Cal Times April 24, 2015

APRIL 24, 2015 VOL 41, NO. 24

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Vulcans star shortstop Matt Peters is featured as this weeks Athlete of the Week.

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ART OUT OF THIS WORLD Community members visit Vulcan Hall to celebrate students outer space inspired works of art .

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MORBID MOURNING Editor in Chief, Taylor Brown, talks about the morbid side of roadside memorials.

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MENTOR BY NIGHT Cal U graduate Jason Mols, puts in 70 hour weeks to mentor students on top of his full time job.

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THE BIG EVENT

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Cal U helps community with Big Event Student government, Greek Life, football team, campus clubs step up

By Stetson Provance

For years, California University of Pennsylvania held a Day of Service each fall where students were given the day off from classes and encouraged to do community service.

However, recently, Cal U started a new tradition.

On Saturday April 18, students around Cal U participated in what is now called “The Big Event.” The Student Government Association was in charge of the event, which was dedicated to affording university students the opportunity to connect with the California borough and perform numerous service projects.

Melissa Dunn, director of student activities and leadership at the university, said around 400 students volunteered at 44 sites from downtown California to West Brownsville.

Some of the activities completed by the students included raking leaves, painting, yard work, trimming trees, digging drainage ditches, and cleaning windows.

According to Dunn, Cal U’s Greek Life community played a “vital part” in the day’s successes.

Christine Kindl, director of communications and public relations at the university, said participation in The Big Event by organizations such as Greek Life prove to the areas surrounding campus that Cal U is comprised of productive, responsible students.

“It’s important for our neighbors to see these sorts of positive interactions [that occur at the Big Event] firsthand, so they understand that the vast majority of our Cal U students are people of character who are ready and willing to make a positive difference in their community,” Kindl said.

One sorority that was heavily involved in the completion of service projects was Sigma Kappa. Amber Kirschner, Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the sorority, said over 20 sorority members were split up into 4 groups and sent to various homes around California. According to Kirschner,

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Sigma Kappa feels an obligation to give back to the borough.

“I felt that the Big Event was super important to our chapter because this is our community and we want to help as much as possible because this is our home,” Kirschner said.

Sigma Kappa, through its philanthropic organization called Inherit the Earth, will continue giving back to the borough by taking measures to improve the environment.

“Doing Community service and protecting our environment is a big deal to us and we love doing it,” Kirschner said.”

Another group that got involved in the Big Event was the university’s football team. According to Chrisitne Kindl and head coach Mike Kellar, 55 players and four coaches helped out with chores at the university’s Village Daycare Center, where some of the player’s children stay during the day. Despite the early hours (the team arrived at 8 a.m.), Kellar and his players were seen smiling and laughing.

This kind of “wonderful participation” by the football team, as Kindl called it, not only benefited the day care, but also allowed the team to get more closely connected to the campus community, a goal set forth by the The Compliance Group in its independent review of the program.

In yet another effort to sell Cal U to prospective students, The Big Event coincided with a university Spring Academic Open House for prospective students. According to Kindl, this means that students who participated on Saturday may

have helped Cal U gain a new student or two next fall.

“The Big Event was very visible on campus, and prospective students and their families had an opportunity to see Cal U students engaged in a student-led service project that makes a real impact for community residents and organizations,” she said.

Both Dunn and Kindl said they were extremely pleased with turnout for The Big Event this year. However, according to Kindl, more students need to get involved in university events not only for the benefit of the university and the borough, but also for their own benefit.

“Students who don’t get involved in activities like The Big Event are missing out on a real opportunity,” Kindl said. “Many employers look favorably on job candidates who are involved in leadership and service, so adding to your Activities Transcript is always worthwhile.

But more importantly, students get a real sense of satisfaction from being part of a group that’s lending a hand. Most of The Big Event projects are very personal — helping an older person who can no longer handle spring cleaning or outdoor chores, or helping out a community organization such as the daycare center or the historical society. Participants can see that they’ve made a real difference just by giving a few hours of their time — and that’s a great feeling.”

TAYLOR BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF

JOSE NEGRON SPORTS EDITOR

STETSON PROVANCE NEWS EDITOR

LAUREN GRIFFITH LIFESTYLES EDITOR

EMILY GEYER OPINION EDITOR

JEFF HELSEL DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS

PHIL TAFONE, MATT HAGY, DAN CARMICHAEL, AARON SPECHT, Kielle Deanda, taylor overly, ALEx TOLBERT, CLAUDIA PEHOWIC, EMMA RAWLINGS,

POLICY: The California TIMES is a publication of the Student Association, Inc. and is distributed throughout the university campus and the Monongahela Valley area most Fridays of the academic year with the exception of holiday breaks. Any member of the university community may submit articles, editorials, cartoons, photographs or drawings for consideration. Deadlines are as follows: All written copy, announcements , e-mail (caltimes@calu.edu) and advertising submissions are due at Noon on the Monday before publication. Exceptions to these deadlines must be arranged with the editor.

All submissions are the opinions of their creator(s). The California TIMES reserves the right to edit or refuse a submission as it sees fit without offering justification for content or advertising sections.

Page 3 April 24, 2015

Photo by Aaron Zimmerman

Photos by Aaron Specht

Page 4 April 24, 2015

CAL U WEATHER Data by Cal U Weather Center

CAL U POLICE REPORTS Weekend up in Smoke On April 8 at 8:47 p.m., two subjects were arrested during a traffic stop on Riverview Drive for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Turn Down for What?

On April 11 at 1:22 a.m., campus police assisted California borough police with crowd control. The crowd had gathered on 3rd and Green Street.

Thou Shalt Not Steal On April 11 at 2:12 p.m., campus and borough police were sent to Vulcan Village to deal with a shoplifting incident.

Worst Break in Ever On April 12 at 8:18 p.m., a victim reported a screen was removed from a window at their residence.

The window was left open and a desk in the room was pushed back from its original position. There was no sign of missing items in the residence, and the perpetrator was cited for criminal mischief and suspicious activity.

Bookstore Theft On April 8 at 12:43 p.m., campus police responded to a report of retail theft in the Natali Student Center bookstore.

Herron Harassment On April 7 at 3:15 p.m., two subjects were cited for a harassment incident that occurred at the Herron Fitness Center.

Demolition Derby Three separate non-reportable accidents occurred between April 6 and April 8 in university parking lots.

