64 15 4132 https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/2a2dc35e87452354b8b48bdf7335dc87.pdf 3b499b31d4fbe31bd42e530a5dfc9218 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 Volume 59 Issue 2 www.wilkesbeacon.com Director of Multicultural Affairs Dismissed Students participating at diversity retreat offer differing accounts BY NICK PODOLAK & TABITHA HAPEMAN Beacon News Editor & Asst. Features Editor eekend Retre scheduled for ember 8th to 1 tudents interes these positions The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski A controversial diversity leadership retreat held September 8-10 at Camp Ladore in Waymart, Pennsylvania has been the source of criticism and discord among 12 Wilkes student participants. While no direct connection had been confirmed, Andita Parker Lloyd, Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs, was in attendance at the retreat and was fired Friday according to university administrators. Dean of Student Affairs Mark Allen stated, “While we understand the interest in Ms. Parker-Lloyd’s status, the University is unable to respond or answer questions regarding personnel matters. I am able to confirm that Ms. Parker-Lloyd is no longer employed at Wilkes University.” Vice President Paul Adams also confirmed her dismissal. According to participants, the second annual retreat started off on a positive note on campus Friday night. The event facilitator Ron Feldhun, a personal development consultant from New Jersey, said he planned a weekend of building leadership skills centered on diversity. On Saturday, the students traveled to the camp where they were introduced to both Feldhun and a list of beliefs titled “The Top Ten Concepts for Maximizing Success.” It was at this point some students claim events started to unravel and become confrontational. After getting through the first three items on the list with ease, the fourth prompt caused some friction between the facilitator and a number of the participants. The statement read, “It’s always about ourselves first.” In order to illustrate that concept, Feldhun posed See DIVERSITY page 3 The Office of Multicultural Affairs advertises for its weekend diversity retreat. New alcohol education program aimed at freshmen Failure to complete results in disciplinary action BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor Wilkes University recently took a significant step forward in helping incoming freshmen become more educated about a topic many college students already know a lot about--alcohol. According to a recent letter sent out to freshmen, AlcoholEdu is “a thoughtful, educated and educating program for adults committed to thinking about their life choices.” It is also now a requirement for all freshmen, with stiff penalties for failure to complete. AlcoholEdu is a two-part program. Part one takes approximately three hours to complete and includes two surveys, a pretest, chapter readings and an exam. In order to move on to part two, the student must earn a grade of 70 or higher to pass. Part two of the program consists of another chapter reading and a final survey. Mark Allen, Dean of Student Affairs and In This Issue... Jake Simonis Memorial PAGE 9 Fall TV Preview PAGE 15 co-coordinator of the program, explained how the idea for a substantial alcohol prevention course came about. “The AlcoholEdu program was discussed at an alcohol task force meeting in the spring. The company was asked to make a presentation to the group and did so. AlcoholEdu is a population level prevention program, which by definition ‘leverages students’ social networks to produce significant improvement in alcohol-related perception and behaviors, and inspires social and cultural change’.” AL MVP Race PAGE 17 Over 450 campuses nationwide and 250,000 students participate in AlcoholEdu. Allen noted that the program has been touted as effective. “This is a program that has been independently researched and evaluated. Among the findings, students who had completed the program had 50% fewer negative social and academic consequences See ALCOHOL page 5 Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 2 Einstein Bagels Facebook Party on the Square 3 4 5 Rwandan students strive to make impact International student population grows to record levels BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor Since its first international student graduated in 1965 (a Korean majoring in engineering), Wilkes has welcomed students from over 57 different countries. This semester, the largest international class since 1987 will call Wilkes home. “In recent history this is a highwater mark,” said Vice President of Enrollment Services, Mike Frantz. “It’s the most international students we’ve seen in one term in my eight years.” But perhaps one of the most intriguing stories to come out of the influx of internationals is that four undergraduate students are natives of Rwanda. Two of the four students were prompted to come to Wilkes by the efforts of Matondo Filawo, an African native living in Chicago who has a business that builds roads in the Congo. His plant is based in Sweet Valley. “Matondo is very interested in helping students identify and acquire U.S. educations, so they could then go back to Rwanda and be highly educated, contributing members of those growing economies,” Frantz said. When Yves Ngabonziza, the first student from “The Land of a Thousand Hills,” introduced Matondo to Frantz, Frantz was never to forget what he said. “He said, ‘Yves, when you graduate and go home, you will be the only environmental engineer in the country who is a native of Rwanda.’ Talk about having an impact on a country. Through education he can have a significant impact on a growing country and economy,” Frantz said. That is exactly what Christian Makuza intends to do after he graduates. Makuza, who is majoring in computer information systems, was lucky enough to live in Rwanda’s capital and largest city, Kigali, where internet cafés are literally the only means of getting access to a computer. “For people who live outside the capital, it is impossible for them to get a computer,” he said. After he graduates, Makuza plans to return to his homeland and teach, which will have an immediate impact on a war-torn country in the midst of recovery. A civil war between the Hutus and Tutsis in 1994, while lasting only four months, resulted in the genocide of nearly a million people and left the country devastated. “After all we’ve been through in Rwanda, we have to build everything from the start,” he said. “Everything was destroyed in 1994, so we need all the knowledge possible to get the country out of poverty.” When asked how he and his fellow Rwandans picked up the English language, he said in school, through T.V. and most surprisingly, American hip-hop. “Yeah, it makes you learn English,” he said with a chuckle. “We like Tupac.” Though there may not be any mountain gorillas in Wilkes-Barre, Makuza should feel right at home with his Rwandan counterparts, who are all striving to further their education to help rebuild their oppressed country. The rest of this year’s international undergraduates include four Saudi Arabian students, three students from China and representatives of the British Virgin Islands, South Korea, Kuwait, Germany and India. Six Saudi English-as-a-secondlanguage (ESL) students and 13 international graduate students with degrees in electrical engineering will also grace the campus this semester. “This is all part of our interest in seeing Wilkes continuing to be a warm and welcoming environment to persons of every variety of background. Be it religion, race, nationality, gender, whatever it may be. And we will continue to look for qualified students who are a good fit for this institution that meet our long-term diversity goals,” Frantz said. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Students from Rwanda call Wilkes home to aquire U.S. educations. Their hope is to return to Rwanda as highly educated individuals who can contribute to a growing economy. From left: Kanyabugoyi (Gael) Somayire, Christian Makuza, Yves Ngabonziza, Brice Biruta. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �NEWS SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 3 Bagels, baby: Einstein Bros. Bagels set to open in November BY DAVE SEBELIN Beacon Correspondent If nothing else, the buzzword on campus this fall has been change. An expanded greenway, newly hired faculty and a movie theater complex within walking distance of campus are a few of the changes since the spring [see corresponding stories in the issue September 11th of The Beacon: “Freshmen aren’t the only new faces” and “Believing in downtown W-B”] . Many of the new developments on and off campus have been in the discussion and planning stages for at least a year, and may not surprise campus members. However, what may come as a surprise is that the university will soon be ‘rolling in the dough’ this fall. Where will it get all the dough? Perhaps by passing the cost on to students? No, university officials have not decided to increase tuition or raise book prices just yet; rather, ‘the dough’ will be available to students and faculty across the entire campus - all eighteen different varieties of bagel dough, that is. Tentatively set to open by mid November, Einstein Bros. Bagels will become the latest addition to the Wilkes dining experience. Providing a series of food choices such as sandwiches, coffee and, of course, bagels, the café will serve students, faculty and the DIVERSITY from FRONT PAGE a hypothetical situation to the group: Which would you rather have, $1 million or your best friend? According to participant reports, seven of the 12 students stated that they would rather take the money than sacrifice their relationship with their best friend. The remaining five students opted to refuse the money. Feldhun explained, “In order for you to be a [diversity] ambassador…you have to understand the truth about yourself but also about how other people see things.” He added, “[Point number 4] says this - someone is going to do things for themselves first.” The million dollar question was meant to illustrate this idea. The students who opted for the friend over money were not only aggressively challenged for their opinions, but claim they were also segregated because of them. The participants acknowledged that it was at this point that the “A-Team” (those who chose the money) became privileged and the “others” were ostracized. According to Nitasa Sahu, sophomore public from its new location on the first floor of the UCOM facility. When completed, Einstein Bagels will offer students a fourth choice in dining on campus, and a few new selections to add to any breakfast or lunchtime menu. Situated across from University Towers and the parking garage along South Main Street, the new dining area is intended to be another convenience to students entering the university. Christopher Bailey, director of campus support services, describes Einstein’s as “a one stop shop for faculty, students and staff . . . a place for offices, athletics and now dining.” Bailey added, “Our intention is to make this area one of the centers of university activity.” With soon to be over a hundred staff members housed in the UCOM, foot traffic from the pedestrians, and nearby residence of University Towers, officials hope Einstein Bagels will draw crowds during the morning to mid day hours. Hours of operation, while subject to change, are Monday through Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm and weekend hours of 8:00am to 1:30pm. The dining area will provide a variety of food including hot grilled panini sandwiches and omelet bagels. Coffee and fruit drinks will also be on the menu for anyone just stopping in or ordering a complete meal. A seating area will also be part of the design, accommodating customers who are interested in a relaxing meal. In addition, the dining area will be presented in a theme developed by the organization. The Einstein Bros. brand and design come from a national chain owned and created by New World Restaurant Group located in Golden, Colorado. According to the organization’s website, it currently operates 355 locations and 69 licensed businesses across America. In the case of Wilkes University, Einstein Bagels was licensed by Sodexho as a part of New World’s franchising policy. Sodexho, the primary provider of food on campus, will officially run the café while maintaining the style of the Einstein brand. According to Michael Raub, retail manager of dining on campus, “Einstein’s theme is not unlike Panera Bread but less formal. It has breakfast and lunch menus while also serving fresh baked goods.” Since Einstein Bros. will be run by Sodexho and located on campus, university meal plans will apply to the new dining area. Raub explained, “Einstein is along the same premise as Rifkin Café. . . you will be able to use dining dollars and flex dollars to pay for meals.” While Einstein’s Bagels offers another opportunity for students to satisfy their hunger pains, many wonder if there really is a need for another sandwich style dining area like Rifkin Café. According to Christopher Bailey, “The intention isn’t to replace Rifkin, but rather to compliment it. We obviously don’t want to cannibalize our market...We haven’t really had a chance to discuss what will happen to Rifkin in the future, but we were looking into turning it into a convenience center, not unlike a Wawa. . . but this would need to be discussed first with the Student Government.” Whether Rifkin Café is redesigned to compliment Einstein remains to be seen, but undoubtedly the new dining area will play a vital role as the university expands away from the river and into the city. Steve Felter, a sophomore history major, when asked about Einstein’s, commented, “I think it will give students another place to eat . . . from my point of view Rifkin is closer, but the people in university towers have a very good location to eat and don’t have to worry about walking very far.” Einstein Bros. Bagels is scheduled to open in November of 2006 inside the UCOM facility. Though no date has been officially set, information will be released as further progress is made. nursing student and retreat participant, the smaller team was told that the larger team would not be working with them because of the differing opinions on the issue. Sahu said she was shocked by this strategy and criticized Feldhun for it. According to Sahu, he pointed to another participant and replied, “If you can call me phony, then I call you a terrorist.” After this incident, participants report that sophomore nursing student Josh Pauling, who is of Asian descent, was singled out and the rest of the team was allegedly encouraged to chant “chink” in his direction. But, he stated that the group had his approval to do this. Pauling explained, “We were told that the whole weekend was an act…it wasn’t to be taken completely seriously. It showed that I was willing to be part of the group and there weren’t any hard feelings…they were chanting it. They were told to say it.” Sahu noted that she felt he appeared uncomfortable during the experience, and she was “disgusted” by the experience. The accounts of Saturday’s retreat differ as to whether or not the students were provided with meals. Sahu charged that they were not fed for over seven hours. Feldhun stated, however, “I can tell you with 100% certainty…none of that took place…What they’re saying happened… never happened.” Sahu said that she and two other students, one who was unavailable for interview and another who was unwilling to comment on the controversy, approached Parker-Lloyd after the retreat and asked why she allowed the weekend to continue as it did. Sahu said that Parker Lloyd replied that there was no such thing as diversity. Junior communication studies major Mark Congdon, a member of the so-called ‘A team’, recalled this scene differently. He did not deny that the statement was made, but clarified that Parker-Lloyd was speaking of diversity on the Wilkes campus only. The Beacon contacted Parker Lloyd and offered her the opportunity to respond to student allegations regarding the diversity retreat. However, she refused to comment. While some student participants such as Congdon claim that the retreat’s unconventional methods were “life changing” in a positive sense, others believe that the confrontational approach was detrimental and extreme. Avni Vaschani, sophomore pharmaceu- tical science major said, “If I had to rate [the experience], I’d give it a four. I did learn something, but I think it was a waste of time. Everyone has a different perspective…I didn’t like it when he called us ‘terrorists.’” Alberto Prado, Coordinator of Academic Services, Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction will serve as interim coordinator of Multicultural Affairs according to Vice President of Student Affairs Paul Adams. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Andita Parker-Lloyd �NEWS SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 4 Myspace, Facebook runs risks for job seekers Social networking causes more harm than good for college students BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor With one click of the button it is possible to find almost anyone or anything on the internet. People can find lost schoolmates, new friends, stalkers, child predators and now the reason for a job rejection. The increasing popularity of web-based communities such as MySpace.com and Facebook.com promote connections on the internet that are now being fully recognized and exploited. According to creators of Facebook.com, “Facebook is a social utility that helps people better understand the world around them. Facebook develops technologies that facilitate the spread of information through social networks, allowing people to share information online the same way they do in the real world.” Facebook launched in February of 2004 and now has over nine million registered users. It also sees the seventh most web traffic on the internet. Mary Waldorf, coordinator of leadership development, attended the APCA leadership conference last week at which attorney Adam Lambert presented a workshop on MySpace and Facebook. She said, “Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research asked a group of 18-24 year olds (not just college students) if they have a personal website, page or blog, and they found that 52% have a Myspace page, 34% were on Facebook and nearly 50% of all incoming freshman had a Facebook account before orientation. Another interesting fact students and I learned at the APCA leadership conference came from research conducted by Student Monitor. They report that Facebook is now just as popular with college students as beer.” Social networking sites such as Facebook. com are open to the public, and since the internet is viewed as a public space, virtually anyone with a computer can view the content of these pages. Users can join Facebook. com simply by providing a valid e-mail address from an organization or school, making the site popular with the college crowd. Amanda McMahon, senior English/secondary education major has had her Facebook account for approximately two years. “One major benefit of Facebook [is that it] actually helps out my job as a resident assistant because I can post announcements or message all members of the group I created for my dorm,” she said. Facebook allows members to post messages, pictures, as well as personal information such as contact information and interests. However, it is the content that students choose to display in their account that can be cause for some negative consequences now and in the future. McMahon said, “I have noticed that the popular kind of ‘harm’ done does not come from stalkers, as often warned, but rather through the kind of images students choose to portray on these sites. These images, often viewed as an accurate representation of the character of a person, can affect the professional and academic life of the student.” Media sources such as CNN and the Chicago Tribune have warned the public about social networking sites and the harm these sites can cause students both inside and outside of school. More and more employers and institutions are searching sites like Myspace and Facebook to find information about prospective employees and taking the information they find on these sites into account during the hiring/firing process. Richard Hannick, a 2005 graduate of Wilkes University, works as an interim manager for FYE. “I got rid of Facebook because I saw on CNN that employers do background checks and they can look at it as part of it,” he said. “Going into the workforce and finding out about Facebook really freaked me out.” Social networking accounts are not preventing college students from having a professional and personal life, but the content they chose to display is, especially when it comes to employers. “Students don’t need to totally remove their personal pages on MySpace and Facebook, but if they are in the process of searching for internships and jobs, it may be in their best interest to portray a professional image on those sites as well. Students can clean up their pages and use them as an opportunity to make a positive first impression. I guess a general rule of thumb when it comes to social networking sites and internship/job searches could be, if you wouldn’t put it on your resume, don’t put it on the web,” said Waldorf. Some students agree that content can be a factor in the job search. “Often, the choice of what gets posted particularly pertains to the person’s moral and ethical self, a self they employers are wondering about, but that interview questions and criminal record checks may not be able to pick up on,” said McMahon. With this in mind, Waldorf said, “Employers wouldn’t necessarily be telling potential interns or recent college grads they are not being offered a position because of the content of their pages. What’s even worse is the possibility exists that students may not even be getting the initial interview because of what they have posted on such accounts, and they would never know why.” Students are aware that for some future careers it will be necessary to deactivate their Facebook accounts. “I will definitely discard my accounts based on my occupation. I will be applying for a secondary education position and it is very risky to have any kind of public information on the internet, especially when I do get hired. If I want the respect from seniors in high school, then I should not have a MySpace/Facebook account with pictures of what I do in my spare time and who my friends are,” said Alicia Demer, senior English/secondary education major. However, some students may not feel it is necessary to edit their pages or remove them all together. Waldorf said, “Greenberg found that 83% of students surveyed were not concerned with the impact their online behavior may have on them getting a job.” Gretchen Yeninas, director of residence life said, “In the course of hiring Resident Assistants, we do not search those sites for additional information about students. However, if something comes to our attention, the RAs know that they will be held responsible for what we see on their pages.” The most popular form of incriminating evidence across college campuses is the infamous profile picture of underage drinking. Students often post photos of policy violations, which can cause for disciplinary measures to be taken by the university. “A bigger concern has been that students at many campuses are posting pictures of themselves violating student codes and local laws. 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All freshman are required to participate, and failure to complete the prgram will result in an alcohol violation, diciplinary action and a monetary fine. ALCOHOL from FRONT PAGE related to drinking than students who had not completed the program.” He added, “Through their learning experience it is hoped that there will be a greater awareness with respect to the effects of alcohol, thus challenging students to think specifically about choices as alcohol relates to academic and personal success.” All Wilkes freshmen are required to take part in the program and Allen noted that university of- ficials are taking the program seriously. Those students who do not successfully finish AlcoholEdu will receive an alcohol violation, disciplinary action by the University and a monetary fine. The Office of Student Affairs proposed the penalties for AlcoholEdu; however, Allen said, “Certainly disciplinary action is not the motivation for this program. It is hoped that all students will complete the program....The issue of alcohol misuse and abuse is prevalent on many college campuses and our connecting this to an expectation for completion reinforces the message that this is an area students need to think about and reflect upon. It is a proactive attempt to avoid problems and, at the same time, promote wellness.” Jade Eskovitz, freshman undecided major, feels that the university’s penalties may be extreme. “I feel the punishments for not completing AlcoholEdu are slightly severe. I never thought I could actually get an alcohol violation without ever drinking,” she said. “However, I feel the university is trying to make a point that alcohol is a serious problem on college campuses. Sure, the main reason students are taking part in schedules, students are making themselves targets for predators. Unfortunately, the mentality tends to be ‘it won’t happen to me,’” said Waldorf. Although the internet is a public place, many students question whether or not employers have the right to look at the information on social networking sites, and whether or not they have the right to base the hiring/firing of a person because if it. Demer said, “I think that what the applicant does on his or her own time is their private business and until their personal and private life affect their performance at work, it should not be the employer’s business.” When asked if employers have the right to look at these sites, Yeninas said, “Personally, yes, but it is a fine line. Students need to remember that it is a pubthe program is to avoid the disciplinary actions, but hopefully after completion they will feel better educated about alcohol usage.” said Eskovitz. “The connection of a consequence to successful completion of the program is a common practice among several schools in an effort to insure that all students are presented with the experience,” Allen said. “Alcohol is the drug of choice on college campuses. Many of the negative behavior is- Busted Drinking Myth: sues brought to Student Affairs are related to alcohol use. Again, not uncommon in a college setting. This is a prevention program that has shown success on many college campuses in reducing this behavior. If it provides an opportunity for students to make better choices, which translates into a successful personal and academic experience, then the program is well worth it.” On Thursday September 14, 2006, Wilkes-Barre hosted its annual party on the square from 6-9pm. The event is free to all students from the participating schools. This year students were entitled to free pizza for the first 750 students as well as discount cards, backpacks and $1 drinks. Students could try their skills on the mechanical bull or enter the pizza eating contest. Local bands performed including The Five Percent and Go Go Gadjet. Local schools who attended and participated at Party on the Square were Wilkes University, King’s College, College Misericordia, Luzerne County Community College and Penn State Wilkes-Barre. ""'J·"m having as much fun as I can while Irm in collegs. As soon as J grad uat-e,. J:"1 1 get my act together.'~ :Re~i - d.tintitlg liaoo Ct'lfl :b! you tiom attet1.di.ng s dyiug t-eguL dy, or getting in ~d it1 ~ t tiented c4.ib ot iatett~-P- Plus, if yo1,1':re thinkit~·of goe1lgto g,;ad looi, you wil tl.(! to b m , :lang; th g,.ade so th; t Y'l)'H tmns apt ioob 8PQd to gradu s~hools. On othe thing ro in miad! e :1.. though ilO 01'.l goes to $Chool u1ten~ to bieoome. ~:1. alcoholk., ll.(! ry dei.nkit1g b l~o11: it:1. college (!il.fl \llri.mately le~ som people to full-blown alooholisw. &et oollege. Yo - roted by Health Sem~s. t:tp :/ / www.~tH:ln~ E°IICbci ...../ b~d..,.uf.,,/nJ;:;hLD:r),a'l,,Lhmi. 5 lic domain and anyone could be looking at their page. They need to think about what kind of first impression their page makes.” Many of these sites, including Facebook, have privacy and security settings that allow the user to personalize to their account. However, this does not completely eliminate the sharing of personal information to the undesired, and, for professional development, many students are getting rid of these accounts. The internet is a public space and employers will continue to search, especially with the growing competition in the job market. Social networking contributes to social life, but also makes having a private life virtually impossible. “As long as the internet in general continues to work the way it does, I feel that none of us contributing to the online world will ever truly have private space,” said McMahon. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski �Opinion SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 Republicans This is How We Do It Your Voices 6 \. First graders should stop and smell the roses Push for smarter, younger students erases their creativity some schools, social studies, have all been cut to spend more time on reading, writing and spelling. The push for better, brighter, Now that we’re in college, don’t younger students is enacting a we all look back on the good ol’ heavy toll on the students themdays of our childhood, when the selves. Pressured by demands worst thing we had to worry about they are unable to handle at such was what color crayon to use on an age, more and more students-our latest artistic masterpiece or and not just first graders--are being whether or not our parents would held back a grade, creating shame let us stay up past our bedtime? and feelings of failure. Teachers As adults, we are forced to and school administrators alike juggle numerous responsibilifeel the crunch as well, pressured ties, finding the balance between by Bush’s No Child Left Behind the need for money, the stress of act. Schools run the risk of losing studying and the time constraints funding if all students do not perof work. Sadly, long gone are the form well on state-mandated tests. relaxing, carefree days of elemenAs the Newsweek article explains, tary school. starting the learning process in earIn a startling trend that is gathernest at an earlier age does not necing momentum across the United essarily mean first graders will be States, first graders are losing their smarter or more intelligent down own sense of what it means to be a the line. Each age has approprikid and are being forced to read at ate lessons and skills to learn, which shouldn’t be rushed or skipped. You have an OPINION While stuand we want to hear it _I dents our age can identify Want to expiess your unique views to the Wilkes o=wnmrun:i:l:y? with these Th.s Beacon'~ Opinion secti:in is SIXl1.lllllg c.;nnpus in search of' pressures, writers with freili tloughts and V1e'W"S . which are similar to the competitive rush to ace the SATs or even the GREs, we are better equipped to handle stress than these 6-year-olds. Imagine the burnout these kids will experience in 12 years, If'}'OU have any ideas, questi:ins or a s.;nnple o=wlunm. or editorial c-iltoons, please cord:act: when they are ready to go to OF"IN ICIN EDITCIR: KRBTVN C>!3-TMA.N, CIR college. If Ass.BTANT OF"IN DN EDITOR: AN DEE SCARA..NTINO the race starts th9h9acon . op9d@gmai l . com when the kids BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD a younger age than what is deemed appropriate, in increasingly stringent and demanding programs. According to a September 11, 2006 Newsweek cover article, kindergarteners are being bombarded by reading lessons, and those first graders who haven’t mastered the skills attend remedial sessions for extra help. In the race to educate children faster, parents are also concerned with making their children the best and the brightest. Parents of first graders are already worried about Ivy League colleges and top-notch high schools, citing concerns that if their child struggles with reading in first grade, they will surely struggle with more difficult subjects later on in life, leaving them behind in the race. The same Newsweek article states that recess, music and art classes, and in The Pen is IVIightier ... 7 7 8 should be painting and singing songs, they will be ill-equipped for the long haul and will lack the stamina and endurance to even make it to senior year. And, when they do make it to senior year, where will their sense of creativity and ingenuity have gone? Will they know how to relax, laugh at themselves and the absurdity of the world? Or will they reflect the physical and mental toll exacted upon them by the work-aholic elder generation? These students will be focused on making the grade, acing the test or winning the spelling bee. No child left behind inspired mandates and teaching methods are wrongly indicating to students that value is located exclusively on winning and being the best and first. They will hear only that the world values book smarts and high reading levels to the exclusion of the rest of what rounds us out and makes us human. Perhaps, then, the issue lies less with teachers and parents and first-graders, but instead with America’s mentality about what we will value. While we all need the brainiacs to perform surgeries and build bridges, we also still need artists, musicians and actors to put the fun back into the world. We need caregivers for our children, men and women to police the streets and those who will save us from a burning building. We need to find a way to value every child, every man and woman, for the gifts and talents they can offer us all. And, we must remember that our children are growing up in a world where hate and greed and envy exist. Let’s spare them a full dose of reality until they’re ready to tackle it, and leave time for childhood pursuits. Responsibility comes soon enough. 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 46 responses. The Beacon asked: What addition or change to downtown WilkesBarre are you most excited about? • Movies 14 complex - 28% • Barnes & Noble shared college bookstore - 24% • The promise of a cleaner, safer downtown - 20% • Club Mardi Gras - 13% • The promise of Public Square wifi - 7% • Downtown streetlights - 4% • Billiards parlor - 4% • More downtown housing options - 0% • Wilkes University parking garage on Main Street - 0% • Other - 0% Next Week’s Poll Question: How can President Bush raise his approval rating? • Grow a beard • Dress like a dinosaur • Buy everyone a puppy • Carry a man-purse • Find bin Laden • Have an affair with an intern • Fire a cabinet member • Get breast implants • Wear an eye patch • Speak with an Austrian accent Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. �OPINION SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 Republicans’ foothold tenuous at best for November 7 Erosion of public support justified in the wake of Iraq, Katrina and lies BY ROBERT DONAHUE Beacon Correspondent Well, here we go again! Another election year, and this time Republicans are even more desperate. In the 2002 and 2004 elections, Republicans were successfully able to exploit 9/11 and terrorism to keep their majority. Recent polls show President Bush’s approval rating in the lower 40’s. Three separate polls reveal that 53% of people feel that the war in Iraq was a mistake, 51% feel that there is no connection between Iraq and the War on Terror and a full half of those polled feel that President Bush is spending too much time on Iraq to consider other threats. So now the Republicans’ strongest platform might actually hurt them in the 2006 election. This could explain why the Republicans are more desperate than ever to attack the Democrats on anything. On the fifth anniversary of 9/11, President Bush used his television time to talk about Iraq and how it is the front for the War on Terror. Democrats had no intentions of making 9/11 a day of partisan attacks; however, the President started it and the Democrats responded. To add fuel to the fire, House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) told the news media, “I wonder if they’re [the Democrats] more interested in protecting the terrorists than protecting the American people.” Whoa! Harsh words Mr. Congressman, but I think it sounds like someone is extremely desperate to hang on to their majority spot. Let’s take a look at just how the Republicans are “protecting” the American people, shall we? No one disputes that Osama bin Laden is responsible for attacking our country on 9/11. Where is he? The United States military had Osama bin Laden in its sight at Tora Bora, and according to a MSNBC report, CIA commander Gary Berntsen says, “He and other U.S. commanders did know This is How We Do It (Learn, That is) BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor Admit it…you’re listening to the radio and “Shoop” by Salt and Peppa or “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right to Party” by The Beastie Boys comes on…not only do you sing along, but you know every word. I know I do. While rocking out to one of these songs, or another old school hip-hop song I haven’t heard for years, I wonder how it is that my brain chooses to remember all the lyrics to these songs, yet definitions I learned in class only last week don’t seem to make the cut. Especially around finals time, I find myself wishing I could somehow turn my useless ability to remember words set to a beat into a way to help me ace my exams. Enter Flocabulary. Alex Rappaport and Blake Harrison, two white guys in their mid-twenties, have turned hip-hop into a way to teach vocabulary, history and even Shakespeare to students across the country. Go figure. Rappaport and Harrison use the basic rhyme and beat elements of hip-hop to make the information more memorable. Flocabulary is mostly used in high schools right now, but who knows how long it’ll be before it makes the crossover into other educational settings. I would love to show up for an 8 a.m. biology class and hear my professor rapping to us about protozoan and amino acids. When you look back at your notes a week later, not only do you see the words on the page, but you hear the beat along with it in your mind. When interviewed on CNN, Rappaport and Harrison were asked how the Flocabulary CDs and accompanying lyric books will be made available to schools that may not be able to afford them, but may need them the most to boost scores. Although schools with limited funding may need to raise scores, I’d bet there isn’t a school in the United States that wouldn’t want to boost scores. And with the increase in popularity of hip-hop among students of all ages, races and wealth levels, it seems that Flocabulary has the potential to reach a multitude of learners. Right now, Rappaport and Harrison, whose Flocabulary emcee name is the clever Emcee Escher, write all the rhymes and put them to their own beats… but with the rising increase in popularity of the program, due to spots on ABC News, MTV News and CNN, among others, who knows how long it’ll be before Ludacris joins the Flocabulary team to teach physics to America’s youth. that bin Laden was among the hundreds of fleeing al Qaeda and Taliban members…” The decorated career CIA officer criticizes Donald Rumsfeld’s Defense Department for “not providing enough support to the CIA and the Pentagon’s own Special Forces teams in the final hours of Tora Bora.” Additionally, President Bush is destroying the democratic values we are trying to spread all over the world. Illegal domestic wiretapping without court orders, secret U.S. prison camps (which the president finally came out and admitted), reading the mail of American citizens, holding people in prison for years without any criminal charges and the list goes on and on. When news of the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping of millions of Americans became public, Democrats communicated justifiable outrage. Are there really over ten million possible terrorists in the U.S.? I highly doubt it. With this next issue, all I am going to say is…Hurricane Katrina. I think the situation speaks for itself, since the lack of speedy, efficient response from his administration did kill President Bush’s approval rating. Finally, I once heard that President Bush was going to be the first U.S. President since John Q. Adams not to exercise his veto powers [notably Adams served only one term]. Instead Mr. Bush has rewritten hundreds of bills passed by Congress to suit his own needs through his “signing statement” power. Didn’t our founding fathers create three branches of government so there would be a separation of powers? Most recently, the Supreme Court has indicated that President Bush’s desire to control things is not only out of control, but bordering on unconstitutional. If Republicans really want to win this election and maintain their majority, then they better stop giving President Bush a rubber stamp. That should have happened two years ago anyway. So the question is: who really cares about protecting Americans? Surely it isn’t this current Republican President nor the Republican Congress, which I might add has a lower approval rating than the President. Visually Opinionated By Kristyn Ostman “I’m gonna need a new theme song...what rhymes with e. coli?” �SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 OPINION 8 YOUR VOICES Positive cultural dialogue a must for diversity to exist Dear Editor: An event occurred during the orientation weekend that I feel deserves some attention. Since I did not see it covered in your first issue, I would like to address it here. A program was offered on our campus entitled “NWC” -- the title comes from the three initials of derogatory names for people of color. Apparently, it was a Chris Rock style of comedy, complete with expletives and epithets, meant to bring to light the offensive nature of certain terms. I have been told that it was a mandatory program for first year students. I have three concerns with such a program. First, it is offensive. Such language only sets a negative tone for subsequent diversity discussions. If my own African American daughter were required to attend a ninety-minute session in which she was subjected to foul terms for her own race and other people of color, I would expect her to withdraw from the university. I cannot imagine any justification for exposing our new students to an offensive treatment of diversity issues, as there are countless more positive programs to be had. Second, it seems divisive. Since there is no derogatory word for white people in the title, it potentially sets up an “us/them” situation between minority and majority group members. This seems a dangerous choice for entertainment in a school that is 93% white, and it concerns me. In this country we have a long and unpleasant history of derogatory humor aimed at people of color. Too many people of color have had to denigrate themselves in order to find employment or acceptance with majority members. I can’t imagine Wilkes wanting to be a part of that pattern, no matter how funny the comedians were. Somehow, hearing that there was a standing ovation only makes me feel worse. Third, there was no debriefing. Apparently, after ninety minutes, the performers opened it up to questions and answers, at which time almost all of the audience left. I am worried that students who are unaccustomed to diversity will not realize how inflammatory these terms are and will use them. These are trigger words that are packed with emotion and, to me, are simply not funny, whatever the context. Your readers who want to defend the program might ask how I can judge the program without having been there. My response is that, even if I had known about it (which I didn’t), I would never attend a program with the N-word in the title. Hearing it makes me cringe. Why would I spend an hour and a half wanting to hear more of it? I certainly don’t support spending several thousand dollars of student activities fees to pay for the program. I frankly don’t understand how or why that decision was made, and I don’t know why the students are not questioning the use of their money for it. That decision was a mistake -- it was far too costly, in so many ways. I wonder what can be done now, as a campus, to move forward from here. Perhaps this unfortunate choice of entertainment can provide us with a reason to talk -- to really talk about the sensitive issues. We truly need to begin a positive intercultural dialogue, one that will increase awareness of majority group members, validate minority group members and begin to repair any damage that might have been caused by NWC. Waiting any longer to process this event, in my opinion, is very dangerous. Sincerely, Gina Zanolini Morrison, Assistant Professor of Education Magnifying differences highlights segregation, not acceptance How exactly do we celebrate cultural heritage? BY KRISTYN OSTMAN Beacon Opinion Editor I realize this may seem a bit of an overstatement, but I’ve been hearing about “cultural heritage” since I was in elementary school. My school district, back home in New York, was big on making sure every culture was catered to. As the only person I’ve ever met who is even part Swedish, I was upset that I had to explain to my teacher exactly what St. Lucia Day was all about and how to properly respect it. She stood there stupefied by a 5-year old. Whenever I hear about a new diversity event on campus, I always remember that experience. Why do we all have to celebrate other people’s customs? Certainly, we can respect the beliefs and traditions of others, but I find it arrogant and upsetting that anyone feels that they can take part, because half the time they are so unaware that they go about it all wrong. I’d rather have no cultural heritage events than watch some yuppie pervert the customs of my culture because it makes him feel good and proves to himself and others that he is in no way racist. Of course you are a racist; you are defining in no uncertain terms that “this is my race,” which is by its nature an act that excludes. Does celebrating our differences really of all three cultures and I honor them in my own way. However, even in feeling connected to my heritage, it’s nearly impossible for even me to properly indulge. Swedish women are notoriously cold and the entire considering yourself an American. If we could muster up a little nationalism for this country instead of having an event for every obscure foreign holiday, we might bring ourselves closer together. In no way am I telling anyone to ostracize foreigners. Given the make up of the United States, we should welcome foreigners and fold them into one American culture. I was not born in Sweden and I’ve never been there, so what right do I have to take part in St. Lucia Day? I do, however, enjoy the 4th of July. Why? Because I am an American. Of course, if anyone was to start bashing Swedes, I might step in to educate them, but not out of some sense of Swedish pride. I’d do so because most intelligent humans realize that discrimination against another ethnicity is born of ignorance. Many countries have a strong sense of nationality that would probably demonize a mutt like me. As an American, I feel it is my duty to respect other cultures while not confusing them with my own. I’d rather have no cultural heritage events than watch some yuppie pervert the customs of my culture because it makes him feel good and prove to himself and others that he is in no way racist. bring us together? It stands to reason that magnifying how diverse we are segregates us more. Why shouldn’t it? Now I know exactly what makes you different from me… and for whatever petty reason, I can choose to hate you for it. Sure, it sounds stupid and unreasonable, but most hate is based on silly, shallow reasons that really have more to do with our personal problems than the culture the hate is directed against. I am a mutt. I am half-Italian, a quarter Swedish and quarter Austrian. I am proud society exemplifies few Christian values. Italians are warm, strict Catholics. Kind of a huge difference--and that’s if I only go by stereotypes. Truthfully, since these cultures are very different (and it would be pretty pretentious of me to claim full knowledge of them) I can’t go around living as if I was a foreign national. Instead, I consider myself an American. This encompasses all of my cultures including the one into which I was born. There is nothing wrong or shameful about �FEATURES SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 9 Organic Foods Haunted Wilkes Training for Steamtown 10 11 11 University pays tribute to Jake Simonis Students band together and raise money to build memorial BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor At half time, the winning tickets were chosen and prizes were awarded. Don Middleton and K. Milligan received the On August 1, Wilkes University lost not autographed jerseys, and Lance Peyton only a vibrant member of its student body, won the Penn State football package. but a friend and good man. Jake Simonis, Altogether, $1,227 has been raised so who would have been a junior this fall, far for Simonis’s memorial fund. The was killed in a motorcycle accident that money was presented to Adams and stuoccurred on River Street in Wilkes-Barre, dent affairs during the half time ceremoin front of Evans Hall. nies to be put towards the construction of Simonis was known by many for his a memorial, which will be located in front white Del Sol and his love of country of Evans Hall, on River Street. Plans are music, and the fact that he “couldn’t walk in the making to include a bench, some around campus without saying ‘hi’ to peoshrubbery, as well as a plaque commemople he knew,” according to close friend rating Jake’s life. Laura Hanna. “This honors a young person who was a Soon after his death, those close to him vital part of the campus community,” said began raising money to construct a meAdams. “It speaks very well of the sense morial in his honor. of community and the desire to preserve it Fundraising was done on a personal and give back.” We needed to memorialize him in some way, remind level by Hanna, his girlfriend Kathy HarSpecific aspects of the memorial are rington, and Jake’s roommates, Ryan Galstill being discussed, and a quote from people he was here. People he loved are here and people lagher and Ed Smulligan. the Emerson Drive song, “A Good Man,” who loved him are here. “People who knew Jake in any capacmay possibly be included on the plaque. Kathy Harrington ity have been very generous. The reaction According to Hanna, the quote, “When sophomore pre-pharmacy major has been very positive,” said Harrington, I’m gone, I wanna leave a legacy/ Of a sophomore pre-pharmacy major.. love and laughs and honesty behind me,” Junior class president Matt as well as other lyrics in the Brown said when he heard about song, exemplify the kind of Simonis’s death, he immediately person Simonis was. knew he wanted to do something Since the construction of to raise money for a memorial. the memorial, as well as the “Wilkes University is a small physical components of it, are school, and something like this quite expensive, much of the affects the entire university. When work will be done by Jake’s someone passes away, it affects friends and classmates, as us all, and we work together as a well as by family members, whole to memorialize him.” and will be supervised by Brown contacted Simonis’s employees of Mericle. close friends at Wilkes, as well as “He went to this school and the Simonis family, and worked a lot of people knew him,” with them to plan a fundraiser. added Harrington. “He called “They offered moral support and this his home. We needed to kept us abreast about what was memorialize him in some going on,” said Pearl Simonis, way, remind people he was Jake’s mother. here. People he loved are The junior class cabinet, conhere and people who loved sisting of Brown, president, Krishim are here.” tina Erat, vice president, Megan A memorial service for SiBadach, secretary, Tony Scerbo, monis will take place on Suntreasurer, and representatives AliThe Beacon/Nick Zmijewski day at 2 p.m. in the Grand son Woody, Danielle Namiotka The check for $1,227 was presented to Dr. Paul Adams at the Wilkes football game against Delaware Ballroom, on the 2nd floor of and Kate Bass organized a raffle. Valley last Saturday. Simonis’s family, along with Student Government members and those who par- the Henry Student Center. They approached the Wilkes- ticipated in fundraising, were part of the presentation. Barre/ Scranton Pioneers, who donated two jerseys signed by all of the players. Mericle Construction, Inc., for whom Simonis worked, then contacted the Simonis family and told them they wanted to help. They donated four Penn State football tickets, along with parking passes and a gift basket, valued at approximately $250. Pearl Simonis said the football theme of the raffle prizes was very appropriate because football was a huge part of her son’s life. “[He] played football when he was a freshman, but decided against it after that. He always loved it and followed it.” His father, Jerry Simonis added, “He wasn’t playing [this year], but he knew what was going on. He was a part of the team.” Although raffles of any kind are usually against the rules of the university, Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs, said an exception was made because of the cause of the sales. “The very specific nature of the circumstances gave us cause to allow the raffle,” Adams said. “Obviously, the result speaks that it was a good decision.” Tickets were on sale at Club Day on September 7, and were also available on a daily basis at the Information Desk in the Henry Student Center. They were also sold at the Wilkes football game on Saturday against Delaware Valley. They were priced at 1 ticket for $3, 2 tickets for $5, or 5 tickets for $10. �FEATURES SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 11 Thrills and chills on the agenda for prospective students in October BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor Editor on Features troduce them to the campus.” The p1.v5.1uu..1 program is open up\.lu. to all Wilkes students, not only those those in in organizations. c dents, not only Students of of the the same same major, dents major can also register to create aa display display to to repn create represent their area of study. The The integrative integrative m1 study. media major, a fairly new program, has already alread signed up to parnew program, has ticipate. ticipate. Eric Eric Ruggerio, Ruggerio, director directo1 of the Integrative Media Media department, department, will will be working with students to decorate the Integrative Media. Lll~ basement U'1:.',t;lllt;HL of U.L DlCil~I; studio located inLl the Breiseth Hall. Ruggerio saidl that that as well as as well as attracting attracti1 potential new students, tudents, the the creation creation of of the tl display is also a1 great unifying project great unifying project for f those who are already within the tlready studying studying within tl major. “It’s great the current at for for the current students studer because it builds work skills ls critical critical team team work ski] as aa department.” department." and camaraderie! as He said there was talk of collaboration with other offices located in the vicinity .L.1.1"-' Usually prospective Wilkes stuially when when prospective of campus, campus, the th goal is not dents take take tours tours of rre them them away, away, but fa] the admisto scare but this this fall, sions department to up the fright department is is aiming aiming to , factorr during their Haunted Wilkes open house. High school juniors and !. High school juniors an their families visiting campus on October 28 will be greeted by costumed tour guides and students showcasing their parucuiar particular departmg tneir aepa ment or organization. mtion. “The idea for Haunted to creHaunted Wilkes Wilkes was was to c ;atching on-campus on-campus experiexpe ate a fun, eye-catching ence for high school juniors,” said ;hool juniors," said Melanie Melm Mickelson, director ·ector of of admissions. admissions. “We "~ haven’t done an program tarn open open house house program t geted towards this this group time, group in in aa long long tin l'lnil more morP students «tnilPnt<: are l'ITP lbealthough more and ginning their college search earlier. We thought this could be a unique way to in- .1.:, of the studio. “We plan to get together as group soon, soon, and ana get ger some sor ideas about the aa group of our our display.” display." While no definite specifics specifi cs of plans are established established yet, yet, Ruggerio said beplans are cause cause of of the the nature nature of of the the major, the display will most likely very “visually themed,” will most likely be be very '' and possibly include use us( of the computer and possibly include monitors, as as well well as as content cor monitors, projected on the the walls. walls. "What we we reallv want to do is show off “What really want our campus and the involvement of our student organizations,” Mickelson said. “We have left site preparation the reparation entirely entirely in in tt hands of the participating :icipating student student organizaorganiz: tions.” Becky Laughman, ian, who who serves serves as as assistant assistm director of admissions, ssions, as as well well as as the the main mai coordinator of this tis event, event, said said there there will will be t no profanity or nudity nudity allowed, allowed, but but short sho of those guidelines, tes, students students will will have have free frE reign on what their displays consist of. “We wanted a way to incorporate stu- dents,” said Laughman, assistant director of admissions. “We’re really proud of ;tudents and and know they can be creative. students know they [his lets lets them them show show what wha they’re good at This 1sing their their creative creative side, side, and we can offer using Jrizes." prizes.” After the the prospective s After prospective students and their :amilies have have completed completed ·the tours, evaluafamilies tion and they will :ion forms forms will will be be distributed distrib1 vote thought were wte on on which which displays displays they ti the best. The display that receives the most votes to be oe usea m any any way way for ro will receive $500, to used in their club or major. place will be jor. Second Second place will b, rewarded with movie Lovie tickets tickets for for all all memmem bers of the club.. Third place will Third place will win win a• pizza party. Students can register register their by contheir site site by con tacting the admissions sions department department by by MonMon day, September 25. :5. Faculty-student duo to compete in marathon together Solitary sport becomes a shared passion BY TABITHA HAPEMAN Beacon Asst. Features Editor The latest wire reports that one-fifth of all children will suffer from the adverse health effects brought on by obesity once again put health and wellness topics on the front page for most Americans. But awareness of the benefits of exercise and healthy diet is something at least one Wilkes faculty member has had since 1994. Dr. Kyle Kreider, assistant professor of political science, has been running long distances for over ten years. Next month, Kreider will be participating in his fourth marathon--the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton. While he might be considered a “veteran” by marathon standards, this year he will be running alongside one of his students for the first time. Kreider’s running partner and student, Art Redmond, started running seriously in 2003. Together they have been training for the marathon and it will be Redmond’s first effort at the extreme distance. Redmond said that “none of the club sports fit me well or my schedule,” but he found that running, a more solitary yet very competitive sport, fit his life style and personality best. The two met when Redmond was a student in Kreider’s class. Soon after that, the two met in the YMCA while Kreider was running, and a dialogue began about training together and shooting for the marathon. Interestingly, it was one of Kreider’s professors who got him interested in running marathons when he was in college. “I had a college professor that ran long distance…He approached me to see if I wanted to run in the Philadelphia marathon.” After that, an obsession was born. Kreider added, “For me, once I started, I formed a habit…You’re competing against yourself.” The sport is, according to the marathon duo, “inherently competitive… [and] very individualistic.” Both runners found that after they started the habit of running, they felt unfulfilled if they didn’t run for too long a period of time. Kreider explained, “If I didn’t run…my moods would shift. If I go a day or two without running, I don’t feel right.” Redmond agreed. “You’re pushing yourself…you feel you’ve been productive on some level.” Kreider’s best time so far in a marathon has been 3 hours 30 minutes and 52 seconds. He stated that “3.30 has always been a goal of mine.” For Redmond, this marathon will set the precedent for all others to follow. He expects to finish near the same time as Kreider. The standard length of a marathon is 26.2 miles. The event will start at 8 a.m. There will be 2,500 volunteers to offer support at the race and approximately 13 aid stations along the way. “I think I can speak for both of us; we would both recommend this to other at night. people. It’s a common man’s sport…anyWhile the two runners do not always one who can buy sneakers can be a runner. train together, they will be running togethI would recommend this to anyone,” said er in the marathon, examples of the race Kreider. for health and wellness. For those looking to participate in a sport but who lack the inclination or talent to join a team, running may be the answer. According to Kreider and Redmond, it takes time to develop the habit, but it can eventually become a passion. Redmond added, “You have to push yourself the first few weeks or even months.” In terms of training, Redmond noted that he runs either five or six times a week. Kreider, who regularly employs a pedometer, said he “likes to see seven or eight miles a day.” If he has not reached this The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski goal by the end of the day, by either Dr. Kyle Kreider and Art Redmond make the individual sport walking or running, of running into a team activity. The two are training for the he’ll go for a walk upcoming Steamtown Marathon in Scranton. �A&E SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 12 The Laramie Project CD Review: The Mars Volta Trendspotter: The New Goth Fall TV 13 13 14 15 Self-publishing a growing trend in book industry of certain kinds of technology. Print on demand is practiced by a number of companies, but perhaps the most well-known is iUniverse. The process for publishing with a comIn the past few decades, advances in technology and the resulting independent I-can- pany like iUniverse begins with the writer producing what is called a “camera-ready” do-it-all-by-myself attitudes have broken down the previous gatekeepers to all kinds of manuscript. This means the manuscript has been proofread and edited, and the design of the book has already been determined. Depending on the package chosen, the print public speech and action. Podcasting now allows nearly anyone with anything to say to not only say it, but to on demand company offers a wide range of resources, and the book is then sent to print. broadcast it on the internet. The same is true for video through software such as iMovie. It is then the job of the writer to market the book to stores. iUniverse also has a “roadmap” on its website in order to make the process as simple Bills can be paid with the click of a button. Pants are no longer required for shopping, and easy to follow as possible for potential published authors. The following statement since it can be done entirely online. from the company’s website also displays how quickly one can get published, “DependAnd now virtually anyone with the motivation and the resources to publish a book ing on the publishing package and services you choose, our publishing process may take can do so. as few as 30 days for our Fast Track package to 120 days for our Premier Plus-the fastest Self-publishing, the latest trend in the book industry, is now opening doors to wouldturnaround in the supported self-publishing industry!” The website also provides tips on be writers that previously could only be opened by agents, connections and a whole lot how to get a manuscript in “camera-ready” shape, of luck. as well as how to market it. In actuality, the writer This process differs in many ways from the trais aided by the company a great deal, and although ditional route of publishing through a particular the responsibility of getting the manuscript ready publishing house. Mike Burnside, managing ediand marketing the book still belongs to the author, tor of Etruscan Press, outlined the traditional way companies like iUniverse still provide some assisof publishing a book. “At the most basic level, tance toward reaching goals. there will be a writer with a manuscript and an While both have been gaining popularity, print agent,” he said. He added that the agent, or the on demand is slightly more reputable among inwriter, depending on the situation, markets the dustry leaders than vanity press. Another big difbook to publishing houses. If the book is picked ference is that vanity press is substantially more up, the house offers a variety of services, from expensive, and the author gets far more copies editing and proofreading to book design. From than they would with print on demand, which may there, a contract is drawn up and the manuscript not be a positive thing if the book does not sell. goes to press, after which time a distributor makes Burnside explained, “The tradeoff is that with the book available to all the channels, such as vanity press, fi rst of all you have to overcome the bookstores and online stores. As with any techreputation of vanity press…but if they can figure nical process, there are many variations on this, out how to get it marketed they also get a higher such as determining percentage cuts and movie percentage of the retail price [than with print on rights, but most traditionally published books foldemand, where the author generally gets 20% of low some form of this route to publication. The Beacon/Cara Koster sales].” Self-publishing, on the other hand, requires Individuals browsing the local authors section at Barnes & Noble, Bonnie Culver, director of the Master of Arts in most of the work to be placed on the shoulders Wilkes-Barre, may find more than a few titles for sale by authors who Creative Writing program, explained that the proof the writer. In actuality, there are two forms of have self-published. gram consists of three core elements. The first is self-publishing that fall under this umbrella term. teaching the craft and technique of writing and the second is informing students about Burnside explained that there is “vanity press” and “print on demand.” the life of a writer and how to do well while living such a lifestyle. The third element Vanity press has been around for quite some time, and requires the writer to pay for addresses the publishing business. basically every part of the publishing process. This type of publishing is not the most Culver explained that self-publishing is not always seen as the best route to take reputable way to publish in the book world, however, because many doubt the intentions because it appears that the author’s work has not been validated by someone. She exand the talent of the authors who choose this route. panded by mentioning that the program allows students to become familiar with small “[Vanity press] is for people who have not been able to find another way to get pubpublishers, and that the networking that comes from pursuing a more traditional route to lished and are willing to pay to have their book published and marketed,” said Burnside. publishing is strongly encouraged. He also explained that, while some of the reasons for looking down upon vanity press Overall, it really depends on the author’s preferences and what lengths he or she is are valid, it really depends on what is right for the author. willing to go to in order to get his or her voice heard, as well as how long they are willPrint on demand has, according to Burnside, sprung up more recently with the advent ing to wait to do so. BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor What’s Happening Tuesday, September 19 -Movie After Innocence showing at 7 p.m. in the SUB -Roller-skating at 5:45, meet at the SUB -The Let Go performing at Slainte Friday, September 22 -Nerve Gas Tragedy performance at Backstage at 6 p.m. -GSL Records Video Premiere at Café Metropolis at 8 p.m. Saturday September 23 -Teenage Girls and Livingston performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. -”A Streetcar Named Desire” at the FM Kirby Center at 7:30 p.m. Sunday September 24 -Idol After Party performing in the Grand Ballroom at the Woodlands at 9 p.m. Monday September 25 -Yo Soy Latina! at Burke Auditorium, King’s College at 6 p.m. Photo courtesy of noflysonus.com �SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 VPA Production Preview: The Laramie Project BY SHANNON CURTIN Beacon Correspondent As the fall semester gets underway and students of all disciplines are settling into college life, the Wilkes University department of visual and performing arts is preparing for its first show of the academic year. The theatre department is kicking off this year with the production of a popular and relatively new production, The Laramie Project. The Laramie Project deals with the nationally publicized murder of 21-year old University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard. On October 6, 1998, an unconscious Matthew Shepard was discovered tied to a fence, having been viciously beaten in what was thought to be an anti-gay hate crime. Five days later, Shepard died from his injuries, and 21-year-old locals Aaron McKinney and Russel Henderson were charged and convicted of first degree murder. McKinney and Henderson are currently serving two consecutive life sentences, but in a 1994 ABC News 20/20 report they claim that their crime was motivated not by anti-gay sentiment but by a drug induced rage. Whether or not the Shepard case was indeed a hate crime, it has since become one of the most noted cases of such in the country, spawning gay-rights awareness campaigns and anti-hate rallies, and, of course, artistic efforts like The Laramie Project. The play, written by Moises Kaufman, is compiled from interviews with the people of Laramie, Wyoming, as well as from some of the journal entries of Kaufman’s recording crew, the Tectronic Theatre Project. Due to the construction of the play, the production contains a multitude of independent characters instead of the traditional lead and supporting roles. Though this approach to theatre may be appealing to the audience, it is certainly a challenge for the actors. The production calls for a small cast, eight to ten performers, but boy do those artists have their work ahead of them. Senior Sabrina Krichten is playing eight different roles during the two and half hour show and said that, “going from one character to another while still on stage” is the biggest challenge facing her in the production. Sophomore Daniel Pascoe also feels the pressure of taking on various roles simultaneously. “Over 60 people are portrayed by ten actors in The Laramie Project. I play everything from a foul-mouthed limousine driver to the notorious Reverend Fred Phelps who runs the website www.godhatesfags.com and protested the funeral of Matthew Shepard. These are all real people and I hope to present them as real people.” The performance of a somewhat controversial production is something new for the theatre department, but Director Joe C. Dawson thinks theater-goers are ready for a shift in focus. “I think there are some people that we serve who have been waiting a long time for us to do something politically and socially motivated,” he said. The cast is also excited about taking part in the nationally known production. Krichten and her fellow cast members are hoping to receive a large turnout when the show opens September 28. We really hope to get a big turnout for this show because of the content matter and the fact that it didn’t happen too long ago. Most people know [some part of] what happened, even if you only know the name Matthew Shepard.” The controversial topic of the production will hopefully aid in a large audience turnout when the show opens later this month. Some students are already looking forward to the production. Junior Zachary Bremmer has seen the production performed previously and plans to attend the Wilkes University production sometime during its run. Bremmer feels The Laramie Project is “a very good production about a very important issue concerning tolerance of those who are different than us. Even though the events that happened to Matthew Shephard were horrible, I believe that we must use this as an example of how hate can react in extremely violent ways, and use that knowledge in order to prevent further cases of such abuse.” Pascoe shares Bremmer’s opinion and believes that The Laramie Project is a great production to be performed at Wilkes University. “Laramie is a college town, not unlike Wilkes-Barre. Even though it’s set in Wyoming, people will find that when they see it, the events that occurred could have just as easily happened in Wilkes-Barre--or any college town for that matter. You’d expect to meet some of the people depicted in this play right here on campus,” he said. According to Dawson, the authors of the play hoped to “focus attention on the psychology of hate crimes. They wanted to motivate people to political activism by urging legislations that would prevent violence against minorities or gender identification.” These are certainly honorable intentions, which, at least in Bremmer’s case, have proven to ring true. He feels that The Laramie Project is a “very moving performance and should be attended by all in order to further the acceptance of diversity that we all experience in our everyday lives in order to prevent events like this from ever taking place again.” Certainly the cast and crew of The Laramie Project hope the rest of the student body and local community feel the same way. Dawson states that viewers can expect “good performances, some surprises scenically and profanity” in the Wilkes University rendition of this “very important contemporary American drama that is innovative in terms of its politics, theatricalit, and narration.” The Laramie Project opens at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center on September 28 at 8:00 p.m. and will run at the same time on September 29 and 30 along with a 2 p.m. matinee on October 1. much psychedelic sound. much more more psychedelic sound. Amputechture is Amputechture is aa continuation continuation of of the the trend trend of music they they have of music have created created and and aa departure departure from well. While as well. While the the album album is is somewhat somewhat from it it as of of aa concept concept album album like like their their last last two, two, it it also also touches multiple events touches upon upon multiple events and and stories, stories, conconsisting possessed nuns, nuns, immigrant sisting of of possessed immigrant marches marches and band. This and inside inside stories stories from from the the band. This differs differs from past albums, De-Loused in from past albums, De-Loused in the the ComatoComatorium Frances the rium and and Frances the Mute Mute (the (the former former dealing dealing with the the latter of aa close close friend friend and and the latter with the suicide suicide of focusing focusing on on aa story story from from aa former former bandmate bandmate who died who died of of an an overdose.) overdose.) Besides Besides subject subject matter, matter, there there is is aa noticeable noticeable difdifference Amputechture continues ference in in their their sound. sound Amputechture continues with the riffs and with the experimental experimental riffs and ten ten minute minute plus plus songs they have but the songs that that they have become become famous famous for, for, but the infl uence of Frances the influence of salsa salsa in in comparison comparison to to Frances the Mute Amputechture has Mute and andAmputechture has been been downplayed downplayed in in an more Transylvanian to it. an effort effort to to add add aa more Transylvanian theme theme to it Besides the track Besides the track “Day "Day of of the the Baphomets,” Baphomets," aa lot lot of of the the tracks tracks feature feature slower slower build-ups build-ups that that seem seem to to capture capture an an eerie eerie vibe. vibe. Despite uence, Despite these these changes, changes, the the salsa salsa infl influence, along with rock blues, play key role along with rock and and blues, play aa key role in in this this album. album. Kicking Kicking off off the the album album is is “Vicari''Vicarious ous Atonement,” Atonement," an an eerie, eerie, slow slow piece piece that that fofocuses bass and cuses heavily heavily on on chimes, chimes, bass and aa guitar guitar riff riff that ts the that mimics mimics vocalist vocalist Cedric’s Cedric's singing. singing. It It fi fits the mood mood of ofthe the album, album, as as itit takes takes on on the the paranormal paranormal aspect aspect that that coincides coincides with with the the overall overall theme. theme. However, problem itself However, the the problem itself is is that, that, for for aa band the experience band like like The The Mars Mars Volta, Volta, the experience lies lies in in the the overall overall album, album, especially especially since since each each song song plays plays an an important important part part in in allowing allowing the the listener to understand listener to understand the the overall overall message. message. A A perfect De-loused in perfect example example lies lies in in De-loused in the the CoComatorium, by far matorium, which which is is by far their their best best album. album. Not to Amputechture is bad album Not to say say that that Amputechtu-re is aa bad album by but for by any any means, means, but for those those who who wonder wonder if if they will enjoy De-loused they will enjoy The The Mars Mars Volta, Volta, De-loused would the best best place would be be the place to to start. start. For Amputechture, the jump For Amputechtu-re, the album album seems seems to to jump from more infrom slower slower tracks tracks and and then then shifts shifts to to more intense tense songs. songs. This This switch switch between between both both phases phases bothered bothered me me somewhat, somewhat, which which would would lead lead me me to to skip tracks II found skip tracks found less less appealing. appealing. Despite Despite this this complaint, complaint, it it was was still still very very enjoyable. enjoyable. What What II did did notice notice however, however, is is how how the the last last few few tracks tracks pick pick up up the the slack, slack, leaving leaving an an impressive impressive conclusion. conclusion. This This is is especially especially evident evident for for “Day ''Day of ofthe the Baphomets,” Baphomets," the the second second to to last last song song on on the the album, album, which which is is the the most most noteworthy noteworthy in in comparison comparison to to the the rest rest of of the the tracks. tracks. The The opening opening bass bass solo solo accompanied accompanied by maracas bongos is by maracas and and bongos is incredible, incredible, while while the the end riff. end consists consists of ofan an amazing amazing salsa salsa riff. For For the the guitar guitar portions, portions, itit is is evident evident that that the the comparisons between Jimi comparisons between Jirni Hendrix Hendrix and and Omar Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Rodriguez-Lopez (both (both of of which which are are left-handleft-handed) riffs are both incredibly ed) make make sense. sense. The The riffs are both incredibly complicated uenccomplicated and and unorthodox, unorthodox, drawing drawing infl influences placing an es from from other other musical musical acts acts and and then then placing an entirely entirely new new spin spin on on things. things. Overall, Overall, the the album album itself itself has has aa few few trips trips in in continuity continuity and and lacks lacks some some of of the the magic magic that that they they produced produced in in former former albums, albums, but but the the overoverall judgment is Amputechture is all judgment is that that Amputechture is still still an an album fitting for album fitting for aa band band like like The The Mars Mars Volta. Volta. Tracks Tracks to to check check out out if if the the album album is is of of interest interest would would be be “Viscera "Viscera Eyes,” Eyes," “Meccamputech"Meccamputechture,” ture," and and “Day "Day of of the the Baphomets.” Baphomets." If If aa colcollaboration laboration of of salsa, salsa, rock, rock, blues blues and and more more interinterests ests you, you, then then II recommend recommend at at least least giving giving it it aa listen…you just like listen ... you may may just like it. it. CD Review: The Mars Volta’s Amputechture BY KYLE CORTRIGHT Beacon Correspondent I’m when II say that The I'm going going out out on on aa limb limb when say that The Mars newest album, Amputechture, is Mars Volta’s Volta's newest album,Amputechture, is one one of best albums ofthe the best albums II have have heard heard in in aa long long time. time. Besides being aa band band that height of Besides being that is is at at the the height of musical musical prowess prowess in in comparison comparison to to many many other other groups there, Mars Volta’s music groups out out there, Mars Volta's music itself itself is is ununfathomable when one just how fathomable when one considers considers just how intricate intricate and part seems be. Despite and well-placed well-placed every every part seems to to be. Despite aa few flaws that that ruin ruin the the continuity, Amputechfew flaws continuity, Amputechture to the ture is is aa solid solid addition addition to the rest rest of of their their albums. albums. Rising Rising from from the the ashes ashes of of the the late late At At the the DriveDriveIn, post-hardcore band band that the early In, aa post-hardcore that started started in in the early 90s, Mars Volta Volta departed 90s, The The Mars departed from from the the former former band’s genre relyband's genre into into an an experimental experimental group, group, relying uences ranging ranging from to blues, blues, as ing on on infl influences from salsa salsa to as well rock. The began in well as as plain plain old old rock The Mars Mars Volta Volta began in 2001, with aa fan base of those who had 2001, starting starting with fan base of those who had followed the Drive-In followed them them since since their their At At the Drive-In days. days. However, transformation that However, the the transformation that lead lead singer singer CeCedric underwent--Zavala and dric Bixler Bixler underwent-2'.avala and bassist bassist Omar Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Rodriguez-Lopez was was too too much much for for some--made some-made The The Mars Mars Volta Volta into into aa niche niche group. group. They They traded traded in their notoriety notoriety as band for in their as aa post-hardcore post-hardcore band for aa �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 Trendspotter: The New Goth goes mainstream BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Assistant A&E Editor And along with the boots that are being revamped, don’t be surprised if you come across a pair of straight leg jeans emblazoned with skulls or crosses. Another look that’s gradually popping up in stores is the I’ve got to say, I’m definitely enjoying the latest fashion trends. It took long enough, but now I finally get to flash a look of contempt toward every person who’s criticized my primarily black wardrobe. You can call it morbid, creepy or whatever you desire, but the fact of the matter is, if you want to embrace current fashion, it seems you’re also going to have to embrace your inner Goth. To pull off the “New Goth,” as it’s been dubbed by Elle, let me start out by saying, there is more to this than just the color black. I’m sorry to break it to you, but wearing that one black polo you own just isn’t going to cut it. But at the same time, to put the more conservative dresser at ease, we’re not talking vinyl cat suits or synthetic dreads to pull off this look either. Let’s just say if you look through magazines, you’ll be seeing a lot more lace, chains, leather and of course plenty of dark colors. Oh, and skulls. You’ll be coming across plenty of that as well. While wearing skinny pants paired with tall boots has been in for quite some time, recently it seems this look has been given a slightly edgier twist. While you won’t be finding the same boots in JC Penney as you’d come across The Beacon/Marissa Phillips in Hot Topic, surprisingly enough, the styles are edging Wearing a lace corset top and a cross pendant, junior closer. Combat boots are hitting the racks, and you’ll also Kacy Muir sports the “New Goth” look. find black boots coming with more straps and buckles. MIDNIGHT MADNESS A large cheese pizza + an 8pc Breadsticks , CinnaStix or Cheesybread $9.99 +TAX VALID 12AM-CLOSE Expires 5/31/076 IMM I FREE BROWNIES Buy a large pizza at regular price and get a 1 Ope order of our new warm brownies FREE Expires 10/8/06 ITV I corset. Don’t be worried though, corsets have come a long way since the 1800s. While you could go the extra mile and special order a beautiful, yet most likely uncomfortable designer corset, it be far more convenient (and not to mention cheaper) to just wait for one to show up in the usual places you shop. Heck, even Wal-Mart is selling a corset top at the moment. And then of course there’s jewelry. At the moment it seems that black and silver are the way to go. And as I mentioned before, even in jewelry, there are a lot of skulls. Expect to see silver skulls mixed in plenty of jewelry pieces, whether it be a charm bracelet, ring or even a fancy necklace. Designers also seem to be taking notes from the lesser known “Gothic Lolita” subculture. For those who would rather overlook the skull trend, these Gothic Lolita-inspired pieces are a bit fancier, and usually feature crosses, lace and crowns or other royal emblems. So, the fashion world is ever changing, and at the moment it seems that Goth, or rather, Goth-inspired looks are in. Keep in mind though, Goth is a really broad term, and I think it will be a while until mainstream designers embrace all aspects. So like any fashion, it’ll probably be here today and gone tomorrow (in terms of the mainstream, that is), and it may not be for everyone, but then again, what style ever is? Wilkes-Barre 570-829-2900 154 s. Pennsylvania Ave Sun-Thur 11 am-2am Fri & Sat 11 am-4am �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 Fall TV: One editor’s top picks BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor love lives ever comes easily. Check out whether my predictions are completely off by tuning in to Grey’s Anatomy ABC Thursday, September 21 at 9 p.m. It’s that time again. The leaves are changing colThe final show I saved for last, as one often does ors. The air is getting crisp. I get to buy new shoes. with the best, because it is so incredibly close to my But perhaps most importantly, or at least equally as heart. If you take nothing else from this, I hope you important as the shoes, our favorite television shows sit down on Thursday nights and enjoy the painfully are returning for the new fall season. Since I have hilarious hit The Office. The show, based in Scranno idea what to expect from the new shows debutton, focuses, documentary-style, on the hysterically ing for the first time this fall, and since there are so familiar everyday lives of the employees of Dunder many returning programs, I’ve decided to highlight Mifflin Paper Company. While all of the characters my top three returning shows to let you know when on The Office are inherently appealing and recognizyou should, in my opinion, be sure to tune in. able (come on, everyone knows someone who is just All of the television shows I am previewing ended like Dwight), it may just be the innuendo-laden relain a romantic cliffhanger, a predictable ending I have tionship of office pals Jim and Pam that has kept me come to expect since my Beverly Hills, 90210 days. coming back for more. Well, perhaps it was a little However, each program did so in a very different way, Courtesy givememyremote.com bit Dwight, too. The cast of Grey’s Anatomy. adding its own twist on the classic cliffhanger season fiAfter two seasons waiting for Pam to break up nale, not to mention each one is different simply because because the dynamic of the show would be far too awkward if with Roy and get together with Jim, my wishes have finally the characters and dynamics are so diverse. they didn’t, since most of the time it consists of all five of the come to fruition--sort of. At Casino Night, hosted in the comSo grab the remote, slip on your footsie pajamas and get characters sitting at their local bar together. And as history has pany warehouse, Jim finally got the nerve to tell Pam how he ready to settle in for some optimum television viewing. shown, Ted will probably screw things up with Robin sometime felt, and after some complications, they kissed for the first time The first show I am waiting for with bated breath is How I Met soon. Maybe this time he won’t say, “I love you,” too soon, but after all the flirting and the obvious interest they’ve had in each Your Mother. The show centers on five 20 to 30-somethings perhaps it will have something to do with his ex-girlfriend Vicother. I swear I could literally hear sighs of relief from throngs living in New York City, but don’t worry, it is not a Friends rip- toria, who, in what seems to be the grand tradition off. When we last saw them, most of the main characters were of the people on this show, went halfway across the embroiled in some sort of romantic tribulation: Marshall and world in pursuit of her dreams. Tune in to CBS on Lily and Ted and Robin are the two couples we are keeping tabs Monday, September 18 at 8:30 p.m. to see where on. Ted, who has been in love with Robin since their first date, they go from here. realized, yet again, that he needed to try to get out of the friend Next up is Grey’s Anatomy, entering its third zone with her. He staged a hugely romantic, if not extreme, at- season and still holding strong. The show focuses tempt at winning her affections, only to be rejected. Soon after, on five doe-eyed interns at Seattle Grace Hospital, however, the girl finally came to her senses. Luckily, Ted had whose love lives and personal endeavors are constill not given up, something he’s become fairly famous for, and stantly under the microscope. The season finale of he showed up at her doorstep in the pouring rain. Long story this show left me in tears. Ok, so that’s not exshort, they finally got together. On the opposite end of the rela- actly a great feat, but I think many others would tionship spectrum, Marshall and Lily had a huge blowout about agree it was pretty intense. The show ended with a their future, and the season finale ended with Ted getting home prom at the hospital (in my opinion, the only really from Robin’s to find Marshall on their front stoop holding the contrived aspect here) and many of the characters engagement ring he gave Lily. hanging by the edge of that proverbial cliff by their We return to the crew this season to find Ted and Robin in a fingernails. Courtesy juneauempire.com For starters, Meredith hooked The cast of The Office. up with her still-married ex, “Mcof fans across the country when that image graced our television Dreamy,” while both his wife and Meredith’s screens last season. current beau, a cutie veterinarian, sat unWhile the other characters experienced minor transitions in aware of what was going on in another part the finale, it was definitely the revelation in Jim and Pam’s reof the hospital. The death of Denny, a heart lationship that was most jarring. patient with whom Izzie fell in love, left her As for this season, I’m pretty sure they will get together bein a state of desperation and sadness. After a cause…well because they have to! I realize that is my general touching entrance back to the prom, with her response for every couple in every show I’ve discussed thus far, fellow interns following, Izzie tendered her but anyone who watches The Office understands where I’m resignation from the hospital. Meanwhile, coming from. Jim and Pam are the Ross and Rachel of this genMeredith was left with a choice: does she eration, so I think at some point they will end up trying to make pick McDreamy, or cute veterinarian guy? a relationship work. If they do make it, it may be interesting to Personally, I don’t think Izzie will actually see how Michael and the rest of the crew respond to an open leave the show. If she does, the dynamic inter-office romance, especially if it is against company policy. Courtesy givememyremote.com of the show will change and I’m not sure And who knows? Perhaps Dwight and Angela will bring their The cast of How I Met Your Mother. they would take that risk right now, while it relationship into the light. I would definitely like to see a double blooming romance, but what will happen with broken-hearted is so incredibly high in ratings. And as far as Meredith goes, date between the four of them, and Michael would probably end Marshall, who will be spending the summer alone? It was mild- I’m fairly certain she will choose McDreamy. I mean, come on, up crashing it. Hilarity would surely ensue. Tune in to NBC ly shocking that they broke up at all, considering that Marshall the man is beautiful! And if you ask me, they’ve been meant to Thursday, September 21 at 8:30 p.m. I dare you not to laugh. and Lily were kind of like that couple that everyone knows who be since the beginning. I also believe that something will comseems like they’re pretty much going to be together forever. My plicate Meredith’s choice if she does choose him, because past prediction is that at some point they will get back together, if only experience has shown that nothing in these fledgling doctors’ �SPORTS 16 SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 PAID INTERNSHIPS IT IS NOT T,0 0 LATE TO APPLY! - THI · JS 1 H : R.t :AL D EAL . 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S k •c te lnie'rns w ill attend the :2 00 7 e,11-1ch E. ngin,e Strate gi,c s Co fa i-c:nor:: i. · ·,,:;w Yorlk: Ci.ty , Th i:; is by far the largest confer,e nce for sear-ch engine marketing. We~ -ill cover r OL r conference. hotel , food and l 0n:s_ pci r L foil' 3 d ys. of Lb e- evem1 L and i nch.1de you in a L1 -o f Lh e din meif's ii 111d pa.rtie:s icliS . •O i aled \ ,:ith Lhe con fer·ni::·c·. Think ,of mhis as an mnt ·ns · da ·s:room y da·y / p rty 'ti;, 1• ight for y,o n and 4,500 of ·your ·w b ·r fr~c nds._ Our staff rngt1hu.l . S' ·eaks at thes.e conferences and ho.us 111vi"£il.[1om1 -only dinners for th,e w_p names in 1 0 eComm,:;ri~>r; • If ~ ci u 1 H la break i rlltci cine f the houe-sl fie 1d s. in ma. 1k el in to da - the 0 ve 11 ,e . 1 .r-y of a D i ec l-o -of · ,ea· ch Mark t~ n~ w~ th l - · i:I rs f;.Xp ·ri nc~ ms about ,. 50 - then :app l·y for c:.H.11r int ·mshi p. W · g~ v · sc-riou Si :s n1dc·nt :s ·rm o l s op pon.un I t1,es._ Stl!]d e:D!ts: ilDt•e r estedl in app]y:ins fo r th:i s: int,e rns:hip sh,r:n:ild ,e mail t he ':r :resume .and. .a ,c ov er letter to : Uan @vi~t e;e:tub.,eo,m. • 1 Vint ,ge 'f1.1.b and B.atih S 34 ~~ st G-iecn Stn:: ct H azleton ~ P'A 18,2 ® ] 1 Poe mo.re. info,.rma.tion go to ~ w ww_vinta , -~tub _co,m/.as l inte.r11shi _as or · orJt.. · t harou astano, iViJkes Uni.i.-er ity J'ntrnship ,& M ntorin Coordinator, H nry en er, I st floor P'h one; 408-29 · 0 �SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 SPORTS 17 Commentary American League MVP race still too close to call Can the Yankee captain capture his first MVP? BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor There are two questions that MVP voters are likely to ask themselves in October: 1) Can the MVP be a player who is feared by opposing pitchers, but whose team has fallen by the wayside? 2) Can the MVP be a light-hitting number two hitter in a lineup full of sluggers? The first player is David Ortiz, the powerswinging, clutch-hitting, absolutely-thelast-guy-you-want-to-face-with-the-gameon-the-line designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox. The second is Derek Jeter, the team captain and all-star shortstop for the American League East leading New York Yankees, who is looking to capture his first career most valuable player award. If successful, Jeter, along with teammate and 2005 AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, would become the first back-to-back Yankees to win the award since the ‘62 and ‘63 seasons when Mickey Mantle and Elston Howard won the awards, respectively. Two radically different players, two different debates. Ortiz, a.k.a. Big Papi, who was having an absolutely dominant season by leading the American League in homeruns and RBIs, was the only contender for MVP for most of the season. That was the case until August 18th, when Boston hosted a five game series with their historic rivals and AL East leading New York Yankees. After the Yankees won all five games, the walls came tumbling down. That series, coupled with an injury ailed roster, led to a downward spiral for the Red Sox, who went on to have an 8-21 record in the month of August, essentially ending their season. Despite his tremendous offensive numbers, Boston’s losing ways have all but lost Ortiz the MVP, simply because they are no longer in the playoff race, a fact that ultimately has an impact on the voters. Prior to the series with the Yankees, the Red Sox were very much in the hunt for the AL East and the AL Wild Card, but those days are only a memory as Boston finds itself staring up from the bottom of the pile. On the top of that pile sit the New York Yankees, comfortably nursing an 11.5 game lead, due to the fact that they have one of the most feared lineups in baseball. But one player is standing out among the rest of the Bronx Bombers; and that player is Mr. November himself. Jeter, who is arguably the face of the Yankees, is having a good season, though not a great one. Despite the fact that he isn’t in the top ten in the league in homeruns or RBIs, Jeter’s name is still being tossed around in the MVP talks. One reason is his .343 batting average. Another reason, and perhaps the most important one is that he is just “being Derek Jeter.” What that means is that he brings to the table a number of intangibles; qualities that cannot be measured in a record book or viewed on the back of a baseball card. He will never hit for 50 homeruns or have 140 RBIs, but he will hustle, and he will play the game with such heart and integrity that even the most hardened Yankee haters will have to tip their cap. Jeter may want to hold off on writing his acceptance speech at the moment, as there are other players who are making a case for themselves in September, including the 2005 World Series MVP, a couple of teammates and a former AL MVP having a comeback season. The first, Chicago White Sox right-fielder Jermaine Dye, is emerging as a clubhouse leader for the reigning world champions, as his offensive numbers speak for themselves. He leads his team in batting average (.320), homeruns (42) and RBIs (117), and is one of only two players in the top ten in the AL in all three categories, numbers which no doubt have helped carry the White Sox during the last month, when their roster has struggled due to injuries. Currently the White Sox are 3 games out of the wild card, with only 14 games re- maining in the season. However, the team they are trailing could very well provide the first co-MVP winners in American League history. Of course, I speak of the fresh faces of the Minnesota Twins’ offense: first baseman Justin Morneau and catcher Joe Mauer. Morneau has made his presence known by hitting 33 homeruns and 123 RBIs for the typically light-hitting Minnesota, while Mauer, on the other hand, is on his way to making history to become the first catcher in nearly 100 years to win the AL batting title. Mauer is currently leading the AL with a .344 average, which is remarkable by itself, notwithstanding that he plays arguably the most diffucult defensive position because of the increased wear and tear as the season progresses. When confronted with such a talented, deserving group of players, how does one choose who takes home the award? The sure-fire way to determine a player’s true value is to take him out of his respective lineup and watch what happens. If you take Derek Jeter off of the Yankees, would the team struggle offensively? If you replace Jermaine Dye with a player of a lesser caliber, would the White Sox still be in the race? If Morneau and Mauer weren’t on the Twins roster, would their pitching and defense have been enough to propel them to the top of the wild card? Keep in mind the award is for the most valuable player, not the most valuable hitter. First, the Yankees would be where they are with anyone playing shortstop, because their offense is just that good. They’ve been without several key players for most of the year, yet they’ve still managed to play great baseball. Jermaine Dye has been consistent throughout the year, but it wasn’t until recently when he really started to step up as a player. Without his late season performance, Chicago may have fallen out of the race weeks ago. The Twins, despite their phenomenal pitching staff, were given a shot in the arm offensively with their dynamic duo; especially Morneau, who is the first Twins player to hit 30 homeruns in a season since 1987, a year the Twins won the World Series. Four players, three teams. And with a little over two weeks left, something has got to give. Derek Jeter Courtesy of wikipedia.org STATISTICS Thru 9/16 Derek Jeter, SS New York Yankees Average: .343 HR: 13 RBI: 93 Jermaine Dye, RF Chicago White Sox Average: .320 HR: 42 RBI: 93 Justin Morneau, 1B Minnesota Twins Average: .322 HR: 33 RBI: 123 Joe Mauer, C Minnesota Twins Average: .344 HR: 11 RBI: 79 �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 19 Athlete of the Week: Jason Acquaye BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Sports Editor A Wilkes train barrelled onto a Chester, PA football field and wouldn’t slow down for anything in the Colonels’ Mid-Atlantic conference football opener win over Widener University. The engine-that-could defense was able to hold off the Widener offense and was led by junior defensive lineman, Jason Acquaye. For play-by-play fans, there was Acquaye with a block, a stop or any kind of wall that helped the Colonels get back in the game and come away with the victory. It is not too often that fans see someone on the defensive line acknowledged for work on the field, but his tackling master class makes Acquaye the obvious choice for Beacon athlete of the week. Acquaye’s gold star performance began when the Colonels were behind on the board and in desperate need to show that they are worthy of being dubbed number one in the MAC. It was then that Acquaye was able to drill his way into the backfield, where the Pioneers were pinned against a wall in their own territory, and sack Widener quarterback Adam Parcell in the end zone for a team safety. Acquaye’s move also gave Wilkes its first points of the game. Acquaye would end the day with 8 tackles, which included 1.5 sacks and the ability to say that he not only got the first points for Wilkes but also helped to set up the plays that would allow the Colonels to tie the game up 20-20. “It just so happened that in that game I was in the right position at the right time to make the right plays,” commented Acquaye about his performance. This past Saturday the defensive performance was also key in the Colonels’ 14-7 overtime win over visiting 12th ranked Delaware Valley College. Acquaye contibuted .5 sacks in the game for a loss of six yards. 5 Number of wins by the Lady Colonels’ tennis team after beating DeSales 8-1 on Saturday to remain unbeaten this season. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Kristina Naveira goes after the ball in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Manhattanville. WEEKEND RECAPS The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Junior defensive lineman Jason Acquaye jumps to block a pass in Saturday’s home opener against 12th ranked Delaware Valley College. Acquaye had .5 sacks in the game for a loss of 6 yards. The rest of the defensive line’s performance was equally impressive, with the line having a total of five sacks in the game including 16 tackles for a loss. Acqauye added that, “For our team to have so many sacks over two games just shows the strength that we have as a team.” Acquaye and the rest of the Colonels football will be back in action this Saturday on the road against FDU-Florham before returning home for the homecoming game against Lycoming on October 7. Women’s Tennis Wilkes University kept its unbeaten record intact by posting an 8-1 Freedom Conference win over DeSales University on Saturday at Kirby Park. The Lady Colonels improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play with the win. The Bulldogs suffered their first defeat of the season and fell to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference. Football Tight end Matt Pizarro caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Al Karaffa in overtime and the Wilkes University defense held Delaware Valley College on downs to lead the 19thranked Colonels to a 14-7 Middle Atlantic Conference win over the 12th-ranked Aggies on Saturday afternoon at Ralston Field. The win snapped Delaware Valley’s 22-game regular season winning streak. Women’s Soccer Three different Wilkes University players tallied goals to lead the Lady Colonels to a 31 non-conference women’s soccer win over Moravian College on Saturday afternoon at Ralston Field. The win improves Wilkes to 4-1 overall, while the Greyhounds see their overall mark slip to 2-3. Field Hockey Lauren Risser scored a pair of goals to lead Wilkes University to a 5-1 Freedom Conference win over defending conference champion Manhattanville College on Saturday afternoon at Artillery Park. The win improved the Lady Colonels to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while the Valiants fell to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 210 Number of total offensive yards for the football team in the home opener 14-7 overtime win over visiting Delaware Valley College. 5 Goals scored in the field hockey team’s win over defending conference champions Manhattanville College. 4 Total combined saves for women’s soccer goalies Liz Pauly and Jessica Berkey in the 3-1 victory over Moravian. �SPORTS 18 SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 GAME OF THE WEEK NFL: Cincinnati Bengals versus Pittsburgh Steelers Week three features a rematch of last year’s AFC Wild Card matchup BY TIM SEIGFREID Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The last time these two teams met was on January 8, during the AFC Wild Card playoffs in Cincinnati. Pittsburgh, the underdogs, overcame an early deficit to defeat the Bengals 31-17 on their way to their fifth Super Bowl victory. Cincinnati was not so lucky. On only the second play from scrimmage, Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer left the game with a knee injury, leaving the game in the hands of backup Jon Kitna. The Bengals lost the game, but more importantly, the future of Palmer was in question as it was revealed that he had suffered significant knee damage that required surgery. This time around things are going to be a little different. The most notable difference is that Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer will be in full swing come Sunday. Palmer, making his first start since surgery in the preseason against the Green Bay Packers, looked as though he never left, throwing for 140 yards and 3 touchdowns in only 14 attempts. He wasn’t as successful during his first regular season game, a victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he will be looking to recapture last season’s form against a Pittsburgh defense. The Pittsburgh Steelers have had quarterback troubles of their own, as Ben Ro- ethlisberger has had to recover from both a motorcycle accident and a recent appendectomy. Steelers fans need not worry, because backup Charlie Batch showed poise and skill during week one in a victory against Miami. Will this week three contest be a battle of the ailing quarterbacks, or will each team look to their other weapons to pull out a win? The Bengals will look to wide receiver, Chad Johnson, coming off a tremendous season, to add a spark to their offense. Running back Rudi Johnson, in his third full season as a starter, will look to improve on 2005 season where he scored 12 touchdowns and ran for over 1,400 yards. Athlete of the Week: Women’s Tennis Xiaoqiao Zhang The Steelers will need to counter the offensive onslaught from Cincinnati, but as they say, the best offense is a good defense. Led by linebacker Joey Porter, Pittsburgh is looking to recapture the days of the steel curtain by pressuring the quarterback and stopping the rush. Oh yeah, and they have some offense, too. Wide receiver Hines Ward, the reigning Super Bowl XL MVP, will be leading the downfield charge alongside backfield dynamo Willie Parker, who looks to fill the rather large shoes of retired running back Jerome Bettis. Bottom line: Defense wins championships. Pittburgh: 30, Cincinnati: 10 BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Sports Editor Her small frame belies enormous power. When Xiaoqiao Zhang, freshman communication studies major, steps out onto the court, fans might think that they have been suddenly transported to the U.S. Open tennis championships. Well, not quite. But so far this season that is the way it has felt for the women’s tennis team phenom who remains unbeaten in her debut season in a Lady Colonels’ uniform. This past Saturday Zhang proved just how good she is when she took to the court against DeSales University’s unbeaten Courtney McClurkin beating her in straight sets 6-3 and 6-0. With the win, Zhang extended her 2006 win record in singles play to 5-0. “Zhang has really adjusted well to the college game,” stated head coach Chris Leicht. It was all Lady Colonels at this match when they jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the SOCCER from PAGE 20 The Beacon/Ariel Cohen Xiaoqiao Zhang playing in a singles match on Sunday against Lebanon Valley Leicht commented that, “She is a great match taking away three tallies in the win addition to the team. She gives me the opcolumn in the doubles matches. Then it was portunity, playing her in the first position, to Zhang’s turn. Her commanding dominance be able to strengthen the other spots.” over a player clearly well established as a Zhang will be back in action on Wednescontender, made the Wilkes lead 4-0 in the day when her and the rest of the lady Colooverall match. The team would walk away nels take center court against FDU-Florham from Ralston Field with an 8-1 win over at 3:30 at home. DeSales. game against King’s on Thursday, September 21, but Sumoski owns King’s, beating them four years straight, every year he has been coaching. King’s enters the contest with a 2-1 record, but this game holds great significance, because not only is it a rivalry, but this will be the first conference game for both teams. Hard work and execution is key for Wilkes as junior Briana Bertoni noted, “We need to come out and play hard and show King’s and the rest of the conference that we are still as good as last year”. Although Sumoski is indeed victorious against King’s, he believes the overall game should be an interesting contest rather than a brush off the shoulder. “They always come ready to play, and they are always excited to play us, and they have improved,” said Sumoski. �Sports SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 20 Preview of the Week: Women’s Soccer Lady Colonels go on mission for payback and pride BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The Lady Colonels soccer team will be marching into a huge week, taking on both Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey and arch rival King’s College. Both games go far beyond kicking the ball into the net and denying the opponents’ attempts at a goal just to get the victory. We can expect a lot of emotions as the Lady Colonels leave their blood, sweat and tears on the field in search for payback and pride. Stevens Tech Sometimes revenge can be the sweetest joy. Well, that’s the kind of joy the Lady Colonels will be searching for as they try to avenge last year’s playoff loss to Stevens. Although both teams attended the same preseason training camp, they are far from acquaintances. “In the back of our minds we were thinking, that’s the team that beat us. Time for payback,” said head coach John Sumoski. The Lady Colonels, last year’s Freedom Conference champions, enter the game against Stevens with a 3-1 record, posting wins against Eastern, Lebanon Valley and Elmira, while the Stevens Tech Ducks are sitting on a shocking 1-2-2 record. Although this match up has the potential for a playoff game atmosphere, there is less at stake, because in the end the loser gets to play another day. Sumoski said, “I believe this is a different kind of game, because no pressure plays a factor.” Junior Dana Lehman from Red Land, PA stated, “We have been preparing to play Stevens Tech ever since we were beat by them in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. The team is very bitter and is looking forward to this year’s rematch.” The Lady Colonels will be in action against Stevens today at Ralston Field. King’s College There is nothing like hundreds of fans screaming at the top of their lungs in support of their school as they take on a rival. And one of the biggest rivalries in D-III sports takes it to the soccer field as the Lady Colonels square up against King’s College. The Lady Colonels come into the game with a different look, losing two seniors and a transfer while acquiring six freshmen. Those changes may play a factor in the See SOCCER page 18 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Freshman Kayla Wolfe defends the Lady Colonels’ goal in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Moravian. The Colonels’ improved their record to 4-1 overall. This week the women will take on Stevens Tech, who beat them last year, and later in the week, the team takes on crosstown rival King’s College. __ . . . . . Campus Calendar. All Week: *Women’s tennis vs. FDU*Sordoni Art Gallery Exhib- Florham - 3:30 p.m. *Women’s volleyball vs. it, Penumbra Scranton - 7:00 p.m. Monday (9/18) *Women’s soccer vs. Stevens Tech - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday (9/19) *Senior class meeting, SLC 101-11 a.m. *Men’s Soccer @ King’s 4:00 p.m. *Field hockey vs. Elizabethtown - 4:30 p.m. *Roller skating, meet in the HSC lobby - 5:45 p.m. *Movie ”After Innocence”, HSC ballroom - 6:30 p.m.. Wednesday (9/20) Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH Saturday (9/23) *Women’s volleyball @ Elizabethtown Tournament - 9:00 a.m. *Men’s soccer vs. Susquehanna - 12:00 p.m. Thursday (9/21) *Women’s soccer vs. King’s *Football @ FDU-Florham - 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. *Senior Social, meet at Mur- *Field hockey vs. Delaware ray’s-9 p.m. Valley - 1:00 p.m. *Women’s soccer vs. Friday (9/22) Susquehanna 2:30 p.m.. *Student Development Weekend Series heads to the New York Mets baseball Sunday (9/24) game. Meet in front of the *No events scheduled. Marts gym at 2:30 p.m. *Women’s tennis vs. Keystone - 3:30 p.m. *Women’s volleyball @ Elizabethtown Tournament - 3:30 p.m. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. Congratulations to Andrew Toth who correctly identified last week’s shot, which was taken outside of the Health Services entrance to Evans Hall. � 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 2006 September 18th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 September 18 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/16eb4d7df20070e222337dba9ed02924.pdf 7971d60ce7d0bf4dee1e9ace848e19e0 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 59 Issue 1 www.wilkesbeacon.com SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 ( 11 \~I I R Gre ter 'il es•,, ne cna 1 er ni Busi ss &Innm 1 I. Downtown colleges join forces with Barnes & Noble to launch academic superstore BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Asst. News Editor The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour, Ph.D. addresses the audience at the Innovation Center expressing his pride in the new bookstore during the press conference held on Thursday, August 31 . Among the biggest changes for Wilkes University this year is its expansion into and involvement with the redevelopment of downtown Wilkes-Barre. That presence expanded a little futher on the last day of August. In a press conference held on Thursday, August 31, the Wilkes-Barre Greater Chamber of Business and Industry along with Mayor Tom Leighton, and Patrick Maloney, Senior Executive Vice President of Barnes & Noble, announced that Barnes & Noble Booksellers will be the operator of a new joint bookstore for Wilkes University and King’s College. Standing in the first floor of the Innovation Center just off Public Square, Leighton said, “There is no mayor across the state who wouldn’t want to make this announcement: that Barnes & Noble will join with King’s and Wilkes to occupy this great space.” The bookstore will be located at 7 South Main Street, and the 20,000 square foot space--six times the size of the current Wilkes bookstore--will house a traditional retail Barnes & Noble complete with an 84-seat Starbucks café on the first level. The second level will house a combined bookstore for Wilkes University and King’s College students complete with school logo merchandise, books and dorm supplies. The space will act as an academic superstore to both the Wilkes and King’s communities. “We are honored to have been chosen to run this store for you,” said Patrick Maloney, senior executive vice president of Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc. The partnership between both schools as well as the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry for the bookstore was a goal that all had been working toward since See BOOKSTORE page 3 Two champions for diversity depart for new opportunities Alan Zellner and Jim Harrington move to new posts and challenges BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon News Editor During the first week of classes, the Wilkes community bid farewell to two of its most influencial diversity leaders, James Harrington, Student Affairs Advising Coordinator and Alan Zellner, Director of Diversity. Zellner will serve as the Coordinator of Diversity Affairs on an Indian reservation in Fort Hayes, Kansas, while Harrington will take over the duties as Director of Student Life and Student Leadership Development at Mansfield University. “It was the hardest decision of my life,” Harrington said of leaving Wilkes. “I’m so excited, yet so torn.” Holding many titles during his 21-year tenure on campus, Harrington will most likely be remembered for his role as a mentor. “He does everything he can to be a mentor, and more importantly, a friend to all of the students he works with. He did everything in his power to help improve the chance of success for his students,” said Andy York. Harrington was loved for his rapport with students, often showing interest in their lives outside the classroom. An openly gay man, Harrington explained that some of his most supportive students have been student athletes, despite See DIVERSITY page 3 In This Issue... r.i.p Steve Irwin Meet The Five Percent Hey! VHl WILKES UNIVERSITY Page 7 Hello Wilkes. I want to ... Page 11 Page 15 Index News................................1-5 Opinion.............................6-8 Features.........................9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports...........................16-20 �NEWS One Stop Shop Downtown Development SG Council of Clubs SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 3 4 5 2 Wilkes enters property agreement with University Towers Resident student population expands with new downtown BY SARAH DOMAN Asst. News Editor People outgrow things every day from shoes and clothes to living space. With more and more students making Wilkes University their home each year, the university is outgrowing its current space and expanding into downtown Wilkes-Barre. On June 27, 2006, the university entered into a purchase agreement with University Towers located at 10 East South Street. Discussion between the owners of the property and Wilkes University started approximately two years ago. The property was considered along with the University Center on Main as buildings that would go together as part of a deal. “It’s a mix of acquiring more space as well as removing current space It’s a mix of aquiring more space as well as removing current space that in the long term we won’t be able to fully deliver to the students. Scott Byers Vice President, Finance and Support Services that in the long term we won’t be able to fully deliver to the students,” said Scott Byers, vice president for finance and support services. The purchase solves multiple needs, including the university’s need for expansion for resident students and the ability to get out of inefficient buildings. “It allows us to divest from some properties that we probably need to get out of and would be too expensive if we were to renovate them. The university has no plans to get out of the mansions. There are some of our resident facilities that really aren’t historic and really need to be retired or upgraded,” said Christopher Bailey, director of public safety. The University Towers is a more m o d e r n building than other dorms The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski on-campus residents are Senior Amanda McMahon strolls out of the newly accostomed purchased 10 East building on South Steet. to and remains in good condition from the previous owners. “We’ve gotten very positive feedback. I believe it’s the highest rated dorm, and it’s met the students’ needs well,” said Byers. Wilkes University is currently leasing space at University Towers and also looked into renovating other dorms. However, according to Byers, the deal with the towers worked out to be the best in terms of space and finance. The transaction for the towers is expected to be complete by mid to late October. Current leases in the building will be upheld until September 2007. It is expected that it will take three years to reach full Wilkes capacity. Bailey said, “There are no plans to change any leases and the University will honor all leases. We’re not really ready to take all of that space.” When the towers are fully converted into a residential unit, it will be the largest dorm holding 405 residents when fully occupied. There are four different floor plans and the apartments will hold between one and four students. Wilkes University spent $8.4 million on the purchase and was authorized to spend $10 million. The rest of the $1.6 million will be used for renovations and transaction costs. “The highest requirements that we have are fire codes and safety codes. We will need to do a few things when we inherit the property. First on the agenda and our main priority is to install sprinklers and upgrade the alarm system. Then at some point when the units are being turned over, renovating them if needed as well as networking,” said Bailey. The purchase of University Towers also expands the Wilkes campus into the Wilkes-Barre community. Byers said, “We act as almost an anchor tenant in the down-town area. It’s [the towers] close to parking; it’s close to the University Center on main, as well as administrative activities. It brings a lot of people to South Main Street which is good for downtown Wilkes-Barre, but first and foremost we believe it’s a good thing for the students.” The University Towers also con- tributes to Wilkes University establishing a presence in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Bailey said, “It brings youth, excitement, energy; you’ll see and already see this fall semester an atmosphere of much more activity at this part of South Main Street. We’ve pushed out the less desirable activities. It also provides a different and additional type of housing for students.” BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Curran Dobson Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Nick Podolak Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Nora Jurasits Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Stephanie Debalko Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ariel Cohen Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Stephanie Yachim Dana Zlotucha Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. 130 S. River St. First Floor, Conyngham Hall, Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 BOOKSTORE from FRONT PAGE late last fall over a nine-month discussion period, with vendors’ proposals in early spring. In response to this extraordinary partnership, President Tim Gilmour stated that “it [the bookstore] is remarkable and I think we should all take great pride in it.” Barnes & Noble has now become a place to show collaboration between and capitalization on two good institutions in downtown WilkesBarre. “We can only benefit from this,” said Gilmour. Work on the lease agreement for the book- NEWS store has been in progress since July. In the past year, Wilkes University has invested more than $20 million into the revitalization of the downtown. The newly created Joint Collegiate Bookstore by both institutions, LLC, will lease the space from the Greater Wilkes-Barre Development Corporation. Funding participation for the bookstore comes from Wilkes University, King’s College and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc. “The joint arrangement provides something we could not achieve on our own. You should see expanded services to students being able to accomplish different things out of the bookstore that we couldn’t do before,” said Scott Byers, vice president for finance and support operations. As well as being a bookstore to both institutions, Barnes & Noble will also be open to the public, creating an integration of students into the Wilkes-Barre community. The new bookstore will be a place for students and faculty to gather with the local community. “Things are happening in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Wilkes-Barre is alive. Wilkes-Barre has a bright future,” said Michael Lombardo, interim president/CEO Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry. It is expected that the new Barnes & Noble will further drive the revitalization of downtown Wilkes-Barre. “Wilkes will play an active part as a member of the commu- 3 nity which is good for the students, faculty, staff and the city that we all play a part in this revitalization,” said Byers. The bookstore is anticipated to open during the first week in October. Follett will remain the primary bookseller until October first. Byers said, “We do not anticipate any gap in service until the new bookstore [opens]. As this one is closing down, the one in downtown will be opening.” Workers in the existing bookstore have interviewed with Barnes & Noble officials. After the new bookstore opens, Byers noted, discussions will begin about ideas and opportunities for the space that occupies the present campus bookstore. Administrative offices to combine in one-stop-shop BY CURRAN DOBSON Beacon Editor-in-Chief This fall, a new idea is taking shape on Wilkes University’s campus. Two women have been charged with entirely rethinking the concept of administrative offices, such as the registrar and admissions, and are tapping into students’ ideas to make the new concept user-friendly. Margaret Zellner and Pam Fendrock, both Operations Managers for Student Services, have been challenged with the task of combining the registrar, admissions, financial aid and financial services, currently housed in Passan Hall and operating independently from one another, into a one-stop-shop, housed in the UCOM building. And while the plan was originally to launch in May, there is the possibility things will move more quickly and students will see changes yet this year. Zellner described the ultimate goal of the one stop shop. “The primary goal of the one stop center is to improve service to students and parents alike. This is definitely our number one goal.” Zellner and Fendrock have ideas of their own about the new center, including employees that are cross-trained in all services and can provide assistance to students with all of their concerns. They plan for students to be greeted at a large desk in the UCOM where their questions can be properly fielded. They also have extensive plans for more online services for students, but have encountered some opposition from students who are wary of all online services, not just the ones offered by Wilkes. As Fendrock explained, “Some students have expressed a distrust of online services in general and were more comfortable walking away with something tangible. However, as one student expressed to me, ‘everything will eventually be online,’ and The Beacon/Curran Dobson Pamela Fendrock and Margaret Zellner, both Operations Managers for Student Services, current;y work in Fenner Hall at the large table in the dining room. They are currently training undergraduate admission assistants, such as Leona Hartland, in the Banner program the new office will utilize. he will adapt to these changes.” experiences to report about all of the adIt is exactly this kind of feedback that the ministrative offices in question. As Fentwo managers drock explained, are looking for “Problems have The primary goal of the one stop center is to imbefore they bebeen spread gin the task of prove service to students and parents alike. This is around to all physically mov- definitely our number one goal. offices. Inter- Margart Zellner ing the offices estingly, in one and training emgroup, all of the ployees to be adstudents reportept in all services. Zellner and Fendrock are ed bad experiences, while in another, all of sitting down with students across campus to the students reported good experiences.” hear their horror stories and accolades alike In total, Fendrock and Zellner have spoken about all of the offices involved, and they with approximately 44 students across the are also visiting other schools that have campus, with more sit-down sessions in the implemented a one-stop shop approach at works. their university, such as East Stroudsburg One of the questions Zellner and Fendrock and Seton Hall, to gain further insight. have asked each group of students concerns All of their research has determined that the naming of this new office. Zellner exstudents have both positive and negative plained that few students have been recep- tive to One-Stop-Shop as a name. “Most students didn’t like it because they thought it sounded too much like a mini-mart. We have heard other similar names, such as One Stop Service Center, One and Done and Central Station.” However, Fendrock said they did receive a suggestion for a name that they are considering, complete with an acronym. “One of the suggestions was Central Operations at Wilkes, or COW.” Whether or not Wilkes ends up with COW in the UCOM, Zellner and Fendrock are working to ensure that this new service center for students and parents will be far more efficient and will take students’ considerations into mind. They encourage all students to contact them with their own opinions and suggestions for names. They can be reached at margaret.zellner@wilkes. edu and pamela.fendrock@wilkes.edu. �SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 NEWS 4 Believing in downtown W-B benefits college crowd BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. News Editor On June 9, 2005, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton asked community members to “believe” in a downtown riddled with empty storefronts, dark streets and a vacant nightlife. Believe in a dead city with no future? Some said, “Never.” What a difference one year makes. Those same empty storefronts are now sold to future retailers. The dark streets have been brightened by new lights lining main thoroughfares. And the nightlife is anything but dull. Downtown Wilkes-Barre has received a much needed facelift. And the good news? Most changes are focused on making it more accessible and amenable to college students. Public Square is dead in the center of two major area colleges--a prime location to open a new billiards hall. Campus Billiards, located at 39 Public Square, is a 10,300 square foot building featuring 25 pool tables, two ping-pong tables, a snack bar and a state of the art sound system. Co-owner, Joe “Tex” Klauss, explained his vision behind the new downtown hangout. “The timing was right with everything that was happening with the city. All of the new business plans that were coming in made it a good time to get on board. College students are very important to our business, hence the name Campus Billiards.” Campus Billiards is open every day from 10 a.m. until whenever the crowd decides to pack up. Klauss added his opinion of why a college student should be attracted to his pool hall. “Sixty percent of all college students are under twenty-one and cannot get in to bars. I feel we [Campus Billiards] offer a good entertainment environment and gathering place for those and other students.” However, for those college students who are of age to order a drink, do not worry-downtown Wilkes-Barre now offers that choice as well. Two new nightclubs have already begun to pour the beer and shake up some martinis. We all wish we could be in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, grabbing beads and celebrating with thousands. For the majority of college students, though, this is a not a reality. That is why Club Mardi Gras, located at 12 South Main Street, has brought the party to Wilkes-Barre. Club Mardi Gras is a new nightclub that features three different themed bar areas. One represents Bourbon Street, while the Courtesy of Campus Billiards Campus Billiards, located at 39 Public Square, is a 10,300 square foot building with 25 pool tables, two ping pong tables, a snack bar and a state of the art sound system. Campus Billiards is open every day from 10 a.m. until when the crowd leaves. other two are named The Riverboat and The Bayou. Club Mardi Gras is owned by the operator of Flashbacks in Scranton and will be opened Wednesdays through Sundays. Two Wilkes University students attended the grand opening event over Labor Day weekend. Matt Crouse, P2 pharmacy, was impressed with the decor and service. “It was pretty cool how the inside looked like the French Quarter so it felt like you were actually in New Orleans at Mardi Gras. Also, they had a few bars opened up, so it was pretty quick when you needed a refill on your drink.” So what about Murray’s and the Woodlands? Is Club Mardi Gras a better option? Tim Burns, P1 pharmacy, thinks they might have some stiff competition. “Club Mardi Gras is definitely a good change of pace for a bar that is within walking distance of campus. Their Thursday night special is good competition for Murray’s and will definitely attract a college crowd.” While not directly in downtown Wilkes-Barre, the Sensory Lounge, located in the Waterfront Complex, is another nightlife option for students. Sensory will be open from 4p.m. until 2a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. As students returned to Wilkes-Barre after the summer hiatus, they may have See DOWNTOWN page 5 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Pictured above are Gene Fast (left) and Kim Clark (right) employees of Club Madri Gras. Club Mardi Gras, located at 12 South Main Street, is open every Wednesday through Sunday. Thursday nights feature fifty cent mugs and Happy Hour is on Fridays. �NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 DIVERSITY from FRONT PAGE stereotypes of being intolerant of alternative lifestyles. “The students here are for the Jim Harrington says goodbye. most part very open to new ideas, and if they’re not like that when they get here, I think they learn very quickly because it’s a very welcoming campus for people who are different,” he said. Also never to be forgotton is Zellner, whose ties to the school date back to 1968 when he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree. He also taught and coached the Blue and Gold wrestling squad before starting the diversity program in 1990. He has been Director of Diversity for three and a half years and says working on an Indian reservation has been his goal for the past 23 years. “I have a committment to diversity,” he said. “A lot of the stuff I do now I’ll be doing for them on a smaller scale because they’re brand new at this. Hopefully, they’ll grow into where Wilkes is right now.” At his farewell ceremony, friends, family and members of the wrestling team stopped by to shake hands with “The Snake” for being such a postive role model in their lives. Zellner stressed that it takes a whole community effort to promote a peaceful campus, not just the director and admissions office. “I’ve heard it attributed to the African and Indian nations that it takes a whole village to raise one child. I’m a strong, strong believer in that. I honestly believe that it’s everyone’s reponsibility to help get each student through this maze. And I just hope the next person in charge feels that way.” Perhaps Dean Gearge Ralston said it best during Zellner’s freshmen initiation back in ‘68. “This is a friendly community. Don’t ever walk across this campus and make eye contact without ever saying ‘hello’. I have been here thirty some years and that has always been what I felt to be the main thing about this campus,” he said. Dr. Bonnie Culver, left, bids a fond farewell to Allan Zellner, right. 5 ing downtown is great for the future. “I think that Wilkes-Barre is giving all college students a great from PAGE 4 opportunity to become part of noticed spotlights in the sky. something. As the years go by, we Those lights belong to none other will see better things to come for than Wilkes-Barre Movies 14 at current undergrads and students of the future.” Northampton & Main. As of now, every storefront on The standout star throughout the first floor of I think that Wilkes-Barre is giving all col- the movie thelege students a great opportunity to be- ater are in the process of become part of something. ing filled. Also, there are preDave Sborz, political science liminary plans for a food court the new downtown is a brand new across from the theater and a movie theater. Students no longer growing Murray complex that is have to hop in the car to Cinemark to feature condominiums and new just to see a film on the weekends. Now, travel time is a five minute restaurants. All of this, along with the new walk. Student Affairs now offers Barnes & Noble joint collegiate $3 movie tickets for Movies 14. bookstore [see story “Dowtown Dave Sborz, a sophomore political science major, recently had a colleges join forces...”] opening chance to visit the new theater and soon, means that students are now feels that it’s great for college stu- the focus of the downtown area. A state of the art pool hall and dents. “The theater is a good way for students to pay only three dol- a taste of New Orleans mixed in lars for a movie, rather than going with a new movie theater and fusomewhere else. The safe walking ture business projects can only distance from campus can also mean one thing: the people of give students more flexibility per- Wilkes-Barre did have reason to “believe.” taining to time.” DOWNTOWN Sborz also feels that the chang- SG: Club attendance mandatory at various meetings BY REBECCA BRIA Beacon Correspondent Clubs will not see their $300 start-up money this year unless they are present at both the Council of Clubs meetings and Club Administration 101. Student Government (SG) President Jenna Strzelecki says all clubs must be represented by an executive officer at the meetings. If a S.undanc: Va c ati on s :In c o Sports / Event Marketingl 0 Flexible Schedule R,e al.I o weekends. and nights a IIllH3t o GREAT PAYJ $10 0 to $200 / day o Transportation a plus Public interaction marketing at various events in your area. CALL NOW] l-800-.23 3 -161 3 • !Believe us no one thinks u, fun ien yon~e du.r in.~ twnbli g ,all the plac , ukin iu :,ID , .. , or kee j g . o, l' roommate p all rugh . There' a big diffe ence o- betweelt lau.glung om o . . .· · and to be om one Do sQnfl.eon.e s eut ' ui t rt 111nm.el!ltf~ ,I -Spon ot-,ed b Heal:dli et .· ce I_ club is absent, it will not receive initial funds or be considered for future fund requests. The mandatory attendance is part of several new club rules from SG. “The clubs will also be required to attend one Student Government meeting a semester to represent the board with a report of the clubs’ current activities,” Strzelecki said. “We will also be enforcing the by-law in the Student Government constitution that states clubs must perform two community service projects a year. These club requirements will allow Student Government to become more aware of the activities the clubs are doing.” According to Strzelecki, Club Administration 101 is an informational session that will be led by Philip Ruthkosky, Director of Student Development. The short course is intended to provide clubs and executive boards with infor- mation about how to do things such as filling out fund requests and checking account balances. Strzelecki says the Council of Clubs began last year and was designed as a way for all club presidents to report on their events and activities. The first meeting is set for Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Miller Room, second floor of the Henry Student Center. Other scheduled dates for the Council of Clubs include December 5 and April 26. -Wims UNIVERSITY- �Opinion SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 Crikey! My husband’s wife Your Voices 7 7 8 6 What ever happened to a friendly game of poker? Online gambling brings unforeseen consequences for students BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Your alarm rings for your 8 a.m. class. You roll over to shut it off only to hear the irritating clicking of your roommate’s mouse. He was up all night again playing online poker. He tries to keep his frustration about losing quiet as you get ready for class. Checking your wallet before you leave, you notice a lot is missing. Could it be that he finally crossed the line? He slams his hand on the desk and curses that he lost another hand. Do you say something about the missing cash? After all, he’s been your roommate for two years and you’ve never had a problem. For the past few years, we have all been exposed to online gambling in some way or another. With the championship poker fad taking television by storm, many people want in on the action. With this new pastime has come a dark side that we have only read about or seen on the news: gambling addiction. But what is the difference between an addict and an overzealous gamer? The Pen is Mightier ... You have an OPINION and we want to hear it..' W .ard to express yDUr unique views to the 'iXTilkes =:mnrun:il:0' The Beacon. '~ Op:iniotl secti:in is s=-urn,g c amp,.1:5 in s earclt of writers with fresh frou.ght s .and VEWS . If you have .any ideas, questi:iru or a sample =lunmored:itorial c.arlooru, please com.act: OPIN ICIN EDITOR: KRSTYN C>sTMA.N, OIFi!: Ass8TANT OPIN t:::IN EDITOR: AN DEE SCA.RA.NTINO t h e b eacon . oped®gm.a il . c om ease of doing it from a dorm and not fully comprehending the ramifications. Additionally, college students are frequently in a position where they need the opportunity to make a quick buck. After paying for books, gas and various other necessities, sometimes little is leftover for recreation. Any extra disposable income that can be earned in a few hours from the comfort of the living room would be the answer to many students’ prayers. This accessibility is the best and worst part about online gambling, depending on how you look at it. The U.S. General Accounting Office finds there to be approximately 1,800 online casino sites and half of the expected $5 million revenue comes from American players. Courtesy of www.online-gambling.nu/ Also, since it is in the virtual The dictionary definition of ad- proportions for which they are un- world, online gambling is unregudiction describes it as “a state that prepared. In an effort to generate lated, unlike a traditional casino. enslaves us to a psychologically or cash for the game, Hogan alleged- In order to claim winnings or pay physically off losses, habit-formplayers ing subMany addicts feel the overwhelming need to feed their habits in secret, or must instance or panic when the debt takes on proportions for which they are unprepared. put bankpractice.” ing inforH o w e v e r, mation. this does Careless not mean players that anyone can be an addict. It is ly lied to close family and friends or even minors can easily leave widely accepted that people with about needing money for school themselves exposed to more than low self-esteem tend to be more functions. the hurt of a large loss at the taprone to addiction. Then how do However, while his story may be bles. people who are high-achieving one of the most extreme, Hogan’s Addiction is very real, even cellists such as Greg Hogan Jr. of is a cautionary tale for universities for intelligent college students. Lehigh University end up robbing across the country. The number Though Greg Hogan’s case is sebanks? His story is rather bizarre of college students in online casi- vere, his penalties are worth notin that he is reportedly a friendly, nos has quadrupled since 2000. A ing. He must attend Gambler’s well-mannered and confident stu- survey from Inland Entertainment Anonymous meetings regularly, dent leader, yet got caught up in Corp. showed that more than 86 he is unable to hold a debit or the online gambling craze to the percent of the players are male. credit card and all of his banking degree that he was compelled to Most people are roped in by start- is under the control of his parents. act out of character when his debt ing and doing well in the “play More importantly, he dreamed of a became unmanageable. money” section of the site. Even- future in finance, which isn’t posIn a desperate attempt to satisfy tually, the convenience and prom- sible now. his needs, Hogan allegedly robbed ise of big winnings can weigh College and university officials a local Wachovia bank. This is not heavily on someone looking for need to pay heed to Hogan’s story to suggest that any gambling ad- quick cash. College students, like and educate students about the dict will hold up a bank, but many Hogan, are highly susceptible to long- and short-term ramifications addicts feel the overwhelming online gambling because of the of online gambling. If it can hapneed to feed their habits in secret, lack of parental supervision over pen at Lehigh University, it can or panic when the debt takes on their activities and finances, the happen here. �OPINION SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 Crikey! 7 Steve Irwin 1962-2006 Remembering Steve Irwin BY ANDREW SEAMAN Beacon Correspondant Most people, when they heard the news, said something along the lines of, “He was asking for it.” Yes, Steve Irwin did push the limits, but he did not ask to die. Irwin, who passed away on Monday, September 4, 2006, was most commonly known as “The Crocodile Hunter.” However, he did not die fighting off a 12 foot salt water crocodile, but instead died when he had the unfortunate luck of angering a sting ray. Some people would say Irwin was crazy for what he attempted, and I would have to agree every now and then. A perfect example would be the time he fed a crocodile with one hand while holding his one-month old baby in the other. But what Irwin did with his life cannot be looked down upon by any other human being. He tried to educate the world about creatures and places that many of us would not otherwise know about. Unfortunately in today’s world with the internet, television and the other resources available to us, we do not fully utilize them to learn about what we can do to save animals and their habitat. Too often we forget that we share living space with other creatures, and leave that “conservation stuff” up to the professionals. We should take a good look at what we are doing to the world around us and the other creatures that live in it. An easy way is to simply recycle. I know it is almost cliché, but imagine that if we all recycled, landfills would not fill as quickly, trees would not have to be cut down for paper and garbage would not have to be burned. Just by recycling we can save millions of dollars, our furry little friends and their and our home. This brings us to the subject of our changing climate and how we can reverse the damage already inflicted upon it. This year one of the most popular topics was the movie An Inconvenient Truth, made popular by Al Gore. The movie showed exactly what is happening to our climate. Many scientists said that the movie was accurate, while others said it was anything but. I say, why blow it off until it is the truth? Take preventative measures now. It amazed me to see people debate whether it is an issue or not. The answer, at least I thought, was simple: don’t let it become an issue. A few people are taking the initiative to learn about the animals and environment around us and how to treat them, but some are still ignorant. As an example, I recall standing in Bush Gardens, Virginia and hearing awful screams and howls. As I got closer to the source, I saw a group of people standing around looking down off a bridge into an enclosure. Inside were about three wolves, who were trying to find a place to hide from the group throwing candy and pebbles at them. Just within a few feet, people were also throwing twigs and dirt at bald eagles that were chained from their ankle to an attachment in the ground as an exhibit. This bothered me and obviously still does. Hopefully, if any good can come from Irwin’s passing, it is that everyone will realize what is happening to the animals and world around us and will continue on with his work. He was a Courtesy of http://bennyhoh.blogspot.com/ person who many thought to be a nut, but when you really look at what he did with his life, maybe we should all try to be a little nuttier. My husband’s wife is really tickin’ me off! Polygamy in America exposed, but how immoral really is it? BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Assistant Opinion Editor A few weeks ago, Warren Jeffs (leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) was arrested on charges of rape by accomplice and arranging a marriage that led to the rape of an underage girl. Jeffs had 40 wives and nearly 60 children. The FLDS is one of the many Utah-based churches continuing to practice polygamy. The practice was supposedly dropped from the church in 1890 in condition of the state of Utah. While I could tell you about the housing developments that these families are living in (which are rumored to be funded by the FLDS) in Utah and Colorado City, Arizona, you could easily go to the Associated Press (as I did). What’s more important is putting things into perspective. Members of the FLDS believes that “plural marriage secures their exaltation in heaven and that the number of wives a man marries corresponds to the level of glory he’ll achieve,” according to the AP. Some people would argue and say they simply want to have many marriages because they want to rapidly breed and create a “cult” so their beliefs live on. Partially, I suppose this is true. What really makes me angry is that polygamy is illegal in America, and, like any law, people who practice it should be arrested. Yet, for some reason, CNN can go into one of these developments, or a random place in Utah and speak with a man that has three wives, but the police cannot walk directly to their door and throw them in jail? What exactly is stopping the authorities? Could it be that the law is absolutely preposterous? How can you toss a man in jail who is revered as a prophet (Jeffs) simply because his church believes that many marriages are a way to secure a safe spot in heaven? How can you, in good conscience, do that? Seems to me that America is so dead-set based on their Christian values that they have made polygamy illegal because the Bible says marriage is a sacred union between (one) man and a (singular) woman. This also is the reason that gays cannot marry. We’re always looking for the Christian church to approve these practices and face it--it isn’t happenin’ kiddo. I mean God forbid (literally) that somebody marry more than one person. Our country (founded by Christians) has been abiding by these marriage laws for far too long. Are the laws we abide by the absolute moral bar to which everyone must measure up? Oh, yes… Didn’t you hear about those Catholics? I know the one priest in my hometown must be great. I swear that Lexus he drives has nothing to with the vow of poverty he took, and the other one… Well, he never touched that little boy. Oh, and don’t forget the commandment about the adultery. Thou shall not commit it. Well, we better not allow a union of more than one man and one woman. Then we’d have to make another commandment, or simply change the title of that cute little movie they play at Easter time. Aww. The believers of the FLDS are very different than those of the Christian faith, but they are nontheless moral to their faith. They aren’t doing it to be rebellious; this is their way of life. We’re really quick to jump up and down in angst when we hear “two wives,” but we seem to overlook everything immoral that our country has done in the past two-hundred years (and based on what standard??) Since the argument clearly stands that there is no one moral standard to evaluate this from, I’d have to say that all races, creeds, sexes and multiple numbers should be allowed to marry and, if not, then marriage should just be illegal. �SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 OPINION 8 YOUR VOICES Hurricane Katrina: The Devastation Continues in Forgotten Gulf Coast Many students head to tropical places such as Cancun or even Florida for spring or summer breaks, but I had another place in mind--Pass Christian, Mississippi, which is a small community about 15 miles west of Biloxi, Mississippi. The impact of Hurricane Katrina is something that cannot be described, even by someone like myself who was there for a week. Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, in some parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, but, for many, Katrina’s presence is still widely spread. The destruction that stretched for 90,000 square miles (approximately the equivalent size of the United Kingdom) is still seen today. Almost 2,000 people died because of the storm and approximately 700 people are still missing. Perhaps my biggest pet peeve, and maybe the reason I finally decided to write this letter to the editor, is that Americans are naive and arrogant. They would rather spend hours and hours talking about the murderer of Jon Benet Ramsey (admittedly a horrible tragedy, but it happened 10 years ago). We do not need to see continuous coverage broadcast on Anderson Cooper 360(especially on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina). A year after the storm, the residents of various cities and towns on the Gulf Coast are no longer receiving any relief from the government, if they were so lucky to get any before. The only relief and support they seem to be getting is from non-profit organizations such as religious and community service groups. As taxpayers, we spent hundreds of thousands (maybe more) buying trailers for those people to live in while they rebuilt their homes, except most of them to this day are sitting in parking lots in Alabama. As a taxpayer, I cannot fathom how the government can treat their own like trash. Hurricane Katrina was not prejudiced in anyway, but it seems to me that the government sure is. I cannot tell for sure, but I do have a suspicion that if Hurricane Katrina had done the damage it did on the Gulf Coast in Texas, Florida, or even California, that it would not have taken this long for people to do something about it. Another issue that the government refused to address was the insurance companies that saw this as a huge loss for their companies. Speaking with the Pass Christian High School Principal in May, I learned that, yes, the residents had Courtesy of Cheryl Gressley Hurricane coverage--but there are hidA home in Pass Christian, Mississippi was transported by fl ood waters to a final resting den clauses within those coverage docuplace on railroad tracks. ments. The hurricane coverage insurance compa- their loss nor did they provide adequately broaden America’s sympathetic factor. nies would blame it on the water/flood dam- funding for the resident themselves. All facts in this piece taken from http:// age and the water/flood damage companies One year after Hurricane Katrina and still en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina would blame it on wind. And in some claus- devastation lies for miles and miles. In this es, the houses that were not completely de- upcoming election year, I would hope you Cheryl Gressley, junior Communication stroyed were worse off because they would would take into consideration what your Studies major get no money from either the hurricane nor local representative would do if a tragedy the flood companies, and if some residents would occur in this area. With the flood this I Beacon Poll were lucky to get one to agree on a settle- summer in various parts of Pennsylvania, ment. The government didn’t step in and I think it will only encourage more educaWhat addition or change to downtell the insurance companies to provide for tion in the policies of our government and town Wilkes-Barre are you most excited about? Forensics Skills Build Confidence Dear Editor: My name is Valerie Martinez and I’d like to ask you and the Wilkes Community a question; what do Oprah Winfrey, Adam Sandler, James Earl Ray, former President John F. Kennedy and Nelson Mandela all have in common? They were all part of a forensics team. Now that Club Day has passed, I am sure all the students are busy becoming involved with all the clubs and organizations they signed up for. With that in mind, I’d like all of the Wilkes students to think about joining the Forensics Team. Maybe you’re thinking why forensics? Or perhaps you’re even thinking what is forensics? Forensics is the art or study of argumentation and formal debate. Here at Wilkes, we have a forensics team. Our team has gone to various cities throughout the East coast, where we have competed in tournaments and brought back several awards. Amongst the awards we won were the Presidential Award from the state tournament at St. Joseph’s University as well as finalist trophies from our home tournament, the Harold Cox Swing Tournament. The forensics team, better known as the Speech and Debate team, has achieved a lot within the last year. With a new coach, Professor Daniel Broyles, the team is looking forward to what can come with new members. Arthur Redmond, a member of the Speech and Debate team, says he enjoys the excitement that comes from competing in the Impromptu Events. Impromptu, one of the many events offered in the competitions, is where contestants are given a small excerpt pertaining to either general interest, the economy or social issues and have seven minutes to develop and perform their speech. Other events include dramatic duo, after dinner speaking, persuasive speeches and many more. Last year I was one of the few to join the team; having had no experience in public speaking, I was nervous about joining. Now I can honestly say it has really done wonders for me. I feel much more confident addressing people, I can express myself clearly and I’ve made friends that will last my lifetime. So many skills come from forensics. Not only are you able to learn how to express yourself but you learn time management, how to do research, reasoning skills, organizational skills and it is a wonderful resume builder. Hopefully you all have a better idea of what the team is about and will consider attending our meetings which are on Tuesdays and Thursdays 11-12 during club hours in Capin Hall-Room 307. Any questions please email either Professor Broyles at daniel.broyles@wilkes.edu or myself at valerie.martinez@wilkes.edu. Have a wonderful school year!! Valerie J. Martinez, sophmore Communication Studies major • • • • • • • • • • Movies 14 Complex The promise of a cleaner, safer downtowns Billiards parlor Barnes & Noble shared college bookstore The promise of Public Square WiFi More downtown housing options Wilkes University parking garage on Main Street Club Mardi Gras Downtown street lights Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon.com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week’s issue of The Beacon. - �FEATURES SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 9 Double Lives of Students HelloWilkes Site Marriage Across the Miles 10 11 11 Freshmen not the only new faces on campus Ten faculty members join Wilkes community BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Features Editor Wilkes University is adding more than green space and properties to its ever-growing campus this fall. Ten new faculty members have come on board in a variety of departments. As the semester begins, they are getting settled into their new positions and becoming acquainted with the ways of Wilkes. Their transition was eased by the New Faculty Orientation hosted over the sumNaomi Hatsfelt Baker will serve as assistant professor of acting in the department of visual and performing arts on campus. According to her biography, released by the Wilkes University Office of Marketing Communications, she previously taught at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. mer. The orientation featured seminars on topics ranging from resources on campus to employee benefits. Ellen Flint, who, in addition to being an associate professor of music, also serves as coordinator of the undergraduate experience and is in charge of the new faculty orientation, said the orientation was a way to welcome the new employees into the community and get them situated in their new positions. In addition to the more formal topics discussed at the orientation, there was time to interact and familiarize themselves with their new colleagues. “Entering into a new job can be very disconcerting,” Flint said. “I try to do everything I can both before and after they arrive to make them comfortable in the new job environment.” New professors were also treated to a cookout hosted by Allan Zellner, the former Director of Diversity, allowing them to mingle and meet not only each other, but also current employees of the university. “There was a great effort made on the part of fellow faculty members as well as Meet the New Professors... )" I After teaching Spanish at the high school level for several years, Mark Harris has joined the Wilkes faculty as visiting instructor in Spanish. He said his experience thus far has been excellent. “The collegiality is such that I felt very important even at this early point as being a vital member of the academic community at the university.” Dr. Krina Patel is employed by Wilkes University as assistant professor of pharmacy practice, but Patel also spends time at her practice site, the Lehigh Valley Hospital in Muhlenberg, overseeing pharmacy students during their clinical rotations. Dr. Ellen Raineri’s arrival to Wilkes is a homecoming of sorts, as she spent time here as an undergraduate, receiving two bachelor’s degrees. In addition to serving as assistant professor of business, she is involved with the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) club on campus, and plans to work with students, exploring mentoring initiatives in research. Dr. Marcia Farrell has joined the English department as an assistant professor of English. Farrell recently received her Ph.D. from the University of Tulsa. She said she finds teaching to be rewarding “when students feel confident in what they’re doing.” Her goal is to make students see themselves as professionals. While this will be Dr. Dean Frear’s fifth year at Wilkes, it will be his first as assistant professor of business. He served as visiting lecturer for four years but his status changed to tenure track this year, though Frear had to go through the same application and interview process as any other applicant. administration to ensure our success as new faculty members,” said Mark Harris, visiting instructor of Spanish. “It really made me feel welcome and really made my transition to the university much easier.” As a follow up to the two-day orientation, new faculty members will also attend luncheons throughout the academic year to continue to educate them about assorted topics of interest and allow them to interact with one another. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski New hire Dr. Marcia Farrell encourages intellectual curiosity in her English 101 class during the second week of classes. She hopes to inspire professionalism in her students. Assistant professor of nursing, Emily Havrilla, spent the past ten years gaining professional experience, working for the Commission on Economic Opportunity in Wilkes-Barre. After spending last year as a clinical instructor, Havrilla said she is enjoying the Wilkes community and is “happy to be here full-time.” Dr. Edward Kleist, who previously taught at Loyola University of New Orleans, joins the Wilkes faculty as a visiting assistant professor of philosophy. “I’ve always been fascinated with the question of how we ought to live, what are our obligations to each other and how do we know what these obligations are,” said Kleist, who specializes in the areas of ethics and aesthetics. Dr. Ebonie Stringer has been hired as assistant professor of sociology. She previously taught at Purdue University, where she received her Ph.D. Stringer described her specialties within sociology as an intersection of criminology, race, gender and family. Dr. Jennifer Thomas will serve as assistant professor of psychology. She specializes in adolescent socioemotional development. Thomas said that one of the things that initially impressed her about Wilkes was the psychology students. “They are genuinely interested in learning about psychology and were invested in their education. It is wonderful to be part of their educational journey.” �10 FEATURES SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 Off-campus work forces students to lead double lives a student moves from working BY SARAH DOMAN full-time in the summer to trying Beacon Asst. News Editor For most students, the begin- to balance the differing demands ning of the fall semester generally of work and school in the fall. Kristen Keblan is a Pharmacy means a renewed concentration on 3 student who spent the summer all things academic. working full-time at an Eckerd However, for some, making the Pharmacy. transition from full-time employee “The major difference I find is at to full-time student is not always fi ve o’clock work is done and does easy and instead forces students to not have to be thought about until lead double lives. the next morning. However, when Ryan Broghamer, senior comclass is dismissed you still have to munication studies major, worked be thinking about assignments, full-time over the summer as an EMT and firefighter for the towns exams and balancing school with of Forty-Fort, Swoyersville and a part-time job,” said Keblan. Students who choose to work in Wyoming. This was Broghamtheir fields of education can bener’s first time working full-time, efi t from the learning experience but he has been volunteering as both an EMT and “You learn about all of the different firefighter since he was a freshman in sectors of life. You need to know how college. to interact with people so this experi“I always thought ence helped me interpersonally and firemen were cool. hopefully that will help with my caI was nowhere near reer.” dedicated enough -Ryan Broghamer to study emergency medicine so I deit has to offer and can also meet a cided on public relations.” Broghamer participated in a sev- course requirement. “Besides making money, my en- to eight-month course to train time spent in the pharmacy is bento do his job. efi cial for the school year,” KeWorking as an EMT and fireblan said. “Rather than learning in fighter, Broghamer learned many a classroom setting, I am given the things about himself and his future opportunity to learn hands-on.” career in communications. While working full-time can en“You learn about all of the difhance a student’s insight into their ferent sectors of life. You need to chosen career, some students find know how to interact with people it to be an eye-opening experience so this experience helped me infor different reasons. terpersonally and hopefully that Amanda Karaffa is a sophomore will help with my career.” chemistry major with a minor in Broghamer is still working partsecondary education. She spent time, which means that between her summer working full-time his EMT duties, schoolwork and at the Wyoming Valley General his internship with the WilkesHospital in the pharmacy. Most Barre/Scranton Penguins, he is of her time was spent fi lling preputting in at least 60 hours per scriptions, taking medicine to difweek at some form of work. ferent fl oors and answering phone “I really like what I do and love the job. It can be something to fall calls. Karaffa chose to work in the back on. At the same time I’m pharmacy to gain experience from having an exciting adventure in a different perspective. While school because I’m graduating in working in the hospital, Karaffa learned many things about herself January.” Many students continue to work and her time spent pursuing pharpart time during school, not just to macy as a future career. “I learned that becoming a pharmake money but to also help with macist is very tough, competitive academics. Between work and and for me became very stressful school many students find time to the point that I was miserable. is an issue and that adjustment is This made me think about if pharsometimes all more difficult when macy was really the right career for me and is it worth all the stress I was putting on myself,” said Karaffa. For Karaffa, the transition between work and school was not difficult. “I never really stopped doing work all summer and only had one week off before fall semester began,” she said. Working this past summer also helped Karaffa make an important decision about her schooling. “Work affected me academically by showing me things in the real world to help me make my decision to change my major. It made me feel more confident that the change I was making was for the better for me now and in the future,” said Karaffa. Acade·mic excellence through mentoring. ,-41. r.r u I~ ii Jrh 1""""1 a n,:-u~r, :i I I. :,pc L;,r ,1 n w w ICES LJ.>,IIVE ll. s n , hi::il ·r " p·1n d: your mentor. www.wilb!s.ed1:.1 I1..,800 WILKES-U JI �SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 FEATURES 11 Online HelloWilkes site recognized nationally BY RAE THEISEN Beacon Correspondent First there was Hello Kitty, and now there’s HelloWilkes. Although HelloWilkes is not at all comparable to the adorable icon known as Hello Kitty, it is, in its own way, recognizable. HelloWilkes is a unique, interactive website created for prospective students to help them become familiar with the university and even one another before they arrived on campus this fall. Hoping to bank on the MySpace and Facebook trends, designers and university officials opted to use a combination of visuals and topics for discussion similar to those wildly popular sites. The website was then introduced to the incoming 2006 freshman class. Originally designed to replace the “closing piece” traditionally sent out by the admissions office to help persuade still deciding students, HelloWilkes has demonstrated to be more effective and less expensive. And while still not of Hello Kitty cultural icon status yet, the HelloWilkes site quickly garnered some national attention. USA Today and the Philadelphia Business Journal both featured articles about HelloWilkes this summer. According to Melanie Mickelson, Director of Admissions, the website started off slowly, as does anything brand new, but picked up as the idea of entering college became a daunting thought in many high school seniors’ minds. By the end of July the site boasted nearly 500,000 hits. “We did expect bumps in the road,” said Mickelson, “but anytime you do something innovative that happens.” Not only did the website help high school seniors decide whether or not they wished to attend Wilkes, but it provided important aid to those who have decided to call Wilkes University home. Students were able to connect with fellow peers and faculty members via e-conversations and learn more about the school’s opportunities and extracurricular activities. Students who use HelloWilkes will find it very similar to MySpace and Facebook. On each of these websites, a student creates a name and profile and submits a picture to distinguish them. However, unlike these two extremely popular websites, HelloWilkes is used specifically within the university. Through the conversations and interactions on the site, prospective students had the chance to gain advice and knowledge and build bonds with other students before they even move into their dorm rooms or start their first day of class. The “wall,” or message board, is essential to the website. There are sections for a variety of categories to post a message or ask a question. “I was able to get advice from people who had the same questions as me when they were a freshman, such as when I started looking into Student Government, I wanted to know how it worked, so several people were able to help me,” said freshman Andrew Seaman. A select few upperclassman who already worked for the university in some way had access to the website. These students were available to answer questions perspective students and incoming freshmen asked. “The students who worked with the site were great and loved it,” commented Mickelson. While the website appeared to make quick gains in popularity, officials note that it isn’t prone to the sort of noteriety traditionally associated with other facets of online meeting places. While it doesn’t seek to compete directly with Facebook or other online social sites, some students are reticent to split their time. “I think people don’t use it because Facebook is more popular,” said freshman Nick DiPaolo. Freshman Ashli Rentzel agrees with DiPaolo. “Yes, I’ve heard of it, but I haven’t used it and Facebook is way more popular,” she commented. The Office of Admissions already has big plans for next year. The usage of the website this year was fairly heavy, but it wasn’t what was expected. On the drawing board right now, to popularize HelloWilkes, are ideas for a more noticeable section for suggestions and even an area for parents. For the 2006 freshman class, the publicity was very low-key and according to Mickelson, the admissions office is considering stepping up the advertising for HelloWilkes. Based on the statistics and positive feedback from students, HelloWilkes is considered a success. When asked if she, personally, thought the website was victorious, Melanie Mickelson simply replied “absolutely.” Seaman agreed, adding, “I think the site will be beneficial to incoming freshman and transfer students. I think it can even help people who are already students that have questions.” Marriage across the miles Zellners tackle commuter marriage, new jobs Alan Zellner, a long-time Wilkes fixture who successfully evolved from student to employee and campus leader, said goodbye in August, after accepting the Director of Diversity position at Fort Hays State University in Kansas. It would seem that this story would end with Zellner’s move; however, there is a slight complication. His wife will be staying here at Wilkes University. Margaret Zellner, recently promoted to the one-stop shop co-coordinator position, has opted to retain her position with Wilkes even though her husband will be moving to Kansas. Many college students can relate to this long-distance arrangement. Having just recently left home to return to school, some students are still mourning the transition and the time away from their significant other. The Zellners do not view the time and distance as a burden. Instead, they are viewing this transition as an opportunity to grow and expand their careers and relationship. Margaret expressed that she has been prepared for such a move by her husband’s schedule these past years. “Alan has been mentally.” This transition initially came about because of Alan’s interest in Native American culture. “I grew up in an era of cowboys and Indians…I started reading up on the culture and it was very exciting.” He simply could not pass up an opportunity which would allow him to work in an area of the country with such a rich Native American population and history. At the same time Alan was making a commitment to Fort Hays University, Margaret was making her commitment to Wilkes. Both have agreed to stay at their respective universities for at least a period of two years. Margaret is helping to head the transition many Wilkes offices and departments are making to the Portrait of the Zellner family. Clockwise from top: UCOM building. She stated that “this project I’m working on is Jeffrey, Alan, Margaret, Lenore, and Kerry. going to be very time consuming a coach for so many years…. So I’ve been until it’s up and running.” used to him traveling and being out of town The fact that the Zellners will be very a lot.” She has been preparing, “…I would busy with their work may help them cope say, for the past two or three years, at least with this time apart. Photo courtesy of Zellner family BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor A study by Govaerts and Dixon also found that the relationships between commuter couples are stronger than the average married couple largely because of the effort to communicate. The Zellners echoed an idea found in articles concerning how to make these kind of long distance relationships work. Alan’s advice to any couple considering a commuter marriage was “keep in touch and just be committed to why you’re doing it.” Also contributing to Margaret’s decision to stay in the area is the fact that their three grown children are all on this coast. She will more easily be able to deal with family emergencies while in Pennsylvania than if she had opted to travel to Kansas with her husband. Both husband and wife are excited about the move and look forward to the coming career changes and challenges. They note they are prepared for the time apart and the possible strain this may put on their relationship. However, they have faced adversity before and have survived 31 years of marriage and raising three children. Two years in different states may not be the hardest trial the couple has ever endured. �A&E SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 12 Dinner & A Movie Sordoni: ‘Penumbra’ The Five Percent 13 14 15 Fall Fashion: What to expect and how to pull it off BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO & MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon. A&E Editor & Beacon Asst. A&E Editor If you open a magazine today, be forewarned. You are likely to come across images from the fall runways that boggle the mind. A man wearing a metallic gold suit, or one wearing a sheer top? And since when is grunge back? Have no fear, after pouring over the pages of countless fashion magazines and examining the aisles of numerous stores, we feel confident to bring you what we think will be the hottest trends this season. Perhaps the most important fashion waves shared by both genders this season are those that have been popular in the past: layering. Layering can keep you fashionable as well as warm in the upcoming months. For women, the look can be achieved by wearing leggings with skirts and Photo courtesy of manoloshoes.blogspot.com Photo courtesy of mandco.com mixing thermals with graphic tees. Guys can also snag the look by pairing button down shirts with argyle sweaters or graphic tees with varying sleeve lengths. Walk into any store, and it’s clear that one trend that cannot be ignored is skinny pants. For both guys and girls, baggy is out and thin is in. This look is best paired with tall boots or simple flats for girls. Following that skinny theme, T-shirt inspired dresses can be worn alone or with leggings. If you want to work the trend but leggings aren’t really your style, try an extra-long shirt with -- what else -- skinny jeans. Along the same lines (ahem), stripes are a huge hit this season. This pattern has shown up in everything from dresses to tops and even leggings. Wearing the new idea of volume can be a tricky task. The key is to pair chunkier pieces with slimmer silhouettes. Wide-leg trousers or bubble skirts can be combined with fitted blouses. The masculinity of boyfriend sweaters (such as oversized cardigans) can be balanced out by feminine skirts and heels. In general, styles from the 80’s have made a big comeback and the grunge look is starting to pop up in more and more stores, along with pseudo-gothic styles. All of these trends are suitable for girls and guys but should definitely be worn with caution because too much of one can be overkill. While tall boots have been a staple in fall wardrobes in the past, ankle boots are starting to gain popularity as well. The versatility of ankle boots is endless, considering they look classic with a skirt or dress and fresh with the indispensable skinny jean. In the past it may have been seen as tacky, but for this season, animal print is in. The most commonly seen print is leopard. For the more conservative, you’ll find leopard gloves, handbags and flats, but for the more daring there is a wide array of animal print tops, skirts and even stockings. Suits, vests and ties are no longer simply for men and have made their way into women’s wardrobes this fall. Menswear is becoming increasingly popular, but it’s important to take care when coordinating outfits. Pair men’s pants with a feminine top, or add jewelry to the ensemble so the look is not overdone. When preparing to bundle up this fall, be sure to pick up a peacoat. A wardrobe staple that has transcended generations, designers are adding a new twist to the classic peacoat. The new take on the peacoat means more embellishments and a broader range of colors. Men’s fashion this season is leaning toward a more structured yet relaxed style. Dubbed by many as “the new clean,” ensembles fresh off the runway include sleeker lines and basic pieces. Pairing button down shirts and sweaters with khakis or jeans and sneakers is one way to sport the relaxed preppy look that is so in right now. When the temperature begins to drop, the thing to pick up this fall is the military jacket. While blazers and track jackets are still in, the military jacket brings a sleek look to any wardrobe. Converse sneakers have always been a cult classic in the fashion world, but they are especially coveted this season. The variety of styles has expanded over the past few months, providing for more opportunities to accessorize. Apparently, although it may not be for everyone, men’s carryalls are becoming more socially acceptable. No longer just appearing in magazines and on the runway, these bags are beginning to appear in stores like Target, proving the trend really has caught on. Although these trends are big now, it’s important to be comfortable in what you’re wearing. If you feel awkward wearing something, chances are you’re going to look awkward, so make sure you mix classic pieces with trendy ones and don’t forget accessories. Photo courtesy of noflysonus.com �SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT mDinner and a Movie Movie: Crank BY MIKE WILLIAMS Beacon Correspondent Crank, the new film from Lions Gate Productions, is anything but your run of the mill action flick. From the opening moments of the film, the hero, Chev, a professional hitman played by international action star Jason Statham, has been injected with the dreaded “Beijing Cocktail,” a lethal poison for which there is no cure. This leaves him with less than one day to settle the score with those responsible, and, if time allows, see his girlfriend one last time. Unfortunately for Chev, the poison coursing through his veins is designed to cut off his adrenaline and will eventually result in a coma and, ultimately, death. This surprisingly works in favor of the viewer, as the only way for Chev to stay alive is to crank up the action, no pun intended, and do anything and everything he can to keep his heart-rate up, much to the delight of adrenaline junkies everywhere. In the action department, Crank delivers big time, mixing elements of hard-hitting action reminiscent of Statham’s The Transporter with the fast-paced “you stop, you die” pacing of Speed only here there Dinner: Bakehouse BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon A&E Editor To be quite truthful, what first drew me to the Bakehouse was not its wide selection of fresh baked goods or the fact that it is conveniently located on Wyoming Ave. in Kingston in the United Penn Plaza. Instead, it was the fact that it is near the Children’s Bootery, a place I have admired quite frequently simply because I enjoy saying the word “Bootery.” Say it out loud, you’ll see what I mean. Anyway, I’m happy to say that eventually, I did notice the Bakehouse’s enormous sign and opted to stop in for takeout. First and foremost, parking was not an issue. This is worth mentioning because I am a very angry driver and any place that does not resemble the zoo that is a Wal Mart parking lot gets points in my book. Upon entering the Bakehouse, the first thing that becomes apparent is its showcase of enticing baked goods. The restaurant offers a plethora of different bagel flavors along with an equally extensive selection of breads. Don’t even get me started on the desserts. With row upon row of cakes, pies and other sweets, it was difficult to resist temptation, but I opted for a semi-well balanced meal instead. The Bakehouse offers a wide variety of meal options, beside the desserts, of course. These include egg sandwiches; omelets; hearth-baked personal pizzas; grilled, classic, panini and bistro sandwiches, along with a selection of salads. After some thinking I ordered a Primavera sandwich. Although they had an impressive hot bever- age menu in addition to a selection of cold drinks, I opted to save a few bucks and find a drink at home. If I had chosen to eat-in, I expect it would have been a pleasant experience to report back, primarily because of the relaxed atmosphere of the Bakehouse. Customers have to place orders at the counter and can choose any open area on their own. Along with tables and chairs, some seating is provided by way of comfy looking couches at the far end of the restaurant. This is definitely something I plan on keeping in mind for my next visit. The sandwich I selected turned out to be an excellent choice. Although it is a classic I have ordered in the past, I was surprised it was put together as well as it was. Comprised of tomatoes, roasted red peppers, basil, olive oil and -the piece de resistancefresh mozzarella cheese on French baguette, it was exactly what I needed after starving all day long. For $5.99, I received a fairly decent sized sandwich. The bread was crispy but not overly so, and the tomatoes and peppers were an excellent complement to the rich and creamy mozzarella cheese. I must add that I was impressed at how fresh the cheese was, mostly because it is usually hard to get such quality products at such a low price. The fresh basil added a tangy, bright flavor, and all of the ingredients complemented one another perfectly. I did need to add a great deal of salt, but, for me, that’s no great shock, and it was certainly not unique to this take on the recipe, since the same has held true every other time I’ve had something similar. It must also be said that the staff was par- 13 is no bomb and there is no bus. There is only Jason Statham as a one-man wrecking crew in scene after scene of non-stop, jaw-dropping action. From beginning to end, Crank goes full-throttle into a dizzying array of fist fights, gun fights, motorcycle stunts and car chases, one of which leads the cops in a Blues Brothers-esque game of cat and mouse through a crowded Los Angeles mall, all in an attempt to keep our hero’s adrenaline pumping. All thrilling action sequences aside, the scene that is sure to raise pulses, and eyebrows, is one in which Statham, hoping to boost his rapidly depleting energy, engages in what can only be described as an incredibly graphic public display of affection with his love-interest, played by Amy Smart, on a crowded China Town street corner. Unlike many of the by-the-book action thrillers of today, Crank has a darkly comedic side, letting laughs fly alongside bullets. Adding the much needed and appreciated levity to many of the otherwise nerve-shatteringly intense scenes are country-singer Dwight Yoakam as Statham’s slightly perverted doctor and Efren Ramirez (viewers may recognize him as Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite) as his street-wise, cross-dressing sidekick. As enjoyable as it is, Crank is definitely not a movie for the whole family. Riddled with bloody gun battles, nudity, drug use, foul language and the aforementioned PDA, Crank has certainly earned its R rating. That withstanding, if you’re an action fan who can stomach the sight of blood--and there’s plenty of it--and handle a little lewd behavior, then strap yourselves in because, packed with nonstop action and some good laughs, Crank is a non-stop, high-octane thrill ride, well worth the price of a ticket. Grade: A- ticularly helpful and polite. The cashier was willing to offer her opinion and was patient when it took me a ridiculously long time to decide on an order. Overall, my experience was a very positive one and I cannot find any real downsides to dining at the Bakehouse, except for the fact that it seems like they run out of ingredients and certain baked goods from time to time. Otherwise, this is one eatery I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a light, appetizing meal. Grade: A be co,ol to yo,urself n 1le I c::-o e hazelnut vaniHa regul1a r flt l,'cQ:,rw1'"II !FR.EE Medium Iced Coffee Witll P u rcl1 ase of a. Sand,\l\'i ch ~BreakfB91: u r e.r"J;ie Barctwtti" • 1 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 ‘Penumbra’ offers artistic take on natural phenomena BY AMY FUSCO Beacon Correspondent Anyone using the elevator in the Stark Learning Center can usually catch a glimpse of the latest show on display at the Sordoni Art Gallery through the glass doors. This month, though, passersby’s see only a blacked out window and a list of instructions. This is because the latest exhibition, “Penumbra,” is an installation unlike any other show displayed at the gallery in recent years. The installation of glass, light and sound is meant to “inspire memories of the power and intimacy of natural phenomena,” according to a press release from the gallery. The visitor is meant to have an experience of being in space, and in order to fully experience it, one Dom ·no's Drivers don't pay for ·t heir gas, VVE DO! CASH PA DAILY must stay for a while and really absorb all of the artwork. Ronald R. Bernier, Sordoni Director, said, “It should push the boundaries of the visitor’s assumptions about space and light. The audience should experience the feeling of disorientation and confusion about why this exhibition is art.” He added that this installation is intended to be a thought-provoking experience, from which people can gain knowledge. The exhibition’s artists are Angus Powers, Jon Clark and Jesse Daniels. The installation is a second version of their original project called “Quantum,” which was at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art in 2005. Angus Powers is Assistant Professor of Glass at New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. As a professor of glass, Powers primarily teaches students how to manipulate glass to make creative pieces. Clark is a Professor at the Tyler School of Art, Temple University, where he is the head of the glass department. And Daniels is an independent New Jersey artist. The three artists worked together to develop the digital production. According to a statement released by the artists, they “searched and tested many forces of nature with audio and video recording” through fieldwork. They examined the concept of planetary and celestial movement throughout a daily and monthly cycle. The video that was selected for the installation is meant to reflect solar light and random particles that, at all times, move in directional patterns around us. The video is uncomplicated, natural and recorded from nature. The artists explained, “As this process engages the space, the field, the sound, and beyond, it seems to surpass its natural qualities and becomes a dynamic force not expected.” “The light and sound connect with the field of glass to create a vast surface of energized transparent forms that converge with a backdrop of light,” they added. The Sordoni Art Gallery has never hosted an installation of this sort before, which makes it a very exciting event. Brittany Kramer, Coordinator, stated, “It’s the first time the gallery has done anything like this, and we expect a lively response from our visitors, both from students and the local community.” The exhibition is a unique creation that students and the public are encouraged to view, as long as they adhere to some guidelines laid out by the gallery. Since it is an installation, Sordoni officials note, taking in the art involves a little more care, particularly because it involves an almost completely darkened room. “Penumbra” opened to the public August 28 and will run through October 8. The Sordoni Art Gallery is open daily 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. What’s Happening Wednesday, September 13 - Ballroom dancing classes at Arts YOUniverse at 6 p.m., $25 a couple - “Home Grown Series” featuring The Five Percent at the Woodlands at 9 p.m. Friday, September 15 - Title Fight, Johnny Goes to the Carnival, Party Animals perfoming at The Backstage at 6 p.m. - Trylogy performing at the Woodlands at 10 p.m. ---~ ~-=-J E rn Up ta 10-15 p r DI.If tar mare] Saturday, September 16 - Jerry Seinfeld at the Kirby Theater at 7 and 9:30 pm - Louch, The Run In, and Blinded Passenger performing at Cafe Metropolis at 8 pm - State of Disgrace, Death in Custody, Spit on Your Grave, Killed by the Bull, Judgment, NMFTE performing at Backstage at 6 p.m. Sunday, September 17 -The Menzingers, Much the Same, What this Means, Arsenal Mayhem performing at Cafe Metropolis at 7 p.m. