’s MEN’S BASKETBALL *SINCE JANUARY 18, 2010 1/20 @ DeSales 64-78 L 1/23 vs. Delaware Valley 70-62 W 1/25 vs. Lebanon Valley 71-65 W 1/30 @ FDU-Florham 61-58 W WOMEN’S BASKETBALL *SINCE JANUARY 18, 2010 1/20 @ DeSales 48-100 L 1/23 vs. Delaware Valley 57-71 L 1/27 vs. Lycoming 41-58 L 1/30 @ FDU-Florham 46-66 L WBS PENGUINS *SINCE JANUARY 18, 2010 1/22 @ Syracuse Crunch 6-3 W 1/23 @ Rochester Americans 3-5 L 1/29 vs. Hershey Bears 6-8 L 1/30 vs. Manitoba Moose 4-6 L WEEK AHEAD All right, listen. I can’t sit here and argue against Peyton Manning because frankly, he may just be the greatest quarterback to ever play the game of football. Only problem is, even Peyton Manning cannot defeat destiny. The Saints just ain’t losin’. I can sit here and go on and on about many different factors that favor New Orleans. I could talk about the eight defensive touchdowns the Saints had this past year. How they were third in the league in picks, second in the league in turnover margin, sixth in rushing, and had the number one air attack. But instead, I’m going give you two reasons why this is the Saints’ Super Bowl to lose. First, this is not the Jets, or the Ravens for that matter. This is the best offense since the Rams ‘Greatest Show on Turf.’ Is it just me, or did the Colts have the easiest path to the Super Bowl this year? The Jets have a 2/5 vs. Ithaca @ 7pm MEN’S BASKETBALL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2/3 @ Misericordia @ 6pm 2/6 vs. Manhattanville @ 1pm twil:I: r , @Beaconsnorts For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports chants to the post-game celebration, the entire heartbeat of this organization runs through him. The man is just phenomenal. He can put the ball wherever he likes, whenever he likes, however he likes. All he has to do is have the football, which, unfortunately for the Colts, he has on every single play. Anyone at anytime can score for the Saints. Twenty-one different players have scored a touchdown, and it has come in a variety of ways. It can be on the ground or catching the ball out of the backfield with one of the three headed monsters at running back.. Or it can be through the air, to the array of wide outs Brees has to throw to. But to win, they have to stop Peyton Manning. And to do that, they have to do exactly what they did to Brett Favre last week – get to him on every snap. Attack, attack, attack. That’s the name of the game. And they have the right amount of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball to do just that. They get to him, Mardi Gras will come nine days early this year. Final Score: Saints 31, Colts 27 Sorry, but this aint the Saints’ year WRESTLING 2/5 @ Misericordia @ 8pm 2/6 vs. Manhattanville @ 3pm great rushing attack, but (and I love Mark Sanchez) their passing attack is downright putrid. And do the Ravens even have an offense? The Colts have to buckle up the chin straps and get ready, because this Saints attack is a high flyin’, trick play runnin’, gun slingin’ lookin to explode on whatever defense gets in their way. They will get on you and will do so in a hurry. For all those who say the Colts have the speed off the edge to shut down this high flyin’ attack, guess again. What beats speed? Draws up the middle. Screens to the outside. Quick passes right over the top. And no one in the league runs it better than the Saints. Second, they are armed with literally every sort of arsenal imaginable. Have you seen the playbook Sean Payton carries around? It looks more like a menu at the Cheesecake Factory than a playbook. They have more weapons than the USS Eisenhower has on deck. And their baby is, of course, Drew Brees. The entire offense, scratch that, the entire team, scratch that too, the entire city goes where he takes them. From the pre-game Listen, I would like for the Saints to win their first Super Bowl Sunday. In the best of times for the franchise, their fans have endured mediocrity; in the worst, well, there’s a reason they were once referred to as the ‘Aints. They have become representative of an entire city’s road to recovery, and feature one of the most entertaining offenses in recent memory. The problem is, of course, that they simply won’t. Oh, I expect it to be a hard fought and emotionally charged game, with Drew Brees and company giving their all to defeat the Colts. The reason that they will not win is because of the play of Peyton Manning, the TV pitch man who happens to throw a football phenomenally well. He is simply unstoppable. He attacks game film like Mr. Dorunda does a tray of Whiskey Business wings, and then executes on the field at a level that few quarterbacks, if any, ever have. Witness his performance last week against my beloved New York Jets: after being rattled in the first quarter by Rex Ryan’s multiple defensive looks and blitzing schemes, he and his offense recovered to thoroughly stomp what many considered to be the best defense in the NFL this season. An advantage the Jets had over the Saints inthe match-up was the presence of Darrelle Revis, who took Reggie Wayne out of the equation (though Wayne’s three receptions and 55 yards were impressive compared to how other receivers have fared against Revis this season); this allowed them to double-cover Dallas Clark for stretches in the beginning of the game. The ultimatum they attempted to deliver was simple: either run against our No. 1 ranked rushing defense, or take your chances with your young receivers. Well, Jets fans are now painfully aware of the names “Pierre Garcon” and “Austin Collie,” who combined for 18 receptions, 274 receiving yards, and a couple of touchdowns. This was against a Jets defense that ranked first in defending the pass this season, al- lowing a paltry 153.7 yards through the air, good enough to be tops in the NFL. Indeed, the Jets gave up 1,310 less passing yards on the season than the Saints, an average of almost 82 less yards a game. Against that type of passing defense, Peyton threw for 377 yards with three scores and no picks. Lost in the aftermath of the game was the fact that their rushing attack also hung 101 yards on the Jets, whose rushing defense was best in the NFL. So am I to believe that the Saints, who will not be benefiting from a shutdown corner, will be able to adequately cover all of his options while containing their run and creating pressure on Manning? No sane defensive coordinator in the world would want this assignment. Maybe on a neutral field the Saints will be able to pull out the win. It won’t be with their defense, though; Brees had better throw for at least 350 yards and three scores if this game is going to be close. He knows it, too. I just can’t see them outscoring the Colts. Final Score: Colts 34, Saints, 24 �THE BEACON SPORTS FEBRUARY 2, 2010 TILLEY BASKETBALL Continued from Page 16 Continued from Page 16 “It depends on the character and maturity of the person to be able to handle the pressures of being a young coach, and I am confident that she will take her role seriously as an assistant and will act accordTILLEY ingly.” As for her first tilt with her college alma mater, she’s already got the day marked down. “It’s toward the end of the season on a Saturday,” said Tilley. “It’s going to be different because I’m from around there so everyone I know is going to be there, and my parents are going to be torn on who to root for.” Although her former teammate will be wearing an opponent’s colors, Junior Alyson Paulauskas couldn’t be happier. “It’s going to be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time,” said Paulauskas. “She brings a ton of knowledge of the game to DeSales, but I’m excited to see a good friend who has had such a huge impact on me get to coach. It will be exciting.” The majority of the second half was a shootout, however. The two teams exchanged points the entire half, responding to eachother’s runs with a scoring run of their own. Wilkes slowly pulled away to a ten point lead with 2:22 left in the game after a 5-0 run with the help of Derojas’s hot shooting from the outside and senior forward Tom Kresge’s defensive presence down low. Kresge, the 6’5 forward, racked up a total of 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds throughout the game, turning on the heat towards the end of the game to solidify the win. In the remaining 2:22, Wilkes scored another six points all culminating with a final score of 71 to 65, defeating the Dutchmen for the first time in the last three meetings. “It feels good, [the win] gets our confidence back up and we are ready for the second half of conference play,” said Derojas. After Saturday’s win against FDU-Florham University, the Colonel’s were able to improve their winning streak to three games, and their overall standing to 12 and seven overall, and jumped to 3-5 in conference play. CONTACT ANTHONY DORUNDA AT anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu CONTACT GINO TROIANI AT gino.troiani@wilkes.edu 19 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Sophomore Kendall Hinze made all three of his free throw attempts in Wilkes University’s victory over Lebanon Valley. REMEMBERTOVOTEFORTHECOLONELCHARITYCHALLENGE! Voting ends on February 5 This year’s Colonel Charity Challenge, to be held in the spring, will raise money to benefit one of the following charities. Students and faculty are encouraged to vote for the charity they would most like to be benefited; voting ends on February 5. Cast your vote on the school’s athletic website, gowilkesu.com. The poll can be found on the left hand side of the home page. Gift of Life – www.donors1.org Bo Tkach Foundation – www.botkach.com To create awareness for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other mental health issues while providing essential funding for youth athletic programs, scholarships and otherwise inaccessible individual mental health screening and treatment. Bo Tkach was a former Wilkes University student as well as a student athlete. Non-profit agency serving the eastern half Our Military Kids – of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and www.ourmilitarykids.org Delaware, is responsible for recovering and Provides tangible support to the children distributing organs and tissues used in lifeof deployed National Guard and Military saving and life-enhancing transplants. Reserve personnel and to the children of the severely injured service members through Turn 2 Foundation – grants for sports, fine arts and tutoring that www.mlb.com/players/jeter_derek/ nurture and sustain the children during turn2/index.jsp the time a parent is away in service to our To create and support signature programs country. and activities that motivate young people **All information courtesy of the to turn away from drugs and alcohol and Sports Information Department. The Beacon/Gino Troiani “TURN 2” healthy lifestyles Senior Anthony Gabriel goes up for an easy score against conference foe Lebanon Valley in their 71-65 victory on January 25. Gabriel finished with 14 points in 26 minutes of action. �SPORTS 20 THE BEACON I FEBRUARY 2, 2010 No rest for the weary: Winter sports teams use winter break to improve BY DANIEL KAUTZ Assistant Sports Editor While the majority of Wilkes students were home over winter break enjoying their time off, members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the wrestling team, remained behind. For them, winter break is hardly a time for relaxation; indeed, it is one of their most important stretches of the season, as the extra practice helps to prepare them for the second half of their schedules. “Winter break really is a tough time for us,” said Jonathan Laudenslager, head coach of the wrestling team. “We need to work real hard to get back the conditioning we may have lost with a two week lay-off.” The wrestling team came back to school on December 26 in order to prepare for the Wilkes Open, which they hosted on December 28. They were then given a break from December 30 to January 2. Upon returning, they quickly adjusted to their daily practice schedule, which included a morning workout and 4 PM practice. “We did some free time in the morning where they could get out of bed and lift, drill or run, and then reported back everyday for practice at 4 PM,” said Laudenslager. “For the most part break was all business and getting back into great shape for the second half of the year. It was tough though; it’s really boring as we do nothing but wrestle. With no classes it’s really uneventful and a long two weeks.” Junior Jacob Weinrich, an environmental engineering major and third year wrestler, described the lifestyle he and his teammates adopted over the break. “Our two practices a day were tough, but what was sometimes worse was filling the down time you had outside of it,” said Weinrich. “At the beginning of break it was really nice but pretty soon you had to start looking for ways to entertain yourself. You would really just try and hang out with your teammates as much as possible.” Benjamin Marich, an integrative media major and fellow junior wrestler, transferred from Lehigh University last year. Though he was injured for most of the break, his experience at his previous school helped to prepare him for what he would face at Wilkes. “It really wasn’t much different than what I 30+ Average length, in days, of most student’s winter break. 10-15 The Beacon/Daniel Kautz Seniors Rich Pellegrini (left) and Frank Heffernan of the wrestling team trained with their teammates over break. Here, Heffernan offers a spot at the end of an extensive workout. went through there. We did a lot more crosstraining here though, including lifting and running, instead of just straight wrestling.” The time outside of practice was spent bonding, according to Laudenslager, as the team spent most of their free time and meals together. The members of the men’s basketball team had a few more days off than the wrestlers, as they reported back on December 29. They held practice from 12:00-2:30 for the first ten days, and then switched to 12:00-1:00 shoot-arounds with practice from 4:00-5:30. They received no time off until the day before classes started. “[The time over break] is very important because we have the week off from practice during finals, as I do not believe in practicing then so [the students] can concentrate on their grades,” said head coach Jerry Rickrode. “Then we have the Christmas week off as well. It’s like starting another season when we get back. We have to get the brain functioning on all the stuff we have not run for three weeks and we have to make sure our physical conditioning is up to speed.” Christopher DeRojas, a junior business administration major and co-captain of the team, agreed. “[The members of the team] all react the EXCLUSIVE Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won’t find in the print edition. same way. Of course we’re going to miss being at home with family, friends, and good meals but at the same time we know we have to be ready to get better and during the break is a great time to improve on things.” Time not dedicated to the hardwood was spent resting and hanging out with teammates, he added. The women’s basketball team had a similar schedule as the men. They arrived the week following Christmas, and had morning shoot-arounds with afternoon practices that usually ran two hours. “I thought the practices we had over break were really beneficial for the team,” said undeclared sophomore Lyndsay Ellis. “It was tough work.” With a little less than a month until conference tournaments begin, time will tell how helpful the extra practice sessions were. Coach Laudenslager, whose team upset then-No. 7 TCNJ over break, is a firm believer in the extra time winter break affords the different teams to prepare. “Thankfully it was successful, as we are now back at classes with everyone having used break to improve and get ready for the stretch run.” CONTACT DANIEL KAUTZ AT danie/.kautz@wilkes.edu for more information check out .. . w_il_k_e_sb_e_a_c_o_n_.c_o_m _____l[fl:ZI . I __ Average length, in days, of most student-athletes’ winter break. The members of the wrestling team reported back the earliest (December 26), with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams arriving shortly afterwards. 2 The number of daily practices each team held. The morning/ early afternoon usually featured a personal workout or shoot-around, with a serious practice later in the day. 3 Number of weeks until conference tournaments begin for each team. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2010 February 2nd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 February 2 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/36c2796673cdf4a8c08ccab76730df2a.pdf a5f806b623d45dd791c8d9da229caab4 PDF Text Text PAGE20 Franklin 8: Marshall scores 19 points in the fourth quarter, wins South Atlantic Bowl on last-second TD. The I NOVEMBER 24, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 10 Students robbed Turnout lower than expected at H1N1 clinics on campus last Thursday BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor A pair of incidents on campus this past Thursday sent one student to the hospital and left another without her purse. According to a statement sent out to all students and staff by Wilkes President Tim Gilmour, the first incident occurred around 4 p.m. The suspects were two Caucasian males, one described as having a medium build with dark curly hair and a beard, wearing a dark sweater and blue jeans. The other was only described as wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt. Manager of Public Safety, Gerald Rebo, said that Edward Maye, the victim of the first incident, was walking from Slocum Hall, where he lives. He was approached by the two men, described to be in their late 30s to early 40s. One of the men forcibly removed Maye’s cell phone from his pocket. At this point, Maye tried to get it back, and he and one of the men started to wrestle. This is when the suspect took out what may have been a screwdriver and, according to public safety’s records, grazed the student’s abdomen. “He got his cell phone back, but in the mean time the guy cut him with something,” Rebo said. “We don’t know what it was. Could have been a screwdriver, could have been a razor blade.” See ROBBED page 4 Courtesy of Dr. Edward Foote Above, a pharmacy student draws a dose of the H1N1 vaccine. Nursing students helped by drawing doses and injecting vaccines at Wilkes University’s clinics. Clinics were held for Wilkes students, faculty and staff. Later on, the clinics were opened up to Wilkes family and friends. See VACCINE page 3 Rendell visited Wilkes, discussed State budget BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Staff Writer Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell visited Wilkes University to give an address about state finances on Tuesday, November 17. Approximately 80 people attended Rendell’s address including President Tim Gilmour, and Jack Chielli, executive direc- INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com Wilkes University recently received 1,500 doses of H1N1 vaccines. Of the 1,500, approximately 1,100 vaccines were administered to faculty, staff, students, and their families within the past few weeks. Of the 1,100 vaccines given to the Wilkes Community during the vaccination clinics, there have been no reported complications or issues. Paul Adams, dean of Student Affairs, listed numerous reasons why the vaccine is so important at the University. “First and foremost, you want to protect the educational environment at the University to make sure it isn’t interrupted unnecessarily,” said Adams. He continued, saying that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) warned Wilkes of the possibility of having to temporarily close the school if there was a 20 percent absenteeism rate. “One of the interesting things we’re struggling with is why so many students have not gotten immunized,” said Dr. Edward Foote, I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 tor of marketing communications. Rendell focused on the Pennsylvania State Budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which was passed 101 days after deadline. With the passing of the budget, Rendell said several educational programs were cut. A total of $2.5 billion was cut from the budget with the elimination of these programs and other educational programs, such as the Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 hallmark tutoring initiative. The Governor’s School of Excellence, which is a summer program for high school students to study agricultural sciences, creative and performing arts, global entrepreneurship, health care, information technology, international studies, the sciences, and See RENDELL page 4 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �E(~O-I~llIENl)f. Y I..IVINGI. E1.\IlNING (~OIIIIIJNI'I1Y J>1.\GE 5 2 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Hunger & Homelessness Week educates campus on social concern Former Bloom professor works to spread awarness about homelessness BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer On Friday November 20, students gathered in the Henry Student Center ballroom to discuss one of the biggest social issues that America faces today--homelessness. Last week, was Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week with a variety of activities and events to shed light on this ever-growing social concern. Gary Clark of Bloomsburg University, professor emeritus, gave a presentation that focused on putting a face to this very serious and growing problem in Wilkes-Barre and nationwide. Clark is a photojournalist who tries to capture the true identity of the homeless by photographing homeless individuals. He explained that homeless people are treated as if they are invisible. With the use of his emotionally charged pictures, he said his goal is to to inspire others to reach out and help. Clark’s presentation on the faces of homelessness exposes what being without a home truly means because his photos show the harsh reality. More than 500 campuses nationwide get involved with Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week every year. “We have this here on our campus so that we can be aware of the hunger and homelessness that is in our own community,” said Caitlin Czeh, interfaith coordinator. She continued, “There are many people, who are hungry and homeless in our area, but there are very limited resources to help them.” Czeh explained that the current economy and its limited resources are stretched. “This year, because of the economy, there are even more people who are struggling every day to make ends meet, and therefore they must depend on area food pantries to help them.” Throughout the week there were specific events that aimed to bring homelessness awareness to the area. “A mile in her shoes,” which was a tour of places that homeless women visit each day. Dinnerless Dinner was an event where people donated canned goods instead of a dish to share. There was a Hunger Banquet and The Hungry for the Holidays canned food drive. The Many Faces of Homelessness were some of the highlights that encouraged students to get involved. Inspired by the streets of New York, Clark wanted to find out who the homeless really were. According to Clark 96% of homeless people didn’t expect to ever live on the streets. “One wrong turn, one bad decision, and you can be on the streets.” Clark emphasized that, “It’s not just about the people on the streets It’s about all of us.” Sandy Sharp, senior sociology major, came to the presentation to get some questions she had about homelessness answered. “The more I’m learning about homelessness the more I’m finding how widespread it is,” said Sharp. Carrie Early and Max Morales, sophomore psychology and sociology majors, respectively, attended the event to learn more about homelessness. During his presentation Clark discussed how children are affected by homelessness. “As children, we draw pictures of what is really important to us. Children draw pictures of houses and their family. This gives them the sense of security and order that is essential to any child’s development.” Through Clark’s efforts to bring awareness to homelessness, there have been many BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu success stories. Clark’s website, essentialhumanity.com, tries to bring families back together by posting homeless people’s faces on the site along with who they are trying to find. He explained that, “The families hurt just as much as the victims themselves.” Clark encourages us all to defeat homelessness by becoming advocates for those who cannot “beat the streets.” “Be social irritants,” said Clark. “Get our politician’s to provide more funding for homeless programs. Typed letters on letterheads will get their attention.” Students can also donate time, food, clothing, and blankets to the Reach shelter at 35 South Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre. Contact them at 829-5611. Outstanding Leaders Forum The Beacon/Cathryn Frear Dr. Elie Wiesel spoke at the Outstanding Leaders Forum on Tuesday, November 17. Wiesel is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Holocaust survivor and professor at Boston University. for more information check out.. . Iwilkesheacon.com Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Meet the Staff Tom Reilly Photo Editor �NOVEMBER 24, 2009 VACCINE from FRONT PAGE professor and chair of pharmacy practice. “The general population of students were not getting immunized and we’re not quite sure why.” Adams agreed with Foote regarding the resistance they’ve seen from students on the the vaccine. Adams said he believes students may have been reluctant to get vaccinated because they don’t necessarily feel vulnerable to the H1N1 virus. Adams also cited Youtube.com videos and different media sources as students’ reasons for fearing the vaccine. The videos showed people who were negatively affected by vaccines. Adams said that these specific cases get attention from media because they are so rare. “Ultimately, I don’t think the University would offer something to its students that we believe is unsafe,” said Adams. Side effects of the H1N1 vaccine include a sore arm or mild symptoms of a common cold according to Dr. Adam Welch, assistant professor of the pharmacy practice. Some students were apprehensive about the receiving the vaccine. “I didn’t get the shot just because it’s so new,” said Gousfin Hanna, sophomore pharmacy major. “My sister had the [H1N1 virus] and was put on medication. She’s fine now.” Hanna continued, saying that she would rather get the flu and have it run its course than get the H1N1 vaccine. Kelly Ferrell, sophomore English major, said that she was aware the University was giving the vaccine but chose not to get it. “I missed the times, but I’m a commuter so I can just go over to my doctor’s office NEWS because they are giving it out,” said Ferrell. The Health and Wellness Services has held about eight vaccination clinics total. In partnership with the nursing and pharmacy programs, two clinics were open to family of members of the Wilkes community. According to Foote, about 15 faculty members of the pharmacy and nursing programs have helped with the clinics by giving the vaccines. The first few clinics were lightly attended; therefore, there have been multiple attempts to reach students such as moving the vaccination site from the Marts Gym to the Henry Student Center Lounge. In addition, pharmacy and nursing students and faculty have been assisting with the clinics to expedite the process. “Everyone seems very appreciative,” said Diane O’Brien, director of Health and Wellness Services. “As soon as we got [the vaccines], we really tried to sit down with Student Affairs and Paul Adams and really have a plan to just deliver them quickly.” There are a few populations that are most susceptible by the H1N1 vaccine including children, people under the age of 24, pregnant women and the elderly. Dr. Julie Olenak, assistant professor of the pharmacy practice, said that school-aged children and young adults are contracting the H1N1 virus because of decreased immunity. “So what happens normally with the flu, it’s the elderly that get sick and are hospitalized and die,” said Olenak. “But that’s not the case with H1N1 and that’s because [students] lack immunity. [Students] have never seen a similar virus, so their body has no protection against it.” According to Welch, the vaccine is a new 3 The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas In attempts to increase the number of students receiving the immunization, clinics were moved from the Marts Gym to the Henry Student Center, pictured above. strain of influenza. Every February, the CDC determines three main strains of seasonal influenza, and then those strains are put into a vaccine. Since the H1N1 virus was not identified until April 2009, the vaccine had to be produced in six months as opposed to the seasonal flu vaccine, which is produced in eight months. “If [the swine flu] had been identified in February instead of April, it would have been in this year’s seasonal flu shot, and we wouldn’t have had a need for an additional H1N1 vaccine,” said Welch. Other students supported getting the vaccine. Meaghan Williams, a junior psychology major and a neuroscience minor, wanted to get the vaccine to protect herself. “It wasn’t a hard decision to come to,” Williams said. “I wanted to do anything I could to keep myself from becoming susceptible.” Trevor Hirsh, a junior entrepreneurship major, business administration and marketing minors, also said that he felt vulnerable to the H1N1 virus. “I got the vaccine because of the risk peo- ple under the age of 24 faced,” said Hirsh. “Since a lot of college campuses were being hit hard with swine flu, I decided it would be a good idea.” Other area colleges and universities like King’s College, Luzerne County Community College and Misericordia University are administering immunizations, as well. O’Brien confirmed approximately 10 cases of H1N1 on campus during the swine flu tests and 20 isolated cases; all students returned to class without complications. If a student went to Health and Wellness Services with symptoms of the H1N1 virus, they were treated as if they had the virus with Tamiflu, an antiviral flu medicine. Adams confirmed the approximate 10 cases of H1N1 on campus during the President’s Coffee Hour on November 19. If students, faculty or staff want the H1N1 vaccine, they can visit Health and Wellness Services on the first floor of Passan Hall to receive it. O’Brien reminds students that washing hands and not sharing drinks or cigarettes is important to keep the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu from spreading. Wilkes alumni help in development of H1N1 vaccination BY AUBREE ARMEZZANI Correspondent KAYLA MATTIOLI Correspondent & NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief The H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu, continues to make headlines across the country. Antibacterial lotion, vitamins, and tissues have been flying off the shelves of supermarkets and stores all over the world. In approximately one year, H1N1 has left about 500,000 people dead, said CNN. com. Wilkes University has offered free vaccinations at the Marts Gym multiple times in the last month. Each time the shot was offered, students, faculty, staff and their families waited in line to receive the vaccine. While the University has hosted many of these clinics, they have also had a hand in the development of the vaccine. Wilkes’ alumni Roger Raby, ’05 and Matthew Nighbert, ’09 are employed by Sanofi Pasteur, a pharmaceutical company located in Swiftwater, Pa. that develops and produces the vaccines. “We’re trying our best, and we’re solving this more and more one day at a time,” said Raby, a level two technician at Sanofi. According to Nighbert, a laboratory analyst, the procedure for making the vaccine is extremely complex. They begin by growing seed strains of the virus. Scientists are then able to identify a strain that triggers the immune system but doesn’t make people sick. At Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine for the Swine flu is made just like the vaccine for the regular common flu, except there are different ingredients. “With the common flu you use three strains of flu, where as with swine, you only use one strain of flu,” said Raby. “The flu vaccines are usually grown in fertilized chicken eggs,” said Nighbert. “The seed virus is injected into these chicken eggs and they are then incubated for a period of time, which allows for the viral strain to replicate and multiply.” The egg is then opened and the virus, still live at this point, is harvested. It then goes through an inactivation process. The inactivated virus is harvested, purified and formulated by adding other ingredients. “I am very confident with this vaccine; I really do think we’ve finally found a solution to all this mayhem,” said Raby. When Nighbert was a student at Wilkes, biology education specialist Debra Chapman was his advisor. After receiving word of Nighbert’s job at Sanofi Pasteur, Chapman was excited and proud. “As his advisor, I, too, was thrilled that Matt was employed by a company that would provide a challenging and motivating environment for him,” said Chapman. “Advisors share in the success of their advisees, and this is no exception.” Both Raby and Nighbert enjoy their jobs at Sanofi Pasteur and welcome the challenges that some projects, such as the development and production of the H1N1 vaccine, bring to their day to day lives. “I really like what I do; I like the fact that I’m helping people all over the world,” said Raby. Nighbert agreed. “The best part of my job is knowing that what I do can save lives,” he said. �NEWS 4 ROBBED from FRONT PAGE According to the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, however, Maye was leaving his dorm when he was approached by two men who asked for money. He told them he had none and a “struggle ensued.” The official police report said the struggle led to Maye being “stabbed” in the abdomen with what may have been a screwdriver by the man with the curly hair. Maye was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center for treatment and released the same night. A mere four hours after the first incident occurred, at around 8 p.m., another robbery occurred in the parking lot of Weckesser Hall. According to Rebo, Chi Vu was walking to University Towers from Breiseth when she saw two suspicious-looking in their 20s. In the statement from Gilmour, these men were also described as Caucasian. One of the men had dark, curly hair and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, while the other was wearing a gray jacket with a fur-lined hood. “She saw the two males sitting on the bench inside the bus stop,” said Rebo. “They were watching her very intensely and it scared her.” Vu said that the incident really shook her. “I was scared and shocked. I couldn’t believe that this happened to me,” said STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor 11--18--09 Treasure’s Report: All College: $4,800 Conferences: $10,000 General: $50 Leadership: $2,225 Special Projects: $600 Spirit: $1,000 Start-up: $900 New Business: Wilkes Fitness Club Recognition (Week 1 of 2): The Fitness group is looking to gain club status. SG will help the group members rework their constitution next week. Chemistry Club (Week 1 of 2) Fund Request: Saturday, November 21 Wilkes University hosted a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Seminar. It was free for all attendees. This event was not hosted by Chemistry Club; it’s hosted by the chemistry department. Chemistry Club requested $500 to replenish funds spent on the event. Wilkes Mini Baja Club Fund Request: Baja Club requested $2400 to finish building their Baja and to test it out next semester for a competition in June. Survey System Renewal: A motion was made to allocate $660 to renew current survey system, as well as to maintain the system, for the next year. The motion passed 31-5-0. Events: OCC Wing Wars will be held December 1 A study break party will be held December 13 *At 7:25 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of the HSC. Vu. “I had a real bad feeling when seeing those two guys sitting there, and tried to walk faster, but then I heard them running after me. I was pushed down and the next thing I could remember, I was chasing after the guy who had taken my bag, screaming.” She went on to say that she realizes that she should not have chased after the men, but did it on instinct. The men then reportedly made their way down South Street and onto South River Street. Rebo said that if someone is robbed, the best thing to do is not to confront the mugger. While pride may tell a person otherwise, personal property isn’t worth risking making the situation worse. “My advice is give it up,” Rebo said. “It’s RENDELL from FRONT PAGE teaching on college campuses, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, was eliminated. Classrooms of the Future was also cut. This program was put in place to supply laptops and SMART Boards in all Pennsylvania public school classrooms. According to Rendell, those educational programs were cut because they were not considered to be part of the state’s core function. “The core function is to provide emergency services, to educate, to provide health care, to provide child and social services, and to provide corrections,” said Rendell. In regards to higher education, the new budget has resulted in a reduction in the grants made by the Pennsylvania Higher Education NOVEMBER 24, 2009 not worth getting injured.” Gilmour had similar advice for students, stating in his message, “If someone is forcibly taking your property, such as a cell phone, purse, wallet or backpack, don’t resist. Your personal safety is of greater value than whatever is being stolen.” It is not yet known whether the two occurrences are related. Students can sign up to get text message alerts on such incidents by visiting http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/2611.asp. Thomas Messinger could not be reached for a copy of the official report from Public Safety. Assistance Agency (PHEAA). PHEAA’s Grants to Students program will receive $403.6 million, less than a one percent reduction from the 2008-2009 budget year, according to the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget. “Harrisburg has looked at our colleges and universities as problems rather than resources,” said Rendell. Pennsylvania has the second highest concentration of colleges and universities, the first being Massachusetts. Governor Rendell said he has visited Wilkes University five or six times during his stint as Governor. Despite the changes and reductions made, Rendell said that Pennsylvania is one of the ten states in the union which are in a solid financial situation. for more information check out ... I wilkesbeacon.com NORTHAMPTON STREET DELI Located inside the Thi CA on-lv1embers Welcomed Mon th1u Thurs 11 :00 a.in to 8:00 pm Fridays & S1-mdays 11:00 am to 4:00 pm **** Please note new Sunday and Evening Hours **** 10% discount w / Student ID - Free WiFi Available The Beacon/Allison Roth Tuesday, November 17, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell visited Wilkes and spoke about the issues and concerns with the State budget. Other topics he discussed included limiting campaign financing, a possible merit selection of state judges, and a new reapportionment, which is the process that defines territories of districts for state and federal legislatures. He plans to accomplish these things during the remaining 14 months of his governorship. �NEWS NOVEMBER 24, 2009 5 Eco-friendly living-learning community approved Ross Hall will become “The Green House at Ross Hall” in Fall 2010 BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor & GILLYAN GOWARTY Staff Writer The proposal for the Sustainable LivingLearning Community (SLLC), which The Beacon reported on earlier this semester, has been approved and is now slated to start in 2010. As reported by The Beacon, the SLLC will be an eco-friendly residence on campus where students will work together to reduce their carbon footprint. The goal is to make the house completely carbon-neutral. Sarah Decesaris, senior political science and international studies double major and SLLC project manager, said she has been working diligently for months to get the proposal approved. “I presented it in July and August, and the environmental working group approved the proposal,” said Decesaris. However, since then, a more technical process has begun. The process included getting support and ......._.._ ~ signatures from Dean of Students, Mark Allen; Director of Residence Life, Elizabeth Roveda; Executive Director of Facilities, Thomas Messinger; Dr. Marleen Troy, as a faculty sponsor and advisor; and Dr. Ellen Flint, director of undergraduate education and coordinator of the campus living-learning communities, who also serves as a representative of the office of the provost. “In September, there had been verbal support and commitment given, but it took a while to gather all of the signatures,” said Flint. “We had to go through several steps in the approval process, so we had to gather signatures from different constituencies.” The Provost, Dr. Reynold Verret, has signed off on the budget. Flint noted that this is only the beginning of another long process. However, she stated that this is a good start. “What that signifies is that we have support and approval for this living-learning community from all of the constituencies involved,” said Flint. The application process is being imple- mented currently. Flint said that they want residents who are ready to step up and be committed to sustainable living. “This living learning community will require that the-community members bring specific strengths and interests and qualifications to the experience.” Therefore, she said, the application is one of the most important parts. “We need to be sure that the application allows us to learn about people’s interests and what they intend to bring to this experience.” The prospective student members will need to complete a certain number of service projects per semester. What the tasks will be and how many they will have to complete will be determined once things are started up, said Flint. Decesaris has been working on this aspect of the SLLC. “It’s called the low-carbon diet. It’s very simple steps to reducing your carbon footprint. Things like timing your showers, buying locally grown produce, not driving [but] getting a bike instead—all these things that we hear about, they’ll be practicing,” said Decesaris. Though students from science and engineering have been working on the project, Decesaris and Flint both emphasized that students from all majors are welcome to apply to be members of the community. Also, they both want for the living-learning community to encompass all graduation years. “As in any community, [it] is made all the richer for the diversity of its membership,” said Flint. Flint is also working to develop a curriculum that will run along the same lines as the community, educating the students involved on eco-friendliness. Now that approval has been made, the next step is getting the actual structure in place. Ross Hall has been designated as the location and will be known as the Greenhouse at Ross Hall, according to Flint. If all goes as planned, the first group of students will move into the community in Fall 2010. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.corn J ansport Sale November 29th - December 19th ! Buy one J ansport item and get the second J ansport item at50% off. �The Observatory •• ~ .. -f)J · -( ~ ~~ .. -~,.. .~~-~ \Ii .. ' :;~~~!- t•AGE 7 ·1 id 6 Opinion NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Variety of skills essential in bleek job market Stay competitive later by doing more now BY THE BEACON Editorial Board In today’s job market, it would be wise to make yourself marketable in every way possible. Employment rates have been fluctuating all year and the average amount of debt among graduating seniors is about $22,500, according to FinAid.org. Due to these facts, it is our position that current students need to take advantage of the opportunities Wilkes has to offer before finding themselves struggling to obtain work. One misnomer that people seem to have about the future is that as the economy recovers, certain jobs will come back; that is not the case. Many corporations have streamlined their operations, which will make the hunt for jobs that much more competitive. College graduates will be competing for limited positions against not only each other, but adults who are much more experienced and qualified. As such, The Beacon feels that students should make the most of this time to hone new skills that may not be in their primary field of interest or study. Communication majors, for example, will be graduating into a market that has undergone seismic change in the last several years due to shrinking profit margins. As such, graduating students are being advised more than ever to diversify their skill sets; gone are the days of the traditional print journalist. Today’s journalists need to know how to shoot and edit their own video, launch Podcasts and take their own photos. Education majors can distinguish themselves amongst competitors by taking courses in English as a Second Language (ESL) or Special Education. Taking additional psychology courses past the core requirements could be rewarding in the future, for example; though teachers will always be needed, those with multiple disciplines will be more attractive than education majors who studied only a single track. Another suggestion is to become involved with co-curriculars and club organizations on campus. These can not only steer you in a direction of interest but can also further develop your skills in your field. With over 100 different clubs and organizations at Wilkes University, getting involved on campus should be an effortless no-brainer. One of the major organizations that could valuable skills and experiences in an array of disciplines. They can also join clubs; for example, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) teaches students how to do this by allowing them to start their own business using marketing, financial planning, ethics and environmental sustainability. CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 7 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think that the health care reform bill should pass with the Stupack amendment attached? • Yes • No 14% 86% Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published on the website next week. Speak Up! The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Freshman Ryan Wood plans future events for WCLH using his computer in the Henry Student Center. He also participates in paintball and rock climbing through Wilkes. benefit from the participation of more students is Student Government. Students could learn leadership and ethics in a political setting. This type of organization could benefit a political science major, for example. Wilkes also incorporates the military. Those involved in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) learn valuable lessons in leadership, dedication and hard work. These students may qualify for leadership roles in the military when they graduate from Wilkes and serve their commitments. Learning skills like how to run your own organization may be attractive to employers, as well. By enrolling in business or entrepreneurship courses, students can garner There are plenty of majors that could support interdisciplinary studies, such as integrated media, English, business administration, and international studies, to name a few. There are also many other interdisciplinary activities and groups on campus that could help students develop new skill sets, like Wilkes Programming Board, Psychology Club, Campus Interfaith and the Multicultural Student Coalition. No matter what you may be interested in, Wilkes probably has a course, club or organization to suit your needs. Becoming involved will benefit you when you graduate and if you truly enjoy the club or organization you are involved in, your time at Wilkes will be more rewarding and more memorable. It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �NOVEMBER 24, 2009 OPINION 7 Farmville grows lazy crop of students Asst. Sports Editor MICHAEL CIGNOLI This is getting ridiculous. I do not care how many lonely stray animals wander onto the farms of you Farmville users. I’m not going to help you rescue them. Please stop asking me to do so. If you’re one of the hundreds of millions of people in this world that has a Facebook account, you know what I am talking about. If you are not, consider yourself lucky. Since June of this year, 63.7 million people have added the Farmville application, a real-time simulation that allows players to own and operate their own virtual farm, to their Facebook accounts. Unfortunately, those 63.7 million users have their in-game achievements published in their friend’s news feeds approximately every five minutes. I find this notification system to be a bit excessive. Imagine if you were talking to your friends in real life and a group of them started playing handheld video games. You would probably become annoyed if they kept randomly shouting, “I found a black sheep!” or “I leveled up!” In fact, they probably would not be your friends for that much longer. That is the situation in which I currently find myself. My friends keep inviting me to play Farmville. I keep declining the invitations. If I wanted to spend my free time farming, I would plant a vegetable garden. That way, when it came time to harvest, I would have food that can actually be eaten. I think that’s what gets to me the most about this game. For the sake of argument, let us assume that each of the 63.7 million Farmville users spends just one minute per day playing the game. That is a total of 63.7 million minutes that are wasted worldwide, which converts to 121 years. Think about that. At the very minimum, society as a whole is wasting 121 years of manpower every day on this game. That is in addition to the countless number of hours that people have to spend sifting through the countless notifications they receive in their Facebook news feed. In a 20-minute span last Sunday, I received four notifications from the same classmate about their exploits on their farm. Conversely, I received no notifications from the Amish about their exploits on their farms – the ones with real crops and real animals that provide real people with real food. You know, if I have a choice in farm-related notifications, I would prefer to receive notifications from the Amish. I would like Facebook to inform me if there is going to be some sort of famine that will have an impact on the world’s food supply, not if a fictitious, abnormally colored cow is lost and needs my assistance. But I digress. Do 63.7 million people really have nothing better to do than play Farmville? I would like to think that there are things that our society has discovered that would be more enjoyable and more productive than wasting time on this game. Getting teeth pulled comes to mind. The Observatory No good deed goes unselfish Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is worth living.” For someone who devoted their life entirely to finding the scientific explanations behind existence to say something so profoundly philosophical is surprising to say the least. While his words may be powerful, a little reason and common sense should tell you that maybe he misspoke. Einstein’s famous quote is founded upon the most basic interpretation of altruism. For those of you with a reading level lower than the ninth grade, altruism is “unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others,” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. For far too long has the word altruism has been thrown around, thoughtlessly expelled from the mouths of people who think altruism actually exists and pretend that their good deeds in life make them altruistic. I contend that altruism does not and cannot exist in our everyday lives. I must preface my argument by saying that I am not trying to pick on the do-gooders of the world. I am not cynical or disgruntled, and I certainly do not hate Gandhi, or Einstein or Mother Teresa. I just cannot call them altruists. It goes against logical reasoning to do so. The famous philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand spent her entire life trying to promote her philosophical view on life, which she called objectivism. Objectivism requires a person to seek their own happiness or self interest and the pursuit of individual rights. Rand also spent the majority of her life deconstructing altruism in the process. Her assertion was that a person could not devote The Beacon/Melanie Thomas his or her life to others because that person’s Rachel Zomerfeld, a freshman pre-Pharmacy major, spends some free time on her own happiness and well-being naturally facebook page managing her farm in the Stark Learning Center. take first priority. Therefore it contradicts the notion of unselfish regard for others if your own interests must come first. Rand also states that altruism only truly exists in emergency situations of life or death whereas the basic instinctual and protective skills step in and people are willing beyond any other circumstance to sacrifice their life for others. Only when critics alter the interpretation of the word altruism by including, “regard for yourself and for others,” do Rand’s ideas about altruism not hold true. Otherwise, her points are valid and thoughtful. The other flaw behind altruism that I see is it cannot be unselfish for reason of personal satisfaction. No matter which way you look at it, any good deed done for others gives the person doing the deed a feeling of appreciation-that sense of satisfaction. If you benefit from helping others, even on an emotional level, your actions cannot be deemed unselfish—especially when people strive to seek that satisfaction by helping others. For example, say I help an elderly woman across the street and she smiles and thanks me for my kindness. When I walk away, I am going to feel like a good person. I am going to feel that satisfaction. Say the next day I see a different elderly woman crossing the street and I remember how good it felt to help the first old lady, so I help the second. She thanks me. I walk away, and I feel pretty good about myself. That is the selfishness. Personal interests are at play here, which brings us back to Rand’s idea of objectivism. Believe that you are a good, decent, unselfish altruist and I can without a doubt tell you that you are not. There is nothing unselfish or selfless about helping others and it is not such a bad thing either. We are all selfish in our own right. It is basic human nature to be that way. Just try to understand that concept and try to understand that altruism does not exist in our everyday lives. �OPINION 8 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 SG not doing enough to represent the student body Voting patterns suggest “group think” and a “go with the flow” attitude Lifestyles Editor LEEANN SEARFOSS Democracy is wonderful. Granting citizens the power to elect officials to represent their thoughts, beliefs, and ideals is an ingenious idea. However the concept of a small number of trustworthy, free-thinking individuals fairly and accurately representing the diverse convictions of any population is an impossibility. The Democracy that America employs is not even a true one. Our country’s voting system depends on the 538 members of The Electoral College representing 125,225,901 American voices. It is easy for the representation to simply not listen to the votes of the millions of people they are supposed to represent based upon their individual beliefs. Wilkes University’s Student Government has the advantage of being surrounded by the same voices they are representing. Therefore, representing 2,500 voices compared to 125 million voices should be much more manageable. Unfortunately, SG does not put forth enough effort toward hearing our voices in a democratic fashion. Aside from notifications of class meetings, SG does not consid- er our voices when voting upon decisions. The American version of Democracy is structured in a way that at least allows citizens to analyze the “popular votes” to tell how well their voices were represented by the Electoral College. Student Government should, at the very least, send out e-mails keeping the student body abreast of the topics upon which they are voting. If they wanted to get serious about hearing our voices, they could use the same voting software that Wilkes Programming Board recently used when inquiring which musical acts the student body would like to see on campus. SG should take a lesson or two from Programming Board. The 36 members of SG should do more to solicit and hear the 2,500 students they aim to represent. It’s sad enough that a true democracy is not represented by our own country. This sad example does not have to carry over into our University. The difficulties, perplexities and demand of a free democracratic government make this often-marveled “perfect system” imperfect. This is true of governments across the board - including Wilkes’s student government. I recognize that it is difficult to manage the balancing act of representing an entire student body. Therefore, it is important to Letters to the Editor Policy put individuals in those positions who are free-thinkers and innovative. The voting records at SG meetings seem to follow a pattern. Students vote to either favor, oppose or abstain from the motion on the floor. Here are some recent voting numbers: 33-3-0. 33-0-4. 28-8-2. Do you see the pattern? The majority of SG members “go with the flow.” There’s rarely a close vote. It seems that an active and representative government, even at the student level, would engage in a more active debate. Taking the voting records of SG at face value would not be a fair assessment, however. So, I went to a SG meeting, something I can say I have never done before (and I am a senior). I wanted to see the balance of representation between classes and how lively the discussion of those representing the entire student body is. After the usual roll call, there seemed to be a similar pattern of events. The agenda was clear, typed on brightly colored paper. Perhaps the fact that the agenda is in print persuades individuals to feel they cannot press issues or create new agenda items. Whatever the case may be, I did notice that some individuals participated in an active discussion when asked. However, those individuals were either juniors or seniors. Classes were clustered together, and their perspectives and input seemed to reflect that. The freshmen and sophomore class representatives sat quietly at a long table on one side of the room, while the junior and senior class representatives sat as a mirrored image on the opposite side of the room. It is tough to have active conversation when you are not even facing each other. I hate to think the body of students chosen to represent the entirety of Wilkes’s campus are not actively engaging, challenging and bringing students’ concerns to the forefront. But the debate over government is twosided. Not only should a government keep one another fair and continue on in active discussions, the student body as a whole needs to be more aware of the government created for them. I was able to observe many things at the SG meeting, but one of the most blatant and irking of these was the fact that members of the general student population were not there. People may have comments about the way SG, or any other organization on this campus, is run. But until those comments are actually brought to a meeting or addressed to a representative, the student body is as much to blame as those who represent it for not maintaining a high quality government. And that is a real shame, because democracy is wonderful. Last week's winners of 5 Free Appetizers at T.G.I. FRIDAYS April Bielinski and Ben Andrews The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: Who :Doesn't Ll.ke Free Stuffi! The Beacon Weekly Giveaway! Two winners will each receive a ... $25 Gift Card 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion -• Please keep letters to 300 words. The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. Sponsored By: ~ America's Drive•ln. Located on Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk in the Student Union by Monday, November 30, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Please submit letters to thebeacon.oped@gmail.com EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �Students of the Week p. 11 CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu Li ostyllos ......__ wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com NOVEMBER 24, 2009 9 Philosophy professor brings meditation to Wilkes CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor As attendees sit in the meditation session, there is a feeling of calm. It’s dark, and it’s quiet. Quiet outside, quiet inside. This is a key part of meditation and is something Dr. Linda Paul, a Wilkes philosophy professor, has been practicing for 16 years. Since 2003, Paul has been enlightening her students to the practice of meditation by holding sessions in Kirby Hall. Dr. Mischelle Anthony, an English professor at Wilkes, estimates she has been attending the sessions since the spring 2004 semester. Nowadays, however, Anthony assists Paul in heading up the sessions. “Linda and I take turns, so we do about half and half,” said Anthony. “Whoever wants to that week leads. I always defer to her if someone asks me a question and I’m leading. I’ll give the best answer I know, but then I’ll say ‘Linda, do you have anything to add?’” Paul’s meditation sessions started as a kind of fluke right here on campus. “I was teaching here at Wilkes,” explained Paul. “I had not studied Buddhist thought or anything other than Western thought in graduate school and undergraduate school and when I came here I received in the mail a textbook that had world philosophies in it and started reading some of the Buddhist stuff.” However, Paul says that “they” say that you cannot really understand Buddhist philosophy unless one practices it. “You know, they say you can get only a very superficial understanding from reading and thinking about it, so they say you have to actually keep [practicing],” said Paul. Regardless of her initial lack of enthusiasm toward putting all of her mental efforts into exceedingly mundane tasks, such as vacuuming, she tried it. “[At first] I thought ‘Well, why would I want to be just focusing on the vacuum going back and forth across the floor?’” recalled Paul. Oddly enough, at the end of the day’s chores, what she would describe is not a feeling of tire or boredom. She felt happy. “Not wildly excited kind of happiness, but just a nice kind of happiness. I thought, ‘These guys may be onto something,’” said Paul. From there, she began to study and practice regularly on her own, striving for the same result. “The goal actually is that you are focused and very aware and that was throughout your entire day so whatever you’re doing – you are really in the moment experiencing what’s going on right now,” said Paul. That’s exactly what Paul began to do. Anything from peeling carrots to cleaning her apartment to brushing her teeth – she began to be “there,” in that moment. For her, the practice has been well worth it and the benefits plenty. Upon this realization, Paul recognized meditation as simply focusing on the now. “I’m going to pay attention to this very simple thing I’m engaged in,” said Paul. She started out doing walking meditation, which is basically focusing on, well, walking. It’s a focus on breathing; whether it’s one breath with each step taken or three. It’s also a focus on how the body actually feels and responds to the steps. Eventually, however, Paul transitioned into the more traditional sit-down pose of meditation. As to why meditation works, Paul says it’s very basic; like flipping a switch. “I think part of the thing is that our minds just are kind of crazy and they jump around to all this stuff and if you really listen to them, a lot of the things they jump around to is not really happy stuff, its worry about stuff, stressing about this, anxiety about that. And really, you’re turning that off. Not by trying to turn it off, but just by saying, ‘Okay, I’m not going to pay attention to you anymore,’” said Paul. Paul, as well as countless studies, credits the success of meditation to it changing the way the brain actually functions. The studies of evidence range from modest meditators, such as Paul, to Tibetan monks who have more than 60,000 hours of meditation under their kerags [belts] What’s the difference? Alpha waves. These are the waves released in the brain when someone is happy or relaxed. The more a person meditates, the more alpha waves that person tends to produce. According to Paul, when studies are con- ducted, within the monks’ brains-on a structural level-they tend to think about different things differently. In the studies, they would be asked to simply concentrate on different things or emotions. The biggest proprietor of alpha waves within the brains of the monks occurred when they were concentrating on compassion. “The interesting thing about that is the Dalai Lama, who is the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, says, ‘If you want to be happy, practice compassion.’ It turns out now that they can actually support that now with what happens in your brain,” said Paul. Anthony said that while people aren’t supposed to concentrate on actually calming themselves down, that is a side effect. She recommends students try it out. “I wish I knew about this when I was in school! I didn’t learn about meditation until after I had my Ph.D.,” said Anthony. Junior mathematics major Benjamin Collins became interested in the meditation sessions through a philosophy class taught by Paul. “I decided to go to one [a session] and it was just relaxing; it was enjoyable. Nothing too strenuous. Not a major commitment,” said Collins. Everyone sits in silence. The only audible exceptions are the occasional ringing of a bell followed by Dr. Paul’s voice. “Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.” Quiet outside, quiet inside. The Beacon/Tom Reilly Dr. Linda Paul leads Wilkes students in a meditation session in the salon of Kirby Hall. Each meditation session helps guests focus on their breathing, calming their minds, and centering their thought processes. �LIFESTYLES 10 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Christian Fellowship Club promotes Christianity at Wilkes SALVATORE INFANTINO Correspondent In the Wyoming Valley last year, residents witnessed churches closing left and right. Watching sacred buildings become pieces of property bought and sold as easily as a New York City apartment might have caused the average person to start questioning their own faith. There is one organization at Wilkes University that’s sole purpose is to spread faith through the university. This organization is known as the Christian Fellowship Club (CFC). The CFC has been an official Wilkes sanctioned club since the fall of 2006, but according to Erin Wimer, one of the club’s co-presidents, it existed unofficially for a year or more before that. The main purpose of the CFC, according to their website, is “to provide a comfortable learning atmosphere for those seeking the faith of Christianity, and also for those looking to strengthen their walk with Christ.” “Obviously, we see the biggest enrollment from those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, but anyone is welcome to come and cuss scripture,” explained Wimer. “Thursday is an activity-driven day. There is still some Bible study, but it usually consists of team building games, and we also use the time for event planning.” One of the activities CFC mem- Kitchen can trace its roots back to the late 1800’s. Through the years, it grew and evolved but always kept one basic idea in mind: helping those in need. Julie Engebrecht, a sophomore pharmacy major, is another active Obviously, we see the biggest enrollment from those who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, but anyone is welcome to come and see what we’re all about. - Erin Wimer, CFC co-president see what we’re all about,” said Wimer. The club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 p.m. in Gies Hall in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, as well as on Thursdays at 9 p.m. in Kirby Hall. “Tuesdays are designated as more of a Bible study day, where we sit down, read and then dis- bers partake in at least once a semester is a community service outreach project at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen. “Something like that is open to anyone,” Wimer said, “but it’s usually frequented by King’s students, because their curriculum calls for a certain amount of service hours.” The St. Vincent DePaul Soup member of the club who recently volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen. “As we met in the SUB and piled into cars to drive over, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Engebrecht. “I grew up in a pretty wealthy neighborhood and went to one of the nicest public schools in New York. I know I grew up sheltered.” Engebrecht added, “I enjoyed seeing the people being able to load up their plates with a goodsized warm meal. You could see how much it meant to them when you looked into their eyes.” Another event that was a consistent part of the CFC’s regimen is their yearly trip to the Heritage House to sing Christmas carols for the residents. “We’ve done it every Christmas since [2007]. It’s just really fun to go down there,” Wimer said. Wimer pointed out that the carols sung by the CFC are traditional Christmas songs, with the mindset for the Christian-based club being “Keep Christ in Christmas.” “It’s so much fun. One year, we actually left Heritage House and just kept caroling. We caroled... around public square,” Wimer recalled. ·n Jouxnalisxn? d ntexeste 1 Need to build your portfolio? ·c\e ox two ·t an ax t 1 towx1 e V,ant Learn the basics of journalism and sharpen your writing skills by writing for THE BEACON! You can write for Opinion, News, Lifestyles, Sports, and/or Arts and Entertainment ??? INTERESTED ??? Stop by a Beacon Meeting on Sundays from 2-3pm in Conygham Hall, 1st Floor -OR- Contact: Professor Lindsey Wotanis, The Beacon faculty advisor, lindsey. wotanis@wilkes.edu or Nicole Frail, Editor-in-Chief, nicole.frail@wilkes.edu �LIFESTYLES NIOVEMBER 24, 2009 11 College Days Coach John Sumoski goes from frat boy to dedicated athlete BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Feisty, loud-mouthed John Sumoski showed up at a spring practice for the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown men’s soccer team when he was a senior in high school. “My coach didn’t play me, because I was a flight risk to myself [when playing high school soccer],” stated Sumoski, the current head coach of the women’s soccer team at Wilkes. “I would talk back to everyone. Coaches, referees, and the other teams’ players.” Coming from a highly successful high school soccer program back in Flemington, New Jersey, Sumoski was one of two players to go on to play college athletics. Despite his loud-mouth and fiery personality on the field, Sumoski knew he was good with facts and numbers and wanted to go to school to further his skills. “My big thing was that I wanted to play soccer. That was my thing,” stated Sumoski. Sumoski began his first term as a 3.0 student. As his second term unfolded, he found himself down to a 1.75. The large decrease in grade point average was in large part, due to the fact that he began pledging a fraternity, according to Sumoski. “One of my biggest challenges while in school was just trying to keep my head above water academically,” said Sumoski. “I lived with my fraternity brothers and spent so much time doing things for the fraternity and playing soccer that school was really tough to keep up with. At least the frat did community service, though.” Sumoski chose pledge projects, like building bars and painting crests for the frat house, over hitting the computer labs to write programs for his computer science degree. “You were just a minion for them,” said Sumoski. “You didn’t matter. That’s what frats were. Anything you saw on those frat movies, that’s just how it was like.” While his academics were not getting his full attention, Sumoski did put extra effort into his blossoming soccer career. “I gave myself these goals: I wanted to be All-Conference, then All-Region, then All-American,” said Sumoski. With such lofty goals, Sumoski knew he needed to spend more time on and off the field training. Reaching out to his mother back in Flemington, Sumoski worked out with a trainer and began tak- ing tips from a nutritionist.” “We were doing Rocky-type stuff,” said Sumoski. “I would run up hills with logs on my back. That kind of training.” While he may not have reached his goal of becoming an AllAmerican, he did become AllRegion, being recognized for his extremely hard work. “Another goal was to become a leading scorer,” said Sumoski. And that he was. Sumoski became tenth in the nation for scoring. Sumoski recalled breaking down games by numbers and knowing he needed to score one out of five shots a game to obtain such a high honor. “I also understood numbers,“ said Sumoski. “That made sense to me. Maybe it was from the computer stuff, but I was always very interested in facts and numbers. I thought to myself ‘Okay, I can make one, just one out of five.’” With his dazzling soccer career and partying under his belt, Sumoski left Pitt-Johnstown after three and a half years to finish out his undergraduate degree with a paid internship back in New Jersey. As Sumoski took his first job, he told the employer that he received his degree from Pitt-Johnstown. Turns out he was wrong. “I thought I had it. Turns out I was two credits shy of graduating. So, I had to take another course to finish out my degree,” said Sumoski. Sumoski’s personal drive as an athlete took him to different coaching positions. After seeing the coaching position for Wilkes women’s soccer job listing on the National Collegiate Athletic Association website, he knew he wanted to put his years of training to work for a team. He may not be carrying logs on his back and running up hills, but Sumoski continues to push himself and his players to the limit. Hard to think he was once a “lowly” frat boy. Photo courtesy of John Sumoski Sumoski shoots a ball with his forehead during a soccer game. In.his own worijs, John Sumoski gets a big break: In college, I roke a really big window ... that the school owned. It as winter, an'd we [my frat brothers and I] were having a snowall fight outsitfe. I decided it was a good idea to pick up a huge slab of rock/ice and I had it right here, by my shoulder. I then proceeded to shuck it towards a dorm, and just as I did, the door. closed and the entire glass door shattered. I could lflave ran, but I stuck around. The resident assistant came and cal/ea QUblic safety, but that was $250 that I, as a college stude t, ditln't na , . Students of the Week: David Cook and Jeffrey Niemiec KIRSTIN COOK Correspondent The third largest debate tournament of the year took place over the weekend of November 14th in Western Connecticut. Over 400 students competed overall, with 124 students in the Novice Division of Policy Debate. Out of the 62 teams in the Novice Division, the Wilkes debate team led in the top position after five preliminary rounds. The team went on to the octofinal round, and won 3-0 against University of Rochester. Two debaters, David Cook and Jeffrey Niemiec, were both recognized for their speaking abilities. Cook received the 5th place speaker award, while Niemeic was award 14th place. This accomplishment qualified the team for the National Tournament at University of Louisiana, which takes place in February. They were also qualified for competition at a Junior Varsity level and open divisions for next semester. Christine Mellon, advisor of speech and debate, attributed the success of the team to the hard work these two students put into the competition. “The fact that they were willing to do as much research as needs to be done, they’re willing to put the time in, their competitiveness…I think that above all things they really like to debate, and I think that is incredibly important because you want to be passionate about the things you are doing.” Niemiec, a senior serving as president of speech team, as well as a representative of the Pennsylvania Forensics Association, is grateful for the impact that both speech and debate have had on him. “Speech, as well as debate, is definitely the best thing I’ve done in college, and everything you put into that you see out 110%, because you learn how to speak, how to reason, how to interact with people.” Cook is a sophomore, and is currently the president of debate. “The most important thing is really the fact that last year we were absolutely nowhere. We didn’t have an office, we really didn’t have a lot of money and everything and now, just a year later, every tournament we’ve been to we’ve been breaking, we’ve been winning, it just really shows how much work we’ve all put into this.” The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Niemiec: Building the next generation of roller coasters while continuing to coach and judge speech on the side. Cook: I see myself working as a lawyer, hopefully out in Boston. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Niemiec: Multifaceted, blunt, coaster-loving. Cook: Ambitious, cynical, dedi- cated. The Beacon: Finish this sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Niemiec: …in high school I was Senior Class President and Homecoming King. Cook: …I served as council to the Queen of England on matters of national interest. The Beacon archives �{!4fl(Y7G ()U i r1ri ()1'f "e,()J< ()'f,=r~i 1-rrr, "1{I.W M()()1'f" - ? A-9l tf -e.uzz CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Casino Night provides prizes and fun for all students Macbook Pro, 47” Samsung HDTV, Nintendo Wii and PS3 among prizes BY KIRSTIN COOK Staff Writer For the gamblers and risk-takers among the student body, Student Government (SG) presented Casino Night last week in the Marts gymnasium. On Friday, November 20, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. more than 400 students packed into the gym to play poker, blackjack and roulette. Prizes included a MacBook Pro, game systems such as Playstation 3 and Wii, Coach purses, an iPod Touch, a DVD home system, and much more. The most desired prize of all was the 47” Samsung HDTV, which everyone had an equal opportunity to win, as it was a door prize. Ben Beidel, junior and treasurer of SG, had a vital role in planning the entire event. He stated that one of the aspects that attract students the most is when the prizes are displayed through a window in the Henry Student Center. “It really draws people in. They start asking, you know, ‘How do I win that?’” said Beidel. Even if they were not playing and earning more chances to win, students had a chance to win a door prize restaurant gift card every fifteen minutes. Also, there was free pizza and soda for everyone. Nick Koch, SG president, said he felt that the night was a success. “I think this is on par with some of the most successful events that we’ve had, not only Casino Night but other events,” said Koch. “I think that’s a testament to this year’s board.” Koch said that the most satisfying aspect about the event was seeing the faces of winners. “The best part of this event is seeing the happiness on the students’ faces who win the prizes, who come and enjoy all the hard work we do,” said Koch. “I think this event is one of the best ways to see direct satisfaction from the student body.” The grand prize winner of the event was Lataysha Willis. Willis, a sophomore ((MAJOR?)), walked away that night with the 47” HDTV. “I never win anything, so I’m ecstatic,” said Willis. “I’m happy, I’m even lat a loss for words.” On November 4, SG allocated $14,000 for the Casino Night Budget. The event was funded by the activity fee, which is incorporated into every student’s tuition. “I mean, really all we’re doing is taking your student activities fees and putting them towards prizes, so really I just want everyone to have a good night,” stated Beidel. Upon entering the event, students were given a beginning cup of tokens. They used those tokens to wager and earn more tokens. Ten yellow tokens were exchanged for a raffle ticket. This raffle ticket was then entered into a drawing for any prize of the student’s choosing. Students did not have to be a professional poker player to have a good shot of winning one of the prizes. The entire Student Government was involved with the event. Members were serving as card dealers at the playing tables, exchanging tokens for tickets and handing out pizza and drinks. According to Koch, the success from the event was worth the amount of work. “It seemed like everyone had a great time, which is the most important thing,” concluded Beidel. The Beacon/Allison Roth The Beacon/Allison Roth ABOVE: Students enjoy gambling with their poker chips at Casino Night on Friday, November 20. The Beacon/Allison Roth ABOVE: Students enjoy a game of Blackjack at Casino Night. RIGHT: The 47” Samsung HDTV was one of the top prizes of Casino Night. �NOVEMBER 24, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Crowds packed downtown for “New Moon” premiere BY MEGAN PARSI Staff Writer Thursday nights typically aren’t the most active at the movie theaters in Wilkes-Barre, especially at midnight. But early on Friday morning, at approximately 12:01 a.m., the premiere of Stephenie Meyer’s “New Moon,” the second movie in the best-selling “Twilight Saga,” premiered on five of the screens at the Wilkes-Barre R/C Movies 14 theater. Masses of people of all ages rushed into the theater as early as Thursday afternoon to wait for the opening of this movie. Garret Silva of Dallas, 29, was one of the many to wait in line all day to get into the theater. “I’ve been here since noon, so it’s very exciting,” said Silva. “New Moon” was directed by Chris Weitz. Weitz’s most recent films include: “American Pie,” “About a Boy,” and the movie based on the novel, “The Golden Compass.” “It was exciting to see the outcome of this movie due to the new director,” said Meribeth Derkach, a freshman pharmacy major at Wilkes. “I expected it to be as good as the last movie, if not better. They have a new director, and it’s such a big teen phenomenon. I liked it.” “New Moon” is the second book in Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series. This fantasy-romance story follows teen Bella Swan as she copes with losing her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Edward has chosen to leave Bella in Forks, Washington, where she is safe from any danger his presence may bring. With Edward gone, Bella’s close friend Jacob Black steps in to fill the void. A battle between vampires and werewolves ensues. The movie focuses mostly on Bella and how she copes with the loss of Edward and the Cullens, and her journey to get him to come back and see her once again. Even waiting for the flocks of people to flood into the theater, the excitement could be felt surrounding R/C Movies 14. After viewing the movie and exiting the theatre around 2 a.m., fans appeared to be both excited and satisfied with the quality of the movie. The chipper crowds came down the escalator and stairs of the theater chatting about their favorite parts and recounting scenes they could not wait to see again. “I liked it better than the book itself, and as far as movies go, I thought it was better than the first ‘Twilight’ movie,” said Allison Kasper, junior psychology major. “It’s Above and below are photos of the huge crowds that came out to Movies 14 late Thursday night to catch the midnight showing of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” This novel/movie series phenomenon made $140,700,000 at the Box Office, and worldwide grossed about $118,100,000. Altogether, this pop culture spectacular made about $258,800,000 just on opening weekend. This isn’t just a teenage girl fantasy-- people of all ages come out to see this movie. The Beacon/Megan Parsi a lot different than the first one and it followed the story much closer than the first movie did. I would pick the movie over the book.” Overall, according to the consensus and buzz from people surrounding the fIick, it seemed the popular vote went to the movie rather than the book, since the movie stayed true to most of Stephenie Meyer’s novel. According to viewers, it delivered the essential plot themes and supplied the needed elements to keep the audience in suspense the entire time, and that is exactly what the audience desired. The Beacon/Megan Beacon/Meoan Parsi Parsi The TIii DIIYOQUI,! BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor BY TOM REILLY Photo Editor Do you Ul<.e Cosfu ")e, \"' V~f'\p1re my o. Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! EZ U CADOB GOUBT CBEOZT PYOF VO’T HBACUCJK RAEFR PA ROP QFAMQON AIP HBOPPK WIEMQ… ROP EP!? This week’s clue: E=I & R=G Last week’s answer: IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE, HE WILL WANT A GLASS OF MILK. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Movie Review • • • • • • • • • • • • • • “The Box” is as dull as its title, lacks build-up BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor Richard Kelly, the director of “Donnie Darko”, takes his chance at transforming fantasy writer, Richard Matheson’s short story “Button, Button.” The outcome is less than appealing. “The Box” is an almost two-hour film that could have been compiled into a thirty minute episode of a show similar to the “Twilight Zone.” It also doesn’t help that the movie was released when big hits such as “Paranormal Activity” and “The Fourth Kind” were thriving in the box office. The movie can be summed up in about three sentences. A couple is given a box containing a button. If they refuse to press the button, nothing happens. If they press the button, they will be given one million dollars, but someone they don’t know will die. The only real connection found in this movie is the fact that the world is dealing with an economic recession and who wouldn’t want to find a box with a button that could give you one million dollars if you dare to press it – and kill an innocent person. The basic situation of the story is that a couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden, respectively) are given a mysterious box at their home with the options mentioned previously. The setting of this movie is in Richmond, Virginia in 1976. Arthur is an engineer at NASA who is working on the Viking mission to Mars. Norma teaches literature at a private school their son attends. Norma walks with a limp throughout the movie because of a freak x-ray accident that happened a few years ago. All of the toes on her one foot were removed because of it. She is set to have an operation due to the accident, but the couple is facing financial woes. The mysterious box, which is delivered to them at their home by an unknown man with half of a face, places a bit of anxiety on the couple – should they press it or ig- nore it? It’s definitely certain that they are in need of money. The movie lacks any central or coherent theme. The audience is left to wonder what is the couple actually dealing with – government conspiracy, alien invasion, etc? The numerous zombies lurking outside of their home do anything but clarify the confusion. And what is the purpose of all of those zombies acting as waiters or valet drivers? The audience has to make their conclusions. Let’s face it: who wants to think critically while at a movie? I wanted to enjoy myself – not spend $7.50 for a lesson in critical thinking. However, the only conclusion I could come to is a test from a higher being: testing the morals of the human population. Would greed become more powerful than the ability to save a life – or would the just the opposite occur? What would you do in that situation – if you were given the box and could get one million dollars by pressing a button and having one innocent person you didn’t know die – would you press the button? I wasn’t too impressed with the movie. I felt like I could have spent my night at home doing something more productive. The addition of Cameron and James was a good choice; however, the entire concept of the movie didn’t allow them to showcase their acting abilities to a high level. If you want to go see a movie this week, “Paranormal Activity” or “The Fourth Kind” might be a better choice. Rating: 2/5 The Beacon/Tom Reilly ATTINTION ■UtlNltt OWNIR!!! Looking for a way to get the WORD OUT about your business but don't have a lot of MONIY to spend? Advertise with TUI ■IAtON! Rates Start as Low as f60 for 1 issue (1/8pg ad)! Buy more than 1 ad and save!! --Now taking advertisers for the !PRINC !010 !IMl!TIR-- INTIRl!TID? (O"TA(T: Michele Flannery, Business/Advertising Manager PUO"I: 570-817-0171 IMAll: michele.flannery@wilkes.edu �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 24, 2009 15 KARPINSKiliORDSEARCH BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor D C I B R E K A G M F R s H C E G T V A C C R X E L N E C s A L R I C A R F T E D X C A N s w s s R 0 D I H C L E M V B E w X R T R w B R N A N G E D A A w z w s z R L E s Q 0 w z w N T H 0 A w N R B w s H X I w 0 s N N D C K R F s T N 0 J T y V p J D H V 0 R K E N N s R G R T B 0 A B u B X z w u z X M A I s E y s s s z w s N V 0 D N C y V E A w A B J A y s w T D s u T y B s E F R A J s s w J D R F A C L K y B R s u L G R I F s E K D B F H u B D 0 s T V N w R I V N N J z C L N H E B p I I s T R V R y u B z R G C E R V E C A C A A M Q A F M A R I A N I y R z B T s D D s s s w V s E N C G u u M R A C N D N H M R I I R R A H I E A X M T I C s F I K E M C X s s s z w C D s R I G R E s D B 0 F R N I E w s T D T s y u N I H w w N I 0 R s I V u B T L L R V C V C L A s w s R T u D T R E s s s Word Bank: Degnan Lanning Shock Adams Driscoll Lindsey Simon Baker Fallon Mariani Stabinsky Bowar Glennon McGraw Steinberg Busa Harris Melchiona Thomas C D BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor This is our last issue for the fall 2009 semester! Keep a look out for the next issue of The Beacon that will be hot off the presses on February 2! �FACE OFF CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu Page 18 16 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Busy week for both basketball teams Students Men open season with 2-1 record, women start 1-2 BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Wilkes’s men’s and women’s basketball teams got their season started in impressive fashion with victories over Penn State Hazleton last Monday. Some key veterans stepped up for both teams as well as some pretty talented newcomers. On the men’s side of things Paul Huch lead the Colonels with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Aiding Huch on the court was Anthony Gabriel who had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Going through the first quarter of the game, the Colonels stayed in control and never relinquished their lead to the Nittany Lions. However, the Lions did catch up to Colonels tying up the score at 21 about 11 minutes before the half. But that was the last time that the Colonels let the lead slip away as they took a 38-36 lead into halftime. In the second half leading scorer, Huch and Captain Chris DeRojas heated up again and lead Wilkes on a 12-2 run to extend their lead to 14 points. Gabriel assisted them to add to the lead pushing Wilkes to an 84-53 victory. While the men were taking care of business on the home court, the women traveled to PSU-Hazleton to take of some business of their own. The Lady Colonels showed no mercy as they took the court with a “can’t be beat” attitude and didn’t look back until the clock read all zeroes. With Lynam leading the charge with 22 points, the ladies took it to Penn State beating them by an impressive score of 80-23. “We are a young team, and I am anxious to see how much we can build this year,” Sam Lynam said after the victory. After recording victories over Penn State Hazleton, the men and women got on the road. The men headed to the Susquehanna Tournament to take on Elizabethtown in their first game on Friday. The Colonels seemed to carry their season opening success into the first half against Elizabethtown. Kresge recorded his first double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds against the Blue Jays who went into half- challenged to pick charity BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor season with returned and the Colonels came out on top to leave the Susquehanna Tournament with a 1-1 record. The Ladies didn’t do so well either in the opening round of the Frostburg State Tournament as they fell to Gettysburg in a devastating loss. Early on, Wilkes found their selves down 13-0 against the Bullets. Lynam scored the first basket for the Ladies, but it did not seem to make much of a differences. Lindsey Gosse attempted to spark the Lady Colonels in the first half with two steals, four points, and nine rebounds but to her disappointment it did not work. Down by a score of 46-19 going into the second half freshman Megan Kazmerski attempted to help Gosse and the rest of the team to wipe away the deficit. But the Bullets were too strong for the Colonels as they beat Wilkes in convincing fashion by a score of 80-43. Kazmerski was the leading scorer for the Lady Colonels as she ended up with 13 points and four rebounds against the Bullets. Gosse finished the game with six points and 10 rebounds in the loss as well. The Colonel Charity Challenge has been a fixture at Wilkes University since 2005. An event modeled after a similar Penn State University tradition, the Challenge originated when a Board of Trustees member inquired about the athletic department’s contribution to local charities. Though Wilkes athletic teams are mandated to perform community service, it was decided that the athletic department was capable of doing more, and the idea of creating some type of affair that would draw student interest was floated around different groups. Keith Klahold, the strength and conditioning coach at Wilkes, was asked if he could run such an event. He was chosen because of his previous experience with organizing physical contests similar to those that make up the Challenge, such as several weight lifting competitions. He readily accepted the opportunity, and the groundwork for the Challenge was laid. Over the years, the Challenge has benefited several charities chosen by the athletic department; this year, however, students are being given the ability to vote on the charity that they would like to see supported from the event. When the Challenge was still in its infancy, it was decided that two charities would be benefited each year; the Children’s Miracle Network would be a fixture, while the second would change annually. In 2005 and 2006 Klahold and the athletic department bounced around ideas for what the second charity would be internally, while in 2007 and 2008 they were aided by a committee. The idea of having Wilkes University students help decide the second charity came to Klahold this year as a way of increasing student participation. “The basis for the idea was simple,” said Klahold. “We wanted students to pick local See BASKETBALL Page 19 See CHARITY Page 19 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Members of the men’s team talk strategy during the team’s win over PSU-Hazleton. Early in the season, #33 Tom Kresge and #30 Paul Huch are emerging as leaders. time trailing the Colonels 40-34. A 9-0 run in the first half powered the Colonels to their first half success. Wilkes dominated the game shooting 57.1 percent before the half. However, Wilkes lost their edge in the second half. The total team effort that the Colonels displayed in the first half was gone and they struggled to make field goals shooting under 30 percent to give Elizabethtown the lead and the momentum. With the game in the hands of the Blue Jays, Wilkes began to heat up again when Kresge took over to give Wilkes the 47-44 lead. But Elizabethtown regained the lead once again and never let it go as they went on to defeat the Colonels 66-57. The following day the Colonels took on Penn College in an attempt to redeem their selves from the day before. With the leadership of Kresge, the Colonels regained their swagger to top Penn College. For the second consecutive game, Kresge recorded a double-double. With 26 points and 13 rebounds he was followed by Gabriel and Chris Gulla who also scored in the double figures against Penn. The total team effort that they started the �SPORTS NOVEMBER 24, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Paul Huch, solid start to season BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent It’s basketball season, people. The Wilkes Men’s team came out for their season opener against PSU-Hazelton determined to start the year right with a win after going 15-11 in 2008-2009. One player in particular stepped his game up to lead the team to an 84-53 victory, and that was sophomore guard/forward, Paul Huch. Hailing from Tuckerton, NJ, Huch has played basketball since his father got him into the sport when he was a little kid. His fondest basketball memory is when he racked up three consecutive triple-doubles his senior year of high school, two of them occurring after he broke his wrist. Two years later, he is still creating great memories on the court. “I felt really confident,” commented Huch when asked about how he felt during the game. “I just found the open areas and tried to hit the shots when I was open.” The open areas seemed to be everywhere for Huch, a 6’5” swingman with the ability to stroke it from the outside. In the season opener, the sophomore set career highs in points scored (18), three-pointers made (3), field goals made (7), rebounds (9), and assists (6). Nothing seemed to get in his way in this game as he caught fire early and never let up. “I knew that my shot was on but I had no idea that I was going to get career highs in anything until I saw the write up on the game,” he said. “I try to play hard all the time and help the team as much as possible with my defense.” Huch didn’t just show up a better player for this game. He spent most of his off-season in the gym, getting better physically as well as working on his game. He worked out and put himself in game situations at least five days a week, prepping for the rigors of the long basketballl season. He also participated in a summer league in Belmar, NJ to prepare for this season. But for Huch, the stats are the last thing on his mind. The most important statistic for him is the score at the end of the game, with Wilkes in the W column. “Overall my goals are to just do what I know how [to do] and play hard whenever I’m on the court to help the team win,” said Huch. Huch said that winning the first game of the season was huge for the team, a win that could propel them through the rest of the season. “We started the game with a couple of made shots but then started to struggle a little bit and were only up by two at the half,” said Huch. “After talking it over at halftime, we came out strong and started getting the ball down low a lot more which really opened up the floor for us.” Looking past his career game, Huch sees the team repeating their performance against PSU-Hazelton throughout the rest of the season. As for this sophomore star, he is not looking back on this one game; he knows he’s got the whole rest of the season ahead of him. “I’m just going to keep playing hard and try to help the team win.” Courtesy of Marketing Communications Huch opened up the season on a tear, setting career highs in points, rebounds, and assists while leading the team to a season opening victory over PSU-Hazelton. 53 PtJbLIC _sqtJare 829-64tJ4 Do\fNto'A'N COLLe3e 5peetaLS QUICK HITS ALeoHOL SPKeIALS FO~ 21+ UI& I.D. SllN~ MONd3! Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Prtce Appet&zers ½ Pl'•ce P1zza r11eSda! DJ OOH\fee Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Prace Appetizers COL.Leae N13Ht N,o COi/er 'fl I C01.1.ese ID rKt1r5da! 5illrda! live Entertainment Live Entertainment Happy Hour 10·12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts $15L1ceS dlll''NS COJUle cHecK <>tit YiHat·s Ne\Y 3Ncl E')(ctt•NS ~r, Hotll' at R0 daN°'S Gall to bOOK OtJr private rooMThe For aN~ / CL3SS eveNtS Beacon Alison Kasper or soe1a. 5atHer1N3 RociaNo's LtJNCH 5pec1at.S ofrerecI 7 Ja~S a WeeK r0 r $5.95 $l 5LiceS ltfM-111 �SPORTS 18 NOVEMBER 24, 2009 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 11/21 @ Franklin & Marshall 29-24 L MEN’S BASKETBALL 11/16 vs. PSU-Hazleton 84-53 W 11/20 vs. Elizabethtown 66-57 L 11/21 vs. Penn College 98-57 W WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 11/16 @ PSU-Hazleton 80-23 W 11/20 vs. Gettysburg 80-43 L 11/21 vs. Guilford 68-54 L WRESTLING 11/14 vs. NYU 31-6 W 11/14 vs. Cortland 21-9 L 11/14 vs. Scranton 43-0 W 11/14 vs. Centenary 31-9 W WEEK AHEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL 12/2 vs. Misericordia 12/5 vs. FDU-Florham 12/9 @ Elizabethtown 12/12 @ Lycoming WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 11/24 @ Marywood 11/30 vs. Cedar Crest 12/2 vs. Misericordia 12/4 vs. FDU-Florham 12/7 @ Baptist Bible 12/9 vs. Susquehanna WRESTLING 12/4 Messiah Tournament 12/12 @ York 12/12 @ Penn State DuBois 12/12 @ Thaddeus Stevens twil:I: r l 1 1 @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports Should the Heisman be awarded to non-Division-I players? The trophy for the best should go to the best. ~"\-----------.--...ANT..-.-..HOwiilNY Sports Editor DORUNDA Now this is a hot-button question…OK. Not really, but it is kind of interesting to think about. So, should Division-II and DivisionIII players be considered for the Heisman Trophy? You know, that 25-pound bronze trophy that is annually awarded to the best college football player on the planet? Well let me make this short and quick for everyone. No. Listen, I myself playDivision-III football. And when I say play, I mean I’m on the team, cheering them on from the sidelines. I have seen some great players in my three short years here; players that have been some of the best that I have seen with my very own eyes. But that in no way means that I would consider them contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Why you may ask? Well, my answer is relatively simple. Studs from Division-II and Division III schools just do not play the same competition on a weekly basis that division one teams do. These guys that play at Ohio State, USC and Texas play each other, the best of the best, every single week. This is nothing against any players who do not participate in division one athletics. Because we know that some of the best players have, in fact, come from non-Division-IA schools. Names like Andre Reed, and Jerry Rice come to mind. (OK. So Rice played at Mississippi Valley State, which is Division-IAA, or the Football Championship Sub Division, but it’s still not pure Division-I.) There are great players in other levels other than Division I. Often times, it’s the players that are overlooked by the big guys, the standouts who were two inches too short, or ran a 4.5 instead of a 4.4, but are every bit as athletic or as football smart as the guys that do go big time. It’s just that you cannot be considered for the award handed out to the greatest footballer in college if you don’t consistently play the best of the best. You may very well be the best player on the planet, but you have to play everyone else to even think about being in the hunt for the trophy. You can’t expect to be in it if you’re playing the Menlo Oaks while Tim Tebow is playing Alabama one week, and LSU the next. It’s just not the same. I’m not saying that a non-Division-I player cannot play at the division one level; Actually, I’m sure he probably could…but would he be the same type of player? Would he put up the gaudy statistics against the Oklahoma’s and the Miami’s of college football? I’m just saying that just because he puts up ridiculous numbers at the Division-II or Division-III levels does not mean he should be in consideration for the most coveted trophy in college football. If the best players really reside in division one, then the trophy goes to the best of that bunch, regardless of age, but that’s a whole ‘nother issue. See ya next semester! Can we get a nomination...please? Asst. Sports Editor Before we get started I would like to have a moment of silence for Georgia’s mascot UGA VII, who passed away last Thursday. OK, now let’s get started. There are plenty of players who play college football, but there is only one honor that each of them would love to have besides a championship and that’s the Heisman Memorial Trophy. But the Heisman is not awarded to just the best football player or the player with the best stats, because if it was then there would be players from Division-II and DivisionIII considered for the award. I don’t want to get all official on anyone, but as stated by www.heisman.com, “The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.” I didn’t want to quote the whole para- graph, but I can tell you one thing it does not say and that’s “he who has the best stats gets the trophy.” I could be mistaken, which I most definitely am not, but it doesn’t say that the player it goes to has to be a Division-I athlete. If you don’t believe me then come find me because I want someone to prove me wrong. As you can see from week to week, Mr. Dorunda has yet to do it. But anyway, I am not saying that a player from outside D-I should win, I am just saying that they should be considered. Here’s a fun fact: there are players in the NFL right now that won the prestigious award in question that watch the game just as much as the rest of us do on Sunday’s (i.e. Matt Leinart). And then we have players like Pierre Garcon who played at Mount Union a D-III school and are doing nothing but making plays on Sundays. Now, I am no rocket scientist, and I’m not saying that Garcon deserved to win the trophy so don’t be mistaken. I’m just saying that if you looked at his stats (in college), which are definitely the deciding factor for who wins, he could have been sitting next to Mattie boy at that ceremony. Garcon is just one current example, but in the past there have been plenty of players outside of D-I that could have been considered or that made it to the NFL and were a lot better then the person who won the trophy. Now I’m going to let that one marinate on your brain for a bit. But just think if the Heisman committee actually picked based off of the criteria they have set up then wouldn’t there be more players considered from outside D-I for the trophy? I don’t know, just think about. As Forrest Gump would say, “That’s all I have to say about that.” Before I conclude, I would like to thank everyone from week to week for reading all the dangerously hilarious things that Mr. Dorunda and I had to say. I wish all of you luck next semester, have fun and “Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” �SPORTS NOVEMBER 24, 2009 19 WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? Neve~stopn for more information check out ... Iwilkesbeacon.com car1n z es n1vers11v How do you feel about our editors decisions in this week’s Editor Face Off? Check out the story online and give your opinion. While you’re at it, tell us if you agreed with Anthony’s or Ryan’s choices this week, and every week. lti:ZI BASKETBALL From Page 16 Charil Challen e The Beacon/Tom Reilly All participants in last year’s Charity Challenge received a t-shirt. On the back of the shirt were the logos of the two charities that the event benefitted, The Children’s Miracle Network and Bo Tkach Memorial. This year, Wilkes University students have the opportunity to vote on which charities will receive the proceeds from the event. CHARITY, from Page 16 charities that they could identify with.” The hope is that turnout will increase once the students’ input is considered. “The bigger the event, the more money is raised for both [charities]; it’s easy,” said Klahold. “We’ve had great turnout before, but we can probably do even better.” Klahold’s desire is to poll the committee and have them rank their top five preferences for the desired charity out of a list of 1520 local ones. That list of five would then be weeded down to three, at which point the list will be made available to students so that they can vote on what they would like to see chosen. “[The Challenge] is always a great experience,” said Michael Koehler, a junior criminology major and past participant. “Last year’s event was wild because there were so many students involved. It was a really good showing that the students care.” Koehler believes that giving students the ability to vote on the second charity is a sound idea. “If it will increase the amount of kids going and help [the Challenge] raise money, then I’m for it,” he said. “It’d be great to see even more kids there this year.” Jeff Kaufman, a junior engineering management major, agreed with Koehler. “It’s a good thing, as far as I can see,” he said. “Because the options will be local charities I think students will be able to make more informed decisions, and if they feel strongly about [their pick] they’ll show up more.” Senior criminology major Brittney Hodnik enjoyed last year’s Challenge, which she said was surprising in its competitiveness. She was also a fan of greater student input. “We have to pay to participate so I do think it’s a little more fair that we get a say,” said Hodnik. This year’s Colonel Charity Challenge will be held on April 11, 2010. Last year’s event drew its largest-ever crowd of participants, as 275 students divided themselves into teams of five to compete in the physical contests that are a mainstay of the Challenge. Poster advertisements and sign-up sheets will be available next semester in the Student Union Building, as well as in the Marts Center. Students will be able to e-mail their charity vote to charitychallenge@wilkes. edu once the options are narrowed down. Additionally, Klahold also hopes to have the poll available on the university’s athletic website. “The Challenge is a great community event that does a lot of good for others,” said Klahold. “Hopefully it will continue to grow and benefit those that are in need.” The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Colonels huddle during their game against Penn State Hazleton on Monday, November 16. The Colonels defeated the Nittany Lions 84-53 to earn a victory in their home opener. They hoped to bounce back and get the win in their second game, but the Lady Colonels never got back on their feet as the lost their second game of the tournament to Guilford College. Although this battle was a bit closer than the first, the ladies still couldn’t overcome the struggles of their first loss against Gettysburg. Once again the ladies trailed at half time and found that they would not be able to pull their selves back up as they lost to the Quakers 68-54. “We had a strong showing in our first game,” Kazmerski commented after the teams upsetting outing at the tournament. “The tournament in Frostburg, Maryland was a huge learning experience and will only make us better as a team.” Gosse was named to the All-tournament team for Wilkes which proved to be the lone highlight for them on the weekend. But the honor did not go to Gosse’s head as she credited her team for the support they provide her. “I think we have a lot of potential and if we play together we can be successful,” said Gosse who looks to assist in the early season turn around. Catch the men’s team in action again next Wednesday night when Misericordia makes the trip to the Mart Center gym at 8 p.m. The women travel to Scranton today to play Marywood in hopes of bouncing back from the losses at the Frostburg Tournament. �20 SPORTS NOVEMBER 24, 2009 Diplomats bowl over Colonels in fourth quarter Franklin and Marshall’s fourth quarter comeback wins ECAC South Atlantic Bowl BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor That definitely wasn’t the way the Colonels wanted to see their season end. Franklin and Marshall scored 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to take a 29-24 victory over Wilkes in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl on Saturday afternoon. It was the first postseason appearance for Wilkes since the team won the conference championship in 2006, and their first appearance in an ECAC bowl game since 2003. The seniors on this year’s team were freshmen in 2006. So when they learned that the 2009 club would be playing an eleventh game once again, they were thrilled. “Coach [Frank] Sheptock always talks about leaving the program where you found it and I know we didn’t make the NCAA playoffs,” senior quarterback Rob Johnson said before the game. “But we still are playing in a postseason game and it’s a step in the right direction for Wilkes football.” Unfortunately, Wilkes stopped stepping after the third quarter. The Colonels had a 24-10 lead after 45 minutes of play but the Diplomats vetoed that in the final frame. Franklin and Marshall scored touchdowns on drives of 69, 86, and 79 yards in the fourth quarter, with the game-winning score coming with just eight seconds to play. The comeback began just 56 seconds into the quarter, when running back John Kaschak caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Diplomats quarterback John Harrison. Mike Shin’s PAT bid was successful, cutting the Wilkes lead to 24-17. Exactly seven minutes later, Kaschak struck again. This time, he capped off a lengthy Franklin and Marshall drive with a five-yard run, making the score 24-23 in favor of Wilkes. The Diplomats pressed their luck and went for a two-point conversion that would have given them a 25-24 lead; but the Colonels defense came up big and stopped running back Ryan Murray’s bid from two yards out. Though they stopped Murray once with the game on the line, the Colonels defense couldn’t stop him a second time. Murray caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Harrison with eight seconds remaining in regulation, giving the Diplomats their first lead since the opening minute of the second quarter. It also gave the Diplomats, who compete 2006 The last time that the Colonels posted a winning record prior to this season. It was also the last year they qualified for postseason play, earning a NCAA playoff berth. 19 Points scored by the Diplomats in the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon. They overcame a 24-10 deficit to pick up a 29-24 win. Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Junior safety Kevin Gerhart had two interceptions, but the Colonels dropped the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl to Franklin and Marshall on Saturday. The Colonels had a 24-10 lead at the end of the third quarter, but ultimately lost 29-24. in the Centennial Conference, their ninth win of the season. Franklin and Marshall improved to 9-2 on the campaign, while the Colonels saw their record fall to 6-5. “They’re a pretty good team,” junior defensive back Darnell Corbin said of the Diplomats. “They just missed the NCAA playoffs.” The Colonels originally drew first blood when Chris Horn kicked a 37-yard field goal less than five minutes into the game. But they surrendered the 3-0 lead with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter, allowing a 16-yard touchdown reception by Kaschak. Franklin and Marshall kicker Mike Shin nailed the PAT, giving them a 7-3 lead that they carried to the end of the opening 15 minutes of play. Johnson then connected with sophomore wide receiver Shawn Gregson for a 26-yard touchdown pass only 11 seconds into the second quarter. Horn’s PAT bid was successful, putting the Colonels up 10-7. The Diplomats equalized the score with 7:04 remaining in the half when Shin’s 20yard field goal attempt sailed through the uprights. The Colonels then scored back-to-back touchdowns and PATs to jump out to a fourteen-point advantage. Before the first half was over, sophomore running back Zach Tivald got away from the Diplomats defense and rushed into the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown run. In the third quarter, senior wide receiver Gennaro Zangardi caught a pass from Johnson and ran 81 yards down the field for his sixth touchdown reception of the season. But in the fourth quarter, Franklin and Marshall showed that no lead was safe, and the Colonels fell to 3-4 all time in ECAC bowl games. Though the 2009 season is officially over, the returning Colonels are going to remember this game as they begin their quest for the postseason in the fall of 2010. With the junior class on this year’s team already receiving a great deal of playing time, the Colonels believe that they have the opportunity to enjoy prosperity next fall. “We have great leadership in the junior class,” said Corbin. “[Safety] Kevin Gerhart, he’s one of the main leaders. He was just named to the First Team All-MAC. With Gerhart, [defensive end] Chris Swinarski, guys like that on the team, offensively we’ve got Jordan D’Emilio, who’s a big playmaker for the wide outs. The younger guys on the team, we take upon leadership roles already... so we’ve been put in a position to be successful next year as seniors.” 8 Seconds that the Colonels were away from a win on Saturday. But Franklin and Marshall scored the game-winning touchdown in the game’s final moments. 3-4 Wilkes University’s all-time record in ECAC bowl games. Before Saturday, the last time the Colonels appeared in a bowl game was in 2003. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 November 24th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 November 24 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/28b66fa70a0ce019fa7d66da1e27063a.pdf a5b74d68f074b2a5ee45f73e9fb14e9b PDF Text Text G REAT GR EAT AMERI A M ER I CAN C AN S MO K KEO EOUT UT LIFESTYLES | PAGE 10 BRENDA BLY: THE MUSICAL A&E | PAGE 12 The I NOVEMBER 17, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 9 SHE plans leave fate of Sordoni Gallery in question Wiesel brings Future site of collection, art studios also uncertain international stories to Wilkes BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief & JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor On Thursday, October 22, members of Wilkes University’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences learned that floor plans for the future Science, Health, and Engineering (SHE) Building did not include the Sordoni Art Gallery or any of the art studios located in the basement of the Stark Learning Center (SLC). “It wasn’t a surprise,” said Joe Dawson, chair of the Visual and Performing Arts. “It is logical that the gallery and the studios wouldn’t be part of the science building and I think we all kind of knew that. My initial reaction was - we have to find a place for the gallery and we have to find a place for the studios.” The announcement came after Dr. Thomas Baldino, interim dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, received a phone call from Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities, concerning the SHE building plans. “[After the phone call], I then conveyed that information to the relevant people who report to me on this, so I called Joe Dawson, Sharon Bowar and Brittany DeBalko,” said Baldino. “And then on Thursday, when I had a meeting with the College faculty, I announced to the faculty that this would be the plan, because this is what I learned. At that point, there were questions from the audience […] And I said this is what I have: there will not be art studios or a gallery in the new SHE Building.” BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor See SORDONI page 3 See WIESEL page 4 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Plans for the new SHE building may not include locations for the Sordoni Art Gallery or art studios. New locations for these facilities are currently under discussion and have not yet been determined. Sordoni Art Gallery After discussing the issue at the faculty meeting, rumors about the future of the visual arts at Wilkes and the Sordoni Art Gallery spread across campus. According to some of the rumors that The Beacon intercepted, the gallery was to be permanently removed from campus. “The announcement did leave a lot of uncertainty,” said Sharon Bowar, associate professor of art. “When there’s uncertainty, people’s imaginations… you know, they assume things, and sometimes really bad things – like the gallery is closing.” On Thursday, October 29, Dr. Reynold Verret, provost, sent an email to the deans INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com of the university addressing the rumors. The email read: “I know that two related rumors are circulating – that the Sordoni Gallery will be closed and that the Sordoni Collection will be sold to fund the law school. Neither rumor is true. If you are asked by your faculty or staff, please reassure them that neither option is being considered...” The email then went on to instruct the deans to forward the information to their respective chairs. President Tim Gilmour did not wish to provide further comment regarding the email. Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Holocaust survivor, Boston University professor and author, has sold out the fifth annual Outstanding Leadership Forum. Wiesel will speak tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. Wiesel, 81, was born in Sighet, Transylvania, now part of Romania. He was 15 years old when he and his family were forced to Auschwitz. After surviving the Holocaust, Wiesel became a journalist and then decided to write about his own life. He has been teaching at Boston University since 1976 where he participates in the University Professor Program. This program works with gifted students and the purpose is to create ties between different disciplines within the University. According to Wiesel, teaching is his passion and he prefers to work with young students. “In the beginning, no publisher wanted to publish [my book],” said Wiesel. “I feel grateful, really, each time I hear from a child or a student that he or she read it.” In 1986, he won a Nobel Peace Prize for his book, Night. According to Dr. Paul Browne, Dean of the Sidhu School of Business, choosing a speaker for the Outstanding Leaders Forum is critical. “We’re looking for people who embody some of the principles of leadership that I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member w . �Check out “Wilkes hosts nuclear forum” exclusively online [wilkesbeacon.com I~ 2 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Library moves forward with Learning Commons renovations BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief When classes resumed after fall break in mid-October, demolition in the basement of the Eugene S. Farley Library was underway. Although a mere month has gone by, Paul Kaspriskie, manager of Capital Projects, said that the project is ahead of schedule. As of last week, 99 percent of demolition had been completed, said Kaspriskie. The basement of the library currently displays a dark, yet detailed, skeleton of what is to come. Amidst exhaust vents hanging from the ceiling and extension cords snaking across the floor, metal framework hints at the formation of four group study rooms, dinerstyle study areas, and semi-private small and large computer terminals. The majority of this area will be referred to as the Alden Learning Commons, said John Stachacz, dean of the Farley Library. Alden Trust contributed a $75,000 grant to the project. According to Stachacz, the orders for 24 new computers and new furniture have already been placed and processed. Much of the old furniture has been donated to other areas of campus, including the second and third floors of the library. The old furniture is not the only thing missing from the demolition site, however. The old, musty smell that wafts throughout the entire library has slowly made its way out of the basement. “[The smell] is finally starting to dissipate,” said Kaspriskie. As the carpets are removed from the first through third floors in future renovations, Kaspriskie and Stachacz predict the library will lose its infamous smell altogether. Throughout the week, four to eight workers plus the general contractor can be seen working on various areas and projects in the basement. With the demolition and the construction comes somewhat necessary noise – noise that has proven to be disruptive to some professors and students whose classes take place in the Media Room. “There have been a couple of days when it’s just been unbelievably loud – not just jackhammers and drills, but radio, too,” said Dr. Kyle Kreider, assistant professor of political science. “The biggest problem is that it’s disruptive to the educational environment. What makes it worse is that we’re WILKES NEWS BRIEFS BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor GOVERNOR RENDELL TO SPEAK AT WILKES – Today at 2:30 p.m., Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell will be speaking at Wilkes regarding state funding for education in Pennsylvania. The Governor’s speech will be held in Room 1 of the Stark Learning Center. All members of the Wilkes Community are invited to attend. STUDY ABROAD FAIR – Today there will be a study abroad fair from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Henry Student Center. Interested students will be able to learn more details about studying abroad. Wilkes University students who have studied abroad will be available to talk with other students about their experiences. WILKES-BARRE CHRISTMAS PARADE FLOAT VOLUNTEERS – Student Government is asking for volunteers to be on Wilkes University’s float in the WilkesBarre Christmas Parade on this Saturday, November 21. This year, Wilkes’ theme for the float will be “Celebrating Diversity.” BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Allison Roth Demolition began in the basement of the Farley Library after fall break in mid October. As of the second week of November, 99 percent of demolition was complete. at a time in the semester when the students are already stressed, [they have] a lot of papers and a lot of work, and they’re showing very little patience for this very disruptive environment.” Dr. Marianne Rexer, professor of the Sidhu School of Business agreed. “The noise level depends on the day. I have requested that the workers be quiet on test days and that has been easily accommodated,” she said. “On non-test days, the noise level varies between low level noise and jackhammer noise. Hopefully, the re- Multicultural flags will be displayed and MSC may participate, as well. Nursing Student Organization (NSO) is participating. Line-up will be starting at 2:15 p.m. Students, groups or clubs interested in participating should contact Megan Dickinson at megan.dickinson@wilkes.edu. until 10:00 p.m. from Monday-Thursday. CIRCLE K BOOK DRIVE – Until November 20, Circle K will be holding a book drive to benefit Ruth’s Place. Buckets are located in the lobby of the Stark Learning Center and the first floor of the Henry Student Center. All books are accepted, new or used, and children’s books are preferred. NEW HOURS FOR R.A.C. – The Recreation and Athletic Center will now be open Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis See LIBRARY page 5 PSI CHI HOSTING WEBINAR – Today, Psi Chi will host a webinar at 3:00 p.m. in Breiseth 211. The title of the webinar is “Successful Strategies for Getting into Graduate School is Psychology.” Questions should be directed to anna.mcfadden@wilkes.edu. FOREIGN LANGUAGE TABLES – Today, in the cafeteria, tables hosted by foreign language speakers of Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Hungarian, Arabic, Hungarian, German, French and other languages. Students are encouraged to go and practice their foreign languages. Meet the Staff Allison Roth Assistant Photo Editor �NEWS NOVEMBER 17, 2009 SORDONI from FRONT PAGE According to Brittany Kramer DeBalko, interim director of the Sordoni Art Gallery, the gallery was established in 1973 after the university received a gift of valuable paintings from the late Senator Andrew J. Sordoni’s personal collection. “Included in this gift were funds earmarked for the acquisition of additional works, ensuring that the gallery would be able to continue to expand and enrich its holdings,” said DeBalko. While the university currently has no intention of closing or removing the gallery from Wilkes’ campus, there has been discussion as to where it will be relocated when construction begins for the SHE Building. Baldino stated that Wilkes faces a “spectrum” of possibilities concerning the relocation of the gallery when the time comes. The university could choose to simply move the gallery and all of its components to a bigger building on campus. They could also choose to purchase more land or acquire new buildings to build a brand new gallery. Another possibility might be purchasing space downtown and creating a Wilkes Gallery that would belong to the university, but would be located off-campus. According to Messinger, in the Master Plan for 2005, the university had planned to move the Sordoni Art Gallery to a renovated Bedford Hall, located on the corner of West South Street and South River Street. The gallery has not been relocated thus far. As a new Master Plan is created, architects will be asked to find an appropriate place for the gallery. According to many faculty members and students at Wilkes, it is vital that the Sordoni Art Gallery remain on campus. “The Sordoni Gallery is a well-known gallery; it’s not just a campus gallery,” said Dawson. “A lot of work goes into attracting artists that are renowned artists. You can go to Soho in New York City and see some of these same artists… [The gallery] can teach you something about culture and ways of expressing yourself. It can tell you things about current thinking, philosophical out look; all those important things. A gallery can really broaden your world view.” Baldino agreed, stating that an art gallery enhances the educational opportunities for students across all programs at Wilkes. “Any college or university that has an art gallery makes it distinctive and helps it separate those institutions with such galleries from the many others that do not.” Erin Sweet is a senior integrated media major who has been required to complete many art courses for his major. He has visited the gallery numerous times during his tenure at Wilkes and said he sees the value the gallery brings to campus. “I think in order to have a good art department, you need a gallery—a professional gallery, not one that you see hanging in the halls of Breiseth,” said Sweet. “[We need] an area that you can change lighting and shift walls around in, a place that looks and feels like you are walking through a museum-type atmosphere. This gives art students the ability to see professional work so they can get an idea of what is actually being done in the real world.” Bowar agreed, stating that it is important that the gallery remains on campus a short distance from classrooms where students meet to study the arts. In many of Bowar’s classes, she walks with the students to the gallery to study the featured exhibits. If the gallery were too far away, the majority of a 50-minute class would be spent walking to the exhibit, said Bowar. According to Messinger, discussions regarding the fate of the gallery are ongoing, but he said that as far as he knows, it will remain on campus. “To me, there has been no discussion of [not having a] Sordoni Art Gallery. The Sordoni Art Gallery, as far as I know, would not disappear,” said Messinger. “It was apparent to all of us that [SLC] is not the best location for an art gallery,” said Petra Carver, vice president of Finance and Support Operations. “As we move forward with the SHE design, we’ll have to determine what the best solution for the art gallery is and that decision has not been made.” Sordoni Art Collection The fate of the Sordoni Collection also came into question during the discussions of the Gallery. Since the establishment of the gallery in 1973, Wilkes has accumulated approximately 1,300 pieces of art. “Nearly 70 percent of the collection has come as gifts from friends and donors carrying on the Senator and his family’s founding vision to acquire, preserve and interpret works of art of the highest quality for this community,” said DeBalko. DeBalko would not disclose how much the collection is worth, citing that its value is “confidential information.” The majority of the collection is stored in a vault located below the flood plane in the basement of SLC. DeBalko has not heard if the collection will be moved when construction begins for the SHE Building, but welcomes the possibility of a change in location. “I don’t know why the vault was initially placed in the basement of a building adjacent to a river that floods, or threatens to flood, annually,” said DeBalko. “But the fact that the vault is located there is very 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Pictured above is an art studio, which is located in the basement of the Stark Learning Center. With the renovation of the SHE Building, the studios will be moved. problematic. Every time the Susquehanna River threatens to flood, the Sordoni staff, with the help of other university and safety personnel, is forced to evacuate the contents of the vault to higher ground. Not only is this a massive amount of work, [but] the security of the art is then jeopardized and is prone to damage during the process of twice moving the art…” Even though the future location of the vault is unclear, Gilmour said that the university has no intentions of selling any of the objects in the collection. “The ownership of the Sordoni Collection does rest with the university and includes art not part of the gift from the Sordoni Family,” said Gilmour. “That said, the ultimate decision [to sell any of the pieces] would be made by the Board of Trustees in consultation with the Sordoni Family and those affected by the decision on campus and in the community. The idea of selling the collection for any purpose is not under consideration.” Art Studios While blueprints for the SHE building may not include a space for the Sordoni Art Gallery, they may also force the relocation of the art studios that are currently in the basement of SLC. According to Bowar, an ideal art studio designed for educating students would include open space that is naturally lit and can be easily configured to adapt to different projects. It is also essential that the studios have adequate storage, office space for art faculty, updated technology and exhibition space for student work. Sweet agreed. “I honestly think what Wilkes should do is pick out a few art schools and travel to them to view the setup of their studios and offer room suggestions if they were going to build a new studio for the art department,” he said. Bowar said a strong example of a building that would provide the space needed for good art studios would be similar to the former Blasi Printing building located on South River Street. The building is currently for sale through Lewith & Freeman Real Estate. “That type of a building could be easily reconfigured and would be very suitable for teaching the studio arts and also perhaps some parts of the integrated media program,” said Bowar. Carver said that regardless of the plans for the SHE building, space would be allocated to house the arts somewhere else on campus. “If we have some programs that are currently happening [in SLC], we’ll have to find a home for them, whether within Stark or elsewhere,” said Carver. “But all of this [the SHE building] is currently in the planning phrase and I’m very surprised how [the rumors] came into being.” “The people from the science building aren’t looking to evict us [the arts] or anything like that,” said Dawson. “They’re very sympathetic to what our needs are.” “The arts being displaced from the SHE building should be viewed as an opportunity to create a good, state-of-the-art home for the arts rather than a step backwards,” added Bowar. At the time of publication, the Sordoni family was unable to be reached for comment. �NEWS 4 Veterans Day Ceremony The Beacon/Allison Roth Members of Air Force ROTC lower the flag in the middle of the greenway to honor veterans during the University’s Veretans Day Ceremony. I N CO B P O B A T E D LIRGIN IRK SINCE 1993 Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. www.4t-shirts.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 WIESEL from FRONT PAGE we try to teach,” said Browne. “Among those [principles] are authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, strategic vision, principle decision making.” Browne explained that people who have made a mark on society are important to the decision making process of choosing the speaker. “Of all the people living today, Dr. Wiesel probably stands at the front of the line of people who challenged us to be true to our conscious and ask ourselves, ‘Where is our humanity?’ I think that is a remarkable role that he has played for us,” said Browne. Browne added that Wiesel’s speech is aimed at both the Wilkes University and the Wilkes-Barre community. Dr. Holley Hansen, visiting assistant professor of political science, also touched on Wiesel’s presence in the area and hopes students take advantage of Dr. Wiesel’s unique perspective. “Just to have a speaker of this magnitude is a phenomenal opportunity for the students to get to experience,” said Hansen. “He has a very impressive resume and even large[r] universities have a hard time pulling in someone like this.” Vicki Mayk, assistant director of marketing communications, said that Wiesel’s international caliber brings knowledge to WilkesBarre and the surrounding area. “It’s bringing somebody who’s literally world renowned to this community and giving people an opportunity to hear him speak,” said Mayk. “So many people have experienced his work through his book, Night.” As for Wiesel’s topics during the speech, he said that they are always different and he doesn’t like to repeat himself. The Nobel Peace Prize winner likes to speak about current and relevant topics, especially to students. “I like to come and give something that is especially important to the students [at all schools],” said Wiesel. Wiesel has spoken at many college campuses in the nation and likes doing it. He prefers to speak to young people because of his vast teaching background. Wiesel has never been to Wilkes University. “Students on campus must know to study, to be educated,” said Wiesel. “To seek knowledge means to accept other views, as many as possible, from all the horizons of the world.” Hansen has seen some of Wiesel’s speeches online and said that he tries to open people’s eyes to the problems that the world faces through his use of storytelling and personal speeches. “One of the nice things is that, when he does give these speeches, he really does try to take on issues to make people aware,” said Courtesy of Marketing Communications Elie Wiesel, pictured above, will be speaking to the Wilkes-Barre community tonight. Hansen. Through Wiesel’s international humanitarian work, he is able to talk about these experiences during his speeches. Currently, Wiesel said he is concerned with the war in Darfur. Although the tickets are sold out, Mayk said that she continues to receive calls on a regular basis from people in the community regarding the event. The money from the ticket sales funds the Outstanding Leadership Scholarship Program at Wilkes University. Tickets sold for $10. A number of tickets were sold through sponsorships, as well. In addition to the speech this evening, a Leadership Day was held on campus, which incorporated local high schools. The schools brought over 100 students who attended workshops and a question and answer session with Wiesel. Leadership Day is run by Matthew Sowcik, director of the Sidhu School of Business. The Outstanding Leaders forum has included past speakers such as former President of Mexico,Vincente Fox; former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani and former Secretaries of State, Madeline Albright and Colin Powell. “I think one of the remarkable things about [Wiesel] is that he’s never asked for anything in return,” said Browne. “He is a humble man who is happy to live a simple life. He just seems like such an ideal prototype of a leader.” �NOVEMBER 17, 2009 LIBRARY from PAGE 2 sults will be worth the disturbances.” Professors are not the only ones who have noticed the noise. “The renovations in the basement are usually quite loud for the duration of my Criminal Law class, and it is distracting for me at times, and I’d venture to guess for the rest of the class as well,” said Jon Casey, freshman criminology major. “At certain points, the renovations are loud enough where they do, in fact, overpower Dr. Kreider and any students who may be responding and participating in class.” Kaspriskie noted that they anticipated this problem from the start of demolition, but have received very few official noise complaints. To avoid becoming a distraction at times, members of the demolition crew received copies of the Media Room’s schedules to work around. As noted previously by Rexer, professors have also been asked to notify Stachacz when an exam is to take place during their class period. “I gave an exam on a Monday and I notified [Stachacz], who is very nice and very supportive, and he talked to the crew and they didn’t work during that hour,” said NEWS Kreider. “These guys are doing their best to work around the class schedules,” said Stachacz. “With enough head time, these folks can do something else that won’t make noise.” Rexer, Kreider, and their students tolerate the noise during their classes due to their understanding of the necessity of the project. “I understand that the work needs to be done,” said Kreider. “I understand that they need to do some work up front before they can do the work that doesn’t have noise involved.” “Although I am not fond of listening to the sound of power tools echoing throughout the Media Room during Criminal Law lectures, the library is in desperate need of an upgrade,” said Sarah DeCesaris, senior political science and international studies major. Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities, initially predicted that the renovations in the basement would be complete during the spring semester. As work progresses, however, it looks as though the project may be complete as early as the start of the semester in January. “It’s a short term inconvenience with long term benefits,” said Stachacz. 5 The Beacon/Allison Roth Capital Projects, which is renovating the basement of Farley Library, will be using green products whenever possible. Everything taken out of the basement that was not able to be utilized in other campus locations was recycled. New items to be added to the basement include energy efficient light bulbs and recycled carpet tile. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com Use your Flex Dollars here at your official Starbucks location! 25% off entire stock of hoods. jl.LKts ◄ ► �6 Opinion wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Needed health care reform should pass minus Stupack Amendment kicked off of Medicare. One of the most popular myths is that the proposed legislation will force the U.S. down the path of socialism. Unfortunately, the people propagating this myth forget about Medicare and Medicaid, two successful government-operated healthcare systems. Granted, the two systems suffer from wasteful spending, but H.R. 3962 even tries the amount of legalese in a woman’s way by making her purchase riders--supplemental policies that would cover abortions--on a private insurance program if she accepts Many students will walk off Wilkes Unifederal affordability credits from the new versity’s campus in May and enter a frightinsurance plan, which will lead many back ening world. Too old to be covered by their to the days of back alley abortions. guardian’s plan and not yet employed, they The Stupak Amendment is simply unjust, will join a growing number of Americans and should be removed from the legislawho flinch at every cough or sneeze, buy tion. Tylenol instead of antibiThe U.S. is closer than otics, forgo cancer screenit has ever been before to ings, and hope that pain real reform in our healthin their chest will just go care system. No longer away. There are almost will the U.S. healthcare 50 million of them in the system be based on the U.S., and several Wilkes almighty dollar. Instead, students will be their newH.R. 3962 would move est recruits. They are the the U.S. closer to a misuninsured. sion-based system like On Saturday, Novemthat in the Netherlands. ber 7, the U.S. House of People need to think Representatives took one about what side of the degiant leap forward in the bate they are on. Are they fight to cover those 50 prepared to be part of the million people by passing generation that said no H.R. 3962: the Affordable to the healthcare reform? Health Care for America Are they prepared to conAct. tinue to see their friends For Wilkes students, one and neighbors forced into of the most important feabankruptcy by mounting tures of this legislation is medical bills? Are they that it allows people up prepared to renounce to 27-years-old to stay Medicare and Medicaid The Beacon/Tom Reilly on their legal guardian’s health plan. The bill also Health care centers and hospitals groups like Geisinger will benefit by H.R. because they are socialist ensures that students who 3962 if the Senate passes the bill. They will receive $171 billion over the next concepts? The Beacon urges the are not covered by their 10 years in reimbursements for the newly insured under this legislation. Wilkes community and guardian’s plan can be accepted into Medicaid, a federal and state to correct that by cutting excess spending our members of Congress to take these thoughts into consideration, and listen to run insurance program for low income without sacrificing quality. One sad truth about the bill is the Stupak reason – not those who are supported and Americans. H.R. 3962 faces many obstacles, unfor- Amendment, a late night addition to the endorsed by insurance companies. Editor’s Note: The views and opinions extunately, the most challenging being the legislation by Reps. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) myths about the legislation, which are be- and Joe Pitts (R-Pa.). The amendment en- pressed in this editorial is solely that of The ing encouraged by Congress’ Republican croaches on a woman’s Constitutional right Beacon’s staff. Their opinions in no way leadership and insurance companies. These to an abortion by putting several road blocks reflect the views of the University. Wilkes University does not engage in activities rumors include “death panels”, longs lines in her way. The 1976 Hyde Amendment already bans which promote or advance a political candiat the hospital, bureaucrats standing between a person and their doctor, economic federal funding of abortions, except in cases date, political party, proposition, or PAC as ruin, tax dollars being used to pay for abor- of rape, incest, and life threatening compli- a result of the Federal Elections Campaign tions, and grandma dying because she was cations. The Stupak Amendment increases Act of 1971. BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 17 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think Wilkes University’s campus is clean? • Yes 59% • No 41% Next Week’s Question: Do you think that the health care reform bill should pass with the Stupack amendment attached? • Yes • No Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �OPINION NOVEMBER 17, 2009 7 - . YOUR Ri\Cl f5 The Observatory -~-- ~M ----~ - ./ X:. Stop wiping boogers on bathroom walls 7:~v:y,:r,,,,_~~~ ,· Dear Editor, During a time when flu finds its footholds in the public sphere, and during which time the public has the added fear of H1N1, a very important matter must be discussed. Gentlemen, or perhaps the gentlemen do not suffer from this malady, but men, we live in a time where antibacterial soap is in abundance. We have toilets that flush on their own to decrease the amount of contact we come into in the bathroom. We have sinks that run without touching the handle, and we have hand dryers and paper towel dispensers that operate with a wave of the hand. This is all done to slow the spread of germs. During this flu season, these considerations seem to be most helpful and even necessary. However, there are those who will go out of their way to continue undermining these efforts. To these men this editorial is aimed. Stop wiping your boogers on the walls of the bathrooms. It makes no sense and has the capacity to be very dangerous to the healthy members of your sex. Because you find solace in the privacy of the urinal does not for one second establish an availability to find solace in the immature. From my . observations, this despicable act transcends age and class. Whether it’s a bathroom at McDonald’s, a mangy bar, or the Wilkes University Breiseth second floor bathroom, boogers abound. No bathroom is immune. This must stop. For all of the cares taken to shield us from the spread of germs, one foul placed booger ruins it all. For all of you that are right now thinking that you have never seen this phenomenon, look closer the next time your are sidled up to the porceline. For you ladies out there, who may be hearing this for the first time, a quick Google search of “boogers urinal” yields seven hits on the first page alone. And for all of you having a self-congratulatory snicker, I have only one piece of advice. Grow up. I’m ashamed for all of our sex that this issue even needs addressing. Dutifully yours, Jason Sutton Senior, English major Cartoon by Tom Reilly _·¼, __,~ ·-:, - -'~ ~ ---. -,,. ;., .i _j ,~ .-.. .,, . : -~ -- i - I 7-t /~~~~~~$~ . ,. . ; . . ;/-~::.,;~~~~A...... ., ,. . We are all guilty of fueling celebrity stalking Opinion Editor • MATTHEW GOGAS I Some of the most annoying news briefs are the ones that tell us about celebrities being stalked by crazed fans. I see these briefs every couple of months in headline news or on the E! Entertainment channel. The extreme length that these stalkers go to get close to or gain the attention of their celebrity victims is ridiculous. They sneak into their houses, send them love letters, build shrines to honor them, etc. Celebrity stalking is a serious global issue. Some of the world’s greatest celebrities or stars on the rise have been killed by their stalkers. The media is not helping the issue either. They usually do not run coverage of these celebrity stalking cases until the stalker is caught, so they are not even helping identify these stalkers so that everyday people might the police and catch the stalkers. Not to mention they glorify these celebrity stalker cases as much as they can because people find it entertaining. Yes, I understand the idea. The coverage sells and with the media market being what it is, news companies have to do everything in their power to make money and stay afloat. However, the media is only contributing to the problem and putting celebrities at risk of stalkers by giving them so much attention in the news. In fact, news coverage of Ryan Seacrest’s latest stalker bout is what spawned this entire editorial. For those of you who were not aware, 25 year old Chidi Benjamin Uzomah Jr., who was arrested in September for assaulting Ryan Seacrest’s bodyguard in an attempt to get to the star was arrested nearly two weeks ago for disobeying a court order again attempting to get to Seacrest at the E! Entertainment building in Los Angeles. Stalking is a crime yes, but in the case of celebrity stalkers, it is also a mental illness. It is an obsessive fixation. These people stalk their prey because they have some sort of delusion that they share a deep connection with the star that they idolize. Then they go to the extreme and start following them and make news headlines. This is where the media digs the knife into the wound a little deeper. They give the stalkers the attention that they want- the attention they crave. We do not help the situation either, both by showing interest in celebrity stalking coverage and by not identifying these celebrity stalkers before they go off the deep end and do something stupid that warrants news coverage. And in light of the latest celebrity stalking of American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest, new evidence tells us that it is becoming more difficult to identify celebrity stalkers, so we all need to be observant and vigilant. Author and fame psychology expert James Houran told CNN that, “there’s a stalker in all of us, and given the right set of circumstances, virtually anybody can be pushed to be a celebrity stalker, or at least someone that obsesses about celebrities to the point that it interferes with our daily life.” So, from one journalist and human being to others: stop contributing to the celebrity stalker problem. Journalists have a responsibility to inform about issues that actually matter. Celebrity stalking only matters to the celebrity being stalked and gives the stalker unnecessary attention. And we as individual people should be doing our part to solve or at least minimize the problem, too. Apparently there is, “a stalker in all of us,” so watch your friends and family. Keep them in check. Make sure that their celebrity idolization does not become a fixation because if they go to the extreme they could possibly kill Ryan Seacrest or Miley Cyrus (not that I would mind, but I am sure other people would). �OPINION 8 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 The workin’ man needs to replenish his electrolytes too Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS Enterprises such as Gatorade and Powerade market their products specifically toward the athlete in need of re-hydration. This is an understandable move considering that the two products are designed to replenish electrolytes and other minerals the body exerts during physical activities. Professional athletes are the ultimate examples of physical energy exerters who would be in need of sport drink designed specifically to aid the body in performing at a normal hydrated level. However, athletes are not the only demographic of people who exert physical energy on a daily basis: the mail-carrier transports a heavy sack the length of many roads; the full-time student scales a vast amount of terrain on his or her campus; a custodian uses that elbow grease to scrub all surfaces to their shining point. Although these examples sound menial and not worthy of a re-hydrating sport drink, the amount of energy required to perform certain 8-hour jobs would suggest that these non-athletes deserve a Gatorade or Powerade. Gatorade’s “Instant Powder Mix,” which is available on the Internet, reads that it “replenishes the much-needed carbohydrates and electrolytes lost from the body through sweat and exertion.” Watching a Gatorade commercial would have a non-athlete but hard-working construction worker believe that he is not worthy of replenishing his carbohydrates or electrolytes because he is not dunking a basketball or scoring a touchdown. Sport drink marketing masterminds should take into consideration all people who need to replenish their carbohydrates or electrolytes throughout a work day, not just the athlete’s. We have seen a range of Gatorade’s marketing ability span from the not-too-publisizedtriathlete all the way up to the high profile superstars like Michael Jordan. During our country’s time of economic unprosperity and decay, it would be nice to see a commercial with the Gatorade beads of sweat rolling down the sweaty arms of grocery store clerk/bagger or the Gatorade “G-theme” beating to the rhythm of hammers of construction workers erecting green warehouses. According to Peter Hadzipetros of CBCnews, the sport drink market is estimated to be a $4 billion dollar a year industry. Professional, semi-pro, and high school/collegiate athletes are not the only components making up the $63.87 million dollars Gatorade contributes to that sport drink industry. People who are not athletes can burn carbohydrates and need to replenish just as many electrolytes as a professional athlete. Sport drink enterprises should give laborers some credit in at least one commercial. If that is too much to ask, then maybe the sport drink industry could focus more on Letters to the Editor Policy creating a better tasting electrolyte replenishing beverage. Gatorade and Powerade are not known for having great tasting sport drinks, however this may be an option for the two companies to consider putting more effort toward. The Beacon’s unofficial and unsponsored “Gatorade vs. Powerade Taste Challenge” held on November 5 in the Henry Student Center sought to see which sport drink tasted better. Fifty-Five people volunteered to take the The Beacon/Allison Roth challenge and 23 volunteers acknowledged Juniors Andrew Sobiesiak and Shawn Klitsch take The that they had difficulty Beacon’s Gatorade vs. Powerade Taste Challenge. distinguishing between drink which sells itself as the replenisher of the two disguised yet obvious orange-fla- carbohydrates and electrolytes. Bonvie curvored sport drinks. rently is the owner and operator of DownOne of the 55 volunteers happened to be town Wilkes-Barre’s Blue Chip Gourmet an ex-professional NHL enforcer by the restaurant, working a regular job exerting name of Dennis Bonvie. He chose “B” as just as much energy through the course of the better tasting of the two sport drinks-- an entire day as he did as a hockey player. Powerade. If the sport drink industry wants to beAll that sweaty athlete marketing did not come even smarter marketers, they will pay off for Gatorade in this situation, con- make an effort to sell their product to the sidering Bonvie did not choose the sport working class. Last week's winner of $50 Gift Card to RODANO'S RESTAURANT &: BAR Amanda Touch The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: Who Doesn't like Free Stuffi! 1be Beacon Weekly Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win... 5 Free Appetizers 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion Please keep letters to 300 words. Sponsored By: -• The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. Please submit letters to thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Located on Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk in the Student Union by Friday, November 20, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �International students connect to family p. 11 li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 9 College Days Chapman took academic road less traveled, has no regrets BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Debra Chapman hurries inside her house. She checks under her bed. She checks the closets. She checks every room of her house. Chapman just returned home after seeing Halloween with her boyfriend. She is checking for Michael Meyers, the savage killer featured in the film. “I thought I was going to die. I was so scared,” remembered Chapman. Movies were only one part of Chapman’s college days. She filled her time at Wilkes, where she was enrolled from 1977 to 1981 as a biology major, with watching movies, watching friends play the fiddle, and disco dancing. “We went to the Vox Box. It was a big disco place,” said Chapman. “We would disco dance. We had some very good dancers who were friends of ours who would compete. As a commuter it was hard to socialize, but I had a boyfriend who lived on campus, so that was my connection.” As a biology major in the late 70s, Chapman and her peers were part of a collaboration with the Haneman Program. This program connected pre-med and biology majors with a sister medical school that is now Drexel University. Chapman was not a pre-med major like many of her classmates, so her first two years of school and her last two years of school were drastically different. “Socially, [college] was tough, because my friends left after two years,” said Chapman. “They were pre-med and they left. That was hard because ‘now what?’ The last two years were, socially, not as fun. I filled the void by studying. The traditional bio majors were the minority, so when they left our class size went from huge to extremely small.” The loss of peers and friends hit Chapman hard. To deflect the panges of being one of the few left behind, Chapman hit the books. “I did a lot of teaching assistant work, and you don’t learn anything better than when you teach it. And you aren’t going to go into a classroom of your peers without knowing your stuff, because you really need to know what you’re doing,” stated Chapman. Her friendly demeanor and positive attitude added to the strong curriculum Wilkes presented to its biology majors at the time. “We had to do double the bio that they do now. Every seven weeks we completed a course in biology, which, obviously, means we were moving pretty fast in lecture. Plus we had two labs a week, where they only have one now,” said Chapman. “The caliber of student that we had here obviously was up there.” Pushing through her four years, Chapman’s senior year brought on a crisis of continuation. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to do research. I knew from what I had seen here--the passion and commitment to be good at what you do is 100% and more. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher all my life. I just knew research wasn’t for me. At that point in time, I wasn’t that kind of thinker,” said Chapman. Even though she already had a seat held for her at SUNY-Binghamton for Ph.D research, Chapman panicked. She said that she really struggled with the decision to leave her seat behind and return to Wilkes. Photo courtesy of Debra Chapman Dr. Debra Chapman, in 1990 with her daughter, had a seat at SUNY-Binghamton to do research, but she knew she did not want to do research and wanted to begin a family. Mid-summer Chapman was offered a tutoring position at Wilkes. “I knew it [SUNY] wasn’t for me, and I never, ever looked back. I called SUNY and told them I wasn’t coming. Then I had to tell me research advisor. It wasn’t good. I then had to take him as a graduate student. But you’ve got to do what’s good for you, not what’s good for your professors,” said Chapman. Chapman received her Master’s in biology education while working at Wilkes and climbed the academic ladder to become the professor she is today. “I am extremely fortunate to have the job I have today, because I have a Master’s, I don’t have a Ph.D.,” said Chapman. She may not be running home from the movies or disco dancing her way through the Vox Box, but Chapman created a fervor for teaching, and for life, at Wilkes in 1977 and has never stopped. In her own words, Chapman gets scammed: Wh, n I was in college, I think I was scammed over by a boyfriend ofmine. I'm not totally l}O itive, but I think. I was a TA at the time, and he knew Ihad access to the tests and such. 'So_,. I think he stole the answers and gave them out. Needless to say, we are not together anymore. �LIFESTYLES 10 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Pharmacy professors support the Great American Smokeout BY RUTH WHISPELL Lifestyles Assistant Editor On Thursday, November 19, smokers will take one long smoke break. That is, they’ll smoke less or perhaps even try to quit for good, if they participate in The Great American Smokeout. Daniel Longyhore, Pharm.D, assistant professor of the Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing and his colleague, Dan McCune, Ph.D., an assistant professor for the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmacy, have very strong views against smoking and nicotine’s negative effects on people who smoke. The two are preparing themselves for The Great American Smokeout. “To me the Great American Smokeout is a double-edged sword. The good thing is that it brings this huge awareness to people that it’s time to quit smok- ing; the downside is that everyone thinks they have to quit smoking on November 19,” said Longyhore. Longyhore explained that you can quit smoking anytime you want, but there is a lot of prep work involved. People who quit and then begin smoking again think they let someone down and it makes that second attempt to quit even harder. “In reality, it takes the average smoker eight times to quit smoking,” said Longyhore. Longyhore also said that smokers need to tell as many people as possible that they are quitting, because then when they want a cigarette, they think about all the people they already told they were quitting. Perhaps for this reason, many people are skeptical about the effectiveness of the Smokeout. “I think the Great American Smokeout is a great idea because it gives people a reason to quit smoking, but I don’t think it will be effective; even if they quit for that day, they probably will pick it back up again,” said Christina Leetz, a freshmen nursing major. Katelyn Kozma, a sixth year pharmacy student at Wilkes, recently appeared on The Outlook radio show with Longyhore, McCune, and some other students to talk about The Great American Smoke Out. “I think it [The Great American Smokeout] is an excellent idea because it raises awareness about the negatives that are associated with smoking. It also provides a community feeling to trying to quit; having support when you are trying to quit is very important,” said Kozma. The Outlook radio show will air on 98.5 KRZ, Froggy 101, and 102.3 The Mountain, on Sundays at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.. While some students may not see the benefits of quitting smoking, Longyhore offered even more insight on why quitting smoking would aid college students, women in particular. “Smoking is a procoagulant, which means it causes your blood to congeal,” said Longyhore. “On a campus like this where you have many young ladies using oral contraceptives to regulate their cycles or prevent pregnancy, estrogen is also a procoagulant; when you put those two drugs [nicotine and oral contraceptives] together it puts someone at a very high risk $§.99 ALL YOU CAN EAT Salad, p .a sta, piz.z a, a11d desert:! Tony o·'s PIZZA BUFTET P: 570.825.20 0 F. 570.825.20 295 Ma·n .... rr,a,i,rs, il TIL The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Freshman biology major Evan Kriner has a smoke break while standing outside Evans Hall. Thursday, November 19 is the Great American Smokeout a day meant for smokers to either quit smoking all together or smoke less. of getting blood clots in their legs, heart or brain, which would cause a stroke.” McCune explained that there is a plus side when someone quits smoking: shortly after quitting, a smoker’s circulation will gradually improve, their heart rate and blood pressure will begin to lower and the risk factors for diseases such as cardio vascular disease begin to become lower, as well. Some benefits, according to McCune, may take a bit longer to improve, but eventually within one year a smoker’s risk of coronary heart disease is cut is half, and in about 10 to 15 years their risk of having a stroke would be back to the base line. Dr. Mary Beth Mullen is the advising coordinator for the College of Science and Engineering and a biology teacher here at Wilkes. Mullen has strong feelings against smoking because of the many health problems that can accompany the habit. She added, “I just get flabbergasted to see how many students smoke, and they know the dangers... It’s literally suicidal. The risks of getting cancer are 30 times greater than if you don’t smoke.” Longyhore added that people who need help quitting can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, which is a 24 hour help line. �NIOVEMBER 17, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 The miles do not mean anything Foreign students keep in touch with family via internet KIRSTIN COOK Staff Wrtier The Internet tends to make everything easier for the typical college student. Simple tasks are now done online, such as paying bills, refilling prescriptions and shopping for gifts. However, the Internet takes on a new importance for foreign students at Wilkes. The Internet is a vital resource that helps students from foreign countries stay in contact with their families back at home. The majority of foreign students use the Internet to keep in touch and overcome the difficulties of distance. Often times, students will use online messenger programs, webcams and e-mails to communicate with loved ones. Junfeng Ma, a junior from China, states, “Internet makes the distance short.” They also take advantage of texting and calling family members to keep in touch. One of the most frequent online tools used is Skype, a program that allows the user to make online calls with webcam capabilities. Aziz Aldabal, who traveled here from Saudi Arabia, said he often misses his family between his visits back home, but seeing them with Skype helps. “I can see them in Skype”, saod Aldabal. For foreign students, seeing their parents becomes a rare privilege. Many times, this rare occasion is reserved for graduation day. Gaurav Jhamb, who is from India, is looking forward to having his parents visit him during graduation. “We’ll be sending them graduation invitations, and then they’ll be coming,” said Jhamb. The next time Ma’s family will get to see him may be a bit farther off. “Maybe when I graduate, maybe then,” stated Ma. Prabhat Jain, is a student from India who is currently pursuing his masters degree. He said that talking to his family takes an importance over other social activities on campus. “Family first, and then friends,” said Jain. He also commented on some cultural barriers that make it difficult for family members to communicate back. He explained that some people, like his mother, don’t know how to use the communication programs on the computer. Fortunately, the tutorial methods available make it easier, and his family has made an effort to learn about computers. Another barrier of communicating with family is the time zone difference. There is approximately a difference of ten hours separating many of these students from their families back at home. This difference makes it hard for the students to time their calls and contact their family. Many aspects on campus make foreign students miss their families even more. Events such as religious festivals from their home country make them miss their family traditions. Another part about missing home is the traditional food from their culture. Zhengwei Zhu, a graduate student, said he misses home most, “When [he’s] hungry.” The Wilkes cafeteria food is just not the same as their cultural dishes from home. To overcome these feelings of homesickness, students try to talk to their parents more often. Gurpreet Kingra, typically talks to his family online at least once or twice daily. There are programs other than Skype that foreign students use to help them communicate with family and friends. Orkut, a social networking service run by Google, is another popular program. To instant message family members, Yahoo Messenger is also commonly used. There are many obstacles that make it difficult to communicate with family at home, but these foreign students find ways to overcome these obstacles. “It’s cheap and it’s convenient,” says Zhu. Even though talking online with family is not quite as good as talking in person, it helps to make the miles more bearable. The Beacon/ Tom Reilly International students face many hardships when leaving their home countries in order to go to school at Wilkes, but thankfully they can communicate with their families online. Students use a variety of mediums to connect with family and friends from their home countries, including popular social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. They also use Skype to video conference with their families. - - Student of the Week: Micfi.~et ?i<Jtti - - KIRSTIN COOK Staff Writer Every student at Wilkes has been impacted by the swine flu in some way. Students must face the danger of the virus, as well as the dilemma of the vaccination. In the middle of the swine flu frenzy is Michael Piotti, a senior nursing major. Piotti took on a pivotal role of administrating swine flu vaccinations and from this experience has developed a fuller understanding of the dilemna. Piotti said he was honored to be a part of the vaccination distribution. He volunteered to participate in the service and gained a great deal of experience from the opportunity. The best part of distributing the vaccine, according to Piotti, was the amount of children that attended the clinic. Piotti was happy to see them being protected. He also enjoyed the ability to be helping in the to impact his community, which led him to midst of the community, which differs from nursing. “I’ve always wanted to help peohis clinical work in the hospital. ple,” said Piotti. He saw the rising need for Through this experience with the vaccina- nurses and hopes to help fulfill that need. He tion, Piotti has especially enjoys become more the one-on-one informed. “It’s patient interaction important for a in his field. community such Piotti’s ultias a college to mate goals are to get the shot.” He eventually work added that it is in the Emergency vital for college Room, as well as students to realearn his Master’s ize how at risk degree in hospital they are, but they administration. also must weigh He has already their options. He begun to develop believes the flu his leadership The Beacon/Allison Roth will be spreading skills right here on to the area and affecting even more people. campus, with his status of Captain of the “I don’t think we’ve hit the highest point of men’s cross-country team. He also is active it.” in other activities in his community, such as From the beginning, Piotti has had an urge ski club and environmental club. Originally from Williamstown, New Jersey, Piotti came to Wilkes as a freshman but only stayed for one semester, returning to his hometown mostly to cut back on the cost of college. He returned to Wilkes to complete his degree, a decision he is glad he made. However, as Piotti has been a college student since 2005, he is ready to graduate. He is eager to emerge in his community and begin to make a greater impact. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Piotti: Hopefully working in a hospital in Philadelphia and married with kids. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Piotti: Hardworking, dedicated, outgoing. The Beacon: Finish this sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Piotti: In high school I was a skater punk kid. �l)rie's Adventures: Heaven f s~chic Fa ire- f age 12 14 Al & E I c~ - -\ CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 “Brenda Bly: Teen Detective” offers something for all BY KIRSTIN COOK Staff Writer The fall semester musical at Wilkes will surely attract all types of audience members. Young and old can appreciate all the different facets to which “Brenda Bly: Teen Detective” appeals. Being regarded as a blend between Grease and Scooby-Do, “Brenda Bly” provides a mix of mystery, humor, and romance. “Brenda Bly” taps into the up-and-coming mainstream concept of detectives. The detective theme was seen in the “Nancy Drew” movie from 2007, and will be continuing into 2009 with the premieres of “Nancy Drew 2” and “Sherlock Holmes.” The detective theme in Brenda Bly is emphasized with the use of flashlights and private eye garb. All through the lyrics and dialogue are detective puns that satirize the concept. From the very beginning of the production, the audience is faced with a cliffhanger -- literally. The plot focuses the attack of one of the girls at Whitney Ellis Private School for Girls. Throughout the show, the audience members are led on a wild goose chase in an attempt to figure out who is guilty in the mystery. Countless leads are brought up simply to guide the audience to dead ends. The actors are successful at looking needlessly suspicious in several occasions, resulting in audience members remaining on the edge of their seats. Everyone looks to Brenda Bly, a private eye teenager played by Casey Lynch, a senior musical theatre major, to tackle this case and save the day. Wilkes takes a humorous approach to the mystery genre with the show, so that the seriousness of the whodunit story is balanced with jokes. “There’s something that I think everyone will get a good laugh out of,” said Lacey Willis, sophomore communication studies major and assistant stage manager for the show. There are numerous parody aspects that the show takes on, poking fun at both mysteries and musicals. The exaggerated elements of the characters are one of the most memorable and humorous qualities. “It’s really entertaining, it’s something to do on the weekend,” Willis adds. Mystery and comedy are not the only genres involved. Romance also takes center stage. The highlighted lady, Brenda Bly, The Beacon/Tom Reilly In this photo, it is opening scene of the musical. It is a scene featuring Alyssa Glueck as Darcy (in the space suit.) rehearsing “Rocket Girl: the Musical.” “Brenda Bly” takes place in 1958, a time when space exploration was the center of excitement and people began to take an interest. Wilkes to hold Diwali celebration November 21 in HSC BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer Imagine a holiday that combines both the Fourth of July and Christmas, where beautiful lights decorate people’s homes and fireworks blast and fill the sky. Diwali, a Festival of Lights, is such a holiday celebrated in India that is being brought to Wilkes. On November 21, the Indian Cultural Association will hold a Diwali festival in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. At this Diwali celebration, participants can expect dancing, food and a presentation about Diwali. According to Iloveindia.com, Diwali falls on the day of “Amavasyaa,” or the new moon, usually in the month of October or November. On this day, people light tiny diyas (earthen lamps) to illuminate their homes with bright light that creates lovely designs all around their home with colorful rangoli art. Paran Mukhija, p2 pharmacy student, and member of the Indian Cultural Association, typically celebrates Diwali with her family in India. During the Festival of Lights, Mukhija and her family participate in special traditions such as gift giving, decorating and cleaning of their home, special prayer in the evening, setting off fire crackers outside with neighbors and family, and storytelling. “We have Diwali on campus as a celebration,” Harnisha Patel, an Indian Cultural Association member, said. “All the students celebrate the festival together away from home while wishing to enlighten souls around them. Our Diwali function has and will always be open to all of the students and the community members.” Performances include dancing, singing, musical, etc. See DIWALI page 13 Photo Courtesy of Paran Mukhija Paran Mukhija, third in from the right fron row center, is shown in this photo from last year’s Diwali, which is a festival of lights. Attendees can expect dancing, food celebration, and a presentation on the history of Diwali. �NOVEMBER 17, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BLY from PAGE 12 struggles in her relationship with Buddy Rogers, her daring boyfriend played by John Layton. Cecil Sessil, a security guard played by Casey Thomas, attempts to win the hard heart of Vera Van Strander, the manipulative headmistress played by Casey Gow. JoJo, a boy-crazy starlet played by Jessica Lech, pursues her love of Stu, Buddy Roger’s oaf sidekick played by Bill McGovern. Lynch has enjoyed being able to play to different audiences. “The show is cool because you get to play to a child audience but there’s also these adult themes that we get to play with too, so it’s really fun,” Lynch said. She explained how children audiences will like the cute themes, young adult groups will enjoy the hidden innuendos, and older audience members will like the parodies of the 60’s. Lynch has been inspired by theater since she saw a production of “Beauty and the Beast” when she was in 4th grade, and now, as a senior majoring in theater arts, she has plans of continuing acting in her future. Her goals include future auditioning for parts and possibly even touring with productions. She is going to miss the community within the theater program at Wilkes and the network of teachers that she has developed when she leaves Wilkes upon graduation. Along with all the laughs and suspense, there are deeper meanings to Brenda Bly, as Lynch points out. “Anyone’s going to be able to take away a really good message out of the show, and they’re going to laugh the whole time they’re here,” she said. These messages include finding your place in the world, and following your passions. Cierra Cellerari, whose role is the optimistic Nurse Wilder, is an example of the encouragement to never stop trying through her song, “Oogie Woogie Boogie”. Another interesting aspect of the show is the concept of the musical within a musical. Alyssa Glueck plays Darcy, who in turn plays “Rocket Girl” in her school’s upcoming musical. This musical features the wonders towards the idea of space exploration from that time period, and not to mention tap-dancing aliens. The song “All American Boy” is a showcase of the time period genre. It takes place in McFrostie’s Soda Shop, which is the perfect setting for the theme. This number emphasizes the presence of ‘pink girls’ and ‘greasers,’ and a time when Rock and Roll was just becoming popular. This scene of soda pop and jukeboxes will create flashbacks for older audience members. No matter what you take from the show, “Brenda Bly: Teen Detective” is a great chance to laugh and dance along. The production will continue to run on November 20 and 21 at 8 p.m., and November 22 at 2 p.m., with free admission to anyone with a valid Wilkes ID. Taste of Wilkes The Beacon/Allison Roth Faculty, staff and students enjoyed sampling food at the thirteenth annual Taste of Wilkes, which took place on Wednesday, November 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event provides an opportunity for all members of the Wilkes community to try their hand at preparing some favorite recipes for everyone to enjoy. DIWALI from PAGE 12 Photo Courtesy of Paran Mukhija From left: Paran Mukhija, Dr. Linda Paul, professor of philosophy at Wilkes, and Tia Hickman, a fourth year Pharmacy major, pose at last year’s Diwali festival that took place in the Henry Student Center last fall. 13 Indian food is also provided from the Indian Cultural Association. The celebration of Diwali holds a deep and holy meaning for Hindu people. “Diwali is a very holy and joyous Hindu festival celebrating the return of Ram Bhagwan to Ayodhya from his 14-year exile, and the victory of good over evil[...]signified by the lighting of oil lamps dispelling the darkness,” Patel said. “The way the people of ayodhya lightened diyas to welcome Lord Rama...we lighten our hearts and forgive and forget misdeeds of others family, friends, and relatives.” Mukhija explains that the purpose for the lights is to ward off evil; there can’t be any darkness anywhere in and around the house. Famous stories are told during Diwali. Mukhija tells the story of Lord Rama. Lord Rama is known to the Hindu people as the perfect man. He is a deity that symbolizes self control and virtue. Diwali is celebrated because of his return home from his 14 years of exile. Lord Rama was married to another deity, Sita, who Hindu’s believe to be the embodiment of perfect womanhood. When Mukhija was growing up in India she remembers the story that was told during the holiday about Lord Rama and Sita. Mukhija recalls when Lord Rama was in exile, his wife Sita was captured by Ravana. He then went to battle against Ravana for her. After his victory he returned back to Ayodhya. Later Lord Rama became emperor. With Diwali’s rich and interesting history, it may be a surprise to some that Diwali is not observed here in the United States. “People would wonder what we were doing if they saw us decorating our houses in the middle of October,” Mukhja said. The Indian Cultural Association’s president Silvia Silvi is ensuring the events success by fundraising. The Indian Cultural Association will be holding a Gertrude Hawk candy and henna sale in order to help pay for the event costs. “It is very important to celebrate Diwali here at Wilkes because of the number of Indian students at Wilkes, especially international students,” Patel said. “Some of the students have been away from home for the first time especially at Diwali. We want to make them feel like home by giving them a chance to perform and also celebrate Diwali with the rest of the community.” �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 ~rii's '(ldvinturis A day at the Heaven Psychic Faire in Will(es-Barre BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor As I stepped into the convention room in the Quality Inn & Suites on Kidder Street, I was hit with a wave of aromatic incense and mesmerizing acoustic music. This was my first encounter with the Heaven Psychic Faire and I was suprised to be greeted by a young woman by the name of Ang Rasimas. “You must be Brie,” she said. “How did she know that?” I thought in surprise. (Then I realized my press pass with my name on it dangling from my neck in plain eyesight.) Rasimas, who was kind enought to tell me a little bit about the Faire, said it is going on its thirteenth year. She has been participating for the past few years. The first thing I saw--and no, it wasn’t crystal balls--was a stand with healing lotions and crafts, mostly of fairies, that are hand sculpted out of polymer clay by the artist Theresa Popiolek. Once a woman in the corporate world in the heart of Manhattan, Popiolek said she had to abandon it due to her constant dreams of fairies. She began to explore her spirituality and began to use fairies to express her beliefs and the magical powers they may possess. Since then, she has moved around to a few places but is now settled in Tobyhanna, PA. The fairies, she believes, are symbols of love and since they are connected to nature, it is a way to become more connected to the planet. Once a customer purchases a fairy from Popiolek, she encourages them to ask the fairy its name. Within the next few days, a name will intuitively pop into the customer’s mind, this being the answer from the fairy. Once that has occurred, the definition of that name (which the customer will have to figure out by doing research) will be the fairy’s message. “We all need some positive energy,” said Popiolek. Though that it is true, I was unable to purchase a fairy. As I turned the corner of the fairy stand, I noticed other people at tables that read “Aura Photography,” “Foot Reflexology and Ear Candling,” and much more. Nearby, a family of three, Daelynn and John Farrell and Lindsay Suchowieski, had a table representing H.U.G.E. (Hauntings & Unexplained Ghostly Encounters). These paranormal investigators share this passion, but only as a hobby. They have about 15 years of experience and currently have 20 members to their organization in Wilkes-Barre. After explaining the equipment that was laid out on the table, such as a K2, which measures electromagnetic fields, Daelynn told me that the trick to investigating paranormal activity is consistency. When training, they teach people how to use the equipment, finding consistent patterns, what to look for, and what questions to ask. Daelynn, the psychic in the family, uses something other than technology to determine her investigations. She turns to her crystals and stones when she needs to focus hard on a certain area when on location for investigations. The tiger eye crystal, for example, is for protection and the smokey quartz resembles an eye that is meant to be stared into. Peering into this quartz increases focus and concentration because it is, in fact, a mesmerizing crystal. NORTHAMPTON STREET DELI Located inside the YMCA Non-Members Welcomed Mon thru Thurs 11 :00 am to 8:00 pm Fridays & Sundays 11:00 am to 4:00 pm **** Please note new Sunday and Evening Hours **** 10% discount w / Student ID - Free WiFi Available The Beacon/Jahmitza Perez Theresa Popiolek showcases her fairies at the Heaven Psychic Faire that are believed to bring positive energy and increase connection between the customer and the planet. Popiloek, a former businesswoman in New York, found her passion in spirituality via these fairies that she makes herself. Moving on, I observed the beautiful jewelry and funky accessories made by the talented artists and psychics. Debra Cross, who makes her own jewelry and has a business called New Moon Creations, Jewelry with Spirit, had a variety of jewelries from beads to silver, to necklaces made out of fabric. Every piece was beautiful. Finally, I went to the corner of the room that had the tarot readings. It was a bit crowded and very involved--psychics staring into clients eyes, some holding hands and others looking intensely at the cards. There was an adornment of all different kinds of tarot cards and the psychics looked intriguing, to say the least, especially the woman wearing a cape. Ramona Maiolino, who just finished with a customer, invited me over. Though she does tarot readings, her preferred art is astrology, which she has been doing for 52 years. “I guess you could say tarot cards are my newest passion, even though I’ve been doing it for 30 years now,” laughed Maiolino. She continued to enlighten me about tarot reading and clarified that it doesn’t necessarily predict anything. Instead, the cards tune into our energies and that it is our energy that shuffles the cards. It concentrates on what is on the mind. I observed while speaking with Maiolino that tarot readings weren’t the only things going on. People can do readings via touching the hair or the hands, palms, and by rubbing metal or a piece of jewelry that is worn often. Being psychic is a natural gift for Maiolino, but it wasn’t an accepted one. When she was young, she was punished for it. I was unable to see what the cards had in store for me, but perhaps I will when the Faire comes to Wilkes-Barre again in February. “The vibes that are shared between us and the client is what’s important,” said Maiolino. “There is much to be learned from these things but you must have intuition, and everyone has it.” Overall, I was amused and entertained at my first-ever trip to a Psychic Faire. The teeny-tiny skeptic in me was well-behaved and I enjoyed learning about a completely different culture of spirituality and conversing with people who have refreshingly different views. The Faire took place this past weekend, and only cost $6 for admission. The Faire will be coming back in February, and is definitely worth going to if you want to step outside the box of the typical. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 17, 2009 TIii DIIYOQUIP! 15 - Osterhout Gatne Night- BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! “R P BDJ KRLM QM CRSS O COTU ZDJYM O O KSOYY X D D W R M, DP Z R S W” This week’s clues: Q=H & D=O The Beacon/Tom Reilly Answer from last week: IF A SHEEP EATS A PIECE OF SHEPHARD’S PIE, THEN THE SHEEP IS A-MOVIN’ ON UP! On National Game Day this past Saturday, the Osterhout Free Library, located on Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre, participated by hosting board games and card games all day. The Wii game system was also available to play from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. In this photo, two young children are enjoying Super Mario Kart on the Wii. • • • • appening Aroun BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor day, November 19, 2009 an Regan @ FM Kirby Center $39.50 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - Wilkes Crew Fund raiser "Wii Rowing Tournament" @ Rodano' -18-20 - $6, 21+ - $3 Starts at 1 p.m. - FREE PIZZA@ 11 p.m. - Pappy & Dylan of Cabinet and Kris Kehr of The Recipe @ River Street Jazz Cafe, Plains - FREE -10 p.m. - Professor Elie Wiesel @ FM Kirby Center - $10 - 8 p.m. ""'SOLD OUT** All Weekend Long - Star Wars: In Concert @ Wachovi Arena - $35+ - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - •An Enemy of the People" @ Kings College Theatre - $10 - 7:30 p.m. -11/18-11/21 - Kevin Hammonds and Charles Miller's "Brenda Bly: Teen Detective" @Wilkes University - Free to Students w/ ID - 8 p.m. ri./Sat.) 2 p.m. (Sun.) - November 20, 2009 t the Zoo@ The Bog, -10:30 p.m. - Glass Empires @ Club JAM, Pittston - $5 - 9 p.m. - Zach Deputy @ River Street Jazz Cafe, Plains - $8 -10 p.m. - One For The Angels, Aherin & Centralia @ Club JAM, Pittston -$5-9 p.m. e Brew & JMMD @ River t Jazz Cafe, Plains - $5 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra Winter Tour 2009 @ Wachovia Arena - $25+ - 8 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2009 - Grammar Debate w/ Kite Party@ The Bog, Scranton - $5 -10:30 p.m. - Tip the Van @ Cafe Metro - $8 -8 p.m. - Skye is Falling @ Club Pittston - $5 - 7 Op.m. day, November 22, 2009 y Tomlin @ FM Kirby Center 39+- 7 p.m. he "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions 40th Anniversary Edition @ Wachovia Arena - $24+ - 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. �BASKETBALL PREVIEW CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu 18 en's 19 16 • wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com NOVEMBER 17, 2009 =•: FAl:ECIFF What is the greatest rivalry in all of sports? There’s a reason it’s known as “The Game” Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA No rivalry is more heated than the battle that takes place on the third Saturday afternoon in late November. The rivalry I’m referring to is the one that pits the scarlet and gray from Ohio State against the maize and blue from Michigan. I can’t go with the Yankees and Red Sox because they meet nearly 20 times a year. As much as I wanted to go with Duke-Carolina, I have too much bias pulling in the direction of the Tar Heel Blue, and they meet at least twice, but usually three to four times a year. Michigan-Ohio State? Once a year. Ali-Frazier was an individual rivalry, nothing more than that. When Ohio State and Michigan collide, two whole worlds are on a crash course with one another. The game involves two states, two massive schools, thousands of players, students, and alumni, and most of all, thousands of fans that absolutely hate each other. Ohio State and Michigan go head to head on the gridiron just once a year in the very last game of the season and in nearly every meeting, the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl is on the line in some way. That’s why this is the greatest rivalry, hands down. They meet once, usually for the biggest prize, and it’s the last game of the season for each. That is what rivalries are made of. It all began in 1922, when Ohio Stadium was opened. The opponent for the Buckeyes? The Wolverines. And they rained on that parade with a 22-0 win, setting the stage for what has become not only the fiercest rivalry in college football, but the fiercest rivalry in all sports. Period. Kapeesh. Goodnight. This game draws over 100,000 spectators to the stadium no matter the venue. And that doesn’t count the thousands outside the stadium and the thousands more watching on the television. Look at it this way. If you are from Ohio, you can go to any school in the country that you choose. It could be Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, or Michigan State. But don’t you dare choose Michigan. You will be shunned forever. And the same goes for Michigan natives. You could go to Michigan State before you went to Ohio State. If you choose the other, say goodbye to your state voting rights. This rivalry represents the pure college experience, and the epitome of college football. School pride is on the line in every meeting. At every meeting, there are 100,000 screaming fans are going berserk the entire time, relentlessly booing the opposition at every opportunity. There was an even HBO documentary made about it. When players graduate, they’re not judged on how many championships they won, they’re judged on how many times they beat Ohio State, or vice-versa. These teams could win one game a season, as long as it was against the other. The Buckeyes and the Wolverines each have the same purpose at the beginning of each season: Beat Ohio State. Beat Michigan. Here’s a little FF (fun fact) to end on: In 1970, a Columbus judge dismissed an obscentity charge against a man wearing a TShirt that said “F--- Michigan,” because the saying “accurately expressed” local feelings about the University and the state. If that doesn’t scream rivalry, nothing does. It just doesn’t get any bigger than that. However, the best rivalry has got to be Muhammad Ali versus “Smokin” Joe Frazier. This fight had everything. From the powerful punches and change in momentum to the great finish in the end. Although none of us were born back when “The Thrilla in Manila” took place we can all appreciate the amazing display of pugilism. The two men met in the ring three times with “The Thrilla” being the last and best time. Ali and Frazier faced each other for 132 minutes to decide who was the better man. This fight is considered to be the most brutal battle of all time. This was also the only fight between the two that did not last the full time it was scheduled. Round by round Ali and Frazier traded punches leaving each other com- pletely battered and bruised. With every round each fighter grew more and more tired but the determination replaced the energy that they had lost. Blow by blow, sweat and blood poured from the body of each man. With each round the judges grew more and more skeptical of who was going to be the winner. Ali kept coming at Frazier and Frazier kept coming at Ali. Neither man was going to back down. They both let their fists fly in hopes of putting the other to the canvas. By round 14, Frazier’s left eye was completely shut from the punishment of Ali’s right hand. But he kept on coming in hopes of hitting that spot to put Ali down. But it never came. With both completely exhausted and beat up, they sat in their corners awaiting the last round to come. Back then if both men made it to the last round there was a little bit of a longer break to let them recuperate and give it everything they had left in the final minutes. But the last round never came. During the break, Frazier’s trainer took one last look at him and just knew that he could not go on. So before the men could even get up to give each other whatever they had left, it was stopped. They had already given everything and there was no more that needed to be done. The fight ended with Ali as the victorious one. To this day that fight is still talked about and I believe that it will forever be the best sports rivalry of all time. The Thrilla in Manilla Asst. Sports Editor RYANI HOlMES Everyone knows that when it comes to sports, no matter what sport it is, there are always rivalries and battles that seem to continue even after the clock hits all zeroes. And even if you are playing on a team there are still individual battles or rivalries that the athletes just absolutely live for. When it comes to the best sports rivalry there is no way that I could pick a rivalry where an entire team was involved, the best rivalries occur between two people like Shaq versus Kobe or LeBron versus Howard. I know that I am leaving out some of the big ones but still, you get my point. WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? How do you feel about our editors decisions? Check out the story online, at www.wilkesbeacon.com, and give your opinion. While you’re at it, tell us if you agreed with Anthony’s or Ryan’s choices this week, and every week. for more information check out ... ~Iw_i_lk_e_s_b_e_ac_o_n_._co_m _ _~I ew.zl �SPORTS NOVEMBER 17, 2009 17 Wrestling has impressive showing at John Reese Duals COURTESY OF CRAIG MERRIMAN Sports Information Director The Wilkes University wrestling team had an impressive showing at the fifth-annual John Reese Duals, posting wins over NYU, Scranton and Centenary while falling to Cortland. Wilkes took a 31-6 victory over fellow Metro Conference member NYU as it won all but two bouts in the contest. Scott Mantua gave the Colonels a 3-0 start at 125 with a 5-2 win over Kyle Christensen. NYU would bounce back to win the next two bouts to take a 6-3 lead, but Wilkes would score 28 unanswered points the rest of the way. At 149, Nathan White took a 3-0 lead over Gabe Gleason before James Histed won his bout 4-1 over David Rice to give the Colonels a 9-6 lead. Ben Marich continued the winning ways for Wilkes at 165 before Frank Heffernan recorded the first pin of the day over Steve Massey at 174 in 2:08, giving the Colonels an 18-6 lead. Jesse Villella, competing at the 184-pound division for the first time this season, took a 4-3 win before Zach Pizarro pinned Jamie Myers Courtesy of Marketing Communications Senior heavyweight Drew Feldman is undefeated this season. At the duals, Feldman upended Cortland’s Joe Murphy, the number eight wrestler in the country, at 285. in 4:08 at 197. Andrew Feldman picked up his fourth-straight win after beating Justin Murberg 12-2. The second match pitted two top-25 teams as Wilkes took on Cortland. The match went back and fourth before Cortland won fourstraight bouts to secure the 21-9 win. Jared Lemik took a close 6-5 win over Mantua at 125, handing the Colonel wrestler his first loss of the season. Ryan Wilson tied the match at three with a 4-0 win over Dave Dolaginvanni, but Al Sterling would give Cortland the lead once again when he defeated Kris Krawchuk 4-2. Stephen Perez gave Cortland back-toback wins before James Histed took a 6-4 win, closing the gap to 9-6. Unfortunately Cortland would win the next four bouts to take a 21-6 lead before Feldman beat Joe Murphy, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the country, 3-1. After dropping their first dual match of the season, the Colonels bounced back to route Scranton 43-0. AJ Fisher, Villella and Feldman recorded pins for Wilkes, while White, Dustin Stough both recorded shutout victories. In their final match of the day, the Colonels won five-straight bouts that would eventually lead to a 31-9 win over Centenary. The Colonels are now 4-1 on the year and will travel out of state next weekend when they compete in the Buckeye/Keystone Challenge in Columbus, Ohio. ..-...~-=:;...;;T.-... HOT DELII.-EHY SPECIALS QUICK HITS WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH Large Pie $7. 95 Chicken Wing Pie $1 0 .95 20 E N!ortharnpton St. Wilkes Barre I I a2s-s166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Di:ning Room (carry out/d ine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 MIi & MATC:HI A ny 3 Subs or Wings 2 Tick:ets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95, WE CAT1 EI IAIGE GROUP EVENTS PlEASE CALL BEFORE YOUR NEXT MERING! Hours: The Beacon / Alison Kasper Mon.-Thurs. 11ami-11 pm We're more than just great pizza ... Fri.-Sat. 11 am-12am see our entire menu at Sun. 12pm-11 pm www.januzzispizza.com �SPORTS 18 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Wilkes University basketball prepares FULL ROSTER 1 - Chris DeRojas 2 - Tyler Breznitsky 3 - Chris Gulla 4 - Mike Donatoni 5 - Matt Meier 10 - Steve Blish 12 - Cliff Richardson 14 - Greg Colucci 20 - Anthony Gabriel 21 - Trey Tietz 22 - Aaron Dombrowsky 30 - Paul Huch 32 - Bernard Edmonds 33 - Tom Kresge 34 - Kendall Hinze 40 - Nic Wilkins - Men’s team blessed with wealth of returning talent BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Jr.- G Fr. - G Sr. - G So. - G Fr. - G Fr. - G Fr. - G So. - G Sr. - F Fr. - G Fr. - G/F So. - G/F Fr. - F Sr. - F So. - F Fr. - F The number nine will play a significant role for the men’s basketball team this season, one that can both make, and break their season. The Colonels return nine players (including seven of their top eight scorers) from a team that finished 15-11 before bowing out to DeSales in the Freedom Conference tournament semi-finals last season. That loss to DeSales marked the ninth straight time that they have fallen victim to the Bulldogs. But with the plethora of talent and experience returning to the hardwood this season, a new chapter of Wilkes University basketball is sure to be written. “This team is a lot better than it was last year,” says sophomore guard Greg Collucci, who will be vying for time at one of the guard positions. “I can’t stress enough how great our leadership is. It is so important to have it throughout this long season and I think we finally have it.” Leading the team this year is junior guard Chris DeRojas and senior forward Tom Kresge. Both were All-Freedom Conference second-team selections last year and are both former conference rookies of the year. And this season, they have been chosen as team captains. “[Chris] DeRojas’s work effort is second SCHEDULE 11/16 PSU Hazleton 7:00 PM 11/20-21 Susquehanna Tournament 11/23 Penn College 7:00 PM 12/2 Misericordia 8:00 PM 12/5 FDU-Florham 3:00 PM 12/9 Elizabethtown TBA 12/12 Lycoming 1:00 PM 1/2-3 Wilkes-Barre Challenge 1/5 Marywood 7:00 PM 1/7 Baptist Bible 7:00 PM 1/9 Manhattanville 3:00 PM 1/13 Eastern 8:00 PM 1/16 King’s 3:00 PM 1/20 DeSales 8:00 PM 1/23 Delaware Valley 3:00 PM 1/25 Lebanon Valley 7:00 PM 1/30 FDU-Florham 3:00 PM 2/3 Misericordia 8:00 PM 2/6 Manhattanville 3:00 PM 2/10 Eastern 6:00 PM 2/13 Delaware Valley 6:00 PM 2/16 DeSales 6:00 PM 2/20 King’s College 6:00 PM 2/24 Freedom Conference Playoffs STATISTICS 9 – Members of last season’s team that are returning this season. That total includes seven of their top eight scorers. 33.6 – Combined total of points-pergame scored by Chris DeRojas and Tom Kresge last season. Those two will captain Wilkes this season. 2 – Wins that the Colonels needed to win the conference championship last season. However, they lost in the tournament semi-finals to DeSales. ity to the Colonels’ lineup. Freshman Tyler Breznitsky will start at guard beside DeRojas. All Breznitsky did in his high school career was score 1,880 points, shattering his school’s record. He was also named the Wyoming Valley Conference Division-IV MVP in the process. His adjustment to the college game should be no problem, as he has been thrust into a starting role as a freshman before. “I had to deal with this once before in high school when I was thrown into the starting line-up as a freshman, so it’s something I can relate to already,” says Breznitsky. “I’m excited to get an opportunity to make my impact on the team and I feel like I am more then ready to take that responsibility and really just help the team win games.” For this team to make a run into the postseason, they’re going to have to do just that – run. “We got to try to be different than other teams,” says Rickrode. “We concentrated very hard on getting the ball out fast and being more of a team that scores often this year. If we can play at that pace and be solid on defense, I think we’ll have a good chance.” “I think this year the team can play a much more up-tempo game which we weren’t able to do last year,” said sophomore guard/ forward Paul Huch. “That is going to be a big advantage for us with the guys we have that can run the floor.” PLAYERS TO WATCH 33 1 All Photos: Courtesy of Marketing Communications Home games in BOLD to none, while Tommy is one of the most coachable kids I’ve ever had,” says head coach Jerry Rickrode, who is entering his 18th year at the helm for the Colonels. “It’s fairly unanimous amongst the players and the coaching staff that those guys should be captains. They have a great demeanor and the guys respect them.” As the Colonels’ floor general DeRojas led the team in scoring, averaging 17 points per match-up. Kresge was a force in the middle, leading the team with 8.4 rebounds per game while chipping in with 16.4 points per game. But it takes more than two players to win a basketball game, and the Colonels have plenty of options waiting in the wings. “Right now we have a pretty definable seven guys, but were looking for a couple others to step in,” says Rickrode. “If that occurs we could be really good. It’s a hard working, coachable bunch.” Joining DeRojas and Kresge will be seniors Chris Gulla and Anthony Gabriel, and sophomores Kendall Hinze and Paul Huch. Gulla averaged five points per game while starting 23 of the teams 26 games. The 6’6” Gabriel chipped in with 5.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game down low, while the 6’5” 230 pound Hinze provided the muscle on the inside for the Colonels, snatching 48 offensive rebounds. Huch, a 6’6” talent who can play guard and forward, led the team with 30 blocks last season, adding versatil- CHRIS DeROJAS He averaged 17.2 points-per-game last season, a total that was good enough for third in the conference. He was named Second Team All-Freedom Conference. This season, he’s one of the team’s captains. 2 TOM KRESGE Like DeRojas, Kresge was named Second Team All-Freedom Conference. He earned that honor by averaging 16.4 points-per-game, while contributing 8.4 rebounds-per-contest. He will also serve as a team captain. TYLER BREZNITSKY Though he’s a freshman, Breznitsky stands to play a huge role for the Colonels this season. A former 1,880-point scorer in high school, the rookie was named one of the team’s starting guards by coach Rickrode. �SPORTS NOVEMBER 17, 2009 19 for another season on the hardwood FULL ROSTER Young women’s team features seven rookies, six freshmen BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor There’s one statistic about the women’s basketball team that can’t be ignored. Out of the thirteen members of the team that finished 11-14 last season, eight will not be returning to the court this year. The Lady Colonels lost Khadija Bates and Chelsey Gosse to graduation, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Six non-seniors parted ways with the team during the offseason, meaning that fifth-year head coach Rachel Hartung Emmerthal had a lot of voids to fill via recruiting. The eight players that are no longer with the team scored a combined 910 points last season, a total that amounted to 61.9% of Wilkes’s total offense. So, how do the Lady Colonels plan to address these departures? They don’t. “As a team we have decided to focus on the members we have and not address the absences of former players,” said junior guard Brittany Ely. Fellow junior guard Erin Schneider also declined to comment on the issue. Schneider and Ely are two of just five players that have played under coach Emmerthal before this season. The duo, plus junior guard Sam Lynam, sophomore guard Whitney Connolly, and sophomore center Lindsey Gosse, have been thrust into lead- ership roles. “I am very excited about my leadership role this season,” Ely said. “I am looking forward to helping the freshmen adjust to the college game and watching our team come together to be successful.” There’s no question that the Lady Colonels are going to rely heavily on the five veterans that are returning to the court. But if they want to eclipse the 11-win mark that they achieved last season, the newcomers have to be ready to step up to the plate. This season’s roster is rounded out by sophomore Lyndsay Ellis, as well as six freshmen – Amanda Pawlowski, Angela Palmerio, Morgan Palermo, Megan Kazmerski, Samantha Rohn, and Jennfer Rommer. “This is the youngest team I have ever played on but I see it as a challenge rather than a set back,” said Ely. “The rookies have a lot of potential and with a good group of juniors and sophomores to guide them, I believe they will be able to fit right in and be successful on the college level.” “This year we are very young,” Schneider added. “However all of our players are working very hard together.” Though the rookies are short on NCAA experience, they stand to benefit from a pair of solid additions to Wilkes University’s coaching staff. Joining Emmerthal behind the bench this 3 - Amanda Pawlowski 12 - Samantha Lynam 13 - Whitney Connolly 14 - Erin Schneider 20 - Lyndsay Ellis 21 - Angela Palmerio 22 - Brittany Ely 30 - Morgan Palermo 32 - Megan Kazmerski 35 - Samantha Rohn 40 - Jennifer Rommer 52 - Lindsey Gosse season will be Merideth Alexis, who played professional basketball in Europe and attended training camp with two Women’s National Basketball Association teams. As if having a former WNBA prospect as an assistant coach wasn’t enough, the team also brought in Lindsey Sykes, who captained Misericordia to the conference playoffs last season, as an assistant coach. “I do believe that Merideth Alexis and Lindsey Sykes are great additions to our coaching staff, and can really help us to continue to grow,” said Schneider. “Both have great basketball experiences and they each bring valuable knowledge of the game to practice every day,” added Ely. “They are passionate about making this team a success and have a huge love for the game. With Coach Alexis helping with the posts and Coach Sykes working with the guards, Coach Emmerthal is allowed to focus on the bigger picture.” If the Lady Colonels achieve their ultimate goal this season, that picture will have the team with at least a .500 record and possibly a berth in the NCAA tournament. “I don’t feel that being young will be a weakness this season,” said Ely. “Each of the rookies brought certain strengths that when combined with the experience of the few upperclassmen we have will allow for us to continue to build toward a winning season.” 11/16 PSU Hazleton TBA 11/20-21 Frostburg State Tournament 11/24 Marywood 6:00 PM 11/30 Cedar Crest 7:00 PM 12/2 Misericordia 6:00 PM 12/4 FDU-Florham 7:00 PM 12/7 Baptist Bible 7:00 PM 12/9 Susquehanna 7:00 PM 12/11-12 Elizabethtown Tournament 1/6 Lebanon Valley 7:00 PM 1/9 Manhattanville 1:00 PM 1/13 Eastern 6:00 PM 1/16 King’s 1:00 PM 1/20 DeSales 6:00 PM 1/23 Delaware Valley 1:00 PM 1/27 Lycoming 7:00 PM 1/30 FDU-Florham 1:00 PM 2/3 Misericordia 6:00 PM 2/6 Manhattanville 1:00 PM 2/10 Eastern 6:00 PM 2/13 Delaware Valley 6:00 PM 2/16 DeSales 6:00 PM 2/20 King’s 6:00 PM 2/24 Freedom Conference Playoffs ERIN SCHNEIDER The junior guard is one of just five Lady Colonels that is returning to the team this season, and the team will rely heavily on her veteran leadership. Last season, she averaged 5.3 points-pergame and scored 23 three-pointers. 52 BRITTANY ELY Ely, a junior guard/forward, is Wilkes’s top returning rebounder. She recorded 90 boards last season, while also leading the Lady Colonels with 63 assists. Ely said that she is looking forward to her new leadership role. LINDSEY GOSSE The sophomore is the lone returning center for the Lady Colonels. Though she didn’t start a game last season, the 6’1” product of Allentown, Pa. collected 3.8 rebounds-per-game and 4.9 points-per-game from the bench. All Photos: Courtesy of Marketing Communications 22 Fr. - G Jr. - G So. - G Jr. - G So. - G Fr. - G/F Jr. - G/F Fr. - F Fr. - G Fr. - F/C Fr. - F/C So. - C SCHEDULE PLAYERS TO WATCH 14 - Home games in BOLD STATISTICS 910 – Points scored by the eight players on last season’s Lady Colonels team that won’t be returning this season. 11 – Wins recorded by the Lady Colonels last season. That was a significant improvement from two years ago, when they won just two games. 7 – Players that are new to the Wilkes University women’s basketball team this season. That includes six freshmen and one sophomore. �SPORTS 20 NOVEMBER 17, 2009 Colonels come up short in Mayor’s Cup match Latest installment of long-standing rivalry has the wrong outcome for Wilkes BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor The Wilkes-King’s rivalry began in 1946 when Coach George Ralston added the cross-town Monarchs to the schedule. Wilkes came away victorious in that first meeting 7-0, capping off a 6-0 perfect season and marking the beginning of a rivalry that continues today. The Colonels took on the Monarchs from 1946-1952, losing only in ‘51 and ‘52. After that the two teams did not appear on the gridiron against each other for 40 years (1953-1993), leaving the Mayor’s Cup at the King’s end of River Street. Wilkes and King’s met again after the 40 year drought at King’s in 1993. It was then that the Mayor’s Cup returned to hands of the Navy and Gold when the Colonels triumphed 41-14. For seven years, the cup stayed with Colonels until they lost it again in 2000. King’s regained the power and kept it for two more years after that until it was finally returned to Coach Sheptock and the Colonels in 2003. And this past Saturday, the Colonels looked to keep up the dominance of the completely one-sided series. “I’m really playing for the seniors,” said junior defensive back Darnell Corbin before the game. “These seniors have taught me so much over the years and it’s really my turn to give back to them and send them out with a perfect record against King’s.” Senior Quarterback Rob Johnson spoke about the rivalry on Friday before the game as well. “We have won the game for six years,” said Johnson. “I really want to go out there on Saturday and do my best to make sure it stays for a seventh. It’s my last time playing King’s and I really want to go out with a win.” Every year since, the cup has remained in the hands of the Colonels. That was until this past Saturday, when the dominance the Colonels have shown over the past six years was ended. Early on, it looked like the game was going to be a shootout. King’s took it to the Colonels’ defense in 2,535 Total yards amassed by the Wilkes University offense this season. Of that, 1.778 yards came via passing, while 757 were through rushes. 33 Courtesy of Marketing Communications Wilkes University president Tim Gilmour poses with running back Zach Tivald. Tivald was named the Colonels’ Most Valuable Player of the Mayor’s Cup, but the team lost to King’s College for the first time since 2002. the opening drive of the game. Monarchs’ quarterback Corey Lavin took his offense all the way down the field on their first possession and put six points on the board. The Colonels answered shortly after when Zach Tivald rushed 22-yards for the score. Tivald’s touchdown sparked the Colonels, who began to feed off of the early touchdown. Wilkes forced the Monarchs to punt on their next possession and did not hesitate to put another six points on the board. Tivald reached the end zone for the second time on the afternoon putting Wilkes in the lead 13-6. However, that would be the last time that anyone for the Colonels would see the end zone. King’s answered with a score of their own and allowed just three more points from then on. The Monarchs scored before the half and entered the break up 19-16, marking the first time in a seven year span that the Colonels have trailed King’s at the half. Lavin and the Kings offense then turned the second half into their own personal highlight reel. The third quarter started out with both teams fighting for control, but King’s finally grabbed a hold of the game in their second possession of the half making the score 2616. The rest is history. The Monarchs posted one more score on the board in the fourth quarter to make the score 33-16, where it would stay. Tivald was named the Most Valuable Player for the Colonels, rushing 13 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns. For the Monarchs, Lavin took home the MVP plaque for his efforts on the day. After the loss on Saturday, the Colonels lead the rivalry 18-6, but the bragging rights and the Mayor’s Cup Trophy belongs to the team in Red and Gold from down the street. This year also marks the first year since 2002 (the last time King’s won) that Wilkes gave up 30 points or more in the battle for the cup. “I would have really liked to get the MVP and the win,” Tivald said after the loss. “But, I guess today just wasn’t our day.” Wilkes completed their season with a 6-4 overall record (3-4 in the conference), finishing fourth in the conference. Men's & Women's Basketball Everything you need to know about the Colonels | Page 18 & 19 Points surrended by the Colonels on Saturday afternoon. It’s the first time since 2002 that Wilkes has allowed more than 30 points in the Mayor’s Cup game. 77 Rushing yards recorded by Wilkes running back Zach Tivald. Tivald scored two touchdowns on the day, earning MVP honors for Wilkes University. 6 Consecutive victories the Colonels recorded against King’s College prior to Saturday’s match-up. The win streak dated back to the 2003 Mayor’s Cup game. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 November 17th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 November 17 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/f46fb13eb086033e21937c59d1c8c8f4.pdf d29f1231d600a803138521612d7f3593 PDF Text Text COLLEGE DAYS: DR. FREAR FOOTBALL SECURES WINNING SEASON Lifestyles | PAGE 9 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 PAGE 16 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 8 Lock-out Wilkes dedicates contest to late professor fee under consideration BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Students who lock themselves out of their dorms could soon be faced with a $5 lockout fee. At last week’s Student Government meeting, Elizabeth Roveda, director of Residence Life, presented the idea of charging students $5 whenever Public Safety must be called to let a student into their dorm. “Right now, we’re just at the beginning stages of [planning it],” said Elizabeth Roveda, director of Residence Life. Roveda said that other institutions have implemented lock-out fees as high as $10 and $15. “The reason why we were looking into it is because other institutions are doing it and there are some students that are constantly locking themselves out or forgetting their keys,” said Roveda. “So we are just looking at ways to utilize Public Safety in a different way, rather than just letting students back into their rooms.” Roveda has brought the concept of the potential lock-out fee to different groups on campus including Public Safety, Inter-Residence Hall Council (IRHC), Student Government, Residence Assistants, and Student Affairs. At last week’s SG meeting, members broke up into groups to discuss the issue. Roveda explained that three-quarters of the students thought it was a good idea. Stu- The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Below, students had one hour of practice before the ACM-ICPC began. Above, students compete in the contest. This year, 24 teams of three students each worked together to solve programming problems. See LOCK-OUT page 3 The Beacon/Tom Reilly INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 Approximately one year ago, Dr. Matthew Zukoski relaxed with a handful of Whoppers candies and a juice box after the culmination of the 32nd annual Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest (ACM-ICPC). For eight years, the former associate professor of math and computer science helped organize part of the international contest. Since 2000, Wilkes University has been a host site for the Mid-Atlantic Region. Zukoski served as site director since Wilkes took over the event from the University of Scranton, said Dr. Fred Sullivan, associate professor of math and computer science. Sullivan served as the site director this year. Although Zukoski passed away last January, he still influenced many aspects of this year’s contest. On Saturday, November 7, Wilkes hosted the contest for the ninth year. The Mid-Atlantic Region’s portion of the contest was dedicated to Zukoski. This year, a record number 24 teams from 13 schools traveled to Wilkes from as far as Quebec to participate in the ACM-ICPC, sponsored by IBM, said Jason Wagner, course web programmer for Graduate Education and systems administrator for the contest since 2006. Wagner and Zukoski worked closely to ensure that the contest avoided as many technical issues as possible each year. “It used to be that when Matt and I would do things, we wouldn’t even have to communicate,” said Wagner. “After [working See CONTEST page 2 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member w . �STIMULUS MONEY COMES TO WILKES: PART II I PAGE 4 2 CONTEST from FRONT PAGE together] for four years, we knew exactly what the other person was doing.” The contest began at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Participating teams were comprised of three students and were allotted one computer. Wilkes University’s student team, Blue and Gold, consisted of sophomores Dakota Cole, Mitchell Frear and Ed Zulkoski. Teams had five hours to solve as many program-related problems as possible in the least amount of time. Wilkes’ Blue and Gold did not place in the regional competition, while Quebec’s University of Sherbrook’s team took first. Finalists will advance to the world finals in China this February. Although details of the contest have not undergone many changes over the years, Zukoski’s absence this year has been observed in a variety of ways by all members of the Wilkes community involved in organizing the contest. According to Sullivan, the Thursday before the contest, he and Wagner realized that they would need extension cords in order to NEWS move the computers and ensure their function in different rooms for the contest. “Matt always brought his own extension cords from home,” noted Sullivan. Aside from a few tools here and there, amusing non-essentials were missing, as well. “Matt used to go shopping for the contest and we’d always laugh because he would get so much food that we didn’t eat,” said Wagner. “We always noticed that the foods left over at the end were ones that he liked. He’d always get candy. Whoppers – no one eats those Whoppers. But when you would go into the fridge in his office after the contest, there would be bags and bags of Whoppers.” Wagner also noted that he had been paid for assisting with the organization of the contest the past few years. This year, however, he figured out that Zukoski had been paying him out of his own pocket. “We found a few weeks ago that we were over-budget,” said Wagner. “We found out that Matt used to put in a lot of his own money just to make everything run smoothly and comfortably for everybody… That’s The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Students from 24 schools had five hours to complete as many problems as possible in this year’s ACM-ICPC. Wilkes was the host site for the Mid-Altlantic Region. BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com Beacon Archives/Courtesy of John Mishanski Dr. Matthew Zukoski passed away last January. This year’s ACM-ICPC was held in his memory. He was the site director of the contest for eight years. kind of the reason I agreed to do this even munity” in Zukoski’s passing. Many have though I’m not a student anymore.” been impacted by the former professor’s Outside of this year’s ACM-ICPC, Zu- death and have chosen to keep him in their koski is also missed. In classrooms and memories. hallways, students are aware of the profes“[During the orientation], we did mention sor’s absence. that the contest was in memory of Matt,” “Zukoski always found a way to make said Wagner. “Many of the coaches who class fun,” said Zulkoski, a competitor in had gotten to know him over the past few the competition this year and last. Before years talked a little about what they reZukoski’s death, Zulkoski had taken one of membered about him, particularly the team the professor’s computer graphics classes. coach from Lehigh, where Matt had com“We had one lecture where he showed us pleted his Ph.D.” a ‘horse race’ program, but instead of using Over one hundred people took part in this horses he had a badger, a sheep, and a piero- year’s ACM-ICPC at Wilkes and took the gi dashing across the screen,” Zulkoski re- time to remember Zukoski before the “Batcalled. “He was also notorious for arriving tle of the Brains” officially began. to class five to 10 minutes late with disheveled hair from riding his bike to class. But Dr. Matthew J. Zukoski received his he always managed to cram an hour and a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineerhalf’s worth of material into those remain- ing from Wilkes University in 1986. He ing 40 minutes, with his trademark Hi-C completed his Master’s in computer science juice box at hand, naturally.” at Virginia Tech in 1990 and received his Last semester, Dr. Reynold Verret, pro- Ph.D. in computer engineering from Lehigh vost, told The Beacon that the university University in 2007. He passed away Janulost a “great citizen of the Wilkes com- ary 31, 2009 at the age of 44. Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Meet the Staff Brie Friedman A&E Editor �NEWS NOVEMBER 10, 2009 WILKES NEWS BRIEFS BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor OLD CELL PHONE DONAT I O N S – During the month of November, the Community Service Office will be accepting old/used cell phone donations. The phones will be given to the Domestic Violence Service Center (DVSC). The phones will be refurbished and women from the DVSC will be able to use them as emergency cell phones. TGI FRIDAY’S FUNDRAISER – Zebra Communications is partnering with T.G.I. Friday’s to raise money for the Salvation Army. During the month of November, 15% of profits will be donated to the Salvation Army. Attendees must have the discount card and must attend T.G.I. Friday’s from Monday through Thursday. Cards can be obtained at www.wilkes.edu/zebra. LOCK-OUT from FRONT PAGE dent Government President, Nicholas Koch, declined comment on this issue. “The first year students, maybe because it is their first year here, they might see more lock-outs than others. They had negative things to say,” said Roveda. Additionally, Student Affairs was consulted on this issue. “Consideration of the fee is rooted in the number repeat customers who are asking Public Safety to provide access to their residence hall rooms when [residents] are without their keys,” said Paul Adams, dean of Student Affairs. “Responding to lockouts takes Public Safety away from other services we deem a higher priority.” At present, it is unknown whether other members of the campus community, including faculty and staff, will be affected by the proposed lock-out fee. Research is being conducted to find out exactly who and how many people are requesting assistance from Public Safety due to lock-out. Gerald Rebo, manager of Public Safety, said that he does not believe a lock-out fee is unreasonable for any members of the campus community because other institutions do not open doors at all. He said that Wilkes has a very open policy when it comes to opening doors for students, faculty and staff. “I know King’s has a policy where Public Safety doesn’t open the doors at all,” said Rebo. “You have to go to [the public safety] office, pick up a key, give them $5, go to the GLOBAL SPORTS TUESDAYS – Every Tuesday, the Center for Global Education and Diversity welcomes students to play different sports including volleyball, basketball, soccer and frisbee from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the UCOM gym. Questions and suggestions should be directed to georgia.costalas@wilkes.edu. tion sessions in the Henry Student Center Lounge for students who are interested in becoming Resident Assistants (RA) for the fall 2010 semester. The sessions will give students the opportunity to meet Residence Life staff and talk with current RAs. One session was held on November 5, and there are three more upcoming sessions on the following dates: Wednesday, November 18 at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. Monday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. 3 Students should schedule their appointment by logging onto www.ouryear.com, school code 222 or by calling 1-800-OURYEAR during business hours. Once the appointment is scheduled, students will receive information on how to prepare for the portrait. 17th ANNUAL TASTE OF WILKES – The 17th Annual Taste of Wilkes will be held on November 11 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. Family dishes can be sampled. Admission fees will benefit the United Way of Wyoming Valley and are as follows: Faculty, staff and guests: $6.00 Students: $3.00 Chefs: Free RESIDENT ASSISTANTS NEEDED – Residence Life is hosting informa- CLASS OF 2010 SENIOR PORTRAITS – Senior Portraits for the Class of 2010 by Herff Jones will begin today, November 10. They will be taken in the Henry Student Center Lounge according to the following schedule: Tuesday, November 10: 12:00PM - 8:00PM Wednesday, November 11: 9:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday, November 12: 12:00PM - 8:00PM door, open it up and bring the key back.” Rebo explained that if the lock-out fee is implemented, there will likely be a warning the first time, without the fee. Second offenders will be charged the fee. Rebo and Roveda both stated that they want to just teach some responsibility when it comes to losing keys. Roveda said students should be calling Public Safety as a last resort when they are locked out. They should call their roommates or if a student loses their key, or go to Residence Life in order to obtain a new key or resolve the situation. Students had their own opinions about the lock-out fee. “I think it’s pointless to charge students for locking themselves out of a dorm room,” said Matt Austin, freshman biochemistry major. Austin commutes to campus, but he felt the lock-out fee was not a good idea. Another freshman, who dorms on campus, agreed with Austin’s view. “I think it’s an awful idea, if you just lock yourself out once,” said Kerry Morton, accounting major. “Maybe if you lose your key all the time and you’re asking the [resident assistant] every day, then I could see why it would come into effect.” It has not yet been determined how the money obtained from the lock-out fee will be utilized. Student Government will vote on this in the upcoming weeks or next semester. All students are welcome to attend Student Government meetings on every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the Miller Conference room on the second floor of HSC. Samuel Smith locks a door outside of the Stark Learning Center. Public Safety is currently responsible for locking and unlocking buildings around campus. They will open doors for students who have locked themselves out of their dorm rooms; however, it is not technically part of their job description. COUNCIL OF THE CLUBS – Student Government will host a Council of the Clubs on November 12 at noon on the second floor of the Henry Student Center in the ballroom. Student Government requests all club presidents or designated representatives to attend. Clubs should R.S.V.P. to Nicholas Koch, president of Student Government, at nicholas.koch@wilkes.edu. The Beacon/Tom Reilly �4 NEWS NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Recovering in NEPA: stimulus funds reach Wilkes U. BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a two part series on the approximately $1.6 million stimulus dollars given to Wilkes for grant and special programs. Last week The Beacon focused on the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Northeastern Pennsylvania and Wilkes University. According to Recovery.gov, the government’s official website tracking money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Wilkes University received $1,643,934 from the ARRA for various purposes. The majority of the funds went toward a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase the number of students from under-represented groups who enter graduate programs in biological research upon graduation from Wilkes University, said Anne Pelak, director of Wilkes’ grants office. The NSF grants aim is to provide funding, research and mentoring opportunities to a number of juniors and seniors over a five-year period. According to Dr. William Terzaghi, professor of Biology and a principal writer of the grant, the NSF has had this program in place for many years before the ARRA existed. “In the fall of 2008 we submitted a five-page pre-application and there were upwards of 50 institutions around the country that submitted this pre-application. Of those 50 there were 28 or 29 that were invited to submit a full length application,” said Terzaghi. “And of those 28, we were one of the ones that were actually selected.” Every dollar in the ARRA is meant to be tracked and spent quickly to be transparent and invested in the economy as soon as possible. Pelak said she had to report the money’s usage online to the NSF. Terzaghi also added that the speed at which the money was meant to be spent presented a slight problem to Wilkes, because the program started September 1, which was within weeks of Wilkes receiving the money. “We’re spending a bit this semester on advertising materials and going out to talk with potential partners: first off, Luzerne County Community College, and community colleges in the Philadelphia area,” he said. Terzaghi added that the grant may also help increase the amount of minority students in the biology program by bringing students in from other institutions. ARRA funding also found its way into Wilkes’ federal work study program, said Janine Becker, executive director of Wilkes’ Student Service Center. According to Recovery.gov, Wilkes received $93,185 towards the work study program. Becker said the money is added to the federal work study funds Wilkes already has, with the goal that the money be spent first and that they are able to employ more students. However, Becker added that the school has never been in a situation where it ran out of money and could not employ a student. Becker said she reports the ARRA funds on a quarterly basis online. Despite the federal government’s goal to be transparent, there is still over $800,000 in agency reported ARRA funding at Wil- Wilkes' ARRA Funds $1,000,000 $846,426 800,000 $704,323 600,000 400,000 200,000 $93,185 * Information from Recovery.gov The Beacon/Andrew Seaman The above graph shows the amount of funds that Wilkes received and how the money was distributed. kes University under the cursory title of “grant program.” “Agency reported” ARRA funding means that state agencies like the Department of Education can supplement current programs with ARRA funds in many different areas. Agency reported ARRA funding may or may not require its recipient to report the funds, which means several programs at Wilkes can be the recipient of ARRA funds without knowing it. Alaimo steps in as new financial aid director of Wilkes BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor On Monday, November 7, Joe Alaimo began his position as fifth financial aid director Wilkes has had in the last three years. The most recent former financial aid director, Pamela Hoffman, took the position in September of 2008 and left in mid-September of this year. She had been the executive director of Student Services before being promoted to financial aid director. According to Janine Becker, executive director of Student Services, Hoffman chose to leave her position when the university asked her to spend more time on campus. Prior to this request, Hoff- man had been working from home four days a week. Becker said Alaimo was chosen to fill this position because “he’s very in-touch with the students and I think the customer service aspect is really huge. He’s very well qualified.” She also said that the selection process was relatively extensive. “We had a committee that got together and reviewed all of the applicants. [Then they] conducted all of the interviews and when they were done going through and making their final recommendation, Joe was a better fit for Wilkes.” Becker also said that having the pres- ence of a financial aid director on campus will be an improvement in and of itself for the university. “This will help have a much bigger financial aid presence other than me just running around when someone needs something.” Alaimo said that one of his main qualifications is that he has had a couple different perspectives on financial aid throughout his career. “I started out at Sallie Mae, so I got to see the other side of it. Not the educational side, but the repayment side.” A workshop that Alaimo held while working at Sallie Mae is what made him initially interested in working on the university side of things. Alaimo said he was training schools on how to use a product called Laureate. The program no longer exists but used to help schools to transfer loan information. “Once I got that taste, going into the schools, and talking to the financial aid office-that was just one of those things where if I figured if I ever did leave Sallie Mae, I would like to get into the academic side in that way.” Since leaving Sallie Mae, Alaimo has been working at Luzerne County Community College. “I’ve come [graduated] from a state-related school to a com- See ALAIMO page 5 �NOVEMBER 10, 2009 NEWS 5 STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES 11-4-09 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Treasurer’s Report: All College: $14,900 Conferences: $10,000 General: $2,900 Leadership: $2,485 Special Projects: $2,050 Spirit: $1,000 Start-up: $900 Club Reports: Programming Board: Kevin Hurley, the hypnotist, went well. Currently, Programming Board is working on a concert survey. MSC: Planning a Thanksgiving Dinner on November 21 and a Holiday Party in December. The Fashion Show is planned for the first week in February. New Business: Ski Club Fund Request (Week 2 of 2): Ski Club President Clinton Fought requested funding for a ski trip to Killington, Vermont. Fought requested $70 per person, up to a maximum of $1,400. The money would be used to drive down the cost for each individual Wilkes student going. The trip would be open to up to 30 college-age students and non-Wilkes students would have to pay full-price. The trip costs $339 for Wilkes students and $469 for non-Wilkes. Transportation costs will be split with King’s College. During the year, the ski club takes five or six smaller trips on breaks or weekends, but this is the one big trip that ski club plans for during the year. Ski Club will be doing a fund-raiser, selling bumper stickers in the HSC for $2 each. Faught said that the club has been self-sufficient up until now. Faught also said that the main reason they are asking for funds is to open the trip to non-club-members to promote interest and thus expand the club. A motion was made to allocate the $1,400 to the Ski Club for their trip to Killington, Vermont. The motion passed in a vote of 34-0-3. Member of the Month for October: Caevaun Dubarry was voted member of the month for his hard work on the freshmen class social. The social entailed decorating pumpkins and donating the pumpkins to the Charles Adams Senior Center. ALAIMO Casino Night Budget (Week 1 of 1): The from PAGE 4 budget was originally proposed for $9,945 with 37 prizes for the Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament on November 19 and Casino Night on November 20. During the meeting, it was proposed that they should double the amount of pizza; 60 to 120 pies. Also, members brought up that they would like to see more prizes for the two nights. The motion was made to allocate $14,000 for the Casino Night Budget. The motion passed in a vote of 33-3-0. The treasurer of Student Government, Benjamin Biedel, did not vote. Events: Council of the Clubs on November 12 at 12:00 noon in the HSC Ballroom Open House on November 14 Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament on November 19 in the HSC Ballroom Casino Night on November 20 in the Marts Gym *At 7:10 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The Motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. munity college. From the community college going into the four-year school was something that I’ve always wanted to get back into. I thought that Wilkes University was a great fit for me.” As far as change goes, Alaimo isn’t sure what, if anything, he will adjust within Wilkes’s current financial aid system. “My goal is to come in and lay back and see what the flow is [for a while]. Sometimes, you don’t want to fix what’s not broken,” said Alaimo. He went on to say that, if necessary, he is willing to go in and tweak some things. “We’re looking at what’s going to be best for the university and what’s going to be best for the students,” said Alaimo. for more information check out. .. Iwilkesbeacon.com B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 - 570.208.4700 - wilkes.bncollege.com Use your Flex Dollars here at your official Starbucks location! 25% off entire stock of hoods. f/lLKts ◄ ► IEmzl �6 Opinion Campus community should take action to promote cleanliness In an ideal world, all members of the Wilkes University community would take great measures toward keeping our campus clean and presentable. However, we do not live in an ideal world. On any given day, the campus is disrespected in many ways. Walking along the sidewalks of the greenway, overturned ice cream cones and blackened banana peels are often spotted. Trash cans sometimes overflow, and a glance in one of the recycling bins in Breiseth will undoubtedly turn up plastic bottles in the paper bins and napkins and food wrappers amidst newspaper and printer paper. There has also been a pile of garbage on the sixth floor of the UCOM Parking Garage that has been growing week after week. Dunkin Donut boxes, candy wrappers, leaves and un-eaten food continue to pile up before our eyes. Bathrooms are also included in this mess. The trash receptacle in the women’s room on the first floor of Breiseth consistently overflows. Instead of taking the used paper towels to another bin approximately 50 yards away from the bathroom, users often just pile the tissues and towels on top of the growing mound. Sooner or later, this pile falls to the floor, where it sits until a member of the cleaning staff has the unfortunate experience of picking up a mess they did not make. The Beacon understands that due to the average flow of students, faculty and visitors on our campus each day, the tendency for disposal receptacles to overflow is high. If a trash can is overflowing, however, there is no need to throw one’s unwanted food or trash in any place other than a different trash receptacle. These are not that difficult to find considering they are placed reasonably throughout campus. The fact of the matter is that no one group of people can shoulder the blame for this issue; everyone contributes. Students drop their ice cream cones and banana peels, boxes and papers, and staff members let the mess sit there for hours or days. wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com NOVEMBER 10, 2009 A call for respect of campus property BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu Since there are designated disposal receptacles located throughout our campus, littering and cleanliness should not be an issue of concern. While The Beacon acknowledges the fact that people may sometimes drop things here and there and not realize it (ie: notes, tissues, wrappers), it must call attention to the blatant and purposeful actions that occur around campus. For example, there is no reason for a student to jam a cookie into overhead grates on of the elevator in the Henry Student Center (HSC). There is also no reason to contribute to the growing pile of garbage in the parking garage. If you don’t want your cookie, hang on to it until you’re off the elevator The Beacon/ David Lewis Above is a dropped ice cream cone that was on the greenway this week. To the right is a picture of an overflowing garbage can. For more examples of campus litter, check out www. wilkesbeacon.com and drop it in a garbage can in the HSC. If you don’t want your Dunkin Donut box, throw it out when you leave the garage--there’s a trash can right outside the door when you get to the ground floor. If those who are deliberately responsible for these predicaments were to take a moment to tend to them or not make them at all, then the overall image of our campus would improve two-fold. Imagine what alumni or onlookers not associated with this campus think when they see trash overflowing in the receptacles or piled in inappropriate places. These messes do not have to be the responsibility of our custodial staff to clean up. These are things that the students, faculty, and staff can control. However, The Beacon does call upon our respected custodians to make an effort to clean up habitual messes, such as leaves in the elevator of the Parking Garage. In reference to the Parking Garage, a trash can placed on each floor of the garage may eliminate the urge to drop trash on the ground. To those who like to throw ice cream upon the ground or stuff cookies in inappropriate places, make an effort to hold onto those deserts until you see a trash receptacle. To those who leave a messy dining table during the busy eating hours in the SUB, Rifkin, and Einstein, a quick wipe of the napkin will suffice to ensure that the next person who chooses to eat at your table The Beacon/ Tom Reilly will have a clean place to rest their food and personal items. To those who do not dispose of their trash in proper receptacles, or bins that may be full, make an effort to find the next bin and finish the job. Because Wilkes University employs a staff specifically for cleaning the indoor and outdoor facilities on campus does not mean we should leave them work to do if the deed is menial. The more work they have to do, the greater the chances that the smaller, yet still meaningful, problems the campus faces – such as overturned ice cream cones and misplaced recycling – will be overlooked. Everyone – students, faculty, staff, and visitors – should show respect for our campus and help ensure that it stays clean, beautiful and welcoming to all. for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 17 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you plan on getting or have you already received the H1N1 vaccine? • Yes 65% • No 35% Next Week’s Question: Do you think Wilkes University’s campus is clean? • Yes • No Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �NOVEMBER 10, 2009 OPINION 7 Wrap your lips around this: breathalyzers in more bars BY JASON SUTTON Correspondent Peanut butter and jelly. Cinnamon and sugar. Ketchup and mustard. Some things just make sense together. Why not bars and breathalyzers? This coupling is so natural that I almost don’t feel like I need to explain any more. However, there are some considerations to be made. Bars are a service industry, selling liquor, beer, and the occasional bad decision. However, regardless how friendly your bartender is, the fact remains that bars operate for a profit. Let’s apply this age-old paradigm to breathalyzers. The bar would purchase the apparatus, ranging anywhere from $50 to $300 from a website such as Frontgate. com, and then charge a nominal fee for each use. The stipulation would be that the readout is for personal patron use only, and if said patron is issued a DUI, the bar is not at fault. After the nominal fee covers the initial cost of the breathalyzer and any accessories needed, the further fees would be sheer profit for the bar. Some bars already do provide this service, but very few. If this service was more widespread, it would naturally benefit more people. This forms a mutually beneficial relationship with the patrons of the bar. A responsible drinker wanting to rely on methods more accurate than “Am I too dizzy yet?” or “Can I walk to the bathroom in a straight line?” would spend a buck or two and have a much more precise idea as to where they stand regarding Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Even irresponsible drinkers or those who are not driving could benefit. No one wants to get into a car with someone who is not safe to drive and risk getting hurt or even killed. Drivers getting breathalyzed before they decide to leave the bar would ensure their passengers that they are safe and that would potentially save more lives. Let’s take a step back from economic concerns for a moment and consider the more pressing issue at hand. According to statistics taken from PennDot and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,773 alcohol-related vehicle fatalities occurred in the United States in 2008 alone. If we can reduce the number of fatalities due to drunk driving, then it justifies bars spending money on breathalyzers and patrons spending money to use it. Driving drunk not only endangers the driver themselves, but everyone else on the road and even pedestrians. No person wants to be at fault for taking someone’s life, which is why they might use this system. Realistically, drunk driving will not be solved by this bar and breathalyzer combination; when irresponsible drinkers want to drive even stiff penalties and jail time will not stop them. If this idea can stop even one accident from happening, however, its value is priceless. The Obse.rvat:.o.ry Wal-Mart has achieved merchant of death status Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS My friend recently brought to my attention that the retail wanna-be-monopoly WalMart began selling caskets and urns on their website about two weeks ago. She used the words “deeply disturbed” to describe her thoughts on the subject and I wholeheartedly agreed. My initial reaction was of course laughter, but when that subsided, I could not even begin to comment on the subject. I was speechless and slightly offended. It is morbid to think of a retail store selling caskets to grieving families. It is simply not their place to do so. Wal-Mart has no business selling caskets and urns and we as consumers should not contribute to the problem by purchasing any funeral related items from their website because that would just open the flood gates for other retail stores to sell the same things to compete with the retail giant Wal-Mart. The entire move for Wal-Mart to start selling caskets and urns is an attempt to compete with Costco, a much smaller retail organization that recently started selling caskets on their website. Understandably, Wal-Mart is attempting to corner the market on just about anything a consumer could buy, so naturally it makes sense that they would try their hand in the business of death. The caskets start anywhere from $895 to $2,899 according to Wal-Mart’s website and ship within 48 hours of the purchase. The urns usually range from $80 to $220. But this is just the beginning. Wal-Mart is only performing a trial run by using their The Beacon/ Tom Reilly website to sell the caskets and urns. Their Beer Boys on North Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre, a bar that draws a large crowd Illinois based supplier, Star Legacy Funeral Network, Inc., is set to supply Wal-Mart on the weekends, could benefit from offering a breathalyzer service to its partrons. with their entire catalog if the caskets and urns sell successfully says Star Legacy CEO Rick Obadiah. So what’s next? Funeral departments in our local Wal-Mart stores? That is a definite possibility. It is obnoxious for Wal-Mart to sell consumers funeral items. For a global retail conglomerate earning over 405 million last year according to Fortune 500, it is just plain obnoxious. Wal-Mart is already the best of the best; the elite. They out sell their competitors nearly four to one. For them to enter the business of funeral arrangement for obvious profit is, in a sense, evil. Funeral suppliers like Star Legacy Funeral Network Inc., supply funeral homes with the caskets that they sell to families preparing to bury a loved one. Because funeral homes deal with the business of death, it seems fitting that they would sell caskets. The fact that they profit is overlooked because, naturally, it is their business. Wal-Mart has never had, nor do they currently have any business dealing with death, therefore their intentions of profit are clear, not to mention that Wal-Mart is taking the personal aspect out of preparing a funeral. Funeral home employees help families through the grieving process and handle the arrangements for the funeral. Buying caskets from Wal-Mart is a very impersonal business transaction. Wal-Mart’s website cannot offer comfort or a shoulder to cry on to family members. Funeral homes can. There is not a colossal price difference either. Wal-Mart prides themselves on their low, rollback prices that save consumers so much money each year, but the average prices of the caskets they sell and the ones already on the market are pretty even. So, my advice is: Wal-Mart, stay out of the business of death and consumers do not fall for Wal-Mart’s low price slogans. WalMart’s website cannot comfort you and your family and their prices are not that different from the current market anyway. �OPINION 8 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Stop stalling on Senate Bill 711 state legislators Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS To preface any argument about Pennsylvania’s proposed fiscal budget of 2010, it must be stated that the $200 million in revenue that Governor Ed Rendell and state legislators estimate from placing and taxing table games like poker at the slot machine casinos within the state is risky. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board estimates that yearly revenue of five casinos placing 100 table games will be $480,157,500 a year. According to Senate Bill 711, which will allow Pennsylvania the licensing to place table games at the casinos, imposing a 34% tax on the gross table game revenue will generate $247,393,000 to fill the deficit the proposed state budget. While I do not agree with using gambling to generate revenue for the budget because it is essentially that--a gamble--it seems that this is Pennsylvania’s best option right now. However, state legislators still cannot agree on the bill and no immediate action is being taken to remedy this. The largest impact that this would have is on college students at Penn State, Pitt, and Temple. These students could see their tuition increase for the spring semester because Pennsylvania has not yet given the three universities the combined $675 million in subsidies they are expecting. If the state keeps stalling on giving the universi- ties the subsidies, they may have to raise tuition so they do not go into deficit. Governor Ed Rendell and House Democrats will not release the subsidies to the universities until an agreement is met about the table games bill because it would create a deficit for next year if they do not know where the money is coming from or how much there will be to replace the subsidies. So, why are state legislators pulling out of meetings to discuss and agree on key issues of the bill? As usual, our Republican and Democratic leaders cannot come to agreement about the Senate bill or move up scheduled meetings to discuss the matter even though Governor Ed Rendell has stressed the importance of the issue. Legislators met yesterday, November 9, to discuss the matter and have another meeting scheduled for November 16. On November 16, I encourage you to come to an agreement state legislators. Put the effort in and do what is best for Pennsylvania. Yes, this Senate bill is a major concern. Yes, it requires careful consideration. You may not agree with every aspect of the proposed plan, but some sort of compromise needs to be made. College students stand to suffer higher tuition bills that are already astronomical as a result, and the more inaction and indecision you take about the matter, the more you prove to the registered voters of Pennsylvania that you are not fit to lead this state. We elected you to make informed decisions. Please make one, and soon. Letters to the Editor Policy The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre is one of the slot machine casinos in the state of Pennsylvania that is set to place table games such as bingo and poker in the near future. Pennsylvania legisltators still cannot come to a tentative agreement about aspects of Senate Bill 711, which will allow them the licensing to do so. Last week's winners of 7 Free Dinners at TONY DI'S PIZZA BUFFET Russell Dehaut Who Doesn't like Free Stuffi! 1be Beacon Weekly Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win... 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached Sponsored By: 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion Please keep letters to 300 words. -• The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. Please submit letters to thebeacon.oped@gmail.com $50 Gift Card Rodano's Restaurant &Bar Located on Public Square Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk in the Student Union by Friday, November 13, by noon.** One form per person. The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �Wilkes’ Alma Mater p. 11 li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com NOVEMBER 10, 2009 9 College Days Dr. Dean Frear makes his college days last over three decades BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Dean Frear stands in line in the gymnasium at Bloomsburg State College. He is ready to register for classes. Frear and his friends are holding registration cards, going from booth to booth waiting to have instructors sign off on their class rosters. It’s 1967. A lot has changed since then, acknowledged Frear. “That’s one of the major changes. If you wanted to register for a class, things were not computerized. You had to have a professor sign off on the class and the time of that class.” Many college students take approximately four years to complete their degrees. Frear was not one of those typical students. Frear’s post-secondary education began in the fall of 1967. He entered then Bloomsburg State College as a philosophy major. He was studious. He liked reading. He liked playing bridge. Working through the first three years at Bloomsburg, Frear was gearing up to graduate, get his degree and enter the professional world. All he needed was120 credits. He was at 101 at graduation time. He was forced to quit school. 1971. Entering the professional world earlier than expected, Frear began working. Between 1971 and 1975, Frear moved to Williamsport, got married, and worked. Then school came a-calling…again. “Back then, you were out for a year. So, I went to work. Subsequently, I got married and tried to go back to Bloomsburg one more time to try and graduate,” said Frear. Throughout his time out of school, Frear continued to self-educate, reading and rereading everything he could. “I used to read a lot. I would stay up for 24 hours to read an entire book cover to cover, 400-some pages. Non-stop. I didn’t go to eat or anything else. Now, if that had been my homework, I could probably have finished all five books by the end of the week, but I didn’t do that,” remembered Frear. 1975. Frear reapplied to Bloomsburg and continued with his philosophy degree. Despite holding a life-long desire to learn and achieve, Frear could not keep up with the commute from Williamsport each day to the school, so he had to quit Bloomsburg yet again. 1998. The philosophy degree Frear began working for in 1967 was still not complete in 1996. He re-entered Bloomsburg yet again in 1996. Frear finally graduated from Bloomsburg with a philosophy degree in 1998. “I moved back to Bloomsburg and was going through a divorce, but I finished my degree and had an eye on getting my MBA,” remembered Frear. Frear attended the University of Scranton to get his masters in business administration. After receiving his master’s degree, Frear worked for Morgan Stanley. 2005. Being the self-educating individual he The Beacon/LeeAnn Searfoss Dr. Dean Frear sits in his office on the third floor of Weckesser Hall, surrounded by pictures of Albert Einstein. He continues to push students, as he pushed himself academically for the last several decades. was, Frear looked toward his doctorate. Frear’s academic standards were high, and he chose Capella University for their accreditation. “We had classes that were colloquia. The professor would show up for class with materials and books for the course, but classes were very self-taught. They were very writing intensive,” said Frear. Frear balanced relationships, ones that worked and ones that did not. He also built a family while continuing his own education. “At one point, one of my daughters [Re- gina] was getting her Ph.D in physical therapy when I was still getting my undergrad degree,” stated Frear. Frear credits education for giving everyone more opportunities. He used his to make advancements in the professional and business worlds. And it only took 37 years. 'Fhere was this girl who I went to high school with. We kind of discovered each other when we got to Bloomsburg. She was actually dating and getting engaged to one of the guys I played bridge with. Now, back then there were no computers, but I was not good at typing anyway. So, since I was friends with her fiancee, she would help me write papers. I would dictate entire papers, no notes, and she would type them. She wrote several term pap_ers fpr me. �LIFESTYLES 10 Student of the Week: Michael Gionfriddo BY KIRSTIN COOK Correspondent Michael Gionfriddo looks at the bigger picture. While many of his fellow pharmacy students stress about learning material because they want a good grade on the test, Gionfriddo feels the pressure for different reasons. He knows he is going to be affecting the lives of future patients, which is one of the reasons he has been so successful in his major. Gionfriddo has his eye on the future, which has led him to an early success. Now in his fifth year in the pharmacy program, Gionfriddo is currently the president of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists and Wilkes’ delegate for the Pennsylvania Pharmacist Association. Above all, the achievement he is most proud of is his research work. “It suits my personal goals to learn and explore.” The difficult aspect of his research is the monotony, such as when he had to make over 50 solutions, but Gionfriddo overcomes this struggle. “You have to believe in what you are doing.” The major source of Gionfriddo’s success is his self-propelled drive. “A lot of it is self-motivation, to want to do better for myself.” His love of learning has aided his drive and his academic success. “I like to learn and I like to discover new things. If there’s a question, I need to find an answer for it. I’m always asking why.” Surprisingly, Gionfriddo originally dreamed of becoming a libriarian. His dad, who works in a hospital, suggested that a pharmacy field would fit his personality. Gionfriddo admits that this career path has been tough, but it is worth it. “I like the fact that you get to help your patients.” His future goals include getting his PhD, continuing his research, and eventually teaching. Gionfriddo admited that keeping up with all of the pressures of being a pharmacy student isn’t easy. He said that it breaks down to time management, and through that he balances his studies, family, friends, and even the guilty pleasure of a little time to play Xbox. “There’s enough time for everything – barely,” he states, with a laugh, “but there’s enough time.” The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? Gionfriddo: I actually hope to come back to Wilkes. I like the atmosphere, very friendly and open community. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. Gionfriddo: Dedicated, funny, friendly. The Beacon: Finish this sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” Gionfriddo: I used to live out in the woods for two months. I was a camp counselor for four years. NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Few students find community in HSC game room BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer The game room in the Henry Student Center is the hotspot for many students. This hotspot serves as a fun and relaxing waiting area where students meet up with friends in between classes. And, anyone who frequently walks through the HSC can usually see familiar faces in that game room. The “regulars” are usually shooting pool, talking about classes, or not talking about classes. One of these “regulars”, Mike Pauley, a junior chemistry major, thinks that the game room is “a popular spot because it’s easily accessible, and conveniently close to Rifkin”. The students who frequent the game room are a combination of every major and year. Each game roomer adds to the unique group dynamic that has now grown into a group of students who come to rely on each other through encouragement and friendship. Friendships and relationships that have transpired as a result of the game room are ones that make coming to the game room a worthwhile experience. The people in the game room look forward to their daily routine of playing pool and hanging out with each other in between classes. The game room serves as a spot for these students to hang out, talk, help each other with homework, and play pool. “Everyone does their own thing but, for the most part you always see the same fac- es,” Pauley adds. Along with visiting the room at certain times throughout the day the group often gets together on the weekends. “Sometimes we get something to eat or watch movies,” Tim Cheung, a freshman CIS major, said. Most of the group consists of men, but there are a few women who hang out here as well. Corey Katsak junior electrical engineering major met his girlfriend Sandy of seven months through the people in the group. Sandy Sharpe, a senior sociology major, emphasizes that, “the group really does take in anyone. She also describes the group as, “a close nit group with high social capital.” Here in the game room friends laugh at and with each other. Often times they compete amongst themselves in X-Box and pool games for fun. As the semester progresses more and more students join their classmates in the game room. “The current number of game roomers has grown from a few to about 20-30,” Pauley said. Students are drawn into the game room each day by invites from classmates, who then become a part of the group by making friends with everyone else. The cycle continues each semester and, as the years pass, the relationships in the game room remain. Pauley explains that, “anyone could become a part of the group you don’t even have to like pool.” The Beacon/Allison Roth NORTHAMPTON STREET DELI Loe a ted inside the YMCA Non-Members Welcomed Mon tluu Thurs 11:00 ain to 8:00 p1n Fridays & Sundays 11:00 am to 4:00 pm **** Please note new Sunday and Evening Hours **** 10% discount w / Student ID - Free WiFi Available The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Some Wilkes students have found friends, and fun in the HSC game room. They are a group opened to make new friends and have fun hanging out inbetween classes. �NIOVEMBER 10, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 A little slice of Wilkes History: The Wilkes Alma Mater Wilkes Alma Mater goes unnoticed and unknown by most Wilkes students BY RUTH WHISPELL Lifestyles Assistant Editor When Eleanor Farley created the Alma Mater 73 years ago, she was expressing a certain pride for Bucknell Junior College. She most likely expected people to learn, sing and pass on the Alma Mater with the same pride that she felt when she wrote it. In the original Alma Mater, Eleanor described Wilkes, then Bucknell, as an institution that “hast led us onward in finer heights…” and also as a school that deserves the students’ “deep devotion.” Students have to sing the Alma Mater at their freshmen orientation, and again when graduating. This is why it’s surprising to discover that so many students at Wilkes University don’t know the words to the Alma Mater. Although students aren’t studying the Alma Mater inbetween orientation and graduation, unless they take a course which requires it to be studied, it’s still an important part of Wilkes’ history. In a informal survey done by The Beacon, where 26 people were polled, only two of the 26 knew the words to the Alma Mater and only one could sing it word for word. “I know my high school alma mater off the top of my head, but at graduation from Wilkes we sang off a pamphlet,” said Aaron Stoker. Stoker graduated from Wilkes in 1997; he is currently working at Wilkes tutoring students in various subjects Since Stoker’s graduation in 1997, there are still students who don’t know the words to the Alma Mater. At graduation in May 2009, Cassandra Scarantino, sang the Alma Mater, but now she can’t recall the words. “I knew it ex- _._ ..__ __.._ , __ .. ··- · ___ .. ...,.-.-....-1 The musical notes to the Bucknell Alma Mater [pictured above], written by Eleanor Farley have changed after Bucknell’s name was changed to Wilkes, but the pride found in Eleanor’s words can still be heard today at orientation and graduation isted before graduation, but I didn’t know the words until then,” said Scarantino. Scarantino is now a taking courses at Wilkes in pursuitof her MBA. The turn of events that led the Farleys to Wilkes-Barre was brought about by Arnaud Marts who was searching for an educator who could help the college prosper in a town [Wilkes-Barre] that everyone believed was going nowhere. Dr. Harold Cox, Wilkes’ archivist, explained Eleanor held no formal position at Bucknell Junior College, but she was an active participant in the college’s activities. Eleanor was also a practicing musician who decided that Bucknell College needed a song. Thus the Bucknell Alma Mater came Bucknell Junior College Alma Mater Bucknell Junior College, We pledge our hearts to thee; honor, faith and courage, truth and loyalty. As we leave thy guiding spirit to prove our way as men, we’ll take thy memory with us, to help us to the end. .__ ____ The Bucknell Beacon/ October 1936 Thou hast led us onward in search of finer heights. May we leave no memory to mar thy spirit bright. May our deeds and deep devotion to one we love so well, stay with thee for others. Oh Bucknell, dear Bucknell! into existence. Eleanor Farley passed away in 1965. The Amnicola that year featured a dedication for Eleanor written by someone named McGarty. Cox is unsure of whom McGarty is, but his dedication for the late Eleanor Farley was a heartwarming addition to the yearbook. The dedication written by McGarty described Eleanor as someone who lived with the College from its beginning to 1965, watching it grow and also growing with the College. The song we sing today to celebrate Wilkes University and all it means to us is a bit different from the one Eleanor wrote 73 years ago. “The changes in the text of the song were made by Richard Chapline and William Gasbarro, both music professors at Wilkes. The two made the changes shortly after their arrival at the college, because it made the piece easier for the school band to play at athletic events,” said Alfred Groh, who helped arrange the book, Essays of an Educator, Dr. Eugene S. Farley. Some of the changes made include singing, “In our work as in our pleasure, Guide us as a friend; we shall always love thee, Loyal to the end,” instead of singing “As we leave thy guiding spirit to prove our way as men, we’ll take thy memory with us, to help us to the end,” which is what Eleanor wrote. Another change in the song is, “Thou shalt lead us onward in search of finer things. May we find the wisdom that thy spirit brings. May our deeds of love and service ever swell thy fame -- Wilkes, we stand to greet thee! Glory to thy name!” The first version read, “Thou hast led us onward in search of finer heights. May we leave no mem’ry to mar thy spirit bright. May our deeds and deep devotion to one we love so well, stay with thee for others. Oh Bucknell, dear Bucknell!” Many students admit they don’t know the words but there are some exceptions, such as Casey Gow. Gow is a sophomore musical theater major who was required to learn the song for her chorus class. Just as the words have changed over time, so has the pride in the school and the number of people who know the words or sing the Alma Mater. Students will continue to sing the song upon their arrival at Wilkes and their graduation, but who’s to say how many will leave the University knowing and understanding the words and their meaning. Eleanor would hope that all Wilkes students would “take thy mem’ry with [them] to help [them] in the end.” You can find lyrics of the Wilkes song at http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/1082.asp. For more information on the history of Wilkes contact Dr. Harold Cox at harold. cox@wilkes.edu. �Where the Wild Things Are Movie ReviewPage 13 12 CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com NOVEMBER 10, 2009 A successful weekend for Inkin’ the Valley Convention puts on another satisfying display BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor For three days the inked, creepy, and crazy inhabited The Woodlands Inn & Resort from November 6-8. The buzzing of tattoo guns, smell of ink, and side show tricks had people cringing in pain and wide-eyed in astonishment. Kicking off last Friday as tons of artists set up their booths and sword swallowing freaks readied their throats, people from all over came to either get another tattoo, or gawk at the sideshow tricksters. Everywhere you looked for the three day span there was a different style of tattoo being done with all different kinds of colors. From portraits to tribal, you name it, it was being done. “It’s so comfortable to be here, and plus it’s pretty easy driving distance, which helps as well,” said TeeJay Dill, owner of White Tiger Tattooing. As he took a break from tattooing a man’s chest, he stepped back in amazement of his own work as if it were the Mona Lisa. Judging by the look on his face, he was pretty satisfied with what he had done. Each one of the 42 booths offered something for everyone as well as a sideshow on the stage at the far end of the room. To commemorate the time spent at the convention, most artists were also selling T-shirts with their patented slogan or design on them. Evil Brand Clothes also had their own set up with their trademark devil on every shirt they had to offer. One of the more fascinating displays was by Deluxe Irons who had a glass case filled with hand-crafted tattoo machinery by “Ernie D.” On display were tattoo hardware that looked like it was made in the 1800s all the way until modern day. Teamed with Deluxe Irons was Resurrected Tattoo which is also owned by “Ernie D.” In the mix of tattooing needles at work were a number of piercing needles as well. The Beacon/Tom Reilly Sharpened steel rods pushed through ears, A crowd of Wyoming Valley residents and visitors flooded to the “Inkin’ the Valley” lips, and tongues modifying people’s aptattoo convention, which took place this past weekend. Tattoo artists flood in from all pearance as a balloon was being swallowed over the world for this event. on stage. The tattooed-family reunion continued with everyone showing off their tattoos and comparing their work with each other. The The large wooden tables hold baskets a light lunch with a co-worker or a dinlifting of shirts and pant legs to reveal their of fries, clusters of burgers. The menu at ner with friends. There is no loud music glorified scars made each story that much Patte’s is set up with the lingo of the sports to drown out good conversation. It is an better as artists met up with old friends and world. atmosphere that is quiet, without the loud new canvases. While I waited for the cheeseburger I built noise and distraction of televisions. People lined up at the bar to get a drink myself, I noticed that the waitresses, all two The combination of a more personal waiting for their chance to add to their priof them, wore identical outfits. In true sports atmosphere paired with great food gives vate museums of expression on their bodfan fashion, and for the sake of being unbi- Patte’s a 4 out of 5 rating. ies. ased during the World Series, the waitresses The looks of satisfaction that seemed to wore t-shirts that had both team’s logos on be pasted on people’s faces as they showed The Beacon/LeeAnn Searfoss the back and Patte’s Sport Bar on the front. off their ink new and old were priceless. AcNow, onto the food. The burger was so companying the smiles of satisfaction were large I needed a knife to cut it in half just to handshakes and thank yous. eat it. Building my own burger gave me the Walking around and hearing people say opportunity to not have to pick off anything “thanks, that looks great,” or, “wow, you I did not want. did a great job,” the smell of ink seemed to But the most important part of the burgseep into your clothes. er basket is, of course, the fries. And does “It’s only day two but it’s been a pretty Patte’s have good fries! Perhaps they are good turn out,” Dill said on Saturday. “I deep fried in special oil. Perhaps there is a got to see a lot of old friends and made secret family recipe. Either way, the fries some new ones. All-in-all it’s been a good are fantastic. time.” The atmosphere at Patte’s is great for Restaurant Review: Patte’s Sports Bar BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor The typical sports bar: loud music, massive big screen televisions covering the walls, and crowds of people cramping together. Patte’s Sports Bar has none of those things. There is no loud music. There is no big screen television. There are only patrons eating lunch. There is a couple in the corner. There are two friends out for lunch. There is a group of business professionals dressed in their suits at the table across the room. The dimly lit, simply decorated dining room was covered in only a few pictures of sports stadiums scattered around the room. Instead of big-name sports teams, Patte’s displays photos and plaques from local teams. T-ball teams. YMCA basketball teams. �NOVEMBER 10, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Movie Review: Where the Wild Things Are "Let the wild rumpus st'1rt:!" BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers. It’s a bit challenging to think back on what it’s like to be a little kid again. You could spend hours and hours playing with one thing and turn it into several different things. A piece of lint, for example, could serve many purposes, from being just a weird ball of hair to your action figure’s toupee. The point is imagination. Where the Wild Things Are, directed by Spike Jonze, is about a boy’s loneliness and hunger for attention. The dynamics of his family shows an assumed single, loving mom who works very hard to put food on the table. His sister is a teenager who is struggling with her own independence. Her friends are more important to her than family. Max, the main character in the movie, is hurt from feeling pushed aside by his family. Whenever he puts on his “monster” outfit, his imagination is activated and he becomes a manifestation of the turmoil within. Max runs away and sails to a distant island in the middle of the ocean. Characters like Carol and K.W. help him and show him that he is needed after This is where Carol and K.W. reside, along with other unhappy monsters on that island. Once Max makes his presence known, he convinces them that he is a king and promises them happiness. Max soon learns that promising everyone happiness is almost impossible and thus begins the trials and tribulations of these close relationships with “the wild things.” I didn’t really know what to expect from this movie. I read the children’s book, written by Maurice Sendak, maybe once or twice. The movie made valid points about the hardships a child undergoes when feeling misunderstood and finding a sense of belonging with other beings that are just as misunderstood as he is. It also makes a strong point about dealing with those kinds of feelings at such a young age. In the one scene, Max becomes really upset with his mother for not paying attention to him when he wanted her. He put on his monster suit and bit her without thinking. At the end of the movie when he returns home to her, however, he realizes his mistake and that he is extremely loved by his family. On the island with the wild things, he learns that though he loves them dearly, he belongs with his family. The best scene to pinpoint the exact feeling of belonging for Max is when he is under the mass of a pile the monster’s form, preparing to fall asleep. The monsters’ bodies form this protective covering around him, much like his snow fort in the beginning of the movie, and he is relieved, secure, and happy. The movie wasn’t very long so it wasn’t overdone. The music, written by Karen O (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Carter Burwell, definitely captured the euphoria of the The Beacon/Tom Reilly movie and maintained the magical tone. Nothing in this movie looked fake—the setting was gorgeous and the wild things looked very real. The characters are comical and endearing enough for all ages to enjoy. There’s something that everyone can get out of this movie, whether it’s the characters, the music, the story, or just feeling like a kid again howling into the night. Rating: 4 out of 5 din Jouxnalisro? t nte:res e Need to build your portfolio? 