Fri:Partly Cloudy Skies High 53 Fri Night: Cloudy Chance rain Low 37 Sat: Mostly cloudy Sat Night: Mostly cloudy

High 54 Low 37

Sun: Mostly Cloudy Sun Night: Mostly Cloudy

High 56 Low 36

Mon: Partly Cloudy Mon Night: Partly Cloudy

High 62 Low 40

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

53 54 56 62 37 37 36 40

CAL U Internship Corner INTERNSHIP DEADLINE REMINDERS

Summer Internship Deadlines are right around the corner! In order to get credit for your internship, you MUST complete the internship process in time! Students wishing to register for the first internship session of the summer (May 11th through July 18th, 2015) must do so before May 4th, 2015. Students wishing to register for the second internship session of the summer (June 8th through August 15th, 2015) must do so before June 1st, 2015. You become registered for your internship by filling out an internship application through InternLink approximately two weeks before the beginning of the semester. The Director of Summer College will register you.

For more information, come to the Internship Center located in Eberly 230, or call us at (724) 938-1578.

Page 5 April 24, 2015

Fitness Corner with Phil Tafone: WORKING OUT TWICE IN A DAY Last week I overheard two different individuals speak of working out twice in a day; one a competitive body builder at a Pittsburgh gym I use, the other a student here at Cal. Performing “Two-a-days”, as the deed of working out twice in a day is aptly called, around spring has become popular as we suddenly want to shed a few pounds of winter weight and/or become more active. Of course there are ways to focus your efforts for success. Lack of direction can cause fatigue, burn away muscle, store fat, and even set you up for an injury. So what can you do to expedite your results in the “two-a-day” fast lane?

The first thing to do is evaluate what you want to work out. What discipline will you train in, meaning will you lift weights, perform cardio, stretch, engage in a boot camp or functional workout? With the exception of doubling up on endurance cardio sessions, it is important to distinguish these different forms of exercise, as repeating one without a night or two of rest in between may be useless at best.

Successful training of your muscles is basically a matter

of working them out as relentlessly as you find yourself capable of, and then allowing them the same degree of rest, so they may heal and grow stronger. If you employ a “split” routine with weight training, you could return to the gym later in the day to work another body part, but then you have created two body parts/muscle groups that need to rest for 48 hours before further use.

Perhaps you can see where this is going? For most fitness enthusiasts interested in working out twice daily, you need to exercise in two different disciplines. The most common way of doing this is to lift weights during the day and return to the gym in the evening to perform light, endurance cardio. The logic behind this is that the weight training is an anaerobic activity and the chemicals produced will include adrenaline, which nobody wants running through their blood an hour before bed. By performing cardio at less than 70% of your maximum heart rate you will burn calories for the mere purpose of burning them (shedding the pounds), but you will not incur the physiological changes of an aggressive runner or track athlete. By returning to the gym

in the evening and burning 300 calories, five nights per week, the caloric deficit is nearly one half pound (lost) at the end of the week. Combine this with the half pound per week that your muscles should be burning with a proper strength training program and the weight will come off the proper way.

Of course this is not to say you have to work out twice daily. I am a believer in the idea that fitness must be enjoyable first.

You may consider that the cardio aspect of your workout could come from hiking, swimming, court sports, dance, or martial arts. By all means explore and experiment. There are certainly enough classes here at Cal U, and gym hardware alike, to discover a new rewarding workout method.

Remember that diet and sleep are equally important.

They take no effort (in comparison to lifting heavy things and running), so why not control the factors that you can.

Always start slow and be certain you are properly instructed on any equipment or movement you are considering. Most importantly, remember to start!

Cal U Honors Program travels to National Conference for Undergraduate Research

BY LAUREN GRIFFITH

Ten students and two professors traveled to the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Spokane, Washington. The annual conference was held at Eastern Washington University.

With funds from both the Honors Program and the Center for Undergraduate Research, the group traveled via Southwest Airline. The group departed for the conference on April 15, and returned on April 19.

The conference followed the Strike a Spark conference held at Cal U, which was held the day before in the Convocation Center.

Students had to submit abstracts to the conference, and when they received acceptance, the funding was then planned out by both the Honors Program and the Center for Undergraduate Research. Dr. Greg Gould is the director of the Center for Undergraduate Research, and was a large part of getting the group to and from the conference.

The conference held both poster sessions, oral sessions, visual arts sessions, and performing arts sessions. There were also plenary speakers, and sessions given by faculty.

Students from Cal U presented both poster and oral sessions, from a range of topics including meterology and film studies.

The poster sessions were held in a large recreation center , with hundreds of posters being shown at each session. Each oral presentation was fifteen minutes, with a five minute

period for questions at the end. Oral presentations were grouped together with two or three other similar topics for a cohesive session.

Two students, Chelsea Gilliland and Shawn Reese, presented their honors thesis at the conference. In order to complete the Honors Program at Cal U, an honors thesis is mandatory.

Gilliland studied genetic variation among Rainbow Darters in the Monongahela River, and Reese wrote a collection of short stories entitled “Weird Birds.” Reese’s oral presentation outlined the process of selecting topics and writing the five short stories inlcuded.

Dr. Rebecca Regeth, psychology, and Mr. M. G. Aune, English, supervised the students while on the trip. Aune is also the director of the Honors Program.

The Proceedings of the Twenty-Ninth National Conference on Undergraduate Research also gave the students a chance to have their research published. The proceedings will be available in November, and will have over 3,000 research papers that were presented at the conference in it.

The conference gave the students a chance to present their research at a national level, and to interact with students from numerous other universities. Several of the students had been working on their projects that they were presenting for over a year. It gave them professional experience as well.

It also allowed the students to explore interests outside of their major, as the conference had topics ranging from nanotechnology to time travel, to love languages, to post traumatic stress disorder.

Next year’s conference will be held at the University of North Carolina, in Asheville, and will hopefully see several Cal U students attend.

picture by Lauren Griffith

Thomas Koening presented on separation of chiral compounds via electromagnetic fields.

Page 6 April 24, 2015

Sweet! Cal U student launches maple syrup business

BY ZACH FILTZ

Steve Cox, who is the owner of Cox Market in Monongahela, said that Jobie Rossell is not your average college student. As a full-time student with a double major, Rossell has a business of producing pure maple syrup.

Rossell does business with a few grocery stores around the Mon Valley area. Cox Market, a grocery store specializing in some natural foods as well as groceries purchased from local businesses rather than corporate vendors, is one of the larger vendors that Rossell sells his syrup to.

“He approached me and kindly asked if he could sell his maple syrup,” Cox said. “He was in high school at the time, a kid of around 16. I said we could do a trial run, and today it is the only [natural] real maple syrup product that I carry,” Cox said. “That was five years ago, and his product continues to impress customers.”

Cox said that evidence of this can be attributed to increasing monthly sales of Rossell’s syrup.