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 Lo SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 Local Band Spotlight: The Five Percent BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Asst. A&E Editor was pleased with or were you all basically in agreement as to the kind of music you wanted to play? The Five Percent: We all had different tastes in music certainly; however, Matt and Neil each had extensive catalogs of original material, which although different, meshed well together and continue to do so. In recent months, the band has been writing together, which provides for an even more cohesive sound than before. The Beacon: I know that you’re working on a second album now. What can people expect with this new album? Can people expect different material but with the same sound, or will it be much different from your first? The Five Percent: We took the songs that people liked from our first album, and have crafted 13+ songs that are sure to please the fans we have and win over many new ones. on the new album due out in November. Certainly, we have grown to be somewhat of a closer family unit with one year of performing, traveling, and recording under our belts. The Five Percent: We really pride ourselves on our live performances. You can expect to hear many of our own tunes along with some crowd favorites that can keep you dancing. The Beacon: What exactly are your hopes for this band in about a year or two? Are you content playing locally or would you like to eventually become a major/nationally touring band? The Five Percent: We certainly plan to progress to the level of a nationally touring band to take it as far as possible, but will surely continue to play locally regardless of what happens. With numerous local venues that feature live bands on a weekly basis, Wilkes-Barre definitely has the right to boast about its diverse music scene. For those who are a bit out of the loop in terms of local bands, we figured it’d be helpful to offer a local band spotlight and keep you up to date on the current bands for which to look out. While music lovers The Beacon: And, along with the former can check out live bands at Café MetropoThe Beacon: The majority of upcoming question, is this band your main career for The Beacon: On your Myspace site you lis, Backstage and Slainte, the Woodlands list a number of bands with a similar sound shows you have booked are all in PA or on all of you, or do you juggle the band along is now featuring the 102.3 Mountaingrown/ to yours, but is there any band that fans the East Coast, but have you been able to with other full-time jobs? Weekender Original Music SeThe Five Percent: Although ries. During these concerts the some of us do have part time live performances are broadcast jobs, we are all working towards on the radio. This month the going full-time with music. Five Percent will be performing, and I caught up with them The Beacon: I know you guys to talk about their future plans have an upcoming show at the and share a little bit of informaWoodlands for the Mountain tion for anyone who has yet to Grown concert series in which see them perform. your live performance will be The Five Percent is a fourbroadcast on the radio. Do you piece band with Matt Ralph on think the fact that the show will accoustic guitar and lead vocals, be broadcast will change your Brian Keating on bass, Neil performance at all? Will there Nicastro on electric guitar and be any added pressure, or have vocals and A.J. Jump now on you all performed enough times drums, replacing former memthat it won’t really phase you? ber Kevin Soffera. Before they The Five Percent: We are came together Ralph and Keathonored to be a part of the ing were performing together Mountain Grown concert series, in the duo Six Second Yellow, and are excited about the new and Nicastro did solo recordformat, broadcasting the perings. In September of last year, formance live on the air. As far they released their album, 3483 as nerves go, it is a bit of added Seconds of Your Life, and they Photo Courtesy of The Five Percent pressure, but nothing we haven’t are currently working on a new From left, Brian Keating, former drummer Kevin Soffera, Matt Ralph, and Neil Nicastro. The band has dealt with on previous live radio album. been described by some as a hybrid of Incubus and Maroon 5. To find out for yourself, visit www.myspace. performances. com/thefivepercent. The Beacon: So I know that The Beacon: And lastly, with two of you, Matt and Brian, were in a band most frequently compare to you? tour the other side of the country with this the number of shows you guys play, you together in the past, but how exactly did all have to have countless stories. Please share, The Five Percent: A hybrid of Incubus band yet? If not, are you looking to? of the rest of your members meet up? The Five Percent: We have yet to tackle if you would, one of either the strangest or and Maroon 5. The Five Percent: Matt and I met Neil the West Coast, but it is no doubt on the most embarrassing experiences you’ve had through the music scene, when Neil was The Beacon: You’re still a fairly new band, list of things to do in the very near future. while performing. playing in the local hip hop band, The but you’ve already gone through changes, as We plan to tour more extensively all over The Five Percent: Getting a one hundred Collective. I (Brian) was one year ahead I can see with the change of drummer. How to push this new album. dollar bill thrown on stage to play “Brick of drummer, A.J. Jump throughout grade else have you progressed since your band House.” I didn’t even know how to play school and high school, so we had been was originally formed? The Beacon: For someone who hasn’t the song, but before the Benjamin hit the friends for quite some time. A.J. had also The Five Percent: We have progressed in yet seen you guys perform (which is hard stage, Neil yelled to me, “It’s in the key of established himself on the local scene, a number of ways. We have certainly grown to pull off since you guys play just about A minor,” and we rocked it like a hurricane. drumming for many acts such as the Black to be very tight musically. We have expand- everywhere in the area), explain what can There are stranger stories, but they would Lung Brothers, Osiris, and Charles Havira. ed our horizons musically, as will be heard be expected from your live performances. take quite some time to tell. The Beacon: Being that two of you came from a band together, and Neil and former member Kevin had separate music backgrounds of their own, was it difficult to form a musical style that everyone If you have yet to hear this band, you can find their music on their myspace site at www.myspace.com/thefivepercent. �SPORTS 16 SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 Lady Colonels welcome new lacrosse coach Former division II standout goalie makes Wilkes University new home BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Sports Editor With a new school year must come some new coaches, or at least that is the way it has been at Wilkes for the past few years. This year the Lady Colonels welcome Kammie Studley to lead them on the field for lacrosse. Studley has a long history of playing lacrosse including playing for Pfeiffer University, a division II school. Studley first broke into the lacrosse scene during her sophomore year in college where she ranked eighth nationally in average goals allowed and eleventh in the nation in save percentage. Studley also takes over for Lady Colonels lacrosse with not only experience on the field but also some coaching experience. Last season she served as assistant coach for division I Niagara University. The size of the program is a little bit of a change for Studley who is used to playing and working at larger schools but she noted, “The transition is going really well and it looks like we have a promising team this season.” One of the things that Studley wants to focus on is to build the program to where it should be. The team has several returning players along with eight or nine new freshmen, which she feels, will add a good balance to the team. Captain Stacy Fimmano said that, “The new coach is going to be a really good asset. She is really about getting down to business in terms of the fact that she has already chosen plays and stated what she expects from the team.” “It is clear that the team this year knows the fundamentals, but one of the things that I want to focus on is building the bond between the team members,” said Studley. Courtesy of Sports Information New women’s lacrosse head coach Kammie Studley. IC'.!i ODK 1(1!;, ll" I $69.5!!1 (t{:,r.121-1 100 IC B4 ➔ . . t)9;99' �SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 SPORTS 17 Commentary As the season winds down, the NL MVP race heats up Ryan Howard looks to follow up his rookie of the year award in a big way BY TIM SEIGFRIED Beacon Asst. Sports Editor A new horse has joined the thoroughbreds currently in the race for National League MVP. Believe it or…well, just believe it. At the trading deadline just over a month ago, the contest for the most valuable player consisted of perennial all-star and last year’s MVP, Albert Pujols, and Carlos Beltran, the switch hitting centerfielder of the National League East leading New York Mets. But a lot can change in a month. For instance, Ryan Howard, the slugging first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, in just his first full season, has hit 21 home runs and 51 RBIs in 38 games since the trading deadline to take a commanding lead of both categories in the Major League. Howard, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is avoiding the sophomore slump that plagues so many young hitters. In fact, he is also setting records in doing so. Two weeks ago, Howard hit his 49th homer of the season, surpassing Phillies’ Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt as Philadephia’s single season home run champion. Now, as the playoff race begins to heat up, the Phillies find themselves right in the thick of things, despite jettisoning several players at the July 31 trade deadline, a move which signifies that a team has thrown in the towel for the remainder of the season. Since then, the Phillies have caught fire, going 23-15 and pulling themselves to within reach of the National League wild card, largely due in part to the efforts of Howard, who needed to pick up a great deal of the slack that resulted from the trades of three starting players. At the current pace, Howard stands to lead the league in homeruns and RBIs, while still Both Pujols and Beltran have put up great maintaining a batting average of over .300. Despite those numbers, the MVP race is far numbers, but more to the point, what actually defines value? from over. In the literal sense, the value of a player While the Phillies have not guaranteed themselves a postseason bid, Howard’s would be the production they provide based chances may be hurt a because voters tend on their salary. If that was the case, Howard, who makes to lean toward players who are on a playoff just enough in one season to purchase a Ferbound team. The MVP award was designed to honor rari, would literally provide more bang for the best overall player in each league, and your buck, as opposed to the likes of Belnowhere does it state that the recipient has tran, who stands to make just over $13 milto be part of the playoffs; however, it is usu- lion in 2006. However, the voters don’t factor salary ally the case. The most recent exception was in 2003, into their decision making, but rather they when Alex Rodriguez won the American look at the raw statistics, as well as other intangibles that playLeague MVP ers bring to the table, while he was such as leadership with the last and heart. place Texas One important facRangers. First NL MVP Award: tor is how they perWith the vot1931 form relative to the ers’ tendanFrankie Frisch, 2B other players on the cies in mind, St. Louis Cardinals team. Beltran is in I’ll start with the middle of one of the most obvithe most prolific lineous choice: St. Most MVP Awards: ups in the National Louis CardiBarry Bonds, LF League, an offense nals first baseSeven (‘90,’92,’93,’01,’02,’03, & ‘04) which has had severman Albert al players mentioned Pujols. Co-MVP: in MVP talks this Pujols startseason. ed the season 1979 Howard and Puwith a bang Keith Hernandez, 1B - St. Louis Cardinals jols, while certainly by belting 25 Willie Stargell, 1B - Pittsburgh Pirates not playing amongst homeruns in slouches, are leading just the first their teams in battwo months, making it a foregone conclusion that he ting average, home runs, and RBIs, and are was well on his way to capturing his sec- virtually alone in MVP talks among their ond MVP award in as many seasons. Un- teammates. Perhaps the most important factor is what fortunately, injuries sidelined the slugger for most of June, causing him to lose steam they do in the last weeks of the season, in what could have been a record breaking when each victory is important. A player season. He has since bounced back, hitting could have a tremendous year, but a poor .320 with 15 homeruns and 30 RBIs since September could cost them the award. On the All-Star break, while helping the Car- the flip side, a strong September resonates dinals to a comfortable lead in the National within the voters’ minds, especially if that effort results in a playoff berth. League central division. Now the question remains: Who will the The last player in the MVP race is Carlos Beltran, who is rebounding nicely from voters choose? Will they vote for the young phenom, who a tumultuous first season with the Mets. Beltran, whose numbers have improved is defying the odds in his young career; will considerably, led the MVP talks for most of they vote for the player who is having a the season, partially due to his team-lead- breakout year while his team is coasting to ing 25 homeruns and 68 RBIs before the the playoffs; or will they vote for the reignAll-Star break, and also because the Mets ing MVP, a slugger who is well on his way have a stranglehold on the National League to filling the record books? Gentlemen, with less than four weeks left, East, a division they led since the beginning the season starts now. of the season. Did you know... Courtesy of wikipedia.org Phillies, Ryan Howard up to bat. STATISTICS Thru 9/09 Ryan Howard, 1B Philadelphia Phillies Average: .314 HR: 56 RBI: 138 Albert Pujols, 1B St. Louis Cardinals Average: .318 HR: 44 RBI: 116 Carlos Beltran, CF New York Mets Average: .284 HR: 39 RBI: 113 �SPORTS 18 SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK MLB: New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox Yankees and Red Sox continue the greatest rivalry in sports Double Take BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer One of the greatest beauties of sport manifests itself through familiarity. The occurrence when two teams meet each other enough times to build a foundation of history where the tension among opposing fans can split a neighborhood, or a city, in half. Every professional sport has its prominent rivalry. The NFL has the 49ers and Cowboys, the NBA has the Lakers and Celtics, and the NHL has the Red Wings and Avalanche. In any of those prior examples, such rivalries only take center stage in a limited number of games per season. Major League Baseball’s version of the “Hatfields and the McCoys” is reserved for the ancient rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Everything from The Babe, to Aaron Boone, to Martinez/Zimmer missed excessive time and stars like slugI, to broken curses, the Yanks and Sox never ger David Ortiz and rookie sensation, closer seem to disappoint as they meet a total of Jonathon Papelbon have been in and out of nineteen times per year. And that’s only in the lineup for stretches of the year. However, the Red Sox have not coped well with the regular season. This year has been a see-saw battle at the their stars off the field. Ever since the Allpinnacle of the AL East division standings. Star break in July, the Red Sox have been Injuries have played a major role in the ups stuck in a gradual decline down the standand downs of the season and the ways in ings, including an absurd weekend when which each team has dealt with their own they were manhandled by New York in an injuries have defi- unheard-of 5-game sweep at home. Boston nitely made a differ- will need a huge turn-around if they want to ence in their perfor- find themselves playing meaningful basemances. Currently, the Yankees hold a formidable lead in the division and the Red Sox can do nothing but look up in both the AL East and the Wild Card. Over the course of the season, the Yankees have seen star outfielders Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield, second baseman Robinson Cano, starters Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano and stud reliever Octavio Dotel miss significant time. As ball this fall. As the 2006 Major League Baseball seaan attempt to patch some holes in their lineup, the Yanks brought in son winds down, games begin to mean more outfielder Bobby Abreu and pitch- and wins seem that much more difficult to er Cory Lidle from Philadelphia as come by. For the Yankees, they simply want well as utilityman Craig Wilson to nail down the division while the Sox need from Pittsburgh via trades. They to play some catch-up in a hurry. Although the Red have also Sox have plugged in some less- “As the 2006 MLB season winds down, achieved iracles er-known games begin to mean more and wins m in the past names within their sys- seem that much more difficult to come a g a i n s t the Yantem to as- by.” kees, they sume larger Kevin Reed, Beacon Staff Writer might be roles. All asking a of the filllittle too ins and new acquisitions have done wonders much if they want to steal some games from for the Yankees as they refused to New York if for nothing else than a potential pinstriped lineup reading like this: Daskip a beat, and it shows. On the other side of the coin, the mon-Jeter-Abreu-Giambi-Sheffield-MatRed Sox have had to endure inju- sui-Posada-Williams-Cano. They’re not ries of their own. Captain Jason too bad defensively either. Varitek, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, The Pick: Yankees 8, Red Sox 2 and starter Matt Clement have Andee examines the stats that truly matter... BY ANDEE SCARANTINO Beacon Asst. Op/Ed Editor After doing extensive research for this Double Take, I learned that there are a bunch of confusing numbers on the New York Yankees’ website. I have no idea what these numbers mean, but what kind of number is a “.600”? I don’t understand. The Red Sox had similar numbers, and it looks like they have a .528 for something called a “PCT”. What that is, I don’t know, but I know that the Red Sox have a higher number for an “L”. Either way, I really like the Sox’s website. It has cute little sockies all over it, and that makes me happy. Kind of makes me want to buy a pair, and since they aren’t playing in Boston, I bet there won’t be any on sale. Yeah, I don’t like that. If I want to buy little sockies, not even the Yankees are going to stop me. I bet there might even be a crowd uproar due to the lack of little sockies. That will definitely distract the Yankees if it happens. I hope it does. Boston’s winning this Saturday. �SPORTS SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 19 Athlete of the Week: Nicole Hahn BY CARLTON HOLMES Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Lady Colonel Nicole Hahn was aware of the high expectations, but despite the pressure, she managed to come away with a huge gain at the King’s Volleyball Tournament last week. In the first round of the tournament, Wilkes took on Lincoln University, sweeping them in straight sets. Hahn put on a stellar performance, handing out 29 assists and adding 4 aces. In the second round, Hahn and the rest of the team took on tournament host King’s College, where Hahn collected another 33 assists and 6 digs. Even with the Lady Colonels’ loss to King’s, Hahn still walked away with the tournament M.V.P award. “I was shocked! It didn’t sink in, because I wasn’t expecting individual recognition,” said Hahn. However, Hahn is no stranger when it comes to achieving recognition for excellent individual performance; in fact, she has been named to the All Tournament Team for two consecutive years. But Hahn attributes the majority of her success to the involvement from the other team members. “I wouldn’t have received the award if it were not for my teammates hitting and passing the ball,” said Hahn. The Lady Colonels return to the home portion of their season in the Marts Center on Wednesday, September 20 when they host Freedom Conference rival, the University of Scranton. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Editor’s Note: The coach was unavailable for comment by press time. Steve Uhas and a John Hopkins player make some contact on the field during the matchup between the two teams on Sunday afternoon at Ralston Field. WEEKEND RECAPS Men’s Soccer Montclair State University improved to 4-0 overall by netting a 3-0 men’s soccer victory over Wilkes University on Saturday afternoon at Ralston Field. The Colonels fall to 1-2 overall heading into Sunday’s home match with Johns Hopkins University at 1:00 p.m. Women’s Soccer Christina Waldele scored her second goal of the match with only 40 seconds remaining to propel Wilkes University to a 3-2 non-conference women’s soccer victory over Lebanon Valley College on Saturday afternoon. The win improves the Lady Colonels to 3-0 overall, while the Flying Dutchwomen fall to 0-3. Field Hockey Wilkes University posted a 3-0 non-conference field hockey win over Goucher College on Saturday afternoon in Maryland. The win improves the Lady Colonels to 3-0, while the Gophers see their record fall to 0-2. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Nicole Hahn looks to hit the ball over the net during the King’s Tournament where she walked away with the MVP award. Women’s Tennis Wilkes University swept all six singles matches to remain undefeated with a 7-2 non-conference women’s tennis win at Susquehanna University on Saturday. The Lady Colonels ran their overall record to 3-0, while the Crusaders see their mark fall to 1-2. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 2 Goals scored by Christina Waldele during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Lebanon Valley College. 9 Number of tackles made by both Kyle Follweiler and Tyler Henninger in Saturday’s 23-20 win over MAC rival Widener. 6 Singles matches that the Colonels swept in Saturday’s tennis match against Susquehanna to remain unbeaten. 33 Number of shots on goal by the Colonels field hockey teams in the 3-0 win over Goucher College. �Sports SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 20 Preview of the Week: Football vs. Delaware Valley BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Sports Editor With nearly nine months of silence at the home of the Colonels, Ralston field athletic complex , life is about ready to return with tailgating, cheering fans and sounds of cheerleaders trying to get the crowd pumped up. After a 2-0 start to the season for the 23rd-ranked Colonels, the football team is ready to bring its game home as the Ralston Field schedule gets under way this coming Saturday. The threat of heavy rains on the scheduled home opener led officials to change the game’s venue to William Patterson in an effort to preserve Wilkes’s grass field. The Colonels will play their second Mid-Atlantic Conference game and first home game against conference rival Delaware Valley this weekend. Wilkes and Delaware Valley are both ranked nationally as top 25 teams in Di- vision III football, while ranked first and second respectively in the Mid-Atlantic Conference. The Colonels, who have played two competitive games against William Patterson and Widener in the first two weeks of the season, do not expect any less from longtime rival Delaware Valley. The two teams have a long history with one another, with the Colonels leading the previous 44 game history 29-15 with back-toback losses to the Aggies, including a 4th quarter loss last season 17-14. Prior to the past two seasons, the Colonels beat the Aggies 13 years straight. This game is going to be all about revenge, honor and pride for the Colonels. Junior defensive lineman Jason Acquaye said, “Preparedness is one of the coach’s themes, so if you are not prepared then you will lose.” Last weekend the Colonels posted their second win of the season against Widener University. Wil- kes overcame all odds and a scoring deficit the entire game to come back and win 23-20 with less than a minute left in regulation. “I am so proud of this group of guys,” commented head coach Frank Sheptock. “To be down on the road in the fourth quarter on the road against a very good football team and to find a way to win is a great sign of character. On Friday we talked about playing with energy and having that mental toughness that you need to have in order to overcome adversity. It is extremely gratifying to see how they took what we talked about and applied it. I have been the head coach for 11 years and this might be the win I am most proud of because it was a complete team effort.” The game against Delaware Valley will be played at home this coming Saturday at the Ralston Field Athletic complex beginning at 1:00 p.m. You can also catch the game on 90.7 WCLH. The Beacon/Todd Weibel The Colonels offensive line in a game against Lebanon Valley last season. The Colonels prepare this week for MAC rival Delaware Valley in the home opener for the team. . _. · Camuua Calendar. All Week: *Football vs. Delaware Valley - 1:00 p.m. *Sordoni Art Gallery Exhib*Women’s tennis vs. Deit, Penumbra Thursday (9/14) *Welcome Back Dance & Sales - 1:00 p.m. Mixer, King’s College Con- *Field Hockey vs. ManhatMonday (9/11) tanville - 1:00 p.m. *Campus 9/11 Commemora- nerton’s Café - 10:00 p.m. tion at the Peace Pole - 8:45 Sunday (9/17) p.m. Friday (9/15) *Women’s volleyball @ *Hershey Park Trip/Student Scranton Tournament - 3:00 Development Weekend SeTuesday (9/12) ries - 10:00 a.m. *Women’s tennis @ King’s p.m. *Women’s tennis vs. Leba- 3:30 p.m. non Valley - 12:00 p.m. *Women’s soccer vs. Elmira Saturday (9/16) - 4:00 p.m. *Wilkes Open House for *Men’s soccer @ Moravian *Field Hockey @ Misericor- High School students - 9:00 - 1:00 p.m. *Charles B. Reif Memorial dia - 7:00 p.m. a.m. *Women’s volleyball @ *Women’s soccer vs. Mora- Service, First Presbyterian Church - 2:30 p.m. FDU-Florham - 7:00 p.m. vian - 11:00 a.m. *Women’s volleyball @ Scranton Tournament - 11:30 Wednesday (9/13) *Men’s Soccer @ Widener a.m. Find this Picture on Campus and... WIN CASH - 7:00 p.m. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University’s campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put “Campus Picture” as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. � 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 2006 September 11th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 September 11 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/f5b1df524788bef53acfecc2789a552e.pdf 92fbefb922bda3caac4eb0f3da52268e PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The F TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW Volume 58 Issue 22 Low mid-year grad number nix Winter Commencement BY JAMIE BABBITT Beacon Advertising Manager The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski e President's Cabinet recently decided to eliminate the winter commencement cer- ony for three reasons: sports schedules, weather and low winter graduation num- Wilkes University will no longer be one of the few area universities to offer three commencement ceremonies each year. The President's Cabinet recently made the decision to eliminate the winter ceremony. According to Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs, the decision was made for three reasons: sports schedules, weather and low graduation numbers in the winter. Adams said scheduling around basketball and wrestling creates a challenge in the logistics of planning the event, and commencement often causes an interruption in the routine of sports games and practices. In addition, unforeseen weather complications also create a challenge in the planning of the ceremony, something that is not a factor in May or September. Winter commencement was cancelled two years ago because of a snowstorm. Finally, according to Adams, the number of graduates in winter commencement is often half of the September and May numbers. He notes that eliminating winter commencement will allow for greater investment in September commencement. "Our intention is to be able to put more emphasis on the September commencement and be able to invest a little bit more there so we can make that a bit more special," he said. Eliminating winter commencement was not just one person's decision. Members of the President's Cabinet spoke with rep- . resentatives in several offices on campus who work closely with students and also got some student feedback. "Hopefully it's not going to impact people to a great extent. We want people to go through the ceremony and we hope that anyone who is scheduled to be part of the January ceremony will be able and willing See COMMENCEMENT page 5 amed journalist, Bob Woodward delivers Max Rosenn Lecture Law clerks, Rosenn family announce $400K addition to endowment What many may recall most from the lecture held in the Marts gym last Sunday was the Surpris- ing prediction: Democratic New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton v. Vice President Dick Cheney in the 2008 showdown for the presidency. But the evening was filled with far more subtle political insights and media analyses. Pulitzer prize winning journalist Bob Woodward, assistant managing editor of the Washington Post, offered the keynote for the 25th annual Max Rosenn Lecture Se- in recognition of Rosenn's 10th ries in Law and Humanitites on anniversary as Judge of the UnitApril 23. ed States Court of Appeals for The series was established in 1980 by Judge Max Rosenn's former law clerks, family and friends See WOODWARD page 5 In This Issue... Too soon tor a9/11 movie? Wi[k.gs Ido[ Page& Page 11 SUMMER MOVIES PAGE 13 Index News .. ............ ........... ...... . 1-5 Opinion ....... ........ .............. 6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment.. .. 12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS'------~~---~~~~~-~-----~---~MAY 1, 2006 -·--··-..... News in Brief SG Notes Mentoring grants SGBudget 2 3 3 4 4 Cainpus Interfaith coordinator tenders resignation BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Staff Writer Kevin Gaughenbaugh has been at the .helm of campus interfaith for four years, but that is about to change Recently, Gaughenbaugh announced his resignation from his position as campus interfaith coordinator. Gaughenbaugh will be leaving the university in order to further pursue his education. He will begin his graduate studies at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in counseling this coming August. Campus interfaith is a program funded by the Diocese of Scranton that allows students, faculty and staff resources to both express and practice the faith of their choice . "We have kept a partnership with them [the Diocese of Scranton] for the past fifteen years. They have provided a campus interfaith resource for us and we have been very grateful for that," said Mark Allen, Dean of Students . "From a standpoint of working at a college, I think it is good for students to see someone carrying on their education, even though I am going to have to be leaving. I almost feel like a model of education. I took some time off and I am very glad that I went out and got a job and worked for a while before go- ing back to school because now I feel that I appreciate education more. Wilkes , however, will be greatly missed," said Gaughenbaugh. While Gaughenbaugh will miss working at the school, the sentiment will also be returned by university members who admired his ability to communicate effectively with students on faith-based issues . These individuals have also expressed their excitement for his future plans. "We will miss Kevin greatly. He has such a calming demeanor and personality. I think Kevin works very well with students on faith issues and other problems that arise that Kevin is seen as a resource. From that standpoint we will certainly miss him, however, I am very thrilled for him that he is moving on and going on into the next chapter in his life," said Allen. According to Gaughenbaugh, the interfaith program at Wilkes will continue. The Diocese of Scranton has opened a search for Gaughenbaugh's replacement and hope to have someone by the beginning of July. "The University feels that faith issues are very important for our students, especially in this time of uncertainty in terms of world dynamics and what have you. And we fully intend to make sure that there is a person there to help assist the students with their faith issues," said Allen. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon. ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz ■ ■ ■ The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Current Campus Interfaith Coordinator, Kevin Gaughenbaugh, spoke with students at Tuesday night's "Talk it Out." Every Tuesday, Gaughenbaugh hosted "Talk it Out" to allow students a venue for talking about different societal issues and how faith may play a role in their perceptions of the issues. The purpose of the evening is not necessarily to talk about faith, but to allow students the opportunity to do so if they choose. Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �MAY 1, 2006 NEWS 3 News in Brief Historic Hillside FarIDs the site of restoration project BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Staff Writer Most know it as the source of the best ice cream in the region. But Hillside Farms, located in Shavertown just off of Route 309, has always been about more than just making great ice cream. The farm was purchased in 1881 by William Conyngham, a coal broker from Wilkes-Barre. Its 400 acres of rolling hills and grassy, tree dotted fields became a magnificent summer and agriculture estate. The farm was famous not only for its dairy but also its award-winning Clydesdale and Belgian draft horses, pictures of which still hang in the popular ice cream parlor and gift shop. °The estate has remained in the Conyngham family for over a century. In the past several years, however, the family saw a great opportunity to allow the farm to evolve into a site of education and historic significance. A non-profit organization, called The Lands at Hillside Farms, was developed in December 2005 to help to restore the buildings on the land and create a space where students of history, science, culture and agriculture could contribute and learn. Living history farms--largely outdoor museums of agriculture--have popped up all over the nation since the early 1970s, notes the Association for Living History Farm and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM), but restoration of the land, building preservation and community engagement are challenging and expensive ventures that require enormous commitment from community members. Building clean up and stabilization at The Lands at Hillside Farms is mainly carried out by volunteers. Each Saturday is a volunteer day in which people from the community come out to help in the restoration. Volunteers range in ages from their teens to their 80s. According to employees, usually the turn out is about 25 to 50 volunteers. "Many of the volunteers that come out have ancestors that had something to do with the farm," says William Conygham, Manager of Operations and Development of Hillside Farms. Conygham is also the great grandson of Will Conyngham who originally purchased the farm. The space offers unique opportunity for local students for study and service. "We hope that our students, faculty and staff will find this a great place to visit and retreat to. There may also be some opportunities for us to help with the development of project- through service learning, internships and faculty and staff consulting," said Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour. According to its website, the mission of The Lands at Hillside Farms is to preserve the land and its history and to promote choices that are healthy, conservation-minded and practical. "The Lands at Hillside Farms is dedicated to ... creating an invaluable educational, cultural and historic resource, a place with a community-driven purpose." "I believe their plans will provide a venue that will add much to our community and preserve a significant amount of acreage in a natural state. As this region grows in the near future, we are going to find land conservancy efforts such as this to be extremely important," said Gilmour. "The Lands at Hillside Farms advocates for farming that will last. Giving local farmers a place to market their produce, which in turn provides local customers healthy locally produced food. Today farming has become very large scale, on average produce travels 1,500 miles from production to consumption," added Conygham. Since October 2005, The Lands at Hillside Farms has sought to draw patrons in its weekly offering oflocal music, storytellers and artisans. The programs are aimed at providing cultural events to benefit the community. "These programs help to provide the community with a non-commercial experience, a way that life should be," said Conygham. This project may take over $20 million to complete. To this point, the management team at The Lands at Hillside Farms have relied on being honest and earnest, telling people what they envision and what community members could do to sustain the efforts. "This project has been a life lesson. It has helpe~ to adjust our thinking from, 'there is no way this could happen' to figuring out how to make it happen. Each little step is helping work towards making a dream come true. It is amazing to see a group of people that says 'I am not only going to dream this but I am going to make it happen,"' said Conygham. Student GovernIDent Notes April 26 Meeting -Delta Epsilon Chi appeared for second reading to attain club status. Rich Hannick made a motion to recognize Delta Epsilon Chi as an SG club and to transfer their $800 from existing club account. Jon McClave seconded the motion and the motion passed 26-1-8. -Choral Club appeared for second reading of a fund request to support singing venues in Lowville, New York and Toronto, Canada. Meghan Badach made a motion to allocate $3,000 to the Choral Club and Matt Brown seconded the motion. The motion passed 14-12- 9. ar. The Beacon/John Mishanski n Hillside Farms, located in Shavertown, has been transformed into a site of historic significance. The Lands at Hillside Farms, a non-profit organization, was organized in December 2005 to restore the land and make it into an area where individuals can engage in a learning experience in the fields of agriculture, history, science and culture. -S.I.F.E. appeared for second reading of a fund request to pay for National Competition in Kansas City. Jon McClave made a motion to allocate $4,500 to S.I.F.E. and Josh Swantek seconded the motion. The motion passed 21-210. -Biology Research group appeared for a donation request in order to help pay for nine students to attend the American Society of Plant Biologists confer- erice in Boston during August. Kristina Erat made a motion to allocate the full $2,881.78 to the group and Jenn Cerra seconded the motion. The motion passed 26-3-4. -Courtney Amrhein made a motion to allocate up to $250 to be spent at the last SG meeting of the year, next week, on food and snacks for the meeting. Tony Scerbo seconded the motion and the motion passed 26-3-4. -Dr. Mencer received the faculty choice award voted on by the students during the presidential elections survey. -Study Break Party will be held May 4 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the ballroom. -Executive Board nominations were accepted. Vice President: Andrew Eckert, David Sborz Recording Secretary: Sarina Kapoor, Meghan Badach Treasurer: Jon McClave, Tony Scerbo Corresponding Secretary: Stephanie Victor, Jenn Cerra, Jeff Bauman �4 NEWS MAY 1, 2006 Mentoring Task Force grants to support research, programs BY JOSEPH DEANGELIS Beacon Staff Writer As mentoring has emerged as the unique brand for the institution, Wilkes officials have now put their money where their mouths are. New mentoring project and mini-grants have now become available for faculty and staff who are engaging in unique projects that advance the concept of mentoring students at all levels. Appointed a year ago by Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour, the Mentoring Task Force is now offering grants for members of the Wilkes community to im- prove upon the means by which they reach and establish academic partnerships with students. "I think it's a wonderful opportunity for the campus's creative juices to really fl.ow and to the benefit of our students," said Mike Frantz, the Vice President of Emollment and Marketing and a member of the Mentoring Task Force. "The benefits there are enormous." "I think the university came to realize that we are characterized by a culture that is very rich in learning through relationships and mentoring has been a ~haracteristic that goes back through the institution through the decades ... It seems to be a defining element in Wilkes education," said Paul S. Adams, the Vice President of Student Affairs. "So we've decided how we can do it even better." There are two different types of grants available. One is a minigrant for one-time mentoring opportunities, worth up to $1,000. The other is a Project Fund Grant, which can be awarded for mentoring projects anywhere between $1,000 to $50,000. "We have the money available and we want people to make use of it and we're excited by some of these projects," Adams said. One of the approved projects was a mini-grant for Dr. Terese Wignot, an associate professor of chemistry and the Director of Science in Motion, for her students to present their papers at the MidAtlantic Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society. "It really helps the students financially," Wignot said. "The students would have had to pay out of their own pockets." Wignot also notes that the grants allow students to be able to experience things they could not have experienced without the program. The mentoring grants may serve as a way to bring new ideas into the campus and the community at large as they allow for faculty, students, and possibly alumni to fund creative initiatives. "If students have ideas, I would encourage them to speak with their faculty members as well as with staff members," Frantz said. "If they have ideas, bring them forward so we will serving students' needs the best." Adams has high hopes for the Mentoring Task Force. "It is our hope that we can distinguish Wilkes and help it become the premier small university in the mid-Atlantic region that focuses on mentoring," he said. "It's our hope that all of the students are touched in one way shape or form by these mentoring initiatives." Student Government proposed 2006-07 budget discussed BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor The Student Govermnent (SG) proposed budget for the 2006-2007 school year was presented at the April 26 SG meeting. Executive Board treasurer, Jon McClave provided SG members with copies of the proposed budget at the April 19 meeting in order to give members the opportunity to look over the proposed budget before it was discussed. At the April 26 meeting McClave went over the budget details and answered questions about the proposed budget in order to ensure everyone was informed for the vote at the last SG meeting of the year on May 3. This year's SG budget totaled $420, and many of the budget amounts remained the same as previous years, with only a few changes. Those clubs proposed to receive the same amount of funding as in the 2005-2006 budget are: Amnicola, Circle K and Crew Club. The amounts in the SG All College Fund, General Fund, Special Projects Fund, Spirit Fund and Conferences Fund are proposed to remain the same, as well. There are many clubs and organizations on campus that are receiving increases in their budget amounts. Alternative Spring Break, Bacchus, Community Service, Commuter Council, MSC, Residence Life and the Speech and Debate team are all slotted for increases in the amount that SG will be allotting them for the 2006-2007 school year. The budget proposes a significant increase for cheerleading, going from $3,700 to $8,000. McClave explained the increase, "The cheerleaders are receiving new mats and uniforms that are NCAA required." Another large change was in the decrease The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski At the April 26 Student Government meeting Executive Board Treasurer Jon McClave described the budget increases as well as those aspects that will remain the same. Some clubs are slated to receive the same amount of funding, while others will receive budget increases. One of the largest changes involves the transfer of funds from Programming Board to Off Campus Council (OCC) to cover the cost of Block Party, which will be run in the future by OCC. Due to a lack of spending, a cut in underclass budgets has also been proposed. of the Programming Board budget by $20,000 and the subsequent increase ol the OCC (Off Campus Council) budge1 from the proposed $3,000 to $23,000. "The big change is that OCC is taking over Block Party, so we took the money from Programming Board that would have been spent on Block Party and pu1 it in the OCC," McClave said. The 2006-2007 OCC president, Andrew Steinberg said, "We are extremely excited about taking over Block Party, this is something that was originally meant for OCC. We are extremely excited that it is coming back home to OCC. We are excited to accept the challenge of Block Party. We realize that i1 is a big challenge for a little club, bu1 we are excited about that challenge." The only accounts that will be decreased are internal SG funds. The leadership fund will be decreased as well as the club start-up fund . Each ol the underclass budgets is also proposed to receive less money than in previous years. "The amount that the classes receive will be heated, but they are not spending the money that they currently receive and they are trying to hold it over until their senior year and that is not wha1 the money is meant for. We budget for the senior socials by allotting the senior class $5,0Q..0," McClave said. With the discussion rather minimal a1 the April 26 SG meeting, the proposed 2006-2007 budget is expected to be voted on and passed at the May 3 meeting. �MAY 1, 2006 NEWS 5 WOODWARD from FRONT PAGE * the Third Circuit. This year's lecture held particular significance because it is the first since Rosenn's death on February 7, 2006. President Tim Gilmour said Rosenn was missed at this year's lecture. "All ofus who knew him, missed him and wished he could be there. Still, there is this wonderful legacy of his law clerks who return annually to the event and were there in great force this year in his memory," Gilmour said. At a dinner before the lecture, the judge's sons Dr. Daniel Rosenn and attorney Keith Rosenn announced that the law clerks and Rosenn's family had raised more than $400,000 to add to the lecture series endowment since the judge's death. "This is a major accomplishment and · goes well towards bringing the lecture to self-sufficiency," Gilmour said. The endowment has brought many significant leaders in law and humanities to Wilkes University for the past quarter century, including Woodward this year. During his career, Woodward has received many awards and accolades. The New York Times referred to Woodward as "the most famous investigative reporter in America." He is the only contemporary American writer to author or co-auther at least eight number one national best-selling The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski non-fiction books. The books include All Washington Post assistant managing editor Bob Woodward presented the keynote for the 25th annual Max Rosenn Lecture series the Presidents Men, which was made into a in Law and Humanities on April 23 and discussed political and media related issues. movie; The Final Days; The Agenda: Inside the Clinton White House and Bush at War. Woodward noted that he had particular tergate, press responsibility and the current publicly acknowledged last year his role as Woodward, as a young journalist, was able to uncover the Watergate scandal, where the pride in participating in the lecture series presidency. Woodward shared the 1973 informant. Pulitzer Prize with fellow Post journalist, In the lecture, Woodward acknowledged media was headed and advice to aspiring because his father was a judge. He began his speech by asking a series of"poll" ques- Carl Bernstein, for their series of investiga- he had sent President George Bush a 21 - journalists. For journalism students and media afficiations including: how many audience mem- tive reports that began with the break-in at page memo that outlined his findings for bers supported the policies that led to and Democratic headquarters at the Watergate a book he was writing about the war in nados alike, perhaps Woodward's most imsustained the Iraq war; how many Demo- hotel and followed through reports of lies, Iraq. He joked by saying co-workers told portant message of the evening was that the crats and Republicans were in attendance; financial mismanagement and illegal sur- him the President never read anything that media all too often rush a story to the public and how many felt that the government was veillance that led to the eventual demise of long when he was a student at Yale. But the before it is ready and before the facts are President did, in fact, read the memo and fully uncovered. He emphasized that it is justified in its secret surveillance of Ameri- President Richard Nixon's administration. Woodward recently released The Secret invited Woodward to interview him at the more important to be full and accurate than cans following 9/11. Woodward's subsequent confession that his poll was designed Man : The Story of Watergate s Deep Throat, White House. After over 500 questions, to report the story first. "Woodward said that the most important to see how many "rich, nosey, warmonger which examined the Watergate scandal and Woodward completed what he claimed is Republicans" were in the audience received the disclosure of former FBI operative, W. the longest interview in history with a sit- skill a journalist can have is to be a good listener. As a future journalist myself, I the first of several hearty crowd laughs Mark Felt, as "Deep Throat," Woodward's ting President on a single issue. anonymous deep background source for At the end of his speech, Woodward found his advice to be very meaningful," throughout the lecture. Woodward's speech was conversational the investigation. Woodward had main- opened the floor for a question and an- Adrienne Richards, junior communication in tone and structure and touched on Wa- tained Felt's anonymity until Felt's family swer session. Questions ranged from how studies major said. COMMENCEMENT from FRONT PAGE to be part of the May ceremony," Adams said. "We certainly provide far more activities in May and it creates a more celebrative spirit." Jennifer Haberek, senior communications studies major, is scheduled to graduate from Wilkes next winter. She thinks it is unfair to eliminate winter commencement. "We work just as hard, take the same classes, we do the same activities, and we are not getting the recognition we deserve as college students," she said. Haberek plans to come back for the May commencement, but feels it will be very different because she will have left the area and hopefully begun her career. "It will feel more like a homecoming instead of a graduation," she added. Adams stresseed that eliminating winter commencement does not delay someone's graduation date. "All it would simply delay is if they want to participate in acer- emony, it only affects the ceremony that they are in. If somebody finishes their degree as of the end of next fall semester, they are still going to graduate from the university at that time. It's not that they have to wait until May to say that they have their diploma." �Your Voices 7 Too early for 9/11 movies? 8 Jealousy at Harvard 8 6 Student protestors 01iss opportunity to enact change BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD At the height of the end-of-semester craziness, a handful of students found time to protest the issues of increased tuition, parking and laundry costs on Friday, April 21. these students set themselves up in the most visible, high traffic area on campus and remained there most of the day with posters, pins and lots of honking car horns. This marks the second protest on Wilkes campus in the past month, and it does represent a healthy sign of campus interest and debate. And on a campus where faculty and staff are worried that students are becoming apathetic towards important issues, we must take a moment to look at what the protest attempted to achieve and what it attempted to call into question. The protesting students took issue with increasing costs that come out of their pockets--tuition, the promised parking . fee hikes and the threat that students would face having to pay for their own laundry for the first time. Truly, tuition hikes are part and parcel of attending a university; as the cost of living rises (as it does each year) and the university makes plans to renovate and expand, students need to recognize the need for tuition hikes. And, if they don't like it, there are much more inexpensive state schools they can attend. While we applaud student engagement with issues at any level, Wilkes students seem especially concerned with issues of parking and laundry, perhaps because these are services that they pay for directly out of pocket throughout the school year. And, yeah, no one is denying that the parking increase isn't difficult to bear. The fact remains, however, that the protests did not accomplish any change for the campus with their shouting and honking. And we find it interesting that it's the issue of having to pay for laundry that drives students to create slogans and create their own varia- Nickle for Your Thoughts By Jason Nickle ovt5c.}noo\s ou+--- tt)( fu, SUM t1e,r E\1~r ! tions on "We Shall Overcome." We haven't seen anything close to such engagement on issues like the Iraq war, civil rights or even local challenges with · racial profiling. Three dollars a week for laundry is apparently far more personal. As the counter-protestors attempted to convey, those students protesting rising costs should have attended the informational meetings at Student Government in order to better understand the motives behind the increases. Additionally, they should have attended the meetings to get their questions answered and put the right people in the hot seat to demand explanations. Instead, they waved signs in students' faces and clamored for passers-by to honk their horns. Oniversity administrators have removed the laundry issue from the table and will instead return to it next year. This small gain for students opposed to the hikes was achieved not by the waving and yelling, but instead by the mature individuals who regularly attended the meetings and let their voices be heard in the appropriate manner. And while the protestors may have thought they were being influential with their choice of venue and date, allowing their protest to coincide with the meeting of the Board of Trustees, truly their protest did little more than annoy students attempting to get to class and get the local press excited. At a university like Wilkes, students will protest issues of concern from time to time. And, in some ways, students should feel comforted by the fact that administrators and public safety officers tolerated such protests. It is always healthy to let the community know when you disagree with something. However, it is more important to let your voice be heard with the intention of enacting change. Those students quietly sitting in the SG meetings and respectfully commenting on the issues they were concerned with enacted change. And, for future students, just as we can all expect protestors to take to the streets time and time again on campus, so should we continue to expect tuition ·hikes and increases in costs. It is a simple fact of life. However, the lesson is that change can be enacted, if it is undertaken respectfully and in an informed manner. 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 52 responses. The Beacon asked: Which celebrity would be the worst date? ' . . .• . • • . . • Courtney Love - 12% Carrot Top - 17% Gilbert Gottfried - 6% Janet Reno - 12% * Anna Nicole Smith - 6% Paris Hilton - 7% Marilyn Manson - 10% Bill O'Reilly - 21 % Danny Bonaduce - 6% Other - 3% �MAY 1, 2006 OPINION 7 YOUR VOICES Protestor responds to critics It's A i>og's World Dear Editor: As I read Seth Barnetsky's letter in the opinion section to my beloved companion, Oliver (my golden retriever), Oliver just sat on the sofa in my living room and rolled his eyes. Yes, Oliver does wear a choker chain, but it is more of a fashion statement rather than a device to curtail his freedom. Any of my friends, colleagues or students who have visited my home will attest to Oliver's cushy lifestyle. While I am at school, Oliver rests at home and spends the days listening to classical music and news reports on WVIA FM; he is probably more cultured and more informed of current events than most of us. After school I take him to a local park where he runs freely and visits with his friends, Doc and Csoki, two chocolate labs. Most evenings I have a myriad of students or friends at our home for dinner. Oliver is pampered by all of our visitors, and he is served hors-d' oeuvres and dinner with the rest of us. Last evening I went to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. My food server, June, came to my dinner table with a 12 ounce filet mignon, medium rare, for me to take home to Oliver. Apparently the customer who ordered the steak wanted her meat rare and sent back the somewhat overcooked filet. So Oliver fed on filet mignon and steamed asparagus for dinner. I had chicken parmesan! On late afternoons during the summer, Oliver can be spotted on the Link/Candelario dock at Harvey's Lake while enjoying the breeze and a cool swim. On weekends during the summer he joins his Aunt Cathy and Uncle Jimmy on the dock and snacks on fresh shrimp and baked brie. He's vacationed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and at the Jersey shore, and he has traveled to most of the states in New England. He receives more Christmas gifts than I, and most of my holiday cards are addressed to Oliver Harrington. When I am away at a conference or am out of town without my dear companion, he is cared for by some of the nicest Wilkes students in his own home; he has never set foot in a kennel! Mr. Barnetsky, you would probably enjoy having the type oflifestyle that my dear Oliver has; I know I would! Jim Harrington Wilkes University Advising Coordinator Chronic campus miss the point protestors To the Editor: Last week, two letters in The Beacon raised objections to the donkey basketball protest that occurred in early April. In my experience, whenever there is a protest, certain objections arise. One is that the cause is silly or misguided. This claim was, in effect, made by Seth Barnetsky, claiming that those ofus protesting are hypocritical and should be doing volunteer work. Another common objection is that there are better ways of achieving one's goal (in this case, improved treatment of nonhuman animals). This was expressed by Meagan Brown. In this case, both objections are confused. Let's consider the latter first. Why is it necessary, as Meagan seems to suggest, that we make a choice between saving individual animals and working to increase awareness of inappropriate or unjust practices? Many of us do both and I would argue that both are important. I applaud Meagan for her efforts in improving individual animals' lives. She is making a real difference in the world. Protesting practices that one regards as unjust is also important, however, and protesting is an American tradition going all the way back to the Boston Tea Party. In many protests, the ultimate aim is to better the condition of individuals by changing harmful practices. This generally requires causing controversy, which Meagan objects to. Social practices are rarely changed, however, without controversy and the disruption of society. Consider the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, civil rights struggles, etc. As for Seth's comments, I fail to see any hypocrisy in our protest. Oliver, the dog who accompanied Jim Harrington to the protest, has an enviable life. And, while I don't know everyone who was at the protest, I do know many of them and they are people who work for the better treatment of all animals, human and nonhuman. Many do volunteer work on a variety of causes, including domestic violence, gay rights, women's and children's rights, animal rescue, spay and neuter programs and more. But even if this were not the case, it would fail to affect the truth (or falsity) of our claims about the donkeys. That has to rest on the evidence and the moral claims. When harm is being done to individuals against their will, the cause of stopping that harm is not silly. We all need to think carefully on these issues, realizing when we are dragging in red herrings (something that I would oppose both on grounds of philosophical irrelevance and the mistreatment of the herrings themselves) or when we are just not thinking clearly. For example, a person holding a protest sign th;tt reads, "Don't Be An Ass! Don't Be A Protestor!" is implying that he, himself, is an ass. Personally, I like asses, but a sign such as that is either an error or a very curious strategy ... Linda Paul Associate Professor of Philosophy Dear Editor: Once again another thing has happened on our campus that has me ashamed to be called a Wilkes student and should make a lot of my fellow students feel the same way. On April 21, a group of Wilkes students stood on South Street outside of the SUB and shamelessly yelled at the cars that passed by to honk for them. Their purpose for acting like madmen? Apparently they were protesting the rising cost of tuition and how their programs are being terminated as a thing our school is offering. What really happened out there that Friday afternoon was a bunch of chronic protestors--you know the people who will always find something to scream and holler about--yelling and screaming incomprehensible words to cars as they went by. Luckily for my sanity and for the dignity of our fine institution, there was an island of calm in this stormy sea. Andrew Steinberg and a few associates led a counter-protest, "fighting the power that fights the power." These counter-protestors, or six percenters, made some signs and stood amongst the yelling, foaming at the mouth and unreasonable protestors and let their message get spread in a different kind of way. The six percenters stood calmly and waited with signs saying things such as "Support Reason, money needed for change." Everything was going fine until one of the rabid chronic protestors realized that the signs were not supporting their cause. Then the trouble started. What happened was one of the chronicers started shouted obscenities at the 6-percenters. Other chronicers took up the cause and tried to start various arguments with the 6-percenters. What did the 6-percenters do? All they did was try very hard not to laugh in their opposition's faces. What the chronicers were doing was just making fools out of themselves. They were incomprehensive, irrational and at times resembled a rabid dog, foaming at the mouth and growling. Whatever happened to coming together as reasonable people to discuss issues? Seems to me that that would be the best thing to do in this situation. Why not, instead of yelling and screaming and making fools out of yourselves, hold a meeting or set up a table in the SUB to get that petition signed? Presenting a reasonable, rational front is a lot better then shamelessly yelling at cars to honk for you. Another thing about your protesting, try to get all of your information right. One of the things you were screaming about was the laundry issue, which had already been taken care of. One last thing before I lose my patience: when done protesting at an event, clean up after yourselves. The 6-percenters had to pick up all the extra signs and blank petition papers that you left behind. Thank God you weren't protesting something environmental because then you would have made hypocrites out of yourselves. Thank God that there were some reasonable people on that street on that Friday. Jim Morrison Junior History major �MAY 1, 2006 OPINION 8 Is it too soon for a 9/11 01ovie, A01erica? BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor Last Friday, those Americans looking to venture out to the movies had many options to chose from. However, there was one film that caused a buzz, even while reports noted audiences were frequently stunned to silence. United 93 stands out not only for its name or controversial theme, but because it has raised a nationwide question: is it too soon for a movie that delves into the September 11, 2001 tragedy? The fact that the film depicts the day that will forever be etched in Americans' minds is enough to have many people up in arms. I, however, am not one of those people. It was inevitable that a film about 9/11 would eventually make its way out of Hollywood. The actual day was filled with the sorts of stories that normally draw audiences--tragedy, heroism and action. In fact, when I watched the planes crash into the World Trade Center on television, it seemed like I was watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster. That sort of thing happens We all remember the epic, top-grossing of when Will Smith is facing down aliens or all time film Titanic that came out in 1997. when Harrison Ford finally sees something However, most might not be aware that a bad enough to spur him to action. It doesn't mere 29 days after the Titanic actually sank, happen in real life. a black and white picture entitled Saved Five years seems like a long time to most, from the Titanic was released. but has it been long enough that audiences Another example of the rush from realitycan deal with the inevitable emotional drain to-film can be found in the Vietnam War. that reliving the day's horrific events will The war ended in 1972 with a death toll of bring? over 200,000 Americans. Seven years later, An examination of film industry and its Apocalypse Now won two Oscars. treatment of world-changing events offers In April, 1942, the first movie about Pearl the answer: yes. Courtesy of Yahoo!Movies.com Harbor, Secret Agent ofJapan was released, and on its heels the next year the film December 7, 1941 won an Academy Award. These examples suggest that audiences will not think it is too soon for a 9/11 movie. I feel that it is time for America to remember and embrace this defining moment. In addition, this isn't the first movie dedicated to the events of September 11. Fahrenheit 911 is the most successful documentary of all time, grossing over $200 million. Also, 9/11, the two hour made for television documentary, had over 39 million viewers, making it the most watched non-sports broadcast in history. So, if so many wanted to see these films, why wouldn't they want to see United 93? Along with United 93, another movie presently titled World Trade Center is set to debut later this year. The film industry clearly believes America is ready. I was not going to see this film. I took it as a way for the rich producers and actors of the movie world to cash in on the pain of fallen family members. I then found out that the makers of United 93 received the approval of each and every relative of passengers who were on the flight. So, if those closely effected by 9/11 can give their thumbs up to this project, why, too, can't the rest ofus? This is an opportunity for Americans pay respect to those who gave their lives so some could be saved. Yes, some images may be painful to watch and yes, some dialogue will be hard to listen to, but it is time to remember the heroes and the fact that there is still an enemy out there. Hopefully this movie is a way for America to cope with 9/11. I personally feel drawn to this film, like I need to see it. It's a need that says. "Honor this tradegy and those involved," and use it as a way to let go of those horrible images still in the back of my mind. There may be some people who are emotionally not ready to see this film. To them, I say simply do not go to the theater, but don't question integrity of this film because there are many Americans who are ready to process the events of 9/11. Jealousy causes unwarranted attack at Harvard BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Those who don't read the "Entertainment" section of Google News religiously may have missed this story. Recently, Harvard sophomore and published author, Kaavya Viswanathan, was accused of plagiarism. Her novel, How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life, was thought to be a rip off of author Megan McCafferty from her books Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings. Apparently, different passages had "similarities" between the works. The Harvard Crimson, Viswanathan's school newspaper, broke the story. I have some skepticism as to whether or not this author actually plagiarized or is simply being roasted by her fellow students. First, let me point out that both are chicklit novels. Anything after Bridget Jones Diary, The Devil Wears Prada and possibly Legally Blonde is pretty much plagiarism. All involve a woman who is niave to the world, but learns to get out of her comfort zone and try something new. Typically, that transition involved finding at least one new friend and of course a boyfriend. These books inevitably chronicle the humorous and fairly embarrassing screw ups along the way. That's the genre. It's hard to dispute if you've read any of these novels. So, I ask if it is so hard to believe that Viswanathan and McCafferty have similarities between them? The books probably follow a similar plot structure and more than likely, if pressed - I could probably go out and find at least one other book that is similar. In addition, the passages in question, while similar, are not exact and occur in very different parts of the novels. One of the cited passages is from page 6 in McCafferty's novel and 39 of Viswanathan's. Another is 23 7 and 51, respectively. Essentially, Viswanathan is being accused of reading, stealing and rearranging certain passages in a novel. I'm wondering why someone would need to do such a thing? Wouldn't it be easier to write it? Even if you're not creative, think about the hard work it would take to steal solely 14 or more passages and fit them into your work? I would never be that determined. Even though I'd side with Viswanathan because of how simply idiotic someone would have to be to do the above, there's a larger issue here. Viswanathan's college newspaper "outed" her. This happened on April 23. A quick visit to The Crimsons online site and it is obvious it hasn't let up. Look at the six editors "sharing their thoughts." However, I'd like to point out that on April 19, in the "Arts" section of The Crimson, a writer, Elizabeth W. Green, stated, "A little-known fact about Harvard students is that we hate each other almost as much as the rest of the world hates us--maybe more. When one of us succeeds, the rest of us go berserk. Public congratulations barely conceal private disgust, which turns out to be an even poorer mask for deep, soul-burningjealousy and crippling self-doubt." This was before going into a review ofViswanathan's novel. To say I am shocked at this attack is an understatment. If in fact she did plagarize, publish a story. However, to begin this witchhunt with what Havard had is ridiculous. It is easy to determine "similarities" from the chick-lit genre. Maybe the Havard students aren't aware of it. Maybe they should be. It's just a shame that Viswanathan was ckstroyed by her own school. �FEATURES MAY 1, 200-6 Wilkes Idol Campus Renovations Block Party 9 10 11 -~------- 9 ~- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . , SIFE team to compete in nationals BYRICHHANNICK Beacon Staff Writer The Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) group is taking its talents to on the road to Kansas City, Missouri from May 19-24, at the national competition that celebrates business entrepreneurship. Dr. Jeffrey Alves, Allan P. Kirby Professor of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, has been the advisor for SIFE for close to a decade. "I like to get students doing stuff rather than just bookwork," said Alves. He also noted that this trip to nationals is the third one in four years for Wilkes University. Jenna Strzelecki, junior business administration major decided to join because one of the former presidents of SIFE spoke to her about all of the great opportunities it included. Matt Brown, sophomore entrepreneurship major decided to join SIFE because he discovered an enthusiasm for business. Whatever the reason for joining SIFE, the organization has been challenging young entrepreneurs to think outside the box (and outside the classroom) for many years. The SIFE team was able to get to the national stage by competing in regionals where members formally present various projects to a panel of judges. "We conduct about. .. fifteen projects a year. They deal with market economics, free enterprise system, entrepreneurship and business ethics," said Strzelecki. This year 's team competed against many schools from various states throughout the Courtesy of SIFE The members of Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) recently attended a regional competition in Boston. After presentations about the fifteen projects they completed this year, the team earned a spot in the national competition in Kansas City. For the third time in four years, Wilkes University will be represented at the national competition. nation. Strzelecki added, "The top two schools in each region advance to nationals." Brown explained that the presentation students must prepare runs about twenty-five minutes and is delivered by four presenters. He added the importance of teamwork and stressed that students must, "Practice, practice, practice until we know it." Alves acknowledged that even though this group is quite young, with one senior, they have many talents that have carried them this far. Alves said, "They are very energetic, they are very dedicated and our presentation was smoother at regionals than it ever has been." Four of the people on this year's team actually have some experience at nationals, so they were able to fill in the first timers about what to expect. Strzelecki noted that other than the pre- sentation itself at nationals there will be many conferences and seminars that the participants could attend. Brown felt that SIFE gave students a good bpportunity to get involved in the community to make a bigger difference. "Not only the school community, but the Wilkes-Barre community," Brown added. Wilkes Idol showcases the talented and the talented-at-heart BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor The hit reality show American Idol has captured the nation's attention for the past five years, inspiring thousands of would-be singers to dream a little. Wilkes offically joined the scores of other communities to offer its own local version of the popular talent contest. Last week, the sophomore class sponsored Wilkes Idol, a singing contest that mimicked the actual show. A total of 15 contestants participated, and the event lasted a little over two hours. Each participant sang a song of his or her choice a capella for the first round. Though Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul were no- where to be found, a panel of five student and faculty judges split the contestants into the best eight and the worst seven. Unlike American Idol, "Wilkes Idol" allowed the worst participants to duke it out for an iPod Nano. In the second round of the competition, the participants sang with musical accompaniment and the top three were selected in both categories. Many students showed up to root for their friends and show their support. Matt Brown, sophomore business major and one of the coordinators of the event said, "For our first time, it went pretty well. I'm happy with the turnout." See IDOL page 10 The Beacon/N ick Zmijewski The panel of five Wilkes Idol judges included both faculty and students. The judges were responsible for scoring contestants' performances. They also made both pleasant and discourteous comments to the singers in the second and third rounds. �10 FEATURES Ca01pus renovations hinder roo01 selection process the university has leased twelve new apartments in the University Towers building and seven new apartments at the University It's that time of year again. Commons building. Spring flowers are blooming all over According to Yeninas, making sure that campus, students are prepping for finals, each student has a place to stay is "not graduation is right around the comer and something that happens overnight." the university is busy making sure that all "We've been talking about it for a while, returning students (and new admissions and making plans to ensure that we'll have transfers and maybe even some commuters enough beds for everybody," said Yeninas. who have decided to dorm) have on-camBecause seniority and the number of credpus housing for the Fall '06 semester. its a student takes during a semester can be That's right, it's time for "room selection," the deciding factor on whether or not they a rather involved process that requires a ton get the room of their choice, Yeninas advisof planning, communication and, most of es students to act early in the room selection all, patience. process to make sure they get the room they Every year, Wilkes University's residence want. life office makes it a point to allow students Yeninas noted that getting deposits in and to have input regarding where they would asking questions early on could make a diflike to live the following year. Given the ference in whether or not a student gets their number of apartments and dormitories desired arrangement. available on campus, it is always a cha!Elizabeth Roveda, resident director, also lenge to meet every student's demands and, implied that in the room selection process, according to Gretchen Yeninas, director of timing is everything. residence life, this year hasn't been any "As long as students pay their deposit, easier. we'll hold their chosen spot on campus," "On-campus housing was more popular said Roveda. for next year than I had expected," said Roveda also noted that there will be a lotYeninas. "We had estimated that we would tery on Tuesday, May 2 at 9:00 a.m. in Stark have about 550 returning students and we 101 for those who have been displaced due had just over 600 contracts turned in, so to next fall's renovations and at 9:30 a.m. we're on a waiting list right now." for those who have not yet made living arTo accommodate the number of returning rangements for next semester. and new students who are planning on !iv"Most people have already applied for ing on-campus next semester, and to com- housing but we urge those who didn't to pensate for Delaware and Chesapeake Halls come on May 2 to try to find a room onwhich will undergo renovations this fall, campus," said Roveda. """,........"'1'1""....,_===r--========., BY ERICA LEO Beacon Staff Writer MAY IDOL from PAGE 10 The participants chose songs from various musical genres and covered everything from the standard American gospel "Amazing Grace" to a rocking single by Bon Jovi. While all of the participants demonstrated enthusiasm for the event, Keith Heim, P2 pharmacy major stole the show and took first place in the best category. Heim sang "I'm Already There" by Lonestar, "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain and Bon Jovi's "It's My Life." "I think it was really fun. I know this is something small, but I get to show people what I like to do," said Heim. While this may have been a small public display of talent, Heim actually m_ade it to the third round of the real American Idol two years ago. He took away the grand prize in the "Wilkes Idol" competition, an iPod Video. In the worst category, freshman pre-pharmacy major Leslie Centeno entertained the crowd with his not so smashing rendition of "As Long As You Love Me" by the Backstreet Boys. Centeno does not see his title as the "worst competitor" as an embarrassment. "It's 1 2006 great. I feel like a winner," he said. Both Heim and Centeno were asked to give an encore performance at Saturday's Block Party. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Pat Nardone, freshman business major, sings "You Remind Me" by Usher in the second round of the worst competition for Wilkes Idol. Savel Lives. D ro nate Plasr'mla Today. · Earn up to $2.00 ·a Month ! The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Students in Sturdevant Hall go over room selections and living details for next year with their Resident Assistant. The residence life office allows students to have an input as to where they live and who they live with on campus. Interstate Blood & Prasma Inc .. 6 615 Caray Ava Wi lmsBarra,. Pa Cal (511)~823-411& �MAY 1, 2006 FEATURES 11 Sunshine ensures over the top fun for Block Party BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor The greenway was bustling with noise and the rich aroma of cheese steaks wafted in the warm April sunshine this past Saturday, signs of a successful Block Party. Block Party is a long-standing Wilkes tradition that allows the student body to come together for a day of great food, games and over the top fun--and offers a break from the end of semester academic stress. There were many reason!'> to venture out to the Greenway for Block Party. First, the food: the menu featured cheese steaks, Rita's Italian Ice and a buffet of picnic food. Students also had a variety of options to choose from when it came to games. There were inflatable slides, bungee harnesses and toilet seat races to name a few. And what would a picnic be without music? Five Percent, along with three other local bands, provided live tunes to the masses all day long. The huge crowds made it obvious the students were enjoying themselves. Matt Brown, sophomore business major, agreed. "I really enjoyed the bands, especially The Five Percent." Jenn Cerra, Pl pharmacy said, "I think Block Party turned out great. The music, food and inflatable games provided a lot of fun for everyone." Amanda Grippo, sophomore nursing major, enjoys coming to Block Party and its accessability for commuters. "Being a commuter, it is hard to attend alot of the activities Wilkes has on campus. However, Block Party is a great way to get all students together for a day of good fun," she said. Kate Baas, sophomore English major, summed up why she felt Block Party was successful. "This year's Block Party was definitely successful. I think a lot can be attributed to the beautiful weather, but it was also extremely well organized with many activities for everyone to enjoy." The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Jenn Prell, senior biology major, enjoys her time on the bungee harnesses. This was one of many activities offered to students at Block Party. Inflatable slides and other games gave students the chance to relax and relieve some stress before the end of the semester. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The John Frinzi Band performs for students on the Greenway. This band, along with other local bands such as Five Percent, were one of the many highlights of Block Party on Saturday afternoon. f~OI. IJ~GI~ l)llINKING f~f)NSl~Q1JENf~l~S The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski A student takes his turn in participating in the activity of tiolet seat racing, which became a huge hit at Block Party. 60% of college women who are infected with STDs, including genital herpes and AIDS, report that they were under the influence of alcohol at the time they had intercourse with the infected person. A:lr&Uiy /tadyou.r exaHU Nu,d, ti) b'o/fbUY birllt, ctJHi:rot Uf.., pU!Uf1 Get Your Birth Control witruJu:tA Pelvk Exam• Yoor number one sourre fur birth oontrol afid the .mo ming after pill. 1-800-230-PLAN www.ppnep.org " Gmam imlaNt-n, ju:rthu tl1¢~luatic.m may ht nquirtd �---·----~----------------....--.ct2 Trendspotter: War1n weather fashions As spring gives way to warmer weather, the fashions shift to playful, light attire. Last year was all about the bohemian look, this year the look is much classier and sophisticated. Men Women BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Bigger and better - sunglasses are back this year. Styles like "Aviator" offer a sharp and sleek look especially matched with a short haircut or fu n visor.- For countless options, look for shades at H&M or the Sunglass Hut. As is the case for the women's fashions, polos have been· gaining popularity among men for a couple of years now this summer they are a safe way to look fun and trendy. Stripped polos are the rage, and even though they are horizontal stripes, try them on for size. Trendy polos can be found anywhere from places like Abercrombie, American Eagle and Hollister. As always, flip flops/thongs are a huge. They make a great, comfortable footwear no matter where you go. They make for easy transitions from the beach to the boardwalk. While these can be found at most stores, checkout AE.com and pick the colors you want. ~===·=~ :/;-c'·'·" Cropped pants are back with a vengeance this year. Capris and Gaucho pants have giv way to the return of cropped pants, also known as Ber muda shorts. This long and skinny Veil sion of regular shorts can be touched up with pin str ipes or sailor-style buttons. '.l,"o.keep wa on cool nights, cropped pants look great with a form-fitting jacket or light sweatet. .Knee h boots, ankle boots, or even sandals look super trendy too! To add some coJot to the ward.rob throw on a pair of opaque tights and some open toed sandals for a lw ktbat's sure to stan out. Preppy polo tops have always been a "safe" article of clotliing; that is both cute and trendy but now polos are again emerging as a major fashion $latement. 'Printed oxfords and colorfu polo shirts look great with jeans or skirts with a cute pair of speakers or flats. Ille preppy• cool look is easy, and not terribly expensive, especially with a cute t-shirt over tlie pow an~ of course a popped ctJJJat. Don't have a lot to spend on thelook? Hit up OW 'avy "'h the. have tons of prints and cc,lors for prices that won't burn a bole in the well· . Sticking with the classy and sophisticated theme, tulip $forts aw back. Last spring's bohemian skirts became a little mire fol'Ul I ~ and shorter, and Voita! the birth of the tulip skirt. 'fhese 00 are versatile because they art gr(}?~ for evening outings, as W(} with a blazer and pair otpu{tJM .lo wm.irto ork. Eal ing right at tire kn~t these mJip skirts ate classy ana ¢hie and 'Will be.sure to oke a major fashion $tatement. Hollister, Zuma Beach Polo, $29.50 Fossil, Darren Flip Flops, $30 Sunglass Hut, Vogue Sunglasses, $99.95 Get The Look! Jil Sander, Viscose Tulip Skirt, $178 Old Navy, Distressed Polo, $16.50 * Juicy Couture, Stretch Twill Bermudas, $138 .Phot~ :Researdu~r, Stephanie DeBalko assisted this Jliide. �MAY 1, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Su0101er 01ovies pro01ise thrills, c~ills and a few laughs BY ALISON SHERRY Beacon Correspondent Believe it or not, the summer holiday is nearly upon us. The official start is usually marked by Memorial Day weekend. For some, the promise of summer means graduation, a job search, vacations, or friend and family time. But no matter what the summer holds in store, don't forget to get out of the heat and check out some of the summer's most promising flicks. The Da Vinci Code - opens May 19 May 19 will never be the same after the movie release everyone has been waiting for. Dkected by Ron Howard and based on the bestseller by Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code holds great promise to be one of the hottest films of the summer. And naturally with Ron Howard directing and Tom Hanks leading an impressive cast, whisperings of "Oscar" have already begun. For those people who haven't yet been hooked by symbology-mania or read the book, Brown's plot centers on Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Hanks) who is awakened by an urgent phone call that an elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the famous French museum. The call, and Langdon 's subsequent investigation, launch a story that moves at breakneck speed with endless trails of clues hidden in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci that lead to a dark and secret society. Along with cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou), Langdon races through London, Paris and beyond to solve a stunning historical truth before the mystery is lost forever. Pirates of the Caribbean 2- opens July 7 Fans of tbe Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom duo will definitely have a great reason to hit theaters this SlJ.Wmer with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Chest. The sequel picks up where the original left off following the story of Jack Sparrow (Depp), Will Turner (Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and their ongoing battle with Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and the gang of supernatural pirates. Jack finds himself once again tangled in a web of supernatural intrigue when he discovers that he owes a bloody debt to the legendary Davey Jones, ruler of the ocean and captain of the ghostly Flying Dutchman. Unless Jack uses his unique wits to get out of this one, he will be cursed to an afterlife of servitude and damnation. As if that isn't enough, Captain Jack's problems prove to be the thorn in the blissful wedding plans of Wtll Turner and Elizabeth Swann who quickly find themselves in the midst of Jack's misadventures. Cars- June 9th What would the summer be without a little computer animated fun? Disney and Pixar have followed in the tradition of Finding Nemo and Toy Story to bring us the newest computer hilarity, Cars. With voices by George Carlin, Owen Wilson, Cheech Marin and Larry the Cable Gu~ Cars is sure to be the next Disney and Pixar hit that draws both adults and kids alike. The story tracks Lightning McQueen, a rookie race car. While speeding his way to the big race, he crashes into Radiator Springs, doing a little too .;much damage. The cocky roadster is sentenced to community service and although he' II do anything to get away.from the hard labor, McQueen soon learns to respect the kindness of Radiator Springs in~ habitants and finds a way to getoutofthe town and back to the race. s Courtesy Yahoo! Movies Other movies slated for a summer opening: -X-Men: Th~ Last Stand- May 26 -Omen 666- June 6 (yes, that's 06/06/06) -Fast and the Furious: The Tokyo Drift- June 16 -Garfield 2- June 23 -Superman Returns- June 30 -You, Me, and Dupree- July 14 -The U.S. vs. John Lennon-July 21 -Apocalypto- August 4 -World Trade Center- August 11 -'The Night Listener- August 18 e01ories of watching 01ovies through a windshield Nostalgia meets todays Hollywood at surviving drive-ins Y DONNA TALARICO I once attended a township meeting jn Nescopeck Township. The new township building is in the former concession stand of an old drive-in. A woman at the meeting suggested that supervisors make the old screen into a sign for the municipal building, as most seem to miss it the first time they drive past, thinking itsjust a roadside memory. There is nothing quite like the drive-in, especially on a nice summer night. Catching a brand new movie on an old screen offers just the right blend of nostalgia aµd, c:1,ppreciation for today's advances in film. Sometimes, when I am really capturing the moment, for a split second I swear I could blink and see nothing but '57 Chevys around me, carrying guys in leather coats and gals with pony tails having a swell time. Sadly though, I keep seeing more and more empty screens, weed-filled driveways leading up to them. There is one in West Wyoming and another in Larksville. And the three I mentioned are just in Luzerne County. We are lucky to have one surviving and very active drive-in, although it suffers from the occasional flood. Last September the Garden Drive-In in Plymouth Township was closed temporarily thanks to Ivan's wrath. But, it was able to reopen for the rest of the fall season. The Garden reopened for the 2006 season in mid-April. The drive-in is a tradition for many. My boyfriend's parents, in their mid-50s, still go each Friday night to relive their youthful days. And, like his dad does for his mom, my boyfriend often buys me a chili dog, soda and a ticket for an outdoor flick. Okay. We actually bring a six-pack. Sure, the seats aren't as cozy. But the food is cheaper.. and fresh and hot. (In fact, you can get cheesesteaks, qamburgers aµd more.) Ap,d, you won't even get in trouble for bringing in your own snacks and drinks. The tickets are cheaper too. $6.00 each. And that, my friends, is for a double feature. That's right. Two movies for one price. Two current movies, too. Last weekend, it was Jee Age and The Sentinel on screen one and Scary Movie 4 and Larry the Cable Guy's Health Inspector on screen two. I've met many people who have never been to a drive-in. I would encourage everyone who is near a drive-in this summer to take in one of the latest box office hits, to pull into the drive in with snacks and soda in tow, tune in the radio dial to the station broadcasting the audio, recline the seat a little and gaze through your windshield just like our parents and grandparents did. And, for those on dates ... it is a little more private. Indulge in the nostalgia while you can. Before you know it, you may be attending a township meeting in a converted concession stand. FYI: The Garden Drive-In is open rain or shine every weekend. Plus, each Saturday, there is a :flea market during the day. Visit them at www.gardendrivein.com. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 MAY 1, 2006 Quick Hits: Rounding out the Semester BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist Here's a glimpse into what is happening in and around campus during the final weeks of the semester: \ I ~~ ~ . ~' :=:o//\ _/~ J_t_ Monday: Chamber Winds Concert Directed by Phil Simon, the Chamber Winds Ensemble will play pieces by Franz Joseph Haydn, Giovanni Gabrielli, Paul Dukas and Gordon Jacob. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. in the Henry Student Center Grand Ballroom, with a reception to follow. Tuesday: Manuscript unveiling at Sordoni Authors and artists featured in the spring issue of Wilkes University literary magazine The Manuscript will read their works during an unveiling ceremony Tuesday at 11 :00 a.m. in the Sordoni Art Gallery. An art piece graces the cover, and inside, there is poetry, artwork, photography and short fiction. Light refreshments will be served The event is free and open to the public. Friday: Cinco de Mayor at Public Square That is, "Sink da mayor." The second annual Leadership Wilkes-Barre scholarship fundraising event Courtesy Arts YOUniverse allows residents to dunk Wilkes-Barre mayor Tom Poet Jim Warner is one of of the performers taking Leighton and other local municipal leaders as they part in Arts Madness this Saturday. take turns in dunk tanks starts at 11 :00 a.m. There will be food vendors and that evening starting at 5:00, the event rolls into Lowe's on Market Street for a night of drink specials and celebrity bartending. Wilkes University is a co-sponsor of this event. Saturday: Arts Madness concert at the mansion Arts Madness in the Mansion, a continuing visual and performing arts concert series, will host its third event of the season Saturday, May 6. The concert will feature a blend of music, creative writing, comedy food and more throughout all four floors of the former Stegmeier mansion, including a poetry reading from Wilkes University's MA in creative writing program assistant, Jim Warner and jazz from WYOU's Diane Lee. The show runs from 6:30 to 9:45 p.m., and is $10 ($8 for students with ID). For more information, visit · artsyouniverse.com @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@-------------, 0 --- @ :@ weouy: anase11 I @ @ @ @ : : )rll1l.r '11'~ @ . PS2 @ XBOX @ NINTENDO : Os mu GADS LPs IN 45s l)llINKINf• f~ONSl~OIJENf~ES : 55% of female students and . 75% of male students g : involved in aquaintance rape I 3 admit to having been drinking g IUSJW EDRGI. g or using drugs when the g 59 north main Vvilkes barre-- 82~2929 S incident..occured. @ @ N @ ,......._----------. O :@ -we-have hundreds of posters !! : --------o @O@O@@O@@@@~.@ .@@@@@@ �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MAY 1, 2006 Montage, other ntusic venues tune up for concert season BY DONNA TALARICO Ticket Information @ Venue Websites: Beacon A&E Editor If there is one thing that NEPA promises each summer, it's a few months full of concerts, big and :small for music lovers of all genres. From one mountain (Montage) to another (in JinJ'lJ'-orpe) and venues in between, here is a look at what tickets you tn,_ay wauttp.l;l.9pJn.lin~ . .fqp: Montage~mountain.org ~I<::irbyCenter.org PennsPeak.com ScrantonGulturalCenter.org WachoviaArena.com )fbKcom (for the Blues Fest) Briggsfarm.coni/ ' ", ' )><?fls1ar.c<lm (g~n~rlp , ' w MAY 11- Bill EngvalJ of"Here's Your Slgrt'\ fame hits the Kirby Center. 12- The Disco Biscuits--also at the Kirby eenter. This is a hot electroµio rock band out of PhiHy. These guys are great--just got their new CD. 1- Toto, best !-Michael n,a. 2- Sarumy H stuff fr-0~ Van Haleh as well will hit . Montage. La~ 3- Pat Ben.afar, the s c ick rocker, will belt out songs like "Hit MeWith Your Best Shot" at the Penn's Peak. If she doesn't blow you away, the viewJ1ere will. 5- They're back. The Dave Matthews , ana Will plID' their seqmd c;oµsecutive SUJl¥Uer at MontageMountain. 7-8- Briggs Fann Blues Fest on the Briggs Eanuly Fannin Nescop hundreds and gets bigger every year;. ThisA&;Beditorworleedthe vouch for the nonstop entertainment and ~eat foM. 15- Lynryd Skynyd will make MontageMguntaittJ~ •~wt~l Jlom,tfor eit¢cti.ight, along With 3 Doors Down. 25- Keeping with the trend of 70s and SQs ;rock; Poison ;returns to a place w.here it is most welcome, year after year-Montage Moiln1'am: 26- Might as well not clean up because.things will l:iejustaswild tbeday afterPoison. OzzFest, bringing over a dozen rock groupsl.including ther'.ijlack Grpwes and Diswbed. will once again hit Montage Mountain. · · 30- The Pocono Blues Fest at Big Boulder.. tonsofhlues ID;usi~, vend.ors, ~Id life ~des~ food and more. The most fun you'll have.at a ski moUiltain without gpow-- just grass: (No pun intended by the way, buf\do with that desctiptiorl as you wish.) JU 7- Rob (Matchbox 20) and Jewell make a nice r a sBowafMontage. 24- Comedienn,e Kathy Griffin l>rmg$ her wit to the Scranton Cultural(]enter, 26- The Gin Blossom.~. wh.o you may remeni.J'.?er from their mid:9().~ .blt$, UAfison Road'' <}Ild "Hey, Jealoµsy" ro Center 30- Judgi;ng fr9m our.B band poll from a few months agoi many are sure to enjoy Ded Leppard and Journey, who will play ~the foyota .•.Pavilion at Montage Mountain. 30- NRA supporter Ted Nugent WiHplay to a crowd at :Penn•s iPeak. Courtesy of PopEntertainmentcom McDonald'sR ~spicy chicken sandwich deal FREE Medium Fries & Medium Drink with the purchase of aNEW Spicy Chicken Sandwich or any Regular Menu Sandwich* · ~ !lle00Jalldlliehed1oom: Big Mac®.~ l'Qdri)+ Villh ~ . R3!ll;b Sll, CM! Gr Claa lffl1m Clm! SaMm;b 1M fl!it-0-Flllt®. otferll«!datimlcil)lltlno M~d'a® Rwitmlll~andllutt!lealt1rn~ ~111:WJmeyaral Kant & flew C. l:IID!aS, Dare. M:e:s may nry. Cumm prices ood ~ o o Im«! llll imlepi:ndi,nt llllffU dcdsm Valid tdier! prodi.:t Sl!ned. ~ ahlndwiclB m 1fle Oalar Menu. Vlid\\tffl ~ Cm nkle l/20 cf tOl. llmit one tlq)M per IlelS/11\ ptn~. One free un per~n.lhltmld'llllhal?f otl!ef offer,~ Of meil C(llllbirtatJl)II, Putulf l!llplicablil, Coopon ma,notbo--111 '11'1/WlYOf llwmltted'llaelecl!1ri:rna •--before cooi,Jnc4 Ill. (11$.4 p111). Offer Expires 5/14/06. ©2006Uc0onaik �16 SPORTS MAY 1, 2006 Colonels battle it out in annual Charity Challenge BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The fastest, the strongest and only those with the most endurance were among those who competed in the Colonels' Charity Challenge on Sunday afternoon. The event which included a 200-yard dash, sand bag relay, and the team van or shuttle pull is in its second year after an overwhelming amount of support in its debut year. The Charity Challenge, which is organized by Wilkes fitness facilities coordinator and strength coach, Keith Klahold is the athletics department benefit event that raises money for both the Geisinger Children's Hospital and the Gift of Life Donor program. "We chose Geisinger because they are a local charity while the other charity changes from year to year," stated Klahold. When the events kicked off around noon on Sunday at the Ralston Field Complex all that could be seen was a sea of blue and ye!low. This year the teams wearing blue were competing for the Geisinger Children's Hospital, while the teams wearing yellow were competing for the Gift of Life Donor Program. After all the events were over and points were tabulated, the winning team received extra money for its beneficiary. "[The original idea for] the events came from an event created by Penn State but was always geared towards football. [Here] it is related to fitness and the strongman," said Klahold. Last year the event raised $3,015 and organizers are hoping to have a definite increase this year. In order to make sure that there was a decent amount of donations made from the event, each competitor was required to bring a minimum of$10 to give to their designated charity. With over 200 students and around 25 staff members participating, organizers expect a large donation to come out of the charity events that took place on Sunday. Senior Alicia Vieselmeyer commented The Beacon/Todd Wiebel Tire throwing was one of eight events that Wilkes University athletes competed in during the second annual Charity Challenge on Sunday afternoon at the Ralston Field Complex. that, "All of these activities and the money Other events at this year's competition raised from the Charity Challenge go to a included the kettle ball throw, an 800-yard good cause therefore making the Colonels' run, the tire throw, the tire flip, the farmer's athletic teams feel good about what they are walk and the obstacle relay. The winners of doing." the events were not available at press time. MACPIDl8GN 811111T fBINT 8UIPIN8ION + AN/fM/CDWITB 88PEAIIRI + BIDE RUCIEB PANELi + 38 MPD IIWY1 • ·<£J10fO'fA I .. , , , , ,llntild• 1ffl EmME.hfG fOUOOS oomtIA 5 ~ 1Hf t49ffl AllKl AC1W ,ma tUiY'\M.Y. 1TM..lf FOR:2006 ~ ND£8 lll2 f!QLDNG Tl\ 14.&$.N'I) llC&a ffES. nf.4J.HSEB EtlAI. Ra. �MAY 1, 2006 17 SPORTS ■ ■ e n1or BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor As the sun sets on another spring sports season, The Beacon bids farewell to the thirteen senior athletes who have graced the field with their presence throughout the years. Though they are leaving Wilkes, their .hearts will remain on the playing field. Kevin Konschak Casey Kulago Mike Toomey Josh Campbell Paul Migliorino Baseball The baseball team proudly salutes eight seniors from Artillery Park, each playing an integral role for the Colonels. Leading the pack is pitcher Kevin Konschak, who went undefeated, posting a 3.54 ERA with six wins this season. . The "Work Horse." Over four year with the Blue and Gold, middle infielder Kyle Stover's work ethic developed him into a team leader as he gained the respect of his teammates with his on-field play. The "Gym Rat." Usually the first one to walk in the gate and the last one to leave, Josh "Soup" Campbell was never discouraged by the fact that he's never started. "Josh is a team player's team player, second to none," said head coach Joe Folek. "He will be greatly missed at Artillery." The "King of BP." Who says pitchers can't hit? Paul "Migs" Migliorino was known to hit some bombs in BP. "I throw a lot of batting practice over the course of the years and 'Migs' has hit some of the farthest tape measure snots off me in awhile," Folek said. "He's is a versatile performer who is well liked among his teamates and has helped us to win a number of games since joining the team." Memorable: Infielder Casey Kulago made quite the impression in his first game starting with the Colonels. During a spring training game, he made a diving catch into a concrete dugout which coach Joe Folek regards as "one of the best plays I've seen in my 22 years with the Colonels. He im- . 1': . l. Mike Quinn Chris Yonki Kyle Stover mediately knew that Kulago "plays baseball the game." the old-fashioned way." Anchoring the bullpen was relief pitcher After playing golf at Wilkes for three Mike Quinn, who played four years for the years, Chris Yonki joined the Colonels' blue and gold. This year, Quinn pitched in baseball team as a third baseman. In his the starting rotation where he tossed two debut season, Yonki batted .286 and three complete games. He also accumulated two RBIs. Coach Folek said, "I wish we would saves as a closer. Quinn finished the season have had him for four years because he's a with 210 at bats and a .333 batting average. good hitter and very knowledgeable about Also graduating: P Mike Toomey (see Athlete of the Week) Softball Erica Buchholz Lyndsay Asinelli Jen Compton Pam Carey Cassie Malone Women's Lacrosse The Lady Colonels were successful in their first year under new coach Peggy Stauffer. Despite a sub .500 record, the season still had plenty of bright spots, including a 14-5 whupping of Moravian for the team's first Middle Atlantic Conference victory of the season. Arvin Narula Men's Tennis Arvin Narula and John Lowe went deep in the Middle Atlantic Conference Individual Championships, advancing to Sunday's semi-finals in singles play. The Lady Colonels will be losing its peanut butter and jelly with the departure of Nadine Taylor and Jan Nunemacher. Taylor, last season's Freedom Conference Player of the Year, and Nunemacher served as team captains,helping a young squad with 16 freshmen make the Freedom Conference playoffs for the third consecutive year. "As much as they have contributed from a skills perspective, they have added even more from a leadership perpective. They have provided invaluable leadership to.this group through knowledge of the game, insight, and on field efforts," said head coach Frank Matthews. Josh Behler Golf Josh Behler was the lone senior on the men's golf team, which had its first (four) matches postponed due to inclement weather. Nadine Taylor Jan Nunemacher �SPORTS 18 MAY 1, 200 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK MLB: San Francisco Giants versus Philadelphia Phillies Unfriendly confines: Bonds visits Philadelphia BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer Philadelphia, affectionately called the "City of Brotherly Love" is anything but kind and charming when it comes to their sports. Philadelphia fans are some of the most passionate in all of professional sports, irrespective of the team. However, in certain instances, the love for their hometown team is reflected inversely in their hostility toward the visitors. And if a visiting athlete is lucky enough to be disliked by the boisterous fans from Philly, they will make sure that athlete has as long of a night as possible. See a prime example in former St. Louis Cardinal J.D. Drew, who refused to sign with the Phillies after being drafted, had batteries thrown at him when he returned as a visitor in Philadelphia. Lucky enough for Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants, he gets to spend three nights facing the wrath of those same Phillies fans. For those who do not know, Barry Bonds has been the center of steroids investigations across Major League Baseball. An average player might be able to shrug off such a distraction, but Barry Bonds is a superstar in the baseball world as he is gradually approaching the all-time home run record of Hank Aaron. All of the steroid rumors surrounding Bonds gives one the popular idea that perhaps his endeavors are not as credible as they once were. Although he consistently denies that he used performance-enhancing substances, fans are not buying it. Take for example the first game of the Giants season. As Bonds was jogging off the field between innings, a San Diego Padres fan threw an empty syringe at Bonds' feet, abruptly signifying what a lot of people in the sports world were thinking. Even looking at his statistics for the season, it can be dictated that he lost some "juice" in ~s game. For a player that hit 73 home runs in 2001 and averages at least 40 per year, Bonds is on pace to only hit around 20 home runs this year with steroid rumors all around him. Coincidence? The Philadelphia Phillies play host to the San Francisco Giants in a weekend series May 5-7 at Citizen's Bank Park and although much attention will be paid to Barry Bonds, do not lose sight that this series should be a good one. Starting with the Phillies, their starting pitching has been suspect at best through the first three weeks of the year. Their starters' collective earned-run average yields about six runs per game, clearly their achilles heel so far. Starter Brett Myers (2-0, 3.04 ERA) has been their only bright spot in the rotation as he has easily been their most productive pitcher. When the Phillies can hand over a lead to their bullpen late in a game, they seem to be in good shape as their bullpen pitching has cancelled out some of the starters' deficiencies through the early season. Offense is undoubtedly what is going to win games for Philadelphia. 1 through 6 in their lineup is comparable to any in the Majors with hit-machine and shortstop Jimmy Rollins, center fielder Aaron Rowand, all-star right fielder Bobby Abreu, second baseman Chase Utley, and power bats Pat Burrell and last year's NL Rookie of the Year, Ryan Howard. The Giants are opposite in their strengths. They have good pitching and a lackluster offense. Their pitching staff is led by all-star starters Jason Schmidt and Matt Morris and former Phillie, Giants' closer Tim Worrell. Offensively, the Giants are led by veterans: shortstop Omar Vizquel, outfielder Moises Alou, and some guy named Bonds. Citizens Bank Park is a hitter's paradise, so expect a lot of home runs in this series. It will be up to both teams' pitching to dictate their success. The Pick: Phillies win series 2-1. BONDS HOME RUN TRACKER 1. Hank Aaron - 755 2. Babe Ruth - 714 3. Barry Bonds (x) - 711 4. Willie Mays- 660 5. Sammy Sosa- 588 6. Frank Robinson- 586 7.Mark McGuire- 583 8.Harmon Killebrew-573 9. Rafael Palmeiro-569 10. Reggie Jackson-563 (x) Active Players Double Take Sarah examinej the facts that trul matter. .. BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor To quote Shakespeare, "parting is such sweet sorrow." Unfortunately, this will be my last Double Take. Hopefully, the sports editors can find someone to fill my shoes next year. My farewell column features the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies. I'm confused already. When I heard Giants vs. Phillies I thought the NFL was taking on the MLB. Much to my dismay, the Giants are a baseball team, too. Much to their dismay, they have to waste their time playing the Phillies. I'm usually not a Phillies fan, but I'm picking them this time around. Their colors are far more appropriate for the season. Plus, I still can't get over the fact that the Giants are a baseball team and not just a football team. It's kind of weird the way the color scheme works out for Giants. The baseball team dons black and orange while the football team sports red, white and blue. I think thatffley should be switched. Since football is a fall sport, black and orange would be more appropriate. In any event, the Phils will look more stylish. They probably won't play any better, but at least they'll look better than the other team. Go Phils. �MAY SPORTS 1, 2006 19 Commentary Dueling Editors Two Sports editors fight for their Athlete of the Week picks BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Asst. Sports Editor O.K., so it may be true everyone can't always agree, but seriously, that Dippre kid might have been hit in the head one too many times on the field. Now let's think about this carefully and take a look at the stats of sophomore utility man Chris Mayerski. The extremely talented and fairly young player finds himself all over the field as one of the most versatile players for the Colonels this season. In his relatively short college career, he is already appearing on the leader board in the Freedom Conference in 10 categories. He is currently ranked first in homeruns with eight, runs batted in with 35 and has a .740 ··slugging percentage. Mayerski also ranks in the top five in six other categories. · The thing that makes him worthy of this week's standout player--and possibly one of the team's standout players of the entire season--is the fact that he can play almost any position and produce exceptional results. In fact he was named Freedom Conference Player of the Week during the early part of this season for his performance at third base. Now, I am not saying by any means that Toomey is not a good player because he definitely has his strengths and is able to perform out on the field when it comes to his pitching. What has to be considered here is that Mayerski is an all around talented player. Throughout his career at Wilkes which is only at the end of its second season, Mayerski has been a leader in the outfield, the infield and up at bat. Being able to adjust to playing in different positions is going to take Mayerski extremely far and gives him the potential in the long run, the opportunity to be picked up by a minor league (yeah, I know it is kind of out there, but hey everyone can dream). Starting the season a little rough with a record of 5-9, the Colonels needed some sort of an offensive boost which Mayerski has provided, rallying the team to an overall season record of 17-14-1 through April 29. Mayerski was the lone two-time hitter or had a double and a single to pace the Wilkes offense. Mike Toomey has provided the Colonels baseball team with great leadership and great athletic ability over the past four years, but as we look to the future of the team, Mayerski appears to be following in Toomey's footsteps as the next great leader of the team, therefore getting my vote for the final athlete of the week for this year. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 23 Total number ofregular season wins for the womens softball team after sweeping Drew University 2-1 and 3-1 on Saturday. 11 Saves by goalkeeper Cassie Malone in womens lacrosse season finale match against Lycoming. 4 Mens tennis team players that played at the MAC Individual Championships at Lehigh University this past weekend. 15 Number of runs that the men s baseball team scored in Saturdays twinbill against Freedom Conference rival Scranton. BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor Ariel Cohen wouldn't know a solid choice for Athlete of the Week if one punched him in the face. Nothing against Mayerski-this writer has just been itching to see "Ariel Cohen" and "punched in the face" together in print all year-but there isn't a player at Wilkes during the entire spring sport season who has earned an Athlete of the Week sendoff at the end of a distinguished athletic career as much as Mike Toomey. Despite Mayerski's brilliant season both on defense and at the plate, I must regretfully disagree violently with my assistant editor. Although to give Mayerski the Athlete of the Week award wouldn't be outrageous, the one person that justly deserves the final Athlete of the Week honor for the 20052006 year is senior pitcher Mike Toomey. Toomey has been playing solid all year, and two of his last conference games in particular exemplify, in my opinion, how he has continued to improve throughout his final campaign. His earned run average this season is at a solid 3.98, and seems to be dropping after every game. In the Colonels final conference doubleheader of the season, Toomey tossed a five-hitter and led Wilkes to an 11-1 victory over the Univer- sity of Scranton. The win over the Royals, which came a scant two weeks after another five-hit victory over Delaware Valley College, brought Toomey up to 30 strikeouts on the year. The senior has allowed only 31 runs in 208 at-bats. But it isn't only the stats that matter in a team sport. The Colonels started off the year in a tough spot, and were unable to transfer their early spring baseball success over into conference play. Wilkes dropped three of their first four conference games against King's College and Drew University. It is a credit to the team mentality that the Colonels were able to rebound from this and knock out another strong season at Artillery Park, but it is an even bigger credit to the leadership that allowed that team mentality to flourish. Toomey helped bring a team that was struggling early on in the conference to a 17-14-1 record thus far. Mayerski has had an amazing season for Wilkes this year, and has several more in him before his time as a Colonel expires. An Athlete of the Week honor for him would be justly deserved. For the final Beacon issue of the year, however, it is only fitting that we honor a man who gave four years of effort to keep an excellent program at the top of its conference. WEEKEND RECAPS Baseball The Colonels split a doubleheader against University of Scranton on Saturday afternoon at Connell Park in Scranton. Mike Toomey's five-hit perfo1mance on the mound lifted Wilkes to an 11-1 win in the first game, but the Colonels fell 5-4 in the nightcap. Wilkes is now 17-14-1 overall, and ended their conference play with a 7-11 record. Women's Lacrosse The Lady Colonels closed their season with a 18-6 loss to Lycoming in Williamsport on Saturday afternoon. Stacy Fimmano and Catherine Simone each had a pair of goals, while Shannon Chlebus and Jen Compton each had one goal apiece. In her final game in the net, departing senior Cassie Malone snagged 11 saves. Softball The Lady Colonels finished their regular season with a sweep of Drew University at the Ralston Field Complex on Saturday afternoon. Agresti didn't give up a hit through the first six innings en route to a 2-1 victory in the first game, while Evanich only gave up a single to give Wilkes a 3-1 win in the night game. The Freedom Conference tournament begins for the Lady Colonels on May 5. Men's Tennis Arvin Narula and John Lowe remained alive into the semi-finals of the MAC Men's Tennis individual championships at Lehigh University. Kyle Ungvarsky and Julian Taibi are also still alive in the doubles tournament. �Beacon Sports Editor With a locked-in number two seed and an inspired sense of urgency, the Wilkes softball team heads into the Freedom Conference playoffs eager to take the championship they feel they so justly deserve. The Lady Colonels, who swept a double-header on Saturday night to secure their number two seed, will be hosting the tournament for the second year in a row. Wilkes ended the· season with a 23-11 overall record and a 12-2 conference record. The Lady Colonels were tied for first place in the conference with King's College, but the Lady Monarchs' tiebreaker over Wilkes gave them first seed throughout the tournament. "I feel we have two strengths heading into the playoffs," said head coach Frank Matthews. "First, of course is pitching. Our pitchers have been nothing short of outstanding and should they be able to keep it up we'll be very tough to beat. The second thing is maturity. We have a large num- several changes and adjustments from high school." Maturity is impressive on a team as young as the Lady Colonels, but more impressive is the performance of the pitching staff throughout the course of the 2006 campaign. Leading the way, of course, is strikeout queen Laurie Agresti. Her miniscule .40 ERA and 185 strikeouts are only two of many stats proving how she has dominated the mound through her 104 innings pitched. The outstanding pitching doesn't end with Agresti, however. Freshmen Samantha Evanich and Kaitlyn Kormanik are also dominating the mound with a 1.28 and 1.87 ERA, respectively. Sophomore Sarah Plavchak has also posted a· 2-1 record this season, with a 2.33 ERA. "They're excellent," said junior Katie Orr of the pitching staff. "Their depth gives us the chance to rest Laurie more, so she's not exhausted when the playoffs get here." The forte of the Lady Colonels may be defense and pitching, but ing as they roll into the playoffs on May 5 and 6. Eight different players are batting over .300, and Kaitlyn Kormanik has batted an outstanding .400 through fourteen games. Senior co-captain Nadine Taylor is also a few singles away from .300, as she has batted .299 through 31 games. As Wilkes prepares for the tournament, Matthews' focus will remain largely on eliminating weaknesses in the team's game. "We have to focus on the one thing that has been a weakness for us all year: our inability to score with runners in scoring position with less than two outs," he said. "With the limited number of opportunities we'll have in playoffs, we'll have to improve on this to win." The Freedom Conference championship tournament will begin on May 5 at the Ralston Field Complex. With some dominating pitching and plate skills, the Lady Colonels look to make themselves the third Wilkes team this academic year to make it to the big dance. Camuus Calendar. Ralston - 6:00 p.m., Ra- Salon mada Inn *Concert, Spring *Flute Studio Recital - Saturday (5/6) Chamber Winds - 8:00 8:00 p.m., DDD *Softball Freedom p.m., HSC Ballroom *Study Break - 6:30 Conference Championp.m., HSC ship - 9:00 a.m., Ralston Tuesday (5/2) Field Complex *Wilkes Manuscript Friday (5/5) *Voice Recital - 7:30 Unveiling- 11 :00 a.m. *Softball Freedom g.m., Kirby Hall Salon Sordoni Art Gallery Conference ChampiWednesday (5/3) Sunday (5/7) · ' onship - 11 :00 a.m., *Conservatory Voice Ralston Field Complex *Hillel Study Break *Cinco de Mayor Recital 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., HSC Miller 11 :00 a.m., Public DDD Conference Room Square Thursday (5/4) *Piano Studio Recital *Dinner for George - 7:00 p.m., Kirby Hall The BeaconfTodd Wiebel The Lady Colonels finished the regular season with a 12-2 conference record, and a 23-11 overall record. The Freedom Conference playoffs take place on May 5 and 6 at the Ralston Field Complex. Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH Monday (5/1) This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@grnail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. Congratulations to Karen Atiyeh, who correctly identified last week's picture of the radioactive sign in the basement of the Stark Learning Center. 6233 - � 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 2006 May 1st Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 May 1 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/27da734579ceb33ab8b07d2bee3491cb.pdf c702db5015f349d14961c8958392efa7 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW RtL 24, 2006 www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 21 University officials confirDl rise in parking fees, tuition Officials table the paid laundry issue until next year iY NICK PODOLAK 'eacon Asst. Sports Editor That buzz you hear in the air is not the bees pollenating the spring owers. The buzz on campus over the past several weeks has been Jout money. Student Government (SG) held a meeting last Wednesday in the Miller lonference Room of the Henry Student Center to discuss plans for the 006-2007 fiscal year, including proposed charges for laundry service nd a six-percent hike in tuition. With the slam of his gavel, SG president Andrew Steinberg stated that e had talked with Vice President for Financial and Support Operations, cott Byers, who finalized the issues on laundry and tuition. The plan ) charge students for laundry was met with vocal outcry at the previous 1eeting, and university officials determined they would not charge for 1ext year. However, he noted that officials promised that they will revisit the ,sue of students paying for the services next year. "The laundry is not . dead issue," Steinberg said. "We are going to form a committee next rear hoping to allow up to three washes per week in the near future," 1e said. However, the most hotly debated topic of the evening dealt with the esults of a recent parking committee meeting, which planned a restrucuring of the current parking system and a rate increase across the board 'or parking in general. The whole parking program was rumored to be restructured into a wo-tiered system that would provide for reserved parking, something See OFFICIALS page 2 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski University officials, Chris Bailey, Justin Kraynack, and Jerry Reho, attended the Student Government meeting on Wednesday, April 19 to discuss the tuition increase that will take effect in the fall and the proposed parking increase and changes. Students take to the streets to protest fee hikes BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor While the Board of Trustees held its annual spring meeting on the second floor of the Henry Student Center, a handful of Wilkes students gathered outside of the building on both sides of South Street to protest the six-percent tuition increase and proposed hikes in parking rates last Friday, April 21. With large signs, screaming protesters and vehicles honking, that part of campus was a congested, noisy place to be. George Wasef, freshman prepharmacy major and the organizer of the protest said, "We are out here because the six-percent tuition increase seems to be too much too fast since salary is only going up four-percent." The protest went on for several hours while the board of trustees met to discuss the University's budget and other proposed changes. Stephanie Langner, freshman pre-pharmacy major said she was protesting, "Because they are trying to increase too many prices, too much all at once, and they ex- pect us to be able to pay it. We need to show them how we feel and unless we show them that we don't like it, they are never going to know." The protest challenged issues that had been discussed at Student Government meetings in the past several weeks including tuition and parking increases. Wasef said, "Parking at Ralston for $40 is too much since we only need it to take the car out on the weekend. Since taking out parking on campus they are making us pay $120 to park two blocks from classes and the reserved parking for $240 is a little too much." · Another large point in the protest was that tuition is increasing, See PROTEST page 2 In This Issue. .. Your Voices Pages 7 & 8 <Bi{{y P{ynn <Page 11 ThH\tlfliim ·j\;iA Index News ................................ 1-5 Opinion ............................. 6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment.. .. 12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS APRIL 24, -2006 otherwise be usable." "We're going to keep the system the way it is right now where we have residents, commuters, faculty and staff combined," he said. However, those in need of a permanent space need not worry, because Barnum lot, located behind the Marts Gymnasium and Human Resources Center, will be transformed into a reserved-only lot which will be divided by 33 percent to each respective group 2 E-mentoring Public Safety Campus Apathy SG Notes Adventures in Science of students (commuter, residents, and faculty/staff). "They will be charged a premium," Bailey said. "And we will only be selling up to 90 percent of that lot to make sure there's always space available." The price will be double the normal rate for parking. Second, an on-campus parking permit is likely to jump from its current price of $80 to $120 per semester, and commuters can now expect to dish out $40 a semester for a Ralston Field pass instead of the current $15. The planned cost increases led to a student protest Friday afternoon outside of the Henry Student Center where students screamed and held up signs as the Wilkes University Board of Trustees met to discuss the budget on the second floor [see tory "Students take to the streets to protest" for further details]. Frantz discussed the fact that protest. Some members of SG and many of the issues presented at other members of the student body from FRONT PAGE the protest had been discussed in · made signs and began a counter but staff positions have been, or the recent SG meetings and said, protest, in favor of the upcoming will be, eliminated. Protesters "Over the past years it has been a changes. Andrew Steinberg, SG president had signs against the in.creases, practice to dedicate the better part pins that they had made and were of an SG meeting to the upcoming said, "I think it [the protest] could handing out and a petition for changes in budget and practices. _have been absolutely avoided had other students who supported the · We [the administration] probably they attended the meetings, because to sign. Some signs read, should make sure that the whole cause their questions and concerns "Mommy's already broke," and student body knows about when would have been answered." Steinberg joined several other "Have great fear...tuition increase the administration will be at SG and that those meetings are open students in the counter protest is near." Mike Frantz, vice president of to everyone. Knowing that stu- with signs that read "Improveenrollment and marketing said, "I dent government meetings are ments cost money" and "I want fully respect their right to protest, open to all students is one way, but my university to be better." Steinberg said, "The real main in that sense, I have only an af- we are open to any ways that we firming response to their right to can better communicate with stu- reason that I felt the other side protest. I wish that they had come dents. We have held open forums needed to be represented was beto me or any of my colleagues and with faculty and staff and maybe cause none of the protesters, with asked a question. We would have we should do those for students if the exception of a few SG membeen happy to meet with them and they think that would be helpful." bers, were present at any of the Several hours into the protest, a meetings with the administration. share the facts to make sure that group of students formed a counter Most of the issues being protested they are fully understood." were discussed at those meetings. It was also talked about how parking was agreed upon three years ago in SG, and the fact that the university has a master plan and a need to stay consistent with it." Jerry Rebo, manager of campus support services, observed much OFFICIALS from FRONT PAGE that students have literally begged for in the past. But Director of Campus Support Services Christopher Bailey put an end to the rumors, stating that the school "will not go to a two-tiered system, mainly because resident vehicles would be sitting there all week taking up space that would PROTEST was to help support the parking program," said Bailey. "We have certain areas we need to asphalt every year. The shuttle is paid for by the parking program, and we actually finance one public safety officer though the parking program and we feel we need to bring another daytime officer on shift," he said. of the protest and said, "I think that everybody has a right to express their views and everybody has different ways to go about it. A protest, that's part of the American way and we all accept it as part of campus." Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers_ Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com. News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz ■ ■ The BeaconMctoria White "The basic premise of why we felt we needed to [increase costs] BEACON ■ Students protested the tuition and parking increases outside of the Henry Student Center on Friday, April 21 while the Board of Trustees was meeting on the second floor discussing the budget. 3 3 4 4 5 Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �APRIL 24, 2006 NEWS 3 E-mentoring program to start support system early for freshmen "'" BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon Asst. News Editor This fall, incoming freshmen will already know how to get to the fourth floor of Stark and which electives are the best to take, and it is because they will have already developed a relationship with an upperclassman at the university. This relationship will be forged through the e-mentoring program, a new peer-to-peer mentoring program that was recommended by the mentoring student subcommittee and will begin in May. According to Philip Ruthkosky, one of_the overseers of the program and a member of the subcommittee, every incoming freshman will be paired with an e-mentor who may be in the same major. These mentors will participate in face to face and electronic interaction with the freshmen throughout the summer, during orientation and throughout the school year, and will also act as orientation leaders. Sharon Castano, another member of the mentoring student subcommittee, said that out of90 applicants, only 60 were chosen, although she added that most of the applicants were outstanding students and that the decision was not easy. The selected mentors will be required to interact with the high school students in order to provide them with some comfort in the transitional period between high school and college. Ruthkosky said, "The transition from high school to college can be challenging and often presents a difficult blend of academic, social and cultural challenges." The aim of the e-mentoring program will be to make this transition to college life a little easier. When the program begins m May, each mentor will make contact with the prospective freshmen, and the participants will meet in person at the summer orientation. Following orientation, there will be a website designed for the freshmen that will allow them access to a number of different resources. "The electronic mentoring will begin on the Freshman Network, which 1s an online mentoring community that was designed exclusively for freshmen. In addition to having a note system that allows for confidential communications between students and their e-mentors, the Freshman Network will also offer a wide array of resources for freshmen such as message boards, academic support resources and tips from e-mentors alleviate any of that stress by anon common first year issues such swering any concerns the new stuas time management, roommate dents may have, or even just berelations, values exploration and ing there as a new friend. I think much more," Ruthkosky said. that my first year would have been The students who have been much easier if I had a mentor to chosen to become e-mentors are look to for advice," she said. academic and social leaders who, Ruthkosky added, "One of the according to Ruthkosky, are "eager biggest challenges of mentor proto provide support and encourage- grams that I have been associment and make a positive impact ated with in the past is the lack of on the development of incoming availability of the mentor, which freshmen." He believes this will be can lead to frustration. One of the beneficial for the incoming fresh- great advantages of this e-menmen, who will be able to ease into tor program is that whenever a the college lifestyle with the aid of student has a question or needs their mentors. advice, they can log on to their Ashley Arcuri, junior account- computer and know that a stuing major, agreed that the program dent leader with a genuine interest will be a great help for the under- in their success is only a "click" classmen. "Freshman year can be away. All they have to do is send very stressful and overwhelming. their e-mentor a message and they I believe that a mentor can help .will receive a timely response." Public Safety vehicle involved in one-car collision A Protesting Flashback side front wheel, snapped the axle, and dented the quarter panel, fender and door." The accident is being viewed The familiar bright yellow Pubas just an accident with emphasis lic Safety SUV has been conbeing put on the fact that it was a spicuously absent from its normal one-car accident and that no one downtown parking spot in front was hurt during it. Reho said, of the Main Street Park and Lock "The bright side of it, though, is over the past week. The reason? that no one was injured so that's The Public Safety vehicle was always a plus." involved in a one-car accident on According to Reho the investiAcademy Street. Jerry Reho, mangation is on going into the acciager of campus support services dent because Public Safety is onconfirmed, "It happened around going Reho said, "It's under investigation, we have to wait for the police report to come back and read that and there was a supervisor on that night and he did a report and the officer did one following the accident. Then we get together and go over all of the facts and decide." Bailey said, "As for the employee, I cannot comment on any specifics due to the confidential nature of personnel issues except The Beacon/Kristin Kile ~say they are still The Public Safety SUV was damaged during the accident on April 21 at 4:00 a.m. mployed with the when a driver lost control and struck a tree. ·versity." BYVICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor vear. com 5:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, the 15th." Christopher Bailey, Director of Campus Support services said, "He drifted too far right and struck the curb, lost control and hit a tree on the right front side. The front right wheel was basically tom off the vehicle and the front end was damaged." The damage to the yellow vehicle was semi-extensive, but not enough to total out the vehicle. Rebo said, "He damaged the right Courtesy of Donna Talarico In the fall of 1996, almost 10 years ago, a similar protest to the one on Friday, April 21 occurred outside of the Darte Center. In 1996, students gathered at the Bell Tower in the Greenway and marched over to the Darte Center as part of the protest, where a Board of Trustees meeting was being held. The Board of Trustees invited the protesters in and answered questions and allowed students to voice their concerns to the entire board. Although it was a valiant effort on the part of the protesters, the tuition increase was voted on and passed in 1996, as it will also be in 2006. �~- -- 4 - - . NEWS APRIL -- 24, 2006 Low event attendance due to ca01pus apathy? possible, the next time a cultural musical group comes to campus, the sponsoring program do a teaser in the cafeteria or student center. "Teasers can really help. [Perfomers] can do a small snippet, or a roving type show. Students may say, 'Oh, that is cool. Yeah, I'll check it out.' That has worked for some of the programming board performers," she suggested. Dawson suggested something a little more subtle. "[Apathy] is a difficult problem. There are well attended cultural events. We Inight look at what brings people in, capitalize on that and sneak in cultural awareness when they least expect it," he said. Parker-Lloyd says that she has been collaborating with academic departments on events, such as with the English department when bringing in a poet, which she says helps attract more people. She also says students should take more ownership of events they plan. "I notice here if students are planning an event, they may tell five friends about it, but they won't tell everyone," she said, adding that schools she has visited, she's witnessed student event planners the day of standing at a busy spot on campus rallying for their event, passing out small fliers to all who walk by. Waldorf, Parker-Lloyd and Allen mentioned a semester-long incentive program that other campuses have in place. Waldorf explained that SG president Andrew Steinberg came back from a national conference with an idea-- for each campus-sanctioned event attended, students get a token. At the end of the semester, all those tokens are traded in for a raffle ticket for a major grand prize, such as a cruise. Parker-Lloyd heard of a similar program where tokens could be redeemed for school apparel. Allen agreed, but with caution. "[We'd want] people to go to pay attention to the events and enjoy them, not just go for the token," he said. He added that campus events sponsored by the larger organizations are tracked for participation and cost, but this could help smaller groups get a better handle on what events work. But sometimes, it all boils down taking advantage of your tuition dollars. "It's really your money," said Parker-Lloyd. "This is the only time in your life you'll get anything for free! I'd like to see more students involved on both ends, planning events and attending." BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor bnagine spending $2,500 to bring a group to campus for a workshop and performance and publicizing the event with passion and enthusiasm only to have a Darte Center hall filled with eight people. In March, the Wilkes University Office of Diversity donated $2,500 to the music department to bring in an acclaimed classical Indian music group for a cultural, educational and entertaining experience. Only six guests and two music professors, including Phil Simon, attended the event. The low turnout was alarming and embarrassing to Simon. He and other event planners on campus say there may be a case of apathy at Wilkes-- and want to change it. "It's a campus-wide problem and one we all have to find a solution for. We're all trying to build audiences," said Simon. "The student body needs to know we are concerned." Dean of Student Affairs and advisor to Student Government (SG) Mark·Allen understands Simon's concern. "When an event fails, one that was planned by students or where an outside group was brought in, you don't want to be embarrased by low attendance," he said. However, based on experience from his 20 years on the Wilkes campus he observed, "Overall, participation and involvement is very, very strong. We need to focus on the pockets that aren't so strong and fix them." He added that these pockets include cultural and multucultural events. Staff and faculty credit several reasons for low attendance. "We have a fairly large c0mmuter base. When students leave for the day, it is very hard to get them to come back," said Simon, adding that gas prices can contribute, too. But he also noted that the larger problem is just "plain, old apathy." And, as obvious as this may sound, college students are busy. Allen acknowledged that the extracurriculars compete with academics, internships and work. Joe Dawson, chair of the visual and perfoming arts department agreed. "They're busy and it's easy for students to fall into the trap of believing that education is what happens only in the classroom. They don't truly believe performances can change the way they think about the world so they don't make time to go to cultural events," said Dawson. Mary Waldorf, student development coordinator and staff advisor to programming board said that students seem interested in new things, major concerts and events that "pay off." "People seem to need more of a reason to go out than just to be entertained for a night," she said, adding that some of the most successful events sponsored by Programming Board, SG and student development are those that have prizes--like cash or trips to New York City. However, when that incentive is missing, it seems so are the masses. Waldorf gave an example of a novelty event brought in by programming board, extreme jugglers Team Rootberry. Beacon Archives At a recent Battle of the Bands event, the attendance was low and many around campus think that it may be due to campus apathy while others chalk up the low attendance to event planning and promoting. She said the people who attended the event loved it, but added that a senior event at Chacko's with drink specials and prizes was held the same night and was highly attended. Waldorf also mentioned that a Chinese acrobat event didn't fare too well. Ann Loyek, cooridnator for community service, noted that many activities she has a hand in planning see a good turn-out, like alternative spring break and especially those helping children. Others, however, like a recent blood drive, did not meet its goal. "We 're always asking questions and assessing both the needs and interests of the students," she explained. "So many factors are involved with running any successful event, and sometimes there are numerous and clear reasons why attendance was low, sometimes we never know why attendance was low. If the event was expensive, I believe that reflects the coordinators' and advisors' faith in its value. But we always learn something when we take the chance to offer something new, and that's never a failure." According to Loyek, intellectual, social justice, activist-type activities are less popular. "One guess is that they're viewed as a 'program', and after sitting in classes, that may not be appealing," said Loyek. Andita Parker-Lloyd, advisor to the Multicultural Student Coalition said that while the recent fashion show had a nice turn-out, November's Multicultural Awareness Week saw lower numbers than years past. She says the events were well advertised, offered at good times and there were no conflicting events. ".. .I can't attribute [low attendance] to anything," she said, leading to the fact that it could be, as Simon said, apathy. Parker-Lloyd also added that misconception of cultural events could be keeping people away. "For diversity related events, some students who are not underrepresented for some reason won't feel they will enjoy the event, learn anything or aren't welcome, and that is not the case," said Parker-Lloyd. "~ey are ~or everybody.". Dawson feels what 1s perceived as entertamment is something that can be changed through the college experience. "A university has a responsibility to .educa~e students and the co~unity_by b~oadenmg therr exposure and expanding therr notio~ of what ~ntertainment is. We should try to gam populanty with cultural events that are nontradition~l even if they fail the first time - learn from our rrustakes and try harder next time. Some day it will work," he said. Dawson added that major music and theater productions are usually well attended, as cast and crew can always count on the support of friends and family. So, what can be done about attendance? Sometimes incentives work, as does the chance to participate, such as with a hypnotist or mind reader. But, as Waldorf said, those things can't be offered at all campus events or afforded by all clubs an_d department sponsors. Waldorf suggested that 1f 01ent Notes Student April 19 Meeting -Christopher sues related to -Delta Epsilo -Choral clu -S.I.F.E: ap -Diabetes that will be don donate $500, Josh -The second rea on. SG members v -Block P will be held A to the amoun made a motion t d 28-2-1. / ~i 1 ,, . y . { . .... . . ; . . . 1 I I ( I �APRIL 24, 2006 NEWS 5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYt----------- AdventureS in Science draws fifth graders into world of mystery Middle school and college students spend a day in the world of Science BY JOSEPH DEANGELIS Beacon Staff Writer It's really a toss up at this point as to what lab will be the most popular. Watching gummy bears explode in order to demonstrate ~ow energy is released might take the cake at this years' Adventures in Science. But a rival lab called "Brain Busters" could give the aforementioned "And a Gummy Bear Bites the Dust" a run for its money. "We're going to show them a little bit about neuroscience," said Dr. Ed Schicatano, an associate professor of psychology. Schicatano's lab is just one of ten labs this year in Adventures in Science, a day long event taking place on April 28 where fifth grade students come on to the Wilkes campus to conduct science labs. This year, approximately 250 studentey will come from the Pittston area, the largest number of students yet. In the lab, the students will be able to slice open a human brain on a computer to show I think that if you let the kids see the fun aspect of different types of science, you can kind of broaden their horizons. Sara Ryder, junior biology major them the anatomy of the brain, such as the parts for memory, language and behavior. The second part of the lab will be all about sensation and perception. "It's their first exposure to the field of neuroscience," Schicatano said. "If you're going to understand how your body works, your bones and muscles, it's also important to understand how the brain works and how the brain makes us who we are." "I think that will be a really neat lab for the kids," said Sara Ryder, a junior biology major who is coordinating the event. This year, as with every year, Debbie Chapman, instructor of biology, and her student volunteers want to show their guests that science has a lot more to it than what it seems. "One thing [the students] are going to get is that science takes a lot of different aspects," Chapman said. "They're going to see how difficult it is." But there's a reason these scientists use gummy bears and other hands-on, familiar tools for Advemtures in Science. "I think that if you let the kids see the fun aspect of different types of science, you can kind of broaden (1101 their horizons," said Ryder. "And the kids always seem to have fun with the day." For Chapman, however, the day is more about how the Wilkes students interact with the possible future generation of scientists. "To watch our students interact with their students is absolutely incredible," Chapman said. "It's so heartwarming." Chapman's favorite lab still is the gummy bear lab. She says that the energy of the students in undeniable. "The energy these children have is contagious," Chapman said of her experiences of seeing the students' faces as the gummy bears suffer a cruel death. Other labs will include students learning how to clean up an oil spill, a lab that has the students examining arthropods, a forensics lab, a physics lab, a geology lab, a lab where the students look at DNA, a ~keleton identification lab and the classic Gak lab, a favorite among students throughout the years. �DR!r£{<26n 6 .. ~~~~~- Your Voices: Donkey Bball 7 Your Voices: Senior Salute 8 University Atmosphere 8 Duke University has obligation to protect Beacon Poll student rights over athlete privileges Results BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Last Tuesday, April 18, two Duke University lacrosse players were arrested and charged with the rape of a black female exotic dal).cer at a party last month. Investigators anticipate one more arrest in conjunction with the alleged crime. In addition to the rape charges, one of the players wrote a horrific e-mail the night of the alleged attack in which he detailed plans to invite more strippers over and )cill them the following night. Due to the accusations and e- mail message, Duke University officials made the decision to permanently suspend the lacrosse team from playing at all this season. It comes as a crushing blow for the team, as they were ranked second in the nation and expected to have a successful season. This case naturally brings to light questions about the fairness of the actions of the university towards those players not indicted and charged with the crime. Technically, the entire team faces the repurcussions of these charges, although only three players have been accused by the victim. For those players who were not in- volved, this scandal will have a negative impact on their athletic careers. Additionally, they are being subjected to unwanted, negative attention and asked to comply with DNA tests to exonerate themselves. According to an April 20 MSNBC.com article, a Duke University lacrosse player that attempted to transfer to Syracuse, a school that had recruited him as an athlete prior to his decision to attend Duke, was denied admission to the school. Syracuse's athletic director cited the school's acceptance of Duke lacrosse players as "inappropriate given the situation." Nickle for Your Thoughts By Jason Nickle & 1Y ·~ Clearly, the Duke lacrosse players are facing negative backlash across the country, and the elephant in the room is that this is not only an allegation ofrape, but also an attack on the poor, black society by rich, white men. Regardless of the outcome for the players, it is the responsibility of Duke University to require proper conduct by both its students and athletes. Playing a sport for a university is not a right but a privilege. This privilege may be--indeed, should be--taken away if student athletes don't meet the requirements and goals of the institution. As is dictated in Duke University's athletic policy, the University strives for "commitment to the physical and emotional well-being, and social development of student athletes as well as to the development of their sense of citizenship, dedication to sportsmanship and fair play, the development of individual and team skills, the exertion of best effort, the will to win, and general conduct that brings credit to the University and is a source of pride and enthusiasm for all members of the Duke community." The allegations of rape against three of the players do p.ot reflect any of the goals the Duke community has for its student athletes. The University must take action accordingly to punish behavior that deviates from their expectations. As in many cases of rape, this case comes down to the word of the perpetrator( s) against the word of the victim. And, unfortunately, no one will ever know for sure what happened at that party, besides the victim and the perpetrators. Nonetheless, steps must be taken by the University to show where it stands on tolerance of alleged behavior such as rape. The privileges of an elite few men on a lacrosse team must be sacrificed in the search for truth to protect the rights of present and future victims. 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 43 responses. The Beacon asked: Which dorm on campus would you most like to live in? • Evans -10% University Towers -42% Barre- 2% Rifkin- 9% University Commons-0% Henry Northampton - 2% Henry Ross Street - 0% Sturdevant-~ 2% Waller North/South- 7% • Other - 26% . . . . . . . . Next Week's Poll Question: Which celebrity would be the worst date? Courtney Love • Carrot Top Gilbert Gottfried Janet Reno • Anna Nicole Smith Paris Hilton Marilyn Manson Bill O'Reilly • Danny Bonaduce Other . . . . . . . ~ Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week's issue of The Beacon. �APRIL 24, 2006 ....---------1 OPINION YOUR VOICES 7 Donkey ba ket all contin·ues to spark debate and discussion 'Student Response: Protesters serve to Alumnus response: Protesters should give equistrian club publicity volunteer their time Dear Editor: As a Wilkes alum, I was unaware of the donkey situation until recently. I am glad to see that students at Wilkes are willing and able to make their voices heard and their opinions known. However, I was concerned about their claims that donkey basketball was harmful to animals. Personally, I love animals. I have always considered myself someone who is concerned with the treatment of animals. Because of this, I have. taken action to ensure the safety of animals. Obviously, I cannot do it all and save every ani:ma:l, but! can take small steps toward a larger goal. This is what I feel the protestex-s missed. Protesting a.bout animal rights isn't really going to do much except make people angcy and cause controversy, which they did well on campus. Each person has to do what they can to ensure that the animals around them are well taken care of. How can one achieve this? It is really quite simple. l have achieved these small steps by rescuing animals; such as my 1 year 7 month old border collie, Casey, from a shelter: She was an abused dog that was left for dead. We took her home and nursed her back.to'health, We also took in another dog, .five month old Lola, a mountain cur, from a ,family that could not care for her and her brothers an,d sisters. By takin these steps, I have ensured that at least o dogs will be well taken care of. Also, whenever I see someone hit their dog, use a muzzle or a choke collar, or in any other way malnourish or mistreat their animal, I say something. I don't hold a sign in protest, I tell them that they are harming their animal. It may seem like a small thing to do, but if everyone does their part, we can ensure the safety of all animals. Furthennore, the use of animals for recreation does not seem cruel to me. When 1 thr<>w the football for Casey and she chases it, . i$ that considered cruel? When Lola,;,and 1 play Frisbee in the back yard, is that cruel? When my brother and I run in the yard and letJhe dogs chase us, are we somehow harming them? I wrestle with my dogs; yes wlren I get oqthefloor and ;restle with Casey and Lol~ sometimes I am on top of them. ls this cruelty? Can an animal actually consent to anything? By this logic, is even owning a pet friendly to animals because they haven't had their say? I am sure. Casey and Lola, and most other animals for that matter, would prefer to be free, but llistead they are pets. How do we know w~ our animals really want? All we can d is treat them to the best of our abilities, So to t:lie protest~rs I say, take off ., the s;.gn$ ~4 do something. Rescue a dog from a s~e:l~. Volunteer your time. Meagan Brown 200() Graduate has become so public. The Beacon has done aboµt a student who had allegedly dropped a splendid job of balanced reporting on this out of the game because she was worried story, and I'd like to add another piece to about her grade in bet course, with a the debate: the worst we can do in situations professor who was prote$t:ing the, ev¢nt. I like.this,' where opinions are so deeply held was saddened. As educat0TS, y./i are here and passfonate, is to stereotype and belittle to facilitate, not indoctrinate; And we do each other. _ _ _ influence our students with our personal The saddest scene I witnessed on the 6mses, yes. It's unavoidable, and it's ok, sidewalk that Sunday was the upper-level and · we discuss this issue in my courses, phannacy student with his own sandwich at every level, often. I would hate to have board saying, "Don't be an ass-don't be a•class full of students who nodded their a protester." That, to me, is everything beads and hearts' to everything I said. Wilkes, and education itself, works against. Spirited discussions are the labor pains of To stay silent when we disagx-ee is to be thought. As educators, I hope the majority complacent, and refusal to act when we ofus at Wilkes are incox-porating this gadfly know we should, as Ghandi says, allows evil approach. to rule the world. I think "evil," in this case, When I was ejghteen years old, I stormed has to do with not thinking things through. the st~e capitol building of Oklahoma Nonviolent protest can inform that which with hundreds of other Southern Baptists would otherwise be hidden or overlooked. I against abortion rights. Over time, my will add that, for me, that word "nonviolent" views changed-and I had to leave that implies kindness at every level, notjust the church because I questioned its actions. lack of a fistfight. · On this issue of asses at Wilkes, may we A Beacon reporter asked me what I think all give each other conversation and then room to think. It's that balance of reliable information and gracious relationships that are the answer to-not to put too fine a poin on it-everything. l wish Beacon reporters could have bee there when a student from my freshman composition class stopped on her way int the ~asium to say hello. She look] meiri the eye, sandwich boards and all, an smiled. We spoke for a few minutes about the weather and her supporting her friends in the game. She's a good student, and she knows she has the freedom in this academyat least regarding my courses-to act as she sees fit. How do we change the world and decrease suffering? Through ,relationships. When I think of that Sunday afternoon protest, I think of my friend Kasey, my student Jessica, and how we'll continue together even if we disagree. Dear Editor: It may appear that the dust has settled and that evecything is said and done as far as the donkey basketball is concerned, but it is not. I hope to see this become an annual activity here at Wilkes and feel that it did a great job of giving the equestrian club a little publicity. I especially liked the protesters outside with their signs and slogans which ended up being oh so hypocritical. The best thing that I noticed was on the front page of The Beacon where Dr. Harrington himself had his dog strung up on a leash with a sign on its back. This was highly amusing since they were proclaiming that the donkeys were being forced to do things that they would not nonnally do. However, the greatest example of the duality and sheer hypocrisy of this group stems from the fact that Dr. Harrington's dog is wearing what is commonly called a "choker chain" which cinches up and pulls on the fur and neck of the animal, in essence choking them, to help the owner restrain the animal when it fries to pull on the leash. Another great example was people that had signs saying that people should support REASON in a reasonable matter. The amount of time that people spent creating signs and protesting co'illd have been better spent donated to volunteering at an animal shelter. Finally, I feel that faculty's response to students being worried about their grades laughable. The faculty that I noticed there all taught very subjectively graded courses and as a student I too would have been worried about my grade in such a class, especially one in which a core reading of the course is a book on animal cruelty. I am not saying that teachers would actually stoop to this level, but I can see the response from students who do not know their professors well. I personally had one of the protesting faculty as a professor and have a great deal of respect for her. I hope to see this event here at Wilkes again, and welcome any protestors who will serve to give a small club a great deal of pubijcity. Seth Barnetsky P3 Pharmacy Major ------------.....----------------------1 Facuity response.: Relationships have power to change the woi:Id Dear Editor: I'm one of the faculty membets that ore "Donkeys Deserve Better., signs as a sandwich board over my head a couple of Sundays ago. I took my twelve-yearold friend Kasey, who said that donkey basketball sounded, to her, ''just stupid.1' On the way over, Kasey, bmmcing up and liown, told me she's going to the Shrine Circus. When we :reached the sidewalk in front of the Marts Center, Kasey saw another protester there who had a sign exposing animal abuse in the circus. I still remember her face falling: "The circus, too?" I explained to her that people are conceOJed over how animals areflreated in the circ~s. · ut that doesn't mean she shouldn't go this ear. She can just take that new information and do with it what she thinks best. Alicia Cain is one of the top 3 studentsout of almost 2000 in 16 years4hat I've had in a course. We differ on the issue. of donkeys and basketbaD, but I think no less of her. I'm excitedjbm · do~y issu Mischelle Anthony Assistant Professor of English �APRIL 24, 2006 OPINION 8 YOUR VOICES Senior Salute not just a single stop Dear editor: I am a graduating senior and this week I went through the Senior Salute process. I must admit I was very displeased with the event. The concept of the event is to allow seniors to go to one place and be able to fill out all of their exit information, pretty much check in with a lot of the offices on campus and make sure that they are ready to graduate. Going into the event seniors were not notified that all of their library books needed to be turned in in order for their senior graduation clearance to go through. Due to the fact that I am an English major, who has papers due up to May 4, I still have library books signed out. Due to this rather minor issue, my paperwork at the student loan and financial management offices could not be taken care of. Instead of passing me through their table and placing less emphasis on the library books that I have out for academic purposes, I now must worry about making sure my books are back so that the library will be able to sign my paper so that I can take it to Passan Hall before May 5 or else, as they told me, "We will not be able to guarantee your diploma." As a senior who is stressed out enough about the final ·weeks of classes and getting my papers and assignments done, I find it a bit disturbing that a couple of not-yet due library books are keeping me from finishing my paperwork, while other students whose financial status still shows unpaid balances are waived through the table because they promised to fill out scholarship paperwork. I also find that process a bit unnerving considering that even if students Courtesy www.lili.org do not currently have library books out, they can still go and get books out and it will not affect their diploma status. I felt the need to share my concern over the library table being a part of Senior Salute as it may provide hang-ups for other students as well. Considering that the emphasis behind holding the event is to allow for greater efficiency for seniors, and considering the recent campus-wide push towards efficiency with releasing staff members, I find it difficult to handle that an event meant for efficiency is causing greater hang-ups due to one table: the library table. My solution to the issue is to either remove the library table, seeing as afterwards students can still check out books without any hassles, or to allow for waiving of the library table when the books are not-yet due. Concerned about efficiency, Victoria White Senior Communications Studies and English major niversity at01osphere an integral part of students' lives BY AMANDA MCMAHON Beacon Staff Writer Sitting in the Henry Student Center eating lunch a few hours before the deadline for this week's article was due I was panicking. I had been asking friends all week, "What should I write about?" Most of them were feeling quite similar to me; tired from writing papers and running on high anxiety knowing that finals are just around the comer. The most popular choice of topics addressed the overwhelming number of last minute projects and tests that the fourteenth and :fifteenth weeks of the semester bring along with experiencing "senioritis" (and, interestingly enough, most of those who made the senioritis suggestion were not even seniors). I have to admit, those topics sounded pretty tempting, especially considering that I was going to be committing my life to a computer for the next two weeks, while Mother Nature was finally giving way to spring's warmth. But my friends and I weren't the only ones itching to finally break from the classroom. Even my professors had begun to buckle, some of them losing patience as the semester was Even if you happen to be a senior who won't be returning in the fall I can't help but think that the people who make Wilkes what it is will forever be a part of who you are and who you will become. losing time, and one even, understandably, forgot a book needed for class. But despite everyone's end-of-semester-fatigue, including my own, I realized something: the university, no matter how much we may want to disown it, has become an integral part of our lives. If you ever happen to visit Wilkes during the late part of July, it is a pretty lonely place. No one is there to throw around a football on the greenway or (as much as I am against it) contribute to the cloud of smoke that lingers along the steps of Kirby Hall throughout the fall and spring semesters. The lunch sandwich maker lady isn't there to mess up anyone's tuna sandwich on wheat and the public safety guys aren't hanging around their usual "break" area in Stark. The smelly library's books can't be signed out--not that they necessarily get signed out during the school months--and the fire escape doors of Chesapeake and Delaware can't be continuously propped open. Furthermore, no one is playing pool in the Henry Student Center or waiting on the couches to meet up with friends for lunch all at the strike of noon. The campus just isn't the same without us. Perhaps more importantly, though, we aren't the same without it. While this summer at Wilkes is promised to be rather different, with renovations and construction planned to take place throughout the greater part of campus, it still won't be the same without the familiar faces all there doing what they do because it is what they do, even if it is complaining about all of the work or taking a shot ( or two, or three) when they should be studying for the following day's test. Even if you happen to be a senior who won't be returning in the fall I can't help but think that the people who make Wilkes what it is will forever be a part of who you are and who you will become. Hopefully these people will be a part of your lives in an even grander way than you would expect, enough so that one day perhaps you may even look up the meaning of a word you don't know the definition of and finally get what Dr. C was trying to get you to discover all along. In this way we don't pay to attend a university, we pay to let our beings become part of a university that, in turn, becomes part of us. While it may prove quite difficult to clear our heads from the seemingly endless lectures all a part of the rigorous semester that put our sanity to the test time after time, I have belief in all of our abiliff'es to rise to the challenges that the next few weeks has to offer, finish the year with all we have left in ourselves, and eagerly return to Wilkes in the fall of 2006, even if in heart, ready to do it all over again. �FEATURES APRIL 24? 2006 ~~ -~ Off Campus advice IRHC Egg Hunt Billy Flynn 10 10 11 ----~~~~~~ 9 One stop shop: Senior Salute kicks off senior activities dent and faculty member who will serve as greeter during commencement. The Senior Salute also allows some students a chance to bid farewell to many of the departments and services available at Wilkes. Some of the departments students have to check in with include the library, financial aid, and the registrar. Other departments represented at the Senior Salute include Career Services, the Alumni Association, and Student Affairs. Carol Bosack-Kosek, Director of Career Services, said, "It's a real mix this year, who have resumes and who don't. This (Senior Salute] gets students to touch base on these issues." King has been involved with the Senior Salut~ since the beginning of the one stop shop environment. "Student Affairs has a dinner dance. Students can pick up their cap and gown, and contribute to the alumni association for the senior class gift," she said. The Senior Salute also offers a social atmosphere for students and faculty. "It's fun for faculty at the tables because you get to see all of the students and have opportunities to catch up with students you haven't seen since they were freshmen. It's a good kick off to commencement month," said King. Other staff memebers involved in the Senior Salute enjoy the social atmosphere. Bosack-Kosek said, "I get to see people I haven't seen in a while. The undeclared students as freshmen now have so many activities. I can't believe how far they've come in four years. It's nice to see the seniors getting together." BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Staff Writer These days most people like things fast. Fast food, fast results, fast Internet, and fast check out lines. And in keeping with the times, for graduating seniors the Senior Salute offered students a quick way to "check out" of Wilkes University last week. The Senior Salute is the first event to kick off the list of graduation activities for seniors. This year the Senior Salute was held on Tuesday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and again on Wednesday, April 19 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Henry Student Center Grand Ballroom. For seniors the process required registering at the door and visiting each department table to sign off on a check out sheet. And students completed the required senior checkout in one stop. Barbara King, AssoThe Beacon/Kristin Kile ciate Dean of Student Affairs said, "We used to do the Senior The Senior Salute offers students a one stop shop for checking out of various offices throughout Salute during senior week and campus. Students were also able to pick up their cap and gown as well as enjoy lunch compliments students had to go from build- of the university. ing to building. Around 1999 teaching, or whose schedules are particular- building because it's less running around." or 2000 it became a one stop shop." While going through the check out proly full. Janelle Chwalek, senior elementary This also makes it easier for students in- education major, said, "I'm student teach- cess, students are offered lunch, giveaways, volved with various internships, student ing so it's easier to come after school to one drawings, and a chance to vote for the stu- Te 11 U S ■Reporter ■ ■ Becky Goodman was curious about what Wi1kes students are thinking. Here is what she found out. What is the first thing you would do if you won a significant amount of money through the lottery? •• • • •• •• • • • •• • •• Barbara Melnyk P2 pharmacy major Keith Hubbard junior English major "Pay off my school loans." "I'd buy Idaho." • • • • • •• • Julie Gilbert senior marketing major "Pay off my school loans and pay for everybody's laundry at Wilkes next year." Will Mercado sophomore communications studies major "Open up my own chicken plant." �10 FEATURES APRIL 24, 2006 OCC offers aid and advice to students 01oving off ca01pus BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor The attraction of sharing a bathroom with just two people--as opposed to eight-living room space and a separate kitchen where students can concoct whatever ramen noodle delicacy strikes their fancy at 2 a.m. sounds attractive to many dorm dwellers. But debating the move to an off-campus residence is a major decision for most college students. Issues of cost and new responsibilities go hand in hand with an off campus residence, and students are sometimes not informed about how to deal with issues such as rental insurance and absentee landlords. However, at Wilkes University, the Off Campus Council(OCC) is there to help students with the process. The OCC has put together a list of beneficial tips to help aid students who are relatively new to an apartment. There are many reasons why students choose to move out of a residence hall and into a place they can call their own. Feeling more independent, cheaper living expenses, or wanting to live with friends are major pluses for an apartment. Carmen Winters, sophomore business major and an off-campus student, offered his own reasons, "In most cases, you have your own room rather than sharing with someone else and you are living with people that you choose to live with. That is sometimes the case in the dorm, as well, but for most students they have never met their roomate before and sometimes they have conflicting interests." Joshua Swantek, P2 pharmacy and President of the OCC, reminds students that discussing residence changes are a must with the university. "If you choose to move offcampus, make sure you first check with the financial aid department to make sure that there will be no changes to your tuition package," he said. Swantek believes that an off-campus apartment can be very beneficial to a student. "Moving off-campus is a great step in gaining more independence and developing self reliance. Certain aspects, such as paying bills and maintaining an apartment, helps students prepare for the challenges they will face upon graduation and on their own. For others, it is more cost effective to make the switch out of a residence hall and into an apartment. Also, having a nearby residence, especially through the summer, allows a student to maintain a local job or internship during times when housing on campus would not be available." OCC Tips for living off campus 1. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and exchange contact information in case of an emergency. 2. Get to know your landlord and make sure you have their contact information. 3. Know and carefully choose your roommates ... you're with them through the whole lease. 4. Establish responsibilities with your roommate(s) such as paying bills, cleaning and trash. 5. Know when your bills and rent are due so you pay them on time to establish good credit. 6. Inquire about policies, availability and costs of: trash, lmmdry, repairs and pets. 7. Know the phone numbers of emergency contacts, your landlord and the maintenance crew used by your landlord. 8. Double check that all outlets and fire alarms/smoke detectors are working properly. 9. Look into renter's insurance. 10. Find out how many parking spaces are available for your estate and if there is a cost. 11. Talk to other tenants or neighbors and find out about your landlord's reputation. 12. Know what is included in the rent and what additional costs there are. 13. Keep a copy of the lease handy and make sure you understand it before signing. 14. Thrift stores are a great place to buy furniture. 15. If you plan on eating on campus, the block plan is the most cost efficient option. 16. When setting up the internet, make sure there are enough lines in your apartment for all residents. 17. Join the OFF CAMPUS COUNCIL and be an active member. 18. Be responsible. IRHC Easter Egg Hunt Donate ,P la.s rna Today. Earn up to $200 a Monthl On Monday, April 10 IRHC sponsored its annual Easter Egg Huot in the Henry Student Center. Prizes included candy, DVDs, movies and an MP3 player. lnterata1e Blood & Plasma Inc .. 66!i Ca.~•.· . Aw Wi 1. ·.