1 ·c\e ox t t ·t an ax '1 to VJXl e t wan wo? Learn the basics of journahsm and sharpen your writing skills by writing for THE BEACON! You can write for Opinion, News, Lifestyles, Sports, and/or Arts and Entertainment ??? INTERESTED??? Stop by a Beacon Meeting on Sundays from 2-3pm in Conygham Hall, 1st Floor -ORContact: Professor Lindsey Wotanis, The Beacon faculty advisor, lindsey. wotanis@wilkes.edu or Nicole Frail, Editor-in-Chief, nicole.frail@wilkes.edu �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 • • • • CD Review: "Play On" - Carrie Underwood • • • • KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor Carrie Underwood, the winner of American Idol in 2005 and artist on top of the country charts, is at it again with her latest album “Play On” which was released this past Tuesday in stores nationwide. She’s the most successful of the winners of American Idol. Some of her well-known hits include “Before He Cheats,” “Wasted,” “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and “All American Girl.” Carrie Underwood won three awards at the 2007 CMT (Country Music Television) Awards: Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year, and Video Director of the Year for the music video “Before He Cheats.” She also took home three 2007 ACM (Academy of Country Music) Awards, which included Album of the Year for “Some Hearts” and Top Female Vocalist. Carrie has won a Grammy every year since 2007 and also won ACM Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year in 2008 and 2009. Underwood’s third album, which she considers her most versatile, features 13 new tracks to add to her collection of outstanding country music. In my opinion, the album provides a great blend of slow and upbeat songs that can appeal to wide audience. It’s perfect for anyone who appreciates country music too! Cowboy Casanova – Truly the anthem for any girl who has experienced the foul play of a guy. Underwood claims this “Cowboy Casanova” can get a girl wrapped around his finger while telling her “nothing but lies.” Underwood’s take on this song is telling a girl to stay away because he may look good, but he’s far from it. Quitter – This is a faster song about being in love. She has always believed that nothing lasts forever and quitting came naturally to her, but this time is different. The song talks about being in love and finally realizing that good relationships and good men really do exist in a sea of men who have previously let her down. Mama’s Song – A slower song written to a mother, not sure if it’s actually meant to be Underwood’s. The story line of the song is a girl telling her mom that the guy she’s dating is perfect for her and cares for her just as much as she did when she was a child. It’s an assurance song to a mother since they do worry often. Change – An inspirational and motivational song, in my opinion. It’s a song encouraging those who believe they can change something in the world to go out and try to change it, to avoid those negative voices that tell you it’s impossible. Undo It – A faster-paced song that has a great beat. The girl in the song realizes TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! ZW J YVQQL QJKY J LZQXQ BD YVQLVIGA’Y LZQ, KVQE KVQ YVQQL ZY J-HBRZE BE OL! This week’s clues: K=T Z=I Answer from last week: I ASKED THE WAITRESS IF THE PANCAKES WERE GOING TO BE LONG, SHE RESPONDED “NO SILLY, THEY’RE ROUND!” she fell for the wrong guy and wants to turn back time and “undo it.” This is the perfect song for any girl that just broke up with a useless boyfriend or had this problem in the past and needs a good laugh about it. Someday When I Stop Loving You – A slower song about getting over someone that may take a long time. It’s a perfect song for those who just broke up with someone they’ve been with for awhile and need something to help mend their heart and get over that person. The Beacon/Kristen Karpinski Carrie Underwood, owner of three CMT awards from 2007 and also winner of an ACM award for Female Vocalist of the Year in 2008 and in 2009, recently released her new album, “Play On.” Songs Like This – This is Underwood’s message to guys who screw up a lot. She uses this upbeat song to blame guys for their stupid actions and explains that because guys act the way they do, there will be “songs like this” – pretty much revenge in a song about how a guy messes up a relationship. cial guests Sons of Sylvia. It appears to be a song about a couple that broke up a long time ago and the girl wants to contact her ex but has no idea what to say to him. Also, it seems like a song about regret--either regret about how the relationship ended or how they can’t pick up the phone to call each other. Temporary Home – This song represents the fact that Earth is only our temporary home and once we die we’ll go off to somewhere else. It also looks at the lives of three or four other people and how where they live will never really be their real home but instead temporary. Play On – Another motivational song, in my opinion. Underwood encourages listeners to keep “playing on” in life and enjoy it. It’s a song that you hear and you just feel good about yourself and what you do. This Time – This is a slightly upbeat song about being in love. It focuses on how a person feels when they know for the first time they’re in love with someone, which is similar to being on “cloud 9.” Look At Me – This is another slow tune about a person falling in love so deeply with another person that they would do anything for them. It’s one of those “love with devotion” songs where the person is so in love it hurts. Unapologize – This song tells the story of a girl who refuses to hide her feelings and “unapologizes” for them getting out. She obviously wants the guy to know she likes him and doesn’t care that he knows. What Can I Say – A slower song with spe- If you’re a fan of country music and Underwood, you definitely won’t be let down by this album. It contains just enough slow tunes as it does fast and the lyrics easily relate to the listener on a personal level. Aside from the fact that Underwood is absolutely adorable, she has a phenomenal voice that will set you in a trance of absolute musical tranquility. Key Fact: The vocals do NOT disappoint! The album is available in most retail stores and also on iTunes. Rating: 4.85/5 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 10, 2009 15 KARPINSKI WoRro SEARCH BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor N A C D X N I A z X V E p X s C K E A F I R G V z Q R y R 0 I B L L u G V A Q s A X E p y A s C X Q M N y w E A C I u E w u s C 6 u J K F E y T R R y N T G F V A J K w E w E A R C w E T s X N y J u F B I C E WORD BANK: BEDFORD BREISETH CAPIN BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor K D N F N C E R G N y K N M B E s u J A B E R s V D C R X F V s w E J C CHASE CONYNGHAM DELAWARE EVANS FENNER s 0 w G E C F C N K V y C B A T w y w R T y s E R C I J N B G X E s F G X u I B H T 0 R X A M N E s T R D X u N s y A s K s X B R E I G A s X Q C D A N E X M F B J R E I s y T w u B L I Q B E D F 0 J s A s N C p w w C s A w D E w A N A D L C u B w A Q T M s K R R V 0 C V L A X G E T A J H H E N s R A FORTI NS KY KIRBY MARTS MAX ROTH PASSAN I X w w A s D C X E E s H w L A z A s G Q K R s E F F A B F I M N 0 T 0 R D F D F G H s A K R u E G s E K T R T H z C L B N w G F B y V J N X N H w E K E s s E R B I s V C R X N V E C F B I w E 0 A T z F T RIFKIN STARK LEARNING CENTER STERLING SULLIVAN WECKESSER G s D s H s �LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON PAGE 19 CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Monumental first quarter propels football to victory Colonels score 15 points in first five minutes of Senior Day, never look back BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor The Wilkes University football team used Saturday’s game against Widener to snap a couple of troubling trends. The Colonels picked up their sixth victory of the season, defeating the Pride by a score of 29-24. That means that for the first time since Wilkes won the conference championship in 2006, the Colonels are guaranteed to finish the season with a winning record. “Coming in here as a freshman, we won the MAC and everything was great,” said defensive back Corey Gilroy. “The last two years, we struggled a little bit. To seal a winning season in my senior year, I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Gilroy and the Colonels couldn’t have asked for a better first quarter either. The team entered its final home game of the regular season having scored just three total points in their previous eight first quarters combined. On Saturday, Wilkes eclipsed that mark in just 59 seconds. Widener fumbled the opening kick-off and the Colonels gained possession of the football at the Widener 35-yard line. On the team’s second play of the game, senior quarterback Rob Johnson optioned the ball to sophomore running back Zachary Tivald, with Tivald running 32 yards into the end zone. Junior kicker Chris Horn nailed the PAT to give the Colonels a 7-0 lead. Gilroy blocked a Widener punt two minutes later, setting up a safety that put the Colonels up 9-0. Two minutes after that, Widener fumbled a Wilkes punt, providing the Colonels offense with a fresh set of downs at the Widener 28-yard line. This time, it took the Colonels just one play to embarrass the Pride, with Johnson finding senior wide receiver Gennaro Zangardi in the end zone. The team botched the PAT attempt, but still held a 15-0 lead before the game was five minutes old. “That set the tone for the whole game,” Zangardi said. “We had the momentum the whole game. Once you get on top like that, it’s hard for another team to come back and battle back from a 15-point deficit.” intended receiver and into the hands of Wilkes’s Kevin Gerhart. That’s when the team could finally breathe, as they took a knee to run out the clock and seal the win. “Madden and Gerhart have been making huge plays all season,” said Zangardi. “They really, really have. I can’t think of two safeties in the league that are better than those two guys.” The Colonels have their sights set on defeating their cross-town rival King’s College this Saturday when the two battle for the Mayor’s Cup. As if that wasn’t enough to get the team fired up, the Colonels know that this game is what their season is going to come down to. If they want a shot at a playoff berth, the 6-3 Colonels need to win. “It’s absolutely a must-win,” Gilroy said. “If we want to play another game, it’s a must win. There’s no way we’re getting into the playoffs at 6-4 and we know that.” Photo Left: The Beacon/Kerri Frail Photo Below: Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Sophomore running back Zach Tivald, featured in this week’s Athlete Spotlight on page 18, opened the scoring for Wilkes with a 32-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of Saturday’s game vs. Widener. Wilkes gained momentum from the play, amassing 15 points before the game was five minutes old en route to a 29-24 victory. The teams traded 1-yard touchdown runs and PAT’s to close out the first quarter’s scoring, with Widener quarterback Jimmy Lahue and Wilkes fullback Harry Reese providing the offense for their teams. Another touchdown run allowed the Pride to cut the Wilkes lead to 22-14 before the second quarter was two minutes old, but Johnson made sure that the Colonels would have their 15-point lead back before the teams broke for halftime. With 5:34 remaining in the half, Johnson found sophomore wide receiver Shawn Gregson open in the middle of the field and the two connected for a 46-yard touchdown pass. Another successful PAT by Horn gave Wilkes a 29-14 lead at the half. For as impressive as the Colonels looked in the game’s early going, they struggled to enjoy the same success in the second half. They surrendered ten points in the third quarter to Widener and played the majority of the final 15 minutes on their heels, cling- ing to a 29-24 lead. With Widener driving down the field with three minutes to play in regulation, the Colonels needed a big play to preserve the win. They got two. First, Widener quarterback Chris Haupt had his Hail Mary bid picked off by senior defender Sean Madden. “That’s what I live for, making the big play when your number is called,” Madden said. “The guy had us beat deep, no doubt about it, but the quarterback made a mistake and threw it right into my hands. Game over from there.” Ordinarily, yes. However, the Colonels didn’t get a first down on their ensuing drive and were forced to give the ball back to the Pride on a punt. Luckily, the Colonels defense answered the bell again. With less than a minute remaining, Haupt had another pass deflected away from his Junior defensive lineman Chris Swinarski had four tackles as the Colonels defeated Widener on Saturday afternoon at Ralston Field. With the win, the Colonels improved to 6-3 on the season. �SPORTS NOVEMBER 10, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Zach Tivald, sophomore sensation BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Meet Zach Tivald, a six foot, 195 pound sophomore running back from Edison, NJ, who acted as the one-man wrecking crew for the Colonels in their road win against Lycoming College last weekend. Tivald amassed a career-high 149 yards on 31 carries along with a 22-yard reception for a touchdown to assist in the victory over the Warriors. Appearing in seven games as a freshman last year, Tivald proved his worth early. So far this season, he has racked up 439 yards and three touchdowns on 125 attempts along with nine receptions for a total of 109 yards and one touchdown. His 439 yards rushing leads the Colonels backfield with the next closest being Harry Reese with 151. “Zach leads by example and works very hard at practice and during games,” said Coach Frank Sheptock. “He also has a very strong work ethic that has been evident in his preparation for the season, as well as his weekly preparation during game week.” In the two years that Tivald has been Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Running back Zach Tivald rushed for 149 yards against Lycoming last weekend. sporting the Navy and Gold, he has proved to be someone that quarterback Rob Johnson could count on. “Tivald makes my job easier,” said John- son. “It’s great having him in the backfield. He is able to get through tight holes and explode into the secondary.” His ability to squeeze through tight spaces definitely helps more than just Johnson on the field; it also helps the offensive line. “Making a hole for Tivald is simple,” said sophomore center Ben Webb. “We give him a small space and before we know it, he’s flying past us.” Tivald was honored to be named the Athlete of the Week by The Beacon after his performance. Going out every game and making a positive impact is what Tivald strives for week in and week out. Even with the great display that Tivald put on last week, he still remains as humble as ever. “Without the offensive line there is no way that I would have been able to do anything at all in any game not just the game against Lycoming,” Tivald commented. In the game against Lycoming, Tivald became the first player to rush for over a 100 yards for the Colonels since 2007, a drought that the Colonels have seemed to put behind them with the performance from last weekend. Tivald and the Colonels look to make it seven in a row this week versus River Street rival King’s College in the battle for the Mayor’s Cup. 53 PtJbLIC _sqtJare 829-64tJ4 Do\fNto'A'N COLLe3e 5peetaLS QUICK HITS ALeoHOL SPKeIALS FO~ 21+ UI& I.D. SllN~ MONd3! Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Prtce Appet&zers ½ Pl'•ce P1zza r11eSda! DJ OOH\fee Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Prace Appetizers COL.Leae N13Ht N,o COi/er 'fl I C01.1.ese ID rKt1r5da! 5illrda! live Entertainment Live Entertainment Happy Hour 10·12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts $15L1ceS dlll''NS COJUle cHecK <>tit YiHat·s Ne\Y 3Ncl E')(ctt•NS ~r, Hotll' at R0 daN°'S Gall to bOOK OtJr private rooMThe For aN~ / CL3SS eveNtS Beacon Alison Kasper or soe1a. 5atHer1N3 RociaNo's LtJNCH 5pec1at.S ofrerecI 7 Ja~S a WeeK r0 r $5.95 $l 5LiceS ltfM-111 �SPORTS 18 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 ONE AND DONE BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor All four Wilkes University teams that qualified for the conference playoffs this fall were eliminated in the opening round of competition. The string of unfavorable results started last Tuesday when the women’s soccer team visited top-seeded Manhattanville. The Valiants scored just seven minutes into the match and never looked back, handily defeating the Lady Colonels by a 4-0 margin. On Wednesday, the men’s soccer team visited archrival Misericordia University and raced out to a 2-0 lead at halftime. However, they struggled in the second half, allowing Misericordia to tie the game and force overtime. Misericordia scored on their second shot of the extra session, earning a 3-2 win and spoiling Wilkes University’s hopes at a conference championship. This was the second straight year that Misericordia bounced Wilkes from the playoffs, as they defeated the Colonels on penalty kicks last season. Also on Wednesday, King’s College pulled off an upset of David vs. Goliath proportions, defeating the Lady Colonels field hockey team in overtime. The Lady Colonels entered the match with a 15-2 regular season record and had scored 14 combined goals in their previous three matches. But they were unable to translate that regular season success to the postseason, as they were held to just one goal by the Lady Monarchs and fell 2-1. The loss spoiled field hockey’s hopes of a highly anticipated rematch with Eastern University in the conference title match. The Lady Colonels volleyball team didn’t fare well on Wednesday either, as their season was ended when they were on the wrong side of a 3-0 decision at Eastern. twil:I: r, @Beaconsnorts For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports What sports city do you love to hate? No lost feelings for the “City of Brotherly Love” Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA As a fan of sports, I hate every sports city outside of the one that houses my favorite. In other words, I’m here to tell you that Pittsburgh is the best sports city in the great old US of A. Their fans are the most loyal fans out there, and their teams are always competitive. For the sake of this column, let’s just pretend that the Pirates do not exist. But the same cannot be said for that city on the Eastern half of the state. Philadelphia is the anti-Pittsburgh. Philly is the Chad JohnI mean Ochocinco to the Larry Fitzgerald – the city who needs the limelight compared to the city who just goes about its business. But the reason I love to hate Philly – its fans. Let’s just put it this way, when Philadelphia has a winning sports team (which is not very often, may I remind you), you hear about it all day and all night. When a Philly team loses, you get an earful for the next week on why Donovan McNabb sucks and why Elton Brand was the worst pickup ever. An article I read recently said it best: “listening to sports talk radio in Philadelphia is like watching an angry mob torching the stadium.” You could not be more dead on accurate. This is the only city that boos its franchise quarterback after single-handedly turning the entire organization into a consistent playoff team and Super Bowl contender. Their treatment of fans and players alike is despicable. Case in point: the incident of fans throwing snowballs and booing Santa Claus. Really? It’s also this same set of “loyal” fans that cheered when Cowboys great Michael Irvin broke his neck during a fierce game. Granted, they did not know the severity of the injury at the time, but what kind of person cheers raucously when a player gets injured? Let me just say this, would your mother be proud for celebrating over another man’s agony? Think about it, and get back to me. Then again in Philadelphia, grandmothers are throwing garbage at opponents, so I guess they would be proud of it. There’s a difference between loyal and insane. Philly borders more on the insane side of the equation. Basically, if you do not win or put up huge, gaudy statistics every single week, you will not be loved, and will be driven out of the city as fast as Billy Wagner’s four seam fastball getting up and in on your hands. Just look at Cole Hamels. The Phillies won the World Series last year because this guy was untouchable. He breezed through the entire postseason effortlessly, making opponents look like they were me stepping into the box as a five year old in my first year of tee-ball, while winning the World Series MVP. This year Hamels looks average, and they want to hang the guy. He was on schedule to pitch game seven of the World Series, and they were calling for journeyman pitchers to get the nod over Hamels. What only a single year can do, and it’s at its worst in Philly. In Philly, it’s win or die, literally. You feel bad for a city that only has one sports title in the past 26 years. But then again, in a city that constantly lynches its players, why would anyone want to play there? Taking a bite out of “The Big Apple” (i),_____Ho~r~~tl Asst. Sports Editor Let me start by addressing Mr. Dorunda’s comments from last week first. If I came across an angry beaver I’m pretty sure that he wouldn’t make it out alive, kind of like you against a seven-year-old little girl. And your words are printed up there because someone has to be the main event in this face off, and if you ask around, it’s definitely not you so calm down young man the adults are speaking. But let’s get to the question at hand. I know that I am definitely going to anger some people, and I’m sorry, but the sports city that I love to hate has got to be New York. I mean if you paid me that much money I would rep the city, too, but I’m just not a fan. Which bring me to my first point; the Yankees. I can not stand their “if you pay him, he will come” mentality. The Yankees are good for one reason and one reason only, because they pay for it. No one ever pays tons of money for something for it to be terrible. But I guess it’s true about what they say, George Steinbrenner is the pimp of the MLB. Then we have the Mets. I’m not going to bash on the Mets because the rest of the National League did that enough during the season. The Knicks I can’t really say much about either. “Krypto” Nate Robinson is the only good thing about them. I’m not going to say anything about the Liberty, because what kind of gentleman hates on women that can dunk on you? It’s just not smart. I don’t really know hockey too well, but I’m pretty sure that if I did, I wouldn’t be a Rangers or Islanders fan. Next, there are the Giants. The Giants of old that had the great bone shattering Lawrence Taylor was a team that everyone could love. But these Giants today, I could do without them and Peyton’s little brother. What’s his name again, Lucky? I can hear all the Giants fans screaming “Super Bowl Champions,” but even a blind squirrel can find a nut, so calm down. Lastly, we have the Jets, who are really from New Jersey, but that’s a completely different story. But I have nothing against the Jets. I wish them luck and I hope Sanchez has a successful career as a model, I mean quarterback. It’s safe to say that the only thing I like about New York is Brooklyn. They gave us the Dodgers (Ebbets Field), Jay-Z, and Notorious B.I.G. Do I need to go on? Sorry, I guess I just don’t have that Empire State of Mind. Sorry to disappoint all you New York fans, but it had to be said. And oh yeah, I forgot. Philly cheese steaks, Will Smith, and Boys II Men; three reasons Mr. Dorunda is wrong about Philly. They have nothing to do with sports, but who doesn’t love those three? To you Anthony, your time to be the main attraction is coming. I’m graduating soon; you’ll get your chance. �NOVEMBER 10, 2009 SPORTS 19 LIKE PATiiER, LIKE SON Father-son tandem has been voice of Ralston Field for past 50 years BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor For the last 50 years, two things have been certain: the sun would rise each morning, and Richard Myers would be behind the mic at Ralston Field, calling the action for the Wilkes University football games on Saturday afternoons. The 2009 season marks half a century that both Richard Myers, Sr, and his son Richard Myers, Jr, both graduates of Wilkes University, have been the voice of Ralston Field. To put it in perspective, Wilkes was established as Bucknell Junior College in 1933 and started playing football in 1946. Fourteen years later, Richard Myers, Sr. took the reins of the PA system, and it has not left the family since. Richard Myers Sr, who graduated from Wilkes University during the spring of 1960, took the reins as the public address announcer that following fall. As a student, Myers was plenty involved in the sports department of the University. During his tenure, he served as sports editor, news editor, and editor-in-chief of The Beacon and was the sports information director for the University before it was made into a paid professional position. His talents behind the microphone were not limited to just football; he called wrestling matches, basketball games and even swimming meets. After state-owned Artillery Park was given to Wilkes University, the football team made a move from what is now Wyoming Valley West’s high school field. The move called for a new public address announcer, and that’s where Myers got his start in the press box, albeit a little less luxurious press box than one would imagine. “There was no place to hang speakers [at Artillery Park],” chuckled Myers, Sr. “We had a local sound company come down with a system to use. They gave me a 100yard long cord with a hand mic, pointed the speakers in the general direction of the crowd and said ‘go.’” Two years later, Wilkes moved into Ralston Field, its first very own stadium complex, where it has been ever since. Myers, Sr. served as announcer through numerous different milestones at the University, including the dedication of the field to former coach George Ralston as well as the years of the Golden Horde, the teams The Beacon/Kerri Frail Richard J. Myers, Sr. (‘60) stands with his son, Richard J. Myers, Jr. (‘84) in the Wilkes University press box at Ralston Field this past Saturday, November 7. This season marks the 50th year that the voice of the father, and then the son, announced the Saturday afternoon gridiron action of the Wilkes Colonels and their opponents at Ralston Field. at Wilkes between the years of 1965-1969 under Coach Rollie Schmidt. Those teams went 37-3 during those years, including three straight unbeaten seasons and two Lambert Bowl titles. In 1984, after 25 years in the booth, work obligations moved him out of town, forcing him to leave his post. Wilkes now had to replace the only announcer Ralston Field had ever heard. The vacancy in the position did not last very long. “[John Reese] asked me where we were going to get somebody,” said Myers, Sr.. “I told him ‘if you would have taken my advice in the first place, we wouldn’t have this problem.’ When he asked, I told him, ‘I got a son waiting in the wings. He’s right under your nose.’” Myers Jr. started tagging along with his father when he was 12 years old, learning the ins and outs of what went on behind the microphone. “I went to the games with my father, ‘back in the day,’” laughed Myers, Jr. “I sat in the press box and spotted for years when I was in high school.” “He was my defensive spotter,” said Myers, Sr. “He would check all the substitutions. He would have the opposing roster and he would holler in my ear the substitutions and who made the tackle. He pretty well knew the routine and needed no on the job training. It was like second nature for him when he took over.” Myers, Jr. has been the voice of Colonels football ever since, celebrating his 25th year this season. Throughout his time, Myers, Jr. has seen his fair share of great teams and players. A couple teams, such as the undefeated teams of 1993 and 2006, come to mind instantly when asked about his favorite memories. But it was a player whom Myers, Jr. says stands out above the rest. “All the years [Brett] Trichilo played, that guy was incredible,” said Meyers, Jr. “They would go 10 plays, 80 yards, and it was just Trichilo right, Trichilo left, Trichilo up the middle. He was just a horse. They tried to tackle him high, tackle him low, and they would just bounce off of him. Watching him was amazing.” Between the two, they have called well over 200 home games, and have only missed three games combined in that same period. “I missed the first game of one season because John Reese didn’t call me,” said Myers. “That year I never got a hold of the schedule in advance and John just forgot to call me. I thought he finally got a college student after all those years. He called me right after the game and said ‘you son of a [expletive], don’t you do that to me ever again.’” For Myers, Jr, it was a bit of a family conflict. “My sister had the nerve to schedule her wedding date before checking the Wilkes schedule,” laughed Myers, Jr. “She got married on a home game.” As for how long Myers will continue to be the voice of Colonel football, the only season for certain is 2010, and for good reason.. “I have to do one more year, because I’m not coming out of this with a tie,” laughed Myers, Jr. “I really wanted to do this year because I thought it would be neat to do 50 years, and I’d like to do another year just to say I did it longer than he [my father] did. I still enjoy it. It’s fun to be in the press box, fun to watch the team, and as long as they’ll have me for right now,0 I’d like to keep doing it.” So now the question remains, when Myers, Jr. decides to step down, will the honor stay in the family? “I can say this, I got a son and he’s 17,” laughed Myers, Jr. “He’s been to every game that I’ve seen for the last three years. He seems to enjoy it. Let’s see where he lands after college. There is a Richard Myers, III hanging out there in the wings.” �SPORTS 20 NOVEMBER 10, 2009 Metropolitan champions continue their winning ways Wrestling starts the season with win against Hunter, King’s Tourney Title BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor The 18th-ranked Wilkes University wrestling team took on Hunter with four freshmen in the lineup who did not slack on the mat in their first collegiate competition. Freshman Scott Mantua got the match started at 125 with an 8-6 victory over Greg Pollock to put the Colonels up 3-0. Ryan Wilson gave Wilkes another victory at 133 before Kris Krawchuk, the second freshman to record his first collegiate win at 141, posted a 12-4 major decision. Anthony Dattolo’s victory at 149 for Wilkes put them up 13-0 before Wilkes had their first bump in the road at 157. Wilkes’s James Histed fell 8-3 to Eduardo Delgado, who posted the first points on the board for Hunter. But things picked back up at 165 and 174 when freshmen Dustin Stough and Jesse Villella recorded their first wins by a score of 2-0 (Stough) and 10-6 (Villella) to increase the team score to 19-3. Capping off the night in dominant fashion were seniors Frank Heffernan, Zach Pizarro, and Andrew Feldman. At 184 Heffernan recorded a 14-1 major decision against Alan Djokic. Pizarro followed with a major decision of his own over Robert Klotz at 197. Feldman used a punishing power half to record the only pin of the night in 1:35 over Dan Heydebrand, making the final score 33-3 to give the Col- The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Wilkes University wrestling team received their rings commemorating last year’s Metropolitan Conference championship season. The team was presented with the rings in a ceremony prior to their match aginast Hunter on November 1. 195 Points scored by the wrestling team at the King’s College Tournament this weekend, good enough to earn the team championship. 6 The Beacon/Tom Reilly Sophomore Anthony Dattolo wrestles in the 149-pound weight class for Wilkes on November 1. Dattolo defeated Hunter’s Vitaly Simkin 13-10 and also took first place in the King’s College Tournament that was held this past weekend. onels the win. “The team really works hard and knows when it’s time to get down to business,” said Feldman after the match against Hunter. “Seeing the championship rings is a big motivator too; I think that really sparked some enthusiasm and makes us all want to accomplish another championship.” After the impressive victory over Hunter, the Colonels traveled down the street to King’s College Tournament on Saturday to continue their dominance. At 125, Mantua bullied his way to his first collegiate championship by recording a major decision and a technical fall in his first two matches en route to his 8-6 victory over Jerrid Hartman of York College. Freshman Taylor Stuart took home the fifth place title at 125 as well. After losing his first match of the day, Wilson recorded a fall in 4:36 and a 19-5 victory before taking a medical forfeit victory of teammate AJ Fisher in the consolation semifinals. Wilson won his consolation finals match 3-2 to win third place. Krawchuk avenged a loss in his second match to Zach Crain of Oneonta State in the consolation finals to take third place for the Colonels. Top seeded Dattolo “majored” and “teched” his way to the finals before beating teammate Nathan White 6-2 for the gold. Coming into the tournament as the second seed, Histed beat all of his opponents by a combined score of 19-3 to take home the gold at 157. Freshman Steve Falk majored Mike Guenter from Scranton University 10- 1 to place third at 157. After starting the day off in stellar fashion, Ben Marich won the fourth championship of the day for Wilkes at 165. Marich beat teammate Dustin Stough in the semifinals 4-2 in overtime before recording a 9-4 victory to take home the championship while Stough went on to place fifth. Frank Heffernan, who is ranked fourth in the nation, came in top seeded as well at 174. Starting off with a 14-1 major decision victory in his first match, he went on to win 5-2 and 9-0 before making it to the finals where he had his hands full with Dave Foley of King’s. However, he managed to pull off the 4-3 victory for the championship. Taking home the sixth and final title of the day for the Colonels was Zach Pizarro at 197. With victories coming in his first two matches, Pizarro defeated Casey Hedash from Army 7-3 in the finals for the championship. Chris Smith took home fifth place for the Colonels at 197 as well. With the slew of dominance that took place at the King’s Tournament, Wilkes also won the team title by amassing 195 points. “The four freshmen were very impressive [against Hunter] and showed that we have reloaded with some tough kids to make another run at a Conference Championship,” said Coach Jon Laudenslager. “I think this team seems to have the confidence, attitude and work ethic to be very successful this season.” Catch the Colonels in action again on Saturday in the John Reese Duals here at the Mart Center Gymnasium starting at 11 a.m. Champions the Wilkes wrestling team had at the King’s College Tournament this past weekend. 4 Freshmen in Wilkes University’s starting line-up in the team’s home opener against Hunter College on November 1. 1 Pin that the Colonels had in the win against Hunter, recorded by senior heavyweight Drew Feldman. It took Feldman only 95 seconds to record the pin against his opponent, Dan Heydebrand. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 November 10th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 November 10 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/373bd392ee27b62a138627d0d9e6d59d.pdf 1ca92df346bdde0c1784380949fff253 PDF Text Text <.R§ad <Between tfie Lines How-to get out of a Parking Ticket strategies & tactics r,~~l-1'"·· a tak,e on women's magazine OP-ED I PAGE J NOVEMBER 3, 2009 LIFESTYLES THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW PAGE 10 Volume 62 Issue 7 Wilkes new ad campaign animates airwaves Wilkes set to reaffirm Middle States accreditation BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor & LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Do you have a little Colonel in you? That’s the question being posed to prospective Wilkes students via the University’s new “Be Colonel” marketing campaign. The campaign is a follow-up to previous years’ marketing campaign, which took the unique route of mentioning accepted students by name on university advertisements in order to illustrate the personal attention given to our undergraduates. Wilkes’s previous advertising campaign took the route of billboards and commercials, as well as advertisements in malls in and around the area. This year’s revised advertising campaign focuses on a series of commercials that take a similar approach to last year’s. Instead of focusing on incoming students, Wilkes uses a series of three separate commercials to highlight the unique accomplishments of current students at Wilkes. Current students will be able to spot their BY GINO TROIANI Staff Writer reserve meeting spaces and request additional funding. Clubs are also listed on the Wilkes website. Felixa J. Wingen, the interim assistant of Diversity Affairs and Saudi Club adviser, said that the club received recognition after drafting a constitution and becoming more organized in their efforts. According to Wingen, being granted granted club status After more than a year of research conducted by a committee composed of approximately 50 members of the Wilkes community, the group has finally laid the groundwork for a self study that will be sent to the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE) for evaluation in February 2010. The Middle States Commission is responsible for assessing degree-granting colleges and universities to determine if they qualify for accreditation through a peer-review process. According to the Middle States website, the commission’s purpose is “to assure higher education’s publics that its accredited institutions are fulfilling their stated purposes and addressing the publics’ expectations.” According to the U.S. Department of Education, accredidation also grants an institution the ability to participate in federal loan programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, Perkins Loan and Stafford Loan. MSCHE is made up of three accrediting commissions: the Commission on Elementary Schools, the Commission on Secondary Schools, and the Commission on Higher Education. In the United States, there are six regional accrediting associations, each responsible See SAUDI page 3 See MIDDLE page 5 Courtesy of Marketing Communcations The “Be Colonel” campaign utilizes photos, animation and graphics in a number of different videos on the website and television, as displayed in this screenshot. friends in the new ads, as Wilkes has tried to promote the mentoring opportunities available to those who commit to the school. Of those students, Michael McAloon, a senior environmental engineering major, is of the “characters” in the ads. “I was chosen because of the trip we took to Yellowstone National Park with some engineering students last summer. After the trip I was approached about the commercial. They took still photos, and I didn’t know how they would make those work See MARKETING page 5 Saudi Interest Group receives official club status BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor & GILLYAN GOWARTY Correspondent The Saudi Interest Group was granted official club status by Student Government on October 21, passing with a vote of 24-3-2. The decision came several days after the club’s initial request was turned down by a vote of 8-20-8 for failing to have representatives attend the weekly Student Govern- ment meeting. The Saudi Interest Group was already one of the largest student organizations on Wilkes University’s campus prior to the decision, with approximately 45 undergraduate and graduate members. Receiving official club status is an important step for student groups on campus; aside from being given a $300 budget with which to fund events, groups are provided with easy access to SG vans, the ability to INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �NEWS S'I1IIIIJJ. IJS l~IJNl)S 1.\IIONG (~01..J..EGES 111.\GE a CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com NOVEMBER 3, 2009 2 Three candidates vie for two seats in Common Pleas elections BY GINO TROIANI Staff Writer William Amesbury, Tina Polachek-Gartley and Richard Hughes are the three candidates vying for the two open seats on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. The candidates have been lobbying for voters support and trust over the last several months in hopes of earning a spot on the bench after the November 3 elections. The local election has received much attention after former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan were accused of running a scheme where they received kickbacks for sentencing minors to local juvenile detention centers. The three candidates have diverse backgrounds. Democrat William Amesbury, 61, of Wilkes-Barre, was the heavily favored candidate amongst both Democrat and Republican voters in the May primaries. At 61, Amesbury is the oldest candidate. He explained that he is the most qualified candidate for the position because of his diverse background in public service. “If you take a look at my life history, I have worked as a laborer, teacher, social worker, and attorney,” said Amesbury. Since 2001, he has served as a Magisterial MIDDLE from FRONT PAGE for a specific geographic area. MSCHE is responsible for covering the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia areas. Paul Adams, vice president for Student Affairs explained that in November of 2007, Wilkes established a “steering committee” composed of members from the Wilkes community, headed by both himself and Dr. Vee Ming Lew, associate professor/chair of math and computer science. The committee was responsible for cre- District Judge in Luzerne County and has heard over 30,000 cases. “What I have offered is experience, knowledge and the ability to handle a court room,” said Amesbury. “It’s a big task to go to the Court of Common pleas and restore confidence in Luzerne County.” Democrat Tina Polachek-Gartley, 43, of Plains Township, announced her candidacy in early January. Polachek-Gartley has more than 18 years of extensive legal experience as a practicing attorney. In 1996, she attained the position of the first S.T.O.P.V.A.W. (Stop Violence Against Women) grant prosecutor in Luzerne County’s District Attorney’s Office. Since 2004, Polachek-Gartley has served as the Senior Attorney of the Barbara J. Hart Justice Center in Scranton. Polachek-Gartley visited Wilkes University on Tuesday, October 27 to talk with students about her campaign. She told students that if elected, she wants to make the court system open and transparent. “I want to restore faith; there will be no secret meetings because everything will be open,” said Polachek-Gartley on her policy, if elected. “We need to restore Luzerne County,” said Polachek-Gartley during a debate broadcast Elections signs for competitive races are placed on Carey Avenue in Wilkes-Barre. on WVIA on Wednesday, October 28. “I won’t be afraid to make decisions that are politically unpopular.” Polachek-Gartley has received endorsements from The Times Leader and Citizen’s Voice, and WIlkes University Campus Democrats. Republican Richard Hughes, 48, of Fairview Township, has more than 23 years experience practicing law under his belt. In 1988 he was appointed Assistant District Attorney for Luzerne County by the Honorable Correale Stevens, where he served for five years. Throughout his career, he has tried more than 30 civil and criminal jury trials to verdict. Presently, Hughes serves in a parttime capacity in the District’s Attorney’s Office, after being appointed by DA Jacqueline Musto Carroll in January 2008. “I am ready and well prepared to serve as judge,” said Hughes. “In this election, I bring experience to the table and am committed to the rigors of a campaign because I know it is the right thing to do.” Elections are taking place today throughout Luzerne County. ating and conducting a self study with the purpose of demonstrating that Wilkes meets MSCHE requirements. “Basically, if this were a marathon, we would be in the 22 mile of [a] 26.2 mile race,” Lew said at a recent student government meeting, adding that the university’s Middle States Committee is at the feedback stage of revising the self-study. The self-study committee is broken up into four working groups, each made up of at least nine members, who assess different aspects of the institution. The four working groups are evaluating Wilkes along the following four measures: Creating a Culture of Aspiration and Assessment, Achiev- ing Excellence and Growth in Educational Programs, Providing a World Class Support Environment, and Valuing Our People. Once the study is complete, an evaluation team from MSCHE composed of faculty and staff from different colleges and universities will visit and evaluate Wilkes as an overall institution in order to affirm the findings in a process that spans over three days. Wilkes is scheduled for evaluation on March 28, 2010. After the evaluation process, the evaluation team is responsible for making a recommendation to the Commission on Higher Education regarding the institution’s accreditation. If obtained, accreditation lasts for 10 years. Accreditation through MSCHE is a voluntary process. If an institution is accredited, it agrees to abide by the standards of their accrediting organization. “Our membership in Middle States is an assurance to our peer institutions, students and their families, and staff and employees that Wilkes aspires to excellence,” said Adams. Wilkes has been a member of MSCHE for over 70 years, beginning in 1937. It last reaffirmed its accreditation in June 2001. More information on Wilkes and MSCHE can be obtained at http://course.wilkes.edu/ msa/. BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Meet the Staff LeeAnn Searfoss Lifestyles Editor �NOVEMBER 3, 2009 MARKETING from FRONT PAGE the commercial, but they did a stand-up job,” said McAloon. The ad campaign, which prominently features the new Colonel mascot, has been airing on MTV and VH1 in the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton markets, and has even spread virally over the Internet through social networking mediums such as Facebook and Twitter. “The motto ‘Be Colonel’ means going beyond the pep rally,” explained Kimberly Bower-Spence, the associate director of Marketing Communications at Wilkes. “It means reaching out to others, being a leader, and serving as part of our community.” According to Bower-Spence, the aim of the marketing department is to show students in the area of the great mentoring opportunities that exist at Wilkes. “The goals of the campaign are to increase brand awareness, let people in the region know about Wilkes and the mentoring relationships that happen here,” stated BowerSpence. “Another goal is to increase the number of applications that come into the University.” The University has been closely monitoring new hits on the website since its launch approximately two weeks ago. “We are carefully measuring the website’s unique hits - we’ve about 2,500 unique visitors in just the first two weeks. It’s really healthy and we’re really pleased with that,” said Bower-Spence. Unique hits are categorized by hits not from current Wilkes stu- SAUDI from FRONT PAGE important accomplishment for club members. Wingen explained that if the Saudi Interest Club was not recognized as an official club by Student Government, then people in the club would not feel that they were part of the Wilkes community; in turn, other students will not want to become involved. The Saudi Interest Club will now officially serve as a means of supporting incoming Saudi exchange students who may not be immediately familiar with either the English language or American culture. “[They] teach others about Saudi culture, offer support for new Saudi students, hold cultural events, and even recruit students from Saudi Arabia to Wilkes,” said Wingen. Abdullah Alshaikh, a sophomore business administration major and treasurer of the Saudi Interest Club, agreed with Wingen. “We want to introduce our culture and tradition [to others],” said Alshaikh. NEWS 3 dents. Each commercial combines still images with cartoon animation. For example, McAloon is surrounded by a cartoon intepretation of YellowStone National Park. “As for the animation, I love the way the technique cuts through the clutter. Prospective students and their families are bombarded with print, broadcast, diCourtesy of Marketing Communications rect mail, email, internet, phone Above is a print screen from the video which can be viewed online at becolonel.com, on television and at Movcalls, and oth- ies 14 before the previews. The ad campaign features the new Colonel mascot, which was revealed during the er sources of Homecoming 2008 festivities. The hits have been closely monitored since the “Be Colonel” campaign launched. information,” To watch the videos, featuring students and faculty, check out www.becolonel.com. stated Dr. Anne Heineman Baon the perceptions of potential students and For additional information and a look at tory, professor of marketing at Wilkes. their families. That comprehensive and cu- some of the creative commercials hitting Current and prospective students can flip mulative effect will take time and patience the airwaves, visit www.becolonel.com. through the channels on their local televi- and will be more difficult to measure,” said sion stations to see the newest addition of Batory. Wilkes’s advertising campaign. If students cannot catch a glimpse of the “Of course, the real value of ‘Be Colonel’ commercial on television, they will also be will be the influence the entire strategy has able to see it at Movies 14 before movies. He and other members of the Saudi Interest Club worked closely with Student Government so that they could achieve club status after being initially denied. “They helped with our constitution,” said Alshaikh. “They added and deleted things from it. They really helped us a lot and cooperated with us throughout the process; it was an honor and a privilege working with Student Government here at Wilkes.” Nicholas Koch, a senior and the president of Student Government, commented on the topic. “I definitely feel that the general board saw the value of this club on campus,” said Koch. “They have a large following, which will ensure the immediate and hopefully future success of the club. The Saudi Interest Club has been very accommodating, doing everything asked of them by Student Government. It is this dedication that should hopefully allow them to be active within the campus community, as they pursue their goals.” The Beacon/Allison Roth Two students from the Saudi Interest Club converse during the Intensive English program’s Halloween Party. Mohammed Almoumin and Abdullateaf Alghufn are pictured above. �NEWS 4 WILKES NEWS BRIEFS BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor INJECTABLE H1N1 VACCINES ARRIVE AT WILKES - The University scheduled three H1N1 flu vaccination clinics to be held on the second floor of Marts Center. The last available clinic is today, Tuesday, November 3 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The vaccine will only be available to students and at-risk staff and faculty, like pregnant employees, healthcare providers, staff/ faculty with chronic health conditions such as asthma, or heart disease or a weakened immune system. After November 3, if flu vaccine is still available, arrangements will be made to provide the vaccine to Wilkes employees who are not in the at-risk categories. Dates and times for any additional clinics will be posted on Wilkes Today. For more information about the H1N1 virus, visit http://wilkes.edu/pages/3338.asp. Questions should be directed to the Health and Wellness Services Office at 408-4730. PARKING APPLICATIONS FOR SPRING 2010 - On-campus parking permit applications for commuters and residents will be available beginning on November 13. Applications are available in the following locations: -The Public Safety Office, located on148 South Main Street, first floor, UCOM Garage -The Residence Life Office, located in Passan Hall, third floor -The Information Desk, located in the Henry Student Center, first floor -The Commuter Lounge, located in Conyngham Hall, basement All applications are due to the Public Safety Office by December 11, no exceptions. Applicants should fill out the application completely, including the registration (license plate) number. The applications will then be reviewed by Commuter Council or the Residence Life Parking Committee; decisions will be made based on a point system that has been established. WEEK 10 ANNOUNCEMENT - With the end of the tenth week of the fall semester on Friday, November 6, also marks the end of the withdrawal period. The current withdrawal form, available online or at the NOVEMBER 3, 2009 student services center, requires the signature of the student’s advisor and the course instructor. Beginning on Monday, November 9, students may only withdrawal from courses with a written approval from the course instructor and the dean of the school in which the course is being offered. Career Services for more information, careers@wilkes.edu or www.wilkes. edu/career. The class will be offered on Tuesday from 2:30 pm-3:20 p.m. - CAR 198 A (CRN 11086) and Wednesday from 12:00 pm-12:50 p.m. - CAR 198 B (CRN 11087). LUNCH & LEARN - In order to inform the Wilkes Community about smoking, “Smoking and Lung Disease” will be presented by Tony Delonti, Program Specialist for The American Lung Association of PA. On Tuesday, November 17 at noon in the Miller Conference Room, Delonti will speak about topics such as lung disease and how smoking affects the lungs. All faculty and staff are welcome to attend this informative session. Those interested in attending must reserve their spot with Brunhilda Jones at brunhilda.jones@wilkes.edu by Wednesday, November 11. FINANCE WORKSHOPS - Cash Course is offering workshops on the topics of budgeting, credit cards, debt, identity theft and money management. The workshops started on Wednesday, October 28 and will continue through Tuesday, November 10. All courses take place in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. For more information on Cash Course, visit www.cashcourse. org/wilkes/Default.aspx ONE CREDIT COURSE OFFERED IN SPRING - This spring semester, Career Services is offering a one credit course in career development. The course, CAR 198, is for juniors and seniors. Also included in the class is resume writing, interviewing and professional networking skills. Contact POLISH ROOM HOLDS POLKA DANCING LESSONS - Wilkes University’s Polish room will be holding Polka dance lessons on Wednesday, November 4. The lessons will be held in the Henry Student Center Ballroom from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The event is free. All are welcome to attend. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com Use your Flex Dollars here at your official Starbucks location! Need a Pumpkin Spice Latte? A creamy blend of pumpkin and spices combined with Starbucks espresso, steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream. Come on in and get warmed up for the season. VEGAN Cookies now offered in your cafel Created by Alternative Baking Company, INC. Come in and check out our great selection and take some home for the weekend. Makes for a great midnight treat! Starbucks Tumbler Special: Buy our Starbucks tumbler for only $9.95 and your first fill up of chose is on us. �NOVEMBER 3, 2009 NEWS 5 Recovering in NEPA: a look at stimulus funds among local colleges BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Editor’s Note: This is the first article in a two part series on the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Northeastern Pennsylvania and Wilkes University. The Beacon will focus on the approximately $1.6 million stimulus dollars given to Wilkes for grant and special programs next week. On Friday, the federal government reported approximately 640,000 jobs have been created or saved in the U.S. as a result of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more popularly known as the stimulus package. President Obama signed the Act into law on February 17 with three goals: save and create jobs, spur economic growth, and create transparency and accountability within the government for the funds. However, there have been other impacts of the stimulus beyond the jobs created – many to higher education in Northeast Pennsylvania. Several colleges and universities in NEPA were on the receiving end of millions of dollars in stimulus funding. According to Recovery.gov, the federal government’s official tracking site for stimulus funds, approximately $5.4 million stimulus dollars were distributed between Luzerne County Community College, King’s College, Misericordia University, and Wilkes University since Obama signed the Act last February. Out of the four institutions, LCCC received the most stimulus funds, $2,347,300; Wil- kes was second, $1,643,934; then Misericordia, $754,036; and King’s, $661,224. The grants are meant for a variety of projects and activities. LCCC received 13 awards ranging from over $2 million to less than $400. Wilkes received six awards from $700,000 to less than $2,500, Misericordia got 11 awards from approximately $600,000 to about $500. King’s received six from more than $500,000 to less than $3,000. The majority of the awards are described as “grant programs,” but there are some awards like Wilkes’ $704,323 grant from the National Science Foundation. According to the Wilkes’ Grants Office Director Anne Pelak, the grant is expected to begin in the summer of 2010 and is meant to encourage certain students to pursue a graduate education in biology. Countywide, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania estimates hundreds of thousands of people in Luzerne County have benefited from the stimulus through job creation and tax relief. Thirteen schools districts in Luzerne County and institutions like the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Cente also received funds Statewide, Pennsylvania expects to receive about $16 billion in stimulus funds. The White House hopes to save 3.5 million jobs by the end of next year through the stimulus funds. In a press release, the White House said the current job creation results, as well as news that the GDP numbers have shown growth in the third quarter, prove the stimulus is working. The $5.4 million Pie King's $660K • • 1ser1cor $750K Wilkes $1.6 million The Beacon/Andrew Seaman The above graphic illustrates the breakdown of the distribution of the $5.4 million in funding. Each school was allocated a certain amount from the stimulus package for various programs. Information in graph from Recovery.gov. STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES 10-28-09 . O BY CATHRYN FREAR Assistant News Editor Treasurer’s Report All College: $14,900 Conferences: $10,000 General: $2,300 Leadership: $3,000 Special Projects: $2,050 Spirit: $1,000 Start-Up: $1,000 Club Reports Programming Board: Today, at 9 p.m. hypnotist Kevin Hurley will be holding a session in the HSC lounge. Concert planning underway. MSC: No date for the talent show yet. A Thanksgiving dinner is planned for November 21. New Business Ski Club Week 1 of 2: Request for Funds: Ski Club President Clinton Faught requested funding for a ski trip to Killington, Vermont. Faught requested $70 per person, up to a maximum of $1400. The money would be used to drive down the cost for each individual Wilkes student going. The trip would be open to up to 30 college-age students and non-Wilkes students would have to pay full-price. Transportation costs will be split with King’s College. During the year, the ski club takes five or six smaller trips on breaks or weekends, but this is the one big trip that ski club plans for during the year. Faught also said that the main reason they are asking for funds is to open the trip to non-club-members to promote interest and thus expand the club. SG will vote on this next week. SG T-Shirts (Week 1 of 1): Voted to allo- cate up to $300 to pay for their new shirts. Closing Comments: Lock-out Fee: Elizabeth Roveda brought up the possibility of starting to charge students who lock themselves out and have to call public safety. The fee would be $5. Roveda reported that other schools have a $10 to $15 fine for the mistake. *At 7:40 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. Il IC o 5: p. �6 Opinion wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com NOVEMBER 3, 2009 To vaccinate or not to vaccinate: you decide H1N1 vaccinations now available, many still debating benefits vs. risks particularly if you are allergic to eggs, any egg products, or any other substances within the vaccine. Chances of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is highly unlikely, but the possibility of such outcomes are possible. KTLA News reported 26-year-old cheerleader from Virginia developing what she will respond to the seasonal influenza and the H1N1 vaccines when taken simultaneously. If you are one of the people considering Many debatable truths have been created by Americans in response to the H1N1 panan H1N1 vaccine, know that it is only “exdemic for fear of their health and safety. pected” to have the same preventative efTaking preventative measures toward enfects as the seasonal flu vaccine. Also note suring one’s health during seasons of highthat one must also receive both vaccinarisk for influenza seems tions in order to be proto always be a debate tected from both strains in the minds of Ameriof influenza; the H1N1 can Citizens: The quesvaccination does not tion remains, “Should I protect against the seaor shouldn’t I get a flu sonal flu virus strain. shot?” The CDC has estabThe Beacon staff does lished that certain innot believe it is our place dividuals are more “at to tell you whether or risk” if they contract not to get the vaccines. the H1N1 virus, and it We do feel that it is our is urging those people place to urge students, to get the vaccination. faculty and staff of WilThose “at risk” groups kes University to eduare pregnant women, cate themselves on the people who live with benefits and risks of the or care for infants H1N1 vaccine so that younger than 6 months they might make the best of age, health care educated decision. and emergency mediThe most stirring cal personnel, anyone characteristic about the from 6 months through “Swine Flu” is that it 24 years of age, or anyhas been reported as a one from 25 through cause of death around 64 years of age with the country. The Centers certain chronic medical for Disease Control and conditions or a weakThe Beacon/Tom Reilly Prevention’s (CDC) reened immune system. ported that over 1,000 The Kirby Health Center on North Franklin street is performing H1N1 As you can see, people have died due vaccination for residents in the city of Wilkes-Barre. If you feel that you are at there is a lot to conto complications from serious risk for H1N1, The Beacon encourages that you research the facts and sider when weighing speak with your primary care physician before receiving the H1N1 vaccine. swine flu this year. the risks versus the In comparing the numbenefits of the H1N1 ber of people who died from H1N1 this year claimed to be a “neurological disorder” ten vaccine. Knowing the facts is the first step to the number of people who die on aver- days after receivng a seasonal influenza toward making an informed decision. The age per year from seasonal influenza, the vaccine. Beacon’s goal in this editorial was to proseasonal flu has proven to be just as, if not After doctors performed a number of tests vide you with some of those facts; however, more, dangerous than the H1N1 strain. to find out what caused the nerves to shut The Beacon urges you to continue to watch According to the CDC, seasonal influenza down, signs and speculations by the Virgin- news reports, learn about possible side efis responsible for over 36,000 deaths each ian woman still point to the vaccine. fects, and talk with your primary care phyyear in this United States. It is also important to note that the CDC’s sician and with your families about this imThe CDC ialso states that “a vaccine, sim- studies of vaccines include individuals who portant decision, especially if you fall into ilar to any medicine, could cause a serious have only one vaccine in their system at a one of the “at risk” groups. problem, such as a severe allergic reaction,” time. So, it is largely unknown how people BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 19 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think the collective Wilkes student body has enough school spirit? • Yes 11% • No 89% Next Week’s Question: Do you plan on getting or have you already received the H1N1 vaccine? • Yes • No Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �NOVEMBER 3, 2009 OPINION 7 Reading between the lines . Brie Friedman high art and popular culture, and covered diverse subjects – from kissing to getting bank loans if you were a single woman – that had not previously been found within the same covers,” reported Hopkirk. I just don’t understand why women’s magazines--made mostly by women, for women--don’t publish articles to just “do you,” as my best friends say. In other words, magazines for women today should not just be about sex or pleasing your man, needing a man, or how to look. It should be about how to be happy with ourselves just the way we are. Women should be who they want to be, despite what other people think. It’s rare to find any men’s magazine that tells them how to make their woman happy (and I don’t just mean sexually). There are hardly any articles for men on how to make a relationship better for the woman, yet these “please everyone else” articles are mainstream for women. Most women read these articles because they’re entertaining, but there is a deeper meaning that reflects the gender roles in our society. Maybe it’s because, stereotypically, women care too much and maybe men don’t care enough, hence the overcompensation in women’s magazines on how to make everyone else happier. Who knows—there could be a number of reasons. Women’s magazines today, in general, should show more support for the everyday woman. It should be about representing ourselves and not trying to be something we’re not for the sake of someone else. I just wish there was more content about honoring our true, unique selves rather than holding back or altering ourselves for external validity. We need to get our voices back. What is it with today’s women’s magazines? Each brightly-covered, fashion-filled, pretty magazine is appealing and intriguing, attracting most women. The stories like “How to Catch a Hot Date,” or “Seven Ways to Make Your Butt Look Good” are fun. And don’t forget about those wonderful quizzes that let us know if we are too bossy to our boyfriends. Sure, these magazines are fun and create interesting topics of conversation, and even I have picked up a few copies. But what are these magazines really telling women, both young and old? This is my main beef: we should be reading articles on how to maintain our individuality and to indulge in freedom of being. I am tired of reading articles on how to better myself to make sure someone else--mainly, my boyfriend--is happy. This kind of advice is telling women to not be themselves. Women should aspire to be who they want to be. Today, the magazines preach on who they think you should be. It is a new age for the average woman. Not to be all feministic, but it’s taken a long time to get to where we are today. We can finally be ourselves; we have freedom and aren’t restricted to “the man.” We’ve made a statement that we will and can do what we want, though equality isn’t perfect and probably will never be. Popular women’s magazines include Cosmopolitan, CosmoGirl, Redbook, Seventeen, and so on. When it first came out, Cosmopolitan, was a revolution for women--a sexual revolution, as it finally made it acceptable to discuss sexuality and sex. There was freedom in that. But, when the magazine was still in its relative infancy, it included articles on finance and property and not just sex. What happened to that? According to an online article from The Independent Media titled “Confessions of a Cosmopolitan girl,” the launch editor, Joyce Hopkirk, said, “These days, it [Cosmopolitan] is more obviously youth-oriented, and displays the same obsession with bubblegum celebrities – ‘Backstage with Britney’ – as its competitors. It is a successful formula, currently selling 450,000 copies, but something has inevitably been lost. Today’s Cosmo is coarser and less critical, confesThe Beacon/Tom Reilly sional rather than analytical, and nervous Women purchase Cosmopolitan, one magaabout challenging preconceptions.” zine sending women the wrong message, Back in the early days, however, “it mixed from supermarkets and convenient stores. The Observatory What women’s magazines are really communicating A & E Editor . -~ -- ~M ----~ - ./ X:. 7:~?T'f",:"/"~~~ -· _·¼, __,~ ·-:, ~ ---. -'~ -,,. ;., _i _j ,~ .-.. .,, . : -~ -- i - I 7-t /~~~~~~$~ , ; . . ,,,,,-_1/; ~~~~ -/ - Don't get SAD, get active light treatment. Bright light or phototherapy treatment devices can correct the overpro• I duction of melatonin, which will give the body more energy and make it less suscepIt’s that time of the season. While we are tible to slipping into depression. The second all bundling up indoors trying to stay warm is, of course, anti-depressants. and preparing for the cold winter months Bright light devices tend to cost in the that are right around the corner, some peo- range of $200 and anti-depressants vary in ple are visiting their family physicians and cost, especially depending on what type of getting their anti-depression medication to health insurance you have, if you have any treat a disorder that commonly occurs in the at all. fall and winter months. This makes absolutely no sense to me. Seasonal Affective Disorder or coinciden- Why would you pay $200 for light? Sunlight tally, SAD for short, is a form of clinical de- is free, everyone. While it does get darker pression in which individuals experience an earlier in the day during the winter months, overall lack of energy, as well as symptoms at least make an attempt to get as much sun associated with depression. as you possibly can before it sets each day. According to the American Psychiatric And some anti-depressants like Zoloft can Association, “SAD has been linked to a bio- increase sucidal thoughts. It seems like an chemical imbalance in the brain prompted awfully big risk if you are just trying to rid by shorter daylight hours and a lack of sun- yourself of those winter blues. light in winter.” So why run to anti-depressants when you Sufferers of SAD tend to become tired can prevent mild forms of depression with and depressed, over eat, especially carbohy- an active lifestyle? drates, and have sudden mood swings much The Mayo Clinic, a non-profit medilike those with clinical depression experi- cal practice dedicated to the diagnosis and ence. treatment of virtually every type of comWhile I acknowledge that SAD is a seri- plex illness, states that “research on anxiety, ous disorder that requires medical treatment depression and exercise shows that the psyin severe cases, I do not agree with the way chological and physical benefits of exercise medical professionals overdramaticize the can also help reduce anxiety and improve disorder and suggest that people need to re- mood.” sort to sitting in front of a lamp for a certain While exercise will not treat the most amount of time each day and anti-depres- serious cases of SAD, at which point antisants to get through the winter. Maintaining depressants are necessary, it is affective in an active lifestyle with a healthy diet, and the prevention of mild cases. If you think getting a full night’s rest through the win- you may have clinical depression or a seter months are the best ways to prevent and vere case of SAD, seek medical attention treat the symptoms of SAD and the cost is immediately. minimal compared to bright light or photoBut, if you think you may be suffering therapy devices and prescription anti-de- from a mild case of SAD, want to save some pressants. money and do not want to take anti-depresPhototherpay devices and anti-depressants sants for two-plus months of the year, get such as Welbutrin and Zoloft are currently out there. Do some jogging. Get some sunthe two methods of treatment that most, light. Sleep of full eight hours a night. Eat if not all, health organizations suggest for healthy meals. Before you know it, the winpeople who are suffering or think they may ter will be over and you will be all smiles be suffering from SAD. The most common all the time. And you might even have lost and effective treatment suggested is bright a pound or two. Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS �OPINION 8 NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Bumper stickers act as an expression of the self Think before you plaster them all over your automobiles Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS When the rap-group NWA constructed the prelude to the chorus for “Express Yourself,” they unknowingly emphasized an important concept toward their listeners, that “brain damage on the mic don’t manage.” NWA’s message speaks volumes in terms of expressing one’s self through bumper sticker recognition. This is especially complicated during a time when American’s have an over-abundance of ways to accent individual characteristics that reveal parts of one’s personae. Regardless of how misconstrued some messages indicated through bumper stickers may be, the act of doing so is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The following tale is a true account of how First Amendment Rights can get you into trouble. As I was running northbound on Franklin St. toward Kirby Hall, my eyes caught a glimpse of a collage of bumper stickers on a truck’s window. The sticker in the left half of truck read “DMB,” indicating that the driver supports the Jam-Rock genre of music; nothing too alarming about that. But as I viewed the “Tool” and “Bob Marley” stickers on the other parts of the window, the driver’s message became more complicated, considering those two bands indicate he supports Alternative Rock groups as well as the Reggae genre. While contemplating that the driver may have been a simple minded person who enjoys several different types of music, my eyes caught the fourth and final sticker on the back window, which read “Support Local Music.” I was half tempted to yell at the truck for advertising such as confusing message. The driver of the vehicle clearly supported music, but the last time I checked, Dave Mathews, Tool, and Bob Marley are not musical sensations from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, that we can support from a local standpoint. Unfortunately for the driver of this vehicle, the message he communicates is one of confusion and not one that supports any of the four categories of music. Taking into consideration that momentary lapses do occur in ones thinking, this person’s “Support Local Music” sticker could have been just something useful to look cool and fill space at the same time. On the contrary, our motor vehicles are symbols of our “selves” by themselves. Do we not try our bests to purchase a car that is both affordable and reflects something about our individualities? Therefore, what we place on our entities of pseudo-individual identities become conscious reflections of what we are trying to say about ourselves. In other words, I have no mercy for this sorry-soul who communicated to me that he (or she) supports local music from Charlottesville, Los Angeles, and St. Ann Parish, Jamaica. Other bumper stickers which I find problematic are the ones that say “Honk if you like [insert anything one could possibly like here].” Naturally I am going to honk if I like the same things that the driver of the other vehicle indicates that he or she likes. But if I honk while behind that particular vehicle, the driver could get mad at me and think I am suggesting he or she is driving too slow. The end result would not conclude with a friendly wave and facial expression that says “we both like the same things, hooray for us.” Instead, the other driver is more likley to throw a gesture that is the opposite of friendly. Although attempts at making friends through bumper sticker relativity is not the smartest thing in the world, neither is slapping a bumper sticker on the back of your vehicle of a Dallas Cowboy urinating on an Philadelphia Eagle and then leaving your vehicle unattended at Lincoln Financial Field…or anywhere in Philadelphia for that matter. If loving the Dallas Cowboys is part of who you are and what you want the world to know about you, then there is no point to removing or covering the sticker when you watch the Cowboys play the Eagles in Philadelphia. The purpose of that sticker is to show that you are a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and you accept all consequences of any reaction toward that statement because it is who you indicate you are. Representing yourself through accented individual expressions is all well and good, I just ask a few favors for having to take time out of my life to address this issue. One: make sure that what you are trying to say about yourself is logical and possible. Two: if it says that you do something or like something on your bumper sticker, I want to see proof when I test you. And, finally, three: don’t hide who you are just because your bumper sticker might leave you with four less hubcaps and a busted windshield. State should mandate retest for elderly to renew drivers licenses Jason Thomas was a 25 year old man from Larksville. He was an uncle, a brother, and a son. This past August, he was tragically killed while riding his bicycle home from work on a Sunday night. The person behind the other vehicle involved was an 86-yearold woman. The woman involved not only struck Thomas, but dragged his body a large distance before eyewitnesses stopped her. She was not aware of the fact that she had hit Thomas. While this person most likely did not set out to purposely kill anyone that night, I strongly feel that precautions should have been taken so that this situation would have never occurred. According to the 2000 census, Pennsylvania has the third largest elderly population in the United States, but does not require any form of physical examination to confirm that drivers over the age of 65 are in proper drive shape. The Beacon/Melanie Thomas BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer/Photographer The PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services located in Hanover is the official licensing center for anyone eligible for an official Pennsylvainia State Driver’s license. Insure.com explains that states such as South Carolina and Georgia require a vision screening at the age of 64. Other states like Maine and Maryland require drivers to start taking vision screenings at age 40. More and more states are beginning to regulate older drivers. Currently there are 11 states that mandate certain requirements for older drivers. Pennsylvania, the state with the third largest elderly population in the country, does not mandate such screenings. What is it going to take for Pennsylvania to see that other drivers and pedestrians may be at risk when an elderly driver gets behind the wheel? I don’t mean to offend anyone who is a safe older driver; I know of senior citizens that are excellent drivers. But there is no denying of the fact that as we age, we start to lose our ability to hear, see, react, and use depth perception. As we start to feel the effects of aging, perhaps we should question how much longer we should be aloud to drive ourselves. People need to take responsibility and recognize their own limitations. The Department of Transportation indicates that if a medical professional knows of any person who is physically unfit to drive, that he or she must be made aware of his or her defeciency. This is not enough. It is crucial for the State of Pennsylvania to require that after a certain age, elderly people must take a physical examination in order to renew their licenses. �CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu li ostyllos ___ wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com NOVEMBER 3, 2009 9 Wilkes full-time staff are reaping their full benefits Employee/students juggle hectic schedule of work and classes BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor s: said they would hire me full fi time, I couldn’t pass uup the free tuition,” said Burke. He is currently E aa business administration ' ti major expecting to graduate at the end of g the spring semester. ~~4'-.l.l. ■ t1 Another young, fulltime employee that ti takes undergraduate ti classes at Wilkes is C Rosalie Morgans. She R s, sometimes feels the ppressure of working a full fi time job at Wilkes and also taking undera and loved the job,” said Morgans. Right now Morgans is a freshman nursing major at Wilkes. She transferred credits in from the University of Pittsburgh, which Some students will refer to school is where she went to school right after her as their job; they’re not getting paid graduation from Meyers High School. for doing homework and handing Morgans shifts at public safety vary, on a papers in on time, but maybe they weeknight she may be working from 5 p.m. consider their school work just as imto 1 a.m. or from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Weekend portant as a paying job would be. For shifts on Friday’s and Saturday’s can vary some students their place of full-time depending on the schedule. Due to the late employment is located right here at hours spent at work Morgans can only take Wilkes University, the same place 11 credits this semester. they attend classes. Although Morgans spends a great deal of According to the Wilkes Univerher night at work, she still finds time to get sity Employee Handbook, Wilkes some studying done. “The shifts that I’m will provide any full-time employee on during the week allow me to study some who has completed 90 calendar days while I’m at work,” said Morof employment with tuition benefits gans. for both undergraduate and graduA typical night for Morgans ate credits. These benefits are also would start out locking variextended to the employee’s spouse, ous buildings around campus. same-gender domestic partner, and She performs numerous floor dependant sons and/or daughters. The Beacon/ Allison Roth checks of the dorms and empFor Margaret Espada, director of Coley Burke has been employed ty buildings around campus Upward Bound at Wilkes, the past at Wilkes since the summer of throughout the night. During five years, taking courses for her 2006. He works in the mail room this time Morgans is also padoctorate degree in educational lead- and plans to graduate in May with trolling campus and respondership was something she wanted to a degree in business administraing to calls to open limited acdo not only for her degree, but also tion. cess doors. because of the free tuition. With her free time Espada Around 10 p.m., when all the Espada took courses for her doctorbuildings should be locked, ate for three semesters before she stopped found a second job working as a consultant for the magaMorgans will usually be put because of scheduling-related problems. on desk duty in either Univer“When I first entered the program I was zine Pampered Chef. Pamsity Towers or Evans, which told there was evening and weekend tracks. pered Chef sells cookware; typically involves doing floor I needed the weekend tracks because my consultants can hold parties checks regularly to maintain husband is in a position where he travels that people host, much like a Tupperware party. Espada the security in the dorms and during the week,” said Espada. making sure visitors sign in When Wilkes didn’t provide the courses hosts Pampered Chef parties upon entry. she needed to complete her degree, Espada with her daughter, earning “Sometimes it can get hectic, took a leave of absence and stopped pursu- them extra time together. The Beacon/ Allison Roth Some Wilkes employees but for the most part it’s pretty ing her doctorate degree so she could be Rosalie Morgans is employed as a public safety officer at Wilkes. home at night to take care of her 9-year-old are younger and taking un- She admits to feeling the pressure of balancing a full time job and 11 routine,” says Morgans. dergraduate courses, such Even though her long shifts daughter. credits, but appreciates the opportunity Wilkes has given her. are overwhelming for a college “In taking my leave of absence this semes- as local Forty-Fort resident, student, Morgans said the free ter I realized the stress it put on my family. I Coley Burke. Burke acquired tuition is most definitely worth it. looked at the pros and cons of pursuing my his job as a mail clerk in the mail room lo- graduate courses. Morgans has been a public safety officer “The only disadvantage is getting four to doctorate and asked myself if I was doing cated on the second floor of the Henry Stuit because I needed to have a doctorate de- dent Center in the summer of 2006 through at Wilkes for about seven months; she found five hours of sleep a night. There’s no time the job listing on Monster.com. “I figured for me to go home and take a nap,” said gree or because I couldn’t pass up the free Action Personal temp agency. “I was a full-time student at [then] Col- I’d give it a shot. My old basketball coach Morgans. tuition. The latter was my motivation,” said lege Misericordia at the time. When Wilkes used to work for public safety at Wilkes, Espada. ,----------, �LIFESTYLES 10 NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Getting out of a ticket: Tips and tricks from Wilkes students BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor & RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Red and blue lights. They are undistinguishable…especially in one’s rearview mirror. When one see’s red and blue lights their foot automatically hits the brake pedal. Getting pulled over is an everyday occurrence. Driving on Route 81 on any particular day, you are hard pressed to not find someone getting pulled over. That being said, there are most likely thousands upon thousands of traffic tickets given out in any particular day. There are most likely thousands upon thousands of excuses to accompany those tickets. Many college students consider themselves particularly decent drivers. They understand the rules of the road and, for the most part, they follow those rules. On the occasional slip up, however, they may drive (slightly) too fast on an open road. So, when the rules of the road are not followed to the letter, consequences seem to arise. Consequences in the form of red and blue flashing lights. “I got pulled over near Harvey’s Lake two years ago. I was being followed by a car that would not slow down, so I went through a stop sign to avoid being hit. The officer who pulled me over told me it would have been better to be hit than to speed up and go through a stop sign,” said Sarah Navin, a senior communications major. This is a typical scenario: someone is going too fast; a cop pulls them over. Whether you are having a bad day, you don’t have the money to pay the high price of a traffic ticket, or you legitimately thought you were going the speed limit, people constantly try and get out of traffic tickets. When Devin Sassone-McHugh, a senior criminology major, got pulled over a few years back, he was on his way to school, rushing to get to class on time. After being pulled over and having the police officer run his license plate numbers, Sassone-McHugh realized he was pulled over by his own fa- ther. Sassone-McHugh’s father and brother are both policemen on Long Island. “He knew he was pulling me over, and he ran my plates anyway. I couldn’t believe I got pulled over by my own dad,” stated Sassone-McHugh. Barring being related to the person pulling you over, Wilkes students have tried other ways to get out of having to pay fines, get points on their license, and impair their driving records. Meribeth Derkach, a freshmen pre-pharmacy major, got a ticket in New Jersey. “The cop stopped me for speeding. I started to cry and told him I just broke up with my boyfriend; then he let me go,” said Derkach. Rachel Zomberfeld, a freshmen pre-pharmacy major, got a ticket in Pennsylvania from a state trooper. “I was pulled over for a stop sign violation. It was two days before my birthday, so the cop let me go,” explained Zomberfield. According to Kenneth Stucker, a junior English major, “Good excuses would be that this is your first offense, and crying is usually the traditional way to get out of a ticket. I think arguing with the officer is probably the worst thing you could do.” So, the next time you see the red and blue flashing lights of the fine folks in blue coming up behind you, take stalk of the situation and give one of these quick-thinking choices a try. There is crying, lying about where you are going or who you need to see, and begging and pleading. Of course, you could also just drive the speed limit and not chance getting pulled over at all. IFYOU HAVE AN IDEA FORA "HOW TO..." ARTICLE, PLEASE CONTACT THE BEACON AT WWW. WILKESBEACON.LIFESTYLES@ GMAIL.COM. YOURARTICLE IDEA COULD BE FEATURED IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE BEA- CON! I NC OR P OR AT E D LINGIN INK SINCE 1993 Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. www.4t-shirts.com The Beacon/Tom Reilly A Wilkes-Barre police officer pulls over an individual near the City Hall building on Market Street. In the past, people have tried many ways to get out of traffic tickets, including crying, lying, and pleading. �NIOVEMBER 3, 2009 LIFESTYLES College Days Michael Raub trades in pens for knives and chef’s hat BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor The basic tools in a college student’s backpack: books, paper, pencils, pens. The basic tools in Michael Raub’s backpack were knives, a chef’s hat and a wellcreased chef’s coat. Raub, Wilkes University’s retail manager in charge of Rifkin Café, Einstein Brother Bagels, and the Stark Lounge, did not travel a traditional college road. For Raub, there were no desks or classrooms. Instead of lectures, there were demonstrations. Instead of well-sharpened pencils, there were wellsharpened knives. Raub attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, for culinary arts from 19982000. His non-traditional college experience began with only being two years long, according to Raub. Johnson & Wales has a prestigious and rigorous culinary program, and Raub and his classmates were not quick to forget that. “At the opening ceremony each year to start school, the president of the school would get up and give a little speech. He would tell us to look to our left and to our right. He said two of those three will not be there next year. He was right,” remembered Raub. Coming from Dallas High School in Dallas, PA, Raub transformed himself from an average student, maintaining B and C grades (voluntarily), to an attention-to-detail academic. Only Raub’s focus was pre- paring food instead of paper. Raub’s college career actually began before he even left high school. Dallas High School worked in conjunction with certain colleges around the country to help students obtain cross-over credits. When Raub found the Johnson & Wales culinary program, he “knew it was time to go.” “I never told anyone from high school that I wasn’t coming back for a regular senior year. I told some of my closest friends, but no one else knew. I came back from graduation and everyone thought I had died,” said Raub. Picking up and moving to Rhode Island alone to finish both his senior year of high school and begin his first year of culinary school, Raub found himself in a small quad of a dorm with three other students from three corners of the country. “Freshman year, I was put with three other guys,” stated Raub. “We couldn’t have had less in common, but we knew by week two we would get on just fine.” By his second and final year in culinary school, Raub’s living situation had upgraded, in his opinion. “By sophomore year, we got to choose our own roommates,” added Raub. “And the school bought out an old hotel, an old Hilton, so we dormed there.” Raub avoided the pen and pencil world of other “traditional” universities. His professors owned restaurants. Almost all of his classmates worked in the food industry immediately. “We worked on a trimester instead of a semester schedule. We would go to a class for nine days straight, one class, seven hours a day,” explained Raub. His rigorous schedule put him in a learning environment for the first four days of the week, leaving his weekend open. These hours were spent working at a restaurant or in the food industry, however, not relaxing. “We were required to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,” said Raub. Raub and his fellow culinary classmates worked around the clock to earn their degrees in a two year period. Raub can now be seen helping out and usually smiling each day at Rifkin Café, Einstein, and the Stark Lounge. He continues to use the basic tools from his college days. 11 Student Student of of the the Week: Week: Nicole Roman Roman Nicole BY BY KIRSTIN KIRSTIN COOK COOK Correspondent Correspondent For For the the typical typical student, student, completing completing all all of of the balancthe requirements requirements for for one one major major while while balancing ing life life on on and and off-campus off-campus can can be be challengchallenging. ing. That That is is what what Nicole Nicole Roman Roman is is facing facing in in her her college college schedule, schedule, and and unlike unlike the the typical typical student, student, she she loves loves every every second second of of it. it. The junior, originally The junior, originally from from Eaglesmere, Eaglesmere, PA, history and PA, is is majoring majoring in in history and psychology, psychology, with minor in with aa minor in education. education. She She is is hoping hoping to to graduate years, aa graduate in in aa total total of of two two and and half half years, goal worked at goal she she has has worked at by by taking taking 18 18 to to 21 21 credits credits aa semester. semester. As G. I. I. As aa child, child, Roman Roman was was nicknamed nicknamed G. Jane, Jane, and and now now she she is is aiming aiming towards towards her her lifelifelong long goals goals of of serving serving her her country country and and teachteaching. ing. From field training, From her her Air Air Force Force field training, Roman Roman has to be be calm highhas learned learned to calm in in the the face face of of highstress stress situations. situations. She She also also makes makes time time to to be be with with family family and and friends friends on on the the weekend weekend by by completing completing her her work work during during the the week. week. Roman Roman would would not not have have it it any any other other way. way. Another helps Roman Another aspect aspect that that helps Roman to to carry carry such such aa workload workload is is the the support support she she receives receives from people around from the the people around her. her. Roman Roman said said that that her most supportive, well her parents parents are are the the most supportive, as as well as as the the people people from from her her detachment detachment in in ROTC. ROTC. “It’s "It's like like aa whole whole other other family family in in air air force,” force," she she said. said. Even Even during during the the summer, summer, Roman Roman takes takes part part in variety of works, volunvolunin aa variety of activities. activities. She She works, teers teers for for her her church, church, is is active active in in events events such such as water festival as her her local local water festival and and volunteers volunteers for for the fire company. the fire company. She She also also demonstrates demonstrates her her love teaching by windsurfing leslove of of teaching by giving giving windsurfing lessons. sons. The Beacon: Where The Beacon: Where do do you you see see yourself yourself in in ten ten years? years? Roman: Roman: Depends Depends on on how how Air Air Force Force goes… goes ... either either stationed stationed somewhere somewhere or or teaching teaching in in aa district district somewhere. somewhere. Photos courtesy of Michael Raub In his own words, Michael Raub has some famous professors: We [flohnson & Wales] always had different special events that came up. inere was always a dinner or something. That was always put on by the students there. I got to meet a lot of celebrity people who graduated from there. I went to school at a time when the Food Network was just getting started. Chefs were starting to become famous for their food, not just their restaurant. The school would bring in chefs from around the country to teach and lecture and demonstrate. I have learned from Emeril Lagasse, Julia Child, and Jasper White. We got to meet or serve food to or gel\ lectures from them. The Beacon: The Beacon: Describe Describe yourself yourself in in three three words. words. Roman: Roman: Country, Country, skier, skier, Air Air Force. Force. The Beacon: The Beacon: Finish Finish this this sentence: sentence: “My "My friends friends The Beacon/Allison Roth would be would be surprised surprised to to know…” know ... " Roman: play drums. Roman: …that ... that II can can play drums. �WOl1M01HBR O'DRBl/3BW CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu PAt:;e ,a 12 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Calling all the inked and outrageous from Wyoming Valley “Inkin’ the Valley” returns to Wilkes-Barre, November 6-8 BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Tattoo artists from many different areas will be coming to the convention to show off their talents. Making an appearance at If you like tattoos, body piercings, or sword swallowing, then Inkin’ the Valley has just what you’re looking for. On November 6, 7, and 8, The Woodlands Inn and Resort will be hosting the 16th Annual Inkin’ the Valley Tattoo Convention and 8th Annual Sideshow Gathering. The NEPA area will be presented with three days of contest, prizes, vendors, and some of the greatest tattooing and body piercing. There will be 42 booths at the event that include both Tattooist and Piercers, so you should find something that you like. A tattoo artist at Marc’s Tattooing who goes by the name of Franco said, “It [the convention] is the combined effort of the whole Marc’s Tattooing family that makes it all come together.” Marc’s Tattooing is the sponsor of this event and is the glue that holds everything together during the convention. On Friday, from 3 p.m. – 11p.m., some of the greatest tattoo artists from around the world such as artists from All or Nothing Tattoo Studio in Smyrna, Ga. and human dart board sideshow freaks will be packing into The Woodlands to kick off this event. On Saturday, the convention will be open from 12 p.m. – 11p.m. Contest and sideshow entertainment will commence with the presenting of the award for the Tattoo of the Day at 9 p.m. On the third and final day, the entertainment starts at 12 p.m. ending at 7 p.m. with the Best of Show and Best Overall Tattoo awards Photo Courtesy of Jenna Stephens being presented before the sideshow Above: Jenna Stephens, former Wilkes begins. student, shows off her tattoo of a treasure Some of the other contests that will map that she had done at Marc’s Tattooing be taking place during the three day in Wilkes-Barre. She currently works for span are Best (large and small) Black Marc’s Tattooing in Scranton. and Gray Tattoo, Best (large and small) Color Tattoo and finally the Best Back Award. The Best Back Award is gender spe- the convention will be artists from Club cific and in order to enter you must have at Tattoo from Arizona, New Castle Ink from least 50 percent of your back covered. Delaware, White Tiger Tattoo from New about it, but I can tell you that it is one of the few shows that I continue to do every year [because] I look forward to seeing old friends and it is one of the more comfortable conventions for me.” Below: Amanda Touch, seDill originally started participating in nior communications major the convention as a way to promote his and business minor, shows work along with his shop. “[The conher lotus tattoo that she got vention is] also a way to get out and done at Electric City Tattoo meet new artists, see new techniques in Scranton. and keep up on what is going on in the industry,” Dill said. Touch said, “It’s a lotus with “This is an up-close, personal and rips in the petals and evil great place to research your tattoo, looking vines. It represents show off your tattoo or get a new one,” growth through hard times,” Franco concluded. said Touch. There are no entry fees or tickets needed for the event, so if tattoos, body piercings or freaks are what you’re into, p tlthen take a trip to The Woodlands on 6-8 and enjoy the unique atJ'November I mosphere. n For more information about the convention, go to www.inkinthevalley.com V or 0 www.thesideshowgathering.com for information on the sideshow. 11 York, and Baltimore Street Tattoo from right here in Hanover, PA. “I have been tattooing at the Wilkes-Barre convention for a long time, Inkin’ the Valley Schedule Friday, November 6: *3-11 p.m. @ The Woodlands Saturday, November 7: *12-11 p.m. @ The Woodlands Sunday, November 8: *10 a.m.-7 p.m. @ The Quality Inn & Suites, Wilkes-Barre Photo Courtesy of Amanda Touch I think at least 10 years,” said TeeJay Dill from White Tiger Tattoo. “At this point I couldn’t tell you how I originally heard For more information, please call (570) 820-3465. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 3, 2009 13 CD Review: Wolfmother’s Cosmic Egg not so cosmic BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor Nothing is better than the original, especially when it comes to an epic Australian band’s debut album that lasted for 23 weeks on Billboards top 200 list. There was once a time when we could say that Wolfmother was the Led Zeppelin of the new millennium. But after the debut of their second studio album Cosmic Egg couretsy of Modular Records, the band’s status as the second coming of the legendary 70’s epic rock band has been dramatically reduced to something comparable to a softer version of its contemporary Jet. Weak guitar solos, pitiful vocals and sorrowful lyrics taint the review of Cosmic Egg. Expectations for this album were running high after some of the songs the band had expected to put on Cosmic Egg were released on YouTube. Whether Wolfmother purposely released versions of songs such as “Violence of the Sun,” “In The Morning,” or ”Monolith” to create hype for Cos- making the YouTube version of “Violence of the Sun” a feature track on their new album. Instead, we end up with a version of “Violence of the Sun” that sounds like something you would hear as a back-track for action in Napoleon Dynamite. Wolfmother’s single “New Moon Rising,” which was released within the last week of August, started the buzz for new hits. At this point, it appeared as though this album had the potential to solidify and possibly progress and the band’s already solid new-rock, down-under, and epic reputation. In 2005, the release of the single “Joker and the Thief” created similar hype for possible feature tracks on the self-titled album, such as “Woman,” “Colossal,” “Vagabond.” The concluding track, “Vagabond,” ended the album on a note that confirmed their new-millenial Zepplin status. Listeners, such as myself, anticipated the release of the band’s next album to be just as sensational, if not better. The YouTube verisons of “Violence of the Sun,” “In the Morning,” and “Monolith” mic Egg cannot be verified. Regardless of the band’s intentions, or lack-there-of in this publicity move, the availability of their newest possible releases had fans excited for what we all thought was going to be a complimentative sequel to their self-titled album. Bassist/keyboardist Chriss Ross and drummer Myles Heskett left between the release of those songs on YouTube and the actual release of Cosmic Egg. Lead vocalist Andrew Stockdale was forced to recruit new members of Wolfmother ( Ian Peres, Aidan Nemeth, and Dave Atkins) to release the new album. Consequently the sound of this band has changed, and it has not been for the better. Comparing “Violence of the Sun” on YouTube to the version that made the studio cut is a clear example of this band moving in the wrong direction. The YouTube version of the could-have-been excellent album was a beautiful example of theFire band’s former Photo Courtesy of Elysburg Company Photo Courtesy of Elysburg members progressing theirFire newCompany millennium Zeppelin status. I am even tempted to say that they would have surpassed Zeppelin by reaffirmed this anticipation. Listeners were expecting a repeat of good feature tracks, surrounding a solid single -- “New Moon Rising.” Instead we have sub-par to mediocre feature tracks and an extremely weak concluding track in the revised version of “Violence of the Sun.” The lone pseudo-remnants of the Wolfmother that were lie in “Sundial,” “Cosmic Egg,” and “New Moon Rising.” Because there are slight hints of what Wolfmother used to be in their vocals, guitar riffs, and drum escapades, we can consider these mediocre songs from Cosmic Egg as possible equals to Wolfmother’s self- titled debut. I’m disappointed that Andrew Stockdale would let his band put out such a disheartening album. Hopefully they will bounce back with their next release, and listeners will be able to bask in the glory of what Wolfmother is truly capable of doing. Rating: 2 out of 5 I TIii DIIYOQUIP! I I BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor I I Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! I I I I I I M LZGSB PUS VLMPBSZZ MA PUS CLFHLGSZ VSBS I DNMFD PN KS ENFD, ZUS BSZCNFBSB PUSI’BS “FN ZMEEI, I BNJFB!” Gifts * Glass Art * T-shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ••• I I This week’s clues: F=N & M=I I I 0 I Answer from last week: WHEN A GHOST CATCHES SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, IT CAN USUALLY BE FOUND BOO- GYING ON THE DANCE-FLOOR - - - - - - - - _I coupon Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 �14 .............. A~ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 3, 2009 : ~ PM<:-Ot .............. Wilkes musical theatre alumni continues to perform BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Daniel Pascoe, a recent Wilkes graduate, spent his time mostly on the stage here at Wilkes. He was a musical theatre major and played various roles in all kinds of productions ranging from musicals to plays, and dance recitals to chorus concerts. Currently, Pascoe’s new project has been The Music Box Dinner Playhouse’s production of Richard O’ Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” playing the role of Brad Majors. The show opened Oct. 16 and closing night was Oct. 31. I was able to get a hold of Pascoe and ask him a few questions about life after Wilkes in the performing arts world. Here’s how it went: The Beacon: How does theatre differ from the Wilkes theatre dept.? Pascoe: Well, The Music Box is a community dinner theatre, so they serve food and booze. Wilkes only does that on wine and cheese night. Just kidding! Wilkes is definitely an educational setting, while The Music Box is a non-profit organization. The Beacon: Fair enough. What is most challenging about this show? Pascoe: To be honest, dancing in heels. The Beacon: [Laughing] I love wine and cheese night! Anyway, how did you become involved with The Music Box? Pascoe: I’ve done a few shows there in the past. I got involved with “Rocky Horror” through my high school music teacher, Nancy Evans, who is currently musically directing the show. The Beacon: I should have seen that one coming. What is your next step after this production of “Rocky Horror?” Pascoe: I will be working as assistant director and choreographer for Western Wayne School District’s musical production of “Anything Goes.” The Beacon: What is your favorite part about the show? Pascoe: “Rocky Horror” allows for a lot of audience participation. When the crowd gets into the show, it’s a total blast. The Beacon: Is this a job, or is it a community/volunteer theatre? Pascoe: It’s a community theatre, but the actors usually do waiter duty during dinner. So it’s kind of both? The Beacon: That’s impressive. What else do you do these days besides acting? Any hobbies? Pascoe: I enjoy MMOs (massively multiplayer online games.) I also love to dance. I typically take 12-16 hours of dance class a week. six years. Wilkes is a wonderful place to get a full spectrum theatre education. The faculty is fantastic. I am very pleased with my education and would recommend Wilkes’s theatre department to anyone interested in the performing arts as a career. The Beacon: Okay, last questions. What is your dream role to play one day? What is your favorite show? Pascoe: I would like to be Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” But my favorite show of all time has got to be “The Nutcracker” ballet. The Music Box is located on 196 Hughes St. in Swoyersville. If you are looking for a fun production in the future that combines a great buffet-style dinner, The Music Box is a great and affordable place. The Beacon: Wow. Still getting jiggy. How long have you been doing theatre? And why did you choose Wilkes? Pascoe: I’ve been doing theatre for about ··. ALL YOU - ·-. 'E AT · Ss . .. • _99 ·- __ __CA. N 1 1- Sala•d , p .a sta, pizza, a11d d ,e !lert? Tony Di's PIZZA BUFJrET P: 570.825.2060 F: 570. 825.2061 295 Sou h Ma ·n Street Wllkes--Barre, PA 1870 l 1 OPE_ /\ _. _~DAY TIL 1 3,:3 ~ We Deliver Photo Courtesy of The Music Box From left to right: Kevin Costly as Frank-N-Furter and Daniel Pascoe as Brad Majors. This photo was taken as a publicity shot for Richard O’ Brien’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at The Music Box Dinner Playhouse. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 3, 2009 15 KARPINSKI WORD SEARCH WORD BANK BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor D H I y E J A Q A D p I N T E R N R V s H I p E G C s A u V s s Q A Q E F D R K T G F D E I J H 0 T R I R y s C s X w C C I A T C E K D I D y s H u X B N 0 u M H L A I E 0 I w u w B A V A V F D T I D C T u L H C X E y K N E T Q I V 0 N J w y V J C K C 0 L 0 w w w s u u A V w X I T 0 D H D M w I B D V T u E w R s M X s T B p V E C F L H X J N E s u z N 0 B A R E D N V s I R H C T E D F H E s V w R u J G V X Q A G 0 B C H T R L Q R y I T s u B C E G R I A X X w E s B T V C J 0 F N R I I E N M w A N X L s C s C V D w B s E H F X G I A F N E T Q C s G E E B A w R N E I E y w Q s A N D N 0 B L E R z s A w T s I D T E B F N R s V s A X s A y R C D A T y B F A D E p R s 0 L F A E E R T u D M I A M R E T B N Q I R w y T R E X u D V I s 0 R A C s 0 s s M C 0 w y R D G T s B N I R R D u D C H w 0 V Wilkes Colonel Casino Night IRHC Gilmour Barnes and Noble Midterms Sordoni Henry Student Center UCOM Finals Registration Advisor Professor Intramurals Internship SIFE WCLH Interfaith - What's Happening Around Wilkes BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - Mad Science Presents CSI Live! @ FM Kirby Center $6.50 – 10 a.m. - Froggy 101’s Guitars & Stars feat. Kellie Pickler, Phil Vassar, Jason Michael Carroll, Jimmy Wayne @ Scranton Cultural Center - $27 – 7:30 p.m. Wed., November 4, 2009 - The World We Knew, Putrefied Flesh, Centralia, Black Friday Massacre @ Café Metro - $8 – 7 p.m. - Jackson Browne @ Scranton Cultural Center - $42-$62 – 8 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2009 - Terror On The Screen, Hollywood Lies, City Lights, Time and Distance @ Café Metro - $8 – 7 p.m. - Mike Miz, Vicci Martinez, Mike Dougherty @ River Street Jazz Cafe, Plains - $5 - 1O p.m. All Weekend Long - Roger Karshner’s “Don’t Say Goodbye, I’m Not Leaving” @ Actors Circle at Providence Playhouse, Scranton - $8 for students – Fri/Sat 8 p.m. – Sun. 2 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2009 - My Arcadia, The Hint, Captain John and the Explorers @ Café Metro - $8 – 8 p.m. - Tom Petty Appreciation Band @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains - $5 – 10 p.m. - NEPA Philharmonic: Tchaikovsky and MozartMasterworks II @ Scranton Cultural Center - $19-$56 – 8 p.m. - Three Imaginary Boys @ Club JAM, Pittston - $5 – 9 p.m. - Friday Night Live Music @ Barnes and Noble – 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2009 - The Woody Browns Project @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains – 10 p.m. - The Movement, Life After Liftoff, The Brightlife, When East Meets West @ Café Metro - $8 – 8 p.m. - An Evening of Indian Culture @ Barnes and Noble 6-8 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2009 - Johnny Mathis @ FM Kirby Center - $55-$100 – 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2009 - The Menzingers, The Shook Ones, Make Do And Mend, We Are The Union @ Café Metro - $8 – 7 p.m. Coming to Wachovia Arena: (Tickets all on sale now) - FallFest 09’: Sean Paul, Keri Hilson & Colby O’Donis - Nov. 13 - 8 p.m. - $29+ - Daughtry, Theory of a Deadman & Cavo - Nov. 16 - 7:30 p.m. - $32+ - “Star Wars”: In Concert - Nov. 17 - 7:30 p.m. - $35+ - Transiberian Orchestra - Nov. 20 - 8 p.m. - $25+ �FIELD HOCKEY CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu Looking for revenge in conference playoffs wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com PAGE 20 16 NOVEMBER 3, 2009 WTF stands for something else – Wilkes Team Frisbee University’s club team scores big by playing the “ultimate” sport BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor According to the article entitled “The First Flight of the Frisbee,” by Mary Ellis, legend has it that the Frisbee came about in the late 1800’s, when college students were flinging around empty pie tins from the Frisbie Baking Company. The version of the disc we know today was invented some time later. In 1948, Los Angeles building inspector Walter Frederick Morrison created a plasticized version of the disc, which he named the “Pluto Platter.” The name changed to Frisbee when WHAM-O (the company who bought the idea from Morrison) replaced the “ie” in Frisbie Baking Company with an “ee.” In 1968, high school students from Maplewood, New Jersey, decided to play a game with rules similar to football, soccer and basketball with the Frisbee. The result? Ultimate Frisbee. Ultimate for short. A little over three years ago, freshmen Greg Castelli, Steve Kheloussi, and Peter Melle decided it was time for the sport to make its way to Wilkes University. When the three enrolled at Wilkes, Frisbee was only offered as a two week intramural. Seeing the need for the sport as a club, the three became the “founding fathers” of what is now known as “Wilkes Ultimate,” the Frisbee team club here at Wilkes University. “I was talking to Greg [Castelli] over the summer [before freshman year] about Frisbee, seeing as that’s basically what our friendship is based on,” said Kheloussi, a senior P2 pharmacy major, who serves as the club’s vice president. “After a few pick up games on the greenway, Pete came along and blew our mind [with his Frisbee skills], and we just decided to start it [the club]. If all three of us were not here and interested, we would not be here today.” Since its inception as a club, numbers have steadily increased each year. After a modest beginning, the club has consistently had 35-40 players at all practices, which run twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) at the Marts Center from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Those hesitant to join because they are Courtesy of Andy Julian - Members of the Wilkes University frisbee team compete in the largest beach tournament in the United States in Wildwood, New Jersey last summer. fearful of not being quite good enough should not let that hold them back; experience is the least of the clubs worries. “If you’re willing to learn and get better, that’s what we’re here for,” said senior P2 pharmacy major and club president Castelli. “You will learn and get better. We’ve all gotten better in our four years here. Just going out there and throwing the disc with somebody will make you better.” Garret Schrader, a sophomore secondary education major, began playing the sport a mere year ago after arriving at Wilkes, and now can not stay away from it. “I never played a team sport before I came here,” laughed Schrader. “Then I heard about the Frisbee team, came out and tried it, eventually got hooked, and haven’t stopped playing since. Students are fearful of being made fun of because they’re not good enough or have never played before. Half of our starting line had never picked up a Frisbee before they got here. We’re very welcoming, and we work on all levels, and make it open to everybody.” Junior computer information systems Andrew Sobesiak has been playing the sport since high school, but joined the team for other reasons when arriving at Wilkes. The shirts Sobesiak is referring to are quite popular around campus. Students can be seen walking around with a sharp white shirt with either a black and white penguin, or squirrel in the middle, with the letters “WTF” emblazoned below. And on the back is “Wilkes Team Frisbee.” The shirts are one of the strategies the club uses to market itself, and the design has a story behind it. “We were trying to figure out a design for a fun, not serious shirt,” said Castelli. “Steve decided to make a play on the WWF (World Wildlife Foundation) shirts, with a panda in black and white and the letters ‘WWF’ below it. We took that idea, and replaced the panda with another black and white animal, a penguin, with ‘WTF’ below it. On the back it says ‘Wilkes Team Frisbee’ so you really cannot confuse it with anything else.” Each year it has become principle for the team to change the logo, with this year’s shirts being graced by a squirrel. As for next year’s logo, that’s a secret to be revealed next semester. “It’s a secret to even the people inside the club, but there are some good ones,” said Kheloussi. So what exactly is Ultimate Frisbee? These guys will be the first to tell you it is not the game you played in gym class in high school. At this level, it’s the real deal. “People get the impression that it’s a gym class sport,” said senior environmental science major and team captain Peter Melle. “But when people come out to tournaments, you see some really good teams, with really good athletes.” With players zigzagging back and forth across the football-sized field, sprinting after sailing Frisbees in every direction, it may look a bit like mass chaos. But in actuality, “Ultimate,” as the sport is aptly titled (Frisbee is the brand), is really a simple game with relatively easy rules. Like many other sports, the goal is to reach the opposite end zone. It’s a seven-on-seven non-stop dash until someone scores fifteen points, with an intermission when one team reaches eight points. The only snag is that you cannot run with the Frisbee. Instead the “handlers,” who play the role of quarterback, advance the disc downfield by tossing it to either a “cutter,” who runs the short routes, or a “wide receiver,” who plays the role of playmaker and runs the deeper routes. The process is repeated all the way down the field and if a team scores, one point is earned. If the disc is dropped or “intercepted,” opponents snatch the disc from the spot and start flinging it the other way. Although the club is still young, they travel all over not only the state of Pennsylvania, but to places in New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Ohio, where they participated in the Division Three National Championships. Last year, they placed in the top 25 in the country at the National Championships, playing with schools such as Xavier, Rice, and St. Johns. This semester the team has participated in two tournaments, taking second at Bloomsburg and going 3-3 in the City College of New Jersey Tournament. If you’re interested in finding out more, and you’ve got a couple of free hours this weekend, catch the team in action this Saturday when they host their only home tournament of the semester over at the Forty Fort field complex off of Wyoming Avenue. You can get in touch with the team through email at wilkesultimate@gmail.com, or join the face book group under Ultimate Frisbee, Wilkes Edition. �SPORTS NOVEMBER 3, 2009 17 Women’s tennis wins seven titles at MASCAC tourney BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor The Wilkes University women’s tennis team finished the fall season with a perfect 8-0 record, proving that beating the competition was a piece of cake. At the Middle Athletic States Collegiate Athletic Conference individual tournament last weekend, they put the icing on top. The Lady Colonels won seven of the nine possible championships at the MASCAC tournament. Four of the team’s top six players won championships in singles play, while the team executed a flawless sweep of the doubles bracket, winning all three possible honors in that category. Phenomenal freshman Melanie Nolt continued her torrid performance for the Lady Colonels, emerging as the bona fide best player in the conference with a victory in the number one singles position. “Melanie proved she is the best player in the conference, and one of the top players in this entire region,” said head coach Chris Leicht, adding that he expects Nolt to Courtesy of Marketing Communications The Wilkes University women’s tennis team dominated the MASCAC tournament, with six players winning at least one championship and four players winning two titles. be included when the regional rankings are Wilkes’s program immediately, winning released this week. seven of the nine brackets at the MASCAC Though Nolt has been the brightest star on tournament could only be the beginning of the team this season, fellow freshmen Ka- what’s to come for Wilkes. trina Lynn and Alexis Donner aren’t far be“Obviously, if the women continue to hind her. They won the titles in the number work hard, the future is very bright for the two and four brackets, respectively. Wilkes Tennis Program,” Leicht said. “We With three freshmen contributing to are trying to move up in the regional and national rankings.” That’s something they’ve done during Xiaoqiao Zhang’s tenure at Wilkes. When Zhang was a freshman, she was the only player to win a championship at the MASCAC tournament. Now a senior, Zhang won the number three singles bracket at this season’s event and thinks that there’s no reason that the team wouldn’t completely sweep the competition next year. “We’re getting stronger and stronger,” Zhang said. “Next year, we’re probably going to win nine out of nine, because I’m the only senior leaving.” The team of Nolt and Lynn took home their second championship of the tournament with a great showing in the number one doubles competition. Zhang and Donner reigned supreme in the number two doubles bracket. That victory gave Zhang, a native of China, her seventh overall championship. She has won four individual crowns and three doubles titles during her tenure at Wilkes. SEE CHAMPIONS, Page 19 r•sr. ....... ..ELIIWla:a-Y SPECIALS QUICK HITS WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH Large Pie $7. 95 Chicken Wing Pie $10.95 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre I I a2s-s166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Di:ning Reem (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 Mll&MATCHI Any 3 Subs or Wings 2 Tick:ets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95, WE CATER IARGE GROUP EVENTS PlEASE CALL BE!FORE YOUR NEXT MERING! Hours: The Beacon / Alison Kasper Mon.-Thurs. 11ami-11 pm We're more than just great pizza ... Fri.-Sat. 11 am-12am see our entire menu at Sun. 12pm-11 pm www.januzzispizza.com �SPORTS 18 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 10/31 @ Lycoming 17-13 W MEN’S SOCCER 10/25 @ Delaware Valley 3-0 W 10/31 @ DeSales 1-0 W WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/25 @ Delaware Valley 5-0 W 10/27 @ Cortland 1-2 L 10/31 @ DeSales 4-1 L FIELD HOCKEY 10/27 vs. Misericordia 6-2 W 10/30 vs. Delaware Valley 2-0 W 10/31 vs. Manhattanville 6-3 W VOLLEYBALL 10/28 vs. Misericordia 3-0 W WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 11/7 vs. Widener MEN’S SOCCER 11/3 @ Freedom Conference Playoffs (TBA) WOMEN’S SOCCER 11/3 @ Freedom Conference Playoffs (TBA) FACECIF Who’s the most overrated NCAA football team? Hurricanes aren’t rocking anyone anymore Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA No team in college football gets more undeserved respect than Miami. In all honesty, they’re living off of their storied past. Let’s look at their resume. At this point in the season, the mighty Hurricanes stand at 6-2. Compared to the success (or lack there of) the past few seasons, where they are at right now (#19 in the BCS) is surely worthy of some respect. But I use the word respect sparingly. When we dig beneath the surface and really pick apart their schedule…who exactly have they beaten? Well let’s take a quick look. At this point, Miami has had victories over 4-4 Florida State (which they barely pulled out), UCF, and Florida A&M, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, and Oklahoma. I’ll give them credit where credit is due- Georgia Tech is a damn fine team, and they have given the Ramblin’ Wreck their only blemish thus far this season. But Oklahoma wasn’t as prestigious a win that it was made out to be. 11/4 @ Freedom Conference Playoffs (TBA) WRESTLING 11/7 @ King’s Tournament twil:~ ~ r, @Beaconsnorts For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports They beat a Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham-less Sooners team, two future first round NFL draft picks. To put it in perspective, that’s like beating Florida without Tim Tebow, or the Colts without Peyton Manning, or having spaghetti without meatballs- it’s just not the same. But I digress. Oklahoma is not only unranked in the latest BCS standings, but has also lost to the same BYU team that just got spanked by the boys down in Corpus Christi. Back to Gerogia Tech. After the win, they jumped a ridiculous 11 spots in one week, up to number nine. Come on now; let’s not get this victory confused with a victory over Florida. Does any one win really deserve a spot in the top 10? No. And they proved that by being spanked the next week by Virginia Tech (who is now 5-3 after that embarrassing loss versus North Carolina). My main man Ryan below me (which if you have noticed, he’s below me for a reason) seems to think that USC is severely overrated. Why can’t I take him seriously? Well one of his poorly constructed arguments is based on the fact that the Trojans pulled out a squeaker versus Oregon State. Instead of the close score, he used the mascot, a Beaver, as an excuse. Well let me ask you Mr. Holmes, what would you do if you were attacked by a pissed off beaver? My money’s on the beaver. As for USC…freshman quarterback smeshman quarterback; the Trojans do not rebuild, they re-load. Miami also lost to Clemson. The Tigers are not a bad team by any means, but they aren’t a great team, either. You have show up for big conference games, and Miami has not, in the weak ACC. Right now Miami is behind Duke within the conference, and had to have a huge fourth quarter to beat Wake Forest. Not the sign of a true contender, nonetheless a top-20 team. So the mighty ‘Canes have beaten only one team (Georgia Tech) with less than three losses, yet are still ranked inside the top 20. Personally, I haven’t seen anything from them that merits that ranking. I don’t need to keep going. My time here is done. These Trojans have been used i i----)_ ___.H=or~~tll Asst. Sports Editor VOLLEYBALL NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Let’s just get right to it. The most overrated college football team has got to be USC (University of Southern California). Face it Trojans fans, your team is not quite what it used to be since the needle threading, high flying, “Terrible Towel” stomping trio of Leinart, Bush, and White took off the cardinal and gold. The only legend left on that team is Pete Carroll and you know it. USC use to be the breeding ground of national championships, but lately it’s more like a Toys “R” Us with young Matt Barkley calling the signals. But I will give him credit, for a freshman he is doing OK; however, it’s not like he’s playing the greatest competition out there. Oh, and speaking of competition, did I mention that they lost to Washington. What championship program that you know of loses to a team that went 0-12 the year before? Although the BCS rankings are nothing but educated guesses, and have proved to be completely false this season, there is no reason that a team ranked number three, which USC was at the time, should lose to a team that just broke a 12-game losing streak the week before. It’s a good thing that they haven’t lost since then, but if you think about it who have they played that should have given them any sort of competition. You might be able to argue that Notre Dame had a shot at beating them, but be serious- it’s Notre Dame. Oregon State came close to beating them the week later but if you lose to a team with a Beaver as a mascot you better forfeit the rest of your season. USC truly doesn’t have any show stoppers on the field this year. And OK, go ahead and argue Taylor Mays, but you need 11 to play, not one. The only reason that they were talked about this year was either because they lost when they shouldn’t have or because they picked their quarterback up from the seesaw at the park on the way to Los Angeles Coliseum. But I give Carroll props – he is doing what he can with what he’s got since Sanchez became a GQ model and started to think he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. And come on Mr. Dorunda, you can’t possibly think that Miami is that overrated. The ‘Canes have a ton of talent on their roster, especially Stick Stickly under center. There’s no doubt that Jacory Harris is a better gun slinger then Barkley, if not, I’m pretty sure that they would have lost to Wake Forest after being down that many points. But let’s get back to the main topic. USC is not the team they use to be and because of the trio of show stoppers that have now became NFL players (even though Leinart is a terrible disappointment) the Trojans are always favorites to be a success. USC laid a giant egg against the Oregon Ducks of all teams just last Saturday. Really, USC? A 47-20 loss? It’s funny to see what happens when a real team comes knockin’ at the door. It’s a good thing that Oregon’s tailback Mike Tyson, I mean LeGarrette Blount is out until November 7th or else the Trojans would have been a little bit more than used. But it’s time to go. I think I hear little Matthew crying, he must need his diaper changed or something. �NOVEMBER 3, 2009 SPORTS 19 Cross country closes out regular season at MAC meet BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor The Wilkes University cross country team started off the season with only half of its roster completed. However, that still did not stop them from taking on Misericordia University in the first contest of the season. Both the men and women ended up falling to the Cougars with the men losing 5015 and the women 48-17 in less than stellar fashion. Michelle Wakeley was Wilkes’ top finisher for the women coming in with a time of 16:47 to put her in fourth place. Olivia Waszkiewicz was the next best finisher for Wilkes, coming in 10th place for the Colonels. Representing the men was Austin Loukas who crossed the finish line first for Wilkes with a time of 15:26, putting him in 12th place. Chris Manzi came in shortly after in 14th place with a time of 15:49, while Mike Wintermute, Phat Nguyen and Mike Piotti rounded out the pack to finish 15-17th for the Colonels. Next, the Colonels participated in the King’s College NEPA Classic. This time it was Robert Carp leading the pack. Carp crossed the finish line in 15th place posting a time of 22:02, followed by Tim Fisher in 23rd, Erik Karlsen in 30th and Loukas in 34th. Overall, the men took 4th place as a team with 122 points, coming in just before hosting team King’s College. Wakeley and Waszkiewicz led the Lady Colonels once again, coming in 14th and 35th place. The trio of Kristin Cook, Molly McDonough and Brittany Maloney crossed in 44-46th place with Emily Klinetob closely behind in 48th. Their fourth competition ended similarly with Wakeley leading the Wilkes women by placing 21st overall at the Cougar Classic at Misericordia Invitational. Carp, Wakely’s male counterpart of leadership, lead the Colonels once again with his time of 30:24 and 51st place finish. Though the team was not bringing home championships, their perseverance never dwindled. With the leadership of Wakeley and Carp, the team has steadily improved. “We’ve definitely moved up in the pack as far as a team over all,” said Wakeley. “I don’t really see us needing to prove anything to anyone. We’re small, sure, but we do what we can and we have fun doing it.” Both teams then traveled to Philadelphia to participate in the Belmont Classic where Carp and Wakeley were the leaders again. Finishing 22nd with a time of 30:25 was Carp, who was followed by Karlsen in 25th place. “I am definitely proud of what I have accomplished my freshman season, especially since competing at the college level is so much different than that of the high school level,” commented Carp. However, Wakeley stole the show once again with her time of 20:58 putting her in third place. Waszkiewicz was Wilkes’ next finisher coming in 20th to record a time of 22:36. “The men feed off one another in a race situation, but as for the women’s team, they are dropping time pretty much every week. I am very pleased with them [too],” said Coach Nick Wadas. Just last week the men and women parThe Beacon/Tom Reilly ticipated in the East Stroudsburg InvitaMembers of the Wilkes University men’s cross country team practice in preparation for tional where once again Wakeley was the Saturday’s MAC Championship meet. The men placed ninth out of fourteen teams. leader. Her time of 20:34 put her in seventh place followed by Waszkiewicz in CHAMPIONS, From Page 17 33rd and McDonough in 54th. On the men’s side of the race, Karlsen After being eliminated in the semifinals of at number one singles, hasn’t even stepped and Wintermute emerged as the leaders the number five singles bracket, junior Mi- on the court this season due to an injury. for the Colonels. Their times of 18:51 and chelle Knight came back with a vengeance When she returns, Leicht will probably 19:03 placed them in 55th and 58th place in doubles play. Knight teamed with sopho- have to sideline one of his other players to to power the men’s team to a 6th place fin- more Rebekah Shanaman to complete the make room for the reigning champion. ish. That means that a player who was good Lady Colonels sweep of the doubles tour“Both our teams have evolved through- nament. enough to win an individual honor at the out the season,” Coach Wadas remarked. With six different players winning at least MASCAC tournament isn’t even good “I am very proud of what both the team one title at this year’s event, Leicht is faced enough to crack Wilkes University’s top has accomplished so far this year, but the with a dilemma that any coach would be six. real gauge of success for me as a coach thrilled to encounter. “This is easily the most talented team I is how we finish at the MAC championJunior Victoria Bybel, who was named have ever coached,” Leicht said. “I am exships,” said Coach Wadas before the race. last season’s conference player of the year cited for the spring season, as we try to win When it came time to race on Saturday, after going undefeated in the regular season our fouth straight conference title.” top contender Wakeley was ready to go for the women. She once again finished first Last week’s winners of 5 tickets to NIGHT TERRORS for the Lady Colonels, clocking out with a Rhonda Waskiewicz & Mary Balavage time of 25:35, good enough for 10th place overall. Waszkiewicz finished second for the 0 Lady Colonels, posting a time of 28:00 that placed her 57th overall. Enter for a chance to win... On the male circuit, Karlsen was the top finisher for Wilkes. His time of 31:01 was good enough for 63rd place overall. Loukas, Wintermuth, and Fisher placed Sponsored second, third, and fourth for the Colonels, locking down places 77, 78, and 79 overBy: PIZZA BUFFET all. An important thing to remember about Located on South Main St. Wilkes cross country is that the team is in just its second season of competitive play Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. after the program was brought back from HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor’s logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk the dead. in the Student Union by Friday, November 6, by noon.** Though they didn’t secure a championThe winner will be announced in next week’s issue. ship this season, the team was thrilled with their overall performance. NAME: _______________________________________________________ “The team did great this season in every PHONE: _________________________________________________ way possible from bonding to placing the EMAIL: _________________________________________________ team couldn’t have done better,” concludMYSTERY WORD: ________________________________________ ed freshman captain Karlsen. . e Stuff?! ...,.....,...IJ,_y-. - m .ay! 7 Free Buffet Dinners Tony Di's �SPORTS 20 NOVEMBER 3, 2009 Field Hockey wants revenge against archrival Eastern Lady Colonels hope to get another crack at Eagles in conference championship BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor As they prepared for their final two matches of the regular season, the Wilkes University field hockey team knew two things. Number one: the Lady Colonels would not clinch the top seed in the conference tournament. That honor belongs to the Eastern Eagles, who handed Wilkes a 3-1 defeat earlier in the year en route to a perfect 7-0 record in conference play. Number two: the team was livid to see the Eagles soaring at the top of the conference. “I hate them,” senior defender Amanda Tilley said of Eastern. “I don’t know, I just hate them. I did last year and I play lacrosse too and I hated them then. I can’t wait to come back against them.” A good deal of the bad blood between Wilkes and Eastern stems from last season’s meetings between the two clubs. The Lady Colonels saw their hopes of a conference championship spoiled last season by the Eagles, who squeaked out a 2-1 victory in the title match. That result was particularly upsetting for Wilkes, who defeated Eastern in the regular season last year. Senior attacker Jen Keegan hopes that there’s a bit of a reversal of fortunes for the Lady Colonels this year if they wind up see- The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Sophomore attacker Chelsea Minnix advances the ball during Wilkes University’s match-up against Misericordia on October 27. Minnix had three shots on goal during the game, which Wilkes won 6-2. The Lady Colonels are the number two seed in the conference tournament. 10-0 Field hockey’s record at home this season. In 10 games, they have surrendered just 12 combined goals to their opponents. 14 th National ranking of the lady Colonels as of this past week, the highest ranking ever achieved by the team. They are ranked 6th in the South Atlantic Regional poll. The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski Sophomore attacker Amanda Peters controlls the ball during Wilkes University’s October 27 match against Misericordia. In the team’s match against Manhattanville on Saturday, Peters scored twice in the first 1:16 of the game and the Lady Colonels never looked back, running away with a 6-3 victory on Senior Day at Artillery Park. ing Eastern in the playoffs. “We have this weird mindset about it… I don’t know if it’s superstition or what but since they beat us this first time, it’s very hard to beat a team two times in a row,” she said. “We’re thinking that it’s going to be in our favor this time.” With revenge on their minds, the last thing that the Lady Colonels want to happen is to lose in any of their postseason matches. With a 2-0 victory over Delaware Valley on Friday night, the team secured the number two seed in the conference tournament. So if they’re going to play number one Eastern, it won’t be until the championship match. Keegan and Tilley were both members of last season’s team and know the drill when the playoffs roll around. “There’s definitely a lot of intensity,” Keegan said. “This could be your potential last game ever and as a senior I don’t want to lose. I’m sure that girls on the other team that we’re playing feel the same. It’s really a head-on-head battle.” Keegan added that head coach Sara Myers routinely tells her team to play as if the game they’re about to head into is the most important game of the season. That mentality is one that the team feels can only help them as they head into playoff matches where they’ll be facing elimination on a regular basis. “Every game – if we’re thinking about it that way – and we win and do well, we’re going to build on it for the next time,” Tilley said. “If you think about it, as the season goes on it gets harder to get into the playoffs. So you need to think about that game as the final because the competition’s going to get harder because everyone else is trying to get in (to the playoffs).” The mentality that Wilkes has carried all year has helped them to a 15-2 record during the regular season and a 6-1 mark in conference play. They’ve outscored their opponents by a ridiculous 69-27 margin. Now, it’s just a matter of translating that success into the postseason. But the Lady Colonels are confident that that won’t be an issue, and when the conference championship game rolls around, there’s no doubt in the team’s mind that it will be Wilkes going toe-to-toe with Eastern for the title. “I look forward to it,” Keegan said. “I can’t wait to beat them and show them who the number one team should be.” 15 Number of wins the Lady Colonels have amassed this season. They have lost only twice, giving them an astronomical 88.2 win percentage. 69 Goals scored this season by the Lady Colonels. Throught the regular season, Wilkes was ranked 10th in Division-III with 4.05 goals per game. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 November 3rd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 November 3 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/79b4b715bd7f0da7f6ae808280b4e80a.pdf 455933390312e97f9aba2b92cb75748d PDF Text Text BEST HOllDAY: WHITNEY ROPER CHRISTMAS SHOULD TAKE ABACKSEAT TO Wilkes University's Rockin' Roller HALLowEEN SPORTS I PAGE 19 OP/EDI PAGE 8 The I OCOTBER 27, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Program ties freshmen to med schools Volume 62 Issue 6 Wilkes hosts 8th annual Trespasser found Alcohol Awareness Week in Commuter Lounge BY BETHANY YAMRICK Correspondent BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Wilkes University is now offering the Premedical Scholars Early Assurance BS/MD program, a new scholarship for premedical freshman. The program grants early acceptance to one of three medical schools to those who are approved for the scholarship and maintain certain requirements. Eileen Sharp, manager of health sciences, admitted four freshmen into the program this year. The students admitted were Jacquelyn Gallo, Nisarg Joshi, Nathaniel Lamoreaux, and Brielle Stanton, all freshmen pre-med majors. The four students were able to choose from three participating medical schools: Drexel University, State University of New York, and Hersey PA State College of Medicine. In order for each student to maintain the scholarship, they must meet different requirements set by each of the medical schools. Gallo said her minimum requirements at the Hersey PA State College of Medicine are to maintain a 3.5 GPA in all of her science courses. When taking the MCATs, Gallo’s score must meet the average set by matriculants during the previous year. In addition, Gallo must participate in 25 hours of community service each year. During her last year, she must shadow in a hospital. “You [also] must be from central Pennsylvania, with intention to work [in central On Sunday, October 18 at 1:17 a.m. a man was discovered trespassing in the Commuter Lounge, located in the basement of Conyngham Hall. Public Safety confirmed that the man is not a student at Wilkes University. The man gave Public Safety the name of Josh Samuels, but after learning that the Wilkes-Barre Police were en route, he changed his name to Menachem Mendel Wachtel. According to the City of Wilkes-Barre’s police report, the incident was cited as criminal trespassing and the suspect, Wachtel, 18, was arrested. While Public Safety officers were making their rounds, they discovered the front See FRESHMEN page 3 The Beacon/ Allison Roth This overturned car was on display during Alcohol Awareness Week, held from October 19 through October 23. To see the full story, including student opinions and DUI by the numbers, see ALCOHOL AWARENESS See TRESPASSER page 5 Wilkes software detects computer virus, stops spread BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief On Monday, October 12, Wilkes University’s Information Technology Services (IT) was notified of a campus-wide virus attempt. The attempt occurred in the form of an email, which was disguised as a message from tech-admin@wilkes.edu. The message read, “Attention! On October 16, 2009 server upgrade will take place. INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com WEEK on page 4. I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 Due to this the system may be offline for approximately half an hour. The changes will concern security, reliability and performance of mail service and the system as a whole. For compatibility of your browsers and mail clients with upgraded server software you should run SSl certificates update procedure. This procedure is quite simple. All you have to do is just to click the link provided, to save the patch file and then to run it from your computer location. That’s Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 all.” A link was provided for the recipient to click, which would lead to the download of the virus. According to Ikram Muhammed, technical director of Client Services, a university staff member contacted the IT department after clicking the link provided in the email. Before the program could begin to down- See VIRUS page 2 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK & DUI BY THE NUMBERS PAGE4 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu cathryn.frear@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com OCTOBER 27, 2009 2 WILKES NEWS BRIEFS JEAN ADA BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor SORDONI ART GALLERY FACULTY EXHIBIT – On Monday October 19, the Sordoni Art Gallery will begin running a faculty exhibit that will continue until December 13. The faculty members who contributed include Jean C. Adams, Sharon Bowar, Nicole DePolo, Beverly Glennon, Bruce Lanning, Darlene Miller-Lanning, Mary Lou Steinberg and Professors Emeriti, Richard Fuller, and Herbert Simon. The artists worked in a broad range of techniques and styles. SPAIN STUDY ABROAD TRIP – This summer, there will be a trip to Madrid, Spain and four days in Paris during July 1 to 29, 2010. Students earn six credits, which are transferable to Wilkes, while traveling in Spain. The trip costs $3,995 and includes two three credit courses, international VIRUS from FRONT PAGE load, the university’s anti-virus software, Sophos, blocked the program and identified it as a virus. Upon confirming the attempt on Monday afternoon, a message was sent to all students, faculty and staff informing them to refrain from clicking the hyperlink if they received the email in question. “Several schools received a mass-mailing of that same message, with their school’s domain name changed in the link that went to the actual virus,” said Jason Wagner, a web programmer for the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. “Oklahoma State University was also affected by the virus mailing.” Wagner further explained, “The link in our email was to updates.wilkes.edu.secure.1admin.net, and through domain forwarding, it is very easy to just create URLs on the fly. They could replace wilkes.edu in there with round-trip airfare from NY to Madrid, flight from Madrid to Paris, airport transfers, lodging in a single room, all meals included (except for dinner on Sundays), four days in Paris for a hotel and breakfast, guided tours and health insurance. For more information, please contact Dr. Paola Bianco at paola.bianco@wilkes.edu or 408-4519. MIDDLE STATES SELF-STUDY OPEN FORUMS – The Middle States Steering Committee will be holding the second and third of three open forums next Monday, November 2 at 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, November 3 at 2:30 p.m., respectively. The purpose of these forums is to discuss the Middle States Self Study draft. The forums will be held in the Miller Conference Room. okstate.edu, and have the URL updates.okstate.edu.secure.1-admin.net forward the visitor to the same place as the URL sent to Wilkes emails.” The process used in the attempt to spread the virus is called mail-spoofing, said Wagner. In this case, messages appear to be sent by one user -- tech-admin@wilkes.edu -but are really sent by another. Muhammed and Wagner do not know where the virus originated, but Muhammad noted that the domain “admin.net” is hosted in Russia. Members of IT also do not know what would have happened to a computer if a recipient would have clicked the link and had it successfully downloaded to the hard drive. Muhammad and other members of IT did not wish to click the link and risk infecting school or personal computers to find out the extent of damage the virus was designed to cause. “I think the purpose of this email was simply to spread the virus, but I didn’t go into BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Sordoni Art Gallery held the opening reception of the Faculty Exhibition 2009 on Sunday, October 25. Pictured here are the contributing artists; the exhibit will run through December 13. details to find what the intent was,” said Muhammad. “It could have been for the fun of it, the excitement of it, or maybe they used this one as a launching pad to set it up on the machine and launch another attack down the road.” He noted that IT had not received any reports of infected computers on or off campus. Had someone successfully downloaded the virus onto one of the school’s computers, Muhammed said that it would not affect the students, faculty or staff members who use the computer at a later date or time. “All of the computers in the labs on campus are frozen,” he said. “So even if they click on it and it affects the computer in any way, shape, or form, once the computer is rebooted, it is in pristine condition.” While users with a background in computer sciences or technologies would have been able to identify the link as a threat simply from its lack of “http,” users without this knowledge may have mistaken the link, Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis and the message, as credible. Muhammad stated that there are various ways every user can avoid computer viruses. This includes going to the official website, such as MyWilkes, to locate the announcement, installing anti-virus software, such as Sophos, and calling IT if there are any doubts to a message’s credibility. Bianca Sabia, senior English major, has had to deal with an infected computer in the past, and is now suspicious of many emails that call for an action, such as submitting personal information or following a link to an unknown website. “I won’t click on anything that I don’t recognize already,” said Sabia. “A lot of emails from familiar sites, I won’t click on them if I haven’t requested the information… I won’t go to a Web site that’s questionable, either.” As of Sunday, October 18, all of the university’s online systems were working properly and were free of all virus-related threats. Meet the Staff Michael Cignoli Assistant Sports Editor �NEWS OCTOBER 27, 2009 FRESHMEN from FRONT PAGE Pennsylvania] post graduation,” Gallo said. Stanton and Joshi had similar requirements. However, Stanton must complete a writing assignment which sums up her educational experiences at the end of each year. Joshi also had an obligation to join the preprofessional society club. “I like the program because I know exactly what I have to do, and the goals are set,” said Joshi. If the students do not complete these requirements, they lose their scholarship. However, they may still apply to medical school. The students interviewed with Sharp, as well as the medical school that grants acceptance into the program and the hospital where the student will shadow. Each medical school limits the early acceptance scholarship to one or two freshmen. Gallo, who is committed to Hershey PA State College of Medicine, explained that such eight-year programs are becoming more common and respected, as opposed to the shorter accelerated program. On the other hand, Stanton does not believe many other medical schools will pick up on the trend of this type of scholarship. “I don’t think med schools will allow many programs like this because they are already very selective with who they admit,” Stanton said. Stanton, who is committed to State University of New York, explained that she found out about the scholarship through her admission counselor at Wilkes. Lamoreaux’s experience with the scholarship was a bit different. He was first accepted to Wilkes, and then contacted by Sharp to apply for the scholarship. According to Lamoreaux, who is committed to Drexel, being accepted to the early acceptance premed program helped him decide on Wilkes, in the long run. Joshi, who is committed to Drexel, as well, shares Lamoreaux’s experience. “I was researching similar programs, and came across it online,” said Joshi. “It is a prominent program, but not too many schools have it, probably [only] 20 to 25.” All of the four accepted freshmen agreed that there are benefits to the program and it affected their choice to come to Wilkes. Stanton agreed it is a good program for freshman. “If [students] are definitely sure they want to pursue medicine then it is a great program to get into because it eliminates some of the pressure,” Stanton said. 3 The Beacon/Allison Roth During the week, there was a display in the Henry Student Center with photos and captions of people who have died due to alcohol related accidents. A student from SUNY Buffalo who was killed in a drunk driving accident is pictured above. