THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
West Virginia university 2015-16
FALL FAMILY
WEEKEND
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
2 | fall family weekend
We asked:
What does family mean to you? “Family is everything, really. You need someone there to get you through the day.” —Abigail Keneda Freshman biology student
“Family means a lot. It means everything, above everything else really.”
—Mike Jones
Senior MIS student
“(Family is) blood, the people that have your back no matter what.”
—Anthony Braxton
Senior marketing student
“Family means everything to me. Without their support, love and guidance I wouldn’t be who I am today. Family is what pulls you through.”
—Emily Zatezalo
Junior accounting student
Friday October 2, 2015
From the editor’s desk:
The DA welcomes you to WVU by madison fleck editor-in-chief @mafleck
From the editor’s desk: It is an exciting time here at West Virginia University, and Fall Family Weekend is a major contributor to the excitement on campus. The Weekend gives students and their families the opportunity to catch up on this semester’s happenings while enjoying the events the University has planned. We at The Daily Athenaeum, WVU’s student-run newspaper, are always thrilled to print our annual Fall Family Weekend tab edition of our newspaper. In the tab, you will find in-depth stories on all the weekend has to offer. Morgantown is buzzing this weekend with events surrounding the WVU vs. Oklahoma football game, the annual Arts Walk, WVUp All Night’s production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and so much more. Inside our tab, you will find a guide and more details for these events. So, students, parents, family and friends, you are among the most hospitable of the 50 states. Enjoy the atmosphere Morgantown has
to offer, but also find time to take in the scenery the beautiful state of West Virginia has to offer. As the weather provides the blissful autumn breeze and the leaves begin to turn into an array of warm colors, enjoy the company and the entertainment of one of the greatest weekends of the semester. Welcome Mountaineer family, Madison Fleck
Parents invited to get connected with Mountaineer Parents Club by hollie greene staff writer @dailyathenaeum
The “empty nest” might seem like the hardest thing that some parents will ever have to do. It’s double the heartbreak with twins. April Robertson, mother of West Virginia University freshmen Olivia and Parker Boughton and Chair of the Kanawha County Parents Club, felt that struggle in August. “Losing my twins when they went to college was just so surreal. The house is so much quieter,” Robertson said. “Especially that first weekend. It was just me and the dog.” With many questions and concerns, the new Mountaineer mama turned to the one organization on campus that could give her the support and reassurance that she needed—the Mountaineer Parents Club.
“It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for me adjusting and missing them but also knowing that this is what we’ve worked so hard for,” Robertson said. “The Parents Club has been so helpful keeping me informed about the essential things that are happening in Morgantown that affect them.” Along with hosting the annual Fall Family Weekend, scheduling transportation for students and raising money for scholarships, the club also sends out regular newsletters that encourage parents and families to stay positive in their children’s absence. With eight years of experience under his belt, Joe Underwood, a parent and Chair of the Northern Virginia Parents Club, can also attest to the benefits of being involved with the Club. Underwood said his experience in the Par-
ents Club has not only allowed him to stay in touch with his children but also to connect with other parents who are experiencing the same struggles of a child leaving the nest. “Some of the greatest things that I’ve gotten out of the Parents Club are the friendships that we’ve made with other parents,” Underwood said. With one son, Matthew, graduated from WVU and another, Michael, a current senior, Underwood has had many opportunities to enjoy the benefits of being a Mountaineer parent. One opportunity he seizes every year is attending the upcoming annual Fall Family Weekend. Packed with fond memories, Underwood reflected on the trips he’s made every year for the past eight years to Morgantown to attend the weekend event. “I’m very excited for
this year’s family weekend,” Underwood said. “We always have such a great time, and this year, I can’t wait to see President Gordon Gee.” Several opportunities await Underwood and any other parent wishing to speak with the president over the weekend long event. The Parents Club, responsible for planning and carrying out the weekend’s events, have prepared many different opportunities for both new WVU parents like Robertson and seasoned ones like Underwood. A list of these events can be found at the Parents Club website http:// parentclub.wvu.edu. Parents interested in joining the club or becoming more involved can visit the website or call 304-293-2506 for more information. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