~ .. ·. Pa Cal (5702 823-411~ �APRIL 24, 2006 11 FEATURES Billy Flynn: 1978 aluin keeping polka alive own the radio stations, and revenue is important." Hence, many of the ethnic shows were pulled off the air, except for shows like Flynn's, which generates huge revenues because of its established audience. The show Flynn works on at WVIA is a prime example of this type of popularity. The WVIA tapes polka shows which feature both live music and dancing. "It is an extremely popular show," commented Kathryn Davies, assistant to the Vice President of Production at WVIA. "We have over 1,000 of our members [that support the broadcasting company] in the polka club." These members support the show and dance in the studio for the television broadcast·s. There is also a great response to the programs they have outside of the studio, such as performances at summer fairs. "Any outside productions that we do, they're packed ... standing room only," added Davies. There are also two polka websites that play the music 24 hours a day: www.247polkaheaven.com and www.polkajammer.com. The show is burned onto CD and uploaded onto the website. "That's important, because a lot of people have moved away from the northeast where polka is popular... to a place where there are no ethnic shows. So they go to the website and can hear these shows 24 hours a day," Flynn explained. Flynn acknowledges that he receives a lot of fan mail from these sites. "My farthest e-mail was about two weeks ago from a serviceman in Japan" who was originally from Connecticut, Flynn said. BY DANA ZLOTUCia Beacon Staff Writer Billy Flynn, a 1978 graduate of Wilkes, keeps the polka tradition alive with his weekly radio show, The Pennsylvania Polka, on WVIA. He has experienced a lot of career diversity, hopping from theater, to television, to sales, to broadcasting. The most interesting part of this journey may be that Flynn graduated from Wilkes with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, and originally intended to go to law school. But immediately after graduation, Flynn was offered a job at WBRE-FM radio, now known as WKRZ. He liked it, stayed, and eventually transitioned to channel 28 as a television news reporter. During this time, he was also doing a polka show in Scranton, at WICK. In 1971, he moved to Binghamton and worked as a news director in radio, and then got into sales. Flynn comes from a Ukrainian/ Irish family, but was heavily influenced by his mother's Ukrainian side of the family through food, songs, dance and culture. This environment led him to his work with polka stations, and he has kept with it ever since. "Sales is my complete job [now]. The Polka has always been a hobby, and a weekThe Beacon/Donna Talarico end thing," Flynn said. Wilkes graduate Billy Flynn keeps the local tradition of polka alive by ramaining His association with WVIA began approxan active member of the polka community. Flynn is the host of a weekly radio show imately seven years ago as a co-host hired called The Pennsylvania Polka, which airs on WVIA. mainly to do the interviews on the show because of his familiarity with the music. ing the Polish/Ukrainian heritage alive. local people. They aired the shows whether "Most of the co-hosts they had [before "Years ago, there used to be many ethnic or not they brought in revenue. Keeping me] were just broadcasters, they weren't radio shows, when stations were owned by the ties to the community was what was knowledgeable of polka music ... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ important. Now, however, corporations They didn't know the polka styles, or the instrumentation." Several radio stations air polka music in Syracuse, Elmira, Carbondale, Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton. The biggest station that carries it is WNAK 94.3 FM, which reaches three states. The show is recorded at COOL 100 at Binghamton, (where Flynn now works), and is mailed to WNAK. "The response, from what WNAK fot tells me, is phenomenal," Flynn said. Neu,{, to Flynn notes that his line of work is both fun and rewarding. "The polka audience is the happiest audience. No matter what age they are, they are always happy, always dancing with each other...this atmoYoor nu.mher one rourre fur birth control and the: morning after pill sphere just brightens everything up. 1-800-230-PLAN www.ppnep.org They are a very loyal and attentive audience. Nice people." .. CUtarn instartA:~,furth£r e-v:riluatfon may .bt ntquired The show is also important to keep- Mayflower Crossing has a part-time entry level marketing position available. Looklnl an aa,esslve, energetic, self-etarter. Hours flexlble. Please e-mail ali@ mayflowercrosslng,.oom.. tt/,r&Uly !uu:tyou.r ~ . buyyour birlit,, ct1ntrot iJt. prU!aCj'I Get Your Birth Control wiJJuJut.:A Pelvic Exam• �A&E APRIL 24, 2006 12 Theater majors on tour College Daze Net: Time wasters Flaming Lips Trendspotter 13 14 14 15 15 Grooming young thespians for public performances Community Conservatory theater classes plan May performances BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor "Snails are boring They taste like whatever they are dipped in .. . .perfumed with lemon, lubed with sauce .... " Doris must learn to eat strange foods to appease her soonto-be-husband, and a wannabe actor waiting tables in a New York City restaurant gives his grossed-out customer a pep talk in a scene from Eat Your Heart Out. The snail scene was being rehearsed just before Easter break in Gies Hall in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, under the direction of instructor Corinna Sowers-Adler. Grooming young actors for bright college and professional theater careers takes center stage at the Wilkes University Community Conservatory through several performance classes, all putting on a grand finale this May. "They are making the transition from the classroom to the stage," said adjunct professor of theater Nicholas Adler, of t h e performances slated for later in the spring. Justin Gauser (Charlie) and Sarah Greisbach (Doris) are just two of the young thespians in the Acting for Young Performer Class who will be putting on Eat Your Heart Out. "It's really cool because .it ties a lot of things to- gether. [The play] shows things subtly; the playwright was really smart," said Gauser, adding that there are plenty of almost hidden Edgar Allan Poe references on the set and props. Eat Your Heart Out follows struggling actor Charlie and his random and recurring customers through three seasons and different restaurants. He waits on people who make out the entire time as well as his arch enemy in the theater circle. And about the snails. No matter how serious an actor she is, Greisbach says she probably won't be trying any squishy seafood for character development. The musical theater class, which shares many of the same students, is putting on Suessical the Musical, which brings to life many of Dr. Suess's famous characters. The cast says they enjoy playing larger than life roles. "It's fun. There are no restraints. Everything is so big and large; everything is amplified and cartoonish. You can just let everything go and have a good time," said Kevin Hourigan, who plays Horton the Elephant. Robert Ogin, who is playing the memorable Cat in the Hat says, "It's a challenge. He 's crazy, yet intellectual at the same time. It's hard to play a character everyone knows with your own spin." Photos by Todd Weibelffhe Beacon Wilkes Conservatory students Sarah Greisbach and Justin Gauser discuss escargot during a reshearal of Eat Your Heart Out. Many of the students have roles in both plays-- and some have dual roles in both, which Sowers-Adler says is good training. "The plays are so completely opposite. Friday, one plays a love-struck bird and Saturday an old woman. And Sunday, back to the bird," she said, using one actor as an example. "It's quite a stretch of their acting ability and they are rising to the challenge." Megan Hourigan not only has two different roles, but also plays men. "It's a lot different, obviously," she says of playing a male. Twice. "One is imaginative and gets in trouble for her ideas, and in Eat Your Heart Out, I am very snobby and upper class." She adds that to get into the role, she changes her actions and the way she holds herself. See THESPIANS page 13 �APRIL 24, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 National Touring Co01pany taps two theater arts 01ajors Candelario and Dyer jumpstart acting careers BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon Asst. News Editor It's almost that time again ... the time when many students begin to scramble to secure jobs after graduation. But for two senior theatre arts majors, what to do following the upcoming commencement may not seem quite as daunting. Rachel Dyer and Carlos Candelario have already been cast for the 58th tour of the National Players, a prestigious touring company that performs all over the United States. The National Players is a touring company based in Olney, Maryland. According to Dyer, the company is composed of about ten performers who tour across the country to schools and areas that may not normally have the opportunity to experience classical theater. The shows the company will perform are The Importance of Being Earnest and Othello, with dates lasting through May. Both Dyer and Candelario went through a considerably grueling audition process, each with their own hurdles to over... come. With persistence and skills however, both were lucky enough to score one of the coveted positions. Candelario has been cast as Brabantio and Lodovico, as well as the understudy to Othello, in Othello, and as Dr. Chasuble in The Importance ofBeing Earnest. Dyer will be portraying the Duke (Duchess) of Venice in Othello and Lady Bracknell in Earnest. Touring with the National Players will likely have a tremendous impact on the careers of both students, because the company is held in high regard by many. "So many people know the National Players and there are so many actors that have come out ofNational Players and made it big, so the connections that I'll have after performing with this group [will have a positive impact on my career]," Dyer said. Candelario echoed this sentiment, adding that a job with this company is a step in the right .direction for his career. "[If I had not joined this company], my alternative would have been to go up to New York and audition, so I think this is a good transition into that, instead of rushing right into the Big Apple," he said. Both actors are looking forward to meeting new people and working closely with the other performers. Candelario also reiterated how touring with the company will provide him with even more experience. "I know that this is going to demand more than has been demanded in the past. So, I'm looking to strengthen my craft," he said. Beacon Archives Carlos Candelario, shown above as Creon in Antigone, and Rachel Dyer will spend the summer touring with the National Players. The pair look forward to playing roles in Othello and The Importance of Being Earnest. j Courtesy Community Conservatory Eat Your Heart Out and Seussical the Musical cast members include Sarah Griesbach, Robert Ogin, Justin Gauser, Megan Hourigan, Kevin Hourigan and Kristin Propkochak, and a few dozen other students in the musical theater and acting for young performers classes offered at the Wilkes University Community Conservatory. THESPIANS from PAGE 13 Sowers-Adler says the set and costumes for Seussical will be very colorful,just like the storybooks. The set for Eat Your Heart Out is a little simpler, as the change in restaurants is noted by a change in table cloth. Opening performances for the two shows will be from the younger acting and performing classes, Songs on Stage and Theater and Imagination. The younger classes, as well as Wilkes theater students, help with the behind-the-scenes. But, according to Adler, the conservatory classes also help on Wilkes productions. Senior theater major Dan Van Why agrees the conservatory classes are a great asset to the university, and thinks that Wilkes students can also help mentor the younger kids. "It's great for musicians and actors. It really teaches a lot of kids, they do a great job of preparing them well. I've worked on their productions, and the kids help our program," he said. The Community Conservatory has been at Wilkes since 1988, and according to Adler, the theater curriculum started with six girls in one class. Today, there are seven classes with about 25 students in each. "There are kids from all different high schools, but get to unite at the University," he said. FYI: What: Suessical the Musical When: Friday, May 12, 8 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2 p.m. What: Eat Your Heart Out When: Saturday, May 13, 8 p.m. Price: $5 donation �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 APRIL 24, 2006 Nothing But Net: Time wasters BY DONNA TALARI Beacon A&E Editor BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist bN- i c..oN\e.~ . \-.P<\"<"- c.M'+ I j~ 5-tvc) ~ ~ .SQ I l A I ! ma.111e,, f.1C"IO.iS i ~oaJ . f O:!'\+ ✓ t.~ i) / "---~..::::::..~ (} J w•; c e. t¥'r-.. .\,) +k I; M.A.S.H In my quest to find a website to review for this week's issue, I stumbled upon a few interactive sites inI tended to be time wasters. What is ironic is that I was indeed not wasting time, merely researching on how to waste time. Which of course means I was being productive. The three below are fun: Band-0-Matic (joescafe.com) ~lUVlmt, Aspiring artists with tunes, but no name are in luck. This site generBeacon Graphic/Donna Talarico ates random names. Just click, and voila! He gives you a name. I went Gone are the days when you had to use a loose-leaf and a pen to tell to the site a few times so I could your fortune with childhood game M-A-S-H, which stand for Manchoose the band name I liked best. sion, Apartment, Shack and House. Of the Fudge Puppies, Silent Servant and Batman the Giant Walking Dildo, I think I'd go with the first. As a bonus, if you have some licks down, but don't have a song title- or just need some inspiration before you pen your next hit, this site also has a Song-0-Matic generator, for which I was given, "Five Man Trio" and "Tragic String Elegance," which sound pretty cool. The webmaster just asks for a shout out in liner notes should someone use his randomness. Entertainment Weekly did a write up on this site as well. Play M-A-S-H! (playmash.com) Remember the elementary school days of picking cars, spouses and houses? Oh, and don't forget how many kids you will have. Well, throw away the loose-leaf. This site lets you play the game virtually by filling in the spaces, and after you pick a number, it counts and eliminates choices right in front of your eyes. In my play, and I even put in bad answers for fun, it says I will be a famous novelist, marry Collin Farrell, have four children, drive a blue Jetta and live in a mansion in Maine. Insult Generator (www.monkeydog.com) On this site, you can enter the name of the person you want to insult, and check off if you want it to be modem, Shakespearean or street and then PG or adult. I clicked on PG (for Beacon purposes) and good old Will and got: "Donna, thou art an angry peeved uncommunicative alienated goon-eye!" Want more? I found these sites by going to Yahoo!'s web directory, under Entertainment, then under Randomized Things (then under name generators, insult generators on oracles). There are plenty more like this. ~ w"eou~ anase11 PS2 tDs XBOX Os NINTENDO YIJHGADS IJlsui4Ss (~01..1..l~GI~ ltlllNKING (~()NSl~OIJl~N(~l~S One in twelve college males admit to having committed acts that meet the legal defmition of rape or aquaintance rape. �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT j! l" J• ovv "Gh@ Chc:IP~S . ! Music Review l" • BY MATT ZEBROWSKI Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor Just about everyin the past. I think that thing I've ever read what makes this album so strange is it's sheer , about the Flaming Lips seems to frame eclecticism. Tracks like their albums in terms "Free Radicals" and "The of LSD. W.A.N.D." funk out in Lead singer Wayne 4/4 time with a semi prog Coyne claims to Devo sort of thing gonever have done it, ing on. Other tracks like "The Sound of Failure/It's and this is a shock to most people. PersonDark. .. Is It Always This ally, I was never all Dark??" and the truly epic that surprised by it. I "It Overtakes Me/The mean, okay, the FlamStars Are So Big ... I Am ing Lips are weird. So Small... Do I Stand Granted, I only got a Chance?" stretch well into them with The past the five-minute mark ·s oft Bulletin which into genuine psychedelic was released in 1999, rock territory. There are and I missed out on mellow cuts like "Mr. releases like Zaireeka, Photo by Jay Blakesberg Ambulance Driver," and (which contains one Flaming Lips publicity photo pop romps like "The Yeah of the freakiest album Yeah Yeah Song." The concepts e,·er--it's tracked on four separate Flaming Lips cram so many different styles CDs, so to get the full experience, you have of music into this album, and cover them to get them all playing at once). And okay, all quite adeptly, that I'm only beginning to Coyne does write some pretty fantastical wrap my mind around the majesty that is At lyrics, but I never found their music to be War With the Mystics. So therein lies what I feel to be the only all that weird when compared to some of the stuff that performers like Mike Pat- valid reference to LSD in regards to the ton," or even Radiohead, has done over the Flaming Lips. This album jam packs so years. Until now. much different stuff into its hour of playAt War With the Mystics is, without ques- time that it absolutely has to be mind-extion, one of the weirdest albums that I've panding in some way. Mind-expanding in ever heard. One of the major reasons is be- truly genuine ways that LSD is not, no matcause, unlike the recordings by the perform- ter what Leary or any of those other craers I mentioned earlier, it's hard to tell what zies would have told you. Plus, acid stays exactly makes the Lips' latest so strange. in your spinal cord for life. That's kinda The instrumentation is pretty typical; the gross. But ifI could somehow cram the 55 strangest things about it are the prevalence minutes of pure bliss that is At War With of both the flute, which is incorporated the Mystics somewhere in between my strongly into many of the tracks, and some lumbar vertebrae to flash back to whenever sort of laser-sounding synth effect that I cracked my back, I'd be first in line to isn't really all that weird at all. The lyr- do so. ics are also typical Flaming Lips fare, very Grade:A+ strange, but nothing stranger than what they've done APRIL 24, 2006 Trendspotter: Breifcases BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Asst. A&E Editor When venturing out into the workplace for the first day of work or even the first interview, it's always important to be prepared. One :a~d;~ d!~::~r:;f~:s~~i: i alQtf Gone are the days of" 'efcasa es looking like overs· lutJ.Ch boxes. Br°tfcases are now available in a range,.of colors :from. the traditional &· • + black and brown to more playfdl colors like red, yellow and pink. And of course, they are never, ev are1 .Briefcases are now.more like over d purses or lpess.e9ger bags as op,. 1 posed to w~l, briefcases. ~ Look fi qJend o~.:l;unctionalizy atJ.d fas:J:liott,in the season's ne brief~asel>, nd numerous options for mater d even exotics like alligator are in this year. e departments and in outlets specialzing in busine from approximately $75 to $350. Bags more exp d/or made of materials the average new grad can't a ags or $19.99 at department stores, consider offerOne final tip, oug yo ing up the extra few dollars a better briefcase. A cheap briefcase will make you look cheap, too. Courtesy classicluggage.com STUD:a:NT ROUS.NG SOLUT•ON Oll'l1Rll'U At ttMJ Ramada Inn You& Mc r11.1:itc,R~ IDDIIMIIM: .......... . C...,_wlihHBO t..oolll 1119hone Ulilllll.• P\lffll-1'11.nU• ..._._..._.,. Wallo.,,...,. c~ w.n 110 Klfoh•n Air llNGTH OF STAY~EMEN'l'S.APPLY• &ii■ •10IPNO. . . Sdat&a nm au••• mcu,lt'l ' "' or2 urtouo ) 1nai.atn1 ua111a.a s BB--OOM SUl'lflal Pnc;oo l'Am ftfO• 2 Q\IC m11:w,cn " oc :a Ml' •• DIO) MKh-14100 HIIRIM a.-aooM svnes ,,.,,,,.,,. encm:a o:om 1:am· oormmM:h < , ro I urJc•n >foctrtrlm CALL OUR SALe:S OFFtC.e FOR A FRee TOURI 82 0-IIZ .. •'Z 100., :£X"l'ERSION' 12'S R.eS11 . .et-oi!NI: Ac,ees :S•-w1-Hi:ld a4, ' - ' • - �16 SPORTS APRIL 24, 2006 Lacrosse club players Inake NCLL All-Star Teain Two starters, two alternates selected to play in upcoming all-star game BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The lacrosse club may not be eligible for the NCLL playoffs this year, but it still admitted four of its !axers to this year 's AllStar team. Attackman Erik Van Gilst (Vernon, New Jersey) and goalie Mike Sciulara (Centereach, New York) were admitted to the first team while midfielder Justin Friedel (Lebanon, New Jersey) and short and long pole midfielder John Edler (Clayton, Delaware) will join them as alternates. "We·were completely surprised by theAllStar team," said club president Mike Fox. "Especially Mike (Sciulara). I believe he is the best goalie in our league. We' ve gotten compliments about him all season from every team we competed against," he said. Sciulara, a member of the wrestling team, is one of the three dual sport All-Stars for the Colonels, as Van Gilst and Friedel play football. The All-Star nominations are icing on the cake to a successful inaugural season that included the club's first victory since the 1970's. But Fox and the rest of the squad refuse to rest their laurels. "While the win and nominations are great accomplishments for the individuals and the team, I don't believe we'll ever be satisfied with what we got until we' ve become varsity and won a conference championship," he said. The Annual NCLL All-Star game will be held at 12 p.m. on Sunday April 30, 2006 at the University of Virginia. @TOYOTA MACPBIIIBON mar Pll8NT IUIPENIION + AM/RI/CD WITB 8 IPIAIIRI + BIOi:IDCCu·PAIELI + 38 'MPG IWY1 --- YODl ■IWCAI ........ •17.380tt Courtesy of Sports Information Selected to play in the Annual NCLL AU-Star Game are (first row from left) Eric Van Gilst, Mike Sciulara. (Second row:from left) John Edler, Jusing Friedel. �APRIL 24, 2006 SPORTS 17 Chattin' with Past Colonels: Bob Klinetob Coach K unleashes his inner "Lion" as local brewmaster BY NICK PODOLAK Asst. Sports Editor 1 I The aroma of hops wafted throughout the chilly confines of the Lion Brewery as I was greeted by assistant baseball coach Bob Klinetob. "Here, you'll be needing these," he said as he handed over a hardhat and a pair of safety goggles. After walking up several fl ights of wooden stairs past stainless steel aging tanks and a·brew kettle, I found myself in the office of the head brew master himself, where we talked baseball, family and of course, beer. Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Klinetob was a two sport standout at Meyers high school, where he played quarterback and catcher for the Mohawks. But like every other kid who grew up in the Wyoming Valley, he wanted out and spent his freshman and sophomore years of college at Moravian University, majoring in biology. When he returned home for the summer, Klinetob played ball for Orloski's, a TriCounty league that featured many Wilkes players. He got to be good friends with his teammates and they eventually persuaded him to become a Colonel. "It was too much fun to pass up," he said. Klinetob got the starting catcher's role "I have yet to come across a team that is a family like the Wilkes baseball program. I've never seen a tighter group of people in my life." on the 1994 team under coach Bob "Auch" Duliba, helping the squad win it's first Middle Atlantic Conference championship since 1977. "It was blood and bones baseball," Klinetob said. "Those guys had full scale confidence at the plate and played their hearts out on the field." The grandson of a Ma's root beer plant employee, Klinetob admits it's ironic that he ended up in the beverage industry. "It wasn't a career path," he said. "I wanted to be a doctor, observing level one trauma centers and everything," he said. But as it turned out, the job is perfect for Klinetob. A beer lover, he conducted his senior research project on microbrews, removing residues from the beer and exposing them to cells to see if they caused any mutagenic effect. "Obviously I graduated, so I must have done something right," he joked. Starting as a brewery supervisor in 1995, Klinetob moved up the ranks and now sits as the Head Brewmaster, where some of the perks include tasting the beers. Tasting is conducted two to three times a week at different stages throughout the brewing process, primarily to check for defects such as bacteria, mold and yeast. "It's one of those things that people say 'oh I' d love to be your taster' and it's one of those things that when you are a taster, you soon start to dread it," he said. The beer is loaded with yeast and is extremely high in alcohol content. In some cases, 20 to 30 samples are tasted within 20 minutes. Unlike wine, the tasters cannot spit it out in order to get the full effect. "When you're tasting 20 to 30 samples over the course of20 minutes, you are drinking the equivalent of two to three bottles of beer in 20 minutes," Klinetob said. "You get quite a buzz. Then you go back to work. And then you get a five minute hangover. You just have to go about it," he laughed. Klinetob's favorite Lion product? "Stegmaier Gold Medal. I know the quality wasn't there in the late 70's and early 80's, but hopefully we -can get rid of that moniker that it is a grandma and grandpa's beer." Despite holding down a full time job, Kli- netob still finds time to coach the Blue and Gold, where coach Folek refers to him as the "unsung hero of the Wilkes coaching staff." Coach K is in his 11th season, and it's no wonder why. "I have yet to come across a team that is a family like the Wilkes baseball program. I've never seen a tighter group of people in 1 my life," he said. ~ Coach K resides in Pittston with his wife Carina and his 16-month old son, Kolby. Courtesy of Sports Information Coach Klinetob is in the midst of his 11th year as an assistant to the Colonels. The Head Brewmaster at the Lion Brewery, he played catcher for the Blue and Gold from 1994-1995. Gaine Preview: Men's golf vs. Misericordia Colonels finished up regular season play before heading to playoffs BY ARIEL COHEN Asst. Sports Editor It appeared that Wilkes golf was not meant to be this season after the first several matches were rained out or postponed. However, with a little bit of luck and some confidence from the coach, a season that started out slowly has been crammed into three weeks. For the 18 or so men who play for the golf team, the season has come and gone as they prepare for their final regular season match against College Misericordia this coming Wednesday. This will be the second time in three weeks that the two teams will face off on the links and stroll into the playoffs. The last time these two teams faced off was the beginning of this month. The leaders from both teams differed by only a couple of strokes. Wilkes did wind up swinging a little too much, losing by only two strokes 344-346. But the Colonels are ready to come back and show that they have improved with their accuracy over the past 18 days. "Many of our guys have dropped 10 or 11 strokes off of their game since the start of the season," said golf team head coach Mike Hirthler. The team is young and has a lot of good players, but for this match coach Hirthler will be sending the top nine or ten guys to the tees including upperclassmen Tim Bums and Luke Pisarcik. "They [Bums and Pisarcik] are both great role models for the team [and] Luke has done a good job coming off his injury this season," said Hirthler. Even with the team being so young and what appears to be a losing season by looking at a record of 0-4 right now, there have been a lot of great improvements to the team throughout the season. The team also doesn't have to stress because they will be heading to the playoffs which is played by all the teams in the league regardless of re- cord. Junior Neal Jackloski stated, "Even though we lost this season, we still stuck together as a team and improved as each match went by." The golf team will play its final regular season match against Misericordia this coming Wednesday, April 26 at 1 p.m. �SPORTS 18 APRIL 24, 2006 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK I MLB: Tampa Bay Devil Rays versus New York Yankees Yankee's and Devil Rays jockey for position in AL East BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer When someone mentions the baseball team, the dynasty, the timeless tradition in pinstripes known as the New York Yankees, it conjures thoughts of greatness and dominance. The Yankees are a storied franchise, filled with dynamic history, always stocked with polished skill, and are as close to · a perennial power in Major League Baseball as there has ever been. On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are a young franchise, one born from expansion about a decade ago, and have never been able to put a solid and successful season together to build any credibility whatsoever. They are as much of a perennial loser as the Yankees are winners. This early season, however, has surprisingly seen the Devil Rays flirting with .500 and just as surprisingly seen the Yankees in the same situation; except for the·Yankees being around .500 in the standings is a grave disappointment. Both teams look to break away from their even keel when New York and Tampa Bay tangle in the Bronx for a three-game series April 25-27. The featured game this week is the second game of this series, taking place on April 26. The Yankees will be looking to exploit the Devil Rays' lack of pitching depth throughout the series. Statistically, Tampa Bay is among the worst in the Majors in team earned-run-average and with the type of offense that the Yankees possess, this could be a long three days for pitchers in gray and green. The Yanks' big bats are led by outfielders Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, first-baseman Jason Giambi and third-baseman Alex Rodriguez. In order for the heart of an order such as that to be productive, the players at the top of the order must excel and recently, center-fielder and Red Sox castaway Johnny Damon, as well as the face of the Yankees, Derek Jeter, have given the big hitters in the New York lineup a chance to shine. And it is not extraordinary in the least that even in the early season, the New York Yankees' offense is among the top-echelon in all of baseball. In terms of offense, the Tampa Bav Devil Ravs do not have an awful lot to brag about. They have already settled in to the lower end of the league in team offense, and their attack at the plate is primarily led by two players: Carl Crawford and Travis Lee. Outfielder Carl Crawford is the quintessential speedster. He is the playmaker of this Tampa Bay offense by specializing in making things happen at the plate and on the base-paths. First-baseman Travis Lee, a one-time Yankee, is not as flashy, but gets the job done at the plate for his team. Both bats must be relied upon for the Devil Rays' chance for victory. A surprise offensively so far this season and a name to watch out for is utility player Ty Wigginton. Jettisoned by the Mets and the Pirates, Wigginton is looking at a breakout season as he has already made it halfway to his career high in home runs for a season with six through the first three and a half weeks of the year. Pitching is where the Yankees should excel and eventually pull away from the D-Rays. A stronger starting rotation and a much stronger bullpen give the Yankees the edge on the mound. Probable starters for this middle game of the series will be second-year pitcher Chien-Ming Wang for the Yankees and Scott Kazmir for the Devil Rays. Wang is as inexperienced as the Yankees' starters get, so Tampa Bay will want to score as many runs early in the game as possible. Due to the large difference in offensive skill and more reliable pitchers in close games, the Yankees should come out victorious. The Pick: Yankees 9, Devil Rays 2 Double Take . Sarah examines the stats that truly matter. .. BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor It should come as no shock that when the Game of the Week highlights baseball, the New York Yankees are involved. This time they face the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Last time, I picked the Yanks for the win. Let me tell you, that will never happen again. I have a bone to pick with the New York Yankees and all of their talk about pride and pinstripes and all of that other happy Yankees crap. That is what it is: crap. In my opinion, the Yankees only ever had two great players--the first being Roger Maris and the second being David Justice (who will always be a Brave to me). The Roger Maris issue is an emotional one for me. I was recently at Yankees Stadium and was perusing through the fan shops. One could easily find a shirt donning the names Ruth, Mantle, Jeter or the absolute worst, Rodriguez. What about Maris? Maris was the best ball player baseball has ever seen (I can see all the letters pouring in now). That's right, even better than the Babe. And what does Maris have to show for his talent? No respect from baseball fans and an asterik in the record books that would only be removed after he died. The man was a talented an athlete, a dedicated family man and an excellent role model. Apparently, none of those qualities are required to be a part of the Yankees dynasty. Instead of giving Maris the credit he deserved, fans and the organization continued to idolize the Babe. Ruth had no other choice but to hit homers. I don't think he could have hauled his overweight body around the bases otherwise. I guess it is only fitting that you can purchase a chocolate bar by the same name of this legendary athlete. Speaking of the Bambino, I wonder if the Sox will have to face the curse of Johnny Damon, now? Anyway, aside from the whole Maris issue, the Yanks have a lousy stadium. The field is splotchy and the stands are dirty. Perhaps the Yanks should inve.t in a good landscaper instead of spending millions on A-Rod. The grass would probably help the team more than he does. I hope the Devil Rays come out on top this week. Do it for Maris. Go Tampa Bay. �APRIL SPORTS 24, 2006 19 Athlete of the Week Softball:Laurie Agresti BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Staff Writer She's a strikeout pitcher with one striking record, Laurie Agresti. Agresti, a junior, has continued to prepare the same way for the past ten years. There is no off season for Agresti as she trains year-round and is certain to pitch at least three times a week. "As for her performance she has stayed consistent. She's maintained her speed. She continues to allow no extra base hits. Laurie's an aggressive pitcher who works hard with twelve-month workouts," said head softball coach Frank Matthews. fa,en as a freshman, Agresti was a standout pitcher with impressive statistics. Agresti feels a bit of pressure to uphold her statistics season to season. This year Agresti's ERA has lowered to .48. In the April 15 game against Lycoming College, Agresti had 17 strikeouts and pitched 10.1 innings. Although the Colonels walked away with a 2-1 loss to Lycoming Agresti gave it her best effort. "It's a heartbreaker. It's not the kind of outcome you want. They got a couple runs across the plate. You deal and move on," said Agresti. Agresti is able to get more rest this season for playoffs because of the presence of other pitchers. Freshman Sam Evanich in particular has given Wilkes a solid presence on the mound while allowing Agresti to rest her arm. "Over the past two years we've overused her. She's not a very tall girl, so she would expend a lot of energy and would be tired going into playoffs," commented Matthews. Not that her tired arm has showed very much. In 2005, Agresti set a Division III record by striking out 13.2 batters per game. e eacon o Courtesy of Sports Information Reining Freedom Conference Pitcher of the Year Laurie Agresti has fanned 141 batters this year as she attempts to break her own Div. III record of 318. In total, she fanned 318 hitters on her way to 12 shutout victories and a 19-6 record. She also threw one perfect game and a nohitter. This season, her extra rest has allowed her to dominate games even more. Through 83 innings of pitching, Agresti has posted a 94 record. Of the 285 at-bats she has faced, 141 suffered a strikeout. Lady Colonel opponents have managed a scant 32 hits while she was at the mound. Agresti is not being used in relief for every game in an effort to maintain her strength for playoffs. So far this season Agresti has thrown between 35-40 innings. "My goal each game is to strike people out. I want to keep my strikeouts up and win in playoffs," said Agresti. Only time will tell during the Freedom Conference Championships on May 5 and 6. e1 e Junior pitcher Laurie Agresti delivers a pitch against Lebanon Valley Thursday at Ralston Field. Agresti tossed a one-hitter with 10 K's as she recorded her league leading six shutout of the season. She is currently 9-4 with a microscopic .42 ERA. WEEKEND RECAPS Baseball The Blue and Gold's Saturday double-header against PSU Berks was postponed due to inclement weather. The game was rescheduled for Sunday afternoon. Softball The Lady Colonels' weekend twinbills against Marywood (Sat.) and Elizabethtown (Sun.) were postponed due to inclement weather. No reschedule date was available at press time Lacrosse The Wilkes lacrosse team picked up its first conference victory with a 14-5 domination over Moravian on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Ralston Field. Shannon Chlebus and Stacy Fimmano had five goals apiece. Cager Cassie Malone had 13 saves in the net. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 14 Goals scored by the womens lacrosse team during Saturdays victory over Moravian College. 3 Tennis players admitted to . Al/Conference team. Congrats to Kyle Ungvarski (first team), Arvin Narvula and John Lowe (second team). 4 Goals by Shannon Chlebus to lead the Lady Colonels in its 17-10 loss to Kings last Thursday. 5 Victories by senior pitcher Kevin Konschak, who has yet to be defeated. J �S B.,9. Cf s~~~~-~~~-Preview of the Week: Wo01en's lacrosse vs. Cedar Crest 20 2 BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor els. Five different players have hit but Wilkes has a veteran goalkeepdouble digits in scoring, and three er in Malone, and a defense that The women's lacrosse team con- have shot percentages over .400. has been improving with every tinues its iron-(wo)man streak into Goalkeeper Cassie Malone has game. Sophomore Stacy Fimmano yet another week of April as they snagged 61 saves, giving Wilkes a named "defense and transitions" as take on the Cedar Crest Falcons at 93-83 edge in saves over its oppo- two of the most-improved aspects of the Lady Colonels' game, and it Ralston field on Thursday, April nents this season. Catherine Simone leads the of- should handle a two-man offensive 27. The Lady Colonels, who are currently in the midst of a thirteen- fense with 22 goals and 7 assists show without too much difficulty. The major match-up in this game day streak of either practicing or on the season, but several players playing, roll into the contest with remain hot on her heels. Shan- will be between the Wilkes offense a mark of 2-7, while the Falcons non Chlebus has notched 18 goals, and McDevitt. Her 219 saves are carry a 1-12 overall mark into the while Stacy Fimmano and Comp- astounding, but also point to a poston have both tallied 13. Cedar sibly weak defense in front of her. contest. The season has been one of highs Crest, on the other hand, has only Thanks to the Lady Colonels' teamand lows for Wilkes, with impres- two offensive players with ten or oriented attitude, McDevitt will sive wins over local teams fol- more goals. Kirstan Gustafson has have five different threats bearing lowed by close defeats at the hands notched 33 goals while maintain- down on her when the offense gets of ranked MAC powers. Through- ing a .452 shot percentage, and Bri- moving. out it all, however, the Lady Colo- anna Adam has added 10 goals and · As the women's lacrosse season draws to a close, the Lady Colonels nels have had one constant in their 1 assist to the Falcons' offense. The mainstay for Cedar Crest this hope to end it on the right note. A practices and games: teamwork. "We can rely on each other," said season is goalkeeper Kerri McDe- win at home against a team that senior co-captain Jen Compton. . vitt. McDevitt has started all 13 they've never played before would "We stick together as a team ... we games in goal for the Falcons this give the season a solid ending while season, and has managed to save also giving the proper mental attikeep each other motivated." The team has grown by leaps and 219 of the 338 shots she faced dur- tude going into next season. And if the Wilkes offense continues to bounds throughout the season, and ing the year. Gustafson and her 33 goals bring perform as it has all season, McDethe stats sheet is reflecting both team unity and improving skill lev- a majoroffensive threat to the game, vitt may be in for a long day. The BeaconfTodd Wiebel Stacy Fimmano, seen here eluding a defender at Ralston field, is one of five players who hit double-digits in scoring this season. Campus calendar, Monday (4/24) Thursday (4/27) *Softball @ Misericordia - '3 p.m. *Baseball vs. Baptist Bible 3:30 p.m. *Men's tennis@ Susquehanna - 3:30 p.m. *Chamber Orchestra, Geis Hall - 6:30 p.m. * Extracurricular/Leadership Awards Luncheon, HSC Ballroom - 11 a.m. *Women's lacrosse vs. Cedar Crest - 4:15 p.m. *Grace Kimball Memorial Lecture, SLC 101 - 8 p.m. *Wilkes Idol, HSC Ballroom 8 to 11 p.m. Tuesday(4/25) *Women's lacrosse vs. Eliza_, bethtown - 4:15 p.m. *Recital by voice students of Sue Minsavage, DDD - 6 p.m. *Percussion Ensemble Concert, DDD - 8 p.m. Wednesday (4/26) *Men's golf@ Misericordia 1 p.m. *Men's tennis vs. Philadelphia Bible - 3 :30 p.m. *Baseball @ Alvernia - 4 p.m. *Softball vs. Scranton - 6 p.m Friday (4/28) *Adventures in Science - 9 a.m. *Baseball vs. Scranton - 3:30 p.m. Saturday (4/29) *Men's tennis @ MAC Individual Championships, Lehigh University - 9 a.m. *Men's golf@ MAC Championships, Shawnee-on-the-Delaware Country Club - 9 a.m. *Baseball @ Scranton - 1 p.m. *Softball vs. Drew - 1 p.m. *Spring Dance Concert, DDD -3 p.m. *Women's lacrosse@ Lycoming - 3 p.m. *Alumni Scholarship Dinner, HSC Ballroom - 6 p.m. *Spring Dance Concert - 8 p.m.,DDD Find this Picture on Campus and ... INCA H • Sunday (4/30) *March of Dimes WalkAmerica, Kirby Park - 9 a.m. *Men's tennis @ MAC Individual Championships, Lehigh University - 9 a.m. *Men's golf@MAC Championships, Shawnee-on-the-Delaware Country Club - 9 a.m. *Baseball @ Cazenovia - 1 p.m. *Chorus and Chamber Singers, St. Steven's, Wilkes-Barre - 3 p.m. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. Congratulations to Pat Nardone, w~ correctly identified last weeks picture of the commuter lounge. � 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 2006 April 24th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 April 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/90260f02abebab7420cc58a5a6c5d229.pdf 279ca880f07147334736f8bd1a7c087e PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW APRIL 10, 2006 www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 20 Qonkey basketball fundraiser met with protest Faculty protesters react to student concern re: classroom tension BY SARAH HERBERT & MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Features Editor & Asst. A&E Editor The showdown was set to begin at 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon in front of the Arnaud C. Marts Gymnasium. By 3 :20 p.m. the dust had settled on the controversial protest of the Equestrian Club's donkey basketball. Again, all was quiet on the Wilkes front. Protestors lined up in front of the gymnasium's doors an hour before the event was slated to begin. Twenty minute~ after the event officially began, the protestors were gone as the donkeys were being led onto the court. Part-time philosophy major Jamie Johnson was one of the students involved in the protest. "Donkey basketball is a very unnecessary fundraiser to have because it is cruel to the animals," said Johnson. The protestors stressed that they did not protest the event in order to deter students or community members from attending the fundraiser. However, protestors do hope that the University will follow the lead of other schools and refrain from hosting such events in the future. "Most people are not coming to the game because they want to support cruelty to animals. They are simply unaware," said Johnson. Awareness came in the form of posters with facts and educational pamphlets supplied by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Numerous students as well as three faculty members and some community advocates participated in the protest of this event. Similarly, participants and advocates for donkey basketball included The eacon/ ,c miJews i students, faculty and community members. Protestors, consisting of students, faculty and staff members appeared outside of the Donkey Basketball event on Sunday that was hosted by the Equestrian Club to raise money for the club and for See DONKEY page 2 REASON, a local non-profit horse rescue. Four Student Government seats go unopposed in elections Students cite apathy and work load as possible deterrents for prospective candidates BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor The mid-term election races are beginning to heat up across the state and nation. Pennsylvania, in fact, has seen its greatest number of challengers in years heading into the May primaries. And speculation abounds nationally as to who the next U.S. President will be in 2008. One thing is sure: most who seek such service will face a fight to win voters, first among challengers in their own parties and later against opposing party candidates in November. Such challenge, however, is not the hallmark of Wilkes University Student Government elections this year. Candidates for four presidential posts--Student Government President, Inter-Residence Hall Coun- cil (IRHC) President, Commuter Council President and Off Campus Council President--are all running unopposed for 200607. Although for many in a democratic society this seems strange, historically, it has occurred with some frequency for Wilkes University Student Government (SG), most recently in 2004. Some of the reason why it seems strange that all of the positions are unopposed is that SG controls approximately $440,000 each year, all of the activity fees from students. Jared Shayka, SG Parliamentarian said, "I am disappointed because the presidential debate that we had last year was very good. We had an amazing See SG page 5 ln This Issue... Your Voices Riding into Spring Page 7 Page9 Index A C E 14 News ................................ 1-5 Opinion ............................. 6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment. ... 12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS APRIL .10, 2006 2 DONKEY from FRONT PAGE Despite the fact that each group was given the opportunity to express its views in an open forum at last week's Student Government (SG) meeting, they still don't see eye to eye. While the protestors hope to prohibit events like this in the .future, event organizer and Equestrian Club President Alisha Cain had different aspirations for donkey basketball. ''My hope ... was that [donkey basketball] would become an annual event," said Cain. "I would love to see it tum into a fun community, student activity that everyone would look forward to year after year." However, the frequency ofthe event was not the only concern ofprotestors. Obviously, protestors were concerned with the way the animals are treated and cared for. Community member Ron Colarusso passed the donkeys before joining his fellow protestors and was willing to comment on the physical condition of the animals. 'They don't look too happy .. .it looks like [they have] saddle sores like you would see on a horse," said Colarusso. Timothy Shaw, owner of Shaw Brothers Donkey Ball, the company that supplied the donkeys allowed students to get acquainted with the animals before the event Shaw stressed the importance of treating his animals hlllllanely. ''I'd be out of my mind not to take care of my animals," said Shaw. Spectators at the event were not the only ones tom between organizers and protestors. According to Cain, at least one student she spoke with felt compelled to withdraw from the event due to faculty involvement in the protest. "We did have one student who was actually in a class with one of the professors who came up to me and said that she'd love to support us, does not see anything wrong with this, and fully stands behind the club, but feels she could not participate and help us because she was worried it might affect her grade or just what consequences it would have with her teacher and her." Faculty members were appalled that students would have such a concern. v i_ VEAL Don /+ l3~ lln JlS bon'+- 15< A SG Notes News in Brief Biology Club "Fear" Supreme Court Discussion me - fantastic." While no student has reported any intimidation from faculty members such discourse remains potentially problematic, particularly in events such as these that invoke strong emotions in faculty and staff alike. Mark Allen, Dean of Students, expressed full support of all participants, "In a university environment, we would welcome both students and faculty to freely discuss their views particularly when it comes to controversial issues, and that way there's the potential for some learning to take place." However, if a student feels they are being intimidated by a university professor, there are policies to protect them. ''No faculty member should be threatening in any way especially with ? ro+--es+o(L/.___; 3 3 4 4 respect to grade consequences. There we do have clear policies that there should be no improprieties of any fear of negative retaliation with respect to anybody's views," said Allen. Protestors' presence did not discourage the event but did help create conversation among student body, including in the form of one counter protestor. Seth Bametsky, P3 Pharmacy major, showed up to the event donning a sign reading ''Don't be an ass, don't be a protestor." As the sun was setting on this argument, Bametsky may have opened the next controversy by openly declaring ''I love veal," on his protest poster. Baby calves are going to have to wait for the time being because the donkeys are still enjoying their 15 minutesoffameoncampus. BEACON The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Seth Barnetsky, P3 Pharmacy major brought a protest sign of his own, using the slogan from the original protest posters to prove his point. Serving the community through/air and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Dr. Linda Paul, associate professor of philosophy and protester at the event said, "I understand how a student can feel that way .. .I would certainly never do such a thing." Paul acknowledged part of her role as a professor is to serve as a role model and encourage students to stand firm in their beliefs. Dr. Mischelle Anthony, assistant professor of English, reiterated Paul's feeling. When asked about the possibility of students feeling intimidated, Anthony said, 'That's a big misunderstanding." About student beliefs, Anthony commented, ''It's not my job to make them [students] agree with me...If they [students] disagree with Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Beacon Correction In the April 3 news article, "Fundraiser sparks protest..." the addition, "Individual students have protested the event and have acknowledged they are planning a formal protest at the donkey basketball event..." was inserted during editing. While the report of the protest is accurate, the editor spoke with only one student who would not go on the record; therefore, the reference to "students" (plural) should have read "student" (singular). In addition, the references to those who were planning formal protest at the event and those who had pulled down Equestrian Club flyers and replaced them with protest flyers suggested, based on proximity, that the two acts--and by association the groups--were linked. There is no evidence that indicates that those organizing the event protest had anything to do with the destruction of the Equestrian Club flyers. The Beacon strives for balance and accuracy in all reporting and regrets the errors. DR. ANDREA FRANTZ KRISTIN KILE F acuity Advisor Editor-in-chief ■ ■ ■ Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Box 11~ Wilkes University 192 South Fran_klin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �APRIL 10, 2006 NEWS 3 News in Brief No more·horsing,arou·nd for the city of Wilkes-Barre BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor Wave goodbye to the sounds of hoofs clop-eloping on the Wilkes-Barre city downtown streets and say hello to the roar of motorcycle engines. In a press conference on Thursday, March 30, Mayor Tom Leighton announced that the mounted police patrol will be replaced with two motorcycle officers. This policy is part of a plan the mayor has set up to clean up the city and increase the fight against crime. The tradition of mounted patrol has always been a unique characteristic to the WilkesBarre police department. For eight years, residents could see two horses patrolling sidewalks, maintaining crowd control at outdoor events or marching along in city parades. But on March 30 the horses were retired. Wayland Davis, sophomore psychology major, said he is disappointed to see the horses go. "I grew up around this area, and it was always nice to see the horses around. I remember when I was a kid I always wanted to pet them at the parades. It will be sad to not see them in Wilkes-Barre anymore." According to a March 31 article in The Citizens Voice, Mayor Leighton said, "This was a very difficult decision but through communication with the police department, we decided it was necessary to move in another direction. In order to increase police response time and get them there quicker, we decided to take this action." The elimination of the mounted patrol to the police department is meant to get officers to patrol more neighborhood areas and also to get them there faster than before. The new motorcycles will fulfill both of these areas and hopefully impact the city's crime rate. For some residents, the change is logical and overdue. Koryn Gallagher, sophomore psychology major said, "I guess I never quite understood the point of police on horses. To me, it seemed that they really did not do much. Yeah, they were fun to look at but how much did they really help fight crime?" Gallagher believes that the new motorcycle additions will benefit the city. "I think it was a good idea to get rid of the mounted patrol and replace them with motorcycles. By getting officers on motorcyles instead of horses, they will be able to respond better to calls which will, in turn, help the crime rate of the city." "I will feel a lot safer knowing that the motorcycle officers will be able to respond quicker to calls and emergencies. Safety should always be the number one priority of the police department, and I feel they went more in the right direction with the change," Gallagher added. Even those who will miss the horses have to admit the changes are for the better of the city. Davis noted, "I have to admit that even though the change disappoints me, I can see that it is for the best of Wilkes-Barre. Changes obviously need to be made to fight the city's crime and if getting rid of the mounted patrol will help with that, then I am all for the new motorcycles." Dashboard Conft'Smonal Concert Journalism Conference The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Wilkes University Programming Board sponsored the Dashboard Confessional Concert held Friday, April 7 at the Kingston Armory. The concert started at 7 p.m., with many Wilkes students and community members attending. The concert did not sell out, which has happened in the past with the nearly annual concert sponsored by Programming Board. Student Government Notes The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The 6th annual Tom Bigler Journalism Conference was held on campus last week. The conference provided an opportunity for more than 230 students from area high schools to participate in workshops and lectures given by both Wilkes students and professionals in the communications field. Gary Fabiano, freelance photographer for SIPA Press and Wilkes alumnus, was the keynote speaker. April 5 meeting -The Concert & Lectures committee appeared for a second reading of the fund request for $1,200 for The Untouchables, on April 18 at 6 p.m. A motion was made by Steph Victor and Sarina Kapoor seconded the motion for the full $1,200 to be given. The motion passed 30-0-2. -A motion was made by Josh Swantek and seconded by Courtney Amrhein to randomize the class voting. The motion passed by a hand vote in favor. -Courtney Amrhein made a motion to donate $200 from the sale of the Spring Fling tickets to the McGlynn Learning Center. Megan Fulmer seconded the motion. The motion passed. -Jef Bauman made a motion to donate $10 to each club for every club member that donated blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday. The motion was seconded by Raquel Wheby. The motion passed 34-0-0. -A senior social is scheduled for April 18 at 10 p.m. at Whiskey Business. -Strike-a-Pose will be on the first floor of the Henry Student Center on Tuesday, April 11 during club hours. �4 NEWS APRIL 10, 2006 Grant brings experts to ca01pus to discuss Supre01e Court BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Staff Writer How many of us can name all freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment? Thanks to a grant and a recent roundtable discussion about the Supreme Court, hopefully a few more Wilkes students can. Each year Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, sponsors a competitive grant contest. "Schools from across the country submit proposals to host discussions, etc., and the national office's review committee decides which proposals to fund," said professor of political science, Dr. Tom Baldino. "Wilkes has competed for grants the last three years, and we have been successful every year. [In 2004 we hosted a panel discussion on the presidential election; [in] 2005 the discussion concerned international issues and careers and [in] 2006 [Wilkes hosted a] discussion on the role of the Supreme Court." This year's roundtable discussion was held Thursday, April 6 in the Arnaud C. Marts Center. The panelists for this year's discussion consisted of Dr. David Adarnany, President and professor of political science at Temple University; Dr. Douglas Edlin, assistant professor of political science at Dickson College; and Dr. Bruce Allen Murphy, Fred Morgan Kirby professor of civil rights at Lafayette College. During the discussion, each professor shared his views on the current state of the United States Supreme Court. A portion of the discussion was also dedicated to questions from the audience. This allowed the audience an opportunity to share their views on the topic also. "There are far too many misconceptions that students and the general public have abm-1t the Court, its role and the Constitution. In a recent poll in which more people could name two or more characters from The Simpsons than identify more than one of the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. Very few people could name them all. So, we hope to have enlightened the student body to the work and role of the Court," said Baldino. One of the most important ideas of this discussion was to act as a means of education in an area that far too few people truly know about. "Primarily, we want people to recognize and understand how pervasive the Supreme Court is in American life. Most people don't know anything about how the court operates, what they do, how they really affect their lives. So I think that what we want students and the public to come away with is the knowledge and appre- ciation for the very pervasive role the Court plays in American life," said Dr. Kyle Kreider, assistant professor of political science. "We hope that the common misconception that the judicial branch is the weakest and least important branch of government is at the very least reconsidered. We also hope that each person in attendance will realize the importance of the nomination and confirmation process of new judges and how the new composition of the U.S. Supreme Court could affect many aspects of our lives. Most people do not realize that the decisions of nine unelected justices control the fate of many liberties that we take for granted. (i.e. freedom of speech)," said Brandon Ingraham, Co-President of Pi Sigma Alpha and senior political science and history major. "It had the potential to open some eyes to the current state of the judicial branch of the U.S. government and if we could have reached just one individual it would have been well worth it," said Ingraham. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Wilkes students and faculty participated in a roundtable discussion with panelists from various other institutions concerning the Supreme Court. Panelists included Dr. David Adamany, President and professor of political science at Temple University; Dr. Douglas Edlin, assistant professor of political science at Dickson College; and Dr. Bruce Allen Murphy, Fred Morgan Kirby professor of civil rights at Lafayette College. Scaled-down version of Fear Factor hosted by Biology Club BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon Asst. News Editor form three physical challenges as well "Unfortunatef~-~e aren't allowed to do as one eating challenge," the specifics some of the things.tira(~e'd like, as far as of which.could· e'n'd:i.sclos before- eating raw insects and stuff... that's sort of _,. disappointing," Terzaghi hand, sai That-t;rmy be goo1ttrew ogyc:lttb als2.a9g.e l}la " in Fear, but Moore an were a t there will still be en M ifig trials to keep the attdien·.· 'Wa the ,rod the participants very nerv The biology club was ci,:reful :to. Keco dditionally, as an' nize that the audience might f?,?Ieeli ,g each contestant' sTfg}}tly left out bl'.' onl:x betng..able to view d. the p oceed' gs, a.nd""they took care of this by a~1ng<~oncessions to the e ,ent. Thq~e in attenaance will.b~able to J?urEe;r will chase chocolate covered ants, ~c: co1ate ered grasshoppers and tequil s with a worm in the etoeaby -shirts. easons. ;aid_ _,._ _ Eating cockroaches, swimming in a tank of sharks or jumping off a building in pursuit of an elusive cash prize may not be most people's cup of tea, but for those who might find this sort of pastime entertaining, the biology club will be hosting a toned down version of events like this, called Fear, later this month. Fear, according to biolog ber and event organiz¥ is the club's own ve~o television shpw already 14 w,· and seven femal the event. J where one final contestant will get a gift certificate for at least $100. All other contestants will receive a consolation prize, d there will be 15 door prizes for at· Bochicchio, Fear started and turned into an ntertain people. event, which d Terzaghi, will "We t w our own ittle twist into it to make it interesting. It should be a lot of fun for everybody," Bochicchio said. Fear will be held April 26 at 7 p.m. in rk 101. Tickets will be on sale for $5 il 11, 18, 20 and 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 at the Information Desk in the Henry :hter. Tickets may also be availdoor. �APRIL 10, 2006 SG from FRONT PAGE • turnout and debate stirs controversy; it pushes the candidate and the government to the next level." Shayka added, "It's not unusual to have people running unopposed because we have such a small student body. We are going to have an open forum for people to meet tl)e candidates." Some students when asked about the unopposed elections found it disturbing as well. Freshmen Benjamin Finch, pre-pharmacy major said, "I have to admit that it's a little bit disappointing to see that there is a lack of interest to actually voice different opinions. It kind of reduces the sense of spirit, of having some healthy competition to see how people think about the way things are around here." Stephanie Pawelzik, freshmen pre-pharmacy major said, "That's surprising, I would think that more people would be interested in running for a position like that." David°i:foordino,junior class president, had another opinion on the matter. "It doesn't really surprise me because the people who are already involved, they remain there. No one wants to run on a personal level against someone because they feel like it will be a personal attack." Scordino acknowledged the small size of the student body as a factor in the limited numbers of candidates but only because people know one another better than on other campuses. "Unfortunately, it's an isolated group of people who are willing to step out into the public forum like this. It gives the impression of the 'cult' or a 'clique' that SG gets. Even the people that run, who are new, are friends of the current group because we encourage them to run. We are not going to encourage strangers to run for positions. I think that the image that SG has as being cliquish is part of it, and to remedy that is something I could not honestly do. I can see where people get the impression from, and I would love for somebody to come up with a remedy. I would love if somebody could honestly point out a good way. It's our image and it's our population." Two students had other opinions about why there seems to be a lack of interest in the positions. "I think it's too time consuming. I mean, it takes a lot of time out of you. It's hard enough trying to get everything done. It's like having a full-time job, almost," said, Mary Opalka, freshman mechanical engineering major. Pawelzik said, ""I think people are concerned with the issues, but I feel that they just don't want to be in charge of all of it." NEWS 5 Student· Govern01ent candidates weigh in Each of the four presidential candidates also weighed in on the issue of running unopposed and their answers are contained within the short information provided about each of them. Sarah Doman, Commuter Council Sarah Doman, junior elementary education major and English major and Commuter Council presidential candidate said, "During all of my involvement over the past three years with [Commuter Council] I never really thought I would hold the president's position. There is one other person would could've run against me, but he declined the offer. I think it makes it harder to run unopposed because no matter what you have to finish the job, and for Commuter Council it means obtaining 150 commuter signatures, which is very difficult. The fact that the other presidential positions are unopposed makes me think that there is no option on election and people may not be happy with the choices they have." Doman also speculated on the possibility of apathy playing a role in the uncontested races. "In part I think it might be a lack of interest from the student body," she said. "We need more people who are willing to accept leadership roles on campus. For next year my goal is to bring the club up to a well-known and respected level. I want to create more opportunities for students to be involved with community service and also advertising for the club." Courtesy Sarah Doman Sarah Doman Courtney Amrhein, Inter-Residence Hall Council (IRHC) Courtney Amrhein,junior education and history major and Inter-Residence Hall Council (IRHC) presidential candidate said, "I think that it's going to still be a challenge for me for the next school year even though I am running unopposed. I accept the position, and I accept the challenges that I will face. Anybody could have run for the position, but I am really excited and honored to accept the position and the challenges. For IRHC, I want to get the campus more involved, especially the freshmen coming in so that they know what IRHC is and what it is all about. I think that this campus is very well rounded and by getting more people involved we will keep improving." The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Courtney Amrhein Andrew Steinberg, Off Campus Council Andrew Steinberg, psychology major and Off Campus Council presidential candidate (OCC) said, "I don't like any elections unopposed, I think that it hurts the publicity and that you do not get both sides of the argument. It comes down to who wants to run, who's available to run and right now we just don't have enough candidates who have the seniority or maybe even the confidence to run. I don't think that it's a Jack of interest in the positions. I think that some people just do not have the confidence in themselves. I think that the interest in [SG] has increased in the last year, which is evident in that almost every one of the positions is filled and next year almost all of the positions will be filled right from the start." The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Andrew Steinberg Jenna Strzelecki, Student Government Jenna Strzelecki, junior business administration major and SG presidential candidate said, "I am really excited that I have the opportunity to run for the SG president. I think that all of the candidates who are running are deserving of the positions. As SG we always kind of hope that there is some kind of opposition to each office just to show that there is a lot of interest in the positions. I have a lot to live up to, because Andrew did such a good job as president, but I hope to just keep things moving forward, to try to bridge the gap between the SG president, the student body, student government members and faculty and staff." The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Jenna Strzelecki �6 Lost art of listening Your Voices: Donkey Bball Your Voices: Army ROTC Beacon Poll 7 7 8 8 New anti-immigration laws promote narrow-minded viewpoint America founded on idea of immigration BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Recently, a heated debate has arisen on the issue of how to deal with illegal immigration in the United States. Immigrants (legal and illegal) and citizens in Chicago, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C. and several cities in southern California headed to the streets to protest the government's proposed new plan to crack down on illegal immigration. At the same time, a growing attitude of resentment has developed towards immigrants in America that suggests many citizens would support stricter guidelines and crackdowns on "illegals. Passed in the House of Representatives last December, the Sessenbrenner bill, as it is called, proposes to declare the presence of all persons in the country without legal status a felony and also aims to make it a felony to provide any assistance to illegals. Additionally, the bill proposes building a 700-mile wall along the United StatesMexico border. In early March, the Senate began to devise its own version of a bill dealing similarly with the issue of illegal immigration, and eventually, the House and Senate will have to cooperate to prepare one cohesive bill representing the ideas of both. These proposed changes paint the United States as elitist and as shutting out, both literally and figuratively, those people from other countries who may have no options left but to sneak across our borders. But the greater question is why has immigration become such a contested issue in a country that was ultimately founded on and depended on the idea of foreigners coming to its soil for a better life? There are a few possible answers to this question, none of which justify the attitude that wishes to keep the country "American." Americans have a variety of skin colors, practice many different religions and speak a multitude of languages other than English. This has always been the case on American soil, and it is disturbing to find that in the year 2006, Americans continue to judge non-natives as "different" and try to keep them out of the country. Perhaps this narrow-mindedness stems from the current state of the American econ- Nickle for Your Thougbit_s ,,..,_ r:r Do""~ E'000'°' 1 ('\ ~. ~ , \ t ~- ·4-. By Jason Nickle omy. If we were experiencing a boom and jobs and money were more readily available to all, perhaps we would be more willing to share the wealth and open our doors and pockets to immigrants. Instead, Americans are facing shrinking retirement packages and job cuts, and the attitude is becoming one of providing for those people already here before thinking about others. Another possibility for this anti-immigrant attitude is simply the nature of the American culture. We throw around words and phrases in this country like all-American, the American dream and the American ideal. In short, we are a competitive culture characterized by a constant quest for wealth and fulfillment. As a society, we dislike things that impede our attainment of the American dream. Immigration may be seen as a threat to this dream, and immigrants themselves are merely more people striving for it. Society's emphasis on competition influences this idea. Additionally, many immigrants to the United States do not completely immerse themselves in this all-American culture, continuing to speak their native language and practice native customs and religious rituals. Perhaps Americans are offended by this refusal on the part of modem-day immigrants and the offense they take leads to an anti-immigrant attitude. As a final possibility, the anti-immigration attitude may be affected and fed by the post-9/11 world we all live in. Distrustful and wary of strangers, the citizens of the United States may harbor stereotypes about the people who immigrate to America and their motivations for doing so. What must be remembered is that a miniscule number of the immigrants to the United States harbor any anti-American sentiments. Most actually come to this country for economic and educational opportunities they could never have in their native lands. In actuality, Americans should be honored that our country continues to be so highly regarded as a place where dreams can be realized. Almost every one of us can trace our ancestry back to a man or woman who decided to climb al;)oard a boat to take a chance on a new piece of land called America. Nothing has changed, and America is still the country people flock to in order to avoid starvation or political or religious discrimination. Let's live up to our reputation and welcome these people with open arms. �APRIL 10, 2006 OPINION 7 Lost art of listening to one another crucial to campus experience • BY AMANDA MCMAHON Beacon Staff Writer There is something within us that just loves controversy. After all, Judge Judy isn't popular because she is the most polite human being on this planet, and whether or not we agree with what Dr. Phil has to say about how people should live their lives, we can't help but hesitate turning the channel when we see his face turn red with frustration as the guest on his show denies being a controlling spouse. No, we simply can't deny our addiction and neither can the 82-year old lady that my dad does electrical work for who is religious about watching The Jerry Springer Show. I have been thinking about this a lot recently, particularly inspired by the heated campus wide donkey basketball debate. Even those of us who may not have chosen to ride an ass across a basketball court or carry signs protesting in the name of animals' rights have become part of it, somehow. If you weren't one of the many students or faculty who rushed to the nearest Beacon pick-up location on Monday morning to But to the same degree that these can be potent to our humanity, so can our neglect to discover for ourselves who we are by our failure to listen to ourselves. see what the press would have to say about equestrian lovers riding donkeys, I have almost no doubt in my mind that the word "donkey" slipped off of your tongue within the last week. From doing research in the library to standing in line in the cafeteria to checking my campus mailbox, I've heard comments such as, "I don't see what the big deal is ... my high school did it," "If the Equestrian club is sponsoring it than how bad could it be?" and perhaps my favorite, "I wonder what Matt Zebrowski is going to have to say about it in his OpEd article next week." We have become so much a part of controversy that we are the controversy. Now, I am not saying that anything is wrong with a healthy debate. Actually, I rather enjoyed hearing about the issue at last week's Student Government meeting as people from both sides of the issue asked questions and did their best to respectfully and honestly address each other's point of view. If a university isn't the place for that kind of thing, then I don't know where is. But what I am concerned about is whether or not people--students, faculty and staff-are engaging in the lost art of listening. Now I know that I just mentioned the debate, and debates do involve listening. However, what I am addressing is the importance of listening to ourselves. Mr. Craig Czury, a local poet, came to talk about prison poetry to an English class that I am a writing fellow for, and he said something during that one hour and fifteen minutes that really meant something. He told us to ask ourselves, "Where am I, who are these people, and what do they have to do with me?" What I think he was addressing was the power that rests within our abilities to open our minds and find out how everything relates to the being that is deep within our souls. It is easy for us to read a flyer that states, "Don't be an ass" and allow those words to influence our perceptions. We immediately chime in with some witty remark and forget to ask ourselves what we really think. It saddens me to think that within a campus community we may very well be giving in to the cut and paste kind of society that university education, if anything, should be teaching us to resist. Now, I am a true believer in the freedom of our speech and am aware of the dangers of censorship and the hazardous effects of silencing, none of which I am encouraging. But to the same degree that these can be potent to our humanity, so can our neglect to discover for ourselves who we are by our failure to listen to ourselves. So before.joining the 82-year old grandma yelling "Jerry! Jerry!" in her living room, maybe it would be best to ask, "Where am I, who are these people, and what do they have to do with me?" YOUR VOICES Donkey basketball argument misinformed and hypocritical Dear Editor, In response to Alicia Cain's article attempting to prove how donkey basketball is an appropriate fundraiser for a horse rescue and adoption agency: As one who has previously attended one of the high schools mentioned that holds an annual donkey basketball game, Lake-Lehman, as well as one who had petitioned my school and local newspaper to cancel the ridiculous event, I feel I have merit to write this. Not only is it hypocritical of a president of an animal-promoting club to want to exploit a similar animal to benefit horses, but some of the statements made in her editorial were very hard to accept as anything other than misinformed and highly subjective. I'm glad to see that Miss Cain feels that since she is president of the Equestrian Club, she is able to give the ''words straight from the horse's mouth on the donkey basketball event.'' The blatant irony in this statement is that it is not from the animals' mouths, as they are unable to speak, or choose to participate in this event, which is what causes the unrest from those who are opposed to the "sport." While Miss Cain and many others probably see no problem with this event of playing basketball while on the back of a donkey, this is precisely the problem. I don't think that websites need to be quoted, and I don't plan on plagiarizing incorrect facts as Miss Cain accused the postermakers of doing, because I don't feel that is necessary to understand this debate. It's so simple and obvious. The most basic level of dispute of this event comes from the fact that the donkeys are living beings, and should not be exploited by being forced into a life and activity that is unnatural for them. And yes, playing basketball is unnatural for donkeys. And I do not feel better because they will be provided with "their own version of Nike Shox." Again, unnatural. And somewhat creepy. To go to the company that provides the donkeys for these events and investigate around the property is not doing research. Of course the company is going to look presentable and appealing to potential clients. Isn't that the point of being in business? They're making money off of the keeping of these animals and the barbarous organizations that get a kick out of seeing something as unnatural as donkeys playing basketball. It's just hard for some to stomach when the business involves using living beings in ways they are not meant to be used. But, according to Miss Cain, "Donkeys are meant to be pack animals." Yes, they might have been used in cultures in the past and even currently, but to try to justify that a kid with a basketball in a gymnasium in Wilkes-Barre is comparable to those who rely on the animals for farming and transport in Tanzania and Kwimba is a pretty hefty undertaking. And since donkeys "carried Jesus," I guess she feels that rowdy college kids are on the same level as Jesus, which to any truly religious person should be close to an insult. I, being one who is not religious, saw this reason at attempting validation as simply idiotic. Just because something has been occurring for centuries, as Miss Cain notes about the use of donkeys by human beings, does not make it right. This is the most passive, brainles_s claim that one can make about anything that is currently acceptable or practiced in society. To risk offense to some, I'd like to bring up the fact that slavery was at one time acceptable and the way things were "meant to be." To know anything about history and to consider any of that history from the standpoint of an emotional human being is to acknowledge that what is possibly right and acceptable at one point in time is no longer deemed appropriate in later years, locations and cultures. How would we feel if someone argued that women should not vote because they used to not be able to for years and years? It would be nice to see someone thinking for his or her own self in this day and age, and it's a shame that the money raised from this event is going to a horse rescue and adoption agency, since I'm sure the horses would politely turn down the money knowing how it was raised: by putting animals in the same situations that they need rescuing from. Sara Pegarella Senior English major Courtesy of dailyramblings.com �APRIL 10, 2006 YOUR VOICES Army Cadets prepare for summer training Dear Editor, Imagine lying in the dirt for the past 10 minutes. You are sweating from just about every pore of your body because of the movement you just completed to get to your current position. Someone on the line coughs and is instantly admonished by the squad leader. You grip the trigger of your M-16A2 rifle in anticipation of the enemy forces that you know are going to be walking down this road in a manner of minutes. Shhhhh, there they are. You wait for the right moment. The squad leader sets off the (simulated) claymore antipersonnel mine. NOW! BAM! BAM! BAM! You let loose with as much ammunition as you can during the 30 seconds of firing into the kill zone. The squad leader gives the order to cease firing, he determines it is safe and you assault through the objective to the Limit of.Advance (LOA). You clear the objective and get ready to move. All of that took place in two hours and now you are getting ready to complete the other missions of the day. This is the summer of the ROTC MS III cadets from the NEPA ROTC detachment. An MS-III is a junior in the program who has been through the first two years, MS-I and MS-II, or has completed similar training in the Ariny's Leadership Training Course. MS-III is considered to be the hardest year by most cadets . · Ie. A s an MS -III , th e Courtesy ofwww.stratcom.m1I because o fth e sh eer respons1"b"l: 1 1ty that comes w1·th th e tit cadets need to learn to go beyond the dressing up in BDUs and start to learn to apply the tactics that will make them successful lieutenants when they graduate from their various Universities. They have to lead Physical Training sessions, labs and go to training during the summer to Fort Lewis, Washington and prove that they know how to be an Army leader. The ROTC life is three-fold for these warrior-juniors. The first part of their life and preparation for training this summer is physical fitness. The cadets meet every week at 0630 in the morning in order to conduct Physical Training (PT). PT is essential to the cadets because it prepares them for the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The APFT tests the strength of cadets and soldiers by making them do as · many repetitions of the exercises that they can in 2 minutes. The two exercises tested are the push-up and the sit-up. The minim.um needed to pass the PT is 42 push-ups and 53 sit-ups in 2 minutes. For many passing is great but not the goal. The goal of the PT test is to get as high a score as one can in order to help their commanders know how ready they are. NEPA cadets are very squared away with this with an average PT score of 243 out of 300. NEPA even has an MS-III who scores 350 on the extended scale. Hoo-ah! The PT test is critical in the real Army because it gives leaders an assessment of their troops and helps weed out the ones that just can not make it or would be a hindrance in combat. When lives are on the line, the last thing you need on your mind is the worry that not all your soldiers can run far enough to engage and destroy the enemy. The second fold of the .Army cadet's MS-life is class. In the various classes for NEPA, one held at King's College and two at the University of Scranton, the cadets are taught the tactics that they will need to make it out at Fort Lewis and in the Army. Ambushes, Recons, React to Contact, Movement to Contact, Knocking out a Bunker, most students at the Universities hear about these things through movies or books that they might read but the MS-Ills are meeting every week to delve into them and find out how to conduct them. Once they have learned how the mission should be conducted then they practice their orders and think about how they would conduct a mission was it given to them. The NEPA MS-Ills are blessed with a high-speed set of instructors who live and breathe their jobs and are able to put the fears of the potential young officers to rest by telling of their own experiences and how to apply the drills to any situation. A common beginning to the way a drill is related to a past experience begins with a simple ... "Who here has been to Korea?" Leaming the tactics is good. Knowing how to apply the tactics is even better. Going out and actually applying those tactics _while being evaluated is the best thing for the MS-Ills who get to learn how to do the drills under pressure leading a squad. This brings us to the last fold of the cadets' life while in ROTC: Leadership lab. Leadership lab is a 2-hour event that the NEPA cadets experience every Thursday from 1600-1800 (4-6 p.m. for those unfamiliar with military time). It consists of showing up at the University of Scranton, finding out where they need to be and then movement to the training site. Once at the training site the lab's leader, an MS-III who has planned and prepared the day's activity orients and briefs them. Then the two Assistant Instructors, Als, take the squads to their designated spots. They then set up their squads in a 360 degree security perimeter and prepare to get the orders that the Cadre members of the NEPA ROTC briefs them on. Then they tum and prepare their own set of orders and brief the cadets that they are leading in the simulated training. After they successfully or unsuccessfully complete the day's training all involve offer constructive criticism or praise and prepare to go home. The University of Scranton plays host to the NEPA labs and the site ofBDUed cadet-warriors is a common site as they execute their training in various University sites. All of this training is for two goals. Successful completion of their summer training is the first goal. It is essential to pass summer training in order to get commissioned. The other goal and perhaps the more important is the goal of creating Army leaders who are ready, tactically and physically, to enter an Army that is at war. Without the foundations that the cadets build now and the training that they must endure, they would not be ready to face the rigors of the Army and for some, eventually lead troops into combat. What they learn now might save the lives of their soldiers later on. That is why we learn. That is why we train. James Morrison MSIII Wilkes University 8 OPINION 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 51 responses. The Beacon asked: If you were sentenced to the death penalty, which form of execution would you prefer? • • . . . . . . . . Electric chair - 4 % Gas chamber - 2% Firing squad - 12% Lethal injection - 51 % Hanging- 2% Stoning- 0% Drawn and quartered - 5% Decapitation by guillotine - 8% Crucifixion - 6% Other -10% Next Week's Poll Question: Which dorm on campus would you most like to live in? . . . . . . . . . . Evans University Towers Barre Rifkin University Commons Henry Northampton Henry Ross Street Sturdevant Waller North/South Other Visit www. wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week's issue of The Beacon. �FE~TURE S . APRIL Students with Motorcycles Social Cyclical Awareness Downtown Billiards . ~~ 10, 2006 9 10 11 9 Motorcycles indicate the onset of spring BY ERICA LEO Beacon Staff Writer was little. Benson has owned several bikes and currently keeps one on campus while at school. "I like the freedom of being on a bike. It is more dangerous than being in a car but you have a lot more control, not of other people, but more control of yourself," said Benson. For those interested in buying a motorcycle, Benson suggested taking the Motorcycle Safety Course offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles to educate beginners on how to ride safely. "It's a great class. It's free and you get your license out of it. Even if you don't want a motorcycle, I recommend that people take the course just so they are aware of what motorcyclists are doing out on the road," said Benson. Chris Thompson, senior pre-med major, has had a motorcycle for the past five years and stressed that safety is the most important factor to consider when riding. "I think everyone should wear a helmet. I am a paramedic and I have seen too many people's skulls get squished against the road because they weren't wearing one," said Thompson. Despite seeing the after effects of some horrific accidents, Thompson does not see himself stopping anytime in the near future. "They're fun. Once you get on one, you're addicted to them. I think everyone should give them a chance," said Thompson. Traditionally, the onset of beautiful spring weather is enough for those who can't wait to trade in the claustrophobia of car-driving for open-air, adrenaline-rousing rides on a motorcycle or sport bike. But with gas prices rising to all time highs, motorcyclists are breaking out the bikes a little earlier and using them more often to save a few extra dollars at the pumps. Because motorcycles get better gas mileage than regular cars, trucks and SUV's, college students are also starting to realize that it is more cost-efficient to leave the gas-guzzling.alternative modes of transportation at home. Several Wilkes students are taking advantage of the weather and the advantage of saving on gas and, as a result, it appears that more and more bikes are popping up around campus. One of these students is Lawson Cass, junior criminology major. Cass started ridThe Beacon/Nick Zmijewski ing last year primarily because of rising gas Carl Benson, senior electrical engineering major, shows off his motorcycle.-He has prices but also found that parking on cambeen riding motorcycles since he was little. Benson keeps his bike on campus while at pus is a lot easier and, in some cases, free. school because he like the freedom of being on a bike. Many other students have de"If you park where there are meters you cided to bring motorcycles to campus since they are more cost-efficient and get better do get ticketed, but if you park near a fire hydrant without blocking it, you don't," gas mileage. Also, it is a lot easier to find parking on campus. said Cass. "In Europe, I'd say about 35 percent of and easier to park on campus, motorcycles Cass stressed that he thinks more people the vehicles on the road are motorcycles can also be extremely dangerous for inexshould look into getting a bike because of · and scooters because they are more cost ef- perienced riders. Carl Benson, senior electric engineering they are cheaper to fuel and can be a lot of ficient," said Cass. fun to drive. Although they are cheaper to maintain major, has been riding motorcycles since he Tell U S ■ ■ ■ Managing Editor Becky Goodman was curious about what Wilkes students are thinking. Here is what she found out. What stunt would make you drop out of Fear Factor? •• • •• •• • - • • •• • • • • • •• ••• • • Lori Kratz freshman pre-pharmacy Tommy Leggio sophomore business administration Katelyn Kozma freshman pre-pharmacy Stephen Thomas freshman mechanical engineering "Eating any parts of animals." "Being stuck in the same room with Coach Slager." "Anything to do with spiders." "I haven't really seen a stunt that would make me drop out of Fear Factor yet." �10 FEATURES APRIL 10, 2006 Social Cyclical Awareness projects challenge business majors BY ERICA LEO Beacon Staff Writer In addition to prepping for the academic homestretch that marks the end of the semester, Wilkes University business majors have their hands full planning, promoting and participating in their Social Cyclical Awareness (SCA) projects that are culminating this month. Implemented last year as part of the Personal Professional Development (PPD) courses, business majors are required to raise money to fund the SCA projects, all of which are aimed at meeting specific needs within local community. Six teams have been organized for this year's SCA projects with activities that range from an Easter egg hunt for local children to dodgeball and basketball tournaments that benefit various local organizations. Karen Blendick, freshman accounting major, is part of the A-Team which sold ad booklets to promote local business and plans to hold a Relay for Life walk on April 22 to benefit the American Cancer Society. "We're donating the money that we raise to the American Cancer Society and 60 percent of each dollar is going to stay in Wilkes-Barre," said Blendick. The A-Team plans to raffle off prizes donated by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Red Barons to those who participate in the walk and is also giving away t-shirts to those who donate $20. Blendick is excited about the project which she feels will promote cancer awareness across the campus and even to the community. "I think it is a great idea. A lot of people, even in our group, have been affected by cancer through family members and it hits pretty close to home for us. It's just a great project for us," said Blendick. Another group, Team Boogie, sold hooded sweatshirts to raise money to purchase books to read and then donate to grades K-6 at Heights-Murray, Dan Flood and Kistler elementary schools during National Reading Week which takes place from April 1623. Ashley Davison, freshman business ma- S_ave1 Lives. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The Social Cyclical Awareness projects were designed by the Sidhu School of Business to promote leadership as well as raise money for the community. A total of six teams were organized, each team being responsible for developing a plan to raise money for various charities or community organizations in financial need. One of the SCA teams sponsored a dodgeball tournament, while others sold hooded sweatshirts or organized a Battle of the Bands. The SCA program was implemented last year as part of the Personal Professional Development courses within the business major. Donate IP laSITla Today. Earn up ta $200 a Month! lnter:stale Blood & Plasma Inc. 6flS Ca~ Ava Wi 1--aarra Pa Cal (57CI~ 823-411S . jor, is a member of Team Boogie and noted that during the reading events, the team members will dress in costume to enliven the books that they plan to read. "I think it's going to be good for the kids to become more aware of what we're doing. We're going to talk to them about college and how important it is to stay in school and do well," said Davison. Dr. Jeffrey Alves, professor of free enterprise, talked about the projects and why the business department thinks it is important for students to actively participate in giving back to the community. "We are in the business world and we have a responsibility not only to our customers and employees, but to the community as well. They also give students a chance to develop leadership skills, team skills, and allow them to apply what they are learning in the classroom to real-life situations," said Alves. Alves stated that the business department plans to continue the projects in the future and thinks thaf similar projects are going to start popping up across the university in the near future. "I think we are going to see more of these across the university and not necessarily linked to academic programs. It's all part of the service learning philosophy that is becoming more university-wide," said Alves. �APRIL 10, 2006 FEATURES 11 Campus Square billiards adding to a changing downtown Busi11esses look to attract local college students BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor As the game of billiards grows in popularity among the college crowd, Wilkes-Barre hopes to capitalize. Students looking for a little more than Wilkes' current game room can offer will soon have a new hangout. According to a press release, Campus Square, a billiards entertainment center is set to open in May 2006. There will be 25 regulation pool tables and two ping-pong tables set up in a 10,300 square foot facility. Campus Square will also host a snack bar and a state of the art Bose sound system. Campus Square will be located within walking distance from campus at the former CVS drug store space at 39 Public Square in the Wilkes-Barre Center building, adding to the planned movie theater and dance club entertainment venues beginning to pop up in the downtown. The press release also acknowledged that in order to further attract students, Campus Square will be holding numerous pool leagues and also hopes to have a "Campus King" and "Campus Queen" championship between local colleges. Some students have already expressed interest in the new billiards hall and its proximity to Wilkes. ''.On the weekends, I would definitely go. It is a lot closer than Jack and Jill's, which is where I usually go, and that is a big plus," said Jeannelle Anderson, sophomore elementary education major. But for students, Campus Square may have one possible deterrent. The billiards hall is slated to be a "membership only" club. However, the first nine months the facility will be open to the public and will not require membership. This may be seen as a drawback to some students since Wilkes' game room already offers billiards tables for no charge. Pat Nardone, freshman business major, said, "It is a lot more convienent to have billiards here, and since it is free I think it would be hard for Campus Square to attract a large majority of students. But, I would at least try it out." A new billiards hall might not be enough for some students to take the time to walk over to Public Square for a few games of pool. However, Campus Square is one of the first new attractions being added to a revitalized downtown that is hoping to draw from the college population. Rob Finlay, President of Rumford Realty The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Matt Burian, senior electrical engineering major, plays a game of pool in the Henry Student Center's game room. However, students will soon have another location to play billiards. Campus Square, a billiards entertainment center, is set to open in May 2006. The center will be located at the old CVS drug store building on 39 Public Square, which is in close proximity to the Wilkes campus. Campus Square will host 25 regulation pool tables, two ping-pong tables, a snack bar, and a state of the art Bose sound system. · and landlord to Campus Square, describes some new possibilites. "We have been receiving inquires from many types of tenants that could fit in an entertainment and college town atmosphere. Some include a tanning salon, coffee house, sports bar restaurant, Irish pub and a Chinese buffet." Finlay feels that these inquires will become reality. "With the completion of streetscape improvements, new parking garage and intermodal center, theater project, proposed bookstore and hopefully renovations to Boscov's Department Store you should hopefully see these types of retailers turn into actual stores. The idea is to get a tenant mix that can cross sell to each other. With the commitments of the night club, billiards entertainment center and theater we hope it will entice other retailers to locate in the city." Finlay believes in the future. "Maybe next year you will be spending a Saturday morning with your friends sipping coffee in a coffee house, you then shop for shoes, play a game of pool or shop for a book. You will be able to eat dinner at a sports bar res- taurant watching a college football game before going to the movies or a concert at the Kirby Center. Afterwards you may dance into the wee hours of the morning at a nightclub. All without stepping into a car. Cross your fingers," he said. AlrstU3/ ltadyour ~ Nudto .buyyour b~ ~ntrot flt, prWIUfi Get Your Birth Control W ~ A Pelvic Exam• Your ni.imher ooc so1.1tte for birth oontml a:oo the morning after pill. 1-8,00-230-PLAN ·www.ppnep.org ,.. Certain inslaffl.~, further t!lil'llwttir:m may bt rt'-qaiir'td �A&E APRIL ---- -- -~ ------------------------------- 10, 2006 Int'l Fashion Show Net: Celeb Lookalikes Dinner: Panera Bread Movie: Ice Age 2 13 14 15 15 Courie to leave Today for CBS an Musical chairs puts womens roles in the s BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Asst. A&E Editor NEWS ANALYSIS After much speculation and waiting, the music has officially ended and two famous faces will shortly be sitting in different chairs. Last week, both Katie Courie and Meredith Vieira announced they will be leaving their positions at the Today show and The View respectively. Vieira will be filling Couric's cohost 'position at the Today show, while Courie will be making history as the first female solo anchor of evening news for CBS. · CBS's courting of Courie was a huge gamble, because Courie does not fit the typical mold of a nighttime news anchor. During her 15 years on the Today show, Courie has done everything from interviewing world leaders to having a colonoscopy live, on air. However, Courie is known for her perky smile and friendly tone, a personality that is opposite from the typically grave evening news anchors such as Brian Williams, Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather. According to numoerus media analysts, CBS officials are banking on Courie to pull some of her morning audience to the evening timeslot, which has been steadily losing vieweiship for many years. "The question is whether or not she'll take along with her the audience that follows her," explained associate communication studies professor Mark Stine. "The audience for the Today show is somewhat different than the audience for CBS's Evening News." One difference is that the age of the audience for evening newscasts is aging, with younger viewers not tuning in. The hope would be that Couric's move will draw more viewers to the nightly news. One other important aspect of the move is that Courie will become the first female solo anchor of an evening news broadcast. While both Barbara Walters and Connie Chung were co-anchors, and currently Elizabeth Vargas is solo anchoring ABC's World News Tonight until Bob Woodruff recovers from injuries he sustained while reporting from the war, Courie will be the first solo female given the title and complete face time. "It's very symbolic," explained Theresa Kintz, director of the Wilkes University women's study minor. "Now women are newsmakers as well as news reporters, making the anchor desk more welcoming for women. This signals a real change in society's view of women," Kintz explained, citing that women are now more accepted in political as well as social realms. "Young girls now will see themselves having a role in society," she said, pointing out that young girls will be able to look up to Courie. Both Courie and Vieria are expected to take their respective positions by the fall. • . .• ❖ · • [of' e Dancer' b)! r d • piece lls the cl:a ical Indian Mpt1~ _has. :>t\ip1 an t her dance number . · • · h;t\vatil, ,tht song ture a 'scree' asJhe,,lead,wW¢h i part narrative.,.. ie \Yill talk;aljl)ut o en in g¢ eral about the obs{a~l e out, ~d "end i,n ., tg thetr p ••· · · ems, ;s h added that the ten hands- meaning ,she · f, "The d · ll a story; my conceptuallza, l!l'hcer. "' 'Wlll be a collabora-native Suj ta Nairwho aches ndian ce. ed ' . gether oration and an idea," ... "She cho •-·- . ··- .. . """ OU \ ce will be told by way of music •'""' ," pidJ~im,on oft})e varied con• ce The concert. · held"April 20 at 8 p.~in the is free and e public. N1tir-Mull~'s perform, "Solitary Dllicer'' /ag A.JJrj.J:!2 at 6:30 p.m. jith the �APRIL 10, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 Fashion show: Culture, clothing, cuisine BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Correspondent The Multicultural Student Coalition (MSC) allowed students, faculty and members of the public a chance to experience fashion, culture and cuisine of many countries when it sponsored an International Fashion Show, on Saturday, April 8. Coordinator of student affairs and faculty advisor -of MSC, Andita Parker-Lloyd said the fashion show is important because it allows everyone to share their culture. "The misconception is that when immigrants come to America, they have to leave their culture at the door. What we want to do is embrace everyone's culture but maintain our own identities. This show helps us share our culture with everyone and create a melting pot." Apparel from Saudi Arabia, Africa and Puerto Rico, in addition to many other countries, was modeled by students and children of faculty members. The models glided across the stage in the ballroom of the Henry Student Center to music ranging from instrumental ethnic stylings to current techo tunes. Valerie J. Martinez, secretary of the MSC and head of public relations for the fashion show, acted as emcee. She announced the names of the models, gave a description of their outfits and explained to the audience when the clothing would typically be worn, whether for a formal event or as sleepwear. In addition to the cultural garb, models also sported clothing from the Wilkes bookstore and outfits that could be worn by those entering the work force. There was a performance by the Keystone College step team, the Mofyah Steppers. The students used a combination of clapping and stomping in their dance, and all members wore matching camouflage pants and tank tops with the name of their school and team. After the fashion show, free food was available for everyone who attended. Caribbean foods, egg rolls and rice, and other ethnic foods allowed show participants and audience members to get a taste of different cultures. Martinez was involved in the planning of this annual event. MSC members have been working to pull everything together for about three months, gathering clothing from people and local businesses. She wanted to be a part of the show because she wanted people to be able to experience different cultures. "You wouldn't get to see people walking around Wilkes-Barre or even New York City, so the show gives people a chance to wear the clothing, and also gives others the opportunity to learn about different cultures," she said. Parker-Lloyd added, "People don't walk around in this kind of clothing every day. It's a neat experience because we get to bring culture to people's doorstep." She said it was important that the event be free and open to the public to make sure that everyone can continue to learn about different cultures. "We share pride in who we are, and can leave feeling good about ourselves." �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 APRIL 10, 2006 Nothing ~;H,~ek~~teb BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist l 'no-.vt- ~10 C-( ;{:.("£ <:,(', /,-- Mc{0~U!..- 14e,\ \ \ ho:ve.. ::,'.l..O 0 r. HL-!, L. f<>-c.'- boo\£... . Celebrity face recognition at MyHeritage.com BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor One time, someone at a bar said I looked like Melissa Joan Hart from Clarissa Explains it All. Wait. I am dating myself. I meant to say, from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. I think in a drunken goofy moment I autographed a napkin and said I was visiting my cousins in Wilkes-Barre. But then I told the truth. (I still got a beer out of the deal.) I've always gotten the "you look like someone" comment, but before and after the "Clarissa incident," l was never compared to a celebrity. So, when I heard about the celebrity-look-alike website one morning on a local radio show, I just had to try it. My Heritage.com is a site that allows people to post family pictures, l think for the intentions of finding out who you look like. But, they added a fun feature--photo recognition with the stars. They will scan your facial features and match them against 3,200 different celeb and notable people pies. Here is what I got: My # 1 match was actress Joan Cusack. In this particular picture, I also looked like Avril Lavigne (71 %), Kelly Clarkson (70%), Kristen Kruek (Lana Lang, 70%), Meg Ryan (66%), Whoopi Goldberg (63%), Jamie Lyn Spears and Elisha Cuthbert. I did dorkily try a pie of my boyfriend and one of his look-alikes was Tom Welling, Clark Kent of Smallville. And, I looked like Lana Lang. Woa. Freaky. But, he also looked like Shirley Temple and Kirstie Alley. I was having so much fun, I tried it with every picture l had on my computer. In drunk shots where my eyes were Photos courtesy of Donna Talarico and Yahoo! squinty, I had different results (Lucy Lui). It got addicting. But the bottom line is, you aren't likely to find your long According to MyHeritage.com, I look the lost twin. It doesn't really scan for sex, race or nationality. most like actress Joan Cusack. And, of course the way you are smiling and tilting your head can throw off things. All in all, it's very entertaining to sit around with some friends and get some laughs. Hint: it can scan multiple faces in one pie so try a two-shot (like I used for the Clark and Lana pie) or a friend shot, too! One question. Where the heck was Melissa Joan Hart on my results? Maybe she wasn't in the database. Or, maybe the drunk guy had beer goggles on. Lit(.t,.h #-ei./fe- w"- 1.. ir.:) ◊-.>l-!..i~t., .½ l ~1>-Ho-- ~o ,~ pa.(~ •• ' h ,,._ ve. fur- poke' " ~l~ or. ..J PN.t 1::>o ok Mayflower Crossing .ftas a part-time entry level marketing position avallable. Looking for an at11:resslve, energetic, self-starter. Hours flexible.. Please e-mail all@ mayfloweterossing.com. �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT APRIL 10, 2006 lfflninner and a Movie I Movie: Ice Age 2 ny must make their way out of the great valley before the quickly-thawing landBeacon Staff Writer scape floods the land. Along the journey, they meet ari.other mammoth Ellie In a world of so much drama, suspense, tragedy and vie-. (Queen Latifab), who believes she is a timizing (and I don't just mean the world ofHollywooq) it's possum and her two "brothers," Crash nice to take a break every once in awhile and visit an.age and Eddie. Together they all make their where all you had to worry about was a world full of ice way to the boat that will carry them to melting. Simple enough, right? Ice Age 2: The Meltdown ~efy when the flood comes-- but not without battling two as humorous and delightful as the first and maybe even better. Manny is still pessimistic as ever, Sid is still as silly and certainly proves just that. mece sea.moU£ters, lovable and Diego is still as sarcastic and humorous. The The movie reunites the unusual herd: Sid the sloth (John In a Noah's Ark-esque way, Manny knowing he is on the Leguizamo), Manny the mammoth (Ray Romano) and Di- verge of extinction, tries to convince the stubborn yet sweet original all-star cast is excellent reprising their roles and it's ego the saber tooth tiger (Denis Leary). I think it's safe to Ellie that she is also a mammoth and that they could poten- also a refreshing change to hear Queen Latifah lending her voice to Ellie. She definitely adds some feminine humor to say that if the first Ice Age was a runaway hit, Ice Age 2: tially be the only ones left to save their species. the dialogue. The Meltdown will be right up there with Shrek and FindFans of the original will come to its sequel with some imThe animation is also beautiful. There are so many charing Nemo. portant questions: Will Scrat the Squirrel, on a never-ending acteristics that determine what a good family movie should In the movie, the Ice Age is over and all the prehistoric quest for his beloved acorn, finally succeed? Will Manny critters are living in a melting world. Sid, Diego and Man- convince Ellie she is a mammoth? Will Diego overcome be these days and Ice Age 2 definitely has it together. It's fun and hilarious for both kids and adults. Unlike other his fear of water? Will Sid animated flicks, Ice Age 2 requires no added explanations if finally get the respect he · viewers take younger kids or siblings. deserves from his peers? Ice Age 2 is a fun night out for anybody who wants a great tion of turkey, bacon, Gouda, lettuce, tomaBut the most important laugh and I don't ever say this about any movie, but I think BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO toes and their signature dressing. The smoky question is ... will audiencBeacon Asst. News Editor we should all hope for an Ice Age 3 in the future ... we could ingredients complemented one another well es enjoy this movie? Of definitely use the. laughs. Grade : A With a large selection of meal options and and there was just the right amount of tur- course. This movie is just bakery products prepared daily, it's no sur- key. I did, however, have to ditch the toma-1-------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , prise that Panera Bread is one of my most toes because 1 neglected to ask for my sandfrequent stomping grounds. wich without them. The Greek salad had When I arrived there this past week with just enough dressing, as well as the perfect my friends Nora and Jaclyn, the parking sit- amount of tomatoes, black olives and onions. ..... ,-. ..... ·.· ■·• · . uation was not a problem at all, which was They didn't skimp on the feta cheese either, 'IIIIIINI,■ • .,. a relief because that is definitely not always so that definitely earns some points with A 'tU.. ftamada Inn the case. Panera is in an ideal location, since me. I'm usually a salt fiend, so the fact that X.1Ll!lllalNM9M'!I fill'!GIHd•: it is right in the middle of one of the newest I never used it once during the entire meal O..,._,wtd9H1110 PWkiftO shopping centers in the Arena Hub area. Ad- was pretty impressive. And I cannot forget ditionally, it's located in a plaza with a few about the bread, probably my favorite part l.ooiCldPl'IOntt P~IJlh.... It other stores, so if I had found myself with of the entire meal. The tomato basil bread Ulillil•• the sudden urge to perhaps stop by Famous used for the sandwich harmonized with the Wall kl! "Wall Carper-. tcttah•-«Footwear on the way home to buy a couple ingredients perfectly, and the Italian bread A l l ' C~ of pairs of shoes, I'd be covered. was the perfect combination of crunchy on BY ALISON SHERRY Dinner: Panera Bread S'IPIIDEN'II' aou·s .-c S 10 LU....ON' !..., s·. .................... The first thing that stands out about Panera Bread is its pleasant service. The cashier was extremely polite and friendly, which is impressive in a place that serves, as Jaclyn put it, "classy fast food." The registers are located straight ahead from the entryway, and the bakery is also strategically located so that the first thing patrons see is a glass case filled with stuff sure to break the diet. The bagels and other assorted baked goods were extremely tempting, but, alas, it was dinnertime. The menu at Panera offers an assortment of seemingly light meal choices. Don't be fooled, though, because most of the options are very :filling. I decided on the You Pick Two deal with half of the Bacon Turkey Bravo sandwich and half of the Greek salad. For a hearty portion of each, I paid only about $6.50. As a side choice, the cashier told me I could choose Italian or wheat bread, a bag of chips, or an apple. As if she had to ask! I chose the Italian bread because, after all, that's what Panera is famous for. The sandwich was a delectable combina- the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. llNGIH OF S T A Y - ~ S ' APPLY* Panera bakes their bread daily, so that was no surprise. &l ■ IOIIINO... Jaclyn was happy with her choice, the Sourdough Bread Bowl with broccoli chede:tao. :fmm U119• #Ca1D:alb( S ac2 m'llcCl811Sli ) imr.lUGWII dar soup, priced at about $5. In her opinion, Mllblta: the bread was perfect for dipping. But Nora was less enthused with her half portion of the s BEDROOM svnzs Turkey Romesco sandwich, a new addition to the menu that she thought lacked flavor. PriMd tpm, 1119• " ' m#lCb (1 oc 2 01 t fo • • ) tcclwclrw Luckily, her dining experience was rescued by the Vegetarian Black Bean soup, the other half of her You Pick Two meal. Panera has the atmosphere of a sit-down restaurant with 2a1111tROOMSVnflal waiters without the price. The music is very jazzy and adds to the overall aesthetic apl:Am Pac: mPOttH -, 4 one '• cm·a ronr fflm peal of the restaurant. Once customers order food, they are given a buzzer that goes off when it's ready. Following the meal, cus- CA.LL OUR 5-A.L,ll:S OFF.Ce: FOR A FRe:e tomers must bus their own tables, which is TOUAI one aspect of the Panera Bread experience that may not appeal to some. But for me, it's worth the low price and quality food. Grade: A-~~ .. ,,.,, encme tam- ,,,., .... ro > ....................... .__._ _ •20-az...21 oo., mxwm••• 12s �- - - - - - - -- 16 SPORTS APRIL 10, 2006 Colonel versus Colonel Football team tries something new for spring training BY RICH HANNICK Beacon Staff Writer The Wilkes University football team has undertaken a new style for its spring practice this year. The players and the coaches will be trying out a new method of conditioning for the upcoming season. The new style of practice includes conditioning and competitions among the players on the team. There are a total of 80 football players that have been broken up into ten teams of eight. Defensive and special teams coach Michael McCree said that the competitions will include strength competitions, athletic competitions and academic competitions. This means that players will get points if they excel in the classroom. McCree said, "We are instituting competitions that pertain not only to the field but in the classroom as well." Ryan Dailey, a freshman nursing major, said that he likes the coach's spring practice program because it provides more entertainment than just going out and running. He has only heard the stories of how the spring practices used to be, and he is grateful to come in the first year of the new spring practices. "It definitely makes practice more fun." McCree said this new system will help them in many ways. He notes that for one thing there are 80 guys but not one ego on the team. "Just support everywhere you tum, it's a competition, but everybody is pushing everybody," said McCree. The teams were selected randomly so that some offensive players played with defensive players and vice versa. McCree called this a "mix and match strategy." When the coaches set the training plan in motion they had objectives for not only the players, but also for themselves. They were looking for the players to become more cohesive and stronger as a team. McCree said that the coaches were looking to build relationships with players outside the ones they work with. "It gives me a chance to get to know some offensive players," said McCree. The coaches are also hoping that this new spring program sets a good work ethic for The Beaconffodd Wiebel The Wilkes football team gathers at midfield after a spring practice. The Colonels' new practice organization is an attempt to improve team unity and identity along with skills and conditioning. themselves and the students for the entire season. McCree said, "We want this program to really set the tone for the whole year." Dailey thinks this program will benefit in- dividuals as well as the whole team. "Individually it will get us in shape and since we compete in teams it will help us learn how to work, compete, win, and lose as a team," Dailey said. �APRIL 10, 2006 --------~1 17 SPORTS COMMENTARY ~1- - - - - - - - - Editors at War A 'Generation of Juicers' sparks MLB officials to change the rules Don't place the blame on just Bonds An open letter to Barry Bonds home run list. BY RYAN DIPPRE BY NICK PODOLAK Think about it: back then, this substance Beacon Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor The 1990s will be looked upon by future was probably thought of as some sort of Thanks for corrupting the national pasgenerations as the "Juiced Era," where once advanced protein shake. With the given time, Barry. skinny ball players were replaced by hulk- results, why wouldn't he have taken it? I Oh, no, it wasn't just you. You were ining linebackers, and smacking 50 home would have. deed the poster child, the model, and the But the million dollar question remains: figurehead in the steroid movement. Other runs in a season was as easy as in a backWhy does Bonds take so much heat when players watched you and modeled after yard game of stick ball. But the death of Ken Caminiti and other so many of his counterparts were juicin' you like a prophet, being the son of Bobby steroid allegations have persuaded Major along with him? Well, there are two main Bonds and all of that. So when you ordered League Baseball officials to enact a 50- reasons. some bigger baseball caps and picked up First, he is the most arrogant player in the syringe, so did they. In all honesty, you game suspension for first time offenders. At the center of the steroid madness is baseball history and his relationship with probably weren't even the first one in the Barry Bonds, who, according to the re- fans and the media is tumultuous. Second, leagues to use steroids. You were just the cently released book Game of Shadows, has he won't admit he did the deed, even though most successful with it. been using performance enhancing drugs several fairly reliable sources have cited And your success on the diamond is also since the 1998 season. The result has turned dates and occasions. It baffles me why he the biggest reason for your enormous PR Bonds into the poster child ofthis "Genera- just won't admit to using them, because that failure off of it. The media can handle an tion of Juicers," receiving heavy flak from is a major reason why non-Giants fans hate average athlete bulking up a little for his him so much. the media and fans alike. short trip to baseball mediocrity. What it Just remember, he made the same mistake can't handle is when one of the greatest In last week's match up between the Padres and Giants, a fan threw a needle-less that all of the other baseball idols of our athletes in the majors decides to extend a syringe at Bonds as he jogged in from generation made and if he admits to using hall of fame career by juicing. Few people left field. He picked it up, shook his head, performance enhancing drugs, he should look to Joe McMinorLeaguer as a source of and held back tears as the ESPN cameras be redeemed and still regarded as the best inspiration, but the godson of Willie Mays zoomed in on his face. Welcome to the player to have ever played the game. tends to have a few followers. Way to let everyday life of Barry Bonds. Now you can boo him and hold up all the asterisk signs you want, but throwing a syringe at the slugger crosses the line. Playing in the shadows of his father, Hall of Farner Bobby Bonds and godfather Willie Mays, most can't imagine the enormous pressure on Bonds when he first broke into the league with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the late 80s and early 90s. A gifted .300 hitter with the best eye in baseball, Bonds never hit more than 34 homers in a season. But after joining the Giants at age 28, he suddenly averaged a dinger every 13 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski at bats and now needs seven homers to surpass Sports editor Ryan Dippre (left) and assistant sports editor Nick Podolak (right) square off about the Babe Ruth and 4? to tie steroid controversy now raging throughout the major leagues. Aaron on the all time them down. Don't sweat it, though. Just tell yourself that you're not a role model, and keep poking away with that syringe. Then lie to the media and you'll have all of your bases covered. Lots of people develop enormous traps late in life, right? They'll never know. There are a lot of people who give their support to Bonds, saying he is wrongfully shouldering the burden of the steroid controversy. Wrongfully shouldering the burden? I don't think so. I'm no purist, but I always c·onsidered the use of an illegal performance-enhancing substance to be cheating. Combine that with the fact that his natural ability would give him a Hall of Fame career on its own, and it all adds up to a pathetic and self-centered attempt to earn something that he truly doesn't deserve: the home run record. Bonds, you're too stubborn to model off of anyone else, but it would be better if you approached the game like Babe Ruth than the way you're doing it now. The Bambino may have lived life a little too much in the fast lane, drank like a fish, smoked like a chimney, cheated on his wife, and let a lot of athletic potential slip through his fingers due to laziness, but he never hurt the game. Entering his prime just after the 1919 Black Sox scandal was threatening the existence of the league, Ruth took his extended press coverage and the pressures of performing up to fans' expectations in stride. Despite his other faults, he was able to bring respect back to baseball and allow it to begin an era of growth that wasn't halted until the baseball strike in 1994. And that's your one unforgivable sin, Barry. You can shrug off the accusations of cheating--it's a gray area anyway, those ironclad laws. You can also ignore the accusations that you're a bad role model: you never wanted to be a role model anyway. But what you can't do is find a way to forget the harm you've brought to a game that's been so good to you. Whenever a professional sporting league is caught in a controversy such as this, it's up to the great athletes in that league to carry it through. In the 1920's, the league and its fans looked to Babe Ruth. They can't look to you, since you responded to the spotlight and the fame that they gave you by selfishly reaching for more. Who will they look to now? �SPORTS 18 APRIL 10, 2006 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK MLB: Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox White Sox attempt to cool off red-hot Tigers Double Take BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor The 2006 baseball season is officially underway now, and there have been the usual range of surprise booms and busts all across the league. Monday afternoon will see the first of a three-game series between a bust and a boom in the same division: the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox, 2005 World Champions, have struggled throughout the start of 2006. A team that stood at 16-4 after twenty games last season is currently 1-4. Manager Ozzie Guillen is giving his team a lot of credit for sticking together, but the White Sox are clearly a struggling baseball team right now. The Detroit Tigers, on the other hand, are the stunning surprise of the early season. Rangers ace Kevin Millwood called the Tigers the "best offensive team in the world right now," and for good reason. Detroit has a .319 batting average, and is led at the plate by the unstoppable Chris Shelton. Offense is only half of the tale for the Tigers, however, as they have a 2.40 ERA and have yet to commit an error in the field -this year. Shelton's numbers so far this season are unreal. The first baseman has hit .727 in his first five games, and knocked in five home runs in the first four. During game five against the Rangers, Shelton settled for two triples, a single, and three RBI's. In twenty at-bats, he has only struck out twice. The other surprise star on the Tigers' roster is rookie Justin Verlander. Verlander picked up his first win by striking out seven and only giving up two hits against the Rangers. After seven innings of pitching, Verlander's ERA still remains at 0.00. The biggest question mark during this three-game series is which White Sox team will show up. There's no debating that Chicago has more experience and better management than Detroit, but there is a huge gap between Chicago's potential and the way the Sox are playing right now. If the White Sox can get out of their current funk by the time they arrive in Detroit on Monday, then the Tigers will be up to their biggest challenge of the season. If not, the Tigers could theoretically be an undefeated baseball team eight games into the season. Despite their current problems, the White Sox are showing signs of coming out of their shell. Guillen has constantly reinforced to the press his belief in his team and his lack of apprehension at the slow start, and the team is not playing bad baseball by any means. Chicago took apart Cleveland in the home opener, and nearly pulled off a late-inning comeback against Kansas City on Saturday. The White Sox may be slowly catching fire, and it will be a boring series indeed if they manage to do so in Detroit. The Tigers don't have anywhere near the experience that Chicago does, and will run into trouble squaring off against a reinvigorated White Sox team. As for what will actually happen in the series, look for Chicago to continue to improve as a ball club. Guillen has faith in his team for a reason, and the no one should expect the club to fall apart at all during the year. Chicago still has a pennant race left in it, and it's only a matter of time before they put it all together. Expect them to continue to struggle against Detroit, however. The Tigers are something of a flash in the pan, but the flash right now is bright. Sweeping a World Champion is difficult work, but expect the Tigers to take the series. The Pick Game 1: Detroit 4, Chicago 3 Game 2: Detroit 5, Chicago 2 Game 3: Chicago 4, Detroit 2 QUIC1'INFO Detroit Tigers vs. Sarah examines the stats that truly matter BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Chicago White Sox April 10, 12, 13 · l :05 p.m. After a seemingly endless stream of poor choices for the Game of the Week feature, the editors are finally stepping up the plate, literally. This week's game highlights the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. Quite frankly, this is an easy choice based on colors alone. Everyone knows that black and white is far more stylish than black and orange. After all, it's not Halloween season. That's why I just have to pick the Sox. Furthermore, they are the returning champs. I was actually quite surprised that the baseball game of the week didn't feature the Yankees. However, after a pitiful loss to the Angels it is wise to keep the Yanks out of the spotlight so they can recover from such a humiliating loss. Yankees fans, have no fear. I'm sure they'll buy they're way into the series regardless. But that's not the issue here. Let's get back to the White Sox. In addition to their snappy apparel, they've inherited former Phil Jim Thome. While I'm not a Philadelphia fan, I can give the guy some credit now that he's in Chicago. It's always wise to further your career by getting as far away from Philadelphia as possible. That said, I think Thome has something to prove. Also, he's looking a hell of a lot better in black and white than he did in red and white. It's just such a shame that such pretty uniforms have to be exposed to the elements and end up being caked with dirt. Go Sox. l@omcastl �APRIL SPORTS 10, 2006 19 Athlete of the Week ♦ Softball: Samantha Evanich BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor It's hard to blame anything on DeSales, really. The Lady Bulldogs traveled to WilkesBarre on Saturday expecting a doubleheader fight from the Lady Colonels, who were then 5-1 and .improving with every game. DeSales probably expected to have a tough run offensively during the first game, when strikeout queen Laurie Agresti took the mound for Wilkes. After losing a 2-0 battle in game one, after managing only a single hit and suffering 11 strikeouts, DeSales was probably still not surprised. But it's also likely the Lady Bulldogs were expecting at least a shot at winning the second game of the double header. The surprise for DeSales that chilly Saturday afternoon came when freshman Samantha Evanich took the mound in game two and sealed the deal for a depressing bus ride home. Evanich's impressive nightcap performance was only the latest in a superior freshman year at Wilkes. The freshman nursing major, who struck out 14 and allowed only two hits on Saturday, is currently batting .389 and has a team-leading 7 home runs. "The scary thing is that she will get even better over the next four years," said head coach Frank Matthews. Evanich's impressive stats don't end at the plate, however. Along with her teamleading .815 slugging percentage, the Conwell-Egan graduate has a . 1000 fielding percentage, a 1. 79 ERA at the mound, and 48 strikeouts. "She has really stepped it up a lot," said senior co-captain Jan Nunemacher. "She's definitely a huge part of our team." The freshman has been splitting her duties between pitcher and third base throughout the season, and excelling at both positions. "On her recruiting visit I mentioned that if she decides on Wilkes that I would like her to also play the comers to take full advantage of her hitting," said Matthews. "She liked hearing that and as a result decided to change her SUllliller team to get more work at the comers." The move to college softball was a large step for Evanich, but one that she handled well. "It was a different atmosphere," she said, "and being away from home was difficult." She soon adjusted, however, and the skills that Matthews noticed while recruiting began to stand out at the Division III level. "Four things stood out," said Matthews. "Her exceptionally quick hands when hitting, her power, an exceptional drop-curve when pitching ... her attitude." Her attitude is evident in the confidence she shows in her team. "I think that if we keep up with our pitching and our defense ... we ' re going to go all the way," said Evanich. "And I want to go all the way, because I want to win for our seniors." Her desire for victory is evident from the first warm-up throw to the final pitch. "Her pre-game was all-business, no laughing, giggling, talking to teammates, etc.," said Matthews. As the Lady Colonels' continue the march toward Freedom Conference, Evanich will continue to be a major force on the mound, at the plate, and along the third base line. Her lead-by-example style of leadership is a major boost to the Lady Colonels. "She's quiet, but I think her play says enough," said Nunemacher. Matthews agrees, "Sam is a perfect example of your leader by example. She is a very quiet person who wastes no time at all at practice, is always focused on what she is doing, and an incredibly hard worker." The BeaconfTodd Weibel Freshman pitcher/third baseman Samantha Evanrich delivers a pitch in a recent game at Artillery Park. Evanrich fanned 14 batters and allowed two hits in Saturdays game against DeSales. She is batting .389 and leads the team with seven home runs. WEEKEND RECAPS Men's tennis The Wilkes tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision to FDU-Florham on Saturday afternoon in Madison, NJ. The Colonels fell to 9-4 overall, and 2-2 in the conference after the match. Arvin Narula and John Lowe scored the two lone victories at the third and fourth singles positions. Softball The Lady Colonels swept visiting DeSales University during a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. Laurie Agresti threw 11 strikeouts and allowed only one hit to get credit for the first 2-0 victory, and Samantha Evanich struck out 14 and allowed only two hits to snag a 5-0 victory in the nightcap. The Lady Colonels improve to 7-1 in the conference with the victory, and 11-9 overall. Baseball The results of the baseball doubleheader against DeSales University were not available at press time. The Colonels will complete their three-game series against the Bulldogs at home on Monday at 4 p.m. Women's Lacrosse Catherine Simone led Wilkes with three goals and one assist in the Colonels 18-6 loss to FDU-Florham Saturday afternoon. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK l e t. l 14 Punchouts that Samantha Evanrich amassed in Saturdays 5-0 victory over DeSales. 3&1 Three goals and one assist by Catherine Simone in Saturdays loss to FDU-Florham. 4 Home runs by sophomore Chris Mayerski to pace the MAC .447 Sophomore outfielder Kyle Follweiler s league leading batting average. ., �SQ9,[f 1 2 S , ~ - ~ ' - · - - ~ ~ - ~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - -20. Preview of the Week: Men's tennis finishing up season Mens squad plays Albright and Lycoming in final week of regular season BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Asst. Sports Editor It seems like the season just started for the men's tennis team. But believe it or not, the regular season will end this week as the young Wilkes team will play Albright in a final home match and then face Lycoming on Wednesday in their final Freedom Confer. ence match. The team enters its final week before playoffs with an overall 94 record after posting a 5-2 loss to Freedom Conference rival FDUFlorham on Saturday. This makes FDU the only unbeaten team in the Freedom Conference and places them in sole possession ·of first place. The Wilkes men are in third place with a conference mark of 22. With a win against Lycoming on Wednesday the Colonels have a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. The goal for the Colonels this week will be to have the two se- nior members of the team, John Lowe and Arvin Narula continue their great leadership. Lowe is ranked number one in the conference in the third seed position and Narula, who has an overall 10-1 record, is ranked 5th in the conference singles overall. Senior captain Arvin Narula said, "John Lowe did really good this year in terms of senior leadership and we had a really good recruiting year. Josh Gar:dner also had a really strong season as well." Similar to the women's tennis team, the remainder of the men's tennis team is extremely young. Out of its eleven players, six are freshman and two are sophomores, but by no means does this appear to have affected the team's performance. This will be the first time that the Colonels will face Albright in awhile and it has been nearly 13 months since they have had a match against Lycoming. In last year's match between the two teams, Wilkes came out with the victory beating the Warriors 6-1. It was the first Freedom Conference win for the Colonels last season and this year's match has the potential to be the Colonel's final conference win of this season. With the 9-0 win at the non-conference match against PSU Berks on Sunday afternoon the men's team improves to 10-4 overall and has a lot of positive energy going into the final few matches. "Lycoming has a lot of returning players this year so they are looking a lot stronger," stated men's tennis team head coach Chris Leicht. "We have two conference [including Lycoming and the rescheduled] games left and they are really important because the top four teams go to the playoffs." The match against Albright will take place at the Ralston Field complex Tuesday at 3 :30 p.m. and the team's final match against Lycoming will take place away on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. I Monday(4/10) *Mock Interviews, HSC Ballroom - 3 p.m. *Men's baseball vs. DeSales - 4 p.m. *Women's health night, Evans Hall - 4 p.m. *IRHC's Annual Easter Egg Hunt, HSC 2nd floor -8p.m. *Men's baseball vs. Susquehanna - 4 p.m. *Women's lacross vs. Scranton - 4:15 p.m. *Men's baseball @ Delaware Valley - 3 :30 p.m. Friday(4/14) *Women's softball@Lycoming - 12 p.m. *Men's baseball vs. Delaware Valley - 1 p.m. *Reading Poetry Series, Barnes & Nobles Arena Hub Plaza - 7 p.m. Wednesday(4/12) *UPS jobs table, HSC lobby - 11 a.m. *Mock Interviews, Marts Center - 12 p.m. *Men's golf vs. MiseriTuesday(4/ll) cordia - 1 p.m. Saturday(4/15) *Pharmacy Fair, HSC *Men's tennis @ Lycom- *No events scheduled for ing - 3:30 p.m. Ballroom - 11 a.m. this day. *Women's softball @ *Holiday recess begins @ l0p.m. Sunday(4/16) Susquehanna - 3 p.m. *Men's tennis vs. Al*No events schedules-for Thursday(4/13) bright - 3:30 p.m. this day. The Beacon/Todd Wiebe! The men's tennis team, curently 9-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference, looks to end its season on a good note to prepare them for Freedom Conference Championships. Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. Congratulations to Darlene Pc!fanco, who correctly identified last week's picture of the art project hanging in Breiseth Hall. � 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 2006 April 10th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 April 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/4ac9137bde962e605200c791abba83ba.pdf b8db809453a0fa79973144b565f02b29 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW APRIL 3, 2006 www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 19 Equestrian Club fundraiser sparks protest from champions of ethical treatment for animals BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Staff Writer Generally fundraisers are about as controversial as church potlucks. But occasionally, even at the most benign of church potlucks, tempers and differences in ideology can flare. This week, one group's efforts to raise money led to a campus-wide ethical debate involving faculty and students alike. The Wilkes University Equestrian Club is sponsoring a donkey basketball event as a fundraiser next Sunday, April 9. Alisha Cain, junior pharmacy major and equestrian club president, said, "The club is really excited about this event. Many students have done this with their high schools and had many positive things to say about it. We are looking forward to bringing something new to Wilkes." The donkey basketball event involves Wilkes students and faculty riding donkeys while playing basketball. The game is played like a regular basketball game with a referee, and five donkeys per team including their riders on the court at the same time. As in regular basketball, the player scores only ifhe or she is on the donkey and the ball enters the hoop. Riders will have to fill out a liability form and pay the entrance fee of The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Alicia Cain, Equestrian Club president, posted approved posters announcing the Donkey Basketball game as a fund $5. Proceeds from the event will help the equestrian club. raising event, some have been torn down by people who oppose the event. Cain said, "Part of the proceeds will be to the club to help its - T - - - - - - - - - . - - - - - . - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - - members with riding lessons and also compete in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association. We will also be donating part of the proceeds to REASON, which is an adoption agencyforhorsesthatfeedsandcaresfortheanimalsuntila suitable home is found." REASON is based out of Harvey's Lake and the Equestrian Club feels it is a worthy organization close to the Wilkes University community. However, some students and faculty do not support the equestrian club's donkey basketball fundraiser. Arguments against the event focus on the ethical treatment of animals and animal cruelty. See DONKEY page 5 un1vers1t1es seek Wilkes Provost L oesc bke as pres1•den tIa • } can dI•date WO BY KRISTIN KILE Beacon Editor-in-Chief At least two universities see Wilkes University Provost, Dr. Maravene Loeschke, as presidential material. In recent weeks both Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and Frostburg State University in Maryland ap- proached Loeschke about applying for openings they had for president. Currently, she is one of three finalists for the position at Mansfield. Loeschke said she is very happy at Wilkes, but saw the possibility of moving into a university presidency as an opportunity that she should explore. When Loeschke was approached to throw her hat in the ring for the presidency at both institutions, she weighed the excitement of potential professional growth against her continued love for and commitment to Wilkes University. See PROVOST page 4 Jn This Issue... YOUR VOICES PAGE 8 Blood Drive Honors Tom Bigler Dashboard Confessional Page 9 Paue12 Index News ....................... .. .... ... 1-5 Opinion ............................ .6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment. ... 12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS APRIL 3, 2006 2 News in Brief Technology Campus Briefs 3 4 5 Award-winning NPR journalist to Student Government Notes offer commencement speech March 29 meeting BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor Challenger, civil rights activist, journalist and African affairs expert are all terms that accurately describe the May 2006 graduation speaker. Wilkes University officials have announced that Charlayne HunterGault, a National Public Radio (NPR) special correspondent, will serve as the May 20, 2006 commencement speaker. Throughout her career Gault has pushed the limits, not allowing others to decide her fate. In 1963 Gault became the first African American to graduate from Georgia State University. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in j ournalism and became the first African American on the staff of The New Yorker. Gault went on to work for many other magazines and papers, including The N ew York Times for nearly a decade. By 1978, however, Gault made the leap from print to broadcast journalism when she joined PBS where she remained for 19 years. In 1997 she joined NPR and later reported for CNN for six years before she returned to NPR as a reporter in Africa. During her 40-year career in journalism, Gault has won numerous honors including: two Peabody Awards, the 1986 Journalist of the Year from the National Association of Black Journalists, along with many awards and recognitions from human rights associations. Gault does not seem like the most likely candidate for a graduation speaker at Wilkes, considering her seeming lack of affiliation with the University, but Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President of Student Affairs said, "We tend to look for people who have some connection to Wilkes and Ms. Hunter-Gault is a friend of one of' our board members, so you immediately have that connection. But beyond that, I think that when you look at her background and experience I think that she can bring a message to the graduating class that can speak to a lot of issues that we have Charlayne Hunter-Gault will be the keytried to emphasize note speaker at the May 20 commencement. in our education." Gault has nearly a 40-year career in the field In information of journalism and is currently serving as a provided by Gault's special correspondent for NPR. agent there are sevthe subject variety of reporting eral topics listed that she reguthat Gault has completed. larly addresses in her speeches: Joy Lander, senior psychology Africa on the Edge, the chalmajor said, "I think that maybe lenges facing Africa and how she will bring a different perthey are America's challenges, spective into our graduation certoo; From Jim Crow America emony: one of acceptance and to Apartheid South Africa and tolerance, which can be a lesson Beyond: A Journalist's Journey; for all of us as we enter into the Black Economic Empowerment; career world." and Brown vs. Board of EducaJennifer Prell, a senior biology tion: A Personal Reflection. major said, "I think that it is pretAdams said, "When you look ty amazing that she is speaking at the things that she has reportbecause she seems to be strong ed on and written about, those willed, having been able to face are the issues that she has develracism and be a woman doing it oped an expertise on and we are in a time period that was not yet interested in having her be able accepting of female power or rato share that perspective with the cial differences. Beem.we of her graduates and their families." accomplishments, I think she Although many students may will be able to give us advice not recognize the name, when that will help in situations while the list of accomplishments and trying to find jobs and within the topics of reporting are discussed, jobs that we find." many become interested due to -The Dance Club appeared for its first reading on a fund request. The club is requesting $900 for funding for a competition. -Donkey Basketball will be held on Sunday, April 9 in the Martz Gymnasium at 4 p.m. -Trivia Night will be held April 4 in the Ballroom of the Heruy Student Center at 8 p.m. -Concert & Lecture committee chair, Jennifer Ramil, appeared for the first reading of a fund request. The committee is requesting $1 ,200 for a performance of "The Untouchables" on April 18. -SG members revisited issues of concern raised by the presentation on Vision 2010 intiatives last week. Key areas of concern were laundry, parking and mailboxes. -IMLK£S UMVERS/TY· B E ACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail. corrl Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon. oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon. ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz ■ ■ ■ Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Frenklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �APRIL NEWS 3, 2006 3 News in Brief Hooters Air waves good-bye to W-B/Scranton the Wilke~Baue/Scranton International Airport:" Beacon Asst, News Editor Hooters Air, which began service at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Anyone interested in getting a little Au-port on October 27, 2005, has also more bang for their buck is going to begun drastically cutting back all reguhave to stick with the nearest Hooters larly scheduled air service. This is a fact restaurant. because that does not surprise many, because the longer be departin airline reduced the number of flights out Barre/Scranton Int al Airport, a of the Avoca airport weeks before actu~ fact that leaves what ally bowing out of the area completely. repercussious jt w loc~l The cutbacks in the past prepared most economy. " people for the virtual shutdown. and it According to B ar that the recent deparDir . · · j~ 1 BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO "lHI tion of ow: aircraft and the fares pe~co ipp~'-r,'fffleM~~-~tlffl'(ffllil~ are willing to pay, it is impossible for economics. Hooters Air to continue service from Some residents may wonder Arora to keynote at international confere nee BY DANA ZLOTUCHA Beacon Staff Writer Awards and accolades are nothing new to Dr. Vijay K. Arora, Professor of Electrical Engineering & Engineering Management. However, he has recently achieved an especially distinctive honor: being named to the American Biographical Institute's 500 Greatest Geniuses of the 21st Century. "Due to [his] stature and intellect, it is only natural that [his] achievements be elevated to a more selective, limited level," the American Biographical Institute explains. This award highlights the many accomplishments of his work, giving him recognition from fellow colleagues in his field. Arora specializes primarily in the fields of nanotechnology and nanoengineering, which focus on exceptionally small delivery and execution methods. He has taught at universities in Tokyo, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and the United States. He has been invited to over 500 professional lectures internationally, and will be attending the 25th Annual Conference on Microelectronics this May in Serbia and Montenegro. He will deliver the keynote address, entitled "Failure of Ohm's Law: Its Implication on the Design of Nanoelectronic Devices and Circuits." Immediately after his time in Serbia and Montenegro, Arora will travel to Russia, and then to Italy. "That is why I don't teach in summer...! just do these outreach activities. It is all volunteer work. ..It is a lot of fun, because it combines my vacation and professional work together," he said. Despite his . prominent reputation, his students say he is very comfortable to be around. Ankur Sharma, one of Dr. Arora's students and a Master Of Sciences Electrical Engineering student, attests to this. He has attended conferences with Dr. Arora in Canada and India. "Overall, the way you interact with him, you don't feel like he is one of these [internationally known figures], but when you go out [to professional gatherings], you can see the way people respect him," Sharma explained. "He is one of the best professors here. He is more like a friend than a professor, and a very good advisor." Arora notes that one of the reasons for his success is his belief in the importance of interdisciplinary skills and teamwork. He enforces this connectedness in his teaching style. "Engineering can't be taught in isolation.. .! am more interested in the integration of liberal arts into the field, not as separate courses, but as part of the technical curriculum. I am a strong advocate for entrepreneurship and communication skills," be stressed. actuaUy means for the local economy, "The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Internaand the answer is most likely nothing, tional Airport still has five major carrieven though Hooters Air was the only ers - US Airways, Delta, United, Condiscount carrier at the airport. tinental and Northwest - servicing nine Taylor acknowledged that, "Anytime major hubs. Passengers can continue to you reduce the number of transport fa- the destinations that.Hooters Air served cilities it does have somewhat of an im- (Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and pact." At the saQle time, however, she Myrtle Beach) through any of these five explained that since Hooters Air was carriers/' said Centini. really not a long lasting fixture, it did He added that, although there are no not have time to become a fundamental particular discount airlines slated to join component of the economic climate of the airport, "The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton the area. . . "'"' IuteJ:;Ilftional Airpot-~s speak Taylor's main co i t~a]: :J)tneri ·Jl-i'11 air · ·r service to ppsinessesrwrh--~e other deter· ial for inter-state ridership." B y, the airport.is open to other air c options that have the potential to i : n ~ the :flow of consumers to and from the airport'. to Open house features RAC The Beacon/Nick Zmjewski The new rock wall in the Recreational Athletic Center (RAC) in the UCOM was a big hit for students and faculty alike at the Open House on Thursday, March 30. �4 NEWS APRIL 3, 2006 Information technology updates enhance learning opportunitie BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Staff Writer Technology has truly become a way of life. It is how we communicate, how we research, how we travel the world without ever leaving our seats. According to Wilkes officials, the university at one point became neglectful of its information technology infrastructure and in turn fell behind in the general process of technological advancements. However, in 2004 Wilkes embarked upon a quest to update the information technology infrastructure. Some of the goals included using technology to enhance learning and deliver instruction, using the University web site as an effective tool for both internal and external communication, and making business and operation processes more effective. "Since April 2004 a lot of work has been completed to replace the core foundation infrastructure. The foundation improvements has clearly helped Wiµ<:es start down the road to achieving its goals, but even more benefits will be realized over the next several years as the next layer of improvements are implemented," said Mike Salem, chief information technology officer. With advances such as online courses, made possible at Wilkes University through WebCT, students are able to take courses on their own time and at their own pace. Also such advances have made communication between students and professors easier and more accessible. "I think you will see more online courses becoming available, and I think that webaugmented courses will also continue to grow. Technology is a very broad term; it can refer to a microscope or a computer, a television or a web page. Much of the technology of learning is transparent. Use of the internet on the personal side is pervasive and nearly second nature--where would you be without the web, AIM, podcasts, text messaging and email? That these technologies eventually find their way into the learning environment is as inevitable as showing a movie in class," said Dr. Darin Fields, Dean College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. "Wilkes envisions a future when all of its basic information technology support needs are fully met including the ability for exper- imentation with and implementation of advance learning technologies. At a very basic level, the institution envisions as time when services, such as e-mail, group calendaring and World Wide Web access are utilized across the institution and reliably available from both on and off campus," said Salem. At one point Wilkes officials hope to be PROVOST from FRONT PAGE "When I came here I believed in Wilkes' future and I still do. I think it's a gem," Loeschke said. "So this was just an opportunity to look at, something that's kind of interesting. I don't feel that I have to be a president in my career or be unfulfilled. I just need to love the work I'm doing." Wilkes University President, Dr. Tim Gilmour said Loeschke has done an excellent job at Wilkes. He said Wilkes also sought out Loeschke for the Provost position, in a similar fashion to how Frostburg State and Mansfield have pursued her as a presidential candidate. "When you have someone with her capabilities it's almost inevitable that other institutions will see her as a potential presidential candidate," Gilmow- said. While at Wilkes, some of the initiatives Loeschke pushed for include creating ·a unified signature undergraduate experience, increasing diversity on campus, developing new academic programs and building good communication between the administration and faculty. Loeschke said the faculty at Wilkes is one of the most dedicated she could ever experience and she Courtesey Marketing Communications Two universities have pursued Wilkes Provost, Dr. Maravene Loeschke to apply for oper presidential positions. admires the students as well. She Before Wilkes, Loeschke . was said her two challenges for the stu- Dean of Fine Arts and Commudents are to see the importance of nications at Towson University in good writing skills to succeed in Maryland. Towson has an enrollthe work field and to be more ac- ment of 18,000 students. Manscepting and respectful to diversity. field University is actually more able to offer a "What if' link that would le to a web space in which students would given the opportunity to play out differe scenarios. For example students would able to see how their graduations requirement would change if they were to change their major or how a particular class would affect their graduation date. "I believe that the primary goal of using technology in education should be to improve and enhance learning. If the technology isn't enhancing the learning, then we should reconsider why we are using it," said Fields. Digital Wilkes is also slated to launch by the end of this year. "Wilkes is only a click away. Students, faculty, alumni and staff and can support instructions, access information and services, and stay current in fields seamlessly with One-stop, self-service and 24/7 access to University's services and resources," said Salem. "To realize our vision, the University envisions creating a culture that values and encourages faculty and staff development and directs resources to that end," he added. comparable to the size of Wilkes with an enrollment of3,800. Loeschke said the interview process for the positions has been exhausting. With Mansfield, 12 out of 122 candidates were selected for an airport interview, at which the candidate meets with 20 individuals at an airport for an hour-long interview. Then five or six candidates are chosen to visit the campus. "I was on both campuses for almost three days and every hour, every breakfast, every lunch, every dinner, is a meeting. So between the two searches over the last month I have been in 44 hours of interviews," Loeschke said. Then three candidates are chosen to go before the Board of Governors for an hour interview. The Board of Governors is a committee of 20 individuals who are appointed by the Governor and oversee higher education in Pennsylvania. Along with this process, representatives of the search committee came to Wilkes-Barre to interview individuals from Wilkes and Loeschke went to Harrisburg to interview with the Chancellor. The Chancelor oversees alf 14 presidents in the Pennsylvania state system. Loeschke said that on April 19, she and the two other candidates will go before the Board of Gov- ernors for interviews, and that day she will find out if she is offered the presidency at Mansfield or not Along with that, she must let the institution know that day if she accepts the position. "I really believe that things happen for a reason and maybe you don't always see that reason right away, but you tend to see it later and I just believe in tossing things like this to the Universe. If it's supposed to happen it will happen, and if it's not I'll find out later why it shouldn't and that will be that," Loeshke said. Gilmour said the University should see Loeshke being sought out by another university as a positive. He said it shows that the University has cultivated capable people. "I think what we should do as an institution, is see this as a real plus for us ... .It shows we can attract great people," Gilmour said. Loeschke said it will be very sad for her to say goodbye to the faculty and students at Wilkes ifit does come down to that. "I can't even imagine what it would be like to say goodbye to the faculty and students here and my colleagues on the President's cabinet. I don't even want to think about it," Loeschke said. �3, 2006 DONKEY NEWS APRIL from FRONT PAGE. Dr. Linda Paul, associate professor of philosophy, has seen this event take place in high schools before. Paul said, "Most people aren't concerned about the donkeys. It is unpleasant for them and people don't realize how bad it is until they've actually seen it. WiJkes never had it before so people just don't know." Paul notes that some faculty believe the event promotes the mistreatment of animals because of how the donkeys are handled during the game. "You have inexperienced riders as players who get caught up in the game and don't think of donkeys as living things. The donkeys just become objects," said Paul. Individual students have protested the event and have acknowledged they are planning a formal protest at the donkey basketball event, but do not wish to comment in detail or have their names published in reference to the protest. In addition, while there have been no charges filed, there is evidence that flyers posted by the Equestrian Club--which were approved through official channels-- were torn down and replaced by unapproved handmade flyers protesting the event. The protest flyers have been removed from bulletin boards. Paul said, "I'm surprised at the Equestrian Club. We will hand out flyers. Our goal is to show or tell what it's [donkey basketball] really like and have people make a conscious decision about something." In response to the protest of the event Cain said, "It was never my intention to create controversy with this activity." In reference to the protest flyers, Student Government President, Andrew Steinberg said, "I support everyone's right to voice an opinion when it is done appropriately and responsibly, but in this situation it was not done that way. I support the Equestrian Club as a respected club on campus, and I trust their judgment with the use of animals." The Wilkes University Equestrian Club researched the activity and believes there will be no mistreatment of the animals. "We have thoroughly researched Shaw Brothers and have found them above [reproach]. Numerous people who have attended these events will testify that the donkeys were never mistreated," said Cain. Because of the controversy surrounding the donkey basketball fundraiser, Cain hopes those who have questions about the event and its practices contact her directly. "I'd be more than happy to clarify how our event will be conducted, all without cruelty. Better yet, attend our event and see for yourselves that we are not being cruel to the donkeys. We are hosting the event in order to help raise proceeds to benefit REASON. We would never promote helping horses while abusing donkeys," said Cain. Donkey basketball will be held on April 9 at 3 :00 p.m. in the Arnaud C. Marts Gymnasium. Tickets to the event are on sale for $4 in advance or $6 at the door. Tickets to watch the event are on sale in the Henry Student Center from April 3-7. 5 Student Government to host student open forum Tuesday BYVICTORIA WHITE pus only to take classes and never to eat, then one of these three issues affects you." On Tuesday, April 4, at 11 a.m. With the three main issues in the Hiscox Room on the second planned for discussion, vice presifloor of the Henry Student Center, dent of SG, Jenna Strzelecki said, Student Government (SG) will "We just want to make sure the stuhold an open forum for all stu- ' dents are informed of the changes dents. The open forum is designed for next year, because we know to discuss the issues of Vision that SG members have problems 2010 about which SG members with the raises for next year." have fielded the most concerns: The purpose of the open forum is increases in the price of parking, two fold: to better inform members increases in the price of meal plans ofthe student body of the possible and the possibility of making stu- changes ahead for the corning year dents pay for laundry on campus. and ensure SG garners greater inDave Scordino, junior class sight into how more members of president said, "It's especially the student body feel on the issues. important to have the open forum These insights may influence fubecause we are looking at raises ture SG resolutions. across the board that affect stuS~ordino said, "It is really imdents. In some way everyone is portant that students get out to proaffected by the proposed increase test all of the raises. Maybe if we in parking, increase in the cost get enough voice out there, we can of meal plans, the 6% increase in get at least one of those things to tuition, or the laundry on campus maybe not be raised. The changes being a paid for item. Unless you proposed affect everyone in some have free tuition and walk to cam- way." Beacon News Editor �6 SmokingGun.com Content to complain Your Voices Beacon Poll 7 7 8 8 Diversity and unity: concepts that can co-exist in same space? BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD Questions have abounded since the first religiously affiliated group on campus in recent history was granted club status. The Islamic Interest Society was the first of its kind to successfully petition for club status at Wilkes University. SG recognized the club ""'.ith solid support, but its move raises questions about what it means for other religious groups that may want club status and why this ·club must be separate from Campus Interfaith, a non-denominational club aimed at educating about and exploring religious issues. In addition, how does recognizing a club focused on a single religion reflect the mission of an indepen- dent, private university unaffiliated with any specific religious group? If separate religious clubs emerge as a result, can this lead to a loss of campus-wide unity in the name of diversity? But as SG's vote indicates, many students see nothing wrong with religiously affiliated clubs at Wilkes, as long as they are open and allow students to gain insight into cultures and faiths entirely separate and different from their own. In response to the idea that such individualized clubs would destroy unity by attracting only like-minded students, students in support of the clubs argue that ~ost already form connections based on shared values and experiences and that by creating clubs designed as interest groups, all the university is doing is ask- ing students with open minds to learn about something outside of themselves. Either way, this is a landmark decision, and it will not be reversed. Because we cannot know for sure what will happen at Wilkes, it can be beneficial to look at the ways religious clubs have operated and are operating at other universities to judge whether the changes at Wilkes can be expected to be positive or negative. According to an article on WorldNetDaily, California State University at San Bernadino refused to recognize a Christian student organization because the group required students to live according to the group's religious faith, discriminating against certain religious beliefs and sexual orientations. Similarly, an article on FIRE. Nickle for Your Thoughts By Jason Nickle '1ou ~e, lvf_ M'-"'1~~ ~ of'(!.. <t 1se.. CCu\d C:Or~~ .5vc...h c;... i,.l~·•c ·four-(\~" t' ~w ;4"\ -~e. wor\J cl :d uou ti(..k. Mo.('-~ • t qwr ·~ . 1 br<AN!t; . ;::· ~\S f-.~-~ , .,. e~"'i , .., t pie.~ ·+t';L .._~-t,..,~ ¥ 0t"'\,~rH1 How to piss off feminists com discussed Purdue University's forcing a Christian women's group to stop discriminating against non-Christians and to allow all access into the club. Both of these instances are disheartening and seem to show that students from different religions will discriminate against one another and exclude one another from participation. However, these instances also show that the university had the good sense to step in and keep such discrimination from happening. Additionally, the Islamic Interest Society at Wilkes has shown no such tendency instead expressing a sincere interest in including non-Islamic students in the club to educate about aspects of the religion and culture. Conversely, at Penn State University, religious groups are promoted as a way of promoting diversity on the campus. Instead of being afraid that individualized groups will strip away unity, Penn State has allowed various groups to coexist and actually use the same space, including Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, and many other students. According to an article from The Digital Collegian. com, university officials do not discriminate against any religious group once they open their doors to them. Students from the various groups are grateful to be allowed to exist and worry only about having enough space for their events. Discrimination and loss of unity are not a concern. Likewise, at Widener University, every student is encouraged to participate in some way in the various religious activities the school has to offer. The college does have a University Chaplain and an Interfaith Center and students may join existing clubs or create their own new club based on reli• gious beliefs. A statement on Widener's website says, "Through knowledge and understandin& students are encouraged within an atmosphere of religious tolerance to be better prepared for wholesome work and social relationships in our shrinking world, with· out losing their personal commitment to the faith and tradition of their choice." It is a hopeful and admirable statement to make and the attitude expressed by the uni• versity expects that students will grow into understanding of other religious groups. The university assumes that because it's dealing with mature and intelligent adul~. diversity and unity can coexist on camplll. There is no reason why the same cannot be expected"of Wilkes University students. �APRIL 3, 2006 OPINION 7 The Smoking Gun reports (gasp!) extreme exploitation ,,. What p asses for investigation gets only a yawn from audiences BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Asst. A&E Edotor After last week's "revelations" about Dick Cheney's hotel habits, I didn't anticipate having more earth shattering information offered to the world by The Smoking Gun (TSG) website. I was wrong. On March 27, TSG published an internal memo from a casting director at Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The e•mail stated that producers of the show were looking for families that had, among other things: a parent with melanoma (skin cancer), a child who was killed by a drunk driver, families who have been robbed or who had been victimized by hate crime. Everyone's first reaction was probably like mine, "Oh my God! How can a television show be this insensitive?" However, it's not as bad as it seems. TSG labeled the show "Extreme Exploitation." In fairness, I had heard that description of the show prior to the release of the e-mail. But is it really exploitation? Whether it is the simple fact that the family wants a new home, wants to bring attention to their situation or simply wants to launch an acting career - they agree to share their stories publicly. Yes, Ty Pennington and the crew are using sappy stories in order to entice more viewers to watch the show. They find stories that people will be interested in, that will hook, and that people will talk about. Yes, it's a ratings ploy - I'll concede the point. However, it's a fairly effective ratings ploy as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, has outlived its predecessor, Extreme Makeover, and it's an "extremely" popular show. While in a sense it is exploitation, consider that families are not forced to go on the show. The e-mail reported by The Smoking People content to complain and avoid engagement BY BENJAMIN IEZZONI Beacon Staff Writer You know what really grates my cheese? I'll tell you. I don't like people who are constantly whining .about how they're tired of others who think that they're better than everyone else. That's the problem with people nowadays. Everyone's content with sitting around and complaining about what they think they can't control. That is the most un-American attitude I've ever heard. Our country was founded on our thinking that we were better than everyone else. The problem is that those uppity Brits figured that they could keep us down with taxes, laws and a powerful military presence. That's one reason why I love our current president-- his priorities follow what our founding fathers intended for freedom. He doesn't have to follow these petty laws about what one can or cannot do. He has a can-do attitude that gets things done, whether or not there is "scientific" or "factual" proof supporting him. That, and he's against taxes, just like George Washington. However, I digress. Sometimes, people are better than you. It's a well-known fact. Personally, I'm well aware that I can't out jump the players on the basketball team. I can't outrun our linebacker, or whatever football players are called. Most obviously, I can't bear children nearly as well as the high school dropout teenage mothers. Complaining that another person is better than you shows a lack of experience and general wisdom. Whether it's because they have more money, a faster car, nicer hair or that new pair of shoes that you've been eyeing up, some people just outclass you. Everyone who refuses to think they themselves are better than others is a communist, and here's why: we're all equal-- to begin with. After that, our accomplishments drive our social status or position up or down. That's capitalism. The very thought that others, even if they don't succeed, deserve just as much as you do is just utter foolishness. Just remember- you are better than everyone else. You're an American, and you'd better damned well behave that way. If anyone tells you differently, ask them why they don't rise up to your level, instead of trying to bring you down. Encourage them to better themselves, be better capitalists and subsequently, Americans. Gun was simply a list of what producers of the show are looking for. In reality TV, producers want certain things and in order to keep it fresh, the stories need to continually be different. Look no further than the Real World - there's the sexy one, the slutty one, the problematic one, the gay one, the black one, etc. Reality TV looks for people with certain qualities. If we are making a show about family hardships, yes we will have to have such a list. But back to the point: families do not have to go on the show. Look at it like this: if there is a girl who would be perfect for the Real World, but doesn't want to be on the show, producers find someone similar. Therefore, if a family that has suffered loss thanks to a drunk driver does not want to go on a show, the show can look for another family. Somewhere there is someone who is looking for face time. Is it really exploitation if people are agreeing to be on the show? Whether it is the simple fact that the family wants a new home, wants to bring attention to their situation or simply want to launch an acting career - they agree to share their stories publicly. Therefore, the family is exploiting the show and the television audience as much as they are being exploited. Ultimately, here's the point: TSG published this as though we are supposed to care. How abo)lt going in search of breaking news that matters to readers? There are lots of scandals out there to be broken (we need not look further than Washington D.C. in most cases). Do some real digging and tell us something we don't already know. What do YOU think? The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is the opportunity for students to voice their concern. If · you want your voice to be heard, please contact The Beacon with the following information: 1 Contact · information including your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Your name, major, and year 3 Your opinion thebeacon.oped@gmail.com The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �APRIL 3, 2006 YouR VotcEs Donkey basketball is a hu01ane for01 of entertain01ent for Wilkes students Dear Editor: event is not cruel. Also, animal rights authorities have evaluated I may not be as witty as some people who write your opinion the company; the gentleman conducting the audit stated that these articles, but at least I have my facts straight. As president of the were the best cared for donkeys he had ever seen and that anyone Equestrian Club, I can say that you're getting the words straight would have to be crazy to have said they were abused or cruelly from the horse's mouth mistreated. One on the donkey basof our club memketball event that we The Equestrian Club would never sponsor an event that would bers has personally are planning and host- harm animals. We have thoroughly researched Shaw Brothers participated in an ing. Many students event run by this have erroneously made and found everything above par. Our goal with this event is to gentleman and has false claims about this provide a fun time for the Wilkes community and also benefit seen his barns; her . event, and I'd like the comment was that a good cause. chance to set everyone the game involved straight. no cruelty, and the First off, the group barn was set up like that made these slanders against our event ripped down our pub- a well-run horse facility. I have also personally talked with one licity posters that were approved from the Student Development of the workers for Shaw Brothers who also substantiates that no office and hung up their unapproved signs. I agree that everyone cruelty is used and that the donkeys are well fed, watered and has the right to their opinions and protests, but there are "legal" loved. At least I've taken the time to gather first-person references channels to use that right, A University policy was violated in to back up my claims. protesting our event. Second, if someone wants to protest an As for donkey basketball in general, the donkeys are not starved event, I'd suggest getting the facts straight and not using askcarla. prior to the event. Any person who is ever around horses or doncom as the source material. keys knows that these animals will not poop if starved or dehyAccording to the research I've done on the claims made by our drated (first-hand knowledge for those who understand the physiprotestors, many of their issues look very similar to an article on ology of these animals-obviously not our protestors). Show up the askcarla.com website. It's funny how our protestors practi- to our event, and I guarantee you that our club members will be cally plagiarized and yet did not want to site their source on their cleaning up the mess, so obviously they are not starved before the flyer. There were numerous lines that looked uncannily similar to event. Next, the very first rule stated to all riders is that if they the one on this unreliable website cited on their posters. So now kick, hit or mistreat the donkey in any way they will be required that I've established that our protestors do not have credible infor- to dismount and leave the event. This rule is stnctly enforced by mation, let me set the facts straight. Shaw Brothers and our club. And as for "electrically prodding" the donkeys, learn how to use Shaw Brothers, the organization that the Equestrian Club has contracted with, has a superb reputation. Lake Lehman and Dal- first-person references .... hello! It's not done with Shaw Brothlas High Schools use this group every year and will verify that the ers! The claim that animals cannot support the weight of adults is erroneous as well. Donkeys are meant to be pack animals. And what about Jesus riding on a donkey? If the Son of God-and I do not say this lightly, I'm dead serious-can ride into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, I think we're entitled to ride the donkeys as well. Donkeys have been used for centuries as pack animals and still are used for tours of the Grand Canyon. Finally, as for donkeys slipping on the gym floor, this is also untrue. These donkeys will be equipped with their own version of Nike Shox that gives them extra traction on the gym floor as well as shock absorption. The shoes do not hurt the donkeys' feet as they are applied the same way that a horse shoe is. The Equestrian Club would never sponsor an event that would harm animals. We have thoroughly researched Shaw Brothers and found everything above par. Our goal with this event is to provide a fun time for the Wilkes community and also benefit a good cause. Part of our proceeds will benefit REASON, which is a horse rescue and adoption agency based out of Harvey's Lake. So come out and watch our event, and see for yourself that it is not something cruel that we are sponsoring. Don't be the asses that make assumptions off of unreliable websites. Courtsey of dailyramblings.com 8 OPINION Sincerely, Alisha Cain, President of the Equestrian Club 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 69 responses. The Beacon asked: Who is the best movie villain? • • • Hannibal Lechter, Silence ofthe Lambs-36% Khan, Wrath of Khan-3% Annie Wilkes, Misery- I% Norman Bates, Psycho-0% Jack Torrance, The Shining- 2% Alex Forrest, Fatal Attraction - 3% Michael Corleone, Godfather, Part II - 4% The Wicked Witch, Wizard of Oz - 7% Mariah Carey, Glitter - 22 % Darth Vader, Star Wars- 22% Next Week's Poll Question: If you were sentenced to the death penalty, which form of execution would you prefer? • • Electric chair Gas chamber Firing squad Lethal injection Hanging Stoning Drawn and quartered Decapitation by guillotine Crucifixion Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week's issue of The Beacon. �FEATURES APRIL Spring Fling APhA Discount Cards Team Teaching 3, 2006 10 10 11 9 Blood drive hits close to home Event in honor of Wilkes Professor Emeritus Tom Bigler BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor The American Red Cross is always in need of blood donors, and the Wilkes community usually does what it can by sponsoring regular drives. This Tuesday, however, the blood drive will be a little more personal. Tom Bigler, professor emeritus of communiation studies, recently underwent emergency surgery and was in need of many units of blood as a result. When students learned details of his health crisis, they sprang into action. Many acknowledge that Bigler is perhaps one of the most respected men in the Wilkes-Barre community and on campus. His experience in the broadcast and print journalism fields combined with his charismatic nature made him a natural hire for Wilkes University in 1985 upon his retirement from television. Emily Taylor, director of blood services at the American Red Cross and Wilkes alum, said that this blood drive "is an opportunity to come and show support for Mr. Bigler", as well as to respond to a constant need for blood in the community. According to Taylor, all blood donors will fill out a card saying that they donated in Bigler's name. After the drive, all of these cards will be sent to Bigler so he is aware of coordinators purchased decorations in advance of Bigler's situation to make the drive more fun and relaxed. They have decided to make good use of the decorations at this event. Although the luau decorations may suggest a disconnect with honoring Bigler, Taylor said, "You know, Mr. Bigler is just so full of life and this is a good way to celebrate that." Bigler's name will be celebrated again this week, in the form of the annual Tom Bigler Journalism Conference, which will welcome numerous professionals and over 230 high school students to campus on Friday, April 7. All involved in the drive are pulling for a great turnout. However, Taylor reminds interested donors that they must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. She the support. While this blood is not going directly to Bigler, Red Cross officials acknowledge that it is an appropriate way for the community to show support. "Without that constant supply, [Bigler] could have run into a dangerous situation," said Taylor. Keeping the stock replenished is the key. This event has a goal of200 units; however, there is a catch. Usually, the blood drives held at Wilkes are part of a competition with King's College. The two schools, which are always competitive with one another, see who can collect the most units in one drive. But this time, the campuses have combined efforts in Bigler's name. Katherine Broda, junior sociology major, acts as the blood drive coordinator here on campus. "I think it's wonderful that the Wilkes community is getting together to do this in Tom Bigler's name. Blood drives are usually more effective when they hit home (i.e. Hurricane Katrina relief), and knowing someone, a professor on our campus, who has needed blood really helps to bring in donors," said Broda. Broda, along with three other students, prep the Henry Student Center Grand Ballroom before the event and make sure everything runs smoothly on the campus end. In addition to honoring Bigler, this drive will have a Hawaiin Luau theme. Event also reccommends eating a good meal before donating. The drive will take place on Tuesday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Henry Student Center Grand Ballroom. The event is open to the Wilkes community as well as the general public. Tell U S ■ ■ ■ If you could protest anything, what would it be and why? Managing Editor Becky Goodman was curious about what Wilkes students are thinking. Here is what she found out. ~ Gus Beilfreshman philosophy "Welfare reform and the homeless because having been homeless I understand the hardships." Catherine Dzubatyjunior political science "Paying for laundry." • • • • • •• • . Lou Gerstlefreshman theater arts "Legalization of marijuana because I am for it." • •• •• ••• • Stephanie Larsonfreshman nursing "The high tuition prices at this school." �10 FEATURES APRIL 7, 2006 APhA fundraiser sells savings to the cost conscious BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Staff Writer Walk through the Henry Student Center on any given day and you'll be bombarded by clubs and class groups looking to earn a quick buck. Whether it's bailing someone out of jail or buying beautifully packaged coffees, fundraising is often the name of the game for Wilkes groups seeking to strengthen their financial backbones. The Wilkes University chapter of the pharmacy club APhA (American Pharmacist's Association) is currently selling something a little different--cost savings. Ashlee Ribec, senior pharmacy major and club member said, "The benefits to fundraising for clubs is so that you have the financial means to provide activities, and speakers for the members, and also to donate money to charities." The club is selling discount cards for $10 that students can present at various places and receive certain percentages off. "A positive thing in regards to the discount card it that it involves local business- es and shows that they care and want to get involved with the university," said Ribec. The places the card can be used include restaurants, a spa and Slainte's in WilkesBarre. On Thursday night students who are 21 and over can present the card along with their Wilkes ID and avoid the standard $5 cover charge at Slainte's Bar. Jan Nunemacher, senior elementary education major, heard about the fundraiser from friends involved in the club. "By having the card, I figured I could still go hang out with my friends, hear some of my favorite local bands, and not have to pay for it or feel like I should get my money's worth and stay until 2 a.m.," said Nunemacher commenting about the Slainte's discount. Many students feel the card is worth the $10 they pay for it and will use it often. Nunemacher said, "The savings at local restaurants are pretty good, so I'm sure my friends and I will use them when we go out to dinner." So far the club has sold about 100 dis- S_ave1 Slainte's Bar Rodano's Pizza Grouo Pizza Cuny Donuts Subway Pizza Hut Dagwood's Deli Hotde's Restaurant t\pplebee's Restaurant Atmosphere Salon and Day Spa Uno·s Chicago Grill Bennigan's Oriti and Tavern Free cover charge on Thursdays ~ off bill (Eat in only} :2 free toppings withe purchase of a large pizza !Take out ,or order in) Buy I dozen donuts get I dozen free tNorth Main St W-8. West Side Mall Edwardsville locations (Inly• SO.SO off a 6'' or a $1 .00 off a foot long sull <Oatewa}' shopping center Edw.lrdsville. Pirtstoo. West Pittston locations ~nlyt 2 medium Etopping pizzas for @12.99 (W-6. Scmnton. Hazelton locations onlyJ I04 off MY purchase tExcJudes catering> 10'.l- off (Eat in only) l()t}. off fExdudes alcoholic beverages, l0%off l!i~ off (Excludes alcoholic beverages) 1o<k off f w.B. Clarks Summit Locations only Ex.dudes alcoholic beverages and cannot be combined with any other offer.) The back of the discount card shows the participating establishments. Students who purchase the card can use it at various restaurants, bars and even a day spa. count cards to the Wilkes University community. Ribec said, "Many of the activities APhA holds are not exclusive to members. We wanted a fundraiser that could be used by both faculty and students." ''Fun in the Tub'' at Spring Fling Lives. Donate :P ia sn,a Today. Earn up to $200 a Month! r~~ra. lnter3181e Blood 665 CaQtj Ava & Plasma Inc. Pe The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski This past Friday evening, students enjoyed a night out for the annual Spring Fling. This year's theme was "Fun in the Tub" and the event was held at The Waterfront Bar and GrilJ.e. The "Fun in the Tub" atmosphere "ffas established with an endless supply of rubberducks, bubbles and soft pastel colors. The evening festivities included dinner, dancing and a chocolate fountain complete with fresh fruit for dipping. �APRIL 3, 2006 FEATURES 11 Team teaching: partnership is the name of the game BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor Everyone always says that two heads are better than one. But, does that rule still apply when it means having two professors teach class together? At Wilkes, several professors think so, as they pool efforts to reach students in new ways. Instead of just one professor, two come together to teach the same course offering different perspectives and expertise on the subject matter. Once such example is the husband and wife team of Dr. Robert and Dr. Judith Gardner who team teach education classes. They began teaching humanities together while they were both at Northwest Area High School. In 2003, they brought the teamwork concept with them to Wilkes. Judith Gardner explained that the partnership seemed a. natural fit for the education classes at Wilkes, so they proposed the plan to the department chair who was receptive to the idea. The class for which they most love to join forces is the student teaching course. Since Dr. Robert Gardner was also a superindendent, the students get both an administrative and teaching view of education. "Team teaching is an approach to use to instruct and deliver information to students," said Robert Gardner. "We are both in the classroom together all of the time and we both have different styles. One is the primary lecturer, while the other gives examples and begins dicussions." Judith Gardner also feels that it helps students do better in the class. "The students have a chance to have their tests looked at by two people and also subjective matter such as presentations. We feel we give more reasons why this or that should be improved." To further back up the effectiveness of team teaching, the Gardners put out a survey in 2003 and received no negative feedback. Judith Gardner responded, "Some may say it is confusing, but the students love having two viewpoints. They are reminded that not everyone has the same view." In addition, Dr. Mark Stine, associate professor of communication studies, and Dr. John Hepp, associate professor of history have teamed up with some regularity and more recently for this semester's course "Film and History." Hepp explained how they make it work. "We try to divide up the workload for the introduction. If there is a technical question, Dr. Stine will answer. If it is a broader history question, I will answer that. We play off of one another." There are many reasons why team teaching benefits those students involved. Stine remarked, "It offers an ongoing critique to students so that we can immediately talk about what we missed. It allows two viewpoints since our two disciplines may view things differently. The students also enjoy the humor that makes the class fun and exciting." Judith Gardner agrees. "The students need to be reminded that just because we disagree, it doesn't mean that we are disagreeable. Team teaching provides an open forum for educational issues that need to be heard." Robert Gardner added, "It helps students understand that there is not one best method. There are a variety of ways to get things done as a teacher. It helps get the students thinking about who they will become." Team teaching can also benefit the professors. Judith Gardner feels that since this is usually an isolated profession, two makes much more sense. "Robert and I are always discussing how we can help this student write better or this one perform better. We are always planning and I think that is useful. Since we share the number of students, it is less of a burden." The Gardners feel so strongly about team teaching that they are beginning to get other professors involved. Dr. Douglas Lynch, associate professor of education, and Chad Stanley, assistant professor of English, have The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Dr. John Hepp, associate professor of history, and Dr. Mark Stine, associate professor of communication studies, demonstrate team teaching in their "Film and History" course. Stine will answer technical questions about film development, while Hepp will answer the broader history questions. Team teaching involves two professors who offer different perspectives and expertise on subject matter. Many other professors are beginning to follow suit by partnering up for team teaching. · also begun to incorporate team teaching into their regimen. Judith Gardner explained, "Stanley will come into our classroom to talk about the writing process and plagarism and we will go into his class to show how to teach in a secondary setting. We have also worked with Dr. Lynch on many occassions." The professors already associated with team teaching encourage more to get involved, but realize that it may not be for everyone. Stine said, "There are many professors who would be suited for team teaching, and I encourage them to look at the benefits. But, it is a question of the individual professor and how they approach their class." Robert Gardner feels the same. "I think people should make the decision for themselves. It is something that works for some people and I encourage them to give it a try." Hepp reminds professors of the benefits. "You have to be realistic about your needs, but I believe we are all blind to what we do not cover. You often forget what you leave out." Mayflower Crossing has a part-time entry level marketing position available. Alru.dy luu.tyoar ~ Nud to buyy()u.r birlit,, Cl)nfrat ® prwtufi Get 'Your Birth Control Witluut A Pelvic Exam* Yom nu.mbc:r one SO-i.ttle ft!t birth oontrol ilM the r'tl(ltning aft.er p:Ut 1-800-230-PLAN www.ppnep.org "' Gmtdn: ittSJaru:es,furtlter cmluatiari may be mJUirM LooklnS for an aggressive, energetic, self-starter. Hours flexlOle. Please e-mail all@ mayffowercrosslng.com. �Antigone @ Darte College Daze V for Vendetta Arena Bar and Grill 13 14 15 15 �APRIL 3, 2006 .:J- c¥ asstt Greek play bl'tJught·to Da' • t.. 1 ·-$ :r,. if+ ,3 ~ . ~ ·· •. , . :)< .