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore '7 Sou th Main St:reet ~llk:es-Ba rre PA 18701 ~ 5? 0 .208 .47100 ~ ~w.k:es bu.c ollege .,c om \tVl-iat 's New! . : : ••. ,I ~ Jl . •.-' ~-. - .......... ___ .. ; -- . . I ..... . - •' .. . - ,._ f Ho'1 ab,0 11tPJ Pants .01~v·o11 lo1111gers? t C,a rnoufl,a ge .h ats ·f o 1 .· o 1 011tdoor e11tl·.i 1s·asts! Al e ,-ro11 1 eadv· f o .~tl e 110l i ays? D011~ forget orn,a 1nents J:or the h-ee. 1 MIIW B · ·_ CH.P L SH ·•T.l JlfALS l �NEWS 4 Is Alcohol Awareness Week effective? Students reminded of drinking dangers during Alcohol Awareness Week BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor & JOSHUA PELLEW Correspondent “I know there’s a walk, but it needs better advertisement. There should be a video or mandatory speaker session.” - Adrienne Dorcent Sophomore, nursing major “Yes, it’s a good thing to help students know what to do.” Josh Shaver Freshman, pre-pharmacy major “Yeah, I’ve seen [the car] before and I think that is effective. I haven’t gone to any events, though.” Sarah Gerstman Junior, environmental science major OCTOBER 27, 2009 For one week during the month of October, Wilkes University observed its eighth annual National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. During the week-long event, students are presented with the dangers and effects of Alcohol and Driving Under the Influence (DUI), as well as ways to prevent alcohol-related incidents from occurring. During the week of October 19 through October 23, different events were organized by Gail Holby, coordinator of health and wellness promotion, urging students to “Be Part of the Solution.” Events were held both on and off-campus. “National Collegiate Awareness week is a great opportunity to promote and educate students on the dangers of alcohol,” said Holby. The week started off with the DUI Victims Moving Memorial presented on the greenway on Monday, October 19. The Wilkes community honored and remembered those who lost their lives as a result of driving while impaired or at the hand of other drunk drivers. This event also increased awareness about the intense consequences of driving under the influence. The Moving Memorial is a replica of the original DUI Victims’ Memorial. The Pennsylvania DUI Association dedicated the original DUI Victims’ Memorial Garden in 2003. The original Memeorial Garden is located at the DUI Association’s headquarters in Harrisburg. The garden includes 1,300 engraved bricks with the names of victims who died in DUI related accidents. On Tuesday, October 20, an Alcohol Awareness Walk encouraged students, faculty and staff to heighten alcohol awareness. Holby explained that more than 300 participants, including students, faculty and staff came out for the walk, making this year’s walk either the biggest or second biggest in its eight year history. Anna Mitchell, sophomore Spanish major, attended the walk. “Many people from the community came and showed support for alcohol awareness,” said Mitchell. “It has made me reconsider the consequences of alcohol among college students.” The BACCHUS (Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students) club helped conduct Alcohol Awareness week. BACCHUS sponsored the “Alcohol Bingo” on October 22 where students were awarded Henry Student Center gift cards as prizes. Krista Hill, a senior psychology major, is involved with BACCHUS and said this week is important on the Wilkes campus. “Every month we promote a different health-related theme, but Alcohol Awareness week is definitely our biggest week,” said Hill. Hill, on behalf of BACCHUS, provided some tips for students contemplating an evening filled with alcohol. She urged students to avoid binge drinking. If students do choose to drink, Hill added that they shold not get into a car. If they must get into a car, a designated driver should be selected before the night begins. Students can also use the University’s ‘Safe-ride’ system. The ‘saferide’ system provides Wilkes University students who are under the influence with transportation back to campus by Posten Taxi. The service is free of charge. Alcohol Awareness week ended with an educational display by Health Services and Campus Counseling, who presented students with information and answered questions about alcohol. Holby, a coordinator and speaker at the event, encouraged students to know the signs of alcohol poisoning and seek help. Holby recommended some tips to students about how to prevent the dangers and effects of alcohol. She explained that it is important for students to get involved in different activities because there’s always something to do on campus, especially within organizations. She also recommended that students know the signs of alcohol poisoning and get help if someone is in trouble. According to Holby, the effectiveness of the week is difficult to measure, but overall, she is happy with the turnout at various events. “If one student says, ‘Hey, wait a minute, I don’t think I’m going to do this,’ then we’ve done our job. If just one person is affected, that is great,” she said. DUI BY THE NUMBERS in Pennsvlvania last vear: 40,000 arrests made 13,514 alcohol related crashes 10,619 people in.iured 542 “It’s not applicable to me. If I par- “The most effective part was “I do not believe it is effective at tied, then maybe. I’ve seen the car the car. It’s more effective than Wilkes because no one pays any and I’m thinking, ‘What’s the rea- the signs on campus because it’s attention.” Jim Colosimo in your face and you have to look son?’” - Mohamed Jalloh Senior, criminology major Sophomore, undeclared at it.” - Jordan Brown Sophomore, Spanish major The Beacon/ Jacqueline Lukas people killed acts from the Pennsvlva nia State Police DUI StrikeForce �OCTOBER 27, 2009 NEWS 5 STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Treasurer’s Report: All College: $5,600 Conferences: $10,000 General: $2,300 Leadership: $3,000 Special Projects: $2,050 Spirit: $1,000 Start-Up: $1,500 Club Reports: Programming Board: Joshua Seth performed October 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ballroom. John Zaffas talked about ghost hunting on October 25 at 8:00 p.m. in the Ballroom. MSC: On Saturday October 24, MSC took a trip to New York City to go to Ellis Island. Talent show sign-ups start on October 22. A Thanksgiving dinner is planned for November 21. New Business: Dean Adams and Dr. Lew – Middle States Discussion: Paul Adams, dean of student affairs, and Dr. Vee Ming Lew, associate professor and chair of math and computer science, spoke about the Middle States Committee. Adams and Lew are the co-chairs of the committee. Middle States is designed to monitor the quality of higher education in the Middle States region. Middle States TRESPASSER from FRONT PAGE and side doors of Conyngham Hall ajar, explained Gerald Rebo, manager of Public Safety. The officers then decided to look around inside the building where they found Wachtel sitting in the lounge, watching television. Wachtel told Public Safety that he had been in the Commuter Lounge before with a friend once last year and thought he would go to the lounge; this time, by himself. Rebo explained that Wachtel was not armed or dangerous and nothing was taken or damaged in the Commuter Lounge. “He says he is from Canada,” said Rebo. “We think he lives in the Jewish home across from Breiseth Hall. We have trouble with [those residents] all the time.” Rebo explained that residents from Bais Menachem, the Jewish home loctaed on 148-150 S. Franklin Street, have given Public Safety and Wilkes University students problems in the past. Rebo said that the residents from Bais Menachem enter Breiseth is sanctioned, not run or controlled, by the Federal Government. Receiving Title 4 financial aid comes from the Middle States and it must be accredited to the University by the regional accrediting body. Every ten years, the Middle States Committee at Wilkes University must do a self- study. The self-study of Wilkes University has been comprised in a collaborative effort by faculty and administrators. “Basically, if this were a marathon, we would be in the 22nd mile of the 26.2 mile race,” said Dr. Lew. He continued to explain that the Middle States Committee at Wilkes University is at the feedback stage of revising the self-study. Middle States expects the institution to constantly self-examine and asses the institution itself. Also, Middle States would like to see more staff development which would mean keeping faculty and staff as up-to-date and as skilled as possible. For more information on the Middle States Committee and discussion, open forums will be held on November 2 at 3:00 p.m. and November 3 at 2:30 p.m. Saudi Interest Club Recognition (Week 1 of 1): The Saudi Interest group currently has about 45 members. It is open to all students and aims to introduce new Saudi students to the area. The group plans on exchanging culture and activities between Saudi students and American students. They also would like to celebrate some Saudi holidays. The members of the group would like Hall and use the computers and facilities available to Wilkes students. Rebo reminds students that Public Safety monitors all buildings on a regular basis and that Conyngham Hall is safe and secure. During the Commuter Council (CC) meeting on October 22, Courtny Sasserson, vice president of CC and sophomore business major, brought up the trespasser. The students in attendance were surprised and confused, but all students agreed they need to make sure the door of the lounge is locked when the last person leaves. “Things have been taken care of in the Commuter Council Lounge,” Sasserson said. “We will try to put a sign up in the lounge reminding students to keep the door locked. Public Safety will continue to make their rounds so that the building will remain safe and secure.” Kevin Hettrich, president of Commuter Council, declined comment. Barbara King, adviser to Commuter Council, could not be reached for comment. 10-21-09 to increase student involvement by creating flyers around campus. A motion was made to grant the Saudi Interest group club status. The motion passed 24-3-2. Juniors: Planning a full class meeting soon. Seniors: Bart & Urby’s social was held on October 22. Old Business: Homecoming Events Member of the Month: Stacy Prelewicz Closing Comments: OCC: Pizza with the President went really well. A meeting was held on October 22. IRHC: A dorm decorating contest was held with 13 participating halls; also planning a Study Break party. CC: Planning a New York City bus trip and a meeting was held on October 22. Events: McGlynn Halloween Party on October 29 Open House on November 14 Texas Hold ‘Em on November 19 Casino Night on November 20 The City of Wilkes-Barre Annual Christmas Parade on November 21 Committees: Campus Support met to discuss topics including: Leaf removal on campus has begun. Test on the Wilkes University text message alerts H1N1 vaccine will be on campus in the first week of November. Wilkes University has requested 2,000 doses of the vaccine. Students will be given the vaccine first and then it will be given to faculty and staff. Class Reports: Freshmen: Planning a pumpkin decorating contest. Sophomores: Art Appreciation Day will be held on today, October 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. -Wims UN!VtRs!Tr- *At 7:15 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. Last week's winner of Dinner and a Movie for 4 at JANUZZI'S & MOVIES 14 Anita Williams n't like Jf.Tee Stuffi . ... . . . . . ._y- (3 a ·ayt Two winners will each receive... 5 tickets to a Haunted Attraction Sponsored By: Located in the East End Center, Wilkes-Barre Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk in the Student Union by Thursday, October 29, by 4pm.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com 6 OCTOBER 27, 2009 Culture of pride, school spirit missing at Wilkes BY THE BEACON Editorial Board in their conference and don’t even have a cheering section. Our homecomeing parade took exactly 10 minutes and .07 seconds from start to finish because 98% of the people in attendance were either marching in the parade or just “happened” to be walking up or down N. Main street. Attend a Student Government meeting, and you would see that very few students at any time throughout any day. But is it really fair to compare Wilkes University to Penn State? Yes. Why shouldn’t Western civilization places both positive we? If size is the only difference between and negative connotations upon referencus, then there is no reason why we could es to size. Consequently it is those things not outmatch their spirit and pride on any which are deemed “small” that receive the given day. brunt of the negative references. We have just as much in which to take Since the approach and passing of the new pride as they clearly do. We have athletes millennium, those things which have been who break records and win championships. classified as “small” have made atOur students are successful in the tempts to strike back against their classroom and in society. The small status and do big things for Wilkes faculty are some of the the world. most qualified educators in the We see the clearest examples of country. Our alums are spread those deemed as “small” making all across the globe, doing many “big” things happen in Hollywood great things that are making a movies: Disney’s Toy Story illusdifference in the world. trates that small and insignificant It’s easy to take pride in someaction figures Woody and Buzz thing that gets as much publicity can represent two different types of as a university like Penn State, person’s ability to coexist and work but the real displays for pride together for a common good. And and school spirit are shown Frank Miller’s 300 where a small when nobody else is looking. unit of Spartans defend their homeThere is a clear presence of land from over 150,000 Persian inpride within the small number vaders. of students we have on this camMuch like those small toys or the pus. We have students touching 300 brave men, Wilkes University’s lives and contributing to cultures 2,300 full-time undergraduate stuall over the world, and little do The Beacon/Melanie Beacon/Melanie Thomas Thomas The dents from 20 states and four forthey know that they are also repeign countries represent but a small resenting the “small” campus of Wilkes University’s Homecoming Parade from N.Main St. portion of people also making larWilkes university when they do to Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre was a prime ager-than-life moves. such things. The only problem example of the lack of school spirit on campus. Our university makes great strides with these small displays of pride toward getting its students fully prepared show up at the meetings who are not SG in the University is that we do not share for whatever it is that they may want to pur- members. These meetings are open to any them with each other. sue during and after their graduating from and all Wilkes University students who are If a student at Wilkes University just pubWilkes. willing to voice their concerns to an elected lished a research finding, broke a record, We have exactly 100 clubs/organizations, body of fellow students. Yet no one goes. It or held a door open for an elderly woman eight Division-3 sporting teams for both seems that no one cares. walking past, a spirited chant of support is men and women, intramural sports for both We have many organizations on our cam- in order for that person. The small things go the spring and fall semesters, and 16 seper- pus dedicated to putting on functions that the furthest in life and the same motto apate national honor societies. are designed to enhance the Wilkes Univer- plies to our university. Although our University provides students sity experience. But why are our students We may not have a Division-1 sports with such a wide array of opportunities to not as dedicated to elevating their pride in a program, 15,000 incoming freshman every expand and grow as future professionals, university which obviously values them? year, or Detla houses, but we do have a lot it is disheartening to see the lack of school The answer lies in the sad fact that finding to be proud of within the small confines of spirit expressed by the student body after all an enthusiastic student covered in blue and our comfortable university. Join a club. Atof the opportunities it is afforded. gold garb chanting for The Wilkes Univer- tend events. Stick around campus rather For example, go to a women’s volleyball sity Colonels at 9:00 a.m on a Monday is than heading home after your last class of game. The team doesn’t even have a cheer- unlikely to happen. the day. Take pride in Wilkes University, ing section. This is disappointing, especialAt a University such as Penn State, you because it takes pride in seeing you succeed. ly since the team is doing so well this year. will hear “WE ARE” on one end of the We all need to take more strides to create a They have a 500- winning percent average campus and the response “PENN STATE” culture of school spirit and pride at Wilkes. Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 32 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think Wilkes professors give too many assignments over break? • Yes 75% • No 25% Next Week’s Question: Do you think the collective Wilkes student body has enough school spirit? • Yes • No Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �OCTOBER 27, 2009 - YOUR Ri\Cl f5 OPINION 7 Dear Editor, Have you ever envisioned your future to be a tremendously fulfilling, happy place? Perhaps you have dreamt about a life for yourself that encouraged a gratifying smile to form across your face? I know I have! The exceptionality of my situation is one whereby my dreams became my reality and furthermore, I attribute much of my success to my mentor, Dr. Anne Heineman-Batory. Her support coupled with great family and friends and my resolve to embrace opportunity has comprehensively created a life for me that I often times query as a quirk of fate…but is it? The purpose of my writing is in response to the article that ran in The Times Leader entitled, “Wilkes teachers honored with awards.” As an adoring alumnus of Wilkes University, I not only value the education I received, but moreover the extraordinarily precious relationships I formed with their caring and talented faculty. Early on in my academic career, I stumbled upon my very first encounter with a professor that had captured my interest in a way I never realized was possible. Although we had not officially met at the time, Dr. Jeffrey Alves willingly embraced my request to serve as my academic advisor the year I transferred to Wilkes. I will never forget that summer meeting, nor will my parents, as it was the first time I actually became excited about learning! From there, the experiences only matured to what I consider an amazing time in my life where I truly discovered myself. It was not until I continued on in the MBA program at Wilkes that I had the pleasure of working with an invaluable faculty member, who is still an integral part of my life today. Dr. Anne Heineman-Batory em- braced my inquisitiveness and encouraged my passion for marketing, leadership and most of all working with people. She has been an essential ingredient in every aspect of my professional life to date, supporting me in all of my career decisions from industry experience, to adjunct teaching, to present day where I serve as a full-time faculty member at Moravian College, Bethlehem. I knew she was special when she encouraged my decision, with my husband, that I would quit my corporate marketing position, sell our home, and uproot my family to Miami, Florida for the sole purpose of embracing my dream to be a college professor. The few years I spent working on my doctorate were painfully pleasurable and, like Dr Batory promised, nothing short of a transformational experience. It is my hope that I can give back to my students at Moravian College by not only modeling Dr. Batory as an exemplar of stewardship, but also through self-reflection and the impact this special relationship has had on my life. Mentors are the little angels that guide us through the peaks and valleys of life and, for me, they are precious gems that I can only aspire to replicate. In sum, my message is simple – if you are a mentor or aspire to be a mentor take the time to reflect on the impact you can have on individuals and if you have a mentor remember to appreciate and communicate their value often. Kind Regards, Katie P. Desiderio, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Management Moravian College Letters to the Editor Policy The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion Please keep letters to 300 words. The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. Please submit letters to thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS ter company may use all of these methods, some, or even just one. In a study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), nearly 22 percent of the brands tested contained, in at least one sample, chemical contaminants at levels above strict state health limits and if some of the chemical contaminants are consumed over a long period of time, they could cause cancer or lead to other health problems. While there are dangers associated with bottled water, there are also benefits to drinking tap water besides it being potentially safer. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prides themselves on providing technical assistance in the fluoridation of water in the United States, which is a major factor responsible for the decline of tooth decay. Most bottled waters, however, do not contain fluoride. For those concerned with the effects bottled water has on the environment, the NRDC estimates that only about 13 percent of the plastic used to bottle water gets recycled. If you are still not convinced to drink tap water instead of bottled water, consider the cost and how much money you would be saving. Some bottles can cost up to $2.00, while tap water costs a fraction of a cent per gallon. So, the next time you get the urge to quench your thirst and only water will do, make it tap water in a reusable sports bottle. Or, if you dislike that mineral-like taste specific only to tap water, get yourself a Brita filter for your sink faucet. They are only around $30 and will give you better piece of mind in the long run. You will save yourself the health risks and some money while helping the environment. And maybe you will keep your teeth a little longer in life. we all see it in every corner store, gas station, supermarket, cafe, and fast food restaurant: the exuberant amount of bottled water brands. From Aquafina to Zephyrhills, the list seems endless and ongoing. We are all guilty of indulging ourselves in a bottled water or two from time to time, and for some of us the preference to drink bottled water instead of tap is almost an addiction. According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, an organization that provides consulting and marketing reports to the global beverage industry, bottled water accounts for 28.9% of the global beverage market--second only to carbonated soft drinks--and is projected to increase. The grand question is: Would bottled water be the second most consumed beverage on the market if we were all aware of the potential dangers and environmental effects that drinking bottled water causes? Certainly not. These disillusioned consumers that think they are drinking water that is safer than tap must be informed about the facts and stop drinking so much bottled water. Municipal drinking water, or tap water, if you have a preference, is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the EPA, municipal drinking water must meet standards for 90 different contaminants. If the water does not meet all of these standards, water suppliers may not supply it to the public. Bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In relation, the EPA also states that the FDA sets bottled water standards based on their tap water standards, but the bottled water produced may be treated more, less or not at all. This is a great risk if you do not know specifically how the bottled water is treated for sterilization. According to The Public Health and Safety Company (NSF), bottled water companies use a variety of different treatment methods to sterilize water, such as ozone or ultraviolet technologies, filtration, reverse osmosis, or distillation. Each bottled wa- The Beacon/Tom Reilly �OPINION 8 OCTOBER 27, 2009 can be useful LONG LIVE THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN Multi-tasking Except when driving and texting simultaneously Christmas can take a backseat to the best holiday around (I),________ Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS It’s the hap-happiest seeeason of all ... And, I’m definitely not talking about that washed up holiday that always ends up leaving moths in your wallet at the end of every year--Christmas. The season of concern here and now is Halloween, the holiday that comes just once a year, but humbly for one day, unlike its evil counterpart, Christmas, which takes up almost two months. Christmas pails in comparison to Halloween’s barrage of spooky-themed fun packed into one day: dressing-up in cool costumes, making mischief, eating candy, scaring unsuspecting citizens, telling ghost stories, trick-or-treating, pulling Halloween pranks, carving pumpkins, and jumping into big piles of brown and yellow leaves scattered about the ground. Celebrating Halloween takes but one day’s time. Imagine trying to do the same with Christmas rituatls: Malls all over America would be ransacked, highways would be shut down due to catastrophic traffic jams, and the level of body fat on every celebrator of Christmas would at least double. To celebrate Halloween, you don’t need to shop for gifts, travel to see all of your relatives, or eat three seperate dinners in one day. All of the fun surrounding Halloween requires little to moderate preparation. My main beef with Christmas is that it is drawn out between Black Friday and even a few weeks after December 25. During this time, celebrators of Christmas aren’t as worried about making preparations for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ; they feel it is the “last chance to buy presents.” And on top of its daunting length, the components that comprise the Christmas holiday season for almost two months tend to linger. For example, putting on unwanted pounds from all the Christmas dinners and Christmas cookies one consumes become difficult to remove, and Christmas songs that have been around for 50 years or more are heard constantly anywhere and everywhere. The worst thing you could get from the piles of Halloween candy you’ll likely consume in this one blessed day is a belly ache because after 20 miniature Snickers bars, your brain is going to make them lose their appeal. And there are only a handful of Hal- BY JASON SUTTON Correspondent loween songs one may hear occasionally on the radio: Thriller, The Monster Mash, or The Ghost Buster’s Theme Song. Above all lingering problems with the Christmas holiday hovers the pressure to buy the perfect gifts for relatives and friends. Along with this pressure comes the checklist of making sure you at least sent cards to all those people unworthy of a gift exchange, which is where the ultimate meaining behind Christmas becomes complicated. There remains some semiotic representations of the what the true meaning of Christmas in America is supposed to be, such as: baby Jesus in the manger, the Star or angel on top of trees, little drummer boys, the statues of three-wise men bearing gifts. Instead of these symbols being highly celebrated from Black Friday untill two weeks after December 25th, they are usurped by the notion buying gifts. In comparing the main activities both holidays imply from an American tradition standpoint, gift receiving/sending is more of a chore when contrasted against dressing up in a costume and partying all night long. By exchanging gifts with another person, the act will indefinitely elicit some sort of anxiety before and afterward. You will wonder: how much should I spend on this person? how much did he/ she spend on me? should I mail it or give to him/her in person?...this is all a bunch of unnecessary malarkey. The greatest gift you could ever give someone is the sharing of a good time. And good times are the only thing to be had during the core celebration ritual of Halloween, dressing-up in costumes. I bet you can remember your first Halloween costume you ever wore. Now try and feel the same about your first Christmassweater your mom forced you to wear during midnight mass…. definitely not a good time. Another downer about Christmas is having to eventually discover the truth about the person leaving presents under your tree for the first 18 years of your life. Upon the discovery of this ridiculous lie, the Christmas spirit slowly beings to die. Unlike Christmas, Halloween’s spirit cannot die because there is always something to be scared of and always a way to make your costume more ridiculous. In essence, Halloween gets better as you get older and it is the best. And don’t even think that you are ever too old not to go trick-or-treating, that’s a bunch of crap. fic alert service. Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. also offer traffic alerts via Twitter. However, it is not just the news stations that send these texts and tweets, it is also the state departments. The Virginia Department of Transportation sends alerts and updates to your email which many people now get on their phone. The Minnesota Department of Transportation offers Twitter alerts as well. This raises a question. Are these traffic texts and tweets counter-indicative to the laws? Many would say “yes.” These agencies, instead, have remarked that the tweets can be read before leaving the home or office, and that drivers should be accountable for handling these messages responsibly. My response is that of course drivers should be held accountable. We don’t need statistics and laws to tell us texting while driving is dangerous. Anyone who has done it inherently knows the dangers involved. Sure, a text about road conditions might catch the eye of a would-be texter, but the drivers that would break the law in this instance would break the law regardless as to the content of the text message. Simply put, detractors of this method tend to believe that drivers exist who would never break this law if only they wouldn’t receive Transportation texts. To blame state departments for sending these texts would be equivalent to blaming bars for serving would-be drivers. A bar or liquor store is not at fault when a driver blows a .11 behind the wheel; the driver is held accountable for breaking this law. Why should text messaging be any different? Studies find that driving while texting, eating, or a myriad of other daily activities are a dangerous gamble. We all, of course, understand this notion. Let’s be honest for a moment, if we could. Recently pundits have brought to light the hypocrisy of news outlets and government organizations sending text updates to drivers. These pundits blame the outlets for not practicing the safety that they air on the news each night. However, I believe that we must sincerely examine the notions of personal responsibility in this situation, and determine if these outlets truly are at fault. Some claim texting while driving is worse than driving drunk. Others, like Monash University Research Center throw statistics into the discussion. Drivers responding to a text message take their eyes off the road nearly 400 times as often as those not texting. Drivers texting attempt to compensate by distancing themselves from the car leading them, but do not reduce speed. In a country rife with the inability to pass laws effectively, nearly half of all states in America have passed laws banning cell phone use while driving. Let’s, for a second, step away from the issue of texting, and instead concern ourselves with the outlets reporting these statistics. News outlets have run these stories into the ground. State departments have all made public comments on the dangers involved. However, these outlets are the same companies, channels, and governments issuing traffic reports via text message. A few such examples of this would be areas such as Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. (all of which have banned cell phone use while driving) issuing up-to-the-minute traffic information via Twitter and texts. Such organizations like Google and NAVTEQ offer the service of having traffic alerts sent to your mobile phones, regardless of where you are in the United States, granted you are in cell phone recepetion. News stations like WSAZ that broadcast to Kentucky, West Virginia, The Beacon/Tom Reilly and Ohio and NBC Washington, which broadcasts Receiving updates on mobile phones while driving difrom Washington D.C. also verts driver’s visual attention away from the road, demoffer the same mobile traf- ostrating the hazard of multi-tasking behind the wheel. �Fall Fashion p. 10 li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com OCTOBER 27, 2009 9 College Days Dr. Mischelle Anthony travels many roads in college BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Five year-old Mischelle Anthony rides her bicycle around her yard in central Oklahoma. She weaves around the yard as the sun starts to peak through the clouds overhead. She looks up. “I remember thinking, ‘Okay, God, are you coming now? Make sure to get my family, too, and my dog,’” remembers Anthony, an associate English professor at Wilkes. As Anthony looked through those clouds and watched the sunbeams flood down onto her little patch of Oklahoma, it set in motion what would become her unique and vivacious view of the world. “It’s a tiny, tiny town. No stoplights. I graduated with 33 people,” says Anthony. Of the 33 students she graduated with, Anthony was the valedictorian. Upholding a family tradition of valedictorians, Anthony followed both her father and grandfather as the strongest academic. Her love of learning and value of education was deep rooted from her childhood and family values. “The transition [from high school to college] was made easier through my family’s value of education,” states Anthony. Anthony traveled only 20 minutes away from home for her undergraduate degree in psychology at Central State University in Oklahoma. The transition into college life was an eye-opening one for Anthony. “It was almost a non-transition. It was a big deal, because it meant perhaps I wasn’t going home every weekend to visit my family. They were always just very supportive. They would go, ‘Ok, great. We’ll visit you. We’ll have dinner,’” remembers Anthony. Despite reaching out to her new college “ peers, Anthony still felt pressure to stay connected to her home life. “I have to say that in the midst of that [moving to college], my mother and grandmother were not thrilled that I didn’t want to live at home. They really wanted me to commute,” says Anthony. As a psychology major, Anthony flew through the bachelor’s program and earned her degree in three years. When Anthony took on college, she took it on full force. “When I was an undergrad it was about speed and efficiency,” says Anthony. Anthony acquired her bachelor’s in psychology degree in 1990 and began her masters in psychology, also at Central State, the following year. Almost halfway through her masters program, Anthony had an epiphany. “I started to get to know more people that were going to be my colleagues in the psychology field and realized I didn’t have the personality for it. I had a crisis of education,” says Anthony. At a pivotal point in her higher education, Anthony chose a path that did not, in fact, lead forward. Her path lead her back to undergraduate education and into the field of English. When reassessing her educational choices, and with an army of supportive family behind her, Anthony backtracked in her education to unveil her true passions. Anthony began speaking to old undergraduate professors at Central State to try and figure out where her talents lied. “They noticed that I had an English minor, I loved reading books and talking to others about them. In fact, they noticed that I cornered people to talk about books,’” recalls Anthony. With the support of family and professors, as well as an instilled self-confidence, Anthony spent the next two years taking prerequisite courses and finishing her bachelor’s degree in English at Central State. She would eventually go on to receive her Ph.D in English from Oklahoma State University, all the while never being more than 45 minutes from her family. Anthony’s winding course through college and back again was a unique experience for her. “The great thing about my undergrad degree is that it was such a new world for me. In high school I was a big nerd. I went to one party my entire high school experience, and I just kind of sat on the couch, watched my friends drink too much, and I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t find people I had things in common with,” remembers Anthony. She continued, “Oh my gosh! When I got to college, though, there were people who were nerdy like me, who liked to read. They also liked to relax and enjoy life. That is something I didn’t learn, unfortunately, from my family life,” says Anthony. In fact, Anthony credits college with saving her life. “Turns out I had a history of depression in my family, that I didn’t know about, and I actually suffered from depression, but didn’t know it at the time. Being able to go to college and see this whole new world outside of my small town literally saved my life,” says Anthony. This high-achieving English major from Oklahoma traveled leaps and bounds to work here at Wilkes University. In fact, she was so excited about being interviewed by Wilkes that she admits to almost throwing up right in her interview. “I called my grandmother after the first ~ - -- - -- ~---=-- - - - -- ~ ~ ~ J Photo courtesy of Dr. Anthony Dr. Mischelle Anthony, age 18, rides on a train in the western countryside on a class trip. day of interviews and said ‘I just love it here, and I don’t know why they would want to hire me,” states Anthony. Anthony credits much of her success and outlook to the support she received from strong female leaders. “When I got to college, I started meeting these women professors who changed my life. I started looking at my grandmother, my mother, and how much support I got from them and how much I wanted to be like them,” she recalls. Anthony continues to instill vivaciousness throughout her students each and every time she stands up to talk about yet another piece of literature. With her sweet southern drawl, Anthony brings her unique view of life and literature to Wilkes. In her own words, Dr. Anthony sees her professor in a whole new light: When I was getting my psychology degree, I took a creative writing class. The professor's name was Russ T. Bowlen. He was our writer-in-residence at the University. I really enjoyed his class. He was a different kind of teacher. He would wear these crazy outfits. He would wear polka dot suspenders that were canary yellow, and a bow tie with a different pattern, and very shiny shoes. He was just very dapper. I was fascinated by him. One day, he didn't show up for class. We kept wondering where he was. So, we left after the 15 minutes you should stay. The next class day, he showed up and said "I'm sorry I missed class, I was in jail, because I got caught drunk driving. So don't drive drunk everybody". And he went on and taught class. I realized that not all professors are the same. People have lives. This was a crack in their armor. “ �10 LIFESTYLES OCTOBER 27, 2009 Female fall fashion is in full swing Brightly colored tights, scarves and coats leading trends this season BY ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER Correspondent Temperatures and leaves are falling. That means it’s time to change your wardrobe again. Every year autumn brings back sweaters, boots and darker colors, and a whole new array of fall fashion trends. This year plaid is in--plaid shirts, skirts, and vests. To pull off this look, wear a fitted plaid shirt or combine two trends in one by adding a belt to a looser or longer fitted plaid shirt. Wide belts are also big “whether it’s [with] a dress, a coat or a long shirt, slap a wide black belt on it,” according to Lorain Blanken’s “How-to Fall Fashion 2009 Guide”. Bling is also in, whether it’s metallics or sequins. “I like that sparkly shirts are a current fashion trend,” said Trisha Sikora, 21, pharmacy major. Bling is not just for going out at night; wear a subtle amount of sparkle to dress up casual daywear. Blacks, grays, navys and neutrals are always great colors for fall, but jewel-tones add a pop of color to your outfits. “I like to wear fall colors like gold and brown,” said Erin Robinson, 19, an English major. Consider adding some jewel-tones Some that look great with the typical fall colors are gold, pink, and teal. Add them in the form of tights, scarves, and coats. Brightly-colored coats are also big this season; they are “fall’s wardrobe punch-up, eye-catching without extravagance,” according to InStyle magazine.” “During fall, scarves are a must-have. [Fall fashions] are versatile,” said Robinson. “Scarves, especially, because you can mix and match things with them.” Sophomore education major Kaitlyn McGurk added, “Scarves are a cute way to accessorize.”. Wearing boots is fashionable and functional during the fall. Slouchy suede boots are comfortable and create a trendy, yet casual look when worn over skinny jeans. Another look is ankle boots with a skirt and tights. ”This season, designers are taking the opaque tights trend of last year to the next level,” according to CollegeFashion.net. “This year, the hottest types of tights for fall come in interesting patterns or jewel-tone colors,” the website adds. Mixing and matching seems to be the biggest fashion trend this season because recessionistas are trying to get more for their money. “I like having lots of layering pieces be- cause you get to mix and match them and get more outfits,” said Sikora. Cardigans are a great layering piece, “what could be more better than a slip-it over/under-everything,” said InStyle. Cardigans are also a great way to re-use some of your summer pieces while staying warm. A tank top you wore ervices this summer can be ltimate25 transformed by simityGuide ply wearing a cardigan over it. Fashion can seem complicated, but this year if there’s one trend to follow it is hitting the sale racks, mixing and matching, reusing, and saving money. ForE1 Bodyl Seel Tol L Cl SHC I 8' The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Instyle magazine is the place to look for all the fall fashion trends. Recipe: cranberry almond gorp BY RUTH WHISPELL Lifestyles Assistant Editor Michaelene Ostrum is the office assistant in the Upward Bound Office. Her desk is usually surrounded by graduates of the Upward Bound program who are now students at Wilkes University, other students who pass through the office and stop in to say hello, and fellow co-workers. She recently made Cranberry Almond Gorp and it got such a positive response that she brought it to school to share with everyone in the office. She decided to share the recipe with The Beacon, so those who didn’t drop in to say hello that day could have a taste of this fall treat. Cranberry Almond Gorp Serves about 20 people and takes about 25 minutes to make. Ingredients: ¾ Stick butter ½ cup packed light brown sugar 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 ½ cups dried cranberries 1 ½ cups slivered almonds 1 ½ cups trail mix 1 ½ cups pretzel nuggets, lightly salted Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Melt the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a large pot over medium heat. 3. Stir in cinnamon and pumpkin spice. 4. Add cranberries, almonds and trail mix 5. Once the ingredients are all combined, add the pretzels and stir. 6. Spread mixture on greased cookie sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until mixture is crunchy and lightly browned. “If you buy a trail mix that includes some of the ingredients then you don’t have to add extra of that ingredient into the recipe. Just double up on the trail mix,” said Ostrum. 'T ON STREET D EI1 1 ocated inside the ThIC .· on-1\•Iembers \Vd omed Jon thru Thurs 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Fridays 11 :00 :lm to 4:00 pm 1~ /(j di$ffilnl The Beacon/ Ruth Whispell Michaelene Ostrum made Cranberry Almond Gorp as a fall treat for everyone in her office to enjoy. ·/ Sm.dent ID F.a:oe W-.Fi A ~ ble Coming ~ 0 $F.ill _d · ~ li.otlf$ �OCTOBER 27, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 Love led Brena-Martinez to Wilkes BY RUTH WHISPELL Lifestyles Assistant Editor Debora Brena-Martinez, now 26-yearsold, was living in Brazil about a year ago with her mother, father, and younger brother. She had a degree in logistics from a University of Technology in Brazil and was working with planning and production control at a company that produced rubber pieces used to fix machinery. The furthest thing from her mind was moving to the United States and attending Wilkes University. When she attended a friend’s wedding, Debora was spotted by a young American business man, Ivin Martinez, who was a friend of the brides. Ivin was working with a company based in Wilkes-Barre and travels a lot. Ivin met the bride of that wedding through a company based in Brazil, that she was working for. The company Ivin was working for was doing business with her company. “It was love at first sight for Ivin. I had a bad experience about six months before and wasn’t sure if I wanted to be in a relationship,” said Debora. “The first thing I received was flowers, then he sent post cards, emails, and w chatted on MSN,” said Debora. She didn’t know that her friend gave Ivin her address, email and cell phone number, so when the flowers first arrived, Debora was surprised and taken back by the romantic gesture shown by someone who had just met her. He became a close friend, and as their friendship grew they began to talk more often. “I told Ivin that we’ll be friends and he said ‘I don’t want you as a friend, I want you as my wife,’” recalls Debora. After a while she also fell in love and Ivin eventually asked if she would move to the United States to be closer to him. Photos Courtesy of Debora Brena-Martinez Debora and Ivin Martinez enjoying spending their free time together. The two have been married for five months. “My family is the most important thing In April of 2008, Ivin began to fill out the to me, but for me to be happy I needed to paperwork required for immigration so that move on and make a life with the man I Debora could move to the United States to love,” said Debora. be with him; the paperwork took about six On Febuary 12, 2008 Debora joined Ivin months to be approved. on a business trip to Mexico, where they In September 2008, however, Debora’s stayed with his parents. “He was there for mother became ill. She had blood clots in business, but I was on a vacation,” said her lungs and at the same time was suffer- Debora. ing from thrombosis in her leg. Thrombosis Ivin’s parents are from Monterey, Califoris a form of a blood clot that is found in a nia, and have welcomed Debora into their blood vessel. family with open arms. “In the beginning of November, we went “You can’t possibly be with someone and to the theater and my mother fainted. She not get along with their family, too. He has spent 25 days in the hospital,” said Debora. a good relationship with my family; my Debora wouldn’t move to the United States mother said she wasn’t losing a daughter, until she was absolutely sure her mother but gaining a third son,” said Debora. was going to be ok. The two were married on June 18, 2009. Debora and Ivin haven’t been back to Brazil to visit her parents yet, because they are waiting of Debora’s passport application to be approved. Debora is currently a student in the Intensive English Program at Wilkes University. She is improving her English so she can apply for a job in logistics in the United States. “I was going to study online, but I need to be around people. I came here to polish my English, but it has improved since moving to the United States,” said Debora. Three weeks ago Debora began working at Macy’s in the Wyoming Valley Mall behind the jewelry counter. She is enjoying learning more about the English language, and married life About the Intensive English Program at Wilkes • The Intensive English Program (IEP) at Wilkes University helps international students learn English, improve their English, and learn more about the American culture before they immerse themselves into an American college atmosphere. • The students in the IEP have scheduled classes six hours a day for five days a week. • The students study reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, conversation in preparation for the TOEFL exam. • TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language Exam; international students take this exam worldwide to prove they have the skills in English they need to study at an American college or university. • The IEP is a section of The Center of Global Education and Diversity here at Wilkes. • Students who enter the IEP can come in at five levels, Beginner, speaking little or no English, Low Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate, and Advanced, speaking clear and concise English. • The Center also has a program called Global Partners. This is where international students can get together with American students and go to a movie, play pool in the Student Center or just hang out. • The Center for Global Education and Di- versity offers a Global Coffee Hour every Thursday from 3-5 p.m. in the Savitz Multicultural Lounge on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. • Anyone interested in becoming a Global Partner should contact Kimberly Niezgoda via email at kimberly.niezgoda@wilkes.edu. �Beer Deli ReviewPage 14 CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 OCTOBER 27, 2009 David Yezefski: eyes, ears of Darte theatre BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor The Dorothy Dickson Darte Center is home to many students, particularly those whose schedules involve a heavy dosage of dancing, music, and acting. It’s not unusual to find a theatre student pacing back and forth practicing a monologue for an audition of an upcoming show, or a dancer stretching after rehearsing a routine for a recital. Though you can’t see him stretching or pacing back and forth, David Yezefski is practicing just like any other performing arts student to get ready for an upcoming theater performance. He’s working hard to make sure that everything the audience sees and hears is perfect. Yezefski, a 20-year-old junior at Wilkes, is the man behind the scenes. He is also the first incoming freshman to major in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in design. It’s easy to become distracted by the talented performances that take place on stage, but most of the aesthetic appeal of the shows comes from Yezefski’s fingertips. He works the audio consul for shows as well as the lighting, which is much more involved than just flipping a switch or two. “Once you grasp how a system functions and understand the controls on any given audio consul, you could get lost for days,” said Yezefski. “What’s difficult is learning everything, while simultaneously staying on top with what’s currently going on in the industry,” said Yezefski. Yezefski, born and raised in Nanticoke, didn’t discover his interest in audio visuals until he was in high school, thanks to state representative Eddie Day Pashinski, who was a music teacher there at the time. Pashinski took Yezefski under his wing and introduced him to a new, fascinating world of audio electronics. Once Pashinski moved on and all the students who had knowledge on audio graduated, Yezefski was the only one left who knew the basics. “I was the only one so I took things apart that I wasn’t supposed to, put them together again, and even exploded a few things. It was the best way to learn,” said Yezefski, “I loved to see the way things work.” Yezefski is usually found in the Darte Photo courtesy of Bruce Phair Elysburg haunted house and woods offers scare BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI A&E Asst. Editor David Yezefski in his usual spot in the theatre behind his audio consul. This is where he creates his mixes and stands for an entire show to prepare for his cues. bumping elbows with Bruce Phair, the Darte Center Director. “Without Bruce, I wouldn’t be close to where I am now. He’s the guy who explains everything. He’s my business partner, friend and mentor. He knows so much about the industry. Hopefully I’ll thank him somehow,” said Yezefski. Yezefski said he chose Wilkes because it has a great theatre and sound facility--better than most other schools in the area. The small size, proximity to “home” and close interpersonal relationships with his mentors, like Phair, are the things Yezefski likes best about Wilkes. What makes this full time student stand out even more, however, is the fact that he has his own production company, DBY Production Services. He eats, sleeps, and breathes production--inside and outside of classes. His company has a varied clientele who mostly deal with concerts. Yezefski has helped out with a number of shows outside of Wilkes, mostly at Mon- tage Mountain, that include big names such as Dave Matthews Band, Rascal Flatts, and Crew Fest. The exciting aspect is being able to help out huge performers, but the best part for him is being exposed to the upto-date and cutting edge technology, which helps with his business. At Wilkes, Yezefski is also partially responsible for redesigning the theatre’s sound system, which is now beginning its last phase of renovation. After graduation, Yezefski plans to focus on his current company 100%. In five years, he hopes to see himself running, or starting to run, a successful regional production service, complete with a retail outlet for equipment and a large clientele. The next time you sit down to watch a show at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center and you’re wowed by the awesome lighting or startled by the dramatic music, it’s likely that Yezefski has been practicing all week to give you that thrill. Did you ever want to feel like you’re living in a horror movie? Look no further than the small town of Elysburg, PA for your frightening fantasy. The Elysburg Haunted House & Woods are sure to provide an overwhelming amount of scary monsters and horrifying attractions that will give you nightmares for the next week. The Elysburg Haunted House & Woods are created by the firefighters of Elysburg and Ralpho Fire Departments and volunteers from the surrounding communities. The volunteers spent four weeks making sure the haunted house was in perfect condition and ready to be opened on October 16. With the addition of more blood drips and a few more scare tactics, the haunted house was ready for its thrill-seeking guests. Harvey Boyer, president of the Elysburg Fire Company, added, “The setup does take time and aggravation. But it is all worthwhile when you hear that first scream!” Cory Kowaleski, first-year surgical technologist student at LCCC, said, “I have never been to the haunted house before because I’ve always heard it was extremely scary and I’m not one for horror and gore. I’ve had friends that have gone and came out crying when it was over.” This attraction is not for the faint of heart; however, guests ranging in age from a couple months old to an eighty-year- old woman have gone through the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods, according to Boyer. The chill in the night air only adds to the terror that is already felt while venturing in the haunted house and woods and some people just live for that feeling. There are blood-thirsty ghouls and zombies just waiting to attack when you enter a See ELYSBURG page 13 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 27, 2009 ELYSBURG from PAGE 12 Photo Courtesy of Elysburg Fire Company the line, and blood-chilling screams can be heard from all ends of the Valley Gun & Country Club in Ralpho Township -- the location of the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods. If the zombies aren’t enough to make you scream like a little girl, you’ll love the buzzing chainsaws they carry with them through the attraction. Chip Wetzel, treasurer of the Elysburg Fire Company, explained, “There are many characters [in the attraction] that are there in strange form. You name it, it has made an appearance.” The Elysburg Haunted House & Woods have been a long standing tradition in the Elysburg area for over30 years and bring scarier attractions each year. A crowd favorite, the basement and “jungle room,” will be returning. New to the haunted house are an electrocution room and a murder scene for the guests’ haunting experience. The main house contains 14 rooms for guests to walk through and scream in terror filled with snakes, ghosts, spiders, and a few surprise guests that may seem to pop up out of nowhere. Photo Courtesy of Elysburg Fire Company Photo Courtesy of Elysburg Fire Company A frightening zombie skeleton droops over a toxic waste can at the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods located just 2 miles from Knoebels Amusement Resort. 13 Boyer has experienced some unexplainable events while setting up the attraction for the year, such as hearing “unexplainable sounds” as he worked with the other volunteers and firefighters. Although the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods are meant to scare the guests, it provides nothing but amusement to those who put on the attraction each year. Boyer recalled “seeing someone running away screaming from a guy with cornstalks taped to a crutch,” as his funniest memory of the attraction. The Elysburg Haunted House & Woods are located about two miles from Knoebels Amusement Resort and will be open rainor-shine on October 30 and 31 at 7 p.m. Admission for this attraction is $8. For more pictures of the Elysburg Haunted House & Woods, check out the online edition of this story. for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com I TIii DIIYOQUIP! I BY DAVID LEWIS Asst. Opinion Editor I I I Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! I I I I I KRGU J PRZQX TJXTRGQ AGDGH, MX TJU BQBJCCF QJXBHIJF UMPRX LG AZBUI I I LZZ - PFMUP I ZU XRG IJUTG - ACZZH Gifts * Glass Art * T-shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ... I I This week’s clues: B=U & Z=O & X=T I I I Answer from last week: IF TWO ELEPHANTS FIGHT OVER ONE PEANUT THEN CHANCES OF THAT PEANUT CAUSING AN ALLERGIC REACTION ARE SLIM TO NONE - - - - - - - - _I 0 with this coupon Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 27, 2009 The Beacon/Tom Reilly BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI A&E Asst. Editor Similar to the classic cult film of 1987, The Stepfather includes a serial killer who finds his way into an unsuspecting family and dives in for the kill. This time, Dylan Walsh takes his turn as the serial killer with Sela Ward as the obliviously-in-love fiancée. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that from the very beginning David Harris (Dylan Walsh) is not exactly who he seems to be and that there’s already a search in place for this killer by the police. The family, soon to be destroyed, is introduced shortly after Harris’s flee from his last murder scene where he massacred an entire family. They meet at a supermarket in Oregon and Susan Harding (Sela Ward) is immediately attracted to this man who happens to be two things her ex-husband, Jay (Jon Tenney), never was: nice and reliable. It only takes a few months and Harris is already living with the family with the in- tention of marriage. To further the advance of this killer, the kids even like him. Well… the ones he knows about at this point. Michael (Penn Badgley), Susan’s oldest son, arrives home from a military school, exciting his mom and girlfriend Kelly (Amber Heard). Kelly appears in the movie only as eye candy, wearing next to nothing. I think she lives in the pool, since that’s the only place the viewers ever see her. David, who tells Michael he is a widower, tries to make Michael feel welcome and create a connection between the two. He vows to unite the Harding family and find his place within it. Jackie, Susan’s sister (Paige Turco), is fond of David until his alibis don’t match up. He refuses to prove his past, locks cabinets in the basement, and destroys IDs and photos of himself. At this point in the movie, suspicion rises. This movie seems to be quite content just being average. Its biggest problem was that the movie felt more like a TV movie, rather than an actual remake of a classic movie. It doesn’t help that the entire cast of the movie is from TV shows like Gossip Girl, ER, Nip/ Tuck and so on. The film was also directed by Nelson McCormick, who is known for his TV series directing skills. Much of the movie seems like a Lifetime special, rather than a feature film. The fact that David is a successful serial killer is hard to believe when he makes stupid mistakes like saying the name of his dead daughter and finding himself in “oops, did I just say that?” moments. Walsh is great at some parts, but lousy at others, like when he’s going in for the kill and it seems like more of a chore than an actual intense murder. Walsh’s robotic acting makes it seem like even he’s bored. However, Walsh can’t be blamed for the script. McCormick had poor judgment when he selected a script that lacked subtlety where necessary in the film. Badgley doesn’t do too badly in the movie but his character is rather dull. To our delight, he doesn’t play out as the teen with revenge, a cliché character in many horror films. Amber Heard is a waste of space in the movie, as she’s only seen in a bikini or panties. The Stepfather will entertain audiences although it’s a highly predictable plot. If you’ve seen the original, don’t bother going to see this. You won’t be surprised or shocked. You’ll just regret paying $7 to see a movie you could have rented for $4. Rating: 2.5/5 Restaurant Review: The Beer Deli BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor “Number 26! Number 26!” the waitress yelled at the top of her lungs. I slowly rise when I realize that is my number she is yelling. Number 26: a reuben sandwich and spinach and pasta soup. An elderly woman with a forceful demeanor slowly walks my tray over towards me. I stand up to help her, but she does not need help. According to the man sitting to the table to my left at the Beer Deli in FortyFort, “she has been doing this a long time.” The Beer Deli may seem like a typical deli when someone walks in; however, it gives off a feeling of a close-knit, family-owned restaurant once you’re settled inside. After ordering off of the giant whiteboards that are suspended above the deli counter, which hold menu items from hot and cold sandwiches to spaghetti and meatball dinners, I made my way around the corner to the dining room. There are no booths here at the Beer Deli. In fact, only tables. Tables slanted, tables crooked. Patrons seem to prefer it this way. Sitting in the back corner, I begin to construct a plan to tackle the huge sandwich in front of me. This was a monster of a sandwich. Coleslaw actually tumbled out of the sides of it. Despite it’s size, I devoured the delicious sandwich. It was easy to devour this sandwich, since it was one of the best reubens I have ever had. When ordering, all I could focus on was the constant bustle of employees from one side of the counter to the other, from the back of the restaurant and to the front. They seemed to work systematically, like a well-oiled machine. A well-oiled machine that makes really, really good reuben sandwiches. And then there is the white-haired waitress who holds some of the most important jobs at the Beer Deli. Her number one role is to yell out the number of the orders so patrons know when their order is ready. Despite yelling very, very loudly each and every order number, she still insists on carrying the trays of food to each table. But her most important role of all is another unique facet of the Beer Deli: she passes out the free dessert. The Beer Deli offers each patron who dines in free dessert. While the dessert choice changes from day to day, it is a refreshing and kind aspect of this small corner restaurant just off of Exit 4 on Route 309, not to mention delicious! The cake was moist and the icing worked well in combination. The Beer Deli’s large selection and family-like atmosphere make it a great stop for a quick bite or for long lunch. Rating: 4.5/5 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 27, 2009 15 Behind the Scenes of Wilkes Barre’s “Night Terrors” BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Are you looking for a fun scream for Halloween that isn’t too far from campus? Look no further. “Night Terrors” can provide you with the scary fun that most seek out around this time of year. Terrors is unique from most haunted houses, since it is located in a mall complex. The sound of it may be unappealing, but what that really means is that there’s over 30,000 square feet to cover, which makes it a huge venue full of frights. It is a growing multiple-use venue that currently has a haunted walk-through as well as a Halloween themed miniature golf course, complete with 13 holes. Terrors opened the evening of Sept. 24. Joe Niemiec, the manager, hopes to continue doing this every year. Originally in West Pittston the last three years, it was moved into the East End Center below the Wyoming Valley Mall, where the Red Lobster is located, in June. After being introduced to the actors, mostly made up of high school students, I was able to see a lot of the efforts put in to working something like Terrors. It seems like a fun job, but some of the actors have shared stories with me about people assault- • • • • • ., I The Beacon/Brie Friedman An actress prepares for her night of frightening customers at Night Terrors in Wilkes Barre’s East End Center located below the Wyoming Valley Mall. I’ve ever eaten. Apart from the walk-through and mini golf course, they have great food and games to play on the side. It is open rain or shine and is handicap accessible. It will be open this Friday and Saturday from 6-11 p.m. and Sunday 6-10 p.m. It is $10 per person and there are group rates available, but if you bring your Wilkes student ID, it’ll only cost you $8. For more information visit: www.niteterrors.com or call (570) 237-5062. Go to Page 4 of NEWS to enter to win 5 tickets to Night Terrors. • • • • appening Aroun BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor r Tuesday, October II ing them. It’s best for patrons and actors to just keep to yourself and listen to directions. For example, a young actress was punched by a patron to see if she was real or not. Since there has to be an even flow to this haunted walk-through, the ushers take you into a holding area and play old-fashioned scary movies like The Fly. They will let you through row by row. Upon waiting, I caught up with Robert DuBoice, a senior Wilkes mechanical engineering major who works at Terrors, providing the audio visuals. Duboice helped with the big move from West Pittston to Wilkes-Barre, as well as with the assembly of the majority of the set. “It’s neat. As an engineer, I get to see the finished project and see every step it took to get there, especially all the things that happen behind the scenes,” said DuBoice. Upon walking through the haunted complex, I found that it was your typical scare for the most part. What makes Terrors a bit different is that it provides a more personal experience with the actors. Though they don’t touch you, they will get in your face and follow you around. My favorite part was the bellboy in the elevator, but I won’t spoil anything more about that. The walkthrough took about five to ten minutes. Did I mention the Babushka Bettys? They happen to be the most delicious pierogies 27, 2009 Toasters, Skip Town Matty, AM Rev 2, Fridge Full of Popsicles @ day, October 29, 2009 ton Curtis @ River Street Jazz afe, Plains - FREE - 10 p.m. - "Phantoms of the Operetta" Radisson Lackawanna Station, Scranton - $55 - 6 p.m . Sunday, November 1, 2009 - Big City Lights & The Owl Stations @ Cafe Metro - $8 - 7 p.m. t - Cafe Metro - $10 - 7 p.m. - Open Mic for Acoustic and P @ Barnes and Noble - 6:30-8:3 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - The In Crowd, The Bride Wore Black, This Condition, The Heis Hopefuls @ Cafe Metro $8 - 7 p. - "'War of the Worlds" / "The Lost World"@ FM Kirby Center - $20$32.50 - 7:30 p.m. - Pa'leface & Bog Swing Band @ The Bog, Scranton - $5 - 9:30 p.m. All Weekend Long - (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Zing Zang Zoom @ Wachovia Arena - $22-$85 -Times Vary Friday, October 30, 2009 - Halloween Covers Show @ Cafe Metro - $7 - 8 p.m. - Eden Everlasting @ Club JAM, Pittston - $5 - 9 p.m. h & Suicaudio @ River Street afe - $5 - 10 p.m. & The Suburban Losers @ Scranton - $5 - - Jon Casey@ Barnes and Noble - 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Eastern State Penitentiary Haunted House Bus Trip @Wilkes - $5 omingUp: Kirby Center: d Science presents CSI !- Nov. 3 - $6.50 - 10 a.m. ton Cultural Center: t t t ggy lOI's Guitars & Stars feat. ·e Pickler, Phil Vassar, Jason Saturday, October 31, 2009 - PANKED! Halloween Special @ The Bog, Scranton - $5 10:30p.m. - Drop Veil & Unlabeled Affect @ JAM, Pittston - $5 - 9 p.m. - Daddy O and the Sax @ River Street Jazz C chael Carroll, and Jimmy Wayne ov. 3 - $27 - 7 p.m. achovia Arena: - FallFest 09' feat. Sean Paul, Keri Hilson, & Colby O'Donis Nov. 13 - $31.50-$101.50 - 8 p.m. - Daughtry, Theory of a Deadman, & t Cavo - Nov. 16 - $32-42 - 7:30 p.m. �CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu PAGE 18 16 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com OCTOBER 27, 2009 Wilkes crew team braves frigid waters Lady Colonels Little known club is making waves in Susquehanna follow Reed’s lead in 5-0 wins BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor Be honest with yourself. You were probably unaware that Wilkes had a crew team. The co-ed club, which has been a part of the university for decades, has gotten used to the fact that many students don’t even know what crew is, let alone that we have a team. “Crew is a way of life,” said Amanda Gunther, a junior communications major and the president of the club. “Our team is very different than any of the other teams on campus. It’s much more involved than just simply rowing a boat, which I don’t think many people realize.” The crew team holds ten practices a week, five in the early morning and five in the afternoon. Members must attend at least five of these throughout the week in order to participate in organized regattas, three of which will be attended by Wilkes’s team this year. The team meets in the back of the Student Union Building prior to practice before driving across the Market Street Bridge into Kingston, where their boatyard is located. Upon arrival, the team follows a series of vocal commands before attempting to lift the four and eight-man boats, which can weigh several hundred pounds each. After they have hoisted the massive boats in the air, they simply carry them down the dyke running alongside the Susquehanna until they reach the water’s edge- a walk of several hundred feet. “We try and stress the need for our members to be in good physical shape, not only for races, but just to be able to get our boats to the water before we collapse,” said Gunther with a laugh. Upon hitting the frigid waters of the Susquehanna, the team’s members help one another install the boat’s massive oars into the boat riggings before the rowers jump in. “Wading out into that [cold] water never gets any easier,” admitted Jose Ruiz, a sophomore business administration major and biology minor. “It’s probably the thing the majority of people fear most when com- BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor The Beacon/Allison Roth Members of the Wilkes University crew team lift their four-man boat out of the water at the conclusion of a practice last week. Pictured from left to right are Willie Eggleston, Paul Karmilowicz, Thompson Palmer, and Jesse Hassan. ing to practice.” After receiving a helpful push from those remaining on shore, the members on the water are free to take off on their trips up and down the river. One would imagine that following the hard work needed to get their boats to shore, the rowing would come easily in contrast. This assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. The act of rowing requires a great deal of strength, coordination and teamwork. The physical motion starts at the legs, which are held in place in Wilkes’ boats by a pair of Velcro-laced shoes. The legs push the body backwards on a sliding seat while the rower begins to lean backward, transferring the energy up to his or her lower back. The rower’s arms then follow the body backward, pulling the boat’s oars through the water to generate thrust. It is a repetitive and exhausting act that is further complicated by the need for a team to row in sync; just one person rowing out of rhythm with his or her teammates can slow a boat down dramatically, or in the worst case, tip it. To counter this, teams utilize a coxswain, or rowing instructor, who sits at the stern of the boat and shouts orders throughout a race. The coxswain’s role is to help those rowing maintain a sustainable pace. To Gunther’s knowledge, no Wilkes crew team has capsized a boat in at least six years. “I have absolutely no desire to find out what that experience is like,” she added. While the sport is indeed taxing, it can also be quite serene. A team working in unison truly glides across the water, a sensation that can be liberating and extremely fun. SEE CREW, Page 19 Leading scorer Julissa Reed fueled the Wilkes University women’s soccer team to their fifth and sixth victory of the season last week. Reed was assisted by her partners of punishment Taryn Hallowell and Katy Fissel to record their first Freedom Conference victory of the season against King’s College. This season hasn’t been too promising for the Lady Colonels as they are currently posting an overall record of 6-7-3 and 2-2-2 in the conference. However, things started to turn around for Wilkes when they stepped on the field against the Lady Monarchs last Tuesday. Shortly after the start of the game, Reed converted the Hallowell pass into their first goal giving them the lead with a mere 6:37 off the clock. From there the dominance took off for the ladies and a total team effort exploded. Reed found the back of the net once again in the 19th minute from the assistance of Fissel’s pass to record her sixth goal of the season making the score 2-0 early on. Reed would also score in the game against Delaware Valley tallying seven goals for her so far this season. Reed’s seven goals are leading the team this season with Hallowell, Sargent, and Clementson behind her each with four goals a piece. Shortly after Reed recorded her sixth goal of the season against King’s, Megan Clementson extended their lead to three goals going into the break. As Wilkes went into halftime with their head held high and a commanding lead, coach Sumoski reminded them to stay focused because there was plenty of game left to play. “I was just as honest as I usually am with them [at halftime],” said Sumoski. “We had some nice goals, we followed the game plan, but we needed the intensity level to go up.” SEE SOCCER, Page 19 �SPORTS OCTOBER 27, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Lindsey Davenport, the shutout artist BY MELISSA POLCHINSKI Staff Writer/Photographer Meet Lindsey Davenport, a talented and determined sophomore goaltender for the Wilkes University Lady Colonels field hockey team from Dallas, Pa. Davenport is majoring in elementary education along with a minor in special education and reading. Already in her short college career, the dominant goaltender has recorded nine shutouts with three of them coming this season. With a total of eight saves against FDU-Florham this past week, Davenport recorded her third shutout and was also named the Freedom Conference Player of the Week. Having heard she received this honor, Davenport was both excited and humbled. “I couldn’t achieve these honors and success without my teammates and coaching staff,” said Davenport. After having a shutout game, she was pleased to see that her time and effort has been paying off. With an overall record of 12-2 and is 3-1 in the conference, this year’s field hockey team is having a great deal of success and according to her teammates Davenport is a big part of that. “Lindsey makes a huge impact on the team,”said fellow teammate Chelsea Minix. “She’s the final line of defense, and she gives us every reason to trust her. We know she’ll do everything she can to stop the ball and usually she does.” Playing as hard as she can from start to finish is Davenport’s goal every game, a goal that will hopefully help the team accomplish its goal of becoming Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Champions. She said that the key ingredient to continue their successful season is to play as a unit. Davenport has proved to be a dependable goalie that is determined to win every game. It’s clear that her teammates feel very comfortable with her in the net. “Lindsey gets to see the whole playing field and her communication is a key when it comes to our defense,” senior Jen Keegan said about Davenport. “Having a talented goalie is always a good thing for any team to have. She saves our butts in tight situations.” The truly humble sophomore is ecstatic about the success that the team is having. “The season is going really well,” said Davenport. “I am proud of how good our team is doing. The only thing I would want to changes is our losses.” Davenport and her Lady Colonel teammates go into the last week of their regular season poised for a championship. With her leadership from in between the pipes, the Lady Colonels look to finish off their season the same way they started - on top. With Davenport taking charge of the defense the Lady Colonels are poised to win their first Championship under Coach Myers. Clearly, their overall 18-4 record and second place Freedom Conference ranking from a season ago has the ladies hungry to be number one. Davenport suits up again tonight, when asistant Coach Comiskey’s alma mater Misericordia pays a visit to Artillery Park, in hopes of upsetting the championship-minded Colonels. Courtesy of Marketing Communications Davenport has been clutch this season for the Wilkes field hockey team, posting three shutouts in between the pipes while leading the team to a 12-2 record. 53 PtJbuc_square 829-6111111 Do\fNto'l'N COLLe3e 5peetaLS QUICK HITS ALeoJIOL SPKeIALS FO~ 2t+ IN& I.D. 511N~ MONdi! Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Pl'•ce Appetazers ½ ,rice p1z.za r11eSda! DJ OOH\fee Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Prace Appetizers COL.Le~ N13Ht N° co,,,er WI COi.i.eat' ID rHtJrSda! 5atll@ live Entertainment Live Entertainment Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts $15LrceS dlJl'INS ~P, Hotr s15L1ces 11pM-1at1 COJllle cHecK <>t}t Yl'Hat·s Ne'tY aNci E><ctt1N3 at R0 daNo'S Call to bOOK <>tJr prn/ate rooMThe For clN~ / CL3SS eveNtS Beacon Alison Kasper or soe1a. 5atHer1N3 Roc:laNO'S LtJNCH 5pec1atS ofTerec:1 7 c:la~S a WeeK F0 r $5.95 �SPORTS 18 OCTOBER 27, 2009 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 10/17 @ Delaware Valley 0-23 L 10/24 vs. FDU-Florham 7-6 W MEN’S SOCCER 10/13 @ Misericordia 0-3 L 10/17 vs. Eastern 2-1 W 10/21 vs. King’s 1-1 T (2 OT) What team will win the NBA championship? Do you believe in (the) Magic? I do. I WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/14 @ Misericordia 1-2 L 10/17 vs. Eastern 1-1 T (2 OT) 10/20 vs. King’s 5-0 W FIELD HOCKEY 10/13 @ FDU-Florham 5-0 W 10/21 vs. King’s 3-2 W VOLLEYBALL 10/14 @ Delaware Valley 3-1 W 10/17 vs. Albright 3-1 W 10/17 vs. Marywood 3-2 W 10/20 vs. Eastern 0-2 L 10/22 @ Scranton 0-3 L WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 10/31 @ Lycoming MEN’S SOCCER 10/31 @ DeSales WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/27 @ Cortland 10/31 @ DeSales FIELD HOCKEY 10/27 vs.Misericordia 10/29 vs. Delaware Valley 10/31 vs. Mangattanville Cross Country 10/31 @ MAC Championships Volleyball 10/28 vs. Misericordia twil:~er, @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports Sports Editor ' ANTHONY DORUNDA You know what I really hate? Pre-season predictions. They’re bogus. How can we accurately predict who is going to win it all when we can’t even begin to imagine who’s going to get injured, who’s going to be traded, and if the Clippers will ever get off the schnide. Okay. That may not happen in our lifetime, but they do have Blake Griffin, so that’s a start. But since it’s this week’s topic, I’ll trudge through it, forcing tears from Mr. Holmes’s very own eyes. Raise your hand if you thought that the Magic would be on the court last June. Precisely, only you, Stan Van Gundy. That’s not the case this year. Orlando won’t be sneaking up on anyone. With the reigning NBA Defensive MVP beasting the paint, a budding superstar floor general fully healthy, and a pure scorer joining Rashard Lewis in the backcourt, the Magic are fully loaded and ready to hang that elusive championship banner. Why the Magic? Well, the only team in competition in the East is the Cavs, the one team who matches up horrendously against the Magic. They bring in “the Diesel,” who is more like a Chevy S-10 at this point in his career thinking he’s going to be able to shut down the man-child that is Dwight Howard. I got news for you, Mike Brown, there ain’t no stopping Dwight inside. Shaq has to try and run up and down the court with Howard. Not happening. He has to defend Howard. Won’t happen. At this point in their careers, with Shaq nearing retirement, Howard is a much more explosive athlete, and Shaq just cannot hang with him. That addition, as great as it sounds, just won’t work. Ask the Suns. The knock on the Magic last year was their offensive rebounding. With them spreading the floor with four on the perimeter, no one was inside to help Dwight on the boards. Enter Brandon Bass, who was underutilized in Dallas, but brings ferocity to the power forward position that the Magic desperately need. To call him a workhorse is an understatement. The dude can flat out rebound and will bang bodies around until he has the rock. Oh, and they also got a healthy Jameer Nelson. Remember, before his injury last season, Nelson was on fire and was a lock to start the all-star game. Although the Magic “Win a ring for the king” (i),___ Asst. Sports Editor _________.H==Or~~'I I This year the obvious preseason favorite to win the NBA Championship has got to be the newly rebuilt Cleveland Cavaliers. So before I get started let me just ask, “Can you dig it?” In the past few years, LeBron “The King” James has moved mountains to do everything but put a championship trophy in his hands and a ring on his finger. And he did it all with limited help on the court. Yes, I know he had Delonte West, Mo Williams, Anderson Varejoa and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to assist him, but as you can see LeBron brings MVP trophies to Cleveland, not championships, without the proper help. But this year the Cavs roster has been upgraded by trading for the greatest big man in middle, Shaquille O’Neal. From the looks of what’s been going on in the preseason, the Cavs are poised for greatness. Once again, I will commend Mr. Dorunda on his guess, but as you can see from previous weeks, he obviously enjoys being wrong. However, when you look at the facts, the Orlando Magic does own a series victory over the Cavs. But that was last year, and last year is over. Along with “The Diesel,” Cleveland added Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, and Leon Powe to the franchise this year. Now with the four guys I named earlier that helped The King last season and the four that were added this year, the NBA is in for a rough season when they step on the court with the Cavs. But wait; hold on a second, Mr. Dorunda. I know what you’re thinking. Dwight Howard is the man or whatever else you want to call him. (I believe he prefers Superman which KryptoNate Robinson knows is wrong.) Last time I checked, Shaquille O’Neal is the first and original Superman of the NBA and he has the rings to prove it. had a serviceable backup in Rafer Alston, the vastly underrated Nelson is a superior player. And all this trash about them losing Hedo Turkoglu is nonsense. They replaced him with a decent guard in the off-season, who goes by the name of Vince Carter. Heard of him? Thought so. In terms of pure athleticism and basketball ability, Carter is a monumental upgrade over Turkoglu. Vince creates more shots with pin point accuracy, defends better than even the video game version of Turkoglu does, and is just an overall better player. Sure, he may underachieve from time to time. But I’ll take a high flyer that can slash as well as stroke it from beyond the arc over a guy who all but disappeared in last year’s finals. When it’s all said and done, they have vastly improved their frontcourt with the additions of Bass and Ryan Anderson, got insurance for Nelson with the signing of Jason Williams, and with Carter’s presence, have four legitimate all-star players in their starting five. When Orlando is hanging the 2010 championship banner in their sparkly new arena next season, just remember who told you so. Plus, I know that everyone saw that episode of MTV Cribs. He reps the symbol proudly, especially on his 15’x30’ bed. But I digress. Now, let’s talk about the man responsible for all that is great in Cleveland: Mr. LeBron “The Phenom” a.k.a. “The King” James. Since he stepped on the court in his first NBA game, he has been making some serious noise and as AJ Fiore would say, “he’s a bit of a guy,” no doubt about it. Every year LeBron elevates his team to the next level of success, coming the closest to a championship last year. We all remember that last second shot that gave them the win in game two. So back up off the man. He was doing the best he could with what he had. But this year, I can see King James hoisting the Larry O’ Brien Championship trophy over his head. Once they win, it will make Shaq’s purpose for being in Cleveland all true. Now get off my court, Mr. Dorunda. This game is over and you lost (again). �OCTOBER 27, 2009 SPORTS CREW From Page 16 The Beacon/Allison Roth The Wilkes Crew team practices on the Susquehanna River nearly ten times a week, learning how to work with one another in order to maintain a proper race rhythm. Their practices are intensive but offer beautiful perspectives of the river that few get to experience otherwise. The team usually rows from the Market Street Bridge upstream to the Luzerne County Courthouse. Members of the Wilkes crew team get to experience this feeling at their regattas, where they participate against dozens of opposing schools. This past weekend the teams participated in the Head of the Fish regatta in Saratoga Springs, New York. Unfortunately for Wilkes, the competition was impacted by inclement weather. The Men’s Open Novice 4-man race team saw its race called because of lightning in the area, but the Women’s Open Novice 4man team finished second in its race. Said Nicole Cook, a junior biology/premed major, as well as the vice president of the team, “It was an awesome learning experience for our new rowers and gave us some great experience to take to [our next regatta].” The team is expecting to participate in additional regattas before the conclusion of the school year. The next time you take your afternoon run down the River Commons, keep an eye out for your fellow students as they float merrily down the stream. 19 SOCCER From Page 16 Katy Fissel and Brooke Edwards only needed a short amount of time after the break to connect for another score. Fissel turned Edwards’ assist into another goal to put them up 4-0. In the 59th minute, Jenna Sargent scored their last goal of the day making the final score 5-0. “It was a good win for us,” Sumoski said after the win. “We hadn’t won in six games and needed the win to be in contention for playoffs. We are healthy and playing well, which is right where we want to be at this time of year.” The Lady Colonels made the trip to Delaware Valley on Sunday, with Wilkes again winning 5-0. This time it was Christina Stepansky finding the back of the net twice for her first two collegiate goals. Sargent and Clementson also followed up at Del Val with goals of their own to propel them to their second Freedom Conference victory in a row. When she’s not in class, Roper is “Crash” BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor Call her Crash. That’s the name that Whitney Roper, a junior communication studies major, goes by when her roller derby team practices on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Roller derby is a physically demanding sport that involves playing offense and defense simultaneously. Certain players – jammers – attempt to score points for their team by skating far enough ahead of everyone to lap them, while the other team does everything in its power to prevent the jammers from passing them. Roper, who is still learning how to rollerskate, is one of the youngest members of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Roller Radicals. That’s where her nickname comes from. “I crash a lot,” Roper said. “I fall a lot. I get knocked over a lot. I’m trying to come up with something better, but so far that’s all I’ve got.” A lot of her wrecks come from one particular practice drill that her team does, called Queen of the Rink. It’s a last woman standing match where the Queen isn’t crowned until all of the other skaters have been knocked to the floor. But it’s not a free for all. Like derby bouts, which are what games are called, there are rules that have to be obeyed. “You can’t elbow people, you can’t punch people, it’s nothing like that,” Roper said. “You have to use your hips, your (exple- tive), and your shoulders, basically. You can’t check somebody or anything, but you can shove them. You can push another girl into them. Clearly, Roper isn’t concerned about breaking a nail. “I’ve always been a tomboy,” Roper said. “I’ve always been very physical. I’m not a girly girl. I don’t like being pushed around. I like to take a beating.” Though she doesn’t appear physically intimidating, Roper can hold her own in a bout if the need arises. If you don’t believe it, just ask her about the splatter on one of her belts. “That is stained blood from a girl’s face because she started a fight with me,” Roper said. “I tackled her. I had her blood all over my shirt and everything. The girl was three times my size.” Granted, that was from a past altercation that had nothing to do with roller derby. But it illustrates that Roper is tough enough to physically compete with people who are bigger than she is, which is something that she will need to do at the rink. Most of the league’s participants are ten to 20 years older than she is. Though Roper doesn’t share a common age with her team, she does share some common interests with them. “Everybody on the team is into the same music,” she said. “Everybody has tattoos. Everybody is into the same stuff.” The music scene is actually how Roper discovered roller derby in the first place. A few years ago, Roper encountered a derby team member while they were at a psychobilly music show in Kingston, Pa. Roper was already into the music, which she described as a mixture of Elvis and punk rock, but once she found out that one of the female team members called herself Betty Brains, she became intrigued and decided to learn more about the sport. She was going to join the team last year, but didn’t want to be the only young person on the team. She and a friend finally joined this season, and Roper is quickly learning that the sport can be quite painful. “We were practicing falls (Tuesday) and I cracked my knee pads,” Roper said. “My knees are both really bruised and hurt. I can’t walk on stairs right now. I’m in a lot of pain.” In spite of that, Roper made it to class Wednesday. Though she didn’t display any visible limp or signs of pain in Dr. Jane ElmesCrahall’s class, the fact that Roper skates with a roller derby team didn’t surprise the professor. “A roller derby league does not surprise me,” said ElmesCrahall, Roper’s academic advisor at Wilkes. “There is an aggression to Whitney that doesn’t show in the classroom, but does the frustration build and is this kind of a competitive outlet for her that surprises me? Absolutely not.” Evene Estwick, associate professor of communication studies who also knows Roper well, agreed. “She seems to be the type who would be challenged by an activity like that,” added Dr. Estwick. “She’s not a traditional young lady.” The Beacon/ Michael Cignoli �SPORTS 20 OCTOBER 27, 2009 Women’s tennis cruises through fall season undefeated Clinches top seed for Freedom Conference tournament in the spring BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Wilkes University women’s tennis and Freedom Conference Champions are kind of like peanut butter and jelly – you can’t have one without the other. For the past three years, the Lady Colonels have absolutely owned the rest of the conference by winning three straight titles, culminating with an unbeaten regular season campaign last year. And now that the 2009 fall season is all wrapped up, let the run for number four begin. “We don’t have to prove anything else to anyone anymore,” said freshman Melanie Nolt, who holds a 10-1 singles record playing as the team’s number one. “When we go to play, we go to get the job done, no questions asked. We have made a name for ourselves this year.” You could call it a name, or a resounding warning to the rest of the conference come tournament time. With impressive victories last week over FDU-Florham and cross-town rival Kings, the Lady Colonels finished part one of their quest for an unprecedented fourth straight conference crown with a pristine 8-0 fall record, 6-0 in conference play. “It’s a huge confidence-booster [being undefeated]; it’s a sign that all of our hard work is paying off,” said junior Michelle Knight, who is 5-3 on the season, with a perfect 4-0 record in conference singles play and an 8-1 record in doubles play. “We are the real deal.” The real deal for sure. The Lady Colonels haven’t just beaten their opponents; they have flat out embarrassed each and every one. Of the eight victories thus far, six have been clean sweeps - 9-0 thrashings in both the doubles and singles competitions. And had it not been for some academic obligations, tests and mandatory night classes that restricted some of the girls from making the trip to the FDU match, it would have been seven. Instead they took two forfeit losses and dominated the rest, essentially shutting out the Devils 7-0. Another victim on that list of demoralized opponents was rival Kings College. Last Tuesday, October 20, in a match up of conference unbeatens, Wilkes humiliated the Monarchs with a 9-0 shellacking on their own courts, sweeping the doubles portion of the match before cruising through all six singles matches in straight sets. The victory erased any glimmer of hope the Monarchs may have had for stealing the top spot in the conference tournament. The two matches capped off their dominant fall campaign and earned them the top spot in the Freedom Conference Tournament, which will be played in April. That’s right - April - a mere six months from now. The long layoff has its advantages and disadvantages. Some believe it’s a refreshing break, a chance to rejuvenate and get some rest. On the other end are the ones who want to just keep it rolling while they’re on top. Nolt is one of those who want the tournament to happen sooner rather than later. “It’s a long wait that I don’t want to wait for,” shrugged Nolt. “I wish it was next weekend.” Knight, on the other hand, likes the break for a variety of reasons. “Knowing that the playoffs are so far away motivates us to stay on top of our game through the winter. We practice just as much if not more, which allows us to go into the conference playoffs refreshed and at the top of our game.” Either way, the ladies will enter the conference tournament seeded number one. And with the way they’re crushing opponents now, a clear path straight to their fourth consecutive crown. And hopefully a trip past the first round of the National tournament, a feat that has eluded them each of their past few trips there. “We want this so bad, and we know that we are capable of making it farther in nationals,” said Knight. It’s just a matter of making sure that we are in peak condition and on top of our game. We will come prepared this year.” Melanie Katrina Fr. / Manheim, Pa. Fr. / Berwick, Pa. Combined Record 20-3 Combined Record 20-3 Michelle Alexis Jr. / Roaming Shores, Oh. Fr. / Belmar, NJ KNIGHT Combined Record DONNER 13-4 Combined Record Xaioqaio Rebekah Sr. / Zhengzhou City, China So. / Richland, Pa. ZHANG Combined Record 12-4 19-1 SHANAMAN Combined Record 14-1 All photos courtesy of Marketing Communications The top six have been nothing short of dominant this season, paving the way to an unbeaten fall season and clinching the top seed for the conference tournament. WH ftA•J'S THE WORD ftA•J WILKES' I f~rmoreinformationcheckout. .. lw1lkesbeacon.com Number of matches it has been since the Lady Colonels last dropped a regular season tilt. 6 Number of matches in which the Lady Colonels have shut out their opponents in both singles and doubles competition. 0 Number of matches that last year’s conference MVP, Victoria Bybel, has played in this season. She has been hampered by an injury all fall, but will be back in action for the spring season. LYNN NOLT 29 19 Our editors debated what NBA team is most likely to win the title this upcoming season. We asked our readers the same question that we debated and posted their responses in a video on The Beacon’s website. Log on to see which NBA team your classmates think will take home the championship trophy this year. 31-2 The combined singles records of freshmen Melanie Nolt, Alexis Donner, and Katrina Lynn. In just their first season, they have provided in immediate spark to a team already chalked full of talent. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 October 27th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 October 27 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/c0a9c32543d9f8b399ddc1524960ac4a.pdf 43c0524ef0279c75b9ee22e47d27a78a PDF Text Text A&E I PAGE12 Check out Q & A with Ryan Stiles 8oaeo1t (;i110-a-way 'J1tsidoff 1Jorm ~om 1{eciyes Lifesty[es / 'P.Jl(j'E 9 The I OCOTBER 13, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 5 University Onorato announced candidacy for Governor confirms first case of H1N1 BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Wilkes University confirmed its first case of H1N1 virus, or swine flu, on Thursday. Mark Allen, dean of Student Affairs, said, “In order to insure the privacy of the individual involved I do not wish to address specific, identifying questions. The student was seen and tested for the H1N1 virus at University Health and Wellness Services.” Allen added that health services has the capability to test for the H1N1 virus, but it takes time to identify the virus. “Preliminary tests are able to identify whether or not a student has a flu virus,” said Allen. “A more specific diagnosis of H1N1 requires additional testing and time. Students who test positive to the preliminary test and present swine flu-like symptoms are asked to self-isolate by returning home until the symptoms have cleared.” He added that several Wilkes students have been tested for the virus. Diane O’Brien, director of Health and Wellness Services, said none of the other tested students’ results came back positive. She added that Wilkes is on the Federal Government’s list to receive and distribute the H1N1 vaccine, but there was no set date for delivery or the start of distribution. Allen said he urges students to take preventative measures to keep everyone healthy. See H1N1 page 5 The Beacon/Jacqueline Lukas Dan Onorato stopped by Wilkes University during his recent public campaign to officially announce his running for the position of Governor of Pennsylvania. Onorato is shown meeting with students, faculty and public officials about his candicacy. See ONORATO page 3 Pre-med students to present research at conference BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief After approximately a year and a half of conducting research alongside Dr. Linda Gutierrez, junior pre-med majors Derek Nye and Konstantina Papathomas will travel to Hollywood, Florida, to present their findings at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Clinical and Research Conference in December. This year’s topic is Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor & GILLYAN GOWARTY Correspondent Dan Onorato came to Wilkes University on Wednesday, October 7 to officially announce his candidacy for governor of Pennsylvania. Due to the weather, Onorato moved his announcement from the River Commons to the lounge in the Henry Student Center. Approximately 45 people attended. Onorato, 48, is the chief executive of Allegheny County, the second largest county in the state with 1.2 million people. “When I came into office, the City of Pittsburgh was filing for bankruptcy,” said Onorato. “Today, [Pittsburgh] is now a model for the country and the world to follow.” During his six years as the chief executive of Allegheny County, Onorato downsized his staff by 540 people, cut property taxes in his first year, and saw unemployment rates drop 2.2 percent lower than the national average. I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 During the spring semester of Nye and Papathomas’s freshman year, they each chose to assist Gutierrez, assistant professor of biology, in her ongoing research into colorectal carcinogenesis, or the transition from normal cells to cancerous cells located in the colon. “[Tina and I] have been working with IBD in mice,” said Nye. “Ultimately the end point to this is to find a cure... We are looking to see how IBD affects the colon Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 and colorectal cancer and what drugs we can administer, and what therapies we can administer, to alleviate the disease.” Before the team can come close to finding a cure, however, they must first identify factors that help fight the disease and along with those that make the disease worse. To do this, mice that lack Thrombospondin 1, an anti-angiogenic protein, are used in the See PRE-MED page 3 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �SG CASINO NIGHT CHIPS PAGE 4 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 2 Giunta ‘05 joins Alumni Relations staff as associate director BY RACHEL LEGGIERI Correspondent Bridget Guinta ‘05 recently accepted a position as the associate director of Alumni Relations, one that allows her to do what she loves—stay active in the Wilkes community and be a big help to Wilkes’s alumni and students. Before deciding to return to Wilkes, Guinta worked in the Mayor’s office in the City of Wilkes-Barre for four years as an administrative coordinator--a position that resulted from an internship experience during her tenure as an undergraduate communication studies major at Wilkes. There she handled things such as public relations and media coordination. “I enjoyed what I did at the city, but I always kept my eye open for new types of challenges,” she said. When Guinta heard about the opening at Wilkes, she instantly knew it was the type of “new chal- lenge” she was looking for. “I’ve been involved with the Alumni Association since I was a student and I continued to connect with them after graduation,” she said. Mirko Widenhorn, director of Alumni Relations, said that Guinta has a perspective that could be beneficial to the Alumni office. “Being a Wilkes alumna, Bridget can bring a different perspective to our office,” he said. “She brings a strong constituent-focused orientation, which is a key element in working with some of our 30,000 alumni.” A big part of Guinta’s position involves communication between the students and Wilkes alumni. “Primarily, I serve as a connection between recent graduates and current students,” she said. “I’m concerned about getting the current students involved, which will hopefully make them an active part of the alumni community when they graduate.” Guinta added, “A lot of people who have graduated and gone out into different fields are always willing to come back and share their experiences with the students. I feel that’s very beneficial because it’s nice to hear it from someone who has actually lived it.” Another major part of Guinta’s position is planning many of the events around campus, one being Homecoming. “Planning events is something I’ve always loved to do,” she explained. “It’s another part of the job that makes it that much more enjoyable.” Guinta said that the work done by Alumni Services is something that is very important to the Wilkes community in helping graduates get more from their diploma than just an education. “It’s important to get the word out to students who have graduat- The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Giunta’s (right) first event at Wilkes was organizing the Homecoming Parade, working with students to line-up participants. ed from Wilkes who may not have visited back very often,” she said. “There are so many great things going on here that they might not be aware of, so it’s always nice to re-introduce people to campus who may not have been here in a while.” Guinta said she immediately felt comfortable in her environment, and explained it wasn’t hard for her to find a few familiar faces around the workplace. “It has been a pleasure to have Bridget on our team,” added Widenhorn. “She has made an immediate impact in our office through her dedication to Wilkes and our alumni. In her first week, she has already become a key member of our staff.” Pre-law society to host mock law school lecture in October BY CATHRYN FREAR Staff Writer The Wilkes Pre-Law Society will be hosting a mock law school lecture on Thursday October 29 at 11 a.m. in Breiseth room 107 for any students interested in pursuing a career in law. Dr. Robert Mensel, a professor at St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, is presenting the lecture, as well as helping prepare materials for the attendees. According to Loren Prescott, dean of the law school planning initiative, “[Mensel] is in the process now of preparing a one-hour course for all of the students who participate.” Prior to this year’s mock law class, Dr. Kyle Kreider, advisor to the pre-law society and political science professor, used to take his pre-law advisees to a nearby law school every year, where they would sit in on a live class. This year, instead of taking students away from campus, the law school experience will come to them. The event will be a realistic law classroom setting and will demonstrate the differences between BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu undergraduate and law school classes. “They will engage in more of a dialogue between the professor and other students, just like a law school,” said Prescott. “It will be less like a lecture and more of a discussion.” Kreider hopes it will help those on the fence make the choice as to whether they want to actually enroll in law school. “Law school is expensive. A lot of students don’t know whether they want to attend, so if they get a small piece of what law school is like, maybe it will help them in the decision making process,” Kreider said. Participants will be given material to study ahead of time so that they know what topics they wil discuss when it comes time for the lecture. “Since I was about 12, I wanted to be a lawyer,” said Tara Kennedy, a junior political science major and secretary of Wilkes’s pre-law society. “I want to attend the event because I feel it will be a great opportunity to get a first-hand experience of what it will be like in law school.” Any students who would like to attend are welcome, even those not enrolled at Wilkes. At the moment, King’s College students are expected to be in attendance. Four other surrounding schools have also been invited to participate. “Initially [Kreider’s] idea was to put on a program for Wilkes students,” said Prescott. “Because this is an unusual program […] I suggested we reach out to the other neighboring schools to see if their pre-law societies might have an interest.” Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Jacqueline Lukas News Editor �OCTOBER 13, 2009 PRE-MED from FRONT PAGE study. “We have a specific strain of mice that relates closely to humans in this aspect of the disease,” said Nye. “We are administering a specific, natural protein to the mice to find out if it improves the disease at all.” According to Gutierrez, the experiment is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Under the NIH’s guidelines, the use of mice in the experiment is acceptable as long as certain standards regarding the care of the animals are followed. For example, there are limitations to how long the mice are allowed to be uncomfortable due to the results of the experiment. “Without animal studies, [humans] would not be as healthy as we are right now,” said Gutierrez. According to Nye, the study is not yet complete but the team has turned up some “interesting results that show a trend.” While the experiment allows Gutierrez to continue her research in her field of study, undergraduate participation in the process allows Nye and Papathomas to develop laboratory skills that many students their age across the country do not acquire until graduate school. “We make a lot of microscope slides of tissues,” explained Papathomas. “That’s part of histology. A lot of people in the science world don’t know how to do that, and I learned how to do that when I was a sophomore in my undergrad career.” She added, “You learn a lot of techniques, and you also learn how to not know what you’re going to get out of your results… ONORATO from FRONT PAGE He said that all of these accomplishments were achieved by challenging his own staff and changing the status quo. Onorato’s goal is to make the state a good, business-friendly setting. He also wants to focus on the environment with smart, sustainable growth. Onorato said he wants to have good jobs and a clean environment. Onorato also explained his plan for education. “First of all, education is going to be one of the top four priorities of what I’m going to focus on as governor,” said Onorato. “It’s going to be a broad range of issues but there are three key areas: early childhood… community colleges… and finally, four-year colleges and universities.” Onorato believes that early childhood education is important because he wants to get children into the learning phase earlier. “It’s better for [children], it’s better for the NEWS 3 When you do research independently, you don’t have someone watching over you and you don’t know what’s going to happen, for example, to the mice. We don’t know when we look under the microscope if the cancer is going to be reduced or if it’s going to appear.” Another thing juniors in college do not often get to experience is the chance to display the results of their own research at a professional conference. Through the representation of Nye, Papathomas, and Gutierrez, Wilkes will be the only undergraduate institution participating in the conference in Hollywood, Florida. “It’s an amazing meeting because they could actually see doctors who were dedicated to basic research and clinical research,” said Gutierrez. “They can also see how the findings of basic research are used to improve the lives of patients.” Gutierrez also emphasized the importance of interacting with professionals in the medical field, including pharmaceutical companies. “It is both a clinical and research track conference, meaning there will be clinicians, doctors, professionals, as well as academics and professors, approaching the disease from both sides,” said Nye. “It’ll be a great networking opportunity for us. Not only for myself and Tina, but for the Wilkes community, as well.” Papathomas agreed and added, “Because we’re both planning on being physicians in the future, we think that it’s a great opportunity for us to be able to see both the lab work involved in treating these types of diseases and cancers as well as the interaction between the physician and the patient. You get the benefit of both worlds by going to this conference.” Nye, Papathomas, and Gutierrez will travel to Florida in early December to present the results of their research. Upon returning to the northeast, they plan to wrap up their experiment and continue to work together to write a paper on their findings. The ultimate goal is to publish the paper in a peer-review journal. An abstract about their experiment will appear in an upcoming issue of The Journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. taxpayers,” he said. Community colleges are also important to Onorato’s campaign. He said that it’s important to recognize that not all people need a four-year degree or may want technical training. Onorato has re-vamped the community colleges in his area and would like to see it done state-wide. Onorato wil make four-year colleges and universities a priority because, he said, a student’s financial situation should never be the reason that they do not attend college. He would like to make it financially affordable for students, and would like to see students come out of the experience without a lifetime’s worth of debt. “I’m going to stay focused on a goal that [college] has to remain affordable,” said Onorato. Onorato wants to retain young people in Pennsylvania by creating jobs. He said that currently, Pittsburgh is retaining young people better than Boston because jobs are being created. Although Onorato did not address issues concerning the state budget in his official announcement, he does have a plan for what he would do if placed in the situation. “As governor, the pledge that I can make is that if I’m in a situation where the legislature does not pass a bill and was not signed on time, July 1, the first day of the new year, I will take the position that there is no budget, nobody gets paid including the governor, including the legislature, and including any other agency,” said Onorato. “This keeps the pressure on and makes everyone stay in Harrisburg.” Onorato’s experience in Pittsburgh is vital to his campaign for governor of Pennsylvania. Onorato said he had cut jobs with “duplicated government” which means that the people were doing the same jobs within Allegehny County’s government system. This job cut made the system more efficient and less expensive. There were also five 911 centers in Allegheny County that Onorato cut down to one, saving the county $5 mil- lion on a yearly basis. “You know, you judge people by their performance,” said Clayton Karambelas, Wilkes University alumni board of trustees member. “It sounds like he did a wonderful job in Pittsburgh and I hope we can get someone like that [as governor].” Mayor Thomas M. Leighton had similar views on Onorato’s track record. “I think Dan has a fantastic record,” said Mayor Thomas M. Leighton. “His problems in Allegheny County are similar [to those] in the City of Wilkes-Barre. He is a true leader in the state of Pennsylvania.” Going into the race, Onorato feels confident. “I’ve been in a lot of tough races in my life,” said Onorato. “I look at races as a competitive competition. I know what I have to do to put together a good campaign. I look forward to meeting the people of Pennsylvania and I’m going to be campaigning hard.” The Beacon/ Kerri Frail Derek Nye and Konstantina Papathomas have been working on their inflammatory bowel disease research with Dr. Gutierrez since the spring of their freshman year. �4 NEWS OCTOBER 13, 2009 SG purchased new chips for Casino Night atmosphere BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor On September 30, Student Government reported that new clay poker chips were purchased for their upcoming bi-annual Casino Night. On average, about 350-400 students attend Casino Night. Benjamin Beidel, treasurer of student government, said he purchased 25,000 chips for $4,593.23 plus shipping and handling. He purchased the chips from inkhead.com, which recently made it to #560 of Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies. The Student Government logo was placed on the clay chips because Beidel and Nicholas Koch, president of student government, both agreed that if the Wilkes University logo was on the chips, it would have become more of a collector’s item. Beidel added that he wants to make the night feel like more of a casino atmosphere to add excitement about the event. The money for the chips was allocated from last year’s buffer fund. David Sborz, former vice president of stu- dent government, created a committee to decide what should be done with the buffer fund. The committee was made up of students from different majors and years, which would, in turn, bring different ideas to the table, explained Koch. The plastic chips that Student Government was using for previous Casino Nights were purchased before Koch and Beidel attended Wilkes University. “The problem with the generic plastic chips is that students keep bringing their own, which isn’t fair to students [who don’t],” said Beidel. Beidel explained that Student Government used to have one box of chips, and currently, they have two boxes. This means that the chips kept accumulating over the years from students continuously bringing their own chips, in the hope of winning the expensive prizes. “I haven’t finalized all the prizes yet, but usually we have around $10,000 worth,” said Beidel. “I haven’t purchased all the prizes yet, but I’m hoping to change up the prizes a little bit. I’m also going to make sure everyone has enough food and drinks.” The money for Casino Night prizes are paid through an allocation of this year’s budget, explained Beidel. The budget is voted on by the board. Koch explained that making the event professional is important. “We want to give every student the same opportunity to win the prizes; these new chips will help us do that,” Koch said. Beidel agreed, “We want to even the playing field in terms of prizes, because in the past, people may have taken advantage of the chips.” In addition to creating a fairer playing field, Koch, Beidel and Greg Castelli, vice president of Student Government, agreed that renting Casino Night items was becoming costly and purchasing the chips was a capital investment. “It was costing [Student Government] about $2,400 to rent tables and chips before everything was purchased. The rented [items] were not good quality,” said Castelli. Student Government has purchased numerous items for Casino nights including 16 blackjack tables, a roulette wheel and now, the clay poker chips. Table covers, used only for storage, will be purchased because they are important to the protection of the tables, also purchased by Student Government explained Koch. The money for the table covers was also allocated by last year’s buffer fund. Any money not spent from the purchase of the poker chips and table covers will be placed back into the buffer fund for this year. “The chips are not only used at Casino Night, but also during orientation and Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments,” said Beidel. Clubs funded by Student Government can use anything that SG has purchased, like the Casino Night items. This semester, Casino Night will be held on November 21. Look for SG Notes online at www.wilkesbeacon.com HURSDAY OCT 22nd ·_ eet Employ·e~s 11A ·_ enry Student Cen :30P · r Ballroom Dress Professio · ally For Re -ume Help contact Sha on Castano at s a ron ..cas a no@ . ·i kes.. ed u o ~y ca Ii ng {S 70). 408-2950 �NEWS OCTOBER 13, 2009 Wilkes to host fourth annual internship fair BY APRIL BIELINSKI Correspondent Wilkes University’s Career Services Department will host the fourth annual Internship Fair on Wednesday, October 22. The fair, which is sponsored by Cooperative Education and Internships, will take place in the Henry Student Center’s lobby on the first floor. This event will run from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Students interested in interning during the spring or summer of this upcoming year are encouraged to attend. Appointments are available to students who wish to create their resumé with Sharon Castano, coordinator for Student Development. The purose of this event is to help students learn to “sell” themselves to a potential employer. “The opportunity for face-to-face interaction with prospective employers offers students the ability to see how they will work with different companies, and be able to find out what type of work interests them,” Castano said. The companies or businesses attending the fair are strictly interested in Wilkes Uni- versity students, which is an advantage for attendees. Since the fair began in 2006, the number of propsective employers in attendance has grown. Last year the University had 45 prospective employers attend. The majority of businesses came back because they had a positive experience at last year’s fair, said Castano. At this year’s fair, Castano hopes to have more employers attend. Ashley Deemie, senior accounting and business administration majors, experienced how beneficial attending the internship can truly be. “The Internship Fair is a great avenue for those students who are looking to obtain an internship in their field of interest and also network with various companies,” said Deemie. She was able to land a full-time internship position at Target for the Summer of 2009. After completing her internship, Deemie was offered a full-time postion after graduation in May 2010. “It is comforting knowing that as I finish up my senior year at Wilkes, I will walk into a job already having invaluable firsthand knowledge and experience through my in- ternship,” said Deemie. Employers coming to this year’s fair include Target, Luzerne County DNA Office, Intermetro Industries, WVIA TV, FOX 56, Cross Valley Federal Credit Union, Gabriele Shetler, Institute for Human Services, American Red Cross, Mohegan Sun, Sanofi Pasteur, First Quality, Osterhout Library, Luzerne County Treasurer’s Office, WB-S Pioneers, and Northwestern Mutual. The Internship Fair can also be a great opportunity to meet and network for future full-time positions. Whitney Roper, junior communication studies and political science double major, plans on attending the Internship Fair for the first time this year. “The internship fair is an excellent way for people to find out what types of opportunities exist for them while attending college,” said Roper. Students attending the fair are encouraged to be prepared and plan in advance. A current resumé is recommended that has been approved by the Cooperative Education office, an advisor, or Career Services. Proper attire and good etiquette are encouraged. 5 H1N1 from FRONT PAGE “We have provided hand sanitizers throughout campus and will be adding more upon their arrival from the company,” he said. “Judging from the necessity to refill several units, the campus community seems to be using them. Basic prevention methods are the first line of defense in the absence of the vaccine.” Allen also echoed the school’s release regarding the virus, saying the school expects more confirmed cases of the virus as it becomes more prevalent in Northeast Pennsylvania. “Judging from the growing number of cases in the area it seems to be inevitable that the H1N1 virus will have a greater presence on campus,” he said. “We will be monitoring the situation closely and take the appropriate measures to keep the University community well informed.” for more information check out ... 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Doi1't fo1·get • ornanrents for the tree! �THE OBSERVATORY Pages 6 Opinion wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 A call for no homework over break Fall recess should be time for rest and relaxation, not more stress ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis) and can contribute to insomnia and degenerative neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease.” Nothing can compare to the feeling of Why would professors want to potentially breaking away from the scheduled routine cause physical and mental harm to their stufor an extra two day hiatus. dents by overloading them with work, esWithout the periods designated as “repecially during designated recess periods? cess” on Wilkes University’s annual calenIt seems unlikely that professors are not dar, each semester would turn into a sprint aware of these effects when they give aswhere the possibility of mental burnouts and signments over breaks. breakdowns would increase by a twofold. Most importantly, breaks are meant to be Each semester (at any university) is but one just that, a break. We cannot fully rest oursection of a marathon; one ingredient to the selves and prepare to accomplish the tasks entire recipe; one battle that are assigned to us within a four-five year without the energy to war. do so. Stress, again, But even if we stay plays a key role faithful in our class here. If students are schedules and homestressed, especially work/studies habits, about getting assignchances are that our ments done, they will required tasks to fultend to have an overfill will build-up to a all lack of energy. point where keeping In turn, they will the regiment is next to become unmotivated impossible. to do the work asCampus recesses are signed to them or to built into the calendar even complete an aswhere these build-up signment at all. Bepoints seem to be most coming overwhelmed likely to occur: “Labor by assignments to the Day recess” after the point that is causes first week’s reacquaintphysical and mental ing is done, “Fall reharm is counter-process” in preparation for ductive to the whole midterm exams, and idea of attending col“Thanksgiving recess” The Beacon/Tom Reilly lege. for semester concluThe Beacon feels Students study in the Greenway as they prepare for midterm exams in an effort to sion. that the Wilkes Unihave a stress free fall break. Although Wilkes University faculty, and versity is caring enough to allot its students Stress itself can have a variety of physical college faculty in general, should take these a few scattered days that are specifically and mental effects on students as well. The factors into account when they decide to designated for “break-time,” these brief American Institute of Stress states that there give their students assignments over breaks. blocks of bliss end up being a time to play are numerous emotional and physical disor- It will not impede or disrupt the learning catch-up or complete an “assignment over ders that have been linked to stress. Some process to cut students some slack and break.” of these disorders include “depression, anx- lighten the work load a little during class While we have a good idea of what stu- iety, heart attacks, stroke, hypertension, and recesses. This way students can return with dents have to do in order to survive the se- immune system disturbances that increase fresh, rested minds and ready to work. Permester on a day-to-day basis, having extra susceptibility to infections.” haps the faculty should take a long needed assignments piled on us over a recess peIn addition stress can have direct effects break, as well. We could all definitely use riod offers students nothing but continued on the skin (rashes, hives, atopic dermatitis,) one. stress and anxiety about getting them done. the gastrointestinal system (GERD, peptic BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu This stress can seriously affect a student’s academic performance, which ideally is the complete opposite effect that professors wish upon their students at Wilkes or any other college. According to a 2004 study conducted by The National College Health Assessment, a non-profit research group, 32.4 percent of the 47,202 nationwide undergraduates surveyed viewed stress as the “number one impediment to academic performance -- more so than the common cold, depression, death of a family member, sexual assault or eating disorders.” Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 13 responses. The Beacon asked: Have you used the new hand sanitizers placed around campus? • Yes 77% • No 23% Next Week’s Question: Do you think that Wilkes professors give too many assignments over break? • • Yes, they give too many No, they are fair or reasonable Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �OCTOBER 13, 2009 OPINION 7 Sexism remains an issue on campus News Editor JACQUELINE LUKAS It’s 2009. The world has come a long way--especially for women. But, for as far as we have come, it is astonishing just how far there still is to go. Sexism still exists, and examples of it can be seen right here in our own Wilkes community. For example, last Wednesday, October 7, the junior class sponsored a powder puff football game. The concept of the game is girls play football and guys dress up as cheerleaders. My problem is not with the fact that the junior class was hosting a game of this nature; my problem is that the male students, dressed as cheerleaders, were given an incentive to come to the game. According to an announcment released September 25 on Wilkes Today, male cheerleaders had the chance to win a $100 Visa gift card for the best costume. My question is: why don’t the women football players get any sort of prize? Being the news hound that I am, I went right to the source to get the answer. Megan Dickinson, president of the junior class, said that the juniors agreed not to give Speaking of examples, did you ever hear of those “CEO and office ho” college parties? At these parties, guys will dress up in suits, or something of that nature, and girls will dress in slutty business outfits. Guys are all covered up and they are the “CEOs,” but girls must expose themselves and put on skimpy outfits only to be called an “office ho.” And it’s not even the outfits; that’s not even the worst part. It’s the fact that a man is automatically a “CEO” and a woman must be the “office ho.” According to these supposedly “fun” parties, woman could never be CEO of a company. That’s totally ridiculous in this day and age. The real quesetion becomes, why do women participate in this sort of thing? Stand up for yourselves ladies, and don’t go to the party; by doing so you’re just giving in to sexist culture. Another example I heard about on campus earlier this year was the “Girls: dress like you just had a one night stand; Guys: dress like you’re the man” party. Just imagine, for one second, walking into the party looking like you just had a one night stand. It’s so pathetic and I don’t understand how women could ever be so disrespectful to themselves and their bodies. We are college women; we should be giv- It almost seems like we are going backwards and giving men bigger egos than they already have. a Visa gift card to the women because they didn’t want them to dress “too provocatively.” “We didn’t want girls going all out,” said Dickinson. “We just really didn’t want girls dressing inappropriately.” Surprisingly, on October 4 (after my conversation with Dickinson) the rules had suddenly changed. Now, a $20 prize would be awarded to both the best male cheerleader and the best female football player. Well, in my opinion, the junior class could have been creative and thought of some other ways to acknowledge the female players with prizes for “the most energetic football player” or “the player with the most touchdowns” right from the start. Why didn’t any of these ideas pop into the heads of the junior class? They just automatically assumed that girls were going to dress slutty if there was money involved? That’s a pretty big-and ridiculous--assumption to make. I’m not buying it. This powder-puff game is just another example of sexism, plain and simple. ing respect to ourselves and other women, standing up for ourselves and our independence. We should not be dressing like we just came from a one night stand. Allowing these negative and disrepectful images of women to be perpetuated on this campus and throughout the country are what lead to discrimination and abuse--both verbal and physical--against women everywhere. If we dress and act like we have no self worth, we can’t hope to be treated with respect. Women have come a long way in this country. Ladies, there was a point in time when we could not vote. Today, our voices are equal and they mean something. We need to stop giving in to these ridiculous theme parties and innocent powderpuff games created with a sexist nature. It almost seems like we are going backwards and giving men bigger egos than they already have. The issue of sexism in American culture is so much deeper than I can even go into with this simple editorial piece. Ladies, respect yourselves. If you don’t, no one else will, either. Keep drama out of the workplace Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS For far too many times in my relatively short life have I seen what people commonly refer to as “workplace drama” or “workplace melodrama.” Althea DeBrule, a human resources executive that has made a career speaking about career development and management strategies at management conferences and leadership retreats across the country states that melodrama occurs when a “minor concern or conflict is embroidered and overstated in such a way that it becomes larger-thanlife and blown way out of proportion to the original issue.” This is the clearest text book definition of workplace drama. Now, there are those who, when they see drama unfolding at work, decide to make the grand proclamation, “I’m not here to get involved in any drama, I’m just here to do my job and go home.” In my experience it is those people who tend to create the most workplace drama. It is always the culprits that want to look innocent and look like they genuinely care about doing their jobs and going home, but they are sneaky. All it takes is a comment here or there from one of these people to create a conflict and then the drama train leaves the station and makes a couple of stops to pick up passengers as it navigates it’s way through the workplace. Do not let these sneaky people fool you. All I can say, dear readers, is that starting workplace drama or getting involved in it ultimately gets you nowhere and just creates a stressful, hostile work environment for one person or everyone, which I am sure most of you already know. It also lowers productivity. If everyone at your job is standing around complaining, the work is not getting done. It is just that simple. But why do we all do it? I still have not figured out the answer to that question. If someone were to make the point to me that getting involved in drama at work made the job all that much more interesting, I would understand the surface of that argument, but upon looking at it in the most general context, I must to ask: why criticize or degrade your fellow employees? They are the ones who help you do your job if only indirectly by doing their job and sharing the workload. Should you not respect them for that at least, even if you do not like them? My answer is yes. I hope all of you would agree. The first piece of advice I have for you if you ever see some workplace drama unfolding is do not get involved. Your curiosity will be your downfall. The second you hear your co-workers spectating and say “hey, what’s going on?,” is the point at which you become involved, even if you are just a spectator. My second piece of advice is do not react to anything that is said to you or about someone else. If you react in any way that appears to be dramatic, you have joined the drama. And third, your best bet is just to not say anything. Your co-workers might see this as the more mature route to take and follow suit. If you follow this advice you will have a less stressful work environment and maybe, just maybe, you will go home from work in a good mood. The Beacon/Tom Reilly �OPINION 8 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Work-Study: Can college students ever do both successfully? Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS Between going to classes, fulfilling course requirements, and trying to cram for exams, it can be difficult to set aside time to sit down and enjoy something as simple as your favorite meal as a full-time student. When a student adds a 25-hour off-campus work week into his or her itinerary, the balancing act which ensues becomes a difficult force to reckon with. To say that a student should not hold a job at all while enrolled as a full-time student would be asking for something that is impossible to achieve. Students need money to pay for schooling and living expenses. However, not having a job could mean better academic results in the long run. According to Upromise Inc., the largest private organization dedicated to providing funds for college students, “40 percent [of students] report that work limits their class schedule; 36 percent report it reduces their class choices; 30 percent report it limits the number of classes they take; and 26 percent report it limits access to the library.” Unfortunately, being a full-time student without holding some sort of a job is not an attainable reality for more than 50 percent of the full-time student population of America. Since 1984, “the fraction of college students aged 16 to 24 who also work full- or part-time has increased from 49 to 57 percent,” writes Jonathan M. Orszag of The Beacon/Tom Reilly Students work at the help desk in the Henry Student Center. This is just one of many jobs students take on campus as a source of income while going to school. Upromise Inc. The majority of the 57 percent of students working and also taking on a 12 credit or higher schedule fall under lower and middle class income brackets. According to David K. Randall of Forbes, President Obama released two proposals on October 7 that seek to lessen the financial burden on lower and middle class people seeking higher education by making 529 different college savings plans more accessible to these people. Randall’s report states that in President Obama’s financing proposal for colleges “a family contributes after-tax dollars into a fund and doesn’t have to pay taxes on investment gains if the money is used for qualified education expenses like college tuition or room and board.” His current proposal would be beneficial, but the President should use a portion of those tax-dollars toward creating career oriented jobs that are specifically designed to work around a full-time student’s schedule. As righteous as the President’s proposal is, students will still have to find ways to pay for what is not covered in their plans, such as vehicle expenses to get to and from school. If students must devote all of his time and energy toward their future, they might as well get a part-time job that relates to the field they are pursuing. While there are many jobs available that can teach valuable lessons and responsibilities to all who are willing to learn, students can turn to their college or university if they are searching for a job that will reward them with “realworld” experience in their field of concentration. However, these jobs may lack the flexible schedules that students need. Jobs that have some form of career-development track/ feature to them, usually lack the available hours for full-time students to make a decent amount of cash. Students are then faced with the choice of either waiting tables and making money, or working fewer hours a week and gaining specific skills that will benefit them in their area of study The bottom line is that we have to do whatever is within our means to get the bills paid. In the long run, however, it would serve us full-time undergraduate students well to have decent paying, part-time, career concentrated job experiences while still being full time students. Hopefully President Obama’s proposals could include something about having flexible pre-career job hour programs specifically for full-time college students who need a steady income. Last week's winner of Dinner for 4 at TONY DI'S Letters to the Editor Policy The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: Who Doesn't like Free Stuff?! The Beaco ee y Giveaway! Enter for a Chance to Win... Dinner and a Movie for 4 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached Sponsored by: 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion • Please keep letters to 300 words. The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Located on Northampton Street Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall or at the desk in the Student Union by Tuesday, October 20, by noon.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 9 Dorm recipes and other enticing treats BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Nobody really wants to eat the same meals and snacks over and over again. Sometimes change is for the better. We’ve gathered some interesting recipes to expand your dorm dining palate. All of these recipes can be made right from the comfort of your dorm or apartment kitchen. These recipes-all favorite selections of your fellow classmates--are guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds while widening your cultural knowledge of cooking. The Beacon will feature new dorm room recipes each month. If you’d like to share one of your favorites, email it to lifestyles at wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com :From tlie kitclien of: Debra 'Brena .J\1.artinez Debra Brena Martinez is a 26-year-old Brazilian who is part of the Intensive English Program here at Wilkes. Martinez shared a favorite candy recipe--Brigaderio. “Brigaderio is the most traditional candy in Brazil. You can find it at birthday parties, and it is the Brazilian version of a Birthday cake,” said Martinez. Directions: 1. First put the butter in the pan, turn the heat on low and wait until the butter melts. Brigaderio Recipe (A traditional 2. Next add the condensed milk into the pan. Brazilian candy) 3. Add the dark cocoa and mix continuously until it begins Ingredients: to boil. If the color of the mixture seems to light, add two 1 Can of condensed milk more spoonfuls of dark cocoa. Don’t stop stirring because the 5 tbsp. unsweetened dark cocoa mixture will burn. 1 tsp. butter 4. When consistency thickens, turn off the heat and let mix1 small container of chocolate ture cool. sprinkles 5. When the mixture has cooled down, apply a small amount Some decorative Candy Wrap- of butter on your hands and roll a teaspoon of the mixture into pers a small ball. Repeat this step until all of the mixture has been rolled into small balls. The Beacon/ Melanie Thomas 6. Pour the chocolate sprinkles into a bowl and roll the balls Debra Brena Martinez one at a time until they are all coated thoroughly with sprinremembering Brazilian kles. Birthday Party Candy 7. Place each ball in a decorative candy paper and enjoy! :From tfie kitchen of: Xfiadijafi ..'A.