September/October 2015
Volume 54 Issue 1
what’s in
There’s Nothing Wrong with Irish Pride
THIS ISSUE
By Veronica Cepparulo Editor
Photo courtesy of Jaionna Odom
Oh Those Crusader Crazies!
Ceili Rain during their performance at the Francis Hall Amphitheatre. (L-R) Burt Mitchell, Joe Davoli, Bill Bleistine, Bob Halligan Jr., and Kevin De Souza.
Crusader Jobs
Three Pairs Set the Match
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The Power Behind Spoken Word Poetry
Scared Service-less
By Anne Heck Editor
By Madison Kaley Contributing Writer
Spoken word poet Kane Smego, visited Alvernia’s campus on August 30, 2015 to deliver an unexpected, diverse message to the youth in attendance. The Office of Multicultural Engagement at Alvernia sponsored Smego’s visit. Wanda Copeland, the Director of Multicultural Engagement explained, “I selected Kane Smego because his art form of storytelling and spoken word inspires people to explore their identities and life experiences to find their voices.” Smego’s performance echoed this sentiment, focused on the power of your own story. Many people think of poetry as stuffy literature, but spoken word poetry is vividly alive. Performance poetry calls the audience to action. The message delivered is relatable on many levels and is relevant to shared audiences. Much of spoken word poetry is deeply personal, which adds to its intensity. Kane Smego came from challenging circumstances.
Raised by a single mother, his life was often difficult, and he worked any job he could to survive. A teacher at his high school saw potential in him. The teacher asked if he would write something as part of a New York City slam poetry contest. This one event transformed his life forever. He became part of a slam poetry team as a teenager, and then as an adult. Smego currently tours internationally and is the cofounder and former artistic director of Sacrificial Poets,
based in North Carolina. Smego is interested in working with youth. He intends to make a difference in changing stereotypes, and to empower youth to understand they have the ability to make a difference. Smego remarked, “The change makers can be the student sitting in the back of the classroom.” He also reminded those in attendance, “College is a time to learn about life, living and sharing space with other people and building better relationships.”
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Photo courtesy of Anne Heck
Gilmore Henne Works Hard for Children’s Play
Alvernia kicked off their Performing Arts Series on August 30 with the Irish-rock band Ceili Rain. Ceili Rain began playing shows in 1995. The band’s name reflects its hard-rocking style. “The name Ceili Rain, pronounced “KAY-lee,” comes from the Gaelic word that means party,” Bob Halligan Jr., lead vocalist for the band, told the crowd. “‘Coeli’ is a form of the Latin word for “heaven.” Rain is that stuff that falls from the sky. Thus,
Ceili Rain is a “downpour of heavenly partiness.” Ceili Rain kicked off the show with engaging with the crowd right away. Their songs consisted of highenergy popish music. One song that stood out was “God Done Good.” Lead vocalist, Bob Halligan Jr., had written this song about his wife who could not have children, though they tried. The couple eventually adopted a boy, who ultimately became a successful college graduate. Halligan looked at his family and thought, “God done good.”
Kane Smego, spoken word poet, delivers an impactful message with new material just written.
Alvernia University requires all traditional fulltime students to complete 40 hours of service before graduation. It can intimidate first year students to think about doing 40 hours of anything. New Alvernians may be especially concerned about finding an activity to complete, getting the hours in on time and working service into their schedule. Fortunately, opportunities for Alvernia students to complete their service hours are abundant. “Finding service opportunities here at Alvernia is easier than doing your homework,” Robert Waller, a senior accounting and marketing student said. Alvernia encourages service as a compliment of the school’s five core values: Service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation and collegiality. While service should be first about helping others, it can also be about helping yourself. Waller said he never planned to complete his
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