-i1; l.' S'.l'EPHANIE'DEBALKO eaten Asst News Editbr yneed.a reasonto:cgo to,lie.ne1ttp{ay (He Vi$tial ap.dl Perf.o:qning ·c , . . . .. \>~g,l1er dead br<>tner.w~cJ tn ti.Uislie just,fhe Antigone,.~ based on tb,e.Greek tragedy gy.~opp,ocles , ~ was one of the fitst.plays to fea~e a fewale pro~go-, nist J;be story revolves around,~tigon€i, who cp.ooses j 13 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT lo deal with the consequ<fuoes of burying herdecea$ed brotner evenithougb it bas been deemed unlawful to do so. She defies authortty, in this case her · Creoq, who is ~lso thecurrentleader, and chooses t d up f01;.what ~he isl?assionafe about, evenwhen Creon offers ~era way out. • Stephen.Benso~, guest director, said, ''It's a classi~story right versus might, of truth agajnst p9wer. AQ.d it.'s p.1so a classic story ofrebeltion, resistance to authority." ifhe version perfonned by Wilkes students this month was written by Jean Anouilh and is set in a cafe in France huring World War II. As the plot progresses, tbe cafe is stripped to the bare bones, almost mirroring Greek colµmns and thus getting backto the roots of the tale itself. The play was important when Anouilh wrote it, because although the Germans saw it as a play Ip! about.absolute powe~.the.Ptenchsaw itasproo coµln staqd' ·· uat they' believedfa. r it . a~tuall:v, to sustain a& ener · ltute to prevail ovel''tbis rigid'attthori~ . . ,is stocy is releYaQ,t,today need fo sfandup for' ' · eans.defy~g popµIar . op them. 1tl3enson s h t):le everi:ts '4ke place · compared to those of prese · ' '' ··· · •· nflictt e locals llel her,brother, and ;has t9 be put to eel bad for her; prove ibat to i, • ·. tnat Antigone is nwtYr, but rath• d ia~sion for hat portraying e .confidence <t}ieve, Cande~ fj. •inota bad man." er wh under a great deal in the l~sh environment in po pl lari att ooffer. worki Benson. ~ij,in 9ase,au.~4.lf, n'.~ded more ingen.gtve to go to lb~~Ia.y; ljti9 said he us~~ nologue ftom.Antigon'e t6 ea a job w~th ational Players; the "o,oe$t touring y in the 1tfP1te<1 ~tates," follo graduation. Y1hfbughout th\:Jl~y, Creon's iuetilS' Jlas,li,.with thosetqfAl,,tigone's, \\'ho i' po:i;irayed by theater major Laura.Dunbar. described her ho is pas~ about her gs toward lrer'family, especially.her broth~ ers. Sl;ie said thatthroughout the play~Antigone discovers her own streri:gib while ovet;coming obstact~s arldprovingthatshe can handle the e;~t:a different side of the specqfh.;have diferent qualities to offerI. 'iis jbH as different perceptions of reality.14 ;fcxdiscover wlio wins out, head to fheDorothy Djc~son Darte Center ft>r the Performing Arts Thursday, Fnpay and $'aturday, April 6, 7, and 8 at 8;00 p.m. or Sunday, ~pril 9 a(2:00 p.m. Dl, ea,a~~- <::M �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 APRIL 3, 2006 BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist BY PAUL LESSANE Beacon Correspondent -r~ I (;:: ~ 't . A ,~01..1..,~--·~ DRINKINf• (~ONSEQIJl~Nf~ES ~~r~\ ~ - ,,..' < ~()O\!, 4. +«>\ bo-.~~ -· '. _,--- ~~ Finally, I can pay homage to an act from my hometown. Sheffield, a city within the northern parts of the United Kingdom, is like a big park on water. Granted, we don't have a lot of things going for us; but occasionally we put out a cracking band. (Well, when you ignore DefLeppard and Jarvis Cocker.) Britpop outfit the Longpigs were just about the only success off the Sheaf that didn't come off as gimmicks. Until now. Tearing up the music scene across the Atlantic right now are the Arctic Monkeys. Their debut albwn Whaiever People Say I Am, Thats What I Am Not, entered the Billboard at nwnber 24, unheard of for an English indie band. The Arctic Monkeys sound like a jam band who have a lot to say but with no clue how to say it. The guitar chords pop like beans in a frying pan. Singles 'When the Sun goes down', and 'I'll Bet You Look Good on The Dance Floor' conjure serials with lessons learned by seedy characters. "Fake Tales of San Francisco," a tome about being in love with not being yourself, is exactly how it sounds. Wrong. There's not a lot of range going on, but the music is mega. Their songwriting has an anecdote for every color of the rainbow, and you know monkeys. They like to make the ruckus. I don't want to tell you how good I think this albwn could have been, largely in part because some of the best records out there are debuts. You just want them to be better than they actually are. Although the Arcic Monkeys never quite get there, the hypnotic effect of story telling somehow occupies your attention span in a different way long enough to overlook what's underneath the hype. Don't worry, though. The media will make sellouts of them in no time. By this time next year there will be another lead single by another fresh-faced laddish water band who sound not unlike them. In which case, see The Cure. You could always pour yourself a cup of "I cant believe it's not English" and listen to some New York band who wishes they could make a real mistake. Or, you could take a chance on a Sheffield outfit. Whatever .. . is a good time that makes you think twice about going back to the bar. Who knows. Maybe the press will learn what side their bread is really buttered on and stop listening to money altogether. I predict a sellout. Off to ManchesterGrade: C+ At least one out of five co~ege students abandons safe-&_ex practices when they're drunk, even if they do protect themselves when they're sober. .,., ij �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT APRIL 3, 2006 lmninner and a Movie I Movie: Vfor Vendetta BY KRISTYN OSTMAN Beacon Asst. Business Manager Lately, many "graphic novels," a fancy term for "comic books," have been transformed into live action adventures. Gen'erally, I'm a huge fan of these converted stories since the characters are pure and the motives are clear: harness your powers for good and save the city. A lot of these stories have underlying issues that are relatable and often tug at your heartstrings, like the persecution of the X-Men for being different. V for Vendetta, while maintaining the noble qualities of the traditional comic book conversions, is unique. The character, and our unlikely hero, "V," is based on the actual historical figure: Guy Fawkes. Fawkes, a staunch Catholic, believed that the English government was needlessly persecuting his religion. He and fellow conspirators hatched the infamous Gunpowder Plot. The reasons readers may not remember him is that his plan fell through, he was captured, cracked under torture and was later hanged; drawn sets out to rally public support. and quartered as a traitor. For any more The corrupt government, I have been detail, feel free to hit up Google. alluding to, is basically fascist. After learning even that little Certain books, behaviors and bit, one might wonder why anything else undesirable is "V" wears a Guy Fawkes banned by the evil Chanmask. He claims it is to recellor. It makes it easy to mind the people of the man jump on the side of anand that people have the archy, which "V" propower to stand up against motes, when the bad their governments. I went guys are reminiscent into the film knowing about of Nazis. Again, Guy Fawkes and the cothis brings me back lossal failure of the to why I like these Gunpowder Plot so it movies in the first puzzled me when place, every"V" was using thing is simple Fawkes as a triwhen it comes umphant symbol. to right and But after the plot wrong. Since it began unfoldis a politically ing and buildcharged film, ings exploded, I I'm sure it will forgot why I was be popular among confused. The film the college-age sucks you in as "V" Courtesty of Yahoo! Movies group, looking to DiBD.er: "A" for Arena Bar and Grill BYDONNATALARICO Beacon A&E Editor I was saddened when the Black Rock Brewing Company closed its doors and left NEPA without its own microbrewery. But, those tears turned to happy ones when the Arena Bar and Grill moved from its much smaller location to the former Black Rock, coincidentally, a lot closer to the arena-much more fitting for the name. When we arrived at the totally full parking lot, we almost changed our minds. We called our double date for the evenjng, ancl they informed us that the crowd of chrome in the parking lot belonged to the happy hour bar CI'OWd. We had to park in a neighboring motorcycle shop and w-tlk down Coal Street a bit. Our pals were right, though: the bar was packed, but a table for four was immediately available. We were boring. Despite this place having about40 beers, ifnot more, on tap from microbrews around the planet, we all ordered Miller Light. But, for the beer connoisseur, man, is there a lot to choose from! And, their Martini drink list is longer than the beer list. The Arena Bar liy6$ up way past any expectations of a local bar. Now onto the Arena Grill. I was the only one who ordered a traditional dinner; my friends and date opted for bar fare. For $16.00, I was served a creamy to-die-fortreat called the Crab Tortellini Alfredo. The cheese-filled tortellini was smothered in a rich Alfredo sauce, tossed with Roma tomatoes and spiµach. I get Alfr¢do-type steal some of "V"s speeches about corruption. I have to say, much of the dialogue was poignant and made me want to throw on a Fawkes mask and join the protests. Here's my one gripe: when Hollywood injects its stupid agendas into what would otherwise be an excellent movie. Both conservatism and the big, bad pharmaceutical corporations are again being picked on in this film. I trust that all who see V for Vendetta will overlook the undereducated insinuations. Since that came at the end, and I suffer from the recency effect, it left me with some bad feelings for the movie. All in all, I have to say that the movie was awesome. After her cinematic triumph as Sam in Garden State, I have a soft spot for Natalie Portman. She, along with our masked anarchist, pulled off wonderful performances. Explosive special effects will win over those seeking action, while a relevant messag·e will have meaning for any viewer. The story reminds us all to never make decisions out of fear or we'll foolishly create something worse. Grade: B+ STIJDZNWHOUS•Nc SOLUT■ON dishes often; this was one of the best. The lump crab meat was tender and tasty, better than some seafood restaurants. My partner, not as thrilled with bis $6.95 chicken wing sandwich (Hops and Barley's is still the best, he said), helped me finish my meal. The garlic bread l. -was served was soft, wam,. an~ v~cy buttery, Back to the others. The fresh-cut fries served on the side of the sandwiches were awesome. Our other guests gQt tli,ehuffalo bites at $7 .50, which were labeled mild, but still a bit spicy, and the chicken cheese steak wrap for $6,95. The wrap looked ovei:ffowing with white meat, cheese and onions. I was told this is what he normally gets, meaning it's probably pretty good. l'tlor to the meal, we were given a loaf of Italian bread with a dish of mixed seasonings. We were to pour the olive oil already on the table into the mixture~ a splendid concoction bursting with flavor, Obviously-~ there wasn'tanything left when weleft! The atmosphere was soft and hip, with cool Jighting aod funky black furniture. The bar area has lots of TVs and lots of seating. The place. is much bigger than it look§ :f,rom the outside, that's for sure. I am so glad we didn't turn away. Next time I go back, I'm gonna spend a little more time with that beer list. Grade: A (for Arena Bar and Grill) Offl'RIID AtU-. R .~ m,ad.;a lnr, ·•Jt.l•llt ··•-~ • n A b 1 d ~ fill WkiJnO C~whh.HBO t,.001111 ~rw F''"""lid'i lnGIJ • G.-...u••• lililaarn 't.Jtiillm■ w.ateow..O•~ Kltclhen, All' Cil'.H'Mlil~ I:.E.NGm OF ST.AY ~ S APPU'* &aii ■iOIENO&:S Pnaa Imm 199' 1«r monm t , or a ant•• 010 ,aun••• >110db#dtn1 s BBDaOOM Slffflal Pt:IGAO t:om tlM' oer M .QOCt, ,, AC2 PICI0080) Jrtclu§JOA MIJllkla enccn ltAm lflM"' QGC AltPPCb ( 3 IP 4 one 1CMO 1 fndt OM 1 .Ullrln ■ CALL OUR SALes OFFIC.e FOR A FRee TOURI •2 o-a2: .. -'Z' 1 .... . . s-..,..111;,c,adD,a ~ ..., oo .. EX'&'ERS•ox I. 2'S RieM. .C T , e , d ~ - ~h-!134'-W119 ~ �16 SPORTS APRIL 3, 2006 COMMENTARY S001ebody better call 01y 0100101a! I ' Excessive touchdown celebrations a thing of the past BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor I II !. The "Spike," "Sharpie," "Icky Shuffle," "Funlcy Chicken," and most recently, the "Pylon Putt," are among the most memorable touchdown celebrations of all time. But the NFL put a skid to such end zone antics at last Wednesday's owners meeting. The decision was to subject players to a 15-yard mark-off on the ensuing kickoff for showboating. Granted; players can still spike the ball, slam dunk the goal post and even get away with the "Prime Time High Step." But anything along the lines of giving the ball CPR is out. Now, even though I'm a firm believer in sportsmanship, the NFL is all about entertainment. B takin these arties from the end zone, a piece of the game experience is taken away from the fan. If you take a look at sports like baseball and hockey, the occasional brawl offers an exciting break in the action. In football, these brawls are few and far between, and the touchdown celebration is needed to provide that humorous break, no matter how exciting the game is. Secondly, if I'm going to pay $90 a pop to see my team play, I want to get a little extra bang for my buck, if you know what I mean. Now that never hurt anybody. And lastly, the touchdown celebration is what gets a player TV exposure. If it wasn't for touchdown celebrations, T.O. and Chad Johnson would never get the publicity and media attention they receive now, no matter how good they are. How many better players are out there who don't et the atten- ~TOYOTA tion they deserve (i.e Joe Jurevicious/Hines Ward). T.O. is an above average receiver. It's the celebrations that make him so special. First they took away removing the helmet. Now, it's the celebrations. What's next? Pointing to the sky to give props to the good Lord? Don't be surprised. OTHER NOTES Another interesting note to come out of the owners meeting included the new down by contact rule. Until now, a player was ruled down by contact after the ref's whistle blew. Now, such plays can be reviewed, and deservedly so. It has been estimated that 18-20 players lost control of the ball before they being marked down last season. And defensive ursuers cannot hit ·A ti?A eacon graphic Saints wide receiver Joe Horn whips out a cell phone to call his mother after scoring on Sunday Night Football. Such celebrations involving props will be outlawd in 2006. the quarterback below the knees anymore for 2006. Good news for Carson Palmer, whose season came to a sickening end when Pittsburgh's Kimo Von Oelhoffin rolled into him, even though it was unintentional. gbuyatoyota.com / . N8TIIDT FIIIIT IB + AM/ftl/CD WITI BIPEAlla + IIDI BDCIEI PAIIL8 + 38 MPG JIWYt = YOD,I ■IW CAR (!f) TO'f'OlA _,., ,,,,,_ • !M, EfflM&ifG fOI ~ ~ SNOCB 18112 A!ffl AUTO. ~llW ,AEM'l tui'f Wl!f. tt,fi_p FOU~ S?OONDfE 1112 rJ:a.tl)NG flt,, 1t4mlHD EME fffS. llfAlfSElS fWJ. ;m:_ �APRIL 3, 2006 17 SPORTS Co-Athletes of the Week Baseball: Kyle Follweiler BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor Some look to the stats column as solace for playing on a struggling team. Others try to cap outstanding team success with individual glory. But it is a select few who are so focused on winning that they barely even notice the individual honors they so justly deserve. Enter the world of Kyle Follweiler, this week's Beacon Co-Athlete of the Week and last week's Freedom Conference Player of the Week. The sophomore outfielder is currently batting .458 with a .920 fielding percentage. During last weekend's series against Drew University, Follweiler went 8 for 12 at the plate, driving in four runs and earning a perfect fielding percentage. "Expectations are set high for Kyle," said head coach Joe Folek, now in his eleventh season as head coach for the Colonels. "He is undoubtedly one of the best athletes in the MAC. Kyle should be a fixture in our lineup until he graduates because he plays solid defense and he can tear up division III pitching." Yet with all of the expectations and honors, Follweiler remains focused on the team goals. "Our biggest goal as a team right now is to get back into the MAC playoffs, and take it one step at a time from there." The Colonels, who have been to the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, are looking to finally cinch the title that has been so close in recent years. "It's a tough challenge to keep performing at this level," said Folek, "but our goal is to play hard every game, win as many as possible, get back into the playoffs, and win the MAC Freedom [Conference] title." Follweiler, according to Folek, is fitting into the Colonels scheme extremely well. "We have always had a hard-nosed approach to the game of baseball at Wilkes and Kyle fit right in with our style of play." Follweiler doesn't merely fit into the team's style of play: his intense approach to the game brings it to a new level. "Kyle is full of intensity, plays hard, plays to win, and leads by example," said Folek. "Kyle's intensity is very contagious." Both Follweiler and the team continue to improve as the season wears on toward the Freedom Conference playoffs. "I think as a team we're starting to hit the ball a little Womens lacrosse: Catherine Simone ,! I' t , Courtesy of Sports Information Kyle Follweiler, now in his sophomore year at Wilkes, is currently batting .456, with a fielding percentage of .920. bit better," said Follweiler, who personally feels that he has "been improving with every game." Taking their lead from the intense underclassman, the Colonels are "focused and determined to continue the success we have had as a program over the past few seasons," according to Folek. Anyone watching the Wilkes-Centenary women's lacrosse game on Thursday afternoon probably didn't see too much of Catherine Simone. Oh, they probably saw a quick flash of blue and yellow on the field. They probably heard the cheers from her teammates, too. It was difficult to miss, so they probably also saw a number 15 jersey walking calmly away from a distraught Centenary goalie. But anyone who missed the ankle breaking moves and the unexpected shots shouldn't feel too badly. Most of the opposing team didn't see it either until the ball was in the net. As tl1e women's lacrosse team approaches the mid-season mark, the freshman attack wing finds herself leading the team offensively with 16 goals and 6 assists, along with a healthy .533 shpt percentage. "I'm an attack wing," said Simone, a biology major with a double minor in Spanish and math, "and a job for me on the team should be scoring." Simone's role on the team has been more The BeaconfTodd Weibel The men's baseball team continues the hunt for a fourth consecutive Freedom Conference playoff berth this coming week as it takes on Misericordia at home on Wednesday, April 5. The Colonels will also face DeSales University in a three-game series on Friday and Saturday. Courtesy of Sports Information Catherine Simone scored nine goals and tacked on four assists during three women's lacrosse games last week. than simply scoring. "She doesn't have to say anything to be a leader," said senior cocaptain Pam Carey. "It's just the way she plays and her aggressiveness on the field. The women's lacrosse team, in only its third year of existence, is still in its infancy. Building up a program is a unique experience with its own ups and downs, something that Simone has a great deal of experience with. "My freshman year of high school was the first year they had a varsity program," said Simone. "It was a new program, so I'm used to having new program ups and downs." With her prior new program experience to judge from, Simone can see the Lady Colonels moving in the right direction. "We've improved every game in some way," she said. Simone, who generously describes herself as standing 5 '4" on occasion, has a true love for a sport so vastly different from any other that she has played. A three-sport star in high school (volleyball, soccer, and lacrosse), and a first-team all-conference selection in women's soccer during the 2005 season at Wilkes, she takes enjoyment from the small things in the sport. "When you run through a ball in lacrosse, you like feel the weight in your stick. And you get k t whip the ball as hard as you can." The 2006 season may be a turning point in women's lacrosse history, but it is just the beginning for Catherine Simone. The freshman is already helping to set the tone and attitude of her team. "She leads with actions and not words," said Carey. "Everyone just wants to step up when she plays at the level that she does." �SPORTS 18 APRIL 3, 2006 - - - - - - - - , I Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK NCAA basketball championships Gators reach second title game in school history Double Take BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer The brackets have been filled and subsequently busted as the "madness" known as collegiate basketball is winding down to the ultimate match-up with the national title on the line. The nation's 65 best'teams have played their way through each alliterative stage of this tournament and even though the final game will be between a pair of teams that weren't expected to square off, there will most certainly be no shortage of hype and coverage until the game's tip-off. This year, the NCAA Basketball Championship will be played by the Florida Gators and the UCLA Bruins. The University of Florida was the #3 seed out of the Minneapolis Region. Florida's road to the Championship included comfortable wins over (#14). Southern Alabama in the first round, (# 11) Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the second round, and more competitive victories over (#7) Georgetown in the Sweet 16, (#1) Villanova in the Elite 8, and a Final Four victory over the last-standing 'Cinderella-team' in George Mason. The primary threat for the Florida Gators both offensively and defensively is their big man, sophomore Joakim Noah. He has the swift moves of a guard coupled with a 6' 11" frame that allows him success in the paint. He has been a constant dominant force for the Gators whether he has been blocking shots, shooting with great range, or rebounding from just about anywhere. Other key players accompanyillg Noah are three-point extraordinaire Lee Humphrey and fellow forward Corey Brewer. Florida coach Billy Donovan did a good job of keeping his team focused, sharp, and disciplined throughout the toUIT.1ament, and with one game to go, he has yet another test in front of him. The University of California-Los Angeles, also known as UCLA, brings a solid streak of play into the national title game. Prevailing as a #2 seed out of the Oakland Region, the Bruins defeated (#15) Belmont in the ®' 2006 Division I Mens Championship Rrst/Second Rounds Auburn Hills, Michigan Oakland University, host first round, (#10) Alabama in the round of 32, (#3) Gonzaga in the Sweet 16, (#1) Memphis in the Elite 8, and then LSU in the Final Four. The Bruins' attack is also led by a sophomore, guard Arron Afflalo. He is their all-around workhorse playing about 34 minutes per game and piling up about 16 points per outing. UCLA has exceptional guard-play which is evident not only from Afflalo, but from guards Jordan Farmar and Josh Shipp, both sophomores as well. That trio accounts for the top three scoring averages on the team. A potential 'x-factor' could be freshman forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, not just because it's one of the most peculiar names to pronounce since Jacksonville Jaguars' fullback Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, but because he had an outstanding game in the Final Four against LSU and should be looking to ride that momentum to aid his team's effort for the ultimate prize. Former Pitt coach Ben How- land will not be looking to change much in terms of his game plan for the Bruins, but he will certainly have his team ready to go by game-time. Each team has a distinct advantage in the Championship game. Florida will ook to utilize their size and paint-presence led by Joakim Noah, while UCLA will look to counter with the threat of their three guards. Although the game might start out slow, expect a relatively high-scoring game with an upbeat pace by the middle of the first half. It should be a close game down to the end as foul-trouble might be the deciding factor in which team pulls away. Do not be surprised to see overtime basketball by the time the night's out. The Pick: Florida 82, UCLA 79. CREDIT Statistics and game result information: www.finalfour.com and www.espn. com QUICK INFO Sarah examines the stafs that tndy matter... BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Basketball fans across the nation witnessed an upsetting loss by George Mason, so now it all comes down to Florida and UCLA. Of course, this showdown is the featured game of the week. Personally, neither of the teams are my favorite. I'm a Kentucky Wildcats fan. Unfortunately, the Cats were a disappointment this season. For once in my life I called this game way ahead of time. I was one of the few people predicting a loss by George Mason and I seem to be the only one in my circle of friends rooting for the Gators. If you read my column you know I don't do statistics, so here is my reasoning. Anyone remember Mike Miller? I'm sure a lot of the ladies do. What a player, not to mention a super good looking guy. He did make it to the NBA, a current Memphis Grizzly. Granted, not the most prestigious NBA team. Miller aside, who doesn't like Florida? They have pretty colors and pretty players. We all know thats the equation for a successful sports team. Go Gators. Florida Gators vs. UCLABruins 9:00 p.m. Monday, April 3 CBS.COM �APRIL 3, 2006 SPORTS 19 Men's lacrosse making progress and turning heads in NCLL BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor A little determination goes a long way. The goal of the lacrosse club at its start was to "re-introduce a sport with a very successful, but short, past," according to the Wilkes website. The lacrosse club has done far more than simply re-introduce the sport; the club is currently an associate member of the National Collegiate Lacrosse League, and has already notched its first-ever win in the league. Not too bad for a club that didn't exist a year ago. "We've made a lot of advances," said club president Mike Fox, showing a strong talent for understatement. "We won our first game, which was a big step," said Fox, referring to Wilkes' 7-6 win over Briarcliffe on March 26. The club has indeed taken great strides during spring semester, regularly facing more ·experienced opponents with grace in the NCLL. The NCLL, it should be noted, does not differentiate between the NCAA divisions. "We could play a D-1 school," said Fox, a senior communication studies major. "We could play Duke. We could play Ohio State." Due to both time constraints and the "associate member" status of the team, however, the largest opponents Wilkes will be facing this season are at the Division II level. As an associate member, Wilkes is required to play a minimum of six games throughout the season, and is not eligible for NCLL playoffs. "This year they wanted us to be a full-time member," said Fox, "but we didn't feel that we could commit to that being a first-year program." Full-time member status, which brings with it the chance for playoffs and a possible NCLL championship, is hopefully in the near future. "We're hoping next year," he said. Some might see the lacrosse club's status as a "club" as a drawback, but Fox disagrees: "I think being a club is a good place to start." Although the club lacks money, equipment, and support from Wilkes that a varsity program would have, it provides a little more freedom for growth and experience. Rather than being thrown into a full-fledged varsity schedule against welldeveloped programs in the Middle Atlantic Conference, the club can slowly sharpen its teeth against the teams in the NCLL without the pressure of fighting for a playoff spot. Club status also means less practice time, which allows students who are bogged down with end-of-the-semester school work to participate without being punished if they miss a practice. "It is a club," said goalie Michael Sciulara, "so we try to give a little leeway ... we try to have a good four practices a week." The first season for the lacrosse club is winding to a close, with its final games coming during a doubleheader next weekend at Shippensburg. The club has accomplished a great deal in its short season, and looks to accomplish even more. "We've had a good amount of success so far," said Sciulara, "and people have really been motivated by that." Fox, who is in his final year of NCAA eligibility, is hoping to leave the program in a good place for future seasons. "I want to leave the team better than I found it," he said. The best way to improve a program, of course, is with more games. "We're trying to get a four-way round robin going with Misericordia, King's, Scranton, and us," said Fox. "We're trying to see if we can get that going in the fall." The club is also looking to establish ties with the 1975 MAC champion men's lacrosse program. "We're trying to push for the University to induct the 1975 team into the Hall of Fame," said Fox. "If that happens, the alumni have agreed to play us in a game. Hopefully, that could cap off the season on a good note." The 2006 season has been.one of experimenting with the lacrosse club, but much of it has been resoundingly successful. "We've turned a lot of heads," said Sciulara. The club, which Fox said simply "wanted to give the league a try" when they joined the NCLL this season, has played competi- The Beacon/Todd Weibel The lacrosse club prepares for Sunday's game at the Recreational Athletic Center on Main Street. The Colonels are currently 1-2 overall, with three games to go. tively and began to establish a team iden- right around finals." For a club that still has tity. Although the season was rather short, its sights set on varsity status in the future, the timing ended up being perfect in terms its inaugural season has been a series ofmaof what the club could handle. The six jor steps in the right direction. games, according to Fox, "will take us to . WEEKEND RECAPS t press time, the Wilkes baseball team was still underway with its double header against ·ngs. aurie Agresti tossed a one-hitter and Samantha Evanich smacked her sixth homerun of he season as the Lady Colonels defeated King's 2-1 in the first game of a double header. vanrich's two-run bomb in the bottom of the first was plenty for Agresti, who fanned 13 nd walked two. ut the Lady Colonels failed to take sole posses ion of the conference, losing 9-1 in the ightcap. The Lady Colonels remained tied with King's at 5-1. ennis Sunday's match against Lebanon Valley was postponed to a later date beginning at 2:00. omen's Lacrosse yndsay Asinelli, Shannon Chlebus, and Stacy Fimmano each had one goal a piece as ilkes lost to unbeaten Messiah, 21-3 Saturday afternoon. The Colonels fall to 2-4 over11 and 0-4 in the conference. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 13 Number of strikeouts Laurie Agresti accumulated in her one-hit performance over Kings College Saturday. 12 Unearned runs given up by the mens baseball team in last weekends three game sweep byFDU 47 Wilkes students named to the MAC academic honor roll for the fall 2005 semester. 16 Number ofsaves by Cassie Malone in goal against undefeated Messiah College during Saturdays womens lacrosse game. �SP.,9,! f S_ 0 20 Preview of the week: softball vs. DeSales ------ Lady Colonels pitching looks to be the key to success BY ARIEL COHEN two teams have met since the mid- has a season ERA of .50 through Beacon Assistant Sports Editor die of March of last year when the the seven games that she has After it seemed like winter was two teams split the doubleheader pitched has a season record of never going to end, the warmth of with the Lady Colonels taking the 4-3 giving up only 3 earned runs spring has finally arrived and with first game 9-1 and DeSales win- and has allowed only 23 hits. The it comes the opportunity to go and ning the nightcap 4-2. other standout pitcher, Samantha see Lady Colonels softball con"We have a really good team this Evanich has another low ERA at tinue their Freedom Conference year with two pitchers that have 1.63 and a season record of 3-2. 1'.:Chedule against DeSales _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "We are in great University. shape and as long as The _Lady Colonels, who We have a really good team this year... well keep playing as are off to a 9-9 overall re- so I think we will do really well against we have been we will cord, and a 5-1 conference · be fine " stated senior record as of Saturday's them... catche; Jan Nunemdoubleheader have a total of acher. four more conference games Shelly Pheiff, junior outfielder The Bulldogs who including the one against _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ have a 2006 record as DeSales. ______________ of Sunday's standings Until now the team has of 6-11 overall are played all of its Freedom Con-· pitched all of our games so far going to need help to creep past ference rivals twice this season, so I think we will do really well the second place Colonels, who with the majority of the match-ups against them [DeSales]," said ju- are only a step behind first place doubleheaders. But for the first nior outfielder Shelly Pheiff. King's. time this season the Lady Colonels The Wilkes softball pitching The game against DeSales will will play conference rival DeSales staff has been one of the domi- take place at home this Saturday, only once. nant forces for the ladies so far at the Ralston Field sports comThis will be the first time that the this season. Laurie Agresti who plex at 1:00 p.m. The Beacon/Todd Wiebel Nadine Taylor hits a fast pitch in Saturday's doubleheader against King's College. The Lady Colonels won the first game 2-1 and then dropped the nightcap 9-1. The Lady Colonels take on Freedom Conference rival DeSales this Saturday at 1 p.m. here at home. Campus calendar. All Week Committed to Clay, Sordoni Art Gallery Monday (4/03) *Women's Softball@William Paterson - 2:30 p.m. Tuesday (4/04) *Men's Tennis vs. Drew - 3:30 p.m. *Open dinner discussion on -r racial issues, HSC Miller Room - 6 p.m. RSVP by calling 408-4 731 or culture@ wilkes.edu *Trivia Night, HSC Ballroom -8p.m. Wednesday (4/05) *Blood Drive, HSC Ballroom - 10 a.m. *Men's Golf vs. Scranton - 1 p.m. *Women's Softball @ Misericordia - 3 p.m. *Men's Baseball vs. Misericordia - 3:30 p.m. *Men's Tennis@ Susquehanna - 4 p.m. *Women's Lacrosse@ FDUFlorham - 4 p.m. Thursday (4/06) *Health Fair, HSC Ballroom - 11 a.m. *Antigone, DDD - 8 p.m. Friday (4/07) *Men's Golf@ Moravian - 12:30 p.m. *Men's Baseball vs. DeSales - 3:30 p.m. *Men's Tennis vs. King's Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH - 3:30 p.m. *Antigone, DDD - 8 p.m. *Dashboard Confessional, Kingston Armory - 7 p.m. Saturday (4/08) *SK race to benefit American Diabetes Association, Wilkes Greenway - 9 a.m. *Women's Lacrosse @Wilmington - 12 p.m. *Men's Baseball @ DeSales -1 p.m. *Women's Softball vs. DeSales - 1 p.m . *Men's Tennis@ FDU-Florham - 1 p.m. *Antigone, DDD - 8 p.m. Sunday (4/09) *Men's Tennis @PSU Berks *Antigone, DDD_- 2 p.m. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. Congratulations to Andrew Janke who correctly identified last weeks secret shot which was of a date on a ficture next to the belltower � 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 2006 April 3rd Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 April 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/48ad774a241f4dc9750a8b07070026a5.pdf b78a99891326c22d4089e4703c387844 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW MARCH 27, 2006 www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 18 Students, faculty and staff weigh in with questions and concerns about Vision 2010 plans for change BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor Editors Note: This is the second ofa twopart series on changes proposed by the Vision 2010 plan for Wilkes University. Last weeks article offered an overview of the specifics of 2010. In the week following the faculty and staff meeting announcing the changes associated with Vision 2010, members of the Wilkes University administration held open forums for faculty and staff as a way to allow for questions and concerns to be heard. Representatives of the President's Cabinet; Mike Frantz, Dr. Paul Adams, Chris Bailey, and Scott Byers also presented a version of Vision 2010 to the Student Government (SG) general board meeting on the evening of Wednesday, March 22, in order to prepare students for upcoming changes and garner initial feedback. Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President for Student Affairs said, "I think that (the comments) is why we find it so valuable to come to these meetings. We really appreciate the thoughtful comments that students give us. I know that I walk away having to think through some things in a different way. I really think that it helps us put everything in perspective." The presentation to SG lasted about an hour with a question and answer period taking approximately twenty minutes during that time. SG members listened intently as each of the members of the President's Cabinet presented parts of the PowerPoint presentation. See VISION page 2 Condu ion The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The President's Cabinet presented a PowerPoint on Vision 2010 and allowed for questions from Student Governmment members about proposed changes. Students asked questions about the hot topics: proposed laundry changes, the 6% tuition increase, the proposed meal plan changes and how Wilkes administration proposes to keep up with the continuing increase in housing needs. Debate Over Hemp Leaf Page 7 Coping with Loss BATTLE OF THE BANDS .·~-~ . 4tf,4 I, ~ •' • Page9 ,. .. ~ \% f PAGE 1 3 Index News ................................ 1-5 Opinion ...... ......... ...... ... .. ... 6-8 Features .......... .. .. ......... .. 9-11 Arts & Entertainment.. .. 12-15 Sports .. ..... ... ................. 16-20 �NEWS 27, 2006 MARCH VISION from FRONT PAGE The presentation began with an overview of Vision 2010 in order to give students some background on the initiative and the progress that has been made since its inception in 2001. The goals of the program, as presented to SG are: 1) to provide world class academic programs; 2) improve Wilkes' brand and prestige; 3) to have state of the art technology, facilities and equipment; 4) to have financial stability through the upcoming Capital Campaign; 5) and to build relationships through the new mentoring program that will involve all disciplines on campus. Although the goal of the presentation was to give students an overview of Vision 2010, much of the presentation focused on the positive -effects of the program, rather than its challenges. Many students asked questions of the President's Cabinet to gain better insight into some issues in the presentation. Hot issues for students included: the 6% tuition increase; the proposed meal plan changes; how Wilkes will continue to increase housing; proposed laundry changes; proposed mailbox move; and the lack of representation of the humanities in the Vision. Mike Frantz, vice president of en- 2 rollment and marketing said, "It is always interesting to understand what [students'] hot-button issues are, what their priorities are. As all of us advance toward middle-age it is harder and harder to predict what those might be." For the SG members, one of the hottest topics for discussion was the proposed laundry change. At this time the administration is looking into the cost-effectiveness of having an outside company provide the laundry machines and having the machines be coin operated. Administration is citing the pos~ibility of greater cost-effectiveness of the change along with the ability to have more energyefficient machines with technological advances that cannot be achieved if the machines remain owned and maintained by Wilkes University due to the cost of the upgrades. Courtney Amrhein, junior class secretary said, "Back to the laundry issue, I don't see what the problem is right now. If you charge people to do laundry, you are going to have people going home every weekend to do laundry, and y6u are not going to have a community-base like Wilkes University is trying to have. If you create laundry as an issue ... you are going to have the majority of people going home every weekend and I don't think that is what you want." Scott Byers, vice president of finance said, "I agree, once we have proposals I'll bring them back and we'll welcome that. We'll address that (the concern) once we have the final stuff so you can see it." With the promise to revisit SG with more definite and distinct answers to some of the hot topics, the cabinet members left the meeting, leaving some members with questions that have not yet been answered. Megan Fulmer, junior class representative said, "The Vision 2010 is focusing more on science, engineering and pharmacy rather than the arts and humanities and I am wondering what they are planning on doing to make the humanities more equal?" Students were not the only ones left with some concerns after attending informational meetings. Dr. Richard Raspen, associate professor of business and chair of Faculty Affairs Council (FAC) said, "The questions being asked are: 'How do these things affect me, my division and my department?' I think those are the important questions that need to be asked because those are the people questions." The proposed changes acknowledge that restructuring will result in some job cuts for better efficiency. After attending the initial Vision 2010 faculty and staff meetings, Raspen said, "I think there are a number of challenges as part of the plans, and challenges are not always a bad thing, but these are rather major changes and some affect attitudes and perceptions of people on campus. These are all very significant kinds of changes that all of us are being asked to consider." Dr. John Hepp, associate professor of history admitted to not attending any of the informational meetings but had taken the time to view the PowerPoint presented to faculty and staff and said, "I am not happy with the way the information is being presented for a variety of reasons. First, and perhaps most importantly, the future is being presented as a false dichotomy: either do nothing or embrace unspecified sweeping changes." However, despite some anxiety on the part of employees, some have embraced the plans as healthy for the institution as a whole. Anita Ruskey, administrative assistant to the Provost A<fds /Changes/ HR (PayrollJtlenett) Ono Stop Shop Grades Housing Contracts IO Cards P eri<ing Pennis & Tickets O~elo""10l"I\ ■ R~eell)t• 1 Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeaqon@gmail.com . News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail. cQm Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: the beacon_ oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah.Herbert Email.- thebeaconfeatures@gmail.c om A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email_·beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Ed.itor: Nick Zmijewski ) Advertising Managers: Jam ie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman · Email: thebeacon. ads@gmail.com • Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Coll$elions Applicant Processing I (U noor!)ra:I /Grad) said, "I feel it is a positive vision. 1 agree with the President and Cabinet about the vision. I think it makes peo- ' pie feel a little leery about what the future holds for them personally, but 1 think it is the right thing for Wilkes." With many students and faculty willing to embrace the benefits that Vision 20 l 0 sets out to achieve, it is the challenge of completely understanding the Vision and all of its details that has some within the campus community perplexed by the proposals. Despite the opportunities for feedback in open forums, some argue that more information is necessary. Hepp said, "Overall, I am disappointed with the lack of transparency in the whole process. Students, faculty and staff should know much more and should have known it much sooner." Editorial Staff Oen. Info. WIN Numbers 4 4 5 5 Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Drops P•\<llsnt~ & 3 BEACO'N Registration Student B lling Newspapers Islamic Society News In Brief Cancer Awareness Flu ■ ■ Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Switett>oard Courtesy of President's Cabinet presentation Slides in the Vision 2010 presentation highlighted areas that students, faculty and staff may find of interest. The slide above shows how the UCOM will look when all of the administrative offices have been moved. The concept being utilitzed is 'one stop convenience,' to allow student5 to more efficiently be able to deal with the many different offices on campus. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barr@', PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �MARCH 27, 2006 NEWS 3 Future ownership of Times Leader up in the air W-B braces for the possibility of becoming a one newspaper town ies that do not fit the company's longstanding acquisition criteria, chi~fly involving growing markets." The U.S. Census NEWS ANALYSIS Bureau estimated that the population in Wilkes-Barre dropped roughly 3.5% from For over two decades, Wilkes-Barre has 43,123 in 2000 to 41,630 in 2003. In adenjoyed a unique distinction in the field of dition, Wilkes-Barre's population saw a media. It is one of a very small number 9.5% percent drop from 1990 to 2000. of cities nationally to enjoy the luxury of According to Hepp, the fastest growing two competitive daily newspapers. That area in NEPA is the Poconos, which has unique characteristic potentially hangs in seen an influx of New Yorkers moving to the balam;e as the future ownership of the the area and commuting for work. Hepp Times Leader is in question. said, "I'm not sure the Times Leqder has On Monday, March 13, Knight Ridder anything to offer that market." Typically Newspapers announced its sale to Mc- peopl in that area would be more inclined Clatchy, Co., a smaller media corporation to read a New York City newspaper and with a reputation for smart business invest- only need local papers for things on the loment in high growth market newspapers. cal governmental level. The Times Leader In the same press release announcing its does not have strong coverage for that area, purchase of Knight Ridder, McClatchy of- making it easier more a potential buyer to ficials acknowledged they would quickly start a new newspaper in the area. sell twelve of the newly acquired Knight Currently, two propsective buyers have Ridder papers in slower growth markets. emerged as the chief contenders to purAmong the twelve to be sold are the Phila- chase the Times Leader. According to wire delphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily reports, Yucaipa, Cos. is backing a bid for News, the San Jose Mercury News, and all twelve newspapers by the The NewsWilkes-Barre's Times Leader. When the paper Guild-Communication Workers of announcement to sell the Times Leader America (TNG-CWA). The Guild's purwas made, active community discussion in chase of the Times Leader would be ironic Wilkes-Barre ensued about the history and in some respects because the Guild helped future of the Times Leader and its 28-year start and sustain the Citizens' Voice in 1978 competition for readers and advertising during the strike. dollars with The Citizens' Voice. Times-Shamrock, Corp., the other prosDr. John Hepp, Wilkes University as- pect, has been expanding aggressively sociate professor of history said, "The over the past decade. Originally starting Times Leader is the last survivor of the with The Scranton Times, Times-Shamrock traditional Wilkes-Barre newspapers." purchased the Citizens' Voice in 2000, and Throughout the 20th century Wilkes-Barre the Pottsville Republican & Evening Hersupported smaller papers, which eventu- ald in 2003. If Times-Shamrock were to ally merged to form the Times Leader in purchase the Times Leader, options would its present form. Over 200 striking work- vary; however, the probable result would ers from the Times Leader established the be a merger of the Times Leader and CitiCitizens ' Voice in 1978 after a bitter labor zens ' Voice, similar to the merger of The dispute with Capital Cities, then-owner of Scranton Times and The Tribune. the Times Leader. Dr. Mark Stine, associate professor and Hepp noted, "What is facing the Times chair of communication studies at Wilkes Leader right now is, who would want to University pointed out that companies buy it?" If both papers were traditionally owning more than one media outlet are berun by corporations (as opposed to a com- coming more common. He said, "When mercial entity and striking workers) one media outlets are concentrated under the would likely have pulled out of the area. ownership of a small number of compaWhen the Citizens ' Voice was purchased nies, there is a tendency to limit the voice by Times-Shamrock on 2000, if ensured of the people and increase the power of the newspaper 's future. With both news- media conglomerates." He added, "Media papers owned by larger corporations, both convergence has a tendency to limit the had the finanical backing neede'd to com- number of differing opinions that consumpete in Wilkes-Barre. ers receive." The McClatchy news release stated, Media convergence has already made its "McClatchy intends to divest 12 Knight mark on_ the region with th development Ridder newsMpe;s, mainly located in cit- of th~ No'rtheast Perilisylvania News AlliBY MYLES RUMBEL A&E Assistant Editor The Beacon/Kristin Kile With the pending sale of the Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre newspaper readers have voiced anxiety about its future. ance. In the alliance, members share stories and information. Currently the Times Leader and WNEP-TV, which is owned by the News York Times Group, are the two major news sources not associated with the Alliance. If the Times Leader were to fold under Times-Shamrock ownership, it would undoubtedly become part of the alliance, leaving WNEP-TV as the only news source not associated with the alliance. While there has been some speculation about whether a Times-Shamrock purchase of the Times Leader could lead to an antitrust issue, Hepp, who is also a lawyer, said, "There would be an antitrust issue, but good lawyering would likely overcome it, if there were no other viable buyer." By defining the market as a "news" market as opposed to "newspaper" market, it could be argued L'1at other sources, WNEP-TV and even other members in the alliance, prevent the Times-Shamrock from holding a monopoly. At the moment, there are no official offers to purchase the Times Leader on the table. Student GovernIDent Notes March 22 Meeting ... -The President's Cabinet presented details of the Vision 2010 plan and allowed for a question and answer session on the program. -SAM presented for second reading of fund request. Megan Fulmer made a motion to allot the full $1,500 to the group and Brian Diehl seconded. The motion passed 31-0-2. -The Islamic Interest Society presented for the second week in an attempt to gain club status. Kyle Ellis made a motion to allow the group to become a club with the stipulation that the Campus Interfaith Coordinator be made a co-advisor of the club. Sarina Kapoor seconded the motion, and the motion passed 30-1-4. -Donkey basketball will be held April 9 at 3 p.m. in the Martz Gymnasium. Advanced sale tickets are available for $4 and tickets will be $6 at the door. -April 10 the annual Inter-Residency Hall Council sponsored egg hunt will take place at 8pm on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. . · �-- -- ~ - ~~ - - 4 - - - - NEWS - - .• ·1 - - MARCH 27, 2006 First religiously-affiliated club to be recognized on campus BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Staff Writer Last week the Islamic Interest Society petitioned Student Government (SG) for recognition as a club at Wilkes University. Members of the club hope to broaden cultural horizons by educating students about Islamic traditions and religion. "In their constitution they clearly stated that educating others about the Islamic religion and tradition is one of their main goals. They also stated that they would be very respectful to other religions as well," said Mark Allen, dean of student affairs. "I think that this new group will bring a lot of diversity, it will become one of those main staples here on campus that you see. It will basically promote diversity in the university," said Shuja Shafqat, SG corresponding secretary and junior biology major. The effort of members to have the Islamic Interest Society recognized as a club is the first time in recent history that a religiously affiliated group has appeared before Student Government for such a request. "We looked at the larger gover- nance issues at the institute. We are nonsectarian institution with no religious affiliation, and just wanted to make sure that there was not perception that we were crossing territories where we had not ventured before... When you weigh the value of students following their interests and creating a more diverse campus culture versus guarding that nonsectarian status, we really feel that [the ideals] will still stay in place. But the students will still be able to exercise the religious initiatives that they have. It is a good opportunity for the students," said Allen. In the past, the non-denominational Campus Interfaith has always overseen any type of religious programs allowing for all religious groups to be acknowledged. "I can throw an interfaith blanket over all religions and bring groups of them all together. However, it is hard for me to do religious-specific programs because I want to be all encompassing. So, having these groups will help me to actually do this," said Kevin Gaughenbaugh, campus interfaith coordinator and Islamic Interest Society co-advisor. However, many students feel that Campus Interfaith is more geared toward Christianity and Judaism and that these smaller religious groups may allow for some of the religious minorities to find their niche on campus. "Interfaith was established to have some kind of religious outlet but a lot of people feel that interfaith is more directed towards Christianity and Judaism and not enough toward Islam so that is what they are trying to do by establishing this club," said Shafqat. "This group will help those who are Muslim kind of come out and be more involved and know that there is a place for them on this campus," said Gaughenbaugh. The Islamic Interest Society is open to anyone, from any religious background. Students are encouraged to participate and to learn about a new culture that they may not know very much about. "Probably the most valuable benefit would be to educate the students about the Islamic religion and traditions, to create a greater awareness, would be the over arching positive," said Allen. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Students representing the Islamic Interest Society, Salmon Punekar, presented an overview of their clubs' intentions to Student Govern• ment last week. News in Brief French law highlights differences between American, European policies BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon Asst. News Editor A recent policy change in France has led to outrage among the country's youth and exposed the stark differences between European and American tradition and policy. According to a March 21 article in The New York Times, a law was recently passed in France that "gives companies the right to hire people under 26 years old for a two-year trial period, during which they can be fired without cause." This law was passed with a great deal of disapproval from the youth and labor unions in France, resulting in riots and strikes. The article described the effects the law has had on French citizens. Tens of thousands of high school and university students marched in numerous cities, with some pro.tests resultihg in violence. Union leaders have refused to back down and are rigidly fighting the government on this issue holdin and strikes. These individuals have also "refused to enter into a dialogue with the government until it rescinds the law." In France, an employer has to have a solid reason for firing an employee. Dr. John Hepp, associate professor of history, explained the stringency of some European political concepts. "In most European countries, including France, once you're hired, you can only be fired for cause . .. and that's a very strong tradition that has existed in most European countries for about the last [one] hundred years or so," Hepp said. Hepp explained that unemployment is extremely high in France, particularly among young people. This is due, in part, to the strictness of past labor laws that have made many employers reluctant to take a risk of hiring a young person because the employer was essentially forced to enter into a contract. The employer would then not have the o tion oflettin the em lo ee o. The aim of the government was to lower the unemployment rate by allowing more people to get hired more easily. According to Hepp, students and labor unions see it from a different perspective. "Well the students, on the other hand ... see it, along with the labor unions, as going back on this long European tradition that you have to treat workers fairly. And they see it moving toward more [of] an American tradition where workers are basically just commodities that you figure into the cost of production," Hepp said. The individuals who are most affected by the law also see it as a way to aid corporations. According to a March 20 report in The Economic Times, "students see a subtext in the new law: make it easier to hire and fire to help France compete in a globalizing world economy." Dr. Andrew Miller, visiting assistant professo_r of political science, notes the new law will most like! be a positive thing for businesses. states for any reason or no reason "I think French businesses prob- whatsoever," Hepp said. ably feel constrained by French laThe European ideal is that every bor laws ...just like in any country, citizen should be treated equally there's a tension between labor and and afforded the same degree of capital," Miller said. "Rather than full protection. Americans do not being directly related to 'global- necessarily always consider that ization' it seems the new law has to be a vital aspect of business. more to do with French domestic and so many probably cannot fully unemployment, though that is cer- comprehend why these changes in tainly related to globalization." France have led to such an uproar. All of this may seem unusual to "This, I think, is seen by a lot of Americans, because the restrictions people, although to us it looks like on hiring and firing in the states are a fairly simple change, as going not nearly as rigid, leaning more to- back on a lot of tradition. I really ward non-existent. Hepp explained do believe the fear that the stu· the way the labor system works in dents and the labor unions have is the United States. "For example, this is just the beginning of a radiin Pennsylvania, unless you have a cal remaking of European sociefy contract, you're known as an em- more along American lines ... and ployee at will, and under Pennsyl- • the strikes are coming out of the vania law, you can be fired for any Sorbonne University [where], in reason whatsoever or no reason at 1968 ... France took a stand [es• all. The only reason why you can't sentially starting a revolution], be fired is for something that's and now it's time for them to do constitutionally impermissible... the same thing again," Hepp said ou can be fired in most American . �MARCH NEWS 27, 2006 5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYi----------- WilkeS University sponsors lectures on genetic testing, heredity and ''red flags'' for Cancer Awareness Month BY JOSEPH DEANGELIS Beacon Staff Writer The students in the seminar room were silent and serious. Cancer is no joking matter. As part of his presentation, Dr. Gil Mor, an associate professor at the York University School of Medicine in Toronto, Canada, showed pictures of millions and millions of cancer cells. The first picture was of breast cancer cells. Mor asked the diverse audience of Wilkes pharmacy, biology, pre-medicine, and biochemistry students in Breiseth 107 if this woman lived or died. "She died," the audience answered correctly. The next picture was of cells of ovarian cancer. She died too, the audience again correctly responded. The war against cancer rages everyday. Mor has tried for years to fight a battle against the disease, and has discovered that each cancer patient requires his or her own specific treatment. "Cancer is a terrible disease," Mor said. "I have hope that we will be changing the mentality of the treatment." Cancer is a terrible disease. I have hope that we will be changing the mentality of the treatment. Dr. Gil Mor, associate professor York University School of medicine Mor 's presentation on cancer and inflammation was part of a series of events sponsored by Wilkes University to recognize Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated to the education about the disease. The week started off with a presentation by Christina Phillips and Laura Toole of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Cancer Risk Program provides education and resource information to individuals concerned about increased cancer risk due to a personal and/or family history of cancer. The Cancer Risk Program also provides information and counseling for individuals interested in cancer genetic testing. The seminar focused on cancer and heredity, cancer genetic testing, and "red flags" that may indicate the presence of a he- Flu still plaguing students BY JEREMY ZUCKERO Beacon Correspondent As daffodils and crocuses begin to bloom and the temperatures slowly start to mellow, most people aren't too concerned with the flu. Flu is commonly associated with winter months. But as experts note, the flu is a potentially serious nuisance that can strike at anytime, especially as the weather changes. Gail Holby, nurse at Wilkes University's Health Services, and coordinator of Health and Wellness Promotion, explained, "The ... influenza flu is a viral upper respiratory infection, which comes on very suddenly. It causes symptoms such as fever, body aches, temperature - temperature can go anywhere from about 100 to 104 (Fahrenheit) with a fever - headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and dry cough." Influenza, if untreated, can under certain conditions develop into more serious ailments. According to Holby, "One of the more serious complications of the flu might be a (type of) pneumonia." But how does one tell the difference between a cold and the flu? According to Holby, "Usually the flu has broader symptoms; (they) could involve the head, sinus, respiratory, and body. Usually the common cold is limited to maybe the throat and a runny nose." There are several ways in which one can prevent the flu, says Holby, "Make sure you wash your hands, stay out of crowded areas, wash surfaces down after you use them, use your own towel. Because people are infected before (onset of reditary cancer syndrome. The goal of the program was to make healthcare providers aware of these syndromes and the importance of identifying and referring individuals who may fall into high cancer risk categories. "We had a small but very interested group of students," said Toole, who is the Director of Education and Outreach of the Cancer Institute. The point of the lecture was to show the students the warning signs of cancer "so that when they go out in the field, they know what the red flags are." Later that day, Dr. Linda Gutierrez, an associate research professor of Biology at Wilkes, took her students out to a free clinic to visit to do some community service work. "I want the students to get out," Gutierrez said. "To reach the community, to see how it is in real life." Gutierrez, chairperson of the Saidman Chair, a foundation for the health sciences, wants to create a cancer research institute right here at Wilkes. "The students are going to be mentored by facility here at Wilkes, but also by health science professionals," she said. "So when they go to medical school, the training that these students will have is going to be super." The program will include fieldwork and also research, particularly on colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and the most frequently diagnosed cancer in northeast Pennsylvania. · "This area has a very high risk for colorectal cancer," Gutierrez said. "When somebody.. .is diagnosed with canc~r, it is a very, very high probability is that the diagnosed colorectal cancer." Other scheduled cancer awareness presentations are Friday, April 7 by Dr. Mansoor M. Ahmed of the Geisinger Clinic in Danville at 5:30 p.m. in Breiseth 106 and on Thursday, April 13 by Dr. Samuel M. Lesko of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute at noon in Stark Learning Center Room 359 . . Casino Ni symptoms) and they could be infecting other people (in the mean time)." Prevention is especially imperative at the University level. Steve Gapinski, instructor of mathematics said, "There will always be a certain percentage of lost class time that is caused by illness .. .if a student is ill it can hurt his or her ability to take notes and stay focused in class." But even the best prevention methods won't always work. Once one does get the flu, one needs to treat the symptoms, according to Holby: "The flu is viral, not bacterial, so no antibiotic helps with it. You treat the symptoms, (using) overthe-counter medicines, like a decongestant for congestion, a The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski pain-killer like Motrin or Tyle- SG hosted Casino Night on Friday, providing students with opportunities to nol for headache." win prizes ranging from beauty products to ipods and a television. �Hemp leaf dispute Celeb sex videos 'News' these days Safety First 7 DR!~if!l:Z-==-="========-=~~~~---6 College newspaper censorship affects students' 7 8 8 education and impacts integrity of the news BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD print in the university newspaper. This case started when the dean at Governors State University in Illinois demanded that one of the university administrators be permitted to read each issue of The Innovator, the school newspaper, and approve it before it went to print. Students at GSU understandably refused ·the dean this privilege, and the case went before the courts. Although the decision allowing administrators this privilege was made nearly nine months ago, the case is receiving headlines again now that the Su- On the vast majority of college campuses nationwide, newspapers exist as a forum where students are able to generate their own ideas, interview their own sources and write their own articles without intervention from the school board or administration. However, in a landmark decision made by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last June, university administrators at schools in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin have preme Court has refused to hear the students' case. What is so alarming about this case is that the students at The Innovator assumed they were acting under editorial license and were granted the power to decide what they thought was newsworthy and to print it on their pages. Until the dean at GSU changed her mind, these college reporters were able to act as any other major news organization would, without censorship. What's to stop all university administrators across the country from deciding to begin the same practice, then? Nickle for Your Thoughts By Jason Nickle Th~-=> 1us""° ·in , ~d\~,";) (I;. +he ~ ·h&, "-{or~ ~ t'oe ,~~ ~\i-H~~ fl\(.Otte<..,\<N)(l ~ \ ( . . co.r-+c,o('\ of ovr -ti l"\C, ••• \ ~c., ~\.\'~ ~ ' ro~ C\ ~e.. /J ~-.. n t('\9<:)f) "------;...&;.-r-....✓ University newspapers act as not portray the university favorpre-professional organizations ably or in a good light, however where students gain real-life true it might be. This censorship skills about deadlines, interviews, risks setting up a newspaper that journalistic integrity and creative only reports "happy" news and ability. Taking away a college - that is actually not a newspaper newspaper's right to act as an at all but instead a piece ofpropaindependent entity that provides ganda for the university. Why set news for the college community up an organization and disguise not only harms the veracity of the it under the name of a newspaper news, but also harms the futures of when really it will serve only the college journalists. motivations of the administration College journalists practice and the university? keeping their eyes and ears open While Wilkes University is a on campus to discover what is private institution, and as such not happening and what should be re- technically covered under the First ported on. This is as much a part Amendment, The Beacon has, for of the job description as is writ- many yj;!ars, enjoyed the freedom ing and conducting interviews. If to freely investigate and report deans and administrators are go- stories as the students on its staff ing to decide this for the students, see fit. We are fortunate and we then what is the point of creating know it. Our administration recpositions for college journalists ognizes the educational value in in the first place? Part of being a allowing students to cultivate the journalist, whether in college or necessary journalistic skills that in the professional world, is being will effectively open doors as we curious about the world and want- seek jobs at competitive papers-ing to gain knowledge about a even if sometimes what we report subject. Take this away from stu- makes them uncomfortable. Endents by deciding for them what is suring such freedom is the mark newsworthy and you risk creating of educational leaders who pracjournalists entirely unprepared for tice what they preach. the professional world. But the students at GSU and Waiting for the okay to come other public schools don't enjoy down from an administrator about such freedom and as a 'result, the whether or not an article can be student journalists and the people published is also d~wnright im- who read those campus papers practical when working to meet a . are short-changed. More imporstrict deadline. Journalists and edi- tantly, though, the Supreme Court tors understand the nature of this has opted to also short-change deadline and work towards achiev- the American press la'nd the First ' I, ing it all day or week or month. An Amendment by re.fusing to hear administrator or deiµ1 who is dou- the case. ,, ' ble-checking the newspaper may While right now the decision afnot respect this deadline. fects only the newspapers in the Although there are many rea- 7th Circuit, or three Midwestern sons why allowing this practice is states, university administraillogical and invalidates the nature tors nationwide are '.)realizing the of a college newspaper, the most power that they can begin to exert pressing is that administrators over their students) 1f they decide at the universities adopting this to. The integrity of th~ news must practice seem t~ have an ulterior .,, be upheld and colleg~ journalists motive at heart. What exactly are must be given a fighting chance to they so determined to censor? succeed in the professional world. Apparently, the main motivation is to censor information that may �MARCH 27, 2006 OPINION 7 Celebrity sex videos raise legal issues of privacy ,. BY MATT ZEBROWSKI Beacon Asst. Op/Ed Edotor It's been a busy few months for Scott Stapp. Aside from putting out a brand new solo CD, the former Creed singer has kept his hands full with such diverse activities as fighting 311, getting arrested drunk at airports after his own wedding, and filming himself tag-teaming no less than four (count 'em,four) women with Kid Rock. That last one has turned into a huge legal battle, with Stapp, Kid Rock, and one of the women all trying to stop Red Light Enterprises, an adult film company that got its bands on the tape, from releasing the video. As an interesting side note, Red Light is the film company that marketed both the Paris Hilton sex tape and the video that WWE stars X-Pac and Cbyna made together, so apparently they know Scott Stapp ·strikes again what they're doing when it comes to marketing naked ugly celebrities. This whole issue has, for me at least, raised a number of interesting questions. Aside from the obvious "what sort of woman would even consider engaging in group sexual activity with the two most oily men in rock and roll?" the whole thing is a legal conundrum. As I understand it, Stapp and Kid Rock are arguing that if Red Light releases the video, it will be a violation of their privacy rights, and Red Light is trying to frame the conflict as a freedom of speech issue. Neither of these arguments makes much sense to me. For starters, as much as I love the First Amendment and would never ever want to see it infringed upon even a tiny bit, I'm not really sure where releasing a pilfered (and that's the key word here,pilfered) video of two rock stars porking some random woman ties in with my freedom to criticize the government or to use bad words. Although they claim that they "received" the video from a "third party" and that they didn't quite "steal" it, the fact of the matter is that it's not Red Light's video, it never was Red Light's video, and it's not like the public's vested interested in seeing Kid Rock's greasy white trash butt outweighs the simple fact that the video wasn't Red Light's property in the first place, stolen or not. And, as for the other side, the right to privacy? Come on. If their haircuts weren't enough to make me believe that they're both completely and utterly shameless, these are two guys who prance around topless on stage every night in leather pants. And, all that aside, if you don't want your sex tape falling into the wrong hands, the simple and easy solution is to not make a sex tape. I mean, imagine a reality in which having sex with four different women is so commonplace that you need to film it in order to remember it, and you'll understand why I have a bit of trouble feeling sympathy here. But, if I squint hard enough, I can almost see how the whole argument that if freedom of speech is restricted at all, even in a case like this, it may eventually set a precedent of gradually more drastic encroachments, just may, MAY, be possibly stretched to border on giving Red Light some theoretical ground to stand on. I can also see how a similar stretch of privacy rights could potentially cover the argument made by Stapp and Kid Rock. But the bigger question here is, is it even worth it? Both sides here are making a mockery out of very important constitutional issues, and I don't even see why it's even necessary for our legal system to become invplved at all. Scott Stapp's recent track record shows that he'll be more than happy to settle anything outside of court ... namely in the parking lot after a few beers. Debate over hemp leaf grows in Connecticut 'Marijuana' painting causes uproar BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor ors--like aquamarine, sea green and coral. So really? What is the big deal about a pot leaf painted on a suburban home? You see that's the first problem. It's really a hemp leaf. There is a difference. Hemp.com 1 that hemp is not m juana; both the species cann saliva. They n n- l beer. That's l served a gl and another a Light, only on side by side not mean they Since it is past March 21, I'd give anything to see a bright, green, pretty leaf. Just one. Something that is a sign of spring. So, you'd think that as winter temps rage on residents of Connecticut wouldn't find offense in a big botanical, flowering on a neighbor's home. Unless .of course it is a pot leaf. Ironically, this all happened on High Street in Winsted, Connecticut. (I'm serious.) Chris Seekins' neighbors complained to police about the leaf painting, but police say ID there is nothing they can do about it. They tio complained to town council and got the same reasoning as the officers gave them. sum Seekins' symbolic art is protected under the THC(' First Amendment. So, regardless of neigh- high and borly disputes, his message about legalizing ers solely hemp will continue to be displayed on his and me, it's home's exterior. late 1960s, So we know the hemp dude's rights were was enacted, indeed protected. But let's look into the is- hemp and sue of what is really offensive and what is I once b o emp really useful. First of all, it's a leaf. (Grant- hemp necklace from a cool, u e ed, a big leaf.) But, it's not like his chimney at the Pocono Blues Festival. side from is shaped like a giant bong. I can find far that, I never really gave much thought to the more offensive things on people's property: other uses of this versatile plant family. My junk cars, high weeds (no pun intended) own ignorance of hemp products shames or whole houses painted in ridiculous col- me. However, perhaps this is because the general public is not really educated about emp. Perhaps many more hemp supporters e stopped before their message gets out. haps, afraid they are pushing something gal, mainstream media aren't telling the ses about the plant's many benefits. those who aren't familiar with the this versatile v ins necessary oducts are made nt like burgers, Hemp oil can smetics . ven p-fueled e made of pretty du·zed murPerhaps t acco sh , l the forPhillip Morris employees can make a ca er change and harvest hemp. o, with all these health and environmental benefits, why are people griping about the big hemp leaf? Perhaps the big deal with this case lies in the fact that the 'artist' was also arrested last year for growing over 100 hemp plants--not marijuana-- in his home for "research purposes." (That battle is still in court.) So, does this mean someone accused of drunk driving cannot hang a Budweiser-clad Dale Earnhardt Jr. flag from his porch? Does this mean that someone who was found guilty of possessing a weapon on a routine traffic stop has to scrape off his NRA bumper sticker? Do these people who complained have American flags on their homes? If they are so patriotic, then why would they try to take a right, protected under that flag, away from a neighbor? Instead of stopping the message, the neighbors' complaints indeed helped Seekins' get the word out beyond High Street and Winsted. I guarantee you that, just like I did, thousands of others were intrigued by the story and googled "hemp". And like I was, maybe they were fascinated by all hemp can do. Perhaps if these hemp hypocrites dug a little deeper before they opened their mouths, they too would have ran out to their local hardware stores for some green paint to pass around the message. So, hemp dude did nothing wrong in his High Street hemp house. But he sure did light a good one up for the nation's media. �MARCH 27, 2006 OPINION 8 -----------------------------,-------------r-- What constitutes 'news' these days is questionable I BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Asst. A&E Editor Important people get special treatment. That's a fact. For instance, when Jennifer Lopez visited the BBC she demanded multiple dressing rooms, all decorated in beige. In the same vein, Janet Jackson requested 30-plus black towels. If you don't believe me, ask the people at the BBC - they'll be more than happy to tell you. But now, thanks to some great investigative journalism, audiences know what Vice President Dick Cheney requires in his hotel room. According to multiple news reports, by sources such as CNN, MSNBC and USA Today, as well as a document found by The Smoking Gun website, Cheney requires the following: - a Queen or King size bed - desk with chair - private bathroom - all lights turned on - temperature set to 68 - all televisions tuned to Fox News - microwave - coffee pot with brewed decaf - container for ice (and location of ice machine) - 4-6 bottles of water - 4 cans of diet caffeine free Sprite - hotel restaurant menu - extra lamps - newspapers, one each - local paper, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today. I have a few issues with this list. Well okay, I only have one - diet caffeine free Sprite. Sprite is already caffeine free. Therefore, caffeine free Sprite is redundant. If it was caffeine free Coke or Pepsi - wonderful. Sprite's simply redundant. Was that a stupid point? You bet. But this question isn't: Why do we care? CNN, MSNBC and USA Today think we do (or should). I could understand if Fox News blanketed the airwaves with: "The Vice President only watches us!" (Surprise, surprise). However, the motivation behind CNN and MSNBC "reporting" this "news" remains a mystery. Now, don't get me wrong, I like to bash Republicans as much as the next ultra-liberal. But the bottom line is that there doesn't appear to be any real news to report on here, and analysts at news outlets really don't have anything legitimate to bash in Cheney's list of requirements. I think for someone who is arguably the most important man in the country, his requests seem reasonable. If Cheney were springing for six rooms, decorated in bright pink with 400 white towels, at the taxpayers' expense - we might have a problem. But he's not. He has a list of requests that cost about $20 and a NBC You know what I'm glad for? How safe we are. In this country, we're just so terribly lucky that I almost can't stand it. Most people are far too worried about all of the bad things happening around the world that they forget about everything good that people have done for the United States. All of you bleeding heart liberals who whine about government irresponsibility can just shut the hell up. I've compiled a few things just to remind you of what a great nation we all live in. On February 15, Houston police chief Harold Hurtt made a brilliant proposition for the residents of his glorious city: place surveillance cameras in apartment complexes, downtown streets, shopping malls, and most especially private homes to fight crime 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 46 responses. If you were alive before the dawn of modem medicine, what disease would you least want to have? little time from volunteers (he does not require hotel staff to fetch his requests; rather, volunteers do this for him). Is this what journalism has come down to in the US? Publishing a list of reasonable requests from our VP? How about some more investigation into Bush's wiretapping? How about figuring out just how many Washington insiders Jack Abramoff had in his pockets? What about a couple more reports from Iraq? Hell, how about the still spreading AIDS epidemic? Or starving children in Africa? Just about anything is more important than Dick Cheney's hotel room requests. If this is where news reporting is headed, we're all screwed. Check out The Beacon website at www. wilkesbeacon.com for actual links to these "news" reports. Alls justifiable in the name of national security . during shortages of police officers. Now, the police would no longer have to even worry about spending money to find out what we're up to, they can do it from the comfort of their seats in the police station. Several foolish reporters dared to ask Hurtt about violating the Fourth Amendment's protection versus unreasonable searches and seizures, but he quashed their pathetic resistance with a piece of clever wit, "I know a lot of people are concerned about Big Brother, but my response to that is, if you are not doing anything wrong, why should you worry about it?" A contemporary thinker, my friends. Pure genius. February 9, 2006: two public figures of moral integrity (Homeland Security officers) step into the Montgomery Public Library, and demand the attention of all within earshot. They then make an important announcement: "Viewing internet pornography in this Results The Beacon asked: Safety first: BY BENJAMIN IEZZONI Beacon Staff Writer Beacon Poll county facility is strictly forbidden." You heard me-- these two upright citizens went out of their way to protect other adults from sexual harassment, stepping beyond their call of duty to prevent terrorism in our country in order to halt the deadly advance of online sex. Not only were they looking out for our safety, but they used their powers to go beyond their job description. That's right. They were not even given the power to do this, and yet they did it anyway. Thank our good Lord God for the Patriot Act, or this criminal violation might have gone unnoticed. Just rem em bet this for the next time someone tries to make the fight against terrorism seem unnecessary, or illegal. In fact, I'd like you to spit in their face for me. That's what they deserve for calling our great nation fallible. Freedom is something nobody should try to mess with, and anyone who doesn't agree with anything I've said here is a communist. Scurvy - 11 % Dysentery - 0% Consumption - 4% Plague - 35% Cholera - 11 % Typhus - 3% Smallpox - 11 % Measles - 3% Polio - 15% Other - 7% Next Week's Poll Question: Who is the best movie villain? Hannibal Lechter, Silence of the Lambs Khan, Wrath of Khan Annie Wilkes, Misery Norman Bates, Psycho Jack Torrance, The Shining Alex Forrest, Fatal Attraction Michael Corleone, Godfather, Part II The Wicked Witch, Wizard of Oz Mariah Carey, Glitter Darth Vader, Star Wars Visit www. wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week's issue of The Beacon. �FEATURES MARCH History Day 10 Mini-Olympics 10 Women's Studies Conference 11 27, 2006 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -- 9 Life's journey: sttidents coping with loss BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Staff Writer Life can take many twists and turns. And while people can prepare emotionally for the stress of the job search, respond to financial challenges and even anticipate how a love interest may evolve, rarely is the death of a loved one an experience people are prepared for. For students, such a loss can be doubly stressful because of the added perseverance required to continue with their education--a rigorous schedule that can be unforgiving if it's interrupted. Nathan Hosie is a sophomore elementary education major whose eighteen-year-old sister Marla was killed in a car accident on August 15, 2004. About two miles from his home in Montdale, a truck hauling a carnival concession stand ran a stop sign at an estimated 40 miles per hour. Marla was killed at the scene, her mother and grandmother hospitalized for serious injuries. Coping with the loss of his sister has been difficult for Hosie. He said, "It is impossible to cope with it. You just find a way to get by. My sister is with me everyday. She lives in my heart and that's where she belongs and where she will always be." After his loss, Hosie returned to school that semester with full support from the faculty and staff at Wilkes. Hosie said, "I tried my best to stay in the swing of things and surround myself with the people that mean that this had been both a difficult, but rewarding year. Rees was in the middle of rehearsing for a Wilkes University production when she made the decision to go home and stay with her mother. Throughout her battle with cancer, Rees tells of her mother's positive attitude. "She was easy going and down to earth. If you knew her, you loved her. She was a really incredible woman and anyone who met her could tell you that," said Rees. the most to me. My roommates and friends at school are the best and offered me a true feeling of comfort. As did Wilkes University." Wilkes also named a scholarship after Marla. The award is given to an elementary education major who demonstrates an ethic of care and compassion. Hosie also copes with the loss of his sister through family support and Marla's memory. "I remember Marla as so many things. A cheerleader, homecoming queen, a friend. neral and thirteen friends of mine drove from Wilkes two hours to the funeral. I was very touched because they are like a family and helped me to heal. It is a process but the more support the better." Rees hopes she can live up to her mother and touch as many lives as she did. The loss of her mother has helped Rees to look at her own life. "I think about what mom would do or tell me to do. If she wouldn't approve then I step back and think about it more. I evaluate problems that are worth worrying about and don't think about the urmecessary stuff," said Rees. Rees had a very close and special relationship with her mother. She said, "She was my mom but my friend, too. I feel a lot of mom in me. She couldn't conquer the world, but she did her best." In October, Rees will participate in the three-day walk for breast cancer in Philadelphia. Twelve cities will be featured in this year's three-day walk. Among them is Phila9elphia on October 6-8. Participants must register ahead of time and the organization will provide you with materials to get you in shape for the event as well as be up to date on all of the pre-walk festivities. Anyone wishing to get involved may do so by logging on <!,nd registering at www. the3day.org. For those who are unable to participate in the actual walk, a link is available on the website to simply make a donation. She was my mom but my friend, too. I feel a lot of mom in me. She couldn't conquer the world, but she did her best. Dara Rees junior communications studies and theatre major Rees decided to go back to school a week after her mother's death. "I knew she wouldn't want me to miss anything. You are never prepared for the loss of someone so close to you, but she was the kind of person who would ask, 'What are you crying over me for?' She would want me to be the best that I can," said Rees. Rees continues to "do it for mom" a tag line she lives by. Rees found support from family, friends and professors at Wilkes. She said, "There were about five hundred people at her fu- She was an amazing person and touched the lives of all those she met. After she died, I found out the things she had done behind closed doors; the lives she touched without us knowing. She was beautiful," said Hosie. Many other students also deal with loss of friends and family members. Dara Rees is a junior double majoring in communications and theater. This past October her mother Pam, 44 of Limerick, died after a three year long battle with breast cancer. Rees noted U Tell S ■ ■ ■ What is the worst part of spring? Managing Editor Becky Goodman was curious about what Wilkes studen~s are thinking. Here is what she found out. • •• • • •• • • • • • •• • • The smelly trees outside of Delaware Hall." Adam Bachman sophomore prepharmacy Kristina Bogdany sophomore prepharmacy Ken Gareau sophomore prepharmacy "I do hate finals, and finals happen in the spring." "The allergies and the rain." "The copious amount of PDAs (public displays of affection]." �10 FEATURES MARCH 27, 2006 Emerging Leaders organize Mini-Olympics for CEO kids Event marks the first public use of UCO M BY ERICA LEO Beacon Staff Writer When Wilkes' Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) was prompted to plan a community service project at the culmination of its leadership classes, the consensus was that all participants wanted to work with children. After much brainstorming, the five ELP members-- Alisha Cain, Rob Donahue, Andrew Chase Deleo, Theresa Brewer, and Dana Zlotucha--decided to work with the Commission on Economic Opportunity's (CEO) Kid's Cafe program in Wilkes-Barre and hold a Mini-Olympic event for the children who participate. With the help of a few on-campus clubs and organizations, ELP's Mini-Olympics took place last Friday from 4 to 5:30 P.M. in the new UCOM building on South Main St. Phil Ruthkosky, Director of Student Activities, talked about what he, as one of the advisors to the ELP program, wanted the students to gain from the experience. "We wanted the students to do a project that would not only enhance their leadership skills, but also their ability to work together as a group. In addition to that, we wanted them to do a project that would give back to the community," said Ruthkosky. Ruthkosky is proud of the five students who, he stressed, orchestrated the entire event themselves. "The students thought of it, organized it, budgeted it, and ·marketed it themselves. They also got the campus community involved and excited about the event. They really deserve all the credit," said Ruthkosky. Over 120 grade school children from the Kid's Cafe program participated in the Mini-Olympics, which consisted of five semi-competitive athletic activities that served to not only provide the students with some exercise but allowed them to have fun in the process. The activities included a basketball event which allowed the children, depending on The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The Wilkes' Emerging Leaders Program teamed up with the Commission on Economic Opportunity's Kid's Cafe program in Wilkes-Barre to hold a Mini-Olympic event for participating children. The event took place last Friday and featured many different sporting events. It also marked the first public use of the UCOM building. their age and height, to shoot baskets into a regular hoop or garbage can; a baseball activity that measured pitching accuracy; a track and field event that allowed children to race against other children their own age; a football activity that measured passing accuracy and distance; and a soccer event to help the children develop passing and shooting skills. With funding from Student Government (SG), the ELP students were able to provide the children with goodie bags which contained healthy snacks, a book, a bookmark and Cancer Awareness bracelets. Volunteers from some of the Wilkes athletic teams, SG, the Spanish Club, the Equestrian Club and Circle K also helped with the event. Dana Zlotucha, sophomore English major and member of the ELP program, was put in charge of promoting the event and thinks that it was a success. "As part of the Emerging Leader Program we had to do some aspect of community service, so I was happy that we could combine it and tie it directly into Wilkes to show the community that we are involved," said Zlotucha. Wilkes celebrates History Day D,o nate Plasn,a ·T oda·y. Earn upkl $2 - a Monthl Interstate Blood & Plasma lnc., 66S Ava lbts-&1Ta Pe Call (570J B23-411S c:a~ 11 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski On Thursday, March 24 students from the History Club celebrated "History Day" in the Student Union Building. Some events included a Civil War reanactment, a mining equipment display and a discussion about ancient gods. �MARCH 27, 2006 FEATURES 11 Women's studies conference looks to 'find feminism' BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor Throughout the month of March, there are many different reasons to celebrate- whether it's wearing green on St. Patrick's Day, breaking out the sandals for the first day of spring, or holding a women's studies conference to culminate the end of Women's History Month. A conference is exactly what students in Women's Studies 101 and the Women's Interest Society Empowering the University Population (WISE UP) are planning for Friday, March 31 at the Genetti Hotel Conference Center. According to the National Women's History Project website, in 1987, Congress was petitioned to expand the national celebration of women's history to the entire month of March. Each year, programs and activities in schools, workplaces, and communities have become more extensive as information and program -ideas have been developed and shared. Developing and sharing various women's issues has been a common theme for students in the women's studies minor. This year, students were required to write a paper dealing with different topics that range from eating disorders in women and images of women in popular culture to violence against women and pornography. These papers will be turned into three seperate sessions of presentations at the conference. Nicole Leader, sophomore sociology major and member of WISE UP, explained the significance of the conference. "The conference started as a way to raise awareness in the community for women's rights and feminism." "The 'F' Word: Finding Feminism" is the theme of the conference, and students from King's College and other local schools will also be in attendance. Shannon Curtin, sophomore English major and president of WISE UP, explained, "The biggest problems facing women stem from the way today's women were socialized. We need more women in positions of power so that our voices are heard and I think that in order for the women of the future to truly gain equality we need to change the way we socialize our children. The emphasis on gender roles from an early age needs to be eradicated." Theresa Kintz, women's studies program coordinator, also believes that women's voices need to be heard more often. "Personally, I believe that since women were essentially excluded from participat- The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Students in Theresa Kintz's Women's Studies 101 course listen and discuss issues still facing women in today's society. Students of this class have written papers on topics such as eating disorders among females, violence against women, and pornography. These papers will then be turned into presentations that will be offered at the Women's Studies Conference on Friday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Genetti Hotel Conference Center. Students from all local colleges will be in attendance to gain insight into the importance of women's rights and awareness. The theme of the conference is "The 'F' Word: Finding Feminism" and is set for the end of March to culminate Women's History Month. ing in the political process for the past 2000 years of Western Civilization, the biggest issue we face now is making sure our voices are heard and our perspectives are represented when it comes to important social and political debates. It is time that women have an equal say in determining the future course of our society." Those involved with the conference are already making plans for next year. Getting students interested in women's issues is still a main focal point for the group. Curtin expressed her opinion. "I've been interested in Women's History and feminism in general ever since I discovered in fourth grade that only two paragraphs of our entire history book were dedicated to women's history. Now I find it fascinating to look back and see how far women have come as well as looking forward to the battles we have yet to win. I think that students should be interested in learning about the many injustices that still face women on a daily basis." Leader also voiced her concern. "I feel students should be interested for their own knowledge. They can free themselves from ignorance and stigma if they simply open their minds and think. We are all affected by women's issues, we all have an opinion on abortion and birth control and a woman president. These things are the most valuable we can learn in college. They surround us on a daily basis so it is only our duty to understand them and have something to say about them." The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested in attending the conference or learning more about the women's studies minor, can contact Theresa Kintz or Shannon Curtin for further information. ..41.r➔ lw.ttyotu exttHtl Need to buyytJur birth, am.trot f.J1.I privacy? ·Get Your Birth Control wiiluJut A Pelvic Exam* Your number one:- SUl..lt'a: :fut birth oontrol and the morning afit!'r pm. 1-800-230-PLAN vrww. ppnep.org �r MARCH 27, 2006 ________ Battle of the Bands Felix Sarco The Hills Have Eyes Goldstein's Deli 12 '-. 13 14 15 15 j Indian musicians to offer workshop at Darte Center BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor As global awareness becomes more and more important, sic class offers an introduction to Indian music and culture. many Wilkes courses and events have sought to promote Nair-Mulloth says that students are exposed to the history multicultural offerings. The Wilkes University Department of Indian music, starting 2,500 years ago to contemporary of Music is one place this trend has been welcomed. times. She explains that over time, the music has evolved "This a theme we are trying to promote. Our department into many different styles because of varied influences. is heavily commited to world music as a way to understand "There were the religious chants when it started. In the and appreciate other cultures," said Phil Simon, instructor Middle Ages, there was the coming of the Muslims. Later, of music education. there were Europeans. There are so many differences to This year, the culture of interest is Indian music. Sujata what is generally categorized as Indian dance," she said, Nair~Muile> ' o,rld M ¾· I ~ ' • adding that the differences can be found in beat, content, ' rhythms and costumes of performers. Today, she says with globalization, Indian music is being appreciated at a very different level. As a supplement to the course, a troupe of professional Indian musicians from Philadelphia will offer a 90-minute music workshop and performance on Tuesday, April 4. While Nair-Mulloth plays some of the Indian instruments in class, she says this workshop will bring much of the course material to life through elaboration and demonstration. "I do not play each and every instrument, whereas with the group, there is a percussionist, a flutist and vocalist. This is kind of an enriching experience, to have someone [play the mu- sic] right in front of you so you can ask questions," she said. "There will be all different instruments and studen~ can experience first hand all the sounds and notes and beat patterns and structure." The workshop begins at 5 :00 p.m. and later that evenin~ at 8 p.m. in the Darte Center, the musicians will perfonn Indian classical and semi-classical works, showing all types of substyles that are found in India. Simon says the ensemble performs all over the East coast He credits the Office of Diversity for making the worksh~ possible, providing $2,000 to support the project. Because of the financial commitment from administration and the dedication in the music department, Simon hopes to see strong participation from the student community. "The interesting thing about this is that there is a fairly substantial community of Indians in Northeast Pa, especially in Clarks Summit," said Simon. "This is really in the woodwork, and we want to help bring it out of the woodwork." In fact, Nair-Mulloth has been operating her own studio. Kala Indian School of Classical Dance, in Clarks Summa for ten years. The concept of world music and fusing the class with public events is something that Simon says will be continued. "We intend to continue to focus on various world cultur~ and present performances that represent [each] culture That's one of our strongest contributions to the Wilk5 community," said Simon. Both events are free and open to the public. �~RCH 27, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 MARCH 27, 2006 i.-\Ji\O~ Beacon Cartoonist 0l}(t? y BY MATT ZEBROWSKI Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably tell you that I personally know Gavin Robb, the lead singer of Felix Sarco, and consider him to be a stand-up guy. f!i· ,0 ...how ..,h . . band this unique is a true anomaly. And Felix Sarco's new self-titled CD is every bit as spectacular as their live show. It channels everything good and righteous that has happened in experimental .••••••••••••••••••••.• 1-Jl\l, I we"oµy: ana5ell I : 1'1lllS 1'11' • •o ~-r 0 SvLit.& ·.J 3 @ •g • ~~ \ . PS2 • XBOX 0 NINTENDO : ,1s VDEtGADS LJsllli4Ss I :• • !I IUSICAI. DEl6I i 59 north main -- ~lkes barre .. 829-2929 I _, I 0 --- ---- \] Q~ 0 5 w j~l y, ~ ..----------· ----------• •••••••••••••••••••• : we have hundreds of posters 1! . . : rock in the past few decades, with the most obvious benchmarks, in my opinion at least, being the Mars Volta minus the salsa riffs and Faith No More. But there's a bit of Mindless Selflndulgence in songs like "One For the Earth Girls," and even a bit of Pink Floyd in songs like "Pet Shop" and "Chester." , . crazy to pass it up. Grade:A+ f~OI..I..EGI~ l)lllNKINC~ f~NSEOIJENCl~S 90% of all campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by either the assilant or the victim. 'd be �-- - - - - 15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT !~Dinner and a Movie I Movie: the Hills Have Eyes BY ALISON SHERRY Beacon Correspondent Remakes of horror flicks happen all the time. The philosophy in Hollywood seems to be that if it scared audiences once, it can scare them again if done just a little differently. What is unusual, though, is to have the same director/producer remake his own movie. Wes Craven's remake of his own 1977 horror classic, The Hills Have Eyes, is a prime example of why every director should do their own remakes. It's just done right. While Craven doesn't direct this version (the remake is guided by Alexandre Aja), his influence in its production is clear, and it's almost as if he cried,"Do over!" in the middle of a game. And the do over scores the point in this case. If you're in the mood for a good scare and some sleepless nights, then The Hills Have Eyes may be just what you're looking for. We all know the typical American family; in this movie, it's the Carters. They are happily taking a trip through the Southwest and all seems to be going well until they come across a detour that leads them to an area closed off from any kind of human life. They discover that the area was originally occupied by the U.S. government for nuclear testing, but now it is supposed to be abandoned. Uh-huh, it's supposed to be abandoned ... sure. Dinner: Goldstein's Deli BY NORA JURASITS Beacon Correspondent I arrived at Goldstein's Deli, which is located at 200 Pierce Street, across the bridge in Kingston, at about 5 p.m. There was plency of available -street parking in addition to a earking lot in the back, which made it easy for me to park. and gave me plenty of time inside to order and get my food. This may seem like a given, but in the city of parking meters and useless tickets I can't afford to pay, it's high on my list of prioripes. I bad checked out Goldstein's menu prior to arrival, but being the indecisive diner that I am, I had not narrowed it down to one selection. I was lpoking for something that would be delicious and :filling, but wouldn't drain my wallet. I :finally decided on a mushroom and Swiss' burger, which only set me back $3.99. I ordered a side dish of Red Potato Salad for $1.75. Being a girl who enjoys a good beer, I asked the man working there to help me choose a beer that would best accompany my burger. Goldstein's has five or ~ix coolers filled with a variety of both domestic and imported beers available for individual purchase, as well as a "create your own 6-pack" option, with a 10% savings on your selected beers. After asking about my beer preferences, he recommended Xingu, a black beer imported from Brazil. The bottle of Xingu cost $2.50, not much more than a soda at a restaurant. My entire meal was prepared in about ten p:i.inutes, despite the fact that it was prime d.inner time. The burger, potato salad, beer and a mini chocolate chip cookie for dessert totaled $9.04,.. Not bad! I opted to take my dinner home to eat, so after I received my food, I began the trek back to Franklin Street. I was slightly concerned the beer would go warm or the sandwich would cool off b,t the time I navigated the traffic, but when I' arrived home, the foil-wrapped burger had maintained its heat1 and the beer was stilJ chilled When I unwrapped the burger, I was. pleasantly surprised to find a hearty bun and a large beef patty, with my requested toppings. My only complaint was a slight skimping on mushrooms, of which l am a huge fan. The burger was delicious. The potato salad was theper,fectblend of sweetness and tang, and the Xingu beer had a good taste. and was an excellent compliment to the meal . It held its own as a flavor, but did not overpower the taste of the food. The soft-baked chocolate chip cookie was a great finale to a great meal, with its multitude of chips. The meal was very satisfying, and not too expensive. For a cheaper alternative, diners can opt not to purchase the beer with the meal and save a couple bucks. Goldstein's offers pizza and wings in addition to an extensive deli menu. The pizzl\ has a sweet sauce and plenty of cheese, and the wing sauce hits the spot. Grade:A MARCH Naturally, the Carters' vehicle breaks down at the site and they are stranded with no connection to the outside world. However, it's not your ordinary breakdown. The Carters soon discover that a) they're not alone and b) that their breakdown might be a trap. The trap may be the work of the site's inhabitants who are setting up a gruesome massacre. Wes Craven is the ultimate director for these kinds of movies. He never fails to get a jolt out of the audience. There is no doubt that The Hills Have Eyes will shock and disturb viewers. Mutations born of nuclear testing, rape, violence and gore all stay with the viewer long after the closing cred- 27, 2006 its. The movie also takes a critical stance against the environmental damage caused by man's carelessness and lust for power. Wes Craven knows exactly what he needs to satisfy a good scare in an audience and it's achieved, even with a remake. With remakes being so popular these days, most directors should take a hint from Craven's work. If you are not a fan of scary movies, then I definitely wouldn't spend the money and, this is definitely no family movie! However, if terror is your idea of a thrilling night out, then this may be the best night you've had in a long time. Grade: A+ ~,~aitdngpopularity around the country. sTUnm aous.-a SOLU-..ON owv»wwa A't uw ftamacta Inn lt'al:11&..11 ·~ -lli!alLlaalHIIII-~ .........,.. ___._,tn911 __ ___ O..,._wbbHBO il,,t,'J,0- fll'hOftll, ~ Ulliiiil•• w . . to'w.llo..,...,.. All"C~ Li.Nuffl a: ST.A.Y~S.APPLY*· Ell ■ ~aOIENOIES edDld 1mm ;MIO• . . . :monm ( ·, ·«2 PftCbUIM- )ttKJYdfU uelllllta SBEIHIOOMSUl'll'EII Pris«o tomi RH:• av maocn u oc:J 01rroe10> mc1Mmoa WHIIM 2 allDIIOOM SVITltS Pr:fnrd n:am 18IO'" nae mnacn, ~ , IA I me JCMn >rnctt one HfHIJ:IM CALL. CUR s.AL.,ES OFFIC:.E FOR A FREE TOURl s2o-a:z:11-21 oo., ----~adDa ..,..,.,._v.,,lird 11:x,..,.•o• 12• . . . . . .en:. . _ _ _ .,_.-lilN/I M IIMI>•- �16 SPORTS MARCH 27, 2006 Wilkes golf tea01 prepping for season under new leadership New golf head coach looks to build up program to new levels BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Students who love the game of golf waited through the fall and even into the winter to hear the much-anticipated announcement of who would be coaching the Wilkes University golf team this year. Finally it was announced that Meyers High School alum, Mike Hirthler would begin his first season as the Colonel's golf team's head coach. Hirthler graduated from Dickinson College with a degree in economics is locally self-employed at LPL Financial Services in Wilkes-Barre. When it comes to sports and coaching Hirthler is a Jong time expert coaching basketball for 15 years at the Wilkes-Barre Catholic Youth Center. He also was very influential in expanding athletic facilities at the CYC through his efforts as a board member. In addition to his love for basketball, Hirthler is equally as accomplished on the green and is an active member of the Wyoming Valley Country Club, the Glenmaura National Country Club, and the Reynolds Plantation Country Club. Even with all of his success and experience, his new role as head golf coach is his first professional coaching post. The official start to the golf season is Wednesday, April 5, when the team heads to the green under Hirthler's leadership for the first time against Scranton. Wilkes hasn't garnered a golf championship since the late 1970s and has only had six match wins in the past two seasons. "We have a young team [including] six or seven freshman and a total of 18 guys signed up for the team all together," said new head coach Mike Hirthler. The focus for this team is redevelopment and rebuilding. "I am looking to really build and get a feel for the program over the next few seasons. I am looking to start a fall program and am also planning a trip next spring to Greensboro, Georgia," stated Hirthler about his plans for the team. According to first time player Neal Jackloski, "He [Hirthler] seems to be organized and also very knowledgeable especially when it comes to swing patterns. I haven't had the opportunity to speak with him [Hirthler] that much, but he seems pretty friendly and approachable." For the team to succeed this season it is crucial to have team unity and good leadership. "I tend to be inconsistent and I am not the best golfer, so I am hoping that Hirthler with provide guidance and tips on what we are doing wrong to help the other players and myself improve [our] skills," stated Jackloski and what he is looking for from the new coach. Courtesy of Sports Information Hirthler, self-employed at LPL Financial Services in Wilkes-Barre, took his first professional coaching position when he signed on as the bead coach of the Wilkes varsity golf team. The Colonels take to the green on April 5. �-- MARCH 27, 2006 -- 17 SPORTS COMMENTARY Opening Day Preview: Welcollle to ''next year'' BY NICK PODOLAK Asst. Sports Editor The only solace a MLB fan can find after a losing season is the assurance of "next year." On April 2, next year begins as 32 teams enter Opening Day with a clean slate. For those of you still caught up in March Madness, here's an overview of the most intriguing storylines coming into the 2006 season. AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST They say that history repeats itself, but will Johnny Damon's trade to the Dark Side be another "Curse of the Bambino?" Not likely. Call it the "Curse of the Idiot," if you will. But while Damon adds decent pop to an already potent Yankees lineup, his presence won't have an effect on the mediocre pitching staff. Their aces, Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina, would be much better off pitching in a nursing home softball league. And while Carl Pavano could be the team's saving grace, it is uncertain whether he will be healthy enough for a bounce back year. Over in Beantown, the Red Sox replaced Damon with Coco Crisp, arguably the most underrated outfielder in the biz. Crisp is coming off back-to-back seasons with 15 homers and 15 steals along with a .300 average. He won't be the rock star Damon was, but at least the Fenway Faithful can replace their fake beards with boxes of Cocoa Crispies. Pitcher Josh Beckett was another stellar pickup. The 2003 World Series MVP is a possible Cy Young candidate if his nagging blisters remain under control. But forget about the Yankees and the Red Sox for a moment ... the real winners of this off-season were the Toronto Blue Jays. With the additions of Troy Glaus (3B), Lyle Overbay( lB), A.I. Burnette (SP), and closer B.J. Ryan, the 'Jays are better on paper than both the Yankees and the Red Sox. But can they finally put it all together? CHI-TOWN CHAMPS Winning its first World Series in 88 years, the Chicago White Sox are in no hurry go back to playing second fiddle to the beloved Cubs. The ChiSox bolstered its already potent line-up by signing slugger Jim Thome, who will replace Frank Thomas who was shipped to the A's. Thome, if healthy, will bat behind Paul Konerko in the DH spot, providing for a vulgar display of power. The Sox also replaced pitcher Orlando Hernandez with Arizona ace Javier Vazquez, making the rotation even better than last year. However, don't expect the team to be a shoo-in for the playoffs, for the Indians and Twins are also serious contenders for the division title. turn the Giants from a pretender to a contender in the wishy washy National League West. Tune into ESPN2 this Sunday as the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox open up the regular season at 8:05 p.m. PREDICTIONS PUMPING UP ON STEROIDS A new book titled "Book of Shadows" alleges that Barry Bonds has been using performance-enhancing drugs for the past four seasons. Big deal. Tell me something I don't know. What's important is that Bud Selig strengthened the steroid policy to A 50-game suspension for first-time offenders, and Bonds will come into the 2006 season clean. Expected to play in 125 games, Bonds needs only seven homeruns to surpass Babe Ruth on the all-time homerun list and 47 to break homerun king Hank Aaron's record of 755. Though Bonds may not break the record this year, he will certainly AMERICAN LEAGUE East: Boston Red Sox Central: Cleveland Indians West: Oakland A's Wild Card: Toronto Blue Jays I NATIONAL LEAGUE East: Philadelphia Phillies Central: St. Louis Cardinals West: San Francisco Giants Wild Card: New York Mets The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Senior business major Robert Balsemel engages in a friendly game of pool at the Henry Student Center. Billiards is an intramural sporting event that currently consists of about sixteen competitors. The name of the game is 8-ball, and follows the Billiard Congress of America rules of play. The regular season of Billiards has just drawn to a close, with the first round of playoffs beginning on Monday, March 27. Matthew Nagar finished the regular season on top, with a 7-2 record. David Crane and Matthew Burian will square off on the first floor of the Henry Student Center at 4 p.m. on Monday to kick off the playoffs. World Series Boton Red ·Sox vs. New York Mets l l .l '! �SPORTS 18 MARCH 27, 2006 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK Arena Football League: Arizona Rattlers versus San Jose SaberCats Stage set for west coast war on April 2 »- BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor The Arena Football League is now in its twentieth season of play, and most people are still a little astounded by the fact that it still exists. One of the only successful professional football leagues in the United States aside from the NFL, the Arena league has done something that both the USFL of the late 1980s and the XFL of two and a half weeks in 2002 were unable to do: create a brand of football that was not only exciting, but different enough from the NFL to stand ori its own. Arena football has also filled a large gap in football viewers' lives: that boring time between the Super Bowl and pre-season camps, when we all have to pretend to enjoy the NBA just to get by. The AFL's short field has created an offensive monster, which is exactly what fans love to see. The high-scoring games in the AFL gives fans every reason to be on their feet for any given play. Additionally, the lack of sidelines and the lack of width in the field creates a lot of traffic, giving rise to opportunities for some great hits. Plenty of scoring and plenty of contact will be the name of the game in this week's Game of the Week against the Arizona Rattlers and the San Jose SaberCats. The Rattlers come into the contest riding high upon a four game winning streak. Arizona began the year 0-3, including a 58-50 loss to the then-winless San Jose in Week 3. Arizona began to turn its season around in a defensive duel (or what passes for a defensive duel in this league) against Utah on February 18. The Rattlers, AFL Champions in 1994 and 1997, are once again reach- Double Take Sarah examznes the stats that truly matter BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor % 0 N A ing their typical standard of success in the league. Arizona is currently 5-4 overall, and leading the Western Division of the American Conference with a 3-2 division record. The SaberCats are also members of the Western Division, and are still attempting to claw their way out of the basement this season. After posting a 9-7 season and earning a playoff berth in 2005, the SaberCats have struggled throughout the first nine weeks of the 2006 season. Their early-season win over the Rattlers gave them little momentum, as the team struggled to finish games later in the season. The SaberCats will come into the game with a 3-6 overall record, and a 2-3 conference record. The game will be a pivotal one for the Western Division. Although the Rattlers are in first place, the SaberCats are not far behind. A win would place both teams at 3-3 and give the second place Los Angeles Gladiators a shot at first place. Although there is a small chance for a shootout--it's a 50yard field, for crying out loud--look for this game to be the AFL's sad excuse for a ground war. San Jose is 2-0 when they have more rushing yards than their opponent, and Arizona's defense isn't going to give them much in the air. The Rattler defense has been the backbone of the team during the winning streak, allowing the lowest quarterback rating in both conferences (87.8) along with the second-fewest passing yards and touchdowns (1,903 and 26, respectively). SaberCat QB Mark Grieb leads the league in yards per attempt, and he had a good day against Arizona last game, but the defense has been playing much better football since then. Expect Arizona to concentrate on going for the ball after San Jose's three-turnover game against Nashville a week ago. Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner is an old hand in the league, joining the 700touchdown club in last week's win over Los Angeles, and it is a given that he will get his yards. The deciding factor in this game will be on the effectiveness of San Jose's ground game against Arizona's stingy defense, and also the SaberCats' ability to keep the Rattler special teams in check throughout the game. San Jose's Phil Glover is tied for first in rushing touchdowns this season with eight, and WR/DB James Roe is averaging 125 all-purpose yards per game. It will be up to this duo to keep the Rattler defense offbalance and guessing throughout the game, while also giving enough points to match whatever Bonner and his crew manages to throw on the board. The SaberCats have home field advantage, but the Rattlers have the advantage in both special teams and defense. It will be a fight to the finish, but Arizona's advantages compounded by their winning streak and the still-remembered sting of an early-seasoa defeat should carry them through. The Pick: Arizona 45, San Jose 38 Note to self: don't make snide remarks about your editors in your actual column. For some reason, I get the feeling that this week's game of the week is sweet revenge for complaining about having to cover stupid sports that I'm not interested in. This week's matchup features the Arizona Rattlers and San Jose SaberCats. I'm sure absolutely no one has any inkling of what sport these teams play. That is because they are Arena Football teams. It's a very sad point in one's life when one begins to avidly follow arena football. Now don't get me wrong, I can see featuring our local team or even the Philadelphia Soul, but where did this wacko idea come from? That being said, let me offer you all an anecdote about my experience with arena football. I'm open to anything and I'll try anything once (in the case of football once is the limit, however). So I ventured out to a Pioneers game and was so distraught I whined and cried until the people I was with finally said we could leave. Apparently, we missed some amazing plays in the end of the game. That's not to say that I felt badly about forcing everyone to leave. No one seems to understand how mentally draining football is for me. It actually hurts my head. Now that I think of it, it hurts my entire body. Just thinking about having to watch a football game gives me severe anxiety. As you can see, my pick this week is going to be quite arbitrary. In all honesty, I don't care who wins as long as I don't have to watch/listen to/hear about the game. It just isn't my thing. I'm sort of leaning toward the Rattlers. Wouldn't it be hiljrious if instead of•playing the SaberCats tijty played the l"fongooses? Would the plural of mongoose be mongeese? Now I'm getting off topic, this is what football .dp,..es ~Q my brain. Go Rattlers. �MARCH SPOR~S 27, 2006 19 Athlete of the Week ~ Baseball: Kevin Konschak BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Asst. Sp orts Editor It may still be cold outside, but senior pitcher Kevin Konschak: was on fire to start the Colonels' season in Florida and was honored as Freedom Conference Pitcher of the Week the week of March 13. Konschak, who is a New Jersey native, earns Beacon Athlete of the Week honors thanks to a solid outing in this weekend's game against Drew University. In the rescheduled double-header home opener for the Colonels Konschak pitched the second of the two games giving up only 4 runs in his second complete game of the season. Konschak fell behind early in the game giving up one run in the first and second innings before he got a boost from his offense in the bottom half of the third inning. Konschak: and the Colonels would split the double-header with Drew University winning ~-4 in the bottom of the seventh off a ground ball hit by Matt LoPresto. Since: the 2004 season, Konschak: has -, posted an overall record of 10-8 and career ERA of3.253. Over the 105 innings that he has pitched he has allowed 53 earned runs, 45 walks, and 130 hits. "Kevin is an experienced pitcher who we· are expecting to have a big year for us. He' is going to be one of the guys who starts 1 our conference games for us," said men's, baseball head coach Joe Folek. "It would be nice to win the MAC this season," Kevin Konschak: expressed after, the game. He went onto talk about how he does it for the team. "Kevin may also find himself in the lineup this.. season in either a designated hitter or outfielder role. We're going to look for him to pull double duty to help us win ball- . 0 Courtesy of Sports Information The Beacon/Todd Weibel Konschak threw a complete game against Drew University on Sunday afternoon and came away with a 5-4 victory. Sophomore outfielder Kyle Follweiler is signaled to "Get Down!" as he slides safely into home plate Pete Rose style. The Colonels played their first home opener in four weeks due to inclement weather. games," stated Folek. As Konschak pitches in his final season he stated that,"My biggest accomplishment is that fact that I have been a winning pitcher every year." Konschak and the rest of the baseball team will be back in action on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Artillery Park taking on Penn State Wilkes-Barre. WEEKENI) RECAPS 2006 Home Games March 28 "~ PSU Wilkes-Barre March 31 1 r FDU-Fl9rham April 2 King's · · April 5 Misericordia April 7 DeSales ·April 11 Susquehanna April 14 Delaware Valley April 20 Old Westbury April 24 Baptist Bible April 28 Scranton Baseball The men's baseball team split its home opener against Drew on Sunday, winning the rubber match 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh. Kyle Follweiler led off with a stand-up double to center field, then Chris Mayerski was intentionally walked, setting up Matt LoPresto's game winning hit. Kevin Konschack walked away with the win as the Colonels improve to 5-5 overall, 3-3 in the conference. Softball Laurie Agresti threw a one-hitter, and Nadine Taylor had three hits during Saturday af- . ternoon's doubleheader against Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA. The Lady Colonels took the first game 8-0 in five innings, and won the nightcap in an easy 7-0 shutout. The Colonels continued their weekend .streak with a sweep of a doubleheader against FDU-Florham on Sunday. Agresti again dominated from the mound, striking out 10 en route to an 8-0 victory. Samantha Evanich struck,out four in the second game to lead the Lady Colonels to an 11-3 victory. Wilkes is now 8-6 overall, with a 4-0 conference record. Women's Lacrosse The Lady Colonels posted a difficult 17-5 loss to Widener University on Saturday afternoon in Chester. Stacy Fimmano and Jen Compton each had two goals, and Catherine Simone had one in the loss. Shannon Chlebus also had an assist. The Lady Colonels are currently 1-2 overall, with an 0-2 conference record. Men's Tennis Wilkes University took two out of three doubles matches to start their match against Marywood, but were unable to hold on and fell to the Pacers 4-3. Arvin Narula and Josh Gardner took victories in singles. The Colonels fell to 5-2 overall with the loss. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK il Runs allowed by the I women's softball team in r 'Saturday's doubleheader against Delaware Valley College. 2 Goals scored by both Stacy Fimmano and Jen Compton in Saturday's women s lacrosse game against Widener. '' 4 Number of times that the baseball team has had their home opener postponed so far this season. .. 9 Strikeouts by softball pitcher Laurie Agresti in Saturdays doubleheader against Delaware Valley College. $ �-S29,.r.ts~~~~~~~~--20 Preview of the Week: women's lacrosse vs. Susquehanna on 3/28 BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor Sometimes there's nothing better than being the underdog. Sometimes the opponent gets off the bus a little too cocky, with a little bit too much swagger in its collective step. Sometimes it's just one of those days; there's electricity in the air, some snap in the wind, but the opposing team can't feel it. They're looking to another day, against another opponent, and they don't even notice the determined faces of the team standing right in front of thein. And sometimes--just sometimes--they walk off the field after 60 minutes of play with a healthy reminder that victories are earned, not given. The women's lacrosse team is hoping to make it one of those days for Susquehanna University on Tuesday, March 28, when the Lady Colonels take on the Lady Crusaders at Ralston field at 4: 15 p.m. The team, in only its fourth sea' son of existence and its first under head coach Mary Kate Stauffer, The Beacon/Todd Wiebel Stacy Fimmano maneuvers around defenders in Tuesday's game against Drew at Ralston Field. has started the 2006 season strong. The Lady Colonels are 1-2 going into Tuesday's game, with a 17-5 defeat of nearby rival Misericordia and a narrow loss to defending champ Drew University. "Their skills are constantly improving," said Stauffer, a 2000 Rowan University graduate. "They have a very strong desire to be successful and they are more than aware of the fact that they have to play as a 'team' at all times." The team has done more than merely come together over the course of pre-season training and the first week of its season: the women have also sharpened their game to an impressive degree. "Everyone has improved by leaps and bounds," said freshman attack wing Catherine Simone. "Everyone has really stepped up." Some of the older hands on the team have noticed as much improvement in team skills as they have in individual skills. "This year, if I've got the ball and I need to pass it, I can know exactly where someone else is going to be," said senior captain Pam Carey. "We've gotten used to each other's play." Fellow senior Cassie Malone agrees, "We've really clicked a lot more this year on the field." Campus calendar, Monday (3/27) *Men's tennis @ Keystone 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (3/28) *Last day to buy Spring Fling tickets *Senior Graduation meeting for May Graduates, HSC Ballroom - 11 :15 a.m. · *Women's softball @ Moravian - 2:30 p .m. *Men's baseball vs. PSU Wilkes-Barre - 3 p.m. *Women's lacrosse vs. Susquehanna - 4:15 p.m. *Open dinner discussion on "How to be a person who changes their community in positive ways", HSC Miller Room - 6 p.m. RSVP by call- ing 408-4731 or culture@wilkes.edu Wednesday (3/29) *Men 's tennis vs. Scranton - 3 p.m. Thursday (3/30) *Preview of the Recreation and Athletic Center (RAC) at UCOM - 11 :30 to 1 p.m. *Women's lacrosse vs. Centenary - 4:15 p.m. *Team Rootberry, a comical sword and juggling act HSC Ballroom - 8 p .m *College Night Out, Chackos Bowling Lane - 9:30 p.m. Friday (3/31) *Men's baseball vs. FDU-Florham - 3 p.m. Stauffer credits the leadership of the upperclassmen with giving the team the ability to handle setbacks "with class and patience." This will be of particular importance against Susquehanna, as the Lady Crusaders are noted for their rough sty le of play on the field. "They can be nasty," said Carey. Stauffer, however, doesn't feel that the leadership will fail to deliver against a team that made it to the semifinals of the MAC Championship Tournament in 2005. "They take everything that we dish out and we never hear any complaints," she said. "They want to win at basically any cost." With a new coach, a new attitude, and strong leadership, it is no surprise that Wilkes can't wait to see the Lady Crusaders roll onto Ralston Field on Tuesday. The story of the underdog is one of the greatest chapters in the history of sports, and the Lady Colonels will have a chance to add a new page on their own turf. Check your swagger, Susquehanna: it could just be one of those days. Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH *Spring Fling, Waterfront - 6 p.m. Saturday (4/1) *Men 's baseball @ FDU-Florham - 12 p .m. *Women's softball vs. King 's - 1 p.m. *Men's tennis vs. Philadelphia Bible - 1 p .m. Women's lacrosse @ Messiah - 1 p.m. Sunday (4/2) *Men's Tennis @ Lebanon Valley - 1 p.m. *To have your events included, send an email to wilkesbeacon@gmail.com and include the event, date, time and location* This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will rec~ive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. Congratulations to Mark Mowery, who correctly identified last week 's picture of a plaque on a rock outside of the library � 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 2006 March 27th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 March 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/a21be5bf7df085d7b0d7020b25ab62fc.pdf 88c6242ad35e6a42d9752328cfe34db2 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW MARCH 20, 2006 www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 17 Administration prepares caIDpus for change on several fronts Efficiency key continuing Vision 2010 BY REBECCA GOODMAN Beacon Managing Editor The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Eugene S. Farley Library is one of the many buildings that will be affected by Vision 2010. Officials say the library is slated for renovations in the future along with some residence halls, such as Chesapeake & Delaware, and there are plans to raise money for a new Science and Health Building. No charges filed against Wilkes staff member BY KRISTIN KILE Beacon Editor-in-Chief No charges will be filed against Andita Parker-Lloyd, Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs, who was arrested on Thursday, February 16 for disorderly conduct. ParkerLloyd and a group of students were traveling in two separate cars heading to a restaurant after a black history month celebration when the car behind her was pulled over for failing to signal three times. The driver was of Indian descent and those inside the car included a Puerto Rican female, African American male and a white Wilkes staff member. Parker-Lloyd was arrested after she approached a police officer a second time for his badge number. Police Chief Gerry Dessoye said ParkerLloyd submitted a letter expressing her intent that night and the police decided not to file charges. He said Parker-Lloyd was asked to get back into her car and police officers did not want her to be "a part of the mix" because she was not the person who was pulled over. "We deal with incidents like this all the time where people stop and get involved with a police action because they feel they Editors Note: This is the first of a twopart series on changes proposed by the Vision 2010 plan/or Wilkes University. Offering an overview of changes associated with the plan. Next weeks article will examine campus reaction Members of the President's Cabinet revealed details of the budget plan for 2007 fiscal year and reiterated key discussion points of a plan called Vision 2010 at special faculty and staff meetings last Thursday, March 16. The details highlighted previously established plans for renovation and expansion of Wilkes University and the means by which specifics will be achieved. Some of those means will include redistribution of funds, changes in processes, hiring new faculty, and reorganizing administrative duties and structure. Th,e presentations to faculty and staff last week acknowledged that positive growth and advancement does not come without struggle and some of those challenges may be felt in personnel changes. Administrators plan to unveil the same information to student representatives at Wednesday's Student Government (SG) meeting as well as the proposed tuition increase for 2006-07, which will be a 6% hike across the board. Traditionally, Wilkes officials have released the proposed tuition hike to SG before talking with faculty or the press; however, officials acknowledged that tuition was part of the larger budget picture and as a result was a component of Thursday's presentation. See CHARGES page 4 See VISION page 5 In This Issue. .. Quitting MySpace Little Theater MLB Phillies Preview Index "' ..,,.,.._ Cl:ll) ...S,,,lol_.,._ _ , __ _.,,.~,.,,.,.,_,_ !! Page 8 h YOU~ A 600D MAN. CHARLIE BROWN Page 13 , Page 17 News ................................ 1-5 Opinion ............................. 6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment.. .. 12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS MARCH 2 20, 2006 News in Brief CEO Check Nuisance Properties 3 3 4 Fenner Hall gets long-term tenants SG Notes Study Abroad Office finds a home BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Staff Writer The late Atty. George L. Fenner donated his former home and office, nestled between the Eugene Farley Library and Capin Hall on South Franklin Street, to the university in 1985; however, the building did not officially become part of the Wilkes campus until November of 2001 when he passed away. Since Wilkes acquired the building it has provided a place for meetings, conferences; faculty/ staff TGIF gatherings and in 2004 it served as the temporary summer home of the Admissions office during renovations to Chase Hall. But Fenner Hall has never served as a long-term home for any university entity until now. Recently, the Study Abroad Office moved into Fenner Hall. With a fresh coat of paint and some spe- cial touches of posters and knickknacks the Study Abroad Office calls it home, for the time being. . "The Study Abroad Office was in need of additional space and Fenner Hall was suitable and provided them with the space needed. No plans have been made to address Fenner Hall in the near term (the next year ot so) so it can meet the needs of the Study Abroad Office until some definite plans are made," said Scott Byers, vice president of finance and support operations. The Study Abroad Office offers procedure information for studying abroad along with passport application information, maps, brochures and most importantly consultation and help. Currently, the Study Abroad Office specializes in Italy, Spain, Australia, and France. Wilkes supports programs ranging from two weeks, a semester, to a yearlong. The new space also provides a meeting place for the Spanish Club in addition to the study abroad informational meetings that will be held there. "Spanish is growing, the language is growing. We talk about globalization all of the time. International business people are graduating all of the time and they do not even leave this country. It is very important being a country of Spanish language in an English country; going over seas is important in this period of time in our society," said Dr. Paulo Bianco, associate professor of foreign language. The office is currently student run and overseen by Bianco. Students interested in studying abroad are encouraged to stop by the office for assistance in research and planning. The office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 12 until 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 12 until 1 p.m. and 2 until 4 p.m. March 15, 2006 meeting -The Islamic Interest Society appeared for first reading of constitution in an attempt to achieve club status. -Emerging Leaders presented and asked for a donation of $250 for CEO kids olympics. Stephanie Victor made a motion to give $250 with the stipulation to make the event sponsored by SG. The motion was seconded by Courtney Amrhein. Motion passed 37-0-0. -Student coordinator for the Tom Bigler Journalism Conference appeared and asked for a donation request of $700 fort-shirts for the volunteers of the conference. Jef Bauman made a motion that was seconded by Rich Hannick. Motion passed 37-0-1. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnews/ine@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon. oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon. ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Public S~fety moves to Park and Lock South ■ ■ ■ The BeaconNictoria White Public Safety finished moving into their new facility on South Main Street late Friday afternoon. The office was fully functional by the end of the day Friday, but officers finished unpacking and organizing ·the new facility throughout the weekend. -SG members discussed advertising on facebook for major events and members approved of the idea. -Dean Mark Allen presented a brief update on renovations to UCOM. He reported that athletics teams have been using the facility and that construction is continuing on the building. There are hopes of having open recreation nights beginning soon. -Casino Night is March 24 in the ballroom and the grand prize is a 32" television. Texas Hold 'Em tournament is being held Tuesday at 9:15 pm and the grand prize is an XBox 360 or an iPod. -Spring Fling tickets are on sale at the information desk. Spring Fling is March 31 at 6 pm at the Waterfront Bar & Grill. Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 st>uth Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �MARCH 20, 2006 NEWS 3 News in Brief Bush Administration pr·oposes Upward Bound cut BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Staff Writer Preparing to enter a college of any kind can be an overwhelming experience, particularly for first generation college-bound students with few resources and limited traditional support systems. The Upward Bound program was created in 1965 and adopted by Wilkes University in 1967 to address the educational, social, and emotional needs of those students. Over the past forty years the program has helped potential first generation low income students prepare for one of the biggest decisions in their lives; whether or not to pursue higher education. Upward Bound programs offer m y services including academic, financial, and personal counseling, tutorial services, assistance in completing college entrance and financial aid applications. Eligible students enter into the Upward Bound program during their sophomore year in high school and remain in the program until their senior year. Students attend weekly tutoring sessions and regularly meet with advisors. The students also attend a six-week summer enrichment program, that ·exposes them to college life on campus. "We are able to give them very intensive counseling that they really would not be able to get from a guidance counselor because a high school guidance counselor usually has a client base of one to five hundred often times. We are able to bring [Upward Bound students] in and really sit them down and do a lot of inventories with them figuring out what they are good at, what they enjoy, what careers they fit into, and what colleges they might look into for that. So really we try to give that support that they need," said Margaret Espada, Upward Bound Program Director. The Upward Bound program, which is because they didn't come to see them that they are not going to go to college. On the other hand, those students probably never thought they had to get it out by a certain time. With our program and other programs like us, we help them, we sort of nag them along the way, but in the end they come back and thank us," said Donna Marie Chajko, academic coordinator Upward Bound and Upward Bound alumna. This is not the first time that the Bush administration has proposed to eliminate the Upward Bound program, and if the program survives it will most likely net be the last. "It is happening once again. Look at how many times we have been through this, and it is just so important to get the word out The Beacon/Nick Zmjewski there, to get the support needed to carry on Upward Bound members Stephanie Shandra, coordinator, and Margaret Espada, the Upward Bound program; now is not the program director, work with high school student Jamie Kramer. Proposals to elimi- time to be complacent," said Alberto Prado, nate the Upward Bound program have been made by the Bush administration. coordinator of academic services University government funded, is one of the many pro- the Upward Bound program with I 00% of College. grams that the Bush administration has pro- those students moving on to pursue post"The cost of college education has inposed to fully eliminate in an effort to curb secondary education. "On average over the creased so many more times than the cost domestic spending. Bush stresses that these past 20 years, 92% of our student base has of living over the past twenty years. For eliminations are a matter of "setting pri- gone on to pursue post-secondary educa- someone that has no clue about college, if orities." This particular elimination would tion. When you take a look at the odds within you were to just walk up to them and tell completely eliminate the $311 million bud- the schools, as far as students who are in that them what it would cost them to go to colget that is granted for Upward Bound pro- lower income potential first generation bracket, lege for one year, there would be no way grams nationwide. [who] actually do go on to pursue post-second- unless you really showed them the way. So According to "expectrnore.gov," a website ary education that do not participate in the pro- that is something that we are about, showcreated by the government that rates the pro- gram, you are talking about well under 50%, ing them the way, showing them that yes grams as "performing" or "not performing," probably closer to 30 to 40% in this area," said you are going to have to make sacrifices, the Upward Bound program is not living up . ·Espada. yes.you are going to have to work hard but to its expectations. "Recent evaluation findCurrently, there are no plans to terminate Up- in the end it will all be worth it. It really ings indicate that Upward Bound has not been ward Bound services at Wtlkes, but the future is about educating-them and showing them effective in increasing the overall college en- of the program does depend upon continued that it can happen," said Espada. rollment rates of its participants. Upward federal funding. "It really worries me that other students Bound services have had significant effects "[The program's elimination] would might not have that opportunity because I on higher-risk students, while the program is leave [students] lost and alone in their high know how much it did for me. I know that not properly targeted to focus on these stu- schools because the guidance counselors I wanted to go to college when I was in lrigb dents." aren't going to go and seek them out and school but if I didn't have Upward Bound But the Wilkes program suggests other- say, 'Did you get your college applica- to do the directing, I am not sure whether I wise. Last year, 30 students graduated from tions in?' They are going to assume that would have pursued it," said Chajko. Relay for Heat participants present check to CEO Running Club president Jared Shayka and other members presented a check to CEO after the Relay For Heat event. Running over 100 miles, the runners were sponsored by each mile that they ran or they received flat rate donations. Even though this check was presented late in the heating season, cold days still abound and the money will be put to good use. · The Relay for Heat raises money annually for local families in need in order to help them afford to heat their homes. With many families turning to alternative ways of heating their homes as a way of saving money, it is important to recognize those individuals and organizations that help to ease the burden of home beating during the cold winter months. The Beacon/Nick Zmjewski �4 NEWS MARCH 20, 2006 W-B redevelopment leaders grapple with problem of nuisance properties BY DAVE SEBELIN Beacon Correspondent Since breaking ground in August 2004, the sounds of jackhammers, saw blades, and heavy equipment have been resonating around Northampton Street. With Wilkes-Barre's South Main Street development project well underway, city officials have taken the first step in a series of major developments in downtown. Plans for development include a new_Convention and Arts Center, South Main Street housing, and even the revitalization of the Sterling Hotel. But while the streets and city are buzzing with the sounds of progress, several areas of Wilkes-Barre still remain silent. One street in particular that has remained quiet is neighboring Ross Street. Located on the southern tier of Wilkes University's campus, Ross lies within walking distance of Barre Hall and Slocum Hall. Dotting the street are several dilapidated, rundown, and abandoned properties. Though these buildings were once the homes of businesses and apartment complexes, now they are considered to be "nuisance properties." According to Butch Frati, director of planning and development for the city of Wilkes-Barre, nuisance properties are, "Areas that are continually changing owners with little or no progress being made for development." This constant buying and selling often inhibits any attempts at city intervention with the property. Frati said, "Sometimes owners die or leave the state ... It is very difficult for anyone interested in the area to go through the legal measures in buying the property." In addition to stagnant progress with nuisance homes, Frati also cited several minor problems. Cases of trespassing with homeless and vandalism have been · documented for several buildings. Break-ins by unknown assailants are also prevalent to the structures. These crimes, while not serious in nature, do contribute to an overall negative image of the property. With the recent purchase of the abandoned UCOM center, many wonder if the University would located on Ross Street." Changeable Skies has been busy "The property on Northampton was previously a drug house. Now the building is a safe and vital part of Wilkes-Barre." -Scott Byers, vice president finance and support operations be willing occupy other nuisance properties. The University's Master Plan Report addresses this very issue of campus development. The report clearly cites there is a defined area wherein the university has "publicly declared its intent to purchase land and convert its use." These areas are not subject to zoning approval, and therefore allow the University unhindered development. The southern border of this "area of influence" highlights many of the nuisance properties that are located on Ross. Though the report suggests the University avoid purchasing deteriorating property, this primarily suggests the buying of property located off campus. In terms of Ross Street development, John Pesta, director of capital projects and planning said, "Beyond Ross Street is an R3 residential zone .. . but the northern side of Ross Street is zoned for development." Pesta continued, "We are looking at the old deli building [on the corner of Ross and River streets] but it has been difficult." Ross 's northern section is entirely open to development by the university; whether the university actually does so is another matter. Any future acquisition of deteriorating buildings will undoubtedly be difficult for the University; however, a solution may be found by other means. According to Pesta, private development of nuisance homes is a reality. "Bill Henry, owner of Changeable Skies, recently purchased and renovated homes in Wilkes-Barre," said Pesta. "One of the homes is acquiring and redeveloping historical houses. Once completed, the homes are rented out to university students for an affordable price. Homes already renovated by the organization include: 84 West Ross, 77-79 Northampton, and 137-139 North Main. Prior to the redevelopment of these buildings, many were considered nuisance properties. Scott Byers, vice president for finance and support operations, also expressed interest in the development by stating: "The property on Northampton was previously a drug house. Now the building is a safe and vital part of WilkesBarre." While both the university and the private sector are interested in acquiring nuisance homes, maintaining existing campus structures provides another challenge to officials. "We have a preventative maintenance program. . . We try to look at every building's age and life span" said Byers. This program primarily acts as a way to predict when dormitories need renovation. The target for this fiscal year, according to Byers, is the renovation of Chesapeake and Delaware Hall (scheduled for completion in fall 2007 semester). Though it is highly unlikely any Wilkes facility would reach the level of deterioration of a nuisance home, plans are in place to maintain structures. Further restructuring is also planned for other facilities in the future. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski . ~ This building on the corner of Ross and River Streets is one of the buildings considered a nuisance property by the City of Wilkes-Barre. Nuisance properties are defined as areas that continually change owners with little to no progress made in terms of development. �MARCH 20, 2006 VISION from FRONT PAGE "The most important aspect of enacting the plan further will be to get _Leedback and answers from all members of the Wilkes community, especially the students," said Michael Frantz, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing. Vision 2010 plans for change initiated in 2001 According to Frantz, Vision 2010 is not something new to Wilkes, but instead is something that began with the fall convocation in 2001, coinciding with and very closely related to President Gilmour's inauguration. Frantz said that students would have heard the plan "talked about in terms of' strategic initiative."' Now in 2006, the culmination of Vision 2010 is about five years away. Said Frantz of the progress of the plan, "As we've gone now a little over half way from that period of time [2001] towards 2010, we've gained greater focus, We've gained the ability, through some successes, to make some alterations to it. And I think probably as important as anything, our conviction in the possibility of achieving it is greater than ever right now." Vision 2010 focuses on the idea and the initiative to "build a stronger Wilkes." The plan emphasizes that academic programs are to become more competitive through program growth and enhancement of technology and facilities. "We want to have excellent support for our academic programs, more part-time degree completion opportunities, a larger array of graduate programs, excellent equipment and labs, competetive salaries for faculty and staff, new and renovated facilities, a first-calss mentoring environment, faculty and staff CHARGES from FRONT PAGE have some interest with the individuals wh-0 are being stopped, and often times it gets handled like a situation like this/ Dessoye said. He said in situations like this police often drop the charges if both parties come. to an greement. Parker-Lloyd did copfinn she submitted a letter to the po1ixe de:partrnent, but declined to comment further on the specifics of her case and referred cottunent to her lawyer, Barry Dyller. Students involved in the case previously stated they think, the incident was racially motivated. After reading a February 27 article in The Beacon about the incident, Ron Felton, President ofthe Wilkes-Barre chapter of the NAACP sent a letter to the DistrictAttog:1ey to have the incident investig~ted. He wants to know what caused the olice to follow NEWS development funding, a refurbished excellent library, additional faculty positions, a larger endowment and documentation of successful student learning," said Provost Maravene Loeschke of tlie many goals of Vision 2010. Financial growth and enhancing Wilkes' place in the market are main components to the plan, but one of the most important parts risen from 5% to 7% respectively in 2001 to 6.9% and 8%, respectively last year. Wilkes has added 22 faculty positions leaping from 111 in 2001 to 133 in 2006. With change comes challenge Despite positive growth over the past five years, there are some external forces that affect Vision 2010 and building a stronger Wilkes. Specifically, analysts agree there More faculty, financial stability, funding for mentoring programs, improvements to technology and equipment, expanded academic programs, improvements to residence halls and dining services, renovated classrooms - these all affect student satisfaction with Wilkes and the quality of a Wilkes degree." -Dr. Tim Gilmour, Wilkes University President 5 pects of the Wilkes community face elimination or change. Said Gilmour, "These action plans require significant investment of dollars, some of which must be recaptured from existing programs. This means several departments will be reorganized for greater efficiency, resulting in some jobs being restructured and some jobs becoming obsolete." To illustrate this point, Frantz cited an example of different offices on campus that do essentially the same thing, adding that to do this, "One of the initiatives is to bring these four groups together and say, 'We're all doing essentially the same thing, how can we do it faster, cheaper, better?'[ ... ] The premise is that we sit down for those discussions, find a way to do this better, faster, cheaper. The hard part comes with the cheaper; it means we may not need every person who is currently employed here if we can find a cheaper way to do it. That's where the real stresses come in." Administrators urge campus-wide discussion Officials emphasize that the discussion about Vision 2010 is neither closed nor anywhere near finished. It is actually one that will continue as long as it can. Those involved stress that the most important role for members of the Wilkes community is that of providing the feedback and the questions that are needed to fully realize the potential and the goal of Vision 2010. Said Frantz, "We want the questions. We do not have every answer and the only way we get the best answers is through full participation. Nobody should be worried about asking very hard, pointed questions. That's what we'·re expecting. And that's how we will both achieve the vision and make it better." of Vision 2010 is an increased attention to current and future students through mentoring. "Everything that we're trying to do puts the students at the center point of the strategy and of the vision," said Frantz. President Tim Gilmour agreed, noting that, "Current and future students have the most to gain from the Vision 2010 strategic plan. More faculty, financial stability, funding for mentoring programs, improvements to technology and equipment, expanded academic programs, improvements to residence halls and dining services, renovated classrooms - these all affect student satisfaction with Wilkes and the quality of a Wilkes degree." Much headway has already been made. Compared to 2001, freshman enrollment has increased from 417 students to 583; diversity among students and faculty has will be a significant decline in Pennsylvania high school grads, which may affect enrollment over the next 5-10 years. As a result, administrators acknowledge that Vision 2010 will include difficult decisions that are common to all decision making processes, including the loss of some jobs. But as Frantz stated, "When you have a focus, what you try, then, is not only to funnel energy and attention on that focus, but also money. Well, we don't have a bottomless pit of money, so that is where the tough decisions come in. If we are going to do X, sometimes we have to take from Y to be able to do so. Our primary guiding principle in all of this is what enhances student learning and the student experience, first and foremost." ·one of the most difficult decisions comes when reevaluation occurs and certain as- tq!! stlf!:dent's carJor so Jong aµd flte citcllll,l- meut and Multicultural . Affairs will h •. . . . ..•.• .Students ;·invq\ved previousiy ~·said they dinner tliscussions on March 21, 28 an wotild like the police department to undergo 4 to discuss jssues such as ;ace, racial diversify training. Dessoye.said the officers t ons apd how to diffuse them, how to go tbroµgh l 9 hours of diversity trail:lipg a deaj with the police, as well as how to be year, which is mandated by the munfoipal a positive member in the community and police training commission. He said the make positive changes, The programs are time is split up between. different diversity at 6 p.l'Q. i Miller Room in the Henr)! training as the commission sees fit StudentC "I don't say how many hours we get ofit. Park~r~Lloyd hopes students will com They tell us how many hours we're going to away from the discussions with a "better un get of it:' Dessoye said. derstan~g qf some rights andresponsibili Whil~Parker-Lloyd declined to comment ties around lice, a better understanding o on her 'incident, she does think racism is tne wliol cept that racism still does ex prevalent in the community. ist and we sfj,H pa.ye to keep acting upon i "Racism definitely is here. From simple AlJ,d hopefully for those students who are things as being followed in stores, being leaders on our campus and Who want to d called the "N" word, yeah that?s definitely small things to help make differences, giv not gone ... It's not dead as many people them some tools that they can use to bel think it is. It's very much alive. I mean stqp so,n,e of these thingst we'renottheonlycommunifythathasthese Students interested in attending the dinne , issues,'' P~lcer--J,,lqyd said discU$sions are asked to R$VP by emailin Parker-Lloyd said that be.c ause of this culture@wilkes.edu or calling 408-4731. s:.t: itua .z::·::.:ttz·o .:~n12a • •.z; .S;;:. tu:::d.:::en :::.t: .•··.A.:ffait 1·.;;:.:;;;.;;;;:·::.s:2m s .... ~ru:(.1:...en z/l :."""G .;...... ;;:; ov ...e::izrin::.--"'~ ..-.........._....................,....._______..-1 stances surroundingParker-Lloyd's arrest. l)esso~e ·said ~s officers acted approprlately. He sajd tlj.ey did not try to bait and en.tjoe farker-Lloyd and if the officers were being prejudiced, the driver of the vehicle would have been cited. He also said [the incidept) wasn't racially.motivated because there was a mix of races in the car. ••they're more than welcome to do an investigation. My officers acted appropriately. l'here '(Vas no issue of racism, and I'm npt sure exactly what angle they're looking act/' Dessoye said. He saiit he has not been contacted by the DNs office about an investigatiou; but noted that it would take. a while for the )')A's office to do so. However, Dyller has sent a letter to Mayor Ibornas Leighton stating he is P~ker-Lloyd's lawyer and litigation is soon to follow because they feel ParkerLloyd was wrongfully arrested. "Ms. Lloyd's c◊nstitutfonal rights were viol te her federal constitu.tio l rijl!ii!. .,::::ts~•...• _ Dyller s.ai<f:; • . ·•·. �6 Gay adoptions unfair Your Voices Why I quit Myspace.com Beacon Poll 7 7 8 8 Racial profiling incident proves that tensions are real Diversity education crucial step toward change BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD College campuses are typically seen as some of the most liberal and accepting communities in this country. The exchange of information, the quest for knowledge, and the fact that numerous students are discovering who they are and who they want to become all lead to an expectation that various ideologies and viewpoints will be accepted on the campus. In addition, university students from a variety of places come together to share similar goals and grow together. It's expected that students will bring with them their own opinions but will also learn from their fellow students' and will be better people for having done so. The traffic incident that escalated into Wilkes University staff member Andita Parker-Lloyd's arrest last month and involved alleged racial profiling in WilkesBarre clearly affected those who witnessed it. The experience has revealed that even in 2006, racism and cultural tensions do exist in Wilkes-Barre-and all ofus need to pay attention. Likewise, the two women who were quoted in The Beacon '.s February 27 article on the incident expressed having previously experienced overt racism in the community. It is startling that in a forward- thinking community, such as Wilkes, racism can continue to exist. But as persons of color and from various minority vantages can attest, it does. Residents of color will acknowledge that they are still watched more carefully for shoplifting than whites by department store merchants. Racial slurs can still be heard in high school hallways. Swastika grafitti still occasionally shows up on local synagogues. Public derision still occurs if two men openly hold hands or kiss in public. Okay, so bigotry exists. So far, we haven't said anything new or different. What, then, can be done? Should those discriminated against simply continue to deal Nickle for Your Thoughts By Jason Nickle . r~ ..\) . -.:. u;- ~ \ J \ ~ with it? Should those narrowminded individuals be permitted to "get away" with their actions and statements? No, standing on a soapbox and pointing to past injustices does not make the problem go away. More needs to be done. And it needs to start on campus and move outward consciously and assertively. Perhaps the most effective way to foster acceptance and camaraderie amongst students on a college campus is to force students outside their comfort zones. Way outside. The majority of students who attend Wilkes are white and hail from the state of Pennsylvania. Sharing common characteristics, they are comfortable with one another and their surroundings. That needs to change. Diversity classes should be mandatory in the Wilkes University curriculum. Similar to diversity training, these classes should address how people differ from one another and how understanding these differences are valuable to individual growth. Although taking students physically out of their comfort zones is impossible, discussing the implications of difference can be helpful. Students should have to think about what it would be like to be relocated, to be placed in a community entirely different from Wilkes, and to be the minority. Tough questions should have to be answered, such as how a student would feel if the new community did not accept him or her, or what it would feel like to be told that simply because you live in this community and are the minority, you are unequal. Racism is an -ism for a much less intelligent community than Wilkes. With intelligence should come acceptance that one is no better than another based on such arbitrary labels as white, black, male, female, gay, straight, Catholic or Jewish. College students have the intelligence to recognize the individual value each student brings to the table. Just as Wilkes provides necessary knowledge for students to survive in the world and in their chosen field, it is also their responsibility to educate their students about other knowledge necessary for survival in this world: acceptance. And then, of course, the next cruicial step looms. Once the campus can fully declare itself as diverse, sensitive to the needs of all cultures, and responsive to those needs, then Wilkes University needs to take it to the streets of Wilkes-Barre. Wilkes administrators should open the doors of our campus. We have great facilities in the Darte, the Grand Ballroom, and soon the UCOM that could play host to community discussions on these issues. We should make permanent space for the NAACP, for example, that has struggled to find an official home in the city. We also have respected leaders in President Gilmour, Provost Loeschke, Director of Diversity Zellner and others who can help guide public discussion. And finally there are hundreds of students at Wilkes University who, particularly as a unified group, have the power to impact Wilkes-Barre economically, socially, and politically. If we don't like what we see, we have the power to make change. We can stop shopping in those businesses that develop a reputation of poor or uneven service to minorities. We can speak out when we hear racist comments. We can vote. Bigotry of any kind is our business. And it's our responsibility to make change where change is necessary. Change begins at home, but in this case, it's also our ~ esponsibility to model and move forward on key issues of diversity. Losing even one student to intolerance is losing one too many. �MARCH 20, 2006 OPINION 7 Gay adQptions ban unfair to gay couples, needy kids BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor the tdes ents heir JOn- .ents sary cepnext the itself teeds veto tivertreets rrould ;. We )arte, m the )St to these ,erma'or ex1.nd an re also Presi:schke, er and public ere are Wilkes ly as a ,wer to Jmical. Ifwe ,e have ;e. We ;e busiJutation : to miut when We can ,ur busi nsibili hange egins . also o "I wish someone would adopt me," said one lonely orphan to the other. Someone could. That's the problem. A recent Yahoo! News article stated that 16 states have current legislation in process to ban gay adoptions, a second wave, as they are calling it, from a 2004 push to do so. The goal? To get this on the November '08 ballot. While it seems as if gay marriage was the civil rights movement on the front burner, this issue crept in once again. And it needs to creep on out. In 2004, Ohio, Georgia and Kentucky banned gay adoption. By 2008, states like Missouri plan to join in banning loving couples-- who physically cannot reproduce, but are emotionally prepared--from being parents. In Mississippi, it is illegal only for gay couples to adopt; gay singles can. So, this means that a single lesbian can adopt a child. But God forbid she falls in love later in life, say when the child is in his or her preteens. Does this mean the child has to go back? Coming from a mom (mom, I love you) who was married three times before I was 13, I sometimes craved a stable life. While I think being a child of divorce gives me some endearing qualities, that is another article. But I often think what a stable home can do for a little boy or little girl. Stable, in my opinion, could mean two parents or caregivers. Four loving arms. Perhaps two incomes and two positive influences. Stable does not have to mean President Bush's idea of a family: mom, dad, kid(s). Think about the way gender roles have changed since the days of Donna Reed. Today, both mom and dad can be secretaries. A straight dad can be a hairdresser or fashion designer. Does this mean that having a dad with a stereotypically homosexual job makes less of a dad? And, what about straight females who are auto mechanics, laborers and *gasp* CEOs? In today's society, any gender role is deemed acceptable. So, why should it matter when it comes to same sex parents? I once knew a man who was raised by his two aunts. They never married and never had children and they lived together- with a little boy. One could argue on the surface that in public, it could look like these two women were lesbians. Sisters even show affection in public. Was this man scarred for life because two females raised him? No. A February 20 USA Today article tells the story of two Ohio men who have been together for 25 years. Harold Birtcher and his partner Thom O'Reilly decided to adopt a child three years ago, but state officials said only one of them could become the legal parent; same-sex partners are barred from joint adoption. Michael, now ten, was beaten and sexually abused by straight parents-and he hadn't hugged anyone for four years before one of them were able to adopt (read: rescue) him. O'Reilly argued in the article, ''Nobody's stepping up to adopt such hardto-place children, but they don't want us to adopt them." Birtcher, his partner added, "Our prisons are full of people who were in foster care, and those people were in, quote/unquote, 'straight family homes.' If I can provide a loving, stable home for my little boy, that's the goal." O'Reilly runs a children's theater company and Birtcher owns a hair salon. This is a couple that is doing far better than some single and married parents, parents that are many times on welfare that we all end up "adopting," or at least supporting by being taxpayers. I have a vendetta against parents--no, I refuse to call them that--child bearing people who cannot support their kids, who drink and inject heroin while they are carrying babies. Again. And again. Someone needs to adopt these children who are placed in foster care because they were taken from their "real" parents. Some states allow it. But, 16 more are fighting against it. Hey, state legislators! You are really fighting against these poor children. That's who really is losing the battle. In another February 20 USA Today article, Bill Maier of the conservative group Focus on the Family says, "Children in foster care are already scarred by abuse and neglect. We would want to do everything we could to place them in the optimal home environment." Neglect? Hello! That's just what these conservatives are doing! The North American Council on Adoptable Children says there are about 520,000 children in foster care. Of those, 120,000 are available for adoption. Guess what? Only 50,000 find permanent homes each year. 70,000 kids without parents. Those four words alone are enough an argument. I rest my case. YOUR VOICES Personally attacking Zebrowski invalidates argument Dear Editor: I am writing in response to Matt Givler's article attacking Matt Zebrowski. For a preface, allow me to state that I couldn't care less about drug commercials. What I care about is Givler's failed attempt to be witty and intellectual while he brazenly attacked Zebrowski. Givler states " .. .I have contributed my 1,006 words ... " and then continues to quote inane babble about the laws of costs. Givler, this is child's play. The cost which you so pretentiously preach about is common knowledge in any EC-101 or 102 class. You should have saved your breath and stopped at paragraph two, where you plainly contradicted yourself and the rest of your article. " ... these prerequisites are all standard for an opinion column," and "Granted this is an opinion column and he is entitled to his opinion." Then, he follows up, trying to be cute with "You know, First Amendment stuff." In his battle to appear openminded he defeated himself. The crux of his argument, that Zebrowski shouldn't be able to write any more Op-Ed articles is null and void thanks to him so graciously pointing out the obvious: it is an opinion article. Had he merely stopped there, he would have saved at least a little dignity. However, he consistently attacked Zebrowski's character, which is where his problem lies. I'm guessing his point, aside from a personal vendetta against Zebrowski, is that he disagrees that drug-free commercials are a waste of money. He states website statistics, and tries to fill in the rest of his opinion with Zebrowski-esque quips, appearing to look clever. He failed. The only thing he managed to achieve was to look like a generic copy cat. If his article picked specifically on the merit of drug commercials, then he would be in the clear. However, what he ended up spewing was nothing more than a cheap shot at Zebrowski, riddled with miserably poor commentary, written like an eleventh grade English response. Next time focus on the facts instead of attacking the author. Givler, my boy, you had your week to bask in the glory of being published with your pretentious friends, while appearing to look like a tool to the rest of the intelligent community at Wilkes. Do everyone a favor and go back to quoting your 101 classes to people who actually care. Leave the Op-Ed columns to people who understand what they're for. Anyone can quote statistics from a website, but it takes real talent to manufacture your own ideas. Stick to your MySpace blog. Jason Sutton Sophomore, English major The Beacon·•>ffen great preprofessional experience for writer$, designers. managers. Students can build portfolios for int:emsbips and futur:e jobs, make contacts with pec.tple across campus and bei•ond, and earn scholarship money or academi-c credit. Tlie Beacon seeks student writers; photogn,phers, page des-igners, and business managers to apply for Fall "06 staff positions and scholarship upportuniries. Contact.· Dr~Andrea Frantz ext. 416Sor e-mail andr:ea. frantz@wil~s.edu for more information. �MARCH 20, 2006 8 OPINION Beacon Poll Why I quit IDY Myspace.coID account BY PATRICK AUSTIN Beacon Columnist tool! BYE ), <3s (thats Sprint Fair 8c Flexible- Plan ~M1m1~,ri~ s2:9.99, . ~ ~ 1fi:iuwrrtmlyo;, pl,tn. •doesn·tamtrotyou. Sprint the heart that kids make on the Hello internet!) LOVE! but, not really, though! -Patrick Frankly, after thinking about hfl ,,,,.,...,, •''"It ,o.. l'ty4',•<;•Fr 7 :i:• ~1-IJ.H!