Rossell, 20, is a sophomore Cal U student and is also a Coal Center native. He majors in electrical engineering technology and business administration at Cal U. However, unlike other students, he also owns and operates a full-time maple syrup business while going to Cal U. That business is Rossell’s Maple Syrup, of which he boils, converts, bottles, and sells from his own backyard. Rossell has done this for approximately five to six years, although it “really got a stronger launch in 2011,” Rossell said.

“He’s a very focused young man,” Cox said. “A person entering the business world needs to know how to ask the right questions, and Jobie did ask them.”

Cox said that it is pure Grade A maple syrup, and currently is the only pure maple syrup product that he carries at his store. “[Rossell is] constantly trying new ideas for products,” Cox said via telephone. Cox said that Rossell is even looking into appealing to a higher socioeconomic customer level by offering syrup in glass jars instead of the current plastic bottle setup. “It will do well for his sales, and I am looking forward to see how my store’s customers will like it [new glass jars] as well,” Cox said.

Moe Galis, 55, said he has known Rossell since he was a young boy of 10. Galis is a neighbor of Rossell and an entrepreneur of a wood pellet factory.

“He came up to my front door and offered me homemade root beer,” Galis said. “I tried it, and his drink left an impression on me.”

“It was at that moment that I knew I had a future entrepreneur on my doorstep,” Galis said.

That was not the only time Galis was impressed by Rossell.

“He has been cutting all of my grass since he was a young teenager, every summer,” Galis said. Galis owns many acres of land on his property in Coal Center.

In addition to his business spirit, Galis said that Rossell also developed some technical abilities at a young age.

Galis said that his family owns some camping property in Confluence, a camping area near Mt. Pleasant.

He said that Rossell was a 15-year-old electrician of the camp, and that whenever there were electrical problems that occurred, he showed up and fixed the problem, often times without cost.

“Jobie is an avid hunter, although he never lets that get in the way of his business or his studies,” Galis said.

Rossell has not only impressed his business-minded neighbor and grocery store vendor, but also some of his teachers and Cal U professors, in the past as well as the present.

“Sometimes it would appear that he was not paying attention during class, but he would ask me questions about it after class,” Dave Lowden, 44, said. Lowden was Rossell’s chemistry teacher during his high school years at California Area High School. “Then he would ask me about how he could grow his new business into something more profitable.”

Despite being his teacher, Lowden also allowed Rossell to work on his farm that he owns near California. “He was never late, and he had a very strong work ethic,” Lowden said. “He wouldn’t even stop to get a drink of water.”

Lowden said that Rossell worked on a hay square bailer, a machine that places large amounts of hay into a square bail. He said that Rossell enjoyed being able to fix some of the mechanical parts of the bailer when one of the moving parts would go wrong.

Lowden also said that Rossell “was always hustling to make a buck.”

Edmund Matecki, a professor of economics at Cal U, said that Rossell is very bright.

“When discussing the concept of supply and demand, Jobie made his presence in the classroom known,” Matecki said. “He had a connection to it, and he understood the concepts presented very well,” Matecki said.

Mark Krueger, 50, an adjunct professor of electrical engineering at Cal U, was also impressed by Rossell’s demeanor.

Krueger, who teaches him electrical circuits, said he thinks Rossell uses the electrical knowledge to benefit his knowledge for his maple syrup business.

It all started with one tree tapped with a sap tap before he entered high school, and the business grew from there, according to Rossell.

“The first year I tapped, I only made around 40 gallons of syrup,” Rossell said. “It was an honest start in comparison to the bigger numbers I am looking at today.”

That is in comparison to the approximate production number of 250 gallons he made last year, according to Rossell. The numbers for his current fiscal year may be closer to 300 gallons, he said.

“It’s not an easy job, sometimes a lot of labor until the late evening,” he said. “But I have found a way to work a little less [25-30 hours] than what I did before.”

He said that he used to put more than 40 hours per week into his business, sometimes closer to 50 hours.

Rossell said that he learned some of these skills when he was a young man working in the Boy Scouts of America.

“We learned how to renovate an old chapel not far from here [on Route 481],” Rossell said. “There were several hundred hours that we put into that, and I learned what comes from the patience of hard work and long hours.”

When asked if he has ever taken a day off of maintaining his business, Rossell answers “not really.”

Rossell is fully legal and a registered business within the United States Department of Agriculture, and is also part of the PA Preferred Program.

If the school year is not in session, he enjoys the occasional ride on his road bike to maintain physical fitness, according to Rossell.

Moe Galis and Steve Cox both said that they both see Rossell doing something involving his work ethic, working for himself, and possibly something involving his technical knowledge through electricity.

“I will always have some type of business,” Rossell said. “It’s part of my personality as well as my passion.”

Page 7 April 24, 2015

Cal U gets a chance to see ‘Space’

The galaxy-themed show visited the Vulcan Gallery this past week

BY CLAUDIA PEHOWIC

Photo by Emma Rawlings

This piece, by Sean Martin, was created using acrylics and was intentionally displayed vertically.

On April 16 at 6 p.m., the public was invited to Vulcan Hall to celebrate California University of Pennsylvania students’ recent works of art. Inspired by students’ creativity and a wide variety of refreshments, students, professors, and members of the community admired the art of our students.

Through renditions of our favorite campus architecture to scenic landscapes of outer space with everything in between, Cal U. students proved themselves praiseworthy.

Vulcan Hall featured a number of different types of artwork.

Students crafted with acrylics on canvas, panel, and Masonite, watercolor and pen, ceramics, and spray-paint.

Traditional media were placed side-by-side with threedimensional abstractions. Realism, showing subjects as they exist in real life, was shown only a few feet away from abstractions in which mice-men took over the world or a cat in a space helmet traveled through the galaxy.

While enjoying hot pizza, croissants, cupcakes, and vegetable and cheese trays, viewers and artists appreciated student work and lively conversation. Mia M. Zazac’s Ins and Outs, Odds and Ends of Old Main: Outback used a beautiful contrast of dark, thin pen lines and light water colors to depict a rarely-admired view of our very own Old Main Hall. Ryan Rohar’s Virgo was interesting because it used two separate canvases to portray a realistic scene of outer space. Stars twinkled as though they were seen through a

microscope. Viewers were able to cast votes for the People’s Choice Award, celebrating the work of our campus artists.

Marina Radanovic, a sophomore with a double major in graphics and studio art, contributed a beautiful rendition of Old Main Hall to the collection. She works with several different media, but Marina recognizes spray paint as her favorite tool. While she was contracted to create a tenby twenty- foot mural, spray paint’s texture and unique formation on paper caught her eye. Marina’s featured artwork, however, made it clear that masters much more than spray paint. She loves Cal U’s relaxed art program, especially compared to rigid curricula of other universities.

