September/October 2017
Volume 56 Issue 4
what’s in
Campus Construction
THIS ISSUE
By Kristen Sipling Contributing Editor
Photo Courtesy of Kristen Sipling
New Year, New Freshmen at Alvernia
The new press box is one of the new additions to campus this academic year.
done quickly, but correctly. Pieces of the old roof were made available to students and staff who wanted to have a piece of the campus’ history at the beginning of the fall semester. Now they’ll have a colorful piece to remember this beautiful campus by. “I work in the welcome center in Francis, and they had been collecting some of the old roof tiles. Some of them had broken a little bit so my boss asked if I wanted to keep a piece,” Alvernia student Paige Burkett said. “I said yes because Francis is unique to Alvernia and I thought it was a cool souvenir to keep to remember what
Alvernia University is going through tremendous change! New construction includes renovating the buildings around campus that will better accommodate the students, faculty and guests that visit Alvernia’s campus. The first project is the work on Francis Hall’s roof. The work has been going on all summer and they are almost finished as of September 15. The crew has been hard at work, usually from when the sun rises until early in the evening trying to get the roof
Continued on page 3
What Ever Happened to the Helmeted Crusader?
Worthwhile Internship Opportunities for Alvernia Students
Coaching Up Golden Wolves Football
Music, Drugs and Depression
By Cheyenne Ettinger Contributing Editor Many college students do not realize that networking is just as important as grades when it comes to finding a job after graduation. Alvernia University offers two capstone course choices for English and communications majors. Students can chose between a research seminar class; or an internship. What choice is best for you? The University recommends that students who choose to do the internship program, do so with in either their junior or senior year. There are four levels of for-credit internships. Three credits require 126 hours, six credits need 252 hours, nine credits need 378 hours, and 12 credits require a significant 504 hours. Students should take into consideration their other classes and work in order to avoid conflict. The internship is not an excuse to miss any other classes. Something that students may not realize is how many opportunities they have when choosing an internship. There is no limit to how many internships a student can
do as long as it works with their schedule. The more experience, the better. “You have a story to tell when writing your resume,” supervisor of Alvernia’s internship program, Beth DeMeo said. DeMeo is the chair of the English and communication department, as well as the department’s internship coordinator. There are many positions to choose from when it comes to finding an internship. Choices include, but are not limited to, Washington D.C, Walt Disney World, television and radio stations such as
WFMZ TV, and the Reading Fightin Phils. This summer I had the opportunity to be a game day intern for the Reading Fightin Phils, a local affiliate to MLB team the Philadelphia Phillies. While I didn’t end up taking the internship for course credit, it helped me add on to my resume and build a network of people who are interested in the same field as I am. Networking is important for finding a work after college. The Reading Fightin Phils
By Tommy Godin Contributing Editor
Continued on page 5
Photo courtesy of Cheyenne Ettinger
Alvernia Cross Country Running the Show
Fightins staff participating in a parade, making a gloomy day fun. Pictured left to right: Cheyenne Ettinger, Matthew Funk, Matt Jackson, Ryan Springborn.
It’s no surprise that in the last couple months a lot has been changing at Alvernia University. The announcement of The Plex, a new football team, even the renovated Physical Education Center and turf field. But arguably the biggest change around campus isn’t surrounding construction, but rather the name of our mascot. Since the 1970’s, Alvernia’s sports teams had been referred to as the Crusaders, back when it was a small college. Now, the school has transformed into a thriving private institution, priding itself on being a distinctive Franciscan university. With that growth has come a new mascot to carry Alvernia into the future. The leadership team of the University’s sponsors, as well
Continued on page 3