~,nl it, MySpace is a site that encourages that this really matters, but just keep in people to expose themselves. I suppose that this is mind that this is a player in the major methe huge draw of the site. It feels safe to be dia, not someone I'd want to have access able to go online and post pictures of your- to anything in my life. These people also self and say things about yourself and never force marketing and advertising down our have to own up to your opinions. People throats. Why do I want to voluntarily be can simply just press the "x" button on their part of a community that is propagating horwindow if they don't want to be around you rible trends of everything from cell phones anymore. Scantily clad thirteen-year old to Victoria's Secret, which might be called girls can put pictures of themselves on their female objectification? And then I find myhomepage, while disgusting legal-aged self asking why so many females on these men can drool over these facades of female sites feel the need to expose themselves. friendship that happen within online mediThe majority of the people on the site ums. This blatant vouyeurism is intriguing feel the need to mask who they really are to to all people (look at reality television), but make themselves feel acceptable to people for some reason these online mediums in- they don't even know. I think this is perhaps volving real people tend to scare me just a the most embarrassing part about the site. little bit more. Click to any random user page, and I guarEven I have fooled myself into think- antee you that you will see a picture of an ing that I know someone because of this angled face with or without bangs over the MySpace medium. "Hey look, that person eyes, or a picture taken in a strange context likes Modest Mouse, I bet he/she is re- that has been photoshopped in order to apally cool. I should message them." Then, pear cool. I ask the question, "Hi Myspace, two days after receiving a friendly reply, I am just curious ... How much further can "Oh man! I am so happy. I feel like I <3 you bend your arm above your head while Myspace. It makes me new friends ... " still managing to aim the lens at the top of Just think about that for a second. Friend? your head?" Maybe our social definition of the term I am done. I know for a fact that this ar"friend" has just been scraped away to mean ticle means nothing in the general scheme nothing more than a person that has said of things, but I just can't stop thinking about "hello" once or twice. Think about that for these communication trends that are hapjust a second. Hell, I've been part of these pening in America. Maybe they are just a websites since I've been in high school, but natural evolution in regular communication. lately, after really thinking about what they Maybe in the close future more people will are, I decided it's time to start phasing them find their significant other by using online out of my life. mediums then by going out and socializing For starters, MySpace has the potential to in real life arenas, but this seems scarier destroy relationships that exist in real life, than the march of progress should. I should by people posting pictures and private in- probably just get used to it, but for some reaformation. Also, these sites have the poten- son I can't force myself to fully accept this tial to get the user in trouble with law [ha- change. I feel like my grandfather. What rassment and flaming, pictures of underage does MySpace even care? I mean there are drinking, etc ... ]. always going to be more thirteen-year-olds Also, Rupert Murdoch, the founder and signing up. But I can't be a complete techowner of Fox Networks, currently owns nophobe. If you ever want a new Facebook MySpace. You might know him as the in- friend, just find me at Wilkes. My name is famous mastermind behind Fox News. Not Patrick Austin. - lrtr:t-~~N<'llrii9'~ The other day, prompted by two friends who had recently made this decision, I quit Myspace.com. Sure, it was, umm ... "fun" while it lasted. It was great signing on every day to find that a new thirteen-year girl had randomly found me on the site's database. It was also fun checking (at least 5 times a day) to see if anyone new had commented on my wall of comments, as if somehow validating my puny existence through "I <3 yr new pix LOL! " After making the impulsive decision to stop, I was shocked to find that it took approximately ten to fifteen minutes to cancel my "subscription." First, you must find the "cancel account" button, no small task. Second, after finding it and clicking the cancel button, you are prompted to click another cancel button. Then, just to make sure that you really, really want to cancel your account to such a marvelous service, they prompt you one more time to press a cancel button. This third time is even more ridiculous. They ask the subscriber to write a short, brief message to a MySpace administrator to explain why he/she has been somehow unsatisfied with his/her "experience" on the glorious web community. Of course, I realized at this point how serious this whole issue had become; I had to explain myself for canceling a subscription to such a vital web commµnity. For about one second I reconsidered my decision. And then after thinking for another second, I realized how strange it was that I had to explain myself. MySpace even told me that I would have a few days to really think about my decision. It's laughable that this trivial website would be so shocked at ONE user leaving. So I decided to write a letter to the MySpace admin that would supposedly be checking the reason that I was canceling my account. Dear MySpace Person, who will never read this, I think that your website promotes selfglorification. Secondly, I would like to state that it is websites like myspace.com that are single-handedly destroying adolescent relationships (in any sense ofthe word relationship). I appreciate you really caring about the people who are on your site by putting lewd advertisements on everyones homepage that glorify the objectification of women. You also promote online stalking in a very "subtle " way. Thank you, Rupert, for helping to destroy the validity ofAmerican media and all forms of free information! See ya later, buddy! Tom, you 're a giant i- W•M.U :0-.\lti( CO "14":h N)" URl. ~~.{,t..■ ... .M)",ff.a!.~ ~rt,n<♦ 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 58 responses. The Beacon asked: If you won $21 million in the lottery, what charitable organization would you give money to? Red Cross - 9% St. Judes Children Hospital - 16% SPCA- 16% American Cancer Society - 15% Ronald McDonald House - 5% Local historical societies - 3% Libraries - 5% Schools - 7% Big Brother Big Sister - 0% Other - 24% Next Week's Poll Question: If you were alive before the dawn of modem medicine, what disease would you least want to have? . . . Scurvy Dysentery Consumption Plague Cholera Typhus Smallpox Measles Polio Other Vi~t www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week's issue of The Beacon. �Bicentennial Celebration Downtown Revitalization Robotics Club 9 10 11 9 Wilkes-Barre: two colorful centuries old City to celebrate bicentennial all year BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor If the John Wilkes statue disappeared from campus for a few hours on Friday, don't worry. He was just attending his birthday party. While the Irish and the Irish at heart celebrated St. Patrick's Day at various bars, parties and posts last Friday, there was a celebration of a city elsewhere in town. Wilkes-Barre's official 200th birthday was March 17. It was on this day 200 years ago, in 1806, that the city put the Inc. in ink. While much of the emphasis on the city's bicentennial celebration seems to be on the late June/early July events slated for Public Square and Kirby Park, Luzerne County Historical Society Executive Director Jesse Teitelbaum said the celebration will take place through the entire year. The historical society, he says, is providing facts, research and most of the images that will be used in presentations, literature and displays. To commemorate the incorporation of Wilkes-Barre as a borough, an event was held at the F.M. Kirby Center, where a speech from Jesse Fell was reenacted. Fell, whose ingenuity lit the fire for the industrial revolution with an important discovery, was also the city's first burgess and popular tavern owner. And, according to Teitelbaum, Fell was one of the most important people in not just local history, but US history as well. "One can say that this region paved the way for the entire industrial revolution. [Fell] found a way to burn coal in an open grate. This was an important experiment early on in the city's history. Wilkes-Barre was only thirty years old. For something to happen so soon ... " Teitelbaum said, trailing off. "The founders of this city were so smart. They discovered this concentration of coal, began mining it and people wanted it. I read somewhere that this area provided 90% of the coal to the country." Fell's tavern was tom down in 1986. But the grate survived the wrecking ball and is held at the society's museum on South Franklin Street. Mayor Tom Leighton, his staff and the bicentennial planning committee have been very busy planning a week of events this summer, which include the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and 4th of July firework display. However, some anticipation and excitement looms in an event that's full details are not yet available to the public. A national recording artist has been confirmed to play at a Kirby Park event-- but the artist's publicist does not want the name released yet. The news surrounding the event includes reports that it is an act the whole The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Wilkes-Barre's official 200th birthday was March 17. The city has put much emphasis on its bicentennial celebration, which will last the whole year. Mayor Tom Leighton and his committee have planned a week of events for this summer which includes the annual Cherry Blosson Festival . family will enjoy. Teitelbaum added that on Public Square will be a mini-walking tour of some "historical sites" from Wilkes-Barre in year's past. He explains that vignettes of a barbershop, general store, a coal miner's home and others will be placed around the square. During the gala ball, there will be a slide show presentation. So, the society, he explains has done much to help with the accuracy of depicting the replicas of years past, as well as providing actual images. But, after fireworks are over, the bicentennial will not have fizzled . "I think that a lot of people look at the July events to be the end of the celebration. It's not. It's the climax ...a lot more people will continue with the bicentennial themes for meeting ... " Teitelbaum said, adding that the historical society is planning on gearing its agenda for 2006 toward the 200-year-old city. "We are going to do new walking tours and exhibits, so keep your eyes and ears out for all of these other events," he said. "There will be some before and after [the July events]. It's a year-long celebration, really." Teitelbaum added that at the historical society's annual dinner this April, a silent movie will be shown of Wilkes-Barre's See BICENTENNIAL page 10 Tell US ■ ■ ■ Where is your dream vacation and why? Managing Editor Becky Goodman was curious about what Wilkes students are thinking. Here is what she found out. Jim Welch- sophomore history major Michelle Pace- freshman undeclared "Tokyo, because I've always heard interesting things about Japan and I've always wanted to be there." "Anywhere hot and on the beach." r- J I I Joe Graziano- freshman business administration major Jeanine Dreimann- sophomore psychology major "Anywhere out of the valley." "Anywhere on a beach." �10 FEATURES MARCH 20, 2006 Local college presidents highlight campuses as assets to city BY ERICA LEO Beacon Staff Writer To say that the presidents of the area colleges have done a lot to promote revitalization in downtown Wilkes-Barre is an understatement. From publishing articles targeting Wilkes-Barre's economic development to sitting on local boards and committees that focus on revitalization, they devote a significant amount of their free time committed to making the "Diamond City" shine once again. Despite the fact that these efforts serve to better the Wilkes-Barre community, there is also a greater incentive. A safer and more prosperous Wilkes-Barre ultimately reflects these college campuses by boosting morale as well as enrollment numbers. In a recent article published in University Business, Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour highlighted why it is important for college presidents to devote time to stabilizing their surrounding community using Wilkes' involvement with downtown· revitalization as an example. "The article is a presidential prospective on how city development really fits in to the institution's directions and larger plans," said Gilmour. BICENTENNIAL from PAGE9 centennial celebration. And, Wilkes University classes are participating, by transferring the ''film in a tin can" to DVD. Dr. Mark Stine, Professor and Chair of the Communications Studies Department, has his advanced video class working on some additional material for the DVD along with history department professor and chair Dr. John Hepp's Historical Presentation class. Hepp explains that the two team up each year to work on a joint documentary project. But this year is a little special. "We are working to transfer a 100-year-old film to DVD to preserve it and make better use of it. Film can deteriorate and there are not many film projectors," explained Hepp. "Future generations will have access that." He added that in fact Carl Brigido, Wilkes University television station engineer, had to work very hard to get a projector working. By the end of the semester, much of the DVD will be complete, but over the summer film crews will be out again to cover the summer events. Then, Hepp said a student will edit the show and the documentary will air on channel 15 in the fall. "The students always enjoy working on The Beacon Archives In a recent article published in University Business, Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour highlighted why it is important for college presidents to devote time to stabalizing their community with downtown revitalization. The President pointed out the 7.9 million dollar purchase of the Call Center, which is now the University Center on Main, and the upcoming bookstore merger slated for downtown as examples. these projects. The video side is doing well, and I've gotten some positive feedback from the history side as well," Hepp said of the collboration. While Mr. Wilkes was firmly planted in the Fenner Quadrangle on Friday, he was surely at the celebration in spirit. Perhaps the free-speech advocate for whom (halt) the city and the campus was named will make it to the next bicentennial event. RUN-DOWN Friday, June 30- Bicentennial Blast-Off -5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Public Square with food and beverages (free) -6 p.m.-8 p.m.- Cocktail Party, Ramada Inn ($25) Saturday, July 1- Bicentennial Parade and Kiwanas Diamond Coal Car Race (free) Sunday, July 2- Gala Ball: A Night to Believe, black-tie affair at Genetti's ($50) Monday, July 3- "To be announced" national music act, Kirby Park (free) Tuesday, July- 4th of July celebration at Kirby Park (free) July 7-9-lOOth anniversary of the Giant's Despair Hill Climb In his article, Gilmour pinpointed specific instances such as Wilkes' $7.9 million dollar purchase of the Call Center building on Main St. (now named UCOM) and the upcoming bookstore merger as examples of how the institution is trying to help the downtown get back on its feet. "If you're trying to strengthen an institution, it's hard to do that and ensure its future if it doesn't have a surrounding area that is the kind of area that students want to come to and that their parents would be comfortable with," said Gilmour. Rev. Tom O'Hara, president of King's College, has also played an integral role in revitalization. O'Hara has written several articles and editorials on community issues, speaks frequently to community groups about the local community, and sits 01f'the board of City Vest, which is a non-profit development corporation, currently engaged in its most visible project, the refurbishment of the Hotel Sterling. "People on our campus hear me talking about King's role in the community all the time. I think King's and Wilkes are natural bookends to the downtown. Wilkes-Barre is blessed to have two fine institutions of higher education right downtown," said O'Hara. But despite the fact that both Wilkes and King's are centrally located in the downtown area, they are not the only ones directly impacted by the city's economic challenges. College Misericordia, located in the Back Mountain's Dallas, has also been committed to ensuring its future by promoting the revitalization of its neighboring city. Misericordia 's President, Dr. Michael MacDowell, has done his share as well. In addition to writing more than 20 editorials for regional newspapers about economic development and revitalization, Dr. MacDowell also serves as the Vice Chair of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. "I believe that college presidents, by virtue of their positions, have a responsibility to speak out on key issues of concern to a region or community. Clearly, economic revitalization and development is one of those issues and that is why I have been vocal about them," said MacDowell. S_ave1 Lives. D ,o nate Pia Silla oday. Earn up to $200 a Month! Interstate Blood & Plasma 665 Ca~ Ave Wi I · . Call l57CU 823-411S c. Pa �MARCH 20, 2006 11 FEATURES Growth in robotics due to govt. mandates and home uses BY JEREMY ZUCKERO -• Beacon Correspondent Robots, long belonging only to the realm of science fiction, are becoming more and more a component of everyday life. Recently, a robotics club began here at Wilkes University, reflecting the growing interest in anq importance of robotics. Matthew Zukoski, assistant pro- , fessor of mathematics/computer science and advisor to the club, commented on the club's formation: "We went through what ... ended up being a three week process, and ... were (then] informed (by Student Government representatives) that we were voted in unanimously, that now we were an official group." Zukoski believes that burgeoning interest in robotics can be traced to several factors: "Lately there has been an interest [generated] by different factors, such as the government mandating that one-third of all military vehicles must be autonomous [The mandate specifies 2015 as the deadline] ... With the war, there is a need for robotic vehicles." Some people are already seeing the function of robotics in the home, or at least realize the future of robotics. Seth Peasley, junior electrical engineering major said, "more and more [robots] are going to be in the home, like the Room- The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Recently, the Robotics Club at Wilkes was granted official club status. Pictured in the photo from left to right are Mr. Hisham Abu-Nabaa, Joe Seaman, Bryan Hughes, Jacob Groom, Mike Voda and Mr. Matthew Zukoski, advisor. The club has already started planning future projects. Some prelimenary plans include student competitions, mentoring high school students, and a project called Robo-Cup that uses robotic dogs in a soccer-like setting. ba, not like the 1950's walking automotons, but small purpose-built machines." The club's roots go back at least to last year, when its first meetings were held. According to Zukoski, "We had a couple [of] meetings last year - three - then we went through the paperwork to become an official club." Following the semester break, club members gathered for their first official meeting to determine what kinds of projects the students wanted to do. Zukoski and the club members have some preliminary plans for future activities. ''Now we are eligible to receive some funds ... we'll be able to use [those funds] for some robotic kits or some travel money ... we want to get the students involved in competitions ... Also I'd like to bring some competitions here ... One is called the Robo-cup. It is a really cool project that uses the Sony AIBO dogs, robot dogs which have a vision system and wireless capability. Each side has five AIBOs playing soccer. They use their heads to nudge the ball, and the students have to write code to nav- igate the dog towards the ball and then nudge it towards the goal. I want to bring that competition [to Wilkes] since the closest site is at Carnegie-Mellon, in Pittsburgh," said Zukoski. The robotics club would also · like to interact with the larger community according to Zukoski, "We'd also like to work with schools, K-12 students. There is a big competition for K-12 students called FIRST Robotics Competition, they use LEGO robots. The schools look for mentors, so one of our students could be a mentor for a team." According to Zukoski, for those that are computer science and engineering shy, never fear: the robotics club is intended for both "newbies" and old hands alike: "You can have no background at all. We can take English majors who are interested in robotics. I'm going to have sessions to show [those with limited technical knowledge] introductory programming, how to drive a robot, even simple building without doing any programming. Initially we might work more with kits because a lot of the students b vl've seen who were interested in the club don't have much background. We were · out there [on the Greenway] on club day, and about twenty-some signed up that day. I was glad to see students sign up from all majors--art, English, history, computer science and engineering." University promotes self defense A/nuiy natlyour~ Ned w buyytJur birin, ctJntrot Ut- prU!Ufi Get Your Birth Control wii:f.uJut A Pelvic Exam* The Beacon/Lindsey Klish This past Wednesday, Health Services sponsored a special self-defense training class designed specifically for women. The event featured helpful hints and strategies about ways women can defend themselves in threatening situations. Members of Public Safety also attended the session. Your ru.tmber one s-ourre f.or birth control and the morning a.ft:cr pm.· 1-8O0-230-PLAN www.ppnep.org • Cura in iruta,u.'J!!,further Cl'l'iltrqtfon may be ntquired �Charlie Brown Show 13 Nothing but Net: Job Hunt 14 College Daze 3-D art: Sordoni adding new di01ension with new "Committed to Clay" features five ceramists, including faculty~ Wilkes University's Sordoni Art Gallery entered a three-month relationship this weekend when it became "Committed to Clay." The exhibition, which features five well-known artists who work in ceramics, will run until May 21. Sordoni curator and co-curator of the exhibition, Ronald Bernier said that since the gall~ry hadn't featured ceramics, or many three-dimensional pieces, it was time they took advantage of faculty member Jean Adams' knowledge and connections in ceramics. Adams, who acted as co-curator of the show said, "There are so many different types of art, and it's nice to bring a 3-D medium in here. It's important for people to see great clay work." Adams contacted the five artists, including Joe Bennion, Randy Johnston, Mary Law, Jeff Oestreich, and Sandy Simon, and asked each of them to submit approximately ten pieces. "I've known their work; they're artists I've followed. It's interesting to see what they send to the exhibition." Jeff Oestreich said he chose his pieces based on what he wanted to continue to evolve with. "I chose a range of work that I am currently excited about, ideas that I will continue to expand on in the future." When the pieces arrived to the gallery, Bernier, Adams and a few students had to decide whether to display the artists' work together, or to organize the pieces by similar qualities, such as size, color, and form. Lighting of the three dimensional pieces was also considered when the show was set up. "Designing the show is part of what we enjoy the most. It's our added bit of creativity," Bernier said. Artist Randy Johnston usually draws his pieces first, and then uses the drawings and paper models as a guide to create the three-dimensional pieces, which he wood fires. "The fun thing about clay is you can translate 2-D shapes into 3-D form," he said. Johnston said he has met and spent time with the other four artists featured in the show and was excited to have his work displayed with other artists he knew. "I think people tend to be very aware of other people's work and what they are doing. Most ofus are pretty informed with ceramics and art history, so we tend to develop certain styles and thinking methods within our work and that tends to create bonds." In addition to having their work displayed, artist Joe Bennion will offer a workshop on Saturday, March 25. Jeff Oestreich will run a workshop on Saturday, April 1. Oestreich will also be presenting a slide lecture on Friday, March 31 at 7 :30 p.m. in Stark Leaming Center. The opening reception for the show was held Saturday. All of the art featured will be available for purchase. The gallery is open daily from noon until 4:30 and admission is free. For more information on the gallei, and programs being offered, call (570) 408-4325. �MARCH 20, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 13 · Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre to present Peanuts show Wilkes' Mariane Ferrantino brings Lucy to life BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor One of America's most famous comic strips comes to life this weekend--on the stage. Snoopy, Charlie, Linus, Lucy and the gang are all hopping from cell to stage at WilkesBarre's Little Theater for "You' re a Good Man, Charlie Brown." Cathy Alaimo, director, explains why the group chose this show. "Charlie Brown has such draw for the community. Everyone can relate to one of the Peanuts characters. It also has the benefit of being a smaller cast/production which really lends itself to an intimacy between the audience and players," she said. Junior English major Mariane Ferrantino landed the role of Lucy VanPelt, making this her fourth show with the community theater. And, the role of taking a drawn character outside the lines is something she has enjoyed. "It's been great fun, getting to bring a 2-D character to life. There is so much opportunity to put so much of yourself [into it] and also take it to a place where you can get really animated. It's such a great combination," said Ferrantino of developing "Lucy." The show will follow characters from Charles Schulz's classic Peanuts comic strips throughout a typical day in the life of Charlie Brown and his gang, featuring familiar moments from Valentine's Day, the baseball field and others. The daily events are played out in various vignettes, and according to Ferrantino, most would recognize the scenarios. "There is the essential baseball game where we all lose because the Peanuts can never win at anything, and Charlie talking about the Little Red Headed Girl and Valentine's Day when Charlie doesn't get any valentines," she said, adding that her character has a lot of interaction with her little brother Linus and his blanket. The set also features the familiar meeting places featured in the comic strip, such as Lucy's advice stand and the doghouse. But the emphasis is really on the Peanuts. "I explained to the technical director/set designer that I wanted to keep the set extremely simple. We have Snoopy's dog house, of course, as well as some brightly colored blocks and a few puffy clouds hanging overhead - that's it. The play is really about the characters so that was where I wanted the focus to be. We aren't even using a full orchestra, just piano," said Alaimo. As Ferrantino noted, the unique thing about the show is character development. When asked about bringing the strip to life, director Alaimo responded, "It really is a challenge, especially with Peanuts being so iconic. There is a concern about your audience coming in with preconceived notions about the characters because they've ' known' them since childhood through the strip and the animated features. At the same time, as a theatrical production, you want to be creative and inventive in character development. The cast does a great job at blending both perspectives. It's really been a joy as a director to watch them grow." Ferrantino agreed; in fact, it's been her favorite part of the production. "It's so awesome, such a fun time. My favorite part is seeing the characters come to life, and watching everyone grow. It's hard to see where they end and their characters begin," she said. "Snoopy is played by a person, Kaitlin Peterman of Kingston, who speaks and sings. The character really only shares thoughts with the audience. The rest of the cast [Jay Fink, Charlie Brown; Conor O'Brien, Linus; Christopher James Bohinski, Schroeder and Jesse McNatt, Patty] have all tackled their characters much as one would in any other performance. They have taken on the persona that is easily recognized from the long running Peanuts comic strip." Ferrnantino added that the young woman playing Snoopy does not just play the beagle, but has become him. "She does a fantastic job. During one of the dances she channels Snoopy; the dance moves are actually Snoopy," she said. And, why does America feel Charlie really is a good man? Alaimo has an idea. "One of my favorite things about Charlie Brown is that in spite of the challenges he faces, he has a way of finding hope and bringing it to others," she said. This show marks the 84th season for the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre, and is the third longest running community theater in the United States. Philanthropists who were so generous to Wilkes University also saw the contributions the Little Theater was making to the arts community. In the 70s, Dorothy Dickson Darte, who also co-founded the theater, donated a new lighting board to the theater while Annette Evans, namesake of the alumni house, donated the curtain. "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" runs Friday and Saturday, March 24 & 25 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 and $2.00 with a Wilkes student I.D. For some neat Peanuts info, check out snoopy.com Courtesy of the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre Some kids set up lemonade stands. Bossy Lucy (Mariane Ferrantino) gives advice to blockhead Charlie Brown (Jay Fink). These two make up the cast of Peanuts characters, which will also include Snoopy, Lucy's little brother Linus and his blanket, piano-playing Schroeder and D-average student Patty. STUD.:NT BODS™G SOLU'ln:ON oww•••• AtU'MI Aamacta Inn Ymsc..tt P•ldiA8 ••W,., 8lllilDIJl!ialHl'1:ftft • O..,._wllbHBO ....... ll"'t!JO.,. ~IPllngll UHllii•• ........... 111ta..... wan 1o w.11 o • .,...,. ~Cab.-......_ llNG'IH Or S T A Y ~ S APPLY* ..,.... · Ell■ IOl ■N-nlal Pdcmt fmm taaa• '2KmiG;Cll:i.C. :S•-ar: 2 NCleMft-) IOl'tVdlna s . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Pdceo t:om 1719• P4C mot1Cb ,( 1. oc 2 Mdl!Jlfl POiC {•Mft) INWr,cloo Pdced «tom l:HD" nae mnmn , , ro , Alie 1cm, >a,c,1 om . •dtHtle*· CA.LL. OUR SALES OFFICE FO~ A TOURt FREE ...... .. ...._._ a,20-az...21. oo., a:x,:l!N!l•OR 1. 2• ,.. ......ti!NI a4 I t o , ~ �--~~-------------- - - ~- 14 ..,... - . - - . - ..,...._..__ --- --- - ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Not.bing but Net: Netting MARCH your first BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor While cold calling, newspapers (the paper kind), employment guides and the campus career services department are quality places to find a post-graduation career, the web can also be a way to 'net' that dream job. Monster.com Perhaps the pioneer in internet job searching, Monster offers many job search options, e-mail alerts, the ability to post resumes and cover letters online and applicants can also apply to many jobs with the click of a button. Another neat feature is the networking section where users can meet people within companies or industries in which they have an interest. Pros: Free to use. Companies must pay to post jobs, which ean weed out fly-by-night places. Also, many large companies will post multiple job penings wiptln their organization. So, they have a great "learn IJ\Ore about this company" and "see all opportunities within this company" op9on. Cons: Despite having to pay for space, there are still too many work-from-home, pyramid schemes anij military r:ecruiting ads made to appear like careers on the site. Also, ihesumes are posted expect random e-mails from people offering you a job-but don't reply. These are usually for the aforementioned scams. Another con is that before getting the job you qlicked on, you must go through a page to sign up for a special offer. You can decline and we suggest you do so. Also, there are not too many local jobs to choose from nor smaller companies that may offer great opportunities because o£the high price to post jobs. CareerBuilder.com CareerBuilder htts a relati,pQShip with seve;ral daily newspapers, and draws listjµg s from the classified section from those. Also, companies can post directly to the site as w 11. Pros: There are probably more local jQbs on this site since ·· draws from local papers. You can also post resumes and apply through the site. This is also free to use. Cons: Since these come.. from newspapers and many jobs are in the paper everyday, there are lots of repeats. To get around this, y(.)u can look everyd$1:y and use the "posted withm 24 hours" option. Also, there are lots of scam jobs posted here, Craigslist.com The granddaddy of online classifieds, this site started in San Francisco and now has versions for nearly every major city in the nation and world. Just click on the city name for the placesy<.Jtfd like tojob hunt andyou~ll find job listings, gigs, roommates, housing, cars and much more. Pros: This could be a one-stop-shop ~· yon can find much of what you' d need to relocate. There is no Wilkes~13arretScranton version; however, there is an Allentown, Philadelphia and NeWYork: Gity1 which are all a commutable distance. The best part about this site i&tt,1;'obablynot the job part, 'biJ,t finding housing and roommates. Also, this site is free ofchargie. Cons: There are many unpaid and one~time (~qc,h <\S passing out samples for (.)ne event) j<>bs listed, esp~ially on the creative categories. It takes a while to weed through things as well. SoYouWanna.com This site is not solely for job-hunting as it covers almost anything anyone might 'watma• do. Under its work category, are articles on acing a job interview, asking for a raise and others. Pros: The free-to-use site offers a wealth of articles on tips for many types of jobs and even freelance gigs, The,:e is also much advice about the job hunting and interviewing process. Cons: The site is not totally focused on jobs. Also, the job articles may not appeal to the masses or even the college-educated- circus performer and babysitter are listed. These are just four sites- there are many, many others. In fact, some ofthe best places to look are corporate websites, as many places just post their jobs on their own sites. Also, professional and trade organizations and publications often have jobs posted. For example, the Chronicle ofHigher Education has a job area for instructors, staffandadmmstration. Many of these organizations have student sections. When looking online, be wary of insurance and work-at-home schemes. Many say you can be a manager and make over $100,000 per year. But for a smart user the internet can be a nice supplement for a search. 20, 2006 �- 15 -----:- ~ - ----~---- - - -- ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - - - MARCH 20, 2006 BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist °' 4\~:we.. "'ttt3 t~ +o ~?'Iii.. t'r❖.> '("41t-'ku..l ~1-- - ,, ~o-,{b 1>0 l'\()-t ~\~~ \I I &iOV ~C, ~.\•<y bt<t,. , . L I I · ~ u j ~TOYOTA Obuyatoyota.com ~ ,' MACPIIRIIII STRUT FRONT IDIPDIIION + AM/IM/CD:WITII 8 BPEADRI + BIDE RDCD8 PANELS + 38 MPD n,yt = YOUR REW CAR < I ) ~ i ..,,,,_,,, r&AESrtU1& ~FO:ttOOSOOiOOASNa:a 18l24~B'JNJrO.ACT.t!AUIHJtC.fMJ.YWlY. •~SfFOtm ~NDCB 1112 c'J:O.WNGTl\ l:~Nt)!llNfrfESJifA!EUEiS rti'l.l'KE. �Vlolat PA's statutes regarding alcohol and all you may hear Is... Your Degree Doesn't Matter. ~.,,,.,..,. _, 1111~~-NdfmJtllOlflltfor ~ H lLfD.Jlf Yi t Iii Tbtl'latti!wKf/d!f,m.il.sb-.tc.'1191~~.ifflil~~rt.,"ffli!llm'A_..illdllift • ~~~••wtitllfM• ellilffwt, �MARCH 20, 2006 17 SPORTS -Phillies geared for ru~ at National League East • Underrated team has made playoffs once in last 22 seasons BY NICK PODOLAK Asst. Sports Editor As the 2006 Major League Baseball season approaches, the Philadelphia Phillies face one daunting task ... win five more games. That's the philosophy of new General Manager Pat Gillick, who believes the Phils need to improve five more wins over last seasons 88-71 record to win the National League East. To the casual fan, five games don't sound like much. But considering the move the New York Mets made in the offseason by snagging Phillies closer Billy Wagner, five more wins would be a major accomplishment. With a couple of new faces and a core of young talent, the Phi ls appear more than ready for the task at hand. Utley will take over full time at second base. "Dirtball" is a hustler and leaves his heart on the field every game. Perhaps that's how he got his nickname ... he just loves to get dirty! Utley's bat is the glue that holds this lineup together. He is considered among the elite second basemen in the game. Whoever will play third base is still up in the air. With David Bell out with a nagging • back injury, new pick-ups Abraham Nunez and Alex Gonzalez should vie for time at the hot comer, both providing decent pop. Mike Lieberthal will finish off the last year of his contract behind the plate, while Pat "The Bat" Burrell and Bobby Abreu complete an All-Star outfield. Unfortunately, tenderness has been reported in his throwing arm (not a surprise to long suffering Phillies fans). Newcomers Ryan Franklin(P) and reliever Arthur Rhodes should also strengthen the bullpen significantly. FAMILIAR FACES The biggest story coming into this season has to be shortstop Jimmy Rollins's 36-game hit streak. "J-Roll'' needs to hit in 21 straight games if he wants to break Joe DiMaggio's record of 56. Look for Rollins to get a standing ovation every time he knocks one through. Now that Placido Polanco is gone, Chase Off-season moves: B NEW FACES In one of the biggest moves of the offseason, Gillick traded 401' slugger Jim Thome to the Chicago White Sox Aaron Rowand for scruffy center fielder Aaron Rowand. Known for his hard-nosed play, Rowan once knocked Pat Burrell himself silly after running into a cinder block wall chasing down a fly ball. "Crash" should become an instant fan favorite as he looks to rebound from Chase Utley Jimmy Rollins a down season. The move also gives reining Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard a braham Nune~ permanent position at first base. His ten September homeruns was a major Did you league record for rookies, and he is on pace to know? smack 30 bombs this year playing in a band-box like Jon Lieber Phillies shortstop Citizens Bank Park. In place of Billy WagttM er Jimmy Rollins only ner, the Phils acquired needs 21 more hits to veteran closer Tom n "Flash" Gordon from break Joe Dimaggio's the New York Yankees. son legendary 56-game Despite his age, Gordon hitting streak. put up impressive numbers with the Yanks, goMike Lieberthal ing 7-5 with a 2.66 ERA. @ Offense/Defense: A PITCHING It has been said that pitching wins championships, but it isn't easy pitching in a hitters park known as the "Coors Field" of the East. Jon Lieber will lead a young pitching staff, though he has been known to give up some gopher balls. Brett Myers has matured a lot over a three year period and accumulated 208 strike outs last season---92 more than in 2004. Cory Lidie, Ryan Franklin, and Ryan Madson will also figure into the starting rotation. Pitchers: C+ · Tom Gordon Arthur Rhodes Rheal Cormier Aaron Fulton Rob Tejeda Eude Brito Geoff Geary OUTLOOK Despite for the Florida Marlins, every team in the National League East remains very competitive. Keep in mind, the Phillies had the best record in the National League during the second half of the season. If they could somehow put it together in April (their worst month by far), the Fightin's can make a serious run at the division title. After finishing one game out of the wild card to Houston last year, the Phillies should be rarin' to go. Prediction: Win NL East, lose to St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs. ~ �SPORTS 18 MARCH 20, 2006 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK MLB: Yankees vs. Red Sox (spring training) Long-time rivals to feel each other out Double Take BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer Sarah examines the facts that truly matter. .. The sun is out, spring is here and the diamonds are being prepped for the start of baseball season. This is the time of year when potential is boundle.ss for many players anxious to get a chance at making a big-league squad. Minor leaguers and young draft picks alike are· feverishly vying for very limited openings within their top afliliate's roster once the Major League Baseball season starts April 2 and 3. Easily, the two highest profile teams in baseball are the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Their history dates back several generations and the magnitude of this divisional rivalry is incomparable anywhere in baseball lore. Not only do these teams meet nineteen times over the course of the regular season, but the majority of the Yankees/Red Sox classics have taken place in the postseason. The most recent of these is the 2004 ALCS when the Red Sox "reversed the curse" by overcoming a 3-0 series deficit to win the final four games, defeating the Yankees, and then sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series to win their first title eight decades. Back to the present, the 2006 versions of the Yankees and Red Sox, like many other teams in the league, have made some adjustments to their rosters. The New York Yankees, who finished last season as the AL East Champions (95-67), have made considerable improvements to their bullpen by adding reliable relievers Octavio Dotel from Oakland and Kyle Farnsworth from Altanta. The most intriguing addition was center fielder Johnny Damon, who left Beantown for Broadway and should expect a chorus of boos when he finally returns to Fenway Park in pinstripes. The Yanks are also led by their potent lineup filled with core players like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi, and Bernie Williams. In addition to the Yankees lineup that could score eight runs per night, the Bronx Bombers' starting pitching, when healthy, can be dominant as well with headliners like Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano. The Boston Red Sox ended last season with an identical record as their hated rivals, at 95-67, but thanks to a tiebreaker, Boston did not capture the division title. The Red Sox were a little busier this off-season adding pitcher Josh Beckett and third-baseman Mike Lowell from Florida, dependable relief pitcher Julian Tavarez from St. Louis, second-baseman Mark Loretta from San Diego, and as a replacement for the departed Damon, center fielder Coco Crisp from Cleveland. Add those bats to the Red Sox 's score of Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Jason Varitek, and they have a lineup just as deadly as their long-time rivals. The BoSox starting pitching, however, is where the club "trumps" the Yankees. When a team can throw five guys on the mound on consecutive days, like Curt Schilling, Matt Clement, David Wells, Tim Wakefield and the aforementioned Beckett, they have a good chance of keeping some powerful offenses, like the Yankees,' in check. But this is a spring training game, so not" all of the superstars will be in action. Managers will be looking at some younger players to see if they can potentially fit into the fold. This tune-up should give a glimpse into how the rivalry will lead over the coming months. The Pick: Boston 6, New York 4 BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Quick Info Spring Training Yankees vs. Red Sox Wednesday, March 22 @7:15 s NETWoRKI Well, I know it has been frightfully cold, but I'm fairly certain hell hasn't frozen over yet. That leaves me wondering why my editors are being so nice to me this week. The rumors are true. This week's game of the week has nothing to do with football, hockey or any other ridiculous "sport." Welcome to baseball season. What better way to begin the season than with baseball's biggest rivalry: New York Yankees v. Boston Red Sox. I have to let you all know that I still have some very hostile emotions toward the Yankees for taking, in my opinion, one of baseball's greatest players and forcing him to wear a Yankees uniform. That player is, of course, Dave Justice. In my heart, Justice will always be a Brave or even an Indian, but never ever a New York Yankee. I'm more inclined to pick the Red Sox, just to see the Yanks lose. However, given that the Sox are the latest of the two rivals to triumph in October, technically the Yankees could be considered the underdog. In addition, there is a former Boston player calling himself a Yankee this season. Johnny Damon is sporting the Yanks signature pinstripes and a new haircut. What a slaP. in the face to the poor guy. He's losing his stylish do and his self respect. But hey, the Yankees have done it to many players before him (think Justice or Roger Maris) and surely many will follow. Somehow, the Yanks get all the good players. I guess it could be worse, Damon could be playing for the Mets. That said, I'm actually going to pick the Yanks over the Sox (right about now everyone who knows me is gasping). So let's go Yanks. Win this one for Justice and Maris, you owe them one. Go Yankees. �.) MARCH SPORTS 20, 2006 Athlete of the Week Softball: Nadine Taylor BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor re Id, ·er 1y of II, er 's sre 1e ,f n a a Senior centerfielder Nadine Taylor took center stage in the final day of the Wilkes softball team's barnstorming spring break by going 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBI's to help the Lady Colonels to a 9-4 win over Cabrini College. Taylor comes into the year after an outstanding junior year that saw her named to both Regional All-American and a secondteam All-American, along with first team ECAC South honors. Taylor hit a spectacular .394, with a .955 fielding percentage in 2005, and stole 17 bases. An outside observer might notice statistics such as these and be unsurprised to note that Taylor was named co-captain (along with fellow senior Jan Nunemacher) for the 2006 season. Head coach Frank Matthews, however, is not in the habit of selecting team captains. In fact, Nunemacher and Taylor are only the second and third captains that he has ever selected on any of his teams. "That would include junior high and high school [teams] also," said Matthews, now in his sixth season at the helm of the team. The lack of captains throughout his coaching career stems from the high standards of captaincy that he holds--standards that few players have been able to meet. "I've never been of the opinion that teams should have captains merely to have figureheads as captains. I also never agreed with the fact that captains should be the most popular people on the team. I always felt that captains should be people who could be communicators between the head coach and the team while at the same time also seeing the head coach's point of view on just about everything. And in a rare combination, both Jan and Nadine do meet those qualifications. In addition, they are probably the two most popular people on the team anyway." The effectiveness of Nunemacher and Taylor as captains can be seen in the way . . - . 3 · The number of wins for the men s tennis team so far this season. The team improved to 3-1 after beating Neumann 6-1 on Saturday. 19 Winter Sport Honors The Beacon would like to honor the individuals who earned various awards throughout the 2005-2006 winter sport seasons, along with exceptional team accomplishments. All-Conference Selections Team Honors Men's Basketball Mike Constantine ( second team) Chris Shovlin (second team) Evan Walters (second team) , Congratulations to the Wrestling team for finishing 12th overall with 25.5 points at the NCAA Championship Tournament. The Colonels also finished 3rd overall in the MAC with 111 points at the MAC Championships on Feb 19. Women's Basketball Rena Bolin (second team) Courtesy of Sports Information Taylor was an All-American in 2005, with a .394 batting average and a .955 fielding percentage. that the team--that has 24 players this season--is coming together as a group. "Everyone gets along," said Taylor. Matthews credits Taylor's leadership as a major factor in bringing the team together. "She's unquestionably a leader," said Matthews. "The younger girls respect her. They respect the fact that she's been an All American, and they know that she understands the way things have to be done at this level." Taylor's effectiveness as a captain may be measured in terms of group cohesiveness, but a leader's effectiveness over the course of an entire season depends on vision and goals. For Taylor, the long-term goal is obvious. "I want to win the MAC," she said. "This is my last year to do anything. I never won anything in high school; [I] never went to state championships or anything." For Taylor, like many athletes in many different sports, the thrill of personal recognition in a team sport is not enough. True enjoyment of a sport stems from being a member of a successful team, and Taylor's leadership on the field and in the dugout may combine with not only Nunemacher 's leadership but also the youthful enthusiasm of the freshman-laden team to create one of the most storied softball seasons in recent Wilkes history. _ All-American Selections Wrestling Brandon Kelly (197 lb) Felipe Queiroz (125 lb) MAC Wrestling Rookie of the Year WHILE Congratulations to the men's basketball team for reaching the Freedom Conference championship game and finishing the season with a 14-10 record. Congratulations to the women's basketball team for notching six wins during ·the 2005-2006 season, improving by two wins from the 2004-2005 season. y OU WERE GONE •.. While the rest of campus was hitting the beach during spring break, the Wilkes baseball and softball teams were barnstorming across the east coast. Both teams did not break stride upon their return to Wilkes-Barre, and kicked off their regular season during the course of the previous week. Baseball The Wilkes baseball team posted a 4-2 record during its spring break trip to Florida. The Colonels also dropped a 9-1 decision in their season conference opener against cross-town rival King's College on Friday afternoon. Two other games against King's, on Saturday and Sunday, were postponed to next weekend due to inclement weather. Wilkes is currently 4-3 overall, and 0-1 in the conference. Softball The Lady Colonels capped off their spring break barnstorming tour by finishing 2-2 at the Salisbury University Sea Gull Invitational. Wilkes returned to local play by taking on Division II Chowan College on Tuesday. The Lady Colonels dropped both games of the doubleheader by a score of 4-3 and 6-2. Nu·MBERS OF THE WEEK l . 11 5 The number of hits that third The number of strikeouts that baseman, Chris Mayerski had senior pitcher Kevin Konschak in 20 at bats. Mayerski is had in his first start of the seabatting .550 in the last 6 son against the City College of games. New York. 31 The total number of runs for the softball team so far this season. �20 Preview of the Week: Baseball vs. Marywood Young Colonels looking to make a mark in the MAC in 2006 BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Staff Writer With nine freshmen and eight seniors on the Wilkes baseball roster, many onlookers may stop and question the team's depth and experience. Those on the roster, however, don't see a problem. Regardless of the gap in academic year, the team is fighting to defy the notion of superiority. "Chemistry is a lot better than past years and a lot of this can be credited to the seniors for taking on the leadership role and helping the freshmen. Also, the freshmen have to be credited for knowing their role," said senior captain Mike Toomey. Over spring break, the team traveled to Florida for a barnstorming trip that allowed the freshman to prove themselves on the field for ,...J1e first time. "We got a lot ofleadership out of our upperclassmen, and a number of our freshman jumped right in and helped us win a few games," stated Head Coach Joe Folek. The team is fortunate this year with three senior pitchers: Mike Toomey, Kevin Konschak and Mike Quinn. "Our senior pitchers did a great job. Toomey, Quinn, and Konschak gave us three great starts and helped us to sweep our first two double-headers of the season. We need these three guys to have big years for us and they got off to a great start. I think they're just getting started," said Folek. Sophomores Chris Mayerski and Kyle Follweiler also proved themselves in Florida. . "Mayerski and Follweiler each had a great trip to Florida and we need them to bring that intensity and production back home with them. They are two solid players who can make a lot of noise in the MAC this year," stated Folek. So what are the expectations this year with such a diverse group of men? "We have made playoffs all three of my years so far. Two out of the three we' ve finished second in the conference by one run. I would like to leave my fourth year on top," said Toomey. Every game for the Wilkes baseball team is held to the same level of importance. This year, the team cannot afford any setbacks. They will come into the 2006 season labeled as the underdogs, with DeSales and King's being top Freedom Conference picks. On March 21, at 3 p.m. the Colonels will challenge the term "underdog" against Marywood University. "The trip was a good start to the year and we hope to carry this momentum into our game against Marywood," said Folek. Beacon Archives Kevin Konschak fires a pitch during the 2005 season at Artillery Park. The Colonels will be looking for large contributions from their senior pitchers throughout the season. r Monday (3/20) Thursday (3/23) *Women's Health Night *Women's lacrosse vs. - 4 PM, Evans Hall Drew-4 p.m. Tuesday (3/21) *Men's baseball vs. Marywood - 3 p.m. *Men's tennis vs. King's -3 p.m. "'Concert, Wilkes University Chamber Winds, HSC Ballroom - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (3/22) *Women's softball @ William Paterson - 2:30 p.m. Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH *Women's lacrosse @ Widener - 1 p.m. Sunday (3/26) *Women's softball @ Friday (3/24) *Men's baseball@ Drew FDU-Florham - 1 p.m. *Men's tennis vs. Mary-3 p.m. wood - 1 p.m. *Men's baseball @ VasSaturday (3/25) *VIP Day for accepted sar - 2 p.m. students - 9 a.m. *Men's Baseball vs. *To have your events included, send an email to Drew - 12 p.m. *Women's softball @ wilkesbeacon@gmail. Delaware Valley - 1 p.m. com and include the *Men's tennis @ DeSales event, date, time and location* - 1 p.m. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. Congratulations to Tim Nolt who correcf.!y identified last week 's secret shot which was of the art safe in tlie basement of SLC. � 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 2006 March 20th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 March 20 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/306e515a6886e55ef32ca14ac2744e4c.pdf 0f3cf0d2e39e34f4fcce5b544cab154e PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 16 Students say race played a factor in arrest ofWilkes staff 01e01ber Officials say the incident is still under investigation BY KRISTIN KILE f d s Following a campus Black History Month celebration on Thursday, February 16, Andita Parker-Lloyd, Wilkes University Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs and several Wilkes students headed out to the Cracker Barrel restaurant for dinner to continue discussion. But several blocks into the trip, the evening took a turn when one of the two cars was pulled over and Parker-Lloyd was eventually arrested by Wilkes-Barre police for disorderly conduct. The Wilkes students who witnessed the incident are crying foul play. Valerie Martinez, freshman political science and communication studies major and Suzanne Chirayil, sophomore pharmacy major were traveling with two other individuals in a car behind ParkerLloyd when they said they heard what they thought was an emergency vehicle behind them. Chirayil, who was driving, pulled the car over and discovered a Wilkes-Barre police officer pulling in behind her vehicle. Parker-Lloyd said she pulled over as well, realizing Chirayil was behind her. Chirayil said she had to get out of the car in order to get her wallet and Parker-Lloyd got out of her car as well to make sure nothing was wrong. Parker-Lloyd then returned to her car when two other police vehicles arrived on the scene. Chirayil said she was pulled over for failure to signal three times. Mark Congdon, sophomore political science and communication studies major was traveling in Parker-Lloyd's car and said the police officer must have been following them for several blocks before they were pulled over on Scott Street. "We realized he was apparently following us from basically when we left Franklin Street, or close to there," Congdon said. As the police officers questioned the students in Chirayil's car, Parker-Lloyd became concerned that she should document details of the incident because of her role as the university staff representative of the group. Thus, it was important to know the identity of the officers. According to Parker-Lloyd, she then got out of her car a second time to get the officer's badge number. A confrontation ensued and Parker-Lloyd was arrested for disorderly conduct. Students who witnessed the incident are outraged and say race played a factor. "You cannot misinterpret this to not be a racial issue," said Martinez. Parker-Lloyd on the other hand, said she is not sure what played a factor. "I'm honestly not sure what played into it. But being an African American woman, some people are quick to say, 'oh it definitely was that. ' I don't know if it was that. For all I know, the officer could have been having a bad day. I really don't know. So that's to come out whenever," Parker-Lloyd said. As of this writing, an official police report of the incident has not been released to the See ARREST page 4 Accounting students prepare tax returns BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Correspondent It comes once a year. Right after the New Year. Valentine's Day doesn't even come close to the number of envelopes that are popped into U.S. post boxes on this day. That is right--it is the dreaded tax day on April 15. However, accounting majors at Wilkes University have made this seemingly dreadful holiday less stressful for individuals in the Wyoming Valley. In conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Wilkes University students have been preparing, free of charge, tax returns for elderly and lower income families each Saturday for the month of February. In January, junior accounting majors were provided with formal training in the tax See TAXES, page 3 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Accounting students prepare tax returns for low income Wilkes-Barre community members free of charge through the VITA program. Shawn Potter and Andrew Eckert work preparing a tax return. In This Issue... Your Voices Index News ................................ 1-5 Opinion ............................. 6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment... .12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEW. FEBRUARY 27, 2006 2 Sex Week SGNotes Racial Profiling Engineers Week 3 3 4 5 ---- Usage decision for Bedford Hall unclear after Public Safety move BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor As Wilkes University Public Safety prepares to make its move to the first floor of the Park and Lock on Main Street early next month, a significant amount of space is about to become available in Bedford Hall, where the offices have occupied the first floor of the building for the past couple of years. Chris Bailey, director of campus support services said, "Public Safety is going to move out pro&ably during the second week of March, during spring break. I am going to be moving very quickly sometime around that same time period." With the move of Public Safety is also the move of the 24-hour computer lab currently located in Bedford. The existing lab will be phased out and the 24-hour feature will be shifted to Breiseth 006. Bailey said, "We won 't shut this [the Bedford lab] down and open that [Breiseth lab] up. It will be that we will open that up and get people used to it and then shut this one." As both Public Safecy and the computer lab eventually both phase out, Bedford Hall will be largely empty on the first floor, at least initially. John Pesta, director of finance and support operations said, "Presently, there are no immediate plans for the space vacated by the Public Safety office." Bailey said, "The intention is to basically empty the building out and then it will probably sit empty for a while until they figure out exactly who is going to be coming in here. And then there will obviously probably have to be some minor work." Currently, the Air Force ROTC is housed on the second floor of Bedford along with Institutional Research and several adjunct professors have offices in the building as well. Bailey said, "Air Force, I have no idea what is going to happen with the Air Force. For the time being they are going to stay put. I don't know if they are going to be moving to the UCOM. Institutional Research will eventually move over to UCOM but that won't happen until a lot of the administrative offices go over there, which will probably be this summer." The Master Plan does call for something to be done with Bedford. Scott Byers, vice president of finance and support operations said, "The Master Plan anticipates Bedford turning into an arts building. At the present time, we have not considered any options or be- gun looking at the details of the building to see what is the best use for Bedford." This idea, however, is not new. Bedford has historically housed art faculty and classrooms before. Prior to the discontinuation of art as a major at Wilkes, the building was home to studio and classroom work. Pesta said, "The intention is for Bedford Hall to remain a key element of the art district proposed in the Master Plan. Currently, there is no confirmed schedule for the project." Some see the incorporation of Bedford as a building dedicated to art as a natural decision. Bailey said, "Obviously with the addition going in, that's the ceramic studio, so it's a natural decision." The decision to turn Bedford into the art building is not final as Pesta pointed out, "Initially, there were a few issues discussed with the architects regarding the suitability of the building for art. The project team with [the art faculty] will determine if the facility does not support the program during the project's programming phase." With much work still to be done, Wilkes student and faculty can expect to view changes in Bedford throughout the summer and into the fall of 2006. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon. oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com . Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz ■ ■ ■ Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays duringoithe academic school year. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The fate of Bedford Hall remains uncertain while the Master Plan and the suitability of the building as an art building are reviewed. wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �FEBRUARY 27 2006 NEWS 3 News in Brief Sex Week at Yale aims to take the ho-hum out of sex ed. BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon Asst. News Editor Recently, at Yale University, some students attended a workshop featuring a sex therapist whose topic of discussion was sex in relationships. Other Yale students--perhaps those eager to get away from the standard lecture approach to class--learned to striptease with a former Playboy TV host. Sound like an excerpt from The Howard Stern Show? In fact, these events were part of Sex Week at Yale, a series of activities (sponsored mainly by a company called Pure Romance) so risque that pundits and educators alike have raised speculation about the validity of the educational value of the program. According to a letter from the director, Dain Lewis, on the event's website, sexweekatyale.com, the events are "an interdisciplinary sex education program designed to pique students' interest through creative, interactive, and exciting programming." Student Government Notes February 22 meeting -Representatives of WISE UP appeared for second reading in order to receive club status. Josh Swantek motioned for the club to be accepted, Dave Sborz seconded the motion. The motion passed 30-0-0. -Members of the Chemistry Club appeared for a first reading on a fund request of$1,500. -Tickets for Dashboard Confessional, ;ponsored by Programming Board, are on ;ale. Tickets are $15 each for students, two Jer ID. -l#lKES llMVERSITY- In the letter Lewis added, "In February 2006, renowned professionals from a wide variety of industries, from models and sports stars to professors and relationship specialists, will convene at Yale University to challenge students' conceptions of sex and sexuality and question the way sex is presented in our society." According to a February 19 article in the Chicago Sun Times, "Critics say Sex Week is just the latest act of college debauchery." This is because some of the events that take place during the week are slightly unconventional and include workshops such as ''The Art of Mackin': Developing some semblance of game at Yale," and "Sex and Love in the Age of the Booty Call: Can girls view sex the way guys do?" The entire series of events calls into question what sorts of tactics it takes to get college students to pay attention to issues regarding sex in this day and age, where standard sexual education has become, in many ways, boring. Also, many students are uncomfortable speaking openly about sex and relationship issues. In a February 10 article from the Yale Herald, the director "stressed that the week is not about promoting sex. Rather, the emphasis is on challenging, teaching, and allowing students to explore their own ideas about sex in a safe and open environment." While many people criticize Sex Week at Yale, others see it as an effective way to not only get students' attention but to make the process of discussing these issues enjoyable and interesting. Diane O'Brien, director of Health Services at Wilkes University, said, "I think you have to be creative in the way you approach college-age students, and [Sex Week at YaleJ seemed like it had a ... kind of diversity to it." O ' Brien also mentioned the ways in which the topics of sex and relationships have been approached at Wilkes, and compared the effectiveness of these programs to that of Sex Week at Yale. "We did 'Sexual Jeopardy' and it was just a really kind of fun, creative way to teach, TAXES Equestrian Club competed at first Intercollegiate show from FRONT PAGE program they would be using. Junior accounting majors prepare the returns while the seniors have helped in the transitioning process. "The Volunteer Return Preparation Program is fully student run with four senior coordinators who each have a responsibility," said faculty coordinator of the program professor Cynthia Chisarick. Junior student coordinators Jennifer Gilbert, Ashley Arcuri, Brian Vivaldo and Andrew Eckert meet Tuesdays-and Thursdays to see what returns were accepted/declined and contact the clientele. Student coordinator Ashley Arcuri stated, "We have the same customers from previous years who are very appreciative." Accounting majors are not only applying what they have learned in the classroom, to real life, but are also providing a community service. "We are performing real tasks while working on our people skills. It has taught us the valuable skill of time management and responsibility," Arcuri said. "These students are not receiving extra credit but rather gaining a valuable learning experience while giving to the community and enhancing their skills in the profession," commented Chisarick. · and ... I bet half of the people left there saying, 'Wow I never knew that,' or 'I really learned something from that,' and so it was fun, educational and creative," she said. O'Brien also discussed the ways in which Wilkes students have an advantage when it comes to discussing issues relating to sex. "We're very open in this university as far as through the Health Services, discussing sexual issues, which I think is such an advantage over other universities and colleges ... I think our environment here is very open to new ideas and the promotion of healthy, safe sex," she said. Some students agree that, although the kinds of programs offered during Sex Week at Yale may be slightly provocative, targeting students in such a creative way is an effective approach to catching their attention while also educating them about issues regarding sex, love and relationships. BethMahonski, Pl pharmacy major, said, "I think something like that is a great idea. I think a lot of people would be intrigued by it, I know I would be." Photo Courtesy of Alisha Cain Members of the Wilkes University Equestrian Club attended their first competition through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association at Centenary College on Saturday, February 18. Wilkes riders competed against schools like Princeton, Rutgers, Scranton, ESU, Lehigh, Lafeyette, and Moravian to name a few. Pictured left to right are: Lindsey Schneider (4th place), Dana Manning (5th place), Alisha Cain (Captain), Sarah Brown (3rd place) and Jessica Ashford (2nd place). �4 NEWS ARREST from FRONT PAGE public. J.J. Murphy, City Administrator confirmed that officials are still looking into the matter. Repeated calls seeking comment from Police Chief Gerald Dessoye or a representative of the Wilkes-Barre police department were not returned. "We're in the middle of an investigation right now to see how all the incidents unfolded, and at this time I'm not at liberty to discuss the nature of those comments. It's a situation where the city and Wilkes are trying to work together and make sure all sides have been heard," Murphy said when asked to comment about whether race may have played a factor in the incident. The students said when ParkerLloyd approached the officer for his badge number he became defensive and would not give her the number. The witnesses said he began yelling that she was "interfering with a police investigation." "Every time she would step back, he would step forward," Chirayil said. The students said the officer then told Parker-Lloyd to get in the car before he counted to Martinez, who is Puerto Rican, and Chirayil, who is Indian, confirmed they and a third individual in Chirayil's car who is African American were singled out during the incident by the officer who arrested ParkerLloyd. In addition, there was one white staff member in the car. Chirayil said the officer pointed his flashlight at the three minority students and talked to them in a demeaning manner, at one point questioning Martinez's claim that she was a student. "It was a racial thing because he only pointed [the flashlight] to us three and we were the only minorities in the car," Martinez said. Despite repeated attempts local police were unavailable for comment; however, based on the description the Wilkes students and Parker-Lloyd have offered of the incident, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) would likely define the incident as possible racial profiling (see sidebar for definition). Beacon Graphic/Kristin Kile something would get done to make sure that this woman [Parker-Lloyd], who is working so hard to make sure that [the] school has some type of diversity program, doesn't have charges against her for helping and motivating her students," Martinez said. Loeschke said she has been working with the individuals involved in the situation. "On my own behalf, all I can say is thatlhave seldom been so saddened," Loeschke said and referred all other comment to Gilmour. Gilmour confirmed he will be meeting with the students today to discuss the incident. He said the university is committed to building a diverse campus community. "In fact, one of the university's core values includes the belief that collegiality, professionalism Students were here to see this. That's what I think hurts my heart the most. three. According to the witnesses, Parker-Lloyd appeared so stunned at the threat she didn't move immediately. By the time the officer reached, "Two," she turned to leave, but the officer then snapped the cuffs on and made the arrest. Chirayil and Congdon agreed in their characterization of the officer as "aggressive" and their description of his actions-continually pointing in ParkerLloyd's face as he spoke. "Truth of the matter was that before he even counted to three he had arrested her. He said, ' One, two,' she turned around, and then he arrested her and then he said 'three,"' Martinez said. Martinez and Chirayil said this is not the first time they have encountered racial discrimination while at Wilkes. Chirayil said she is transferring in the fall because of racial discrimination and Martinez said her mother has also urged her to transfer. "It's one out of many racial problems I have witnessed here as a freshman . I've only been here one year, or going on one year, not even a full year yet, and . . . there are no words to describe the racial inequality that Wilkes-Barre contains," Martinez said. Both Martinez and Chirayil said they have difficulty sleeping. Chirayil said she does not want to drive by herself following the 27, 2006 Race a factor in traffic stops nationally incident because she's afraid another situation like this will arise. Martinez said she does not feel they are getting the support they need to handle this situation. She and Chirayil have talked to Deans, Provost Maravene Loeschke and will be speaking with the Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour this week. They said that the representatives of the administration they have met with all say they need counseling, but the students do not agree. "If I was the President of the school, if I was the Provost or the Deans or whatever, I would _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _..:.._____________________ make sure that Andita Parker-Lloyd Wilkes University Coordinator of Multi-cultural Affairs FEBRUARY and tolerance are central to relationships among all members of our student-focused community. As a family of learners, we should all strive to promote and support a culture of increased diversity here and in the region," Gilmour said. He also said the university is providing support for ParkerLloyd and will continue to do so as long as it is needed. "However, since this matter is still being reviewed we hope to avoid this necessity," Gilmour said. Congdon said all city officials and police officers should have to go through diversity training. "I am angry. This is the first time ever I witnessed racism by a police officer... You hear stories, but to actually witness it...I'm really angry." Murphy said officers do complete diversity training, though neglected to specify what is entailed in such training. He added that the department has been working with the NAACP to improve relations with minority communities. "Out of this, I just want justice to be served ... the charges to be dropped for Andita, a formal apology from the department and those cops and a change in the community," Chirayil said. Parker-Lloyd said she is in the process of getting a lawyer because she believes she was wrongfully arrested. She also said a disorderly conduct charge will stay on her record and could affect her future employment. "Students were here to see this. That's what I think hurts my heart the most," Parker-Lloyd said. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), racial profiling is "any police or private security practice in which a person is treated as a suspect because of his or her race, ethnicity, nationality or religion." ACLU also states racial profiling often occurs by stopping and searching people of color for traffic violations. Racial profiling is predominantly associated with African Americans; however, it is widespread to include Asians, Native Americans, Arabs, Muslims and South Asians. The ACLU argues racial profiling violates the Fourth Amendment, which requires authorities to have probable cause prior to a search. It also violates the 14th Amendment which ensures equal protection for everyone regardless of race. According to studies conducted by the ACLU, the "hit rate" of traffic stops and searches reveals that people of color, are no more likely, and often less likely, to have drugs or weapons than whites. According to the Department of Justice as of October 2004: Twenty-nine of the nation's 49 state law enforcement agencies whose primary duties include highway patrol required their traffic patrol officers to record motorists' race or ethnicity during traffic stops. Twenty-two state agencies required officers to record race or ethnicity data for all officer initiated stops, and seven in more limited circumstances. Among the 20 agencies that did not require traffic patrol officers to collect race or ethnicity data in 2004, 14 agencies previously reported collection of race Qr ethnicity data in 2001. Twelve of the 29 state agencies reported that specialized units (such as investigative units) were also required to collect race or ethnicity data. �FEBRUARY 27, 2006 NEWS 5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY~ Wilkes students participate in National Engineers Week BY JOSEPH DEANGELIS Beacon Staff Writer They were little cars, only a couple of inches long and a couple of inches high and were made of no more than everyday construction paper, neon colored straws, tape, paper clips, and mint flavored Life Savers. But for the approximately 20 students of second grade class at Wyoming Seminary Lower School in Forty Fort, they were machines of wonder that they made with their own hands. The automobile construction happened courtesy of Dr. Prahlad Murthy, Wilkes University professor of earth and environmental sciences, who took five of his students to the elementary school on Tuesday, February 21 as part of National Engineers Week, a week set up to teach the science of engineering. After taking his students to lunch at Grotto Pizza, Murthy, who tries to go to teach elementary school students on an annual basis, took his students to Wyoming Seminary to teach the second grade students a little about engineering. "It's just to instill some interest in science and engineering in little kids," Murthy said. "Whenever you have something hands on, they like it." In order to do this, the students made Puff Mobiles and domes made out of nothing more than just toothpicks and gum drops. The Puff Mobiles were operated by the wind of the second graders who could blow it a couple of feet. The domes were then used to hold up the students' favorite books. "What we did today was just we let the kids get an interest in these kinds of things and if they follow through they might actually get an education in it," said Josh Shoff, an environmental engineering major who helped the kids build the Puff Mobiles and the domes. "That's how we can sell science and engineering actually," Murthy said. "If you just lecture, you're not going to help." At the end of the day, when the students were cleaning up their workstations, Murthy popped an interesting question to the students; how much water do they use in a week? The students then sent Murthy and his students some cards, which Murthy has in a pile a couple of inches high. "They're already thinking," Murthy said about the cards. "I think at least a half of a dozen of them said 'I'd like to be in engi- neering,' and things like that." In addition to Murthy and Shoff, the other students who helped teach last week included Fred Gerloff, Mary Baron, Tim Nolt and Dan Lougran. All are members of the Wilkes University Student Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association. Photo Courtesy Dr. Prahlad Murthy Billy's Pizza and Subs Speeializing in Ch,e esesteaks and Stromboli Pizza 14 inch Subs 17 inch Stroillboli Regular $9.25 Italian $4.75 Cheesesteak $10 Hain and Cheese $4.75 Chicken Cheesesteak $10.50 Tuna $4.,75 Veggieboli $9 Meatball and Cheese $5.50 *AU subs served with a pickle Cheesesteak, Onions, and sauce $5.25 and a side deli salad Cheesesteak ,,1th the ,vorks $6 Turkey Hoagie $5 large pies $9.99 16 inch cheesesteak pizza $11 16 inch chicken wing pizza $11 2 e Open Daily at 3 p.m. E. Northampton St. Wilkes-Barre, (570) 208-7992 Carry. ou.t and Delivery Only �0 P.Ef1Jil?ll 6 ~~~~~~~~-~~~----•-···--- Nickle for Your Thoughts Your Voices Local jail a dating service Your Voices The changing face of war Beacon Poll Results Women assume visible, aggressive stance BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD War is still widely regarded as a man's undertaking. More men than women serve in militaries worldwide. Strategic decisions in wartime are still made primarily by men (because more men than women rise higher and faster in the miltary ranks). And, stereotype or not, men continue to be viewed by most cultures as the more aggressive and dangerous sex. · But recently, the face of war has begun to change. Stereotypically, suicide bombers are men, right? The image that comes to mind when someone talks about a suicide bomber is rarely female. However, more and more women are killing themselves (and, optimally, a few hundred other souls along with them) in the name of Allah every day in the Middle East. A~ feminists the world over fight for equality between the sexes, are these women making a clear statement that women are just as valuable and qualified to serve a martyred cause? Or, are they merely misguided patriots and religious zealots adding increased numbers to the ranks of extremists willing to die? In a society that demeans worn- Nickle for~ en and places them much lower on the social and legal totem pole than men, Muslim women are locked in a debate about whether they are even allowed to blow themselves up in the name of Allah. Proving themselves valuable to the insurgency, women who are willing to die are seen as less likely perpetrators and are therefore invaluable because they are far more likely to catch potential victims unawares. The new face ofterrorism--a feminine one--suggests that the rules we thought we knew have changed. Women can be terrorists. Women can strap on a bomb just as husbands, brothers oughts By Jason Nickle t ~+ -h, do +h~ !? ! I\ and sons have done before them. Women can be just as violent and hostile as men. Whether or not this is a feminist statement is an argument for another editorial, and it's likely a question historians will need to puzzle through. What is noteworthy is that this attitude taken by Muslim female suicide bombers seems to reflect a change in attitude about the role of all women in war, as either perpetrators or victims. The recent kidnapping of a female American journalist working for the Christian Science Monitor in Iraq echoes the idea that women are now also "fair game" in war. Her kidnapping seems motivated by the U.S. detention of nine Iraqi women in military custody. The kidnappers have demanded simultaneous release of six female Iraqi detainees for the release of the American. Now, women have never been exempt from war violence, of course. Humans have unfortunately a long, long history of perpetrating violence and hatred on other humans, regardless of gender. Talk to women of any country engaged in sustained battle (Japan in World War II, Bosnia, Vietnam) and they'll tell you horror stories of torture, rape and murder. War is never pretty, never clean, and women know that as well as men. But in the U.S. war on terror we see a new and frightening trend emerging: an "anything goes" attitude. Young mothers can be suicide bombers. Female journalists are even more attractive hostages than men because they engender sympathy in different ways. Women are not only players in this war, but they are strategic pawns in an extremely complex ideological battle. The question becomes whether women can rally the strength of conviction to be the catalysts for finding solutions to end conflict rather than to perpetuate it. 6 7 8 8 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 65 responses. The Beacon asked: Who should the 2006 Wilkes University graduation speaker be? • • Larry Flynt - 14% Kurt Vonnegut - 17% Andrea Mitchell - 2% Hilary Clinton - 12% Oprah Winfrey - 17% Donald Trump - 8% Bono -12% Bill O'Reilly - 12% Magic Johnson - 5% Other-1% Next Week's Poll Question: If you won $21 million in the lottery, what charitable organization would you give money to? • • • • Red Cross St. Judes Children Hospital SPCA American Cancer Society Ronald McDonald House Local historical societies Libraries Schools Big Brother Big Sister Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week's issue of The Beacon. �FEBRUARY 27, 2006 OPINION 7 YouR Vo,cEs Please do not let Matt Zebrowski use a keyboard anymore Dear Editor: Anyone that knows me knows that I am a very calm, cool, and collected person, with a bit of a wacky side. Unfortunately, my calm, codt and collectiveness goes only so far. Last semester, my hours at the help desk in the SUB looked something like this .. .. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Yeah I know, where's my life? However, I would look forward to reading The Beacon every Monday. Just ask Nick Z... .... .I can't remember how many times I had to ask him where my stack of Beacons was for the desk. This is not what brings me to you today. Although I, like many students and faculty on this campus, love my Beacon, the latest article by Zebrowski has tainted my view of The Beacon. Now I know he has written in the past and that he is not a new writer, I've read almost all of his articles and have only had minor or no problems with them before. Some would say the answer to my problem is to just stop reading his articles, but usually they are well written, dripping with sarcasm, and to the point--his point. Of course these prerequisites are all standard for an opinion column and I also understand that. My point in writing this letter to the editor concerns his latest article about how drug education on television is boring to him. Granted, this is his opinion column and he is entitled to his opinion. You know, First Amendment stuff. He argues that television commercials featuring a child running from junkyard dog named "Tick Tick" (Come on, Matt do your research, my boy) the day after he smokes pot makes no point and is 'just plain dumb." That is of course if one would consider that something is "just plain dumb" because it makes no point to exclusively them. However, looking deeper inside the commercial one would understand that if a person were to start using drugs they might try to out run a junkyard dog the next day and even perhaps go a little farther and try and out run the police the next week. The point is, when someone starts using drugs, logical thinking eludes them. It seems to me Mr. Zebrowski overlooked thinking about what the message is truly about and was "just· plain worried" about when his next "MTV U" video was coming on. Start doing drugs and one will be running for the entirety of time during their use; whether it is from Tick Tick, the boys in blue, or the family problems created by drug use. That's the message. Seemed pretty clear to me, then again maybe I'm wrong. Let's assess another section of his article. I wouldn't want to "get anyone started" on those pesky"_ _ is my anti-drug" commercials. However, facts don't lie and the facts say that the average American child watches television on average between 3 and 4 hours a day, according to www.aacap.org. "Television can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping behavior," says the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Now Matthew, wouldn't you say that this would be a good place to "get started" on these "__ is my anti-drug" commercials. I agree with you that more money could be spent on drug education in high schools. However, this is the job of the state, and being an education major, I believe that the money for drug education could be funded through easier means, such as eliminating mandatory testing and allowing students to learn creativity rather than the conformity we get with ''No Child Left Behind." Sorry about getting on my soapbox there. Consider it a little plug for the education department. So, the AACAP says that television can be a powerful influence. Well, I agree. You sir, are the perfect example. Although your obvious disgust with the drug education related commercial has been voiced, the drug education commercial has still had an impact on you. Otherwise you wouldn't have written about it in the first place. Just as your Response to illegal downloading of music In response to your front page article on easier ways to detect illegal downloading, I find it very interesting that the school will take it upon itself to discipline you if they find out you have been downloading illegal music and movies. They are taking a hard-line stance on a matter that should stay inside a real courtroom and not in a meeting room with deans and suits al1 around. The thing that alarms me the most from this article is what Mike Salem, Chief Information Officer of Information Technology stated. I find it very troubling that a letter to some IT guy can set a chain of actions that cannot be stopped without the student dishing some serious money out for a lawyer. A letter alone from the RIAA cannot give Wilkes University the right to provide the RIAA with the information it is requesting. Clearly in the ruling of Verizon vs. RIAA the court stated that on Dec. 19 of 2003, that the RIAA cannot serve "form" subpoenas on Internet service providers (ISPs). The recording industry must now seek identities by filing civil lawsuits against "John Doe" defendants, based on their Internet addresses, then work under the supervision of a court to learn their names. This means the university should be receiving and complying with the subpoenas that it is receiving; however, not acting on a "letter" that they receive from the RIAA. Also upon further research I found a local district court here in Pennsylvania stated in a ruling (Civil Action no. 04-1241) that the ISPs must first send their customers detailed notices about the subpoenas, including information about how the accused suspects can contest the subpoenas. Since students of Wilkes University do pay for the internet through tuition, fees and whatnot, they should be protected under the law by their ISPs. The ISP (Wilkes in this case) should follow all local, state and federal laws protecting the user, so if an RIAA letter does come the university should expect a subpoena attached with it for each and every user, and upon that subpoena they should notify the person immediately. Finally, I think it will be interesting if someone does get punished by the university. In the long run I think that student should seriously look into how that information was obtained by the school and if it was even legal. I am sure the EFF and ACLU would love to get in on that argument. Justin Rogers junior, integrative media major article has impacted me and propelled me into writing this opinion letter in response. Powerful influence I say! I will go as far as agreeing with you one more time. Most of the time these commercials are "laughably square" (which I might add that the term "laughably square" is nothing but "laughably square" lo!) to drug users and sellers alike; however, for a child who has never used drugs such as yourself or someone who is thinking about using drugs these commercials might hit "laughably home" and encourage the would be drug user/seller to choose a different path in life. These commercials aren't tcl!geting the casualties already inflicted in the war on drugs, they are targeting those children who still have a chance to say no. Finally, I'd just like to make apparent how much a 30-second television commercial really impacts the lives of others, I have contributed my 1,006 words and however many words your article contained, plus the addition of time and effort to write and compose those thoughts, (which if anyone has taken Dr. Seeley's class this equals opportunity cost), time and effort that might have been exchanged at a job making money. Also, in addition to those two categories, any time that anyone might have taken to read your article and possibly even mine if it is chosen for print. All this opportunity cost could equal hundreds of hours of wages wasted, possibly even enough to purchase one 30 second commercial about drugs. So if you truly think a 30 second commercial about anti-drugs is a poor example of education maybe you are the one Tick Tick should be chasing. Matt Givler junior, secondary education major ,---------------------------, BE AC o-n nu M11WSOfl'l1lOikYUJ'IQUIDJl'l'DaMitlL"Ud.ll'Rl:<W~ The Beaco11 offers great pre-professional experierttt for writers,. de-signet$.; .manager$. Students can build portfolios for interns.hips and future jobs, make contacts widl people across aimpus and beyond,, and earn scholarship money or academk credit. The Beacon seek$ $tndeut writers, photograplt.ers.; page de.signers, and business m•nagers to a_pply for Fall 11 06 staff positions and scholaruip opportunities. Contact.· Dr. Andr~a Frantz ext. 4l 65or e-mail .-ndrea.hantzt'@wilke$i.edu for more • 1-.... ..: Jnn,,rdlQ!µ(ld. �FEBRUARY 27, 2006 OPINION 8 YOUR VOICES I'll tell you what's going on in Evans ·second floor Dear Editor: Do you want to know what is going on in Evans on the second floor? Well, I'll tell you: business as usual. The [letter to the editor] written [February 13] portrayed a few people negatively and should not have occurred. First, I want to say that the resident assistant's actions that were talked about were over exaggerated. To say that she "is never here" is absurd. I can vouch for her and say that she is in the hall as much as possible. As college students, I believe we can all attest that we are very busy at times and cannot just sit in our rooms and be closed to the outside world; after all, we are here to receive an education and experience college life. We as RA's all know what is expected ofus and do what is expected ofus, or someone would be replacing us . For the incidents that were mentioned in the article, yes, they are true. Last semester everyone's door knob did have a donut that was neatly placed on it, and there were eggs thrown throughout the hall recently this semester. I can also say that for both incidents I was present in the hall in my room and was totally oblivious to the events because they took place very early in the morning and very late in the evening while I was sleeping. However, no one ever came to me, or called me, nor the other RA on the floor, to explain the situation and to say if they knew anything about the incidents. I don't know what could have been any different if the other RA was there or not. One would think that instead of complaining about the problems publicly, as was done by submitting the [letter to the editor], that the person or persons would have come to myself or the other RA that has been criticized to address the problem first. After all, that's why we are here, and ifwe cannot handle the situation, we would notify the correct officials to do so. I think I can speak for everyone on the Wilkes University RA staff when I say that we cannot catch everyone in the act when someone violates one of the hall rules or regulations, however, it is our job, and I believe we do a fairly good job at it as long as we are informed of the problem. We are not psychic; you need to come to us to address the problem. One last statement I would like to make is that if someone is vandalizing the hall, it is a combined effort between the Residence Life staff and Public Safety to report the incident and stop the incident if it is still occurring, and then let Student Affairs handle the consequences of the incident. However, if the RAs or Public Safety do not know what is occurring, they cannot do anything to stop the problem either, so along with this comes some self-responsibility with you as residents to speak up about the incident. Along with the safety issue, if an act that is occurring in the hall could be seen as a safety hazard, you should either notify Public Safety directly, or your RA, so they can notify Public Safety that the event is occurring in order to stop it. I may be somewhat of a decent size guy and part of the best Army in the world, but it is not my job to go out in combat mode and stop the person or persons vandalizing the hall with a baseball bat as is what happened during this specific incident. I believe other RAs would agree with this before risking injury to themselves. The proper authorities must be notified to handle the situation. So, yes, I do believe something should be done "before things get worse," though someone has to stand up and speak up. Otherwise you have no right criticizing one of my co-workers or Public Safety, and that goes for any residents on the Wilkes University campus. Steve Davies, Evans 2nd Floor Co-RA Junior Forget dating services, soIDe woIDen look to local jail Looking for love with death row inmates mind boggling BY KRISTIN KILE Beacon Editor-in-Chief Like many other area residents, I am fascinated with Hugo Selenski and the circumstances surrounding the sensational trial slated to begin this week. I admit, murder and intrigue get me as well as the next person. Selenski is charged with murdering two drug dealer suspects at his house in Kingston Township, then burning and burying the remains. Officials say that the remains of anywhere from five to 12 bodies were found buried in his backyard, two of whom have been identified as suspected drug dealers. To make the story even more interesting, Selenski escaped from prison in 2003 just days after he was officially charged, by breaking out of a window and rapelling down an outside wall of the prison using bed sheets. Jury selection for Selenski's trial just began last week and has received extensive local and national media coverage ever since. However, many other people are fascinated by this story for much different reasons. Women who have heard of the story or have seen his picture in the paper are fascinated with him because they find Selenski attractive. Selenski, 32, does not look his age and the cocky grin he regularly flashes for the camera suggests he could be your average big-man-on-campus college student. Many would describe him as charismatic, and others arrogant. But it astounds me that women will look past the double murder charges and previous felony convictions and talk about him as a sex symbol. Selenski has undoubtedly received numerous pieces of "fan mail" from admiring women. I would not be surprised if he has even received offers for companionship or even marriage proposals. Is it an exaggeration to suggest women might actually propose to a murder suspect? No, and apparently, it's not even unusual. According to a March 18, 2005 CBS News story, Scott Peterson has received numerous marriage proposals. Peterson was convict- ed last year of murdering his wife and unborn son and sentenced to death. According to the article, switchboard operators at the prison fielded more than three dozen calls from women for Peterson his first day in jail, two of whom wanted to propose marriage to him. The senior public information officer for the San Quenton prison where Peterson is being held said the practice is not uncommon. In fact, many of the men on death row who have wives, were married once they were on death row. What is wrong with these women? Are the "free" men in this country so bad that women have to resort to finding a future husband in the local jail? Everyone knows a woman who likes the "bad guys" or prefers a challenge. And I guess if women want to live on the edge, you can't get much more dangerous than courting a convicted killer. Some experts say these women believe in the convicts' innocence and offer emotional support. Experts have also attributed the fascination to a desire for the media spotlight. Maybe these women think their best shot at fame is to marry a notorious killer who has gained a lot of media attention. Sorry, but someone who kills his wife and unborn son does not seem like husband material to me. And what can a woman gain if the man she marries is in prison for life? Obviously he's not going to help pay the bills or take care of the children. Well I guess at least she knows where her husband is at all times. No more late nights wondering if hubby is passed out drunk at a bar. Nah, he's safely tucked in a 4x6 cell, with his cellmate "Tiny," passing the time away by counting how many dimples are in each cement block. Maybe it'.i the adventure. Maybe it's the fame. Or maybe the women are convinced the guy is innocent. Whatever it is, these women need to get a grip. Most women would run the other way. Just as I don't understand how women could stay with their husband or boyfriend after physical and mental abuse, this is something I will never understand. �FEATURES FEBRUARY 27,L2006 --- - - -·-----~,-- Historic mantlepice Dr. Bianco publishes Big Brothers Big Sisters 9 10 11 11 SG committee solicits ideas for use of HSC bookstore space BY ERICA LEO Beacon Staff Writer With the bustle of speculation regarding the Wilkes University bookstore moving downtown, many have questioned how the prime first floor space in the Henry Student Center will be reallocated. As university officials continue to examine the possibility of the bookstore moving downtown, Student Government (SG) representatives have put on their thinking caps in order to come up with a feasible and costeffective plan to fill the space. At the forefront of the planning is biology major and junior class president Dave Scordino. For the past few weeks, Scordino, along with some fellow SG members, has been trying to discover what students think should occupy the room. SG recently formed a committee that held open-forum meetings for students to make recommendations and also encouraged students to email them with suggestions. "The meetings were very informal and students were welcome to present their ideas," said Scordino. After some ideas were presented, a survey was also sent out to determine which possibility ranked highest in the interest of the students. The survey results showed that among the respondents 394 were in favor of a lounge filling the space, 296 students think a convenience store is a good idea, 267 students would like a 24-hour study area, and 107 has agreed to stock more food items such as milk, eggs, and candy. The bookstore manager's office will house office areas for both the Off Campus Council (OCC) and Inter Residence Hall Council (IRHC) clubs. The back of the room will be used as a 24hour study area and group work area which students can enter at any time through the back door using their Wilkes ID. The plan also details that WCLH will occupy an area by the windows facing South Street so on air personalities will be visible to students and become more accessible on campus. "It would give them good outside and inside publicity. They could also do a lot in terms of getting people to come and do acts in the lounge area," said Scordino. Because the plans are relatively new and not yet approved, SG members have been reluctant to inform students, but, according to Scordino, those who are aware are very receptive. "We've compromised a lot. This is what we have come down to and people are really happy with it," said Scordino. Susan Martin, manager of the Wilkes bookstore, has noticed several students assessing the space and is pleased that students are taking initiative to do something with t~e space. "Unfortunately, there has been some negativity surrounding the moving of the bookstor~, but I think that these new plans will alleviate some of the negative aspects and give students something to look forward to," said Martin. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Students of the bookstore committee look over floorplans for the current location on the first floor of the Student Union Building. There have been many ideas proposed for the new space after the bookstore relocates. Among those ideas are utilizing the space for a student lounge and stage, office space for Off Campus Council and Inter Residence Hall Council and a 24 hour study area. There has also been talk about WCLH-FM occupying the vacant space. The plan that Student Government has devised was presented to Student Affairs last week but is still not approved. students think that the Wilkes FM radio station, WCLH, should move from the Darte Center to the SUB. Over 1,100 people responded to the survey. Using the survey results, SG has come up with a proposal that was presented to Student Affairs last week. Amazingly, the plan incorporates each suggestion (and then some) into the bookstore space. According to Scordino, the proposal includes a lounge and stage area in the front of the room with access to Rifkin Cafe, which U Tell S ■ ■ ■ What are you giving up for Lent? Managing Editor Becky Goodman was curious about what Wilkes students are thinking. Here is what she found out. • • • •• • • • •• •• • • • • • •• • • • • • Scott Zeigler- senior political science major Joe Pannick- senior political science major CandiceHalliday-.freshman, communication studies major Lauren Pantzar- junior pharmaceutical science major "To stop working so much." "I'm going to try to give up cigarettes." "It's probably going to be ice cream again." "I haven't thought about it. I'll probably think about it the day before." �10 FEATURES FEBRUARY 27, 2006 Historic mantelpiece connects Wilkes to local past BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor A little piece of colonial history on Wilkes' campus connects the students of the 21st century all the way back to the nation's first President, George Washington. A historic mantlepiece with connections to the country's earliest days is housed at Wilkes University. Dr. Wilbur Hayes, Wilkes University Professor Emeritus, has spent time tracking the piece's history and movements. According to Hayes's research, the historic mantlepiece artifact is currently located in the Miner-Moat House, which is the current location of the Office of Human Resources. The artifact has a long past with the city of Wilkes-Barre and its original owner, Tom Pickerling. Pickerling was a former Postmaster General to George Washington and was appointed to oversee the establishment of Luzerne County in 1786. Hayes notes that during Pickerling's time in Wilkes-Barre he constructed a large house at 130 South Main Street, which he occupied for four years. The mantlepiece was originally in the parlor room and is described as "elaborate and beautifully decorated with urns in central and comer panels, and festoons of roses in connecting panels." After Pickerling was appointed Secretary of State, he moved his family to the nation's former capital, Philadelphia. He sold his real estate to William Ross, who was a general in the military. In 1868, the house was left to Mrs. Charles Abbott Miner. In 1931, the house was dismantled and the mantlepiece was stored in the family's carriage house. The carriage house sat on the property of what is now the Martz Gym. In 1960, the mantlepiece was taken out before Wilkes acquired the property and placed in the house of Mrs. Stella Miner Moat located at 256 South Franklin Street. The family donated their home to Wilkes University in 1999. It was officially designated the Miner-Moat House and even after renovations, the mantelpiece is still intact. In 2001, Hayes was in the Office of Hu- man Resources and noticed the piece. "I was the first to bring attention to the mantlepiece. People knew the significance, but there was no marker. It looked out of place. It was an old piece in a modem house." Thanks to the work that Hayes initiated tracking down the historical relevance of the artifact, the university recently designated a historic plaque to acknowledge its importance. Hayes could not have been more pleased. "It is the only piece of work that connects Pickerling to Luzerne County." Dr. Harold Cox, Wilkes University Archivist, stated that this piece is of high significance and would like students to become more interested and take advantage of the strong history of Wilkes. "To me, the mantlepiece is the oldest existing man-made artifact from the earliest days of white settlement in the Valley and as such is part of our heritage. To the current generation, which appears largely indifferent to its heritage, its value is more nebulous. Should they be interested? Yes. Are they interested? In the present society, I believe that the overwhelming majority are not," said Cox. D onate PlaS111a Today. 1 TheBeacon/Nick Zmijewski This historic mantelpiece is located in the Office of Human Resources on South Franklin Street. The mantelpiece was originally owned by Tom Pickerling, who was a former Postmaster General and Secretary of State to George Washington and oversaw the establishment of Luzerne County in 1786. The mantelpiece was discovered in 2001 by Dr. Wilbur Hayes, Professor Emeritus, and thanks to his work a plaque has been placed next to the historic artifact to acknowlege its importance. Earn up to a Month! <if Interstate Blood & Plasma Inc .. 665 Ca Ava Wilkm-Barre. fla · ~ 823-411& �,. FEBRUARY 27, 2006 11 FEATURES Big Brothers Big Sisters in Faculty Writers: Dr. Paola need of a helping hand Bianco publishes new book BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor * For Wilkes students, the possibility for stretching the definition of"family" just got a little bigger. According to its website, the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships. The program matches students with a child suitable to them and they meet once a week in their community or at the child's school. who are in need of a match." Big Brothers Big Sisters has always relied on college students to get involved and become a role model. There are currently 14 Wilkes students matched with a "Little," and the program would like to see more students step up and volunteer. Ruthkosky believes that students getting involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters will benefit all. "College students who participate in the program have a first hand experience and get the opportunity to realize the great impact and positive influence that I am seriously going to look into becoming a volunteer. -Amanda Grippo, sophomore nursing major The local chapter, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge, currently serves five separate counties and aims to enhance many young lives. Philip Ruthkosky, Director of Student Development, is involved with the community development program Leadership Wilkes-Barre and is looking to design a program that will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. "Our chosen project will be an event type endeavor with the purpose of acknowledging the effort of current volunteers as well as assisting Big Brothers Big Sisters attract new volunteers," said Ruthkosky. The need for new volunteers is immense. According to Ruthkosky, "Currently Big Brothers and Sisters of the Bridge has approximately 1,300 children matched with a big brother or sister. Unfortunately, there are also about 275 children on the wait list they have on their respective Little Brothers and Sisters." Amanda Grippo, sophomore nursing major said, "For nursing, we are required to participate in five hours of community service a semester. I have always been interested in the program Big Brothers Big Sisters and after hearing they have a need for students to participate, I am seriously going to look into becoming a volunteer." College students are usually very busy writing papers and studying for exams. Students must realize that before deciding to apply to the program, they should carefully consider their schedules and availability. Ruthkosky noted, "Deciding to volunteer requires a dedication of your time." Those interested in joining Big Brothers Big Sisters can visit the website bbbswb.org and apply online or call 824-8756. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge, the local chapter in Wilkes-Barre, is in need of new student volunteers. There are currently 1300 children matched with a big brother or sister, but 275 children are still on the wait list. Students are matched with younger children and meet once a week in the community or at the child's school. BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Staff Writer Wilkes University faculty are evaluated according to a variety of services they provide at and outside of the university. Good teaching, service on faculty committees, and scholarship all play a role in faculty assessment. Dr. Paola Bianco has taught at Wilkes since 1996 and serves as the coordinator of the study abroad program. She is also a published author. Recently, Bianco published a series of books for university Courtesy www.wilkes.edu and upper-level high school study. These books consist of three editions of Spanish Dr. Paola Bianco has recently published works entitled La casa de Bernarda Alba: a a series of books co-authored by her husplay by Federico Garcia Lorca, San Manuband. Bianco took a sabbatical to dediel Bueno, Martir: a short novel by Miguel cate time to the research aspect of these de Unamuno, and El burlador de Sevilla, publications. There will be a reception to a play written by Tirso de Molina and two celebrate the publications on March 3. volumes of Spanish literature. Bianco's volumes of Spanish literature are titled Introduction to Latin American Literature and who are satisfied with Bianco's accomplishment. Dr. Darin Fields Dean of the college Introduction to Spanish Literature. of Arts said, "I am thrilled and happy for Bianco co-authored the books with her Dr. Bianco on her publication. This project husband. She said, "It was a good process. represents several years of hard work, travHe teaches one course where I teach four, el and research, and I know she is proud of so he had more time." her work. I am proud of all that Dr. Bianco During the writing and publication process brings to Wilkes, in the classroom and as a of the books, Bianco was granted a sabbatical respected scholar in her discipline." in order to complete her work. She decided There will be a reception for Bianco to to write the books because she saw a need for celebrate the book publication on March 3. them and publication companies agreed. "It took three years for two books. The second publishing company ac- . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ cepted it, because there was a need for this kind of book," said Bianco. The process of copyright and editing were also a lengthy f;() process. Bianco said, "It was more painful than writing._ I like the writing part better." For her research, Bianco traveled to Mexico and also drew on personal experiences to make the process tangible. She believes in teaching and using her doctorate degree for research. Bianco currently uses her own books when teaching her classes. "Students like to know their professor is scholarly. I can be a professor in class, but I apply my knowledge outside of the university and I believe students are satisfied." Students are not the only ones f;f)t. 1. 1~«.u ltlllNKING NSl~f)IJl~N(;l~S As many as 70% of college students admit to having engaged in sexual activity primarily as a result of being under the influence of alcohol, or to having sex they wouldn't have had if they had been sober. �A&E FEBRUARY ~7 L"iOO§ - _ 12 Raphael Cooper '04 College Daze Movie: Sy riana Old Country Buffet 13 14 15 15 Oscar Preview: 78th Annual Academy Awards to air 3/5 BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor It's that time of year again. The 78th time celebrities get glamorous freebie bags and sit together in clothes designed just for them, just for the evening. The time when we hear awards for movies we've never seen, starring actors we sometimes never heard of. Still, the Oscars create buzz beyond Hollywood. But much of the talk isn't about who will walk away with the trophy- but what they will walk down the red carpet in. And, with whom. Jennifer Aniston is slated to be a presenter, and many fans and tabloid followers may be eagerly waiting to see ifVince Vaughn or a seat-filler will be next to her. And, will fellow Aussie Keith Urban escort academywinning actress Nicole Kidman? While these questions may not be the main focus of the night, they may be the talk of the town the next day. Whether one watches the Academy Awards to truly see which actors take home an Academy Award of Merit (the official name of the statue) or to see who the Style Network will deem the best and worst dresse~, the Oscars certainly do make for a night of entertainment. (From the living room of course, as the awards have been invitation only since the 40s.) The host of this year's awards is Jon Stewart, sure to bring some wit and humor to an otherwise stuffy event. Other celebrities to look out for this year include presenters Jessica Alba, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, Will Ferrel, Steve Carell, Clint Eastwood, Sandra Bullock, Queen Latifah, Will Smith, Ludacris and last year's best actor and actress, Jamie Foxx and Hillary Swank. There are many categories (24 to be exact), but only real industry buffs and film school students really care about the behind-the-scenes awards. Here is a look at who is up for the fancy mantelpiece knick-knack: Best Picture: Brokeback Mountain, Munich, Good Night and Good Luck, Capote and Crash Best Actor: Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain), Jacquin Phoenix (Walk the Line), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) and Terrance Howard (Hustle and Flow) Best Actress: Charlize Theron (North Country), Keira Knightly (Pride and Prejudice), Felicity Huffman (Transamerica) , Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) and Judi Dench (Mrs. Henderson Presents) Best Supporting Actor: William Hurt (A History of Violence), George Clooney (Syriana), Matt Dillon (Crash), Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain) and Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man) Best Supporting Actress: Frances McDormand (North Country) , Rachel Wesiz (Constant Gardner) , Amy Adams (Junebug), Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain) and Catherine Keener (Captoe) The Beacon A&E editors and movie critic have chosen their picks. Who are yours? Our 2006 Oscar Picks UONNA: A&E EDITOR Brokeback Mountain. It just caused such a buzz. Which is probably why I am wrong! If the deserving Joaquin Phoenix does not win, I will be upset He acted and sang. Reese Witherspoon gave the perfonnauce of her life as the incredible June Carter Cash in Walk.the Line. Not a blonde bfo1bo 1n this role. Clooney. EnougJ\said. MYLES: ASST. EDITOR -= ALISON: CRITIC Brokeback Mountain beBrokeback Mountain even cause it made movie history though Crash should win. with such a powerful love stoThere's too much momentum ry. It has received the most to stop Brokeback. nominations and deserves every single one of them. . Joaquin Pheonix ...thus far, Ledger hasn't picked up any (major) recognizition for his part, and other thaµ those two ... who else is even nominated? Reese Witherspoon ... because she is just great. Legally Blond anybody? ~att'"Dillion totally deserve&to win. Heath Ledger. He took on an extremely challenging role and even had to create a new accent. For a film with so much con• troversy, he really portrayed his frustration and anger brilliantly. Reese Witherspoon since she did all her own singing and even learned to play the auto• I harp for the role. Way to go girl. Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback yountain because it's not eve~ guywho can pull off such com- plexity. Amy Adams because I dodn't see Junebug- call it Rachel Weisz. The Constant Gardener is supposed to be a great movie, and it's not nominated for anything else. Where's Jessica Simpson's Rent. nomination? I'm kidding. movie. That's a real gay Williams because this gii:l has definitely come a long wa)l since living at the Creek. Sl,le convincingly por· trayed whaqa woman really must experience lipon discovering her husband w::is homosexual. �FEBRUARY 27, 2006 13 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Dancin 'with Mr. Cooper Wilkes alum revolutionizing dance BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor a s Trash-talking. Rivalry. Boos and hisses? Those are things more likely associated with World Wrestling Entertainment or the Super Bowl. Ho~ever, one Wilkes University alumnus hopes those words will become synonymous with dance. Raphael Cooper '04, now an English teacher at W~lkesBarre's G.A.R. high school, showed up for a Beacon mte view fresh from the classroom donning snazzy dress cl complete with a bright tie and suspenders. But o chalkboard is erased, the homework assignment i and the last bell rings, this teacher has another gig tagett dancing. Cooper, who also runs a volunteer theater and m gram at the Scranton Boys and Girls Club, receJltl Dance Entertainment Company (DE9. Wj,, help from a friend and Cooper's sister," to revolutionize dance in Northeast Pe . t ... ee_ scouting and a successful audition in Scrng: n earlier this month, Cooper already has a cast ~f ten ho~es to grow, in to 20 or more. DEC, however, 1s more than Just a crew of dancers rehearsing for a show or tW'o~ taken his love of the WWE, football and ,.dance gethe~ a packag~ that he has not seen an explams DEC will put QJl two tou.ql~el_'lt-:-~t); e s per month, starting in September. .· • ·• . .. .. . . . "I love the theatrics of (the~)~ tlteth,emem trash talking. I am a big fan o['r9qi( make dance more enjoya_ble, ~o .. , want to create that same nval,rY ~d , it fo · ce audience. I wa~t it to be an e1'ec:6;Lc atrnosph_efe/'. . ,,. Cooper explams that the v?lunt~er cas~, ~1~n.~1Jp~chQ.< sen by June, will take paJt m an mtens1ve trammg c2.mJt~0 learn the choreography through the summer. The caSt wtl{ learn ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop style~•,apd develop chara~ters, all of whom will be implemented irt a fQ~line that play out over performances througpout tbe ,sea:, CQ says characters may on st~ge des . ir crowd riled, but says behmd the e coropany to be like family. And, so f: . .. "(The Scranton try-outs) went .. . . . . ed ten people. We have a great hip-hop 9ancet: U:-OU! Me ets school) and we had people from the whole area covered. We have al).q may join us," he said. Dance talent is not the only trait n plaining that thick skin is also requi mat. "We want the audience to cheer and them to boo," he said of the rivalry. ' have to have thick skin because they will all be quality dancing, but with different en And just like on the WWE, there will be each week for male, female and group or duo, things that could very well develop a following. "Why not tailor dance to people who don't normally appreciate it?" he said. "That's why I call this a revolution in dance." The next audition will be held at the David Blight School of Dance on Main Street in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, March 24. Registration starts at 5:00 p.m and the try-outs ?1'~ from 6 to 8 p.m. An April audition at the Woodlands 1s m the works. Aside from realizing his dream of choreographing for his own dance company, Cooper has a few other goals in mind for DEC. First, he greatly wishes to open dance up to more afo types of people working to change the stuffy stereotype that formai dancing is reserved for the elite. In fact, he admits that some studios are frightened of his concept. "The dance community is a funny community. It's very pretentious,,v~ry elitist. (DEC) might annoy some people, but I · '"'i:he◊~Ul)lmon' people will understand and appree sa:iil. ister ano,, DEC marketing and web manager echoes those seniments. ce world, you have to look a different way, be · ht or weight and even come from a certain soi,~ oaekgrowid. All these little factors make it an ic'e'."Tt makes it closed off and not fun. What my er is doing is to try to incorporate everyone," she said. As for getting ~pposition from some studios, Cooper feels iJ{i1ffiay 'be because they think they are losing dancers, which is' simply not tpe case. "We are likeah,all-star company of people from other studios who take this experience back to their own laces," h per went on to say that with shows like r Dancing rs, people are realizing that anyone can learn to da "People at@. $~$1ing that celebrities who aren't trained in dance are wiilipg to make mistakes," he said. He also exp,lains that da articularly ballet, can put people to sleep. lI,is goal? To eople up. am tired lassical stuff. The audience falls asleep art'di am bore~m,ys~lfwith it. I'd fall asleep, too, ifl wasn't ~ ttneshow," b,e said,]. La:na' Coopertfeels the same way about ballet. 'lt' etty cdt and'a:w. It's like, 'Oh yeah, here's act two.' y: · nachos to I<~p you awake. You just sit there and I program ap~ smile. We want to get people out of " she said. "lBallet) is an old traditional art form . athe a littfe new life into it." utting 0 a show that will attract a new audib,e, to inject lower-income parts of the Valley e des;ir,to learp dartce. Cooper, who has been danc.ip.a: ~j.n:ce be was threi\ feels very privileged to have had an ~PP · ay rlbt. Cooper explains that he wasn't ' at he i ucked out getting dance lessons he is considered a commodity ws that many underprivileged nee. g and make a profit, we want oor neighborhood or housmonth of dance lessons. ultured so they can·bring :ud Da)\c~JJ.JAt~~ainment Cor,npany ize dance with a uJtiqu:e conc~pt de, rqck cc.>nc~ and sports. ~ooner '0~ ... .el ae was .a,.,guest artist with the e~Al;>a.ft~in~witb the Stars char$.~was~p•~ .Tuµ_e .Sidoni) and Neil Young. n, relocated to Philadelphia after ge at ;Temple, ije trans(erred fl fi on from some studios, aid for, and he doesn't at o 've seen discrimination m anee; that 1t s on y or certam people. I want to get dance into these other areas," he said. Cooper explained that even though the kids he is footi~g the bill for will only get a few lessons, he hopes they will take what they learned and teach others. "It spreads. This could be their ticket out," he said, explaining that if they like dance, they can go to school for it, get a scholarship for it, pursue it as a career or maybe teach dance. Cooper is just eager to get through the auditions and get his cast assembled. "Training camp. That's all I think about." a. has been in the area since. has been teaching secqpdai:y c. · • . •·· ·•· •· · • • , • "' . , 'mparesleacbihg to dancing. ''In bQfll.~d.u~aion a:µ,<Jq,a:µfe, •ypu need discipline. If ;yqudort'~,.study, you nofig:fitdo~:on test day. The test2<{ay,~ dar1ce ;is; on ped'o®apce dat- It alt takes preparatiQtl. .W.d,discipline ,and todars kiddoesn't like that;' \\fill ·ti·•·•· @ • • .Ple of'yia.eo games- kids just through to upper levels. tq, gq. Aud a:, a teacher, you · et peop)e. on the same page · · ·· ·• anelecQQd time;'' ··• gh. Doi minds and glish tou usic vei; after wshows ·e well :t get �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 27, 2006 BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist BY PAUL LESSANE Beacon Correspondent \ c~'t- """';~ -1-', \I ~~,;"~ ~ " ' ' " C,,.,w, ! Pl\ I t.'>CC.\v!>~,.-e,~'-'" I ('o(\-\tf:,) <N'-cl l'\oo1,.e,_ " . _ I\..,._,~ , '!/1)<;,.~s, ""~ c,.~+- •'"""+""'°""! ~rA-.';t\ V After a few years hiatus, Clearlake is back. You repartee to make a frightening metaphor about know them--the art school boys who sound as if what the love/hate ratio really means. Lead single they have frogs in their throats. 'Neon' is a harmonica tinged trombone The new CD is titled, Amber. free-for-all worthy of a Johnny Marr. Clearlake is a bit of a revelation 'Hate it that I got what I wanted' is a for drunk nay-sayers who have stomping epic, saying once more that ever wondered what their voices blondes really don't have more fun. would sound like when they can 'Widescreen' is another good one that hear themselves ... through their sounds like it would look--a walled-in heads. Clearlake is a band from panorama of sound backed against a bathe UK with two previous albums nana split guitar lead. With more hooks in the bag. Their debut LIDO was Courtesy pitchforkmedia.com than you can shake a Republican veto critically acclaimed, and their sestick at, it's clear that this band can get quel Cedars was produced by eightaway with making a career out of sayies great Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau twins. ing what you're thinking .. .legally. Purchase this at Clearlake seem to have a good deal going for it. once. So why does the group sound so dreadful? The Grade: A third time around Clearlake, a guitar band, opted to employ the talents of producers Steve Osbourne and Jim Abbiss, who have been responsible for the likes of giving acts like Ladytron, Badly Drawn Boy, and other UK acts that can spell creativity the best duds on the block. Abbiss broke his back to ffi'an Seacr.est is give Clearlake's guitar sound a better haircut. CaQ, pull <1:tf t-shirts In Amber, the lyrics and music work together to r withJeans. Boy, produce a hypnotic effect. The chorus of opener n~ q)a1,ers are 'No Kind of Life' trickles down your eardrum like cl n . oul\there for a suicidal message that actually makes sense. It's • The gi;eat thing about these the helping hand of the album that makes you feel t blazers is how uniye:r:sai they are. They like doing the rosary. On 'Dreamt That You Died', cag,,l,e,;w~r,n to class, wo11k.or,even for a Jason Pegg reaches further into his purse of witty night out on the towp. Ouys, to dress :¼Our blazer up, pair it 6iter rs µht,.\-<. 1,,1<:0~~ ·,.. hv,} <><"e '10AI dtii"':\ .or .Sf"~ 13..e...k.'? "@ . COl'I.,...,_;~ v i,.d_ I I.I ;f\ ie,- ~k&,d 50+-c.. \;,+\le O u ~ rA,1\,1 . ., , Fr.;•/f'\ Y ~ II f.., k>lic. Sc:.fi4. '\ ,,J .2.'{L ~ AlrMtiy 1uu/,,~ ~ f f l Nwlw buyf(ll.U- IJ/rl4. ~ t m ~ I Get Yoor Dinh ContNI ,Witl'tw.t A Pelvic Jlum• \'our nu!1W<1' ome ~IX¢ ifM birth oo«itml an!! the rn1»1run,g,:uter ,mt l-000~23"0-PLAN ~ Vt'WW,llpnep.org Ctrtlfm fti'j}ttttcNifarl'Ntr mtftl.:lrJ'on nml)t£it nt,J;!ll'Jm.i' :Fifb, .some µice dress pants and a chic ·v:neck sweater. If you want to tone it , th:(6w on a solid colored T-shirt holes or stains, guy~) and a trendy pait;qf dtstressed or woinjeans. Herringbone blazers, like the one shown above, can be found in stores 1 like Banana Republic, The Gap, Ralph Lauren and even 'I'arget. Guys, you'll be suresito stay stylish tbtoughou~ the week with a great herringbone blazer. ~Megan Mance �15 ARTS & ENTERTAIN MENT~====F=E=B=RU=A=R=..;Y;==2=;7,ii=2=0:;=0=;6 mninner and a M6vie Movie: Syriana BY ALISON SHERRY Beacon Staff Writer The Academy Awards are just around the comer and it's time for movie fanatics to watch and rate our favorite movies and for stars to get the awards they deserve. In the case of Syriana though, the accolades don't seem especially deserving, thanks to a nearly incomprehensible plot. George Clooney and Matt Damon may be in it, but ladies, hold those hormones. In this movie, audiences are sure to find two of the sexiest men in Hollywood in very different and more serious roles. Yes, it's a very dramatic and serious movie, but it also may be the longest 126 minutes of your life.From writer/director Stephen Gaghan, winner of the Best Screenplay Academy Award for Traffic, Sy riana is a political thriller with intertwining a combination of different stories about the global oil industry. Yeah. Sound exciting yet? Oh wait, it gets better. A CIA operative (George Clooney) goes undercover in the Middle East only to discover a disturbing truth about his undercover work. A rising star of an oil-broker (Matt Damon) faces a horrific tragedy and finds solace in a partnership with a Gulf Prince. In an- other aspect, a corporate lawyer (Jeffrey Wright) faces a questionable merger with two powerful U.S. oil companies, while across the globe a Pakistani teenager falls prey to the recruiting efforts of a suicide school. Each character plays a part in connecting the story together in a complex system that has each person unaware of the impact their actions will George Clooney stars in Syriana Courtesy WB Media have on the world. So ...what's this about again? Sometimes It's probably just as thrilling. George Clooney is currently it can be fun to see different stories in one movie (i.e. the nominated for Best Actor and Stephen Gaghan for Best Lord ofthe Rings). But in this case, it is just downright an- Writing and Screenplay. I'm not so sure about the writing, noying. The viewer has absolutely no idea what is going but on a slight upside, Clooney definitely went through a on the entire time or why it is relevant until the very end. lot to make himself look as· a believable CIA agent. That When the ending does come, it's not even that wonderful. may be the most impressive thing about Syriana. It almost seems like a complete waste of time and effort Otherwise, just save yourself the eight dollars and tum on trying to figure out something that ends so abruptly. True, C-SPAN. Grade: D these are the kinds of things going on in the world, but you don't need a movie to tell you about oil. Tum on C-SPAN. Dinner: Old Country Buffet BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor vy. I had a third small plate of another slice of meatloaf, baked beans I admit it. I hate drivand another enchilada. ing and I hate traffic, two All was pretty good. pet peeves of mine frequent The stuffing was sweet, readers of the Beacons Dinthough. The meatloaf ner and a Movie may now be was great; by far the familiar with. So, when we best thing on the buffet needed a new desk, groceries and perhaps better than and were growing hungry, Courtesy Tradershop.com some diners. Dave I decided to find a place in A typical OCB buffet line. took quite a few trips Wilkes-Barre where we could too. His favorites were do all three in the shortest amount of time mashed potatoes and the mac-n-cheese. He and with the least driving. The thing was, I also said the wings and said they were tasty. already knew I wanted a cool desk from Big The beverage selection was diverse- even Lots. I thought we could eat and shopt at Sprite Zero on tap, as well as coffee and tea. Wegman's, and then get the desk. But why The chocolate milk is awesome, just like go to a busier part of town when there is a at Wilkes. There is something about a big Price Chopper and Old Country Buffet right metal vat filled with a bag of milk. Mmm! next to Big Lots? Problem solved. Overall, the concept of OCB is just like the We arrived at OCB at around 5:30 to Wilkes cafeteria, only a little pricier at $9.99 find that many others had opted for an ear- per dinner. There are different dishes every ly, family-style dinner. After paying the night, but always a good selection of meats, $21.19 for two adult dinners, we managed side orders and veggies. They have dessert to find a booth. That's a good thing because too, but somehow my date and I never have neither of us prefer tables in the center of room. restaurants. We both made a beeline for the Those with an OCD may not like OCB- all salad bar first- I have always loved salad sorts of hands touching things. I on the othbars, especially when they have peas, bacon er hand just believe that my immune system bits, sunflower seeds and Chinese noodles. will take care ofme as I indulge buffet style And anything other than iceberg lettuce. I dining. As for the atmosphere, it's just soadded some cottage cheese and I was set for so. With high traffic to and from the buffet, my first course. I also had a small cup of there is bound to be spills, crumbs and other com and potato chowder, which was a little debris on the floor and spoons in the wrong bland. Then loaded up on a combination of serving pan. During our visit though, there things: meatloaf, chicken-n-dumplings, an were employees constantly cleaning; a good enchilada, stuffing, com and taters and gra- sign. Grade: B ■ Tunmaous•Nc SOLDTaON anwnaa A t u,.o Ftamaoa -Inn :¥ail11 l!laa.,,_RMtl bl!DIHII-: PatkilnO C..._ wM1i HBO ~ - ~IW l'\l.ffllid'ilft9• Uliilii•• Klicih•n • • - - • • llla•rn w . . 1ow. . o ~ Air c ~ UNG'J'H OF ' S r A Y ~ S·.APPLY* :a s iOIEN-aaEII PtJcaa =m tast• ma: #0 Olb ( 1 or 2 •r rn un UcdYdffil uu,..... Pdceo lfoft\ UfO• cw: D\Odb O oc 2 MC hlDM) IRdwtloo YfllDkl 2 aSDIIIOOM SUftlal Prr:mf mm saso• PCIC month C 1 IA 4 MC uw,c >lOctl'!JIDA •dJlftlftw CALL. CUR ~es OFFIC.I!: FOR A TOUR I 8'20-a2-S•'ZJ.OO., l:X'l'l:ll'SION' S.2S FRI!:!= 1 Secrw:av IDoca:ttDa IJo•IMk'lo-• .............. ,.__._ .......... """'_ �UNIVERSITY ON UNIVERSI f oWERS MA , I N Cf}MMONS R I V !:: R S ii D E j �FEBRUARY SPORTS 27, 2006 17 Chattin' with Past Colonels Wilkes assistant softball coach Sandy Mullen BY RICH HANNICK Beacon Staff Writer This week, the Chattin' with past Colonels feature will be taking a little bit of a different approach. Even though our feature is a past Colonel, she is also a present Colonel. Wilkes assistant softball coach Sandy Mullen spent her four years of eligibility with the Lady Colonels' softball team, and has been splitting her time between her pharmacy studies and her coaching duties ever since. Recently, Mullen, who is assistant softball coach, had a chance to sit down with Beacon correspondent Rich Hannick to discuss her career and plans for the future. Rich Hannick (RH).: What made you decide to come to Wilkes and play softball? Sandy Mullen (SM): I liked that Wilkes was close to home and allowed me the op- portunities to continue to play softball and also focus on school. RH: What positions did you play? SM: Catcher, third base, and designated hitter. RH: What accolades or honors did you receive for playing softball? SM: First and Second Team Freedom Conference and MAC Academic Honor Roll. RH: Why did you decide to become a coach after your eligibility expired? SM: I still wanted to be involved with softball and knew that with the rigorous pharmacy schedule in addition to working, coaching would allow for that opportunity. RH: Does coaching interfere with your pharmacy studies? SM: No, the faculty of the pharmacy school have been great in allowing me to continue to coach and the athletic department under- stands that academics come before athletics. RH: What do you teach your players regarding eligibilty? SM: I hope that my involvement with the program over the last four years shows them that even though your eligibility has expired, your involvement with softball and the team at Wilkes does not have to end. RH: How does your work on the field reflect your work off the diamond? SM: I think ... trying to do my best at every practice and every game for the team in order to help them improve carries over into everything I do from school to work to my involvement in the pharmacy organizations. It's that mentality that drives you to be a better student, athlete, coach, or whatever you focus is at the particular moment. RH: Do you have a favorite U.S. women's softball player? If so who? SM: I don't have a favorite player, but I respect the entire team and think its great women's sports have come so far over the past several years. ~TOYOTA wm~,r:: I . DT PBDIIT 8U8PIK8IGN :CD WITB I 8PIAIIR8 + AM + BIDE lllaB PANELi + 38MPOBW'Yf = YOUR ■I\V CAB A8 IIIOWll l17,380tt @n>YOTA , ..,,.f,n;n> 9A ESHMB!i\+G FOi 2005:00ROU.A. SNOIB !SU AgfB') AUfO.AC'ilW. ti#IEAGf: ,~nvr. •tMS:11 rot100\, 900' mxet 18l2 OOIDN3 TM, lAmJNl>!.ie&R FEES. DfA!l.EiSEIS r;r.w ,»:f. �SPORTS 18 FEBRUARY 27, 2006 Senior Tribute BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Participating in athletics can be a heartbreaking endeavor. Athletes who love their sports can find the shock of missed shots and narrow defeats to be a sobering experience that they may feel far too many times in an athletic career. This chance for hearbreak is topped by the NCAA's eligibility rules, which gives most athletes only four years to take their shot at a conference crown or national title. The Wilkes winter sports programs have recently closed the 2005-2006 season. Of the dozens of athletes that have hung up their uniforms for the year, nine have hung them up for good. The Beacon honors these individuals for the four years of dedication that they gave to their respective Wilkes programs. Although their careers as student-athletes may have drawn to a close, the traditions they added to at Wilkes will continue to build. Wonten's basketball The women's basketball team went through a transitional season after losing several key players and having to adjust to a new coach. It was up to seniors Rena Bolin, Tristin Tkach, and Andrea Kaprowicz to carry a young squad and acclimate the coach to the Colonel system. Just like the men's basketball team, the senior women took on different leader~hip roles, bringing their own unique style to the table. "Rena was the heart of the team," said coach Rachel Hartung. "She led by example. Tkach and Andrea Kaprowicz, on the other hand, took on a parental role. While Tkach dished out tough love to the team, telling it like· it was, Kaprowicz played the soccer mom, always cheering and offering positive reinforcement. "Each possessed a different leadership quality that made for a very nice Wrestling Rex Harris came into this season with something to prove. A champion in 2003, Harris suffered from a tom ACL and had to rehabilitate the past two years. His return definitely made a statement about his character and drive. "Rex gives it everything he's got and he meshed well with everybody else," said head coach Jon Laudenslager. Harris, the lone senior who served as a team captain, finished (31-6) and plans to follow up on his business major. team environment," Hartung said. Despite a losing record, the team showed improvement, winning two more games than the Andrea Kaprowicz Rex Harris previous year. The team also played competitively throughout the season, setting an intense tone for the years to follow. Tristin Tkach Men's basketball Senior Drew Amoroso gave new meaning to the term student athlete during his four years at Wilkes. An English major, Amoroso maintained a 4:0 average while serving as president of both the Sigma Tau Delta and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, not to mention co-captain of the men's basketball team his junior and senior years. "Drew is the best leader I have ever had," said head coach Jerry Rickrode. "And that's saying a lot because he doesn't get to play all that much. He just has a rare quality and is mature beyond his years. He'll probably be in the Senate someday," Rickrode laughed. Drew Amoroso Sharing the captain's role with Amoroso was big-man center Evan Walters. A standout soccer player at Cumberland Valley high school, Walters was persuaded to join the basketball team and has been a shotblocking fiend in the paint ever since, leading the league in blocked shots this season with 73. Walters is a math major and hopes to become a mechanical engineer. While Amoroso and Walters served as the team leaders , guard Michael Constantine was the team's workhorse. Playing three seasons with the Colonels after transferring from Div II Saint Rose, Constantine was a threat beyond the arc all season, complet- Evan Walters ing a scoring trifecta behind Walters and sophomore guard Chris Shovlin. "When he gets an open look, you get the feeling it's going in," Rickrode said. "C-Dawg" was second on the team in scoring and second in the league in three pointers, sinking ( 65) treys and coming in second only to Freedom Player of the Year Jonathan Pribble of Lycoming. "It's no surprise that he's the best shooter because he has the best work ethic. He's a deadly shooter, he works at it, and he's confident. And that's going to be important later on in life because it will carry over into whatever job he gets into," Rickrode said. Mike Constantine Also graduating from the men's basketball team are guard John Sclafani and 6-6 forward Greg Cardamone, who both played major roles in Wilkes' playoff run. Sclafani is an accounting major and made the Deans' List all four years of his academic career. He also interned at Bear-Stems the past two summers. "John's going to be very successful," Rickrode said. . Rickrode also expects Cardamone to reap life's benefits. An electrical engineer, Rickrode said "Greg's come a long way. He has a great family and is a worker in and out of the classroom." John Sclafani Greg Cardamone �FEBRUARY 27, 2006 SPORTS 19 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK National Hockey League: Flyers versus Rangers Philly to outlast New York in Post-Oly01pic shootout BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer The Olympic torch in Torino has been extinguished and the many National Hockey League participants are returning home. It is now the time in the NHL season when teams decide whether they are still striving for the Stanley Cup or if they are going to begin rebuilding for next year. The month of March represents the final full month of the regular season and the last major push for either a playoff berth or for a division title. In terms of this game, the race at the top of the Atlantic division continues as the New York Rangers bring their slim division lead to Philadelphia to battle their long-time rivals, the second place Flyers. The marquee names in this rivalry are ever changing. From the old days when there were players by the name of Davidson, Clarke, and Barber, to only a decade ago with names like Lindros, Messier, and Richter, and to now where the big names are Forsberg, Gagne, and Jagr, there have always been great players and games to watch between these two storied clubs. As for those current prominent players, all of them are limping back to the NHL after injuries kept each one of them out of serious playing time in the Olympics. Philadelphia forwards Peter Forsberg, who has been battling injuries all season, and Simon Gagne, who took a rough hit in Team Canada's quarterfinal loss to Russia that momentarily took him out of action, may not be playing at full throttle. Also, the Rangers' star Jaromir Jagr suffered a head injury during the Olympic tournament that noticeably reduced his effectiveness on the ice. With prominent injuries affecting both teams, the supporting casts will have to rise to the occasion to make up for any potential lack of star power. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Forsberg and Gagne make up a vast majority of their scoring, so the team will have to count on forwards Mike Knuble, Sarni Kapanen and newly acquired Petr Nedved to lead the scoring rush if their big guns are not playing. Also, some contributions will need to be made from offensive defensemen Eric Desjardins and Joni Pitkanen if the Flyers want to keep up with the Rangers offensively. Speaking of the guys in blue, the Rangers boast more offensive depth on paper. Forwards Michal Nylander, Martin Straka, Petr Sykora, and Martin Rucinsky all have the ability to take over the game offensively on a good night. Defensively is where the Flyers have a decided advantage. Philadelphia has one of the biggest and most physical defensive corps in the league and they will most likely use that advantage to frustrate the Rangers' forwards and get them off their game. Staying with the physical aspect of the game, expect a rivalry such as this to be filled with hits and possibly some fisticuffs before it is all said and done. Expect the Flyers' Derian Hatcher and Donald Brashear as well as the Rangers' Darius Kasparaitis to be in the middle of the action. It simply would not be a true Flyers-Rangers game ......... Double Take vs without a healthy dose of physical play. The rookie watch for this game centers on New York's sensational rookie netrninder Hemik Lundquist, who ranks among the top-ten in the league in every major goaltending category. On the other side, keep an eye on the duo of Flyers rookie centers Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, potential 'xfactors' in the game. It will be interesting to see how the players on both teams perform after an extended hiatus in the NHL schedule due to the Olympic Games. Assuming both clubs are in midseason form, it will be a good battle between the Rangers offense and the Flyers defense. Expect a close game the whole way through, as it should end in a one or two-goal difference. The Pick: Rangers 4, Flyers 3 (OT) BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Sarah examines the /acts that tmly matter... Well, you sure can bet that this week's Double Take will be short and to the point. The point you ask? I still hate hockey. It's nonsense in my opinion. Nevertheless, my ruthless editors have forced me to examine the face off between the Rangers and the Flyers. I'm not even sure where to begin. Hockey is just an excuse for men to ice skate without being picked on. Male figure skaters take heat all of the time, but hockey players are "macho". Since I'm not too sure what the heck a Ranger is supposed to be, I'll pick the Flyers. Although, I'm not quite sure how they got their name either. I hear Philadelphia hockey fans are brutal, so I won't take any chances. Go Flyers. WEEKEND RECAPS Men's basketball The Colonels were unable to hold on to a 32-27 halftime lead against the University of Scranton, and fell 64-63 in the Freedom Conference championship game. Wilkes had a 63-62 lead with 1:22 to go when Scranton's Ryan Fitzpatrick was fouled. Fitzpatrick nailed both free throws to give Scranton a 64-63 lead. The Colonels attempted to take advantage of a Scranton turnover with 33 seconds left, and tried to capitalize on a Scranton error with only 10 seconds left, but the ball was knocked loose as Chris Shovlin made his way to the basket, and Kaqle's rushed throw missed as time expired. Evan Walters finished the game with a team-high 17 points, while sophomore Jeremy Kahle added a 15point effort. Wilkes finished the season with a 14-10 record, while the Royals advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 17 Number of tallies by Evan Walters in Wilkes' 64-63 heartbreaker to Scranton Saturday afternoon. 35 More days until opening day of Major League Baseball. 0 Legitimate calls made during Saturdays mens basketball playoffgame at Scranton, the most poorly-officiated game in recent memory. 15 Buckets by Jeremy Kable off the bench in Saturday s playoff matchup against Scranton. �SQR~r.ts Athlete of the Week: Men's basketball- Jereilly Kahle BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor King's never saw it coming. After splitting two extremely close games with the Colonels during the regular season, the Monarchs expected Wednesday night's game to be a nail-biter. They expected the pomp and circumstance that surrounds a rivalry game, with the added pressure of conference playoffs to boot. They expected the momentum to shift, and the screaming crowds to play a major factor. Late in the game, after a strong comeback by their beloved basketball team tied the game at 55, they probably even expected another momentum switch or two before the final gun sounded. What they did not expect was for Jeremy Kable to put them in their places so quickly. Thirteen seconds after Vince Scalzo knocked in a three-pointer to tie up the game, sophomore support guard Jeremy Kable hit a three-pointer of his own to give Wilkes a 60-57 lead. The Colonels would not relinquish control of the game again, and left the Monarchs' Scandlon Gymnasium with a 69-61 victory and a shot at the MAC title on Saturday. The three-pointer was only one of several crucial shots made by Kable during the contest. Kable, who would go on to score fifteen .. points in the game, proved what a deciding factor strong bench support can really be. "When- ever you have someone come off the bench like that, and you get a lot of points from the bench .. .I think the starters can feed off of that," said senior co-captain Drew Amoroso. Support players often make the difference between winning and losing in close contests, but rarely are support players able to come up with the stats that Kable did on Wednesday night. "It's pretty hard to sit for 20 minutes and then come in cold off the bench," said Amoroso. Players are no longer properly warmed up after sitting for so long, and the playing time lost can often have a devastating effect on overall statistics. Kable, however, is unaffected by such a stop-and-go playing time scenario. "It didn't really affect my play," said Kable. "I've been coming off the bench all season." Although he had been in the situation before, his 15-point effort The Beacon/Todd Weibel caught a little by surprise. "It was surprising at first," said Kable, a Senior guard Michael Constantine gets airbourne for a layup in last Wednesday's victory criminology major. "I just want- against King's. Constantine put up 11 tallies and four assists as Wilkes went on to play Scraned to do what I could to help our ton for the Freedom Conference Championship Saturday. Wilkes lost the game, 64-63. team win." C■Dl)US . calendar, All Week *Johnnie Winona Ross: Abstract Paintings, Sordoni Art Gallary Monday (2/27) *NUArts, DDD - 7:30 p.m. *African American Movie Night, Coach Carter, Rifkin Cafe- 8 p.m. Tuesday (2/28) *NUArts, DDD - 7:30 p.m. *African American Movie Night, The Gospel, Rifkin Cafe- 8 p.m. Wednesday (3/01) *Drugs and the Law, HSC 20 Ballroom - 9 p.m. Thursday (3/02) *No events listed for today Friday (3/03) *Cholesterol Screening, Health Services Office, Evans 1st Floor - 8:30 to 10 a.m. Cost is $10. *Women's Softball @ Virginia Wesleyan Tournament - 10 a.m. *Alumni Spaghetti Dinner, HSC Ballroom - 6 to 8 p.m. RSVP to alumni@wilkes. edu or x4130 *Spring Break Recess begins - 5 p.m. Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH Saturday (3/04) *Women's Softball @ Virginia Wesleyan Tournament - 10 a.m. *Men's Baseball vs. Cazenovia - 12 p.m. Sunday (3/05) *Men's Baseball vs. Neumann - 12 p.m. *To have your events included, send an email to wilkesbeacon@gmail.com and include the event, date, time and location* The Beacon will not publish again until March 20 due to spring break. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. Congratulations to Aleksander Lapinski, who correctly identified last week '.s picture taken in the bas.,ment of the library. � 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 2006 February 27th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 February 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/f5bfa2da36b2917f74a562db52e22a19.pdf 0abf76d34aa47d1f7dff5c6349d2b90f PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW --~~---~~-~--www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 15 Residents complain of Evans Hall disturbances BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski omplaints of unruliness have been reportedly made regarding the living conditions on the second oorofEvans Hall. Students have recently complained about excessive noise, public drunkenness, and ndalism on the second floor of Evans. Welcome to the second floor of Evans Hall, where eggs are splattered in the hallways, unruly students rip telephones and fire extinguishers from the walls, and donuts are used as "Do Not Disturb" signs on doorknobs. Throughout the academic year, residents in the dorm have complained of excessive noise and acts of vandalism on the second floor. Director of Residence Life, Grethchen Yeninas, confirmed the acts of vandalism had occurred but could offer no further comment. Despite repeated attempts to reach Lindsey Klish, the Resident Assistant for 2nd Floor Evans, she was unavailable for comment. "There have been some cha!lenges on the second floor of Evans," said Director of Campus Support Services Chris Bailey. "Obviously, we are concerned whenever we have damage to our facilities." No one has confessed to the vandalism, but freshman Jonathan Botch, who lives on the second floor, wrote a letter to the editor to The Beacon last week stating that he knows who the perpetrator(s) are but doesn't feel compelled to come forward. The Beacon received a second letter acknowledging the same problems on the second floor of Evans, but that the writer asked to retract before publication last week. "Without students coming forward and without providing the information, it's very difficult for us to ever do anything to address these issues unless we happen to catch them in the act, and the See EVANS page 4 ollege students turn to plas01a donation to help pay bills Pervading general philosophy: no harm, no foul y STEPHANIE DEBALKO ., Ed'tI or eacon Ass t. ivews For years, the phrases "college dent" and "plasma donor" have n practically synonymous. It is no secret that people attendgcollege seem to be perpetually oke, and while many try to find solut10ns to "empty pocketbook syndrome" by securing jobs in the service industry at restaurants and stores, others choose to exchange their own plasma for quick cash. Dave Barnousky, quality assurance coordinator at Interstate Blood and Plasma in WilkesBarre, said that while the age range of participants is an expansive 18 to 60 years old, the organization often "sees about 10 to 12 college students a day." A dozen college students per day may sound like a lot, but considering how many universities are in the area and how many students from each school probably donate, the numbers reflect the national norm. Matt Crouse, P 1 pharmacy major, is one student who frequently gives plasma, sometimes making up to $200 a month. "I wanted extra money," Crouse said about his reason for going to Interstate Blood and Plasma in the first place. This simple reason is likely echoed by other students who have done the same, but many probably do not realize how much of a service to the community it really is. See PLASMA page 4 In ·This Issue... Bo re on Drugs Page 8 Vagina :M.ono{ogues <Page9 New nightclub slated for downtown Page 12 Index News ................................ 1-5 Opinion ............................. 6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment.. .. 12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS FEBRUARY 20, 2006 2 SG Notes Asthma Online Registering 3 3 3 Stem Cell 5 Graduation cere01ony approaches with no speaker yet identified BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor In the past three years, Wilkes University has welcomed Staples C.E.O. Ronald L. Sargent, comedian William H. Cosby and environmentalist and lawyer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to address the graduating class in May. Each also received an honorary doctorate from the university. Annually, the Wilkes Honorary Degree Committee asks for nominations from faculty members for individuals they feel are qualified to receive an Honorary Degree and who would also serve as fine graduation ceremony speakers. To date the 2006 graduation speaker has not yet been determined. The decision is a late one for the university, in part because the committee's first choice had to withdraw. Dr. Paul Adams, vice president of student affairs confirmed, "We have been working on this graduation speaker for two years and the person we had lined up had to back out. So, we are in the process of identifying someone else." The criteria listed on the nomination sheet are broad, to allow for a variety of candidates. According to the committee's outline, it seeks: "Individuals who have attained achievements of extraordinary and lasting distinction. In all cases they should have a demon- particularly short. ButAdams said, "Typically most schools aren't going to announce [the graduation speaker] until March or April. We are working feverishly right now in the process and I would hope to have it resolved within the next several weeks." With senior capstone obscuring the light at the end of my tunnel, the thought of a lack of a graduation speaker ranks right up there with which cereal I'm going to eat for dinner. Kathryn Skaluba senior, criminology major strated record of accomplishment consonant with the ideas of the University. When possible, the University seeks to identify native Pennsylvanians for the recognition they have brought, or contributions they have made, to the Commonwealth." For senior students who will be graduating May 20, the fact that the committee has yet to name a speaker may make the time seem of a lack of a graduation speaker ranks right up there with which cereal I'm going to eat for dinner. Speaker or no speaker, I'm still going to graduate ... and that's enough for me." The candidate chosen to receive an honorary degree and to give one of the final speeches to the class of 2006 at Wilkes will be able to choose the topic he or she will present to the graduates. Adams said, "In most situations, [the speaker] will often times ask you if there is a particular theme you would be interested in having them address. I think they all recognize that you are hoping that they are bringing a special Kathryn Skaluba, senior criminology major said, "Honestly, I hadn't noticed that no one was chosen to be the speaker at this year's commencement. The fast paced flow of senior year has swept me up like, I imagine, most other seniors. My life is being lived one deadline at a time, from one exam to another. With senior capstone obscuring the light at the end of my tunnel, the thought BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Winter Weekend ■ ■ ■ The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski At the Winter Weekend spirit competition, teams compete and are judged based on creativity and originality oft-shirts, banners and cheers. The team pictured above is Salute Your Shorts. . ' . message that is meaningful to the graduating class. You hope that they are going to speak from their own personal experience." With the excitement of the day, many graduates' minds are wandering to life after Wilkes, and it may seem hard to sit through the ceremony no matter who the speaker is or what their topic of choice may be. Skaluba said, "The most important quality in a speaker for me is their sense of humor. Whether it be sarcastic, snarky, witty or sardonic, the individual has to be able to keep my attention with a quip or two. Without this element, their message falls upon deaf ears." Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �FEBRUARY 20, 2006 NEWS 3 Online registering si01plified Area ranks first in nation for through click of the button asthma trouble spots in 2006 News in Brief BY JESSI TEEVAN Beacon Correspondent BY DANA ZLOTUCHA Beacon Staff Writer "There is no safe place from asthma, and some places make living with [it] more difficult," warns the Asthma and Allergy Four,dation of America's (AAFA) website. But according to a recent study, NEPA is among the worst places in the nation for asthma sufferers to live. The AAFA lists the Scranton area at the top of its "Asthma Capitals." This list "is an annual research project ... to call attention to the most challenging places to live with asthma" the site says. According to Diane O'Brien, director of health services, "Asthma is an inflammatory lung condition where the air passages ... get tight and it is hard to get oxygen in and out." It is often marked by "wheezing, [when] air gets trapped because the bronchials constrict. Asthma is reactive in nature... different allergens cause asthma, like dust, cigarette smoke, fumes or anything in the air that can be considered an irritant," she added. Asthma is also aggravated seasonally when large quantities of allergens are airborne. The American Lung Association estimates that 26.3 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma. One could also have asthma for short periods. For example, a child may develop asthma and "it could go away, or you could have it for your whole lifetime. Sometimes kids react in a different response and then outgrow it," O'Brien explained. Asthmatic attacks can be lethal. "Any time you have constriction and irritation you get less oxygen in your lungs, which means less oxygen to your brain, to your heart and to your organs ... especially for small children who have smaller airways," related O'Brien. With advances in treatment, asthma has become a less formidable obstacle in life. "Asthma is treated with inhaled steroids that calm down inflammation in the air passages." Inhalers are effective, currently making asthma a "much more manageable condition," said O'Brien. Technological changes across campus are aimed at improving speed and ease for a variety of processes. And to the relief of many this semester, even registering online will be easier. "I registered online last year, but this year went to the registrar's office because I found it [registering online] too complicated," said Dierdre Lynch, a sophomore musical theatre major. People with a history of the same problems as Lynch are in luck. According to Registrar Susan Hritzak, "Now, when you register online, and you go to the University's page to look up a class, all you have to do is click the CRN number. That will take you directly to the secure login page." Lynch said, "I would definitely consider using that, but first they'd have to let me get online first.. .since my new usemame and password aren't recognized by them." It is important for students to remember, however, that clicking the CRN number will not automatically register students for the class, and students are still unable to register before their assigned date and time. Students must still designate add/drop commands. And for those who aren't so technologically savvy and are still having issues, don't worry. The registrar's office will gladly continue to register students. "Registering online isn't better or worse than coming to Passan. It's just a matter of convenience," Hritzak said. "Like, if you're at home or in your dorm at 6 o'clock you can just sign on and do it yourself. But some students like private attention, and that's okay, too." Hritzak also acknowledged that there will always be one advantage a visit to Passan Hall has over those who register online. "Some people come down for the free lollipops and cookies we've always got sitting out." Wmter Weekend-Sunday Events Student Govern01ent Notes February 15 meeting -WISE UP representatives appeared for their first reading in an attempt to achieve club status. -Brigadier General James Stewart Chapter of Arnold Air Society appeared and asked for a donation of $1,000 in order to allow the group to attend a national conference in Orlando, Florida. Jenn Ramil made a motion, and John Elder seconded to approve the full $1,000. The motion passed 32-2-5 . -A senior social will be held March 2 at Murray's. -April 24 from 7 to 10 p.m. the freshmen class will hold a social. A place for the social will be announced soon. -March 28 at noon will be the first ever club presidents' meeting in the Miller's Conference Room. -Casino Night will be held March 24. -The student gift at Spring Fling will be bourbon glasses. -March 22 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. the Student Government presidential election/debate will be held in the ballroom. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski . -March 23 tickets for Dashboard Confessional tickets will go on sale. Tickets will be $15 per ticket and two tickets will be allowed per ID. . <fl - . .·· .. -l#LKtS UNIVERSITY- On Sunday, Winter Weekend came to a conclusion with the teams participating in events on the Greenway. The overall winners of Winter Weekend are: First place: Team 4 - Salute Yout Shorts Second Place: Team 3 - Blue Baracudas Third Place: Team 11 - Rugrats �4 EVANS from FRONT PAGE chances of that happening are pretty slim," Bailey noted. "We rely on the students and the community at large to provide the information." The Office of Public Safety has a post in Evans Hall, and conducts routine floor checks from 10:00 p.m. to 3 :00 a.m., even if an officer is not posted to that particular site. But Bailey stressed, "I hope students realize that we' re limited. At any time we may have three or four officers on, but that's for the whote campus." Wilkes does offer a care line (extension PLASMA from FRONT PAGE According to Barnousky, the plasma given to Interstate Blood and Plasma is sold to the pharmaceutical industry, which is why contributors earn such a seemingly large sum of money. "It's [often] used for fractionation of proteins that are of therapeutic value ... plasma is sold to the companies that manufacture those products (human blood products), so in a sense the plasma collectors are the middle man between the person who is selling their plasma and the company that is buying it," explained Dr. Kenneth Pidcock, associate professor of biology. Many individuals, even those who are actively selling it, may be curious about what plasma actually is. According to Pidcock, plasma is, in the simplest terms, the liquid part of blood. "Blood is everything," Pidcock said. "Plasma is blood minus the cells, and serum is plasma minus the clotting factors, and one of the things they isolate from plasma is the clotting factors." The actual process of extracting plasma is slightly more complicated than that of giving blood. Crouse, who has been selling his plasma for more than a year, explained the process. Before anything else, the potential donor has to complete a physical and answer a number of routine questions. Once the individual is approved and is prepared to give plasma, a member of the staff performs a series of tests, taking, among other things, blood pressure and temperature. Finally, the contributor's identity is verified using their social security number, and then the actual extraction process begins. After the needle is inserted in the arm, the cycle of extraction and replacement begins, where the blood is taken, centrifuged and separated into two containers. The plasma is held, and the rest of the blood goes back into the arm until the quantity of plasma needed is reached. To conclude the procedure, normal saline is injected in the patient. NEWS FEBRUARY I 20, 2006 C-A-R-E) which is an anonymous tip line where students can provide information about safety violations without leaving their name or number. Jerry Rebo, Manager of Public Safety said, "It's just like out in the public where the police officers or·detectives get tips from citizens, and that's the way most crimes throughout the United States are solved." Vandalism is traditionally one of the standard crimes on every college campus along with alcohol citations, and the two frequently go hand in hand. "Students tie one on and they think it's funny to pull a parking sign out, damage a wall, or shoot off a fire extinguisher, which if they weren't under the influence they probably wouldn't do. But they get those beer muscles in them and they think it's funny to tear up the campus," Bailey said. As Botch mentioned in his letter, it is school policy that if no one comes forward, then all residents of the floor in question-regardless of guilt or innocence--must pay a share of the damages. Botch said he will refuse to pay the fine. "I don't think he has an option," Bailey said. "Generally it is put on your account, and if you don't pay it, you don't graduate." Rebo wanted to stress, however, that it's only a small percentage who are ruining things for everybody else. "We' re maybe talking one student out of I 00. Most students are here for an education. They're here to have a good time but they stay in control and they don't have to break things. We just have a very small percentage of student body that don't take ownership of this campus, who think it's someone else's problem when they put their hand through a wall." Fortunately, sophomore Katelyn Kozma sees improvement. '·During the·first semester there were eggs and stuff all over the place, but the past two weekends it's been fine," she said. "I don't [find it to be] painful. It just kind of feels odd ... you can tell it's happening, but it doesn't hurt," Crouse said. When he is giving plasma on a regular basis, Crouse goes twice a week, which is what he says is required by the organization to which he sells it. "You have to go twice a week in order to get the $50. You get $20 the first time and $30 your second time, but they break it up by weights," Crouse said. Students considering selling plasma may be concerned about any risks involved, but according to Pidcock, there are virtually no real risks. "To the best of my knowledge, there are no short term or long term risks worth speakmg of. Any time you run an intravenous line, there's a theoretical risk of infection but, practically, it's close to nonexistent," Pidcock said. Pidcock also added, "I hope that people, when they no longer need the money, will realize that their ease with intravenous lines, which not everybody has, is something that could he of a great service ... there is a constant need for platelet donors, for example." Crouse, who says he will probably not continue to sell plasma when he is out of school, also donates blood over the summer when he is not giving plasma (because one cannot do both at the same time). This is something he intends to continue doing in the future. Selling plasma is an almost effortless way to make plenty of extra cash while at the same time helping the community. So for a prospective donor, there seems to be very few drawbacks, unless that individual has trypanophobia, which is, of course, a fear of needles. j th, tfa er· w: ca ini co tiv sci Ot pa vru fin an1 F cla em tail fak ent ] The Beacon/Stephanie DeBalko A number of students have turned to donating plasma as a way to make some extra money in a relatively short time with little pain involved, and no real work to be done. �FEBRUARY 20, 2006 NEWS 5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYI--------- Advances in biological research challenge researchers and politicians BY JOSEPH DEANGELIS Beacon Staff Writer While pundits expected the Iraq war and the economy to headline the last Presidential race, one of the most interesting "sleeper" issues to emerge as a political hot potato was stem cell research, and more specifically where those stem cells come from. Because of the moral questions surrounding stem cell research, namely that some come from aborted fetuses, ultra conservatives have come down squarely opposing scientific investigation using stem cells. Others, even some within the Republican party, have disagreed, noting that the advances such research offers could help to find cures for Alzheimer's disease sufferers and Parkinson's disease patients. Recently, a South Korean scientist who claimed to have cloned the first human embryo and produced the first embryonic tailored stem cells was determined to be a fake--forcing the advancement of such scientific endeavors again into the spotlight, this time in a negative way. "It's undoubtedly done a lot of damage to the field," Dr. William Terzaghi, associate professor of biology, said about the incident. "But that shouldn't reflect on the field itself." Stem cell research has raised a lot of red flags, mainly because they come from aborted and dead fetuses. However, scientists believe that such research can help cure many tissue degenerating diseases. "It's also going to be a very valuable tool for coming up with new treatments for many kinds of diseases." Terzaghi said. "If you can replace the degenerating tissue with healthy tissue, then you can obviously fix the problem." "However they can advance this treatment regime then, by all means I would do it," said Dr. Bill Biggers, assistant professor of biology. However, the process by which some scientists have obtained stem cells has led to bans on the research. President George W. Bush even requested for stem cell research to come to a halt in his State of the Union Address on January 31. But Terzaghi, Biggers and other biologists hope that stem cells can be found elsewhere. "There are indications that we may be able to get certain kinds of stem cells if not from adults, then perhaps from umbilical cords and tissues from that kind without having to kill an embryo," Terzaghi said. One of the most promising places to find stem cells may be in the beginning stages of the development process. They can be found in a blastocyst, a ball of cells that have not yet become a living fetus. Biggers is working with stem cells in his study ofplanarians, a kind of flatworm that lives on land. He is looking into how the planarian uses stem cells to regenerate. Biggers hopes that maybe one day humans will be able to regenerate limbs by observing how stem cells in planarians regenerate. With the recent birth of"Snuppy" the supposedly fully cloned Afghan dog, the issue of cloning has also made headlines and been another hot topic for scientists and non-scientists alike. Proponents have acknowledged that cloning a dog is extremely difficult be- cause of the complex DNA involved. Therefore, if a dog can be successfully cloned, the possibilities for human cloning seem very close. Although cloning might sound like something out of a science-fiction novel, it is more natural than it seems. "[Cloning] is something that has been happening naturally for years," said Terzaghi, referring to nature's clone the twin. However, Terzaghi believes that cloning humans is not in the best interests for science but more of a tool for identity or a means to bring a person back to life. "I don't think it's in the best interest of the clone," he said. "Virtually every identical twin I've ever known has also gone through great pains to prove that they're different from the other." Biggers had a few choice words when it comes to cloning humans. "That's a little bit too weird," he said. "That's where I draw the line." "The child will be similar," Terzaghi said about a cloned child. "But there are so many things that go into a child's personality that are environmental rather than genetic." Billy's Pizza and Subs SpeeiaUzlng in Cheesesteaks and Strom,_oU Pizza 14 inch Subs 17 inch Strontboli Regular $9.25 Italian $4.75 16 inch cheesesteak pizza $11 Han1 and CJ1eese $4.75 Cheesesteak $10 16 inch chicken Yring pizza $11 Chicken CJ1eesesteak $10.50 Tuna $4.75 Meatball and Cheese $5 . 50 Veggieboli $9 *AU subs served with a pickle Cbeesesteak, Onions, and sauce $5.25 and a side deli salad Cheesesteak ,vi.th the works $6 Turkey Hoagie $5 2 large pies $9.99 Open Daily at 3 p.m. E. Northampton St. Wilkes-Barre, (570) 208-7992 Carry .. out and Delivery Only �Fe 6 Your Voices Radio Censorship Budget FY 2007 Bore on Drugs 7 7 8 8 A Celebrity-turned-politician pheno01enon Beacon Poll Swann s candidacy due to political ability or football talent? Results BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD What do former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley, New Yixk Representative Jack Kemp, current California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California Congressman Sonny Bono, and former President Ronald Reagan have in common? Well, it's not their political ideologies, though a couple of them come fairly close to one another. Each of them turned the fame they earned in professional sports careers or in Hollywood into enough political clout to win the hearts and minds of voters. But given the ads for the newest Terminator installment and Sonny Bono's lack of vocal talent we have to wonder why the phenomenon of public trust in sports stars and Hollywood icons translates so naturally to votes. This is of particular interest to Pennsylvanians with former Pittsburgh Steelers stand-out Lynn Swann's successful bid to win the hearts and minds of the state's GOP faithful. Well, for one thing, career politicians never cease to find new . insults to sling at one another and the practice has managed to tum off would-be voters. As the race for governor in the state of Pennsylvania heats up, it has become obvious that this year will be no different. Republicans have made a clear statement regarding the candidate they want--Swann. An early Republican favorite, former Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Bill Scranton, stepped out of the race after acknowledging that once Swann declared his candidacy, the former Steelers star had very quickly raised huge sums of money and enormous support across the GOP. Scranton didn't bow out gracefully, though, when he noted that Swann "is the rich, white guy in this campaign," as reported by a February 7, 2006 YahooNews. com article. Bitter? All name-calling aside, Swann's celebrity is an issue. Perhaps Scranton's sentiment, that Swann will win the race because of his star quality rather than what he stands for is reflective of the second reason for voter attraction to such candidates. Voters make decisions too frequently on name recognition only. Most traditional candidates have to work for that name/face recognition for awhile, spending thousands, and sometimes millions, just for the television time. Swann and others before him already have the luxury of logged television hours and fa- Nickle for Your Thoughts C:,-<l _p' / / y By Jason Nickle ~ -d 0¾ /fl -~ .JRlb -;wrtc.r\ 1)) (" ~ . -T-z.. miliarity with the media. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's reign in California is possibly about to enter his second term, and Jesse Ventura spent two terms in Minnesota as governor after his stint in the WWF as "The Body." Their election to their respective posts seems to echo the fact that a well-known face and name can get you into office. Third, media celebs are not Washington "insiders," which scores more points than ever these days among voters. "Outsider" actually translates to less wheeling and dealing, less of a chance of a relationship with Jack Abramhoff. Voters must take the risk that the celebrity politician won't be as well informed or prepared for the political position, but that's what advisors and political cabinets are for, right? In all seriousness, Ventura was elected to a second term, and Schwarzenegger has brought California back from near-bankruptcy two years ago. They must be doing something right. While these celebrities lack the political experience, they have also not been exposed to or a part of the political mud-slinging that goes on behind closed doors in Washington (or... fill in the blank with any state legislature here). Perhaps this is a good thing. The very fact that these celebrities come to the table without any experience in previous rounds of insults perhaps makes them less inclined to do so now. Americans have a long history of love affairs with the glamour and glitz associated with celebrity. Pennsylvanians are about to weigh in on whether they will follow the patterns established by Californians, New Yorkers and others. It's possible Swann is the future of the national GOP and that he has a brain for this leadership business. But it'll take careful scrutiny among Pennsylvania voters to make that call, and we're doubtful they'll take off their sunglasses long enough to do so. 