Friday October 2, 2015
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
fall family weekend | 3
All parents invited to ‘Pancakes, Students and families invited to Statler College cookout Parents and the President’ by rachel mcbride staff writer @dailyathenaeum
by hollie greene staff writer @dailyathenaeum
Parents of West Virginia University students are invited to attend “Pancakes, Parents and the President” at 8:15 a.m. this Saturday in the Morgantown Event Center as part of the University’s annual Fall Family Weekend. University President E. Gordon Gee will share information and advice with families, as well as answer any questions parents may have about what’s happening at WVU. Vice President of Student Life William D. Schafer wrote a letter to parents encouraging them to attend the weekend’s events. “I know this will be a very exciting, fun-filled weekend for families, and you won’t want to miss it,” Schafer wrote in the letter. “As a father of two daughters who are in college, one out-of-state and one who is a new freshman at WVU, I know you miss your student a great deal. The WVU Family Weekend is a great opportunity to reconnect with them.” W V U p a re nt a n d chair of the Kanawha County Parents Club April Robertson also spoke about missing her children while they’re away from home. Robertson believes “Pancakes, Parents and the President” will provide parents with some muchneeded support and information. “I love President Gee,” Robertson said. “I think he’ll share a lot of important information about current events and what’s going on at the University. I think he’ll reassure us
Garrett Yurisko/the daily athenaeum
President E. Gordon Gee talks with parents during move-in weekend. and share a lot of needed to attend and enjoy “new events, plenty of panencouragements.” According to Robert- cakes and even an opporson, this weekend, and tunity for a selfie or two the Parents Club in gen- with President Gordon eral, has offered her a lot Gee.” Parents or families inof comfort while her children, WVU students Ol- terested in attending the ivia and Parker Boughton, “Pancakes, Parents and started their first year at the President” event can WVU. RSVP at https://urwvu. The event is consid- wufoo.com/forms/panered “parents-only.” Stu- cakes-parents-and-thedents are instructed to president/. Free parking for the sleep in and stay home while their families event will be availare hanging out with able across the street Gee. from the hotel at One The WVU Parents Club W a t e r f r o n t Place is hosting the weekend Garage. of events from Oct. 2-4. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu Parents are encouraged
On Saturday, West Virginia University Engineering and Mineral Resources students, families and faculty members are invited to celebrate at the Statler College of Engineering’s picnic-style cookout. The event is part of WVU’s 2015 Fall Family weekend and will include friends, food, a photo booth and lawn games, such as corn hole and cakewalks, for participants to bond with peers and professors alike. Attendees are encouraged to come out and engage in the family-friendly games. “We just want everyone to hang out and appreciate each other’s company,” said Cate Schlobohm, WVU’s freshman engineering outreach coordinator. The Statler College has hosted this picnic for as long as Schlobohm can remember. Over the years, the event has gained popularity among attendees. It has now become a WVU family tradition for engineering and mineral resources students and staff, Schlobohm said. “(We want) students, faculty and their families to have fun on a laid back level,” she said. “We try to make it enjoyable and low key.” Eugene V. Cilento, the dean of WVU’s College of Engineer-
ing and Mineral Resources, believes the cookout is an excellent way for parents to not only see their children, but for parents to see the campus their children spend so much time on as well. “I believe the picnic spreads the word about the friendliness of the campus, students and faculty,” Cilento said. The picnic will be held from 11 a.m.-1p.m. on Saturday at the ESB atrium, located on the WVU Evansdale campus. Mario’s Fishbowl will cater the fun-filled event. The event is one of two Fall Family Weekend events the Statler College will host this coming weekend. “The picnic is a signature event that is enjoyable and in-
formative,” Cilento said. WVU’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources’ second event includes a brief Freshman Family Reception at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Mineral Resources Building Atrium with a feature presentation by Jack Byrd, a WVU industrial and management systems professor. Light refreshments will be offered after the presentation. Students, faculty and families interested in participating in the event are encouraged to fill out a survey at http://simpleforms.scripts. wvu.edu/sf/FFW2010/. No RSVP is required for this event. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
For things you don’t see every place else...