[rasfied Khadijah Alrashed is a 25-year-old from Saudi Arabia, who is currently living with her husband and son in Kingston. Alrashed is on level 4 of the Intensive English Program, and says she learned to cook Authority Fattouch in a cooking class in school in Saudi Arabia and also from her mother; it is a traditional dinner in Saudi Arabia. Authority Fattouch Ingredients: Note - The ingredients in this recipe are based on the judgment of the cook. Tomatoes Directions: Green Peppers 1. First cut the bread into 1 inch Lettuce and deep fry in squares Parsley oil until golden brown. vegetable Green Onions oil on napkins or paper the Drain Dry Mint aside. put and towels Lemon Juice together chopped mix bowl, a In 2. Pita Bread vegetables. Sumac 3. Add the olive oil, salt, black pepSalt sumac, and lemon juice. per, Olive Oil Serve mixed together with the 4. Vegetable Oil fried pita squares. :from tfie kitcfien of: Samantfia 3funter Samantha Hunter is an 18-year-old freshman English major. She has been making lemon squares for her family and friends to enjoy for a few years now. Lemon Squares Ingredients: lemon cake mix 1/3 cup of brown sugar 1/3 cup of oil 1/3 cup of water half bag of chocolate chips The Beacon/ Melanie Thomas Khadijah Alrashed pictured with Authority Fattouch, an authentic Saudi Arabian dish The Beacon/ Melanie Thomas Lemon squares made by freshman Samantha Hunter Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. In a bowl, combine the cake mix and oil. 3. Stir until smooth, and then add the sugar and water. 4. Once again, stir until smooth and then add the chocolate chips. 5. Pour batter into backing pan then place in preheated oven at 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes. �LIFESTYLES 10 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Students of the Week: Katie White & Brian Switay BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Homecoming weekend is a time for tradition. It is a weekend of old friends, older professors, and the annual activities that bring Wilkes graduates flocking back to campus each fall. Homecoming traditions carry over from year to year. One tradition that keeps enduring is the nominating and choosing of homecoming king and queen. Choosing from the senior class, individuals are narrowed down to those fateful six, three men and three women, and eventually narrowed down to the king and queen. The 2009 homecoming king, Brian Switay, and homecoming queen, Katie White, were chosen by their classmates because of their active involvement in Wilkes and their ability to connect with others. For their deep Wilkes pride, they are The Beacon’s students of the week. Switay is a senior communications major with a business minor, and White is a senior biology and secondary education double major. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? White: Ten years from now I see myself teaching in a rural school district with a family. Switay: I see myself working in Hollywood in the movie industry, but I just got an internship with the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey, so maybe I’ll have a nice government job. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words. White: Passionate, honest, kind. Switay: Outgoing, friendly, caring. The Beacon: Finish this sentence: “My friends would be surprised to know…” White:...that I considered being a music major before I applied to colleges. Switay: …how much my family and friends actually mean to me. --.!IC~. WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 MIX&MATCH Any 3 Subs or Wings Homecoming king, Brian Switay, and homecoming queen, Katie White, pose for pictures after President Gilmour annouced them winners of Wilkes’s 2009 homecoming court. HOT . . EL■-..E. .'V' 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre SPECIALS Large Pie $7.95 Chicken Wing Pie $10.95 The Beacon/Kerri Frail ! I 825-5166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Dining Room I 2 Tickets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95 WE CATER lARGE GROUP EVENTS PlEASE CAll BEFORE YOUR NEXT MEETING! Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-11 pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-12am Sun. 12pm-11pm We're more than just great pizza ... see our entire menu at www.januzzispizza.com �OCTOBER 13, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 College Days Susan Hritzak comes full circle at Wilkes BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Susan Hritzak walks through the front doors of the Registrar’s office. She puts down her bag and takes off her coat. She sits behind her desk and sifts through the mountain of papers overflowing onto the carpet. It’s 1977. Susan Hritzak walks through the front doors of the Registrar’s office. She puts down her bag and takes off her coat. She sits behind her desk and sifts through the mountain of papers overflowing onto the carpet. It’s 2009. Hritzak, Registrar for Student Services and a Wilkes grad from the class of 1981, has kept her ties to Wilkes both figuratively and literally. “When it was my time to come to Wilkes in ’77, it was kind of set up for me to have a work study job at Wilkes. I graduated from high school on a Thursday and the following Monday I began with the Registar’s office,” remembers Hritzak. Having the upper hand on her future fellow classmates, Hritzak took the position and filed papers and stuffed envelopes while simultaneously learning her way around Wilkes’s campus. “It was really nice, because before everyone else got there I could know which classroom was where or whose office was where,” says Hritzak. Hritzak was a local commuter student and the youngest of three siblings who attended Wilkes. Following in her big brothers’ footsteps, Hritzak thought that if Wilkes was good for her brothers, then it was good for her. “Basically, I chose to come to Wilkes for one of two reasons. My dad died when I was a junior in high school; I was 16. It was one of those things where when I was choos- ing where to go to school I said ‘Should I go away?’ ‘Should I stay locally?’” reflects Hritzak. Deciding to stay closer to home, Hritzak jumped into the Wilkes lifestyles immediately. Her older brother had already had a position with the Registrar’s office on campus. As he graduated from Wilkes in the spring, Hritzak began that following fall and embraced the Wilkes family immediately. “My brother put in a good word with his supervisor about his little sis coming to school, and I kept that job all four years while I was at Wilkes. It actually turned into an internship my senior year,” says Hritzak. Hritzak worked for four tireless years as a business major. She also returned to Wilkes to obtain her MBA in 1988. Beyond the projects and papers and presentations, Hritzak took time, like most students at that time, to relax and enjoy the spoils Wilkes set up for the students around campus. Whether she was cheering at a football or basketball game or attending the latest dance or Wilkes-sponsored party, Hritzak and her fellow classmates of the class of ’81 used the extracurricular activities to connect to one another. “It comes down to supporting your school, school spirit, and getting that feeling of camaraderie,” states Hritzak. Hritzak has the unique perspective of seeing less student involvement over time at Wilkes-sponsored events and even sporting events. “I think why they’re not here for many extracurricular activities is because of, oh, maybe the economy. Students need to work to earn the money. It’s very expensive to go to Wilkes. It’s a great school, but very expensive. They are working to keep up with tuition,” says Hritzak. Hritzak notices the lower levels of students involvements around campus, coming to campus, coming to parties, coming to athletic events. “Early on I know a lot of students would go to the basketball games or the football games. As time went on, I know many students had never even been to Ralston Field until graduation. That’s where the ceremony used to be. I am like, ‘What are you talking about! There are football games and there are soccer games. Why aren’t you over there?’” comments Hritzak. Hritzak remembers the annual Halloween party and Valentine’s Day dance held each year in the Marts Gymnasium. “You were allowed to walk into that Halloween party with either a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine or a fifth of something. Times have definitely changed,” says Hritzak. The changes Hritzak and her fellow Wilkes graduates who still work for Wilkes-affectionately self-referred to as “The Old Guard”--notice run through many aspects of her post-Wilkes career. Hritzak even notices the physical difference in dress of students. “It’s that maturity level. You [current Wilkes students] dress a little different, the way you go to class, or at least you should. We never wore sweat pants to class,” remembers Hritzak. There were some articles of clothing Hritzak and her friends at Wilkes were not without. She remembers running between the Guard Center (previously Parrish Hall on the corner of Market and River Streets), where her business classes were held towards campus in her Sergio Valente jeans and Candies flip flops. “When I was in school, I had a business course in Parrish Hall, which was in the Guard Center down on the corner of Market Street and River Street at one o’clock. Then I would have a two o’clock English lit course in Kirby Hall. And we would trek it in our Candies flip flops, and we would make it in ten minutes,” recalls Hritzak. Hritzak’s time at Wilkes was filled with aggressive workloads and frustrating classes. Despite this similar pressure many students encounter, Hritzak took it upon herself to connect with her professors. For several reasons, Hritzak believes taking time to get to know one’s professor is beneficial. “I thought the professors were marvelous,” says Hritzak. “I really got the exposure to the world from them. I may not have had the opportunity to travel like students do, but I would talk to my professors and use their life experiences and their knowledge to escape to those places.” Hritzak recalls one professor in particular who exposed her to New York City without ever stepping out of the classroom. “I had a business professor who was a buyer for a major department store in New York City, so he would come to class and teach us about ‘the big city’ as well as business,” she says. But, even though some things around Wilkes have changed, one thing has always remained the same. “It’s a mutual respect between faculty and staff; that has not changed after all these years,” says Hritzak. Being a member of “The Old Guard,” Hritzak takes it upon herself to continue the feeling of family that resonated with her when she began at Wilkes over thirty years ago. Susan Hritzak continues to walk through the front doors of the Registrar’s office. She continues to put down her bag and take off her coat. She will sit behind the desk of overflowing papers and continue to remain an integral part of the Wilkes family. �Faculty Art Exhibition p. 14 12 CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 One on One with Ryan Stiles “Whose Live Anyway” set to perform at the F.M. Kirby Center Oct. 15 BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor When you think of “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” which cast member from the Emmy-nominated television show comes to mind? Some would say Drew Carey. Others might say the talented Wayne Brady or Colin Mocherie. And, of course, the one and only Ryan Stiles. Stiles, known for his hilarity and expertise in improv, is headed our way to perform at the F.M. Kirby Center located on the Square. He will be performing in the group, “Whose Live Anyway,” a touring version of the hit TV show “Whose Line Is it, Anyway?” The rest of the cast includes Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Chip Esten. I was able to get a hold of Stiles and conduct a brief phone interview. Here’s how it went: The Beacon: Okay, so the first origquestion I have for you is: How long have you been doing comedy? Stiles: (Laughs) I’ve pretty much been doing it all of my life. I quit high school to pursue it, so I guess it’s been about 30 years or so. The Beacon: Wow. Where does your sense of humor come from? Stiles: Hmm. I’m the youngest of five brothers and my dad is a pretty funny guy. It just all trickled down to me I guess. The Beacon: Since you quit school for comedy, what did you do from there? I mean, you must have had some crappy jobs. Stiles: Oh yeah. I moved out when I was 17 but that was the “norm.” All of my brothers were moved out by then too. My first few jobs were working at bars or strip clubs—my parents weren’t too pleased. The Beacon: So how was it that you got to be where you are now? Stiles: I stuck with stand-up for about ten years. Then I moved on to Second City Improv Theatre for a few years of training. Steve Carrell, Tina Fey, anyone basically from Saturday Night Live- that’s where they trained. Then I moved to Los Angeles but I hate it there. You know I have this lake house now with my wife and three kids up in Washington and it’s just great. See STILES page 15 Photo Courtesy of Richard Elwood Ryan Stiles, one of cast members from the popular improv TV show, “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” will be in the downtown Wilkes-Barre at The Kirby Center ready to make the crowds belly laugh. Students get 50% discount with proof of student ID. Review: WWE’S Monday Night Raw invades the W-B BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Asst. Sports Editor Before I begin my review of World Wrestling Entertainment’s Monday Night Raw, which visited the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza on October 5, please allow me to clarify two things. No, I am not a die-hard fan. And yes, I know that wrestling is fake. But when I had an extra $17.50 in my wallet and nothing better to do on a Monday night, I figured that I could get a couple cheap laughs out of watching grown men and women smash each other in the head with steel folding chairs. Before the October 5 show, I had been to one previous WWE event. It was more than ten years ago. The company was still known as the World Wrestling Federation, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was filming The Mummy Returns, and the building in which I saw the act no longer stands. Imagine what it would be like to watch an episode of a television show, pay absolutely no attention to the program’s storyline for over a decade, and then sit down again to watch another episode of the show. That’s exactly how I felt watching Raw. I recognized three of the wrestlers, and the rest of the names, faces, and gimmicks were completely new to me. But even though I had nobody in particular to cheer for from my perch in Section 212, I still found the show enjoyable. But was it worth the price of a ticket? Absolutely. Being a part of a WWE crowd is an experience that I recommend everyone should have during their lives. The crowd consists of a very diverse mix of people who are all there to see what is essentially a live-action theatre performance. During Monday’s show, I spotted an elderly couple, a teenage girl singing Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the U.S.A.,” approximately 200 men wearing Ben Roethlisberger jerseys, and was constantly reminded by the six-year old child sitting next to me which wrestlers he thought were performing subpar. And that was before Raw even started. Raw airs live on the USA Network from 9-11 p.m. on Mondays, but crowds at the arenas are treated to a couple of tune-up tussles prior to the broadcast. The show at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza actually kicked off at 8:15 p.m. When it finally came time for Raw, fans were treated to a ridiculous display of pyrotechnics that, surprisingly, didn’t set anything on fire. Then, those 200 individuals wearing Big Ben jerseys got their money’s worth. Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl- champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, happened to be this week’s guest host. He emerged from underneath the massive video projection screen to issue his first decree of the evening. Though he was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos, he quickly endeared himself to the male population by ordering the female wrestlers to compete in a Diva Bowl. Essentially, the 14 scantily-clad, attractive women just beat the crap out of each other. The winners? The audience. By being the guest host, Roethlisberger was essentially given a “do whatever I want to and get away with it badge,” like the guy from Sector 7 in Transformers. He forced the unwilling pair of the Big Show - who I am pretty sure is half-Paul Bunyan – and his partner Chris Jericho See RAW page 13 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 13, 2009 TThe Beacon/Michael Cignoli 13 The Beacon/Michael Cignoli FROM PAGE 12 to fight the two members of D-Generation X in a tag team match. When Jericho was about to lose the bout and tried to run away, Roethlisberger sent actual members of Pittsburgh’s offensive line onto the stage to stop the cowardly Jericho from leaving. I’ve never seen someone so afraid of Pittsburgh’s offensive line. Great acting, Chris! But in all seriousness, the emergence of the offensive line was a conveniently timed plot twist that gave the sold-out crowd a laugh. The fans were clearly against Jericho’s team, and when Jericho returned to the ring, he was promptly beat down by D-Generation X. When D-Generation X won, Roethlisberger and his offensive line joined them - - - - - - - - - in the ring, and the group ended the show by making obscene gestures to the camera while fireworks exploded behind them. It’s an ending that only the WWE can pull off, but not one that will be repeated. No two WWE shows are the same, so the next time Raw visits Northeast Pennsylvania, I recommend purchasing a ticket. The pyrotechnics at the beginning of the show are worth the price of admission alone. I give the event a B. It would have been rated higher, but the fact that a former contestant on MTV’s The Real World named “The Miz” is now one of the WWE Champions brings my rating down a full letter grade. Not even a small person dressed as a leprechaun can redeem the WWE for that. And yes, the show did have such a character. His name was Hornswaggle. - - - - - - - - During the October 5 episode of WWE’s Monday Night Raw, held at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township, guest host Ben Roethlisberger held a Diva Bowl. Here, one group of Divas, clad in Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys, awaits the arrival of their opponents. The Steelers group, led by WWE Divas Champion Mickie James, won the match. Roethlisberger and other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers helped guide fan favorites D-Generation X to a victory in the night’s main event. - TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Asst. Opinion Editor Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! XS EBW OKOGQUCEN SXJQE WAOD WCO EQOC ZQUCZON WS EQUE GOUCHE UKKODJXZ DOUZEXWC UDO GOUCHE ZUHNXCJ UC NKXV EW GWCO. Your ·trusted s,ource for· · screen printing,. emb1roidery, and prom1otional items . This week’s clues: W=O, N=S Answer from last week: IF MENTOS IS THE “FRESH-MAKER,” THEN WILL SMITH’S PARENTS AREN’T THE LEGAL GUARDIANS OF THE FRESH PRINCE! - - - - - - - - _I ·www,.4t--·sh irts. com1 1 570-,8 23-9272 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Faculty artists showcased at Faculty Art Exhibition 2009 Sordoni spotlights past and present faculty artists BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor With the arrival of fall, faculty, staff, and students at Wilkes enjoy the changing colors of the leaves and the overall atmosphere that moves into the university. For some, this cooler air and color-filled season means football and hockey are finally here. For others, the anticipation of using the changing seasons in nature as inspiration for a new piece of art is overflowing. Beverly Glennon, an adjunct faculty member of the Visual and Performing Arts department, expressed how nature offers her inspiration, “I find that observing simple things around me, especially in nature, the brightness of color or reflection of light on an object, shadows and highlights on someone’s face or a peaceful landscape scene are the areas I find most interesting and motivational in my work.” On October 19, Wilkes will continue the long-standing tradition of the Faculty Art Exhibition in the Sordoni Art Gallery curated by Brittany Kramer DeBalko, interim di- rector of the Sordoni Art Gallery. This year, the exhibition will feature nine artists from the present and past Wilkes Community: Jean Adams, Sharon Bowar, Nicole DePolo, Richard Fuller, Beverly Glennon, Bruce Lanning, Darlene Miller-Lanning, Herbert Simon, and Mary Lou Steinberg. Interested to see what this exhibition has to offer, Steve Englesbe, junior business administration major, explained, “I’m pretty excited to go to the art exhibition. I was told about it by my ART 101 professor, Sharon Bowar. She is going to have some of her work on display and I’m quite excited to see it.” The Faculty Art Exhibition offers an opportunity for the faculty to showcase pieces of art that they have worked hard to complete. It is also an event where the faculty artists hope to inspire students to be creative and improve their artistic abilities. Some students may not feel confident in painting, but pottery is also an option to express creativity. Jean Adams, instructor of Wilkes’s pottery TR'TOON! BY TOM REILLY Photo Editor classes, voiced her enthusiasm for the exhibition, “It is my hope that a lot of people will walk through [the Sordoni] and see [the Exhibition]. I know my classes will be down to see it. I would also hope that most of the other art faculty would take people through and I’m sure they will and, of course, we always want the community to see it.” At this year’s Faculty Art Exhibition, guests can see various works of art done by the faculty such as oil paintings, acrylic paintings, collages, stoneware, mixed media (a combination of visual arts such as paint, ink, and collage), digital mixed media, welded aluminum designs, and “selections of a series about animal-shaped lawn ornaments” created by Bruce Lanning, ad- junct professor of art. Lanning also added, “I hope many students, faculty, and administration attend and ask the artists questions.” According to Lanning, being inquisitive may help to build a student’s awareness about art and overall appreciation of it as well. There will be a formal reception on October 25 from 3:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at the Sordoni Art Gallery where guests of the exhibition can meet with the showcased artists. The exhibition will run until December 13, allowing plenty of time for guests to come and enjoy the artwork of the Wilkes Art Department. The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Sordoni Art Gallery will be the location for this year’s exhibition. The gallery will be open 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 13, 2009 P{ay Review: BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Is it all fair in love? Jessica Lech, a senior theatre major, explored the topic in her senior theatre capstone titled, “All is Fair in Love,” adapted and directed by herself. The cast included other theatre majors John Layton and William McGovern. The show was performed Friday, Oct. 9 for two performances only. The capstone itself allows for creativity. Theatre arts majors are finally given the freedom and guidance to put out whatever ".:A[{ is :fair in Love" caystone show they want, so long as it is reasonable and do-able. Some students are geared towards putting on shows that are the most fun. Other students are inspired by the message a show sends out. Or, simply, all of the above. As implied by the title, the play dissects the many aspects of love. The play included scenes that were from well-known productions such as excerpts from Good Will Hunting, The Notebook, and Pride and Prejudice. The show may have been more ideal for the hopeless romantics out there who could • • What's Happening • • Around Wilkes • • • BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI The Marshmallow Staircase @ Vin- • tage Theater, Assistant A&E Editor • • Scranton $5 – 8 p.m. • Wednesday, October 14, 2009 -Third Friday Art Walk with Mark • Rooney @ Barnes and Noble – 5-8 • -Bog Swing Band @ The Bog, •Scranton p.m. • - $3 – 9:30 p.m. • Saturday, October 17, 2009 by Sarah Kane @ Pa•per-“Blasted” • -The New Familiars w/ Special Kite Press Studio, Kingston – 7 •p.m. Guests @ The Bog, Scranton - $5 • – 10:30 p.m. • • -Jesse Fink & more @ Club JAM, HAPPY FALL BREAK! Oct. 15–18 • • Pittston - $5 - 9 p.m. • Thursday, October 15, 2009 -The Breakfast, JMMD @ River • Street Jazz Café - $8 – 10 p.m. -Dentdelion @ Arts YOUniverse • - $15 –8 p.m. • • -Cabinet @ The Bog, Scranton • Sunday, October 18, 2009 -Third Annual Evening of Jazz • p.m. • -Life- $5on–10Repeat, @ Scranton Cultural Center - $50 Floral Terrace, •The Spin Room @ Café Metropolis – 5:30 p.m. • – 7 p.m. •- $7-Whose • Monday, October 19, 2009 Live Anyway? Starring •Ryan Stiles and the Cast of Whose -New Found Glory @ Chameleon • Club, Allentown - $17 - 6 p.m. Is It Anyway @ FM Kirby Cen•Line • ter -$14 students with ID, $26.50•$46.50 GA – 7:30 p.m. • • -Jimkata @ River Street Jazz • *** •Café, Plains • • – FREE – 10 p.m. • For next week’s calendar check • • Friday, October 16, 2009 out our website! • -X-Terra @ Club JAM, Pittston • $5 – 9 p.m. • -RYAT @ River Street Jazz Café, • •Plains • for more information check out... – 10 p.m. • • -The- $5Sw!ms, Iwilkesbeacon.com The Owl Stations, ltwli • • • • The Beacon/Tom Reilly 15 appreciate the topics of the mushy content. The scenes were divided into categories. The first set of scenes was “Family Love.” The second was “Dysfunctional Love.” The third was “New Love,” and the last set was titled “Epic Love.” The first set of scenes started off with a serious tone. Hear My Voice was a scene about a daughter trying to gain back her father’s love after the death of her mother. The show flowed right into a scene from All My Sons and right into a scene from the classic movie Steel Magnolias, where the mother expresses her sadness over the death of her daughter. As the set of scenes continued on, it began to grow lighter, then almost crescendo and decrescendo again with a lot of emotion and tensions rising. As the show depicted a dysfunctional relationship between two gay men from Angels in America, it moved into the following scenes of sappy lovers falling in love. Overall, the capstone was enjoyable through all the twists and turns, and the many different situations love inspires and causes. It truly was a “rollercoaster of love.” STILES from PAGE 12 fantastic. Have you ever performed in this area? Stiles: No. I hate flying actually so I don’t venture out east all that much, except if we’re driving. The Beacon: So, in the next decade or so, do you still see yourself doing comedy? Stiles: Yeah, hopefully I’ll still be alive and well. I’ve been doing this all my life. What else would I do? (laughs) The Beacon: True, true. So, one last thing; I’m pretty petite and you’re pretty tall. What are your thoughts about us having our own sitcom together? Stiles: (laughs) We should be the scale that everyone should be in between. Don’t forget to have a good laugh this Thursday, October 15 at 7:30p.m at The Kirby Center on the Square for the comical performance of “Whose Live Anyway?” The Kirby Center is giving students a special student discount of 50% off-- all students pay $14 with proof of their student ID. Discount tickets are only available at The Kirby Center’s Box Office. The Beacon: Mmmm, lake house. Stiles: Yeah, I mean, LA is just a state of mind but it was great because of the people I worked with down there. And now I built my own theatre in Washington called The Upfront Theatre, which specializes in improv as well. The Beacon: Sounds fantastic. Okay, this is a toughie. When was the moment you fell in love with Colin Mocherie? I mean, the connection is obvious between you two. Stiles: (Laughs) I’d have to say I fall in love with him more every day. We actually grew up together in Vancouver. I haven’t seen him in a few years but we still keep in touch. The Beacon: The dynamic between the cast of “Whose Line” is really what makes the show enjoyable, aside from the talent. Are all of you still close since the show stopped three years ago? Stiles: Oh yeah, I mean it’s difficult because we’re spread out with our own families, but they’re all great guys and we pick up right where we leave off. Most of them live in LA and I I’m all the way up here in Washington but we make it work. The Beacon: Sweet. Currently, you’re touring with “Whose Live Anyway,” which is derived from the TV show “Whose Line.” How does that differ? Stiles: It’s actually so much beton-Th,•I em rs omed ter on stage because TV is very limiting and you can’t fit every· Ion thru urs 11:00 a:m to 5:00 pm thing into the time crunch. There were so many games we couldn’t do. Here on the stage we can be 11:00 a to 4:00 pm. laidback, have more freedom and really enjoy the audience. 1O'!/o di$00tl.1ll ·/ Stu.dent ID The Beacon: It’s exciting you F.a:ce WiFi ~blc will be here in Wilkes-Barre performing. I saw a show that Colin Co. ·ng :5, ill Mocherie and Brad Sherwood did about two years ago at the Suruhlr d -~ff.our, F.M. Kirby Center as well. It was 'T O OR. STREETD Ll Located inside the )'1\-IC \Ve1 N ·i:1a_, . �Field Hockey wins two of three games PAGE 19 16 CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com OCTOBER 13, 2009 Colonels fall in homecoming game Men’s goal is Lebanon Valley spoils festivities with a 21-18 victory BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Happy Homecoming was wishful thinking when Wilkes hosted Lebanon Valley College on Saturday at Ralston Field. Alumni from past years gathered to watch the Colonels fight until the last seconds ran off the clock. The first few possessions for each team came out unsuccessful until the Dutchmen’s Alex Gilchrist intercepted Rob Johnson pass on Wilkes’s 10-yard line returning 2-yards to the eight. Charlie Parker took it in from a yard out four plays later giving Lebanon Valley the lead. With the Dutchmen out front 7-0, Johnson attempted to lead Wilkes to a successful drive. But all attempts to cut the lead on their next possession were halted and once again they could not reach the end zone. After punts by each team, the Colonels finally got onto the board when Chris Horn completed a 28-yard field goal. However, Dutchmen quarterback Caleb Fick rushed 9-yards for the touchdown to increase the Lebanon Valley lead to cap off seven play, 56-yard drive making the score 14-3. Before the half, Johnson found Gennaro Zangardi in the end zone for a 26-yard completion with 1:01 left in the half. The last possessions of the half for each team amassed zero points and the Colonels trailed at halftime once again. The annual Homecoming festivities continued at halftime when Brian Switay and Katie White were crowned king and queen. That looked to be the highlight of the day for Wilkes. After halftime, Wilkes heated up when another field goal by Horn from 31-yards out cut the Lebanon Valley lead to two points. But the rushing attack of the Dutchmen’s Ben Guiles continued. The Colonels looked to find an answer for Guiles, but all prayers would not be answered as he rushed for a total of 45-yards on their next possession, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run. The defense took the field after another drive that resulted in no points for the Colonels. That’s when Chris Swinarski to finally get one on road BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor The Beacon/Kerri Frail Junior wide receiver Jordan D’Emilio dodges a tackle from a Lebanon Valley defender during Saturday’s homecoming game at Ralston Field. D’Emilio had two receptions for 51 yards, but the Dutchmen handed the Colonels a 21-18 loss. and Shane Heberling stepped up and made the biggest play of the game on Lebanon Valley’s next possession. As the Dutchmen threatened to cross the goal line again, Heberling laid a crushing hit on Parker, forcing him to fumble on the two. Swinarski picked up the fumble, returning it 97-yards for the touchdown. “They were about to score again and we really couldn’t have that happen,” said Heberling. “I had a wide open hit and luckily it knocked the ball loose. After the game a very tired Swinarski commented by saying “Heb [erling] made the nice hit and I just scooped and scored. We couldn’t let them score again because that would have taken us out of the game completely; we needed a big play and we got it.” With the score at 21-18 and the rushing attack of the Dutchmen still a threat, the Colonels began to play more like the team from previous weeks. The defense stopped Lebanon Valley on every possession from their on out in hopes of taking the lead. But, the Wilkes offense was unable to capitalize on the new life of the defense. A 38-yard completion to Zangardi pushed the Colonels closer to the end zone, but an unsuccessful trick play by Wilkes turned things sour again. After a short rush by Harry Reese and another incomplete pass to Zangardi, Wilkes was forced to punt resulting in a touchback. Lebanon Valley controlled the rest of the game with their running attack in the fourth quarter however, zero points were scored leaving the score at 21-18 adding another loss to the Colonels record. But after time ran out, things paused while Coach Sheptock deliberated a bad decision by the referees. Before things could escalate, both teams were separated. Next week Wilkes travels to Doylestown to attempt to spoil Delaware Valley’s two game win streak and pick up their first MAC conference win. When it comes to men’s soccer, Wilkes University vs. Misericordia isn’t just another conference game. It’s literally a fight to the finish. The Colonels and the Cougars met twice last season, with both games being decided in either overtime or penalty kicks. Wilkes came up short in both matches, despite having leads late in the second half of each game. Wilkes held a 3-0 lead in the regular season match against Misericordia last season, only to see the Cougars claw their way back. The Colonels conceded three goals in the second half and eventually lost 4-3 in double overtime. When the two teams met in the conference championship game, the Colonels held a 10 lead with eight seconds left in regulation. Misericordia tied the game and went on to win 5-4 in a penalty shootout. That loss left a sour taste in the Colonels’ mouths, and they’ll finally get their shot at redemption tonight. They visit Misericordia at 7 p.m. in a game that the Colonels need to win. “Everybody wants to win that game after that loss,” said junior midfielder Sean Stitt. “We should have won. We all know that we played well. We know what mistakes we made and we know what we can do this year. We need to win it because it’s a conference game and we need to get a playoff berth in the conference.” In their most recent result, Manhattanville defeated the Colonels 3-0 on Saturday afternoon in New York. That loss dropped Wilkes’s conference record to 1-1 with five matches remaining in the regular season. “The results of the final five matches are important in our push to get into the playoffs,” said head coach Philip Wingert. “Four or five conference wins should qualify the team into the playoffs.” See SOCCER, Page 19 �SPORTS OCTOBER 13, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Michelle Wakeley, cross country champ BY JUSTIN JONES Correspondent Crossing the finish line into this weeks’ Athlete Spotlight is sophomore cross country runner Michelle Wakeley. This dedicated student athlete from Endicott, N.Y. is no stranger to finishing in first place for Wilkes. In the last four cross country competitions alone, Wakeley has led the Wilkes Ladies’ Cross Country team in individual statistics. “It feels really great,” said Wakeley, who only ran track and field before coming to Wilkes last year. “After a long summer of training, it’s nice to see a little reward for all that effort.” The pavement isn’t the only place Wakeley has been running marathons. Not only is Wakeley a pre-med Biology major in the BS/MD program with SUNY Upstate Medical School, but she also holds a quadruple minor in Math, Psychology, Chemistry and History. Having such a large work load in the classroom as well as practice, Michelle admits to missing out on some things. “I’m usually gone either in class, at practice, or working in the library from 8:30 in the morning until at least midnight. It’s tough but I think it’s really worth it. It’s a lot of late nights, and missing out on some of the social things I see other people doing, and that’s tough, but in the end it’s what I like to do.” She also plays clarinet for the school’s civics band. Despite the hefty workload, nothing has deterred Wakeley from leading her team all season. She finished fourth (16:47), seventh (21:10:08), and fourteenth (16:16) place overall in the team’s first three competitions this season. Last week, at the Belmont Classic, Wakeley came in third place overall, finishing just under 21 minutes. “Coming in third was great; it was the first time I’ve placed that high in a race,” said a humble Wakeley. “No matter what place anyone on the team comes in though, we usually have the loudest cheering section behind us when we walk up to get our award and that’s probably the best part.” Wakeley is happy with the team, which was just resurrected last year. “Honestly, the most exciting part is probably just having a full team that’s always around. We’ve done so many things together already this season and that’s something that we just couldn’t quite get last year just starting out,” she said. “This year the team has been so much tighter, and more involved it’s been great.” While she feels the team continues to improve; Wakeley also sees improvement for herself during the remainder of the season. “I’d really like to see a bit of a drop in my times, hopefully low 20’s or 19’s for a 5k, and to improve compared to last season’s 6k.” Wakeley looks to better herself at the upcoming DeSales and East Stroudsburg University Invitationals in October. And when it comes to getting away from her abundant studies, cross country is the perfect option to Wakeley. “It’s a great stress reliever,” she said. Courtesy of Marketing Communications Sophomore Michelle Wakeley has been the brightest star on the Wilkes Cross Country team this year. $5.,9 9 ALL YOU CAN EAT 1 Salad., pasta., pizza, a11d desert! Tony Di's PIZZA BU.FFrr QUICK HITS Gifts * Glass Art * T- shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ••• 0~ OFF 15 ,o _,__""" I ~. P: 570.825.2060 295 Sou h Ma.-n Strce Wilkes-Bairre, PA 1870 l Ol1'.E ', LA E F with this coupon 570.270.4252 '~ I •• DAY 1 111 3:3 Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 PINE ~ALL, 69 S KIDDER J'f. VILKEJ-BAltltE, PA F: 570.825.2061 The Beacon / Alison Kasper *illi*ilr REI DR INK WITH I IUDENT LD~*illi** I We Deliver I �SPORTS 18 OCTOBER 13, 2009 SCOREBOARD WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/7 @ Kean 0-3 L 10/10 @ Manhattanville 1-3 L WOMENS TENNIS 10/7 @ Misericordia 9-0 W 10/10 vs. DeSales 9-0 W 10/11 vs. Susquehanna 9-0 W WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL What’s the best sports movie of all time? “Come on, Benny. Man. The kid is a L, 7, Weenie!” Sports Editor 10/7 vs. DeSales 0-3 L MEN”S TENNIS 10/11 vs Ssuquehanna 3-0 W FIELD HOCKEY 10/5 @ William Paterson 2-5 L 10/7 @ Ithaca 3-1 W 10/10 vs. DeSales 3-1 W WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 10/17 @ Delaware Valley MEN’S SOCCER 10/13 @ Misericordia 10/17 vs. Eastern WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/14 @ Misericordia 10/17 vs. Eastern VOLLEYBALL 10/14 @ Delaware Valley 10/17 vs. Albright WOMEN’S TENNIS 10/11 vs. Susquehanna 10/17-18 @ Bucknell Invitational 10/19 vs. Kings CROSS COUNTRY 10/17 @ East Stroudsburg Invitational twil:~er, @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports ANTHONY DORUNDA “Remember kid, there’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you’ll never go wrong,.” -Babe Ruth, The Sandlot In short, The Sandlot, is a legend. This is the Field of Dreams for pre-teens. Let’s just sit back for a minute and bask in the glory of our younger years. The days when playing hide and seek was an everyday necessity; and kickball, jungle gyms, and “friendly” games of tag dominated our recess time; when wiffle-ball was our favorite sport. As small as they may seem to us now, we look back on those memories with fondness, with the constant desire to go back to those times - times when the biggest problems we had were fitting in and trying to get a kiss on the cheek from the girl we had a crush on. The one we were simply afraid to talk to. Nothing represents those days better than everyone’s favorite childhood movie, The Sandlot. The magic woven by this movie is unmistakable. It lays down the smallest of life lessons (togetherness, bravery, self-improvement) while keeping us laughing out loud the entire movie with its quirky and comedic scenes of young boys acting, well like young boys. Above all else, this movie was real. The types of kids were real. The moments portrayed were real. The themes were real. From kids trying to fit in, to youngsters trying to be “cool,” to the boys engineering the sweetest ways to get a baseball back that was autographed by “The Great Bambino,” this movie perfectly scripted our lives at that age. How can someone not love this movie? That’s the real question. Ok, so there aren’t any racial barriers being broken down, and no, they didn’t end the cold war like Rocky did, but these little dudes dreamt big, just like we all did when we were growing up. Not to mention, this movie has one of the most epic name-calling battles of all time featuring my favorite catcher of all time, Ham Porter. In the scene, the sandlot kids stepped up to the hated Tigers, dropping lines that we all used growing up. Come on now, we all had a time when we told someone that they bobbed for apples in the toilet and liked it, I know I did. And it all ended in the most powerful statement a young boy growing up in the early 1960’s could ever make: “You play ball like a girrrrrrrlll!” Talk about a shot to the ego for a young boy. And of course there was the dream of stealing a kiss from the lifeguard. Squints became our hero when he risked his life to be saved by Wendy Peffercorn, and get a little tongue action in the process. But really, this movie takes those moments that seem so little to us now, but were monumental to us back then, and blows them up to the scale we had them at when we were that age. And does it like no other movie has been able to do it. So let’s get our PF Flyers on and dream big once again, like we did when our horizon stretched from home plate to centerfield. “We want some mo’, we want some mo’, we want some mo’!” (I,___)_ Asst. Sports Editor ____.._.._Ho=r~=tll Some of the greatest sayings of all-time have come from some of the greatest sports movies of all-time. To think, Hollywood has given us “if you build it, he will come,” from Field of Dreams; “you’re killin’ me smalls,” from Mr. Dorunda’s pick The Sandlot; “there’s no crying in baseball” from A League of Their Own, the numerous amount of Boobie Miles quotes from Friday Night Lights (i.e. “Y’all wanna win? Put Boobie in.”); and the overwhelming amount of hilariously vulgar quotes from Varsity Blues that would probably get The Beacon shut down if they were printed. When it comes to being a great movie, it has to have great moments that appeal to the audience. Without those moments, there is nothing and it makes for a terrible movie. This week, I’m not even going to bash Mr. Dorunda or his pick because it is definitely a great movie. I give him props for digging up a childhood favorite of mine that seems to never get old, but still “you’re killin’ me smalls” so just give up. Before anyone goes crazy because I’m leaving a few of the greats out, let’s just remember that those great sayings make these movies as great as they are. However, if I had to pick one as the alltime greatest sports movie, I would have to go with, Remember the Titans. Remember the Titans is by far the best sports movie. Not only did this movie have exceptional moments of history, but it also showed athletes how to overcome even the most difficult pressures to become a great team. Seriously, though, I love The Sandlot, but there was only one Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez and he was pretty much the only success story of the whole movie. Throughout Remember the Titans, we saw exactly what this team had to get through in order to be champions. The racial prejudice that beams through almost every scene is astonishing. The fact that this team really did have to conquer the racial restriction of their own time gives this movie an even greater impact. The things that the movie represents is what make this movie as great as it actually is. Not only did it entertain us all with one scene and bring us to tears in the next, but it taught so many lessons of what is truly important in life. But let’s think, we get to watch Denzel Washington (Coach Boone), who is nothing but great, along with other actors such as Donald Faison (Petey), Hayden Panettiere (Sheryl), Wood Harris (Julius), and Ryan Hurst (Gerry Bertier) that support his greatness. Before I go I would like to apologize if I disappointed anyone, but this is an off week for the trash talk. The Sandlot is a good pick, even though it doesn’t quite measure up to the strength of the “left side [or the] strong side” of Remember the Titans, because as Gerry Bertier would say this movie is just “too strong.” Now roll the credits, this movie is over. Hope you enjoyed the show. �SPORTS OCTOBER 13, 2009 19 Field hockey puts mistakes behind them, gets two big wins BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor On the ride home from William Patterson University last Monday, Wilkes University’s field hockey team didn’t have much to celebrate. The Lady Colonels conceded four unanswered goals in the second half of the game, turning what was a 2-1 lead at halftime into a 5-2 defeat. When the team got ready to head back to Pennsylvania, they made sure to leave something behind. “What happens on the field stays on the field,” said senior Jen Keegan, whose 12 goals this season are tied for the team lead. “Yeah, I’m upset about a loss if we do have that, but you just have to put it in your head as, that was that game, we’ll do better next time, and try not to let it get to you.” It worked. The Lady Colonels rebounded from their poor performance at William Patterson to puck up a 3-1 road win at Ithaca on Wednesday and a 3-1 win over DeSales on Saturday afternoon in Edwardsville. With the two wins under their belts, the when the Lady Colonels have the ball, evLady Colonels improved to eryone’s on the attack. When they don’t, 10-2 on the campaign. They everyone’s trying to get it back. have six games remaining in “When we don’t score a lot the regular season, including a of goals and we can’t come road match at FDU-Florham at back, it’s because people 7 p.m. tonight. aren’t working togethThough the team’s offense er,” Tilley said. “Peohas scored four or more ple aren’t moving as a goals in seven of their twelve unit.” matches this season, the Lady When they do move Colonels have never won a as a unit, watch out. game when they allow more than two goals. The Lady Colo“Last year, when we got scored nels were ranked 17th on first we couldn’t come back amongst all Division-III from it,” said senior defender field hockey teams accordAmanda Tilley. “This year, we ing to an October 5 womcan come back, but we’ve found ensfieldhockey.com poll. That’s that the second goal we get the highest national rating that scored on, we tend to fall apart the Wilkes field hockey program has ever received. if we’re not winning at the Even though the Lady time.” Colonels have enjoyed an Both Tilley and Keegan exceptionally successful mentioned that Wilkes season, Keegan says that plays team offense there is always room for and team defense. The Beacon/ improvement. That means that Melissa Polchinski “Mistakes are going to be made all the time,” she said. “Every player, every game, there will be mistakes. We try to have an outlook of one and done. Once you make a mistake, it’s over. You have to pick yourself back up and keep working hard.” The Lady Colonels’ quest to constantly improve as a squad is something that will continue throughout the remainder of the regular season. No matter how many goals they score, how many games they win, or how many records they break, they’re not going to be satisfied until they reach the end of the road. “Once you get satisfied, you lose yourself as a team,” Keegan added. “You should never be satisfied with your playing abilities. You should always be looking for ways to be better. That’s ultimately what a championship team is. They’re not satisfied until the end.” well as the 1996 Hewlett-Packard Division III SID’s honorable mention team and the 1996 Hanson Football Gazette All-American third team. In 1997, Fadden finished out his playing career in style, as he was again awarded a spot on the all-ECAC team, but was also selected as a first t-team all-american by both Hewlett-Packard and Division III Hanson Football Gazette. Hanson also selected him as its National Player of the Year, the first time in the history of Wilkes University that a football player received such an honor. “He had the tremendous ability but also the work ethic to match it,” said Sheptock. Photo Credits: Rebecca Baker Sandosky & Dan McKeown Courtesy of Marketing Communications Lisa Kravitz Miller, Jim Domzalski, Joe DeMelfi, JJ Fadden, & Ben McKeown The Beacon/Tom Reilly At left: Jen Keegan has scored 12 goals for the Lady Colonels this season. That total ties her with Jenna DiSabatino for the team lead in goals scored. HALL OF FAME, from Page 20 Lisa Kravitz Miller Volleyball JJ Fadden Football Class of 1988 Class of 1998 “I wasn’t here when Lisa was a student, but one thing I always hear people say about her was that she was definitely ahead of her time,” said current Wilkes Athletic Director, Adelene Malatesta. Miller, who graduated from Wilkes in 1988, was one of the best, if not the best, volleyball players to ever step foot on the court at Wilkes. During her brilliant career, Miller was named Wilkes’ most valuable player all four seasons of eligibility. On top of that, she was a three-time first-team Middle Atlantic Conference first team all-star. Miller, who served as team captain both her junior and senior seasons, set the standard for kills in a season in 1988, when she set the school record by spiking 153 kills on the year. That same year, Miller received both the Letterwomen’s Club scholarship as well as the Coreen Santoro Award. When it was all said and done, Miller left Wilkes University highly regarded as the best volleyball player the school had ever seen. She continued her volleyball career after she was done playing, serving as assistant coach for two seasons at her alma mater. When describing JJ Fadden, Wilkes’s alltime leader in sacks, intense may just be an understatement. “JJ was tremendously intense,” said Frank Sheptock, who recruited Fadden out of high school. “There was no rep, practice or walk through that he didn’t think it was to win the championship. He was so intense, [in practice] he grabbed the facemask of an offensive lineman and ripped it right off. He ripped the four screws right off the helmet. We were mad, but we were like, ‘Wow!’” But beyond the stories and tales that seem like folklore, Fadden left a legacy that will forever be remembered. When it was all said and done, Fadden left Wilkes University as the school’s alltime leader in sacks with 35.5, shared the lead for sacks in a single game with 5, and had a mind-boggling 254 tackles from the defensive end position -- all that in just three full seasons. Fadden’s name was a shoe-in each year he donned the blue and gold, garnering first team All-MAC honors each season he chased down quarterbacks. In 1996, Fadden was named to the all-ECAC team as SOCCER from Page 16 Three of the final five contests will see the Colonels play outside of the friendly confines of Ralston Field. “Anytime you play conference opponents on the road, it’s a difficult challenge,” said assistant coach Michael Pryor. “Fortunately for us, we have experience at key positions that allow the entire squad to play calm and confident wherever the match takes place.” Unfortunately for the Colonels, calm and confident doesn’t always guarantee results. The team has struggled to find the back of the net on the road this season, scoring just two total goals in their five away matches. They haven’t scored a goal in their last 409 minutes of play on the road, dating back to the first half of their first away game of the year against Gwynedd Mercy. “The results don’t show it, but we actually get a lot of opportunities,” junior defenseman Tom Joyce said. “The luck just hasn’t been on our side, and we just can’t finish our chances.” If the Colonels want to make a legitimate playoff push, they’re going to need to find a way to bury those chances. There’s just no way around it. But after going so long without a road goal, the team believes that sooner or later one of their shots is bound to find the back of the net. “We just have to be persistent, as far as running our attack and being patient,” Joyce said. “I think sometimes we’ll get into the final attacking third and we’ll just give the ball up or we’ll just panic. As of late, we’ve been pretty composed on the ball and I think the goals will come.” �SPORTS 20 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Hall of Fame welcomes six new Wilkes Alumni BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor & RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Edtor This past Sunday, five former standout athletes and one legendary coach took their seats amongst Wilkes University legends when they were introduced as the 16th Hall-of-Fame class in the university’s athletic history. And what a diverse crowd it is. This class has it all—football legends Ben McKeown and JJ Fadden, baseball phenom Jim Domzalski, dual sport standout Rebecca Baker, and volleyball ace Lisa Kravitz. Celebrated coach Joe DeMelfi, best known for his work in bringing a downtrodden football team back to national prominence, was also inducted alongside his players. These six individuals each left their own personal mark on the Wilkes University athletic program, and now sit alongside 131 of the greatest athletes and teams to ever step foot on this campus. But what’s most special about this class is that each of these impressive individuals were more than just spectacular athletes, these men and women demonstrated their prowess as leaders both in the classroom as well as amongst their peers on the fields and courts. Each member left a lasting impression on this school, and will now be forever remembered for their accomplishments. Joe DeMelfi Football Head Coach 1990-1995 Although he may have roamed the Ralston field sidelines for only six years, head football Coach Joe DeMelfi made the most of his short tenure. The fiery coach instilled a hardworking attitude into a program that was searching for an identity. With DeMelfi at the helm, the Colonels went from Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) cellar dwellers to conference powerhouse in the matter of only three seasons. Current football head coach Frank Sheptock, who was DeMelfi’s defensive coordinator during his six-year reign, praised his former mentor for his dedication to rebuilding this football team. “He worked very hard for this program, on and off the field, to build it into a championship contender,” said Sheptock. “He wanted to put that blue-collar, intense, physical trademark on the program in the beginning to try and change the profile of the program.” In the years leading up to the hire of DeMelfi, the Colonels had only mustered two winning seasons in the previous 15. After only three seasons at the helm, DeMelfi overhauled the entire squad, and led the Colonels to a perfect 10-0 regular season record in 1993, the fifth team in Wilkes history to finish the regular season unbeaten. The Colonels were crowned MAC champs, and DeMelfi was named the MAC Coach of the Year. He was honored as the Kodak AFCA Division III Region 2 Coach of the Year as well as the Jostens Division III National Coach of the Year. DeMelfi continued his great turnaround in 1994, leading his Colonels to a 9-2 record and an ECAC Southeastern Championship with a 28-21 victory over Stony Brook. “He had a great plan, and he really worked it,” said Sheptock. “To become the national coach of the year in just four years, that’s tremendously special, and reflective of who he is and what his abilities are. It speaks volumes of his work ethic, intensity, and desire.” Ben McKeown Football Class of 1995 A key cog of DeMelfi’s vaunted 1993 team was defensive back Ben McKeown. The star cornerback was an intimidating presence in the Colonels’ defensive backfield for four spectacular years. After a breakout freshman year in which he was named to the MAC second team, McKeown built off his early success and garnered first-team all-MAC honors his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. “Ben was huge for our team,” said former teammate and current Wilkes assistant football coach Mike Mcree. “He was the leader of a great secondary and we all knew that no matter what, he was going to get the job done.” In 1994, McKeown was named to the Football Gazette All-American second team, as well as the NCAA Division III SID’s All-American third team. He left Wilkes University second on the school’s all-time interceptions list. McKeown was a centerpiece of both the 1993 and 1994 teams, which combined to go 19-3 over the two seasons. Aside from his tremendous ball-hawking skills, McKeown’s intimidating presence and ability to shut down any player on the field contributed to his stellar career. “Ben was huge,” said Mcree. “He was bigger than all of our linebackers, but could cover anyone on the field. He was a true lock-down guy.” Rebecca Baker Sandosky Volleyball & Baksetball Class of 1998 When alumni and students discuss the best athletes to ever come through this school, a name that constantly is in the conversation is Rebecca Baker Sandosky. Sandosky was a very special athlete, one who did not just play one sport, she played two, and dominated them both. During her record-breaking tenure at Wilkes, Baker suited up for both the basketball and volleyball teams, re-writing nearly every record in the record books for both sports. In volleyball, she holds the career record for blocks with 532, as well as total blocks in a season with 192. Baker started her volleyball career off with a bang, receiving the Rookie of the Year award her freshman year. During her sophomore and junior seasons, Baker was a first team Freedom League selection, and was selected to the second team her senior season. As a sophomore, she was selected to two All Tournament teams, as well as the CoSIDA Academic All Region. In 1997, she was a CoSIDA District Academic All-American. When the fall sports season was over, Baker slipped out of the volleyball uniform and into basketball attire. Let’s just say her accomplishments on the basketball court were nothing short of spectacular. Baker still holds numerous records in women’s basketball at Wilkes. Included in those is the record for field goal percentage in a season with an astounding 69.3%. She also holds the record for rebounds in one game with a staggering 22 boards ripped down. Over her illustrious career, she averaged a double-double with 16.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. She sits in second place on the all-time list in career rebounds with 997, third in career points (1,447), and fifth in points in a season (428). Fresh off being elected conference rookie of the year in basketball, Baker was honored with Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of the basketball season. In her sophomore and junior seasons, she was a first team Freedom League performer, as well as a second team player her senior year. And to wrap up her memorable career, Baker received second team Southern Region ECAC All Star honors. Jim Domzalski Baseball Class of 1998 Whether it was the career leader in at-bats, or in rbi’s, Jim Domzalski’s name appears time and time again at the very top. While serving as team captain for his final three seasons, it was “Jimmy D’s” freshman season when he exploded onto the baseball scene. In a matchup versus Moravian, Domzalski hit three homeruns, drove in eight runs, and tallied 14 total bases. All three of these feats were and still are single game school records, and may never be touched again. As a Sophomore, Domzalski was named the team’s “Most Dedicated Player,” indicating the work ethic that Domzalski brought on top of the talent. Wilkes head baseball coach Joseph Folek, who coached Domzalski during his four years at the University, never met a player with the drive and intensity that Jimmy D displayed on the diamond. “Jimmy D is the ultimate example of an old-fashioned hard-nosed ballplayer,” said Folek. “Jimmy was known for and always played the game the way it was suppose to be played. He was tough as nails and he’d do anything to help his team win a ballgame.” Domzalski also served as team captain his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, showing off his outstanding leadership abilities that were admired by Folek. “He was tough as nails and he’d do anything to help his team win a ballgame,” said Folek. “He is the only player that I’ve coached, played with, or known at Wilkes who was named captain of the team his sophomore year due to his outstanding leadership.” In his captivating four year career, the slick shortstop was elected to the Middle Atlantic Conference all-conference first team his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He finished his stellar career as the school’s leader in at-bats (510), hits (163) and runs batted in (129) and is second in school history in singles (113), doubles (34), total bases (260) and games played (133). Domzalski went on to play baseball professionally in Europe for the Montpellier Barracudas of the French Federation Baseball League, but it was his four special years at Wilkes that have earned him a seat next his father Gene, who was inducted into the Wilkes Hall of Fame as a baseball coach in 1996. SEE HALL OF FAME, Page 19 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 October 13th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 October 13 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/54824975304cbc8f463bf1d7906c571f.pdf b547ab81a26e9968dd240781096bc3c3 PDF Text Text 8oaeo1t (;i110-a-way 'J1tsidoff Germy surfaces, HINI concerns SPORTS I PAGE 16 ffDEFE TED FOOTBALL SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF YEAR The I OCOTBER 6, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 4 Sestak talks jobs, unemployment with students Campus free of swine flu so far BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor & BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Joe Sestak, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, addressed Wilkes students about unemployment statistics and the outlook for the job market last Friday. Sestak, from southeastern Pennsylvania, also released his new proposals for creating jobs. Sestak, vice chairman of the House small business committee, announced new legislation to spur economic growth and a competitive workforce. Sestak stressed the importance of small business. Seventy percent of all jobs are within small businesses explained Sestak. According to a Quinnipac University poll released on October 1, Senator Arlen Specter remains far ahead of his challenger, Sestak, by 44 – 25 percent. In the 2010 Senate race are candidates Republican Pat Toomey, Democrat Arlen Specter and Democrat Joe Sestak. Specter changed parties earlier this year. Also, according to the Quinnipac poll, Sestak runs almost as well as Specter does against Toomey, shadowing Toomey at only 38 – 35 percent. Therefore, according to the poll, if Toomey wins over Specter, Sestak The Beacon/ Brie Friedman After Congressman Joe Sestak’s address to the Wilkes community on Friday, he was available for questions from students, faculty and staff. Sestak talked about unemployment rates and the job outlook and market in the upcoming year. may have a chance to win the 2010 Senate race. Congressman Sestak also spoke about his health care plan and stressed the public option. He tied in small businesses and health care, saying that he wants to reform health care for small businesses because they contribute to many jobs in the market. Sestak, a former three-star admiral in the U.S. navy, is the highest former military officer ever elected to either branch of Congress. Wilkes to partner with LCCC to ease transfers BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief & CATHRYN FREAR Correspondent Wilkes University is working to create a task force that will collaborate with Luzerne County Community College to make the process of transferring credits from LCCC to Wilkes easier. According to Wilkes University provost Dr. Reynold Verret, the state of Pennsylvania is ranked within the lower quartile of baccalaureate completion rates. This may be due to students who stop attending college once they have earned their associates degrees. Students may find that many of the courses they have taken will not transfer to INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 their institution of interest, and may choose to stop pursing a higher education. “Northeast Pennsylvania is one of the lowest regions within a low state already,” said Verret. “So, we have some work to do and that requires collaborations between See TRANSFERS page 3 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Wilkes University has managed to stay H1N1 free--so far. The virus, more commonly referred to as swine flu, has been infecting many areas of the country. As of Friday, October 2, there have been 47 confirmed cases in Luzerne County and 2,679 cases in all of Pennsylvania according to the Pennsylvania Health Department’s website. On Wednesday, September 30, Gail Holby, coordinator of health and wellness promotion, stated that Wilkes University was free of H1N1 and seasonal flu. By Friday, October 2, however, that changed. One student had flu-like symptoms and was tested for the seasonal flu. The positive test was sent out of the Wilkes community for further testing of H1N1. “There is no confirmed swine flu here on campus,” said Holby. “Absolutely, no confirmed case.” If the test comes back positive for the H1N1 virus, Health and Wellness Services plans to treat the student and advise him or her to leave campus and return home. There are many different strands of the flu, explained Holby. There are also many different tests that must be done before a person can be confirmed with the H1N1 virus. Students are strongly encouraged to keep washing their hands and practicing good hygiene. In order to decrease the chances of getting the H1N1 virus, students should be See FLU page 4 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �Wilkes ranks 59th in IJS News' Best coneees paee4 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com OCTOBER 6, 2009 2 State Budget may result in loss of Act 101 program BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Though the proposed state budget, if passed, will increase funding for education, it may not be equipped to fund some current educational programs at Wilkes University. Governor Edward Rendell told The Times Leader on September 20 that, if passed by legislators, the budget would increase funding for education by $300 million, but accoring to Thomas Thomas, executive director of University College, higher education institutions may not see much of that money. “He’s talking primarily about [kindergarten through 12] education,” said Thomas in regards to Rendell’s comment to The Times Leader. President Tim Gilmour said that Wilkes University receives money from some state programs, but others are likely to be “adversely affected.” Act 101 and Science in Motion are two programs that will most likely be affected. Thomas, who also serves as president of the Act 101 Pennsylvania Association for Educational Opportunity, has been tracking the budget process through Act 101 advocates in Harrisburg. The Act 101 program provides academic and specific advising support for students who are firstgeneration college students that rely on financial aid programs to be able to afford a college education, explained Thomas. He explained that research has made it clear that many students can be successful in college with specialized assistance to provide support. “The early indications, without us having any confirmation, are not good,” said Thomas. At Wilkes, Act 101 serves 115 students through tutoring and advising. The number of students that benefit from Act 101 is directly based on the size of the college or university. “As of today, October 1, no one knows how the allotment is broken out by line item,” said Thomas. “The early indications are not good. They would lead me to believe, at this point… that [Act 101] is not going to be funded at all, that the program is going to be eliminated.” Originally, the Governor’s office proposed a cut from $9.3 million to $8 million for Act 101. While the Governor’s office was initially supportive, there is a new generation of legislators in place who do not feel the same commitment to equal educational opportunity, explained Thomas. If the State Budget cuts the Act 101 program, Wilkes University has another plan for students who benefit from this program. “We believe we’ve made a commitment to these students,” said Thomas. “We feel dedicated to maintain the same level of services to students. We are going to explore every opportunity.” Thomas explained that Wilkes University is not looking to cut this type of program. Wilkes could fund its own equal opportunity program through the university’s budget. “No one is encouraging us, let’s put it that way,” said Thomas. “Even though these [buget negotiations] are done secretly, you still get words of encouragement. So we are preparing for the worst.” The Act 101 program came into existence as a result of the Higher Education Equal Opportunity Act of 1971. Thomas explained that the program began at Wilkes University in 1976 to assist Pennsylvania residents, “whose economic, educational and cultural backgrounds might limit their success in achieving their goals in higher education.” Theresa Wignot, program director of Science in Motion, could not be reached for comment. “Yellow Ribbon” makes education accessible for veterans BY GILLYAN GOWARTY Correspondent The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued a GI Bill for Post-9/11 veterans to gain benefits for their education. Veterans of 9/11 can receive their college tuition and other expenses paid for, providing they have met the criteria to receive these benefits. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 and is available to 75 eligible veterans on a first-come, first-served basis. Wilkes University currently has 50-60 veterans enrolled, but not all are post 9/11 veterans. According to Camille Daniels, service associate of Student Services, there are currently 18 post-9/11 veterans taking advantage of the Yellow Ribbon program benefits. The benefits of the program include full tuition in which the VA and Wilkes University work together to pay for the full tuition, depending on the number of credits the veteran is taking. The GI Bill will pay the per-credit cost, and if that does not meet the full tuition fee, Wilkes University will pay the difference. “This is the best benefits pro- BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu gram since World War II,” said Henry Steuben, director of parttime programs in the Admissions Department. Steuben explained that if the cost of tuition exceeds that of the highest state public institution, the school can participate by supplementing the difference by fifty percent. Any other scholarships or state grants can be awarded and will not be detracted for the GI Bill benefits. Anything extra will first be used to off-set a possible tuition difference. The remainder of the funding will be put toward housing needs. Like any other scholarship, in order to maintain these benefits the veteran must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average. Veterans can receive a $1,000 stipend for books and a housing allowance of $990 per month which can be used for either dormitory or off-campus housing. In order for veterans to qualify for all of the Yellow Ribbon Program benefits, they must have completed a total number of 36 months of active duty service after September 10, 2001. The active duty service does not have to be performed continuously; it can be divided as long as it adds up to 36 months in total. If these criteria are not met, partial benefits will Editorial Staff 2009-10 still be given. “The Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits are good for 15 years from the date of discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 continuous days,” said Jim Dougherty, Veterans Service Representative. Dougherty said that benefits will be awarded for a maximum of 48 months. For more information on the Veterans Yellow Ribbon Program, students can visit www.wilkes. edu/yellowribbon or a full explanation can be found at www.gibill. va.gov. Veterans can also visit Henry Steuben in Chase Hall to inquire further about the program. Meet the Staff Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Dave Lewis Assistant Op/Ed Editor �NEWS OCTOBER 6, 2009 WILKES NEWS BRIEFS BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor 8th ANNUAL WALK TOWARDS AWARENESS - On October 20 at 12:00 p.m., the Health and Wellness Service Center will host the 8th Annual Walk Towards Awareness from the greenway to Kirby Park. Students must register for the one mile walk by October 13 with the Health and Wellness Service Center by calling 408-4730. Any student who participates in the walk will receive a free long sleeve teeshirt. The rain date is October 22. FALL RECESS – Fall Recess Begins at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14. Classes will resume Monday, October 19. ZEBRA COMMUNICATIONS /SALVATION ARMY FOOD DRIVE – Zebra Communications will be holding the “Go Can Crazy” food drive to help the local Salvation Army. Non-perishable food, including food in cans and boxes, may be dropped off on the first floor of the Henry Student Center between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6 and Thursday October 8. Non-perishables will also be collected during Homecoming Weekend at the football game on Saturday, October 10. Monetary donations will also be accepted to benefit the local Salvation Army. TRANSFERS from FRONT PAGE four-year institutions and two-year institutions.” Dr. Dana C. Clark, vice president of Academic Affairs and provost of LCCC said that chief academic officers meet several times each year to talk about ways that four and two-year institutions can collaborate with one another to help local students continue their education. “We have partnered in several grants with Wilkes where our students and the Wilkes students are working together on projects, […] so that’s how it started,” said Clark. The task force is already getting the program underway. Clark said, “Several of our department chairmen are going to be meeting within the next month with the department chairmen at Wilkes and we’re going to be looking at several of the departments’ curriculum because, for some, it would be easier than others.” Often times, those who transfer from community colleges into four-year colleges 3 Students travel to Madrid HOMECOMING PARADE/ REGISTER YOUR CLUB – The Office of Alumni Relations are registering groups and clubs who would like to be in the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, October 10. Your club or group can decorate a car, truck, create a float or walk in the parade with a banner. Participating groups must arrive at 9:45 a.m. on the corner of South Main Street and West South Street. The parade continues from the arrival point to Public Square. The club with the best entry wins $100. For questions or more information, call Alumni Relations at 408-7787. To register your club, visit http:// community.wilkes.edu/HomecomingParade09. FREE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING – Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology in conjunction with Wilkes Campus Counseling Services will sponsor a free and confidential mental health screening for members of the campus community today, Tuesday, October 6. The screening will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. in the Henry Student Center. The event offers screenings for mood and anxiety problems and will take approximately 15 minutes. Literature will also be available. for more information check out... Iwilkesheacon.com and universities have to attend school for an extra year because they take classes at community colleges that don’t transfer. “Our curriculum sometimes makes it very difficult for students to transfer and finish without having to spend an extra year, year and a half,” said Verret. He noted that Wilkes accepts roughly 120 to 130 transfer students each year. The program is slated to be similar to AcademyOne. This is a software program designed to let students know how many credits will transfer to different schools throughout the nation. According to the software’s official website, AcademyOne. com, participation in the program makes it easier for prospective students to “learn what courses and how many credits will transfer” to the school into which they are looking. Verret said he would like the program to be set up so that professors at Wilkes would partner with a professor from LCCC in the same discipline or major. The two professors would work on the curriculum together Photo Courtesy of Dr. Paola Bianco Pictured above are students in front of the Palacio Real in Madrid. Students traveled to both Madrid and Paris on the trip through Forspro Study Abroad Programs. Students from any major were able to take the trip for three, six or nine credits. The trip was from July 4-31 and students stayed in a single occupancy dorm and were free to come and go as they pleased. For more informatiton, contact Dr. Paola Bianco at paola.bianco@wilkes.edu or 408-4519. to make the whole process easier. Stephanie Durk, a senior criminology major, transferred to Wilkes after spending two years at LCCC. She thinks that this idea is a positive one for students who are looking to eventually transfer to a four-year university. “If they know exactly what they want to do, then it would be beneficial to have a program like this in place,” said Durk. When sophomore Kati Dunn and junior Rich Cosgrove began taking classes at LCCC, two and three years ago respectively, their initial plan were to eventually transfer their credits to Wilkes to continue their studies and gain their bachelor’s degrees. Dunn and Cosgrove reached out to Wilkes from the start of their college career. They did so independently and on their own time. “I went through Amy Patton, [associate director of Admissions at Wilkes]. She gave me all of my courses,” said Dunn, a political science major. “Amy gave us [Kati and I] lists,” said Cosgrove, an elementary education and earth and environmental services double major. “We knew exactly what we had to take. It was all planned out.” While Dunn did not have a problem transferring her credits, Cosgrove noted that only one of the education courses he completed at LCCC did not transfer. Both agree that many students currently studying at LCCC with plans to transfer to Wilkes may not realize that they can work with the Admissions department. The proposed partnership between Wilkes and LCCC will eliminate any confusion or lack of knowledge in this area. According to Verret, professors of all majors have already been asked to put a list of courses together that will be presented to LCCC. They hope to introduce the curriculum to students at LCCC next fall. If all goes well, Verret hopes to form partnerships with Lackawanna Community College and Northampton Community College in the future. �4 NEWS OCTOBER 6, 2009 US News ranks Wilkes below other local schools BY SALVATORE INFANTINO Correspondent Over the summer, US News and World Report released its annual ranking of American colleges and universities from across the country. Wilkes University made the list by tying three ways for 59th place in the Northern Master’s division. Although, Wilkes reportedly jumped up several spots since last year’s ranking, it still fell behind its three local competitors: University of Scranton, Misericordia University, and King’s College. Amy Patton, associate director of Admissions, does not think a negative ranking deters enrollment at Wilkes. “If Wilkes was ranked number one, I’m sure we’d get more calls from parents,” said Patton. US News breaks American colleges into four groups: Liberal Arts Colleges, Baccalaureate Colleges, National Universities, and Master’s Universities. Wilkes falls into the Master’s Universities category which is defined on US News’s webpage as a school that “provide[s] a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s level programs… rankings are of the entire school focusing on the undergraduate program. No master’s programs are ranked.” It also further subdivides the country into North, South, East and West, with Wilkes falling into the North section. King’s College, Misericordia University, Wilkes University and University of Scranton were all in the Master’s Universities, North section category. University of Scranton was ranked for a tie in seventh place. King’s College was tied three ways for the thirty-eighth rank. Misericordia was ranked for a six way tie for the fourty-fifth rank. After the schools are divided, they are ranked according to peer assessment, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance, and alumni giving rate. Overall, Patton said there are more factors that should be considered when choosing a college that the US News ranking and other ranking systems neglect. “There are a lot of great things that are happening at a lot of universities--Wilkes included--that aren’t captured by the survey. Mentoring would be one of them,” said Patton. Patton also noted some positives going on at Wilkes that sets the university apart from not only local competitors, but also national ones. Wilkes is moving forward on plans to open a Law School, and also recently received the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Grant. Lauran McDonald, a freshman biology major, agreed. “I don’t really care about the ranking,” she said. “I still love Wilkes. I wanted to stay close to home, and I wanted a program I knew I could trust. Wilkes was the perfect fit.” Mike Fasulka, senior psychology major, is prepping to apply for graduate schools in physical therapy. “As long as I demonstrate good academics and complete the application packages, the name of which institution my undergrad degree came from shouldn’t matter,” Fasulka said. But, Fasulka said he is not worried about pending acceptance to graduate school because the skills Wilkes provided him are ample enough to move on to higher education. R SWINE FLU from FRONT PAGE very cautious about sharing drinks or cigarettes. H1N1 is spread through droplets that cause the flu to go from one person to another explained Diane O’Brien, director of health and wellness services. Hand sanitizers have been placed around campus to help prevent the spread of H1N1 virus. “Students love them,” said Holby. “I see [students] using them all the time.” Any student with flu-like symptoms is strongly urged to leave the campus and return home. Also, students should notify Diane O’Brien, director of Health and Wellness Services, so that they can be tested for the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu. After returning to campus, students should also contact Health and Wellness Services, as they will notify professors on the status of the student’s health. The H1N1 vaccine is being distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and should arrive at Wilkes University during mid-to-late October. O’Brien assumes that the vaccine will be free to students, staff, and faculty. Al ress Pro f essi o a lly. For Re ume Help cont c Sh ro C t ·no · t s aron.casta o@ · es.ed or by c I i g (5 70) 08 2 ' 1 �NEWS OCTOBER 6, 2009 5 Government Lawrence Reed to delivery Kirby Lecture student Elettion Results BY CATHRYN FREAR Correspondent On Thursday, October 8, the Allen P. Kirby Center Lecture Series will be hosting a lecture by Lawrence Reed, president of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE). The speech will take place in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center at 7:30 p.m. The FEE is a foundation that sends speakers to colleges and high schools to give speeches and provide workshops to educate today’s youth. According to their website, the mission of the FEE is to “offer the most consistent case for the ‘first principles’ of freedom: the sanctity of private property, individual liberty, the rule of law, the free market, and the moral superiority of individual choice and responsibility over coercion.” Like the other speeches in the series, Reed will be talking economics. However, Reed’s speech will steer somewhat away from the norm. Rather than just facts and figures, he will be talking more about “Character, Liberty, and Free Society,” as the title of the speech states. According to Reed, the speech will elaborate on an essay he wrote. The essay bares the same title and was published in the FEE journal in July 2008. He said, “My talk […] will be an extension of that essay with a lot of examples that I didn’t have time or room in that essay to talk about; with some application to current issues.” Reed will be concentrating on his belief that ethics play a fairly large role in how an elected official regulates a society. Reed stated, “Liberty and character are interconnected. You can’t have one without the other.” In relating this issue to our area’s recent judicial corruption, he said, “I think you have a very strong manifestation of a national problem and it’s not all that uncommon, frankly.” Dr. Jeffery Alves, a business professor and advisor of Society in Free Enterprise, has been responsible for bringing in the lecturers that have spoken at the Darte Center in past years. Initially, Alves was unsure as to whether to bring Reed in to speak, fearing that a lack of notoriety would keep people away. Ultimately, he decided it was worth THE MUSIC BOX REPERTORY COMPANY PRESENTS: DnDnDil6 &1J(J) T:11 OCT1111■ n, 14, 'IO & r:to 1r .ffffllffn n• 1 - Nnn I IIIIWOffenR -, ,1, I) r·:11 oaaamn,1,, 10111@1:1,, · .! I llfDIT&. ·•w-ni••owony. fl- lllllMNX ,,,uue twODnllllli n ·rne, -........ cro . m . 1M w CjAL!l TODAY TO MA!KE''YOUR· RESElRVATIO NS-I COME DRESSIED I · YOUR FAVOR rrE ROCKY HO - RO -' COSIU . E!l the risk. “He does not have the name recognition that a lot of our other speakers have had. You always worry about turnout when you have what is a major lecture. You want to have at least 250 to 300 people coming into the Darte and we want to make sure that the people we bring have a message.” Ashley Deemie, a senior accounting and business major, said that she has been going to these lectures since she was a freshman. “The main reason I want to go see Lawrence Reed is just because of the new outlook, especially how the economy is now,” added Deemie. Deemie also said that Reed’s real-world business experience is something that is drawing her to this particular lecture. “I think having a new voice come in that is really experienced [will allow students] to gain some insight and knowledge on where we are now. You get a different outlook than what you get in the classroom.” For more information on Reed and the FEE, visit http://fee.org/. The annual Kirby lecture is free and open to the public. Freshmen Election Results President - Caevaun DuBarry Vice President - Meribeth Derkach Secretary - Nicholas Wierman (write-in) Treasurer - John Sweeney Representatives -Cassandra Glenn, Nisarg Joshi Sophomore Election Results Treasurer - Justine Adams (write-in) Junior Election Results Representatives - Katelyn Aldinger, Sean LaFleur Senior Election Results Representatives - Paran Mukhija (writein), Konstantina Papathomas (write-in), Charles Siarkowski (write-in) All positions will be accepted or declined by next week. for more information check out ... Iwilkesbeacon.corn �Towers' Fire Alarms Paue1 6 Opinion Hand sanitizers are not enough to prevent pandemic In response to the looming Swine Flu pandemic, Wilkes University amped up its illness prevention tactics by adding fancy sensor-activated sanitation stations around campus. As useful as these new sanitation stations may prove to be, they are not enough. There are no other areas on our campus in which decay and germ infestation are more visible than computer keyboards. With almost the entire campus presently operating on white iMac keyboards, one can clearly see which keys have been overly contaminated because of the discoloration of the once pristine-looking surfaces. Wilkes’s Health Services department has recently updated its “FAQ- Pandemic Influenza Policy” to accommodate for the H1N1 (Swine Flu) threat. Health Services website will bring readers up to date on just about everything they need to know about what to do in the event of catching the dreaded Swine Flu. wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com OCTOBER 6, 2009 H1N1 policy is a step in the right direction BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu But nowhere in this prevention plan is a schedule for regular sanitation of germy surfaces included. Keyboards, door knobs, stair railings, elevator buttons, and desk surfaces should all be regularly sanitized, especially now with the threat of a deadly flu pandemic hovering over the campus. Yes, the hand sanitizers are a step in the right direction, but the trouble with this effort is that we cannot guarantee every student will use the sanitation station before he or she touches a doorknob, types on a computer keyboard, or shakes hands with another person. The only way to guarantee clean, touchable surface at all times would be to require each student to disinfect his or her keyboard or desk surface after each use with something like a Clorox disinfectant wipe. While the probability of this being implemented and carried out is slim, the least the University can do is commit some members of the facilities staff to sanitizing the most often touched surfaces on campus on a nightly basis. Health Services has done a great job call- ing attention to the fact that Wilkes University is prepared in the event of an H1N1 pandemic. If an outbreak were to happen, we can at least have the peace of mind to know Wilkes University is prepared. But while we all are busy running rampant on a day-to-day basis through doors with knobs and typing out papers with no regards for the person who just coughed up a lung on his hands, influenza is lurking around every corner. Students need to be more cautious, by coughing or sneezing into their bent elbow, and generally having respect for the person who will sit at their computer in the next class. And, if you’re that sick, stay in bed. Likewise, facilities can do more to ensure that surfaces are disinfected regularly. Before the health status of an entire campus gets to that point, let us all make a more conscious effort toward an H1N1-free year. The best thing the University could to is to include upon Health Services’ FAQ sheet a motion for regular-scheduled sanitization of touchable surfaces. Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 21 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think that Wilkes should mandate a physical education course? • Yes, students need exercise 52% • No, they can exercise on their own 48% Next Week’s Question: Have you used the new hand sanitizers placed around campus? • • Yes No Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. The Beacon/Tom Reilly A close-up view of an iMac keyboard on the first floor of Wilkes University’s Farley Library reveals obvious signs of deterioation as well as germ build-up. Our keyboards are not desantized between users which presents a serious health hazard. Dr. Gerba of Woman’s Day estimates that “there are about 200 times more bacteria on a keyboard than a toilet seat.” Wilkes’s hand sanitizing stations can only do so much against the user-to-user daily germ build-up. �OCTOBER 6, 2009 OPINION Frequent fire alarms in Towers a danger to residents BY CATHRYN FREAR Correspondent again and people take him seriously and freak out because wolves are scary. Eventually, they stop listening, though. Then, of course, there’s a real wolf. Fires, too, are scary, but these fire alarms are already being ignored by many UT residents. In certain instances, this negates the fact that we have fire alarms at all. Eventually, people are going to stop leaving and someone is going to get hurt. Not only are students affected by this issue, but there are also senior citizens who still reside in the Towers from the days before the building was owned by Wilkes. Some of these folks need the use of canes to get around. It’s not easy for them to walk up and down the stairs during these emergencies, when elevator use is prohibited. Frankly, the lights and sounds are enough to put even young college students into a momentary panic attack, let alone those who may have heart issues. The point is, this is a major issue and none of the powers that be are doing anything about it. Sure, the fire department comes for free along with an ambulance bonus, but seriously, no one wants to stand outside for ten to 30 minutes for a non-emergency purpose. We are all busy and the weather is getting colder. If you think this seems inconvenient, just imagine what the situation will be like when that fateful day comes that the sprinklers are set off. Something needs to be done, and soon, to get this serious issue resolved before someone gets hurt. In high school, we all went through the tornado drills, fire drills, etc. and we accepted them. They were preparation for real emergencies. In the 50s, they had bomb drills in preparation for The Big One. That was a little sillier, but it was still accepted and taken seriously. Besides, all of us kids got out of class, and who doesn’t want that? But when you grow up, you get tired of the drill—or in this case, the “real thing.” No one understands this fatigue better than the residents of University Towers, who have experienced 14, count ‘em, 14 fire alarms since classes began this fall, according to Jerry Rebo, manager of public safety. Over the summer, a new fire alarm system was installed in University Towers. The new system, unlike the old system, is extremely sensitive, going off over burnt bacon and steam from hot showers. The alarms happen at all hours of the day or night, and, as the alarm says when someone sets it off, they are most certainly not drills. The problem? Residents of the Towers are no longer taking these alarms seriously. Public Safety expects that students will just get used to the new detectors and adapt. Only time will tell whether this is the case. With 14 fire alarms going off this semester alone, it appears that students need a bit more time to adapt to the new up-to-code smoke detectors that have been watching their every move. We have had so many that … Oh, wait. I’ve lost my train of thought. The fire alarm has just gone off again in the Towers, where I am a resident. It’s Friday, October 2, as I’m writing this. I’m not kidding. Now if you will excuse me, a disembodied voice is telling me I have to leave the building … Back at my desk after 25 minutes because of the evacuation, I can pick up where I left off. Oh, yeah. We have had so many alarms that more than anything else, these have been compared to that The Beacon/Allison Roth old folk tale “The boy who cried wolf.” The Students stand outside an evacuated University Towers on boy says there’s a wolf Sunday, October 4, 2009 after the 14th fire drill since fall classes began. 7 The Obse~v-a. t;;c,~y :-6 ~ ;·h •"•' ~-•-~ < •~ . c ~ . ~ -, I -~ -- ~~ ~~~~ T " :--·· ~ : ,~,i f-I ~ - .....-. - ,. -·-~ : ~ /;.,:~~~~~~--./- ; ,, ; . / / .:,,,,,, NEVER OWN A FERRET Opinion Editor MATTHEW GOGAS People want them. Ferrets are apparently in demand. More and more pet stores sell ferrets these days and of course, they are so cute and so cuddly. The way that they scamper about the floor and hide under furniture is just so darn precious. They make the cutest sounds and who can forget those little faces ... oh, the faces. Let’s not forget that other thing about ferrets: they literally stink. Ferrets give off a distinct odor that can sting the nostrils. Believe me, I know from experience. I lived with a ferret and his owner for more than a year. It is an odor that you really cannot get out of your house. According to Dr. Erika Matulich, a veterinarian and ferret enthusiast from Florida, the distinct odor that ferrets give off comes from musk glands in the their faces and bodies. Matulich also stated that the strongest contributor to the odor is hormonal activity. So, if you want to reduce the odor, your best bet is to have your ferret spayed or neutered. Most cat or dog owners prefer to get their pets spayed or neutered, so it is pretty commonplace for a ferret owner to do so as well, though it does cost money. This does not, however, eliminate the odor, it simply reduces it. If these people going out and adopting ferrets are not turned off by the odor, what can turn them off to owning one? Maybe they are not completely informed about the downsides when they go to the pet store or someone they know passes one off to them. That is my best guess. In any case, do not own a ferret, especially if you do not know all the facts about them. Two states, California and Hawaii, have laws that make owning a ferret illegal. New York City, Washington D.C., and a few other cities also make it illegal to own a ferret. I agree wholeheartedly with the decision these governments made. It should be illegal to own a ferret. Ferrets are wild animals and should not be domesticated. While once the same could be said about cats and dogs (they too were once considered wild animals), they can be trained to be domestic animals. Ferrets cannot always be trained, not to mention they have very sharp teeth and tend to bite when they are younger. Ready for a big surprise? If you own a ferret, be prepared to possibly spend up to $1,000 in surgeries and medical expenses at any point during the ferret’s lifetime because they are prone to developing adrenal disease. Adrenal disease is an affliction in which the adrenal glands stop producing hormones necessary to life. According to a study published by Dr. Kemmerer Cottrell in 2005, adrenal disease is “one of the most common problems of the domestic ferret.” Cottrell also stated the available options are either surgery or melatonin implants. Lupron, an estrogen blocker that is used for the treatment of breast cancer in women, is also effective in treating adrenal disease in ferrets. However, the cost would be $50 a month for the rest of the ferret’s life. I could give you a thousand other reasons not to own a ferret, but these are the only ones that really matter. They are expense, cannot always be trained, and they really do stink. So, the next time you see a ferret with his cute, cuddly little face and you think about buying him from the pet store, think again because he is nothing but trouble. The Beacon/Tom Reilly �OPINION 8 OCTOBER 6, 2009 Finding a date on Facebook is not the best way to go Asst. Opinion Editor DAVID LEWIS Do you remember a time when dating involved nothing more than the intimate interactions between one person and another? Chances are that if you are between the ages of 18 and 25, you have not experienced the blissful, black and white Hollywood depictions of long walks on the beach, or running to the front porch in the rain for a good-night kiss, or having a magical evening on a roof-top that nobody else in the world has access to or knows about. Granted those examples of dates are not within the average Joe’s means or budget, but we cannot discredit those couples who are brave enough to weather the challenges that our new millennium places on trying to find love. Dating in a technologically savvy era involves much more than just meeting that special someone at a designated time and place for a good time. Advances in cellular phone texting/calling plans, social networking websites, and even websites designed to find you a husband or wife, have made stalking somewhat normalized. Now, a lover can keep track of his or her significant other’s whereabouts throughout the day with a simple checkup on his or her “status.” Our generation has access to several types of networking websites such as Facebook. com or eharmony.com whose loan purpose is to accent our individualities to make us look more appealing to outside viewers. As cool or appealing as one may seem on a website, chances are that he or she has not put as much time into developing his or her own sense of self--in “real” life. It is no secret that societal trends in our country lean toward instant gratification— getting the most information in the fastest way possible. However, having your individuality on display through words on a screen at all times defeats the purpose of having to date, court, or even hang-out with a person for an extended period of time. If the extent of deciding whether to date someone involves logging onto a social networking site, then the purpose of interacting through intimate face-to-face tactics is defeated. Once one knows what he or she needs to know about whether the “target” is attractive or distasteful, the whole purpose of dating becomes unnecessary. Although Facebook is geared towards social networking, there are applications and features which make the internet-sensation a solid ground for judging another person without getting to know him or her through face-to-face contact. Let us say, for example, you see a goodlooking young woman who you think you might want to date. Instead of approaching her and starting a conversation, you choose to look up her profile on Facebook and check her “status.” First of all, a “relationship status” on Facebook is tremendously flawed. One can easily be listfted as “single” but still have a Letters to the Editor Policy _____ ____ ...__ .......... _. , , , The Beacon/Tom Reilly Nicole Leshnow, sophomore nursing major, takes a study break to see what her friends are up to on Facebook in the Farley Library. significant other. A single person could be unmarried, but dating. People may also list themselves as “in a relationship” or “married” to ward off unwanted pursuers, even if that is not his or her true status. Once you’ve checked out the status, the next logical move on Facebook is to check out her photos. This is a disgusting way to tell if a person is right for you, considering that the pictures of the person may be from just one incident and does not mean that he or she always parties to the point where they run a naked mile. Facebook can also deter an aspiring lover from pursuing a person based upon the comments upon his or her wall. Just because someone left a dirty comment on your love interest’s wall, does not mean he or she is a player. In essence, using Facebook, or any other social networking site-- especially dating sites designed to find you a husband or wife-creates more problems than it’s worth. The next time you are thinking about phone texting, AIM-ing (AOL Instant Messaging), or using social networking websites, avoid the hassle and strike up a conversation. Just say, “Hello. I’m (your name here).” Last week's winner of 10 Yoga Classes at BALANCE YOGA Victoria Rendina The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: Who :Doesn't Like Free Stuff?! The Beacon·· ee y·Giveaway! Enter for a Chance to Win... Dinnerfor4 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached (pizza buffet and drinks included) Sponsored by: 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion • Tony Di's PIZZA BUFFET Located on South Main Street Please keep letters to 300 words. The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall by Friday at noon.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu li ostyllos '------wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com OCTOBER 6, 2009 9 Global Partners help students adjust to college, culture BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Imagine living somewhere where the entire culture is foreign. For the 160 International students enrolled at Wilkes University, that is their everyday life. Fortunately in September 2008, Wilkes inaugurated the Center for Global Education and Diversity. “We help international students who don’t have the English skills they need to study at the university,” said Kimberly Niezgoda, assistant director of the IEP since 2006. “We teach the international students reading, writing, listening, speaking--all the things they’re going to need to know to get a passing score on the TOEFL Exam,” said Niezgoda. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language Exam; international students take this exam around the world to prove that they have the academic skills they need to succeed in an American, British, or Australian University. “We have services for all International students and we also have services for diverse students, or students of diverse backgrounds,” added Georgia Costalas, managing director for the Center for Global Education and Diversity. “We work with students who are considered underrepresented minorities, or who are minorities for - other reasons.” ter of the IEP. The Global Center for Education and Di“They really want to get to know Ameriversity, according to its brochure, provides cans and college life and because of the services for students whose race, sexuality, IEP schedule. They don’t get to do Club Day or meet gender, age, and Americans in culture is diftheir classes ferent from the because our majority popuschedule is so lation. different,” said The Center reNiezgoda. cently applied a Mohammed program called Aloumin is a Global Partner, 1 9 - y e a r- o l d where internafrom Saudi tional students Arabia and can meet with has reached American students who volThe Beacon/Melanie Thomas level four of the IEP. “It’s unteer their time Cindy McCoy mans the desk of the Global Diversity helped me a to hang out. building. The program connects international stulot with readAccording to dents to American students. ing, vocabuNiezgoda, the students who enter into the IEP can come in lary, listening, and speaking skills,” said at five levels, Beginner, speaking little or no Aloumin. “The Global Partners is a chance after English, Low Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate, and Advanced, speaking clear classes for them to hang out with an Ameriand concise English. Some of them speak can. They play pool in the Student Center, little to no English when they get here. or go see a movie, even cook together,” said Those students who come to the university Niezgoda. Through this program, international stuand have more experience speaking English may only need to participate in one semes- dents wanting to improve their English get to experience American culture and make friends at the same time. Because of the IEP schedule, they don’t have an opportunity to make friends with American students. The Center for Global Education and Diversity offers coffee hours on Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. in the Savitz Multicultural Lounge on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. “We have people who come every week. Sometimes we have about ten people, but other times we’ve had up to 35 people attend coffee hour. Sometimes we’ll have a presentation where one student may speak about a particular situation or event from their country,” said Costlalas. The center also features Global Family, where a family invites an international student to their home for an American holiday, such as Thanksgiving. “I have met a few people in coffee hour, but outside of school, no. I want to join American life and I want to learn about American culture. Also I would like to share Arabic culture and food with Americans,” said Aloumin. Anyone interested in becoming a Global Partner should contact Kimberly Niezgoda via email at kimberly.niezgoda@wilkes. edu. Student of the week: 9~~ P~? BY ADRIENNE SHELLENBERGER Correspondent Wilkes University may have The Beacon, The Inkwell, and Wilkes World, but senior Jahmitza Perez didn’t think we had enough campus media, so she’s adding a “POW.” Perez, an integrative media major, is working on creating POWzine. It started as a class project when she was a junior. “My strengths lie in 2-D design so I thought a magazine would be appropriate,” said Perez. With the thought that integrative media students should have their own piece of literature to contribute to Wilkes and the advice of her advisor, Eric Ruggerio, Perez decided to turn the project into a full product. Perez has set up a non-profit business with a bank and is currently working on the first issue of POWzine to present to Wilkes to be approved for funding. Ruggerio, Perez’s advisor, encouraged her to produce a new piece of media for the Wilkes campus. With that extra push, she turned the draft into a full-blown project. Perez has set up a non-profit business with a bank and is currently working on the first issue of POWzine to present to Wilkes to be approved for funding. Perez wants her magazine to appeal to all college students, “the young adult, the I’mnot-married-just-yet public,” she said. “I got tired of reading lame Cosmo articles,” said Perez. POWzine will be “full of ‘the student,’ our hang-ups, our art, our makeup, but most importantly, it’s ours.” Perez doesn’t take all the credit for POWzine. Her friends Amanda Petrosky and Ryan Bracey are helping out, along with Nicole DePolo who is supervising and editing. “It’s a team effort and I cannot wait to share the magazine with Wilkes this semester,” said Perez. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words… Perez: Determined, curly-haired, optimistic. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know…” Perez: That I actually hate orange juice. Photo courtesy of Jah- The Beacon: mitz Perez Where do you see yourself in ten years? Perez: I see myself creating, designing, branching out to the public so I can share pieces of my work. �LIFESTYLES 10 OCTOBER 6, 2009 Trolleys, Pints and Ghosts for Homecoming 2009 BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor As Wilkes University moves into the month of October, the staff at the Office of Alumni Relations feels not only the sudden chill in the air, but a certain pride about Homecoming Weekend. “We try to have events for every type of alumni, so the people who may not want to come back just for the social will come back for the educational factor,” said Mirko Widenhorn, director of Alumni Relations. There will be open classes all day, allowing alumni the opportunity to sit in on a class they once took during their time at Wilkes. Widenhorn and Sandra Carroll, the executive director of Alumni Relations, sent emails out to all faculty and staff asking if they would be willing to open their class for alumni. “We had a good response. It’s a good cross section, everything from first-year foundation courses to psychology and even communications,” said Carroll. Other events of interest on Friday include the Trolley Tour of Campus and downtown Wilkes-Barre. Tourists. It will be hosted by Tony Brooks, the executive director of the Luzerne County Historical Society. The tour will cover part of downtown’s historical buildings, and also some buildings around campus. Later that day, returning alumni can have a beer with their favorite professors. Pint’s with Professor’s will kick off in Weckesser Hall at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will also be available and all students who are 21 or older will be permitted to attend the event, but must provide ID at the door. After drinks, what better way to close out the evening than searching for ghosts in some of the old mansions on campus? The Historical “Haunted Wilkes” walking tour will depart from the John Wilkes statue at 6 p.m. Wilkes University buildings on the tour include Kirby Hall, Sturdevant Hall, Weckesser Hall, and Roth Hall. Rest up, because Saturday packs quite a punch, with events starting at 8:30 a.m. and going through dinnertime. Saturday highlights include the 2009 Homecoming 5K Ragin’ Road Race, which is sponsored by the Wilkes Running Club. The race starts at the Alumni House on South River Street and goes across the Market street Bridge, through Kirby Park and ends at the tailgate tent. Students can participate in the race for free and can sign up by contacting the Alumni Office. If you’d rather watch than run, cop a squat along South Main Street for the Homecoming parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Just a few of the groups featured in the parade include SIFE [Students in Free Enterprise], ROTC, The Beacon, Class of ‘04, Class of ’69, and of course the Wilkes University Colonel. After the game, head back to campus for a tent festival on the greenway from 4-6 p.m, where there will be special reunions for Alternative Spring Break, The Beacon, communication studies, Doane, Gore, and Weckesser Alumni, psychology alumni, the class of ‘69 and the class of ‘84. “Students are invited, as the tent festival is being sponsored by Student Government. There will be alcohol, but students will not be allowed to drink because it is funded by Student Government,” said Widehorn. To wrap up homecoming weekend, the campus belltower will ring in remembrance of all alumni and Wilkes community members who have passed away since last year’s homecoming on Sunday, October 11th at 9:45 a.m. Also on Sunday at 11:45 a.m. in the Henry Student Center ballroom, six alumni will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The Beacon/Allison Roth The John Wilkes Statue is the starting point for homecoming weekend activities like the Historial “Haunted Wilkes” walking tour. 53 PtJbuc_square 829-6111111 D 'A'Nto'A'N COLLe3e _specaaLS ALeoHOL SPEeIALS F02 21.+ Ui& I.D. .SllN~ MONdi! Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Pr•ce Appetizers ½ Pr•ce PIZ.za r11eSda! DJ OOH\fee Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Prace Appetizers COl..l.ege N13Ht N° co,,,er 'II I COi.Lese ID rK1Jr5da! .Sattlr@ live Entertainment Live Entertainment Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts $15Lrces dlJl'INS ~P! HotJr $15LiceS 11pM-1at1 COJUle cHecK °tJt YiHat·s Ne\Y aNcl E><ett1N3 at R0 daN°'S Call to bOOK <>tJr pr•vate rooM ror clN~ CL3SS e\feNtS or soe1a. 5atHer1N3 Roc:laNO'S LtJNCH 5pec1atS ofTerec:1 7 c:la~S a WeeK F0 r $5.95 �LIFESTYLES OCTOBER 6, 2009 11 College Days Associate provost’s Facebook connects him to college friends BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor “Bing!” The computer revs up. Dr. Vernon Harper, Wilkes University’s new associate provost, sits down behind his large wooden desk and places his hands over the keyboard. Into the URL bar he types “www.facebook.com.” Harper, like millions, uses Facebook, the Internet social networking site, to connect and stay connected with his family and friends. “I have 164 Facebook friends. Ten to 15 are from grade school; three or four are from Penn State Hazleton; five or six are from Penn State University Park. And I need them,” admits Harper. Harper thrives on the connections made during his undergraduate years to sustain his view of Penn State, where he completed his undergraduate degree in communications. “As you get older, your past becomes brighter. I need them sustain my view of Penn State and what happened. It was a wonderful time. If I didn’t have those peo- ple to relive those experiences I don’t know what kind of person I would be, and I would not want to know,” said Harper. Harper spent two of his four undergraduate years at Penn State Hazleton and the last two years at Penn State University Park. “Back then you had to go. When I transitioned from Hazleton with a small, small campus of around 3,000 students to University Park with 40,000 students, that was a rough adjustment,” said Harper. Despite a rough adjustment, Harper spent his undergraduate years learning the many lessons students inevitably learn about themselves. Harper admits to not always being the studious and driven person he is today. “I was a slacker,” stated Harper. “I guess I was a good student, but I never exercised my potential as a student.” As he approaches age 40, Harper’s connection to his undergraduate years is still vivid. While he remembers his time at both Penn State Hazleton and University Park well, he notices the changes within himself. “A major change for me from past to today is I have charted a course for my life and I derive a great amount of satisfaction in ex- ecuting it,” stated Harper. As Harper’s personal education excelled through not only his undergraduate years, but his masters’ degree and doctorate as well, he gained a greater sense of self and a drive that kept him thriving in his personal endeavors. Harper’s drive came to him in his late 20s. “I learned that I needed to pay more attention, be more detail-oriented. I learned about relationships. I learned about careers. It put me position to learn about myself as a working person. I really appreciated that,” reflected Harper. Moving from Pennsylvania to California for work, and back to the east coast to work in Virginia, Harper’s many positions have enlightened him and instilled him with a determination to push him both personally and academically. “I’m stealing someone’s thought, but there is where you are and where you’d like to be. In between the two is a tension. If you can feel that tension, it can pull you through your life. However, you need that point. You need to know where you want to be,” suggested Harper. After graduating from Penn State, Harper took a job as a headhunter, working to find other professionals jobs. Despite losing this job early in his professional career, Harper thrust himself back into academia. According to Harper, he was running from the real world by going back to school; however, his running turned into the push he needed to become not just a well-rounded student, but a well-rounded professional. “I felt like I didn’t have enough firepower to give myself security in life. I had to go back and get more firepower,” he said. Education was his firepower. Harper’s personal and academic education was defined through his many roads. “Enjoy your time as an undergraduate. Be cognitive and know that it leads to a time when you really need to work hard,” concluded Harper. Harper’s hard work has propelled him through many positions in the professional world. But he has never forgotten those connections he made while in college. Just check his Facebook and see. In his own words, Harper storms Beaver Stadium: “ It was 1991, and in 1990 George Tech had won the national championship in football. We played George Tech in the first game of the season in Atlanta. We won that game. So, we beat the defending national champions in the first game of the season. A spontaneous group offans formed on the corner of, I think, College Avenue and Beaver. My dorm was a couple ofsteps away. It was ten people, then it was twenty people, then it was a thousand people, then two thousand people. Everyone ran down and joined this mob. Someone had the vision ofgoing up to the stadium [Beaver Stadium]. Some rowdy people broke in. I ran around the stadium and through the tunnel where the team comes from. I ran and stood on the fifty yard line. It was one of the best moments in my entire life. “ Photo courtesy of Dr. Vernon Harper Dr. Vernon Harper recently became Wilkes’s first associate provost. �What’s Happening Around Wilkes p 15 CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 OCTOBER 6, 2009 Review: Fundraiser “raises roof” for Osterhout Library BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Atop the East Parking Garage Corner located on Washington and Market Streets in the Downtown, the city of Wilkes-Barre provided citizens with food and entertainment under the stars to benefit the Osterhout Free Library on Franklin Street. The event, “Raising the Rooftop Fundraiser,” took place this past Saturday evening, Oct. 3, from 5 - 7 p.m. The event had an exuberant atmosphere with a decent crowd of people. The majority of guests were enjoying the many Hors d’ oeuvres that were courtesy of eleven local restaurants, such as pizza from Rodanos, sandwiches from T.G.I. Fridays, and mouth-watering wings from Gonda’s Hoagies, Wings, and Spirits. I couldn’t help but notice the generosity of the local breweries either. It was appropriately themed “Oktoberfest.” Breaker Brewing Company and Northeast Eagle Distributors provided courtesy beer, wine, water, and their ultimate fall featured cocktail that made me weak in the knees: “The Tuaca Apple Pie.” This cocktail gave the cool, sunny evening a fall-season taste, made up of fresh apple cider and Italian liqueur topped off with whipped cream— enough said. Live music also echoed off of the buildings in the Square and punctuated the evening with easy rock. This live entertainment was provided by The Traveling WilkesBarreans, featuring Bret and Ron of the Badlees, Pauly of Panacea, and Dustin of See FUNDRAISER page 14 The Beacon/Tom Beacon/Tom Reilly Reilly The Locals seen enjoying the fundraiser festivities on top of the Park and Lock East Parking Garage on the corner of Washington and Market Streets. - - - Artist Spotlight: ®r. ~haron ~owar - - BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor Too often, the art department is overlooked at Wilkes University. This month, The Beacon will spotlight students and faculty of the visual arts department for the Wilkes community to create a stronger appreciation for their majors and backgrounds. This week The Beacon will spotlight a woman of sensational talent and compassion for the study of art who teaches classes in painting, printmaking, design, and life drawing each semester. Sharon Bowar, associate professor of art, teaches at Wilkes with the hope of sparking interest in and appreciation of art in her students each semester. The Beacon: When did you first learn of your talent and interest in art? Bowar: I knew I wanted to become an artist by age fifteen. At that time, I was not aware of how much hard work it required, but I knew I had found what I loved and had a strong desire to learn, grow and succeed as an artist. For many years, I explored and experimented with a vast array of art forms and then focused my knowledge and skills in the art of painting. The Beacon: What makes painting such an important part of your life? Bowar: The regular practice of painting is the most consistent part of my life. I enter my studio very early each day. Some days include many hours of painting while others, usually teaching days, may have only a brief hour or two. Of course I like to travel and take holidays, but I’m always returning to the act of painting for the anchor it provides in an oft-unpredictable world. This consistency of creativity provides me with a sense of well being and inner composure. The Beacon: I know you had said you had an art business. Can you explain more about it? Bowar: In brief, my business involves travel, research, correspondence, production of art, documentation, marketing, presentations, exhibitions, identifying markets, maintaining a studio with supplies and equipment, billing and paying taxes. I have two galleries that showcase my work and I maintain a web-portfolio that has been viewed around the world, www.sharonbowar.com. I participate in juried, invitational and solo exhibitions. I regularly donate works of art for charitable auctions See BOWAR page 13 BELOW: Dr. Sharon Bowar, associate professor of art at Wilkes University, has participated in several exhibitions, showcasing her paintings in cities such as Philadelphia and Albuquerque. Courtesy of Wilkes.edu Courtesy of Wilkes.edu ABOVE: Pictured is an oil painting created by Dr. Bowar in 2005 named Studio Chair. �OCTOBER 6, 2009 BOWAR from PAGE 12 and fundraisers. My next large solo exhibition is scheduled for June 2010 in Philadelphia. It takes me about two or three years to create new work for a solo exhibition. The Beacon: What pieces make you feel most accomplished as an artist and why? Bowar: Many of my smallest and seemingly insignificant works mean the most to me. I love the quick “demonstrations” I spontaneously create in my classes because they speak of my joy of teaching art. Otherwise, it’s not the large and bombastic that I cherish most, it’s certain small paintings that help me recall the work—the evolution—the growth and struggle of becoming an artist. In works like my first etching done at age 19, or a small landscape painting done outdoors in Italy or Mexico, or those special greeting cards I made for my father over the years. The Beacon: Will any of your work be featured at the Faculty Exhibition at the Sordoni? Bowar: Yes, I will exhibit four new oil paintings. The Beacon: Where do you gain inspira- ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT tion for your paintings? Bowar: I’m inspired by nature, poetry, atmosphere, color, daily and seasonal rhythms, and people. 13 _________Rome Studio Chair_________ The Beacon: What technique do you use? Bowar: I’m a fairly traditional painter, except sometimes I sketch and compose on the computer. Then I draw, develop a tonal under-painting, apply color washes, build layers of full-bodied oil paint, apply transparent glazes and end with a layer of varnish to protect the work. The Beacon: Where do you complete your paintings? Bowar: I paint in a private studio in north Wilkes-Barre. My studio has consistent northern light, high ceilings, a cozy fireplace, and two loving cats. As Dr. Bowar mentioned, you can visit her website, www.sharonbowar.com, to view more of her works online, learn more about her educational background, and read reviews about her work. Don’t forget to check out her oil paintings which will be displayed at the Faculty Art Exhibition starting on October 19 at the Sordoni Art Gallery. Photo Courtesy of Cultural Council of Luzerne County This oil painting was completed on canvas by Sharon Bowar. See more oil paintings done by Dr. Bowar and other Wilkes University faculty at the Faculty Art Exhibition on October 19 in the Sordoni Art Gallery or by visiting www.cclcarts.org. B & K Wilkes-Kine's Bookstore 7 South -I.a Sbeet, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 - 670.208.4700 - wJkes-bneolJeae..eom Use your Flex Dollars here at your official Starbucks location! �14 Powder Puff Game Battle of the classes BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor There’s something about seeing guys dress up as cheerleaders and classes battling against each other in flag football that oozes school spirit. The junior class has decided to have a fall semester event that would serve that exact purpose—to raise school spirit and just have fun. This Wednesday, Oct. 7, a battle of the classes event will take place in the UCOM building. The Powder Puff game will be divided among the classes: juniors in yellow against the seniors in blue, and freshman in red against the sophomores in white. The winning team will be awarded with Wilkes Powder Puff Champion T-shirts. If there are any guys out there who could use some cash, all you have to do is dress up as a cheerleader and prove your school spirit. The most convincing male cheerleader and best female football player will both be awarded with a $20 Visa Giftcard—sounds like fun already. Megan Dickinson, president of the junior class, is hoping to get enough students to participate. If it has a great turnout, they will definitely make it an annual event. The idea was inspired by Katie Munchel, secretary of the junior class. “This is a very low cost event and hopefully turns out to be a great night without having the school put out so much money,” said Dickinson. Everyone is invited to this event. Referees and coaches are welcome to help out with the game. In order to participate, students must sign up in the Student Union Building outside of the Student Government office during club hours. Students should make sure to sign up by Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. The game starts at 7 p.m. Even if students don’t want to participate, it is worth watching the classes battle it out or seeing the guys dress up as cheerleaders. The point is to just have fun. 0 . . STREETDELl ocated inside the · IC 1 Non- ··,fembers W lcom ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FUNDRAISER from PAGE 12 Lemongelli. People 21 years and older were allowed into the event. The admission fee was $20 at the door, but only $15 if purchased in advance. Once paid, guests were able to indulge in the many varieties of food and all of the fun drinks from the local restaurants and alcohol distributors. Christopher Kelly, director of development at the Osterhout Free Library, hoped to bring in about 700 guests. Kelly’s job entails raising money for the library via grants, foundations, corporate and personal donations, and special fundraiser events such as this one. The goal was to raise about $8,000 for Osterhout. Kelly said the idea was inspired by similar rooftop party fundraisers in Scranton, which brought in about 700-1,700 attendees. Though it may not have seen quite as many attendees as previous Scranton parties, the night still looked like a success, and Osterhout definitely benefited from this fundraiser. OCTOBER 6, 2009 T■ 'TOON! BY TOM REILLY Photo Editor The Beacon/Tom Reilly The band “The Traveling Wilkes-Barreans” performing during the “Raise the Roof Fundraiser.” TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! PJ UQGNCH PH NWQ LXEQGNH “JEQHW-UXMQE,” NWQG KPSS HUPNW’H XEQG’N NWQ SQVXS VIXEZPXGH CJ NWQ JEQHW Jlor1. thru Tums l 1:00 a.tn to .5~00 p LEPGYQ! F ·eta. s 11:O0 :un to 4:00 pin This week’s clues: Q=E & N=T 1~ 1., discount ·/ Sm.dent ID F.t~ WaFi A Comi~ ~ _d ■ubble ·sf _ , . g H,o.w, Check next week’s issue of The Beacon for the answer! Answer from last week: IF IT TAKES TWO TO MAKE A THING GO RIGHT THEN IT TAKES ONE FOR IT TO GO WRONG. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 6, 2009 15 Movie Review: The Informant is timely tale of corporate whistle-blowing BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor Editor’s Note: This review contains spoilers. Sitting through The Informant was one of the more unique experiences I’ve ever had at the movies. I went in with high expectations as a fan of both Matt Damon and director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s 11-13, Traffic), and walked out… pleased? Confused? Maybe the right word is tickled. The movie follows the real-life story of Mark Whitacre (Damon), a high-ranking executive at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in Decatur, Il. One of the world’s largest producers of ethanol, ADM is said in the movie to be the world’s 46th most lucrative corporation according to Fortune magazine. Mark’s not happy. It’s difficult to believe, considering he earns a $350,000 salary and is loved and adored by his loyal wife Ginger (Melanie Lynskey). Mark’s problem is that he knows too much-- as one of the top players at ADM, he learns of the company’s international price-fixing arrangements that have been bilking consumers out of billions of dollars around the world. He decides to clear his conscious to an FBI detective named Brian Shepard (Scott Bakula), and it is from there that the movie takes off. Whitacre begins wearing a wire and gathering evidence for the mounting FBI investigation, using his small-town charm and sensibilities to stay a step ahead of suspicion. His colleagues see him as quaint and unassuming; they don’t even catch on when his recorder starts malfunctioning during a business meeting, setting up one of the movie’s funniest scenes. It’s only after he finally indicts the leadership of ADM and is crowned a hero by the FBI and public that the movie delivers its hilarious curveball: Whitacre’s been making millions himself through a series of embezzlement scams and kickbacks. As the audience tries to keep up with Soderbergh’s pacing, veil after veil of deception is peeled away until we’re left completely unsure of who or what to believe. Following the many details of The Informant is important, but it’s the actors who are crucial to its success. Damon plays Whitacre with impeccable timing and a focus that is extremely understated. Having to play clueless requires more guile than most audience members probably appreciate. Bakula is also integral as Shepard; as time progresses, you begin to sympathize with the bewildered detective as he realizes that he’s involved in the schemes of a wildly pathological liar. Calling the movie “a success” is an assertion that gives me pause. I can’t deny that it’s good, but I was left with an odd feeling at its conclusion. Perhaps it’s the pacing, which can at times get bogged down in a crush of details. Maybe it’s because of the fact that it’s more of a “mockumentary” than a true comedy, which is what the majority of its trailers had me believing before I saw it. In any case, it’s certain to frustrate many of those who attend it expecting a simple comedy. Should you go and see it? I would be disappointed if I stopped you- I believe it’s a movie that you should draw your own conclusions about. Fans of Damon will love the subtle touches he brings to Whitacre, and those who love Soderbergh won’t be disappointed with his directive stylings. Rating: 3 / 5 The Beacon/Tom Reilly • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What’s Happening Around Wilkes-Barre • BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Coming next week… - Ol’ Cabbage @ Club JAM, Pittston -Cost: $5, Starts at 9 p.m. • Assistant A&E Editor -Wilkes University: - NEPA Philharmonic – John Williams at the Movies October 7, 2009 • Wednesday, Faculty Art Exhibition starting on Oct. 19th @ FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre “Battle of the Classes” @ UCOM at the Sordoni Art Gallery • -Powderpuff -Cost: $20.50-$57.50, Starts at 8 p.m. football against classes -The Bog, Scranton: - Live Music with Eamonn Garaghty @ Barnes • -Starts at 7 p.m. – Check out the fun! Bog Swing Band on Oct. 14th, 9:30 p.m. - $3 and Noble Slug Club @ Barnes and Noble Cabinet on Oct. 15th, 10 p.m. - $5 • -Book -6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Club for Harry Potter – all ages invited -Café Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre: • -6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Life on Repeat, Floral Terrace, The Spin Room on Saturday, October 10, 2009 Oct. 15th, 7 p.m. - $7 • Thursday, October 8, 2009 - Weatherbox, All Get Out, Kite Party, The Greek -Club JAM, Pittston: • - Live Irish Session @ The Bog, Scranton Favorites @ Café Metropolis X-Terra on Oct. 16th, 9 p.m. - $5 -Cost: $8, Starts at 8 p.m. -Cost: FREE, Starts at 9 p.m. Jesse Fink, The Bluegrass, Boyz on Oct. 17th, 9 p.m. - $5 • - Loom, Exotic Animal Petting Zoo, Machine - Black River, Edge Three, Imaginary Boys @ Club -Mellow Theater, Scranton: • Arms, Faceplant Harvey @ Café Metropolis JAM, Pittston Artic Shaw Orchestra on Oct. 17th, 8 p.m. – -Cost: $5, Starts at 8 p.m. check site for prices • -Cost: $7, Starts at 7 p.m. -Scranton Cultural Center: • All Weekend Long Sunday, October 11, 2009 3rd Annual Evening of Jazz on Oct. 18th, 5:30 p.m. - $50 - Former Ghosts, These Elk Forever, Agnes @ -The Phoenix Performing Arts Center, Duryea: @ Lakeville Community Hall • - Cliffhanger Night of the Living Dead on Oct. 16th-17th, 8 p.m. - $12 -Cost: $12, Starts at 7:30 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sun.) Café Metropolis • - Betwixt -Cost: $8, Starts at 7 p.m. Two Mountains @ Little Theatre of • Wilkes-Barre - Whose Live Anyway? starring Ryan Stiles and cast of Don’t Forget... * Bowling at Stanton Lanes: 2 games/rental - $0 (with -Cost: $8, Starts 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) Whose Line Is It Anyway? @ FM Kirby Center, • ID) 1 pass per week - Pick up pass at Student Center Wilkes-Barre • Friday, October 9, 2009 Info Desk -Cost: $26.50-$46.50, Starts at 7:30 p.m. The Asylum Street Spankers @ Arts YOUniverse, • Wilkes-Barre * Restaurant Gift Card Drawings: $25 value - One entry Monday, October 12, 2009 • -Cost: $15, $12 for members, Starts at 8 p.m. per week: Enter name at Student Center Info Desk -Backseat Goodbye & Goot @ Café Metropolis -Cost: $8, Starts at 7 p.m. • The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Beacon/Tom Reilly • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • �CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu WHO'S THE BEST COACH? On PAGE 18 Our Editors 16 Face Off wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com OCTOBER 6, 2009 THE QUEENS OF KING'S Volleyball sweeps season series with Lady Monarchs BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor There’s no question that Wilkes University’s biggest athletic rival is King’s College. Lisa Rizzo, a four-year veteran of the Lady Monarchs volleyball team who now coaches the Wilkes University squad, will be the first to testify that there’s a mutual dislike between the two Wilkes-Barre schools. “I would definitely say it is an even rivalry,” Rizzo said. “Everyone’s pumped up. Everyone wants to win. Both teams are out for blood.” While there wasn’t any bloodshed at King’s during Wednesday night’s volleyball match, the Lady Colonels did erase a fourgame losing streak with a 3-1 victory over their cross-town rivals. It was Wilkes’s 11th win of the season, and their biggest one to date. “We needed this win really bad,” said junior libero Allie Kelleher. “We had a losing streak and we played a lot of tough teams, but we knew that King’s was going to be tough for us. The fact that we beat them just makes us work even harder now.” The Lady Colonels’ four-game skid was part of a dismal stretch that saw them lose eight of their previous ten matches. The Lady Monarchs were much more fortunate in their recent results, entering Wednesday with a 9-2 record in their last 11 games. Kelleher said that the Lady Colonels didn’t take that into consideration. The team was focused on proving that they should have been ranked higher than King’s in the preseason polls. “They were seeded fourth, and we were seeded fifth, so beating them helped us,” Kelleher added. “We knew we were better than them.” Wilkes took the opening game of the bestof-five match, 25-20. King’s answered back with a 25-23 victory in game two, and was in danger of winning the third game as well. The Lady Monarchs led 22-21, but the Lady Colonels responded with four consecutive points to take the game. Sophomore middle hitter Emily DeBuck took over at the end of game three, earning points on three straight serves to steal The Beacon / Melissa Polchinski Wilkes thrown to the Lions in MAC opener BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Sophomore middle hitter Emily DeBuck gets ready to spike the ball during Wednesday’s match at King’s College. The Lady Colonels beat the Lady Monarchs 3-1. a victory and give Wilkes a 2-1 advantage heading into the fourth game. “I get excited when I’m back there,” DeBuck said of her serving. “I try and pick the team up and get them excited.” DeBuck’s serves started a momentum swing that carried over Emily DeBuck into game 4. After goCourtesy Marketing Comm. ing through eight lead changes in the third set, the Lady Colonels opened the fourth game with a 5-0 run and never looked back. They posted the biggest win margin of the day in the decisive contest, winning 25-16. “In the last of the third and the beginning of the fourth set, I think we found a more consistent pace,” Rizzo said. “We controlled the tempo of the game a little bit more.” The Lady Colonels return to action tonight, October 6, when conference foe DeSales visits the Marts Center at 7 p.m. Including tonight’s match-up, Wilkes has seven contests remaining in the regular season, with five of those being home games. The team is hoping to feed off of the energy of the crowd and conclude the season with another stretch of wins. “I know we have a lot of tough games, so hopefully the fans will help us get that energy we need and be excited during the games,” Kelleher said. “We play very well when we’re excited.” REMAINING SCHEDULE 10/6 10/14 10/17 10/17 10/20 10/22 10/28 DeSales Delaware Valley Albright Marywood Eastern Scranton Misericordia 7 PM 7 PM 10 AM 12 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7 PM Home Games in Bold The Wilkes football team took on the Albright Lions in a battle of the unbeaten to kick off their MAC season on Saturday. Before the game, defensive back Darnell Corbin said that the team was confident and poised for victory again. “I feel that we are ready for whatever Albright has to throw at us,” Corbin said. “We just came off a big win in Virginia and I think we are ready to keep the win streak going.” But Albright had other plans for the Colonels as they entered the Lions’ den in Reading, Pa. Albright immediately attacked the Wilkes defense in the first quarter. On their opening drive, the Lions used nine plays chewing up 72-yards in the process to record the first score of the afternoon. The extra point was no good and the score stayed at 6-0. A defensive battle followed after the score until Wilkes took the lead on a Zack Tivald 16-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Albright regained the lead six minutes later when quarterback Tanner Kelly completed a 22-yard pass to wide receiver Nate Romig for his second touchdown reception of the day. The Lions added a 28yard field goal just before the half to make the score 15-7. The Colonels went into half time trailing Albright by eight. This was the third time that Wilkes has gone into the half trailing the opposing team, but so far this season the second half proved to be all about Wilkes football. However, this time would be different. “I guess we keyed too much on one thing this week and they [Albright] came at us with something totally different,” commented defensive end Sean O’Neill after the game. The Colonels first possession of the second half resulted in a loss of 12 yards forcing them to punt to Albright. SEE FOOTBALL, Page 19 �SPORTS OCTOBER 6, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Melanie Nolt; freshman phenom BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor Served up in this week’s athlete spotlight is tennis ace Melanie Nolt. The Accounting major from Manheim, Pennsylvania, has wasted no time showcasing her talent on the courts, as she has taken over as the Lady Colonel’s number one singles player as only a mere freshman. In her first collegiate match versus Manhattanville, Nolt made her presence felt on the court immediately, pairing up with fellow freshman Katie Lynn to embarrass Scarlette Rodriguez and Danielle Waldron 8-0 in the first doubles match of the day. Then, in her singles match, Nolt made quick work of Rodriguez once again, this time with a dominating 6-0, 6-2 straight set victory. Although this fabulous freshman made it look almost effortless on the court, she’ll be the first to tell you that it was anything but that. “The first match I was so nervous,” said Nolt. “I didn’t want to be the only person to lose. So many people came to watch, including my grandparents and my parents, and I wanted to show them that I actually improved from high school. I came off the court crying, and they told me I actually got better.” They were tears of joy for Nolt, who’s been playing tennis since seventh grade but spent the entire sum- Courtesy of Marketing Communications mer rehabbing an injured shoul- Freshman Melanie Nolt has dazzled so far this season after taking der. She was diag- over as the teams number one singles player. nosed with limited shoulder rotation, an injury that restricts the The injury all but ruined her senior year, overall movement in her shoulder, hamper- and shelved her from tennis until about two ing both her serve and her overhead shot. weeks before this pre-season started. “I can’t come all the way around on my serve because my shoulder gets too sore and I’m done after two or three matches,” said Nolt. “But it makes me better because I work on placement instead of power. It makes me a better, smarter player. The injury didn’t seem to have any affect on Nolt in the ITA Regional Tournament in Virginia. She would get a chance right away to prove her worth, as her first opponent was Johns Hopkins’ Anita Bhamidipati, the number six seed in the entire tournament. After a fierce back and forth battle that saw Nolt jump out to a quick lead, only to have Bhamidpati fight back, Nolt came out victorious, downing Bhamidpati in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. “I was kind of out of breath and walked off the court in a daze,” chuckled Nolt. “I was up and then she came back, and I thought, “I worked so hard and didn’t want to play a third set.’ I told myself I was not serving again and I finished it out.” See NOLT page 19 $5.,9 9 ALL YOU CAN EAT 1 Salad., pasta., pizza, a11d desert! Tony Di's PIZZA BU.FFrr QUICK HITS Gifts * Glass Art * T- shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ••• 0~ OFF 15 ,o _,__""" I ~. P: 570.825.2060 295 Sou h Ma.-n Strce Wilkes-Bairre, PA 1870 l Ol1'.E ', LA E F with this coupon 570.270.4252 '~ I •• DAY 1 111 3:3 Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 PINE ~ALL, 69 S KIDDER J'f. VILKEJ-BAltltE, PA F: 570.825.2061 The Beacon / Alison Kasper *illi*ilr REI DR INK WITH I IUDENT LD~*illi** I We Deliver I �SPORTS 18 OCTOBER 6, 2009 SCOREBOARD MEN’S SOCCER 9/30 vs. Susquehanna 2-1 W 10/3 vs. FDU-Florham 1-0 W WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/30 @ Susquehanna 0-0 T (2 OT) 10/3 vs. FDU-Florham 2-2 T (2 OT) Who is the best coach in sports today? You can’t spell “Koach” without a “K” Sports Editor FIELD HOCKEY 10/1 vs. Alvernia 4-1 W 9/26 @ Eastern 3-1 L WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 10/10 vs. Lebanon Valley MEN’S SOCCER 10/7 @ Rowan 10/10 @ Manhattanville WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/7 @ Kean 10/10 @ Manhattanville VOLLEYBALL 10/6 vs. DeSales WOMEN’S TENNIS 10/7 @ Misericordia 10/10 vs. DeSales 10/11 vs. Susquehanna CROSS COUNTRY 10/10 DeSales Invitational MEN’S TENNIS 10/11 vs. Susquehanna FIELD HOCKEY 10/5 @ William Paterson 10/7 @ Ithaca 10/10 vs. DeSales twil:~ r , @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports ANTHONY DORUNDA The best coach, huh? Keep reading, ‘cause this is a good one! Mr. Holmes has gone the NBA route with Phil Jackson. In all honesty I’m not sure how I am supposed to argue against Jackson. I mean there is a reason for him being aptly titled the “Zen-Master.” But he’s also had the luxury of having players widely considered the best in the game at the time (MJ in Chicago, Kobe and Shaq in L.A.). Put it this way – with Shaq at center and Kobe at point guard, I could have played power forward, Mr. Holmes could have suited up at small forward, and Cignoli could have run the point and the Lakers still would have won three straight. And with those titles, he’s only won Coach of the Year once? Hmmmm… That’s why I’m going into the college ranks for this one. My chap? Well he has not only been the NCAA basketball Coach of the Year 12 times in eight different seasons, but he was named Coach of the Decade for the 1990s by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and was the second recipient of the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award. That man, ahem, legend, is none other than Mike Krzyzewski. Listen, I hate Duke with a passion. I mean, I am a hardcore Heels fan; I bleed tar heel blue and want to throw a Tyson-like haymaker at every single one of the Cameron Crazies. On the same hand, I also appreciate greatness when I see it and Coach K is the epitome of greatness. On top of that, he is a class act, something that’s hard to come by these days. See, Coach K doesn’t coach at a school where players major in basketball; he’s coaching legitimate rocket scientists and dudes majoring in molecular genetics that just so happen to be able to play a little ball, too. There are lofty education standards at Duke, and Coach K keeps those standards, graduating an astounding 98% of his players. That’s a feat in itself. Ahh, wait, but you want some numbers. Yes, yes, I have a few. Coach K has won a mind-bending 833 games and counting, making him the win- ningest active coach and the sixth winningest all time, not to mention he’s won an NCAA-record 71 NCAA Tournament games, an NCAA-record ten 30-win seasons, 11 ACC regular-season championships (nine more than any active coach), 11 ACC Tournament titles (eight more than any active coach), 10 Final Fours (third most in history), and of course, three National titles. It gets boring to say NCAA-record so many times, doesn’t it? Here’s another: the 291 wins his Blue Devils have racked up this decade is more that any other team in any other decade in NCAA basketball history. Oh, and he also recently won an Olympic Gold Medal with team USA. Before anyone says he should have won with a team like that, remember, that team couldn’t take gold just a few years earlier. Coach K has also received another prestigious honor in 2001 as he was named “American’s Best Coach” – all coaches, any sport, any level of play – by Time magazine and CNN. Not to mention Krzyzewski was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001. Not to bad of a resume, huh? Sorry Ms. Jackson, Whoooo, I’m Votin’ for Phil (i),___ Asst. Sports Editor ____.._.._.HO=r~~'-1 Class is back in session and today’s topic is greatness. Let’s start with Phil D. Jackson who is definitely the best coach of all time. When it comes to coaching, Jackson has the “Midas Touch.” Every team he coaches turns into gold. Since 1989, when Mr. Dorunda was just a twinkle in his father’s eye, Jackson became the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. From there he took them from regular status to king status. His first year as the head coach didn’t result in a championship, but his Bulls posted a 10-6 playoff record that season. There has not been one team that Jackson has coached that did not make the playoffs. True dominance is what he represents and you can guarantee that his teams do too. It took him one year to adjust to the NBA before he conquered it. The 1990-91 season resulted in absolute greatness when the Chicago Bulls posted a record of 6121 and won their first NBA Championship ever under Jackson’s leadership. The next season, championship; the season after that, championship. Can someone please tell me who is better than this man? Before you say something Mr. Dorunda, I can already tell you that you are wrong – it’s not Coach K. In the nine seasons as the Bulls head coach, Jackson appeared in every single playoff, winning the NBA title six out of nine times. Now, I know what most of you, including Mr. Dorunda, are saying, “Phil was nothing without [Michael] Jordan and [Scottie] Pippen.” But without a great coach to push the team, they wouldn’t be champions. So give Jackson some praise for being able to motivate some of the greatest players of all time. OK, now where was I? Oh yeah, Phil Jackson is the man, plain and simple. After taking the Bulls to greatness, he moved on to a whole new project; the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1999, he joined the Lakers franchise after taking a year off from coaching. That same year the Lakers were champs. With the Lakers, Phil has won four NBA Championships and two Western Conference Championships. So, if you take the six championships he won with the Bulls and the four he won with the Lakers, how many does that make? Say it with me...10. That’s 10 rings, if he wins again they might just give him a crown and proclaim him “King of Greatness.” Since 1989, until now, he has collected 1,041 wins, won the Coach of the Year award in 1995-96 and was added to the list of Top Ten Coaches in NBA History in 1996-97. Gatorade needs to come out with a new drink called “Pure Greatness” named after Phil Jackson. So let’s review. 1,041 wins, 10 Championships, produced three NBA MVP’s (Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal), named Coach of the Year (95-96), and is one of the top 10 coaches in NBA history. Hope you learned your lesson Mr. Dorunda. Get on my level or get out of my class. Class dismissed. �OCTOBER 6, 2009 NOLT from Page 17 Later on in that same tournament, Nolt would advance to the sweet 16 when she upended Cassie Bowman, 6-4, 6-1. She would fall the next day to ninth-seeded Blair Brezski in a fierce battle that went three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, but showed why she moved up into the number one spot so quickly. The success Nolt has had as a freshman is not the first time she has started out her career with a bang. In her freshman season at Manheim Central High School, Nolt won her league title, beating current teammate Victoria Bybel in the championship match. She also led the team to a league title, becoming the first women’s tennis team at Manheim Central to do so since her mother led her team to a league title many years before. But not only is Nolt a fantastic player, teammates say she is an even better team- QUICK HITS SPORTS mate. “Even though the girls just got on the team a few weeks ago, they have already become part of our big family,” said senior Xiaoqiao Zhang. “Melanie is very supportive to each one of her teammates, and she fits very easy into our tennis team; but you know, she is an amazing tennis player!” “It’s a privilege playing with Melanie,” stated Junior Michelle Knight. “She’s a morale booster and a hard worker and is a dedicated teammate, as the rest of us are. We all support each other and we are all happy for her.” Adding this diaper dandy to an already star-studded cast makes this a scary team for any conference foe. That 22-game conference winning streak may not come to an end anytime soon, and a fourth straight conference championship is in their sights. Nolt and the Lady Colonels hit the courts again Wednesday when they make the quick trip to Dallas to take on conference foe Misericordia. FOOTBALL from Page 16 Albright increased their lead, driving 81yards in eight plays to record another score. Corbin returned the ensuing kickoff 21yards to set up the offense on Wilkes’s own 31-yard line. After six plays, the Colonels had only driven 27-yards and were forced to punt once again on fourth and ten. On the twelfth play of Albright’s next possession, running back Josan Holmes took it in from a yard out for the touchdown. The short kickoff was recovered by the Lions on the Wilkes 30-yard line. Albright quickly turned the opportunity into points. Kelly completed a 30-yard pass to Sean Caldwell Jr. for the touchdown. The third quarter came to an end still in favor of Albright, 36-7. The Colonels began to show some life late in the game when Johnson connected with Shawn Gregson from 8-yards out. The Lions posted one more score to slow the Colo- 19 nels’ late charge. With a 43-14 score, quarterback Marc Persing started calling the signals for Wilkes. Persing completed a 26-yard pass to wide receiver Adam Fraley just before running back TJ Bergmann took it in from 9-yards out on his only carry for the final score of the game. The clock ran out with the final score 43-21 giving the Colonels their first loss of the season. “We aren’t going to point fingers and blame anyone for this loss,” defensive tackle Chris Swinarski said. “We win as a team and we lose as a team. From here on out we just have to get better.” The Colonels look to bounce back on Saturday on Homecoming weekend when they host Lebanon Valley College, whom they lost to 28-21 in last years contest, at 1 p.m. W SOCCER GETS THE BALL ROLLING PENGUINS CRUNCH SYRACUSE The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins kicked off the 2009-10 American Hockey League season with a 4-2 victory against the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday night. Newcomers Wyatt Smith and Chris Conner recorded three-point evenings for the Penguins. Smith scored two goals and added an assist, while Conner potted a goal late in the third period to compliment his two helpers. Rookie Keven Veilleux also scored for the Penguins. John Curry made 26 saves for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, allowing only a power play goal by Pascal Pelletier and a rebound tally by Alexandre Picard. FIELD HOCKEY BACK ON TRACK At press time, the Wilkes Field Hockey team bounced back from their 3-1 loss to Eastern last Saturday by beating Alvernia 4-1 on Thursday. After a scoreless first half, the Lady Colonels opened the floodgates. Their top scorer Jennifer Keegan broke the 0-0 tie shortly after the second half started. Amanda Peters deflected a Chelsea Minix shot in the seventh minute, which was followed up by two Jenna DiSabatino goals. It wasn’t until the end of the game that the Crusaders found the back of the net making the score 4-1 in favor of Wilkes. The Lady Colonels take on Ithica tomorrow in New York at 4 p.m. DANCING WITH THE DEVILS The Wilkes women’s soccer team kicked off their conference season on Saturday when they hosted the Devils from FDUFlorham. The Lady Colonels took a 2-1 lead into half time off goals from Jenna Sargent and Katy Fissel. The Devils tied up the game in the 60th minute of the second half which lasted the rest of the regulation and both overtimes. This marks the second tie in a row for the Lady Colonels who will travel to Union, NJ, on Wednesday October 7, to take on Kean in their next contest at 7:30 p.m. WAKELY HAS CLASSIC FINISH The men’s and women’s Cross Country team participated in the Belmont Classic on Saturday. Out of the 11 schools that participated, the Wilkes men finished in fifth place overall with 142 points while the women finished in sixth place with 155 points. Robert Carp led the men finishing in 22nd place with a time of 30:25.53, while Michelle Wakely led both the men and women with her third place finishing time of 20:58.65. The team will compete once again on October 10, when they participate in the DeSales Invitational. The Beacon/Melissa Polchinski WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? Junior defenseman Tom Joyce and the men’s soccer team snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Baptist Bible last month. That victory was the start of good things for the Colonels, who picked up a 2-1 victory over Susquehanna on September 30 and a 1-0 shutout of FDU-Florham on Saturday. The Colonels, now 5-5 this season, will put their win streak on the line when they visit Rowan at 7 p.m on Wednesday. On Page 18, our editors debated who holds the title of best coach in sports. We took a camera around the Wilkes campus to find out what students thought about the same question. You can see what your classmates had to say by logging on to The Beacon’s website. SEE MORE MEN'S & WOMEN'S for more information check out... SOCCER PICTURES ONLINEI Iwilkesbeacon.corn ICim �SPORTS OCTOBER 6, 2009 20 Men’s Tennis serves East Stroudsburg, 7-2 Team hopes the win is first step towards third straight NCAA playoff berth BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor After bowing out in the first round of the NCAA playoffs last year, Wilkes University’s Men’s Tennis team set a goal for themselves. “The last couple of years, we’ve been happy to get to the NCAA’s,” said Chris Cozzillio, the team’s number five singles player. “This year, we want more. We want to do some damage there.” With the way the team is shaping up this season, that’s certainly a possibility. The Colonels team that finished 16-1 during the regular season last year lost only one starter this summer, Kyle Ungvarsky. The team replaced him with two highly talented freshmen, Cesar Leon and Clarke Freeman. “You cannot replace Kyle Ungvarsky on or off the court,” said Cozzillio, Ungvarsky’s former doubles partner. “But these freshmen are handling it well.” For Leon, “well” is an understatement. A nationally ranked player in high school, Leon has secured the team’s number one position. He competes against the top-ranked player on the opposing team. “I expect him to be one of the best players in the conference, even as a freshman,” said head coach Chris Leicht. And off the court? “He’s a great kid,” said Evan Katz, who holds the number six position for Wilkes. “He’s funny. I love having him around, and he’s also a really great tennis player.” Leon and the Colonels kicked off their quest for a third straight conference championship on Thursday, when they defeated Division-II East Stroudsburg University 7-2. “It is always nice to start off the season in winning fashion,” Leicht said. “Especially against a Division-II opponent.” The Colonels raced out to a 2-1 advantage after doubles play, with the teams of Leon/ Freeman and Katz/Wes McCollum posting victories in their matches. Cozzillio and Jeremy Nolt lost their doubles match in a tiebreaker. “This is the first year Jeremy and I have played together,” Cozzillio said. “ He’s a great player, big serve, and I didn’t exactly hold up my end. We could have played better.” Nolt and Cozzillio rebounded from their loss and won their respective singles matches, joining McCollum, Leon, and Katz in the singles win column. Freeman suffered the Colonels’ lone loss in singles play. Men’s tennis returns to action on Sunday, October 11, when they host Susquehanna. Courtesy of Marketing Communications 88 Overall single matches that the Men’s Colonels Tennis team won last season. 2 Wilkes’s Men’s Tennis team defeated Division-II East Stroudsburg 7-2 on Thursday. They’ll then venture to Bucknell University to compete in a tournament that features multiple Division-I schools. For the Colonels, the Bucknell Tournament is primarily an opportunity to better themselves by competing against a talent level that they’re not used to playing against. “We got our butts whooped last year when we played there,” said Cozzillio. “But I think our team’s a little bit stronger. I think we’ll have pretty decent results there.” Following the tournament, the Colonels won’t play a competitive match until February, when they compete in the Drew Invitational. The bulk of their games take place in late March and early April. By that point, the team will have had plenty of practice in order to be ready for a tough Freedom Conference schedule. Last season, the Colonels were able to steamroll through conference play, finishing with a 7-1 record in eight conference games. Of their seven victories, three were 9-0 shutouts, and the Colonels didn’t win any conference game by less than a 7-2 margin. The only team that was able to defeat the Colonels last season was Manhattanville, and they did it by a convincing 8-1 margin. However, the Colonels bounced back to squeek out a 5-3 victory against the Valiants in the Freedom Conference playoffs. This year, the Colonels expect Manhattanville to continue to present the biggest challenge on their conference schedule. “Manhattanville is the team to beat,” Cozzillio said. “They always produce top players… they’re going to be tough. They always are.” However, tennis games aren’t played on paper. Cozzillio noted that there’s a certain degree of unpredictability when it comes to determining who can give the Colonels a run for their money. “You never know,” he said. “Kids can step up, recruits are coming in. Everybody can give you a scare.” Even so, the Colonels aren’t scared. They’re out to win. “We’re trying to prove to everyone that we should be nationally ranked,” Katz said. “We’re good enough to play with any team in the nation.” MEN'S TENNIS PLAYING ROSTER All Photos Courtesy of Marketing Communications CESAR JEREMY LEON NOLT FRESHMAN WOODHAVEN, NY SOPHOMORE BLOOMSBURG, PA WES CLARKE CHRIS McCOLLUM FREEMAN COZZILLIO JUNIOR HARRISBURG, PA FRESHMAN YORK, PA JUNIOR HARRISBURG, PA EVAN KATZ SOPHOMORE ELLICOTT CITY, MD Freshman in the top line-up for Wilkes this season. They are Cesar Leon and Clarke Freeman. 0 Number of seniors in the line-up this season for the Colonels. Last year the Colonels were led by senior Kyle Unvarsky. 1 Total number of losses that the Men’s team had last year. Manhattanville beat the Colonels 8-1 during the regular season, but the Colonels avenged the loss in the playoffs, 5-3. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 October 6th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 October 6 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/f7a47941ec60073fd5f2f10b5b311709.pdf f737fe4457e91918cff3e414a9627196 PDF Text Text fl & ii. l\TJ'I1 II El)lfii.Ill) llIEIII.. LD HOCKEY' STER AC THE DiSABATINO TWINS ~ Peace Corp College Rec uiter I.Il~ES'l'YI.ES I 1111.GE IO The I SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 3 Drinking seminar sends message in original way State budget outlook positive and pending BY DANIEL KAUTZ Managing Editor On Tuesday, September 22, Mike Green presented a seminar entitled “4 Stages of Drinking” in the Marts Gymnasium. A former player for the Philadelphia Eagles and a recovered alcoholic himself, Green will be sober for 32 years this December. He has spent over two decades traveling around the country to educate youths about alcohol since he became a counselor at West Chester University. To date, his message has reached over 1,000 schools in 49 states. “I haven’t hit Alaska yet,” said a laughing Green. Green surprised the many students in attendance with his personable and joking manner. His stated goal was not to falsely denounce alcohol as an evil, but to instead coach students to make smart decisions when they are out with friends. “It’s no different than giving a spot to a friend in the gym,” said Green, referencing the practice of helping others who are struggling to lift heavy weight. “If you do that for friends in the gym, why wouldn’t you do See DRINKING page 5 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Mike Green warned students of the dangers of drinking habits in a different and unconventional way. Here, students are preparing to participate in a “chugging contest,” accompanied by cheers from their friends. Green illustrates how students can get caught up in the moment and forget about their limits. Sale of Pepperjam may open doors for students BY ANDREW SEAMAN Online Editor Pepperjam, a full-service internet marketing company on Main Street Wilkes-Barre, announced its sale to GSI Commerce Inc., an e-commerce and multichannel solution provider, on September 1. According to Sharon Castano, cooperative education and internship coordinator at Wilkes University, several Wilkes students have found internship opportunities and even employment at Pepperjam over the years. Kris Jones, Pepperjam’s co-founder and president, said the sale will not impact internship opportunities at the company. Instead, the sale may help interns network within the GSI community. “I think that the announcement presents INDEX for more information check out... lwilkesbeacon.com I~ News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 even addition opportunities to Wilkes University students. Not only at Pepperjam, but maybe…at GSI’s locations around the world,” said Jones. He added, “They have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, San Jose, and internationally with offices in Barcelona, Spain; and the United Kingdom.” Kelly Henry, director of corporate mar See PEPPERJAM page 4 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 As the 2010 Pennsylvania State Budget comes to a close, the outlook seems promising for students and student loans. An agreement was reached on Friday, September 18, and the final figures should be released sometime this week . The passing of the proposed $28 billion budget will end the longest budget conflict in the nation. “Hopefully, we will have an official word shortly on the state grant. As of right now, no one knows what stands where, exactly,” said Melanie Mickelson, vice president for enrollment services. Mickelson continued to reinforce that things are in good shape right now and all the grants are looking good for students. She stated that the “initial buzz is very positive.” Mickelson explained that the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is a component of the legislature which can fluctuate due to what the State Budget allots PHEAA each year. On, September 20, Governor Edward Rendell told The Times Leader that, if passed by legislators, the budget would increase funding for education by $300 million, as opposed to many other states. While waiting for the budget to pass, many students have not paid part of their tuition--the part expected from PHEAA grants. President Tim Gilmour explained that the University has not asked students See BUDGET page 2 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · · ·· · Association Member . · . ·. ·· �MEET VICKI MAYK: associate director of public relations PAGE5 NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 2 SLLC project proposal under review in October BY MELANIE THOMAS Staff Writer Wilkes University pledged to lower its carbon footprint in the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in May 2007 to demonstrate its concern about global warming. One such proposed way to achieve this goal is the Sustainable Learning-Living Community (SLLC), which will be an on-campus student residence hall that will offer students the chance to live in an eco-friendly environment. If the proposal is accepted in October, the SLLC will open for the fall of 2010. The residence hall will accomodate twelve to sixteen students who will agree to actively participate in living a “green,” eco-friendly lifestyle. “We want people to dream big about how to reduce their waste on the planet,” said Dr. Ellen Flint, director of undergraduate education. According to Sarah DeCesaris, senior political science and inter- BUDGET from FRONT PAGE to pay the PHEAA grant portion of their tuition, which effectively takes this problem off of the table until the State acts. “Basically, Wilkes University has been fronting the money for students,” said Mickelson. After the State Budget passes, students will be seeing the effects of that in their accounts. Students may receive more or less grant money, depending on how the fi- national studies double major and SLLC project manager, students who get accepted into this project will commit themselves and serve as role models for others. “I think it’s a great opportunity for students to practice what they preach or to learn something new, said DeCesaris. “Essentially, students involved in the SLLC will guide student-run sustainability initiatives at Wilkes.” Ross Hall is being considered for the potential location of the SLLC. This carbon-neutral facility will rely on student innovation and projects that are completed by students who live in the hall. The SLLC will participate in in practicing “green” methods, including planting a garden where the community can grow some, if not all, of their produce as well as recycling or cutting down on its solid waste. In addition to practicing these methods, the facility will be eqiupped with Energy Star appliances and energy efficient fixtures. There are also plans for a solar water heater, which is being created by Jarett Wolfe and William Heard, senior electrical engineering majors, and Ryan Hewitt and Nicholas Whitenight, senior mechanical engineering majors. “The guidelines in which the students live by will be set up by the community,” said Flint. “This is a community developed for students by students.” DeCesaris played a key role in developing the proposal for the SLLC. “The SLLC proposal is based on an eco-village model: a nonprofit educational organization that provides an alternative model for suburban and urban living for a healthy, socially rich lifestyle while minimizing ecological impacts,” DeCesaris said. DeCesaris’s proposal will be brought before the environmental work group to decide whether the project will continue sometime in October. The work group is comprised of Wilkes University’s staff If approved by the work group in October, Ross Hall will become an eco-friendly dorm community on campus. step for Wilkes in moving towards members. Some students across campus a more aware and green campus.” The proposal must be accepted already support the idea. Jefferson Bohan, a sophomore pharma- before there can be any further cy major and a resident assistant progress with Wilkes University’s in Evans Hall, said, “This is a big SLLC project. nalization of the budget works. Gilmour said, “There is little solid information available, but rumors suggest that PHEAA grants for [Wilkes’s] students will be close to previously proposed levels in the Governor’s Budget.” Mickelson explained that students do not realize how the legislators in Harrisburg can actually affect them. “Many students think that [the state budget] is just something that just happens… It’s like: Mom puts milk in the fridge so it’s always going to be there. And we don’t know or care how much it costs,” said Mickelson. “[The budget] definitely affects me,” said Rachel Sluhocki, freshman pharmaceutical sciences major. “I had to buy my books on credit.” Many students have yet to purchase textbooks because of stalled State grant money. Eligibility for the state grant is listed on PHEAA’s website and not all students qualify due to certain criteria. Some of the eligibility factors include being a graduate of an approved high school or having a GED, meeting criteria for finan- cial need, attending a PHEAA approved school, and being enrolled for at least six credits as an undergraduate. Wilkes University has not put out any press releases to students and parents regarding the budget, but plans to after the budget is finalized by the legislation. There has been no official word on exact figures; therefore, Wilkes does not want to issue any premature press release. “Overall, the proposed compromise budget should have only marginal effects on the University’s BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu The Beacon/ Tom Reilly Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis financial situation, while there are some other state programs from which the University receives funding that may be adversely affected,” said President Gilmour. While Wilkes and other universities receive grant money, the proposed State spending plan will also include new taxes on concerts and plays as well as tacking on another 25 cents to packs of cigarettes. At casinos, table games will be allowed with the finalization of the budget. Meet the Staff Ryan Holmes Assistant Sports Editor �NEWS SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 3 Wilkes News Briefs BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor WILKES U PRESENTS FOOD, INC. SCREENING - On Friday, October 2, 2009, Wilkes University will host a screening of Food Inc. at 7:00 p.m. in the Stark Learning Center, Room 101. Food, Inc. was directed by Robert Kenner and attempts to expose harmful practices in the nation’s food supply system. The film also shows the effect of these practices on our society, environment and economy. The film is sponsored by Wilkes University’s College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; The Sidhu School of Business and Leadership; College of Science and Engineering; Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing; First Year Foundations and Students for Environmental Sustainability. Admissions are free and open to all University members. SPRING BREAK TO MEXICO 2010 – Dr. James Merryman will host a spring break trip to Cancun, Mexico from March 7 through March 14. The trip costs $1,345 and a $200 deposit is due by October 1. Interested students should drop off the deposit check, made out to Trans World Travel, in Breiseth Hall, room 327 to Dr. Merryman or a secretary. Students should write their name in the “memo” section of the check as it appears on their passport followed by their passport number. The trip can be taken for three elective credits. The trip includes airfare, stay in a luxury hotel on the beach with two pools, and unlimited food and beverage. There will be a full day excursion to Chitzen-Itza to explore Mayan culture. Students may engage in other activities such as snorkeling in marine parks, forest eco-tours, zip-lines and deep sea fishing. For more information contact James Merryman at 408-4043 or james.merryman@ wilkes.edu. To view the hotel: barcelotucancun.com. JUNIOR CLASS POWDERPUFF GAME – The junior class will host a powderpuff game in which the girls play football and the boys are cheerleaders. Students can sign up during club hours in the Henry Student Center on the first floor. Applications are due by October 6 at 5:00 p.m. Participating teams can ask any staff member to be the coach. Classes will be battling against each other. Most spirited cheerleader wins a Visa gift card. To sign up or for more information, please email megan.dickinson@ wilkes.edu. HEALTH SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENT – The Health and Wellness Center does not have any more seasonal flu shots available. STUDENT DEVELOPMENT STAFF UPDATES - Jamie Miller, activities assistant, began the week of September 7; his office is located behind the information desk on the first floor of HSC. Caitlin Czeh is student development’s new campus interfaith coordinator. Gabriel Lamberti, who was hired to build an outdoor education program and also coordinating events with the rock wall and ropes courses, also started the week of September 7; his office is located in the student lounge in HSC. Melissa Howells has accepted the position of coordinator of student development and will start around the second week of October. HOMECOMING – Wilkes University will host the annual Homecoming celebration beginning on October 9. The festivities STUDENT GOVERNMENT NOTES BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor Treasurer’s Report: All College: $5,600 Conferences: $ 10,900 General: $8,900 Leadership: $3,000 Spirit: $1,000 Special Projects: $2,750 Start-Up: $ 1,500 Total: $33,650 Club Reports: Programming Board reported that Demetri Martin will be held this Friday, September 25. New Business: - Homecoming sign up sheet was passed around for volunteers to help with the setup. - Alumni Association: Homecoming Donation Request (Week 1 of 1) Requested $700 for the parade and tent festival. The Alumni Association estimates that about 70 students will show up to the event therefore, $10 per student. The money will be used for food, drink and set up.) Ben Bie- del motioned to allocate $700 to the Alumni Association. June Lor seconds the motion. Motion passed 21-0-0. - Martial Arts Group: Club Recognition (Week 1 of 2) Members of the Wilkes community would like to start a club with a martial arts interest. Dr. Schicatano will be the adviser. There was a table at club day and 47 students signed up; 5 students have expressed interest since club day. If granted permission to become a club, they will not be competing against other schools. There will be more student discussion next week. - Biology Club: Donation Request (Week 1 of 1) Two students, Derek Nye and Konstantina Papas, requested $902.67 to attend a biology conference in Hollywood, Florida. The students would be representing Wilkes University and would also be the only undergraduate program at the conference. Nye and Papas have been studying with Dr. Linda Gutierrez in the research topic of inflammatory bowel disease in mice as it relates to humans. They have requested a $1,000 grant, but it has not been processed yet. If the grant goes through, the students will not need the money from Student Government but are requesting it now because they need to book their spot at the conference. will begin with the Annual George Ralston Homecoming Golf Tournament at Irem Temple with a shotgun start at noon. On Saturday, Oct 10, the annual homecoming parade will be held at 10:30 a.m. beginning near the University Center on Main. At 1:00 p.m., the Colonels go head-to-head with the Dutchmen from Lebanon Valley followed by a tent festival on the greenway. For a full list of events and activities during the Homecoming weekend, check out www. wilkes.edu or www.community.wilkes.edu. 8th ANNUAL WALK TOWARDS AWARENESS - On October 20 at 12:00 p.m., the Health and Wellness Service Center will host the 8th Annual Walk Towards Awareness from the greenway to Kirby Park. Students must register for the one mile walk by October 13 to the Health and Wellness Service Center by calling 4084730. Any student who participates in the walk will recieve a free longsleeve tee-shirt. The rain date will be October 22. FALL RECESS – Fall Recess Begins at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14. Classes will resume Monday, October 19. 09-16-09 Greg Castelli made the motion to allocate $902.67 to the Biology Club. Jill Kalayria seconds the motion. Motion passed 18-3-0. - Saudi Interest Students Group: Club Recognition (Week 1 of 2) Currently, this group has over 50 students members of whom are mostly Saudi. This group is open to all students. This club will introduce new Saudi students to the area. There will be more student discussion next week. Old Business: Homecoming Donation Events: Homecoming 10/10 Club Reports: SG Mentors: Gabe Lamberti has dates picked out for SG members to be trained on the rock wall; either October 3 or October 10 Construction on the Library is scheduled for October 15. *At 7:30 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. for more information check out ... ~I @:•JI ~Iw_il_k_e_s_b_e_a_c_o_n_.c_o_m __ �NEWS 4 PEPPERJAM from FRONT PAGE keting for GSI Commerce Solutions Inc., said, “I would have to look into that a little further to find out specifically if that is something we offer, but I think that is something that we definitely set the ground work here for so that we can definitely approach our human research department about.” As for Pepperjam’s other operations, Jones said that it is business as usual. “There have not been any major changes to the structure…We’ve kept our name as sort of a recognition of an independent entity of GSI,” said Jones. So why sell the company he co-founded in 1999? Jones said, “The truth is, we’ve known GSI Commerce for years. They just so happen to be the largest and most respected company in the e-commerce space, as it relates to providing marketing services and technology to some of the world’s leading e-commerce retailers. So we’ve seen them, and in some cases developed friendships. As CEO of Pepperjam – the former Pepperjam – I always saw this as a strategic opportunity to take Pepperjam and our affiliate marketing technology of Pepper- jam network to the next level.” Michael G. Rubin, chairman, president and CEO of GSI, said in a press release about the purchase, “The acquisition of Pepperjam is a strategic extension of our marketing services business that we believe will enhance growth opportunities for both GSI and our clients.” He added, “Affiliate marketing is a powerful interactive marketing tool. Last year, our affiliate marketing channel generated more than $100 million in sales for our clients. By owning our own affiliate network, we believe we can more rapidly drive innovation and service enhancements to our clients while also expanding our marketing services offering to a broader universe of prospective clients. We expect the affiliate business to represent an important opportunity over time.” According to Jones, the company still sees Wilkes as a partner as they head into this new endeavor. “I think that Pepperjam continues to see Wilkes University as a strategic partner for both internships and employment opportunities for Wilkes students and alumni,” says Jones. SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Luzerne County Courthouse rededication ceremony The Beacon/ Allison Roth Frank Pasquini, general chairperson of the Centennial Rededication cermony, gave opening remarks on Friday, Sept 25. The rededication ceremony is celebrating the Luzerne County Courthouse’s 100 years with a reception and gala on Friday night. Judges and members of the planning committee stand behind Pasquini. **Check out the Entertainment just down the road, just for you at your B & N Bookstore** Open Mic Night for Acoustic Music & Poetry! Tonight! Tuesday, Septentber 29 th front 6:30-8:30pnt Come out and show off your talents the last Tuesday of each month. Our best event of each month! Don't miss out! Three Imaginary Boys! Live Friday Night '!t 6:30pm Get 25% off your order in the cafe with your student ID and hang out with some good friends. �SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 NEWS 5 Mayk joins Wilkes as associate director of public relations BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief This fall semester is Vicki Mayk’s first with Wilkes University’s Marketing Communications department. Before joining Wilkes, Mayk--who replaces former associate director Christine Tondrick--served as a journalist, a yearbook editor, and a public/ media relations director. In February 2008, Tondrick departed from the position to get married and take a new job with the Pennsylvania Homecare Association. Tondrick’s leave prompted a search to fill her position. Before joining the Wilkes community, Mayk was the director of Communications and Community Relations at The Morning Call, located in Allentown, Pa. Prior to working at the newspaper, she worked at Muhlenberg College and later Kutztown University in their media relations departments for a combined 13 years. “I wanted to return to higher ed,” said Mayk, who was hired by Wilkes in late DRINKING from FRONT PAGE it when your friend needs help at a party?” He incorporated many anecdotes in his lecture; some were outrageous and funny, while others were decidedly tragic. As he constantly repeated, all it takes is one bad mistake on a given night to bring about dramatic consequences in a person’s life. The head coach of the Wilkes University women’s soccer team, John Sumoski, felt it was important for his team to receive Green’s message. “It’s important to bring in speakers who will benefit our student athletes as well as the campus community. I feel that if you have the potential to save a kid’s life, then an opportunity like this is worth every penny,” said Sumoski. “[Green’s] been doing this for a long time and gets through to a crowd very well,” continued Sumoski. “I liked that his message wasn’t just ‘don’t drink,’ because at the majority of colleges that’s simply not realistic. Teaching them to be responsible for themselves and their friends was much more effective in my mind.” One activity Green used to illustrate how students can get “caught up in the moment” while out drinking was a chugging contest. Four students were called forth from the audience and placed in front of four white cups on a table, to the accompaniment of cheers April. “I thought about my career and what I liked the best and I really liked higher ed the best. I really like the environment. There’s never any lack of stories to promote, and I enjoy working with the faculty and students a lot.” Mayk added, “One of the things that drew me to Wilkes was the job itself because it involved doing the things I wanted to do again in my career and what I think I really excel at so I can make a contribution. I like this kind of an institute, [one] that focuses on undergraduate education.” After applying for the position, Mayk was granted a chance to interview with the search committee and put together a sample media plan for a specific story idea. “Vicki’s media plan for the assignment we gave her was really excellent,” said Jack Chielli, director of Marketing Communications. “It was a combination of her interview skills, the media plan she prepared, and the way she fit in with the group in terms of personality that made her the person I wanted for the job.” from their friends. At Green’s command, they were asked to chug the contents. When the students finished and the noise had subsided, Green pointed out that not one person had stopped to ask what the students would be consuming from the cups before partaking in the activity. That the cups had merely contained Diet Pepsi was irrelevant; it was a sobering moment that helped drive home his previous points about responsibility and awareness. Taryn Hallowell, a junior entrepreneurship and elementary education double-major, as well as a member of the women’s soccer team, was a participant in the contest. “I actually asked the others to wait before we started,” said Hallowell. “But after everyone else started doing it, I just went along with it. I thought it was a great example and overall, an entertaining seminar.” “I’ve had many rewarding experiences since I began doing this,” said Green. “I would have to say that my most rewarding experience was when I was at a certain high school several years ago, however. A student rose from amongst a crowd of 500 and yelled at several others who were being rowdy, telling them that his mother had died in an alcohol-related car accident and that they should respect what I was saying. It shut everyone up and really helped me get my point through. It was a very touching moment.” As associate director, Mayk’s responsibilities include aiding and improving internal communications within the university. She also writes press releases and works closely with both the graphic design and advancements departments to promote and plan campus events. Having enjoyed working on alumni magazines in the past for Muhlenberg and Kutztown, Mayk was excited to take on the responsibilities of editing and writing for the Wilkes University Alumni Magazine. “Working with the magazine has been really fun,” said Mayk. “As a newcomer to the university […] it gets me interfacing and meeting people in the university… it’s allowing me to meet a lot of faculty and a lot of students. There’s always something different going on; that’s what I like about it.” In the future, Mayk wants to find new ways to use the web and new media for Wilkes’s public relations efforts. For example, Mayk has recently worked to form an online news room where local, regional, and even national reporters can go if they are looking for story ideas concerning Wilkes’s students and faculty members. “I think she’s been outstanding. Over the summer, she took the time to get to know the campus…” said Chielli. “She’s doing a lot of things that we’ve always wanted to do here with media, like trying to come up with media training for faculty who want to be interviewed. She’s been very proactive in getting out into the community and promoting Wilkes.” “I’ve really enjoyed working with Vicki,” added Rachel Strayer, graduate assistant to Marketing Communications. “She’s been really helpful, very kind, and is really helping me to improve my writing. She’s really honest, but at the same time is kind and encouraging.” Mayk noted that her door is always open and she is always willing to speak to anyone who may have an interesting idea that can be promoted or featured in the magazine. �'I1IIE OIISEll\TA'I101lY PAGE7 CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu david.lewis3@wilkes.edu The O.b.serva t:o·r y .. , ~. ~~~ ··•. ~ , • · 6 Opinion wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Wilkes should mandate physical education course boosts your energy, exercise promotes better BY THE BEACON sleep, exercise can put the spark back into Editorial Board your sex life, and exercise can be fun, too, says Mayo. These apply to all age groups, but can be especially benefitcial to college The days of dodge ball in elementary students who suffer from lack of energy and school have long since passed for college sleep. students. Colleges and universities across The administration at Wilkes may arthe United States are dropping their required gue that students have sports that provide gym classes because they do not see a need physical exercise. While Wilkes may have to require students to take physical educaa number of recreational sports available, tion. In fact, most students vote against it not all students choose to play sports. Some because they do not see a need for it, either. students focus all of their attention on their As a result, the need for mandated physical classes and studies, while education is now greater The Beacon/Melanie Thomas others really do not see a than ever. need for physical exercise. There are more obese There is a great need for college students in the it, however. Mandating United States than ever a single-credit physical before. College students education course that reare now more vulnerable quires students to exercise to heart disease, diabetes, or weight lift for, at they and high blood pressure very least, an hour a week because of their eating would create a more athabits and lack of physitentive student body with cal exercise. According more confidence. Exercise to a study conducted by has the potential to help the University of New students’ grades in the long Hampshire, out of 800 run. So in turn, mandatory students surveyed, neareducation would promote ly half of the men were academic education at overweight or obese Wilkes. while 30 percent of the In all likelihood, Wilkes women surveyed were does not consider a physioverweight or obese. As cal education course a the number of colleges great enough need for the and universities continue budget, especially with to drop their required plans for the SHE building physical education program, the results of this This is a glimpse of the exercise room in the basement of the Marts Gym on underway and with renovatwo-year-old study are Sunday, September 27. This facility receives light use from students who tions on campus, but this is a relatively inexpensive enonly increasing. are not involved in sports. deavor. Wilkes already has Wilkes University has taken some efforts to create healthy diet op- semester that offers credits would be both in the facilities to create a physical education tions for students, but have only extended Wilkes’s best interest and the students’. Not course, the Marts Gym and the UCOMM its reach so far. In Wilkes’s goal to become only would it help the student body become in-door track. These facilities are hardly a green campus, they are implementing healthier, but facilities that are hardly used ever used by those in the student body who are not on a sports team. programs across campus that will help the now would see more traffic. The Beacon urges you to get your voice According to the Mayo Clinic, an organistudents, faculty and staff to reduce the university’s carbon footprint. As reported zation that dedicates itself to the diagnosis out there and push for a physical education this week (see page 2), the new Sustainable and treatment of complex illnesses, there course. Speak to the administration, for they Learning-Living Community (SLLC) will are seven basic benefits of regular physi- value our opinions when making decisions. allow students to practice “green” living by cal activity. Exercise improves your mood, It is in your best interests and, who knows, eating healthier, saving energy, and using exercise combats chronic diseases, exercise it might be fun. helps you manage your weight,exercise environmentally-friendly products. Likewise, the food service on campus has also increased their menu to include more healthy options for students. They are also providing nutritional information online for convenience. So if you are trying to promote healthier lifestyles for students on campus, why not complete the circle by making physical exercise mandatory? The Beacon feels that Wilkes University should mandate a physical education program. It is the next step towards a healthier campus community. A physical education course that students are required to take each Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 45 responses. The Beacon asked: Do you think Student Government spends too much money? • Yes, they do not spend money where it is needed- 80% • No, they spend the right amount of money- 4% • No, they are not spending enough money - 16% Next Week’s Question: Do you think that Wilkes should mandate a physical education course ? • • Yes, students need the exercise No, they can exercise on their own Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. Anonymous letters will not be published. �OPINION SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 7 Another example of “biased, hate-mongering journalism” BY ANDREW SEAMAN Checking the comments on The Beacon’s website is a habit of mine. My morning and evening ritual has always been to read what people are talking about, and it always amazes me how cowardly people are to hide their identities behind false names: Common Sense, Hello Reality, former SG member, etc. The hot topic last week was The Beacon’s editorial board regarding student government’s purchase of a $2,000 swipe card lock system for their office door. This opinion article is not meant to explain or defend The Beacon’s editorial board – it was accurate and got to the point. However, I completely agree with it. My first two years at Wilkes were spent covering SG and I honestly do not know how I got through it. The people changed from year to year, but the problems and thought processes remained the same. One problem is that SG believes the funds they allocate are theirs alone. I remember one instance when a group came to SG looking for funds to purchase shirts for a charity event. The question was never whether the group was going to get the money, but whether or not they should mandate the SG logo be placed on the back of the shirts. Members argued that SG provided the money and should get the publicity. But really, it is our money. Rather than an SG logo, they should be requiring that every Wilkes student’s name be put on the shirt. Another problem is that the thought process is not always complete. As one commenter on The Beacon’s website – “Common Sense” – claimed, the $2,000 swipe card investment was the smart fiscal move. “Sense” says, “…to create a key for 50 members every year (at about $25 per key cost, over several years, including the extra keys when ones are lost)” would not be fiscally responsible. First, find a new locksmith if you are getting charged $25 a key. John Pesta, director of capital projects at Wilkes, told me, “The cost to purchase a key is $1.95, a lockset is $118.60 and core is approximately $50.00.” He added, “The cost for the key…falls under the Facilities operating budget.” For SG’s investment in the new $2,000 swipe card lock system, the school could have installed a new lock and key system for approximately $170, purchased 50 new keys and a core every year for the next 12 years, and still had money left over. I am sure the lock system would have to be replaced within a dozen years as the technology changes, the Henry Student Center is remodeled, and constant use takes its toll. SG could then use the student activity money for programs, activities, donations and other worthy causes instead of spending it on a swipe card system. Second, SG should make their members pay a fine if their key is lost. The fine should help cut down on lost keys and help alleviate any security concerns. Personally, I would have preferred my student activity fee to go to the movie on the Fenner Quadrangle or even a local charity. SG members need to think of the people outside of their meeting room when making decisions, putting motions on the table and casting votes. I am not saying that all SG members are dolts; however, every organization has them. Most of the students in SG are smart and caring people who are really trying to leave a better university for the students to come. They just need to be a little bit more open, deflate their egos, and not think that people are always out to get them. So that is my opinion with no false names or pretenses – just me. As a member of the Board of Trustees, I receive The Beacon on a weekly basis. Thank you for highlighting the condition of the Labyrinth. I have followed up with President Gilmour. We are working on a green solution that will clean up the appearance you reported in the September 15th Republicans and Democrats, please shut up BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor Political news is never complete without a statement by the news anchor about how our Republican and Democratic leaders cannot come to an agreement about some sort of policy or law. Each party has their own specific idea about how the United States should be governed and neither chooses to acknowledge that sometimes the opposing party could be right. This is why the term “polar opposites” always applies to politics. Both of the major political parties are at opposites ends, sometimes extreme opposite ends. There is no middle ground for the two to reach, neither one of them can agree, they cannot even agree to disagree when it comes to major issues facing the United States. Democrats support President Obama’s health care plan, Republicans oppose his health care plan. Democrats say this health care plan will create more affordable health care for Americans. Republicans say this health care system is a big step towards socialism. Democrats do not support the war in Iraq, Republicans do support the war in Iraq blah, blah, blah.... I am so sick of hearing and seeing this crap on the news. Is all of the arguing necessary? Why do we simple Americans need to know our leaders cannot agree? Knowing that our leaders cannot agree does not put anyone’s mind at ease. Our own state took two months to pass a state budget because our Republican and Democratic state legislators could not come to an agreement on how to spend the state’s money this coming year. Here is an idea on how to spend Pennsylvania’s money: schools, roads, and poor people. Our government is run like a dysfunctional family. Our father is a Republican and our mother is a Democrat and we are the young children. We sit fearfully by, gripping our favorite stuffed animal, not knowing what to do while our parents argue with each other in the kitchen about who is right and who is wrong and forget all about us. My advice to you, dear readers, is do not fall into this pattern of thinking. I do not care if you are a Republican or Democrat. You are free thinking people first. Believe whatever you want. Believe that the country should be run a certain way. Just do not believe that you have to think that way. Do not pretend that you are always right and keep an open mind to other opinions or you will end up arguing about politics for the rest of your stressful life. Letters to the Editor Policy The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to voice their concerns. If you want your voice to be heard, please submit a letter to the editor with the following information: YOUR R Dear Editor, The Obse~v-a. t::o~y issue. I donated the Labyrinth last year for students, professors and alumni to have a beautiful outdoor space to meditate, think, study and enjoy. I hope you can report in the future that the Wilkes community is enjoying and using the labyrinth. 1 Your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Your name, major, and year and/or position 3 Your opinion Please keep letters to 300 words. The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. The deadline for letters to be pubished in the print edition is Friday at 5 p.m. Bill Miller ‘81 �OPINION 8 SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Refusing to let go of unhealthy vices: costly and unnecesary /Melan ie Tho mas Also the stimulating effects of a cigarette go a long way when dealing with the stresses of a day. Stimulating the mind and body can be done though various methods depending on an individual’s interest in levels of amusement. But now one must ask if there are obvious risks to smoking cigarettes and rumors of cigarette prices sky-rocketing within the next year due to a rise in taxation, will the number of packs sold each year decline? The average cost of a 9 oz. cup of coffee plus the average cost of one pack of cigarettes varies from state to state. But for conspiracy’s-sake let us agree that if you added the number of coffees and packs of cigarettes sold to consumers in America annually the result ends up being that 50 billion dollars a year are contributed to consumers wasting money on two monopolized things that could be easily replaced by healthier choices. Is it safe to say that we buy into huge coffee cigarette corporations monopolization of American consumers? Apparently we do over 30 billion times a year. eacon Whether you are retired, in the middle of a thirty-year career, or an eager college student ready to face the world, chances are that you have had to make a few financial sacrifices over the past year or so. Despite these economic set-backs on both high and low ends, there are certain products that seem to go hand in hand with any American lifestyle; for examlpe, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes. Count the number of cups of coffee you see while walking into work in the morning, the amount of cigarettes you see smoked in one day. Now try not to ask yourself why there are so many cups of coffee in the morning, cigarettes throughout the day. It seems almost as though a large number of people working in America need coffee and/or cigarettes to get through each day. This is hardly a call to conspiracy, but merely a call to recognize the facts. Let us first examine the coffee conspiracy; there are over 150 million daily drinkers of coffee according e-importz.com. According to CNNmoney, the “coffee market is estimated to be worth $11 billion a year.” There is no denying the fact that there are over 150 million cups of coffee consumed each day. However, one must ponder the question, if we know there are equivalent, cheaper, and healthier alternatives to consuming coffee every day, why not consume those instead? Haily McKay of The Stylus wrote on September 16, 2009 that “coffee only acts as a stimulant while an apple’s sugar and fiber will provide long-lasting energy.” Also, the price of an apple is approximately one fifth of the cost of a 9 oz. cup of coffee, and is more beneficial for you in the long run. We cannot forget to rule out the benefits of a jolting glass of ice-water in the morning, which, according to associatedcontent. com, will result in having a more energetic day because “when we are fully hydrated, we have more energy.” Now, if we know these researchable points to be true and the number of coffees consumed per day is still over 150 million, why can’t these consumers just break away? The answer lies in dependability and convenience. Coffee can be purchased at any point throughout the day and it will keep you awake making eating an apple or downing a glass of ice water almost seem like a chore this day and age. A similar analysis can be done with cigarettes. Feast your mind upon this: according to NewYorkTimes article published in 2002, “Americans buy about 22 billion packs of cigarettes annually.” We know that there are alternatives to smoking. But just like the situation with coffee, American lifestyles revolve around dependability and convenience. Cigarettes are notoriously known for their addictive nature due to their having ingredients designed specifically for the reason. The B BY DAVID LEWIS Assistant Opinion Editor Emergency call boxes could offer more than just a blue light special The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Wilkes University’s Student Handbook states that “there are emergency call boxes located at the entrance of the house-style residence halls, and at various locations around campus.” But in the event of an emergency the possibility of the person’s survival then becomes a matter of how fast help can respond to the emergency. In the event that help is unable to rescue the person in a a reasonable amount of time, implementing an auditory siren would help to at least alert the immediate public to the situation. Once the Emergency Call Box has been activated, a blue light is emitted to visually alert the public of the urgent issue. An alerting call is also made from the box to Public Safety. The flashing blue light is not as proficient at deterring crime as a loud siren would be, and as such they should be added. �CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu Q & A with Edward Riehl Page 10 li ostyllos ___ wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 9 Student-parents struggle to balance education and family BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Adrienne Shellenberger throws the diaper bag, weighed down by snacks and bottles, over her left shoulder. She then throws the backpack, weighed down with textbooks, over her right shoulder. She heads out of the house. It’s 7:00 a.m. While most college students’ days do not begin that early, Shellenberger is a different kind of student. She is not just a student; she is also a mother. The balancing act Shellenberger and many other student-parents on Wilkes’s campus and campuses around the country face is uniquely difficult. “I transferred to Wilkes last year from Luzerne County Community College. When I was transferring to Wilkes, I called and asked about daycare and they just told me the YMCA had one. I called the Y and was told there was at least a year and a half wait list,” stated Shellenberger. The financial crunch students across the board feel from the rise of college tuition is compounded for student-parents who must take into account daycare costs, as well. Shellenberger, a senior communication studies major, thinks a daycare on campus might ease her struggle of trying to keep up that balancing act between being a student cially after spending the entire summer with and being a mother to her 22 month old son, him and having to go back to the routine of school work. Hayden. The ability for students who have chilShellenberger’s schedule, like many student-parents, is prepared around their chil- dren to not only see them more frequently throughout dren’s schedthe day, but ule’s and when also create they are able to an extension see them. of the educa“Ever since I started school, I tion program to allow stuhave only ever dents handstaken Monday, on childcare We d n e s d a y, experience, is and Friday classes so I can the focus of the Hildebsee Hayden randt Learnthe rest of the The Beacon/Tom Reilly ing Centers week. In fact, partnerships on Fridays I King’s College’s Early Learning Center partnered with local only have one with Hildebrandt Learning Centers to expand their area colleges class, which education curriculum. and childcare is frustrating, centers. because I am King’s College has recently added a paying for a whole day of daycare for less branch of the Hildebrandt Learning Center than one hour,” said Shellenberger. Shellenberger said that she wishes she onto their education department. could spend more time with Hayden, espe“We really strive for expertise and putting Student of the Week:G~ BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor When picturing a typical college student, one would normally imagine a twentysomething toting around a backpack filled to the brim with books. But Gerry DuBoice, who admits to saying hello to 65, is no typical college student. DuBoice is currently a junior at Wilkes University, and she is auditing classes. According to the Student Handbook, auditing courses is a practice designed so that students can expand their educational opportunities beyond the borders of courses that are requirements for graduation. DuBoice is expected to do the same work as a typical student, but she won’t receive the credit at the end of the course. “I was taking quite a few classes, mostly in the business major, but then I decided there were things I had to do and places I wanted to go and see, so I put my money toward those things,” said DuBoice. Last year DuBoice traveled to Egypt with the Wilkes Alumni, and has also been on a number of Dr. Merryman’s trips, including a 1998 trip to Kenya. Outside of the university, DuBoice is also quite active. She has achieved the rank of second lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol by taking classes at the Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport, in Wyoming. She is also a member of The Kingston Citizen’s Advisory Board, The Red Hat Society, The Wyoming Valley Gourmet Club, The Pennsylvania Jazz Society, Treasure of the Friends of the Hoyt Library Board, and has been in The Vagina Monologues for three years at Wilkes and for five years at Little Theater in Wilkes-Barre. DuBoice was also employed by Wilkes in the School of Science and Engineering for several years, but her first bout at Wilkes as the children first. It’s not just a partnership with King’s, it’s a partnership with the city,” said Mary Baker, Director of the Early Learning Center. Baker and a team of childcare professionals create an intense learning environment where students in King’s College’s education program can learn real life skills. King’s College has the ability to offer students within the education department practicum credit and internships through the daycare facility, according to Baker. Dr. Michael Garzella, Associate Dean of Education, explained that it is the goal of Wilkes’s education department to gain the diversity training students will face when they are out in real world situations. “What King’s has is a good concept and a good idea, but we want something that we can grow,” said Garzella. Wilkes’s idea is to establish a similar partnership like King’s College has with the Hildebrandt Learning Center but with a local school district. “We want our students to get that diversity training,” stated Garzella. ~Eo:.a - - a student began in 1969 when she took four semesters of accounting while working, in order to get ahead in the office where she worked. “The only way you get ahead is by learning. I would take my kids and go to my lake house and I’d sit on the dock and do my accounting homework while they were swimming,” DuBoice said. “In one way, I liked college better my first time around because it (does she mean Wilkes here? if so, insert in brackets like this: [Wilkes]) was smaller, and everybody really got to know everyone; but I really love the new technology, and Wilkes is small enough so the teachers get to know you personally,” said DuBoice. DuBoice’s initiative to become a lifelong learner and her adventure for life has made her The Beacon’s Student of the Week. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? DuBoice: I would like to be a successful real estate agent, that is really my goal and I’m hoping Spanish will help me with that. The Beacon: Describe yourself in three words… DuBoice: Enthusiastic, optimistic, and I love life and have a lot to give. The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know that…” DuBoice: I sat down for an interview. for more information check out... Iwilke sbeacon.com lriZ:ZI �LIFESTYLES 10 SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Q&A with Edward Riehl, on the road Peace Corps college recruiter BY APRIL BIELINSKI Correspondent Edward Riehl’s experience with the Peace Corps came later in life. Riehl, now a college recruiter, joined Wilkes University students on campus September 24th to speak of his successful experience with the Peace Corps. The Beacon: How did you originally find yourself entering the Peace Corps? Riehl: I was turning 61 when I entered the Peace Corps so my motivation extends back to the days of John Kennedy. I was attracted by the opportunity to “stretch” myself while doing something meaningful to help less advantaged people and maybe make the world a little bit nicer. My situation (grad school then family) didn’t allow me to join the Peace Corps, though. So, over the years, I built a career (first as a college teacher, then a lawyer in a law firm, and finally as an attorney in a corporation) and tended to family responsibilities. Finally, when I realized that my family was grown and gone and that I really had no reason to work any longer, I decided to quit and joined the Peace Corps. It was the best decision I ever made. The Beacon: How long have you been involved with this organization? Riehl: I applied to the Peace Corps in late 2005 and began volunteer service in 2006. A few months after I returned from my volunteer service, I applied for and was hired as a recruiter. The Beacon: What kind of service have you done, and where did it take place? Riehl: I served as a university English teacher in the northeast section of Ukraine. The universitys specialization was “public administration” and so many of the grad students and part-time evening students worked for the government -- some dating from the period when the government was the former Soviet Union. Teaching English conversation and discussing topics such as freedom of the press, free elections, and even the student-teacher roles in higher education made for some lively classes. The Beacon: Do you feel as though the budget is sufficient enough to meet the means of the Peace Corps? President Obama stated in his campaign trail that there would be a new bold Peace Corps, also stating, that the budget would be doubled. As of now, there has only been a 10% increase. Riehl: I believe the budget needs to be increased. I am biased, of course, not because I work for Peace Corps, but because I have seen what it does both for people in a developing country and for the Americans who serve as Volunteers. The Beacon: What inspires you to continue working with the Peace Corps? Riehl: I love the Peace Corps and I want to tell as many people--especially students --why Peace Corps is a great opportunity for them. The Beacon: What advice do you have for students interested in joining? Name the benefits of doing so. Riehl: Keep learning about Peace Corps; build up your skills; be active - lead full lives; and get some good volunteer experience. You will learn a language, learn how to live in another culture, test your ability to use the skills you have acquired in school or elsewhere, experience a real sense of having done something meaningful. You learn humility and build self-confidence at the same time. And when you come home, we give you a little money, $6000 a year of non-competitive eligibility for a federal government job, and the opportunity for fellowships at over 50 colleges. It is the opportunity of a lifetime. Image Courtesy http://thegnukid.wordpress. com/2009/07/07/proud-pop-moment/ for more information check out... Iwilkesheacon.com ,.##ST.. . .o,r ..ELIVE. .Y" 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre SPECIALS WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH Large Pie $ 7.95 Chicken Wi n g Pi e $ 10.95 (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $ 13.95 2 Large Pizzas $ 16.95 MIX&MATCH Any 3 Subs or Wings ' I 825-5166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Dining Room I 2 Tickets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95 WE CATER l ARGE GROUP EVENTS PHASE CAll BEFORE YOUR NUT MEETING! Hours: Mon .-Thurs. 11am-11 pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-12am Sun. 12pm-11pm We're more than just great pizza ... see our entire menu at www.januzzispizza.com �SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 College Days: Elmes-Crahall, The Gadfly of Bloomsburg U. BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor Jane Elmes-Crahall sits on the edge of a stage waiting for a debate competition to begin. Her long, straight brown hair is kept back by her thick, round black-rimmed glasses. Her future husband, Brinley, captures Jane’s eagerness and excitement through his camera lens. Elmes-Crahall is in a typical position: preparing to speak her mind. Elmes-Crahall’s self-confidence and ability to speak in public is credited to her time spent in college, specifically the time she spent on the speech and debate team. “Debate was the biggest thing in college to give me self-confidence,” stated ElmesCrahall. Elmes-Crahall’s undergraduate college career began in the fall of 1968 at Bloomsburg University. Majoring in Political Science, Elmes-Crahall thought she was on the fast track to law school. “About a year or two before I started [at Bloomsburg] they offered Liberal Arts degrees. Before then all they did was produce education majors,” said Elmes-Crahall. Coming from a small town in Berwick, Pennsylvania, Elmes-Crahall came into the college setting with a small cultural education. But she was willing to learn. “I think socially I met more people from [while at school], not from far away geographically, but attitude-wise. Socially, it was meeting the people from different backgrounds. Not that I wasn’t gregarious; I had Photo courtesy of Dr. Elmes-Crahall Jane Elmes-Crahall, March 24, 1971. lots of friends, but it was more people,” stated Elmes-Crahall. Elmes-Crahall’s social education began the minute she stepped on campus. Being plucked from the farmland she was used to in Berwick, Elmes-Crahall immersed herself in the college atmosphere. In fact, according to her, she “majored in extracurriculars.” “I remember spending much more time on what I loved, which happened to be the social and co-curricular. The social part was a lot of fun!” recalled Elmes-Crahall. As her social education began to grow and expand with each passing year at Bloomsburg, Elmes-Crahall’s confidence and open mind grew, as well. After joining the debate team, Elmes-Crahall spent countless hours traveling and debating against some of the brightest minds in the country at that time. “That was an experience. You’re meeting people from Ivy League schools and huge universities, and after a certain period of time, you learn that, intellectually ... you are just as smart, if not smarter than those people. That may have been one of the biggest lessons for me,” said Elmes-Crahall. Through her practice with the speech and debate team and the college setting, ElmesCrahall stretched her independence muscles. Her growth as an individual thinker was expanded even more through her involvement with Bloomsburg’s underground student newspaper, The Gadfly. “Borrowed from the Greeks, the gadfly is that little annoying bug that gets in your ear, and you have to keep ‘shoo-ing’ it away from your ear, because it keeps buzzing,” stated Elmes-Crahall. Elmes-Crahall wrote about equal rights for men and women, as well as protecting women from abusive situations. At that point, situations like abuse were not dis- cussed openly. “A friend of mine in college was beaten by an ex-fiancee. Getting her well and getting her to go tell someone about it kind of radicalized me about it,” remembered Elmes-Crahall with a serious tone. The Gadfly became an outlet for ElmesCrahall and her peers who were also pains in the sides of the Bloomsburg administration for their expressed frustration with the decisions the university was making. According to Elmes-Crahall, the late 60’s and early 70’s were a really interesting time to hear all different kinds of political views and to be able to write about it and talk about it. “You know I’m biased, but I think the writing in the underground paper was better than the writing in the official university paper. The university paper reported on student government, the sororities, fraternities and sports. I was not part of much of that,” said Elmes-Crahall. In response to the constant urging from students like Elmes-Crahall, Bloomsburg finally created a separate branch of intercollegiate governance called the StudentFaculty Senate. “Bloomsburg was experimenting with a lot of different ways of governance to appease the loudmouth students like me. I was among a group of students who would constantly be asking for more freedom--for student views to be considered because of what Bloomsburg was doing...and how they were doing things,” remembers Elmes-Crahall. This organization that originally held 30 faculty members and 12 students was one of the primary legislative bodies on campus while Elmes-Crahall attended Bloomsburg. Being part of the inaugural class of the Student-Faculty Senate, Elmes-Crahall was well aware of the fact that she was a first for this type of legislative body. Elmes-Crahall was appointed to the position of secretary and was very careful of what she said and did, because she knew people would be waiting for her to fail. “The late 60’s brought a lot of firsts for women. I knew I was setting an example for ‘first time’ women. You’re very conscious [when] you’re a first,” said ElmesCrahall. Elmes-Crahall’s position as secretary for the Student-Faculty Senate was a first for both herself and the University. Because of her heightened responsibility, a fellow Student-Faculty Senate member, a professor, approached her after receiving the position, and asked her why she thought she was assigned to secretary. “He asked me ‘Jane, do you think they gave that position to shut you up because you’re a woman or because you’re a student?’ It had never occurred to me that giving someone this position was the perfect way to keep them quiet, because they would always be writing,” remembered ElmesCrahall. The experiences Elmes-Crahall put herself in while attending Bloomsburg University began to shape her as a person. They began to shape her thought process and how she carried herself. Elmes-Crahall may not have been aware of it, but she walked away from her undergraduate college years with more than just her degree. She walked away with a new self-image that she continues to carry with her to this day. Elmes-Crahall no longer debates on stages as part of the Bloomsburg University team; however, she gets up in front of her communication classes each day and challenges her students to think as openly and freely as she found out she could during her time in college. I only stayed in the dorms once while in college. It was the late summer between my freshman and sophomore year. 1969. A friend of mine who stayed down the hall came into my room one day and asked if I wanted to go to a music festival in upstate New York. I didn’t have plans, so I said ‘yes’. I know people who had tickets and did not even end up getting there. We just drove straight up from Bloomsburg, got there on Thursday. We stayed until Sunday. When the rains came we slept in the car. We slept outside in the sleeping bags. Even when it was raining we slept outside in the sleeping bags. And by Saturday no one cared where they were going to the bathroom. �CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu Osterhout College Game Night- p. 14 12 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Wilkes theatre presents “For Love of the Nightingale” A preview of the first production of the fall semester BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor This Friday, October 1, is opening night for the Wilkes Theatre department’s first fall play, “For Love of the Nightingale,” written by Timberlake Wertenbaker and directed by Naomi Hatsfelt Baker, one of the three Wilkes theatre directors. As the name might imply, it sounds like any other lovey-dovey romance. However, this ancient Greek myth actually contains a whirlwind of emotions that are only ignited by love. There is much more to the story than just romantic sweet nothings. It is full of hope, deceit, power, love, violence, and universal messages that say more than what meets the eye. After observing a run-through rehearsal of the play, I can safely say it will hold your attention as the story unfolds with never-ending action. Tereus is one of the main characters who is played by Lou Gerstle, a senior theatre major. Tereus is the King of Thrace and is power-hungry with a hidden agenda. His wife, Procne, played by Katrina Zbenger, another senior Theatre major, begins to miss and need her beloved younger sister, Philomele, played by Casey Lynch, a senior musical theatre major. Prior to Procne and Tereus’ marriage, Procne and Philomele make a lifelong promise to always be there for one another. When Procne can no longer fight the need for her sister, she sends her Tereus to Athens to summon her. The journey involves many months of travelling across the sea. It is then that the story reveals its waves of irony. Baker chose this show for a few reasons. She developed a deep connection with the relevant messages that “Nightingale” sends to the audience and knew it would challenge her students. “I like the show a lot. It’s the first time I’ve had a significantly-sized part and taking on the responsibility to learn lines, going from scene to scene, it’s been a big push. It’s helped me infinitely, especially as an actor,” said Gerstle. “Nightingale” proves to be a style that Wilkes hasn’t done in awhile. Being that there are more women than men who do theatre, most plays and musicals offer a majority of roles for men. This show, however, is dominated by women’s roles. In years past, turnout for theatre productions has been minimal at best. Baker believes that the peformances have a lot to offer the student body. She believes that content from the performances can and should be used as discussion for classes in disciplines like women’s studies, philosophy, and others. “The more I read it, the more layers I discover,” said Baker. “The thing about it is... this play seems like it is about one thing on the surface, but it goes so much deeper than that. Timberlake Wertenbaker is a brilliant playwright. Also, I feel like this play will inspire lots of thought and conversation. Everyone deserves to have their voice heard, and when they are not given that opportunity, bad things happen.” The rest of the cast includes Casey Gow as Niobe and John Layton as the Captain. The Female Chorus includes Cassandra Colwell, Alyssa Glueck, Jessica Lech, Amy Morgenthew and Geneva Turner. The Male Chorus includes Luke Brady, Anthony DiMarco, Bill McGovern, Casey Thomas, and Kevin Hettrich. Come show your support for your classmates. Show times are October 1, 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets are free with student IDs. Fun and food at the 155th Annual Bloomsburg Fair BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor The Bloomsburg Fair is now under full swing with crowds pouring in to eat their favorite deep-fried foods and enjoy the funfilled atmosphere. For 155 years, the Bloomsburg Fair has brought excitement, food, and entertainment to the people of Bloomsburg and surrounding areas. Whether it is a deep-fried Oreo or a blooming onion, crowds flock to the Bloomsburg Fair to feast on some food items which are not around quite often. Stephanie Branas, a junior history major, explains why she enjoys the fair, “I’m going to the fair because it’s something to do that’s not so far away and they have fried cheese which is probably the most awesome and unhealthy thing ever.” Jeff Turner, superintendent of ticket collectors, has been working for the fair each year, making sure ticket sales and gate admissions are running smoothly. Turner recalled that last year’s fair attendance was a little over 410,000 people. “We expect fair attendance to be up this year. Other fairs have done well this year and it seems people are staying closer to home rather than taking big trips. Yes, ticket prices increased from $4.00 to $5.00 this year, but this was the first increase in gate admission price for several years. The gate admissions will probably not be increased next year. It’s not in the plan,” stated Turner. Featuring new acts for the grandstand stage, the entertainment has reached its highest peak in years. This year, acts such as Sugarland, Seether, Trace Adkins, and David Cook will perform at the grandstand stage. See FAIR page 14 Photo Courtesy of Curt Salonik Production photo from the show, “For Love of the Nightingale,” of Procne, Tereus, and Philomele. From left: Katrina Zbenger, Lou Gerstle, and Casey Lynch. What did YOU get out of the show? Let us know! for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com Im �SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 - Ar1aisi Spoilli9hi: A Golden Era BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor If you’re looking for a band that has a refreshing and happy sound, A Golden Era (AGE) will have you feeling optimistic and enthusiastic, almost as if you were a kid again. This indie/pop/rock band is from Lehigh Valley, Pa., and has officially been a band since 2006. Though AGE realizes how competitive the music industry is, they will continue to rock on until it becomes finacilly impossible. Because they have nothing to lose, they savor every moment on stage or when they’re just jamming together at band practice, pounding out light-hearted lyrics that are inspired by their own personal experiences and expectations. The band consists of four members: Dustin Beck, 24, on vocals/guitar; his brother Dale Beck, 25, on guitar/vocals; Kara Edelheiser, 23, on bass/ vocals; and William Shupp, 22, on drums. The Beacon: Is there a story behind the name A Golden Era? AGE: We feel it sounds refreshing. It was either that or “A Apple.” You figure it out. The Beacon: Do you all have jobs and/or go to school? If so, what do you do/what is your major? AGE: Dale and Dustin work full time as estimators for Eastern States Paving. Kara is currently teaching 7th and 8th grade general music and choir at Bangor Middle School. And I, William, am attending community college full-time at LCCC for Business Management. The Beacon: Oh wow, so you do have a life outside of the band. Do you party like rockstars? AGE: We’re a pretty immature group of people. We’re more likely to get our kicks from fart jokes than pounding down some drinks. We haven’t spent a prolonged amount of time together as a group like a band would on tour, so this remains to be seen. The Beacon: That’s refreshing to hear. Who are three bands you would kill to perform with? AGE: We’d prefer to just ask nicely than kill anyone, but given the opportunity we’d love to share the stage with Jimmy Eat World, Taking Back Sunday, and Hot Rod Circuit (on a reunion show, of course). The Beacon: Okay. I see that you perform a lot in Wilkes-Barre at Café Metropolis. Any favorite place you like to go when you visit the area? Favorite bars? AGE: Almost every time we’ve played at Metro we’ve gone across the street to Januzzi’s Pizza. We’ve also made the occasional trip to Barnes and Noble. Otherwise we hang out back and throw a football. Many injuries have occurred to the band members from throwing footballs. of small venues we’ve encountered. The Beacon: Have you ever opened up for anyone big? AGE: Our biggest show we’ve played was opening for All Time Low at Café Metropolis. Kids really didn’t know who we were, but they were going crazy all the same. We were also fortunate enough to play the Ernie Ball stage in Camden, NJ, on the 2007 Vans Warped Tour. The Beacon: When you’re not doing your music, what do you do in your free time? AGE: Dustin: I like to play various sports and watch movies and TV. Dale: I work with Will in our home studio cleverly named, “Dale, Will Record You Studios.” Kara: I skiboard, knit, and create chaos with friends. Will: I procrastinate and spend money, watch/play football, and expand an evergrowing music collection. The Beacon: Anything else you want fans to know? AGE: Dustin: I want our fans to know about stars, but I don’t know enough about stars to teach them. Dale: I think our fans already know too much. Kara: I’m giving out free hugs to the top bidder! Will: I’m single and looking. Check out A Golden Era on their Myspace and Facebook pages. This band visits the Wyoming Valley quite often, so be on the lookout now before they make it big. You won't regret it. The Beacon: Ouch. Where’s your favorite place to perform? AGE: Café Metro. We’ve developed a good friendship with everyone at the venue. No matter if we play in front of five people or several hundred, they’ve always treated us well. This is more than I can say for a lot Photo Courtesy of A Golden Era Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. Kara Edelheiser, Dustin Beck, Dale Beck, and William Shupp of A Golden Era. www.4t-shirts.com 7 2 -9272 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 FAIR from PAGE 12 says she comes to the fair for the “social event of hanging out with friends. The good food, games, and things to buy are just a plus.” Better acts have been a result of the expansion of the Each year, farmers and animal owners come to the fair to grandstand stage. Last year, the fair association leased a show off their prized cows, chickens, horses and even dogs larger stage for a three year period to amplify the perfor- to the fair-goers, mainly young children that are fascinated mances and accommodate for much bigger acts. with animals. Carey Howell, superintendent of Grandstand, explained, Todd Lehman, President of the Bloomsburg Fair Board, “The biggest change [with the addition of the new stage] verbalized his enthusiasm over the fair’s newest attrachas been in the quality of the sound. With the higher stage, tions. we are able to “fly” the sound from a higher elevation and “The things that are new this year are the Dockdogs commake it more directional.” petition and the Guitar Hero When asked how ticket competition to be held in the sales were going this year, Millennium Park area on the Howell said, “Sugarland is east end of the fairgrounds. “I’m going to the fair because it’s something to There will also be an Elabout 80 tickets away from selling out. Trace Adkins is do that’s not so far away and they have fried cheese ephant Encounter show on our second best seller fol- which is probably the most awesome and unhealthy the west end of the grounds. lowed by Seether. The sale thing ever.” In the livestock department - Stephanie Branas, junior history major there will be a scavenger hunt of tickets is affected mostly by the performers we have for the kids and a horse drawn engaged. The bigger stage “Cinderella” type carriage gives us the opportunity to that will be hitched up daily as hire better acts.” well,” mentioned Lehman. The fair also offers free entertainment to those who do Lehman was also highly optimistic about this year’s fair not mind sitting down to take a load off of their feet and and the satisfaction of his guests. Lehman added, “What watch several acts that are eager to entertain. Ryan Pelton, I always hope for, for every fair week, is good weather! an Elvis impersonator, has been a popular act at the fair When the weather is nice, people will come and enjoy the and several other notable venues, like Knoebels Amuse- fair.” ment Resort. He, as well as others like the Mudflaps and The Bloomsburg Fair is scheduled to continue throughthe Mahoney Brothers, will all take the stage at no cost to out the week, ending on Saturday, October 3rd. Gates will the audience. open at 7:00 a.m. and remain open until after the grandBesides the food and entertainment, there is a lot more stand concerts are finished. Don’t forget to go and check behind-the-scenes work that makes the Bloomsburg Fair an out the Bloomsburg Fair for yourself. It’s an event you do overwhelming success. The Bloomsburg Fair is a combina- not want to miss! tion of over 200 employees and volunteers who work hard to help the guests have a good time. Kristin McDermott, a senior Entrepreneurship major, SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Osterhout targets college students BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor The Osterhout Free Library, located on 71 South Franklin St., will have more than an educational purpose this Monday, October 5. Osterhout is hosting a Wii Beatles Rockband game night, sponsored by GAMESTOP, from 5:30p. m. to 7:30p.m. specifically for college students to enjoy the library. It is also being held to help raise awareness that there are other resources in the community that students can utilize, aside from the ones on campus. Elaine Stefanko, Coordinator of Information Services at Osterhout, thinks college game night is essential to bringing students to the library, especially new students in the area who aren’t familiar with the resources in the surrounding community. During the day, there are approximately 100 people who come in to usealone—sometimes, there is even a line. Stefanko, however, hopes to bring in a larger student influx. The library’s mission is to win over more of the younger generation. “We are trying to reach kids again. It seems like we get young children and adults, but we are missing out on the teenagers and college students,” said Stefanko. This is not the first time Osterhout has hosted a game night. They had intergenerational video game night for children and adults earlier in the year, and were successful. This Monday will be the first game night targeting college students. See OSTERHOUT page 15 TUI DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Staff Writer o · ro · 1 STREETD Ll ocated inside the · IC Non- · ·Iembers W lcom Jlor1. thru Tums l 1:00 a.tn to .5~00 p F ·eta. s 11:00 F..:ee WaFi JQ LYZM Y JBDXC CQ PDCBJ JBMX DJ JYZMA QXM NQP DJ JQ CQ VPQXC This week’s clues: Q=O Check next week’s issue of The Beacon for the answer! Answer from last week: MAKING TOAST IN A TOASTER OVEN CAN BE DONE USING AN ARRAY OF FOOD ITEMS, CONSIDERING ALL FOODS THAT A TOASTER-OVEN TOASTS BECOME TOASTED! Comi _d DN DJ JYZMA JVQ to 4:00 p 1~1., disooun ·/ Sm.dent ID ~ Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! gHo.w, �SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Review: DMB rocks Montage with crowd-pleasing performance BY BRANDON PRENTICE Correspondent Dave Matthews Band (DMB) has been a staple in popular music for countless years. Their live shows are an intoxicating mix of great music and lighting and attract a wide array of fans. This past Wednesday night, September 23, DMB played a show in the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain. Listeners from near and far, whether first time show-goers or seasoned veterans, gathered for their very own Dave Matthews experience and all that it had to offer. The atmosphere was electric inside the venue as the anxious crowd awaited Dave Matthews and the rest of the band to hit the stage. After what seemed like forever, Matthews and his crew finally walked out onto the stage and the crowd exploded. “The Proudest Monkey,” “Satellite,” and “Don’t Drink the Water”--three classic songs that any true DMB fan would be familiar with--kicked off the set, followed up by “Funny the Way it is” and “Seven” off of their newly released album Big Whiskey and the Groogux King. The middle of the set list included a combination of both classic DMB songs and songs from the new album. Some notables included “Dancing Nancies,” “Cornbread,” and “Why I Am.” Matthews then stepped forward and got intimate with his fans. With a single spotlight and his acoustic guitar, he played arguably his most famous and beloved song “Crash Into Me,” as the crowd sang along. From that point on, the band blew the crowd away with feel-good songs to end the set, two of which included Robert Randolph, an extremely talented sit-down slide guitarist who pumped up the show before DMB rocked the house. Finally, after the band finished their last song and cleared the stage, the crowd called them back for their encore. Dave awed everyone with yet another intimate song, “Baby Blue” before the band collectively exploded, capturing the crowd one last time with their rendition of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.” This was my first DMB show, and I could not have asked d for a better experience. It had a little bit of everything. My only criticism of the show had nothing to do with the music itself but rather the food and beverage vendors stationed at the venue. On more than one occasion, the vendors failed to fulfill the wishes of the customers. From power problems to simply running out of supplies, they were not up to the usual standards fans are accustomed to at Montage Mountain. Rating: 4 out of 5 Definitely check out DMB. It’s well-worth the ticket prices!! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What’s Happening Around Wilkes-Barre • BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI - Love of the Nightingale @ Wilkes University • Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m. Sun. 2 p.m. • Assistant A&E Editor • Cost: Free to Wilkes students, faculty, staff • Tuesday, 29,2009 2009 • $7 students and seniors; $15 GA Tuesday, d September September b 29, TraceAdkins Adkins @ @ Bloomsburg Bloomsburg Fair Fair • --Trace •~Starts All Weekend Long Starts7:30 7:30p.m. p.m. / Cost: $44 (track) $39 • (grandstand) • Cost: $44 (track) $39 (grandstand) - Avenue Q @ Scranton Cultural Center - -Drink • Oct. 2nd-4th – TIMES VARY / Cost: $32-52 DrinkUp UpButtercup/The Buttercup/TheMoneynotes Moneynotes @ The • Bog, @ The Bog, Scranton Scranton • ~• Starts Starts 99 p.m. p.m. // Cost: Cost: $3 $3 Friday, October 2, 2009 - Seether @ Bloomsburg Fair • Wednesday, September 30, 2009 • Starts 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2009 • - -Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare • Cost: $34 (track) $29 (grandstand) Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare @ @ King’s College Theatre - Donna Jean Godchaux Band • King’s College Theatre Starts 7:30 7:30 p.m. p.m. // Cost: Cost: $7 $7 students/seniors; students/seniors; @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains • $5 GA~•• Starts $5 GA – Sept. 30th, Oct. 1-2, Oct. 5-6 • Starts 10 p.m. / Cost: $18 – Sept. 30th, Oct. 1-2, Oct. 5-6 • Thursday, October 1, 2009 Saturday, October 3, 2009 October 1, 2009 • Thursday, -- Sugarland - Mother Nature’s Sons Sugarland @ @ Bloomsburg Bloomsburg Fair Fair @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains • ••~Starts Starts7:30 7:30p.m. p.m. / Cost: $48 (track) $43 Cost: $48 (track) $43 (grandstand) • Starts at 10 p.m. / Cost: $5 (grandstand) • - -TheTheMovement, The Brightlife, Take Cover &A - “Raising the Roof” @ Park & Lock East Movement/The Brightlife/Take Cover/A A Classic Farewell @ Café Metropolis Parking Garage, Wilkes-Barre • Classic Farewell @ Café Metropolis • Starts 7 p.m. / Cost: $7 • 5-7:30 p.m. / Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door ~ Starts 7 p.m. / Cost: $7 • - -Emmitt-Nershi Band & Assembly ofofDust • Will benefit Osterhout Libraries Emmitt-Nershi Band/Assembly Dust @ @ River Jazz Café, • River StreetStreet Jazz Café, PlainsPlains Starts 10 10 p.m. p.m. // Cost: Cost: $18 $18 Monday, October 5, 2009 ~• Starts • -- The Pullman Porter @ Actors’ - WWE Monday Night Raw @ Wachovia Arena The Pullman Porter @ Actors Circle at ProviCircle at Providence Playhouse • Starts 8:15 p.m. / Cost: $15-65 • dence Playhouse • 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. / FREE! • The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Beacon/Tom Reilly 15 OSTERHOUT from PAGE 14 If they get an impressive turnout, it will become a regular event. Though the library is free and offers games, not all students will leave campus to attend the event. While many students agree that game night at Osterhout is a great idea, they note that they can have fun with their own Wiis and Xbox 360s. “It sounds fun getting to know other people, but then again being so busy with school and playing my own game systems at home with my own friends is just easier” said senior Amanda Touch, communication studies major and business minor. Stefanko insists that it is a win-win situation if students come out for the event. Students are urged to become more familiar with free outside resources, as long as people return their borrowed items on time. Otherwise, late fees apply. Though it is a library, Osterhout goes above and beyond when it comes to getting the community involved. Every Monday, there is Board Game Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., a Mystery Book Discussion that takes place once a month, and also an Isocrates Café session that meets the second Thursday of every month to discuss the ideals of Isocrates. There are many other events that Osterhout organizes, including occasional film festivals. Osterhout offers a challenge to college students to go beyond campus and make new friends within the community, simultaneously having a good time. All students need to bring with them is their driver’s license and student ID if they want to register for a free library card. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Coming NextWeek.. • "Battle of the Classes" Powderpuff Flag Football @ UCOM • • Girls: Seniors face-off juniors; sophomores • face-off freshmen • Boys: Dress as cheerleaders - best dressed • wins Visa check card • Seniors wear blue, juniors in yellow, • sophomores in white, and freshmen in red • The battle goes down on • Wednesday, Oct. 7th from 7-9 p.m. • • Sign up by Oct. 6th at 5 p.m megan.dickinson@wilkes.edu • • • Don’t Forget... • * Bowling at Stanton Lanes: 2 games/rental - $0 (with ID) 1 pass per week - Pick up pass at Student Center • Info Desk • * Restaurant Gift Card Drawings: $25 value - One entry per week: Enter name at Student Center Info Desk • • �WHO IS THE ATLANTIC'S BEST TEAM? CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu SEE PAGE 19 16 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Defense crunches Captains, football improves to 3-0 Led by Lombreglia, Colonels come alive in second half to pick up big win BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Senior Tim Lombreglia came up big on Saturday when the Wilkes football team traveled to Newport News, Va., to take on the Captains from Christopher Newport. Lombreglia stacked up 10 tackles (five assisted, five unassisted), two and a half sacks and an interception to aid in the Colonels’ victory. “We knew we needed this game to prove to ourselves that we could go on the road against a great football team in a hostile environment and play as a team to get this big win,” Lombreglia said. They definitely made a statement with this win, not just to themselves but to the doubters throughout the league. “The win was huge, not to prove to the MAC, but it proved to us as a team that together we can go anywhere and beat anybody,” Kevin Gerhart commented after the game. Rob Johnson and his offensive arsenal of wide receivers and running backs helped the Colonels take over the game. Even though Johnson made mistakes early on, he could still count on his main receiver of the day, Jordan D’Emilio (nine receptions, 100 yards) to help him lead the way to victory. Not to mention Zach Tivald and Harry Reese, who provided ample support as they manned the backfield. Johnson completed 18 of his 37 passes for 207 yards and never let the fact that he had two of his passes intercepted in the first half bother him. “I had to forget about it,” Johnson said. “I told them [the offense] at halftime to stay together and that we have to fight until there is nothing left, and everybody looked at each other and agreed that we were not going to lose.” The Colonels went into halftime trailing 10-7 on the power of another Corey Gilroy “pick six” in the second quarter. This is the second game in a row that Gilroy has come up with an interception, and returned it for a touchdown. Led by Gilroy’s touchdowns, the defense has already topped their amount scores from last year. Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Tim Lombreglia (23) and Sean O’Neill (32) celebrate a play during the Colonels’ week two victory over Montclair State. On Saturday, Lombreglia had an interception, ten tackles, and two and a half sacks to lead Wilkes to a 24-17 victory over Christopher Newport. The win pushed the Colonels’ record to 3-0 on the season. But after halftime, the rest of the game was dictated by how well the Colonels’ defense played and if they could contain Christopher Newport’s high powered offense. The ongoing theme of the season has been the playmaking ability of Wilkes’s defense, which held the Captains to a total of 73 yards rushing. A total team effort erupted in the second half as the Colonels out scored the Captains 17 to 7. The slew of points began on the Colonels’ first drive of the third quarter when Chris Horn connected on a 23-yard field goal to tie the score at 10-a-piece. An interception on the Captains’ next drive by Lombreglia gave the Colonels the ball back. He credited Sean O’Neill who “made a great play to allow [him] to get the interception.” It wasn’t long after the interception that Johnson led the Colonels down the field once again and connected with Gennaro Zangardi for a 6-yard touchdown strike to put them in the lead for the first time on the day. From there, they did not look back. The rest of the third quarter ended up scoreless, however, the fourth quarter breathed new life into Wilkes. They marched down the field to the 1-yard line once more, allowing Reese to finish off the drive making the score 24-10. Wilkes’s defense let up in the fourth quarter allowing Christopher Newport to score on a 19-yard rush from Antonio Epps. But they quickly regrouped. The next time the defense took the field they used a sack by Chris Swinarski resulting in a 12-yard loss to hold the Captains for the rest of the game. “I was just trying to make a play and help get the win,” Swinarski said. The game came to a close before Christopher Newport could reach the end zone leaving the Colonels on top by a score of 24-17. Let’s see if they can make it four in a row and maintain their dominance. Next week Wilkes heads to Reading, Pa for their MAC opener to take on the Albright Lions in hopes of avenging a 17-10 loss from last year. Last week's winner of Free Bowling for 8 at Stanton Lanes: Tom Hogan sn't like Free Stuff?! . . .... .~-Y GiVi ·mr Enter for a Chance to Win... 10 YOGA CLASSES (Value $100) Sponsored by: BA L Located in Forty-Fort. Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall by Friday at noon.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ay! �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Kate McGurk, volleyball team leader BY DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor Meet Kate McGurk, an elementary education major from Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and the right-side hitter for the Wilkes University volleyball team. A sophomore on this year’s squad (10-8 overall, 1-1 in conference), McGurk played a pivotal role in the Lady Colonels’ tournament win in Scranton two weeks ago. For her contribution to the team’s 3-1 tournament record and her overall performance, she was named to the all-tournament team. McGurk first began playing volleyball eight years ago when she was in seventh grade. “I like the atmosphere that surrounds the game,” said McGurk. “I love being able to play off the rallying nature of the game; facing the ups and downs. Coming back from a large deficit is always really exciting, just like trying to stop a team that’s making a charge.” McGurk and this year’s squad lost only one starter from last season yet were picked to finish fifth in the Freedom Conference before the start of the year. The Lady Colonels responded by starting the season 9-1, ending any talk from their doubters. They have since struggled, but McGurk remains upbeat on the team’s chances at a conference title. Said McGurk, “I think from the beginning we came on really strong and that we have the potential to be the best team in the league. It’s simply a matter of coming together and finishing strong using what we’ve been learning in practice.” She pointed to the team’s September 12 game against Marywood in the Scranton tournament as evidence of the team’s skill. Playing in their third game of the day, the Lady Colonels survived an exhausting five game match and eventually won, 3-2. “We came out strong and knew that if we had any chance of winning we had to go all out,” said McGurk. “I think we really showed our coach that we had a high potential as a team.” She added that the team’s experience and time with one another has helped them pull through some difficult contests during the season. “I think overall being able to play with each other more, having more time together than we did last year, has helped us out tremendously. We’re playing more as a team this year instead of individually; we know that we can be great as long we stay together,” concluded McGurk. Junior outside hitter Marissa Harrison has been impressed with the role McGurk has played on the team this season. “I definitely think her verbal energy has helped out in many of our games,” said Harrison. “She has a great ability to get us pumped up and increase our energy as a team; she really brings us together.” “She’s definitely the most vocal teammate on our squad, always trying to motivate us and maintain our focus,” said junior outside/middle hitter Meaghan Williams. “I’ve never had a teammate like that before.” McGurk and the rest of the volleyball team will be back in action tomorrow night at King’s College at 7 p.m. Courtesy of Marketing Communications Sophomore Kate McGurk has had a stellar sophomore campaign while leading the Colonels to a 10-8 record, just two wins shy of the their total from last season. $5.,9 9 ALL YOU CAN EAT 1 Salad., pasta., pizza, a11d desert! 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VILKEJ-BAltltE, PA F: 570.825.2061 The Beacon / Alison Kasper *illi*ilr REI DR INK WITH I IUDENT LD~*illi** I We Deliver I �SPORTS 18 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 9/26 @ Christopher Newport 24-17 W MEN’S SOCCER 9/20 vs. Elizabethtown 5-1 L 9/24 vs. Baptist Bible 4-1 W WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/25 vs. New York University 1-0 W VOLLEYBALL 9/22 @ Manhattanville 3-1 W 9/25 vs. Susquehanna 3-0 L 9/25 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson 3-0 L 9/26 vs. Franklin and Marshall 3-0 L 9/26 vs. St. Mary’s (Maryland) 3-1 L FIELD HOCKEY 9/22 vs. Susquehanna 7-0 W 9/26 @ Eastern 3-1 L WEEK AHEAD FOOTBALL 10/3 @ Albright MEN’S SOCCER 9/30 vs. Susquehanna 10/3 vs. FDU Florham Who is today’s most dominant athlete? Money Mayweather...‘nough said! I ,__)-~Ho~r~~t11 Asst. Sports Editor “When you’re facing Floyd Mayweather, you’re facing the best, period.” -Floyd Mayweather Jr. “Ding – Ding,” round 2! Once again this is no contest. Albert does do some things with the bat, but there is nothing like the dominatingly fast hands of my man “Pretty boy” Floyd aka “Money” Mayweather. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not only the best pound for pound fighter/boxer of this era; he is also the most dominant athlete. Since October 11, 1996, when he knocked out Roberto Apodaca in the second round of his first professional fight, Pretty Boy Floyd has been making heads roll. On the way to his perfect 40-0 record (25 wins by KO), he has stacked up victories over Arturo Gatti (R.I.P) for the WBC Light Welterweight Title, Zab Judah for the IBF Welterweight Title, and Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC Jr. Middleweight Title. VOLLEYBALL 9/30 @ King’s WOMEN’S TENNIS 9/29 vs. Eastern 10/3 @ FDU Florham CROSS COUNTRY 10/3 Belmont Classic, Philadelphia twil:l:er, @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports If you got mesmerized by all his dominance, that’s three titles against three of the most notable fighters in the business at three different weight classes. Say it with me. Wow. Coming from a Hall of Fame Boxing family, I know a great fighter when I see one and Mayweather is a great fighter. When Floyd first came onto the boxing scene in ‘96, boxing was out-shining almost all other sports and still out-shines baseball. Before leaving the ring for about two years, he retained the WBC Welterweight Title by knocking out Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton. He returned to the ring exactly 10 days agotoday, to snack on one more fighter who thought he could throw hands with the legend. Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez was given a chance to see if he was worthy and like the 39 fighters before him he came out battered and bruised. As for you Mr. Dorunda, if I were in the line up with Albert it would definitely help him out. (Come check out my homerun plaques. I’m a slugger.) But let’s think about this for a second. Mayweather has won three titles himself versus one title won by the St. Louis Cardinals. Last time I checked, the team goes into the record books for championship, not an individual, I could be wrong, but don’t count on it because it never happens. If Mayweather is having an off day in the ring, which also never happens, who is going to help him? Um, no one. But if Pujols is having an off day, he can rely on eight other guys to back him up. But here’s one last tip. Go to youtube. com, type in “Floyd Mayweather Jr.,” and make sure you do like T.O says and “get your popcorn ready.” “Now class, before you leave I would like you to answer this question,” said Mr. Holmes. “Who dominates like Mr. Money Mayweather? Yes, Anthony. Do you know the answer?” “Yes, I do,” Anthony said with a tear in his eye. “No one, no one dominates like Mr. Money Mayweather.” “That’s correct Anthony,” Mr. Holmes said, “have a good day and don’t forget what you learned today. I don’t want to have to school you again. Class dismissed.” Hey, Hey, Hey! It’s that Albert! WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/30 @ Susquehanna 10/3 vs. FDU Florham SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA Albert Pujols, who was just honored as Sporting News’ MLB Athlete of the Decade, is the greatest athlete on the planet right now. No questions asked. I already feel the blaze of fire burning my hind end from fans of Tiger Woods, Usain Bolt, LeBron James, and Roger Federer. But before I get lynched, let me plead my case. It’s hard to argue for a single player in a team sport because it’s hard to dominate without the help of those around you; but Albert Pujols does just that, with a supporting cast minus two pitchers and Matt Holliday, who is mediocre at best. Without Pujols, the Cardinals are not a World Series contender year in and year out. It’s that simple. Mr. Holmes could hit in front of him, and Mr. Cignoli could hit behind him, and he would still find a way to beat you by himself. When asked who the best player in baseball is, it’s unanimous for Albert Pujols. In boxing, some choose Mayweather, but some choose Manny Pacquiao. You cannot be the most dominant athlete in the world if you’re not the best in your sport. Not to mention, Mayweather has failed to fight elite fighters such as Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley. But let his body of work do the talking. He has 1,707 hits, 1,067 runs, 366 Homeruns, 1106 RBIs, .334 career Batting Average, .427 career On-Base Percentage, .629 Slugging percentage, and two, soon to be three, MVP Awards. Bert Blyleven, a contributor for NBCsports.com, compared Pujols with some notable Hall-of Famers at this point in their careers. On the list are Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, and Hank Aaron, among others. According to the chart, Pujols is second only to Babe Ruth in homeruns, sixth in RBI’s and sixth in batting average. Dominant? I think so. And he’s only 29. But besides the superior numbers, Pujols changes the complexion of the game by stepping into the box. He’s the only player in baseball whom pitchers do not know how to get out. They try to limit his damage, not get him out. As Zack Greinke put it, “Every hitter is human, except Pujols.” “The Machine,” as he is called, doesn’t just do one thing great and is average at others. He does everything at a level that’s unprecedented. The worst season Pujols has ever had was when he hit “only” .327 with 32 Homeruns and 102 RBIs. By comparison, Alex Rodriguez, who sometimes is mumbled within five breaths of Pujols, has a career average that just peeks over .300, but has a slugging percentage nearly 50 points lower than Pujols, an on-base percentage almost 40 points lower. In 12 of the past 16 seaons, he has struck out more than 100 times per season. Pujols has never struck out 100 times. He never makes a mistake on the bases and plays near-flawless defense and has done it every single year, for nine years in a row. Pujols is also the only major leaguer ever to begin a career with nine straight seasons with 30-plus homeruns, 100-plus RBIs, and a .300-plus average. In a poll on ESPN.com, current and former major league players were asked what pitcher-hitter matchup they would like to see most. While the pitchers varied, the hitter never changed. Everyone went with Albert Pujols. He’s so dominant, it’s boring. Chuck Norris stops what he’s doing to watch Albert Pujols hit. Enough said. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 19 ANALYZING THE NHL'S ATLANTIC DIVISION Four of the five teams in hockey’s toughest grouping have playoff potential BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor Although hockey is a sport played on ice, National Hockey League general managers don’t have the luxury of a summer vacation. They’re hard at work during the hottest months of the year, signing free agents to contracts, dealing players to other teams in trades, and drafting prospects to make their teams better down the road. Hockey fans will finally have the chance to see the fruits of their team’s labors this Thursday, October 1, when the NHL drops the puck on the 2009-10 season. The Pittsburgh Penguins, last season’s Stanley Cup champions, begin their title defense one day after that when they host the New York Rangers. The Pittsburgh/New York contest marks the official start of Atlantic Division play. The NHL is broken into two conferences, with 15 teams skating in each. The conferences are then evenly divided into three divisions. Teams with the highest point total in their division are guaranteed a top-three seed in the NHL playoffs, with the other five seeds going to the teams with the highest overall point totals. The Atlantic Division title is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested races in the NHL this season, with four of the five teams likely to make it to the playoffs. Here’s how the five teams are shaping up for the quest for the Stanley Cup. NEW YORK ISLANDERS The Islanders will continue to struggle this season, after missing the playoffs for the tenth time in the last 15 years during the 2008-2009 season. Even if franchise goalie Rick DiPietro, who missed all but five games last year with an injury, was in the line-up, it is doubtful that the Islanders would have come anywhere close to a playoff spot. The team didn’t have a 20-goal scorer, and defenseman Mark Streit led the team with 56 points. The good news is that the Islanders awful performance last season allowed them to draft John Tavares, a former 70goal scorer for his junior hockey team, with the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Tavares is pegged as the savior of the franchise, but he lacks a supporting cast. Although the Islanders also addressed their goaltending issues this summer, signing veterans Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron to contracts, it will be a few seasons before they amount to a be legitimate threat in the postseason picture. NEW JERSEY DEVILS Though they won the Atlantic Division last year the New Jersey Devils will struggle to enjoy the same success this year. They lost 20-goal scorer Brian Gionta to the Montreal Canadiens and hard-nosed fore-checker John Madden to the Chicago Blackhawks. Head coach Brent Sutter essentially quit the team and accepted a job with the Calgary Flames. Rod Pelley, a minor league call-up, has the daunting task of replacing Madden. Zach Parise, who became the first New Jersey player to score 45 goals in a season since 1991 last year, will be called upon even more with Gionta’s departure. However, the Devils have never won games by scoring a ton of goals. With bona fide future hall-of-famer Martin Brodeur between the pipes, they don’t have to. With the departures in the organization this summer, and the team opting to promote from within, rather than signing any big-name free agents, new head coach Jacques Lemaire has his work cut out for him, but the Devils always seem to find a way to win big. Case in point, they racked up 106 points last year with Brodeur on the sidelines for three months with an injury. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS The Philadelphia Flyers made the biggest splash in the division this summer, acquiring perennial all-star Chris Pronger from Anaheim in exchange for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and draft picks. Pronger joins a Philadelphia squad that will get the bulk of its scoring from its top two lines, anchored by Simon Gagne, Mike Richards, Daniel Briere, and Jeff Carter. The addition of gritty forward Ian Laperriere is a perfect compliment to Arron Asham, Daniel Carcillo, Riley Cote, and the other rough and tumble customers that the Flyers have on their bottom two lines. Not only will the Flyers beat teams on the scoreboard, they’ll also beat them senseless. Goaltending is the biggest issue plaguing Philly, as the team lost Martin Biron and Antero Niittymaki to free agency. Philadelphia brought in former Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery and journeyman Brian Boucher to replace those two, but the jury is still out on whether or not that was a good move. The Flyers will make the playoffs, but they will live and die by how well Emery decides to play in the postseason. NEW YORK RANGERS The Rangers had the highest turnover rate of any team in the division this offseason, losing eight of their 20 regulars to free agency or trade. However, the Rangers used the salary cap space they got from trading underperforming center Scott Gomez for Chris Higgins to sign oft-injured forward Marian Gaborik. When Gaborik is healthy, he is one of the most dynamic players in the game, and the Rangers will rely on him to kick-start an offense that was the secondworst in the NHL last year with 238 goals scored. With more than one rookie defenseman likely to feature prominently on this season’s Blueshirt Blueline, including top collegiate prospect Matt Gilroy, the Rangers will rely on superstar goalie Henrik Lundqvist more than they ever have before. Lundqvist was the reason that the Rangers won as many games as they did last season, and as he goes this year, so will the team. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS There isn’t much to say about the squad that won the Stanley Cup last season, the trophy speaks for itself. The Penguins did lose three of their cup winning defensemen – Philippe Boucher, Hal Gill, and Rob Scuderi – but replacement blueliner Alex Goligoski spent a considerable amount of last season in the NHL and veteran Jay McKee was brought in through free agency. The Penguins also boast the two best players in the division, generational talents Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The dynamic duo has posted 701 points in a combined 532 NHL games, and are sure to make the Penguins a force to reckon with for years to come. Crosby and Malkin have already led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup finals in back-to-back seasons, and there is no reason to think that they won’t be there for a third consecutive year in June. 2009-10 ATLANTIC DIVISION PREDICTED FINISHING ORDER 1. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2. NEW YORK RANGERS 3. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 4. NEW JERSEY DEVILS 5. NEW YORK ISLANDERS Key Additions: Defenseman Jay McKee will help fill the void left by three departing defenseman. Mike Rupp is a dependable fourth line center. Key Subtractions: Petr Sykora is gone to Minnesota, but the Penguins have the depth to replace him. Outlook: They’ll run away with the division en route to a third straight Stanley Cup finals. Key Additions: Marian Gaborik is set to be Broadway’s biggest star. Rookie blueliner Matt Gilroy will see a lot of ice time. Key Subtractions: Underproductive center Scott Gomez was traded to Montreal. Defenseman Derek Morris signed with Boston. Scorer Markus Naslund retired. Outlook: If Gaborik and Lundqvist aren’t healthy, it’ll be a long season in Gotham. Key Additions: Goalie Ray Emery is back in the USA. The scary good Chris Pronger will anchor the Philly defense. The fiesty Ian Laperriere joins a rough & tumble team. Key Subtractions: RW Mike Knuble is gone to Washington, and winger Joffrey Lupul was traded to Anaheim for Pronger. Outlook: The team’s postseason success depends on Emery’s play. Key Additions: Not many, except for the acquisition of third-liner Rob Niedermayer. Key Subtractions: Sniper Brian Gionta will be tough to replace. Grinder John Madden (no relation to the football guru) is an even bigger loss for the Devils. Not to mention exhead coach Brent Sutter. Outlook: They will (just barely) make the playoffs thanks to stellar play by Brodeur. Key Additions: John Tavares will be good, but he won’t score 70 goals like he did in junior hockey. Martin Biron and Dwayne Roloson adress the team’s goalie issues. Key Subtractions: No one of importance, but then again, they didn’t have anyone of importance to lose in the first place. Outlook: The Islanders will be lucky to finish higher than dead last in the conference. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 20 Sister act helps propel Colonels to 7-1 start DiSabatino twins have instant impact for Lady Colonels 35 BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor There was a point in freshmen Jenna and Cassie DiSabatino’s lives when field hockey was not a part of their future. “We wanted to quit in eighth grade,” said Cassie, who is the older of the two by a few minutes. “But coach [Elvetta Gemski] told us to keep at it; she said we were very good players and we had the abilities, we just had to keep going.” The good news for both high school coach Elvetta Gemski and the field hockey team here at Wilkes is that they decided to give field hockey a second chance. As seniors at nearby Crestwood High School, both were honored with first-team all-state recognition along with numerous other conference and state accolades. And now in their first year donning the blue and gold, they are a key reason why the field hockey team hasn’t missed a beat from their record-setting 2008 season. “Both Jenna and Cassie have made an immediate impact on the program,” said head coach Sara Myers. “They have both brought a new intensity level to the team and have made those who play around them more aggressive and confident. When you are a strong player you bring out the best in your teammates. They play harder and more aggressive than most of our opponents.” The sisters, who were originally committed to Division-II Bloomsburg University until problems evolved through their guidance office, are known for their physical brand of field hockey. It is physical enough for opposing players and fans to call their style of play “dirty.” “We get the nastiest comments from other coaches and players on the field,” said Cassie. “We take the criticism and it makes us work even harder.” The hard work on the field is showing in their statistics. Jenna is currently ranked second on the team in scoring, and her older sister Cassie is right behind her in third. “We’re supposed to be physical and aggressive players,” said Jenna. “We’re not going to be wimps; we’re not going to let others push us around. Our job is to get to the ball and score. We’re not going to let anyone beat us to it.” Last season the Lady Colonels finished with a school record 18 wins and cracked Goals scored by the team thus far this season. The Lady Colonels are outscoring their opponents by a 35-12 margin. 18 th Ranking of the Lady Colonels last week in Division-III field hockey. It’s the highest that the Wilkes squad has ever been ranked. The Beacon / Melissa Polchinski Freshman attacker Jenna DiSabatino (9) scored twice against Susquehanna on September 22. Her sister Cassie (not pictured) recorded a goal and an assist in the game. the top 25 for the first time in school history. But after losing five key seniors, Myers needed younger players like Cassie and Jenna to step up right away in order to pick up where last year’s team left off. “After last season I thought that the 2008 team was the most talented team I would ever get to work with,” said Meyers. “That was true until I saw this year’s team play. We have 18 players who are all talented, hardworking and dedicated to making this year a success. It is rare to have a team where you can put any player into the game and feel comfortable and confident.” Myers says that the success seen thus far this season can be credited to leadership of the upperclassmen and the work ethic of the entire team. She also stresses that the team does not have to count on two or three people to get the job done; every player on the field is responsible for moving the team toward success. “The seniors were my first recruiting class and they know how hard they have worked in the past four years to get where we are,” said Myers. They know we have to work extremely hard every day, and practice and play every day like we were in the championship game.” So far, the results have been tremendous. Behind the playmaking ability of senior WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? Jennifer Keegan, who leads the team in goals with 10, the physical play of the DiSabatino sisters, and the superb play between the pipes from sophomore net minder Lindsey Davenport, who is allowing just 1.35 goals per game, the Lady Colonels have roared out to a 7-1 start, garnering another #18 ranking and plenty of national recognition. In that start, they have outscored their opponents by a score of 35-12, with a school record seven goals versus Susquehanna last Tuesday. “We work so hard, and play like a family,” said Cassie Disabatino. “We trust each other on the field and we put a lot of heart into every game. This start is awesome.” “We have that never-give-up attitude, which has been the key to our start this year,” stated Myers. “We have the most skilled team I have ever worked with but more importantly we have great team chemistry and an unselfish attitude. The team is hardworking and extremely dedicated to accomplishing our goal.” That goal? “We want to win the MAC, definitely,” echoed both Jenna and Cassie. With the way they’re playing right now, that may only be the beginning of what’s to come for this team down the road. Our editors debated who the most dominant athlete in sports today is on Page 18. We asked Wilkes students the same question, and you can view their responses in a video on The Beacon’s website. for more information check out. .. Iwilkesbeacon.com 7 Goals the Lady Colonels field hockey team scored against Susquehanna on September 22. That is the most goals scored in a single game in program history. 1.35 Sophomore goaltender Lindsey Davenport’s goals against average during the team’s 7-1 start. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 September 29th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 September 29 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/ae9ccf99ec8755f3d8154907516e906a.pdf 2e9e94cc6ce442db6838eaba572e4bf7 PDF Text Text LIFESTYLES PROFILE Seargent Jason Homza PAGE9 SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 2 McClintock Library construction slated to begin in October mansion sold BY DANIEL KAUTZ Managing Editor Others off market BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief On Monday, September 21, Wilkes University officially handed the keys of McClintock Hall over to the building’s new owner. The closing of the historic mansion was originally scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, but was moved to Monday to accommodate a scheduling conflict. According to Thomas Messinger, executive director of facilities, McClintock Hall was placed on the market in March 2009. “In the 2005 master plan, there were areas that were designated outside of our area of interest… There were things designated to return to the community, such as McClintock Hall,” said Messinger. He also noted that the acquirement and renovations of University Towers has made many older residence halls obsolete. Barre Hall and the Lakeside Apartments, located on South River Street, were also added to the real estate market when McClintock was listed. Interest was shown in Doane Hall, but it was never officially listed. These buildings are all empty residence halls. According to The Wilkes University Historical Atlas, McClintock Hall was acquired by the university in 1950. The building, which was used as a residence hall for over half a century, was donated to the university by Gilbert McClintock, a former chair of Wilkes’s Board of Trustees. It is one of the oldest buildings the university owned, See McCLINTOCK page 5 The Beacon/ Tom Reilly The renovations to the lower level of the Farley Library will create new group study areas that students can better utilize for their collaborative projects. Beginning in the middle of October, Wilkes University will begin construction on a large-scale renovation project in the lower level of the Farley Library. The construction is slated for completion sometime during spring semester and will help improve both the ascetics and functionality of the downstairs, said the Dean of the Library, John Stachacz. “We’re going to create a ‘Learning Commons’,” said Stachacz. “It will be a completely refurbished lower level. It’s going to make a much nicer learning space for students and hopefully bring some of the noise from the first floor down here so it’s better distributed.” The current plans include moving the Writing Center from Breiseth Hall to the lower level of the library. Four large group study rooms are to be built; these will be closed areas with projection screens and computer terminals where students work- See LIBRARY page 2 Law School vision approved by trustees Advisory committee finalizing business plan, location options BY JACQUELINE LUKAS News Editor The Board of Trustees approved, in principle, the vision of the Wilkes University Law School on June 9, with the stipulation that the business plan later would be confirmed. The business plan--consisting of the cost of attendance, estimation of related expenses, enrollment for the first semester and the construction or renovation of building site-- ONTHEWEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu INDEX News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 has yet to be finalized. The cost of operation for the law school has two major components: the operational costs that are associated with hiring and paying the faculty and staff, and the capital costs or the cost of the a building or buildings that will house the school. “The way law schools use space is pretty specialized, so not every office building would be suitable for a law school project. It has to be educationally oriented to certain kinds of classrooms and space for the law Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 library… So we’re in the middle of that part of the project, right now,” said Dean Loren Prescott, dean of the Law School Initiative. The options for the building are still unknown because the advisory board for the Law School is still deciding whether they are going to construct a new building or renovate an existing building close to campus and the downtown, explained Prescott. It is important that the law school be situ- See LAW SCHOOL page 4 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · .· .· · Association Member . . ·. · �NEWS CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 2 LIBRARY from FRONT PAGE ing on projects can meet to limit distractions. There will also be smaller, semi-private study areas introduced to the level lower that will be surrounded by fivefoot walls that will help create a sense of separation from others downstairs. Stachacz said these study areas will feature not only computers but “restaurant-style booths” for student comfort. The downstairs bathrooms will also be completely renovated in accordance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Brand new lights and carpeting will installed, along with a new ceiling. The official planning for this project began last year, according to Thomas Messinger, the executive director of facilities. “It has been a goal of ours to add additional [private areas] in the lower level to facilitate group study,” said Messinger. “We feel that by adding additional computer stations and places for students to meet that we’re moving towards that goal.” Stachacz said the construction will not have a large impact on students who attend classes in the lower level of the library. “We will have to re-route student traffic across the main floor of the library and down the back stairwell because [part of the lower level] will be closed off. It □ ~ g, '-0 I,.. □ □ .) liiiiiiiiiilliiiiiiiiilliiiiiiiiillliiiiiiiiio @ - . ~ ~ l'\.i!lj " , -l!