Cal U’s graphics and studio arts program allowed her to “go with something [she] loved and was decently good at.”

Cal U provides opportunities to its artistic students by giving them liberty to showcase their talents. Thursday night’s Vulcan Hall showcased a wide variety of talent in a wide variety of areas. The showing was an amazing opportunity for students to meet with people who appreciate their work. Many of their pieces were for sale, ranging from $50 to $500. Contributions were made to support scholarships and the Robert Potter Fund. Together, the public celebrated the amazing talents of Cal U students, whose creativity, thoughtfulness, and individuality inspired truly amazing artwork.

Cal Times album of the week: Matt & Kim

BY DAN CARMICHAEL

The indie-pop duo from Brooklyn has just released their fifth album since coming together in 2004. Matt & Kim produce a nice sound considering they only use a keyboard and drums. There is a dubstep/hip-hop vibe to many of their instrumentals but the vocals are strictly pop centered.

I am going to touch on my positives of this album. It is fun. The album provides upbeat, energetic songs that are sure to be heard at any kind of party or summer get together. Other than the vibe, this album is not as good as I had expected.

To go off on the negatives, this album has 10 songs that last a total of 27 minutes. I am a firm believer that albums should not go on longer than an hour but I find this to be even more unacceptable. I do not feel that you can truly satisfy a fan base if you are not going to give them at least 40 minutes of music. For a fifth album, I expected a much longer length.

I also find the lyrics to be partially unbearable on this album. They are tired and boring. I understand that a large amount of pop music today is not about the message being distributed, but I would like to consider myself someone who lives in a world where listeners still care about what is being said over a catchy beat. I do not see them gaining ranks if they continue to put out albums similar to this one.

I appreciate the musical quality of each song since it really is just two people playing. The duo works well together and I have heard that live shows are typically fun to attend. That being said, if you are one of their super fans, they will be in Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. in the upcoming months. I for one will not be actively seeking out a concert until they prove my thoughts wrong with whatever album they plan to come out with next.

Average Critic Rating: 54/100 My Rating: 50/100

Page 8 April 24, 2015

G R E E K W E E K

Photos by: Aaron Zimmerman

Page 9 April 24, 2015

Cal U graduate helps to mentor high school students

BY ALEX TOLBERT

Jason Mols works with students on FIRST Robotics team

Jason Mols leaves his 40-hour per week job and doesn’t go home. He arrives at his former high school and puts in thirty plus hours of more work mentoring high school students in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering, design, and robotics.

These tiring seventy-hour weeks are a norm for Mols for almost a third of the year. Mols is not only a structural design engineer for a company in Washington County, but he is also a mentor for For the Innovation of Robotics, Science, and Technology (FIRST) Robotics team. Before that, Mols made the hour commute from Cal U to the team’s headquarters while in college.

The organization is a high school level science and technology competition that forces team to raise money and then build robots to compete at a game that changes year to year. Teams are given six weeks to design, build and program their robots.

There are currently over three thousand teams from all over the world. The Greater Pittsburgh Regional was held at Cal U for the second straight year in early March.

Aside from high school students, teams rely heavily on college and professional level mentors to assist them through out their build seasons. Mols has been a mentor on team 1708 out of McKeesport Area High School and Technology Center for the past seven years and before that he was on the team for four years as a student member of team 1708.

This is an example of one of the robots that the 1708 team made for a competition.

After graduating high school, Mols attended Cal U, earning two degrees in robotics and physics.

“I attended Cal U because of FIRST and robotics,” said Mols.

Jason’s real passion lies with getting kids excited about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in an area were sports seem to trump these fields.

“Seeing kids get passionate about this stuff really makes an impact on my life,” Jason said.

“Sports are what people get excited about in this town and seeing kids get interested in science and engineering makes it all worth it.”

Mols spends countless hours without pay continually helping high school kids with everything that comes with a typical robotics season. During all four seasons there is something to do for the team whether it’s fundraising and philanthropy in the summer or competing in the spring.

“It is a full time job all year round,” Jason said.

“Some times of the year require more time than others, but there is never a true off season.”

Mols, although he is now the head mentor for the team, is not alone entirely. He does have the help of a half dozen college level mentors and a few professional mentors. The technology and engineering teacher at McKeesport High School also assists him.

What sets Jason aside from the every day mentor is his continually drive and commitment to help students achieve their goals. Mols was recently nominated for the highest distinction a mentor can be awarded, the Woodie Flowers Award. This award is given to only the best mentors in the organization and students must nominate you.

“Jason is so dedicated and he really wants to see this team succeed,” said Rebecca Ross, a student member of the team. “He doesn’t care how inexperienced you are, he will bring you up to the level you need to be.”

Retired technology and engineering teacher Michael Dischner had nothing, but praise for his former student.

“He is more dedicated to this cause than anyone

The 1708 team, out of McKeesport Area High School and Technology Center, has been mentored

by Mols for several years. Mols was recently nominated for the Woodie Flowers Award for being the best mentor in the organization.

I know in the area,” said Dischner. “He is very passionate towards this team and FIRST in general and I commend him for it.”

Mols, year after year is continually committed to the team and to the organization as a whole.

No matter what he is willing to give his time to enlighten young minds.

“As long as there are students that are interested here at the school I am more than willing to give them all the time they need me to give,” said Mols.

Mols is now in his seventh year as mentor for the team and they are gearing up to make a run at winning a regional championship and competing at the national championship in St. Louis.

Throughout Mols’ tenure the team has won two regionals along with a half dozen other awards commending the team on their design, safety, and quality. He has helped the team in numerous areas including designing, building, wiring programming, and even on field strategy. All while being either a full time student or now being a full time professional.

Mols plans on making this team and FIRST a part of his life for the distant future.

“This team is the reason why I went to school for physics and robotics,” said Jason. “It’s been really stressful at times, but it’s a part of who I am.”

Page 10 April 24, 2015

ADS S T U D E N T A F FA I R S C o rner DID YOU KNOW?

Commuter and Non-Traditional Students Communter Center (724) 938-4021 • Microwaves are available to use in the pods areas of Eberly and Keystone, and also on the second floor of the Natali Student Center.

End Violence (ENDV) Center Carter Hall G-45 (724) 938-5707 • A red dot symbolizes any physical or verbal act that may contribute to power-based personal violence.