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 22 responses. I YI an~ a Em illOJ to in tl The Beacon asked: What is your favorite Olympic winter sport? • • Ice skating - 36% I don't watch the Olympics - 18% Snowboarding - 9% Curling - 9% Bobsledding - 9% Luge - 9% Hockey- 5% Ski jumping - 5% Speed skating - 0% Other- 0% Next Week's Poll Question: Who should the 2006 Wilkes University graduation speaker be? • Larry Flynt Kurt Vonnegut Andrea Mitchell Hilary Clinton Oprah Winfrey Donald Trump Bono Bill O'Reilly Magic Johnson Other- 0% Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to cast your vote. Results will be published in next week's issue of The Beacon. BYl'I Beac Du, op-e, Beac icy tc, illust isas, re.flee newS; Th, mestc drivil we a is to phorn equip I've l radio six he notb1 thing listen Tha censc little. radio obsce lash , I thrn far. Orn to BI Good �FEBRUARY 20, 2006 OPINION 7 YouR Vo1cEs A war by any other na01e I take great exception to Benjamin Iezzoni's portrayal, in his opinion piece "Politically Incorrect with Ben Iezzoni" 02.06.06, of the war in Iraq as some schoolyard spat. You are belittling the sacrifice of our servicemen and women by likening the war in Iraq/Terrorism/Afghanistan to a "noisy little ruckus in the Middle East." Mr. Iezzoni should be reminded that the United States only joined the war against our enemies after we were attacked without provocation on September 11, 2001. The 2,967 sons and daughters who died that day were not the first casualties of the War on Terrorism, nor will they be the last. Our enemies, the Goth Kids, as you call them, have been striking at us and our way of life for years. Back as far as the 1970s when Islamic Iranian extremists captured the U.S. Fmbassy in Tehran and held 56 American hostages for 444 days. The Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon that killed 241 American servicemen while they slept in the early morning hours of October 23, 1983. In 1985, the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked in the Mediterranean Sea by Islamic (Goth) terrorists. The hijacking of the ship led to the killing of disabled passenger Leon Klinghoffer, an American Jew. KJinghoffer was shot in his wheelchair and thrown overboard. On August 7, 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings inthe East African capital cities of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya killed more than 220 people and wounded over 4,000 in simultaneous car bomb explosions. Those attacks were linked to the al Qaeda terrorist network headed by Osama bin Laden. Those Goth kids struck us again in 2000 when they bombed the USS Cole and killed 17 sailors and once again on September 11, 2001. Any one of the previous attacks upon our fellow countrymen and women rose to the level of requiring a swift and decisive military response. But, for whatever reason the United States did not take a "boots on the ground" approach until this war was visited upon us on our own soil. Make no mistake about it; our enemies have been at war with us for more than a quarter century. Their idea of victory is our destruction. You will not see Osama bin Laden sitting across a long table at Versailles (unless invited by the French for dinner) from President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair accepting surrender terms from the U.S. and the Brits. Our enemies want us dead. Is it a war? Just ask the dead, they know best. 1 Jason Griggs '90 Limerick, PA % What's the big *beep*-ing proble01? BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Asst. AE Editor % 6 ,e? ll ,c on. vote. ub:ek's con. Due to the subject matter of this op-ed-- radio censorship --The Beacon suspends its editorial policy to avoid the use ofprofanity to illustrate the writers point. This is asingular instance and does not reflect a permanent change in the newspaper seditorial stance. Thanks to an internship this semester in Allentown, I've been driving a lot lately. And since we all know how problematic it is to drive while talking on a cell phone (rolls eyes) and my car is ill equipped with sound equipment, I've been listening to commercial radio, a lot. By a lot, I mean over six hours a week. While that may not be a lot in the grand scheme of lhings, a short two months ago, I listened to the radio almost never. That said, everytime I hear radio orship, it surprises me just a little. Or a lot. I understand that io stations cannot broadcast cenities for fear of FCC backworse than Nipple-gate, but think some censorship goes too One morning, I was listening BHT which was playing "Feel Inc" by the Gorillaz. I took particular note of this because of disputes I've heard over whether a station will play the term "ass crack" used in this song, or block it. Well, sure enough, it aired without anything over it, under it, or replacing it. Later that day, I was listening to KRZ. The d.j. was playing "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas. This time, the station carefully edited out the word "ass" numerous times in the song. I suppose it is the prerogative of the station to edit songs to ensure federal regulation compliance, but why is the FCC (and presumably the nation's listeners) so concerned about the word "ass"? One station uses "ass crack" but the other won't use "ass." According to Webster s Dictionary, an ass is "a quadruped of the horse family, a donkey." Well, I totally see why that would be offensive. Even if we look at the slang meaning that refers to a human's posterior, the gluteus maximus, who cares? It's a body part. This isn't the only example of censorship. Listen to the radio, you'll find a ton. But the question is why? Why are we so hell bent on making radio kid-friendly? While I'm fairly certain people would be offended by Eamon's "F*ck It" if broadcast in its entirety, why are we tripping over ourselves to stop a fairly common word such as "ass," from being broadcast? Let's look at another example, the word "bitch." There was the song, "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks, which ran uncensored. However, in Pink's "Just Like a Pill," radio stations tried to bleep the word and made it sound more like "shit" than "bitch," in a cruel bit of irony. Arguably, "bitch" is worse than "ass." However, maybe that is the problem - there is not a ranking system for profanity. Nothing is black or white, and we can't give numeric meanings to this stuff. However, even with that in mind, I think this highlights a bigger problem in the record industry. From record companies to MTV, everyone is targeting the youth. And I don't mean the youth as 20-somethings. I'm talking about pre-teen youths. Therefore, we are trying to make things less sexual, more kid friendly, etc. Let's just look at Kids Bop. It is typical music, made for children, sung by children, and sounds like more of a lullaby than contemporary music. The majority of America is, in fact, over the age of 12. With that in mind, most (if not all) have heard the words "ass," "bitch," and a wide variety of other terms regarded by our government as "profane." Despite this, many radio execs (and the FCC) still choose to maintain a Puritan exterior, which I find not only silly, but unrealistic. Perhaps we can leave the kids behind and allow radio to entertain the majority--adults. Or at least teenagers. The Europeans get it and always have--if you don't make a big deal out of it, language, nudity and the like just become a small part of the larger message. The Beacon offers ,reat preprofts$ional experieace for wri~I'$; dt$ign.t:1'$; mana1ers. StPdents can build portfolios tor· intemships and future job~ make contacts ,vith people across campus,and beyond., and earn scholarship money or acadank credit. The Beacon seeks stPdeat writer'$; photographer~ page desianers, and bm$iness mana1ers to apply for Fall "06 staff positions and scholarship opportunities. Contact: Dr. Andrea Frantz ext. 4165 or e-mail andrea~frantz@wilkes,.ed11 for more information. �FEBRUARY 20, 2006 OPINION 8 People too ready to sling mud at FY 2007 budget proposal BY TABITHA HAPEMAN Beacon Columnist It seems people are up in arms again. Another one of President Bush's proposals for reform is drawing fire from the left, and surprisingly, the right. The President's budget proposal for the 2007 fiscal year (FY) has caused a stir on Capitol Hill and throughout the country. Aspects.of the proposed budget causing the most outrage are cuts to military Medicare, called Tricare, substantially reduced funding for 141 federally funded social programs, and the supposed cuts to Medicaid for the elderly. The 2007 FY budget outlines a plan to raise the premiums and co-payments of retirees within the armed forces. Fortunately, the plan is not to raise them astr<:momically, but to the levels they were in 1995.Adecade ago the beneficiaries of military personnel paid 27-percent co-pay; today they pay only 12-perccent. Tricare has not been eliminated, and military retirees will not have to start giving up their medications in order to keep the heat on in their homes. This is not a catastrophic change; in fact, the only way in which retirees over the age of 65 and active military personnel will be affected is " . . .in the sense that their pharmacy co-payments will go up," according the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace. People going into the armed forces at this time are entering the services of our country because they believe in a cause, not because they get good benefits. A decent dental plan is not reason enough to risk life and limb in combat. During a recent speech he gave in New Hampshire, President Bush spent quite a bit of time discussing his new budget proposal. He outlined initiatives that most of the media has overlooked entirely. Concerning taxes, he stated that, "First, we're going to keep the taxes low to make sure the economy grows. My philosophy is this: when Americans are allowed to keep more of their own money to spend and save and invest, that helps the economy grow, and when the economy grows, people can find work." Proof of the President's theory is that the American economy is in its fifth year of uninterrupted growth and grew by 3.5-percent last year, and over 4. 7 million new jobs have been created in the last two and half years. Obviously the tax cuts have done some good. The main issue most people have been harping on is Medicare. The noise that is being made about the President's attack on Medicare is rather absurd; he never stated what exactly he plans to do. There isn't anything to fight about yet because the only thing the President has done is call for a bipartisan committee to form and re-evaluate the Baby Boomer retirement problem. Of course he stated he's going to do what he can to keep the problem under control, such as proposing a slight decrease in spending, but he has done nothing as inflammatory as destroy Medicare. At the current time the spending for Medicare is increasing by 7.8-percent every year. The proposed temporary plan to stop this hemorrhage of funds is to increase the spending by 7.5-percent every year. Representative John Shadegg (R -Ariz.) stated that this means that "the program will still spend more than $2 trillion in these years." A detrimental cut to Medicare this is not. A solution has yet to be reached concerning this crisis, and one would hope that the left and right could at least wait until a real proposal has been made to start tearing at each others' throats. A very pertinent issue to college students is the increase in student loan funds. According to the President, "by reducing the cost of lending, we saved the taxpayers $22 billion, of which $10 billion will be used to increase student loans." The idea that federal loans available to students will decrease is an ugly myth. Another education related issue was the redistribution of funds from vocational education to a high school reform initiative that focuses on math and reading skills. Of course this proposal will never make it through Congress, it's rather absurd to think it would, but perhaps it will shock the members of Congress into some kind of action to promote reading and math in high schools. Maybe after this is revised in Congress the resulting bill will do some good. There are, of course, many opinions concerning President Bush's budget plan for the 2007 fiscal year, and many of the proposals are rightly being met with criticism. However, wouldn't it be better if both sides waited just a little longer, to see what the actual budget will look like after Coi;igress gets a stab at it? Or, even better, could we approach the 2007 FY budget with respectful criticism? It seems people on both sides were holding the mud, arms cocked and ready to throw before the outline for the budget was released. Hopefully the American people will have faith in Congress, if not the President, and wait for a more detailed and revised budget proposal before they take to the streets with picket signs and torches. The government was elected by the American people, and our representatives will surely take that into account as they design the new federal budget. The bore o~ drugs: Anti-drug commercials cornier than this headline BY MATT ZEBROWSKI Beacon Asst. Op/Ed Editor I am going to tell you two things about myself. The first is that I have never ever (not even once) done any sort of illegal drug. I'm not just saying that in case my mom happens to read this article, or in case I happen to make the unlikely (and unfortunate) decision to run for public office someday. I'm being serious. The second thing that I am going to admit to, which is far more embarrassing, is that I happen to strangely enjoy watching MTV U. They show maybe three good videos, and the off chance of catching one of them is enough to keep me on the edge of my seat with my fingers crossed. The connection between these two seemingly unrelated facts is that MTV U has been showing a disproportionate number of anti-drug commercials lately that, were my stance on sobriety not already so welldeveloped, would almost make me want to do drugs just out of spite. In case you haven't seen them, they involve kids in the midst of some ridiculous scenario, like being chased by a rottweiler, with a voiceover that goes something like (and I kid you not): "Yesterday my friends asked me to smoke marijuana. I did. Today they asked me to get chased by a rottweiler. I did. I'm do- ing some stupid things lately." Wow. These commercials are just plain dumb. See, from what I understand, people smoke marijuana because they like the way that it feels. I'm not really sure in what way the same logic applies to why they get chased by rottweilers. Although I've never smoked marijuana, my friends have talked me into doing some pretty stupid things over the years, but there sure ain't no way anyone's ever going to convince me to piss off a big dog. And don't even get me started on those "___ is my anti-drug" commercials that are all over the place. I am truly convinced that one of the reasons that I never did drugs is that I was always kept busy with other things, like reading or music or even video games. By the time I got to the age where I would be at risk of experimenting with drugs, I was already too involved in other stuff to bother. In effect, I had several "anti-drugs" myself. Coincidentally, the same things that left me with little time to even think about drug use also left me with very little time or desire to watch TV. Which is exactly why I think it's an absolutely wonderful idea to spend more money making commercials about things like music, reading, and video games being effective "anti-drugs," instead of donating that money to programs that promote things that aren't television. I mean, think about it. Isn't it a nice thing to have commercials like this when schools are constantly struggling to make ends meet and•often find it necessary to cut music and art programs just to stay out of the red? Students at these schools are at an age where they are more likely than anyone else to need an "anti-drug," but providing them with some of the best ones possible is becoming an unfortunate financial impossibility. Good thing we have commercials, though, to make them realize what they're missing out on so they can become even more disaffected with their life situation and, therefore, more likely to tum to drugs. Honestly, it's actually kind of ridiculous for the people at MTV (or anywhere else) to think that they can come up with some sort of ad campaign to tell people not to do something, especially when that something is drugs. In addition to the psychological fact that negative reinforcement doesn't work anywhere near as well as positive reinforcement (when was the last time you saw a Pepsi commercial that specifically said "don't drink Coke?"), I have never seen an anti-drug commercial that wasn't laughably square. And that's from the perspective of someone like me who's never even done drugs; I can only imagine how ludicrous these things seem to people who actually have. I'm not saying that we should just turn our backs and let the chips fall where they may. I think that even people who use drugs recreationally and responsibly have to admit that there is a risk in that sort of behavior, so educating kids about drugs is totally worthwhile. The thing is, you can't do very much education in a 30-second television slot. If kids aren't going to do drugs, it's going to be because they have other, better things to do, not because of some lame ad they saw while waiting for the new video from Young Jeezy or whatever the hell they're listening to these days. So why waste time and money? �FEATURES FEBRUARY ----------------~-- 20, 2006 ~~----~----~-~~~-~~--------- 9 Vagina Monologues Multicultural Center Black History Month New Mentoring Program 9 10 10 11 Father-daughter team takes Wilkes by storm BY MEAGAN BROWN & SARAH HERBERT Beacon Correspondent & Beacon Features Editor With all of the hard work and obligations that come with being a full-time student, some would find it difficult to balance parttime work and a variety of active and demanding hobbies such as music. Now picture doing all of this and more with a parent working on the same campus. The potential for pressure just doubled. But Lauren Carey, sophomore English major and art minor, is one of the exceptions. In addition to her full course load, Carey also fits a job and her passion for music into her already packed schedule. In addition to school, Carey holds a job at AC Moore where she works three nights a week, plus Saturday mornings. In addition, on Saturdays and several other nights, Carey takes music lessons. Carey, whose father is an adjunct professor of electrical engineering at Wilkes, plays clarinet, saxophone, guitar and organ. On Thursday nights, she takes lessons for the clarinet, saxophone and guitar. Wednesday nights for her means organ lessons. "I don't think I can quit doing music. I just didn't want to lose it," said Carey, who refuses to lose any of what she has learned. "You can forget. It's not like riding a bike. I think I The Carey family clings to strong ties with Wilkes University. Lauren Carey, sophomore English major, is involved in a variety of activities including The Vagina Monologues and The Manuscript. Her father David Carey is an adjunct professor in the electrical engineering departmant. Carey's parents met at Wilkes and her younger brother will be attending the university next year. am always going to be playing in some kind of arena," she said. Carey puts her musical knowledge to work when she plays for her church on Saturday and Sunday services. "My teacher for the organ goes to my church, so I get to practice on the organ I play on," said Carey. To add more to her schedule, Carey is involved in a few Wilkes activities. She is currently producer of the Wilkes University production of The Vagina Monologues, which will take place this Friday and Saturday evenings. "I saw posters for last year's production, so I decided to do it. I had the book and loved it so I knew what I was getting into," she said. Carey was named last year's Most Valuable Player to the production, which moved her from a member of the cast to producer of the show. Carey is also a copy editor for the Wilkes literary magazine, The Manuscript, a position she fell into last year. "I joined last year See CAREY page 11 Women's issues take center stage in Vagina Monologues BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor Women's issues will take center stage this weekend at Wilkes University. The Vagina Monologues, a series of dramatic readings, focus on violence, change, and social attitudes towards women. The Vagina Monologues will be performed at Wilkes this weekend. Dr. Mischelle Anthony, assistant professor of English, is the current advisor to the program and has had a long history with the monologues. "In Oklahoma, my last home, I was involved with Domestic Violence Service Center, and I attended Oklahoma State University's sold-out presentation of The Vagina Monologues for the first time. I was overwhelmed. I laughed, I cried, I was inspired to be more vocal about women's rights, especially in their families, and I contemplated being more involved with fu- Organization." ture Monologues events." Victoria White, senior communications Anthony carried that spirit with her to major and coordinator of the event, has been Wilkes. "In the Spring of 2004, Wilkes involved with the program for three years. needed someone to sponsor The Vagina She claimed that the monologues could be Monologues here. I jumped at the chance, quite intense and specific about females. and I won't let the Monologues go." "The topics of the Monologues range from The play was first created and the issue of hair, smell, a girl performed as a one-woman show , _ getting her first period, orgasms, by Eve Ensler in New York and sex workers ... just about anyconsists ofa series of fifteen sto- Courtesy of vday.org thi~g you can think ofrelated to ries about women, their bodies the vagina is addressed in some and their sexuality. Dr. Anthony explained, form in one or more of the monologues." "It was so successful that Ensler decided According to the website vday.org, V-Day to give the script to anyone who wanted to is a non-profit corporation that distributes have their own community or college event funds to grassroots, national and internaas long as they do it to raise money for do- tional organizations and programs that work mestic violence services. Every year, there to stop violence against women and girls. In are thousands of performances worldwide 2004, over 2000 V-Day benefit events were during February and we each give ten per- presented by volunteer activists in the U.S. cent of our proceeds to the National VDay and around the world, educating millions of people about the reality of violence against women and girls. White strongly believes in the significance of the Vagina Monologues. "I think it is important for people of both sexes to attend because there will be tables at our event that are set up by local community organizations that deal with the issue of violence against women and children. The issue of violence against women and children is of global importance, and hopefully through presenting The Vagina Monologues more people will realize and help to stop the epidemic." There are about fifteen Wilkes female students and faculty performing in the event this year. Show times are Friday & Saturday, February 24 & 25, at 7:30 p.m., in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. Wilkes students get free admission. General admission is $10. �10 FEATURES FEBRUARY 20, 2006 Multicultural resource center to open in February BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Staff Writer Change is generally seen as important to community growth. And in order to grow in healthy directions, Wilkes University has sought to enhance its own community's diversity. In his seventeenth year at Wilkes University, Alan Zellner, director of diversity, is focused_on improving the cultural climate at Wilkes to ensure positive growth. One way of doing this is through the newly formed multicultural resource center. Zellner said, "We realized a need for increased diversity to improve campus climate and create a place for everyone to learn about different cultures." The new multicultural resource center is located in the basement of the Farley Library and is scheduled to open on February 23, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. Zellner hopes that the space will encourage more people into the library. The room will be open to students on a regular basis and can also be used for club meetings. According to Zellner, the multicultural The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The Multicultural Resource Center, which is_ slated to open on Thursday, February 23, will be located on the lower level of the library. The space will house the university's collection of multicultural books and other pieces of art. Wilkes hosts Black Histor Month Celebration resource center will be designed with a "Barnes and Noble" type of atmosphere, serving as a home for many of the library's multicultural books as well as various artifacts and art. Theresa Kintz, adjunct professor of sociology and director of the women's studies program, will be setting up a Native American exhibit in the multicultural resource center soon. Kintz said, "The multicultural resource center will enrich all students' experiences and help them to appreciate various customs and cultures." The newly redesigned space will also be available for professors to utilize in class. "The center is there for faculty and staff to use and take ownership of," said Zellner. "We have a commitment from the academic side and will work with each department so that people can use it." Officials acknowledge they are also currently looking for more resources to put on display in the area. Any professors who wish to contribute to a display or offer artifacts on loan are encouraged to contact Zellner. S_ave1 Lives. D ,o nate Plasma Today. The Beacon/Ni~k Zmijewski Sharon Brittingham, Director of Multicultural Affairs at Keystone College, spoke about her childhood in Rochester. Brittingham grew up as a multiracial child and experienced the race riots first hand. Her speech was part of the Black History Month Celebration that was held last Thursday evening in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. Earn up to $200 a Mi>nth ! Interstate Blood & Plasma Inc .. 66S C'.a~ Ava Wi I~ Pa Gal l.57CI ~ 823-411 S �FEBRUARY 20, 2006 FEATURES 11 Sidhu ~chool launches alumni mentoring program Sophomore students link with professionals for support, insights BY ERICA LEO Beacon Staff Writer Receiving a helping hand through the trials and tribulations of college hysteria is always a good thing, especially when the helping hand comes from a professional in the student's field of choice. Second-semester sophomore business majors are finding out for themselves how having their own mentor in the field can be beneficial during their time at Wilkes and also as they begin to contemplate jobs and internships. The sophomore business students will serve as the pilot group for the Wilkes University mentoring program, which pairs each student with a professional mentor of his or her choice. Although the mentors participating in the program are mostly Wilkes alumni, there are also some local business professionals involved as well. According to Matt Sowcik, Personal Professional Development Coordinator for the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business, about 90 percent of the mentors graduated from Wilkes, 5 percent are current MBA students, and the other 5 percent are community members who were recommended by students participating in the program. Sowcik helps guide students through their mentor experience. "We decided to focus on careers and networking in the students' sophomore year and it was a good opportunity to get the alumni involved with the business school," he said. The program entails a week by week itin- CAREY from PAGE 9 and became a copy editor, which entailed editing the final copy. This year, I am a full time copy editor, and I also submitted some stuff, like poetry, and had a painting accepted," Carey said. She became involved in The Manuscript thanks to Dr. Mike Lennon, the former chair of the English department. "At orientation, he gave me a copy of it. Then last year, at club day, I joined," she said. Even though being the daughter of a faculty member can be tough sometimes, Carey enjoys having her father around. "He talks about me in class a lot. He told the class what I was taking and how much I do. He really is proud ofme," said Carey. In fact, Carey's father is excited about working on the same campus his daughter attends. "I enjoy hearing about all of the The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Matt Sowcik, Personal Professional Development Coordinator for the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business, and graduate assistant Bridget McHale consult with John Crotti. Sowcik and McHale help business students network by pairing them up with a mentor who graduated from Wilkes, an MBA student, or a recommended community member in the field. The program requires that students have some sort of interaction with their mentors at least once a week. erary for the students to follow including a list of topics and questions that the students should use in conversing with their mentors. Some of the topics include leadership, career ambitions, professional development and emotional intelligence. Each student must contact their mentor once a week via phone, e-mail or face-to-face communication. "We're hoping to expand the things she does and the joy she seems to get from her classes, classmates and teachers. I have been looking forward to this time for many years," said Mr. Carey. The pride goes both ways. "I found out that he was highly recommended on ratemyprofessor.com," she mused, "then he received [a] part-time faculty award at the faculty awards dinner," she said. However, Carey insists that it doesn't make much of a difference having dad on campus. "He has a full-time job at Lockheed Martin, so I don't see him all of the time, but I can pop into his office before class, or even come into his classes for a visit," she said. Carey's father is currently working on his doctorate degree at Clarkson University. He hopes to graduate in 2008, the same year as his daughter, and present her diploma to her on graduation day. Wilkes University is not only a special place to Carey and her father, but the entire Carey family. In fact, Carey's parents met in the library at Wilkes and her younger brother plans to attend the university next year. Carey's busy schedule sometimes causes problems. "The classes I am taking this semester might screw up my music lessons," she admitted. However, Carey's willingness to take on so much shows that she will not allow a small thing like scheduling conflicts to get in the way of the things she wants. Her life philosophy is largely influenced by her father. Mr. Carey advises his daughter to "live for the now and enjoy this moment." students' network outside the school to alumni and community members. Hopefully from that network, another one grows so they are introduced from their mentors to other people in their field. This could lead to more opportunities to grow and learn or possibly gain internship and career experience," said Sowcik. Beth Horn, sophomore business major, is currently a part of the new mentoring program and, although only in the early stages, feels that she will gain a lot from the experience. "I really enjoy writing back and forth with my mentor. He has even helped me with my resume, which was a great help since I have been looking into summer internships. He has really opened my mind up to new opportunities and gave me more confidence," said Horn. Brian Summers, Chief Operations Officer for Construction Financial Management Agency (CFMA) and Wilkes alumnus, is mentoring Horn and described the experience, so far, as "professional and thorough." Summers noted that the itinerary and prompts that each student is given before interaction with mentors is very well prepared. "I could see the eventual value of the process and the exchange of information that' will take place. This preparation has already led towards a smooth transition during my first few contacts with my mentee," said Summers. f;Ol.al..Ef•I~ l)lllNKING f;f) NSl~f)Ul~Nf;l~S One night of heavy drinking can impair your ability to think abstractly for up to 30 days, limiting your ability to relate textbook reading to what your professor says, or to think through a football play. �_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _12 People are talking ... . . . about a new downtown hotspot BY REBECCA GOODMAN Beacon Managing Editor When word-got around that a new nightclub was proposed for downtown, some campus conversation began. Beacon managing editor Rebecca Goodman chimed in and asked: "If a new 80s/90s themed danceclub were to open downtown, would you go?" I would go to this thing if it was a combination of hair band rock and Prince. Cheesy 80s music, basically. -Donny Murray, junior psychology major Yeah, It's cool that they're bringing something new around here. I'd like to support the revitalization of downtown Wilkes-Barre. -Karl Kemmerer, sophomore accounting major No, because I wouldn't want to drive all the way down here to go to it. - John Bartell, P3 Music Revue Music Review ... Stranger Calls Boston's 13 14 15 15 Downtown nightclub slated for June Proposal says 40 new jobs to be created BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor Picture this. After watching a summer box office hit at the new downtown theater, moviegoers can stick around Wilkes-Barre a little longer. They can head up the block to a new nightclub, also slated to open this spring. Steven Toomey, who owns Flashbacks in downtown Scranton, told Wilkes-Barre city council at this month's meeting that he plans to lease two storefronts located at 12 South Main Street from Rumford Equities to house an 80s and 90s themed nightclub. Toomey said in a February 11 Citizens Voice article that similar to Flashbacks, this club will hold up to 300 people and would potentially create about 40 jobs. So, the club would not just be a place to go, but also a place to work, possibly for Wilkes students. Greg Barrouk, assistant to Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton and city director of downtown community revitalization, says this is evidence that life will exist after 5 :00 p.m. downtown. "What you are seeing now in Wilkes-Barre is The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski a perfect example of creating an 18-hour downtown. This is the second (proposed) night club on South Main Street alone that has come before By June, this property at12 South Main Street (across from Boscov's) will be transformed into a 80s and 90s themed nightclub. council and explained ...plans," he said. Barrouk also added that nightclubs downtown would make Wilkes-Barre the college-friendly city it has strived to be for so long. "We are excited for this business to come into the downtown. What it is showing is progress; people are seeing it and they want to be a part of it. Mayor Leighton has expressed many times how we need to make Wilkes-Barre a college town and how he is committed to our colleges and this is just another example of progress," said Barrouk. The club concept is still going through the groundwork. Toomey must receive approval to transfer a liquor license from an unnamed Dallas restaurant to the new Wilkes-Barre location. City council will hold a special public hearing on this request this Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30p.m. in council chambers. Council will then vote on the issue at its February 23 meeting. Two messages were left for Steven Toomey at the number listed for Flashbacks, but the Beacon did not receive a return call. Stay tuned for a follow up story on the club's progress. . gg E -~ ✓ k.2 km .... Yeah, I would definitely go because it would be something new and different to do on Friday or Saturday night. -Eddie SkorJ:!Ra, junior accounting major s D~JSt Ja:az &&.i i zzzsme1aaaaa24 Yeah, I would go because 80s and 90s music rocks. -Justin Richards, sophomore political science major �FEBRUARY 20, 2006 13 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Music revue Closer through Sunday Ever runs BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor I would love to dance to the Spice Girls and not be made fun of doing it. - Nikki Hahn, junior pharmacy major (PI) Yeah, the 80s are fun. There's fun music. -Holly Gould, junior elementary ed Courtesy Marketing Comm The cast: Bottom row, Deirdre Lynch, Greta Kleckner, Rachel Dyer. Middle: Kaitlin Taber-Miller. Top: Dan Van Why, Kevin Holbert, Brandon Wood, Taylor Whidden Yeah, I'd go. I like the music from the 80s and the 90s. -Suzanne Cochi, freshman pharmacy The next step: A hearing will be held February 21 at City Hall at 7p.m. to approve the proposed clubs liquor license transfer. The Wilkes University spring musical Closer Than Ever opened Friday and is running through next Sunday at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts. Closer Than Ever has somewhat of a different directional approach than most musical theater productions at Wilkes: the show has four directors. "The show lends itself easily to four directors," explained Joe Dawson, one of the show's directors. "Each director staged four numbers and a choreographer staged the large numbers. The format worked well and it was to the students' benefit to work with a variety of artistic talent." The show itself is also a different approach for a Wilkes production, added Dawson. "The Wilkes theatre program has never attempted a musical revue of this type -- set in a cafe where the audience sits on the stage and being served non alcoholic drinks makes for a casual fun atmosphere," he said. Closer Than Ever is a musical revue, which means there is no real plot or storyline behind the show. However, all of the numbers are related thematically. In this case., Dawson says issues include identity, failed relationships, unfulfilled aspirations and death. A press release for the show from Teresa Fallon states, "This brilliant revue of twenty-four funny, wise and witty "songs of experience" celebrates a contemporary sensibility with wicked satirical jabs at Muzak, mid-life crises, second marriages, role reversals, working couples and unrequited love." When asked about any cast standouts, Dawson replied that with the revue format, all actors get equal billing. "This show features individual student talents. It is an ensemble cast, which means that all roles are essentially the same size. Each of the eight-member cast has at least two solos and there are several group numbers," he said. Closer Than Ever is written by Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire; directed by Dawson, Fallon, Joe Rasmus and Corinna Sowers-Adler; choreographed by Joe Melchiona and musically directed by Michele Millington. The show runs Friday and Saturday, February 24 & 25 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 26 at 2:00 p.m. �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist 20, 2006 BY MATT ZEBROWSKI Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor Ovde../ .'i + ke)U\d('\¼- ; \ FEBRUARY be, Cot\ee,e.. 'D~~e.. wi+h:u¼- C,r;C"' Y:..i<"~ 0- l------...;._-, L.\oJ 90\¼0- 'po:r-+ b<.,e,<' e. tlling that I've heard in my entire life. The album deals with everything from the P.LO. Remember those ten years or so when to all sorts of armed revolution to, well, punk rock was allegedly sometlling other sex. And lots of it. Agree or disagree with than a boring and somewhat pathetic parody M.LA. 's admittedly extremist stances, you of itself? can't argue that she is completely reframing I don't, because it was about half a decade the status quo. before I was born, but tllings And, possibly most imporI've read on the subject lead tantly, unlike the narcissistic me to think that it's probably brats that call themselves modnot a far stretch to draw a comem day punk-rockers, M.I.A. parison between the golden age is educated and talented. Her of that now-exploited genre to original artwork, which can be Arular, the debut full-length found on her website at www. album from British/Sri-Lankmiauk.com (extra points for an artist Maya Arulpragasam, possibly the sickest Flash on who goes by the pseudonym the internet), is nothing short .M.LA. of amazing. She is politically I'll be completely honest. aware, opinionated, industriI am bored to tears by punk ous and, in a word, relevant. rock. Even if it wasn't dead Arular is probably not the five minutes after it started sort of tlling your parents (which is a claim that I'm still would enjoy, but then again, not too sure about), it certainly Courtesy npr.com why should they? It has been is now. There is no creation, Maya Arulpragasam far too long since something no individuality and no passion has pushed the limits of pop music this hard that doesn't seem completely contrived left and this well, and if it were safe and sterile, in the genre. And although it is in no way a it wouldn't be doing its job. Arular wholly punk album, Arular contains just about ev- defies genre-classification, and it does notherything that the soggy pulp that calls itself ing if not pump new life into the spirit of punk these days does not. rebellion that has so long been absent from For starters, Arular is packed to the gills pop culture. Ifl were a purveyor ofhomogwith genuine aggression. The album has enized corporate art, I would be absolutely a very tribal feel to it, with spastic pro- positively scared to death of this album. grammed beats and noises out the wazoo, Grade: A+ . and production that is incredi?ly @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ well done but somehow nothmg @ 0) even remot~ly close to be~~ too @ . - .- .. . _ _ 0) slick. Despite the expert mIXIng, I@ 0l haven't heard an album that man- ·@ ----@ ages to sound this primal and raw @ PS2 @ in years. Arular is also quite the @ XBOX @ genre-bender, as the bongos and @ 0l bugle calls in "Bucky Done Gun" @ NINTENDO : or steel drums in "Bingo" illustrate. @ . 0) Unlike modem punks, whose shal- @ @ low musical gene pool makes it : '.1.11' U . @ sound as if they listen to very little @ f -.J @ outside of their own genre, M.LA. @ .Ml" llff'l @ expertly employs the Sandinista!- gi @ 1 we DUY' and se 1 )Ds ')s m;m.~~us 11s .~~id_._ _ll I _-_=::__.. JR.Ji L..:~-=--=--=-.:__-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- era Clash technique; she is obvious- @ ly influenced by all sorts of music @ from all over the world, and it can't @ help but _sho~ through. . ~ All this wild and crazy music @) provides the perfect backdrop for @ 45s IUSIU£ 1.0161 · 59 north main Wilkes barre ,., 829-2929 N @ @ @ !: l'W .-----------------,@ we have hundreds of posters 1! : M.LA. 's politically and sexually .@ loaded (and I mean LOADED) lyr-@ '---------./----=-----'@ ic~. Frankl~, the l?ical content_on lo@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ this album 1s possibly the ballsiest · . �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Mninner and a Movie Movie: Wben a Stranger Calls BY ALISON SHERRY Beacon Staff Writer Whatever you do, don 't answer the phone. Ah yes, the urban legend we've always heard about and probably seen played out in Hollywood more than once. In fact, the new release by director Simon West, When A Stranger Calls is actually a lot like a Lifetime movie called When A Stranger Calls Back starring Courtesy Yahoo! Movies Carol Kane in 1993. So yes, this has Camille Belle in When a Stranger Calls been done before. But that doesn't mean it won't instill the urge to jump every five seconds ... even if nothing is happening on the screen. When A Stranger Calls definitely gives new meaning to being home alone. Grounded for a high cell phone bill, high school student Jill Johnson (Camilla Belle) accepts a babysitting job at the house of an extremely rich doctor and his wife with two children. Jill is impressed with the house for awhile, but then she starts receiving mysterious phone calls asking about the children. At first she believes they are just prank calls, but then they don't stop and eventually turn threatening. Frantic with worry, she calls the police only to find that the calls are coming from inside the house. Critics have argued this movie is incredibly predictable, and they're right. But the scare factor is still impressive. I'm a firm believer that background music can make or break a thriller and in this case, the music definitely makes it. The score for When A Stranger Calls communicates enormous intensity even when Jill is just walking down the hall. Audiences are always expecting something to happen just because the music leads them to believe that something crazy is going on even when it's not. As predictable as people might say it is, it will definitely keep you glued to the screen, and there's no doubt that it will make you jump even if you can see what's coming. And there are assuredly three things you will NOT want to do after seeing this movie: I) Stay home alone 2) Answer the phone 3) Buy the soundtrack FEBRUARY 20, 2006 Dinner: Boston's-The Gourmet Pizza BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon A&E Asst. Editor As they were building Boston's, there was always an air of mystery. It didn't really look like any of the other restaurants in the area. In add. · ailed Boston's The not a mg Wilkes campus, and also not a huge problem if you are aware of the light and traffic patterns. However, for those not as familiar with the area, it could lead some to inadvertantly end up on the interstate. Second, let's talk about the atmosphere. There is a chance the smoking/bar area has a different feel, but the non-smoking area was not aesthetically welcoming. It looked like a grown up Red Robin. Strange patterns on the wall and carpet were subdued in color, but still distracting. Overall, it seemed as though the restaurant was ing too har~to · " .· ..·•. l F1.,.it:: · · encrustg concept ewe finsure what we ever i I had the dhad the f ved ?ers, my pizza. . It's hard to zza the way it is, and ularly good. The crust was soft, yet firm, there was a ton of chicken on it; and it all tasted great. There were also massive portion sizes, so no dessert for us. To sum up, the location is terrible. Atmosphere is even worse. But the food is good. I'd venture there again. Grade: C+ STIID.:NTHOUS™G SOLUT•ON owvaa.a At uw fltamacta Inn X..11LNi.! ! a ~ M i l l u t n·~· c ~ wbn HBO Pilli'lding -..,0<0_. l!l"t\O,,,. '4illilila.. --~------ P'lllffll_,llftGIIII ·w .n Ito Walll O•pedna Ktt · h•A AlrC~ Grade: B llNG'ffl CO.: ~Kr l'.E~S.APPLY* Bli-a · ■.armams 2da.d tram 199• par: IU;tdb ,, i ac 2-MCl&UIID ) AilOYdlQD utHBlaa . S BEDaOOM SUl'll'ES PdG0:0 Ilk» A/rettdy nad,JOtu ~ Ned to buyytJur birth, ctJntrol in, priuacyi ·Get Your Birth Control widuJu.t A Pelvic Exam• fDP• Mt mcmu, D •O f) QO;[fOD$0) tostMdlOP MIIDIII eooc,:-, l:om MM· QC[ ammn ( 1/ IA I NCJCMO CALL OUR SAL es OFF IC. e Your number one sou.rce for birth oontrul and tbt morning after pill. 1-800-230 -PLAN Wl,rw. ppnep.org • u'1'lttr11 instmrt~, furfh~r e.•riluaticrn may he ntrluire:tt l ½OC'llr<lnP 1mOrh1 FO F( A FR e Ii= TOURI s20-az ...-z100. EX'l'ERSIOK 12':S a.e.......... ~ •• • ...,k-4 &4 - - - · - �16 SPORTS FEBRUARY 20, 2006 Spring Fever just around the corner Colonels to spend spring break in Cocoa Beach BY NICK PODOLAK Asst. Sports Editor The "ping" of aluminum will soon ring loud across the USA as college baseball season approaches. The Colonels will head for Cocoa Beach, Florida over spring break to practice, play doubleheaders and soak in the 70 to 80 degree temperatures. "It's our home away from home," said head baseball coach Joe Folek. "We're regulars down there." Perhaps sometime during their 10-hour plus days of baseball, the Colonels will squeeze in a Washington Nationals game, since they train only fifteen minutes away in Viera. "We're right in the heart of it," Folek said. "It just doesn't get much better than this." The Colonels will undergo a transitional season due to a number of graduates and a couple of key injuries. Tyler Trutt and Derek Sheruda were expected to return for another year but could not due to ineligibility with the NCAA, and top pitching recruits Cory Helfrich and Tom Buckler underwent Tommy John surgery and are out for the season. "We anticipated that they were going to be able to play, but that didn't work out in our favor. Now everybody has to pick up the slack and we need to move on," said Folek. The Colonels have nothing to frown about, however. Headlining a list of returnees is sophomore Chris Mayerski. Mayerski hit .301 last season with 15 doubles, four triples, seven <lingers, 44 RBI and 40 runs scored, earning him first team all Freedom Conference honors. The versatile "Mersk" showed up to camp a little slimmer and will see time at third base, outfield and even behind the plate. "[Chris] is the definition of a multi-position utility player," Folek said. Senior Kevin Konschak will lead the pitching staff after a 6-4 record with a 4.47 ERA last season. Jeff Ridge, Jared Ferrell, Paul Migliorino and Mike Toomey should also figure into the mix. "We've had a few injuries that hurt, but our starting rotation is still very strong, and we have a few other guys to back us up ifwe need it," Konschak said. Some of the backup may come from senior closer Mike Quinn, who after anchoring the bullpen the past few years most likely will join the starting rotation. "Being a senior, we're gonna give 'Quinnie' every opportunity we can to be on the field as much as possible," said Folek. The Blue and Gold also have a number of freshmen who will see time, especially Nanticoke Area product Dan Nearhouse. "House" will pitch and get a lot of work at second base, short stop and the hot corner. "Danny's not just going to be a pitcher. .. he hits too good," Folek said. Other key players include Matt LoPresto (C), Kyle Stover (infield), John Milius (P) and Kyle Follweiler (OF). The team, which will seek its fifth consecutive Freedom Conference playoff berth, will also seek some wins in the playoffs, unlike last season's dismal performance. "Mark my words, we're not going down like we did last year. We'll be the team to beat whether the pre-season polls say so or not," Konschak said. The team practiced outside last week due to unseasortably high temperatures and will have two games at home before heading for Cocoa Beach. They will be in action Satur- day, March 4 in a double header against Cazenovia before playing a twin bill Sunday against Neuman. Both games are home and start at 12:00. "It'd be great if we could play those four games before we went to Florida. And it's not out of the question unless we get a blizzard or something," Folek laughed. Beacon Archives Senior pitcher Kevin Konschak will lead the Colonel's rotation this year after going 6-4 with a 4.47 ERA last season. COMMENTARY WVW coaching dile0101a: keep a proven winner around BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor There are schools all over the state that are desperately lacking a qualified head coach with proven ability on the sidelines, and Wyoming Valley West is lucky enough to have two vying for the same job. Some people don't know how lucky they are. The arguments are raging back and forth all over the valley as WVW board members wrestle with how to handle the inevitable fall-out when a decision is finally made about whom to hire as head football coach for the 2006-07 season. King Curry has an untouchable 362-743 record after 35 seasons at Berwick High School, and can lay claim to six state championships. Ed Michaels, who recently finished his eighth season at the helm of the Spartan program, has a 56-30 record. A decision is expected this week. Although both coaches have the ability to build onto the already-successful Valley West football program, the board would be sadly lacking in foresight if it chose Curry over Michaels. Curry has some impressive numbers, and has strong pull with college recruiters across the nation, but anyone examining this situation has to consider the long-term stability of the program. Curry may be a great coach--indeed, he's one of the best this state has ever seen-but he cannot coach forever. He may still have the knack for coaching after thirty-five years, but how much longer will he want to continue? Michaels, on the other hand, has only been a head coach for eight seasons. He probably has over two decades of coaching left in him, and that could represent two decades of stability for the Spartan program. Curry could have been given a head coaching job at probably two dozen schools throughout the area, but he applied to Valley West. He isn't looking to create another football dynasty so much as he is diving for the 400-win mark. The Spartans have an established tradition of excellence in foot- ball, and it would be much easier for him to step into that program and crank out his four hundredth win than it would be to build a struggling program from the ground up. I'm not knocking Curry's decision at all. If any coach in Pennsylvania has earned the · right to take his pick of the football programs in the state, he has. The board members need to realize his intentions, however, and act accordingly. Michaels, on the other hand, is trying to build his team into the type of powerhouse football programs that Berwick has represented for so long. Michaels also has already established a rapport with the community and the tearp, which is an important aspect of program stability. When board members finally meet to decide on who will guide the Spartan program, they must force themselves to remain unimpressed by Curry's various stats and look to the future of the program. Curry has coached over four hundred games, and it is unlikely that he'll be on the sidelines for another four hundred. Michaels, on the other hand, hasn't even reached his hundred-game milestone. Judging by the Spartans' record over the past eight years, Valley West has the right man for the job. To lose a coach that talented in a meager attempt to snag another talented coach with a bigger reputation would be shortsighted and pointless. The Spartan program is doing just fine. Give Michaels the chance to build upon what he has already created. He's earned it. �FEBRUARY 20, 2006 SPORTS 17 COMMENTARY Sometimes silver is good enough ... and sometimes it isn't BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor Leon Lett has nothing on Lindsey Jacobellis. With an enormous lead on her nearest competitor in the newest sport of the Winter Olympics, Jacobellis decided to try a "backside method grab" while heading toward the finish line of the women's boardercross competition. Several thuds and a cloud of snow later, Jabocbellis was sliding to the finish line behind Switzerland's Tanja Frieden to claim her silver medal. "I messed up," said Jacobellis afterward. "Oh, well. It happens." Yeah, it does happen. Sometimes after working hard for four years, you're finally about to snag a gold medal--the one thing you've been working toward--and you showboat a little too much and blow your chance. No big deal; there's always 2010. I may not be a Cowboys fan, but I'll say this of Leon Lett: his showboating in Super Bowl XXVII didn't cost his team the most important game of their season. "Lucky Lindsey," as her parents like to call her, managed to show old Leon how it's done. Due to the stylistic nature of snowboarding, there has been some debate about the appropriateness of her move. Snowboarders often pull off token moves throughout their runs, and Jacobellis had pulled this particular move off several times throughout the games. Some have seen it in the same light as the excessive celebrations that are occurring in every other sport, while others, particularly other snowboarders, consider it a byproduct of the sport itself. "If she got caught up in the moment, she got caught up in the moment," said U.S. snowboarding coach Peter Foley. "It's not the end of the world for me." Good point. All of the medals this year have big holes in the middle of them anyway, so it's ptobably better to wait another four years before unleashing that hidden professionalism. Any athlete who ever cared about winning ought to be embarrassed about the flagrant apathy that Jacobellis and some of her supporters are showing. She was representing her country in one of the most legendary sporting events in human history, and she didn't have the maturity to not show off after she had the race won. Foley tried to defend her showboating by claiming, "She's 20 years old." Nice try, but anyone mature enough to muster adequate work ethic to qualify for the Olympics is clearly mature enough to carry the blame for losing a gold medal. Professional athletes, and Olympic athletes especially, are professionals, and should carry themselves as such. The nature of athletic competition calls for some amount of showing off, and this is unavoidable. In fact, a little showing off by the right person at the right time can help a struggling team gain some momentum in a close game. This showboating, however, cannot detract from individual or team efforts. Jacobellis cost herself and her team a gold medal, and she appears unmoved by the thought. Perhaps after enough media coverage, she'll finally remember the job of a professional athlete: to win, or at least to work as hard as possible toward achieving victory. Then maybe she'll act the part of a champion during the 2010 games. If she gets there. ~TOYOTA ~ rm MACPBIR8IIN STRUT PBINT IU8PIN8 N + AM/fM/CD WIT& I IPIAICIIS + ....... aocm PANELi + 38 MPD BYITt = YOUI RIVI CAI ASIIIIIVlll 817,380t1 \t')'ftmffA I_,.,,,,,_,,, lfflED.AEMJGR'lU005oomu.ASNaB ISt2AHB'JAUTO.ltlW.flJ!f.lCl,Mt¥M ttflSff'OlmllCIE'NDi:8111210.UlNH~ 'P.m.-'NDIKi.Niffffi.llAIHBS IHMHK.f. �SPORTS 18 FEBRUARY 20, 2006 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK NBA: Philadelpia 76ers versus Cleveland Cavaliers A.I.s ready to battle King Ja01es BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Staff Writer Wednesday is the start to the second half of the professional basketball season, and it brings a battle between two second placed teams, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 76ers, who are two games under .500 heading into this game, actually started the All Star break a little early when they suffered their worst defeat of the season to the Chicago Bulls 117-84 dropping their record to 25-27 and placing them 3.5 games behind first place New Jersey. The Cavaliers come on to this game also in second place but with a slightly more competitive record at 31-21, yet they are 11.5 games behind the first placed Detroit Pistons in the Central Division. Before the break, the Cavs handed the Boston Celtics a 113-109 loss. The 76ers and the Cavaliers have played each other four times since the start of the season each team taking away two wins during the season series. This fifth game will be a big game as each team tries to make their case for having a better seed in the post season. That is, in fact, what the second half of the season is all about. The last time that the two teams met was earlier this month on February 4 when Philadelphia beat Cleveland 100-95. This was Iverson's first game back after sitting out with an injury for the four games prior to that. Iverson is going to be the big player in the game for the Sixers. Iverson, who is leading the NBA in average number of points scored per game with more than 33, is going to try and top his 34 points that he had in the last game against the Cavaliers. Iverson played in his seventh All Star game this past weekend. In prior years he averaged nearly 18.5 points per game and brought down three rebounds as well so the skill level that he is contributing to Philadelphia is obviously still there and will play a major factor in leading his team to a 3rd win over Cleveland this year. The other major player for Philadelphia is All Star Andre Iquodala. A.I. II who is his third season with the Sixers is avergaing in double figures and is ranked 14th in the league in three different categories including field goal percentage, steals per turnover, and steals. . For the Cavaliers, Lebron James who has been the talk around the NBA for the past few seasons leads the Cavaliers offensively. He is averaging 31.2 points per game, grabbing an average 7 rebounds, and chipping in just around 6.5 assists per contest. The unfortunate loss of second leading scorer and shooting guard Larry Hughes may have an adverse effect on Cleveland's chances. The latest.report out of the Cavaliers' press office said that Hughes is not expected to return to the lineup until the postseason. Even without Hughes, James was able to get the team to persevere with his outstanding leadership. The Cavs who have raked up a 9-2 record in the Central Division did so without Hughes showing that maybe they will be just as competitive if not more competitive and motivated to win against the Sixers. Even with the increased expected participation from the rest of the Cleveland team, the chances are slim of actually pulling off a win missing their number two man on the road with die-hard Philly fans in their faces. The 76ers' offensive combination of Allen Iverson, Chris Webber, and Andre Iquodala will be the key to Philadelphia's success. Prediction: Philadelphia ll0 Cleveland 105 Double Take Sarah examines the facts that truly matter. .. BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Quick Info: 76ers vs. Cavs Wed, Feb 22 7:00 COMCAST Sports Talks Radio 610 WIP It's my favorite time of the week again. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting down to critique a bunch of professional athletes. In my opinion, they should all be perfect and not need critiquing consideripg the amount of money they make per game, but that's beside the point. This week's game features the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers (that's NBA for those of you who don't know). I have a habit of not picking Philly teams, and I did that last week so I definitely have to go with the Cavaliers this time. Besides, they ' ve got LeBron James. Some of you out there may argue that LeBron is nothing compared to Iverson, but have you seen Iverson lately? He 's got some really ugly tattoos going on. Yuck. Now James is the guy to root for. The fact that he went to the NBA straight out of high school speaks for itself. The man has some natural talent. I was kind of disappointed that he didn't participate in Saturday's Slam Dunk Contest, but the event is still worth mentioning. The 76ers own Andre Iguodala made it to the final round and faced Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks. Iguodala stands at six feet six inche:, towering over Robinson who is a mere five feet nine inches. Somehow, the little guy pulled it off. Robinson is the only other player under 6 feet to win the Slam Dunk contest, the other being Spud Webb in 1987. If the six foot giant can't outdunk Robinson, then the Sixers really need some help. I think the Cavaliers have this one in the ., bag. Go Cleveland. �FEBRUARY SPORTS 20, 2006 19 Athlete of the Week Wrestling: Rex Harris BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor After helping lead his te'am to an impressive 13-5 record by notching thirty wins throughout the course of the 2005-2006 season, Rex Harris can see the light at the end of the tunnel. For him, that light is a national championship. Harris, the 2003 MAC Champion in the 174 lb. class, earned first seed at Saturday's MAC Championships in Elizabethtown at 184. After dropping Zack Wilkinson of King's College in the second period during the semi-final rounds, Harris lost a close 74 decision to Delaware Valley's Mike Berlanda. The narrow loss, however, was not from a lack of effort. "I always shoot for the best," said Harris in an interview on Friday afternoon. Harris came into the championship match aiming for "nothing less than a national title." Wrestling, much like tennis, has a team setup that is quite different from other organized sports. Individual wrestlers have the chance to win a conference or even a national crown on their own, regardless of the overall win-loss record of their team. At the same time, however, team championships are given at the conference and national levels. This rare setup can be detrimental to a team effort. A wrestler working only for himself could drastically affect the team, whatever successes he may accomplish on his own. A wrestler who only has to avoid being pinned in order for his team to win, for example, might cost his team a victory by being disqualified while going for the pin on his opponent. A situation such as this could happen to any team, but Harris has led by example making certain that the Colonels-who were ranked nationally for most of the seasondo not suffer this pitfall. "We've had our ups and downs all year," he said, "but as a whole ... we've performed better than I've seen in a long time. This is the best team " '44, Courtesy of Sports Information Harris was seeded first in the MAC Championship tournament on Saturday after finishing the regular season 30-5. I've been on since I've been at this school, and it's showing. We're only getting better, and the MAC title is in our grasp." Head coach Jon Laudenslager, now in his third season at the helm of the team, can see his effect on the other wrestlers. "[Harris has] gotten other people to follow in his footsteps. They expect to win when they take the mat just like he does," said Laudenslager. The Colonels marched into Elizabethtown hoping that their efforts would earn them a MAC title and several individual bids to the NCAA Tournament at The College of New Jersey on March 2 and 3. The Colonels were able to snag a third-place finish with 111 points, and wrestlers Felipe Queiroz and Brandon Kelly earned NCAA tournament bids. The loss to Berlanda in the championship finals brought Harris' long career to a close. Though he did not quite reach the NCAA championship that he had been hoping for, the Ossining, NY native has left a massive imprint on the Colonel program. Harris' leadership combined with his skills on the mat helped Wilkes run through its most successful wrestling season in recent history. In a sport where the individual can so easily forget the needs of the team, Harris' actions in and out of the ring have served as an example to his coaches, teammates, and opponents. ., ,,. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Rena Bolin moves in for a shot against King's College during Tuesday's game. Bolin would go on to score 18 points in the game, but the Lady Colonels fell to King's 78-60. Wilkes finished the season with a 6-19 record after falling to Drew on Saturday. WEEKEND RECAPS Men's Basketball Mike Constantine led Wilkes with 19 points as the Colonels defeated Drew University 70-55 on the road Saturday aftemoon. The Colonels finished the regular season with a 12-9 record and will enter the Freedom Conference championship tournament as the number three seed. Wilkes will take on King's in the Scanlon Gymnasium on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Women's Basketball The Lady Colonels ended their season with a 6-19 record on Saturday after dropping an 80-62 decision to Drew University. Randi Corbo and Lacey Andresen led the team with 16 points each, while senior Rena Bolin finished her career with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Wrestling The Wilkes wrestling team saw five of its grapplers advance to the final round of the MAC Championships at Elizabethtown Co11ege on Saturday. Felipe Queiroz advanced to the NCAA tournament with a win in the final round at the 125-lb. class, while Brandon Kelly earned a wild-card invitation to the tournament at the 197-lb. class. The Colonels scored 111 points in the championship, finishing third. ··,,1,.~• NuMBERS OF THE WEEK ·:),;1'. 3 Players scoring in double figures in the men s basketball team 70-55 victory over Drew Saturday afternoon. 19 Points scored by Mike Constantine during Saturdays mens basketball game against Drew. 16 Points scored by both Randi Corbo and Lacey Andresen in Saturdays womens basketball game against Drew. , 5 Wrestlers who made it to the final round of the MAC Championships at Elizabethtown College on Saturday. �Game Preview: Men's basketball vs. King's on 2/22 BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Assistant Sports Editor At the beginning of the men's basketball season, the sky seemed to be the limit-- expectations soared as Wilkes was ranked 10th nationally in preseason polls. All of that hype may have been a little bit too much to live up to, especially in the second half of this season. But even with all of the trouble the team faced in the latter part of the season, the Colonels managed to pull it together squeaking out a win over Drew University on Saturday to clinch a trip to the playoffs. Senior guard Mike Constantine led the scoring for the Colonels with 19 and Chris Shovlin followed close behind with 18, paving the way for the team's most convincing win in weeks with a final score of 70-55. Senior Mike Constantine said, "[Recently] we have been playing as good as we have all season." The men started off the 20052006 season with 6-1 overall re. cord and a 7-0 Freedom Conference record before struggling at the start to the second half of the season. In the last seven games of the season including Sarnrday's game at Drew, the· Colonels went 5-2, dropping out of first place, and then needing some kind of a win to have any chance of making it to the post season. As the Colonels prepare for their first post season game this coming · Wednesday they are going to have to rediscover that positive team chemistry that defined the start of this season. Both Constantine and Head Coach Jerry Rickrode agree with one another that "the postseason is like an entirely new season." Even though the Colonels and the Monarchs played each other just one week ago during the regular season, the Colonels will not be thinking about that 68-66 loss. The goal is to reach the NCAA playoffs with an up-tempo offense . Wilkes faces cross-town rival King's College Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on the Monarchs' home court. King's and Wilkes are seeded 2 and 3 respectively for the playoffs. "We have the best fan base in the conference and I hope to see a lot of them turn out on Wednesday," noted Rickrode. The winner of this face-off will then move on to play either Scranton or Lycoming in the Freedom Conference finals. The game can be heard on Wilkes University Radio 90. 7 WCLH starting at 6:50 p.m. The BeaconfTodd Weibel Senior Drew Amoroso plays a game of keep-away against a FDU-Florham defender. The Colonels who have struggled in the second half of the season managed to pull off a 70--55 win over Drew to clinch the third seed in the playoffs. The game will take place against King's College this Wednesday at 7 PM. Camuus Calendar. All Week *Johnnie Winona Ross: Abstract Paintings, Sordoni Art Gallary Monday (2/20) *No events listed for today Tuesday (2/21) *No events listed for today available at the HSC information desk 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday (2/23) *No events listed for today Friday (2/24) *Closer Than Ever, Theatre Arts Production, DOD - 8 p.m. Saturday (2/25) Wednesday (2/22) * Trip to African Ameri*College Night Out, can Museum, PhiladelWise Crackers Comedy phia - 8:54 a.m. Please Club - 9 p.m. Tickets contact culture@wilkes. Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH edu or 408-4731 to reserve your spot. *Closer Than Ever, Theatre Arts Production, DOD - 8 p.m. Sunday (2/26) *Closer Than Ever, Theatre Arts Production, DOD - 2 p.m. *To have your events included, send an email to wilkesbeacon@ gmail.com and include the event, date, time and location* This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@grnail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A randotftwinner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. No one correctly identified last weeks campus picture which was a picture ofthe security camera at Breisth Hall. Since the picture was not correctly identified, this weeks picture is worth $20. � 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 2006 February 20th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 February 20 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University https://omeka.wilkes.edu/omeka/files/original/6851c294e39596bf6bacee58b84d1017.pdf 9f799a1f5d738784c98d0700df03ef0b PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA The 20 /11 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW FEBRUARY 13, 2006 www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 14 Judge Rosenn: powerful leader, hu01ble 01an Wilkes mourns the loss of one of the most influential men in the area f ' rrodd Weibel els 62-53 win ~cranton this a win in their 1ey can be the and ... BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Modest. Devoted. Trustworthy. Honest. Compassionate. Fair. Intellectual. Leader. These are not words used to describe an average man. According to his closest friends and colleagues, Judge Max Rosenn was far from average. Last Tuesday the Honorable Judge Max Rosenn died at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that inlpacted the nation's judiciary, legal careers, lives of friends, and Wilkes University. Rosenn grew up in Plains Township with his parents and siblings. His family's economic livelihood was farming, but his parents believed in education and worked hard to save money for that purpose. A natural student, Rosenn earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science from Cornell University. He also earned a minor in English, all within three years time. He then continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania where he com- pleted his law degree. After serving in World War II, primarily in the Philippines, he established his law practice, Rosenn, Jenkins and Greenwald in the same downtown Wilkes-Barre building where it currently resides, and the practice grew to be among the largest and most prestigious in the region. Rosenn was tapped by President Richard Nixon in 1970 to serve on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, where he continued to make and write decisions until very recently when his illness prevented that work. Thanks to his 36-year tenure and the high regard with which his judicial colleagues held Rosenn's decisions, he is known to be among the most oft-cited judges in the nation. Rosenn's contributions to the community were nearly inumerable, but among the most heralded was his leadership of the Agnes Flood Recovery Task Force. In addition, Rosenn made many contributions to Wilkes University, serving for many years on the Wilkes University Board of Trustees. Wilkes students also may recog- · nize his name because of the Max Rosenn Lecture Series held annually at the University. According to attorney Joe Savitz, a partner at Rosenn, Jenkins, and Greenwald, and long-time friend, the lecture series was established thanks to the contributions of approximately 30 of Rosenn's former law clerks who saw the endowed series as an appropriate tribute to Rosenn's love of education and dedication to furthering community awareness of important contemporary issues. Savitz added that Rosenn connected with his clerks in such a way, they felt he deserved the lecture series in his name. So, in the early 1980s just after Rosenn had been named Senior Judge, the clerks gathered the funding from multiple resources and raised enough to cover the costs of the very first lecture of the series. Since then, the fund has grown substantially and has welcomed some of the most prestigious speakers across the country. This See ROSENN, page 4 Courtesy of Marketing Comm . Judge Max Rosenn died last week after serving 36 years on the third Circuit Court of Appeals. Campus safety 01otivation behind brighter lights, new cameras 's campus. )n@gmail. 1eading, as nailbox or be picked xize cour- BY VICTORIA WIDTE Beacon News Editor Walking on campus at night just got a little brighter. Recently some new lights were installed and others were updated as "an element of our preventative o/afent ntified last --:onyngham page 7 maintenance program," confirmed John Pesta, director of finance and support operations. Previous lights cast a yellow hue that did not allow for clear illumination of the surroundings. Wilkes facilities officials recently changed all of the bulbs on the freestanding lights in order to get the lamps on a schedule for when they will need to be replaced, according to the useful life of the bulb. "We did change the color of the light to white metal halide Big Hair! Tribute to Bos Rock Page 14 to coordinate with the city's lighting program which will be starting shortly," said Scott Byers, vice president of finance and support operations. The new white lights allow for better illumination of the surround- ing buildings on campus. Byers said, "As part of our preventative maintenance and standardization program we will begin to replace fixtures attached to buildings with See LIGHTINGpage 4 Index News ........ ........................ 1-5 Opinion ............................. 6-8 Features ..... ... .......... ....... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment. ... 12-15 Sports ........ ................... 16-20 �NEWS FEBRUARY 13, 2006 2 SG Notes News in Brief WEBS 3 3 5 University to ponder shift in writing requireIDents Trends say writing intensive: out; writing across the curriculum: in BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Staff Writer entire curriculum. According to Dr. Agnes Cardoni, Coordinator of the University's Over the past several years, WAC initiative, WAC programs Wilkes University students have were developed in the 1980s as proven written communication a way to correct the lack of stuproficiency and filled gradua- dent writing practice within the tion requirements by enrolling in university curriculum. The theory courses designated "writing inten- is that the only way a student may sive" (WI). But because of chang- become proficient in a particular es in theory about how students area of study is to practice written best learn and apply writing skills, communication within that disciand a new stance adopted by some pline. "The writing across the curricuWilkes officials, the \\1 approach lum initiative attempts to have the may be replaced with a writing across the curriculum (WAC) ap- university do a more mindful job proach. of educating students in the techCurrently, Wilkes requires the niques and practices of writing in completion of three WI courses in their major, in their programs and order to graduate. However, of- in their departments," said Carficials have proposed that Wilkes doni. However, the new model has not adopt a new model of the writing across the Curriculum (WAC) yet been approved at Wilkes. The program. If adopted, this program proposal will be offered to the full would eliminate writing intensive faculty some time in March by the courses and replace them with . Curriculum Committee. Cardoni writing requirements that span the noted that the change over would be a slow progression spanning about two years. "This will not be a sudden paradigm shift. It is slow and deliberate, and we want it to be right. One of the things about WAC is that the program is different in each college and university and it has to fit the place that it is in. So it is not anything that upperclassman have to worry about; their needs will be met," said Cardoni. Student response to the change in curriculum is sure to elicit varied reactions. "Although I will not directly be affected by this change, I think that it is a step in the right direction for the university. Writing is such an important concept that we will use for the rest of our lives," said Jessica Gold, junior psychology major. "I think it depends on the student, I have been a teacher for 37 years, and students continue to surprise me," said Cardoni. "I think that students who are worried about their writing but want to get proficient will see it as an opportunity to do that. Students who aren't worried about their writing or don't see this as something that is essential may struggle with it, because in a sense we are changing the culture here. We are saying writing is so integrated into the life of the mind that we are going to do this to make sure it is integrated into the culture." According to an informational handout created by Cardoni, a new WAC program would help BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon. oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Harold Cox Speech and Debate Tournament Arthur Redmond, junior political science and international studies major, delivers a speech in the impromptu category at the Harold Cox Speech and Debate Tournament, held February 11 and 12. Students who competed were given a short amount of time to prepare and deliver a speech based on a given prompt that they received. This is the tournament's second year. The tournament was planned by Dan Broyles, director of forensics at Wilkes. Students from nine speech and debate teams compete in different categories. Categories include: persuasion, informative, prose, prepared oral interpretation, impromptu, after-dinner, poetry, dramatic duo interpretation, extemporaneous and critical analysis. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski students truly integrate and analyze course content. The WAC approach is also designed to provide students with a field-wide contex1 to course material and to practice critical thinking skills that are relevant to analysis within a specific discipline. "When I look down the road far beyond my time here I would hope that at some point writing becomes so much of the culture that we will not need WAC anymore," said Cardoni. ■ ■ ■ Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Merut>er Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. n Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com n s �FEBRUARY 13, 2006 NEWS 3 News in Brief Illegal downloading easier to detect with server changes mittee. The policies could very well take effect in the spring semester." "Students are more likely to get caught now," Salem explained. Some students In addition to substantive changes in may be wondering why a policy is now e-mail usemame and passwords this semester, students should also be aware of being put in place. Salem said, "We are getting letters from policy changes in copyright protection and the record industry about copyright infile sharing. Currently the University has two poli- fringement on campus." "They give us in the letter the Port ID cies regarding the illegal copyright infringement. The first policy is called the and other information, and we can ulti"Acceptable Use Policy." This policy ac- mately track it back to who did it. In the knowledges the use of University owned past we couldn't do that, but since we recomputers and computers on the network did the campus wiring we can track the for legal purposes and no illegal opera- individuals now." Salem added that the tions. If illegal activity is suspected or letter includes information as to when the found, appropriate measures will be taken content was found, what file-sharing network was used, IP Address, IP Port, the against the individual. The University also follows the "Digi- Internal IP, Protocol, Username, and the tal Millennium Copyright Policy." This content itself. The letter reads in part: "We believe it is policy comes from the Digital Millennium Act of 1998 that protects copyright holders in everyone's interest for music consumfrom online theft. This policy clearly states ers to be better educated about the subject which ways of file sharing are illegal and of copyright law and music. In addition will be subject to penalty. Some of those to taking steps to notify this network user activities include e-mailing, copying from about the illegal nature of this activity, a CD, joining a file-sharing network, In- we encourage you to refer him/her to the stant Messaging, and burning CDs/DVDs. MUSIC Coalition's website at www.muAll of these University policies are stiU in sicunited.org. The site contains valuable the draft stages, said Mike Salem, Chief information about what's legal and what's Information Officer of Information Tech- not when it comes to copying music." Wilkes University is not alone in trynology. "Drafts are being reviewed by the Information Technology Advisory Com- ing to fight illegal downloading. College BY CHERYL GRESSLEY Beacon Correspondent campuses across the country are fighting the same battle. A May 2, 2003 New York Times article reported that students from Princeton University,Michigan Technological University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have agreed to pay $12,000 to $17,000 over the course of three years to the recording industry's trade association, for their part of Internet piracy. "The suits were the first effort by the recording industry to take direct legal action against students in its efforts to stamp out Internet piracy," the article stated. "The lawsuits are part of an increasingly aggressive effort by the record labels to tell Internet file-traders on campus and beyond that no matter what they may think of the industry's practices, their actions are illegal." The disciplinary action for illegal copyright infringement "will be handled on a case by case basis as circumstances vary. Students are subject to a range of disciplinary action from a warning to suspension," said Mark Allen, Dean of Students. ·Allen and Student Government representatives are currently discussing the necessary procedure to be followed when a case arises. "If it is brought to the attention of our office that there is evidence of illegal downloading, students are subject to disciplinary action. Those suspect students would have a hearing as would any student violating policy," Allen continues. As to what kind of action will take place to violators is still under debate. "We are just beginning to have the capabilities to identify individual violators from a technological sense. As cases are heard by the Student Affairs cabinet a clearer precedent will be set in terms of consequences," Allen explained. As these changes and policies evolve, many questions stiU remain unanswered as to how students will be notified of this new legislation on campus. "We are looking for opportunities to make clear that downloading copyrighted material is illegal. I believe most students are aware of this. There is no change in University policy with respect to stealing as it is outlined in the guidelines for student conduct in the Student Handbook. What is changing is the ability to identify individual violators through both the record industry notifying the University and through internal tracking. Proactively, we are looking at the possibility of providing a reduced cost legal downloading service. This will have to be discussed through student governance," Allen stated. Christine Corser, sophomore, pre-pharmacy major said, "There definitely needs to be a warning. Probably a post on the Wilkes announcements would be enough to get the info out." Student Govern01ent Notes Construction on Bedford Hall February 8 Meeting -Mike Salem, Director of ITS discussed changes to the email addresses that happened over break. -Representatives from SIFE (Students in Free Enterprises) presented for their second hearing of a fund request. The club is seeking money for the Regional SIFE compeititin in Boston, MA on March 27. Megan Badach made a motion to allocate $1 ,000 and Raquel Whelby second the motion. The motion passed 31-0-5. -Shuja Shafqat made a motion to donate $1,000 to the Judge Max Rosenn Lecture Series. Kyle Ellis second the motion. The motion passed unanimously. -Multicultural Student Coalition will host a fashion show on April 8. If interested in modeling, contactAndita Parker-Lloyd. -Dean of Students Mark Allen and Phil Ruthkoski announced the UCOM will possibly be ready by the end of March. -There will be a meeting of the bookstore committee Tuesday, February 14 at 11 a.m. on the second floor of the Henry Student Center. The meeting is open to the public and participants will discuss ideas about what services or offices might be located in the existing first floor Henry Student Center bookstore space. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski ·IMLKfS llMVERSITY· An addition is currently being added to Bedford Hall. The addition will house the new pottery studio on campus. Current pottery students have been faced with some setbacks because they have been unable to fire their work until the studio is up and functioning. A completion date is anticipated for mid-semester. �4 NEWS f EBRUARY 13, 2006 of the greenway as a whole. "Because of the way that [the cameras] are positioned, from FRONT PAGE basically the whole greenway in between the two buildings is captured by the camthe brighter and whiter light. We will coneras," said Bailey. Bailey explained that tinuously monitor our lighting to maintain the cameras are constantly recording and a safe campus environment." someone at Public Safety can pull up the Students walking on campus at night will footage at anytime. currently find that the greenway is now In terms of making the campus a safer brighter and there are few if any dark arplace at night, the new lights and the cameas. In addition, new light poles were also · eras have helped to allay some fears . Byers installed on South Franklin Street. One adexplained that no other changes are schedditional light is located between the Farley uled but noted, "We have installed addiLibrary and Fenner Hall. tional emergency call boxes in the parking And in another move to enhance safety garage, increased lighting in the garage, measures on campus, two surveillance and enhanced lighting around campus, excameras were recently installed on the side panded our use of video surveillance and of Breiseth Hall. "They [the cameras] are continuously improve our relationship with directly related to the move of the twentythe Wilkes-Barre Police Department in an four hour computer lab over to Breiseth effort to provide a safe campus environHall. If you notice the way that the cameras ment to live, study, work and play." are put on the building they cover what will be the main card access to the building," said Christopher Bailey, director of campus New, brighter lights and surveillance support services. cameras increase safety on the GreenThe cameras also provide wide coverage way. LIGHTING The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski ROSENN from FRONT PAGE year nationally-renowned journalist Bob Woodward will appear as the Max Rosenn Lecturer on April 9. The law clerks who bestowed the gift in Rosenn's name maintain their loyalty to him. Of the 82 clerks who worked for Rosenn during his 36 years on the federal bench, roughly 60 of them from all over the nation made the trip to attended his funeral service. Tom Bigler, Wilkes University Professor Emeritus and Rosenn's long-time friend said of the former law clerks' presence at funeral, "The law clerks remain faithful to him, and its not at all surprising." In addition, newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito also made the trip from Washington D.C. to pay his last respects to his colleague with whom he served on the 3rd Circuit Court. One of the last documents Rosenn signed was a note congratulating Alito on his appointment to the High Court. During his tenure as judge, Rosenn was given the opportunity to decide many important cases. Among them was a notable case in 2004 concerning a convicted murderer and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. Judge Rosenn determined that the man The American flag flies at half staff outside the Max Rosenn United States Courthouse on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. The Max Rosenn Courthouse is the only courthouse in the country to be named for a living individual. In 1999 the courthouse was named after Rosenn and in 2002 the federal law library in Scranton was also named after him. was not being given a fair parole hearing and ordered they do so. When the man was not granted this fair hearing, Rosenn ordered his release. Most who knew him agree that it was his character that guided the sort of leader Rosenn would become, both in the judicial community and in the Wyoming Valley. "[Rosenn] led by example; it was just in his inner person. He had to be what he thought he ought to be," said Bigler. Savitz stressed the fairness and integrity that Rosenn embodied. "Max was a compassionate judge with keen intellect. Because he was a trial lawyer before becoming a judge he respected the lawyers who argued before him ... He was the kind of judge that should have been on the U.S. Supreme Court," said Savitz. While Rosenn never served on the U.S. Supreme Court, likely because he was appointed judge relatively late at the age of 60, many honors were bestowed upon him throughout his lifetime. Among them, Rosenn witnessed the dedication of the federal courthouse in his name and countless publications honoring his accomplishments. He also earned enormous respect from many with whom he came in contact throughout his 96 years. For example, in the December 15, 2000 issue of The Luzerne Legal Register, the official publication of the Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association, the Honorable Edward R. Becker, Chief Judge U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit said, "Judge Rosenn is also one of the great human beings I have ever known, a man of almost diving grace." "It's a rare thing to see those things happen to a man while he is still a live. Usually those honors are reserved for the deceased," said Savitz. Those honors, however, were by all accounts well deserved. "He was a major contributor to Wilkes University...He was constantly giving scholarships, constantly trying to help other people and was tireless in community ventures," said Bigler. However, the judge never allowed these accomplishments to go to his head. "As big a man as he was, despite all the honors he got, he was the most modest man," said Savitz. ,lbe community will certainly miss Judge Rosenn, a man who was "very devoted to the community," according to Savitz. In the January 5, 2005 issue of The Tribune, Judge Rosenn said, "Life can be a struggle, but I have been very fortunate and I have been able to accomplish a lot of what I wanted to do." �FEBRUARY 13, 2006 NEWS 5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYt---------- Women Empowered by Science program links girls to science PJ,;Ogram aims to keep young women in field with high attrition BYJOSEPH DEANGELIS Beacon Staff Writer Marie Gaetana, Anna Atkins, S. Josephine Baker, Janet Taylor, Lucy Hobbs Taylor, Rosalind Franklin and Marie Curie are just some of the names listed in pink on the back ofth~ Women Empowered by Science (WEBS) t-shirts. "That's why I like the t-shirts," said Debra Chapman, biology education specialist who isinchargeofthe WEBS program. "They're very informative." Developing an idea from a parent of a student at Wyoming Seminary three years ago, Chapman helped to create WEBS in order to teach young girls about the role of women in science. "A good number of young women tend to back off and get some kind of idea that sci- ence and math is for boys," Chapman said. "The idea of this program, obviously, is to keep them interested and say 'Hey, we have had a lot of women in science and a lot of important people in science that have made major contributions, and you can do that, too."' Chapman cited studies that show that for reasons not yet determined, female students tend to lose interest in science at the sixth grade level. And while the numbers tell one story, perceptions and attitudes tend to deepen the questions about what drives students away from science and math. Just last year, Harvard University President Lawrence H. Summers shocked colleagues by suggesting that the nation's lack of female leadership in the sciences might be explained by "innate differences" between men and women. The statement set off a firestorm of controversy over social attitudes and enculturation of girls in the scientific fields. At Wilkes, in an effort to keep young girls' interest in science intact at a young age, Chapman invites approximately 40 sixth grade students each month from area schools to come to Wilkes to perform experiments and participate in exercises to show them the world of science. Last month, girls from Wyoming Seminary worked with the Geographic Information Systems and conducted an experiment to show the effects of oil spills on the ocean environment with Dr. Marleen Troy, chair and associate professor of earth and environmental sciences. In order to do this, the students used food-colored water with salt to act as an ocean and regular canola oil to act as real crude oil. The students then used different materials, such as sponges and pa- per towels to try to clean the oil up. "Hopefully we got them thinking about something that they, perhaps, never even considered," Troy said. "It's nice to see that look of excitement when they are doing something or seeing something new." Next month students will be learning about the cardiovascular and respiratory systems along with making a vanishing cream. In March, the students will watch the reproductive system at work when a live sea urchin is injected with saline to make the gametes come out and multiply right under a microscope. "I'm hearing that the boys actually get jealous," Chapman said of the male students who do not get to attend. "(They are) like, 'Why do they get to go but we don't?'" Billy's Pizza and Subs Speci.a lizing in Cheesesteaks and Stromboli Pizza 14 inch Subs large pies $9.99 16 inch cheesesteak pizza $11 6 inch chicken 'Wing pizza $11 2 17 inch Str~1nboli Italian $4.75 Ham and Cheese $4. 75 Tuna$4 . 7 Regular $9.25 Cheesesteak $ 10 Chicken Cheesesteak $10.50 Veggieboli $9 Meatball and Cheese $5.50 *AU subs served with a pickle Cheesestea~ Onions, and auce $5.25 and a side deli salad Cheesesteak with the v.rorks $6 Turkey Hoagie $5 Open Daily at 3 p.m. E. Northampton St. Wilkes-Barre, (570) 208-7992 Carry.. out and Delivery Only �O'E.l·n1·0 n .' · FEBRUARY 13, 2006 6 ~:!:!t:::~~e~is in tests Terrorist Plot Your Voices 6 7 7 8 '"'----;=========::,"' Use of handheld devices during tests prontotes lack of creativity and critical thought Beacon Poll Results BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD 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 33 responses. Using a Palm Pilot, iPod or cell phone in class used to get a middle-school or high-school student detention. · But for some students across the country, operating one of these handheld devices could mean the reward of an "A" on a test or paper. And .. .it's approved by school authorities. According to a January 21, 2006 article in The Wall Street Journal, schools across the nation are adopting a new stance on the issue of plagiarism and cheating. Many school teachers and administrators are allowing students to use Palm Pilots and cell phones during a test, choosing to view their use as skillful informationgathering and not cheating. School administrators cite comprehensive learning and knowledge of various research methods as key elements in shaping a "prepared student." They answer both of these needs, however, by allowing the exchange of information between students during tests or by allowing access to the Internet to find information during a test or while writing a paper in class. As these teacher~ believe, rote memorization will not teach students valuable lessons the way the ability to find information will for the future. Instead, lessons in sharing and finding information leave students with the impression that knowing the information themselves is not necessarily as important as being able to find it. Teaching students the importance of working together can be better accomplished by assigning group presentations and group projects, activities that force students to harness their intelligence and creative ability to communicate information to their peers. Teachers can also address the goals of teaching research methods by guiding students to appropriate BEACON 'Hmlil&'IJSQF'l'OILW.IIDIOm'ID &Y1UIIJ~lllf TOllolallM'MI' The·Beaco1t offers &m1t pre-professional experlatte for writers., designers., mana&el'$. Students can build portfolios for internships and future jobs, make contae.b ,vith peopl.e across campus and beyond., and earn scholar$bip money or academic credit. The Beacon seeb student writers.. photographers, p ae de!>ianen, and b11$iness mana1e" to apply for Fall '06 staff positions and scholarship opportunities. Contact.: Dr. Andrea Frantz UL 4165 or e-mail andrea.hatttz@u·ilkes.edP for more information,. The Beacon asked: What would you like to see in place of the bookstore, in addition to extending Rifkin Cafe and its stage? Wilkes radio Electronic devices such as cell phones are now allowed in some station - 3% classes during tests. • 24 hour study area, sites that provide crucial informa- he or she must memorize which computers - 30% tion and by assigning research pa- drugs affect the body which ways? Lounge -nice couches, Fostering creativity in our stupers that force students to couple tv, copy center, their own ideas with the ideas of dents remains another crucial conarcade - 39% critics and scholars outside of the cern. How can we attempt to acAdditional offices for classroom. complish this if their ideas about clubs & Allowing what would otherwise Hamlet or To Kill A Mockingbird directors - 4% have amounted to cheating a few come from the critical informaMeeting room - 0% short years ago does not accom- tion they read in the first online Computer clinic- IT plish the general goals of educa- blog they come to? And we canServices - 0% tion like critical thinking, inde- not possibly expect to shape critiConvenience or pendent ideas and creativity. cal thinkers and readers if students clothing store - 18% The students in San Diego who find it easy to tum to the horror Other - 6% are permitted to surf the Internet that is SparkNotes. while writing an English exam in How will students who are Next Week's Poll class learn that if they didn't read taught to rely exclusively on the Question: the book, they can find the informa- "information super-highway" fare tion about the plot and the themes when the power is out or the comWhat is your favorite winter online. In addition, SparkNotes puter system is down? A reliance Olympic sport? has recently expanded its line to on one's peers or on a technologiinclude SparkMobile, where stu- cal database for information sug• Luge dents can text-message the website gests that one of the most crucial Ice skating during a test to receive information and powerful resources available Curling they don't know about the book on to these students is not being Bobsledding which they are being tested. tapped: their own brains. Snowboarding What messages are these teachTechnology tends to make things Hockey ers sending their students? The easier, including speeding up the Speed skating real world, while it may champion access we all have to informa• Ski jumping working collaboratively, still re- tion. Perhaps these teachers and I don't watch the quires that individuals be able to administrators are simply trying Olympics speak and think for themselves. to tap into the phenomenon that., Other If a student is taught through high is the Internet and the luxury and Visit www.wilkesbeacon. school that rote memorization is convenience that is technology. com to cast your vote. unnecessary and impractical, what However, they cannot do so at a Results will be pubwill happen when he or she attends sacrifice to the complexity that is medical school and realizes in or- individual thought and the creativlished in next week's der to save a person's life one day, ity that makes people unique. issue of The Beacon. �s in tests con Pol :sults ,wing are results 'he Beacon con his past week. nscientific, and :o reflect the ov f students on c Its are based on rcon asked: 1you like to see he bookstore, in :xtending Rifkin stage? kes radio :ion -3% flour study area, 1puters - 30% mge -nice couch :opy center, tde -39% litional offices fi EBRUARY 13, 2006 OPINION 7 alentine's Day is about 01ore than chocolates and gifts I don't know exactly what it is about Valtine's Day, but I just.Love it. Perhaps I'm a hopeless romantic in love ith love itself, or maybe I'm just a chocholic who enjoys having a holiday that akes an excuse for my excessive intake f sugar (I live for Gertrude Hawk's Peaut Butter Smidgens). Either way, the pink ars, red roses, and "Honey, I love you" cards always keep me coming back for more. So, it wasn't until recently that I began questioning others' hatred for the one holiday dedicated to love. Granted, it does come off as a Hallmark gimmick, but giving and receiving cards isn't all that bad, is it? I never understood the anti-love phenomenon until a few days ago when I realized that February had already begun to pass me by and that if I didn't get my shopping butt into gear I would be empty handed on the 14th. Now, for someone who has always anxiously awaited the heart shaped boxes of chocolates and corny kids' valentine cards (the ones that read, "You're kickin' Valentine," with a soccer player cartoon winking), not being prepared for the big day ahead of haven't bought flowers time was almost unheard of. and chocolates, but beTo my dismay, I was turning into the cause they haven't taken Grinch of Valentines. My lack of prepared- time to slow down and ness had me wishing Valentine's Day would give time to themselves. just pass me by. Then I realized someiliing. As human · beings, we The reason I was so unprepared was be- need time for refleccause I refused to call time-out on life. I tion and contemplation. let my busy schedule take control and didn' t Without it, we begin to make time for things iliat really count, or turn into the brokenrailier, ilie people that count (including my- winged cupids we promself). In the past, Valentine's Day had al- ised ourselves we would ways been about the people in my life iliat never be. Before we can I appreciated and my eniliusiasm to express express our love to othwith full force ilie feelings of love and ap- ers, we must first find it preciation I have felt all year long. I had wiiliin ourselves. recently forgotten about iliat in my stress to I'm not saying you go buy a present. need to go out and drop For the past few weeks friends have asked $100 on some limo ride me, "Are you doing alright?" to which I and dinner, or iliat you have replied, "I'm hanging in there," as I need to go out to dinner would rush to wherever it is I was going. at all. Valentine's Day in not necessarily the The truth was I wasn't hanging in there be- "couple's holiday" that it has been made out cause I didn't stop to take time and make to be. You don't need to have someone to conversation with ilie people that make the send a dozen red roses to. Instead, it is a difference in my life. That is, the difference holiday for us to open our hearts and find between losing and not losing my sanity. within ourselves the beauty in living with Perhaps that is the problem for iliose peo- love, not necessarily always in love. So, ple who hate Valentine 's Day. Not that they before you let this Valentine 's Day pass by Courtesy of lakvani.com as just a greeting card company's moneymaking tactic, think about what it means to put a smile on your face and enjoy the day iliat it is and ilie people who are part of it, especially yourself. Oh-yeah, Happy Valentine 's Day! I'd like to thank the Acade01y... >s& ctors - 4% :ting room - 0% 1puter clinic- IT 'ices - 0% venience or ling store - 18% :r- 6% :'s Poll favorite winter sport? eating ng ledding ·boarding ey I skating mping t watch the pies lkesbeacon. st your vote. ill be pub1ext week's he Beacon. BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Asst. A&E Editor It happens every year during this time. First it's the Golden Globes. Next we get the Grammys. And the Oscars. And the Daytime Emmys (Not to be confused with ay, the nighttime Emmy's which are held in August.) Not to mention we also have the Superbowl. American Idol. Survivor. And this year even the Olympics. And, in case that wasn't enough for you, George W. Bush foiled a terrorist plot back 2002. It's very easy to get caught up in the world of celebrities. Whether we are talking about Brokcbuck Mountain's multiple Golden Globe wins, 50 Cent's Grammy shut out, or how badly the Pittsburgh Steelers actuallr played, chances are that we may have missed Bush's message in its entirety. And I ask if that is such a bad thing? At the present, the Senate is looking into Bush 's domestic wire tapping program. Was it legal? Was it not? Public opinion is now swinging in favor of the domestic spying program. According to the latest AP-lpsos poll, the American public is close to evenly split on whether domestic wiretapping should be allowed and whether the government should need a warrant to do so. Senate begins to look into domestic spying and voila, there is another terrorist plot. Whether you are for or against the "War on Terror" (and seriously, who could be against it?) one must admit iliat the Bush administration has used the fear card one too many times. Don't be afraid. Be afraid. Al Qaeda is everywhere. Oh no! Second, Bush did not even use the correct name of the building. He called it Liberty Tower. It had ;1, been the Library Tower until it was renamed US Bank Tower (thank you, corporate America). But really, can you blame the man? Sure, Courtesy of cooperativeresearch.org he got the building wrong. But heck, Liberty Tower sounds so much better. If the terrorists are Bush is also on the road to rally support for suppose to destroy a "Liberty" Tower, that's all kinds of symbolic! However, if they are these programs. And while not directly related, but also taking out a Library Tower... there's not renot completely unrelated, Bush made the ally a way to link that to fear. Unless it's arunouncement last week that in fact, a symbolic of say, the hatred of books. (Mr. terrorist attack on the US West coast was Bush's speech writers take note.) Let's say, for the sake of argument, that thwarted in 2002. There are three major problems with the perhaps the fear card had not been used too fact that these details are suddenly coming many times. And let's say that Bush did just out. make a mistake (it could happen). My third First. it seems rather coincidental. The problem with iliis, really proves the other two points irrelevant. This plot was supposedly foiled in 2002. Meaning, even if it was in December 2002, it was still three years ago. Why are we getting details about it now? Also, why is the mayor of Los Angeles just getting details about it? Why do we even care? There's hoopla over whether the plan ever got beyond first stages, whether this is just a variant of things we heard before, etc. Let me just point out--we should not care. At all. The plot was to use shoe bombs to get into cockpits and remake 9/ 11 on the West Coast. A 9/11 style plot - again? Never! Providing Bush is being completely genuine about disrupting the plot, it happened three to four years ago. Why are we hearing about it now? Bush actually protected the country? The President did his job? Does he want a cookie? Seriously. Well. I would just like to tell Mr. Bush thank you. Thank you for not informing us of the threat when it was relevant, but rather saving it for a more opportune moment. Here's your cookie Mr. Bush. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going return to my world of celebrity personalities and random awards. At least it is current. �FEBRUARY 13, 2006 OPINION 8 YOUR VOICES Bring back the old website Change it back. Please, for the love of God, change it back to the way it was. Wilkes' newly revamped website is seriously one of the most aesthetically unpleasing I've ever come across; I dare say at least half of all MySpace profiles look better. What was so wrong about a simple white background on the old website? What did the color white ever do to Wilkes? I know we're all striving to maintain a level of political correctness in this day and age, but this is just overdoing it. The background and text colors across the entire website aren't just widely varied and inconsistent--they flat out suck. It reflects dirt-poor color choice on the developers' part. I'm quoting an article from the February 6 issue of The Beacon here: "The incorporation of bright colors throughout the website was not accidental. Each school and department has its own representative color. For example, all academic pages are orange and all pages for the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences are gray." Who the hell is going to know about this little detail unless they're explicitly told it's there? For example, ifl see a yellow-and-pink polka-dotted background on some page, I'm not going to know that pattern represents, say, the Wilkes University Seppuku Club. I will, however, know the site's developers chose some really crappy background colors. Next, any user who accesses the homepage is greeted with some nice dark blue text on a dark blue background on the top-left portion of the page. Huh? Unless I've missed something, background and text colors that nearly match have never, are ·not, and will never be good choices--it makes the text harder to read. This isn't just limited to the main page--it's scattered everywhere, from teal on teal to tan on tan. Good luck showing off the website to a packed lecture hall without having to say, "Can everyone read that?" What fascinates me about the new website is the seemingly ubiquitous presence of meaningless content. Some of the quotes and descriptions around the website are real gems: "The chocolate milk in the dining hall is the best!" Please, dear Lord, tell me someone under the age of 12 contributed that one. "The idea of a Greenway was created in the summer of 1993, as part of a four-year plan that included the construction ofBreiseth Hall and the creation of a recreation area between Breiseth Hall and Stark Leaming Center." Wow, a greenway?! I want to go walk on that so badly right now. I'll bring my friends along, too. "Dude, check this out!" "Hot damn, is that a greenway? Like, real grass?" "Yeah. Oh my God, dude." "Hey, let's sit on it for a while." And, saving the best for last ... " We're not afraid of a groundhog or his shadow--we went and launched our redesigned site anyway." (Editor: This quote has since been taken down from the University website's main page, and I have been unable to locate it. Thus, it may not be 100% accurate.) Well, to me it looks like you were looking for a lame one-liner to commemorate the site's launch, and you got more than that. If you were indeed afraid ofa groundhog, then not only would I feel terribly sorry for your pitiful, marmotaphobic souls, but I'd be more than willing to take the 4-hour-long drive out to Punxsutawney to hunt and capture this apparently fierce little rodent so I can use it torture my friends for fun-filled hours on end. This would definitely go up there on my list of things to do before I die, which includes bungee jumping, skydiving, and being a contestant on The Price is Right. Lastly, let me point out one part of the site that has me particularly irked. I logged on to search for parking information, and what I found was a list of all the parking lots, parking restrictions for each one, and NO MAP. Oh, but what's this? There's a link on this page to the campus map? The day just may be saved. Hold on and let me copy this link, open a new tab in my Firefox browser window, manually paste that link into the address bar, hit enter, and juggle between the two tabs to determine just where these parking lots are located by looking up the name of the lot, searching for it in the list of buildings and facilities, and matching its corresponding number to its hard-to-find spot on the map. Oh, wait, some of these lots aren't even marked on the map. Excuse me while I go bang my head repeatedly against the wall. In all seriousness, I'd like to see the old site resurrected to replace the current one. It was easy on the eyes, easy to navigate, and had a much more organized layout. It just worked. My only gripe about it was the different mug shot that showed up on every visit to the home page--those were getting a little old. Finally, it should be noted that my Introduction to Web Development professor here at Wilkes has used this new site as an example to discuss what to avoid doing when creating one. Quite ironic, I'd say. Matthew Vanston Junior, computer science major What is going on in Evans second floor? Lately, there have been some problems with the second floor of Evans. Here is one major problem right off the bat. The RA is never here. We [residents] are all left to fend for ourselves against the loud, obnoxious drunk people. These people are not just loud and obnoxious. They have started vandalizing the hall. Who wants to clean donuts off their doorknobs or eggs off the floor? This is not only disgusting, but could possibly invite unwanted bugs or small critters into the dorm. Most of the people here do not even live on this floor or even this dorm. This does not seem right when there is a public safety officer right downstairs. If the public safety officer knows something is going on he or she should patrol the halls more than they are. The public safety officer should especially patrol the halls between the hours of one and four a.m. I understand that the Resident Assistants need to be in their dorm at two a.m. every night and the RA [on second floor] is not. I know what the Resident Assistant is going to do about it when they come back, but by then it is already too late. She will put flyers up asking, for information about it and if no one gives them the information she will write up everyone on the floor. What would you do in my situation if you did not cause any of the vandalism? I will tell you what I am not going to do: pay a fine for (the damage], because I had nothing to do with it. I know exactly who it was, but I do not feel the need to tell on them, especially if the people who are supposed to be taking care of this are not doing their job right. This problem has been going on for quite a while now, but it has been getting worse lately. Something has to be done about this before things get worse. Jonathon Botch Freshman F FE Ei BYS Beac On Wilke Th" for clu Th thr N C s �EATURES EBRUARY 13, 2006 National Condom Week Sexual Jeopardy Interns Increasing 9 10 10 11 Eid ul Adha celebration acknowledges growing Wilkes diversity BYSARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor !d som ,age--it's ~ms: On an ordinary Saturday evening, the Wilkes campus is fairly quiet. This past Saturday however, the sound of laughter and conversation combined with the delightful aroma of food penetrated the walls of the Henry Student Center Ballroom. Weekend parties or an overwhelming amount of studying didn't inhibit more than 50 students, faculty and staff from attending a celebratory dinner for Eid ul Adha. Eid ul Adha is a celebration that marks the end of the Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj. The Eid ul Adha holiday is supposed to last for four days. Though not the case for the Wilkes celebration, typically it includes sacrificing an animal, usually a goat. The meat from that animal is then shared throughout the community. This distribution proves the importance of the Muslim community ethic. The actual holiday was celebrated roughly two weeks ago and just days ago the Islamic New Year was celebrated. The evening's festivities included a welcome address by junior business major Salman Punekar who organized the event. Punekar began his speech by saying, "Wilkes University is becoming more and more international ... this is both a great opportunity, as well as a problem." According to Punekar, the opportunity is obvious: greater campus diversity. "The problem is not being able to welcome in- to serve as advisor to IIS. According to Taylor, the group is in the process of writing its proposed constitution and plans to go before Student Government to request club status. "The main purpose of IIS is to create a good working relationship with the community and with university groups and clubs," said Taylor. She also stressed that the club will add diversity to the campus, which can only serve as a benefit. Punekar shares these sentiments. "We need to build a strong relationship between Muslim students and the community. Our goal is to educate the masses about the Islamic faith and bridge any misunderstandings there may be," said Punekar. Campus Interfaith Coordinator Kevin Gaughenbaugh agrees that the campus is becoming more and more diverse. The Campus Interfaith office sponsored Saturday's event. "This year I wanted to do a lot of things for Muslim students because there hasn't been much in the past, and the Muslim population at Wilkes is growing everyday," said Gaughenbaugh. Gaughenbaugh delivered a prayer before the evening's meal of traditional Indian food including falafel and hummus, just to name a few dishes. The evening served as the perfect opportunity for students, faculty and staff of all religions to come together and socialize. Anyone interested in the IIS should contact Dr. Wagiha Taylor at extension 4712. The Beacon/Sarah Herbert Students and faculty line up to partake in a dinner provided by Parson's Deli. Falafel and hummus were just two of the dishes provided to guests. The dinner was part of a celebration of Eid ul Adha, which marks the end of the Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj. The celebration included a short speech by event coordinator Salman Punekar followed by a short prayer by Kevin Gaughenbaugh, Campus Interfaith coordinator. ternational students in the proper way, and if we can't do that, the great opportunity is lost," said Punekar. During his speech he also urged students and faculty to support the Islamic Interest Society (IIS), which is currently being Tell US ■ ■ ■ formed on campus. While the group is not yet an official club, it hopes to earn that status in the near future. Dr. Wagiha Taylor, professor of international business and economics has agreed Managing Editor Becky Goodman was curious about what Wilkes students are thinking. Here is what she found out. What sport would you like to see added to the Winter Olympics? •• • • ••• • Devin King- freshman, chemistry major John Crotti- freshman, business major Tonya Siglin- freshman, elementary education major "Crew." "Co-ed wrestling." "Women's jousting." major "Ice-fi shing." �10 National Condom Week BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Love is in the air. Not only is Tuesday Valentine's Day, but it also marks the beginning of National Condom Week 2006. Wilkes University will be hosting various activities throughout the week to remind students about the importance of practicing safe ·sex. Some of the events include: • Sexual Jeopardy-February 16, 12:001:00 p.m. This event is modeled after the popular game show and will feature prizes. • Informational Table-February 14, 11 :00-1 :00 p.m. in the Student Center. Table will include pamphlets about National Condom Week and STDs. Free Condoms-Available all week in the health services office. Here are some fun facts about condoms from Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania. • The Egyptians in 1350 B.C. reportedly used condoms. They were most likely made of animal bladders or intestines. • In 1977, the Supreme Court ruled that no state could bar minors from purchasing condoms. • As a quality assurance step, condom manufacturers sample each lot of finished packaged condoms and examine them for holes using a water leak test. Itaiian anatomist Gabrielle Fallopio, after whom the Fallopian tubes were named, claimed to have invented the condom in 1564. • It is estimated that 5 billion condoms are used every year worldwide. Anyone wanting additional information about National Condom Week can visit www.nationalcondomweek.com or contact Gail Holby in health services at extension 4730. In addition, Planned Parenthood is located on 63 ranklin St. and 24-8921. FEATURES FEBRUARY 13, 2006 Sexual Jeopardy program to test participants' sexual savvy BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor "I'll take STDs for $200, Alex." Not a category likely to be heard on the classic game show hosted by Alex Trebek, but iflife's players aren't informed of things like sexually transmitted diseases, they could find themselves in "sexual jeopardy." That's the idea behind an educational event sponsored by the Wilkes University Health Services office and the student-run health awareness group BACCHUS. "Are You in Sexual Jeopardy?" slated for Thursday, February 16 from 12:00-1:00 p.m., will test teams of students, faculty and staff on their sexual savvy. According to Gail Holby of health services, competitors include a student government team, as well as staff and faculty: Mary Waldorf and Andita Parker-Lloyd from student activities; Ron Rebo from public safety; and Dr. Jim Harrington, coordinator of advising for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science. The game show, hosted by health educator Anne Holmes of Luzerne County Community College, presents a fun, interactive way to share information about sexual issues and concepts as well as a way to warn of the perils of risky sex. The issues surrounding safe sex are many, and organizers stress it's not just about wearing a condom. The event's categories include questions about birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and infections, anatomy and function and other 'mixed' topics. In addition to straight "answerquestion" format familiar to Jeopardy fans, activities such as putting a condom on apenis model will also be performed by competitors. Event planners say that students are often surprised about how much they don't know, or how much they were misinformed. As a supplement to the game, the event will also feature a question and answer session. "For some, it may be the only one hour of formal sexual education they have had or will ever have. The hope is that it will motivate the student to continue life long learning on the topic of sexuality or take a class at your campus," said Holmes. Event planners note in informational literature that this -program is not suited for people embarrassed by sexual discussion, as it covers a lot of sensitive information; however, it is covered with sensitivity and levity. The Beacon Archives An educational event sponsored by the Wilkes University health services office and the student run health awareness group BACCHUS, "Are You in Sexual Jeopardy?" is slated for Thursday, February 16 from 12:00 p.m.-1 :00 p.m. This will test teams of students, faculty and staff on their sex knowledge. The game show presents a fun, interactive way to share information about sexual issues and warn of the perils of risky sex. "This program is not designed for people who wince at sexual content. Although not crude or lewd, the discussion is very straight forward and not sugar coated. Not designed for the easily offended," Holmes said. While there will be prizes awarded to winning teams, perhaps the real prize is re- membering what was learned and putting it into practice. Safe practice. "Everyone is invited to join us, or if they want to participate call health services (at 408- 4730)," said Holby. Ab-eady had,you.r ~ Need to buyytJur birl:/t. ctJntrot ilt,prUIUfi Get Your Birth Control wii:/wut: A Pel\rfc Exam* Your number one so1Jttt for birth c1.u1trol and the morning aftrt p ill. 1-800-230-PLAN www.ppnep.org • Cura in insttuu.'d, furthltr ei.11luation may fu: ntquir,td �06 FEBRUARY 13, 2006 11 FEATURES Spripg 2006: the semester of the intern Record number 95 students join internship workforce BY RICH HANNICK Beacon Staff Writer "Low person on the totem pole." Ninety-five Wilkes students are currently negotiating professional space, albeit perhaps entry-level or lower, in a variety of businesses and organizations both in and outside the area. This marks a record munber of Wilkes students taking on an internship for the spring semester of 2006. Sharon Castano, cooperative education and internship coordinator realizes that spring semesters are usually big for internships; however, she noted, "This year we have a 40% increase over last spring." Castano and Philip Ruthkosky, director student development give credit to the jump in the number of interns to increasing enrollment, faculty support and students becoming aware of the value of pre-professional experience. Laura Zuckero, sophomore history major and current intern at The Joint Urban Studies Center said, "It is good to know that there are a lot of other students involving themselves in internships, and I was very glad to be able to participate in one, despite only being a sophomore." The departments on campus that have the highest internship turnout are communication studies with 25 interns, business with 22 interns and psychology with 15 interns. Castano and Ruthkosky know that numbers will increase next spring when the PPD group of the Jay S. Sidhu School of Busi- :hives ness and Leadership look for their required internships. Zuckero decided to do an internship because she has aspirations of going to graduate school. "I would like to go to graduate school, but I am unsure what degree I wish to pursue," said Zuckero. Her interests include research, archival work or museum work. Zuckero said, "I want to see which I enjoy the most." Zuckero added, "I hope to gain experience in teamwork, research, gathering information, writing reports, Microsoft Excel usage, public speaking, survey analysis and fieldwork." She plans to complete three separate internships before she graduates. Castano and Ruthkosky also stated some benefits gained through internships include: discovering relationships between coursework and actual jobs; networking with professionals; employment references and the possibility of a job offer at the end. Ruthkosky said, "Our students have aca- demic strengths, demonstrated accomplishments and confidence, and we enjoy when it gets noticed." He added this helps future interns as well, because if one Wilkes student does well then employers will look to Wilkes for future interns. Castano, Ruthkosky and Zuckero also have some pertinent advice on how students can get a foot in the door on an internship. Castano said, "Start early. Prepare a resume draft and call our office as early as pre-registration to schedule an appointment." Castano explained that she and Ruthkosky are happy to help anybody with their resumes, find the best fit for them and help them through mock interviews. "From there it's all up to them," said Castano. • Zuckero agrees with Castano and Ruthkosky about starting early. However she offers some other advice to interns stating, "Expect to be doing a good amount of work without much financial gain. Many internships are unpaid, but also expect to gain a good experience." :e and rdy?" STUDENT BOVSING S01.IJTION teams a fun, rils of ting it fthey es (at Pa~ C111ba With HBO ... ll)f;l• • . . . , , . , , . Pufl'll ■ hlng ■ 11.JtOhht 11 Kit9hen m ~ ••ro••• ~om, W.il 10 W•fl O •rp•lng a.:JIENGD:S BEDROOM S_,.TES The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski On Tuesday, February 7, Dr. Marianne Rexer, professor of the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, discussed accounting internships with the sophomore Personal and Professional Development class. The spring 2006 semester boasts a record 95 students who are taking on an internship in some sort of professional area. There are many benefits to be gained which include networking, employment references, building relationships and the possibility of receiving a job offer upon graduation . • CNI.LI. OVR . . ._ Orl"IGZ rOR A rRCE •ovltl a20•82,._'21.00., a:IC'2. . .ION s 2a 1 �FEBRUARY 13, 2006 -~-- College Daze 80s Hair Bands Legwarmers 80s iPod Playlist 12 13 14 15 15 Campus neighbor offers 'YOUniverse' of arts BY NOlU JIJRASITS Beacon Correspondent The- sometimes-cryptic messages written on the chalkboards in front of Arts YO Universe only scratch the surface of the creativity tharlies insi~e the mansion. The arts center, which opened in October of 2005, has evolved over the past five months, inviting more artists to have their studios in the mansion, offering art classes, and also hosting programs and parties for the public. Just to the left of the mansion's entrance is a gift shop where visitors can purchase works by the artists they meet and work with, and to the right is a fairly new addition. Kathleen Godwin, executive director of Arts YOUniverse, has taken items found around the mansion and created an innovative networking system. Visitors are encouraged to take a card from the stack, think up a ''Wouldn't it be nice jfI could ... " scenario, then tack it up on the wall, with the hope that someone will see the card, have a connection, and a bond will be made. Godwin explained the ·wall's purpose emerged when she spotted a card an artist had put up, looking for place to se11 her art. Godwin pulled down the card and became part of the project hersel;f. She said she planned to call the artist and possibly try to sell :,ome of her work in the gift $bop. ''It's a dream hunt more than anything else," Godwin said. It is_ a continuous ~~ess, findin_g new ways to use every room and area of the mansion, Godwm. explamed. The old laundry room 1s used to make paper, and ha0ways serve as gallery walls to display in-hQlise artists' wo¢. Another sqiall basement room thatpossibly could have been -written off as '¾ , unusable is host to a newly acquired la1n. , Ne\11; artists are welcomed by in-house artists and Godwin, but they Jp.ay also be we;lcomed by the spirit that Godwin and painter John Pacovsky say resides in a small room in the basement. A serleS' of nhoto$ ?,'ere taken in the room, and when they· were scanned into the computer, an i;rnage em,erged in only one of the ,,io'j photos. Both Pacovsky and Godwin were in the photo, but they were joined by a distinctly visible third face. "l dich+'t go back down [to the basement] immediately, but I have since been down there at night by myself," Pacovsky said. The artists have warmed to the spirit and are still debating on what to namehitn. C)'tv -J.Ol}v~ Pacovsky has recently signed on to do an international t<,'ftS advertjsing campaign for Absente brand aleohol ij:e will create seven ads featuring the product incorporated into famous works of art. For the most part, the artists have $eparate studios, but the collaboration is still evident to Godwin. "They discuss color techniq,pes, especially with regard to depth," she said. "The second floor will consult with artists on the third floor and down in the basement. It's all connected." Pacovsky agrees interaction with other artists as well as visitors makes working in the mansion more enjoyable. "I'll hear the doorbell after painting all day, and end up having neat, bizarre conversations. It's the most fun Pve had in a long time." . Theo Lurnia, of Bear. Creek, has taken painting classes at the mansion. "It's beautfful here, with all the stained glass," she said. Lurnia, whose - mt has"been·displayed4ll local galleries, said lately her work Ttr/,i, B~ C i r ~ ~ . The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski has been influenced by a recent trip to Africa. Classes are available ~ , with forat Mui ; Jzer ut padd Mui acr}'tic to the public, and can be individual or small group sessions. More inforuuuucape ,ce1-f.er. mation on Arts YOUniverse and a list of classes offered can be found at www. .,o<"" ""~ 0 A •• ~ �13 14 15 15 FEBRUARY 13, 2006 -.----------------. 13 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist · ~~ l eee..\- y. &-~ /t: ,; ~'-I N1t,kle, (3~ his 0 I we. E-ound t-tou( co-.rte<o-. . p ~ Q L. S\.-.lere\- ~;p "{ ~ ) ~@@@@@0@0@000000000 ~ --0 : ~ ~ : : \Nebµ~ anase11 )Y) · ,,s S f;f)I. I..l~GI~ l)llINKING f;ONSl~OlJl~Nf;l~S · i0 PS20 : NINTENDO : . XBOX Almost one-third of college students admit to having missed at least one class ~ @ because of their alcohol or ~ drug use, and nearly onequarter of students report bombing a test or project 59 north main . . wilKes barre ... 829-2929 because of the aftereffects of ~ ..--------------.. we have hundreds of posters !! : drinking or doing drugs. : g g VDHGAIES LPs oi 4Ss . i! lVSICAL ENEIGI i i . _________ i g ki ~ ' ~@@@@@@@00090000000 .__ __. • • ..Sto.ci; t :A~/ s~' AH()/\d?-./ . ·, 5h("\ i ~MMdc,., 1 5·h:,,c,~ t PiM0/\do. , .. Are ~v f ri9<_}'f\ SeriO\JS l 1.? �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 13, 2006 Hair bands rock-n-roll into Wilkes-Barre Despite shorter locks, rockers still fan favorites BY BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor Whether you've gone deaf listening to Leppard or been charged by AC/DC, perhaps you are among the many fans of the big hair, loud guitars and catchy vocals that make up 1980s rock history. The hair band classification was coined to represent the arena, glam and ballad rock groups that tore up the airwaves in the 80s -- bands that looked like chicks but rocked like men. In fact, the tresses of hair bands inspired one local air personality as he played these bands the first time around. "I was doing my show from Rocky Glen Park (a now defunct Moosic fun park) in our glass studio. Jon Bon Jovi joins me. The booth is eight-by-eight feet. His hair and mine combined was seven-by-seven feet. Tight quarters. And I have the pictures to prove it," said 98.5 KRZ's afternoon drive jock, Jumpin' Jeff Walker. Walker dons a much shorter do two decades later, by the way. While this troupe of 80s rockers never really toppe a Q an reeo1 c w or garnered sic awards, they are stj!JLtoot<mt jukeboxes d concert venues around the Wyoming · alley. Motley Jrue is one band that Will be making its wa to the Wachovia .A,fena for a Valentine's DiJY show. The band was known for hits such as "Smokin;' in the B<>ys Ro9 "T.N.T," J•Dr•.Feelgood,n "Kickstart Heart," "~ithout You'' and "Same 01' ,S(tur ation." (Perhaps you are not reading those titles; rather, siµgiµg them to yoursel~J not just Touuny and the gang. Concert moters have broug.ht in recent years many .hair bands pro- shows to the Wachovia Arena: Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Whitesnake, Scorpions, DefLeppard, Tesla, Cinderella, RATT, Quiet Riot and Firehouse, and Aerosmith and Cheap Trick are slated for March 15. The Ford Pavilion at Montage Mountain is another venue that keeps 80s music alive, with Poison hitting the mountain nearly every summer. The Bloomsburg Fair is also known to bring hair bands to the area each fall. One Wilkes student is a self-admitted hair band freak and is indeed contributing to the success of these concerts. Just this past year senior communication studies senior Christie Jones has seen most of the shows listed above, including Poison every summer for the past four years. And, she has tickets for the Aerosmith and Motley Crue shows. "These concerts are better than ever," she said after rattling off her list. "They're all crowd pleasers." Sometimes Jones gets a mixed reaction the music they knew the best -- and the songs that got the best crowd response. Add some wigs and costumes to the set list, and you've got a modem day hair band. Starr's personal favorites include Van Halen, KISS and Bon Jovi because they were either great musicians that inspired him, wrote amazing songs or were great performers, things he doesn't see today. "I feel this is all lost in today's music for the most part. It was also music that pumped you up, whether you were going out for a night on the town, or actually hearing a live band play this stuff. There really has never been, nor will there ever be better party music," he said. Starr adds that top requests are for Bon Jovi, Poison, Def Leppard and KISS. Jones agrees. In fact, she can't narrow down a favorite. "I guess if I had to base a favorite on talent, Cinderella's front man Tom Kiefer can did back in '88, but if they were, they'd also still be all over the radio and MTV," said Starr. While many 80s favorites are churning out new music, it's the classics that people want to hear. · "Many of these bands still pump out new albums here and there, but generally they don't do very well .. .It's cool to hear a new Poison or KISS album, but in reality, it's just a vehicle for them to go back out on tour and play all of their old hits, which is fine with me," said Starr. Bad Hair Day's next dates are February 18 at Decade's in Swoyersville and February 25 at Brews Brothers it Pittston. For more inW. e,P. S •e e j)eqJte a, .()ffl I:' 6:"'an !!'!'!.T""'' p~r.!!;ty'!'!'"'lS'!'!'e""'!s! '! e~v'en !'!'~ . "i'!i'!'lt'i'e~r~en!'!'::t -m~Stfumr:!!· ~ -= en:!l•ts:z,.-C"' . .!'l:tr""".. .,rottnation on t e an , VJ.$Jt WWW,6 drocks. affinity. ,1:eal.ly impresses st musicians fr.om com. "When l told people I was going (to Def this genre wrote 1cs and music. Leppard), the reaction was, 'Aren't tliey Tuey're genuiQe. I tbink;th.at"s what makes Jon Bon Jovi of Bon Jovi, Slash o Gunsdead.yet?? Good music will stand the test of me so attracted to them;• she said. time. l can tell you this; the guys from the Starr and Jones agree that lingering memo- N-Roses and Cee Cee Deville ofi Posion were wen known in the 80s for the·r long, band are some of the most talented I've ever ries seem to also keep the music alive. seen. All of their music is original and you "There is also the sentimentality factor - a curly or feather locks. Today, th se men won't see any lip syncing at a Def Leppard lot of people grew up on this music and it have much shorter hair. All courtesy of 80srockstars.net. show,'' she said, adding that these hits are ~ brings back a lot of great memories," Bad Hair Day logo courtesy Bad Hair timeless. said Starr. Day 1 ' People seem to have Jones added, "The songs this idea in their heads ~ , from this era all seem to be that because a band about a personal story or was popular in experience, some of which the 80s, they can't a lot of us can relate to. I possil:>ly still have , know I personally have a their talent anymore. lot of high school mem~ I didn't know tbattalories attached .... " ent fades with age/' Jones said. When there.aren't But, whether it is national 80s band about reminiscing tours at nearby or just about the venues, hair , music, there is band m:usic still a craving can still be for hair. heard lo"In the cally via the end, I think aptly ruuned tQ.pute it all boils down group Bad Bair Day. to demand. There Lead guitarist .Ricky is still a demand Starr says the once for this music, so party band evolved into these bands still tour. the 80s hair band con~ Sure, they're not getcept because that was ting the drowds they �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 15 FEBRUARY 13, 2006 'Hair Cuts:' 80s on your iPod: A decade to download BY ANDEE SCARAN'f.INO •A Beacon Poll Beacon Correspondent Jeff Walkers picks: ~ Cou esy w rz.com Not only did this local radio veteran play these bands' songs as new singJes, but also as recurrents and gulp, now oldies. In the 80s, he even had the hair to match. B:ere is 98.5 KRZ's Jumpin' Jeff Walkers top five 80s hair bands with commentary: #5- Winger- 'cause I loved them. Plus, Winger works as a great punchline to so IDaJ+Y, different jokes pertain~ ing to fading stars. #4~ Motley Crue- they lived the life young guys dream about #3- DefLeppard- great songs and the toughest drummer in the biz. "Screw my right arm! Who needs it!" #2-Poison- wrote hooks you could hang a coat on! #1-Bon Jovi- 'cause of "Livia on a Prayer/ probably the most enduring song of that period. Plus, let's face it. They're the only viable hair band left that can still get on the charts in 2005. The Beacon's Picks: In an unscientific ~mail poll to the folks in the A&E editor's e-mail address book, these are the top hair bands: Top 5 Hair Band Songs (Cuts): 5. "Something to Believe In," Poison 4. "Here I Go Again,'' White Snake 3. "Livin' On a Prayer," Bon Jovi 2. ''You Shook..MeAllNight;,tong." AC/DG 1. "Pour Some Sugar On Me," DefLeppard Trendspotter: 80s Flashforward BY MEGAN MANCE Beacon Staff Writer Top 5 J(air Bands: 5. Whitesnake 4. DefLeppard 3. Guns-N-Roses 2. BonJovi 1. Poison Poison's Brett Michael looking pretty. Courtesy 80rockstars.net Mix tapes on Memorex are just a memo,ry. However, one ,9""' Simple Minds - "Don't You Forget About Me"-As the can still mix up the best of the 8~,oJ[tneiti' od!ir Here are fQ.etne Sbng to the hit • ·e of tµe 80s The Breakfast Club, 20 must-haves: = . U'ui§0Ug ylist better. 10>.Bo n a Prayer"- A fabulous song rs trying to make ends meet. Bon 1. Eddie Money.- "'take l\& Home Ton.i to the 80s. If you like this song, sic belongs in chllection.'ie ys and "Runaway." Ronnie Specter si 'Be my little baby! tand So Close to Me"-Another 2. Nena- "99 Red 000$;'',,.;;fne sound of this song is the classic 80s song. epitome of 80s mus synthesizers, flashy beat and the 12. Bonnie Tyler - "Total Eclipse of the Heart"- A gre t overall feel just makes you happy listening to it. It's a shame love duet; this song would have been one to dance with yo that it's about nu.clear war. sweetheart at your 80s senior prom. 3. Journey - "Don't Stop Believing''- Journey was the , 13. A-Ha - "Take On Me"-A one-hjt wonder, but a great way to rock out in. the 80s. If you like this song, try "Faith- 80s pop song. fully" and "Open Arms." 14. Rick Springfield - "Jesse's Girl"- Like "Hey Mickey," 4. Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams"- "Some ofthem want to this one also takes you right back,to an 80s high school feel. use you. Some ojfhe'J:l}Vant to be used by you. Some of them 1~. Wham! - "Wake Me UpB_~ffjeYou Go-Go"-Wham! want to abuse you. f '!}~e of them want to be abused." You was 'another popular pop band in. tl:ie 80s. With George Miwant this on your plaJliS!. chael, this group had many hits., ~f you want something a 5. Billy Joel - "We Didn't Start the Fire"- Maybe you little slower, try ''.Careless Whisper" by this artist. have a somewhat creative history teacher that has played this 16. Duran Duran - "Hungry Like the Wolf'- Although for you before. This song is nothing but a chronological list- Duran Duran had many hits in the 80s, this one se.ems to be ing of historic events that l;iaq a significant impact on society. the song most identify the group with. Duran Duran conIt's got a great 80s beat to 'if, but yet it's somewhat educa- tinues to release albums, but they simply aren't the same as tional. Learning every word is definitely something to strive theit. earlier music. . for. "Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray?" J'.l~ Dexy's Midnight Ronn~ - "Come on Eileen"- One 6. Europe - "The Final Countdown" -This s · lut"Wt:>nder, bnf:fabul:Qussohg. 80s. I particularly like the instrumental as 18. Cutting Crew - "(I just) Died in Your Arms"- AnThe lyrics are kind of depressing, aJ,1Q other great 80s love song: · the world. Hmm. Do we see a trend here? :l?. Fine Young Cannibals - "She Drives Me Crazy"7. Toni Basil - "Hey Mickey"- This captures the '1Vhole This is another one-hit wonder identified with the 80s. The feel of 80s boy crazy cheerleaders. When you chant i( you group could never really top themselves after this song. almost want to perm your hair and throw on some slouch Needless to say, it belongs on the play list. 20. Naked Eyes- "Always Something There to Remind socks. 8. Violent Femmes - "Blister in the Sun"- This song is Me"- One ofmy personal favorites. Also, any song from Tears for Fears, Foreigner, Bryan Adjust fun. Like a lot of 80s songs, its meaning is very indirect. ams and Genesis would make for a great 80s play list. I'll let you listen to the lyrics and figure it out for yourself. __ .._ You'd have to be blind not to notice that styles from the 80s are coming back with a vengeance. Big hair, costume jewelry and headbands are all making their second round. Leg Warmers- One of my favorite looks from the 80s is a little Lycra garment I like to ....__ _.....,_ _ _ _ _ __ call leggings. Yes, leggings are back and are taking fashion by storm. Formally worn with Courtesy of conv~rse.com oversized off-the-shoulder sweatshirts (ala Flashdance), leggings went out of style for a few years and were worn to the least fashionable place in the world, the gym. Now leggings are back looking chic as ever. Worn with a mini skirts or tunics, leggings are a great way to keep warm and look cute at the same time. Leggings look great_ with a sexy pair of heels, cute flats or even a pair of Converse Kicks. Rocker T-shirts- Take a look in your parents' closet and you're bound to find some rocker t-shirts stuffed way back in the corner. There was a time when these t-shirts were only worn at concerts or as pajamas, but those times are long gone. Rocker t-shirts are back in action and can be found just about anywhere. The Beatles, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin t-shirts Gust to name a few) are all making their way back into stores such as The Bon-Ton, Boscovs, and TJMaxx. So, if you feel like being a rock star for a day, throw a white t-shirt under a rocker shirt and you're ready to go. Rock on! Converse Sneakers- What used to be the original basketball shoe in the 80s worn by legends such as Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, has now made its way into a definite trend this year for guys and girls alike. Also known as "Chuck Taylors," converse sneakers are finally making their way back as a fashion statement. The new colors and patterns are funky and cute, and look great with shorts, skirts, or pants. If you're brave, you can even get yourself a pair ofhightops, which usually fold over with a different pattern inside. Some guys even throw them on with a tuxedo, which is a brave but unique ___.. fashion statement. So throw on a pair of "chucks" with the outfit of your choice and let your feet do the talkin' . �16 SPORTS FEBRUARY 13, 2006 Preview: Wrestling MAC Chainpionships Colonels look to top conference rivals Lycoming and Delaware Valley BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Even with the upset handed to Wilkes grapplers at Saturday's dual meet against Scranton, the team is psyched for the MAC Championships this Saturday at Elizabeth. town College. The Wilkes wrestling team is currently ranked 30th in the nation and is looking to have a lot of success in the championship match. "Our goal is to win the MAC title and qualify as many as we can to nationals," said head coach Jon Laudenslager. The match last weekend was a . hardfought battle between the two conference rivals. Scranton jumped out to an early 6-0 when Scranton wrestler Rich Russell won the first match on a forfeit win. The Royals would go on to win several more matches eventually extending their lead to 27-6. By this point in the match, the Colonels had had enough and began to get back into the swing of things with wins from Justin Barowski, Tom Leggio and Rex Harris. Even with the late surge, the Colonels lost the dual match by just one point 27-26. After ending the 2005 Championships in 5th place with 87.5 points behind rivals King's, Lycoming and Delaware Valley, the Colonels are definitely looking to walk away with the first place trophy this year. "Going into the tournament we [the wrestling team] are probably picked behind Lycoming and Delaware Valley. They are two of our four losses [and] it will be nice to get a second chance at topping them," stated Laudenslager. Laudenslager believes that freshman Filipe Queiroz and senior Rex Harris will have the chance to make it into top seed positions at the championships. Brandon Kelly, Erik Smith, Keith Altiery and Josh Pauling should also receive a top four seed. "[I] just want to thank this year's squad for an excellent year and for their effort establishing themselves at the national level," said Laudenslager. The Mid-Atlantic Conference Chamionships will take place this Saturday, Februay 18 at 10 a.m. The BeaonfTodd Weibel Wilkes' Stephen Franko suplexes Scranton's Steve Tatum to the mat for a takedown in Wilkes' 27-26 loss to the Royals on Saturday evening. The Royals shocked the Colonel's who are now ranked 30th in the Adidas-Brute National Poll. The Blue and Gold will participate in the MAC Championships held at Elizabethtown College this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. COMMENTARY Is this the end of the MAC as we know it? Teams leaving the MAC could have drastic consequences for the conference BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor The hasty departure of the Moravian, Juniata and Susquehanna football programs from the MAC may be more than just an attempt to open up the conference to more out-of-conference play; it may be the beginning of a new era in the Middle Atlantic Conference. The MAC has undergone shifts before. In existence since 1912, the MAC has adjusted to the changing times rather well, adding and dropping teams as necessary while slowly becoming one of the largest conferences in Division III. The most recent change occurred in the early 1990s, when DeSales University replaced Upsala College and the conference split into two distinct leagues: the Freedom Conference and the Commonwealth Conference. This dual-league existence is still in effect for all sports except football, where the dearth of schools that supported football teams caused the MAC to create a single, eleven-team conference. Although the two-league conference has served most varsity sports well, MAC football has become an oddity across the nation. A schedule was designed that allowed ten of the eleven teams to schedule a non-conference opponent, while the eleventh team played all ten conference opponents. Since the MAC champion in football is based on in-conference win percentage (there is no time for a championship tournament or even a single game before the NCAA Tournament begins), the tenth conference game for the eleventh team was counted as a nonconference game. Confused yet? Keep in mind that most teams only have between six and eight conference opponents. This strange alignment might have worked out fine if it weren't for one minor problem-the NCAA tournament. When the MAC was restructured in the early 1990s, only 16 teams went to the football tournament. The 2006 season was the first season that 32 teams went, which means there is more opportunity for teams to receive "Pool C" bids, or wildcard selections to the tournament. Since MAC teams have had so little experience with non-conference opponents, they tend to be overlooked in the selection process. This past season, the NCAA shocked Division III by picking Wilkes as the 32nd seed in the tournament after D3football. corn's Pat Coleman asserted that "the MAC isn't respected enough" to earn more than one playoff spot. The MAC as we know it right now may be an effective arrangement, particularly for sports other than football, but it still has its drawbacks. The loss of Juniata, Susquehanna and Moravian to other conferences will have a vast impact on the MAC, although not immediately. The football teams will finish the 2006 season in the MAC, and the future of other sports are up in the air. It is plausible that the MAC could allow the other varsity sports for Juniata, Moravian, and Susquehanna to remain in the conference, thus giving football the room for scheduling non-conference opponents that it needs while keeping the stable twotier conference system that exists for other sports. The problem with this is that in Article IV, · paragraph one of the conference bylaws, it states that "no member of the corporation may at the same time be a member of another NCAA Division III conference." Altering this rule would give every sport what it needs, opening football to the rest of the country while keeping the competitiveness in other sports for which the MAC is so well-known. So long as the teams lost in the MAC remain only football teams, only good things can happen to the conference. The football programs in the MAC will gain more attention in national rankings, and other sports will still have two-conference stability in addition to maintaining two automatic NCAA berths. The football teams lost would not greatly upset the balance of power--let's face facts, ten scarecrows and a pumpkin with a sad fa1!e drawn on it could pull out a 36-13 win against Juniata--since no teams were established powerhouses. All that remains to be seen is whether the MAC allows these three schools to remain split in their conference loyalties. With luck, officials will see the positive light that this change is shedding on the conference and its student-athletes, and help to keep one of the oldest conferences in the country going strong. �FEBRUARY 13, 2006 SPORTS 17 Chattin' with Past Colonels Wrestling head coach Jon Laudenslager BY RICH HANNI CK Beacon Staff Writer _.,. This week's Chattin' with Past Colonels finds us on the wrestling mats. Beacon reporter Rich Hannick recently had an opportunity to sit down with varsity wrestling coach Jon Laudenslager about why he chose Wilkes University, what he learned and what he passes on to his players. Richard Hannick (RH): Who were your influences as a youngster? Jon Laudenslager (JL): My coaches growing up were major influences on me and I am just trying to provide the same leadership and direction they provided me. RH: What attracted you to wrestle for Wilkes? JL: I was recruited out of high school (Pocono Mountain) and the atmosphere and location. The coach at the time, John Reese, sold me on the school the day I came for a visit. I visited here in the morning and Bloomsburg in the afternoon. By about 30 minutes into the visit at Bloomsburg, I knew Wilkes had so much more to offer me, and it just felt like a perfect fit. RH: What honors or accolades did you receive in your wrestling days on campus? JL: Finished 5th place in the E.I.W.A.-the conference before we got back into the MAC--and was the E.I.W.A. Freshman of the Year. I was two-time captain, outstanding wrestler and [received the] coaches award. RH: How do you use your own wrestling experiences to teach your players? JL: I have been wrestling since I was 5, but I would say the best experiences and knowledge the staff and I try to teach the guys is teaching them to teach thems~lves and educating them about the sport, having them understand their strengths and weaknesses and trying to improve each and everyday on the weaknesses. RH: What do you teach your players about life after wrestling? JL: It's funny, but wrestling is life. There has been a quote on the wrestling wall since I arrived at Wilkes, "Victory goes to those who are willing to pay the price." That is so true, not only in wrestling, but school and life as well. The no-quit and determination of a wrestler on the mat all comes down to CommercialisID Gone Right Ads took the yawn out ofSuper Bowl Beacon Sports Staff Editorial Ben Roethlisberger may have been shaking off the hangover from his AFC Championship celebration, and Seattle may have decided to pack it in after gaining an insurmountable three point lead, but advertising companies were on the ball for Super Sunday. The Beacon Sports staff celebrates the top five commercials that kept everyone awake during one of the most boring Super Bowls in recent memory. Courtesy of Sports Information Coach Laudenslager--a two-time captain of the Wilkes wrestling team as a player-is now in his third season at the helm of the Colonels. the faith and trust in his preparation. Endless hours of conditioning and drilling all for a three second feeling when the referee raises your hand in victory.. .is the same as achieving success outside the sport.. .if you prepare the right way and do the steps necessary to achieve greatness. Then you already won, because you have given your- self the best opportunity to win. But if you cut comers or don't put forth an honest effort in your work the results will show. RH: How does wrestling prepare one for life? JL: It teaches you to never stop battling and be confident. I think it all goes back to the quote from above ... because it's a sport that requires a commitment to excellence. Think about the test at the end of the week. .. if you do not prepare with studying, class attendance and tutoring if needed ... the end result is a failing grade. Same principle with the sport, or, in this instance, life. Be on time and get after life with a positive attitude and our guys are going to be successful. RH: What are some things you would not have been able to do without wrestling? JL: It's provided me with an opportunity to work with outstanding men who have given many hours of training toward reaching their potential and becoming champions.· But I certainly would not have had the opportunity to have all these achy muscles for all these years without wrestling. Ha. Ha. Got to love it. Savel Lives. 1) Americquest 's "Don't judge too quickly." Nothing tops emotionally scarring a child by accident, as this instant Super Bowl commercial classic proves. 2) Careerbuilder.com's "I work with a bunch of jackasses." We never saw the end of this commercial coming. It was a nice surprise that got a laugh out of a running joke. 3) Sprint's "Crime deterrent phone." Spiking a random object off of somebody's head is a dream that many share. It's good to finally see how great of a dream it really is. 4) Michelob's "The world of light beer just got a little darker." One unnamed editor beat this commercial to the punch during a tense game ofwhiffieball. It's high time someone else saw the comic genius in this backyard tactic. 5) Bud Light's "Camping." Stephen Colbert has been warning people about the dangers of bears on The Colbert Report for months now. Thanks for spreading the word, Bud Light. Donate Pia Silla Today. Earn up to $200 a Month! lnternate Blood & Plasma Inc .. 685 Ce~ Pa 1s%r:b~ra. �18 SPORTS FEBRUARY Commentary 1--1 - - - - - - 13, 2006 - - - GAME OF THE WEEK NBA: San Antonio Spurs @ P hiladelphia 76ers Spurs travel east to take on the 76ers Double Take BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer As the midpoint of the NBA season nears, every team wants to put itself in the best possible position come playoff time. The San Antonio Spurs are looking to increase their already high seed in the Western Conference standings while the Philadelphia 76ers are fighting off opponents at the bottom of the Eastern Conference bracket. Both teams will look to enhance their playoff outlooks when the Spurs head into the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia to take on the Sixers. . San Antonio, the defending NBA champions, bring with them a wealth of skill to the court, not just in their starting five, but off the bench as well. Think of the Spurs and the natural leap is to Tim Duncan. He is easily the team's exemplary and emotional leader. Flanking Duncan are: perennial all-pro Manu Ginobli, who could possibly be one of the most exciting and versatile players in the entire league; defensive specialist Bruce Bowen; and sharpshooters Brent Barry, Nick Van Exel, and Tony Parker. The Spurs can also boast depth from the bench ·when they can cycle such players into a game as guard Michael Finley and forward Robert Horry. The Spurs are also well-coached with Air Force grad Gregg Popovich running the show. Popovich has been one of the most consistently successful coaches in recent NBA history with a 493-243 career winloss record. The Philadelphia 76ers have been busy treading water in the Eastern Conference standings all year long. The team does not have as much depth in its roster as the Spurs, but it does boast a well-assembled corps of stars, role players, and youth that has served well over the course of this season. Like the Spurs, the 76ers have a bonafide star in Allen Iverson, who has played his entire nine-year career in Philadelphia. He is more often than not at the top of the league in scoring averages and other offensive categories, though he has been in and out of the lineup lately due to some nagging injuries. It is imperative that Iverson be on the court against a premier team such as the Spurs. His supporting cast includes big-men . Chris Webber and Samuel Dalembert as well as three-point extraordinaire Kyle Ko- . rver and the other A.I., Andre Iguodala. As far as depth from the bench, it depends on the night and how well the Sixers are performing as a team. Bench players Kevin Ollie, John Salmons, and Shavlik Randolph will have to play great games to help out their teammates should the starters get into foul trouble. Look for how well the Sixers defend Tim Duncan, and whether they use Dalembert, Webber, or both in order to stop one of the best players in the league. Also, the performances of each team's bench will be a big factor in determining which team comes out on top. The home crowd may be behind the Sixers in this one, but the skill level of the Spurs will be too much for them. The Pick: San Antonio 97, Philadelphia 88 Sarah examines the stats that truly matter BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Quick Info: Spurs vs. 76ers vs. Wednesday, Feb. 15th 7:00 only on Comcast... Get your Game on! Finally, a real sport hits the pages of The Beacon. Gone are the days of football and hockey (for now). This week's game of the week is a face off between the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers. While I do enjoy a good game of basketball, I don't really watch NBA teams. I don't even think I have a favorite one. However, I do have an interesting anecdote. I think I'm a pretty intelligent person; however, I lack common sense. Big time. Just a few weeks ago someone asked me if I knew why the Philadelphia team was called the 76ers. Well of course, I had no idea. It would be far too strenuous for me to put two and two together. Upon finding out the reason, I felt ridiculously stupid. And for those of you out there who don't know why, I won't spoil it for you. There is an excellent opportunity for a blonde moment waiting for you. Anyhow, the last time the Game of the Week featured San Antonio, I offered a list of reasons why Texas is a bad place. It seems to be the breeding ground for unintelligent people of celebrity status i.e. Jessica Simpson and our wonderful President (we all love you, Mr. Bush). On the other hand, it would be completely unlike me to ever pick a Philadelphia team to win. What do I do? I find myself in quite the predicament. Do I break my long standing record of being anti-Philadelphia or do I side with the Texans? You know what? I'm feeling good this week. I think I'll go with Philly on this one. You won't ever catch me rooting for the Eagles, so I might as well give the basketballers the benefit of the doubt. After all, I do owe it to them since I was so confused about their team name. Go Sixers. �FEBRUARY 13, 2006 SPORTS 19 Athlete of the Week * Mens Basketball: Mike Constantine BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Staff Writer Although the Wilkes men's basketball team appears to be in a slump, recently losing four out of their last five games, key player Mike Constantine proves an impeccable record isn't everything. With Constantine's competitive nature, it is frustrating and nerve-racking for him to lose, but that doesn't stop Constantine and the rest of the team from playing their hardest. "We're in a rough patch right now, [but] we can't give up," said Constantine. Senior shooting guard Constantine knows his role on the team is to get open and shoot when he has the opportunity. Constantine finds his success comes with patience, "I try not to press. I have to be patient and take shots when they come to me." In addition to his patient nature Constantine pays tribute to his teammates for setting screens, making sure he is open and getting him in the best possible position to shoot. One of Constantine's fellow teammates, Tyler Jenkins said, "He's a phenomenal shooter. Every time the ball goes up you know it's going in." "He's our point of emphasis. He has great timing coming off screens and finding the open shot," head men's basketball coach Jerry Rickrode noted. Rickrode attributes Constantine's stellar shot to his work ethic. Constantine has worked on his individual skills (shooting) both in and out of season. It's all about repetition for Constantine. Besides basketball skills, teammates and friends know Constantine has underlying musical ability as well. Jenkins shares, "He's an exceptional rapper. He's good at what he does, both basketball and rapping." Courtesy of Sports Information Constantine led the Colonels with 16 points in Saturday's game against FDUFlorham. The Colonels snapped their losing streak with an 88-61 victory. "He's come a long way, really matured and has improved his leadership ability as well," said Rickrode. As a senior, Constantine has stepped up his leadership skills as well as positioning himself as one of the leading scorers on the team. In the past four games Constantine has averaged 16.25 points. "I don't think he's ever missed three consecutive shots. Out of three shots, he's definitely making one or two," explained Jenkins. The Colonels, after a brilliant 7-0 conference record start to the year, are now looking to lock in a high seed for the Freedom Conference Tournament. Lycoming College defeated King's College on Saturday afternoon, placing King's, Lycoming, and Wilkes in a three-way tie behind the University of Scranton. The Colonels have a chance to knock off King's and build a winning streak to ride into the playoffs during the coming week. If Constantine can lead his teammates through to victory in the coming days, the Colonels will be in a good position to dominate the Freedom Conference tournament. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Senior Rena Bolin moves downcourt against FDU-Florham in Saturday's game at the Henry Gymnasium. Wilkes fell to the Lady Devils 96-76 in their final home game of the season. The Lady Colonels will see action again on Tuesday, when they face crosstown rival King's College. WEEKEND RECAPS Men's Basketball Five Colonels hit the double-digits .on Saturday afternoon as Wilkes cruised to an 88-61 victory over FDU-Florham. The Colonels' win snapped a four-game drought and improved their record to 12-8 overall and 8-4 jn the MAC. Senior Mike Constantine led Wilkes with 16 points. John Sclafani, Greg G;ardamone, Dan Adams and Evan Walters also broke into double-digits during the contest. Women's Basketball ~ The Lady Colonels made a brilliant effort, payed by ;enior Rena Bolin's game-high 25 points, but ultimately fell to FDU-Florham 96-76 in the Henry Gymna~ium on Saturday. Wilkes fell to 6-17 overall and 2-10 in conference play in its final home game of the season. Other key Lady Colonel contributions"came from senior Andrea Kacprowicz's 14 points and Randi Corbo's 15 points, Sophomore Lacy Andresen also chipped in with eleven points. · Wrestling The nationally ranked Colonels fell to the University of Scranton 27-26 on Saturday evening. Rex Harris won his 30th match of the season when he pinned Dave Rohan in the 197 lb. class, but one point would -p rove the difference in the hard-fought loss on Saturday evening. The Colonels will return to the mat at Elizabethtown College next Saturday to take part in the MAC Championships. .,· ..,. . NUM~ERS OF THE WEEK "-,...... -~ . 4 Number ofplayers on the womens basketball team who hit double-digits in Saturdays game against FDU-Florham. ' :~ 30 Wins by wrestler Rex Harris so far this season. Harris tallied his 30th win against FDU-Florham on Saturday. , 25 Points by womens basketball player Rena Bolin in Saturdays game against FDU-Florham. - , . 5 . Number ofplayers who hit double-digits in scoring during Saturday s men s basketball game against FDU-Florham. ' �SeR21r.;ts. ~······-~---·-----·-,~~~~~~~ 20- Wilkes/King's set for Valentine's Day Massacre Colonels enter game 1 1/2 games behindfirst place Scranton BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Assistant Sports Editor This Valentine's Day, you can put a lid on the candlelit dinner. .. The men's basketball team commences the final week of its regular season with cross-town rival King's Tuesday night. After spending the first month of the season sitting pretty atop the Conference standings at 7-1, the Colonels (8-4 Freedom, 12-8 overall) now find themselves in a third place tie with Lycoming after dropping four of its last five games. The top four teams make the MAC playoffs. "We definitely have to win out if we want to win the conference," said sophomore guard Chris Shovlin, who leads the team in scoring with 17.2 per game. Shovlin, who was benched for the past two games for violating team policy, was sorely missed. in Wednesday's loss to Scranton, which featured a plethora of fouls, hasty shot selection and troubles at the charity line. Scranton's win catapulted the team past the Colonels and into first place following King's loss to Lycoming. "Hey, that's team policy," . said head coach Jerry Rickrode, who had to listen to the game via radio due to the flu bug. "If someone breaks team rules, I believe in teaching the men a lesson." After snapping a four game losing streak to FDU-Florham on Saturday, the Blue and Gold should be back in top form as they enter Tuesday's contest only one game behind the second place Monarchs. However, Wilkes should see a much-improved King's team than the one that lost 77-76 in OT last November the Marts Center. Keep an eye on Mike Constantine who has stepped it up beyond the arch all season with 51 threes and big-man Evan Walters who leads the league in blocked shots (54). He is second in the defensive rebounds category to Kings' Jaime Cousart, who averages 5.67 a game. Steve Kline and Jeremy "The Cable Guy" Kahle should also provide some three point relief early off the bench. Beginning the season 2-6, the Monarchs rattled off six straight wins and have been a force to be reckoned with ever since. The women will also be in action Tuesday afternoon. They don't have a chance at making the playoffs, but they do have something to play for: they haven't beaten King's in over ten years. The team, (2-10, 6-17 overall) already has two more wins than last year under first year head coach Rachel Hartung, and continues to improve. "I'm very pleased. We had a bunch of close games that could have gone either way, though I wish we ended up more success-· ful," Hartung said. The women will be in action The Beacon/Todd Weibel Tuesday, February 14 at 6:00 p.m. Greg Cardamone leaps for a bucket in Saturday's 88-61 win over in Kings College's Scanlon Gym, visiting FDU-Florham. The team travels to King's College on Tuesas the men will play at the same day for an 8 PM tipoff and then closes out their regular season on Saturday against Drew. place at 8:00. Be there. .campus calendar. WIN CASH Arts Production, DOD - 8 p.m. All Week STDs offering *Johnnie Winona Ross: Ab- pamphlets, HSC - 11 to 1 p.m. stract Paintings, Sordoni Art *Women's basketball @ King's Saturday (2/18) Gallery -6 p.m. *Winter Weekend *Men's basketball @ King's - 8 *Wrestling @ MAC Champion- p.m. ship - 10 a.m. Monday (2/13) lollipops and Find this Picture on Campus and ... *Women's basketball @ Drew *In Courage, Love, and Duty Bound: Family Caregivers and Wednesday (2/15) -1 p.m. Their Patients, HSC . Ballroom *No events scheduled for to- *Men's basketball @ Drew - 3 - 6 p.m. day p.m. *Closer Than Ever, Theatre *NAACP Meeting, HSC Miller Conference Room - 7:30 to 9 Thursday (2/16) p.m. *Sexual Jeopardy, HSC Ballroom - 12 to 1 p.m. Arts Production, DOD - 8 p.m. Sunday (2/19) This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answeJflat: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. *Winter Weekend Tuesday (2/14) *Valentine's Day Friday (2/17) *Closer Than Ever, Theatre *An informational table about *Winter Weekend Arts Production, DOD - 2 p.m. National Condom Week and *Closer Than Ever. Theatre Congratulations to Carolyn Carpenter who correctly identified last week's secret shot, which was taken in Kirby Hall � 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 2006 February 13th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 February 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/6d968c631b499283c7388cc744c700e1.pdf 142136b7618332fe0be1b4ccbfc04cb3 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Batre, PA 0 1 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW FEBRUARY 6, 2006 _. www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 13 Wilkes students and facuity negotiate IT improvements BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon Asst. News Editor 1me at ;day's l... The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Nick Witucki, Pl pharmacy student, navigates the new Wilkes login program. Some users have voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the recent change. It's becoming the truism for the technology age: we never know how much we rely on a familiar process until it's changed. Over the winter break, Information Technology officials initiated a major step in standardizing user IDs along with campus and off-campus access. While many of the changes have been implemented, the process has not been without its challenges. The switch involved a number of changes for students, faculty and staff. Mike Salem, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services, explained these modifications. First, there is now a standard user ID for all members. This user ID should allow students access to personal e-mail, H-drive and WebCT accounts, as well as to the campus computer labs. The H-drive was also upgraded and Wilkes now hosts WebCT as opposed to another institution. This change allows Wilkes to deal directly with any problems rather than depending on an outside institution. When the planned changes were announced last semester, both students and the faculty raised many questions. The Student Life and Media (SLAM) committee serves as an interface between students and the administration, according to Dr. Donald Mencer, associate professor of chemistry and chairperson of SLAM. SLAM, which is supported by the Faculty Affairs Council (FAC), expressed its concerns through written communication to the President's cabinet asking members to put the changes on hold. While committee members' apprehension was taken into consideration, the process would remain on track and implementation ensued over late December and early January. Mencer clarified why SLAM was concerned that perhaps the change was not in the best inter- est of the students. "Any time you implement a relatively large change across a large number of users of varying levels of skill, you have to be concerned about ... how easily this is going to happen, and are you going to be able to address those (problems that arise] in a way that will enable the university to continue to operate effectively?" Mencer stressed that SLAM was not opposed to the changes, but rather was and remains more concerned with the pace at which the changes are occurring, as well as how they impact the efficiency of student and faculty operations. According to Salem, the changes occurred over winter break because it is the longest break the university has, since during the summer there are still sessions in progress. He added that the plan for such IT changes had been in motion since last April. See NEGOTIATIONS page 4 Committee explores new ntinor in leadership studies BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor Students who feel that demonstrable leadership will help them in the workplace and beyond may soon have another avenue to pursue at Wilkes. Wilkes University faculty and staff are currently exploring the possibility of adding a new minor in leadership studies to the curriculum. According to Mark Allen, Dean of Students, other projects such as the Emerging Leaders Program and Intercollegiate Leadership Wilkes-Barre have been well-received, and students have demonstrated consistent interest in other leadership initiatives offered at Wilkes. This is in part what has prompted the Office of Student Affairs to investigate the viability of a possible academic minor that focuses on leadership styles and skills. Allen is one person pushing for the idea. "The students seem to be enthusiastic about learning more about leadership and Student Affairs thought that it would be a good opportunity for them. We have put together an exploratory committee and developed a concept for the minor." The minor in leadership studies may be modeled after the existing women's studies minor at Wilkes. The preliminary outline for the program will consist of an introductory course in leadership and a capstone at the end of the minor See MINOR page 4 In This Issue... ,mpus. gmail. ing, as box or picked ~ cour- State of the Union Page 7 Mmnner and aMovie Ney Wilkes l!I Weosite 'M.ff' Page 9 "GRILLIN' UP WE STE RN" PAGE 14 Index News .. ........... ...... .... ......... 1-5 Opinion ...... ............ ........... 6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment. ... 12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS 2 f EBRUARY 6, 2006 News in Brief SG Notes Coal Mining YMCA 3 3 4 5 WCLH picks up controversial syndicated talk shows BY MARISSA PHILLIPS Beacon Correspondent This month, Wilkes radio station, WCLH 90.7 FM will begin airing the nationally syndicated news programs, "Making Contact" and is doing fundraising to allow them to soon pick up the show "Counterspin." These programs, along with one other were recently dropped from the King's College WRKC 88.5 FM radio station line-up and the action caused tension between the King's College radio station advisor and staff. Jim Spak, a King's alumnus who had a regular show and broadcast "Making Contact," along with "Radio Nation," and "Counterspin" on WRKC, ran into problems with the content of one of those shows last October. He said he was confronted py King's station manager Sue Henry, after running an episode of "Making Contact" that featured an anti-war rally in Washington D.C., with people who spoke out against the Bush administration. Spak said Henry complained that the show was full of lies and extremism. While it was first only suspended pending analysis, after review, it was deemed "unbalanced" and promptly removed from the programming schedule. Sue Henry was contacted and deferred comment to Robert McGonigle, King's College associate vice president of student affairs, who was unavailable for com- ment. According to Spak, instead of canceling all of his shows, Henry gave him an option. While "Making Contact" needed to remain off the air permanently, Spak was told he could choose to keep either "Radio Nation," or "Counterspin" on the air, as long as he screened them ahead of broadcast to make sure each program was balanced, according to the station's definition. Spak rejected the offer, saying he could not work with the terms. "It seems like they don't understand the role of press in a free society," said Spak. After learning the show had been dropped by King's, WCLH station manager, Renee Loftus decided to pick up "Making Contact." Loftus said that it will mesh well with the news show "Democracy Now," which is already aired on the station. "'Making Contacf has an audience," said Loftus, "so it was kind of a no-brainer for Iii to run it." "Making Contact" will air eve~ Saturday at 11 a.m. and its addi• tion in the line-up took place thii weekend. "Counterspin" will arr every Saturday at 11 :30 a.m., b~ the starting date has not yet been determined, as fundraising m11i1 be done to allow for the show w be picked up. BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon. ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Students and faculty interact inside the studio of WCLH radio station, which is now carrying an additional controversial syndicated talk radio show. WCLH airs on 90.7 FM. Beacon Correction In the January 20, 2006 article, "Etruscan Press to relocate to Wilkes University," it was reported that the Manuscript Society would be moving with the Masters of Creative Writing Program out of Kirby Hall and to a new, unnamed space on campus. According to Dr. Mischelle Anthony, Assistant Professor of English and Manuscript Society faculty advisor, the Manuscript Society will not be moving with the MA program and will remain in Kirby Hall with the English department. The Beacon regrets the error. KRISTIN KILE Editor-in-chief ANDREA FRANTZ Faculty Advisor ■ ■ ■ Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school yeai <Iii' Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �FEBRUARY 6, 2006 NEWS 3 News in Brief Outcopies outweigh .t he risks for e01bedded journalists BY KRISTIN KILE tation led to 1 well ,cracy ~don ntact' s, "so for us every addi:e this ill air 1., but : been must ow to Beacon Editor-in-Chief According to a January 29, 2006, ABC News article, Bob Woodruff, ABC World News Tonight's co-anchor, and cameraman Doug Vogt were severely injured that same day when they were hit by a road side bomb in Iraq. The team was embedded with soldiers in the 4th Infantry Division. This incident again puts into perspective the dangers of sending reporters to hostile environments. According to a January 30, 2006 CNN article, Reporters Without Borders reported that 79 journalists and assistants have been killed in Iraq since the United States invaded in March 2003. But even in the face of such risks, news organizations continue to send reporters. National outlets as well as many local news organizations have sent reporters into war zones to be embedded with U.S. military. Locally, the Times Leader, the Scranton Times and WNEP have all sent reporters to Iraq. Pat McHugh, publisher of the Times Leader said the outcome outweighs the risk. "We realized that local young men and women, especially with the local national guard units and reserve units, were being called up and sent to Iraq, and we thought there was a compelling local story to tell based on the exploits of those local folks in ineredibly hazardous circumstances," McHugh said. In 2004, the Times Leader sent reporter Jerry Lynott and photographer John Wilkin to Iraq to be embedded with the 109th in- even staged a mock kidnapping, something many foreign journalists recognize as possible, particularly in the war on terror Certainly we weighed the possibility and concluded that the good that could come from accurately representing the things that were happening to the local young men and women outweighed that risk. Pat McHugh, Times Leader publisher fantry based out of Kingston. The duo was first stationed in Kuwait in February, 2004 and later embedded with another division of the 109th in Baghdad. "The risk is harm to the reporter. That's the greatest risk," McHugh said. "Certainly we weighed the possibility and concluded that the good that could come from accurately representing the things that were happening to the local young men and women outweighed that risk." Lynott volunteered to go to Iraq because he said it was the biggest story going on at the time. He said the dangers ranged from getting sick from bad water or getting shot by the insurgents. In preparation for the potentially hazardous duty the reporters would soon find themselves in, officials at the Times Leader sent Lynott and Wilkin to hostile environment training, where they learned to administer first aid and how to protect themselves. The training session where abductions are common. "The main thing they tried to stress to us there was: don't try to be a hero. All these movies that you see on TV about people able to defeat an armed gunman and fight their way to freedom .. .! don't know how we would have done that. I think it was a lot of nonsense," Lynott said. Lynott said there was a big difference from being stationed in Kuwait and then transferring to Iraq. While in Kuwait, the pair was issued helmets and flack jackets, but when they arrived in Iraq the reporters received body armor. While Lynott and Wilkin were embedded with the 109th, they traveled on convoys with the soldiers and reported what soldiers did to keep themselves occupied. While they were in Iraq, Lynott said a few soldiers had babies, so they would feature those soldiers in various articles. "The soldiers were always accommodat- Student Govern01ent Notes February 1, 2006 year. :om -Representatives of the Lacrosse Club appeared for a second week in the fund request process. The club requested $2,500 for game uniforms for 30 players and the cost of referees for four games. A motion was made and seconded for $2,100 to be given and cover the cost of the uniforms for 30 players. Motion passed 21-12-5. -Members of the Robotics Club appeared for the second week to get club recognition. Motion passed 35-0-1. -Representatives of Adventures in Science appeared for a donation request of$2,000 to pay for bags with Wilkes University logo on it for nearly 300 fifth graders who will be on campus on April 28. A motion was made and seconded for the full $2,000 to be donated. The motion passed 30-0-8. -SIFE appeared for it's first reading with a request of $1,000 in funds for a confer- ence. -Spring Fling theme was announced as "Bathtime." -Casino Night will be March 24. -Programming Board announced the concert this year is Dashboard Confessional and it will be April 7. -Commuter Council announced the next New York City trip is April 22. ■ BEACON The Beacon offers great pre-professional opportunities for writers, designers, photographers, and business managers. Students can build portfolios for internships and future jobs, make contacts with people across campus and beyond, and earn scholarship money or academic credit. ■ The Beacon seeks student writers, photographers, page designers and business managers to apply for Fall '06 staff positions and scholarship 1 opportupities. ■ Contact: Dr. Andrea Frantz .,\l;;, ext. 4165 or e-mail andrea. ,.-,.,o••c""""'W"""" frantz@wilkes.edu for more !:'"""''..-· -t_-::: -_ •:~, ·:: information. 9,\\ · IMtKES IINIVfRSITY· ing. They did their work ... and I hoped we tried to convey that in the stories. They took on the responsibilities of protecting us, myself and a photographer. They have to take care of themselves, but they have an added responsibility of [keeping us] safe at the same time," Lynott said. McHugh said he was not sure ifhe would send reporters over again. "I think the embedding rules were somewhat restrictive, and well, I won't say we were disappointed with the stories. I think with the restrictions we had to deal with, we didn't get everything we had hoped to." He and Lynott said they were never censored as to what they could and could not write. McHugh said he would have liked to have greater access for reporters and photographers to go with the soldiers as they went into more dangerous circumstances. When asked if he would go again, Lynott saii:l he would possibly go under different circumstances. He said they were limited because they were embedded with the troops and could not go out on their own. "When we were embedded with the troops we were confined to their barracks, their base, their movements. There's nothing that you could do on your own," Lynott said. However, he said it is more dangerous to go' out on your own in that environment. He also added there is no reason for him to be sent there because an infantry from the Wilkes-Barre area is not over in Iraq at this time. ff~S\or 1111k "' 1th .