fashions • accessories • shoes
Seneca Center • 709 Beechurst Avenue Mon. - Fri. 10 - 6, Sat. 10 - 5 • www.The Finery.com • 304-291-2161
Old Stone House Gift Shop
Staffed by Service League of Morgantown; 10% of our Sales through Oct. 3rd will be donated to Christian Help 313 Chestnut St. Morgantown, WV www.facebook.com/OldStoneHouseGiftShop
Mon-Sat. 11AM-3PM Open Oct. 2nd 6-9PM for Arts Walk
Mothers and Daughters LOVE The Finery
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
4 | FALL FAMILY WEEKEND
Friday October 2, 2015
Main Street Morgantown presents the 2015 Arts Walk Ally Litten
A&E Writer @dailyathenaeum
With West Virginia University’s Fall Family Weekend coming up, it is crucial to find an activity that students and parents can Main Street Morgantown has the perfect event: the 2015 Arts Walk. The Arts Walk is a downtown event held by Main Street Morgantown, an organization dedicated to promoting the downtown Morgantown area. Along with Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau, Arts Monongahela and Morgantown Arts Center, Main Street Morgantown is hosting an event that will take
over not just High Street, but the surrounding neighborhood. Artists, musicians and creative minds will be placed all over the downtown area. Participating businesses will place a lit tiki torch outside to welcome people in. Businesses such as Black Bear Burritos, The Cupcakerie, Appalachian Gallery, Cafe Bacchus, CVS and Jamesons Pub & Eatery will be included in this year’s Arts Walk. For its third year, the Arts Walk will also include Art is Food, an event held by WVU Mountaineer Parents Club and Main Street Morgantown. Held at the Morgantown Market Place, the event will of-
Rejuven EYES by Janice Over 11yrs of micro pigmenation experience
Permanent Makeup & Mink Eyelash Extensions
fer samples of food from the downtown and Wharf Districts. The Arts Walk gives community members the opportunity to enjoy the perks of the downtown scene with local artists performing in the background. Not only does it give students and their families something to do, but it also highlights the unique, local businesses of Morgantown. “For us, as a business, this is one of the best promotions Main Street does,” said Judy Spade, owner of Cafe Bacchus. “There’s always great exposure for the businesses. What’s really cool is that it really does get people to come downtown and check out all the different options we have, whether it’s a restaurant, shop or tattoo parlor.” (Arts Walk) is a great opportunity to showcase the small Appalachian city of Morgantown. When parents send their children to college, they want to know that they are in a safe, charming community. The Arts Walk portrays this side of Morgantown by highlighting everything it has to offer. “It [Arts Walk] gives students something to do with their parents that they can
Families stop to talk to a local vendor during the 2014 Arts Walk. both enjoy and sometimes motional events,” Brooks that’s hard,” Spade said. said. “About 10 years ago, “The downtown district we pulled previous events is the soul, or heart if you together and re-invented will, of Morgantown. Par- it. Downtown businesses ents get to see the quaint show interest in the event, place their child gets to and they already have an go to school and it makes artist or we find artists, musicians, street performthem feel comfortable.” Ro Brooks, executive di- ers and place someone aprector at Monongalia Arts propriate there.” Center, has worked with There will be “informaMain Street Morgantown tion points” to stop at for on this event for more than more information. These 10 years now. points include Appala“Main Street Mor- chian Gallery, Arts Mon gantown is always look- and the MAC. “We definitely estiing for downtown pro-
Victoria modeling a beautiful new look that consist of : Reshaped pmanent eyebrows Permanent top eyeliner And finally a fresh new set of mink eyelash extensions, A new wake up to make up look exclusiely by RejuvenEYES Located inside of Mountain State Dermatology 724-880-4664
MORGANTOWN’S EXLUSIVE RETAILER FOR ALL THINGS
1058 SUNCREST TOWNE CENTERE MORGANTOWN, WV • 304-241-1497
Nick holstein/the daily Athenaeum
mate that there will be 2,000 people, if not more,” Brooks said. “The MAC has new gallery openings every month. This month, we coordinated with the Arts Walk so we will have two galleries opening here.” One of the galleries will showcase Glimpsing Asia, a selection of photographs taken by a WVU social work professor, Neal Newfield, who travels to South East Asia to work with organizations involved with stopping sex trafficking. To see other interesting local artists, musicians and artisans, be sure to take a walk to downtown Morgantown this Friday. The Arts Walk has something for every age, interest and personality. Art is Food will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the Morgantown Market Place, located on Spruce Street. The Arts Walk will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Friday in downtown Morgantown. For more information, visit http://downtownmorgantown.com/ msm_events/arts-walk. daa&e@mail.wvu.edu
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Friday October 2, 2015
fall family weekend | 5
andrew spellman/the daily athenaeum