On Campus Housing Carter Hall G-45 - (724) 938-5857 • If you have a roommate problem, contact your Community Assistant (CA) on your floor. If a problem persists, please contact your Residence Hall Director (RD).

Student Affairs Carter Hall Suite G-35 724-938-4439

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Page 11 April 24, 2015

Cal U holds Student Gov’t election Garay re-elected to serve as SGA president

By Stetson Provance

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, Cal U held elections for its student government positions. In the race for Student Government President, Incumbent President Brendan Garay defeated challengers Zach Bogardus, Brendan Linton, and Sarah Youngdahl, winning a majority of the 400 or so votes cast. According to Garay, who is entering his second term in office, it was an honor to be chosen by his peers.

“After a week of working hard campaigning by painting sidewalks, hanging posters, and talking to students, I’m proud to be reelected by the students here at Cal U,” Garay said.

Garay’s pro-student interest platform can be attributed to his victory. According to Garay, it is his goal as president to represent student interests in any way possible.

“My platform was and is centered around student involvement and getting feedback from students,” Garay said. “After all, this a position meant to represent the reason we are here, the students. That’s why I enjoy it. “ According to Garay, getting opinions from students and clubs on everything from major issues to what goes on a graduating student’s diplomas is beneficial to the overall functioning of student government.

Garay said Cal U has a lot to look forward, with the completion of the Natali Student Center serving as the centerpiece for an improved Cal U. “I’m really excited about seeing the completed student union,” Garay said. “We voted on it way back in my freshman year, and I can’t wait until everything is completed and

students start using it.”

In recent weeks, Cal U has made local and even national headlines as a result of winning both the Division II women’s basketball national championship and a national cheerleading championship. According to Garay, next fall, Cal U could potentially get the opportunity to show off the university’s crown jewels.

“There is the potential that Cal u will get to hold the student president’s conference next fall,” Garay said. “And that would be a great way for the university to get to showcase all the hard work that went into the renovations to the student center and the Convocation Center.”

Election Results Student Government Association President – Brendan Garay Vice President – Justin DiPerna Financial Secretary – Jessica Curry Corresponding Secretary – Kelsey Denardo Recording Secretary – Shaina Hilsey

SAI Board of Directors Kelsey DeNardo Justin DiPerna Katie DelVerne Brendan Linton

Brendan Garay, SGA President

Tallen Stroman Jessica Curry Dan Bickerton

Source: Orgsync (April 22, 2015)

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LinkedIn job postings have more page views than Indeed, Monster, Career Builder, Glassdoor and Dice combined There are over 3 Million Job listings on LinkedIn.

Join the Cal U Career Network group on LinkedIn to network with alumni.

Tips for using Linked in are available at: www.calu.edu/careers go to Career Resources, than Quick Tips.

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Page 12 April 24, 2015

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Photo Credit: CC Chris Messina

Artists keep pulling their music from Spotify, is this a new trend?

BY KIELLE DEANDA, FOR THE CAL TIMES

I’m not sure if you’ve recently heard that music artist, Taylor Swift, has taken her music off of Spotify, a music listening site.

I was interested as to why she took her music off, and if this could be a trend for artists in the future.

On November 18, 2014 Time Magazine states that Spotify’s stated payout range is $0.006 to $0.0084 per stream.

One Time editor contacted a spokesperson, and reported that Swift had earned $2 million from global streaming of her music in the past year.

Her song “Shake it off” got $46.3 million streams earning between $280k to $390k.

From what I saw online, she was the highest paid artist who had music on Spotify in November 2014.

I’m not sure if $390k is not a lot of money to her, you would

think that is enough right? However how much of that money goes to her?

Everyone thinks that artists get paid handsomely, but in reality they are one of the last to be paid once money comes in.

Unless they have their own label, then they have to pay outside producers, personal managers, the record label, the band, lawyers, and songwriters if they have them.

I researched to see if any other artists took their music off as well, and I found on Rolling Stone.com that after Swift, Jason Aldean removed his album “Old Boots, New Dirt” off of Spotify as well.

It had more than 3 million streams during the first week; however, maybe people will a lot of streams are leaving in order to get a better paying deal.

After Aldean, other country artists Justin Moore and Brantley Gilbert removed their music from the site.

Coincidentally Swift, Moore, and Gilbert are all signed to Big Machine Label Group. Was it the label’s command for all of them to pull their music?

From an article in the Los Angeles Times on April 6 it says that Jay Z was yet another artist to remove his music. He removed his 1996 album “Reasonable Doubt,” and put it on his own music listening service “Tidal,” that re-launched a few weeks ago. The Los Angeles Times got word from a few artists that Spotify devalues the price of music.

So is this extra money coming in not enough for the musicians? And how many more will take their music off of the site? Will this new trend be bad for business? I guess only time will tell.

Seasoning food before tasting it is rude, did you know?

BY KIELLE DEANDA, FOR THE CAL TIMES

Recently I was asked by an old friend, “Did you know that it was rude to season food before you have tasted it?”

I had never heard of that before, and I decided to explore the topic.

What I found was that most people lack basic table manners, but is it really our fault, when etiquette is not something taught in school these days?

I started asking a few people around me about etiquette, and then I began looking for sources online.

First I asked my roommates about seasoning their food, and they said they had never heard that. Then I asked my family members, and they also stated that they had never heard of this fact.

Later on, I decided to ask a group of people where I was doing community service, and in a room full of people, only two of them had heard of what I was talking about.

Think back to a time when you have cooked for someone,

did they season the food before they tasted it? How did you feel at the time, were you offended? Or did it not bother you?

Now that you know it is considered rude, are you offended?

If not that’s okay, not everyone is going to consider the act of seasoning their food before they eat it rude.

I found on one a question and answer site this same question, and their response was that, “…it will insult the Chef.”

Another interesting question was asked, “Why is using hot sauce and butter different, than using sugar for coffee?”

The answer was, “Those aren’t universal, but…that’s just how it is, manners aren’t always logical.”

After doing some more digging, I found a section from Professional Images Dress.com that said good table manners are to, “Taste your food before seasoning it. The kitchen staff has prepared the food with care, and it is an insult to the chef to add salt, pepper, ketchup or any seasoning before

tasting it.”

I have to say that I agree with this custom, because if you think about it, to season food before tasting is to say the food is bland. How will you know if it is or is not bland if you haven’t tasted it?

I think what it all comes down to is preference. I have a friend that likes salt on everything, but me on the other hand; I don’t really like whenever I can taste salt in a dish.

Some people may like their food more on the salty side, it is all about their own personal preference.

What if the chef also likes salty food, and you season it regardless? Then there is a salt overload, and the dish is ruined.

