Etownian Issue 2 - 09/23/2010

the

Goo-goo for GAGA

Obesity: A Growing Issue

Tech Talk

Etownian Campus Life, page 6

Centerfold, pages 8-9

elizabethtown college

September 23, 2010• Volume 107, No. 3

Opinion, page 11 Images: gossipcheck.com, ucdavis.edu, ebaumsworld.com

One Alpha Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

in the community

on campus

Kalie M. Desimone Staff Writer

Kelly A. Sauerzopf Staff Writer

I

O

On the Web: www.etownian.com

Watch group to protect, defend Housing quandaries ne of the most burning questions students annually ask themselves is, “Where am I going to live next year?”

There is a wide variety of dormitories, student directed learning communities and independent living units from which to choose. However, there are a handful of students each year who hope to be granted the privilege of living

Photo: Kalie M. Desimone

they would rather take a proactive stance on the situation.”

The Cedar Street Watch Group is made up of about thirteen members. n recent months, ElizabethContrary to popular belief on camtown students have become pus, these members are not hiding aware of what they call a “watch in bushes in front of their homes in dog” program on Cedar Street. camouflage, ready to call the cops on This particular street often yields groups of students walking by. They comprise a a lot of student traffic on Friday group that meets monthly with Regal to discuss and Saturday nights as many travel to the certain incidents as well as ways to better handle lacrosse house, the 500s and other offoccurrences. campus houses to attend parties. Members At these meetings, informational pamphlets of the Cedar Street Watch Group, as they are also given out to residents from sponsoring prefer to be called, are not trying to ruin groups like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk students’ fun; they just want their street Driving). These pamphlets contain information and homes to be respected. Over the past such as the consequences of underage drinking several years, there have been numerous and how getting caught underage could inhibit cases of intoxicated students destroying students from obtaining jobs in certain fields residents’ property and disturbing the such as education. Residents are encouraged peace by yelling and screaming while headto read through the informational booklets ing back to campus in the early morning. and then hand them out to disorderly students The truth of the matter is that there are in hopes that they would read them the next anywhere between one and three incidents morning and perhaps reevaluate their behavior. that occur every month, and Cedar Street But this is not the only thing that residents are residents would like to gain some control looking to do to help students. Certain residents over their street and neighborhood.

Officer Richard Regal of the Elizabethtown are looking to add “safe haven” stickers to their Police Department said that he understands why doors or windows so that if a student is in danger the residents are unhappy, which is why he took or has a serious problem, they could feel comfortable enough to approach that particular charge of this watch group. home and ask for help. This idea is still in “Our police department its beginning stages, but it does suggest realized that we needed to that much the residents care for the do something to help this safety of the students. situation, so we took part With the start of another in a watch group inforschool year, residents have already mational session that helped seen and heard disruptions. They to explain the ins and outs will be holding a meeting in early o f h ow a p r o g r a m l i k e October to revisit the improvements this would work,” he said. that have been made thus far as well Armed with information, ReImage: copperridge.net as talk about future plans of action. gal met with Cedar Street residents last November. Residents stated their Caroline Lalvani, director of public affairs at apprehensions and gave their opinions on Etown, has been invited to speak at this first meeting. Cedar Street residents are looking what they thought needed to be done.

“The residents were really concerned about be- forward to hearing her report on the actions ing known as the people who always call the cops the College has taken this year to better comon students,” he said, “so the locals decided that municate with off-campus students.

campus diversity

Festival unifies students, faculty

Micah J. Aumen Staff Writer

“W

elcome to America.”

This greeting is often offered by students of Elizabethtown College to the new international students on campus. This week the roles were reversed as American students had the opportunity to experience a culture different than their own.

The Office of International Programs has been planning this week’s International Festival since February 2010. This is

the department’s biggest event of the year and involves other parts of campus, such as the High Library and the International Club.

The week’s first event was Sunday’s Cultural Workshops in Nicarry. At these workshops, students had the opportunity to learn a new language, immerse themselves in a new culture and meet some of the school’s international students.

One workshop offered an introduction to the Irish language, led by senior Spencer O’Dowd. A representative of

the International Club, O’Dowd took it upon himself to direct the workshop. He attended one last year and liked it so much that he wanted to lead one of his own.

Despite coming from an Irish background, nobody in his family knew how to speak the Irish language, O’Dowd explained. He took up learning the language in order to connect more with his ancestry. This desire to engage in his heritage allowed him to spread the Irish culture at Etown.

See INTERNATIONAL, page 3

Photos: Matthew P. Butera

Upperclass students have the option to move into the Florin Hill Apartments or the Peach Alley Court Apartments and still be considered on-campus residents.

These complexes were recently added to Residence Life’s housing options due to an increase in Etown’s first-year retention. (Peach Alley Court Apartments pictured below.)

off-campus. Because Elizabethtown College is considered a residential college, students are, by contract, required to live on-campus for their four years of attendance. It is therefore necessary to go through an application process in order to be released from that original contract. So why is it that students are not being released to live off-campus when there is not sufficient room for students in the on-campus housing options?

According to Paul Cramer, vice president of enrollment, first-year retention from last year to this school year was 5.4 percent higher than expected. This translates into nearly 30 more returning students than originally expected. In addition to those returning, almost 30 fewer students than expected chose to study off-campus this semester (abroad and domestically).

“Both of these differences impacted the Coll e g e’s o v e r a l l enrollment expectations and presented challenges to aspects of the campus community, including residential life,” Cramer s aid. “In fac t, due to these and other factors, 86.5 percent of See OVERFLOW, page 2

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the Etownian

September 23, 2010

on campus

The

Jayd-ed edge

Rachel A. Marsteller Managing Editor Saddling up for school Sixteen-year-old Roby Burch has an interesting ride to school: he saddles up every morning and rides his horse, Jet, to Haverford School in the suburbs of Philadelphia.

The idea, Burch said, was hatched during a family vacation to a Montana cattle ranch.

School officials accommodated Burch and allowed him to build a corral across the street from the athletic fields.

The sophomore leaves around 6 a.m. to beat traffic. After his four-mile ride, he provides Jet with hay, grain and water, and then changes into khakis for class.

As much as he loves the early morning rides, Burch still wants a set of wheels. He’s hoping to get a truck when he turns 17.

Guys … don’t tease about smelly feet Talk about an overreaction.

An 18-year-old woman stabbed a 19-year-old man for teasing her about foot odor.

A Washington state newspaper reported that the man was found by police with a steak knife sticking out of his back, buried a few inches in. His lung had collapsed, but he will recover.

Accounts of the incident state that trouble started while Dallas Amber Smith was drinking and hanging out with friends, and she was challenged to perform a back flip. When she took off her shoes to do the flip, the teasing began.

Smith had no criminal history.

She faces charges of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon.

Brooms are scary?

Two armed men broke into a home, tied up one man and robbed another, and then were chased away by a woman who was armed only with a broom. Police said the men broke a window to get inside the home of a family who runs a city convenience store.

He said a 49-year-old male resident went downstairs to investigate and was tied up, and then his 80-yearold father came downstairs and was robbed of 50 dollars at gunpoint.

An officer said the robbers started to go upstairs when they were confronted by the 43-yearold woman.

The robbers remain at-large.

The 49-year-old man broke an ankle trying to escape.

Compiled from myway.com.

Prices rise to reflect delicacy upgrades Michael J. Shields Staff Writer

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new sushi bar? Higher prices at the Jay’s Nest? What else does Dining Services have in store for the coming year?

Students are concerned because prices in the Jay’s Nest have risen since last year.

Director of Dining Services Eric Turzai explained that the Dining Services staff annually checks their prices with competing businesses in the area such as Turkey Hill and Giant.

“We have been relaxed with changing prices over the past couple of years,” Turzai continued, “but we were operating at a loss.”

“It is true,” General Manager Sherry Dunbar added. “We were basically paying you to buy things off of the grill.”

Compared to last year, the price jump was very minimal, with an average price increase of just 29 cents. Some of the more popular items such as the turkey pretzel melt went up 30 cents, while egg jay prices did not increase at all. The largest increase was a dollar and 29 cents, which was added to the French toast sticks.

There is hope, however; Turzai is looking to talk with administration about raising Jay buck amounts within the meal plans.

This idea came about as a result of the large amount of guests who were swiped into the Marketplace by students in recent years.

Turzai confirmed that an average of 2,400 meal swipes have been used for guests in one year. This proposed meal plan will allow students to have unlimited meals within the Marketplace, but no longer let them swipe for guests. If students would like to provide food for guests, then they must either purchase meal tickets or use their Jay bucks for meals in the Jay’s Nest. Jay buck amounts have not changed in eight years, Turzai said, and the biggest concern is that it will be a burden on the College. This is just one of the many ideas Turzai hopes to present to the administration.

Another proposal he has in mind is for a new ordering system at the Jay’s Nest.

Students normally can call to place their orders, but Turzai admitted that this system is inefficient. On busy days with long lines, the phone sometimes goes unanswered. Turzai, with the help of Information and Technology Services, wants to turn the ordering system to the Internet.

Students would place their orders online, which would then be sent to the Jay’s Nest, instead of calling student workers at the register. Turzai expects to get this plan underway by spring semester.

In addition, the College radio station, WWEC, may be the new background music for your meals in the near future.

The Jay’s Nest will be a prototype this semester, but some hope to have the station playing campuswide. “The purpose of the music is to take away the dead silence between conversations,” Turzai said. “It brings about a pleasant and entertaining atmosphere.” Since the majority of students patronize the Jay’s Nest, this is the perfect place to test the atmosphere the College radio station creates.

Turzai has requested student feedback: let him know whether you like the changes and you see them as beneficial. Dining Services wants all types of criticism, he added, whether it is good, bad or indifferent. “We like to make things more appealing for the students,” Turzai said. “The only way we know what works is if the students tell us.” Students can e-mail Turzai with feedback at TURZAIE@etown.edu.

With all these new initiatives, it is clear that the Blue Jay dining experience wil be different from previous school years. Judging from all the updates and renovations, who knows what Dining Services has planned for future Etown students?

continued from page one

Overflow of students move off-campus the student body was living on-campus on the first day of incoming first-year class is smaller than projected, there classes. In the past, that percentage had been 83 percent.” will be too many open rooms on campus, greatly affecting Director of Residence Life Allison Bridgeman stated, the yearly budget.

“I think what’s hard to understand is, small differences in How did the projections look for the 2010-11 school year? every category add up.”

The initial targets of new students for the fall 2010 semester How does Residence Life deal with these additional bod- was 530 for the first-year class, 40 for the transfer students ies on campus? “We have to think creatively,” Bridgeman and 15 for non-degree students. The actual numbers on the said. And that is exactly what they have done. Two new first day of classes were 495 for the first-year class, 28 transoff-campus options have been added in the past year: the fer students, and ten non-degree students. This results in Florin Hill Apartments in Mount Joy and the Peach Alley fewer students than expected in all areas. However, numbers Court Apartments in Elizabethtown. The College created on campus continue to increase due to the growing firsta contract with both apartment complexes, which includes year retention rate. Admissions and Residence Life work a nine-month lease rather than the average twelve-month together closely each year to avoid overflow situations, and agreement. Also included in this agreement are cable, each office attempts to solve each matter in the best manner Internet and electric — similar to living in the Quads, possible for both the College and the students.

Apartments, or SDLCs. (Note: specific prices for these apartments were not released.)