Students rehearse for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
WVUp All Night presents student-run performance ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ westley Thompson Associate A&E Editor @dailyathenaeum
WVUp All Night is throwing its hat into the Diversity Week ring with a student-run performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” For the uninitiated, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a comedic tribute to and parody of mid-twentieth century science fiction and b-horror films in the form of a musical. The show’s quirky and overthe-top humor has made it a cult classic. The show is also highly interactive with dedicated fans knowing specific lines that must be yelled out during particular scenes. Some fans even show up in costume. The story follows a young couple who must take refuge in a Gothic castle after their car breaks down
in a storm. The couple feels uneasy entering the castle and rightfully so. They quickly become entangled in a variety of predicaments with the castle’s strange inhabitants. The Rocky Picture Horror Show was selected to be a Diversity Week event due to the show’s utter obsession with sexuality. The antagonist of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is Dr. Frank N. Furter, a pansexual, promiscuous, cross dressing, mad scientist alien who came to earth to enjoy kinky sex with the earthlings. “There are guys in drag,” said Kylie Unger, director of the show. “Gay sex, a lot of sex actually. I think it’s all sex.” By putting on this show, Unger and others hope people become more comfortable with sexuality in all its forms. “I hope (the audience)
gain more confidence in their sexuality,” Unger said. “And I hope they have fun, it’s not meant to be a serious show.” Dedicated fans will know all of the show’s interactive bits, but first timers should not be worried. The backup dancers and singers have been instructed to help the audience along with the songs, dances and lines they need to partake in. As with all cult classics, special precautions had to be taken to keep the musical accurate to what dedicated fans are used to. “There are some people that know it by heart and have certain things that they expect to see with the show,” Unger said. “So you have to make sure you are accommodating every single thing they are expecting to see while also bringing your own flair to it. It’s definitely a challenge.”
Unger, the cast and crew are excited to bring the show to West Virginia University. However, the path has not been easy. As a student-run production, the group ran into a lot of scheduling issues. Everyone had different majors and times to be available, which was a lot to work around. Time posed another threat. With only one month to get the show together, everyone had to work quickly. Unger credits an incredibly dedicated crew with getting the set pieces together in only one week, no small feat for a production as grandiose as The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Unger also credits the cast for being so on point with their lines. Fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show know what to expect. For students who have never seen the show
before it may be something worth checking out. One thing can be guaranteed, it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be performed for
three nights at 8 p.m. Oct. 1-3 in the Gluck Theatre in the Mountainlair. Admission is free to all. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. wethompson@mail.wvu.edu
It’s not just a cupcake ... it’s a Cupcakerie cupcake! Let us deliver to the student in your life for their birthday or just to make their day better!
www.thecupcakerie.com h k 194 Willey Street 304-212-5464
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
6 | FALL FAMILY WEEKEND
Friday October 2, 2015
Students and families to attend Ring Day Ceremony by Madeleine hall correspondent @dailyathenaeum
Family and friends will gather together to celebrate West Virginia University students in the biannual Ring Ceremony, where students who have achieved junior status at WVU will receive their official class rings. The Ring Day Ceremony, which occurs every fall and spring semester, will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Erickson Alumni Center, closing out this year’s Fall Family Weekend. The first Ring Day ceremony occurred in 1998, and began the “one ring tradition,” where only one official class ring is sold to WVU students, according to Sabrina Cave, Assistant Vice President for Student Life Communications.
Cave said the University started selling one official class ring to create a unified identity among WVU graduates. Often, class rings vary in style and symbolism determined by the distributor. Consequentially, these rings are not immediately recognizable as coming from a certain university. The official WVU class ring contains several iconic symbols, making it “easily identifiable to WVU,” Cave said. On one side, the ring is engraved with the Mountaineer Statue. On the other, the ring shows Woodburn Hall and the official seal of WVU. The front face of the ring displays the iconic “Flying WV” symbol. The ring also presents the date 1867, the year of WVU’s founding, and the year of the ring wearer’s graduation, along with the degree received.