This may seem like a dramatic scenario, but you honestly wouldn’t know until you tried it.

I think this is something we should all consider before we find ourselves offending a sensitive chef.

Page 15 April 24, 2015

The morbid side of mourning...

BY TAYLOR BROWN, EDITOR IN CHIEF

I have never really been big on funerals, but then again, who really looks forward to them anyway?

I am fortunate enough to say that I have only been to a handful of funerals in my lifetime; both of my grandmothers, my uncle, the sister of a close friend.

Although I was young whenever my uncle passed away after a battle with cancer, I remember everyone getting dressed, in black of course, and then piling into their cars to head to the church for the ceremony.

It was whenever I was around 10 years old, but I remember wanting nothing to do with the entire day. I wasn’t allowed to see him in his final days, he was too sick, and I was not supposed to remember him that way.

I don’t remember who stayed home with me, but I remember sitting on the brown and orange shag carpet of his living room, while the rest of my family was in church pews a few blocks down the street.

For whatever reason, I decided that I should go. Not that I wanted to go, but that I should – for him, more than for myself.

I walked up the isle of the church and saw him lying there, and realized that he looked the same. Not sick, just sleeping.

I also remember standing there, waiting for him to wake up, even though I knew that he was not going to.

I put my hand on his, it was cold, but soft and then I kissed him on the cheek and sat down with my mother.

After the funeral, there was a burial ceremony, followed by dinner in the basement of the same church.

That was the beginning of my distaste for memorials.

As summer approaches, families and college students will

begin to hit the road for family vacations and road-trips.

If you are a licensed driver and commute anywhere, not only in the summer, you will surely have stumbled upon a roadside memorial on one of your many adventures.

These shrines, made of wood or metal, usually feature a cross, plush stuffed teddy bears, a picture, and/or a hand written letter. Sometimes there are flowers, other times there are jackets or other articles of clothing.

These tributes, meant to commemorate the loss of a loved one, are not limited to just roads and highways, they can also be found on street corners woven into fences, or even in parks, on the side of a trail in the middle of the woods.

As I see them, more frequently in the summer as they get makeover from winter wear and tear, I find myself more irritated than sympathetic to their existence.

Though people grieve in different ways, placing this tribute on the side of a road, serves more as horrific reminder of a tragedy than a tribute to someone who once was.

Many argue that these shrines are a distraction to motorists, but that is a poor excuse. Distractions are billboard advertisements, scenic views, other drivers. People are afraid to say they simply do not want to see them, because that makes the person with this opinion insensitive.

So I guess that is what I am, insensitive.

I do believe in the separation of church and sate, and I also believe in the first amendment.

While I see why some say using public property to promote a religious view point goes along with my belief set, I also see these tributes as a creative outlet that people use to get themselves through the grieving process.

Still, I ask the people creating them, why they see this as a primary way to commemorate their loved ones?

If anything, it is holding on to the tragic events that happened in that spot, not letting go of the past.

These memorials that are placed on the side of the road, do not last. The pictures fade, the letters dampen and become illegible, the teddy bears turn grey and soggy. What people are using to create fond memories, eventually after facing the elements becomes an eyesore.

Although you might want to be reminded of the person you lost, these tributes do not stay beautiful.

These memories are better to be kept on the mantle of your home, in the locket of a necklace, in the jacket hanging in your closet, the teddy bear on your bed that they used to cuddle every night.

The same is to be said for memorial decals on the back of cars.

These decals, which serve as 20 to 30 percent of online decal sales, do not last. They are not visually appealing or an appropriate way to create a lasting memory.

They become tattered and dirty, they chip. Names eventually acquire missing letters, the identity of the person you are trying to remember will soon becomes someone that never existed in the first place, according to the back of your Ford Focus.

You do not need a picture on the side of a road, or a decal on the back of your car to remember the people you have lost. These tributes are not lasting memorials, they are only temporary, and the memories you have of your loved ones are what will carry you through dark times.

Photo Credit: CC KTesh

Page 16 April 24, 2015

Photo Credit: CC DonkeyHotey

All In: Candidates Begin To Enter the 2016 Presidential Race

BY STETSON PROVANCE, NEWS EDITOR

For those of you living under a rock (or disinterested in politics) Hillary Clinton announced last week what had been anticipated for, oh, I don’t know, about four years? She would be entering the race for the 2016 Democratic nomination.

Let me preface what I’m about to say by saying this. It is time that America finally elects a woman president.

After all, a woman can’t possibly do any worse than the last two men who held the office. However, that first woman shouldn’t be Hillary Clinton.

Clinton is now 67 years old. If elected, she would become the second oldest President in US history behind Ronald Regan. In some cases, age isn’t an issue.

With Clinton’s medical history, including her inability to testify about the deaths that occurred in Benghazi during her time as Secretary of State because of an injury suffered during a “fall,” age is most definitely a valid concern.

Speaking of Benghazi, man, how can anyone trust Clinton to hold the most important office in the world after that incident?

From the lack of help provided to the innocent people gunned down to the cavalier response from the former First Lady that the incident wasn’t a senseless act of terror.

Instead the result of an anti-Islamic video, Clinton did nothing to prove she is capable of being a competent president. In fact, she proved just the opposite.

Interestingly enough, Clinton announced her candidacy for president on Twitter, becoming one of the first candidates to do so.

However, that is the only new thing you can associate with

Clinton. Republican candidates are absolutely correct in calling Clinton a candidate of the past.

Clinton had her chance in 2008, and despite the backing of the Democratic establishment, still lost to Barack Obama who had more baggage than an airport.

It’s time for Democrats to move on from Hillary Clinton.

That said, it’s not like her opponents on the democratic side are very formidable.

If you think Clinton is old and senile, wait until smiling Joe Biden joins the race.

And, if early entries/possible entries are any indication (hint, they are), the Republican race for the nomination could be equally as deep of a cesspool.

Ted Cruz and his tea party ideals represent everything that’s wrong with the current state of the Republican Party.

Rand Paul’s libertarianism is just as extreme and unelectable as his father’s.

Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee seem far too conservative to get elected by a 2016 electorate.

Rick Perry still can’t remember that third government agency he’d end if he were elected president. Even Scott Walker’s home state of Wisconsin dislikes him.

That leaves two candidates on the Republican side to choose from. Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush.

Rubio, in theory, would be an interesting candidate for the new Republicans. Could a young, Hispanic conservative candidate win the Republicans votes in what is a by and large liberal Hispanic demographic?

He would need to if Republicans hope to take back control

of the White House.