In addition to the apartment complex option, other measures were taken to ensure housing for returning students. This past summer, the basement of Myer Residence Hall was renovated in order to create an additional floor of dormitories. The basement was carpeted and bathrooms were added.

Be A Friend…

The question still remains: Why Be A Role Model… aren’t more students released to live Be A Shoulder To Lean On… off-campus? Each year the College creBe A Good Listener… ates an average budget for the full year.

Be An Encouraging Voice…

Releasing students to live off-campus alters this budget, especially if the incoming class is smaller than expected.

BE A MENTOR! The Offices of Admissions and Residence Life must make the most educated guesses possible on enrollment projections in order to realistically release students to live off-campus.

Mentoring just 1 ½ hours after-school, one day each week, This creates ambiguity in the fact that can make a BIG difference in a child’s life! most incoming first-year students do not make final commitments until late Big Brothers Big Sisters ~ Elizabethtown Branch Office May and sometimes early summer.

(717) 361-9226 www.bbbslancaster.org If too many students are granted the privilege of living off-campus and the

news

September 23, 2010

on campus

the Etownian

3

RAD classes empower women with self-defense skills Jim R. Panacio Staff Writer

F

or college students, their time away from home can be the best of their lives. Independence, an organized schedule and friends all make the college experience exciting. However, this does not mean that one should let their guard down.

Image: dickinson.edu

According to Ms. magazine, one out of every four college women is sexually assaulted during her college career. This may sound like a problem that usually occurs in urban areas, but it can even happen here at Elizabethtown College.

To help prevent these attacks, Etown’s Campus Security is offering its successful RAD classes again this semester. RAD stands for Rape Aggression Defense; the program has been a success here since 1995. RAD was created in 1989 by ex-Marine and police officer Lawrence Nadeau. The course was designed as a

defense and avoidance class for women that is easy to learn and fast to complete. Today, there are over 4,000 RAD instructors across the U.S. and Canada, and courses are expanding to the U.K., making it the largest women’s self-defense program in the world.

Assistant Director of Campus Security Dale Boyer teaches RAD courses here at Etown. “RAD combines basic defense with risk reduction strategies.

Ninety percent of the course is risk reduction,” Boyer said.

T h e class itself is split into three levels. The first four hours of the course are dedicated to risk avoidance education.

This includes being responsible, locking doors, going out with close friends, etc.

The next four hours of the course, held the following day, involve physical training. Participants learn basic defensive maneuvers such as elbowing, punching and using basic defensive weapons such as mace. The final four hours of the course, held on the third day, challenge students with simulated attacks against instructors in protective gear. Another aspect of the course instructs potential victims, if attacked, to report the event and acquire proper counseling.

RAD is now split into many specialized courses all over the country. There is a basic RAD course, which is taught here, an advanced RAD course, RAD for kids and a special RAD course for men. The most recent addition was a class for senior citizens, who are at a greater risk for attacks.

There are great benefits to learning self defense. For one thing, when one completes the course here at Etown, he or she will receive a certificate signed by an instructor that may be redeemed at any RAD class in the U.S. for a free refresher course.

Despite the benefits these courses offer, Boyer stated that some people still feel reluctant to take the class. “There is a stereotype that women aren’t expected to fight, but they have as much of a right to defend themselves as anybody else,” he said. Boyer also talked about some of his student’s successful experiences.

For instance, a faculty member who had taken the class recently stopped at a red light while driving in Lancaster.

When a stranger approached her car, she remembered her risk avoidance training and locked her doors and rolled up her windows. The guy then tried to stick his hand through a small space in the window before she rolled it up. This faculty member drove off unharmed, thanks to her RAD risk avoidance training.

The course also gives women a sense

of empowerment and confidence. Boyer spoke of one student who was reluctant to take the class. “She was picked on for most of her life, and she did not have a lot of confidence about herself,” Boyer recalled. “She said before the taking the course, she believed that she wasn’t worth fighting for. She came out of the course saying, ‘I would do anything necessary to protect myself.’” He stated that this was one of the most satisfying responses to his classes.

Anyone can practice responsible risk-avoidance on campus. Checking under cars from a safe distance, making sure windows and doors are locked, and asking for an escort at night are all ways in which students can ensure their personal safety.

If you are interested in taking RAD classes, contact Boyer by email or phone at (717)361-1439. Information on RAD can be found by picking up pamphlets from security, or by going to the RAD website www.rad-systems.com.

Etown, in all respects, is a very safe school. The occurrences of rape and sexual offenses on the campus may be low in comparison to other schools, but that does not mean it can’t happen to you.

Boyer concluded by saying that while only a few reported rapes have occurred, “One is too many; you have to understand that just one is too many.”

continued from page one

International Festival events artistic, diverse in nature First-year Kayla Morin attended O’Dowd’s workTo further here was also a viewing on Sunday of the tures and have that comparison,” said Lexi Geibler, a shop with the same mindset.

Bangladeshi film “The Clay Bird.” The film, shown in sophomore Spanish and Japanese double major. She “I wanted to learn more about the pronunciations the Brinser Lecture Room, portrayed religious extrem- plans to take advantage of the College’s study abroad of the Irish language,” she said. ism in contrast to the local culture of a small town in programs by spending two semesters in Japan, as well Other students attended a workshop on Japanese East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). as one in Ecuador. culture and language. This was led by Japanese students The Office of International Programs planned many “Before this [movie], not a lot of people spoke about Akina Takenaka, Erika Shimokaze, Ayumi Kimura religious extremism,” expressed sophomore Salman other events for this week. Tuesday, in the Blue Bean, and Ayumi Fujita. With the translation assistance of Habib, a native of Bangladesh. He believes students students were able to sample coffees, teas and pastries senior Japanese and business double major Alex Har- would also benefit from learning the ris, students received an introduction to the Japanese peaceful aspects of Islam. Once they language, plus a lesson on origami. hear both sides of the story, they can Harris saw this week as an excellent way for Etown be more open to the religion. students, as well Monday’s big event as the commuwas the Study Abroad nity, to share in Fair, located on the BSC the rest of the terrace. There were severworld’s cultures. al tables set up represent“In America, ing study abroad organiwe’re very Amerzations such as Brethren ica-focused, not Colleges Abroad, Globac u lt u r a l l y f o Links Learning Abroad cused,” he said. and CIS Abroad. Katari, Hi s e x p e r i a band of Mexican and ences in Japan Ecuadorian musicians have shown him playing pre-Columbian that usually when music, provided live Photo: Matthew P. Butera Americans study music at the fair.

College Ambassador John Craig and sophomore Austin Roe abroad, the peoThe fair offered inter-discuss issues of diversity while sampling dishes originating from ple of the host ested students more in-a diverse range of countries in the Blue Bean. country cater to formation about different the needs of exfrom around the world. Tuesday night featured a faculty programs and their destinations. change students.

“Studying abroad gives students the and student panel titled “Understanding Islam.” In this Yet in America, experience of a lifetime,” said Lynn Flynn- session, the community discussed various aspects of Islam Harris explained, Garloff, who studied abroad with BCA. in order to gain a greater understanding of the religion.

Americans alWednesday’s events included the International “It’s more than just sitting in a classroom.” ready expect inBy studying in other countries, students Fashion Show in the KÁV, the International Dinner ternationals to are able to immerse themselves in other held in the Marketplace and a viewing of the movie k n ow E ng l i s h cultures and experience more than they “The Spanish Apartment” in the Brinser Lecture Room.

Courtesy Photo and to adapt To wrap up this week’s festival, there will be a student would simply by being tourists. quickly to the Marco, a member of the band Katari, plays “I believe you cannot truly appreciate and faculty panel on studying abroad in Japan, which new customs. at the Study Abroad Fair Sunday afternoon. your own culture until you see other cul- will be held this afternoon at 4 p.m. in the KÁV.

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features

the Etownian

profiles • monthly series • campus events

September 23, 2010 town events • facts & figures• business

on campus

Professor publications extend to international readers Kaitlin I. Scheurich Staff Writer

F

rom day one, Elizabethtown College has instilled in its students the passion and dedication for learning in order to give back to their community. The school makes sure its motto, “Educate for Service,” is practiced both on and off campus.

However, many of us do not realize the extent of devotion our own faculty offers toward that idea. Not only do our professors educate us to fulfill our ambitions and goals in life, but they also educate others around the world.

“I think that professors serve as important role models for the students,” Dr. Oya Dursun-Ozkanca, assistant professor of political science, said.

“Therefore, having professors with scholarly ambitions extending beyond the U.S. directly broadens the horizons of the students at Etown.”

Dursun-Ozkanca, along with many other professors, has enriched the minds of numerous individuals by publishing articles and books outside

Long primarily writes on Indian of the country. Her most recent publications have been in Kosovo and on religious and philosophical traditions, Atlantic-Community.org, a think tank Hinduism and Jainism, a less promiwebsite devoted to transatlantic debate nent tradition of India with parallels to of international politics and globaliza- both Buddhism and Hinduism.

“I publish a lot in India because tion. Her passion for global education led her to teach a Transatlantic Rela- Indians are, of course, interested in tions course this summer in Kosovo, reading about Indian religions and allowing her the opportunity to publish her Having professors with scholarly works there. ambitions extending beyond the U.S. D r. Je f f e r y Long, assistant directly broadens the horizons of professor and students at Etown. chair of reliDr. Oya Dursun-Ozkanca gious studies, Assistant Professor of Political Science has also shared his scholarly research in many different countries, philosophies. We are a globalized spanning from the United Kingdom world. People all over the world study and are interested in Indian religions, to India and Australia.

“It was not really something I so I do not really think about national planned,” Long said. “Opportunities boundaries that much when I publish.”

Despite how Dursun-Ozkanca and to publish arose, and I took them. I did not set out thinking, ‘I want to Long stumbled into publishing around publish outside the U.S.’ It just worked the world, both agreed that there are many benefits the College receives out that way.”

from professors whose scholarly ambitions extend beyond the U.S. “It means that our professors are serious scholars who are actively researching and writing in our various fields,” Long said. “Maybe I will even get some students who want to come and study Hinduism with me!”

Both professors feel strongly about their areas of study and hope that their students can become more driven in their interests and research as well.

“The students are also inspired to follow the examples of their professors and acquire active international research agendas in their own research.

These publications help get the name of the Elizabethtown College out, and increase the College’s visibility and reputation abroad,” Dursun-Ozkanca said. It’s no wonder that Etown is portrayed as such a distinguished college, as its professors have created a positive impression simply by pursing their own academic ambitions.

As Long points out, “Our professors are not only nationally known, we are known around the world!”

study abroad

From Barcelona to Quito: junior enjoys year abroad Allan B. Craven Volunteer Writer

You never really know what will happen to you when you decide to live outside the country for nine months. Some crazy situations can arise. Once, some friends and I found ourselves in the middle of Marrakech, Morocco on a weekend getaway from Barcelona. We heard about a huge square downtown where you could see snake charmers and do some bartering, so we said, “Yeah let’s go!” We pulled up in our taxi, and, as if on cue, every belt vendor on the street swarmed our taxi and tried to persuade us to buy their merchandise.

Shortly thereafter, animal tamers tried to get our attention. Before I could respond, two snakes were wrapped around my head, and my friend Phoebe was smiling for pictures in a hat with three monkeys climbing all over her. The vendors start demanding money, but I had none. A shouting match ensue as my friend Mike throw five dirhams their way. Snakes and monkeys were everywhere as we bolted.