As an undergraduate, students are encouraged to wear the class ring with the flying WV facing toward the heart to symbolize academic motivation. Upon graduation, ring wearers are encouraged to turn the ring so the flying WV symbol faces outward to symbolize eternal unity within the WVU community. At the Ring Day Ceremony, students will not only receive their official class ring but will also have the opportunity to sign a historic record, the Ring Day Book. Inside the book are the names of all the WVU students who attained the official class ring before them. “It’s pretty neat to be a part of that history forever,” Cave said. Purchasing of the official WVU class ring and partici-
Andrew spellman/the daily athenaeum
President Gee gives a speech earlier this year. pation in the Ring Day Cer- students “well on their way emony is exclusive to WVU to graduation.” “I think it is a very special juniors. The Ring Day Ceremony tradition, Cave said, day,” Cave said. is therefore a way to comTo participate in the Ring memorate successful WVU Day Ceremony, contact the
Mountaineer Parents Club by calling (304) 293-2506, or by emailing ParentsClubEvents@mail.wvu.edu. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
Open daily for lunch and dinner. Call ahead seating and outdoor dining.
304-296-2565
52 Clay Street Morgantown www.oliveriosrestaurant.com
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Friday October 2, 2015
FALL FAMILY WEEKEND | 7
Students and families invited to football game watch party by amy pratt
correspondent @dailyathenaeum
On Saturday, students and their families are invited to attend Fans and Franks at the Mountainlair as part of West Virginia University’s 2015 Fall Family Weekend. The game watch party is for the Oklahoma vs. WVU football game. The game will play on a large screen outside where students and families can enjoy games, a photo booth and food. “We’re hoping that we sort of get that real feel of a football game without the traffic and difficulty getting tickets and that sort of thing,” said Lisa Hanselman, associate director for the Mountaineer Parents Club. “Makes it easier for (students) to have an enjoyable football experience.” Saturday, being Mountaineer Nation Day, is also when WVU fans and alumni across the country will have game watch parties as well. Such game watch parties can be registered with Mountaineer Nation as participants have the chance to win prize packages. Last year, there were 341 registered watch parties in 13 countries and 38 states. “It’s pretty unbelievable,” said Sabrina Cave, the Mountaineer Parents Club executive director. “Since this is part of Fall Family Weekend, it makes for a great tie-in for our families to be able to be part of that and be able to experience (Mountaineer Nation Day).”
Cave and Hanselman both hope WVU wins one of the prizes. Even if the party does not win, those who attend Fans and Franks can enter a raffle to win WVU gear. Mountaineer Nation Day will provide prizes. “Fall Family Weekend is when we invite parents back to campus, so our goal is to set up lots of different activities that families can attend together… If you’re not a football fan, we have something else for you to do, but if you are, this is a great event,” Hanselman said. The Mountaineer Mascot, WVU pep band and cheerleaders will also be there to help cheer on the football team. “It will be fun for students to be able to show their parents what the Mountaineer spirit is all about,” Cave said. Fall Family Weekend can be a WVU parent’s first experience being a Mountaineer or seeing the campus in detail for the first time. Students can attend activities and events frequently as the weekend provides students the opportunity to share these experiences with their families. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
Daikiel Shorts catches a touchdown pass during the game against Maryland last week.
UPCOMING TRIPS:
304-241-4142
mydiveshop@yahoo.com Join the discussion. Follow us on Twitter at
@dailyathenaeum.
827 Fairmont Road (Wes-Mon Center) www.mydiveshopwv.com
Cozumel, Mexico March 19-26 All inclusive Non-divers $699 Roatan, Honduras June 11-18 $1200 per diver
7 nights at Turquoise Bay Resort
My Dive Shop
Garrett yurisko/the daily athenaeum
Show your WVU ID for in shop specials this weekend! Featuring over 120 premium loose leaf teas and an expanding selection of spices and seasonings
Seasonal teas & spices now available Morgantown’s only loose leaf tea shop and cafe www.theteashoppewv.com
709 Beechurst Ave., Suite 23 • Morgantown, WV Monday-Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 11am-3pm 304-413-0890
8 | AD
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Friday October 2, 2015
Brunch, Open House, Tours Saturday, October 3rd, 10 AM to 1 PM
Now Leasing for 2016!
Not just a place to live. . . a place to belong. LEASING@CENTRALPLACEWV.COM WWW.HARLESSCENTER.ORG
304-241-1115