But, in attempting to make gains in what is the single fastest growing group of voters (Hispanics) really worth electing a guy like Rubio who has been accused of exaggerating (read: lying about) stories concerning his Hispanic roots and how he came to this country? I’m not so sure it is.

So, that leave good ole’ Jeb Bush. To be fair to Jeb Bush, he doesn’t talk much to his brother “W.” And, in reality, his record as governor of Florida wasn’t really that bad.

But, in the end, Bush’s electability all comes down to a last name. If you think after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the recession, and No Child Left Behind that the American people would ever elect another Bush, I have a house to sell that you can’t afford.

Many people couldn’t wait until 2012 so they could kick Barack Obama out of the Oval Office. Then, the Republicans decided to elect Mitt Romney (at least he isn’t gearing up for a third run) as their candidate.

At the time, I thought that would be the low point of American politics.

Now, four years later, we are facing an even scarier reality.

Since 1980, every presidential election has featured a Clinton or a Bush.

There’s a strong chance that, after the dust settles, both parties could decide a Bush and a Clinton are the two best candidates to duke it out in 2016. That would guarantee a 36th straight year featuring a Clinton or a Bush in the Oval Office. God help us.

Page 17 April 24, 2015

It’s the 21st century, it’s time to text properly

BY EMILY GEYER, OPINION EDITOR

“Hey, r u going 2 the party 2nite?”

This is how people used to text message each other, or if you want to feel really old, it is how they used to AIM message one another. However, there still seems to be people using these text abbreviations and more still today.

My main question here is why?

To me personally, I feel as though it takes more time to abbreviate words rather than just spell them out completely.

Like when people text “ur,” instead of “your or you’re.”

Is it really that important for you to save two to five seconds by dropping the “yo?”

I’m going to go with no it is not. Not to mention we are living in the 21st century – the only thing you should really be abbreviating in your texting is “lol” or maybe “btw.”

However, is it really that difficult to text out “haha” or “by the way?”

It is 2015, not 1992 whenever you were limited on a character count; it is time to spell out your whole messages ladies and gents.

Gone are the days of flip phones and T9Word, we are now living in a rapidly advancing technological world. Just like technology is advancing, our social and communicative skills should be too.

It is kind of sad that there are multiple text message abbreviation and shorthand dictionaries available on the internet. Some of these dictionaries have thousands of abbreviations with definitions of what each one means.

The fact that we even have to have these dictionaries is

actually quite concerning, because it means that people have used abbreviations often enough to make there be a need for a dictionary explaining them.

To be honest, people are not just using these texting shortcuts in their text messages to friends and family, but it is beginning to transfer into their emails as well.

It may be socially acceptable to use shortcuts whenever you are talking to your friends and family, but your professors, current and/or future employers, and other important people do not want to receive them.

Why? Well it is rather simple – it makes you look lazy and stupid.

I’m serious, there is such a thing as email etiquette, and text shortcuts are not apart of it. Employers, professors, and other important people are not going to be very impressed with you if send them not only text abbreviations, but even other common slang terms.

That is not going to make you look very professional either, and being that we are college students, we should start to strive to be as professional as possible.

So who is guilty of doing all of this? Everyone.

I will at times find myself abbreviating things in my text messages to my friends and family; however, more often than not I spell everything out. That includes using proper grammar and punctuation.

Why? Well I don’t like when I have to spend more than a minute or two figuring out what you are trying to tell me, so I do not do it to other people.

Speaking of proper grammar and punctuation when communicating, we now, in the age of smart phones, have auto-correct.

Which means that for those of you still abbreviating things, you have to go out of your way to change whatever “word” you are trying to say back to the abbreviation after your phone fixes it.

To me, you are just making texting harder on yourselves there.

Now do not be thinking, “Oh no one is actually guilty of doing this,” because in reality I know people, close friends even, who will still text me using abbreviations.

These are college age people who have been using text abbreviations so long that they do not spell things out due to a habit.

Well now I am challenging you folks, because I know I do not want to continue to attempt to translate text messages, and I am sure there are others out there who feel the same way. Please attempt to spell out your entire message.

Please.

I am honestly tired of having to Google random abbreviations; for example, I for the longest time did not know what “smh” or “ootd” meant. Call me archaic, but I find it simpler to just say that I am “shaking my head” or that it is just “one of those days.”

Let’s not let our technology driven generation continue to fall victim to the laziness of text abbreviations, just spell out your messages.

Photo Credit: CC Michael Coghlan

Page 18 April 24, 2015

Softball team battling mother nature to end season

BY MATT HAGY STAFF WRITER

When playing a game like softball or baseball, teams run the risk of having Mother Nature ruining contests and making the schedule hectic. Unfortunately for the California Vulcans softball team, they have ran into their fair share of rain and have seen almost 10 games postponed and rescheduled because of the weather. At one point the team did not play a game for a week and a half as they saw three doubleheaders postponed within a week. With the lack of games due to the weather, the team had to sit around and wait for games, which may have led to the recent struggles the team has encountered.

After sweeping the last-place Clarion Golden Eagles in a doubleheader that saw junior Alex Sagl throw a no-hitter, the Vulcans traveled to face a Seton Hill team that ended the Vulcans long PSAC west conference

winning streak a month earlier. The Griffins ended another long streak the Vulcans had, which was not getting swept in a doubleheader, as they swept the games over Cal, marking the first time the Vulcans were swept since 2008. In recent years, losing PSAC west games have been unfamiliar to Vulcans fans, but with the long layoff from all the rainouts, a teams rhythm can get lost quick and can run into tough losses.

Reeling from the sweep, the Vulcans dropped a heartbreaker against a Gannon team that unseated the Vulcans at the top of the PSAC west within the recent Cal cold streak, but responded with a dominant win to end the three game losing streak.

Cal continued to struggle in PSAC west play during their next doubleheader as they dropped a heartbreaker to Pitt-Johnstown. They again responded with

Junior first baseman Lindsay Reicoff has been a huge contributor to the Vulcans success both in the field and at the plate. With two home runs on Monday afternoon, Reicoff became the first player in the history of the program to hit 15 home runs in one season PHOTO: SPORTS INFORMATION

a win led by a complete game shutout from junior Megan Uher. With first place lost, the Vulcans needed a breakout series to get the momentum from the early season back. They got it back when they took part in back-to-back doubleheaders against the IUP Crimson Hawks. Coming into the first doubleheader, IUP had won nine straight and were rising up the PSAC west standings, threatening to pass the Vulcans if they were able to come away with a series win. California had none of that as they battered the red-hot Crimson hawks, sweeping all four games from the two doubleheaders. It was a much needed dominant series win that looked like a typical Vulcans team who would routinely win big games in recent years.