All of this happened during my fall semester last year. I was studying abroad

A view of the mountainside in Quito, Ecuador

Courtesy Photo

in Spain, and, although not every weekend was that crazy, I had my share of adventures. Barcelona has a sort of allure to it that can’t quite be expressed, but you know it’s there. Every day I would leave my apartment in the Vall d’Hebrón section of the city—known as Base Camp by my BCA friends and me due to its

location on the side of the mountain of Tibidabo — away from the city center and trek down to the metro stop overlooking the Mediterranean Sea as I headed to school. Locals chatted in Catalan on the subway as I sat back and relaxed on my half-hour journey to school.

As Mike and I exited the station, suddenly we found ourselves in downtown Barcelona — people riding motorcycles, street performances, narrow alleyways and shops still reminiscent of how they looked centuries ago. Then, it’s time for class in a large, echoing, 300-year-old lecture hall where we discussed Hispanic literature — in Spanish, of course!

Fast forward a bit as I boarded a plane to Quito, Ecuador. Yes, I chose to study abroad twice in my college career, but this go-round was different.

Studying in Quito was a completely different experience from studying in Barcelona.

There’s just something about walking down the street with the stunning backdrop of the volcano Pichincha behind you, as you pass a family of chickens on the sidewalk while trying to make it onto the 25 cent-per-ride green bus. And when I say trying to make it onto the bus, I don’t use that terminology lightly. Buses don’t stop for men, Courtesy Photo so I’d find myself running a few Sometimes the best friends you make steps alongside the bus, eyeing up abroad are the random animals you run the rail and planning just the right into during your various adventures time to jump on.

Once at Ecuador’s best, most expensive private university, I would sit down in my 15-person class, where I did everything from translating a legal document to learning proper weaving techniques to taking field trips to volcanoes.

Finally, I’m back in Elizabethtown. When I left town to go abroad I had just completed my sophomore year here. Now I’m back and suddenly a senior. I’m still not sure how time flew that quickly. I’ve returned to living on campus with my roommates. It’s back to business as usual at a college in the United States.

Etown was a place so familiar to me, but it has become strangely unfamiliar in many ways. It’s like rediscovering the campus community all over again. This just shows how much can happen in a year spent studying abroad.

September 23, 2010

features

the Etownian

community service

5

Habitat trip to Honduras will promote service overseas Brittany V. Daiutolo Staff Writer

Habitat for Humanity affiliate. A selection committee then chooses a homeowner based on need, ability to repay loans and willingness to participate in conow do you feel when you perform a selfless structing the house.

There is a nondiscriminatory policy which every act? Is there personal gain in dedicating time affiliate follows; race and religion are not factors and effort to help strangers from unfamiliar parts of in the decision. Chosen homeowners have a down the world?

A group of Elizabethtown College students and payment and monthly mortgage in addition to their staff, as well as an ’08 alumnus, will discover answers sweat equity.

Along with Mapp, a number of students from a to these questions first-hand when they volunteer variety of majors plan to attend their time to work with Habitat for the trip. Those committed to the Humanity during winter break. The trip are studying social work, edutrip is scheduled for Jan. 7 through 16 cation, political science, business in Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras. and Spanish, and the latter will Kerri Socha, a 2008 Etown social be beneficial for communicawork alumna, has been working with tion, since Spanish is the official Habitat for Humanity in Baltimore, language of Honduras. No matMd., since her first year at Etown. ter what a student’s major is, any According to t he nonprof it’s skillset can be put to use. website, www.habitat.org, its goal is In addition to the construction, to help reduce poverty and homestudents will participate in cultural lessness by constructing houses activities around the area where and shelters for families in need. they are volunteering. They will also Over 350,000 houses have been visit an orphanage to interact with constructed for homeless families the children and bring them much around the world.

Image: www.mcqueeneybc.org needed items.

Dr. Susan Mapp, associate profesSenior Steve DiGrazia has been sor and chair of the Department of Etown students will be building homes in Honduras from January involved in the AmeriCorps proSocial Work, is helping to coordinate 7 through 16. gram on campus for three years; the trip.

“Monday through Friday, we’ll work all day at the each year, AmeriCorps completes over 300 commujob site. We aren’t sure exactly what we’ll be doing nity service hours.

“I have always been interested in civic and community until closer to the trip. It depends on what others get service activities,” DiGrazia said. “I can honestly say that done beforehand,” she said.

Mapp also explained how the trip will be con- over the years, I have become more globally aware and ducted. Skilled masons lead the construction of the have realized that there is a substantial proportion of the house, and the people who will live in the house help world’s population that needs a lot more than their leaves raked.” Citing his passions for the Spanish language and build it as well, a concept called “sweat equity.”

How does Habitat select its homes’ future inhabit- Spanish and South American cultures, DiGrazia added, ants? Families in need of shelter apply at their local “Working on this project with Habitat for Humanity

H

will combine two of my most sincere interests into one experience.”

Junior Chelsea Cornwell is also a seasoned volunteer and looks forward to being involved in more service trips.

“I’ve been on several mission-like trips before, and they are life-changing experiences,” Cornwell said.

“Helping someone improve their standard of living is the most rewarding feeling I’ve ever felt. The people we will be helping lack the resources to help themselves, and I want to help out because I can. My philosophy is: if I don’t help, who will?” The trip to Honduras will be Cornwell’s first international service trip experience.

Karen Hodges, coordinator of campus events, has found herself participating in service activities during vacation periods over the last few years.

“It’s a habit that I cannot overcome,” Hodges explained. “When Professor Mapp approached me about this opportunity to serve in Honduras, it interested me because I know there is a real need in this part of the world, and I know that Habitat for Humanity is a very worthwhile organization that helps many people have affordable housing.”

Hodges said her eagerness to experience another culture is another reason she is attending the trip. She hopes to not only build a house for a family in need but also to build a connection with the Honduran people and to create lasting friendships.

Perhaps the feeling that these students and staff describe is best conveyed by a quote Hodges provided by poet Ralph Waldo Emerson: “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life That no person can sincerely try to help another without Helping him or herself. Serve and you shall be served.

If you love and serve people, you cannot, by any hiding Or stratagem, escape the remuneration.”

who’s on campus

Internationals review, compare life in America to home Alena R. Marani Staff Writer

at an American institution. Although many stay for just a year, others enroll in the four-year program to earn their lizabethtown College is known for Bachelor’s degree.

First-year Camille Eggerman and its small campus, friendly atmosphere and international programs. juniors Abdullah (AJ) Ata and Hang Etown offers students from around Nguyen are all current international the world the opportunity to learn and students at Etown.

Nguyen decided that Etown was where she wanted to learn instead of at a universit y in Vietnam. She felt that Etown was the right fit for her and is still confident that she made the best decision. Nguyen explained that the universiImage: www.wordpress.org ties in Vietnam France, Iraq and Vietnam are three of many different countries are extremely represented by students at Etown this year. different from experience college in countries unlike Etown. In Vietnam, the teachers are their own. Many international students not as involved with the students, and attending the College stay for just one one is regarded as only a number. There year with Etown’s study abroad pro- are no activities on campus or in the gram and are able to gain new cultural classroom, like hands-on experiences experiences while interacting with in labs or movie nights: there are just lesson plans and lectures.

American students and professors.

“Teachers here encourage their This program offers a unique look

E

students to do more and present them with more opportunity,” she said.

Nguyen feels that at Etown, she is more encouraged to become a leader, whereas in Vietnam, she was just expected to make the grades. She also believes that because of the level of interaction here between students and teachers, we receive abetter classroom and college experience.

Eggerman, from France, feels similarly to Nguyen, recalling that her classes in France were just lectures.

She even stated that the students were essentially told to just “shut up and write.” Eggerman is studying here for one year, but she wishes she could stay for four. She enjoys seeing the same people every day, unlike in France, where the university is too big for her to see her friends regularly.

Both students, however, harbor some negative feelings towards Etown.

Although Nguyen claimed she likes a small campus, she sometimes feels that Etown’s 1,900 students can make the school a bit too quaint. She believes that her privacy is not always maintained.

Eggerman, on the other hand, misses something that Etown really cannot make up for: “I really miss French food, particularly the bread. Bread here just isn’t as good as French bread.”

Both Eggerman and Nguyen also feel that the town is too spread out,

and without a car, they have to walk to the grocery store or the movie theater.

Ata, on the other hand, cannot find one thing he dislikes about Etown. He is completely happy with his decision to attend this institution. Ata has been in America since high school and decided to attend classes here rather than at a university in Iraq.

Nguyen, Ata and Eggerman also face some challenges with the language barrier here in the U.S. “I have to focus to fully understand what someone is saying to me; it’s exhausting,” Eggerman said.

Another noticeable difference is our culture. Nguyen and Eggerman felt that coming here was a huge adjustment and not at all what they were used to.

Because of the friendly atmosphere, both felt some level of comfort rather quickly; however, they do still have trouble. Ata, having been here for a longer time, is used to the culture by now. However, he admitted to struggling with English even today.

The international program at Etown has helped its American students experience different cultures, as well as helping those from other countries gain knowledge, friends, and new skills. The program appears to be an overall success and introduces both American and international students to different aspects of the world.

6

campus life

the Etownian

movies • music • television • humor • travel

September 23, 2010

lifestyles • arts • advice • college issues

Ra-ra ah-ah-aha roma ro-ma-ma: want your Lady Gaga?

Abigail R. Kramer Staff Writer

W

ith her outlandish outfits, bold statements and crazy personality, Lady Gaga has made a name for herself in households across the world. She has the leading number of followers on Twitter (over six million), and has won countless awards in her four-year career. Despite the singer’s oddities, Lady Gaga proved heart behind all the wild costumes.

Gaga’s entrance into last week’s MTV Video Music Video certainly made headlines, but for the first time, it wasn’t because of the eccentric Alexander McQueen dress she wore. Gaga showed up with not one, but four dates to escort her to the famed award show. All four of her dates had been discharged from the U.S. Air Force or Army for being openly gay or bisexual. They were members of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a nonprofit whose mission is to ban the U.S. armed forces’ “don’t ask don’t tell” (DADT) policy requiring the forces to ban openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual participants.

Gaga was open on the runway about her involvement with the organization. According to MTV. com, she said of her dates, “Their stories are truly inspiring, and in my opinion – and as so many young people around the world believe – ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is wrong, it’s sick, it’s immoral.”

Two days after the VMA awards, Gaga asked Senate majority leader Harry Reid for his help to overturn DADT. Reid posted on his Twitter page his support, to which Gaga responded, “God Bless and Thank you Harry Reid, from all of us, like u, who believe in equality and the dream of this country.”

On Monday, Gaga attended a rally in Portland, ME sponsored by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network to further encourage senators to take a stand. Wearing a suit and passionately yelling into the microphone, she spoke for twenty minutes to the crowd and demanded that soldiers who have a problem with gay, lesbian or bisexual counterparts should “go home.” She said that equality is the “prime rib” of our country, and gay, lesbian and bisexuals are not getting to experience the “full buffet of food.”

This isn’t the first time the pop star has spoken out about gay rights. Last March, she traveled to Washington, D.C. and attended the Human Rights Campaign Dinner where she sang and protested

as prominent figures, including President Obama, looked on.

