April/May 2016
Volume 55 Issue 3
what’s in
Determined Students Awarded for Success
THIS ISSUE
By Amber Nikolaus Managing Editor
Groups Aim to Connect Alumni Senior Genesis Ciriaco was awarded for ‘Layout Excellence for The Alvernian.’
Running the Show at MAC T&F Finals
SOTA: A Home Away from Home
Summer Hotspots in Berks County
On April 16 and 17, Alvernia students were recognized for their hard work and dedication during their years at the university. Saturday, April 16 was dedicated to the Higher Education Council of Berks County (HECBC) Creativity Conference, hosted this year by Alvernia University. This conference featured not just students from the university we all know and love, but students from Albright, Kutztown, Penn State Berks and Reading Area
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A Discussion in Harrisburg
(Dr.) Law and Sartorial Order By Genesis Ciriaco Editor “I have never seen the man wear the same thing twice!” Ryan Shannon shouted. Shannon, a graduating senior, has had Dr. Richard Law as an English teacher. For students, Dr. Richard Law is an awesome teacher with great dress style. To his peers, Dr. Law is a highly respected professor within Alvernia’s English and Communication department. The eighty-three-year-old has over forty years of higher education experience, but is still as excited to teach every day as he was when he began his career. Dr. Law earned his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at West Chester State College, followed by a master’s degree in English at Lehigh University and a doctorate in English at Temple University. Through his years as a student, he enjoyed exploring the world of literature, with his interests ranging from Shakespeare to Henrik Ibsen. Before he began teaching at Alvernia, he taught at Kutz-
town University for 29 years. During his years at KU, he held several positions; an English professor, assistant Dean of Liberal Arts and acting Dean of Graduate Studies. He retired from KU at 58, but he had strong desires to continue teaching literature. In 1992, Dr. Law became an adjunct professor here at Alvernia. “I got lucky!” Dr. Law said. “Someone left, so [Beth] DeMeo would’ve had to make an international announcement of the opening and
By Kanyeeayl Davis Editor
conduct interviews at the end of the spring semester in order to have someone ready to teach by the fall. Instead, she convinced me to join full time.” Dr. Law has taught a variety of English and literature courses ranging from Composition and Research to nearly every English course Alvernia offers. In his classes, Dr. Law gives in-depth perceptions to traditional plays, historical comedies and dramas. His students enjoy his teaching style. This may have to do
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Dr Richard Law, a man of many suits and profound words.
Photo courtesy of Genesis Ciriaco
Alvernia
Photo courtesy of Genesis Ciriaco
Affinity
Community College. The conference is hosted by one of the five schools every year, and it just so happened it was Alvernia’s year to host. With 329 students in attendance, Sharon Blair, Executive Assistant of Academic Affairs, calculated it to be the largest HECBC Conference ever. Students from all majors were welcome to submit their work. The conference showed off students who spent their time researching, doing poetry, writing, creating artwork, performing, and more. This was a whole day spent admir-
On April 12, 2016, Dr. Josh Hayes’ philosophy class traveled to Harrisburg to lobby on behalf of education within the Pennsylvania state budget. Recent proposed cuts in the budget may potentially stifle funding for education. When the students reached Harrisburg, Senator Judy Schwank told Alvernia students about the recent state budget crisis. The crisis touched Schwank’s heart and compelled her to act. “I heard some reports that how students were really suffering in terms of getting that funding and being able to afford their expenses, not only tuition but just daily living expenses,” Sen. Schwank said. Senator Schwank was happy that the budget finally came through, but was disappointed that the budget process held up some of the things that students needed. Schwank supports the PHEAA program and other Tuition Assistance Programs. She wants to make sure that funding for these critical pro-
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