The weather has improved recently but with all the postponements that have piled up, Cal now looks ahead at a week full of PSAC doubleheaders. Starting with the IUP home contest this past Monday, the Vulcans will play a doubleheader every game this week except on Saturday. The only game that was scheduled for this week at the start of the season was a home contest against Gannon on Friday. This stretch will be a true testament to this squad as they look to defend their PSAC title.

Despite some struggles, California has seen a team record fall within the past week. Junior Lindsay Reicoff belted two home runs in the last game against IUP on Monday to set the California Vulcans single-season home run record with 15. Reicoff’s incredible season has helped lead the Vulcans offense and sits second on the team with a .424 batting average and leads the team in RBIs as well. Reicoff’s home run total not only leads the Vulcans, but also the entire PSAC as well.

With losing two big offensive threats to graduation in Natalie Wideman and Shelby Lia, Reicoff has completely filled their shoes and has kept the Vulcans at the top when it comes to offensive categories in the PSAC. While the Vulcans may not win the PSAC west regular season title, they still have one of the more talented and experienced teams in the PSAC, a championship group that can break out at any point and do some serious damage in both the PSAC and NCAA tournaments. Led by hall of fame coach Rick Bertagnolli, the Vulcans have made a stamp as a perennial power in the state of Pennsylvania and the entire Division II as well. Not even the weather can take those accolades away.

Page 19 April 24, 2015

Men’s Golf team finished third at IUP Invitational

BY SPORTS INFORMATION

In their final preparation for the NCAA Atlantic/East Super Regional, the Vulcans finished third at the 52ndannual Cecil C. Spadafora Invitational hosted by IUP on Monday afternoon.

The California University of Pennsylvania men’s golf team climbed two spots in the team standings during the final round and closed the tournament with a 15-over 583 (291-292). Allegheny earned the invitational title by four strokes after carding a nine-over 577 (289-288), while host IUP finished second with a 13-over 581 (288-293). Millersville senior Conor Gilbert claimed medalist honors by one stroke after shooting a two-under 140 (71-69) while playing in a field of nearly 75 golfers.

Senior Jordan Eck (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) tied for ninth overall at the Indiana Country Club with a one-over 143 (71-72). He has been the team’s top fin-

isher three times in five events this spring, while registering top-10 finishes six times overall this season Seniors Chris Bushey (Cavetown, Md./Smithsburg) and Ben Beswick (Walton-on-Thames, England) both tied for 16th place at four-over 146. Bushey shot a oneover 72 on Sunday before posting a three-over 74 in the final round, while Beswick carded a two-over 73 in each round.

Sophomore Tyler Robinson (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) finished with a seven-over 149 (75-74) to tie for 30th overall at the event, while classmate Atle Ruden (Oslo, Norway/Hvam) tied for 36th place after shooting a nine-over 151 (78-73).

The field for the NCAA regional championship will be announced on Friday, April 24.

Senior Jordan Eck

Track & Field teams entering final stretch of season

BY JOSE NEGRON Sports Editor

The California University of Pennsylvania Men’s and Women’s track teams are finishing up another great season for the program that features an abundance of talented athletes. In a season that has been highlighted by stories such as records being broken and athletes reaching PSAC and NCAA qualifying marks, the main story of these two teams might just be the continuous efforts made off the track to be better on the track.

In the recent weeks, many members of both the Men’s and Women’s squads made headlines by setting school records. At the Bucknell Invitational on April 12, sophomore Savon Salter broke a school record that hadn’t been broken in over 35 years. Salter placed second in the 400-meter hurdles and broke the school record, which was previously set in 1980 by Harrison Woods. The 4X400 meter relay team of Salter, sophomore Joe Vedilago, senior Jared Schaut, and senior Morgan Huegal also set a season best time during the event, while grabbing a sixth place finish. The Vulcans also qualified eight new entries at the meet for the PSAC Championships, including junior Andy Tuzikow who reached the qualifying mark in the shot put event during the meet. The abundance of success in the different events shouldn’t surprise anyone, including spectators and those who are close to the athletes who compete on the team.

“I try to watch as many teammates as I can when I am not competing and they always amaze me with their passion and talent,” said Tuzikow. “It’s always interesting to see how everyone is different at different things.”

On April 18, the two teams traveled to Slippery Rock University where sophomore Francis Jajua broke the school record in the 100-meter dash, which was previously set back in 2002. Tuzikow also improved his qualifying mark in discus and competed at a high level in both the shot put and the hammer throw.

The Women’s track and field team also saw some of their athletes break some impressive records as well. The 4X100 meter relay team of seniors Monique Sims, Bria Jay, Danae Burgwin, and freshman Gabby Irving broke the school record that was previously set at the 2012 PSAC Championships. The relay team also qualified for the NCAA Championships with their performance at SRU. Other key performances included sophomore Caroline Opferman qualifying for the PSAC Championships in the triple jump, Leisha Jackson improving her league qualifying jump in the triple jump, and sophomore Emilia Ricciuti who qualified for PSAC Championships in the 200-meter dash.

The success of the track and field program is growing each and every year. The talented athletes that have success at the high school level have been drawn to the university in the past and the familiarity between

the different members of the team seems to help the recruitment process as well, a trend that is expected to continue in years to come.

“I believe the program is appealing because the team is always getting closer,” said Tuzikow. “Everyone knows each other and watches and cheers during the meets.”

Both squads will be back in action as they compete in day two of the Penn Relays today and compete at the Shippensburg Paul Kaiser Classic tomorrow, the last meet before the PSAC Championships begin on April 30.

Upcoming meets

4.25:

Shippensburg Paul Kaiser Classic 4.30 - 5.2: PSAC Championships 5.21 - 5.23: NCAA Championships

Page 20 April 24, 2015

Cal Times Athlete Spotlight Matt Peters

Class: Senior Major: Liberal Studies Hometown: Upper Darby, Pa. High School: Upper Darby High School

The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team is in the final

stretch of their 2015 spring season. Though this team is fighting to stay above .500, they have relied on players such as senior Matt Peters to lead them to glory.

In his career with the Vulcans, Peters has made an incredible impact

on the field for his team. As a freshman in the spring of 2012, Peters started 49 games at shortstop and hit .316 with two home runs and 24 RBI. Peters improved his batting average to .346 during his sophomore campaign and started 53 games at shortstop. Last season, he was named to the All-PSAC West First Team and was named to the preseason Tino Martinez Award watch list. He ended the season with a .325 batting average, two home runs and 35 RBI.

This season, Peters leads the team with a .447 batting average and has

four home runs and 30 RBI through 38 games played.