Even the store on her website offers merchandise directed toward the gay community. She sells shirts that say “I [heart] Lady Gay Gay,” and other items insinuating gay pride. She has developed a close connection to the gay community through her music and performances. After winning the Best Female Video of the Year award at the VMAs for “Bad Romance,” Gaga thanked her fans, whom she calls “little monsters,” as well as “all of the gays for remixing the video over and over.”

Because of her involvement in social issues, Gaga appeals to wide variety of fans.

“Sure, she may be a little bit quirky, but she knows what she’s doing and isn’t afraid to be who she is, which I think is a message that all American teens should live by,” sophomore Robert Koehler said. “I think bringing soldiers to the VMAs was actually really honorable because she is trying to open people’s minds to being more accepting of everybody, regardless of their skin color or sexuality.”

However, other students aren’t so keen on the pop star’s commitment and think that singers should stick to singing. “I think she’s a musician, not a politician, and [she] shouldn’t get this involved,” junior Chuck Rubis said. “I don’t take her seriously because she wears so many crazy outfits and is weird. If it were a more serious artist, maybe I would believe them more.”

Lady Gaga isn’t giving up anytime soon; she’s encouraging fans to take a stand with her. In a recent tweet, Gaga said, “Little monsters, make your own videos if you believe in equal rights and want the Senate to repeal DADT. Tweet me your videos and I will repost them.”

She also makes a great effort to let fans know how much she cares. According to Koehler, she addresses her fans during every concert and tells them that they can be whoever they want to be and not to hold back on your dreams and what makes you who you are.

Because of the strong connection they share, Gaga and her fans have an undeniable bond. Countless fancreated websites and Facebook pages dedicated to her and to her music offer proof of this phenomenon.

Gaga’s next album, “Born this Way,” is set for an early 2011 release. According to the pioneering pop star, it’s her best album yet.

September 23, 2010

on campus

campus life

the Etownian

website review

7

Staying healthy while keeping fit Dear blank, please blank Alexa L. Masano Staff Writer

A

s the rate of obesity in America increases, one might wonder what college campuses are doing so their students do not gain the dreaded “freshman fifteen.” Here at Elizabethtown, exercise plays a large role in some students’ everyday lives, but others have refused to hop on the bandwagon. For those students who do not exercise routinely, there are plenty of opportunities to begin living a healthier lifestyle or to shed those extra pounds.

E-fit is one of the best ways to start. Senior Heather Rhoads, E-fit’s coordinator, said, “We originally designed E-fit to challenge students to make good choices for their physical health, and then commit to those choices.” E-fit provides a shuttle to take students to the Elizabethtown Fitness Club for free classes, such as cardio step and body pump, and it also hosts various classes on campus. The newest class is boot camp, which is an eight-week program that costs forty dollars to take. (However, you get a five-dollar refund after each class you attend, so if you go to every class, it’s free.)

Boot camp sign-ups were so popular that all the spots filled rather quickly. Shawn Linskey, a certified sports and fitness trainer from the National Endurance Sports Training Association, instructs the class.

“During Boot Camp, the students’ individual limits will be pushed and tested, they will be taught proper mechanics and form of exercises through skilled coaching,” Rhoads said. “And they will be able to see and track their progress over the eight weeks in order to work toward those fitness goals.”

“E-fit is good for people who do not know what they are doing on their own, so they can go get a good work out,” junior athlete Brian Allport said.

Rhoads agrees that this is one of the goals of E-fit. “In reality, including some kind of physical

activity is important for overall physical health, helps with relieving stress, and can keep students happy,” she said.

Sophomores Caitlin Setlock and Maura Faherty, who work as assistants for E-fit, both take all the classes E-fit has to offer and work out in the Body Shop. However, they both agree that the body shop gets too crowded at times.

“It wastes my own time because there are not enough machines, and I am just waiting around for one to open up,” Setlock said.

Faherty agreed: “The Body Shop is okay; there are not enough machines for all the people on campus, though.”

Junior D y lan Image: bootcampexpress.net Wadell also works out in the gym sometimes, but prefers to run outside because he believes the Body Shop is too small for the size of our school.

“I prefer Thompson Gym, [because it is] more ‘old school,’ my style,” he said. Wadell also runs almost every day outside as well and says running helps calm him. “I get my best thinking down when running. I write whole papers in my head while I run,” he said.

With the national increase in overweight kids and in the infamous “freshman fifteen,” Elizabethtown is taking this problem more and more seriously. With the addition of the E-fit classes offered free to students and the recent modernization of the gym’s equipment, students have more chances than ever to work on their figures.

Even though Etown is creating these opportunities for students, many still feel that our gym does not have enough space in which to work out. “If you want to promote health and wellness among students and athletes, I think you need to revamp your gyms, you need to be willing to put more effort and expand,” Wadell said. Today, as many more are following the trend of having a greater sense of personal fitness, the Body Shop should accommodate that change and expand.

entertainment

Twitter feed turns to television

from a popular Twitter account to a bestselling book and is now about to hit the s m a l l s c re e n as the CBS sitcom “$#*! My Dad Says.”

According to The New York Times, Halpern Image: cbs.com was an aspirWilliam Shatner stars in “$#*! My Dad Says,” a ing scriptwriter new CBS comedy that will be debuting tonight. who had only sold one script Melanie R. Giardina before he hit it big by posting Assistant Campus Life Editor the hilarious things his father o. Humans will die said to him on Twitter in 2009.

1,694,869 people currently out. We’re weak. Difollow Halpern’s postings on nosaurs survived on rotten Twitter, not to mention countflesh. You got diarrhea last less others who have read his week from a Wendy’s.”

This is one of the tweets from book. According to Halpern’s Justin Halpern, who has brought blog, the book, released on himself fame by tweeting the May 4, 2010, has hit number ridiculous things his father says. one on the New York Times “Sh*t My Dad Says” has gone best sellers list. Halpern com-

“N

ments about topping former first lady Laura Bush’s books on his blog: “I really hope that when she sees the list and goes ‘What in the hell is ‘Shit my dad says?’ she turns and looks at George, who is reading it.”

Halpern posts his fathers reaction to his comment. “Trust me, she doesn’t give a f**k. She could have you killed.”

The series premier on September 23 is expected to open to great ratings for CBS. The question is, how long will it last?

“It will be interesting,” Associate Professor of Communications Colin Helb said when asked about the Twitter page-turned-TV show.

A fan of the Twitter page, Helb notes that there are many other factors that need to come into place for the show to be successful. The show’s placement, writing and execution all have to come together for the show to have an audience week after week.

Patricia A. Cangelosi Copy Editor

“Dear Noah, We could have sworn you said the ark wasn’t leaving till 5. Sincerely, Unicorns.” This is just one example of hundreds of entries posted on the new hit website, dearblankpleaseblank.com – and one of junior Bill Blatchley’s personal favorites.

“I love Dear Blank Please Blank because it’s one of the most sarcastic websites I have ever found,” Blatchley said. He stumbled across the site by accident when he saw a Facebook post on a friend’s wall that quoted the site. Instantly, Blatchley loved the concept, and asked his friend where the quote came from. He now frequents the site multiple times a day. “It’s like a cleaner version of Texts From Last Night,” he explained, referring to the still-popular but often suggestive site. “[Dear Blank Please Blank] doesn’t get onto the same provocative level,” he said, noting another of his favorite entries: “Dear Amish, You shouldn’t be reading this. Sincerely, Anonymous.”

The site was created by Jared Wunsch and Hans Johnson of Seattle, WA. One can get an idea of their sense of humor under the “About” section: “Submissions are moderated by Jared’s cat Louie. If your submissions aren’t being approved, it’s because Louie is now accepting cans of tuna fish as bribes for approvals.” In reality, users control what gets on the site and what is left out. There is a link at the top of the page called “Moderate,” and when users click it, it reveals new submissions, one at a time. One can choose “Yes,” “No,” or “Flag This,” and submissions that garner enough yes’es will automatically be posted on the site.

Once the entries are posted, users are free to rate each one by a system similar to that on Texts From Last Night. Categories for Dear Blank Please Blank include “How Dare They,” “You’re a Douche,” “Hilarious,” “I like this,” and “Umm, WTF?!”

Junior Samantha Wingrove adores the site for its wit and humor and logs onto it every day. “They say things that are really obvious but put a spin on them that you wouldn’t have thought about,” she said. Her favorites include “Dear Snooki, GET BACK TO WORK!!!

Sincerely, Willy Wonka,” and “Dear residents of the apartment above mine, I’m pretty sure having an elephant up there violates the pet policy. Sincerely, your neighbor.”

Wingrove believes the site is aimed at college students. “I don’t think adults would appreciate the humor, and it might go over the heads of younger kids,” she said. However, Blatchley views the intended audience differently. “I would highly recommend this site to all ages because it has something for everyone,” he said, emphasizing that the provocative aspects found on other websites are kept to a minimum.

You be the judge. Next time you’ve got a minute between classes or a moment in the evening to wind down, check out Dear Blank Please Blank for an entertaining read. Or, if you’re feeling creative, submit a letter of your own and hope other users don’t proclaim, “You’re a douche!”

Licensed Aupair/Nanny Is Needed Nanny Needed for our three kids. Must be loving caring responsible trustworthy, speak English well, non-smoker. someone mature $800 weekly, Must pass background check.

Respond ASAP. Email: maryamperez@hotmail.com

According to The New York Times the show’s first episode will only contain four or five lines uttered by Halpern’s father. The Times also pointed out that besides using lines from the Twitter page, the show’s sitcom format is classic. “$#*! My Dad Says” takes its live studio audience and multi-camera format after “The Big Bang Theory” and the long running “Two and a Half Men.” Halpern and his partner Patrick Schumacker paired with the writer of “Will & Grace” for the pilot, according to the Times. As Helb pointed out, it is all about what appeals to the public. He notes that some of the greatest

shows produced never find an audience, while others, which may not be as strong, live on year after year. How the show moves away from the Twitter page can also have an effect on how long the series lasts.

“I hope it’s around for a long time.” senior Carrie Chase said.

Even with a strong fan base, there has been some controversy over the name and casting of William Shatner as the father. Chase had a different picture in mind when thinking of the filter-less father: “I’m not really excited about William Shatner playing the part of the dad. I envisioned the dad looking like the dad from American Pie.”

10

campus life

the Etownian

September 23, 2010

around etown

television talk

‘World of Jenks’ gives perspective K9 Rescue in area this tattooed rap superstar. Maino was very passionate with his son and friends, all of whom he considers to be ‘family’.

Living with Maino for a week was not just fun and games.

During the week, Jenks received a love tap from Maino during a heated conversation while out at a club. Jenks wasn’t the only person who was out of his element. Maino had to adjust to living with Jenks as well. But by the end of the t’s a typical Monday night, and you’ve just finished a long week, Jenks said, “I can truly call Maino a good friend. “ In the second episode of the series, Jenks moved onto day of classes, meetings, gym workouts and studying.

You’ve finally found time to relax and begin to flip through another lifestyle, learning what it is like for those with authe TV stations. Suddenly, an appealing hipster is on the tism through 20-year-old Chad. Chad goes to a school for screen and your eyes are glued. That’s right, you have now people who have autism where he learns to master daily tasks such as vacuuming, counting money and dialing entered the “World of Jenks.”