- J l,lr• l ' -d BEACON 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu 12'._ II ~FIIIT won’t disrupt any classes being held down there, however.” The construction costs for the project are being funded by the Wilkes Capital Program; Messinger stated that the projected total is roughly $400,000. The technology being installed (the computers, projectors, etc.) are being funded by a $25,000 donation from Student Government, as well as a $75,000 grant that the school received from the Alden Trust. All told, the renovations will cost roughly half a million dollars. The construction on the lower level is just part of the first phase of a plan that projects the entire library will be renovated over the next several years. “We decided on taking a floor- by-floor approach in order to provide the least possible disruption to students and operations,” Messinger said. “Phase II looks toward renovating the first floor, probably over the summer.” “We’re looking at refurbishing this entire facility, not just the lower level,” said Stachacz. “We will replace all the carpeting over the next couple of years; the light fixtures, the ceilings [. . .] We will make this a brighter, friendlier place to study and work with groups. We are also looking to change the entire front entrance way and adding an ADA approved ramp so that students with disabilities can enter through the front door rather than the side of the building.” “I think the library needs substantial change and I think this is a step in the right direction,” said Trevor Hirsh, a junior entrepreneurship major. “I feel the basement needs to have some technology added down there and that work study areas definitely needed addressing.” Brittney Hodnik, a junior criminology major, agreed. “I like [that they’re renovating the lower level]. I’m never downstairs because there are no printers and it’s just outdated for my purposes. I’m interested to see what they’re able to accomplish.” (Below) A blueprint of what the basement of the library will look like after the renovations. • Blue Print Courtesy of Marketing Communications/ David Sheydwasser Editorial Staff 2009-10 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Meet the Staff Anthony Dorunda SPORTS EDITOR �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 NEWS 3 Financial Aid searches for fourth director in two years Editor’s Note: This story ran last from the university changing the structure week in the online edition of The of the job, not from any poor performance Beacon. on Pam’s part.” BY NICOLE FRAIL Editor-in-Chief Last Friday, September 18, marked Pamela Hoffman’s last day as Wilkes University’s financial aid director. Hoffman was the third person in approximately two years to leave the position. Leo J. Danylak began his work as financial aid specialist in November 2006, but left the university in August 2007 when unspecified allegations were presented to Wilkes’s administration. Approximately one year later, in July 2008, Donna Cerza vacated the same position. In late September 2008, Hoffman took over as director. “The university decided that they wanted a financial aid director that was based on campus,” said Hoffman, who worked from her home in Lancaster four days a week. “We really felt that we would better serve our campus, our students and staff and faculty, by having someone who is physically present on campus… At no point in time was Pam asked to leave; we discussed her taking the job under the new terms of the position, but it was just not something she was interested in doing,” said Melanie Mickelson, vice president of enrollment services. Added Mickelson, “This decision came The university is running a local search for a new, traditional financial aid director who will work directly on campus. If the search does not result in an experienced candidate, the position will be advertised nationally, said Mickelson. “The turnover in this position in recent years is a matter of concern to all of us,” said Dr. Tim Gilmour, president of Wilkes. “While the search for Pam Hoffman’s replacement will be completed as quickly as possible, [Mickelson] and Janine Becker, the executive director of the Student Services Center, will be reviewing the current financial aid organization with an eye to strengthening it and reducing the turnover rate.” In hopes of making the position more appealing and less tedious, the director will head a team of Wilkes employees who will be specifically trained to work with financial aid, said Mickelson. “We are utilizing our internal system much more fully, allowing improved documentation on student records, for example. This provides better service and makes working on an account somewhat quicker,” said Becker. The processing schedule has also been altered so employees in the department can begin processing information about FAFSA Courtesy of The Beacon Archives Pam Hoffman is the third director to leave in two years. She began in September of 2008 and left on September 18, 2009. The search has begun for a new director. and loans earlier in the year. Students are also encouraged to view their accounts online “to reduce traffic, making staff more efficient overall,” added Becker. “I would like the next person in this role to settle into this role for the long term,” said Mickelson. “I want so badly to have the right person in this role.” Until the position is officially filled, Ron Laszewski from a consulting firm called Financial Aid Services will serve as de facto director. Hoffman is uncertain whether she will seek employment in financial aid. “The staff at Student Services is an incredible group of people… I feel like I am a better person having worked with them,” said Hoffman. Student Government Notes 09-16-09 BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Treasurer’s Report All College: $24,000 Conference: $10,900 General: $8,900 Leadership: $3,000 Spirit: $1,000 Start-Up: $15,000 Special Projects: $2,750 Totals: $52,050 Club Reports: Programming Board: They need help with Demetri Martin set up from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Students volunteering to help with load in, set up, take down, and box office on Friday, Sept. 25, can see the show for free. New Business: Outdoor Adventure Coordinator Introduction – Gabe Lamberti, the new Outdoor Coordinator, is trying to increase number of students attending the recreational center. He also hopes to increase outdoor trips, and to further develop leadership opportunities. Justin Kraynack and Mike Molnar, Food Service Reps - Food Services UPDATES ON RIFKIN: has a new menu with popular foods but it is still limited due to lack of hoods and grills. There is also increased snack lines and no more espresso due to the fact that the espresso machine broke; it was very expensive to replace and it wasn’t very popular. There are still hot beverages in Einstein. UPDATES ON CAFETERIA: Opened new station, “Red Hot Chef.” Cafeteria is also promoting “The Balanced Way”, which has been a useful nutritional guideline for students using volumetrics. Food services are also increasing their food selections. The new conveyor belt is very successful; it is cleaner, and has less jams. Also, considering putting hand sanitizers near the conveyor belt for students and faculty. A new grill was purchased for veggie burgers only. Homecoming Budget: A motion was passed 23-0-0 to grant the Homecoming $18,400 for entertainment, food and drink, party favors, security, flowers, sashes and cars. more allowance for printing OCC hopes to do “Wing Wars” in the near future. Old Business Updates: SG Locks: Card swipe was ordered and cost $2,100 Open House Student Panel Events Homecoming 10/2: The theme is “The Return of the Colonel.” Tickets go on sale for $9 on Tuesday the 22nd to Tuesday the 29th from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pep-rally tentatively to be at Riverside Park which gives community a chance to get involved. Committees SLAM - Green Printing successful. Certain majors, such as Nursing, claim that they use a lot of paper for slide notes—more discussion to follow for allowing certain majors *At 8:00 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. for more information check out ... w_i_l_k_e_s_b_e_a_c_o_n_.c_o_m ____.! @:•21 ._I �4 NEWS SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 ICLWB: Crafting Wilkes-Barre’s Future Leaders BY RACHEL LEGGIERI Correspondent While getting an education, the one thing on college students’ minds is usually how they can apply the skills they’re learning into the real world. Intercollegiate Leadership Wilkes-Barre (ICLWB), a program sponsored by area businesses, teaches college students the skills needed to become leaders not only in the workplace, but in every aspect of their lives. “We teach students how to market themselves as leaders,” Kim Koehl, program director, explained. “It’s about using leadership skills in different aspects of your life; whether it’s family or college, we teach them how to handle all situations as a leader.” The Intercollegiate chapter of Leadership Wilkes-Barre is one out of the five chapters offered by Leadership Wilkes-Barre. Leadership Wilkes-Barre offers a junior LWB program for high school students, intercollegiate LWB for college students, Leadership core program, executive LWB program and a masters LWB program. College students can apply or may be recommended by their academic advisors and chosen by a designated advisory council comprised of staff from each school. LAW SCHOOL from FRONT PAGE ated nearby the court system as well as local lawyers’ offices because those are the things that the law students will want to be close to, Prescott added. Michael Richwalder, senior business administration major said that in his search for law schools, he has seen buildings and libraries dedicated just for the law school and hopes that Wilkes University can do that. Prescott said the situation is complicated because there is still so much work to be done. In addition to finalizing the business plan and settling on a suitable location for the school, the application to the Pennsylvania Department of Education still needs to be sent, and the state of the economy is affecting fundraising efforts. “The people who are in a position to make major gifts are just less inclined to and, sometimes, less able to in an economic downturn,” said Prescott. The economy is not only affecting fundraising efforts, but also the number of prospective law students. “There have been reports in the major papers in the big cities about younger lawyers being laid off and law firms not hiring as much as they have been hiring in the past. I believe that is going to turn around with the change in the economy, but we don’t know how long that’s going to take,” explained Prescott. Wilkes University is one of six schools involved locally in ICLWB. Keystone College, King’s College, Luzerne County Community College, Misericordia University and Penn-State Wilkes-Barre also participate in the program. This year’s Wilkes representatives are sophomore nursing major Adrienne Dorcent, pre-pharmacy major Erin Hanley, junior communication studies major Jacqueline Lukas, sophomore business major, Cortny Sasserson, and junior communication studies major Melanie Thomas. “It feels nice to be part of such a selective program because I know that all the people who are involved deserve it and want to be there,” said Sasserson. “We are all on this year-long journey to network, hone our leadership skills and have a good time along the way.” Rae Ellen Zekas, ICLWB advisor and graduate assistant in the Student Development office, explained that the students are carefully picked and are required to have certain leadership skills already intact. “At Wilkes, we look for students who show leadership through their activities on campus and in the community,” Zekas said. Dr. Kyle Kreider, assistant professor of political science and pre-law adviser, also said that he has been getting either one email or phone call per week from a student or member of the community interested in the law school. “This is also very positive development for the region, for all of Northeast Pennsylvania, [and is] certainly positive for Luzerne County and for Wilkes-Barre. The introduction of a professional school program like this into a community can have some really significant, positive impact,” said Prescott. Kreider will be organizing a mock class in the middle of the semester. “[Students] will get a feel or a taste for what law school is like. So they might like it, they might not, but it might help them make a decision as to whether or not they want to go to law school,” said Kreider. Currently, there is no timeline for the construction or renovation of the building because funding and the decision on the building need to be confirmed. Prescott is hoping that the law school will be open in fall 2011. Susan E. Schwab, advisory board chair, was unavailable for comment. “We also want dedicated students who will commit themselves to the program and its time requirements.” Once chosen for the program, students are required to attend meetings once a month at the various colleges involved, which focus a full day on learning from ICLWB. The program lasts six months, and is fit to adhere to the busy schedule of a college student. “One of the best things about this program is the opportunity for members to meet other students from different schools,” said Lori Nocito, Executive Director of Leadership Wilkes-Barre. “Normally with other programs you only meet people from your own campus, so the students really love that broad range of communication.” “It’s a very unique program in that perspective,” Koehl added. “[The students] get to interact with the students from other campuses and understand the philosophy of the different schools and also the commonalities.” ICLWB also gives students an opportunity to really get their name out there and get involved in the community. “Students leave the program with an en- hanced awareness of their leadership potential and style,” said Zekas. “It’s a great way for students to network with their peers and local professionals, while finding out what this area has to offer. “ Nocito explained that although ICLWB provides the skills, it’s up to the students to “take the jump into the community.” “It’s like when you’re going swimming… you know how to swim and you’re at the end of the diving board,” Nocito explained. “We take our members to that diving board and give them the knowledge they need, but we leave it up to them to jump in and swim.” Koehl also said that the students’ reactions to the program are always positive. “You always come out learning vital things about yourself, as well as the community,” agreed Nocito. “That’s what I feel makes it so successful.” Anyone interested in ICLWB should visit www.leadershipwilkes-barre.org. �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 dating back to the 1840s. Approximately one month after McClintock, Barre and Lakeside Apartments were put on the market through Lewith & Freeman Real Estate, interest was shown in McClintock. At one point, there were multiple offers for McClintock, but conditions of the sale deterred all but one buyer. Approximately five months passed before both Wilkes and the buyer were ready to close on the property. “The buyer had conditions in his agreement that had to be met before the sale could actually go through. It took several months for those things to actually happen and the closing could occur,” said Messinger. “In this particular case, there were zoning issues that had to be resolved.” PennDOT also had to issue approval for the sale. McClintock was listed for $250,000, but sold for less. Messinger would not disclose the sale price to The Beacon. Petra Carver, vice president of finance and support operations, said “the proceeds from the sale will be set aside until the master plan in completed. Once the plan is done, we will determine how to best utilize the funds for campus development purposes according to the master plan. Before the Master Planning Committee meets to discuss the upcoming plan, they must choose a firm to assist them in the process. Throughout the month of October, three firms will visit Wilkes’s campus and hold open forums in which they will discuss their ideas for the upcoming plans. Those firms are Sasaki, EwingCole, and Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates. Once a firm is chosen, the Master Planning Committee will begin their discussions. Sophomore English and communications double major David Cook was chosen to sit on the committee as a student representative. “I would like to see the university use the historical buildings so long as there is a need for them, or a predicted need in the near future, assuming of course, there is room in the budget...” said Cook. In August, Barre and Lakeside were taken off the market. “The properties [were] removed from the market, because we are scheduled to revisit the master plan and we wanted to ensure that sale of the properties was still valid,” said John Pesta, director of Capital Projects. 5 The Beacon/Tom Reilly McCLINTOCK from FRONT PAGE NEWS The Beacon/ Tom Reilly McClintock, part of the Wilkes University campus for 59 years, was recently sold. B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ wilkes.bncollege.com Use your Flex Dollars here at your local bookstore location! Lanyards are back! We have your Wilkes thick and shoestring lanyards are back in stock. Come in today. Come in and check out our great winter selection of sweatshirts just in time for football season! Warm up with a Pumpkin Spice Latte? A creamy blend of pumpkin and spices combined with Starbucks espresso, steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream. �THE OBSERVATORY PAGEJ 6 • • Opinion The lock and key system was invented by the ancient Egyptians about 4,000 years ago. It’s a plain and simple system, but it works—and it’s cheap by comparison to today’s new systems like card swipes, for example. At the September 9 Student Government (SG) meeting, representatives discussed the card swipe system that locks the SG office on the first floor of the Henry Student Center. The card swipe system that they have been using for close to two years is broken and needs replacing. SG faced two options: replace the card swipe system at a cost of $2,000 (paid for with money from Wilkes University students’ activity fees) or install an old-fashioned lock and key system (with actual keys), which would be paid for by the Facilities Department at little to no cost to students. After some discussion, one of the members, Katie Munchel of SG made a motion to purchase the $2,000 card swipe system. The general board voted in favor of the motion, 16-6-0. During the meeting, members of SG backed up their decision, arguing that with a traditional lock and key system, it is difficult to keep track of keys. Often times, students who graduate or no longer participate in SG keep their keys rather than return them to Public Safety, creating a potential security breach. SG argued that big ticket items for events like Casino Night and the Spring Fling are often stored in the office; a card swipe system would provide better security for items they keep in the office. Recently, The Beacon faced a similar situation. Too many former Beacon staffers had keys to the newsroom in Conyngham Hall, where thousands of dollars of equipment, like computers, printers and digital cameras are housed. But, one phone call to Mr. John Pesta, director of capital projects, a few weeks ago was all it took to have new locks installed on all of the office doors and new keys issued to current Beacon staffers—at no cost to The Beacon. We wonder, wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 SG spends $2,000 for card swipe system: latest example of wasteful government spending BY THE BEACON Editorial Board CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu sara.cosgrove@wilkes.edu One “Concerned Student” commented on had The Beacon petitioned SG for $2,000 to pay for a card swipe system, if our request wilkesbeacon.com, saying, “IRHC is rejected money to fund an event for EVERYwould have been granted. Likewise,the shelburne Telecommuni- ONE on campus and instead, our money is cations Center, Wilkes’ television studio, unwisely spent to purchase a lock and key houses extremely expensive equipment in system that only benefits Student Governtheir facility in the basement of the Stark ment...pathetic.” Of course, SG needs a new lock and key Learning Center—all protected by an old fashioned lock and key system. No card system. It is important that every building swipe system required here, either. All it and office on campus is secure. But there takes is responsible leaders who will care- was no need for a $2,000 card-swipe system fully monitor access to the keys. The contents of one office or facility alone are not a justification for a $2,000 card swipe system. The level of trust of the people who have access to the room is what really matters. If SG can’t trust their own members—current and former—how can the student body trust them? SG says that they will serve the students in Article II, Section I of their Constitution: “The purpose of the Wilkes University Student Government is to represent the entire student body…” They are entrusted to decide how to spend thousands of dollars The Beacon/Tom Reilly every year with money furnished by each student’s Current lock system to be replaced located outside the SG Activity Fee. They should office on the first floor of the sub. be spending the money in ways that benefit all students, not just a se- when an old-school lock and key system could have been installed at no cost. SG lect few—and in this case, themselves. At the same meeting on September 9, should take more seriously their responSG denied funding for Inter-Residence Hall sibility for allocating students’ fees. And, Council’s (IRHC) fund request for a $376. likewise, more students should get involved The money would have paid for a movie in the process, by joining SG, attending license for the September 24 Movies on meetings and voicing their concerns. To voice your opinion, write us at wilthe Greenway event, which would benefit all students on campus. The request was kesbeacon.oped@gmail.com or vote in our denied—and rightfully so—because IRHC online poll at www.wilkesbeacon.com. already had $8,000 in their budget. But, it is decisions like these that leave a bad taste in students’ mouths. Beacon Poll Do you think that Student Government spends too much money? •Yes, they do not spend money where it is needed •No, they spend the right amount of money •No, they are not spending enough money Last Week’s Poll Results 53% • Yes, it sounds like fun 41% •No, it does not interest me 6% •I have other things to do •I’m still not sure Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd@ Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 OPINION /:~ Wilson’s outburst suggests some traditions meant to be broken BY DAVID LEWIS Beacon Correspondent On September 9, 2009, South Carolinian Representative Joe Wilson created controversy with his outburst at the Congressional meeting. President Obama, who was addressing congress on issues of health care, was interrupted as he discussed how his plan would take into account for illegal immigrants. As he spoke the words “the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally,” Representative Wilson responded immediately with the proclamation, “you lie!” The outburst is a clear sign that either applauding or not applauding (sometimes booing) does not satisfy the needs of the American citizens or governing officials to voice their opinions. Traditions such as the lecture style of aminer has since explained the reason for the outburst. According to The Examiner, under Obama’s proposal known officially as “H.R. 3200,” the bill does not require health care officials to check for citizenship before providing care. The debate over which health care system is going to be implemented by the successor of former President George W. Bush has been going on since the 2008-2009 nomination race. Because neither side is willing to talk through the the issue, the headlines we’ve seen for the past year and a half usually talk about how the Democrats and GOP’s view of health care differ instead of how this crisis is being solved. Given the current state of affairs in our own country--the bailouts, the credit-crisis, and of course, health care, and our handling of the Iraq war--the level of anxiety among American citizens and officials is height- “...Democrats and Republicans waste too much time muckraking and kitchen sinking while people are in need of a better health care system.” congressional meetings have little to no validity anymore. When it comes to issues such as health care, Democrats and Republicans waste too much time muckraking and kitchen sinking while people are in need of a better health care system. If the President must address Congress on issues, then instituting a interactional-lecture format would be much more productive for the law makers of this country and ultimately also for American citizens. In an interactional-lecture format, ideas are proposed and the audience is either receptive or against the proposition. Instead of having representatives on both sides respond to each other’s accusations in breaking news press conferences, conversing with each other in an organized manner on live television would produce faster results than what the citizens of America are seeing right now. Joe Wilson’s interjection of frustration was due to a legitimate piece of knowledge he had. While he did not clarify this by yelling “you lie,” The Washington Ex- ened and made apparent through Wilson’s out of line outburst. Wilson’s actions, when looked at against this country’s historical backdrop, are not that far out of bounds. According to the U.S. Senate’s official website (senate.gov), during a meeting of governing officials on February 22, 1902, a junior senator, also from South Carolina, named John McLaurin stormed the Congressional meeting chamber and accused a Democrat of lying. Representative Wilson’s actions did not result in a punch in the face--the response McLaurin received for his outburst. However, this senator of the past provoked a change in Rule XIX: “No senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator.” McLaurin’s actions influenced change in Congressional meetings and inspired a new rule. Perhaps Wilson’s actions, too, will inspire a change. Perhaps our leaders will begin engaging in real dialogue once again. 7 • . . The ,, Obse.rvat:o.ry ~:. , --• -·· - .i~. '. / / "#,·· ·:o• ,~ '* !2, ~ ~ ~ . ~ ,. -·f:!!.-I ~fl .¥ :.· ,- : :,, ., . . ,_, ~ : ; • J . •_ : ~ -~Y~..$'.X' ;1....._.W P~·,.-_ ~ ·y m ,.;. :---2",:~ --p,s,,r - ~ ~P?':' ~~·1~~~~p , ; -'/ -1/- ~. /~ ,., - ,, _ Young women and SUVs an unnecessary combination BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor A common scenario plays out for me each and everyday when I am walking down the street. I am on my way to my destination and I happen to notice an attractive young lady slipping on her big bug-eyed sunglasses and hopping into her cute little SUV. She may pull out her cellphone and start gabbing away or she blasts the volume on her radio and pulls away singing and swaying her head to the music. That happens at least twice a week and whenever I see something so unecessary in large numbers, I feel I must comment about it. So, the grand question to my whole argument here is: why do these young ladies have these SUVs and do they really need them? My guess is that they think they need the “sport utility options” that they are afforded with their SUVs and no, I do not think they really need them. I can almost positively say that the majority of these types of SUV owners are not doing any kind of off-roading or trips that require big trunk space, so why buy them? The majority of SUVs cost in excess of $20,000 and according to the Department of Transportation, the average fuel economy for an SUV is a measley 18 mpg. So not only are you paying more upfront for the vehicle itself, but over time you are pouring more money into it just to drive it. This makes no sense to me. Even if you go camping or something like that once a year and the options you have with your SUV come in handy, does that really waarrant owning one for seven or eight years? You would not buy a jet ski if you went jet sking once a year would you? I think not. I am not going to keep pointing figures at the drivers of these things because let’s not forget who actually pays for them: mommy and daddy. So, they are more to blame than anyone else. I understand where they are coming from though. Parents assume that SUVs are safer than mid-sized cars and in most cases they are right. They just want to protect their children from reckless drivers and themselves. According to a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2005, the fatality rate for an SUV is 47 per million drivers compared to 86 per million drivers for cars, so you are most likely safer in an SUV. Though these statistics still hold up in 2009, there are other factors to consider here. In an study conducted by the same organization in this year, only 4 out of 16 SUV models received a positive roof test rating, and roof strength plays a major role in SUV safety because they are prone to rolling in a crash. So not only are they expensive and have lower fuel economy, but the majority of SUVs are becoming more unsafe every year. These are all things for you to think about the next time you go car shopping parents and young ladies. The Beacon/Tom Reilly �8 OPINION SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Escalation in Afghanistan not even close to resembling Vietnam BY MATTHEW GOGAS Opinion Editor In case you have been living under a rock for the past few months, you might be interested to know that Afghanistan held their second presidential elections since Taliban removal of power in 2002 on August 20, 2009. What does this mean? Well, to the average Beacon reader it means almost nothing unless you follow foreign politics or you are deeply concerned about the United States’ increasing presence in Afghanistan, but these are things you should be talking about because your opinion matters in the grand scheme of things. The election itself, wrought with fraud and intimidation both before and after it took place, has stirred up major controversy in the global community and led to an increase in insurgent violence in Afghanistan. Candidates were refused the right to campaign or were threatened in Afghani provinces by both the Taliban and other militant groups. Illegal voter cards were bought and sold. The U.S. has been accused of influencing the election, which has created even more attacks on U.S. Troops in Afghani- stan. The insurgent attacks have continued to leave hundreds dead or wounded every day since election. As the need for more U.S. troops grows to deal with the situation, nearly every major news publication in the United States is speculating that the escalation in Afghanistan could lead to a war with similar sures, and many other pressing issues that require immediate and continued attention. President Obama has publicly stated that there are issues here in the United States that require more attention than war in Afghanistan and/or Pakistan. The only reason we are still fighting in the Middle East is to help their governments secure better control “You never step into the same river twice. And so Afghanistan is not Vietnam.” - President Obama characteristics to that of the Vietnam War. Newsweek, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many other publications are all agreeing that Afghanistan could be the next Vietnam, but I disagree for many reasons. We are in the midst of an economic meltdown, a health care crisis, home foreclo- over these terrorist groups. More importantly to the argument, the United States does not have the same military presence that President Lyndon B. Johnson had in Vietnam. The largest number of troops that the United States had in Vietnam was close to 500,000 compared to Obama’s planned increase to a maximum of 68,000 in Afghanistan. These numbers are not even close to being of the same magni tude. I am sorry, but Afghanistan is no Vietnam. President Obama has publicly stated that very same thing in an interview with The New York Times and CNBC last week. When he was asked if he was worried about repeating Lyndon B. Johnson’s fate, President Obama said: “You have to learn lessons from history. On the other hand, each historical moment is different. You never step into the same river twice. And so Afghanistan is not Vietnam,” said President Obama. I trust his opinion and so should you. These are fragile times in the United States and our government is right to focus on issues here at home. Look at the situation like this: you can sit around all day worrying and complaining about the U.S Government and their fruitless wars in the Middle East, which will never give you any sort of satisfaction other than thinking you are telling people things they do not already know. Or, you can rest easy knowing that your current elected officials will make decisions based upon your best interests (not starting a major war and repeat the mistakes of their predecessors). I know I will rest easy. Polachek Gartley would restore county’s rep from bench BY JEFFERY NIEMIEC Correspondent We’ve heard these headlines before. “The most egregious abuse of power in the history of the American legal system” (ABC’s 20/20, March 27, 2009). “A system wrought with inefficiencies, political agendas and personal allegiances” (The Times Leader, March 29, 2009). “The most corrupt county in the country” (Ripoff Report, June 23, 2009). Needless to say, not much shocks us here in Luzerne County any more. Something that may actually surprise residents about this area, however, would be real attempts to clean up our dismal public reputation. Is it even possible? Could politics in this area ever again be viewed in a favorable light? If one judicial candidate has any say in the matter, the answer to that question is a resounding yes. On Thursday, Wilkes University hosted that candidate. She strolled around Club Day, talking to students and getting their perspective on the current political climate. Her name is Tina Polachek Gartley and she’s interested in what you have to say. Far from the standard politicians we normally get to choose between, Tina has unique insight and always remembers who she’s serving: the people. In her eighteenth year of practicing law, she specializes in sexual assault and domestic violence cases and has been an active voice in the fight to end violence against women. Proudly serving on a tri-county Sexual Assault Task Force, Polachek Gartley lends her expertise where she can and volunteers to speak at law enforcement classes. Polachek Gartley entered this race without political connections or an agenda; she decided to run for the Court of Common Pleas because of the circumstances that face Luzerne County. She may be new to the political scene, but she is no stranger to the courtroom and even worked as an Assistant District Attorney. If like me, you aren’t used to politicians being concerned with what you have to say. She is concernedTina Polachek Gartley is the new voice for Luzerne County, and if November 3 turns out the way she hopes, she will be serving the residents of Luzerne County in the very near future. Get out and vote. The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Polachek Gartley (right) and Wilkes University’s Sharon Castano Coordinator of Student Deveopment (left) attend club day, while Gartley mingles with Wilkes students by talking to them and getting their perspectives on the current political climate here in Luzerne County. �li ostyllos CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 9 Homza recalls basic training, moving up in ranks, three roadside bombs RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor marksman with both a rifle and a pistol. “It’s rare to go up five ranks in just four years, and I was a Sergeant before I got out,” said Homza. After leaving the school of infantry in North Carolina, Homza was stationed in Georgia for two years with a security force unit, and then con- The area of Iraq in which Homza was stationed was Haditha and two other towns, which were referred to as the “Triangle of Death.” “From the time we got there to the time In their senior year of high school, most we left, we pretty much took it from [lookstudents are busy applying to different ing] like the wild west to really a controlled colleges and universities, crossing their area. The kids were going back to school fingers and hoping for acceptance to that and people were walking the one special school that would make their streets, not afraid to dreams come true. In June 2003, Jason Courtesy of Ja son Homza leave their houses; Homza’s dreams for his future rested not we made a big difin the hands of a college ference over there,” acceptance letter, omza of Jason H Courtesy said Homza. but in the United According to States Marine Homza, the base in Corps. Iraq was a group of Homza, now a old buildings in the sophomore earth middle of Haditha, and environmenwhich they took tal science major at over, fortified, and Wilkes, decided to called home for seven join the Marines in months. The soldiers 2003 because of his also spent a lot of time family--his brother away from the base, in was a Marine--and the the town. They would 9/11 attacks. His famstay in a house in the ily was extremely suptown and take turns portive of his decision. guarding the house and After graduating high sleeping at night. school from Wyoming Homza experienced Valley West, Homza, a three roadside bomb attacks during his sevKingston native, began en months in Iraq. boot camp at Parris Is“Thank God I’m in one piece,” Homza land, South Carolina. After finishing with said. boot camp, he received a meritorious proHe was in the Marines for a total of four motion from Private to First Class. years, and his contract ended in SeptemAfter boot camp Homza continued onto ber of 2007. He then enrolled at Wilkes for the school of Infantry in North Carolina spring 2008. and left there with another meritorious He is currently a sophomore at Wilkes. promotion from First Class to Lance CorHomza is an earth and environmental sciporal. The role of a Marine who is Private, ence major working on a secondary educaFirst Class, or Lance Corporal is to train Courtesy of Jason Homza tion minor. After graduating from Wilkes, in their Military Occupational Specialty Homza hopes to get a job teaching high (MOS), study leadership, and take on assignments. Homza’s MOS was an Infantry Top Left: Homza patrolling the streets in Iraq. Top Right: Homza checking the IDs of school science. “I always enjoyed science in school; it Assault Man. Corporals’ and Sergeants’ some of the men to make sure their names aren’t on the Marines’ watch list. Bottom: was my favorite subject. So when I decided main job is to lead junior Marines to en- Homza on in full uniform, taking a rest while on duty in Iraq. that I wanted to pursue a teaching career, sure missions are accomplished. Noncomtinued onto Hawaii for a few months. After choosing science was a no brainer,” said missioned Officers (NCO’s) are the first the next rank early, Homza explained. “If you’re basically at the top of what leaving Hawaii, Homza was deployed to Homza. line of leadership contingent in the Marine you’re doing you get promoted before you Iraq for seven months on a combat tour. Corps. “You’ll hear a lot of people do a year or a To move up a rank, Homza had to earn should; it was already less than a year, and I for more information check out... points based on different categories like had gone through three ranks,” said Homza. year and a half, and it’s a non-combat tour,” Iwilkesbeacon.com I shooting ability, fitness test scores, knowl- He has received a badge for being an expert said Homza. edge, staying at the rank a soldier is in for a defined minimum period of time, among other requirements. Homza was in the highest bracket of fitness scores. A Marine can also be promoted meritoriously, which means being promoted before reaching the minimum time at the rank. It is a promotion based on merit, where Marines excel at one rank and are moved up to m:lJ �LIFESTYLES 10 Student of the Week: Megan Dickinson BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Megan Dickinson is Wilkes University’s junior class president. Dickinson, a 20year-old nursing major, wasn’t involved in much during her senior year of high school, so when she came to Wilkes, she was bound and determined to join some type of extracurricular activity. Along with being the president of the junior class, Dickinson is president of the Nursing Student Organization (NSO) and a student ambassador. She also tutors nursing students and is on the Committee for Curriculum. “Coming in my freshmen year, I met so many people who were older than me and were on Student Government that kept telling me ‘get involved and do what you can to stay busy, it keeps you on task,’” said Dickinson. Because of Dickinson’s involvement in the Wilkes community, she is The Beacon’s Student of the Week. The Beacon: Where do you see yourself in ten years? SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Club Dav attracts old and new clubs Dickinson: When I graduate I’ll have my Bachelors of Science and Nursing and then I wanted to spend two years in Hawaii, live out there and travel out there. The Beacon: Describe yourself in Photo courtesy of Megan Dickinson three words. Dickinson: Determined, Stubborn and Enthusiastic The Beacon: Finish the sentence, “My friends would be surprised to know that…” Dickinson: I feel like a lot of people see me as this person who does nursing and does Student Government, and does well in classes but...I still get overwhelmed just like any nursing student does and I ask for help. I have no problem coming to a tutor, even though I am a tutor; some people don’t see that about other people. The Beacon/Tom Reilly for more information check out... Iwilkesbeacon.com Students stand at a table for Wilkes’ radio station, WCLH, at Club Day on Thursday, September 17. WCLH is just one of the many clubs that showcased themselves at Club Day. Club Day was held in Marts Gymnasium and featured information tables, music, and food for students, staff, and faculty. 53 PIJhUC 5 qlJare 829-6q.q.q Do\fNto\fN Cot.Le3e _speetaLS ALeoHOL SPEeIALS PO~ 21+ UIE 1.0. 511Nd3! MoNd3! Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 7-9 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Pr•ce Appetizers ½ Pr•ce Paz.za r11eSda~ DJ OOHWee Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts ½ Pr•ce Appetizers COL.Le3e N•3Ht No caver YI I CoU.e3e ID THIJl'Sda~ ~attlrda~ Live Entertainment Live Entertainment Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts Happy Hour 10-12 $1.50 Well Mixers $1.50 Domestic Drafts $2.50 Import Drafts $l5L1ces dlJl'IN3 Napp~ Notll' $l 5L1ceS llpM-laM COMe cHecK O(Jt \YHat·s Ne'I' aNd E]<ctt•NS at R0 daN°'S CaLL to bOOK otrr pr•\fate fOOM For 3N~ ct ass e\f eNtS Or Soeiat. 3atHef 1N8 �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 College Days: Merryman goes from Beatle-maniac to Swahili speaker Editors note: This article is a continuation of a series that serves to connect the members of the Wilkes University community to one another through shared experiences of college life. Twenty-five years worth of correspondence sits in Dr. James L. Merryman’s home. These letters are from his mother, who wrote to him every week while he lived in Kenya. Africa was a far cry from Merryman’s roots in the small, small town of Shickley, Nebraska where his life was planned out before it ever really started. “I grew up in Shickley. It was a town of 400. A whopping 400,” recalls Merryman. This “big, little town,” as the sign in front of the community building proclaims, carried James Merryman through its straight and narrow roads until his graduation from high school in 1962. Merryman’s graduating class, which was comprised of a mere 19 students, was “one of the big ones.” While many of his friends traveled to the University of Nebraska, a young and complacent Merryman took his path to Nebraska Wesleyan University. “Some of my friends went off to the University of Nebraska, which had about 20,000 students and got chewed up and spat out,” said Merryman. “I went to the smaller school. But even going to the smaller school was a dramatic, dramatic change.” Merryman’s college career was wedged between what he refers to as “the bookends” of a cultural time period. With the 60’s in full swing, Merryman entered the college atmosphere just a few short months after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the March on Washington. This is the first bookend. “It was an exciting time. Coming from that part of Nebraska, we didn’t have a lot of ethnic minorities. So, having this consciousness and awareness of what was going on outside, it was so dramatically different,” remembered Merryman. With a little help from Bob Dylan, Merryman believes this period set the stage for “times [that were] a changin.” The cultural shift happening around Merryman and his fellow classmates kept “changin’” when two months into the first semester, President John Kennedy was shot. “Oh my gosh! Talk about being knocked off your feet and obliterated. There was nothing like that in my lifetime. I hadn’t seen World War II or the Depression or anything immediate and dramatic. It was a very heavy time,” stated Merryman. This “era of sadness,” as Merryman described it, shrouded his initial college experience. The heaviness of the times was offset, however, with one very important, positive thing: The Beatles. “In February of ’64, The Beatles appeared on ‘Ed Sullivan’. These were my benchmarks. I became this Beatlemaniac. You wouldn’t know it now, but I had this crew cut…I had that Beatle haircut,” said Merryman with a chuckle. or ‘my parents expect me to…’” Merryman quickly found himself in the racial minority while at Lane College, a primarily black school, at a time when persecution was still alive and well. He did not hesitate, however, to stand beside his fellow Jackson classmates, singing “We Shall Overcome” and joining the NAACP. “We still automatically went to the balcony at the movie theater. It was no prob- Photo courtesy of James Merryman Dr. Merryman sits in a Kenyan jungle with a gorilla during one of his stints in the Peace Corps. Merryman became interested in anthropology while traveling and working with the Peace Corps. The freshmen class of ’63 was brought back into reality with the rising of civil rights, protests, and the onslaught of Vietnam. Through the tangle of his first two years at college, Merryman began to take “notice of the courage and bravery of others” who used their college experience to further not just their education, but themselves as people. “I was still in this naive and provincial stage. I was astounded at those who made decisions because they wanted to and not because their parents said it was okay,” said Merryman. Merryman made one of those decisions himself by his sophomore year. He applied to be part of an exchange between Nebraska Wesleyan University and Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. “The two presidents of each college had gone to school together and gotten together at a reunion, where they came up with this idea for an exchange,” stated Merryman. “This was very significant, because it was one of the first things I did of my own choosing, as opposed to ‘I think I should…’ lem me going with them, but they could not sit downstairs. It was the same with certain restaurants,” recalled Merryman. His time at Lane College gave Merryman a firsthand education and experience on the “ cultural happenings of the time. His taste for other perspectives and goal of gaining a better cultural awareness only grew stronger the day the Peace Corps recruiter came to Lane College. Knowing he wanted more than just a “slice of the American pie,” Merryman took it upon himself to spend quality time with the Peace Corps recruiter. Merryman took the exam and applied for the Peace Corps and within months, he was invited to join and work in Kenya. “Coming from that little farm boy, the forces of history were carrying me along for this ride,” said Merryman. Trekking to Kenya and helping impoverished countries create systems of regulation would not come for Merryman until after he graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He needed to finish school before he could travel around the world to gain an even larger cultural education. The Peace Corps became Merryman’s second bookend, closing the gap on his undergraduate college career. He would then travel to Kenya and back to the United States to enroll in the Master’s program in anthropology at Binghamton University. Without his cultural and personal education while in school and while traveling the world, Merryman may never have made it out of that “little big town” of Shickley, Nebraska. “I always thought I would get those education credits and teach high school in a tiny little town no more than an hour from my family. That was my script,” said Merryman. Using the bookends of his life for structural support, Merryman rewrote his script and filled his entire bookshelf with his personal college story. In his own words, Merryman gets senioritis: The summer before my senior year, I had all this language training before leaving for Kenya. I had all this training in Swahili, and I came back to my school for third year French. Not paying attention, the professor is talking to me in French, and I am responding in Swahili. He is saying ‘Have you ever had French before in your life?’ and I said ‘Well, yeah I just have to think about it a little.’ Afterwards, the professor decided to give me a stack of French plays to read and then give me a ‘critique en francais’ to see if I could stay in the class. I thought, ‘I’m a senior. I have to graduate!’ I went back to my room and pulled from whatever classes I could to create a minor in philosophy. I was a senior; I had to graduate! “ BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Lifestyles Editor �CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu “Movies on the Greenway”-p. 13 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Demetri Martin scheduled to crack up Wilkes Sept. 25 BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor Beacon Archives / Jenna Stephens This Friday, September 25, students will be entertained with the comical and artistic stylings of Demetri Martin in Wilkes University’s Marts Gym. Martin, a former New York University law school student, has been climbing the comedy ladder. Now seriously pursuing a comedy career, he’s come out with a stand-up CD/DVD release titled “These Are Jokes,” and has since been featured on various TV shows, such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Martin was also a staff writer for the show, Late Night with Conan O’ Brien and in 2007 he came out with his own one-hour special on Comedy Central titled, “Demetri Martin. Person.” Martin is currently starring in Ang Lee’s latest film, Taking Woodstock, which is in theaters now. Most people know him from his new TV show, Important Things with Demetri Martin, on Comedy Central. The show first premiered earlier this year in February and has been a hit ever since. This show allows Martin to explore many of life’s most amusing topics and elaborate on them in his own way. “Each episode focuses on a single topic through the prism of Demetri’s unique point of view, whether it’s apples or the afterlife,” said the official website for the show, http:// www.comedycentral.com/shows/important_things/index.jhtml. Erin Sweet, president of the Programming Board, said that deciding to book Martin was easy. Last year, students were mentioning his name and requesting him. And, as the event nears, student ticket sales are up, and students all over campus have been talking about it with anticipation. As of right now, about 425 tickets have been sold so far. Sweet predicts sales to rise dramatically a day or two before the event. They are expecting 1,000-1,500 tickets to be sold altogether. Student Government allocates $175,000 to the Programming Board,, which is then is split in half for the fall and spring semesters. In other words, they have $87,500 to please the student body per semester. Since it had been three years for a comedian of Martin’s scale, Martin was affordable. Lewis Black was the last big-time comedian that was presented at Wilkes. Voted one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly, Martin is a highly anticipated performer. Tickets are still available at the Henry Student Center information desk and will also be sold at the door the night of the show. Student tickets are $15 each, with a maximum of two tickets per ID. Tickets for the general public are $25 each. The doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 8:00 p.m. “It’s the first event that I actually want to go to. It’s the best event that they’ve hosted since I’ve been here,” said junior Matthew Duffy, 20, a history and secondary education major. Martin could not be reached for comment on this event. Photo courtesy of Jahmitza Perez Mandy Petrosky , a senior integrated media major, takes a break from schoolwork to enjoy comedic relief from Demetri Martin by watching his clips online and is anticipating his performance this Friday. Last week's winner of $50 Barnes&:Noble giftcard: Rachel Nardone sn't like I.Tee Stuffii y-Givea: ·ay1 . . . ... .....11...... Enter for a Chance to Win... BOWLING FOR 8 pizza, soda, and shoe rental included (Value $79.50) Sponsored by: NOl Find the mystery word online at www.wilkesbeacon.com. HINT: It will be attached to the sponsor's logo! **Drop forms off at The Beacon office in Conyngham Hall by Friday at noon.** The winner will be announced in next week's issue. NAME: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ EMAIL: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Tom Reilly MYSTERY WORD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 13 Greenway provides big screen fun this Thursday BY BRIE FRIEDMAN A&E Editor The greenway will be more than just a field for frisbee, a game of catch or football this Thursday, September 24. Inter-Residence Hall Council (IRHC) and the Commuter Council (CC) are hosting “Movies on the Greenway” at 9 p.m., showcasing the movie “Transformers.” Movie snacks will be available to create a more theater-like environment. Since popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy will be offered to students, no one has to worry about hauling treats. “Movies on the Greenway” has been in the works for a while now, but putting together an event like this isn’t as simple as everyone might think. A “blanket license” is required in order to present movies to a large group. When a consumer purchases a movie, copyrights allow that consumer to watch it with their immediate family members. It is illegal to showcase a DVD film to a large group--an unknown fact to many people. The Federal Copyright Act, Title 17 of the U.S. Code, oversees motion pictures and how they are used or potentially abused. According to Movie Licensing USA, “Neither the rental nor the purchase of a movie carries with it the right to show the movie publicly outside the home, unless the site where the movie is used is properly licensed for public exhibition. Ownership of the movie and the right to use it publicly are two separate issues. The copyright holder retains exclusive public performance rights.” Christina D’Ippolito, president of IRHC, said that this is one of the club’s bigger events for the fall. It is a trial run to see how many students will attend. If it is an impressive turnout, there is potential to purchase the necessary blanket license for future showings. But D’Ippolito said they will decide about future licenses--which are costly to obtain-- after they evaluate Thurdsay evening’s turnout. D’Ippolito did not wish to comment on the cost of the blanket license. IRHC was, however, able to purchase a one-time only movie license for Thursday evening, which cost $396. THE COLONEL SEARCH BY MICHELE FLANNERY Business Manager C 0 L I p 0 N M A 0 T L A E E K D A C y s I F F-1! !IJ B B T F 0 A G V F 0 R R D C V R H F 0 0 I( L 0 s y lrl fi,,I 0 0 A A G IO J e IFI L. 0 A p 0 V y I V s F C T V J s 1H 5 J I R. y 0 C I<; JI s V D V GI I< 0 B IF M 0 JI V C I NI D A J s V s G 0 F R A IF Ii< w IU l'f,,I s .A D L N F A s A G V C w w IL s D t< E 0 Ml V s T II A D V A N s H A L B 1/3 0 0 0 B ,JI V G A H F 0 s l!J A s V K R C A E M E C P' 0 M Ft 0 'y Ii'( ·G R IM V N E K B G 0 G A s s I.. z 0 R: p. D 1i K E A B Q A V K F IFI V ID u A J C s K I WORD$; CO l!..ONEL EVAN S HALL K IRBY su . I ·O IF SSO , , ARLEY V\!E/Cl<l SSER S IIF IE HOM COMING IDOR:M IJ N !DIPLOMA F,:IR,G'R AOUATF.: H “I think it’s a great idea because it’s a smart combination of students, entertainment, and enjoying the Greenway together in an unconventional way,” said senior Adam Szumski, 21, political science major. If students want “Movies on the Greenway” to be a recurring event, they’ll need to show their support for it by turning out Thursday night. If the event is a success, future licences may be purchased for similar outdoor or indoor events in the coming months. If you plan to attend the premiere of “Movies on the Greenway,” bring a blanket, along with a group of friends, and enjoy Shia LaBeouf and co-star Megan Fox on the big screen. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions, the movie will be moved into Breiseth 107. The Beacon/Tom Reilly This Thursday, the Greenway will be used for the big screen. Do you think “Movies on the Greenway,” is a great idea? Let us know what you think by commenting on our site. for more information check out ... ._Iw_i_lk_e_s_b_e_a_c_o_n_._c_o_m _ _ __.l m:zJ �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Square met city’s Artist Spotlight: Dealer in Wares Rocking Wilkes-Barre one show at a time expectations BY: KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor Dealer in Wares is a musical group of two local young adults--Sarah Yzkanin and Noa Spott--who enjoy rocking out and impressing crowds that come to see them play. Yzkanin is a human development and family studies student at Penn State University, Worthington Scranton campus and Spott is a Scranton High School senior. Yzkanin, 19, agreed to sit down for a Q&A session earlier this week to tell The Beacon a little more about Dealer in Wares. The Beacon: How did you become Dealer in Wares? Did you know each other before or was it by pure luck? Yzkanin: I founded Dealer in Wares in February of 2007. Noa and I met through a mutual friend. He had been involved in different musical projects that didn’t develop into anything and he happened to be looking for a band when I was looking for a bassist. We got together and hit it off so well that he was offered a position in the band in January of 2009. As things continued to develop, Noa moved into a partnership role with me and became a co-writer and our lead guitarist. We use various back up musicians for our live performances. The Beacon/Tom Reilly About 1,500 students attended Party on the Square this past Wed., a new record for the City. Wilkes students had the most attendance with 713 colonels, “the most students from one campus in the history of the event,” said Bridget Giunta. The Beacon: How would you describe the genre of music that you perform? Yzkanin: Our music is rock, plain and simple. The Beacon: What’s the craziest experience you have ever encountered while performing? Yzkanin: We won a spot performing at the Dewey Beach Music Conference in the summer of 2008. We were scheduled to play on the deck of the Rusty Rudder. Rain was predicted so they covered the area with tents and tarps. A true tropical storm developed with high speed winds and gushes of rain and we were literally playing within feet of the bay. I was petrified that I was going to get electrocuted and die [laughing]. That, or the time we were covering “The Jack” by AC/DC and two girls pulled up a chair and started doing a pretty intense lap dance a few feet in front of me. I had to keep my eyes closed so I didn’t laugh. The Beacon: Who are some of your favorite musicians? Yzkanin: I grew up listening to classic rock. My favorite bands include Free and Bad Company. I also have a huge grunge influence and other favorites include Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Mudhoney and Soundgarden. Noa has a heavy rock influence including Godsmack, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam. The Beacon: Where can our readers see you perform or find out more information about Dealer in Wares? Yzkanin: We are currently cutting way back on our performances because we’re hard at work in the studio on our debut album. The performances were affecting my voice so we needed to focus on recording. You can check out some of our progress at www.dealerinwares. com. Once this album is completed we hope to be back to a full performance schedule. TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Correspondent Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! INGCHZ MJNKM CH N MJNKMUL-JRUH QNH OU SJHU NLLNT JW WJJS CMUIK, QJHKCSULCHZ NFF WJJSK MJNKMUL-JRUH MJNKMK OUQJIU PKCHZ NH MBNM N MJNKMUS! This week’s clues: N=A, U=E Check next week’s issue of The Beacon for the answer! Answer from last week: IF A COLONEL LOSES ITS COOL, IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT THE COLONEL POPPED! Courtesy of Sarah Yzkanin Dealer in Wares performs a show during the summer. Keep an eye out for this breakout group and check their website for the latest news on their debut album set, to be completed in the fall of 2009. You can check out live performances of these talented young musicians on YouTube. Just search Dealer in Wares and enjoy! �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Horror and Humor on “Sorority Row” BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Assistant A&E Editor If you think “Sorority Row” is another typical slasher movie, you’re half right. This movie tries to find the middle ground between terror and gore. Although the movie never seems to fully achieve the middle ground, it’s definitely an entertaining movie with just enough of both to appease both the gore and corny slasher-seeking movie-goers. This movie seems to be another twist on the plot of “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” with the serial killer out to get the college kids. The movie begins with Megan (Audrina Partridge), the victim of a prank which has taken a turn for the worst. Her cheating ex-boyfriend, Garrett (Matt O’Leary), believes that he gave her too many drugs in her drink which caused Megan to appear lifeless. Garrett joins Megan’s sorority sisters on a trip to a secluded location to dispose of her body. However, none of the girls ever think to mention to Garrett that Megan isn’t actually dead and that he’s secretly part of a practical joke to get revenge. To bring on the gore, Garrett impales Megan with a tire iron, killing her. The outspoken “queen” of the bunch, Jessica (Leah Pipes), convinces everyone to throw Megan’s body down a mineshaft and continue on with their lives as if nothing had ever happened. Time passes after Megan’s death. The girls’ college graduation approaches and they still act as though nothing happened before, as if Megan never truly existed, when they’re all together. In reality, it’s eating them alive. Ellie (Rumer Willis) cries in almost every scene that follows, torn over the plan of action to dispose of the body. Claire (Jamie Chung) acts as Jessica’s right-hand woman, but still has very unsettling thoughts about what happened. Cassidy (Briana Evigan) never fully approved of their plans for Megan’s body and holds these regrets inside. Chugs (Margo Harshman) is constantly drinking and taking prescription drugs to alleviate the pain of what they did to her. Soon after their graduation, the killer is unleashed wearing the usual dark cloak, carrying his weapon of choice-this time it’s a tire iron. Pretty creepy, eh? The killing begins, random girls fall victim to the murderer one by one, each death gorier than the previous one. Like most of the recently released slasher movies of the past couple years, this flick has the 4 Bs: boys, booze, blood and boobs. So if this is right up your alley, you should check out the movie. Although, I must admit this movie is slightly different than the rest. Instead of trying to create a box office hit with excessive gore, humor is included to create a much welcomed twist to the usual horror plot and gives the characters depth. The film is actually quite funny when characters add their unique personalities to the plot. Chugs adds much sarcasm to the overall gruesome acts in the movie and Jessica has one-liners that keep the plot on a constant flow. It’s hard to believe, but in this movie, you’ll pick favorite characters and you’ll actually feel sad and upset when they’re killed off. There are several characters who are killed and hold no special purpose. However, you care about the entire group more so than the random deaths that take place throughout the movie. That’s a major difference from all other horror flicks I’ve seen in the past. The movie progresses with death after death, but lacks a convincing plot scheme. There reaches a point in the movie where all you really care about are the deaths and the main characters; the plot becomes somewhat of a blur. If you want to see this movie, leave your desire to understand it at home and just enjoy the film for its real purpose: to scare you and make your stomach churn. Rating: 4 out of 5 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • What’s Happening Around Wilkes-Barre • BY KRISTEN KARPINSKI Friday, September 25, 2009 Monday, September 28, 2009 • Assistant A&E Editor - Demetri Martin @ Wilkes University - David Cook @ The Bloomsburg Fair • Cost: $15 for students (2 tickets per ID) $25 for GA • Cost: $44 (track) or $39 (grandstand) / 7:30 p.m. • Wednesday, September 23, 2009 • Doors open at 7 p.m. - Show starts at 8 p.m. • - Dave Matthews Band @ Toyota Pavilion (Montage Mtn.) - Nepal Underground/Spirit Juice/Poison IV/Gunk Thirst @ Café Tuesday, September 29, 2009 Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre • Cost: $39.50 - $70 – Starts at 7 p.m. - Trace Adkins @ The Bloomsburg Fair • - Polish • Cost: $6 – Starts at 8 p.m. Room presents Alex Storozynski, Pulitzer Prize • Cost: $44 (track) or $39 (grandstand) / 7:30 p.m. • winning journalist and President of the Kosciuszcko Founda- - Phoenix/Drop Veil/Len Spinelli @ Club JAM, Pittston • Cost: $5 – Starts at 9 p.m. in New York City, talking about his new book and doing • tion Coming up next week… - Cabinet/Waterband @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains a book signing - “The Love of the Nightingale” @ Wilkes University • • 6:30-8 p.m. in the Farley Library / Free admission • Cost: $8 – Starts at 8 p.m. • Cost: free to students, faculty and staff • Thursday, September 24, 2009 • $7 students and seniors; $15 general admission September 26, 2009 • Oct. 1-3 – 8 p.m. & Oct. 4 – 2 p.m. • - George Wesley Small Ax Orchestra @ River Street Jazz Saturday, - Josh Turner @ The Bloomsburg Fair - “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare @ King’s College • Cost: $36 (track) & $31 (grandstand) • Café, Plains Theatre • FREE – Starts at 10 p.m. • Starts at 7:30 p.m. • - IRHC’s Movie on the Greenway - Transformers / 9 p.m. - The Silent • Cost: $7 (students/seniors) $5 (GA) Treatment/A Golden Era/This A.M. Static/Amora • Starts at 7:30 p.m. • - Official Back to School Party feat. D Nellz & Tri-State Bliss @ Café Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre Evolution at The Woodlands • Cost: $7 – Starts at 8 p.m. • Family •@18Club or older - Cost: $5 with college ID / 10 p.m. - Ethereal Collapse @ Club JAM, Pittston • • Cost: $5 – Starts at 9 p.m The Woody Brown Project @ River Street Jazz Café, Plains • All Weekend Long • Cost: $8 – Starts at 10 p.m. Don’t Forget... Theatre of Wilkes-Barre • - “Rent”• Fri.@ Little - Up and Coming Comedy @ Scranton Cultural Center *Bowling at Stanton Lanes: 2 games/rental - $0 (with & Sat. - 8 p.m.; Sun. – 3 p.m. • Cost: $11.75 – Starts at 8 p.m. ID) 1 pass per week - Pick up pass at Student Center • • Cost: $18 - Free for students with ID Info Desk - Trails of Terror Halloween Walk @ Wyoming Avenue, • Exeter *Restaurant Gift Card Drawings: $25 value - One enSunday, September 27, 2009 (Sept. 25-Oct. 31) try per week: Enter name at Student Center Info Desk - Miranda Lambert @ The Bloomsburg Fair • - Cost: $5 – Dusk until 11 p.m. • Cost: $36 (track) or $31 (grandstand) / 7:30 p.m. • The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Beacon/Tom Reilly • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • �CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com EDITOR FACE OFF PAGE 18 SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 16 Men’s and Women’s soccer drop tough matchups Teams find themselves under the .500 mark early on BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor WOMEN After creeping back over the .500 mark with a late game-winning goal versus Moravian, the Lady Colonels fell back under after two tough losses last week to Lebanon Valley and Centenary, respectively. Looking to feed of the momentum created the game before, the Lady Colonels’ hosted the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen at Ralston Field for their second home game of the season. But with a chance to improve their record to 4-2, the Lady Colonels were shut out 3-0, the first time they have failed to score a goal all year. Twenty minutes into the contest, Ely Kirkoff notched the first goal of the game with a perfectly aimed direct kick that just sailed by Goalie Brooke Keister. Just before the break, Lebanon Valley would find the back of the net once again. This time it was Stevi Laird who would put the Dutchmen up 2-0. The Colonels came out of the break with fire, but were unable to find the back of the net. In the 87th minute of the game, Dutchmen forward Courtney Catania sealed the deal with her first goal of the game, putting the Dutchmen up for good by a score of 30. Although Wilkes had the same amount of shots on the day with 15, Lebanon Valley made them count with six of theirs coming on goal. “We weren’t playing our game and working towards what we’ve been trying to accomplish in our practices,” said Megan Clementson, a sophomore elementary education major. “Two out of the three goals Lebanon Valley scored were on direct kicks; the game was a lot closer than the score.” After a three day hiatus, the Lady Colonels laced it up again on Saturday to take on the Centenary College Cyclones at Ralston Field. The last time these two teams met was all the way back in 2006, when the Colonels pulled out a 2-0 victory on the same field. The Cyclones played a little role reversal in Saturday’s contest, coming out on top by a score of 2-1. The first half saw a great defensive showing from both teams, as they were only able to muster a combined six shots. With neither team able to find the back of the net, the two teams entered the break deadlocked. The second half was a little different, as the teams combined for 17 shots and three goals. The Cyclones Brittany Overland connected with Sam Vanni twice in the second half, the second putting Centenary up by a score of 2-0. The Colonels would manage to get on the board in the second half when a crossing pass sent in front of the Cyclone goal was inadvertently tipped it into the net by a Cyclones player to make the score 21. “We did some good things in the game,” said junior forward Taryn Hallowell. “But it’s fortunate we have a while before conference games begin because we have a ways to go to get where we want to be.” With the loss, the Lady Colonels fell to 3-4 on the season, but will look to rebound Friday when NYU makes the trek to Edwardsville. The last time these two teams met, NYU pulled out a tough 1-0 win, out shooting the Colonels 22-2. The Beacon/Allison Roth The Lady Colonels lost twice last week, falling to 3-4 on the season. Here, sophomore defender Krista Zawistowski attempts to beat Lebanon Valley’s Meggy McLean. MEN Courtesy of Marketing Communications Wilkes goalkeeper Kaleb Smith attempts to block a shot here. Goals have been hard to come by for the Colonels lately, as they have scored only one the past four games. It’s been a tough start to the season for the men’s soccer team. After jumping out to 2-0 to start the season, the team came into Wednesday’s match up with 18th ranked Dickinson on a three game skid, scoring only one goal over that span. The Colonels were looking to turn their season around, and a win against the 18th ranked team in the country would jolt in their system. Unfortunately, Dickinson’s Thomas Parkinson ended those dreams quickly, as he scored the first goal of the game just six minutes into the game. Thomas would score again at the 63rd minute mark, and was followed by Andreas Israel in the 76th minute to give the Red Devils a 3-0 shutout, Wilkes 3rd scoreless outing in a row. The Colonels were able to manage just four shots on the day compared to Dickinson’s 23. Dickinson improved to 5-0 with the win as Wilkes record dropped to 2-5. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Corey Gilroy, defensive playmaker BY RYAN HOLMES Assistant Sports Editor Meet Corey Gilroy, a 6’1” 185 pound cornerback from Dunmore, Pennsylvania majoring in Elementary Education. The former Dunmore Buck transferred to Wilkes from Fordham University in 2006. Since then he has made quite an impact on the Wilkes University football team. Gilroy has played in 33 games since becoming a Colonel. In that time. he has rounded up 52 unassisted tackles, 38 assisted tackles, eight interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns, and a blocked field goal. Upon discussing his senior season, Gilroy stated that he wanted to end his football career on a good note, culminating with another conference championship. “The interceptions and all the stats are forgotten when the season is over, but to be able to get another championship ring would be a great way to end my career,” said Gilroy. Coming off consecutive seasons where wins were hard to come by for the team, Gilroy believes that this season will continue to be different. He stressed the fact that this year’s team has a certain closeness that he felt when he first become a Colonel in 2006, which happens to be the last year the Colonels took home a conference championship, and feels that is the deciding factor when it comes to their success. So far this season Gilroy has helped the Colonels improve to 2-0 with his playmaking ability. He has started this season off in Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Gilroy is tied for the team lead with two interceptions, returning one 88 yards for a touchdown last week Gilroy also came up with a momentum-shifting field goal block in week one, helping Wilkes notch their first victory of the season over Muhlenburg. spectacular fashion by blocking a momentum changing field goal and intercepting both Muhlenberg and Montclair State’s quarterbacks, stifling both teams’ trips into the redzone. Versus Montclair State he returned the interception 88-yards for a touchdown giving the Colonels a commanding 30-3 lead . “I was just trying to make a play, they [Montclair State] were driving on us and another score for them would have put them back in the game. I felt that if they came my way I had to make a play,” Gil- roy said about his 88-yard interception return for a touchdown. The interception gave the Colonels a 27point lead against a team that they scored a combined 13 points against in the past two meetings. No matter what team they are playing, Gilroy always expects to make the big plays in every game. “Whether it’s making a tackle or getting an interception, I want to do something positive to help this team win,” said Gilroy. He credits himself as being a more ex- QUICK HITS WAKELEY WONDERFUL FOR WILKES The men’s and women’s cross country teams participated in the Misericordia Invitational on Saturday, September 19. The men’s team placed eighth out of the eleven teams participating, while the women came in seventh place. Michelle Wakeley set the pace for all Wilkes Univeristy runners, placing 21st overall at the meet. FIELD HOCKEY FIRED UP The Wilkes field hockey team, ranked 18th in the nation, improved to 6-0 with their 4-0 victory over Marywood University this past Saturday. The Lady Colonels used a pair of goals by the DiSabatino twins, Cassie and Jenna, as well as goals from Jennifer Keegan and Chelsea Minx to send the Pacers back to Marywood. The Lady Colonels return to their home turf today to face Susquehanna at 4p.m. CHAMPIONS COME TO TOWN The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins played an intrasquad scrimmage at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza on Thursday, with the Black team defeating the Gold team 3-2. Superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin skated in the game, but defenseman Alex Goligoski stole the show. Goligoski, a former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin, scored all three goals for the Black team, earning first star honors. Luca Caputi and Mike Rupp scored for the Gold team. The Penguins brought the Stanley Cup to the Arena with them on Thursday, and fans had the opportunity to take pictures with the trophy from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Various artifacts from Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame were also at the Wachovia Arena that day, including three other trophies won by the Penguins. For pictures from the Black & Gold game, visit www.wilkesbeacon.com. emplary leader rather than someone who screams and yells to get the team “pumped up” and ready to play. He goes on the field, tries to make plays, and hopes the rest of the team will feed off him. Even with the early season success against two teams the Colonels have not beaten since 1965 (Muhlenberg) and 1996 (Montclair State), Gilroy remains humbled. However, he is confident that another MAC (Middle Atlantic Conference) championship is in the works this season. “Absolutely,” exclaimed Gilroy. “We have a lot of good teams in this conference and we’re going to be challenged every game, but I think if we stay hungry and play with a chip on our shoulder that we’ll be in position to win the conference come November.” The Colonels next test comes this Saturday when they travel to Newport News, Virginia to take on Christopher Newport, who enter the game 1-1. This will be the final non-conference test for the Colonels, who will be looking to avenge a 21-20 loss on a last second field goal. “Christopher Newport is a very good and experienced team,” said Gilroy. “We are going to be challenged on both sides of the ball and I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond and play coming out of the bye week. If we can leave Virginia with a win and be 3-0 heading into conference play, it will give us the utmost confidence in our abilities to win the MAC.” ~ -~- 'T O · STREET D Ell 1 ocated inside the )i\lIC . N on-~·Iembers W lcomed · for1 th.tu TuutS l 1:00 a.m to .5:00 pm F ·ca. s 11:00 :hn 1~.'o di~OOUnl The Beacon / Alison Kasper Hockey’s most prized possession visited Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, as the Pittsburgh Penguins brought the Stanley Cup to the Wachovia Arena for the Black & Gold Game. ·/ to 4:00 pm Sm.&:at ID F1ee WiFi A ~ bl.e Coming ·s f ;ill ~ ·2 _d •Ng H.o~ �SPORTS 18 SCOREBOARD MEN’S SOCCER Penguins poised for to hoist Stanley Cup for second year in a row 9/13 vs. Lebanon Valley 0-1 L 9/16 vs. Dickinson 0-3 L WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/15 vs. Lebanon Valley 0-3 L 9/19 vs. Centenary 0-2 L VOLLEYBALL 9/16 vs FDU-Florham 1-3 L 9/19 vs. McDaniel 1-3 L 9/19 vs. Muhlenberg 2-3 L FIELD HOCKEY 9/17 vs. Keystone 5-2 W 9/19 vs. Marywood 4-0 W WOMEN’S TENNIS 9/19 vs. Manhattanville 9-0 W MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9/19 Misericordia Invitational 8th Place WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9/19 Misericordia Invitational 7th Place PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 9/17 Scrimmage @ Wachovia Arena Black Team (Sidney Crosby) 3 Gold Team (Evgeni Malkin) 2 WBS PENGUINS 9/19 @ Binghamton Senators 4-2 L SWB YANKEES 9/15 @ Durham 4-1 L 9/16 @ Durham 4-1 L 9/17 vs. Durham 3-2 L (12 Innings) Durham wins Governor’s Cup, 3-0 twil:l:er, @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Sports Editor ANTHONY DORUNDA It’s showdown time. This week we have a very enticing topic that hits home with all Pennsylvania sports fans: who has the best shot as hoisting their respective sports championship trophy for the second straight year? As you can see, Mr. Holmes took the easy route and went the way of the Steel Curtain. That’s like saying Tiger Woods is going to win another Masters Tournament. I think I could take Ben Roethlisberger’s place and the Steelers would still take home the Lombardi Trophy. The real team poised to repeat? Those NHLers down in Pittsburgh. And it’s because of these three words: Crosby and Malkin. Any discussion about whom is the best player in the NHL always involves these two players. Sure, you could argue for Alexander Ovechkin or any other numerous great players. But the fact of the matter is that al- though he may score more goals than anyone on this planet, he just doesn’t make any of his teammates better. If you want to be the best of the best, you have to be able to improve your team, and he just doesn’t do it for me. And last time I checked, scoring the most goals in the league gets you a lot of awards, but not the most important – the Stanley Cup. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, however, not only make everyone around them better, but also make one another untouchable. How are teams to stop the Penguins with Crosby and Malkin on the ice at the same time? Two out of the past three years one of these two has taken home the Art Ross Trophy (the award given to the player who leads the NHL in points during the regular season.) The talent these two have can make opponents look like the District Five peewee team (the pre-Gordon Bombay Mighty Ducks). It’s just not fair. Not to mention that the Pen’s roster is almost identical to the team that hoisted the cup last spring. Crosby and Malkin enjoy a supporting cast with the likes of Jordan Staal, Bill Guerin, Chris Kunitz and Ruslan Fedetenko; while wily vets Sergei Gonchar and Brooks Orpik and future superstar Kris Letang will anchor the blueline. Jordan Staal is often an afterthought, but during last season’s Stanley Cup run, Staal, the second-overall pick from the 2006 entry draft, elevated his play and became one of the team’s most important players. He was constantly matched up against the opposing teams’ top forwards and shut them down game in and game out. With Staal, the Penguins have the three best offensive weapons of any team in the league. Add to that Marc-Andre Fleury, one of the most talked about young goalies in the league. and this team is salivating to be the first team since those Red Wings of 1998 to hold up Lord Stanley’s Cup for the second consecutive year. In all honesty, we may be witnessing the start of a dynasty. We should all just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. (Oh, and order your season tickets to the Console Energy Center, which opens next year, because great teams like this only come around once every few decades.) Steelers set for a seventh Super Bowl fa) RYANI Asst. Sports Editor \IIJ~--~HO~lM~ES Game on Mr. Dorunda! Before you start talking make sure you can back up your words. I get that Crosby and Malkin are pretty dominant on the ice, but if this was poker my full house would definitely beat your pair. Although the Steelers have lost some key players such as Linebacker Larry Foote, Defensive Back Bryant McFadden, and Wide Receiver Nate Washington, they still have the best chance to repeat as champions. To do so they will have to prove that they are still the grueling NFL team that other teams hate to play. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a dominant team for the past few years collecting two of the last four NFL championships, but I believe that this season will bring about a whole new wave of dominance. Returning 20 out of 22 starters along with the players that became part of the team in the off season should help bring the Vince Lombardi trophy back to Pennsylvania once again. The Steelers will have to get past some of the best competition early on in the season to silence the critics such as the people who say they don’t have what it takes to repeat last year’s performance. “Big Ben” Roethlisberger will once again be leading the team to victory this season. Since 2005, Roethlisberger has started in every game the Steelers have played in. His leadership is just one of the many reasons the team has been successful since he was drafted in 2004. Assisting Big Ben in the attack of NFL defenses is Running Back Willie Parker and Wide Receivers Hines Ward (2006 Super Bowl MVP) and Santonio Holmes (2009 Super Bowl MVP). This version of the “fab four” have been frustrating defenses for years and there are no signs pointing to them letting up anytime soon. Just when you think the frustration has WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? stopped, the defense, led by 5’10 207 pound all-pro Strong Safety Troy Polamalu, takes the field. The University of Southern California graduate has been a quarterback’s worst nightmare for the past few seasons. Currently, Polamalu is out for three to six weeks due to injury, but remember he was named All-pro in 2005 and 2008 as well as being selected to the past five Pro Bowls, so expect him to come back even stronger than he was before. Lets not forget that last second touchdown from Big Ben to Holmes (no relation) in last years Super Bowl. The Steelers play until the clock has all zeros. They are finishers and that’s what it takes to be a champion; finishing every play as if it were your last. Finding a way to win and winning in close games is what they do. They already got a ring for the other hand, so what’s one more. Bottom line is that five impact players are better than two. Sorry Mr. Dorunda. So put away your Penguins jersey and get out your “Terrible Towel.” for more informatio n c h eck out .. . Iwilkesbeacon.com ICE We asked our readers the same question that we debated and posted their responses in a video on The Beacon’s website. Log on to see which Pennsylvania team your classmates think will repeat its championship. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 19 Postseason Preview: The battle for the Cy Young Award As season winds down, Cy Young races heat up BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Sports Editor & DAN KAUTZ Managing Editor AMERICAN lEAGUE With the baseball season winding down and teams still making that final playoff push, there are still major awards questions that need to be answered, most notably the American League (AL) Cy Young. Because of space limitations, I narrowed my short list to two players: the Mariners’ Felix Hernandez, and the Royals’ Zack Greinke. My dark horse in the race is Felix Hernandez. “King Felix” has quietly put together a dominant season, albeit a quiet one. Playing for the Mariners, a west coast team that is only on at 10 o’clock on the east coast, he doesn’t get much pub. Put him in the Yankees rotation with the season he has put together this year, and we may not be having much of a discussion about who would win the award. Let the numbers speak for themselves: Hernandez ranks fourth in the league with 16 wins and is second in the American League with a stellar 2.52 ERA, trailing only Greinke. Hernandez has allowed just one or zero runs in a whopping 16 starts this season, and leads the majors with a .608 OPS (Opponents On-base Plus Slugging Percentage). Hernandez also leads all American League starters with 25 quality starts and has the lowest opponent’s batting average (.228). He is also the only pitcher to rank in the top five in the AL in each of the three pitching “Triple Crown” categories (wins, ERA, and K’s). If King Felix can win his last few games (against the Blue Jays and the A’s) this could be the 23-year-old’s award for the keeping. But as much of a fight as King Felix has put up, no one player deserves the award more than Zack Greinke. For starters, Greinke plays for the Royals, who give him as much run support as my tee-ball team would have given him. (Although my tee-ball team was nasty, if there was a tee-ball world series, I assure you we would have participated.) Quick, name me another player for the Royals… and no, George Brett retired in 1993, he does not still play. It’s a fact, though. This season, Greinke has gone at least six innings and given up two earned runs or less and finished with either a loss or a no-decision a staggering nine times. He has left the game with a lead on four occasions in which the bullpen blew those opportunities. Simply put, Greinke could realistically be sitting atop the AL with a record of 23-5. Think there would be any argument as to who should win the award if that was the case?No. This is why there should be no argument now. All of the other contenders for the award get to play the Royals, something Greinke doesn’t have the pleasure of doing. If Greinke got to play his own team, imagine the numbers he could put up. Greinke has been nearly unhittable all year long. He leads all of baseball with a 2.14 ERA, which would be below two had you taken out his month of June. In his 15 starts in which the Royals have won, he has a 1.05 ERA. He also ranks second in the AL in strikeouts with 224, second in complete games with six, leads the majors with three complete game shutouts, and is second to only King Felix in quality starts, with 24. He’s also had four starts where he has allowed zero runs and had eight or more strikeouts, and he struck out 15 batters versus the Cleveland Indians--a feat only he and Tim Lincecum have done over the past two years. That, my friends, is a Cy Young winner. And why Zack Greinke will be the 2009 AL Cy Young award winner. And really, it isn’t even a contest. spect is meant to Johnson or Vazquez, who have pitched tremendously well for decidedly mediocre teams, or the tandem from St. Louis, who have combined to give the Cardinals a rather intimidating postseason presence. Haren has been tragically forgotten about in talks concerning the race, most likely because he’s had the misfortune of being on a cellar-dweller the entire season. If you’re a die-hard baseball fan, look up his numbers- they’re somewhat staggering. And almost as good as Lincecum’s. But it is Lincecum who meets the criteria of what almost everyone looks for in either a Cy Young or MVP candidate: a player who puts up remarkable statistics and is on a team in contention for the postseason. Is it sad that the Diamondbacks’ predicament in the standings will most likely have an adverse effect on Haren’s chances at winning the award? Of course. Had he actually performed better than Lincecum this season, there would be a real cry of outrage. However, it is hard to build a case against Lincecum. Consider: his 2.30 ERA is not just the best in the National League, but is second best in the game behind Zack Greinke (who might just be the best pitcher alive as of this moment). He leads the league in strikeouts by 28 and is third in WHIP- by .09 points behind Haren. And although he and Haren are nearly neck-and-neck in innings pitched (207.1 to 209.1 as of this writing), Lincecum has given up 14 less homeruns. Advocates of Haren can point to his 6.25:1 K:BB ratio and claim true dominance, but Lincecum’s 4:1 ratio is nothing to sneeze at either (and his .5 edge in ERA make him the clear candidate in my eyes). Factor in his impact on San Francisco’s wild card push this season, and you have the pitcher who will probably walk away with the Cy Young come season’s end. NATIONAl lEAGUE While the Senior Circuit boasts a tighter race than the American League this season in terms of Cy Young competitors, I find it hard to believe that people are having a difficult time in deciding who’s deserving of the hardware. There were many pitchers who had fantastic seasons this year in the NL, several of whom played on wretched teams: Josh Johnson (15-4, 3.01 ERA, 1.12 WHIP), Javier Vasquez (13-9, 3.01, 1.05), Chris Carpenter (16-4, 2.45, 1.00), Adam Wainwright (18-8, 2.59, 1.21), Johan Santana (13-9, 3.13, 1.21 pre-injury), and Dan Haren (14-8, 2.79, 0.95), to name a few. The most deserving pitcher is not amongst that group, however; indeed, Tim Lincecum is in a class by himself. The defending Cy Young winner, deemed “The Freak” by Sports Illustrated for his ability to get incredible results out of his 5’ 11”, 160 lb. frame, has had a truly remarkable season for the Giants. No disre- Gifts * Glass Art * T- shirts * Incense * Tapestries * Innova Disc Golf * Body Jewelry * and more ••• 15I 0~ ,o OFF ..,_,_.,,.... r:1 . with this coupon Pine Mall, 695 Kidder St. • Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.270.4252 �SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 SPORTS 20 Wilkes volleyball bedeviled in loss to FDU-Florham During tremendous start, Lady Colonels’ biggest enemy is themselves BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Assistant Sports Editor Right now, there’s only one team that can beat the Lady Colonels volleyball squad. It’s a group of 11 girls that the Wilkes team knows well. The Lady Colonels are off to one of their best starts in school history, winning of their first 11 games and taking home the titles at the King’s College and Scranton tournaments. The team’s victory in the King’s College tournament marked the first time that the host team did not win the event. By comparison, the team won 12 games in each of the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The Lady Colonels’ only two losses during their sensational start came at the hands of Scranton on September 12 and FDUFlorham on Wednesday night at the Marts Center. Both of the Lady Colonels’ defeats were in games that they could have very easily won. During Wednesday’s match, they held a commanding lead in the opening game of the best-of-five contest, but ultimately lost to the Devils 26-24. “We definitely did beat ourselves that time. We were up by five points. I don’t know how it happened,” said junior libero Allie Kelleher. After dropping the opening game, the Lady Colonels had to play from behind. It’s something that they’ve grown accustomed to, but couldn’t turn the momentum in their favor against FDU-Florham. Wilkes dropped two of the final three games, ultimately losing the match 3-1. “A lot of times we start off from behind. I don’t know why we do it,” Kelleher said. “We usually prevail through it and just continue to work harder…we definitely should have had that win tonight. I don’t know what we did that first game, I really don’t.” Kelleher explained that the team’s loss to Scranton, a 3-2 defeat, had a similar storyline. “One of the games we lost 26-24. We’re right there with all the teams, it just seems to be that we can’t put some of these games away,” she said. “That’s one of things we’re going to focus on in practice.” Wednesday’s game marked the beginning of conference play for the Lady Colonels. EXCLUSIVE Visit our website to see original videos, slideshows, and pictures you won’t find in the print edition. 8 Consecutive wins the Lady Colonels volleyball team posted to open the 2009 season. Last year, the team won just 12 of their 32 games. 2 The Beacon / Tom Reilly Members of the Wilkes Univeristy women’s volleyball team huddle during a time out in the fourth game of their match versus FDU-Florham on Wednesday at the Marts Center. The Lady Colonels lost the game 25-17 and the match 3-1, which dropped their conference record to 0-1 on the year. Wilkes visits Manhattanville tonight. As they inch closer to what they hope will be their second consecutive playoff appearance, they know that wins aren’t going to come any easier. “Conference games are obviously a little bit more intense, a lot more emotion,” said first-year head coach Lisa Rizzo. “At practice we try and focus on staying level headed and knowing how important a conference match-up is, but also just playing our game and focusing on the people we have on our side of the court.” The Lady Colonels did not experience a significant turnover in their roster during the offseason, losing only one of last year’s starters. But even though the majority of the team is back, they aren’t the same players they were during last season. “Last year they got a taste of the playoffs – what it’s like to win and what it’s like to make the playoffs. They just brought that this year and they’re ready to go from the start,” Rizzo said. “We’ve been working really, really hard in practice. We’ve been buckling down and it’s really paying off,” Kelleher said. “Everything we do is for the game, and we push through practices to make sure we get better as a team.” The Lady Colonels have plenty of motivation to work hard, as preseason polls picked them to finish fifth in the Freedom Conference. Kelleher explained that the team was insulted by the seeding, especially because they were placed behind King’s College. “We don’t like that at all,” Kelleher said. “We want to finish top three.” However, the only way the Lady Colonels will be able to achieve that goal is to win their conference games. So far, Wilkes hasn’t won any, but they will have a chance to change that when they visit Manhattanville tonight, September 22. “Our conference games are huge to us. [Wednesday’s] loss was not good at all,” Kelleher said. “It definitely puts a fire under our butts.” for more information check out ... mm l_w_1_·1_k_e_sb_e_a_c_o_n_.c_o_m _ _ _l Players named to the all-tournament team for their play during the King’s College tournament. Allie Kelleher and Marissa Harrison took home the honors for Wilkes. 1 Starter from last year’s volleyball team that did not return this season. Pharmacy major Katherine Harrington finished her NCAA eligibility, but everyone else is back. 0 Times the host team did not win the King’s College tournament, prior to the Lady Colonels winning the championship this year. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 September 22nd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 September 22 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/e127eb7570390768874def539aeee03a.pdf 695edb741f990ad11ad0057beb20dba5 PDF Text Text COLLEGE DAYS: 2009 Downtown Collegetown PartY on the Square Dean Barbara King Lifestyles I Page 9 A&E I PAGE12 The I SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 62 Issue 1 University institutes H1N1 policy on campus ‘Selectively-held’ positions now open BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor The H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the swine flu, returned to national consciousness this month as students all across the country headed back to school. In an effort to prevent the spead of the virus, Wilkes University has instituted its own policy regarding pandemic influenza. If a student has flu-like symptoms, he or she is strongly urged to leave the campus and return home. Students who believe they are experiencing flu-like symptoms should notify Diane O’Brien, director of Health and Wellness Services, so that they can be tested for the H1N1 virus. Students returning to campus after flu-like symptoms are also asked to contact Health and Wellness Services. Professors will also be notified on the status of the student’s health via communication with Health and Wellness Services. If a student cannot make arrangements to go home, the university has reserved Ross See H1N1 page 2 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor The Beacon/Tom Reilly The Beacon/Tom Reilly Hand sanitizers will be installed around campus on September 16 to encourage hand washing. Lisa Zelinski, a Wilkes graduate student, uses one of the newlyinstalled hand sanitizers in the Health and Wellness Service Center. Health and Wellness Services is on the first floor of Passan Hall. Students can go to Health and Wellness Services to get tested for H1N1. Wilkes should recieve the vaccine for the H1N1 virus in midOctober. many years. Last school year, University College asked the ASC to formally consider making this alteration. “On the committee, we’ve identified the fact that [midterm] grades are often posted at the very end of the seventh week. Students aren’t necessarily getting their midterm grades, or at least they aren’t accessing them, until earlier into the eighth week. There is a very short turn around time for students who are doing poorly in their midterm grade reports to make a thoughtful and critically informed academic decision about continuing or not in a given course…” Hamill said. He added, “A three day window isn’t sufficient for a student to make that decision.” After speaking with representatives from University College and Financial Aid, the ASC presented the topic to the entire faculty this past May. Faculty members voted in favor of the extension. “Lengthening the withdraw period from Students gain additional two weeks to drop classes BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Editor-in-Chief Last spring, faculty members at Wilkes University voted in favor of extending the period of time in which students are able to drop classes for academic reasons. This fall, students have ten rather than eight weeks to withdraw from courses. According to Dr. Thomas Hamill, chair of the Academic Standards Committee (ASC), this topic has been one of discussion for ONTHEWEB www.wilkesbeacon.com beaconarchives. wilkes.edu INDEX News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6-8 See DROP CLASS page 3 Lifestyles ....... 9-11 A&E ............ 12-15 Sports .......... 16-20 Last year’s hiring freeze on all non-essential staff positions has been lifted as a result of the University’s current financial stability. Petra Carver, vice president of finance, explained that once the President’s cabinet became aware of the budget situation last year, the University selectively held back on filling certain non-essential positions. This was decided on a case-by-case basis. There was no freeze, however, on hiring for faculty positions. “Last year, we selectively held some positions open, but all will be filled this year,” said President Tim Gilmour. At present, thirteen positions are open and will not close until the positions are filled. Of these positions, two are faculty and eleven are staff. “It’s hard for me to say that a hiring freeze was lifted, because in my mind, we always used the same process to evaluate whether or not to fill a position. If it was deemed by the hiring manager and ultimately through the President’s Cabinet that it was necessary to back fill that position, we did,” said Joseph Housenick, director of human resources. Carver also stated that it is easy to become confused with the terms because there are many ways to explain the hiring freeze on See POSITIONS page 5 Established 1936 w· > · > PA Newspaper · .· ·· · Association Member . . ·. ·· �Update on NEWS building NEWS I PAGE 4 H1N1 from FRONT PAGE Hall for any student that has flulike symptoms. Students will be provided with food and drink, as well as medical and public safety’s attention. Students that have the H1N1 virus will be discouraged from going to public places on campus. “The H1N1 flu is most prevalent in the Midwest and Southeast, but I don’t think there’s any doubt that it’s heading in our direction,” said Paul Adams, vice president of Student Affairs. Wilkes University has not seen any cases of the H1N1 virus. As of Friday, September 11, there are 41 confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Luzerne County. In Pennsylvania, there have been 2,128 confirmed cases, 50 probable cases and 10 deaths due to the H1N1 virus according to the PA Department of Health’s running tally. According to recommendations from the Federal Government, should the University experience a 20% rate of absenteeism as a result of the the virus, a preemptive shut-down of the University will be considered, said Adams. “The flu is just so much different than a cold,” said Diane O’Brien. In order to decrease the chances of getting the H1N1 virus, students should be very cautious about sharing drinks or cigarettes, and students also should wash their hands frequently. H1N1 is spread through droplets that cause the flu to go from one person to another explained O’Brien. Hand sanitizers will be placed around campus on September 16. O’Brien said that college-aged people, as well as those with chronic illnesses and children, are the groups that are most at risk for the H1N1 virus. The H1N1 vaccine is being distributed from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The PA Department of Health governs when the vaccine arrives and how much of the vaccine is delivered to Wilkes University. The vaccine, which is administered in a two- The Beacon/Tom Reilly An example of H1N1 literature being provided for students. BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu CONTACT INFORMATION: jacqueline.lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 shot series spread three weeks apart, is expected to arrive mid-tolate October. The PA Department of Health has not made mention of the cost of the vaccine. O’Brien assumed that the vaccine will be free to students, staff, and faculty. The vaccine for the H1N1 virus is strongly recommended by Adams and O’Brien. “I think getting the vaccine is very important because the population that mostly inhabits this campus is about 18 to 24 years old and that’s been designated as one of the groups more vulnerable for the H1N1 virus,” said Adams. Christina Decker, senior nursing major, said she believes the city of Wilkes-Barre also has a great plan of action. “Well, I am [definitely] a bit nervous about the swine flu. But I know the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department is also working with Wilkes in the event that this thing turns ugly,” she said. “The Wilkes-Barre City Health Department is going to have local nursing programs, such as Wilkes, Luzerne County Community College, Misericordia, etc., to come and help out, too.” Long term effects of H1N1 are specific to the person. “The virus typically runs its course, without complication, just like the seasonal flu, but there have been deaths and some really significant problems with organ damage from the H1N1 virus,” said O’Brien. In addition to educating students on how to deal with flu-like symptoms, mailings were sent home to parents with information on H1N1 on September 9 and 10. The seasonal flu vaccine costs $15 and is now available at the Health and Wellness Service Center. 2 Student Government Notes 09-09-09 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor Treasurer’s Report All College: $24,000 Conferences: $10,900 General: $11,000 Leadership: $3,000 Spirit: $2,750 Start-Up: $1,500 Total: $52,050 Club Reports Programming Board: Demetri Martin ticket sales are going as planned. Movie tickets on sale for $3 at the HSC information desk. New Business New hire introductions – Jamie Miller: Activities Assistant of Student Development, Mansfield University Graduate. IRHC Fund Request (Week 2 of 2): Requested $396 for a Movie License for a “Movie on the Greenway” on September 24 at 9 p.m. IRHC is expecting about 500 students to attend. There was a motion to deny IRHC the $396. Motion passed 18-2-0. Student Government Office Door Lock: The lock on the SG office was not sufficient, according to members. Student government discussed two options: (1) get a lock and key system replaced for free or (2) get on the Wilkes University’s card-swipe system for $2,000. Student Government opted for the card-swipe system for $2,000. Motion passed 16-60. Events Open House: September 12 Downtown Collegetown Party on the Square: September 16 Hand Sanitizers: Installed around campus on September 16 Club Day: moved to September 17 *At 7:00 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor of HSC. Editorial Staff 2008-09 Editor-in-Chief: Nicole Frail Lifestyles Editor: LeeAnn Searfoss Managing Editor: Dan Kautz A/E Editor: Brie Friedman Advertising Manager: Michele Flannery Sports Editor: Anthony Dorunda News Editor: Jacqueline Lukas Stephens Photo Editor: Thomas Reilly The Beacon/Jenna Opinion Editor: Matthew Gogas Online Editor: Andrew Seaman Advisor: Lindsey Wotanis Daniel Kautz Managing Editor �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 NEWS University of Scranton enacts armed police force BY RUTH WHISPELL Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor It is well known to those working at the Wilkes University Public Safety Office that the public safety officers (PSO) at the University of Scranton may soon be part of a full-fledged, armed police department. According to The Times-Tribune.com, crime at the university has been escalating, but there are few, if any, restricted trends in the crimes on and around the University of Scranton’s campus. As for Wilkes University becoming a fully armed police department, Gerald Rebo, the manager of public safety at Wilkes said, “No, we will not be getting an armed police force here at Wilkes. The University of Scranton has a lot more problems and crime than we do. Plus, our campus is two blocks away from the Wilkes-Barre police station.” While some may believe that the close support of the Wilkes-Barre police is enough to make them feel safe on campus, other students admit that they would feel safer if they knew the PSOs on campus were armed. “Armed public safety officers might not be a bad idea. I get scared when I’m walking at night and usually only see like one public safety officer. I’m thinking about getting pepper spray,” says Maura Bemosky, a sophomore nursing major. Bemosky added that she likes the fact that if she’s walking home at night she can call public safety and request an escort back to her car. Michele Sabol-Jones and Holly Stull, both PSO at Wilkes, agree that carrying weapons would be a good idea. Stull says she sees a lot of crazy activity working in the Wilkes-Barre area. According to The Lethal Weapons Training Academy Website, PA Act 235 is certification mandatory for all privately employed persons who utilize any type of a lethal weapon in the performance of their work. Although opinions across campus may vary on the topic, Wilkes will not be following in the University of Scranton’s footsteps anytime soon. Wilkes PSOs will remain unarmed. DROP CLASS from FRONT PAGE if they can get themselves back on track. Maybe they can try harder on the next test and get a better grade.” Junior psychology major Pete Polyak agreed. While Polyak noted that he’s never waited the entire eight weeks to drop a course, he understands that the extra time now available to make that decision can be beneficial. Despite the extension to the drop policy, the financial return schedule still remains the same. Students can receive partial refunds for dropped credits up to the seventh week of the semester. If a student drops a course during the eighth week or later, they will not receive a refund. “Students must be thoughtful of their financial situation when making their decision to withdraw from a course,” Hamill said. More information about withdrawing from courses can be found in the 2009-10 handbook. eight to ten weeks gives students an opportunity for more evaluative feedback. Often times a student may have been making a decision to withdraw after only one test grade. The additional two weeks gives students the potential for greater breadth in terms of evaluative material. It also allows students more of an opportunity to gain important feedback from their advisors before making a final decision,” said Mark Allen, dean of students. In addition to speaking with advisors, Hamill added that students also have more time to speak to instructors and family members who may influence the decision. “The more time, the better,” said Stephanie Durk, senior criminology major. “In two weeks, a student may be able to figure out Check out “A day in the life of Wilkes’ Public Saftey Officers” in Lifestyles, page 11. News Briefs 3 STUDY ABROAD INFO SESSION TODAY – The Center for Global Education and Diversity will hold a Study Abroad Information Session Tuesday in the Henry Student Center from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The information session will be hosted by the Global Student Experience or GSE and Global Links Learn Abroad. For more information regarding these programs, visit their websites or contact Dr. Godlove Fonjweng at 408-2065 or via e-mail. Second year LCCC students will also utilize the machine. AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & FIGI TRIP SLATED – Next summer, Dr. James Merryman, professor of anthropology, will take students on a 22-day expedition to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji from July 1-22, 2010. Students can expect to learn about the cultures and traditions of these three destinations. Wilkes students have the option to take the class for credit. “I typically take my students to places they wouldn’t necessarily go on their own,” said Merryman. The rates for this trip are $7,495 for single occupancy, $5,995 per person for double occupancy, and $5,945 per person for triple occupancy. Students who are interested signing up for the trip can either attend the information session on Monday, September 21 at 7 p.m. in the Miller Conference Room in the Henry Student Center or contact Merryman via email or at (570)-408-4043. FREE MORTGAGE SEMINAR ON 9/22 – A free Mortgage Seminar will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. in the Henry Student Center. The seminar is sponsored by Wilkes University Money Matters Club and the Choice One Community Credit Union. Topics will include shopping for a house, evaluating mortgage options, first-time home buyer and home buyer assistance programs, stimulus tax grant for home buyers and foreclosure issues. Presenters in the seminar include John Giordano, Director of Mortgage Bank and Development, First Heritage Financial LLC, Natile Nilon, Housing Commissioner, Commission of Economic Opportunity (CEO) and Carol Phillips, Manager, Housing Development Corporation. Register by September 18 at www.wilkes.edu/eventregistration or by calling 408-3489. TUSCANY TRIP SCHEDULED – During the 2010 spring break, students, faculty and staff from Wilkes University and King’s College will travel to Tuscany. The group will be staying in the Tuscan hill town of Siena. On the agenda are guided tours of several Italian cities and landmarks, including the Milan Cathedral, as well as wine tasting and sightseeing in Rome. The trip will be educational, with experienced local guides who will discuss the history and culture of the region. This trip cannot be taken for academic credit. For further information, contact Dr. Louise Berard at louise.berard@wilkes.edu or 408-4835. WILKES PURCHASES SPECTROMETER WITH GRANT-- The National Science Foundation awarded a $200,000 grant to Wilkes University for the purchase of a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer. Dr. Amy Bradley, Chemistry Department, collaborated with Luzerne County Community College to draft the grant proposal. The spectrometer cost $270,000; Wilkes invested $70,000 to make up the difference. This new equipment will be utilized in all chemistry courses at Wilkes to enhance the curriculum. PEER TUTORING NOW AVAILABLE – Peer Tutoring Services began on Tuesday, September 8. All peer services are free of charge and take place in Conyngham Hall 113. Please make an appointment at http:// tutortrac.wilkes.edu. Any questions, please contact Mr. Alberto Prado, at alberto.prado@wilkes.edu. KIRBY LECTURE – Lawrence Reed, President of the Foundation for Economic Education will be speaking in the Kirby Lecture series on October 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. The topic of his speech will be “Character, Liberty and Free Society” which focuses on values that underlay a healthy society and economy, according to Dr. Jeffery Alves, professor and director of the Allen P. Kirby Center for free enterprise and entrepreneurship. Other points will include honesty, respect, the ‘golden rule’ and integrity. “Somehow, as we fight to get ahead we violate our own values,” said Alves about the speech topics. CAPARELLA TO SPEAK AT WILKES – Kitty Caparella, reporter for Philadelphia Daily News, will speak on September 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Henry Student Center ballroom. Caparella has been in the journalism business for thirty-seven years and has watched the newspaper industry evolve. Most recently, Caparella has covered the Philadelphia area, writing on topics including the mob, the mafia, public corruption, terrorists, radical Muslim groups, drug trafficking and white supremacy. Caparella said she has even been on a few “hit lists.” See BRIEFS page 5 �NEWS SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 4 Architects progress on design-phase of SHE Building An update on future campus development BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor Architects were recently approved for the new Science, Health Sciences and Engineering Building, also known as the “SHE” Building. Petra Carver, vice president for finance, said that the SHE building is in the design-phase, which is very important. “We have completed the search for the design firm and we have hired an architect. The name [of the company] is Saylor Gregg [Architects],” said Carver. Saylor Gregg Architects designed buildings at many different universities including Cornell, Duke, Lehigh, Pennsylvania State and Princeton. The firm has also received various national, state, and local awards including a Progressive Architecture design citation and Pennsylvania Society of Architect’s Silver Medal. Saylor Gregg is already working on the design. The university can begin construction on the SHE building after design is complete, but only after there is significant funding received from possible sponsors. There is currently no timeline for this project without funding. The Stark Learning Center, which needs improvement, will be renovated into the SHE building. “In order to take [this project] any further, we will have to ascertain funding first, which we don’t have at this point,” said Carver. The design phase is important because it will further the funding process. “[The design phase] will allow us to wrap up our fundraising efforts because we’ll have actual pictures to show to potential donors. It’s very significant,” said Carver. The SHE building will be “green,” or environmentally friendly, and a long-awaited addition to the Wilkes University campus. Saylor Gregg Architects is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, which is a non-profit organization working towards more green buildings. Long-term benefits of green buildings include lower operating costs, the conservation of natural resources, and minimizing strain on local infrastructure, according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s website, usbgc.org. Last semester, Michael Wood, vice president for advancement, explained that the fundraising aspect of the project has been impacted by the economy, which could slow the building plans. The planning committee for the SHE building has been in existence for about three years. The committee was reconstructed two years ago when Dr. Reynold Verret became the new Provost. The committee reviews the proposals and provides input to Carver, Verret and Thomas Messinger, the head of capital projects. Saylorgregg.com has a list of projects that are currently in design and under construction. Check out these websites relating to the SHE building: Saylorgregg.com to see the projects they’ve created and completed in the past usbgc.org to see what a consistutes a green building B & N Wilkes-King's Bookstore 7 South Main Street~ \lJUkes-Barre~ PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~ "\.Vi.lkes.bncollege.com Use your Flex Dollars here at your official Starbucks location! Need a Pumpkin Spice Latte? A creamy blend of pumpkin and spices combined "\.Vi.th Starbucks espresso~ steamed milk~ and topped "\.Vi th whipped cream. Co me on in and get "\.\Ormed up for the season. VEGAN Cookies now offered in your cafe! Created by Alternative Baking Company~ INC. Come in and check out our great selection and take some home for the weekend. Makes for a great midnight treat! Starbucks Tumbler Special: Buy our Starbucks tumbler for only $9.95 and your first fill up of chose is on us. �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 NEWS POSITIONS New faces in Student Development, Residence Life BY APRIL BIELINSKI Beacon Correspondent & JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon News Editor As students returned to residence halls and student organizations this fall, they may have seen some new faces heading up Student Development and Residence Life. Over the summer, some of the staff at Wilkes University shifted positions and departments. Gabrielle Lamb recently accepted a position as Coordinator in the Marketing Communications department. Lamb worked in Student Development, but said her new position offers her more opportunity for growth. One of her job duties is coordinating the marketing efforts of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. “I had a great experience in Student Development and although I won’t be working with students on a daily basis, I am very pleased to remain in the Wilkes family,” said Lamb. Margy Sromovski, formerly the Office Assistant in Student Development, is now replaced by Jamie Miller, a recent Mansfield graduate. Sromovski is currently the Office Assistant to the Experiential Director in Pharmacy Practice. Some members of Student Government will miss Sromovski around the office, including junior business administration and accounting major Katie Munchel. Munchel said that she was sad to see Sromovski leave, but that her current position is a more suitable one that will allow her time for herself. Munchel added that Miller is more than qualified, and she is confident that he will excel in his new role here at Wilkes. “I miss Margy a lot. She did a great job. However, Jamie is doing well; he just needs to become adjusted,” added junior biology and international studies major June Lor. In Residence Life, Elizabeth Roveda was promoted from Assistant Director to Director. Roveda, ‘05, MBA, ‘07, worked as a graduate assistant for Residence Life in the 2005-2006 academic year and was an RA during her tenure as an undergraduate at Wilkes. With all of this experience under her belt, Roveda said she was more than ready to dive into this new position. Roveda added that as Director she has great opportunities not only to take what she has learned working with other directors and make it her own, but also to collaborate with the new staff of Resident Assistants whose strengths are invaluable. Roveda said it is important for her not always to see herself as the leader, but as a member of a team working towards the same goal: providing a safe and friendly environment for all students. BRIEFS from PAGE 3 Caparella will speak on a number of topics including social media its affect the newspaper business as well how the newspaper business has changed. “There is a fascination with new media… People still need to learn how to be journalists…They need to learn how to dig up information, if you want to be a real journalist,” said Caparella. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) organized this event. Caparella’s speech is part of a four-part series held at other local colleges. Other speeches in this lecture include Ju-Don Marshall Roberts, exective editor and senior vice president of Beliefnet.com, will speak at the University of Scranton on October 22 and Howard Owens, publisher of TheBatavian.com, will speak at Bloomsburg University on November 19. 5 members of the campus community, Gilmour praised all members of the campus community for holding costs down last fiscal year. He added, “It goes without saying that the willingness of everyone to accept this year’s salary freeze is greatly appreciated.” In addition to the salary freeze, Housenick added, “I know people are very, very focused on spending the university’s money in a very, very smart way; making sure that we’re not wasteful.” from FRONT PAGE all non-essential positions. But at present, the University is committed to filling all empty positions. “While spending on equipment, capital, and operating costs was scaled back in the last fiscal year to avoid a budget deficit, we finished the year with a $17,000 surplus because of the support of all University units in holding expenses down. This year, enrollments are healthy and we expect to operate on a balanced budget with little strain. The fiscal strength of the university continues to be excellent,” said Gilmour. Carver agrees that the financial stability of the university is changing for the better. “It’s still early in the year, but we know that undergraduate enrollment is on track. We are still waiting for some results on the graduate side, but so far everything is pretty much stable and on track. We are under normal operation procedures The Beacon/April Bielinski again,” said Carver. In a letter addressed to the Liz Roveda with Student Government representatives. :s12900 4 ' l: -! -~- - - Soost Motoro. Clllltel, 65 $ !'li).lmu;i . 1!11 rmilR d llQ'tmn.Md ~lk, · rt 'WRb lllild Wi!l!ii,;i"'1llh;i :a £MO s549e SAV · \5 11 44;;:!li '0-£014-1 00 ··- smoJa- .BG,5 !ll!S!B Flil~ln Drive 25-1i 70.00. A'I.JVLO ~ lh, .,1 r i;ead 5'1!l w lili'I M li.rmph Dm!l!I :JJ-2137 i:iliK.al li., Eoj Wit:.' ' Im.I l1JfUA a,}j The Beacon/Tom Reilly Gabrielle Lamb moved from Student Development to the Coordinator of Marketing Communications. 1/j)'(lm 11g1Val Pit . 40 \lfyomlli(I Mall Banre -6--0287 �Opinion SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu sara.cosgrove@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com Kulick: Desperate and pleading for help BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Staff Writer With ties to the infamous “kids for cash,” scandal that swept Luzerne County last spring, a once powerful local businessman, now scared, is pleading for a reduced sentence. Robert Kulick, a prominent businessman from Bear Creek Township, is facing 46 to 57 months in prison based on federal sentencing guidelines, according to a pre-sentence memorandum filed by Kulick’s attorney, Michael Schwartz. The reason? Kulick has been tied to corruption in and around Luzerne County for years, which paints a long dark history of dirty dealing and mafia ties; however, the straw that broke this camel’s back was the one most would least expect. In 2006, a consented-to search of Kulick’s Bear Creek Township home turned up four handguns and two rifles. This is a problem because in 1988, Kulick served time in prison for income tax evasion. According to the Gun Control Act of 1968, (G.C.A.) convicted felons are barred of their right to possess/own firearms. Upon the findings, Schwartz released a statement saying that the guns found during the 2006 search belonged to Kulick’s wife, Michelle. However, the weapons were located where Kulick had access to them, putting him in violation of the G.C.A. As a result, Kulick pleaded guilty to a felon in possession of firearms, earning him a possibility of 46 to 57 months in prison. This is where it gets interesting. In 2006, The Citizens’ Voice, lost a $3.5 million lawsuit against local businessman Thomas Joseph in a defamation case. The judge assigned to the non-jury trial was Mark A. Ciavarella, who, with his partner-in-crime, Michael T. Conahan, has been the main focus of an F.B.I investigation probe for their “kids for cash” scheme which landed them over $2 million in kickbacks. Acting as a good Samaritan in an effort to save his own behind, Kulick gave a sworn declaration to attorneys last February alleging that he, reputed mobb boss William D’Elia and Conahan met regularly to discuss pending court cases for nearly eight years. Kulick said Conahan aided him on his request to give a “fair shake” to plaintiffs Kulick supported in cases handled by Conahan and other unnamed judges. In addition, Kulick alleged that D’Elia claimed to have met with Conahan and discussed the newspaper’s defamation case. According to Kulick, Conahan assured D’Elia he had spoken to Ciavarella and that there would be a “positive outcome,” for D’Elia’s acquaintance, Thomas A. Joseph. Kulick was free on bail, and is scheduled to appear in court at the federal courthouse in Scranton today, September 15, at 11 a.m. Because of Kulick’s role in The Citizens’ Voice’s defamation case and the fact that he helped to pin more evidence on the corrupt judges, he along with The Citizens’ Voice’s lawyer, W. Thomas McGough, are advocating for a reduced sentence in Kulick’s upcoming trial. 6 For some reason that I cannot fathom, McGough put his own name on the line and wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge James Munley (the judge in Kulick’s case) on Kulick’s behalf stressing the extraordinary, voluntary and substantial assistance that Kulick provided in his client’s case. So let’s clear things up. Kulick is a longtime convicted felon who openly admitted to having outstanding relationships with both suspected Mafiosi and corrupt judges, and now, for providing a snippet of information regarding a recent court case, he wants a break? I don’t think so. This is one of the most despicable cries for help from an old man afraid of doing time in the slammer towards the end of his life. If Kulick gets so much as one day off of his recommended minimum 46 month sentence, it will be a disgrace to both the United States judicial system and the people of Luzerne County. Wilkes Labyrinth goes from “green” to overgrown The Wilkes Labyrinth is now a centerpiece of the campus greenway. Paid for by donations from William Richard Miller, class of 1981, the stone walkway serves as a recreational retreat modeled after one found in the Chartres Cathedral in Paris, France. The labyrinith was built as a symbol of the university’s attempt to “go green.” Part of that attempt included stopping the use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides on campus. As a result of this, the labyrinth has unfortunately become overgrown by weeds, detracting from the appearance of the campus for those unaware. The Beacon/Thomas Reilly �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 OPINION 7 Media’s memorializing changes perception of dead celebs BY SARA COSGROVE Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that some of Hollywood’s finest have been dropping like flies. And the media is all over it. First we had Ed McMahon. Then Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Usually, bad things happen in threes, but the deaths kept coming. Shortly after Jackson went Billy Mays, and most recently, Senator Ted Kennedy. You might wonder whether the consecutive deaths of these icons is all just a huge coincidence, or the Hollywood stars alinging. But the better question is: are these celebrities truly iconic? Did we have the same perception of these celebrities in life as we do in death? And why does the media so often attack these celebrities in life, only to praise them in death? Let’s take Michael Jackson, for example. Sure, he is the “King of Pop,” but before his death, that fact was lost on many and often dramatically overshadowed in the media by the accusations of child molestation and ridcule for his ever-changing skin color and appearance. As for what I know about Michael Jackson, it is his hit song “Thriller” followed by all of the controversy that overshadowed his prosperous career. This image that I have of Michael--and I am sure this image is shared by others in my generation- was all created by the media. But now after his death, all I hear about on TV and in the news is what a wonderful father he was and how iconic he was to the music industry. These two contrasting images I now hold, one of a loving father and the other of a alleged child molester, are difficult to digest. Senator Ted Kennedy’s recent death provides another example to demonstrate how the media changes perception on celebrities after death. When Senator Kennedy was added to the list of dying iconic celebrities, he too was put on a pedestal for all of his accomplishments, including being a great political mind and for being the longest living Kennedy brother. Because of his longevity, he was able to have the prosperous career out of which his brothers were cheated. The media went on to mention how he pushed for health care reform and supported education and rights for the oppressed. Again, the media mostly showcased the positive aspects of his political career. However, they often left out or barely mentioned the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, who was a Wilkes-Barre native and a member of Kennedy’s campain staff in the late 1960s. The two were leaving a campaign party held on Chappaquiddick Island. The car Kennedy was driving went off a bridge into deep water below. Kennedy, who managed to escape from the vehicle, left Kopechne inside, where she later drowned. Kennedy also failed to report the incident or call for help until it was too late. If he had called for help, Kopechne may have lived. As a result of this incident, Kennedy lost all hopes of becoming President. But there has been hardly any mention of Chaappaquiddick during the coverage of Kennedy’s death. Instead, Kennedy has been praised and remembered as a hero. And, in many ways, he was. But he was also human, and made a serious mistake. The media cannot change the story now that he has passed. The big question at hand here is why dothe media only focus on the good just because these celebrities have died? I know it is respectful and necessary to point out the positives of a person’s life, but that does not mean you can change what they have done in the past. Is there any logic or good reason for this insane bipolar media coverage? When a celebrity dies, we as the public need to know about it because they were a celebrity and in some way or another a part of our lives. But the countless hours of TV time devoted to coverage of these deaths is over the top. In their attempts to memorialize, they are, in fact, changing the public’s memory of the lives these celebrities lived. The media should not try to change the public’s view of these celebrities simply because they have passed on. For those of us young enough not to remember their transgressions, the media is doing us a disservice by leaving out part of the story. Memorialize, yes. But don’t try to change our minds or leave out important parts of these celebrities’ stories. The Observatory:Reality is more important than reality television Why do we love it so much when it pertains to nothing? BY MATTHEW GOGAS Beacon Op-Ed Editor So, there is something that catches my attention every time I am standing in line at Wal-Mart waiting to pay for whatever various odds and ends I am buying at the time. I know all of you can relate to this situation. Out of sheer boredom and impatience, I look at my surroundings- the people paying for their things in other lines, the cashiers, any cute girls, and of course, the tabloids. They are right there, as always, next to the candy bars and multiple flavors of gum. What do I see? It is yet another cover story about Jon and Kate Plus 8. For those of you who are unfamiliar (how could you be?), Jon and Kate Plus 8 is a ridiculously stupid reality television show that airs on TLC. Not that I was terribly interested, but the cover story and the show itself arouses discussion. First of all, we all know that reality television is an illusion. It is just as scripted as our favorite primetime sitcoms. These reality television writers (yes, they have writers) set up a series of situations that they put the “characters” in just to see how they react and then they film it. MTV’s The Real World has been doing this since its inception. Professional wrestling does it, too. (Go rent “The Wrestler” if you don’t believe me.) If you truly think that a bunch of guys in tights with white trash hairdos are really storming around an arena looking for people to beat up, you are Anyway, the tabloid headline read something like: “Jon and Kate trying to work out their differences.... blah, blah, blah.” Not that I care about this couple’s highly publicized, failed marriage and their scrappy kids, but like I said, it got me interested. I stopped and thought to myself, “Why do people get so involved in this crap?” Every- “10.6 million viewers tuned in to the episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8...10.6 million too many, in my opinion.” incredibly oblivious. Also, if you think that you are watching the everyday encounters of young, cultured people just like you, you are sadly mistaken. Your best friend is not living in a house with seven strangers, one of whom must fit the role of being gay or a minority or both. He is sitting alone at home looking at naked pictures of Angelina Jolie. However, I am almost sure that none of you think reality television is real. where you look you see the tabloid headlines. Every time you put E! Entertainment on the television you see a story about it. Some reality television star is mixed up in some kind of controversy. It may be a sex tape, a drug scandal, drama between people on the show, etc. And people obviously watch these reality shows because they are still on the air. According to tvguide.com, 10.6 million viewers tuned in to the episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 where the two announced plans to separate. That is, quite frankly, too many people tuning in (10.6 million too many, in my opinion). Is this really what we have been reduced to? While all of you were sitting on the couch watching that episode, I was at the store buying food so I would not die of starvation and while I was there, I glanced at one of the tabloids that you probably bought earlier that day to catch up on all the reality television star gossip you love so much. In all honesty, I feel as though reality television is making viewers stupid and turning them all into drama queens. They bring all this drama with them to their job and they fight with their family to glamorize their lives, too. Please heed this advice people: there are so many other important things in the world that require more attention, like jobs, family, friends, or school. Pay more attention to these things. Television is always going to be there at the end of the day. Some of these other things may not be. �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 OPINION Federal and State Budget Cuts Impacting College Students BY THE BEACON Editorial Board With the phrase “everyone has to tighten their belts these days” spreading like wildfire in the United States, the average college student has definitely felt the belt constriction. The economic recession that we are currently faced with has many students asking themselves whether or not they can afford to keep attending college, while the number of students enrolling in college each year is increasing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment in four-year colleges is expected to increase 12% while enrollment in two-year colleges is expected to increase 13% through 2018. So what does this mean for college students? Well, prospectively there will be more college students on campuses and less federal aid to help pay their tuition. The United States Government recognizes the need for higher education in this country, but plans to increase funding for college education will not take effect until next year. The 2010 budget summary plans to increase the maximum award for the Pell Grant program to $5,550 and guarantees that the amount will increase by one percent each year with inflation. The budget summary also proposes a $2.5 billion investment in Federal-State-local partnership to improve college success and completion as part of the College Access and Completion Fund. In essence, the United States is working diligently to help make college more affordable for students in the near future, but right now we are all suffering. Students are taking out more private loans and creating more credit card debt than ever before. According to College Board, between 20072008 lenders provided nearly $17 billion is private loans, which is a 592% increase from a decade earlier and the average credit card debt for an undergraduate student is $3,173, which is the highest it has ever been according to a study conducted by Sallie Mae. These numbers keep increasing as well. Students are creating more debt for themselves because of this economic recession and the job market looks grim for seniors graduating this year. However, lack of federal aid is not our biggest problem here. Counterproductively, funding cuts for higher education are taking place with proposed state budgets each year; some states are even cutting education funding mid-year or even quarterly. According to The Washington Post, Virginia and Maryland were the latest to cut higher education funding. Over the next year, Virginia will cut their higher education funding by 20-30 percent and Maryland will cut their funding by 10 percent--$30 million last month alone--not to mention the fact that states are increasing tuition at an alarming rate. California, Florida, New York, and many other states have reportedly increased their tuition by 15 percent or more this year, according to the American Council on Education. If there is at least one positive aspect of the 10 week budget stand-off in our own state, it is that we are not rushing into a budget plan without thinking through how best to spend tax-payers’ money. Governor Ed Rendell has publicly stated that the budget must meet his conditions of increased funding for education and healthcare or he will not sign off on it. After more than two months, it appears as though legislators have finally come to a tentative agreement on the 2010 state budget. Whether Rendell will allow it to pass is still up in the air. The proposed $27.94 billion budget will increase funding for education by $300 million. This funding is allocated in state universities, the State System of Higher Education, and PHEAA. What does this mean for Wilkes students? Almost nothing. This increase in education funding is geared more towards students that attend public universities and community colleges. While the increase in PHEAA grant money is helpful for Pennsylvania resident students, it is still not as helpful as it would be if WIlkes University was a publlic institution and not a private one. So, Governor Rendell sees a need for higher education in Pennsylvania, but only if you attend a public institution? That makes no sense. The state and federal government should be putting more money into education--both public and private--now more than ever. For many students, attending college next year is still a big question mark, even for some of us at The Beacon. College students need to graduate because obviously college graduates are the future of the job market. Who will fill jobs in the future if not us? The Beacon urges you to write to your state legislators asking them to hold off signing the state budget until a better plan for education has been made that we can all agree on. Governor Ed Rendell needs to ensure that this money will go towards education. Our voices need to be heard because after all, we are the ones that have to pay for it. Wilkes-Barre needs more DUI checkpoints BY DAVID LEWIS Beacon Correspondent Wilkes-Barre’s public square comes alive on Friday and Saturday evenings as people hop in and out of local bars, exercising their right to party. But the reality behind all of this fun is that 2,007 Pennsylvanians died in car accidents involving intoxicated drivers in the year 2008 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Because of the abundance of nightlife activities in and around Public Square, there is an increased risk for drunk driving, especially on weekends. According to pennlive. com, there were 16,156 D.U.I arrests in the state of Pennsylvania last year alone. And yet, there are few D.U.I checkpoints in and around the city on any given weekend. The city’s checkpoints need to occur more often. Having D.U.I. checkpoints within a half mile radius in any of the four directions of Public Square in Wilkes-Barre would serve as a deterrent from driving under the influence. Drunk driving checkpoints are usually set up near and around every popular holiday. Checkpoints shouldn’t only happen during holidays, though. Anytime the bars are hopping on a downtown Wilkes-Barre weekend, there should be sobriety checkpoints performed within its vicinity. On September 5, two days before Labor Day, The Times Leader reported that a man damaged three separate vehicles while driving his truck and fled from a fender bender on the corner of South Main and West South Streets in front of the UCOM building. Luckily, no persons were fatally injured in the D.U.I. hit and run. Next time, however, the parties involved may not be so lucky. I expect that anyone who would like to experience Wilkes-Barre’s nightlife and live to tell about it would be in support of additional checkpoints. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control calculated that D.U.I./Sobriety checkpoints reduce the possibility of an alcohol related crash by 20 percent. Instead of just having them as a reality check for every holiday, D.U.I. checkpoints should be set up every weekend here in Wilkes-Barre. 8 Beacon Poll Do you plan on attending Party on the Square? • Yes, it sounds like fun •No, it does not interest me •I have other things to do •I’m still not sure Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Please Submit Letters to the Editor The Beacon is looking to expand the letters to editor section. Please submit any letters to: WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com Speak Up! It’s Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Year, and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �Safety around campus PAGE 11 li ostylJos SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: leeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu ruth.whispell@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com 9 College Days: Barbara King Recalls a Flood, a Final, and a Feister BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Lifestyles Editor Editor’s note: This is the first article in a series connecting the members of the Wilkes University community to one another through shared experiences of college life. It’s September 1972. Agnes has torn through the area and ravaged the entire first floor of most of Wilkes’ buildings. Every floor is concrete, because the carpet has been ruined and stripped from the classrooms, administrative buildings, and offices. The freshman class of ’72 trickled into classes, grabbing boards and folding chairs instead of desks. A young, semi-eager Barbara King comes to campus with the idea that floating through high school can lead to floating through college. After almost six years of dreaming of attending Muhlenburg College, King made the personal decision to attend Wilkes after some financial guilt. “Once I calculated how much it would cost for me to go to Muhlenburg versus Wilkes, I realized I would be saving over $1,000. Our family was not well-off by any means, but my father and mother did okay for themselves. I still felt guilty for spending more for living on campus at Muhlenburg than living at home and going to Wilkes. It took me almost thirty years to tell my parents the reason I switched my decision from Muhlenburg to Wilkes. When they found out, they were flabbergasted!” ' ' said King, dean of Student Affairs at Wilkes University. King’s transition into the Wilkes environment is one to which many students can relate. As a high school student, King described herself as someone who put the book on the kitchen table at night and did not need to pick it back up until she was going out the door the next morning. “I did well in high school with little effort. The same was not true in college, as I would find out,” recalled King. Looking back at her college experience, to do that, she did not know. “There was a boy involved, and the plan was that he was going to go to school and I was going to work. Let me tell you, plans change,” stated King. King’s unique perspective of Wilkes then and Wilkes now has given her the opportunity to reflect on both the physical changes and social changes at Wilkes in the last 37 years. From the then-non-existent greenway to the addition and deletion of buildings, King notes that many buildings on campus “I did well in high school with little effort. The same was not true in college...” -Barbara King which spanned from September 1972 until May 1980, King reflects with retrospection and a face that lights up at the memories of spending downtime in the residence halls with her friends. King began at Wilkes University as an English major. Within her first two years at Wilkes, she had changed from English to sociology, and then delcared a psychology major. When returning to school in 1978, King finally became a business major. According to King, as long as one held a degree there was a job waiting for them. After two years in school, King left to “make [her] fortune.” How she was going changed and shifted throughout the years. “The Marts gym was one large room, one large playing floor. There were times when the basketball team would practice in the middle of the floor while the wrestling team practiced near the sidelines,” reflected King, who was a Wilkes cheerleader. While the physical plant of Wilkes has changed over the course of time, according to King, the attitudes of students in general have changed over the past several decades. The more relaxed style and attitude as a whole was not a familiar feeling to King or her peers in the early to mid 70’s. “To this day, I would not refer to any of the professors by their first name. It was always ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.’ or ‘Mrs.,’” stated King. King even reflected on the difference in partying styles of the 1980 graduating class to today’s college students. “When Wilkes won the national wrestling championship in the early 70s, not only did the kids live it up, but our parents and even the president of the university at the time came!” reflected King, with a slight grin. While many physical changes have occurred at Wilkes over the past several decades, many parts of Wilkes have remained the same. King notes that the faculty and staff of Wilkes University, while everchanging, have always held a caliber that far exceeds many other schools. “I tell kids ‘you may be going to Wilkes and not Harvard, but you are getting one hell of an education,’” said King. King’s personal Wilkes education has given her the tools to remain a part of the Wilkes family for almost forty years. Beginning with Admissions and moving all the way up to Associate Dean of Student Affairs, King has taken away more than just formulas or writing styles from Wilkes-she has gained a family. “Dean Adams, my supervisor and good friend, has always told me that being a part of Wilkes is a lifestyle, not a job,” said King. King’s reflection on her time at Wilkes continues each day on the second floor of Passan Hall. In her own words, King remembers a bad decision: English 152. Dr. Feister. At the time it was World Literature fl Everyone had to take it. Now you need to know that attendance policies were a little 'iffy,' to say the least, back then. You are coming right offthe 60 s. .. things are a bitfreer. I took English 152 with a friend of mine. We had it on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This friend and I took every Tuesday and went to Hottles for lunch. We, therefore, would never show up for the course on Tuesdays. I carried a 3. 