-:_ ~ - - ~ ~-~--'- - ~ s ~ , ' ; ' " . •- - " = - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' �4 NEWS FEBRUARY 6, 2006 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY'--------- Sago Mine tragedy recalls local history of n1ining BY JOSEPH DEANGELIS Beacon Staff Writer "That was what they considered the beRecently, however, coal has emerged in increase not decrease," said Cox. ginning of the end of the deep mining in the scientific and economic discussions as a Mining does cause several environmenWyoming Valley," said Mike Chminola, a possible future source of energy thanks to tal problems, including acid mine drainage history major at Wilkes. gas prices on the rise and the conflict for oil, which almost made the Susquehanna River Like the Knox Mine, which was flooded Cox said. He also added that the Sago Mine sterile in the early 1900s. with water from the Susquehanna River, tragedy will not decrease the use of coal for "That's one of the great problems that they have with mines is the acid mine water other coal mines have become flooded and that very reason. unusable. "The use of coal, if anything, is going to drainage," said Cox. "There is not any mining in Wyoming - - - - - - , - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - ~ - ~ - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - ~ - - : , - , - From the late 19th century through the middle of the 20th, one industry predominated the Wyoming Valley: anthracite coal mining. But times have changed and the industry that once ruled the area is barely seeing any light at all. While coal mining remains an important component of some economies, lo- Valley and there will cally, coal mining employs only hundreds of never be any again," Pennsylvanians--a far cry from the thousands said Dr. Harold Cox, emplyed during the heyday of King Coal. professor emeritus of Some question whether the Sago Mine history and Wilkes tragedy in West Virginia on January 2 has University archivist. affirmed long-standing fears about lack of "There's no way to mine safety that helped to end active coal mine coal in the valmining in many areas across the country. . ley." An explosion led to the deaths of 12 miners However, anthracite in the Sago case. coal mining is still While coal mining brought economic pros- thriving in other parts perity to the Wyoming Valley, it was also of Pennsylvania even synonymous with danger both to the environ- as close as Hazleton ment and to the men who worked the mines. and Carbondale where However, the soft, clean anthracite coal was small companies use a popular product in the early 1900s. strip mining to get at But the Wyoming Valley witnessed its own the coal. mining tragedy on January 22, 1959 when "There really is not 12 people died in the Knox Mine disaster at that much left," said courtesy R'1chard zm1Jews .. k.1 . 1a. "In th e Port Griffith in Jenkins Township. The Knox C hm mo Mine disaster has been called the final nail Wyoming Valley there T~e ~i~ple at c_o~der's Crossing, West Virginia. The tipple shows the typical mining operation of West is virtually none left." Virgm1a coal mmmg processes. in the coffin to the mining industry locally. NEGOTIATIONS from FRONT PAGE The foundation changes that occurred, Salem said, were essential corrections that will "allow for enhancements in all aspects of technology services." "These foundation changes were a necessary step in the implementation of a Wilkes portal that will provide students and alumni with a personalized/integrated view to online information/services from a wide array of systems such as schedule, e-mail, course catalog, grades, degree audit, financial aid, billing, deadlines ... library resources, and campus news and events," Salem said. He added that this "portal" is anticipated to become available by the end of 2006. Although the changes that took place are in preparation for more advanced technological services, some students are experiencing problems with the system. Timothy Burns, junior pharmacy major, said, "I had some minor problems opening power point slides from teachers. I also know two ·friends that were having prob- !ems: one with changing the password and the other with the setting on their off-campus computer that wouldn't let them open any files sent through e-mail." This situation is not unique, as many other students are also having trouble accessing e-mail or campus computers. Salem described this as a problem with syncing up the passwords and suggests that any students with this problem should contact the Help Desk for assistance. At the same time, some students note that the problems have been relatively minor since the changeover. Neal Jackloski, junior communication studies major, said, "At first [I had some minor issues to deal with], but I don't have any problems with anything as ofright now." As with any change, communication appears to be the key to successful implementation. "Right now there are just unanswered questions ... [And] I can't possibly formulate a final decision as to whether or not this project will, [in the long run], be worth the effort involved," Mencer said. MINOR from FRONT PAGE for students to reflect on what they have learned and relate it to their own strengths and weaknesses. Between those two objectives, students would choose from courses already existing in the curriculum that reflect the objectives of the minor. Those involved with the project feel that adding a minor in leadership will benefit both Wilkes students and the community. Phil Ruthkosky, Director of Student Development, said, "So often leadership can be pinned to a certain major, but this is an interdisciplinary approach [with] an experiential piece that will provide knowledge and theory and then [allow students] the chance to put it to work." The conceptual frame behind the proposed leadership studies minor was to pursue an academic program that could capitalize on and encourage growth in the existing leadership initiatives students already seek out. An academic minor would make opportunities available to students that would ensure confidence in their leadership skills upon graduating from Wilkes. Allen remarked, "This minor will provide a meaningful experience to have students realize their own, full leadership potential. Also, when they go out into the workforce they can feel more confident and step up to roles that challenge them." At this time, the minor is still in the planning stages. The details have to be very specific and must go through the Academic Planning and Curriculum Committee before any formal action can be taken. Allen explained, "The minor is a work in progress. We are still defining what is it we want to present and we are still looking at other alternatives to shaping it." So what is the likelihood of a minor in leadership studies becd!ning a reality at Wilkes University? Dean Allen seems optimistic. "Everyone seems to feel that it is a good idea as it has been presented. The reality will be in how it is proposed and if it meets the learning needs of the academic committee. My hope is that they will embrace the concept." FE! �FEBRUARY 6, 2006 NEWS 5 YMCA fire alarm sensors malfunction The YMCA at 40 West North Hampton Street was evacuated Thursday, February 2 and again on Saturday, February 4 due to fire alarm sensors that were not working properly. Although signs were posted throughout the facility warning of fire alarm testing last week, Nicole Witek, resident assistant of the building commented that the two incidents are not related to the testing. According to the front desk attendant, the building is experiencing difficulties with the alarm sensors. "Saturday· the fire alarm went off and the sensor indicated it was on the fifth floor, but there were people up there and there was no fire," said Witek. Public Safety officials on campus were not aware of the difficulties of that residents have been experiencing with the YMCA alarms because the building is independently owned and is not hooked into the Wilkes alarm system. ~TOYOTA NACPBDISON BTIDTOONT BUSPDIIION + AM/fM/CD WITH I IPIAKEJl8 + SIDI RDCUI PANELi + 38MPOBWY1 -- YOUR RIVI CAR A8 IIIDVIII 8 17.380° AES!lMB 1G fOU005 COmt!A 5MOC6 1112 AS'f:8) AUTO. AClW 1/lM W.Y M. '"ti.'il f'Oil 100\S SrOO MOC& 1112 eIQIDJ,.t; TA'(, ~ ti)'ftW'OlA ! , , , . , , , , _ , . mD D& FEES. w.1:nsm F\NAl m . �0P.Ef1Jil?lJ 6 f~t~?~::::::sure Frey's Million Little Pieces controversy illustrates Americans value truth BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD James Frey's best-selling, Oprah-book-club inductee, A Million Little Pieces, has sparked a media frenzy and backlash in the · courtroom, literally shredding Frey's credibility as an author into a million pieces. The controversy surrounds a discovery by TheSmokingGun.com website, claiming the book contained multiple fabrications and embellishments. The book, termed by the publisher a "memoir," details the author's stint in rehab and battle with addiction, both of which Frey claims to be "truth." Turns out, A Million Little Pieces is the life story of James Frey... with some added scenes and embellished de- tails to make it a good read. Deciding if a book should be dubbed a memoir or fiction is a decision made by the publishers of the book, and we must remember that Frey cannot be held completely to blame for claiming this book was the former. At the same time, both the publisher and Frey have an obligation to readers; Frey should have spoken up and explained that truth is a relative concept and all is fair in love and the business world. And yes, the publisher should have done some investigative research like the fact-finding done by TheSmokingGun.com. Let's remember, people paid money for this book, and both the publisher and Frey made a substantial profit when it reached the best-seller list. The question really becomes if we believe that the book gained such popularity because people thought it was true, or if the subject matter was interesting enough for people to pick it up regardless of whether it was true or not. Did Oprah put it on her book club because she thought she was reading a· memoir, or because the quality of writing was high and the content was interesting? In this society, disclaimers such as "based on a true story" or on "actual events" usually carry a certain degree of weight; for some audiences, in fact, such a claim elevates the story to a higher status. It's more appealing because someone actually experienced it--or at least a good portion of what they view or read. Nickle for Your Thoughts By Jason Nickle lS'n ·c,Jde.. +hQ.<e. 5 H~ _;s\--C-OOW I sue~~ tor qou ~u"'\S • . "' H t1' ~ '?;J:/ r,. t,o.d'.. +<) ~ In James Frey's case, the majority of the events in A Million Little Pieces were true and apparently really happened. Most notably, he was in rehab at the age of 23, and he did overcome his addiction. The final message of the book remains the same, then: addiction can be overcome, and here's a personal story of this achievement. What audiences should (and will) call into question is whether the fine details of this addiction and achievement muddy the waters enough to render the overall message insincere or ineffective. Clearly, people believe that the details do make a difference. The book is being reclassified as "fiction," and reprinted with an author's note stating, "I altered events and details all the way through the book." According to a Findlaw.com article by Anita Ramasastry, the publishing company of the book, Random House, and its subdivision, Doubleday, are facing court action by three separate readers of the book, citing breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and consumer fraud . Oprah Winfrey has publicly apologized to viewers and readers for placing the book on her Book Club to begin with. As such, clearly some people do believe that the minor details are crucial, and they demand truth from their authors if they claim they are writing truth. But it is difficult to determine if the majority of readers picked up the book because it was about drug addiction or if they did so because it was supposedly non-fiction. One fact remains; Americans value truth and they see a clear distinction between lying and telling the truth, even if the lying only concerns minor details. While this recent controversy will probably boost sales for Frey and Random House, future authors and publishers will . hopefully learn from this instance and see the value assigned to simply telling the truth. 7 7 8 8 Beacon Poll Results The following are results of a poll that The Beacon conducted online this past week. The poll was unscientific, and does not claim to reflect the overall attitudes of students on campus. Results are based on 32 responses. The Beacon asked: What is the most fascinating mystery? • What happens after death? - 38% 197 5 disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa - 16% Disappearance of over 170 boats and planes in Bermuda Triangle - 13% The origins of humankind -13% 1947 Roswell Army . Airfield - 6% 1937 disappearance of Amelia Earhart - 6% 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway -6% Crop circles in Minnesota farm field, summer 2005 - 0% Other - 2% Next Week's Poll Question: What would you like to see in place of the bookstore, in addition to extending Rifkin Cafe and its stage? Wilkes radio station 24 hour study area, computers Lounge -nice couches, tv, copy center, arcade Additional offices for clubs & directors Meeting room Computer clinic- IT Services Convenience or clothing store Other Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to ca~ your vote. Results will be published in next week's issue of The Beacon. C BYT Beac< The dayn on wl and I with l No going troopi we nit and fi, do rig the \\ made issue, war, a is righ oflrac The tural i resear, issues energ) ergy i he is 1 the po dress · and fu produc and sa place'. 2025" ergy s< Perh fended is "ad< BYB: Beaco Afte been I con. 1 Fear a On Georg State , ingly, of his The genen suicid1 in his After �FEBRUARY 6, 2006 OPINION 7 State of the Union Address Conservative Accolades Liberal Boos BY TABITHA HAPEMAN Beacon Columnist BY ROB DONAHUE Beacon Correspondent The President was pretty clear last Tuesday night in his State of The Union Address on where he stands on the "War on Terror," and I think most conservatives would agree with him. No matter the mistakes that were made going into the war in Iraq, the American troops are there now. It doesn't matter how we nitpick or bicker, our troops are overseas and fighting for our country and we need to do right by them. The motivations behind the war and the alleged miscalculations made almost five years ago are now a nonissue, but the fact remains that we did go to war, and pulling the troops before the time is right would be devastating to the country oflraq. The President also touched on other cultural issues such as gay marriage, stem cell research and cloning, but mainly focused on issues associated with the budget and new energy initiatives. President Bush's new energy initiatives were very surprising since he is thought of as an oilman by those on the political left. He stated that he would address the energy crisis by dedicating time and funds to the research of hybrid cars, the production of ethanol, and the use of clean and safe nuclear energy. His plan is to "replace 75% of Middle Eastern oil imports by 2025" with cleaner and safer alternative energy sources. Perhaps a few conservatives will be offended by the statement that our country is "addicted to oil" but there is no reason they should be. Both ends of the political spectrum should be thrilled with the plan to lessen our dependency on the Middle East for our energy source; it will be good for the country and good for the American people. The President also called for a bipartisan solution to the Social Security problem and seemed confident that both parties could reach a solution to the Baby Boomer retirement crisis. Half the room interrupted rudely with whoops and hollers when the President made the observation that his bill to privatize Social Security was passed over, but the President handled it very well. Hopefully, both Democrats and Republicans can come to some sort of an agreement before the entire generation of Baby Boomers retires and leaves the remaining Americans with little to no Social Security funds. The conservative sect of the country should be pretty pleased with President Bush's State of The Union Address. Perhaps he should have concentrated more on the domestic cultural issues of the day to satisfy the right, but it was certainly politically safer to stay away from those topics. His energy initiatives should be supported by liberals and conservatives alike, though the right won't be surprised if the left does not support the education bill. President Bush stated that he wanted to "make permanent the expansion ofthe ·private sector" with respect to education. All in all, the address was a success, though perhaps a little too politically safe. The country just might see a slight increase in the cooperation of the left and the right within the next few years. We'll keep our fingers crossed. We, the United States, are a democracy ... well, duh! Someone just needs to remind President Bush. I am sure that we all know by now that the President has authorized secret, and what many are calling illegal, wiretaps on American people suspected of consorting with the enemy. This wiretapping is so secretive that it wasn't even mentioned to U.S. Congress. Courtesy of signmasters.com In November, reports came out about secret overseas U.S. prisons. In fact, Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee was more concerned about who leaked the information than he was about the fact that we actually have secret prisons. The Red Cross has accused the Bush Administration of hiding some prisoners in foreign prisons. In addition, it is well documented that the Bush administration has authorized detaining prisoners for an extended amount of time without access to a legal representation or even formal charges. And the list goes on and on. In his State of the Union Address last Tues- day, the President argued that he is "just doing his job" by upholding the U.S. Constitution. Maybe he skipped the 4th Amendment (which prohibits searches without warrants), the 6th Amendment (which grants U.S. citizens the right to a fair, speedy, public trial), and the 8th Amendment (which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment) in high school or at Yale. In short, what the President is doing is illegal and he should be removed from office before it gets worse. But of course many conservatives believe it's more impeachable for a president to have an affair with an intern than it is for a president to place himself higher than the Constitution and effectively begin to establish an autocracy. Ultimately, his State of the Union Address undei:scores why America should be concerned about losses of our democratic freedoms. His weak justification of the dome,,tic wiretapping actually just scratches the surface. Bush claimed that America is "addicted to oil," but his policies have fed that addiction. He acknowledged a need to cut the deficit that his administration singlehandedly created thanks to tax cuts for the wealthy and spending billions on an unjust war. He argued for enhanced programs in math and science for young people, but .the deficit and his call for yet more spending on defense while simultaneously cutting social programs suggests Bush needs to rev_isit a math class. Are these inconsistencies what we want to communicate to other countries? Bush's excuses and plans should frighten the average American who believes in our Constitution. Politically Incorrect: with Benjamin A. Iezzoni BY BENJAMIN IEZZONI Beacon Correspondent After much persuasion, I have finally been given my own column in The Beacon. Tremble in fear, Wilkes University. Fear and awe. On Tuesday, January 31, President George W. Bush presented his compulsory State of the Union Address. Not surprisingly, he did his best to portray key issues of his presidency in a positive light. The war in Iraq was covered in broad, general terms that would mean political suicide for any who dared point out flaws in his plans for closure on his conflict. After all, what respectable human being would not lust after the expansion of freedom and democracy in our world? One would be unpatriotic and hateful toward his country should they not desire to support the spread of our most basic human rights. I mean, come on .. .lt's not like there are any other ways of governing oneself. What fools could not see the boundless rewards of doing things our way? There really is no choice. Think about it--we're the United States of America, damn it. How can any nation not want to be like us? We must take care not to be fooled by the lies and chicanery that some try to pass before you; in any situation where people are trying to be different, they are obviously lying. People can't really be different; they must instead be envious of how great we Americans are. A bunch of other countries showing off their "cultural" songs and dances are just trying to be unique or special. You know what that reminds me of? Those dang Goth kids, always dressing up in their black clothes, pretending that they're something better than the rest of us. That's right. Our world is just one big schoolyard with its cliques. We're America ...the "cool kid," and the countries in the Middle East that we're picking on right now are the noisy Goth kids, with their weird religions and crazy music. Those annoying little Goths are just trying to get some attention by rejecting us and being obstinate by voting against us in the student council election. They resent our freedom, our prosperity, and so they lash out at us! You see, that's why we beat them up and steal their milk money. That'll teach them. Those arrogant jerks. This is not a war, people. Don't believe otherwise. At the moment, Old Reliable is just calling it one to gamer more support, to dupe people into giving him more executive power. Don't let him fool you-his noisy little ruckus in the Middle East should never be confused with a real war. Sure, I think it's good that we're over there, letting those Goth kids know who's boss; I just don't think that Bush has any right to call that pansy movement he's spreading a "war." God bless us all, amen. �FEBRUARY 6, 2006 OPINION 8 Why Spy? The difference between watching your neighbor shower and listening to his phone calls BY MATT ZEBROWSKI Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor When I started to think about the whole wiretapping without warrants controversy, the latest faux pas of the Bush administration, the first comparable act that came to mind was sneaking into your neighbor 's lawn with a telescope to watch them shower. Both acts involve monitoring something assumed to be private, and both are against the law. But the more I thought about wiretapping, I realized that what the administration is doing in the name of "national security" is nothing at all like standard voyeurism. Nothing like that at all, actually, though I almost wish that the comparison could be made. See, watching your neighbor soap up his or her privates is just plain impolite. And more than a little creepy. But, it's creepy in a Christopher Walken sort of way. Wiretapping, on the other hand, is creepy in the George Orwellian Negative Utopia sort of way. And not just because it's, well, wiretapping, but because the administration refuses to acknowledge that warrants for this sort of thing are necessary, and because people across the nation seem to be okay with that. I know, I know, if you're on the phone with al Qaeda, we want to know why. That's perfectly fair, because honestly I'd be a little curious myself. But it_'s only half the story. Placing a wiretap without a warrant is against the law, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Hell, for those cases where you're in a really big hurry, warrants can even be obtained retroactively, up to a few days before the placing of the tap. What makes this even scarier is that the wiretaps have seemingly only been used in cases where there was genuinely questionable activity. Which means that warrants would have been granted without any problems. So, apparently, the only reason that the administration didn't get warrants in these cases is that it didn 't want to. And that is bad news, because unlike the showering neighbor scenario, the only reason that I could think of to not abide by the law under these circumstances is to prove a point. That point appears to be that the administration is above the law and can therefore do whatever the hell it wants (See also: "Torture/Prisoner Rights" for other examples of this ideology). Need proof? Just listen to any of the conservative pundits on talk radio or Fox News. They'll tell you that this wiretapping is the best development in political science since the Second Amendment because it proves that our boy, G.W., is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the American people, even if it means breaking the law. Which doesn't make any sense, considering that the reason we have laws in the first place is supposedly to protect the American people, too. The claim that past presidents have engaged in similar surveillance tactics isn't much of a justification, either. I mean, if other presidents jumped off a bridge ... The wiretapping of suspected terrorists is, obviously, a valid and necessary protective endeavor, but there are certain rules that are in place to protect the American people in a different way. Sure, it's a stretch to assume that the administration will make the jump from monitoring legitimately suspicious individuals to suddenly tapping every phone in the nation, but don't forget, these are the same people who believe that allowing homosexuals to get married will somehow lead to state-sanctioned bestiality. Their whole mindset is apparently based on leaps of questionable logic. Besides, anyone who's seen Episode III: Revenge of the Sith knows that freedom is often taken away incrementally and justified in terms of increased protection. One day they're wiretapping without warrants, the next they're shooting lightning out of their fingertips. And no one really wants that. Brangevaughnikat: Fighting the celebrity overexposure BY KRISTYN OSTMAN Beacon Asst. Business Manager No, it's not a monster about to attack Tokyo. It's the hideous overexposure of celebrity affairs. Okay, allow me to start off by saying that yes, I see the hypocrisy in writing an article criticizing the excessively publicized celebrity love lives. Nonetheless, I shall forge on. First, I need to comment on the practice of nicknaming couples. Brangelina, Bennifer, TomKat and Vaughniston. What normally would be considered gibberish has now become household code words . Who thought this was a good idea? It doesn't somehow make them seem more approachable ... these people are not our friends or neigh. bors, so really what's the point? Imagine if all couples referred to themselves with these catchy name combos. It's a particularly scary thought for me when I attempt to unite my name with that of former boyfriends . Somehow, all I came up with were three syllables sounding vaguely like diseases and one ethnic slur. While I may need some work on my personal naming abilities, I regularly catch myself making mention of one of these popular monikers in conversation. Normally, I wouldn't use cutesy nicknames to refer to people I don't know, but I have a wealth of unsought knowledge about these people, which is just as good. So where are our news priorities these days? Whether I like it or not, I know more about Brad and Angelina's happy home than I do about the Alito hearings. Admittedly, I watch an almost unhealthy amount of Best Week Ever and the E! Channel, but I find myself unable to find real news when I want it. By real news, I mean completely unsullied by any celebrity gossip. It seems that even the mainstream news media has put particular focus on the lives of celebrities. Do the news media create the desire for such fluff, or are they giving us what we want? It's a chicken and egg question. My local news channel recently reported "a very special announcement from Brangelina" ... and oh yeah, those dudes in the mine all died. Why is the lead story the Hollywood couple's big baby rumors? How did that beat out mining disasters, the war, and the beating death of a small child (To give you some perspective, my local news reports for the tri-state area; most of the news comes from Manhattan or northern New Jersey)? At times like this it makes me wonder if"the media is trying to force us into caring. In some ways, I feel like the miscommunication of the mine collapse is telling of the state of our news media. Many broadcast and print news outlets alike were quick to run a horribly incorrect story and yet somehow the same outlets always seem to be ahead of the game concerning celebrity news. I cannot place all the blame on the news media. It's likely that they are simply satisfying the demand for celebrity gossip. All kidding aside, taking excessive vacatio s and jumping into a new relationship before the ink dries on the divorce papers is not terribly noteworthy, so I don 't think anyone will miss much by ignoring them. Most people would agree that there are far more important things going on in this world that demand our attention. I plan to do my part in ending the celebfixation. I will avoid celebrity news like the plague. When TomKat spawns its first (and hopefully only) kitten, I will not attempt to learn its name. If Brangelina jet sets to another country to congratulate themselves on what great humanitarians they are, I will not try to pronounce the name of said nation. Perhaps if we collectively ignore Paris Hilton, we could completely will her out of existence. The possibilities are endless! What do YOU think? The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is the opportunity for students to voice their concern. If you want your voice to be heard, please contact The Beacon with the following information: 1 Contact information including your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Your name, major, and year 3 Your opinion thebeacon.oped@gmail.com The Beacon reserves the right to edit submitted pieces for space and content. �FEATURES FEBRUARY 6, 2006 New Website GRE Format Spring Break 9 9 10 11 Newly redesigned Wilkes website launched last week Committee seeks online feedback on usability and content BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Last Thursday, students, faculty, staff, alumni and prospective students were able to begin navigating the newly redesigned Wilkes University website. While the site officially launched, designers were still hard at work on it through the end of the week, working out glitches and solving minor problems. Pam Fendrock, Wilkes University's web content manager, proposed that the website be redesigned in October 2004. The next step was to form a redesign committee, which consisted of 16 members including two students. The committee has been meeting on a weekly basis since July of 2005 and a typical meeting consisted of a conference call to Collegis, a design company, in Orlando, Florida. Users might be wondering where the new design scheme came from . Fendrock said, "the new design is based on the new view book, a resource for prospective students." The view book was designed by an outside company called 160 over 90. According to Fendrock, the company "doesn't only do work with universities as clients. [It] deals with companies like American Eagle and [designers with the firm] are used to dealing with people in various age groups. That is one of the things that we really liked about them." The Beacon/Sarah Herbert Last Thursday, Wilkes debuted its newly redsigned website. The design scheme came from the new view book and is aimed at prospective students thinking about coming to the university. The website features bright colors for each section and also a variety of quotations in large, bubbly quotation marks. Site users wishing to give feedback should visit the online survey available on the university's homepage. The view book was tested on prospective students and faired well. In fact, "application numbers are way up since the new view book came out," said Fendrock. The newly redesigned website, working Tell U S ■ ■ ■ in conjunction with the view book, features · sually and verbally consistent, which is dea variety of quotations in large, bubbly quo- sirable from a marketing standpoint. "We tation marks and bright colors. The view now have a unified front," said Fendrock. book, website and other public documents See WEBSITE page 11 for the university are now intentionally vi- Features Editor Sarah Herbert was curious about wh~t Wilkes students are thinking. Here is what she found out. What is the worst spring break destination and why? • ••r"""""'--- • • • •• communication Greg Terlecky-freshman, computer science major Joann Philips and Jessica Gentilefreshmen, biology and biochemistry majors Matt Burian- senior, electrical engineering major "Afghanistan, because they bomb people there." "Canada, because it's Canada. Who enjoys Canada?" "Antarctica, because it's freaking cold there." "Home 1s the worst place because of work." J.C. Jiminezstudies major senior, • •• •• • •• • • • • • • • • �10 FEATURES FEBRUARY 6, 2006 Students test run new GRE format BYERICALEO Beacon Staff Writer Climbing the collegiate ladder is seldom easy for most students and with the implementation of recent changes to the Graduate Record Examinations (GREs), reaching the next rung may become a little more difficult. The GRE historically consisted of two sections: verbal and quantitative reasoning. The verbal section analyzed vocabulary and grammar skills whereas the quantitative section focused on basic math concepts and analytical reasoning. The newly revised GRE features an added analytical writing section that challenges test-takers to write an essay from a given prompt. But Educational Testing Service (ETS), who creates and submits the GRE, isn't satisfied yet. In October of 2006 the GRE is scheduled to undergo yet more changes which feature less emphasis on vocabulary memorization and more emphasis on analytical skills. Carol Bosack, Director of Career Services, works with students who are planning to The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski take the GREs and applying to grad schools. Bosack feels that, despite the recent and up- The Graduate Record Examination(GRE), historically consisting of verbal and quantitative reasoning sections that focused on coming changes to the GRE, the number of grammar skills and math skills, has recently been revised. The new format has an added analytical writing section that challenges Wilkes students applying to grad school has students to write an essay from a given prompt. Also, in October 2006, the GRE is scheduled to undergo even more changes which increased. will feature more emphasis on vocabulary memorization. Recently, the number of Wilkes students applying to graduate schools "I think students are realizing that at some has increased. Students interested in learning more about the GRE should visit the department of Career Services. point in their careers, and it may be a few years down the road, they will want to work if you really want to do well on the GRE," dents to consider utilizing the information will be for other students as well. on a master's or PhD," said Bosack_. said Allen. in the book, GRE: Practicing to take the "I found the scores I got on the practice Bosack encourages students who think Allen specifically recommended for stu- General Test, by the Educational Testing tests in this book very close to what I got on they ~ay _want to further their @ @@@@@ @@@@@@@ @@@@@@ Service. She indicated that this book w~s the actual test," said Allen. educat10n m the future to take @ @ extremely helpful for her and feels that 1t the GRE's while they are still in @ ______ @ school. GRE scores are stored and @ ~ ~ can be used as an evaluation tool @ @ by graduate schools for up to five @ @ years. "If you're thinking of going to grad school in the next few years, NINTENDO even on a part time basis, take the @ @ GRE's while you're still in school @ @ and still used to thinking about @ @ things as a student," said Bosack. @ Shanna Allen, senior psychology @ @ @ major, recently took the GRE exam @ @ to Cllntrot iff... and stressed that considerable prep- @ @ aration for the test is imperative. "I started studying about a year before I took the GRE. There are @ many practice books available, and @ @ @ you can use them to increase your @ - - - - - - - - - - @ Your numbe_rtme sourer fur birth a :m trul and the oming alter pill. math skills and verbal knowledge. 1-800-230-PLAN ,vww.ppnep.org Studying is only going to help, so ~ devote some time and energy to it @ '\IV€f ou an ase 11 I : )V)s ,ts ls~x I I VDE8GADS LPsoi4Ss i 1vs1,AL EDIGI : 59 north main .., wilkes barre.., 829·2929 i we have hundreds of posters !! i @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Alruu(y luutyour~ Need buyytJur birl:Jt, prWM'.j'? Get Your Birth Control wi.l:luJut: A Pelvic .Exam* �FEBRUARY 6, 2006 FEATURES 11 tudents.raise funds for alternative spring break trips BY SARAH DOMAN Beacon Staff Writer Students looking to relieve the stress of classes or make long-lasting memories with friends are likely to find both through alternative spring break experiences both domestic and abroad. The experiences are likely to offer a change of pace and an opportunity for growth for all involved. The alternative spring break program has been an option for Wilkes for more than a decade. Dr. Evene Estwick, assistant professor of communication studies and a faculty advisor for this year's trip said, "Alternative spring break (ASB) is an opportunity for students to perform community service in a domestic area and overseas." Past trips have included destinations to India, Grenada, West Virginia, and Louisiana. This year ten students will travel to Kentucky and ten students will fly to Peru, along with two advisors for each trip. This year's trips will last from March 4 to March 11. Freshman Spanish major Kristen Potsko said, "Not only will our group be able to travel to a foreign country [Peru] and learn about their culture, but we also get to have a personal experience with the people that we will be helping with our service work." As a group the students will help determine the service project(s) for the trips. The top choices include working with children, a women's group, or local medical practice. WEBSITE from PAGE 9 The incorporation of bright colors throughout the website was not accidental. Each school and department has its own representative color. For example, all academic pages are orange and all pages for the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences are gray. F endrock said that this was a conscious decision that the committee made "knowing that we were starting to graphically represent our new brand." Steven Thomas, assistant professor of music said, "Right now it's a little difficult to navigate because I'm not used to it, but the more important question to ask is how the site is functioning for prospective students." Kayla Griglock, sophomore at Wyoming Valley West high school has begun to browse the Internet for college choices. As a prospective student, Griglock enjoyed the design of the new site. "It's looks really good and it's easy for me to use" said Griglock. This type of response from prospective students is just what the design committee is hoping for. In fact, Fendrock and the com- The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski On Thurs., February 2, students planning to participate in Alternative Spring Break program raised funds with a spaghetti dinner. Junior Dave Scordino oversees the buffet line as senior Brandon Ingraham collects his food. Alternative Spring Break serves as an opportunity for students to perform community service in domestic area nationally and abroad. This year, there will be ten students participating in each of the Alternative Spring Break trips which will be traveling to Kentucky and Peru. In order to afford travel and lodging, students must raise funds. The most recent fundraiser for ASB was a spaghetti dinner held last Thursday, February 2, for which many of the ingredients were donated. Students have also sold lollipops, coffee, and baked goods. Potsko said, "That has been the major bulk of the work on our end of the trip. It really has been a team effort from both the Peru group and the Kentucky group, our domestic counterpart." While students search their closets for work boots or gloves for ASB, others have planned trips with family and friends. Senior psychology major Michalene Davis said, "I plan to go to Atlantic City with my mom and grandmother. It's a nice way to relax and spend time with family." mittee could not agree more with Thomas' statement. "The main purpose of the site is to appeal to prospective students and their parents," said Fendrock. However, that doesn't mean that current students, faculty, staff and alumni needs will be disregarded. With the new design also comes a great many technological changes that may not be evident by just viewing the site. Mike Salem, Chief Information Officer, is working on a new portal system. According to Salem, this system would "allow you to personalize and pull together anything you might want to use on the web." For example, a user could sign in to the website and instantly see their inbox, current news, and an academic page on the same screen. In addition, the website will better utilize the banner system for things like the locater and online forms. What that means is that the locater will be more current and accurate since no one will have to manually enter the information. In addition, "Ninety percent of the stuff you have to go to an office for will be selfservice on the website," said Salem. Salem hopes to begin working on the portal project in April with a completion date of October, although these dates are not official. But until all of the kinks are worked out, the design team expects to field a great deal of phone calls and emails. Fendrock hopes that the site's users will offer feedback. "It's just the nature of things for there to be upheaval, but the only way for us to get accurate feedback is through the survey," said Fendrock. As of the time of publication, 121 people completed the online survey that is available on the homepage of the website. Fendrock urges users to complete the survey, as it is one of the only ways the design team can be aware of all the glitches. "The beauty of the web is it's never finished. You find a typo or forget a link and you can very easily fix the typo or add the link that forgot. If you don't have the feedback, there's only so much you can do," said Fendrock. f~OI. IJ~GI~ l)llINKINf• f~ONSl~OIJEN(~l~S 159,000 of today's first-year college students will drop out of school next year for alcohol or other drug-related reasons. · The average student spends about $900 on alcohol each year. Do you want to know how much cash the average student drops on his or her books? About $450. �Skinny Jeans Brokeback Mountain Logan's Roadhouse College Daze 13 14 14 15 FEB �FEBRUARY 6, 2006 13 ARTS& ' The Strokes' First Impressions of Earth BY MATT ZEBROWSKI write catchy songs and that they Beacon Asst. Op-Ed Editor have consistently pushed their boundaries with each successive album they have released. First Impressions of Earth, Since they released their first album almost five years their third and latest album, is ago, The Strokes have consis- no deviation from this pattern. tently gotten a bad rap for look- As "Juicebox," the first single, suggests, many of the songs on ing and sounding derivative. Sure, they dress like a bunch First Impressions are louder and of typical NYC hipster tools heavier than any of their prior and have typical NYC hip- material (and they get extra ster tool haircuts, so I can points for having David Cross, understand the criticism hands-down the funniest man there, but there's pret- . in the world, star in the music ty much no deny- video). This extra crunch really ing that they works well with the Strokes' retc a n ro-ish format, as other highlights like "Vision of Division" and "Ize of the World" (possi- bly the best song on the CD, despite the really lame pun in the title-read the lyrics. You'll see what I mean) illustrate. Other songs on the album, like "Electricityscape" and "Red Light," continue in the vein of "12:51" and other songs from their last album, Room on Fire, by experimenting with guitar tones that sound almost like keyboards. The only place where First Impressions goes awry is on some of the downtempo tracks. "On the Other Side" drags a bit after the first minute and a half or so, and "Ask Me Anything" is, unfortunately, so downright boring that I've only managed to listen to it Nothing BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon Asst. A&E Editor through twice, if that, since I got the album. Even with these few bum tracks, First Impressions is still a fine album. After repeated listens, I'm still not sure yet if it's as good as Room on Fire, but it's definitely better .than Is This ft?, The Strokes' 2001 debut. It's also definitely a step in a different direction, and, therefore, thoroughly worth listening to. ~;H,tkN~\eh Cup!lf With Valentine's Day around the comer, cupid.com appears to be largely free, which everyone wants a shot at love. And one should be an attractive characteristic to prosite claims to help people find that special spective users. There are two major problems with the someone locally. Cupid.com is a website site. The first is what is considered "local." designed to connect local singles. After users sign up, they first fill in their The search options range from 50 miles to own profile. Then to look fot: a perfect 300 miles. Why didn't someone inform me match, users are offered a ton of catego- that both New York City and Philadelphia ries. These options include things such are local? For the average person, traveling as marital status, religion, physical ap- over 200 miles for a first date seems somepearance, education and even astrological .what impractical, tl;)ough admittedly, these sign. Once that special someone emerges options are better than connecting with folks from all of the means of narrowing choices in California or Texas, which is what many down, users are, urged to send a personal other online dating services may.suggest. Second, most of the people on the site (at message, give tbem "eye contact" (essentially forwardiJ;i.g tl:j.e profile the user hasjust least from this area) have not been active for created), adding them to a friend list or even quite some time (over a month). Overall, though, the site definitely bas porecommending the person to another friend. Unlike lots of other online dating services, tential, as long as people actually use it. �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 6, 2006 Mninner and a Movie Dinner: Logan's Roadhouse BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor To get in the mood to watch Alison Sh.e~s movie pick of the week, it seemed logical lo choose an eatery with a western appeal. What better choice than a steakhouse? 'The Wyoming Valley offers quite a variety, butl opted for the area's newest addition: Logan's Roadhouse, On a double-date, I headed to the new arena-mea eatery, my Mazda almost sinking in the deep, violent sea of vehicles. Conquering the wave of cars, we made it to the lot and managed to find a spot. But, our friends had to park at Wal-Mart and walk over. Yes, it was that packed. We were promptly greeted by a hostess, handed peanutbucket shaped menus and were told we had a 25 to 40-minute wait. Notoriously indecisive, I thought that guaranteed I would probably know what I wanted by then. Twenty minutes later, we were seated in a step-up booth in the huge non-smoking section. The dihing room was wide open, airy and rustic--all the Il\akings of a real roadhouse. Noon. beer signs a.domed every comer of every wall, A we,waU<e<f to our ~~te, the. crunching of peanut shells un,,,. der mycbwboy boots startled me. When ottrwaitress asked for our drink order, we also gave our food order. J orde,ed the Brewski Onion Sirloin, a steak covered in onions simmered in Amber Bock (a lovely, dark and sweet brew) and garlic butter ($10.99)' and my date got the chopped steak ($9.99)1 smothete<l in onions and mushrooms. The couple across the dered the Logan's Filet Mignon (6oz., $15.99) and tiite griUeJlchicken topped with parmesan cheese '$9.9~J. Each meal came with two sides eshyeast bread. We all opted for the made-from-sctat ed potatoes and all opted, for $. 79 extra, toJ;tave•theru loaded; mixed with sour cream and bacon and;Jo_pped with sliredded, melted cheddar. For our second side, .thad broccoli, Dave had a house salad, and e'.o leenandAndy~~t)ewly engaged•-cutely ordered the s~:.mac and cheese. We waste no thfte digging;J.ntQ the. complimentary tin can pf ¾pmd ,~\lt$' 911 tb,~ ~ble, Soon. we,· ere deliv- Movie: Brokebuck Mountain east bread wluth was fluflY"and fanentrees arrived <JP.d we could not belie the sides. Almost too much tor the reas one said their meal was excel• lent. I didn't taste anyone else's, but I can attest that the sauce dripping from my steak was to die for. I soaked UJ1 every last ounce of juice. Dave had'a bite and was sad he did not order the same. \'.Next time;" he I can assure you there will be a next time. The mashed potatoes alone would bring me back. The bill was delivered before we were even half-way done, so we felt a little rushed. But we paid no attention. We hif(i to double-check to make sure everything was counted: $6l5 I for four people, including the most expensive meal in he house and one beer. Fine dining quality, a filling meal (no need for appetizers here), totally reasonable prices and kick-butt potatoes give Logan's a: Grade A+. tastic ·a. STUDENT HO,U SKNG SOLU..-.ON ........ BY ALISON SHERRY Beacon Correspondent irnas It's the movie everyone has been talking about...t-he "gay co(ivbi;IF 9½9Vl~, as been called. Now, as a winner of four Golden Globes (including Best . jetQre'~ and-tetejit1y nominated for this year's most pretigious Oscar categories, Broke Mfi'Unttjn greaks evt:ry imaginable preconception as soon as it starts. Based on the b by E. {\bnie Proulx and directed by Academy Award-no_minee, Ang Lee, this film is definitely Qneof the mostpow· erful love stories of our time. Brokeback Mouniain tells the story of two young men: Eruxi&;'.Del Mar ranch hand, and Jack Twist (Jake Gy llenhaal), a rodeo cowb(}y. They meet JDing, in the summer of 1.963 when they each take on the job o.( herding a .. .of sheep through the high and rugged grasslands ofBrokeback Mo.µntai1;1. E:ven tp.<Jtt@:l,there.is an nspoken attraction between them for awhile, there is also a deep tension. But they fonn an unorthodox yet'J'>assio:nate and fife,.long bond, qespite the wives and families they .have at home. As their lives change throughout the yeilrs, the men still hold their relationship powerfully deep despite life's cottllic~. ,.However~ t11a ~~ wnen suc!l tblngs were ~spoken and taboo1 it is only in the mo.vie►s end when audiencef!• and the characters themselves realize how much, they two men tn.1[y need·-eaeh other. ?he film also stars Wehelle Williams. and Anne Hathaway. Brokehacb Met1nlain will •indeed make l:iistoJY.. •if:it hasp't already, And rjgbtfut(y so, his movie isn't Jost aboutwo gay cowboys to ''hook upi• fo the moooins. It ls a deeply profound .love story, 1$tected. It doesn't m;attet f you are for or agail)st the issues of b<>mosex~'in today1s societ):, And ifthi\t'$ the eason a viewer chooses J).Otto see or like tlµslnovie,. then '[pity that individual for lack of open-mind. This story re~what is really going on e.venJn tdday;s society and what eople, particularly homosexual me~ may endure $OCially, \Vllen viewecs see Bro'keback untair,,, they willn9t•see two ~Y cowboys. lnstead1 they witl get .to knt>w two human ings, stntggling with social pressures and the realities oflove, The. movie's theJDes are 0 ot offensive or distasteful. Jlrokel)ack. .MQunt(;ljn .rnay ..not be Har,:y Pof!tifJr ◊t•:'l'ke.. .wtd oftiut Rings, but the heroe~ hine, the b.uw.anlandscapes.~re 1:rteathtajdng, ancfitJs defi.nj.w,ly one of the biggest and be$€ ovies of our tinl~ Grade: A Attt\io A'amad:I Inn XA,·111 ~iliiDIJGAf.fiutl-.." O~-..llhHBO fil'•lillin(!I l..04,tllll ~ , _ Ulli 1111 Ml-- ■ Kltoh•n --------- ar~ltd'lln8• w• tow• owfM'finO At.- CClt'Mltllainlna llNGm OF STAY ~ SAPPLY• &ii11 AOl8NGIES PnOUI - ·• e19• $WC ma alb ( I or 2 PftChlUJtM ) 10d4d!DIJ YU•BIU s BRDIJIDOM •11n1a1 Pdcoo t:om 1tf0• A#rmoan U oc:2 PICIODIO) D:NdlOA Ulllfttv Prk::C11 Imm 1950• Pee momn c , to 4 m:c ·•cu:0 1rne1, •<tno 11flUU11• CA.LL OUA SALES OFFlCE FOR A Ffiit~I= TOURI * .S'2'0-ez-..iz100. EXTERSIOR 12'9 . _ . _ . . . . . . . . . . M. ...,,.~~ Res.... ,cne,d ~ ! S S •~""'a,.._........ �~006 15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist co.SC°' !:)\, Mri\<°''!) \0. 'ofo -...[ 1alf-way 1tion. We counted: ive meal a filling ,le prices ee: FEBRUARY 6, 200t �16 SPORTS FEBRUARY 6, 2006 COMMENTARY T.O. to Denver--A Rocky Mountain nightmare? Broncos show interest in acquiring controversial receiver from Philly BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Now that all of the Super Bowl hoopla is all said and done, the media will once again draw its attention to the one-man soap opera known as Terrell Owens. The big-headed receiver reportedly met with the Denver Broncos last week to discuss a possible trade that would free him from his tumultuous relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles. On paper, it looks like a great deal. The Broncos haven't won two playoff games under coach Mike Shanahan since John Elway retired, and with star receiver Rod Smith turning 35 years old, Owens could very well be the offensive game-breaker that Denver needs to get over that playoff hump. But one has to question if Owens has learned his lesson after being suspended indefinitely by the Eagles. I mean, this is the same guy who labeled his former QB's a "queer" and a "choker," and was recently named "Most Hated Player" according to the latest issue of GQ magazine (voted in by other players, not the media). If the deal does come through, get ready for one Rocky Mountain of a relationship between Owens and his newfound quarterback Jake Plummer. One of the reasons Owens was booted from Philly was for his acidic comments toward quarterback Donavan McNabb, who had failed to step it up in the big games. So what exactly does Owens think he will get with Plummer, who went from "Jake the Snake" fame at Arizona State to "Jake the Mistake" in the pros? As soon as Plummer fails to hit T.O. between the 8 and the 1, Denver fans could Mile High salute their team down the toilet as Owens will take yet another team for a downward plunge (no Plummer puns intended). What is Mike Shanahan's deal anyway? You would think he would have learned his lesson after wasting a third round draft pick on troubled Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, who was cut from training camp last August and faces up to 23 years behind bars for robbery. Keep in mind that the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl without T.O. in the playoffs. Perhaps Dick Vermeil said it best in a phone interview on Philadelphia's Daily News Live: "If Andy Reid can't handle him ... Nobody can." Officials ... they're only human! Officials taking harsh criticism for a spurt ofrecent embarrassing blunders BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor back takes the snap and dives forward, just getting enough leverage to break the plane for the game winning touchdown. Such was the case in a crazy 1990 college football showdown between Colorado and Missouri when the refs lost track of the downs. The Buffaloes went on to beat Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl and got It's fifth and goal with two seconds rea share of the national championship with maining in a 31-27 ballgame. The quarterGeorgia Tech. Missouri missed out. So, is it fair to blame the refs for a loss? Or should the team take the heat for missing out on golden opportunities earlier on in the game? After all, I have never heard a coach attribute a win to a blown call. Officials are very much in the game. They must understand the game inside and out, position themselves to see the best action, run up and down the sidelines while trying not to get bowled over, and make sure the score and play clock are up to speed, in addition to getting every call right. Sure, instant replay in the NFL and some Division I college football is beneficial, but it is not surprising The Beacon/Todd Wiebel that the home team gets a Officiating is largely a thankless job as condemnation often far outweighs praise for officials in almost ev- a little home cookin' once ery sport. The pressures of officiating extend to far more than simply knowing the rules of the game. in awhile ... and I don't blame them. Gone are the days of just simply booing. I'll admit that overturning the call on Troy Palamalu's interception in the Steelers/Colts game was ludicrous, but perhaps somewhere in the back of the ref's mind was the infamous game between the Cleveland Browns and the Jacksonville Jaguars. After the officials reversed a first and goal, another play had taken place (refs can only review a play before the next play is run), and fans hurled beer bottles and debris at the black and white which delayed the game for over a half hour. And even though the reversal on Palamalu's pick favored the home team, referee Pete Morelli still had a rock thrown through the front window of his California home. So its safe to say that in this day an<l age, officials can never be too careful on the field. However, the NFL tries to lower such mistakes by handpicking the referees for the Super Bowl. They are chosen based on their performance during the regular season and require at least five years of NFL experiece. So whether y~u swung a Terrible Towel yesterday or played the 12th man in vain, try to remember that those who wear the stripes are only human. �FEBRUARY 6, 2006 SPORTS 17 Stauffer and crew 01aking progress the old-fashioned way Womens lacrosse team working hard under new head coach BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor A little hard work never hurt anybody. The Wilkes women's lacrosse team may have found themselves questioning that maxim, however, after their first team practice session with new head coach Mary Kate Stauffer on Saturday, January 28. Stauffer, a 2000 Rowan University graduate, met and put the team through a conditioning session to help set the work ethic for the upcoming season. Stauffer is "hoping to get them to the point where they work their butts off, but get rewarded for it." Of course, the only way of accomplishing the latter is by taking care of the former. The Lady Colonels have responded positively to Stauffer's work ethic. "I think that conditioning is going to help us win games," said senior Jen Compton. Stauffer places the credit for the team unity on the shoulders of the older athletes. "I think we have good leadership," said Stauffer. "We have quite a few seniors who have been through the ranks." Stauffer, a three-time, two-sport captain who was named to more than ten AllAmerican teams in both field hockey and lacrosse, offers a combination of youth and experience to connect with her team. "I think that her knowledge of the game and her being young helps her relate to us better," said Compton, a co-captain. Senior co-captain Pam Carey agrees. "She's going to be really good for the team." Stauffer also has experience with newer The Beacon/Todd Weibel New head coach Mary Kate Stauffer (right) talks with her players during Saturday's practice in the Arnaud C. Marts Center. Stauffer comes to Wilkes after coaching stints at College Misericordia and Dallas High School. college programs, having helped begin the women's lacrosse program at College Misericordia after graduating from Rowan. She also had the rare opportunity to compete in lacrosse throughout high school in addition to college. Although the sport has exploded on college campuses across the country, high schools have been slow to pick up the sport in some parts of the country. Stauffer, a native of southern New Jersey, noted that she was lucky to grow up in the area. "It's pretty big, actually, where I'm from," she said. All competitive sports are in the business of winning, and both the team and its coach are eager for success. "We want to take the program to a higher level of competitiveness," said Stauffer. Carey feels that after only one week of practice, Stauffer already has them on the right track. "She makes us work hard and pushes us to no end, but she sees a lot of potential in us," said Carey. Though she pushes her team hard, Stauffer's encouragement also gives play- ers the motivation to match the work effort she demands. "She pushes us and encourages us and has a quote for everything," said Carey. "She's just very encouraging." Stauffer, in turn, appreciates the effort that her players are giving. "If Saturday [the first preseason practice] is any indication, of how they ' re going to work for the rest of the season, then that's very encouraging," said Stauffer. The hard work that Stauffer is exhorting from her athletes is doing more than simply getting the team into shape. "I think that the team is coming together because of the conditioning," said Compton, a co-captain. "When you have to go through things like that as a team, it helps to bring the team closer together." This was no accident on Stauffer's part, who has made some of her early season goals "team bonding, and ... getting them on the same page as far as where they want the program to go." Stauffer is driving the Lady Colonels to look toward "not just this season, but the following seasons." She wants her players not just to play the game, but to "understand how to build a program." Although the team is learning to do just that, the focus still remains largely on the upcoming season. "As a team, we have expectations that we're going to surprise other teams," said Carey. "They're not going to be ready for Wilkes this year." · With a new coach and a new attitude, the 2006 season could wind up as one of the most exciting and successful in the short history of Lady Colonels lacrosse. Chattin' with Past Colonels Former standout linebacker Mike McCree remembers his days as a Colonel BY RICH HANNICK Beacon Staff Writer This week Beacon reporter Rich Hannick talked with Past Colonel and current Wilkes University assistant football coach Mike McCree. McCree currently holds the position of linebackers/special team's coordinator. Rich Hannick (RH): What made you want to play football for Wilkes? Mike McCree (MM): I didn't know much about Wilkes until I was getting recruited to play football for Wilkes. I built a strong relationship at the time with coach [Frank] Sheptock. He was very influential in my decision to enroll at Wilkes. I really enjoyed my visit and the rest is history. RH: What position did you play during your career here? MM: I played linebacker my four years here. I played some special teams as well. RH: What accolades did you receive as a player? MM: I was captain my junior and senior year. I was all-conference and defensive player of the year for the team my senior year. We finished 10-0 in 1993 and won the MAC and played in the NCAA playoffs. RH: Why did you want to become a coach? MM: I graduated with a business degree but I wanted to stay involved in football. Coaching gave me this opportunity. Football was something I enjoyed doing and wanted to stay involved in the game. Coaching gave me this opportunity. I also have to say I really enjoy working with the players. I look forward to coming into work everyday. I work with some really great people on a regular basis: Coach Sheptock, Coach Morales, and Coach McNulty. We also have great support, which makes everything easier. RH: How did football prepare you for life in the classroom? MM: Football set the tone early for me in the classroom. It taught me to set high academic goals. It helped me manage my time. It taught me not to settle for average. RH: How did football prepare you for life after school? MM: Football taught me you have to work hard to achieve your goals. Some of the lessons I learn from this game that I carry over to coaching are commitment, leadership qualities, work ethic, team building, loyalty, and time management. RH: What things do you tell your players about life after football? MM: We try to mentor our players and prepare them for life. You can only play this game for so long. We try to help them make the right decisions and be the best person they can be. All lessons that will make them successful in whatever they want to do in life. RH: What is your favorite football movie? MM: The original Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds and All the Right Moves with Tom Cruise. �18 SPORTS FEBRUARY 6, 2006 - - - - - - - - -7 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK NHL: New Jersey Devils versus Tampa Bay Lightning Can Lightning strike twice? Double Take Sarah examines . the stats that truly matter BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer The defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning skated into Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey and trounced the hometown Devils 6-3 on October 26. Since then, the two teams have split contests in Tampa Bay. These encounters have paved the way for a very competitive regular-season finale between the Tampa Bay Lightning revisiting the New Jersey Devils. This potential match-up could easily be seen again in April when the NHL playoffs start. There is a definite parity between these two clubs, both of whom are playing well as of late. This likeness has to do with the priorities in how the teams were put together and the entities to which they owe their success. The Devils as wel1 as the Lightning are well-coached and have reputations of letting hard work tell the story when the final buzzer sounds. Both teams are strong in goaltending and defensive play, and allowing role-players and teamwork to supply their offensive punches. Basic fundamentals, strategy, and smart play line the repertoire of these two perennially solid franchises. As for the game, expect the physical play to determine the flow. This is especially true for the Lightning. Playing on the road in this game, they want to be the ones to dictate the flow and try to take advantage of the Devils' mistakes. Look for Tampa Bay's top forwards Brad Richards, Vaclav Prospal, and Vincent Lecavalier to lead the Lightning's charge offensively. Tampa Bay also boasts one of the most complete defensive corps in the league. From veterans like Darryl Sydor to rookies like Paul Ranger, and from offensive defensemen like Dan Boy le to crunchers like Cory Sarich, the Lightning are stocked at the blue line. New Jersey's attack is headlined by snipers Patrick Elias and Scott Gomez and their defense is lead by dependable bluelin- ers Brian Rafalski and Richard Matvichuk. The Devils have a future Hall-of-Farner at goaltender in the venerable Martin Brodeur. . No offense to Tampa Bay's goaltending duo of Sean Burke and John Grahame, but Brodeur is easily one of the top three goalies in the past 15 years. The undercard in this game, behind the defense and goaltending that should be displayed, will be from two players easily missed, but not because of their production. Tampa Bay's 5'9" speedster Martin St. Louis and New Jersey's 5'9" leading scorer Brian Gionta are negating the hockey adage that claims size equals career success. Both are exceptionally exciting players to watch and should this game proceed to an overtime shootout, these two will definitely be involved. A duo of underappreciated rookies also will take the ice. Tampa Bay's surprise rookie, the 6'4", 2541b. Evgeny Artyukhin (pronounced ar-TOO-kin) has been raising eyebrows all over the league for his 'power-forward' physical playing style. New Jersey's rookie sensation Zach Parise has been a solid producer for the red and black . Artyukhin and Parise have not been getting nearly as much respect as they deserve. With an incredible rookie crop this year that feature the likes of Washington's Alexander Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, some stars just get shut out of the spotlight. Artyukhin and Parise are doing all they can to keep the pace. The forecast for the game: strong southern winds will be approaching New Jersey just in time for the opening face-off as blustery conditions make for an interesting scene. The Devils will hold off the Lightning in a low-scoring game for two periods, but the Lightning will eventually strike again, late into the night. Look for a close and exciting game, beginning to end. The Pick: Tampa Bay 4, New Jersey 2 Quick Info: vs. New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Feb. 7th 7:30 p.m. OLN BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor This week's game features the New Jersey Devils and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Most of you are probably wondering what the heck kind of sport those .teams play. Me, too. Much to my dismay, they're hockey teams. Well, at least it's not football. Hockey seems to be all the rage lately, especially in the Wyoming Valley. It seems like everyone I know has contracted a nasty case of Penguin fever. I guess some of the players are good looking, but a hockey player isn't really anything to shake a stick at regardless. In the game of hockey, it really comes down to what team has the bigger bully, not what team has the cutest players. I'm not really sure about the players on either of those teams, so I can't make an educated guess. Back to the old method of picking teams based on location and color. I really have no idea what colors either team wears, and I'm not about to lower myself to researching a hockey team. Even I have standards. So let's move on to location. Hands down, I have to pick the New Jersey Devils. Even though New Jersey typically has a bad reputation and is the home state of my least favorite singer, Bruce Springsteen, it does have some redeeming qualities. Jon Bon Jovi was born there, and so was John Travolta, so the state can't be all that bad. Plus, you don't really have to know your left from your right in New Jersey, because you can only turn one way. Even more importantly, they are called the Devils. If they can play a game of hockey as well as the Old Forge Blue Devils can play a game ofbasketball, this game should be a blowout. Is a blowout even possible in hockey? AnywW., it's always best to stick with what you know. And since I don't see myself ever being able to write about the Old Forge Blue Devils, I'll root for the Jersey team. And since my Blue Devils have a big game on Friday, I'll take this opportunity to root for both teams. Go Devils. �FEBRUARY SPORTS 6, 2006 19 Athlete of the Week Wrestling: Felipe Quieroz BY ADRIENNt'RICHARDS Beacon Staff Writer According to Felipe Quieroz, there was no opportunity to wrestle in Florida. That, along with a good education, is what propelled him to Wilkes University. Quieroz did not rest on his laurels once he got here, however, and has quickly become a standout wrestler for the Colonels. Quieroz comes to Wilkes University from Clearwater, Florida where he was recruited for wrestling. Quieroz attended Pinellas Park High School, placing 3rd in the state his senior year. In addition to education, Quieroz wanted a university that could bring him one step closer to his goal of being a national champion. Last weekend Quieroz improved his record again when he went 3-0 at the MAC Duals in Scranton. One ofQuieroz's matches placed him against the 9th ranked team in Division III, Lycoming College. With an impeccable record and impressive statistics, one has to wonder: Is this natural ability or does work ethic play a role? Head wrestling coach Jon Laudenslager said, "You don't come from Florida to lose. He's a hard little worker. If he's late [to practice] he' II make up the time." Fellow teammate and co-captain Mike Sciulara added, "He's all-business all the time. He's a friendly kid, but on the mat he knows what he has to do." Quieroz notes that he also has solid athletes in the practice room who push him to strive for success. In the 125 lb. class, Josh Pauling and Shaun Farnham are two teammates who Quieroz says inspire in him the intensity he needs. Quieroz admits, "A lot of my time is devoted to wrestling. I find it hard to have a social life especially during season." Quieroz will see in three weeks if all of Courtesy of Sports Info rmation Quieroz pinned all three opponents during MAC Duals on Jan. 27, and also pinned Ithaca's Macario Alvarez in Saturday's match. his hard work and dedication has paid off in the MAC championships, which will also serve as the qualifier for the national championships. But even to great athletes like Quieroz, nerves are almost unavoidable. Quieroz acknowledged, "There's always some nervousness, but I have to be calm and I can't stress. I think it's just one more person I have to go through. I just go out and wrestle." It may seem as though Quieroz has peaked early in his career, but coaches and teammates agree that this is not the case. "He has to keep improving everyday, every year as well. He hasn't won anything yet," said Laudenslager. "His attitude and work ethic [are] what make him a solid athlete. He does whatever it takes to win," explained Sciulara. Two more matches stand in Quieroz's way before the MAC championships take place on February 18. The BeaconfTodd Weibel Sophomore guard Chris Shovlin takes the ball down court on a fast break during Wednesday's game against Lycoming. Despite Shovlin's 10 buckets, the Colonels lost 77-69. Mike Constantine had a game high.17 points in the contest. C WEEKEND RECAPS Men's Basketball The Colonels traveled to Doylestown to take on Delaware Valley on Saturday aftemoor, in an attempt to maintain a share of first place in the Freedom Conference. Despite Chris Shovlin's 20 points, and three other Colonels breaking into the double-digits, Wilkes fell to the Aggies 93-84. The Colonels are currently 11-7 overall, and 7-3 in conference play, having dropped their last three conference games. Women's Basketball The Lady Colonels dropped an 81 -55 decision to Delaware Valley College on Saturday afternoon. Senior Rena Bolin scored 15 points during the road trip, but a 19-0 first-half run by the Lady Aggies proved to be an insurmountable edge. Wrestling Wilkes took down Ithaca 25-11 in a dual meet on Saturday afternoon to improve its record to 13-3. The nationally-ranked Colonels won seven out often matches, including a pin by Felipe Quieroz in the 125 lb. class. ~ NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 4 Number ofplayers who broke into double digits in Saturday s men s basketball game at Delaware Valley College. 13 Wins by the Wilkes wrestling team this season after dispatching Ithaca 25-11 on Saturday. 15 Points scored by senior Rena Bolin in Saturdays women s basketball game against Delaware Valley College. 7 Matches out of ten won by the Colonels in Saturdays wrestling match against Ithaca. �SQR~!.ts 20 Preview ofthe Week: Won1en's basketball vs. FDU-Florhan12/11 BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Assistant Sports Editor As the Lady Colonels prepare for their final home game of the season taking on conference rival FDU-Florham, the team will also be honoring several seniors in the annual Wilkes University senior lhly. This_ year the women's team sends a Colonels salute out to three senior players including Andrea Kacprowicz, Tristen Tkach, and Rena Bolin all of whom have been key contributors to the team throughout their college careers. In addition to honoring the seniors, the game plan for the Lady Coionels is to hopefully end their home schedule with a win. "The key to this game is going to be starting strong right from the beginning as well as applying hard defense," stated head coach Rachel Hartung. Wilkes heads into this game with an overall positive outlook because of the close competition in the Freedom Conference. As of February 2, the standings in- dicated there was a two-way tie for second and a three-way tie for third place followed by the Lady Colonels who were in sole possession of fourth place. The only dominant team in the conference is Scranton who had a 9-0 record as of February 2. Hartung said, "It is just a matter of showing up and doing what you do best." Throughout the season the Lady Colonels have done just that and plan the same for this week's game. Having already played FDU once this season Hartung has a little more information to build strategy. After leading the Lady Colonels offensive game with 19 points in the last matchup against the Devils, Lacey Andreson is going to have a big part in this game as well. "She works extremely hard right from the start and is also very consistent on the court," stated Hartung about Andreson's performance. Also playing extremely well throughout the season has been sophomore, Randi Corbo. Hartung commented that, "[Corbo] has The Beacon/Todd Weibel Freshman guard Tiana Lee is suffocated by four Lycoming defenders in the Lady Colonels 62-53 win over Freedom Conference rival Lycoming College. The team takes on the University of Scranton this coming Wednesday and then plays FDU-Florham here at home on Saturday. played very hard and had some really nice games this season." With all of the contributions Campus Calendar. All Week *Campuses That Care Week *Johnnie Winona Ross Abstract Paintings Exhibit, Sordoni Art Gallery Wednesday (2/8) *Women's basketball @ Scranton - 6 p.m. *Wrestling @ College of New Jersey - 7 p.m. *Men's basektball @ Scranton - 8 p.m. from all of the offense and the defense improving throughout the season the Lady Colonels have the potential to pull off a win in their final home game if they can be the ones to strike first. Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH Saturday (2/11) *Women's basketball vs. FDU-Florham - 1 p.m. *Men's basketball vs. FDU-Florham - 3 p.m. *Wrestling vs. Scranton - 7 p.m. Thursday (2/9) Monday (2/6) *No events scheduled *No events scheduled Sunday (2/12) *No events scheduled for today for today for today Friday (2/10) Tuesday (2/7) * Trent Graphic Poster * Open poetry reading, Sale, HSC - 10 to 6 Barnes and Noble - 7 p.m. p.m. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. * Congratulations to Lurena Gimble who correctly identified last weeks secret shot, which was taken on the first floor of Conyngham Hall. � 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 2006 February 6th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 February 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/355762b27610e1a8980280a524d120fb.pdf 2383defcb65f8d53e4b508420eb672e5 PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW week JANUARY 30, 2006 www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 12 University officials mull shared downtown bookstore space Kings and LCCC probable partners in move BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor nffodd Weibel ce. The Coloning with the place finish in and ... For the past two to three months Wilkes University officials have been investigating the logistics of relocating the campus bookstore to the Innovation Center on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre and entering into an agreement for a shared bookstore with King's College and possibly Luzerne County Community College. The proposal would relocate the university bookstore for all of the involved schools to a centralized location for all schools on Public Square. Scott Byers, Vice President for Finance and Support Services said, "During [discussions about] the master plan we talked about the concept and that led us to look further into whether the concept had merit." In the last 60-90 days Wilkes University administrators have inquired about the feasibility of a possible relocation and have engaged in discussions with representatives at King's College and the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce to gauge interest in the area for a larger downtown retail bookstore. Byers emphasized, "There is nothing firm." The proposal has not yet been finalized by any of the participating organizations, and all are still in the exploratory stage. "I would suspect that by April we will know whether the idea is going to work or not," he added. Although some students may see a downtown relocation of the bookstore as an inconvenience at first, Sue Martin, manager of University Shoppe noted, "The school is proposing that if they do this, they will reroute the shuttles to go past the bookstore." The proposed downtown bookstore would provide the books necessary for classes for all colleges involved, along with individual college apparel, and a large section of reference books, trade books, novels, magazines and newspapers. School officials are also looking to create a coffee shop/cafe and possibly an Internet room to allow for students to socialize and do work while at the store. Martin said, "There is going to be a whole lot more store. Right now our reference and trade section is very small. That would be expanded. We would also carry Wilkes-Barre souveniers." In terms of employment opportunities, Martin suspects that there will be many part-time positions available at the store due to proposed evening hours. Martin added that current employees of both bookstores will be guaranteed positions at the new store. "It will not have any impact on the current employees," said Martin. Byers noted, "I think the advantage would be having a full scale retail bookstore presence within a few blocks of the campus that not only provides textbooks but also an opportunity that we just don't have right now." The Beaconffodd Weibel Local colleges look for sites appropriate for a larger scale retail bookstore in the area. The proposed site is the Innovation Center on Public Square. Etruscan Press to relocate to Wilkes University Publishers aim for link with Creative Writing MA program BY KRISTIN KILE Beacon Editor-in-Chief , ''s Campus. :on@gmail. heading, as mailbox or 1 be picked prize cour- mtified last ie of Kirby The Masters of Arts in Creative Writing program has only been in existence for a year, but already has made strides in becoming nationally recognized. One of those strides now includes a publishing company to be housed at Wilkes. Dr. Bonnie Culver, Director of the Masters of Arts in Creative Writing, announced at the Maslow Foundation Salon Reading Series on January 12, that Etruscan Press is set to move its operation to Wilkes University June 1. The announcement was exc1tmg news for both undergraduate and graduate students in the program. Robert Mooney and Philip Brady, who are faculty in the creative writing program, are the founders of Etruscan Press. Their involvement with the program is what led them to tap Wilkes University as the new home base for In This Issue... NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS p a g e PAGE 7 First Farewell 11 their publishing operation. "They like Wilkes University a good bit and they like the way the administration treated the faculty and the program. We've had great support at all levels, and they felt this would be a good place for their press to be," Culver said. Jim Warner, program assistant Matt Smalleon\b Profile Page 13 with the MA in Creative Writing said every good masters program has a press at its institution. Now Wilkes will be right in step with others of its kind. See ETRUSCAN page 4 ------------Index News ........... ... ... ... ............ 1-5 Opinion ..... ........ ...... ......... .6-8 Features ....... .................. 9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS JANUARY 30, 2006 2 SG Notes News In Brief Education Proposal Relay for Heat 3 3 4 5 JAi Students raise concerns about Park & Lock safety Debris and evidence of homeless part offacility history BY DANA ZLOTUCHA Beacon Staff Writer While students now have an option for downtown parking that some would argue is convenient in terms of its proximity to campus, others have voiced concern about personal safety because of lack of lighting, trash and the fact that Wilkes Public Safety officers are not yet a full-time presence in the , newly acquired Main Street Park & Lock. Currently, Wilkes students and faculty are not the only ones using the building. The food containers, discarded bottles and other personal items that litter the stairwells also suggest that homeless persons and others use the space for respite and personal recreation. Christopher Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services, acknowledged the presence of homeless people at the facility and explained, "The facility does come with a history; because it was neglected for so long, people had used it as a residence." Rich Hannick, President of the Commuter Council, recalled seeing a woman who was likely a prostitute in the facility this past summer. "It was pretty clear from her clothes and her actions who she was," said Haimick. Litter and debris is another problem students have with the facility. Despite having been under University ownership for several months, the facility does not reflect signs of regular maintenance activity, according to some students. Beth Mahonski, a Pl pharmacy student, noted, "They said they were going to clean it up, but I haven't seen any changes," she stated. Bailey explained that the building is cleaned twice a week, but since it is a "parking garage [it] can't be spic and span." Perhaps the chief concern voiced by students using the lot this term is the bad lighting and lack of university presence to date. "I'm afraid to walk in there ...at •night it's kind of creepy," said Christine Durda ch, a P 1 pharmacy student. Just after the spring semester started, a rash of car break-ins occured downtown and several student vehicles were damaged. . Bailey said, "The perceived in- crease of activity is because the facility is being used more." However, the most recent reports of theft and vandalism are believed to be tied to one person and Wilkes-Barre police made an arrest last week. This development, along with the fact that Public Safety does pa- trol the garage at random intervals 10-12 times per day should reassure the students. Although, in the event that anyone notices anything suspicious, he or she is urged to notify Public Safety. The Wilkes Public Safety office is slated to move from Bedford Hall to the bottom floor of the garage in late February. According to Bailey, inappropriate entrance to the garage should be deterred in the front by the office and card swipe system that is planned for installation on the front door. B B Similarly, access from the back should be restricted almost entirely with the solid gates that are tc be added, opening only to let cari exit the building. Bailey said, "Security will improve, but people have to understand that parking in any urbar area will be a risk. .. [people] accept that risk when they park in the facility. We will do everything in our power to secure it, but there are no guarantees ... we will never be able to completely prevent [the risk]." B th a pl, T w bi ti C a BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. fi Ii Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon. oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: the beacon. ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz ■ ■ ■ The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Due to the large amount of time that the Park and Lock facility was not patrolled or maintained before Wilkes University purchased it, students are wary of being alone or in the facility after dark. The litter and graffiti throughout the facility have not helped to allay the fears that students feel. s s b V y C Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com co �JANUARY 30, 2006 NEWS News in Brief January crime wave alarms residents in downtown BYVICTORJA WIDTE Beacon News Editor Many Wilkes students left the WilkesBarre area for winter recess, and when they returned a month later they learned about numerous crimes that had taken place during the weeks they were gone. The crimes ranged in severity, but some were violent, including shootings, stabbings and drug-related robberies. Some Wilkes students have raised questions about the safety of Wilkes-Barre because one stabbing incident occurred just a block from campus. Chris Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services said, "The types of crimes that we are seeing are drug related. I personally think that what we are seeing is reaction to improved police work on the behalfofthe Wilkes-Barre police department. You are starting to see drug dealers fighting over turf because they [the police] are focusing more on drugs." Jerry Rebo, Manager of Public Safety said, "It's not like they [drug dealers) pick someone off the streets. They know each other. Wilkes University campus itself is very safe. You can see in the last couple years that there is very little crime on campus ... and most of the crimes outside of campus do not involve students at all." Because some students currently reside downtown at the University Towers and apartments nearby, Bailey and Rebo suggested that students remember that Public Safety provides an escort service for students who feel uneasy walking alone. Also, Posten Taxi will provide rides free of charge for students, as long as students show their Wilkes identifications. Bailey and Rebo also suggested that students remember to walk in groups at night and to stay in well-lit areas. Bailey said, "It [crime] should serve as a reminder to students you're in an urban setting. We're not out in the country. We're in a city. Cities have problems, and we're in a depressed socio-economic area. The university is not isolated from the neighborhood. We are integrated into the neighborhood but the areas of the campus that are well lit and patrolled are the areas that you want to stick to." Though many of the violent crimes reported in the last month have been linked to drug trafficking, Bailey and Rebo assure students that they should feel safe on campus. Bailey said, "While in the media it looks like an increase in violent crimes, I think it is just a reaction to better police work. With the increase in crime, I think that what we are seeing is reaction to improvements in the city. It's not that the city is going to hell, so to speak. I think it's going the other way. The city is improving." 3 Student Government Notes January 18 Meeting -Alan Zellner, Director of Diversity, requested a donation for The Rockaway Revue. Mark Congdon made a motion to donate $500, making Student Government a co-sponsor of the event and Alicia Cain seconded it. The motion passed: 33-0-1. -University officials and SG members discussed plans to move the University bookstore to ij · a downtown location. · -Revisions to the SG •--:::,.--.r• Constitution were passed 27-0-8 and will now go to President Gilmour for ratification and then to the student body for vote. -Spring Fling will be -IMLKES March 31 at the Waterfront Bar and Grill on River Street, Plains. -John Edwards made a motion to pay for half of the price of Programming Board's new poster machine, seconded by Ashley Joslin. The motion was voted down 14-192. January 25 Meeting -Members of Lacrosse Club presented for the first time with a fund request of $2,500 for new uniforms. -Organizers of The Vagina Monologues requested for a donation of $1 ,000 in support of the event. Motion made by Kristina Erat, seconded by Josh Swantek that the donation be made with the stipulation that all Wilkes students attend for free. The motion was passed 31-1-3. -Members of the Robotics Club presented for the first night in an attempt to achieve club status. -Members of the Running Club requested a donation IJNIVfRSJTYto help support the Relay for Heat. Kyle Ellis made a motion to set a bottom on the donation of $800 with a cap at $1,200 in order to match whatever the club raises in donations. The motion was seconded by Dave Sborz. Motiori passed 34-0-2. Over 200 degrees conferred at winter commencement The Beacon/Nick Zmjewski The Beacon/Nick Zmjewski The Cafe Metropolis on Main Street was the site of a violent stabbing in early January. The Cafe has since been closed down due to several different health and safety code violations. Wilkes University President Tim Gilmour conferred 64 Bachelor of Arts, 152 Master of Arts and Sciences and one Doctor of Pharmacy degree on Sunday, January 22 during winter commencement at the Arnaud C. Marts center. Matthew Stuka spoke for the class and received his Bachelor of Arts degree. Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President for Student Affairs acknowledged that Stuka was only the 40th student in Wilkes history to graduate from the university with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. In his address, Stuka reminded his fellow graduates to give thanks where thanks is due, highlighting in particular the sacrifices his parents made for him to help him see this day. The 2006 keynote speaker was Dr. Jane Elmes-Crahall, Professor of communication studies and recipient of the 2005/2006 Carpenter Outstanding Teacher Award. During Elmes-Crahall's speech, "Let Your Life Speak," she reminded students that they are life-long learners. "Live like a leader, the way you would want others to remember you as a person," Elmes-Crahall said. Gilmour also reminded graduates to thank those individuals who sacrificed so they can achieve their accomplishments. He said Wilkes will forever be a part of their lives and they will forever be a part of Wilkes. �4 NEWS JANUARY 30, 2006 Graduate Teacher Edudation proposes doctoral program BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon Staff Writer For more than a year, the Graduate Teacher Education department at Wilkes has been working to launch a doctoral degree (Ed.D.) in the area of educational leadership. While the proposed program has not yet been approved and must still undergo multiple steps in the approval process, Dr. Michael Speziale, Director of Graduate Teacher Education, explained that it would potentially include concentrations in the areas of educational technology, K-12 administration and higher education administration along with basic core courses. The project has been coordinated by Speziale along with a number of other staff members who have undertaken key responsibilities. "It has really been a department-wide effort," Speziale said, adding that the department as a whole has contributed on many levels in the proposal process. Faculty of the graduate teacher education department recognized that there was a need for a degree at this level based on a ETRUSCAN from FRONT PAGE I "What they (Etruscan publishers) liked was the fact that we're establishing a community, a real serious community of writers and artists here at Wilkes and they saw that commitment, I think, with our program, with our students and our work ethic, and they wanted to be a part of it," Warner said. Etruscan is currently at Youngstown State University in Ohio. According to its website, Etruscan is a "nonprofit cooperative of poets and writers working to produce and promote books that nurture the dialogue among genres, achieve a distinctive voice, and reshape the literary and cultural histories of which we are a part." The press does not seek submissions; rather, the publishers make requests. Etruscan has published books by H.L Hix, a wellknown poet and critic, Milton Kessler and William Heyen, whose book, Shoal Train, was nominated in 2005 for a National Book Award in poetry. "They do ... high end, by-request-only kinds of books. So they have [established] a very good reputation in a short time," Culver said. The press will link its operation with the MA program, which will soon be moving out of Kirby Hall, where it currently resides in the English department, into its own space. Culver said The Manuscript will also move with the MA program. To date, no number of different factors. Over the past few years, the department has kept a log of the number of people who have contacted Wilkes with an interest in a doctoral degree. Additionally, research has been conducted in the field to uncover what elementary and high schools need. The results from this research have been a major factor in the determination of what aspects the program will focus on. One of the most significant reasons for the proposal is the large number of graduates from the masters programs in Graduate Teacher Education. "We have a .lot of people in our program now who are in their second and third masters programs because of the lack of an advanced degree option," Speziale said. This helps to prove that there would most likely be a great deal of students interested in pursuing this doctoral degree. As previously mentioned, this program has not yet been fully approved. The proposal will be going to the faculty for review in February. After that, the next step will be to get approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This will be an extensive process that is an- ticipated to take until the fall of 2006. Assuming all goes as planned and all levels approve of the proposal, the new program will then be implemented in the spring of 2007. The Ed.D degree will be a 60 credit, postmasters program. Students will also be required to complete a component based on dissertation, Speziale said. He also anticipates that it will take students between 5 to 7 years to complete. The core courses will center on research and leadership, allowing students to gain leadership and administrative skills as well as the chance to share important academic findings. There will be a strong mentorship component as well, allowing faculty members to support students through open communication. A number of indicators of academic ability will be used to determine admission to the doctoral program. According to Speziale, included in these factors will be "prior academic performance, performance on GREs or MATs, professional level references, and successful completion of an interview process with graduate education administrative and faculty personnel." While many students recognize the neces- sity for a degree like this at the university, some also seem to be content with the level of schooling the university is already offering to education majors. "It might affect enrollment, and I do think it would be [a positive thing] for the school, because any advancement of education is beneficial. However, I really don't think it would affect me personally because I'm planning on getting my masters," said Amanda Arnold, junior education major. If the proposal for a doctoral degree in education is, in fact, approved, Speziale expects it will be a positive component to the university. The implementation of this program would most likely raise the profile of the university and may even give Wilkes an edge over the competition in an already competitive market. "We think that the doctoral program is the next logical step [after having a great deal of success in masters programs]. It will provide our students with a continuum of courses from undergraduate right through a doctoral program in education, so it will provide [a great deal] of opportunities," Speziale said. specific new location has been named for also hire a Managing Editor as well as a the program and Etruscan Press. graduate assistant. The interviewing proCulver noted that the press will be ben- cess for the Managing Editor position will eficial to both undergraduates and graduates begin in March. Culver said the space because they-will be able to see how a press Etruscan will require will mainly consist of pi_.........,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _,___. boxes of its inventory. works firsthand. Culver said that with the move to Wilkes, Etruscan is helping to build a national visibility for the MA program as well as increase its own reputation and credibility. " ... Anytime a book is published, it will have the Wilkes logo on it, so it will help increase our national reputation in writing, which the MA is doing as well," Culver said. Wilkes already has some noteworthy characteristics related to the MA program that are garnering national attention including: the James Jones First Novel Fellowship, which uses MA and undergraduates as readers; and Letters About Literature which is the Library of Congress book reading program. "We're forming a nice little nucleus," Culver said. "So it's really all of those things that made Etruscan feel it that this was a good place to be for writing, because there's a good bit happening already here. We're building a national presence to all of those pieces together." University Provost Maravene Loeschke, has been involved with moving Etruscan Press to the University by offering support during the traltllition period. "I am pleased that we are able to engage in this partnership with this exciting, new press that already has earned a solid reputation. The partnership is an enrichment to our Masters in Creative Writing [program] and an asset to our Wilkes academic community," Loeschke said. �30 :v UARY '2 )gra 30, 2006 ilkes community members run in annual relay fundraiser for Ceo ANNE STAPLETON e this at the ors. enrollment, positive thing 1dvancement :ing my mast .or education · a doctoral t, approved, loctoral progr ~r having a ·s programs]. with a conti raduate right 1 education, 11] of oppo 5 NEWS second annual "Relay for will be held Saturday Feb' 2006 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. ent is a JOO-mile run or~by the Wilkes University g club to benefit the Martin King Fuel Fund. run will take place on the t Kirby Park. "We will go d forth between the O and markers until we have cov00 miles. If it is impossible on the dikes because of or ice we will clear a path the track in Kirby Park, laps until we have covered iles," said Dr. Will Terzaghi, iate Professor of Biology, e running club advisor. e are currently 19 particisigned up for the relay; 18 m are Wilkes students, facd staff and one is a Wilkes us. There also have been The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Running Club members ask for donations in the Henry Student Center in support of the Relay for Heat. community members who expressed an interest in running for the relay. The idea for "Relay for Heat" originated last year when heating bills began to rise to exorbitant levels. "Last year heating costs had gone up astronomically, and since my wife works a lot with local charities she knew that many poor families were asking for help with their heating bills. One of the best ways for them to get help for heat- ing emergencies is through the Martin Luther King Fuel Fund, which is administered by the Commission for Economic Opportunity (CEO). So I suggested to the [Running Club] a relay to raise money for the Martin Luther King Fuel Fund would be a good community service event that would tie in well with the club's m1ss1on. Then, when heating cost went even higher this year, it seemed like a good idea to hold it again," said Terzaghi. "We wanted to do something here on the local level so when Dr. Terzaghi gave us the idea of Relay for Heat we ran with it; just like the running club," said Jared Shayka, P2 pharmacy major and running club president. The money that is raised by this event will help benefit local fami-lies with small children, elderly and the disadvantaged to pay their heating bills and stay warm this winter. "Last year I was really pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of the participants, and I'm hoping for a similar level of enthusiasm this year. Many of the participants hung around for most of the afternoon and seemed to have a good time. We had about 10 people at the finish line when Jared completed the final leg, even though it was well below freezing by then," said Terzaghi. The running club will be in the Student Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday asking Wilkes community members for pledges. Supporters who would like to become involved in this cause and are capable of running four miles, contact Terzaghi at 408-4762 or Shayka at 570267-4225. "Relay for Heat is an opportunity to get the running club involved in a worthy cause and give back to the community via an activity that we all enjoy," said Terzaghi. illy's Pizza and Subs 1 the move to , build a nati ogram as we 1tion and er )ublished, it :o it will help 1 in writing, Culver said. S ecializing in Cheesesteaks and Stro111boli uperbowl Specia t2 Large 16 inch pies $9.99* arge 16 inch pie and 3 0 wings $15. . , . 2 Large 16 inch pies and 50 wings $25.9 1 nice little n ; really all scan feel it n vlaravene L th moving E by offering riod. e are able to is an enric Writing [p lkes academi ~ Open Daily at 3 p.1n. 312 E. N~rtl1ampton St. Wilkes-Barre, PA (570) 208-7992 Carry.. out and Delivery Only �I 6 Violent crime Christmas warzone New Years resolutions Your Voices Increased visibility affects downtown revitilization If you've been in the area for the last month, you have undoubtedly heard reports claiming an increased level of violent crime throughout the city of Wilkes-Barre. According to a January 16, 2006 Citizens ' Voice article, a WilkesBarre man shot on Hazel Street on Sunday, January 15, marked the tenth incidence of violent crime ,ince the first of the year. A Janu:iry 21 Citizens ' Voice article re~apped the stabbing of two men outside Cafe Metropolis on Main Street, and a January 25 article in the Times Leader highlighted various other recent crimes, including the fatal stabbing of a police informant, an attempted robbery and fatal shooting at Turkey Hill in Wilkes-Barre and a Wilkes-Barre restaurant robbed at gun point. Is violent crime actually a new phenomenon in the city? According to a January 24 article in the Times Leader, thefts, burglaries, assaults and weapons violations have increased in the city during the last year and drug' arrests have soared in the past five years. Conversely, homicides have dropped in numbers. We can't forget, first and foremost, that Wilkes-Barre is a city, and American cities do have to address the issue of crime. But perhaps what is most alarming is how the sudden increase in violent crime reports may have an effect on the public perception of the success or failure of the down- town revitalization project. Without a doubt, the latest crime spree has the potential to adversely affect the revitalization efforts. Such crimes turn the public's attention away from the positive effects the project has been offering for the city. Attention shifts instead on what is lacking and what still remains and needs to be addressed. City officials acknowledged in a January 22 article in the Citizens ' Voice that many incidents of crime are attributable to the drug activity in the city. Thus, it is clear that the drug problem must be addressed in this city before real progress can begin. We anticipate that sprucing up the downtown will have little effect if no one feels safe enough to walk the streets or park their cars Nickle for Your Thoughts By Jason Nickle w H!'i'fD ({A ExPELi {M A RECovfR\Nt.1 <o~oEPfNDENT How Ccv\d t..toU 00 ~ ·,s -+o Me CN\o o.\l of1-he ~u b oo~ ('ewers~ we. +rus+ed ·4ov ! ·1 fo.e..\ Sooo v101--Pitt;D~ V Oprah 8 '\.. Violent crime a financial deterrent to Wilkes-Barre BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD 6 7 7 Beacon Poll Next Week's Poll Question: to enjoy the new movie theatre or stores and restaurants, especially What is the most for Wilkes University students fascinating mystery? who live, work and attend school in the area. It becomes a disappointment if a notable amount of • 1975 money and time is spent on a projdisappearance of ect that will benefit few people. Jimmy Hoffa Seeing a potentially successful project fail because of fear and • 2005 crime would prove a severe setback for the efforts of so many in disappearance of Wilkes-Barre. Natalee Holloway It is notable that clearly the drug busts and reports of violent crimes • 194 7 Roswell are not being covered up. While Army Airfield there may be some economic drawbacks to fully informing residents, we contend such disclosure • The origins of is healthy and important for the humankind community. Everyone has the right to know the truth about the • What happens area in which they live. But such disclosure also begs the question: after death? has crime always been an issue and are we just hearing about it • Disappearance now because city administrators of over 170 boats and police are making the effort to and airplanes in address it? Reports of unsafe streets hit the Burmuda close to home for Wilkes students. Triangle The attack at Cafe Metropolis occurred mere minutes from campus • 1937 and the acts of vandalism on more disappearance of than 25 cars in the downtown area also directly affected some Wilkes Amelia Earhart students. According to the Citizens ' Voice, the Park and Locks at • Crop circles in both South Main Street and South Minnesota farm Franklin Street were targeted. field, summer City officials need to make the drug problem and fighting crime 2005 one of their top priorities for 2006 and beyond if they hope to have • Other any success with the revitilization project. In addition community residents and college students must take an active role in Visit www.wilkesbeacon. addressing the issue and offering com to cast "your vote. solutions. Crime is a social and Results will be pubfinancial deterrent, and all comlished in next week's munity members have a responsi- • issue of The Beacon. bility to address the issue head-on and come up with reasonable solutions sooner rather than later. �'.IS 6 7 7 8 , Poll JANUARY 30, 2006 ' OPINION This Christlllas was a 'happy holidays' war zone! ... The liberals are coming! The liberals are coming! BY MATT ZEBROWSKI Beacon Asst. Op/Ed Editor on lOSt ystery? trance of foffa rnnce of Holloway swell rfield ins of nd Jpens th? 1rance 70 boats mesm uda ·ance of arhart les in a farm 1mer ,beacon. )ur vote. e pubweek's 1eacon. 7 Working extra hours at my job over break, I was, unfortunately, kept especially in tune with what was going on in the world of retail clothing, and as a few irate customers and frazzled co-workers let me know, the hot trend this winter season was apparently a retro one. The perennial debate about whether or not retail clerks should say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays," a debate that my earliest memory of can probably be dated roughly to sometime within the first Bush presidency, still rages on. And by "Bush," I mean "George H.W.," a man who some of you freshman may only know via "I Love the 80's." Who knows? I'm old; I can remember Reagan being president. But all of that is beside the point. My ruminations on past presidents were just a roundabout way of saying that this quibbling has been going on way longer than it ever needed to, because frankly, it's all kinda stupid. For some reason, however, the debate really seemed to reach fever pitch last year. Contrary to past years, when the whining of the religious right was only a minor annoyance, this year it seemed as ifl couldn't open up a newspaper or watch cable news without some sort of commentary on this alleged godawful oppression of Christianity. So, I had a near constant source of reminders of what a silly thing it is to be worried about. "War on Christmas?" Puh-leez. Contrary to what Bill O'Reilly and friends will tell you, the clerk at your local five and dime is neither the Grinch nor the Antichrist. In fact, by choosing to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," that clerk may b.e exercising simple Christian kindliness. See, after only dealing with you for the few seconds it takes to ring up and total your purchases, it's very hard for a sales clerk to determine what religion you are (unless, of course, you are wearing a crucifix, a burqa, a yarmulke, or a pentagram. But even then, asswning is risky business). This means that they have no way of knowing whether or not you celebrate Christmas. Which means that saying "Merry Christmas" just might not be appropriate. Conversely, there's also no fair reason to asswne that all clerks celebrate Christmas themselves, so why should they be forced to say it if they don't want to? "Happy Holidays," on the other hand, encompasses everything, as most people celebrate at least New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, both holidays, maybe even in addition to a religious holiday. Since Christmas just so happens to be one such holiday, I don't see how Christians can say that wishing someone "happy holidays" constitutes any sort of affront to Christianity. Sure, Christians are in the majority in this nation, but it doesn't give them the right to asswne that everyone else is Christian or to place their holidays above everyone else's. After all those centuries of being fed to lions, you'd think that Christians would maybe have learned a little hwnility. Whatever happened to "the meek shall inherit the earth?" And you can go on all you want about the "secularization of Christmas," but let's be honest here. Liberals attempting to uphold their interpretation of the First Amendment aren't responsible for the secularization of Christmas. That happened a loooooooooong time ago. If you want to point a finger for that one, look no further than the system of laissez-faire capitalism that all you conservatives seem to hold so dear. I mean, who do you think brings the gazillion dollars worth of presents you buy down the chimney? I'll give you a hint, it sure ain't Jesus. Of course, Santa Claus is "based on" the Christian story of St. Nicholas, but anyone who's ever watched Lifetime knows what "based on a true story" really means. For one thing, I really doubt that St. Nicholas went around crawling down chimneys, and it's highly unlikely that he flew using reindeers, especially because a map I found on the internet of their natural habitats says that Germany doesn't have any. All that said, I do kinda sympathize with these "war on Christmas" folks. It must be a strain to kvetch so much in such a limited amount of time. But I'd assume that so much kvetching over so many years would leave them slightly kvetched-out. So, I would encourage them to take 2006 off. They've worked so hard at filling our media with their petty complaints that they deserve a break. Furthermore, the rest of us could use the silence to finally enjoy our holidays as we see fit. New Year's resolutions and the beginning of a new semester BY AMANDA MCMAHON Beacon Correspondent I'm sure by now a number of you have forgotten about your New Years' resolution. I don't think mine ever went into affect. Let's just say that my dinner of two bowls of nachos and cheese mixed with salsa (it's good that way; you should give it a try sometime) isn't exactly the healthier lifestyle I had in mind when I rang in the New Year. Oh yes, and did I mention I have recently developed a severe allergy to running shoes? O.K., so maybe our New Years' resolutions aren't going as planned. But, as college students we are given a second chance at the turn of the new year. If the initial resolution didn't work out there is always the good old Beginning-of-the-Semester-Pledge to help start anew. It goes something like this: "I'm going to do better this semester. No, really. I already bought my overpriced books at the bookstore. I found out where the library is, too. Oh yeah, and did you know there is a Dean's List? No, no. This is a different one. The King lady doesn't run this one, and you don't get fined for hav- was it a promise made to be broken? Were ing your name on it. . you honestly planning to use those books, So, I've decided I'm or did you know all along they would never getting my assignbe opened, let alone read? ments done ahead of There is a clear distinction between being time so I don't fall lazy and not taking yourself seriously. Bebehind like I did last ing lazy is relaxing on the couch and watchsemester. No more ing SNL with some friends for a night and all-nighters and cafdoing your response paper for English class feine headaches. the next morning. Not taking yourself seYeah, this semester riously is not reading the assignments for I'm getting a 4.0!" English class and ten minutes before class But, perhaps Janupiecing together what you can remember ary 16 was no difof the ideas presented by your peers during ferent from January class discussion and calling it your response 1 and by the second paper. week of the semester It is easy to get caught up in the rush of The Beacon/Curran Dobson you sounded more like this: "I went to Keeping up with reading assignments is one resolution com- life and lose track of which way we were headed. We start to keep from taking ourthe library. It smells. mon to college students. selves seriously because we don't want to The good news is they have computers. While it is somewhat hwnorous how easy rise to the challenge of being responsible The bad news is the school came up with we give in to our urge to procrastinate, New for the people we are. As the saying goes, this code so that no one can log on to them, Year's resolutions and beginning semester we turn on cruise control and forget to be so I left. I needed some drinking money pledges reveal a weakness about ourselves drivers. So you get to take in some sights, for this past weekend, so I sold a couple of that goes beyond couch-potato laziness; we but you also miss out on the experience. I books back that I figured I wouldn't need. don't take ourselves seriously. Think about g1.Jess the Volkswagen people have it right; I was going to start some assignments but it. When you made a New Year's resolu- "There are passengers and there are drivers. instead I Facebooked. Oh well, I have the tion, did you really mean it? Or having Drivers wanted." rest of the semester to get my grades up. been caught up in the streamers and confetti �JANUARY 30, 2006 --------------1: 8 OPINION . YOUR VOICES : - - - - - - - - - - Service with a s01ile is a Wilkes University 01yth Dear Editor: Ridiculous. That's the only thing that comes to mind whenever I begin to think about how our University's food service has been since I have been a student here at Wilkes University. The service is bad and the food is even worse. I hear a lot of students muttering and complaining about it but no one has said anything publicly to the whole University yet (much like the whole gay issue not too long ago), so I decided to be the dissenting voice for the student body. Here are some of the problems of the food service. The first problem is the treatment of the Henry Student Center cafeteria during the lunch hours of the day. Many students have just fi nished with morning classes or are just getting ready to go to their afternoon classes. So there is an overabundance of people wanting to sit down and eat but not enough seats for the~ to go to. This wouldn't be a problem, one would think. Shouldn't the cafeteria people be watching this number and making sure that they dq not let in too many people? Potential troubles include the fire escapes being blocked, the room capacity being exceeded and the fact that it is just too darn crowded. Shouldn't the cafeteria people make sure that they have enough seats for the number of people they let in to eat? I mean just about every restaurant in the world makes sure it has seating for those to T t before they let them in. It's common sense, yet the cafeteria people seem to disagree because they continuously let people in when all they really have to do i!5 look over their shoulders and see that it is too crowded. Why ? Why would you let the lines overflow in the serving section? Why are you letting in more people than you can seat? \1/hY are you not regulating it so that something dangerous doesn't happen? God forbid that a fire or something happens in the kitchen and there is a panic because with the way that our lunchroom is during the "peak" hours there could be some fatalities. , The second problem is the fact that food workers do not always get the_orders right. For example this afternoon for lunch, I asked for f roast beef and American cheese on rye bread. Delicious, I know. Instead, I got what looked like roast beef, some cheese, and a spattering of onions and wheat bread. Wow. I did nQt know that it was particularly hard to make a sandwich, but what do I know? I only go to college. Some order.s they do fine and get it right all the time. Other orders leave much to lie ~desired as the food service personnel seem to just throw it about and rush to complete things so that they either forget something or add something that is totally unwanted. Another problem is the fact that workers are not very clean when they are doing their work. How long do they wear their gloves befo e they change them while making meals? God forbid that I was deathly allergic to onions when the dirty gloves left a few in my sandwich. Luckily for me onions only make me mildly sick and not deathly sick, otherwise the food ! service would be facing some problems. What about the students here at Wilkes that have food allergies? What if the "dirty glove" problem ends up hurting or killing one of them? Is 1 that what is needed to change some of the food policies here on campus? Another thing to mention is the fact that the food that we are served is not the healthiest and is quite repetitive. The caf. offers pizza burgers and cereal. That seems to be the main gist of what we get served here at the University. And sometimes we cannot even count on being able to get all oftliose things either. T . e only real thing that students can count on for sure when they go to the cafeteria is the cereal. The cereal is the one thing that is always being served. Why is that? If you are going to be catering to college students you should always have food out and ready to serve. If you are op n to 11 p.m .. then you should be serving food until 11 p.m. and not closing and starting to put food away at 10 p.m. Co Hege students are known for weird diets and the.inability to ea1 at normal hours. As a college food service you should know this and adapt. The final thing about the food service that I am going to point out as a problem is the fact that the workers are not, for the most pa1, very customer friendly. I work as part of the customer service team at a local retail store and I know the importance of a smile. That is not the case with the majority of the workerl that our food service hires and use at our Uni• versity. If anything they look very bitter to be doing what they are doing and not very happy at all with the fact that they are catering to 1college students. How hard is it to fake a smile every now and again? I do it all the time at work. It does not take very much to be pleasant even ifitjsnot genuine. And if you are nlt happy doing what you are doing then maybe you need to go and find a new job. All of these things have been bothering me for some time and I am sure that it is also bothering a tot ofmy·felluw·stmtentr.A'"iotuft ings at this University have been changing and improving. Redoing our entire computer network is probably important but it's not as important as making sure that all of our students are fed and healthy. Isn't it time that our food service got revamped as well? ! ! l Jirn Morrison Senior History Major Response to Grandparents' Day card controversy Dear Editor: Last fall, the Development Office proclaimed a "Wilkes University Grandparents Day" for November 6, 2005. Students were asked to complete the names and addresses of their grandparents and the Development Office would mail a greeting. Included in the mailing was a "business reply envelope" should a grandparent wish to make a gift to Wilkes University. In hindsight, because the business reply envelope was not presented to students for their approval, it was inappropriate to send such a greeting with its business message. The Development Office regrets this error and wishes to formally apologize to any students and their families who were offended by this communication. In the New Year, we hope to work together with students to continue helping Wilkes University to be a great place to study and learn ... together. Our thanks to you for your understanding. Sincerely yours, Michele Zabriski Director oflndividual Giving What .do YOU think? The Beacon wants your voice to be heard. Your Voices is the opportunity for students to voice their concern. If you want your voice to be heard, please contact The Beacon with the following information: 1 Contact information including your email address and a phone number where you can be reached 2 Yo~ name, major, and year 3 Your opinion thebeacon.oped@gmail.com The Beacon reserves the right to edit .submitted pieces for space and content. �FEATURES JANUARY 30, 2006 9 Website redevelopment 9 Tell Us ... 9 Saudi Arabian ESL students 10 'First Farewell' 11 WilkeS students resistant to website changes BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor se on rye hard to rsonnel s an count 1g then changin that our ? • >ppo be he As Wilkes officials continue to move on building a new public image for the university, one important component is its website presence. As a result, those involved in the website redesign offered a "sneak peek" to community members on January 23 to gauge first impressions of proposed changes. While the re-design unveils an important new look for the university, some students who previewed it weren't especially impressed with the changes. Senior mathematics major Paul J akubowski remarked, "I don't like the colors. I mean, they're Wilkes colors, but they could use a better scheme." The new site features a home page with bright shades of blue and yellow. But for some, the brightness was overpowering. Lisa Dreier, junior communication studies major said, "It's blinding." Clicking onto the current students link, students are re-directed to a tan colored page that some argue doesn't resemble that of the current website. This left some students wondering how the change is an improvement. Others wanted more interactivity capabilities. Sophomore mechanical engineering major Jonathan Roskowski said, "It's alright. I just wish I could customize it to fit my needs. I don't use half of the links on U Tell S The preview site can be viewed by visiting wilkes.collegis.com. The site is scheduled to launch on Thursday. Next week's issue of The Beacon will offer a follow-up story that examines the changes from the designers ' perspectives. About Wilk"$ 'Ar¢~d-effrlc$ A4m11itllll$ C~mpu$t.1f-, Arts Athtetl~ w • fv-ent Calendar • N.,ews • Ask WUkes • "1-,ip & Oir,e<tio-n,w • Pohd-e• ~ A to 21nde,i • totJtad U.s Courtesy of www.wilkes.edu On January 23, the Wilkes community was offered a "sneak peek" at the redesigned University webpage. Those involved with the project were looking to gauge some first impressions, and offered students the chance to provide feedback through an online survey. Some students who have previewed the site were not impressed. The comments include an overbearing color scheme and an unrecognizable Current Students link. The final redesign will officially debut on February 2. The Beacon/Sarah Herbert this page." Still, the major hang up with the new design seemed to be aesthetics. According to freshman communication studies major Lee Surma, "I just can't get past the way it looks. It's way too much, and honestly I have a hard time reading it." So will this new design be effective? Will students accept it once they become more familiarized? Or, is this just a case of students fearing change? Only time will tell, but for now students like Jakubowski are wondering, "What was wrong with the old site?" Senior mathematics major Paul Jakubowski previews the new look of the Wilkes University webpage. He suggested that even though Wilkes' colors are present, they could use a better scheme that is easier on the eye. The site can be previewed by visiting www.wilkes.collegis.com until it is officially unveiled. Assistan_t Features Editor Alison Woody was curious about what Wilkes students are thinking. Here 1s what she found out. · ■ ■ ■ · If you could choose one superhero to fight the crime of Wilkes-Barre, who would you pick and why? mda •• • • • • • • Paul Vaughan- sophomore, criminology major Katelyn Kozma- freshman, pre-pharmacy Adam Penberthy- sophomore, education major Lori Kratz- freshman, pre-pharmacy tl1 ,ace "Superman, because he is the strongest." "Superwoman, since females do everything better." "The Blob, because he will eat all of the toxic waste." "Spiderman, because he can crawl through all the cob-webs of Wilkes-Barre." �10 FEATURES JANUARY 30, 2006 Saudi Arabian students study ESL at Wilkes BY ERICA LEO Beacon Staff Writer The Wilkes University campus· is diversifying this semester thanks to a new program that allows students from Saudi Arabia to study at American institutions of higher education. As a. result of an agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabian governments, many students from Saudi Arabia are eligible to participate in The International Educational Exchange program which gives them the opportunity to study in any English speaking country. The Saudi Arabian government also provides eligible students with scholarship money to assist them in paying fo·r their tuition expenses. Wilkes was chosen as one of several American colleges and universities by the The Beacon/Erica Leo Saudi Arabian government from which the Three students, Badr Alhussain, Abdulrahman Salmah and Abdulaziz Alzurair were eligible to participate in the International students may choose to study. Most of the Educational Exchange Program. The program allows Saudi Arabian students the oportunity to study in any English speaking Saudi Arabian students will begin their stud- country. Wilkes was chosen as one of several American universities for Saudi students. The students will begin their studies in ies in English as a second language to fine English as a second language. The three are expected to be joined by another 10-12 students by March. tune communications skills and eventually dents with the campus and the community. computer science that is not matched in oth- science and business programs as prospecmove on to their major areas of interest. "We are excited about the opportunity for er parts of the world," said Frantz. tive majors. Three Saudi Arabian students, Badr AlWilkes to participate in the program," said Alhussain came to Wilkes from DamBoth Frantz and Blanchard encourage hussain, Abdulrahman Salmah, and AbduBlanchard. mam, Saudi Arabia, and is planning to enter students to welcome the Saudi students and laziz Alzurair have already become a part The program is also an important oppor- the engineering program. After two years help them to become more familiar with the of the Wilkes community and another ten to twelve students are expected to arrive by tunity for the Saudi students because of the of studying in his native country, he feels campus. high regard in which United States educa- that his new experience at the university The new students are eager to participate March. so far has been a positive one."We've had in activities and become more involved Mike Frantz, Vice President of Emoll- tional systems are held. "American higher education is respected good experiences. It's actually a lot better in the Wilkes community. "It's a chance ment , is involved in the process of bringing the students to the United States and around the globe. We provide education than I thought it would be," said Alhussain. for us to learn a different culture," said in high demand fields like engineering and Salmah and Alzurair , natives of Ryadh, Blanchard. emolling them in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program gigi@@@@@@gigi@@@@@gif~gigi Saudi Arabia, are also ha~py with Wilkes. at Wilkes. o-, ►"" They are currently explonng the computer ey ,y "This is a great opportunity for @ ---- -@ both the Saudi students and our @ @ American students to interact, gi @ learn more about one another, and PS2 @ build international bridges of un- @ @ @ @ XBOX @ derstanding," said Frantz. In order for the students to study NINTENDO : at Wilkes, they must first undergo year-round intensive English classes through the ESL program to sharpen their verbal and written @ Jt>ttr ~ skills. After training, the students @ @ @ will be able to emoll in classes and @ gi fy J()UY ctJnfr()t work towards obtaining degrees in the field of their choice. Jennifer Blanchard, director of the Language Institute and ESL instructor, is currently working with the students inside of the class- gi . - - - - - - - - - - - - - , @ Your number mn: rourn: fur birth control and the morning after pill. room and out. Aside from teach1-800-230-PLAN W\\rw.. ppnep.org ing ESL courses, Blanchard is also @ ' ~ ~ helping to better acquaint the stu- V\/et5u~ ana sell : i )Ds ,,s VDHGAIES LPsoi4Ss !i 1vs1,1, URGI 59 north main,.. wilkes barre,.. 829-2929 I ii i we have hundreds of posters !! : @@@@@@@gi@@@@@@@@@gi@ Al¥uuiy had Need buy bl,ri:k, (,Jt;.privtuyl Get Your Birth Control wii:lu>ut A Pelvk Exam• �JANUARY 30, 2006 FEATURES 11 'First Farewell' launches series of graduation celebrations With the start of the spring serl!ester, Wil- kes seniors annually begin to see the light the end of the tunnel. And as graduation day approaches, university officials start the ocess of helping students celebrate the d of their college career at Wilkes. Last Friday, a "First Farewell" celebration as held in the Henry Student Center Ballm, marking 113 days left until gradua·on. Senior biology majors Jenn Ramil and shley McBrearty planned the event in njunction with the Student Alumni Asiation. The event was semi formal and offered se- niors the opportunity to mingle with classmates and faculty. All eligible seniors were invited to the event which featured hors doeuvres and wine. One of the highlights of the evening was a large ice sculpture of the flying W that was provided by Sodexho Food Service. Senior psychology major Kristina Day said, "The sculpture is exquisite." In addition to providing an opportunity to socialize, the event also served as the venue to announce plans for the senior class gift. The prospective gift aims to coordinate with the green space planned to replace the current Evans parking lot. The committee has proposed large brick planters, that can double as seating. The committee pitched the idea to seniors The Beacon/Sarah Herbert Last Friday, the "First Farewell" celebration was held in the Henry Student Center Ballroom, marking 113 days left until graduation. The event offered seniors the opportunity to mingle with classmates and faculty. Senior psychology majors joy Lander and Kristina day enjoy a glass of wine at the event. The event also served as a venue to announce plans for the senior class gift. The Senior Class Gift Committee announced their plans to give brick planters that will double as seating in the new greenspace that will occupy the current Evans parking lot. 1al ng in ec- 1ge md the ,ate ved nee .aid e highlight of the evening was the above ice sculpture, which featured the large · g "W" that has become a staple trademark of the university. The sculpture was ggested by the events planners, Jenn Ramil and Ashley McBrearty and was sup'ed by Sodexho. The sculpture served as a centerpiece on a table of cocktails. with an added perk. If students wish to have their name engraved in a brick that will be used in one of planters, they may do so by pledging $25 a year over a 5 year period for a total of$125. Senior psychology major Joy Lander liked the class gift idea. "I like the flower boxes, they will make the campus look better." Day added, "I think it's a great idea. It's different, but it fits the campus style." Overall, the event had a good turnout among both students and faculty who seemed to enjoy the festivities . "They should have more senior socials throughout the semester and continue the countdown to graduation," said Lander. Ramil is optimistic about that possibility. "If there's interest, we can plan little gatherings for the remainder of the semester. Maybe we can do something more informal next time," ~he said. ~--------------------, hinese New Year welcomes the Year of the Dog On Thursday, January 26 students were invited to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the Henry Student Center B~llroom. The event, which was sponsored by the Multicultural Student Coalition and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, featured a performance by the Tai Yim Kung Fu Lion and Dragon Dancers. Information about the holiday was given out at the event as well as free gifts. Traditional Chinese music was also played to celebrate the new year. The actual holiday began January 29 and marks the year of the dog. The celebration lasts for 15 days and ends with a Lantern Festival. _J The Beacon/Todd Weibel C:!OJ.,J.,J~GE l)lllNKING f;ONSEf)IJENf;ES According to the Core Institute, an organization that surveys college drinking practices, 300,000 of today's college students will eventuall die of alcohol-related causes such as drunk driving accidents, cirrhosis of the liver various cancers and heart disease. �A&E JANUARY JANL 30, 2006 Channel Surfing The Office (NBC, Thurs. @ 9:30p.m.)- There's a reason this docu-comedy moved to Must-SeeTV. Emmy-winning Steve Correll runs Scranton's Dunder-Mifflin as the boss who thinks he's all that. (He's not.) NEPA references galore. - DT My Name is Earl (NBC, Thursdays at 9:00p.m.)Redneck comedy with hilarious cast and hilarious antics in the style of Roseanne, the Simpsons and Married With Children- the un-beautiful, imperfect sitcom world. And sometimes, it's even heartwarming. -DT T H I s 13 14 14 15 E A Dramas Grey's Anatomy (ABC, Sun. @ l0p.m.)- An- other medical show, this time following surgical residents in Seattle. Beautiful cast, quirky humorthrow in some relationships, and you have a new hit "dramadey." Plus, the lead chick was in Old School. -DT Desperate Housewives (ABC, Sun. @ 9p.m.)The wives of Wysteria Lane are still going strong into the second season. Tune in to see what type of trouble they are getting into now. -MR A& Highligt. BYDON Beacon A s T V Sitcoms 12 Profile: Matt Smallcomb Dinner: III Guys Movie: Narnia College Daze s 0 N Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Thurs. @ 8p.rn.)I'm not a fan, but I am jealous. I have no rhythm. But America loves Dancin, ' which pairs B-stars with A-dancers for a hot-blooded competition. Watch and you may sign up for Ballroom for Beginners. Yes, it's that addicting. -DT American Idol (FOX, Tues. @ 8p.m.)- This hit is back and critics have charged they are meaner than ever. Activist groups already complaining, can you stand to miss it? -MR While c ing home ties arour spent und, with hist Well, that comb pla: band, Thi years. Al master's i Mannes S, perform v. the most J sylvania (; East Coas1 mances. S where he · to join the University he gives pr The Bea ly one oft NEPA- tell something Smallcor About the pictures: (From L to R) The cast of The Office (court sey of NBC.com), a screen from Greys Anatomy (courtesy of ABC. com) and a picture of Master Pin Dancing with the Stars (courtes of ABC.com). And Then There Were Six .. _. Two television stations to merge "The WB and UPN to Cease Operations in September 2006," was one the headlines on a CBS Corporation press release Jan 24. The current sixth and fifth rated broadcast networks will be merged into one network, to be called The CW in Fall 2006. The new network will be equally owned by CBS, the current owner ofUPN, and Warner Brothers, the majority owner of the WB. Until the fall , each network will continue their individual broadcasting. Leslie Moonves, Chief Executive Officer of CBS said about the new network, in a released statement, " It will clearly be greater than the sum of its parts, delivering excellent demographics to advertisers, and building a strong new affiliate body." The new network will still be far behind the industry leaders ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, and still ahead of industry lightweight, PAX. Both the WB and UPN targeted the same general audience and both have been plagued by low viewership. The CW will pull programming from both of the current networks. Shows that are eligible for inclusion in The CW:S programming include WB 's Gilmore Girls, Beauty and the Geek, and Smallville, as well as UPN's critically acclaimed, Veronica Mars and America :S Next Top Model. - Myles Rumbel The background is Kristen Bell in a shot for Veronica Mars, which currently is in its second season. It airs on UPN, Wednesday nights at 9. Veronica Mars is ex_ _ _..,l___,,,_.._.,.,,,,..,,,,.,,...,..,,..1 pected to make the transition to The CW in the fall. TM & Copyright© 2005 by UPN. All Rights Reserved. about the p the years w have mana for a living countless n member of means easy 1,000 miles Other week part, this is and persom The Beac tive memori ton at Tinks the other sic down on pe at 7 a.m. Sma/lcom in performi1 and we areu far the night gy all day. 'i Day, I was I ing packed was drunk 2 a chance to drumming a that well tog TheBeaco just a NEPJ played, and 1 Smallcoml performed a �JANUARY 30, 2006 13 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A&E Profile-----Mi_a_ttSmallcomb, The Collective Highlighting contributors to campus and comm u nity culture BY DONNA TALARIC~ Beacon A&E Editor While other Wilkes students were visiting home or particpating in social activities around campus, Matt Smallcomb, 25, spent undergrad weekends flying to Florida with his band, opening for Busta Rhymes. Well, that only happened once - but Smallcomb played many gij~ .with his hip-hop band, The C9llective,0<iuring his college years. Aft Wilkes, Smallcomb earned a master's in music at t11f New York City's Mannes School of Music. He continues to perform with The Collecijve, by far o , the most popular bands iriNortheast sylvania (and many beach\.areas alo East Coast), as well as in o\ hestra p mances. Small comb return to the , where he was both educat to join the percussion fa: University Community C he gives private lessons. The Beacon: The Collecti ly one of the hottest bands NEPA- tell me what it is like something this big and popular. Smallcomb: Well, honestly, I , about the popularity. But I can sa tYa .J. the years we have worked hard to~ he. have managed to create a way t7/ per for a living. There are countless i ~fies, countless memories. I have to ., bein member of The Collective is filil, but by means easy. Some weekends we might total 1,000 miles of driving and 4 hours of sleep. Other weekends are easier, but for the most part, this is a great gig among great players and personalities; we have a blast. The Beacon: One of my fondest Collective memories is St. Patrick's Day in Scranton at Tinks. Tell me what it is like to be on the other side of this incredible day, looking down on people who woke up with a beer at 7 a.m. Smallcomb: This is some of the best fun in performing in Scranton. It is a long day and we are usually coming from somewhere far the night before, but the crowd has energy all day. When I first played St. Patrick's Day, I was blown away with Scranton being packed at 7:00 a.m. and everybody was drunk already. Personally I never got a chance to do that on St. Patrick's Day, drumming and all day of alcohol won't go that well together. The Beacon: The Collective is more than just a NEPA band- where else have you played, and where is your favorite gig? Smallcomb: Over the years we have performed a ton of gigs in several areas. The group has been performing straight six years without a break. We have managed to perform throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont and Florida. My favorite gig might either be Key West, FL or Tampa, FL. Tampa was so great because this was when we opened for Busta Rhymes. This was the first show our band did at a high level. Being overwhelmed for the mrst time is a great feeling. I was at Wilke~ ~ hrss"' on a Friday I was o lane.to , performed on for the first tqne in d people and ( was at \ :oo high school summer camp) at Wilkes University, Bob Nowak and Geoff Dent. These instructors hipped me to new ideas involving many styles of percussion not just drum set playing. This was why I came to Wilkes, because I was able to study with Bob. Bob in particular is a good example of what I would like to do in my future. The Beacon: Outside the Collective, you ave played some pretty cool gigs ... tell me ut those. llcomb: It seems I am busy performestral music in NYC. I perform regThe New England Symphonic t Carnegie Hall. Also I have · g with the Philadelphia Vir- Courtesy Matt Smallcomb tuosi Chamber Orchestra, which is touring South America in April. I recorded movie sound tracks with The New York Repertory Orchestra in Clinton Studios. Also, I was a member of the Redbull Artsechro Orchestra, which premiered the first Concerto for Turntable and Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and also did a recording, which will most likely be released in the future. Long story short, cool gigs seem to contain hard work, which leads to more rewards. LIVE AT BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY such as Steve Gadd, Steve Sinith, Dave eckl, Chris Lamb, Alan Able to name a few ; there are hundreds. Needless to say if there is going to be a life long career in music, there are expectations, but music studies are essential. The Beacon: What made you decide to join the facult): at the Wilkes Conservatory? And, what do you like about it? Smallcomb: I wanted to be a part of an educational program. I like the fact that everybody teaching for the Conservatory studied at an accredited institution, and also there is a bright future for growth in education at a high level here. This program is much like prep programs I encountered in New York, like Julliard Prep or Mannes Prep, where you will have some students thinking about careers in music. I have great students here; I can really teach at a high level and lay a lot of philosophy on them. The Beacon: Who are some musicians you look up to? Anyone in particular inspire you to become a drummer and/or instructor? Smallcomb: Well, I am definitely a drum set player because of my talented family of drummers (grandfather, father, uncle, brother and aunt) I basically grew up playing drum set. However there were two instructors I met at Encore Music Camp (note: a DIRECT FROM BROADWAV The Broadway Smash Hit and now a major motion picture ... Winner of 6 Drama Desk Awards, 4 Tonys, The New York Critics Circle Award and a Pulitzer Prize. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 200& • 8pm Mitrani Hall Haas Center for the Arts Tickets $25.00 *This show contains mature themes and strong language and is not suitable tor young children Celebrity Artist Series 20th Season For Information Call The Box Office at (570) 389-4409 www.bloomu.edu/tickets ~~ ~ Bti?~~~ �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT JANUARY 30, 2006 ~Dinner and a Movie Dinner: III Guys Pizzeria BY DONNA TALARICO A&EEditor Since I moved to No Man's Land in October, there isn't much in the way of delivery, or take-out for that matter. But still, I labor over dinner most weeknights, so Friday has become our token pizza and wings night. But, out in the country it's harder to get take-out; sometimes the food is cold by the time it makes it to our door. The first few weeks we lived here, we chose Pizza Perfect, wonderful A+ rated pizza. But the same-old-same-old gets, well, old. So, I have been scanning Route 309 in Dallas, the congested route I must take home, for a new place. (There is a short cut to my home, but there is no take-out to be found on that woodfands road.) I remembered there was once a III Guys in Wilkes-Barre, and it was pretty good. So, before I left school Friday, I placed an order for a large pizza with pepperoni, a dozen mild wings with celery and bleu cheese and an order of mozzarella sticks at their Dallas location. They said, "Ready in 25." I arrived a little later than 25 minutes, thanks to the congested Route 309. The parking lot of III Guys is too small for the eat-in and bar crowd it attracts. I would highly suggest owners consider setting aside two "Take-Out Only" spots as sitting in the Styrofoam with the wing sauce beother restaurants do. I entered the restaurant's nice, clean dinneath it. He prefers the ing room side and was greeted quickly by a busy waitress. wings to be smothered in Before the girl could ask my name, however, she noticed the debit card in my hand, got a sad look on her face and pointed sauce, not the kind he has to dip himself. But, the to a sign that said, with just my luck, "Cash only. Sorry for Courtesy . the inconvenience." Damn, I thought. So, off I went through appetizer.corn sauce was good. the congested parking lot again, and through the congested Back to those mozzarella sticks--they were the best I've had in a while. However, 309 again to find an ATM. Take II: I got my food this time, but it took about ten minutes in the car I was unable to dip them in the marinara sauce. So, to gei out of the parking lot because I had to make a left onto when I was home, I ripped open the tiny condiment cup and Route 309, crossing the busy traffic flow. I ate three mozza- dipped a stick. The powerful taste of horseradish entered my rella sticks while waiting and they were delicious! The thick, nose. Yep. The girl must have grabbed a container of cocktail creamy cheese wrapped in a crunchy breading help eased my sauce by accident. Other than that, the meal was great and traffic pains. It took me 20 minutes to get home from there, worth the wait. but thankfully the pizza was still warm. Poor Dave ran to the One more gripe I must add. Stuck to the pizza box was a door like he was starving, "What took so long?" I explained sampler CD from Wal-Mart. Did they get a deal on pizza to him everything you read above. boxes by giving in to the Walton family? You pop it in your We took a bite of the pizza and our frustrations disappeared. computer and use the activation code on the CD to hear/watch The pizza sauce was just the right amount of sweet I like and videos, downloads, trailers and songs. I am bothered that the flavorful, fresh cheese covered the whole pie, not like Wal-Mart was pushed on me by a locally-owned mom and some places where it's just in clumps. The pepperoni left pop pizza shop! the little bit of grease I like- but not overdone to where you'd An A for taste, and a C for no ample parking and not taking need a few paper towels to soak it up. Dave had a gripe with cards- Overall: III Guys Piua receives a B the wings, however. There was a pile of dry, deep-fried wings Movie: The Chronicles o BY ALISON SHERRY Beacon Staff Writer Whether you're a fantasy lover, or a C.S. Lewis fan or neither, The Chronicles of Narnia is something that will have you peeking into coat closets and wondering, "What if...?" for a long time to come. Siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy have been whisked away to the countryside from a war tom London, and entertainment now comes in any form. So the young- Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Mr. Tumnus est, Lucy, soon discovers a curious (James McAvoy) old wardrobe during a game ofhideCourtesy of Yahoo! Movies and-seek. Though she enters to the Even for those who are not lovers of fantasy, wardrobe initially to hide from her eldest The Chronicles of Namia can appeal to all brother, Peter, (who is "it" in the game), she ages and backgrounds. quickly discovers that the wardrobe is a porThe acting is also extremely believable-ta! to the magical land of Narnia where ani- the children who play the main characters, mals can talk and fauns, trees that can hear are especially compelling. Lucy's wideand witches are the norm. eyed innocence and goodness and Edmund's Eventually, her siblings follow Lucy into stubborn defiance are not only impressively Narnia, and together they discover that all is portrayed, but suggest that this is not the last not well in the magical land. The children, time we will see these young actors. Tilda dubbed Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve, Swinton, who plays the White Witch, is so are informed they are the kings and queens evil that you just want to go through the who were prophesied years before, and the screen and defeat her yourself. The movie four eventually join forces with Asian and his takes on its own genre of fantasy as well, so kingdom in a war to defeat the evil Jadis. don't expect any carbon copy of The Lord of Personally, I knew very little about the sto- the Rings or Harry Potter. The Chronicles of ry until I saw this movie, but it really kept me Narnia just may be the next award-winning on the edge of my seat and after, I became epic series. curious about other stories in the epic series. Grade: A+ STUDENT ■OUSINGSOLVTIOII----' Youc Mtontbb<R1C!1111: foc■ utltwi Partdng C • ~ wtth Hao ,. .,_ooal PhCH'IJ• FturnJ•hlAg• a,,_,of•• Room UIUNI•• tch:crh•n W .a ll ia W•H O .• l"-p,aling Ea1i"U::aENGSES PAO .JcQm, S4M ACC s:tlcdb ( 1_ Pf'. .2 AQC MA~ J k)gµcttog utilit a BEDROOM SV."l'ES 1c:ea tmm 1750 peemoalb , :t or: 2 pee iee,e) JndydlQII utwt• . 2BED:llOOMSvaTBS <iftR ·rmm=1869 eer menu, t a ua 4 pee 1=e es-e l IDCIYdiDG 11t1U: ..,.. ova.,..__ orr1c11: ro• a l"IUU: a':ZOotN-ldSOO••XW-1. . wovm :&'I'■ �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT JANUARY 30, 2006 ~--------- BY JASON NICKLE Beacon Cartoonist f:\C:i<.:.tJ.ii.,1-1 ~ell>),,. Sv.-.iro. <:.1<(>._..._+:,:,,4 :..;, , Oc-;.-0<~, t,-,.. ~"'.""- <>~ ½ coueM,-;,;,,,.;\ 1J 4'o $>t>-~ r<.awte1.'> l dlC,,,.~ ob ~ ~ci:')<h ~ )J L �16 SPORTS COMMENTARY JANUARY t - - 1 - - - - - - 30, 2006 - - - Red Barons club anticipates changes in 2007 Club may change affiliations for first time since 1989 BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Assistant Sports Editor Red Barons fans can take a deep breath ... for now. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, the Triple A farm team of the Philadelphia Phillies, has announced that the team will remain at Lackawanna County Stadium through the end of the 2006 season. After the Philadelphia Phillies brought the farm team to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area in 1989, the bond between the two areas seemed to deepen and promise a longterm connection. But by the start of the 2005 season, rumors began to fly that the 16-year relationship would be ending abruptly and that the team would be moving to the Allentown area. With minor league sports taking off in the area over the past decade, millions of dollars have been spent to ensure their future and increase entertainment venues in the area. All of this has been happening with the increased interest and awareness that Northeastern Pennsylvania is undergoing a significant revitaliz~tion and image change. To allow a large-scale facility such as the Lackawanna County Stadium go empty like so many other buildings in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area would be like taking three steps backward. Even though an empty baseball stadium would undoubtedly have a negative effect on the area, the question that arises out of all of this is whether a local baseball team is actually worth having. After attending several Red Barons games this summer, I observed that the interest in the team might actually be a lot less than what people think it is. With about only 2030 percent of the stadium actually filled for any of the games that I attended this summer, it is clear to me why the Phillies are interested in moving their team to a community with a proven track record of avid fans who attend games. The financial situation and public interest in the strength of the team has decreased drastically over the years. Even with the lack of interest of family and friends going out to see one of America's greatest pastimes, many still expressed concern when the story of the Red Baron's first broke. The problem with the Red Barons is the fact that they are a farm team for a team that hasn't made it to the post-season in years. People want to be spectators at sporting events that are going to produce excitement. Regardless of what happens with the relationship between the Red Barons, Phillies and Northeastern Pennsylvania, fans of local baseball will not be without a team when the 2007 season gets underway. Lackawanna County Stadium officials have assured fans that there will be a triple-A club housed there, but its affiliation may well change. ,, B.·. . .· i ··. @ii~OOIID NACPBIRION STRUT l1IOJIT IDIPllllmN + AM/fM/CD WITI 8 IPEAIERI + BIDE RDCDa PANELi + 38MPDHWT = YOUR NEW CAR tlftlmf fttwn> ffiA ES+lJAffilM~rOI 2005 COroi.lA S~"'ttl 1812 4~8lijjf0, N.:1U'i f~IDfi. tM.'f Vl,lf_ ' M.SiPFOt ~ S"+OO HOOO. 1812 EIQ.U)~f,\l, ~ml> UCEN3UEES.tfAt.ERStl5 FN4! tKf. (i?,JO'YQTA �JANUARY 30, 2006 SPORTS 17 Formei: Wilkes football standout jumps to next level BY JONATHAN MILES Beacon Staff Writer Last week, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers team signed Julian Morales for its 2006 Arena2 football season. An award-winning former Wilkes defensive lineman, Morales also served as assistant coach of running backs last year. During his Wilkes career, Morales was selected to the All Middle Atlantic Conference team three times and was a Regional All American in 2003. Also, in 2003-a year in which he scored three defensive touchdowns-he was an ECAC first team selection. He started four years straight from 2001-2004 and racked up 106 tackles and 4.5 sacks during that time. Morales, who has been extremely busy attending graduate school, preparing for the upcoming season, and working as a graduate assistant for the Wilkes football team, has set the bar high for himself. Morales said, "As far as my expectations go, I've always had high expectations of myself. I have the opportunity to compete at a national level and possibly move up in the ranks. Being signed by the Pioneers gives me a chance to prove myself and hopefully do well enough to move on." His former teammate Jason Skarbez wasn't surprised that Morales was signed professionally. "I wasn't really surprised because he's a good athlete with great size and strength and can compete at a high level," said Skarbez. "I'm happy he was signed and I think he'll make a great asset to the [Pioneer's] team." Morales seems to fit the archetype of all successful people with his confidence and intelligence. Skarbez remarked, "One of his greatest strengths is that he is such a smart athlete. He knows a lot about the game, retains knowledge well, and is just an overall smart guy." Morales will need to make some adjustments in order to play in the Arena2 league. He noted, "The number one adjustment I'll have to make is learning how to play offensive line again. In arena football, the defensive line plays offense, too. I used to play in high school, but this is a whole different level and you have to get back into the rhythm ofit." Even with the need for adjustment, it seems that the coach of the Pioneers is happy to have him. "I signed the contract and he [Pioneer's coach] thinks I'll do very well. It all depends on how hard I work. The future is in my hands." Morales wisely keeps the big picture in mind. However, "There's still a chance that I might not even make it through camp, but I just have to do the best I can and hopefully I can get ahead." Regardless of how far Morales eventually makes it in the pros, it must be said that this is a proud achievement not only for him, but also for Wilkes University. Skarbez put it best when he said, "I think it [Morales being signed professionally] helps the program here. Athletes will be able to see that they can come to a smaller school and still have an athletic career after college." To play on a professional level, getting paid to play a sport you love, is every athlete's dream. "Any time you get the chance it's a great thing, because when you're playing even at the college level you never know when your last ame will be," said Morales. "Just getting the opportunity to play and do what you want to do is great. Most athletes at small schools never really get the chance that I did." The Beacon/Todd Weibel Julian Morales (above, center) played four seasons at defensive tackle for Wilkes. Throughout his career, which included 106 tackles, he also ran back three turnovers for touchdowns. Wilkes Grapplers take two out of three in MAC Duals Queiroz tallies three wins as the Colonels go 2-1 at MAC Duals BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor Felipe Queiroz (125) won all three of his matches and had two pins as the Blue and Gold took two out of three Saturday at the University of Scranton. After beating Josh Craig of Messiah in the opening round 14-8, the fiery Queiroz pinned Peter Achilles of Elizabethtown before tacking James Saxton of ninth-ranked Lycoming to the mat. "I try to take the pressure off myself because if there's too much pressure I'll screw up. I go in there with a 'nobody can beat me' mindset," Queiroz said. The 21-ranked Colonels started off strong against Messiah, winning 28-6 and winning eight of 11 stints. The shaggy Josh Pauling beat Craig Gin with an 8-2 decision at The Beacon/Todd Weibel The nationally ranked Colonels dropped both Messiah and Elizabethtown in the MAC Duals on Saturday before falling to 9th-ranked Lycoming College by a score of 25-14. The Colonels' record now stands at 9-3. 133 pounds; Adam Penberthy needed some blood time but still came away with the 6-3 decision against Matt Gorko at 141. Justin Barowski(l57) and Rex Harris (184) both had major decisions, and Erick Smith (149), Brandon Kelley (197), and Keith Altiery (285) were all victorious. In its second match against Elizabethtown College, Wilkes won seven of ten as Peter George (141) pinned Justin Martin to lead the Colonels to the 37-10 victory. D.J. Giancola (165) won by major decision against Rob Rosario while Pauling, Tom Leggio (174), Harris (184), and Altiery won for Wilkes. In its final match and loss to Lycoming, Justin Barowski beat Eric Miller 7-5 and Brandon Kelly won by technical fall to Bryan Kopesky, 17-1. The two victories improve Wilkes to 12-3. The Blue and Gold will be in action February 4th at home against Ithaca. �SPORTS 18 JANUARY 30, 2006 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK Destination: Detroit Super Bowl XL BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer A month of training camp, four pre season games, a regular season, and three weeks of playoffs later, the National Football League has narrowed the field to its two most worthy teams. An intriguing match-up awaits fans on Sunday, February 5. between the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks and the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seahawks went 13-3 during the regular season, which earned them a #1 seed, home-field advantage, and a bye week for the first round of the NFC playoffs. They took care of business in their two postseason games by ousting Washington and then dominating Carolina in the NFC Championship game. This is Seattle's first ever trip to the Super Bowl. The Steelers, on the other hand, had a more difficult road through the playoffs. Their 11-5 record earned them the last playoff spot, the #6 seed, in the AFC bracket. They defeated Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Denver, the top three seeds in the AFC, all on the road. Pittsburgh is the first team in NFL history to advance to the Super Bowl as a #6 seed. It is their sixth trip overall as a franchise. This year, the Super Bowl boasts an uncharacteristically even comparison between its two teams. Let's look into the facets of the game and comparisons in skill in detail to see who has an advantage ... The Breakdown The match-up at quarterback features a Pro-Bowler, Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck, and a sophomore, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, but that is where the differences end. Both have done above and beyond what was expected of them since the beginning of the season and both have been aided by exceptional running attacks. In the playoffs, both quarterbacks have averaged about two touchdowns per game and have had similar statistics across the board. Both have been clutch performers on their roads to the biggest game of their lives. The argument has been made that Roethlisberger means more to his team than Hasselbeck does to his, but the fact that Hasselbeck was voted to the Pro-Bowl cannot be ignored. In essence, the quarterback that plays the smartest game and makes the fewest mistakes will be the better player in the Super Bowl. Quarterback Advantage: Even Both the Seahawks and the Steelers rely heavily on running the football and they both have the personnel to do so. Seattle has one of the best backfields in the league, which includes two Pro-Bowlers in league MVP running back Shaun Alexander and fullback Mack Strong. Alexander can control a game by himself if he has a good day. If the Steelers can hold him to under 100yards and keep him out of the end zone, they should have a good chance at winning. On Pittsburgh's side, they have a versatile 3-headed monster at running back. They have a speedy outside runner in Willie Parker, "The Bus," Jerome Bettis, and Verron Haynes, who is the best of all three in receiving out of the backfield. It is going to take a great coaching job by Steelers coach Bill Cowher to manage his backs' playing time so that he can get the most out of them. However, as in the quarterback comparison, it cannot be overlooked that the Seahawks' backfield is full ofleague all-stars. Both offensive lines are bound to provide holes to run through, but Alexander's explosiveness will prove beneficial. Backfield Advantage: Seattle Seahawks With both quarterbacks being as evenly matched as they are, their receivers will be the difference in each team's efficiency through the air. Seattle's leading receiver Darrell Jackson is accompanied by receivers Joe Jurevicius, Bobby Engram, and tight end Jerramy Stevens. Jurevicius is a proven clutch playoff receiver, and if Jackson is given double coverage by the Steelers' defense, expect him to grab the majority of catches. Pittsburgh counters with primary target Hines Ward, along with Antwaan Randle El, Cedric Wilson, and rookie tight end Heath Miller. The Steelers do not center their aerial attack on one receiver, but watch for Randle El to try to stretch the field with his speed and create plays. Both teams like to incorporate their tight ends in the passing game, but the Steelers' versatility at receiver should give them an edge. Wide Receiver . Advantage: Pittsburgh Steelers The Seahawks and Steelers have very fast defenses. Seattle's defense is lead by a rookie, playmaking linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Pittsburgh has some good linebackers as well in Joey Porter and James Farrior. Both teams have exceptional defensive lines, but the difference comes in the secondary. Pittsburgh has improved a lot over the year and defended well against great passing teams this postseason like the Bengals and Colts. It is also good to have a playmaker like Troy Polamalu at safety. Here is an interesting note: The Steelers play a standard 3-4 defense, which means three defensive lineman and four linebackers. The Seahawks have only played one team all year that uses a 3-4, which was Dallas. Even though Seattle won the game, they had considerable trouble in finding holes and passing lanes within the mobile style of defense that the 3-4 thrives on. It will be a storyline to watch for, since the Steelers play one of the best 3-4 defenses in the league. Defense advantage: Pittsburgh Steelers already won the title while in Green Bay. Also, five Seahawks have played at least one Super Bowl versus only one Steeler. In a close game, experience can be a determining factor as to who comes away with a ring. Coaching & Experience advantage: Seattle Seabawks Sunday, February 5 is Super Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers will be wearing their road white jerseys and the Seattle Seahawks will be wearing their home blue-green jerseys. On paper, the match-up is one that is very even, but these two teams are sure to be involved in an offensively oriented game where the team who makes the fewest mistakes should have a distinct advantage. The Pick: Pittsburgh 30, Seattle 27 The Super Bowl is where kickers can actually make a name for themselves, whether it is a good reputation for one like Vinatieri, or a bad one like Norwood. In either case, the spotlight can be squarely on a kicker on the road to a championship. Both kickers, Seattle's Josh Brown and Pittsburgh's Jeff Reed (no relation), have done well this season, and considering the game is going to be played in a dome, there will be no adverse weather conditions to make the kicking eventful. This is pretty much an even draw as it will be up to their teams to determine if they get a chance to make a difference. Kicking advantage: Even Both special teams units are among the top in the league and both have exceptional kick and punt returners. Seattle has speedy Jimmy Williams and Peter Warrick returning punts and Josh Scobey returning kickoffs. Pittsburgh will have Antwaan Randle El returning punts and he will be accompanied by Ike Taylor on kickoff duties. Randle El's speed and playmaking could be an x-factor, but the Seahawks' many returners make them a threat as well. Special Teams advantage: Even Coaching and experience can be the best intangible a team can have in the Super Bowl. It is a great ·attribute to have to be able to manage the game and focus on the game plan rather than the many spotlights surrounding the NFL's Championship. Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren and Pittsburgh head coach Bill Cowher both have Super Bowl experience, but Holmgren has Double Take . Sarah examines the stats that truly matter BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Super Bowl XL is quickly approaching, and I couldn't be any happier. Yes, football still bores me to death. However, I am shocked at the competing teams this year. Who ever thought the Seahawks would have made it this far? Furthermore, who ever would have thought that the Steelers would have made it through playoffs without choking under all the pressure? Still, it's sure to be an exciting day. For one, football will be over for the season. But more importantly, it will be a day filled with awesomely funny commercials. You see, it's the commercials that make Super Bowl Sunday truly super. That, and it's a great day to justify eating the sort of junk food sure to clog our arteries down the line. Even thought! like the name Polamalu, I think I' 11 root for the Seahawks. I actually didn't even know the Seahawks were a football team until they made it to the Super Bowl. What is a Seahawk anyway, and can you really find them in Seattle? I guess that doesn't really matter. Go Seahawks. �JANUARY SPORTS 30, 2006 19 Athlete of the Week Womens Basketball: Rena Bolin BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor Great teams do not simply pop into existence. With the exceptions of perhaps early Boston Celtics teams and the post-World War II Cleveland Browns, teams in all sports tend to experience growing pains as they mature. Players join and players quit, as coaches iron out team weaknesses, and slowly... a powerhouse is built. There comes a point, however, when these small steps give teams the momentum to make a leap forward. On January 21, the Lady Colonels took such a leap as they overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Drew 87-82. Senior guard and co-captain Rena Bolin led the way in the comeback, scoring 22 points with six assists and seven rebounds. For Bolin, however, the points came from attitude as much as they did proper aim . "We had confidence in each other," she said. "They played us zone, but we didn't move the ball very well [in the first half]. In the second half, we just did what we had to do. Player movement and ball movement was much more dynamic." Confidence springs from adequate preparation, which can only happen when all of the players on a team are deeply committed to gaining something from every minute of practice. This, according to assistant coach Kate Franks, is something Bolin is attempting to pass on to the younger players on the team. "She's been great to the freshman and the sophomore class," said Franks. "She works hard every single day and shows them what it takes to be one of the best players in the league." Bolin's leadership both in the stats column and on the practice court is nothing new for the Lady Colonels. In her two seasons with the team, Franks has noticed "how much [she], along with the other two seniors [Tristin Tkach and Andrea Kacprowicz ], are really the heart and soul of this team. How she goes, and how they go, is Courtesy of Sports Information Bolin, who has scored 56 points in her last three games, is also leading the league in steals with 58 on the season. really how the whole team goes." Assistant coach Samantha Bedford agrees, "This is one of the closest teams that's ever been here, and a huge impact is the seniors. Rena shows how close you need to be as a team on and off the court, and a lot of the freshmen seem to follow in her footsteps ." Bolin's work ethic, particularly during practice, is paying huge dividends for both herself and the team, especially the younger players at her position. "She pushes them hard every day," said Franks. "She doesn't take it easy on them. It's frustrating for them sometimes, but it's going to help them in the long run because they ' re not going to see a better guard." Several of the younger players have already taken Bolin's lead by playing tough against her at practices. "Tiana Lee and Holly Leszyk really push me hard," said Bolin. "They help me play my hardest." The true legacy of student-athletes is not their individual achievements but the impact they have on improving the programs they are a part of. Should Bolin--along with Tkach and Kacprowicz--continue to foster the team unity and singleness of purpose that they have so far this season, future fans and teams may look back on this senior class as the group that ushered in a new era of Lady Colonel basketball. The Beacon/Todd Weibel Andrea Kacprowicz fights for a basket in Saturday's game against DeSales. Although the Lady Colonels pulled to within two points at the end of the first half, the Lady Bulldogs prevailed with a 77-59 victory. WEEKEND RECAPS Men's Basketball Chris Shovlin scored 30 points and Mike Constantine scored 18, but the Colonels were unable to pull away with a victory in Saturday afternoon's conference game against DeSales University in the Henry Gymnasium. The Colonels are now 11-5 overall with a 7-1 conference record. The Colonels still have a one-game lead in the conference thanks to Scranton's loss to Drew University. Women's Basketball The Lady Colonels fought their way to within two points at the close of the first half, but were unable to continue their run in the second half and fell 77-59 to DeSales University. Rena Bolin led the. effort for Wilkes with 24 points and four steals, while sophomore Lacey Andresen added 11 points and five rebounds. Wrestling The Colonels won two out of three matches in Saturday's MAC Duals at the University of Scranton. Wilkes dropped Messiah by a score of28-6, and dispatched Elizabethtown 3710 before fa lling to Lycoming College 25 -14. The Colonels' record now stands at 12-3, and they are currently ranked 21st in the nation. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 30 Points by sophomore Chris Shovlin in Saturdays men s basketball game against DeSales University. 18 Wins by the Wilkes wrestling team during MAC duals on Saturday. 24 Points scored by senior Rena Bolin in Saturdays womens basketball game against DeSales University. 3 Wins by Felipe Queiroz (125) in Saturdays MAC Duals at the University of Scranton. J �20 Preview of the Week: Men's basketball v. Lyco01ing on 2/1 BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS Beacon Staff Writer A five year streak has been broken in the Freedom Conference as Wilkes men's basketball continues to barrel through the season in an unstoppable frenzy. On January 18, Wilkes men's basketball traveled to Lycoming for a long anticipated battle. Drowning out heckling students and poor officiating, the Colonels remained mentally tough and defeated the Warriors 64-52. This was the first time Wilkes defeated Lycoming in Warrior territory since 2001. As if the pressures of a first place standing in the conference wasn't enough, the Colonels checked the schedule to find round two with the Warriors cif Lycoming College fast approaching. Senior Drew Amoroso shared, "We're not focused on the streak. We keep emphasizing the fact that if we keep winning one game at a time, we'll eventually distance ourselves from the rest of the league." practically have a bull's eye paintOne game at a time is the men- ed on our backs," junior Tyler Jentality that both players and coach- kins shared. es share. Being undefeated in the On the inside of an impeccable conference was never a team goal record lies the heart of a team. The going into this season. The end Colonels this season have defined goal was the same as it is every what "team sport" really means. year: to win the Freedom Confer- . "Our success can be credited to ence. a good mix of senior experience "Lycoming has their backs to and younger talent. This year's the wall," explained head •coach team is the epitome of a group Jerry Rickrode. "Only the top who sacrifice individual goals for four teams make it to the playoffs; team goals," Amoroso noted. they're in a must-win situation." Rickrode _finds this year's team According to Rickrode, the team tougher and taking more pride dewill watch tape from the January fensively. The mental toughness, · 18 game and make any necessary along with an improved defense adjustments, although there may from last year, has proved to be not be many to make. crucial when battling through the "We did a great job defensively conference. Wilkes is finding this to be one holding them to 52 points. They have many talented players--a of the strongest conferences in small forward who was first team years with the Colonels stepping all-conference and a senior point onto the court ready to play their guard with a sold turnover ratio," game both home and away. said Rickrode. The Colonels have found much But it's almost inevitable that success offensively on their home the Warriors will be shooting for turf in the past. Wilkes will have sweet revenge. home court advantage on Wednes- Evan Walters takes a shot against DeSales in Saturday's game at "Every team comes gunning for day, February 1 as the Warriors the Henry Gymnasium. The Colonels will come into Wednesday's game with an 11-5 (7-1) record. us. We are the team to beat. We come back for revenge. Campus Calendar. Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH All Week *Johnnie Winona Ross Wednesday (2/1) Abstract Paintings Exhib- *Women's basketball v. Lycoming College - 6 it, Sordoni Art Gallery p.m. *Men's basketball v. LyMonday (1/30) *Women's basketball @ coming College - 8 p.m. Lincoln *Spanish in the Workplace presentation, 8:30 a.m. to 3 :30 p.m. Contact ext. 4731. Tuesday (1/31) * Talk it out with Campus Interfaith, Annette Evans Alumni House - 5 p.m. Friday (2/3) *No events scheduled for today Saturday (2/4) *Women's basketball @ Delaware Valley - 1 p.m. Thursday (2/2) *Men's basketball@ Del*Spaghetti dinner spon- aware Valley - 3 p.m. sored by Alternative *Wrestling v. Ithaca - 2 Spring Break, HSC Ball- p.m. room - 2 p.m. *Guest Speaker: Nego Sunday (2/5) Gato@ King's College - 9 *No events scheduled for a.m.-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. today Contact ext. 4409 This photo was taken somewhere on Wi.lkes University's campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the Programming Board. � 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 2006 January 30th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2006 January 30 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/230e7a108606e1ad03eec35b53d9e7f2.pdf 1fdf96c79523f558dd5beef66283ca4b PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA ?O 0 THE NEWS OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW DECEMBER 5, 2005 www.wilkesbeacon.com Volume 58 Issue 11 Sturdevant hall damaged when fire sprinkler leaks BYVICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor eibel vill be mNoe 0-2. 1 l... Room 102D experienced extreme water damage after the sprinkler head on the second floor of Sturdevant hall leaked out all of the water from the sprinkler system. Thousands of dollars m damage were reported last Wednesday, November 30, when a malfunctioning second floor sprinkler head pumped out enough water to damage the floor below. In the second floor hallway, a sprinkler head leaked water into the hallway, which subsequently leaked down into the first floor. Christopher Leicht, Assistant Residence Life Director said, "It looked like a sprinkler head on the second floor was faulty and ~nded up leaking out." _ On the first floor of the residence hall, two rooms received damage due to the water, though one more signficantly than the other. The ceiling tiles fell in room 102D due to the weight of the water that the tiles were absorbing. Resident of room 102D, Erika Barletta, junior nursing major said, "It was a complete nightmare walking in and seeing my stuff ruined." According to Christopher Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services, some of the damage in the first floor room can be attributed to the immense amounts of water and the pressure created in the sprinkler system pipes. The incident at Sturdevant is still under investigation according to Bailey and Leicht. Bailey said, "It is still under investigation. It did not just go off." Bailey explained he is continuing the investigation because the failure rate of the crystal sprinkler heads is very unusual. "The random failure rate of a crystal sprinkler head is about 1 in 16,000,000. That was the older models, the new models that we have it is more like 1 in 20,000,000 are likely to randomly fail. You have a much better chance of getting struck by lightning than for one of these to See SPRINKLER page 3 Grandparents' Day cards outrage students Development Office criticized for soliciting using students' names BYVICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor 1pus. nail. g, as >X or eked ~our- f last n the What originally appeared to be a nice gesture--reaching out to send a personal message to let grandparents know they were on the minds of their Wilkes students--turned into a Development Office appeal for money, a ploy some Wilkes students found offensive and deceptive. Last Wednesday, students aired their grievances at the SG meeting over what they claimed to be a covert and tasteless Development appeal. In late October, Development officers set up a table on the first floor of the Henry Student Center and asked students to help them celebrate the Wilkes University Grandparents' Day. Students were encourage to personalize Grandparents' Day cards and to write down the address of their grandparents. Students contended they were told that their grandparents would receive a free gift in the card, a 'proud grandparent' window cling. However, students were not told anything else would be included in the envelope that was being sent to their grandparents. Ashley McBrearty, senior Biology major explained, "They had a table set up and they had the cards sitting there and all they said was that Wilkes created a Grandparents' Day and we want to send all grandparents In This Issue. .. Natalee Holloway Page 8 Christmas Movies Page 12 a card. They had this little bumper sticker that was really cute. I signed my name on it and put a personal message and they sent it out to my grandma." But when grandparents received the cards, a Business Reply Mail Envelope (BRE) had been included with the card. The BRE offered space for grandparents to announce See CARDS page 4 Index Wrestling Preview Page 20 News ................................ 1-5 Opinion ............................. 6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment... .12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS DECEMBER Safety Report WilkesN et Moves New Graduate Program 5, 2005 2 Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train Student Government Notes November 30 Meeting - A motion was made and passed 26-0-3 for a maximum amount of $82,500 to be allocated for the construction of the ropes course in the UCOM building. The money will be taken out of the buffer fund. -The Choral Club appeared for their first reading in the twoweek process that allows groups to attain club status. Nickelodeon tv shows Candy bars Cereal -Study Break Party will be held on December 11 from 8-11 p.m. in the Cafeteria. 8-9 p.m.is karaoke 9 p.m. the band Lessen One will be performing Food will be from Rodano's, Domino's and Quizno's. -Winter Weekend will be held February 17-19. The themes were chosen for vote by the student body as: Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and op inions of our readers. On Wednesday, November 30, a very special train rolled into the Steamtown National Historic Site, Lackawanna Avenue Station--the Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train. Editorial Staff The holiday train was decorated with hundreds of thousands of LED Christmas lights and collected food and money in order to raise awareness for local food banks. Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon. oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon.ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz Each year Canadian Pacific Railway hosts two holiday trains, one in Canada and one in the Northeast and Midwest United States. Financial services and campus facilities offices restructured In order to maintain success, change is a must. Recently the Financial Services department underwent some significant change--the process of reorganization. "This was a positive reorganization aimed to realign the operations of Financial Services," said Christopher Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services. The reorganization took place just before classes resumed for the fall semester. The university is aiming to take a more proactive rather than reac- tive approach to problems. Routine maintenance on things such as HVAC systems, for example, will save time and money in the long run. The custodial workers and general maintenance personnel act as the first line of defense in handling reactive or responsive situational problems. "The new reorganization allows for more resources to be dedicated to capital planning and projects," said Scott Byers, Vice President for Finance and Support Operations. A part of the reorganization included campus ground maintenance to become an internal operation except for specialized work such as the maintenance of the athletics fields and landscaping. By making this an internal operation it allows for more hours of resources to be used for things such as snow removal, event setup, moves and custodial cleaning. Under the new configuration the reporting structure and responsibilities of financial services has also been altered. Employees in such areas as public safety, contractors, purchasing, operational parking, shuttling, ground maintenance and custodial services are now part of the Campus Support Services. "These changes will be a multiyear process," said Byers. Hu~ IIM1mswr BEACON The Beacon/N ick Zmijewski BY JEANNE STAPLETON Beacon Staff Writer 3 4 5 ■ ■ ■ Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766* (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �DECEMBER 5, 2005 NEWS 3 Annual safety report: serious crime down, alcohol incidents up down to the off campus housing . .. and to the apartments." In terms of harsh crimes, there were only Each year Wilkes University, in ~cordance four assault cases reported last year, with with the Federal Right To Know Act, pub- only one of those occurring in a residence lishes the "For Your Safety" security report. hall. While assault was down, the rate of The report provides information on the theft is high, with 45 incidents reported. number and types of laws that are broken on Positive aspects of the report were the zero or near campus each year, as well as statis- incidents of rape, sexual assault and robtics on how each instance is handled by Pub- bery. Liquor law offenses with University sanclic Safety and other University officials. Recently, Wilkes officials released this tions were reported at 57 occurrences, with year's report. A comparitive analysis of the 26 of those being liquor law criminal ofstatistics indicates that overall area crime fenses. has remained fairly steady. But a shift in the The officers are also almost constantly level of crime indicates that more serious patrolling campus instead of staying at one personal crimes have decreased. While more post or working behind a desk. "You see serious crimes, such as vandalism, assault, more officers out there, interacting with and burglary have decreased, there has been the students ... with more officers you see an increase in other alcohol-related crimes, around, you feel safe, and the perpetrators such as underage possession/drinking, pub- are also [deterred]" added Rebo. Bailey commented that proactive mealic drunkenness, and disorderly conduct. "A lot of these crimes, you can't prevent sures are taken for "Crimes that we can them, they are individual crimes of opportu- prevent, like petty theft. [For example], we nity: vandalism, public intoxication, underage . make sure buildings are locked down and drinking. These are the things you see at a prevent theft from within the University college campus," explained Christopher Bai- that way." ley, Director of Campus Support Services. "Wilkes is providing a better level of safety Gerald Reba, Manager of Public Safety and overall security today. Our ability to rePatrol Operations, said that the increase in spond to instances is much greater and more documented incidents was due to the more effective, and we have a much more consciactive role that public safety officers have entious group of officers, a much more prohad on campus over the last few semesters. fessional organization" stated Bailey. "The officers now are patrolling [farther] Rebo noted that the watchful eyes of pubaway from [the central part of campus], lic safety officers on campus have inspired BY DANA ZLOTUCHA Beacon Staff Writer SPRINKLER from FRONT PAGE randomly fail." Although none of the residents of Sturdevant Hall have admitted to taking part in or seeing any actions that could have led to the sprinkler head leaking, Bailey said, "If [the sprinkler head] was going to fail, it would have done it within minutes of installation, when water first gets to it in the system, not two years later." Bailey was skeptical about the fact that no students have stepped forward with helpful information. Bailey explained that it is not uncommon for something as simple as students playing ball in the hallway to hit Wilkes University FTE Used: 3627 2004 Offenses Rep orted A ctu al Unfounded Offenses Offenses Cleared Cleared Under 18 Cri me Rat e Murder/ On Ca mpus " 0 0 0 0 0.00% Non-neqliqent manslauqhter In Re sidential Fa cilitie s 0 0 0 0 0 000% In or on a Non Campus Buildinq or Property 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% On Publi c Propert y Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 % 0.00 % As a Hate Crime On Campus In Residential Facilities In or on a Non Campus Buildinq or Property On Public Prooertv Totals A s a Hate Crime On Campus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00% Neqliqent Man slauqhter Rape / Sexual A ssault l(F orc ible Se x Offenses) Robbery A ss ault 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 In Residential Facilities In or on a Non Campus Buildinq or Property 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% On Public Propert y Totals As a Hate Crime On Campus 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.06% In Re sidential Facilitie s In or on a Non Campus Buildinq or Property 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% On Public Prooert v Totals 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0.00% 0.06% On Campus 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0.03 % 0 0 0 0 0 0.00% In Re sidential Facilitie s In or on a Non Campus Buildinq or Property 0.00% 0.00 % Courtesy of Wilkes University Public Safety The annual report lists by offense crimes committed on campus and breaks down the number based on where the incident happened. The report can be viewed in its entirity at http://www.wilkes.edu/campuslife/safety/stats.xls. greater confidence among faculty and students in the relative safety of the Wilkes campus. The crime on campus "Is very low compared to that of the city .. .we don't have the violent crimes like [the city] does," added Rebo. the sprinkler and make it go off. Bailey said, "We are not looking to place blame, we were looking to see if somehow with insurance the costs of the damage could be split." Bailey went on to explain that there is an estimated $6,000-$8,000 in personal property damage plus the costs of the damage to the second and first floor hallways. Leicht said, "It leaked on the second floor and down into the hallway and two rooms on the first floor. The [heavily damaged]room was pretty bad. It looks like the room probably won't be ready until Monday." Barletta said, "I think they [the University] have really put my situation as a top priority. My room should be done tomorrow [Monday]." Room 102D in Sturdevant hall was severely damaged along with the personal property of resident Erika Barletta. A major part of the damage in the room was a result of ceiling tiles in the room falling on her belongings. Residence Life offered to find a place for Barletta to stay while her room is repaired but she chose to stay at home with her parents until the room is repaired. The Beacon/Nick Zmiewski �4 NEWS DECEMBER 5, 2005 WilkesNet 01oves to UCOM over winter break IT network plans include username and password changes for all BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon Staff Writer Over winter break, the U niversity will take steps to transition the network database, WilkesNet, from the data center in Stark Leaming Center (SLC) to the UCOM data center. Mike Salem, Chief Information Officer, described WilkesNet as, "A campus-wide network that interconnects all building computers allowing them to communicate and exchange information both on campus and with the Internet." Salem described this network as similar to a spoke in a wheel, where there is one central hub and four distribution centers, each of which is connected to several campus buildings. "All of these connections utilize fiber optic cable, which is the newest technology for transmission of data," said Salem. Ross Thompson, president of New Era· Technologies, Inc., the low voltage commu- CARDS from FRONT PAGE any news that they would like to see in the Wilkes Universe magazine along with a place for them to bequeath money from their estate to the University. There was also space for them to make any other contribution they would l~e. Executive Director of Development, William Behm said, "The grandparents could choose if they wished to give a gift. They could indicate that they would like to put Wilkes in their estate plans. They could say they could give a dollar, or a thousand dollars. Or they could choose to send just the news sections. It is not an envelope that is just used for fundraising." But some students felt they'd been duped into soliciting from their own grandparents. Jennifer Ramil, senior biology major said, "My name was on the card when it was given to my grandparents. Having my name on that card, making it look as if I was the one that wanted my grandparents to give money, I thought that was really shady and completely uncalled for. " Behm said, "I wish when we were asking them to sign up for this that BRE was on the table. I genuinely do. It was inadvertently left off the table. It wasn 't deliberately left off." Because the BRE did have a space for any news grandparents wanted to share and that it did not specifically ask for a donation, Michele Zabriski, Director of Individual nication cabling company contracted by the school to perform the transition, explained that the cable plant in place is a decentralized plant that allows for a much safer and productive process. If one building goes down for some reason, the others will still be able to operate. During the week of December 23, that central hub will be moved from SLC to the UCOM center for a number of reasons. One main reason, explained Thompson, is that, in order to install the necessary fiber optic cables, the entire campus has to be taken down for about a week. The only week that the campus can be down is over winter break. Salem also explained that, because Wilkes is contracting with a new Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the new year, it is more cost effective to make the move now, before the University is under contract with the new ISP. Moving the database in such a short amount ohime seems to be a challenge, but Thompson explained that, while it is complex, it is not an impossible achievement. "It's a lot of work in a short period of time ... it is a very aggressive schedule, but we have 21 employees [and] we have a very good plan," said Thompson. Additionally, a great deal of preparation has already gone into the process, and Thompson explained that everything will be in place for the move later this month. Both Salem and Thompson seem confident that the changeover will run smoothly, especially if weather permits. Thompson also addressed security concerns, stating that the transition of the network over the break will not affect any aspect of the security system, including access to these buildings. This "migration," as Thompson described it, will be beneficial for the campus community. "The UCOM facility that Wilkes just acquired has a data center with a backup generator which the data center in SLC lacks. Having a backup generator in addition to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery backup system will ensure that Wilkes is able to continue operations through power outages," said Salem. Some important changes that directly affect all network users will also be implemented early next semester. These changes include changes in user ID, passwords, and file services. According to Salem, everyone with a Wilkes University account will be issued a new user ID and password. The fi le services will also be enhanced, "The new file servers will be faster, more reliable, and will offer more space than the current service." Thompson has a great deal of experience in this area, considering this is the thirteenth college campus that he has cabled. He believes that Wilkes is taking the right steps, especially in terms of the cable plant that is now in place, where everything is installed and documented. "I would say right now Wilkes has the best cable plant as well as network in the area," said Thompson. Giving said, "They could choose to just geting grandparents. If they want to target Wednesday night. Ramil said, "I was very, look at this and say, 'Isn't this a nice proud me and my parents, that's one thing, but this very upset. I think that an apology is called grandparents sticker? Isn't this a nice card,' was over the line." for, whether they think it is or not." Behm said, "Next year, ifwe decide to do and that is that. No one followed up with a Behm explained the reason that grandletter or a phone call or anything." parents were sent the cards was, "We were something like this, we will be sitting with Although students had many grievances looking to identify anyone who would have Student Government first. To let them know regarding the campaign that the develop- a vested interest in Wilkes. And in terms what we are going to do and to work with ment office launched towards grandparents, of statistics, grandparents have the most ex- them to develop a plan that accomplishes Behm said, "Nowhere on the envelope does pendable income." what we need to accomplish in a way that it say that you must give money. It doesn't McBrearty and Ramil were both out- allows them to participate without feeling even ask for it. This is as gentle of an ask as raged at the inclusion of the BRE and the that we have tried to pull something over we could have thought of." idea that Development is not issuing an on them." James Juice, sophomore class president apology in any form other than the verbal _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _..., §1_ _,.,.._,,,,......,......,_ _ _ _ _ _ _~ "'IC said, "I think they crossed the line in tar- apology Behm gave at the SG meetin on ..._ ...... ,. ___,.,,,,.,,.. u:z " • .-. ________ ITTii r ! 1111111J11171i 1 - "----------····-----~ $p;:xa•'INamB _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ~s, p, ~ --- - - - - - - - - -z,,-_-_ -=.. ---,.,_ _ _ __ Clly _ _ _ _ _ b.1!11- _ _ _ ('»y--.,.•---;,ol__ 0-Q-~-,. ~ q:,.~-- ~~~~tit',__ ~ ~~~,.,....-~~ F'11~-~~~uti!H) 0 ~an&'\~~,.,_._.M~ ~,a,. _.,,., u ~wttil'l~ 0 I 141>'11~f.~ ~ b ? " ~ on ~ • ~ - Courtesy of Development Office On the left was the spread on the table in the Henry Student Center when students signed the cards and gave their grandparents addresses. On the right is the BRE that was put in with the card and gift. BY. Beac Fo neer J. w gine diffe colh "me "I prog dom beca dent with versi strer In partr com· of E �DECEMBER NEWS 5, 2005 ---------------i y e- .S- ile !W nd ertee 1th oeps, tis led .o w as SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYI--------- New Masters degree offered in engineering Onique program will incorporate both business find engineering lS f- BY JOSEPH DEANGELIS Beacon Staff Writer For the new graduate program in engineering management at Wilkes, Dr. David J. Wells, chairperson of the division of engineering and physics, wanted something different and unique to best represent the college and deviate a bit from the standard "me too" program. "I don't want to come up with some program that every other school's already done and we' ll say, 'Well, we'll do that too because they're all filled with lots of students,"' said Wells. "I would rather come up with something that positions Wilkes University uniquely because we have unique strengths at Wilkes University." In order to do this, Wells took the department of engineering and business and combined it with the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business to the Engineering Op- forrn erations and Strategies (EOS) graduate program, which will launch officially next semester. "This, I think, represents one of the best examples of how we can take two strong programs--one very quantitative in engineering and one very qualitative in management-and combine them for a special program in engineering operations and strategies," said Wells. "I think it really helps to set Wilkes University apart from other programs. This is really quite a unique program. It falls under the general umbrella of what we would call engineering management but really centering on operations and strategies." Faculty in the Sidhu School of Business agree with Wells about the interdisciplinary value of the program. "You don't get that very frequently," said Dr. Anthony L. Liuzzo, professor of business and economics and the director of the master of business admin- ery, lied istration (MBA) Program, referring to the combination of the two programs. "We have a clear desire to mentor our students." EOS does not focus on engineering in general, but problems commonly found in industries and businesses such as project and process management and quality, and logistics. Students will be required to take four courses from the MBA and at least five courses in engineering operations. The program will require 36 credit hours long and so far approximately eight or nine students have signed up. The courses tackle a number of important issues such as modeling and modeling uncertainties, decision processing, modeling flows of materials, people and information and looking at where there are risks. The decision to pursue a graduate program in engineering management emerged from Buy ,one pizza G-et one FREE! ~-,==:•t.1·~~~~-=.-- Dmt~, PmA ONE MEDIUM ONE LARGE 11.99 STRCWBQJ . &Cteese S&romtx:ti Cri:tai Wn.J Han & Cf'ffle ~&Ctease = HOORS e their survey data garnered from local industries and businesses. The survey asked what local industries and businesses seek in terms of education when hiring new employees. "They really wanted a program that would maybe be a little bit more quantitative in the modeling than an MBA program, and these companies all tend to recruit MBA students too for other purposes," Wells said. "For them it's not an either/or." The survey also indicated that engineering business skills were of major importance to industries, such as finance, accounting and human resources. While attending the graduate courses, most students will be also working in industries, giving them the opportunity to gain experience both in the workplace and in the classroom. "This js going to prepare them for promotion," said Wells. Two For One Pizza ) do with now with shes that !ling over Jffice 5 OPEN 7 DAYS AWEEK su~rt~ ~A4 ~ Cta.e Srorntd Stromtd DNEX-LARGE I 13.99 11,.99 1o..99 18:11 10.99 10.99 1Q.99 10..99 We 4 Deliver! 1 �r OJZft1iB!! South Park answers current events needs 6 Holiday individual beliefs How to save rock and roll Iraq occupation necessary Media covers Holloway '- For most of the teen and young adult viewing audience, ABC World News Tonight is no match for Desperate Housewives or MTV's Real World when it comes to ratings. Not to discredit ABC World News Tonight; even without Peter Jennings, it's clearly important television. But for most young people, straight up news just plain isn't as interesting as the drama surrounding Grey :S Anatomy or as funny as the jokes on Family Guy. We are, in many ways, the entertain-me generation. That said, it is important for teenagers and young adults to know the news, to be aware of the events and conflicts across this nation and the globe. An informed nation is always better than an uninformed one, and it's just good sense to be prepared when someone starts discussing the pros and cons of Bush's new exit strategy for Iraq. What happens across the globe and in our backyards affects us, and in order to respond, we have to know about it. Older generations of Americans who may consider themselves far more informed than today's youth need to take a closer look. While MTV may not be necessarily informative television, Comedy Central's South Park is an example of a popular program watched by millions of young Americans that brings information and news to young adults in the form of com- edy. While it can be crude at times and while it does not hesitate to take anyone and anything on, it is a means of providing information to those who may not watch any other form of"news." Granted, the creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, will never be regarded as news icons like Peter Jennings or Walter Cronkite. But for an entire generation of Americans who grow increasingly bored with even the most modernized conveniences and must be ever entertained, South Park ensures at least avoidance of total ignorance. Its . satirical tone does place a specific political spin on newsworthy events, and viewers are rarely, if ever, confused about where the writers stand on con- Nickle for Your Thoughts By Jason Nickle kA'f'\E ULTRA ·~ .S.ouN:O c.,1..,0~.E;TS ATT Pi. c.~ 1NC.1. t'\\U<(lpt\ON~ t? ' 8 8 fo-r----.-B_e_a-co-n-Po-l;;;;;;;.,.l today's ''entertain-Ille'' generation BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD 7 7 troversial issues; however, the plotlines are still based on news happenings. For a generation of young adults who may otherwise not get the news at all, South Park is the answer. Many young viewers are unwittingly educated while watching the show when really all they were expecting was some potty humor. For example, a recent episode of South Park poked fun at the institution of Scientology. At the same time, the episode unearthed for many people who actually had no clue what Scientologists actually believe, the basic principles of the religious sect, flashing "This is what Scientologists actually believe" on the bottom of the screen during the episode. In addition to explaining some of the basic principles to Scientology, few can argue that the satiric take on the subject wasn't funny. Other episodes follow a similar structure, entertaining at the same time that they provide real-time information. South Park decries political correctness and tramples new sensitivities to all kinds of topics including race, religion, sexual orientation and the handicapped. But in some respects, its delivery of "news" serves as a breath of fresh air for young people with no patience for the dry, objective delivery of government-sterilized facts and statistics. And it's funny, whether it's offensive or not. South Park, The Daily Show and others of their ilk ultimately offer a brief taste of what's happening out there to young people who might not otherwise be exposed to a newspaper or CNN. And they do it through humor, which brings viewers back time and again. They also offer the possibility that by tackling today's socio-political issues--even through humor--they may inspire some young people to flip to CNN to learn more. 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 33 responses. The Beacon asked: What do you hope for most for the world for 2006? • • • • • • • • • • A more stable environment 0% New American political leadership - 21 % Resolution in the Middle East - 9% Cure for AIDS or cancer-21% . Increased global awareness of poverty- 0% Discovery of renewable energy source -15% Discovery of life in space - 6% Finding of Osama bin Laden -12% Bringing troops home from Iraq - 27% Other- 0% �DECEMBER 5, 2005 OPINION 7 Holiday season reminder of value of individual beliefs BY AMANDA MCMAHON Beacon Correspondent - As I sat at my desk pounding away at the keys on my laptop hoping the words would fall into the right places, I thought about how I was going to write this particular article. I had planned for a week to talk in brief about the religious holidays that are celebrated during this time of the year. After all, though Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas and numerous other holidays vary in their meanings from minor to drastic differences in origin, purpose and practice, they seemingly all involve a sense of warmth (think of all the lights) and good will. However, trying to examine religions as if I understand what any one of them fully means would be to lie to myself and my readers. I would merely recount notions of religious experiences and credit those explanations to my own personal understandings of or feelings for any of those holidays. Instead, I have decided to heed Dr. Thomas Hamill's advice to "Write what you know," as he instructs my English class before each test, and discuss my understanding of the spirit of the season in the only way I know how. Raised a Lutheran, I was baptized before Courtesy of google.com my long term memory was intact, made to attend Sunday school for about seven to eight years since the age of five, and confirmed (formally made a member of my church and religion) after two years of Catechism class. Naturally then, my family and I have celebrated Christmas as a religious holiday. We have participated in the whole kit and caboodle: reading the Psalms, lighting advent candles and arranging Nativity sets. As well, my family has even experienced the whole commercial aspect of Christ- mas; yes, Santa Claus is still a favorite at my house, as my youngest sister is still a "believer." Yet, while I understand the concept of the religious meaning to the holiday I have been participating in before I was old enough to be fully aware, I do not truly understand it through faith, the common thread that links all religions. So then, am I an atheist who must sadly sit out on the spirit of the season because I don't have a religious belief? Quite frankly, the word "atheist" scares me. Or rather, I fear the kind of label that the word imposes. There's something about it that associates "no belief in a god" with "no belief' that I simply despise. Furthermore, the label seems to suggest that I am an immoral individual; I don' t deserve the exchange of presents that occurs between my family and friends or the sugar cookies my grandma makes in the shape of an angel. "Atheists" have no place of belonging within the spirit of the season. But what if I want to be part of a holiday that is based on a religion I don't believe in, or, as I like to look as it, a religion that is not part of who I am? I have come to the conclusion that life is for living, whether we believe in a place or time to follow or not, and we are only able to live the life that is our own. Therefore, it is important for people to be who they are, to seek out what they wish, and to believe in what they will. Like issues of sexuality, race and ethnicity that make us who we are, religious beliefs, or lack thereof, are no different. What is important is that people celebrate who they are by revelling in that which helps them to be whom they are. For me, hanging white lights and red glass balls on a pine tree, giving gifts to friends and family and eating an abundance of food all on the 25th of December is what I need to complete who I am. Those acts are what fill my spirit with joy to last me the entire year through. I encourage you, too, to find what is important to you and not just treasure it, but celebrate it. Maybe it's religion or maybe it's a lack of faith in religious beliefs that are a part of your being. Perhaps, even, you possess a combination of both, depending on how much you need an "A" on a final exam and the sudden deal you are willing to make with a supreme being that you never bothered calling on before. Either way, instead of feeling isolated for your differences or isolating others based on their differences, accept who you are and who others are and choose to celebrate together. How to save rock and roll BY MATT ZEBROWSKI Beacon Asst. Op/Ed Editor However bad your Thanksgiving may have possibly been, I bet that the holiday shared by former Creed frontman Scott Stapp and members of 311 was worse. Apparently, Stapp and three of the guys of 311 got in a bar fight at some ritzy hotel in Baltimore. I'm sure that would be enough to put a damper on anyone's Thanksgiving, especially if you're the type of person whose life already sucks as a result of the complete lack of integrity that comes along with making really, really awful music. The drummer of 311 alleges that the situation started when Stapp walked up to them and said "311, I am ready to fight," which is quite possibly the funniest thing that I have heard in the past six months. Just picturing Stapp, with his leather pants and hairy chest and soulful brown eyes, walking up to the frat rejects in 311 and saying "311, 1 am ready to fight" (which totally sounds like it came out of an episode ofDragonball Z) made me laugh so hard I almost cried. Once I finished laughing, though, I started to think. This is a great idea. If we could Courtesy of amazon.com somehow get all the crappy rock stars in the world to fight each other instead of making music, I am firmly convinced that the world would be a better place. If the record industry turned into some sort of gladiator industry, the people who are only in it for money would just be pounding the tar out of each other and the music could be left to the people who really care about it. This would greatly improve the quality of radio and MTV and all of that, and I bet that the Spike network would be willing to carry a show about drugged out money hungry losers committing acts of violence against one another. Hell, I bet just about any network would be willing to carry it. See just about every reality television show ever for examples of this. The contestants may not be actually fighting, but they're never very nice. Anyway, though, this would be huge. History proves it. The Romans did this sort of thing with Christians and the crowds gobbled it up, and they didn't even have commercials or billboards to promote it. In fact, · the infrastructure for this sort of television show already exists. We could just take Courtesy of amazon.com American Idol and make it about dodging lions and fighting other fledglings instead of about singing, and if you advanced far enough you'd have to fight famous former rock stars. Plus, we could get rid of that obnoxious Brit, because who needs judges when all the other contestants are severely maimed? Clearly, the winner is the last one standing. That way, when the gladiator industry (formerly the music industry) vomits its "next big thing" into the eager toilet bowl of the American public consciousness, at least whoever happens to be chosen would be getting undeserved attention for doing something useless to begin with and not for trivializing something totally worthwhile like music. Of course, I'll admit that this idea may sound a little far-fetched at the moment. But I'm sure that if enough crappy rock stars get into fights and enough people pay attention to it, someone will get the idea to capitalize on it. Then the rest will fall into place and music will be saved. So, hey Nickelback! I hear Dave Matthews has been talking trash on you. I'll go get my camcorder. �DECEMBER 5, 2005 OPINION 8 United States occupation of Iraq cannot end soon BY ROB DONAHUE Beacon Correspondent In the past couple of weeks there has been a growing public outcry for U.S. troops to pull out oflraq. Who can blame anyone? The world was given false rationale as to why the U.S. should invade Iraq; U.S. citizens were lied to about the cost; growing numbers oflraqis want the U.S. to pull out; troops are going on long extended tours of duty; and finally the big one: the U.S. credibility and title as the "world's lone super power" is now in jeopardy. A couple of weeks ago Pennsylvania Congressman and decorated Vietnam vet- eran John Murtha dropped a bombshell on the Bush administration by calling for full troop withdrawal immediately. His words sparked echoes throughout the country to get the troops home. Despite public outcry, the President's resolve has remained. As much as I dislike President Bush, I must stand with him and say that he is doing is the right thing by not pulling the troops out of Iraq. The U.S. cannot pull out oflraq right now. Not only would an immediate withdrawl keep Iraq in turmoil, leaving Iraq would show that the U.S. is weak and who knows what country would try and challenge that perceived weakness. We owe it to the Iraqis to stay until they pick up some of the slack. The Iraqi people have suffered enough. We had no business of being there. The war on terror was in Afghanistan, not Iraq. There is nothing wrong if the military starts taking troops out of Iraq for good. This would force the Iraqi government to start seriously taking complete control of their country. We have enough problems here at home and we are broke. The U.S. government is forgiving the money we spent in Iraq ... money that we could use to invest in the area affected by Hurricane Katrina or tax breaks to the middle class. We need to leave Iraq desperately but we can't. That is sad. I also don't believe in a public exit strategy because then the terrorists that now occupy Iraq (they weren't there prior to the invasion in 2003) would better prepare them to destroy the country. What we need to do is put all the politics aside, come out with the truth on how the progress is going and get U.N. peacekeepers in Iraq to take over. Leaving Iraq right away would be a mistake ... Anyone remember Saigon during the Vietnam War? The same thing could happen if we left Iraq right away. Media continues to co0101ent on the way Aruba is handling Holloway case BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor On Nov. 6, 2005 NBC broadcasted a special two-hour episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. For at least a week before the show aired, the network ran commercials chock full of teasers stating the story line was "ripped from the headlines." I just knew what it was going to be about: Natalee Holloway. I couldn't have been more right. Not only was the episode "ripped from the headlines," but it seems like it was pasted into the script. The similarities were alarming and the differences almost too subtle to be seen. The basic plot of this episode was that a high school aged girl from Iowa was on a school trip to New York City and disappeared the night before she was to return home. The actress chosen to play this girl just happened to be fair-skinned and blonde. Coincidence? Probably not, and it gets even better. The first suspects the police take into custody are two boys who swear they are innocent. Sounds a lot like the Kalpoe brothers to me. It turns out these two really were innocent. I'm not so sure this is the truth for Deepak and Satish, but the similarities in the facts were still there. The next suspect they arrested was a young, arrogant man with a huge gambling problem and enough stupidity to broadcast his social life on his personal blog. In my opinion this character was screaming Joran van der Sloot. Tums out his mother was overprotective of him, and his father was a judge. Still not convinced that this character media commentary in the form of one of the most popular shows on TV fascinated me. However, I wasn't let down. The Law & Order team certainly did their homework on the Holloway case. At one point, the investigators uncovered a photo of the suspect posing with a friend. In the photo he had his belt tied around his friend's neck in a leash-like fashion. Coincidentally (or maybe Courtesy of abc.com not so coincidentally) the same type of photo The story of Natalee Holloway, who has been missing for was discovered on one over six months, was recently reenacted in an episode of Law of van der Sloot's biogs. & Order. The American media seems to be commenting on the That detail is something inefficiency of Aruba law enforcement, as the episode ended only the most well-inwith a resolution and the discovery of the character's body. formed would know. Alright, so it probably seems like I am just was based on the younger van der Sloot? If you have been following the Holloway giving a recap of the episode. However, I case at all, it's no secret that there has been don't think I can prove my point without a great deal of controversy over van der first offering this background information. The similarities between the show and Sloot's judge father Paulus's involvement in the alleged crime. Especially concerning the real life c::ise are so alarming I expected the older van der Sloot telling his son "no there to be no end, as Natalee has not yet body, no case." Well wouldn't you know been found. On the contrary, the Law & that the judge father's character on Law & Order team was able to uncover the young Order: Criminal Intent said the exact same girl's drugged, raped·and strangled body in thing to his son. Needless to say, my jaw a pond, of all places. In my opinion this episode was designed hit the floor. by NBC to speak out against Aruba authoriAt this point I couldn't wait to see the end ties. Officials in Aruba have been relucof the episode. It's obvious that NBC, or tant to communicate with the FBI or the even the American media as a whole, is tryAmerican media from the very beginning. ing to say something about the case. This It doesn't even seem like they are trying to solve the case. Perhaps NBC was saying if this happened in the United States the case would have been solved months ago. In fact, many people feel this way about the case and in turn angered Arubans for criticizing the abilities of their officials. All in all, I'm pleased with the attention that the media is giving this case. I do indeed feel that if this had happened in the U.S., the FBI would have found the body or at least some evidence. Furthermore, the FBI would never have allowed so much time to elapse before investigating the last people she was seen with. Unfortunately Aruba officials have made so many mistakes in this case, the little evidence they do have isn't worth much. If at all possible, the politicians governing that island are even more nauseating than the ones we have here in the United States. They don't want to communicate, and they certainly don't want to utilize the manpower to find this girl. I wish for Natalee's sake, as well as the entire Holloway-Twitty family, that the police in Aruba realize the importance to find this girl. Unfortunately, it's not a television series, and there isn't a clean resolution at the end of an hour-long episode. Hopefully, that clean resolution will come someday soon. �8 the terweren't ) would country. politics ilow the .cekeepea misrring the 1ld hap- ntrying to tappened uld have .anypeo.d in turn : abilities attention I do ined in the e body or rhave alire inveseen with. .ve made little evitch. :oveming 1ting than ed States. and they manpow- FEATURES DECEMBeR 5, 2005 WISE UP Coffee Confusion Crossroads Cafe Winter Wonderland 9 9 10 11 11 Despite no club status, WISE UP thrives Feminist group aims to raise awareness of issues BY MEAGAN BROWN Beacon Staff Writer The F word. No, not that one. Feminist. Too often, the word "feminist" carries negative connotations among today's users. However, WISE UP, a new feminist group on campus, is aiming to change that perception. WISE UP, which stands for Women's Interest Society Empowering the University Population, formed as a group for both women and men to meet and discuss women's issues. The group recently requested club status from Student Government, but was denied for lack of organization. Shannon Curtin, sophomore English major and president of WISE UP, said, "We didn't really understand why we were denied. We are having an SG member come to talk to us about it. I guess they wanted us to hold more activities. But, they were very encouraging to have us propose our club again. We need to get more members, and a better view toward what we want to accomplish." Currently, WISE UP members still meet in an attempt to encourage more interest. Meetings usually draw 15 to 16 people consistently, with more people expressing WISE UP was formed when Curtin and faculty advisor, Theresa Kintz, director of the Women's Studies minor and assistant professor of anthropology and sociology, were in a class together. A class, taught by Ms. Kintz, was the inspiration for the group. Kintz said that the group is interested in deep issues relating to women. "The students in WISE UP are interested in what feminism means to different people. They want to reflect on those power relationships," she said. Conrad Miller said he joined because he had seen what fe minism meant to other people. "I have more guy friends than girl friends and feminism has been brought up, but always with negativity. Unfortunately, the word has harsh connotations," he said. In the interest of feminism, WISE UP members also hope to bring the Guerilla Girls to Wilkes. The group, which produces theatrical events and propaganda, is interested in women's rights as they relate to the arts. The women, who will come to campus for a full day, will perform in gorilla masks that they will not take off. WISE UP meets every Monday at 5 p.m .. on the third floor of Breiseth in the Faculty Lounge. Anyone interested can attend. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski WISE UP, Women's Interest Society Empowering the University Population, conducts one of their weekly meetings on Monday. Group members Conrad Miller, Angelina Teutonico, Nicole Leader, and Shannon Curtin discuss activities, upcoming speakers, and women's rights. Meetings are held on Mondays at 5 p.m. in Breiseth Hall. an interest to join. Junior English major and new member Conrad Miller said he came to the meeting because it aligned with his personal views. "I consider myself to be a feminist. I remember going to The Vagina Monologues last year. It [feminism] has been brought up in classes and among friends," he said. U Tell S ■ ■ ■ WISE UP members are currently planning a conference next spring. The conference will focus on area schools and bring in a V<!riety of speakers. "We'll be bringing in outside speakers and speakers from Wilkes to talk about women's issues and try to bring more awareness to issues on campus," said Curtin. Beacon staff writer Meagan Brown was curious about "'.hat Wilkes students are thinking. Here is what she found out. ell as the at the po.Ce to find television olution at Iopefully, someday What was the worst holiday gift you have ever received? •• • • • • •• • • • • • •• • • • • • • • •• Kristina Johnson- freshman, nursing major Salman Punekar- junior, business administration major Krishna Kinariwala- freshman, pre-pharmacy "Socks, but at least they were cute." "I got one dress sock. I guess it was a joke." "I got encyclopedias once as a major present." Cassie Sailus- junior, biology major "I would have to say a flip-flop keychain in the middle of winter." �10 FEATURES DECEMBER 5, 2005 Clearing up the coffee confusion on campus Students' opinions vary when it comes to Java BY ERICA LEO Beacon Staff Writer For students who tend to pull late nights, have early morning classes, or just like the taste, coffee can be a very important part of the daily routine. Luckily, Wilkes University's _Medallion Dining, provided by Sodexho Campus Services, sympathizes with students' need for caffeine and provides several convenient sites on campus where everyone's favorite early morning elixir can be obtained. Specifically, Sodexho offers three oncampus locations that provide students with three different coffee brands along with a variety of their flavorful concoctions. So why three separate on-campus sites that sell three different brands of coffee? "Mostly it is for variety," said Mike Raub, Retail Manager of Wilkes ' Sodexho Campus Services. "By offering three different kinds we're able to pretty much please everybody with the kind of coffee they like to drink," he added. Also, because Sodexho has three separate coffee vendors, the decision about which brand of coffee goes where depends on what coffee appeals to whom and also the number of flavors that are offered. Seattle's Best brand can be found in Rifkin Cafe because it offers several different flavors including "Henry's Blend", Columbian, and even Cinnabon coffees. "Seattle's Best is in Rifkin Cafe generally because it has all different levels of flavor that could appeal to more people," said Raub. Sodexho decided to put a Starbucks vendor on the first floor of the Stark Leaming Center because, although the brand is still a favorite among students, it does not offer a lot of different flavors but can accommodate those who have classes in or around the building. The third brand of coffee on campus is Green Mountain which can be purchased in the cafeteria on the third floor of the SUB. Like Starbucks, Green Mountain does not offer a large variety of flavors but is still one of the most popular retail brands. Green Mountain also offers a special "perk" for patrons. The company is Fair Trade Certified and offers Latin American, Asian, and African coffee farmers a fair price on their product so they can afford to feed their families and pay for schooling for their children. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Green Mountain coffee, a fair-trade beverage, is served exclusively in the cafeteria on the third floor of Henry Student Center. This is the coffee of choice for politically conscious students as well as those who just enjoy the mild taste of the java. While Green Mountain doesn't offer as many flavored blends as it's competitors, it is the only brand to offer an organic blend. So which brand is the most popular on campus? "They're all pretty close" said Raub. Raub added that Green Mountain brand probably sells the most in volume because of the large number of students who eat in the cafeteria, but that does not necessarily mean that it is the favorite. "Just from conversation on campus I hear the Seattle's Best brand compared to Starbucks is better because of the flavor. Starbucks has a tendency to have a stronger, bolder flavor and not a lot of students like that," said Raub. Megan O'Brien, senior sociology major, is a Seattle's Best fan and agrees that this brand is the most popular on campus. "I think the flavor is better than the other kinds and there are more options," said O'Brien. Despite the numerous on-campus sites where coffee can be obtained, for commuters it is sometimes easier to stop for a cup on the way to school and head right to class. Erin Mangan, senior communication studies major, is a commuter and finds it easier to get her coffee in transit. The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Seattle's Best coffee is served in Rifkin Cafe on the first floor of the Henry Student Center. This brand has the best variety in flavor, which includes Cinnabon and vanilla as well as special blends like Colombian, mild and strong roasts. Starbucks, which is arguably the most popular coffee in the country, is served in the lobby of the Stark Learning Center. Starbucks offers a stronger, bolder flavor than than the other two brands that are offered on campus. Despite being popular nationwide, Starbucks was voted least favorite in a survey conducted by The Beacon. The popular coffee house chain is not limited to the United States and can be found in countries such as Japan, Germany, Australia, Turkey and Spain just to name a few. "It's more convenient for me," said Mangan. Taste is also an issue for Mangan, who prefers Dunkin Donuts coffee to the brands offered on campus. "Dunkin Donuts is my favorite coffee so if I do have time in the morning, I will go there." The Beacon conducted a random survey of 100 Wilkes students, faculty and staff to see what brand is favored on campus. And the winner is ... ~ Starbucks ml Green ' Mountain Em Seattle's Best Green Mountain �5, 2005 FEATURES 11 5 DECEMBER s Wilkes students lend hand in community BY ASHLEY AMBIRGE Beacon Correspondent Batman was the superhero of Gotham City, Spidennan in New York and Superman of Metropolis,J mt it's Wilkes University students taking on the role at the First United Methodist Church. Though they may lack any stereotypical superhero powers, like x-ray vision or super-human strength, some Wilkes students are helping to make a difference in another mijewski he most ,erved in : Center. 1er flavor that are ng popuoted least ll by The use chain is and can 1pan, Ger5pain just · said Manmgan, who > the brands way. By using the power of kindness, they are eliciting smiles from many of the less fortunate in Wilkes-Barre city. Although not quite comic book status yet, the students certainly are valued volunteers at the Crossroads Coffeehouse each Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. The Crossroads Coffeehouse is not a typical coffeehouse; rather it is a warm place to go for a warm meal and fellowship. "The name is a bit deceptive; it isn't exactly a coffeehouse--we do serve coffee--but the big thing is that we serve dinner. Most of the people who come in are homeless or extremely poor, and they don't get good meals very often," said Catherine Simone, a regular Wilkes student volunteer. More than just an average soup kitchen, volunteers have a larger goal in mind. Ann Loyek, coordinator for community service noted, "Yes, we help them serve food and clean it up, but one of our more important roles is to just talk with the people that are there." Upon entering through the back of the church, in plain view is the social hall in which the coffeehouse takes place once a week. Attached is a kitchen where food is prepared, with a counter that serves up meals including spaghetti, salads, hot dogs, cookies and even pies around the holidays. A hot cup of coffee is always available and patrons are always guaranteed a good meal; there's no limit on seconds. The Crossroads Coffeehouse began several years ago by members of the church and has thrived due in part to help from both King's and Wilkes' students. "They look to college students to bring an atmosphere to it ... to play the guitar, sing, play cards with them .. . get to know them," said Loyek. Yet beyond doing the people a service, students seem to get something from it as well. "Going is a bit of a stress reliever for me because I get away from all the school work that I have to worry about and focus on what other people need instead," said Simone. Sophomore Nicole Leader also regularly volunteers and stated, "It's like you have a date with these people every week. They expect you to be there." Transportation to the First United Metliodist Church does not pose a problem, considering its location is close to campus on North Franklin Street. But if a club or large group of students is interested in volunteering, a ride can be easily arranged. On December 7, a group of students will go and spread some holiday cheer by singing Christmas carols and playing music. If interested in participating on that date or any oilier, contact Ann Loyek at extension 5905. "It's about atmosphere. It's about relationships. Yes, we serve good food, but we bring so much more than that," said Loyek. The coffeehouse is held each Wednesday. Students enjoy winter wonderland te coffee so 1g, I will go ... ... ' The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski (;f)I.. I..l~f•I~ l)llINKINf• (;()NSE()IJEN(;l~S 11pus. Drunk Driving: 2.1 million students between the ages of 18 and 24 drove under the influence of alcohol last year. A few Wilkes students too~ advantage of a snowy Sunday to engage in an afternoon snowball fight on the Greenway. After a seemingly endless stream of warm November days, snow finally began falling on Friday evening and continued throughout the weekend. ....,... "~~ ~y'l,ll,lrlfNdllO ~ -'l4 ~ F.,_.C... Nbhalil:RIIMllr' Frmi illu~ 1Da:xti1g ID ·tfot,K~~ _,,.. ~ ~~ llntain First United Methodist Church, which serves as the home for the Crossroads Coffeehouse is located on orth Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre. Local college students gather here on Wed nesday evenings to cialize with those in need. _ --.i..\MI put u.h~ •1 •&...,._st~PII . . . . ., 1~ W-0- ~.-e Homa! ~~-~ ... - fp!'I - (Hingson et al., 2002) ~- Yw h t e ~- -C:OOLUI ~«nl ~ t••- �A&E DECEMBER 5, 2005 12 Winter Fashions Taste of Wilkes College Daze Comedian Joe Ohrin 13 14 14 15 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Ghosts of Holiday Movie Past 1.v 1·re to top Chri·stD1as box office list this holiday season -Y BYALISONSHERRYANDDONNATALARico Beacon Staff Writer and Beacon A &E Editor I While many will flock to the theaters to see some of the hottest hits of the year over the holiday seasons, others may opt to rent or catch a television broadcast of a classic. Here are some reccomendations: BY MEAGAN BROWN Beacon Staff Writer Christmas presents aren't the only boxes worth opening this holiday season. The jolly movie giants are also lighting up the box office with what they hope will be holiday hits. The Beacon reccomends Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. There are two kinds of people in this world. The first kind loves the Harry Potter series, movies, toys, posters, etc. The second kind loathes the mention of the Boy Who Lived and the movies that follow. The newest cinematic installment of the J.K Rowling series panders to both. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth of the projected seven novels and movies by the popular British author, is a master work of special effects and drama driven plot. Even though the movies have been rushed to keep up with the novel series and popular demand, the quality has been better with each movie. In this movie, Harry faces some of his worst fears. There is death, dragons, mer-people (who aren't as nice as fairy tales would have us think) and Harry's worst nightmare comes true. This definitely isn't the movie for the typical young Potter fan. The most memorable scenes of the movie are those with special effects. A six foot boy is turned into a ferret before the viewers' eyes. Harry is chased by a Hungarian Homtail (a particularly nasty type of dragon), and Quidditch, the wizard sport, no longer looks like a video game. The effects helped to make the movie better than the past ones, for the images were sharper, the effects looked real, and they added to the plot, which in past movies hasn't been the case. The plot of this movie is really what makes it so spectacular. The little kids from ·the first installments are growing up and showing signs of true ""\, human emotion. Romance and ( friendship play a huge part, and neither is particularly rosy. Yet, there are some points of the movie that drag on. These are the scenes that are way too long for comfort and have little to no action. Thankfully, these scenes are few and far between. In this fourth installment, it becomes clear, sometimes painfully clear, that Harry and his friends have moved from being the nai've children who liked to dabble in spells to angst, and hormone, ridden adolescents. Grade: A- 1 'Beacon Top Ten Jfo{icfay Jvlovie List 10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindee 9. Miracle on 34th Street 8 Muppet Christmas Carol 7. A Charlie Brown Christmas 6. It's a Wonderful Ufe 5. The Santa Clause 4. A Christmas Story 3. Home Alone 2. Elf 1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation It's A Wonderful Life has holiday season tradition written all over it. In my hometown of Tunkhannock, I have the distinct pleasure every Christmas to watch a viewing of Its A Wonderful Life in the local movie theater, where it is shown for free with free popcorn. It has now become a tradition for my friends and I every year. How many people can say they've seen a 1946 movie in a theater today? The story focuses on the life of George Bailey (James Stewart) who had big dreams of breaking out Courtesy Crazy4Movies.com of his small town of Bedford Falls and traveling the world. Suddenly, life happens, and he finds himself sacrificing everything for the good of his town. On Christmas Eve, George finds himself eight thousand dollars in debt and wishing he had never been born. It is up to his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), to help George realize what life would be like without him. You will laugh, cry and even come to appreciate life. Because let's face it...it really is wonderful. -AS Home Alone-Who can forget infamous Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin), the best house defender in the world? When he put his hands to his face and screamed, he instantly began a holiday phenomenon. The movie raked in over $533 million internationally, and launched Macaulay Culkin as the highest paid child actor in history. Home Alone clearly is and always will be a comical holiday favorite. Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left at home when his very large family hurries off to catch a plane to spend the holidays in France. Once alone, Kevin realizes he gets to do all the things he never would have been able to do if his family were there. Life is good for a while, but then he realizes that two burglars, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stem) are plotting to rob his house. So begins a series of hilarious antics to show the burglars who's boss. -AS Miracle on 34th Street- The holidays are a time to believe in miracles, whether it is praying that Santa Claus is real or that you don't have to pay full price on any presents. Miracle on 34th Street is definitely a movie that makes us believe that miracles can happen. It seems silly for any college student to believe in Santa Claus, but you will find yourself rooting for Kris Kringle as he proves that he is the real Santa Claus. The 1947 classic Courtesy Crazy4Movies.com stars young Natalie Wood as Susan, a six-year-old who already knows the cold hard truth about Santa Claus from her mother. Needless to say, Susan doesn't expect to receive the most important gifts on her list. That is until a special department store Santa Claus, who calls himself Kris Kringle, begins to make Susan have doubts. There are also doubts from the rest of the city about Kris's sanity, and he is sent to an asylum for the insane. When a nice young lawyer, Fred Gailey decides to defend his good friend, they set out to show the world ... even little Susan and her mother... that Santa Claus really does exist and he exists in the person of Kris Kringle. So for one day, just forget what you already know, revisit your childhood, and root for the belief in Santa Claus ... nothing will get you into the spirit more. -AS See MOVIES page 15 �DECEMBER 5, 2005 NT he 1' ... ' · YMEGANMANCEAND Girls ... eacon Co;.,.espondant and Beaco e weather forecasters are ~ood, it's also important to avq~ e both warm and fashion ,, ,a walk in the snow you can keep yo toJ)tsies warm with fashionable pak sweater boots. <;~j~era11?\ they look ,a,"-''~-":lilt'e- ai sweater wrapped !l(Olll11 your feet. e~ .. ' ;Ifyoµ can't bring yourself \· \ to wear leg warmers, Sweater ···t ~ · boots are the perfect choice for you:~<They look great worn with i!aiJ.ts or even a nice winter skirt and . ·""-· are the perfect accessory for any ward~ , . '"'S:J;®e, Sweater boots can be scrunched, · ' • rolled or extended, depending on the look ' ·:;:y ou're going for or what kind of mood you're a e- , . Bu .\ ·•/ ~ .-_· ;1 ey.~e ms tle, . Hefwe 1th lattet pai the.{ own. l .X'. , l , , : , ,· , · A top, ·sw,eaters; a p9pular tfijs yea:r, e con:ifortable · as we11. :'"Thi or 0 are 01.r'c'o~fortab)e a11 ·aa1:ifg; '- . 5 iin·:E~le . For a little extra warmth, add a tee at is just a than the sweater, -OT layer the ~weater ove( i ·button-di wn. the collar out of course. Not only will you be wann but it'll up your style points tciof L• ~ · : ft , \ · 3. Now, for the ultimate J armth, yo~ are going to want to go withtbe biggest, ' trenq this season - fur. Animal lovers · • fear not, this year faux fur is getting its ~ fifteen minutes of fame. Jackets art sporting faux fur as both linings and/ q~ ,' decorative touches. And if you wat h, , you ea mix · .b e f.! een the worn. je~rts , ; . · , .· · · · 2. ' Winter is right around the comer, and as the mperature drops, you'll want to buy yourself a tren winter coat. Look no further than the trench coat; · easiest way to stay stylish, warm and fashionable 1tlie same time. These d2ys,Jtr~9.ch ,s:oat$·aren{t made to cover u your ou ; they are an essential p belted or loose, trenc ·ent choice of outer they can go wit rstyles oftrenc rint, denim o �14 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 5, 2005 Students, staff and faculty to cook for a cause at 'Taste of Wilkes' ··:o==r ccol l I b"OUcj"'.\- BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor ~ o- ~ ,. ~ t;,e,u,, Ju-~' d i,d l..f"1 !-,o-ve w r.-d~'-'~ o- wrole, t:(,~~"' I,, -hY"~t.~ Sure, they can brew up a mean syllabus, but ever wonder if your professor is a good cook? The 13th annual Taste of Wilkes will be held tomorrow from noon until 1:00 p.m. in the Henry Student Center Ballroom. Attendees can sample the menu of concoctions from new and returning Wilkes University 'chefs,' including simple dishes, appetizers, desserts and hors d'oeuvres. According to Ann Loyek, coordinator of community service at Wilkes, once you hear the menu the event becomes irresistable. "The food definitely takes center-stage, and we all look forward to those returning favorites such as Doug Lynch's Lasagna, Jane Jeffrey's Banana Split Cake, Christine O'Hara's Warm Artichoke Dip and Romaine Szafran's Heavenly Halushki. This year, we have newcomers, with Mark Carpentier's Chicken Enchilada Dip, and Megan Boone's 'Cuss Like a Sailor' Spinach Dip, named because it's that good!" Loyek also added the student involvment is greater this year than in the past, adding that work-study stu- dent sophomore Nicole Leader, who has coordinated much of the behind-the-scences planning, will contribute her mom's deviled eggs recipe. "It's so much food, so much fun. You get to eat for an hour. Everyone has their own special thing and you get to have homemade food, which we don't usually get," said Leader. Student chefs also include Rob Tonnessen, Frank Velez, Melissa Bracone, Kristen Potsko and Becca Schaal. Also, an auction will be held for gift certificates donated by local stores and restaurants such as Woodhouse Day Spa, Michael Mootz Candies and Barnes and Noble. All proceeds for both admission and the auction will benefit the United Way of the Wyoming Valley, which supports local organizations such as the American Red Cross, YMCA, Head Start, VISION, Victims Resource Center and Children's Service Center. Admission is a donation of $6, with students entering for $3. Clubs with five or more will receive discounted admission, and chefs will get in for free. Sounds of the eason From VPA Since the holidays have entered out minds, hearts, and souls, it seems that music has as well. Throughout the month of December, just in time for "happy holidays," there will be all sorts of musical performances happening on an around campus: -Tuesday at 6:00p.m.- Voice Recital with the students of Susan Minsavage, Gies Hall, Darte Center -Thursday at 8:00p.m.- Faculty recital with Rebecca Simon-Brown and Mary Ellen Flint, Kirby Hall u£I@@ev®®e@~ :vy All th Sc~ J(IVMM I# ti, BEU wo;M. An~b:Nt• ~1"thi l t i ! ~ ~ M'Twfog ~CffltflCIJllilri f.i MD~ Sl11Tell:ilaadiit.ar- 1-800-230-PLAN ..,,_ ""-'•""' ppnep.grg fa,..., _ _f_ -Friday at 7:00p.m.- Studio recital- Musical Trends in the 20th Century, Kirby Hall -Sunday at 4:00p.m.- Choral Chamber Singers concert at St. Stephen's Church on South Franklin Street. So, the air is filled with all the joys of music that you could ever want to hear. It's a little something sweet for the ears instead of the mouth for a change. -Jaclyn Francese 15 A&J BYDONN1 Beacon A&, Joe Ohrin laughing a great Geoq Now apoli: both locall) and New J, are used b) on to find o respondenc The Bea, of wanting Ohrin: V around doi clean stuff the jumbo felt funny, was also sl lot to get r The Bea was your appearenc Ohrin: lie show mic night Trax in Ed since rerr nix. The1 musiciani really en, I workec minutes gave it a got laugt the crow, that a fe, some col College · York to would d, on Long TheB, saw the cohabita terial? ( woman , Ohrin brought makes J when I she goc to hund commit to emb, ofhurni Thel Ohril the FIV Lackav for Be in Ne" Stand-1 and T Califo1 ing as Philly, at Wi~ biz. ( �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A& E Profile: Comedian Joe Ohrin BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor d l- )r td u- ca lo>d1es the ing . as VI- 1terdis- ·ends ngers nklin C that !thing ange. e Joe Ohrin, 38, of Wilkes-Barre has been laughing at and impersonating comedy great George Carlin since he was a kid. Now a polished comedian, Ohrin performs both locally and in neighboring New York and New Jersey. And, some of his jokes are used by someone quite famous ... read on to find out who, in this recent online correspondence with the N»PA funny man. The Beacon: What is your first memory of wanting to make people laugh? 0hrin: When I was a kid, I would walk around doing bits from George Carlin. The clean stuff was all that I heard. I would do the jumbo shrimp routine, waffle iron, etc. I felt funny as a youngster but I was also shy. It took a lot to get me going. The Beacon: Where was your first public appearence? 0hrin: My first public show was an open mic night at a bar called TraxinEdwardsville. It's since remodeled as Shanix. There were mostly musicians, but my friend really encouraged me, so 1 worked up about three minutes of material and gave it a shot. Some stuff got laughs, some didn't, but the crowd was friendly. I did that a few times and then did some coffee houses at King's College while attending. I moved to New York to work in the music business and would do comedy on the side, open mies on Long Island and the city. The Beacon: You are married correct? I saw the announcement. So-since you are cohabitating-have you gotten any new material? (Read: what dumb thing has your woman done that made it to the stage ... ) 0hrin: Yes, I'm married, and that has brought a slew of material. She sometimes makes fun of me to her friends at work when I do something dumb. But when she goofs up, it gets played out on stage to hundreds of people at a time! You want commitment, you got it! "I am committed to embarrassing you publicly, for the sake of humor!" The Beacon: Where do you perform? 0hrin: Locally, I have performed at the FM Kirby Center which is awesome, Lackawanna County Stadium opening for Beatlemania, and otherwise at clubs in New York such as Dangerfield's, and Stand-Up NY, also Coconuts in Florida and The Comedy Store in Hollywood, California. I don't do as much far traveling as I used to. I stay mostly in the local, Philly, Jersey, New York area. I perform at Wisecrackers a lot, www.wisecrackers. biz. (free plug) It's cool having ·a bunch of great comedy rooms so close to home. They are in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton at the Clarion Hotel and State College. They also do occasional shows in various places for fundraisers, etc. The Beacon: Talk about bright lights, big city, man! You have written for Leno and 'starred' in A Beautiful Mind with Russell Crowe-tell me what it's like to see your words come out of a late night show hosts mouth- and hear America laugh. And what was it like having being a bit part player on a major motion picture? Ohrin: Yes, I contribute jokes to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. That feels absolutely awesome. When the biggest comedian on the most famous show thinks enough of your jokes to tell them to 200 million people, it's a huge compliment and a terrific rush. I had a small part in A Beautiful Mind, but unfortunately it was mostly cut out. I was sitting on a bench at Princeton University in the scene playing a board game with a guy when Russell and Ed Harris walk in behind us, stand and chat. Then we get up and they take our bench. They shot us for about rs two hours and in between takes Rus1secrac e sell Crowe is talking to me about how much he likes Willie Nelson, Ed Harris is patting me on the shoulder and then the director comes over. He says, "Okay, Joe. Here's what I'd like you to do now." The director was Ron Howard, and I'm thinking, "Richie Cunningham knows my name!" He was cool and came back into the scene a few times to direct me in different ways. That was a good day! I also did some work on an indie film with Molly Ringwald. She was fun, too. The Beacon: What is your favorite type of comedy? Ohrin: My favorite type of comedy is semi-intelligent...George Carlin is my fave. I'm not much into Dumb and Dumber stuff. The Beacon: Say something funny about downtown Wilkes-Barre. Ohrin: In the spring, the farmers market opens on the square, they sell food, art and turn on the fountain. Then the mayor passes a law that says "bathing in the fountain is prohibited" Has he seen the people ON public Square? Bathing should be required! The Beacon: Say something funny about me. Ohrin: I know because you're blonde, you can't read fast, so I wrote my comments r-e-a-1-1-y s-1-o-w-l-y! !! DECEMBER 5, 2005 MOVIES from page 12 Scrooged- In this 1988 comedic play on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Bill Murray plays a stereotypical coldhearted and cynical TV executive Frank Cross. His network is preparing to air a live version of the famous Christmas tale and meanwhile, his selfish antics are taking a toll on his employees and loved ones. He is visited by the ghost of Christmas past, present and future, each showing him how he should change. This is a classic storyline with a twist of Courtesy IMBD.com comedy and a very memorable appearance from Carol Kane. -DT National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation- Chevy Chase and Beverly DeAngelo are back as Clark and Helen Griswald- and as usual- the kids are different actors and different ages. But, instead of trekking across the country or jetsetting to Europe, the funny family decides to stay home. From Audrey turning blue while Christmas tree hunting, a destroyed turkey, a wrapped cat from an Alzheimer-patient aunt, rodents, a memorable speech from Chase to his selfish boss, a Christmas bonus check and dreams of a pool, this movie has plenty of antics to put a pottybreak on hold. Randy Quaid steals the show, as in all of the Lampoon's movies, as redneck Cousin Eddie. By chance, if you haven't seen this hysterical movie, do. It may be the best present you give yourself. -DT A Christmas Story- All little Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Rider bee-bee gun. The movie follows Ralphie, his little brother Randy, his endearing mom and cussing father, the days before Christmas. Will Ralphie get his Christmas wish? We nearly forget the plot as we follow Ralphie and his gang getting chased by a yellow-eyed school bully, his pal getting his tongue stuck to a pole on a triple-dog-dare, his father winning Courtesy Yahoo! Movies a 'leg lamp,' Randy 'eating like a piggy' and plenty more. Almost as funny as Lampoon's, this goes down in Christmas comedy history. You'll be reciting lines for days following: "Ho-Ho-Ho," "You'll shoot your eye out," and "Oh Fudge!" -DT These feel-good and funny holiday classics are perfect for that, and just as much a staple as a tree and eggnog. Watch a few, or watch them all. ASK ABOUT OUR Cl1Y SUITES APARTM:ENTS AND SPECIAL LODGING RATES KEENANS AT THERJ\MADA WELCOMES WILKES UNIVERSITY .JOIN US PORLUNCH, DlmmROR -KA.PPiMOOR IN t~ANSJREH ~ ' F t i A ~ OUR ME/W MmJVAHI) $At.AO BAR mo~AM-2:00 IF'M. 500 PM-9:,5❖ '.PM OA!l..Y ALL WILKeS UNMRSrrY $TTJDRNTS fflAT PRESBNT THE.JR m w~ !N OFmE:ruNG wn.a.. RE.CACV! A J5Wi f.HSCOUNt ON FOOD PURCHASES DISCOUNT IS VALID 'FROM u:oo AM ro 7.00 PM - - - -1 �SPORTS 16 DECEMBER 5, 2005 DEC COMMENTARY Good call, Andy Reid Ryan gives a tip of the hat to the coach that fought a superego and won BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor Now that the arbitration is over, and Eagles receiver Terrell Owens is off the field for certain, it is time to look back on this whole disastrous incident and applaud the man who proved to fans around the country that pro football isn't entirely a greed-driven, immediate-results business: Eagles head coach Andy Reid. In truth, Owens acted in a manner that would have caused him to be cut from any team long ago if it weren't for his talent. He insulted all-pro quarterback Donovan McNabb, chastised offensive coordinator Brad Childress, and picked a fight with for-. mer teammate Hugh Douglas (but not before getting proper fighting footwear from his locker, proving once and for all that he would make a poor McGuyver). Of course, he kicked off this series of antics by holding out for more money at the start of camp. After so effectively proving himself to be such a malignant cancer to the team, any coach would be crazy not to get him off of the roster .. .if it weren't for his talent. And therein lies the rub. Take away the holdouts, take away the well-planned fistfights, take away my personal belief that T.O. is just trying to out-fine Randy Moss, and what is left is one of the best receivers in the league today. Owens didn't earn five straight pro bowl invitations by chance, and his 101 touchdowns didn't happen by accident. Whatever his mental state, T.O. is an established star capable of turning the momentum of the game by himself. This sort of talent is exactly what the Eagles could use right now. Several starters are on the sideline with injury, most importantly Donovan McNabb, and the Eagles have been having trouble winning the close games. Great players know when to take the game into their own hands, and when T.O. does it, the Eagles usually end up winning the game. Even if he doesn't catch a pass, other teams are forced to spread themselves thinner by respecting the threat that he poses. IfT.O. were back in the lineup, the Eagles might have another win or two. Andy Reid knows better, though. Just as he did during his first year at the helm--when he kept McNabb on the bench in favor of Doug Peterson--Reid is looking to the future. His goal isn't to have a good season; it's to win a Super Bowl. Maybe that won't be accomplished in 2005, but the groundwork will be laid for future seasons. With a talented squad and strong support from the Eagles' institution, Reid can look at the big picture. Good call, Andy Reid. If other coaches in the league had that much vision, there might be more than a handful of teams in the NFL worth watching. ~TOYOTA n~o MACPIEBIDI ITBUT naT IU8 + AM/RC/CD WITB 8 IPIAIIRI + LI170 BP •11 + I aacm PAIIEU + 3BMPOIWYt - YOUR NEW CAI Al_,..8 Senior 4 King's, left to f, points i with elE the Coli and 2-0 after p(] tory OVE sity on: will tra, on Dece against Immact 0-6 ove record i nia Atb Tip-off· �DECEMBER SPORTS 5, 2005 17 Fields of Dreams: Did you know? BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor l Sometimes a physical playing field can be overlooked in the thrill of the game, but for some fields, a whole lot of history can be missed. For example, did you know that Wilkes' own Artillery Park has a few famous connections? We take a look at some of these connections and other fun facts about the playing fields at Wilkes this week. Babe Ruth hit the longest homerun of his career at Wilkes' very own Artillery Park. After losing the 1926 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Babe returned to Wilkes-Barre two days later and smacked a shot estimated to have traveled over 600 feet.* Remember the commercial where the Kansas City Chiefs groundskeeper accidentally spells "Chefs" in the end zone. That was Edwardsville's very own George Toma. Toma got his start as head groundskeeper at Artillery Park before moving on to be the head groundskeeper for the Kansas City Chiefs. He has also been in charge of the grounds for 39 Super Bowls and count- les !id ur- !pt >e- -Iis vin m- vill ted les' ire. hes .e re ; 1n ing.# Ralston Field was named after the school 's first football coach and athletic director, George Ralston. The field opened September 25, 1965. Pop Quiz: l) George Toma's nickname is: a) "The Marque de Sod" b) "Sod God" c) "King of the Grass" 2) Which historic home run did the Babe hit before bis shot at Artillery Park? a) The "called" shot at Wrigley Field b) The homer he promised to a hospitalized boy c) His first major league home run 3) Before the Red Barons were the Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliate, whom did they represent when they were the Class A Wilkes-Barre Barons at Artillery Park? a) Cleveland Indians b) . New York Yankees c) Boston Red Sox d) Baltimore Orioles Answers: I, A; 2,B; 3.A '"wilkes.edu #www.dakotapeat.com/ news/ article s/O12001 a. html STUDENT ROUSING SOLUTION ........ ...,,..,,,. Parktna • The Beacon/Todd Weibel Senior Center Evan Walters (right) fights for the tip-off against John Soboleski from King's on November 30. Chris Shovlin hit a three-pointer with seventeen seconds left to force overtime, and the Colonels took control to win 77-76. Walters posted 23 points in the game, while Shovlin scored 22. Michael Constantine also chipped in with eleven points. The win over the defending Freedom Conference champs gave the Colonels a 1-0 record to start conference play. The Colonels moved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the converence after posting a 71-68 victory over DeSales University on Saturday. Wilkes will travel to Immaculata on December 7 to face off against the Mighty Macs. Integrative Media lmmaculata is currently 0-6 overall, with an 0-3 record in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference. Tip-off will be at 8pm. The STUDIO is Here. u.mu•• tc:tt•ht•rw Cabtlt WHb HSO Fl'ufftl•hlrtc,• a.•rcl•• ,A oom W•H t · W•H o.,....1nc, rm.aa:NGIES • &IEDROCIM svaTES 2 BEDROOM Sln'l'BS Come join our Open HouseSTUDIO Room 20 - Brelseth, Basement Dec. 9th, 12-4pm .,.,.. · · · - · - • ....1:os roR A rlAZS '1'0-VRI •20 .,924.,..2 1,00., •X'IJ-IOII S 2a �SPORTS 18 DECEMBER 5, 2005 Commentary GAME OF THE WEEK NBA: Miami Heat versus San Antonio Spurs Double Take The Champs vs. the Favorites BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer After many months of watching recycled video of San Antonio's Tim Duncan holding up the NBA Championship Trophy in one hand and the MVP Trophy in the other, the NBA is back on the courts. This week, a marquee match-up of powerhouses will be played in Texas: a great inter-conference battle between the Miami Heat and the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. The first player that probably comes to mind is Miami's biggest draw, Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq is arguably the best player in the game and can dominate the paint like nobody's business. · Over the off-season, the Heat bulked-up an already explosive offensive lineup by acquiring former Boston Celtic Antoine Walker, as well as guards Jason Williams and Gary Payton. When you put them on the court with perennial all-stars like Shaq and Dewayne Wade, you have an incredible amount of scoring punch. Right now, Wade is currently their leading scorer, averaging about 25 points per game. With so much offense, can they play defense? So far this season, they haven't had any trouble, with their defense near the top of the league's rankings and their record at the top of their division. The San Antonio Spurs have all of the elements to repeat as league champs. Just like last year, they have either a star player or an experienced role player at every position. Led by forward/center Tim Duncan and guard Manu Ginobili, the Spurs are poised to dominate and they have already gotten off to a great start. Like the Heat, the Spurs are already at the top of their division as well. Flanking Duncan and Ginobili are defensive specialist Bruce Bowen, leader Brent Barry, and guards Tony Parker and Nick Van Exel. Duncan leads the team in scoring, averaging around 21 points per game. As for the match-up, the main thing to watch is the obvious: Shaq against Duncan. The ability to control the space in the paint will make a big difference in the outcome of the game. As always, turnovers will also be a factor. Considering the Spurs will probably have a more experienced veteran lineup in the fold, the Spurs should come out on top in the turnovers. Finally, the thing that would be the worst for the Heat would be fouls. If the Spurs can get the Heat in foul trouble early in the game, then the Heat's lack of depth on their bench would be exploited, giving the Spurs a definite advantage. I think that the Spurs depth and their experience will loom large in the late stages of the game, so I give them the edge. The Pick: Spurs 96, Heat 88 versus AflAllllli . HEAF Sarah examines the stats that truly matter BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Quick Info: Miami Heat vs. San.Antonio Spurs Time: 9:00 PM Channel: ESPN Standings Heat: 10-7 (1st place Southeast division of Eastern Conference) Spurs: 13-3 (1st place Southwest division of Western Conference) The time has finally come to examine an NBA game. I was starting to have football nightmares, so I welcome the NBA with open arms. Basketball is just an all around exciting game. The coaches get mad, the players get mad and the refs get mad. It's got the emotional drive of a hockey game minus the brutality. I have to admit, while I do enjoy a good game of basketball, the NBA usually doesn't cut it for me. I'd much rather watch an intense high school game or an exciting NCAA face- off. Nevertheless this week's game features the Miami Heat against the San Antonio Spurs. When it comes to professional basketball I usually go with my gut. And to be honest, I just don't think the Heat has what it takes to burn out the Spurs. Unfortunately, neither team has a catchy name. You've got the Heat, a direct correlation to the climate in Miami. Then you've got the Spurs, which is just so stereotypical for a Texas team (i.e. Cowboys). Ordinarily I probably wouldn't go with a Texas team, but I'm fairly confident this time. The Spurs are going ice the Heat and take the game. Ride 'em cowboy. Go Spurs. �DECEMBER S~ORTS 5, 2005 19 Athlete of the Week Mens basketball: Chris Shovlin BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor e e e g s le lS a u- er an 'SS :at etto ias :hy or1en so >W- rith this [eat >0y. * on Wednesday An overtime 77-76 win night against King's capped off a 3-1 start to the men's basketball season at Wilkes. Leading the way during this fast start to the season is sophomore guard Chris Shovlin. "We went into the season thinking that we've got the best guard in the conference, even though he's only a sophomore," said head coach Jerry Rickrode. Shovlin has responded well to the adulation, posting 61 points in his opening four games, averaging 15 .3 points per game. "He's under a lot of pressure," said Rickrode, now in his 14th season at the helm of the Colonels. "We need him to know that he doesn't have to do everything ... but, if we need something, he can take control of the game." Shovlin is coming off of a freshman year in which he averaged 18.8 points per game during his eighteen games. Shovlin transferred to Wilkes last season after beginning the year at Division I Monmouth. With fifteen starts under his belt and a chance to play a full season, Rickrode expects Shovlin to have an easier season. "This year is going to be a lot easier for him because he's been here from the start of the season," said Rickrode. Shovlin has taken the opportunity presented by his previous playing experience to help lead the team through the beginning of the season. His leadership has also changed somewhat from last year. "He's much more vocal," said Rickrode. Leadership can be difficult for lowerclassmen, often because elder members of the team can resent the attempt at leadership. In the case of Shovlin, however, this hasn't been a problem. "It's a lot easier for him," said Rickrode. "He's got a personality you really like." Courtesy of Sports Information Shovlin posted 22 points in last Wednesday's game against King's College, including a key three-pointer to send the game into overtime. Senior Drew Amoroso agrees, "He's vocal and he leads by his play. People follow that." Shovlin's biggest factor for success has been "the ability to create, for himself and his team," said Rickrode. "He had a level of quickness higher than most players at this level," he said. "He's able to drive by guys pretty easily," said Amoroso, "but he's also a deadly three point shooter. You can't play him too tight or too loose." Although Shovlin has had an impressive freshman year and an excellent start to his sophomore year, Rickrode feels that the best is yet to come. "He's still got a ways to go," said Rickrode. "He's got an ability level greater than others. The sky's the limit for him." Should the rest of the Colonels continue to reach for the sky as well, the men's basketball season may well turn out to be a dream come true. The BeaconfTodd Weibel Freshman guard Holly Leszyk moves downcourt against King's on November 30. The Lady Colonels had an eight point lead going into the half, but could not overcome a late King's rally and fell 64-56. WEEKEND RECAPS Men's Basketball Mike Constantine nailed a key 3-pointer with 1:01 remaining to squeak Wilkes past DeSales in a crucial Freedom Conference match up Saturday afternoon. Chris Shovlin had 15 points and seven assists, Steve Kline had 13 points, and both Constantine and Evan Walters put up 10 points each as the Colonels improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference. Women's Basketball The Lady Colonels could not overcome DeSales' 14-2 run to lead after the first half, losing 80-58. Randi Corbo had 14 points and Lacey Andresen had 12 tallies and nine rebounds as Wilkes drops to 1-4 overall and 0-2 ip the conference. Wrestling The 19th ranked Colonels took second place in tpe RIT tournament Saturday. Joe Barowski (157) headlined six wrestlers who placed in the event, beating six-seeded Nate Baumann from RIT 6-3 in the final. Also placing were Angelo Dileo (third place, 175); Rex Harris (third place, 184); Erik Smith (fourth place, 149); Felipe Queiroz (fifth place, 125), and Adam Penberthy (fifth place, 141). NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 101.5 Points amassed by the wrestling team in Saturday s RIT Tournament. The Colonels placed second out of 18 teams in the event. 37 Points scored by sophomore Chris Shovlin in two men s basketball games this week. 6 Number of wrestlers who placed in Saturday s wrestling tournament at RIT. 14 Points scored by Randi Corbo during Saturdays womens basketball game against DeSales University. �20 Wrestling Preview: Wilkes/King's/Lyco01ing Colonels to face cross-town rival and ranked opponent this week JANUA BY ARIEL COHEN Beacon Asst. Sports Editor As finals and other end-of-thesemester schoolwork inspire the last minute push among most Wilkes students, Colonel wrestlers have an additional challenge on their shoulders. Wilkes wrestling heads into a busy week competing against cross-town rival King's College and Mid-Atlantic rival Lycoming College. The Wilkes wrestlers head into the upcoming matches ranked 19th nationwide, only seven spots behind 12th ranked Lycoming College, and are also coming off the R.I.T Wrestling Tournament this past weekend. "We have had two impressive championship wins so far this season including the second place win at the R.I. T," said senior wrestler Rex Harris. Facing off against a higher ranked team this coming Friday, these matches are crucial because to date, the home team has yet to win. If the Wilkes wrestling team. can pull off the win over King's and the upset over Lycoming, it would be the first time that a home team has won in a match this season. "Keeping the pressure on them and utilizing the kind of conditioning we have will be some of the keys to winning the matches this week," stated wrestling head coach John Laudenslager. According to Laudenslager, it will be hard to judge who will emerge as the key grapplers in the upcoming matches, especially with the fact that five of the starters are freshman. Through the first few matches, several of the returning wrestlers, including 174 lb. senior Rex Harris, have started weil. "I am pretty confident in the team, and I think that we are capable of winning," said Laudenslager. With last year's match against King's so close, ending in a 22-19 win for Wilkes, the Colonels are looking to make it back-to-back wins over the Monarchs. Harris stated that, "The team is all fired up and you always have to be excited about wrestling the Monarchs." The match against King's will take place at 7p.m. Wednesday, December 7 at home. The Lycoming match will be 7p.m. Friday, December 9, also at home in the Arnaud C. Marts Center. The BeaconfTodd Weibel Josh Sperling and Joe Yutko work out during a practice. The Colonels will enter the matches against King's and Lycoming with the momentum of two first place finishes and one second place finish in the last three tournaments. Campus Calendar; *Hideous Beauty, Sordoni Art Gallery *Wrestling vs. King's -- 7 p.m. *Men's basketball@ lmmaculata -- 8 p.m. MONDAY (12/05) THURSDAY (12/08) *Poetry reading, Barnes & Knoble -7 p.m. *Wrestling vs. Lycoming -- 7 p.m. *Ballet Northeast's Nutcracker, DDD -- 7:30 p.m. *Trivia Night sponsored by the Junior Class, HSC Miller Conference Room -- 8 p.m. *Food and clothing drive, Office of Community Service *Mindy Davis Sterling Silver Sale, HSC -- 10 a.m. *Women's basketball vs. Misericordia *Faculty recital, Kirby Hall -- 7:30 p.m. *Food and clothing drive, Office of Community Service *Men's Basketball @ RIT Tournament -- I p.m. Women's basketball vs. Susquehanna -- I p.m. FRIDAY (12/09) SUNDAY (12/11) *Food and clothing drive, Office of Community Service *Men's basketball vs. SUNY Oswego -- 6 p.m . *Piano/Collaborative recital, Kirby Hall -- 7 p.m . *Studio recital "Musical Trends in 20th Century America," Kirby Hall - 7 p.m. *Food and clothing drive, Office of Community Service *Chorus and Chamber Singers concert, St. Stephens Church -- 4 p.m. All Week TUESDAY (12/06) *Taste of Wilkes, HSC Ballroom -- 12 to I p.m. *Student voice recital, ODD Geis Hall-- 6 p.m . *Women's basketball vs. Elmira -- 7 p.m. *General Colin L. Powell - Jay S. Sidhu Outstanding Leaders Forum, F.M. Kirby Center for Performing Arts -7:30 to IO p.m. WEDNESDAY (12/07) *Crossroads Coffee House, First United Methodist Church -- 7 to 9 p.m. BYVI◄ Beacon Find this Picture.on Campus and ... WIN CASH E1 SATURDAY (12/10) Due to winter break, The Beacon will resume publishing next semester. For It official: eating t on Pub] tering i1 King's munity The J: store fc locatior Byers, vices si plan wi look fw In the tors hai relocati resental Chamb, for a lai Byers propos, ticipati1 atory st know v added. BYKR Beacon This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's Campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the*subject heading, as well ·as your name, phone number, and either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the 'Programming Board. Congratulations to David Scordino, who correctly identified last week's secret shot of the railing on the River Street side of Kirby Hall. The l'I Writing existen1 has ma tionally strides � 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 2005 December 5th Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2005 December 5 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/62b2e90508f4d2365c331618dd1d205e.pdf bacb28732b16278845db46dceea3e08a PDF Text Text Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA THE NEW"S OF TODAY REPORTED BY THE JOURNALISTS OF TOMORROW NOVEMBER Volume 58 Issue 10 www.wilkesbeacon.com 21, 2005 Business school patron under fire from shareholders Sidhu argues Sovereign has 'highest of ethical governance ' BY KRISTIN KILE Beacon Editor-in-Chief Recently, the largest group of Sovereign Bancorp shareholders launched a media campaign criticizing CEO Jay Sidhu and Sovereign Directors. Sidhu, who is a member of the Wilkes University Board of Trustees, donated, along with Sovereign Bancorp, $3 million to endow the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership in fall 2003. The media campaign began as Sovereign planned to sell 19 .8percent of its stock to Santander, Spain's largest bank. The deal would make Santander Sovereign's largest shareholder with $2.4 billion dollars. Since the sale is less than 20-percent, a shareholder vote is not required to make the deal official. The deal also gives Santander the option to buy out Sovereign starting July 2008. The shareholder group, known as Relational Investors, placed full-page ads in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and other newspapers, criticizing Sidhu's ethics and claiming he and the directors are "creating more See SIDHU page 3 Rules newly enforced about advertising on ca01pus BY STEPHANIE DEBALKO Beacon Staff Writer The policy regarding the distribution of posters and fliers on campus has recently been enforced, and many university clubs have been surprised by the crackdown. The policy has been in place for quite some time, and is described in the Wilkes University Student Handbook. The handbook states that individuals are prohibited from hanging articles on doors, windows, walls and basically any area other than bulletin boards. However, some students mistakenly believed that the policy was new because it has recently been more stringently enforced by Public Safety. Chris Bailey, Director of Campus Support Services provided an explanation for why this guideline has suddenly been enacted. "It got a little bit out of hand, particularly in the Student Union, where we were having not only university affiliated groups but outside groups putting things up," Bailey said. "It was [also] an issue of how the campus appears ... how that looked to the outside public, in terms of being cluttered." The enforcement of the policy also involved the issue of safety. According to Bailey, doors and windows covered with advertisements do not allow for students and other individuals to be fully aware of what may be outside when they are exiting these buildings. Bailey said, "The final issue is safety. [We] want to keep the doors clear so you can actually see out of them and see what's on the other side ... so there is a safety issue to deal with." Many campus clubs and organizations have been affected by the new enforcement of this policy. Student groups sometimes depend on distributing signs and posters all over campus buildings in order to spread the word about campus activities and meetings. Bailey noted that perhaps surprisingly The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski See POSTERS page 5 The office of public safety is now enforcing a long standing rule prohibiting posters and fliers on windows and doors in public buildings across campus. Student groups have been advised to post all fliers on bulletin boards. In This Issµe. .. Christmas hype comes too early Page8 Senior Athletes Index News ................................ 1-5 Opinion ... .......................... 6-8 Features ......................... 9-11 Arts & Entertainment....12-15 Sports ........................... 16-20 �NEWS NOVEMBER 21, 2005 2 SG Notes Ratchford Field Sordoni Art Gallery 3 4 5 Wilkes student groups lend a helping hand at CEO Annual Thanksgiving Project guarantees food for the needy BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor As the holiday season arrives, Wilkes community members are rallying to help those less fortunate. Student Government (SG) members volunteered yesterday, November 20, at the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) Thanksgiving Project '05. The Thanksgiving Project consists of distributing bags of food that contain the traditional items of a Thanksgiving meal including a turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings. Groups also distributed supplemental food items donated by other organizations, corporations and private food drives for less fortunate families in the community. Lisa Staub, the Thanksgiving Project Coordinator said, "We serve families in Wyoming and Luzerne Counties throughout the holiday season." Volunteers who help with the Thanksgiving Project help to separate the food into bags containing the traditional items, and distributing the supplemental items to families who pass through the site. Staub said, "We will use a total of about 1,000 volunteers for the whole event. We have volunteers making additional bags, because of the need in the area, and those who are working the assembly line." For the second consecutive year, SG participated in the event. Jared Shayka, SG parliamentarian said, "I first got started with it [the Thanksgiving Project] my sophomore year in SG and the main reason is that it is an excellent opportunity to give back to the community." • Joshua Swantek, Off Campus Council president said, "It's a good, nice way to get us involved in the community and let the Wilkes-Barre neighbors see what we are doing." In the past, the project has successfully provided food for hundreds of families for the holiday. According to Staub, this year the Thanksgiving Project distribution started on Saturday, November 19 and served over 1,400 families on that day alone. Yesterday, a line of people waiting for their chance to receive the items stretched outside of the building but no final numbers were available by press time. The Thanksgiving Project operates out of an old retail building on Kidder Street and is set up as an assembly line. Swantek said, "It's a great team-building exercise. Everyone had to work together and do their own part to make it a success." The key to the CEO Thanksgiving Project is the generosity of volunteers. Because the project is so dependent on physical labor and human coordination, Staub noted that it couldn't work without the substantial number of volunteers CEO receives gratefully each year. Volunteers coordinate almost all of the on-site work. Staub said, "We recruit all over for volunteers. We do traditional mailings, we post on three websites and we have a whole list of group coordinators who we work with regularly along with the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program that help us coordinate volunteers. Recruiting starts in October and continues throughout the project." SG was not the only Wilkes University group to participate in the volunteer opportunity. Members of the Running Club, Off Campus Council and other groups also volunteered. SG participated in the event as a returning group. Staub explained, "We have all types of groups and organizations who volunteer. We have a lot of return groups." Wilkes students who volunteered were distributing food in the assembly line and walking with families to their vehicles to help them load the items. Each family walks out with a shopping cart of food and it was the job of volunteers to return the carts in order to keep the assembly line going. Although the students are helping others, they find value in the experience as well. Shayka said, "It's a wonderful experience to make you realize what you are given and to be thankful for everything. I called the contact person from CEO and got it arranged for SG and Running Club to help out." BEACON Serving the community through fair and accurate reporting while supporting the views and opinions of our readers. Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Kristin Kile Managing Editor: Rebecca Goodman Email: wilkesbeacon@gmail.com News Editor: Victoria White Email: beaconnewsline@gmail.com Op/Ed Editor: Curran Dobson Email: thebeacon.oped@gmail.com Features Editor: Sarah Herbert Email: thebeaconfeatures@gmail.com A&E Editor: Donna Talarico Email: thebeaconae@gmail.com Sports Editor: Ryan Dippre Email: beaconsports@gmail.com Photo Editor: Nick Zmijewski Advertising Managers: Jamie Babbitt Kristyn Ostman Email: thebeacon. ads@gmail.com Advisor: Dr. Andrea Breemer Frantz ■ ■ ■ The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Members of Student Government, Running Club and Off Campus Council, along with other clubs, volunteered at the CEO Annual Thanksgiving Project on Sunday, November 20. Students volunteered to help the less fortunate have a warm meal for Thanksgiving dinner. Established in 1936 PA Newspaper Association Member Printed on Mondays during the academic school year. Box 111, Wilkes University 192 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 (570) 408-5903 wilkesbeacon@gmail.com www.wilkesbeacon.com �NOVEMBER 21, 2005 SIDHU from FRONT PAGE value for themselves than for Sovereign shareholders." The ads refer to Sidhu and the directors as "Long-Term Liablities," and accuse-them of excessive pay and insider loans. According to a November 9 Boston Globe article, Relational's campaign began months ago when the group looked to fill two seats on Sovereign's Board of Directors and suggested they would consider firing Sidhu if they gained the seats. Relational argues that Sovereign directors are the highest-paid in banking, with annual salaries up to $313,000 and directors took out more than $90 million in loans without disclosure. Sidhu said the ads are filled with baseless facts. "Whatever ads they have taken out are false, misleading and distortion of facts and designed for their own self interest," Sidhu said. Sidhu said the shareholders use all types of tactics to manipulate for their own personal benefit. He maintains that Sovereign is a very ethical company with principles and values. "I am proud of the fact that we have the highest of ethical governance," Sidhu said. This dispute has garnered significant national media attention from the beginning, but officials at Wilkes do not think it will have an affect on the business school, which bears Sidhu's name. "I don't really think that it reflects on the university in any significant way, if at all. This is a matter that involves Sovereign NEWS required to devise a personal development plan including ethics and goals they want to accomplish before graduation. Sidhu still believes ethics are an important part of business. "It is important for leaders to stand by ethical principles and values and stand by what is the right thing to do. If you do that, you will prevail," Sidhu said. Dr. Paul Browne, Dean of the Sidhu School, said the curriculum has prioritized The Beacon/Nick Zmjewski ethical and moral diThe Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership is located on the first floor mensions of the business decision-making of Breiseth Hall. process. Bank and its board, and I really do have been generous benefactors to "I think our responnot feel that it [will have] any im- the business school. sibility is to challenge students "In our relationship with Mr. to look inside themselves and be pact. We are extremely proud to have the Sidhu name on the busi- Sidhu, and with the Sovereign ad- honest about their own core values ness school," university President, ministrators, we have experienced that they hold, and then to exercise nothing but professional, support- those values when they're making Tim Gilmour said. Mike Frantz, vice president of ive, honest, authentic, collabora- business decisions. I think anothenrollment, also does not think the tive, ethical interaction. Our busi- er thing we need to help students media campaign will leave a neg- ness program is based on these learn and understand is [that] as ative impression on prospective values and we expect to continue you move into the world of work, students looking to join the school to attract and retain growing the you will move into organizations numbers of students we are seeing that have their own cultures, and of business. "I'm not sure how many of them in the program," Loeschke said. sometimes there'll be a conflict When the school of business between your own grounded val(prospective students) are reading the Wall Street Journal and the was established, Sidhu said it ues and the decision framework. .. New York Times, and even if they would not be are . . . none of the articles that I an ordinary have read mentioned Wilkes Uni- school. It versity," Frantz said. would focus University Provost, Maravene on authentic Loeschke said she is proud of the leadership relationship the university has with and students Sidhu, and both he and Sovereign would be 3 preferred in the corporate culture," Browne said. Browne said the business curriculum does not offer a specific course on ethics; rather, all courses incorporate ethics in some way. He said one class that does address it the most is the Legal Environment of Business. Browne said many deals in business are safe under the law, but there might be a question of whether certain practices are still ethical. Ruth Hughes teaches two sections of the Legal Environment of Business. She said the situation Sovereign is facing is not that uncommon in big businesses. Hughes said the case is too preliminary right now to include it in her teaching lessons, but it could be included in the future. "It might fit into our discussion on securities because it involves shareholder relations and it involves some allegations by the shareholders against management, as well as now some allegations by management against this major shareholder. .. So ifl had more information it could certainly be included in class," Hughes said. Sidhu agrees this case would be a good lesson for students, and they could benefit by it. "When this is all over, it would be a terrific case for students to see how people can manipulate facts for their own personal benefit," Sidhu said. Wilkes-Barre Holiday Parade Student Govern01ent Notes November 16, 2005 meeting -Junior class will have a trivia night on December 5. -Kyle Ellis made a motion to allocate $ 160 for a new SG banner. Sarina Kapoor seconded the motion. Motion passed 33- 0-0. -Study Break Party will be December 11 in the Henry Student Center Grand Ballroom. -Winter Weekend is scheduled for February 17, 18, 19. -Senior social has been postponed until after spring semester begins. The BeaconNictoria White -KtlK[s IJ!IVfRSITY- Student Government members participated in the Annual Wilkes-Barre Holiday Parade that marched its way down Main Street on Saturday Morning. Festively dressed as presents and various cartoon characters, the SG members waved and handed out candy to area residents. �4 NEWS NOVEMBER 21, 2005 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY'---------- Ratchford Field Station offers natural setting for classwork BY JOSEPH DEANGELIS Beacon Staff Writer In Hunlock Creek, approximately 20 minutes from Wilkes University, lies 150 acres ofland that seems like ordinary farmland in the Pennsylvania countryside. But this piece of land is the Ratchford Field Station, where Wilkes students come to perform studies as part of their courses. Complete with forests, hills, fields and a four-acre pond, the Ratchford Field Station is the destination for Wilkes students who need to work on projects that cannot be completed within the confines of a Stark Leaming Center lab. "There's only so much you can do in the classroom when we're . talking about natural systems," said Dr. Sid Halsor, professor of Courtesy of Dr. Sid Halsor geology and the director of field Wilkes students complete experiments at the Ratchford Field site, which provides a variety of environments for experiments in the science operations at Ratchford. "There's field, along with recreation such as fishing. just so much you do in a lecture big difference," Oram said. hall or a classroom and the lab, you really The station serves as a place for students have to get out in the field." to gain experience for a career. "A lot of Brian Oram, lab director, has visited other schools, in terms of an earth science Ratchford and said, "One of the nicest program, you would get a lot of book learnparts of Wilkes, especially our program, is ing, but the hands-on experience isn't there," the field opportunities and the field work." said Oram. "A lot of our students that have Oram has performed several studies at gone on [as professionals and to graduate Ratchford dealing with soils, hydrology, school] because of the hands-on experience hydrogeology, ground water flow, surface and being able to get job opportunities and water monitoring, water quality and flow really to be able to enjoy it." measurements. "Ratchford has been a wonRatchford is not considered Wilkes propderful opportunity for the school to have a erty because it has been for sale for a time fixed site that people can back and work and now. However, there have been no offers revisit." macle for the property. Until the property is One of the most recent Ratchford projects sold, students and faculty members will be that Halsor and his students conducted was able to continue studies and other activities a project that involved calculating stream on the property. Still, department members flows in Shickshinny Creek in which stu- are not overly worried about losing Ratchdents used station monitors to collect data ford because Wilkes students have access to that determined the soil runoff. other field stations in Monroe, Wayne and Other projects take place on field trips for Pike Counties. other courses. Also, the Earth and Environ"Whatever might be going on with Ratchmental Science (EES) department holds field ford, there's definitely those field opportunicourses there during the summer semesters. ties and we're looking at other field opporOne of the field courses the EES department tunities in potential stations," said Oram. has planned for the 2006 summer semester The station is also not just for environmenis called Pyrogeoscience and it will study tal studies. All Wilkes students and faculty soils and geology from Ratchford. have access to the station upon permission. "Looking in a book and reading a book "It's really a multi-purpose facility," said and reading about it is one thing but then Halsor, of all the other activities taking being down in a hole five feet below the place at the station, such as club trips, camground actually seeing those individual soil pouts, cleanups, canoes races and fishing profiles and being able to feel them, touch on the pond. "I've heard that there is good them and understand how they form, it's a fishing out there in the pond." u n ll �NOVEMBER 21, 2005 POSTERS from FRONT PAGE there has not been a great d~l of backlash towards Public Safety about the newly activated guidelines. "To tell you the truth, I haven't gotten a lot of pushback about the fact that this avenue of communication was taken away," Bailey said. In fact, students seem accepting of it and are actively working on other methods of advertising. Shuja Shafqat, junior biology major and Student Government corresponding secretary said, "[The enforcement of the policy] is negative in the ·sense that it was the main way a lot of organizations got the word out about events. However, anytime you walk though the SUB, when there are so many fliers on the doors, people become desensitized to anything staring them in the face. Not to mention the safety issue it posed." Shafqat added, "The positive thing that is going to come from this is that we can now work on more effective and more efficient ways of advertising." He also described how SG will focus more on large banners NEWS and will work closely with individuals from Marketing and Communications to find other outlets for information about events. Theresa Brewer, junior biology major and . entertainment chair of Programming Board, echoed Shafqat's ideas. "This means we will have to be more creative when it comes to advertising ... we have spoken about it briefly [in meetings] and have come up with other possible ways to advertise," Brewer said. Bailey said that, while students are free to distribute information using fliers, the specific groups doing so will be held accountable if the fliers turn into litter. University officials acknowledge that there will soon be more bulletin boards in main buildings to make up for the Joss of space for announcements. Bailey described plans for these boards, "We will be providing, in the very near future, additional spaces where [students] can put general postings. In the [Henry Student Center] there will be two large free-standing bulletin boards that are double-sided ... and there will be more placed in the lobby ofSLC, the lobby of Breiseth, and, I believe, one in the lobby of Marts." 5 Sordoni Art Gallery voted best gallery by Diamond City Photo Courtesy Marketing Comm. In their Best of 2005 reader's poll, Luzerne County entertainment guide Diamond City named Wilkes University's Sordoni Art Gallery 'Best Place to Look at Art.' Two For One Pizza Buy one pizza Getone FR E! -- au.\\lgrt,) ONEMEDIUM ONElARGE 11.99 13.99 We Deliver! ONEX-LARGE 16.99 �7 7 8 8 Scheduling would benefit from student input Beacon Poll Results about class times BY THE BEACON EDITORIAL BOARD The end of the fall semester looms. And with it comes frantic studying, the pressure of final presentations and major papers, and, of course, the stress of the dreaded final exam. To add to the circus, Wilkes students also take several weeks in November to register for spring classes. For those underclassmen students scheduling courses to fulfill their graduation requirements, the scheduling process is usually smooth and seamless. Many introductory courses are offered at a wide variety of times taught by a wide variety of teachers. Students are left with choices about when and with whom they would like to take English 101 or Philosophy 101. But upperclassmen may encounter more difficulties when scheduling their classes. In what seems to be a growing trend at Wilkes University, fewer choices for higherlevel courses are being offered to students. Instead, the super-sized freshman class seems to be pulling faculty in the direction of 101 classrooms. As an example, the Wilkes University schedule of courses for Spring 2006 lists no fewer than 13 English 101 courses and an additional 13 English 120 courses. The sections are taught by eight different teachers and offered at a wide variety of times. In contrast, only five 200-level courses are offered and a mere seven 300-level courses. No choices regarding teachers or times are offered at all for these courses. The same applies to the history department, with nine 101 and 102 sections offered for next semester. In contrast, a total of only seven upper-level courses are offered in the major. Additionally, for students pursuing a degree in communication studies, it can be difficult to ex.press to them why and how it is fair that non-communication studies majors have 10 choices for public speaking 101 courses while those students in the major have a total of only nine upper-level courses from which to choose. It becomes difficult to validate the lack of time professors are left with to teach upper-level classes when their time is taken up with 101 's. However, because Wilkes Uni- Nickle for Your Thoughts By Jason Nickle • 40J ';)jt.,Vl--1\-T M~N! \I !'l}O DuDE~. i-\~-~ (.()01.. V versity is a liberal arts university, students are required to complete introductory level courses in many fields. Likewise, it is acknowledged that 101 courses are designed for each and every student on the campus to complete. With a class as large as the 2005 freshmen class that entered Wilkes, it is understandable that so many introductory level courses would need to be offered. That does not make it any less frustrating for students attempting to structure a schedule around work, internships or extracurricular clubs. Because we cannot change the very nature of the liberal arts institution that is Wilkes University, and because we are not sure we would even want to if we could, other solutions must be offered that can remedy this issue. Perhaps students could be given the opportunity to have some input into the decisions about when classes will meet to ensure that the time works for the majority of the students who need to be enrolled in it. While it is acknowledged that not every student will be appeased and not every need will be met, upperclass students may feel a better sense of control over their own schedules when they are given the opportunity to have their opinions voiced and heard. Continued cooperation with faculty and staff could make it possible to take student' needs and concerns into account when preparing the course schedule. Generally, here at Wilkes, the students preparing to graduate in a major are well acquainted with one another and their professors. Why not encourage some discussion about meeting times and give some of the choice back to students that those scheduling 10 l's still have? After all, this university exists to teach students. Why not take the students' concerns into account, then? 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 attitudies of students on campus. Results are based on 330 responses. The Beacon asked: For which programs should Wilkes institute a Masters program? Communication Studies - 4% Biology-1% English- 2% Computer Science - 2% History - 3% Psychology - 2% Theatre Arts - 2 % Other- 84% Next Week's Poll Question: What would you hope for most for the world in 2006? A more stable climate New American political leadership Resolution in the Middle East A cure for AIDS or cancer Increased global awareness of poverty Discovery of a renewable energy source Discovery of life in space Finding of Osama Bin Laden Bringing troops home from Iraq Visit www.wilkesbeacon. com to CliSt your vote. Results will be published in next week's issue of The Beacon. �NOVEMBER 21, 2005 OPINION 7 Singing the same ol_d song at the end of the term BY AMANDA MCMAHON Beacon Correspondent 1 :a :t1e es tll n- lO ld 0- If one more assignment is added to my end-of-the-semester academic schedule I'm officially going to go crazy. I can't help but think that most of you probably feel the same way. The presentations, papers and tests are overwhelming our calendars and our lives. Personally, I become physically ill every time I look at the pink highlighter marks filling my planner for the last few weeks of my time here before the holiday break arrives. There isn't a minute to spare. Somehow I feel this is all part of Mother Nature's wrath, as I have watched over the past few weeks as she has drained the last bits of life out of the once vibrant trees. I keep telling myself that I'm only weeks away from escaping the continuous nail-biting and hair-pulling rituals that have recently become part of my days. And, if you are anything like me, you have been counting down every hundredth of a second. Heck, even Dick Clark's New Year celebration can't compare. Excuse the cliche, but time is of the essence. The work is actually not all that bad. Finding the time to get the work done is the difficult part. After all, practically 85% of assignments for the semester are due within the last three to four weeks of class. It is interesting that for years we, as students, encouraged to study well in advance instead of the night before a test and taught the importance ofleaving time for numerous revisions of a paper, are given syllabi that fly in the face of an important part of educational theory. However, I'm not saying professors are to blame. They most likely have gone through the same situations in their past--it's like a tradition. Though we, both teacher and student, "know better," that procrastination, close deadlines and "all-nighters" are a cru- cial part of the "college experience." We seem to thrive from the running-out-of-time hassles in our lives. Perhaps it is necessary to consider a New Year's Eve celebration as an analogy for the ending of a semester. The year (or the semester) has brought the good along with disappointments, and we always end with a sigh of relief that we made it through only to begin another) with the promise to ourselves, a sort of New Year's resolution, that we will never let the end of the semester become the nightmare that it once was. However, like many who make a resolution upon the strike of twelve, the next day (or next semester) brings with it the reality that resolutions, or promises of that type are meant to be broken. And though our intentions are the best, we eventually fall into a pit of despair; we face the same dilemmas we swore to ourselves we would never face again. While we complain about the lack oftime and load of work, we are inevitably responsible for why the situation exists as it does. We push things off, relying on tomorrow to solve our problems for us. Or, perhaps the real problem is that we get away with relying on tomorrow. We cram and cram and pull it off. While we don't understand concepts like scheduling spring semester classes before knowing the schedule for fall semester finals, we do understand the logic behind waiting until the last minute to do our work. It makes sense to us because we do it every time during this time of the year. We're naturals. So, though we complain about the end of the semester rush, in all actuality, we are complaining about our own habits of being master procrastinators. We are the cause of our late nights and caffeine headaches, those of which are held so near and dear to our hearts. After all, we can never get enough. Andrea Yates trial an outrage Your Voices BY MEAGAN BROWN Beacon Staff Writer According to a November 9 CNN story, convicted murderer Andrea Yates will receive a new trial, due to incorrect testimony from a witness during her first trial. Does anyone reading this remember Andrea Yates? Well if not, here is a recap. Andrea Yates, a Texas native, was convicted of murder in March of 2002 for drowning three of her five children. She was sentenced to life in prison. Her case led to media attention towards mothers who kill their children. According to CNN, she was not charged with the drowning deaths of her two youngest children. Now, forget the new trial for a moment. Yates was not charged with drowning her two youngest children?! Something doesn't seem right here. It stands to reason that if she drowned three of them, and the other two were drowned in the same house and the same bathtub, that she drowned all of the children. So why wasn't she charged? This is a question to which I cannot seem to find an answer. Now, back to the new trial. There was a screw up. A witness attributed Mrs. Yates' murders to an episode of Law and Order that never existed, which means that the first trial was invalid and she deserves a second one. However, Andrea Yates should never have been tried in the first place. I'm not saying that she didn't drown her children. There is conclusive evidence and a confession to support that fact. However, she should have been given proper care in an institution for people with mental disorders. It is clear Andrea Yates had post-partum psychosis that led to her acts. Post-partum psychosis is a recognized psychological disorder, and Yates did not receive the necessary treatment. According to reports, Yates was suffering from depression for over two years and was on medication. In spite of this, she still suffered from psychosis and thoughts of suicide and murder. She had been hospitalized once for attempted suicide. Her form of psychosis, when diagnosed, often comes along with the recommendation for immediate hospitalization. Yet, Andrea Yates was permitted to return home, have another child, and even home-school the children she thought so often about murdering. Andrea Yates was not sane on the day she killed her children. Could any mother kill her child and be sane? As humans, we have an obligation to help those who are sick, not to put them in prison and even sentence them to death. Andrea Yates should be receiving serious mental health care, but instead she is being forced to attempt to defend her actions, which were caused by severe mental deficiencies. Mrs. Yates doesn't need a new trial. She didn't need a trial in the first place. What she really needs is a good psychiatrist, the correct medication, and constant supervision. Until she receives that care, she cannot be expected tp come to terms with what she did, or coherently defend her actions. Response to Fark.com review Dear Editor, I totally disagree with the assessment of the "Nothing But Net: Park.com" [l 1.14.05]. It appears the writer took about a three minute look and passed judgment. If this individual were scrupulous enough !O observe the site for a week or two, the benefits and culture of fark.com would become much more transparent. A loyal and intelligent community following, wide variety of news sources, and little nuances that can only be found on fark.com make it an excellent add to anyone's daily news cruise. Try opening the book before you pass judglhent, instead of just reading the back cover. Regards, Drew Zimber Boston,MA Dear Editor, From Park.com "College journalist is recommended to Fark, visits the main page for 30 seconds, doesn't get it?" Bet you folks got a lot of email about this? If you didn't, you should have! College? ESL Student? WTF?? Brian McGinnis Tucson,AZ �NOVEMBER 21, 2005 OPINION 8 Democrats calling for answers fro In Bush administration BY ROB DONAHUE Beacon Correspondent With low approval ratings and a growing public disgust with its handling of the Iraq war, the Bush administration is growing desperate. Though perhaps not a new strategy per se, the President's answer is to blame everything on the Democrats. It would be a nice strategy if it worked. It has been almost three years since the war started. During the 2004 Presidential campaign, the Bush administration offered several different reasons as to why the U.S. had gone to war. What Americans, especially those who lived to see the horrors of the Vietnam War, do not like to see are sons and daughters dying for a war that had no real reasoning behind it (for those who are wondering, the total U.S. death toll as of November 16 is 2,070). The Bush administration tried to use the September 11 attacks as rationale for engaging Saddam Hussein, as it has with everything else, but the 9/11 Commissioners came out and disproved that reasoning. However, the administr:ation is persistent in its contention that Iraq had connections with 9/11, despite the fact that the 9/11 Commission could find no evidence that made such a link. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell testified before a NATO assembly in February 2003 telling the assembly about Iraq's biological capabilities. Since then he has regretted that whole speech. The Bush administration also lied about the cost of the war saying it would cost only $1 billion when in fact it has already cost the American people almost $100 billion. As a result, the U.S. has to borrow money from other countries like China. On November 15, the U.S. Senate voted 79-19 on a resolution that would force the Bush administration to give the Senate quarterly reports on the progress or lack thereof in Iraq. It also declared that 2006 should be a period of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty. Several Republican Senators are beginning to ask the White House questions and criticize the Iraq war. They are doing this because their own constituents want answers and they are doing a good job pressuring their Congressional representatives. If Bush wants to blame anyone it should be himself. He left his allies in the dark and the Democrats are putting pressure on the GOP to offer answers to the American people's questions. If the President wants to increase support for the war he must come out and work to make a full worldwide alliance, increase taxes on the richest 1% and do something about the decreasing military enlistments. If he does not do something about the Iraq situation, then when we are weakening ourselves against other world powers like China. Christmas trappings now evident around Halloween .... E B n a b ti g i: V BY KRISTIN KILE Beacon Editor-in-Chief We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. A little too soon for a Christmas carol? Yeah, that's what I thought. However, m_o st department stores would argue that it's never too soon for Christmas .. .well, selling Christmas decorations that is. I thought it was bad enough when money hungry corporations would overlook Thanksgiving in favor of bringing out the Christmas decorations now, in the middle of November. But I was shocked to see Christmas decorations adorning the aisles of a local department store before anyone was even finished putting on their face paint for Halloween. Why is it that corporations push past other holidays to get straight to Christmas? I guess pine trees and Santa Claus are bigger moneymakers than ghost costumes and turkeys. To make matters worse, radio stations in the area began their all Christmas format three weeks ago. So not only can you buy your Christmas decorations and Santa hats, but you can listen to Christmas music while you do it--again, all before Thanksgiving. And don't even get me started on Christmas parades. Saturday, the annual holiday parade was held in Wilkes-Barre and it was full of Santa and presents and all things related to Christmas--except, of course, anything relating to Christ's birth. I guess organizers also forgot that Thanksgiving is The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski A Christmas display in Boscov's in Wilkes-Barre has been set up for some weeks now. The holiday shopping craze seems to be starting earlier and earlier each year. Between radio stations playing all Christmas music and decorations going up in stores, Halloween and Thanksgiving seem to be disappearing behind the Christmas frenzy. this week. The Macy's Day Parade does it right by having Santa at the end of the parade, once all the Thanksgiving festivities are through. It seems that the celebration, or should I say corporate hype, begins earlier and earlier each year. When I was growing up, I never saw Christmas decorations or paraphernalia before Thanksgiving. Then the moneymakers started rolli_n g out before the pumpkin pie cooled off. Now Christmas is in the air before you can even finish carving the pumpkin. I can just imagine things a decade from now. Labor Day celebrations will be overshadowed by Santa Claus and Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. I may be getting ahead of myself here, but that sounds as ridiculous as Christmas decorations before Halloween. Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas as much as the next kid. It probably is my favorite time of the year. Getting together with my family, opening presents and singing Christmas carols are the best parts of the holiday, but I think rushing the pleasure (and perhaps worse, asking us to sustain it for over two months), diminishes the celebration. Have you ever tried to hold a smile too long waiting for a photographer to snap a picture? Two months of celebrating Christmas feels a little like the strain your lips feel as they try to hold a smile for too long, and after you stop actually f eeling the pleasure that supposedly goes with the smile. As a Christian, I have been raised to recognize Christmas as Jesus Christ's birthday. Of course I was excited to wake up Christmas morning to see a tree full of presents underneath, but I still remember why I was receiving those presents. It wasn't because I was on Santa's "good" list, or because I was spoiled (which some may argue), but it was because it was a time for celebration and remembrance. Now it seems that all people are worried about is catching the best Black Friday buys at Circuit City at 4 a.m. instead of what they should really be conr,,entrating on, the real purpose of Christmas. I understand that this is the time of year that businesses finally make it back into the black, but please, let's get through Halloween and Thanksgiving first. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa, but let's give the poor old guy a break until December, O.K.? t t �FEATURES NOVEMBER 21, 2005 ---··· · ··· -~~~- Wilkes World goes live Tell Us ... hil and Rebecca Simon iwali Celebration 9 9 9 10 11 Student news magazine show slated to go live Wilkes World challenges students to aim for perfection BY ALISON WOODY Beacon Asst. Features Editor Lights, camera, action! Wilkes World, a news magazine television show directed and hosted by Wilkes students in the Shelburne television studio, will challenge future broadcasters in new ways this week. No mistakes. No edits. Wilkes World is going live Tuesday, November 22. Though Wilkes World has been in existence for three years (and several years prior to that as Wilkes Today), the show has historically always been on tape delay, which means that students could do several talces and also edit out mistakes. Previously broadcast students experienced the immediacy of a live show only when Wilkes World covered Club Day live earlier this fall. Dr. Mark Stine, associate professor of communication studies and advisor to the show, decided to let the show go live because he feels his students are at the point where they can handle the pressure. "It was actually the students' idea to go live. We allowed the students to do that because it is an excellent way to test their knowledge and apply it in a realistic way." Stine also explained, "In going live, students don't have the luxury of stopping production, making an edit and picking up from there. Going live is a great experience to the fact that what happens, happens and there aren't going to be any edits, but I am extremely confident in everyone on the Wilkes World team." Andee Scarantino, sophomore communication studies major and director of Wilkes World said, "The show has reached an outstanding level in terms of production. We are very fortunate to be able to take the show live on cable, and I think it will be a big success." Wilkes World will go live on Service Electric Channel 15 at 12 p.m. November 22. The show will re-air at 7:30 p.m. Courtesy Adrienne Richards The hosts of the news magazine television show Wilkes World Will Mercade, Adrienne Richards, Jay Lewis and Candice Halliday prepare to go live on Tuesday, November 22 along with the rest of the team. Wilkes World is student produced and it is the first time the show will go live. The show will air on Service Electric channel 15 at 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. do the show without mistakes." The students involved with the show are equally excited for the opportunity and few have any apprehensions. Candice Halliday, freshman communication studies major and host of the show, said, "Going live is a result of the students' hard work, dedication, and commitment. It is a pretty big deal, and I am honored to be a part of it. It is a little bit intimidating due for them if they go into the industry. You have to be on your toes all the time since you can't correct mistakes. A taped show can always start over. Going live forces the students to be at their best." Carl Brigido, chief engineer for the television studio, is excited about the challenge. "I'm glad to see the show going live and that the students have learned enough. It requires the knowledge and understanding to U Tell S ■ ■ ■ Courtesy Andee Scarantino The hosts of Wilkes World show their "sign off." Adrienne Richards (2nd from left) says, "Here's to you Wilkes-Barre" as the rest of the hosts toast with their coffee mugs. Beacon correspondent Wayland Davis was curious about what Wilkes students are thinking. Here is what he found out. What are you most thankful for? •• •• • • • • •• • •• •• • Mary Opalka- freshman, mechanical engineering major Chris Hager- sophomore, pre-pharmacy major Nicole Zastko- sophomore, communication Chris Olsen- freshman, biochemistry mastudies jar "Amanda Baranowski." "My friends and family." "For my cat Pepper... and Geoffrey." "Food." �FEATURES NOVEMBER 21, 2005 Family business: Phil and Rebecca Simon Father-daughter duo share passion for music, teaching is that they never pushed me to do music. They Jet me make my own way discover my own love for it." The music scene has seen several collaboAt first Ms. Simon says she rations between parent and child. Natalie and Nat King Cole with "Unforwasn't confident enough to major in music. But an augettable." Wyonna and Naomi Judd with a slew of hits. There are Nancy and Frank dition at University of Maryland with Dr. William MontSinatra and Judy Garland and Liza Minelli. gomery changed her mind. And recently, country superstar Toby Keith and his teenage daughter with "Mocking"He was first teacher to bird." really push me to discover how good a musician I could A quick scan through the Wilkes University Locator will reveal several staff and be. With the support of my faculty sharing surnames, including a fateacher, family and friends, I ther-daughter duo making perfect harmony Courtesy Phil Simon was able to take the leap of in the Darte Center - Music professor Phil faith that it takes to pursue Mr. Phil Simon, instructor of Music Education, conducts music as a profession," she Simon and flute teacher Rebecca Simon. Both not only have a love, talent and ap- the Wilkes Civic Band. Simon's daughter, Rebecca, is said. preciation for the arts, but also for music ed- also a faculty member at Wilkes. The first time the fa- Ms. Simon earned a double ucation. These traits are what led the pair to tber-daughter duo performed together was in the fall bachelor's degree from Uninot only pursue careers playing profession- of 2003 when Rebecca was invited to perform with the versity of Maryland in music performance and psycholally and furthering their own education- but band. "I have performed or conducted at Sym- ogy, and a master's degree from the Peaalso in teaching tomorrow's musicians. The elder Simon is active both on and off phony Hall in Boston, The Kennedy Center body Conservatory. Like her father, she has in Washington, DC, The Wolf Trap Center performed in several major American cities, campus when it comes to the arts. "My work at Wilkes is primarily to guide for the Performing Arts in Fairfax County, including Washington D.C., Baltimore and and direct the music education and instru- Virginia, Wembley Grand Hall in London, Philadelphia, as well as in Vichy, France. mental music programs. I teach most of the The Glinka Cappella in St. Petersburg, Rus- Now, she is the studio flute teacher for both music education classes and direct the Wil- sia and many other performance venues in Wilkes University and for the Conservakes Civic Band and Chamber Winds," he the U.S. and abroad," he said. tory, where she teaches private flute lessons Once he completed his D.M.A course- to Wilkes students, high school students and explained. "So far, my major contributions in the general arts community are to per- work, his job search led him to Wilkes, with the public. She also conducts the Wilkes form with the Wyoming Valley Band, play his daughter not too far behind. And, it was University Flute Ensemble, whose concert for parties and social events with various not until they were both at Wilkes they fi- was this past weekend. When it comes to teaching, both father small combos, and serve on the PA Music nally collaborated musically. "Becki never played or studied directly and daughter like the variety and impact the Educators Association District 9 Executive Board." with me during her student years. Our first have on people's lives. "No two days are the same. The constant Additionally, Mr. Simon guest conducted time to perform together was in the fall of the District 9 Honor Band in 2004, the Lu- 2003 when I assumed the position ofDirec- interaction and exchange of ideas, the opzerne County High School Honors Band in tor of the Wilkes Civic Band and invited portunity to watch students grow and de2004, and 2005, and presented clinics and Becki to perform the Vivaldi Piccolo Con- velop new ideas, and the knowledge that I inservices to various groups of music edu- certo with the band. It was a great experi- have made a difference in the world," said cators in NEPA. ence to finally work with her in a musical Mr. Simon. Ms. Simon agrees. "I like having a posiMr. Simon, who plays trumpet, tuba (his setting. We were already friends, but the specialty), string bass and bass guitar, knew experience allowed us to become musical tive effect on people's lives. I currently the next verse in his proverbial song by high collaborators; father and daughter is where have students ranging from age nine to 60school. we started, but our relationship is now so something and I really love that I feel that I have something to offer all of them." "My love for music grew as I became much more than just that," he said. more skilled and found more success with While Ms. Simon did not study under her The mutual admiration of father and music, so that by high school I was sure I father, his influence was inevitable. She daughter is evident. wanted to be a music teacher and profes- started playing the piano at age four, and "Rebecca has a wonderful dedication to sional musician," he said. also plays the flute and saxophone. her instrument and a strong work ethic. She Mr. Simon's educational background took "I don't know that there was a clear begin- continues to practice daily and improve her him from his home state of Massachusetts ning for my love of music. It was just always performing skills. Most of all she is a wonto the Lone Star state, with degrees in music around me, from my mom singing me Julia- derful person," said Mr. Simon. education from Boston University and the bies to attending my dad's high school band On being proud of her father, Ms. Simon University of Maryland, and he is currently concerts. I started becoming very involved says its, "his endless commitment to music ABD at the University of North Texas. His in music myself once I joined the band and education as a whole and to his students. It performances, however, took him a little chorus at my elementary school," she said. is rare to find a teacher who is willing to further than Texas. " The great thing about both of my parents give as much as he does to his students on BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor a daily basis. "One of the things that I try to emulate most is his lifelong love of learning. He went back for a doctoral degree after a very long and successful career as a high school band director. It was inspiring to see him give up a comfortable job that he held for many years to begin a new chapter in his career," she said. But, Mr. Simon's love for music did not just rub off on Rebecca. "Becki's two siblings, Elizabeth and Ben, are also musicians. Elizabeth has a degree in choral music education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Ben attended Florida State University as a trumpet major. Both are currently working outside the music profession, although Ben continues to play part time with a ska band popular in the Boston area," he said. D BYSA Beacot As n lights c day sea Center culture same OnS, nity rec wali ce second was dee grant fie Accor "Diwali Christm website tr Courtesy Marketing Comm. Ms. Rebecca Simon earned a double bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in music and psychology and a Master's degree from the Peabody Conservatory. She is currently the studio flute teacher for Wilkes where she teaches private flute lessons to students. She also conducts the Wilkes University Flute ensemble, whose concert was held this past weekend. Avanthi l gineerin~ A saree i: women. and are~ ate ornat the saree origin. �NOVEMBER 21, 2005 FEATURES 11 Diwali celebration lights up Wilkes community BY SARAH HEBRERT Beacon Features Editor As neighbors begin to hang Christmas lights on front porches to signify the holiday season, those in attendance at the Marts Center this weekend recognized an Eastern culture's holiday celebration that does the same thing. On Saturday evening, the Wilkes community recognized an Indian holiday called Diwali celebrating the festival of lights. The second floor of the Arnaud C. Marts Center was decorated with beautiful lights and fragrant flowers. According to www.reachgujarat.com, "Diwali celebrations in India are similar to Christmas celebrations in the USA." The website also noted that Diwali can be trans- lated to mean "rows oflamps." The website notes that Diwali marks the day that King Rama was coronated after the war with Ravana. On this night the entire kingdom was lit up with glowing lamps to welcome home Rama after his exile of 14 years. The Diwali celebration was the second of this nature held at Wilkes. The last time a Diwali celebration was held on campus was in 2003. Amy Mbye, office assistant in the department of engineering and physics, said that there was not enough interest last year, but many students approached her this year expressing interest in organizing a celebration this year. Mbye organized the event in conjunction with the Wilkes International Student Association (WISA). According to Mbye the event took only one week to organize and plan. The event lasted well over four hours and included a cultural fashion show as well as a dinner to name just a few items on the program. The dinner concluded the evening and attendees gathered around large tables to enjoy an ample spread of Indian foods. Various ethnic dishes were provided including nuan (super fine flour bread), chicken curry, tandoori chicken (marinated and baked chicken), baigan bartha (eggplant with peas), palak paneer (spinach with farmer's The Beacon/Sarah Herbert On Saturday, November 19, the Wilkes community recognized an Indian holiday called Diwali. Diwali is a celebration of the festival of lights and marks the day that King Rama was coronated after the war with Ravana. On that night, the entire kingdom was lit from lamps welcoming him home after 14 years of exile. This celebration was the second of this nature held at Wilkes. cheese), novrattan korma (mixed vegetables), basmati rice and rasmalai (cottage cheese patties with sweetened milk). An Indian drink called mango lassi was also served as well as a variety of cakes for dessert. Mbye and WISA made sure that no one left the celebration hun..---------------------, gry. Reddy Vikranth Sarasam, president of WISA was pleased with the outcome of the event. l)lllNKING (;()NSl~CIIJl~Nf;ES The Beacon/Sarah Herbert Avanthi Mantrala, graduate student in electrical engineering, modeled a saree at the Diwali celebration. Asaree is a traditional Indian garment worn by the women. Typically sarees are completely hand sewn and are adorned with jewels and gold thread to create ornate patterns. There are also various styles of the saree which vary depending on the country of origin. Health Problems/Suicide Attempts: More than 150,000 students develop an alcoholrelated health problem (Hingson et al., 2002) and between 1. 2 and 1. 5 percent of students indicate that they tried to commit suicide within the past year due to drinking or drug use (Presley et al. , 1998). "It went really lovely. All the chairs were filled up and everyone we invited came," said Sarasam. Mbye agreed with Sarasam's enthusiasm saying, "I was very, very excited and happy with the turnout. People came from the community and from the university which was very exciting." Sarasam also noted that the event would not have been possible without the tremendous amount of support from the university. All of the participants were grateful for all of the support offered by the faculty. v-. IQt . per(me(t_ .¢00L m Ai~~ ~~,get ~Yo!IMOdlO mah ire a lll'lt ....-. ~ .•' 4 4 1 ~ ~ ~ ~~ · ~HQl,lf~ ~~ , ~ - i i.ill) w.taom. Fmm i.mdry,11:u;xdq ID drr,riQ.,W. puth&'ll!II .,,...,, ~a~:,~ ... I ~~ I --~«-'! l ~ ~-~IIJd - ~ M.it• ten·• I I �Nov Redneck Woman Teenage Dirtbag The Weatherman NOVEMBER 21, 2005 _ -~~ 13 14 15 A~ ~ - - ~ - ~ ~ ~ -12 Launching the Holiday Season at the Break of Dawn BYDO Beacon Black Friday attempts to draw shoppers with big sales; special promotions BY MYLES RUMBEL Beacon A&E Asst. Editor Crowded parking lots, empty shelves, long lines, big bills. This is supposed to be fun? With Thanksgiving coming up Thursday, the next holiday (at least in retailers ' eyes) is Black Friday. that one day of the year when malls actually use their over-sized parking lots and stores have all The concept of Black Friday, stems to the time when accounting was done by hand. Negative accounting balances were written in red, but Black Friday was known by retailers as the day when their sales turned around and when they would be pushed back into the "black." According to Dr. Anne Heineman Batory, professor of marketing in the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, "The traditional times of the holiday season extend from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve." Part of the reason for the day after Thanksgiving beginning the holiday season is typically when urban centers have holiday parades, the final float would be Santa Claus, thereby signifying the beginning of the season. However, with the holidays now launching around Halloween, (or September if you talk to some layaway associates), Black Friday is beginning to lose its significance with regard to sales. "The current significance [of Black Friday] is that it is a high traffic day," Heineman Batory said. By traffic, Heinmen Batory was referring to people browsing the stores, not actually purchasing. In terms of sales, the Saturday before Christmas is the biggest retail day of the year. However, the foot traffic of browsers in the U.S. is incredible the day after Thanksgiving. The National Retail Federation estimated 133 million people hit stores on Black Friday and the following weekend. "The largest traffic would be in the malls, with the anchor stores leading the way," Heineman Batory said. "However, in the last few years, the electronic box stores have increased their traffic." Stores such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart and Tar- get seek to draw customers by offering deep discounts. With incentives such as laptops under $500, who could resist getting up in the early morning and waiting outside for the sales. Some students on the Wilkes campus can resist the Black Friday sales. Freshman Spanish/education major Kristen Potsko said, "I'm not a hardcore shopper. I don't go at five in the morning," and if she does go, she takes it more leisurely. For those "hardcore shoppers" out there, this year there is a website to ease the trouble. While typically, shoppers have to wait until Thanksgiving Day or even Black Friday morning to get a glimpse of the sales store are offering, this year there is website that has dedicated itself to tracking down the store sales and bring them to shoppers early. Gottadeal.com, which typically hunts for online deals in order to alert consumers, has opened a Black Friday website in correlation with its regular website. The site tracks sales from Toys 'R Us to Express to Ikea. In addition, the website is updated often and users can even sign up for e-mail alerts for when their favorite store is posted. Numerous retailers in the Wilkes-Barre area declined to discuss Black Friday. However, according to reports by CNN, stores such as Target and Sam's ,~ ·:·•C<•.· .. ···· ·•,•~ r -·.·, ··;· '' ... -,-. ,, ... /.,,;- •. , .... ' ··._ ·-- -.·.·. ··.·.·.•··-;·-·, Club are going the extra mile to get customers into their stores on Black Friday. Target is offering celebrity wake up calls, while Sam's Club is giving away "dream vacations" to a few lucky visitors. ... _.:--. -. : ... ,., .. The about l Brol like g1 there i place I NEPA fries VI myfo1 corneI heart, The ence a Bro defini Some somet you ti own 2 proba could of the skunJ. Thi band ' tears -that' them .-:-:-.-.· · ·.· II ::.::~;c:~~t;;{~~~~~: ~~rtng 1 . 11 de"'ls at stores in the Wi).kes-Batre q:i:;ea. Below are Check out GottaDeal.com for more. .some steals. ! , lle,t' &y · Cl,peolns @ 5,.m. Steal: Toshiba-125-s 1192 Celeron M 370 Notebook, ' $379.99 I I I I II i I I >Target- Opening@ 6a.m. Deal: DVD sets, iµcludmg Laguna 'Beach Seaso11 l, Sex in the City Season.2, and others, $17.88 Bn >Office Max- Opening@ 7a.m. I Steal· Palm Ti;eo 650Smactph.ime, $99.92 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I Buy l, Get.J ?0% 0££ II Some of the$~. ..1;it'fe:r:;$ .a~e tor a . led.mi t;;ea. time, so* tne ea.r!.:fe:r the he,tce:r, \ . . . .,~~~..~ -~ - - - - - ~-~~.;,;J"i.."'"-'~ ~~~ colle. arow looki seno I am I >:Express - Opening @7a.m. Steal· free <;J.utchwith any purchase >Spencers ~ Open~g@ja..m. Deal:-'BeltsJ l,uckles,'wallets; body Jewlery & posters, t' J He g arch riv But, 1 He spe1 take-in against tive ha: sister L being s and be Dirtbaf rate sh experie back ta apartm are co~ pus thi Cafe Iv ,·31,~ l ! 1 1 l ,. ...i.i~;..;;~~..._:~;~,....;...,~~;;;;;;~....~ - -:;--~---·-·-"') TJ �NOVEMBER 13 14 15 21, 2005 13 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A&E Interview: Brendan B. Brown, Wheatus vocalist Beacon talks to "Teenage Dirtbag" singer, who will perform Wednesday at Cafe Metropolis BYDONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor tio ; into brity w ray "dre :>rs. He graduated from Wilke~ basketball arch rival in 1995 with a degree in history. But, we'll let this grad of 'Da U' slide. He spent more time in his dorm ordering take-in and playing his guitar than cheering against the Colonels. This Long Island native has toured with his brother Peter and sister Liz across America and Europe, after being signed to SONY/Columbia Records and being thrust into fame with "Teenage Dirtbag." But that quick fame and corporate stuff wasn't the type of rock and roll experience Wheatus wanted. This group is back to recording its own stuff, in their own apartment on their own terms. And, they are coming within walking distance to campus this Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. show at Cafe Metropolis. The Beacon: What do you miss most about NEPA? Brown: There are so many memories, like going flyfishing in Tobyhanna. But, there is nothing better in the world, and no place better for disgusting drunk food than NEPA. There is nothing like nasty cheese fries when you ares-it-faced. That's one of my fondest memories- standing on the street comer after the bar closed with a handful of heart attack cheese fries . The Beacon: Tell me about your experience at University of Scranton. Brown: I started out as pre-med, but I definitely did not want to become a doctor. Sometimes the reason you are there doing something is because it's what others want you to do. I didn't start off following my own advice. The U is a very isolated place, probably on purpose. And only four years could never expose you to the rich history of the area. Most people just know there are skunks and it is cold. The Beacon: So many people think that a band's career begins when its first hit single tears up the radio waves. That is so untrue-that's just when the world finds out about them. Tell us about how Wheatus began. Brown: My brother and sister were in college at Villanova and I was bouncing around the 'New York scene' as they call it, looking to get something professional and serious. I played (lead guitar) for a band I am still proud of called Hope Factory for Courtesy of Good Cop PR Brendan B. Brown (fourth from left) and Wheatus a while. In 1997, I started doing my own stuff, recording four-track demos, where I played the bass and drumkit as well. My brother graduated from Villanova, and well, that's the shortened version of our story. The Beacon: So, fast forward to "Teenage Dirtbag." First of all, I must ask, were you a teenage dirtbag? That song probably took everyone back to their teenage grunge days, or made the preppies wish they had experienced those·days. Brown: You know, it's very funny. That term has become endearing. But in 1985, people said that about people who listened to Judas Priest, wore a jean jacket and had a brush in their back pocket and a mullet. The Beacon: That's why this song was such a hit here in NEPA. Brown: (laughs) I dressed like that for a while. The Beacon: So, "Dirtbag" was a success. But, shortly after Columbia told you to change your voice. I read that some- where. If I am not mistaken, someone gets signed because of their voice. Brown: I imagine it is confusing to people reading that as it was for me when I heard (the record exec) say it. Drop us and sign someone else. I spent a lifetime trying to be an individual, trying to develop a unique, original sound. Then, in just ten seconds, someone asks you to sound like someone else. It's hard not to take it personally. The Beacon: I also read that they remixed one of your songs to a point where you could not even play it. It's funny man, I sometimes listen to the radio and think about how these artists can perform concerts. (afterthought: Probably like Ashlee.) Brown: That was "Wanna Be a Gangster," our third single released in the UK. An A&R guy insisted we send it to this dance club DJ guy, who when I talked to him, was the biggest idiot. This was a song we recorded with Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden. We did this in Abby Road with him, it was exciting and a dream story for us. Then, they sent it off to some crack-head. They sampled a piece of (The Beatles) "Dear Prudence" in it- you don't sample the Beatles in England. They released it against our wishes. The single was a flop, and it was a version a rock band could never play live. The Beacon: So- even if you played the song live the way it was supposed to be, the fans would not even recognize it because it was not what it was fed. Brown: You lose either way. The Beacon: You are from New York, so attending college in NEPA surely was culture shock. But, what was it like overseas? Brown: There are so many things different, yet they are subtle. It's like in Pulp Fiction- It's La Big Mac and a Royale with cheese. People there tend to pace themselves more, and when they work, they are more focused. In America, people work all the time. There, they have perfectly timed vacations and tea time and they all adhere to it, and then switch right back into work mode. The neighborhoods are similar. In northeast England, it is very similar to NEPA. They are working class, there are a lot of coal mines too. The Beacon: Your music really caught on over there. How was the music different? Brown: We found that over there, pop music is interpreted and accepted differently. The same person who buys a Slip Knot CD will also buy the new Madonna single. In America, we have more strict genre allegiance. Over there, it is more mix and match. But, everything and anything can go through the pop machine. We did. And, didn't like it. The Beacon: Tell me about the new CD. Brown: It is definitely the a!bum we never could have recorded with Sony. It's like a 70s record, dark and warm. We wanted to get as far away as what is being played on the radio as possible- you know, the super bright overload. This is warmer sounding. The Beacon: So, will it be cheese fries instead of a turkey this year? Brown: I will probably buy a few extra cups of cheese fries sol can throw them in the microwave at the next venue. FYI: Wheatus at Cafe Metro, Main Street Wilkes-Barre- Wednesday, November 23 at 7:00 p.m., $7.00 admission. Online: www.wheatus.com Thankful/or the music? Here's where else you can see it this Thanksgiving Week: TONIGHT TUESDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY O.A.R Kirby Center Wilkes-Barre System of a Down Webster Hall New York City Journey The Beacon Theater New York City Aerosmith/Lenny Kravitz Wachovia Center Philadelphia FRIDAY SUNDAY Ashlee Simpson Brian Setzer Orchestra North Fork Theater House of Blues Westbury, NY Atlantic City . �ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 NOVEMBER 21, 2005 15 Dinnf Gretchen Wilson gets All Jacked Up . I/ ~ BY VICTORIA WHITE Beacon News Editor . -=--/;; \ ~;...,..,""'Jv\-""-"""-,..,..,,,"""-'1 hJhy C.o<\ See., t14 bl'eQ..4-h ~ ..?- Self-proclaimed redneck and rebel Gretchen Wilson released her sophomore album All Jacked Up in late September. The new CD covers many of the same topics that made country music fans fall in love with Wilson in 2004 when she came out with her first single "Redneck Woman" which was followed by three other large successes from her first album Here for the Party All Jacked Up features the same hearty honky-tonk themes that keep Wilson's fans enthralled. She's still singing about her dislike for enchanting socialite females in "California Girls" and the hardships of the blue collar culture in songs like "Politically Uncorrect," and "Not bad for a Bartender." The heart and soul of wrenching songs like "Homewrecker" were not lost in the new album either as she sings about the woes of a country girl in "He Ain't Even Cold Yet" and "I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today." Continuing her themes of drinking, having a good time and love (for a country girl) are "All Jacked Up," "Skoal Ring," and "One Bud Wiser." Hidden on the new album is an untitled track that adds a new dimension to the familiar themes and sounds of the CD. Talking to heartache, a common theme, the song adds a new sound to the CD that tends to remind listeners of Norah Jones through the addition of a jazz style to the mystery track. The CD features many of the same themes as Wilson's debut album, but in the same way that fans fell .l.hNlii E'ufiii ~ T d i l f ! D U I ~ ~ Hrt'Tdlt.i M.tt~ 5roTetl!rJQn111'tffi:ml!IIIII ~~n c.a 1-800-230-PLAN in love with the first album because of the insights it gave into this remarkable singer/song writer, the songs on this album further the biography via music that Wilson is constructing. I'll admit to being a die-hard country music fan and although the CD does not add any new themes to the artist's profile I still enjoy it tremendously. I think my love for the CD comes from the reincarnation of traditional blue-collar rooted country music being brought back to the mainstream of the genre. For the past several years many die-hard country fans, like me, found ourselves listening to supposed country singers on many different genre stations. With new artists like Wilson, Van Zant and Blaine Larsen saddling up for a major tour in 2006, traditional country is most definitely on the rise back into popularity. Grade: B+ Nt BY DONNA BeaconA&E Getting thi debit cards a -and we int~ ing a shoplii The other through ID) ounce of m my mascara None of · you. It all See. Ever been Amer stand as eth little sense often seem if that's re Brownie" morial Da pointed O' 'Made in< Anyway at is that my favori Bell, encl at Don P restauran1 Main Strt along my only thin the food . �15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NOVEMBER 21, 2005 mninner and a Movie Dinner: Pancho Villa New eatery adds spice to downtown See, at real Mexican restaurants, patrons do not get the luxury of getting hot sauce upon request in a little packet. It's a given. And, at real Mexican restaurants, the Getting there was half the battle. .Q'fo cuisine does not taste anything like the fast debit cards accepted, so we made two tripsc food places, and really, not rti-qch like the -and we intercepted a CVS manager chas~ 1 chajn places. ing a shoplifter.) We seated ourselves, and even though the The other half of the battle was getting place was small, we had qi.any seating opthrough my meal without losing every tions. Aside from a table filled with four ounce of mucous in, roY ·· ose and keeping men, we were the only ones there. We my mascara in tact. None of that is pieant negatively, mind were gfven a bilingual menu and some nayou. It all boils down to taste. Literally. chos. The homemade salsa given to us on See. Everything within our borders has the house was by far the best I've ever had. been Americanized, even what Wf under- (Sorry, Old El Paso!) Total kudos to this stand as ethnic things. Naturally, this makes subtly spicy concoction of onions, tomatos, little sense to me, because American things peppers and cilantro- it was bursting with often seem to be purposefuijy foreignized, flavor. The chips served with it were fresh if that's really a word. I remember. as a and hot with the right amount of salt. When the waitress returned to take our orBrownie waving an American flag in aMeder, she took mine and when my companion morial Day parade and my friend Jasmine started to order, she left the table to answer pointed out--as she still does today--the the phone, without excusing herself. That 'Made in China' tag. \ was not what I would call quality service. Anyway, I digress. The point I am getting I ordered a three enchiladas platter, one of at is that I often say that Mexican food is each type: beef, chicken and cheese (or quemy favorite, meaning I like tostadas at Taco so, Rollo Y Res, De Mole Poblano). These Bell, enchiladas at Chi-Chi's and burritos were $7.00, but since I got one of each, it at Don Pablo's. So when a new Mexian was $1.00 extra. I was asked if I wanted restaurant, dubbed "authentic," topened on green or red sauce. In retrospect, I realized Main Street, I was so there. An~J dragged along my trusty assistant editor. In fact, the green=cool and red=hot. I went through all only thing hotter than my lunch date was of the napkins on the table wiping tears out of my eyes from the fiery red sauce. the food. BY DONNA TALARICO Beacon A&E Editor The Beacon/Nick Zmijewski Trivia Factoid: Pancho Villa is a famed Mexican bandit. Now, I am positive the quality of meat scraping off the onions, he enjoyed the soft "Yas very many times higher than that of fast sheff"fttcos. These were $1.00 each and a f~od, and I know that this is how tacos""and 4good val~e.,,1 the like are rupposed to be roadt; .•J-fowever, With just one can of Diet Pepsi that I b~ing used to the mushy Taco Bell meat, the drank rathef quickly and all of the nachos big pieces of shredded and marinated meat gon~ 1Jhaff' nothing t~douse out the flames took some getting U$ecl t<?. The cheese and , in my mouth. I was flushed, hot, crying and chicken enchilada wer~~tter~iheric7;:as · sweating- symptoms a 27-year-old woman good, but the beans were a little more runny should not havi yet. However, with the that I would have liked. With the two side proper kno.~ledge of ingredients and the orders, $7 .00 was an okay value. But I take spicy-scale, I could do this place again. a little issue with the extra dollar for trying If one is looking for American Mexican a mixture of enchiladas. Next time I will (read: roild) they had better run for the borget all cheese. der. Fast. The border of American that is. My partner opted for three chicken tacos. Pancho Villa is open until I :00 a.m. and it He asked the waitress to have those without does have free delivery, scoring points for lettuce and tomato, but we were told they the typical college-age person. The place didn't come that way. Tostadas do. Their also serves breakfast, desserts and has a tacos only come with the meat, onions very 1arge menu of authentic food. For their and cilantro. We liked having an authen- high-quality food, which takes getting used tic Mexican waitress (it beats a skater kid to, they get a B-, for the service and inconmispronouncing 'case-a-dilla'), but he did veniert.ce of no cards they get a D, and for miss that she said the big 'o' word when she the salsa a,ndtringing culture, they get an A. rattled off the ingredients. But even after That averages;to be a.... Grade: C Movie: The Weatherman Beacon critic says forecast cloudy for Cage flick BY ALISON SHERRY Beacon Staff Writer If you think newscasters have a glamorous life on T. V., the new movie, The Weatherman aims to dispel this notion. Of course, as a communications studies major with personal experience, I could have told you that. But maybe it could be more entertaining (or not) to let Nicolas Cage take you into his world as The Weatherman, who appears to the rest of the world to have his life together, but behind the scenes, life doesn't run so smoothly. Chicago weatherman Dave Spritz (Cage) has a picture perfect life, at least to the masses who either love him or hate him. While floating on the sue- cess of his career, Dave's personal life is sinking. Between dealing with his neurotic ex-wife, his relationship with a tempermental Pulitzer Prize-winning father (Michael Caine) who only expresses disappointment in him, and estrangement from his children, Dave begins to feel that his life isn't the glitz and glamour that television at some point seemed to promise. After receiving a tempting job offer in New York, Dave contemplates whether to pursue a new iife or stay in Chicago and work out his personal problems. The Weatherman predicts that you bring an umbrella, because there's a huge chance of rain. This movie can often be depressing and not as funny and light-hearted as the trailers suggest. Cage, as always, delivers, and fans will definitely be pleased with his performance. His character takes baby steps toward success in his personal life in small steps, but at times he fails entirely which unfortunately diminishes the movie. However, it does add a dose of reality, _since life isn't really so easily fixed up in a matter of hours. The problem was that I wanted to see Cage succeed in all of his attempts. Movies aren't supposed to be reality anyway. The Weatherman can be light-hearted at times, but I wouldn't call it knee slapping funny. Overall, it should be labeled a good drama, but a bad comedy that will probably do much better on DVD than it will in the theatres. Grade: C+ �SPORTS 16 NOVEMBER 21, 2005 Fall 2005 Senior Athlete Salute Sean Fisher Men's Soccer The physical presence of senior captain, Mike Leaman solidified the defense for the past four years for the men's soccer team. As a 'gigantic' play player on the defensive line, the hole that Leaman's Mike Bridy departure will leave is substantial. Head coach Phil Wingert said that at this point he has not tagged anyone to fill Leaman's place yet. Leaman had a productive senior season scoring once and recorded four assists. Also during the sea- son, Leaman shot on the goal four times. Skill describes mid-fielder Sean Fisher perfectly. When Fisher first came to Wilkes he had to adjust from the style and competitiveness of high school to the different style of the college game. According to Wingert, Fisher has been a dominant player with the team both on and off the field. From the moment he stepped on the field Wingert had extreme confidence in Fisher's feet. "When we as a team are able to find [Fisher's] feet, we normally expect something good to happen," stated Wingert. # 15 Mike Bridy, M # 18 Mike Leaman, D #21 Sean Fisher, M #25 Jon Blahosky, F Volleyball The volleyball team was led by three seniors that included Amanda Harlan, Alicia Vieselmeyer and Jillian Focht. All three led the team ASK ABOUT OUR CITY SU ITES not only by example but also in statistics. Vieselmeyer led the team with 60 blocks averaging .59 blocks per game and also led in kills with 321 and just over 3 per game. Harlen also added 225 kills and complete nearly 60 percent of her serve attempts. Focht also contributed a lot to the team adding 26 blocks on the seaons along with 274 digs averaging nearly 3 per contest. Teammate Kristen Linhart noted that all three of the seniors were extremely dedicated to the team. Specifically she cited Harlan and Focht as the players who lifted the spirits of the team when things didn't seem to be going their way. Vieselmeyer was the team builder and the one who led the team to make everyone work together as a true team. "It is going to be hard to see them all go because they meant a lot to the team," she added. Amanda Harlan Jillian Focht See SENIOR SALUTE page 17 Alicia Vieselmeyer STUDENT BOVSING SOLUTION- APARTMENTS AND SPECIAL LODGING RATES KEENANS AT l.ooal fi!'hUA• UUUtht• THERt\MADA Cabla> wtth HBO Fturnl•hl"U• lli•WtnJ••• Room want · w•uoa...-.ng .-.,1r (;.'Offdtltonlng \\r~ELCOMES WILKES UNIVERSITY Ei'W -.C,. . .GIES JOIN USFORLUNCH,DlNNeROR :~HOORIN ~41l.NSIR1SH Pl:.m FaA'Tt.JRING OUR NhtWMl:i:NU At-m SA.1../litJ ~ u!<>0>AM~2:00PM 500™-"9:oo,PM DAILY a BEDROOM SUITES Al..L. Wll..Ke.S UN MR.SIT'{ STUOE.N'l'S ffiA'T PRESS.NT THE,IR ID WHEN ORDERJNG WW.. aBCEJVE Al~DlSCOut4T ON FOOD PURCHASES: ---- DJSCOUHT IS VAUD FROM 11=00 AM. TO 7:00 PM 2 BEDROOM SUSTES eeci tmm &9fiQ ner m ADU> f 1 t-s, 4 Rec le■se >lm:tt1clDQ 1-1tff I * • .,.,.._ •••---- o:rr1cn: ro11 a .-..a: •••111 a'.Z0•11:t•2100"' 2Xll'IDnllO• I. 2• ----l �05 NOVEMBER SPORTS 21, 2005 SENIOR SALUTE from PAGE 16 17 Fall 2005 Senior Athlete Salute Football It is a tradition to name some of the stand-out graduating seniors as * This year co-captains for the year. head football coach, Frank Sheptock elected to break with tradition and choose captains of the week. The rationale for the move was that all the seniors deserve to be captains and all helped to play some sort of leadership role whether it was on or off the field. Although all of the seniors players had their moments the key seniors this year included punter/ kicker Kyle Devlin, defensive end Mike Fox, and defensive end Jared Meckler. Devlin who was named as the Diversity Player of the Game after the Wilkes-King's game had an incredible season, which included a 43-yard field goal in the NCAA Division III playoffs, round one game on Sat- Mike Fox Duran Porrino Ryan Dippre Jeff Thompson urday against 11th ranked Rowan University. Fox, who played in all eleven games this season chipped in nine tackles and also forced one fumble on the season. Meckler also played in all eleven games. Meckler raked in 18 total tackles for the season, which included ten solo tackles, two of those which went for a loss. From Jay Price Jason Nickle Jared Meckler the entire staff here at The Beacon #5 Jason Nickle, DE #46 Jared Meckler, DE we want list all of the seniors and # 14 Duran Porrino, QB #57 Ryan Dippre, C congratulate them on an excellent #35 Kyle Devlin, KIP #65 Jason Skarbez, G season and career here at Wilkes. Field Hockey Women's Soccer Lara Judson, the co-captain and only returning upperclassman on the field hockey team is one of the leaders who helped hold the team together to get to the semi-finals of the Freedom Conference playoffs. The senior mid-fielder who led the team in shots on goals also added two assists on the season. Junior defender, Courtney Eleazar stated, "Lara is one of the team's star players. She was not only the captain but an incredible player that was always consistent Lara Judson on the field." --------------------------+ player Malone fished her senior season 12-2. Malone also was the second best player on the Lady Colonels team in the conference finishing with a conference mark of 4-2 In her previous season, Malone split time at fourth and fifth singles a year ago. Malone had a 7-7 singles record, while also compiling a 4-9 mark with three different Cassie Malone partners at first doubles. To wrap Women's Tennis up her final post season on the tennis team, Malone made it to the Cassie Malone, the lone senior quarter finals where _!;e dropped on the women's tennis team fin- an 8-1 decision to Messiah's Reished the season with an impres- becca Grant. Malone's presence sive 13-3 record. Not only did she on the team will be missed greatplay singles, but she also played ly and she has helped to set new doubles most of the time alongside goals for the returning players of Jotanna O'Connell. As a doubles the team. Tara Friedman, the four-year veteran of the women's soccer team has earned great respect on the team from both the coaching staff and her fellow team mates. According to head soccer coach, John Sumoski, "[She is a] person that has a commanding style of leadership but in a productive way." She makes this quite apparent by always seeming to but what is best for the team first. Friedman was looked at as the tone-setter and someone that embraced the ultimate goal of winning in the MAC from day one. This season Friedman has three assists and was a perfect 1.000 for shots her goal. With her career at Wilkes complete Sumoski and the team will miss her passion and enthusiasm that she showed for the game. Versatility and adaption are only two of the words that describe graduating senior and women's soccer forward Jennifer Compton. Compton has been a great exampie for her teammates and will be missed most diversity on the field. Originally a player who played only with her right foot, she was able to train herself to play just as well with her left foot giving her the chance to be one of the dominant players on the field. With this ability Sumoski was able to leave her alone on the left wing. According to Sumoski, "[Compton] [was one of the few players who] consistently was able to put the ball on the back post." When Compton started on the team her freshman year she played the mid-fielder position, then later moved to the defensive line, and finished up her career in the forward position. As Compton leaves the university her consistency and flexibility will be missed by both the coaching staff and the players. Kyle Devlin Jason Skarbez #76 Jeff Thompson, C #89 Jay Price,DB #94 Mike Fox, DE Tara Friedman Jennifer Compton The STUDIO is Here. Come join our Open House. Integrative Media STUDIO Room 20 - Brelseth, Basement Dec. 9th, 12-4pm �SPORTS 18 GAME NOVEMBER 21, 2005 o~TH~ry WEEK NFL: Denver Bronco at Dallas Cowboys/Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions A double-helping of Thanksgiving football BY KEVIN REED Beacon Staff Writer Turkey Day football is as traditional to the holiday as pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce. It is the perfect thing to watch between servings, or simply to fall asleep to while the abundance oftryptophan works its magic. This year, the NFL serves up a doubleheader of action with the Atlanta Falcons traveling to Detroit to take on the Lions and the Denver Broncos making a visit to Dallas to clash with the Cowboys. The early game, which kicks off a little after 12:30 p.m., will pit the Falcons against the Lions. Neither team sports a dominating aerial attack to say the least, but each team has a different reason for it. The Falcons have one of the biggest names in the league in quarterback Michael Vick, but their problem is that they don't.have a great receiving corps to accompany him. I fail to echo the critics that say Vick can't win a game with his arm. However, the Lions have the opposite issue: their receivers are more than capable, but their quarterback, Joey Harrington has been a classic underachiever so far in his career. If Harrington can connect with his array of first-round draft picks at receiver (Roy Williams, Charles Rogers, and Mike Williams), they will have a definite edge. All things considered, I think this game will be won on the ground. Both teams have top-end running backs in Warrick Dunn for Atlanta and Kevin Jones for Detroit. Whichever team can control the ball for the majority of the game will have a distinct advantage. Both Suisham's lack of experience in big games will allow Elam's ability to be magnified. Elam's leg could make a big difference in this game, especially if it is close come late in the fourth quarter. The Picks: Atlanta 31, Detroit 17 Denver 20, Dallas 17 defenses are fairly identical and special teams shouldn't hold any mismatches since both teams are used to playing in dome conditions. The predicted better game on Thanksgiving will be the Denver-Dallas match-up, kicking off just after 4:15 p.m. The main battle to pay attention to is how the 4thranked Denver offense plays against the 6thranked Cowboys defense (through Week 10). The Broncos have a double-headed monster at running-back with Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson sharing the load. Denver quarterback Jake Plummer has excelled ever since he got out of that offensive wasteland in Arizona, and he has formidable targets in wide receivers Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. The Dallas defense has been sparked by '05 draft picks Marcus Spears at defensive end and linebacker DeMarcus Ware. They also have all-pro lineman La'Roi Glover and safety Roy Williams, whose clutch interception of Donovan McNabb last Monday night is still making Eagles fans everywhere cringe. On the other side of the coin, the Cowboys offense, which is led by quarterback Drew Bledsoe and receivers Terry Glenn and Keyshawn Johnson, must carry the load for a recently struggling Dallas offense. They are using a revolving door of running backs with nagging injuries to upstart runner Julius Jones, so the passing game must click for the Cowboys to be successful. A potential "X-factor" in this game will be Broncos' kicker Jason Elam, not so much for his prowess for big kicks, but rather for his counterpart, Dallas' rookie kicker Shaun Suisham. Dallas signed him off waivers from Pittsburgh as he got released after training camp. Double Take Quick Info: Bronoos/Cowboys Sarah examines the facts that really matter. .. {4:15,CBS) Falcons/Lions· (12:30, FOX) November24 BY SARAH HERBERT Beacon Features Editor Seventy-five days until Super Bowl XL. I know I'm excited, not so much for the game but mostly for the end of another boring football season. This past Monday, I attempted to understand the game. My boyfriend and I were watching the Cowboys v. Eagles game at a local sports bar where he tried to explain the game to me once again. After lining up sugar and Sweet'N Lo packets to represent each time he quizzed me on the various positions. I passed the verbal sugar packet exam with flying colors. Later on when the players and their positions came on the screen he asked, "What position does SS stand for, Sarah?" My reply"'Was, "Short stop!" Apparently I was wrong. What is the moral of this story? I will never understand or like football. However, this week's game features the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons. Of course, I'm going to pick the Falcons. Why? I like Atlanta. I also like Michael Vick. He is the QB, and I now know that that doesn't stand for queen bee. Go Falcons! NO' BYNJ Beaco, Whe lipe Qi ter to 1 State. The the w, mance tationa one on as he in the from I Laude1 and ve Quei las Par credits aggres attack ways t tiers, ti who \1 who r I'm th, said. So fi: up to l iger fn confer crown Invitat advarn semi-fl 6-2 w Gormf Queirc to deJ Shaun the firn pretty but I match n Joo �05 NOVEMBER SPORTS 21, 2005 19 Athlete of the Week Wrestling: Felipe Queiroz BY NICK PODOLAK Beacon Asst. Sports Editor 1es rlly XL. I :game boring underI were [le at a ain the 'N Lo uizzed :ed the lg coleir po"What arently I will HowDetroit ;ourse, ' I like e is the ·t stand When it comes to wrestling, freshman Felipe Queiroz would prefer a long, cold winter to the tropical climates of the Sunshine State. The Largo, Florida native gets athlete of the week honors for his brilliant performance in the November 12 Monarch Invitational at King's College. He was the only one on the team to snatch an individual title as he defeated teammate Shaun Farnham in the finals. "You don't come all the way from Florida to lose," said head coach Jon Laudenslager. "He's a very good wrestler and very mature for his size." Queiroz, an ex-soccer player from Pinellas Park High School in Clearwater Florida, credits his former wrestling coach for his aggressive style. "You either attack or they attack you. Like my high school coach always told me, there's three kinds of wrestlers, those who watch things happen, those who wonder what will happen, and those who make things happen, and I believe I'm the one who makes things happen," he said. So far this season, Queiroz (125) has lived up to his word. After defeating Kyle Flickiger from nationally ranked York in the nonconference season opener, Queiroz took the crown in the Monarch Invitational. After advancing from the semi-finals with a 6-2 win over Scott Gormen of Oneonta, Queiroz went on to defeat teammate Shaun Farnham in the finals. "They were pretty close matches, but I go into every match believing that I'm gonna win," Queiroi said. "If I doubt myself one bit, I'm gonna lose." Queiroz turned down several Division I schools to be a Colonel, including Tennessee Chattanooga. "Even though it's kind of far from Florida, Pennsylvania's a good wrestling state. And I have a friend that comes up here (teammate Joe Scala)," he said. Although there is no connection between pro wrestling and "real" NCAA wrestling, Queiroz was surprised to hear about the recent passing of WWE Latino superstar Eddy Guerrero, who died of heart failure. "When I was really young, I used to like Shawn Michaels but since then I have shifted away from the sport," Queiroz admitted. Hand in hand with his individual accomplishments, Queiroz has also helped the team to jump to 19th in the nation according the Brute-Adidas National Division III rankings, but coach Jon Laudenslager says that the standings do not mean a thing. "The only standings that matter are where you stand when everything is all said and done,' he said. Felipe took second place in this weekend at the Red Dragon Invitational as the Colonels won the contest. Felipe and his teammates will be in action Saturday at 9:00 in the R.I.T. Tournament in Rochester, New York. Courtesy of Sports Information Jason Acquaye chases down Rowan quarterback Joe Rankin in Saturday's NCAA playoff game. The Colonels lost to the Profs 42-3, and finished the season with an 8-3 record. WEEKEND RECAPS Football Rowan's 21-point explosion in the first quarter doomed Colonels as they lost 42-3 in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. Men's basketball The 9th ranked Colonels (1-1) bounced back from Friday's loss against Potsdam, thrashing Paul Smith's College 95-39 on Saturday at the Clarkson Tournament in Potsdam, New York. Chris Shovlin led the charge with 13 points, five assists, and four steals, while Keith Kline has 12 points, 11 boards, and three assists and steals. Mike Constantine put up 11 on the board, as David Goode and Jeremy Kahle combined.for 14 points. Women's basketball The women's basketball team lost in the championship round of the Scotty Wood Tournament, falling to Muhlenberg 70-52. Randi Corbo put up 13 points, Andrea Kacprowicz had I 2 tallies, and Rena Bolin had ten points, eight assists, and three steals as the Lady Colonels dropped to 1-1 on the season. Wrestling The Wilkes grapplers wrestled at the Red Dragon Invitational at State University of New York at Oneonta this weekend. Results of the meet were unavailable at press time. NUMBERS OF THE WEEK 17 Tackles by linebacker Kyle Follweiler in Saturdays football game against Rowan University. 150 Points scored by the mens basketball team during the weekend. 19 Rank of the Wilkes wrestling team in the second Brute-Adidas National Ranking this year. 57 Points scored by the womens basketball team in their first victory of the season, a 57-52 decision over Cabrini. �20 Preview of the Week: Wo01en's Basketball vs. King's on 11/30 BY RYAN DIPPRE Beacon Sports Editor The Lady Colonels will be looking to make a statement as they take the floor against King's College on November 30. "We're taking an underdog viewpoint," said first year head coach Rachel Hartung. "In the league we're in, any given team, any given night can win." Both Wilkes and King's are under new head coaches this season. Wilkes also sports eight freshmen on its roster, while the Lady Monarchs will suit up six freshmen. Hartung, however, considers the team's youth to be more of a strength than a weakness. "We're a different team," she said. "They really won't get the opportunity to see us." Hartung, a 2001 De Sales graduate, competed regularly against King's throughout her career. "We had our own rivalry against King's," she said. Hartung also respects her players' desire to beat the Lady Monarchs. "This is definitely one we want," said Hartung." The Lady Colonels will be looking to their defense to lead them against new King's coach Brian Donoghue's fast-break offense. "Our big thing is going to be a hard-nosed defense," said Hartung. "They have some very good individual players ... our defense is going to have to be on its game that day." The King's team that will be gracing the Henry Gymnasium on November 30, however, will not be the Lady Monarchs of old. Head coach Bryan Witten, who engineered the powerhouse King's teams that went deep into the NCAA tournament on a regular basis, is gone. The 2005 edition of the Lady Monarchs has a new coach and a much younger team than its four seniors would suggest. Underclassmen rule the roster, with two-thirds of the team in their sophomore or freshman years. The Lady Colonels and their coach seem to have meshed well, posting a 1-1 record through the Scotty Wood tournament. King's, on the other hand, appears to be struggling with coach Donoghue's new system. The Lady Monarchs dropped their opening two games in the Marymount Tip-Off Classic, a tournament that they won in 2004. The first Wilkes-King's game of the year is looking to be a fight to the finish. The teams will be very evenly matched, with Wilkes' young and talented defense squaring off against a King's offense led by pre-season All-American Beth Jordan. Both teams have little scouting information to build their game plan on, and King's will enter struggling much more than they have in recent years. The Wilkes program is also on the rise, and its underdog status gives it a chance to knock off an unsuspecting King's team struggling to find its identity. A tough defense and an opportunistic offense could lead the Lady Colonels to one of their biggest victories in years. The Beacon/Todd Weibel The Lady Colonels, under new head coach Rachel Hartung, will be looking to knock off King's when they take the floor at Wilkes on November 30. Wilkes is currently 1-1 while the Lady Monarchs are 0-2. Campus Calendar. All Week Begins -- 10 p.m. *Hideous Beauty, Sordoni Art Gallery WEDNESDAY (11/23) *CEO Thanksgiving MONDAY (11/21) Project 8:30 to 5 *CEO Thanksgiving p.m. Project 8:30 to 5 *Crossroads Coffee House, First United p.m. Methodist Church -- 7 to 9 p.m. TUESDAY (11/22) *CEO Thanksgiving Project -- 8:30 to 5 THURSDAY (11/24) *Thanksgiving p.m. *Women's Basketball @ Marywood -- 6 p.m. FRIDAY (11/25) *Men's Basketball vs. *No events listed Baptist Bible -- 7 p.m. *Thanksgiving Recess Find this Picture on Campus and ... WIN CASH SATURDAY (11/26) *No events listed SUNDAY (11/27) *Residence Halls reopen at noon Due to Thanksgiving break, The Beacon will not publish Monday? November 28. The Beacon will publish again on Monday, December 5. This photo was taken somewhere on Wilkes University's Campus. When you find it, email us the answer at: wilkesbeacon@gmail. com. Be sure to put "Campus Picture" as the subject heading, as well as your name, phone number,~nd either campus mailbox or mailing address in the body text. A random winner will be picked from the correct responses and will receive a $10 cash prize courtesy of the 'Programming Board. Congratulations to Judy Wienckoski, who correctly identified last week's secret shot, which was of the front and side archway on the front porch of Conyngham Hall. � 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 2005 November 21st Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2005 November 21 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Communication Studies Department Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Wilkes University