MTV’s newest hit, “World of Jenks,” follows 24-year-old 9-1-1. Although Chad was quite uncomfortable with the documentary filmmaker Andrew Jenks as he lives with video cameras following him at first, he later requested that someone of an alternate lifestyle each week. In the opening Jenks have a camera to film his nightly routine, a part of Chad’s life that is both ritualistic and credits, Jenks says that living with these private. “I was really excited to see unique people helps him develop as a him move in with Chad. Autism is person.The show has received nothone of those disabilities that varies ing but positive feedback on campus. so much and is often misunderAccording to junior Alison O’Berg, stood,” O’Berg said. “I thought this “It was the concept of the show that episode did give people a better attracted me to it. I liked the fact that view of the daily challenges that instead of just documenting interesting [people with autism] go through people, he took it a step further and as well as their caretakers.” spends a week in their shoes to see what Image: mtv.com Jenks finds out how challenging it is really like.”

“World of Jenks,” chronicles the story autism can be, especially when he Sophomore Nick Clemens has of Andrew Jenks, a documentary nothing but praise for Jenks: “When I maker who visits the homes of takes Chad out for a day in New York City. He thought it might be saw the previews I was skeptical that it individuals across the country. fun and different for Chad to see would be another MTV reality show that doesn’t have much depth, but I was surprisingly proven where he lives. Unfortunately, Chad was very sensitive to wrong. He is hip, caring, and motivating; truly on a mis- the noise and buzz of the city. Later he tried to make it up to Chad by going to Chad’s favorite place, Coney Island. sion to help others while finding himself as a person.”

For example, in the first episode, Jenks moved in with the Chad was much happier by the seaside, and didn’t want notorious rapper, Maino. The rapper is known for being an to see Jenks leave after the seven days they spent bonding.

In the latest episode of the show, Jenks documents the ex-criminal, father and boy from the hood. From brushing his teeth next to him to standing next to him on stage at the life of a homeless woman in San Francisco. Danielle, a runaway with a troubled home life, struggles to get her life back opening of a T.I. concert, Jenks does it all.

Junior Kacey McGuire described her favorite part of the together as she shows Jenks the reality of being houseless.

While Jenks is only 24-years-old, his insight and bravery episode. “When Maino took Jenks to Brooklyn to see his hometown and when another friend from the neighbor- to explore the world outside of himself is far beyond his hood asked Jenks if he was scared, Jenks response was, years. Stay tuned for the next episode of “World of Jenks” ‘Why would I be scared? You just called me family.’” It was on Monday, Sept. 27, when he gives MTV’s viewers a the family side of Maino that surprised Jenks most about glimpse inside the ring with an MMA fighter.

I

graduation grumblings

Post-grad: alum reflects on choice

Katherine G. Pebley Staff Writer

M

embers of Elizabethtown College Class of 2011 are probably thinking about what they’re going to do after graduation in May. While many seniors are banking on going to graduate school or finding a job right out of college, the most frightening option is ending up on the unemployment line.

Matt Salyers, a 2010 graduate and English literature major, is now attending graduate school in a Master of Fine Arts program for creative writing at Georgetown University. He says that one of the reasons he chose to go to grad school is because the job market is so poor. However, he believes that the program will truly help him in finding a job, even if it is an English program.

“I knew going into it that it wouldn’t be the most marketable degree, but I just wanted to write. If you’re creative enough

or willing to work hard enough, you can eventually get a job in any field,” Salyers said.

Career Services definitely agrees with his sentiment about having the right attitude along with an education. Its website (www.etown.edu/careerservices) features links and handouts to help with things such as cover letters, grad school applications, strategies for interviews, job searching and networking.

Beyond that, Career Services has its own library containing resources to assist in planning for grad school and the professional world. These resources include the Peterson’s Guides to Graduate Study, Kaplan and Princeton Review books about medical, law and business school requirements, and information on standardized tests like the GRE and LSAT. This collection is located in BSC 216 and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with books available to be checked out on a weekly basis.

For students who prefer to meet face to face, career counselors are happy to help plan strategies for researching, evaluating, and choosing programs of study. They can also critique application essays, offering support and suggestions for improvement. If you’re looking to find a job rather than go to grad school, they can coach you for interviews and critique your résumé.

In addition, every semester, Career Services brings employers to campus who want to interview entry-level candidates for jobs and internships. This is called the OnCampus Recruiting Program, and it serves as a liaison between students and recruiters. Employers request interviews with qualified candidates after reviewing the résumés given to them by Career Services, then the many student interviews take place on campus.

A number of upperclassmen also choose to ask professors for help with future decisions. According to Salyers, “Elizabethtown helped me as far as having the

Kristen L. Lacaillade Staff Writer

F

rom real estate agent to dog rescuer, Lynn Leach is trying to make a difference for the furry friends in Elizabethtown. Leach is in the process of establishing a non-profit organization in Etown called Second Chance for Life. This organization allows those in the area to take in dogs who have been abused, hurt, or rescued and give them a loving home until they are adopted. Last week, the K9 Club on campus hosted some of the dogs from Second Chance for Life at Cookies and K9s, which took place on Brinser Field. This event is held a few times a semester; local dog owners, therapy dog trainers, and rescue groups are asked to bring their finest and furriest to campus to interact with the students, and cookies are provided. Many students on campus found this to be an enjoyable event and plan on participating again in the future.

“I’m very excited to have a dog rescue group in Etown,” Etownian Copy Editor and K9 Club President Patty Cangelosi said. “I’ve been in the club for all four years at the College, and we’ve always had to go pretty far for our off-campus events. Now, we’ll have a place to go that’s closer and more convenient. I’ve also met some of the dogs in the rescue, and they’re heart-meltingly adorable.”

Along with Leach and some of her volunteers, the K9 Club was joined by Shiloh the beagle/basset hound, Kiddo the beagle, Faith the pug and Maizey the German Shepherd, among other “aww” inspiring critters. These dogs were a great hit with everyone who attended.

A significant event that inspired Leach to reach out to animals was the rescue of a young pug named Faith. When Faith was found sick and shriveled with a badly broken back leg. Lynn fell so much in love with Faith after taking her in and nursing her back to health that she ultimately decided to adopt her. Several dogs are currently under the foster care of numerous Etown residents in their homes. Leach hopes that in time, these dogs will be adopted and given the loving homes and caretakers that they deserve. As for her hopes for the organization in the future, Leach had this to share, “I’m starting a new rescue and really want young people to see how important rescue is and feel a connection.” Second Chance for Life participants encourage those who wish to take part to visit homes and spend time with the dogs.

excellent professors, especially in the English department, who are always willing to talk to you and give you advice and listen to your thoughts.”

Senior Katie Sallade, a history major with minors in professional writing and human services, is currently in the process of applying to grad school and says that her professors have helped her a great deal. She would like to get a dual master’s degree in archival management and history, but has several backup plans. “If I don’t get into the schools that offer that program, I may go for museum studies or just history, but I am still going to grad school. I am applying to a bunch of different programs. If I don’t get into any, I am going to have to reevaluate, and maybe I’ll just go back to Europe [where I spent spring semester],” Sallade said.

Salyers knows he made the right choice. “So far, grad school is going well. Even a few weeks in, it’s a lot of work; I’m not going to

lie. But it’s a lot of fun, and it’s fun for me to have class discussions with people that are all interested in the same general field,” he said.

Both Salyers and Sallade advise seniors and underclassmen to research programs that cover areas that they’re really passionate about. Sallade thinks students should look for jobs regardless of whether they are applying to grad school because it’s always best to keep all options open. Salyers emphasizes that you shouldn’t just go to grad school to delay getting a job in the real world or to attempt to make sure you get a nicer job. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting a better job, we all do, but I think [going to grad school] has to come from a place of passion,” he said.

So for all the seniors out there,who are trying to figure out what they’re going to do come May, remember that Career Services and professors are here for support and guidance every step of the way.

Image: portjerviscsd.k12.ny.us

Nancy C. Briscoe Managing Copy Editor Kelly J. Clayton Staff Writer Brianna E. Wiest Assistant Copy Editor

September 23, 2010

opinion

campus controversies • letters to the editor

the Etownian

11

national debate • our take • guest columns

after college

Senior reflects on her preparation, possibilities, hope

Melanie L. Weyant Staff Writer

T

his semester, my first few weeks of classes have played out as usual. Friends shout happy greetings to one another, firstyears dress to impress (until they realize no one cares) and professors act surprised when no one has done all of the reading for class.

One major difference, for myself and all other graduating seniors, is the inclusion of a single, dreaded question. No, I’m not talking about, “What will Etown do without Teddy Long?” I’m referring to the terrifying, “What are you going to do when you graduate?”

When I entered college, I had my mind set on one goal upon graduation: becoming a lawyer.

For most of my life, those who have shaped me encouraged my curious mind and rhetoric skills with the objective of law school.

Coming to Elizabethtown College, I was assigned a pre-law professor as my adviser and planned to take courses like constitutional law and mock trial. All of that

changed, however, after I took a class my first year in comparative politics with Dr. Oya DursunOzkanca. Her energy and love of the material sparked my interest, and I’ve taken as many of her classes as possible.

I developed a strong interest in international relations, and added a Peace and Conflict Studies minor so that I could pursue my interest of international political unrest. My friends and I have discussed life postgraduation at length, waxing philosophically on how great it would be if we could stay at Etown forever or if living in a box was a legitimate housing option. Perhaps the College could just provide us all with refrigerator boxes and let us sleep in the Dell for the summer.

In all reality, most of the seniors I’ve talked to have some idea of what life holds for them after school. They are submitting résumés for jobs or hoping to score the elusive paid internship. Many are in the process of applying to graduate school, like senior Kate

Walsh. According to Walsh, grad Preparation is key in finding school is a good option for gaining success after graduation. I perexperience. sonally feel as though the College She said, “I feel prepared, but has done a lot to prepare me for at the same time I don’t. I recently the future. There is a great Career finished a summer internship that Services department on campus, ended on a high note, so there is and my professors are doing a lot of opportunity there, but the everything they can to groom current market is what scares me the political science majors for as far as getting a job is concerned.”

There are interesting standards at Etown, because some departments require an internship or a placement, but not every student is held to those standards. Surely what helps build résumés and experience for some students could be beneficial to all.

Walsh noted, “I think Etown needs to offer students more internship opportunities and hold more internship and job fairs. Even unpaid internships give you something more, and experience is what we need right now.” Image: www.flickr.com/photos/etowncollege

graduation. I’m taking a senior seminar and writing a major research paper, both of which will prepare me for my eventual goal of graduate school.

Come May, I will be taking at least a year off in order to do some good in the world. I am in the process of applying to the Peace Corps and several AmeriCorps programs. I want to do work with children’s literacy or teaching English Language Learners, and if I stay in the U.S., work with domestic abuse victims. When I apply to grad school I want to have some life experience because otherwise the work will not mean as much to me. Plus, a volunteer job isn’t looking so bad right now with the economy still in the toilet.

At best, all I can really hope for is to be living somewhere other than a cardboard box by the time next winter rolls around. If not, I hear that Florida has a mythical city where I can play shuffle board and eat as many early bird specials as I want. Anyone interested in sharing a condo in Boca Raton?

national health

Obesity numbers rise while US perceptions change

Alexis L. Morris Staff Writer

T

hey are featured in news reports, plague grocery store shelves and generate about $40 million a year. Celebrities endorse them and commercials rave that they work miracles.

The number of diet programs, plans and pills has exploded over the past couple of years in our image-obsessed nation. However, the number of overweight and obese Americans has dramatically increased as well. Research conducted by the Centers for

Image: www.topnews.in

Disease Control and Prevention reveals that 34 percent of adults 20 and over are overweight, and 34 percent of those overweight are obese. While those statistics alone are extremely alarming, the results of a survey conducted by market research firm Harris Interactive may induce more panic about the obesity epidemic.