0 in the course at the time. At the end ofthe semester it came time for finals. I still had my 3. 0, even though I'd only been there half the class. I got the flu for finals. I was really, really sick. I had to take make- up finals. I called Dr. Feister and I said, 1 have the flu, and Im really sick: He told me to call him when I was BY RUTH WHISPELL take the make-up final. About a week later, I went into Bedford Hall (where Dr. Feisters office was at the time), and took better to Beacon Staff Writer the make-up final. Now, as we all know, make-up finals are different than the regular final that everyone else takes. Dr. Feister says to me, 'Well Miss King, ifyou can pass the test, I'll give you the B that you've earned so Jar.' It was one question. Let's'' test ifI wrote a doctoral dissertation. When everybody else is running away say probably have passed that junior EricI Wetzel is one couldn't of the from a fire,just few people brave enough to run toward it. Photo courtesy of Eric Wetzel �LIFESTYLES 10 SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 Greenway to get makeover with Club Day activity BY CHRISTOPHER HOPKINS Beacon Correspondent LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Lifestyles Editor The greenway, a central point on campus, has been home to afternoon study sessions, games of touch football and frisbee, and the occasional rest between classes. The greenway acts as a transport for students, staff, and faculty, carrying them from one classroom building to another. Students rarely spend extended periods of time gallivanting on the greenway. All that will change for at least two hours on Thursday, September 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. when the greenway will be transformed into a loud, boisterous, fun environment. Postponed from Thursday, September 10 because of forecasted rain, Club Day, held annually at the start of each new school year, is a time set aside for all the clubs and organizations in and around campus to solicit themselves to the students of Wilkes. New Wilkes students and all members of the Wilkes community will have the opportunity to scour the greenway from table to table. Phil Ruthkosky, the associate dean of Student Development, explained that when Club Day first started, there were maybe twenty to thirty tables set up on the greenway. “Now it has evolved greatly. We’re expecting around ninety tables this year, plus food and music going on,” said Ruthkosky. The grass will be flooded by a sea of brightly colored posters, signs, banners, and the occasional treats for passersby. Wilkes clubs aren’t the only ones to get their voice out during this event. Ruthkosky added that the Wilkes Alumni office and the school bookstore will have a table set up for students to better acclimate themselves with organizations around campus, as well. Katie White, the corresponding secretary for student government, made clear that Club Day is more than just tables and information. “This year, the alumni will be providing t-shirts for the students,” White said. “Also, there is going to be food available. Everyone will be able to have lunch on the greenway.” Music will also be playing throughout the day, played by DJ Rockin’ Rich, who has worked other Wilkes events including last year’s Block Party. Ruthkosky went on to explain how Club Day attracts the entirety of Wilkes’ campus. “It’s an opportunity for existing clubs to attract new members, but also to showcase all of their accomplishments,” he explained. According to White, there are four to six new clubs to be showcased this year that were not at Club Day before. Most clubs from previous years continue to participate in order to draw gain new members. As students walk through campus on Thursday, they may not recognize the greenway. In fact, it may not look very green at all. The Beacon/ Mike Cignoli Students sit on the greenway to study, but on Thursday, September 17, the greenway will be covered with tables, food, and music. ,.##ST. . .OT . . ELIVE. . V" 20 E Northampton St. Wilkes Barre SPECIALS WEEKDAY SPECIAlS M-TH Large Pie $7.95 Chicken Wing Pie $10.95 (carry out/dine in only) PIZZA DOUBLES 2 Medium Pizzas $13.95 2 Large Pizzas $16.95 MIX&MATCH Any 3 Subs or Wings I I 825-5166 NEXT TO MOVIES 14 FREE Wi-Fi in our Dining Room I 2 Tickets to Movies 14 WB 1 Medium Pizza - 1 Topping 2 Drinks I We Cater Parties At Movies 14 $15.95 WE CATER lARGE GROUP EVENTS PHASE CAll BEFORE YOUR NEXT MEETING! Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-11 pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-12am Sun. 12pm-11pm We're more than just great pizza ... see our entire menu at www.januzzispizza.com �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 A day in the life of Wilkes’s Public Safety Officers BY RUTH WHISPELL Assistant Lifestyles Editor Every day we see Wilkes University’s Public Safety Officers (PSO) riding their bikes around campus. They give tickets for illegal parking and they help people when asked, but there is much more to a PSOs job than sticking a ticket under a windshield wiper. According to Gerald Rebo, who has been the manager of Public Safety at Wilkes for seven years, there are 13 Public Safety officers on staff. Twelve of them are full-time, one is part-time, and there are at least two officers on patrol at any time, day or night. A typical day for PSOs involves arriving on campus at 6:45 a.m., said Michele SabolJones, and getting their radio, keys, helmet, and bicycle ready for the day. He/she then checks the Coordinated Events Calendar for any events that may be occurring on campus that day. Next, the officer would check the log for crimes around campus; these could be crimes either involving a student, a citizen, or a place in Wilkes-Barre that they may need to watch out for throughout the day. Around 7:15 a.m. they sign out a pad of parking tickets and begin their patrol of campus. Throughout the day, PSOs may answer a number of calls for various things. If there is a sick student on campus, the officer may arrive on the scene before anyone else and, depending on the situation, they may either call Campus Health Services or, if need be, an ambulance. When an incident occurs on campus, PSOs must fill out an incident report; sometimes Wilkes-Barre police may be involved, and in that case they also receive an incident report from them. If an officer finds lost property whether it is a book, computer, Ipod, or money, which gets counted, it gets signed into a log and then locked into a safe. PSO Michele Sabol-Jones, who has been with the Wilkes Public Safety Office for five years and works day shift said, “Dur- lic Safety Office and recorded, said Rebo. PSOs also scan the campus for people who look as if they don’t belong such as people who may be attempting to get into dorms or other campus buildings. In the event that officers finds a suspicious person, they then ask for ID. The two buildings on campus open to the general public are the Farley Li- The Beacon/LeeAnn Searfoss Patrolling on bicycles is just one part of the daily routine of a Wilkes Public safety Officer. They also respond to calls from students, staff, and faculty. ing the days, we hit everything, especially parking lots. Nights are more dorm patrol and floor checks.” Every day officers are required to perform floor checks on every building, whether occupied or unoccupied. Whenever a check is made it must be called in to the Pub- Center for Global Education and Diversity Mix- brary and the cafeteria. Around 11 a.m., according to Sabol-Jones, a vehicle is sent to Ralston field to check on the field and the field house. During the evening a vehicle checks both areas again at 7 p.m. and usually two or three times through- Who..;;-~~ out the night and early morning. The PSOs also check the city log for students involved with the police; the involvement can be as small as a fender bender to a more serious crime, such as assault. PSOs also escort students who need them, for things such as having multiple bags of luggage or walking back to their apartments late at night. Officers also frequently assist faculty and staff, offering their services for events such as rides to the airport. Sometimes, Rebo admitted, the requests for escorts are a bit strange. “You wouldn’t believe the people who call and request an escort because they don’t want to walk from the UCOM to a dorm, for example Evans, because it’s raining,” he said. When the sun sets, PSOs are not done for the day. Many officers continue to patrol campus and provide escorts to students who aren’t comfortable walking to their dorms or cars after dark. An officer will walk or drive a student wherever he or she needs to go. Many officers do more than just patrol and write tickets all day; however. PSOs Phil Miller and Jo Anne Zawatski, for example, have given talks on campus about safety and ways to be safe. This occurs at least once each semester. Although PSOs have many responsibilities throughout the day and night, exciting events rarely occur on campus. For some, “a typical day’s routine is giving out tickets,” claims PSO Holly Stull, who has been with Wilkes for almost three years. Free stufl?t __. Beacon Weeldy Baffle! celO BACK...~!KHOQL srocI«.1P $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Spo:=~.-e::!.By: The Beacon/Melanie Thomas Katie Barnes, Junior Psychology Major, Joe Laforney, Junior Accounting Major at Bloomsburg University, and Dean Mark Allen enjoyed the festivities at the Center for Global Education and Diversity mixer held in the Max Roth building. N ~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Phone: Em$lli _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ �~ ~.~,.______J Americas CONTACT INFORMATION: brie.friedman@wilkes.edu kristen.karpinski@wilkes.edu xiaoqiao.zhang@wilkes.edu Driv •In Review - PAGE 13 SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com 12 Sixth Annual Party on the Square This Wednesday 1,500 college students from area schools expected to pack Public Square It’s the time of year again when students have settled back into the college life and are ready to party— on the square, that is. The downtown Collegetown Party on the Square will take place this Wednesday, September 16, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. The square will once again be flooded with students from five local colleges: King’s College, Luzerne County Community College, Misericordia University, Penn State WilkesBarre and Wilkes University. Students can expect a variety of food, games, activities and a chance to network with roughly 70 businesses from the Greater Wilkes-Barre area. Activities include the second annual Collegetown Cup Competition, which offers challenges against other schools through a series of cortests. The event includes a Domino’s Pizza pizzaeating contest, pre-event banner designer contest, and prizes for the school that has the most students attending. There will also be a mechanical bull riding contest. There will also be fun booths featuring Nintendo Wii , raffles, photos, and more, as well as live music. Elevation, a band from Atlanta, Georgia, will be headlining. Bridget Giunta, the Administrator Coordinator for the City of Wilkes-Barre and 2005 Wilkes University graduate, has been a part of the project ever since its inception back in 2003. A series of meetings between local community leaders and college students came together to determine a way to make downtown Wilkes-Barre a better environment for college students. It wasn’t until September 2004 that the first Party on the Square was held, bringing in about 50 attendees. Now, five years later, they expect 1,500 students to attend. “The event provides a valuable opportunity for businesses to promote themselves to the college demographic, network with future professionals and show support of Luzerne County’s vibrant college community,” said Giunta. Party on the Square is a work in progress from the beginning of late spring until the Beacon Archives / Jenna Stephens BY BRIE FRIEDMAN Beacon A&E Editor A Party on the Square attendee is seen here riding the popular mechanical bull in last years event. This was one of the many contests in last year’s first annual Collegetown Cup, which had 1,400 attendees. actual day of the event. Giunta and her team always take into consideration what worked from previous years and what they could do to improve for future years. Party on the Square is also a great internship opportunity. Giunta said her interns are great sources for ideas when it comes to student expectations for the event. “We have outstanding relationships with our college partners, and Party on the Square gives everyone an opportunity to come together to celebrate this accomplishment,” said Wilkes-Barre mayor Tom Leighton, a big supporter of the event. The event is something Leighton looks forward to because it allows both businesses and students to network. It also serves as a way to showcase improvements that have taken place in the downtown. Students won’t leave empty handed, as there will be plenty of opportunities to win raffle prizes, purchase food or take business cards. Each student will receive a free Student Discount Card, which offers over 25 deals that will last through to the end of May 2010. For any college student looking to save some cash, the discount card is convenient to have handy in a wallet or purse. This year’s theme will be in coordination with the Diamond City Partnership’s “My Downtown Wilkes-Barre,” which will feature students from each of the five schools and will put those selected students on ads and posters. Giunta said she would love to hear feedback from students on what they could do better, or differently, for next year. They are always looking for ways to grow and expand. The event will be held rain or shine. All the students need to bring is their student ID, their willingness to have fun, and an empty stomach. If you have ideas for next year’s Party on the Square that you are dying to share, contact the City of Wilkes-Barre and ask for Bridget Giunta. �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Review: Sonic hops into local fast-food competition Restaurant provides new dining option for students from local colleges BY: KRISTEN KARPINSKI Asst. A&E Editor Just in time for the new school year, Wilkes-Barre answered the call for more latenight, fast food options for local college students. Sonic, America’s Drive-In, is the latest off-campus option for good food on the go. I recently visited the new Sonic to see if it was worth the drive off-campus. Sonic is located near the Wyoming Valley Mall right behind the Pine Mall area. There are roughly 20 spots where people can park their cars, order and eat outside. This fast-food restaurant also has tables with umbrellas where patrons can eat on the patio as well as a convenient drive-thru for those who are really on the go. A downside is that this fast-food restaurant offers no indoor seating for customers; you either eat in the car or outside on the patio. When I pulled up to Sonic, the lot was busy with about seven or eight cars occupying the parking space order boards. There were also five or six cars using the drive-thru. Sonic has one of the very few 24/7 drive-thrus in the area which is perfect for those of us pulling an all-nighter and in need of some nourishment. I parked next to the order board and was immediately overwhelmed by the large, brightly colored menus that displayed the items and prices. It was a little intimidating, but I had plenty of time to decide what to order, since Sonic has an “order” button to press when you’re ready. The menu has a variety of foods from burgers to fish to chicken. There are at least seven varieties of limeades, shakes, Coca Cola products, juices, and water. Sonic really has something for everyone. I ordered a Sonic Burger--which was larger than one I could have gotten from McDonalds or Burger King--tater tots, and a large soda all for a little over $5. The food arrived within five minutes, which I felt was record timing. My burger—topped with ketchup, mayo, pickles and onions—was delicious. The tater tots were not the least bit greasy. This meal was better than most offered by Sonic’s fast-food competitors. My “hop”—the server who delivered my food—was a college-aged woman who didn’t seem too enthused about her job, but wasn’t terribly rude either. I was highly amused by the two male “hops” who were skating around with a condiment tray from car to car. They were both skating really fast, doing tricks and singing to the music playing over the speakers. It seemed as though they were really into their job, which made the atmosphere of Sonic more fun and inviting. But, overall I expected to see more employees on skates entertaining the customers. It was clear that Sonic caters to their customers’ needs and strives for perfection. There were no errors with my order whatsoever; I was even asked if I needed extra napkins! It was great to have a fast-food restaurant actually care about the customer. Overall, Sonic is a good place to go to when you want a different variety of food that tastes good for cheap. And, it’s ready in mere minutes. Now that’s what I call fast-food! Rating: 4.7 out of 5 The Beacon/Thomas Reilly A “hop” at Sonic takes the orders of college students eager to try out something new. Wilkes-Barre’s Sonic is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com for a video of my trip to Sonic. A&E POLL What do YOU think of Sonic? *Sonic is awesome! Best fast-food around. *It's okay. Nothing to write home about. *Yuck! 'Nough said. Your trusted source for screen printing, embroidery, and promotional items. Vote on line at www.wilkesbeacon.com www.4t-shirts.com �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 Wilkes faculty member publishes memoir Beacon you! The Beacon is looking for any student who would like to create crossword puzzles, cryptoquotes, word seeks, sudokus, mad libs, or any other type of original puzzle you can come up with. The Beacon/ Thomas Reilly Kaylie Jones, Wilkes University faculty member in the Creative Writing department read from her new book, a memoir titled Lies My Mother Never Told Me, on September 13 at Barnes and Nobles. She is daughter of well-kown novelist, James Jones. TIii DIIYOQUIP! BY DAVID LEWIS Beacon Correspondent Use the clue provided in order to decipher the meaning of the puzzle. The clue represents a letter that can be used to guess what other letters within each word are. Through the process of elimination and knowledge of vocabulary, solving the puzzle depends upon how well you can deduce the possibility of one letter equaling another. Once you assign a letter to equal another, the letter cannot be changed for the remaining letters in the puzzle. Good Luck! This week’s clues: Y = O, G= T Practicum COM credits can be earned through publishing on puzzle per week. Contact A&E editor Brie Friedman at brie.friedman@wilkes.edu if you are interested in helping us out! NO HAIVIPTO · STRE TDELl ocated inside the \rivIC ZE B KYRYMVR RYJVJ XZJ KYYR ZG’J JBEV GY JBL GXBG Non-1\·Iembers \Velcom i\I.or1 thru ThUi's 11:00 :a.m to .5:00 pm GXV KYRYMVR QYQQVU! F .da_ s l 1:00 :im to 4:00 pm l lJD/o dis«rlln.: ·/ Sm.dent ID Fa:ee W.Fi A ~hle Check next week’s issue of The Beacon for the answer! Co!'ru-rtg •$ f :ill ~<bl- i _d '~g Ho~ �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 15 What's New at Movies 14... Sorority Row R - 1 hr.40 min./2:1 0 - 4:30 - 7:15 - 9:30 Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself PG-13 - 1 hr. 53 min. /2:20 - 4:50 - 7:30 - 10:15 Whiteout R - 1 hr. 41 min./2:30 - 4:50 - 7:05 - 9:45 9 PG-13 - 1 hr. 19 min./2:35 - 5:25 - 7:40 - 9:55 Don't forget to purchase your $3 movie tickets at the Henry Student Center on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday!! Quantites are limited! Courtesy of Patrick Zeigler What’s Happening This Weekend BY: KRISTEN KARPINSKI & BRIE FRIEDMAN Thursday, September 17, 2009 *** Don’t forget to check out Club Day 11-1 on the Greenway! *** * Detournement & Torchbearer @ Café Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre- Cost: $8 -- Starts at 8PM * Charles Havira and Donovan Roberts @ The Bog, Scranton - Cost: $3 -- Starts at 10PM * Battle of the Bands Concert Series (10 Bands Compete!) @ Jenkins Twp. Hose Company, Pittston- All ages; smoke and alcohol free. Cost: $10 -- Starts at 3PM All Weekend Long * “The Glass Menagerie” @ JJ Ferrara Center, Hazleton - Cost: $24 (Dinner/Show) or $12 (Show only)Thurs., Fri., Sat. - Starts at 7PM Sun. – Starts at 3PM * “Rent” @ Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre - Fri. and Sat. - Starts at 8PM Sun. – Starts at 3PM Sunday, September 20, 2009 * Bell Tower Jam featuring Joseph Arthur, George Wesley, Cabinet, Ronnie Williams, Fired From Rifles and Plus 3 @ Arts Youniverse - Starts at 12PM (All proceeds benefit The Holly Petro Fund) *“Insomniac Salad: A Kitchen Table Collaboration” @ Old Brick Theatre, Scranton - Cost: $10 – Starts at 4PM Wednesday, September 16, 2009 *Party on the Square – Rain or Shine! – featuring live entertainment by BeatTeks, Faded Fortune, and Elevation – Mechanical Bull Riding & the Domino’s Pizza Eating Contest!! 5:00PM – 9:00PM Friday, September 18, 2009 *A New Shade of This w/ Stillglow @ Club JAM, Pittston- Cost: $5 -- Starts at 9PM * The Life to Come, Patterns, Abraxas @ Café Metropolis, Wilkes-Barre - Cost: $7 -- Starts at 8PM Saturday, September 19, 2009 * Author Signing with Jay Luke @ Barnes and Noble- 12:00PM – 2:00PM *Faithful Aggression @ Club JAM, Pittston - Cost: $5 -- Starts at 9PM Monday, September 21, 2009 * Alice Cooper @ Scranton Cultural Center - Cost: $35-$50 – Starts at 8PM Tuesday, September 22, 2009 *Open Mic Night for Acoustic Music and Poetry @ Barnes and Noble- 6:30PM – 8:30PM *Dave Matthews Band @ Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain - Cost: $39.50-$70 -- Starts at 7PM Coming up next week… * Demetri Martin @ Wilkes University – Sept. 25th $15 for students, 2 tickets per ID *Up and Coming Comedy @ Scranton Cultural Center – Sept. 26th $11.75 * Wang Chung @ Hardware Bar – Sept. 27th NO COVER! *Bloomsburg Fair Concert Series: Josh Turner, Miranda Lambert, David Cook, Trace Adkins, Freestyle Motocross, Sugarland, Seether, Tractor and Truck Pull - …and more! Don’t Forget....! * Bowling – Stanton Lanes, 2 games/rental - $0 (with ID). 1 pass per week. Pick up pass at Student Center Info Desk. * Ice-Skating, The Ice Box - $0 (with ID). 1 pass per week. Pick up pass at Student Center Info Desk. * Restaurant Gift Card Drawings: $25.00 value One drawing per week: Enter name at Student Center info desk * Students can show their ID at the door to see any performance offered at the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre for free. The first performance is the Broadway Musical “Rent”, which will be shown on Sept, 18, 19, 20, 25 and 27th. �IRON OMAN-'i THE ASHLEY DEEMIE STORY CONTACT INFORMATION: anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu michael.cignoli@wilkes.edu ryan.holmes@wilkes.edu PAGE 18 SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Women’s Tennis wants fourth consecutive conference crown Aces Bybel, Zhang, and Knight back, joined by talented freshmen class “Last year was incredible,” said Junior Michelle Knight. “But we all want to make it past the first round in nationals.” When Wilkes University tennis head Gone from the court are two of their most coach Christopher Leicht took over a strug- vital weapons from the past few years in gling women’s program seven years ago, he four time all conference and three-year capwanted to turn the team into a champion- tains Kristin Wilt and Ali McDonald. But ship contender year in and year out, and do their presence is still felt as they are back as so quickly. graduate assistant coaches. Three straight Freedom Conference titles “They’re not easy to replace, both on and and NCAA national playoff appearances off the court,” said Leicht. “They did a lot later, Wilkes is still the team others circle for the program, but we have good upperon their schedules. Only now it’s not for classman that have taken leadership roles the easy win at homecoming; it’s the game and taken the freshmen under their wings.” opponents get their chance to take out the So are the ladies rebuilding? Or are they conference powerhouse. reloading for another run at the champion“It’s been exciting. We’ve had a lot of ship? good girls who have worked very hard, “Definitely reloading,” Knight said, who so its been nice to see the success come is a returning second team all-conference with that and to go from the worst to first,” pick. “We look amazing. It’s the best team Leicht said. “We surprised people by win- I’ve ever played on.” ning our first title, now we have the target Knight, who posted a 13-1 mark in singles on our backs, so it’s a little bit harder be- play and a remarkable 15-0 record in doucause everyone is aiming to take you down, bles, has good reason for her confidence. but we enjoy being the hunted.” She will be joined by two of the best indiThe hunted is an understatement. viduals in the conference in Senior XiaoqOver the last four years, the Lady Colo- iao Zhang and last years Freedom Confernels have been the toast of the Freedom ence MVP, Junior Victoria Bybel. Conference, amassing an unprecedented 65 Bybel, who was also named MVP of the wins with only eight losses on their way to Freedom Conference Tournament, returns to three straight conference titles and countless her number one spot after a season in which players garnering all-conference honors. she led the Colonels with a 13-2 record in singles play and a perfect 13-0 mark in doubles. And before the opponents get a chance for a breather, Zhang will pick up right where Bybel left – Michelle Knight off. Zhang, who is also a former conference MVP as well as three-time firstLast season, the lady Colonels cruised team all-conference selection, returns afthrough the regular season and Freedom ter another phenomenal season where she Conference tournament reaching a perfect sported a pristine 12-0 singles record to go 17-0 and collecting coach Leicht’s fourth along with a 10-4 doubles record. consecutive Freedom Conference Coach of “Both are excellent players,” Leicht said. the Year honor. “They’ve proven they can win and be the The stellar regular season and torrid run best in the conference.” through the tournament earned them a #5 Add to that sophomores Rebekah Shanaseed in the NCAA Division-III Champion- man, who went 8-0 in singles play and 15ships, but the Colonels bowed out in the first 0 with Knight in doubles action, Courtney round to Ithaca College, ending their season Malast and Anna Mitchell, as well as what with a school record-tying 18 wins. Leicht calls his “best recruiting class ever BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Sports Editor “We look amazing. It’s the best team I’ve ever played on.” The Beacon Archives / Jenna Stephens Sophomore Rebekah Shanaman awaits the return of teammate junior Michelle Knight’s serve. The pair teamed up last year to go a perfect 15-0 in doubles action. Both return in hopes of leading Wilkes to a fourth consecutive Freedom Conference title. by far in overall talent and depth,” and there is no question that this team is undoubtedly the favorites to run away with the conference yet again. “We’ll have freshman that start from day one,” said Leicht. “All the freshman will be competing for spots. How quickly they adapt to the college game will be key for how our team performs this year.” “The strongest competition isn’t even against other teams in our conference,” says Knight. “Some of the best competition all year is between us and our teammates.” To ensure that the lady Colonels continue to be challenged, Leicht has scheduled a grueling out of conference slate, which includes tournaments with the likes of Division-I programs such as Bucknell, Lafayette, and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, as well as a trip to the US Open courts in Flushing Meadows, New York for a tilt with New York University. The lady Colonels will also participate in the annual bout with Division-II Bloomsburg as well as many regionally ranked Division-III schools, and this team will be proving its worth week in and week out. “We can’t take our previous success for granted because there is always room for improvement, but coach (Leicht) shows so much confidence in us and does a great job of scheduling matches that challenge us,” said Bybel. All the Colonels have to do is get over that the first round hump in the NCAA playoffs that has been the Achilles heel for them the past few years. “We have to go farther at the NCAA Tournament,” stressed Bybel. “We’ve gotten to that point the last few years and lost in the first round, taking that next step and winning an NCAA match will be amazing.” The road to the NCAA’s begins Saturday as Manhattanville comes to town. Will 2009-1010 end with Wilkes hoisting the Freedom Conference Championship trophy for a mind-boggling fourth consecutive year? “That stuff will take care of itself,” said Leicht. “Everyone has the expectation that we have the ability to win the championship, but there’s a lot that can happen between now and then, well just play hard and take it match by match.” �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 17 Athlete Spotlight: Joe Brennan, Men’s soccer midfielder Coutesy of Marketing Communications BY DAN KAUTZ Beacon Managing Editor Meet Joe Brennan, a left midfielder on the men’s soccer team from Oakdale, Connecticut. A freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, Brennan got a taste of success in his first college game after scoring the game-winning goal against Marywood University in a 1-0 overtime victory on September 1, 2009. “It took a couple of seconds to hit me [after I scored],” said Brennan, who connected for the goal after receiving a cross from senior Troy Gibson. “After that it was just a pure adrenaline rush; I just remember running down the field with my teammates and having a ‘that just happened’ moment. It felt great.” The goal gave the Colonels the win and a 1-0 start to their season, as well as the confidence that they can not only keep their poise in close games, but come through in the clutch of late-game situations. Since their game against Marywood they have gone 1-3. The Colonels have a tough sched- QUICK HITS VOLLEYBALL SERVING OPPONENTS The Lady Colonels have started this season on fire, winning nine of their first ten contests. It is the team’s best start in school history. In the midst of this great beginning, Wilkes won both the Scranton Invitational and the Kings College Tournament. The women take the court again tomorrow at 7 p.m. to take on FDU-Florham. CATCHING UP WITH CROSS COUNTRY The men’s team took fourth at the Kings College NEPA Classic while both the women and the men took 5th place in the Lebanon Valley Invitational. Michelle Wakely has led the women, taking 14th place in the NEPA Classic, and 7th place overall in the Lebanon Valley Invitational with times of 16:16 and 21:10, respectively. For the men, Bob Park has taken the top spot in both events, including the fastest 8K time since the rebirth of the Wilkes cross country program with a time of 30:02 at Lebanon Valley. ule this year, which will serve as a measuring stick for how they stack up against the best of the best. Included in that schedule is a tilt with Muhlenberg, to whom they have lost to twice in the last three seasons. “There’s a big jump in the technical skill REED ON A ROLL FOR WOMEN At press time, the women’s soccer team was off to a 2-2 start. They defeated Marywood and UW-Oshkish, while their two losses have come at the hands of Scranton and Arcadia. Senior Julissa Reed has been red-hot this season, leading the team in both goals (three) and assists (two). The Lady Colonels return to action today, hosting Lebanon Valley at 4 p.m. When these two teams met last year, they played to a 1-1 draw in overtime. MEN’S SOCCER BACK TO .500 The Colonels boasted a 2-2 record at press time Sunday. The men were victorious in their first two contests of the year, taking out Marywood and Gwynedd Mercy. Unfortunately for Wilkes, they dropped their next two contests against Neumann and Muhlenberg. The Colonels next match-up comes tomorrow when they travel to Dickinson to take on the unbeaten Red Devils. WHAT'S THE WORD AT WILKES? Each week, The Beacon asks students how they feel about important issues in the world of sports. This week, we asked how they felt about Eagles quarterback Michael Vick being reinstated into the NFL after serving time in prison. You can view their responses online. for more information check out .. . I wilkesbeacon.com IE:lJ that the players have at this level,” said Brennan. “In high school there was always the issue of players not finishing plays, whereas here you can’t mess up [without getting scored on].” In an effort to rise to the competition, LEFT - Brennan (right) and his teammates celebrate his game winning goal versus Marywood. Brennan has made it a goal of his to hit the weight room to add muscle and increase his endurance. “I’m the smallest guy out there on the field,” said Brennan with a chuckle. “I definitely need to step it up in there.” Despite their somewhat slow start, Brennan is confident in the team that posted an 11-8-3 record last season and has many experienced upper-classmen returning. “We seem to have eleven fit soccer players out there [on the field during games] at all times,” said Brennan. “We don’t have that one guy who’s out there just to be out there; everyone is working hard and it shows in our effort.” They will have an opportunity to show off their hard work tomorrow, September 16, as they take on Lebanon Valley (ranked second in the preseason Commonwealth Conference poll) in what promises to be a tough road test for the Colonels. • Calle■■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 :L eague Information tember l l'itb ' iou b IN,w]) ~ . ' ednesd 19 -,.,,~·· ~ ·t ch lh . eSea lll e. Starmrtorn Lanes: BatUe ,o f the Sexes 41.70 S'ta nton St. ·w-1 k,es Bane,. PA. 18702 (570) 82:4~416 181 or v··sit www.yo I rbow imgplace.co.m �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL 9/5 vs. Muhlenberg 14-12 W 9/12 vs. Montclair State 37-10 W MEN’S SOCCER 9/1 vs. Marywood 1-0 W (OT) 9/4 @ Gwynedd Mercy 2-0 W 9/6 vs. Neumann 2-1 L 9/10 vs. Muhlenberg 4-0 L WOMEN’S SOCCER 9/5 vs. UW-Oshkosh 2-0 W 9/6 vs. Arcadia 2-1 L 9/9 vs. Scranton 4-2 L VOLLEYBALL 9/2 vs. Lycoming 3-1 W 9/4 vs. Misericordia 3-2 W 9/4 vs. Marywood 3-1 W 9/5 vs. Mount St. Mary’s (NY) 3-0 W 9/5 vs. King’s 3-1 W 9/8 @ Alvernia 3-0 W 9/11 vs. SUNY-IT 3-1 W 9/12 vs. Keystone 3-0 W 9/12 vs. Scranton 3-2 L 9/12 vs. Marywood 3-2 W FIELD HOCKEY 9/1 vs. Scranton 5-2 W 9/5 @ Moravian 4-1 W 9/9 vs. Cabrini 6-2 W 9/12 @ Gwynedd Mercy 3-2 W Deemie is Iron Woman, places fifth in age group Senior completes 140.6 mile triathlon in under 12 hours BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Ashley Deemie, a senior business administration and accounting major, said that she signed up for the Louisville Ironman triathlon for the experience. Even she had no idea just what an experience she was in for. During an Ironman competition, participants have 17 hours to swim 2.4 miles, change clothes, pedal a bicycle for 112 miles, change clothes again, and then run a 26.2 mile marathon. There are no breaks between the legs, and time spent changing clothes counts toward an athlete’s final time. Deemie, who just started competing in triathlons last year, finished the race and blew her competition away in the process. She placed fifth amongst women between the ages of 18 and 24, clocking out with a time of 11 hours, 45 minutes, and 24 seconds. The Apalachin, NY, native was presented with a commemorative plaque for her fifthplace finish. That award came in addition to a medal, hat and t-shirt that each of the finishers received. But Deemie didn’t realize that she had placed until she received a text message from one of her friends at the competition. “She told me I was getting an award,” Deemie recalled. “I texted her, ‘I am?’ I MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9/1 vs. Misericordia 50-15 L 9/4 King’s College Classic 4th Place 9/12 Leb. Valley Invitational 5th Place WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9/1 vs. Misericordia 48-17 L 9/4 King’s College Classic 6th Place 9/12 Leb. Valley Invitational 5th Place twil:l:er, @BeaconSports For up to the minute reports on your favorite Colonels teams throughout the week, follow The Beacon Sports on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BeaconSports 18 Courtesy of Ashley Deemie Ashley Deemie placed fifth in her age group during the Louisville Ironman triathlon, held on August 31. Deemie is seen here during the marathon leg of the competition, which also included swimming and cycling. didn’t even check the results; I never even imagined that I would get fifth.” Deemie, whose interest in triathlons was sparked by watching friends compete in an Ironman held last summer in Lake Placid, NY, competed in two half-Ironmans over the summer in preparation for the Louisville competition. When she learned what her times were in those competitions, Deemie set a goal time that she wanted to beat during the full-length, 140.6-mile Ironman. “I was shooting for 12 hours. I thought that was a pretty good goal time for me,” she said. “My marathon time was a lot better than I expected. I came out and I ran really, really well; I felt great. I think that’s what brought my time down under 12 hours.” Apart from a practice run earlier in the week, Deemie had never seen the course that she would be competing on prior to the race. But she wasn’t worried about the course; her primary concern was the potential for scorching temperatures. “Last year in Louisville the temperature was well over 90 degrees. For this year, my main concern was the temperature,” Deemie said. “I’m not used to training in the heat like that, but the heat was perfect – high 70s, low 80s all day – so it was perfect weather.” While Deemie and the other combatants experienced good weather on race day, they also enjoyed some pleasant scenery during the marathon. The course wound past the University of Louisville campus, its 42,000-seat Division-I football stadium, and Churchill Downs, home of the world famous Kentucky Derby. With her fifth-place finish under her belt, Deemie returned to Wilkes and immediately resumed her many campus activities. She serves as president of Money Matters Personal Finance Club, treasurer of Students In Free Enterprise and is an E-Mentor and Resident Assistant. The race date coincided with Wilkes University’s Welcome Weekend, during which E-Mentors like Deemie meet with first-year students and help them transition from high school to college. Sharon Castano, who oversees the E-Mentoring program, said she didn’t have to think twice about excusing Deemie from the weekend’s activities. Castano added that completing the race speaks volumes about Deemie’s character. “Ashley is a competitor,” Castano said. “She competes with herself daily in all aspects of her life, always challenging herself to perform better than she did previously, whether it be academically or when it comes to athletics.” Courtesy of Ashley Deemie Ashley DeemieCourtesy poses with her Deemie medal, of Ashley which she received for finishing the triathlon. Deemie clocked out with a time of 11 hours, 45 minutes, and 24 seconds. HER TIMES BY EVENT: SWIM: 1 : 2 2 : 21 BIKE: RUN : 6 : 05 : 42 4 : 08 : 30 TOTAL*: 11: 45: 24 *Includes times for transition periods As busy as Deemie might get during the school year, she will never forget the experience that she had preparing for and participating in the Ironman. ‘If I could put it in a couple words, I’d have to say it was the journey of a lifetime, between starting training and the ending product,” said Deemie. “The day goes by really fast.” �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 SPORTS Keegan leads the way for Lady Colonels in 6-2 triumph BY RACHEL CANNULI Beacon Correspondent The Wilkes University field hockey team dominated Cabrini College on Wednesday, September 9, scoring five goals in the first half en-route to a 6-2 victory. Jen Keegan scored twice for the Lady Colonels, who improved their record to 3-0 on the season with the win. Gina Elmy, Jenna DiSabatino, Amanda Tilley and Lindsey Raleigh also recorded goals for Wilkes. The majority of the goals were scored within the first 20 minutes of the game, and Wilkes held a 5-1 lead at half time. The five strikes were more than enough to seal the victory, as goalkeeper Lindsey Davenport made eight stops between the pipes to earn the win. Head Coach Sara Myers was thrilled with her team’s successful start to the contest. “We had a very strong first half; the first 15 minutes of the game was the best I have ever seen Wilkes play,” Myers said. “We just need to work on keeping the momentum and maintaining the same level of intensity for the entire 70 minutes.” The six goals scored by Wilkes were the most that the team has scored in a single game this season. Myers added that DiSabatino and Keegan played exceptionally well in Wednesday’s victory. “Jenna Disabatino had an outstanding game; she created a lot of scoring opportunities and Jen Keegan also stood out offen- sively,” the coach said. “Keegan has really stepped up as a leader on our offensive line and she has been a mainstay in our scoring in the last three games.” Keegan, a senior business administration major, leads the Lady Colonels with seven goals this season, adding a tally in Wilkes’s 3-2 victory over Gwynedd Mercy on Saturday that improved the team’s record to 40. Keegan has taken just 11 total shots this campaign, making her shooting percentage an astronomical 63.6%. All told, seven other players scored at least once for the Lady Colonels this year. Keegan is happy that the scoring is coming from many different players. “The offense has had a great past few games,” Keegan said. “It’s always nice to see diversity among goal scorers. We just need to keep the momentum of these wins and carry it into the rest of the season.” Myers added that the team’s depth has played a big role in her team’s early season success. “We have 19 players on our team who are game ready, any one of them can step on the field at any time and there is not a change on our level of play,” the coach said. “I am very happy with this group and I am excited to see what they can accomplish this year.” Wilkes will play their next home game on Thursday, September 17, when they entertain non-conference rival Keystone College at 4 p.m. Wilkes also hosts Marywood on Saturday, September 19, at noon. From PAGE 20 The Beacon / Kerri Frail The Colonels’ “Big Three” is comprised of Darnell Corbin (left), Corey Gilroy (center) and Kevin Gerhart (right). Here, Corbin and Gilroy block for Gerhart during his interception return in the season opener vs. Muhlenberg. Wilkes won 14-12. the big plays proved to be the deciding factor for Wilkes. Corbin intercepted Fischer on their very next possession. The fourth quarter was dominated by the Colonels both offensively and defensively. Zach Tivald reached the end zone from two yards out to give the Colonels a commanding 37-3 lead. The Red Hawks would put up a late touchdown with 7:47 left to play to make the score 37-10, which is where it would stay. The Colonels will be able to relax for a week as they currently have a bye. Their next chapter comes in two weeks when they travel to Newport News, Virginia, to take on the Captains from Christopher Newport University. The Colonels will be looking to avenge a 21-20 defeat from last year. $5.,9 9 ALL YOU CAN EAT i Sa.Ja,d , pasta., pizza, a11d desert! Tony Di's PIZZABUFJfrr The Beacon / Allison Roth Members of the Wilkes University field hockey team line up to watch Amanda Tilley take a penalty shot during Wednesday’s game against Cabrini College. Tilley scored on the play, making her one of four Lady Colonels to tally in the matinee contest. 19 P: 570.825.2060 F: 570.825.2061 2 95 South Majn Stree·t Wil '. es-Barre, PA 1870 I OP SA'. .. ·• ·.·.. · · 1· I AY AND 3:30 AM! We Deliver �SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 SPORTS 20 Colonels leave Mules, Red Hawks in dust, open year 2-0 Picked to finish sixth in conference, Colonels are proving the critics wrong BY RYAN HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It was the leadership of “The Big Three” and a total team effort that got the Wilkes football team off to a 2-0 start this season. Defensive backs senior Cory Gilroy, and juniors Darnell Corbin and Kevin Gerhart, the three most experienced defensive players, dubbed themselves “The Big Three.” Not lacking any confidence, the trio also hailed themselves as the “best defensive players in the MAC [Middle Atlantic Conference],” setting the tone for the defense. In their home opener against Muhlenberg on September 3, the Colonels used some key plays by some big time-players to come out victorious, giving them their first nonconference victory since 2006. A late touchdown reception by Gennaro Zangardi and the playmaking ability of the Colonels fueled the victory. Gilroy, leader of “The Big Three,” came up huge, blocking the Mules’ 21-yard field goal attempt before half time. “The blocked field goal really seemed to spark the team and get us motivated again,” Gilroy said. The motivation was apparent as the second half proved to be all Wilkes. Senior quarterback Rob Johnson led them down the field and finished the drive himself on a 37-yard scamper for the Colonels’ first score of the day, cutting the Mules’ lead to three. Corbin and Gerhard, the other two members of “The Big Three,” followed Gilroy’s lead and came up with big plays of their own in the second half, but not before Gilroy intercepted Muhlenberg quarterback Justin Kreamer’s pass at the start of the fourth quarter. After a few unsuccessful drives by both teams, Kevin Gerhart, who was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week after his dominant showing, came up with a momentum-changing interception, returning it 28 yards to set up first-and-10 from the Mules 15-yard line. After three plays, Johnson found Zangardi in the back corner of the end zone with 5:38 left in the game to take the lead for the first time in the afternoon. Just as the Mules looked as though they may recapture the lead, Corbin intercepted Kreamer on their own 8-yard line, Kreamer’s third pick of the day. After three straight runs to wear down the clock, Colonels punter Nick Genuardi took an intentional safety with five seconds left on the clock to make the score 14-12 in favor of Wilkes. 37 Points scored by Wilkes in the victory over Montclair State. Between 2007 and 2008, the Colonels scored a combined 13 points in losses to Montclair State. 30 Games since the Colonels have beaten a ranked opponent. Montclair was the #18 team in DivisionIII prior to losing to Wilkes. Courtesy of Jason Prushinski Sophomore wide receiver Aireil Adams sprints past Montclair State’s Chad Faulcone on his way to the end zone in Saturday’s 37-10 victory. Adams finished with three catches for 105 yards, including this 78-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter. After multiple laterals on the ensuing kickoff, the Mules fumbled away one last shot which was recovered by the Colonels as time ran out, cementing the late game comeback win for Wilkes. The Colonels took on the Red Hawks from Montclair State in their second home game of the season last Saturday. The respected Red Hawks came into Ralston Field ranked 18th in the nation, but that did not intimidate the Colonels at all. “We definitely wanted to keep this rolling and get win number two against Montclair,” Corbin said before the game. Both teams started out slowly, but the Colonels drew first blood when Chris Horn connected on a 20-yard field goal try to put the Colonels up by a score of 3-0 with 6:54 left in the first quarter. The defensive struggle continued until Wilkes’ Sean O’Neill recovered a Scott Kubrak fumble, and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown, extending their lead to nine. “It was just reading and reacting to the play. [Greg] Nielsen made the tackle and there was no one else around so I picked it up and ran it in,” recalled O’Neill. The extra point attempt was blocked and the scored stayed at 9-0. After a few scoreless possessions, Johnson and his offense regained momentum and used a long pass to Jordan D’Emilio to set themselves up first and goal. Harry Reese then bullied his way into the end zone from two yards out. The Red Hawks finally got onto the board shortly before the half with a 31-yard-field goal making the score 16-3 as the teams exited for halftime. It didn’t take much time for Wilkes to continue its string of big plays. On their first possession of the second half, Johnson completed a 78-yard touchdown pass to Aireil Adams, who left his defender in the dust while giving the Colonels a 23-3 edge. “I came into this game fired up because their defense didn’t give us any respect, and I really wanted to make a big play,” Adams said. The big plays kept coming when Gilroy intercepted Fischer’s pass and returned it 88 yards for the touchdown. The turnovers and SEE FOOTBALL on PAGE 19 5 Number of interceptions the Colonels have so far this season. They had 12 picks during their ten game schedule in the 2008 season. 0 Number of wins against non-conference opponents during the past two years. They have two this season. Zero is also the number of turnovers the Colonels committed. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 September 15th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 September 15 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/f96ae1632d7a745764ac3c2522d7721b.pdf 274ccb28869ab7613b912f81f47e77e1 PDF Text Text Tri-State Rail System Pages SPORTS SPOTLIGHT PAGES 16-17 The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW APRIL 28, 2009 Volume 61 Issue 20 VRC rally, memorial for Rogers-Buckner held HIV panel to AMY FUSCO Beacon News Editor "2-4-6-8, no more date rape!" On Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m., this chant could be heard down the streets of WilkesBarre during a Victims Rights Rally held by the local Victims Resource Center (VRC). Wilkes University students, other area colleges and local community members participated in a walk from campus to the VRC. In addition to the rally, a memorial was held for the recently deceased Kewaii RogersBuckner, a sophomore nursing student at Wilkes University who was murdered in her home, an alleged victim of domestic violence. Valerie Martinez, senior communication studies major, led the chant while many people marched behind her. The Victims Rights Rally for crime prevention occurs every April in honor of the National Victims Rights Rally. This year was its 25-year celebration. As the crowd marched down River Street, up Market Street and eventually to South Franklin Street, cars honked to show sup- ''bust 01ytfts'' with stories BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor &AMY FUSCO Beacon News Editor Bogert, assistant director of Institutional Research, a percentage of Wilkes students stop identifying with a religion altogether between the time they begin classes at Wilkes and graduation. Surveys are distributed at freshman orientation and then again before graduation to gather this information. In 2004, 8.4% of incoming freshman selected "None" when asked what their This Thursday, April 30, Wilkes University will host a panel discussion to promote HIV awareness at 6 p.m. in the Miller Conference room. The panel titled, "Awareness. Action. Education: Living with HIV," will feature six panelists. Three are members of the HIV community and the remaining three panelists work within the HIV community. In addition to the panel, there will be a free HIV screening in the Hiscox room which will be conducted by the Wyoming Valley AIDS Council. "Last semester, I worked on my capstone, which was on HIV disclosure because I have friends within the HIV population," said Valerie Martinez, a senior communication studies major, who coordinated the event. HIV medical professionals on the panel include Megan Margavage, coordinator for case management of Wyoming Valley AIDS Council; Michelle Crackett, nurse for the Department of Health of Pennsylvania; and Sheree Nelson, representative from a pharmaceutical company, Abbott Laboratories. In addition, the panel will include three HIV positive community members. Andy, founder of Luzerne County We Care, and Bryan and Maria, also HIV positive community members. The last names of the HIV positive panelists are not given to maintain See FAITH page 3 See HIV PANEL page 2 The Beacon/Amy Fusco Approximately 100 people marched through the streets of Wilkes-Barre during the annual Victims Rights Rally held by the local Victims Resource Center (VRC). port for the rally. By the time participants arrived at the VRC, there were approximately 100 people gathered. Students from Miscercordia University and Luzerne County Community College were there, along with the King's College football team. See MEMORIAL page 4 College experience tests students' faith Whether secular or faith-based, university life impacts religious practice BY NICOLE FRAIL Beacon Managing Editor & ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Editor-in-Chief As a practicing Muslim, Silvia Silvi is expected to pray five specific times each day and fast during certain times of the year. However, since beginning college at Wilkes University in 2006, Silvi has admitted to skipping prayers due to classes and other school-related obligations. As a result, she feels as though her faith has weakened. "We have specific prayer times, and most of that happens while I'm in classes. So, I can't pray as much as I used to," said Silvi, a Pl pharmacy student. Since Wilkes University is the only private, secular four year institution in the area, a wide variety of faiths are practiced on campus. According to statistics provided by Brian $~ _~._ ~~.!~k!:'!!.com beaconarchives.wilkes.edu INDEX News ............... 1-5 Opinion........... 6--8 Lifestyles....... 9-11 A&E .........•.. .12-15 Sports .......... 16.;20 Established 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member w · _· . �NEWS APRIL HIV PANEL from FRONT PAGE some level of privacy. All panelists will have about IO to 15 minutes to speak and then there will be an open question and answer session. Margavage, said she plans to talk about what the Wyoming Valley AIDS Council can provide, how people can get the free testing offered by the center, and answer any questions that students have. Crackett will educate about STDs, HIV and pregnancy. These are topics that should concern students because, according to · the Department of Health, many people opt to be tested only for HIV and not other STDs, which is problematic particularly for any youth-populated community. Nelson will offer insights into the different medications for HIV positive people. She will also offer an "HIV 10 I" quiz, said Margavage. The HIV positive community members, Andy, Bryan and Maria, will offer their stories as to how they contracted the disease. Andy is the founder of We Care which is a support organization for the HIV community. Bryan and Maria are open HIV community members and have done panels prior to this one. The Wyoming Valley AIDS Council assists clients by using a method called case management. After someone tests positive for HIV, the center helps them get on the right track with medicine and visits to the doctor. The council also helps clients with their finances because the medicine can be very expensive. If clients are eli- 28, 2009 gible for prescription drug plans, like the Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program, the council can help clients work with plans like SPBP and also get funding from the government. "One of the drugs that I did some research on ... it cost somebody almost $30,000 a year, just for the drug alone. It cost about $1,500 a month for each prescription for a 30-day supply of the medicine," said Margavage. Margavage wants to point out to college students that HIV and AIDS doesn't target people. It is random and it can happen to anyone. People need to get educated on the subject of HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. "The most important thing is that you just have to get tested. Or just be aware that you could be at risk," said Margavage. CONTACT INFORMATION: amy.fusco@wilkes.edu j acqueline. lukas@wilkes.edu wilkesbeacon.news@gmail.com One student, Carolyn Holecek, a sophomore nursing major is going to the HIV panel because she thinks students should know more about HIV and AIDS. Holecek was educated about HIV and AIDS in a sexual education class in high school, but would like to see more sexual education throughout high school and college. She also likes the idea of a panel discussion. "I thought it was an interesting way to present the information. Obviously, anyone can do their own research but having a panel discussion, you are able to have question and answer sessions. Also, you are able to relate a face to a story. . . It makes the story more tangible than just reading statistics and viewing the person as a number," said Holecek. The Wyoming Valley AIDS Council works with about 100 cli- 2 ents at any given time. Margavage also supervises another case manager at the AIDS Council, Matt Semanision. Martinez wants more students to have knowledge about HIV and AIDS. "I'll be really please if people become more informed," said Martinez. Throughout her work, Margavage has seen a big stigma on AIDS in this area. "I still hear people saying, 'It's a gay man's disease.' This is going back twenty years ago already. Now it's coming back out that I'm hearing these phrases," said Margavage. Martinez hopes that the panel discussion will be a "mythbuster" and she hopes it will decrease the stigma that comes with the issue. Rove's national experience highlights talk BY JACQUELINE LUKAS Beacon Asst. News Editor On Wednesday April 15, Karl Rove, a chief strategist for the George W. Bush administration spoke in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Rove helped Bush get elected governor and president, twice. ~e is still sought after as a political consultant, obviously for Republicans," said Dr. Thomas Baldino, professor of politcal science. Some students were impressed with Rove's stop at Wilkes University. Rove said he likes to get the word out by speaking to college Republicans. "I didn't think somebody as important or prestigious as Karl Rove would speak at Wilkes University," said Lauren Benhamou, a political science major. When Amanda Parfitt, another political science major, heard that Rove was coming to Wilkes, she was surprised by the news. Adam Szumski, a political science major, said that he was happy to be able to see Rove in person but was upset that he went into the anatomy of campaigns which, to Szumski, is essentially marketing techniques . Szumski noted he would have been more pleased with a discussion about his role in the White House but was pleased overall. In his address to students, one of Rove 's main points was about The Beacon/ Jacqueline Lukas See ROVE page 5 Rove touched on many topics during his speech including what makes a good election and how important voting is. BEACON 130 S. River St, First Floor, Conyngham Hall Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 PHONE: (570) 408-5903 EMAIL: wilkes.beacon@wilkes.edu Correction In April 7 issue of 'fl1e Beacon, Kewaii Rogers-Buckner was identified as a junior. She was a sophomore. Also in the April 7 issue, Lori Drozdis was named as the di- rector of the nursing department. Lori Drozdis is the director of experiential learning in the nursing department. Mary Ann Merrigan is the chair of the nursing department. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. -ANDREW SEAMAN EDITORdN-CHIEF Meet the staff... Editorial Staff 2008-09 "' Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Seaman Lifestyles Editor: Christa Sgobba Managing Editor: Nicole Frail A/E Editor: Alyssa Benner Advertising Manager: Christine Zavaskas Sports Editor: Alissa Lindner News Editor: Amy Fusco Photo Editor: Lauren Biernacki Opinion Editor: Gino Troiani Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Managing Editor �28, 2009 FAITH NEWS APRIL a different religion and are deeply committed to it. from FRONT..PAGE Shearn says that this may be due to the current religious preference was. Before influence that parents have over their chilgraduation in 2008, the same students dren's religious practices in their earlier were surveyed again and this time 14.3% years. Once in college or away from home, selected "None" as their answer. These students tend to find a faith or religion that numbers show an increase in approximatethey feel is better for them. Because it is ly 6% of students who no longer felt that something they chose, they may be more they identified with a particular faith. passionate about their beliefs and practices. ln addition, the number of students who Both Silvi and freshman Kim Feliciano had initially answered that they preferred say their families influenced the faiths they Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, identify with. Baptist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian faiths "My mom and I are very close. So she also decreased. can just kind of see how unhappy it makes In 2007, The Washington Times reported me that I find it so much harder to make it that 59% of students who graduate from to mass [since starting school] and to recollege with a bachelor's degree or higher ally keep up with faith the way J used to. admit to attending religious services less of- So, my mother can see how hard it is for ten than they did before beginning school. me. She was a huge encouragement for me "I think while breaking people up into to change to a school where that would be groups can create cliques-where the easier for me," said Feliciano Muslim students stay over here, and the According to Monaco, there are many Catholic students stay over here, and the reasons why a student's faith may be quesChristian students stay over here - I think tioned, weakened, or altogether forgotten Wilkes, who for many years didn't permit during their college years. The most promifaith-based groups, did it for that very rea- nent being the stress of school work and deson. They wanted them coming together to crease in free time to dedicate to practicing have those conversations to understand and their religion. support each other. But I think by having "I would say that my faith has kind of the various groups, they can learn and grow, weakened a little, because of all the conand become more educated in their own flicts . I've been trying to get it back on faith-based tradition as well," said Theresa track," said Silvi. Monaco, Interfaith Coordinator at Wilkes Erin Wimer, a junior English secondary University. education major says her relationship with According to Robert Shearn, associate God grew stronger after coming to college. campus minister at King's College in WilShe said, "Coming to college made my kes-Barre, students often disaffiliate them- relationship with God much stronger. I've selves with organized religions when they been in so many situations where He is the begin college; however, of those that leave only person I have to rely on. On campus faith behind while at school, many return to we have a Christian Fellowship Club where .,.........,....,..., __,...,,....,..,,_.,...,,...,.._,...... ......,_,,._,,_..........,.... I met a lot of other Christians with whom 1:,-......""""l"""'.'.""~--'n-r""''r"'"'&...r.....,;a."""tMn~~5';;~m"'-'!'---I I can talk to about any e our current re ~.;;;;,,,.;;.;;.;.;;.;.;;;..;..;;..;;;.,;;;s:;;.;.;;;;;;..:;.;..;;;;.;;;;;..;;,;;;;.;;.;;._,..;;;,.;;;~-1-...,;.~4~,;;;.i1~-'4 struggles I am encounaptist 4.4% tering. The club has uddld$t C>.4% 0 also been a place where .2.0% astern Orthodox % I experienced spiritual pi~pal 2.0.% 1.2 growth through wor. du 0.4% 0.4% 0.0% ship, fellowship, and slainic 0.0% OJ>% 0.0% scripture." 1.6% 2.4% O.S% ewtsh Students may also (Ul% 0.0% (J.0% DS{Motmon) find that their beliefs ntheraa 6.8% 4..4% 2.4% don 't match others on ethodist 9.6% 8.4% 1.2% campus and fitting in byterian 2.0% O,lWO' 1.2% with a group of friends naker 0.4% 0.4% 0,0°/o is difficult. Many omau Catholic 9.0% 4.3.8¾ -5;2% times, students may eve.nth Day Adventist 0.0% 0.0% 0,0% feel as though they nited Church of Christ 2.0% 2.4% 0.4% may have to sacrifice 9.2% 12.0% 2.8% her Christian their religious beliefs ther Religion 2.0% 3.2% 1.2% to have a social life. 8.4°/o 14.3% 5.9% "While most of the Courtesy of the Higher Education Research lnsititue campus would prob264 Freshman took the CIRP, Cooperative Institutional Re- ably profess themsearch Program, in 2004 and then the same students took the selves to be Christian CSS, College Senior Survey, in 2008. in some denomina- ........... _ ______ ~- - - 3 The Beacon/ Teresa Monaco The Feast on Faith is held by the Interfaith Office. A representative council of students from different religions talk about some stipulations that they may have previously had about other religions. It is open dialogue between faiths. tion, whether that be Catholic or Protestant, the majority of them don't take it very seriously. So when someone does come along, who takes their faith seriously, there is kind of a, 'I'm a Christian -you can do that stuff' the dismissing of the sense that they want to take it more seriously," said Monaco. In some cases, the availability of school support may not be evident or strong enough for students to feel comfortable expressing their faith on campus. "I feel that Theresa does a great job as campus [interfaith coordinator] but I don't think the university as a whole really supports us. I say that because there are many things that we want to do, but sometimes the question is, 'how much can we get away with before the school pulls the plug?' Not in a bad way, but the school wants to not have to deal with it, and that's what makes me feel that [faith] is not an important issue," said Feliciano, who is leaving Wilkes at the end of this semester to attend an institute with a chapel and larger, more active Newman Club on campus. Newman Club is a national Catholic campus ministry gro As a college affiliated with the Catholic religion, King's College also finds difficulty accommodating students of other religions. Approximately 75% of King's students are Catholic; therefore, many attend the masses and devotional practices that are held on campus. Not all students find it harder to practice their religion at Wilkes. "The nice thing about being in Wilkes is that I can easlily practice my religion at any one of the many nearby synagogues. Campus Interfaith has been a great asset because J am able to meet with others to talk about religion," says Rachel Rubinstein, a sophomore entrepreneurship major who identifies with Judaism. Shearn and others attempt to reach out to students of other religions- and even those of agnostic beliefs- through programs such . as Prospective on Scripture, which is similar to Wilkes 's Feast on Faith, and service projects. While King's is a Catholic institution and Wilkes is secular, both institutions agree that in order to show all students that they support their religions or faiths, they have to provide a neutral prayer room. "I really think that it is incumbent upon the campuses to make provisions for this to happen ... To offer a space where students can go and pray five times a day if their faith requires. We don't have such a space here on King's campus. We do have a chapel, but it's a decidedly Christian chapel. I think it would be good for us to put something in place that's kind of a neutral place where students from other faith traditions can go and pray or worship in ways that are appropriate for them," said Shearn. "The idea of having a sacred space on campus is something that universities across the country have put in place. Usually, it is set up to be a universal space. So it is something that any faith tradition can use," said Monaco. According to Dr. Maria Suarez, director of the Center for Global Education and Diversity at Wilkes, one room in Chase Hall has been designated prayer room for Muslim students, but she has found that most students have continued using a room located in the basement of the Farley Library, which had been used as a prayer space in the past. "We have not been contacted about any specific issues, and because the Interfaith Coordinator is housed in Student Affairs, we offer our collaboration - we talk - but there hasn't been anything very specific where they've requested our collaboration. So I don't know of any specific issues students are having," said Suarez. Suarez added that she would like to hear from students if they feel the Center can help them. �28, 2009 MEMORIAL APRIL from FRONT PAGE 4 NEWS which she noted takes about two months to organize. "We had a lot of student participation," said Boone. "We really couldn't have done it without the help from our student coordinators," she added. They also received tremendous support from people at the YRC. Furthermore, Boone felt the event was a nice way to showcase where the YRC is located and it was nice to have the survivors speak who have received helped from YRC. "I think not only does crime affect everyone, but people don't have to be victims. They can be survivors," Boone commented, "There are resources and counselors available, not only on campus but at the Victims Resource Center that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." Next year, she hopes that even more people join them in the rally. Pat Rushton, YRC outreach & education manager, was present at both events. This semester, he instructed a men's group course on Wilkes campus. It is a five course program that teaches men about sexual violence. Rushton worked with Dr. Mischelle Anthony, assistant professor of English and Boone to coordinate the program for eight or nine Wilkes male students. "The five-week program educates men about what we can do as men to try to stop sexual violence on this campus and influence [positive] behaviors," Rushton said. "It is to empower men to start impacting change, change in attitudes and of course, During the event, several speakers presented at the podium, including survivors of violence. Some of the survivors were victims of sexual abuse, arson, gun violence, and rape. Within the crowd of people, several students carried a sign in Roger-Buckner's honor. After the walk, the memorial for Kewaii Rogers-Buckner began at 7:30 p.m. Several professors, co-workers, ftiends and students spoke about the much missed student who was the mother of three. People who walked in the march were required to buy a t-shirt, which contributed to the YRC and a portion of it will be given to Rogers-Buckner's children. Veronica Marzonie, senior nursing student and a student coordinator of the event explained, "The memorial was a chance for those who knew her to say farewell and to hopefully gain some semblance of closure." Rogers-Buckner worked full-time as a respiratory therapist at Mount Pocono Medical Center while she attended school full-time and raised her children. She arrived in WilkesBarre following her displacement during Hurricane Katrina. Although she was very busy, many people spoke about her smile and her positive attitude. "I think that for those of us in nursing, the best thing we can do to honor Kewaii is to finish our degrees, something she wanted so much, and to live and work each day being the best nurses that we possibly can," said Marzonie. "If we provide compassionate care and advocate for those in need, like we are at this event, we will honor her memory and hopefully she will see and it will bring her peace," she added. "We can't change the past but we can affect the future, this walk and memorial is one w~," Marzonie added. According to attendees, the event provided strength and unity, as well as an opportunity to do something about a situation nobody had control over. Erin Bufford, sophomore nursing student, was in charge of a portion of the memorial. "I think it went well really well," Bufford stated, "Considering the rain situation held up for us, it was a good turnout." She explained that they are going to continue selling the tshitts to raise money to send to -.......-................ The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki Roger-Buckner's children. Megan Boone, community Several speakers, including students, friends and professervice coordinator, also helped sors, honored Rogers-Buckner at the memorial. T-shirts coordinate the rally event, are being sold to raise money for her three children. The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki Wilkes community members attended the memorial in honor of Kewaii RogersBuckner, who was victim to alleged domestic violence. behaviors," he added. Students participated in role plays, scenarios and watched educational videos. The program ran from February to March this year. They are hoping to continue the program next spring semester. In the fall, Rushton will be instructing King's College students. ---------------------------------, WWW.CHANGEABLE SKIES.COM Student Housing for the 21st Century CONTACT: Bill Henry william.henryOO@comcast.net 215-768-4619 STILL NEED AN APARTMENT FOR NEXT YEAR??? HIS IS WHATS LEFT FOR THE 09-10 SEASON: 84 WEST ROSS STREET 2 BEDROOM APTS FREE PARKING & ALL UT/LITES INCLUDED JOAN HENRY HALL ONE 4 PRIVATE BEDROOM LEFT ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED �APRIL 28, 2009 ROVE fromPAGE2 elections. He offered nine ideas for what comprises successful,.to run a successful campaign ... are applicable to any party: Democrat, Republican, Socialist, Communist, Liberterian ... you name it. You can use those points," said Baldino. "What he said that day about elections was pretty spot-on. Everything he said you can pretty much see from what plays out during an election. He's a very intelligent man and I think that's obvious by the fact that he got George Bush to win twice in a row," said Benhamou. Rove also noted how important voting is. He talked about how certain tactics during campaigns can make or break an election. "He made a very important point that Obama used a lot of things [tactics.] He was just a man that everyone loved, pretty much. He was really suave in the way he spoke and he was really in-tune with certain constituencies like teenagers and younger voters. John McCain just didn't do enough to reach out to those voters," said Parfitt. Rove pointed out that the three things that differentiated the parties and ultimately led NEWS to the election of President Obama were a natural desire for a Democratic candidate, Obama's plan for change and money. In Baldino's eyes, the lecture was straightforward and easily digestible. Rove did not "dumb it down" for college students. Baldino also thought that during the formal part of Rove's presentation, he was only mildly partisan. During his question and answer period, he became increasingly partial towards the Republican party. Rove was a professional Republican operator. Now Rove helps acts as a fundraiser for the Republican party and also does commentary for FOX news. Szumski added that it is easy for people to despise or hate the Karl Rove they see on FOX news for the 30 seconds that they see him. Parfitt and Benhamou agreed that it is important for students to go to understand the . sides of each party. "If a college student doesn't understand the contemporary American politics and wants to know, 'What do Republicans stand for?' 'What do Democrats stand for?' they need to go to events like this. Because what you heard from Rove during the question period is what Republicans believe," said Baldino. 5 SG Notes April 22, 2009 BY JACQUELINE LUKAS · Beacon Asst. News Editor Treasurer's Report All College: $170.14 Conference: $4,982.09 Leadership: $4,497.29 Start-Up: $2,100.00 Spirit: $4,000.00 , General: $3,788.76 Special Projects: $954.06 Club Reports Programming Board MSC New Business -Sociology/Criminology Constitutional Revisions (Week I of 2) Approved -Senior Class Donation Request (Week 1 of I) $2,500 allocated for Senior Week -Terzaghi Lab Donation Request (Week 1 of I) Pushed to next meeting -IRHC Constitutional Revisions (Week 2 of 2) Revisions approved -SIFE Fund Request (Week 2 of2) $1,500 to cover a conference in Philadelphia -SIFE Constitutional Revisions (Week 2 o 2 Revisions a roved -SG Constitutional Revisions (Week 2 of 2) Revisions approved -Exec. Board Nominations (Week I of 2) SG Budget (Week I of 2) questions pro- posed for next week -Acceptance: President, Nick Koch Old Business ASME Fund Request Spring Fling Budget Advancement Committee Proposals Faculty & Staff Awards: Dr. Matthew Zukoski (math and computer science--posthumous award), Margie Sromovsky, Student Development office manager Events Spring Fling, Dinner at Tiffanf's April 24 ___ Relay for Life, April 25-26 Study Break Party, April 30 *At 8: 15 p.m., a motion was made to adjourn the SG meeting. The motion was approved. SG Meetings are open to all students. They are held every Wednesday in the Miller Conference Room on the second floor ofHSC. RODANO'S COME CHECK OUT OUR FULL MENU:. PIZZA, WINGS, STROMBOLIS, HOAGIES, SAIAOS, & MORE! DAllY llJNCH AND EI/ENIN6 IIENtJ FEAJfJRES • KITCHEN OPENS 1 f.AII DAil¥, OPEN lATE WEEltENDS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY THURSDAY & SATURDAY HAPPY HOUR 5-7 HAPPY HOUR 10-12 $1 OFF 4LL DRINKS $1 .50 WELL MIXERS & DOMESTIC DRAFTS $6 32 OZ MIXER PITCHERS ENTERTAINMENT PLEASE DBlN« BESl'ONSIBLI'. BODANO'S WIU NOT SERVE ALCOHOL TO INDMDIJALS IJNDER TIIE AGE OF 21. 53 PUBLIC SQUARE PHONE:829-6444 FAX: 270-4293 �CONTACT INFORMATION: gino.troiani@wilkes.edu anthony.dorunda@wilkes.edu Lawmakers push for TriState Rail Authority Page8 wilkesbeacon.oped@gmail.com 6 The Beacon wishes Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz good luck BY THE BEACON Editorial Board Our editorial boards are always about a significant issue in the world or on campus, and this week is no different. For almost a decade, T71e Beacon has been lead by Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz, who is known to students and faculty alike as Andrea. She has been the one constant element of this paper. Andrea will be leaving Wilkes to follow her family west, and take a position at another university in Pittsburgh. She leaves behind an amazing legacy and incredibly huge shoes to fill. Every year, The Beacon is reborn with new students, but Andrea has always been there to give us her guidance and point us in the right direction. We would be remiss ifwe failed to acknowledge the major contributions she has made to T71e Beacon over the past decade. Andrea came to Wilkes University in the late 1990s with her family from Iowa. She often jokes that she left a beautiful scenic Midwestern town, where the pelicans would fly against the sunset, to South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre, where her daughter found a syringe in their front yard. Since that time, the area has improved and she ha.s become an institution throughout the Wyoming Valley. She first worked alongside Mr. Tom Bigler, a local media legend. She Courtesy Marketing Communications began teaching courses at Wilkes with Bigler Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz has served as the advisor of The Beacon for almost a decade. She when his sight began to deteriorate. Eventuwill be leaving after this semester to become a professor at a university in Pittsburgh. ally, 1he took over his courses when he retired. munication studies department newsletter, An- tion herself in The Beacon, but her contribuAndrea was then told that she would be takdrea talked about how much she will miss her tions to Wilkes and The Beacon are hard to ing over The Beacon as advisor a year later. ignore. students at Wilkes University. Since that time, Andrea has taken The BeaThe entire staff of The Beacon would like to "They are far and away the most wonderful con from a newspaper struggling to survive students I have ever worked with. I have loved thank Andrea, and wish her and her family the to a nationally recognized, award winning my students at Wilkes. They are often this great best ofluck in their future endeavors. You will newspaper. mix of raw talent and naivete, and they come always have a place here at Wilkes, Andrea. During her time at Wilkes, Andrea has also in like that. You get to watch them morph over served as a tireless advocate for the First four years into these fabulous people who are Amendment on campus. She took her mass going to go off and do important things, and communication law class's final project and it is a privilege to be a small part of that over turned it into one of the most successful First the four years. That's the hardest thing to leave. Amendment Weeks in the country. I don't know if it is magic that happens here, However, Andrea is probably best known but I think it's unusual to. be able to develop the for her report with her students. She has altypes ofrelationships that we do here at Wilkes. ways been known as a person that can find l don't know if that happens anywhere else. In the best in everyone, and is always willing fact, I am pretty sure that it doesn't. That's hard to help. to leave," she said. In an interview with The Medium, the comAndrea has always made it a point to not men- Best of Luck! The Beacon staff wishes Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz the best of luck! Andrea does not know that we are writing this editorial. She will be angry about it... it was worth it. . �APRIL 28, 2009 OPINION 7 The angry rant: The final rant BY TIM SEIGFRIED Wilkes Alumnus ,t; After spending the better part of the last three years of my life at Wilkes, I've come to the conclusion that college is nothing more than a gigantic cluster-eff that is designed to take your money and waste your time. Granted, it does give you the tools you need to be successful down the road, and I don't want to take anything away from the fine professors at Wilkes (that's not sarcasm, by the way), but the college experience could be made to be so much easier. And really, what is college except a micro-chasm of life? People waste your time and your money while giving you the run around in some sort of bureaucratic nightmare. A stack of paperwork that never gets filed, bills that never stop, and a promotion that never comes. We all just end up reaching out for the carrot that we are never going to catch . .. And that's why it is up to us - up to us - to make something of ourselves. No one is going to reach down and give you your life, despite what "The Hills" would have you believe. Let's face it, our generation isn't known for its get up and go-ism. We aren't known for our drive or ingenuity. We aren't the greatest generation. We're the laziest generation. We were raised on high-speed internet and 200 channels of HD entertainment. We don't know of DOS based computers or black and white televisions. All we know is that we want everything yesterday, and bigger and louder than ever. We are laughed at. We are mocked. Youtube and MySpace have turned us into jokes. Rant about something. Anything. Write your local congressman about why you're pissed off. Throw your own tea party. Run for a cause. Run for office. Do something that will make you stick out above the white noise. Nobody will find Waldo when Wa ldo looks like everyone else. STAND OUT. There are a lot of problems with this city, this county, this state, this country, and this world, and in a decade or so, we are going to be the ones that are in charge. That's a scary thought, considering that most of the guys I know in high school barely have enough brain cells left to load their bong. How will our generation be remembered? As a bunch of lazy kids who were handed everything? Or are we going to be recognized as being better than the generations that came before? That's for you to decide. Alright, everyone. This is it. Over two years, 40-some articles, and too many edited words, this is the final installation of "The Angry Rant." The time has come for yours truly to hang 'em up and begin my life as a young professional.(HA!) I've had a blast writing these week in and week out, and I hope you had a blast (or at least, some mild amusement) in reading my complaints about anything and everything. To think, this whole thing started when I was watching "The View," which might just you can find me on the internets, where be the most productive thing that has ever I' ll be complaining to a world wide aucome of that show. dience. Check out www.TheAngryRant. There are a ton of people I need to thank, com for more rants, musings, criticisms, staiiing first and foremost with Dr. Andrea witticisms, and other such nonsense. And Frantz, who offered me a position on The I'll also be contributing over at www.TheBeacon. Although I have no doubt that she Fightins.com, so be sure to check that out did it out of pity in an act of charity, she is as well. the reason that I got to see the word "doucheOnce more, this has been a ton of fun bag" printed in a college newspaper. To all for me, and I can only hope that it was fun the editors, staff members, contributors, I for you. Thank you, thank you, and thank thank you as well. But most importantly, I you agam. thank the people (all eight of you) who took five I'! minutes out of their day to read D~ eyc.it-eMell-fl.,Jhvthis silly little column. Without you, as cliche o.flt'rt-i~I as this sounds, I wouldn't have a &;'t>.Mf reason to do this. I thank you for your comments, your criticisms, 1<; and your threats. I did this to make A ovi-you laugh, make you think, and to make you angry. 1 And for those that are still interested in following me on my exploits, f, y !eve ~ jlMr(lly b,s, ~ OIi -r I l tee wre'>+h11~. ror vresf/;4j (;. ~ l1'ke le, SM~ll fvff J everyd&.,y l,,wy b life exc,'/tM~ feve/. lsv~ wresf/;~ o. ~e"r . oh. basi'c.. 1T's GO TIM~ f Parking tickets put dantper on end of the sentester BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Asst. Op/Ed Editor Now that the semester is literally on its last footing, all the headaches that go along with the 15 grueling weeks of playing the life of a scholar are officially almost gone. Oh, wait a minute, not all the headaches. There's one other headache to get through before we can go home: paying all those parking tickets amassed throughout the semester. I've been smooth sailing through the semester, ducking and evading the parking police with the efficiency and cunning of a fox . That was, of course, until last week. It was like hell week; I was hit with not only one parking ticket, but two, on the same day! One from the city of Wilkes-Barre, and one from the school. Understandably all the blame falls on me for being ignorant to the rules, which is fine. I deserved those tickets. But you know what really ruffles my feathers? The fact that a ticket from the city of Wilkes-Barre is only $10 if paid within three days of the writeup. Ifit's from Wilkes University? $25. Where exactly did the school get the idea for the parking tickets to cost $25? You know what that is? That's almost ten large sized Gelati's from Rita's that I cannot indulge in because I'm $25 in the hole. Seriously though, we're already giving this school $37,000 plus of our hard earned parents' money. Why do we have to give them more? I understand charging those who don't have parking passes (like me), and are lazy (also like me), but that's not the issue. The issue is why does it have to be so much? Honestly, if someone (like myself) is working at minimum wage and can only work a few hours a week on top of school, that $25 is like half a paycheck! We're paying Wilkes University iiber amounts of dough to attend and get a decent education; cut us some slack in the hefty fines from a parking ticket. Here's the issue: there's not enough parking to account for the students and faculty on campus. We have the lot over in Ralston and we have the SUB parking lot. Those are the two big daddies on campus, as well as the parking garage, the little tiny parking lots behind Towers and the UCOM, and around the Marts. But there are over 2,000 students that attend this fine institution, most of whom have cars. Now total all those up. Can the lots I just named total 2,000 spaces? Heck no. Not even close actually. Not to mention that many of the faculty get here earlier than students and often stay later, taking up crucial parking spots all day long. Yes, there are places on the street that students can park. Well you know what that means? I'll tell you what that means, it means that we have to dish out our quarters and dimes every single day to the parking meters, just another expenditure that makes college even more expensive. Can't there be a place in that $37,000 tuition somewhere for parking? Now let's get this straight. I sincerely can say that I love Wilkes University; I really can. I love the small school atmosphere the close knit family-like feeling I get when I walk around campus. I know every need of every person cannot be met; it's impossible. But is it too much to ask to lower the fine just a little bit? Isn't $25 a bit of overkill? If the city of Wilkes-Barre only charges $10, why can't we? I like what my high school did: pay five dollars to park in the parking lot for the whole year. But one little kicker, we got that money back at the end of the year! Then it worked out for everybody! Everyone who had a car got to park, and it wasn't leaving our wallets with dust inside. Cut us some slack, please? Lower the prices, follow the city's lead and charge $10 a pop. �APRIL 28, 2009 OPINION 8 U.S. reps push for tri-state rail system BY GINO TROIANI Beacon Opinion Editor Late last February, four U.S. Congressmen drafted a letter addressed to Governor Rendell in hopes of gaining support for a commuter railway system that would connect the tri-state area. In the letter, Reps. Paul Kanjorski and Chris Carney, and Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey pleaded their case, urging Rendell to form a Tri - State Authority between Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York to oversee the management of the proposed project to provide rail services between Northeastern Pennsylvania and New York City. They said the, " .. .proposed rail will serve as a tremendous economic development initiative by allowing consumers in New York and New Jersey to visit attractions in Northeastern Pennsylvania," adding that the 100-mile system across New Jersey would also make the Poconos and Pennsylvania casinos more accessible, something I feel is a great idea. New Jersey Transit says it has invested $40 million in the Lacka- wanna Cut-off Project, in an effort to re-establish a 28-mile stretch that runs between Port Morris, N.J., and the Delaware Water Gap which once served as a route for commuter trains, but was dismantled when the property was sold years ago. Otherwise, rail lines between Scranton and New York are mostly in place. The 60-mile stretch from Scranton to the Pennsylvania border already holds one line that hosts freight trains, but it will have to be upgraded with more ties to accommodate higher speeds - 40 mph for freight and 60 mph for passenger trains. The Congressional delegation expressed their concern that the current sponsor of the project, NJ transit, has made minor progress and has not sufficiently promoted the interests of Pennsylvania. According to a spokesperson for Kanjorski, the reason that minimal progress has been made is because the NJ Transit runs the show, and they have little interest in Pennsylvania. A prime reason why the reps want to create a tri-state authority to ensure every member has an equal say. Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The ;l poll was unscientific, and does ; not claim to reflect the overall CD attitudes of students on ti) 8::::, campus. Despite a need for a new method to govem the project, z c;· Governor 0 co Rendell "Tl has ex~ pressed mixed emotions. Rendell spokesperson The last time a passenger train traveled from Scranton Chuck to New York City was in the 1970's. Ardo said, ever, I am worried that even if "The governor is luke warm towards the the project is poperly funded, the formation of a commission, he way in which business is being believes that very little gets done conducted might interfere with through that process," adding that production. We need a tri-state auhe Rendell believes there would thority. be more conversation than accomCurrently, the fate of the railway is still uncertain. If lawmakers plishment. Despite the governor 's initial are able to secure funding, resireaction, Ardo said that Rendell dents could see a commuter syswould be working with the Com- tem emerge in the next few years, monwealth and New Jersey to ob- which would open up a world of tain money from the infrastructure travel, convenience, and possibly give NEPA's local economy the fund to finance the project. I admire Rendell's efforts, how- spark that it has been missing. Letter from the editor: Message to the readers ANDREW SEAMAN Editor-In-Chief Dear Reader, So many people have written letters to the editor this year, but there has not been a letter to the readers. This is it. I sit at my desk looking tC>#<irds my final issue of The Beacon as Editor-in-chief, and must say that I will miss it. The Beacon is an interesting machine at Wilkes University. The paper has been part of this university's landscape since 1936. The publication has grown by leaps and bounds since those first years when it was a literary newsletter. It has been an honor and thrill to be a part of this paper's incredible histoty. Flipping through our archives, The Beacon has always been part of this community - covering local, national, and international news. From the time the Smothers Brothers played at Wilkes Univer- sity, to the time Lady Bird Johnson dedicated the Stark Leaming Center, through the 2008 presidential election - The Beacon has been there. Just the other day 1 was at a dinner for my high school's National Honor Society when a man pulled me aside. He said that he was happy to hear The Beacon was going strong, because he was the sports editor nearly 20 years ago, which is just one examp le of The Beacon's far reaching network and impact. Understandably, not all of our readers like The Beacon because they believe their club or organization may not be getting the coverage it deserves. Some may think the paper has a political bias, and others just don't like the paper. We are not stupid - we hear the criticism from students, faculty, staff, and administration. My response to those critics is this: like anything on this cam- pus, The Beacon is a learning tool. Our goal is to help strengthened our staff's abilities - just like any other organization on campus. We would rather the critics tell us what is wrong with our work so we can better ourselves. Another point that should be made is that things are not always sunny at Wilkes, and not everyone has a smile on their face. A newspaper's job is not to seek the sunny and happy, but to report everything of value to the community -- yes, even the bad stuff. People forget that there are problems on campus and the only way that things are improved is if someone sheds light on the issue. And many times things that are perceived as news are merely gossip or cannot he reported accurately. It is always our goal to provide our readers with the best information that we can. For me and the other students on The Beacon staff, our office is our laboratory. Some- times the mixtures we make are award winning, and sometimes it just makes a mess. But one of the great things about Wilkes University is the fact that its journalism students are given the most important tool necessa1y to practice our craft - The First Amendment. Dr. Tim Gilmour, President of Wi lkes University, has continued a great tradition at Wilkes, which is to not interfere with our journalism learning process. He does not censor our paper, or put it through prior review. Because of this I must give him the biggest thank you. He truly understands what the educational process is all about. My hope is that the Wilkes community continues to be an active voice in the paper, and that the community is not afraid to share its opinion. It is only through conversation that we will grow. Best, Andrew Seaman, Editor-inchief. The Beacon asked: Is enough being done to rninmize STD rates in W-B? • Yes - 14% •No- 57% • Undecided - 29% Next Week's question: Should Wilkes lower the cost of parking tickets? • Yes •No • Undecided Visit www. wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published online at wilkesbeacon.com Speak Up! It's Your Right! The Beacon wants your opinion. Contact us at WilkesBeacon.OpEd @Gmail.com with your Name, Major, Yea,; and Opinion! The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �CONTACT INFORMATION: christa.sgobba@wilkes.edu Jeeann.searfoss@wilkes.edu Job hunt PAGE 11 APRIL 28, 20 9 wilkesbeacon.lifestyles@gmail.com SOC 198 students spearhead clean up for Earth Day BY LEEANN SEARFOSS Beacon Asst. Lifestyles Editor It is the "green generation." Well, at least according to organizers of Earth Day 2009. April 22 inspired both discussion and action on environmental issues among the newest generation to "Go Green" and take an active interest in bettering the Earth. Members of the Wilkes community took it upon themselves to be a part of this new generation. One unique Wilkes class sought to actively connect students with real issues--many of them environmental--facing the local community. Through the Sociology 198 course, and general interest in environmental issues, students got involved in the very first Earth Day clean up for three local parks and a two mile stretch of land surrounding campus. After a school trip to Philadelphia to clean up a park in North Philadelphia, Danielle Kem, Americorps Vista and Service Leaming Advisor was approached by students on the trip who asked, "Why don't we do something like this in Wilkes-Bane?" "Great question. It inspired me to get things moving and see if we could host a park clean up for our city," said Kem. After Kem was offered the opportunity to teach a course with Dean of Students Mark Allen, the pair took on the Sociology 198 course and added their own community service spin. "I teach SOC 198 (Service and Leadership) which is a service learning course exploring the role of leadership in addressing social issues," said Allen. For the course, students were required to be involved in either the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) planning and trip or the Earth Day campus and community clean up. "The rest of the class collaborated on a project to help clean parks and neighborhoods in Wilkes-Bane. Doing this as part of the Earth Day clean up made sense," said Allen. Last week's Earth Day clean up incorporated several aspects of the nationwide Earth Day activities. "The cleanup [focused on] Charles Street Park, Francis Slocum Park and two blocks around campus," said Kem. Students in the SOC 198 course, as well as community members, coordinated a clean up that integrated the already processed Earth Day clean up planned by the city. " [We] were able to make contact with the city, and we spoke with the assistant to the Mayor who informed us about an Earth Day clean up in April, so we decided to have the park cleanup on that day. We are very excited to host a project like this and also partner with the city," stated Kem. The students who did not attend the ASB trip formed a board to organize the event. Students in SOC 198 gathered together to help clean up local parks in Wilkes Barr as part of Earth Day. To continue their service learning, the students also created ~ children's book about environmental issues which they will read to young students There are seven students on the board from Service and Leadership, and all seven had a ve1y important hand in planning the event. While the focus of the SOC 198 course aimed to connect Wilkes students with local community issues, there was an academic requirement that integrated the community even more. According to Allen's syllabus, students were also required to create a children's book related to the issue. "They are required to read their book elementary school students in the Wilk1 Bane School District. The academic ex cise is to demonstrate the use of narrati as powerful tool to promote learning. Af the books are read, most are donated to t schools' libraries for children to enjoy," E plained Allen. �l LIFESTYLES APRIL 28, 2009 JBBS offers student volunteers outlet for sharing . MELANIE THOMAS i con Correspondent LEEANN SEA.RFOSS ,istant Lifestyles Editor [he Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) gram has been a part of the Wilkes com1ity service program for over four years. h its past success and student involve1t the BBBS program has been an ideal erience for students seeking to do comnity service. ccording to Wilkes Community Service )fdinator Megan Boone, "[The organiton] has great volunteer interest among fonts ." 1any students from Wilkes have volun:ed through the BBBS program. For exple, Jessica McHanon has been involved :.:ommunity service since her freshman r. 1cHanon, a junior English education marefers to her time with BBBS as "really . and [she] learned a lot." McHanon voleered for BBBS in fall 2008. McHanon, like many students connected with BBBS, was partnered with community service through her fresh- ,.* man orientation. "I got involved through community service and orientation. My orientation session was with BBBS. I actually was the leader of the group," said McHanon. Boone explained, "This program gives students the opportunity to connect with children while away at school. It is also good for students to gain teaching experience for their field of The Wilkes-Barre branch of Big Brothers interest." Big Sisters is located at 33 East Northampton Street, and looks for student volunteers. The WilkesBarre BBBS program pairs a "Big" (shorthand for a volunteer of either sex) with a little brother or sister of the same sex. The Big then sets aside a time when the two will meet every week. The big brother or sister has an array of activities to choose from to spend with their Little, with the consent of the Little's parent or guardian. The Big will meet with their little at a local com- munity school district. Parameters for what the two can do are not strict. Usually some of the activities they do with their little are going to local parks, fishing, bowling, baseball games, but can also spend time with their Little just doing homework and hanging out. For many students it's the connection with the Little that makes this community service program so important to the college student. In return the Big offers a positive role model and someone other than a Little's parents for them to talk to. Boone said, "Many times a little just needs someone to set limits because their parent is hardly around due to employment issues or other complications. These kids don't have strict parental supervision. Many of them come from single parent families that have to work long hours or may even be disadvantaged in other ways." McHanon advises any student interested in BBBS to work "to find that person they mesh well with. If you can find that, it is a really, really great experience." Photo The Beacon/Lau ren Biernacki HOUSE FOR RENT CALL : 570-233-3852 Great loc ation wit h a second floo r balcony, golde n ha r dwood fl oors and a third floor with wall to wall berber carpet . La rge eat-in kitchen . Complete ly renovated to i nc lu de all new doub le insulated windows with low "E " t i nt. Bedrooms 5 2000 SQ. Feet Washer/ DrYer PetS room fQr everYone included conditional Baths 1.5 Additional StOrage mace FUil basement Available for rent Distance from campus ImmediatelY tBLOCK Amenities: • Walking dis t ance to the University, 1 block • Available for 1 year lease • Easy on street parking . �APRIL 28, 2009 LIFESTYLES 11 May graduates gear up for an uncertain job world BY RUTH WHISPELL Beacon Staff Writer . It comes as no surprise that seniors gradua1 ,' ng this spring are going to have trouble fi -,ding a job in their chosen career field. The National Association of Colleges and 3mployers (NACE), an organization that tracks hirii;ig data, reported that firms expect \o hire 22 percent fewer graduates from this year's college classes than they did from last year's. Other agencies are reporting equally dismal hiring estimates. Carol Bosack, the director of Career Services at Wilkes, believes there are a few things students can do to make themselves more attractive on the job market. "Students will need to make sure that they have an excellent resume, cover letter and interviewing skills in order to compete," she said. "It is critical to network with professionals in your field, and to have experience, especially as a volunteer or intern 1which employers can discuss with you on interviews." Candidates may have to think about relocating or taking a position which is not exactly what they envisioned, because it offers a·n opportunity to build a reputation with an employer. Although it may be dif- ficult to deal with rejection, applying to a large number of organizations, even though you may not hear back from many of them will increase your chances of obtaining an interview. Students should do a mock interview with a career education professional or expert in their field before they go on real interviews. Interviews are often behaviorally based, and Bosack reports that recruiters warn that the interviewers may ask students very thought provoking questions for which they have not prepared. "Some jobs are more available than others. Indeed, some sectors are actually expanding, increasing employment. Expanding sectors include federal government service, some tech industries, and health care. The areas with the fewest jobs include finance , construction, agriculture, and retail sales," says Robert Jordan, an economics professor at Wilkes. Steve Felter, a 22-year-old history major who plans to move south toward Florida or South Carolina after graduation, is working on locating jobs in his field. "I'm starting to send out my file and resume now," he said. "I like the beach scene and I am a big fan of surfing. Also I do not like cold weather or especially snow. I am not certified to teach in the public sector and so I am seeking jobs in the south due to the vast amount of private schools where certification is not mandatory." Bosack says, "We sent letters in March to all junior and senior year students, inviting them to visit with us and to enroll in our CAR 198 Life Career Planning course, which deals with professional development and the professional employment/graduate education endeavor. There are two sections offered for the fall 2009 semester. The Beacon/Lauren Biernacki Senior history major C.J. Noll works on crafting his resume for the upcoming job hunt following graduation in May. Students who have resume questions can contact Career Services for tips and a resume review. We have offered seminars on job searches in the recession, which I wish more students had attended." Cassandra Scarantino, a 22-year-old business administration major with a concentration in marketing plans to spend the summer taking MBA classes. She doesn't have a job lined up yet. "I still have two years before graduating with my MBA, and by then the economy should be better, plus I'll have enough educational background not to worry as much as I would without my MBA or even my bachelor's degree," she said. "On the other hand, if the economy is still bad after two year of schooling, I' 11 just go for my PhD." According to Jordan, not having a job lined up is not unusual in this economy. "First, given the tight labor market, firms are being more selective: grades and experience, including internships, matter more than in the past. This trend will continue well into the recovery. Underclassmen and juniors should start preparing for this now," said Jordan. Even with the struggle in today's economy, Jordan stresses that students should follow the traditional advice offered to graduates for years. "Research should always be your first step. Students should gather information about employers who have granted them interviews," he Senior sociology and psychology major said. "Knowing Tanya Feiertag searches for a professional as much as posoutfit for a career in law. sible about the company's past performance and future plans can allow a student to differentiate himself from others with similar qualifications." However, Jordan points out that students should take advantage of the services provided at Wilkes to help them adjust to the real world. "Take advantage of the services provided by the Career Services office, especially mock interviews and resume reviews," he said. "Understand that they might not get the exact job that they want. Further, they may not be able to find a position in the major/field. It may be best to take something for now to gain experience and continue searching for the 'perfect' job later down the road." Students can meet with Career Services to discuss tips about the job process, and can start mock interview practice by using its web-based service, Interview Stream, at www. wilkesuniversity.interviewstream. com. They can also send in their resumes to its resume/job posting site, www.collegecentral.com/wilkesu. Bosak noted that Career Services officials will be staffing "Resume Express" tables in the Student Center on April 28-29, where they will give out resume guides and offer quick critiques. �Spring Dance Recital a hit! A &E APRIL 28, 2009 CONTACT INFORMATION: alyssa.benner@wilkes.edu yoh.delossantosmaria@wilkes.edu matthew.gogas@wilkes.edu - - --------------- 12 wilkesbeacon.ae@gmail.com Concert for a Cause inspires generosity through music BY MATTHEW GOGAS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor It is sometimes surprising how one person can inspire many others to give tirelessly. Karen Greenberg Revit had this gift. Sadly, it was her death in 1998 that inspired her last gift to the community-the chance to help those who suffer from leukemia and countless others in need. What began as a benefit concert in her name in 1999, "Concert for Karen" has since become one of the largest charity events in NEPA benefiting a variety of charity organizations throughout the years such as the Child Development Council of NEPA and Luzerne County Head Start. On April 22, 2009, "Concert for a Cause 7: A Concert for Karen" celebrated it's tenth anniversary by again recognizing Revit as one of the many people who have suffered and lost the fight with leukemia. The Woodlands Inn and Resort in Plains Township set four stages as thirty seven musicals acts and a massive crowd came out to show support for the United Way Leukemia Fund. "This is a big deal for us ... going back to our roots and having this year's concert in Karen's name. This year is our tenth Anniversary. It has been exactly ten years today since we had the concert for Karen. It's a kind of a reflective night, but it's also ex citing because we're going to raise money for the United Way Leukemia Fund," said Weekender music columnist and Newspapers In Education Manager at The Times Leader, Alan Stout. Stout and Revit were once friends and colleagues at the magazine Sound Check. Stout helped start "Concert for Karen" and has played a major part in the organization of every "Concert for a Cause" since. In addition, The Weekender has been one of the major sponsors of the event. "It's great to see so many people here, especially at times like this when we're are always trying to make more money than last year," 0 said Weekender staff writer Nikki Mascali. "If we could match what we made last year, this year's concert would be a great success." Since "Concert for Karen" on April 22, 1999, the event has raised nearly $165,000 for charity organizations. Last year's concert raised approximately $16,000. Proceeds from admission, t-shirts, a rock auction, and an upcoming CD from the event will all be donated to charity. Because of the success of "Concert for a Cause," Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton officially proclaimed Wednesday, April 22 "Concert for a Cause Day" to acknowledge its many supporters. "I must say that the communication between the Woodlands and these bands is rocking the valley. It's a great cause and for Karen, too, because she died at such a young age," said Sandy Casterline. Casterline and Revit went to school together when they were younger. Casterline remembers Karen fondly. "She was a smart girl. It's an honor to be here for her," she said. Among the bands that played, many of the musicians have played every concert since it's inception. Wilkes University alumnus and lead guitarist of the band, The Underground Saints, Pat Flynn, has played at every concert. "I always play for the cause and Alan always picks great causes. He 's the Bob Geldof [organizer of Live Aid] of NEPA. I also come for the comradeship of the musicians. You don't get to see this many musicians all at once, especially because you play all year round," said Flynn. Along with The Underground Saints, many other local musicians played the charity concert such as 401b. Head, The Swims, Bret Alexander formerly of The Badlees, and Revit's niece, Nicole Erin Carey. r Scranton natives, "The Sw!ms" play "Concert for a Cause 7: A Concert for Karen" on April 22, 2009 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort in Plains Township. "The Sw!ms~ were one of 37 musical acts including "40Ib. Head," "The Silent Treatment,"and "Lemongelli" that performed at the event to benefit the United Way Leukemia Fund. �APRIL 28, 2009 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Movie Review: II y a longte01ps que j'tai01e . BY ALYSSA BENNER Beacon A&E Editor 2 ,re of ~rt ity 1d, tas 1an ob 'A. the my 1se 1ts, the [be l'he irin ms" I need first to begin by declaring my love for French films. There's a certainje ne sais quoi about them. French director Phillipe Claudel's fly a longtemps queje t 'aime or I've Loved You So Long is no exception. Slow moving yet intriguing storylines, stunning camera angles, and passionate characters are all intricately combined. I saw the film at the F.M. Kirby Center on a "date night" with a friend and the classic beauty of the Kirby and respectful audience only heightened my viewing experience. Kristen Scott Thomas plays Juliette, a woman who spent fifteen years in prison for killing her 6-year old son but only now is getting out and living with her sister Lea, played by Elsa Zylberstein. Lea is a woman full of life living with her two daughters and husband but must now in- corporate her long-lost and exiled sister into the life she has created for herself. In addition to Juliette and Lea, who are the main characters, there is a strong supporting cast including Lea's husband Luc, played by Serge Hazanivicius, his live-in father whom they call Papy played by Jean-Claude Arnaud, and then there's Michel, the love-interest and companion to Juliette played by Laurent Grevill. The subtle progression of the film allows the audience to watch the characters unfold before their eyes. For example, Juliette begins the film weathered and beaten by her years in prison but as time and life move on she becomes more upbeat and the bags under her eyes even begin to disappear. The film is distinct from other films because the whole plot rests on the question of why she killed her six year old son? Juliette is portrayed as a cold and calculating woman in the first half of the film. She even faces the threatof losing her job if she doesn't warm up to her co-workers; however, such warmth, particularly on demand, is simply not in her nature. The changes she undergoes throughout the story are so subtle; however, up until the end of the film, it is not noticeable that she has come to terms with herself and her crime. Because you never know why Juliette is so quiet and reclusive, I immediately jumped to the conclusion that she had some type of post-traumatic stress disorder that made her commit the crime. Realistically, this is what made the film so good. Another excellent point of the film was that the story took the audience through a series of scenarios to build a foundation for why she killed her son, which was revealed in the last 20 minutes of the film. I don't want to be a spoiler, but one question that still lingers in my mind is why didn't she defend herself in court? Nonetheless, the film was less plot driven than it wasn driven by the characters. Scenes from 2009's The annual Block Party was held this past Saturday, April 25 on the Greenway. The excellent weather brought a huge crowd to the highly anticipated event. Students were able to enjoy free Rita's Italian Ice, Dippin Dots Ice Cream, and Domino's Pizza. Junior Integrative Media major, Michael John Gentle attended the Block Party, and said, "It was a really good time, you can tell how much effort was put into it this year." Photos Courtesy/Bethany Yamrick 13 Kristen Scott Thomas is a native English speaker but it is said that her roles in French films are much more poignant. I think her French is excellent and I also fe ~ 1 that because it is not her first language it allows for her face to do more of the acting rather than thinking about body movements or hand gestures. This was dd initely an Oscar-worthy performance by Thomas. Elsa Zylberstein is also close to perfection as Juliette's caring sister. As the movie unfolds you find that Juliette and Lea's parents brainwashed themselves and Lea to believe that Juliette never existed which only thickens the plot. All in all, II y a longtemps que je t 'aime is a film for those who love the art of film making. I cannot rave enough about the acting and Phillipe Claude! 's directing skills shine through the camera work and intense emotion behind every scene. Grade: A+ �APRIL ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 28, 2009 · 14 ttl6ttbl6ttT~ f'ROM Ttte ~P'RIN6 ®'(IN Ce ReQT'(lb Kristin M. Degnan choreographed the number entitled "Bella's Lullabye." The cast included Dan Pascoe, Kelly Ferrell, Caroline Jones, and Susan Corletta. In addition to teaching at Wilkes, Degnan is also the artictic director of Degnan Ballet Center and Ballet Northeast. The final number entiled "Primal Future" was choreographed by Lynne Mariani. Mariani played the role of Bomballerina in the European Company of CATS. The music for "Primal Future" was written by Clint Mansel and consisted of 34 student dancers. This number titled "Us" was choreographed by senior theater major Dan Pascoe. The music is by Regina Spektor and the dancers are Louis Gerstle and Mary Siejak. Photos Courtesy/Alyssa Benner Ba1-i1es & Noble Wilkes-Kh1g's Booksto1·e 7South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 ~ 570.208.4700 ~wilkes.bncollege.com Live "F1•ee'' 1VI11sic Eve1•y Wed11esday Nigl1t a11d 111ost F1•iday's 25% disco1u1t 011 anything you purcl1ase fron1 tl1e cafe during the pe1·foi-ma11ce ! Ope11 Mic Nigl1t fo1· Poet1•y &Aeo11stie l\1l11sic Tuesday, April 28th from 7:oopn1 - 8 :3op111 F1iday Night live music with ''Three Intaginary Boys'' at 7:30pm • Celebrate the 40 th Birthday of Eric Carle's "The Very Hungi:y Caterpillar" d11ring 011r Saturday sto1-y time. • Health & Fitness Book Club meets the first l\tlonday of each month, "What to Eat" is this month's book. �28, 2009 APRIL ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Crossword BY DEVIN J. KING Beacon Staff l. 1 . L 3 4 5 14 15 17 18 ~ April 7 Crossword Answers 1 0 14 0 2 E s J. A L E. L L 0 17 u s 20 C E. R ~ A 1111 I L A T ff E M E D u N G s s E E E D Across Being clothed 1 5 Use of Zippo lighter 10 To cast a ballot 14 High fidelity 15 German pistol 16 Length times width 17 Used to paddle a boat 18 Finally legal to buy alco hol 19 Internet-derived nerd Ian guage 20 One-third or two-fifths 23 Hawaiian wreath 24 A little bit; small amount 25 Deliberately false story 28 To not show up i.1 class 30 A very close man friend More than one abacus 33 34 Energy for car 35 To cover up 36 Company outing game 39 Opeu to both sexes 40 7th letter of Greek alpha bet 41 To make thicker 42 Hours Abbr. 43 Beloved 44 Male companions ofDio 45 46 47 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 nysus In favor of; not against Creative expression Found in Sci-fi movies Food served in Thai Thai To make proud Christmas Limb used for flight To be stingy or frugal Ctrl+Z in Microsoft Word Prophetic significance This present day An annoying person Down 1 To mince; cut up 2 One who doesn't tell the truth 3 Popular 70 's hairstyle 4 Lacking a home Consisting of flowers 5 6 Act of sailing closer to the wind 7 Japanese gelatin SI unit for 1,000,000 8 9 Capable of an upright posi tion 10 Legit or just 11 Popular chocolate cookie 12 13 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 35 37 38 43 44 45 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 Slang for adolescent What to do in a buffet Spooky or ghostly To strike lightly Father and son activity Detest utterly Latin for nostrils Not found in diet soda Necessity of drinking party New England's QB Competitive car driver What a door does Goat cheese Punishment of acting up in H.S. The most leery Member of Snow White's crew Informal for "Doctor" Function of seatbelt To make believe Wedged piece of material Cat's sunny nap area Highest male voice To strike to the ground Italian volcano Edible ice cream holder 25th president and Mr. Nugent Job opening or position Number of weeks left in school �Penguins in the Playoffs page 18 CONTACT INFORMATION: alissa.lindner@wilkes.edu daniel.kautz@wilkes.edu APRIL 28, 2009 wilkesbeacon.sports@gmail.com 16 Fall Senior Athlete Spotlight: Alyssa Koncelik BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor Four years ago the Lady Colonels field hockey team welcomed Alyssa Koncelik from East Islip, NY. Despite missing three games on the season due to injury, Koncelik was the team's leading scorer; however her achievements off the field also make her a standout on campus. Koncelik contributed for 14 goals and four assists this season with the Lady Colonels. She was also named Freedom Conference Player of the Week on September 26, 2008. Six of Koncelik's goals last season were game winners for a team that went 18-4 on the season. Aside from her success on the field, Koncelik is a double major in communication studies and integrative media. She has also been the director of Wilkes World, the weekly news magazine show produced by Wilkes students in the Shelburne Telecommunications Center, and this year was the co-president of Studio 20, which creates still and motion graphics for clients in the integrative media lab. "I had to learn time management very quickly. Being active on campus kept me structured. Almost everyday I had a set schedule," Koncelik said of how she was able to maintain a balance between athletics, academics and extra-curricular activities. In her freshman year, Koncelik also played on the Lady Colonel's lacrosse team and this spring has taken on the role as assistant coach of Dallas High School's women's club lacrosse team. In addition, Koncelik has completed three internships while at Wilkes. In the fall of her junior year she interned with WBRE before joining the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins for the spring. Finally, Koncelik scored her last internship with the United States Olympic Committee and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado last summer to help produce athlete spotlights, among other projects. "My time in Colorado was very valuable. I was able to make vidPhoto Courtesy of Alyssa Koncelik eos and graphics which were seen across the nation as tht 2008 Summer Olympics approached," Koncelik said. Upon graduation, Koncelik will be return• ing the Long Island in hopes of securing , job in motion graphics. Standout Senior Fall Athletes Football - Josh George Women's Soccer - Jessica Berkey Volleyball - Kathy Harrington Cross Country - Tom Larrabee Winter Senior Athlete Spotlight: Josh Pauling BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor Going against his mother's wishes, senior Colonel wrestler Josh Pauling took the mat for ~e first time in 7th grade. Eventually, the Wilkes wrestling team and its fans were grateful he ignored his mother's advice so many years before. Pauling wrestled throughout high school at Hughesville Junior Senior High School and in his senior year there, became a member of the 100 wins club, and qualified for the Pennsylvania state tournament. The Colonels welcomed Pauling to the team in the 2005-2006 season and he has been a constant contributor for the past four years. Wrestling at primarily 133 pounds, Pauling boasted a 30-8 record in his final season on the mat. He also won the Metropolitan Conference Championship, which earned him a bid into the Division III na- tional tournament. Head coach Jon Laudenslager said Pauling's conference final match was one of the most memorable. "The conference finals will probably be the match I remember most. It was the third time he beat the defending champion on the year and everything was at stake with an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament," Laudenslager said. Along with wrestling, Pauling has also participated in various community service activities. On May 16, Pauling will walk across the stage and receive his Bachelors of Science degree in nursing, which was his primary reason for coming to Wilkes. "The nursing program is very demanding and requires a lot of time to become successful. I told my mother and my coach that academics come first. I came to school to receive an education. I placed greater em- phasis on my academics but it doesn't mean I didn't care for wrestling. Both required time, sweat, blood, and effort. I have had to miss practices for clinical and class but I always madethem up ... in my spare time either by See WINTER on page 17 The Beacon/Steve Felter �APRIL 28, 2009 17 SPORTS Spring Senior Athlete Spotlight: Kyle Ungvarsky BY ALISSA LINDNER Beacon Sports Editor .. Four years ago, the Colonel men's tennis team welcomed Kyle Ungvarsky from Horseheads Senior High School. In addition to his success on the court, Ungvarsky has been an active member of the Wilkes campus since he arrived in 2005. Ungvarsky began playing tennis in sixth grade and was the# 1 singles in high school. He also competed in the state tournament for four straight years, three with his doubles partner and in his senior season as a singles player. Photo Courtesy of Kyle Ungvarsky From WINTER myself or with teammates," Pauling said. Laudenslager believes Pauling reflects one quality which made him so successful both on and off the mat at Wilkes. "I think the word 'commitment' would be best to describe Josh. Both on the mat and in the classroom Josh has always done the right things to prepare to be successful," Laudenslager said. Pauling plans to pass his nursing boards and become a nurse following graduation. He chose nursing for a few reasons. "I wanted to help people, I enjoyed the sciences in high school, and the problem solving is appealing,' Pauling said. Th P rnlrm P l UtrPdlin o tP ,m1 mill ~llrPh, One of his most memorable moments on the court happened his freshman year. "At college my career highlights have been freshman year winning the Elizabethtown Tournament (Flight A, which consisted of the first & second singles player of each team in the tournament). This was special because that same day my brother, sister, and father were all running the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C., and since the finals of the tournament conflicted with watching them run the marathon I knew I had to win the tournament, and I fortunately did," Ungvarsky said. Head coach Chris Leicht has been impressed with Ungvarsky from day one. "Kyle has been a leader since hearrived on campus. He leads by example, and always listens to all of the other players," Leicht said. "Kyle has become the 'face' of Wilkes men's tennis. I will miss his personality, and enthusiastic attitude!" Aside from the hectic schedule that comes with playing a sport in college, Ungvarsky has also been active on campus. For the past three years he has been a Resident Assistant as well as an e-mentor and orientation leader for incoming first year students. He has also been a tutor for physics, calculus and chemistry, and this year took on the role as a teaching assistant for freshmen chemistry labs. As if athletics and extracurricular activities do not consume enough time, Ungvarsky is a biochemistry major here at Wilkes. "I chose it because I want to become a doctor, and I didn't want to be a typical biology major," Ungvarsky said. Upon graduation on May 16, Ungvarsky plans to work for a pharmaceutical company for a year before applying to medical schools. Sacrifices do come from being so active; however, Ungvarsky was used to being busy because he has always been active. "In high school I did a lot of extracurricular activities, so doing the same thing in college wasn't that big of an adjustment. I guess having good time management and not getting car sick are keys, because a lot of studying is done on vans & buses due to a Jot of away matches," Ungvarsky said. Leicht agrees in time management has been key for Ungvarsky. "Kyle is a very hard-worker, and a dedicated member of the tennis team. He is excellent at managing his time, which allows him to be involved in so many activities," Leicht said. Standout Senior Spring Athletes Baseball - Geoff Miller Softball - Kathy Dalton Golf - Jamie Montville Women's Tennis - Alison McDonald @ RAMADA' 20 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 Phone:570-824-7100 Safe & Affordable Student Housing Close to College Campuses Includes Utilities & Parking miss Pauling next season. Laudenslager explained, "I think the thing the team will miss most is he is a person with a lot of character. He is a stand up guy who you know you can trust and count on to always give you his best and a helping hand if you ever need it." Choose From: Efficiencies 1 Bedroom/1 Bath Units 2 Bedroom/2 Bath Units (All Include Kitchens) Standout Senior Winter Athletes Men's Basketball Housing Available for 1 or 2 Semesters The Ramada also offers Extended Stay Hotel Rooms -John DeFeo Women's Basketball - Chelsey Gosse Call for Pricing and Detailsl �APRIL 28, 2009 18 SPORTS RINKSIDE REPORT Penguins Inarch on to East Division Finals BY MICHAEL CIGNOLI Beacon Staff Writer With 51.4 seconds remaining in the third period of Friday night's game, Jeff Taffe saw a loose puck come gliding toward him at the right face-off circle. And when the Bridgeport Sound Tigers turned the puck over deep in their own zone with less than a minute to play in regulation, Taffe knew what he had to do. He skated towards the puck and unloaded a slap shot that flew past Bridgeport goaltender Peter Mannino, giving the WilkesBarre/Scranton Penguins a 4-2 victory and eliminating the Sound Tigers from the Calder Cup Playoffs. "I really had no idea it went in for a few seconds, but it was huge" Taffe said. "It's a great feeling . We lose this game, you never know what might happen." The Penguins received power play goals from Chris Minard and Dustin Jeffrey, as well as an even strength marker from JeanMichel Daoust, but led by just a single goal after two periods of play. And after collapsing in the third period to the Sound Tigers the last time the two teams met at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza, the Penguins were determined to not make the same mistakes. "Even though they carried the play at the end of the game, today we were composed, under control, and did our job," said Penguins coach Todd Reirden. "We were in the lead, we worked hard to get to the lead, and I thought that was our best game - by far - in the third period with a lead." With the victory, the Penguins advanced to the East Division Finals. They will take on the top-seeded archrival Hershey Bears, who swept the Philadelphia Phantoms in their playoff matchup, in a best-of-seven series that begins on Saturday in Chocolatetown. "It'll be a real, real challenge for us," said Reirden. "They've got an outstanding team, a ton of depth. We'll definitely have our hands full there with a team that's definitely the most talented in the league." Although the Penguins enjoyed success against the Bears during the regular season, winning seven of the ten meetings between l)e> :r ,c:1te! E,111 the two clubs, the team doesn't necessarily expect that to translate into the playoffs. ''It's a whole other season. Obviously, we can take confidence from that and we can draw on some of their tendencies that we've picked up through the year, but it's a seven game series now," Jeffrey said. "With exhibition and regular season, I think we've probably played them probably 15 times. I think that kind of goes by the wayside and it's a race to four now." With the not so easy task of upsetting 60goal scorer and American Hockey League MVP Alexandre Giroux's Hershey squad ahead of his team, Reirden sa id that the week-long layoff before the second round begins will provide the Penguins with some much needed rest and relaxation. "It was definitely a grinder series, from the looks of it a little bit more difficult than the one Hershey went through," the coach said. "This will give us some time to recharge our batteries and get healthy, some guys were banged up and playing through it. This gives a chance to go into Saturday as healthy as we can be." Pl c:1s rr,c:1 r ■ 11 ■■ p t-- 2009 East Division Finals Sat. 5/2 Sun. 5/3 Wed . 5/ 6 Fri. 5/8 *Sat. 5/9 *Sun. 5/10 *Tues. 5/12 WBS@ Hershey WBS @ Hershey Hershe y@ WBS Hershey @ WBS Hershey@ WBS WBS @ Hershey WBS @ Hershey 7:00 5:00 7:05 7:05 7:05 5:00 7:00 The Penguins play their home games a via Areno at Casey Plaza. Her mes will take *If necessa . lVl•• ■ wth ! Interstate Blood Bl. Plasma Inc_ .. 665 Carey Ave Wilkes-Barre. Pa Call (570) 023-4119 PM PM PM PM PM PM PM �APRIL 28, 2009 SPORTS 19 Lacrosse drops final two; reaches new heights BY ANTHONY DORUNDA Beacon Asst. Opinion Editor j ter team than us," said Sophomore Brittney Hodnik. "I think there were a lot of us who A season that saw the Wilkes University just had bad games at a really unfortunate women's lacrosse team reach unprecedent- time, and the offense wasn't producing and ed heights has come to an end. The Lady the defense started to break down. It was Colonels fell to conference foes Lycoming just unfortunate that those two things hapand Widener last week, barely missing out pened simultaneously." The first milestone was reached, howevon the playoffs and ending a record-breaking season. But the season was not without er, when Hodnik, who led the Wilkes team with four goals and an assist, reached the some milestones. The Lady Colonels slim playoff chances 100 point plateau, becoming only the secwere hanging in the balance when they met ond women's lacrosse player in the univerLycoming at Ralston Field last Wednesday sity's history to achieve such a feat. Melissa Polchinski added two goals and for crucial MAC conference tilt. The opening few minutes looked as two assists for the Lady Colonels on the day, though the MAC battle was going to be just while sophomore Kat Edwards chipped in that, a full fledged whoever-has-the-ball- with two goals of her own. On Saturday, the Lady Colonels laced it last-wins battle. That was until the other team in blue and yellow caught fire and up for one final go hosting Widener on Pink Day, showing the team's support for breast never looked back. With the score tied 1-1, Lycoming ripped cancer awareness. But the Pride stole momentum from the off an 8-1 run over the rest of the first half until the Colonels scored two goals before get-go, netting the first goal of the game the halftime whistle blew to cut the lead to only 53 seconds in. Wilkes would get on the board quickly thereafter as Kat Edwards net9-4. ted her first goal of the game. But that would The second halflooked much like the first half with Lycoming scoring early and often. be the closest the Lady Colonels would get Any hopes of a comeback were dashed al- as the Pride rallied off six consecutive goals most instantly by the Warriors, who went on to take a commanding 7-1 lead, and entered a playoff-crushing 10-2 run to open the sec- halftime with an 11-4 edge. The second half would see the Pride add ond half to take a commanding 19-6 lead. A lead they would never relinquish, edging insurance goals in a hurry, cementing the victory with six of the first seven goals to the Lady Colonels by a final of 22-8. "I'm not really sure what happened be- start the second half to stretch their lead cause they [Lycoming] really weren't a bet- to an insurmountable 17-5 advantage. The Lady Colonels would chip in two more goals, but fell to the MAC rival 19-7. But it would be the second straight game a Wilkes lacrosse player would go over the century mark in points, with Melissa Polchinski registering her 100th point of the season on a goal halfway through the first half. She became just the third Wilkes womens lacrosse player to gamer such a feat only a game after teammate Brittney Hodnik accomplished the same. Polchinski led the way for the Colonels with four goals on the day while Hodnik chipped in with one goal and three assists. Wilkes ended its season with a 9-8 overall record with a 4-7 record in conference play, both of which are new highs for the relatively new team. And on a team that has no seniors and is chock full of freshman and sophomores, these new records may take up space in the record books for one short season. "I was thinking about how crazy it is to potentially have every girl returning next season," said That's unheard of! I think that as a team we learned that you have to work hard through the entire season, so hopefully we'll build on this season and do even better next year." Number 3 Kat Edwards runs with the ball during the game against Lycoming on Wednesday April 22. The Lady Colonels tennis team hosted the Freedom Conference Finals on Sunday April 26. Senior Kristin Wilt is seen here in competition on Sunday during a doubles match. Check gowilkesu.com for complete results. The Beacon/Bethan Yamrick Senior pitcher Tom Buckler became the winningest Wilkes pitcher on April 24 against Alvernia. Buckler broke a 31 year old record when he pitched the winning game for his ninth win of the season. Bucker is seen here batting during the game on Friday April 24 against Alvernia. �APRIL 28, 2009 20 SPORTS Baseball loses two games to Delaware Valley BY DANIEL KAUTZ Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The Wilkes University baseball team's playoff destiny became a bit murkier following their two losses to Delaware Valley on Saturday, April 25. A win would have secured a No. 1 seed in the upcoming Freedom conference playoffs in Boyertown, Pa, but the losses dropped the Colonels into a tie with rivals Manhattanville and FDU-Florham. Each of the three teams has five conference losses, but Manhattanville and FDU-Florham have games remaining on their schedule. Despite Saturday's results, Wilkes's record is still a sterling 26-9, with an 11-5 mark in conference play. "We've lost three in a row now but there's no reason we can't come together as a team and regain the focus we've played with much of the season," said senior Andrew Garofoli. "lfwe can just do that there's nobody in the conference we can't beat." "In a way I feel it's good to get a loss before playoffs so that we realize we're not unbeatable," said junior Tom Buckler. "It brought us back to reality, in a way." The first game of the doubleheader saw the Colonels take a 1-0 lead in the second inning off a Shane Keister RBI single to left field. Joel Watson, who had led off with a walk, came around to score and put Wilkes on the board. Delaware Valley responded in the bottom of the third with two runs of their own behind the power of three hits, two of them being back-to-back triples from junior Mike Isgro and senior Kevin Weingart. Wilkes's Geoff Miller and Al Clocker led off the top of the fourth with singles, with Miller advancing to third base on Clocker's hit. John Florance would reach on a fielder's choice immediately after, plating Miller and tying the game at two apiece. The Aggies would limit the damage to a single run, however. Delaware Valley would go on to take a 52 lead over the next two innings. Weingart would walk in the fifth inning and later score on an RBI, and the Aggies tripled again in the sixth to drive in an unearned run before scoring again on a sacrifice fly. The two teams held each other scoreless in the seventh inning before Wilkes scored two more runs in the eighth inning. Mike McAndrew led off the inning with a walk before being brought in by Andrew Garofoli 's triple. Garofoli would score soon after Senior second baseman Geoff Miller (9) and the Colonels have lost three games in a row leading up to the playoffs. Attend "Sweet Revenge" at 12 P.M. on the Greenway and pie your prof essors in the face! Last Day of CLASSES!H Come to Rodano's to benefit the Nursing Student Organiation. Must be 21 or older to attend. Happy Hour is from 10-12 P.M. following Watson's groundout to Delaware Valley's shortstop. The Colonels' comeback attempt was thwarted in the bottom of the eighth, when they allowed Delaware Valley two runs on an Isgro double. Wilkes ended up losing 7-4, although their pitching allowed only three unearned runs in the contest. Freshman starter Ryan Fetterman was not dominating but did a good job of keeping the Colonels in the game, allowing three earned runs over seven innings. The second game was not as close. Delaware Valley led 12-4 after three innings, with four coming on a grand slam by Dan Hrubos in the third. He would finish the game with three hits, four runs, and four RBI. The Aggies would win 18-6, completing the sweep of the doubleheader. Garofoli provided Wilkes its one real bright spot, hitting a two-run shot in the third inning that served as his eighth of the season, tied for the team lead with Randy Dengler. "I felt as if we didn't really come to play [against Delaware Valley]," said Garofoli. "We had already secured a playoff spot before the games, and Delaware Valley came to play since we were the end of their schedule." The Colonels' last regular season game is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at home against Scranton at 4 p.m. Wilkes will try and close out what has thus far been a fantastic season, one that was not entirely expected following the departure of a strong senior class last year. Special mention goes to starting pitcher Buckler, who broke a 31year-old school record for wins in a season after winning his ninth against Alvernia. "It feels good have to set a record at Wilkes," said Buckler. "I had no idea I was close to breaking it, but I'm glad to have broken a record at a collegiate level. "I'm happier having helped the team win nine games though [... ] Hopefully we can go and get a bunch more this weekend before nationals." First day of Finals Enjoy the sunny Spring weathe.r and bring your books to the greenway and study in the sun. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon Newspaper Collection, 1947-present Description An account of the resource <p>This is Wilkes University's <em>Beacon</em> Newspaper collection, 1947-present. We also have digitized copies of the <em>Beacon's</em> predecessors, <em>The Bucknell Bison Stampede</em>, 1934-1935 and <em>The Bucknell Beacon</em>, 1936-1947 June. It should be noted that Wilkes University does not have a complete set of issues for the Bucknell Bison Stampede and Bucknell Beacon. For researchers who are interested in seeing the complete issues for these publications, please contact <a href="https://researchbysubject.bucknell.edu/scua">Bucknell University's Special Collections Department</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>Missing Issues:</p> <p>1947 August 8th<br />1947 September 5th<br />1947 October 3rd<br />1947 October 17th<br />1947 October 31st<br />1947 November 21st<br />1947 December 19th<br />1948 September 9th<br />1950 April 28th<br />1953 April 10th<br />1962 February 2nd</p> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Beacon staff is comprised of Wilkes University students who are advised by a full-time faculty member of the Communication Studies Department. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1934-present Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright of the Wilkes Beacons is retained by Wilkes University. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Professor Emeritus Harold Cox digitized the collection from 1934-1970 and created a <a href="https://beaconarchives2.wilkes.edu/">legacy website</a>. Digital Archives student John Jenkins digitized the collection from 1970-present. Special thanks goes to Communication Studies Professor Dr. Kalen Churcher, Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Peters, Beacon staff member, Emily Cherkauskas, and other Beacon staff for their help in acquiring digitized copies of the Beacons from 2006 onward. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wilkes Beacon 2009 April 28th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009 April 28 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University