January/February 2016
Volume 55 Issue 1
what’s in
Be a Leader, Be a Friend, Be of Service
THIS ISSUE
The Profile of a New Age Explorer
Alpha Phi Omega members had fun apple picking during the October 10, 2015 Day of Service.
Way into Alvernia History
Men’s Volleyball Coming Soon
Snow Cancellations
president of APO. She helped start this service fraternity at Alvernia as a first year student. She began in APO as a mentor for the new recruits during her first year, then became a pledge educator before becoming vice president of leadership. Reed has helped the organization grow into what it is today, a selfless group of students dedicating their time to service in order to better the campus, community and nation. “At first, the students wanted to start their own club based on service,” Jessica Umbenhauer said.
Alpha Phi Omega (APO) is a co-educational fraternity. It is Alvernia’s first and only fraternity, and is dedicated to service. APO intends to positively influence their community, the campus and the nation. APO is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters on over 350 campuses. APO reached Alvernia in the summer of 2013 with the help of Kevin Shainline and Kaila Druetto. Emily Reed, junior social work major, is the current
Continued on page 3
New Production, New Roles
Snow Patrol at your Service By Amber Nikolaus Managing Editor Teamwork from students valiantly opposed Winter Storm Jonas’ dangerous snow. Alvernia students rose to the challenge to help our neighbors deal with the severe weather through its Snow Patrol. While Alvernia’s campus had a dedicated facilities crew to help dig out parking lots and sidewalks, city residents often have to dig out on their own. Houses around the campus were stuck with slippery streets and long driveways with barely any way of getting out. Commuter Josh Harmes said he couldn’t even get out of his driveway because his street was not plowed. Alvernia decided to do something about the needs in its community. The Student Government Association’s Good Neighbors committee regularly reaches out to the neighbors around the Alvernia campus. Developed around five years ago by the Student Governent Association; the committee works with Dr.
Joseph Cicala, Vice President for University Life and Dean of Students, in order to stay in contact with community members to welcome them into the Alvernia community. “It is a way to create a better sense of community among the neighbors and students,” Dr. Cicala said. One way the committee helps people in our neighborhood is through the Snow Patrol. The Snow Patrol volunteers shovel driveways and sidewalks for neighbors that ask for assistance. Josh Harmes contacted the
By Mady Johnston Contributing Writer
list of neighbors the morning after the snow in order to get the Snow Patrol members underway. Even though he couldn’t leave his house he took part in trying to continually help the neighbors just by contacting them to reassure Alvernia would be there to help them. About ten SGA members went out on the cold Sunday morning after the blizzard. The neighbors supplied the students with shovels. While there were only three houses that ask for help, it was still hard work due to
Continued on page 5
Photo courtesy of Gab Messina
Cooper Scores
Photo courtesy of The Holleran Center
By Genesis Ciriaco Editor
First year Brett VanderMeyde took his time on a Sunday morning to help Alvernia’s neighbors.
On February 1 and 2, the Alvernia Theatre Club (“Pacelli’s Orphans”) held auditions for their Spring production of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. A Streetcar Named Desire follows the story of Blanche, who moves to New Orleans from Mississippi to live with her sister and brother-in-law after losing their family home. “Blanche basically loses herself and ends up going insane,” Chiara Marone, junior theater major, said. “The story goes through the stages of [Blanche’s] life and how different things are affecting her.” A Streetcar Named Desire was one of many options for a Spring theatre production. Dr. Nathan Thomas, the Alvernia Theatre program director, had pitched the idea before winter break, and Marone, and senior Theatre majors Chris Stewart and Taylor Wesley pushed for it. “Over winter break, Chris, Taylor and myself worked with Dean Roth (Dean of
Continued on page 3