According to USA Today, the survey’s results found that “30 percent of those in the ‘over weight’ class believed they were actually normal size, while 70 percent of those classified as obese felt they were simply overweight.” Participants in the study were asked to enter their height and weight in order to calculate their bodym a s s index (BMI).

T h e n participants guessed whether they fell into the underweight, healthy weight, overweight, obese or morbidly obese category.

Although BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle, it is doubtful that this error would skew the results in such a dramatic way.

So why do Americans feel as if they are in a healthy weight range? Bariatric physician Karen Evans claims that the increasing number of overweight adults is changing what Americans perceive as a healthy weight. In an article from the Orlando Sentinel, Evans stated, “Because you are around [overweight] people all the time, you think it’s normal.”

Among other factors contributing to this thought process is the idea that quick fixes will make weight loss possible.

People believe that they will be in the normal weight range soon, if they just hit the gym a few times a week or join Jenny Craig. Most participants felt that lack of exercise was the reason for their obesity, when, in fact, most experts agree that portion control and changes in eating habits are more effective weight loss tools.

Evans agreed, stating, “A lot of people think that if they exercise, they can eat more.”

However, dieting will not make one shed the pounds either. In fact, the National Eating Disorder Association has

found that “95 percent of all dieters regain their lost weight and more within one to five years.” NEDA cites the dangers of dieting, which include increases in mental disorders and loss of bone density. Also, people who diet are more likely to develop more serious eating disorders over their lifetime.

S o what is the problem here? How are we as a nation going to stop this growing trend of obesity? If we don’t, according to the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity Alliance, by 2048, nearly 100 percent of adults will be obese or overweight.

One of the main issues with our nation’s health is how we regard food in general. People think they are eating better by opting for lean frozen dinners instead of fast food burgers.

While that is true, low fat and low calorie frozen foods usually contain high amounts of sodium to make up for lost flavor. Read the label of any prepared frozen dinner. One is sure to find high fructose corn syrup, sweeteners and food dyes.

Buying produce from the store to make dinner instead would be a much better alternative. Fresh food is obviously healthier ; nature intended

for humans to eat vegetables, fruits and whole grains. However, when this is suggested, most adults would reply they do not have enough time to make meals from scratch. This leads to another reason why our nation is so overweight: Americans are overworked and overstressed.

According to the International Labour Organization, Americans put in almost two weeks more annually than workers in other industrialized nations. After such long days, most people are not jumping at the chance to exercise and cook dinner.

Therefore, quick fixes like dieting and surgery are not going to stop obesity, which would in turn fix American perspectives on what a healthy weight is for their height. Instead, we need to rethink our values, and our health and happiness should be at the forefront. Time for exercise, cooking and sleep should be time that cannot be negotiated.

Unless we can experience a paradigm shift in which we place health toward the very top of our list, we may find ourselves in a situation where more and more overweight adults will think themselves on the skinny end of the spectrum.

12

opinion

the Etownian

d n ou

S Off

Where are the Worst Bathrooms on Campus?

by Matthew P. Butera

Jenna Maiorella Class of 2012

“Ober”

September23, 2010

letter to the editor

Study abroad not always about partying

Katie R. Sallade Guest Writer The article printed in the last issue of the Etownian titled “Inebriated ambassador tells of pleasures” was outrageous. It is the word “ambassador” that angers me the most, as the story that followed outlined behavior and ideals that I would argue do not represent Elizabethtown or America, as the student claimed. In fact, her representation of her time spent abroad thus far is an affront to others who have studied abroad, myself included. She suggests that the most worthwhile experiences are “those horrifying mistakes you make, the ones that mold the stereotype of ‘stupid American.’”

Conversely, I believe the most worthwhile aspects of studying abroad are meeting individuals of various cultures, exploring foreign cities and

finding your strengths and individuality in another existence.

I spent last semester studying in Brussels, Belgium, and I can honestly say that I attempted to avoid being labeled a “stupid American” as much as possible. I’m proud of my identity as a U.S. citizen, and this was an opportunity for me to learn new languages and respect the trends around me, not to tramp through the streets like a drunken idiot, screaming American phrases at every turn.

This year, I am living with a student who studied abroad in Australia. I asked her to describe her experiences, and she confirmed that studying abroad in Australia was not just a rowdy bar scene. Instead of “consuming mass amounts of alcohol and singing Queen songs on the steps of the Sydney Opera House,” she took a tour of the Opera

House. While she was there, she also went scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef and camped in the Outback for three days. She discovered what it was like to live in Australia, not just what it was like to drink there.

I hope that when people read the “Inebriated” article, they won’t believe that studying abroad is all about drinking alcohol. I also hope that people don’t study abroad just to see what the bar scene is like in another country. Those individuals miss out on the true experience. Try new food. Challenge yourself. It doesn’t matter what you try, just that you attempt to immerse yourself in whatever you’re doing.

Studying abroad drastically changed my life. I put myself in a challenging situation and discovered ways to live in a major metropolitan city, and I loved it. I man-

aged to have a great time, not just by drinking, but by doing things like attending the Belgian National Orchestra and getting to know my Dutch host family.

I felt the need to write a response to this article because it was demeaning to Americans and students alike. The author has spent her time displaying behavior that epitomizes the ‘stupid American,’ which is not a stereotype we should be proud of or strive to exemplify.

I cringe when individuals help perpetuate the belief that all Americans are “[…] loud, we are proud, and we are much too drunk for our own good.”

Her article is a slap in the face to everyone who goes abroad to gain cultural understanding and establish lasting relationships with international students. I am appalled that she wrote this and that it was published in our school newspaper. She is not an ambassador, she is a disgrace.

letter to the editor Kohei Ando Class of 2014

“Myer second floor because some people abuse it.”

Chelsea Bensel Class of 2011

“Thompson Gym”

Alex Harris Class of 2011

“Ober basement” Make sure to check out the Sound Off poll and the opportunity to comment on articles on our Web site: www.etownian.com

Column outrages Hossein Varamini Director of International Business

L

ast week, there was an article entitled “Inebriated ambassador tells of pleasures” in the Etownian. The author is an Etown student who shared details about her experience so far studying in Australia.

In the article, she bragged about her behavior as an American student in Australia and offered a few vivid examples of what she referred to as “obnoxious American-ness.” I do not know the author of the article at all, but I hope her experience is not a typical one for other students who go to a different country. Our study abroad programs provide unique opportunities for students to enrich their educational experience and learn about other countries and cultures. In doing so, students should certainly have some fun experiences, too.

Many of them may drink (hopefully responsibly), travel to nearby regions/countries, develop new friendships with other

students and local people, open their minds to different views, try new food, etc. I trust that most of our students try to represent American values/culture in a positive way when they are abroad and try to be good ambassadors of Etown. I’ve heard from many of our students after they’ve come back from being abroad about a new way of looking at life; they develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and respect for people from other countries.

Obviously, as faculty, we do not hear all of their stories and experiences, but I certainly hope their conduct is not regularly similar to what we read from the “inebriated ambassador” in Australia.

Based on my experience over the past twenty years of working with students who have studied abroad, they return home more mature, with a broader understanding of themselves and others. Did this article portray a realistic picture of the “study abroad” experience of our students at Etown?

I certainly hope not.

Ross M. Benincasa Opinion Editor

W

hen does a lot become too much? This is the question that all Libras will have to ask themselves this week, as gluttony and greed will attempt to take control of their lives. Hopefully, my horoscope this week will assist you in staying out of a 12-step program and enable you to continue on with your lives. First things first — skip the buffet line. Take a look at our article on current obesity trends, and you will see why. To be frank, only chubby-chasers like fatties, and although the sweet, sugary taste may be missed, a chicken salad can fill you up just as much as a seven-layer cake, without the guilt and shame that follows. Forks are utensils, not weapons of mass destruction, and no, that leftover stuffing does not need to be punished.

Any horoscope would be remiss without the inclusion of the next topic: sex. Yes, Sexaholics Anonymous is a real thing, and no, attending a meeting is not a goal or achievement to strive for. If you do more walks of shame than walks to class, you may need to cut back a bit.

Same goes for cleanliness; if your goal while showering is more often to get someone else’s sweat off you than your own, you may have a problem. Focus a little more on your schoolwork this week and a little less on your nighttime lusting. At the very least, try to keep your week’s list of partners to one, and take the time and effort to learn their last name before saddling up.

Lastly, and possibly most importantly, do not allow schoolwork to take control of your life. We have plenty of clubs and activities on campus that can take you away from the mounting stress for a couple hours a day. Plus, there’s no class on weekends for a reason. The school expects you to go out and have a good time with your friends. Sure, no one likes the drunk wildebeests, but no one likes a bookworm either.

Balancing all your activities instead of becoming engrossed in just one can help you not only relieve stress, Web design and maintenance but also better prepare yourself for needed for local firm. Prefer life after Etown. Because, honestly, college student who can also college isn’t all about who gets the teach staff how to maintain best grade in class, but whose overwebsite. Call 717-361-9876 all experience better equips them for life outside of our little bubble.

Images: www.abcn.com; www.petinsurance.com; www.divineastrology.com

opinion

September 23, 2010

the Etownian

faculty opinion

Pledge of Integrity still signifies trust, respect Dr. Kyle C. Kopko Pre-Law Program Director

S

unday, Aug. 29, I attended the First-Year Induction ceremony to welcome new students to campus after they signed the Pledge of Integrity.

As an alumnus of Elizabethtown College and a former cochair of the Integrity Committee, I was honored to be there.

As I greeted the new students, I couldn’t help but think of how fortunate we all are to have the Pledge and to have students consistently uphold its values and ideals.

While many students may think of the Pledge as something that only applies to academic conduct (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on tests, etc.), it is much more than that.

The Pledge of Integrity is the embodiment of what makes Etown so special. For those of you who haven’t read the Pledge in a while, here it is: “Elizabethtown College is a community engaged in a living and learning experience, the foundation of which is mutual trust and respect. Therefore, we

will strive to behave toward one another with civility and with respect for the rights of others, and we promise to represent as our work only that which is indeed our own, refraining from all forms of lying, plagiarizing, and cheating.”

Let’s take a closer look at the Pledge – specifically the first half. Immediately, the Pledge declares that Etown’s foundation is “mutual trust and respect” and that students will treat each other with civility. The Pledge does this before mentioning academic conduct.

This is fitting.

Our educational experiences at Etown depend on our social relationships, with friends and with our professors. There is a symbiotic relationship between “living” and “learning” at the College. What we do outside the classroom affects what happens inside the classroom, and vice versa.

Just imagine what would happen to our learning environment if we lost our culture of mutual trust and respect. How would faculty treat students?

What would life in residence

halls be like if there were no one you could trust?

I can personally attest that what we have at Etown is something special. I have just returned after spending several years at a Big Ten university.

There, it was common, much like other large universities, to hear stories of stolen computers, books and bikes. In fact, on more than one occasion I heard reports of bike thefts, even when the bike was chained to a rack and the owner had removed the seat. Who steals a bike that’s missing a seat?

Unbelievable. Students at these types of institutions would never think of leaving their book bags unattended in the cafeteria or leaving their dorm rooms unlocked, even if it was only for a short period of time.

Fortunately, as members of the Class of 2014 will soon realize, if they haven’t already, we have a different campus culture at Etown. For the past 15 years, students have reaffirmed their commitment to our community every time they write “I pledge” on a course exam or paper.

However, we cannot rely on history alone to maintain our culture of respect. We must endeavor to be good stewards of all that Etown is and aspires to be.

Remember, one of the things that makes the College so unique is the impact of an individual on the campus community. You may not realize it, but everything you say and do matters here at Etown. This is both a blessing and a curse. Your actions can make a lasting, positive impact on the campus community. But, you can also undercut the trust and respect that past generations have worked so hard to build.

The values of the Pledge are a large part of what makes Etown special. If we act with integrity, this will help to ensure that future generations of students will know Etown as we do. If we fail to uphold these values, we will irreparably tarnish an institution that is bigger and more important than any of us individually. So, as we begin a new school year, let us all renew our commitment to the Pledge and strive to ensure that Etown stays Etown for many, many years to come.

on campus

Self-fulfilling prophecies tarnish Ober charm Nate D. Derr Staff Writer

Y

es, everyone has heard the stories about Ober. Yes, most of them are true. I lived in the infamous Ober Residence Hall for the first two years of my college career—the first year being placed there, the second by choice. When I tell people I stayed there for a second year of my own accord (I liked the big rooms), they look at me as if I volunteered for a second tour of military service after coming home missing an arm.

Over the course of my freshman year, my floor managed to rack up an unprecedented amount of damages, usually through the work of a few misguided individuals (I was merely an observer, of course). I’m told R.A.s still talk about that floor today. I’ve seen vomit in every imaginable place it could be in a bathroom, a variety of things ripped off walls and thrown through windows, and enough food strewn across the floor to feed an African village for the better part of a year, not to mention almost constant yelling and blasting music. I consoled myself with the fact that any apartment I found after college, no matter how lousy, would seem a palace in comparison.

There’s no denying the trend of drunken destruction in Ober.

Ober Hall attracts and resonates from the place and its people in adults, well on their way to shaping with a certain type of person, fear of their safety and self-re- the world, can act like a couple of and encourages and amplifies spect, or they take it upon them- drunk baboons on PCP every Fridestructive behavior. Previously selves to live up to the legends day night. But it will continue hapmild-mannered first-years who that hover around the building. pening, and Ober will continue to are placed in Ober be a shithole, as long often find the sinas everyone living ister influence too there, as well as the strong to withrest of the campus, stand and find continues to look themselves passed at Ober as such. If out in the baththe residents who room in their own aren’t smashing up vomit, wondering the bathrooms or how they sank to throwing up everythis level. Some where continue to recover from it, give their consent but many don’t. by tolerating it all, There’s just nothing will change. something about How’s this for an Ober Hall. To idea? How about Photo: Julie Sebastian call it mysterious everyone living in Disgusting disarray leaves Ober bathrooms in shambles would be to avoid as complaints pour in.

Ober, as well as evthe problem altoeryone else on camgether, and to write it off as the The place’s horrible reputation pus, students and staff included, place where the “wild and crazy becomes an excuse to continue say, “No more!”? How about we types” happen to end up would the trend indefinitely. hold ourselves to a higher stanbe a generalization. But to me, Apparently there has been a re- dard and decide that we won’t tolthe problem is much simpler and cent increase in complaints regard- erate such juvenile debasement much more practical than that: ing the safety and health concerns and will instead regard ourselves the associations with Ober have for students living in Ober. As as an institution of universal evolved into self-fulfilling prophe- someone who lived there for two class? How about we renounce, cies and will continue to breed the years and emerged unscathed, I in word and action, those who next batch of degenerates year after don’t think the most important get their kicks by smashing up year until something changes. question is one of safety. The real public facilities and embarrassAs soon as students arrive on concern should be that of simple ing the entire human race every campus and hear “never sober,” civilized conduct, which seems to weekend? How about Ober bethey instantly take one of two be lacking in Ober. comes “the dorm that used to be routes: they instinctively recoil It boggles my mind that young crappy?” It’s a simple choice.

13

the Etownian the board

Editor-in-Chief Emily M. Reigart Managing Editor Rachel A. Marsteller Assistant Editor Peter S. Northrop News Editor Jamie L. Bartolino Features Editor Khouri E. McGrann Campus Life Editor Joelle E. Atkinson Opinion Editor Ross M. Benincasa Sports Editor T. Gavin Nevill Photography Editor Matthew P. Butera Copy Editor Patricia A. Cangelosi Managing Copy Editor Nancy C. Briscoe Online Editor Zachary T. Johnson Layout Editor Allison A. Gower Assistant News Editor Huntley C. McGowan Assistant Features Editor Erika C. Surock Asst. Campus Life Editor Melanie R. Giardina Assistant Opinion Editor Vanessa L. Andrew Assistant Sports Editor Janna M. Richards Asst. Photography Editor Jackie Quidort Assistant Online Editor Andrew R. Sides Assistant Copy Editors Samantha M. Alleman Janelle K. DeAngelo Elizabeth A. Enwright Craig H. Meaney Brianna E. Wiest Assistant Layout Editor Your name could be here Business Manager Marc E. Weber Asst. Business Manager Aaron A. Salgado Advertising Manager Katie L. Bornholdt Assistant Ad. Manager Brooke S. Wachtel Faculty Adviser Kirsten A. Johnson The Etownian is the student newspaper of Elizabethtown College. All editorial decisions are made by the student editors. With the exception of editorials, opinions presented here are those of quoted sources or signed authors, not of the Etownian or the College.

The Etownian is published most Thursdays during the academic year

by Susquehanna Printing.

Submissions to the Etownian are always welcomed. We will make every effort to print submissions, but we do not promise publication.

Submit letters to OPINIONEDITOR@ etown.edu.

14

sports

the Etownian

September 23, 2010

field hockey

field hockey

VeteranSaturday Lady Jayswith guidefamiliar 2010 team Conference play begins foe Michael L. Reintjes Staff Writer

B

lue Jays versus Falcons: who will win?

One of the most storied rivalries in the Middle Atlantic Conference hits the field hockey field as Elizabethtown and Messiah Colleges meet in an epic conference opener this Saturday at Messiah.

The Lady Jays are led by senior captain Liz DeMatteis, who has 12 points on the season, with five goals and two assists. “We are working well together, working the ball from the defense through the midfield to the forwards, and making lots of things happen on

offense,” DeMatteis said. The offense pulled through this past weekend, winning the game 4-1 against Swarthmore.

This weekend, the Lady Jays will engage in a battle of the birds as they take on the Messiah Falcons. Ali Cavanaugh, senior midfielder and captain, is ready for the MAC showdown.

“Messiah is always a tough game for us, but I feel like if we play our game, we can beat them,” Cavanaugh said. “We want to go out and show them what ECFH is all about and shut them down.”

The Lady Jays will be up against tough competition, as the Falcons are in first place of the Conference. This also opens

up the Conference schedule for the field hockey team.

After a hiccup against Juniata College, losing 3-2 in overtime, the team bounced back, beating Dickinson College 5-2.

The passing game seems to be the strong point in this year’s team. The forwards’ speed has been caused difficulties for opposing defenses. The defense is also showing promise, only allowing 13 goals this season.

“Our goalie [sophomore Lindy Hamp] has really stepped up this year,” Cavanaugh said. “She is great at talking to everyone and letting us know what is going on.”

The Lady Jays hope to build off the mo-

mentum from this past weekend in order to extend their win streak. Considering the team’s strong skills, such as precise passing, communication and speed to burn, their goals are looking more and more attainable. These skills have remained constant and for this reason the team is outscoring opponents 18 to 13.

With the Conference schedule opening up this week, the Lady Jays hope to make a run in the Conference and to gain a spot in the Conference tournament.

With everything going well for the Lady Jays right now the team will try to roll opponent after opponent the rest of the season.

men’s soccer

Scoring onslaught sends Blue Jays soaring over Wilkes Janna M. Richards Assistant Sports Editor After cruising to a 6-1 win over Wilkes University last Saturday the men’s soccer team was confident going into their game against Drew University last night.

“I feel like Drew University and Immaculata College are going to be two very defining games for us,” junior Eric Weber said.

But the Jays will have to wait for that big moment against Drew University. After playing 20 minutes, the game was canceled due to a lightning storm last night.

After the past week’s games, Weber leads the team in shots and assists so far this season. “It’s a great feeling to be leading in points,” Weber said. “But I have to give thanks to my teammates because they are the reason behind it all.”

During the game against Wilkes last Saturday, seniors Taylor Helsel, Adam Liddle and Chris Rice scored goals along with Weber, and sophomores Ross Withrow and Javeim Blanchette. The offense

proved to be a strong asset to the team as they scored five of those goals in the first half.

The Blue Jay defense was also a force to be reckoned with as they only allowed one goal, off of a penalty shot with less than 20 minutes of play remaining.

Weber and Helsel both agreed that this year’s team chemistry is very strong.

“We made it a goal to try and be the most united team out there, and I really feel like we are this year,” Weber said.

“We truly are a Blue Jay brotherhood.”

Helsel added that “the team atmosphere is much more positive than it has been in the past with a renewed sense of belief in what the team can really do.”

The Blue Jays will travel for their Photo: Gene Clemens next two games in the coming week: first to Immaculata University on Sat(L-R) Sophomore Rob Canderan, senior Taylor Helsel, first-year Chris urday, Sept. 25, and then to Moravian Ugarte, sophomore Cameron Wyllie and first-year Jose Ruiz stand in College on Tuesday, Sept. 28, both with a wall to defend a free kick. a 3:30 p.m. start time.

men’s cross country

Blue Jays take down division one opponents at Navy Christian V. Sammartino Staff Writer

T

he Blue Jays’ eyes were set on the finish line as they charged to the Navy and Dickinson Invitational meets last weekend. The events marked the start of the season and the end of the summer practice schedule.

Nine runners were sent to Navy while ten traveled to Dickinson. The Navy group competed in a field of eleven teams at the Navy Invitational. The Jays faced the likes of division three rivals Johns Hopkins and division one opponent Navy in Annapolis, Md. At Dickinson the team raced against a field of 250 runners on a 4K course.

The team has put a great deal of practice into bettering their results at Navy from a year ago. As head coach Christopher Straub said to his runners at the end of Friday’s practice, “Like any race you need to focus on the progression.”

The team has been doing just that since the start of the summer practice schedule. “This is the transition from summer training to championship form,” Straub said. “That involves gradually increasing the intensity of the training. It’s a gradual build up; a gradual climb up the mountain.”

Straub said the lineup for the Navy Invitational has been set for a while.

“We decided back in the summer that we would take our top ten to Navy,” Straub said. “We did a 3K time trial that decided that.”

The coach has solid expectations for his team to continue with their slow and steady approach. “We want to race like we have been practicing,” Straub stated. “We have been racing as a unit and staying together. I want to see five guys [cross the finish line] within a minute of each other. We are capable of doing that.”

Straub got his wish as juniors Colby Miller (25:30.23) and Charlie Larsen (25:46.47), seniors Chris Heisey (25:55.56) and Rich Greco (26:27.32), and sophomore Aaron Focht (26:07.12) all finished within a minute of each other. Etown’s next two runners, juniors Russell Speiden (26:32.17) and Eric Reichert (26:47.56), were not far behind.

The coach also wanted to see his team finish at least sixth out of the eleven teams attending the Navy invitational.

“Johns Hopkins beat us last year, but we beat them by the end of the year,” Straub said. “They will be a good benchmark for us.”

The team again met Straub’s expectations, finishing in sixth place, ahead of the aforementioned Johns Hopkins and division one teams George Washington University and Mount St. Mary’s College.

The coach also had the help of his captains, seniors Heisey, Greco and Adam Derkacz, this weekend to set the pace for his group and produce the good result.

“We rely on our captains probably more heavily than any other program,” Straub said. “They need to be the example and hold their team mates accountable. It’s a tough balance. You have to be an authority figure and a friend. We have great leadership right now.”

At the Dickinson Invitational in which the team competed in a 4k, the Jays top finisher was first-year Ian Hamilton (13:15) who finished in 51st place overall. Following Hamilton was Derkacz (13:45), sophomore Jake Blanton (13:58), junior Mark Weber (14:14) and sophomore Brad Risser (14:37).

When asked about the mentality of his team, Straub responded, “Confidence is cyclical, it occurs from having success in the recent past.”

The Jays are hoping that confidence translates into another quality showing at the Slippery Rock University Invitational on Oct. 2.

sports

September 23, 2010

the Etownian

women’s cross-country

15

Lady Jays meet expectations at Dickinson Invitational Kelly J. Clayton Staff Writer

school history and still be unable to qualify for NCAAs because our region is so strong this year,” Head Coach Brian Falk said. “That’s a reality we can’t ever be far from, and it is going to dictate a lot of decision making both in and out of practice from our girls.”

As for the meet this past Saturday, junior captain Kathryn Howser said the format of the Invitational allowed the runners to experience a different kind of race.

“Since the race at Dickinson offered a 4k or a 6k track, we decided to run the 4k, so it was a bit different than our usual contests,” Howser said.

T

he Lady Jays women’s cross-country team had an impressive showing this past weekend at the Dickinson Invitational. With an overall score of 41, the Lady Jays tied Millersville University for third place out of 26 teams.

With Shippensburg University and Lebanon Valley College placing ahead of the Jays, the team got a feel for the kind of competition their region brings this year.

“The team has to remember that we could very well have the best team in

Sports by the Numbers

5 The number of consecutive home matches the Lady Jays volleyball team has beginning 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, against Catholic University.

Senior captain Teresa Beshore is also happy with the team’s showing.

“This meet was a nice tune-up for the harder part of our season,” Beshore said. “We had the expectation to do our best, and that is what we did.”

The top five placers in the Invitational for the Lady Jays were first-year Traci Tempone placing in 11th with a time of 15:05, sophomore Taryn Shank,placing at 12th with a time of 15:11, first-year Eileen Cody in 18th with a time of 15:26, first-year Megan Tursi in 28th with a time of 15:47, and Howser in 30th with a time of 15:48.

With the ultimate goal of a Middle

Atlantic Conference championship and a qualification at NCAAs, Beshore said after the performance at Dickinson, the Lady Jays are well on their way.

“Our team did very well as a whole, and we are already ahead of where we were last year,” Beshore said.

With their more vital meets coming up in October, it is a good sign that the Jays are working hard to improve every day.

“We only try to be a better team at each meet than we were at the one before,” Falk said. “If we can manage that, we can get what we deserve, which would mean a return to NCAAs.”

They Said It...

“Our team did very well as a whole, and we are already ahead of where we were last year.”

Senior captain Teresa Beshore, about the women’s cross-country team’s performance at the dickinson invitational

volleyball

Jays set for four matches Thomas D. Hagerty Staff Writer

T

he Lady Jays have a very busy schedule this year. The volleyball team will play seven different tournaments or tri-matches this season. Senior Kara Burkholder admits they have a laborious schedule, but feels it is helpful for the development of the team.

“It is kind of tiring at times, but it will do a lot for our team,” Burkholder said. “It will give us more experience and more confidence.”

Last weekend, the Lady Jays hosted the Old Friends Crossover Tournament, where they played matches against Lancaster Bible College and Moravian College. Although they did not look their best, the Lady Jays handled the Lancaster Bible Chargers in three games (25-21, 25-21, 25-17). In the second match against Moravian College the Lady Jays looked much better, but the Greyhounds also played well. Etown won the match, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 1625 and 15-6. Junior Kelsey Hayes paced the Lady Jays with 13 kills while junior Katie Gantz added 12. In the second match, the Lady Jays brought a high level of energy to the floor.

“We had a really good practice yesterday,” Hayes said, following the wins. “We realized we can’t just fly by and win, that we actually have to work at it.”

The team seemed to play at the level of their opponents for both of these matches, so it will be interesting to see if they can set their own pace at the Blue Jay Classic this weekend.

The Lady Jays are playing two games on Friday, Sept. 24, and two more on Saturday, Sept. 25. Here is a preview of each of their opponents.

Catholic University (6-4): All five of the Cardinals’ victories were a 3-0 result. Outside hitter Claudia Jean is the obvious strength of the team. The sophomore from Puerto Rico leads the Cardinals with 92 kills and 101 digs and is a force to be reckoned with.

Neumann University (3-9): The Knights are only hitting .159 as a team, a very low percentage. Their big hitters are junior middle hitter Natalie George and first-year outside hitter Katelin Kuklentz. The pair has 243 kills between them, more than half of the Knights’ offense.

Univ. of Mary Washington (8-2): The Eagles have had a very strong start to their season. They are crushing their opponents 371 kills to 50, and they are out-digging their opponents 355-114. These are astonishing stats, especially considering their youth. The Eagles have no seniors and only three juniors on their roster.

Gettysburg College (5-9): The Bullets are only hitting .157 as a team this year, but are playing outstanding defense, out digging their opponents 680-391. Another young yet balanced team, the Bullets have only two seniors on their roster: their two captains, middle hitter Kate Yoder and middle hitter Nicole Burns.

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Bringing Together Christian Thought, Passion, and Action in a Complex World

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16

sports

the Etownian

etown athletics • pro sports • ncaa coverage

September 23, 2010 high school football • olympics • analysis

women’s soccer

Senior leader guides young Lady Jays’ squad Ashley N. Kufera Staff Writer

L

isa Nyman is in her fourth and final year of proudly wearing an Elizabethtown College Blue Jay soccer uniform.

Nyman chose to attend Etown after touring various Pennsylvania colleges.

“I simply cou ldn’t f ind anything wrong with it, and everyone was so nice,” the senior from South Glastonbury, Conn., said. “At every other college, there were qualities that I did not like, but Elizabethtown was different.”

Nyman began her collegiate journey with ambitions to graduate as a psychology major and a biology minor, but aside from academics, Nyman had another calling.

Starting at the age of six, Nyman fostered a love for soccer.

As a first-year student, Nyman began playing for the Lady Jays.

Nyman has become a main-stay in Etown’s defensive line, starting every game since her sophomore year. In that time, Nyman has proven her abilities to take control and be a team leader.

“Lisa is very inspirational and always gives us a motivational speech to pump us up before games,” sophomore defender Rebekah Richards said.

“She is very organized and just a great leader.”

Richards has played along-

Photo: EtownBlueJays.com

Senior Lisa Nyman has started every game for the Lady Jays’ women’s soccer team since her sophomore year.

side of Nyman for two years, and sees her cheerful personality as one of her biggest contributions as a great captain and person.

Nyman’s coach, Bob Scotten, agreed she is a very influential player.

“Nyman has this determination and competitive spirit about her that makes her a wonderful captain,” Scotten said. “She sets a good example on and off of the field and possesses qualities of dedication, drive and hard work.”

Coaching Nyman for the last three years has given Scotten the opportunity to see Nyman grow as a player.

Her work ethic is a pertinent factor in her development as a player.

“Over the years, I have seen a huge improvement in her dribbling and ball control skills,” Scotten said. “She worked incredibly hard, individually, to improve her playing style and it definitely shows.”

Throughout her time at Etown, Nyman has made mem-

ories for a lifetime and will walk away with values that one learns from being part of a team.

“Sports play a huge role in learning to work with others and how to achieve a common goal,” Nyman said. “I learned that you can find a family anywhere, which is important because life takes you different places. No matter where you are, you can always find a home, which is what this team has done for me.”

Nyman thanks her sister, who she said is the most influential person in her soccer career. “My sister always knew what she wanted and she did it.

She inspired me to find something I love and to pursue it with everything I have.”

Success on the soccer field however, is not the only thing she has worked hard to accomplish. Nyman, who is graduating this spring, plans to attend grad school for nursing and to receive her accelerated undergrad and masters in nursing.

No matter where her future schooling and career take her, Nyman plans on returning to Etown to compete in the alumni games.

“I definitely hope I can make it back,” Nyman said. “We have always had good turnouts in the past, and it’s fun to see girls that you used to play with. Once a Blue Jay, always a Blue Jay.”

the etownian’s

Athlete of the Week Erik Weber

T. Gavin Nevill Sports Editor Over a fourgame stretch, junior Erik Weber tallied either a goal or an assist for Etown’s men’s soccer team.

In the Jays’ 6-1 drubbing of Wilkes University on Sept. 18, the striker tallied a goal and an asPhoto: Matthew P. Butera sist. He had the team’s only goal in Etown’s 2-1 loss to McDaniel College on Sept. 15, and scored the game’s first goal in Etown’s 3-2 win over Elmhurst College on Sept. 11.

Weber lists making first-team all county in high school as his greatest athletic accomplishment. If he maintains his high level of play, he could find himself on another first team: all Commonwealth Conference.

Q&A Major: Business, Marketing Concentration Favorite Jay’s Nest item: Bu f f a l o C h i cke n Strips Favorite sports teams: Dallas Cowboys and Manchester United Favorite musician: Lil’ Wayne Favorite TV show: “Entourage” Favorite movies: “King Arthur” or “Cruel Intentions” Song currently playing on my iPod: “Teach Me How to Dougie”

In 10 years, I want to ... be married with kids and to be a successful businessman.

Hardly anyone knows that ...

I take school very seriously.

I’m a sucker for: girls who can make me laugh.

I started playing my sport... when I was 5 years old.

Biggest Fear: Not accomplishing my goals.

InsideSports Field Hockey Men’s Soccer

Page 14

Page 14 Men’s Cross-country Page 14 Volleyball Page 15 Women’s Cross-country Page 15

Sports Recap Men’s Cross-countr y Navy Invitational 6th of 9 Women’s Cross-countr y

Dickinson Long-Short Invitational 3rd of 26

Field Hockey (4-2) Susquehanna 2, Etown 3 Women’s Soccer (3-3-1) Haverford 4, Etown 0 Etown 4, Moravian 0 Men’s Soccer (3-1-2) Etown 6, Wilkes 1 Volleyball (8-3) Etown 3, Lancaster Bible 0 Etown 3, Moravian 2 Etown 3, Arcadia 0

Schedule

of Sports

Men’s Cross Countr y October 2: @ Slipper y Rock Invitational Women’s Cross Countr y

October 2: @ Slipper y Rock Invitational

Field Hockey September 25: @ Messiah September 28: @ King’s College Women’s Soccer September 25: Stevenson September 29: @ Misericordia Men’s Soccer September 25: @ Immaculata September 28: @ Moravian Volleyball September 24: Catholic (3:30 p.m.)

Neumann (7:30 p.m.)

September 25: Mar y Washington (10 a.m.)

Gettysburg (2 p.m.)

September 28 Alvernia September 29 @ Juniata EtownBlueJays .com